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UDON Announcement!

April 28, 2008 – 5:22 pm

UDON Entertainment would like to let all its fans know that the Street Fighter Tribute Hardcover Edition art book is now available for preorder! This 280+ page book features hundreds of skilled artists’ interpretations of Street Fighter, including top artists like J.Scott Campbell, Adam Hughes, and Penny Arcade’s Gabe, UDON mainstays like Alvin Lee, Arnold Tsang, and Omar Dogan, and many, many more!

Typically, UDON’s hardcover editions are available only at conventions, but due to the huge demand, we’re giving everyone a chance to order the Street Fighter Tribute Hardcover. Plus, to sweeten the deal, we’re including free UDON sketchbooks with every order, and also giving away 30 Capcom games to random customers!

For all the book details, cover art, a first look at the interiors, and ordering info, head to:

http://www.udonentertainment.com/streetfightertribute/

Matt MoylanMarketing ManagerUDON Entertainment

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Batman Gotham Knight Anime

April 28, 2008 – 5:05 pm

Well,while Paul Brown scours the internet to find out why Aquaman had a solid water hand at one point,rather than do his review work,I’ve been looking at all the Batman:Gotham Knight info.

For our friends out there with a big Anime interest or who have not seen all the material,here is the DC Press Release:

“DC Comics, Warner Premiere, Warner Home Video and Warner Bros. Animation will present the World Premiere of the DC Universe Animated Original PG-13 Movie, Batman Gotham Knight, at Wizard World Chicago on June 28, 2008, it was announced today.

Scheduled for an evening presentation, the Batman Gotham Knight premiere will be followed immediately by a panel featuring members of the film crew and cast, including legendary animation producer Bruce Timm (Superman Doomsday, Justice League: The New Frontier); acclaimed comics writer Brian Azzarello and Emmy Award-winning television writer Alan Burnett. Other filmmakers and voice talent are expected to participate.

Batman Gotham Knight is a fresh and exciting new entry into the Batman mythos, spinning out of a 40-year history in animation including the Emmy(R)-winning Batman: The Animated Series, widely considered a pivotal moment in American animation. A cross section of distinguished creators, award winning producers, and acclaimed writers weave six interlocking stories that reveal Bruce Wayne’s journey to The Dark Knight, each with stylish art from some of the world’s most revered animation visionaries.

Batman Gotham Knight will arrive July 8, 2008 on DVD and Blu-Ray disc, and will also be available On Demand via digital cable and for download through broadband sites.”

Now,you can see the waaay cool Official trailer thanks to our YouTuber friends at:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xvJg5jw6Li8&NR=1

There is aFirst look 10 minute documentary that is very much worth sitting back and watching:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HLXWZ_SvTWk

Of course,there is the Official web site at:

http://www.warnervideo.com/batmangothamknight/

Should be fun and the clips I’ve seen do look nice and slick –very stylish. Hold your breath now,Geeksters –not too long to wait!

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Jonah Hexed?

April 28, 2008 – 1:42 pm

I suppose most comic fans will have heard this piece of news but,just in case you’ve been locked away in your room with a stack of Wonder Woman versus Power Girl mud-fight edition comics and a stack of burgers…

“Warner Bros. Pictures is saddling up to bring DC Comics’ Western anti-hero comic book “Jonah Hex” to the big screen, with film-makers Mark Neveldine and Brian Taylor on board to adapt. Andrew Lazar is producing via his Mad Chance Productions,as is Akiva Goldsman.

Hex, known for having the right side of his face disfigured and wearing a Confederate army uniform, was a rough-and-tumble gunslinger and part-time bounty hunter whose adventures always ended in blood.

“Hex” first appeared in the early 1970s in the issues of “All-Star Western” before graduating to his own series in 1977 that ran for about 10 years. A new series was launched in 2005. The character also had a run in the 1990s that combined the Western genre with supernatural elements.

The filmmakers are not making a straight-ahead Western but plan to develop the character with some of the supernatural overtones in the hopes of creating a franchise.

Greg Silverman and Elishia Holmes are overseeing for Warners. Gregory Noveck is overseeing for DC.

Neveldine and Taylor wrote and directed “Crank,” which starred Jason Statham.”

Oh. Jason Statham. Top notch movies then.

Erm,no! Stop it,Terry –behave!

It seems to me that,if you are lining up a successful character from a Western comic,especially a gun-slinging,ex-confederate such as Jonah Hex then you go for just that. However,as we all know,

Hollywood is creatively stagnant. Clutching at anything that can be made into a nice little money-earner.

We’ve seen the utter failure of the,frankly awful,Bionic Woman. We’ve seen Blade:The TV Series –“The TV Series” was added in case you thought this dribbling piece of tripe was in anyway connected to the good movies. Starsky & Hutch:take the concept and turn it into a comedy..whatever. The I-Spy TV series of the 1960s –put the likable Owen Wilson in it [ala Starsky & Hutch] and Eddie Murphy and make it a comedy [it WAS supposed to be a comedy?]. Nab the rights to the Brit hit The Italian Job and turn it into..a rather smelly brown heap of “something”.

Oh,it goes on.

I’m afraid I’ve had my fill of “re-telling” the origins of Batman and Superman in movies and comics. Ang Lee’s Hulk movie was over-long and made in the format of a Chinese epic movie –didn’t work. Actually,Elektra worked [!] though Daredevil I was not too overly keen on but it was a good movie.

The X-Men movies played around with the comic history but were great –X-Men III being incredible. The Spider-Man movies stuck more to the comics and are also favs of mine. The Iron Man movie just looks incredible and Robert Downey Jr was born to be Tony Stark [though I think he should have had the original setting –suited,trench-coat and hat in the middle of a “South Asian jungle!!].

And the wonderful Ron Perlman as Hellboy –fantastic!

Hmm. Right:Jonah Hex. You have to ask why,why,why these people could not create a new character if they wanted a cowboy fighting zombies and other supernatural threats [actually,although the TV series Supernatural is one of my favourites,I ought to point out that those involved in paranormal investigation and research use that term:”Paranormal”. Use “Supernatural” and everyone knows you are an amateur with no real idea],why not create a new character?

Seriously,why just say “Hey,he’s a gun-slinger cowboy! Let’s get the character and turn him into a zombie-fighter!” Why not say,ooh,buy up Star Trek and have them trawling the universe hunting vampires?

But,all that said,does

Hollywood give a flying darn what I think? Nah.

So let’s just wait and see how things turn out.

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Dark Horse -Pigeons From Hell!

April 27, 2008 – 7:24 am

Pigeons From Hell #1

Writer: Joe R. Lansdale

Artist: Nate Fox

Colorist: Dave Stewart

Genre: Horror

Joe R. Lansdale puts a new spin on an old classic with this four-part adaptation of master-storyteller Robert E. Howard’s classic tale of terror Pigeons from Hell. Set in the deep south, Pigeons tells the story of a damned house with a wicked past whose vile form casts a shadow of death on all who dare to enter. At dusk, as the sun slumps below the horizon, scores of pigeons can be seen flocking from the house in waning sunlight. The pigeons, they say, are the souls of the damned escaping from the very bowels of Hell itself.

Joe R. Lansdale (author of such works as Bubba Ho-Tep, The Nightrunners, and The Drive-In) is no stranger to comics, having worked on Batman, The Lone Ranger, Jonah Hex, and Robert E. Howard’s Conan. He is joined by comics newcomer Nathan Fox. Together Lansdale and Fox are a powerhouse of visual storytelling, perfectly suited for the dark and dismal world of Robert E. Howard’s horror classic Pigeons from Hell.

Legendary horror aficionado Joe R. Lansdale puts a new spin on an old classic!

Format: Full color, 32 pages Price: $2.99

This was one of the titles I had on my Standing Order at Forbidden Planet and which,yet again,never appeared –thanks,FP. However,I bumped into old pal Piers Hazel and as we talked he saw a couple issues hiding behind other comics –score.

With a title like Pigeons From Hell you might assume the story is based in Bristol! Though I have no problem with pigeons –some of my best friends were pigeons [I’d not let my sister marry one,though].

The first thing that struck me is Nathan Fox’s art style which has an odd look to it but this works. No problems there –and the scenes are well executed. However,there is the added dimension of Dave Stewart’s colouring. This gives the whole book a really strange feel to it and adds more to the rather spooky ending to this issue.

Considering this is an old Robert E. Howard story,Lansdale has done a good piece of adapting,though from start to finish this was laid out and written almost like a film.

Hmm. Dark Horse turning a comic into a movie? Nah. Me and my mind!

I would genuinely recommend this to you if you are into horror or just looking for something other than super heroics.

But pigeons. Really! Never heard that myth and if it were Bristol would be The City Of The Weird…..

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Comic Expo Latest

April 26, 2008 – 2:03 pm

April 25th, Bristol UK – There’s just two more weeks until the UK’s biggest comics convention at the British Empire & Commonwealth Exhibition Hall on 10th and 11th May 2008, and this week we showcase the final set of new books, offers and EXpo EXclusives on show, plus reveal details of the elusive Comics Village Fete, the event for kids of all ages. The Bristol International Comic Expo website www.comicexpo.net has the full details of all guests and panels over the weekend.

In addition, the Virtual Bristol Anthology continues to go from strength to strength with ever more content – http://virtualbristol.monkeyswithmachineguns.com - a chance for readers to preview some of the new books available at Bristol, and reserve a copy in advance or order a copy if you sadly can’t make it this time.

Clash of the Titans? Tony Lee vs Geek Syndicate! In this one off and, potentially, explosive mix the boys of the Geek Syndicate podcast (www.geeksyndicate.co.uk) go head to head with the infamous Tony Lee (www.tonylee.co.uk) in a one off interview in which…

* There can be only one! Place: Sunday May 11th at the

Bristol Comic Expo.

* Note any similarity between the tagline found here and the tagline from the Highlander movies’ is purely coincidental (well kind of). During their time doing the podcast the guys have interviewed Paul Cornell, Esad Ribic and Adi Granov, reported on several comic conventions and fought off three Skrull invasions (ok the last part was a lie, it was only one and at it was more of a punch up than an actual invasion). They have also (as far as they know) hosted the first live comic related podcast at the 2007 Birmingham International Comic Show. They were also nominated in the best entertainment podcast category in the 2007 podcast awards. Dave and Barry will be at their table during the weekend so feel free to stop by, pick up a free promo CD of some sample episodes and have a chat with the guys about the show or podcasting in general.

Marc Ellerby will be exhibiting alongside Kieron Gillen, Jamie McKelvie and John Cei Douglas, bringing along copies of his rock and roll romance book Love The Way You Love that he draws for Oni Press, and also a slew of mini comics including brand new releases, Ellerbisms and Speed Trail. These are autobiographical slice of life stuff and previews of which can be viewed at www.marcellerby.com

Ilya, the editor/manga wrangler of “The Mammoth Book of BEST NEW MANGA” (www.bestnewmanga.com) will bring the latest volume of this book to the show, along with various contributors to sketch and sign for readers - Fredrik Stromberg should be bringing Sofia Falkenhem from Sweden, various members of Sweatdrop, Sean Michael Wilson, and Yishan Li will be around all weekend too.

Sequential Media are presenting issue five of Crikey! Magazine (The Magazine of Great British Comics - http://www.crikeyuk.co.uk/index.html) as well as launching their brand new title, “Superspies and Secret Agents. Two further titles will also be announced, these are still being planned and titles to be determined.

Ablaze Media will have their new graphic novel, Peckerwood: 24 Minutes at the Bristol Expo, and will be launching a new weekly web comic called Planet Peckerwood. Tozzer / Peckerwood creators Rob and Pete will be signing their books, and entertaining the crowd with their mind-numbing anecdotes. There will also be a new range of hilarious, and possibly offensive merchandise, including “Terrorism Weapons And Tactics” mugs, prints, T-shirts and baseball caps.

The Midlands Comics Collective (MC2) will be premiering their new comic “A Legion of Stupid Heroes”, 32 pages of all-new strips featuring irreverent and sometimes unexpected takes on the “guys in tights” genre. MC2 is a collective of professional, semi-professional and doing-it-for-a-lark comic artists and writers based in the Birmingham area. “A Legion of Stupid Heroes” , along with MC2’s previous titles and lots of welcoming grins and/or tired smiles (depending on the time of day), will be on offer on the MC2 stand.

ImagineFX is the magazine for fantasy, sci-fi and comic artists – at their stand and they’ll teach the secrets of top digital artists… and will present live painting demos from: Liam Sharp (2000 AD and Mam Tor), Emma Vieceli (Sweatdrop Studios), Lee Carter (2000 AD), Dave Kendall (Wizards of the Coast), Jamie McKelvie (Suburban Glamour), Frazer Irving (2000 AD, Gutsville). The latest issue of ImagineFX will be available; this issue is a comic book special and comes with a free comiczine that’s packed full of the art from new breed of artists at Marvel, including a world-exclusive look at Adi Granov’s concept art on the Iron Man movie… and much, much more!

Velica (www.velica.co.uk), the exciting new super heroine for 2008, makes her long awaited debut at the Bristol Expo. Follow the first 4 nights of her role as a super hero as she battles cunning crime boss Domino and his right hand man, Syxx, as they try to continue their strong hold on Ashton

City. Velica must get into his inner circle and stop him before it is too late. Ken Johnson, the creator of Velica, will be on hand to discuss this new character in greater detail and answer questions as well as fitting in few sketches in between chats.

Zip Gun Comics will present the latest issue of “Square Eyed Stories” (www.squareeyedstories.co.uk), the longest running small press humour comic in the UK. Over 10 years without stopping! They are hard at work on issue 21, featuring all the usual craziness from Jim McGee, Arthur Goodman and David Goodman. Also, the Banana of Space lands on a planet and the magic sun gives life to twins…The Banana Brothers! “The Banana Brothers” collects several strips, new and previously published, by Jim McGee: this book appears for the first time at the Bristol Expo. Finally, Zip Gun will also premiere “Bahala Na! 07″ (www.bahala-na.co.uk), the annual collection of comic strips by David Goodman. No other comic can offer you juvenile delinquents, conspiracy theorists, galactic dictators, child entrepreneurs, ronin samurai and heaps of catgirls.

Galleon 43 also launches at the Bristol Expo, written by Lewis?!?! and illustrated by Jacob Phillips, it follows Chris Scullion as he is kidnapped by galactic pirates in the future. The book boasts a cover by Tim Perkins and an introduction by Bryan Talbot, and has a promo accessible here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eD-MrX6oiqU

Chris Scullion is put to work on a space craft upon capture, and is joined by two very mysterious characters, Martin Brady and Mike Clarke. Martin Brady is keeping an online journal while on board the Galleon 43 craft, and has made it available to people of all time periods: http://thebradyjournal.blogspot.com/

Illustrator Sally Jane Thompson will be bringing copies of Little Thoughts, a self-published comics collecting several short stories about fruit juice, funerals and friendship, as well as accessories from her new line of Koomos character merchandise. Keep an eye on her blog for pre-con updates (www.corvinecrayon.blogspot.com).

“Team Mobius” are back for their second year – they’re a loose collective of artists who just happen to know each other from Uni and clubbed together to have somewhere to keep their coats for the weekend - Chris Gould, Mathew Alan Smith, Zak Simmonds-Hurn, Andy Silver and Rob Garrett will be playing musical chairs behind the table over the two days, and waving mini comics and sketchbooks at anyone daft enough to show a passing interest - and with a bit of arm twisting (and shiny things) they can probably be persuaded to draw things live as they happen for anyone interested in some artwork

Underfire Comics are a small press publisher with a track record of consistantly high quality, with stories and art from creators like Nick Dyer and Al Ewing who have since found work with 2000AD as well as underground stars like Cosmo White and Dan Cox. Their newest release, Rock Night, is available at the Bristol Expo at a special price of £6, but is also available for those unable to make the Expo for this special price at the online Underfire Comics Shop – pre-ordering also nets purchasers a free set of six Rock Night art postcards (also available at the Bristol Expo). The shop can be visited at www.underfire-comics.com and is also stocked with the Underfire back catalogue, including the well received 5 issue run of Zarjaz edited by Colin Dinnie. Secure payment by credit/debit card or paypal account is offered, with free delivery for all orders over £10.

Comics

Village FeteAs revealed by Andrew Luke earlier this week in his interview with Bristol Expo organiser Mike Allwood (http://comicsvillage.com/column.aspx?ArticleID=237) and as featured on the Comic Expo website (www.comicexpo.net), on the Saturday of the Expo there are a range of events specifically designed to get kids involved in comics, as part of the Comics Village Fete. Opening at noon on Saturday and running all afternoon, events inside the Fete are as follows:- Free Face Painting - get yourself made up as your favourite superhero…. Stack O’Comics - free entry to this competition - guess the number of comics in the towering stack o’comics, and if you’re closest by the closing time: you win the lot. Free sweet for every attempt! Treasure Hunt - Hidden around the Expo, on various tables, are twelve

Comics

Village beanie baby bears…can you track them down and fill in an entry form? Multiple winners will be selected from the correct answers, and will be given their choice of prizes from hardback graphic novels, to t-shirts, to comics, to even more stuff, kindly donated by table holders at the Expo. Design-A-Character Competition, sponsored by Diamond

UK - put your creativity to the test: design a brand new character, or a new interpretation of an old favourite, colour in the template and have it pinned on the wall. The judges will pick their favourites and the winners can choose from a large selection of prizes kindly donated by Diamond

UK. Colouring pencils and templates will be provided at the Fete, and prizes will be awarded in various age categories, so under 8s will have the same chance as 9-13s, as those slightly older people still in touch with their inner child! Bric-A-Brac - a random selection of old comics and graphic novels available at rock bottom prices, the cupboards have been cleared out and the shelves are now bare. Superheroes, manga, SF, from hardcovers to paperbacks, it’s a chance to sample something different, to try something new, for a low cost. Please note that all events are primarily designed for the young, but the young-at-heart are more than welcome to give it a shot!

The Bristol International Comic Expo 2008 will be held over the weekend of 10th and 11th May 2008 at the British Empire & Commonwealth

Museum and the Ramada Plaza Hotel in

Bristol, England, with an early bird film night on Friday 9th May. Full details are available on the official website, www.comicexpo.net – including ticket ordering details, just £6 for adults for each day, accompanied children free, ages 12-16 just one pound.

Next Time: The final wrap-up, with just a week to go, what’s new and just what are the BBC going to be doing at the Bristol Expo, and how can YOU get involved? For up to the minute information and a complete listing of guests please contact. Graphics are available upon request.

Gavin Jordan

Telephone: 0797 274 4567

Email: jordanx@comicexpo.net

Or visit the Comic Expo website www.comicexpo.net

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Classical Comics -A Taster Of The Future!

April 25, 2008 – 12:39 pm

With the International Comic Expo in

Bristol approaching quickly,I thought I’d offer a few tasters from Classical Comics.

If you are going to the Expo pop over to their table,say “Hi!” and BUY some of their books. If you are not going to the Expo then check out the web site at this url:

http://www.classicalcomics.com/

If we have anything comic-wise to be proud of in the

UK than Classical Comics is it!

Jane Eyre
Charlotte Bronte

The Bronte classic from 1847, is brought to vibrant life by the artist John M Burns. His sympathetic treatment of the classical romance will delight any reader with its strong emotions and wonderfully rich atmosphere.

Script Adaptation: Amy Corzine Artwork: John M Burns Lettering: Terry Wiley

UK Publication Date: September 2008 Format: 144 pagesfull colourpaperback246×168mm Versions:(click here for info) Original Text (abridged)Quick Text(2 different books)

Cover Price: £9.99

Great Expectations
Charles Dickens

“I never saw my father or my mother,

and never saw any likeness of either of them.”

No classical collection would be complete without at least one Dickens title; so we thought we’d tackle the greatest of them all first! The wonderful tale of Pip, Miss Havisham, and the spiteful Estella is retold here with fresh enthusiasm contained within Victorian ambience. If you know the story already, you must buy this graphical novel - and if you don’t know the story, then this book is the best way to enjoy one of the greatest works of literary history

Script Adaptation: Jen Green Pencils: John Stokes Inks: John Stokes Colour Finishing: Jason Cardy & Kat Nicholson Lettering: TBA

UK Publication Date: November 2008 Format: 160 pagesfull colourpaperback246×168mm Versions:(click here for info) Original Text (abridged)Quick Text(2 different books)

Cover Price: £9.99

A Christmas Carol
Charles Dickens“I will honour Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year.
I will live in the Past, the Present, and the Future.”

The original Christmas Tale set in victorian

england. Highlighting the social injustice of the time we see one Ebeneezer Scrooge go from oppressor to benefactor.

Our second Dickens title is probably his best-loved story. Scrooge gets a rude awakening to how his life is, and how it should be. Full of Christmas Spirit(s), this is a book that you’ll read all year round!

Script Adaptation: Sean Michael Wilson Pencils: Mike Collins Inks: David Roach Colouring: James Offredi Lettering: TBA

UK Publication Date: October 2008 Format: 144 pages (approx)full colourpaperback246×168mm Versions:(click here for info) Original Text (abridged)Quick Text(2 different books)

Cover Price: £9.99

Frankenstein
Mary Shelley

“Cursed be the hands that formed you!”

True to the original novel (rather than the square-headed Boris Karloff image from the films!) Declan’s naturally gothic artistic style is a perfect match for this epic tale. Frankenstein is such a well known title, yet the films strayed so far beyond the original novel that many people today don’t realise how this classic horror tale deals with such timeless subjects as alienation, empathy and understanding beyond appearance. Another great story, beautifully crafted into a superb graphic novel.

Script Adaptation: Jason Cobley Pencils: Declan Shalvey Inks: Declan Shalvey Art Direction: Jon Haward Colouring: Jason Cardy & Kat Nicholson Lettering: TBA

UK Publication Date: September 2008 Format: 144 pagesfull colourpaperback246×168mm Versions:(click here for info) Original Text (abridged)Quick Text(2 different books)

Cover Price: £9.99

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Something New From Cinebook-The 9th Art

April 24, 2008 – 12:13 pm

A couple of new books to look at from Olivier Cadic’s Cinebook –The 9^th Art. As usual I have the ‘hard task’ of reading and reviewing –but no spoilers!

LARGO WINCH –THE HEIR

PAPERBACK

Authors: Francq & Van Hamme

Age: 15 years and up

Size: 18.4 x 25.7 cm

Number of pages: 96 colour pages

Publication: March 2008

£9.99

ISBN: 9781905460489

Largo Winczlav, born in Yugoslavia, is an orphan. Thousands of miles away, one of the richest men in the world will change Largo’s destiny. He has the same name, but slightly different: “Winch.” This man, Nerio Winch, wants to find an heir to his empire and adopts

Largo, offering him the best education. When his adoptive father disappears under dramatic circumstances,

Largo inherits the W Group, the biggest conglomerate of multinational enterprises ever possessed and managed by a single man. From now on, he will be worth $10 billion. Which is not to everybody’s taste, as he is about to find out…

This two-volume book includes “the W Group”

Jean Van Hamme’s work I first read in the 1970s in ZACK 2000. If you are new to his work you can find out more at:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jean_Van_Hamme

Van Hamme offered Phillipe Francq work on a book he had written the basis for in 1990. The series was Largo Winch. And it became a hugely successful series with initial sales of over 600,000 copies per album in French alone. It is now the only series Francq works on at a rate of one album a year. Living in the South of France,who can blame him?!

Paul Brown’s reaction was “why do all these women have to look gorgeous?” Well,D’uh!

In fact,the book,or rightly “books”,start with Winch senior’s rather brutal murder and from there on in it’s high octane actin –car chases,jail fights,shoot-outs and more,including the beautiful women! You can see why this series is so successful:the use of great colours and varying scenery adds to this comic “eye-candy”.

Over the years Van Hamme has proven his skill as a writer and nothing is lost in Luke Spear’s translation.

If you want a good read and visuals then Largo Winch is for you.

IZNOGOUD –THE WICKED WILES OF IZNOGOUD

PAPERBACK

Authors: Goscinny & Tabary

Age: All ages

Size: 21.7 x 28.7 cm

Number of pages: 52 colour pages

Publication: March 2008

ISBN: 9781905460465

£5.99

Legend has it that in Baghdad the magnificent, a great and particularly dark-minded vizier, who answers to the name of Iznogoud, works on his ambition to lay claim to the throne of caliph Haroun al Plassid. Thus his favourite saying: “I want to be caliph instead of the caliph!”

Seconded by Wa’at Alahf, Iznogoud tries ever more diverse and even crazier means to reach his ends – in vain, of course!

Probably not as well known in the UK as Goscinny’s other work,Iznogoud was another book I first saw in German.

I actually find this a lot fresher than,say,Asterix. If you want to try your kids on something other than Asterix then this has to be the title to try. Same goes if you’ve been an Asterix fan. There are plenty of gags and slapstick –as in “The Time Machine” and if you are a big Euro comics fan then this will be an excellent addition to your collection.

There are some really great books coming from Cinebook and if you check out their site you’ll find info on Cedric,Melusine,Yakari,Yoko Tsuno,Lucky Luke,Blake & Mortimer,Biggles,Lady S,Alpha and many other titles –sign up for their e-newsletter:

http://www.cinebook.co.uk/index.asp

And if you are going to the May International Comic Expo pick up the 32 pages catalogue and say “Hi” to the folks at the table.

Olivier Cadic has really revitalised comic book reading in the

UK.

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Golden Wish

April 24, 2008 – 10:55 am

Michael Golden Helps Make-A-Wish in

Pittsburgh!Golden Art Wraps-up Collectible Program Book

Monroeville,PA–Fresh back from a slew of honors and gallery exhibitions in Barcelona, Michael Golden hardly has a minute to rest before he heads to this weekend’s Pittsburgh Comic Con, to meet fans at one of the regions favorite shows.

In celebration of the comic creator who strives to recreate himself with each new endeavor, the PCC is honoring Michael as a spotlighted guest at their 2008 show, April 25-27, by featuring Golden artwork on their wrap-around collectible program cover. And be sure, Michael will sign every copy put before him.

Needless to say–as you can see by his schedule–Michael’s limited return to the convention circuit, has brought a great deal of interest in his artistic legacy, noted by numerous new books and DVD’s on the artist, including: “Excess: The Art of Michael Golden,” from Vanguard Productions–which has sold out and is going into a second printing with a new Vampirella cover; “Modern Masters Vol.12–Michael Golden” tradepaperback from TwoMorrows Publishing; “Modern Masters in the Studio with Michael Golden DVD”; the upcoming two disc set “Creator Chronicles: Michael Golden” from Woodcrest Productions and Eva Ink; as well as the upcoming sketchbook “Michael Golden Heroes & Villains” from BrandStudios and Eva Ink. You can also see new Michael Golden covers on “Exiles,” “Demon’s Regret,” “Wolverine,” and more!

It’s no wonder that the Pittsburgh Comic Con scheduled Golden for an appearance at this years show as well! Michael will be on hand all days of the PCC along with other comics and media luminaries: Sal Buscema; Tommy Castillo; Tom DeFalco; Al Feldstein; Mike Grell; Joe Jusko; Michael Kaluta; Joseph Michael Linsner; David Mack; Tim Truman; and Billy Tucci among many others.

In support of the Make-A-Wish Foundation, Michael will be offering a limited edition giclee of his program cover art for the conventions charity auction, signed and numbered for the occasion. The piece will also feature an original sketch by Golden as well!!

For more information, check out: www.pittsburghcomicon.com

For more information on Michael Golden and his work, go to: www.evaink.com

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Tribute Book

April 24, 2008 – 10:33 am

Some sad news but here’s hoping Josh recovers.

PRESS RELEASE - JOSH MEDORS BENEFIT AUCTION AT UPCOMING

EMERALD CITY COMIC CONAuction to benefit Josh Medors’ fight with cancer at this year’s Emerald City Comic Con

23 April 2008 (Berkeley, CA) - Unknown to the general public, FRANK FRAZETTA’S SWAMP DEMON, RUNES OF RAGNAN, WILLOW CREEK, GI JOE and 30 DAYS OF NIGHT artist Josh Medors has been fighting cancer for the past several months. In his time of need, Image Comics and Frazetta Comics have stepped in organize an auction with all proceeds going straight to Josh.

“Josh is a good friend, father and artist. With the support from the comic industry that he loves so dearly, we can all help with costly medical bills and ease his pain just a little would be most appreciated,” said Frazetta Comics Editor/Artist Jay Fotos. “We are under a crunch, for the show is just a few weeks away, so anyone that would like to donate please contact me as soon as you can so we can get your donations there for the auction in time, we are also taking PayPal donations as well that go directly to Josh.”

Many of the industry’s finest are donating items to auction, including Frank Frazetta himself. Any other creators interested in donating are encouraged to contact Jay Fotos at jayfotos@cox.net.

The Josh Medors Benefit Auction will take place Saturday, May 10th at the Emerald City Comic Con. If you would like to make a PayPal donation, please do so to jmedors1@insight.rr.com.

Contributors thus far:

Frank FrazettaJerry BeckBrian HaberlinTom BelandMark KidwellTodd McFarlaneNat JonesTony MoorePeter BergtingRichard StarkingsSteve NilesKody ChamberlinJay FotosRick RemenderChristian BeranekAhmet ZappaImage ComicsIDW PublishingZenescope Entertainment

Image Comics is a comics and graphic novels publisher formed in 1992 by a collective of best-selling artists. Since that time, Image has gone on to become one of the largest comics publishers in the

United States. There are currently four partners in Image Comics (Erik Larsen, Todd McFarlane, Marc Silvestri and Jim Valentino), and Image is currently divided into four major houses (Todd McFarlane Productions, Top Cow Productions, Shadowline and Image Central). Image comics and graphic novels cover nearly every genre, sub-genre and style imaginable, offering science fiction, romance, horror, crime fiction, historical fiction, humor and more by the finest artists and writers working in the medium today. Visit www.imagecomics.com.

Joe KeatingePR & Marketing Coordinator

Image Comics

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TEX IS IN THE BURGH!

April 24, 2008 – 10:09 am

And he’s packin’ pencils and paint brushes for the PCC!

Monroeville,PA– That’s right! The Pittsburgh Comic Con has announced the late addition of renowned illustrator Mark Texeira to their already stellar guest lineup, and his fine art style is sure to add even more excitement to both the convention and the Saturday night charity auction as well!

Known for his stunning interiors on “Ghost Rider” and “MoonKnight,” and his fantastic cover work on “Red Sonja,” “Vampirella,” “Ghost Rider,” and more, Texeira has always been a fan fave at shows and on the book stands. Not to mention that his convention commissions are always wildly popular–just look at the lines at last weekends NYCC!!

And, hey if you missed that craziness, check out the con photo updates at:

http://buncheness.blogspot.com/2008/04/new-york-comicon-images-from-floor.html

Now, thanks to the PCC, there’s still a chance to get caught up in the convention madness, as Tex will be on hand all days of the show to sign copies of his work, sketch….and, you might even see him taking part in a not-to-be-missed “Win/Lose/Or Draw” on Friday. In addition,

Tex is offering a limited edition giclee in the Make-A-Wish auction Saturday night. The piece will be signed and numbered by Mark, and will also feature an original sketch by the artist.

Want more? You can also catch Mark’s work in the upcoming art book “Tex: The Art of Mark Texeira” from Vanguard Productions and the new “Creator Chronicles” DVD on the artist, both due out later this year.

The Pittsburgh Comic Con is taking place April 25-27 and also features such great talents as: Sal Buscema; Tommy Castillo; Tom DeFalco; Al Feldstein; Michael Golden; Mike Grell; Joe Jusko; Michael Kaluta; Joseph Michael Linsner; David Mack; Tim Truman; and Billy Tucci among many others.

For more information visit:

www.pittsburghcomicon.com

For more information on Mark Texeira and his work, contact:

EvaInk@aol.com

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