Tag Archives: josh hixon

The Demon #1, Jonah Hex and the Shadow of Death #1, and Absolute Batman: Ark M #1 Head Back to Print

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Reader demand is sending three DC titles back to press! The Demon #1 and Jonah Hex and the Shadow of Death #1, two of DC’s newest Next Level series, will return for second printings, while Absolute Batman: Ark M #1 is headed back to press for a fourth printing.

The new printings give readers another chance to jump into The Demon and Jonah Hex and the Shadow of Death as both series continue with issue #2 on November 4. And with Absolute Batman: Ark M returning for a fourth printing, readers can catch up ahead of Absolute Batman: Beyond Ark M #1 publishing in December.

The Demon #1 Second Printing

The Demon #1, written and drawn by James Harren, returns to comic shops on December 2, featuring the original Harren main cover with updated trade dress, a new variant cover by Harren, and a foil version of Daniel Warren Johnson’s first-printing variant cover.

The Demon #2, written and drawn by Harren, arrives November 4. Jason Blood’s battle against demons hits a wall in the form of a prince of Hell with a score to settle with Etrigan.

Jonah Hex and the Shadow of Death #1 Second Printing

Jonah Hex and the Shadow of Death #1, written and drawn by Michael Walsh, also returns to comic shops on December 2, with the Walsh main cover receiving updated trade dress, a new variant cover by Walsh, and a foil version of Julian Totino Tedesco’s first-printing variant cover.

Jonah Hex and the Shadow of Death #2, written and drawn by Walsh, arrives November 4, as a mysterious preacher enters Ashecott and Jonah Hex is drawn deeper into the strange forces gathering around the town.

Absolute Batman: Ark M #1 Fourth Printing

Absolute Batman: Ark M #1, written by Scott Snyder and Frank Tieri with art by Josh Hixon and Roman Stevens, heads back to press for a fourth printing, arriving in comic shops December 16. The fourth printing will feature an updated version of Hixon’s first-printing main cover and a new variant cover by Derrick Chew.

And the story continues in Absolute Batman: Beyond Ark M #1, coming this December. Scott Snyder, Frank Tieri, and Francesco Francavilla dive into the disturbing origin of Professor Pyg and the Joker’s worldwide arks! 

In Absolute Batman: Ark M #1, we took you inside the darkest recesses of Ark M…now prepare to see what’s beyond! As the Joker surveys his empire of Arks, learn what terrible secrets and bone-chilling shocks lurk within them!

Review: Shanghai Red #1

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Red is one of hundreds shanghaied out of Portland in the late 1800s. Drugged, kidnapped, and sold to a ship’s captain, she wakes up on a boat headed out to sea for years, unable to escape or even reveal who she truly is. Now she’s coming back in a boat covered in blood to find her family and track down the men responsible for stealing her life out from under her.

A revenge tale. That’s Shanghai Red in a nutshell. The creative team of Christopher Sebela, Joshua Hixson, and Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou have put together a fascinating first issue that sets a tone of brutality and twists and turns that are fantastic. The story itself is a standard revenge one as the main character, Red, rises up to freedom and sets on a path to get some brutal justice from those that did her wrong. But, this is in the late 1800s. The guns are basic and the transportation is on the high seas. The setting and low-tech vibe of it all creates a gritty setting that just makes it all meaner and all the much cooler.

We’ve seen this type of story. But, this creative team has given us something new. First, there’s Red’s story taking us through the life of the time and what she had to do to survive. Everything is raw and dirty and none of it smooth and easy. There’s something really engaging about that and it gets the reader into the story and where it goes. Then there’s the reveal of who Red is early on. It’s unexpected (at least by me who didn’t read the solicit) and adds to the kick-ass nature of it all, especially when Red tells her story of the why of it all. And Red is a great character. No shits taken and justice is delivered. And she is just. After rising up, she treats her crew well eventually winning them over. She may be a murderer but she’s also a leader in so many ways. The case is made as to why she should be followed and that’s not just the brutality and skill but also an honesty and fairness too.

The art matches the setting with a gritty nature look. Things are clean and clear instead the style almost has a grime that matches the high seas it’s initially set on. We can feel the dirt in a way and the designs are fantastic despite a limited initial stage. That limitation also adds to the latter of the issue when we get a better look at the crew’s destination of Portland, Oregon and we can appreciate how much bigger the adventure’s going to get.

Shanghai Red is a revenge tale, but it’s one that feels unique due to its setting and characters. There’s a grittiness about it all and a low-fi aspect that makes it stand out from the pack. This is an absolutely fantastic debut issue and one that has me sucked in to see where it all goes.

Story: Christopher Sebela Art: Josh Hixson
Story: 9.0 Art: 9.0 Overall: 9.0 Recommendation: Buy

Image Comics provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Small Press Expo 2014: The Graphic Novel and Comic Highlights

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an iranian metamorphosisI love Small Press Expo, as it’s a convention that puts me in front of hundreds of small press and independent comics that I never see in Previews or on my local stores’ shelves (let alone coverage at comic blogs, but we promise to do better!). I walked out with a decent pile of books from the show, and here’s the pile!

An Iranian Metamorphosis by Mana Neyestani and published by Uncivilized Books. The graphic novel was at the top of my list of books to get leading up to the show. One of Neyestani’s cartoons sparked riots in Iran, which landed him and his editor in solitary confinement. The graphic novel explores the complex interplay between art, law, politics, ethnic sensitivities, and authoritarian elements inside Iran’s Islamic Republic as well as refugee’s attempts to find safety and freedom.

on the booksOn the Books: A Graphic Tale of Working Woes at NYC’s Strand Bookstore (World Around Us) by Greg Farrel and published by Microcosm Publishing. The graphic novel is the first-hand account of the 2012 labor struggle at New York City’s legendary Strand bookstore.

War of Streets and Houses by Sophie Yanow and published by Uncivilized Books. The graphic novel is about the American artist witnessing the Quebec spring 2012 student strike on the streets of Montreal, the police’s brutal response all wrapped up in an exploration of urban planning and its hidden connections to military strategies.

The Nixon Museum by Art Baxter and published by Phinkwell Comics Collective. The graphic novel is an interesting look at the complicated former President. I have a weird love of Nixon.

War of Streets and HousesBonnie N. Collide: Nine to Five #5-#8 by Monica Gallagher. If you’ve never read this comic series you’re missing out. It’s about a roller derby girl and her non roller derby life.

Nervenkrank: A Story About John Heartfield by Katherine K. Wirick. The comic tells the story of John Heartfield who was a founding member of the Berlin Dada group and was best known for his political photomontages which satirized and railed against Adolf Hitler, the Nazi Party, German warmongering, and the injustices of capitalism.

The Rebel Gun #1 by Josh Hixon and Dead Crow Comics. The art looks fantastic in this crime noir. I flipped through the book and was sold just by the amazing art.

The Humans #0 by Keenan Marshall Keller and Tom Neely. I love Tom Neely’s Henry and Glenn: Forever, so to get in on the ground floor of his new series is a must. This one will get some mainstream love when the first issue is released by Image Comics in November.