Kelly Gaines 2/7/18 Kelly Gaines 2/7/18

Review: Fantomah #4

By Kelly Gaines

To begin honestly, I was drawn to the Fantomah title because I recognized the name from Jon Morris’ The League of Regrettable Superheroes. Regrettable superhero is not a nomenclature any writer wants attached to their character, but If you’ve been following The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, you’ll notice another “regrettable” character (Madame Satan) has made quite the come back in her modern incarnation. So with Madame Satan’s blessing, I was eager to see how her fellow regrettable was faring in her current title.

Cat Wyatt 2/7/18 Cat Wyatt 2/7/18

Review: Not Alone

By Cat Wyatt

Not Alone is a really interesting new series. I actually had to sit down and think for a while before writing my review for it. It both is and isn’t a story; which sounds strange, but bear with me. It all starts out in the middle of a story, and it ends in the middle too (though I suspect there will be another volume, so that isn’t exactly true). That means the focus is more on the characters than on what is happening around them.

Smrithi S 2/7/18 Smrithi S 2/7/18

Review: The Mercenary #1

By Thea Srinivasan

Although this comic was written over several years ago, its charm and beautiful scenery, art, and logic to the world makes it worth so much in the present. I will have to give a viewer discretion for this particular comic as features naked women and violence. This is my only warning for a viewer’s discretion before I go on.

James Anders II 2/7/18 James Anders II 2/7/18

Review: Swamp Thing Winter Special #1

By James Anders II

In my lifelong love of the comic book medium, Swamp Thing has been one of my favorites. Ever since I picked up an issue of Saga of the Swamp Thing in the early 80s, I have forever been transfixed on the character and the series through all of the ups and downs of the story. I’ve been there for the good (Alan Moore, Rick Veitch, Nancy A. Collins, Brian K. Vaughn, Scott Snyder, Charles Soule). I’ve been through the bad (Andy Diggle, Joshua Dysart). I’ve been through the “meh” (Grant Morrison, Mark Millar, pre-fallout). And I’ve been through the ugly (Doug Wheeler, God bless him). Through it all, I have seen in Swampy the story of a man, a monster, life, death, and rebirth. Like the changes of the seasons, the Swamp Thing character has had periods of great life and growth, decline, and regrowth. It has all been very fitting for a character whose very essence is that of nature.

Cat Wyatt 2/7/18 Cat Wyatt 2/7/18

Review: Solar Flare - Season 1: Fort Myers

By Cat Wyatt

Solar Flare is described as the Walking Dead, but with science (and without zombies, but given the title that’s probably obvious). It’s a dystopian graphic novel, bordering on the post-apocalyptic side (sounds all doom and gloom, I know). It ponders the question; what would happen to the human race if we suddenly lost access to all forms of power and electricity? Could we survive without our precious electronics? Or would society collapse?

Cat Wyatt 2/7/18 Cat Wyatt 2/7/18

Review: Mindbender #1-5

By Cat Wyatt

Do you ever wonder how you’d handle everything in your life changing, in the blink of an eye? Alex doesn’t have to wonder, he’s already been there. He’s the main character in a new series, Mindbender, by Scout Comics, and it’s safe to say that he’s had more than his fair share of trauma.

Benjamin Snyder 2/7/18 Benjamin Snyder 2/7/18

Review: Niourl

By Ben Snyder

Niourk would be hard to describe to anyone. It starts off extremely simple, telling the tale of seemingly Stone Age tribe outcast and his struggles to get back home; but then it becomes so much more and expansive. In theory, this seems great, but too often Niourk seemed to meander and waste time, leading up to an ending that can seem out of nowhere and uninspired. There are also some characters that are underdeveloped and themes that once again seem ungrounded. But Niourk isn’t entirely bad, as the first chapters of the book offer an interesting take on a familiar story and the art can be gruesome and exceptionally cool.

Cat Wyatt 2/7/18 Cat Wyatt 2/7/18

Review: Harley Quinn #37

By Cat Wyatt

After the ending of the last issue, I was concerned about where Harley was going to go next, and what was going to end up happening. As it turns out, I had a right to be concerned. Running away from home and running late-night ads for your vigilante business (paid, of course) does not strike me as something an emotionally stable person would do. But then again, we’re talking about Harley here.

Cat Wyatt 2/7/18 Cat Wyatt 2/7/18

Review: No. 1 With a Bullet #4

By Cat Wyatt

No. 1 With a Bullet #4 starts out in a surprising manner; with Jad Davies admitting to the other board members of the business that he did, in fact, sleep with Nash and film her without her knowledge (or consent). Now, admitting this to two guys in a locked office is completely different from admitting it on the news, but it’s a start, right?

Cat Wyatt 2/7/18 Cat Wyatt 2/7/18

Review: Green Lanterns #40

By Cat Wyatt

Our Green Lanterns have been busy – busier than usual actually. Clearly something is going on, the question is, what? A tropical storm is the most recent event requiring multiple heroes to step up and help to save the day (man, wouldn’t it be wonderful to have heroes during natural disasters?). Several notable heroes are in the backgrounds of these scenes, such as Powergirl and Supergirl, as well as some less known heroes like Bulleteer (yes, you read that right).

Benjamin Snyder 2/7/18 Benjamin Snyder 2/7/18

Review: Batman: White Knight #5

By Ben Snyder

Batman: White Knight #5 continues the story of a seemingly reformed Joker and how the rest of Gotham copes and deals with it. Sean Murphy has been in fine form throughout this mini-series, and issue #5 is no exception. Murphy is able to straddle a fine line with showing the mental stability of the various characters in this series and his art offers a unique spin on an already well mapped out city. But perhaps the greatest asset to this series so far has nothing to do with Murphy’s writing or art, but with the legacy of a character like the Joker. Mainly, we still don’t know how this is going to all shake out.

Cat Wyatt 2/7/18 Cat Wyatt 2/7/18

Review: Batman #40

By Cat Wyatt

Batman #40 starts off with Batman and Wonder Woman still stuck defending us against the everlasting horde, all so that the standard guard, the Gentle Man, can have a chance to visit his wife. The catch? The Gentleman may or may not have failed to mention the slight time difference between the two dimensions. I’m sure I’m not the only one that’s anxiously awaited the last two weeks, hoping that the hinted at event wouldn’t actually occur.

Cat Wyatt 2/7/18 Cat Wyatt 2/7/18

Review: Backstagers Valentine’s 2018 Intermission #1

By Cat Wyatt

This special, ahem, intermission sorry, starts off on a pretty cute (or mushy, depending on how you look at it) note; there’s a whole page dedicated to pink and red roses and the adorable couple known as…wait, is there a ship name for Jory and Hunter? I don’t know this, but I feel like it’s something I should be aware of. If there isn’t one, I call dibs on naming it!

Kelly Gaines 2/7/18 Kelly Gaines 2/7/18

Review: Mother Panic - Batman Special #1

By Kelly Gaines

I want to start off with the one thing that irritated me with Mother Panic - Batman #1. Maybe I never noticed it in Mother Panic, but I wish they’d use actual curse words instead of Violet losing her “@!*&&#$” mind. I’m going to lose my @!&&#$ mind over that. I’m starting with the negative because the rest of this review is going to be a long-winded fawning over Mother Panic as a title, followed by a serious appreciation for the adventure Mother Panic - Batman #1 sets up.

Benjamin Snyder 2/7/18 Benjamin Snyder 2/7/18

Review: VS #1

By Ben Snyder

I am very confused on what exactly VS #1 is about. It’s really pretty to look, and Flynn seems like an interesting enough character. But it’s really confusing to know what is real and not real in the world of VS? Obviously, Flynn is a grizzled combat veteran, but did that combat happen in cyberspace, a virtual reality rehab program, in his past, or in his future? Flynn is obviously a celebrity but how did achieve it? Hopefully, we’ll see in future issues, because VS #1 is definitely successful in making me want more of it.

Cat Wyatt 2/7/18 Cat Wyatt 2/7/18

Review: Twisted Romance #1

By Cat Wyatt

This is the start of a four-issue weekly miniseries, and man does it start off with a bang. The first issue in this intriguing new series is called ‘Old Flames’ which is very appropriate, considering what occurs inside. The main character is a main named Meserov (aka Misha), and he runs Heartbreak Incorporated. As the business name implies, it’s his job to break couples apart. He doesn’t care what the reason is for a person wanting a couple to break up, as long as they can pay. Though I get the impression, his usual clientele are looking for him to get their cheating spouses to knock it off (even if temporarily).

Dustin Cabeal 2/6/18 Dustin Cabeal 2/6/18

Comic Bastards Podcast - 029

By Dustin Cabeal

Click here to listen!

029 - I've got a manga filled episode for you this week. Don't worry I still cover two books releasing this week, but let's be honest it's just "that" week in the month in which nothing looks that damn interesting. Rely on your go-to's this week.

Manga, Graphic Novels and Comic Books covered on this episode:

Fire Punch vol. 1
RWBY vol. 1
Food Wars! vol. 20
Creative Struggle
VS #1
Armstrong and the Vault of Spirits #1

Press Release 2/6/18 Press Release 2/6/18

Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi Reveals Signature Rides in 'Metropolis' and 'Cartoon Junction'

Press Release

Warner Bros. World™ Abu Dhabi—the world’s first-ever Warner Bros. branded indoor theme park—revealed for the first time today a closer look at two of its six themed lands, Metropolis and Cartoon Junction, which will showcase signature rides, entertainment and restaurants inspired by the stories and characters from DC and Warner Bros. Animation. When it publicly debuts on Yas Island in summer 2018, Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi will feature a total of 29 state-of-the-art rides, interactive family-friendly attractions and unique live entertainment across six fully immersive lands including Metropolis, Gotham City, Cartoon Junction, Bedrock, Dynamite Gulch and Warner Bros. Plaza.

Press Release 2/6/18 Press Release 2/6/18

Gaumont, Stan Sakai, James Wan’s Atomic Monster and Dark Horse Entertainment to Co-Produce the Series

Press Release

Gaumont has optioned the iconic, multi-generational comic book series Usagi Yojimbo from the series creator, writer, and illustrator Stan Sakai, to be developed into an animated TV series. First published in 1984, the multiple award-winning Usagi Yojimbo is to be co-produced by Gaumont, Sakai, James Wan’s Atomic Monster, and Dark Horse Entertainment’s Mike Richardson and Keith Goldberg who will serve as executive producers, with Chris Tongue as co-executive producer. The announcement was made today by Gaumont’s President of Animation, Nicolas Atlan.

Press Release 2/6/18 Press Release 2/6/18

VIZ Media & Rose City Games Forge A Partnership To Develop Video Games

Press Release

Rose City Games and VIZ Media announce a partnership to debut original, narrative-driven games. VIZ Media, publisher of popular gaming adaptations for POKÉMON, SPLATOON, THE LEGEND OF ZELDA, HOMESTUCK, MONSTER HUNTER and more, will deepen its robust connection to the gaming world. Rose City Games, a leader in the rapidly-developing indie game scene, will introduce new and diverse voices from the world of indie games to the massive pop culture audience VIZ Media has cultivated since its founding.