Tag Archives: ray dillon

Review: Fairest: In All the Land

FAIRATL_HC_DJ_FRONTFairest: In All the Land is the latest original graphic novel set in the Fables/Fairest universe. Featuring short stories by Bill Willingham, the graphic novel is told through the perspective of the Magic Mirror! The murder mystery contains two illustrated prose chapters that bookend thirty comic chapters, that all combine to tell the story of the worst week of Cinderella’s life. The art is provided by a murderers row of artists, showing off their unique talent with the help of Willingham’s story telling ability.

I’ve been a long time fan of the Fables world and it’s spin-offs, even going so far as to buy original art from Mark Buckingham who contributes here. One of the highlights has been the spy-like mini-series featuring Cinderella, that have mixed the fantasy setting, mashing it up with Bond like spy dramas. Here, instead of having to wait months for a new mini-series, we’re treated to a full story in one go, one that has actual impact in the continuity.

While Cinderella is usually thrown into spy-action thrillers, instead we’re given a murder mystery, as she attempts to figure out who is killing some of the fairest in the land. It’s fun watching this character who usually solves her problems with kicking, punching and weapons, attempt to fill the role of Bigby Wolf, the usual detective/sheriff. Her stumbling throughout is charming and a nice change from what we usually see with her.

Overall the story is really solid, and it’s great to read a graphic novel with these characters. Hopefully we’ll get one or two more before Willingham wraps up his series (or more after he does!). There’s also some nice commentary on the women we’ve come to expect and accept in classic fairy tales. Read the graphic novel and you’ll understand.

The mix of art is an interesting mix as well. I can’t say it added anything for me, but all of these artists are top notch, so seeing all their styles and takes on the same characters is interesting. It being one narrative throughout is interesting as well, as opposed to an anthology of related by standalone stories. Overall, the art is solid and much beautiful to look at.

The graphic novel is a great addition for long-time fans and the fact it has impact on continuity makes it even better. This is how you do a solid graphic novel tie-in.

As I said, I want to see more of this, here’s hoping we do. If not, at least we’ve got a few great graphic novels of this fabulous comic world.

Story: Bill Willingham Art: Chrissie Zullo, Karl Kerschl, Renae De Liz, Ray Dillon, Fiona Meng, Mark Buckingham, Phil Noto, Meghan Hetrick, Russ Braun, Tony Akins, Gene Ha, Tula Lotay, Marley Zarcone, Ming Doyle, Chris Sprouse, Karl Story, Nimit Malavia, Dean Ormston, Kurt Huggins, Adam Hughes, Al Davison, Shawn McManus, Inaki Maranda, Kevin Maguire
Story: 8.25 Art: 8.25 Overall: 8.25 Recommendation: Buy

DC Comics provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Preview – The Standard #1 – a 13 Page Preview and Comic from Comixtribe

THE STANDARD #1 (of 6)

PRICE: 3.99
DIAMOND ID: NOV121047 F  STANDARD #1 (OF 6) (MR)
RATING: Teen + Up
FORMAT: 32 pages, color (1 of 6 mini-series)

WRITER: John Lees
ARTIST: Jonathan Rector
COLORISTS: Ray Dillon, Mo James
LETTERER: Kel Nuttall
EDITOR: Steven Forbes
PUBLISHER: ComixTribe
COPYRIGHT INFO: © John Lees

THE STANDARD is the story of two different men from two different eras who share the same heroic legacy. In the past, The Standard was the world’s greatest superhero. Today, he is a celebrity with his own reality TV show. But when a catastrophic event brings the two generations into collision, The Standard is forced to ask if superheroes still have a place in today’s cynical world. THE STANDARD is a six-part superhero miniseries written by John Lees and drawn by Jonathan Rector.

New Adaptation of Servant of the Bones Debuts this Summer

Official Press Release

FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER, BRING HOME TWO EXHILARATING 

New Adaptation of Servant of the Bones Debuts this Summer

IDW partners with best-selling author Anne Rice

[Servant of the Bones Image]San Diego, CA (June 9, 2011) — IDW Publishing today announced the launch of the new comic adaptation of Servant of the Bones debuting in August. IDW has a partnership with New York Times best-selling author Anne Rice (Interview with a Vampire, Queen of the Damned, The Vampire Lestat) to create the newly adapted version of one of her most celebrated works.
Rice, among the most iconic authors in horror, takes fans back to the time of ancient Babylon with this six-part tale of murder, demonic revenge, and the redemptive power of faith. IDW’s Servant of the Bones will be brought to life by the New York Times best-selling co-writer of the True Blood comic, Mariah McCourt and ornately illustrated by the New York Times best-selling art team of Renae DeLiz and Ray Dillon (The Last Unicorn).
“The closer we arrive to the release date of this splendid adaptation of Servant of the Bones, the more excited I become.  I have overseen the whole phase of this project, and at each step I am more amazed,” said Rice. “Ray and Renae DeLiz’s drawings are vivid and gorgeous; Mariah Heuhner’s script has captured the heart of my novel; and the alternative covers by Jenny Frison are just breathtaking.  The day Servant is officially released will be a day to remember!”
In Servant of the Bones, Azriel is an immortal spirit who is bound to the gold-encased bones of his mortal body. He struggles to understand whether he is a ghost, genie, demon or angel and shares his story with the reader and his scribe, Jonathan, as he travels to different times and eras, ending in the modern world of New York City. Amidst the towers of Manhattan, Azriel finds himself in confrontations with his own human memories and the dark forces that have sought to condemn him to a life of evil and destruction.
Beginning in August, the first issue of this adaptation will tell the story of a beautiful young woman who is brutally slain in the streets of New York City. The demon Azriel sets out to discover who killed her, only to find a far more sinister plot that could end the world. Once a human in ancient Babylon, Azriel is a spirit of rage and terror, who gradually rediscovers his humanity through holy vengeance and spiritual love.
SERVANT OF THE BONES #1 ($3.99, 32 pages, full color) will be available August 2011. Diamond order code JUN11 0380.
Visit IDWPublishing.com to learn more about the company and its top-selling books.
About IDW Publishing
IDW is an award-winning publisher of comic books, graphic novels and trade paperbacks, based in San Diego, California. Renowned for its diverse catalog of licensed and independent titles, IDW publishes some of the most successful and popular titles in the industry, including: Hasbro’s The Transformers and G.I. JOE, Paramount’s Star Trek; HBO’s True Blood; the BBC’s Doctor Who; and comics and trade collections based on novels by worldwide bestselling author, James Patterson. IDW is also home to the Library of American Comics imprint, which publishes classic comic reprints; Yoe! Books, a partnership with Yoe! Studio; and is the print publisher for EA Comics.
IDW’s original horror series, 30 Days of Night, was launched as a major motion picture in October 2007 by Sony Pictures and was the #1 film in its first week of release. More information about the company can be found at IDWPublishing.com.

Archie Comics First Look: Sonic Universe #28

Official Press Release

click for larger image

SONIC UNIVERSE #28

“Fractured Mirror” Part Four: The Freedom Fighters have fallen! Now the only one left to save this dark world is Silver the Hedgehog! It’s psychic power versus chaos power as our hero from the future goes all-out against the terrifying Enerjak! Don’t miss the cataclysmic conclusion to the Silver Saga!

SCRIPT: Ian Flynn
ARTIST: Tracy Yardley!, Jim Amash, Phil Felix, Ray Dillon
COVER: Tracy Yardley!, Jim Amash & Ben Hunzeker
Shipping Date: 5/4/2011
On Sale at Comic Shops: 5/18/2011
Newsstands: Week of 5/24/2011
Comic, 32 pgs, 40 lb. glossy stock, Full-Color
$2.99 US

To find a comic shop near you, call 1-888-comicbook or visit ComicShopLocator.com

Archie Comics First Look: Sonic Universe #27

Official Press Release

Archie Comics First Look: SONIC UNIVERSE #27


SONIC UNIVERSE #27

“Fractured Mirror” Part Three: Silver joins an all-new, all-different band of Freedom Fighters in all-out war against Enerjak and his sinister Prelate minions! It’s a no-holds-barred battle in this dark version of reality, and everyone may not make it to the end!

SCRIPT: Ian Flynn

ARTIST: Tracy Yardley!, Jim Amash, Phil Felix, Ray Dillon

COVER: Tracy Yardley! & Ben Hunzeker

Shipping Date: 4/6/2011

On Sale at Comic Shops: 4/13/2011

Comic, 32 pages, 40 lb. glossy stock, Full-Color

$2.99 US
To find a comic shop near you, call 1-888-comicbook or visit ComicShopLocator.com

New Adaptation of Servant of the Bones Coming in August

Official Press Release

New Adaptation of Servant of the Bones Coming in August

IDW Partners With Best-Selling Author Anne Rice to Release New Comic Book Series

San Diego, CA (April 1, 2011) — IDW Publishing is proud to announce a new partnership with best-selling author Anne Rice (Interview with a Vampire, Queen of the Damned), kicking off with a new six-issue adaptation of Servant of the Bones. Rice, the creator of fantastic worlds filled with vampires and witches, takes fans back to the time of Isaiah and Jeremiah, and the destruction of Solomon’s Temple, to tell the story of Azriel, the Servant of the Bones.

“This is an exciting adaptation! IDW has certainly chosen the finest artists and writers for this project,” said Rice. “The script is marvelous. Renae De Liz’s penciling has captured my characters exquisitely.  Ray Dillon’s colors are alive and gorgeous. This Servant of the Bones adaptation is perfect!”

IDW’s adaptation of Servant of the Bones will be written by Mariah McCourt, with art by Renae DeLiz and Ray Dillon. This opulent tale will take readers from ancient Babylon to modern day New York City, from the madness of fanaticism to the peace of faith. Once again Anne Rice fans will be able to enjoy her talent in delivering melancholic and psychologically charged moods through this newly adapted version of one of her most recognized works.

In Servant of the Bones, Azriel is an immortal spirit who is bound to the gold-encased bones of his mortal body. Throughout the story, he struggles to understand whether he is a ghost, genie, demon or angel. He shares his story with the reader as he travels from an ancient Babylon of royal plots and religious upheavals to Europe during the Black Death and on to the modern world in New York City. Amidst the towers of Manhattan, he finds himself in confrontation with his own human memories and the dark forces that have sought to condemn him to a life of evil and destruction.

“Servant of the Bones is a deeply layered, lush, and lyrical story. It’s visually rich, compelling, and asks the really big questions about life, love and death,” said IDW editor Mariah Huehner. “We’re very excited to be working with Anne Rice, one of the most prolific writers of this generation, and we just hope we can do the story the justice it deserves. Getting to work with Renae DeLiz and Ray Dillon, the remarkable team behind The Last Unicorn, assures me that we can.”

SERVANT OF THE BONES #1 ($3.99, 32 pages, full color) will be available August 2011.

Visit IDWPublishing.com to learn more about the company and its top-selling books.

About IDW Publishing
IDW is an award-winning publisher of comic books, graphic novels and trade paperbacks, based in San Diego, California. Renowned for its diverse catalog of licensed and independent titles, IDW publishes some of the most successful and popular titles in the industry, including: Hasbro’s The Transformers and G.I. JOE, Paramount’s Star Trek; HBO’s True Blood; the BBC’s DOCTOR WHO; Toho’s Godzilla; and comics and trade collections based on novels by worldwide bestselling author, James Patterson. IDW is also home to the Library of American Comics imprint, which publishes classic comic reprints; Yoe! Books, a partnership with Yoe! Studios; and is the print publisher for EA Comics.

IDW’s original horror series, 30 Days of Night, was launched as a major motion picture in October 2007 by Sony Pictures and was the #1 film in its first week of release. More information about the company can be found at IDWPublishing.com.

Archie Comics First Look: Sonic Universe #26

Official Press Release

Archie Comics First Look: SONIC UNIVERSE #26

SONIC UNIVERSE #26

“Fractured Mirror” Part Two.

Silver the Hedgehog is stranded on a strange, dark version of Mobius and fights stranger, darker versions of heroes you know and love! Perhaps he can get a little help from the all new, all different Freedom Fighters? But will they be enough against the terror of Enerjak?

SCRIPT: Ian Flynn

ART: Tracy Yardley!, Jim Amash, Phil Felix and Ray Dillon

COVER: Tracy Yardley!, Jim Amash & Ben Hunzeker

Shipping Date: 3/2/2011

On Sale at Comic Shops: 3/9/2011

Newsstands: 3/22/2011

Comic, 32 pgs, 40 lb. glossy stock, Full-Color

$2.99 US
To find a comic shop near you, call 1-888-comicbook or visit ComicShopLocator.com

Archie Comics First Look: Archie & Friends #152, Betty & Veronica Double Digest #188 & Sonic Universe #25

Official Press Release

ARCHIE COMICS FIRST LOOK: ARCHIE & FRIENDS #152, BETTY & VERONICA DOUBLE DIGEST #188 & SONIC UNIVERSE #25

ARCHIE & FRIENDS #152

“All’s Fair in Love and Food”

Sabrina the Teenage Witch is back! Waist-expanding events haven’t taught Jughead that food and magic don’t mix. So, when he seeks help from Sabrina, she tries to teach him there is more to love than food. But her spell backfires and Jughead falls head over heels for Sabrina instead!

SCRIPT: Tania del Rio

ARTIST: Bill Galvan, Jack Morelli, and Digikore Studios

COVER: Fernando Ruiz, Al Milgrom and Tito Pena

Shipping Date: 2/2/2011

On Sale at Comic Shops: 2/9/2011

Newsstands: Week of 2/22/2011

Comic, 32 pages, 40 lb. glossy stock, Full-Color

$2.99 US

BETTY & VERONICA DOUBLE DIGEST #188

“Fashion Fatigue” and “Scents Make Sense”

Betty and Veronica not only get “Fashion Fatigue” Archie to join them on an all day shopping trip, but he loves every minute of it! How do they do it? Next, in “Scents Make Sense,” to increase spending, Mr. Lodge uses smells to get people into stores. But, as the #1 Shopaholic, is it Veronica’s favorite perfume that accidentally does a better job?

SCRIPT: Mike Pellowski, George Gladir

ARTIST: Bob Bolling, Jeff Shultz, Jim Amash, Jon D’Agostino, Teresa Davidson, Jack Morelli, Barry Grossman

COVER: Dan Parent

Shipping Date: 2/2/2011

On Sale at Comic Shops: 2/9/2011

Newsstands: Week of 2/22/2011

Digest, 160 pgs, 30 lb newsprint, Full-Color

$3.99 US

SONIC UNIVERSE #25

The SILVER SAGA arrives! Featuring a special “Anniversary Edition” shining silver cover, the highly anticipated four-part adventure begins this month. A strange new threat arrives in Silver the Hedgehog’s time! Can our young hero battle back this mysterious force? Plus the dramatic return of the ultimate evil! It’s the beginning of an epic new struggle – don’t miss it!

SCRIPT: Ian Flynn

ART: Tracy Yardley!, Jim Amash, Phil Felix, Ray Dillon

COVER: Patrick “SPAZ” Spaziante

Shipping Date: 2/2/2011

On Sale at Comic Shops: 2/9/2011

Newsstands: Week of 2/22/2011

Comic, 32 pgs, 40 lb. glossy stock, Full-Color

$2.99 US
Additional Archie Comics First Look pages available at ArchieComics.com!
To find a comic shop near you, call 1-888-comicbook or visit ComicShopLocator.com

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