DigBoston and LeaguePodcast Comics Picks of the Week for November 5, 2014

COMICS

Velvet Templeton is taking the battle right into the heart of the agency’s HQ but to what end? Your monthly dose of female lead espionage gets hot as HQ is on lockdown in Brubaker & Epting’s Velvet #8. The Legendary Star-Lord #5 reveals the mysterious Black Vortex, can Peter keep the artifact under control? … It’s Sons of Bananarchy in The Humans #1! This ape-centric motor gang is coming to your town to replace your Dad’s Easy Rider mags from the ’70s. They don’t call handlebars Ape-Hangers in this one! … Picks this week from LeaguePodcast.com!

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Triple Shot With A Digital Chaser HALLOWEEN EDITION! Advance Look at HELLBOY AND THE B.P.R.D. #1, EDWARD SCISSORHANDS #1, CUTTER #1 Plus Monkeybrain's BOO! HALLOWEEN STORIES V. 2!

We’re keeping it grimly fiendish here on this Halloween edition of Triple Shot! 

We were lucky enough to start in the scariest state in the union, Connecticut, to preview December’s Hellboy and The B.P.R.D. #1 from Mike Mignola and superstar artist of the dark arts Alex Maleev.

Then we cut your expectations into an animal shrubbery with a new Edward Scissorhands #1.

If that wasn’t enough evisceration, tune in to Cutter from Top Cow for the real bloody stuff.

Cap off this bag of tricks with Monkeybrain’s devilishly pieced together Boo! Halloween Stories Vol. # 2devised to make your blood curdle!

HELLBOY AND THE B.P.R.D. #1
Writers: Mike Mignola, John Arcudi
Artist: Alex Maleev
Colorist: Dave Stewart
Publisher: Dark Horse Comics 
Pub. Date: December 03, 2014
Price: $3.50
UPC: 7 61568 26148 6 00111
More Info HERE


A true treat for fans of Hellboy in his twentieth year is this story set in 1952 written by Mike Mignola and John Arcudi.  Frequent Bendis collaborator Alex Maleev, who’s painterly style defined a Daredevil run and slight to redefine a schizophrenic Moon Knight is a treat to see return to the Hellboy-verse. 

To those familiar and to newcomers as well, the story takes place in the 50s — as we bear witness to Hellboy joining the B.P.R.D. in the field for the first time.

No doubt as this arc progresses, he will learn a lot about himself as he interacts with the team. Already he faces challenges like Agent Stegner’s prejudice and an uncertainty of his abilities in the field after being raised and coddled by the Department since he was discovered.

A series of 33 murders in a Brazilian village prompts the investigation into the supernatural which will be Hellboy’s first mission. Stay tuned to this series to see if he succeeds or fails. 

Hellboy and the B.P.R.D. #1 is available on December 3. Highly recommended for Hellboy fans or new readers, considering the nature of this quasi-origin story.

[READ MORE at FORCES OF GEEK]

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DigBoston and League Podcast Comics Picks of the Week for Wed. October 29, 2014

COMICS

Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. cyborg star Deathlok gets a brand new #1 from spy-fi action writer Nathan Edmondson this week. We’re looking forward to Nathan’s take on this deadly Marvel mainstay! … The disturbing look at a violent South returns in Southern Bastards #5 from angry Jasons Aaron and Latour returns to peek at the nasty history of the bastard Coach Boss … Tim Seely’s Sundowners #3 continues his “They Live!” meets Doom Patrol horror comic. … Picks this week from LeaguePodcast.com!

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LEAGUE PODCAST AND DIGBOSTON COMICS PICKS OF THE WEEK FOR WED. OCT 22

COMICS

Tony S. Daniel has taken on Batman, Superman/Wonder Woman and the Flash! Who’s next? Arrow villain Deathstroke in Deathstroke #1! With a new look, some amnesia and a road of many new missions ahead of him, the assassin will be facing some of the biggest challenges yet! Preview the book here. Bust out the Piña Colada mix, Guardians of The Galaxy Annual #1 welcomes a S.H.I.E.L.D. helicarrier in space! Mark Millar and Goran Parlov’s Duke, along with Space-Boy and the rebels face the Brotean regime in the final issue of this beautiful send off to Flash Gordon and Adam Strange. If you don’t pick up Starlight Issue #6, get it in trade. … Picks this week from LeaguePodcast.com!

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Cosmic Treadmill: IDW & HASBRO AT NEW YORK COMIC CON 2014 at FORCES OF GEEK

You’ll see all the news this week about NYCC beating out SDCC this week in attendance, so it’s notable that I got my ass to the Con on a Yo! Bus for four days of bumping into fans, dizzying cosplay and one heck of a good time. For an early evening panel after spending my whole day traveling, the seats at the Javits Center welcomed us for one of my favorite publishers.

We took a look at the popular licensed properties held by IDW from the IDW & Hasbro: Transformers, Ponies & More panel at New York Comic Con, Day 1 - Thursday, October 9 2014 at 6:15pm.

My only question is, why did my favorite book for life - G.I. Joe get relegated to peeling potato duty. I mean, “ & More”?

That’s a bit insulting to our nation’s Special Mission Force!

But Senior Editor John Barber and Mike Costa made up for it — by announcing Snake Eyes: Agent of Cobra, the next installment in the Cobra Files seasons. 

Plus, some more “Truly Outrageous” announcements, nearly missed by the regular Friday through Sunday Con visitors!

[READ MORE AT FORCES OF GEEK]

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DIGBOSTON and LEAGUEPODCAST COMICS PICKS OF THE WEEK FOR WED. OCTOBER 15, 2014

COMICS

We’re still getting to know the 12th Doctor on TV, but the results are in, Peter Capaldi is the Doctor of a new regeneration! This highly anticipated followup to the 10th and 11th Doctor series comes at you from Titan Books with Doctor Who (12th Doctor) #1. The Doctor and Clara face a mysterious alien fauna! … One of our favorite sneak peaks from New York Comic Con was this new Dungeons and Dragons book, Legends of Baldurs Gate #1 written by Jim Zub (Skullkickers, Samurai Jack)! “Go for the eyes”, said Boo, the miniature giant space hamster! … It’s ALMOST done. The penultimate issue of Superior Foes of Spider-Man, #16, hits the streets today. Artist Steve Lieber heads over to Valiant to Quantum and Woody after this! … Picks this week from LeaguePodcast.com!

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Triple Shot of Horror and The Flash Digital Chaser: HALLOWEEN ISSUES FOR YOU AND THE KIDS at FORCES OF GEEK

Before you know it, we’ll be knee deep in garden Santas and then Valentine’s Day cards.

That’s how quick American holiday retail reacts. The practically tell you start celebrating next year’s holiday as soon as one is over.

And if those Madison Ave. captains of industry had their way, they would, by gum. 

On this first half of October, why not get into the mood with some Halloween books, some innocent and some spooky!

We check out Chilling Adventures of Sabrina #1 in the new Archie Horror line, then Costume Quest: Invasion of the Candy Snatchers and then again, back to Riverdale for your more traditional World of Archie Comics Digest #43. 

Vibrating into the end of this very column you’ll also find a nod to the Cosmic Treadmill as The Flash debuts on TV this week, and ComiXology hosts Flash Season 0 #3 for the Digital Chaser, written by show runner Andrew Kreisberg and drawn by fan favorite Phil Hester!

Chilling Adventures of Sabrina #1
WRITER: Roberto Aguirre Sacasa
ARTIST: Robert Hack
Publication Date: October 8, 2014
Price: $3.99
Publisher: Archie Comics
RATING: Teen +
UPC: 76281694824100121
Buy it Here 


Hot off of the heels of this year’s Afterlife with Archie is Roberto Aguirre Sacasa’s Dark Shadows-esque take on Sabrina the Teenage Witch. 

Carefully placing Sabrina (and Salem) as a teenager in the 1960s, once again Archie has stepped up the horror comics game. With familiar characters being dropped into situations we haven’t seen before —Chilling Adventures of Sabrina will sure to be the hit everyone is talking about this month. And what better month than Halloween to get dark and eerie!

We’re given a deep origin to how Sabrina came to live with aunts Hilda and Zelda, and the mystery of her parents. When moving to the new town of Greendale after her powers start to get stronger, Ambrose (her cousin, a male witch) is reintroduced to the family and influences Sabrina to take on more risks, such as glamor spells.

In school, she meets her new best friend and romantic rival, Rosalind. They both have their eye on the accident prone but charming Harvey Kinkle. Could Sabrina be coaxed into using a love potion to get Harvey’s attention? You should read to find out.

What I’ve described above doesn’t get at the essence of this chilling adventure. In fact, the plot points are fairly standard Archie fare when recapped like this. What is great about this book is largely the tone set by artist Robert Hack. Like Francavilla before him, he’s cartooning with great action, fantasy and setting the tone with every action. His classic, movie poster style brings the 60s to your mind’s eye in a way rivaled only by weathered paperback covers or fully rendered Bill Sienkiewicz pages. 

The gushing doesn’t end there, folks. A big bad introduced by the end of the issue with make your shiver from the inside out.

We don’t rate comics in this column as a rule, the closest we can come to that is this is a must-read. Go buy it.

Pick up any variant covers you see as well. The Rosemary’s Baby cover is my favorite.

[READ MORE AT FORCES OF GEEK]

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LEAGUEPODCAST AND DIGBOSTON COMIC PICKS OF THE WEEK FOR WED. OCTOBER 8, 2014

COMICS

It’s “that girl”, Batgirl in hungover tales of moving to the “Somerville” of Gotham, Burnside. With a practical new outfit, and spending as much time in hipster coffee shops (RIP Sherman Cafe) as she does prowling the city at night, Babs adjusts to her new live in Burnside in Batgirl #35 … Get to learn the true origin of Aric of Dacia - X-O Manowar in a new issue #0. See how brutal life was for this Visigoth in the Roman Empire! … Tom Scioli is unleashing the weird and wonderful Jack Kirby via acid trip that is Transformers vs. G.I. Joe #3. Cybertron is under attack from the Joe team! This is intellectual property comics done sideways. …. Picks this week from LeaguePodcast.com!

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The Cosmic Treadmill Goes Behind The Red Curtain With CANNIBAL ISLAND at FORCES OF GEEK

When was the last time you read a good cannibal story set behind the Red Curtain?

Look no further than this new webcomic from Steve Ekstrom, Cannibal Island.

FOG!: Thanks for joining us today! Why are you inspired to do a webcomic based on the Nazino affair, and for the readers, just what is that?

Steve Ekstrom: The “Nazino affair” was an unfortunate set of circumstances that occurred during early 1930’s in the Soviet Union where Stalin and friends came up with something called the “grandiose plan” where various “undesirables” (vagrants, prisoners, people who left their passports at home on accident, affluent land-owners from rural areas, political activists) were all taken to the undeveloped eastern areas of Russia and placed into “Labor Villages” and basically told “build yourself some shelter and start cultivating this land…or die.”

Around 4000 “undesirables” were being sent to an area of Russia known as Tomsk and the local officials, when they learned how many criminals were mixed into their body of 4000 laborers, they panicked and decided to move their Labor Village to the island of Nazino which just happened to be about 2 miles long and half a mile wide.

Because rations and resources were stretched to their absolute maximum through poorly planned efficiency, the Labor Village on Nazino was only given about 20 Tons of flour dumped right on the shore of the island, right out in the open.

Before the prisoners ever arrived, people were dying of exposure and starvation. 

The criminally minded laborers began to form loose gangs. Within weeks of arriving, numerous reports of cannibalism had already been reported.

So the cannibalism is very real - in fact based on real events?

Cannibalism was already occurring in the outlying regions of the Soviet Union because of widespread famine and ecological issues of the time that were similar to what happened in the U.S. with the whole “Dust Bowl” famine. Couple that with the fact that the Communist government was seizing every bit of grain and/ or viable crop for the formation of rations for their labor camps and to feed their growing army and there you have it.

[READ MORE AT FORCES OF GEEK]

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Kickstarter Korner: Chatting It Up With The Creators of DEEP SEA, David Bishop and Ricky Lima

From recent oysters Undertow to Low to classics like Namor the Sub-Mariner, the ocean depths are rich subject matter for comic books.

Canadians Ricky Lima and David A. Bishop are culling the deep for an original graphic novel. The Kickstarter Staff pick is nearly funded for Deep Sea, and the guys are here to tell us about it before they poetically reach their final goal.


FOG!: Thanks for joining us today. Just finished the book, it truly was a different kind of story. Care to share about the origin of Deep Sea?

Ricky Lima: Deep Sea started from my desire to collaborate with David. He does some great work and I just wanted to get in on the ground floor of David’s Super Stardom. I approached him with the idea of doing a very small minimal book and he was interested.forces of geek

We decided to make the entire thing red and blue and the idea for the story came from that color scheme.

After the book was so incredibly well received we decided it’d be in our best interests to make a longer sequel.

[READ MORE AT FORCES OF GEEK]

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DIGBOSTON AND LEAGUE PODCAST COMICS PICKS OF THE WEEK FOR WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2014

COMICS

It’s a great week for ladies being represented in comics! Our number one pick of the week is the third-wave Bat-Family book Gotham Adademy #1 The prep school uniform is your new favorite cosplay to rival Hogwarts! … “We’re not worthy, we’re not worthy…” to pick up the hammer but someone else is, in the new Thor #1. Jason Aaron’s run continues and a new female Thor is revealed! … NYT best selling author Patricia Briggs’ urban fantasy series Mercy Thompson #1, featuring a shapeshifting coyote, comes to comics. This Mercy story is set in official continuity with a brand new storyline! … Picks this week from LeaguePodcast.com!

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DIGBOSTON AND LEAGUEPODCAST COMICS PICKS OF THE WEEK FOR WED. SEPTEMBER 24, 2014

COMICS

Yo Joe! Scarlett is the one taking on leadership duties in the Joes in a brand new number G.I. Joe #1 - written by British NYT best selling author Karen Traviss. The ladies finally take over America’s Elite Fighting Force! … Future’s End has been kind of a crapshoot, but events in The Flash storyline, where Barry meets his future self in the Speed Force comes to a head in The Flash Future’s End #1. … G-G-G-Ghosts! IDW ends it’s amazing Ghostbuster’s run at issue #20. To celebrate, the League is giving a pair of tix to MC Chris’ All Ages Ghost Hunter tour at Middle East on Sunday 10/5. Hit up [email protected] with your favorite Ghostbuster for a chance to win! … Picks this week from the Unflappable LeaguePodcast.com!

Cosmic Treadmill: LEAVING MEGALOPOLIS (review) - AT FORCES OF GEEK

Today, Dark Horse releases Leaving Megalopolis, originally a Kickstarter funded project from the amazing creative team of Gail Simone and artist Jim Calafiore.

Jim and Gail were responsible for a longtime run on Secret Six, the DC villain team book that will be returning to the New 52 with Gail on writing duties. 

Leaving Megalopolis stands in the grand tradition of books going back to Watchmen. At the center of the conflict, innumerable super powered beings take over and turn on the innocent humans they at one time were sworn to protect. 

Mina is our hero — a cop with baggage just trying to get out of the city in one piece.

Strong analog characters to popular super heroes have been created for Leaving Megalopolis. 
The Man of Granite — Overlord — is our Superman, Hulk and even a ‘grim and gritty’ Batman. In this world, comics also celebrate the heroes, and references and an excerpt from issue #47 of the fictionalOverlord comic is the turning point that the comic writers make Overlord a dark hero.

[READ MORE at FORCES OF GEEK]

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DIGBOSTON AND LEAGUEPODCAST COMICS PICKS OF THE WEEK FOR WED., SEPTEMBER 17, 2014

COMICS

Gail Simone and Jim Calafiore (Secret Six) Kickstarted a dream, but for the citizens of Megalopolis it is a nightmare. Leaving Megalopolis shows what happens when the good heroes turn on the people they were sworn to protect. Gilbert Hernandez (Love and Rockets) delivers a punk rock sequel to last year’s Marble Season with Bumperhead from Drawn and Quarterly. It’s a story of growing up in the magical way only an Hernandez can illustrate, brilliant coming-of-age stuff with a flavor of 80s punk culture in LA. Verily, celebrate the final, 25th issue of a legendary Thor run with Jason Aaron’s Thor God of Thunder featuring the origin of Malekith the Accursed! … Picks this week from LeaguePodcast.com!

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Kickstarter Korner: Chatting SEX & VIOLENCE VOL. 2 With JUSTIN GRAY

Comics writer Justin Gray just wrapped up a longstanding run on Jonah Hexwith longtime writing partner Jimmy Palmiotti.

Gray, Palmiotti, writer Frank Tieri, artist Amanda Connor and colorist Paul Mounts make up PaperFilms, a creative collective that has launched yet another successful Kickstarter Exclusive comics campaign.

Among the awesome rewards available in this Kickstarter-exclusive release, supporters can actually have artwork printed in the book. 

Justin joins us today to talk about the campaign and what sets a PaperFilms project apart from the others in this interview promoting the Sex & Violence Volume 2 Kickstarter that’s running right now.

FOG!: Hi Justin, thanks for joining us today to talk about your Kickstarter for Sex & Violence #2. What does Kickstarter mean for PaperFilms? 

Justin Gray: Kickstarter provides opportunities for us to create work that might not otherwise find a publisher. I believe it also provides us the opportunity to help grow an audience for material that would struggle in a mainstream marketplace, which is dominated by a specific genre. 

[READ MORE AT FORCES OF GEEK]

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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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