Tag Archives: james turner

SLG Publishing presents it’s first Graphic Novel of 2024 – Dragon Garage by James Turner

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SLG Publishing starts out 2024 with a new graphic novel from Rex Libris creator James Turner, Dragon Garage. This enchanting story invites readers into a world where imagination knows no bounds and reality becomes an epic adventure.

Dragon Garage introduces us to the imaginative and playful misfit, Zach Vandermeer, whose wild imagination leads him on an extraordinary journey. Zach’s love for role-playing games, particularly his favorite, Heroic Journey, fuels his creativity. One fateful night, he introduces a new character into the game, unwittingly unlocking a portal to the very realm he had created—Arthea, a fantastical world that was once confined to his imagination.

As Zach and his friends are thrust into the vibrant and unpredictable world of Arthea, they find themselves embarking on a thrilling, page-turning adventure like no other. What was once a fictional creation in Zach’s mind has become a breathtaking reality filled with magical creatures, daring quests, and unexpected challenges.

Dragon Garage is 180 page graphic novel and is available now from Amazon, directly from the SLG Publishing website and in better comics stores.

Dragon Garage

The Book of Magor Thoom Explores Self-Discovery on the Edge of Annihilation

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The Book of Maggor Thoom

James Turner, the creator of the acclaimed Rex Libris comic book series returns to SLG Publishing with the release of his new graphic novel The Book of Maggor Thoom.

As with most of Turners comic book work, Maggor Thoom exists in a heightened reality which is parallel to our own. The lead character, Maggor Thoom is a demon who lives on the surface of a black hole. 

After endless eons of success as the star employee of the Insanity Acquisition Department, he has lost his passion and purpose. Yet he knows all to well that those who do not drink the Antediluvian Kool-Aid are soon fed to the ravenous Maw.  To save himself from annihilation, Mr. Thoom sets off on a desperate journey of self-discovery: he flees The Void and seeks help on a small, blue orb known as Earth. 

Like Turner’s other work, The Book of Maggor Thoom explores the themes of being, identity and purpose but this time in a more lighthearted way.

 From a technical and visual aspect Maggor Thhoom is also different from Turner’s other published work in the technique used to create the graphic novel. The Book of Maggor Thoom is out now and available from Amazon.com, from select comic book retail locations, as well as direct from SLG Publishing on their website. The Book of Maggor Thoom is a 160 page black and white graphic novel priced at $14.95.

Magic is in the Air as Mameshiba Return for a New Graphic Novel from Viz Media

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VIZ Media announced the return of the whimsical Japanese character sensations – Mameshiba – for a brand new original graphic novel adventure in Mameshiba: Enchanted!, featuring stories by James Turner and artwork by Jorge Monlongo.

Mameshiba: Enchanted! is rated ‘A’ for All Ages and debuts today from VIZ Media’s Perfect Square imprint with an MSRP of $6.99 U.S. / $7.99 CAN. A digital version of Mameshiba: Enchanted! for the Apple iPadand iPad Mini is also available for download from the Perfect Square App for $4.99 U.S. / CAN.

In Enchanted – the third graphic novel featuring the cute bean-dogs from Japan – there’s magic in the air! Cranberry Bean is under a spell, Edamame’s kitchen is haunted, and Sword Bean is protecting the newest members of the Mameshiba family: Babyshiba! It’s all fun and games until someone upsets a magic tortoise!

Perfect Square is VIZ Media’s new comprehensive publishing imprint aimed at kids and kids at heart with a focus on delivering comics, manga, graphic novels and other children’s books with an emphasis on strong storytelling, eye-popping graphics, empowering themes, and a dash of irreverence, that captures the imagination of a whole new generation.

Mameshiba_GN03_cover

Review: Rebel Angels #1

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turner-rebel-angels-1Did you ever wonder what Milton’s Paradise Lost, Foster’s Home for Imaginary Children, and Monsters, Inc. would be like if it were set during a revolutionary war in Hell? No, you probably haven’t, because why on earth would you?! If, however, that mash-up sounds appealing, then you might think about checking out James Turner‘s Rebel Angels #1 from Slave Labor Graphics.

Rebel Angels #1 is a 70-page comic that is, as best I can put it, quite singular. Although it’s advertised as a Paradise Lost and Monsters, Inc. mash-up, it’s more of a vulgar and absurd story about hellions and their personal lives than it is anything inspired by Paradise Lost. The only Milton inspiration in the comic is the rare quotes, and the fact that it’s set in Hell…as far as I can tell, it could just as easily (and wrongly) be called an Inferno adaptation.

I didn’t particularly enjoy Rebel Angels, except for the art. Turner’s script is charmingly fun to read, but not really captivating; I wasn’t incredibly engaged in the story. As such, it would work well as a comic for youngins, if not for references to anilingus and violent beheading and the like, so it occupies an awkward position between readerships. At least in my opinion, though I know plenty of adults who appreciate TV shows like Adventure Time, and I do like DC’s animated shows, but I couldn’t really jive to the script.

Turner’s art, however, is fantastic, a beautiful and strange blend of cartoonish animation a la Craig McCracken (Foster’s Home, Powerpuff Girls) and an intense focus on architecture and background detail. Though I was not a huge fan of the story (in fact, I had a hard time being interested enough to follow the story), I would easily plaster a wall with the art from Rebel Angels #1.

James Turner’s Rebel Angels #1 is certainly a comic worth reading, if not to oogle at the art, and who knows, maybe you’ll be a fan of the story as well. It can’t hurt to pick up 70 pages of great, fun art for a solid price. It should be available soon on the SLG website, so check things out there if you’re interested.

Story and Art: James Turner
Story: 4 Art: 8 Overall: 6 Recommendation: Read

Slave Labor Graphics provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

VIZ Kids Debuts New Summer Mameshiba Releases

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VIZ Media, LLC  has decided to delight younger fans and readers with the announcement of the release of a new activity book and the latest graphic novel volume for Mameshiba, the whimsical Japanese character sensations that have taken North America by storm.

The Mameshiba: We Could Be Heroes graphic novel, with story by James Turner and art by Jorge Monlongo, is now available, and will be followed by the Mameshiba: How to Be the Best Friend Ever activity book, on August 7th. Both editions will be published under the VIZ Kids imprint.

MAMESHIBA: WE COULD BE HEROES· Rated ‘A’ for All Ages ·

MSRP: $6.99 U.S. / $7.99 CAN · Available Now!    

Mameshiba are back for more laughs, more trivia, and more adventure! This time, the intrepid legumes travel to a magical land, combine to form a giant robot, and help a friend in love. Plus, Tiger Bean stars in three adorable shorts created by Lark Pien (Long Tail Kitty, Mr. Elephanter)!

MAMESHIBA: HOW TO BE THE BEST FRIEND EVER· Rated ‘A’ for All Ages ·

MSRP: $6.99 U.S. / $7.99 CAN · Available August 7th     

Even more creative fun is in store this summer with a colorful little guide to friendship from MAMESHIBA! Full of crafts, notes, stickers and good advice, this book is for anyone who wants to be the best friend ever!

VIZ Media To Release Art For Hope Digital Art Anthology In December

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Official Press Release

Innovative Art Book Created In Partnership With Autodesk To Benefit Japanese Disaster Recovery; Exhibit Of Artwork Also Takes Place In Las Vegas At Autodesk University

VIZ Media has announced the upcoming debut of ART FOR HOPE, a limited edition digital art book anthology created in partnership with Autodesk, Inc. (NASDAQ: ADSK) to benefit Architecture for Humanity. The anthology will be available for a limited time, from December 1, 2011 to May 31, 2012, for $4.99 through VIZManga.com and the VIZ Manga App for iPad®, iPhone® and iPod® touch. 100% of VIZ Media’s net proceeds will support Architecture for Humanity’s ongoing disaster reconstruction efforts in Japan. To learn more about these rebuilding projects, please visit: www.ArchitectureForHumanity.org.

Each of the 40 artists participating in the ART FOR HOPE anthology used Autodesk® SketchBook® digital paint and drawing software applications in some way to create original pieces for the anthology. The artists, both professional and amateur, hail from around the world and from diverse fields, and range in style from the realistic to the fantastic, each illustrating the theme of “Hope.” Notable contributors include Eisner Award and Harvey Award winner Rob Guillory, Harvey Award winner Lark Pien, muralist Sirron Norris, and MAMESHIBA artists Jorge Monlongo and Gemma Correll.

Selections from ART FOR HOPE will also be exhibited at the Autodesk annual user conference, Autodesk University, taking place at the Venetian Hotel in Las Vegas, NV from November 29th to December 1st. Access to the exhibit is free to the public within the Creative Studio a unique hands-on space to celebrate the creative spirit and showcasing a variety of Autodesk software and products. More information on the exhibit and conference is available at:

http://www.sketchbooknews.com/news/creative-studio-art-exhibit.html.

VIZ Media and Autodesk are very proud of and grateful to the following artists for their contributions to the ART FOR HOPE digital art anthology:

Janet Alvarado                                   Don’t Lose Hope

Asuka 111 (Patipat Asavasena)          Hope

Azure                                                 Untitled

Greg Baldwin of CreatureBox              Sheltered

Alan Bay                                            A Little Piece of Hope

Drew Blom                                         Calvin Hedge and the Iron Golem

Steve Boura                                       Bright Future

Carsten Bradley                                 A Wish for You

Matthew Britton                                 Regrowth

Veronica Casson                                 The Guest Room

Geikou Chen                                      Rainbow Bridge to Tomorrow

Gemma Correll                                   Pierre, le Chat Français

Kalii Delarosa                                     The Rainbow in the Rain

Conrado Hernan Villa Gil                     Untitled

Dave Guertin                                     First Flight

Rob Guillory                                       Hope

Rodolpho Langhi                                A New Sunrise

C. Lijewski                                          Light Side of Dark

Chris Lui                                            Birds of a Feather

Holly Mongi                                        Good Morning, Friend

Jorge Monlongo                                  The Sprout and the Bean

Brian Muelhaupt                                 Ojizo-sama

Shaun Mullen                                     Kodama (Tree Spirits)

Susan Murtaugh                                Enduring Beauty

Ray N.                                                Deliverance

Joe Ng                                               Rise Above the Storm

Sirron Norris                             Kibou

Jacques Pena                                     Love

Luis Peso                                            Gathering Hope

Lark Pien                                            Wishes, Dreams

Kyle Runciman                                   Ready to Roll

Francesco Salvati                               DEAR HOPE

Janet Shaw                                        The Hope of Japan

Brad Silverman                                   Dancing Dragon

Joseph Strachan                                 Flight of the Phoenix

James Turner                                     Never Give Up

Colie Wertz                                        Sea Turtle

Pinar Yalcin                                        Beam of Light

John Yandall                                                One Little Sign

Jim Zub                                              Seed Starter

For more information on the ART FOR HOPE project, please visit www.VIZ.com/artforhope.

For more information on VIZ Media digital initiatives, please visit VIZManga.com or www.VIZ.com/apps/.