Tag Archives: dead legends

Preview: Dead Legends II

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Dead Legends II

WRITER: James Maddox
ARTISTS: Gavin Smith, Ryan Ferrier
SRP: $16.99
FORMAT: Trade Paperback
PUB DATE: October 26, 2021
PUBLISHER: A Wave Blue World

DEAD LEGENDS II picks up a few months after Yan’s crushing victory where she exacted revenge on her husband’s killer and changed the tournament forever. She and her diverse squad of teammates — her fighting family — are now on the run from deadly assassins, all sticking to their vow of never leaving Yan’s side through battle after battle. But there’s another wrinkle: Yan’s new daughter, Yoshi. As they flee and fight for their lives, this crew also has to raise a kid, in a cool twist on the “Lone Wolf and Cub” concept. Yan isn’t alone, but neither are her enemies, some of whom have their own agendas for upending the tournament and its mob of killer bad guys.

In true DEAD LEGENDS fashion, the new book is female-centric and forward-looking while sticking to the genre’s traditions, making for a fun drive-in movie experience that’s actually about something. The silent chapter is worth the price of admission by itself, with Gavin’s fluid, cinematic artwork moving the plot forward through brutal takedown after brutal takedown.

Dead Legends II

Review: Dead Legends II #1

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Dead Legends II #1

The recent movie Paper Tigers is one of those movies that may be deceiving to viewers at first glance. Some see it as a low budget take on the martial arts movie genre, which is quite cursory. Anyone that actually saw the movie, and if you were lucky enough to learn martial arts in your adolescence, you would see how true it is to the teachings of martial arts. You can see through the film the love and reverence the filmmakers had for the discipline itself and for the martial arts movie genre.

It also took a lesson from Stephen Chow and his epic movie, Kung Fu Hustle, by infusing comedy. It was a genre that has been visited in just about every decade to mixed results. It also did something different, by giving the characters, relatable issues that men my age face. In the 1st issue of second volume of A Wave Blue World’s brilliant Dead Legends, the creators also show their love for the genre, in this sprawling continuation of their martial arts saga.

We’re taken back to the Dead Legends tournament, where another hero has fallen, and we just how commercialized the whole program, as it is similar to a WWE match.  WE find Yan and friends in hiding, but keeping their skills sharpened, by practicing, as Tigress has been hunting them for months and it seems as though she’s nipping at their heels. Unfortunately, their worst fears materialize and her ninjas find out where their hiding. By the issue’s end, our heroes fend them off, but not without some of their friends being taken prisoner by Tigress.

Overall, Dead Legends II #1 is an exciting continuation of this martial arts epic, one that gets you invested in the characters. The story by James Maddox is exciting. The art by Gavin P Smith is gorgeous. Altogether, more than a throwback to those great movies but a fine addition to the Martial Arts canon.

Story: James Maddox Art: Gavin P Smith
Story: 9.0 Art: 9.0 Overall: 9.0 Recommendation: Buy

A Wave Blue World provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Purchase: comiXology

Preview: Dead Legends II Premier Edition

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Dead Legends II Premier Edition

(W) James Maddox (A/CA) Gavin Smith (L) Ryan Ferrier (C) Milena Deneno
In Shops: Aug 11, 2021
SRP: $3.99

After winning the last Dead Legends tournament and taking revenge on her husband’s killer, Yan is on the run with a new daughter in tow. Luckily, she has friends like Red Death, Jee Sin and Stalk to look after her and the child. But Tigress and her hordes of assassins are closing in! This leads into the Dead Legends II graphic novel to be offered in August’s PREVIEWS catalog.

Dead Legends II Premier Edition

A Wave Blue World’s Dead Legends Gets a Sequel

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After the success of the first volume of Dead Legends, publisher A Wave Blue World has signed the creative team, James Maddox and Gavin Smith, to develop a sequel for a 2021 release.

Debuting this January, Dead Legends Vol. 1 introduced the readers to Yan Nakamura, a widow who enters the world’s deadliest martial arts tournament to get revenge on her husband’s killer.

In this new arc, Yan is on the run with her newborn baby in tow. Aided by the friends she made at the tournament, Red Death and Barbosa, Yan soon realizes that the Tiger Clan’s quest for revenge will never end. She concludes that her daughter’s only chance to grow up in safety is to head back to the Dead Legends tournament.

Also making their return to the series will be letterer, Ryan Ferrier, and editor, Joseph Illidge.

As with Dead Legends Vol. 1, Vol. 2 will be released as part of AWBW’s Premier Program, where the first issue will be distributed in print, followed by a bi-weekly release of the remaining digital issues. Then the full trade paperback drops 2 months after the Premier Edition, allowing readers the choice of how they’d like to read the series without having to wait a prolonged period for the full story.

Graphic Policy’s Top Comic Picks this Week!

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Shoplifters Will Be Liquidated #1

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 choose what they can’t wait to read this week or just sounds interesting. In other words, this is what we’re looking forward to and think you should be taking a look at!

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

Batman’s Grave #1 (DC Comics) – Warren Ellis takes on Batman with Bryan Hitch and Kevin Nowland on art.

Cobra Kai: The Karate Kid Saga Continues #1 (IDW Publishing) – The original Karate Kid is told from Johnny’s perspective. Sounds entertaining to us as we’re fans of the film series.

Dead Legends Premier Edition #1 (A Wave Blue World) – The publisher is putting out premier editions of their comics which then switch to digital releases or a trade after. We’re intrigued if this new release method works and if this first issue would get us interested in continuing with that sort of release.

Ginseng Roots #1 (Uncivilized Books) – Craig Thompson recounts his life of harvesting ginseng from ages 10 to 20.

Hellmouth #1 (BOOM! Studios) – Angel and Buffy crossover in an event that already is selling out!

Joker/Harley: Criminal Sanity #1 (DC Comics) – The latest DC Black Label comics is another Joker/Harley Quinn story and we’re intrigued how, and if, this one will be original to stand out.

RWBY #1 (DC Comics) – The popular anime gets a series from DC. How this will differ from the manga already released will be interesting.

Powers of X #6 (Marvel) – Jonathan Hickman’s new direction for the X-Universe wraps up.

Shoplifters Will Be Liquidated #1 (AfterShock) – The largest retailer in the world requires the best loss prevention staff and they defend things at any and all costs.

Smedley (Dead Reckoning) – The graphic novel is a solid introduction to the military hero and his rather interesting life of service and advocacy.

Spawn #301 (Image Comics) – The comic breaks a record for ongoing superhero series with this issue and that history-making fact is why it’s on our list.

NYCC 2019: A Wave Blue World’s Exclusives and Signings

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New York-based publisher A Wave Blue World celebrates the launch of their two latest titles, Mezo and Dead Legends, at their hometown show, New York Comic Con, held at the Jacob Javits Center from October 3 to 6.

Set up in the Small Press Area, booth #1341, A Wave Blue World will have the first issues of Mezo and Dead Legends available with both the Premier Edition covers as well as the NYCC exclusive variant editions. The Mezo variant features art by Mike Choi, while the Dead Legends variant features art by Al Barrionuevo and Bryan Valenza. Both exclusive covers will be limited to 200 copies and sell for $10 each.

Fans will also have the chance to get these comics signed, as the creators for both titles will be in attendance. This includes Mezo writer Tyler Chin-Tanner, artist Josh Zingerman, and Premier Edition cover artist Claudia Iannicello. For Dead Legends, the writer/artist team of James Maddox and Gavin Smith will be on hand. (See signing schedule below for full details).

In addition, A Wave Blue World will be promoting the upcoming release of their Dead Beats anthology (Oct 16) with a limited edition mini-print to be given away to the first 500 fans. Come get it signed during the event at booth #1341 featuring a number of contributors including Liana Kangas, Cameron DeOrdio, Steenz and more!

Signing Schedule

Thursday, October 3

  • 2 – 3pm: MEZO signing with Tyler Chin-Tanner & Claudia Iannicello

Friday, October 4

  • 1 – 2pm: ALL WE EVER WANTED signing with Ariela Kristantina, Matt Miner, Lela Gwen, Eric Palicki, Wendy Chin-Tanner & more
  • 2 – 3pm: MEZO signing with Tyler Chin-Tanner & Claudia Iannicello
  • 3 – 4pm: DEAD LEGENDS signing with James Maddox & Gavin Smith
  • 4- 5pm: DEAD BEATS signing with Liana Kangas, Cameron DeOrdio, Steenz, Matt Summo, Renfamous, Joe Corallo, Eric Palicki & more.

Saturday, October 5

  • 2 – 3pm: MEZO signing with Tyler Chin-Tanner, Josh Zingerman & Claudia Iannicello
  • 3 – 4pm: DEAD LEGENDS signing with James Maddox & Gavin Smith

Sunday, October 6

  • 2 – 3pm: MEZO signing with Tyler Chin-Tanner, Josh Zingerman & Claudia Iannicello

Portfolio Reviews

  • Sunday, 11am -12pm: A Wave Blue World Editorial Director Joseph P. Illidge will be reviewing portfolios and offering advice for aspiring creators looking to break into the comic book business. Joseph has also served as editor DC Comics on the Batman titles, Senior Editor for Lion Forge Comics, and Executive Editor for Valiant Entertainment.

Panel Schedule

Wonder Women – Female CEOs
Thursday, October 3rd 6:30 PM-Room 1B03 – Javits Center

One day a female comic publisher will be standard – until then we have Wonder Women! All panelists are female-owned and operated comic publishers. These ladies lead by example: Sandy King Carpenter (Storm King Comics), Paula Garces (The World of Aluna), Tina Fine (OffGirl), and Wendy Chin-Tanner (A Wave Blue World) with moderator Lisa Y. Wu (A Wave Blue World).

“Crazy” Talk: Mental Health, Pop Culture, and the Future
Friday, October 4th 9:00PM-Room 1A02 – Javits Center

Does mental health represent the next wave of diversity in comics, or is that just “crazy” talk? Alex Segura (Co-President, Archie Comics), Lisa Y. Wu (VP Sales & Marketing, A Wave Blue World), Heather Antos (Editor, Valiant Entertainment), Jim Higgins (freelance writer, editor, consultant), and Matt Miner (GWAR, DEATH TRAP) join forensic psychiatrists Vasilis K. Pozios, M.D., and Praveen Kambam, M.D., (Broadcast Thought) to discuss the state of mental health media representation and how a mental health/pop culture partnership can be a “win-win” for both the entertainment industry and people with mental illnesses. Moderated by attorney Jeff Trexler (The Comics Journal, The Beat).

Super Asian America
Sunday, October 6th 3:45PM -Room 1A02 – Javits Center

From reviving the romcom genre to battling the forces of evil as the Marvel superhero Shang Chi, Asian Americans are constantly pushing the envelope in Hollywood. At the same time, it’s a never-ending battle for us to represent our own American way. Join Racebending for our 4th annual Super Asian America panel at NYCC as we talk Asian American rep with Greg Pak (Agents of Atlas), Keith Chow (Nerds of Color), Lisa Y. Wu (VP, Sales & Marketing, A Wave Blue World), and more.

A Wave Blue World Shakes Up the Comic Business Model

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A Wave Blue World Logo

The comic book industry is at a point where publishers and retailers are experimenting. They’re developing new models for a classic product. A Wave Blue World has announced some changes. Their hope is to disrupt to standard release schedule we’ve come to expect. The publisher has announced it will be releasing “premier” first issues. Premier issues will be followed by digital releases and a collected edition of a series. All of this in a compacted 2-month time frame.

The indie publisher recently expanded their brand by hiring industry veterans Joseph Illidge, Editorial Director, and Lisa Y. Wu, VP of Sales and Marketing, to help launch their “Premier #1 Program.”

The Premier #1 Program came from A Wave Blue World’s recognition that the comic book market is evolving. Many readers are choosing to “Sample, Collect, and/or Binge” on comics. Readers don’t want to wait 6 to 9 months for the full story. The program offers readers choice and the ability to get the entire story within a 2-month period.

Each new title will launch with a Premier Edition #1. This will be the only single issue in print and will contain the full first issue as well as a “behind the scenes” look at concept art not found anywhere else. The first issue will be wrapped inside an exclusive cover with high-end art on premium stock.

Then, the reader has two options: 1. Read the subsequent issues digitally released every two weeks, or 2. Buy the collected volume within two months after the release of the Premier #1.

This new business model gives the readers the freedom to choose and sample with a guarantee of delay-free enjoyment and reflects A Wave Blue World’s values of integrating sustainability practices into its business decisions.

In the announcement, President/Co-Publisher Tyler Chin-Tanner explained:

Two of the challenge that prevents fans from reading indie comics are the difficulty in finding all the issues and waiting long periods of time for them to come out.  We’ve addressed both of those problems by having the full series completed in advance and ready to deliver in whatever format the reader prefers.

Executive Director/Co-Publisher Wendy Chin-Tanner said in the announcement:

Our goal in conceiving AWBW’s Premier Program is to solve a sales problem by creating a win-win solution for readers and retailers alike.

To kick off the Premier #1 Program this October, A Wave Blue World is revealing Mezo and Dead Legends.

Editorial Director Joseph Illidge said in the release:

The Premier line of books is a celebration of A Wave Blue World’s promise: To bring daring authors and innovative artists together for compelling stories about amazing characters and personal journeys. We can’t wait for you to see these books, created with the true collaborative nature of our comics community in mind!

Lisa Y. Wu, VP Sales and Marketing concluded:

Influential, innovative and progressive, A Wave Blue World is reinventing a modern approach to enjoying comics. We are redefining comics for our retailer sand readers for the 21st century in that we are placing their values into the designs of how we publish the stories of today and tomorrow.

MEZO

Tyler Chin-Tanner, Josh Zingerman, Val Rodrigues, Doug Garbark, Thomas Mauer
Cover Artist: Claudia Ianniciello
$3.99 / 32 pages / Full Color
On Sale October

“The rise of the Tzalekuhl Empire threatens to disrupt the peace that has lasted for generations across the land of Mezo. When the conquest begins, a young girl named Kyma witnesses the death of her father, Hegol, a tribal leader who refused to yield.

As the solar eclipse nears, Kyma must unite the various tribes against an emperor determined to make them all kneel before his god or be sacrificed in his name.

MEZO is a daring Mesoamerican-inspired Game of Thrones-type epic that can only be found at A Wave Blue World.”

MEZO

DEAD LEGENDS

James Maddox, Gavin Smith, Ryan Ferrier
Cover Artist: Leo Colapietro
$3.99 / 32 pages / Full Color
On Sale October 9

“A widow seeking revenge. A champion hellbent on losing. A world-class assassin second-guessing her contract. The Dead Legends tournament contains a long history of pitting the best fighters in the world against one another, but this year, these combatants bend the rules and place the future of the tournament in jeopardy. This is the martial arts throwback series that hits harder than a kick to the skull, where alliances are made, bonds are broken, and fighters lose their lives.

DEAD LEGENDS is Kill Bill meets Enter the Dragon.”

DEAD LEGENDS