jason rubin Archives - Graphic Policy

Tag Archives: jason rubin

Preview – Top Cow First Look Trade Paperback – Mysterious Ways #1

Posted on October 7, 2010 by Brett

Official Press Release

TOP COW FIRST LOOK VOLUME 1 TRADE PAPERBACK

(W) Christos Gage, Marc Bernardin, Adam Freeman, Jason Rubin, B. Clay Moore, Joshua Hale Fialkov, John Mahoney and Filip Sablik
(A) Jorge Lucas, Afua Richardson, Tyler Kirkham, Nelson Blake II and Thomas Nachlik
(Cov) Top Cow’s Finest

Six New #1 Issues for only Five Bucks!
In an unparalleled publishing initiative, Top Cow proudly presents a collection of six never-before-seen first issues of upcoming series bound in a single collection. Sunset by Christos Gage (Avengers Academy) and Jorge Lucas (The Darkness) tells the tale of an old Vegas enforcer on a quest for revenge in his twilight years. The Pilot Season 2008 winning team of Marc Bernardin & Adam Freeman (The Authority) and Afua Richardson (Cyblade) returns with Genius—a story of a young African-American military genius taking over LA’s gangs. Jason Rubin (The Iron Saint) and Tyler Kirkham (Green Lantern Corps) unveil the supernatural murder-mystery Mysterious Ways. B. Clay Moore (Hawaiian Dick) and Nelson Blake II (Magdalena) take you deep into space horror with Black Vault. And reintroducing Top Cow’s Minotaur imprint come two dark series: Joshua Hale Fialkov & Rahsan Ekedal’s (The Cleaners) generational serial killer Echoes, and Last Mortal, a supernatural noir adventure from Filip Sablik, John Mahoney, and Thomas Nachlik.

160 PAGES / Full Color / TRADE PAPERBACK / $4.99

Review – Top Cow First Look

Posted on October 5, 2010 by Brett

I’ll just cut to the chase when it comes to Top Cow First Look, this is a must buy. Six fantastic stories for $4.99. Less than $1 an issue, this is a no brainer. So, where do I begin with each tale, I guess it’s easiest to take them one at a time and just praise each of them in their own little way with a modified review.

Genius is written by Marc Bernardin and Adam Freeman with art by Troy Peteri. Someone’s united all of the gangs in Los Angeles. One cop believes this person exists and the LAPD is dealing with a very bright individual. But would anyone believe that leader is a woman? The story is original, the art is great and I wanted more and more. This kick ass story starts off this steal. Rating: 9

Sunset, takes on a man who has a mysterious past. Written by Christos Gage and the art by Jorge Lucas, this is a mix of Dirty Harry or Gran Torino. A revenge tale with a lot of ass kicking. The entire issue is a build, and ends just as it’s getting good. Great story, and great art. Rating: 9

Mysterious Ways is the weakest of the bunch, but still really good. Written by Jason Rubin with pencils by Tyler Kirkham and inks by Sal Regla is the story of a gruesome murder and some spiritual things behind it. My biggest issue with this story is it’s a bit choppy and part just don’t make sense. Still the art is tight, and it’s entertaining. Rating: 8

Black Vault is something I didn’t see coming. To say why it’s so good is to reveal the twist at the end. This story written by B. Clay Moore and art by Nelson Blake II takes place on the International Space Station and involves a very mysterious crew who arrive with a cargo that’s not quite what it seems. This has tons of potential and I want to see where it goes. Rating: 9.5

The final two entries are from Minotaur Press who are being picked up by Top Cow.

Echoes by the brilliant Joshua Hale Fialkov with art by Rashan Ekedal is so beyond twisted and so freaking good. This a psycological thriller along with the likes of Silence of the Lambs. You know where this is going, and the pacing and build up are perfect. I love the black and white art (it’s a perfect fit) and can’t imagine what comes next. This is so good I hope folks are seriously taking a look at it for the big or small screen. Rating: 10

The final story of the bunch is Last Mortal, written by John Mahoney and Filip Sablik with art by Thomas Nachlik. A very interesting tale that doesn’t reveal what’s going on until the very last panel. It’s one story that crosses over into something totally different. Again this is a black and white comic, which works for it. A very creative and engaging beginning that sucks you right in. Rating: 9

Check out our extended thoughts below.

Top Cow First Look Volume 1 Trade Paperback

Posted on September 2, 2010 by Brett

Official Press Release

SIX NEW #1 TOP COW ISSUES FOR ONLY FIVE BUCKS

TOP COW FIRST LOOK VOLUME 1 TRADE PAPERBACK

LOS ANGELES, Calif., September 2, 2010 – Top Cow Productions, Inc. proudly announced today that the publisher will be releasing six new #1 issues in the upcoming Top Cow First Look Volume 1 trade paperback. Scheduled to be in stores October 6, 2010, the Top Cow First Look is a new publishing initiative that will allow readers to sample new titles from six dramatically different creative teams in a single collection at a reasonable price point.

For readers new to Top Cow, the Top Cow First Look trade will provide an exclusive “first look” at the publisher’s latest creation in the crime noir, suspense, urban action, space horror, supernatural mystery and revenge genres. The follow titles are collected in the first volume:

One of the winners of the 2008 Top Cow Pilot Season, Marc Bernardin, Adam Freeman and Afua Richardson present the first issue in their upcoming miniseries, Genius centers on the story of a young African-American military genius taking over Los Angeles’ gangs.

Written by Christos Gage (Avengers Academy) with by the art team of Jorge Lucas (The Darkness) and Felix Serrano, Sunset tells the tale of an old Vegas enforcer on a quest for revenge in his twilight years.

Writer Jason Rubin (The Iron Saint), penciler Tyler Kirkham (Green Lantern Corps), inker Sal Regla and colorist Arif Prianto of IFS, unveils the supernatural murder-mystery Mysterious Ways.

B. Clay Moore, Nelson Blake II and Dave McCaig take you deep into space horror with Black Vault.

Kicking off the newly relaunched Minotaur Press line, Joshua Hale Fialkov and Rahsan Ekedal bring you a haunting generational serial killer tale with Echoes.

Written by John Mahoney and Top Cow publisher Filip Sablik with art by Thomas Nachlik present you a supernatural noir adventure about a small time criminal who discovers he cannot die with Last Mortal.

Review – The Iron Saint Volume 1 Trade Paperback

Posted on August 13, 2010 by Brett

It’s a good thing when you come to the end and are angry that it’s over right? The Iron Saint published by Top Cow, written by Jason Rubin and art by Joel Gomez and Francis Manapul is so entertaining. The worst part about it is it ends in a cliffhanger. I wanted to read more, I wanted to see it continue and find out what comes next. Everything negative I can think about it, are positives!

From the creator of Crash Bandicoot and Jak & Daxter!
The long-awaited collection for Jason Rubin’s original comic series, previously released as Iron and The Maiden is finally here. Set in an alternate-universe 1930s metropolis, a reformed hitman and an innocent debutante get caught in the middle of a three-way power struggle between the government, a religious sect and an underworld criminal organization.

Written by Jason Rubin (Crash Bandicoot, Jak & Daxter) and drawn by Francis Manapul (The Flash, Adventure Comics) and Joel Gomez (Witchblade), The Iron Saint Volume 1 Trade Paperback collects the sold out Iron and The Maiden #1-4 plus the hard-to-find #0 issue, along with a cover gallery and much more. Featuring covers by Jim Lee, Joe Madureira, Michael Turner, and Chris Bachalo

This comic book was planned like a video game or animated movie and feels like it with beautiful art and amazing scenery, the story is top notch as well. While the story is familiar (mob vs. government vs. church), set in a universe that’s a mash-up of a lot other items, there’s just something pure fun about this story.

The characters are all stereotypes, but who cares. It’s fun, entertaining and that’s all that matters. This is the art I love with character designs by Joe Madureira that set the tone for everything else, it all fits perfect. The art by Gomez and Manupal is fantastic with an over the top exaggeration and images that pop off of the page. There’s just fantastic use of the pages to convey the action and the art, color, really everything is beautiful to stare at. I’m a huge fan of Madureira’s and Gomez and Manupal have a similar style.

Overall, again, the worst part of the comic is it ended. I want to find out what comes next and see what happens to Michael Iron and Angel Chase. The story is entertaining, art is fantastic, this is a definite buy.

Preview – The Iron Saint Volume 1 Trade Paperback

Posted on August 11, 2010 by Brett

Official Press Release

THE IRON SAINT VOLUME 1 TRADE PAPERBACK

(w) Jason Rubin (a) Joel Gomez, Francis Manapul (cov) Chris Bachalo

From the creator of Crash Bandicoot and Jak & Daxter!
The long-awaited collection for Jason Rubin’s original comic series, previously released as Iron and The Maiden is finally here. Set in an alternate-universe 1930s metropolis, a reformed hitman and an innocent debutante get caught in the middle of a three-way power struggle between the government, a religious sect and an underworld criminal organization.

Written by Jason Rubin (Crash Bandicoot, Jak & Daxter) and drawn by Francis Manapul (The Flash, Adventure Comics) and Joel Gomez (Witchblade), The Iron Saint Volume 1 Trade Paperback collects the sold out Iron and The Maiden #1-4 plus the hard-to-find #0 issue, along with a cover gallery and much more. Featuring covers by Jim Lee, Joe Madureira, Michael Turner, and Chris Bachalo

Full Color 176 pages $14.99

Breaking: Top Cow SDCC 2010 Announcements

Posted on July 24, 2010 by Brett

Official Press Release

TOP COW ANNOUNCEMENTS FOR COMIC-CON INTERNATIONAL 2010

Pilot Season 2010:

Pilot Season 2010 will begin anew as a 6-week event debut in the fall. The 6-week schedule is a new element to this year’s Pilot Season competition. Additionally, the promotion will return to include 6 different creative teams after 2009’s event where all the properties were co-created by Robert Kirkman and Marc Silvestri. Top Cow will be debuting the contestants for the 2010 competition at Comic-International with a Pilot Season 2010 Declassified preview book.

Created by Matt Hawkins and written by screenwriter Brad Ingelsby with art by Thomas Nachlik with a cover by Bagus Hutomo of IFS, Pilot Season: Forever #1 focuses on a pharmaceutical company, Longevity, and their development of a drug that extends human life and counters the debilitating effects of aging almost indefinitely.

Created and written by William Harms and debuting art from Jerry Landon with a cover by Rafael Albuquerque, Pilot Season: 39 Minutes #1 turns a heist story on its head when a bank robber’s only solution to getaway from a surrounded bank full of customers and employees is to kill everyone in town.

Created and co-written by Marc Silvestri and co-writer Jeff Katz with art by Allan Jefferson, Pilot Season: Crosshair #1 centers on former assassin for the CIA, Justin Weller, who just settled into the life of a loving husband and devoted father in the suburbs, coping with the discovery that he has been brainwashed to kill the President of the United States.

Created and written by Filip Sablk and debuting art from David Marquez with a cover by Jenny Frison, Pilot Season: The Asset #1 redefines the femme fatale for the digital age when you’re matched with the woman of your dreams; the same woman who’s trying to get you killed.

Created and co-written by the team behind Broken Trinity: Pandora’s Box, Bryan Edward Hill and Rob Levin, with jaw dropping art from industry legend Brian Stelfreeze, Pilot Season: 7 Days from Hell #1 finds ex-pat turned mercenary John Bishop mortally wounded, but spared from Hell by a renegade demon seeking redemption.

Created and co-written by Marc Silvestri and David Wohl with art from Stjepan Sejic, Pilot Season: Midway Earth #1 sees our home planet as the strategic prize in a brutal war between two alien races.

Top Cow Bible Addendum:

Hot on the heels of the Top Cow Bible, which debuted at Comic-Con International 2009, Top Cow will debut the Top Cow Bible Addendum #1 at Comic-Con International 2010. The 32 page, prestige format comic will feature over 25 brand-new properties spotlighted and introduced to the world for the first time. This collection will include upcoming contestants in Pilot Season 2010 as well as new properties debuting as series from Top Cow and Minotaur Press in 2010 and 2011. Each property will include a summary and brand new key art and showcase Top Cow’s motto of “We Create…” Additionally, the back of the Top Cow Bible Addendum #1 will contain several pages of “In Development” properties, which will tease upcoming projects.

Pitt Comics and Reprints:

Top Cow proudly announces that it has acquired the rights to Pitt, the seminal character created by legendary artist Dale Keown. Keown has long considered himself part of the Top Cow family and this deal solidifies his ongoing relationship and commitment to the Cow. As part if this, Top Cow will collect previously published Pitt comics in trade paperbacks (which have never been collected before) as well as produce new Pitt comics and merchandise. Future Pitt comics will feature covers by Keown and be co-written and art directed by the creator.

Minotaur Press Revival:

Top Cow proudly announces the return of the Minotaur Press imprint to their line. The imprint is best known for releasing such series as Obergeist by Tony Harris and Dan Jolley and Felon by Greg Rucka. The return of the imprint is part of Top Cow’s efforts to create three distinct, clear lines of comics. These lines will include Top Cow Universe, which encompasses series such as Witchblade The Darkness, and Artifacts, that take place in the shared Top Cow Universe; Top Cow Productions, which will include stand alone color series such as Mysterious Ways, Sunset, and Rest; and lastly, Minotaur Press, which will act a home for more independent styled series. The first series to launch under the revived Minotaur Press will be Echoes created and written by Joshua Hale Fialkov (Tumor, Alibi) with toned art by Rahsan Ekedal. The series follows a man, who discovers his dead father may have been a serial killer and when new bodies begin to surface he’s left to wonder if he has inherited his father’s tendencies. The second series planned for release under the Minotaur Press line is Last Mortal. Last Mortal is co-created and written by Top Cow Publisher Filip Sablik (Pilot Season: Asset) and newcomer John Mahoney and co-created and drawn by Thomas Nachlik (Pilot Season: Forever). That series tells the story of a small time criminal who discovers after trying to kill himself that he is immortal.

Mysterious Ways:

Video game industry legend Jason Rubin makes his triumphant return to comics with a brand new series entitled Mysterious Ways. Best known for creating Crash Bandicoot and Jak and Daxter, Rubin made his initial splash in comics with The Iron Saint (originally published under the title Iron and the Maiden). The Iron Saint makes its collected trade debut at Comic-Con International along with a special sneak peek of Mysterious Ways #1 as part of the Top Cow First Look trade paperback. Mysterious Ways features art by Green Lantern Corps artist Tyler Kirkham, inker Sal Regla, and colorist Arif Prianto of IFS. The series follows the story of washed up ex-cop Sam, who has slid into a pit of despair and drinking his life away after killing his corrupt partner. When a serial killer begins killing innocent women around town, the police suspect Sam. As Sam races to clear his name he discovers that the Lord works in very Mysterious Ways indeed. Mysterious Ways is slated for release in late 2010/early 2011.

Rest:

Top Cow Productions and DiVide Pictures are proud to announce the return of fan favorite property Rest. Originally published by Devil’s Due Publishing, Rest chronicles the adventures of John, a man who becomes one of the first human test subjects for a drug, which removes the need for sleep. Imagine what you could do if you had an extra eight hours every day and always felt awake and refreshed. The dream soon becomes a nightmare as John discovers that he may not be the first subject and the drug may have unforeseen side effects. Three issues of Rest, issues #0, #1, and #2, have been released previously. Top Cow and DiVide will be utilizing a unique publishing plan to relaunch Rest. Issues #3-5, which complete the series, will be released exclusively digitally in single-issue form, along with making issues #0-2 available digitally. The issues will be released leading up to the release of the trade paperback in October at New York Comic-Con. More details will be forthcoming on specifics for the digital release plan.

Top Cow Reveals Comic-Con International 2010 Signing Schedule

Posted on July 20, 2010 by Brett

Official Press Release

TOP COW REVEALS COMIC-CON INTERNATIONAL 2010 SIGNING SCHEDULE

LOS ANGELES, Calif., July 19, 2010 – Comic-Con International in San Diego is days away and Top Cow Productions, Inc. is excited you’ll be spending time with us. Below are several creators who are just as thrilled that you’ll be making a stop at the Top Cow Booth #2629:

Thursday, July 22

10:00 – 11:00am: William Harms, Thomas Nachlik

11:00 – 12:00pm: Nelson Blake II, Sheldon Mitchell, Rick Basaldua

11:30 – 12:30pm: Ale Garza

12:00 – 1:30pm: Ron Marz, Kenneth Rocafort

12:30 – 1:30pm: Rob Levin, Bryan Edward Hill

1:30 – 3:00pm: Michael Broussard, Ryan Winn, Troy Peteri

2:00 – 3:00pm: Phil Hester

5:00 – 6:00pm: Rick Basaldua, Richard Fairgray, Eric Basaldua

5:30 – 6:30pm: Joshua Hale Fialkov

6:00 – 7:00pm: Sheldon Mitchell, Paolo Pantalena

Friday, July 23

10:00 – 11:00am: Rob Levin, Bryan Edward Hill, David Hine, Jeff Wamester

11:00 – 12:00pm: Kenneth Rocafort, Marc Bernardin, Adam Freeman, Richard Fairgray

12:00 – 1:00pm: Sheldon Mitchell, Troy Peteri, Joe Weems

12:00 – 1:30pm: Phil Hester

1:00 – 2:30pm: Marc Silvestri, Michael Broussard, Emily Lazar

1:30 – 2:30pm: Ron Marz

2:30 – 3:30pm: Milo Ventimiglia, Russ Cundiff, Rick Loverd, Jeremy Haun

4:30 – 5:30pm: Jason Rubin, Sal Regla, Josh Hale Fialkov, Rahsan Ekedal

5:30 – 6:30pm: David Marquez, William Harms, Thomas Nachlik, Jonathan Lincoln

Saturday, July 24

10:00 – 11:00am: David Hine, Jeff Wamester, Rick Basaldua, Paolo Pantalena

11:00 – 12:00pm: Kenneth Rocafort

11:30 – 1:00pm: Ron Marz, Michael Broussard, Troy Peteri

12:00 – 1:00pm: Rick Loverd, Jeremy Haun

1:00 – 2:00pm: Thomas Nachlik, William Harms, Jonathan Lincoln

2:00 – 3:00pm: Richard Fairgray, Rahsan Ekedal, Randy Queen, Sarah Queen

3:00 – 4:00pm: Marc Bernardin, Adam Freeman

3:00 – 4:30pm: Sheldon Mitchell, Eric Basaldua

4:00 – 5:00pm: Ale Garza, Troy Peteri

4:30 – 5:30pm: Jason Rubin, Sal Regla, Joe Weems

5:00 – 6:30pm: Marc Silvestri, Emily Lazar

5:30 – 6:30pm: Rob Levin, Bryan Edward Hill

Sunday, July 25

10:00 – 11:00am: Marc Bernardin, Adam Freeman, Rick Basaldua

11:00 – 12:00pm: David Marquez, Thomas Nachlik

12:00 – 1:00pm: Rob Levin, Bryan Edward Hill, Rick Loverd, Jeremy Haun

1:00 – 2:00pm: David Hine, Jeff Wamester, Eric Basaldua, Ale Garza

2:00 – 3:00pm: Richard Fairgray, Joshua Hale Fialkov, Paolo Pantalena

3:00 – 4:00pm: Sheldon Mitchell, Rick Basaldua

4:00 – 5:00pm: Kenneth Rocafort, Michael Broussard

PLEASE NOTE: All dates/times are subject to change. Sketch tickets will be available at the beginning of each day of the show. Sketch tickets are limited one per fan per day. Fans must be present at the appointed signing time to redeem their sketch ticket. Not all artists appearing at the Top Cow booth will offer free sketches and fans should inquire at the booth on the morning they plan to get a sketch for availability.

Be sure to check out the Top Cow “We Create” Multimedia panel on Saturday, July 24 at 1:30-2:30pm in Room 9 as well.

For up-to-date information on Top Cow’s plans at Comic-Con International in San Diego, please visit www.topcow.com or follow us on Twitter (@TopCow).

Top Cow at Comic-Con International 2010

Posted on July 12, 2010 by Brett

Official Press Release

BE AMONG THE FIRST TO START THE ARTIFACTS JOURNEY
TOP COW AT COMIC-CON INTERNATIONAL 2010

LOS ANGELES, Calif., July 12, 2010 – Top Cow Productions, Inc.’s race to Artifacts will include a stop at this year’s Comic-Con International in San Diego, California, the world’s biggest and most exciting popular convention, from July 22nd – 25th.

Top Cow will once again storm into the convention and set up shop at booth #2629. Among the goods to prepare attendees of CCI 2010 for the race to Artifacts will be exclusives, preview books, free goodies, variant comics and trade paperbacks, including free copies of Artifacts #0 as well as other comics, posters and bookmarks (while supplies last).

Attendees are invited to join Marc Silvestri (Dark Avengers/Uncanny X-Men: Utopia), President Matt Hawkins, and Publisher Filip Sablik for an exciting and lively multimedia presentation about Top Cow’s plans for 2010 and 2011 in comics, film, television and much more. Be the first to hear announcements and updates on film projects including Witchblade, Magdalena, Alibi, Wanted, and The A-Team. Plus announcements on new comic projects with creators including Ron Marz (Artifacts), Jeff Katz (American Original, Freddy vs. Jason), Phil Hester (The Darkness) plus surprise guest directors, screenwriters, producers and more! The panel will be featured in room 9 from 1:30-2:30pm under the title Top Cow: “We Create” Multimedia, on Saturday, July 24th.

The schedule for signings as well as portfolio reviews at Top Cow booth #2629 will be released at a later date and will be available online at www.topcow.com as well as at the booth at the start of each day.

Joining the Top Cow team at booth #2629 will be Marc Silvestri, Ron Marz (Artifacts), Phil Hester (The Darkness), Michael Broussard (Artifacts), Kenneth Rocafort (Velocity), Jeremy Haun (Berserker), Eric Basaldua (Witchblade Annual), William Harms (Impaler), Rob Levin (Broken Trinity: Pandora’s Box), Bryan Edward Hill (Broken Trinity: Pandora’s Box), Nelson Blake II (Magdalena), Marc Bernardin (Genius), Adam Freeman (Genius), Jeff Wamester (The Darkness: Four Horsemen), David Hine (The Darkness: Four Horsemen), Jason Rubin (The Iron Saint), Joshua Ortega (Necromancer), Rick Loverd (Berserker), Sheldon Mitchell (The Darkness), Rahsan Ekedal (The Crazies, Echoes), Joshua Hale Fialkov (The Crazies, Echoes), Randy Queen (The Darkness/Darkchylde: Kingdom Pain), Sarah Queen (The Darkness/Darkchylde: Kingdom Pain), Jonathan Lincoln (Tracker), Rick Basaldua (The Darkness) and several other surprise guests.

Fans should note that because of anticipated crowding issues; artists appearing at the Top Cow booth will only be able to do a limited amount of free sketches per sitting. Sketch tickets will be available at the beginning of each day of the show. Sketch tickets are limited one per fan per day. Fans must be present at the appointed signing time to redeem their sketch ticket. Not all artists appearing at the Top Cow booth will offer free sketches and fans should inquire at the booth on the morning they plan to get a sketch for availability.

Also at the Top Cow booth #2629, the publisher will offer several items exclusive to Comic-Con International including three convention variant cover comic exclusives, two limited edition hardcovers, and an unannounced bargain-priced anthology book.

Fans who stop by the booth will be among the first to grab a copy of the debut issue to mega-event series, Artifacts by Marz and Broussard. Artifacts promises to be Top Cow’s most ambitious series to date and will weave together story lines from a number of Top Cow titles, including Witchblade, The Darkness, Angelus and Broken Trinity: Pandora’s Box. It has been known for some time that thirteen mystical Artifacts guide the fate of the Top Cow Universe. For centuries, it’s been whispered that bringing together all 13 artifacts would bring upon mankind’s destruction. The series will begin with a mysterious figure who seeks to put Armageddon into motion. Artifacts #1 will arrive in stores on Wednesday, July 28th.

For up-to-date information on Top Cow’s plans at Comic-Con International in San Diego, please visit www.topcow.com or follow us on Twitter (@TopCow).