Tag Archives: 451 media group

451 Media Teams with stillalive studios to Bring DRONE SWARM to Comics and TV

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Experienced game developer stillalive studios and remote control productions GmbH (RCP) have announced they are partnering with Michael Bay’s 451 Media Group to develop the forthcoming sci-fi strategy game DRONE SWARM as original graphic novel and TV content targeted as a long form series for broadcast and streaming services.

The game’s storyline revolves around an onslaught of renegade hordes of alien drone swarms controlled by a mysterious unknown force that practically destroys our planet. In our fight to survive the devastation, mankind has found a way to gain control of the attacking alien technology and incorporates the drone swarm into their own ships to thwart future attacks as the survivors set out to look for a new home and rebuild the planet we’ve lost and, with it, the future of humanity. The gameplay involves the user controlling thousands of drones to fight, explore and invest in research to get more powerful abilities as the player achieves different levels within the game.

DRONE SWARM is a coup of the highest order for 451 Media that has grown from a comic publisher of high-end original IP to a VR producer for leading brands like Samsung and Nokia, to a fully vertical tech incubator and investor in emerging mixed reality companies such as Holor and Ion360.

Graphic Policy’s Top Comic Picks this Week!

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Wednesdays are new comic book day! Each week hundreds of comics are released, and that can be pretty daunting to go over and choose what to buy. That’s where we come in!

Each week our contributors are choosing up to five books and why they’re choosing the books. In other words, this is what we’re looking forward to and think you should be taking a look!

Find out what folks think below, and what comics you should be looking out for this Wednesday.

Mr. H

Top Pick: Superman #28 (DC Comics) – As part two of what has been one of my favorite comic tales for all of 2017 so far, to say I am amped up for “Road Trip” part 2 is quite the understatement. I enjoyed the first half so much that I can’t wait for a further look into the Kents impromptu jaunt across the good ole USA. Many touching scenes and cool moments we aren’t usually treated to in the comic books of these days and I want to be fed more that please!

Batman #28 (DC Comics) – This story has been back and forth in terms of good/ bad and coming off of a stellar interlude issue with the origin of Kite Man once again my interest has peaked. The homerun team of Grayson (King/ Janin) has a .500 average right now, I’m hoping they can break the spell and drill this one out of the park. It certainly has a lot of potential and I for one don’t want to leave the game early.

TMNT Dimension X #1 (IDW Publishing) – After the Free Comic Book Day special was such a blast, I am looking very forward to the Turtles returning to Dimension X. This title has been amazing since it’s become an IDW property and I see no signs of it slowing down. The road to issue 100 is going to be a fun one. Cowabunga!

X-Men Gold #9 (Marvel Comics) – Just like the title states, gold is what this has been since the relaunch. In fact it’s one of the only readable Marvel comics in the entire pantheon these days. Plus who doesn’t like them some Peter and Kitty? Nuff said.

 

Paul

Top Pick: Champions #11 (Marvel) – I just love this title; the action is good, love the characters and the team line up and I really like that between the super heroics, this title deals with issues that we see in our world every day, making it relevant and connecting with its readers. You’re missing out if you’re not reading this title.

Jessica Jones #11 (Marvel) – This has been an interesting title, and I am really liking the current story with Jessica getting stuck in the middle of Maria Hill, her secrets and the consequences of those secrets catching up with her. It’s a good read and one of my favorite characters.

X-Men Gold #9 (Marvel) – This has been a solid title from the beginning and one that I look forward to reading. I’m looking forward to this, as I always like to see Kitty and Colossus team up…and I know it’s corny, but I still get excited for the ‘will they or won’t they’ vibe I get when they’re teamed up, facing a threat together.

 

Joe

God Country TP (Image) – I love this book. This is a brilliant take on characters like Thor, with a senile old man who remembers his life when he holds a living sword that talks. So damn good!

Seven to Eternity #8 (Image) – Remender’s fantasy epic has been dark (like most of his work), unpredictable and exciting. I always am excited for more of his work.

Low #19 (Image) – Speaking of Remender, I wish this underwater (mostly) book came out faster, because it has been incredible so far.

All-New Guardians of the Galaxy #7 (Marvel) – Duggan is turning into a powerhouse at Marvel. I’ve loved him on Deadpool and he fits perfectly with this team.

 

Brett

Top Pick: Mech Cadet Yu #1 (BOOM! Studios) – I love giant robots and this series seems to scratch that itch with a story that seems like it’s geared towards all-ages with some art that has caught my eye. Since its announcement, this is one I’ve been excited to read and now I finally have the chance.

Catalyst Prime: Noble #4 (Lion Forge Comics) – Lion Forge is doing something special here putting together a world that’s diverse in every sense. Characters, creators, locations, concepts, it’s a prime example of how to do it right.

Dead of Winter #1 (Oni Press) – The popular board game comes to comics and I’m really excited to see how it all translates.

Generations: Banner Hulk & Totally Awesome Hulk (Marvel) – I’m intrigued, I have to admit. I’m not sure what to expect from these comics that bring together classic characters with their more modern version.

Stained #4 (451 Media) – The previous three issues have been amazing in this cyberpunk/noir mashup that has such an air of cool about it all. Kind of hard to jump in on the fourth issue, but well worth grabbing if you can get all of the back issues too.

 

Shay

Top Pick: DC Comics Bombshells #32 (DC Comics) – Marguerite Bennett wrote this issue and it’s all about bad ass ladies kicking ass, heroes, antiheroes and those who inhabit the area in between. Multifaceted female comic book characters with levels? This is everything we’ve been waiting for.

Top Pick: Harley’s Little Black Book HC (DC Comics) – I am wildly, madly in love with Amanda Conner & Jimmy Palmiotti portrayal of the complex Quinn. Now almost everything I love about their take on the character is in one place! Harley Quinn getting her love and hate on, in sexy hard cover format. What’s not to love about Harley going toe to toe with heroes and villains and everyone else? I’ve got a space for this one , right next to Fight Club 2!

Ghost Station Zero #1 (Image) – I’m intrigued by the concept. I love a bad ass lady with a blade.

Unboxing: Nerd Block’s May 2017 Comic Block

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May sees the release of Nerd Block’s latest Comic Block with a mix of items including a t-shirt, tumbler, bookends, and comics. Created specifically for comic fans, it’s always interesting to see what’s inside.

How does the block stack up? Is bigger better? Find out as we explore what’s in the box!?

Check out everything you get in the latest box, and you can sign up now and purchase the next Comic Block!

 

 

The above features an affiliate link of which we receive a percentage

451’s Stained #1 Gets a Second Printing

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Due to a continued demand for Stained #1, 451 is going back for a second print! The new cover is by artist Victoria Gedvillas. Gedvillas is a watercolorist and a regular at conventions and this is her debut cover in the comic book industry!

Meet Emma London: recovery artist and bounty hunter for hire. She is strong, possibly indomitable, and did we mention…part machine.

Emma is the type that dives head first into things that most wouldn’t and shouldn’t. Those dark places that no one else will go to track down the subhuman criminals lurking in the underbelly of society and brings them to justice. STAINED first comes to life with Emma trying to take down a pair of international diamond smugglers, but her story explodes forward when initially what was thought to be a hunt for a priceless painting with a record high bounty, leads her to something darker and more monstrous than she could have ever imagined.

The book is currently available for order through Diamond (APR178213) and will be in stores June 28th.

Unboxing: Nerd Block’s April 2017 Comic Block

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April sees the release of Nerd Block’s latest Comic Block with a mix of items including a t-shirt, print, and comics. Created specifically for comic fans, it’s always interesting to see what’s inside.

This latest expanded block is a big improvement over recent releases.

Is bigger better? Find out as we explore what’s in the box!?

Check out everything you get in the latest box, and you can sign up now and purchase the next Comic Block!

 

 

The above features an affiliate link of which we receive a percentage

Graphic Policy’s Top Comic Picks this Week!

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southernbastards16_coverartbWednesdays are new comic book day! Each week hundreds of comics are released, and that can be pretty daunting to go over and choose what to buy. That’s where we come in!

We’re bringing back something we haven’t done for a while, what the team thinks. Our contributors are choosing up to five books each week and why they’re choosing the books.

Find out what folks think below, and what comics you should be looking out for this Wednesday.

Alex

Top Pick: Voracious: Feeding Time #2 (Action Lab Entertainment) – Is anybody surprised by this? I mean… it’s not like I make a secret of the fact I absolutely love this series.

Ninjak #23 (Valiant) – Another unsurprising pick – there is usually always at least one Valiant book on my pull list each week, and I’ve been looking forward to this arc based entirely on the return of Master Darque (according to the name of the story, anyway).

All-Star Batman #6 (DC Comics) – Scott Snyder is still the best current writer of Batman, and for me this series exemplifies that.

Doctor Strange/Punisher: Magic Bullets #2 (Marvel) – A team-up that makes no sense? Sure. But the first issue was actually solid, and just because the team up makes no sense on paper doesn’t mean it won’t kick ass as a story.

 

Joe

Top Pick: Southern Bastards #16 (Image Comics) – Big Boss BBQ is back, and I cannot wait! After the last tense issue we got, I am so excited to see what happens with Roberta and Boss. This is one of the best books out there, and we didn’t get enough from Aaron and Latour in 2016.

God Country #1 (Image Comics) – A new series from Donny Cates with some awesome looking art by Geoff Shaw. I cannot wait to see what this is all about. From the teases of pages Cates has shared on social media alone, I am pumped.

The Mighty Thor #15 (Marvel) – The big war is coming! This cover by Dauterman is so beautiful. No shock there. This is one of Marvel’s best and most consistent series also by Jason Aaron, and with The Unworthy Thor soon ending, I cannot wait to see where they go with Jane, Odinson, Loki and more!

Inhumans vs. X-Men #2 (Marvel) – I didn’t think I would be typing this ever when I finished Death of X, but #1 was really solid. I hope that trend continues since Lemire and Soule are both highly capable. Also it reminds me I miss Roccafort on Ultimates.

Green Valley #4 (Skybound) – Wow what a crazy twist from that “wizard” in the last issue. There seems to be a bigger and crazier story from Landis going on here, and I hope this issue gives us some more weird awesome stuff. This is a miniseries, but it will run 9 issues, and I have enjoyed all of them so far.

 

Brett

Top Pick: Libby’s Dad (Retrofit Comics) – An absolutely fantastic indie/small press comic that focuses on teenage girls gossiping about one of their fathers. It’s an interesting comic and then you get to the end with its twist that makes your gut sink. So fantastic.

Red Dog #2 (451 Media Group) – A sci-fi series focused on a boy on a mining colony and the aliens that they have to deal with. The first issue was a solid read and I’m expecting this one to be just as entertaining. If you like sci-fi, you should check this one out.

The Rift #1 (Red 5 Comics) – A pilot is pulled through time and if he’s not sent back in time it spells disaster. A cool time travel story with some nice swerves.

The Skeptics #3 (Black Mask Studios) – Cold War fun that’s as entertaining as it is cool and stylish.

Invisible Republic #14 (Image Comics) – A reporter trying to get to the heart of the story behind a revolution and the fallout from his discoveries. The story feels even more appropriate today.

 

Shay

Pick of the Week: Justice League of America: Vixen #1 (DC Comics) – Mari McCabe is giving me life in the backstory bonanza and I am here for all of it!!!

Justice League vs Suicide Squad #4 (DC Comics) – I need to know how this all shakes out and what Amanda has gotten everyone into this time!

Motor Crush #2 (Image Comics) – Domino Swift may very well be my dreamland spirit animal and I love it!

Jessica Jones #4 (Marvel) – Jess wants to protect her family from pure evil by pushing them away and we all know how that usually turns out.

Review: Red Dog #1

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red-dog-1-coverSome say there’s no greater love in the universe than the love a boy has for his dog. For Kyle, the only kid living amongst 200 grownups on a distant mining colony light-years away from Earth, that saying is a given. Welcome to Kirawan, a planet that Kyle calls, “the worst place you could ever imagine.” Kyle stumbles through his days doing his chores hoping to live up to the steep demands of his father, the head of the planet’s mining operation. Still, it’s not all bad, there’s Q, Kyle’s robotic K-9, basically the greatest pet in the known universe. However, during an upload of resources bound for earth, the alien natives of Kirawan launch a full-scale attack on the human miners. Welcome to the world of Red Dog.

Written by Rob Cohen and Andi Ewington, Red Dog is an entertaining new sci-fi series coming soon from 451 Media. The story has some familiarity to it, but what it does really well is give a cinematic feel to it all. That makes complete sense considering Cohen is part of the team behind the films Fast and the Furious and XXX.

The issue goes into a lot of detail and provides a lot of background to the world of Kirawan. We know why humans went there. Why Kyle is special. And a bit of what this world is like. It’s an immense amount of information for a first issue, one that would probably make dungeon masters proud in the detail. But, that detail is really great as it helps make the world standout from similar story settings and it gives the comic as a whole a lot of personality.

That personality is helped by artist Robert Atkins who adds a sci-fi western element about it all. The world of Kirawan feels like the wild west in so many ways, and that’s partially due to the brown color palette that permeates the comic. I fully expected mechanical horses to show up at some point or a sheriff to step up. That’s not a bad thing at all as it helps flesh out the world and as the story shifts it helps blend the genres the story mixes. We go from a very “western” tale in the beginning to what’s clearly “sci-fi” when things wrap up. Atkins does some amazing work on Q though. The detail on the mechanical dog is impressive and it feels like it’s a patchwork robot that’d work and something someone could put together in real life.

The first issue ends at a cliffhanger that is a bit overused, but what has come before kept me entertained enough to want to see what comes next and find out more about the world. I can make some guesses as to what we’ll see, but so far, it’s pretty entertaining and well worth checking out.

Story: Rob Cohen and Andi Ewington Art: Robert Atkins
Story: 7.6 Art: 7.6 Overall: 7.6 Recommendation: Read

451 Media Group Provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Graphic Policy’s Top Comic Picks this Week!

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doom-patrol-1Wednesdays are new comic book day! Each week hundreds of comics are released, and that can be pretty daunting to go over and choose what to buy. That’s where we come in!

We’re bringing back something we haven’t done for a while, what the team thinks. Our contributors are choosing up to five books each week and why they’re choosing the books.

Find out what folks think below, and what comics you should be looking out for this Wednesday.

Alex

Top Pick: Faith #3 (Valiant) – I love this series. There’s a fun, infectious energy here that just grabs you and pulls you in for one fantastically uplifting ride. Plus, Faith heads to a comicon with Archer – and that’s going to be fantastic.

Action Comics #963 (DC Comics) – It’s a Superman comic, and the Man Of Steel has grown on me considerably since Rebirth. I’m looking forward to finding out who the depowered Clark Kent is, and how Metropolis reacts to a different Superman. Should be fun.

All-Star Batman #2 (DC Comics) – Scott Snyder is, at least for me, one of the best writers to take on the Dark Knight in some time. Any time I see his name attached to a bat-project I’ll be reading it.

Dark Souls: Legends Of The Flame #1 (Titan Comics) – I am a huge fan of the Dark Soulsworld and it’s incredibly deep lore (especially because it’s not spoon fed to you throughout the games), so getting a chance to explore that world’s stories through this two part story makes me a little excited.

Old Man Logan #11 (Marvel) – Old Man Logan is the tormented Wolverine that comic fans remember, without the near immortality his healing factor had become. It’s that vulnerability that makes the promised scrap between Logan and a whole whack of ninjas so enticing – Jeff Lemire hasn’t been shy about the old man having his hairy arse handed to to him, so there’s a legitimate chance that Logan will loose the fight this issue (well…maybe). Either way, it’s gonna be bloody.

 

Shay

Top Pick: Suicide Squad Most Wanted: Katana (DC Comics) – Katana was underused in the movie and she’s really an interesting character with a really dope backstory. So, here’s a chance to get to know almost everything you’ve ever wanted to know about Katana but, the movie refused to show.

Black Monday Murders #1 – 2nd Printing (Image Comics) This reprint is coming out the same day as Issue #2 which means you can play catch up and see what you missed before going in for round 2. There’s occultism, money cartels and,  evil magical banks that might be running things shadow government style. Who doesn’t like a good conspiracy theory?

Lady Killer 2 #2 (Dark Horse) – Hit squads, hitman mash-ups and lady hitwomen. Making murder for hire as normal as ordering a pizza or going grocery shopping.

Batgirl & The Birds of Prey #2 (DC Comics) – The “Who is Oracle” Story arc is almost over and you don’t want to miss a thing!

Throwaways #3 (Image) – I’ve got some high hopes for this issue of Throwaways. When I reviewed issue #2 last month I was like warm on it, mostly because I expected more. It looks like this issue is going to deliver and give a bit more the the story itself, the Abby & Dean and the plot is going to get thick and juicy enough to make it feel like you’re reading through split pea soup.

 

Brett

Top Pick: Detective Comics #940 (DC Comics) – Something major is happening… is this the end of Tim Drake!? DC has been tight lipped with this one, and teasing out something major will happen, so get this issue and the Teen Titans.

Doom Patrol #1 (DC’s Young Animal/DC Comics) – So much hype and I’m beyond intrigued to see what this new imprint within DC is like. I checked out the panel at San Diego Comic-Con and they sold me with what’s planned and the look of it all. The vibe I’m getting is superhero meets Vertigo, something I’m totally on board with.

Hadrian’s Wall #1 (Image Comics) – A murder mystery in space! I’ve read the first four issues of the series and it’s really good.

NVRLND #2 (451 Media Group) – A spin on the story of Peter Pan, but the comic takes place in modern LA and Peter’s the head of a rock band and Hook is a drug dealer. The two issues have been solid and well worth checking out if you want a more adult take on Pan.

Raina Telgemeier’s Ghosts (Graphix) – A family moves due to the illness of a daughter and wind up in an area with lots of ghosts. The concept sounds touching and fun, but really it’s Raina Telgemeier and this will be one of the top-selling comics and graphic novels of the year. Find out why Telgemeier’s graphic novels crush the competition and outsells the spandex crowd!

Advance Review: Red Dog #1

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red-dog-1-coverSome say there’s no greater love in the universe than the love a boy has for his dog. For Kyle, the only kid living amongst 200 grownups on a distant mining colony light-years away from Earth, that saying is a given. Welcome to Kirawan, a planet that Kyle calls, “the worst place you could ever imagine.” Kyle stumbles through his days doing his chores hoping to live up to the steep demands of his father, the head of the planet’s mining operation. Still, it’s not all bad, there’s Q, Kyle’s robotic K-9, basically the greatest pet in the known universe. However, during an upload of resources bound for earth, the alien natives of Kirawan launch a full scale attack on the human miners. Welcome to the world of Red Dog.

Written by Rob Cohen and Andi Ewington, Red Dog is an entertaining new sci-fi series coming soon from 451 Media. The story has some familiarity to it, but what it does really well is give a cinematic feel to it all. That makes complete sense considering Cohen is part of the team behind the films Fast and the Furious and XXX.

The issue goes into a lot of detail and provides a lot of background to the world of Kirawan. We know why humans went there. Why Kyle is special. And a bit of what this world is like. It’s an immense amount of information for a first issue, one that would probably make dungeon masters proud in the detail. But, that detail is really great as it helps make the world standout from similar story settings and it gives the comic as a whole a lot of personality.

That personality is helped by artist Robert Atkins who adds a sci-fi western element about it all. The world of Kirawan feels like the wild west in so many ways, and that’s partially due to the brown color palette that permeates the comic. I fully expected mechanical horses to show up at some point or a sheriff to step up. That’s not a bad thing at all as it helps flesh out the world and as the story shifts it helps blend the genres the story mixes. We go from a very “western” tale in the beginning to what’s clearly “sci-fi” when things wrap up. Atkins does some amazing work on Q though. The detail on the mechanical dog is impressive and it feels like it’s a patchwork robot that’d work and something someone could put together in real life.

The first issue ends at a cliffhanger that is a bit overused, but what has come before kept me entertained enough to want to see what comes next and find out more about the world. I can make some guesses as to what we’ll see, but so far, it’s pretty entertaining and well worth checking out when it’s released.

Story: Rob Cohen and Andi Ewington Art: Robert Atkins
Story: 7.6 Art: 7.6 Overall: 7.6 Recommendation: Read

451 Media Group Provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

451 Media Teams Up with The Raveonettes for a NVRLND Music Video

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Just in time for the launch of NVRLND #1, 451 Media Group has launched a music video to help promote the comic. Directed by Dylan Mulick, who together with Stephanie Salyers created and wrote the series, features a host of rising social media stars and a new original song from veteran indie rock band The Raveonettes, written specifically for NVRLND.

NVRLND is a reimagining of the Peter Pan myth set in modern Hollywood. In this telling, Peter Pan is the lead singer of rock band The Lost Boys, who play at a secret underground club called NVRLND. Wendy Darling, the new girl in school, naturally falls for the brooding, bad boy. But in this heightened reality, kids are falling victim to a club drug called “pixie dust” being pedaled by tattooed, biker nemesis James Hook, which makes them feel like they can fly.

Adding to the video’s authenticity, NVRLND was filmed at The Smell, a notorious punk rock club in LA that has been set for demolition some time after the filming of the video.

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