Top 7 reasons why now is a great time to be a comic book fan: # 5

# 5 – Zenescope
A growing trend nowadays, especially with smaller publishers, is comic books that feature well known literary character and settings presented in unconventional ways. Some examples would be Peter Panzerfaust – a dystopic version of Peter Pan – or Legends of the Wicked West, which re-imagines the Wizard of Oz in an Old West setting. Other examples include new renditions of Wonderland, Grimm’s Fairy Tales and many more. The reason for this proliferation is that all of these characters and locales have recently become – for one reason or another – public domain. What that means is since no one holds the rights to these characters; anyone may use them in any way that they choose. Hence we have comic book versions of everything from Sinbad to Jungle Book

Of the numerous companies attempting to re-vamp well-known fairy tales and children’s books for an adult audience, the one doing the best is undoubtedly Zenescope Entertainment and their “Grimm Fairy Tales Presents…” line of comic books. Zenescope is the brainchild of Ralph Tedesco and Joe Bruscha, who, along with the help of writers Raven Gregory and Patrick Shand, have not only breathed new life into some very old stories, but created a cohesive and logical “universe” that encompasses the realms of Wonderland, Neverland, Oz, Myst and Olympus, which are all connected to the Earthly Realm we are more familiar with. Nowhere else will you see characters like Red Riding Hood, Baba Yaga and Captain Hook, interacting with one another and even teaming up from time to time to defeat a common enemy.

If you like the idea of a shared world but are getting tired of superheroes, Zenescope’s Grimm Universe is a refreshing alternative. Current titles in the line include: Wonderland, which chronicles the tribulations of the Liddell family’s descendants as they attempt to escape the clutches of the Red Queen, and the Mad Hatter; Robyn Hood, which features a female lead in the role of Nottingham’s self-appointed savior, and Jungle Book which introduces a female Mowgli along with three other foundlings raised by different animal tribes. I highly suggest that you try some Zenescope comic books today.

http://www.superherocomicbooks.com

Top 7 reasons why now is a great time to be a comic book fan: # 6

# 6 – Creator Owned Comics

While most comic book fans enjoy reading about superheroes, many like to read other types of stories as well. Until recently, the choices we had were limited and relatively mainstream. Thanks to publisher like Image Comics and Dark Horse Comics, as well as a number of smaller publishers, the landscape of alternative comic books has expanded dramatically.

One thing that has added to this growth is the greater freedom that writers have to explore subjects and themes that would have never been accepted or tolerated in the social climate of a decade or so ago. The current state of our society is much more open and tolerant, and this atmosphere has set free the imaginations of young comic book creators. Publishers like Image, Dark Horse, Avatar and others are providing outlets for all sorts of characters and story-lines, that would have never seen print a few years ago.

Furthermore, being completely unfettered by editorial interference, seems to have unlocked a greater level of creativity among many of these young writers. It is not unusual for some of them to be working on as many as three or four different projects at one time.

The creative output of writers like Jonathon Hickman, Cristos Gage, Tim Seeley, David Lapham, Geoff Johns, Scott Snyder and Robert Kirkman – to name just a few – is just phenomenal, and the quality of their work doesn’t suffer at all. There is a depth and complexity to their plots. Their characters actions make sense and their dialogue is more natural sounding. And the story-lines pull you in and take hold of your imagination, lingering in your head long after you have finished reading.

If you are looking for something other than superheroes, you owe it to yourself to get your hands on some creator owned comics today. You won’t be sorry.

http://www.superherocomicbooks.com

Top 7 reasons why now is a great time to be a comic book fan: # 7

# 7 – Improved Production Values: 

Thanks to constantly advancing technologies in the printing industry, better paper made more cheaply, computerized color-separation and a host of other reasons, production costs for high quality comic books has dropped dramatically. So much so that even smaller publishers, with only a handful of titles, can afford to put out a more attractive, better packaged product.

In addition to that, the internet with all of its innovative applications, like Instant Messaging and Video Conferencing, make it possible for writers and artists to easily communicate with one another even if they live in different cities – or different countries. This allows collaborations between people who otherwise may have never worked together – or even met.

The introduction of many new comic book creators from South and Central Americas and Eastern Europe, as well, has provided comic book publishers with a talent pool that is deeper and wider than it has ever been before. This means that publishers can afford to be choosier about who they hire and don’t have to settle for mediocre writers or artists. And that ensures better quality content across the board.

All of these facts combine to provide us, the fans with a greater selection of well written, beautifully drawn and colored comic books than we have ever had available to us before. There is virtually something on the racks for everyone.

Next: Reason # 6

http://www.superherocomicbooks.com

DC Does it Again

In 2011 it was the New 52! In 2012 it was Zero Month! This Summer will bring Trinity War!
As for what comes next check out the article below:

(the following is from DC Comics' official press blog)



"Following the events of this summer’s crossover “Trinity War,” a dark shadow will be cast across the DC Universe.

This September, all of the DC COMICS-THE NEW 52 titles will be replaced by Villains books. What happens when the heroes of the DC Universe fall and there’s nobody left to stop the villains from taking over? Find out this fall during Villain’s Month, which will spotlight 52 of the DC Universe’s biggest rogues in their own one-shots.

“September has always been a big month for us and we look for an opportunity every year in September to do something big that really redefines the line and invites anyone who hasn’t been following comics to step right in,” DC Entertainment Co-Publisher Jim Lee explained to BUZZFEED, who exclusively announced this exciting and historic event earlier this morning. “We launched the New 52 with all-new continuity and new costumes, Zero Month was all about origins of our heroes, and now the villains are taking over. One of the strengths of the DC Universe has been the strength of the rogues gallery. Often times they’re as famous – if not more infamous – than our heroes.”

And what’s more, each Villain's Month cover will feature a 3D motion image on the front and back!






“We’re also commemorating this event by doing something really unheard of, I think, as far as a major publisher - we’re actually adding a special cover on every single villain’s book. It’s called a 3D motion cover and it’s essentially artwork that’s been separated onto different layers, so when you hold the cover, which is a premium stock cover, and you slightly rotate the comic book left or right or up and down, the images move a bit,” Lee continued.






“It’s an incredible 3D effect that shows depth of field on the covers,” added DC Entertainment Co-Publisher Dan DiDio. “It’s the full cover stock, so it’s not anything that’s been glued on. More importantly, it’s actually pliable and soft to the touch - it’s a brand new technology and we’re going to be the first ones debuting in this fashion.”






September is also the launch date for FOREVER EVIL, the seven-part mini-series by Geoff Johns and David Finch that sets into motion this first New 52 universe-wide crossover event.

“FOREVER EVIL is a chance for David and I to work on all the greatest villains in comic books,” Johns said to USA TODAY. “It's literally everybody. I don't even know if there's anybody not in it. We're really exploring what darkness means and the different kinds of darkness that are within these villains."

As for the art of FOREVER EVIL? Finch went on to tell USA TODAY that he has “more of an affinity for villains than heroes. I have a really dark art style and the tone of this is so exactly where I'm coming from.”

For more from Lee and DiDio about Villain’s Month, check out the full interview that ran with the Co-Publishers on BUZZFEED (and while you’re there, don’t miss more awesome GIFs of some of the September villain-centric 3D motion covers!). And for more from Johns and Finch about FOREVER EVIL, head on over to USA TODAY to read their full coverage.

Stay tuned over the next couple of days as we announce specific details about what big bads will be taking over your favorite superhero titles, but in the meantime, check out some more GIFs and sound off in the comments section below about which villains you’d like to see starring in their own books this fall!"




All of DC's "Villain Month titles will be available for pre-order later this month at http://www.superherocomicbooks.com/
dc-comic-books

Series Review: Life With Archie

Life With Archie, Archie Comics - One comic book that we all remember from our childhood is Archie Comics. Everyone has laughed at the misadventures of Archie, Jughead, Reggie and the rest of the gang from Riverdale High.

Of course everyone also remembers the recurring dilemma of the series: should Archie go out with Betty or with Veronica? Well, a couple of years ago, the folks at Archie Comics decided that there was no reason to choose just one.

Using the concept of “Memory Lane” - a magical road that you can walk down to see what your possible future might be - they have been telling stories of a grown up Archie who finally settled down with one/or the other of his high school sweethearts.

That’s why every month in “Life With Archie”, you are treated to two alternate story-lines  one where Archie married Veronica and one where he married Betty. Now you can find out just what kind of adults your favorite teenagers turned out to be, and each story-line also includes other characters from the original series, like Reggie, Midge, Moose, Mr. Lodge and Cheryl Blossom.

You can enjoy “Life With Archie” in magazine-sized format, every month, as well as the continuing teenage adventures of the whole Riverdale gang in the regular Archie Comics titles. You will find them all for sale on White Dragon's Archie Comics Page.

 Find all the comic books that you are looking for, at http://www.superherocomicbooks.com

Review: Red Ten #1

Red Ten #1, Comixtribe – Written by Tyler James, with art by Cesar Feliciano.

The second outing from fledgling publisher, Comixtribe, has a team of superheroes being picked off one at a time al `a Agatha Christie’s Ten Little Indians. In issue 1 we are introduced to the team, The Alliance, and a great villain in the character of The Oxymoron. As the heroes are drawn in to what will eventually become their death-trap, they, and we, quickly learn that not all is as it seems.

As you would expect with this sort of tale, there is the obligatory ten stanza rhyme which outlines how each of the heroes is expected to die, and author James wastes no time in getting on with the mayhem.

The art by Feliciano is well suited to this type of storytelling, and the pages he took his time on reflect a great talent. While some pages did appear rushed, they were still clean and clear with crisp lines. His character designs, while archetypal, are still fresh and original. All in all, a good effort.

Comixtribe, as an imprint, continues to impress me with the quality of the products they produce, and the excellence of the talents that they showcase.

Red Ten is another strong contribution.

Story and art: 8 Blood Drops

You can find all of the latest titles from Comixtribe and lots more great comic books at http://www.superherocomicbooks.com

Review: New Avengers #1

New Avengers #1, Marvel Now – Written by Jonathan Hickman, with art by Steve Epting and Rick Magyar, and colors by/Frank D’Armata.

A few years ago, a collection of the brightest and most powerful men in the Marvel Universe came together to plan the future of the Earth in secret as The Illuminati. At the time, one man refused to be included in the group, T’Challa of Wakanda, better known as the Black Panther.

Now the Illuminati are returning, this time at the behest of T’Challa himself. What manner of threat could make the Black Panther embrace an idea that he once rejected? Only one of Universal Proportions it would appear!

Jonathon Hickman has set up quite a big premise for himself, and it will be interesting to see where he goes with it. From my experience with his recent projects like FF and Ultimate Comics: The Ultimates , I am inclined to think that  he is right at home with these kind of Big Concepts. I’m also a huge fan of “alternate earth” stories, so I’m looking forward to seeing more of this story.

As for the art, Epting and Magyar make a good team, and D’Armata’s colors make everything gorgeous, from the lushness of the jungle to the highly polished metal of the tech devices. Even the other-worldly colors of the alternate earth provide the proper feeling of alien-ness. The beautiful new antagonist was a real treat for the eyes as well.

New Avengers #1 is definitely worth picking up

Story and art: 8 ½ Secret Handshakes


You can find all of the latest Marvel Comics and lots more great comic books at http://www.superherocomicbooks.com