Category Archives: Comics

News

Dig on the X-Men: Apocalypse Trailer Now!

March 18, 2016 The Overseer Leave a comment

You know you’re dealing with an amazing franchise when the worst of the bunch (X-Men: The Last Stand; we’re not even considering X-Men Origins: Wolverine, as that really wasn’t an X-Men movie) is an awful lot better than your average superhero flick.

The truth is, X-Men is a blockbuster money making machine because the films are well crafted and thoroughly nurtured, From the looks of this brand new X-Men: Apocalypse trailer, we’re in for another amazing adventure.

X-Men: Apocalypse is directed by Bryan Singer who works from a screenplay written by Simon Kinberg. Expect plenty of familiar faces as James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender, Nicholas Hoult, Jennifer Lawrence, Rose Byrne, Evan Peters, and Lucas Till all return to reprise their roles. Olivia Munn, Sophie Turner, Tye Sheridan, Kodi Smit-McPhee, Oscar Isaac and Lana Condor also join the cast.

Check out the trailer below.

Synopsis: Since the dawn of civilization, he was worshiped as a god. Apocalypse, the first and most powerful mutant from Marvel’s X-Men universe, amassed the powers of many other mutants, becoming immortal and invincible. Upon awakening after thousands of years, he is disillusioned with the world as he finds it and recruits a team of powerful mutants, including a disheartened Magneto, to cleanse mankind and create a new world order, over which he will reign. As the fate of the Earth hangs in the balance, Raven with the help of Professor X must lead a team of young X-Men to stop their greatest nemesis and save mankind from complete destruction.

Comics, Image Comics, News

Prepare for Another Morbid Story Arc in Image Comics’ Hit Title, Nailbiter!

March 17, 2016 The Overseer Leave a comment

Nailbiter fans are about to attempt some wild acrobatics. The joy comes in knowing that Joshua Williamson and Mike Henderson will be launching a brand new story arc that begins with Nailbiter #21.

If you’ve been following the story you know it’s about as insane as it gets. But if you haven’t been reading Nailbiter, you’re missing some mind blowing greatness.

Just to sum it all up for those of you not in the know, I’ll summarize the entire story with just one nice run-on sentence: Mysterious town, 16 serial killers, a man of the law suddenly on the wrong side of the law and a body count that continues to rise at an alarming rate.

Here’s the scoop from the Press Release:

Writer Joshua Williamson (BIRTHRIGHT) and artist Mike Henderson (Venom,Carnage) will launch a new story arc in their hit horror series NAILBITER this May.

Previously in NAILBITER, NSA agent Nicholas Finch found himself roped into the mystery of Buckaroo, Oregon, where sixteen of the world’s vilest serial killers were spawned—and his life has not gotten any simpler since. A new serial killer appeared, for one; not to mention the commitment of more grisly murders and a major revelation about Alice’s parentage.

In NAILBITER #21, Alice now knows that the Nailbiter is her father. Does that mean she will grow up to be a serial killer?

“It’s awesome that we’re starting year three of Nailbiter! The team and I are so thankful to the readers and retailers for keeping us alive and killing for the last two years,” said Williamson. “We’ve been building to the Bound by Blood story arc since the beginning, slowly revealing the secret relationships between the characters. And now with this story arc we focus on Alice as she learns some dark truths about her past. The only way for her to know everything is if she solves the town’s big secret…why does it give birth to so many serial killers? How has it been hidden for so long? Crazy things are going to be revealed in this story arc…and it’s going to be very bloody!”

“Another year, another arc, another murder spree!” said Henderson. “We can’t thank everyone who’s kept Nailbiter going strong enough but just to try: Alice takes center stage and learns some new things about her ever-weirder world and the result is some of our darkest and bloodiest yet.”

NAILBITER #21 (Diamond code: MAR160550) hits stores Wednesday, May 4th. Final order cutoff deadline for retailers is Monday, April 11th.

Comics, News

Dark Horse Comics Set to Release Ranx in English!

March 17, 2016 The Overseer Leave a comment

Want to rewind the clock to the glory days of Dark Horse (okay, they’ve all been glory days, but you know what I’m saying!) Comics? You’re about to get the chance to do just that as Dark Horse is planning to release the 1980s title Ranx, and, for the very first time it will be in English!

Read on for release and purchase details!

From the Press Release:

Dark Horse Comics is pleased to announce that it will be publishing the classic Heavy Metal series Ranx for the first time in English since its debut in the 1980s.

This volume collects all of the Ranx stories by two Italian comic masters, writer Stefano Tamburini and artist Tanino Liberatore.

Ranx (also known as RanXerox) is a sci-fi antihero made of photocopier parts and ultraviolence. In a futuristic dystopia, he protects his girlfriend Lubna from vicious drug dealers on a brutal path of sex, carnage, and destruction.

The hardcover will be released on November 9, 2016. Preorder your copy today at your local comic book store or favorite retailer.

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Comics, Dark Horse Comics, Review

Dark Horse Delivers a Beautiful Aquatic Mystery in ‘Dept. H #1’ Review

March 16, 2016 The Overseer Leave a comment

Matt Kindt isn’t just a brilliant storyteller, he’s mighty sufficient with the pencil as well. The man can do it all, and he’s back to prove that to the masses with his latest Dark Horse release, Dept. H. An unconventional story by all accounts, Kindt drops us deep in the ocean to solve a murder mystery. It’s like Clue, in the deep end of the pool… except exponentially more rewarding.

Mia has been recruited by USEAR – Underwater Scientist Exploration and Research – to investigate a murder that occurred deep beneath the water’s surface, in a research station. While the majority of the inaugural issue doesn’t yield much in the way of significant revelations, it does succeed in introducing us to our immediately likeable lead protagonist all the while lining up the murder suspects. We know the man who killed Mia’s father is somewhere in the research facility and she’s made it a professional and personal goal to solve this mystery.

Kindt’s work has always been top notch, but to see him take to the ocean’s floor feels refreshing. One single issue in and I’m completely addicted to this stunning who-dun-it piece. From Kindt’s narrative to the unique artwork and complex characters, Dept H is an immediate hit for Dark Horse.

Issue number two cannot arrive fast enough!

Pre-Order it right here!

Rating: 5/5

Comics, IDW Publishing, Reviews

‘Ghostbusters International #1’ Review

March 14, 2016 The Overseer Leave a comment

Ghostbusters International starts on a slow note, as they make the typical entity wrangling before being approached by the absurdly wealthy Erland Vinter, who has some plans for the gang. While we don’t receive too much in the way of details (that’s to come in issue number two, no doubt), we do get the very obvious idea that our loveable paranormal squashers won’t be hanging around New York for this specific assignment.

This is a fine opener, and writer Erik Burnham keeps the feel and continuity of recent stories intact. Picking this book up it feels as though we haven’t missed a beat, which is good news for hardcore Ghostbusters fans. Burnham also garners praise for keeping each of the Ghostbusters’ personalities very true to Ivan Reitman’s original source feature. You’ve got to love that.

As for the artwork, fear not – Dan Schoening brings his trademark style to the book, keeping the look of our protagonists clean yet simple. No pencil stroke is wasted by Schoening. All in all, the book looks great, and what we see in regards to villains is standout stuff.

Ghostbusters always have and always will entertain me. There are only so many paths these gentlemen can travel, but there’s clearly still room for expansions, as the numerous GB titles out there haven’t grown stale yet. With a brand new Ghostbusters reboot headed to the big screen soon, it doesn’t look as though this paranormal balloon will be deflating any time soon.

This is solid work that comes recommended. Order it here.

Rating: 4/5

Comics, Image Comics, Reviews

‘Pencil Head #1’ Review

March 13, 2016 The Overseer Leave a comment

Ted McKeever’s got an interesting style. He’s also got a book on his hands that has the potential to go down in history as one of the finer creations of the comic world. Pencil Head is dark and satirical, jaded to the core but lively on all fronts. It’s interesting to say the least, and any living soul on Mother Earth who is beyond fed up with their boss, their working conditions or the mundane manner so many lives take on, Pencil Head is most certainly for you.

The story focuses on Poodwaddle, a frustrated creator of comics. He lives something of a lonely life, he’s sick and tired of his publisher attempting to take creative control over his work, often pushing it in a direction he can’t begin to agree with. But Poodwaddle meets with an old friend, Luthais, in the biz, and that friend offers him a chance to write something that leaves him feeling fulfilled.

Between his professional problems and the sudden appearance of one of his very own creations, now come to life to haunt the man, he definitely needs the change. He needs some normalcy in his life, and he may just be on the cusp of obtaining it, if he can pull himself together and move forward.

McKeever’s harsh outlook on life is genius and sadly, somewhat realistic. He’s created a couple of characters that are going to resonate in the mind of readers. These players are crude yet hilarious and this book stands to head in the direction of cult status. Pencil Head won’t work for everyone, but those who do find pleasure in reading this are likely to remain onboard as long as McKeever’s willing to extend us more greatness.

I simply cannot begin to recommend this book enough. It’s amazing!

Rating: 5/5

Comics, DC Comics, Reviews

New 52 ‘Batman – The Dark Knight #1’ Review

March 13, 2016 The Overseer 1 Comment

The official inaugural issue of Batman – The Dark Knight sees Bruce being hounded by internal affairs, who aim to find out precisely why he’d co-sign a vigilante like Batman. Bruce is busy smooth talking his way out of the mess when we meet Jai Hudson, a lovely looker who manages to separate Bruce from his unwanted guest. Jai, for the record is a suave speaker who may just have something to hide.

Cut away to Arkham Asylum and we learn that hundreds of inmates have overthrown the facility and are breaking free. Then Batman shows up and things get very interesting. Batman theorizes that the violent outburst may be cover for the escape of Harvey Dent, better known as Two-Face.

When Batman does finally locate Two-Face he gets the surprise of a lifetime. This isn’t the Two-Face readers are accustomed to seeing. This Two-Face looks as though he’s been tapping into Bane’s Venom, and he looks furious. He also calls for a new moniker as he stares Batman down and declares, “You can call me One-Face now!”

Here’s a book that makes for a stellar read. Writer Paul Jenkins works up an edgy and dark tale with very little downtime and a grand finale. Meanwhile David Finch gives us supremely crisp illustrations with beautiful shading and diverse character looks. Alex Sinclair also warrants major praise for his often contrasting colors and stunning looks at the artificial police lighting as Batman descends on Arkham Asylum.

This is how I like my Batman books. Brutal and unforgiving, dark and aimed at a slightly older audience. Books like this refuse to pull punches, and Batman deserves that. The edge is reminiscent of the stellar Nightfall storyline. If you’ve been avoiding a lot of DC’s New 52 books, make sure this isn’t one of them.

Rating: 5/5

Comics, DC Comics, Review

New 52 ‘Batman – The Dark Knight #0’ Review

March 13, 2016 The Overseer 1 Comment

The zero issue of the New 52’s Batman The Dark Knight doesn’t really give us anything refreshing to contemplate, as it serves as the foundation for the origin of Batman. We travel back in time to Bruce Wayne’s younger days, picking up immediately after Bruce’s parents were robbed and killed. We see Bruce grow to be a young man, constantly tracking the murderer until finally, very near adulthood, Bruce learns that it was Joe Chill who killed his folks. And he didn’t do it as a hired hand, he did it as a broke transient in need of fiscal stability. It’s not quite the revelation that Bruce had hoped for, although it does prime him to become a crime fighter.

The book reads well, thanks to writer Gregg Hurwitz, who has more than adequate skills to let the narrative pull readers from reality. And Hurwitz gets solid assistance from Mico Suayan and Juan Jose Ryp who do amazing work with the illustrations. Together the three deliver a book that should have Batman fans eager to leap into new territory for the Bat.

The book gives us some great insight into the poverty that’s beginning to swallow Gotham whole, which should line us up for some very compelling tales in future books.

There really isn’t much more to speak on. This one is as straight forward as can be, but the talent behind the book certainly instills some hope for future issues. We’ll see where this group leans us.

Rating: 3/5

Dark Horse Comics, News

Get Ready for an All-New Halo Anthology!

March 12, 2016 The Overseer Leave a comment

Dark Horse knows how to keep Halo fanatics satisfied! Check out the latest Halo graphic novel, which heads your way later this year!

343 Industries and Dark Horse Comics are set to release a brand-new Halo® graphic novel anthology based on the massive video game franchise later this year.

Halo: Tales from Slipspace will feature all-new stories from some of the comic industry’s best—including Jonathan Wayshak, Eric Nguyen, Alex Irvine, Kody Chamberlain, Dave Crosland, John Jackson Miller, Jonathan Goff, Simon Roy, and Halo: Escalation writer Duffy Boudreau—as well as 343 Industries’ own Franchise Creative Director Frank O’Connor and Franchise Producer Tyler Jeffers. This action-packed anthology is essential reading for all Halo fans!

343 Industries and Dark Horse have also produced two blockbuster comics series with canonical story lines written by writers from the video game franchise (Halo: Initiation and Halo: Escalation) and will rerelease the graphic novel Halo: Fall of Reach in March.