More Comic Reviews

I've been doing a bit more comic book reading lately. Not only on the bus, but also during lunch. Between that and my Captain America business card holder and Lisa Simpson bust-up on my desk, I'm getting the reputation amongst my bank co-workers as the pop-culture gal. There are worse things they could refer to me by, so I'm totally OK with it.

Remember, I am a bit behind on the reading, so these books may be a few weeks old by now.

The End League #2
Dark Horse Comics. Written by rick Remender, pencils by Mat Broome, lettered by Rus Wooton. $2.99.
This seems like it's taken a while to come out. Maybe I'm wrong. Still, it's a book worth the wait. Really great art, although occasionally Broome seems to get lazy on backgrounds - leaving them blank or barely filled in. The story is good to - very solid and interesting. Strong use of different and clear hero archetypes that fight to save not only the few remaining humans left, but also to save themselves. I love that one of the strongest of the heroes, the "god killer" Divinity, is a woman. Not only is she super tough, but she also cries and fights to keep her love, Brian, from death. A

Green Arrow and Black Canary #7
DC Comics. Written by Judd Winick, penciled by Mike Norton, letters by Jared K. Fletcher. $2.99
Turns out that the alien invasion wasn't quite so alien after all. But their discovery starts a new investigation where we find a new bad guy. Fun issue! I especially enjoyed the unique method of torture Canary & Arrow threaten the fake aliens with to get them to spill their guts. This comic is fun & well written with art that works for it. Good stuff. A

Titans #1
DC Comics. Written by Judd Winick, penciled by Ian Churchill, lettered by Comicraft, $3.50.
I did not read the "Part One" of this story arc, and had mistakenly thought that this was a non-continuity story, which appears not to be the case. Still, I thought it was a good read. It seems like it will be a good story - strong start, I will definitely keep reading to see what comes next. Very good art as well. I do think the cover price was a bit too high - let's try to keep these prices at $3, ok publishers. B+ (because of price)

George R.R. Martin's Wild Cards #1
Dabble Brothers Publishing. Written by Daniel Abraham, art by Eric Battle, lettered by Bill Tortolini. $2.99.
I am not familiar with George R.R. Martin's version of this tale. It is a premise that's been done - humans come into contact with foreign chemical, foreign chemical kills some humans, mutates others, granting a few with unusual abilities. Still, I thought it was well written and the art was OK - a little bit lacking in finer details, but still good. My biggest concern with this and the other Dabble Brothers comics we should start to see - lateness. They had problems before their Marvel partnership and during the Marvel partnership, so I am not optimistic that they can keep things on-time after the Marvel partnership. I won't give this one a bad grade because of what might happen in the future though - I'll wait until it happens, or doesn't. B

Avenger's Fairy Tales #2 (of 4)
Marvel comics. Written by C.B. Cebulski, Pencisl by Nuno Plati, lettered by Artmonkeys. $2.99
These fairy tale inspired stories of Marvel characters are fun. I think it is pretty creative to take the Marvel characters and fit them into fables of old. Vision as a Pinocchio character was very good. The art is, as it has been in these "tales" stories, done in a more manga/animation style. I am not always a fan of that style, but it seems to fit with these stories. They are each a one-and-done story too, which makes them great for young and old, collectors and folks new to comics. Entertaining. A

Project Superpowers #1
Dynamite Entertainment. Plotted by Alex Ross, Script by Jim Krueger, art by Carlos Paul, lettering by Simon Bowland. $3.50
The art is very pretty, which I'd expect from anyone working with Alex Ross. Bright colors and lots of detail in every panel. Interesting characters in these stories - The Green Lama is a monk who can teleport via vines- that's pretty unusual. I did not read the 0 issue, so I kinda thought I was lost because I did not seem to know what the premise was. But I did figure it out, or at least I think I did. I will be interested in seeing where it goes. A

Well, I think that's it for tonight. I'm getting pretty tired and I think I've given away too many A's for one day.

The Free Comic Book Day gold sponsored comics arrived today, so I'm looking forward to starting to check those out. Hopefully no dildos in the panels this year! I'll be looking. I can't believe it's only a few weeks away now (May 3). It's always our biggest event of the year, and I am really looking forward to it. We will have some of our local 501st and Rebel Legion folks on hand again, and they are great at bringing in people - and ringing up big sales on all things Star Wars at the register. We will also collect food for the Waukesha food pantry, so don't forget that it's not just about getting free stuff, but also about helping those less fortunate - give to receive. And that's the weekend of the Iron Man movie too - which is also VERY exciting. It's a great time to be a pop-culture gal!

What you've Been Waiting For

It's a whole new year and a whole new week. Time for another installment of What You've Been Waiting For. My weekly post (well, the day can vary when new comic days do, of course) that examines my Diamond invoice for the week. I look at the mini-series madness, at what I want to read out of this week's shipment, and of course, which comics have taken two months or more between issues. Sometimes the comics are late, sometimes they're VERY late, and other times they're right on time but just have these big gaps between them.

This week's invoice is small. We are only getting a few boxes and our invoice total is about half of what it's been in any week in December. Even my New This Week list is about half as long. So, that will make this post about half as long as usual too.

Devil's Due has had some problems delivering comics in a timely fashion lately. Not sure why. But this week we're getting in Forgotten Realms Halfling's Gem #3 (of 3). The prior issue came out on 10/31/07.

Thunderbolts #118 (Marvel) and Doktor Sleepless #4 (Avatar) are both arriving tomorrow, and both had their prior issues come out on 10/24/07. Both of these were ordered in August, so I'd guess that both are late.

Due largely to the break up of Dabble Brothers and Marvel, Hedge Knight 2 hasn't seen a new issue since August 8th. Finally issue #4 is coming out! We ordered this new issue back in July.

And another result of the DB Marvel split was the delays on Anita Blake Vampire Hunter: Guilty Pleasures #7. Nothing worse than a 9 month gap between issues in the middle of a series. They did have that 2-part fill in thing, so fans didn't give up entirely, but still, that kind of gap between issues is never good for a comic book. The prior issue of Anita Blake VHGP arrived on April 18th, making it my longest wait from this week's shipment.

Looks like Marvel wins the award for lateness this week. 3 of the 5 books that you've been waiting for this week are published by them.


One shots and new mini-series starting this week from the "Big Two"

• EXILES DAYS OF THEN & NOW - Marvel
• TEEN TITANS YEAR ONE #1 (OF 6) - DC
• ULTIMATE HUMAN #1 (OF 4) - Marvel
• WILDSTORM REVELATIONS #1 (OF 6) - DC

One shots from the "Big Two" that end with this week's issue

• HOWARD THE DUCK #4 (OF 4) - Marvel
• MAGICIAN APPRENTICE #12 (OF 12) - Marvel

While both publishers are even on mini-series they've got starting, at least Marvel has some ending this week.


What I'm Reading (last week was a BIG week and a holiday week, so I'm pretty far behind, but this week is small, so hopefully I'll be able to catch up a bit)

ANITA BLAKE VH GUILTY PLEASURES #7
ANNIHILATION CONQUEST #3 (OF 6)
DYNAMO 5 #10
END LEAGUE #1 -Picutred
GRAVEL #0 Anything that has a character referred to as a "combat magician" is worth checking out.
NORTHLANDERS #2 - pictured
SUPERGIRL #25
TEEN TITANS YEAR ONE #1 (OF 6) - pictured at top
ULTIMATE HUMAN #1 (OF 4) - just to see what it's about.

Dang, it looks like Warren Ellis week this week.

Dabel Brothers Update - Del Rey

According to the Dabel Brothers web site:

NEW YORK, NY – November 14, 2007 – Dabel Brothers Publishing and Del Rey, an imprint of Ballantine Books, have announced a new agreement for distribution of Dabel Brothers graphic novels into the trade book market.

In spring 2008 the popular literary comic book publisher will launch comic book adaptations of three major properties: New York Times bestselling author Dean Koontz’s Frankenstein: Prodigal Son; Jim Butcher’s bestselling The Dresden Files; and George R.R. Martin’s Wild Cards. The graphic novel versions, to be distributed by Del Rey, will go on sale in summer/fall 2008.

The long-term arrangement will result in broader distribution for their graphic novels than they have had in the past, explains Ernst Dabel, President of Dabel Brothers Publishing. “While we will retain our autonomy and continue to operate as an individual company, we expect the Del Rey sales team to greatly expand our reach into such markets as libraries and independent bookstores.”

Click the link above to read more of the details. To read about the Marvel/Dabel split, click here.

I thought most of what Del Rey did was manga, so this is different and surprising. Sounds like Dabel will do direct to graphic novel stories. That's probably a good way for them to go since they had some trouble getting single issues out consistantly. In GN format the whole story will be self contained and we won't have to worry about 5 month delays between issues. Overall I always enjoyed Dabel's stuff, so I'm looking forward to seeing how things change/improve/progress with Del Rey.

MORE on The Marvel Dabel Break-Up

Today on Lying in the Gutters:

So, why did Dabel Bros. Studios and Marvel part ways?

I understand it was basically over repeated non-payment to creators. Marvel had to cover a variety of payments and, as stated in the contract, in such circumstances, the contract was cancelled and Marvel ended up with the rights to a number of series which they'll continue to publish.

This is good news for Marvel. Not only do they get to be the good guys, but they also gain the "Anita Blake" series which just netted them the #1 best selling graphic novel this month - and that's only in the direct market.

I understand that there were other issues concerning operating budgets and schedule dates. But it was the non-payment that threatened to really blow up in their faces and there was real fear at Marvel that the non-payment story might all come out in this very column before they had a chance to fix it.

So they fixed it.

Les Dabel tells me "I'm not sure where you got this information from. The conclusions they've drawn are inaccurate.

"This was a business decision, not some case of 'good guys' and 'bad guys' as you suggest. We parted ways with Marvel on good terms and we are looking to continue what we do best -- to bring as many new faces as we can into the industry."

I would like to clarify I spoke to creators who feel stiffed by the Dabel's and individuals at Marvel Comics who are very clear about having to pick up Dabel's tab on a number of projects.

If anyone out there has anything to add, now is the time to do it.

Dabel Brothers Update

The other day it was revealed that Marvel and Dabel Brothers were splitting up after less than a year of comic book bliss. Both said the standard things. I blogged about it.

Today Dabel revealed their new, Marvel-free, project for next year: an adaptation of Dean Koontz's Frankenstein: Prodigal Son.

I read several Koontz books in years past, but nothing in probably the last 4-5 years. They were always good psychological horror. I have never read this specific novel though. But, I think it should be interesting and I'm anxious to check it out, and I hope that the Dabel brothers past history (before Marvel) of having books run extremely late, is behind them. This is the type of comic that will appeal to a wider audience than just the standard weekly comic book buyer - and that audience typically doesn't understand or tolerate excessive delays between issues.

The Official Press Release:

With over five million copies sold worldwide of the first two novels in Koontz’s proposed Frankenstein trilogy, the graphic adaptation produced by the Dabel Brothers of “Frankenstein Book 1” is destined to be a Number 1 bestseller in the graphic novel and comic book categories as well.


If the Dabel Brothers can be accused of anything in life, it’s in thinking big.

They stunned the comic book world in 2003 with their graphic adaptation of George R. R. Martin’s The Hedge Knight. They upped the ante when they joined forces with Marvel Comics to produce Laurell K. Hamilton’s Anita Blake: Vampire Hunter, which immediately became one of the bestselling graphic novels of 2007 within one month from publication.

Today Les and Ernst Dabel announced that their next wave of comic book adaptations of popular novels will include one of the bestselling novels of the decade: an adaptation of Dean R. Koontz’s Frankenstein Book 1: Prodigal Son!

“We love surprises,” laughed Ernst Dabel, President of Dabel Brothers Productions, “and we’re certain that many people will be absolutely stunned to hear that we’re working with such a well-known author as Dean Koontz. And we’re excited! Mr. Koontz is an amazing writer with some incredible ideas, and we’re thrilled to have a chance to bring his Frankenstein story into the comic book medium.”

“Says Dean Koontz: “I’m delighted that Frankenstein will come to life in comic book form, and that the project is being guided by such capable hands as those of the Dabel Brothers. I usually don’t say things like ‘they rock,’ but it’s inescapable: ‘they rock.’”

Dean Koontz’s Frankenstein: Prodigal Son is the first book in Koontz’s proposed trilogy of novels set in modern day New Orleans. This is a powerful reworking of one of the classic stories of all time-- Mary Shelley’s classic gothic novel. Every city has secrets. But none as terrible as this. His name is Deucalion (previously known as Frankenstein’s monster), a tattooed man of mysterious origin, a sleight-of-reality artist who’s traveled the centuries with a secret worse than death. He arrives in New Orleans as a serial killer stalks the streets, a killer who carefully selects his victims for the humanity that is missing in himself. Detective Carson O’Connor is cool, cynical, and every bit as tough as she looks. Her partner Michael Maddison would back her up all the way to Hell itself—and that just may be where this case ends up. For the no-nonsense O’Connor is suddenly talking about an ages-old conspiracy, a near immortal race of beings, and killers that are more—and less—than human. Soon it will be clear that as crazy as she sounds, the truth is even more ominous. For their quarry isn’t merely a homicidal maniac—but his deranged maker, Dr. Frankenstein—now known as Victor Helios.

The first issue of the comic book is set to arrive on shelves in February, 2008. The series will be monthly and will eventually adapt both novels in the series published to date, beginning with Frankenstein: Prodigal Son. The comic books will be carried through Diamond Comic Distributors and available at comic book stores across North America.

About Dabel Brothers Productions

Dabel Brothers Productions, LLC, is a comic book studio dedicated to bringing many of the best and most popular novels in the world of fantasy to the comic book medium. With a passion for authenticity and a firm respect for the original text, the Dabel Brothers work hard to ensure that their adaptations build upon and enhance the worlds of popular works in a manner that longtime fans and new readers alike can enjoy.

The Dabel Brothers first became known for their stunning adaptation of George R. R. Martin’s The Hedge Knight in 2003. Since then, they have produced over a dozen different titles that have adapted novels by major, bestselling authors, including Orson Scott Card, Raymond E. Feist, Robert Jordan, Tad Williams, Richard A. Knaak and Robert Silverberg. The Dabel Brothers also produced the first six issues of Laurell K. Hamilton’s Anita Blake: Vampire Hunter, which they published through Marvel Comics. The hardcover graphic novel collecting these issues went on to become one of the bestselling graphic novel of 2007 with only a single month’s worth of sales.

In 2008, the Dabel Brothers will produce and publish several more comic book adaptations of novels by major bestselling authors, including Dean Koontz’s Frankenstein Book 1: Prodigal Son.

About Dean Koontz

Dean Koontz is the author of many #1 New York Times bestsellers. He lives with his wife, Gerda, in Southern California. For more information about Dean Koontz, please visit http://www.deankoontz.com.

More titles are planned and will be announced in coming months.

For more information on the comic book adaptation of Dean Koontz’s Frankenstein, Dabel Brothers Productions, its products and its partners, please visit http://www.dabelbrothers.com

Marvel and Dabel Break Up

It was not even a year ago when I attended the Diamond Retailer Summit in Baltimore MD, where it was publicly announced that Dabel Brothers were going to become partners with Marvel, so that Marvel Comics could publish their works. At the time it sounded great. Dabel Brothers had some really nice looking books, but they always too forever to come out and had long lags between issues. I was hoping that Marvel would help get them on a schedule as well as give more public visibility to these interesting non-super hero based books. My assumption was that Dabel needed help on the printing/publishing end and that Marvel was looking to increase readership by adding a new and diverse lineup to what they already had. It seemed like a win-win for the two companies.

Today I read on Newsarama that the two companies are parting ways. No real reason was given. AND, Marvel is getting the intellectual properties that already exist, including Anita Blake Vampire Hunter by Laurell K. Hamilton; the Hedge Knight series by George RR Martin; Tales of Alvin Maker and Wyrms by Orson Scott Card; Magician Apprentice by Raymond Feist; Lords of Avalon by Kinley MacGregor; and Highwayman by R.A. Salvatore. Dabel Brothers doesn't plan to have anything new come out until 2008. They say on their web site that they will be making an announcement soon about what they'll be offering.

I didn't notice, but the Dabel Brothers had a booth at Wizard World Chicago, and it went unstaffed for the duration of the convention.

The press release makes everything sound all nice, but does not give any real reason for the split. It seems odd to me that this kind of agreement would last less than a year, so I would figure that there was something that happened to force them to split up so quickly. No word yet on what exactly happened. Maybe more will come out later, or maybe Marvel had their lawyers draft up all kinds of non-disclosure agreements and no one will ever know what happened to cause the split. If you ask me, Marvel definitely got the better end of the deal with the split - I think the Dabel Brothers need a better divorce attorney.

Happy St. Patrick's Day from Anita Blake

The Dabel Brothers/Marvel book Anita Blake Vampire Hunter Guilty Pleasures (adapted from a book by the same name written by Laurel K. Hamilton) has been fairly popular with fans of Hamilton's books, and a few other comic book readers too. They have done some limited edition prints that I hear have been very popular. We received some a while ago from Marvel and gave a bunch away. Now they have a limited edition Phillip "the vampire junky" print available for St. Patrick's day, with Phillip dressed as a leprechaun sitting on a toad stool (without pants) as drawn by Brett Booth. It's kind of cool, but kind of weird - I think the lack of pants makes it seem wrong to me.

The article goes on to say that these prints will become a monthly series, available on the Dabel Brothers web site. Retail stores can order the prints too, at wholesale prices. We probably won't because the fans here aren't that die-hard, but you can contact your local LCS to see if they're going to have them, if you are interested.

Details on ordering:

The print will go on sale on the Dabel Brothers Productions website (http://www.dabelbrothers.com) at noon EST on Wednesday, March 14th, and should offer fans of the series the perfect way to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day*. And the timing is important, because the first twenty-five customers to purchase a print will receive one that is personally signed by Laurel K. Hamilton!

The print will measure 18x24 and be printed on a sturdy, glossy paper, suitable for framing, at the lovely price of $14.99. Customers will also be able to purchase February’s print, featuring the exotic male vampire dancer, Aubrey, in all his glory. Best of all, during the entire month of March, both prints can be purchased together for the one-time price of $24.99!

*Please allow up to 2-3 weeks for shipping. Autographed prints may require additional time. All customers will be notified by email when their order has shipped. For more details, please visit the Dabel Brothers Productions website.