Comic book creator Josh Blaylock (Devil's Due Entertainment) chatted with Fanboy Comics Senior Contributor Drew Siragusa to discuss self-publising in the digital age, the Devil's Due relaunch, and the future of Mercy Sparx!
Listen to the interview below or click here to download.
At some point, comics stopped being for kids. I may be generalizing a bit here, but the concept still rings true. I got into comics when I was full into my teenage years and desperate for the blood-soaked pages of Aliens and Spawn, but I still do remember the pitiful “kid’s rack” at my ol’ comic shop. Over four walls devoted to the college-age consumer, and one spin-rack stocked with the typical Disney-fare. There are many different reasons and elements to consider when discussing the current state of comics for the wee-folk, but the most important point is that there are those in the industry who are attempting to improve the situation. New independent publisher WE Comics is one of the supporters of this cause, and the first issue of their new book, How I Spent My Summer Invasion, is a great first step in that direction!
52 Catch Up is a series devoted to looking at issues from DC's New 52 and seeing how they're faring now that they're underway, why they're worth reading (or not), and places we hope they will go in time.
Concept:
Powered by rage and the red energy from the emotional spectrum of light, Atrocitus and his Red Lantern Corp. bring vengeance to those unable to seek it for themselves.
MAJOR SPOILERS BELOW
Dark Horse’s reissuing of the classic 1960s-70s series Eerie continues with the release of Eerie Archives Volume 10, collecting Issues 47-51, and what a blast from the past it is!
Originally printed beginning in the early-mid '60s by the legendary Warren Publishing, Eerie circumvented the dictates of the oppressive Comics Code Authority by eschewing the traditional 4-color comic format, instead publishing in a black-and-white magazine format. With an influx of talent eager to show what they could do, Eerie (along with sister anthology publication, Creepy) quickly established themselves as fan favorites.
Fanboy Comics Contributor Jason Enright brings you his top comic book picks for the week.
Dancer #1
by Nathan Edmondson and Nic Klein
Nathan Edmondson creates yet another intriguing, intelligent spy story with his new book, Dancer. This story is more of a mystery driven by the main character like Who is Jake Ellis was, while his other book, The Activity, is more of a grounded military story. What is so great about Edmondson is that even though he tells a lot of spy stories, it never feels like he’s retreading similar ground; they all stand as unique concepts. In this book, the action starts right away and barrels into a mind-blowing finale. Edmondson has worked with some great artists before, and Klein is no exception. His pencils are great and the colors are dark and moody, which fit these characters perfectly. If you’re into spy thrillers like the Bourne movies, then you definitely don’t want to miss Dancer, and while you’re at it, pick up the new issue of The Activity out this week, as well.
As far back as I can remember, I have always loved doing voices. A strange talent I had obtained in my youth to vocally mimic almost anything I heard. One minute I was singing "The Christmas Song" as Alvin and the Chipmunks, and then next spouting cheesy Arnold Schwarzenegger lines from Predator. Just hearing the kids laugh in class while I mimicked teachers and classmates was a gift in itself. Though, as a child I was told such a gift would change once I neared puberty, so I took that negativity and focused on practicing every single day to prove them wrong. When asked, "How do you do that?" or "How do you get your voice so high?" I never really had an answer. It just came naturally. By the age of 12, I could tell exactly which characters Hank Azaria voiced on The Simpsons just by ear, which both amazed and confused my mother. She explained that I just had an ear for it. When watching Animaniacs, I would tell my friends that it was one guy who played Yakko, Pinky, and Dr. Scratchansniif, to which they scoffed. "But they don't sound anything alike. Yakko's voice is WAY higher. How do you know?"
When I first picked up A Vampire’s Dominion by V.M.K. Fewings, I was very intrigued. The back cover sucked me in. It tells the story of two rival vampires, Jadeon and Orpheus, who have hated each other for centuries. One day, they awake with two minds, but only one body. Nobody understands how the two enemies have been joined together into a vampire named William, but everyone is on the hunt for the spell to undo it. It has everything you could want in a novel: vampires, vampire hunters, and a lady love interest for each of the men, forming something well beyond a love triangle. I dove right into this book.
By Michael Fitzgerald Troy
Captain America isn't gay...but his brother is.
Hot on the heels of seeing The Avengers, with the adrenaline pumping in my veins, I did what any good queen would do...and went to Target. Like any geek, I had to check out the toy aisle and see all of The Avengers swag. I'll have you know I had no trouble whatsoever picking up Thor's hammer, Mjolnar, and I am no God. (Maybe a Demi-god.) Granted it was an 11 ounce light up plastic toy, but I felt mighty nonetheless. That is until I overheard a girl telling her boyfriend, "I'm sorry but Captain America is so gay." That made me gayngry, and trust me, Mr. McGee, you won't like me when I'm angry. I did not Hulk out, however. As much as I wanted to do a Black Widow spin kick and knock the glasses off her pointed little face, I still believe in educating over fisticuffs. So, I simply informed the ignoramus that being gay wasn't a bad thing, and that Captain America wasn't gay, but Chris Evans the actor who plays Captain America indeed has an identical twin brother that was gay. Not just every gay man's fantasy but, in fact, the truth. Her boyfriend said they didn't mean it like that, and I explained to them that it perpetuated a negative stereotype and using gay as a derogatory term was just as bad as the "N" word. Drama Queen? Maybe, but I would be remiss in my duties as a gay man if I walked away and didn't say anything. And, maybe little missy and her boyfriend will think twice before using such hateful terms at the highly homosexually patronized Target in West Hollywood no less. Who do I think I am spouting off my uninvited "opinion?" A superhero? Not really. I made a promise to myself a long time ago that I would never sit idly by and let homosexuality be used negatively. That I would do my part. Some battles are worth fighting. This is one of them. I still believe in the good of man, I just want a better showing.
I would first like to address that I was deceived. When I heard there was a Star Wars/Serenity comic book, the geek part of my brain kicked into overdrive, and I imagined a glorious crossover in which Han Solo and Mal Reynolds at first fought over the same smuggling job, butting heads and clever verbal jabs along the way, only to join forces against a common enemy with only their snark and their blasters by their side.
Alas, this was not meant to be, but, at least, such an extraordinary vision still sits in my mind.
As we all know from superhero comics, sometimes, things get hot and heavy between hero and villain. There’s that forbidden attraction, the long, sweaty nights of sparring, and the costumes that are tight in all the right places - a perfect cocktail for a hero/villain sandwich. It’s happened before, it’ll happen again...but what if you forgot to use protection? This is the story behind the fun and hilarious web series, Super Knocked Up. Telling the story of super villain Jessica James (aka Darkstar) and the results of her one night stand with womanizing superhero Captain Amazing, the series has some great laughs, sharp looking effects, and a very talented cast. Natalie Bain, who plays Jessica James, is stellar and charismatic in the lead role and writer/director/producer Jeff Burns must be given a lot of credit for the success of the series. Given Super Knocked Up’s comic book roots, it was only a matter of time before it made the transition to printed page.