uncanny skullkickers Archives

With one of the best press release campaigns of recent memory leading up and promoting it, there was some high expectations from me when I sat down to read Uncanny Skullkickers #1. I’ve read the majority of the previous eighteen issues, and the series is one I always thought deserved WAY more attention than it got. After a too long break, this week sees a new release, either the nineteenth issue or the first issue of an “uncanny” new series. Either way, the issue kicks ass!!!!

This is the first issue of the second story, an excellent jumping-on point for folks. While bald, gun wielding Rex is still a main focus, his former dwarven partner gets his own journey and story in this same issue. Instead, Rex is now dealing with Kusia as they’re stranded on an island after being shipwrecked. The two do as you’d expect, deal with being shipwrecked and stranded, so getting food, building shelter, stuff like that.

So, there’s not tons of action here, but the issue’s humor is front and center. Skullkickers has always been a series that mixes humor and action and does it damn near perfectly. It always exudes fun, and this first issue is no exception. Jim Zubkavich is a master of these types of comics, with series and more (if you can’t get enough).

Edwin Huang‘s art is amazing as well. The style is clean with an almost animated look to it all. It’s a style that fits the fun tone of the comic’s story.

Between the story and the art, Skullkickers is a series that captures the fun of the types of fantasy stories that are told with a twenty sided die at so many dinner tables every week. It’s a D&D campaign that’s gone completely off the rails. It’s been too long of a break for the series. I’m psyched it’s back and you should read this to find out why you should be psyched too!

Story: Jim Zubkavich Art: Edwin Huang Cover: Edwin Huang and Misty Coats Variant Cover: Chris Stevens

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

Image Comics provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Around the Tubes

Posted on February 27, 2013 by Brett

It is new comic book day! What’s everyone getting?

Around the Tubes

MTV Geek – ‘The Sixth Gun’ TV Pilot Has Cast General Hume And Becky – Really looking forward to seeing this show.

Kotaku – One Comics Fan’s Cosmic Quest to Collect All of Jack Kirby’s Covers – That’s ambitious.

Around the Tubes Reviews

Talking Comics – Baltimore: The Widow And The Tank

Bleeding Cool – Batman Incorporated #8

The Fandom Post – R.I.P.D. Volume 1

The Beat – Uncanny Skullkickers #1

Preview – Uncanny Skullkickers #1

Posted on February 26, 2013 by Brett

Uncanny Skullkickers #1

Story by: Jim Zubkavich Art By: Edwin Huang Cover By: Edwin Huang & Misty Coats Variant Cover by: Chris Stevens
Price: $3.50

The UNCANNY SKULLKICKERS: Two hard-headed mercenaries kill monsters and cause havoc in their search for money, fame and adventure! A bold new direction! A perfect jumping-on point! A newly added adjective! Our nineteeth issue, but also a new issue #1! It’s all here, people! Don’t make us use more exclamation marks!!

Pick of the Week – Uncanny Skullkickers #1

Posted on February 26, 2013 by Brett

Image Comics has been teasing it for quite some time with some brilliant press releases, but the wait is over for Uncanny Skullkickers #1, the beginning of the second volume of the fantasy series. This is the ninteenth issue of the series, but also a new #1, so a perfect jumping on point. Basically, the story is two hard-headed mercenaries kill monsters and cause havoc in their search for money, fame and adventure. A fantasy series filled with as many laughs as action, it’s always been an entertaining read. This “first” issue continues to bring the awesome, throwing out humor and fun at every chance, and there’s two stories in one! A solid issue back, and one everyone should grab this week.

Uncanny Skullkickers #1 – see above
The Massive #9 – Brian Wood’s amazing series has been getting better and better. Each issue I find myself tensing up as the action and intrigue increases. One of the best comics on the market.
Uncanny X-Men #2 – Brian Michael Bendis gave us an amazing first issue and that ending! The first issue quickly became one of the best of this year, so you better believe the second issue is anticipated.
Uncanny X-Force #2 – Kick-ass X-women lead by Psylocke, yes please! The first issue was another solid release under Marvel NOW!, hopefully the second issue can keep it up.
Batman Incorporated #8 – The comic universe was abuzz yesterday with the shocking announcement as to what’s going on in this issue… Expect sell-outs as this comic was probably under ordered.

Image Comics Exclusives and Panels at Emerald City Comicon

Posted on February 25, 2013 by Brett

Image Comics is set to make a strong showing at next week’s Emerald City Comicon in Seattle, with exclusive convention editions, a full slate of signings by Image creators, and panels featuring some of comics’ top writers and artists! The convention takes place on March 1-3 in the Washington State Convention Center.

Four Image Comics convention exclusives will be available to purchase at the Image Comics booth (#1110):

Lost Vegas #1 by Jim McCann and Janet Lee, convention exclusive cover by Dan McDaid

Sex #1 by Joe Casey and Piotr Kowalksi

The Walking Dead: The Governor Special by Robert Kirkman and Charlie Adlard (available at the Skybound booth, just opposite of the Image booth)

Uncanny Skullkickers #1 by Jim Zub and Edwin Huang

All convention exclusives are available in limited quantity at the beginning of each convention day, during creator signings, and at creators’ Artist Alley tables (check Emerald City Comic Con’s website for names and locations).

The Image Comics signing schedule will be released soon, so keep an on Image’s website.

There will be three Image Comics panels in Emerald City Comicon’s programming, each promising to be a lively discussion.

Putting the “Graphic” in Graphic Novels

It’s time to talk about sex and violence! Black Kiss II, Butcher Baker, Sex, Saga, Happy!, Multiple Warheads, Sex Criminals: these comics are definitely not for kids. Image Comics creators who aren’t shying away from adult situations talk about creating comics for grown-ups. Is there really such a thing as “gratuitous”? What’s it like to be banned in the UK and Canada? Join some of comics most respected creators for an eye-opening conversation. Panelists: Joe Casey (Butcher Baker the Righteous Maker, Sex), Howard Chaykin (Black Kiss II), Matt Fraction (Sex Criminals), Fiona Staples (Saga) FRIDAY 5 PM Hall B

Skybound: On the Rise

There’s no limit on what to expect from Skybound, Robert Kirkman’s imprint at Image Comics. The Walking Dead continues to dominate comics and television, Invincible just hit its historic 100th issue, and new series are on the horizon. Join Charlie Adlard, Ryan Ottley and more as they discuss what’s in Skybound’s future.
Panelists: Ryan Ottley, Charlie Adlard, Phil Hester, Josh Williamson SATURDAY 1 PM Hall B

Wondrous Worlds, Fractured Futures: Speculative Fiction and Image Comics

With the unlimited potential of comics, there is perhaps no better medium for speculative fiction than comics. Limited only by their imaginations, Image Comics creators have been creating far-flung universes and dystopian futures where science, fantasy, and technology explode in rich possibilities. Find out why they choose science fiction, how they build worlds, and what inspires them. Panelists: Duffy Boudreau (BlackAcre), Joe Harris (Great Pacific), Fiona Staples (Saga), Richard Starkings (Elephantmen) SUNDAY 1 PM HallB

Uncanny Skullkickers Gives a (Re)Boot to the Head

Posted on November 19, 2012 by Brett

“Uncanny Skullkickers is everything for everyone,” so claimed the headline for the press release I received today. This February, Image Comics is inviting readers to jump on board action and adventure, newly reinvigorated with a very special adjective – The Uncanny Skullkickers!

Mocking a certain company’s habit of dropping adjectives into their titles and claiming something is new and exciting, Image felt their adding an adjective was a perfect way to remind readers how much fun Skullkickers is to read. And it is. After almost twenty issues, I’m still entertained by the series, it’s action and humor is up their with the best.

Uncanny Skullkickers, written by Jim Zub and drawn by Edwin Huang, begins the second half of the epic six-arc Skullkickers storyline and is a perfect jumping-on point for new readers of the action-comedy fantasy series. And who doesn’t want to be known as a reader of a comic about hard-headed mercenaries knocking heads for fun and profit? I mean, really.

And if you’re a diehard collector of Skullkickers who’s sad that you won’t have a Skullkickers #19 to add to your collection? Don’t worry, Image has thought of everything. In addition to the regular “Uncanny” cover they’re offering a special “issue #19 variant” B cover to make sure your collector streak is unbroken.

Uncanny Skullkickers #1 will available wherever kick-ass comics are sold on February 27! Pre-order it now from the December issue of Previews.