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Amazon: Comixology Nobbler?

April 30, 2014 by

Digital_Comics_-_Comics_by_comiXologyI’m totally ashamed to admit I’d missed the news about Amazon buying out Comixology – I’d received the email advising me of the app update but hadn’t read into why it was occurring.

Then I’ve read a great piece by John Birmingham on what Amazon have done to Comixology, and I’m now angry. I understand it’s more of an iOS issue that anything, but it still seems a backward step.

To me it’s the same boring story of an IT behemoth coming in and taking over something innovative, but managing to asphyxiate the innovation within a matter of days or weeks because of a requirement for integration into the behemoth’s processes.

 

Or am I overreacting here? Would love your thoughts.

Filed Under: Industry News Tagged With:

Comic Gong – 2nd Year and Growing

April 26, 2014 by

Comic_GongAs a Wollongong local, I’m a bit excited by this, but that aside, Comic Gong is shaping up to be one hell of a day.

Organised by Wollongong City Council’s Library Services, Comic Gong had its inaugural outing in 2013 and it’s back in a much expanded form this year, slated for Saturday 17th May 10am to 4pm. It’s going to be spread across three venues (all within a couple of hundred metres of each other), with stalls, an artists alley, Cosplay competition and a number of workshops from notable Australian comic creators including Pat Grant and Bruce Mutard.

The artists appearing, are (via the Comic Gong site):

​The Artists
​ACT Comic Meet
​Ben Mitchell
​Bolt Comics
Brendan Halyday
​Celtic Panzar
Chewie Chan
​Comics Masterclass
​Dragonhaunt Comics
​Ed Dyer
​Enemy Agency
​Isaac George
Karen Beilharz
​Lesley Vamos
​Louie Joyce
Marcelo Baez
​Matthew Lin
​Mel Schwarz
​Naomi Hatchman
​Nelson Colo
​Pat Grant
​Paul Caggegi
Pie-Eyed Productions​
​Ryan Lindsay
​Siberian Productions
​Silverfox Comics
​Storm Publishing
​Tim Brand
​Winter City

So if you’re Sydney based, it’s well worth the 90 minute drive for the day. If you’re from the Illawarra then you have zero excuse unless you’re getting married. And even then – why not do that at the event itself?

We’ll be there checking everything out and will tweet pics and write a wrap-up afterwards. To get all the info for Comic Gong, here’s the event page.

Filed Under: Events Tagged With: , , ,

50-Word Review: Rogue Trooper #1

April 4, 2014 by

rogue-trooper-1Rogue Trooper has serious pedigree and IDW have pulled off an actual improvement in a classic series.

There’s some nice updates to Rogue Trooper’s gear, some good dialogue and some great art that keeps Nu Earth as desolate as it should be. A must-read for fans or newcomers alike.

8.5/10

Filed Under: IDW, Other Companies Tagged With: , , ,

50-Word Review: Deadly Class 1-3

April 3, 2014 by

DeadlyGridFinalNot for the young or faint-hearted The first issue nearly lost me, but the second and third have me firmly tied on board.

Remender’s writing is tight and tense, Craig’s art is edgy and Loughridge’s colours play a central role in a dark series.

A classic in the making.

9/10

Filed Under: Image, Other Companies Tagged With: , , ,

50-Word Review: Daredevil #36

April 3, 2014 by

Daredevil_36Waid finishes Daredevil’s superhero life in New York, makes a nice transition to the new series set in San Francisco. Foggy’s fate is left hanging, but everything else is tied up neatly as you’d expect.

One of the better plots for the east to west coast move Marvel has done.

8/10

Filed Under: Marvel Tagged With:

Pretty Sure Marvel Haven’t Signed Off On This Merchandise

March 23, 2014 by

Whilst walking around a country show, I spotted this little gem:

IMG_2840

I’m assuming it’s non-legitimate merchandise or I’ve missed the memo about the merger??

Filed Under: Humour

Gold Humour: Texts From Superheroes

January 23, 2014 by

Thanks to a friend letting me know about the site Texts From Superheroes, I can pass it on to you to enjoy as well. Here’s one example:

tumblr_mztrtnAqyC1rvya9ro1_1280

Now go check out the full site for yourself.

 

Filed Under: Humour, Webcomics

Review: Myth #3 – Loniewski / Lauer / Dollman

January 8, 2014 by

Myth3_pdf__page_1_of_54_The final part of the Myth trilogy is now available (here are our issue 1 and issue 2 reviews), and I’m pleased to report it’s a satisfying conclusion.

The story continues along with Sam abducted and needing rescuing, but that is primarily the backdrop to a number of other events that culminate in the final scenes. I’ve mentioned the Bone echoes for me with this title, and I definitely stick with that belief after reading issue #3, and I see that as a very positive thing.

As mentioned both times previously, all proceeds go toward Childhelp.org, so jump in and buy all three if you haven’t read them until now. Issue #3 is slated for release on the 19th February over at Comixology.

C’mon, what are you waiting for??

Filed Under: Independents Tagged With:

More 2013 Highlights and Lowlights

January 2, 2014 by

young-avengersTime for so more highlights and lowlights, this time from Sean Robinson

Highlights

1. /Saga/

I could sit here and tell you what Brian K. Vaughan and Fiona Staples’ Saga is closest to in forms of other literature. I could tell you it’s Star Wars meets Game of Thrones, but that would most certainly not give it the recognition it deserves. Saga is more than an amalgamation of many science fiction and fantasy works. It is the fully realised story of two people on different sides of a war who fall in love, with more character development in a single panel than most series do in one issue.

Combined with Staples’ glorious art and design and we have a series that is one of the best, and I hope will keep on going for years to come.

Favourite issue:  #14 has my favourite page in a comic this year too.

2. /Rachel Rising/

I wouldn’t be surprised if you haven’t heard of this horror series written and drawn by Terry Moore. I haven’t had a chance to review it just yet, only having discovered it not too long ago, but this has quickly jumped up to being one of my most anticipated series each month. A slow burning horror series centred on the resurrection of the title character Rachel, it is probably most impressive in what Moore doesn’t write, letting the images speak for themselves for pages on end, creating a truly creepy world. A masterpiece of horror in any medium.

Favourite issue: Seriously the entire run is fantastic, can’t pin a single issue down.

3. /Young Avengers/

I never read the original Young Avengers run that people held so dear, so I can’t speak to the quality or the legacy which that series holds.  What I can tell you is that the second volume of Young Avengers is awesome in its own right. Sure, it’s creepy that Loki is a kid again, but a hilariously told tale from Keiron Gillen about growing up as a superhero, with all the awkwardness of being a internet-age  teenager, completed by a brilliantly designed page layout from Jamie McKelvie. It’s coming to an end soon, so you best be getting on the train while you still can.

Favourite issue:  Issue #7, complete with Loki’s newsfeed. Great stuff.

Lowlight of 2013

/Joker’s Daughter #1/

This issue is a travesty – a mess of storytelling and sub par art work. A character that doesn’t need to exist, who has the most tenuous ties to the Joker. Regardless, could work with an able writer, but Ann Noncenti messes it up so horrifically that I never want to see or hear from this character again. Shame on you DC.

Filed Under: Image Tagged With: , , ,

2013 Comics Highlights

January 1, 2014 by

capt-marvelIt’s the time of the year where we look back on the previous 12 months and the highlights and lowlights. Kimberley Griffiths and I dragged ourselves off our respective summer couches to throw some bouquets and brickbats:

Kimberley’s take

1. /Hawkeye v4/

This series has gone from strength to strength, and bringing in whole issues for Kate Bishop was a genius idea on the creative team’s part. Some have disliked the amount of introspection in Fraction’s book, but for me, it’s a welcome relief from the constant chaotic events that tend to take over the Marvel universe. It just edges out my number two thanks to none of its issues being annoying event tie-ins. Favourite issue? #11 (Pizza Dog), thanks to the innovative storytelling and David Aja’s fabulous art. (Marvel)

2. /Captain Marvel v7/

The first volume of Kelly Sue’s book is now over, but this has been a huge standout for me. When it first started, I was mostly just excited to see Carol in pants, but it had me hooked within two issues. Wonderfully written, only a few missteps with the art and the Infinity tie-in, and great character development. I can’t wait for volume 2.

Favourite issue? #17, which ended on a poignant, whimsical note.  (Marvel)

3. /Pretty Deadly/

Another Kelly Sue Deconnick title, this one is brand new but already shows promise to be a stand out for 2014. I feel like we’ve been waiting for it forever, but the anticipation didn’t dull any of my enjoyment – gorgeous art from Emma Rios, a witty, clever script from DeConnick, and Jordie Bellaire’s subtle touch on colours. It’s a fairytale western mystery, and if that combination doesn’t hook you, the art certainly might.

Favourite issue? #1 if only because there’s only three so far. (Image)

And the worst: Rick Remender’s /Captain America/ /v7/. I made it five issues in before I decided it wasn’t worth it, not even for Steve (Marvel). The Bounce, for being a self indulgent, trying too hard to be cool, disaster of a book (Image).

David’s take

1. /Daredevil: End of Days/

This mini-series was not only the highlight of 2013 for me but probably the highlight of the last five years in comics I’ve read. Art to die for, a brilliantly penned story with equal amounts of Daredevil history and new events – this series has got some serious praise and it’s all deserved. (Marvel)

2. /Judge Dredd/

I’m quite the Judge Dredd fan and I really like what IDW are doing with him. The stories are new, the art is more than respectable and the franchise is getting the respect it deserves. My only criticism would be that IDW oversaturated a little with the Judge Dredd: Year One and Judge Dredd Classics, although Mars Attacks versus Judge Dredd has been brilliant. (IDW)

ToddUgliest3. /Todd: The Ugliest Kid On Earth/

I’ve raved repeatedly on this title, and I’ll continue to do so. It’s wall to wall quality from an art, story and humour viewpoint. Each cover is pretty well worth the price of admission alone. (Image)

The lowlight for me was: Hoax Hunters even though I liked it a lot initially – it just lost me by issue six or seven and I just gave up.

For 2014 I’ve added Pretty Deadly to my pull list and would love any suggestions for others. Happy New Year from us all here at The Comics Herald!

Filed Under: Marvel, Opinion Tagged With: , , , , , , ,
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