It's A Dan's World

NOW THAT'S A SPLASH PAGE: Wildfire Rules

2012-02-03T09:27:00.000+10:30

Splash pages, you gotta love 'em. A blank canvas where the artist can hit you with a large dose of illustrated 'wow'. This week, a double-page splashie from Legion Lost #4 by DC's reliable artistic powerhouse Pete Woods. When DC's 52 first came out, I was apprehensive about keeping this series, now five issues in, you'd have to pry it from my cold, dead fingers. Click 'n enlarge this beauty to see why...

If someone at DC Direct isn't turning the new looks of the Legionnaires trapped in our virus contaminated past into action figures I can spend more of my grocery money on, I'm going to seriously hurt somebody.

Hopefully Woods and colourist Brad Anderson stick with the title when writer Fabian Nicieza jumps ship with issue six, because more stunners like this will always be welcome by this Legion fan.

For more great splashies, click the jump.

HAPPY 20TH IMAGE COMICS: Here's The 20 Covers That Remind Me Of My Time With You

2012-02-02T21:29:00.000+10:30

It's funny how the lifestory of one person or company can also reflect your own. Image Comics turned 20 yesterday, a MASSIVE milestone for any publisher, but little do they know that for yours truly, that's also about when I turned my favourite hobby into a monthly obsession.

In tribute to creative creator friendly publisher, I wanted to mark my favourite times our paths have crossed during it's legendary lifespan. Hence the covers. These 20 snapshots, represent the Image titles I've enjoyed picking up (if not collecting a run of) over the years, and in assembling them in a loose chronological order, I realise it also demonstrates my own evolving comic story as well.

So many great Image Comics have been cut short before their prime, it makes me wish the pulp-printing giant could do what DC did for it's event Blackest Night, and bring back some of the old favourites for just one more issue. You know, 'test the waters with a treat' kind of stuff.

Warlands, Tellos, Dark Minds - God I miss these books! If Powers (another Image mega-hit) wasn't hogging all the detective drama press at the time I'm sure Dark Minds would've met even more success.

While ego had to play a part in founders Erik Larsen, Jim Lee, Rob Liefeld, Todd McFarlane, Whilce Portacio, Mark Silvestri and Jim Valentino spliting from Marvel and forming a seperate serious competitor themselves, I wonder if any of them realised in those initial stages, what a wide range of genres and styles the umrella brand would provide shelter for? Astro City? Kabuki?

As books like Saga and Fatale wet our thirst for what another 20 years of Image Comics will bring, I have to ask - What are your Image Comic memorable moments?

FATALE ATTRACTION: Phillips and Brubaker's Fatale #2 Out Now

2012-02-02T10:27:00.000+10:30

My most re-read comic of late? Fatale #1. The pulp tale of a woman who through the ages has lived with danger on her tail and men's hearts under her thumb, was so hard to put down, I kept picking it up to find more clues as to her deadly motives.

Now the second issue is out in stores, and along with Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips' usual dose of the Criminal element, it seems the hard boiled caper is only going to get richer and murkier before it gets any clearer.

DO IT MOORE? I DID IT 35 MINUTES AGO. DC Names New Watchmen Comics

2012-02-02T01:10:00.003+10:30

Watchmen - it's the comic book equivillent of a bank. An establishment of reknowned high-class, whose legion of followers have all invested heavilly within it's CMYK printed stocks. While corporate shenanigans of those at a senior level stalled Watchmen's movement, those on the ground floor did not waiver.

Some believed the 'bank' should become a vault, untouched for all time. Others dreamed its riches, now the basis for decades of accrued interest, would eventually deliver an equally high-point of return. For the latter, that point is now officially on the horizon.

DC Comics have announced seven Watchmen prequels for the middle of the year (plus a one-shot special), that while untouched by the original creative team of Dave Gibbons and Alan Moore, do explain where many of comics best have been recently (Amanda Conner, I'm looking at you). The rundown of Before Watchmen is as follows;

RORSCHACH (4 issues) Story: Brian Azzarello. Art: Lee Bermejo
MINUTEMEN (6 issues) Story/Art: Darwyn Cooke
COMEDIAN (6 issues) Story: Brian Azzarello. Art: J.G. Jones
DR. MANHATTAN (4 issues) Story: J. Michael Straczynski. Art: Adam Hughes
NITE OWL (4 issues) Story: J. Michael Straczynski. Art: Andy and Joe Kubert
OZYMANDIAS (6 issues) Story: Len Wein. Art: Jae Lee
SILK SPECTRE (4 issues) Story: Darwyn Cooke. Art: Amanda Conner

BEFORE WATCHMEN: EPILOGUE (One-Shot) Various creators.

One new issue released weekly, each comic will feature a back-up two-pager Curse of the Crimson Corsair, written by Len Wein and illustrated by John Higgins (editor and colourist of the original super-hit respectively).

While Moore has already told The New York Times the project is proof DC is "still apparently dependent on ideas that I had 25 years ago" adding "As far as I know, there weren’t that many prequels or sequels to ‘Moby-Dick.’ ”, me I'm of two minds.

One part of me sees Watchmen as as close to a 'creator owned mainstream comic' as you can get, with a defined beginning, middle and end. The way the characters come on stage, and how they reveal themselves and their pasts adds so much to the experience of the book, to alter that seems pretty dangerous ground.

On the flipside, who doesn't want to see Azzarello take a crack at Rorschach or Cooke on Minutemen? Adam Hughes drawing Silk Spectre in Dr Manhattan? Should today and tomorrow's creators be denied such a rich cast, when they possess the skills needed to both pay homage and tell a great tale at the same time?

Sure Star Wars didn't help the word 'prequel' gain any fans, but Dark Horse continually puts out a multitude of great comics from all points on the far, far, away timeline, and what's more they have done so for years, on a monthly basis!

Watchmen has been a household name in comic circles since before many of today's newest fans were first brought home from the hospital. Should we limit their Watchmen experience to something even the most capable spoiler avoider becomes aware of before they turn the first page, or should we be aloud to enjoy fresh, respectful Watchmen adventures alongside them? As the Doomsday Clock of fandom moves one more minute to midnight on the back of today's press, we'll all know the answer soon enough.

What do you think?

FANTASTIC FOUREVER! 'This Man... This Monster' Re-Covered In Felt

2012-02-01T09:00:00.001+10:30

In all of comics, few creative runs are as fabled as Stan Lee and Jack Kirby's innings on The Fantastic Four. Of that run, few issues are as fabled as issue #51, home to the seminal Thing/Mr Fantastic story 'This Man... This Monster!'.

The story of a man who selfishly steals The Thing's powers and ends up saving Mr Fantastic's life, while ruining Ben Grimm's proposal to Alicia, few fans have understood how powerful this issue felt at the time of it's release. Now, thanks to Covered blog artist D. Campbell MacKinlay, everyone can bask in the landmark cover's cozy goodness!

While comic fans and felt work artists aren't thought of as obvious bedfellows, you've got to be amazed at the detail MacKinlay has woven into the piece, right down to the cornerbox art and the Kirby-esque machinery in the background!

For 'the making of' this cover and more, visit David's own website and give him your heartfelt thanks, right after the jump.

GONE LIKE LIGHTNING: Captain Marvel Changes Name, Costume and More In March

2012-01-31T15:11:00.001+10:30

For years he's battled the seven deadly sins as comics ultimate wish fulfilment super-hero, but his return to the new DC52 will see Captain Marvel navigate the most sin inducing waters of all, the complete relaunch of a comic book icon. Already charted as part of the voyage, Billy Batson's alter ego will get a new costume and change his name. Goodbye awkward copyright issues, hello Shazam!

Written by Geoff 'If anyone can revamp an icon it's me' Johns, with art by Action Comics former whiz kid Gary Frank, the magical makeover that promises to expand the scope of the already expansive backdrop to 'the World's Mightiest Mortal' starts in a 10 page back-up strip titled The Curse of SHAZAM!, kicking off in Justice League #7 this March.

Aside from Alex Ross, who did the above painting and is probably sweating bullets at the idea as we speak, no one has done more to keep Cap in the fan spotlight these last few years then Johns. Geoff wrote a killer version of both Captain Marvel and his arch nemesis Black Adam in the pages of JSA, and hopefully this reboot of a 1940's favourite is a lightning rod for that same kind of magic.

While changing the name of a character that also promotes your main opposition makes corporate sense - I mean Coca-Cola's not about to produce Coca-Pepsi anytime soon - based on the exclusive preview art over at Newsarama, DC Entertainment seem to be going to lengths to differentiate Billy from parent company Warner Bros' last magical miniature money maker, Harry Potter. Batson is now light haired and the train which originally took him to his new home of sorts, the Rock of Eternity, has seemingly been replaced by an elevator.

What class will the Hogwarts hat of fandom put the revamp into when all is said and done? It is way to early to tell. While I would've bet the farm DC was looking at Earth 2 for the big red, it's just good to see him back and getting some serious exposure in the process.

DC's mythologically based super-heroes have always held the top spots for me and I'm hopeful these short strips can raise Batson's grades to the levels the mythbusting and equally iconic Aquaman and Wonder Woman currently enjoy. Now if they could just make Billy's physique altering catch-cry 'Shazam!' as transformative in the real world as it is in the fictional, I'd be one happy camper. "SHAZAM!" Nope, hasn't happened yet.

THE COMICS THAT MADE ME A FAN: Batman vs Predator Vol1 #1-3

2012-01-30T21:15:00.001+10:30

It's hard to believe today that anything ever came as a surprise on the newstand, but the first volume of Batman vs Predator did. In fact it was such a surprise, it took the air outta your lungs like a swift kick to the cojones. It was unseen, unexpected and years on, it is still unbeaten.

For me, it was a Saturday in 1991 and after a few chores my cousin and I had been given twenty dollars each by our grandparents to go into town. Unbeknown to and unguided by adults, we spent all forty of it a few steps inside Rotorua's CBD, at the local spacie parlour.

Feeling pretty chuffed at our resulting team shoot-em up high-score, we slipped next door for a quick look at what Darkhawk, Gambit and Iron Man were up to before heading home. When we looked down and saw Batman vs Predator Vol1 #1 looking up at us and no money to buy it with, we both instantly cursed.

Big Predator fans, we sat down and read the first issue, not moving until we were done. Fast forward a few years and my now collected edition of the same three part mini-series holds such a pride of place, it was the first comic I packed when I moved to Australia.

Before regular inter-company gigs hit, this joint effort by DC and Dark Horse hurled together two franchises you'd always wanted to see fight, with a collision better scripted than that of many of it's predecessors or successors combined (Thank you, Dave 'Watchmen' Gibbons).

Landing in the heart of Gotham, a lone Predator starts hunting his way through the city's 'champions', be they boxing heavyweights or the corrupt cops and mob bosses that bank roll them. As the murders mount, Batman hunts the hunter, manipulating and navigating his way through the resultant gang turf wars as he does so.

Okay, so he isn't initially successful, however like any Batman tale worth it's salt, Commissioner Gordon comes to the fore here, proving why he's been comics greatest 'supporting character' for decades. With Bruce's bat-butt handed to him, it is Gordon the Predator starts to eye up as the closest rival to his newly captured throne.

Hospitalised but feared dead by the media, the Dark Knight hurries to compensate for his injuries before S.W.A.T. teams initiate a block by block sweep of the city, hoping to flush out the invisible killer. Compensation never a problem for a millionaire with a penchant for utility belts, Gotham's remaining finest are soon greeted by...

While the second round is more evenly matched then the first (heck even Alfred takes a crack) and it's no real surprise who wins out in the end, it's nice to see Batman's last weapon be a household item, wielded against an alien carrying an atomic bomb on his sleeve.

Batman vs Predator also introduced me to the stunning atmosphere and detail of Adam (inker and letterer) and Andy (penciller) Kubert. No one touches the camera angles the Kubert brothers can find in even the most obscure of moments and that sure was evident here.

Not so infamous perhaps, the star of this hit book, colourist Sherilyn van Valkenburgh. The muddy blue hues she paints Gotham in, made this tussle filled title a better follow-up to the first Batman and Predator movies than the actual sequels that followed them!

While rematches between the two have merely served to milk more money from a cow that in it's original form is still prime beef, the main lesson learned from BvP Vol1 is; if you ever chuck your disposable income on anything, always check the comic shop first. 'Nuff said.

MAKING A MARK: Alexandre Salles - The Brazilian Setting Fire To The Human Torch

2012-01-29T15:05:00.000+10:30

Twice a week, Making A Mark gives an insanely talented artist some IADW brag-space. Today goes to Alexandre Salles, a Brazilian illustrator from Sao Paulo who showcases just how hi-res and realistic fictional characters can be (click to enlarge time)!

I don't know about you, but when playing the original Street Fighter II I always found Sagat harder to beat then the final leader, M.Bison! Here with black bandages he stands ready to bring the pain.

While The Human Torch nears the borders of gruesome, I like it as a thought-provoking different concept of what the Fantastic Four's high-flying powerhouse would look like!

Elektra - where would Marvel be without you? This shot of the sai wielding seductress is so realistic, it could almost pass for a photo. Not to be outdone, Wolverine looks like he's just survived the bloodiest battle of his life, in a piece Alexandre appropriately title Blood Lust.

Now that's Batman! I'm thinking I like the Dark Knight hen you can't see his eyes. Sure it's a bit of a Daredevil look, but it adds to that heavy atmosphere his personality is saturated with.

What do you think? Sound off below, or to feast your eyes on Alexandre's full portfolio click this realistically painted jump.

LIKE A VERSION: Clinton Felker Re-imagines Star Wars' Boba Fett As A Samurai

2012-01-28T22:38:00.004+10:30

That Madonna is a cunning wee lass. Changes her appearance like a minx and in similar style Like A Version takes a gander at other pop artists, re-imagining major pop icons in equally grandiose ways. This time round, it's the turn of Clinton Felker to recreate what Star Wars' Boba Fett would look like, if based in feudal Japan. Behold!

Check out those amazing character model illustrations! One in a series of Clinton's Star Wars Feudal redesigns, his work not only rocks the Casbah, it leaves your imagination dripping with ideas on how cool Samurai Star Wars would be.

Hey, remember those awesome 5 Ronin samurai alternate reality tales Marvel did with Psylocke, Hulk, Punisher and more... what happened with that? I mean surely we could get a little more samurai action happening in comics right now - maybe with a little Shang-Chi and Iron Fist thrown in for more martial-art madness!

To see Clinton's other redesigns (including Darth Vader, Yoda and the obligatory Stormtrooper), click the jump.

CAGED AT LAST: Darkhawk Gets Collected

2012-01-27T22:42:00.000+10:30

In the 90's, had I had to donate blood to any worth while charity, when they stuck the needle in my arm they would've siphoned out nothing but Darkhawk comics - that's how seriously I was addicted to this book - it figuratively ran in my veins.

Now in a move that should have lead their April solicitations instead of that Avengers vs X-Men thingee, Marvel is offering the first nine issues, collected together in one brand spanking new volume; Darkhawk Classic Vol1. Do you see that? Darkhawk "Classic". Damn straight.

This is your chance to see a legal addictive substance at work. The mystery of the amulet that transforms Chris Powell into the Darkhawk, mob bosses with super-powered bodyguards, shadow police cabal's, Portal, Savage Steel, Daredevil, Captain America, Spider-Man - it's all just to much.

Not to mention the issue I would create and draw my own scenes from, issue #9 where Darkhawk meets the guy Spidey warned him not to turn into - The Punisher, and has to decide while outnumbered at Frank's side whose methods he will follow.

Drawn by Mike Manley and written magnificently by Danny Fingeroth, here's a few spoiler free pages to whett your appetite, starting with the 'Hawk vs a bazooka...

NOW THAT'S A SPLASH PAGE: Do Not Interrupt The Black Widow's Shower

2012-01-27T09:06:00.015+10:30

Splash pages, you gotta love 'em. A blank canvas where the artist can hit you with a large dose of illustrated 'wow'. This week, I realised hardly any of that large dose of wow on this site is from George Perez, despite him being one of the all-time greats. Like that time in Marvel Fanfare where he drew the Black Widow interupted in the shower by a gang of... Oh you didn't read that one? Here let me help you.

No wiseguy, Widow doesn't shower in her clothes. The pages prior to this were without her battlesuit and judging from her fallen foe in this splashie, what sights his eyes were privy to before she dressed were obviously so hot, they burned his corneas out.

George Perez for his part never skimps on detail, and his style surprisingly suits Black Widow to a point it makes me think that if Natasha gets another shot at a series after Avengers vs X-Men, it'd be sweet if Perez got to be the one to draw her.

For more great splashies, click the jump.

HAPPY AUSTRALIA DAY! Celebrating The Best Australian Comic Characters

2012-01-26T17:00:00.000+10:30

Today in Australia is Australia Day. The day were everyone within it's hot toasty boarders, regardless of whether you were born here or have added to it's cultural mix, celebrate the fact together we are Australia and everything positive this nation plentifully has to offer.

One thing Aussies haven't had in plentiful numbers, are mainstream comic characters. Getting 'a fair crack of the whip' has never really happened in the pages of the Big Two for any decent 'bloke' or 'sheila'. On the rare occasion it does, they always wear a get up that's covered with boomerangs, because that's how people dress down under - at least in the Australian half of down under anyway - right?

Still before I 'chuck a wobbly', it's time to 'take a gander' at those who prove regardless of how few Aussies see print and what kind of 'argy bargy' they get up to, we always know 'she'll be right'.

6) BOOMERANG One of the best merc's of 80's Marvel, I loved Boomerang working for Justin Hammer, especially when he fought Tony Stark. A guy with trick boomerangs vs Iron Man? 'Strewth'!

5) DREAMGUARD The best written 'Ocker' in comic history is also one of the least known. Willie Walkaway left the teachings of his grandfather to become a cop in Kagoona Crossing. Years on, as the alien citadel Orphan starts unleashing the terrors of a man who stumbles into the outback's Dreaming Country, Willie ditches his 'strides' and takes up the mantle of the Dreamguard to set things right.

4) CAPTAIN BOOMERANG: Like Marvel's Boomerang George "Digger" Harkness was always a bit of a 'yobbo' when it came to fighting a guy who moves at the speed of light, but George took on a deadlier slant in the pages of Suicide Squad. Now back from the dead, hard-edged Harkness isn't quite as famous as 'Acca Dacca' or 'The Crocodile Hunter' - but in comic terms he's pretty close to it.

3 GRIZZLY (top of the post): Grizzly was a redhead (like me), from 'down under' (like me - ok I'm originally a Kiwi but that's down under too!) and had a warped sense of humour (again like me), so when Marvel made the musclebound strongman (not so much like me) Domino's verbal jabbing, right hook hitting back-up in the Six Pack, how could I not like him - we're almost twins!

2) PYRO: 'Cheers' to the guy who has been the drop-in character for X-books in need of a decent henchman for decades. A pyrokinetic from Sydney and member of The Brotherhood of Evil Mutants, St. John Allerdyce can manipulate existing flame any way he choses. Heck, it even got him a key role in the original X-Men films! ''Flamin' heck'!

1) TASMANIAN DEVIL

No, not the DC one Prometheus turned into a floor rug 'ya larrakin' - this Taz has been Australia's foremost fictional character and deservedly so for years. Appearing in DC's Looney Tunes comics (and millions of other places) Taz has whirled through the laughs and food faster than audiences can digest. Think that's not 'Aussie'? Try throwing a few prawns on the barbie, and you'll see I'm only 'too right'!

VALIANT RISING: The Four Other Valiant Titles I Hope Follow X-O Manowar

2012-01-26T09:00:00.001+10:30

If you spent part of the 90's wondering 'Who was 'The Visitor'?', trying to explain the coolest hunted teens aren't muties, they're Harbingers, and thinking Jurassic Park was a luke warm trial for Turok The Dinosaur Hunter, we share a similar bond.

Now the April solicitations of other publishers are out, all eyes are turning to valiantuniverse.com - home to the latest news on the return of its namesake, and its debut title, May's X-0 Manowar #1 by New York Times best-selling author Robert Venditti and Eisner Award-winning artist Cary (Conan) Nord!

While the barbarian turned galactic war machine was a pretty logical first choice, if you are a fan watching one of your favourite brands burst back into life, you can't help but emit a bit of drool over the thought of who could follow. With Solar and Turok currently at Dark Horse, here are the four Valiant Valedictorians I hope highest for;

4) HARBINGER That cover ladies and gents I place as one of the best in the history of comics. Should Harbinger return, I hope the first issue salutes that iconic Barry Windsor Smith greatness. This title was also one of the first places I saw a 'fuller figured' female hero!

Toyo Harada is the world's first Harbinger - an omega level Harbinger whose psionic abilities make him a God, and he's used them to amass a global corporate empire.

Out to collect lesser of his kind to help him steer the world in his direction, he stumbles across Pete Stancheck. Except Pete didn't need stress to trigger his powers, he can trigger his own. This makes him the only other omega known alive and a major threat.

Quickly learning the darkside of Toyo's Harbinger Foundation, Pete starts to form an army of his own. One to remove the madman off the board, before he does the same to them.

3) TIMEWALKER Call it 'Quantum Leap syndrome', but I love the idea of a guy who you never know where in time his adventures are going to land him from one issue to the next, or what kind of allies and villians he may already have waiting for him there.

Ivar and his brothers are immortal, ageing slowly, they are strong, fast and heal rapidly. However Ivar is one step ahead or behind or his siblings, as he has the ability to sense time arcs that alow him voyage through the time stream, never aware of when he will end up, but always praying for that one arc home.

2) SHADOWMAN Sure he's had a few video games, but I'm talking the Shadowman before he was famous. The long haired dude who rode around on a motorbike, fighting the supernatural and playing the sax. He's the Shadowman I want back.

Musician Jack Boniface escaped the clutches of death, only to find when darkness falls he is freed of any fear and set out against the demons of the night. What's more, the man who was never a fighter has found himself craving each sunset and loathing each sunrise. Tragically Jack is now his own jazz story and his blues is far from sung.

4) RAI In a way that might get me shot, I think of Rai as Japan's Judge Dredd, only cooler.

The living immune system of The Host, a machine which now covers Japan, Rai protects the fifty billion who call the construct home in the year 4001 A.D. But not all people want to live under his creator, Grandmother's rules. The Anti-Grannies (cool name huh?) believe Japan can and should look after itself, and their extremist support base is growing...

What titles do you miss from the previous Valiant lines?

COVER SHOTS: The Best From Marvel Comics' April 2012 Solicitations

2012-01-25T10:25:00.000+10:30

Well, April at the House of Ideas is where the snikt really hits the fan, as Avengers vs X-Men (the series and event) finally lands. Bigger than any A vs X throwdown before it, of all the titles in Marvel's April 2012 solicitations, these five have the best covers standing in the dropzone.

COVER OF THE MONTH: JIM CHEUNG AVENGERS VS X-MEN #1 (Of 12) Also known as 'Spot the crayola the colourist didn't use', this cover gives a nod to the classic Perez Avengers vs JLA poster, while still amping you up for the main event as only Jim can. Speaking of whom, the man's next book should be Gambit. The ol' ragin' Cajan hasn't looked this good in ages - and it's just his head!

Marvel says:
• It’s No Longer Coming—It’s Here!
• Does The Return Of The Phoenix To Earth Signal The Rebirth Of The Mutant Species? That’s What The X-Men Believe!
• Unfortunately, The Avengers Are Convinced That Its Coming Will Mean The End Of All Life On Earth!
• The Stage Is Set For The Ultimate Marvel Showdown In This Oversized First Issue!

Brian Michael Bendis (W) • John Romita Jr. (A)

CLOSE CONTENDERS: (Click to enlarge)

Incredible Hulk #7 - Avengers Art Appreciation Variant By Charles Paul Wilson III Hulk as Winnie the Poo? Now that's smart!

Incredible Hulk #7 - Lenil Yu Banner may have fallen far down the mad scientist tree, but it still looks great!

New Avengers #25 - Mike Deodato Iron Fist a member of the Phoenix?

Supercrooks #2 - Lenil Yu Here Yu proves for rouge Johnny Bolt, being bad isn't a gig, it's a lifestyle.

What do you think?

For more Marvel April 2012 solicitations and info, click the jump.

WE CAN BE HEROES: DC Answers Africa's Call

2012-01-24T10:32:00.000+10:30

Seems the good ol' days are coming back in a whole new way. Up until roughly the 80's comics addressed global issues, often in fund-raising or free comics designed to make readers aware of the situation. Many of those books are free for you to read right here.

Today however, DC Entertainment not just dove, but summersaulted and double back-flipped into the game, away from the now insular world of comics, launching WeCanBeHeroes, a fund-raising initiative using the company's biggest global icons to fight the biggest global problem; drought and famine in the Horn of Africa.

Raising awareness, the two-year campaign will see DC match fan donations made at the central website dollar for dollar (up to one million dollars). Add to that branded merchandise were 50% goes to the crisis, an online community and updates on the African crisis and you have one hell of an online hero in itself.

Backed by parent company Warner Bros, the fund-raising drive will support selected partners Save the Children, International Rescue Committee and Mercy Corps, as they tackle a region suffering its worst drought and famine in over 60 years, with 13 million in need of critical assistance and 250,000 facing starvation in Somalia alone.

While that's a massive threat for any one of us alone to make a difference to, like Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Green Lantern, The Flash, Aquaman and Cyborg, that powerless feeling fades when we unite with others. Regular people turned donors, donors turned wecanbeheroes.org

WATCHMEN: February's 5 Best Comics For Readers Needing Something To Love

2012-01-23T09:00:00.000+10:30

WATCHMEN – It’s where I assign a hot new release characteristically with one of the five key heroes from Watchmen. Plus in honour of the 14th, I'm also pairing my February picks with books that will make your valentine love comics and keep you passionate about them to.

SILK SPECTRE (Stops traffic with looks alone): AQUAMAN #6 (DC) For some characters to go from back-bencher to the A-league it takes years. For Mera, it took Ivan Reis and Geoff Johns. Now the new girlpower packer of pop-culture gets a spotlight issue of sorts, where she proves still drawn by the crazy mad skills of Ivan Reis, she is no-ones fish out of water.

THE COMEDIAN (The Next Cult Hit): SECRET AVENGERS #22 (Marvel) If Marvel Zombies are currently seeing someone outside their usual pull list relationships, chances are it's for writer Rick Remender's Uncanny X-Force. Now scripting the equally covert Avengers team, Rick's making the line-up even sweeter with Giant Man, Captain Britain and new leader Hawkeye, while still keeping Black Widow and Beast on hand! Add the untouchable Arthur Adams on covers and temptation to drop an old faithful suddenly has a whole new face!

RORSCHACH (The Indie Voice): CONAN THE BARBARIAN #1 (Dark Horse) If you have read his work for IDW or Vertigo you know Brian Wood as writer is going to be epic on Conan. Adapting Robert E Howard's fabled Queen of the Black Coast story, chances are if you seek sword and sorcery action more than long multi-title walks on a Gotham beach, you've met your perfect match right here.

NITE OWL (The Dependable Goodie): ACTION COMICS #6 (DC): Nothing in comics spells a whole lotta lovin' more than Superman teaming up with the Legion of Super-Heroes. Here, not just one Legion comes to the party as the race is on to save the Superman of the past. Add to this the Anti-Superman Army and you have to wonder how many ideas writer Grant Morrison doesn't put in a comic.

DR MANHATTAN (The Neon Blue Guy In The Room): WINTER SOLDIER #1 and 2 (Marvel): The most smokin' couple in comics debut two issues of a whole new title in February, and the first person set to break up the Winter Soldier and Black Widow is none other than Dr Doom! Add to that ex-Russian sleeper agents, talking gorrillas, Ed Brubaker writing, Butch Guice drawing and Lee Bermejo covering and your wallet would neeed to have a heart of stone not to pick this up!

COVER SHOTS: The Best From IDW Publishing's April 2012 Solicitations

2012-01-22T16:24:00.000+10:30

Infestation 2 is still running rampant in the universe (universes) of IDW Publishing, but with a new Popeye series launching, Turtles, Transformers and Cobra Terrorists, that's just part of the madness. Of their April range however, it's these four covers leading the insanity.

COVER OF THE MONTH: DARWYNE COOKE - RICHARD STARK'S PARKER: THE SCORE Ahh white space, what a difference you make to a cover. Doesn't matter that the non-white space is a moody ominous scene of a bunch of people descending on a small town drawn by one of the greatest illustrator's alive, it's the white space that counts.

IDW says: Fresh from his efforts on The Hunter and The Outfit, Darwyn Cooke now sets his steely sights on The Score, the classic Richard Stark Parker novel from 1964. Parker becomes embroiled in a plot with a dozen partners in crime to pull off what might be the ultimate heist -- robbing an entire town. Everything was going fine for a while, and then things got bad.

Considered one of the best in the Parker series, The Score is the perfect vehicle for Darwyn Cooke to pull out all the stops and let loose with a book that has all the impact of a brutal kick to the solar plexus!

Written AND drawn by Darwyne Cooke.

CLOSE CONTENDERS: (Click to enlarge)

Phil Hale - Monocyte #4, Alex Garner - Infestation 2 #2, and David Petersen - TMNT Micro Series #4: Leonardo. For more April titles and info from IDW click here.

MAKING A MARK: Lorena Carvalho - The Lady Showing How DC's Ladies Should Be Treated

2012-01-22T09:00:00.001+10:30

Twice a week, Making A Mark gives an insanely talented artist some IADW brag-space. Today goes to Lorena Carvalho, a Spanish illustrator who bucks the trend by creating iconic images of DC's top female creations, without having them bare all for the camera. Don't think it can be done? Check these out...

For a relatively new character Harley Quinn sure has one massive fanbase. Still, I've rarely seen her rendered as playful as she is here. Wonder Woman beside her is based on the thought of the character being brought to life by actress Megan Fox.

While it's sad the rebooted Justice League didn't put Black Canary back in as a founder of earth's premiere super team, this picture of the screaming siren is timeless! As for Death, Lorena has created a broche with this image in it. If you would like to order one for yourself, see the link at the end of this post. Between here and there though...

Where would the DC lassies be without Zatanna? Eht CD esrevinu t'ndluow eb eht emas tuohtiw reh liat dna pot tah - and Lorena sure proves that here!

For broches, Barbara Gordon, Duela Dent and a whole lot more, visit Carvalho's online gallery right after the jump!

RANDOM WORK OF WOW: American Casey Heying's Star Sapphire

2012-01-21T20:18:00.000+10:30

Sometimes you stumble across a portfolio where the artist only has a couple of comic based pieces, other times there can be just one work so brilliant you'd risk being stoned to death by fellow art lovers just for putting something else beside it. These are Random Works of Wow, and illustrating the point is artist Casey Heying with Star Sapphire.

In space... where you will believe a bikini and thigh-high stilettos can work as a space suit. Heying is the closest I have ever seen to someone making Green Lantern's lovelorn ladyfriend work - and just look at the expression on that face!

What do you think?

To view more of Casey's artistic talent just click this here jump.

BRAND APPEAL: The Unused DC Comic Logos of Design Brainchild Rian Hughes

2012-01-21T12:38:00.000+10:30

With all the hooplah and hysteria over the new DC logo, one thought that has been sitting in the back of my mind is 'How would Rian Hughes have done it?' The designer is a comic book logo creating genius and while he may not be an industry name like 'Morrison' or 'Quitely', in terms of talent in his particular field, he is both of them combined.

Nearly every logo of the last few years that has grabbed my eye on it's own merits has been his, and incase you're wondering were you might have seen his handiwork, here are a few possibilities;

Add to the above the likes of Johnny DC and Marvel's prized X-books, and you can only hope a guy with such a proven winning streak was involved in the big rebrand, if not only to submit a few concepts.

Speaking of concepts, over on his website, Rian has a whole gallery of successful logo designs and the possible variants that ran alongside them, just like Batwoman at the top there. For many it's a crying shame they may never be used, so in the interests of good design I've assembled a few more of those tear-jerkers right here.

What do you think?
While I go to write my millionth email to DC reminding them it's time for Wednesday Comics round two, you can comment below on what you reckon of the above. To visit Rian's online gallery click the jump.

NOW THAT'S A SPLASH PAGE: Iceman Goes From Bobby Drake To Billy Bad@$$

2012-01-20T23:38:00.000+10:30

Splash pages, you gotta love 'em. A blank canvas where the artist can hit you with a large dose of illustrated 'wow'. This week, my top splashie of the last few months, ripped from the pages of Wolverine and The X-men #2. Iceman has just blown the roof off his powers by creating an army of ice-men to battle the Hellfire Club's Frankenstein army and caught up in the heat of the moment, he plants one on Kitty.

I love how artist Chris Bachalo handles Kitty's expression!

While sneaking an out of the blue smooch on a ninja-trained female with a pet fire-breathing dragon might not always be a smart move, it sure does show Bobby's fun-loving spirit is back.

With armies of ice-men vs a SWAT team of Frankentsteins, a living island, and a member of the Brood proposing to a mutant, you better believe it, anything and everything can and does happen in the pages of writer Jason Aaron's must read' X-book.

For more great splash pages, click here.

DC UNVEILS NEW LOGOS FINAL LOOK, BUILT WITH SECRET IDENTITIES IN MIND

2012-01-20T09:24:00.001+10:30

The new DC Logo in it's black and white state may have been a widely internet labelled 'no-go', but today DC Entertainment unveiled the final working visual of their new brand, addressing the one point most fans held against the initial registered trademark image; colour.

Built for the digital age, the 'peel effect' of the new logo is to visually represent one of DC Comics' biggest traditions, the secret identity, and to invite the viewer to 'discover more' across a range of media and apparel. Kicking things off, all March DC comics will carry the new brand, followed by a new 'more than just comics' DC website.

Created in partnership with Landor Associates, one of the world’s leading brand consulting and design firms, the new logo allows for the use of a multidue of colours and themes, from Green Lantern to Watchmen. Hopefully a Plastic Man variant will be available soon.

IT'S NOT COSPLAY, IT'S CAKE: Edible Stormtrooper Fools All

2012-01-19T10:32:00.000+10:30

Strormtrooper's may have been the whipping boys of the Empire, but damn they looked wicked in the process. Now a fancy dress costume staple, the iconic suit of armour has been crafted out of a whole new substance, one a little less lightsaber proof yet a lot more filling. Cake.

Standing at 6 feet 4 inches tall, the Star Wars based sugar-hit was crafted by Amanda Oak Leaf Cakes, designed to feed 600 convention goers at the Arisia Sci-Fi Convention in Boston, MA. Mmmmm I wonder if they have any leftovers?

Visit Amanda Oak Leaf Cakes after the jump.

COVER SHOTS: The Best From DC Comics' April 2012 Solicitations

2012-01-18T16:31:00.002+10:30

A handful of DC's 52 titles bid their fond farewell in the fourth month of 2012, but don't be April-fooled. May heralds new beginnings in equal numbers, and April finally sees a series based on the continuity of the hit video games Batman: Arkham Asylum/City spring forth! Of all the covers lining up to steal your money, these four look the sharpest.

COVER OF THE MONTH: JASON FABOK - DEATHSTROKE #8 Forget handing this book over to Rob Liefeld in a few months, give the 'Stroke to this guy! He's the next David Finch, and no one was born to draw the Teen Titan nemesis more than Finch (or the challenger to his throne)!

DC says: As Slade Wilson recovers from the events of last issue, his past and future converge in the form of a bounce-back mission that reminds him why he started down the path as a mercenary to begin with. While Slade weighs whether or not to soldier on, the story of his childhood, military enrollment and first mission as Deathstroke is explored! Write: Kyle Higgins. Draw: Joe Bennett and Art Thibert.

CLOSE CONTENDERS: (Click to enlarge)

Ivan Reis and Joe Prado - Superman #8, Superman, agent of the Daemonites?

Dave Wilkins - Batman: Arkham Unhinged #1, Video game based!

Viktor Kalvachev - Men of War #8, Final issue, starring Frankenstein!

For more April titles, including Vertigo, DC Kids and more, click here.

FANTASTIC FOUREVER! Yildiray Cinar Digitally Draws The Thing, On Video

2012-01-18T09:00:00.001+10:30

Everythings going digital these days, comics and illustration included. While being the old codger that I am at thirty something, I stay behind the curve with my pen, paper and newsstand copies, doesn't mean I can't appreciate all the new mediums can offer. Especially when said new medium is used by the blazing hot Yildiray Cinar to show how he draws my favourite Marvelitte - The Thing.

Watch talent at work folks, just click the p-l-a-y.

How awesome was that? If only more Pro's did this kind of stuff. It gives you a real eye-opener into how they lay their work down. Of course, to see more of how Yildiray lays his work down, you can also take this conveniently placed digital jump.

COVER SHOTS: The Best From Image Comics' April 2012 Solicitations

2012-01-17T22:17:00.000+10:30

Image Comics have their foot planted on the gas pedal and April 2012 shows no signs of slowing. Supreme returns with Alan Moore's final tale on the character, Bryan Hitch's own America's Got Powers launches, along with Secret, a new series by Jonathan Hickman! Making sure the new releases don't hog all the glory, these four hot April Image covers are out for their pound of flesh too!

COVER OF THE MONTH: CORY HAMSCHER - SUPREME #63 Supreme is all those Superman stories you always wanted but an icon like Superman could never get away with. Imagination is in silver age quantities and by the looks of this cover getting more cosmic by the second. Welcome back big guy!

Image says: "REVELATIONS" The legendary Supreme returns! ALAN MOORE's final SUPREME tale is the ultimate jumping on point for new readers! The triumphant return of Image Comics' most powerful hero!

As Supreme romances Diana Dane he takes her on a tour of the Citadel Supreme and tells all of his innermost secrets just as Supreme's most hated nemesis, Darius Dax, makes a most unfortunate discovery: the key to defeat his abhorred adversary! It's most mind-blowing cliffhanger in the history of comics!

Write: ALAN MOORE Draw: ERIK LARSEN and CORY HAMSCHER

CLOSE CONTENDERS: (Click to enlarge)

Scott Forbes - 27 Vol2: Second Set, Jenny Frison - Elephantmen #42, Bryan Hitch - America's Got Powers #1! For more April non-fooling around titles, click on over to Image Comics after the jump.

GREAT HERA! Haywire Trailer Proves Why Gina Carano Should Become Wonder Woman

2012-01-17T10:37:00.000+10:30

Don't you hate it when your comic reading mind just doesn't switch off? Watching a series of trailers about new and upcoming movies I was treated to the trailer of Haywire. A spy blockbuster, where in amongst all the action, one woman with a strong build manages to kick butt and still become a regal room stopper when the danger-level eases off.

Her name? Gina Carano, and she's my pick to play Wonder Woman.

By the magic of YouTube here's that same trailer for you now, and if it doesn't make you think of Brian Azarello's current avenging amazon, I'll eat my hat (with or without Greek yoghurt).

Haywire opens in the US January 20.

QUEEN TO WRIST-MOUNTED ATOMIC BOMB: The Fan Made Alien vs Predator Chess Set

2012-01-16T11:05:00.000+10:30

It's one of the little known thousand and one quirks I have, that I hate playing chess from the white side of the board. I just feel more confident betting on black. While I'm sure there's a few psycology papers in there somewhere, Francis Gray has made that addiction even harder to break with his fan-made Alien vs Predator chess set.

Sure there may not exactly be a 'black side' anymore, and an Arnie and Sigourney figure could've slotted in nicely, but those acid dripping vermin are never gonna' be a match for a whole planet of trained hunters. Want to prove me wrong? Sit in the opposing seat. Want to see more of this set and how it all came together? Hit the jump.

MAKING A MARK: Angel Palacios - The Angel With An Artistic Mastery Of The Dark

2012-01-15T21:19:00.000+10:30

Twice a week, Making A Mark gives an insanely talented artist some IADW brag-space. Today goes to Angel Palacios, an American illustrator with not only a mad love for Thundercats, but those who dwell in the darkest areas of the 'House of Ideas'. Don't believe me? Just look at these two;

Both done in paint, just check out that smirk on the metal peanut that is The Juggernaut. He knows you're not going to stop him! Lion-O on the other-hand is stepping forward, ready for someone just Cain Marko's size to take down...

Again the faces have it - just click and enlarge that detail! Harley Quinn and her BFM (Big Fudging Mallet) are probably right at the line of how 'realistic' I like my comic art to get. Definitely showcasing there is life in her classic get-up yet!

Likewise and back to Marvel on the right, Sabretooth is my favourite villain to have pop up in a comic, outside a well-written Dr Doom. His cunning and frank evil honesty make him a great read every time at bat. This image only highlights how much we need him back in the Marvel Universe!

As for the best bad in Marvel's house? Well he's right here to...

It's the small tweaks you dig the most isn't it. Here in Angel's first digital piece, while Venom flies into a symbiote rage, look at how the spider icon sticks up off his chest. Almost like it's alive itself!

For more of Angel-ic work, visit Palacios's online gallery gallery right here on blogger, after the jump. To sound off, comment below - or to view more Making A Mark artists click here.

TURNING A NEW LEAF: DC Entertainment Registers New Logos, Their Font Is Gotham

2012-01-15T09:00:00.001+10:30

For a compnay that once left the 'DC Bullet' logo in place for nigh on three decades, DC Entertainment/DC Comics sure don't seem to have plans to keep its successor, 'The Swoosh' around as long. The one constant when they rebooted their entire universe with the DC52 is now apparently getting it's own retweak, in a new 'less is more' kind of way.

With the patent application covering everything from comics to handkerchiefs (no, I'm serious it does) the Time/Warner folks aren't leaving a single stone unregistered. What's more, with logo and brand design the day-job that puts food on my table, I can honestly say I like it - and I'm not a fan of gradients built into logos.

While any logo is only as good as the brand guidelines and style guide that goes with it, the new presumably page-turning based logo is clever, clean, open for animation and modern.

For those fearing grey is the new brand colour, not necessarily. Logo's registered in grey are often done so, so that any colour can be applied, rather than just a set palette. This means we could have more colour variations then the rings of Hal Jordan's jewellery box, but it's a safe bet DC will stick with a shade of their traditional house blue.

The Swoosh isn't the shortest lived logo in DC's history. This 1987 test logo only made it to variant covers of Justice League #3 and The Fury of Firestorm #61. While stepping back from being called 'DC' is a car in neutral parked on a hill, I like where they were going with this - reaching out to the rare non-comic reading crowd with a seal of their biggest icon.

What do you think?

THE ARKHAM A-LEAGUE: Batman's True Top Ten Villains

2012-01-14T17:46:00.002+10:30

Batman's rouge gallery. The defining point of 'What franchise is bigger Superman or Batman?', most of the heavy-hitters who have contended with the 'Dark Knight' are global icons in their own right. While many charts counting down whom is best often end with The Joker, for me I'm not sold.

Sure, Joker is one of comics' all-time greatest creations and would be regardless of where he debuted, but I don't think he's numero uno.

Similarly, his likely successor Catwoman is today more of an anti-hero, and while Harley Quinn is hilarious and somewhat iconic, as a solo threat, to me she sits just outside the Top 10 with Humpty Dumpty. Who beat her? Glad you asked;

10) THE OUTSIDER
Who: When Alfred the butler 'died' only to be revived by a mad scientist, he was turned into The Outsider. Pasty white and telekinetic, he thirsted to destroy his former masters, Batman and Robin.
Why He's #10: I first saw The Outsider in DC Comics Presents #83 and was instantly hooked. If the Jekyll and Hyde transformation of Bruce Wayne's most trusted friend could see The Outsider retain all Alfred's knowledge, then the DCU would have a new reason to fear.

9) THE RIDDLER
Who: Edward Nigma and his question mark cane baffle Gotham with crimes held together with a series of riddles, designed to highlight his mind as Gotham's cleverest cranium.
Why He's #9: Riddler is my personal favourite. Not only is his name E. Nigma a stroke of genius, the riddles he lays down always make for an interactive adventure that you at home can play along with. Comics need stories like that.

8) MAN-BAT
Who: Transformed into the awesome visual that is Man-Bat after a serum designed to replace his deafness with sonar backfired, Dr Kirk Langstrom is more than just a title swap creation.
Why He's #8: Because he's a freakin man-bat, that's why! Forget your Twilight werewolves and the rest, Batman vs Man-Bat is all you need.

7) MR FREEZE
Who: Trapped in an ice suit after attempting to cure his cryogenically frozen wife Nora, Dr. Victor Fries commits crimes to revive his beloved, turning Gotham into the icy place his heart has become in the process.

Why He's #7: The above sympathy-inducing revamp by Batman: The Animated Series doesn't get enough credit. A cold hearted rouge turned tragic love story, Freeze is a mirror image of what Bruce's heart borders on becoming, in the wake of witnessing his parents murder.

6) THE VENTRILOQUIST
Who: While the second Ventriloquist, Peyton Riley, had an interesting sweetheart relationship with the Scarface dummy, no one beats Arnold Wesker. A mild-mannered man who is 'allegedly' under the influence of his crime boss puppet, executing his deadly criminal plans.
Why He's #6: I love the ambiguity of the character. You're never 100% sure if Arnold is actually under control of the dummy or if it just gives release to his inner demons. Sure in the 'real world' only one answer is plausible, but this is Gotham - anything can happen.

5) THE JOKER
Who: Really? The Joker is the ultimate insanity. Chaos for the sake of a punchline only he sometimes understands, he is Batman's most infamous adversary and evil reflection.
Why He's #5: Best with a mallet, Joker's black humour can split your sides. However, when the plan behind his gags is laid out in full, the true nature of the character comes out, promising to do even more.

For the top four left in the pack, click here.

4) MAD HATTER

Who: A master of mind control and lover of lunacy, derived by Lewis Carroll's Alice In Wonderland, Jervis Tech uses the themes of the iconic classic to carry out his twisted deeds.
Why He's #5: Whoever thought of permentantly linking Gotham with Wonderland needs a medal. The Mad Hatter illustrates the two franchises sit eerily well together, with each highlighting a twisted side to the other, not so obvious when read on their own.

3) POISON IVY
Who: Pamela Isley is a botanist who has placed her love of plantlife above her affection for the human race. Able to communicate and control plants at whim, she is a force of nature best kept behind bars.

Why She's #3: For Poison Ivy, Batman: The Animated Series is my yard stick. Able to picture real life 'greenies' with a simillar bent, this red-headed eco-nutcase's danger level is only increased by her sultriness and and sinister knowledge of science.

2) TWO-FACE
Who: The scared remains of D.A. Harvey Dent, Two-Face commits double-edged crimes exposing the duality of the people and morals of the world around him. Dent's own moral compass removed, he now makes most of his decisions on the flip of a coin.
Why He's #2: Missing out on the #1 spot by half a nose, what makes Two-Face so lethal is Harvey's previous connection to Bruce Wayne, and Wayne's admiration for the job he was doing (and could've done) as D.A. That leaves...

1) RA'S AL GHUL
Who: 'The Demon's Head' in Arabic, Ra's is out to stop mankinds monstrative effects on the planet by any means nessessary. Kept alive for centuries by the restorative powers of the Lazarus Pits, he has a global network - The League of Assassins - to back up his plans, along with Talia, his daughter and mother of Batman's lovechild Damian, the current Robin.

Why He's #1: How can a head of a league of ninja not take the top spot? Ra's is DC's Magneto. He's the villian whose motives you can empathise with, but one of the few bat rouges where operating on a scale bigger than Gotham hasn't spelt their downfall.

Backed by his family tree and knowledge of Batman's secret identity, there is nothing hotter then a sandswept skyline, one where Bruce Wayne is about to duel with his nutter of a could've been father-in-law.

What do you think? Who are your Top 10 bat-villains?

LIKE A VERSION: Darren "Daz" Tibbles Reimagines The Avengers For School

2012-01-14T09:00:00.003+10:30

If you thought stealing candy from a baby was tricky, you've not tried going somewhere without running into word of The Avengers. Their musclebound movie is a Hollywood hit before it even opens, making them perfect candidates for the first instalment of Like A Version.

Like A Version, similar to the singer who sings a similar note, spotlights an artist who takes an established pop icon, adds a twist or two of reinvention lemon and creates their very own 'Madonna'. This time it's fellow Australian Darren "Daz" Tibbles and The Avengers. Behold!

His first artwork of 2012 a designated 'Hulk SMASH!' School Yard Avengers is a concept worth exploring. Says Darren "I want to do a school yard background with them surrounded by a gang of bullies (Possibly wearing Skrull Masks) If I get time tomorrow I'll get onto it."

Let's hope he does! What do you think and who else would you add? A cheerleader Ms. Marvel? To see more of Darren's work, click the jump.

NOW THAT'S A SPLASH PAGE: Lex Wishes Superman Had Search Engine Otimisation

2012-01-14T00:05:00.000+10:30

Splash pages, you gotta love 'em. A blank canvas where the artist can hit you with a large dose of illustrated 'wow'. This week, what with the heralded return of artist Frank Quitely just yesterday, it only seemed polite to give splash page honours to him. Not just any splashie though, a seminal moment from the similarly seminal one-shot; JLA: Earth 2;

Somethings shouldn't be left in the 80's. Team-up comics like Marvel Two-In-One, Brainiac's tentacled spaceship, Wolverine's brown and tan costume and Lex Luthor's green and purple armour. In fact anything that made the Super Powers toy line should be declared off limits by virtue of cool.

Here, Frank showed while he may be another Luthor from another world, the ability to create and colour a kick ass suit of war is something all Lex's have in common.

For more great splash pages, click here.

DIAL 'J' FOR JUSTICE: Six New Titles Move Icons And Earths To Ride DC'S Second Wave

2012-01-13T10:15:00.000+10:30

While the ultimate survivor of DC's 52 is battled out between books like Batman and Justice League, sooner or later someone's always got to be voted out at tribal council.

In the case of DC's smash-hit line, all six evictees / cancelled members of the jury are being replaced by a 'Second Wave' of six brand spanking new titles in May, fit and ready to outwit, outplay and outlast their fellow 52-mates, in the battle for your reading dollar. They are;

OUT: HAWK AND DOVE

IN: WORLDS’ FINEST Writer: Paul Levitz / Alternating artists: George Perez and Kevin Maguire. The Earth Two Huntress and Power Girl struggle to find their way back home, from ours.

MY THOUGHTS: Swapping duo for duo, DC really is going back to it's roots in restoring this couple. Paul Levitz knows great comics, and backed by two artists whose reputation is also legion amongst fans, well this book might just float higher then anyone could expect.

OUT: O.M.A.C

IN: DIAL H Writer: China Miéville / Artist: Mateus Santoluoco. The first series from novelist China Miéville, Dial H explores what the super-power bestowing device does to the mind of the one who wields it.

MY THOUGHTS: I'm in. 'Dial H for Hero' is one of DC's best concepts and I'd buy this book if monkeys were making it. I mean come on, it's regular people granted a power to be so much more, but sometimes turning out much less. What's not to love? Plus Brian Bolland covers!

OUT: BLACKHAWKS

IN: EARTH 2 Writer: James Robinson / Artist: Nicola Scott. The greatest heroes of Earth 2, The Justice Society return!

MY THOUGHTS: This will be interesting. The JSA is home to some of DC's most interesting and rich characters, Dr Fate, Spectre and Hourman among them, but who will make this roll call? If anyone can make it so, the writer of JSA: The Golden Age and Nicola Scott can!

OUT: MISTER TERRIFIC

IN: BATMAN INCORPORATED Writer: Grant Morrison / Artist: Chris Burnham. Morrison, picks up his tale of a Batman global franchise. Can I be Batman Australia?

MY THOUGHTS: Grant is a guy no wallet can refuse, especially mine, but what exact Bat to non-Bat ratio is DC looking at for the 52?

OUT: STATIC SHOCK

IN: THE RAVAGERS Writer: Howard Mackie / Artist: Ian Churchill. Four super-powered teens fighting against an organisation wanting to turn them into criminals.

MY THOUGHTS: Writer Scott Lobdell knows how to create spin-off-able material. Fresh from his books Teen Titans and Superboy, it's just good seeing Ian Churchill get a high-profile gig again.

OUT: MEN OF WAR

IN: G.I. COMBAT Core story; The War That Time Forgot (Writer: J.T. Krul / Artist: Ariel Olivetti), plus rotating back-up's; The Unknown Soldier (writers Justin Gray and Jimmy Palmiotti / artist Dan Panosian), and The Haunted Tank (writer John Arcudi / artist Scott Kolins).

MY THOUGHTS: DC is definitely set to have a war comic in the mix. While the art teams are strong across the board, I would've made The Unknown Soldier the lead story. The last Vertigo series of the same name was a third-world masterpiece and should never be forgotten, but I feel Justin and Jimmy will really make something here worth getting fired up over each and every month.

What do you think of the new recruits?

IMAGE MATTERS: Quitely And Millar Give Birth To Jupiter's Children This September

2012-01-12T22:46:00.000+10:30

Not even into February and Image Comics already has one hand on the 'Publisher of the year' crown, thanks to the likes of Saga and Fatale.

Now Mark (Kick Ass) Millar's next series announcement Jupiter's Children (made exclusively on CBR) is set to join them. While another action-packed Millar book is never a bad thing, my money magnet for this 10 issue maxi series is the unmistakable art of Frank Quitely.

Reuniting the famed Authority duo, Jupiter's Children will tell the story of enhanced teenagers unable to inheirt the the iconic status of their heroic parents, and the sense of failure felt on both sides. While you can read Mark break it down in full on CBR here, here is one point he makes I really thought hit the mark;

From Millar on CBR "I always thought it was quite interesting that mega-events with hundreds and thousands of characters like 'Crisis' or 'Civil War' are things that are always company owned projects. There's no reason why they should be."

By Jove, I like the cut of that man's jib. Jupiter's Children births this September from Image Comics.

WHAT DO YOU GET IF YOU CROSS DARTH VADER, ALIEN AND WARHAMMER? This

2012-01-12T09:00:00.000+10:30

As if Darth Vader with Alien pets isn't wicked enough, Argentinean DeviantARTist Rodrigo Vega went for the trifecta with this little beastie;

Titled Lord Vader Rise, see more of Vega's work after the jump.

COVER SHOTS: The Best From Dark Horse Comics' April 2012 Solicitations

2012-01-11T22:20:00.001+10:30

How can a month that sees Groo vs Conan ever go wrong? Not at Dark Horse, their April solicitations have that and more! Better yet, of all the covers on offer in April, these four look set to stand top of the pops;

COVER OF THE MONTH: DAVID PALUMBO - STAR WARS: BLOOD TIES - BOBA FETT IS DEAD #1 Sparse and effective is always the way to go, whether you're killing one of the most popular characters in any universe, making fans think how cool Boba Tron could be or all of the above. Stickin' a man in carbonite, not so funny now is it Boba?

Dark Horse says:
The news spreads from one end of the galaxy to the other like wildfire: Boba Fett, the galaxy's most feared bounty hunter, is dead.
But when members of the team that killed Fett are themselves picked off one by one, Connor Freeman - the son of one of Jango Fett's clones - gets pulled into the action in a most unexpected way!

40 pages, writer Tom Taylor, artist Chris Scalf.

CLOSE CONTENDERS: (Click to enlarge)

Eric Powell - The Goon #39 Featuring a 'Big 2' parodying cover!
Jan Duursema - Star Wars: Dawn of the Jedi - Force Storm #3
Francesco Francavilla - Dark Horse Presents #11 The debut of Francesco's own creation; The Black Beetle!

For more April goodness, including that Conan vs Groo tussle straight from the horses mouth, click the jump.

MAKING A MARK: Espen Grundetjern - Making Marvel Cosmic Even Cosmic-er

2012-01-11T09:00:00.001+10:30

Twice a week, Making A Mark gives an insanely talented artist some IADW brag-space. Today goes to the Norway based Espen Grundetjern, a man who when you think 'I'd really like to see if anyone remembers how cool Firelord was' not only pops up, be brings the rest of the Heralds of Galactus with him...

Meet my current wallpaper. Stuck naming them all? For those last one or two faces, the full list goes like this; left to right: The Fallen One, Terrax, Red Shift, Firelord, Morg, Airwalker, Nova, Silver Surfer, Stardust, The Destroyer (with a tiny Johnny Storm added in for good measure). Now that's a team of Annihilators!

I think part of the attraction toward cosmic characters, is not only the scale, but the colours you can put into practice while drawing them. A part of the Udon crew, Espen reveals in both. Especially with these drawings of Nova, and Gammenon the Gatherer, Arishem the Judge and Eson The Searcher of The Celestials!

Now for a Marvel man who may not be cosmic, but should always be drawn that way...

Forget that Magneto chappie, Dr Doom is and will always be Marvel's premiere bad ass - this image only reiterates that fact.

What do you think of Espen's work? To see more, visit his website magicraccoon.com. For more Making a Markists, click here.

STATUS UPDATE: AVENGERS ASSEMBLE! The Facebook Game For You To Ms. Marvel Over

2012-01-10T23:31:00.000+10:30

As if Facebook didn't soak up enough of your free time, soon in 2012, you'll be able to create your own team of Earth's Mightiest and pit them against the likes of Loki and Mystique in Marvel: Avengers Alliance, the first Marvel or Disney title to launch for the Facebook platform.

However, like Scarlet Witch, Iron Man, Wonder Man and more have proven in the past, sometimes the team's biggest opponents come from within their own ranks. In keeping with that tradition, you'll also be able to pit your crew against that of your friends. I mean who wants to 'poke' when you can 'repolsor ray' or 'hurl Mjolnir'?

Playing a S.H.I.E.L.D agent who has to assemble a team of heroes after a galaxy wide disaster known as "The Pulse" sets the villains of Earth on overdrive, you will have dozens of goodies to select from, with promo art suggesting Ms. Marvel, Hawkeye, Daredevil, Dr Strange, Hulk and Captain America among the candidates!

Train your heroes and increase their skills, before hurling them into Player vs Player battles against your friends in order to climb the communal leaderboard. Just watch...

Already salivating over who will lead your line-up? Wondering if the whimsical Beast will land a spot or Giant Man? Then keep your eyes peeled. Disney Interactive Media Group's Marvel: Avengers Alliance will be on Facebook in the first quarter - and that doesnt leave long!

YOU REMIND ME OF THE BABE: Archaia Set To Explore The Origin Of Labyrinth's Goblin King

2012-01-10T09:52:00.000+10:30

David Bowie has one of the best (not to mention most distinctive) voices in all music history, regardless of genre. When he turned into the Goblin King for Jim Henson's movie Labyrinth, he took the role to heights and left thousands of fans across the globe trying to do tricks with a tennis/glass ball, they'd never thought of before. Me included.

Now comes word Archaia are looking to tell the punk Goblin King's origin later this year in graphic novel format, and that news alone has this Bowie/comic fan dancing in the streets.

Speaking with Shelflife, Archaia editor-in-chief Stephen Christy said the prequel will deal with the tragic story of how Jareth, the Goblin King, came to the Labyrinth in the first place. Adding that illustrator Brian Froud, father of Toby the kidnapped baby in the original film, and Jim Henson's partner in the realisation of creating both this world and that of The Dark Crystal, will be overseeing the look of this addition to the Labyrinth franchise. This means he's doing all the character designs, covers and conceptualising. Can't wait!

For the Shelflife interview click the jump, or for a little Labyrinth to pick your day up, click play below.

LEAST WE FORGET: Backlash - Wildstorm's Ultimate Drill Sergeant

2012-01-09T09:00:00.002+10:30

Despite having a first class ticket to ride, some of comics best often get left to wonder the platform aimlessly. In Least We Forget, I pluck a limbo-lingerer from the station and pimp their reason to return. This month, when the group that would become the pre DC52 Authority needed training, they turned to one man. His name; Backlash.

Over 3,000 years in existence gives a man a fair bit of time to learn a few skills. Marc Slayton having being a ninja, knight, military operative, WWII soldier and a few more jaw-breaking past-times throughout his, now stands as one of the best fighters on the planet.

Never a bloke to refuse an invite to a suicide mission and turn it into a victory party, the half breed Kherubim warrior always finds himself hip deep in shadow organisations, top secret plots and deadly assasins. From I.O. to Team 7 his allegiances have fill his adventures with contacts, who he can count on with his life and those all to willing to take it or sell it to the highest bidder.

While his father died sinking his birthplace of Atlantis to entrapp the last of the vicious Drahn alien race underwater, Marc's telekinetically generated (and ultra-cool) psychic tendrils are always ready for the day he must use them in confrontation with his son Aries, a puppet of the megalomaniacal Kaizen Gamorra.

HOW I’D BRING BACKLASH BACK: From Checkmate to Talia's League of Assasins, Backlash would explore, ifiltrate and counter-act the various shadow societies and organisations of the new DCU, not just in the modern day, but throughout time and space as well.

Like a timeswept James Bond, Marc would trip from ancient Egypt, Japan and the middle ages to alien throne-worlds, races and more, in order to outwit, outlast and outplay them all. Backed by his brothers in arms, Team 7, Slayton would pull no punches in taking on enormous odds, but sure dish more than his share out in the process!

What do you think? For more Least We Forget candidates, click here.

MAKING A MARK: Ryan Barger - Waging An Artistic Secret War On Gotham

2012-01-08T09:00:00.000+10:30

Twice a week, Making A Mark gives an insanely talented artist some IADW brag-space. Today goes to Ryan Barger, an American illustrator who has a small but lethally potent online portfolio, of some pretty jaw-dropping sights. Isn't that right Bats?

You know a guy has talent when he takes folks as well rendered as the Batman rouges, and digitally draws them in a way that not only makes them seem fresh, but creative as well. Just look at that Riddler!!

Obviously a fan of one of Marvel's top 80's artists, Mike Zeck, Ryan's Punisher takes you right back to the days Mike drew the vigilante, while his homage to Zeck's Secret Wars #1 cover may have a few layout tweaks, but Hulk and Storm are still stealing the show!

Seeing the two masterworks side by side, you have to ask how would Secret Wars have played out if Frank, Daredevil, Iron Fist, Ghost Rider and Luke Cage were in on the fun?

Who better to round out a gallery with than Superman? I dig how he has one eye ready to fire, don't let the sunset heart fool you, this Clark Kent is always ready to rumble!

What do you think of Barger's work? To see more, visit his online gallery after the jump. For more Making a Markists, click here.

NOW THAT'S A SPLASH PAGE: The Invisible Woman Saves The Day

2012-01-07T16:44:00.001+10:30

Splash pages, you gotta love 'em. A blank canvas where the artist can hit you with a large dose of illustrated 'wow'. This week, a Jack Kirby classic and the splash page that if I ever gave in to my reoccurring idea to run Dan's World's Greatest Fantastic Four Blog would provide the visual for the masthead, if not appear extremely close to it - this;

Taken from Fantastic Four #87, this page captures so much about what I love of this medium and early Marvel. From the crazy type of the heading to the heoric looking Fantastic Four/Five and Stan's star-burst explanation, it's the kind of pop gold that just makes you feel good.

Plus how long has it been since Now That's What I Call A Splash Page featured an actual introductory splash page?!

For more great splash pages, click here.

SALES PITCH: December 2011's Top 6 Comics

2012-01-07T10:31:00.001+10:30

At a Christmas party there are always a few no shows and in terms of comic sales for the month of December 2011, ten of DC's shiny new 52 titles failed to make the Top 100. This is just one factor that saw Marvel regain the overall lead by a slim margin of 1.33% unit share. While Image Comics took out 'Publisher #3', DC recovered by continuing to locked Marvel out of the Top 6, which went a little something like this;

THE TOP 6: 1) Justice League #4 2) Batman #4 3) Action Comics #4 4) Green Lantern #4 5) Avengers X-Sanction #1 6) Detective Comics #4

MY THOUGHTS: Marvel's going to need a massive hit to crack those top four spots. Will Avengers vs X-Men rise above Geoff Johns run away train Green Lantern or Grant Morrison's return to Superman? Being 'event tired' I'm thinking not, but it will be interesting to see.

Of the ten 52 titles knocked out of the Top 100 (Mister Terrific, Captain Atom, I, Vampire, Voodoo, Static Shock, Hawk & Dove, Blackhawks, Sgt. Rock and the Men of War, OMAC and Blue Beetle) I feel sorriest for Mister Terrific. I know the odds were against most of these titles from the offset, but the writing on Mr Terrific was loaded with sweet, sweet potential - and hopefully potential still to be explored.

(Statistics via Diamond Comic Distributors)

I'LL GET A DARTH MAUL BURGER WITH YODA ON THE SIDE French Fries Feel The Force

2012-01-06T10:04:00.000+10:30

Despite being one of the most jokingly referenced films in all of pop culture, French fast food chain Quick are releasing three burgers to promote the re-release of Star Wars: The Phantom Menace in 3D.

One burger for each dimension, you can order Yoda's Jedi Burger, Darth Maul's Dark Burger or Darth Vader's Dark Vador Burger if you are dropping by Frenchland, up until March 1st. Darth Vader's burger even comes on a black bun - mm mmmm tasty!

While it would be even cooler if when you opened the box, each played music relevant to that character (Vader's the Imperial March etc) I'm not sure out of all the Jedi's available, you want to base your food product on a shrivelled up ancient green thing found in a swamp, otherwise your stomach might end up giving you nights like this;

(Via)

BUCKING THE TREND: Winter Soldier #1 Preview Kicks All Kinds Of Covert Heiny

2012-01-05T11:55:00.001+10:30

Who would've ever thought I'd be hanging out to read a Bucky comic? Marvel that's who. Finally after all too long a wait, the Winter Soldier series is less than a mere month away.

I have to hand it to Marvel. Had I been in charge I would've whipped the brought-back-Buck into his own series soon after he reappeared in writer Ed Brubaker's Captain America, and patted myself on the back all the way to the bank for re-establishing the richest and coolest character (with or without a cyborg arm) since Gambit.

Instead they held off, had him serve as Cap, die, come back to life and now head his own series, still with Brubaker behind the wheel, but with Butch Guice and Bettie Breitweiser on interiors, Lee Bermejo on covers, and judging from the amazingly unlettered preview below Black Widow on splits. See for yourself.

FANTASTIC FOUREVER! The Thing Montage No Wall Should Be Without

2012-01-04T23:12:00.000+10:30

One set of folks I have a lot of respect for are all those geniuses who flip through individual movie frames, then assemble a handful side-by-side so when viewed at from a distance, they collectively take the face of Yoda or some such pop icon. I had a hard enough time with the IADW masthead and that's just twelve panels!

Luckily, the team at Final Score Products are no such slackers. In fact they've assembled montages of the stars of Looney Tunes, comics and Final Fantasy, as much as they have the icons of sports, music and movies. Putting the cherry on the top? One of the best is of the best, The Fantastic Four's Ben Grimm, The Thing.

Drop a visit to Final Score Products and see the rest of their range, right after the jump.

MAKING A MARK: Dennis Budd - Showcasing The 'Wonder' Of The True Wonder Woman

2012-01-04T09:00:00.002+10:30

Twice a week, Making A Mark gives an insanely talented artist some IADW brag-space. Today goes to American Dennis Budd. A man whose art portfolio subjects run the length of pop culture, from Star Trek to the X-Men, but features an amazing respect for one woman in particular. No need to guess folks, she's right below;

Wow. I think if I drew a picture as on the head as either Lynda Carter/Wonder Woman or Christopher Reeve/Superman above, I'd either retire happily or continually walk up to random strangers and show them how supremely talented I am. Yeah, probably the latter.

Not only do both capture that lightning struck twice in the casting departments of 80's DC Comics projects, Dennis delivers the personality each brought to their respective icon as well.

Showing his taste doesn't weaken as he steps into more comic based art, Dennis pits Wolverine in his unbeaten tan and golds against the ninjas of the Hand. Note how it's packed with characters but still easy to read - that's talent! Wonder Woman once again is fit for framing - simple - sparse - but effective.

You were expecting someone else? Here, this shot of the Wonder Woman of the X-Men, Rogue is so iconic and powerful it reminds me of her Mike Wieringo drawn mini series of the mid-90's. You can't get much higher praise than that!

For more of Dennis's amazing portfolio, visit his personal website today at mechanicalpencil1138.com.

ADVANCE REVIEW: MARLOW They Wanted A Zombie To Sin For Them - Now They Don't Have A Prayer

2012-01-03T09:00:00.002+10:30

At some point, we can all hit that snag in life where we feel just like a zombie, doing the same things day-in, day-out, things that are expected of us and needed for survival, but not so much things for ourselves. Marlow is an ex-marine placed into that position to an extreme. The corporation he works for has infected him with a nano-virus, in the hopes of turning him into a zombie they can use to commit atrocities, forever dangling their cure like a carrot in front of his face.

What they don't count on is that Marlow is more than just a grunt and the virus still leaves his moral compass turned on, pointing him in another direction entirely. As the two paths begin to collide in Marlow, a graphic novel from Arcana collecting the one-shot Marlow: Soul of Darkness and the new River of Symbols storyarc, it's anyone's guess as to which way the mercenary made "monster" will emerge from the crossroads at hand.

Having been graciously forwarded an advance copy by writer Aaron Thomas Nelson myself, I have seen the answer, and can say you are going to enjoy the ride that leads you there as much as I did.

In Soul of Darkness, Marlow assembles a team to find and remove Dr Acros from his new zombie infested home. After being driven mad by the killing of children in the Sudan, Acros now seeks to gift his zombie virus to the world. For if he can remove life and death, religion loses its hold by promise of heaven and hell, and without religion, war looses it's motivations.

Just one of the layers Aaron provides to the story, it is one of those great Ra's Al Ghul type scenarios, where he's wrong but he's right, and any survivors of Marlow's team will be forever changed because of it.

In River of Symbols, Marlow has found solace in Burma, where a local fruit keeps his virus at bay. In return he helps keep the villagers safe, but the corporation he worked for has its fingers in every location and as his virus grips hold, they soon cast their shadow over the land he now calls home. Marlow's only salvation? The love he still has for his estranged daughter and their hope of being reunited.

For me the unsung highlight of this book are the locations. Having a mercenary book (or any book for that matter) that hops the globe and explores other peoples beliefs and cultures makes for a refreshing change from downtown Manhattan. Should more adventures follow, I can only hope the future locations are just as vibrant.

Speaking of vibrant, Soul of Darkness is brought to life by Mathew Reynolds pulp-tastic silhouette styled art and L Jamal Walton's clean clear lettering.

In River of Symbols, Dario Carrasco Jr's amazing line-work steers the boat towards a brighter art style, one that reminds me of the magic of both Doug Mahnke and Jeff Smith at the same time.

Marlow is released late February from Arcana Studios, and is currently available for preorder here through Amazon.com, as well as no doubt your friendly neighbourhood Previews ordering comic book store. If you are after a zombie story that doesn't just run on autopilot, but has a strong heart and a thought-provoking core, then I recommend you fork out for Marlow, the man who is exactly that.

BACKYARD BLITZ: Steampunk Hellboy Statues Worth Breaking The Bank For

2012-01-02T11:45:00.000+10:30

If your New Years Eve shindig had you thinking your backyard needed more of a centerpeice, then you might want to consider a steampunk version of the hottest supernatural hunter in town, Hellboy.

One of the sci-fi range available from the metallically talented peeps at Kreatworks, Thailand, Mike Mignola's indie creation turned recycled metal masterpiece has a coating to protect from the evils of rust and is made to order from 100% auto and machine parts.

Weighing in at 230cm tall and 350kg, the price tag of $7,400 might make your beloved faint at first sight, but you really didn't need that romantic holiday anyway. To view the full range of Kreatworks steampunk styled contraptions, including Spider-Man, Alien, Predator and Jack Sparrow, click the jump.

MAKING A MARK: Daniel Irizarri Oquendo - The Puerto Rican Reuniting The Avengers

2012-01-01T16:35:00.000+10:30

Twice a week, Making A Mark gives an insanely talented artist some IADW brag-space. Today we kick off the New Year with the humourous and talented Puerto Rican illustrator Daniel Irizarri Oquendo. A man who proves his parents great taste in names, is only matched by the limits of their son's artistic talents.

Made for The Line It Is Drawn over on CBR, you have to feel sorry for Hank Pym. One of the coolest Avengers going, the dude just can't catch a break. Bout time Superman and Batman got on the team though. That's been needing to happen for some time.

That Daredevil number is my favourite chunk of Daniel's portfolio. I dig how his personal style matches the character down to a 'D' and conveys the fun of Matt Murdock at the same time. Cap on the otherhand, represents the closest Oquendo wants to go to 'realistic' artwork. Still nice and stylised huh?

Realisitic artwork maybe one thing, realistic issues though he sails pretty close to;

Something tells me I'm going to have "and you'll be a cash-cow for the man, but everyone will still like Batman better" stuck in my head for a while (let alone that price tag)!

To scope out more of Daniel's vast array of speed paints, images and thoughts, all you have to do is click the jump. Simple huh?

WHAT'S AFTER DARK KNIGHT RISES FOR NOLAN? Guy Bourraine Jr's Suggestion

2012-01-01T11:52:00.001+10:30

When you've had Bruce Wayne stamp his bat-boots over box-office records worldwide, the only question that follows is 'What will you do for an encore?' Sure director Christopher Nolan's modern day Batman based movies come to a halt after this year's The Dark Knight Rises, but that doesn't rule him out from spinning-off into a flick of one of Gotham's other masked vigalantes.

In fact Guy Bourraine Jr suggests one hell of a wicked option, and he's so on top of the 'subliminal messaging to the folks at the WB' curve, he's even created a fan poster about it;

Yeah, I couldn't stop staring at it when I first saw it either. Batman Beyond, set in a futuristic Gotham, would not only allow the special effects and art design teams of the movie to push the boundaries, Nolan would give a huge shove to a DC franchise that doesn't always get the attention it should.

Now while I go back to gazing at that fantastic fan-work (and realising I just put 'this year' and 'Dark Knight Rises' in the same sentence), you can check out more of Guy's art, right after the jump.

BLOGGING? COMICS? IADW? Got A Pop Question You Don't Know What To Do With?

2012-01-01T09:00:00.002+10:30

Comics? It's A Dan's World? New Zealand? Blogging? Australia? Have you got a question you would like to chuck my way? This month I'll be creating a Secret Origins post, explaining the birth of this here bubbly blog and the madness as to how it all came about.

If you've wanted to find out anything in particular about how it all comes together, life down under or just comics in general, here's a fun way to do just that. Send your queries or conundrums to iadwmailbag@gmail.com and I'll to add your answers to my Secret Origins post! See, easy as pie (mmm pie)!

HAPPY NEW YEAR! Make 2012 You're Own Personal Clobberin' Time!

2012-01-01T01:00:00.003+10:30

Okay so the visual doesn't match the heading, but sue me. If that's the wackiest IADW gets in 2012 we'll be getting off lucky!

Art by the ultra-talented Admira Wijaya.

THE NAD AWARDS 2011: Comics' Best Comic

2011-12-31T21:41:00.001+10:30

Not since Greg Rucka wrote Wonder Woman have the Gods of old manipulated through modern clothes and vices, and Diana been as good and ready with an axe, as she is a stern word of advice. Now thanks to the DC 52, all that great stuff is back with a vengeance and better yet it's soaked in pulp-tastic Azzarelloness.

Killer Centaurs and writer Brian Azzarrello aren't the only golden lassoes in this books arsenal. Cliff Chiang the artist pulls no punches either - after seeing his work, you just can't think of an artist better suited to this self assured take on Diana and her world than he.

Diana now stands focussed, not without humour and fights like a champion of a race of Amazons should. Speaking of 'Amazons', kudos goes to the creative crew for the way they deal with the sexuality of an island of woman. Where other books would shy away from the issue or endlessly explain it's presence, this title respects it's readers by making lesbians a natural/majority of the culture and environment such an island has embraced and created.

So I don't forget, the bold emblazoned sweet new logo has to get its props too. Inside the iconic covers, wayward chickie Zola is found to be pregnant with Zeus’ kid and Hermes enlists Wonder Woman to save her from Hera's wraith. All the while, the guy responsible is AWOL and Apollo has sinister plans to fill the void Zeus has created.

Yip that's right. For once Ares isn't the big bad Diana has to fight. Better yet, the Gods are so fractured there's no longer a clear division between 'bad' and 'good' and that blurring of the lines has spread to the entire cast. This approach leaves you second guessing everyone's actions and motives, and makes for a book that leaves you anticipating each instalment more and more, each and every month.

THE NAD AWARDS 2011: Comics' Best Artist

2011-12-31T15:20:00.001+10:30

When a nine issue mini series starts in 2010, finishes in 2012 and leaves 2011 as your 'Marvel Book of the Year', you know it's something well worth waiting for. Avengers: The Children's Crusade is just that title, and along with the amazing moments written by Allan Heinberg, the series is stunning to behold thanks to the career-defining work of artist Jim Cheung.

How probable is this? Back in 1995, I was marvelling over how newbie 'Jim Cheung' was drawing Iron Man and the Scarlet Witch in Force Works #17, now almost two decades on, I'm still doing the same - only in A:TCC Jim's talents are seriously beyond Thunderdome. Not quite eastern, not quite western, packed with detail and action - he is unmistakingly one of the modern icons.

Factor in the amount of faces, places and races you have to draw in ironing out the mess made of the best Avenger going, and you know a book like this isn't for the faint of heart.

As one of Marvel's oldest characters, The Scarlet Witch's revival had Jim render everyone from Wonder Man to Magneto and more-than moving moments, like Jack of Hearts begging Wanda not to use his corpse as a bomb to ignite Avengers Disassembled. Jim drew every single one without slipping on detail or the relevant pitch-perfect expression required. Just look and see.

Chances are, with the mini-series coming to a close you're asking 'What next for Jim?' While I could easily see more of his Captain America, from the way he drew Iceman, Rouge and Colossus this year I'm hoping his future probability leans off towards the 'X'. Rouge #1, you might finally be just on the horizon.

THE NAD AWARDS 2011: Comics' Best Writer

2011-12-31T13:35:00.000+10:30

When you reboot an entire universe, you need your writers to be on their A-game. One bend in the body of work and you'll sink like a learner swimmer to the bottom of the pool. 2011's best writer wasn't even a part of the new 52 over at DC, but rather between Marvel and Vertigo competed with a line of his own. Better yet, each and every issue contained therein floated like a butterfly on a monthly basis, and yes, stung like a bee. His name; Jason Aaron.

Be it Vertigo's Scalped or Marvel's PunisherMAX, Wolverine and The X-Men, Wolverine or The Incredible Hulk, the best thing about Jason Arron's writing is that he's one of those writers who take you back to the days where an issue wasn't a three second read and you got plenty of action and cerebral chewing gum to munch on in the process.

Through an unmatched knack for 'realistic' and individual dialogue/ monologue, Arron in Wolverine and The X-Men took a The Jean Grey School For Higher Learning (a place literally crammed with mutants old and new) and had each mutie established with their own unique voice within seconds of them being on stage.

Over in The Incredible Hulk, Jason he takes the character I've waited for him to write since reading my first issue of Scalped and flips the world famous dynamic at it's heart on it's head. Separated at last, Hulk has achieved peace while Banner has been driven a little nuts. As a result, we now root for the 'monster', as he sets out to stop the gangly little scientist that usually holds that spot. With some of the best Betty Ross/Red She Hulk lines yet, just for good measure;

With his run on Wolverine, plus books Punisher MAX and Scalped all coming to an end (the latter two at his request) Aaron's dance card might be looking a little slim in 2012, but don't be fooled. Aaron is one of the super-scripters at work on Avengers vs The X-Men and no doubt Marvel will have a few spin-off's for him to breathe new life into before the year is done, just as he has with Frank Castle and the Jade Giant.

HAN-CRAFTED: Official 1980'S Japanese Star Wars Poster Is All Kinds Of Awesome

2011-12-30T21:17:00.000+10:30

Curse the camera! Nowadays movie posters are usually airbrushed digital images, ones that leave little room for the old hand-drawn poster to get a nose in. That idea is now 'classic' or 'retro', despite flick pin-ups being a core part to the portfolio of the original 'airbrush'.

Now as if painted movie poster king Drew Struzan wasn't a hard enough act to follow, comes an awesome finding of the original Empire Strikes Back poster by artist Noriyoshi Ohrai, tailored to Japanese audiences. Get ready to drool over this;

Click to enlarge and scope out the level of that detail! Behold how this handcrafted wee gem shows the power of the force never ages. Be it in Jedi mindtricks or illustrated poster art. 'Nuff said!

(Via Film on Paper)

WATCHMEN: January's 5 Best Comics For Readers Wanting Something New

2011-12-29T23:54:00.000+10:30

WATCHMEN – It’s where I assign a hot new release characteristically with one of the five key heroes from Watchmen. As for January, if it were a guest on Sesame Street it would be brought to you by the word 'new'. New Year's Day, new resolutions, new beginnings and as these five show, great reads for new (or formerly new) readers.

DR MANHATTAN (The Neon Blue Guy In The Room): FATALE #1 (Image) She's as smokin' hot as her pistol, despite having been on the run since the 30's, and he's a mobster who is literally a demon at heart. And you thought good couples were only created on The Bachelor. Pulp fans lock'n load - this is goin' to be a beauty!

THE COMEDIAN (My Rank Outsider): TRANSFORMERS: ROBOTS IN DISGUISE #1 (IDW) What's bigger outside comics right now then Transformers and maybe that global warming thingee? Well just don't tell fans of the former Optimus Prime died this month and chuck them in front of the two new follow up series from IDW! My pick, TF: R.I.D. follows 'Bot leader Bumblebee, as he, the Decepticons and robots who dont identify with either, try to reclaim a Cybertron gone mad!

SILK SPECTRE (Stops traffic just by looks): ACTION COMICS #5 (DC) While Grant Morrison's latest take on Superman is currently the most reader addictive substance on Earth, this issue is by the "fill in" art team of Andy Kubert and Jesse Delperdang! Andy and Jesse became my top artist/inker combo on Marvel's 90's Ka-Zar series, and with each bringing ouy the best in each others game, I have developed a bad habbit to clap like a seal with glee whenever I know their resultant work is near. "Arf! Arf! Arf!"...

NITE OWL: (The Dependable Goodie) AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #678 (Marvel) In the last decade no hero has needed a brand new day like Spider-Man (no I'm not taking it back, I know what I did there), and now it's finally happened. Spidey's new, fun - and better yet actually funny - modern adventures, have become my after grocery shopping treat (pull list and budget be hanged)! Next up, Pete destroys New York in 12 hours. News at 11.

RORSCHACH (The Indie Voice): MONDO #1 (of 3) (Image) I just can't stop staring at that cover. It's like The Incredible Hulk meets the henchmen from Despicable Me, and that's pretty much it. After a routine poultry enhancement goes wrong, Catfish is the victim of his own super soldier serum of sorts, taking him smack into the path of Kitten Kaboodle! Golden age format, "chicken enhancing" and 48 pages - what's not to love?

I NEED TO SIT DOWN: Masters Of The Universe 30th Anniversary Art Debuts

2011-12-28T22:30:00.000+10:30

Has it really been 30 years since Masters of the Universe first inspired boys around the globe to lift sticks in the air and exclaim 'By The Power of Grayskull!' Crikey, it actually has.

While said lifting of stick never quite transformed me as it did Prince Adam or turn the household moggy into a Battle-Cat by pointing it in it's unamused direction, MattyCollector.com has Mattel's first official art, as the toy giant prepares to celebrate the 30th birthday of all things Eternian in 2012.

Yip, Battle Cat definitely would've been cooler than a BMX. While I still hold out hope a little bit more of a Final Fantasy type approach could one day relaunch the franchise to simillar heights, it is great to see Mattel getting in behind one of the biggest brands of the 80's, no doubt with plenty more sweet MOTU goodies instore for the year ahead.

View the entire gallery from Ram-Man to Beast Man, after the jump.

ROYAL RUMBLE: The Four Avengers VS X-Men Battles I'm Dying To See

2011-12-27T21:53:00.002+10:30

Next year at the House of Ideas, Mum and Dad are going to war over exactly who rules the roost. While the premise for Avengers vs X-Men is rather the return of the Phoenix to the Marvel Universe and how that effects Hope and the newly returned Scarlet Witch, the maxi mini series pits two thirds of Marvel's founding team trinity against each other, and the thought of who will confront who is enough to get any fans imagination running wild.

Moving on from Hope and Wanda (and Wolverine vs himself) here are the four match-ups I'm hoping to see most;

4) VISION vs ARCHANGEL

Originally this was going to be Vision vs Danger, but the more I thought on it the more Warren seemed the better adversary.

Now the original Vision is back amoung Earth's Mightiest (thank all higher powers) this pair are not only two of the most experienced members of each team, they were both 'created' as a weapon by one of their respective families largest villains.

Their perspective's and powers mean should their clash reveal a brotherhood of similarity - even the Phoenix Force would be unwise to get in their way.

3) CAPTAIN AMERICA vs NAMOR

My favourite adventures of the Sub-Mariner always have him at Captain America's side, especially when the tale deals with the duo's time as teammates in the World War II based team, The Invaders.

Now with the two 'friends' found on opposing sides of the X-Men/ Avengers divide, if any one can tip Cyclops off to Cap's tactics it's Namor. However if their friendship holds water, the history between the two just might be what turns the tide of this war.

2) MS. MARVEL VS MEGGAN

More than just the battle of the blondes, in containing a cosmic force that threatens the earth, it's only natural Meggan, the former Excalibur powerhouse who can see the earth's energies and draw on them for any power imaginable has something to say about it.

Luckily Ms Marvel is experienced, and strategic enough to realise the threat Meggan's good natured intervention would mean, and strong and indestructible enough to do something about it!

1) MAGNETO VS ULTRON

With the Phoenix Force, and the power to obliterate the cosmos up for grabs, you don't think Ultron is going to bring his desire to erradicate every living thing to the party?

Just one catch. Magneto has a bit of a soft spot for any kind of genetic cleansing, and one of the most powerful mutants alive would battle the robotic killer to the end to save the obliteration of mutantkind from happening. Should he pose the victor, would Erik spare humans like you and I the same fate?

What do you think? What showdowns you are looking forward to?

THE APPLE DROPS: Jedi vs Sith Flash Mob Brings Star Wars To Times Square

2011-12-26T17:38:00.002+10:30

Seems come the festive season everyone heads to New York's Times Square, including Jedi and Sith.

While I'm still on the fence as to whether the whole 'flash mob' fad is something awesome or just eye-catchingly odd, if someone pulled a lightsaber on me out of nowhere, as they do in this official Star Wars: The Old Republic (out 12.20.11) flash mob, I'd either kick them in the shins and run, or just scream in a manly way and faint (also in a manly way). Check it out for yourself;

TALK ABOUT THE 'ULTIMATE AVENGERS' Romita Creates The Perfect Assemblage

2011-12-26T09:12:00.000+10:30

Sure, I've posted before about who would make my dream Avengers line-up, but hang me in a pink-dress and call me Shirley if this sketch from John Romita doesn't come earth's mightily close.

From the classic discus on the hips suit of armour Iron Man to Jean Grey, there is not a single fault I can pick with this team, except for the sad note it may never happen.

Wow, folks, just wow. While it's hard seeing any Avengers line-up without the Vision, this is just the kind of shake-up roster a good creative team should look too. What are your thoughts?

MERRY CHRISTMAS ALL - Mind that Grinch!

2011-12-25T13:33:00.000+10:30

How Superman saved Christmas by mega-talented Canadian Andrew Kwan. 'Nuff said. Merry Christmas everybody - have a good one!

HONEY, THE NEIGHBOUR'S A TREKKIE: US Enterprise Christmas Light Display Wows

2011-12-24T21:59:00.001+10:30

It can be hard enough getting to sleep on Christmas Eve with the anticipation of waking up to a stocking full of goodies, without having the neighbours decorate their house with a tonne of lights. Ones that light your bedroom up with all the colours of a Madonna concert, and fill it with the sounds of car doors opening and slamming from an endless stream of rubber-neckers out to bask in the house's festive beauty. Then you see next-door is this...

A dedicated wee number of the US Enterprise from East Pretoria, Illinois, you suddenly think 'Hang waiting for Saint Nick, where are the keys and the door so I can take it for a spin!' Hey, they've probably plugged the thing into your power supply anyway, it's the least they could do!

(Via)

NOW THAT'S A SPLASH PAGE: Don't F__k With Santa Claus

2011-12-24T13:42:00.002+10:30

Splash pages, you gotta love 'em. A blank canvas where the artist can hit you with a large dose of illustrated 'wow'. This week, an iconic moment from the anything-can-happen-and-often-does world of Erik Larsen's Savage Dragon. A moment that pretty much speaks for itself and one I think of everytime I see a tantrum-mental kiddy on a department store Santa's knee.

Now there's an Uncle Sam homage worth framing - and a good partner to a similar moment in Savage Dragon, featuring the Almighty God.

Despite having done one of the best runs on Spider-Man ever, Larsen is an comic book legend in himself. How the writer/artist/creator has kept Savage Dragon in print all these years, with moments you never saw coming, like God's battle with the Devil, and the Dragon having to escape from a villain by climbing out it's @$$, means at least one book will still be feeling fresh and innovative years down the road.

KURT WENNER'S 3D SPIDER-MAN STREET ART: Santa's Ultimate No Parking Zone

2011-12-23T21:01:00.000+10:30

While I've never seen the big guy myself, I assume Santa's sleigh isn't as graceful as most think. Taking off just to land at the house next door, he must look like a learner driver, bunny-hopping down the freeway, despite his decades of joy bringing, ho-ho-hooing experience.

Now in the promotion of his book Asphalt Renaissance, former NASA employee turned pavement artist pro, Kurt Wenner, has released this 3D street drawing of Spider-Man, that actually allows you to walk the wall crawlers webs. Having been in the game since 1982, walking on said web or art should almost constitute a crime, let alone be off bounds to a jolly old man and a sets of stop-start reindeer hoofs.

Put Asphalt Renaissance high on your New Years reading list. Get it from Amazon here.

HOME SWEET HOME: The Hobbit An Unexpected Journey Trailer Hits

2011-12-22T09:54:00.000+10:30

Since jumpin' the Tasman, if I had a dollar for every Aussie who joked I'd come from Hobbitville, Middle-earth or just a nation of Hobbits, I'd be a rich, rich man by now (not director Peter Jackson rich but close). Now as pointed out by Craig Derosby, the trailer for The Hobbit An Unexpected Journey has landed, loaded with more Gandalf, Baggins's and some guy fixated on his 'precious'. Check it out for yourself.

Man, do those landscape outdoor shots make me feel homesick. Grass is rare in Western Australia. Still, it looks to be another classic bit of pop-lit brought to life, to exactly the same standards of Jackson's record-breaking LOTR trilogy. Meaning, all around the globe, The Unexpected Journey will be the only one that matters next Christmas. Thanks Craig!

THE OFFICE WITH THE 3D OPTIMUS PRIME AND GLOW IN THE DARK BATMAN MURALS

2011-12-21T10:00:00.000+10:30

Like The Thing mural I posted here, the illusions of characters painted across multiple surfaces that from a distance unite into one 3D tonne of wow blow my mind. Here YouTube user nancyyoungkay created these crazy illusions "utilizing our space".

Who of you ask? Homer Simpson, Optimus Prime and a glow in the dark Batman I reply. The last two of which, are painted on the walls of their corporate offices... Hit the play for the 3D fun.

Wish my boss would let me paint Batman on the walls. He's such a wet blanket. See more of Nancy's videos - click here.

COVER SHOTS: The Best From Marvel Comics' March 2012 Solicitations

2011-12-20T21:44:00.003+10:30

Make Mine Marvel! Remember when every Marvel letter page letter screamed that catchphrase? Well in March Marvel splits it's family of fans in two, with the debut of Avengers vs X-Men #0, and like a family tiff over the Christmas dinner, things may never be the same. Of their entire March range, these are the four covers I want in my corner;

COVER OF THE MONTH: PAOLO RIVERA - DAREDEVIL #10 This series of ol' Hornhead is worth collecting for it's iconic covers alone! The almost Victorian-comic shading really conveys the subterranean battle at hand in a bold and eye-catching way! What's The Man Without Fear going to do against foes who are also used to living 'blind'?

Marvel says:

• Daredevil Vs. Mole Man!
• The cracks in Matt Murdock’s façade begin to show!
• It’s not too late to start reading the book everyone is talking about!

CLOSE CONTENDERS:

Ale Garza - Spider-Man #24 One of the best Absorbing Man images ever! Stefano Caselli - Amazing Spider-Man #682 Ends Of The Earth starts here! Leinil Francis Yu - Uncanny X-Force #23 Captain Britain, Megan, Nightcrawler... Is this the closest to a Excalibur relaunch we will see in 2012?

For the full Marvel March-off click the jump.

THE TUESDAY TUSSLE: Matteo Scalera vs The Avengers (vs The Masters of Evil)

2011-12-20T21:11:00.001+10:30

The Tuesday Tussle; the biggest illustrators squaring off against pop's biggest icons - icons you never thought they'd touch. This week the Deadpool drawin' marvel, Matteo Scalera, tackles Earth's Mightiest movie-stars - The Avengers. Fight!

WINNER: Matteo. What I love about team shots is as soon as you chuck them up the audience instantly analyises them to see if their favourite member is there.

With this, it doesn't matter if you are a fan of Ms. Marvel or the Beast, with the amount of detail and villains thrown into the shot, your jaw can't help but drop - and just check out those colours!

While the Vision cleans up te Masters of Evil as the other Avengers chill out, you can catch more of Matteo's sketches and art right here on blogger, after the jump!

THE DARK KNIGHT RISES TRAILER When Gotham Is Ashes You Have My Permission To Die

2011-12-20T09:09:00.000+10:30

The official release of the trailer to The Dark Knight Rises might pop open a few more questions then it answers, but based on the quote above, I'm thinking our boy Bane might even be Batman's biggest fan - one out to create chaos just to see his hero fly once again.

Add to that an Alfred feeling down and a Selina Kyle taunting "There's a storm coming, Mister Wayne. You and your friends better batten down the hatches, because when it hits, you're all going to wonder how you could live so large and leave so little for the rest of us." - and you have one hell of a teaser, for THE event of July 2012, if not the year.

Oh yeah, Bane hates football.

SANTA FETT'S GOT YA WOOKIE RIGHT HERE Boba Reels In The Christmas Spirit

2011-12-19T21:16:00.011+10:30

For a dude who in a galaxy far, far, away didn't have that much screen time originaly, Boba Fett sure has one hell of a fanbase. One of the biggest - Facebook user Steampunk Boba Fett from Atlanta, Georgia, has created an amazing gallery of the galaxy's greatest bounty hunter, including this festive wee number right here.

The only Santa in town, when all you want is a carbonite Han Solo of your very own. To see the rest of Steampunk's Boba-shrine, click the festive jump.

MAKING A MARK: Daniel Crosier - The Wood Burn Artist Setting Pop Art On Fire

2011-12-18T12:30:00.000+10:30

Twice a week, Making A Mark gives an insanely talented artist some IADW brag-space. Today goes to Daniel Crosier, an artist who actually makes a mark in a whole new way - burning his artistry onto a canvas of wood. And you thought paper and ink was time intensive!

Not only does the double shot above tease what an awesome crossover it would be if the Green ever entered Asgard, the painstaking detail in both Thor and Swamp Thing proves Daniel's talent is its own force of nature.

What's a gallery of any kind without Batman? As for Hawkman and The Atom on the left, I really dig how the burn work on Hawkman's wings, draws your attention right into DC's most unsung duo.

If you aren't clicking to enlarge that Doctor Strange, you really are missing out! How Daniel gets the tonal graduation of Stephen's cape, face and clothes in such a precise manner, with a not-so-precise tool, takes his talent to a whole other dimension.

For more of Crosier's wood-burned work, visit his personal website after the jump.

COVER SHOTS: The Best From Image Comics' March 2012 Solicitations

2011-12-17T12:36:00.000+10:30

Ever since I arrived in Western Australia, Ozzie's keep advising me March is the month where the temperature really goes berserk. For March 2012 comics that job goes to Image. The kid gloves are coming off, with even more A grade debuts, including - Jonathan Hickman's The Manhattan Projects #1! The best four covers of the monthly offerings shake out like this;

COVER OF THE MONTH: FIONA STAPLES - SAGA #1 No it's not 'Rihanna with child', it's Saga, the love child of writer Brian K. Vaughan and artist Fiona Staples, plus a man who puts Princess Leia's hair curls to shame. What's all this got to do with the fate of the galaxy? Beats me, but sure will be fun finding out in a double-sized, ad-free issue - for the normal sized price! Beat that DC and Marvel!

Image says; Y: THE LAST MAN writer BRIAN K. VAUGHAN returns to comics with red-hot artist FIONA STAPLES for an all-new ONGOING SERIES! Star Wars-style action collides with Game of Thrones-esque drama in this original sci-fi/fantasy epic for mature readers, as new parents Marko and Alana risk everything to raise their child amidst a never-ending galactic war. The adventure begins in a spectacular DOUBLE-SIZED FIRST ISSUE, with forty-four pages of story with no ads for the regular price of just $2.99!

CLOSE CONTENDERS: Sean Phillips - Fatale #3, the UNBEATABLE late Mike Wieringo - Tellos Colossal, Vol2 and Mitch Gerads - The Activity #4. For more from Image in March click the jump.

FATALE ATTRACTION: The Preview of Phillips and Brubaker's First Issue Finally Hits

2011-12-16T22:00:00.000+10:30

You know, I don't think I've brought an Image series in over a year. It's not that I haven't been tempted - it's just getting it approved by a militant wallet with a finite set of bucks is trickier than ever. Now that all gets kicked to the kirb. A kirb of guns, sex, cults and monsters.

January 2011 sees FATALE debut from the same team that brought you Incognito, every series of Criminal that's ever seen the light of day and that great Batman story I told you about here. It's a juicy little pulp combo, one so tasty a little wallet zip won't stand between me and obtaining it.

I'll be covering each Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips hand-crafted issue here on IADW - and like all tales decent of telling, this one begins with a girl.

JOE SIMON 1913 - 2011

2011-12-16T10:22:00.001+10:30

It's always sad when you wake, to hear one of the legends, and all-time icons has passed away. Joe Simon, as co-creator of one of my favourite characters of all time; Captain America, has died at the amazing age of 98.

All thoughts and prayers go to his family at this time, in recognition of a man who helped give literally generations of people around the globe inspiration, strength and aspiration for both their careers and their own struggles in the 'real world'.

Joe Simon 1913 - 2011

NOW THAT'S A SPLASH PAGE: Hobgoblin Gets To The Point Of My Addiction

2011-12-16T09:17:00.001+10:30

Splash pages, you gotta love 'em. A blank canvas where the artist can hit you with a large dose of illustrated 'wow'. At Christmas, I always flashback to the titles I've dug the most over the years. One of the biggest (and the first title I ever collected from issue one), bore this killer Mike Manley drawn splashie in it's first few pages.

I wasn't a huge fan of the demon/Hobgoblin, but I worshipped earlier Hobby adventures, especially his drama with The Rose that shook out in Web of Spider-Man. Hence having him debut in this first issue, again dealing with mobsters, meant I had to be on the right path.

If you read the book in question, then you would know the same 'bazinga' type moment I felt. If not and you want to find out what happened next, well those pesky little tags at the base of these posts always give everything away anyway right?

THE DEAD SHALL RIDE: Ghost Rider - Spirit of Vengeance Gets Postered - UPDATED With Second Trailer!

2011-12-15T23:58:00.004+10:30

In 2012 I just may pay my rent to the local movie theatre. Batman, Superman, Avengers, Spider-wotsit and this guy's sequel, Ghost Rider. Now with a second trailer!

Judging also by this latest poster, second gear could be the trigger Johnny Blaze needs to burn his name into Hollywood. Not that the film needs a Rider mind you - just check out the detail on that bike!

Not exactly the most festive of festive season imagery, but hey I ain't complaining! To relive the first trailer of Ghost Rider Spirit of Vengeance click here.

KEEPING ABREAST OF THE SITUATION: Actual Super-Heroine Breast Cancer Adverts

2011-12-15T05:33:00.000+10:30

If I ever met cancer in real life, I'd kick her in the balls. The multi-faced tumor is a deadly and heart-braking wee beastie, and any moves that can be taken to stay one step ahead should be considered essential, regardless of where on the planet you live.

In Mozambique, the Associação da Luta Contra o Cancer (ALCC) has reached out to audiences, with a series of public service announcements, using four of the best dynamic duo's in comics. Wonder Woman, She-Hulk, Storm and Catwoman, all visually protecting their life's against that villain that even a super-punch or a solid gold bustier can't stop.

While it's a fair bet we won't see posters of Captain America, Flash, Wolverine, Superman and Green Lantern performing the male equivalent, these posters by advertising powerhouse DDB (and artist Maísa Chaves), do a great job of showing if earth's mightiest do the monthly touch'n'check, be you male or female, so should you.

(Via Ads of the World)

MAKING A MARK: Alessandro Giovagnoli - The Italian Artist Bringing Sin City To Red Sonja

2011-12-14T09:00:00.002+10:30

Twice a week, Making A Mark gives an insanely talented artist some IADW brag-space. Today goes to Alessandro Giovagnoli, a twenty-eight year old Italian artist who proves the power of a brushstroke in both the digital and physical artistic worlds.

Batman Streets of Gotham serves as Giovagnoli's tribute to one of his favourite titles. The legacy trail from the foreground to the background is amazing - just look at that Nightwing! Red Sonja by contrast, takes a bit of a Frank Miller/Sin City approach to make a powerful statement with the She-devil with a sword.

Wolverine is Alessandro's first experiment with a new technique of speed painting using no reference. Not only is it an amazing feat, I wouldn't refine it in anyway. The raw brush strokes really convey the feral creature Logan houses inside him. As for the Osmosis Effect of ol' Ezio there, I think this is the first appearance of Assassins Creed characters on IADW, but what a debut!

Now back to that speed paint/no reference technique...

Someone call Marvel. That's the best Ghost Rider has looked in years! That wicked smile Alessandro gives the Spirit of Vengeance hooks you. Talk about a penance stare! For more of Giovagnoli's handi-work, visit his online gallery right here on Blogger after the jump.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS GANG, FROM DAN! (Oh And Darkseid Too)

2011-12-14T04:43:00.007+10:30

Last year it was Superman, but in 2011 I wanted the IADW Christmas merriment wisher to be Daredevil - The Man Without Fear. While my initial radar sense (cunningly disguised as a search engine) turned up zip, persistence turned up something more than 'good for goodness sake' on the blog of the incredibly talented Michael Cho;

Not only does it feature ol' Hornhead, but Black Panther, Thing and the ultimate Grinch - Darkseid! How can you ague with that much Kirby?

Seriously folks, I hope this festive season is brilliant for you and those close to you. While IADW will be posting right throughout to keep your holiday cheer at an all time high, be sure to pack in plenty of good eats, great laughs and even better company. HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

CAN 'YA SMELL WHAT THE JOES ARE COOKIN' The G.I. Joe Retaliation Trailer Rocks On

2011-12-13T22:44:00.000+10:30

From DOOM to Welcome To The Jungle, Scorpion King to The Mummy Returns (or should that be the other way round?) - me I can't turn a Rock-film down. Now the first full-length trailer has been fired up for next year's G.I. Joe Retaliation flick, and with some cut-throat action, built-in Rock-one-liners, Bruce Willis and a decent plot, it's already gone a few rounds on my laptop screen.

With the majority of the Joes slaughtered by their own country, the payback of the survivors is going to be epic. Plus as a sign of greatness, the ninja-ladden clip has a soundtrack of Seven Nation Army by The White Stripes (also below). Seeing Dwayne Johnson kick tail to that Brit-beat is worth the cost of any admission. Trust me.

G.I. Joe: Retaliation opens June 2012. Trailer thanks to Machinima.

COVER SHOTS: The Best From DC Comics' March 2012 Solicitations

2011-12-13T20:49:00.000+10:30

DC's March 2012 solicits are out - and still no Justice Society! I can't wait for the Earth One based series to drop and thought March would be it. Dr Fate, Wildcat, Jay Garrick - maybe even Captain Marvel? DC/comics/fans need these characters! To help fill the void, DC offers plenty of sweet reads, the top four covers of which are these;

COVER OF THE MONTH: CLIFF CHIANG - WONDER WOMAN #7 Sure she's hammering out a sword, but look at Wonder Woman's face. She's visualising that sword as someone. Me, I think it's all the peeps that said she couldn't have a hit book. Either that or those 'Why say you bring peace when all you bring is war' kinda people. I bet she really gets ticked consistantly being asked that one.

DC says: Remember the myth of Orpheus? Wonder Woman certainly does. And we hope she’s learned its lessons well, because someone she dearly loves is in Hell’s clutches – and she’s the only one who can mount a rescue mission! But Hades has no mercy, even for his own family – in fact, especially for his own family – and he doesn’t intend to let her walk out of his domain without paying a terrible price!

CLOSE CONTENDERS: Scott Clark and Dave Beaty - Grifter (vs Midnighter!) #7, Tony Daniel - Detective Comics #7 and Simon Bisley - Deathstroke #7.

For the full DC March-off click the jump.

THE TUESDAY TUSSLE: Philip Tan vs Cable

2011-12-13T09:02:00.002+10:30

The Tuesday Tussle; the biggest illustrators squaring off against pop's biggest icons - icons you never thought they'd touch. This week the best part f DC's current Hawkman series, Philip Tan, tackles Scott and Jean's recently returned warrior son Cable. Fight!

WINNER: Cable. Sometimes you see an artist tackle a particular character, then all of a sudden they click for you more then they do under the pen of any other artist. For me, Tan's Cable gives off just that vibe. His Nathan Summers truly looks like a soldier stepping from the ashes - and one still with plenty of fight left in him!

For more of Tan's sketchbook, simply make with the clicky.

DARTH SKELETOR BUST BRINGS THE EMPIRE TO ETERNIA

2011-12-12T19:00:00.001+10:30

If someone was to explain to me in my younger days what a 'bad MoFo' was, the definition would've been best explained by 'Skeletor crossed with Darth Vader'. Luckily another such chappy defines the title by the same terms, except deviantartist Ryan Renders actually created a bust about it. Behold!

Someone better tell Princess Teela and OrkoD2 to flee on the Millennium Cat pronto, the Empire of Snake Mountain is a whole new disturbance in the force. See more, after the jump.

ALIENS SCULPTURE IS LITERALLY BANANAS

2011-12-12T08:00:00.001+10:30

Bananas. They are probably the Batman of the fruit world - everyone's favourite. But have you ever looked at them and thought 'Gee, there's a material I could sculpt with!'. If not, you're obviously not Twitter user BANANASYOKUNIN, the artist who can turn a kids terror of all things un-chocolate coated into something more terrifying, like this;

Aliens - eat them, before they eat you. (Via)

MAKING A MARK: David Bovey - Not Just A Rai-sing Artist, But A True Future Force

2011-12-11T15:40:00.002+10:30

Twice a week, Making A Mark gives an insanely talented artist some IADW brag-space. Today goes to David Bovey, an extremely detailed American artist, who not only returns a taste of the classic pulp covers to pops major icons, he makes them breathe like only the best fantasy illustrators can. But don't just take my word for it...

If that awesome Prismacolor pencil Namor image was the cover to a new number one, I would have already subscribed by now! That's the kind of Sub-Mariner I want to read!

Rai on the other-hand is how I found David's work. After news of Valiant's return in May 2012, I went on a Valiant fan-art hunt. This multi-tendril terror more then stopped me in my tracks!

Like the Joker to Batman or Gambit to the X-Men, Abe-Sapien would be a fantastic character in or out of the Hellboy universe. Here, done with Prisma pencils, he almost reaches right out to you!

Now for something even more stunningly sensational... Storm.

Proving nature's (and Marvel's) true 'Savage Land' is in the skies, this watercolour work of Ororo descending is worthy of framing. Just check out those colours!

To see more of David's multi-media mastery, visit his personal website after the jump.

THE LEGEND ENDS: New The Dark Knight Rises Poster Makes Like Spider-Man

2011-12-11T11:13:00.001+10:30

Next year, expect sales of anti-depressants to skyrocket, as comic fans the world over come to grips with the fact director Christopher Nolan's Batman movie run ends in 2012. Today Warner Bros reminded fans once again of the upcoming darkness, with this official teaser poster.

With Marvel's Spider-Man re-entering theatres the same year, it seems a pretty tongue-in-cheek swipe at the opposition, putting a Nolan/Bat spin, on the most infamous of Spider-Man comic moments from Amazing Spider-Man #50.

While the Spidey splash page shows Peter Parker walking away from his own alter-ego, Bane walking away from the crushed Bat-mask shows a victor or maybe a man who tried to follow in Batman's footsteps and ended up stepping further into the darkness? What are your thoughts?

ON TARGET: DC Creative Musical Chairs Brings Harvey Talibao To Green Arrow

2011-12-11T08:00:00.001+10:30

Oliver Queen has many arrows in his quiver and by the time former Daredevil maestro writer Ann Nocenti takes over the book with issue #7, just as many creative hands will have touched Green Arrow in it's relatively short life as part of the new DC 52.

Still as word comes that artist Gene Ha will fill in for Jim Lee on Justice League #7 through 8, and James Robinson will script Men At War from February, DC have literally lined up a bullseye, announcing artist Harvey Talibao to step into Dan Jurgens Superman bound shoes as artist on the emerald archer.

That means Ann's words will be brought to life by the guy who did this;

No, it's not just another gratuitous shot of Psylocke, Harvey's work on Darkhawk, Heroes For Hire, X-Men: Legacy and Psylocke has seen his stunning art land in my pull-list, more often than not. Putting him together with Nocenti means Green Arrow is now one of this Dans most anticipated books of 20-12.

COVER SHOTS: The Best From Dark Horse Comics' March 2012 Solicitations

2011-12-10T16:22:00.001+10:30

Dark Horse fire out of the starters gate with their March 2012 solicitations. Created by the usual anf the not so usual idie comic throughbreds, of the monthly listings, these four covers are paying the most for a place.

COVER OF THE MONTH: TUROK SON OF STONE ARCHIVES Vol10 Turok, Kamandi, Doc Savage, Ka-Zar, I'm a huge sucker for pure pulp adventure. Turok, chief among those. It has the potential to be a massive mainstream franchise, but remains one of comics great hidden treasures. This cover will cause more people to realise just that.

DARK HORSE Say: Turok and Andar find themselves in a never-ending string of dangerous situations as they struggle to escape the lost valley that traps them. Pursued by maddened beasts, surrounded by sea honkers, threatened by a volcanic eruption, or fighting for their lives in a dead city, the braves never give up hope of one day finding a way out of the strange and perilous land! Artist Alberto Giolitti, writer Paul S. Newman.

CLOSE CONTENDERS: Mike Mignola - B.P.R.D. Hell On Earth: The Pickens County Horror #2, Richard Corben - Ragemoor #1 and Brian Wood - Channel Zero TP! For more from Dark Horse, click the jump.

SALES PITCH: November 2011's Top 6 Comics

2011-12-10T13:13:00.000+10:30

For the folks at DC Comics this must be a truly festive season. For the third month in a row, their sales have been good for goodness sake, taking out the top spot once again, as Marvel closes the unit share gap to an unbelievable 1.82%. In November 2011, Image Comics grabbed the mantle of 'Publisher #3', with 4.6% unit share.

THE TOP 6: 1) Justice League #3 2) Batman #3 3) Action Comics #3 4) Green Lantern #3 5) Marvel Point One 6) Avenging Spider-Man #1

MY THOUGHTS: God Jim Lee knows how to draw a great cover. I'm guessing Henny Pennies out there waiting to exclaim 'The sky is falling!' over the DC 52 saw this month's leap by the 'House of Ideas' as just that moment.

However, the third issues of the top four DC titles held onto the top spots, despite Marvel's monthly offerings containing a #1 issue from both their top franchises. That's right - Green Lantern #3 bet both Avenging Spider-Man #1 and Uncanny X-Men #1 (book #7), which has to show the steam the 52 is still cooking with.

With comic sales up on last year, a battle between the big two unlike any comics has seen before, has finally got the industry back on the right track. Heading up.

NOW THAT'S A SPLASH PAGE: In Memory Of Jerry Robinson

2011-12-09T09:48:00.003+10:30

Splash pages, you gotta love 'em. A blank canvas where the artist can hit you with a large dose of illustrated 'wow'. This week, a tribute to the passing of Jerry Robinson, creator of The Joker and all round comics advocate, with a splash from my all time favourite in-comic Joker tale, The Joker's Five Way Revenge from Batman #251.

Boy, what a brilliant creation and as one of pop's most infamous rouges (to the point two posts in the last week feature his creation in the 'real world'), The Joker is unbelievably just a small part of Jerry's contributions to the industry we all soak in daily.

As we take a moment to appreciate the man and this legacy he leaves behind, all thoughts go out to his family.

Jerry Robinson was 89.

EAT THIS AQUAMAN: The Flyboard Jetpack Lets You Soar Above AND In The Water

2011-12-08T15:40:00.001+10:30

If I could sue 80's pop culture for alleging I'd have a jet-pack and a Jetson's car by 2011 (as well as all the emotional trauma it's non-event has caused), the notion would be well lodged by now.

Where the case would fall apart however, is in the actual invention of The Flyboard. It's a water-powered jet-pack for you to re-enact all your Adam Strange fantasies, but one that also works underwater. Meaning Aquaman has now got some serious competition.

Check out the video below (especially around the 40 second mark) for the new definition in cool.

All I'm sayin' is Santa better not have left the pole yet...

ASSALTED: Stop Motion Video Reveals Artist Drawing Joker Completely Out Of Salt

2011-12-08T09:34:00.000+10:30

Salt, it's not your body's greatest friend, but hot chips just aren't the same without it. Now in honour of all the folks who have knocked the shaker over, looked at it's spilled contents and thought, 'Hey that looks like...' comes artist Bashir Sultani. He turns the everyday kitchen condiment into artworks of pop icons and what bigger pop icon has there been in recent years, than Heath Ledger's Joker?

Amazing stuff huh? To see more of his sodium chloride stop motion antics, including Darth Vader, Jack Sparrow and Morgan Freeman, click the jump.