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ARCHIE COMICS UNVEILS NEW LOGOS AND TRADE DRESSArchie Comics, the world’s largest English-language publisher of all ages comics, is pleased to unveil a new Archie Comics logo that will appear on all of its comic books, digest/double digests and graphic novels.

The new Archie Comics‘ logo will make its first appearance on the Archie Comic publications scheduled for the newsstand on-sale starting the week of September 15, 2008, commencing with Veronica #190 and Archie Digest #247.The new trade dress for all of the Archie Digest Library books include new logos for most of the titles as well as secondary logos for popular characters featured in the digests.

Characters such as Little Archie, Cheryl Blossom, Reggie, Josie & the Pussycats, just to name a few are featured in the digests every month, but not necessarily on the cover. We now have a trade dress that allows fans of these characters to know exactly where to find their favorite Archie characters.  For more than 67 years, Archie Comics has provided entertainment for all ages. In 2009, Archie Comics is entering a new phase of growth with the launch of two new titles, Archie Comics Presents and Sonic Universe. The new logos on our comics and digests highlights Archie Comics’ plans for the future and the new trade dress represents our latest step. Whereby we bring many of our popular characters to the forefront of our fans attention as soon as they see our digests and double digests.

August 2008 - 100 pages

ALTER EGO #80 (100 pages, $6.95) spotlights Sword-and-Sorcery in Comics! Awe-inpspirng new cover by RAFAEL KAYANAN! Conan the Barbarian was only the tip of the iceberg! Learn about Crom the Barbarian, Viking Prince, La Reina de la Costa Negra, Nightmaster, Kull, Red Sonja, Solomon Kane, Bran Mak Morn, Fafhrd and The Gray Mouser, Beowulf, Warlord, Dagar the Invincible, Wulf the Barbarian, Ironjaw, and more—with rare art by RAFAEL KAYANAN, BARRY SMITH, JOHN BUSCEMA, GIL KANE, JOHN GIUNTA, BERNIE WRIGHTSON, JERRY GRANDENETTI, MIKE PLOOG, FRANK THORNE, FRANK BRUNNER, HOWARD CHAYKIN, TIM CONRAD, FRANK FRAZETTA, JERRY BINGHAM, MIKE GRELL, PABLO MARCOS, NEAL ADAMS, RICARDO VILLAMONTE, JOE KUBERT, JESSE SANTOS, LARRY HAMA, MIKE SEKOWSKY, et al.—plus other comics features, including P.C. Hamerlinck’s FCA (Fawcett Collectors of America) section with Marc Swayze, C.C. Beck, and others, Michael T. Gilbert and Mr. Monster’s Comic Crypt, and more! Edited by Roy Thomas.

No comment from me?  What can I say:this is a superb magazine and if you don’t read it you ARE losing out!

Check out or Twomorrows link for other titles.

I’ve heard back from Kim Thomson over at Fantagraphic Books [http://www.fantagraphics.com/] and the news regarding the frequency of the new L&R book is not good for us fans who managed to get a copy.

The book is annual.

Yes,we have to wait another year for issue #2!!

Can I survive that long? Can I live  that long?! 

But that’s the frequency but if FB can squeeze a second issue out in 2009 after #2 I’ll let you know.

T

Jusko and Stout Headline in Spain!

Aviles,Spain. — The Cultural Festival of Aviles, Spain is kicking off this week with a list of Spanish and International guests, headlined by the United States own Joe Jusko and William Stout. The renowned illustrators will be featured in numerous programs during the week and vetted by the local press to mark the occasion, while of course, taking in a little local culture as well. 

Renowned illustrator Joe Jusko is virtually a household name to anyone who loves painted covers, revered for his realistic depictions of comic characters, beautiful women and barbarians, Jusko is also the subject of an upcoming “Creator Chronicles: Joe Jusko” documentary, in which Joe sits down to talk about his prolific career from his start at “Heavy Metal” to Conan, Marvel Masterpiece, ERB and Tomb Raider. Also, for the first time on camera, Joe gives an exclusive and entertaining art lesson as he paints an entire piece from start to finish! All from one of the very best to ever pick up a brush. The DVD can be pre-ordered for $29.95, or via the Diamond Catalogue in the Little Eva Ink section, ISBN: 978-1-60643-801-5

In addition, Joe is also the focus of a new art book on the horizon “The Art of Joe Jusko” due out in December from Desperado Publishing. This book offers readers a chance to witness his immense career in a generous 300 pages, offering glimpses of previously never-before-seen material from his files and sketchbooks, his enormously popular comic work, covers and illustrations from his book publishing career, as well as beautifully reproduced images of his personal favorites and insights into his life and creative process.

Also the subject of an upcoming “Creator Chronicles” documentary, William Stout is America’s leading dinosaur illustrator. Born in Salt Lake City, Utah, Stout began his professional career in 1968 with the cover for the first issue of “Coven 13.” In 1971, he began assisting Russ Manning on the “Tarzan of the Apes” newspaper strips. He later worked with Harvey Kurtzman and Will Elder. Bill’s work can be seen on numerous, wildly popular, “bootleg” record album covers of the era, followed by work in the rock magazine “Bomp!,” and numerous movie posters. One of the first American contributors to “Heavy Metal,” to date, Stout has worked on over 30 feature films as well, including Conan, First Blood, and  Pan’s Labryinth, as well as being a Walt Disney Imagineer.

In 1981, Bantam Books published Stout’s landmark masterwork “The Dinosaurs,”  and as a result of his paleontological reconstruction work, 11 of Bill’s paintings were selected for inclusion in the traveling exhibition “Dinosaurs Past and Present.” Michael Crichton has acknowledged Stout’s work as an inspiration for his book “Jurassic Park.”

A trip to Antarctic and Patagonia changed Stout’s life in 1989, and led him to paint 45 pieces for a one man show, “Dinosaurs, Penguins and Whales–The Wildlife of Antarctica.” This effort by Stout to alert and inform the public consciousness as to the complex beauty of Antarctica and its past and present denizens, and to work as part of the international effort to make Antarctica the first World Park is ongoing.

Jusko and Stout will be attending all days of the Aviles, Spain cultural exchange, along with Producers Renee Witterstaetter and Robin Dale of the “Creator Chronicles” documentary series, who will be filming a feature on the festival. As a writer, Renee’s  recent books include “Excess: The Art of Michael Golden,” from Vanguard Productions and the upcoming “Tex: The Art of Mark Texeira.” The first Spanish screening of the new documentary “Creator Chronicles: Michael Golden” will also be spotlighted at the festival on Wednesday.

Other talent appearing at the event include Tommy Castillo, Rodney Ramos, Chris Weston, Adi Granov, Michael Avon Oeming, Ivo Milazzo, Steve Niles, Miquel A. Gallardo, Frazier Irving, D’Israeli, Mark Buckingham, Liam Sharp, Paco Roca, Ken Lopez, Alan Davis, Pere Joan, Steve Dillon, Mariel Soria, Joan Mundet, Ester Gili, Lola Lorente, Rachel Deville, Sonia Pulido, Goran Parlov, Ethan Van Sciver, Javi Rodriguez and Lorenzo Diaz, among many more.

The Aviles Journal of Comics Festival takes place September 8-13 in Aviles,Spain. For more information contact: evaink@aol.com

 New Golden Documentary Makes Spanish Debut!

Aviles Cultural Festival Opens with First Screening
Aviles, Spain. — The new Michael Golden documentary from Creator Chronicles will be making its Spanish debut this week in Aviles, as the  festival opens with a special unveiling of the comprehensive work for Spanish fans.

 Focusing on one of the most influential comic artists of the last few decades, the new film on comics creator Michael Golden features an in-depth interview with the co-creator of Rogue, Bucky  O’Hare and Spartan X, and gives fans a candid and refreshing look at the man behind the stories. Produced via Woodcrest Productions and Eva Ink, the disc features 312 minutes of footage, including outtakes, a how-to drawing session,  as well Golden’s M-Gallery opening in Manhattan, and much more. The interview section will be screened in its entirety in Aviles.Two other future “Creator Chronicles” subjects will be attending the Aviles festival in the flesh, as well. Joe Jusko

Renowned illustrator Joe Jusko is virtually a household name to anyone who loves painted covers, revered for his realistic depictions of comic characters, beautiful women and barbarians. While, William Stout is America’s leading dinosaur illustrator, who has also worked on over 30 feature films, including Conan, First Blood, and  Pan’s Labyrinth, as well as being a Walt Disney Imagineer.Jusko and Stout will be attending all days of the festival along with Producers Renee Witterstaetter and Robin Dale of the “Creator Chronicles” documentary series, who will be filming a feature on the festival.

As a writer, Renee’s  recent books include “Excess: The Art of Michael Golden,” from Vanguard Productions and the upcoming “Tex: The Art of Mark Texeira.”Other artist in the “Creator Chronicles” series include George Perez, Bill Sienkiewicz, as well as upcoming pieces on Mark Texeira, Joe Sinnott, Matt Wagner, Peter David and more. 

The screening of “Creator Chronicles: Michael Golden” takes place on September 10th, at 3:00, located at the Videocine building.  Presentations and interviews for/with Joe Jusko are on September 14th at 5:00 and for William Stout at 6:15, both located at the Auditorio Casa Cultura. Other talent appearing at the event include Tommy Castillo, Rodney Ramos, Chris Weston, Adi Granov, Michael Avon Oeming, Ivo Milazzo, Steve Niles, Miquel A. Gallardo, Frazier Irving, D’Israeli, Mark Buckingham, Liam Sharp, Paco Roca, Ken Lopez, Alan Davis, Pere Joan, Steve Dillon, Mariel Soria, Joan Mundet, Ester Gili, Lola Lorente, Rachel Deville, Sonia Pulido, Goran Parlov, Ethan Van Sciver, Javi Rodriguez and Lorenzo Diaz, among many more.

The Aviles Journal of Comics Festival takes place September 8-13 in Aviles, Spain. For more information on the Creator Chronicles series, contact: evaink@aol.com

THE ADVENTURE, INTRIGUE AND FULL-THROTTLE MANGA ACTION HEATS UP THIS DECEMBER FOR SONIC & SABRINA! 

One’s a teenage witch who’s been on the scene since the early 1960s - the reigning queen of magical comic teens. 

The other is a video game hero who has thrilled fans the world over - and is one of the longest-running licensed comic successes of the past 15 years.

Now, the very survivals of the universes they inhabit hang in the balance in mind-bending stories that are sure to satisfy your hunger for danger and excitement!  If you haven’t read a Sabrina or Sonic comic lately, don’t delay - pick up a copy today and find out what you’re missing!

SABRINA THE TEENAGE WITCH #99

“The Final Battle, Part 2 of 3″: The countdown to issue #100 continues!  With the aid of their new allies, the Four Blades, Sabrina and her friends set out to battle the villainous Vosblanc.  They journey to the main plaza of the Magic Realm only to find that the source of all magic, the Mana Tree, is dying.  Not very good timing as the first wave of Vosblanc’s followers attack!  And just as he did before, Vosblanc tries to turn the entire Magic Realm against Sabrina and her friends.  Their only hope is to convince everyone of the withered Mana Leaf’s existence, but Vosblanc has other plans.  With the situation more desperate than ever, it’s up to Sabrina, now one of the most powerful magic users in the realm, to do the unimaginable to save it.  Can she save the day or will life as she knows it be changed forever?

SCRIPT: Tania del Rio. 

ART: Lindsey Cibos (pencils) and Jim Amash (inks).

Shipping Date: December 31^st, 2008

On Sale at Comic Specialty Shops: January 7^th, 2009

On Sale on Newsstands: January 13^th, 2009

32-page, full color comic

$2.25 US. 

 

SONIC X #40 

“The End”: A peaceful gathering of Sonic and his friends remains anything but when Shadow the Hedgehog and Metal Sonic crash the party - literally!  Even Dr. Eggman is reeling in horror over the souped-up Metal Sonic, but that doesn’t stop him from forming an alliance to attack the blue blur.  Meanwhile, Shadow remains inextricably linked to Metal, the only one who can help him find his correct place in the universe.  It’s a mélange of friends, foes and overlapping alliances… and Sonic and his friends are caught in the middle!  This issue’s title is only the beginning, as it leads into a brand-new series called SONIC UNIVERSE that promises to chronicle the outcome of the Shadow and Metal Sonic conflict, as well as the further adventures of the entire Sonic-verse! 

SCRIPT: Ian Flynn. 

ART: David Hutchison (pencils) and Terry Austin (inks).

Double trouble cover by man-in-the-mirror Spaz!
ships 12/17. 

Shipping Date: December 17^th, 2008

On Sale at Comic Specialty Shops: December 24^th, 2008

On Sale on Newsstands: December 30^th, 2008

32-page, full color comic

$2.25 US.

SONIC THE HEDGEHOG #195

“Hedgehog Havoc, Part One”: It’s the story fans have wished for for years: all your favorite hedgehogs together in one pulse-pounding epic that spans New Mobotropolis, Moebius, New Megaopolis and more!  You’ll thrill to the excitement as Shadow, Amy Rose, Rob O’ the Hedge, King Scourge, Metal Sonic, and of course, Sonic the Hedgehog collide in this explosive tale that finds Scourge accelerating his assault against the Freedom Fighters and his hated enemy, Sonic.  You simply cannot afford to miss this—after all, the outcome could result in long-lasting ramifications that could change everything forever! 

SCRIPT: Ian Flynn. 

ART: Tracy Yardley! (pencils) and Jim Amash (inks).

Hedgehogs-a-plenty cover by Tracy Yardley! & Jason Jensen.

Shipping Date: December 3^rd, 2008

On Sale at Comic Specialty Shops: December 10^th, 2008

On Sale on Newsstands: December 20^th, 2008

32-page, full color comic

$2.25 US. 

Author: The Hernandez Brothers 

Format: Softcover 

Pages: 100 

Dimensions: 6.625″ x 9″ 

Colors: black & white 

Year: 2008 

Publisher Fantagraphics 

ISBN-13: 978-1-56097-951-7   

Price: $14.99  [US]/£9.95 [UK]

It’s been a wait but the first new look volume is here.  Almost missed it because,though I put it on standing order at Forbidden Planet two months ago they never kept aside a copy and had to check the shelves.  Wonderful.  But the book made up for the hassle.

Can it be so long ago since the original L&R series?  But what’s in this book,and it does count as a graphic novel as opposed to a typical L&R comic.  Well,let Fantagraphics tell you:

Love and Rockets: New Stories #1 reboots the beloved ongoing “Love and Rockets” comic into a fat, all-new annual graphic novel length package.Jaime launches the new format with a story that’s unusual even for him… A full-on, pulse-pounding super-hero yarn! Maggie’s longtime friend Penny Century has finally realized her longtime dream of acquiring super-powers, but at a terrible personal cost. Now she rampages through the galaxy, half mad with grief, and a motley group of super-heroes assembles to try to stop her — led by Maggie’s girlfriend Angel and her mysterious neighbor Alarma, and involving a number of characters longtime Love and Rockets fans will delight in recognizing.The epic-length 50-page story (only the first half of the saga!) combines Jaime’s razor sharp characterization and superlative art with wildly inventive, Kirby-style slam-bang super-hero action.Then Gilbert Hernandez explodes with a similarly generous helping of his fantastically creative one-shot short stories: “Tamanny” (rookie cop vs. demonic drug users); “Papa” (a turn-of-the-century story involving a traveling businessman); “The New Adventures of Duke and Sammy” (super-powered Martin and Lewis impostors in outer space); “The Tender Room” (Into the Wild as re-imagined by Beto); “Chiro el Indio” (written by third brother Mario Hernandez); and “Never Say Never” (a kangaroo gets lucky in Las Vegas).One hundred pages of Jaime, Gilbert and Mario Hernandez at the peak of their powers: this is a major graphic-novel event! 

What I found annoying was the “to be continued next issue” –but when is the next issue?  I’ll check with FB.

Is it any good?  Oh come on!  Jaime is brilliant and if you are a long term fan you will be saying “oh that’s –! And she was in—“ I had fun. 

The art was up to Jaime’s usual high standards and I do know a few internet pundits were shouting:”Jaime is drawing super heroes –sell out!” way back when the contents of this book was announced.  Idiots.

What remains a mystery to me after all these years is that Jaime was never snapped up by DC or Marvel –two[?] illoes in the 1980s DC Who’s Who and that was it.  The man has style and an imagination and could chew up and spit out the majority of “Big Two” artists..ah,see:style and imagination –that’s why they never snapped him up!

Beto produces his usual weirdness and I’m sure there are going to be a few raised eye-brows –for instance “The New Adventures Of Duke & Sammy”! I like Beto’s style and he’s on form here.

I’d give my right arm to work with either!

And Mario is there.  Oh yes,working with Beto on “Chiro el Indio” which was very enjoyable.

Personally,I’d say that this is L&R on very high form and the only thing that concerned me was the price –it might not encourage new readers as a lower price comic format book might.  I’m just hoping that the quality shines through. 

Is it only me who feels that,after following L&R for so long,it’s like being a rock band groupie?  Hey,I’d throw my knickers on stage..well,maybe not.  But if I had to give this new book marks out of 10? A resounding 12!!

T

 

Not sure if anyone out there has seen this weekly comic strip but I look in on it now and then -it needs a printed comic book!

PROJEKT WERWOLF
by Jon Colton, Kathryn Colton, Kevin Shriver

“Projekt Werwolf” is the story of the 101st airborne. They have
marched from Normandy to Berlin, they have seen the horrors of war but they
have no idea about the horrors that await them on their final mission.

http://www.komikwerks.com/episodes.php?ti=152&ep=2467

I’ll put a permalink on blogroll.

Only one week away! Mark it on your calendar.

Inter-Fan Jam
September 13-14, 2008
Derby Hall @ Homewood Hotel, 17400 Halsted St., Homewood, Illinois
708-957-1600 Fax 708-957-1963
http://www.homewood -hotel.com
20 miles south of downtown Chicago.

Admission
$5.00 each with 2 cans of food (optional) or $10.00 for two day pass
This year we have MORE ROOM, MORE VENDORS, and MORE ACTIVITIES.

Guests of Honor
Alex Nino (70’s Dc artist and cover painter)
Doug Klauba (Moonstone artist and cover painter)
Terry Pavlet (RPG/CCG & Comic Cover artist)

Exhibitors
LaMorris Richmond (B.L.A.M. Comics)
Richard Case (Premier/SPA)
HIM (Hamtramck Idea Men)
Steven Piscione (Chaosfield)
Tom Stillwell (Spinner Rack Comics/Unscrewed)
Lance Stahlburg (Rouge Wolf Ent./Haven Distrib)
Rod and Barb Jenkins (Kiss Me Comix)
Donna Upshaw (Steeltown Funnies)
Wade Busby (Mr. E)
Liz Ortiz (Rasgals/IF)
Jim Main (Main Enterprises)
Wally Lowe (Wal2)
Nino (209 Ave Comics)
Moe Nasser (Indie Artist)

For more info go to
http://www.inter- fan.org/Interfan 2.htm

email to
doc@inter-fan. org