Tag Archives: michael allred

DC’s Pride Anthology returns in 2024 with a celebration of Rachel Pollack and more!

DC’s Eisner and Ringo award-winning Pride comic book anthology returns for 2024 in the form of a universe-spanning travelogue like you’ve never seen! DC’s comics are as vast, varied, and fantastic as the incredible and weird locations found across the DC cosmos, and DC’s LGBTQIA+ characters are everywhere, belong anywhere, and can do anything they set their hearts and minds to. How they get there is as important as where they’re going, so join them as they explore the farthest edges of the DC Multiverse, together! DC’s 2024 Pride collection of books and comics will be available at your local comic book shop, bookstore, library, and beyond, taking DC’s characters across the far reaches of the Phantom Zone, the Fourth World, and beyond!

DC Pride 2024 #1, DC’s annual anthology containing all-new stories spotlighting LGBTQIA+ fan favorites, will publish on May 28. The 104-page Prestige format comic will feature a main cover by Kevin Wada, an open-to-order wraparound variant cover by David Talaski, foil and card stock variants by Babs Tarr, and Wada’s main cover offered as a 1:25 card stock variant.

In DC Pride 2024, DC will host an unmissable autobiographical story written by industry legend Phil Jimenez about the fantastical worlds that shaped him, brought to life by Giulio Macaione. This heartwarming story is a can’t-miss highlight, plus Dreamer makes a first-time pilgrimage to her ancestral planet, Naltor, in a story by Nicole Maines and Jordan Gibson; Poison Ivy and Janet from HR go spore-hunting on Portworld in a story by Gretchen Felker-Martin and Claire Roe; Superman (Jon Kent) gets Jay, Bunker, and the Ray together for a boys’ night out in A-Town in a story by Jarrett Williams and D.J. Kirkland; Steel (Natasha Irons) works up the courage to face Traci 13 at the Oblivion Bar’s Pride party for the first time since they broke up in a story by Jamila Rowser and ONeillJones; Aquaman (Jackson Hyde) catches an unexpected ride to the Fourth World just in time for their annual Love Festival in a story by Ngozi Ukazu; Circuit Breaker’s unstable powers fritz him into the Phantom Zone in a story by Calvin Kasulke and Len Gogou; plus a Blue Starman story written by Al Ewing and character pinups, in a volume celebrating how the LGBTQIA+ community is everywhere and belongs anywhere—even the farthest reaches of the known and unknown worlds!

As an additional DC Pride teaser, this year’s anthology features a special preview of DC’s upcoming YA OGN The Strange Case of Harleen and Harley by New York Times bestselling author of Wicked Lovely Melissa Marr, teamed up with celebrated artist Jenn St-Onge.

When Harleen signs up to participate in a clinical research trial with her girlfriend, Pamela, her only goals are extra cash and a chance to control her anxiety. But what she gets instead are increasingly larger gaps in her memory and stolen mementos from some guy named Jack. Soon Harleen discovers she’s sharing her life with Harley—a take-no-prisoners, who-cares-about-attendance, maybe-we-oughta-save-the-bunnies kind of girl. She is the opposite of Harleen in every way. And although she’s throwing Harleen’s life completely off track, maybe she ain’t so bad either…

New York Times bestselling author Melissa Marr and celebrated artist Jenn St-Onge, with color by Jeremy Lawson and lettering by Lucas Gattoni, explore the twisted transformation from Harleen to Harley in this compelling new YA original graphic novel on sale beginning September 3!

In the 1990s, writer Rachel Pollack did the impossible: she raised the bar for surprise and strangeness in her beloved run following Grant Morrison’s career-making Doom Patrol! To celebrate her life and works, DC will publish a spotlight issue, DC Pride: A Celebration of Rachel Pollack, hitting shelves on June 6. This 96-page one-shot comic book reprints the debut of the iconic Coagula, DC’s first transgender Super Hero, from Doom Patrol #70, penciled by Scot Eaton, along with the long-unavailable one-shot Vertigo Visions: The Geek (with superstar artist Michael Allred)!

And in a final, original short story, Rachel’s most beloved creation, Kate Godwin, a.k.a. Coagula, returns to the spotlight in a tale of triumph over death itself written by Joe Corallo, Rachel’s longtime friend and collaborator, and drawn by Rye Hickman!

DC Pride: A Celebration of Rachel Pollack #1

Bad Dream: A Dreamer Story is the untold origin story of Dreamer, the first trans Super Hero ever to appear on TV! DC’s newest YA graphic novel publishes on April 2, written by Nicole Maines and drawn by Rye Hickman with color by Bex Glendining and lettering by Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou.

Nia’s spent her whole life taking a back seat to her older sister, Maeve, who was expected to inherit their mother’s Seer powers: the ability to see the future through dreams, passed down to one woman in each generation. But when Nia, a trans girl, starts having visions of the future, she must suppress her powers to protect her relationship with her sister.

Soon Nia’s dreams become impossible to ignore, and she has no choice but to distance herself as she navigates her new reality. Taking off for Metropolis, Nia is quickly swept up in the bustling city and, guided by her dreams, connects with a group of queer girls who feel more like sisters than her own. As Nia starts to discover her powers may be more than just a burden, she’s given a choice: accept her new responsibility as a Seer or give it all up for a chance at normalcy.

From Nicole Maines, the actress, activist, and writer who originated the fan-favorite role of Dreamer on the groundbreaking Supergirl TV show, and with art by Rye Hickman, who captures Nia’s depth and humor, comes this joyful and gut-wrenching graphic novel featuring characters from Galaxy: The Prettiest Star in DC’s first YA crossover!

Throughout its line of monthly comic books, DC will highlight Pride-themed variant covers on series that feature queer characters in regular and lead roles. This year, look for DC Pride covers on Action Comics #1066 (Betsy Cola), Batman #148 (Skylar Patridge), Green Arrow #13 (A.L. Kaplan), Poison Ivy #23 and Harley Quinn #41 (W. Scott Forbes), Nightwing #115 (Bruka Jones), Outsiders #8 (Don Aguillo), Suicide Squad: Dream Team #4 (Fatima Wajid), Superman #15 (Angel Solorzano), The Flash #10 (Nick Robles), and Wonder Woman #10 (Phil Jimenez and Arif Prianto).

And if you missed picking up previous years’ variant covers, DC has you covered with DC Pride: Uncovered #1! DC’s most iconic LGBTQIA+ artists put the party in Pride with their fabulous array of variant covers spotlighting LGBTQIA+ characters across the DCU year after year, and this art book collects a robust selection of fan favorites in one place for the very first time! Don’t miss out on a gallery of gorgeous art as imaginative and colorful as the characters themselves.

DC Pride: Uncovered #1, on sale June 11, is a gallery comic of gorgeous covers from Jen Bartel, Phil Jimenez, Jim Lee, Joshua “Sway” Swaby, David Talaski, Babs Tarr, Kris Anka, and more! DC Pride: Uncovered will have a main cover by Jen Bartel, with variant covers by Oscar Vega; Luciano Vecchio; Mateus Manhanini; and Jim Lee, Scott Williams, and Tamra Bonvillain. DC Pride: Uncovered #1 will be scripted by DC editor Andrea Shea.

The C-Class supervillains finally take over in Patton Oswalt, Jordan Blum, and Scott Hepburn’s Minor Threats II: The Fastest Way Down

Everyone’s favorite c-list supervillains return in April 2024 in Minor Threats: The Fastest Way Down! The hit superhero saga from Patton Oswalt, Jordan Blum, and Scott Hepburn picks up right where it left off with the same creative team: written by Oswalt and Blum, illustrated by Hepburn, colored by Ian Herring, and lettered by Eisner-nominated letterer Nate Piekos. Joining the squad on issue #1 are variant cover artists: Michael Allred, Joëlle Jones, Hepburn (foil variant), David Mack (1:10 retail incentive variant), Martin Simmonds (1:25 retailer incentive variant), and one more variant cover artist who will be revealed at a later date.

Frankie Follis, AKA the costumed criminal Playtime, has won. Twilight City’s greatest hero, The Insomniac, and its greatest villain, The Stickman, are dead, allowing Frankie to unify the super crook underworld and assert herself as the Queenpin of Redport. But Frankie is feeling the pressure from every side. Rival gangs are challenging her authority, Scalpel, her consigliere, is pushing her to legitimize her empire, and the act of murdering The Insomniac has broken something deep inside her. Frankie is about to learn the hard way… heavy is the head that wears the supervillain crown.

Minor Threats ll: The Fastest Way Down #1 (of 4) arrives in comic shops on April 3, 2024. This issue and all its brilliant variant covers are now available to pre-order for $4.99 at your local comic shop.

James Tynion IV and Michael Avon Oeming’s Blue Book returns with Blue Book: 1947

Long before Betty and Barney Hill excited the public with their alien encounter story, there were years and years of suspected sightings and abductions. James Tynion IV, Michael Avon Oeming, Tom Napolitano, and Dark Horse Comics return with another deeply weird non-fiction tale exploring alien sightings in the upcoming comic, Blue Book: 1947.

In 1947, Kenneth Arnold flew his Call-Air A-2 over the skies of the Pacific Northwest when all of a sudden, he saw a blinding flash of silver light. What followed was a bizarre and difficult to explain encounter with several flying objects that would change the course of his life forever.

Blue Book: 1947 #1 is written by Tynion, illustrated by Oeming, and lettered by Napolitano. The first issue will also include six variant covers by artists Michael Avon Oeming, Fábio Moon, Michael Allred, Cully Hammer, Joe Quinones (1:10 virgin retailer incentive variant), and Christian Ward (1:10 virgin retailer incentive variant). One additional variant cover will be revealed at a later date.

Blue Book: 1947 #1 also includes a True Weird backup story by Zac Thompson, Gavin Fullerton, and Aditya Bidikar.

Blue Book: 1947 #1 (of 5) flies into comic shops on February 7, 2024. It is now available to pre-order for $4.99 at your local comic shop.

Preview: Marvel Age #1000

Marvel Age #1000

(W) Rainbow Rowell, Jamie McKelvie (A) Various (CA) Gary Frank
Rated T+
In Shops: Aug 30, 2023
SRP: $9.99

IT’S A CELEBRATION OF THE MARVEL AGE OF COMICS – AND YOU ARE INVITED!
This massive commemorative issue includes contributions from some of the most storied creators in Marvel history, as well as a few surprises, as the classic days of Marvel are explored in depth!
J. Michael Straczynski and Kaare Andrews create the Marvel Universe in a backyard!
Dan Slott and Michael Allred depict a crucial turning point for Captain Marvel!
Rainbow Rowell and Jamie McKelvie explore the blossoming relationship between Cyclops and Jean Grey!
The original Human Torch finds his purpose thanks to Mark Waid and Alessandro Cappuccio!
The Silver Surfer confronts Mephisto under the guidance of Steve McNiven!
And more, more, more! Plus: The ultimate Marvel Value Stamp, #1000! Who or what will it feature?

Marvel Age #1000

Preview: Marvel Age #1000

Marvel Age #1000

(W) Rainbow Rowell, Jamie McKelvie (A) Various (CA) Gary Frank
Rated T+
In Shops: Aug 30, 2023
SRP: $9.99

IT’S A CELEBRATION OF THE MARVEL AGE OF COMICS – AND YOU ARE INVITED!
This massive commemorative issue includes contributions from some of the most storied creators in Marvel history, as well as a few surprises, as the classic days of Marvel are explored in depth!
J. Michael Straczynski and Kaare Andrews create the Marvel Universe in a backyard!
Dan Slott and Michael Allred depict a crucial turning point for Captain Marvel!
Rainbow Rowell and Jamie McKelvie explore the blossoming relationship between Cyclops and Jean Grey!
The original Human Torch finds his purpose thanks to Mark Waid and Alessandro Cappuccio!
The Silver Surfer confronts Mephisto under the guidance of Steve McNiven!
And more, more, more! Plus: The ultimate Marvel Value Stamp, #1000! Who or what will it feature?

Marvel Age #1000

Preview: G’Nort’s Swimsuit Edition

G’Nort’s Swimsuit Edition

(W) Steve Orlando, Julie Benson, Shawna Benson (A) Jenny Frison, Paul Pelletier, Mikel Janín, Terry Dodson, Amanda Conner, Pete Woods, Stanley Lau, Joe Quinones, Michael Allred, Nicola Scott, Emanuela Lupacchino, Daniel Sampere, Joëlle Jones, Jeff Dekal, Meghan Hetrick, Babs Tarr, Otto Schmidt, Sweeney Boo, Megan Huang, Derrick Chew, Gleb Melnikov, David Talaski, Helene Lenoble
In Shops: Aug 29, 2023
SRP: $5.99

You may know G’nort as the bumbling Green Lantern who protects Space Sector 68. Then again, you may not know G’nort at all. Whatever the case, get ready to see him in his newest role as host and proprietor of this very special swimsuit edition comic! Join our favorite fuzzball as he showcases some of our best swimsuit covers and our most swim-tacular stories! From the Flash in a Speed Force Speedo to Batman in a bat(hing) suit, this very special one-shot is summer fun from (bikini) top to (bikini) bottom.

Also collecting some of the steamiest swimsuit covers from DC’s best talent, all in one place for the very first time!

G'Nort's Swimsuit Edition

Creators celebrate Marvel’s birthday with Marvel Age #1000!

On August 31, Marvel celebrates 84 years of stories and characters that have shaped pop culture as we know it. To mark the occasion, Marvel will be releasing Marvel Age #1000, a massive commemorative issue that includes contributions from some of the most storied creators in Marvel history, as well as a few surprises!

Marvel’s big day honors the release of Marvel Comics #1, the one that started it all! The groundbreaking issue opened the doors to the Marvel Universe for the first time ever, creating a tapestry of Super Heroes and stories that have gone on inspire generations of fans around the world. The stories featured in Marvel Age #1000 will be a grand tour of the Marvel mythos with stories that explore the classic days of Marvel in exciting new depth!

  • J. Michael Straczynski and Kaare Andrews create the Marvel Universe in a backyard!
  • Dan Slott and Michael Allred depict a crucial turning point for Captain Marvel!
  • Rainbow Rowell and Marguerite Sauvage explore the blossoming relationship between Cyclops and Jean Grey!
  • The original Human Torch finds his purpose thanks to Mark Waid and Alessandro Cappuccio!
  • The Silver Surfer confronts Mephisto under the guidance of Steve McNiven!
  • Jason Aaron and Pepe Larraz detail Thor’s impact on a mortal life!
  • Ryan Stegman explores the support network of Spider-Man’s friends and family!
  • Armando Iannucci and Adam Kubert pit Daredevil up against a very human problem!
  • And more!

In addition, Marvel Age #1000 will bring back a classic and beloved Marvel Comics tradition: The Marvel Comics Value Stamp! Who or what will the ultimate Marvel Value Stamp, #1000, feature?

Check out Gary Frank’s awe-inspiring cover below and stay tuned for more details about Marvel Age #1000 in the months ahead!

Marvel Age #1000

Peter Milligan, Michael Allred, and Laura Return for more mutant madness in The X-Cellent #1

This last year saw the long-awaited return of Peter Milligan, Michael Allred, and Laura Allred’s X-Statix saga in X-Cellent, and Marvel has announced that there’s more to come this March! The trio of comic superstars will reunite for even more mutant celebrity exploits in the pages of a five-issue sequel series, The X-Cellent. The series will continue the offbeat, thrilling adventures of X-Statix and further explore their newly-introduced supervillain counterparts known as the X-Cellent.

A breakout hit of the 2000s, X-Statix stunned fans with its dark wit and unique take on Marvel super heroics. More timely and relevant than ever, fans can once again visit this fascinating and strange corner of the Marvel Universe and all its fan-favorite characters including U-Go Girl, Zeitgeist, Doop, and more!

Your favorite celebrity super villains are back! Zeitgeist is still on a mission to achieve social media godhood, no matter who he has to kill! But the spotlight won’t be big enough when the next generation of the X-Statix drop in!

Be there for the next chapter of Peter Milligan, Michael Allred, and Laura Allred’s mutant celebrity saga this March! 

X-Cellent #1

Review: Superman: Space Age #1

Superman: Space Age #1

There’s so many different takes on Superman throughout the years. The character is an icon and the basic take on the character tends to focus on a few pillars that are part of his DNA. The idea of a god-like person raised as a normal human and what he does with that power is key. The optimistic outlook is pretty important as well. Superman: Space Age #1 takes us to that time as Clark Kent is figuring those things out. Set in the 1960s, the issue has Clark on his farm trying to figure out the future and his place in it.

Written by Mark Russell, Superman: Space Age #1 starts with a disaster. It’s the end of existence as Clark/Superman huddles with Lois and their son as existence looks to end. Russell shifts things back a bit taking us through the early years as Clark transitions from farmer to journalist. There, he meets a man named Pariah who says existence has 20 years. For those steeped in DC history, you know where this is going but it’s done in a way that feels fresh and interesting. It also ties into some of Russell’s bigger themes he explores. What is Clark’s destiny. Is it written in stone like Pariah’s view of the future? Can Clark change things at all?

The issue dances around these concepts as we’re taken through major events and some alt-history in the DC Universe. The death of President Kennedy is key to events as it triggers the rising threat of nuclear war. Clark taking his first steps to prevent that almost causes what he attempts to prevent. It’s all small moments that can really take things one way or another. Single individuals who impact world changing events. Russell nails all that down in a very cohesive and focused story.

The art by Michael Allred is great as always. Joined by Laura Allred on color and lettering with Dave Sharpe, the comic plays off of the time period it’s set. Things have a retro look as we get to see a take on Batman of the time, Lex Luthor’s world feels a bit more out of Mad Men, small details like clothes and transportation keep reminding readers when the story is set. The story’s time period is key and the art really nails it but at the same time keeps things with a slight future twist about it. There’s a pop sensibility about it, the type the Allred’s excel at.

Superman: Space Age #1 is an interesting debut. It’s a comic that has a clear focus and theme running throughout. It does a great job of not overdoing its concepts but in each key moment, those concepts are important. It has an underlying philosophy about it and integrates that into the story in a smooth way that’ll get readers to think and ponder what it has to say.

Story: Mark Russell Art: Michael Allred
Color: Laura Allred Letterer: Dave Sharpe
Story: 8.25 Art: 8.25 Overall:8.25 Recommendation: Buy

DC Comics provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review


Purchase: TFAW – Zeus Comics – comiXology/Kindle

Exclusive: Get a peek at exclusive process art for The Golem of Venice Beach from Paul Pope, Mike Allred, and Jae Lee!

This week on Kickstarter, superstar artists Michael Allred, Stephen R. Bissette, Jae Lee, Nick Pitarra, Paul Pope, Bill Sienkiewicz, and legendary letterer Clem Robins teamed up with rising star artist Vanessa Cardinali and debut comic book writer Chanan Beizer for the all-new graphic novel, The Golem of Venice Beach.

The 152-page epic story about the adventures of a 400-year-old Golem spans from 16th century Europe, to the horrors of World War II, to modern day Venice Beach, where the Golem has become entangled in a war between a gang and the police. Both a riveting narrative and a celebration of Southern California, The Golem of Venice Beach has already hit its funding mark on Kickstarter and shows no sign of stopping!

We’ve got an exclusive behind-the-scenes process art for the book from artists Paul Pope, Mike Allred, and Jae Lee!

Mike Allred

Jae Lee

Paul Pope

A rejected logo by Bill Sienkiewicz

The Golem of Venice Beach features:

  • A wrap-around cover and a seven-page prologue by artist Bill Sienkiewicz (Moon Knight) that showcases the Golem’s creation in the year 1580.
  • A 10-page flashback sequence by Jae Lee (The Inhumans) and colorist June Chung that depicts how the Golem was resurrected during World War Two.
  • A 2-page spread and map of Venice Beach that captures everything weird and wonderful about the bohemian spirit that permeates the neighborhood by Michael Allred and colorist Laura Allred (Madman). 
  • An eerie phantasmagoria by Stephen R. Bissette (Saga of the Swamp Thing).
  • A 2 page-splash page by Nick Pitarra (the creator of the highly anticipated Ax-Wielder Jon) that features every single person who is on panel in the book in one huge, cinematic crowd shot.
  • A stunning 2-page portrait, featuring the iconic Santa Monica Pier by Paul Pope (Battling Boy) and colorist Lovern Kindzierski. 
  • Over 100 pages of gorgeous art by the book’s main artist, Vanessa Cardinali.

The campaign ends Friday, July 1st.

« Older Entries Recent Entries »