Tag Archives: steve skroce

Dark Horse To Publish Geof Darrow’s Shaolin Cowboy: Cruel to Be Kin

This year, Dark Horse Comics will publish Shaolin Cowboy: Cruel to Be Kin, an all-new, seven part comic book series of action-packed intellectual drama by award-winning Geof Darrow and Eisner award-winning colorist Dave Stewart. The latest installment in the Eisner-Award-winning Shaolin Cowboy series is set in Phase 4 of the SCU, where the Shaolin Cowboy finds his parenting skills being tested when he is forced to homeschool during a pandemic of unparalleled violence, in a story torn from yesterday’s viral twitter feeds. Can he get a kung fu grip on the situation before a horde of .45 loving human monsters and not so human monsters send him to the ICU? Only guns, swords, and flying guillotines will tell!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

For nearly twenty years, Darrow’s been creating stories for the Shaolin Cowboy that are chock full of monsters, carnage, copses, and chainsaws. For the latest, epic Shaolin Cowboy series, some of the biggest names in comics will provide variant covers:

  • issue #1: Mike Mignola
  • issue #1: Alice Darrow
  • issue #2: Frank Quitely
  • issue #2: Ed Piskor
  • issue #3: Stan Sakai
  • issue #3: Steve Skroce
  • issue #4: Duncan Fegredo
  • issue #4: Jim Rugg
  • issue #5: Katsuya Terada
  • issue #6: James Harren
  • issue #7: Tsui Hark

Dark Horse Comics will publish Shaolin Cowboy: Cruel to Be Kin issue 1 on May 18, 2022.

Preview: Ben Reilly: Spider-Man #1

Ben Reilly: Spider-Man #1

(W) J.M. Dematteis (A) David Baldeon (CA) Steve Skroce
In Shops: Jan 19, 2022
SRP: $3.99

BECAUSE YOU DEMANDED IT! Iconic Spider-Man scribe J.M. DeMatteis (KRAVEN’S LAST HUNT, SPIDER-MAN: THE LOST YEARS) returns to spin his webs once more within the Spidey mythos, this time joined by explosive artist David Balde n (WEB WARRIORS, DOMINO)! Together, they’re bringing you unlocked memories in the life of BEN REILLY, A.K.A. SPIDER-MAN! Darkness looms over New York City as murders begin to pile up…but how are they all connected? Do the answers Ben is looking for reside in the haunted halls of the RAVENCROFT INSTITUTE? Find out as we return to the era when Ben Reilly was the one, true SPIDER-MAN!

Ben Reilly: Spider-Man #1

Dan Jurgens’ Original Ben Reilly Design is Showcased in Ben Reilly: Spider-Man #1 Covers

This January, fans will get the chance to return to the era when Ben Reilly was the one, true Spider-Man in Ben Reilly: Spider-Man, an all-new limited series by iconic Spider-Man scribe J.M. DeMatteis and explosive artist David Baldeón! To celebrate these untold adventures of Ben Reilly, Marvel is proud to unveil another hidden piece of Ben Reilly history: legendary artist Dan Jurgens’ unused Ben Reilly costume design! Jurgens’ original design sheet and sketch art from 1995 will adorn Ben Reilly: Spider-Man #1 as variant covers and this bold costume may also play a surprising role in Ben Reilly’s saga by the end of the new series…

Here’s what Jurgens had to say about his costume design seeing new light as covers:

Back in 1995 when we were launching the new SENSATIONAL SPIDER-MAN series with Ben Reilly taking over as Spidey, we decided to tweak his costume. Mark Bagley and I each took a swing and Mark’s classic design—quite appropriately—was the winner. I filed the art away and pretty much forgot about it until the new series came up in a recent conversation and I happened to think of it. Definitely cool now that, after all these years, this other version will finally see the light of day as one of the variants to Ben Reilly: Spider-Man #1. It’s even more cool to be drawing Ben again, with regular variant covers for the duration of the series!

Check out Dan Jurgens’ design below as well as all six covers for Ben Reilly: Spider-Man #1 including variant covers by Skottie Young and Alex Maleev and pick up the debut issue on January 19!

Preview: Death of Doctor Strange: Avengers #1

Death of Doctor Strange: Avengers #1

(W) Alex Paknadel (A) Ryan Bodenheim (CA) Steve Skroce
RATED T+
In Shops: Nov 03, 2021
SRP: $4.99

EARTH’S WEAKEST HEROES!
• With Doctor Strange gone, the Avengers are the only ones who can stop a rampaging Juggernaut-like monster from wrecking all of Manhattan!
• But what does this mystical creature want?
• And how does the magic-skeptical Iron Man hold the answer?

Death of Doctor Strange: Avengers #1

Preview: Death of Doctor Strange: Avengers #1

Death of Doctor Strange: Avengers #1

(W) Alex Paknadel (A) Ryan Bodenheim (CA) Steve Skroce
RATED T+
In Shops: Nov 03, 2021
SRP: $4.99

EARTH’S WEAKEST HEROES!
• With Doctor Strange gone, the Avengers are the only ones who can stop a rampaging Juggernaut-like monster from wrecking all of Manhattan!
• But what does this mystical creature want?
• And how does the magic-skeptical Iron Man hold the answer?

Death of Doctor Strange: Avengers #1

J.M. Dematteis Returns to Marvel in Ben Reilly: Spider-Man

J.M. DeMatteis, writer of influential Spider-Man stories such as Kraven’s Last Hunt and Spider-Man: The Lost Years, will make his celebrated return to Marvel this January with Ben Reilly: Spider-Man! The iconic Spider-Man scribe will reveal new stories in the life of Peter Parker’s clone, Ben Reilly, during his time as Spider-Man. DeMatteis will be joined by X-Factor and Domino artist David Baldeón as they unlock new secrets about this fan-favorite hero! In the same vein as Peter David and Greg Land’s hit Symbiote Spider-Man series, Ben Reilly: Spider-Man will explore thrilling new mysteries set in this classic time in Spider-Man history!

Darkness looms over New York City as murders begin to pile up…but how are they all connected? Meanwhile, a mysterious figure from Ben’s past has crawled his way back into Ben’s life—does the Ravencroft Institute for the Criminally Insane hold the key to their identity?

Return to the era when Ben Reilly was the one, true Spider-Man when Ben Reilly: Spider-Man hits stands in January! Ben Reilly: Spider-Man #1 features a cover by Steve Skroce and David Stewart.

Ben Reilly: Spider-Man

Doctor Strange’s Death is Felt Across the Marvel Universe and Explored in New Tie-in Issues

The final saga of Doctor Strange is upon us! This September, the Marvel Universe will lose its Sorcerer Supreme in Death of Doctor Strange, a new limited series written by Jed MacKay with art by Lee Garbett. This startling story will not only dive into the mystery behind Doctor Strange’s demise but also explore the major impact his death will have on the Earth that he so fiercely protected from countless mystical threats.

In addition to the main series, Death of Doctor Strange will also spin out into pulse-pounding tie-ins that deal with the ramifications from the loss of one of Marvel’s most vital heroes.

Written by Alex Paknadel with art by Ryan Bodenheim, Death of Doctor Strange: Avengers #1 will see Earth’s Mightiest Heroes face off against a rampaging new Juggernaut. Can they prevent the unstoppable being from destroying Manhattan or do they lack the magical expertise needed to find an answer? The issue features a cover by Steve Skroce.

And Strange Academy is shut down until the events surrounding Dr. Strange’s death are resolved in Strange Academy Presents: Death of Doctor Strange #1 written by Strange Academy creator Skottie Young with art by superstar cover artist Mike Del Mundo and featuring a cover by Humberto Ramos. When the student body is forced to return home, Iric and Alvi come face-to-face with their mother: the Enchantress! Dealing with problems of her own in the wake of Strange’s death, fans will learn that the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree and more than just one realm is in trouble.

Check out the covers of October’s Death of Doctor Strange installments now, including the poignant cover for Death of Doctor Strange #2 by Kaare Andrews.

Review: Post Americana #1

Post Americana #1

Steve Skroce‘s last project begins with Post Americana #1 taking us to a place called the Bubble and it’s a hulking installation built into a Colorado mountain, housing many of the 1%. One of them is to be the new leader of the United States but others have some different ideas. After bombing the inauguration, an escape happens, though short-lived, as they crash into the wastelands, the housing of various raiders and cannibals.

Post Americana #1 is a beautiful book to look at. I’ve been a fan of Steve Skroce for quite some time and really dug the last couple of projects he worked on, like Maestros and We Stand On Guard. Like Maestros, Skroce put in double time on this, doing both the writing and art. Skroce is at the top of his game, delivering page-after-page of highly-detailed artwork. His style is just about my favorite thing to look at.

Dave Stewart definitely adds another level of awesomeness with his colors. They go together well. It helps sell the image of a blade going through someone’s head or various mutated wasteland folks.  And besides the art, Skroce is a pretty good storyteller. If I had to nitpick, I’d say the dialogue is the weakest part of Post Americana #1.

A comic book like Post Americana #1 might draw readers in with its art but it is a pretty good story with an adequate balance of action and humor. If you read Skroce’s previous Image Comics book Maestros, you’ll like this as much, too.

Story: Steve Skroce Art: Steve Skroce Colors: Dave Stewart
Story: 7.0 Art: 10 Overall: 8.5

Image Comics provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy review


Purchase: comiXology – Kindle – Zeus Comics

Review: Post Americana #1

Post Americana #1

Post Americana #1 is a new entry in the apocalyptic post-America genre that feels like it’s in vogue right now. Steve Skroce does double duty in a debut issue that left me cheering for the bad guy.

In this world a disaster strikes forcing America’s leaders and their rich supporters to head to an underground bunker. But, the elected officials and heads of the government didn’t make it leaving just the rich to run the show. Now, years later, one person has come forward with a vision of re-uniting the United States.

Skroce delivers an interesting idea and concept. The idea of the rich taking over the nation completely and using it to rebuild in their vision is an interesting one. Unfortunately, what’s presented to start has be cheering them on.

After a daring escape from the bunker by those opposing the current leadership, we’re slowly introduced to what’s outside. What exists is a weird combination of Mad Max and other horrors, not exactly anyone you’d sympathize with. Beyond murder chickens there’s murdering rapists and murdering cannibals. We’re not presented with anyone we should be cheering to take on a stand. What’s hinted at beyond the initial two groups doesn’t sound much better since both seem to kneel to an unknown warlord. Everyone seems to be a bad guy and maybe that’s a point. There’s just a whole lot of bad directions and possibilities.

Skroce’s art is entertaining to look at and there’s a lot of creativity to the world. The style is very unique and stands out along with Dave Stewart‘s colors that make it all pop. There’s a lot of thought to the history of the world. Every character presented tells a story by themselves. It also opens up a lot of questions too as a society with such wonders has fallen into disarray and apparently, no one has used the technology to do much since.

Post Americana #1 delivers a good amount of action and some interesting concepts but as a whole has presented a lot of bad guys and no one to cheer on. Why wouldn’t I want a government to restore order when cannibals are running about? Where is the part of society that’s functioning and I’m supposed to care about? None of it is presented and none of it is really hinted at. For once, I’m hoping the 1% wins.

Story: Steve Skroce Art: Steve Skroce
Color: Dave Stewart Letterer: Fonografiks
Story: 7.0 Art: 7.95 Overall: 7.0 Recommendation: Read

Image Comics provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review


Purchase: comiXology – Kindle – Zeus Comics

Comics Deserve Better Episode 15: Dept. H, Volume 1 “Pressure” by Matt Kindt and Sharlene Kindt

On this episode of Comics Deserve Better, Brian, Darci, and Logan take a little undersea voyage and discuss the gorgeous visuals, complex characters, and clever storytelling of Matt Kindt and Sharlene Kindt‘s Dept. H from Dark Horse Comics. Seriously, this is a beautiful book with one hell of a mystery plot. They also discuss this week’s comics news, including Grant Morrison coming out as non-binary, the announcement of the Luther Strode and Henchgirl TV shows, the podcast Bubble becoming comic, and new books from Steve Skroce (Post Americana) and Mike Mignola (Young Hellboy: The Hidden Land) Other comics mentioned on the show include Wynd, Origins, Red Atlantis, Planet Paradise, Spice & Wolf, and Ablaze‘s The Cimmerian. (Episode art by Matt Kindt)

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