Celebrating HALLOWEEN COMICFEST on The Cosmic Treadmill at FORCE OF GEEK

Free Comic Books on Halloween? How positively ghoulish! Trade in those Reese’s mini-cups for something that will surely rot your skull from the inside at your Local Comic Shop!

Halloween ComicFest, an offshoot of Diamond Comic Distributors’ Free Comic Book Day allows for another day of free comics while those meddling kids are out there like paupers begging for free stuff anyway. 

Publishers and retailers work on the tried-and-true ‘first one’s free’ business model to get kids of all ages into the store in Halloween costumes to get the latest and ghastliest of free comics offerings. 

So, whether you are Elsa from Frozen, Ant-Man, Marty McFly or the tried-and-true Sexy Cat Octopus Nurse, head to a participating comic shop to celebrate on this rare Saturday Halloween!

[READ MORE AT FORCE OF GEEK]

Dig Boston and League Podcast Comics Picks of the Week for Wed. October 21, 2015

COMICS

There’s that word again. “Heavy.” Why are things so heavy in the future? Is there a problem with the Earth’s gravitational pull? It’s Back to the Future day, so strap on that overboard and avoid the D. Jones Manure Hauling truck. Manure hauling, that’s a weird vocation. IDW celebrates with the Bob Gale (screenwriter) blessed Back to the Future #1! … This week’s The Shield #1 comes from Dark Circle Comics, a new take on an old hero - this time she’s a Daughter of the Revolution, ready to fight for justice and the American Way! … Warren Ellis (Moon Knight, Transmetropolitan) returns to Marvel for Karnak #1. The Inhuman Karnak is a Lee/Kirby creation with Karate skills and puzzle-solving skills, prompting Coulson recruit him for S.H.I.E.L.D. missions … Picks this week from LeaguePodcast.com.

FOG! Takes In The HUMAN BODY THEATER With MARIS WICKS! AT FORCES OF GEEK

New York Times best selling graphic novelist (for Primates: The Fearless Science of Jane Goodall, Dian Fossey, and Biruté Galdikas), amazing artist and science nerd Maris Wicks chats with us about the inner workings of our inner workings in her new book, Human Body Theater.

From Abdomen to X-Ray, Maris takes us through the mysterious workings of the human body with a cute skeleton narrator and more than one smiley-faced platelet.

This is all ages science comics with a purpose! 

FOG!: Human Body Theater is absolutely brilliant. Why take us through Innerspace in comic book form?

Maris Wicks: Thank you! Well, I selfishly wanted to make this book because I just think the human body is AWESOME. I chose the form of comics because it’s the most efficient way for me to communicate information.

As far as I know, there hasn’t been a comic book dedicated to the human body (until now). Side note: I would totally take a remake of Innerspace. Just saying.

For Primates, and you were the artist on that book, this time you are the writer and artist for what needs to be a scientifically accurate book. How crazy did you go with your research?

My research for Human Body Theater unknowingly started way back in 2002 when I got certified to be an EMT. Before that, I always had a love for all things anatomical, whether it was purely for artistic inspiration, or if it was the topic of a book I was reading. When Human Body Theater got green-lit, I read every book for kids I could find about the human body (and some geared towards adults too).

[READ MORE AT FORCES OF GEEK]

Dig Boston and League Podcast Comics Picks of the Week for Wed. October 14, 2015

COMICS

Perhaps the most vocal member of the Millennium Falcon crew, Chewbacca is back from writing his autobiography “A Win is a Win” to star in a new Limited series. Chewbacca #1 roars onto shelves today! … Larry Hama and S.L. Gallant prepare you for bi-weekly shipping of G.I.Joe: A Real American Hero this week with G.I. Joe Cobra World Order Prelude #1. Cobra is, of course, a ruthless terrorist organization determined to rule the world. … … The Raccoon is in charge in the All-New, All-Different Marvel version of Guardians of the Galaxy #1, guest starring the ever-lovin’ blue-eyed, otherwise book-less The Thing (Fantastic Four). … Picks this week from LeaguePodcast.com.

FOG! Chats With Writer JUSTIN JORDAN About His Sleepless Creation, JOHN FLOOD! at FORCES OF GEEK

Some nights I fall asleep reading comics until the iPad glass hits me in the face.

Man, I really hate going to bed. 

Imagine what might happen if the government removed your ability to sleep? What nightmares await you when the brain can’t rest? Will it unlock a power you didn’t know you had?

The third issue of sleeper hit (pun intended) John Flood hits shelves this week from the waking mind of Justin Jordan (The Strange Talent of Luther Strode, Shadowman, Deep State). Justin took a few minutes away from his busy work and convention schedule to give us the skinny on his sleep deprived detective comic book over at BOOM!, available at your local store and digitally today.

FOG!: Thanks for taking the time today between cons and your busy schedule. Your new book John Flood from BOOM! is keeping me up at night! What’s the skinny on this night owl? Is this your first book at BOOM!? What attracted you to this publisher for John Flood?

Justin Jordan: John Flood is actually my second book at BOOM!, Deep State, with Ariela Kristantina and Ben Wilsonham, was the first. 

As to why BOOM! for John Flood?

Well, it’s a weird book.

So much so that I didn’t like the odds of us being able to successfully do it at Image. Successfully, here, meaning that everyone gets paid.

 But beyond making sure Jorge and Tamra weren’t working for nothing, this is also such a weird and complex book that I really needed editorial support to make the book I wanted to make, which I got at BOOM!.

This would have been a different and, I think, not as good book elsewhere.

[READ MORE AT FORCES OF GEEK]

Dig Boston and League Podcast Comics Picks of the Week for Wed. October 7, 2015

COMICS

NYT Best Selling graphic novelist Maris Wicks sets the anatomy stage with Human Body Theater from First Second Books. Check out our interview later this week and go to her signing at Hub Comics next Tuesday 10.13. … Jughead #1 is a reimagining from the mind of brimping weirdo Chip Zdarsky. It’s all about lunchtrays and revolution this week in the newly relaunched Riverdale. … John Flood #3 is what happens when the government replaces your need to sleep with perpetual awareness. You become aware of the spaces between things and become a great detective. Justin Jordan (Luthor Strode) peeks into the mind of the insomniac detective! … Picks this week from LeaguePodcast.com.

FOG! Chats With IDW EIC and DIRK GENTLY Scribe CHRIS RYALL at FORCES OF GEEK

IDW’s CCO and Editor-in-Chief Chris Ryall (Zombies vs. Robots, Onyx) takes on Dirk Gently in the latest mini-series from the publisher. Dirk, for the uninitiated, was a character created by Hitchhiker’s Guide author Douglas Adams that made his debut in 1987.

Chris took some time to join us today for a deep dive into this “ghost-horror-detective- time-travel-romantic-comedy-epic”. Issue 4 (of 5) is out today wherever fine comics are sold or iPads are resting. Stay tuned also for a Dirk Gently TV show from Max Landis and BBC America. Chris gives us some insight into the television adaptation as well.

[READ MORE AT FORCES OF GEEK]

Dig Boston and League Podcast Comics Picks of the Week for Wed. September 23, 2015

 

COMICS

After a traditional Image Comics trade break, the alien world future political triller Invisible Republic is back with issue #6 as the war starts to heat up. 1872 #3 is the latest from Gerry Duggan, putting a Deadwood spin on the Marvel Universe. A hero is reborn in this Western town of Timely — the strangest of all Secret War tales! The New Deal by Jonathan Case (Batman ‘66) and Dark Horse Comics is a comedic mystery set inside of the historic 1930’s Waldorf Astoria. See who is really behind these mysterious threats! …Picks this week from LeaguePodcast.com.

Triple Shot: THE INFINITE ADVENTURES OF JONAS QUANTUM #1, CAPTAIN AMERICA: WHITE #1, D4VE2 #1 at FORCES OF GEEK

Who isn’t ready for the weekend, amiright? We hope your weekend is filled with many glossy pages (or screens) of comics outdoors for one last time this summer. Crack open that cold can and drink in this last weekend of the Summer because it’s all crashing to an end.

Looking for something to read as you slowly realize you wasted your summer away at the DMV and Dunkin Donuts? Maybe you were toiling away at the boat motor you never could get started?

Here’s some suggestions!

Mark Guggenheim (Arrow, The Flash, Amazing Spider-Man) teams up with Freddie E. Williams II and the tight bros at Legendary Studios (yes, that Legendary responsible for Pacific Rim, The Dark Knight Trilogy and so many more) to give us the smartest man in the world, The Infinite Adventures of Jonas Quantum #1.

Contrast that book with the most put upon robot in the world in former FOG! columnist, Ryan Ferrier’s D4VE2 #1, the sequel to his desk-jockey-robot-turned-hero book D4VE. 

Of course, 98 pound weakling Marvel nerds exhaled a collective wheezy “yay” when they heard that Captain America: White from Jeph Loeb and Tim Sale was finally going to see the light of day and the $4.99 price point is totally worth it if you can’t wait for the collected edition.

The Infinite Adventures of Jonas Quantum #1

Writer: Marc Guggenheim

Pencils and Cover: Freddie E. Williams II

Colors: Chris Sotomayor

Pub. Date: September 16, 2015

Age Rating:15+ Only

Publisher: 2015 Legendary Comics, LLC

Buy Here on ComiXology

I’m not shy when it comes to my love of the work that the CW team has done with Arrow and The Flash. I scoop up insider information on the shows like a Hoover in a hotel lobby from Twitter and have always enjoyed behind the scenes interviews with Marc Guggenheim. 

Marc was also one of the weekly writers of Spidey when I had my resurgence back into comic book fandom so I always keep an eye out for his work. 

What appears to be on the Millarworld model of writing a volume of comics custom built for an easy adaptation to the big (or small) screen is this very fun superhero story about the smartest man in the world.

A clever way of marking time in the book marks Jonas’ advanced intellect and milestones. Keep that calculator handy because you need to know that in the flashbacks on DAY 4800, Jonas is 13 years old and mastering time travel.

At 35, he cures Death.

The superheroing comes in as someone has broken into an off-world pocket universe and stolen his ‘Cure for Death’. 

Jonas has powers, or has invented suits and gear to make him superpowered, can travel through time and there is plenty of action. Interacting with real humans, Jonas has some social problems but he seems to get by.

Great fights and action for the first issue, and as usual Freddie Williams is a master. Quite a great looking book with Chris Sotomayer on colors. 

Five stars for me on this first issue for fans of über-smart heroes (Reed, Tony, Bruce) and the cliffhangers and high drama of Guggenheim’s TV work.

[READ MORE AT FORCES OF GEEK]

FOG! Chats With CHRIS HUNT About CARVER: A PARIS STORY From Z2 Comics

Paul Pope’s protege Chris Hunt has a new comic from Z2, Carver: A Paris Story hitting shelves November 11. 

Chris joins us today to tease the red wine and whiskey soaked black and white noir mystery comic and the short film that serves as a prequel to the story.

FOG!: Chris, thanks so much for joining us today. What brought the Carver story to life for you? 

Chris Hunt: Carver started as something of an experiment for me about 5 years ago, when I was applying for Paul Pope’s residency at The Atlantic Center For The Arts. I did a short story about this old school, mustachioed adventurer having to fight off a man-eating lion. 

It was very straightforward, and the main character didn’t have any back story. I kind of just started playing around with what his background would be, how he may have become this old school bad ass. 

I found that I really enjoyed the idea of building a world around this pseudo-Hemingway archetype and I just started playing around with different concepts. I had actually been in Paris with an ex-girlfriend when I came up with the idea for the original story and concept for the character. 

I thought it would be an interesting place to start the saga, so to speak. The backbone of the story is my personal experience when I was there, but it spiraled out into something much bigger as the story was developed.

[READ MORE AT FORCES OF GEEK]

Dig Boston and League Podcast Comics Picks of the Week for Wed. September 16, 2015

COMICS

Chances are the world will end up like The Isles of Los Angeles 2089 in Tokyo Ghost #1 by Rick Remender (Avengers) and Sean Murphy (Chrononauts). In the technology addicted future, people are looking for that next digital fix and will beg, borrow or steal to get it! …Ryan Ferrier and Valentin Ramon’s robot D4VE returns in D4VE2 #1. It will be future soon, who are your robot friends? … After years of being frozen metaphorically, Captain America: White #1 hits the stands joining the Jeph Loeb and Tim Sale Marvel Comics color-based original graphic novels. This includes issue #0. … Picks this week from LeaguePodcast.com.

Dig Boston and League Podcast Comics Picks of the Week for Wed. September 9, 2015

COMICS

The Bitches enter into a bloodsport arena - which non-compliant will be victorious? If you ain’t reading Bitch Planet, there is no help for you, check out issue #5 by Kelly Sue DeConnick (Captain Marvel) and Valentine De Landro. …Force Friday sucked our wallets clean but if you can, sell off an old Tessek figure to buy Journey to Star Wars The Force Awakens Shattered Empire #1 from former Punisher team of Greg Rucka and Marco Checchetto! … That’s right, we’re recommending Star Trek / Green Lantern #3 again. Maybe you should get all three issues this time. … Picks this week from LeaguePodcast.com.

$75 Fandango Customizable Gift Card

Dig Boston and League Podcast Comics Picks of the Week for Wed. September 2, 2015

COMICS

Mark Millar’s (Kick Ass, Kingsmen: Secret Service) wraps up volume one of his family superhero prequel Jupiter’s Circle #6. Imagine this is what the Minutemen was to The Watchmen as a love triangle threatens to break up the team! … Daredevil #18 is the final chapter in the Autobiography of Matt Murdock, written by someone who may surprise you! … We can’t stop picking Star Trek/Green Lantern as pick of the week. Issue #3 (of 6) has Captain Kirk teaming up with Hal Jordan and a ring bearing Enterprise crew. … The crossover event is not to be missed for fans of space cops and space explorers! … Picks this week from LeaguePodcast.com.

ARMY OF DARKNESS: ASH IN SPACE TPB (review) at FORCES OF GEEK

Writer: Cullen Bunn

Artist: Larry Watts

Cover: Gabriel Hardman
Publisher: Dynamite Entertainment
Pub. Date: August 26, 2015
UPC: 978160690691051999
$19.99

Buy it HERE

The recent Ashley Williams hack has exposed information that has global and interstellar consequences.  

Ash in Space has revealed that Sheila (his bride from Army of Darkness) is long dead and there may have had some hanky-panky between The Chosen One, the real Ash Williams, and a female astronaut on the International Space Station.

What are we talking about, here?


Come on, baby! We’re just using the latest click bait headlines to get you into the world of the Deadites once again as we review Dynamite’s Army of Darkness: Ash in Space! 

Cullen Bunn (The Sixth Gun, Harrow County, Magneto) brings Ash, his new hand and a chainsaw all the way past the stratosphere to fight Deadites and an evil satellite. Larry Watts (Robyn Hood, Grimm Fairy Tales) slays it on the art.

I wonder if Ash’s boss at S-Mart ever wondered where he went. He’s been gone awhile in the time stream, thanks to the spells in the Necronomicon.

If he times his return right, maybe he’ll be able to cash in some sick days.

[READ MORE AT FORCES OF GEEK]

Dig Boston and League Podcast Comics Picks of the Week for Wed. August 26, 2015

COMICS

Jack Kirby and Jim Steranko celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Strategic Hazard Intervention Espionage Logistics Directorate in S.H.I.E.L.D. issue #9 written by Mark Waid. This includes Previously unpublished panels from Jack ‘King’ Kirby inked by S.H.I.E.L.D. master artist Jim Steranko. …On the other side of the fence are our friends at HYDRA! Ever wonder what the workaday life of a HYDRA agent is life? Look no further than Hank Johnson Agent of Hydra #1! Written by Curb Your Enthusiasm executive producer David Mandel, this looks pretty, pretty, pretty, pretty good. All Marvel Picks of the week wrap up with Nick Spencer’s Ant-Man Last Days (One-Shot). Is it the end of the world? It is still to late to change the name. … Picks this week from LeaguePodcast.com!

FOG! Chats With IAN McGINTY, Creator of WELCOME TO SHOWSIDE at FORCES OF GEEK

Ian McGinty is familiar name to Bravest Warriors, Hello Kitty and Adventure Time comics fans, drawing countless issues for the weirdo all ages bubble pop space adventures contained therein.

Z2 Comics (formerly Zip Comics) recently tapped Ian for a new creator owned title that even caught the attention of spoken word artist and punk rock singer Henry Rollins.

Today Ian talks to us about his new book for Z2, Welcome to Showside, Hank’s roll in voicing the pilot for Showside and introduces the heart attack-inducing Mallo-Butter-Waffles. 

Who said bubble-gum pop with a hint of punk edge should be relegated to the turntable?

Looks like we have a sticky cotton candy comic book in the world of Welcome to Showside hitting shelves in October.


FOG!: Ian, thanks for joining us today! We know you are probably super busy! Are you working on a ton of books at the moment or just concentrating on Welcome to Showside?

Ian McGinty: Absolutely, my pleasure. At the moment I’m working on six different licensed properties that include comics, animation, card games and video games.

Some I can’t talk about right now, but the ones I can include Steven Universe, Munchkin, FLUXX and, of course, Bravest Warriors. 

Added on to that is my own book, Welcome to Showside, so it’s been quite a month, to say the least, but wow, what a rad month.

Thankfully, I’m someone who thrives on being busy and I love juggling all the different characters/storylines.

It’s weirdly invigorating to switch from having to be strictly on-model for some projects and then getting to go crazy with my own stuff, so I’m having a blast, and I’m definitely most excited about Welcome to Showside coming out soon.

I just love drawing and creating, so it’s been extremely fun overall.

[READ MORE AT FORCES OF GEEK]

Dig Boston and League Podcast Comics Picks of the Week for Wed. August 12, 2015

COMICS

Hellboy and the B.P.R.D.:1952 from superstar team of Mike Mignola, John Arcudi and Alex Maleev follows Red into his first mission with the team and his first swig of booze (allegedly). … Agent Carter played by Hayley Atwell captivated our TV this past season and also was a big hit at Boston Comic Con. Check out her comic adventures in Agent Carter: Operation S.I.N. this week for more 50s spy action stuff! … The Beauty #1 takes on social diseases and vanity all at once from Jeremy Haun (Darkness, Constantine). …Picks this week from LeaguePodcast.com!

Hellboy and the B.P.R.D.: 1952 TPB (review) at FORCES OF GEEK

Hellboy and the B.P.R.D.: 1952 TPB

Written by Mike Mignola, John Arcudi

Art by Alex Maleev

Colored by Dave Stewart

Cover by Mike Mignola

Published by Dark Horse Comics

Cover Price: $19.99

Diamond ID:APR150064

ISBN: 978-1-61655-660-0

Published: August 12, 2015

Buy it HERE

Hellboy embarks on his first mission with the B.P.R.D. Team and wouldn’t you know it, there are demon monkeys, drunken priests and someone out to get the Big Red One.

Returning to Hellboy for the first time since 2003 is frequent Bendis collaborator Alex Maleev for art duties on this Mike Mignola & John Arcudi penned tale set in 1952.

Of course, regular Hellboy colorist Dave Stewart joins the fun on this fantastic adventure.

Hellboy and the B.P.R.D.: 1952 is part mystery, part adventure story and explores some growth and development to how Hellboy came up in our world.

The 5 issue series is collected in one volume to hit shelves next week. This is a highly recommended addition to your Hellboy collection and also a great introduction this world as it focuses on a younger Hellboy and Maleev’s art fits the world of the B.P.R.D. so well.

Hellboy fanatics have likely grabbed these issues in floppy form, or perhaps are waiting until this trade drops to line up the spines perfectly with their other Hellboy volumes. However you end up consuming this (Dark Horse is finally onComiXology, FYI), be prepared for some familiar faces as well as some creepy introductions.

Mignola admits to being a bit of a control freak when it comes to other artists drawing his stories. What evolved from tweaking camera angles on Alex’s initial sketches eventually became Mike sending his own thumbnails to the artist. I’m sure the two got along fine, however. The pages and storytelling have the patina of classic Mignola Hellboy tales or old vampiric horror movies. You know how you feel when you read Hellboy Vol. 1: Seed of Destruction? You feel the same here.

[READ MORE AT FORCES OF GEEK]

Dig Boston and League Podcast Comics Picks of the Week for Wed. Aug 5, 2015

COMICS

Adam.3 #1 from Scott Kollins (Larfleeze, The Flash) gives us a widescreen wild-man born into a futuristic island utopia! The Tarzan of Tomorrow! … Paul Cornell (Wolverine) drops This Damned Band #1, a Spinal Tap style comic that promises to go to 11 — the 11th level of Hell that is, when worshipping the devil becomes a none-more-black situation. … The Shadow #1 from Cullen Bunn pits The Shadow in the deadliest game against a cabal of magicians searching for the secret of The Last Illusion! Only The Shadow Knows! … Picks this week from LeaguePodcast.com!

Dig Boston and League Podcast Comics Picks of the Week for Wed. July 29, 2015

COMICS

A leader emerges in Invisible Republic #5. Gabriel Hardman and Corinna Bechko’s off-world future tale concludes it’s first arc, in this summer’s breakout sci-fi political thriller. …Mulder investigates a missing child to honor the memory of his sister’s abduction in X-Files Annual 2015. …Last week we gave you Gods & Monsters: Batman, this week it’s JLA Gods And Monsters Superman! This Superman was raised by immigrant farmers as he rails against injustice! See you at Boston Comic Con 2015 featuring Stan Lee, natch! Excelsior! … Picks this week from LeaguePodcast.com!