Tag Archives: mike grell

First Comics Creators heads to Baltimore Comic Con

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The 24th annual Baltimore Comic-Con will take place at the Inner Harbor’s Baltimore Convention Center on September 8-10, 2023. The Baltimore Comic-Con is announcing creators that worked at one of the early indie publishers in the industry, First Comics, to include Howard Chaykin, Mike Grell, Marc Hempel, Steve Rude, Joe Staton, and Mark Wheatley. Get your tickets online now!

Howard Victor Chaykin is a longtime veteran of the comic book business. As a cartoonist — both writing and drawing — he has been a major influence on the direction of comics, referred to frequently as one of the principal architects of the modern comic book. His signature creation, American Flagg!, introduced a new level of narrative complexity, depth of character, and point of view in its text, not to mention a previously unseen level of design and craft to the visual nature of an all-too-frequently staid and timid medium. Chaykin continues to produce work that pushes the envelope of concept, context, and content in comics…in last year’s The Divided States of Hysteria for example, a comic book which, thanks to social media, enraged an entire new generation of the willfully ignorant who might have had a better case if they’d actually read the damned book. Chaykin’s new series, Hey Kids! Comics!, is a fictionalized history of the comic book business, a love letter written with just a frisson of acid in the ink, to the field he’s loved and called home for over four decades.

Mike Grell is a writer/artist with a uniquely cinematic style of storytelling. His creations include:

  • The Warlord
  • Starslayer
  • Jon Sable, Freelance
  • Shaman’s Tears
  • Bar Sinister
  • Maggie the Cat

These, along with successful runs on such features as Superboy and the Legion of Superheroes, Green Lantern, Green Arrow, Batman, Iron Man, X-Men Forever, James Bond: Permission To Die, the Tarzan Sunday comic strip, and the internationally acclaimed, Eisner Award- Nominated Green Arrow: The Longbow Hunters, have won him the comic industry’s coveted Inkpot Award For Outstanding Achievement in Comic Art. His graphic novel series Jon Sable, Freelance was adapted for TV by ABC in 1987. Grell has been voted to Wizard Magazine’s Top Ten List of Comics Writers and was recently named to Wizard World’s Hall of Legends and the Overstreet Comic Book Price Guide Hall of Fame. It was recently announced that, beginning in 2023, the widely acclaimed Shaman’s Tears will become an “audio movie” podcast on The Fantasy Network, produced in conjunction with Native Voices under the artistic direction of DeLanna Studi out of the Autrey Museum.

In addition to his collaboration with Neil Gaiman on the climactic story arc “The Kindly Ones” in The Sandman, artist and writer Marc Hempel is also known for his critically acclaimed work with Mark Wheatley in the titles Breathtaker, Mars, and Blood of the Innocent. His own creations Gregory and Tug & Buster have been nominated for Harvey and Eisner Awards, and his humor anthology Naked Brain was named Best Comic Book in the Baltimore City Paper’s Best of Baltimore 2003 issue. Hempel’s art has also appeared in Marvel Fanfare, Epic Illustrated, Heavy Metal, Jonny Quest, Tarzan the Warrior, Clive Barker’s Hellraiser, Flinch, My Faith in Frankie, The Dreaming, Lucifer, and Disney Adventures. He has created advertising art for print and television, and character design for HBO Animation. More recently, Hempel produced CD art for the Nashville band Swamp Rat, drew an episode of the online strip Munden’s Bar for ComicMix.com, illustrated a 21-page story for Michael Chabon’s The Escapist: Pulse-Pounding Thrills, and has contributed to both MAD Magazine and Nickelodeon Magazine. Marc’s latest work includes a full page comic strip for the lavish hardcover Little Nemo: Dream Another Dream, as well as art for SpongeBob Comics, the Planned Parenthood benefit book Mine!, and Short Things: Tales Inspired by “Who Goes There?” (The Thing) by John W. Campbell, Jr. He is the recipient of the Speakeasy Award and the Inkpot Award. Originally from the Chicago area, Marc currently resides in Baltimore, Maryland.

Steve Rude’s career began in 1981 with his and co-creator Mike Baron’s groundbreaking Nexus comic series. This space saga catapulted Rude into the field of comics, where he became highly sought after by major publishers. During his first few years in the industry, Rude’s efforts led to numerous awards, such as the 1984 Russ Manning Newcomer Award, the Kirby Award for best artist in 1986, and numerous Eisners for artistic achievement. For over two decades, Rude has drawn hundreds of comic’s greatest iconic heroes, and has galvanized the art world as a comic magazine artist and illustrator.

Currently, Steve and his company, Rude Dude Productions, are bringing the past into the future with comic strips of Nexus and the Moth.

Joe Staton has been drawing comics since he started working for Charlton Comics in 1971, where he co-created E-Man and Michael Mauser. Though the bulk of his work has been for DC Comics, at last count, Staton has worked for at least 30 publishers and 100 different editors. Among his many comics credits are Action Comics, Green Lantern, The Legion, Classics Illustrated, and various incarnations of Batman. During his time on Green Lantern, he co-created several GLs, including Kilowog, Arisia, and Salakk. He also designed GL Guy Gardner’s “bad boy” look. More recently, with his writer-wife Hilarie, he produces medical comics such as Pete Learns All About Crohn’s and Colitis and Amy Goes Gluten-Free. In 1998, he received the Eisner Award for his work on World’s Finest: The Superman-Batman Adventures. He penciled over 100 issues of the Cartoon Network’s Scooby Doo comic. He illustrated a graphic novel adaptation of Ayn Rand’s Anthem for NAL and a graphic biography of Ronald Reagan. Since 2011, working with writer Mike Curtis, Joe has been the regular artist for the long-running Dick Tracy newspaper strip (available online at www.gocomics.com/dicktracy). Dick Tracy received Harvey Awards in 2013, 2014, and 2015 for Best Syndicated Strip or Feature.

Mark Wheatley, Overstreet Hall of Fame inductee, has been awarded the Eisner, Inkpot, Mucker, Gem, Speakeasy, Golden Lion, Robert E. Howard Foundation Outstanding Achievement and nominations for the Harvey and the Ignatz. His work has appeared in Spectrum, the Library of Congress, The Norman Rockwell Museum, and other museums. He has designed for Lady Gaga, The Black Eyed Peas, ABC’s Beauty and the Beast, and Square Roots, as well as Super Clyde, The Millers, and 2 Broke Girls on CBS. His most recent print projects include Songs of Giants, Doctor Cthulittle, Tarzan and the Dark Heart of Time, Swords Against the Moon Men, The Philip Jose Farmer Centennial Collection, Mine! and Wild Stars. Past creations include Breathtaker, Return of The Human, Ez Street, Lone Justice, Mars, Black Hood, Prince Nightmare, Hammer of The Gods, Blood of The Innocent, Frankenstein Mobster, and Skultar as well as Tarzan, Baron Munchausen, Jonny Quest, Dr. Strange, The Flash, Captain Action, Argus, The Spider, Stargate Atlantis, Torchwood, and Doctor Who.

Among Wheatley’s latest projects, Skultar, has just been announced to start in Dark Horse Presents #7. Written by M.J. Butler, Skultar is a loving (but none-too-kind) send-up of barbarian stories. The Spider: Satan’s Murder Machines collects Norvell Page’s epic crime drama in a deluxe hardcover for the first time with a cover by Wheatley, and The Mark Wheatley Gallery collects a number of the artist’s 2010 13″ x 19″ art prints in book form for the first time.

This year’s confirmed guests for the show include: Dan Abdo (Blue, Barry & Pancakes), Arthur Adams (Longshot), Sarah Andersen (Sarah’s Scribbles), Art Baltazar (Yahgz), Jeremy Bastian (Dune: House Harkonnen), Marty Baumann (Pixar artist), Carolyn Belefsky (Curls), Brian Michael Bendis (Action Comics), Jon Bogdanove (The Death of Superman), Judy Bogdanove (Steel Annual), Dan Brereton (Nocturnals), Harold Buchholz (Sweetest Beasts), Mark Buckingham (Fables), Greg Burnham (Tuskegee Heirs), Jim Calafiore (NED, Lord of the Pit), Chris Campana (Death Dealer), Joe Carabeo (Black Magic Tales), Richard Case (Edgar Allan Poe’s Snifter of Terror), Howard Chaykin (Time Squared), Jim Cheung (Young Avengers), Frank Cho (Harley Quinn), Amy Chu (KISS: The End), Brian Clevinger (Atomic Robo), Steve Conley (The Middle Age), Katie Cook (Nothing Special), Nick Davis (Night Guardians), Deans Family (Crass Fed), Abby Denson (Uniquely Japan), Todd Dezago (The Perhapanauts), Derec Donovan (Adventures of Superman), Jan Duursema (Star Wars: The High Republic), Garth Ennis (The Boys), David Finch (Moon Knight), Tony Fleecs (Stray Dogs), Chris Flick (Capes and Babes), Scott Fogg (Phileas Reid Knows We’re Not Alone), Tana Ford (LaGuardia), Trish Forstner (Stray Dogs), Franco (Fae and the Moon), John Gallagher (Max Meow), Jose Luis Garcia-Lopez (DC Nation), Jimmy Gownley (Amelia Rules!), Mike Grell (Jon Sable), Dawn Griffin (Zorphbert & Fred), Chris Gugilotti (Teen Titans Go!), Gene Ha (Mae), Laura Lee Gulledge (Page by Paige), Bob Hall (West Coast Avengers), Cully Hamner (Blue Beetle), Brian Haberlin (Spawn), Tony Harris (The Whistling Skull), Mike Hawthorne (Deadpool), Marc Hempel (Sandman), Greg Hildebrandt (Star Wars), Morry Hollowell (Old Man Logan), Jamal Igle (Superman), Mark Irwin (Green Lantern), Klaus Janson (Daredevil), Dave Johnson (100 Bullets), J.G. Jones (Wanted), Kata Kane (Altar Girl), Barry Kitson (Amazing Spider-Man), Jeff Lemire (Black Hammer), Nate Lovett (Dungeons & Dragons), Matthew Loux (Prunella and the Cursed Skull Ring), Kevin Maguire (Justice League), Tom Mandrake (Spectre), Laura Martin (Nubia: Queen of the Amazons), Mariano Brothers (Claire Lost Her Bear at the World’s Fair), Ron Marz (Green Lantern), Jason May (LEGO Club Magazine), Bob McLeod (New Mutants), Adriana Melo (Action Comics), Pop Mhan (Gears of War 3), Al Milgrom (Spectacular Spider-Man), Karl Moline (Buffy the Vampire Slayer), Mark Morales (Thor), Trevor Mueller (Re-Possessed), Sarah Myer (Monstrous: A Transracial Adoption Story), Jamar Nicholas (Leon: Protector of the Playground), Jason Patterson (Blue, Barry & Pancakes), David Pepose (Savage Avengers), David Petersen (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles/Usagi Yojimbo: WhereWhen), Brandon Peterson (Uncanny X-Men), Richard and Wendy Pini (Elfquest), Ed Piskor (Red Room: Trigger Warnings), Joe Prado (Superman), Afua Richardson (Omni), Christopher Ring (Seamus (the Famous)), Don Rosa (Uncle Scrooge), Craig Rousseau (The Perhapanauts), Arsia Rozegar (Shahnameh For Kids), Steve Rude (Nexus), Jim Rugg (Hulk Grand Design), Andy Runton (Owly), Alex Simmons (Archie), Louise Simonson (The Death of Superman 30th Anniversary Special), Walter Simonson (Thor), Matt Slay (Equilibrium), John K. Snyder III (Suicide Squad), Sozomaika (DC Power: A Celebration), Mark Sparacio (Omega Paradox), Joe Staton (Dick Tracy), John Timms (Superman: Son of Kal-El), Emilio Velez Jr. (The Dodgeball Teens), Wade von Grawbadger (Justice League), Adam Wallenta (Punk Taco), Todd Webb (Mr. Toast Comics), Scott Wegener (Atomic Robo), Joey Weiser (Ghost Hog), Mark Wheatley (Skultar), Emily S. Whitten (The Underfoot), Marcus Williams (Tuskegee Heirs), John Workman (Wild Things), Caitlin Yarsky (Black Hammer Reborn), and Thom Zahler (Love and Capes).

Reilly Brown, Mike Grell, Francis Manapul, Craig Rousseau, Stuart Sayger, and Matt Slay head to Baltimore Comic Con

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Don’t miss the Baltimore Comic-Con coming up this October 28-30, 2022 at the Inner Harbor’s Baltimore Convention Center. The Baltimore Comic-Con has announced the addition comic artists and cartoonists Reilly Brown, Mike Grell, Francis Manapul, Craig Rousseau, Stuart Sayger, and Matt Slay. Tickets for admission and VIP experiences can be found online now.

New Jersey native Reilly Brown is a best-selling comic book artist and writer for Marvel and DC Comics, known for bringing a sense of character and personality to the projects on which he works, balancing a combination of light-hearted humor with fast paced superhero action. These talents have been on full display in the pages of Amazing Spider-Man, Incredible Hercules, Batman/Fortnite, and many other comics, perhaps most notably Deadpool, Marvel’s infamous, rapid-healing merc-with-a-mouth! He is also a pioneer in digital storytelling, utilizing new ways of making comics for tablets and smart phones with his creator-owned series Power Play, as well as several stories for Marvel, including Deadpool: The Gauntlet, Slapstick, and several others. Reilly currently works with Fabian Nicieza on their creator-owned series Outrage, which can be found on Line Webtoon.

Mike Grell is a writer/artist with a uniquely cinematic style of storytelling. His creations include:

  • The Warlord
  • Starslayer
  • Jon Sable, Freelance
  • Shaman’s Tears
  • Bar Sinister
  • Maggie the Cat

These, along with successful runs on such features as Superboy and the Legion of Superheroes, Green Lantern, Green Arrow, Batman, Iron Man, X-Men Forever, James Bond: Permission To Die, the Tarzan Sunday comic strip, and the internationally acclaimed, Eisner Award- Nominated Green Arrow: The Longbow Hunters, have won him the comic industry’s coveted Inkpot Award For Outstanding Achievement in Comic Art. His graphic novel series Jon Sable, Freelance was adapted for TV by ABC in 1987. Grell has been voted to Wizard Magazine‘s Top Ten List of Comics Writers and was recently named to Wizard World’s Hall of Legends and the Overstreet Comic Book Price Guide Hall of Fame. It was recently announced that, beginning in 2023, the widely acclaimed Shaman’s Tears will become an “audio movie” podcast on The Fantasy Network, produced in conjunction with Native Voices under the artistic direction of DeLanna Studi out of the Autrey Museum.

Francis Manapul is a New York Times best seller and an award-winning artist and writer based in Toronto, Canada. Best known for his work relaunching The Flash for DC Comics and following it up with the company’s namesake title, Detective Comics, he is currently the co-creator and artist of Clear, a Comixology Original series. In the past, he has written and illustrated Trinity, which stars Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman. He has also illustrated Justice League, Legion of Super-Heroes, and Adventure Comics, accompanied by a prolific career as a cover artist. In the past, Francis has also dabbled in the world of television as one of the hosts on History Channel’s Beast Legends, which combined globetrotting adventures and challenging art projects.

Craig Rousseau has been working in the comics industry for over 2 decades, working for all the major publishers, including DC (Impulse, Batman Beyond, Harley Quinn, Batman ‘66) and Marvel (Iron Man Armor Wars, Captain America and the Korvac Saga, Spider-Man Loves Mary Jane). Besides Young Hellboy from Dark Horse Comics, he’s currently working on the latest adventures of his creator-owned book, The Perhapanauts (with Todd Dezago) at Black Caravan… and a few other things.

Stuart Sayger is a professional illustrator who works primarily in the comic book industry. Known for his moody atmospheric art, Sayger first broke into the industry as the creator of Shiver in the Dark, producing the comic independently from start to finish. Recent projects include producing covers for GI Joe, Dejah Thoris, Jeepers Creepers, Vampirella, and he is currently working on covers for KISS and Bloodshot. Past comic book projects include: Walking Dead, X-Files, 30 Days of Night, Xena Warrior Princess, Lego Bionicle, Micronauts, and Rom. Sayger has also produced art for the “Man of Steel” Superman movie as well as many other Warner Bros. Batman/Superman/Wonder Woman projects! www.stuartsayger.com

Matt Slay has worked in comics for 15 years, but quickly made a name for himself painting variant covers for IDW’s Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. His dark and earthy watercolors bring a grown-up sense of danger to any character. Born in St. Michaels and raised in Easton, the Maryland native now paints for the sci-fi anthology series Time Traveled Tales with authors such as Timothy Zahn. Matt has generated production art for Marvel Premiere as well as Iron Man 3, and has since provided covers for Six Gun Gorilla and American Mythology’s Equilibrium while writing his own book and cartoon series, 3 Story Dungeon. Matt is represented by Comic Art House.

Confirmed guests for this year’s show include:

Andrew Aydin (Run), Chris Barcomb (The Amazing Adventure of Superior Sam), Jeremy Bastian (Cursed Pirate Girl), Marty Baumann (Pixar artist), John Beatty (Marvel Super Heroes: Secret Wars), Carolyn Belefski (Curls), Brett Breeding (Superman), Dan Brereton (Nocturnals), Russ Braun (The Boys), Reilly Brown (Deadpool), Harold Buchholz (Sweetest Beasts), Mark Buckingham (Fables), Jeffrey Burandt (Killer Bad), Greg Burnham (Tuskegee Heirs), Jim Calafiore (NED, Lord of the Pit), Chris Campana (The Adventures of Parker Reef), Joe Carabeo (Black Magic Tales), Richard Case (Edgar Allan Poe’s Snifter of Terror), John Cassaday (Astonishing X-Men), Howard Chaykin (Time Squared), Jim Cheung (Miracleman), Frank Cho (Harley Quinn), Matthew Clark (Adventures of Superman, courtesy of Hero Initiative), Steve Conley (The Middle Age), Katie Cook (Nothing Special), Kevin Cuffe (Metalshark Bro), Shawn Daley (Better Place), Alan Davis (Thanos), Nick Davis (The Night Guardians – Awakenings), Kristina Deak-Linsner (Roses for the Dead), J. Robert Deans (Crass Fed), Vito Delsante (Stray), Todd Dezago (The Perhapanauts), Terry Dodson (Harley Quinn), Mike Dringenberg (Sandman, Friday only, courtesy of Hero Initiative), Scott Dunbier (Jim Lee’s X-Men Artist’s Edition, courtesy of Hero Initiative), Ryan Dunlavey (The Comic Book History of Animation), Garth Ennis (The Boys), Tony Fleecs (Stray Dogs), Chris Flick (Capes and Babes), Scott Fogg (Phileas Reid Knows We’re Not Alone), Trish Forstner (Stray Dogs), LJ and Kayla Fowlkes (The Adventures of CHIBIWONGTONG), Franco (The Ghost, The Owl), Bob Frantz (Metalshark Bro), John Gallagher (Max Meow: Cat Crusader), Kami Garcia (Teen Titans: Raven), Jose Luis Garcia-Lopez (DC Nation), Ron Garney (BZRKR, Friday and Saturday only), Mitch Gerads (Mister Miracle), Jimmy Gownley (Amelia Rules!), Steven Grant (X), Mike Grell (Green Arrow: The Longbow Hunters), Dawn Griffin (Zorphbert & Fred), Brian Haberlin (Spawn), Bob Hall (West Coast Avengers), Cully Hamner (Blue Beetle), Dean Haspiel (The Fox), Mike Hawthorne (Happiness Will Follow), Jamal Igle (Molly Danger), Klaus Janson (Daredevil), Nikkol Jelenic (Midnight Rose), Chris Kemple (Artist Alley Comics), Phillip Kennedy Johnson (Alien), Kata Kane (Altar Girl), Tom King (Batman), Barry Kitson (Amazing Spider-Man), Greg LaRocque (The Three Stooges), Jim Lee (Action Comics, Friday only), Joseph Michael Linsner (Red Sonja), Howard Mackie (Ghost Rider), Kevin Maguire (Justice League), Francis Manapul (The Flash), Mariano Brothers (Claire Lost Her Bear at the World’s Fair), Laura Martin (Nubia: Queen of the Amazons), Ron Marz (Silver Surfer), Whitney Matheson (Pandemix: Quarantine Comics in the Age of ‘Rona), Jason May (LEGO Club Magazine), Bob McLeod (New Mutants), Mike McKone (Genis-Vell: Captain Marvel), Carla Speed McNeil (Finder), Jarrett Melendez (Chef’s Kiss), Adriana Melo (Action Comics), Frank Miller (Sin City, Saturday only), Chris Miskiewicz (Elvis: The Graphic Novel), Mark Morales (Thor), Bill Morrison (The Simpsons), Trevor Mueller (Albert the Alien), Jamar Nicholas (Leon: Protector of the Playground), Fabian Nicieza (Deadpool, courtesy of Hero Initiative), Ann Nocenti (The Seeds, Friday and Saturday only, courtesy of Hero Initiative), Sedat Oezgen (Judge Dredd), Jerry Ordway (Superman), Rachel Ordway (Chainmail Bikini), Steve Orlando (Rainbow Bridge, Saturday and Sunday only), Richard Pace (Second Coming, courtesy of Hero Initiative), Dan Parent (Archie vs. Sharknado), David Pepose (Savage Avengers), Andrew Pepoy (Simone & Ajax), David Petersen (Mouse Guard), Brandon Peterson (Uncanny X-Men), Khoi Pham (Teen Titans), Ed Piskor (Red Room: Trigger Warnings), Eric Powell (The Goon), Andy Price (My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic), Tom Raney (Green Lantern), Afua Richardson (Omni), Christopher Ring (Seamus (the Famous)), David A. Rodriguez (Skylanders), Don Rosa (Uncle Scrooge), Craig Rousseau (The Perhapanauts), Arsia Rozegar (Shahnameh For Kids), Jim Rugg (Hulk Grand Design), Alex Saviuk (Web of Spider-Man), Stuart Sayger (The Joker), Mark Schultz (Xenozoic Tales, courtesy of Flesk Publications), Pat Shand (Destiny, NY), Liam Sharp (Green Lantern), Louise Simonson (X-Men Legends), Walter Simonson (Ragnarok), Don Simpson (Megaton Man), Matt Slay (Equilibrium), Matt Smith (Hellboy), John K. Snyder III (Suicide Squad), Jim Starlin (Infinity Gauntlet), Joe Staton (Dick Tracy), Brian Stelfreeze (Black Panther), Paul Storrie (Storm Kids: Stanley’s Ghost), Jill Thompson (Scary Godmother), Billy Tucci (Shi), Fred Van Lente (The Comic Book History of Animation), Emilio Velez Jr. (The Dodgeball Teens), Dexter Vines (Civil War, courtesy of Hero Initiative), Sean Von Gorman (Return of Toe Tag Riot), Adam Wallenta (Punk Taco), Todd Webb (Mr. Toast Comics), Lee Weeks (Batman/Catwoman Special), Emily S. Whitten (The Underfoot), Matt Wieringo (Stargate Atlantis: Gateways), Keith Williams (Thor the Worthy), Charles P. Wilson III (Wraith), Rich Woodall (Electric Black), Gene Luen Yang (Superman Smashes the Klan), and Thom Zahler (Love and Capes).

Get a First Look at DC’s Green Arrow 80th Anniversary 100-Page Spectacular!

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On June 29, join DC in celebrating eight decades of emerald-clad swashbuckling, crime-fighting, and trick arrows of every kind when the Green Arrow 80th Anniversary 100-Page Super Spectacular #1! Honoring Green Arrow and his allies across his 80-year history, from the Golden Age to now, the anniversary special includes 12 stories from some of DC’s most esteemed writers and artists who have contributed to the legacy of Oliver Queen. The title will also include 8-decade variant covers depicting the Emerald Archer through the ages.

This anthology not only features a “who’s – who” of comic book storytellers but also includes a unique and heartfelt tribute to the career of iconic DC and Green Arrow scribe Denny O’Neil. “Tap, Tap, Tap” is a silent, wordless story from Denny O’Neil’s son Larry, Jorge Fornes, and Dave Stewart. The story chronicles the challenges and victories in Denny’s life both in and out of comics, from his childhood, raising a family, his stellar career as a writer, until his passing in 2020

Additional stories in this anthology include:

  • “The Disappearing Bandit”
    Written by Mariko Tamaki, Art by Javier Rodriguez
    It’s the Golden Age of Green Arrow and Speedy, brought to humorous and loving life by New York Times bestselling writer Mariko Tamaki (Harley Quinn: Breaking Glass) and acclaimed artist Javier Rodriguez (Batgirl: Year One). A lot of people attempt to affectionately show the silliness of the first age of super heroes, but few have done it as exceptionally as Mariko and Javier. Trick arrows for everyone!
  • “Punching Evil”
    Written by Tom Taylor, Art by Nicola Scott, Colors by Annette Kwok
    To become a more adept superhero and fighter, Green Arrow goes to train with the Golden Age superhero Wildcat at his gym. In true Wildcat fashion, he shows Ollie the hard way of what it takes to be your own hero. Tom Taylor (Nightwing, Suicide Squad, Injustice) brings this story to life, with incredible artwork from Nicola Scott (Wonder Woman 75th Anniversary Special) and Annette Kwok (Joker/Harley: Criminal Sanity).
  • “Who Watches the Watchtower?”
    Written by Stephanie Phillips, Art by Chris Mooneyham, Colors by Mike Spicer
    The Green Arrow is left behind on the Justice League Satellite while the rest of the team goes on an important mission. Oliver is less than thrilled, and righteously indignant about the situation as usual until an alien armada invades the Satellite. Can Ollie stand alone against an alien onslaught before it reaches earth? Acclaimed writer Stephanie Phillips (Harley Quinn) captures that “Denny O’Neil Green Arrow”-voice, and this story is brought to life in gorgeous fashion by Christopher Mooneyham’s (Nightwing) retro/modern bronze age aesthetic.
  • “Out of the Shadows”
    Written and Art by Mike Grell, Colors by Lovern Kindzerski
    Legendary Green Arrow writer and artist Mike Grell return to the 1980’s era of The Longbow Hunters. The Green Arrow must team up with the legendary anti-hero Shado to stop a shipment of smuggled guns from making it into Seattle. Depicting The Emerald Archer as only he can, Grell will remind readers why his take on Ollie Queen is still a Green standard.
  • “The Arrow and the Song”
    Written by Ram V, Art by Christopher Mitten, Colors by Ivan Plascencia
    This tale is a beautiful meditation on the love between Green Arrow and Black Canary through the years and the found family that they’ve created. Writer Ram V (Catwoman) puts together this beautiful story of love and how life takes turns you don’t expect. Gloriously brought to life by the work of Christopher Mitten (Batman: Arkham Unhinged) and Ivan Plascencia (The Flash).
  • “One”
    Written by Brandon Thomas, Art by Jorge Corona, Colors by Matheus Lopes
    We go right back to the mid-90s with this story. Oliver Queen is dead. Connor Hawke is Green Arrow and he has to save the main Queen Industries building in Star City, the home of a business and family he was never part of, from a group of terrorists. Brought to you by Infinite Frontier and Future State writer Brandon Thomas (Future State: Aquaman) and amazingly drawn by Jorge Corona (We Are Robin).
  • “Green Man and Autumn Son”
    Written by Devin Grayson, Art by Max Fiumara
    Catwoman writer Devin Grayson and artist Max Fiumara shine a spotlight on Roy Harper, a.k.a Red Arrow, as he continues to manage his transition from “sidekick” to adult hero, along with single parenthood and his struggles with addiction and recovery.
  • “Star City Star”
    Written and Art by Phil Hester, Inks by Ande Parks, Colors by Trish Mulvihill
    Phil Hester drew nearly fifty issues of Green Arrow in the early 2000s, working with popular writers like Kevin Smith, Brad Meltzer, and Judd Winnick. Here, Phil synthesizes what was so great about his run into a tremendous eight-page story. Green Arrow tries to save a young girl named Star who has been kidnapped but has to run through a gauntlet of his greatest villains and allies to get to her. Including: Onomatopoeia, Speedy (Mia Dearden), Green Lantern (Hal Jordan), Black Canary, Arsenal, Connor Hawke, and Count Vertigo.
  • “Happy Anniversary”
    Written by Vita Ayala, Art by Laura Braga, Colors by Adriano Lucas
    This story focuses on the point in time where Green Arrow and Black Canary were married right before the New 52. On the day of their anniversary, the two are at each other’s throats and then Green Arrow gets kidnapped. Black Canary thinks the kidnapping is part of an anniversary game/present but quickly discovers that Green Arrow has REALLY been kidnapped by DEATHSTROKE and she has to save him. Vita Ayala (Future State: The Next Batman) writes a wonderful Mr. and Mrs. Smith-style action rom-com brought to life by Laura Braga (DC Comics Bombshells).
  • “The Sympathy of the Woods”
    Written by Ben Percy, Art by Otto Schmidt
    It’s the DC Rebirth Era, Green Arrow is feeling lost, the world is getting worse, and he doesn’t feel like he’s making enough of a difference. To cheer him up, Black Canary, Red Arrow (Emiko Queen), Diggle, and Henry Fyffe try to throw him a party to remind him of the beautiful community he’s built. But what starts as a celebration will become a rescue mission as Green Arrow is hunted down by the Dark Archer known as MERLYN. From DC talents Ben Percy (Nightwing) and Otto Schmidt (Harley Quinn).
  • “The Last Green Arrow Story”
    Written by Jeff Lemire, Art by Andrea Sorrentino, Colors by Jordie Bellaire
    The acclaimed Green Arrow creative team from the New 52, New York Times Bestselling author Jeff Lemire (Sweet Tooth)  and Andrea Sorrentino (Joker: Killer Smile) tell a transcendent final tale of Oliver Queen. In his older years, he requests to be left alone on the island where he was stranded so many decades ago. He’s gone there to connect to his own myth, his legacy, and to die in peace. But is it ever that simple for The Green Arrow?

The variant covers for this must-have collector’s item come from some of the most prolific artists in comics:

  • 1940’s Variant: Michael Cho
  • 1950’s Variant: Daniel Warren Johnson
  • 1960’s Variant: Neal Adams
  • 1970’s Variant: Derrick Chew
  • 1980’s Variant: Gary Frank
  • 1990’s Variant: Howard Porter
  • 2000’s Variant: Jen Bartel
  • 2010’s Variant: Simone Di Meo

Green Arrow 80th Anniversary 100-Page Super Spectacular #1 arrives in participating comic book stores and digitally on Tuesday, June 29, 2020, for $9.99.

Celebrate 80 Years of Green Arrow With the Green Arrow 80th Anniversary 100-Page Super Spectacular

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Time to dust off your Boxing Glove arrow, fire up the Arrowcar and join DC in celebrating eight decades of emerald excellence! On June 29, the Green Arrow 80th Anniversary 100-Page Super Spectacular #1 brings together some of comics’ greatest storytellers to pay tribute to Green Arrow’s legacy and the heroes and villains that have fought aside and against him.

Since his first appearance in More Fun Comics #73 in 1941, Oliver Queen, a.k.a. the Green Arrow has been one of the premier (and loudest) characters in the DCU, always at the forefront of where the superhero genre is headed as the eternal champion of the underdog. This over-sized anniversary issue follows in those footsteps, combining an all-star line-up of Green Arrow storytelling legends such as Mike Grell, Jeff Lemire, Phil Hester, Otto Schmidt, Ben Percy, Tom Taylor, and Devin Grayson alongside new Green Arrow contributors, including Stephanie Phillips, Mariko Tamaki, Ram V, Vita Ayala, Nicola Scott, Chris Mitten, Laura Braga, Max Fiumara, Brandon Thomas, and others to pay homage not just to the Battling Bowman, but Ollie’s partner-in-crime fighting Black Canary, Connor Hawke, Arsenal, Red Arrow, Speedy, Onomatopoeia, Count Vertigo and more!

Featuring a breathtaking cover by Detective Comics artist Dan Mora, this can’t- miss collectible will also feature an incredible selection of “decade” variant covers, courtesy of some of the best artists in the business:

  • 1940’s Variant: Michael Cho
  • 1950’s Variant: Daniel Warren Johnson
  • 1960’s Variant: Neal Adams
  • 1970’s Variant: Derrick Chew
  • 1980’s Variant: Gary Frank
  • 1990’s Variant: Howard Porter
  • 2000’s Variant: Jen Bartel
  • 2010’s Variant: Simone Di Meo

See what the past, present and future have in store for Green Arrow his allies and his enemies when the Green Arrow 80th Anniversary 100-Page Super Spectacular arrives in comic book stores and on participating digital platforms on Tuesday, June 29, 2021 for $9.99.

Green Arrow 80th Anniversary 100-Page Super Spectacular

Comics Deserve Better Episode 17: The Book Tour by Andi Watson

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After a week off for Thanksgiving, Brian, Darci, and Logan are back to talk about indie comics. They discuss the announcement of the upcoming Houghton Mifflin graphic novel The Worst Ronin, the remastering of Mike Grell‘s legendary Jon Sable, Freelance series. and maybe dig into yaoi manga a little bit too much. Then, they chat about Andi Watson‘s 2020 comic The Book Tour, the black and white saga of an author who can’t sell a single copy of his book and keeps getting put up in worse and worse hotels and ends up in a quite conundrum and wrap up things up by mentioning what they’re thankful for in 2020. Other comics mentioned on the show include A Girl Walks Home Alone At Night, Fake, I Walk with Monsters, Lumberjanes: End of Summer, Trese, and Kill A Man.

(Episode art by Andi Watson)

Mike Grell is Kickstarting a Deluxe Omnibus of Jon Sable

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Jon Sable, Freelance

After successful Kickstarter campaigns to revive Mike Grell’s Maggie the Cat and his collaboration with actor/writer Mark Ryan on The Pilgrim, Grell’s Masterstroke Studios imprint is giving one of his most popular creations a massive new release: Jon Sable, Freelance.

Jon Sable, Freelance, the story of a former African hunter in the concrete jungle, was one of the earliest successes among independent comics of the 1980s helped redefine what the medium could achieve..  A top seller, Sable often saw higher sales and critical praise than Batman, Superman, Spiderman, Avengers, and many other mainstay titles.

Grell left art duties on Jon Sable, Freelance with issue #44, but continued to write the title through issue #56 before leaving to do Green Arrow: The Longbow Hunters for DC in 1987 (the same year Sable became a short-lived TV show on ABC, co-starring newcomer Rene Russo), continuing to push the boundaries of comics within the major companies thanks to the independent comics’ influence. 

It is notable that Sable has never gotten the Deluxe Hardcover Omnibus treatment it deserves. IDW released a series of trade paperbacks in the early 2000s, and Comicmix published smaller sized paperback omnibus editions in the last decade. Masterstroke is upping the game by going for over-sized editions that will be definitive versions of the legendary series.

Each of the planned five volumes will clock in at around 400 pages each. They will be larger than we’ve ever seen Sable, measuring approximately 8.5 by 12.25 inches (the same size as the DC Comics Absolute Edition releases) with glossy interior pages, rare materials (including never before seen artwork), all new covers, and dust jackets that will line up to form a complete image when placed in order on a shelf. Each volume will retail for $100.

Jon Sable, Freelance

Masterstroke will release the omnibus editions, first via Kickstarter campaigns, then through wide distribution. Kickstarter backers will get them first, and with a variety of additional perks available only through the campaigns. 

That’s just the tip of the iceberg. The companion books that will be part of the Kickstarter campaigns will include the original Freelance Writing letters columns, a guide to the characters, guns and gadgets, creator commentary and new art from Grell. More will be announced as the campaign gets underway.  

Grell fans have been clamoring for a return of Jon Sable for many years. This omnibus collection will not only immortalize the iconic run of the character, but also pave the way for new Sable stories from Grell.

Look for the Jon Sable, Freelance Volume One THREE WEEK Kickstarter to launch in time for Christmas 2020, with an early Spring 2021 release date. All five omnibuses will be released over the two years that follow, culminating in Volume Five being published to celebrate Grell’s 75th birthday in 2022.

DC Releases a Preview of Denny O’Neil’s Final Original DC Story

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Today, ring-slinging fans everywhere are rushing to their favorite comic book stores to pick up a copy of the Green Lantern 80th Anniversary 100-Page Super Spectacular. This commemorative tribute celebrates eight decades of the greatest heroes to wear the ring and recite the oath of the Green Lantern Corps. Many of comics’ greatest storytellers have lent their talents to this must-have anthology, including Geoff Johns, Ivan Reis, Gary Frank, James Tynion IV, Ron Marz, Darryl Banks, Peter Tomasi, Robert Venditti among others.

This landmark issue also features the final original DC story written by the late Denny O’Neil, “Time Alone.” Featuring art by legendary artist Mike Grell, the story reunites Hal Jordan with Green Arrow Oliver Queen in a flashback story from their days as “Hard Traveling Heroes.” A particularly violent encounter with the villain Clock King puts Hal and Ollie back out on the open road, both of them reexamining how they fight crime, and how a different approach could make them both better heroes.

In honor of Denny’s final story for DC, the publisher has provided a free online preview of “Time Alone,” available for reading here. The Green Lantern 80th Anniversary 100-Page Super Spectacular is available now at participating open and operating comic book stores and digital retailers and sells for $9.99.

Green Lantern 80th Anniversary 100-Page Super Spectacular

Preview: Green Lantern 80th Anniversary 100-Page Super Spectacular #1

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Green Lantern 80th Anniversary 100-Page Super Spectacular #1

(W) Geoff Johns, Mariko Tamaki, Peter J. Tomasi, Jeff Lemire, Robert Venditti, Dennis O’Neil, Sina Grace, Charlotte Fullerton, Ron Marz, James Tynion IV, Others (A) Ivan Reis, Fernando Pasarin, Darryl Banks, Mike Grell, Rafa Sandoval, Others (CA) Liam Sharp
In Shops: Jun 24, 2020
SRP: $9.99

In brightest day, in blackest night, no evil could ever escape their sight! The Green Lanterns are celebrating 80 years of keeping the DC Universe safe. Join us to see tales of all of the universe’s most legendary Green Lanterns: Alan Scott, Hal Jordan, John Stewart, Guy Gardner, Kyle Rayner, Jessica Cruz, Simon Baz, and appearances from other cosmic favorites! A legendary lineup of creators including Geoff Johns, Peter J. Tomasi, Jeff Lemire, Ivan Reis, and others will be keeping the galaxy glowing bright! PRESTIGE FORMAT.

Green Lantern 80th Anniversary 100-Page Super Spectacular #1

Marc Guggenheim is Running an Auction to Raise Funds for Black Lives Matter

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Marc Guggenheim has joined Gail Simone in raising funds for Black Lives Matter. The creator is running an auction on Twitter that includes a page from Arrow #1 by Mike Grell and a piece by Arrow concept artist Andy Poon. He’s also included a copy of any script he’s written/been associated with.

The auction expires June 4 at 5pm PST. Bids should be made in response to the Tweet below.

DC Releases a “First Look” from the Green Lantern 80th Anniversary 100-Page Super Spectacular #1

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Green Lantern 80th Anniversary 100-Page Super Spectacular #1

On June 23, join DC is celebrating eight decades of intergalactic justice and peacekeeping with the Green Lantern 80th Anniversary 100-Page Super Spectacular #1. Here’s your first look at some of the awesome stories that make up this must-have collectors’ item:

“Last Will,” by Geoff Johns and Ivan Reis

The team that brought you Sinestro Corps War and Blackest Night reunites to deliver one more story featuring the Emerald Warrior. Hal Jordan crashes onto an unknown planet with only enough power in his ring to send three messages out.

“Legacy,” by Ron Marz and Darryl Banks

The co-creators of Kyle Rayner return to tell another adventure with the Torchbearer. Kyle travels to New York to grab a few things from the old Warriors location in storage, but he finds that not everything Guy Gardner displayed in his bar was totally safe.

“Four,” by Robert Venditti and Rafa Sandoval

The team that brought you Hal Jordan and the Green Lantern Corps power up again for one more tale with the 4 Corpsmen. Hal Jordan, John Stewart, and Kyle Rayner reunite to reminisce and tell old war stories, but where’s Guy Gardner?

“Reverse The Polarity,” by Charlotte (Fullerton) McDuffie and ChrisCross

In a story that should pluck the heartstrings of any Justice League Unlimited fan, Charlotte (Fullerton) McDuffie and ChrisCross team up for an adventure featuring John Stewart and Hawkgirl. In this sweet tribute to the late Dwayne McDuffie. John and Kendra are trapped in the Watchtower by Dr. Polaris after her takes control of a mysterious element that enhances his powers.

The book also features Green Lantern tales from other celebrated talents, including Peter J. Tomasi/Fernando Pasarin, Denny O’Neil/Mike Grell, Sina Grace/Ramon Villalobos, Mariko Tamaki/Mirka Andolfo and Cullen Bunn/Doug Mahnke. A renowned collection of artists has also contributed tribute art recognizing the legacy of the Green Lantern Corps, including Far Sector artist Jamal Campbell, Green Lantern: Legacy artist Andie Tong, Catwoman artist Joelle Jones with Jordie Bellaire, Batman: Dark Knight: The Golden Child artist Rafael Grampa, and others.

The Green Lantern 80th Anniversary 100-Page Super Spectacular #1 arrives in comic book stores open and operating and digitally on Tuesday, June 23, 2020 for $9.99.

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