Michael D Hamersky On Comics Reviews... Royden Lepp's RUST: Visitor In The Field Published by Archaia Entertainment! -  - Top Photo: Royden Lepp holding 'Rust: Visitor In The Field' at the Archaia Entertainment booth during the 2011 Comic-Con International: San Diego, (aka SDCC). - Bottom Photo:  While looking for additional material for this blog post... I came across the fact that 20th Century Fox has acquired the screen rights to Royden Lepp’s graphic novel Rust!

TODAY'S FEATURE - Blog #3482:

I spent some time during different days at the Archaia Entertainment booth during the 2011 Comic-Con International: San Diego, (aka San Diego Comic Con), as it was very close to the Indy Press Section.  I would go by it enroute to the other booths I had not yet seen in Indy Press.  

What Archaia did this year was similiar to previous years, in that they had different comics / graphic novel creators stationed at tables within one end of the Archaia booth for signings. I didn't try to stop by at certain times for signings, as that is too hard to navigate at such a large convention!

So my running into Royden Lepp when he was signing on Friday, July 22nd was just luck on my part.  Why?  He presented me with a copy of his new graphic novel after posing with it, (seen at the top right of this blog), after finding out about this #1 followed blog of mine on Facebook.

My wife Tina, says that Royden did tell her and myself that it was one of a series at that time, but I had forgotten that until Tina reminded me about it last night when I told her what my blog topic for today was.   (She is reading another Archaia book for an upcoming blog to be posted.)

She told me that Royden had mentioned it was a first book in a series, but nowhere on the book or inside did I see it was a volume one of a series before reading it. Nor did I know at the time that 20th Century Fox had acquired the screen rights.  And that "Simon Kinsberg (X-Men: First Class) is producing the Rocketeer-esque adventure flick". That I found this morning!

So what is this graphic novel, 'Rust: Visitor In The Field' about?  Per the promotional info:

Written by Royden Lepp
Illustrated by Royden Lepp
Cover by Royden Lepp
Format: Hardcover (paper over board), sepia-toned
Trim Size: 6″ x 9″
Page Count: 192
ISBN-13: 978-1-936393-27-5
U.S. Price: $24.95
Rating: All Ages

Rust is a high-octane adventure set in the prairie lands of an unknown time. Life on the Taylor family farm was difficult enough before Jet Jones crashes into the barn, chased by a giant decommissioned war robot! Oldest son Roman Taylor struggles to keep his family’s small farm afloat as the area heals from a devastating world war. While the rest of his family may not trust the mysterious boy with the jetpack, Roman believes the secrets of Jet’s past may be the key to their survival.

Rust is Archaia’s next great All Ages book.

Available September 2011 wherever books are sold.

Okay... That is a lot to live up, being... "Archaia's next great All Ages book".

What's my take on this graphic novel?

First the front cover:  The graphic on the front cover definitely caught my eyes! A robot, a flying kid, and a farmer, along with a 'rust' / 'sepia' colored background and silver type colored font.  Very fetching, like I was holding something from another time period!

The back cover:  Very tasteful promo, with enough of what the story would be about to arouse my interest in reading this!

Inside front cover & what would be a 'splash page' in a comic book:  The sepia toned photos / illustrations evoked memories within me that this was somehow familiar...  Since I already posted above that 20th Century Fox is calling it a Rocketeer-esque adventure flick, I'm safe to say that that thought crossed my mind here, especially after seeing the front cover...

Flipping to the first page... The storyline immediately starts with a dedication page, and the opposite page is first page of the story.

The sepica tone is kept throughout the book, and I'm drawn into the storyline immediately! I'm watching a battle take place in the woods. It appears to be of World War I, but maybe I'm assuming too much, as there are machines that come in... Robot like machines... Then flying kids?! By the end of this first scene on page 29, I'm definitely drawn into this whole storyline, even if I don't know where or when it is / was!

Pages 30 & 31, a two page spread, brings me into a different time. The present?  The story progresses, yet references the past, which is what the first 29 pages were about.  

Several pages have illustrations only, no dialogue. It is good that the writer is also the artist!

Page 184 comes all too soon... But wait... What's this?! It's called the 'End'?! The story isn't finished?! 

Instead there is a section titled: Rust - Secrets of the Cell. "An exclusive preview of the next volume of Royden Lepp's Rust. With six pages from the next volume. I didn't bargain for this! Another volume? Nowhere on the book's front or back covers or the spine is there any mention that this is a first volume! I'm disappointed in that the story wasn't finished, and I had no inkling that it would be continued. But then again, I'm also interested in reading a volume two, after seeing the preview pages. If this was a marketing error... Okay, but there should be a mention somewhere... But then again, my copy didn't come with a slipcover for the book which may have stated this.  But I don't see it mentioned as such on Archaia's web site either...

After the preview, there is an 'About the Author' page with a 'Special Thanks' box.  On the next page is Archaia's credits page. The last two pages are another sepia toned photo similiar to the front inside two pages, starting with the inside front cover.

Okay... I read this graphic novel with great interest, and had a minor let down at the very end, because I found I was reading the first of a series; a series that is supposed to be comprised of four volumes, after reading an article elsewhere while researching just now for this blog before it is posted!

So what is my comic book grade for this first volume in the series?!

I'm giving it a NEAR MINT MINUS (NM-) 9.2 out of a possible 10.0 comic book grade, because of the minor letdown at the very end that it was a continued story.  This has nothing to do with the graphic novel itself, as far I can ascertain, so I'm assuming it is from the marketing / production end.  I'm still thinking this was a fine book, and I can see why a company like 20th Century Fox would pick up the screen rights to it already!   This could make a great franchise!  I'm not going to let a marketing situation marr my enjoyment of what I just read, so am knocking the final grade only half a grade!

My thanks again to Royden Lepp for bringing this graphic novel to my attention at the Comic-Con International!   And congrats on the upcoming film!

Here are a few links to follow up on:

Archaia Entertainment's Facebook Fan Page

Royden Lepp's Creator Page at Archaia.com

Royden Lepp's Blog

~Michael D Hamersky - who is asking you for your vote in the current voting going on over at The Shel Dorf Awards web site. I was nominated for 'Comic Blogger of the Year' on Monday! While being honored to be nominated, I'd also like to win! The competition has some other good nominees for the same category I was nominated for, so I'm asking for your help on this!

If you have enjoyed this blog or any of the others in the now 3,482 blog in this series of mine, I'd appreciate your vote!

Here is a direct link to the voting page. 'Comic Blogger of the Year' is the category, and 'Michael Hamersky On Comics' is the name.

Here is a link to yesterday's blog #3481, where I went more into depth on this topic.

My thanks to any of you that take the time to vote for me!

BTW, You can 'follow' this blog by clicking the 'Follow' Button at this NetworkedBlogs app link!  We currently have over 2,518 '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!!!

~ Michael D Hamersky

If I have it... You can find it 'Under The Big Top Of Comics' at:  

http://www.ComicBooksCircus.com/ 

Web Page Note:  This blog post is written for the IE Browser standards.  Chrome, Safari, Netscape, Firefox and the other browsers 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:  As of Monday, June 27th, 2011, I'll be using my new laptop, where the default resolution is 'higher', so there may be some temporary glitches until I am used to the new resolution.

NOTE: All images and characters within this blog post are copyright and trademark their respective owners.

Comics Creators: If you are breaking into, or already work in the comic book industry or other pop culture productions, you are welcome to email or mail 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

 Also, if you are a Facebook member, I would have liked you to send me a 'Friend Request'. However, I have reached the maximum limit of 5,000 Facebook Friends and Fan pages already, so I've added a New 'Facebook Fan Page' so that even more of YOU can 'Like' what I am doing, and be interactive with me and others there.  Here is the link to that 'Facebook Fan Page': Michael D Hamersky On Comics! Please click the 'Like' button on that page! 

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Michael D Hamersky On Comics Reveals... We're Nominated For 'Comic Blogger of the Year'! At the Shel Dorf Awards web site! Awards To be presented at the Detroit Fanfare On September 24th, 2011 -  - Top Photo: One of the best things about blogging... Meeting people!  Here I'm meeting The Founders of Comics Fandom at the 50th Anniversary of Comics Fandom meetup during the 2011 Comic-Con International: San Diego, (aka SDCC).  L-R: Richard (Dick) Lupoff, Michael D Hamersky, Pat Lupoff. - Bottom Photo:  The oldest surving photo of Michael D Hamersky at the 1973 San Diego Comic-Con, the first time it was officially called by that name.  In 1972, when Michael first set up as a comics dealer at the con, it was known as: San Diego's West Coast Comic Convention!

TODAY'S FEATURE - Blog #3481:

We're Nominated for 'Comic Blogger of the Year'!

Yesterday I learned that I am up for a Shel Dorf Award as 'Comic Blogger of the Year'.  What an honor!

This is especially cool because, if it weren't for Shel Dorf and his hard work in co-founding the San Diego Comic-Con, I don't know that I'd even be blogging on comics today.

You see, I worked my way through college buying and selling comics starting at the 1972 San Diego Comic-Con at the El Cortez Hotel. Those were the days -- I had hair - long hair!  Yeah, that's me in the picture from 1973 shown above at the top 2nd right of this blog post!

For the next 40 some years, I collected comics (especially everything related to the Fantastic Four), bought and sold comics, went to Comic-Con International as often as I could,  (21 straight since 1991 when it moved to the San Diego Convention Center!), and even bought the seldom seen poster for the original (never released) Fantastic Four movie by Roger Corman. It hangs proudly on my home office wall.

Today, I blog about comics, the industry, and pop-culture. I especially enjoy giving voice to small press and independent artists and paying tribute to comic book legends that we recently lost like Gene Colan, John Buscema, Jack Kirby, and John P. "Jon" D'Agostino Sr, among others.

If you enjoy my blog, please cast your vote here at the Shel Dorf Awards - Vote Now! link. The category is titled 'Comic Blogger of the Year', and the entry name is 'Michael Hamersky On Comics'.  It's the fourth category from the bottom of the page.

You will be asked to verify your vote via email.  You can only vote once, so I appreciate your support.  While you are there... Please check the other categories for other worthy nominees.

BTW, You can 'follow' this blog by clicking the 'Follow' Button at this NetworkedBlogs app link!  We currently have over 2,514 '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!!!

~ Michael D Hamersky

If I have it... You can find it 'Under The Big Top Of Comics' at:  

http://www.ComicBooksCircus.com/ 

Web Page Note:  This blog post is written for the IE Browser standards.  Chrome, Safari, Netscape, Firefox and the other browsers 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:  As of Monday, June 27th, 2011, I'll be using my new laptop, where the default resolution is 'higher', so there may be some temporary glitches until I am used to the new resolution.

NOTE: All images and characters within this blog post are copyright and trademark their respective owners.

Comics Creators: If you are breaking into, or already work in the comic book industry or other pop culture productions, you are welcome to email or mail 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

 Also, if you are a Facebook member, I would have liked you to send me a 'Friend Request'. However, I have reached the maximum limit of 5,000 Facebook Friends and Fan pages already, so I've added a New 'Facebook Fan Page' so that even more of YOU can 'Like' what I am doing, and be interactive with me and others there.  Here is the link to that 'Facebook Fan Page': Michael D Hamersky On Comics! Please click the 'Like' button on that page! 

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Michael D Hamersky On Comics Reviews... The Vault #1 of 3! By Sam Sarkar & Garrie Gastonny Published by Image Comics! -  - Top Photo: Sam Sarkar holding 'The Vault" #1 at the 2011 Comic-Con International: San Diego, (aka SDCC). - Bottom Photo:  A two page interior spread showcasing the art by Garrie Gastonny in the first issue of 'The Vault'.

TODAY'S FEATURE - Blog #3480:

At the 2011 Comic-Con International: San Diego, (aka San Diego Comic Con), I ran into Sam Sarkar at the Image Comics booth, as shown at the top right of this blog post.

It has been a while since I've reviewed an Image Comic Book here in my Blog, so why this one?

First let me post what this comic is supposed to be about:

"A small team of treasure hunters struggles to excavate a dangerous and legendary treasure pit before a massive storm hits Sable Island, the "Graveyard of the North Atlantic".Equipped with all the latest technology, the scientists believe they are prepared against all of nature's fury, but nothing can prepare them for what they are about to unleash from The Vault."

Okay... That sounds pretty good for a storyline.

So what's 'My Take' on the first issue?

The front cover is an eye catcher, but it is illustrated by Bagus Hutomo, who is not the interior art illustrator.

The inside front cover presents the credits, as well as the synopsis of what is going to happen in the first issue.  Good job presenting this!

The splash page... Well, it does start off kind of strange... And then you flip the page to see a two page spread on pages 2 - 3.   Okay...

Page 4 actually starts the story in modern times... So we'll have to wait to see why the first 3 pages were presented!

The rest of the storyline goes well, keeping me wanting to read more.  The dialogue, placement of the word balloons, and the colors mesh well with the illustrations.

There isn't any wasted space, and there is only one more two page spread, the one shown at the top right below Sarkar's photo, and the story stops... Leaving me to want to read more!  Which is also good for a 1st issue in a 3 part mini-series!

I already mentioned that the cover artist is not the interior pages artist... I found that Garrie Gastonny did a fine job in using the right amount of panels to tell the story.  With only two 2-page spreads inside, which emphasized those scenes.  Nice job! 

What follows after the initial story is a one page "Don't Miss The Next Issue' page, with pictures of other Image Comics on sale now...

The following page is the 'House Ad' for Image Comics... With the Inside Back Cover being used for 'Image Comics' Monthly Q&A Session.

The Back Cover is a one page ad for Samurai's Blood, another Image Comics series.

I felt that this issue, being an introductory issue for a three issue story arc, "was done right"!  Period!  Which I don't see that often any more...

The only thing holding me back giving it a higher comic book grade was how the first three pages of the first issue fit or didn't fit as well into the opening storyline, which I'm sure will be explained in more detail in the second issue... We did have a 'teaser' as to how the first three pages will possibly fit into the storyline in the very last panel, but I won't give that away in this review blog!

Also, keeping it from being graded higher... I'm used to reading 'Indy Comics' without all the 'House Ads', which is the second reason behind the comic book grade I'm giving it. But I do understand that those pages are necessary from companies like Image Comics...  At least all the add pages were kept at the back of the comic book, instead of being interspersed throughout the issue!

So what is my comic book grade for this first issue of the three issue series?!

I'm giving it a NEAR MINT MINUS (NM-) 9.2 out of a possible 10.0 comic book grade, because it "Was Done Right", IMO! I'm looking forward to reading the second issue of the series!

BTW, as I was preparing to write this blog this morning, I came across the following article that tells that "GK Films has picked up film rights to The Vault, an Image comic book written by Sam Sarkar, an executive at Johnny Depp’s Infinitum Nihil production shingle. Depp and Nihil’s president Christi Dembrowski will produce the movie adaptation along with GK’s Graham King and Tim Headington."

You can read the rest of this article at this link!

Also, here's a little bit more on Sam Sarkar, from another resource:

"Born in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Sam Sarkar is a 23-year veteran of the entertainment industry. He began his career as an actor and was one of the leads on the long-running, syndicated television series Neon Rider. Following the series, Sam decided to pursue writing and worked for the hit television series Beverly Hills 90210. Stemming from his work on the show, he also co-wrote a television pilot for Spelling Entertainment under the direct guidance of TV legend Aaron Spelling. Deciding then to embark on feature films, Sam took some chances, following a varied path of writing screenplays and working as a sound technician. In 2004, after working on several films with actor Johnny Depp, Sam was asked to help run Depp's production company, Infinitum Nihil, headed by Christi Dembrowski. As Senior VP at the company, he continues to serve the varied needs of Hollywood as an executive, producer and writer."

You can also check out more on this series, and the upcoming film production at the Facebook Fan Page titled:   The Vault - Comic Book

For ordering info:

Diamond Order Code: JUN110501

story SAM SARKAR
art GARRIE GASTONNY
color SAKTI YUWONO
cover BAGUS HUTOMO

32 pages, $3.50, July 27th, 2011

My thanks again to Sam Sarkar for bringing this comic book series to my attention at the Comic-Con International!

~Michael D Hamersky 

BTW, You can 'follow' this blog by clicking the 'Follow' Button at this NetworkedBlogs app link!  We currently have over 2,513 '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!!!

~ Michael D Hamersky

If I have it... You can find it 'Under The Big Top Of Comics' at:  

http://www.ComicBooksCircus.com/ 

Web Page Note:  This blog post is written for the IE Browser standards.  Chrome, Safari, Netscape, Firefox and the other browsers 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:  As of Monday, June 27th, 2011, I'll be using my new laptop, where the default resolution is 'higher', so there may be some temporary glitches until I am used to the new resolution.

NOTE: All images and characters within this blog post are copyright and trademark their respective owners.

Comics Creators: If you are breaking into, or already work in the comic book industry or other pop culture productions, you are welcome to email or mail 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

 Also, if you are a Facebook member, I would have liked you to send me a 'Friend Request'. However, I have reached the maximum limit of 5,000 Facebook Friends and Fan pages already, so I've added a New 'Facebook Fan Page' so that even more of YOU can 'Like' what I am doing, and be interactive with me and others there.  Here is the link to that 'Facebook Fan Page': Michael D Hamersky On Comics! Please click the 'Like' button on that page! 

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Michael D Hamersky On Comics Presents...  Vinnie's Take On: Mike Bocianowski's YETS! #2    - - Top Photo: Mike Bocianowski's web site banner. - Bottom Photo:  Mike holding YETS! #2 at the 2011 Comic-Con International:  San Diego! - Far Left Top Photo:  Welcome to YETS!

(Vinnie)  This is my take on the trade paperback book, "Yets!" issue #2.

   

   

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
You can look to see if you can purchase this TPB at you Local Comic Book Shop, or you can buy it online it or others in the series at Mike's ArtistMB.com web site!

 

(Michael)  Thanks, Vinnie!

I appreciate your reading this TPB that was presented to me at the 2011 Comic-Con International: San Diego!

My thanks also to Mike Bocianowski, for bringing his works to my attention, while I was going through the exhbit hall at the SDCC!

For those interested in more on Mike, here's a link to his web site, ArtistMB.com, and a link to his blog, YETS! Blog.

I do not see a Facebook Fan Page for his project(s) yet, so if and when, I'll be sure to update this blog post! 

~ Michael

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BTW, You can 'follow' this Blog by clicking the 'Follow' Button at this NetworkedBlogs app!  We currently have over 2,509 '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!!!

~ Michael D Hamersky 

If I have it... You can find it 'Under The Big Top Of Comics' at:   ComicBooksCircus.com.

If it isn't available in my online 'Local Comic Book Shop, (LCBS), then you may be able find it in my Amazon affiiate link, as seen here:  Comics & Graphic Novels at Amazon!

Web Page Note:  This blog post is written for the IE Browser standards.  Chrome, Safarai, Netscape, Firefox and the other browsers 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.

Comics Creators: If you are breaking into, or already work in the comic book industry or other pop culture productions, you are welcome to email or mail us press releases, news items, and updates that you feel would be of interest to our blog readers. Including YOUR own works!!  (Note:  I don't list my email address here, due to 'spambots' gathering it and 'spamming' me. 

To mail printed items to us for possible review, send to:

Make It So Marketing Inc., PO Box 130653, Carlsbad, CA 92013, USA

 Also, if you are a Facebook member, I would have liked you to have sent me a 'Friend Request'. However, I have reached the maximum limit of 5,000 Facebook Friends and Fan pages in my network already, so I've added a New 'Facebook Fan Page' for myself so that even more of YOU can 'Like' what I am doing, and be interactive with me and others there.  Here is the link to that 'Facebook Fan Page': Michael D Hamersky On Comics! Please click the 'Like' button on that page! 

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Michael D Hamersky On Comics Poses A Question... What To Buy At The 2011 SDCC / Comic-Con International For Myself...? Why, The Jack Kirby Collector Magazine, Of Course! As Sold At The TwoMorrows Booth! -  - Top Photo: John Morrow helping a customer at his TwoMorrows Booth at the 2011 Comic-Con International: San Diego, (aka SDCC). - Bottom Photo:  Michael D Hamersky holding his yearly purchase of a handfull of 'The Jack Kirby Collector' published by TwoMorrows, (with John Morrow in the background, along with well known 'Jack Kirby Tribute' attendee, David  Siegel, wearing a red shirt). -

TODAY'S FEATURE - Blog #3478:

I recently ran a series of blogs, (twelve in total!) about the then upcoming 2011 Comic-Con International: San Diego, aka the San Diego Comic Con, or SDCC for short.

Including what I considered to be the 'Hi-lites' of each day's programs / panels to attend for those going to attend the SDCC for the first time, (newbies!).

One of those panels was the annual Jack Kirby Tribute, moderated by Mark Evanier, who has hosted those each year since Jack's passing in 1994. 

I also mentioned that I haven't missed a one, and that it is a 'must see' for me, period... I don't care what else is programmed up against it, and I have missed some real good programs because of this!

Well, the TwoMorrows co-owner, John Morrow, and some of his company's freelancers / staff usually attend this panel also, and then later report on it, after taping it, transcribing it, and then editing it.  And that is quite a job in itself, as there is a lot of conversations going on during this usual one hour long panel!

At the same time of the panel, I make sure that I have either already purchased the issues of 'The Jack Kirby Collector' since the previous year's SDCC at the TwoMorrows booth downstairs in the exhibit hall, or I go immediately afterwards to pick the issues up before they sell out!

I used to have a subscription to this fine publication, when it was published in a smaller sized format, but found that my postmaster's staff had a bad habit of bending it to fit either my PO Box or the larger temporary holding box that it could be placed in.   I treasured each of the issues too much to have my own personal copy be treated in such a way!

So each year I pick up all the oversized tabloid sized issues that have been published since the previous Comic-Con and immediately walk them out to my car in the underground parking structure, so as to keep them Near Mint for my own collection!

So what did I miss this past year by not buying them direct from John's company, or buying them from my LCBS?   Here's a run down of the three issues printed since the 2010 SDCC:

Summer 2011 - 84 pages - Tabloid Format
JACK KIRBY COLLECTOR #57 (84 tabloid-size pages, $10.95) focuses on “Legendary Kirby”—spotlighting Jack's use of the stuff of legend in his work! From angels and devils to Demons and demi-gods, we'll examine how Kirby put his own spin on classic folklore to immortalize it in the comics realm. There's TONY ISABELLA on SATAN'S SIX (with Kirby's unseen layouts for the series), the Biblical inspirations behind DEVIL DINOSAUR, THOR as viewed through the eyes of mythologist JOSEPH CAMPBELL, and how the legendary JFK Conspiracy affected Jack! We’ll also present a complete Golden Age Kirby story, a rare Kirby interview, plus MARK EVANIER and our other regular columnists, pencil art galleries showing uninked pencils from ETERNALS, the DEMON, NEW GODS, THOR, and more! All behind two Kirby covers (Jack's original ATLAS presentation inked by D. BRUCE BERRY, and a breathtaking fully-painted DEMON back cover by GIORGIO COMOLO)! Edited by John Morrow.

'My Take' On Issue #57?  This is the issue I chose to read first... Why? Well the earlier promo for this issue was that it was to be on the 'immortals' or 'gods' that Jack Kirby started and possibly didn't have a chance to finish writing about. I enjoyed reading several of these series or one-shots when they came out, and wanted to know more about them. I found the issue to be mostly satisifying, and enjoyed the 'takes' of the different authors who wrote the articles. There seemed to be a lot of full page artwork pages, which is why John went to the oversized tabloid format to begin with.  Which is good if you are into the artwork of those titles.  I'm more of a reader of the articles usually... My comic book grade for this issue: VERY FINE PLUS (VF+) 8.5 out of a possible 10.0 grading scale.

Spring 2011 - 84 pages - Tabloid Format
JACK KIRBY COLLECTOR #56 (84 tabloid-size pages, $10.95) focuses on “Unfinished Sagas”—series, stories, and arcs Jack never got to properly finish, and concepts that never got off the ground. From TRUE DIVORCE CASES and RAAM to KOBRA and DINGBATS, there’ll be gobs of unused art and text, including a complete story from SOUL LOVE! We’ll also present the rarely-seen 1946 Boy Explorers story “Trip to the Moon”, two Kirby Tribute Panels, interviews with MICHAEL NETZER and PAUL KUPPERBERG, KURT BUSIEK and ALEX ROSS on their new series Kirby: Genesis, plus MARK EVANIER and our other regular columnists, pencil art galleries, and more! All behind two Kirby covers (the "Galaxy Green" presentation, inked by MIKE ROYER, and the unseen cover for SOUL LOVE)! Edited by John Morrow.

My 'Take' on issue #56?  Those who read this Blog on a regular basis will know that my favorite series that Jack worked on was the 'Fantastic Four'. When he left Marvel for DC I picked up his new series, but it just didn't have the same 'feel' for me. However, his efforts at DC were just about the only titles I picked up at the newstand to read for pleasure from that Company. So this area that issue #56 covered was one that I didn't know that much about, and in hindsight is of valuable knowledge that has been shared by the authors of the articles that are published in this issue.  Good reading! My comic book grade for this issue: VERY FINE / NEAR MINT (VF/NM) 9.0 out of a possible 10.0 grading scale.

Fall 2010 - 84 pages - Tabloid Format
In JACK KIRBY COLLECTOR #55 (84 tabloid-size pages, $10.95), "Kirby Goes To Hollywood!" as we examine the King's forays in and out of Tinseltown! Inside you'll find: Sergio Aragonés and Mell Lazarus recall appearing with Kirby on an episode of Bob Newhart's BOB! television show! A comparison of three most recent STAR WARS films to Jack's "The Pact" and "Himon" Fourth World issues! The King's time at Ruby-Spears animation as a designer on Thundarr the Barbarian examined, plus an interview with Joe Ruby and Ken Spears! How Kirby inspired Hollywood productions from 1940s serials and cartoon shows, to TV series and big screen blockbusters—plus how Jack worked films and TV into his own comics stories! Heretofore unknown tidbits about Jack's encounters with Frank Zappa, Paul McCartney... and John Lennon?! All this, plus Mark Evanier's regular column, a Kirby pencil art gallery, a Golden Age Kirby story, and more, behind a color Kirby cover inked by PAUL SMITH! Edited by John Morrow.

My 'Take' on this issue?  Contrary to what you may think... I'm not really that big of a fan of 'Wonder Woman' in the comics.  Even though I have a special photo album of Wonder Woman cosplayers, with and without me, at my Facebook Fan Page... I've never found the title(s) to be worthy of collecting.  Sure, some story arcs in the past were worth buying to read, but overall... I just never 'collected' Wonder Woman comics.   So that is why I left this issue to be the last of the three I purchased at the 2011 Comic-Con to be read. However, just like on several comic book covers of the past... This cover didn't really show what the contents of this issue were about!  The articles on 'Jack Goes to Hollywood' were great! The best issue for me of the three! My comic book grade, a NEAR MINT MINUS (NM-) 9.2 out of a 10.0 possible comic book grading scale. A more obvious 'theme related' cover would have been nice, as I didn't 'get' the connection of the cover to the issue's theme that easily, if at all...

So, that's another 'year' in publishing on the Jack Kirby Collector! You would think that after 57 total issues that there wouldn't be much more to publish in The Jack Kirby Collector, but you would be wrong! I'm personally looking forward to issue #58 which is to be:

(Jack Kirby Collector #58)
128 page tabloid-size Trade Paperback - Written by Mark Alexander

Celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Fantastic Four #1 with this special squarebound edition (#58) of The Jack Kirby Collector, about the two pop-culture visionaries who created the Fantastic Four, and a decade in comics that was more tumultuous and awe-inspiring than any before or since. Calling on his years of research, plus new interviews conducted just for this book (with Stan Lee, Flo Steinberg, Mark Evanier, Joe Sinnott, and others), regular Jack Kirby Collector magazine contributor Mark Alexander traces both Lee and Kirby's history at Marvel Comics, and the remarkable series of events and career choices that led them to converge in 1961 to conceive the Fantastic Four. It also documents the evolution of the FF throughout the 1960s, with previously unknown details about Lee and Kirby's working relationship, and their eventual parting of ways in 1970. With a wealth of of historical information and amazing Kirby artwork, Stan Lee & Jack Kirby: THE WONDER YEARS beautifully examines the first decade of the FF, and the events that put into motion the 1960s era that came to be known as the Marvel Age of Comics!

My personal thanks to John Morrow who 'turned me on' to his publication, 'The Jack Kirby Collector' way back in 1994!  I look forward each year to his coming out to San Diego for the Comic-Con International to set up his TwoMorrows booth, so I can buy the JKC & other single issues of his other magazines that I have previously blogged about here!

I would recommend those reading this blog post to follow what else TwoMorrows Publishing is doing by 'Liking' the Facebook Fan Page for the Company as seen here!

Current issues of the publications by TwoMorrows can be found there, and for back issue copies that are OOP (Out of Print), feel free to check out my own online comic book shop at ComicBooksCircus.com!

~Michael D Hamersky 

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