Tag Archives: justin gray

Review: Harley Quinn and Power Girl #1

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HQ_PG_1_54fdf10fdccef6.56023328Hey, remember the panel gutter between panels 3 and 4 of page 20 of Harley Quinn #12? What? You DON’T? It’s only, like, the most memorable panel gutter of the twenty-first century. Well, either way, DC has the miniseries for you, in which the full tale of that momentous and momentary pause can be told!

It’s a cosmic adventure beyond your wildest imaginings: Power Girl and Harley Quinn, stranded in a forgotten dimension, on the homeworld of the amorous warlord Vartox! They’ll sacrifice anything they have to in order to get home…except their dignity! Kidding! That’ll be the first thing to go.

Not all comics are for all people, and this comic is definitely not for me. Generally, I’ve grown past boob and puke jokes, unless they’re really original and creative. Here though, it’s pretty low brow as we see Harley Quinn and Power Girl whisked away to a strange world, trying to figure out how to get back home. Potentially that could be a lot of fun, especially with a roller-coaster whirlwind delivery. Instead, there’s a set of scenes, and we’re just taken from one to another in a somewhat stilted way. It’s a series of scenes and events, instead of a interlocking narrative.

The jokes as I said before are just not for me. They’re mostly boobs, guns, and puke jokes, and while these could be done in a brilliant satirical way lampooning and making a joke about what’s come before, instead it just comes off as easy kids jokes.

The art is pretty decent, with each of the characters looking very distinct, and generally is what I’d expect from DC Comics. Much like the story, the art too feels a bit like remnant of the New 52.

Harley Quinn generally is not my cup of tea, and teaming her up with Power Girl, all I get is at least a character to verbally say what I’m thinking… Quinn is annoying in when amped up in a Deadpool sort of way.

There’s potential to do something I might like here, taking jabs at tropes. And while that might be what Gray, Palmiotti, and Conner are attempting, it just doesn’t quite come off that way to me. Might be for you, but not I.

Story: Justin Gray, Jimmy Palmiotti, Amanda Conner Art: Stephane Roux
Story: 4 Art: 7 Overall: 4.5 Recommendation: Pass

DC Comics provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Preview: The Lone Ranger: Vindicated #3

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Lone Ranger: Vindicated #3

Justin Gray (w)
Rey Villegas (a)
Marc Laming (c)
FC • 32 pages • $3.99 • Teen+
FANS, ASK YOUR RETAILER FOR THE:
Marc Laming B&W Art retailer incentive cover

The Lone Ranger sets out to bring justice and fireworks to the men that beat Tonto and left him for dead in the streets of Red River, but a surprising twist reveals the true greed and ambition of the men they’re chasing. Meanwhile the Lone Ranger’s feelings for Fiona Doyle might be putting him and Tonto at greater risk!

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Deadlands Deals Winning Hand

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deadlandsGet ready, as award-winning publisher IDW brings Dead Man’s Hand, the first original collection of the hit Deadlands series to comic shops in March 2015! Based on the popular Deadlands RPG, created by Shane Hensley and Pinnacle Entertainment, and produced by Visionary Comics, the series embodies all the best of horror, western and steampunk in a world filled with creatures of the night, mad science and mysticism!

Deadlands Volume 1: Dead Man’s Hand brings together a who’s-who of superstar horror-western comic talent to launch this unique series that laid the groundwork for every horror-western series since! Join High Moon’s David Gallaher and Steve Ellis as they tell the tale of a cursed weapon created to kill the devil in Devil’s Six Gun. Journey with All-Star Western’s creators Jimmy Palmiotti and Justin Gray, and Shinku’s Lee Moder on a young Shamaness’ quest for vengeance in Massacre at Redwing. Duck low for Witchblade’s Ron Marz and Superman / Wonder Woman’s Bart Sears as they tell of a heroic ranger who sets out to kill a whole town in Death Was Silent. Then dive into Desperados’ Jeff Mariotte and Golly’s Brook Turner’s love tale drowned in horror in Black Water.

But that ain’t all! For the first time in the comic market, this volume contains two brand new short stories penned by Deadlands creator Shane Hensley and Brand Manager Matt Cutter, who show us What a Man’s Gotta Do and how to be Vengeful. And for the first time ANYWHERE, get an exclusive sneak peek at the first, original Deadlands novel, Ghostwalkers by New York Times’ best-selling author Jonathan Maberry, to be published by Tor Books in Fall of 2015! This amazing new adventure launches the new Tor novel line for Deadlands scheduled with releases into 2017!

Preview: The Lone Ranger: Vindicated #2

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Lone Ranger: Vindicated #2

Justin Gray (w)
Rey Villegas (a)
Marc Laming (c)
FC • 32 pages • $3.99 • Teen+
FANS, ASK YOUR RETAILER FOR THE:
Marc Laming B&W Art retailer incentive cover

In the second chapter of Vindicated, the Lone Ranger and Tonto cross paths with criminals and cutthroats as they rescue damsel in distress, Fiona Doyle who instantly capture’s the Ranger’s heart. Meanwhile Tonto encounters some men who will stop at nothing to get their revenge.

LRVindicated-02-Cov-A-Laming

DC Comics Spills More Details about Convergence

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Taking place in April and May 2015, Convergence is a massive two month publishing move for DC Comics that takes advantage of their multiverse to bring what hopefully is interesting stories. The company has revealed plans for their first ten releases, and have given some more insight into what we can expect for the next ten.

SUPERMAN: MAN OF STEEL

(Writer: Louise Simonson; Artist: June Brigman and Roy Richardson, with color by John Rauch)
Metropolis was taken when Superman was missing, so it’s up to Steel to guard the city from the heroes of GEN13 in his absence.

SUPERMAN MAN OF STEEL

BATMAN: SHADOW OF THE BAT

(Writer: Larry Hama; Artist: Philip Tan and Jason Paz, with color by Elmer Santos)
A year ago, Batman got trapped in Metropolis when hunting down Azrael. Now he must team with the man that replaced him, and see how differently they operate as Batmans.

BATMAN SHADOW OF THE BAT

JUSTICE LEAGUE INTERNATIONAL

(Writer: Ron Marz; Artist: Mike Manley, with color by Sotocolor)
The levity of the JLI team collides with the severity of the world of Kingdom Come.

JUSTICE LEAGUE INTERNATIONAL

CATWOMAN

(Writer: Justin Gray; Artist: Ron Randall, with color by Gabe Eltaeb)
A year under the dome can change anyone, even Catwoman. She’s set aside her life of crime to become the protector of Suicide Slum, but when the dome falls she will face her greatest challenge—Kingdom Come Batman.

CATWOMAN

SUPERGIRL: MATRIX

(Writer: Keith Giffen; Artist: Ramon Bachs, with color by Hi-Fi)
What do Supergirl, Lady Quark, and Ambush Bug have in common? Well… nothing really. But that didn’t stop us from sticking them in a story together. You are SO welcome.

SUPERGIRL MATRIX

SUPERBOY

(Writer: Fabian Nicieza; Artist: Karl Moline and Jose Marzan Jr, with color by Hi-Fi)
Has Kon-El earned the right to be the man of steel? Kon will have to prove his mettle in battle against the Superman of Kingdom Come! But what if the only way to save Metropolis is to lose the fight?

SUPERBOY

AQUAMAN

(Writer: Tony Bedard; Artist: Cliff Richards, with color by John Rauch)
Trapped in the domed city, Aquaman struggles with the loss of his hand as he confronts a deadly adversary—Deathblow.

AQUAMAN

SUICIDE SQUAD

(Writer: Frank Tieri; Artist: Tom Mandrake, with color by Sian Mandrake)
When Kingdom Come’s floating fortress of New Oa threatens Metropolis, it’s up to Amanda Waller to put together a team of the city’s deadliest villains to stop it.

SUICIDE SQUAD

GREEN LANTERN/PARALLAX

(Writer: Tony Bedard; Artist: Ron Wagner and Bill Reinhold, with color by Paul Mounts)
Rookie Green Lantern Kyle Rayner gears up to battle invaders, but is he ready to fight Hal Jordan, also known as Parallax?

GREEN LANTERN PARALLAX

GREEN ARROW

(Writer: Christy Marx; Artist: Rags Morales and Claude St-Aubin, with color by Nei Ruffino)
Oliver Queen meets Connor Hawke for the first time, but is he ready to hand over the Green Arrow mantle to his son?

GREEN ARROW

(via Blastr and HitFix)

Preview: Lone Ranger: Vindicated #1

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Lone Ranger: Vindicated #1

Justin Gray (w)
Rey Villegas (a)
John Cassaday (c)
FC • 32 pages • $3.99 • Teen+
FANS, ASK YOUR RETAILER FOR THE:
Marc Laming Black & White Art retailer incentive cover
John Cassaday Black & White Art retailer incentive cover

The Lone Ranger and Tonto are called to the town of Red Mesa to help capture a vicious gang of thieves. However things are not what they seem as the masked man and his faithful companion find themselves entangled in a mystery and surrounded by killers.

LRVindicated-01-Cov-A-Cassaday

Review: Wool #1

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wool #1 coverThis is the story of mankind clawing for survival, of mankind on the edge. The world outside has grown unkind, the view of it limited, talk of it forbidden. But there are always those who hope, who dream. These are the dangerous people, the residents who infect others with their optimism. Their punishment is simple. They are given the very thing they profess to want: They are allowed outside.

It all begins here! Hugh Howey‘s bestselling Wool makes the leap into comics, with mysteries and thrills for new fans and surprises for the already faithful. Wool #1, the Silo is explored, and a lie is revealed.

I’ve heard a lot about the “Silo” series of books, but sadly I’m not much of a prose reader (I read too slow), so haven’t had a chance to partake in them. Luckily, I get a chance to experience the hype before it receives another adaptation on the big screen, in comic form courtesy of writers Justin Gray and Jimmy Palmiotti whose adaptation is given visual life with art from Jimmy Broxton.

The first issue is all set-up, but it’s done so in such a way I immediately want to read the second issue and find out what happens next. Taking place all within a silo, the sense of a confined space is prevalent and oozes off the page. That’s even with the first issue exploring the various floors of the complex. This is the opening chapter, the teaser before the title plays, more than enough to get me entranced and wanting to find out what happens next.

By the end of the issue, I had an idea of the world, what’s come before, and some of the key players. What I don’t know is what comes next. And for that, I can’t wait to find out.

Story: Justin Gray and Jimmy Palmiotti Art: Jimmy Broxton
Story: 8.5 Art: 8.5 Overall: 8.5 Recommendation: Buy

Justin Gray Takes on The Lone Ranger for Dynamite

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Dynamite10thAnnivImageDynamite Entertainment has announced the signing of Justin Gray, who will be continuing Dynamite’s long standing success with America’s quintessential Western hero, as he takes the reins on a brand new series of The Lone Ranger.  Launching with a new #1 in November 2014, The Lone Ranger will feature the exciting interior artwork of Rey Villegas, as well as covers by John Cassaday and Marc Laming.

No stranger to Western thrills, Justin Gray is a frequent contributor to Jonah Hex and All-Star Western, tales of an Old West gunslinger set within the larger DC Comics continuity. Gray has contributed to dozens of name-recognizable titles from Marvel Comics and DC Comics, including Batwing, Ame-Comi Girls, Punisher, Power Girl, Countdown, and many more.

Since his radio debut in 1933, the masked Lone Ranger has endured as an icon of American culture. Dynamite first launched The Lone Ranger as a comic series in 2006, written by Brett Matthews and illustrated by Sergio Cariello.  Its #0 prelude issue was a part of that year’s nationwide Free Comic Book Day celebration, and the series would go on to score an Eisner Nomination for best new series in 2007. A second volume of The Lone Ranger followed, as did such miniseries as The Lone Ranger and Tonto and The Lone Ranger: Snake of Iron.

The Lone Ranger #1 will be released in November.

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Amazon’s Jet City Comics Comes to comiXology

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WOOL_Issue_1Amazon Publishing’s graphic novel and comics imprint Jet City Comics and comiXology have announced that the first digital issue of Wool: The Graphic Novel, an adaptation of Hugh Howey’s #1 Kindle best-selling science fiction novel, will go on sale today on comiXology and Amazon.com. Single issues in the six-issue run will release every two weeks and sell for $2.99 on comiXology. The entire comics run will also sell for $4.99 as a Kindle Serial on Amazon.com, with new issues delivering automatically to customers on the same release dates, and as a $4.99 bundle on comiXology once all six issues are released. The print edition of the collected graphic novel will be available on Amazon.com and at other retailers in late August.

This is the first joint release since Amazon acquired comiXology, and I expect to see more of this in the future.

Howey’s dark, dystopian novel Wool (the first novel in the Silo Saga trilogy) was a New York Times, USA Today, and #1 Kindle best seller and is one of the most-reviewed science fiction novels ever on Amazon, with over 8,000 customer reviews. With an all-star team including comics writers Jimmy Palmiotti and Justin Gray, Hugo-nominated illustrator Jimmy Broxton, and acclaimed cover artist Darwyn Cooke, Wool: The Graphic Novel brings Howey’s dark, dystopian vision to life like never before.

Dark Horse Presents Volume 3 Gets Bigger in August

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Coming this August: Geof Darrow and Frank Miller’s Big Guy and Rusty the Boy Robot return in this new volume of the award-winning, long-running anthology powerhouse Dark Horse Presents, in a stunning new 48-page format, for only $4.99!

Also in the 48-page tome of awesome comics: Peter Hogan and Steve Parkhouse’s Resident Alien, Brendan McCarthy’s Dream Gang, Jimmy Palmiotti, Justin Gray, and Andy Kuhn’s Wrestling with Demons, Damon Gentry and Aaron Conley’s Sabertooth Swordsman, and David Mack’s Kabuki!

Dark Horse Presents Volume 3 #1 is on comic store shelves August 20. Preorder your copy today!

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