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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Triple Shot With a Digital Chaser: G.I. JOE #1, STARLIGHT #5, GHOSTBUSTERS #20 Plus THE ADVENTURES OF A 4TH GRADE SPACE CAPTAIN at FORCES OF GEEK

What better reason to bring back the Triple Shot of comics at FOG! than a new G.I. Joe book?

Season 4 of IDW’s run is written by Karen Traviss and has Scarlett as the head of the team. We also check in on Starlight by Millar and Parlov over at Image and try to trap them ghosts in the final issue of Ghostbusters from IDW.

Back all of that up with an all ages The Adventures of a 4th Grade Space Captain from ComiXology Submit!

Ahhh….refreshing…

G.I. JOE Season 4 #1
WRITER: Karen Traviss
ARTIST: Steve Kurth
Publication Date: September 24, 2014
Price: $3.99
Publisher: IDW Publishing
UPC: 82771400693300111
Buy it Here 


IDW continues the Joe legacy with it’s fourth season of books.

Building off of the history and world building established in previous seasons is the latest from sci-fi author Karen Traviss. This new book jumps forward 5 years from G.I. Joe: Season 3 and the events in the spyfi thriller spinoff book G.I. Joe: The Cobra Files from Mike Costa.

I’m happy to report that this is a new take on the Joes, but also one that’s as thick as Dutch chocolate cake and the characters are all true to form. Fans of Hama’s military jargon will be satisfied, but also real world politics enter the dialogue and situations presented herein.

Recommended if you are enjoying Nathan Edmondson’s work on The Activity, or more recently in Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell: Echoes.

That should do it for the author comparisons, except to say that this is very different from the relatively lighthearted Yo-Joeing going on in Chuck Dixon or Fred Van Lente runs on the book.

Traviss is taking this very seriously, and as a long suffering Joe fan, I couldn’t be happier. Notable changes to the vibe are Scarlett taking a lead role and trying to save the team from disbanding and a course change for Cobra and the surviving Crimson Twin, Tomax.

I am eagerly awaiting the next volume of G.I. Joe with a cool new logo and very talented new female writer at the helm.

[READ MORE AT FORCES OF GEEK]

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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]

Murdock St. Fire Coverage

Thanks for your support in our crowdfunding.

I’m OK. 

Moving my office and living space (with Stacey) to a loft in Charlestown after the fire that made us homeless on August 21.

Read more here.

VANYALAND

DIGBOSTON

YOUCARING (donation site)

I’m at a loss for words about how much this means to me. Wishing Kyle (and Cajun) and Michelle (and Bronson) and my Neighbors at 105 Christian, Max, Colin and Rose can find a place to live soon.

I love you all.

XO

Clay

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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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BOSTON COMIC CON 2014: NOTES FROM THE IMAGE COMICS PANEL by David Brooke

[READ MORE AT ADVENTURES IN POOR TASTE]

Honored to moderate this one!

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

Thanks to you!

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

********************

FREE! YOU MUST RSVP!

http://bit.ly/league200somerville

More info at FB event!

http://on.fb.me/1sJLZXz

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Thanks to you!

MEMBER OF THE PRESS:

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

[email protected]

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

the King of Rock Himself, DMC (of RUN DMC). - http://bit.ly/leaguepodcast199

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Interested in sponsoring the show? Please let us know!

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COPY:

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!

http://bit.ly/league200somerville

More info at FB event!

http://on.fb.me/1sJLZXz

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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