Tag Archives: darkchylde

Creator Uses DMCA Takedowns and Threats of Lawsuits to Squash Criticism of Comics (Updated)

In 2011 I stood against the the Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) and its sister legislation the Protect Intellectual Property Act (PIPA) partially because the legislation was poorly thought out, partially because the current Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) system is flawed and broken, and partially because the legislation would be used to stifle criticism. The site Escher Girls is currently a prime example of how DMCA/copyright claims, can be used in a negative way.

The DMCA was signed into legislation in 1998 by then President Clinton, the legislation was flawed then, and remains so. One of the most glaring is the lack of real penalties for making false claims (though there is threat of perjury). Part of the legislation lays out the process by which take down notices take place. Websites/web services/web platforms are given protection from prosecution if they remove material that is claimed to be offending and violating copyright. This is why Google doesn’t get in trouble, but takes down material when asked. In this situation, the web platform involved is Tumblr. Google also releases handy information on how many, and by whom and for what, requests are made.

Randy Queen is the artist of Darkchylde, one of the many characters and series to spring from Image Comics in the 1990s. The character generally was depicted in the unrealistic/distorted poses, a style some like, and others not so much. Enter Escher Girls, a blog dedicated to showing this off and critiquing the art. That critiquing part is important. According to a post on the Escher Girls website, they received a DMCA take down notice to remove their posts critical of Queen’s work. Escher Girls has also been contacted by other sites that had the same thing done. They later updated their post that Queen had also allegedly requested a DMCA take down of the article about Queen’s use of DMCA take downs. Tumblr didn’t give in to that request. Other websites that are more positive about Queen have images still up.

Here’s a screen cap of the notification from Tumblr.

2014-08-05_1057Queen then went so far as to send an email to the site threatening legal action if they “didn’t put a stop to all of this,” and claiming the site was defaming him by saying “he was using the DMCA to stamp out criticism of his artwork.”

Here’s the text of that email:

Dear Eschergirls and Kim,

I would encourage you to put a stop to all of this. I have no problem getting legal involved for defamation, and for your various allegations on your takedown notice thread, and am happy to send a formal cease and desist letter from my lawyer.

Instead of simply removing the content you do not have the right to electronically distribute, you wish to push further, and publicly challenges my right to protect the perception of my IP as it exists today.

At this point, I will ask you to please move along, as no good will come of this.

Additionally, instead of taking shots at art someone did 18 years ago while they were still learning – which are no longer representative of their current art style or direction for their character – I encourage you to spend your time and energy on creating your own characters and comics which you can make your own personal sacrifices to bring to the world.

Sincerely,
~R

A search for #darkchylde on Tumblr shows two things. The first is, there’s still numerous positive posts about his art still up on the web platform. The second is, that the action has backfired on him, quickly catching first leading to massive criticism about his action.

Here’s where Queen’s actions really fail. Escher Girls was criticizing his work under Fair Use. Fair Use is “is a doctrine that permits limited use of copyrighted material without acquiring permission from the rights holders. Examples of fair use include commentary, search engines, criticism, parody, news reporting, research, teaching, library archiving and scholarship”

This is the actual language from the Copyright Act of 1976:

17 U.S.C. § 107

Notwithstanding the provisions of sections 17 U.S.C. § 106 and 17 U.S.C. § 106A, the fair use of a copyrighted work, including such use by reproduction in copies or phonorecords or by any other means specified by that section, for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching (including multiple copies for classroom use), scholarship, or research, is not an infringement of copyright. In determining whether the use made of a work in any particular case is a fair use the factors to be considered shall include:

  1. the purpose and character of the use, including whether such use is of a commercial nature or is for nonprofit educational purposes;
  2. the nature of the copyrighted work;
  3. the amount and substantiality of the portion used in relation to the copyrighted work as a whole; and
  4. the effect of the use upon the potential market for or value of the copyrighted work.

The fact that a work is unpublished shall not itself bar a finding of fair use if such finding is made upon consideration of all the above factors.

Escher Girls used a snippet of the work, and was used as criticism. Pretty clearly falling into Fair Use. As TechDirt points out Queen needs to familiarize himself more with copyirght law. In his email he states:

…publicly challenges my right to protect the perception of my IP.

Unfortunately there is no right to protect perception of your IP. Perception is how an individual views your IP. Even if the initial take down didn’t fall under Fair Use, the then discussion of the art, or the follow up emails have nothing to do with DMCA. That’d fall into thought police, and we as individuals are afforded the right to free speech (though that is limited in some extreme cases).

We’ve had some DMCA issues in the past as a site. Scribd currently employs a flawed system that catches previews sent to us by publishers. We had the lawyers of a major company send a DMCA take down for a video their publicist sent us to post, and had it taken down on YouTube. We’ve seen another blog make a claim for a video they didn’t own also sent out by a publicist. The current system is broken, and this is just another example that reform needs to happen.

The last time there was a mention of Queen on this website was 2011, and that was for a solicit for Darkchylde trade. All Randy Queen has done with all of this is up his profile… in a negative way.

Update: Queen has since issued a statement apologizing for his actions. You can read it below.

Just wanted to clear up a few things that happened this past week. I have been having a very hard time in my personal life with the loss of my mother and my marriage having fallen apart and found myself in a very vulnerable and fragile state of mind. There were posts on the web criticizing my artwork that were brought to my attention and added to my stress. I reacted without thinking it through, but have now stopped, realizing my response was the wrong one to take. I am doing my best, each day, to get myself back on my feet and getting my life in a better place and realize now that I have just try to move on and get back to my art, the thing I find the most joy in these days. I want to thank those professionals, friends and family who have been giving me their support, understanding and love.

We wish Queen the best and that things get better for him.

(via The Outhousers)

Image Comics: June 2011 Solicitations

Official Press Release

50 GIRLS 50 #1 (of 4) – GEM OF THE MONTH

story FRANK CHO & DOUG MURRAY

art AXEL MEDELLIN

cover FRANK CHO

JUNE 1

32 PAGES / FC

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Hot on the heels of his blockbuster New Ultimates run, FRANK CHO teams with Co-writer DOUG MURRAY (The ‘Nam) and artist AXEL MEDELLIN (ELEPHANTMEN) to unleash a new universe-spanning sci-fi epic! Join in the fantastic voyage of the Space Vessel ESS Savannah and her beautiful crew as they fight their way from hostile aliens and exotic worlds, searching for the wormhole that will take them to their ultimate destination: Home.

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WITCH DOCTOR #1 (of 4) – GEM OF THE MONTH

story BRANDON SEIFERT

art & cover LUKAS KETNER

JUNE 29

32 PAGES / FC

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HOUSE M.D. MEETS FINGE IN THE FIRST SKYBOUND ORIGINAL FROM ROBERT KIRKMAN’s NEW COMICS IMPRINT!

Meet Vincent Morrow, a doctor looking for a vaccine… for the apocalypse! In this stand-alone first issue, a family needs Dr. Morrow’s help with their son’s illness: Demonic possession. But when Morrow attempts an experimental cure, he discovers the boy’s disease isn’t all spinning heads and pea soup — it’s like nothing you’ve seen before!  Horror gets a brain transplant in WITCH DOCTOR, the book WARREN ELLIS calls “Mental.”

ALL NIGHTER  #1 (of 5)

story DAVID HAHN

art & cover by DAVID HAHN

JUNE 22

32 PAGES / BW

$2.99

“STEALING COINS,” Part One

Kit Bradley is a 20 year-old art student and petty criminal who knows it’s time to leave her delinquent past behind, but isn’t ready for the responsibilities of adulthood.  Her social headquarters is an all night diner, and while trying to put the ‘off’ on an on-again-off-again boyfriend, she runs into an old flame, and an enigmatic loner named Martha, who alters Kit’s life forever.  Created by Eisner and Ignatz Award nominee DAVID HAHN.

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POSEURS OGN

GRAVEYARD OF EMPIRES #1 (of 4)

story MARK SABLE

art & cover PAUL AZACETA

JUNE 15

32 PAGES / FC

$3.99

Afghanistan.  Marines face a never-ending onslaught of Taliban.  But even hell can get worse.  The dead are coming back to life in The Graveyard of Empires, and only together can both sides of the today’s conflict survive tomorrow’s undead assault.  Writer MARK SABLE (Unthinkable, Two-Face Year One) reunites with his GROUNDED co-creator, PAUL AZACETA (Amazing Spider-Man) to tell this controversial tale of terror.

32 FULL PAGES OF STORY!

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story SHANE HOUGHTON

art & cover CHRIS HOUGHTON

JUNE 1

32 PAGES / FC

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“REED GUNTHER AND THE STEAK SNACKING SNAKE!”

The bear-riding cowboy returns in full-color! The previously self-published all-ages indie book by the Houghton brothers gets the Image treatment. In the exciting first issue, follow Reed Gunther and his trusty grizzly bear steed, Sterling, as they bumble their way through battling one of the wild west’s most ferocious creatures: a giant, cow-hungry snake!

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SCREAMLAND #1

story HAROLD SIPE & CHRISTOPHER SEBELA

art LEE LESLIE

cover HECTOR CASANOVA

JUNE 8

32 PAGES / FC

$2.99

“DEATH OF THE PARTY,” Part One

In a world where movie monsters are real, most of them are just looking for work in an industry dominated by 3D, CGI and other scary acronyms.  Forced to hustle their past glory on the convention circuit, Wolfman Carl London and “Space Path” star Travis Walters put their scheduled appearances aside to stop the screening of a legendary monster porn film that threatens to ruin the careers of feature creatures everywhere.

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SCREAMLAND, VOL. 1 TP

SHINKU #1

story RON MARZ

art & cover LEE MODER, MATTHEW WAITE & MICHAEL ATIYEH

JUNE 1

32 PAGES / FC

$2.99

“THRONE OF BLOOD,” Part One

The sole surviving descendant of a once-proud samurai clan, Shinku wages a solo war against a powerful vampire clan that has lurked in the shadows for centuries. An epic of horror and martial arts set in modern Japan, but with roots in the feudal past, writer RON MARZ (WITCHBLADE, ARTIFACTS) and artist LEE MODER (Wonder Woman, Legion of Super-Heroes) will serve up sexy, bloody, ongoing action every month. If you’re looking for vampires that sparkle … this ain’t it.

RETAILER WARNING: MAY NOT BE SUITABLE FOR ALL AGES

SAMURAI’S BLOOD #1 (of 6)

story OWEN WISEMAN

art NAM KIM, MATTHEW DALTON & JESSICA KHOLINNE

cover JO CHEN

JUNE 8

32 PAGES / FC

$1.00

In an era when lineage defined you, three teenagers must make their way through the world hiding their identities in order to find their destinies. As their village burns behind them, they are headed for a city they’d heard about only in stories. The three young samurai must now struggle to stay alive and take vengeance on the evil usurper who has destroyed the rest of their clan and the only world they’d ever known. Will they rise on the tides of vengeance, or they will they fall on the swords of fate?

DEADLANDS (ONE-SHOT)

story DAVID GALLAHER

art & cover STEVE ELLIS

JUNE 15

32 PAGES / FC

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BASED ON THE GAME DEADLANDS FROM PINNACLE ENTERTAINMENT!

Image Comics, Visionary Comics and Pinnacle Entertainment present the first of four one-shot by industry superstars, bringing the weird Western world of DEADLANDS to comics! In this issue: The Harvey Award-winning High Noon team of DAVID GALLAHER & STEVE ELLIS tell the story of inventory Copernicus Blackburne, who risks even his immortal soul in his Faustian quest to build “The Devil’s Six-Gun!”

RODD RACER (ONE-SHOT)

story TOBY CYPRESS

art & cover TOBY CYPRESS

JUN 21

80 PAGES / FC

$7.99

In a crowded futuristic city controlled by gangsters, the Thunder

Alley Rally is the biggest racing event of a generation. The city’s  greatest racers battle across the concrete jungle, through chasms of  wet neon city streets for fame, glory, and sacrifice…But one racer  races for much more. Rodd Racer races for revenge while the city’s deadliest killers chase him. Greatness has a price.

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TRAILBLAZER (ONE-SHOT)

story JUSTIN GRAY & JIMMY PALMIOTTI

art & JiM DALY lll, JIMMY PALMIOTTI & PAUL MOUNTS

cover  DAVE JOHNSON

1:10 variant cover AMANDA CONNER

JUNE 15

48 PAGES / FC

$5.99

When the woman that raised him is murdered, an assassin turns states evidence against his employers and is given a once in a lifetime chance to enter Operation Trailblazer – the most unique witness protection program in the world.  Sent back in time to the Old West, the assassin begins a new life, but it isn’t long before his past and the future catches up with him.

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THE PRO (CURRENT PRINTING)

27 TP

story CHARLES SOULE

art RENZO PODESTA

cover W. SCOTT FORBES

JUNE 22

136 PAGES / FC

$14.99

The dark mysteries of rock and roll royalty’s “27 Club” are revealed in this collection of the hit series. All the twists, all the action, all the weirdness, in one beautiful package!  Full of extras, including an all-new 12-page backup story, it’s the most exciting thing to hit since the Beatles at Budokan!

Collects 27 #1-4

TAG: The hit miniseries now with extras including an ALL-NEW story!

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FORGETLESS HC

DREAMS OF DARKCHYLDE, VOL. 1 TP

story RANDY QUEEN

art RANDY QUEEN, BRANDON PETERSON & RON ADRIAN

cover RANDY QUEEN

JUNE 22

160 PAGES / FC

$16.99

Ariel Chylde is the girl cursed to become any of the creatures from her many Nightmares. But have the shadows circled all her life? Now we go deeper. Into her past. Into her dreams. Where fears roam, and truth is never a friend. New Collection and Cover by RANDY QUEEN.

Collects DREAMS OF DARKCHYLDE #1-6

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DARKCHYLDE, VOL. 1 TP

THE DARKNESS COMPENDIUM, VOL. 1 TP (NEW PRINTING)

story GARTH ENNIS, DAVID WOHL, MALACHI CONEY, SCOTT LOBDELL & PAUL JENKINS

art MARC SILVESTRI, JOE BENITEZ, CLARENCE LANSANG, BILLY TAN, DAVID FINCH & DALE KEOWN

cover MARC SILVESTRI

JUNE 8

1280 PAGES / FC

STANDARD SIZE

$99.99

Mafia hitman Jackie Estacado was both blessed and cursed on his 21st birthday when he became the bearer of The Darkness, an elemental force that allows those who wield it access to an otherworldly dimension and control over the demons who dwell there. Go back to the beginning and discover Jackie’s first encounters with the Witchblade gauntlet, The Angelus, Sonatine, and Ian Nottingham.

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ECHOES, VOL. 1 HC

story JOSHUA HALE FIALKOV

art & cover RAHSAN EKEDAL

JUNE 22

144 PAGES / PC

DIGEST SIZE

$19.99

From acclaimed author JOSHUA HALE FIAKOV (Tumor, PILOT SEASON: ALIBI) and rising artist RAHSAN EKEDAL (Creepy) a disturbing story of murder and mystery wrapped in questions of sanity.
Minotaur Press premieres with a story of madness, family and death. Brian Cohn was learning to deal with the schizophrenia inherited from his father. Supportive wife, new baby on the way, drugs to control the voices. But, when at his father’s deathbed, he learns that he also inherited the trophies of his father’s career as a serial killer, his illness threatens to send him further down the path to madness and?

Collects ECHOES #1-5

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THE LI’L DEPRESSED BOY, VOL. 1: SHE IS STAGGERING TP

story S. STEVEN STRUBLE

art & cover SINA GRACE

JUNE 8

112 PAGES / FC

$9.99

Collecting the first four issues of the series that Multiversity Comics says is “Crafted so perfectly that it made me smile to no end.” When the Li’l Depressed Boy meets a strange girl, she drags him from his self-seclusion into a world of style points bowling, zombie fighting, laser tag battles, punk rock concerts and house parties.  What will he do to learn her name?  What will be her perfect birthday gift?  How do you eat fried rice without chopsticks?

Collects THE LI’L DEPRESSED BOY #1-4

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SUBURBAN GLAMOUR TP

PROOF, VOL. 6: ENDANGERED TP

story ALEX GRECIAN

art & cover RILEY ROSSMO

JUNE 22

128 PAGES / FC

$16.99

Death stalks Proof and the entire team of Lodge agents. Monsters take over Little Tokyo and at least one of Proof’s friends doesn’t make it out alive. The final turning point in the Proof saga. Collects the critically acclaimed first miniseries.

Collects PROOF: ENDANGERED #1-5

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SAM AND TWITCH: THE COMPLETE COLLECTION, VOL. 1 HC

story BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS

art ANGEL MEDINA, ALBERTO PONTICELLI, JONATHAN GLAPION &JAMIE TOLAGSON

cover ASHLEY WOOD

JUNE 29

320 PAGES / FC

$29.99

The Spawn Universe’s favorite detectives come at you full-force in their own groundbreaking series. Featuring an all-star cast of creators, the bar was set high for gritty crime fiction when Sam and Twitch first came on the scene. Follow the exploits of NYPD’s two most dedicated public servants as they try to uncover the secrets behind the Central Park “Witchcraft” murders and also solve the mystery of “Udaku.”

Collected in an all-new size and format, SAM AND TWITCH: THE COMPLETE COLLECTION, VOL. 1 brings you the art and stories that made this series a classic. Extra features include a cover gallery and behind-the-scenes art.

Collects SAM and TWITCH #1-13

SPAWN: ORIGINS, VOL. 11 TP

story TODD McFARLANE

art GREG CAPULLO, TODD McFARLANE & CHANCE WOLF

cover CLAYTON CRAIN

JUNE 8

160 PAGES / FC

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Spawn partners with Terry Fitzgerald as his plans to take down Jason Wynn continue. The partnership may be too much for either man, with Wanda caught in the middle. Just as headway is being made, the Freak returns with an agenda of his own that will most definitely get in the way.

Collects SPAWN #63-68

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THE WALKING DEAD, VOL. 14: NO WAY OUT TP

story ROBERT KIRKMAN

art & cover CHARLIE ADLARD

JUNE 22

136 PAGES / BW

$14.99

As the Eisner Award winning series continues, no one in The Community is safe from what happens within its walls.

Collects THE WALKING DEAD #79-84

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THE WALKING DEAD, VOL. 13 TP

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BACKLIST SPOTLIGHT: THE ART OF IMAGE COMICS

DESENE: SCRIBBLES & SKETCHES HC

DRINK & DRAW, VOL. 1 HC

APES & BABES: THE ART OF FRANK CHO HC

THE ART OF THE DARKESS TP

THE ART OF GREG CAPULLO TP/HC

THE ART OF GREG HORN, VOL. 1-2 TP/HC

THE ART OF MARC SILVESTRI TP/HC

THE ART OF TOP COW TP/HC

THE ART OF WITCHBLADE TP

FRANK CHO: WOMEN TP

GIRLS & GODDESSES: THE PIN-UP ART OF JML TP

IMAGE COMICS 2010 SDCC YEARBOOK HC

INTERSECTIONS TP/HC

MIXTAPE, VOL. 1-3 HC

SCRAP METTLE HC

UNHUMAN: THE ELEPHANTMEN ART OF LADRONN HC

THE WALKING DEAD: COVERS HC

’68 #3 (of 4)

story MARK KIDWELL

art NAT JONES, TIM VIGIL & JAY FOTOS

COVER A: NAT JONES

COVER B: NAT JONES & JAY FOTOS

1/10 INCENTIVE COVER C: NAT JONES

JUNE 15

32 PAGES / FC

$3.99

Visions of home-brewed hell take center stage as an anti-war protest on a California college campus turns into a cannibalistic massacre at the clawing hands of the hungry undead. Two lost soldiers fight their way across a jungle wasteland teeming with rot. And in Vietnam, Agent Declan Rule reveals his true reasons for being in country.

ARTIFACTS #10 (of 13)

story RON MARZ

art JEREMY HAUN & SUNNY GHO

cover A

cover B JOHN TYLER CHRISTOPHER

JUNE 29

40 PAGES / FC

$3.99

THE FINAL BATTLE COMMENCES!

The Survivor’s true nature has been revealed and his plans to remake our world move forward with machine like precision. Will Sara Pezzini, Jackie Estacado, and their allies solve the mystery of his identity in time to prevent Armageddon? What sacrifices will need to be made to save our world? The stage is set for the final confrontation!

PLUS: Each issue will also feature a Top Cow Origin backup written by RON MARZ and drawn by a superstar artist.

Retailer Incentives available. See order form for details!

ALSO AVAILABLE

ARTIFACTS #5 TOP COW STORE B&W EXCLUSIVE VARIANT COVER BY WHILCE PORTACIO $10.00

BLUE ESTATE #3

story VIKTOR KALVACHEV & ANDREW OSBORNE

art VIKTOR KALVACHEV, NATHAN FOX, TOBY CYPRESS & ROBERT VALLEY

cover VIKTOR KALVACHEV

JUNE 8

32 PAGES / FC

$2.99

“KING OF THE JUNGLE”

It’s hard telling the predators from the prey in part three of this fast, funny 100% cool new series!  Up-and-coming mobsters Alyosha the Lion and Tony Luciano think they’re kings of the jungle…but their reign may be cut short by forces on both sides of the law.  Featuring art by VIKTOR KALVACHEV (PHERONE, DMZ, The Incredibles), NATHAN FOX (Invincible Iron Man, Pigeons From Hell), TOBY CYPRESS (Batman/Nightwing), ROBERT VALLEY (Gorillaz, Tron), written by Emmy Award winning screenwriter ANDREW OSBORNE.

RETAILER WARNING: MAY NOT BE SUITABLE FOR ALL AGES

’BREED III #2 (of 6)

Story JIM STARLIN

art & cover JIM STARLIN

JUNE 8

32 PAGES/FC

$2.99

“BOOK OF REVELATIONS,” PART TWO: “ENLIGHTENMENT”

Ray Stoner finds himself trapped on Demonworld,

weaponless!  But there is intel to be gained and secrets to be

revealed.

RETAILER WARNING: MAY NOT BE SUITABLE FOR ALL AGES

BUTCHER BAKER, THE RIGHTEOUS MAKER #4

story JOE CASEY

art & cover MIKE HUDDLESTON

JUNE 22

32 PAGES / FC

$2.99

It’s a super-villain team-up unlike anything ever seen in a comicbook before! And it’s the worst possible timing for Butcher, who’s balls-deep inside some serious superheroine cushioning, desperately trying to prove his manhood! But that’s just the sauce… read it for the pasta, too! So let’s rock out with our c**ks out!

RETAILER WARNING: MAY NOT BE SUITABLE FOR ALL AGES

BEND OVER AND TAKE THIS COMICBOOK WHERE IT FEELS THE BEST!

DAOMU #5

story KENNEDY XU & COLIN JOHNSON

art & cover KEN CHOU

JUNE 29

32 PAGES / FC

$2.99

Sean nears the end of his first journey. He will soon learn that friends can just as easily become enemies. The boy’s genetic gift begins to take hold amidst the innumerable obstacles. A warrior is born…

RETAILER WARNING: MAY NOT BE SUITABLE FOR ALL AGES

THE DARKNESS #93

story PHIL HESTER

art SHELDON MITCHELL

cover BANE

JUNE 29

32 PAGES / FC

$2.99

“OUTER DARKNESS,” Part Five

The Darkness declares all out war against its most rebellious bearer, Jackie Estacado! With a small group of loyal allies, Jackie must face down an army of doppelgangers, a scorned woman from his past, and the very source of his own power.

RETAILER WARNING: MAY NOT BE SUITABLE FOR ALL AGES

ALSO AVAILABLE

ARTIFACTS #6 C2E2 Exclusive Variant Cover by MICHAEL BROUSSARD – $10.00

DRUMS #2 (of 4)

story EL TORRES

art ABE HERNANDO & FRAB GAMBOA

cover RAUL ALLEN

JUNE 22

32 PAGES / FC

$2.99

“EL MACUTO”

FBI agent Irons has no clues about the “Santeria Deaths” in Santa

Rosa. But the deaths didn’t stop at the ceremony, they are still going

on. Irons feels that something dark is about to happen, so dark and

overwhelming like the great storm that is surrounding Florida.

ELEPHANTMEN #33

story RICHARD STARKINGS

art & cover SHAKY KANE

JUNE 22

40 PAGES / FC

$3.99

“THE BONES”

BULLETPROOF COFFIN artist and Legend, SHAKY KANE, joins ELEPHANTMEN for the freaky tale of Doctor Sebastian Bone and his wife, Victoria, and her lust for something belonging to Elephantmen.

RETAILER WARNING: MAY NOT BE SUITABLE FOR ALL AGES

GLADSTONE’S SCHOOL FOR WORLD CONQUERORS #2

story MARK ANDREW SMITH

art & cover ARMAND VILLAVERT

JUNE 15

32 PAGES / FC

$2.99

While the Gladstone’s cadets tune in to watch “Battle in Tokyo” on Pay-Per-View, a real life epic battle breaks out outside the school; It’s a good vs. evil free-for all, as their parents gallantly try their best to police their crew and maintain the delicate armistice between Super Heroes and Super Villains.

GREEN WAKE #3 (of 5)

story KURTIS J. WIEBE

art & cover RILEY ROSSMO

JUNE 1

24 PAGES / FC

$ 3.50

A deformed creature stalks the dark alleys of Green Wake in search of the murderer, its motivations unclear. With the lead suspect in danger of disappearing, Morley stumbles upon a resident who bestows upon him a powerful vision, unlocking a grisly glimpse into a series of events that could change his life forever.

RETAILER WARNING: MAY NOT BE SUITABLE FOR ALL AGES

HACK/SLASH #5

story TIM SEELEY

art KYLE STRAHM

cover A JENNY FRISON

cover B RODIN ESQUEJO

JUNE 8

32 PAGES / FC

$3.50

Guest-artist KYLE STRAHM (We Will Bury You) steps in as the

skull-faced mystery woman Fantomah comes to Cassie and Vlad for help. But, what could a super powerful goddess, known for her horrible (yet creative) methods of tormenting evil doers, need with a teenage girl and a mutant with a machete?

RETAILER WARNING: MAY NOT BE SUITABLE FOR ALL AGES

HAUNT #18

story ROBERT KIRKMAN

art GREG CAPULLO & TODD MCFARLANE

cover GREG CAPULLO

JUNE 29

32 PAGES / FC

$2.99

It’s a new beginning for haunt.  After the defeat of The Apparition, Haunt has learned he has a purpose – the reason he was brought into existence… He just doesn’t know exactly what it is.  Will he continue on that path or go his own way?  And what could be the consequences of such rebellion?  This issue will set the stage for the next decade of Haunt stories on the horizon.

THE INTREPIDS #4

story KURTIS J. WIEBE

art & cover SCOTT KOWALCHUK

JUNE 1

32 PAGES / FC

$2.99

“OPERATION: FISH FRY”

Loyalties are divided as Dante’s true intentions are brought to question. The threat of Doctor Koi looms, and The Intrepids struggle to put their differences aside to come together in the most dangerous mission of their lives.

LAST MORTAL #2 (of 4)

story JOSHUA HALE FIALKOV

art & cover RASHAN EKEDAL

JUNE 29

38 PAGES / FC

$2.99

“REGICIDE,” Part Two

What would you do if you hit rock bottom and there was no way out? If you had tried to take the final escape and discovered that path was blocked? In the case of Alec King, the suicidal immortal, you pick up a gun and set out to take out the bastards responsible for your misery. A class noir revenge tale with a supernatural twist from Minotaur Press!

RETAILER WARNING: MAY NOT BE SUITABLE FOR ALL AGES

MEMOIR #6 (of 6)

story BEN McCOOL

art NIKKI COOK

cover BEN TEMPLESMITH

JUNE 15

32 PAGES / BW

$3.50

ISSUE SIX: MEMORIES

With escape from Lowesville seemingly impossible, Trent MacGowan must face what is surely his destiny. But the forces dwelling within the “haunted forest” may yet have a say in the outcome… Shocking revelations are guaranteed in the conclusion to one of 2011’s spookiest new books!

THE MICE TEMPLAR, VOL. 3 #6

story BRYAN J.L. GLASS & MICHAEL AVON OEMING

art VICTOR SANTOS

cover A MICHAEL AVON OEMING

cover B VICTOR SANTOS & VERONICA GANDINI

JUNE 29

32 PAGES / FC

$2.99

“SNOWBLIND”

The rebellion grows! Yet disaster follows when the idealistic youth E’Tan and Gabrielle join the resistance…and come face-to-face with Royal Consort Lorelie and a network of druid spies. And shocking news arrives concerning the fate of King Icarus! Meanwhile, Pilot the Tall and Harad battle side-by-side against rat forces, and the training of One-Arm Leito takes a dark and tragic turn when the young hero embraces vengeance!

The two-time Harvey Award-winning series continues, from the acclaimed writer of Thor: First Thunder and the co-creator of Powers and Takio!

THE MISSION #5

story JON & ERICH HOEBER

art & cover WERTHER DELL’EDERA & ARIANNA FLOREAN

JUNE 22

32 PAGES / FC

$2.99

Paul’s world implodes as his wife realizes he’s leading a double-life, and he makes a dangerous attempt to break free from his supernatural handler, Gabriel.

MORIARTY #2

story DANIEL COREY

art & cover ANTHONY DIECIDUE

JUNE 8

34 PAGES / FC

$2.99

“THE DARK CHAMBER,” Part Two

Professor Moriarty is on the run: He has been framed for two murders, his identity exposed. Moriarty makes an uneasy alliance with the Jade Serpent, and together they must delve further into the world of the Black Hand and the mysterious device that holds the secret of the Dark Chamber.

MORNING GLORIES #11

story NICK SPENCER

art JOE EISMA

cover RODIN ESQUEJO

JUNE 15

32 PAGES / FC

$2.99

He’s the Glory everyone loves to hate: This issue, learn all the secrets behind Manhattan’s most devious young socialite!

RETAILER WARNING: MAY NOT BE SUITABLE FOR ALL AGES

TAG: THE BOOK OF THE YEAR JUST KEEPS ON GETTING BETTER! FIND OUT WHY!

NETHERWORLD #3 (of 5)

story BRYANN EDWARD HILL & ROB LEVIN

art & cover TONY SHASTEEN & JD METTLER

JUNE 15

32 PAGES / FC

$3.99

WE ARE ALL LOST!

Cut off from the Men in White, Ray and Madeline race to the train station through Netherworld’s evil underbelly with Seth and Cyrus Kane’s henchman in hot pursuit.  Operatives are everywhere and they’re out for blood.  Will Ray be able to defend Madeline from the onslaught and help her escape?  Or will his mission end before it begins?

RED SPIKE #2 (of 5)

story JEFF KAHN

art MARK TEXIERA, SALVADOR NAVARRO & IFANSYAH NOOR

cover MARK TEXIERA

JUNE 1

32 PAGES / FC

$2.99

One’s past can be a powerful motivator, or a crippling adversary. Memories linger, and the scars of youth can last forever. As Greg awakens from surgery, things begin to come unhinged as complications arise with his new adrenaline implant.

SAVAGE DRAGON #173

story ERIK LARSEN

art & cover ERIK LARSEN

JUNE 15

32 PAGES / FC

$3.50

THE ABOMINABLE MR. GLUM

It’s Malcolm Dragon vs. Mr. Glum – and Angel vs. Angel as the gates to Dimension-X are thrown wide open and all hell descends on Earth!

SKULLKICKERS #8

story JIM ZUB

art EDWIN HUANG & MISTY COATS

cover CHRIS STEVENS

JUNE 29

32 PAGES / FC

$2.99

“FIVE FUNERALS AND A BUCKET OF BLOOD,” Part Two

Weaponless, weary and wanted by the law! The Skullkickers’ heroic reputation has flip-flopped in a whirlwind of faerie magic and bloody bodies. Who’s responsible and how bad are they gonna get thumped by everyone’s favorite monster mashers? Image’s hit action-comedy series is on time and kick ass – Believe it!

SPAWN #208

story WILL CARLTON

art SZYMON KUDRANSKI & TODD MCFARLANE

cover SZYMON KUDRANSKI

JUNE 1

32 PAGES / FC

$2.99

“Q&A” Part Two

Twitch’s confrontation with Jim comes to a head, leading to a stunning act of violence and an unexpected encounter that will have a lasting impact on Twitch – both for good… and bad. Across town, Detective Rowand deals with the aftermath of the demonic attack on Sam and his own ability to grasp the true nature of the threat – is Hell really coming to Earth?

SUPER DINOSAUR #3

story ROBERT KIRKMAN

art & cover JASON HOWARD

JUNE 15

32 PAGES / FC

$2.99

ALL-NEW FROM ROBERT KIRKMAN & JASON HOWARD!

Super Dinosaur and Derek Dynamo protect the world from the denizens of Inner Earth!  Meanwhile, Max Maximus’ master plan finally begins to take shape… and it’s BIGGER than anything Super Dinosaur and Derek have faced thus far!  This issue can’t be missed, just like every issue of SUPER DINOSAUR!

UNDYING LOVE #3

story TOMM COKER & DANIEL FREEDMAN

art TOMM COKER

color DANIEL FREEDMAN

JUNE 15

32 PAGES / FC

$2.99

“UNDYING LOVE,” Part Three

After saving himself from the vampire curse, John Sargent races to rescue Mei. But there are others after the girl and they will stop at nothing to capture her.

RETAILER WARNING: MAY NOT BE SUITABLE FOR ALL AGES

THE WALKING DEAD #86

story ROBERT KIRKMAN

art & cover CHARLIE ADLARD & CLIFF RATHBURN

JUNE 8

32 PAGES / BW

$2.99

How do we deal with what comes next?

RETAILER WARNING: MAY NOT BE SUITABLE FOR ALL AGES

THE WALKING DEAD SURVIVOR’S GUIDE #3 (of 4)

story TIM DANIEL & ROBERT KIRKMAN

art & cover CHARLIE ADLARD & CLIFF RATHBURN

JUNE 1

32 PAGES / FC

$2.99

Everything you’ve ever wanted to know about the cast of The Walking Dead.  The Survivor’s Guide is a handy checklist of all the characters who have appeared in the series thus far, alive or dead.  This series is a can’t-miss supplement to the hit comic book series that is now a hit TV series on AMC!

THE WALKING DEAD WEEKLY #22

story ROBERT KIRKMAN

art CHARLIE ADLARD

cover TONY MOORE

JUNE 1

32 PAGES / BW

$2.99

With the dangers of this zombie filled world safely on the other side of the prison walls our band of survivors finally has time to explore their new home.  Unfortunately there’s still more than enough conflict on the inside of the walls.

RETAILER WARNING: MAY NOT BE SUITABLE FOR ALL AGES

THE WALKING DEAD WEEKLY #23

story ROBERT KIRKMAN

art CHARLIE ADLARD

cover TONY MOORE

JUNE 8

32 PAGES / BW

$2.99

Fist fight!

RETAILER WARNING: MAY NOT BE SUITABLE FOR ALL AGES

THE WALKING DEAD WEEKLY #24

story ROBERT KIRKMAN

art CHARLIE ADLARD

cover TONY MOORE

JUNE 15

32 PAGES / BW

$2.99

Something has happened to drive Rick over the edge. There’s no turning back now as we ask, “Where do we go from here?” And trust us: This is only the beginning!

RETAILER WARNING: MAY NOT BE SUITABLE FOR ALL AGES

THE WALKING DEAD WEEKLY #25

story ROBERT KIRKMAN

art CHARLIE ADLARD

cover TONY MOORE

JUNE 22

32 PAGES / BW

$2.99

Everything is different now.

RETAILER WARNING: MAY NOT BE SUITABLE FOR ALL AGES

THE WALKING DEAD WEEKLY #26

story ROBERT KIRKMAN

art CHARLIE ADLARD

cover TONY MOORE

JUNE 29

32 PAGES / BW

$2.99

The bold new direction for THE WALKING DEAD continues.

RETAILER WARNING: MAY NOT BE SUITABLE FOR ALL AGES

WITCHBLADE #148

story RON MARZ

art & cover STJEPAN SEJIC

JUNE 22

32 PAGES / FC

$2.99

”TIAMAT,” Part Three

Despite her most valiant efforts, Sara Pezzini succumbs to the mythic power of the Babylonian God-Queen Tiamat. With the Balance out of the way, will Tiamat remake New York in her serpantine image?

ALSO AVAILABLE

WITCHBLADE: REDEMPTION, VOL. 1 TP

WITCHBLADE: REDEMPTION, VOL. 2 TP


Ariel’s Nightmares Can’t Contain Themselves

Official Press Release

ARIEL’S NIGHTMARES CAN’T CONTAIN THEMSELVES

Image Comics releases DARKCHYLDE collection in Janauary

Berkeley, CA – 10 December 2010 – In January 2011, fans old and new will be able to catch up with accursed teen Ariel Chylde in DARKCHYLDE VOL.1: LEGACY AND REDEMPTION from Image Comics.

Ariel Chylde is a sweet-tempered girl with a terrifying secret: She can become the horrendous creatures from her many recurring nightmares. In DARKCHYLDE VOL. 1, collecting for the first time the “Legacy” and “Redmpetion” storylines, Ariel seeks salvation and an end to her terrible curse.

“2011 marks the 15th Anniversary of Ariel Chylde,” says creator and artist Randy Queen. “So, it is with great joy this rare collection of Darkchylde material is made available for the first time in America with Image. To ensure a truly dynamic package, we’ve added new pages of art, the poetic writings of Ariel Chylde, and many rare and unseen images. If you’re an older fan or newer fan, you’ll still find something fresh to discover in these haunted tales of the teen who can become the creatures from her nightmares!”

DARKCHYLDE VOL.1: LEGACY AND REDEMPTION (NOV100428), a 160-page full-color trade paperback collecting the “Legacy” and “Redemption” storylines of the hit series and featuring all new artwork and cover gallery, will be in stores on January 12, 2011, for $16.99.

A feature film is currently in development with John Carpenter attached to direct. Get the latest updates on Darkchylde at www.darkchylde.com.

Image Comics is a comic book and graphic novel publisher founded in 1992 by a collective of best-selling artists. Image has since gone on to become one of the largest comics publishers in the United States. Image currently has five partners: Robert Kirkman, Erik Larsen, Todd McFarlane, Marc Silvestri and Jim Valentino. It consists of five major houses: Todd McFarlane Productions, Top Cow Productions, Shadowline, Skybound and Image Central. Image publishes comics and graphic novels in nearly every genre, sub-genre, and style imaginable. It offers science fiction, romance, horror, crime fiction, historical fiction, humor and more by the finest artists and writers working in the medium today. For more information, visit www.imagecomics.com.

Review – The Darkness/Darkchylde: Kingdom Pain


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I know the Darkness and I’ve seen Darkchylde, but can’t say I’ve ever read a comic featuring the character.  Randy Queen and Sarah Queen present The Darkness/Darkchylde: Kingdom Pain published by Top Cow.  The one shot brings the two characters together to battle an evil that can create anything.

A new armor for Jackie Estacado, the bearer of The Darkness, and a new beginning for Ariel Chylde, the girl who can become creatures from her nightmares! Jackie intercepts a physic plea for help, and frees Ariel from a self imposed, seven-year exile. But what happens when these fan favorite monster makers encounter a new threat that can create anything? Guest starring Witchblade!

The story is in a very interesting style coming from Ariel Chylde’s perspective and relying heavily on her narration.  Darkchylde and the Darkness battle for half the comic and the ending is very interesting.  The art is pretty impressive and that alone makes worth checking out the one shot.

I’m sure there’s a lot I missed and seeing it’s Top Cow I’m positive this one shot will lead to something more.  Check out below for the full review.

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Preview – Darkness/Darkchylde: Kingdom of Pain

Official Press Release

Darkness/Darkchylde: Kingdom of Pain

(W) Randy Queen (A) Randy Queen & Sarah Queen (Cov) Randy Queen & Sarah Queen

The Return of Randy Queen’s Darkchylde!

A new armor for Jackie Estacado, the bearer of The Darkness, and a new beginning for Ariel Chylde, the girl who can become creatures from her nightmares! Jackie intercepts a physic plea for help, and frees Ariel from a self imposed, seven-year exile. But what happens when these fan favorite monster makers encounter a new threat that can create anything? Guest starring Witchblade!

Also includes a bonus 8 page never-before-seen preview of Starfall, the highly anticipated sci-fi horror title from Randy and Sarah Queen!

Readers who pick up the Darkness/Darkchylde: Kingdom of Pain one-shot will receive a Starfall back cover in addition to a digital sketchbook.  A special code on the credits page will unlock a bonus digital sketchbook at www.topcow.com.

Full Color 48 pages $4.99  one shot

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