Press Release 12/7/17 Press Release 12/7/17

AfterShock Comics Announces "Betrothed"

Press Release

Welcome to the World of Betrothed! Kieron and Tamara are both seniors at the same high school. They've never paid much attention to each other, even though they are the only kids at school who are orphans. On the eve of their eighteenth birthdays they discover a lifelong secret: in a dimension faraway, they are each the leader of an army that is at war with one another...and what’s more, when they turn eighteen, they’re to be Betrothed or Fight to the Death!

Press Release 12/7/17 Press Release 12/7/17

SCALES & SCOUNDRELS unfurls its wings this February

Press Release

Writer Sebastian Girner (SHIRTLESS BEAR-FIGHTER!) and artist Galaad will release the first trade paperback collection—as well as issue six, which kicks off the series’ second story arc—of SCALES & SCOUNDRELS, the fantasy adventure story for roguish scoundrels of all ages.

Press Release 12/7/17 Press Release 12/7/17

Go Deeper into the World of Thra in Jim Henson’s The Dark Crystal: A Discovery Adventure

Press Release

BOOM! Studios and The Jim Henson Company announce JIM HENSON’S THE DARK CRYSTAL: A DISCOVERY ADVENTURE, an oversized hardcover that offers fans an immersive, interactive experience based on the beloved film. Debuting May 2018, readers are invited to join Jen and Kira on a grand adventure through the world of Thra in their journey to restore the Dark Crystal. Help them find the missing shard, evade Skeksis, and heal their land in this stunning book, gorgeously illustrated by Ann Marcellino.

Press Release 12/7/17 Press Release 12/7/17

Pizza, Dudes, and Alternate Dimensions: Oni Press Announces A Totally-Rad, Totally All-Ages OGN

Press Release

Oni Press, Portland’s premiere independent publisher, is proud to announce Pizzasaurus Rex, an all-new all-ages graphic novel written and illustrated by Justin Wagner (Storyboard Artist, Archer) with colors by Warren Wucinich (Invader ZIM).

Press Release 12/7/17 Press Release 12/7/17

At Library Journal’s “Library Con Live,” Lion Forge Unveils Plans to Publish Graphic Anthology to Benefit Victims of Hurricane Maria

Press Release

Just over two months since Hurricane Maria plowed through Puerto Rico with a destructive force that left island residents desperate for survival or forced to flee to the U.S. mainland, the island is still struggling to rebound. Today, the St Louis publisher announces their commitment to relief efforts with the publication of Puerto Rico Strong, a comics anthology from some of today’s top talent!

Dustin Cabeal 12/6/17 Dustin Cabeal 12/6/17

Comic Bastards Podcast - 023

By Dustin Cabeal

Click to listen!

023 - Keeping this short this week! I have four books to cover with you and that's about all. It's back to being quick and easy to enjoy. Also, be sure to answer my question at the end of the show!

Benjamin Snyder 12/6/17 Benjamin Snyder 12/6/17

Review: Batman: White Knight #3

By Ben Snyder

Joker-centric stories have left a long legacy of being some of the best stories told in the Batman canon. Dating to older series such as A Death In the Family and The Killing Joke to more modern interpretations such as Scott Snyder’s Endgame arc and Brian Azzarello’s Joker mini-series. This theme has even infiltrated other mediums as many consider The Dark Knight to be one of the greatest superhero films of all time. While not quite on par with many of these classics, Sean Murphy’s Batman: White Knight still has been an enlightening read and delves deeper into the relationship between the Joker and Batman. Batman: White Knight #3 continues the story as Jack Napier, and Harleen Quinzel dig deeper into the corruption of Gotham in an attempt to oust Batman, and while it does continue to be a good read, entry #3 suffers mainly because it doesn’t offer any further insight into the mind of Jack/Joker.

Dustin Cabeal 12/6/17 Dustin Cabeal 12/6/17

Review: Lizard Men #1

By Dustin Cabeal

Have you ever read a comic that is good, but still just not quite for you? That’s where I am with Lizard Men. There’s nothing wrong with it, it’s well-written, and the creators understand the medium and produce a professional work. It just didn’t vibe with me.

Cat Wyatt 12/6/17 Cat Wyatt 12/6/17

Review: No. 1 With a Bullet #2

By Cat Wyatt

No. 1 With a Bullet is a relatively new series by Image, the first issue setting up a certain series of events, which this issue then focuses pretty heavily on. Nash, the main character, works at a tech industry and had been a big believer in the whole “if you don’t want it on the internet, then don’t do it” belief, until it happened to her. The series poses the question of what will happen when the barrier protecting our privacy begins to shatter. We’re already seeing it happen; this story simply explores the idea in a more drastic light.

Justin McCarty 12/6/17 Justin McCarty 12/6/17

Review: Rocko's Modern Life #1

By Justin McCarty

After twenty years Rocko’s Modern Life is back. Its last new episode was in 1996 and the comic was last published in 1994. Originally a failed comic pitch in the eighties, Rocko’s Modern Life became one of Nicktoon’s most loved shows. I haven’t seen an episode of RML since the nineties, I have very fond memories of it but it might not have been as good as I remember. This comic reminded me of all the reasons I loved it. It’s surreal and droll, while still being silly. I had a lot of fun reading this comic.

Justin McCarty 12/6/17 Justin McCarty 12/6/17

Review: Barbarella #1

By Justin McCarty

I picked up Barbarella because of the cover alone. Wow. Just wanted to get that out of the way. I am familiar with the Barbarella comics, and the movie. But I have never read Barbarella before or watched the movie. I don’t know why I haven’t seen the movie. Just never got around to it, I guess. That means I don’t have any reference point for what this comic should be. What it is, is a campy sci-fi social commentary on sexual empowerment and ignorant religious dogma.

Jonathan Edwards 12/6/17 Jonathan Edwards 12/6/17

Review: DC Holiday Special 2017 #1

By Jonathan Edwards

It’s December, so that means ‘tis the season for holiday specials like this one, and ‘tis the season for starting reviews off with the phrase “’tis the season.” In the wake of Rebirth last year, I was looking forward to DC’s DC Rebirth Holiday Special #1. It seemed like a great way to celebrate the season and the overall success of the relaunch. Unfortunately, if my LCS had gotten any copies (I didn’t ask, but I’m sure they did), they’d sold out of them before I got there. This was also before I started reviewing for Comic Bastards (if only barely), so I didn’t have access to any review copies. Oh well, I told myself, and I figured it maybe wouldn’t have turned out to be that good of a read anyway. In retrospect, that seems like an unnecessarily sour attitude to take during the most wonderful time of the year. And, the best way I can think of to make up for that is to take an optimistic look at DC Holiday Special 2017 #1.

Benjamin Snyder 12/6/17 Benjamin Snyder 12/6/17

Review: Sleepless #1

By Ben Snyder

Upon finishing the initial couple of pages in Sleepless #1, I couldn’t help but feel a magical quality about the book and that feeling didn’t let up for the rest of the issue. It’s not that Sleepless intends on revolutionizing the wheel, but more so that it succeeds in all that it sets out to achieve. Sleepless #1 introduces the reader to a story involving politics within the royal class of a far-off land, an assassination, and a mysterious bodyguard class to the royalty.

Erika Suarez 12/6/17 Erika Suarez 12/6/17

Review: Dragon Ball Super E. 118

By Erika Suarez

In case you forgot, Goku has obtained a power far beyond Super Saiyan God Blue, and it’s called Ultra Instinct! It’s incredible and something unimaginable to my eyes. I was doubtful to how they can top a power much more than a God, but the show definitely achieved this challenge. Dragon Ball Super has gone a long way starting very slow in its beginning season, but it’s made its way to delivering us with that intense and accelerating battles we enjoyed watching from Dragon Ball Z. In this week’s episode universe 2 and 6 faced defeat in the Tournament of Power and ended with sad farewells.

Justin McCarty 12/6/17 Justin McCarty 12/6/17

Review: Witchblade v2 #1

By Justin McCarty

Twenty-two years after the launch of Top Cow’s iconic series hit comic store shelves it has come back. The gauntlet has found a new host. I read the comic off and on for years in high school, following the dark and sexy drama of Sara Pezzini. Turner’s artwork is still so much fun to look at. The whole Witchblade mythos and universe was very cool. Unfortunately, the look was very much a product of its time. The Witchblade has found a new host and the series looks like it completely fits into the contemporary style and tone of comics. While solid, and while all we have is one issue to go on, it has some work to do to live up to the original. That means I am excited to see how this series shapes up.

Daniel Vlasaty 12/6/17 Daniel Vlasaty 12/6/17

Review: The Gravediggers Union #2

By Daniel Vlasaty

I really enjoyed the first issue of this series. I thought it felt like a fresh and exciting entry into a genre of comic books that’s – for lack of a better phrase – bloated with a lot of crap. Wes Craig is telling an interesting and exciting story. And, while yes it kind of sucks that Craig’s not doing the art on top of the writing, Toby Cypress’s art is great and unique and really adds to the story. So how does issue #2 stack up compared to the first?

Cat Wyatt 12/6/17 Cat Wyatt 12/6/17

Review: Green Lanterns #36

By Cat Wyatt

Issue 36 picks up exactly where 35 left off, almost to the second. For those concerned, let me assure you now that the unique names keep on coming; we have the continued presence of Boff and Bolphunga, as well as Singularity Jain. I still can’t get over any of their names (and don’t even get me started on their titles).

Dustin Cabeal 12/6/17 Dustin Cabeal 12/6/17

Review: Punchline #1-3

By Dustin Cabeal

If there’s one thing I’ve written over and over in reviews, it’s that I don’t care for indie superhero stories. Lately though, at least this year, I have found several titles that I have in fact liked. I will have to retire that old statement. It may not be a genre I seek out in the indie world, but damn, some of these creators are delivering while the big companies continue to deliver the same old shit.

Oliver Gerlach 12/6/17 Oliver Gerlach 12/6/17

Review: Penumbra #1

By Oliver Gerlach

Johnathan Lewis and Chalk Yeso’s Penumbra #1 feels like a bizarre throwback. Everything about it feels oddly familiar, but not in any particularly positive way.

This is a story about a lady secret agent with an inexplicably constantly-changing costume. There isn’t very much plot, and what there is, is as simple as “she has to steal a thing.” There’s not much going on in this at all, and none of it is outstanding and interesting. This is, to put it bluntly, a very bland comic. That doesn’t mean it’s not worth talking about at all, just that there is nothing exceptional about it.

Press Release 12/5/17 Press Release 12/5/17

Titan Announces Bloodborne Comic

Press Release

Discover the terrifying secrets of Old Yharnam in a brand-new Bloodborne comic series from Titan Comics, which spins out of JAPAN Studio and Fromsoftware’s critically-acclaimed Bloodborne videogame!