Around the Tubes

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Did you go to the comic shop yesterday? If so, what’d you get?

Around the Tubes

CBLDF – SPX Contributes $10,000 To CBLDF, Raising A Total of $25,000 For Free Speech! – Awesome!

The Beat – Mark Waid on the true cost of digital – This fact seems like common sense.

The Mary Sue – Joseph Gordon-Levitt May be Branching Out of the DC Universe to Guardians of the Galaxy – Is this the new thing in Hollywood? How many comic franchises or publishers you can act in or for?

GamePolitics – Comic Book Legal Defense Fund Takes Aim at Senator Jay Rockefeller’s Video Games ‘Research’ Bill – Great to see some push back.

Around the Tubes Reviews

Talking Comics – American Vampire #34

Talking Comics – Justice League Dark #15

IGN – New Avengers #1

Thank You for an Amazing 2012!

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2012 was a banner year for Graphic Policy! Our site and our radio show both showed tremendous growth and it’s all because of you, our readers. So, I wanted to take this time to say thank you so much for making it an awesome year for us and on to 2013!

We’re starting the year off right with contests right away, so check back tomorrow for our first of the year.

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I wasn’t kidding when I said we saw tremendous growth. You can see the explosion of traffic about half way through the year and that was scene across the board. Our Twitter account and Facebook both saw a nice community growing and our recently launched Google+ page has been going strong.

We had more contests than ever this year, with more to come and covered more conventions than ever before. Expect even more of that in 2013!

Our traffic surged by growing over 2.5 times the previous year with a daily average almost 3 times the previous year. We were visited by 195 different countries with the United States in the lead, but Canada and the United Kingdom not far behind.

The most popular posts of year were:

We took on the comic book industry and battled back against SOPA and PIPA and won! We whipped up support, including publishers and creators, not just the fans. Not only did we cover comic and geek news, we made it by participating in the biggest grassroots effort ever!

So, from the bottom of all of our hearts, thank you so much and here’s to an amazing 2013!

Preview – The Darkness #109

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The Darkness #109

Story by: David Hine Art By: Jeremy Haun
Price: $2.99

“BREAKING DARK,” Part Four
Jackie Estacado has made a lot of enemies, but he has no idea how powerful the gangster Balakov has become. Without the Darkness at his command, will Jackie be able to protect his family? DAVID HINE (THE DARKNESS: FOUR HORSEMEN, THE BULLETPROOF COFFIN) and JEREMY HAUN (ARTIFACTS, Detective Comics) conclude their second story arc that will question everything you think you know about the Top Cow universe.

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IDW Publishing Previews – 1/2/13

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Cobra #20

Mike Costa (w) • Antonio Fuso (a & c)

OKTOBER IS BURNING! The covert G.I. JOE team is in for the fight of their lives as they go toe-to-toe against the OKTOBER GUARD! But who are they? Where did they come from? And what do they want? The answers will shock you—but we can tell you that MAJOR BLUDD is looking for retribution!

FC • 32 pages • $3.99

Complete Dick Tracy, Vol. 14

Chester Gould (w & a & c)

What does Crewy Lou do with Bonny Braids? Dick and Tess’s baby isn’t the only child in danger in Volume 14: wait ’til you meet Sparkle Plenty’s new best friend, “Little Wings,” and discover the ominous reason she appears to glow in the dark! Chester Gould also ramps up the violence and death traps, introduces more inventions (closed circuit surveillance, the first broadcast police line-up), and more cra-a-zy characters such as Tonsils, Dot View, Mr. Crime, Odds Zonn, Newsuit Nan, and Spinner ReCord, plus the touching story of the girl known as Model. Including all strips from September 16, 1951 – April 18, 1953.

HC • B&W • $39.99 • 256 pages • 11” x 8.5” • ISBN 978-1-61377-507-3

Danger Girl / G.I. JOE #5

Andy Hartnell (w) • John Royle (a) • J. Scott Campbell (c)

The two most incredible covert action teams the world has ever known—so covert, in fact, that neither knows the other exists—are meeting for the first time ever! Repeat:  Danger Girl and G.I. JOE, together. Spies! Girls! Ninjas! COBRA!

Doctor Who #4

Brandon Seifert (w) • Philip Bond (a) • Mark Buckingham (c)

The second issue in a special two-part story featuring the art of Philip Bond! With the Doctor and Rory on a boys night out gone wrong, Amy must face the Silence on her own! All that plus lots of beer!

FC • 32 pages • $3.99

Dungeons & Dragons: Forgotten Realms

Ed Greenwood (w) • Lee Ferguson & Sal Buscema (a) • Tyler Walpole (c)

Forgotten Realms creator Ed Greenwood opens the adventures of an unlikely new band of heroes who get into a bit more trouble than usual in the fabled port city of Waterdeep, but soon discover some of the seedier corners of the wider Realms—the hard way! Joined by artists Lee Ferguson and Sal Buscema, this new series kicks off a deadly tale with a kidnapping that is more—and less—than it seems…

HC • FC • $24.99 • 124 pages • 8.5” x 11” • ISBN 978-1-61377-509-7

Godzilla: Half Century War # 4 (of 5)

James Stokoe (w & a & c)

New technologies and new recruits lead the AMF now, while Ota and Kentaro are stuck watching. But when a new threat comes to town from space, technology and young blood mean nothing. Will the grizzled vets be able to save the day? Don’t miss this action packed issue, it’ll have you seeing three Godzillas!

FC • 32 pages • $3.99

Mars Attacks Popeye

Martin Powell (w) • Terry Beatty (a) • Ray Dillon (c)

The weekly event of the year starts on the second day of the year! Mars Attacks Martians invade five different IDW timelines and universes this month, starting with their assault on Sweethaven. How can Popeye, Alice the Goon, the Sea Hag the rest of the one-eyed sailor’s friends and foes possibly contend with this threat from beyond the stars?

FC • 32 pages • $3.99

My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic #2 (of 4)

Katie Cook (w) • Andy Price (a) • Katie Cook x 3 (c)

Queen Chrysalis has returned! Our ponies have no time to horse around, as they set off to rescue their friends from Chrysalis kingdom. What magical adventures await them, and where the heck is Princess Celestia?

FC • 32 pages • $3.99

Star Trek #16

Mike Johnson (w) • Stephen Molnar (a) • Tim Bradstreet (c)

Concluding the two-part re-imagining of the classic “Mirror Universe” episode! Don’t miss this radical transformation of Kirk & Co., as events unfold leading up to next summer’s STAR TREK sequel! Overseen by STAR TREK writer/producer Roberto Orci!

FC • 32 pages • $3.99

Transformers: Prime—Rage of the Dinobots #2 (of 4)

Mike Johnson & Mairghread Scott (w) • Agustin Padilla (a) • Ken Christiansen (c)

CYBERTRON FALLING! As their world collapses around them, the DINOBOTS battle SHOCKWAVE’s forces to protect the fleeing Cybertronians! SWOOP’s life hangs in the balance—his teammates fight to save him, but will he succumb to evil? The answer may not be what you expect!

FC • 32 pages • $3.99

Transformers: Robots In Disguise, Vol. 2

John Barber (w) • Livio Ramondelli, Brendan Cahill, & Andrew Griffith (a) • Andrew Griffith (c)

OPTIMUS PRIME has given up his title and is now Orion Pax, and he is on the trail of the deadliest DECEPTICON of all…SHOCKWAVE. The Decepticon Justice Division gets a turn as well, hunting those who disobeyed MEGATRON. And the DINOBOTS are back, headed by Ironhide into the Cybertronian wilderness searching for lost AUTOBOTS…but what they find might be the greatest danger of all!

TPB • FC • $17.99 • 104 pages • ISBN 978-1-61377-541-7

Updated: Comic Book Writer Matt Fraction Does More to Help Sandy Victims than the House Republicans

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Hawkeye_7_CoverAfter the House of Representatives passed legislation to avoid the fiscal cliff, the 112th Congress was called to a close without action to help bring some relief to those who suffered through Hurricane Sandy. The Sandy relief bill had already passed the Senate 62-32. By not taking action, we must wait until the next Congress is sworn in and try again. It was thought asking for what is essentially a spending bill would cause issues with the Conservative and extreme wing of the Republican party.

The action drew condemnation from New Jersey Republican Governor Christie as well as local Congressmen who represent the affected areas. The lack of action was so bad, the Congressmen have hinted they may switch parties and become Democrats.

Comic book writer Matt Fraction took to Twitter to blast the do-nothing Congress.

This January, Hawkeye #7 will feature two stories following Clint Barton and Kate Bishop as they navigate the landscape of storm-ravaged New York and New Jersey with guest art from Steve Leiber and Jesse Hamm and written by Fraction. Fraction has stated he will be giving all of his royalties to the Red Cross. That’s more for relief efforts than the Republican controlled House.

So, I put forth this challenge to the comic book community. Let’s do more for those who have suffered from Sandy than the United States House of Representatives. Lets take up Matt Fraction’s challenge and purchase copies, driving sales up and in the end giving to a worthy charity (it’d be great to see Marvel give all profits to charity). You can feel good about a comic you purchased, one for giving, but two because Hawkeye is one hell of a read.

Update: A vote on $9 billion for immediate aid is now set for Friday, with the balance of $51 billion due for consideration January 15.

Update 2: A good accounting of the chaos surrounding this vote.

Preview – Blackacre #2

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Blackacre #2

Story by: Duffy Boudreau Art By: Wendell Cavalcanti Cover By: Brian Churilla
Price: $2.99

Hull ventures deeper into the wilds of the Hinterlands to uncover a lost comrade’s fate, but a savage encounter threatens to derail everything. Back in the opulent and ultramodern city-state of BlackAcre, the aggressive designs of Sinclair, an ambitious young Guardian, come to light.

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Henry Winkler Added To Wizard World Portland Comic Con

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Fans of Happy Days, the first Scream, Waterboy and Arrested Development have a  big reason to head to Wizard World Portland Comic Con, Feb. 22-24, 2013, at the Oregon Convention Center. It was announced that Henry Winkler, the Fonz, will be joining the celebrity roster attending the inaugural show.

After achieving success as Fonzie, originally written as a minor character but which soon earned Winkler billing alongside other series stars Ron Howard and Tom Bosley, Winkler quickly transitioned to produce the successful television series MacGyver and direct the film Memories of Me, among dozens of off-screen credits over the past four decades.

Winkler, scheduled to appear at Wizard World Portland Comic Con all three days, adds to an already star-studded lineup that includes comics legend Stan Lee, Evil Dead star Bruce Campbell, Homeland headliner Morena Baccarin and “Superman” Dean Cain, along with a diverse collection of popular comics creators and a variety of activities, exhibitors and special attractions in the first event on Wizard World’s 2013 calendar and the first Wizard World event in the “City of Roses.”

Admission is free for kids 10 and under, and Sunday, Feb. 24, is “Kids Day,” featuring an array of programming specially designed for children.

Event hours are Friday, Feb. 22, 3-8 p.m.; Saturday, Feb. 23, 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.; and Sunday, Feb. 24, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Review – Punk Rock Jesus #6

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punk rock jesus #6I picked up the first issue of Sean Murphy‘s mini-series Punk Rock Jesus and thought it was pretty solid. The plan, for me, was to wait until it was a trade paperback and then read all six issues in one go. DC decided to change that plan a bit by sending me an early review copy of Punk Rock Jesus #6. After reading it, I’m so tempted to go back and pick up the issues I missed right away.

Murphy describes the mini-series as an “autobiography cleverly disguised as science fiction.” It’s the near future, and the newest hit reality television show has the unlikeliest celebrity of all – a clone of Jesus Christ. A messiah to some, a sacrilege to others, he causes outrage, adulation and chaos first in a reality TV series, J2, then as a rebellious teenager when he joins a punk rock band.

The final issue takes on the ramification of all this. How would the world react to a cloned Jesus Christ? And what would happen if he toured in a rock band? There’s some smart commentary on modern religion and extremism in this final issue.

Overall, it wraps up nicely. Even not knowing what occurred in the previous issues, I was able to follow it pretty easily. I picked up what was going on, and still enjoyed it. There’s enough there to appreciate the commentary at least.

Murphy’s writing is only topped by his art, which we’ve seen in Joe the Barbarian and American Vampire: Survival of the Fittest. The art is fantastic as expected. Combined that with his writing and you can see why Murphy has a following and why I keep my eyes out for whatever his name is attached to.

After reading this one issue, it’s not a surprise this series landed on so many “best of” lists. I absolutely recommend it if you’re able to get all of the issues and especially if you’ve followed it up until now. I myself am definitely picking up what I missed, either as individual issues or as the eventual trade paperback.

Story and Art: Sean Murphy

Story: 8.25 Art: 8.25 Overall: 8.25 Recommendation: Buy

DC Comics provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Lady Mechanika Splits From Aspen

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I’ve been wondering where Lady Mechanika has been. It’s a fantastic series and one that has been missed, a lot (at least by me). Aspen has issued the following press release that they and Lady Mechanika creator Joe Benitez have parted ways.

ASPEN COMICS AND JOE BENITEZ SEPARATE

Press Release

01-01-13

Aspen and Joe Benitez announce they have amicably separated their publishing interests by mutual agreement. Peter Steigerwald, Aspen MLT, Inc. Co-Owner and frequent artistic collaborator with Joe Benitez, had this to say:

“We [Aspen] have greatly appreciated Joe’s time here with us and his involvement and promotion of Aspen Comics over the years. Joe and I have discussed his future plans and his desire to venture out on his own. As many know, ten years ago our Founder, Michael Turner, took a similar position and stepped away from his publisher, taking full publishing control of his own creations by founding Aspen Comics. We wish Joe well, and hope for a bright future for him and his creations, including Lady Mechanika. This has been a friendly separation and I plan on continuing to be there for him as colorist and collaborator as he wraps up his Lady Mechanika series. Aspen will be happy to provide any support he needs as he steps out on his own. I’ve been personal friends with Joe for nearly 20 years and I know this has long been a hope for him—to be able to found his own home for his creative visions.”

“Aspen has an ambitious schedule next year with our ’10 for 10’ initiative along with Fathom’s 15year anniversary, and we wanted both Aspen and Joe to start 2013 out on the right foot.”

The Lady Mechanika series will continue according to the plans of Joe Benitez.

Joe had this to say:

“I am both anxious and excited to be venturing out on my own with Lady Mechanika.  Aspen has been very supportive and I am and always will be grateful to them for giving Lady Mechanika her first home.  As I’ve stated in the past, working with Peter has been one of the highlights of my career.  He is an incredible talent whom I greatly admire and respect, and I hope to continue working with him on Lady Mechanika as well as other future projects.

I wish to extend a heartfelt thanks to all the fans and retailers for their patience and support. I hope you will continue to bear with me during this transitional period.  My plans for Lady Mechanika include finishing “The Mystery of the Mechanical Corpse” this upcoming year and also launching a monthly Lady Mechanika ongoing series.

May 2013 bring success and prosperity to both Lady Mechanika and Aspen.  Let’s go make some great comics!”

For more information on Lady Mechanika and Joe Benitez please check out www.joebenitez.com.

For more information on Aspen Comics please check www.aspencomics.com and www.aspenstore.com and follow Aspen’s “10 for 10” on Twitter with the hash tag: #Aspen10

(via Bleeding Cool)

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