Tag Archives: holy terror

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Amazing Fantasy #1

The weekend is almost here! What geeky things will you all be doing? Sound off in the comments below! While you wait for the weekday to end and the weekend to begin, here’s some comic news and reviews from around the web.

The Beat – A Year of Free Comics: Sabbath bloody sabbath in VAMP SABBATH – Free Comics!

Kotaku – Marvel’s Avengers Is Free This Weekend In Anticipation Of Black Panther – A smart promotion.

bdnews24 – France gave teenagers $350 for culture. They’re buying comic books – Nice!

Smash Pages – Legendary Comics will Never Reprint ‘Holy Terror’ – It wasn’t good and didn’t sell well when it was first released. There’s a lot of reasons to let this be forgotten.

Reviews

Comicbook – Amazing Fantasy #1
Atomic Junk Shop – Embodied
That Hashtag Show – Horizon Zero Dawn: Liberation #1

Best Comics of 2011

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It’s the first day of a new year and so that means we’re doing our “best of” listing of the top comic books for 2011. Generally these are comic books that came out in 2010, though some are from earlier times and we got around to reading them. Keep in mind, this is what I have read.  If it’s not on here, I just might not have read it.

Best Super Hero Comic – Daredevil

Daredevil #1 CoverDaredevil has had an interesting 2011, we started with Shadowland and then got Matt Murdock finding himself and then a relaunched back to basic series written by Mark Waid with art by Paolo Rivera.  Shadowland wasn’t too bad, a bit uneven, but as a whole Marvel had issues with this year’s events.  Seeing Murdock corrupt and the emotion from his friends was an interesting read.  After you had Murdock wandering the country in short mini-series followed up by the relaunch.

It’s that relaunch that makes Daredevil stick out in my mind.  It’s a comic I look forward to reading each month.  Waid has given it a pulp action feel like classic Green Hornet or the Shadow and Rivera’s art is fantastic.  The comic is just fun to read.  On top of Waid’s take, Daredevil is now an Avenger and each of his brief appearances so far has enhanced that series.  When you show up in an ensemble comic and steal the show, that says something.

Waid has set up a lot going into 2012, can’t wait to see how it turns out.

Runner Ups – Moon Knight, Uncanny X-Force, Aquaman

Best Non-Super Hero Comic –DMZ

DMZ 50Is there a more politically relevant comic book series out there? Every month we’re given something to think about as we follow Matty Roth through Manhattan which is now a DMZ in the middle of the second American Civil War.

Writer Brian Wood is able to pivot and comment on what’s currently happening in politics and the world challenging our perceptions and not seem preachy at the same time.

With some single issues that stand as some of the best of the year and numerous holy shit moments, this isn’t just one of the most relevant comics out there, but some of the best political commentary of any entertainment medium.  Fittingly, this final week also brought us the final issue of the series, a perfect way to end the year.

Runner Ups – American Vampire, Chew, The Walking Dead

Best Limited Series or One Shot – Criminal: The Last Of The Innocent

Criminal: The Last Of The Innocent #1Really, just sign me up for whatever Ed Brubaker and Sean Philips have in store.  This latest volume of their crime/noir series from Marvel/Icon gave us a shit-head of a main character and kept us on our toes as to what to expect.  Sean Philips also showed us something new by changing up the art style every so often.

These two are one of the best teams in comic books today.  Early 2012 brings us Fatale from them to be published by Image which is more horror/noir.  Hopefully we’ll be seeing another volume of this series as well.

I’m a huge fan up pulp/noir comics, and this is the gold standard by which all others are judged.  Just fantastic.

Runner Ups – Critical Millennium, Severed, 27: Second Set

Best Single Issue – Transformers #22 and #23

Transformers #23 CoverTechnically it’s two issues, but the story is spread out between the two issues and either stands out as the best.  On top of that Transformers: The Death of Optimus Prime reflects on what’s discussed in these issues as well.  Megatron is captured and the two issues reflect on his and Optimus’ past and how they became who they are.  Flash forward to the present and the two leaders debate politics and motives.  It’s an adult discussion coming from two giant robots.

DMZ might have been “the” political discussion of the year, but these two issues I just didn’t expect it from.  Absolutely fantastic and enough to give me pause and make me think.

What’s the difference between a terrorist and freedom fighter?  Find out in these issues.

Worst Single Issue of the Year – Holy Terror

Just a holy piece of crap.  This is up there as one of the worst things I’ve ever read.  The graphic novel by legend Frank miller is racist, xenophobic, sexist and horribly written.  Can’t believe we’ve waited so long to read it.

Runner Ups – The Infinite (any issue)

Best Graphic Novel/Trade Paperback – Green River Killer

Green River Killer A True Detective StoryDark Horse’s Green River Killer is a true-crime story focused on the Green River serial killings.  The writer was close to the subject, as his father was one of the lead detectives.  The story has multiple layers, looking at how families were affected, the struggles the police went through and at the end, why the killer did what he did.

The graphic novel is haunting.  I couldn’t stop thinking about it for many days it was that disturbing and unsettling.  The art is good, but it’s the story that gets you.  The whole time you’re wondering how they’re going to solve this, but also why is this happening.

Add in the fact this is a true story.  It’s a disturbing true story.  Being able to get some of the behind the scenes to a story I only know from newspapers and the nightly news, just adds more to it all.

Runner Ups – Any Empire, Jim Henson’s Tale of Sand

Best Event of the Year – Uncanny X-Force: The Dark Angel Saga

Uncanny X-Force #18 Teaser 1I’m counting this as an event, though it’s really a long story arc.  Rick Remender has put together the best “X” book put out by Marvel.  This event which saw the rise of a new Apocalypse in the form of Archangel and X-Force is all that stands in the way between him and world destruction.

Diving into “X” lore with trips to the Age of Apocalypse universe, this was a story for the hard core “X” fans.  But, more than that, everything was thrown into it.  You had no idea what was going to come next and what to expect.

It wasn’t until I finally read the last issue that I know the ending, that’s how much of a big question mark Remender gave us.  The follow as well was fantastic as why characters did what they did and a new status-quo and direction were set.

Runner Ups – Artifacts, Flashpoint

Best Genre of the Year – Horror

Horror was where it was at this year with DC folding in some Vertigo books and some great limited series like Severed.  Animal Man, Swamp Thing, I, Vampire, B.P.R.D. and more lead the way to dethroning last year’s winner, a bunch of shuffling zombies (though that’s also horror in a way).  I’ve never been creeped out more and enjoyed it as much.

Runner Up – Steampunk, Zombie

Best Comic Tie-In of the Year – Batman: Arkham City

I enjoy a video game or two (dozen).  One of the best video games of the year, not just comic book tie-ins was Batman: Arkham City which just brought more of the brawler game.  There’s a reason many are naming this as one of the best video games of the year and it’s sold so well.  It’s that damn good.

The downloadable material which seems to be coming as a steady flow, the fact you can play as so many characters, that all adds up to a comic book experience you can control.  Add in amazing graphics, game play and there you have it, it’s a must buy video game.

Runner Up – Marvel Universe toys, DC Universe Super Heroes Legos

Best Comic Book Related Movie – Thor

Marvel Studios Thor PosterThis year’s crop of comic book related movies wasn’t as amazing as I’d hope, but it’s a solid bunch.  Marvel’s batch as what stood out and all three really deserve to share the honors.  Each was excellent and flawed in their own ways, but out of the three Thor holds up best.

The story is pretty standard, didn’t really challenge me at all, but the visuals and Chris Hemsworth’s acting is what really makes it all stand out.  The flaws also are the least of the bunch with only the final fight between Thor and the Destroyer really bothering me.

Out of the bunch, this was also the highest grossing, showing it wasn’t just me that liked it.

Runner Ups – Captain America: The First Avenger, X-Men: First Class

Best Surprise of the Year – DC New 52

DC ComicsThis is a mixed one as DC’s relaunch is also a disappointment, but I’ll address it all here.  DC made a bold move this year to shake up their sagging line of comic books by starting from the beginning and relaunching the entire line.  It was gutsy.  On top of that, their digital initiative was bold.

The story that lead up to it all, Flashpoint, was pretty damn good and what came out of it as well.  I took a chance on all fifty-two issues and came away with giving half of them a chance for the second issue.  From there, I made further cuts, but today, I’m reading more comics from DC than I ever have and their higher volumes they’re selling that the initiative has worked for the short term.

The disappointing part is that they didn’t go far enough.  The comics were pretty standard and we didn’t get anything out of the box.  There also was a clear audience, adolescent males (or men stuck in their adolescence).  While we saw more advertising to the general public, we haven’t seen a sustained campaign.  For all their gains in 2011, I think we’ll see a good chunk of it erode in 2012.

Biggest Disappointment of the Year – Marvel Events

Marvel ComicsFear Itself and it’s follow up were and are bad.  X-Men: Schism was ok, but much better than what was before.  Shadowland was uneven.  Marvel has been having some issues when it comes to their events.  I won’t call it overall event fatigue in the industry as others have put out quality and showed what works.

Too many tie-ins, stories not thought out and gimmicky tricks paved the way to a substandard experience.

Marvel relied on the tired gimmick of death, killing the Ultimate Spider-Man, Bucky, the Human Torch and more, that all made headlines but some of it is already undone.  There’s only so many times you can call death before the masses catch on and shrugs their shoulders.

Already we’re heading into more events at Marvel in 2012, here’s hoping there’s some improvement.

Runner Up – Green Lantern (movie), DCnU

Best Character – Moon Knight

Moon Knight #1 CoverMoon Knight has always been a character that’s intrigued me.  Brian Michael Bendis, along with amazing art by Alex Maleev, have given us a new series that really looks at the many personalities of Marc Spector.  The new series really has fun with the idea having Moon Knight drawing upon his personalities at different points.

Moon Knight is the psychotic Batman, a super hero struggling with mental illness.  But is he really suffering from it?  And should it be this much enjoyable to read?

Publisher of the Year – Archaia

ArchaiaArchaia received the honor last year as well, so let me really explain my logic here.  Lets start with the big two, Marvel and DC.  Marvel’s line has suffered in 2011, they’re out.  DC made a bold choice, but four months letter, it all feels empty.  There’s quality, but there’s also a lot that just doesn’t excite.

BOOM! made it’s case towards the end of the year with some great original series, along with some on-goings that continue to show off their quality.  Add in a lot of licensed comics and they’ve got a line that has something for everyone.  There were also some busts, but they’ve got a great line of comics.  Image Comics, for all the quality also has some major duds.  Inconsistency is the issue, but their quality is some of the best out there.

Dark Horse has some amazing comics.  A lot of big name licenses and some good original, but there’s a lot of series I read and just didn’t interest me.  Their quality though is up there.  If your a Star Wars or Buffy fan too, they put out excellent product.  Then we come to IDW Publishing.  A lot of license there too, and also a lot of original material.  Each week I see their new releases, I get excited, as a whole, I’m probably interested in more of their monthly comics percentage wise than any other publisher, and it’s all excellent.

And the big winner is Archaia.  I should start with the presentation of the books.  Beautiful covers and packaging is the first thing that sticks out.  Their entire line of graphic novels are beautiful to look at on a shelf.  Then there’s what’s in between those fancy covers.  The variety of the books and quality is unmatched.  I can find something for everyone and hand out one of their series or a graphic novel and know I’m good with my choice.  All of what I read was good to great and much challenges story telling and comic book visuals.

Licensed books, original books, it’s all here.  And it’s amazing.  There’s comics for kids and adults and books kids and adults will love together.  Books from the US and Europe, we have different styles and perspectives, it’s like the publisher goes out of it’s way to present choice and variety.  And it’s all good.

I said it last year and it still holds true this year, when I think Archaia, I think high quality and expect the best.  They continue to not let me down.

Runner Up – IDW Publishing

Frank Miller, Losing His Mind, Occupy Wall Street and My Thoughts

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Comic book legend Frank Miller went to his website to rant about Occupy Wall Street.  The conservative writer is on a roll after his release of the racist and over the top anti-Muslim graphic novel Holy Terror.  The graphic novel has sold well at the distribution level as expected but retailers have informed me that copies sit on their shelves.  Maybe Miller is smarting from the poor reviews?

But, to get on track, Miller has decided to post his thoughts about the Occupy Movement entitled “Anarchy“.  Here’s them in full:

Everybody’s been too damn polite about this nonsense:

The “Occupy” movement, whether displaying itself on Wall Street or in the streets of Oakland (which has, with unspeakable cowardice, embraced it) is anything but an exercise of our blessed First Amendment. “Occupy” is nothing but a pack of louts, thieves, and rapists, an unruly mob, fed by Woodstock-era nostalgia and putrid false righteousness. These clowns can do nothing but harm America.

“Occupy” is nothing short of a clumsy, poorly-expressed attempt at anarchy, to the extent that the “movement” – HAH! Some “movement”, except if the word “bowel” is attached – is anything more than an ugly fashion statement by a bunch of iPhone, iPad wielding spoiled brats who should stop getting in the way of working people and find jobs for themselves.

This is no popular uprising. This is garbage. And goodness knows they’re spewing their garbage – both politically and physically – every which way they can find.

Wake up, pond scum. America is at war against a ruthless enemy.

Maybe, between bouts of self-pity and all the other tasty tidbits of narcissism you’ve been served up in your sheltered, comfy little worlds, you’ve heard terms like al-Qaeda and Islamicism.

And this enemy of mine — not of yours, apparently – must be getting a dark chuckle, if not an outright horselaugh – out of your vain, childish, self-destructive spectacle.

In the name of decency, go home to your parents, you losers. Go back to your mommas’ basements and play with your Lords Of Warcraft.

Or better yet, enlist for the real thing. Maybe our military could whip some of you into shape.

They might not let you babies keep your iPhones, though. Try to soldier on.

Schmucks.

FM

Where do I even begin taking down this just random and factually so off post by an industry legend?  Well, lets get back to form and dissect it part by part.

Everybody’s been too damn polite about this nonsense:

From the start Miller shows his lack of understanding or clue of what’s going on.  The police have beaten and fired on protestors.  I’m not delusional and know there has been law breaking, but even with, crack downs have been bloody.  I think this video speaks for itself:

The “Occupy” movement, whether displaying itself on Wall Street or in the streets of Oakland (which has, with unspeakable cowardice, embraced it) is anything but an exercise of our blessed First Amendment. “Occupy” is nothing but a pack of louts, thieves, and rapists, an unruly mob, fed by Woodstock-era nostalgia and putrid false righteousness. These clowns can do nothing but harm America.

First, not quite sure how this is anything but an exercise in the First Amendment.  Methinks Miller needs to go back and reread that.  And, where was his decrying the Tea Partiers as they actually advocated violence?  My favorite part is the “thieves, and rapists” line.  No idea where that is even coming from.

“Occupy” is nothing short of a clumsy, poorly-expressed attempt at anarchy, to the extent that the “movement” – HAH! Some “movement”, except if the word “bowel” is attached – is anything more than an ugly fashion statement by a bunch of iPhone, iPad wielding spoiled brats who should stop getting in the way of working people and find jobs for themselves.

The bowel part is funny and I’ll admit I have issues with the organization or lack of (see Stephen Colbert’s interviews of members for some of the sillier sides of it all) but to lump everyone together saying they’re iPhone users is just false.  I’m sure many have Droids.

This is no popular uprising. This is garbage. And goodness knows they’re spewing their garbage – both politically and physically – every which way they can find.

How do you spew garbage physically?  Seriously the Democratic establishment doesn’t like these people as opposed to the Republican fronted Tea Party movement.  The last I checked the support of the movement was growing.  Add in the fact in there’s really no singular thought as to what the movement actually believes in it’s a bit hard to nail down exactly what it stands for – both politically and physically.

Wake up, pond scum. America is at war against a ruthless enemy.

Um, Wall Street?

Maybe, between bouts of self-pity and all the other tasty tidbits of narcissism you’ve been served up in your sheltered, comfy little worlds, you’ve heard terms like al-Qaeda and Islamicism.

And this enemy of mine — not of yours, apparently – must be getting a dark chuckle, if not an outright horselaugh – out of your vain, childish, self-destructive spectacle.

What does this have to do with al-Qaeda?  Miller does realize this has nothing to do with the war on terror, right?  Comic book writer Erik Larsen sums up the movement really well.

In the name of decency, go home to your parents, you losers. Go back to your mommas’ basements and play with your Lords Of Warcraft.

“Lords of Warcraft”?  Frank, go back to your drinking… Seriously, why the insult?  What does one have to do with the other?  This stereotype fits comic book fans more than those participating in the Occupy Movement.  He’s mixed up his insults, the proper one here is “dirty fucking hippie.”

Or better yet, enlist for the real thing. Maybe our military could whip some of you into shape.

They might not let you babies keep your iPhones, though. Try to soldier on.

First, make up your mind, do you want these people to join the military or go back to their parents basement?  Please make up your mind.  Second, I fully back our armed forces.  They, the police, EMTs and firemen are real life heroes.  But, I wonder, when did Frank Miller serve?  His hero Will Eisner did.  I found this interesting Eisner quote:

Memory is a very amorphous thing. It is selective and shaped by emotion . . . people are constantly in pursuit of the details of their past because it is from that they determine their own identity upon which they can base their strategy of survival.

It would seem that Miller is stuck in the past and has forged his current mindset squarely from the events of 9/11.  It was a horrible day and wars rage on today in an attempt to defeat those who attacked us, but not everything in the world today revolves around that horror.  The fact he can’t distinguish that is amazing and sad.  Miller was one of the greats.  Now, he’s a cranky old man who wants the damn kids of his lawn.

Around the Tubes

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the weekend is almost here.  Do folks have fun Halloween plans?  Any good comic book based costumes?  While you figure all of that out, here’s news you might have missed.

Around the Blogs:

Comics Alliance – Marvel Universe MMO Releases Character Designs Online – Can. Not. Wait.

Newsarama – Marvel Layoffs: Why A Boycott May Be Misguided – A good perspective from someone on the inside.

Comics Alliance – Parting Shot: ‘Holy Terror’ Creator Frank Miller Admits He Knows ‘Squat’ About Islam – Not sure this helps his case at all.

Blogging Los Angeles – Sex Nerd Sandra at NerdMelt – A look at the theater behind Meltdwon Comics.  I didn’t know they had this, pretty cool.

Kotaku – Arkham City Cosplay Turns Normal Man Into Dark Knight – I think the only word for this is “impressive.”

Con Coverage:

Bleeding Cool – Comic Con Wars Break Out Across Canada

Around the Tubes Reviews:

MTV Geek – The Incredible Hulk #1

IGN – Spaceman #1

CBR – Wolverine & the X-Men #1

Complex – Review: Jason Aaron’s “Wolverine And The X-Men” And “Incredible Hulk” Both Debut With Force

Around the Tubes

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It’s the day before new comic book day, what’s every getting?  While you deliberate, here’s the news you might have missed.

Around the Blogs:

Nerdage – OU professor writes business graphic novels – With this, maybe I’d of paid more attention in class?

Techcrunch – With Wikileaks Embargo, Payment Institutions Choose The Devil They Don’t Know – For those who call for the prosecution of comic book pirates, you’d do well to read this article.

Ahram Online – New wave of comic books flourishes in Egypt – Great to see the art and story telling form taking off in the liberated country.

Kotaku – Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3’s Changes, Through the Eyes of a Pro – Another comic book video game tie-in is on the horizon, find out the changes in this one.

Con Coverage:

CBR – NYCC: Vertigo Gets Scary

CBR – NYCC: Robert Kirkman Spotlight

CBR – EXCLUSIVE: Kapow! Con Returns For Year Two

The Beat – Retailer files complaint against Wizard AND posts dramatic video on YouTube

MTV Geek – From Batman To “The Fixer” – Frank Miller Talks “Holy Terror” And His Respect For Batman

Around the Tubes Reviews:

IGN – The Incredible Hulk #1

CBR – Supergirl #2

Entertainment Weekly – Comic Book Reviews: Latest issues of ‘Batman’ and ‘Uncanny X-Men’; the outstanding graphic novel ‘Daybreak’

NYCC 11 – Legendary Comics Panel Brings Never Before Seen Artwork, Surprise Guests and More to New York Comic Con 2011

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Official Press Release

Legendary Comics Panel Brings Never Before Seen Artwork, Surprise Guests and More to New York Comic Con 2011

Burbank, CA – October 15, 2011 – Legendary Comics today introduced a slew of never before seen artwork from the company’s upcoming slate, surprise guests, new projects, and a gathering of top-tier, iconic comic talent to eager fans at New York Comic Con.

Comic authority Chris Hardwick (The Nerdist) moderated the panel which consisted of Frank Miller, who just recently launched Holy Terror with Legendary Comics and whose other esteemed works include Dark Knight Returns and Sin City, as well as Legendary Comics Editor-in-Chief, Bob Schreck, Matt Wagner (Mage, Grendel, Sandman), Paul Pope (Batman Year 100, Heavy Liquid) and special, surprise guest Michael Kaluta (Sandman, The Shadow).

Among some of the offerings Legendary had to offer fans was the announcement that Legendary Comics will be releasing a re-issue of Paul Pope’s One Trick Rip Off in spring 2012. As part of the announcement, Legendary revealed that this will be the first time One Trick Rip Off will be released in color and with new material. Legendary also showcased new art for Paul Pope’s book, PulpHope coming this November, and Matt Wagner’s special process of writing scripts for his works. Wagner is also writing the The Tower Chronicles, coming from Legendary summer 2012, with artist Simon Bisley and developed with Legendary’s Chairman and CEO, Thomas Tull. In addition, Kaluta, who was a surprise guest at the event, unveiled renderings for his Paradise Lost graphic novel based on the epic poem by 17th-century English poet John Milton.

Legendary Comics will release more art from One Trick Rip Off and PulpHope on the company’s Facebook page next week.

Legendary Entertainment (Booth #530) is hosting numerous giveaways throughout New York Comic Con and has added a special signing with Michael Kaluta on Sunday October 16, 2011 from 1-2 PM.

Friend Legendary on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/LegendaryEnt
Follow Legendary on Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/LegendaryNews
Find Legendary on the Web:  http://www.legendary.com/comics/

About Legendary Comics

Legendary Comics is a division of Legendary Entertainment, a leading media company with film (Legendary Pictures), television (Legendary Television) and comics (Legendary Comics) divisions dedicated to owning, producing and delivering content to mainstream audiences with a targeted focus on the powerful fandom demographic. Through complete or joint ownership, Legendary is building a library of marquee media properties and has established itself as a trusted brand which consistently delivers high-quality, commercial entertainment. Among the wholly-owned projects that Legendary Pictures is currently developing in-house are an adaptation of the phenomenally successful interactive game universe Warcraft; Godzilla, based on Toho Company’s famed character; Paradise Lost directed by Alex Proyas; Seventh Son directed by Sergei Bodrov; Warren Ellis’ Gravel; and Mass Effect, based on Electronic Arts’ and BioWare’s hit videogame franchise. With partner Warner Bros., Legendary’s productions include the upcoming Pacific Rim directed by Guillermo del Toro, the critically acclaimed Inception, which has been a box office smash grossing more than $823 million worldwide, as well as the global blockbusters Clash of the Titans ($493 million worldwide), The Dark Knight ($1 billion worldwide), 300 ($456 million worldwide), The Hangover ($467 million worldwide), and the recent smash hit, The Hangover Part II ($575 million worldwide), which holds the distinction of posting the highest opening weekend gross ever for a comedy film.

Around the Tubes

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The weekend is here and it’s a long weekend!  Yay!  To kill some time, here’s news you might have missed.

Around the Blogs:

Death & Taxes – Do Rick Perry and Superman Have the Same Swagger? – Does that make Romney Bizzaro Superman?

ComiChron – DC reboot boosts September 2011 unit sales – Anyone shocked about this?

The Mary Sue – Netflix Strikes Exclusive Deal For AMC’s The Walking Dead – Ok, maybe I won’t give up my Netflix.

The New York Times – Barnes & Noble in Graphic Novel Dispute – Having talked to publishers stores like Barnes and Noble sell magnitudes more in graphic novels compared to comic book stores.

Con Coverage:

The Beat – Dont forget: this weekend is GeekGirl Con in Seattle

Around the Tubes Reviews:

CBR – Animal Man #2

ICv2 – Gon Vol. 1

USA Today – Holy Terror

MTV Geek – Snarked #1

MTV Geek – Solatorobo: Red The Hunter

CBR – The Walking Dead #89

Around the Tubes

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Lots of comics were released and today continues the deluge of previews for comics released this week as well as a lot of reviews!  While you wait for that, here’s the news you might have missed.

Around the Blogs:

So So Gay – An alternative universe: gay characters on the rise in comic books – A good article about gay characters in comic books.

Wired – Frank Miller’s Holy Terror Is Fodder for Anti-Islam Set – Spencer Ackerman has a great response to Frank Miller’s Holy Terror.

Around the Tubes Reviews:

CBR – Aquaman #1

MTV Geek – Aquaman #1

MTV Geek – The Flash #1

CBR – The Flash #1

Publishers Weekly – ‘PW Comics World’ Reviews DC’s ‘The New 52’: Week 3

Bleeding Cool – Wednesday Comics Reviews – Aquaman, Justice League Dark, Voodoo, Firestorm, Dark Knight, New Guardians, Blackhawks, Superman, I Vampire, Hawkman, Flash, Teen Titans, All Star Western

Legendary Comics Premieres Frank Miller’s Holy Terror

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Official Press Release

Logo

Legendary Comics Premieres Frank Miller’s Holy Terror

Holy Terror Releases September 28th, 2011

(Burbank, CA – September 28, 2011) – Legendary Comics announced today that their inaugural release, Frank Miller’s (Sin City, The Dark Knight Returns) Holy Terror (ISBN:978-1937278007), exploded into stores today. The book follows hard-boiled hero “The Fixer” and his cat burglar love interest, Natalie Stack, as they try to save Empire City from zealots determined to commit a horrific crime against humanity. The 120-page hardcover is Miller’s provocative commentary on how society views its heroes in the era of modern terrorism.

Miller commented, “I’m thrilled to partner with Legendary Comics to help bring this project which I have worked on for so long to fans around the globe. This is a story that redefines and explores terror in its truest form, forcing all of us – including myself – to think about our heroes differently.”

Years in the making, fan interest in this highly anticipated release has reached a fever pitch with over 75,000 views of the trailer online and a standing room only crowd at the Legendary Comics panel featuring Holy Terror at San Diego Comic Con. The book is available online at www.bn.com and www.amazon.com as well as comic shops and bookstores nationwide.

“This has been a long time coming,” stated Legendary Comics Editor-in-Chief Bob Schreck, “but certainly well worth the wait. Frank continues to push the limits of what comics storytelling can do while delivering yet another epic tale that challenges the reader to think while also forcing them to feel.”

Join Legendary Comics Editor-in-Chief Chief, Bob Schreck, and Frank Miller at the Union Square Barnes & Noble in New York City on Friday, October 14 from 7-9pm for a signing and discussion. Autographed copies of Holy Terror will be available for purchase on site.

Keep an eye on Legendary’s Facebook page for more details on panels and signings at the New York Comic Con with Legendary artists including Frank Miller, Paul Pope (Heavy Liquid, Batman: Year 100) and some surprise guests!

Friend Legendary on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/LegendaryEnt
Follow Legendary on Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/LegendaryNews
Find Legendary on the Web: http://www.legendary.com/comics/

About Legendary Comics

Legendary Comics is a division of Legendary Entertainment, a leading media company with film (Legendary Pictures), television (Legendary Television) and comics (Legendary Comics) divisions dedicated to owning, producing and delivering content to mainstream audiences with a targeted focus on the powerful fandom demographic. Through complete or joint ownership, Legendary is building a library of marquee media properties and has established itself as a trusted brand which consistently delivers high-quality, commercial entertainment. Among the wholly-owned projects that Legendary Pictures is currently developing in-house are an adaptation of the phenomenally successful interactive game universe Warcraft; Godzilla, based on Toho Company’s famed character; Pacific Rim directed by Guillermo del Toro; Paradise Lost directed by Alex Proyas; Seventh Son directed by Sergei Bodrov; Warren Ellis’ Gravel; and Mass Effect, based on Electronic Arts’ and BioWare’s hit videogame franchise. With partner Warner Bros., Legendary’s productions include the critically acclaimed Inception, which has been a box office smash grossing more than $823 million worldwide, as well as the global blockbusters Clash of the Titans ($493 million worldwide), The Dark Knight ($1 billion worldwide), 300 ($456 million worldwide), The Hangover ($467 million worldwide), and the recent smash hit, The Hangover Part II ($575 million worldwide), which holds the distinction of posting the highest opening weekend gross ever for a comedy film.

Review – Holy Terror

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Frank Miller Holy TerrorIt’s so hard to write the review for Holy Terror for multiple reasons.  The fact is, no matter his politics, Frank Miller is a legend.  The second is, the comic is a jumble mess.  In fact it’s a holy mess that will only inspire terror in the readers.  Five years in the making this hateful, revenge fantasy, propagandist comic was originally envisioned as Batman vs. Al Qaeda.  An interesting concept there.  But, instead, replace Batman with The Fixer, who really is just a racist (he calls all Muslims Mohammed).  A character who is clearly Catwoman references the fact it’s good she has nine lives.  Which shows another problem with this graphic novel.  It was supposed to be Batman vs. Al Qaeda, that idea lingered in the back of my head the entire time.  I couldn’t help but read it through that lens and Miller either just doesn’t give a shit anymore, or no one stood up to tell him he probably should take out references that only make sense in that setting.

The story is simple, while doing his normal thing protecting Empire City from Natalie Stack (not-Catwoman, no really, ignore the nine lives line) a female suicide bomber sets herself off and numerous other explosions follow.  This leads into a twisted tale of revenge porn as The Fixer wages a war against Al Qaeda.  Al Qaeda’s plot against the city is because they see it as too decadent, as if the real world motivation is that simple.  Religious and racial slurs fly as The Fixer unleashes revenge wrapped up in fascist glee upon those he deems to be evil, aka all Muslims.

I can drone on about the constant bashing of Islam, referring to it’s beliefs as those of the Dark Ages, and what Miller doesn’t address is, like many other religions, Islam does have nuance and not all those who practice are evil terrorists.

The plot has numerous issues, throwing it’s two main protagonists into scenario after scenario that conveniently features items needed for plot points.  A helicopter is met with Stinger missiles as if they’re magically in the right area.  A headquarters just randomly is thrown into the mix along with three other characters that make no sense.  Terrorist some how have jets to blow up this version of the Statue of Liberty which is supposed to be Lady Justice.  The irony being The Fixer forgoing justice and killing anyone he thinks involved, even a cop that he has no proof, only a hint, is involved.

Throughout the book Miller attempts to contrast Muslims and the non-Muslim world.  A child watches a robot cartoon show, Muslims stone a woman.  Through those panels stereotypical drawings abound crossing the line into racist caricature.

And that brings us to the art.  It’s a mixed bag, and at some times I enjoy the rough drawing with what looks like splashes of paint.  But, it also reminds you at times this book used to involve Batman.  You can almost see where ears had to be erased.

There’s nothing new here, in fact others have done a similar story and much better.  In fact this comic only makes me think how far Frank Miller has fallen.  Instead of remembering him for his fantastic works of the past, I’m only left with a nasty taste in my mouth from the present.  That taste is the bile that built up while reading this, matching the dark place this filth spewed up from.

Story: 3 Art: 7 Overall: 4 Recommendation: Pass

Legendary Comics provided Graphic Policy with an advance copy of this issue for FREE for review.

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