Vinnie's 'Take' On:  Berona's War Vol 1: Field Guide Book As Introduced To At The San Diego Comic-Con 2010!       -------------- Above Photo:  The Front Cover to the Berona's War Vol 1: Field Guide! - At the Top Left: Vinnie along with Anthony Coffey and Jesse Labbé at their table in the Archaia booth! At the Bottom Left: The Logo for the Comic Con International: San Diego - a.k.a. San Diego Comic Con 2010.

TODAY'S FEATURE - Blog #3221:

Today's post is guest blogged by my youngest son, who attended all five days of the Comic-Con this year with us!

Vinnie also visited the Archaia Publishing booth, where he met the creators of Berona's War, as pictured at the above left. Vinnie has also previously blogged about the 'Preview Book' on Verona's War, as seen in this link.

Now for his blog post today, which is very timely, as today, August 25th, is when this graphic novel is available in comic book shops!

'My Take' On Berona's War Vol 1: Field Guide - by Vinnie: 

These are my comments, and thoughts about the book I just read for review, Berona's War 1: Field Guide. This is the first of a series of graphic novels about these two species of creatures, the Ele-alta and Cropones, living on the island of Berona, who are fighting for land. This is just a field guide to the land of Berona, meaning it has no real storyline, but it helps you understand all these creatures and their jobs, as well as a map to see where they currently are, for when you're reading the next books to be found in this series.

According to Dictionary.com, a field guide is, "a portable illustrated book to help identify birds, plants, rocks, etc., as on a nature walk."

Quoted from the Berona's War page at Archaia.com, "The BERONA’S WAR: FIELD GUIDE provides a great introduction to the world of BERONA’S WAR, featuring maps, devious strategies, weapons, character and troop descriptions and the history of wartime events. This is the perfect primer for the upcoming BERONA’S WAR: FIGHT FOR AMITY!"  Okay, so that has been the background information, and now let me tell you about the actual book, with the price / format / credits blurb first.

160 Pages   -  Price $19.95
ISBN: 9781932386899  - Format: hardcover with dust jacket
Jesse Labbé: Creator, Color, and Cropone Art.
Anthoney Coffey: Cover, Layout, and Ele-Alta Art.

In Comic Book Shops August 25th, and September 7th in bookstores

Dust Jacket: The front side of the Dust Jacket has a nice, glossy image, showing the two species that inhabit the land of Berona; the Ele-Alta and Cropones, in which the story takes place in. The Left Inside Flap gives background information as well as praise from people who have seen this. I believe they deserve this praise, for it is a very well put together book, complete with great illustrations with great descriptions to go along with it. The Right Inside Flap gives even more 'testimonial' like praise as well as a little 'About the Authors' informant. The back of the Dust Jacket gives, yet again, even more background information as well as more praise.

Front Cover: It has the same image and texture as the Dust Jacket, except for it doesn't have the names of the creators, Anthony Coffey and Jesse Labbé. The corners are also glossy, making it look altogether pretty neat with a nice finish. It also has a mediveal look, as well as a journal that may have gone through major wear and tear through this one hundred year war.

Inside Front Cover: It has a close-up, non-glossy view of the same image found on the cover. What I like about it is that when I first saw the front, I gave it the above review. When I saw this close-up, I noticed on the background it had a picture of the creatures holding flags. I had noticed that, but what I didn't notice was that they had their own symbols that you find more about later in the book. It was a fine little detail that I could only see then. To me it shows what good the close-up was that took the spot here.

Interior Pages: Because this is a Field Guide, it doesn't really have a 'story', persay. It does have fantastic art, in which I stated above they are praised for, and the details and script they use here to describe these great illustrations fits it well, and makes it feel complete. The whole idea behind this is very interesting, and I'm glad it came out more appropriate for children in a cartoony way, than as an actual war between humans, with a big bloody carnage.

Although the same topic, it just seems more child-friendly with cartoony characters, although some may say it's just a way to expand their age range. Each page is filled in with pictures of the types of mercenaries they have and on which team, as well as descriptions telling the tales of these creatures on their way to victory or defeat. The pages were actually made to look as though it was a journal, with pictures paperclipped to the journal pages as well as sticky notes attached onto the pages. It is even told as though someone was documenting exactly as it was seen. Although I have just said it was amazing, I have to add this one following part. I found four, what appear to be, spelling errors. It may just be because I may not have seen that word before, but they all seem familiar, but just not right. For example, they put 'Eli-Alta' instead of the way they normally spell it as, 'Ele-Alta'. It may have just been supposed to be like that, but I wouldn't have thought so. Also, I found just one of these, but it appeared as though a blotch appeared in one of the letters. I believe the word was supposed to be 'Not', but the 'T' just appeared as a dark block. It may have been a printer defect, or when the ink was drying a bubble formed making it look like that. I mean like, none of those were a big deal, nor are a lot of people going to notice that, but just thought I'd throw that in.

Inside Back Cover: It has the same close-up image as the Inside Front Cover, so not really much to say here.

Back Cover: The Back Cover has the Ele-Alta's and Cropone's symbols that showed they were part of their team in the war, and they are at the bottom left and right of the book. It also has the Archaia symbol and name, as well as a mysterious Cropone creature.

I really enjoyed reading this book, and I'm sure most others would as well, and I thank you for reading my review on Berona's War Vol 1: Field Guide.

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

To see more on "Berona's War" series, check out this link!

If YOU are on Facebook check out their Archaia Fan Page!

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Thanks Vinnie for guest blogging here today, and giving us your thoughts on this preview book from a tween's POV!

If this graphic novel is something YOU would like to read or give as a gift, here's a link to where you can purchase it online! Berona's War: Field Guide!

Also...If YOU liked his review on this DVD, you may enjoy reading his reviews on: Clutch Cargo, The All New Super Friends Hour Season 1 DVD, The Ultimate Underdog Collection Volume 1, Planet Hulk, Coraline, Ponyo, X-Men Origins: Wolverine, Sonic the Hedgehog TPB Vol 1, Cloudy With A Chance of Meatballs, just to name a recent few!!

And my personal thanks to Anthony and Jesse who took the time during the Comic-Con to personally introduce Vinnie to their series!

PLUS: My thanks again to all of YOU reading this blog and our archived blog posts, now at 3,220 total posts in number! I do appreciate your continued reading and support of this Blog!

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)! 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'. I am reaching the maximum of 5,000 Facebook Friends soon, and I don't want YOU to be left out!         ------------------- 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 Back Issue #42 The 'Wild West' Theme Issue For August 2010!      -------------- Above Top Photo: The Front Cover to the August 2010 Issue of Back Issue #42 by TwoMorrows Publishing! At the Top Left (L-R): Tina and Tony DeZuniga in Artists Alley at the 2010 San Diego Comic-Con International! At the Bottom Left: The Logo for the Comic Con International: San Diego - a.k.a. San Diego Comic Con 2010.

TODAY'S FEATURE - Blog #3220:

A while back I blogged about picking up several back issues of 'Alter Ego' that is published by TwoMorrows Publishing, and in particular about issue #95, (as seen here).

Today I'm blogging about a different 'Back Issue', that of issue #42 of the magazine 'Back Issue' itself, by the same Publisher!

Why?  Well, the 'theme' of this special issue really grabbed me!

That's because it is the 'WILD WEST ISSUE!', of which I have a special fondness for this genre in comics.

So what's this issue about? Here's the promo blurb about this issue:

August 2010 - 84 pages

Now shipping 8 times a year, with 16 color pages each issue!

DC Comics’ latest movie star, Jonah Hex, headlines BACK ISSUE #42 (84 pages with color, $7.95) our “Wild West” issue, in a rare interview with the bounty hunter’s long-time writer, MICHAEL FLEISHER—plus Hex art galore by TONY DeZUNIGA, LUIS DOMINGUEZ, JOSE LUIS GARCIA-LOPEZ, KEITH GIFFEN, ED HANNIGAN, and a posse of popular artists!

Plus: TIM TRUMAN’s Scout, the Two-Gun Kid joins the Avengers, HERB TRIMPE’s Rawhide Kid, DICK AYERS’ original Ghost Rider, DC’s Weird Westerns, Red Wolf, Caleb Hammer, Charlton’s Westerns, and the Vigilante’s 1970s revival. With art and/or commentary by NEAL ADAMS, JIM APARO, CHUCK DIXON, GEORGE EVANS, BILL KUNKEL, GRAY MORROW, FABIAN NICIEZA, BEAU SMITH, and more. Featuring a gorgeous but gripping Jonah Hex cover by Tony DeZuniga. Edited by MICHAEL EURY.

Whew!  That's a lot to chew on, pardners!

For those of YOU that read my blog on a regular basis, you'll know that I've been running into Tina and Tony DeZuniga at a lot of comic cons recently!  It's getting harder to see them for a visit at their booths...Especially with the theatrical release of the 'Jonah Hex' film based on the character that Tony co-created for DC Comics!

So I'm really pleased to see that Tony's work from years ago is being truly appreciated today.  And that he and Tina are having fun at comic cons selling original artwork and doing new sketches for new fans as well as old!  And that's a really good illustration by Tony on the front cover of this 'Back Issue' magazine!

So, that's another reason to blog about this issue today. Although it is Michael Felisher that discusses 'Jonah Hex' in a rare interview, not Tony, in this issue.

Here's 'My Take' on each of the main articles:

Michael Felisher And Jonah Hex - Pages 3 to 15 - I would agree that Michael's Jonah Hex stories are what are most remembered today.  Even though he wrote nearly 700 comic-book stories in his 20 year career.  I enjoyed this cover feature, as it truly is a 'rare' interview that was given here.

The Vigilante - Pages 16 to 22 - I never really picked up on this character before reading this interview.  Interesting article.

Two-Gun Kid: Right Between The Eons - Pages 23 to 30. Now this I really enjoyed.  Because during these years I was a 'Marvel Zombie', reading even their Westerns, HoRRoR Comics, etc., as they hit the newstands.  A really good put together article by Jarrod Buttery!  Tells why Two-Gun was in the 'Present' as well as the 'Past' in the Marvel Universe.

All-Star Weird Western Heroes of DC Comics - Pages 31 to 40 -Again, I never read all of these issues as they came out.  I have read them when purchasing collections for resale.  I knew that Jonah Hex started here.  Other characters were in this series.  A good read for those that are into DC Western heroes, by John Wells.

Jonah Hex Art Gallery - Pages 41 to 43. In color presentation. As a center fold presentation it fits well with the cover feature.

Wild West Mego Men - Pages 44 -45. You know, I hadn't known of this series by Mego.  Of course I had the Fantastic Four dolls, ooops, I mean action figures!

Red Wolf - The Saga of a Man Torn Between Two Worlds - Pages 46 - 53.  You know, I really enjoyed reading the history of this character. I was there when these first came out, but distribution was a little spotty in my area.  Good read, written by John Schwirian!

Rough Stuff - by Tom Ziuko - Pages 54 - 59. Interesting article with several illustrations. The pencils are very interesting to see.

Ghost Rider / Night Rider - Originated by Dick Ayers - Pages 60 -61.  A way too short article on the Ghost Rider by Marvel. I didn't like what happened in the continuity in the West Coast Avengers years later...Oh, well...

Charlton 1970's Western Roundup - Pages 63 - 65. Another way too short article!  I've read several of these titles in the years since they were first published.  I didn't read them when they were first published for the most part, because they were not distributed evenly out here on the West Coast. I just couldn't put together a decent collection at that time.

Herb Trimpe Remembers the 1985 Rawhide Kid Miniseries - Pages 66 - 67.  I enjoyed this miniseries when I came across it years later.  One of Herb's best drawn series, IMO.

The Coming of Caleb Hammer - Pages 68 -69.  This was an overlooked story from years ago, but his character has been used in the years since.

The Savage Future of Timothy Truman's Scout - Pages 70 - 77. Never read these stories...and after reading this article I still have no big motivation to search them out...but for those of you that are fans of this series, 7 pages are a goodly amount of reading for you!

Back Talk - The letter pages - which take up the rest of the issue.  It's nice to see a letters column page(s) in print. 

Again...All I have to say is 'Whew!", as there is a LOT to read in this magazine!  This issue was like a runaway locomotive in its presentation style.  On and on and on.  But with 95% of topics that I had an interest in!

So for me, this was a Great 'Theme Issue'!

My comic book grade for this issue #42 of 'Back Issue' is a NEAR MINT (NM) 9.4 grade out of a 10.0 grading scale.  Definitely a 'Must Issue' for those that like the Westerns Comic Books Genre, no matter what company you mostly read.

BTW, We have will have this and other back issues of 'Back Issue' Magazine listed for sale in our online shop in the near future!

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Again, my thanks to John Morrow of TwoMorrows Publishing for publishing his line of magazines. I really appreciate the efforts of everyone involved in the TwoMorrows Publishing Empire that puts out such quality titles month after month!  Plus it was great to see you at the San Diego Comic-Con again this year!

PLUS...My thanks again to all of YOU reading this blog and our archived blog posts, now at the 3,215 total posts in number! I do appreciate your continued reading and support of this Blog!

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)! 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'. I am reaching the maximum of 5,000 Facebook Friends soon, and I don't want YOU to be left out!         ------------------- 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.

 

Gotham City 14 Miles 14 Essays On Why The 1960s Batman TV Show Matters!   Now Shown With The Revised Front Cover To The Upcoming Book! To Be Published December of 2010 by Sequart  Above Photo: The Sequart Logo! At the Top Right: The Newly Revised Front Cover to the Upcoming Book! At the Middle Right: Editor Jim Beard at the 2010 C2E2 With the Batmobile! At the Bottom Right: Michael D Hamersky with Yvonne (Batgirl) Craig at the 2010 Wizard World Anaheim Comic Book Convention!        --- ---

TODAY'S FEATURE - Blog #3218:

Earlier this week I viewed the revised front cover to the upcoming book 'Gotham City 14 Miles'.  I've blogged about this book a few times as I have definite interest in seeing it published later this year.

That's because 1 of the 14 Essays being printed in it is mine!

So those of you that are my relatives, and are reading this blog, you could suspect what you may be receiving from me during the upcoming Holiday Season as a gift, LOL!

Here's just a little more of the update from Sequart as to the book itself:

Gotham City 14 Miles offers the 1960s Batman TV series the critical reevaluation it deserves. Its essays examine Batmania, camp, the role of women, the show's participation in '60s counter-culture, its many celebrated actors, its lasting cultural effects, and other critical subjects.

From 1966-1968, on both ABC and in movie theatres, America embraced Batman as a campy cultural icon. The nation thrilled to deathtrap cliffhangers and phrases like "Atomic batteries to power!" and "Same bat-time, same bat-channel!" But in the ensuing decades, many vilified the show as an embarrassment that needed to be swept under the rug if Batman -- and super-heroes -- were to be taken seriously. Having won this battle for legitimacy, perhaps we can now return to Adam West's Gotham, to the unapologetic fun of colorful, cackling villains hatching bizarre schemes, and deadpan heroes ridiculously climbing walls. And perhaps we may find it not only fun but rich with deeper cultural meanings.

Here's who is involved with this project:

Gotham City 14 Miles: 14 Essays on Why the 1960s Batman TV Series Matters - edited by Jim Beard; introduction by Jim Beard; afterword by Jeff Rovin; essays by Becky Beard, Jim Beard, Joseph F. Berenato, Timothy Callahan, Chuck Dixon, Robert Greenberger, Michael D. Hamersky, Michael Johnson, Paul Kupperberg, Michael S. Miller, Will Murray, Peter Sanderson, Jennifer K. Stuller, Bill Walko, and Robert G. Weiner; cover by M. Mrakota Orsman. 

Here's what a reviewer of the upcoming book has said:

"I now have a new book for my 'Five I'd Take to a Desert Island' list. Gotham City 14 Miles is the perfect companion to my favorite pop-culture phenomenon of all time!""
-- Mark Waid

Here's the publishing info so you can start thinking about a possible mention to your friends, or even for yourself!

300 pages / ISBN 9780578064611 / $22.95 MSRP

So yeah, I do have a vested interest in seeing this book do well! But it sure looks like a fun read! And No...I don't have my preview copy yet, but I like what I've seen so far!

I'll let you know more as the weeks go on about this book.

In the meantime feel free to check out the Facebook Fan Page for Gotham City 14 Miles and 'liking' it!

Thanks again to Jim Beard, my Editor, for asking me to participate in this enterprise of his!

Oh, and until 'our' book comes out from Sequart...You can check out an earlier published book on Batman from the same publisher, as seen in this link:  Improving the Foundations: Batman Begins from Comics to Screen!

Here's the promo blurb on this book: "The definitive, unauthorized study of Christopher Nolan's 2005 film, paying particular attention to how it draws upon comic-book source material. Darius examines the evolution of Batman's origins, as well as previous attempts to film that story. His scene-by-scene analysis, addressing changes from the script, themes, and comics correlations, expands the reader's understanding through crisp, insightful language. Also explores the film's realism in contrast to past Batman films, the film's reception, and its box office"!

My thanks again to all of YOU reading this blog and our archived blog posts, now over the 3,215 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!  I would appreciate that!

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)! 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'. I am reaching the maximum of 5,000 Facebook Friends soon, and I don't want YOU to be left out!         ------------------- 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: PUG The Graphic Novel As Seen at the 2010 San Diego Comic-Con International Image Comics Booth!        -------------- --------- Above Topmost Photo: Writer Derek McCulloch as seen at the Image Comics Book during the 2010 SDCC! --------- Above Photo: Artist Greg Espinoza as seen in Artists Alley at the same SDCC! At the Top Left: The Front Cover to PUG - the Graphic Novel from Image Comics! At the Bottom Left: The Logo for the Comic Con International: San Diego - a.k.a. San Diego Comic Con 2010.

TODAY'S FEATURE - Blog #3216:

As blogged before...One of the great pleasures in attending comic-cons, no matter what the size of them, is visiting the sections named 'Artists Alley', and 'Small Press' or 'Indy Aisles'.

I usually end up with several new publications to read and possibly review in this blog, after striking up conversations with the creators of the comics or graphic novels, due to this blog being the #1 'Followed' blog on Facebook for 'comics', 'comic books', and 'graphic novels' per the NetworkedBlogs app, as seen here.

So as posted earlier, I left with multiple new publications to read after this year's SDCC...I wanted to put this graphic novel near the top of the stack to review, as the graphic novel's artist and writer are having a book signing this upcoming weekend!  More on that at the end of this review...

First...Here's the promotional blurb on:

PUG - The Graphic Novel - by Derek McCulloch & Greg Espinoza  

Hardcover: 104 pages
Publisher: Image Comics (June 30, 2010)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1607060663
ISBN-13: 978-1607060666 

Six years ago, the Darlinger fight ended Jake's career, cost him his family, and put him in a downward spiral with no end in sight. Now, he's doing collections for a small-time loan shark and thinking maybe it's time he set a few things straight in the world. From award-winning writer Derek McCulloch (Displaced Persons and the Eisner-nominated Stagger Lee) and artist Greg Espinoza, Pug is an unsparing tale of a good man trapped in a life of brutality - 15-rounds of blood and bad memories! 

Now for 'My Take' (review), on this graphic novel:

I've read some of Derek McCulloch's works before. He is a very versatile writer, and is not to be labeled as a writer of any one genre. Indeed this is yet different from other of his works that I've reviewed!

I don't review an original graphic novel, (GN), the same as I do comic books or 'graphic novels' that are actually a compilation of already published comic books into one story arc TPB.

This 'PUG' GN is an original work, and due to its 'odd-size, it is easy to hold and read.

The artwork is in black and white format in the interior pages, although the front and back covers are in colors, (by Moose).

Reading this GN in this style and format is almost like reading a 'Sunday Newspaper Strip' minus the color and the logos on each page. I kind of like that!

The style and format fits the time periods this story is set in: 1956 & 1962.  Being a child of the late 50's & early 60's, reading it in this format and in b&w is a very familar format for me to read it in.

Would it suit today's younger readers that didn't experience those years?  I would think so, as movies about boxing and the characters involved in that era have never truly gone out of style on film.

I also like the 'breaks' in the chapters with a 'girl' holding a placard stating 'Round 2', 'Round 3' etc. to identify the next chapter.  Plus there are flashbacks shown in 'Rest Period' chapters as well.

This is very innovative  in presentation, as far as I am concerned.

So, I had to think back where I saw Derek at during the SDCC, as pictured above.  He was at the Image Comics booth.  I wouldn't have thought that Image would be the pulbishers of this GN?!

I'm glad they did!  Because this is one heck of a 'read' IMO.

I give “PUG” a 9.4 on a 10.0 Grading Scale. NEAR MINT (NM).

Don't miss the book signing by Greg Espinosa and Derek McCulloch this upcoming weekend in the San Francisco area.  Details shown in this link.

Thanks to Derek for bringing his latest work to my attention, and to Greg for taking time at Artists Alley to pose with the GN also!

PLUS...My thanks again to all of YOU reading this blog and our archived blog posts, now over the 3,215 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!  I would appreciate that!

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)! 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'. I am reaching the maximum of 5,000 Facebook Friends soon, and I don't want YOU to be left out!         ------------------- 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.

 

Tina's 'Take' On: Syndrome - A Graphic Novel As Seen at the 2010 San Diego Comic-Con International Archaia Booth!        -------------- --------- Above Topmost Photo: Corrissa Baker showing us just one of the many publications showcased at the 2010 SDCC. This one had her name in it! --------- Above Photo: David A Rodriguez showing us the Starkweather Immortal comic book that he wrote for Archaia Comics! At the Top Left: The Front Cover Dust Jacket to Syndrome - The Graphic Novel hardback! At the Bottom Left: The Logo for the Comic Con International: San Diego - a.k.a. San Diego Comic Con 2010.

TODAY'S FEATURE - Blog #3215:

One of the great pleasures I receive at visiting comic-cons, no matter what the size of them, is visiting the sections named 'Artists Alley', and 'Small Press' or 'Indy Aisles'.

I usually end up with several new publications to read and possibly review in this blog, after striking up conversations with the creators of the comics or graphic novels, due to this blog being the #1 'Followed' blog on Facebook for 'comics', 'comic books', and 'graphic novels' per the NetworkedBlogs app, as seen here.

So as posted earlier, I left with multiple new publications to read after this year's SDCC...

Plus..I've had a few more mailed to me for possible review since then. This was one of them mailed by in by Mel Caylo, Marketing Manager for Archaia. 

Due to my on-site work schedule this week, my wife Tina LoSasso was willing to read and review at least one publication this week.

Here's "Tina's Take" on:  

“Syndrome” Probes the Root of All Evil

When Michael asked me if I’d like to review “Syndrome” I blanched at the front cover, turned it over and was immediately intrigued by the synopsis on the back. I was once a Psych major so the idea of a scientific experiment to isolate and cure evil piqued my interest.

“Syndrome” is a graphic novel for the new millennium. In an age where science seeks to explain – and alter - every aspect of human emotion from depression to hyper-activity – and control the aberrations with pharmaceuticals – “Syndrome” asks whether evil is simply a malfunction of the brain.

At a secret facility in the Nevada desert, a psychiatrist tests his serial killer subject with the help of a struggling young Hollywood actress and a renowned set director. By recreating a small town complete with all the triggers to set off the psycho killer, the doctor monitors and attempts to control his subject’s behavior with unexpected results.

The novel’s artwork is compelling – far more so than the story itself. David Marquez does a fine job illustrating the story.  Clear, concise, dramatic. The subject matter of the story is evil. Fortunately, Marquez manages to depict scenes of horrific violence without wallowing in the gore as so many comic and graphic novel artists do today.

Following the story, readers will find a few pages on The Artistic Process of David Marquez. In it, Marquez shows how he drew the entire story digitally using Photoshop and his Cintiq drawing tablet. It’s an interesting look into the process of modern illustration.

Sadly, the story is not as well executed as the art. The premise of whether evil-doers are simply born that way – and can be controlled by pharmaceuticals is worthy of Orwell. Unfortunately, too much time is devoted to the Hollywood artist who creates the fictitious town and stories about the film industry.  Not enough time is given to developing the story of the scientific experiment.

I suspect the writers wanted me to be shocked at the ending – and I was – I was shocked that the story had ended. I actually turned back and re-read several pages thinking I’d missed something.

While the experiment seems to go awry, how much more interesting and suspenseful would it have been for the experiment to seep outside the confines of the secret facility? Or, to see how the implications of the experiment impacted society?

While the writers came up with a fascinating concept, which was illustrated extremely well, editing fell short. I give “Syndrome” a 7.5 on a 10.0 Grading Scale. VERY FINE MINUS (VF-).

~Tina

Note: This graphic novel will be available September 1st, 2010 in comic book shops, and September 14th in bookstores.

For Mature Readers: Series contains adult content, nudity, adult language and graphic violence.

Retail Price $19.95    Page Count: 112 pages

Format: Oversized hardcover with dust jacket, 7.25" x 11.25" with full color.

Also, there is a Facebook Fan Page for Archaia Comics. Feel free to 'like' their fan page and be interactive with them!

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Thanks Tina for such a well written review!  I can tell you definitely were a 'Psych' Major!

Again, my thanks also to Mel Caylo, for introducing this graphic novel to us.  It was good to meet you at the SDCC this year!

PLUS...My thanks again to all of YOU reading this blog and our archived blog posts, now over the 3,210 total posts in number! I do appreciate your continued reading and support of this Blog!

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)! 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'. I am reaching the maximum of 5,000 Facebook Friends soon, and I don't want YOU to be left out!         ------------------- 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.