Tag Archives: j.g. jones

Preview: Strange Fruit HC

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Strange Fruit HC

Publisher: BOOM! Studios
Writer: Mark Waid
Artist: J. G. Jones
Cover Artist: J. G. Jones
Price: $24.99

J.G. Jones (52, Wanted) and Mark Waid (Irredeemable, Superman: Birthright, Kingdom Come) weave a powerful, literary, fully-painted piece of historical fiction that examines the heroic myth while exploring themes of racism, cultural legacy, and human nature.

During the Great Flood of 1927 in Chatterlee, Mississippi, the River is rising as fast as the racial and social tensions in town. But when an otherworldly being falls from the sky and challenges everything these divided people know, it changes things . . . forever.

Includes a foreword by renowned film critic Elvis Mitchell.

Collects the complete limited series and never-before-seen process art by J.G. Jones.

Preview: X-O Manowar #1

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X-O MANOWAR (2017) #1

Written by MATT KINDT
Art by TOMÁS GIORELLO
Cover A by LEWIS LAROSA (JAN172113)
Cover B by KENNETH ROCAFORT (JAN172114)
Pre-Order Edition Cover by TOMAS GIORELLO (JAN172115)
Interlocking Variant Cover by MICO SUAYAN (JAN172116)
X-O Manowar Icon Variant by J.G. JONES (JAN172117)
Brushed Metal Variant Cover by MONIKA PALOSZ (JAN172118)
$3.99 | 40 pgs. | T+ | VALIANT PREMIUM | On Sale MARCH 22nd (FOC 2/27/17)

Born under the oppressive thumb of the Roman Empire, Aric of Dacia learned warfare at an early age. It was amid such violence that he was abducted by an alien race. Forced into slavery, he survived where others perished. His escape would come from bonding with a weapon of immeasurable power: the X-O Manowar armor. With it, he returned to Earth…only to find himself stranded in the modern day.

But that was a lifetime ago.

Now, far from home on a strange and primitive new world, Aric has begun a new life. Liberated from his past, he tends to his crops. Free from war. Free from violence. Free from the armor.

But the machinery of death marches his way once again. Conscripted into an alien army and thrown into an unforgiving conflict, the fury inside him finds voice as he is forced to embrace the armor once more. With it, he will decimate armies, topple empires and incite interplanetary warfare as he rises from SOLDIER to GENERAL to EMPEROR to VISIGOTH. They wanted a weapon. He will give them war!

A stunning new beginning for Valiant’s most enduring icon starts here as New York Times best-selling writer Matt Kindt (Divinity, Ninjak, Mind MGMT) and a rotating cast of powerhouse interior artists spanning the series’ first year – including Tomas Giorello (4001 A.D.: War Mother, Bloodshot Reborn), Doug Braithwaite (Armor Hunters, Bloodshot U.S.A.), Clayton Crain (Rai, Carnage), Ryan Bodenheim (The Dying & The Dead), and Mico Suayan (Bloodshot Reborn) – present the biggest Valiant debut of all time…and unleash the brutal opening salvo of the ultimate X-O Manowar tale ever told!

Rapture #1 – Ninjak and Shadowman Lead Valiant’s Next Standalone Event in May!

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Valiant has announced Rapture #1 (of 4) – a spellbinding standalone event from writer Matt Kindt and artist CAFU! In the epic tradition of The Valiant, the fallen hero once known as Shadowman returns to the forefront of the Valiant Universe to unite with the most unlikely ally of all – seasoned MI-6 intelligence operative Ninjak – for an epic quest into the unknown!

On a scarred landscape, two otherworldly armies prepare to battle one last time, vying for control of a massive tower named from an ancient language no longer permitted to be spoken.

One army is led by a primeval force named Babel, whose goal is singular: to breach “Heaven” no matter the cost. The only thing standing in his way is a gray-haired barbaric warrior, filled with rage and regret – a man who sees this battle as his last chance for redemption. But he knows his depleted forces have little chance of victory unless aid comes soon.

Enter Tama: A 12-year old girl on the crest of a hill overlooking the battle, who has just become humanity’s only hope. The last in an ancient line of mystics who protect the Earth, she has foreseen this battle and knows millions will perish if she’s unable to stop it. Now Tama and her ragtag team of malcontents – Ninjak, Shadowman and Punk Mambo – must somehow defeat an elder god hell bent on piercing the heavens.

Featuring covers by Harvey Award-nominated artist Mico Suayan, Eisner Award-nominated artist J.G. Jones, acclaimed artist Kano, and rising star CAFU!

Valiant Unveils New Valiant Premium Format for X-O Manowar #1 – Debuting on March 22nd!

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As the all-new X-O Manowar #1 prepares to begin its war-ravaged journey into deep space on March 22nd, Valiant has revealed that one of the year’s most anticipated comics debuts will now ship in the Valiant Premium format — a brand-new form of deluxe packaging created specifically for Aric of Dacia’s battle-worn conquest of a savage alien world!

Beginning with the release of X-O Manowar #1 – the first issue to the epic ongoing series from writer Matt Kindt and a rotating cast of all-star interior artists, including Tomas Giorello, Doug Braithwaite, Clayton Crain, Ryan Bodenheim, and Mico Suayan – fans and readers everywhere can look forward to the Valiant Premium format appearing on each issue of X-O Manowar in 2017 and beyond. Then, don’t miss Aric of Dacia’s one-man domination of a battle-scarred alien world… one that will force him onto the front lines of an eons-old extraterrestrial battlefield, and will send him into the deepest reaches of space!

Features for the all-new X-O Manowar #1, the first release to showcase the Valiant Premium format, will include:

  • Deluxe matte finish cover stock covers.
  • Upgraded, heavyweight interior pages.
  • An oversized, 34-page first chapter.
  • Minimal advertisements for an uninterrupted storytelling experience!

In contrast to Valiant Prestige — an ads-free format designated for the publisher’s most important standalone event and limited series — Valiant Premium will only be applied to X-O Manowar. However, the Valiant Prestige format will continue to be utilized as needed.

Born under the oppressive thumb of the Roman Empire, Aric of Dacia learned warfare at an early age. It was amid such violence that he was abducted by an alien race. Forced into slavery, he survived where others perished. His escape would come from bonding with a weapon of immeasurable power: the X-O Manowar armor. With it, he returned to Earth…only to find himself stranded in the modern day.

But that was a lifetime ago.

Now, far from home on a strange and primitive new world, Aric has begun a new life. Liberated from his past, he tends to his crops. Free from war. Free from violence. Free from the armor.

A brutal, deep-space saga awaits Valiant’s premiere hero here, as he enters a herculean voyage through the cosmos unlike anything fans have seen before! Alien planets, all-new characters, and out-of-this-world adversaries will stand revealed as Aric of Dacia rises from SOLDIER to GENERAL to EMPEROR to VISIGOTH in a star shattering adventure!

Featuring covers by Lewis LaRosa , Kenneth Rocafort, Mico Suayan, J.G. Jones, and Monica Palosz!

xo2017_001_variant_suayan

Valiant Announces X-O Manowar Wednesdays and the X-O Manowar 2017 Calendar

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xo2017_calendar_cover_larosaValiant has announced that, beginning on March 22nd with the release of the all-new X-O Manowar #1, the fourth Wednesday of every month will officially be “X-O Manowar Wednesday” – a consistent, monthly on-sale date that will include the latest issue of X-O Manowar alongside a brand-new launch title, jumping-on point, or key issue arriving from the best-reviewed publisher in comics! Across each and every fourth Wednesday in 2017, Valiant will now be giving fans at least two reasons to visit their local comic shop – beginning with the most important title of the year, X-O Manowar #1, arriving in stores on March 22nd right next to Bloodshot Reborn #0!

To support this unprecedented move and to reiterate Valiant’s commitment to building X-O Manowar’s brutal new beginning across 2017, Valiant is giving fans and retailers the tools they need to never miss an “X-O Manowar Wednesday” with the X-O Manowar 2017 Calendar – coming free to all participating retailers in the United States, Canada, and Europe! Marking the release date to every issue of X-O Manowar in 2017, this one-of-a-kind calendar comes complete with reminders highlighting the Initial Order Deadline (IOD), Final Order Cut-Off (FOC), and “X-O Manowar Wednesday” for the first year of X-O Manowar.

xo2017_calendar_interior_rocafortThe X-O Manowar 2017 Calendary features artwork from some of the finest talents in the industry – including Lewis LaRosa, Kenneth Rocafort, Mico Suayan, J.G. Jones, Kaare Andrews and more.

A stunning new beginning for Valiant’s most enduring icon launches into comics everywhere on March 22nd with X-O Manowar #1 – part one of “SOLDIER,” a punishing, three-issue introduction that will push Aric of Dacia beyond the farthest limits of our galaxy…and into the brutal opening salvo of the ultimate X-O Manowar tale ever told!

Born under the oppressive thumb of the Roman Empire, Aric of Dacia learned warfare at an early age. It was amid such violence that he was abducted by an alien race. Forced into slavery, he survived where others perished. His escape would come from bonding with a weapon of immeasurable power: the X-O Manowar armor. With it, he returned to Earth…only to find himself stranded in the modern day.

But that was a lifetime ago.

Now, far from home on a strange and primitive new world, Aric has begun a new life. Liberated from his past, he tends to his crops. Free from war. Free from violence. Free from the armor.

But the machinery of death marches his way once again. Conscripted into an alien army and thrown into an unforgiving conflict, the fury inside him finds voice as he is forced to embrace the armor once more. With it, he will decimate armies, topple empires and incite interplanetary warfare as he rises from SOLDIER to GENERAL to EMPEROR to VISIGOTH. They wanted a weapon. He will give them war!

X-O Manowar is being written by Matt Kindt and a rotating cast of powerhouse artists, including Tomas Giorello, Doug Braithwaite, Clayton Crain, Ryan Bodenheim, and Mico Suayan, spanning the series’ first year and beyond!

xo2017_001_cover-a_larosa

X-O Manowar Returns with Matt Kindt, Tomas Giorello, Doug Braithwaite, Clayton Crain, Ryan Bodenheim, and Mico Suayan

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WAR IS COMING!

Valiant has announced the all-new X-O Manowar #1 – the FIRST ISSUE of AN EPIC NEW ONGOING SERIES from New York Times best-selling writer Matt Kindt and an all-star arsenal of the most formidable visual storytellers in comics today – including Tomas Giorello, Doug Braithwaite, Clayton Crain, Ryan Bodenheim, and Mico Suayan – that together will span the series’ first year in 2017 and beyond!

A stunning new beginning for Valiant’s most enduring icon starts here on March 22nd, 2017 with part one of “Soldier” – a punishing, three-issue introduction that will push Aric of Dacia beyond the farthest limits of our galaxy…and into the brutal opening salvo of the ultimate X-O Manowar tale ever told!

Born under the oppressive thumb of the Roman Empire, Aric of Dacia learned warfare at an early age. It was amid such violence that he was abducted by an alien race. Forced into slavery, he survived where others perished. His escape would come from bonding with a weapon of immeasurable power: the X-O Manowar armor. With it, he returned to Earth…only to find himself stranded in the modern day.

But that was a lifetime ago.

Now, far from home on a strange and primitive new world, Aric has begun a new life. Liberated from his past, he tends to his crops. Free from war. Free from violence. Free from the armor.

But the machinery of death marches his way once again. Conscripted into an alien army and thrown into an unforgiving conflict, the fury inside him finds voice as he is forced to embrace the armor once more. With it, he will decimate armies, topple empires and incite interplanetary warfare as he rises from SOLDIER to GENERAL to EMPEROR to VISIGOTH. They wanted a weapon. He will give them war!

In the wake of “Soldier”’s staggering assault in issues #1-3, X-O Manowar then continues in 2017 and beyond as a superstar cast of Valiant’s most acclaimed artistic talents chart Aric’s path from SOLDIER to GENERAL to EMPEROR to VISIGOTH for a vicious, year-long journey of bone and bloodshed born from the battlefields of a herculean alien empire:

X-O MANOWAR #1 | “SOLDIER” – PART ONE
MATT KINDT | TOMAS GIORELLO
MARCH 2017

X-O MANOWAR #4 | “GENERAL” – PART ONE
MATT KINDT | DOUG BRAITHWAITE
JUNE 2017

X-O MANOWAR #7 | “EMPEROR” – PART ONE
MATT KINDT | CLAYTON CRAIN
SEPTEMBER 2017

X-O MANOWAR #10 | INTERLUDE
MATT KINDT | RYAN BODENHEIM
DECEMBER 2017

X-O MANOWAR #11 | “VISIGOTH” – PART ONE
MATT KINDT | MICO SUAYAN
JANUARY 2018

The biggest Valiant debut of all time begins on March 22nd featuring covers by Valiant-exclusive superstar Lewis LaRosa, blockbuster artist Kenneth Rocafort, Harvey Award-nominated artist Mico Suayan, Eisner Award-nominated artist J.G. Jones, and rising star Monica Palosz!

xo2017_001_cover-a_larosa

Valiant Just Mailed Me A Micro Art Print (Because I Sent Away For It)

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xo_050_variant_jimenezSo X-O Manowar came to a close this week with the fiftieth issue (reviewed here), which also brings to a close Valiant‘s X-O Manowar Countdown To #50 Giveaway that began with the 47th issue. Anybody who picked up a physical copy of the comics would get one of 50 mini art prints within their comic. Brett and I had a chat about the prints we received with the first round of the give away in X-O Manowar #47, and it was in the back of that comic that one of noticed a link to a secret(ish) page on the publisher’s website.

On that page was a mailing address to send off for an additional free micro print. All you had to do was send the fine folks at Valiant a self-addressed envelope. Despite the looming Canad Post strike, I sent just that off to the publisher and decided to see what would happen.

A month later, and still with no returned mail from Valiant, I figured that one of three thing had happened:

  • I used the wrong type of stamp (sending mail to Canada from the USA requires a stamp we don’t have access too up here).
  • The envelope got lost in the mail, either on the way to them or on the way back..
  • They never sent it back.

Either way, after a month, I gave up hope and promptly forgot about the print ever coming back, and I went on with my life.

Four months later, I check my mail box and there’s a slightly battered blue envelope (yes, I sent them a birthday card envelope because I didn’t have anything else – I wish I had thought it was because that was one of X-O’s colours, but… yeah it wasn’t). Being a bit of an idiot, I assumed it was a belated birthday card from a relative who had no idea when my birthday is (it’s in March). So imagine my surprise, and childlike joy, when I opened it up and saw a mini print of X-O Manowar staring back at me (there’s a poorly taken photo below).

The offer for an additional micro print was a “while supplies last” thing, and how limited those supplies are I have no idea, but the feeling of participating in a mail in giveaway again after so many years is well worth the effort of finding the link in the back of the comic.

And no, I won’t tell you what it is.

Review: X-O Manowar Annual 2016 #1

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XO-ANNUAL_2016_COVER-A_JIMENEZJoin the adventures of Valiant’s flagship hero here with 64-pages of armor-busting action on the front lines of the Valiant Universe in X-O Manowar’s first-ever annual!

It amazed me that there hasn’t been an X-O Manowar annual before now, to be completely honest with you; the character is widely hailed as Valiant‘s flagship character so I had always expected there would have been an annual before this week.

I digress.

As with most things Valiant, this annual was a hit for me. By combining two of my favourite things in comics, the anthology style collection of stories and the title character. I’ve said before how my first reaction to X-O Manowar was to roll my eyes at the idea of a time displaced man who was a slave on an alien world wearing a mech suit. It seemed pretty stupid, I thought, as far as comics go.

And then I read it. Then I realized that while the time displaced man was indeed a slave, the X-O Manowar armour was far from a mech suit, and the character was far from the cringe-worthy abomination I expected. Far from it, actually, and over the past year Aric Of Dacia has become one of the most interesting characters in comics, which is something I never thought I’d have said a year ago. This annual gives us a look at a time before Aric of Dacia wore the armour, back when he was just a child, as arguably the main draw of the comic.

Honestly, that story is worth the price of admission alone. It has a message that, having moved continents a decade ago, I sometimes need reminding of personally (and because I want you to read the comic, I’m not going to tell you what it is. I know, right, I’m annoying), and in the current international climate, one we could all remember on a more global scale. You don’t need to be a fan of X-O Manowar to enjoy this, but it certainly helps. Especially with the other stories within the comic.

With the main series ending in a couple of months at issue #50, this isn’t the best introduction to the character, but it does contain a very good story, and there’s also some pretty interesting pieces of the Valiant puzzle revealed here as well.

Definitely worth checking out.

Story: Robert Venditti with Amy Chu, Jody Houser and J.G. Jones Artists: Various
Stories: 8.5 Art: 8 Overall: 8.5 Recommendation: Buy 

Valiant provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review.

Preview: X-O Manowar Annual 2016 #1

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X-O MANOWAR ANNUAL 2016 #1

Written by ROBERT VENDITTI with AMY CHU and JODY HOUSER
Art by PERE PEREZ with ADAM GORHAM, MIKE MCKONE, and J.G. JONES
Cover A by PHIL JIMENEZ (MAR161819)
Cover B by CARMEN CARNERO (MAR161820)
Variant Cover by BRIAN LEVEL (MAR161821)
Variant Cover by JEFF DEKAL (MAR161822)
$5.99 | 64 pgs. | T+ | On sale MAY 18th (FOC – 4/25/16)

Join the adventures of Valiant’s flagship hero here with 64-pages of armor-busting action on the front lines of the Valiant Universe in X-O Manowar’s first-ever annual!

2016 is primed and ready to be X-O Manowar’s most pivotal year yet! But before Aric of Dacia can confront the biggest threat Earth has ever faced, he must first reflect on the past…and the outcome of a bloodstained battle on the frontier of the Roman Empire that continues to be felt to this day! Then: X-O Manowar’s sworn enemy, Commander Trill, readies for the war that is to come…by undergoing a life-threatening trial-by-fire that will test every ounce of his intellect and fury. Plus: Col. Jamie Capshaw must singlehandedly defend G.A.T.E from a menace nobody expected… and the Armorines begin an all-new mission at the heart of X-O Manowar’s world!

The life and times of the unstoppable X-O Manowar loom large as series mastermind Robert Venditti leads an all-star cast of Valiant’s greatest talents – including Amy Chu (Poison Ivy: Cycle of Life and Death), Adam Gorham (DEAD DROP), Jody Houser (FAITH), Mike McKone (Teen Titans), Pere Perez (ARCHER & ARMSTRONG), and more – into a 64-page epic too gargantuan for a single issue!

XO-ANNUAL_2016_COVER-A_JIMENEZ

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