Tag Archives: todd klein

Echolands #1 Sells Out and Gets a New Printing

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The highly anticipated Echolands #1 by J.H. Williams III, W. Haden Blackman, colorist Dave Stewart, and letterer Todd Klein launched to immense critical acclaim and has sold out completely at the distributor level. The debut issue is being rushed back to print in order to keep up with escalating demand.

This breathtaking launch defies comic book medium expectations and provides an unforgettable feast-for-the-eyes in a sprawling landscape format. Each spread page expertly showcases the artwork and the unique reading experience instantly sent fans abuzz with excitement for its mesmerizing story.  

Set in a bizarre future world that has forgotten its history, Echolands follows reckless thief Hope Redhood. Hope holds the key to excavating a strange, dark past—but only if she and her crew can escape a tyrannical wizard and his unstoppable daughter. But fate will send them all on a path leading to a war between worlds.

Echolands is a mythic fiction epic where anything is possible; a fast-paced genre mashup adventure that combines everything from horror movie vampires to classic mobsters and cyborg elves, to Roman demigods and retro rocket ships. It’s going to be a helluva ride!

Echolands #1, second printing Cover A (Diamond Code JUN219179) and Echolands #1, second printing Cover B 1:25 copy incentive (Diamond Code JUN219180) will be available at comic book shops on Wednesday, October 6.

Available on Wednesday, September 29:

  • Echolands #2 Cover A by Williams III – Diamond Code JUL210225
  • Echolands #2 Cover B by Sampson – Diamond Code JUL210226
  • Echolands Raw Cut Edition #1 Cover A by Williams III – Diamond Code JUL210058
  • Echolands Raw Cut Edition #1 Cover B by Williams III – Diamond Code JUL210059

Fables Returns with Fables #151 and Batman vs. Bigby! A Wolf in Gotham

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Once upon a time, fans met the characters of Fabletown, the hidden city populated by legendary heroes and villains of fairy tales and folklore. Now, in celebration of its upcoming 20th anniversary, the bestselling series Fables is picking up where it left off—and expanding into the DC Universe. To celebrate 20 years, two new releases featuring the Fables world has been announced.

First, on sale in September, Batman vs. Bigby! A Wolf in Gotham sees Fables’s infamous sleuth Bigby Wolf go head-to-head with the world’s greatest detective, Batman, in this six-issue spinoff miniseries from DC Black Label. Written by Bill Willingham with pencils by Brian Level, inks by Jay Leisten, and colors by Lee Loughridge, this crossover detective story will delight fans of both Batman and Fables—or fans who just love a good noir mystery.

Then, on sale the first week of May 2022, the main story line continues with Fables #151—just in time for the 20th anniversary of Fables #1. Fables #151 is the first installment of “The Black Forest,” a 12-issue arc that picks up where the story left off in Fables #150, and is also a perfect jumping-on point for new readers. The series also reunites the core creative team, with pencils by Mark Buckingham, inks by Steve Leialoha, colors by Lee Loughridge, and letters by Todd Klein.

Bill Willingham’s return to DC will also include Cursemas, a 48-page standalone holiday special featuring the Justice League. 

J.H. Williams III, W. Haden Blackman, Dave Stewart, and Todd Klein Launch Echolands in August

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Image has revealed the anticipated Echolands series by J.H. Williams III, W. Haden Blackman, colorist Dave Stewart, and letterer Todd Klein. This long-awaited comic book event from the multiple award-winning Batwoman creative team will launch from Image Comics in August and push the boundaries of storytelling to its limits.

The new series will present a sprawling, eye-popping tale and feature lush, career-defining artwork and a mesmerizing story in a unique landscape format. Each issue of the series will offer a Raw Cut edition, featuring the art from J.H. Williams III as it looked when leaving his work studio.

Set in a bizarre future world that has forgotten its history, Echolands follows a reckless thief Hope Redhood. Hope holds the key to excavating a strange, dark past—but only if she and her crew can escape a tyrannical wizard and his unstoppable daughter. But fate will send them all on a path leading to a war between worlds. 

Echolands is a mythic fiction epic where anything is possible; a fast-paced genre mashup adventure that combines everything from horror movie vampires to classic mobsters and cyborg elves, to Roman demigods and retro rocket ships. It’s going to be a helluva ride!

Echolands #1 Cover A (Diamond Code JUN210009) and Echolands #1 Cover B (Diamond Code JUN210010) will be available at comic book shops on Wednesday, August 25.

Review: Batman: Black & White #1

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Batman: Black & White #1

Anthology series are always something I enjoy to read in comics. In a comic, you get varied voices and styles, getting to see what creators you might not read would do with characters. It’s also a chance to see what different creators would do in the same sandbox. That often results in a lot of variation showing how versatile comics and their characters can be. Batman: Black & White #1 kicks off a new series with one hell of a start.

Batman: Black & White #1 is one of the best anthologies I’ve read in some time. While the stories are varied and interesting, this debut issue’s art is what really stands out. There’s a common theme, beyond Batman, of artists breaking the mold delivering visuals that “break the page”.

With five stories, Batman: Black & White #1 gives us variation not just in styles but the perspectives and subjects. There’s some “traditional” Batman focused stories but others come from different perspectives. The opening for example is told from the perspective of a member of the League of Assassins.

Each story is entertaining in their own way. They are varied in pacing, tone, and focus, keeping things interesting. Some keep things more traditional in the narrative while others are presented in a more poetic style. The dialogue and types of stories alone are worth picking up the issue. But, it’s the art that really stands out in this issue.

The styles of art vary but they all have one thing in common. Each story breaks traditional page layouts and panels. The opening story uses Batman’s cape to break up the sequences, another is laid out like poem flowing across the page. Another story uses the pearls of Bruce Wayne’s mother to break up the page. In an amazing visual, art from throughout the years is laid out on page like a collage of Batman’s history. You’ll linger on every page in awe as to what’s been laid out. Every inch of the page is used and used well. Only one of the stories comes close to expected page layouts and even then, that tale delivers a lot for Batman fans in the background.

All of that is delivered in black and white.

Batman: Black & White #1 is a hell of a start to the series. It had me lingering on pages in awe of what was before me and wanting more. It shows off some amazing art and will have you longing for more of this and fewer boxes on the page. This is a fantastic issue for Batman fans and fans of beautiful art. It also creates a high bar for future issues to reach.

Story: James Tynion IV, J.H. Williams III, G. Willow Wilson, Emma Rios, Paul Dini
Art: Tradd Moore, J.H. Williams III, Greg Smallwood, Emma Rios, Andy Kubert, Dexter Soy
Letterer: Clayton Cowles, Todd Klein, Clem Robins, Steve Wands, Rob Leigh
Story 8.45 Art: 10 Overall: 9.0 Recommendation: Buy

DC Comics provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Purchase: comiXology – Kindle – Zeus Comics

Preview: Batman Giant #4

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Batman Giant #4

Story: Mark Russell, Steve Orlando, Scott Snyder, Greg Rucka, Tim Seeley
Art: Ryan Benjamin, Tom Lyle, Greg Capullo, JH Williams III, Javier Fernandez
Ink Richard Friend, Jonathan Glapion
Color: Alex Sinclair, Jeromy Cox, FCO, Dave Stewart, Chris Sotomayor
Letterer: Troy Peteri, Jimmy Betancourt, Todd Klein, Carlos M. Mangual
On Sale Date: April 28, 2020

Classic stories from the world of The Dark Knight, plus an all-new chapter of the original story “Concrete Jungle,” by Mark Russell (Exit Stage Left: The Snagglepuss Chronicles) and Ryan Benjamin!

Batman Giant #4

A First Look at Hill House Comics; The Dollhouse Family #1

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The Dollhouse Family #1

Written by M.R. Carey
Art by Peter Gross and Vince Locke
Colors by Cris Peter
Lettering by Todd Klein
Cover by Jessica Dalva
Variant Cover by Jay Anacleto
In Shops: Nov 13, 2019
Final Orders Due: Oct 21, 2019
SRP: $3.99

Playtime Never Ends.

Hill House Comics welcomes its deeply disturbing second series, The Dollhouse Family! On Alice’s sixth birthday, her dying great-aunt sent her the birthday gift she didn’t know she always wanted: a big, beautiful 19th-century dollhouse, complete with a family of antique dolls. In no time at all, the dollhouse isn’t just Alice’s favorite toy…it’s her whole world. And soon, young Alice learns she can enter the house to visit a new group of friends, straight out of a heartwarming children’s novel: the Dollhouse family. But while the Dollhouse family welcome her with open arms, in the real world, her family life is becoming much more complicated…and deep within the Dollhouse’s twisting halls, the black room waits, with an offer to Alice. The house can fix all this, the black room says. All she has to do is say the words… 

Longtime collaborators Mike Carey and Peter Gross (Lucifer, The Unwritten) are joined by Vince Locke (The Sandman), to bring their most horrifying vision yet to the Joe Hill-curated Hill House Comics pop-up—a story that echoes into centuries past, into Alice’s tormented future, and into the beating heart of the madness that makes up our world…literally. 

Plus, in chapter two of the “Sea Dogs” backup story (continued from Basketful of Heads #1) written by Joe Hill and illustrated by Dan McDaid, spymaster Benjamin Tallmadge’s monstrous scheme is underway as his coerced crew of bloodthirsty colonial lycanthropes prepare to gut the Royal Navy from within!

The Dollhouse Family #1

Review: Books of Magic #1

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The Sandman Universe is back with brand new series and new creative teams. Books of Magic #1 follows a young magician who is destined for greatness – though whether he will be a force for good or evil has yet to be determined.

Books of Magic #1 is written by Kat Howard, with art by Tom Fowler, color by Jordan Boyd, and lettering by Todd Klein.

Get your copy in comic shops today. 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/Kindle/comiXology or TFAW

 

DC Comics provided Graphic Policy with FREE copies for review
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Black Hammer Gets a Director’s Cut

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Since its debut in 2016, Jeff Lemire and Dean Ormston’s Black Hammer has taken the world by storm with a loyal fanbase, several spin-offs, and an Eisner Award for Best New Series to its name!

Dark Horse is taking fans behind the panel with this deluxe director’s cut showcasing high res, uncleaned scans of Dean Ormston’s beautiful inked line art from the first issue of the award-winning Black Hammer series. The director’s cut also includes Todd Klein’s lettering, Jeff Lemire’s original script, and a high res scan of the original cover. A must for collectors and all Black Hammer fans!

Black Hammer: Director’s Cut goes on sale January 16, 2019. With 51 story pages, this special edition of Black Hammer #1 retails for only $4.99!

Review: Wonder Woman: Earth One Vol. 2

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For years, Diana of Paradise Island yearned to leave the only home she knew behind for adventures that laid beyond its shores. Now, after a fateful meeting with Air Force pilot Steve Trevor, the Amazon Warrior finds herself in Man’s World. And she is ready for anything that it may throw at her.

But is the world ready for Wonder Woman? An American government, fraught with dissension and conflicts foreign to Diana, has deemed her a danger to society. How will Wonder Woman carry out her mission of peace and love in a world that can’t get out of its own way? That is, unless there are more insidious forces at play…

It’s been quite a while since I read the first volume of Grant Morrison‘s Wonder Woman: Earth One but it sticks out as interesting but nothing special. This second volume though absolutely stands out from the pack in the best way possible.

Morrison, who is generally a hit or miss writer for me, delivers a graphic novel that’s relevant for today. Wonder Woman is out front on the world stage but the question stands as to how the world would react. Morrison gives us what feels like what would be close to reality in that there’s those that fear her, those that want to follow her, and those that want her to rise up and smash the patriarchy. Instead of the Goddess of War as we’ve seen elsewhere, this Wonder Woman, and the Amazonians, are warriors who battle through heart and peace. They’re are less likely to punch you than hug you. It’s an interesting dynamic and one that has her outlook on the world clashing with reality creating much of the tension in this volume.

Wonder Woman’s nemesis is one for the time being a pick up artist who uses techniques to try to control Wonder Woman and have her do his bidding. Between that and lots of talk about feminism and the patriarchy this is a graphic novel that uses today’s socio-political setting as a basis of the story. It reflects our reality in many ways and shows us a hero dealing with the real problems we face. Also present is a Nazi villain that mixes in a bit of white supremacy into the mix. While the plot has some elements that feel like too much of a stretch and not explained well enough, overall it uses our reality as an excellent driver.

Morrison also gives nods to the history of Wonder Woman with references to her bondage and BDSM roots and never crossing over the line into titillation. There’s winks and nods throughout as to what has come before and that includes the art by Yanick Paquette.

Paquette is joined by Nathan Fairborn on colors and Todd Klein on lettering. The art is vibrant with pages that weave together Wonder Woman’s lasso and iconic stars into the page layout an panels. The art is beautiful to look at and has an energy about it that’s reflected in the story and character. There’s an excitement about it all and as far as page design, this is some of the best of the year. It feels innovative and something I hope to see more of.

The overall package is great and small story issues are easily overlooked. Morrison and the team have put together a graphic novel that’s relevant to today. It uses what’s going on the real world to drive the story but never lets it get overwhelmed by it. Instead, the graphic novel delivers a lot of what we want and it being an Earth One story, we get to see new directions we never expected. This is a the Wonder Woman of love and heart that has no problem punching someone. In today’s world, that feels like something fresh and new.

Story: Grant Morrison Art: Yanick Paquette Color: Nathan Fairborn Lettering: Todd Klein
Story: 8.5 Art: 9.0 Overall: 8.75 Recommendation: Buy

DC Comics provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Emi Lenox Returns to Black Hammer with Black Hammer: Cthu-Louise

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High school can be hell for anyone, but it’s especially difficult for teenage girls spawned by the emissary of a Cthulhu god! Based on Jeff Lemire and Dean Ormston’s Eisner Award-winning series, Black Hammer: Cthu-Louise explores the realities of attending high school as an outsider. Black Hammer co-creator Jeff Lemire pens this one-shot. Superstar artist Emi Lenox, Black Hammer colorist Dave Stewart, and legendary letterer Todd Klein join him on this new adventure. The beautiful cover and variant covers are by Emi Lenox and Jill Thompson.

In Black Hammer: Cthu-Louise, Cthu-Louise struggles and is teased at school due to her monstrous appearance. Finally fed up with the bullying and abuse, she decides she will do anything to make herself “normal.” It’s Carrie meets Call of the Cthulhu!

The Black Hammer: Cthu-Louise one-shot goes on sale December 12, 2018.

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