TODAY'S 'MAIN FEATURE':

I first read one of Richard Starkings' Elephantmen comics back in September of 2009, when I stopped at his booth at the Long Beach Comic Con, (LBCC).  Richard realized that I blogged about comics and pop culture items, and gave me a then current issue, (#21), to see if I would like the work. I did, and I blogged about that issue, click here.

At the recent Long Beach Comic Expo, Richard wanted me to check out more of the earlier works, which has recently been reprinted as a Trade Paper Back (TPB), of which that published format is now up to Volume 2 of the series.

The following is a blurb about the TPB and the details on what is included in this newly printed format:

"A meteor falls in Santa Monica Bay, and the lives of Hip Flask, Ebony Hide, Obadiah Horn, Sahara and her father, Joshua Serengheti, converge once again with far reaching consequences for all. Collects Elephantmen #8-15, plus the Pilot issue and loads of extras!"

Paperback: 312 pages
Publisher: Image Comics (January 27, 2010)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1607061775
ISBN-13: 978-1607061779
Product Dimensions: 10.3 x 6.6 x 1.1 inches
Shipping Weight: 3 pounds"

There's a lot of pages in this volume, that's for sure!  Again, please realize that I had only read the other two issues mentioned in my earlier blog, so I did not know the full story or background of the series.

However, this TPB was formatted so well, that I didn't miss not having read the early issues.

That's because there was an excellent intro, and the stories flowed together very well.  Plus there were additional pages at the end of the TPB, which added 'value' to the concept.

Too often I have found that story arcs are built on earlier stories so much so, that a reader could feel left out by not having the read the ealier works.

True, I would prefer to have read the earliest issues first, but the way this material is republished, it doesn't hurt to start with this TPB.  Matter of fact, my appetite for this series has grown to where I want to check out the first volume of this TPB series.

Yes, I am still a fan of the 'floppy' comic book format, but this series is being very well reprinted in this TPB format.  It is a class act series, and the contributors to the series have put their best efforts into this ongoing series.

Those contributors featured in this Volume Two of the TPB series inclued: Richard Starkings, Moritat, Kurt Busiek, Steve Buccellato, Phil Yeh, Greg Wright, Joe Kelly, Ryan Kelly, Rob Steen, Peter Gross, Stuart Immonen, Boo Cook, Ian Churchill, and Kevin Eastman, just to name a few!

Even with all of those name above plus more, the 'tone' / 'mood' / 'atmosphere' of the series is cohesive and beautiful to behold it unfold in the issues reprinted in this TPB.

I am definitely a new fan of this series! 

Here's the web site for more on this world that the creators have established:  http://www.hipflask.com.  You are welcome to purchase the TPB where ever you may shop for reading materials like this, but you should check out the rest of the history presented there. It's a pretty sharp looking web site!

My thanks to Richard Starkings for bringing this TPB format for his earlier issues to my attention.

PLUS: Our thanks again to all of YOU reading this blog and our archived blog posts! We usually blog on a daily basis during the 'work week' on comic book creators, comic book reviews, comic cons, book signings, and other pop culture news and events or topics, such as the one blogged about here today. 

TODAY'S 'MAIN FEATURE':

I wanted to blog about this promotional comic book, which is a preview of the upcoming graphic novel of the same name, to be published by Insomnia Publications this Summer of 2010!

What I've shown above is the front cover to the preview comic book which prints the complete first chapter to "Quarantine", which is to be a full 146-page graphic novel (GN) release in the Summer of 2010.

When the GN is released, it will also be available through Insomnia Publications as well as Amazon for digital download on the PSP. 

So what is this preview comic book / graphic novel about?

Here's what Michael Moreci sent me:

"Quarantine" by Michael Moreci, Monty Borror, Lauren Anne Sharp, and Jim Campbell.

In a small town in the Upper Penisula of Michigan, a virus is released into the water supply, transforming people into vicious killers - the "infected".  The military shuts down the borders - no way in, no way out.  A group of survivors trapped within the town must survive against the infected, against the odds, and against each other.

Presented as a 146-page original graphic novel, Quarantine aims to carry the torch of the zombie tradition, yet break away from it as well.  Because the heart of the story isn't just survival - it's about the cost of survival.

Through the struggles of the characters and the choices they are forced to make, Quarantine is a microcosm examination of society. It's about compromising values and morals and the threat of becoming something you are not."

There's more to the promo blurb, but you should get the gist of the storyline from the above paragraphs.

So what did I think of this preview comic book, which by the way, is published in a full sized 24 page comic book format with color interior pages?!

Well, once again it's zombie time...  I seem to have been sent several publications in this vein in the last few months.  However this one, like the other ones I chosed to have blogged about, stands out from the rest.

Why this one?  Well, because of the storyline and the art. Please don't preliminarily 'grade' this publication by its' cover.  The cover shown above is actually the same artwork as interior page three in this comic book preview.  Not saying the art used as the promo cover isn't good, but it isn't the projected final cover for the upcoming graphic novel. The final cover artwork is currently being drawn by by Keith Burns (Blood Psi, Herogasm).

Plus the interior artwork and especially the colors used meshes very well with the storyline.  Add the fact that it isn't overwritten.  Just enough word balloons used with moving the story along in this, the first chapter.

This chapter one of the full story is well paced and would entice me to check it out further when it comes out in graphic novel format.  Which is what a preview comic book should do!

In the meantime, YOU can do some checking on your own while also waiting for the release date.

Here's the Facebook Fan Page link for:  Quarantine - The Graphic Novel. Check it out and then become a 'fan' if this grabs your attention.  And be sure to check out the full details for the special contest they are running there.  Here's just a teaser for it:

"We want you--yes, you!--to get infected. From now until March 10, we here at Team Quarantine are running a contest. The grand prize? How does getting immortalized in a comic book sound?!"

Here's the web site for the writer: http://www.MichaelMoreci.com

Finally here's the web site to the publisher so you can order it from there as a download when it is released if you prefer to have it that way:

http://www.InsomniaPublications.com

My thanks to Michael Moreci, for sending this preview comic book to me!

PLUS: Our thanks again to all of YOU reading this blog and our archived blog posts! We usually blog on a daily basis during the 'work week' on comic book creators, comic book reviews, comic cons, book signings, and other pop culture news and events or topics, such as the one blogged about here today. 

TODAY'S 'MAIN FEATURE':

TODAY'S 'MAIN FEATURE':

I received a promo copy in the mail for issue #9, which to my surprise was a "full sized comic book".  Full size in regards to dimensions of the printed format. 

There were eight (8) black and white interior pages, sandwiched between color front and back covers.

I found this new format for this series to be eye opening to say the least!

Yeah, I continued to enjoy Jim Main's writing for this series, but the art and lettering by John Lambert really jumped up and out at me in this larger size!  He puts a lot of effort into his artwork on this series, which can be seen even better in the new larger published size!  

And the color covers by Marc Haines was a good difference from the earlier black & white covers too!

If YOU haven't caught the earlier 8 issues yet, there is still opportunity for you to do so!

Just click the following link:

http://mainenterprises.ecrater.com/product.php?pid=4267780.

There you will find a limited time special to pick up all 8 of the earlier mini-comic sized issues!

Here's Jim promotional verbage for this special:

For those who came in late, we have a small amount of complete sets of issues 1-8 of our award winning minicomic series CHASE!, that come with an exclusive, one of a kind index card sized b&w sketch of one of characters from the series, by series artist John Lambert. Only a few are available as the majority were sold at this years SPACE show. The set is 12.30, including shipping, in the USA. personal checks out to Jim Main or via paypal.

My thanks to Jim Main for bringing the new format of this series to my attention!

AND...My thanks again to all of YOU reading this blog and our archived blog posts!

Join us again soon, as we publish another 'Main Feature'.  And don't forget to check out the 'Featurette' shown below this 'Main Feature' article at the bottom right!

~ Michael D Hamersky @ ComicBookCollectorsBlog.com

Note: Comic books / fanzines / and graphic novels like the ones that will probably be mentioned on the radio show can be found at our own web site for sale at:

 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 PO Box 130653 Carlsbad, CA 92013       We also have an on-line exhibitor table at the virtual Facebook Comic Con. You can view the table by clicking this link.  If you are a Facebook member, please join our Facebook Comic Con | Make It So Marketing exhibitor table for updates, specials, and other wall posts!     If you are a Facebook member and would like to join my Facebook Network, feel free to send a 'friend request' to 'Michael D Hamersky'.

TODAY'S FEATURETTE: I realize that this "Featurette" may be a little late in getting published.  BUT, with all the snow happening in and around New York City this week, I wanted to re-mention the show here today. That's because several creators are planning on attending this show tomorrow, Saturday, February 26th, including several Facebook Friends. Matter of fact, one of them, Dave Fox, created an 'Event Page' at Facebook informing Facebook Friends and others that he will definitely be there tomorrow! So, I wanted to feature just one of Dave's many works from the past below. Being a Fantastic Four Fan from 1962, this is one of the projects that he has been involved in that caught my eyes!     Here is the link to the Facebook Event Page about what Dave Fox is having at the comic con: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=322167452894  If You can's make it to this show because getting there is too hare for you, then check out Dave's own web site at: http://www.davefoxart.com. You can also see more of the comic con's site also at: http://www.nycbm.com/ There Mike has the following message as of this blog post's posting time: ”The SNOW will not stop the SHOW, NYCBM will still take place this Saturday! Artists & Guests are making their way through the harsh weather & we will do our BEST to bring you an enjoyable show." PLUS...Please make note of the following that is also on the show's web site: PLEASE TAKE NOTICE: LOCATION HAS BEEN CHANGED!!!! $10. admission…lots of dealers selling comics, toys, dvd’s , etc….No longer @ Armory, NOW at the PENN PLAZA PAVILION ( the old location for the National )410 7th Ave. ( corner of 33rd Street / across the street from MSG ) NYC..10:30am -7pm….Saturday 27th February. Easier & more options for public transportation! My best wishes for the creators and the attendees who are going to this show!  Those additional creators include: Dick Ayers, Gene Colan, Herb Trimpe, Bob Wiacek, Danny Fingeroth, Larry Hama, among others.  Hopefully all will be there for this one day con! --------------------------- Talking about comics and comic cons: 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, which could either be published in the 'Main Feature' or 'Featurette' sections. ~Michael @ ComicBookCollectorsBlog.com

 

TODAY'S 'MAIN FEATURE':

It's NOT really a "Spotlight On...Geek Say What?" blog post today, but as much as an advance notice as possible that the hosts are playing their 1st Radio Show tonight!

Tina and I met them as a group for the first time at last Saturday's Long Beach Comic Con Expo, and of course I remembered two of them from the October 2009 Inaguaral Long Beach Comic Con, as we were all up close for the Opening Ribbon Cutting Ceremony!

However, I wasn't aware of this upcoming radio show until they told me this past Saturday.

After becoming Facebook Friends with all of them, I realized that they had a Facebook Fan Page, and was 'invited' to their 1st Facebook 'Event' Page, which I am going to post the link here for you to check out!

First, all three of them are students at Cal State Fullerton. Which reminded me of my family's connection to that school. For those of you that have attended the school, or know the area, the red house with the garage that looks like a barn, used to belong to my dad's brother and his wife!

Anyways, tonight is the big night for Cole, Alix, and Jason.

Here is the link to click to be 'taken' to the 'Event':

Geek Say What? - Our First Show!

Second, I'm not for sure what they are going to be 'covering' in this inagural show, nor upcoming ones, but their enthusiasm for this venture really 'showed' when I met them (again) at the LBCC Expo!

So I at least wanted to mention their 1st Show, plus give you a 'heads up' that it is happening tonight.  There should be a podcast afterwards, if you miss it.

For more info on that, and their upcoming radio shows, feel free to check out their Facebook Fan Page, and 'join' up if this is your thing!

Here's the link to their Facebook Fan Page:

Geek Say What? Facebook Fan Page!

My thanks to Cole, Alix, and Jason for coming up to Tina and myself at the LBCC Expo on Saturday, and telling us about their new venture on radio!  Good luck to you all on this 1st Show, and hopefully many more!

AND...My thanks again to all of YOU reading this blog and our archived blog posts!

Join us again soon, as we publish another 'Main Feature'.  And don't forget to check out the 'Featurette' shown below this 'Main Feature' article at the bottom right!

~ Michael D Hamersky @ ComicBookCollectorsBlog.com

Note: Comic books / fanzines / and graphic novels like the ones that will probably be mentioned on the radio show can be found at our own web site for sale at:

 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 PO Box 130653 Carlsbad, CA 92013       We also have an on-line exhibitor table at the virtual Facebook Comic Con. You can view the table by clicking this link.  If you are a Facebook member, please join our Facebook Comic Con | Make It So Marketing exhibitor table for updates, specials, and other wall posts!     If you are a Facebook member and would like to join my Facebook Network, feel free to send a 'friend request' to 'Michael D Hamersky'.

TODAY'S "FEATURETTE": In today's "Main Feature" I stated that it wasn't a "Spotlight On..." post.  However, in this "Featurette" section today I am posting what could be considered a  "Mini Spotlight" on a great comics creator and his family! That's because Tina and I met them in person at last weekend's Long Beach Comic Con Expo in Artists Alley! That comics creator would be Mike Mignola, along with his wife Christine Beatty Mignola and daughter Katie, as pictured below! I've said it a couple of times earlier this week, but again.. What was neat about the recent LBCC Expo was that it was large enough to have comics creators there of Mike's caliber, yet small enough that Tina and I could talk for a while with each creator, and in this case with their family also!      My thanks to both Mike and Christine, who are actually both Facebook Friends of mine for the time they spent with us and for posing for the photos!  I hope you both and Katie had a Great Time at the Expo! Tina and I can't always keep in stock Mike's publications at our own online store at http://www.ComicBooksCircus.com.  But you know... It was really more neat to see him, Christine and Katie at this more intimate setting than to talk about his work there. I'll be sending a link of this post to Christine, who is also their Business Manager, to see what link she would like this post to 'point to'. In the meantime, here is what I understand to be the 'Official Web Site' for 'Hellboy': http://www.hellboy.com If it isn't, I'll change it after hearing back from Christine! ----------------------------- Because of great one-on-ones visits with comics greats like Mike along with his family; Tina and I are looking forward to the upcoming 2nd Annual Long Beach Comic Con.  That's the 3 day event at the end of October 2010. Here's a link to the Con's Facebook Fan Page, so you can be interactive with them between now and October: http://www.facebook.com/LongBeachComicCon?ref=ts There you can also find out who's going to be there as guests, and links to where YOU can purchase advance tickets! Tina and I are definitely booking October 29th thru the 31st!  I suggest that if YOU are in SoCal area during that time, that You should drop in at Least ONE of those Days! --------------------------- Talking about comics and comic cons: 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, which could either be published in the 'Main Feature' or 'Featurette' sections. ~Michael @ ComicBookCollectorsBlog.com