Mars Attacks: First Born issue 2 – spoiler light

Mars Attacks Issue 2
A miniseries
Published by IDW

Story by Chris Ryall & Sam Kieth
Writer: Chris Ryall
Artist: Sam Kieth
Letterer: Shawn Lee

Mars Attacks created by Len Brown

The Tim Burton film was on last night here in the UK and I realised I hadn’t reviewed this book from last Wednesday! I’m a bit behind on my reviews of several comics, apologies.

So last month we met Woody, his niece Clare and the adopted member of the family named Baby. This issue we meet a few of the neighbours.

To recap – the Martians have attacked and laid waste to most of USA, one assumes most of the world. Survivors are dotted around but now and then the Martians turn up, as though searching for something…

Vampire Vixens of The Wehrmacht to be reprinted in Heavy Metal – spoiler light

Heavy Metal magazine issue 270
Published August 2014
by Metal Mammoth Inc.

Vampire Vixens of the Wehrmacht by The Emperor and Alex Ronald, lettered by Jim Campbell, was a smash hit in 2013. Published by Bump and Grind Comics the comic launched at Glasgow Comic Con on 13th July 2013 and went on to sell out at Thought Bubble in November 2013.

Indigo Prime finale Prog 1887 – 25th June 2014

Prog 1887 brings the climax of Indigo Prime: Perfect Day part 8, a 12 page double length episode. Indigo Prime is a clandestine organisation that oversee the safety of reality. When reality becomes damaged Indigo Prime step in and repair the damage.

2000AD has never shied away from bringing stories that challenge the status quo. Several stories over the years have been direct comments on current political issues, the execution of British Prime Minister Dame Shirley Brown in Invasion for example, a thinly disguised Margaret Thatcher who at time of publication was the Leader of the Opposition in the UK Government.

2000AD Prog 1886 – New Artist Tom Foster

2000AD Prog 1886

Published by Rebellion
General Release in shops UK/Ireland 18th June 2014
& worldwide digitally ‘day and date’

2000AD is Britain’s premiere comic aimed at the teen to adult market. A new artist may not seem that big news to some but this is quite a big deal.

Tom Foster won a paid commission at the 2000AD Portfolio Competition at Thought Bubble comic art festival in Leeds, November 2013 – quite some prize.

I regularly attend the two-day convention that brings a close to Thought Bubble’s week-long celebration of sequential art. I recognised Tom before the competition, he came a close second in 2012. I interviewed Tom after his win – you can read that interview here.

Win original Judge Dredd artwork! Also Sláine & Rojaws!

On the 2000AD Comic Artwork Facebook Page there is a free to enter raffle for original pieces of Dredd artwork.

On the right is a page by Colin MacNeil which was the first piece announced. This is not from his epic Insurrection.. (actually I’m not sure what it is from which is slightly embarrasing). Donated by Dale Jackson.

There is no catch, other than it is a closed Facebook Group so you have to join to enter. It is a great opportunity to get your hands on some cool art.

Calling the 2000AD collective

This from our good friends over on ECBT2000AD.

Most my 2000AD readers probably already read their blog but just in case…

Batman ’66 Meets The Green Hornet – issue 1

Batman ’66 Meets The Green Hornet
Issue 1 of 6

June 2014

Published by DC Comics & Dynamite

Writers: Kevin Smith & Ralph Garman
Artist: Ty Templeton
Colourist: Tony Aviña
Letterer: Wes Abbott

Batman created by Bob Kane
Green Hornet created by George W. Trendle & Fran Striker

I had missed this. I don’t pay a huge anount of attention to DC’s out put till it is on the shelf, apparently same for Dynamite.

The cover caught my eye, the colours on my copy are not quite as bright as the image above and frankly I prefer my copy. This is why I still prefer paper, the result on paper is often superior. Seriously if you don’t beleive me compare your screen to a copy in a shop.

Anyway the cover grabbed my attention and Kevin Smith’s name sealed the deal. I love the Batman series, I haven’t seen all of Green Hornet, but what I saw I liked. Kevin Smith writing this… I guessed he’d get the job done.

Fiefdom by Dan Abnett & Nik Vincent – spoiler light

Fiefdom
A Kingdom Novel

By Dan Abnett and Nik Vincent

Published by Abaddon Books
Rebellion

US/Canada – July 8th 2014
Pre-order on amazon.com
UK/Ireland – August 14th 2014
Pre-order on amazon.co,uk

Dan Abnett is a very prolific writer of comics as well as a number of novels. He is co-creator of Kingdom for 2000AD with artist Richard Elson. You can read an earlier article I wrote reviewing the graphic novel Kingdom: Promised Land elsewhere on this blog.

Nik Vincent is Dan’s writing partner in some of his Warhammer novels. She has also written a number of novels under her married name, Nicola Abnett.

Kingdom is a story about Gene the Hackman and his journey through the world. He is guided by the Masters Voice and his Urgings.

Fiefdom is set 100 years after Kingdom. It gives us a new hero in a world where Gene the Hackman has become legend. The characters are not Human they are Aux, genetically modified bipedal dogs.

Paragon issue 16 – an anthology – spoiler light

Paragon issue 16

Published by Paragon Comics
December 2013

through Lulu.com
Paper version – available from Lulu.com – £2.50
E-version – available from Lulu.com – Free

Edited by Dave Candlish

Cover Art: Dave Candlish
Colours: Jim Cameron

This issue sees Bulldog join the line-up. Written by creator Jason Cobley Captain Winston Bulldog has a 30 year pedigree. Regular Bulldog artist probides the artwork. Plus there is a bonus Bulldog poster on the back cover by regular 2000AD and Department of Monsterology artist P J Holden.

Five stories in black and white for £2.50 and this issue comes with free shipping from Lulu, Dave Candlish says:

“Right now you can get FREE shipping on orders from lulu.com, so why not take this opportunity to stock up on the latest issue and any collections you don’t have?

Just quote JS614 and choose the priority mail shipping option to get it delivered FREE – so what’s stopping you?”

Amazing X-Men Annual 1 – Montynero, Larroca, Oback & Caramagna

Published by Marvel
3rd June 2014

Writer:
Montynero
Art:
Salvadore Larroca
Colours:
Sonia Oback
Letters:
Joe Caramagna

I bought this pretty much only because Montynero wrote it. You’ll see his name in one and two parts, I first saw it as one word and I’m sticking to it, though I do sometimes call him Monty…

Montynero has been published in 2000AD and his creator owned series from Titan, Death Sentence, was a success all round the place. Monty is active on Twitter and engages with fans freely. Plus in Death Sentence he included pages with open advice about getting ideas from one’s head to print.

Most of this story takes place in Africa, starting near Lake Turkana. Kenya.