Tag: steve wands

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Comics Previews

Preview: Little Black Book #3

Little Black Book #3

Writer: Jeff McComsey
Artist: Felipe Cunha
Colorist: Marco Lesko
Letterer: Steve Wands
Cover A: Francesco Francavilla
Cover B: Marco Finnegan
Cover C: Chris Ferguson Film Homage

Cole, a handyman in over his head and hunted by a vengeful crime family, has just escaped a brush with death thanks to a little help from a mysterious figure from his past. Now, he must race to save his pregnant wife while dealing with the fallout of his savior’s reappearance. Does time heal all wounds? Or are new wounds about to be opened?

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Comics Previews

Preview: Little Black Book #2

Little Black Book #2

Writer: Jeff McComsey
Artist: Felipe Cunha
Colorist: Marco Lesko
Letterer: Steve Wands
Cover A: Francesco Francavilla
Cover B: Tim Bradstreet
Cover C: Chris Ferguson Film Homage

To get his wife out of trouble, handyman Cole dug into his deceased criminal father’s “little black book” of underworld contacts. Now the syndicate that employed Cole’s father has gotten wind of the book’s existence, and they’ll stop at nothing to get it back. Cole and his wife must face the consequences of their actions — both psychological and in the form of a gang of armed roughnecks that’s about to descend on their home.

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Comics Previews

Preview: Little Black Book #1

Little Black Book #1

Writer: Jeff McComsey
Artist: Felipe Cunha
Colorist: Marco Lesko
Letterer: Steve Wands
Cover A: Francesco Francavilla
Cover B: Dave Johnson
Cover C: Chris Ferguson Film Homage

Cole, a straight-arrow handyman, finds himself in the crosshairs of a ruthless crime syndicate—along with his pregnant wife. But what is the meaning of the “little black book” of underworld contacts Cole’s deceased father had hidden in his home? Cole’s deceased father believed the best thing he could do for his son was to stay out of his life, but does the apple fall far from the tree…?

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Comics

Dark Horse presents The World of Black Hammer Omnibus Vol. 4

Take a deep dive into the extended world of Black Hammer in The World of Black Hammer Omnibus Volume 4. This collection gathers the complete series of Skulldigger and Skeleton Boy #1-6 and The Unbelievable Unteens #1-4 new in a paperback omnibus format. The World of Black Hammer Omnibus Volume 4 is written by Jeff Lemire with art and colors by Tonci Zonjic and Tyler Crook, letters by Crook and Steve Wands, and cover art by Black Hammer co-creator Dean Ormston.

In Skulldigger and Skeleton Boy, Spiral City is trapped in a vicious cycle of crime, corruption, and violence. With the heart of the city at stake, a vigilante rises as Skulldigger. However, when the nefarious Grimjim escapes from prison, Skulldigger and his ward, Skeleton Boy, find themselves pitted against a truly deadly and unstoppable force. 

In The Unbelievable Unteens, artist Jane Ito finds herself visited by one of the characters from her own creation—but was it her own creation? Were the Unteens an actual school of teenaged misfit superheroes who battled supervillains under the lead of the mysterious Dr. Miles Moniker? And if so, who wiped their memories and why?  As Jane’s world is turned upside down and she learns the true nature of her identity, she discovers a sinister plot leading her to assemble a team she had suspected was purely fictional.

The World of Black Hammer Omnibus Volume 4 TPB contains 288 pages and measures at 6.625 x 10.875. The collection will be available September 9, 2024 in bookstores and September 10, 2024 in comic shops. It is available for pre-order now on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and at your local comic shop and bookstore. The graphic novel omnibus collection will retail for $29.99.

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Comics Previews

AWA announces Little Black Book from Jeff McComsey and Felipe Cunha

 “Their child-rearing years had just begun, but their lawless years lay ahead…” Jeff McComsey and artist Felipe Cunha are returning to Artists, Writers & Artisans (AWA) when Little Black Book debuts on March 13, 2024. Split between the past and present, the original 4-issue series focuses on the ties that bind a father and son in Southwest Texas.

In this explosive new thriller, readers are introduced to Cole, a straight-arrow handyman who, alongside his pregnant wife, finds himself in the crosshairs of a ruthless South Texas crime syndicate when he discovers the little black book of underworld contacts that belonged to his deceased father, a career criminal from whom he’s been estranged for decades. Cole’s father believed the best thing he could do for his son was to stay out of his life, and he might have been right, but how far does the apple fall from the tree…?

Little Black Book features covers by Francesco Francavilla, colors by Marco Lesko and letters by Steve Wands.

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Comics Reviews

Batman and Robin #2 continues an intriguing series that stands out from the Bat-pack

Introducing Shush. Who does she work for? And how have they turned one of Batman’s greatest tools against him? Urban Jungle continues as the father and son dynamic duo are on the deadly case! But first, Damian must deal with…his first day of school?! Batman and Robin #2 balances and delivers the domestic and dynamic in a second issue that continues the fun new series.

While the other Bat comics are embroiled in “Gotham War,” Batman and Robin #2 continues the step back with its story where that’s happened/happening but focused squarely on Batman/Robin/Bruce/Damian. Written by Joshua Williamson, Batman and Robin #2 continues the first issue’s excellent balance of domestic life with high flying adventures.

Picking up on the first issue, Batman has been dosed with something that has made Bats attack him while a group of villains have made off with a scientist. The second issue pulls back the curtain on both with explanations that balance the more serious and grounded nature of modern Batman comics and a campiness of classic Batman. It’s explanations and actions that feel so silly when you zoom back and think about them but delivered in a way that you accept what you’re being told.

But, it’s Damian who stands out as Williamson continues to nail home that this is a kid who has never had a chance to really be a kid. He connects with people he shouldn’t really be connecting with and doesn’t know the “normal” social interactions someone his age should. That’s emphasized in the opening sequence as well as Damian in school, which also highlights the fun humor Williamson delivers throughout his writing. It’s all fantastic that shows off why Damian is one of the best Robins and how much he’s grown since his first introduction.

The art by Simone Di Meo continues to be amazing with Steve Wands delivering a punch of emotion with the lettering. The style and coloring of the comic feels like a great blend of recent Bat styles, a bit of neon of Future Gotham and the more dreary grounded current issues. There’s a youthful punch about the comic that matches the vibe and energy of the writing and Di Meo adds detail that also adds to the story. Damian stitching up his father has a specificity about that that tells us a lot about Damian and also Bruce’s wounds. It’s all worth a pause, examination, and contemplation. The devil is in the visual details here.

Batman and Robin #2 is a solid issue and between it and the debut, makes the case this is the Bat comic on the stands right now. It’s a fun read with a mix of grounded and campy, seriousness and humor, with relationships at the center of it all. Sit back and enjoy this one.

Story: Joshua Williamson Art: Simone Di Meo Letterer: Steve Wands
Story: 8.4 Art: 8.5 Overall: 8.45 Recommendation: Buy

DC Comics provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Purchase: TFAW – Zeus Comics – Kindle

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Comics

It’s the return of Kingdom Come in Batman/Superman: World’s Finest #20

Kingdom Come returns in October in Batman/Superman: World’s Finest #20 and DC Comics has released a look at the covers for the issue by writer Mark Waid and artists Dan Mora, Tamra Bonvillain, and Steve Wands.

Out October 17, the issue teams Batman and Superman with their counterparts from the iconic series. “The Golden Calf” is the first part of the new story arc, “Heir to the Kingdom.” The story runs for five issues and sees The Dark Knight and Man of Steel teaming up with a jaded Superman, broken Batman, war-hungry Wonder Woman and more of the heroes from the 1996 series which was written by Waid and featured art by Alex Ross.

It also features the return of… Boy Thunder!

The issue features a main cover by series artist Mora, plus variant covers from Bjorn Barends, David Nakayama, Chrissie Zullo, and Daniel Sampere, plus a foil embossed variant cover, showing off the helmet of Magog, the infamous antihero from Kingdom Come.

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Comics Reviews

Batman and Robin #1 is fun with some solid art

Father and son. Bruce and Damian. Batman and Robin. From Batman vs. Robin to Knight Terrors, a lot has happened to the Dynamic Duo, but now they are back together and ready to fight crime in Gotham–just in time for Batman’s most monstrous rogues to team up to turn the city into an urban jungle! A new villain watches from the shadows, intent on revenge, with a plot to turn one of Batman’s greatest assets against him! Can Damian help his father solve the case before it’s too late? Batman and Robin #1 brings the functionally dysfunctional father and son crime-fighting duo back together for all-new adventures.

Story: Joshua Williamson
Art: Simone Di Meo
Color: Simone Di Meo
Letterer: Steve Wands

Get your copy now! To find a comic shop near you, visit http://www.comicshoplocator.com or call 1-888-comicbook or digitally and online with the links below.

TFAW
Zeus Comics
Kindle

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Comics Reviews

Batman and Robin #1 is a fun debut that shows off potential

Father and son. Bruce and Damian. Batman and Robin. From Batman vs. Robin to Knight Terrors, a lot has happened to the Dynamic Duo, but now they are back together and ready to fight crime in Gotham–just in time for Batman’s most monstrous rogues to team up to turn the city into an urban jungle! A new villain watches from the shadows, intent on revenge, with a plot to turn one of Batman’s greatest assets against him! Can Damian help his father solve the case before it’s too late? Batman and Robin #1 brings the functionally dysfunctional father and son crime-fighting duo back together for all-new adventures.

Written by Joshua Williams, Batman and Robin #1 is a solid start to the new series that currently takes place during the current “Gotham War” storyline. A new mystery begins with a mysterious villain on a mission to collect items and people they need for… something. While Catwoman has gathered and organized the low level thugs, this new villain is getting a bit more talent that pose a bigger threat tot he crime-fighting family.

But, beyond setting up the action, Williams focuses the issue on the fallout of recent events and the relationship of a father and his son. There’s been massive changes for each character including a dialing back of the luxury they both are used to. It seems too that Bruce as Damian’s father realizes he needs to try to be an actual father and support his son’s emotional growth. It’s an interesting aspect and Williams’ story plays off everything really well.

Where the comic feels like it really stands out is the art by Simone Di Meo. Di Meo’s pencils and color, along with lettering by Steve Wands, pops on the page with a great look for the characters and one that really lends itself to dynamic visuals. The overall feel and result is a comic that has a balance between the gritty, dark and gloomy art of the past and the dayglo neon Gotham we’ve seen elsewhere. There’s also some great panel and page layouts that combined with Williamson’s script delivers a comic that is full of kinetic energy that exudes the playful fun that’s intended.

Batman and Robin #1 is an entertaining start that has a voice of its own and stands out from other comics in the Bat-family. It delivers a start that does a solid job of reminding us about the rather odd family dynamic and teasing enough of Bruce and Damian’s personal life to let us know where they stand emotionally. This is one that’s well worth checking out and swinging in to.

Story: Joshua Williamson Art: Simone Di Meo
Color: Simone Di Meo Letterer: Steve Wands
Story: 8.25 Art: 8.5 Overall: 8.35 Recommendation: Buy

DC Comics provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Purchase: TFAW – Zeus Comics – Kindle

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Comics Conventions SDCC

SDCC 2023: Scott Hoffman (aka Babydaddy of the Scissor Sisters) and Artist Juan Bobillo Announce Wag

Following the success of his debut comic book series Nostalgia, writer Scott Hoffman (aka Babydaddy of the multi-platinum selling band Scissor Sisters) tackles his next comic book series Wag, a neurodivergent futuristic adventure through a post-apocalyptic world. The news was announced at his panel: Music and Comics Collide, moderated by friend and fellow creator Phil Jimenez at Comic-Con International: San Diego. Featuring captivating art by Juan Bobillo, letters by Steve Wands, with covers and design by Rian Hughes, Wag will be released monthly beginning with issue #1 (of 5) on September 5, 2023 from Amazon’s Comixology Originals exclusive digital content line.

Wag, a loner in a post-apocalyptic world, hears voices in his head. Could it be some kind of implant from the days before everything collapsed, or has he been slowly losing his mind ever since the pills ran out?  With the aid of an ever-growing band of oddballs, Wag sets out on a quest to discover the source of his troubles – confronting strange and deadly enemies along the way.