TODAY'S 'MAIN FEATURE':

I recently became Facebook Friends with Ashley A Woods, and then received a 'review materials' package from Onli Studios in the mail....

So upon opening said package, I came across several items of interest.

First was the 'Future Funk' 2009 Special Preview Issue, which is still available from ComiXExpress.com.

This was the preview issue, even though there was a previous incarnation of the magazine many years ago.  There has been at least one more issue in 2009 since this preview issue. The issue itself seemed to be mostly promos of other creations, with some backstory of the creators. Not bad for a preview issue.

Secondly was an issue of a comic book published in conjunction with the Chicago Center For Green Technology, titled "Let's Go Green In Da City".  A good promotional comic book for this cause.

Thirdly was the promo booklet on 'Black Age XII' Indie Comic Con promoting that show.  There was enough going on for that show, that if I was in the Chicago area, I would have attended.

The following is a blurb about what that show was about: 

"BLACK AGE XII" was Oct. 9th, & 10th, 2009 this Annual Convention is a group exhibition, a lecture, vending situations, signings, and workshops. The world's first Black Age of Comics Convention was given in Chicago IL Feb. 1993. The term, "The Black Age of Comics", meaning creators & products derived from the Urbane, indie, or cosmic experience and independent creativity. It welcomes all positive creative professionals, innovators, students and fans."  

Which leads me to the postcard also enclosed promoting 'Black Age XIII', set for Columbus Day Weekend 2010 in Chicago.

The Con is produced by Onli Studios.  The illustration on the post card, (shown at the top right of this blog post), is by Ashley A Woods.

I have not seen a complete issue of Ashley's Millenia War series, but have seen samples of her work, on her Facebook photos tab.  She has not started a Facebook Fan Page that I am aware of.

For more of Ashley A Woods' works, please see:

http://www.millenniawar.com

http://www.ashleyawoods.blogspot.com

For more on what happened at Black Age XII and what will be happening for Black Age XII, please see the con's blog at:

http://dablackage.blogspot.com/

If and when Turtel Onli or others involved with Onli Studios care to send in follow up promos, I'll be sure to take a close look for possible mention here in my Blog. I liked what I saw in this preview material package! 

I want to thank Onli Studios for sending me the review material package, and wish them continued success in 2010 with their publishing ventures, as well as a well attended comic con! 

BTW, If YOU are a comics or graphic novel creator, or a small press publisher, and would like to possibly see Your work reviewed or mentioned here in my Blog, please check this following link, where I tell you: "How To Best Submit YOUR Publication For Possible Review!"

TODAY'S 'MAIN FEATURE':

Last year, (yeah, just a few days ago!), I reviewed a few issues of 'Silver Comics', the series....

As seen here for issue #1, issue #2, issue #3!

I didn't want to stop at that point in the series, (there are actually 8 regular issues and an annual in the series), but I had many more other comic books and graphic novels come in that I wanted to blog about also!

So, to finish up with that series from 'Silver Comics', I wanted to mention that 'The Annual #1' had something xtra that the other eight issues didn't.

And that was COLOR interior pages! 

Yes, the stories were reprinted from the earlier issues, but it was neat to see those stories in color! I enjoyed re-reading the stories, and actually pulled out the earlier issues to compare the difference! 

And here is where it gets neat for YOU, if you haven't already purchased any issues from this series!

Click here, and you will be directed to the page where you can buy all 9 issues of the series for $21.95 plus shipping, and get the Annual #1 for FREE!  Straight from the Publisher!

I'm not going to repeat myself from the earlier three blogs, as I provided the links to those already above.

This series reminds me so much of the 'Silver Age of Comics' that Marvel Comics was doing back then, it was like re-living my childhood! Make Mine... er.... 'Silver Comics'! ;)

So yeah, I would recommend this series to any of those that enjoyed that Era, or who were unlucky enough to be born later and want a fun read!

You can also find out about 'Silver Comics' latest updates plus what else you can purchase from the Silver Comics folks by going to their Facebook Fan Page by clicking here! Being interactive with the creators is almost always fun to do!

If you aren't a member of Facebook, then you can go directly to their web site at: http://www.silvercomics.org/ 

Thanks again to Johnny and Vince for taking the time to introduce me to this series when I met them at the recent 2009 Long Beach Comic Con (LBCC)!  

TODAY'S 'MAIN FEATURE':

First of all, please click the above link under Joan Severance's photo, where I blogged about that film when Joan Severance portrayed 'The Black Scorpion', to see what Tina and I thought about the film...

Okay, are you back? Great!

That archived blog post was from January 25th of 2008, which was an updated re-post from July 8th of 2007.

Although my wife Tina and I weren't overly enthused about the film, when this comic book came in from Bluewater Comics for a possible review, I stopped to take a look at the 'Cover B' issue that was sent. I thumbed the inside pages and liked what I saw enough to set aside my earlier thoughts on this film series to read this first issue of the comic book series, and give it a chance.

So what is this comic book series about?  Here is the first issue's promo release:

Roger Corman Presents Black Scorpion #1 is Roger Corman's femme fatale superhero gets reborn, as Black Scorpion once again prowls the streets of Angel City. In this dark redux of the popular film and television series, Detective Darcy Walker, consumed with revenge by the murder of her father, dons a mask to strike at the criminals that deem themselves above the law.

By:           Paul Salamoff, Daniel Cuchacovich 
Type:         Comics 
Genres:       Action-Adventure, Superhero
Publisher:    Bluewater Productions 
Pub. Date:    November 25, 2009
UPC:          837654404881  Cover priced: $3.99 
For ages:     16+
Details:      Features 3 covers which will be shipped randomly. 

Okay, so what did I think of this first issue?

First, I am not a big fan of multiple covers for an issue.  I went through the early 1990's boom and bust of publishers printing multiple covers, special effects covers, etc.

However, the cover I received was a 'smashing' cover, and made a big 'hit' with me! (It's the top cover pictured in the top right inset.)  That cover 'B' was illustrated by Azim Akberali.

Would I have been as interested in checking out the interior pages if I had received either of the other two covers?

Well, the cover at the bottom left of the inset is familar to me as a possible 'Catwoman' type of cover, so probably yes on that one, if I had seen it at my LCBS. 

The cover at the bottom right of the inset, well... probably not so much.

When potential readers / buyers of a comic book at their LCBS are viewing the LCBS's new comics racks, a cover has to stand out enough to be picked up.  Especially if it is a first issue.  So two of the three could have done it for me.

Enough of the covers... what about the interior pages?

For the first part of an origin story, well... I was impressed.  Especially after not really liking the film that Tina and I viewed years ago...

So that says something right there!

The storyline was well paced, the dialogue was written well, so kudos to writer Paul J Salamoff.

The interior pages were penciled by Daniel Cuchacovich. I liked his artwork for this genre of story. It fit well with the total presentation.

The colors by Zac Atkinson meshed well with the artwork and the tone of the story.

Wilson Ramos Jr.'s lettering was the usual fine work!

So in this case, the comic book series held my interest enough that I would want to continue reading the second of the four issue mini-series.  Even though the film itself was not one of our 'have to see next one in the series' type of films...

You can see more yourselves on this mini-series by checking out their web site at: http://www.bluewaterprod.com/!

Also, if You are a Facebook member - (and why aren't you if you aren't already!), you can become a 'Friend' with Bluewater Comics by checking this link out:  Bluewater Comics on Facebook! They are currently using their Facebook 'Member Page' for contact instead of a 'Fan Page' at this time.  

TODAY'S 'MAIN FEATURE':

First, Happy New Year to All of our readers! And yes... I'm up way toooo early this first day of the New Year!  I guess I can't wait for the New Year to begin!

Anyways, last week / year I blogged about the 'Indy Comic Book Week' that started December 27th, 2009 and ends this Saturday January 2nd 2010.... 

The above pictured comic books are not ones that could be at your Local Comic Book Shop, (LCBS) during 'Indy Comic Book Week', because they aren't available as of yet!

However, I have seen .pdf preview copies of these projects, and wanted to bring them to your attention also, as they should be ready to read in the early part of this new year, 2010!

So what are they about?  Here is the first one's press release:

Project: Archangel is the story of a covert, government sponsored team of psychic operatives formed to combat an exceptionally unique enemy; the population at large, or rather the monsters we unleash upon ourselves.

We live in an age of evolution but also of fear and angst. Though they may be unaware, the human mind emanates psychic energy more now than ever before. “The Crookes Omnibus” called such in honor of Sir William Crookes, a 19th century physicist who made strides in the study of psychic phenomena, describes this accumulation of energy. Most will never know how to utilize the power emanating from their own minds but that doesn’t mean they are powerless to affect it and in turn to affect the “Crookes Omnibus”. The strongest of emotions are most often reflected in this otherwise neutral mass. Fear and worry of a world that grows ever more dangerous serves as a catalyst for the sculpting of the Omnibus into the very fears we dread. The result is the physical manifestation of some of the worlds most infamous lore; monsters, demons, and ghosts.

Joseph Netette codename: Helix is the world’s authority on the subject. His years with the top secret Men in Black within the NSA served as his laboratory for exploring the phenomena, but growing up in a Voodoo neighborhood in New Orleans prepared him for the discovery, a reality that would drive most men to madness. It is this fear of that which they do not understand that drove his superiors to placing Helix as the director of his custom designed Project: Archangel. As soon as the Project got the ‘green light’ Helix began assembling his team.

Ultimately Project: Archangel serves two purposes. Their primary mission is to monitor and respond to spikes in the Omnibus, events that almost always mark the psychic manifestation of some horrible fear. Secondarily the Project must study and if possible, learn to control the Omnibus for the good of the United States and the world. It is set in a mature, ‘cloak and dagger’ setting where people, even those gifted are unwitting pawns in a grander scheme and where nothing is at it seems. It is intended for mature audiences.

Creator/Writer: Keith Holmes
Inks, Colors, Letters: Todd Rayner
Pencils: Ken Hensley.

Okay.... So what is the second project about?

Templar is the story of Isaiah, the fledgling Knight Protectorate of New York City. Set in fictional Fort Hunt, NY, a modern day throwback to the violence-scarred South Bronx of the late 1970’s and early 1980’s. Templar chronicles the life of Isaiah, New York’s Fledgling Knight Protectorate assigned to hunt down the children of the mysterious Lost Tribe of Israel; the Nephilim. Weighted with vows of poverty, celibacy, and obedience Isaiah must use his Templar training, blessings of cognition, and physical prowess to defeat the spawn of Heaven’s fallen angels hidden among us (vampires, werewolves, flesh-eaters), keeping his duties a secret from the “mortals” he is sworn to protect.

Although Isaiah has returned to his home in New York from Templar training in Africa, his interactions with the two friends he holds dearest, Jason and Katie Gida, whom he grew up with in St. Thomas orphanage before leaving for “The Secret Place”, are complicated by the Order of Knights Templar who forbid pursuit of past relationships.

Jason Gida has become the young Parishioner of St. Thomas Catholic Church and Orphanage. The Occulus Dei, a fringe exorcism-based order of priests to which Jason belongs has long been an ally of the Templars. Because it is acceptable for a Knight to contact an Occulus Dei Priest when aid is needed, a loophole exists that allows the two friends to reunite. However, this revival of their friendship is strained by each man’s approach to this secret war between good and evil and their roles within it.

Katie Gida is a beautiful young woman who from the moment she met Isaiah on the orphanage playground, dreamed of the day they could be together as one. At seventeen Katie was removed from St. Thomas and put to work as a stripper and escort by “Fat” Tony Valentino, a mid-level Mafia boss who was responsible for the death of her parents. It is a sacrifice she willingly makes for the life of her brother whom Tony vowed to kill in retribution for their parent’s betrayal. She still dreams of Isaiah, but present circumstances make that dream unattainable. She is aware of his return to New York but unaware of the nature of that return.

Templar is a dramatic work containing violence, sexual situations, and harsh language. It’s set in a gritty, true-to-life world mixed with the horror stories of religion and folklore. The story references accurate historical content, fogging the lines of reality and making suspect the believability in “truth”. It is intended for mature audiences who enjoy reading about the supernatural, secret societies, organized crime, and man’s influence on his own destiny.

Creator/Writer: Keith Holmes
Inks, Colors, Letters: Todd Rayner
Pencils: Dave Dabila.

So why did I pick these two projects to start off the New Year?

Well, both Keith Holmes and Todd Rayner are Facebook Friends, and I've seen mentions of their endeavors off and on since August of 2009.  Plus I was sent preview copies starting back in August and as recently as Christmas Eve.  So I thought that even though the series aren't totally ready yet, I would mention them here.

Templar was first sent to me as a two page .pdf preview.  Although I thought the cover and interior page were illustrated well and with vivid colors, I wasn't sure the series was 'for me'.  There was a severed head of a creature flying around on the cover, with blood gushing...

A second preview .pdf was sent as a follow up. This was a nine page preview, with the cover shown at top right of this blog post. This was starting off differently than the first preview that was sent to me... but then included the same interior page I had been sent before, along with the severed head cover from the earlier preview.

Now I've read EC Comics, underground comix, HoRRoR comics, etc., so I've seen a lot of different genres.   I haven't figured this one out yet, but the art, other than the violence depicted, was something that drew me back in to see the second preview.  I'll have to wait to see the full issue before commenting further on this project. 

Please Note: This issue is not yet rated, but intended for mature audiences.

Project Archangel's storyline wasn't as 'graphic / grim n' gritty' as 'Templar'.  I was sent an 8 page preview .pdf, that had a cover and 7 interior pages.

The storyline was more 'reader friendly' for me, but that is just according to my 'tastes'.  The intro of the 7 pages led me to wanting to see more.  So this is a project I'll keep closer tabs on, and probably blogging about again later.

So, since these two projects were just sent in preview form to me, I'm reserving 'judgement' on them until I see more.

You can see more yourselves by checking out their web site at:  http://www.enterlightstudios.com !

Even better, if You are a Facebook member - (and why aren't you if you aren't already!), by becoming a 'fan' at their FB Fan Page here:  Enterlight Studios - Graphic Entertainment! That way you can be 'inter-active' with the creators of these two series!

I will be blogging about more proposed or published indy comics series right here at ComicBookCollectorsBlog.com in the first days of the New Year.  This is my 'contribution' to 'Indy Comic Book Week'!

You can follow what is happening and how you can participate in the final days of 'Indy Comic Book Week' by checking out the details at:

http://indycomicbookweek.com/index.html.

Additionally, for our part...Tina and I will be having all the independents comics / graphic novels that we have ready to be sold, listed in our online store at low intro prices at:

http://www.comicbookscircus.com/   

TODAY'S 'MAIN FEATURE':

As the title of this blog post states, it is the last one for 2009! Thus I want to finish up the year by mentioning a few things that are ending for this year, some things that are extending into the new year, and some new projects planned for 2010.

First, I have had several Facebook Friends thank me  for publicizing the current 'Indy Comic Book Week' that started December 27th. The 'Week' itself continues into 2010, so be sure to go to your LCBS for indy comics, although the largest publishers don't have new issues out this week. We ourselves have seen an increase in 'indy comics' sales this week in our online store also!

You can follow what is happening this week and how you can participate in 'Indy Comic Book Week' by checking out the details at:

http://indycomicbookweek.com/index.html

For our part...Tina and I will be having all the independents comics / graphic novels that we have ready to be sold listed in our online store at: ComicBooksCircus.com!