Tag Archives: orchid

Around the Tubes

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The weekend is almost here and I’ll be spending it at the Small Press Expo which takes place in Rockville, Maryland just outside of Washington DC. If you’re in the area, I highly recommend it.

Around the Tubes

Gizmodo – The Only Thing These Superman Coins Will Rescue Is Canada’s Economy – Want…. eh?

Calgary Herald – New musical explores comic code – Interesting.

CBLDF – Tokyo Olympics Emboldens Censors – Boooo!

The Beat – Z2 Comics relaunches with Pope and Haspiel – Congrats!

 

Around the Tubes Reviews

Comic Vine – Action Comics #23.2

Kotaku – Cyborg 009

Comic Vine – Deadpool #16

Comic Vine – Earth 2 #15.2

Talking Comics – Ghosted #3

Comic Vine – Green Lantern #23.2

Comic Vine – Indestructible Hulk #13

Comic Vine – Infinity: The Hunt #1

Comic Vine  – Justice League #23.2

CBR – Justice League #23.2

Comic Vine – Liberator #3

The Beat – Liberator #3

Comic Vine – The Manhattan Projects #14

Talking Comics – Mighty Avengers #1

ICv2 – Orchid Vol. 3 TP

Comic Vine – Red Sonja #3

Comic Vine – Uncanny X-Force #11

Comic Vine – X-Men #5

FanExpo Canada 2013: Dark Horse Announces Schedule!

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This weekend, Dark Horse Comics is headed to Toronto for the second largest pop culture convention in North America – FanExpo! Stop by Booth #856 to pick up FREE giveaways—lanyards, window clings, buttons, and posters.  You can also buy copies of your favorite comics, books, and products, including an exclusive Fan Expo Canada variant cover of Halo: Initiation (10 per person per day). All giveaways, exclusives, and items for sale are available while supplies last.

Signings at the Dark Horse Booth

Lines may be capped as needed.

Friday, August 23

1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m. THE FIFTH BEATLE: THE BRIAN EPSTEIN STORY

Vivek J. Tiwary (creator/writer)

*FREE The Fifth Beatle print!

5:00 p.m.–6:00 p.m. ORCHID

Scott Hepburn (artist)

*FREE Orchid comic!

Saturday, August 24

11:00 a.m. –12:00 p.m. BREATH OF BONES and CRIMINAL MACABRE

Steve Niles (creator/writer) and Justin Erickson (cover artist, Criminal Macabre)

*FREE Breath of Bones poster and Criminal Macabre: The Eyes of Frankenstein print!

1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m. THE FIFTH BEATLE: THE BRIAN EPSTEIN STORY

Vivek J. Tiwary (creator/writer)

*FREE The Fifth Beatle print!

2:30 p.m.–3:30 p.m. MIGNOLAVERSE (Hellboy, B.P.R.D., Abe Sapien, Baltimore, Witchfinder, and more!)

Mike Mignola (creator/writer/artist)

*FREE Hellboy poster, Itty Bitty Hellboy window clings, and more!

Special Event

Saturday, August 24

1:15 p.m.–2:15 p.m. BLOODY DISGUSTING PRESENTS: MIKE MIGNOLA

Room 716

Since his first introduction in 1994, Mike Mignola’s Hellboy has gone on to achieve a status in comics typically reserved for characters created 40 years before him. Following up on the first arc of Hellboy in Hell (one of his most popular miniseries to date), an all-new Abe Sapien ongoing series, and the continuing adventures of the supporting cast of the B.P.R.D., we offer you a rare opportunity to enter one of the most intriguing minds of the industry today! Join Bloody Disgusting’s James Wright for a live interview with creator Mike Mignola, along with a chance to ask your own questions about your favorite cast of characters.

darkhorsefanexpo2013

Review – Tom Morello’s Orchid

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Orchid #12 coverMusician Tom Morello might best be known for raging against machines, but in Orchid, his epic series published by Dark Horse, he’s written a story of those down and out raging against the man. This week sees the release of Orchid #12, the finale of the first epic story arc (though I’m sure, and hope, we’ll see more).

The future is destroyed by an environmental collapse that made land scarce and wiped out much of the human race. The story focuses on Orchid, a prostitute turned freedom fighter/terrorist looking to overthrow an unjust society lead by a tyrant. The series began when the Occupy Movement was still active and Morello brings his real life political activism to comics, but rarely crosses into preachy territory. In fact the comic initially suffered backlash from the left as the main character was a prostitute, an issue Morello put to rest in the press explaining how he’d handle the character among other things.

But that aspect of Orchid is a key part of her character and the series. She’s property, with the word tattooed across her chest, and lowest of the low in a world turned upside down and struggling. Much like the Occupy Movement of the time, these upstart fighters were a reflection of the 99% raging against the 1% that rule. Much like the world they live in, it’s a twisted reflection of real life and the struggle so many are fighting today. This is a post racial society where sexual orientation doesn’t seem to matter (read the series to get that one, it takes a bit), it’s focus is clearly class, patriarchy and exploitation of the masses.

But, Morello focused on what’s important, a solid story full of action and cool monsters. Sure there’s discussion of class and patriarchy and violence against women, but those themes are weaved within a plot that’s as much epic fantasy story as political parable.

Orchid and her companions are searching for General China, a powerful masked leader who last stood up for the people. Their goal is to take down the fascist dictator Tomo Wolfe. But what’s amazing isn’t just the details, but also the small details.

Those details are brought to life through the art of Scott Hepburn. This is a world twisted by environmental destruction. A world renewed where animals have evolved into new forms to survive in this new environment. On top of those crazy creatures Hepburn adds details to each character that’s mind blowing. Clothes are made from scraps, in a patchwork look, small pieces are added to people’s glasses or worn as jewelry, it all creates a lived in world whose look is as well thought out as the story.

I could say the story and the art are reasons enough to pick up this series, but each issue also comes with free music by Tom Morello.

Orchid is a comic that delivers a message that gets you to think while avoiding being preachy. That’s intelligently delivered in a beautiful package with solid and entertaining story. Do yourself a favor and get the complete series if you haven’t yet. It’s rare for a comic to make you think and entertain at the same time. This might be Tom Morello’s first foray into comics, but it’s one hell of a start. Do yourself a favor and check it out.

Story: Tom Morello Art: Scott Hepburn

Story: 8.5 Art: 8.5 Overall: 8.5 Recommendation: Buy

Dark Horse provided Graphic Policy with FREE copies for review

Around the Tubes

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It’s a new week and C2E2 is over.  Any announcements folks are excited about?

Around the Blogs:

IGN – C2E2: Marvel Reveals Ultimate Universe Event – Should be interesting.

MTV Geek – C2E2 2012: Avengers Vs. X-Men Panel Brings The Fight To Chicago – Doesn’t this event cover all the cons?

MTV Geek – C2E2 2012: Did DC’s “All Access: Before Watchmen” Panel Have Fans Saying “Hurm,” or “Hurm!” – Still not sure what to think.

CBR – C2E2: Jhonen Vasquez Talks Johnny, Zim & More – I want more Johnny!

CBR – C2E2: Tom Morello on “Orchid,” Music & Politics – One of the people I’d love to interview.

Bleeding Cool – ComiXology At C2E2: Alex De Campi, A Digital Pioneer – Some good hints as to what to expect.

Comics Alliance – Marvel’s Sunday at C2E2: ‘Thor’ Crossover with ‘Journey into Mystery,’ McKelvie on ‘Defenders’ – Lots of Marvel news during this con.

Tom Morello’s Orchid #1 Sells Out of Comic Shops!

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Official Press Release

TOM MORELLO’S ORCHID #1 SELLS OUT OF COMIC SHOPS!

November 2nd, MILWAUKIE, OR – Demand for Tom Morello’s epic dystopian fantasy has driven comic stores across the U.S. to a complete sell out of issue #1!

From the mind of musician Tom Morello (Rage Against the Machine, Audioslave, The Nightwatchman), with art by Scott Hepburn (Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic), Orchid is the tale of a teenage prostitute who learns that she is more than the role society has imposed upon her.

Issue #1 – When the seas rose, genetic codes were smashed. Now, human settlements are ringed by a dense wilderness, from which ferocious new animal species prey on the helpless. The high ground belongs to the rich and powerful, who overlook swampland shantytowns from their fortresslike cities. Iron-fisted rule ensures order and allows the wealthy to harvest the poor as slaves. Welcome to the world of Orchid.

Look for news about an Orchid #1 reprint on the Dark Horse Blog, but in the meantime head to your local comic shop and grab one of the final copies of #1 for only $1 before they’re gone for good!

Orchid #2 is on sale November 9th, 2011

Issue #2 – Orchid, along with her little brother and an unexpected ally named Simon, find themselves in unknown territory after they’re captured and sold by slave traders. Headed toward the feared Fortress Penuel, Simon must mount an escape plan if he’s going to rescue his rebel comrades and return the mysterious and powerful mask of General China to its rightful owner–a saint believed to save the oppressed from the wicked Tomo Wolfe.

About Dark Horse Comics 

Since 1986, Dark Horse Comics has proven to be a solid example of how integrity and innovation can help broaden a unique storytelling medium and establish a small, homegrown company as an industry giant. The company is known for the progressive and creator-friendly atmosphere it provides for writers and artists. In addition to publishing comics from top talent like Frank Miller, Mike Mignola, Neil Gaiman, Gerard Way, and comics legend Will Eisner, Dark Horse has developed such successful characters as the Mask, Timecop, and SpyBoy. Additionally, its highly successful line of comics and products based on popular properties includes Star Wars, Indiana Jones, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Aliens, Conan, Emily the Strange, Tim Burton, Trigun, Serenity, and Domo. Today Dark Horse Comics is the largest independent comic-book publisher in the US and is recognized as one of the world’s leading publishers of licensed comics material.

Around the Tubes

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It’s New York Comic Con!  You’ll find a lot of posts here as to what happened Friday, but we’ll have our own coverage peppered throughout the day.  Here’s the new you might have missed.

Around the Blogs:

The Mary Sue – Real-Life Superhero Phoenix Jones Unmasked, Revealed to Have Gerald’s Haircut from Hey Arnold! – Now we’ll find out if super villains really would target family members if secret identities are revealed.

NY Magazine – Tom Morello on His New Comic Series, Occupy Wall Street, and Superman Renouncing His Citizenship – Some interesting stuff here.

Color Lines – Comic Artist Re-Draws Islam With Secular Superheroes in “The 99” –  A great interview here.

Con Coverage:

CBR – NYCC: The Resurrection of Extreme Studios

CBR – NYCC: Jim McCann Launches Thriller “Mind The Gap” At Image

The Beat – NYCC 2011: Day Two Photos

MTV Geek – DC Comics All Access: Batman – NYCC Panel Recap

The Beat – NYCC Announcements: The Lost Alan Moore Scripts Resurface

MTV Geek – Star Wars Collectibles with Chris Spitale At NYCC!

Comicvine – Marvel Reveals Ultimate Covers, Discusses Ultimate Rebirth At New York Comic Con

Comics Alliance – Vertigo Goes Same-Day Digital, Announces Paul Cornell’s ‘Saucer Country’ [NYCC 2011]

Comics Alliance – Green Lantern Panel Digs Into The Corps, Announces ‘Robot Chicken’ DC Special [NYCC 2011]

CBR – NYCC: Marvel’s “Amazing Spider-Man” Panel

IGN – NYCC: Brubaker Gets Fatale

IGN – NYCC: The Scarlet Spider Returns

IGN – NYCC: The Death of Boba Fett?

Space – ‘Astronaut Dad’ Graphic Novel Debuts at NY Comic Con

Bleeding Cool – NYCC Debut: Don’t Be Afraid

The Beat – NYCC 11: Here there be con

Bleeding Cool – NYCC Debut – Epic #1 by Tyler James and Matt Zolman

Spandexless – Beth’s NYCC Day 1: In Which I Can’t Get It Together

Bleeding Cool – NYCC Debut: Neonomicon TPB by Alan Moore and Jacen Burrows

The Beat – NYCC 11: Retailer breakfast highlights

Around the Tubes Reviews:

Ely Standard – Venom

IGN – Comic Book Reviews for 10/12/11

NYCC 11 – Dark Horse Digital Makes a Big Splash at New York Comic Con!

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Official Press Release

DARK HORSE DIGITAL MAKES A BIG SPLASH AT THIS YEAR’S NEW YORK COMIC CON! 

MILWAUKIE, OR, OCTOBER 5—Last year’s New York Comic Con saw the announcement of Dark Horse’s digital store. This year, we’re celebrating that anniversary in style with special-edition comics, in-booth events, and giveaways, as well as prizes for attendees of New York’s premier convention.

First of all, leading into the convention, Dark Horse will release a special three-part digital preview comic, showcasing eight pages of each of our new fall titles! Check out Tom Morello’s Orchid, P. C. Cast and Kristin Cast’s House of Night, and of course, Guillermo del Toro and Chuck Hogan’s The Strain! This special preview comic will be available at Digital.DarkHorse.com on October 12.

That same day, Dark Horse will also release a special sixteen-page Mass Effect digital comic, featuring the previously released “Incursion” story from MySpace Dark Horse Presents as well as the “Inquisition” story originally featured on USAToday.com for 99 cents. Visit Digital.DarkHorse.com TODAY for an exclusive eight-page preview of the highly anticipated Mass Effect: Invasion series!

Spin the Dark Horse Digital prize wheel and win free digital comics! That’s right, show attendees can step up, spin our wheel, and win a fortune in credit in the Dark Horse Digital Store. One chance per customer per day, with the opportunity to win more than once throughout the show!

If that’s not enough, we will be giving away t-shirts all weekend long “tagged” with additional chances to win Dark Horse digital store credit!

Stay tuned for more news on Dark Horse’s New York Comic Con announcements and events daily!

Around the Tubes

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I just feel like I need to plug it once again, if you haven’t yet, check out Sunday’s GP Radio with special guest Ron Marz.  It was a hell of a show.  While you’re listening to that, here’s the news you might have missed.

Around the Blogs:

CBLDF – Craig Thompson Helps CBLDF Bring in $4,700 During APE! – Fantastic to see a great cause to bring in some cash (it’s not easy to do that right now in this economy).  See below how you can help.

CBLDF – CBLDF Auctions Heat Up – Pony up some cash for a great cause….

Con Coverage:

MTV Geek – Mark Hamill and New-Gen Team Up at NYCC

The Beat – NYCC: White Space announces featured attendees: Doctorow, Sullivan, Tanz, Mason

Around the Tubes Reviews:

ICv2 – The Book of Human Insects

Giant Fire Breathing Robot – Creepy Archives, Volume Eleven

MTV Geek – Dark Horse Advance Reviews: Joss Whedon’s Buffy The Vampire Slayer Season 9 #2 & Tom Morello’s Orchid #1

Dark Horse Unveils Signing Schedule for New York Comic Con 2011!

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Official Press Release

DARK HORSE UNVEILS SIGNING SCHEDULE FOR NEW YORK COMIC CON 2011!

SEPTEMBER 30, MILWAUKIE, OR—What do a rock star, the lead writer of Mass Effect, and the ever-charming and talented Ms. Becky Cloonan all have in common? They’re all signing at the Dark Horse booth!

Following up on Wednesday’s announcement of Dark Horse’s 2011 New York Comic Con programming, it’s the moment you’ve been waiting for: the 2011 Dark Horse New York Comic Con schedule!

The full schedule of Dark Horse’s in-booth signings and activities can be found below:

ALL DAY, EVERY DAY:

Spin the Dark Horse prize wheel for a chance to win free digital comics, including Mass Effect and Star Wars: Crimson Empire bundles!

Thursday, October 13

6:00 p.m. FREE T-SHIRTS, COMICS! Come to the Dark Horse booth for a chance to win a Hellboy T-shirt and free digital comics!

Friday, October 14

10:30 a.m. The Occultist—Tim Seeley (Hack/Slash) and Jenny Frison (Criminal Macabre)

11:00 a.m. Bunny in the Moon—Tara McPherson

11:00 a.m. FREE T-SHIRTS, COMICS! Come to the Dark Horse booth for a chance to win a Hellboy T-shirt and free digital comics!

11:30 a.m. Orchid—Tom Morello (Rage Against the Machine, Audioslave, The Nightwatchman) and Scott Hepburn (Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic)

FREE Orchid poster featuring art by Massimo Carnevale. Ticketed event. Please talk to a Dark Horse staff member at the show.

12:30 p.m. Dethklok—Jon Schnepp, Jeremy Barlow, and Nate Piekos

1:30 p.m. The Immortal—Ian Edginton

FREE poster revealing never-before-seen art from the upcoming comic The Immortal, adapted from an acclaimed Japanese novel and written by Ian Edginton (Scarlet Traces, Star Trek: Early Voyages, Warhammer 40,000)

2:00 p.m. FREE T-SHIRTS, COMICS! Come to the Dark Horse booth for a chance to win a The Thing movie T-shirt and free digital comics! Read the FREE digital prequel comic of The Thing now!

2:30 p.m. Star Wars—Andrea Mutti

Find out what Star Wars series Andrea Mutti (Rage) will be working on at Friday’s Dark Horse panel (1:30–2:30 p.m., Room 1A15).

3:30 p.m. The Massive—Brian Wood and Kristian Donaldson (DMZ)

4:30 p.m. Star Wars: Jedi—The Dark Side—Scott Allie and Mahmud Asrar

6:30 p.m. Dr. McNinja—Christopher Hastings

Saturday, October 15

10:30 a.m. Mass Effect—Mac Walters

11:00 a.m. FREE T-SHIRTS, COMICS! Come to the Dark Horse booth for a chance to win a Hellboy T-shirt and free digital comics!

11:30 a.m. The Last Dragon—Jane Yolen and Rebecca Guay

FREE face painting inspired by The Last Dragon! FREE miniprint to the first one hundred people in line for the signing.

12:30 p.m. House of Night—Jenny Frison

Get Marked! FREE House of Night face painting during the signing with cover artist Jenny Frison! FREE House of Night poster. And the first twenty-five people in line for the signing will receive a copy of The Fledgling Handbook 101 by P. C. Cast with Kim Doner from St. Martin’s Press!

1:30 p.m. Beasts of Burden—Evan Dorkin

1:30 p.m. Avatar: The Last Airbender—FREE face-painting event

2:30 p.m. Dragon Age—David Gaider and Mike Laidlaw

FREE print to the first one hundred people in line to meet the lead writer and lead designer of Dragon Age!

3:30 p.m. Angel & Faith—Christos Gage and Rebekah Isaacs

4:00 p.m. FREE T-SHIRTS, COMICS! Come to the Dark Horse booth for a chance to win a Hellboy T-shirt and free digital comics!

4:30 p.m. Comic TBA—Brian Wood (DMZ, Demo, Northlanders) and Becky Cloonan (Demo, Pixu)

Find out what Dark Horse comic Brian Wood and Becky Cloonan are going to be working on together at Friday’s Dark Horse panel (1:30–2:30 p.m., Room 1A15)!

5:30 p.m. Evelyn, Evelyn—Cynthia von Buhler

Sunday, October 16

10:00 a.m. Beanworld—Larry Marder

10:30 a.m. FREE T-SHIRTS, COMICS! Come to the Dark Horse booth for a chance to win a Hellboy T-shirt and free digital comics!

11:00 a.m. Mignolaverse—Mike Mignola and John Arcudi

Ticketed event. Please talk to a Dark Horse staff member at the show.

12:00 p.m. Creepy—Dan Braun

It’s trick-or-treat time, but not for the kiddos! FREE Creepy comics to the first one hundred people in line, plus an array of crazy Creepy prizes just in time for All Hallow’s Eve!

1:00 p.m. Behind the Scenes of Mass Effect—Mac Walters

Mac Walters discusses the process of writing Mass Effect comics and walks through a digital preview of Mass Effect: Invasion #1.

2:00 p.m. FREE T-SHIRTS, COMICS! Come to the Dark Horse booth for a chance to win a Hellboy T-shirt and free digital comics!

2:30 p.m. Kult—Jeremy Barlow

3:00 p.m. Robert E. Howard’s Savage Sword—Jeremy Barlow, Paul Tobin, and Joshua Williamson

4:00 p.m. Falling Skies—Paul Tobin and Juan Ferreyra

Are you missing Falling Skies? Talk to the creators of the preview comic and get a Falling Skies pin from TNT, while supplies last!

Keep your eyes on the Dark Horse blog for further announcements on signings, in-booth events, green-screen photo ops, and so much more!

Win a Release Party for Tom Morello’s Orchid At Your Local Comic-Book Shop!

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Official Press Release

ROCK YOUR LOCAL COMIC-BOOK SHOP!

WIN A RELEASE PARTY FOR TOM MORELLO’S ORCHID!

September 20, Milwaukie, OR—Dark Horse Comics is offering one lucky comic-book store the chance to host the official Orchid release party!

That’s right! Tom Morello’s Orchid #1 comes out October 12, and to celebrate, Dark Horse Comics wants you to tell us about your favorite comic-book store and why they should have the party.

Entry rules are simple: Enter to win by commenting on the Dark Horse blog. The store with the most love wins! One entry per person. Multiple entries will be deleted. The party is to be held the evening of October 12, 2011.

One store will win a release-night party package including:

10 signed copies of Orchid

200 other Dark Horse comics to give away

10 trades to give away

Orchid posters

Dark Horse Comics key chains

An assortment of Dark Horse Comics buttons

4 Dark Horse Comics coffee mugs

Tom Morello’s Nightwatchman CDs

Pizza

A store-exclusive Orchid miniprint

And more!

The contest ends on September 30, so get on the Dark Horse blog and tell us why your local comic-book shop should win the official Orchid release party!

When the seas rose, genetic codes were smashed. Now, human settlements are ringed by a dense wilderness, from which ferocious new animal species prey on the helpless. The high ground belongs to the rich and powerful, who overlook swampland shantytowns from their fortresslike cities. Iron-fisted rule ensures order and allows the wealthy to harvest the poor as slaves. Welcome to the world of Orchid.

From the mind of musician Tom Morello (Rage Against the Machine, Audioslave, The Nightwatchman), with art by Scott Hepburn (Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic), Orchid is the tale of a teenage prostitute who learns that she is more than the role society has imposed upon her.

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