LEAGUEPODCAST AND DIGBOSTON COMICS PICKS OF THE WEEK FOR SEPTEMBER 10, 2014

COMICS

Trust the Doctor as he makes his way to a recession-hit paradise planet. 11 takes on a corporate theme park world with evil mascots and ecological destruction. Sound familiar? Matt Smith is still alive Doctor Who 11th Doctor #2! … Paul Tobin takes us back to the mystery of the Prometheus voyage to LV-223 for the first time since the motion picture in this mini-series from Dark Horse, Prometheus: Fire and Stone #1. … It’s the comic book you wish you thought of! Teen Dog from Boom! Studios tackles being a teenager from the eyes of your best friend, a pizza loving backpack wearing sunglass donning Teen Dog #1. Eat my shorts! Picks this week from the time shifting LeaguePodcast.com.

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Kickstarter Korner With Joseph Schmalke for THE INFERNAL PACT AT FORCES OF GEEK

We love it when a plan comes together! And we love when one Kickstarter project begets another…and another!

Joseph Schmakle was on the Treadmill back in November for Calamitous Black Devils and now has The Infernal Pact campaign running.

Put your earbuds to 11 for this heavy metal meth fueled ride into the darkness!

FOG!: Joe, it was really awesome to see you at Boston Comic Con. What was your show schedule this year and want to tell us about the Calamitous Black Devils’ launch? 

Joseph Schmakle: So this year I’m concentrating more on creating my new comic book so I’ll just be doing local conventions for the rest of the year. Coming up I’ll be at Granite State Comic Con in Manchester New Hampshire and then at Bang Pop in Bangor Maine.

[READ MORE AT FORCES OF GEEK]

ALUMNI EDITION: WHAT WE WISH WE KNEW

Clay Fernald (Clay N. Ferno) - General Manager at Middle East
“I wish there was someone to tell me about the triangle of comic book stores in Harvard (New England Comics, Newbury, Million Year Picnic). Though being a regular Wednesday Warrior and a college freshman might not be easy budget-wise, most stores have a bargain bin for cheap books. Plus, having a place to hang out on Wednesday to talk comics is free for the most part. Remind me to tell you about night four in the city walking through the Fenway by myself for the first time as an unaccompanied adult when you see me!” [Million Year Picnic, 99 St. Auburn St., Cambrige. themillionyearpicnic.com] + [New England Comics, 14 Eliot St., Cambridge. newenglandcomics.com]

[READ MORE AT DIGBOSTON]

LEAGUE PODCAST AND DIGBOSTON COMICS PICKS OF THE WEEK WED. AUG 27, 2014

EDITOR’S NOTE: Thanks so much to Matt Dursin for writing up the picks this week! Check out his Robin Hood: Outlaw of the 21st Century comic book here! 

COMICS

Artist, writer and League pal Liz Prince brings us Tomboy, a graphic memoir of her struggles to find her place growing up, trying to “be a girl.” Liz will be signing copies and speaking today, WED August 27 at the Brattle Theater in Cambridge, MA … Speaking of girls, Rachel of Rachel Rising fame sees the investigation of her own murder take a dramatic turn in Rachel Rising #28 by Terry Moore… Flip a patty and celebrate the comic debut of the Belcher family in Bob’s Burger’s #1, an in-canon comic take brought to you by the creators of the hit Fox TV series. Picks of the week brought to you by Leaguepodcast!  Listen to our milestone 200th episode here!

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League Podcast and DigBoston Comic Book Picks of the Week for August 20, 2014

COMICS

One of Image Comic’s titular super characters is being sought after by sleuth reporter Diane Dane. Supreme: Blue Rose #2 from Warren Ellis and Tula Lotay is beautiful and strange as she tackles the universe itself. … Following up the hit Phonogram is McKelvie and Gillen’s Wicked and Devine #3. Bust out the Sisters of Mercy for this underground goth explosion. … Justice, Inc. #1 teams up The Shadow, Doc Savage and The Avenger for a pulp team up 75 years in the making written by Michael Uslan, producer of the Batman films! Join LeaguePodcast this SAT 8/23 for their free 200th episode film screening of The Specials at Somerville Theatre. Limited Seats available with RSVP, and it’s free!

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SAT 8/23 - League Podcast #200 celebration - The Specials (2000) Screening at SOMERVILLE THEATRE - FRE

SAT 8/23 - League Podcast #200 celebration - The Specials (2000) Screening at Somerville Theatre.

http://bit.ly/league200somerville
SAT AUGUST 23
LEAGUE PODCAST EPISODE #200 (SCREENING? CELEBRATION? EVENT?)
FEATURING 
THE SPECIALS (2000 film)
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0181836/

SOMERVILLE THEATRE
8pm

somervilletheatreonline.com 

FREE WITH RSVP - LIMITED SEATS AVAILABLE

Somerville Theatre
55 Davis Square
Somerville, MA 02144-2908
(617) 625-5700

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RSVP (FREE! LIMITED SEATING AVAILABLE) | FACEBOOK EVENT

SAT 8/23 - League Podcast #200 celebration - 

The Specials (2000) Screening at Somerville Theatre.

http://bit.ly/league200somerville

SAT AUGUST 23

LEAGUE PODCAST EPISODE #200 (SCREENING? CELEBRATION? EVENT?)

FEATURING 

THE SPECIALS (2000 film)

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0181836/

SOMERVILLE THEATRE

8pm

somervilletheatreonline.com | leaguepodcast.com

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FREE! YOU MUST RSVP!

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More info at FB event!

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MEMBER OF THE PRESS:

Members of the LeaguePodcast are available for interview about 200 successful podcast episodes since inception in 2009!

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Our most recent episode features Boston Comic Con coverage, interviews with Tim Seeley, New England Comics and 

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Have you claimed your seat to the

League of Ordinary Gentlemen Comic Book Podcast - leaguepodcast episode 200 screening of The Specials (film)? 

NEXT SAT 8.23 at Somerville Theatre! 

FREE! YOU MUST RSVP!

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More info at FB event!

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SAT AUGUST 23

LEAGUE PODCAST EPISODE #200 (SCREENING? CELEBRATION? EVENT?)

FEATURING 

THE SPECIALS (2000 film)

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0181836/

KICKSTARTER KORNER: 'DEER EDITOR' with Writer Ryan K. Lindsay at FORCES OF GEEK

Since we profiled his weird and wonderful Monkeybrain book Headspace back in March, Australian writer Ryan K. Lindsay has become one of our favorite independent comic creators.

Other books of note you may be interest in are a run with My Little Pony: Rainbow Dash, and his own books Fatherhood and Ghost Town.

Ryan joins us today to promote his Kickstarter for Deer Editor #1 about an investigative journalist deer, stalking the streets for clues and justice.

This equine-noir story, like the rest, starts with the first trot.

FOG!: Thanks for joining us again, Ryan, this time for a Kickstarter Korner. The campaign just started, correct?

Ryan K Lindsay: Yep, in the very first days of our wild adventure.

[READ MORE AT FORCES OF GEEK]

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A Beginner’s Guide to Finding Your Nerdy Niche in Time for Boston Comic Con 2014 - INTERVIEWED AT BDC WIRE

“Even if you’re entirely unsure which types of comic characters you relate to, the experts can tell you where to start. Clay Fernald, who hosts the League Podcast and has covered comics extensively for Forces of Geek and DigBoston, says that most comic clerks and fanatics are happy to make recommendations.

“I have a huge stack of books that at any time I could just hand to someone and be like, ‘You should read this,’” he says with a laugh.

Currently, that stack includes Mark Waid’s “Daredevil” comic, Scott Snyder’s “American Vampire,” and “Sex Criminals,” by Matt Fraction and Chip Zdarsky, which follows the escapades of two people who learn that having sex gives them the ability to stop time.

[READ MORE AT BDC WIRE]

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League Podcast and DigBoston Comic Book Picks for August 13, 2014

COMICS

Yo Joe! SHHHHH….The Silent Interlude is one of the most defining stories in G.I. Joe history. Rushed to a deadline, Larry Hama completed this Snake Eyes story by skipping the lettering step in March of 1984. The deluxe edition 30th Anniversary edition of G.I. Joe #21 quietly glides into shelves today! … One of the Guardian’s of the Galaxy writers Dan Abnett unleashes a mysterious hellspawn onto a medieval Europe with Dark Ages #1 from Dark Horse. … The Turtles have a good weekend ahead of them so check out TMNT Annual 2014 from original creator Kevin Eastman! …Picks this week from the Guardians of LeaguePodcast.com.

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THE FOX: FREAK MAGNET (GN Review) - COSMIC TREADMILL AT FORCES OF GEEK

Just before Archie Comics superhero imprint Red Circle Comics gets eclipsed by the grittier, jaw gnashing Dark Circle Comics (imagine lots of lightning and silhouettes), The Fox Vol.1: Freak Magnet is collected for your enjoyment.

Written and illustrated by Dean Haspiel with heavy scripting help from Mark Waid (Daredevil, Thrillbent).

A classic comics creative team J.M. DeMatteis along with Mike Cavallaro (pencils, color), Terry Austin (inks) and John Workman (letters) set WWII comics on it’s side with tie-in back up story “The Face of Hate,” a cornerstone of the whole volume. 

If you remember comics being fun, bad guys getting punched, and if heroes leaping between dimensions gets you trotting, please check out this all-ages friendly The Fox. 

Back in MY DAY, we took our comics by the issue and we liked it! Well, that’s what I said way back in October when issue #1 hit the stands.

These days with all the hustle and bustle and Instagram snaps it’s hard sometimes to focus on a story when you have to wait a whole month between chapters. Lots of stuff is going to trade for me lately.

And boy was I happy to come across this sly Fox, all bundled up nice!

[READ MORE AT FORCES OF GEEK]

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Indiegogo-GO! Support Nick Bertozzi's RUBBER NECKER #6! at FORCES OF GEEK

Nick Bertozzi’s sixth issue of the Ignatz & Harvey Award winning series Rubber Necker is in the fundraising stage over at Indie Go Go.

The first issue (2003) has sold out, and one of the only way you can get a PDF is by donating to the campaign. The anthology book containing his own work, Nick’s first ongoing series, includes the highly praised Drop Ceiling strip, exploring the relationship a young man has with his father and his family business.

Funding goes to printing and shipping hard copies of the book — a limited run — be sure to check out the campaign today.

[READ MORE AT FORCES OF GEEK]

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INTELLIGENT LIFE - David Reddick Hits The Cosmic Treadmill AT FORCES OF GEEK

nerd and geek set! With the popularity of such mainstream shows Big Bang Theory and The Wil Wheaton Project and superhero movies being the Hollywood go-to—perhaps the time is right for the real estate on the dwindling comic page to be geeked out!

David talks to us about his ensemble comic strip Intelligent Life (King Features Syndicate) and how he uses social media to spark life into the characters.

FOG!: Thanks for joining us, David! I love when I can catch a strip at the beginning, but now I just want more! How did Intelligent Life come about?

David Reddick: Intelligent Life is a culmination of all the things I love. Anything geeky… nerdy… everything I’ve loved since I was a kid, and still do. It’s also a culmination of my previous experience in working with theStar Trek franchise in an official capacity, with the Roddenberry company, with Garfield, working for newspapers, etc. 

I created the rough concept for Intelligent Life many years ago, actually, in the early ’90s. But the time wasn’t right, then.

And, last year, in my thinking and desire to create a comic strip for syndication, I wanted to create a comic strip that was completely ME, and in asking myself, “If I could create any comic I want, ANYTHING… that is ALL ME… what would it be?

Answer: GEEK STUFFFFFF.”

And Intelligent Life came to life.

[READ MORE AT FORCES OF GEEK]

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FOG! Chats With BOX BROWN, Author of ANDRE THE GIANT: LIFE AND LEGEND - COSMIC TREADMILL, FORCES OF GEEK

Box Brown joins us today to talk about Andre The Giant: Life and Legend from First Second Books.

The biographical comic about one of the most legendary wrestlers of all time is sweet but honest about some of his shortcomings.

From the French countryside to The Princess Bride, André Roussimoff lived a full life, towering over his wrestling opponents literally and figuratively.

FOG!: Thanks for joining us today, Box! Andre The Giant and comics. What brings the two together? Obviously, wrestling and comics were formative to our generation. Why paint a biography of Andre in comic form?

Box Brown: I am a life-long fan of wrestling and was always kind of obsessed with it to a great extent. In the early 2000s I saw an A&E Biography about Andre so I had that background on Andre’s extraordinary life. I had an understanding of how tragic and compelling it was. Fast-forward to late 2010 I was reading about Andre online and read about how Samuel Beckett gave him a ride to school. I thought that would make a good comic and I just made it into a mini-comic. Then it just snowballed from there.

You touch upon the myth, and truly Andre was like that for us kids. Did he eat a guy? Was he a monster? He was superhuman, a real life superhero. It seemed like that was rough on him. During your research did you find how he dealt with it? Drinking?

Yes, I think drinking was one way he dealt with his issues. He was a person who I feel had trouble connecting to other people.

[READ MORE AT FORCES OF GEEK]

INDIE GO-GO-GO! 'MOROS' With Josh Lucas at FORCES OF GEEK

We continue to support our indie creators trying to use Kickstarter and other platforms like Indiegogo to fund their comics.

A hustlin’ Josh Lucas sent us a tweet about his campaign, and sometimes that’s all it takes to get the ball rolling.

Plus the hard boiled crime super hero scratches a few of our itches.

Josh joins us today to talk about Moros.

[READ MORE AT FORCES OF GEEK]

League Podcast and Dig Boston Comic Picks of the Week for July 16, 2014

COMICS

Our pal Ben Templesmith releases Squidder #1 from IDW for all of your tentacle needs! You remember him from 44 Flood Kickstarter, right? … The Supers may be saving our asses from harm but their blood may hold the cure for cancer. An undertaker is convinced to help out his delinquent brother to get superhuman DNA in Black Market #1 from Frank J. Barberie and Victor Santos at Boom! … “Trust me, I’m The Doctor”, Star Trek’s medical all-stars are in ST: Flesh and Stone one shot focussing on Starfleet Medical from McCoy to Crusher and EMH! … Picks this week from the All-New LeaguePodcast.com.

Kickstarter Korner - THE CHRONICLES OF FARO at FORCES OF GEEK

On top of that, he chose many different artists to tell the story, giving the book an anthology feel. We spoke to Faro about the book, the Kickstarter campaign and the secrets of Abraham Lincoln.

FOG!: Thanks for joining us today! Your pitch for Chronicles of Faro describes the book as James Bond meets Quantum Leap. Care to tell our readers what to expect?

Faro Kane: My two greatest influences growing up were James Bond movies that my father insisted I watch along with the obsession with time travel I gained from watching Quantum Leap. On Quantum Leap, the main character was a brilliant scientist who is able to leap into different people scattered throughout time. Each week he altered the lives of random people time and again, surviving death and love and confusion from having his mind meld with the people he’s “leaped” into. 

While Dr. Sam Beckett changed minor history for the better, I always wondered how it would go down if someone altered a MAJOR event in time. While good would evolve, wouldn’t evil play the same game?

So I took the main character of FARO and gave him the persona of Professor Francis Kane, a 40 something instructor at The National Academy of Science (founded in 1863 by Abraham Lincoln) who destroys his career and sells his soul to achieve time travel.

The James Bond part comes in after time travel is achieved, where our older hero finds himself 20 years younger and the pawn of an elite circle of time traveling terrorists (like SPECTRE) I envision FARO as the James Bond, his sidekick MUZIO the MAULER as the Felix Leiter, Johnny Olives as Q and eventually the surviving Abe Lincoln as M.

[READ MORE AT FORCES OF GEEK]

THE IMAGE REVOLUTION (review) AT FORCES OF GEEK

‏Twenty years ago, the comic book industry’s top guns took their pen nibs, pouches, flowy capes and big eyes away from the Big Two and started Image Comics. Creator ownership and the comic book industry fundamentally changed that day when McFarlane, Larsen, Liefeld, Silvestri, Lee, Valentino, and Portacio took control of the business of comic books and the rights to their own characters. 

‏Written and directed by Patrick Meany and produced by Seqart in association with Respect! Films, The Image Revolution interviews the guys, plus Sean Howe (Marvel Comics: The Untold Story), Image publisher Eric Stephenson, Robert Kirkman (The Walking Dead), Nick Spencer (Morning Glories) and many more to tell the tale of the early ‘rock star’ days of Image Comics and takes us through today. With the success of The Walking Deadand Image Comics dominating the creator owned market and business model, the impossible dream became real.

We get another great inside the bullpen look from Respect! Films here, highly recommended for fans of these superstar creators but mostly for people of my comic book reading generation. The early ‘90s were an amazing time to be reading the books coming out from Marvel. 

‏The split happened right before our eyes, and like many things no one was sure if it would work.

[READ MORE AT FORCES OF GEEK]

THE PRIVATE EYE #1-7 Gets a Turn on The Cosmic Treadmill

Brian K. Vaughan (Saga, Y: The Last Man, TV’s Lost) and artist Marcos Martin (Amazing Spider-Man, Daredevil) have quietly disrupted the comic book industry with a small crack in the wall.

Beyond the innovative distribution method they have devised with a ‘pay what you want’ donation system at Panel Syndicate site, the story itself is revolutionary. 

‏Within the tablet-friendly landscape format with a DRM-free file formats lies a future tale where nothing is private. The Internet doesn’t exist. The ‘cloud’ has burst and everyone wears a mask. The cops of the future are The Fourth Estate - code word for the press.

You may not know about this sleeper hit, but if you wanted to, you can pay $0 to read it right now.

You’ll quickly find justification for leaving a donation (or not, that’s how they roll). 

[READ MORE AT FORCES OF GEEK]

LeaguePodcast and DigBoston Comics Picks of the Week for July 2, 2014

COMICS

“Hooked on a feeling…”, Oh man, Guardians of the Galaxy is gonna be so good! Star Lord (played by Chris Pratt) stars in his own book Legendary Star Lord #1 written by newly minted exclusive Marvel writer Sam Humphries (The Ultimates, Uncanny X-Force). … Continuing the tradition of Zero Issues for these books, Magnus: Robot Fighter #0 hits stands starring Leeja: Human Hunter! … Your move, creep! If you weren’t satisfied with the Robocop Reboot last summer, this is the book for you! Joshua Williamson writes what happens after Murphy and Lewis clean up Old Detroit in Robocop 2014 #1. Picks from the all new LeaguePodcast.com Dot Now!

LeaguePodcast and DigBoston Comics Picks of the Week June 25, 2014

COMICS!

Colt City is having a rash of murders and our pulp hero Black Beetle is the only one that can stop them! The followup series Black Beetle: Necrologue #1 starts today from Francesco Francavilla. Pick up many copies, this will sell out! … IDW combines Ben 10, Samurai Jack, Powerpuff Girls and Dexter’s Laboratory into one Cartoon Network Super Secret Crisis War #1! The Crossover that should never be (guest starring Ed, Edd and Eddy! … Master Alan Davis writes and draws the green Banner Monster in Savage Hulk #1! … Picks from the All-New LeaguePodcast.com!