My 'Take' On: Mouse Guard: Legends of the Guard #2 (of 4) From Archaia!     - Above Photo:  The Front Cover to Mouse Guard: Legends of the Guard #2 (of 4). - At the Left: The Logo for Archaia Entertainment LLC.

TODAY'S FEATURE - Blog #3260:

As mentioned in yesterday's blog...I met several creators at the 2010 Comic Con International: San Diego in July at the Archaia booth.  I've already posted a few blogs on those creators and the comics / graphic novels so far in this Blog, as seen here.

However, I didn't see anything about Mouse Guard there at the booth, even though it is one of their best known titles.

So I'm glad that the above shown publication was sent to me for possible review.

I haven't blogged about Mouse Guard for a while, even though I have found the concept to be a good one.

Here is what this publication is about, per the promo on it:

Mouse Guard: Legends of the Guard #2 (of 4)

Inside the June Alley Inn, located in the western mouse city of Barkstone, mice are in the midst of an enthralling tall tale-telling competition.  In this issue, Gene Ha (Top 10) and Lowell Francis chronicle the legendary exploits of Worley, a stubborn mouse banker who stumbles upon danger...and a mink!  Legends of the Guard is a continuing anthology series with artists and storytellers handpicked by David Petersen.  Featured in this issue are tales by Gene Ha, Sean Rubin (Redwall) and David Petersen.

(W) Lowell Francis, Alex Kain and David Petersen  (A) Gene Ha, Sean Rubin, and David Petersen (Cover) David Petersen.

Retail Price $3.50 U.S.  Page Count 24 pages

Format: saddle bound, 8" x 8", full color. All Ages.

So what is 'My Take' on this issue #2 of the series?

Long time readers of this blog will know that I find anthologies to be very hard to review.  That's because when there are three stories in an anthology comic, the odds seem to be that one story will be good, one okay, and the other not so good. 

However, I didn't find that in this issue.

Starting with the Front Cover:  I found that it was a sharp idea for the creator of this concept to illustrate the front cover.  Thus keeping a 'tone' or 'house style' of artwork being presented to the buying public.

The Inside Front Cover was laid out very well.  Giving the casual browser the credits as to who did what in this issue, and enticing the browser to thumb through the pages before purchasing.

First Story - 'Potential' - Art by Sean Rubin, Story by Alex Kain. There wasn't that many words in this story, either text or dialogue.  Mostly action...But the artwork made up for the lack of additional copy. The writer kept the storyline close to the title of the story.  I liked this first presentation. 

Second Story - 'The Shrike and the Toad' - Art & Story by Terry Moore. Quick tale...very quick!  Only two pages.  But it got the tale told!

Oh...In between the stories are additional pages by David Petersen linking the stories together.

Which is why the Third Story seemed to be part of the additional pages.  If it wasn't for the change in lettering, I wouldn't have noticed that quickly.  The third story's title was 'Worley & the Mink' - Art by Gene Ha, Story by Lowell Francis.  This tale was illustrated with much darker colors, thus changing the tone of the publication.  But it didn't make the storyline that much darker, no 'grim n gritty' here. 

The Inside Back Cover features what is being presented in issue #3 of this series.

The Back Cover is just a continuation of the Front Cover's illustration.  No text, copy, or promo blurb here.

So...here's what I think of this publication.  I really can't call it a comic book, due to the odd size, 8" x 8", and indeed, I don't even have a comic bag / board to insert this into after reading it. 

Thus I figure that the publishers are attempting to make this more 'mainstream' to entice non-comics readers to pick it up, borowse it, and realize that it is an 'illustrated booklet', not a 'comic book'.  Nothing wrong with that, just that it is harder to bag / board it after reading for safekeeping as it is a paper product without a soft cover or hardcover to protect it.

As stated earlier, I like the concept of Mouse Guard.  I usually am not totally satisfied with 'anthology' presentation in comics, TPBs, or graphic novels.  However, this anthology issue, #2 of a projected 4 issue series, was so self contained, that I didn't feel I missed the point of the series by not reading the first one.  I thoroughly enjoyed reading this publication.

My only concern is the format it was published in, an 8" x 8" soft cover paper publication. That may be my background as a 'collector' where after reading something, I bag and board it until I pull it out again to re-read. I had to dig out a magazine bag and board to insert it into for safekeeping. 

Thus my 'comic book grade' for this publication is a VERY FINE / NEAR MINT  (VF/NM) 9.0 on a 10.0 comic book grading scale.

Here is the link to Archaia so that YOU can purchase the issues in this series.

Here is the Facebook Fan Page for Archaia, which I suggest YOU 'like' also to keep up with what this publisher is presenting next.

My thanks to Archaia for bringing this series to my attention!

PLUS: My thanks again to all of YOU reading this blog and our archived blog posts, now over 3,255 total posts in number! I do appreciate your continued reading and support of this Blog!

BTW, You can 'follow' this Blog by clicking the 'Follow' Button at this NetworkedBlogs app!  We currently have over 1,990 'Followers'!  Thanks to ALL of YOU that have already clicked that button!  And for those of YOU that haven't yet...I would appreciate it if YOU would!!!

Note: Our online comic book shop carries many different genres of comics, magazines, graphic novels, and comic con promotional items at the link seen below.  

http://www.comicbookscircus.com/

 

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"Hammering Out the Web For You Since May 12th, 1998!"       Note: If you are breaking into, or already work in the comic book industry or other pop culture productions, you are welcome to email us press releases, news items, and updates that you feel would be of interest to our blog readers. Including YOUR own works! To mail printed items to us for possible review, send to:   Make It So Marketing Inc. PO Box 130653 Carlsbad, CA 92013   ComicBooksCircus.com - It's Under The Big Top Of Comics! Click the Above Circus Tent to See Our Current Listings!

My thanks to those of YOU that have read today's blog post! I do appreciate that! For those of you that didn't know me before today... I first set up as a 'dealer' at the 1972 San Diego West Coast Comic Con (SDCC) at the El Cortez Hotel. So I've been around comic conventions for a little while, LOL!   My wife Tina and I now have an on-line exhibitor (dealer) table at the first "virtual" comic con titled the "Facebook Comic Con" (FBCC)! Plus I have a chapter in a new book coming out in December of 2010, that is pictured above, "Gotham City 14 Miles"!  Click here to become a 'Fan' of the GC14M Facebook Fan Page! You can view our dealer table and interact with us there on Facebook by clicking this link, which takes you to our table named: 'Facebook Comic Con | Make It So Marketing'.  So if YOU are a Facebook member, please 'join' our Facebook Comic Con - Make It So Marketing exhibitor table for updates, specials, links to this blog, and other wall comments that we post every day!     Also, if you are a Facebook member and would like to also join my Facebook Network, feel free to send a 'friend request' to 'Michael D Hamersky'. Please Note: I have reached the maximum of 5,000 Facebook Friends and Fan pages already, so it might be a while before I am able to accept your request. Just send a message along with the invite that you saw my Blog!         ------------------- Talking about comics: if YOU are a comics creator, (writer, penciler, inker, colorist, letterer, etc.), OR even a Comics / Magazine Publisher, feel free to contact me regarding YOUR works for a possible mention / review! I've made a special blog post about: "How To Best Submit YOUR Publication For Possible Review!" for those creators / publishers that would like to possibly have their publications mentioned or reviewed. Just click on the link provided in this paragraph! ~Michael @ ComicBookCollectorsBlog.com   WEB PAGE NOTE:  This blog post is written for the IE Browser standards. Chrome, Safarai, Netscape, Firefox and the others serve the page up differently, sorry about that! The screen display resolution is best seen at the setting of 1024 x 768 on your laptop or desktop computer. NOTE: All images and characters within this blog post are copyright and trademark their respective owners.

 

My 'Take' On: The Secret History: Book 10 - The Black Stone & Book 11 - Nadja   - Above Photo:  The Front Cover of The Secret History Book Eleven: Nadja! - At the Top Left: The Front Cover of The Secret History Book Ten: The Black Stone! - At the Bottom Left: The Logo for Archaia Entertainment LLC, Publisher for this Series.

TODAY'S FEATURE - Blog #3259:

I met several creators at the 2010 Comic Con International: San Diego in July at the Archaia booth.  I've already posted a few blogs on those creators and the comics / graphic novels so far in this Blog, as seen here.

However, one series that I haven't blogged about yet is 'The Secret History'.  Not that it was an oversight...It's that I usually don't blog about series that I've come into reading that are more than halfway through.

However, I'm going to make an exception with this one. That's because I really 'dug' what was going on in Books Ten & Eleven!

Here is what I missed in Books One through Seven, and is being presented here to help You  as well catch up as to what this series is about:

The Secret History:  Books One through Seven

Four immortal brothers and sisters entrusted with ivory cards in the dawn of prehistory by a dying shaman, and told never to use the cards together. Four immortal brothers and sisters, four archons, leaping through time, consumed in an epic struggle to influance and shape the history of Western civilization. From Moses’ challenge to the Pharaoh to the origin of the Grail myth; from the Pope’s extermination of the Cathars to Nostradamus’ travels in Italy; from the Spanish Armada and the Great Fire of London to Napoleon’s conquest of Egypt; and finally to the Angel of Mons appearing over the trenches of World War I: a secret occult history of the world told in seven chapters.

Here is what Book Ten is about:

The Black Stone - 1926: Curtis and Lawrence try in vain to recover the black ivory, but the Road to Kor is closed to them thanks to Ibn Saud, the new master of Arabia. Meanwhile, in the Soviet Ukraine, Itzhaak fights alongside the partisan anarchists, and then flees to Siberia. He moves along the Tunguska River, on the same track followed 17 years earlier by Rasputin, with Baron Sebottendorff on his trail.

(W) Jean-Pierre Pecau  (A) Igor Kordey (Cover) Manchu & Olvier Vatine.

Retail Price $5.95 U.S.  Page Count 48 pages

Format: perfect bound, 6.875" x 10.25", full color.

This is what Book Eleven is about:

Nadja - 1940: WWII is underway. While Curtis, in command of a squadron of Spitfires, is plunged in full into the Battle of Britain, the Archons attempt to combine forces to fight against the men of William of Lecce.  But it seems the Fifth Archon is about to win the game and bring Europe under his yoke!

Note: Credits and other info same as for Book Ten.

So what is 'My Take' on these two volumes in the twelve volume set?

Since I received only books Ten & Eleven for possible review, I was a little hesitant to read these first.  So I stuck them toward the bottom of my 'To Read / Possibly Review Stack'.  Which is why this review is a little late in going to press.

However, the two covers really intrigued me.  First because I enjoy reading history, and second because the artwork and the promo text on the back of each of these volumes really grabbed my attention!

I wasn't disapppointed in either volume.  Yes, it was a little tough to pick up what had happened in prior volumes...But with placing the fictional storyline into a well documented historical storyline...well...I was hooked!

When I say well documented, it is also full of references that are spelled out in sidenotes as to times, places, and people.  Very well researched and I enjoyed reading the fictional characters being inserted in with historical characters to have interaction with.

The interior artwork flows very well, even though on some pages there are heavy text dialogue balloons.  

The colors mesh well with the illustrations.  The whole period piece is represented well in both volumes. 

I really became involved with the story and have noted to myself to look at the other volumes in the future. 

My comic book grade for this publication is a VERY FINE / NEAR MINT  (VF/NM) 9.0 on a 10.0 comic book grading scale.

Here is the link to Archaia so that YOU can purchase either the single volumes or the collected works so far.

Here is the Facebook Fan Page for Archaia, which I suggest YOU 'like' also to keep up with what this publisher is presenting next.

My thanks to Archaia for bringing this series to my attention!

PLUS: My thanks again to all of YOU reading this blog and our archived blog posts, now over 3,255 total posts in number! I do appreciate your continued reading and support of this Blog!

BTW, You can 'follow' this Blog by clicking the 'Follow' Button at this NetworkedBlogs app!  We currently have over 1,970 'Followers'!  Thanks to ALL of YOU that have already clicked that button!  And for those of YOU that haven't yet...I would appreciate it if YOU would!!!

Note: Our online comic book shop carries many different genres of comics, magazines, graphic novels, and comic con promotional items at the link seen below.  

http://www.comicbookscircus.com/

 

---

 

"Hammering Out the Web For You Since May 12th, 1998!"       Note: If you are breaking into, or already work in the comic book industry or other pop culture productions, you are welcome to email us press releases, news items, and updates that you feel would be of interest to our blog readers. Including YOUR own works! To mail printed items to us for possible review, send to:   Make It So Marketing Inc. PO Box 130653 Carlsbad, CA 92013   ComicBooksCircus.com - It's Under The Big Top Of Comics! Click the Above Circus Tent to See Our Current Listings!

My thanks to those of YOU that have read today's blog post! I do appreciate that! For those of you that didn't know me before today... I first set up as a 'dealer' at the 1972 San Diego West Coast Comic Con (SDCC) at the El Cortez Hotel. So I've been around comic conventions for a little while, LOL!   My wife Tina and I now have an on-line exhibitor (dealer) table at the first "virtual" comic con titled the "Facebook Comic Con" (FBCC)! Plus I have a chapter in a new book coming out in December of 2010, that is pictured above, "Gotham City 14 Miles"!  Click here to become a 'Fan' of the GC14M Facebook Fan Page! You can view our dealer table and interact with us there on Facebook by clicking this link, which takes you to our table named: 'Facebook Comic Con | Make It So Marketing'.  So if YOU are a Facebook member, please 'join' our Facebook Comic Con - Make It So Marketing exhibitor table for updates, specials, links to this blog, and other wall comments that we post every day!     Also, if you are a Facebook member and would like to also join my Facebook Network, feel free to send a 'friend request' to 'Michael D Hamersky'. Please Note: I have reached the maximum of 5,000 Facebook Friends and Fan pages already, so it might be a while before I am able to accept your request. Just send a message along with the invite that you saw my Blog!         ------------------- Talking about comics: if YOU are a comics creator, (writer, penciler, inker, colorist, letterer, etc.), OR even a Comics / Magazine Publisher, feel free to contact me regarding YOUR works for a possible mention / review! I've made a special blog post about: "How To Best Submit YOUR Publication For Possible Review!" for those creators / publishers that would like to possibly have their publications mentioned or reviewed. Just click on the link provided in this paragraph! ~Michael @ ComicBookCollectorsBlog.com   WEB PAGE NOTE:  This blog post is written for the IE Browser standards. Chrome, Safarai, Netscape, Firefox and the others serve the page up differently, sorry about that! The screen display resolution is best seen at the setting of 1024 x 768 on your laptop or desktop computer. NOTE: All images and characters within this blog post are copyright and trademark their respective owners.

 

My 'Take' On: Family Bones Volume 2 Based On A True Story By Shawn Granger & Various     - Above Photo:  The Front Cover of Family Bones Volume 2, As Found at the 2010 San Gabriel Valley Comic Book Festival! - At the Top Left: Shawn Granger and Michael D Hamersky Holding The Graphic Novel That Is Reviewed In This Blog! - At the Bottom Left: The Poster for the 3rd Annual San Gabriel Valley Comic Book Festival (2010 SGV).

TODAY'S FEATURE - Blog #3258:

Would You believe that today's post is yet another blog on a publication that I found at the recent SGV Comic Book Festival that took place on Sunday, September 19th?!! As I've said here before...That 'little' comic con sure had a lot of creative comic book self-publishers on its exhibit floor!

Here is what Shawn Granger has on his web site as to what the graphic novels, (Vol. 1 & 2), are about:

FAMILY BONES Volume 1

King Tractor Press

Art by Orlando Baez, Kenneth Landgraf, Benito Olea Bellido, Mannie Abeleda, Pablo Agustin Lordi

FAMILY BONES is based on the TRUE STORY of the oldest couple of serial killers, as experienced one summer by their unwitting nephew.

This first volume collects issues 1 – 5 of the popular comic book series based on the lives of serial killers Ray and Faye Copeland.  They were the kind, elderly grandparents who murders farm hands at their home.

Sean is trapped on the Copeland farm, a slave for his uncle.  The heat simmers his skin to a full boil until the neighbor's beautiful daughter appears.  Wendy quickly becomes his hope, desire, and fear; not to mention his one trusted friend.  Together they discover each other and some very bloody family secrets.

FAMILY BONES Volume 2

This is the final volume of "Family Bones", a true crime graphic novel about the elderly serial murderers from Missouri. In their 70's, Ray and Faye Copeland were sentenced to death for the murder of many farm workers that lived with them.

The tale told through the eyes of their unwitting nephew comes to a gruesome conclusion. And through it all somehow this city boy finds young romance with a neighbor's daughter. Written by the actual great nephew of Ray and Faye Copeland, "Family Bones" is a gritty, fish-out-of-water American gothic that will send shivers down your spine.

Art by many of the rising stars in the comic book industry; including Brent Giles, Mannie Abeleda, Pablo Agustin Lordi, Stefano Cardoselli, Kyle Strahm, Will Caligan, & more.

(I'll show where you can purchase these at the end of my review.)

So what is 'My Take' on this two volume graphic novel / trade paperback series?

Well, here is the link to my 'take', (review), of Volume One.

Now here's my thoughts on Volume 2:

Since the format is being presented as a 'Trade PaperBack (TPB) / Graphic Novel (GN), I'm going to review it as such.

The Front Cover:  I find that having the front cover in black and white goes together better with the black & white interior pages.  There isn't the lack of color shock when a casual browser starts thumbing through the interior pages.  I like this approach and the illustration is ably done by Kyle Strahm.

The Inside Front Cover is blank...

The first page is illustrated by Brent Giles, with no text.

The next page is the copyright info, and publisher info.

Then starts chapter 6 'Meat Grinder'. All the chapter are written by Shawn Granger, with different artists illustrating the chapters.

It had been a while since I read and reviewed the first volume, (Saturday, November 21st of 2009), and there was no 'recap' to remind me as a previous reader as to what had gone on before.  Nor a 'story thus far' for a new reader to be brought up to date.

Yet I did find that the storyline picked up rather well from where I remember it ended...and the first chapter was illustrated very well by Brent Giles.  This chapter drew me back in to the storyline.

Chapter 7 'Run Boy, Run' was illustrated by Mannie Abeleda. The heavy usage of 'blacks' colorings in the panels fit with the storyline of this chapter, but was a reminder that I was reading a type of 'anthology' where it was the same author, but different illustrators depicting the story.

Chapter 8 'Children of the Corn' - was illustrated by Pablo Agustin Lordi. This artist had a lot of close-ups of faces, and he really had the characters down pat in their looks.  Good choice for this chapter!

Chapter 9 'Death Rides A Rusty Tractor' - was illustrated by Brent Giles again.  The storyline turns a lot darker, and his style fits the text.

Chapter 10 'The End' - Art by Stefano Cardoselli. Which is a changeup in style once again...

After 'The End' are pages about Volume 2 and promo pages.  It is here where the credits for the above mentioned chapters are shown. Plus what happened after 'The End' in real life. In addition, there is the 'Acknowledgements' page by the author. Ending up with a 'House Ad' for other series published by King Tractor Press.

As mentioned in my earlier blog post, this genre is not usually one I pick up for my own personal reading. Saying that, I found that this series of two TPB / GN format volumes was a compelling read.  

The idea of having different artists illustrate the publications made this series a constant change in illustrations styles. Most of which fit the chapter being illustrated smoothly.

Some styles I personally liked more than others, but it seemed to all flow together coherently, and without sensationalistic gore or violence.  

Having done some of my own 'genealogy research' in Northwest Missouri several years ago, I could 'tune in' to the setting where this story takes place.  The Copeland Farm was on the East side of the I-35 running through Northwest Missouri in Livingston County, while my families lived on the West side, with just a few counties separating the two areas...So I have a pretty good 'picture' of what the story setting would look like in real life.

Again, this book, while not my favorite genre to read, makes a compelling visual and written story to follow. The format shows that comics don't have to be all 'superheroes' in genre to tell a story, and could be a good read for those that like crime stories like this one is. 

My comic book grade for this publication is a VERY FINE / NEAR MINT  (VF/NM) 9.0 on a 10.0 comic book grading scale.

Here are the links to where you can buy both Volume 1 and Volume 2 of Family Bones, as we don't have them in stock at our own online store at this time:  Family Bones Volume 1: Based on a True Story. And: Family Bones Volume 2

Plus you can see other series from Shawn's King Tractor Press by clicking this link.

Thanks again, Shawn, for sharing your time and your publication with me at the recent San Gabriel Valley Comic Book Festival!

PLUS: My thanks again to all of YOU reading this blog and our archived blog posts, now over 3,255 total posts in number! I do appreciate your continued reading and support of this Blog!

BTW, You can 'follow' this Blog by clicking the 'Follow' Button at this NetworkedBlogs app!  We currently have over 1,970 'Followers'!  Thanks to ALL of YOU that have already clicked that button!  And for those of YOU that haven't yet...I would appreciate it if YOU would!!!

Note: Our online comic book shop carries many different genres of comics, magazines, graphic novels, and comic con promotional items at the link seen below.  

http://www.comicbookscircus.com/

 

---

 

"Hammering Out the Web For You Since May 12th, 1998!"       Note: If you are breaking into, or already work in the comic book industry or other pop culture productions, you are welcome to email us press releases, news items, and updates that you feel would be of interest to our blog readers. Including YOUR own works! To mail printed items to us for possible review, send to:   Make It So Marketing Inc. PO Box 130653 Carlsbad, CA 92013   ComicBooksCircus.com - It's Under The Big Top Of Comics! Click the Above Circus Tent to See Our Current Listings!

My thanks to those of YOU that have read today's blog post! I do appreciate that! For those of you that didn't know me before today... I first set up as a 'dealer' at the 1972 San Diego West Coast Comic Con (SDCC) at the El Cortez Hotel. So I've been around comic conventions for a little while, LOL!   My wife Tina and I now have an on-line exhibitor (dealer) table at the first "virtual" comic con titled the "Facebook Comic Con" (FBCC)! Plus I have a chapter in a new book coming out in December of 2010, that is pictured above, "Gotham City 14 Miles"!  Click here to become a 'Fan' of the GC14M Facebook Fan Page! You can view our dealer table and interact with us there on Facebook by clicking this link, which takes you to our table named: 'Facebook Comic Con | Make It So Marketing'.  So if YOU are a Facebook member, please 'join' our Facebook Comic Con - Make It So Marketing exhibitor table for updates, specials, links to this blog, and other wall comments that we post every day!     Also, if you are a Facebook member and would like to also join my Facebook Network, feel free to send a 'friend request' to 'Michael D Hamersky'. Please Note: I have reached the maximum of 5,000 Facebook Friends and Fan pages already, so it might be a while before I am able to accept your request. Just send a message along with the invite that you saw my Blog!         ------------------- Talking about comics: if YOU are a comics creator, (writer, penciler, inker, colorist, letterer, etc.), OR even a Comics / Magazine Publisher, feel free to contact me regarding YOUR works for a possible mention / review! I've made a special blog post about: "How To Best Submit YOUR Publication For Possible Review!" for those creators / publishers that would like to possibly have their publications mentioned or reviewed. Just click on the link provided in this paragraph! ~Michael @ ComicBookCollectorsBlog.com   WEB PAGE NOTE:  This blog post is written for the IE Browser standards. Chrome, Safarai, Netscape, Firefox and the others serve the page up differently, sorry about that! The screen display resolution is best seen at the setting of 1024 x 768 on your laptop or desktop computer. NOTE: All images and characters within this blog post are copyright and trademark their respective owners.

 

Update On the 2010 Long Beach Comic Con (LBCC)! Expanded Programming! Friday October 29th through Sunday October 31st - In Long Beach, California     - Above Photo:  (L-R) Mike Mignola, Katie Mignola, and Christine Beatty Mignola as seen at the February 2010 Long Beach Comic Con Expo! - At the Left: The Poster for THIS Year's LBCC - Make Plans Now!

TODAY'S FEATURE - Blog #3257:

BIG NEWS this week on the upcoming Long Beach Comic Con's 2nd Annual Event! I had hoped to present this earlier in the week, but now that the programming schedule is in .pdf format for YOU to download and print, it's time to post the link to it in this Blog!

PLUS: Before time slips away, I want YOU to make sure to mark YOUR calendars for this Great event, AND Buy YOUR tickets online now!

I say Great, because I was there for the 1st Annual LBCC last year at this time.  It's always hard to publicize a brand new comic con, because not having been to it before, you don't know what to expect, or how much you should promote it...

However, Tina and I have been both to the 1st LBCC in October 2009 that covered three days, and the LBCC Expo in early 2010, which was a one day affair.  Both were Great, although on different scales.

That's because the three day con was like the old SDCC that I first selling at back in the early 1970's, with dealers and comics creators that you could talk to on a one-to-one basis, without being trampled on during an over-sized and over croweded comic con!

The one day Expo was perfect sized for an in-between show, and reminded me of the old San Diego Quarterly Cons in the 1990's. I found myself talking to creators that I couldn't even get close to at larger shows without standing in long lines to do so. Including meeting the Mike Mignola family pictured above at the top right of this blog post!

So Tina and I have definitely booked the last weekend in October to attend this 2nd LBCC.  We suggest YOU check out the links below, both to their Facebook Fan Page, and to their own web site.  I'll be blogging more about this upcoming con in the weeks to come.  This is just an additional notice for you to check it out for the 2010 event and buy your membership online!

Here's just a few of the programs that I wanted to highlight here today that I want to attend! (Here's the link to the creators & guests that will be attending from my earlier blog.)

FRIDAY OCTOBER 29TH:

2:00 - 2:45 PM - So You Want to be a Comic Book Retailer?
Seaside Ballroom B
Your first steps to having your very own comic
book store start right here! This convention
tradition is always a lively and fun discussion of
the brick and mortar basics of launching your own
career as a comic book specialty retailer. You have
questions? ComicsPRO’s panel of experienced
retailers has answers! Hosted by Joe Field
(ComicsPRO president, Flying Colors Comics,
Concord, CA) with fellow retailers Carr D’Angelo
(Earth-2 Comics, Sherman Oaks and Northridge,
CA), Thomas Gaul (Corner Store Comics & Beach
Ball Comics, Orange County, CA), and Derrick
Taylor (Comic Oasis, Las Vegas, NV).

3:00 - 3:45 PM - HOW TO SURVIVE AS AN ARTIST
with Scott Koblish
Room 301
A panel focusing on the lifelong practical questions
an artist faces. Scott Koblish gives you tips on
how to navigate a career that can be fraught with
unusual stress. With particular attention paid to
thinking about finances in a realistic way, stressing
your flexibility in approaching assignments, what
projects can be worth doing (if they don’t pay well),
how to focus on your goals and what to think about
when you run across blind alleys and uncertainty.

4:30 p.m.-6 p.m.
MIKE MIGNOLA SIGNING
Signing area

5:00 - 5:45 PM - ZAP! -- And there was light!
Robert Crumb’s “The Book of
Genesis Illustr ated”
Seaside Lobby
The 2010 Harvey Award winning book for best artist
is a unique blend of pop culture sensibilities with
scrupulous research and fidelity to text. Panelists will
discuss the artistic, cultural, historical, and theological
impact of Crumb’s highly acclaimed -- and highly
controversial! – Best-selling adaptation of the first
book in the Bible. Sponsored by The Christian Comic
Arts Society; moderator: Buzz Dixon.

SATURDAY OCTOBER 30TH
11 a.m.-11:45 a.m.
COMIC BOOK SUNDAY!
PRESENTS MARV WOLFMAN
Seaside Ballroom B
Neo Edmund sits down with the titan himself Marv
Wolfman for a one on one chat about all things
comics, video games, and the Wolfman’s amazing
career in spanning nearly four decades, from Teen
Titans to his current work on God of War, and
more projects than we could possibly ever list.

2:00 - 2:45 PM
MIKE MIGNOLA SPOTLIGHT
Seaside Ballroom B
“Hellboy” creator and superstar artist, Mike
Mignola hosts this special “Spotlight” panel giving
fans an inside look at his award winning career.

4:00 - 4:45 PM - GETTING YOUR IP RECOGNIZED
WITH JIMMY PALMIOTTI
Room 301
A must for creators who want to
become more business savvy and reap
potential commercial success.Learn
the ins and outs of making sure your
creations and IPs get out there and
noticed from comic master writer and
artist Jimmy Palmiotti (Jonah Hex)!

SUNDAY OCTOBER 31ST

11 a.m.-11:45 a.m.
The Art of Storytelling in Graphic
Novels with Nhora Serrano , Mike
Buckley and Jason Casem
Seaside Ballroom B
What is this popular visual medium that is referred
to as the ‘graphic novel’? Too often, this important
literary genre has been dismissed as “kid’s stuff,”
but comics and graphic novels are as complex and
powerful as any other art form. In Reading Comics,
Douglas Wolk states “The cheap way of referring
to them is “comics” or “comic books”; the fancy
way is “graphic novels” (or “graphic narratives”
or “sequential art”). While the combination
“graphic novel” has floated around since the 60s,
the influential Will Eisner popularized the term
with his publication in 1978 of A Contract with
God, which did NOT pertain to superheroes. This
roundtable highlights the fact that sequential
art describes a sophisticated and complex

3 p.m.-3:45 p.m.
SLUM CIRCUS: THE ART OF DYI
BRANDING AND WORKING IN
COLLECTIVE
Seaside Lobby
This panel aims to assists artists and writers who
are interested in taking their craft to the retail
world. From creating diverse products while
earning promotional funding, to establishing
contacts to barter services and event booking -
All while on a limited budget.

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Again, this is just the Latest Notice about this upcoming event.  I'll be sure to post more notices here in this blog and also at my own Facebook Group Page as the weekend nears. And at least one follow up blog afterwards on the event.  Plus any comic books / promos that we pick up at the LBCC from the creators for possible review blogs!

If YOU are exhibiting at this LBCC, feel free to message me on Facebook or send me an email so I can add you in future posts!

My thanks again to all of YOU reading this blog and our archived blog posts, now over 3,255 total posts in number! I do appreciate your continued reading and support of this Blog!

BTW, You can 'follow' this Blog by clicking the 'Follow' Button at this NetworkedBlogs app!  We currently have over 1,985 'Followers'!  Thanks to ALL of YOU that have already clicked that button!  And for those of YOU that haven't yet...I would appreciate it if YOU would!!!

Note: Our online comic book shop carries many different genres of comics, magazines, graphic novels, and comic con promotional items at the link seen below.  

http://www.comicbookscircus.com/

 

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"Hammering Out the Web For You Since May 12th, 1998!"       Note: If you are breaking into, or already work in the comic book industry or other pop culture productions, you are welcome to email us press releases, news items, and updates that you feel would be of interest to our blog readers. Including YOUR own works! To mail printed items to us for possible review, send to:   Make It So Marketing Inc. PO Box 130653 Carlsbad, CA 92013     ComicBooksCircus.com - It's Under The Big Top Of Comics! Click the Above Circus Tent to See Our Current Listings!

My thanks to those of YOU that have read today's blog post! I do appreciate that! For those of you that didn't know me before today... I first set up as a 'dealer' at the 1972 San Diego West Coast Comic Con (SDCC) at the El Cortez Hotel. So I've been around comic conventions for a little while, LOL!   My wife Tina and I now have an on-line exhibitor (dealer) table at the first "virtual" comic con titled the "Facebook Comic Con" (FBCC)! Plus I have a chapter in a new book coming out in December of 2010, that is pictured above, "Gotham City 14 Miles"! Click here to become a 'Fan' of the GC14M Facebook Fan Page!! You can view our dealer table and interact with us there on Facebook by clicking this link, which takes you to our table named: 'Facebook Comic Con | Make It So Marketing'.  So if YOU are a Facebook member, please 'join' our Facebook Comic Con - Make It So Marketing exhibitor table for updates, specials, links to this blog, and other wall comments that we post every day!     Also, if you are a Facebook member and would like to also join my Facebook Network, feel free to send a 'friend request' to 'Michael D Hamersky'. Please Note: I have reached the maximum of 5,000 Facebook Friends and Fan pages already, so it might be a while before I am able to accept your request. Just send a message along with the invite that you saw my Blog!         ------------------- Talking about comics: if YOU are a comics creator, (writer, penciler, inker, colorist, letterer, etc.), OR even a Comics / Magazine Publisher, feel free to contact me regarding YOUR works for a possible mention / review! I've made a special blog post about: "How To Best Submit YOUR Publication For Possible Review!" for those creators / publishers that would like to possibly have their publications mentioned or reviewed. Just click on the link provided in this paragraph! ~Michael @ ComicBookCollectorsBlog.com   WEB PAGE NOTE:  This blog post is written for the IE Browser standards. Chrome, Safarai, Netscape, Firefox and the others serve the page up differently, sorry about that! The screen display resolution is best seen at the setting of 1024 x 768 on your laptop or desktop computer. NOTE: All images and characters within this blog post are copyright and trademark their respective owners.

 

My 'Take' On: The Untold Chronicles Book 1 Everdance: A Blood Story By Geo Brawn IV     - Above Photo:  The Front Cover of The Untold Chronicles - Book One, As Found at the 2010 San Gabriel Valley Comic Book Festival! - At the Top Left: Geo Brawn IV. Holding The Graphic Novel That Is Reviewed In This Blog! - At the Bottom Left: The Poster for the 3rd Annual San Gabriel Valley Comic Book Festival (2010 SGV).

TODAY'S FEATURE - Blog #3256:

Today's post is still yet another blog on a publication that I found at the recent SGV Comic Book Festival that took place on Sunday, September 19th! As I stated earlier...That 'little' comic con sure had a lot of creative comic book self-publishers on its exhibit floor!

Here is what Geo Brawn IV has on his web site as to what the graphic novel series is about, plus a little bit on his comics bio:

"...Just Believe."

  Born George William Brawn IV, in the City of Angels (and Demons), California in 1975. Even at a young age his passion has always been in creating art. Graduating from West Covina High School with a scholarship in illustration, he attended the Pasadena Art Center of Design, even further developing his style in the craft. Then following, George studied graphic art in Long Beach. He began developing ways on just how to bring his ideas and stories into a particular medium. Ways to bring his creations to life.
  In 2002, Geo found that medium in one of his first artistic loves, comic books. Starting with his first character “Cherry Bomb”, the formation of an entire universe of characters had begun. The stories and creations Geo had were now forming in this perfect art form.
Now Geo has collected four of those stories and has named them "The Untold Chronicles". Starting with Midnight Angel, the story of what happens to an angel who falls in love and far from grace, only to realize the world has a place for even a fallen angel. Continuing with the next story, Everdance, a tale of what happens when a vampire who’s never survived on her own, suddenly must or die. This then led to the third story, Blood Rites, (the adventure story of what happens to a teenage girl who just wanted to party forever, and ended up drafted into fighting the evil she was reborn into). And   finally, The Untold Chronicles last book is known as, The Blood of Eden, the love story that spans oceans of time. Starting not with the garden of Eden and the couple who lost it… but what happen following their expulsion, and how, as time and their punishment wage on, they become the architect’s of the world we know today, with a love that knows no bounds.  
The best way to bring his creations to life for the world to see has always been Geo’s dream, and now that same dream, is becoming a reality.

A grapic novel / TPB
Black & White With color covers
Page Count: 140
 
$16.00
+shipping and handling

So what is 'My Take' on this publication?

First, the front cover: This front cover is laid out nicely. I could tell the genre of this publication right away from the hands and the eyes pictured.  I figured that today would be a good day to review blog this, what with Halloween coming up in two weeks! 

Inside Front Cover: Lays out exactly what to expect in this publication.  A well executed inside front cover page!.

Splash Page:  Grabbed my attention right away!  Which is what a 'Splash Page' is supposed to do!

Interior Pages - The artwork presented in these pages are good examples of well drawn characters.  The black / white / gray pages fit the tone of this story well. 

I for one am glad that the color 'red' was not one of the colors used in this storyline, as I've seen that technique used in other publications.  Here I believe it would have detracted from the storyline...due to all of the blood depicted.  Others might disagree...that is their perogative.

Saying that, I do have to mention that the genre of this publication is not one of my favorites to read for personal pleasure.

However, the execution of the illustrated art was fine enough to warrant a review blog.  The only problem I had reading this Graphic Novel / Trade Paper Back (TPB), is that the story line was a little 'jumpy' in parts for me as a reader.  Probably because it was written as seperate comic books and combined together in this publication?

As for a target market for this publication...I'm not for sure of the age group to recommend this to, as there is nudity, plus blood & gore involved in this illustrated novel. I do see on the web site that is 'recommended for mature readers'...

Also, the story is self contained, plus there is room for a few pinup pages in the 'Afterword' by Geo.  Also, there are illustrated character bios, which is helpful in putting this all together.

The Inside Back Cover: It's The Ka-Blam printer's ad. Which is what I mostly see on self-published comics, TPBs or Graphic Novels.  They are a good printing outfit, and by the numbers of comics that are submitted to me for possible rview, they are a natural choice. Check them out at www.Ka-Blam.com!

Okay, end of commercial for the printer!

Back Cover: Good layout to help the causal browser make up their mind to thumb through this publication at a comics store or bookstore.

Okay, now for my final 'take' on this publication...

I've already mentioned that this genre is not one of my favorite genres to read for personal reading pleasure.

However, this Blog is to inform you, my blog readers, of what publications I come across that could be a good read for You!

As stated above, the illustrations are done very well and are laid out very nicely panels wise.

I'm also glad the publication's interior pages are printed in black / white / gray as mentioned earlier, due to the subject matter.

Other than the storyline being a little 'jumpy' for me, which is probably due to different stories being melded together in a TPB / Graphic Novel format, the story and art merge together pretty well and deserve being mentioned here. !

My comic book grade for this publication is a VERY FINE / VERY FINE PLUS  (VF/VF+) 8.25 on a 10.0 grading scale. Again, please be aware of the content / subject matter. It is Not for young readers, no matter how many vampire TV shows or theatrical films they may have seen!

Here is the link to where you can buy this publication. Plus take a look at other items from Geo at his web site!

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Thanks again, Geo and Nancy, for sharing your time and your publication with me at the recent San Gabriel Valley Comic Book Festival!

PLUS: My thanks again to all of YOU reading this blog and our archived blog posts, now over 3,255 total posts in number! I do appreciate your continued reading and support of this Blog!

BTW, You can 'follow' this Blog by clicking the 'Follow' Button at this NetworkedBlogs app!  We currently have over 1,970 'Followers'!  Thanks to ALL of YOU that have already clicked that button!  And for those of YOU that haven't yet...I would appreciate it if YOU would!!!

Note: Our online comic book shop carries many different genres of comics, magazines, graphic novels, and comic con promotional items at the link seen below.  

http://www.comicbookscircus.com/

 

---

 

"Hammering Out the Web For You Since May 12th, 1998!"       Note: If you are breaking into, or already work in the comic book industry or other pop culture productions, you are welcome to email us press releases, news items, and updates that you feel would be of interest to our blog readers. Including YOUR own works! To mail printed items to us for possible review, send to:   Make It So Marketing Inc. PO Box 130653 Carlsbad, CA 92013   ComicBooksCircus.com - It's Under The Big Top Of Comics! Click the Above Circus Tent to See Our Current Listings!

My thanks to those of YOU that have read today's blog post! I do appreciate that! For those of you that didn't know me before today... I first set up as a 'dealer' at the 1972 San Diego West Coast Comic Con (SDCC) at the El Cortez Hotel. So I've been around comic conventions for a little while, LOL!   My wife Tina and I now have an on-line exhibitor (dealer) table at the first "virtual" comic con titled the "Facebook Comic Con" (FBCC)! Plus I have a chapter in a new book coming out in December of 2010, that is pictured above, "Gotham City 14 Miles"!  Click here to become a 'Fan' of the GC14M Facebook Fan Page! You can view our dealer table and interact with us there on Facebook by clicking this link, which takes you to our table named: 'Facebook Comic Con | Make It So Marketing'.  So if YOU are a Facebook member, please 'join' our Facebook Comic Con - Make It So Marketing exhibitor table for updates, specials, links to this blog, and other wall comments that we post every day!     Also, if you are a Facebook member and would like to also join my Facebook Network, feel free to send a 'friend request' to 'Michael D Hamersky'. Please Note: I have reached the maximum of 5,000 Facebook Friends and Fan pages already, so it might be a while before I am able to accept your request. Just send a message along with the invite that you saw my Blog!         ------------------- Talking about comics: if YOU are a comics creator, (writer, penciler, inker, colorist, letterer, etc.), OR even a Comics / Magazine Publisher, feel free to contact me regarding YOUR works for a possible mention / review! I've made a special blog post about: "How To Best Submit YOUR Publication For Possible Review!" for those creators / publishers that would like to possibly have their publications mentioned or reviewed. Just click on the link provided in this paragraph! ~Michael @ ComicBookCollectorsBlog.com   WEB PAGE NOTE:  This blog post is written for the IE Browser standards. Chrome, Safarai, Netscape, Firefox and the others serve the page up differently, sorry about that! The screen display resolution is best seen at the setting of 1024 x 768 on your laptop or desktop computer. NOTE: All images and characters within this blog post are copyright and trademark their respective owners.