My 'Take' On The Expert's Guide On: How To Kill THINGS That Go BumP In The NIGHT! Volume I: Reality Bites Back     - Above Photo:  The Front Cover to The Expert's Guide On: How To Kill Things That Go BUMP In The NIGHT! Volume 1. - At the Top Left: Robert W Zailo at the recent San Gabriel Valley Comic Book Festival held in September.  - At the Bottom Left: Robert was just recently at the Long Beach Comic Con in California during the Halloween Weekend!

TODAY'S FEATURE - Blog #3279:

I visited with Robert W. Zailo at the recent Long Beach Comic Con, (LBCC). 

Which reminded me that I hadn't yet blogged about issue #1 of his TPB that he gave me at the San Gabriel Valley Comic Book Festival in September for a possible review blog.

As stated here before... At times I do get a little behind on comics / graphic novels that I would want to blog about, IF I attend multiple conventions during each quarter of the year, which I've been doing now for the past two quarters. There are even more comic cons & pop culture cons than ever before it seems! 

I also only blog once a day now at the most, as I've been on a three month on-site project... but as you can see, this is blog #3279 in total numbers, so I do get around to those publications that grab my interest or that are unique enough to be blog worthy!

Here is what this TPB is about, per the web site:

The Experts’ Guide on How to Kill Things That Go Bump in the Night is an Ignatz-nominated horror/comedy about the world of monster hunting, as seen through the newly-inducted Expert Simon.

(Additionally, from the back of the publication...) Simon is a normal teenager. At least, normal for someone that sees dead people.  He's been looking for help, and now he's found them:  THE EXPERTS! 

Traveling arcross the country in their tricked-out RV, the Experts deal wsiht the worst villains - Dracula, Frankenstein, The Mummy and the Invisible Man.  And if Simon is going to survive traveling with them, he's going to need every ghost he can find.  

Okay...So what is 'My Take' on this web comic compilation in TPB format?

Inside Front Cover:  The credits are immediately shown as to whom are involved with this production.  That would be Darren J. Gendron, (writer), and Robert Zailo, (artist).  In addition, there are character illos / bios to help introduce you to the main characters, which is another good thing! 

Splash Page:  Starts right in with a story page!

The Interior Pages: The interior pages are black & white, which is okay for this genre of story.  The stories seemed to read in a sort of 'jumpy' way for me when first reading it.

When I went to the web site that was suggested to look at, I realized that this was first a web comic that had been written in different chapters when presented on the web. 

I didn't get that impression when reading this in printed format.  At first I thought I was reading a 'graphic novel', which is why it seemed kind of 'jumpy' in story presentation.

I'm thinking there should have been 'intro chapter pages' for each chapter, which would have lessened my confusion when first reading this.  Or a 'Table of Contents', (TOC), outlining this fact would have been good. 

The artwork fit the storylines that were presented.  Black & white pages were just fine for this presentation.

At the end there were a few extra pages...

There was an 'Application To Become An Expert'.  I like that 'touch'.

Also a schematic for the 'Mystery Airstream' - another nice feature.

Then there was the one page feature: 'The Weapons Locker' - Which showed that this project had been thought out in its presentation on the web.

Lastly for the interior pages, was the ad page to go to ExpertComic.com, which is the re-direction url to the web comic. Pretty sharp advertising!

The Inside Back Cover: Was the ad from the printing company that printed this publication, ComiXpress.

The back cover was the promo copy text for those casual browsers in a book store looking at publications front and back covers, before thumbing through the interior pages. The back cover blended in with the format that was shown on the front cover, in a sort of wrap-a-round fashion.

Overall, my thoughts on the printed format for this project were 'mixed'.  That is, I first thought it was a graphic novel, because of the format it was printed as.  I first read it that way, and found that the lack of clear distinct chapters, (at least to me), were just a little confusing or jumpy to me.

The story background was a good one, and original, and I give it kudos for that.  The artwork fit the genre of this story.  The black and white pages also fit the presentation of the storylines published here.  The additional pages introducing the characters, and the additional info on the team's weapons and mode of transportation were informative and added value to the printed format.

Yet, I found that after realizing it was a web comic, that the printed format for this web comic didn't come over as well for me in this first volume.  There are more volumes planned.  As well as additional pages to be found at the web comic itself. I'm sure that the next volume could have a 'TOC' added easily enough.

My final thoughts are that I found that this project had a good premise and storylines. Just that it could be a little more 'defined' when it is brought to the printed format.  

Thus my 'comic book grade' for this publication is a VERY FINE / VERY FINE PLUS (VF/VF+) 8.25 on a 10.0 comic book grading scale.

Here is the link to the web site so that YOU can check out the web comic additional pages, and find how to purchase this publication online, if your own LCBS doesn't have it in stock: ExpertComic.con !

My thanks to Robert for bringing this 1st volume of the series to my attention at both the San Gabriel Valley Comic Book Festival, and this past weekend's Long Beach Comic Con!

PLUS: My thanks again to all of YOU reading this blog and our archived blog posts, now over 3,275 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!  We currently have over 2,010 '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!!!

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)! Plus I have a chapter in a new book coming out in December of 2010, that is pictured above, "Gotham City 14 Miles"!  Click here to become a 'Fan' of the GC14M Facebook Fan Page! 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'. Please Note: I have reached the maximum of 5,000 Facebook Friends and Fan pages already, so it might be a while before I am able to accept your request. Just send a message along with the invite that you saw my Blog!         ------------------- 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.

 

Veterans Day 2010 Tribute Via Comic Book Covers At ComicBookCollectorsBlog.com!   - Top Photo:  My Grandfather, Aloysisus 'Ollie' Hamersk(i)y at Camp Funston, Kansas At the Start of WWI.  He served in the US Army! - Immediate Top Photo - My Father, Francis L Hamersky at his retirement from the US Navy! - Each year I've blogged aobut the Veterans Day Holiday in some way. Usually I include comic book covers or actual photos of Armed Forces events / places. - This year I'm showing my grandfather and father in their uniforms at the top and then publishing one comic book cover from each of the branches in the Armed Forces to the right. - There are multiples to choose from four of the branches, Navy, Army, Air Force and Marines, but its always a hard one to find a Comic Book Cover with the Coast Guard on the front cover! -     - -   - -

TODAY'S FEATURE - Blog #3278:

Why do I publish a blog each year for this Holiday?

Well, first I'm a 'Navy Brat'. I was 'exposed' to  Navy & Marines themed comic books at the barbershop when we were stationed on Kodiak Island, Alaska back in 1963.  There were quite a few in 'circulation' there!

As stated before in this Blog, I was first given 'funnybooks', (Chilly Willy, Woody Woodpecker, etc.), by by Great Aunt Marge and Great Uncle Howard, and then I started getting Western TV show comic book adaptations in the late 1950's.

It wasn't until I was in Alaska that I realized there were 'war comics' as well! That's because distribution at 7-lls and other type of convenience stores were kind of a hit or miss proposition back then in Southern California.  Plus I had a small allowance!

It wasn't until Stan Lee & Jack Kirby started Sgt. Fury & His Howling Commandos in 1963, that I actually started collecting war comics! Sure Sgt. Fury was a 'little bit' far fetched, but I had rally gotten into Stan's & Jack's stories by then!

Nowadays 'war comics' don't have the circulation they once had, but there has been a small resurgence in the genre in recent years.

I urge you to take a look at the following links to just view some of the titles that have been published throughout the years!

Namely, comic books with 'Navy' in the title, comic books with 'Army' in the title, comic books with 'Air Force' in the title, and comic books with 'Marines' in the title! Sad to say, there hasn't been a comic book title with 'Coast Guard' in it per the GCD, where the above links take you to.  I could just stare for hours at all of the comic book covers that are shown there!

BTW, If YOU are in the San Diego Metro area today, (November 11th, 2010), you might want to check out the celebration on the USS Midway, that is now a floating museum at the Port of San Diego!

Here is the link to the Party, and here are the details:

Veteran's Day Celebration on the USS Midway!

Thursday, November 11, 2010 - 6 PM - 10 PM

Honor our "Greatest Generation", with a night full of:

•High Flying Swing Dancing
•Exciting Big Band Performances
•"Victorious" Fare (Dinner is provided)
•Cocktails
•1940's Costume and Dance Contests!
Tickets on sale now online and at the USS Midway Museum Ticket Booth! 

$45 General Admission / $35 USS Midway Museum Members

San Diego used to be quite a BIG Navy Town back in the Day!  There are still a lot of active servicemen and retired Navy personnel here, including my Dad who I pictured above.

If YOU are in the area, (I realize it is short notice, but just heard it mentioned on a radio station yesterday), then check it out.  Plus take in a tour of the USS Midway while you are there!

In closing, I do appreciate all of those who have served in the Armed Forces, no matter what branch, and celebrate with you the 2010 Veterans Day Holiday. 

But when it comes to the Annual Army-Navy Football Game... Well, it's 'Go NAVY, Beat Army'!

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My thanks again to all of YOU reading this blog and our archived blog posts, now up to 3,275 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)! Plus I have a chapter in a new book coming out in December of 2010, that is pictured above, "Gotham City 14 Miles"! Click here to become a 'Fan' of the GC14M Facebook Fan Page! 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'. Please Note: I have reached the maximum of 5,000 Facebook Friends and Fan pages already, so it might be a while before I am able to accept your request. Just send a message along with the invite that you saw my Blog!         ------------------- 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 LoSasso's  Review On: The Secret History: Book 12 - Lucky Point From Archaia Entertainment!     - Above Photo:  The Secret History Tells the Story of Mankind - It Ain't What YOU Heard In History Class!

TODAY'S FEATURE - Blog #3277:

I, (Michael), recently blogged about Books Eleven and Twelve in this Mini Series of comic books titled 'The Secret Story' from Archaia Entertainment.

As stated before, I usually don't blog about series that I've come into reading that are more than halfway past the mini series run number. (There are thirteen books in this series.)

I made an exception with this Mini Series. That's because I really 'dug' what was going on in Books Ten & Eleven!

When the latest shipment of publications came in from Archaia for possible review in this blog, my wife, Tina LoSasso, looked through the box and found that she wanted to read Book Twelve of this series!  Then she wanted to to blog about it, as you'll soon find out why! 

Here's her review, which is timely, because it is TODAY, November 10th, that this Book Twelve goes on sale at YOUR Local Comic Book Shop, (LCBS)!

The Secret History - Book Twelve: Lucky Point

Napoleon said, "What is history but a fable agreed upon?".

The Secret History, (Archaia, originally published in France by Delcourt) provides a new grand fable of the key events in history from 1350 BC to present day. In this reality, events unfold as we know them, but for reasons none of us ever heard in History class.

Unbeknownst to most humans, our fate is being determined by four 'Archons'  -  the heads of The Four Houses.  The four Archons weave in and out of human events to protect humanity from the evil of the fifth Archon, William of Leece, who is bent on destroying mankind. 

Book Twelve: Lucky Point covers 1942. Like one of the bombs the Allies drop to destroy a Nazi stronghold, the story hops, skips and jumps from the Pacific Theatre to Europe to the Middle East. The Allies and Axis commands utilize runes and draw circles of power to shield and protect their forces. Imagine shielding your entire fleet with a Cloak of Invisibility. 

We learn that the Nazis really are pure evil. They use the concentration camps to harness fear and distill it into "black runes" they can use in warfare. One of the Nazi facilities seems to be quite literally, the Gates of Hell. (I'm reminded that 'The Secret History' comes from France, a nation with an intimate knowledge of the evils committed by the Nazis in WWII.)

Book Twelve of 'The Secret History' is well executed. The intricate story by Jean-Pierre Pecan enfolds beautifully in the artwork by Igor Kordey (illustration) and Chris Chuckry (colors). Most impressive is how the personalities of even the most minor of characters come alive in just a few panels.
As someone whos only recently read comics and graphic novels, I especially appreciate the graphic flow of a story and how the construction of each frame, the lettering and illustration all work together to tell the story. I've read enough to know that if I can't follow the story,  it's not me, it's not a good comic! Great comics use every aspect of the medium to propel you through the story. 

The Secret History  is a great book.  If you're just entering the series at 'Book Twelve' don't despair (so was I), there's a handy guide on the first pages of the book that outlines the overall story timeline and locals for each Book, gives you a quick synopsis, and names the Archons (so you'll know 'em when you see 'em!) In addition, you'll find footnotes of historical trivia throughout the story that enhance your reading and lend an air of sophistication to the book.  

If you're looking for a mature, intelligent story, I think you'll agree that The Secret History is a fable well told.

The Secret History, Book Twelve: Lucky Point - For mature audiences. On sale: November 10th, TODAY at YOUR LCBS!

Review Rating: 9.2 NEAR MINT MINUS (NM-) out of a possible 10.0 Comic Book Grading scale.

Retail Price $5.95 Page count: 48 pages

Format: saddle bound, 6.875" x 10.25", full color

Mature readers (Contains Nudity, Graphic Violence, and Adult Content).

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Thanks, Tina for reading and blogging the 12th book in the 13 book mini series!

Here is the link to Archaia so that YOU can purchase either the single volumes or the collected works so far.

Here is the Facebook Fan Page for Archaia Entertainment, which I suggest YOU 'like' also to keep up with what this publisher is presenting next.

My thanks to Archaia for bringing this series to my attention!  Now both Tina and myself have enjoyed volumes in this mini series!

PLUS: My thanks again to all of YOU reading this blog and our archived blog posts, now over 3,275 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!  We currently have over 2,010 '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!!!

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/

 

---

 

"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)! Plus I have a chapter in a new book coming out in December of 2010, that is pictured above, "Gotham City 14 Miles"!  Click here to become a 'Fan' of the GC14M Facebook Fan Page! 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'. Please Note: I have reached the maximum of 5,000 Facebook Friends and Fan pages already, so it might be a while before I am able to accept your request. Just send a message along with the invite that you saw my Blog!         ------------------- 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.

 

Vinnie's'Take' On:  Mouse Guard: Legends Of The Guard #4 (of 4) From Archaia Entertainment!      --- Above Photo: The Front Cover to Mouse Guard: Legends Of the Guard #4 (of4)! --- At the Left: The Logo for the Publisher of this series, Archaia!

TODAY'S FEATURE - Blog #3276:

During the Week of October 18th through the 22nd, I blogged about several publications that  had previously come  in from Archaia for possible review. (As seen in this link.)

I was on such a roll bloging about those publications, I ended up calling it 'Archaia Week at ComicBookCollectorsBlog.com'!

Well, another package came in over the weekend, while my youngest son was visiting with us, and he helped me sort through the box.  He wasn't familiar with 'Mouse Guard', and it was age appropriate, (he's a tween), so I suggested that he read it, and if he liked it, to guest blog about it here.  The following is the result of his reading.

Which is pretty timely, because the publication will be at YOUR Local Comic Book Shop as of Wednesday, November 10th!

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This blog review is "my take" on Mouse Guard: Legends of the Guard #4 of the four issue limited series.

On  Saturday, while at my dad's house, he had gotten a shipment of books for possible review, from Archaia. I decided to read this book, and write a review, when I saw the details laid out in the promo material by Archaia about this book. Those details are the following.

"Located in the western mouse city of Barkstone, The June Alley Inn is hosting a rousing storytelling competition, and the winner's bar tab will be paid in full! LEGENDS OF THE GUARD is a limited anthology series with artists and storytellers handpicked by creator David Petersen. Featured in this final issue are tales by Karl Kerschl (TEEN TITANS: YEAR ONE), Craig Rousseau (IMPULSE) and Mark Smylie (ARTESIA)."

Retail Price: $3.50 Page Count: 32 pages

Format: saddle bound, 8" x 8", full color

All Ages Available Nov. 10 in comic book shops

Now for 'My Take' on this anthology comic book.

The Front Cover, (by David Petersen), has an illustration depicting a crew of sailors finding their way home. They were following the direction of the beak of a heron that they saw in a constellation after they had been sailing, and out of nowhere, there was a rough storm. Interestingly, the front cover makes a "cameo" appearance in the additional pages. When you buy this comic, be sure to look for it!

The Inside Front Cover has a "Table of Contents" sort of layout, saying who each story was by, in both story and illustrations. Below that is a "On the Cover" section, describing what the front cover is depicting.  I am glad they put that, as I wasn't too clear on what the cover was trying to tell me.

First Story - "The Lion and the Mouse" - Art and Story by Craig Rousseau. This story was a retelling of an older story (I believe) - with a twist. The art and story were both fantastic, and I loved the slight differences added, for it was like a whole new story. It all flowed so well, and overall, I really liked it.

Second Story - "Bowen's Tale" - Art and Story by Karl Kerschl. This story didn't have any text except for some sound effects. It didn't make much sense to me because of this. However even though I didn't enjoy the 'story', I enjoyed the art. I just wished it would have been told in a way for me to understand the story.

Third Story - "Crown of Silver, Crown of Gold" - Art and Story by Mark Smylie. This story was the longest, and In My Opinion, second most interesting story, right behind "The Lion and the Mouse". It told a story of bravery, madness, and love. The art would be take 'first place' between the three stories printed in this issue, for I just love this style.

The Inside Back Cover is just promoting the hardcover edition, which contains all four issues, and the works of the many artists and writers and other creators involved with this series.

The Back Cover is a continuation of the Front Cover's illustration. No other pictures, or text.

Overall, I would give this comic book, "Mouse Guard: Legends of the Guard #4" a comic book grade of Near Mint Minus (NM-), a 9.2 on a 10.0 grading scale.

~Vinnie!

----------------------

Thanks Vinnie for guest blogging here today, and giving us your thoughts on this final issue in the series from a tween's POV!

My thanks again to all of YOU reading this blog and our archived blog posts, now over the 3,275 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/

 

---

 

"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!  Plus Vinnie (pictured at the 2010 SDCC), likes attending the Comic-Con with us too now!   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: Bela Lugosi's TALES From The GRAVE #1 From Monsterverse!     - Above Photo:  The Front Cover to Bela Lugosi's Tales From The Grave #1 (Basil Gogos Cover). - At the Top Left: Sam F Park at the Recent 2010 Long Beach Comic Con!  - At the Bottom Left: The Long Beach Comic Con Logo!

TODAY'S FEATURE - Blog #3275:

I have been watching the progress of this 1st Issue of 'Bela Lugosi's Tales From The Grave' for a while...

I was at the Monsterverse panel at the July 2010 San Diego Comic Con International, where several aspects of this comic book were unveiled.

Also, I've 'Liked' the Facebook Fan Page for 'Comics From The Monsterverse', (YOU can also do so by clicking this link!), and watched the updated wall posts as they were uploaded there about the comic book in progress.

The release party signing event for the 1st issue was held in the LA Metro Area at the end of October. We were unable to attend that event, but did see Sam F Park and Kerry Gammill at the recent Long Beach Comic Con during the Halloween Weekend.  What a fitting arena to additionally 'premiere' this 1st issue!

Here is what this comic book series is about per Monsterverse's promo. Please note there is a variant John Cassady cover that is NOT pictured here, as well as the Basil Gogos cover shown at the top right of this post:

BELA LUGOSI'S TALES FROM THE GRAVE will be in comic shops during the coming Halloween season. The comic will be a double-sized 48-page color quarterly comic retailing for $4.99. Besides the variant cover, John Cassaday also provided the script and art for one of the stories in the first issue. Other stories feature work by such notables as Kerry Gammill, (SPIDER-MAN and SUPERMAN) James Farr (whose XOMBIE online animated and comic book series is being brought to theater screens by Dreamworks in a live-action production by top writer/producers Orchi and Kurtzman), Chris Moreno (WORLD WAR HULK), Rob Brown (named last year's horror artist of the year in an online vote for his comic BANE OF THE WEREWOLF), Derek MacCaw, Rafael Navarro (creator of the Xeric Award winning series SONAMBULO), Martin Powell, Eisner Award- winning artist Terry Beatty (THE BATMAN STRIKES), Brian Denham (IRON MAN, ANGEL), Bruce Timm (designer for Warner Bros animated BATMAN series) and more. The book also features an article by leading Lugosi researcher and author Gary D. Rhodes.

Upcoming issues will feature work by some top names in movies and comic books. Directors John Landis and Joe Dante, make-up genius Rick Baker and others will be bringing their talent for horror from movies to the illustrated page for the first time. Other contributors will include Steve Niles, Benton Jew, Neil Vokes, Jack Herman, Mike Hoffman, Brian Denham, Hank Mayo, James Groman, and Joe and John Lansdale

Okay...So what is 'My Take' on this 1st Issue?

Front Cover: A truly fitting front cover for this premiere issue! A painting of Bela Lugosi as Dracula by Basil Gogos! (Note: there is a variant cover by John Cassaday also!)

Inside Front Cover:  The 'Welcome' Page by Kerry Gammill, who besides being the artist of this page, is also the Publisher / Editor In Chief as seen on the Table of Contents Page.

Note:  Kerry Gammill is shown to the left at the Monsterverse table during the LBCC, where he was very busy sketching! Sam F Park is shown behind him holding the 1st issue.   

Table of Contents Page (in lieu of a Splash Page):  No wonder it took a while to put this together! Just the numbers of comics creators listed must have taken a while to type! Plus this is definitely an 'anthology series', as seen by the nine (9) features presented in this Table of Contents.

Intro Page: Great 1 page introduction of Bela Lugosi and Nosferina, (the hosts),to the readers!

1st Story: 'Unpleasant Side Effects' - Just the right story to start off this issue!  Story & art by Kerry Gammill with script by Sam F Park.

2nd Story: 'A Strangely Isolated Place' - Story by James Farr. Art by Chris Moreno.  I see Chris at a LOT of comic cons we attend, where he is drawing commission works.  So it was nice to see this story illustrated by him.  The darker colors really are opposite of the previous story, which makes a startling change in reading the stories in order.  But I liked it!

3rd Story: 'The Mark of the Zombie' - Yet another different style in storytelling presented here.  The story teller / artist / writer is Rob E Brown. This story is really 'text heavy'.  However, the 'parchment' color used for this story really places this story in the right genre. Zombies!  Not bad at all!  And trust me, I've seen a LOT of Zombie stories to read in the last year!

The next story, #4, 'Eyes of the Prairie' - Is written by Derek McCaw. I recently received a couple of artist Rafael Navarro's works, (click here for the reviews), and was wondering how his style would work for this genre?  It worked well, IMO, especially with the colors by Kerry Gammill!

The 5th feature was:  'The Good Doctor' - Which reminded me of a writing style once seen in the Twilight Zone series.  Good four page story!  Story & art by John Cassaday.

The 6th feature was the 'Lugosi Gallery' - Which was an array of artistic interpretations of the master of horror. A three page section with contributions by Paul Garner, Frank Dietz, Jeff Preston, and Kim Loh. Interesting choices selected for this art section.

The 7th feature was a two page section, titled 'Dr. Vornoff & Lobo' - A Fumetti like style presentation. Again, another visual style presented for the reader's pleasure.  I happen to like 'fumetti' style presentations, which have never caught on big here in the 'States'.

'The Midnight Museum' was the 8th Feature.  Which was 'introduced' by Nosferina in the one page prior to the start of this story.  I happen to like the HoRRoR hosts that introduce movies, (like Elvira), so this was a nice bonus for me!  The screenplay by Martin Powell was written well, and the art by Terry Beatty fit in this genre of storytelling in a filmatic setting.

The 9th and Final Feature was 'Lugosi And Dracula' - How They Re-Created Each Other, by Gary D. Rhodes.  This was a two page text section, with three photos, which reminded of the old comic books that would run two pages section like this to obtain special postal mailing privileges.  A fitting end to this 1st issue!

The Inside Back Cover: Is titled 'Bela Is Back', which is actually a note from the Publisher, Kerry Gammill, PLUS additional credits to the contributors to this 1st issue, with THEIR websites for YOU to see more about them.  That's a NICE touch. And like Stan Lee's old 'Stan's Soapbox' feature on the old Marvel Bullpen Bulletins page, there is also a small 'House Ad' for the reader to buy an 18 x 24 Inch Poster illustrated by Kerry! 

Back Cover: A one page pinup by Bruce Timm! Of Bela and Nosferina!  A fitting end to this 1st issue!

I found that this issue was unlike most anthologies that I have read recently.  Usually anthologies are hard to review, because if there are three features in the comic book, I usually love one story, the 2nd is OK, and the third is kind of like...Why was this chosen for inclusion?!

Not so in this 1st issue of Bela Lugosi's Tales From The Grave!  From start to finish, I really enjoyed all of the features selected for inclusion.  No wonder it seemed to take so long for this 1st issue to be published!   

The fact that it is a double-sized 48 pager probably had something to do with my liking this issue so much!  I'm not for sure what size the next issue is, but I am looking forward to seeing it, based on the results of THIS 1st Issue!  

My 'comic book grade' for this publication is a NEAR MINT (NM) 9.4 on a 10.0 comic book grading scale. Which is the highest grade that I 'award' to a publication that I review blog here.

Here is the link to the Facebook Fan Page for 'Comics From The Monsterverse'!

Here is the link to the Monsterverse web site!

My thanks to Sam for continuing to bring updates of this 1st issue of the series to my attention at the SDCC, on Facebook, and at the recent Long Beach Comic Con.  Plus my thanks to him for introducing me to Kerry Gammill, whose works I've enjoyed reading.

PLUS: My thanks again to all of YOU reading this blog and our archived blog posts, now over 3,270 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!  We currently have over 2,010 '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!!!

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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