Chin Music #1

Shaw is a man on the run and lost in time. Fleeing ancient enemies, Shaw finds himself in prohibition-era Chicago surrounded by gangers and demons alike and caught between law enforcement and the local supernatural underground. Chin Music is a tale of mysticism and violence like nothing you’ve experienced before.

The first issue is a series of events, connected, but at the same time disjointed. I went in with high hopes considering the pedigree of writer Steve Niles and artist Tony Harris. Two individuals whose past works I’ve enjoyed immensely.

While the concept and the art is cool and the setup seems interesting, this first issue was too disjointed for me. I felt like there were three parts to the story and how one is connected to the other is unclear. It’s a muddied beginning, confusing to me the reader.

There’s events in Egypt, then things with a person I’m assuming is Elliot Ness. And it just cuts from one to the other without explanation, rather confusing overall. I know the series cuts across time and space, but the first issue doesn’t explain that enough, resulting in a story that’s rather confusing.

There’s a good chance when the series is over the whole will be greater than the individual parts, but this first issue was a rough one for me to start with.

Story: Steve Niles Art: Tony Harris
Story: 6.75 Art: 8 Overall: 7 Recommendation: Read

The Walking Dead #110

Ezekiel vs. Michonne?

The cover and the teaser above would make you think there’s some massive fight in this issue, but if you’re looking for sword slinging, then go elsewhere. The brilliance of that teaser is the sparing is at a whole other level, the emotional one.

This is easily one of the best issues of the series, focusing on those two characters Ezekiel and Michonne. It’s not a versus in the sense the two characters swing swords, they don’t really do that. Instead the issue is mostly the two characters talking.

This is Ezekiel’s “origin” issue. We learn more about the character, where he came from and how he got where he is, also, what’s up with the tiger. It’s a fantastic issue in that the focus is completely on the characters. And the series is best when it does just that.

In this case, two of the most mysterious characters are shown on an emotional level they haven’t been before and it is beyond fantastic to see.

We also get some movement in the upcoming battle. Wile Exekiel and Michonne are the main focus, Jesus’ mission to stop a traitor is also resolved in a great way.

Overall, this is easily the best issue in a long time, but also one of the best the series has ever released.

Story: Robert Kirkman Art: Charlie Adlard
Story: 9 Art: 8.5 Overall: 9 Recommendation: Buy

Image Comics provided Graphic Policy with FREE copies for review

Chin Music #1

Story by: Steve Niles
Art By: Tony Harris
Price: $2.99

Shaw is a man on the run and lost in time. Fleeing ancient enemies, Shaw finds himself in prohibition-era Chicago surrounded by gangers and demons alike and caught between law enforcement and the local supernatural underground. CHIN MUSIC is a tale of mysticism and violence like nothing you’ve experienced before.

Dark Horse Comics is headed to Chicago’s fastest growing pop culture event – Chicago Comics & Entertainment Expo! You can join them for signings at booth #801! Free comics and/or prints with each signing while supplies last.

Please note that lines may be capped or tickets issued for any signing as needed. Inquire about your favorite signings as early as possible. Some restrictions apply. All events are subject to change.

Comics, books, and collectibles will be available for purchase from Dark Horse or your favorite retailer.

DARK HORSE SIGNINGS

FRIDAY, APRIL 26

12:00 p.m. AMALA’S BLADE signing with Steve Horton

Free 8” x 10” print featuring art by Michael Dialynas

1:00 p.m. BATTLEPUG and THE ANSWER! signing with Mike Norton

Free copy of The Answer! #1

2:00 p.m. HUSBANDS signing with Jane Espenson and Brad Bell

Free 5.5” x 8.5” print featuring art by Ron Chan

3:00 p.m. THE SHAOLIN COWBOY signing with Geof Darrow

Free 11” x 17” print featuring art by Geof Darrow

5:00 p.m. BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER: SPIKE signing with Jenny Frison

Free copy of Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Spike #1

SATURDAY, APRIL 27

10:00 a.m. AMALA’S BLADE signing with Steve Horton

Free 8” x 10” print featuring art by Michael Dialynas

11:00 a.m. CRIMINAL MACABRE signing with Steve Niles and Christopher Mitten

Free 5.5” x 8.5” print featuring art by Christopher Mitten

12:00 p.m. BEASTS OF BURDEN and SCARY GODMOTHER signing with Jill Thompson

Free copy of Beasts of Burden: Neighborhood Watch

1:00 p.m. DREAM THIEF signing with Jai Nitz and Greg Smallwood

Free 5.5” x 8.5” print featuring art by Alex Ross

Free limited edition Dream Thief paper in action figures

2:00 p.m. THE MASSIVE, STAR WARS, and CONAN signing with Brian Wood

Free 11” x 17” print featuring art from The Massive by J. P. Leon

3:30 p.m. THE GOON signing with Eric Powell

Free copy of The Goon #38

5:00 p.m. THE FIFTH BEATLE signing with Vivek J. Tiwary

Free 8” x 10” print featuring art by Andrew C. Robinson

Enter to win an exclusive print signed by writer Vivek J. Tiwary and artist Andrew C. Robinson and The Beatles Stereo CD Box Set

SUNDAY, APRIL 28

10:00 a.m. AMALA’S BLADE signing with Steve Horton

Free 8” x 10” print featuring art by Michael Dialynas

11:00 a.m. DARK HORSE SUPERHERO and BRAIN BOY signing with Freddie Williams II

Free 11” x 17” print featuring art by Freddie Williams II, as depicted on the Dark Horse booth superhero mural

12:00 p.m. EX SANGUINE and THE OCCULTIST signing with Tim Seeley

Free copy of Ex Sanguine #1 and The Occultist #1

1:00 p.m. BATTLEPUG and THE ANSWER! signing with Mike Norton

Free copy of The Answer! #1

2:00 p.m. TO BE ANNOUNCED! Come to the Dark Horse Spring Fever Panel on Saturday, April 27, from 5:15 p.m. to 6:15 p.m. in room W471 to meet two special guests and find out about an exciting new project featuring one of your favorite Dark Horse characters.

DARK HORSE PANELS

SATURDAY, APRIL 27

12:15 p.m.–1:15 p.m. SPOTLIGHT ON BRIAN WOOD, Room W471

3:15 p.m.–4:15 p.m. MUSIC AND POP CULTURE featuring various artists and creators, including Vivek J. Tiwary, writer of the upcoming Dark Horse graphic novel The Fifth Beatle, Room W475b

5:15 p.m.–6:15 p.m. DARK HORSE SPRING FEVER with Scott Allie, Jeremy Atkins, Eric Powell, Tim Seeley, Mike Norton, Steve Horton, and surprise guests! Room W471

7:45 p.m.–8:45 p.m. HUSBANDS: TELEVISION AND BEYOND with Brad Bell, Jane Espenson, Sean Hemeon, and moderator Matthew Aaron, Room W471

Creator Owned Heroes #8

By: Steve Niles, Scott Morse, Jimmy Palmiotti, Justin Gray, Jerry Lando, Paul Mounts, Darwyn Cooke Cover By: Scott Morse Variant Cover by: Amanda Connor & Paul Mounts
Price: $3.99

A monthly feature featuring graphic strips and material by DARWYN COOKE, plus: “LEAPING TALL BUILDINGS: INDEPENDENT SPIRITS” a profile feature by CHRISTOPHER IRVING and SETH KUSHNER featuring JAMIE & GILBERT HERNANDEZ.

“KILL SWITCH,” Conclusion
The game of death continues in it’s final chapter as Kill Switch, surrounded by an army of blood thirsty assassins and dealing the last issue’s betrayal, vows to hunt down and punish the person responsible no matter how long it takes!

“MEATBAG,” Part Two
Potbelly Sanders is dead, deceased, expired. Now Detective DeSanto is on his own, and falling further and further into darkness. Part Two of “Meatbag” concludes with a twist of bizarre noir by SCOTT MORSE and STEVE NILES in their first CREATOR-OWNED HEROES collaboration.

Interviews, contests, art galleries, con photos, and original articles, all celebrating the creator-owned spirit.

Creator Owned Heroes #7

Story by: Steve Niles, Scott Morse, Jimmy Palmiotti, Justin Gray, Jerry Lando, Paul Mounts, Darwyn Cooke Art By: Dan Panosian & Scott Morse Cover By: Dan Panosian Variant Cover by: Scott Morse
Price: $3.99

SPECIAL EXTRA PAGES ISSUE!

A brand new story by STEVE NILES and SCOTT MORSE, and more madness from DARWYN COOKE!

“KILL SWITCH,” Part Three
Locked in a Peruvian Prison, Kill Switch awaits a Mexican hit squad as he tries to discover who put a bounty on his head and why. The bullets fly as our hero is led into a deadly game of death against the world’s best and most eccentric assassins, but the gloves come off when they threaten his family.

“MEATBAG,” Part One
Detective Paul DeSanto works the seedy side of Los Angeles. He specializes in cheaters and losers, but he never chooses sides. In Hollywood cheats and loses work both sides of the street. After one of his operatives is eviscerated in an alleyway, DeSanto discovers the strange side of seedy.

Plus: LEAPING TALL BUILDINGS: INDEPENDENT SPIRITS a profile feature by Christopher Irving and Seth Kushner spotlighting EVAN DORKIN.

Creator Owned Heroes #6

Story by: Steve Niles, Jay Russell, Jimmy Palmiotti, Justin Gray Art By: Andrew Ritchie, Jerry Lando, Paul Mounts, Darwyn Cooke Cover By: Andrew Ritchie Variant Cover by: Dave Johnson
Price: $3.99

STARTING: a monthly feature featuring graphic strips and material by DARWYN COOKE.

“KILLSWITCH,” Part Two
Locked in a Peruvian Prison, Kill Switch awaits a Mexican hit squad as he tries to discover who put a bounty on his head and why. The bullets fly as our hero is led into a deadly game of death against the world’s best and most eccentric assassins, but the gloves come off when they threaten his family.

“BLACK SPARROW” Part Two
His only son is dead, tried and hung for crimes the boy may or may not have committed. Now a father waits by the graveside. All he can do is pray and hope that his only son is not the evil the townspeople claim.

Plus: Interviews, contests, art galleries, con photos, and original articles all celebrating the creator-owned spirit.

CRIMINAL MACABRE: FINAL NIGHT—THE 30 DAYS OF NIGHT CROSSOVER #1

Story: Steve Niles
Art: Christopher Mitten

In this epic crossover with IDW, Steve Niles’s greatest characters come together in a final showdown.

Cal McDonald only wanted a beer, but what he got was a jaded federal agent and a story about vampires up in Barrow, Alaska. There’s a new vamp in LA, and he’s hell bent on escalating his attacks. When Mo’Lock’s sometimes ghoul-friend is murdered, Cal’s on the hunt . . . for Eben—the longtime protagonist/antagonist of 30 Days of Night.

Creator Owned Heroes #5

Story by: Steve Niles, Jay Russel, Jimmy Palmiotti, Justin Gray, Andrew Ritchie, Jerry Lando, Paul Mounts Art By: Dave Johnson & Andrew Ritchie
Price: $3.99

ALL-NEW STORIES BEGIN!

“KILLSWITCH,” Part One
Part one of a brand new four-part story. Introducing Killswitch, an enigmatic, and devastatingly handsome killer with a fetish for blunt force, a strong code of honor, and more than a few skeletons in his closet. Killswitch is drawn into a game of death with the world’s top assassins to find out who is behind the contract on his head – and why.

“BLACK SPARROW,” Part One
A brand new two-part story begins, as a family living in the old west must reconcile that someone close to them might be a killer, or worse. A dark tale of haunting family dedication and the price we pay for love.

PLUS! An interview with AMANDA CONNER, art galleries, con photos, and original articles all celebrating the creator owned spirit.

Creator Owned Heroes #4

Story by:Steve Niles, Jimmy Palmiotti, Justin Gray Art By: Phil Noto & Kevin Mellon
Price: $3.99

“TRIGGERGIRL 6,” Part Four
by JIMMY PALMIOTTI, JUSTIN GRAY & PHIL NOTO
The whopping final chapter in this sci-fi thriller, Triggergirl 6 has discovered who created her and why, and the President of the United States finally understands his place in the world in ways he never expected.

“AMERICAN MUSCLE,” Part Four
by STEVE NILES & KEVIN MELLON
Chloe and Gil have reached the end of the road. Now faced with an impossible choice the team must escape Mutant America and attempt to find civilization or die trying.
PLUS! An interview with superstar artist and trickster creator, SCOTT MORSE, a KEVIN MELLON art gallery, con photos, and original articles all celebrating the creator owned spirit!