Tag Archives: lazarus

Listen to the Archive of Graphic Policy Radio: Emma Houxbois: Electric Boogaloo

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Did you miss this past Monday’s episode of Graphic Policy Radio? It featured the return of Emma Houxbois! We packed a lot into the episode that covered a whole lot of ground.

On this episode:

  • The group discussed Adventure Time and Lazarus, two comics you should be reading!
  • Gender, sexism and comics was back in the news. Including shitty parents who think superheroes are for boys. We talked about how to not be a sexist asshole that’s destroying the comics industry and/or messing up your kids (step one: don’t gender police anyone)
  • Comics and rape reared its ugly head as well. We discussed recent comments by Mark Millar and rape in comics.

There was that and more, it was a hell of a discussion and I learned a lot! You can listen below or download the episode to take it on the go.

Graphic Policy Radio: Emma Houxbois: Electric Boogaloo

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GP Radio pic MondayThis Monday at 10pm ET, it’s Graphic Policy Radio and the return of Emma Houxbois! We’ve got a packed agenda discussing comics and more!

On tap for this episode:

  • The group discusses Adventure Time and Lazarus, two comics you should be reading!
  • Gender, sexism and comics was back in the news. Including shitty parents who think superheroes are for boys. We’ll be talking about how to not be a sexist asshole that’s destroying the comics industry and/or messing up your kids (step one: don’t gender police anyone)
  • Comics and rape reared its ugly head as well. We’ll be discussing recent comments by Mark Millar and rape in comics.

So tune in for what I’m sure will be a crazy thought-provoking episode! We want to hear from you so call in at (619) 768-2952 or tweet us @graphicpolicy with your questions or comments.

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It was new comic day yesterday, what’d everyone get? I’m getting prepped for Gen Con. Anyone going?

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The Beat – RIP: Stan Lynde – Condolences to his friends and family.

Technology Personalized – 6 Entertaining Comic Books Apps for iOS and Android – The writer realizes comiXology makes a few of these right?

Gigaom – Gumroad wants to make selling content as easy as sharing content – Important for those indie creators looking to sell digital comics.

 

Around the Tubes Reviews

ICv2 – The Adventure Time Encyclopaedia HC

Comic Vine – All-New X-Men #15

Comic Vine – Avengers #17

Comic Vine – Detective Comics #23

Comic Vine – Earth 2 #15

The Fandom Post – Ghost Volume 1: In The Smoke And Din

Comic Vine – Green Arrow #23

Comic Vine – Green Lantern #23

Comic Vine – Hunger #2

Talking Comics – Lazarus #2

Comic Vine – The Legend of Luther Strode #6

Comic Vine – The Phantom Stranger #11

Comic Vine – Quantum & Woody #2

Comic Vine – Robocop: Last Stand #1

Talking Comics – Sheltered #2

Comic Vine – Sheltered #2

Talking Comics – Sidekick #1

Comic Vine – Superior Carnage #2

Comic Vine – The Superior Foes of Spider-Man #2

Comic Vine – Superior Spider-Man #15

Comic Vine – Swamp Thing #23

Comic Vine – Trillium #1

Comic Vine – X-Factor #260

A Dark Vision of the Future, Lazarus #2 Sells Out

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The second issue of the Image Comics series Lazarus, Greg Rucka and Michael Lark’s dystopian vision of a feudal future, has sold out the same week as its release, prompting a second printing that will be in stores on August 28.

 Lazarus follows Forever Carlyle, the powerful Carlyle Family’s “ Lazarus,” a genetically-enhanced young woman who cannot be killed and protects the Family’s interests and resources. Raised to believe she is a loved member of the Family, Forever’s world begins to fall apart as she questions the brutal acts she has been raised to believe are normal.

A striking depiction of a society where the wealthy 0.0001% hold power and the lives of the poor are expendable, Lazarus has received extraordinary critical acclaim and you can read our review.

The second printing of  Lazarus #2 can be pre-ordered now (Diamond code: JUN138142) and will be in stores on August 28, the same day as LAZARUS #3.

lazarus01_cover

Week in Review: July 22-28, 2013

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I hope everyone’s finally recovered from the intensity of SDCC and all of the incredible announcements that came out of the con. Our very own Brett, your host and founder of Graphic Policy, was in attendance and helped keep us up to date (you can find his posts and updates on SDCC here). This week saw the debut of The Wolverine, origin-story sequel to X-Men Origins: Wolverine, and in comics we got a little more light cast on the events of Age of Ultron via Hunger #1, witnessed the start of a new crowd favorite Lobster Johnson mini-series, and took a look at the ever-advancing Trinity War saga, along with plenty of other reviews of one-shots, on-going series, and even a graphic novel!

Graphic Policy Radio

July 23, 2013—Elana and Brett cover the glorious Nerd-vana of SDCC, and they take a look at the convention floor, its announcements, and some of the people Brett had a chance to meet. We had some technical issues, so catch the show this coming week.

Comic Reviews

Batman/Superman #2—the second issue in Greg Pak’s and Jae Lee’s already fantastic series gets relatively high marks from Sean, despite the fact that it’s still a tad confusing…

Batwoman #22—Scott picks apart the latest Batwoman issue, and poses some interesting points about where the series is going and why this issue is hollow compared to the rest of the series.

Blood Brothers #1—a new vampire comedy, with a taste of something different gets high ranks; worth buying and reading.

Dark Horse Presents #26—an awesomely (and somewhat overwhelmingly) large anthology of horror, sci-fi, and fantasy comic shorts, featuring reviews of two of many stories.

Devil Executioner One-Shot—a thrilling and creepy one-shot by UK independent creator Martin Ian Smith, which could easily be the beginning of a serious about a bad-ass exorcist. Buying and reading this is a great way to support a young, up-and-coming comic creator!

Gamma One-Shot—a zany, hilarious comic by Ulises Farinas which Sean reads as a satire of some awesome 1990s children franchises.

Hunger #1—Brett takes us on a tour of Fialkov’s exploration of the long-established Ultimate universe as things get down and dirty with…Galactus!

Justice League Dark #22—Trinity War continues in what Sean found to be the second-best piece in this saga (we’re only five parts in, with the Constantine and Pandora tie-ins, and JLA #6 seems to be the best), seeing all of the Justice Leagues rearranged by their loyalties to the World’s Finest and to the Trinity of Sin.

King Conan: Tee Hour of the Dragon #3—Andrew gives us a look at this acclaimed addition to the Conan franchise, hearkening back to the sword-and-sorcery quality of early Conan comics.

Lazarus #2—Scott provides an in-depth review of Greg Rucka’s hot-and-heavy sci-fi dystopic comic; get on board with this if you haven’t yet!

Lobster Johnson: A Scent of Lotus #1—the much anticipated beginning of a new Lobster Johnson mini-series by Mignola gets high praise from Andrew, as a new plot develops with the Tong assassins in a definitely pulp style.

The Massive #14—hot shot Brian Wood continues his sci-fi series, which Brett calls “one of the best monthly series on the market.”

Mind MGMT #13—a surreal one-shot about The Home Maker sleeper agent, which featuring some of the best art this week (I took a look at this myself, and damn it’s great looking).

Movie Review

The Wolverine—I haven’t seen it myself, but Brett (ever our movie reviewer for all things comics and nerdom) found The Wolverine to be a good addition to the X-Men movies, despite finding it a tad boring and predictable. But see for yourself, folks!

Graphic Novel Review

Hellboy: House of the Living Dead—Sean looks back on a two-year old Mignola and Corben graphic novel that takes a look at Hellboy as a luchador, as well as a nod to the great monster films of the early 20th century.

Well that’ll just about do it for this week. Check out our reviews, updates, news, info, and previews, because there’s always more coming! See you next week, Geeks!

Around the Tubes

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The weekend is almost here and I wish I could use it to recover from San Diego Comic-Con, but alas, life….

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Latino Review – Exclusive: Who Disney Is Looking At For ‘Star Wars: Episode VII’ – Interesting.

Spinoff Online – Fox’s ‘X-Force’ Movie Will Feature Five-Person Team, Millar Teases – Guesses on the team?

Bleeding Cool – Could Marvel Take Away ComiXology’s Guided View? – We’re asking patent experts.

Bleeding Cool – Nineteen San Diego Comic Con Panels In Audio As Well As The Eisner Awards – For those who couldn’t make it.
Around the Tubes Reviews

The Mary Sue – Amala’s Blade #1

Comic Vine – Aquaman #22

Comic Vine – Batman/Superman #2

Comic Vine – Bloodshot #13

Comic Vine – Clone #9

Comic Vine – Hawkeye Annual #1

Comic Vine – Hunger #1

Comic Vine – Journey into Mystery #654

Comic Vine – Justice League Dark #22

Comic Vine – Lazarus #2

Comic Vine – New Avengers #8

Comic Vine – Red Hood and the Outlaws #22

Comic Vine – Scarlet Spider #19

Comic Vine – Superior Spider-Man #14

Comic Vine – Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #24

Comic Vine – Uncanny Avengers #10

Comic Vine – Wolverine #7

Review: Lazarus #2

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lazarus2-webThis is what I’m talking about. This right here. Lazarus #1 was a great debut, but it felt a little rushed, like Greg Rucka was trying to cram as much as possible into a tiny space. Thankfully, this issue breathes a little easier.

(SPOILERS) Actually, this issue breathes a lot. In fact, there’s not much action at all. Most of this issue is talking and scheming and learning about the Family Carlyle. If anyone other than Rucka was writing this issue, I would call it boring. Fortunately, that’s not the case. Issue #2 is a master class in how to pace and plot a comic book. I was so struck by how every scene had a purpose; nothing went on too long, nothing was unnecessary. I learned the pertinent information and then the comic moved me right along into the following scene, which is another fantastic aspect of this book. Every scene leads to the next, with information from one scene having an impact on the next. It lent the book an incredible flow that made it so easy to read that I hardly noticed that there was little to no action. (Of course, part of this is the art, which I’ll get to.)

Not only was the book great scene to scene, but the dialogue was pitch perfect. Nothing felt hacky or rushed. For the most part, the characterization and voices were consistent. I never took issue with how the characters said anything, but I did have a bit of a problem with what they were saying.

For instance, Jonah Carlyle (Forever’s brother) seems like a bit of a dick, which is hard characterization to come back from. He seems pretty one note to me, which is worrisome: I really don’t want one of the primary antagonists to have his only characterization be, “I’m a bit of a dick.” Secondly, there was a moment in which Beth Carlyle (sister to Jonah) just kind of went off on Jonah, beat the crap out of him, and then threatened to kill him with a knife. All of that is great, and I have no doubt that there is a crazy amount of blackmail, stress, and hatred within the Carlyle family, but we don’t really know any of it yet. To have Beth just straight up attack her brother seemed a little premature.

However, all of that being said, I still believe in the characters. Nothing about the characters of Beth and Jonah make them particularly bad characters right now (it’s only issue #2, after all), and I have no doubt that Rucka will soon expand on them. And although this issue is a bit of an information dump, the main plot did move forward, and a new subplot comes to light: Jonah and his (twin?) sister Johanna are plotting to make moves against Forever. Also, they’re incestuous, which is gross, but kind of fun in a weird way.

A big part of what I mentioned above had to do with the easy readability of this comic. I can talk all I want about how good the writing is and how the dialogue is very convincing, and all of that adds to the book’s great sense of pace and momentum, but none of that could be accomplished without Michael Lark’s stellar art. The page design is simple and easy to read, which makes it easy for a reader’s eye to travel from one panel to the next; I was never, ever, confused about what I was supposed to read and when, which is a complaint I frequently have. This, in turn, allows this comic to get away with using less dialogue and caption boxes than the average comic. There are almost entire pages that are wordless, which is always a plus in my mind: any time the art can tell the story, it should.

Of course, it wouldn’t be able to tell the story so fluidly and clearly if the character models weren’t clear and consistent, and thankfully they are. Movement seems entirely natural, as do facial expressions. Lark can show disgust, anger, happiness, and lust so clearly it’s almost uncanny. The character movements are also drawn in a way that seems natural. The moment during which Beth attacks Jonah is presented in such a understandable way that I never had any doubt where I was, or how things had happened. The action was always fluid and it always looked perfect.

(Actually, on kind of a lame side note, on page 15 the middle panel shows Jonah knocking a tray out of a housekeeper’s hands. It’s not a huge moment, it doesn’t have lasting consequences, but I just stared at it for a good minute. The movement was so real I just couldn’t believe it. So anyway . . .)

Lazarus #2 simultaneously expanded the world and also focused on character. It’s a great issue that will without a doubt lay the foundation for the rest of the arc. I fully expect issue #3 to be explosive, and I, personally, can’t wait.

Story: Greg Rucka Art: Michael Lark

Story: 8 Art: 8.5 Overall: 8.5 Recommendation: Buy

 

Image Comics provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review.

Pick(s) of the Week: Batman/Superman #2 and Many More!

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BatSupeComboCover095956--525x800Welcome to the new pick of the week, where we survey the Graphic Policy team to see what they’re looking forward to this week or what they know will be a solid read. This week, the team has one book among them that they agreed upon, Batman/Superman #2 by DC Comics.

Consistently mentioned by each contributor is Greg Pak’s writing combined with Jae Lee‘s art. The combination is clearly a draw for each of us. Plus, we’re all intrigued to find out what happens next!

Check out below for each team member’s picks and find out what you should be on the lookout for this Wednesday.

Andrew:

Batman/Superman #2 (DC) – Although I wasn’t thrilled with the first book, after hearing the announcement of a Batman/Superman movie at SDCC, I think it’d be smart to give this series a chance.

Lobster Johnson: A Scent of Lotus #1 (Dark Horse) – Seriously looking forward to Mike Mignola’s Hellboy spinoff and cult favorite, Lobster Johnson, in this two part mini series. I give this first book a stellar review in a forthcoming post.

Mass Effect Foundation #1 (Dark Horse) – Most video game to comic book series fail to impress, but they’ve secured Mac Walters, the writer of the second and third Mass Effect games, and I don’t want to pass this up.

Batman The Dark Knight #22 (DC) – I’ve been on a pulp kick lately that’s made me neglect the Caped Crusader. Once I catch up on the Mad Hatter’s finale, I’ll jump into Hurwitz’s latest story arc.

Ghostbusters #6 (IDW Publishing) – Just because I didn’t give I glowing review to the previous issue, doesn’t mean I don’t want to know what happens. I’m willing to stick with it and see what happens as the paranormal investigators reintegrate back into society.

Brett:

Top Pick: The Massive #14 (Dark Horse) – Brian Wood’s amazing series following the crew of the Kapital and their search for their sister ship in a world devastated by environmental disaster. The current story arc is tense with the threat of further destruction in the shape of nuclear war.

Mind MGMT #13 (Dark Horse) – Matt Kindt’s crazy tale of special agents with amazing powers. The small details in every comic makes the series stand out, not to mention the amazing story telling and Kindt’s art.

Red Team #4 (Dynamite Entertainment) – Garth Ennis’ tale of a team of rogue cops is as gritty and heartbreaking as they come.

Thumbprint #2 (IDW Publishing) – Joe Hill’s horror story (I think) involves a female Iraq War vet. It’s a bit, I Know What You Did Last Summer, but I’m hooked.

Wild Blue Yonder #2 (IDW Publishing) – The first issue caught me off guard and blew me away. An amazing fun story of a world dominated by those who live in the sky. Fun characters and exciting sequences with fantastic art makes this one stand out for me.

Scott:

Top Pick: Lazarus #2 (Image) – The first issue of Lazarus set up such an engaging world and interesting characters, and I’m interested to find out when the first arc will really begin to pick up steam. Plus, it’s Greg Rucka and Michael Lark, so there’s really no reason you shouldn’t be reading this book.

Batman/Superman #2 (DC) – Come on. Jae Lee drawing Batman. That’s all.

Lobster Johnson: A Scent of Lotus #1 (Dark Horse) – I’ve never read a Lobster Johnson book before, but I’m a sucker for pulp adventure heroes, and Sebastián Fiumara’s art looks absolutely exquisite: grim and detailed when necessary, bold and cartoony a page later. And Dave Stewart is a master colorist.

Mark Waid’s The Green Hornet #4 (Dynamite Entertainment) – I’m so excited for this issue because Mark Waid, in only three issues, has crafted an emotionally complex story, and I just can’t wait to see what happens next.

Rocketeer/Spirit: Pulp Friction #1 (IDW Publishing) – I love the Rocketeer, and I loved Waid’s last Rocketeer mini (Cargo of Doom); it was perfectly ridiculous. I’m really curious to see how this pulp inspired team up works out.

Sean:

Top Pick: Batman/Superman #2 (DC)—because we need to figure out what the heck that first issue was about! Plus, Greg Pak and Jae Lee make a great team on this strange, singular book with wonderful art and somewhat ominous plotting. The first issue blew me away, and left me wanting exactly this next issue. $3.99.

Gamma One-Shot (Dark Horse)—Ulises Farinas debuts what looks like a sci-fi, Adventure-Timey weird-fest; check this out if you’ve got the extra $2.99.

Larfleeze #2 (DC)—Giffen’s and Kolins’ Douglas-Adams-esque breakout book about the funny-as-Hell Orange Lantern continues with a battle against Laord of the Hunt. $2.99.

Lobster Johnson: A Scent of Lotus #1 (Dark Horse)—Mignola brings back Lobster Johnson to track down the Crimson Lotus, starting off a new mini-series. $3.50.

Superior Spider-Man Team Up #1 (Marvel)—and while Superior Spider-Man #14 (also out this week) is a must have in my opinion, if you’re on a budget you’ll want to check out the beginning of this new team up book which starts with Spidey and the Avengers figuring things out. $3.99.

TPB of the Week: Camelot 3000 (DC)—collecting the 1982-1985 maxi-series of the same name, this TPB presents not only a major piece of DC Comics history, since Camelot 3000 was one of the first direct market series and DC’s first maxi-series (think Brightest Day), but it is also a crazy-cool reimagining of the King Arthur stories, in typical 1980s fashion, mixing the tale with nuclear issues, challenging gender roles, and…aliens! $19.99 (but I ordered it from Amazon for $16.51).

SDCC 2013: Image Exclusives and Variants

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The Image Comics/Skybound and Top Cow booths will be selling exclusive editions and variants of of ten titles, including four hardcover collections, at San Diego Comic-Con 2013, taking place July 17 to 21. These editions will be available in limited quantities only at the Image Comics/Skybound booth #2729, or the Top Cow booth #2629. In addition, Image Comics will be offering copies of its Image Expo variant editions for sale at their booth, as well as new T-shirts and tote bags, and a variant edition of Lazarus #2 by Greg Rucka and Michael Lark will be available at the booths participating retailers who are exhibiting at the convention.

Three #1 issues are among the variants, including Ghosted #1 by Joshua Williamson and Goran Sudzuka with a cover by Matteo Scalera, a convention exclusive edition of Satellite Sam #1 by Matt Fraction and Howard Chaykin with black-and-white cover art by Chaykin, and Sidekick #1 by J. Michael Straczynski and Tom Mandrake with a cover by Whilce Portacio.

Giving some heft to Image’s Comic-Con offerings are four hardcover editions released by the Image imprints Skybound and Top Cow. At the Image imprint Skybound, Clone Volume One by David Schulner and Juan Jose Ryp, Invincible Compendium Volume One by Robert Kirkman and Ryan Ottley, Thief of Thieves Volume Two by Robert Kirkman, James Asmus, and Shawn Martinbrough; and The Walking Dead Compendium Volume Two by Robert Kirkman and Charlie Adlard will be for sale in limited quantities each day. The hardcover edition of Think Tank Volume One by Matt Hawkins and Rahsan Ekedal will be for sale at the Top Cow booth.

Other variants to be sold at the Image booth are a special foil-cover variant of Chew #35 by John Layman and Rob Guillory and Ten Grand #4 by J. Michael Straczynski and Ben Templesmith. In addition to the Think Tank hard cover, Top Cow will be selling an exclusive Aphrodite IX #3 “Cosplay” edition with a photo cover.

On the merchandise side, Image Comics will be selling their Image Comics logo tote bags and T-shirts, which made their debut at Image Expo in San Francisco on July 2. Also available will be the “Lying Cat” T-shirts featuring brand-new artwork of the fan-favorite character from the wildly popular Saga by Brian K. Vaughan and Fiona Staples.

From Skybound, the four “Faction” The Walking Dead T-shirts from the upcoming story arc “All-Out War” — Survivors, Hilltop, Saviors, and Kingdom — which also went on sale first at Image Expo, will be available. Skybound will have other exclusive merchandise at their booth, including a The Walking Dead electric guitar, wristwatches for The Walking Dead and Invincible, and Todd McFarlane Toys Governor in Riot Gear action figure, and Rick, Carl, and Negan PVC figures.

SDCC+variant+grid

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It’s new comic day tomorrow! What’s everyone getting? Not sure? You can check out our picks at 11am and of course we’ll have previews for all of the hottest releases.

Around the Tubes

St. Louis Dispatch – Is Superman just Jesus in a red cape? – Well, he did die and come back.

Kotaku – The Next Episode Of The Walking Dead Is Coming Out This Week – Ooooo!

CBR – When Words Collide: The 10 Best Comics of 2013 – So Far – Thoughts?

Around the Tubes Reviews

CBR – The Wake #2

CBR – X-Men #2

The Beat – Monday’s Review Slate: Lazarus and Pizza Dog

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