Now the mini-series is available as a TPB for those of you that didn't get all three issues of the 'floppies' (single issues) either!  Here are the details for this collected mini-series:

Okay, if You have already clicked on the link above that would have taken you to my earlier blog post on the first issue of this series... You would know that I loved the premise, the writing, the artwork... everything actually about the first issue.

So, having now read the TPB, I was able to finish the story arc that was presented in the first issue.  You know... it didn't disappoint me!

The story was funny AND entertaining, the pencils by Jeremy Dale were just right for this series, and Rob Jones complemented the artwork by inking it.  Colors by Jelle Van Den Brink added to the whole presentation.

I for one enjoyed seeing this in a TPB (graphic novel style) format!  This was a fun read... and I would say it would be for those that don't always want their comics in a 'grim and gritty' style. 

I also appreciated the 'winks' to the well known Dynamic Duo, who in this story are portrayed as 'The Cowl' and 'Kid Cowl'. 

To order your copy direct from the Dial 'C' For Comics people, check this page:    http://dialcforcomics.com/shop/fs_shop.htmlor look for it at Your LCBS, as this just hit the stands last week!

First off, let me post what the first issue of the Nyssa: War series is about. Here is the description of the story:

Okay, now on to my thoughts of this first issue:

The cover art shown above at the top right of this post is without the logo and the lettering that would come with it.  The artwork does make an impact on the casual browser that would see it at their LCBS.  The additional logo and text adds to the cover.  The finished cover would make me pick up the comic book at my LCBS to see what it is about. 

Turning the front cover page... I find that on the inside front cover there are two house ads, one for 'Battle Blood' and the other for 'Guytron'.  I'm going to stop for a moment and address something here that I will be mentioning later.   This could / should have been an intro page to the story line that is being presented.  I for one have never read the earlier Nyssa comic book mini-series and had no idea what this series is going to be about...

The splash page does what it is supposed to do.  Make a 'splash' impression in front of you, as if you were at a newstand or a LCBS and make you want to spend your $ to buy this and take it home with you to read and possibly collect the rest in the series.

The art style was presented by Michael McClain.  I happened to like it in this story. The style was different enough, yet also familar, that it was easy to follow the storyline. 

The coloring by Virginie D Menard added to the illustrations. Just the right amount of coloring to give it a certain 'feel' of likability.

The lettering done in-house flowed with the art & colors, which is what it is supposed to do.  

Nest comes the writing... Here is what I found that detracted from my having full enjoyment from reading the first issue.  And that is going back to what I wrote earlier.  The inside front cover should / could have been an 'intro' to the characters that are in this story.   The splash page and the initial pages take off like I already knew the characters and their background history to each other.  

However, as I said earlier, I didn't know these characters.  That being said... If I had read the earlier Nyssa mini-series, I'm sure I would have enjoyed it more.  It was still a good read, just that I 'felt' I was missing 'something' from not having read the earlier continuity... 

One additional note: there are only 16 interior pages to this comic.  The front inside cover and the back inside cover are both house ads. Nothing wrong with that, except as I mentioned the front inside cover could have been an intro page to new readers, which would have been more helpful.  This mini-series is projected to be four issues.  With the current price of $3.99 for most comics, mainstream and indie comics, I would have preferred to see a few more pages of story.

All in all, I found this first issue to be drawn in a style I liked, the colors and lettering were fine, and story line flowed to the last page, which of course is "To Be Continued".  Hopefully the following issues will address 'the newbie' to the Nyssa character and other characters involved in the series.

To order your copy in the future, or to order the earlier Nyssa series, check this page:    http://www.michael-mcclain.com/books-page.html .

For those of you that were there at the 2009 SDCC or even ones before that, you'll know that it is very hard to see everyone that you plan to see!  Well, unfortunately when I was at the table later to take a photo for this Blog, Jimmie had stepped away.  However, Derek was kind enough to pose with the T. Runt book, Plus another book that he had collaborated on with a different artist, Shepherd Hendrix, on 'Stagger Lee'.

First, let me post what the T. Runt story is about. Here is the description of the story and the details necessary for purchasing the book:

Hardcover: 32 pages
Publisher: Image Comics (July 29, 2009)  cover price $16.99
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1607060744
ISBN-13: 978-1607060741
Product Dimensions: 8 x 8 x 0.4 inches

Okay, now that the business part of this feature post is out of the way, what did I think of this children's book?  And what is a children's book doing in this this Comic Book Collectors Blog?

Well, second question answered first!  You see, there are a lot of cross-overs going on in the publishing and pop culture industries.  There are screenwriters looking to write comics, because producers are looking for comic book wirters to write screenplays because comics are 'hot'.  Novelists are writing comics, and comic writers are writing novels.  There are other cross-overs going on as well, but I think you get the point.

However, I was kind of surprised at first thumbing through 'Stagger Lee' at the table at the SDCC, because I had already read a preview copy of T. Runt.  You see,  Derek McCulloch wrote the award-winning study of  Stagger Lee which includes the topics of racism and music, so this children's book is on the other extreme in writing style as well as topic.  

Yet, taken on its own stand alone merits, I really enjoyed this T. Runt book.   Enough to suggest to those of You that have nephews or nieces or small kids to consider purchasing this book for an early Christmas / Holiday present!  Seriously, this story and artwork is that good!  Plus how could you go wrong on DINOSAURS?! Especially with the way that Jimmie Robinson draws them!  Great artwork here!

The book has a simple moral that is expressed through a solid and well-crafted storyline.   My thanks to Derek for bringing this children's book to my attention before the SDCC.  I was finally able to fit this book into my Blog's schedule today, and just in time for early buying for gift-giving season!  Which You can find at any of the standard book outlets or online right now.  I know, I checked!

Also, after You become a fan of T. Runt, don't forget to check out T. Runt's Facebook Fan page at:  http://www.facebook.com/pages/T-Runt/105303034694!

I just became Facebook Friends with her this week, and found out that she will be at the East Coast site of the 4th Wonder Woman Day being held this very weekend!

Above at the top left of this post is a photo of taken at the same site last year, when Amber had a photo taken with Pete Marston, who is the son of the creator of Wonder Woman, William Marston!

There is not enough time or space to tell you about everything about this special Wonder Woman Day IV, (actually some events are both days in NJ location), so I'll post the links to the West Coast web site and the East Coast web site.

For info on both the Oregon location and the New Jersey location:
http://www.wonderwomanmuseum.com/WWDay4/WWDay4.html

and for just the New Jersey location:
http://store.comicfusion.net/wwsketches09.html 

Besides the fun at both locations, there are also auctions on Wonder Woman sketches plus other items, so be sure to check out those sites for the individual listings! 

How big is this event, now in its' 4th Year?  Mayor Sam Adams of Portland has also officially declared this upcoming Sunday as 'Wonder Woman Day' in Portland, Oregon for this event!

Also there are signings on Sunday the 25th!

PORTLAND SPECIAL GUESTS SIGNING
Gilbert Hernandez from noon-6pm (Love & Rockets, Luba, Palomar)!
Jaime Hernandez from noon-6pm (Love & Rockets, Penny Century, Locas I & II)!

Paul Gulacy from noon-3pm (Batman, Catwoman, Star Wars, 007, Master of Kung Fu)
Anne Timmons from noon-3pm (Go Girl!, Graphic Classics, Star Trek)!
Steve Dorris from noon-3pm (onsite caricatures of YOU as a super-hero)!

Gail Simone from 3-6pm (Wonder Woman, Birds of Prey, Welcome To Tranquility)!
Aaron Lopresti from 3-6pm (Wonder Woman, Spider-Man, Excalibur, Ms Marvel)!
Ron Randall from 3-6pm (Wonder Woman, Supergirl, Outsiders, Star Wars, Trekker)!

FOR: NEW JERSEY SPECIAL GUESTS SIGNING (Sat & Sun various times):
JOE SINNOTT (Sunday the 25th)!
CHRIS MULLER (Sunday the 25th)!
KEN HAESER (Saturday the 24th)!
ROB KRAMER (Saturday the 24th)!
BUZ HASSON (Saturday the 24th)!

So if YOU are either in the Portland, Oregon OR the Flemington, New Jersey area this weekend, you should stop in and see the activities and help benefit a good cause!  PLEASE NOTE:  As with all events, activities and guests are subject to change. It would be best for you to call for updates before heading for those locations.  Those details are on the websites listed above!

My thanks to Amber Love for posting this on her Facebook Wall about her attending the event in New Jersey, and for permission to publish the photos here!

Threads was an experiment with the typical comic book format; A new concept in comic story telling.

Three different creative teams per issue... one constant 'Thread' in the book.

That formula turned out some of the most original and inventive stories to hit comics today.

So come follow the threads and see where they take you....

Two issues were produced in 2001 and 2002 to much critical reviews and then a limited edition collected issue was printed with new material. The collected edition has since sold out!

Additional Info:

The cover artist of Threads shows the past (Dick Ayers), present (Alitha Martinez) and future (Raymond Thomas).

Threads was originally slated to be a six issue mini series but due to creative differences the series was shortened to two issues and later a reprinted graphic novel.

All of the artwork for Threads was fully colored and then converted to grey scale using a special process developed by Color Dojo.

Issue 1 credits only shown here -  
Cover: Dick Ayers and Matt Webb
Writers: Eric Rivera, Kelly Whalund, Danny Donovan
Pencilers: Chad DuLac (Dragon Magazine), Dustin Weaver (Alien vs Predator, Gen 13), Raymond Thomas
Inkers: James Taylor (Battle Pope, Decoy), Victor Miller Sr, Joe Fauvel (Assassins Guild)
Colorist: Matt Webb (Disney Digest, Gizmo and Gears), Kristine Severson, Color Dojo (Deadpool, Thor, Wolverine)
Lettering: Sam Edmisten, Committed Studios

So what were my thoughts of this first issue of the series?  And only the first issue, since I didn't see or read the 2nd issue or the collected reprint TPB?

Well, quite honestly I'm a probable reader for anything that is 'Ghost Rider' - 'Black Rider' - 'Night Rider' - or now 'Shadow Rider' in concept.  Because it was Dick Ayers that brought that original concept to life, and I have enjoyed the original series, and the reprints, and the newer versions since 1950's.

This issue started off great with a Dick Ayers front cover.  Yeah, now I gotta get over that!  So turning the front cover, I see the inside front cover which explains there were to be three stories in this issue.  Three stories by different creative teams.

I believe the concept that was explained as to what 'Threads' was about when this book was being produced in the Spring of 2002, was a good concept...

The first story: Greed, was a good read. The story was good in setting up the character of 'Shadow Rider', and the other characters were fleshed out in 10 pages. T he artwork and usage of grays & blacks were done well. The lettering was fine...

The second story: The Shadow Rider, with 9 pages, was a different style of writing and definitely a different art form!  Even the lettering was way different from the first story. Not that I didn't like the story, it was actually good, but so far different from the first story, that it was good that this story was in the middle of the comic's pages.

The third story: Revenge, with 10 pages, was once again different from the other two stories in writing and art.  Right, I know, the comic is titled 'Threads'.  Okay, got it... Again, after adjusting for the new writing and art style, I found myself liking this story also. 

Three 'threads', all about the same character 'Shadow Rider'.  I liked this 'anthology book', even though the inside front cover says it isn't an anthology comic book, because "each issue is self contained". 

Okay, but it's still an anthology comic to me!  And one that I liked, even though I was a bit prejudiced into picking it up because of the Dick Ayers front cover art!  The comic book gave me what it should do... a period of time of entertainment during my reading it!

What happened that the planned six issues only turned into two issues, I don't about in full, so will just say that this issue was worth picking up.  Those of you that liked the original Ghost Rider - Night Rider - etc., (NOT the motorcycle guy of the 1970's), would more than likely enjoy these stories in this issue!  Yeah, it's a little old, (2002), but Committed Comics does have it in their online store for sale at: http://www.committedcomics.com/comics/threads.htm

Also, here is the Facebook Member Page for Committed Comics if you are a Facebook member:  

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1280104238&ref=ts