The newest Terminator movie was a nice bookend for a journey which started almost 35 years ago. It ended a journey while maybe jumpstarting a new franchise, one guided by the original architect, James Cameron. What I took from the movie is how at the core of the story was heart and the greater good. The story of how one person can change humanity is immense and how our very survival depends on this one human being.
The story, though not original in the formula, is very much different in execution. Each iteration of the franchise, though distinct in reception and quality, still had what made the story so magnetic, the need to save the world. Who can’t root for the reluctant hero, one who eventually accepts their journey? In Peter Calloway’s Anti, we find a hero much like Sarah Connor, whose destiny is more complicated than they would ever know.
We’re taken to a motel where we meet a demon hunter by the name of Jordan, who has taken out several demons posing as humans. We also meet Zachary, a man who feels life has let him down, and that he is cursed in the process. Suddenly his life turns upside down when Jordan finds him hunted down by an army of demons, as she has questions as to why and he has questions of why all of a sudden everyone is interested in him. By issue’s end, just when he looks like he has met his fate, is when he finds out just what powers lie within him, which comes as no surprise to Jordan and the demons.
Overall, an excellent first issue to a story that feels like a powder keg looking to blow wide open. The story by Calloway is intense and well characterized. The art by the creative team is beautiful. Altogether, an excellent story that gives a whole new take on the savior genre.
Story: Peter Calloway Art: Daniel Hillyard, Charlie Kirchoff, and Brian Stelfreeze Story: 9.0 Art: 9.0 Overall: 9.0 Recommendation: Buy
Following last year’s debut of Marvel’s bi-weekly podcast interview series, Marvel’s Voices, Marvel expands the spotlight on some of the comic book industry’s most critically-acclaimed storytellers with Marvel’s Voices #1, written and drawn by an all-star roster of talent including Vita Ayala, Roxane Gay, Brian Stelfreeze, Method Man, and many more!
In this gripping one-shot anthology, fans will get another look at the X-Men following the events of House of X and Powers of X; the return of Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur; and other stories featuring the Hulk and Wolverine, Black Panther, Killmonger, She-Hulk, Black Widow, Ant-Man, and the rest of the Marvel Universe.
Since the podcast’s launch, Marvel’s Voices has featured guests and talent from across Marvel’s comics, live-action television shows, animation, games, and celebrity fans of Marvel from entertainment and beyond. The series garnered a loyal following for its in-depth exclusive interviews by host Angélique Roché, highlighting unforgettable stories and key moments from the Marvel Universe through a wide range of unique perspectives. Marvel’s Voices will launch its new season in February 2020.
Don’t miss Marvel’s Voices #1, in stores this February!
MARVEL’S VOICES #1
Written by VITA AYALA, ROXANE GAY, BRIAN STELFREEZE, GEOFF THORNE, ANTHONY PIPER, KYLE BAKER, EVAN NARCISSE, METHOD MAN, ROB MARKMAN, CHUCK BROWN, and DAVID F. WALKER Art by BRIAN STELFREEZE, ANTHONY PIPER, KYLE BAKER, SANFORD GREENE, DAMION SCOTT, RAY-ANTHONY HEIGHT, ALITHA E. MARTINEZ, NATACHA BUSTOS, and LUCIANO VECCHIO Cover art by RYAN BENJAMIN
THE WORLD OUTSIDE YOUR WINDOW!
Marvel’s acclaimed podcast series focusing on telling the stories of diverse creators and their unique perspectives becomes a one shot of brand-new adventures! The X-Men find their place in the world after declaring a new nation! Killmonger strikes! Moon Girl and Devil Dino return!
In association with 12-Gauge Comics, Dark Horse Comics is excited to announce the comic book debut of critically-acclaimed writer Sydney Duncan and artist Natalie Barahona with Kill Whitey Donovan! 12-Gauge Comics Art Director, Brian Stelfreeze, acted as a historical consultant and editor. Kill Whitey Donovanis the first installment in an epic tale of female empowerment and friendship.
In Kill Whitey Donovan, after Anna Hoyt’s sister commits suicide, she sets off for Atlanta to kill the man responsible for destroying her family—her fiancé, Jim “Whitey” Donovan. But Anna, a spirited though pampered daughter of a prominent doctor, can’t do it alone. To get through the hell that lay between her Alabama home and Atlanta, she makes a deal with one of the Donovan slaves, Hattie Virgil, who has an agenda of her own. In exchange for a chance at freedom, Hattie, a survivor, will lead this unlikely pair on a quest that will change them both forever.
Don’t miss this exciting and unapologetic adventure story, starring two powerful women who will stop at nothing to get the justice they seek, set during a time when America was at war for its own soul.Kill Whitey Donovan #1 goes on sale December 4, 2019.
You don’t want to miss a celebration of comics at the 20th annual Baltimore Comic-Con October 18-20, 2019 at the Inner Harbor’s Baltimore Convention Center. Baltimore Comic-Con has announced the additions of Russ Braun, Brenden Fletcher, Karl Moline, Bart Sears, Brian Stelfreeze, and Peter J. Tomasi to the 2019 event. Buy tickets to the event now at the Baltimore Comic-Con website.
Russ Braun has been drawing comics for 30 years, with a 7-year break for a stint with Walt Disney Feature Animation. He’s worked for most of the major comics publishers on everything from Batman, Swamp Thing, and Fables for DC/Vertigo to Son of Satan and Where Monsters Dwell for Marvel. He is perhaps best known for his frequent collaborations with Garth Ennis, on their creator-owned Jimmy’s Bastards, The Night Witches, Sixpack, and Dogwelder, and particularly on The Boys, now a hit TV series on Amazon. You can find him on Facebook and Instagram at russ.braun.589 or at his website russ-braun.com.
Brenden Fletcher is a New York Times bestselling writer of comic books and animation. His current projects include the Eisner Award-nominated series Isola and Motor Crush for Image Comics, as well as the upcoming Robotech comic series relaunch for Titan. Previous work includes DC Comics’ Batgirl of Burnside, the YA mystery/adventure series Gotham Academy, and Entertainment Weekly’s “Best New Series” of 2015, Black Canary. Brenden contributed the acclaimed Flash story to the Eisner and Harvey Award-winning Wednesday Comics, co-created the Power Rangers: Pink mini-series for BOOM! Studios, and contributed to Ghost in the Shell: Global Neural Network and the Attack on Titan Anthology for Kodansha. He currently lives in Brooklyn, NY with his wife and two cats.
Karl Moline has been a professional comic book artist working for all of the major comics publishers over the last twenty years. He is best known for his work on Buffy the Vampire Slayer and co-creating Fray with Joss Whedon, but has also worked on titles such as Superboy-Convergence, Avengers Arena, Avengers Academy, Rogue, Route 666, Daredevil 2099, Loners, Seekers of the Weird, Hulk Smash, Avengers, B.P.R.D., and Spider-Man Unlimited, among others. He lives near Tampa, Florida and likes cats and magic.
Bart Sears has accomplished much in his years working in the creative arts. His works have been published in every major comics publishers, many smaller press publishers, and he even had a running feature in Wizard Magazine on drawing instruction called “Brutes and Babes”. He designed action figures and packaging at Hasbro and ToyBiz, and has served in leadership roles in comics companies like CrossGen and his own Ominous Press. His recent work can be seen on covers for titles such as Valiant’s Rai, Dynamite Entertainment’s John Carter: Warlord of Mars and Turok, and DC Comics’ Deathstroke.
Brian Stelfreeze, one of the original Gaijin Studios members, is a multi-talented artist, with experience and credits penciling, inking, coloring, painting, and even writing. His comic book covers have gained him much attention and lauding, and his run painting covers on DC Comics’ Shadow of the Bat for over 50 issues is noteworthy by itself. Brian’s creative output can be found on BOOM! Studios’ Day Men, Marvel Comics’ Black Panther, and be sure to pick up BOOM! Studios’ The Signature Art of Brian Stelfreeze to get a definitive look at the works of his publishing career.
Peter Tomasi is a writer and editor best known for his work at DC Comics. He began his career in 1993, editing such titles as Green Lantern, the Batman titles, Aquaman, Hawkman, and JSA before being promoted to Senior Editor in 2003. In 2007, Tomasi decided to move from editing to writing full-time and, in 2010, took over writing Batman and Robin with issue #20. Since the launch of the New 52, Tomasi has helmed the new volumes of both Batman and Robin and Green Lantern Corps. His The Bridge: How the Roeblings Connected Brooklyn to New York from Abrams is a 2019 Ringo Awards Nominee for Best Non-fiction Comic Work.
In addition to on-site CGC grading, this year’s confirmed guests for the show include: Joel Adams (Savage Eve), Neal Adams (Detective Comics), Zeea Adams (Neal Adams Monsters), Scott Ethan Ambruson (Destiny, Queen of Thieves), Art Way Alliance, Brian Azzarello (Batman: Damned), Darryl Banks (Green Lantern), Jeremy Bastian (Jim Henson’s Labyrinth: Under The Spell), Marty Baumann (Disney/Pixar), John Beatty (Secret Wars), Carolyn Belefski (Curls), Josh Blaylock (Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and the Freshman Force), Ziggy Blumenthal (Operation Pajama Pants), Russ Braun (The Boys), Brett Breeding (Superman, courtesy of Hero Initiative), Harold Buchholz (MST3K), Mark Buckingham (Justice League Dark), Cullen Bunn (Harrow County, courtesy of AfterShock Comics), Greg Burnham (Tuskegee Heirs), Buzz (Superman: Coming of the Supermen), Jim Calafiore (The Mike Wieringo Tellos Tribute), Chris Campana (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles), Joe Carabeo (The Legettes), Richard Case (Doom Patrol), Christa Cassano (Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and the Freshman Force), Castillo Studios, Ally Cat (Death of Love), Jacob Chabot (Ziggy Pig – Silly Seal Comics), Howard Chaykin (Hey Kids! Comics!), Frank Cho (Harley Quinn), Amy Chu (KISS: The End), Steve Conley (The Middle Age), Steve Conte (Action Figure Kingdom), Katie Cook (My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic), Jamie Cosley (Star Wars Insider), Clayton Crain (Absolute Carnage: Miles Morales, courtesy of Frankie’s Comics), Kristina Deak-Linsner (Vampirella: Roses for the Dead), The Deans Family (La Moo Du Chocolat: A Shakes Adventure), Vito Delsante (Midnight Tiger: Stronger), Christian DiBari (Magdalena), Steve Ellis (The Only Living Girl), Tod Emko and Piggy (A Piggy’s Tale), Steve Englehart (Doctor Strange, courtesy of Hero Initiative), Garth Ennis (The Boys, Friday and Saturday only), G.D. Falksen (Mine!), Rob Feldman (Cyko KO), Brenden Fletcher (Isola), Chris Flick (Capes & Babes), LJ and Kayla Fowlkes (The Adventures of CHIBIWONGTONG), Shea Fontana (DC SuperHero Girls), Francesco Francavilla (Red Sonja and Vampirella Meet Betty and Veronica), Franco (Superman of Smallville), Simon Fraser (Tales of the Night Watchman, courtesy of So What? Press), Julie Fujii Sakai (Usagi Yojimbo: The Hidden), John Gallagher (Max Meow), David Gallaher (The Only Living Girl), SL Gallant (Magic: The Gathering: Chandra – Tales of Alara), Jose Luis Garcia-Lopez (DC Nation), Mitch Gerads (Mr. Miracle), Gerhard (Cerberus the Aardvark), Ransom Getty (Suicide Squad Special Edition), Chris Giarrusso (Hashtag: Danger), Mike Gold (The Whisper Campaign), Jimmy Gownley (Disney Zootopia: School Days), Garth Graham (Star Power), John Patrick Green (Kim Possible Adventures), Dawn Griffin (Zorphbert & Fred), Juanjo Guarnido (Blacksad), Laura Lee Gulledge (Will & Whit), Bob Hall (West Coast Avengers), Cully Hamner (Batman Beyond), N. Steven Harris (Michael Cray), Dean Haspiel (The Red Hook), Glenn Hauman (Mine!), Mark Hempel (Sandman), Greg Hildebrandt (Old Man Logan), Clinton Hobart (Disney fine artist), Javon and Tarik Holmes (The Adventuers of Waffle Boy), Greg Horn (Strikeforce), Adam Hughes (Superman), Jamal Igle (Wrong Earth), Chris Ivy (Venom: Tooth and Claw, courtesy of Hero Initiative), Sean Izaakse (Champions), Klaus Janson (New Challengers), Justin Jordan (Reaver), Kata Kane (G.F.F.s Ghost Friends Forever), Chris Kemple (The Mike Wieringo Tellos Tribute), Matt Kindt (X-O Manowar), Sharlene Kindt (Dept. H), Tom King (Batman), Todd Klein (Black Hammer: Age of Doom), Evelyn Kriete (Hullabaloo), Greg Land (Hulkverines, courtesy of Hero Initiative), Jeehyung Lee (The Batman’s Grave, courtesy of Frankie’s Comics), Jim Lee (Batman: Hush, Saturday only), Jeff Lemire (Black Hammer), Joseph Michael Linsner (Red Sonja), Nate Lovett (Marvel Comics Presents), Howard Mackie (Ghost Rider), Mike Manley (Mystery Science Theater 3000: The Comic), Chris Mariano (Claire Lost Her Bear at the World’s Fair), Mark Mariano (Puddleton Farm: Ewing! What Are You Doing?), Ron Marz (Turok), Xavier McLaren (The Bubbler), John McCrea (Hitman, courtesy of Hero Initiative), Bill McKay (Vampblade), Bob McLeod (New Mutants), Carla Speed McNeil (Twisted Romance), Pop Mhan (Raven, Daughter of Darkness), David Michelinie (Amazing Spider-Man, Saturday and Sunday only, courtesy of The Living Corpse), Matt Miner (All We Ever Wanted: Stories of a Better World), Edgardo Miranda-Rodriguez (Ricanstruction: Reminiscing & Rebuilding Puerto Rico), Karl Moline (Buffy the Vampire Slayer), Mark Morales (Justice League), Jamar Nicholas (Leon: Protector of the Playground), Kevin Nowlan (Black Widow, courtesy of Hero Initiative), Jerry Ordway (Archie Meets Batman ’66), Rachel Ordway (FTL, Y’all!), Greg Pak (Star Wars), Tom Palmer (Doctor Strange), Dan Parent (Archie: The Married Life – 10th Anniversary), Paul Pelletier (Aquaman/Jabberjaw Special), Andrew Pepoy (Archie: The Married Life – 10th Anniversary), Mike Perkins (Swamp Thing), David Petersen (Mouse Guard), Kasey Pierce (Seeress, Book One: The Reckless), Mark Poulton (Koni Waves), Andy Price (My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic), Dave Proch (Mango Lizard), Livio Ramondelli (Transformers), Ron Randall (Trekker), Tom Raney (Dog Days of Summer), Mark Redfield (Vampire Hunters Incorporated), Afua Richardson (Run), Rafer Roberts (Grumble), Don Rosa (The Life and Times of Scrooge McDuck), Peter Rostovsky (Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and the Freshman Force), Jennifer Rouse (The Death of Poe), Craig Rousseau (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Dimension X), Mike Royer (New Gods), Arsia Rozegar (Man Plus), Stan Sakai (Usagi Yojimbo), Stuart Sayger (KISS: The End), Bob Schreck (Batman: Hush), Greg Schigiel (Pix: One Weirdest Weekend), Erica Schultz (Xena: Warrior Princess), Bart Sears (Turok), Jeff Shultz (Archie Jumbo Comics Digest), Louise Simonson (Death of Superman), Walter Simonson (Ragnarok), Matt Slay (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles), Andy Smith (Demi-God), Brian “Smitty” Smith (The Stuff of Legend), John K. Snyder III (Killers), Allison Sohn (The Art of Red Sonja, Volume 2), Charles Soule (Curse Words), Joe Staton (Dick Tracy), Brian Stelfreeze (Rise of the Black Panther), Jim Steranko (Nick Fury, Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D.), Paul D. Storrie (The Viking Queen), Karl Story (Star Wars: Age of Rebellion – Han Solo), William Stout (Fantastic Worlds – The Art of William Stout), Nathan Szerdy (Vampirella), Ty Templeton (Marvel Super-Hero Adventures, courtesy of Hero Initiative), Michael Terracciano (Star Power), Peter J. Tomasi (The Bridge: How the Roeblings Connected Brooklyn to New York), David and Sarah Trustman (The Memory Arts), Timothy Truman (Grimjack), Billy Tucci (Shi), Ted Tucker (Caricatures), Mike Vasquez (Rick & Morty, courtesy of Frankie’s Comics), Brian K. Vaughan (Paper Girls), Gus Vazquez (Big Hero 6), Emilio Velez Jr. (The Dodgeball Teens), Robert Venditti (Hawkman), Doug Wagner (The Hard Place), Mark Waid (Avengers: No Road Home), Adam Wallenta (Punk Taco), Adam Warren (Empowered And Sistah Spooky’s High School Hell), Todd Webb (Mr. Toast Comics), Lee Weeks (Batman), Mark Wheatley (Songs of Giants: The Poetry of Pulp), Emily Whitten (The Underfoot), Bob Wiacek (Iron Man), Matt Wieringo (Stargate Atlantis Gateways), Marcus Williams (Tuskegee Heirs), Javier Cruz Winnik (Puerto Rico Strong), Marv Wolfman (Raven: Daughter of Darkness, courtesy of Hero Initiative), Rich Woodall (Electric Black), John Workman (Riverdale), Kelly Yates (Torchwood), Thom Zahler (Star Trek: Waypoint Special 2019), and Mike Zeck (The Punisher).
When it comes to comics, the big two usually makes carbon copies of each other’s characters with slight tweaking. Look at the actual names of Deadpool and Deathstroke, two characters who are universally loved by everyone who follows them. They both have the same occupation but their personalities are where the differences begin to splinter. Eventually, comic fans make their own mind up on which version is superior.
Another such “coincidence” is the Green Lantern Corps and the Nova Corps. Both are galactic space forces ensuring the safety of the universe. I never quite caught on to the allure of the Nova Corps but definitely loved the Green Lantern Corps and the various men and women who wielded the Lantern Ring. One of my favorite Green Lanterns is John Stewart, a daunting hero in his own right and one which I wished had his own book. Fortunately, he did have a series back in 1992, Green Lantern: Mosaic.
We find John Stewart as he introduces the reader to the wonders of the Mosaic world, where everything is and is not what it seems. As John protects this world, he is also very much part of it, as he reveals that his also an alien within these confines. As we find out a bit of history behind the character and the struggles he endured while on Earth. By issue’s end, this new world of his own making is more than he could ever have dreamt of.
Overall, a fascinating almost psychotropic trip that both the reader and the character go on to understand what we have stepped into. The story by Gerard Jones is enigmatic and captivating. The art by the creative team is alluring. Altogether, an excellent story which feels like Star Trek with superheroes.
Story: Gerard Jones Art: Brian Stelfreeze, Albert De Guzman, Cully Hamner, Dan Panosian, and Steve Mattson Story: 9.0 Art: 9.0 Overall: 9.0 Recommendation: Buy
Image Comics has revealed an excerpt from Matador, Vol. 1 by Devin Grayson and Brian Stelfreeze, which will find a new home at Image Comics this May and collect issues #1-6 of the original series.
Matador is an explosive story pitting Lt. Isabel Cardona against a deadly serial killer in an edge-of-your-seat thriller that fans of Killing Eve and True Detective won’t want to miss. Dismissed as a quota minority hire by her work peers, Cuban-born and Florida-bred Detective Isabel Cardona makes no friends on the Miami force by insisting that a series of seemingly unrelated murder cases lead to an urban-legend contract killer known only as “The Matador.” Proving his existence soon becomes equal parts self-preservation and obsession—but how close to the dangerous Matador will Cardona have to get to make that happen?
Matador, Vol. 1 (Diamond Code JAN190134, ISBN: 978-1-5343-1068-1) will be available at comic book shops on Wednesday, May 22. The final order cutoff deadline for comic shop retailers is Monday, Feb 4. It will be available in bookstores on Tuesday, May 28.
This December, Miles Morales returns in his own solo series written by Saladin Ahmed with art by Javier Garron and a first issue cover by Brian Stelfreeze which you can see below.
Spider-Man #1arrives December 12, which we expected with Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse coming to theaters December 14. It’s the perfect combination of comic on the shelf timed with a movie release.
In Ahmed’s take, Miles is focus on protecting his community and city instead of universe shattering events. There’s also school, family, bullies, and attempting to have a social life. The first arc will pit him against Rhino and guest-star an unexpected character, a “big hero.”
This is the first series to feature the character that doesn’t feature Brian Michael Bendis writing (the character was co-created by Bendis with Sara Pichelli).
(W) Evan Narcisse, Ta-Nehisi Coates (A) Javier Pina (CA) Brian Stelfreeze
Rated T
In Shops: May 02, 2018
SRP: $3.99
WINDS OF CHANGE BLOW THROUGH WAKANDA!
SECRET ORIGIN OF THE BLACK PANTHER Part 5
• Just as Wakanda comes onto the global stage, enemies close by make their move! The Hyena Clan is out to exploit the country’s vast technology – and with a new king on the throne, it’s a perfect time to strike.
• Assaulted on all fronts, T’Challa seeks out a love he left behind: Ororo Munroe, soon-to-be Storm of the X-Men. A missing chapter of the Black Panther and Storm’s lifelong romance comes to light!
• And it’s a triple threat as a traitor gathers forces. What is Project Koukou – and who is behind it?!
It’s Wednesday which means it’s new comic book day with new releases hitting shelves, both physical and digital, all across the world. This week we’ve got Domino!
X-Men: Domino collects Domino (1997) #1-3, Domino (2003) #1-4, X-Force: Sex and Violence #1-3, material from X-Force & Cable Annual ’95, A+X #10, and Uncanny X-Men Annual (2016) #1 by Ben Raab, Joe Pruett, Brian Stelfreeze, Craig Kyle, Christopher Yost, Todd Dezago, Adam Warren, Anthony Piper, David Perrin, Gabrielle Dell’Otto, and Daerick Gross.
Get your copy in comic shops and in book stores today. To find a comic shop near you, visit http://www.comicshoplocator.com or call 1-888-comicbook or digitally and online with the links below.
Marvel provided Graphic Policy with FREE copies for review This post contains affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links and make a purchase, we’ll receive a percentage of the sale. Graphic Policy does purchase items from this site. Making purchases through these links helps support the site
(W) Ta-Nehisi Coates (A) Leonard Kirk (CA) Brian Stelfreeze
Rated T
In Shops: Apr 18, 2018
SRP: $3.99
KLAW STANDS SUPREME FINALE!
• Klaw and his allies have brought Wakanda to the brink of destruction.
• To seal the deal, Klaw has summoned a powerful Marvel foe not seen in years.
• But Black Panther isn’t done fighting yet. He still has a secret weapon: his ex-wife.
