Tag Archives: jeff eckleberry

Negaduck #1 puts a fun spotlight on the Darkwing Duck villain

Negaduck #1

I’m a fan of Darkwing Duck. It’s an animated series that sticks with me 30 years after I religiously watched it as a kid. It stood on its own, acted as an homage, and spoofed classic comics all at the same time, delivering action, humor, and heart along the way. One thing that stands out even today are the show’s villains. A hero is only as good as their villains and Darkwing Duck had an amazing group of rogues. I could debate who was the best of the worst but up there is Negaduck, a “mirror universe” type villain who is the antithesis of everything Darkwing Duck is. Negaduck #1 reminds us of that and more in a fun debut that captures the Darkwing magic.

Written by Jeff Parker, Negaduck #1 has the dastardly villain escaping from prison and on a mission. The mission? Come up with a new evil plan. But, there’s a lot of other villains out there to compete with and Negaduck wants to have the best plan out there. So, the issue has a little fun as Negaduck keeps on coming up with plans but finds other already doing them. It’s a great introduction to this world for those who might be new but also fun for longtime fans of the series.

Not surprisingly, Parker nails the tone that made the animated series, and current comic series, so great. There’s a balance of laughs and seriousness to it all that creates a story that feels like it has stakes but also doesn’t take itself too seriously. The comic also keeps up the over the top tone of schemes as we see the villains causing chaos as they do.

The art by Ciro Cangialosi is solid. It captures the look of Darkwing Duck perfectly with all of the slapstick-ish humor. The colors pop and are bright and the comic flows perfectly as far as its visuals with the current comic series and classic animated series. This is a classic look and all of the comics look like a continuation visually of the animated series.

Negaduck #1 is a great first companion series to the current Darkwing Duck ongoing comic. It gives us another dip into the world which hasn’t lost a step in the decades since the animated series ended. It also puts the focus on the villains who, beyond being thorns in the sides of our heroes, haven’t gotten this type of spotlight before. It’s an exciting expansion to the series and hopefully the start of a lot more to come.

Story: Jeff Parker Art: Ciro Cangialosi
Color: Ciro Cangialosi Letterer: Jeff Eckleberry
Story: 8.25 Art: 8.25 Overall: 8.25 Recommendation: Buy

Dynamite Entertainment provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review


Purchase: TFAWZeus ComicsKindle

A Familiar Smile Returns in Your First Look at Alice Never After #3

BOOM! Studios today revealed a first look at Alice Never After #3, the next issue of the new five-issue original series from superstar artist and writer Dan Panosian, artist Giorgio Spalletta, colorist Francesco Segala, and letterer Jeff Eckleberry. Continue to blur the lines between fantasy and reality this Summer in Alice Never After, only at BOOM! Studios, available September 27, 2023.

Alice is primed to bring new life into Wonderland… meanwhile, a familiar smile returns to watch her every move. And just as Alice becomes overwhelmed by suitors and nearly ready to leave Wonderland behind, Edith discovers something that may help Alice escape–forever!

Alice Never After #3 features covers by Dan Panosian, Justine Florentino, and Bill Sienkiewicz.

Alice Never After #3

Disney’s Gargoyles Celebrates Halloween With a Special!

Dynamite is bringing the holiday fun this October with Disney‘s Gargoyles Halloween Special! It’s a can’t miss celebration of the season and an essential part of the ongoing Gargoyles canon.

Franchise creator and longtime shepherd across multimedia, Greg Weisman, writes the story of course! For this special release, he’s joined by artist Bonesso Diego and letterer Jeff Eckleberry.

It’s the first Halloween in the city that never sleeps for the youngest member of the Manhattan Clan, Nashville a.k.a. Gnash. His mother Katana doesn’t quite get the point of trick-or-treating, but his father Brooklyn understands that it’s the one night a year when Gnash can safely roam the city, since humans will believe he’s simply a guy in a costume.

At least, it should be a safe night! Gnash will run afoul of the masked Quarrymen, out hunting Gargoyles on All Hallow’s Eve, having set their sights on the entire Manhattan Clan!

With an October 18th release ahead of the holiday, this packed 40-page special with an extra-length 28-page main story will get fans excited to Gargoyle it up themselves on the 31st.

The Halloween Special features three remarkable covers for fans to choose from or collect them all. Matteo Lolli and Rebeca Puebla contribute, and lastly one by international superstar and Gargoyles mainstay Mirka Andolfo.

Even Curiouser Torment in Your First Look at Alice Never After #2

BOOM! Studios has revealed a first look at Alice Never After #2, the second issue of the new five-issue original series from superstar artist and writer Dan Panosian, artist Giorgio Spalletta, colorist Francesco Segala, and letterer Jeff Eckleberry. Continue to blur the lines between fantasy and reality this Summer in Alice Never After, only at BOOM! Studios, available August 30, 2023.

Alice’s place in Wonderland becomes ever curiouser, as a newfound role changes everything for her and the unpredictable denizens of her escapism. But with power comes an ever-weakening trust between her and her most trusted advisors, especially when they congregate with her former tormentors?

Alice Never After #2 features covers by Dan Panosian, Miguel Mercado, and Adam Hughes.

Alice Never After #2

Alice Never After #1 and BRRKR: Poetry of Madness #1 sell out and get new printings

BOOM! Studios has announced two recent sellouts, Alice Never After #1 and BRRKR: Poetry of Madness #1, both with get new printings.

Alice Never After #1 is the premiere issue of the new five-issue original series from superstar artist and writer Dan Panosian, artist Giorgio Spalletta, colorist Francesco Segala, and letterer Jeff Eckleberry!

Alice finally got her wish. Wonderland has become her new home, but with her abuser’s avatar with the uncanny grin turning the mad residents of a moonstruck world against her, she’s clawing for a little rationality amongst the chaos. As Alice’s sister Edith and her childhood friend Earl fight for a way to bring her back, Alice has to contend with whether or not her torment is due to her father, herself, or maybe a curious combination of both…

BOOM! Studios has announced Alice Never After #1 Second Printing, featuring brand new cover art by R1c0, available in stores August 23, 2023.

Alice Never After #1  Second Printing,

Iconic filmmaker and record-shattering comic creator Keanu Reeves is joined by acclaimed writer and artist Steve Skroce, Eisner Award-winning colorist Dave Stewart, and Eisner Award-nominated letterer Ed Dukeshire, for the first-ever BRZRKR one-shot special that pits the immortal B. against a Lovecraftian nightmare in BRRKR: Poetry of Madness

A sea of gore and devastation awaits as B., through a fateful chance encounter, safeguards the advanced and ancient realm of Atlantis as its unstoppable protector. But a sickly king serves as a symbol for the rot inside the kingdom, as the security and bliss created through B.’s violence is shallow… The cracks created by a secret cult might spell a monstrous end for the legendary city, one beyond even B.’s ability to save.

BOOM! Studios has announced BRRKR: Poetry of Madness #1 Second Printing, featuring brand new cover art by Steve Skroce, available in stores August 16, 2023.

BRRKR: Poetry of Madness 2nd printing

Claw for a Way Back in Your First Look at Alice Never After #1

BOOM! Studios has revealed a first look at Alice Never After #1, the premiere issue of the new five-issue original series from superstar artist and writer Dan Panosian, artist Giorgio Spalletta, colorist Francesco Segala, and letterer Jeff Eckleberry. Continue to blur the lines between fantasy and reality this Summer, available July 26, 2023.

Alice finally got her wish. Wonderland has become her new home, but with her abuser’s avatar with the uncanny grin turning the mad residents of a moonstruck world against her, she’s clawing for a little rationality amongst the chaos. As Alice’s sister Edith and her childhood friend Earl fight for a way to bring her back, Alice has to contend with whether or not her torment is due to her father, herself, or maybe a curious combination of both…

Alice Never After #1 features covers by Dan Panosian, Jenny Frison, InHyuk Lee, and Sean Murphy.

Alice Never After #1

Sean Murphy Covers Alice Never After #1

BOOM! Studios has revealed the variant cover by Sean Murphy for Alice Never After #1, a new and haunting adventure from writer Dan Panosian, artists Giorgio Spalleta with Cyril Glerum, colorist Francesco Segala with Gloria Martinelli, and letterer Jeff Eckleberry. Join Alice in another twisted take on Alice in Wonderland and continue to blur the lines between fantasy and reality this July 26th.

Alice finally got her wish. Wonderland has become her new home, but with her abuser’s avatar with the uncanny grin turning the mad residents of a moonstruck world against her, she’s clawing for a little rationality amongst the chaos.

As Alice’s sister Edith and her childhood friend Earl fight for a way to bring her back, Alice has to contend with whether or not her torment is due to her father, herself, or maybe a curious combination of both…

Alice Never After #1 features covers by series creator Dan Panosian, Jenny Frison, and InHyuk Lee.

Alice Never After #1 variant cover

Darkwing Duck #5 continues the fun

Darkwing Duck #5

Darkwing Duck has returned to saving St. Canard. But, a classic villain has returned in Dr. NoGood, and has decided to get F.O.W.L. back together! Darkwing has to deal with multiple villains and dots start getting connected. Darkwing Duck #5 picks up on the first four issues, building to something bigger in another multi-issue story.

Writer Amanda Deibert continues to channel the classic animated series as Darkwing Duck #5 brings back multiple villains, Dr. NoGood and Liquidator. The series as a whole has felt like it’s been building towards something and this issue seems to be the next step in whatever that is. While the series started off with a bunch of stories that didn’t quite feel interconnected, this issue makes that feel otherwise, showing off there might have been a plan all along. As a whole, it makes the series more enjoyable as you can read whatever issues you want featuring your favorite villains or enjoy the overarching story, which is partially what made the animated series so enjoyable as well.

Carlo Lauro‘s art continues to capture that series and characters. There’s a motion to it all that despite it being on the page, you can still get a sense of movement from the comic. Jeff Ekcleberry‘s lettering also nails things down adding to the fun and excitement. The comic feels like it’s ripped from the cartoon and no time has passed between the animated series and this.

Darkwing Duck #5 is another fun read that picks up on the hints of a bigger story from the previous issue. For long time fans it’s a welcome return of the characters but for new readers the team has been introducing everyone slowly. Lots of fun that captures or childhood. Overall, it’s just entertaining and will put a smile on your face.

Story: Amanda Deibert Art: Carlo Lauro
Color: Carlo Lauro Letterer: Jeff Eckleberry
Story: 8.15 Art: 8.15 Overall: 8.15 Recommendation: Buy

Dynamite Entertainment provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review


Purchase: TFAWZeus ComicsKindle

Disney Villains: Scar #2 adds some depth to Scar

Disney Villains: Scar #2

With their Disney Villains series of comics, Dynamite is putting the spotlight on the evil that makes so many Disney films great. But, there’s a challenge with these types of stories. You don’t want to make the villain too sympathetic and you definitely don’t want to make them the hero of their own story. Disney Villains: Scar #2 seems to be avoiding all of that focusing on Scar being a horrible being but also adding details so that we can understand and maybe feel a little bad for him.

Written by Chuck Brown, Disney Villains: Scar #2 has Scar roaming around for literal scraps of food as he figures out what to do. With Simba born, his path to the throne is less clear but it doesn’t mean he isn’t scheming.

Brown focuses on how detested Scar is but also shows us a bit more about his past, enough to feel a little sorry for him. We get a sense that his anger stems from loneliness in his childhood. You get a better sense as to why Scar is the way he is.

While the debut issue set things up, Disney Villains: Scar #2 gets things rolling as the villain is presented with an offer and plan from potential allies, both of whom aren’t to be trusted themselves. From there, it’s a tease as to what comes next and fans of The Lion King will be excited for that.

The art by Trevor Fraley is solid. With color by Chiara Di Francia and lettering by Jeff Eckleberry the comic looks like it could fit in with the animation but doesn’t try to copy the look or style. It’s close but deviates slightly to make things its own. It’s really good look with characters looking as they should and the settings interesting telling stories of their own. Everything has personality that creates a feel like the comic truly is an extension of the beloved animated film.

Disney Villains: Scar #2 continues the excellent debut by really getting the ball rolling. Like the first issue, it’s a series that is enjoyable for those that love the animated film and those that have never seen it. It does the difficult job of adding to the original story while still honoring it. If this is a sign for what’s to come with this line of comics, we’re here for it.

Story: Chuck Brown Art: Trevor Fraley
Color: Chiara Di Francia Letterer: Jeff Eckleberry
Story: 8.25 Art: 8.25 Overall: 8.25 Recommendation: Buy

Dynamite Entertainment provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review


Purchase: TFAWZeus ComicsKindle

Gargoyles: Dark Ages returns to their origin!

Dynamite has announced an exciting new miniseries event further expanding the return of Disney’s smash hit Gargoyles to comic books! In Gargoyles: Dark Ages, franchise creator Greg Weisman is peeking back into the past, bringing fans to the very origin story of the Manhattan Clan!

Gargoyles fans have known for years that their beloved characters like Goliath, Hudson, Brooklyn, Lexington, Broadway, and more can trace their history back to Scotland over a thousand years ago. Some fleeting moments of those times have been mentioned before, but never shown in as much depth as will be seen in this upcoming series! Greg Weisman is pulling back the curtain alongside artist Drew Moss and letterer Jeff Eckleberry, for the ultimate treat for Gargoyles fans, and a perfect entry point for newcomers to get to know these characters and their rich relationships.

Directly following the present day return of Demona in Gargoyles #7, readers will get to see her in this earlier era, as a young Gargoyle Warrior and loving partner to Goliath. Could some of her earliest turns to the darkness be revealed here? Either way, the events and consequences of these stories will reverberate through the years and into the present day, with each era and series playing into each other as part of Weisman’s grander Gargoyles saga!

In addition to the first issue having an oversized 24-page story, each issue of Dark Ages will also feature four pages of complementary prose storytelling by Weisman with spot illustrations. This extra material will allow him to tap into corners of the mythos in a way that will amplify the impact of the entire series. The series will also feature high quality cardstock covers on each variant. At 40 total pages, Gargoyles: Dark Ages #1 will be the next ultimate celebration of Disney’s iconic franchise.

Dark Ages will feature a range of stunning covers featuring a look at these younger visions of iconic characters, with a new mix of artists separate from the main series to offer fans and collectors more unique portrayals of the cast. Legendary artist Clayton Crain leads the way, alongside Alan Quah, Mirka Andolfo, Kenya Danino, and Erica Henderson. Unique and limited edition variants feature an action figure inspired piece, some pitch artwork from the TV show, and covers by both Jae Lee and interior artist Drew Moss.

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