Friday, June 03, 2011

Image Preview Review for August

Lee: Ok, you whined and complained that Image wasn’t getting a fair shake so…. Fair shake time. It doesn’t hurt that DH gave us a clunker of a month.
Thomm: Listen to you, mister cheer. Griping about giving another publisher a bit more spotlight. Who’s whining and complaining?

THE INFINITE #1
story Robert Kirkman
art / covers Rob Liefeld
Freedom fighter Bowen has lost everything in the war against The Infinite. His only hope is to travel back in time to prevent their world domination before it starts! Bowen can’t do this alone, he must turn to the only ally he knows he can trust: Himself. Now a man in his 40s, damaged by the horrors of war, must team up with his younger, reckless and optimistic 20-year-old self in order to Save The World! 32 Pages / FC / T / $2.99
Lee: It’s Kirkman with a great idea! YEAH! It’s Liefeld… with Liefeld art! Eeewwwwww. Take about a tough decision! This story seems like bread-n-butter Kirkman so I’m confidant it will be good. But I really think the art will mke my eyes bleed… which could really suck.
Thomm: Definitely a wait and see for me. The Liefeld deterrent is overcoming my general love for all works Kirkman. As my little battle with the Atom Eve/Rex Splode creators showed, distracting art can take me right out of the story (whether they want to admit that as a valid concern or not).

SEVERED #1
story Scott Snyder & Scott Tuft
art / cover Attila Futaki
“Nothing Wasted,” Part One. 1916. A man haunts the roads; a man with sharp teeth and a hunger for flesh. When 12-year-old Jack Garron runs away from home, he’ll see how quickly the American Dream becomes a nightmare. Be there at the beginning of the series that everyone will be talking about! 32 Pages / FC / M / $2.99
Lee: We loves us some Scott Snyder on the blog. And, on a personal note, I loves me some horror stories. The two together is a must have.
Thomm: I’ve much preferred Snyder’s American Vampire to the Detective Comics writing, which hasn’t held my interest. This is more akin to American Vampire, so definitely a good bet.

VESCELL #1
story Enrique Carrion
art / cover John Upchurch
The International Company known as Vescell specializes in what is commonly known as “Vtrans”, the transferring of a person’s mind and spirit from one body into another. Former Icarus City Detective, Mauricio “Moo” Barrino is now Vescell’s best agent, handling the most high profile and dangerous cases. In the seedy world of a high end corporate espionage, where mysticism and guns clash, and money is tainted with sin, Agent Mauricio Barrino fights against the demons of fate while trying to reach the heaven of his destiny. Be prepared for the bar-raising, sci-fi noir epic that is Vescell. 32 Pages / FC / M / $2.99
Lee: I will admit that I haven’t read the hype at all. I have no clue what this is about but the cover is certainly… overflowing if you will… with potential. Certainly looks entertaining.
Thomm: The heavenly destiny bit, along with the continual rebirth, makes me think this has some Buddhist undercurrents. Could be interesting. Gotta say, I like the spillage. It’s not often comics are drawn with ill fitting clothes like real people wear.

DEADLANDS: DEATH WAS SILENT (ONE-SHOT)
story Ron Marz
art & cover Bart Sears
Visionary Comics and Pinnacle Entertainment present the third one-shot of the weird Western world of Deadlands! A silent bounty hunter rides into a remote town, but the town holds dark secrets that may turn the hunter into the hunted. 32 Pages / FC / T / $2.99
Lee: I really like Bart Sears art, Marz is a dependable writer, and I am a sucker for westerns. There really isn’t much to not like about this.
Thomm: Likely enjoyable but it seems familiar in its premise.

MALINKY ROBOT: COLLECTED STORIES & OTHER BITS TP
story / art / cover Sonny Liew
Street urchins Atari and Oliver are out to steal bicycles, watch Giant Robot movies and spend some Large Denominational Bills! Malinky Robot collects five tales by Eisner-nominated artist Sonny Liew (My Faith In Frankie, Wonderland, Sense & Sensibility) featuring stinky fish, philosopher-labourers and summer rain. A recipient of the Xeric Award, the Utopiales SF Festival's Best SF Album award and featured in the acclaimed Flight anthologies, Malinky Robot blends dystopian sci-fi and indie sensibilities into a uniquely charming, off-kilter world. Plus pinups by Mike Allred, Roger Landgridge, Skottie Young and more! 128 Pages / FC / E / $16.99
Lee: I love Sonny Liew! He’s a great artist and is a good writer too. This is an easy sell.
Thomm: Now this sounds very different. Send me Large Denominational Bills! Ok, just send me Jim’s comics budget.

GRAVEYARD OF EMPIRES #3
story Mark Sable
art / cover Paul Azaceta
War-torn Afghanistan: The absolute Worst place for the dead to come back to life. In the final issue of the first story arc, the decimated band of Marines and Taliban make their last stand and discover the Real power behind the undead uprising. 32 Pages / FC / M / $2.99
Lee: WOW! That is a cover. It is beautifully executed and will totally stand out on an overcrowded display rack. The story sounds interesting but the cover is really, really making me want to see what this is all about.
Thomm: ‘Tis a cool cover. I remember when this first was solicited. I thought the title was implying a historical look at Afghanistan, that being its nickname, but it’s not that at all. Do the ambling dead go back really far in history or just as long as they have some flesh? May have to look into this more.

GREEN WAKE #5
story Kurtis J. Wiebe
art & cover Riley Rossmo
The deadly finale brings all the exposed threads together and Green Wake’s secrets are revealed. Morley must face his own demons to find Babylon, and vile monsters stalk his every step to keep him from his final destination: Home. Now An Ongoing Series! 32 PAGES / FC / M / $3.50
Lee: Apparently this sold well enough to become an on-going. Who knew? But this is another great cover. Absolutely brutal and gory but somehow not offensive. Don’t ask me why this one isn’t but it isn’t. Another series that I suddenly want to see based on the cover.
Thomm: This is the artist from Proof and I always enjoyed his unique style. I can’t speak to the quality of the tale, but it should look nice.

Lee: While I am not sure that all of this material is going to be good, Image has perfected the cover. There are so many covers that are just fantastic it makes me want to try it all. Image has really stepped it up in the past few months and seems to be returning to prominence.
Thomm: What, no mention of Bomb Queen? Now that’s a cover to remember. Not something to read, but you’ll remember the cover.

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