Tag Archives: jose villarrubia

Get a whole new look at J.H. Williams III’s art in Desolation Jones: The Biohazard Edition Deluxe Hardcover

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The critically acclaimed espionage/science-fiction thriller Desolation Jones—by writer Warren Ellis and artist J.H. Williams III with colorist José Villarrubia and letterer Todd Klein—will be collected into a hardcover in the upcoming, Desolation Jones: The Biohazard Edition. This deluxe edition will collect Desolation Jones issues #1-6—along with an extensive gallery showcasing select, raw artwork by Williams III—and be available this November from Image Comics.

In this new edition, the art and lettering placements will also feature minor retouches throughout by Williams III.

Desolation Jones follows one Michael Jones, a former agent for British intelligence before a procedure to make him a better operative left him mentally and physically shattered. Now he survives in Los Angeles as a private investigator, eking out a living within the city’s ghost community of damaged spooks. If he had any better future to look forward to, he probably wouldn’t be embarking on his newest job: locating the lost pornographic home movies of… Adolf Hitler.

Desolation Jones: The Biohazard Edition (ISBN: 9781534350755) will be available at local comic book shops on Wednesday, November 27 and independent bookstores, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Books-a-Million, and Indigo on Tuesday, December 10.

Crowdfunding Corner Exclusive: Writer Sarah Byam discusses the behind-the-scenes process of her collaboration with Tim Sale for BILLI 99

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BILLI 99

Tim Sale was one of the most celebrated and beloved comic book artists of his generation. Frequently collaborating with writer Jeph Loeb, Tim illustrated seminal stories featuring Batman, Catwoman, Superman, Spider-Man, Captain America, Hulk, and Daredevil as well as the cult favorite TV series Heroes. Clover Press is publishing the first-ever hardcover edition of Sale’s first full-length comic book work, the Eisner Award-nominated BILLI 99, written by Sarah Byam. This new edition, which is being crowdfunded on Kickstarter, features glorious colors by the award-winning and fan-favorite color artist José Villarrubia.

We have exclusive commentary about the behind-the-scenes process of her collaboration from Sarah Byam about her collaboration with Sale.

Our Mothers Were Heroes

My earliest memory took place in the middle of the 1967 Detroit summer riots. It was twilight, smoke, and fire rising across the streets ahead. A dozen or so boys were beating another boy they had captured. My mother, all 5 feet, 98 pounds of her, locked us in the car and charged into the fight. Using only her voice, she called the teens to their senses.

“Stop it! Your mothers’ would be ashamed of you!”

They stopped.

They dropped their sticks, like wakened from a nightmare, and left one by one.

I wanted to be just like her.

Tim’s mother was a different kind of hero. First, she worked as a civil rights activist, and then as an active member of the National Organization for Women, she worked on the campaign to ratify the national Equal Rights Amendment. She taught her son feminist values and gave him feminist literature to read. Having a mother who was a radical feminist, Tim’s early life brought him to a place where he could understand and have compassion for a journey like mine.

Getting Started

Tim and I were able to develop Billi 99 from almost opposite experiences, which I think made the combination of our knowledge and skill come together so well in Billi 99. I think it was pivotal in both of our careers in different ways and for different reasons.

I was fortunate enough to meet his parents and share a meal with them as both Tim and I lived in Seattle while we were creating Billi 99.

Tim’s father, Roger Sale, was a professor of literature at the University of Washington. Roger Sale not only gave his son literature but also gave him heroes like Zorro and Robin Hood. Tim began to draw adventure stories, and his reading improved.  By the time he was 13, his love for comics was solidified. He was encouraged to draw, and taken to meet his heroes. He studied his storytelling art before junior high school and continued. After a taste of creation, he dedicated and focused himself throughout the rest of his life, developing a signature style of painting in black, and white, with hundreds of shades of handmade greys in between.

Influences

About the same time, I began writing in earnest. I was very drawn to non-fiction. I read my way through the censored school library and then undertook periodicals. I read multiple newspapers a day. I studied writing at Northern Michigan University until the merit scholarships dried up, continued to practice, and returned to Detroit in 1985 to study at the Wayne State Center for Creative Studies. There I was introduced to urban women writers and poets. People like Alice Walker and Maya Angelou. Not long after I discovered James Baldwin and Studs Terkel. Stories and poetry began to pile up in my old “hope punk” steamship trunk.

Tim went on to study art at the University of Washington in Seattle, and the School of Visual Arts in New York, as well as workshops with greats like John Buscema, John Romita Sr, and Marie Severin. In 1983, Tim landed a job inking Myth Adventures from WaRP graphics, and then in 1985, he was penciling Thieves World.

Matt Wagner, Kelley Jones, and José Villarrubia’s Dracula Book 1: The Impaler

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This October, Dark Horse Comics will publish Dracula Book 1: The Impaler, a bold and terrifying secret history of the world’s most famous vampire from writer Matt Wagner, artist Kelley Jones, colorist José Villarrubia, and letterer Rob Steen. The project marks the first ever collaboration for Wagner and Jones, two legendary comic book creators and longtime friends. The book, which began as a crowdfunding sensation on Kickstarter, will now be available in comic shops and bookstores in time for Halloween 2024.

The first of four planned volumes, Dracula Book 1: The Impaler explores the legendary Count before his debut in Bram Stoker’s iconic novel—from his first foray into the dark arts to his rise to lord of the undead! The series of books will fill in these tantalizing gaps to provide a terrifying portrait of Vlad Dracula, with Dracula Book 1: The Impaler exploring Dracula’s bloody history and his tenure at Satan’s legendary seminary of the dark arts, the Scholomance.

Clover Press to Publish Tim Sale’s Billi 99

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Backer Beware: Crowdfunding projects are not guaranteed to be delivered and/or delivered when promised. We always recommend to do your research before backing.

Legendary artist Tim Sale’s full length comic book debut Billi 99, returns in a brand-new hardcover from Clover Press. The Eisner-Award Nominated comic written by Sarah Byam now features colors by José Villarrubia.

Tim Sale was one of the most celebrated and beloved comic book artists of his generation. Frequently collaborating with writer Jeph Loeb, Tim illustrated seminal stories featuring Batman, Catwoman, Superman, Spider-Man, Captain America, Hulk, and Daredevil as well as the cult favorite TV series Heroes. Now Clover Press is publishing the first-ever hardcover edition of Sale’s first full-length comic book work, the Eisner Award-nominated Billi 99, written by Sarah Byam. This new edition, which is being crowdfunded on Kickstarter, features glorious colors by the award-winning and fan-favorite color artist José Villarrubia. 

You can sign up now so you don’t miss it when it launches!

Billi 99

The Devil’s Railroad Begins in 2000 AD Prog 2352

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A major new series starts in 2000 AD Prog 2352, out now, as the powerhouse creative team of Peter Milligan, Rufus Dayglo, Jose Villarrubia, and Jim Campbell present The Devil’s Railroad.

Set in the Year 3038. the series follows Constance and Palamon, a young couple who have just found out something that changes everything: Constance is pregnant. But their home on Diaspora X-167 is trapped in the middle of a cosmic warzone, subject to nightly bombing raids… and no place to raise a family.

The couple have no choice but to evacuate their home planet in an attempt to make their way across the dangers of the galactic warzone – and to Earth. All humanoid babies born on Earth become Earth Citizens with full Earth rights, guaranteeing them a chance at a safer and more secure future. 

But in order to make their way to the planet, they’ll have to first brave the notorious and incredibly dangerous smuggling smuggling route known as The Devil’s Railroad…

A deeply resonant and powerful exploration at what drives people to leave their homes and seek a better life for themselves and their families, The Devil’s Railroad is a politically-charged series which deals with themes of home, identity, immigration and belonging. If you’re a fan of stories like Saga, Children of Men or The Last of Us, The Devil’s Railroad is a can’t miss series!

The Devil’s Railroad begins in 2000 AD Prog 2352, out on the October 4th 2023

The Devil's Railroad

Image reveals a new wave of Walking Dead Team-Up Variant Covers

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Image Comics has revealed another eye-popping set of the highly anticipated team-up variants for the much buzzed about line of covers celebrating Robert Kirkman‘s The Walking Dead 20 year anniversary. 

This round of covers includes none other than: Gabriel H. Walta, Jeff Lemire & Jose Villarrubia (on Phantom Road #6), Rafael Albuquerque (on Creepshow #2), Conor Hughes (on Void Rivals #5), Andre Bressan & Adriano Lucas (on Firepower #28), Szymon Kudranski (on Something Epic #6), Roberto Meli (on Purr Evil #4), and James Harren (on The Sacrificers #3).

The following The Walking Dead team-up variants will be available at local comic shops:

  • A HAUNTED GIRL #1 CVR E by Jeffrey Edwards – on sale Wednesday, October 11 – Lunar Code: 0823IM302
  • ANTARCTICA #4 CVR C by Giuseppe Cafaro – on sale Wednesday, October 18 – Lunar Code: 0823IM353
  • CREEPSHOW #2 CVR D by Rafael Albuquerque – on sale Wednesday, October 11 – Lunar Code: 0823IM363
  • THE DEAD LUCKY #10 CVR B by Stefano Simeone – on sale Wednesday, October 25 – Lunar Code: 0823IM368
  • DESTINY GATE #1 CVR C by Giuseppe Cafaro – on sale Wednesday, October 11 – Lunar Code: 0823IM297
  • ENFIELD GANG MASSACRE #3 CVR B by Jacob Phillips – on sale Wednesday, November 22 – Lunar Code: 0823IM376
  • FIREPOWER #28 CVR C by Andre Bressan & Adriano Lucas – on sale Wednesday, October 25 – Lunar Code: 0823IM379
  • THE FORGED #5 CVR B by Mike Henderson – on sale Wednesday, October 18 – Lunar Code: 0823IM808
  • HACK/SLASH: BACK TO SCHOOL #1 CVR D by Tim Seeley – on sale Wednesday, October 18 – Lunar Code: 0823IM285
  • HAUNT YOU TO THE END #5 CVR C by Giuseppe Cafaro – on sale Wednesday, October 11 – Lunar Code: 0823IM385
  • I HATE FAIRYLAND #10 CVR D by Skottie Young – on sale Wednesday, October 18 – Lunar Code: 0823IM390
  • ICE CREAM MAN #37 CVR C by Martín Morazzo & Chris O’Halloran – on sale Wednesday, October 25 – Lunar Code: 0823IM393
  • KAYA #12 CVR C by Wes Craig – on sale Wednesday, November 22 – Lunar Code: 0823IM401
  • KILL YOUR DARLINGS #2 CVR E by Bob Quinn – on sale Wednesday, October 18 – Lunar Code: 0823IM406
  • KLIK KLIK BOOM #5 CVR B by Doug Dabbs – on sale Wednesday, October 18 – Lunar Code: 0823IM410
  • LOCAL MAN #6 CVR D by Tim Seeley & Tony Fleecs – on sale Wednesday, October 18 – Lunar Code: 0823IM414
  • NO/ONE #7 CVR D by Stefano Simeone – on sale Wednesday, October 18 – Lunar Code: 0723IM816
  • PHANTOM ROAD #6 CVR C by Gabriel H. Walta, Jeff Lemire & Jose Villarrubia – on sale Wednesday, November 8 – Lunar Code: 0923IM808
  • PURR EVIL #4 CVR C by Roberto Meli – on sale Wednesday, October 25 – Lunar Code: 0823IM419
  • RADIANT BLACK #28 A CVR B by Stefano Simeone – on sale Wednesday, October 25 – Lunar Code: 0823IM423
  • RADIANT BLACK #28 B CVR B by Stefano Simeone – on sale Wednesday, October 25 – Lunar Code: 0823IM424
  • ROGUE SUN #17 CVR C by Stefano Simeone – on sale Wednesday, October 18 – Lunar Code: 0823IM427
  • SACRIFICERS #3 CVR D by James Harren – on sale Wednesday, October 25 – Lunar Code: 0823IM431
  • SAVAGE DRAGON #269 CVR C by Erik Larsen – on sale Wednesday, October 18 – Lunar Code: 0823IM435
  • SAVAGE STRENGTH OF STAR STORM #6 CVR C by Drew Craig – on sale Wednesday, October 18 – Lunar Code 0823IM438
  • THE SCHLUB #3 CVR G by Tyrell Cannon – on sale Wednesday, October 25 – Lunar Code: 0823IM445
  • THE SCORCHED #23 CVR C by Stephen Segovia – on sale Wednesday, October 18 – Lunar Code: 0823IM448
  • SCRAPPER #4 CVR B by Natacha Bustos & Jordie Bellaire – on sale Wednesday, October 18 – Lunar Code: 0823IM450
  • SOMETHING EPIC #6 CVR E by Szymon Kudranski – on sale Wednesday, October 11 – Lunar Code: 0823IM455
  • SWAN SONGS #4 CVR D by Martín Morazzo & Chris O’Halloran – on sale Wednesday, October 25 – Lunar Code: 0823IM462
  • TALES OF SYZPENSE #3 CVR E by Ashley Wood – on sale Wednesday, October 18 – Lunar Code: 0823IM467
  • TENEMENT #5 CVR C by Andrea Sorrentino – on sale Wednesday, October 18 – Lunar Code: 0823IM359
  • TIME BEFORE TIME #28 CVR C by Declan Shalvey – on sale Wednesday, October 18 – Lunar Code: 0823IM471
  • UNDISCOVERED COUNTRY #27 CVR C by Giuseppe Camuncoli – on sale Wednesday, October 25 – Lunar Code: 0823IM474
  • UNTOLD TALES OF I HATE FAIRYLAND #4 CVR B – on sale Wednesday, October 4 – Lunar Code: 0923IM809
  • VOID RIVALS #5 CVR F – on sale Wednesday, October 18 – Lunar Code: 0823IM481
  • WHAT’S THE FURTHEST PLACE FROM HERE? #15 CVR C by Tyler Boss – on sale Wednesday, October 25 – Lunar Code: 0823IM488

Preview: Dead Romans #6

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Dead Romans #6

(W) Fred Kennedy (A) Nick Marinkovich (C) Jose Villarrubia (L) Andrew Thomas

The battle builds to its climax with the beleaguered Legions facing thousands of Germanic warriors fighting to free their homeland. Honoria races back to Rome, duty in her heart above Arminius.

With victory finally within his grasp, Arminius wonders what a throne is worth when you’re left to sit alone.

Variant covers by Nick Marinkovich, Rob Brunette, and Kalman Andrasofszky; edited by the Eisner and Schuster award-winning Allison O’Toole.

Dead Romans #6

Mini Reviews: What If, Mutant Mayhem, Conan, and Magneto!

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Conan the Barbarian #1

Sometimes, the staff at Graphic Policy read more comics than we’re able to get reviewed. When that happens you’ll see a weekly feature compiling reviews of the comics, or graphic novels, we just didn’t get a chance to write a full one for.

These are Graphic Policy’s Mini Reviews and Recommendations.

Logan

What If…? Dark: Venom #1 (Marvel) – Stephanie Phillips and Jethro Morales have Thing merge with the Venom symbiote in the latest installment of What If…? Dark. Set in the 1980s after Secret Wars when Thing left the team, this one-shot plays off Ben Grimm’s desire to be human to great effect. Of course, the symbiote makes him human again, but there’s a cost, and Thing indulges his dark side with the help of Lizard. Phillips and Morales draw a parallel between Curt Connors and Grimm musing if Thing would be considered a hero if he wasn’t part of the Fantastic Four. Sadly, the third act turns this interesting relationship into pure edginess, but there’s 2/3 of an interesting and badass at times comic in What If Dark Venom #1. Overall: 7.4 Verdict: Read (I purchased a copy)

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem– TMNT: Mutant Mayhem is like going to the movies with your cool (probably stoner) older brother. The latest reboot based on the most successful independent comic of all time goes for Gen Z in a lot of its jokes, references (Leonardo “rizzes up” April O’Neil), and of course, in the voice performances of the Turtles, but is pure Gen X in its soundtrack with lots of classic hip hop cuts from ODB, Gang Starr, and De La Soul to name a few. TMNT: Mutant Mayhem focuses on the “teenage” side of the mutant ninja turtles as Leonardo, Donatello, Raphael, and Donatello just want to live normal lives with humans and go to high school instead of cowering in the sewers with their human-phobic father Splinter. However, the bad guys are all mutant as Super Fly (Ice Cube) plots with a veritable menagerie of mutated animals to take out all the humans and make New York an extension of the Bronx Zoo. The seven writers on this film and director Jeff Rowe give Mutant Mayhem an anarchic spirit that literally oozes from the DIY-ish animation style, and the voice cast is star-studded, but not in annoying, say Rio way. Paul Rudd as a chill mutant gecko is the find of the year, and Ayo Edibiri’s earnestness and nervous energy as April O’Neil is the definitive performance of this TMNT ally. The final fight is a little on the short side, but overall, TMNT: Mutant Mayhem is an audiovisual feast with a great sense of humor that does “hated and feared” better than most of the X-Men films. Overall: 8.2

Conan the Barbarian #1 (Titan) – Set in Conan’s younger adventuring days, writer Jim Zub, artist Rob de la Torre, and colorist Jose Villarrubia immediately raise the stakes by having Conan and his new ally, the Pict women Brissa, face off against undead tribe of Picts that are ravaging the countryside. The highlights are the brutal battle sequences with de la Torre and Villarrubia excelling at both close-up intimate panels and huge spreads of the carnage. Unlike the Free Comic Book Day issue, Zub is more sparing with his purple prose captions using them to dig into the larger themes of Conan #1 even though sometimes they end up describing the visuals of the panels. All in all, Conan the Barbarian #1 nails its protagonist’s world-weariness with a heart of gold and feels like a throwback to the old John Buscema Conan comics while adding psychological depth and exploring its hero’s connection to his Cimmerian roots. Overall: 8.1 Verdict: Buy (I purchased a copy)

Magneto #1 (Marvel) – Magneto #1 continues to try to answer the age-old question: how could Magneto be both hero or terrorist? Featuring retro art from Todd Nauck and a psychologically savvy script from JM DeMatteis, this tale set in the 1980s features Magneto caught between being the teacher of the New Mutants and the leader of a new iteration of the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants. Magneto #1 takes its time to explore pivotal moments from Erik Lehnsherr’s going deep into his motivations, and how the big attack in X-Men #1 was just him playing role and basically trying to get the X-Men over as heroes. DeMatteis and Nauck also don’t shy away from portraying Magneto in a negative light like a scene where he freaks out at Wolfsbane and almost hurts her with his magnetic abilities. The comic strikes the perfect balance between nostalgia and character study and has some big action scenes to boot like a Danger Room showdown between the New Mutants and Brotherhood. Overall: 8.4 Verdict: Buy

Well, there you have it, folks. The reviews we didn’t quite get a chance to write. See you next week!

Please note that with some of the above comics, Graphic Policy was provided FREE copies for review. Where we purchased the comics, you’ll see an asterisk (*). If you don’t see that, you can infer the comic was a review copy. In cases where we were provided a review copy and we also purchased the comic you’ll see two asterisks (**).

By Crom! Conan the Barbarian #1 delivers an action packed debut

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Conan the Barbarian #1

Years after the battle of Venarium, a weary Conan returns to his homeland to seek rest and solitude. However, a mysterious scout rides in to warn the Cimmerians of an imminent threat on the march from the Pictish wilderness. Will Conan and his new ally be able to hold off this new horde of invaders? Conan the Barbarian #1 is a fantastic debut feeling like a continuation of the great stories that have come before.

Written by Jim Zub, Conan the Barbarian #1 is the latest start in comics for the classic character. While the story might be knew, its look and feel are classic Conan. For those who have been fans of previous comic volumes, you should find plenty to like with this debut.

Zub is a master at swords and sorcery and it should be no surprise to those who know his work that he nails the debut. We’re introduced to a much younger Conan, in his mid-20s, fresh off of adventure and not happy with the leadership he’s dealt with. Zub plants a flag that this a Conan who is and is not a leader. One that you would follow to the ends of the earth but at the same time wouldn’t want to be in that position. He fights for what he sees is right and standing up for what’s right and others, though never wanting that recognition. Conan, Zub shows, is a complicated character in many ways. He should be leading and would be great at it, but doesn’t want to. He sees himself as doing what must, and should, be done.

Before him lays a challenge of a horde of individuals, possessed by unknown dark magic that turns them into zombie like beings. While it’d be easy to just make it zombies, that doesn’t quite seem to be the case, delivering a take that’s more than just Conan vs. undead hordes. With a new companion, he’s faced with a dilemma as to what to do and where to turn for the manpower to turn the tide and end the wave of destruction.

The art by Rob De La Torre is fantastic. With color by Jose Villarrubia and lettering by Richard Starkings, the comic looks like it’d fit right into the Conan comics that have come before. But, there’s something slightly different to this, the page layouts give it all a slightly more modern feel and flow. There’s beautiful double-page spreads and amazing use of space in the page layout. It all comes together for a comic that’s a perfect match of story and style.

I had high expectations going into Conan the Barbarian #1. Somehow it met all of them and then some. This is a hell of a debut and new chapter for the classic character that will hopefully launch adventures of this quality for many years to come.

Story: Jim Zub Art: Rob De La Torre
Color: Jose Villarrubia Letterer: Richard Starkings
Story: 8.75 Art: 9.0 Overall: 8.9 Recommendation: Buy

Titan Comics provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Purchase: TFAW – Zeus Comics – Kindle

Preview: Conan the Barbarian #1

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Conan the Barbarian #1

(W) Jim Zub (A) Roberto de la Torre, Jose Villarrubia (CA) Dan Panosian
In Shops: Aug 02, 2023
SRP: $3.99

ROBERT E. HOWARD’S LEGENDARY CONAN IS BACK IN A NEW TALE OF BRAVERY AND HEROISM!

CONAN THE BARBARIAN FCBD EDITION LEADS INTO THE DEBUT ISSUE!

Years after the battle of Venarium, a weary CONAN returns to his homeland to seek rest and solitude. However, a mysterious scout rides in to warn the Cimmerians of an imminent threat on the march from the Pictish wilderness. Will CONAN and his new ally be able to hold off this new horde of invaders?

Conan the Barbarian #1
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