Tag Archives: karl kesel

Legendary Marvel/DC Amalgam Spider-Boy returns!

After almost thirty years, Spider-Boy #1, one of the all-time great DC/Marvel crossover comic books, will be boldly re-presented in its original form – ads and all—in Spider-Boy #1 Facsimile Edition!

On sale in October, Spider-Boy #1 Facsimile Edition reprints Spider-Boy #1 by writer Karl Kesel and artist Mike Wieringo. The iconic one-shot was originally published in 1996 by Amalgam Comics, a joint imprint by Marvel Comics and DC that introduced dozens of new heroes, each created by merging popular characters from both comic book universes. The project was an industry sensation, and Spider-Boy, a mix of Spider-Man and Super-Boy, was one of the standout stars! Now, fans can pick up the character’s rare first appearance and revisit the unique world of Amalgam Comics just in time for Marvel and DC’s newest groundbreaking collaboration—Deadpool/Batman and Batman/Deadpool!

As iconic heroes of two worlds collide in the Amalgam Universe, get ready to meet Pete Ross – your friendly neighborhood clone known as Spider-Boy! Join the amazing Arach-Kid mid-fight as he protects Project Cadmus from the deranged D.N.Alien, Bizarnage! But even if he can solve that problem, big trouble lies ahead courtesy of a somehow giant-sized King Lizard! Can Spider-Boy bring his reptilian rogue down to size in time to meet the blind date lined up for him by his ally, Otto Octavius? Face it, tiger – you’re dying to find out!

Preorder Spider-Boy #1 Facsimile Edition at your local comic shop today!

Spider-Boy #1 Facsimile Edition

BOOM! Studios Reveals its “20 For 20” Slate Ahead of its Milestone Anniversary Year

BOOM! Studios

BOOM! Studios has revealed the entire “20 For 20” slate: 20 iconic titles from the publisher’s storied past, celebrating 20 years of adventure, horror, thrills, and fun!

Each of these 20 hand-picked selections will collect the entire series for the very first time in new and exclusive editions, making them the perfect introduction to these modern classics from some of comics’ greatest storytellers, or the ideal way to experience them all over again!

This legendary line-up of books will be kicked off with Harvey Award-nominated writer Justin Jordan and artist Ariela Kristantina’s conspiracy thriller, Deep State, in January; followed by Mech Cadets creator Greg Pak and illustrator Giannis Milonogiannis’s historical epic Ronin Island, and the fan-favorite Sam Humphries and Caitlin Rose Boyle beloved BOOM! Box classic Jonesy, in February.

In the following months, readers can look forward to even more acclaimed stories from Stan Lee, Mark Waid, Chad Hardin, James Tynion IV, Rian Sygh, Matt Kindt, Tyler Jenkins, Clive Barker, Mark Alan Miller, Haemi Jang, Keith Giffen, J.M. DeMatteis, Joe Abraham, Cullen Bunn, Jonas Scharf, Sina Grace, Jeremy Haun, Danny Luckert, Collin Kelly, Jackson Lanzing, Marcus To, Pamela Ribon, Veronica Fish, Carly Usdin, Nina Vakueva, Noah Hayes, Steven Grant, Mateus, Santolouco, Sina Grace, Siobhan Kennan, Academy Award-winning screenwriter Kiwi Smith, Kurt Lustgarten, Naomi Franq, BOOM! Studios’ own Matt Gagnon and Bryce Carlson, Brian Stelfreeze, Vanesa Del Rey, and many, many more!

All 20 of the books in the “20 For 20” line will be priced at $19.99, and will be available for pre-order at your local comic book store or bookstore.

JANUARY 2025

Deep State Complete Collection

There are some things the government doesn’t want you to know about. John Harrow’s one of them. Together with his partner, Agent Branch, Harrow operates missions to keep the state’s secrets exactly that—secret. From the real story behind the assassination of JFK to MK ULTRA and advanced military technology, black-book agents Harrow and Branch are determined to make sure the public only knows what it needs to know. Everything else, horrifying or innocuous, is their problem. But when your life is covering up other people’s secrets, how many must you keep from those close to you? Collects the complete series by Harvey Award-nominated writer Justin Jordan (The Strange Talent of Luther Strode, John Flood) and artist Ariela Kristantina (InSEXts, Wolverines) in a single volume for the first time! Collects Deep State #1-8.

Deep State Complete Collection

FEBRUARY 2025

Ronin Island Complete Collection

Together in strength. When the Great Wind devastated Japan, Korea, and China, survivors found refuge on what they came to known as Ronin Island. Now, too young to have known any other world, Kenichi, son of a samurai, and Hana, daughter of farmers, must work together to stop a mutant plague that’s consuming the mainland and quickly advancing on their home! In this serpentine ride through the 19th century where not all is what it seems, follow Kenichi, Hana, their friends, and their foes from Ronin Island to the mainland and back again as they search for a way to protect all that they know from the forces of the mutated byōnin and shogunate alike. Collecting the complete series from The New York Times best-selling author Greg Pak (Star Wars, Mech Cadet Yu) and artist Giannis Milonogiannis (Future State: Gotham, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Universe) in a single volume for the first time! Collects Ronin Island #1-12.

Ronin Island Complete Collection

Jonesy Complete Collection

Jonesy will make you fall in love! Seriously, it’s her special secret power—she can make you fall in love with anyone or anything else… except herself! But Jonesy knows what’s cool… and her power definitely is! A laugh-out-loud high school comedy with sick zines, cute ferrets, and donuts to die for! Follow Jonesy through the life of a disaffected teenager in bummer high school and all the trouble that comes with being a human cupid’s arrow! Collecting the complete series by Sam Humphries (Harley Quinn, Dial H for Hero) and Caitlin Rose Boyle (Frankie & the Creepy Cute Critters) in one volume for the first time! Collects Jonesy #1-12.

Jonesy Complete Collection

MARCH 2025

Bone Parish Complete Collection

“The Ash”, which lets you connect to the memories of the dead, is the drug du jour in New Orleans. That’s good news for the Winters family, the only ones who know how to produce it, except that it puts them in the crosshairs of much more dangerous criminal syndicates. Under siege by rivals on all sides and the dark secrets of The Ash itself, can the Winters family survive? And what does survival mean when resurrection is only a hit away? The complete run of Eisner Award-nominated writer Cullen Bunn (Harrow County, The Empty Man) and illustrator Jonas Scarf (Basilisk, Dark X-Men)’s critically-acclaimed series blends horror, crime, and family drama, collected in a single volume for the first time! Collects Bone Parish #1-12.

Bone Parish Complete Collection

APRIL 2025

Joyride Complete Collection

Steal a spaceship and leave Earth behind. A simple plan made much more complicated by the fascist World Government Alliance that has put the planet on lockdown underneath an artificial sky. Still, that won’t stop Uma Akkolyte, her best friend Dewydd, and their would-be-captor Catrin from embarking on a joyride unlike any other! Joyride is a gleeful mix of the thrill of exploration, the importance of friendship, and the fight against authoritarianism, with a cast of wild and gripping characters, human and alien alike! From writers Jackson Lanzing and Collin Kelly and artist Marcus To of the Eisner award-nominated Star Trek and Guardians of the Galaxy comes the definitive, complete collection of a truly unique and adventurous love letter to science-fiction! Collects Joyride #1-12.

SLAM! Complete Collection

From Fresh Meat Orientation to becoming leaders on-and-off the track, follow Jennifer “Knockout” Chu and Maisie “Can-Can” Huff on their journey to roller derby domination! Messy lives, complicated friendships, and new romance blossom as they learn to take their hits, get back up, break some bones, take on adult responsibilities, and jam on their competing teams in the Eastside Roller Girls league! From bestselling novelist, Academy Award-nominated screenwriter, actress, and former Los Angeles Derby Doll Pamela Ribon (My Boyfriend is a Bear, Why Moms Are Weird), illustrator and painter Veronica Fish (Archie, Spider-Woman) and acclaimed artist Marina Julia (Lumberjanes, Adventure Time) comes the definitive collection of the beloved derby dramedy, Slam! Collects Slam! #1-4 and Slam! The Next Jam #1-4.

MAY 2025

Hit Complete Collection

Los Angeles in the 1950s is a place of contrast. It’s home to the bright lights and movie stars of Hollywood’s golden age… and a hotbed of organized crime muscling in on Mickey Cohen’s turf. But LAPD has a plan—Harvey Slater, a detective authorized off-the-books to take care of “untouchable” criminal problems. The criminals aren’t the only untouchable thing Slater’s going after, though. When his captain’s absent daughter returns, Slater quickly finds himself entangled in the trouble she brings with her… and her ties to his other cases! From writer Bryce Carlson (Zombie Tales) and artist Vanesa Del Rey (The Creeping Below), experience the entire dark, violent, and sensual look into corruption on both sides of the law, inspired by the true history of LA and collected into one volume for the first time! Collects Hit: 1955 #1-4 and Hit: 1957 #1-4.

Avant-Guards Complete Collection

Charlie was determined to leave sports behind when she transferred to the Georgia O’Keeffe College for Arts and Subtle Dramatics, but perky and very cute barely-a-basketball-team captain Liv has other ideas! With a ragtag crew, a persistent streak, and the future of the whole league on the line, Charlie and the Avant-Guards must come together to figure out who they are on-and-off the court! Charming and hilarious characters with a lot of heart shoot their shots until the final buzzer in this hit series about love, teamwork, and basketball! Collects the complete series by acclaimed writer Carly Usdin (Heavy Vinyl) and artist Noah Hayes (Wet Hot American Summer) in one volume for the first time! Collects The Avant-Guards #1-8 and The Avant-Guards: Down to the Wire.

JUNE 2025

Black Badge Complete Collection

Willy was the first boy scout to get every merit badge offered… except one. The one you don’t get, the one you become: The Black Badge, a top-secret branch sent off to accomplish missions that adults never could. Kenny, Cliff, Mitz, and Willy may look like scouts who lost their tour group, but they’re actually one of the most elite teams working for the government. But there are many secrets kept from them: the location of a long-presumed dead former member, the roles of the other Rainbow Jamboree participants, and ultimately the murderer of one of their own! Intrigue abounds as the kids have to pick up a world made a mess by adults. Experience the complete series by the Eisner-Award nominated creative team of New York Times bestselling writer Matt Kindt (BRZRKR, Mind MGMT), and illustrators Tyler Jenkins and Hilary Jenkins (Peter Panzerfaust, King of Nowhere), in one volume for the first time! Collects Black Badge #1-12.

Heavy Vinyl Complete Collection

Chris has the perfect job at Vinyl Destination. Her boss and fellow employees are all super rad. They all love music, love fighting the patriarchy, and love kicking her out when they close for some reason?! When their favorite singer, Rosie Riot, mysteriously disappears, Chris is let into a secret that’ll change her world: her coworkers are a teen girl vigilante squad! With the coolest job and friends in the world, Chris spends her day selling records and making music, and her nights solving mysteries and fighting for justice! From investigating vanishing musicians like the lead singer of Stegosour to taking on the shadowy corporate masters behind a suspicious battle of the bands, and with plenty of laughs, bonding moments, and jam sessions in between, the vinyl’s never been heavier! Collects the complete series by acclaimed writer Carly Usdin (The Avant-Guards) and artists Nina Vakueva and Irene Flores in one volume for the first time! Collects Heavy Vinyl #1-8 (originally published as Hi-Fi Fight Club #1-3 and Heavy Vinyl #4-8).

JULY 2025

Zombie Tales Complete Collection

The ultimate zombie anthology has risen from the grave… and it’s still hungry! From deeply disturbing tales of terror to gut-busting laughs, this collection has something for every type of zombie fan. Featuring work from the likes of industry legends Mark Waid, Keith Giffen, Steve Niles, Joe R. Lansdale, Karl Kesel, Andy Kuhn, Tom Peyer, Ming Doyle, William Messner-Loebs, Tom Fowler, Ron Lim, J.K. Woodward, and Eisner-Award winning artist Fábio Moon among a host of other horror heavies, this new collection re-assembles the complete series in a single volume for the first time! Collects Zombie Tales, Zombie Tales: Oblivious, Zombie Tales: The Dead, and Zombie Tales: The Series #1-12

AUGUST 2025

Day Men Complete Collection

The powerful vampire covens known as the “50 Families” control the world at night. In the light of the sun however, they rely on human enforcers called Day Men to maintain their grip. David Reid is their latest fixer, but when he becomes caught in the crossfire of a war between Shakespearean rival houses… he must find a way to not only survive, but uncover who has been pulling the real strings of power all along! The complete series by writers Matt Gagnon (Freelancers) and Michael Alan Nelson (Supergirl, Hexed), and Glyph Award-winning industry legend artist Brian Stelfreeze (Black Panther) is now available in a single volume for the very first time! Experience this bold reinvention of the classic vampire mythos in a story that blends the best of horror and crime. Collects Day Men #1-8.

SEPTEMBER 2025

Clive Barker’s Next Testament Complete Collection

God has returned, God help us all. The entire Harvey Award-nominated saga from visionary horror author Clive Barker is collected here for the very first time. Julian Demond, captain of industry, has left behind everything to begin a walkabout — he believes he’s on a mission from God. While in the wasteland, he comes across a figure unlike any other, who calls himself Wick…and claims to be God.  Their journey will span the globe, as neither man merely wants to make a mark on a world, but a scar…  Clive Barker, along with internationally acclaimed artist Haemi Jang (Hellraiser: The Road Below) come together to create a legendary work in the canon of one of the great writers of our era. Collects Clive Barker’s Next Testament #1-12.

The Backstagers Complete Collection

There’s magic in the theatre—when the crowd hushes, the lights go up, the curtain opens—but for Jordy and the Backstagers, the real magic’s behind-the-scenes…literally! Monsters, spirits, and an entire magical world are waiting just off-stage and the Backstagers are the only ones who know!  Join the stage crew on fantastic adventures as they deal with troublesome tool mice, fierce phantoms, and finding love and friendship despite feeling like outcasts at their all-boys school!  From GLADD, Prism, and Eisner award-winning writer James Tynion IV (WYND, Batman) and artist Rian Sygh (Adventure Time, Munchkin), plus shorts by James Tynion IV and Sam Johns with artists Brittney Williams (Goldie Vance), Caitlin Rose Boyle (Jonesy), Katy Farina (the Baby-Sitters Little Sister series), and more! Collects The Backstagers #1-8, The Backstagers: 2018 Valentine’s Intermission, The Backstagers: Halloween Intermission, and the The Backstagers story from The BOOM! Box 2016 Mix Tape.

OCTOBER 2025

The Red Mother Complete Collection

The last thing Daisy saw was her boyfriend disappearing into the darkness. The first thing Daisy saw with her new prosthetic eye was red. And she’s seeing more and more… It starts with lost love and as Daisy’s new eye shows her more of the red-hued world—people and things that aren’t otherwise there—she gets dragged into a mystery far bigger than she ever imagined. What can she do in the face of the Red Mother? A haunting series from Jeremy Haun (Haunthology, The Beauty) and Danny Luckert (Regression, Shock Shop) about the unseen horrors that surround us! Collects The Red Mother #1-12.

Hero Squared Complete Collection

In the breadth of the multiverse, you could be anything! Even Captain Valor, the legendary superhero, could be a simple slacker named Milo in our world! And is he ever?! When Valor finds himself shunted a universe over and living with his pathetic parallel, it’s a team-up for the ages! Together, can they save the world from Valor’s arch-enemy, Calignous, who just so happens to be the variant version of Milo’s girlfriend, Stephie? Maybe! A superheroic farce from the Bwa-ha-ha boys, two of the greatest writers of all cape comics, Keith Giffen and J. M. DeMatteis with artists Joe Abraham, Nathan Watson, and more! The ultimate collection of powered hijinks, multiversal metaness, and complicated love triangles! Collects the Hero Squared X-Tra Sized Special one-shot, Hero Squared (2005) #1-3, Hero Squared (2006) #1-6, Hero Squared: Love and Death #1-3, and the Planetary Brigade spinoff series, Planetary Brigade #1-2 and Planetary Brigade: Origins #1-3.

NOVEMBER 2025

2 Guns Complete Collection

It shouldn’t be complicated, it’s just robbing a bank. Unfortunately for Trench and Steadman, neither knows that the other is working undercover. Even more unfortunately, the $50 million that they’re stealing doesn’t actually belong to the mob and has set them in the sights of an even greater threat!  The ultimate team-up between two loose cannons for the DEA and Naval Intelligence that has them blasting their way through the Southwest looking to clear their names! But when they can’t trust anyone else, can they trust each other? And what happens when it’s not just the mobs and the Feds after them, but the Russians and a mysterious Third Gun after them too? The twisty, turny, buddy-cop-gone-wrong crime romp by Steven Grant (The Punisher) and artists Mateus Santolouco (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles) and Emilio Laiso (Star Wars: Doctor Aphra) in a complete collection for the first time! Collects 2 Guns #1-5 and 3 Guns #1-6.

Ghosted in L.A. Complete Collection

Daphne Walters’ Los Angeles story seems pretty common—she followed her high school boyfriend to college only to be immediately and unceremoniously dumped a thousand miles away from home. Her roommate doesn’t want her around either, but fortunately one heart-broken night brings her to Rycroft Manor, an apartment complex with more roommates and drama than she had ever bargained for—and they’re all ghosts! While helping out the long-lingering and new residents of Rycroft, Daphne has to deal with everything from angry spirits, the mystery ghost behind the basement door, and her college roommate Michelle trying to exorcise her new friends out of their own home! All while dealing with a complicated love life, a more complicated best friend-ship, and learning her place in LA! GLADD Award-nominated Sina Grace (Iceman, Superman: The Harvests of Youth) and illustrator Siobhan Keenan (Jem and the Holograms, KFC Presents I Love You Colonel Sanders) present a thrilling and fun tale about friendship, romance, and living your best (after) life that you won’t want to leave on read. Collects Ghosted in LA #1-12.

DECEMBER 2025

The Traveler Complete Collection

From the minds of comic book legend Stan Lee and Eisner Award-winning writer Mark Waid (Kingdom Come, Daredevil), Tom Peyer (The Wrong Earth), and artist Chad Hardin (Harley Quinn) comes the greatest hero of all-time! When quantum scientist Ronald Lessik’s experiment went wrong, he was transformed into the time-manipulating superhero, the Traveler! Now, he seeks to find his true love, herself lost in time and space, and defend the world from threats like the Split-Second Men, temporal ghosts, the time-lost planet Anachronopolis, and even comes face-to-face with fellow hero Soldier Zero! A gripping sci-fi superhero adventure by industry legends and from the mind of one of the most prolific creators in all comic history, Stan Lee! Collects The Traveler #1-12.

Misfit City Complete Collection

Everybody’s seen The Gloomies, it’s a real cult-classic from the ‘80s! Unfortunately for the residents of Cannon Cove, covered in fog 287 days of the year, things aren’t quite as exciting as the movie…or are they? When friends Wilder, Macy, Karma, Dot, and Ed end up with the map of the recently-departed Captain Denby, that may lead to real treasure from real pirate Black Mary, they’re thrust into an adventure worthy of an irresistible pop theme! But they’re not the only ones who want the treasure. Can they solve the mysteries of their formerly-dreary town and grab the booty before the baddies? The adventure worth its weight in pirate gold by award-winning screenwriter Kiwi Smith (Legally Blonde, Trinkets), Kurt Lustgarten, and illustrator Naomi Franquiz (The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl) in a complete collection for the first time! Collects Misfit City #1-8.

Gene Ha, Karl Kesel, Jerry Ordway, Rachel Ordway, Joshua “Sway” Swaby, and Gus Vazquez are coming to Baltimore Comic Con

The 25th Anniversary of the Baltimore Comic-Con takes place at the Inner Harbor’s Baltimore Convention Center on September 20-22, 2024. The Baltimore Comic-Con has announced comics guests Gene Ha, Karl Kesel, Jerry Ordway, Rachel Ordway, Joshua “Sway” Swaby, and Gus Vazquez to its 25th Anniversary event! Get tickets, further details, and more!

Four-time Eisner winner Gene Ha is known for his art on Fables and on Alan Moore’s Top 10. He currently writes and draws Mae from Oni Press. It’s the story of Mae Fortell, a girl who follows her long missing sister Abbie to a world of mad science and mystery. Gene lives outside Chicago in Berwyn, IL with his lovely wife Lisa. Learn more at https://www.geneha.com/.

Karl Kesel loves his job far more than he has any right to. Over the past 40 years (he can’t believe it, either!) he has written, inked, and occasionally penciled most of the major comic characters, including SupermanSuperboySpider-ManFantastic Four, and Captain America, although he has an inexplicable fondness for minor, obscure characters no one else remembers except Mark Waid. His biggest claim to fame (so far) is he created King Shark, immortalized in James Gunn’s The Suicide Squad movie. Currently, Karl is focused on creator-owned comics like the impulsive, impertinent thief-pretending-to-be-a-hero Impossible Jones (with David Hahn), funded through Kickstarter. Karl lives in Portland, Oregon with his amazing wife Myrna, their two extremely exhausting children Isaac and Eliza, and Jazzy, a little dog with a very big heart. He really can’t complain about much.

Jerry Ordway got his first professional comics work in the summer of 1980. In the years since, he has written and drawn the adventures of countless iconic characters such as SupermanCaptain MarvelThe Justice SocietyAll Star Squadron, the Avengers, and the Fantastic Four. As an inker, he worked on Crisis on Infinite Earths and Zero Hour for DC Comics. In the 1990’s, Jerry co-created and drew WildStar for Image Comics, and wrote and drew his own creation The Messenger. Also in the 1990’s, his award-winning hardcover graphic novel, The Power of Shazam, retold the origin of Captain Marvel, which spun into a long-running monthly series, featuring painted covers and writing by Jerry, with art by penciller Peter Krause and inker Mike Manley. In recent years, he has started self-publishing his comic property Proton, and this year, reunited with his All Star Squadron collaborator Roy Thomas for an 80th anniversary Captain America story for Marvel Comics.

Rachel Ordway is a freelance cartoonist and alum of the Savannah College Of Art & Design’s Sequential Art program (Atlanta campus). She enjoys drawing more than eating, which is sometimes a problem. In addition to various self-published comics, her work appears in the acclaimed anthologies Chainmail BikiniSweaty Palms (volume 1), and Dirty Diamonds (#8), as well as in the archives of Comic Book Resources’ sketch group “The Line It Is Drawn”.

Currently residing in Brooklyn, NY, Joshua “Sway” Swaby is a graduate of the prestigious School of Visual Arts in New York City. Sway has provided cover artwork for Entertainment Weekly, DC Comics, Vault Comics, Image Comics, and Marvel Comics. His art has brought to life many iconic properties, including Star WarsBlack WidowWonder WomanMiles MoralesThanosLoki, and so many more. Sway’s dedication to his craft and dynamic presentation makes him an illustrator to watch for years.

Gus Vazquez is an illustrator who has worked in nearly every field, including comic books, trading cards, storyboarding for music videos, commercials, animation and film, logo design, character and toy design, and more. He started his career in comic books working as an assistant to comic book artists Adam Pollina on X-Force, and Kevin McGuire on Trinity Angels. He got his first solo gig at Marvel Comics drawing the covers and interiors for Sunfire and Big Hero 6, the series that introduced the characters featured in Disney’s Oscar winning Big Hero 6. He has worked on such Marvel titles as DeadpoolX-ForceSpider-ManWhat If? Civil WarWhat If? Back in BlackThe Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe, and more. For DC, he has worked on such titles as Green LanternJLABlue Beetle, and most recently on FlashSuicide Squad, and Green Arrow. Gus was the artist on several issues of Claudio Sanchez’s (of rock music group Coheed and Cambria) The Amory Wars, and was instrumental in helping bring together the creative team of his friends, David Atchison (writer) and Tony Shasteen (illustrator), and his niece, film and TV actress Rosario Dawson on 12 Gauge’s The O.C.T. More recently, Gus has been working for DC Comics on The Sasquatch Detective, a backup story which can be found in the pages of Exit Stage Left: The Snagglepuss Chronicles, as well as DMC (Daryl Makes Comics) and on La Borinquena. He is also working on his creator-owned book, Fang.


This year’s confirmed guests for the show include: Rodney Barnes (Killadelphia), Marty Baumann (Pixar artist), John Beatty (Marvel Super Heroes: Secret Wars), Rose Besch (Miles Morales: Spider-Man), Russ Braun (The Boys), Brett Breeding (Superman), Tom Brevoort (coursey of Hero Initiative, FCBD 2023: Avengers/X-Men), Mark Buckingham (Fables), Jim Calafiore (NED, Lord of the Pit), Richard Case (Doom Patrol), John Cassaday (X-Force), Castillo Studios, Keith Champagne (Stranger Things), Howard Chaykin (Time Squared), Cliff Chiang (Paper Girls), Frank Cho (Harley Quinn), Michael Cho (Star Wars: Hyperspace Stories–Qui-Gon Jinn), Amy Chu (KISS: The End), Matthew Clark (Adventures of Superman, courtesy of Hero Initiative), Steve Conley (The Middle Age), Katie Cook (Nothing Special), Todd Dezago (The Perhapanauts), Scott Dunbier (Jim Lee’s X-Men Artist’s Edition, courtesy of Hero Initiative), Chris Eliopoulos (Ordinary People Change the World), Steve Epting (New Avengers), Trish Forstner (Feral), Franco (Teen Titans Go to the Library), Jose Luis Garcia-Lopez (DC Nation), Ron Garney (BZRKR), Mitch Gerads (Mister Miracle), Sanford Greene (Bitter Root), Gene Ha (Mae), Bob Hall (West Coast Avengers), Bo Hampton (Batman: Castle of the Bat), Scott Hanna (Amazing Spider-Man), Tony Harris (The Whistling Skull), Mike Hawthorne (Deadpool), Kyle Higgins (Radiant Black), Dan Jurgens (Action Comics), Jamal Igle (Superman), Klaus Janson (courtesy of Hero Initiative, Daredevil), Sandy Jarrell (Batman ’66), Joëlle Jones (Lady Killer), Chris Kemple (Artist Alley Comics), Karl Kesel (Impossible Jones), Tom King (Wonder Woman), Barry Kitson (Amazing Spider-Man), Emma Kubert (Inkblot), Jim Lee (Superman), Sam Maggs (Marvel Action: Captain Marvel), Shawn Martinbrough (Red Hood: The Hill), Mike McKone (Red Goblin), Bob McLeod (New Mutants), Carla Speed McNeil (Finder), Adriana Melo (Action Comics), Al Milgrom (Spectacular Spider-Man), Terry Moore (Strangers in Paradise), Fabian Nicieza (courtesy of Hero Initiative, Deadpool), Tom Nguyen (The Switch), Jerome Opena (Uncanny X-Force), Dan Parent (Sabrina the Teenage Witch), Andrew Pepoy (Simone & Ajax), Khoi Pham (Star Wars: Darth Vader), Nick Pitarra (Ax-Wielder Jon), Andy Price (My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic), Tom Raney (Green Lantern), Afua Richardson (Omni), Don Rosa (Uncle $crooge), Craig Rousseau (The Perhapanauts), Alex Saviuk (Web of Spider-Man), Alex Segura (Secret Identity, courtesy of Hero Initiative), Liam Sharp (X-O Manowar Unconquered), Geoff Shaw (God Country), Don Simpson (Megaton Man), Louise Simonson (The Death of Superman 30th Anniversary Special), Walter Simonson (Thor), Matt Slay (Equilibrium), Matt Slay (Equalibrium), John K. Snyder III (Suicide Squad), Mark Sparacio (Omega Paradox), Joe Staton (Dick Tracy), Brian Stelfreeze (Black Panther), Joshua “Swayart” Swaby (Star Wars), Babs Tarr (Batgirl of Burnside), Zoe Thorogood (Hack/Slash: Back to School), Gus Vazquez (Sunfire and Big Hero Six), Jeremy Whitley (Navigating With You, courtesy of Mad Cave Studios), Matt Wieringo (Stargate Atlantis: Gateways), Stephanie Williams (Nubia: Queen of the Amazons), Marv Wolfman (What If…? Dark: Tomb of Dracula), Rich Woodall (Electric Black), David Yardin (Daredevil: Woman Without Fear), and Leinil Francis Yu (Wolverine).

Preview: The Return of Superman 30th Anniversary Special #1

The Return of Superman 30th Anniversary Special #1

(W) Dan Jurgens, Louise Simonson, Jerry Ordway, and Karl Kesel (A) Travis Moore, Dan Jurgens, Brett Breeding, Jon Bogdanove, Butch Guice, Tom Grummett, and Doug Hazlewood
In Shops: Oct 31, 2023
SRP: $9.99

ORIGINAL CREATIVE TEAMS RETURN FOR NEW STORIES STARRING SUPERBOY, STEEL, THE ERADICATOR AND CYBORG SUPERMAN! Superman returns! After the tragic events of more than 30 years ago, when Superman met his end at the hands of Doomsday, Metropolis mourned the loss of their greatest hero and soon turned their attention to the search for his successor. Four Supermen rose to the challenge: Superboy, Steel, Eradicator, and Cyborg Superman. Each with their own strengths and weaknesses, they fought in honor of the original Man of Steel. Little did they know, his return was just around the corner! To celebrate the Reign of the Supermen and Return of Superman, DC has brought back the original creative teams for new stories set in the wake of Superman’s death. It all begins with new Daily Planet editor-in-chief Lois Lane discovering Perry White’s journals from the time and the secrets he kept as he searched for who could be the next Superman. What could this discovery mean for our present? Find out in this special that’s sure to be a classic in the future!

The Return of Superman 30th Anniversary Special #1

Preview: The Return of Superman 30th Anniversary Special #1

The Return of Superman 30th Anniversary Special #1

(W) Dan Jurgens, Louise Simonson, Jerry Ordway, and Karl Kesel (A) Travis Moore, Dan Jurgens, Brett Breeding, Jon Bogdanove, Butch Guice, Tom Grummett, and Doug Hazlewood
In Shops: Oct 31, 2023
SRP: $9.99

ORIGINAL CREATIVE TEAMS RETURN FOR NEW STORIES STARRING SUPERBOY, STEEL, THE ERADICATOR AND CYBORG SUPERMAN! Superman returns! After the tragic events of more than 30 years ago, when Superman met his end at the hands of Doomsday, Metropolis mourned the loss of their greatest hero and soon turned their attention to the search for his successor. Four Supermen rose to the challenge: Superboy, Steel, Eradicator, and Cyborg Superman. Each with their own strengths and weaknesses, they fought in honor of the original Man of Steel. Little did they know, his return was just around the corner! To celebrate the Reign of the Supermen and Return of Superman, DC has brought back the original creative teams for new stories set in the wake of Superman’s death. It all begins with new Daily Planet editor-in-chief Lois Lane discovering Perry White’s journals from the time and the secrets he kept as he searched for who could be the next Superman. What could this discovery mean for our present? Find out in this special that’s sure to be a classic in the future!

The Return of Superman 30th Anniversary Special #1

Review: Snake Eyes: Deadgame

Snake Eyes must take on an ancient threat while deadly secrets are revealed.

Story: Rob Liefeld, Chad Bowers
Art: Rob Liefeld
Color: Federico Blee
Letterer: Andworld Design
Ink: Adelso Corona, Cory Hamscher, Philip Tan, Ed Piskor, Jim Rugg, Chance Wolf, Whilce Portactio, Karl Kesel, Ryan Ottley, Paul Scott, Neal Adams, Tom Scioli, Marat Mychaels, Kevin Eastman, Jerry Ordway, Karl Kerschl, Eric Canete, Dan Panosian, Dan Fraga, Karl Altstaetter, Bjorn Hyne

Get your copy now! 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.

Amazon
comiXology
Kindle
TFAW
Bookshop


IDW Publishing and Hasbro provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy 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

Review: Impossible Jones #1

Impossible Jones #1 is a blast in every way introducing us to a new world of superheroes and villains and leaves us wanting more.

Story: Karl Kesel
Art: David Hahn
Ink: Karl Kesel
Colors: Tony Aviña
Letterer: Comicraft

Get your copy now! 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.

Zeus Comics
TFAW


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

Review: Impossible Jones #1

Impossible Jones #1

Karl Kesel and David Hahn seem to be quite fond of 90’s cartoons. Their new comic, Impossible Jones, is often just a panel away from full motion and you can just see its world and characters being broadcast on TV screens, alongside the likes of Batman: The Animated Series and The Tick.

Impossible Jones isn’t just a love letter to those cartoons, though. It’s a comic with an edge that uses nostalgia as a springboard to come up with an inventive story about an accidental superhero that’s hiding a lot of bad under her secret identity.

Impossible Jones #1 kicks off the story of the titular character, a thief that acquires impossible powers—mainly elasticity, but also shadow manipulation and perhaps other skills yet to be revealed—and passes off as a superhero as she looks for her crew, the ones responsible for leaving her behind during the heist that led to her current predicament.

Kesel’s script does a great job of populating Impossible Jones’ universe with a well-rounded cast of characters that already feel storied, familiar enough to help the story move at a brisk pace without having to stop and dump copious amounts of exposition on readers. There’s a fair amount of fun poked at superhero conventions here as well, especially when it comes to character names (which include Holly Daze, Even Steven, and Polecat, all winners in my book).

Impossible Jones #1

The dialogue is kept snappy and agile, helping the story get to where it needs to without getting tangled up with specifics. It’s an economical approach not unlike that employed in individual cartoon episodes, in which the story bustles with activity but not at the expense of worldbuilding. It all unravels smoothly as the narrative progresses, providing just enough character development and plot to feel like a good chunk of story was provided. Fans of Kesel’s previous work, namely Section Zero, will find a lot to like here.

Hahn’s art is completely in sync with the grandiose aspect of the story and its pacing. His previous work on Batman ’66 makes this type of story play to his strengths and not a panel is wasted getting the most out of character interactions and action sequences. Tony Aviña’s colors make everything pop with a larger-than-life feel that captures the more fantastical elements of the story.

Hahn’s character designs also help with the fast and furious storytelling approach Impossible Jones brandishes. Each one wears a part of their story on their proverbial sleeves, another element that’s very present in cartoons given the short runtime the usually have per episode.

Something that surprised me from Impossible Jones’ origins, so to speak, was how much it reminded me of Dr. Manhattan’s in Watchmen. It’s a clever play on the character’s lab accident sequence that, whether intentional or not, made for a particularly memorable part of this first issue. It was good fun associating something as fast and furious as Impossible Jones with something as serious as the Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons book.

Impossible Jones #1

Impossible Jones #1 is a blast, in every sense of the word. It will satisfy readers searching for not-too distant nostalgia in their comics and readers looking for a creative alternative to the usual superhero offering on the shelves these days. To sum it all up, it’s a crowd pleaser.

Story: Karl Kesel Art: David Hahn Colors: Tony Aviña
Story: 9.0 Art: 9.0 Overall: 9.0

Recommendation: Buy and then go dust off those 90’s cartoons you recorded on VHS.

Scout Comics provided Graphic Policy with a review copy


Purchase: Zeus ComicsTFAW

Impossible Jones is Coming in September from Karl Kesel, David Hahn, Tony Aviña, and Comicraft

A thief pretending to be a superhero? IMPOSSIBLE! That’s what IMPOSSIBLE JONES hopes people believe as she tries to convince citizens, cops—and fellow superheroes—that she’s New Hope City’s latest and greatest super-powered protector! But she’s also a damn good thief with no intention of giving up her criminal ways. You kidding—with these new powers? Pilfering and purloining have never been easier! Plus, cops don’t shoot at her, they gladly tell her exactly what they’re up to, and everyone’s happy to show her their security systems. But it’s a high-stakes, high-wire balancing act, and even shape-shifting superpowers can be stretched thin. One misstep and Jones will fall so far she’ll never bounce back…

Impossible Jones is written by Karl Kesel who provides the inks, pencils by David Hahn, colors by Tony Aviña, lettering by Comicraft. Out in September it’s edited by Nicole D’Andria, production by Joel Rodriguez, and published by Scout Comics.

Rob Liefeld and Larry Hama Team for a Snake Eyes: Deadgame #5 Cover

On July 7, 2021, Rob Liefeld will close out his run on the best-selling G.I. JOE title, Snake Eyes: Deadgame, from Hasbro and IDW! The fifth issue finale features an All-Star list of comic book legends providing inks and finishes to Rob’s penciled art. Not satisfied with just putting together an All-Star team, Rob decided to round out the cast by adding legendary artist and creator Kevin EastmanRyan OttleyEric Canete, and Karl Kerschl.

Not content with this unparalleled assemblage of All-Star talents, Liefeld wanted to take the event one step further. The Deadpool creator enlisted the Living Legend of G.I. JOE: A Real American HeroLarry Hama. Rob will ink over Larry Hama’s pencils for a special once-in-a-lifetime collectible cover event.

These artists join the already named list of All-Stars including Neal AdamsJerry OrdwayWhilce PortacioKarl KeselArt ThibertPhilip TanDan PanosianDan FragaEd PiskorMarat MychaelsJim RuggTom ScioliCory HamscherPaul ScottKarl Alstaetter, and Chance Wolf.

« Older Entries