Opening with a keynote address from Image Comics Publisher Eric Stephenson on Friday night that will include some exclusive announcements, the programming at the upcoming Image Expo on February 24-26 in Oakland, California features some of comics’ most creative personalities discussing the industry’s hottest topics, as well as talking about their own work.

The programming ranges from large event panels, like those with Saga creators Brian K. Vaughan and Fiona Staples and The Walking Dead superstar Robert Kirkman, to small, intimate workshops with the Image Comics founders that will require advance registration to attend. Panels on topics such as women in comics, writing and art, and comics on TV will offer cogent conversation; and workshops on retailing, combating censorship, writing, and design will engage with attendees’ creativity and passion for comics. And, of course, there will be an Image Comics 20th Anniversary panel that will reunite seven of Image Comics’ founders to talk about the future of comics and reminisce about their decision to leave work-for-hire behind for independent creator ownership.

A full list of programming follows.

FRIDAY

6 p.m.
Keynote Address
Image Comics Publisher Eric Stephenson welcomes you to Image Expo, the comics convention that celebrates independent creativity. Expect some incisive commentary as only Stephenson can provide, plus some exclusive announcements.

SATURDAY

11 a.m
Womanthology: What Zeitgeist?
It’s no secret that diversity in comics takes up a large part of the critical discussion of the medium online. How does gender relate to who is telling a story, what story they’re choosing to tell, and how that story is perceived by an audience? Womanthology started as an online discussion, then quickly blossomed into a full-fledged idea. And from there it went on to be one of the most successful comics projects on Kickstarter. Join some of the contributors and editors to discuss the experience of making Womanthology, the role of women in comics, as well the need for more anthologies that feature new creators from a variety of backgrounds. Plus, jokes about giant crab attacks and superheroes wearing underwear.
Panelists: Bonnie Butler, Mariah Huehner, Trina Robbins, Nicole Sixx, Fiona Staples
Moderator: Blair Butler

12 p.m.
Stories and Scripts: Writing Comics
How do comics readers get their vision from their minds, to script, to the drawn page? What do you need to know about successful collaboration with artists? Some of comics’ best writers will talk about the challenges, triumphs, and idiosyncrasies of the comics creative process. Find out how comics like Fatale, Haunt, Chew, Morning Glories and Saga are conceived, written, and brought to the printed page from the writers who knew them from “PAGE ONE, PANEL ONE.”
Panelists: Ed Brubaker, Steve Seagle, Joe Casey, Jonathan Hickman, John Layman, Nick Spencer, and Brian K. Vaughan
Moderator: Richard Starkings

1 p.m
Twenty Years of Independence: The Image Comics 20th Anniversary Panel
Twenty years ago, a group of young artists left their work-for-hire jobs to forge their own path in comics. The result was Image Comics, a publisher dedicated to creators’ individual visions and a champion of creative ownership. The Image Comics partners and some of the original founders now come together to talk about that momentous meeting of minds and talent.
Panelists: Robert Kirkman, Erik Larsen, Rob Liefeld, Todd McFarlane, Whilce Portacio, Marc Silvestri, and Jim Valentino
Moderator: Eric Stephenson

2 p.m.
Saga: A Conversation with Brian K. Vaughan and Fiona Staples
One of the most-anticipated new comics of 2012 is Saga, by best-selling writer Brian K. Vaughan (Y: The Last Man, Pride of Baghdad) and the amazing artist Fiona Staples (Northlanders, Jonah Hex). The sweep of the series is epic, but its emotions are intimate: a forbidden romance and a young family on the run, set against the backdrop of galactic war and racial hatred. Vaughan and Staples will talk about the conception of their gorgeous new comic, the creative process, and the overwhelming response that it has gotten from the media months before its first issue even hits stores.
Panelists: Brian K. Vaughan and Fiona Staples

3 p.m.
From Page to Screen: Comics on TV
How do producers go about translating comics for the small screen? How does working in comics compare to working in television? A panel of comics creators who have worked in television — whether as producers like Robert Kirkman (The Walking Dead) and Brian K. Vaughan (Lost), writers like Jay Faerber (Ringer), creators like Joe Casey (Ben 10) and Todd McFarlane (Spawn), or a little bit of everything like Blair Butler — will assemble to talk about the ins and outs of the industry.
Panelists: Blair Butler, Joe Casey, Jay Faerber, Robert Kirkman, Todd McFarlane, and Brian K. Vaughan

4 p.m.
The Talking Dead Live
Is watching the recap talk show The Talking Dead after every episode of The Walking Dead part of your weekly viewing ritual? Then you won’t want to miss this panel! Chris Hardwick sits down with creator of The Walking Dead comic and executive producer of the hit AMC television series Robert Kirkman and actor Steven Yeun, who plays the fan-favorite character Glenn, for a lively conversation with The Talking Dead host Chris Hardwick about the latest shocking plot twists and what it’s like working on a show that has taken the world by storm.
Panelists: Robert Kirkman and Steven Yeun
Moderator: Chris Hardwick

5 p.m.
Spotlight on Chew
How does it feel for your comic book about an FDA agent who gathers clues by eating things — including people — to sell out, become a critical darling, win multiple awards, and appear on a New York Times bestseller list? Wait, how do you even come up with the idea for a comic about a cibopathic police-officer-turned-food-plant-inspector? You have questions about Chew. Creators Rob Guillory and John Layman just might be the right guys to answer them.
Panelists: Rob Guillory and John Layman

6 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
CAPTURED GHOSTS Screening
Warren Ellis sees the future. He is a comic book writer and cyberpunk philosopher living on the edge of tomorrow. He speaks to a cult audience of artists, journalists, scientists and fans who hail him as Internet Jesus. The new film Captured Ghosts features the most extensive interview Ellis has ever given, covering his life from his first memory watching the moon landing as a child, to his recent cross-media success with the film adaptation of Red. Along the way, Ellis’ acerbic wit and core belief in humanity come across like never before. Complimenting Ellis’ own words are interviews with his artistic collaborators, friends and admirers from across all media. Ellis’ comic book collaborators also provide insight into Ellis’ mind and creative workings. The film features numerous ambient interludes that spotlight Ellis’ prose and writing from both his online columns and his comics.

SUNDAY

Instructions for Workshops
Admission to workshop panels is limited and attendees will require tickets for entry. Tickets for each panel may be picked up at the Image Comics booth no sooner than one hour before the workshop begins. Tickets are given out on a first-come, first-served basis and quantities are limited.

11 a.m. – 12 p.m.
MAN OF ACTION: Ben 10 and Explosive Creativity
Join two of animation’s most influential creators as they talk about their creation – Ben 10 – the story of a shape-shifting boy that burst on to Cartoon Network and now boasts hit television series, movies, and video games all over the world. What’s in store for MAN OF ACTION? Founding members Joe Casey & Steven T. Seagle talk Ben 10, Generator Rex, their upcoming TV shows and the Image Comics projects all rolling out of their action-filled creative development company!
MAIN ROOM
Panelists: Joe Casey and Steven Seagle

11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Pro Tips with Todd McFarlane
In a world of comic book icons, comic superstar Todd McFarlane and his creation Spawn have clearly stood the test of time. Now McFarlane himself is inviting aspiring creators and fans to an extended workshop where he’ll share behind-the-scenes tips and tricks about his creative process. Armed with a Wacom and more than 20 years of experience as one of the most successful pros in the business, McFarlane will show fans how to unleash their own creative beast within!
WORKSHOP ROOM A

11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Putting Words in Their Mouths: The Art of Lettering
With over 150 fonts in his Comicraft library, chances are you’ve read a comic lettered with a font designed by Richard Starkings. Join him, Chew co-creator and letterer John Layman, and letterer J.G. Roshell for a workshop on creating professional, pleasing lettering.
Panelists: Richard Starkings, John Layman and J.G. Roshell
WORKSHOP ROOM B

12 p.m. – 1 p.m.
Image Introduces…
Some of Image Comics’ most exciting new creators assemble to talk about their new work and life as independent comics creators. Join the creators of Moriarty, Li’l Depressed Boy, Hell Yeah!, Witch Doctor, Peter Panzerfaust, and Skullkickers for an eye-opening conversation about what it’s really like to work in comics.
Panelists: Daniel Corey, Sina Grace, Joe Keatinge, Brandon Seifert, Kurtis Wiebe, Steven Struble, and Jim Zubkavich
MAIN ROOM

12 p.m. – 1 p.m.
Retailing the New Generation of Comics
With creator-owned hits like The Walking Dead, Morning Glories, and Chew grabbing their places on the sales charts and bringing in new readers to comic shops, the comics industry is excited about new titles and new ideas. What are the best retailers in comics doing to strengthen and support the creator-owned comic revolution while competing with faceless online outlets or big box bookstores? If you’re a comic creator, retailer or fan, we’ll help you understand how to stay on top of the next wave of hidden gems.
PANELISTS: Brian Hibbs (Comix Experience), Steve (Third Eye), James Sime (Isotope), Todd Martinez (Image Comics), Jim Zub (Skullkickers)
WORKSHOP ROOM B

1 p.m. – 2 p.m.
Crossing the Line: Twenty Years of Shadowline
Join Jim Valentino and some Shadowline superstars for a rollicking question-and-answer session about Shadowline Comics past, present and future — plus dancing bears and a few surprises. Well, maybe not the bears (but we’ll try).
Panelists: Jim Valentino, Jimmie Robinson, Kurtis Wiebe, Tyler Jenkins, Joshua Williamson and Jade Dodge
MAIN ROOM

1 p.m. – 2 p.m.
Portfolio Reviews with Erik Larsen (a.k.a. Larsen Tears You a New One)
Image Comics partner and Savage Dragon creator Erik Larsen, will be imparting artistic wisdom via no-holds-barred portfolio reviews… for those that have the guts! A random drawing will be done during the workshop to determine which aspiring artists in attendance will be chosen to have the brutal light of truth shine upon their work. Larsen’s ready to tell you what he really thinks! Can you handle it?
WORKSHOP ROOM A

1 p.m. – 2 p.m.
Design Workshop with Jonathan Hickman
The creator of The Nightly News, Pax Romana, A Red Mass for Mars, and the upcoming Secret and The Manhattan Projects will address the basics of making your work stand out: cover design, book design, design strategies, personal branding, and understanding what appeals to your market.
WORKSHOP ROOM B

2 p.m. – 3 p.m.
Top Cow Panel
Top Cow: We Create… REBIRTH
2012 is the best time EVER to jump into the Top Cow Universe with Rebirth. Get the scoop on what’s changed, what remains the same, and where things are headed for the rest of the year. Get behind-the-scenes information on the making of The Darkness II video game and be the first to hear about what exciting new projects Top Cow has lined up for their 20th anniversary! Plus special surprise guests and a free giveaway for every attendee. Moo!
Panelists: Marc Silvestri, Matt Hawkins, Filip Sablik, and Joshua Hale Fialkov
MAIN ROOM

2 p.m. – 3 p.m.
Jim Valentino Workshop
Shadowline publisher and Image co-founder Jim Valentino discusses what he’s looking for in new projects, the founding of Image, and his work with the Hero Initiative. He will be doing portfolio reviews with a donation to the Hero Initiative ONLY. We will have a donation jar in the room.
WORKSHOP ROOM A

2 p.m. – 3 p.m.
CBLDF: The History (and Future) of Comics Censorship
Learn the shocking history of comics censorship and how even today comics and the people who make, sell and read them are still threatened. CBLDF Executive Director Charles Brownstein tells the sordid tale, from the public book burnings and Senate hearings that led to the Comics Code Authority in the 1950s through the attacks on retailers in the 1980s, artists in the 1990s, and readers today that the CBLDF is working to combat!
WORKSHOP ROOM B

3 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Portfolio Reviews with Whilce Portacio
Whilce Portacio, creator of Wetworks and current artist on Incredible Hulk, will offer thoughtful tips and critiques for artists looking to break into the comic book industry. A random drawing will determine which lucky artists will get a personal review during the workshop. Bring your portfolio for an hour of a guidance from a master of the medium!
WORKSHOP ROOM A

3 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Writing Workshop with John Layman
The writer of the best-selling comic Chew (drawn by Rob Guillory) will talk about the fundamentals of crafting a story, drafting a script, and effectively communicating your intentions to artists.
WORKSHOP ROOM B

3 p.m. 4 p.m.
Take to the Sky: Skybound and the Next Generation of Independence
Things continue to look up for Skybound, Robert Kirkman’s imprint at Image Comics. The premiere original Witch Doctor has sold out nationwide, the all-ages hit Super Dinosaur continues to soar, and And Kirkman’s first-ever writer’s room-driven crime drama, Thief of Thieves, is a critical success… what’s next? Join Robert Kirkman as he discusses the future of the imprint with his stable of creators, including the creative teams behind Witch Doctor, Thief of Thieves, and more! Expect only AWESOMENESS.
Panlists: Robert Kirkman, Brandon Seifert, and Nick Spencer
MAIN ROOM

4 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Robert Kirkman Q&A
Kirkman, one of the most successful writers in comics today, best known for his work on The Walking Dead, Invincible, and Haunt, will offer fans some insight into the genius behind their favorite hit comics. After becoming an Image Comics partner in 2009, introducing the internationally renowned hit TV show based on the comic, The Walking Dead on AMC, and recently announcing an upcoming video game adaptation of the same series from TellTale Games, he has proven to be an unstoppable creative force.
MAIN ROOM

4 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Covers and an Eye for Talent: Marc Silvestri Workshop
Join Top Cow founder, Image partner, and top industry artist Marc Silvestri as he takes a look at two facets that have helped define his career. Silvestri is best known in the industry as a highly-sought cover artist and as an incredible mentor for young artists who have come through his studio system at Top Cow. In this intimate workshop, Marc will present his thoughts on what makes a dynamic, memorable cover using his own pieces as examples and also tell young, aspiring artists what he looks for in undiscovered talent. Find out what draws the eye of the man who discovered Michael Turner, David Finch, Joe Benitez, Francis Manapul, Mike Choi, and many, many others!
WORKSHOP ROOM A

4 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Creating Living Legend: Eric Shanower and Age of Bronze
Relive the Trojan War in Age of Bronze, Eric Shanower’s award-winning comics version of the world’s greatest story. With words and pictures, Shanower will detail his creative process from initial idea, through research into literary sources and archaeological remains, to writing and drawing comics pages and coloring for the digital edition.
WORKSHOP ROOM B

We’ve talked about A.K.A. on here before, and now readers can check out the 4-issue mini-series for themselves through the site, Graphicly.com. Each issue will be released on a weekly basis throughout the month of February, for $1.99 each.

From Steven Walters and Rob Reilly comes a pulse pounding, adrenalin fueled ode to 70′s grindhouse films with A.K.A. When henchman, Adrian Truelove, messes with the wrong mob boss’ daughter, a million dollar bounty is declared on his head and only Guy Doyle, a ruthless hired gun, can bring him in. When insane killers and thugs hear about the bounty a race begins that can only end in blood, betrayal and bullets. This double-sized first issue of A.K.A contains three back-up features by some of today’s hottest and up and comics comic creators making A.K.A the must read comic of the year! Additional Content by Joe Kelly, Bryan J.L. Glass, John Broglia, David Zuzelo, Jay Piscopo.

Berkeley, CA – 4 January 2011 – The New Year brings a slew of fresh starts and Witchblade bearer, Sara Pezzini, is no exception. Pezzini will start 2012 in Chicago with a new job and brand new life, thanks to the fresh ongoing creative team of Tim Seeley (HACK/SLASH) and Diego Bernard (The Man With No Name).



Sara Pezzini has always been a born and bred New York City detective, in addition to wielding the ancient Artifacts, the Witchblade. That all changes with WITCHBLADE #151, the first issue by Seeley and Bernard, which finds Pezzini living outside of the Big Apple for the first time in the series history and working as a private detective. The mystery of how and why Sara is in Chicago, as well as what else has changed about her situation, will drive the story and reader interest for the coming year. This issue kicks off the 5-part story arc, entitled “Unbalanced Pieces,” in which Sara must find a way to balance her new role in the Windy City.



“WITCHBLADE is a dream project or me: A great character, an epic art and editorial team, and an important legacy in the history of comic books!” said Seeley. “Top Cow is giving me an awesome opportunity to reintroduce Sara Pezzini to new fans, old readers, and to a whole new setting!”



WITCHBLADE #151 is the first issue in Top Cow’s REBIRTH, an initiative spinning out of the end of the ARTIFACTS event, which concludes in ARTIFACTS #13. REBIRTH will provide ground-level entry points for each of Top Cow’s Universe titles – WITCHBLADE, THE DARKNESS, and ARTIFACTS – and ushers in a bold new age of story-telling to coincide with Top Cow’s 20th Anniversary. In addition to containing the full first story by Seeley and Bernard, the issue will include a five page bridging sequence by Ron Marz (MAGDALENA) and John Tyler Christopher (ARTIFACTS) and an ongoing prose story backup feature by Seeley.

Writer: Ed Brubaker
Artist: Sean Phillips

The creative team of Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips bring their noir sensibilities and mixing in a little bit of horror and fantasy with their newest project, Fatale. When Nicholas Lash meets a strange young woman at his godfather’s funeral, he finds his life taking some unexpected turns, and wonders if it has anything to do with a novel his godfather wrote three years before he was ever published.

Having never been a fan of Phillips artwork before, I was surprised at how much I enjoyed it through out the book. There’s impressive amount of detail, and the overall composition in most of the pages helps to move the story along. It’s very evocative of pulp detective tales of the 40s and 50s. The art is especially effective when it comes to one particular scene, showcasing the mutilated bodies of a group of occultists. Not to mention an impressive splash page flashing back to World War II. The color work by Dave Stewart certainly helps to set the mood from one page to the next.

Storywise, Brubaker is all about the slow burn. We’re given just enough story to peak our interest, as we’re introduced to the beautiful Josephine, and Hank Raines, who’s looking to break a story on police corruption that might get both of them killed if he’s not careful. She warns him about Walter, a homicide detective she has a relationship with, the nature of that relationship still unclear. And despite his pregnant wife at home, Hank now finds himself inexplicably drawn to Josephine, and dead set on protecting her, should any danger cross her path.

The set up is all there for quite an intriguing series. It’ll be interesting to see what Brubaker and Phillips have in store for readers.

Verdict: B+

Berkeley, CA – 15 December 2011 – IMAGE EXPO, the one-of-a-kind celebration commemorating the 20th Anniversary of Image Comics and celebrating creator-owned comics, is announcing many new guests! Joining the Image Comics partners Robert Kirkman, Erik Larsen, Todd McFarlane, Marc Silvestri, and Jim Valentino and Image founders Rob Liefeld and Whilce Portacio, are the following stars of creator-owned comics.

Blair Butler, the host of G4′s Fresh Ink and 2011′s break out writer of HEART, the comic that shows the human side of MMA, will be joining the line up, along with her co-creator Kevin Mellon (LOVESTRUCK). Writer John Layman and artist Rob Guillory, co-creators of CHEW, everyone’s favorite Eisner Award winning gross-out detective comic will also be there. Add to that rising star Nick Spencer, the writer behind such hits as MORNING GLORIES, FORGETLESS, Ultimate Comics: X-Men, and soon Robert Kirkman’s THIEF OF THIEVES, and IMAGE EXPO already has a solid line up!

Some of the other guests at IMAGE EXPO include:

Keu Cha (MAGDALENA)
Joshua Fialkov (ECHOES, THE LAST OF THE GREATS, I, Vampire)
Edwin Huang (SKULLKICKERS)
Joe Keatinge (POPGUN, GLORY, HELL YEAH)
Larry Marder (BEANWORLD)
Jim McCann (Return of the Dapper Men, MIND THE GAP)
Marat Mychaels (BLINDSIDE)
Jimmie Robinson (BOMBQUEEN)
Eric Shanower (AGE OF BRONZE)
Kurtis Wiebe (INTREPIDS, GREEN WAKE, PETER PANZERFAUST)
Jim Zubkavich (SKULLKICKERS)

Some of the other previously announced guests include:

Joe Casey (Ben 10, BUTCHER BAKER, THE RIGHTEOUS MAKER, HAUNT)
Jay Faerber (Ringer, DYNAMO 5, NEAR DEATH)
Jonathan Hickman (THE NIGHTLY NEWS, THE MANHATTAN PROJECTS)
Ryan Ottley (INVINCIBLE)
Fiona Staples (SAGA)
Richard Starkings (Comicraft, ELEPHANTMEN)
Brian K. Vaughan (Y: The Last Man, Runaways, SAGA)

IMAGE EXPO is a three-day celebration of creator-owned comics happening at the Oakland Convention Center, and Northern California’s premier comic con experience in 2012. The Berkeley-based publisher will be filling the demand for a 2012 Bay Area comic book convention that was left unfulfilled when WonderCon announced their temporary relocation to Anaheim, California. The three-day event takes place at the Oakland Convention Center in the heart of the bustling nightlife and restaurant center of downtown Oakland, CA on February 24-25-26.

Experience the creativity of the men and women making the best creator owned comics in America at this one-of-a-kind celebration commemorating the 20th Anniversary of Image Comics!

Berkeley, CA – 12 December 2011 – Image Comics and Top Cow Productions are proudly spotlighting the landmark 150th issue of their iconic original comic book series this week with an over-sized issue full of extras. WITCHBLADE #150 also marks Ron Marz’s 70th consecutively written issue of one of the longest running comics with a single female lead, and a major turning point in the life of Sara Pezzini.



In addition to providing a story that serves as a fitting conclusion to Marz and artist Stjepan Sejic’s critically acclaimed run, WITCHBLADE #150 will also serve as a retrospective of their contributions and the longevity of the series overall. As a special bonus, the issue also includes preview material for WITCHBLADE #151, when the new creative team of Tim Seeley (HACK/SLASH) and Diego Bernard (The Man With No Name) take the reins of Top Cow’s flagship title.



“It’s bittersweet, definitely,” Marz reflected. “Sara has been an almost daily presence in my life for more than seven years, so it feels a little weird to be going our separate ways, at least in terms of the WITCHBLADE monthly. But even if this seems like Stjepan and I are breaking up with Sara, I know we’ll see her again in ARTIFACTS. Sara will definitely be a presence in that book going forward. So we’ll be reunited. And, uh, it feels so good.”



New York City Police Detective Sara Pezzini is the bearer of the Witchblade, a mysterious Artifact that takes the form of a deadly and powerful gauntlet. Sara must try to control the Witchblade and learn its secrets, even as she investigates the city’s strangest, most supernatural crimes. Pezzini has carefully balanced her responsibilities as a police officer with her duties as bearer of the Witchblade for years, but now Lieutenant Phipps, from the Internal Affairs department, threatens to take one of these away from her. In this emotionally charged issue, Sara will be forced to make a decision that will impact the direction of WITCHBLADE for a long time to come.

WITCHBLADE #150, a 48-page full-color super hero comic book, will be available in stores and digital platforms on December 14th. This landmark issue will ship with four covers by Stjepan Sejic (JUL110410), Michael Broussard (JUL110411), Mike Choi (JUL110412), and a remastered cover by Michael Turner (JUL110413). WITCHBLADE #151 (AUG110425) will be available in stores and digital platforms on January 4th. For more information on the WITCHBLADE series, please visit www.topcow.com

This loose sequel is being directed by Mark Neveldine and Brian Taylor and is rumored to have a cameo appearance by Danny Ketch who also puts some time in as Ghost Rider. With the flaming skull back into theaters on February 17, 2012, the film also stars, Fergus Riordan, Ciaran Hinds, Violante Placido, Idris Elba and Johnny Whitworth.

LaTwan Holland was a writer for a local under ground newspaper, The Spinner Rack that covered comics, video games, anime and related movies and is currently the Producer of the DIRECT EDITION. To find out the latest that’s happening with LaTwan and the Direct Edition check them out at the DIRECT EDITION podcast, blog and you tube site.

Berkeley, CA – 8 December 2011 – What if the union of a generation’s brightest minds like Albert Einstein and Robert Oppenheimer was not a signal for optimism, but foreboding? What if everything… went wrong?



In the year 1945, the atomic bomb proved its capacity for immense devastation, but what if the creation of that ultimate killing machine was just a cover for a series of other, more unusual, programs? A brand new, monthly ongoing series from Image Comics will pose that question by taking a look at one of the most critical periods of change in the 20th century through a lens both darkened and strange. Join us, for what is poised to the breakout hit of 2012, THE MANHATTAN PROJECTS!



Award-winning writer Jonathan Hickman (THE NIGHTLY NEWS, FF) and one of the best new talents to debut in comics during the last year, Nick Pitarra, are teaming up once again to present THE MANHATTAN PROJECTS. Following the completion of their critically acclaimed science fiction success, THE RED WING, the duo are taking the cautionary aspect of science fiction and applying it not to the future, but to our past!

“I think anyone that’s followed my work knows about my affinity for near-future/alt-history, and THE MANHATTAN PROJECTS pretty much represents the crown jewel of all the stories I’ve ever cooked-up in that vein,” detailed Hickman. “Honestly, if we do this right — and at this point in the process, it sure feels like we are — I think this might the perfect example of why I do these stories: It takes a world everyone knows, and blurs the lines between fiction and reality in a way that makes you question where one ends and the other begins. I can’t wait for people to read it!”



“Jonathan is a great collaborator, he really sees the page as an artist first,” explained Pitarra, “With THE RED WING and with this new series, his guidance has meant everything. I have freedom in the layouts and planning stages, but I know that with him, as careful a storytelling as he is, if he suggests a change the page always comes out better. It’s good to work with a writer you can trust.”

THE MANHATTAN PROJECTS #1, a 32-page full-color science fiction comic book for $3.50, will be on sale in stores on March 7 and available for order in the January issue of Previews. In the mean time, both THE RED WING TP (OCT11047, ISBN: 978-1-60706-479-4), a 144-page full-color trade paperback for $14.99, & THE NIGHTLY NEWS ANNIVERSARY EDITION HC (SEP110423, ISBN: 9978-1-60706-4619), a 272-page full-color hardcover graphic novel for $34.99, will be on sale in stores December 14.

Superherohype got to premier a new teaser poster for Marc Webb’s The Amazing Spider-Man that showcases Andrew Garfield’s Peter Parker perched up on a wall, casting an arachnophobia’s worst nightmare.

The tagline lets us believe this will be “The Untold Story” and we can only speculate as to what that entails, but excitement builds nonetheless.

The film is creeping out of dark corners and into theaters on July 3, 2012 and stars Emma Stone, Rhys Ifans, Denis Leary, Campbell Scott, Irrfan Khan, Martin Sheen and Sally Field.

LaTwan Holland was a writer for a local under ground newspaper, The Spinner Rack that covered comics, video games, anime and related movies and is currently the Producer of the DIRECT EDITION. To find out the latest that’s happening with LaTwan and the Direct Edition check them out at the DIRECT EDITION podcast, blog and you tube site.

Berkeley, CA – 9 December 2011 – “Save yourself. Stay in the woods. Pray it hasn’t reached the wolves… and keep your gun loaded.” All he knows about what has happened to the world as he knew it has been left in an ominous message. And it’s clear that everything has… changed.



Image Comics and Shadowline are pleased to announce REBEL BLOOD, a new four-part miniseries coming in March with art and concept by Riley Rossmo (GREEN WAKE, COWBOY NINJA VIKING, PROOF) and script by newcomer Alex Link. This gruesome new 21st century zombie outbreak story pays tribute to horror comics’ post-war heyday of titles such as The Vault of Horror, The Haunt of Fear, and Tales From the Crypt, while presenting a concept to rival the best of The Twilight Zone!



“I sketch and paint all the time while I’m working on different projects,” explained Rossmo. “The concept for REBEL BLOOD is something that just began as some sketches, but quickly took on a life of it’s own, to mutate. REBEL BLOOD is what happens when I just run wild with a concept and let it happen.”



“I’m really excited about this project,” said Shadowline Publisher, Jim Valentino. “I’m not a big zombie fan, but this one got me because it was so different than all the others out there. And, I swear, the ending knocked me off my chair. I think it will surprise everyone.”



REBEL BLOOD #1 introduces Forest Ranger Chuck Neville, who, after a strange, unexpected silence, receives a final radio message that a plague is sweeping the country. He learns that the disease has turned every living creature into zombies, all at once rendering the entire animal kingdom unpredictable, violent, and willing to tear apart their neighbors with their bare teeth.



He races home to rescue his family, coming face-to-face with unbelievable horrors along his way and fighting to stay alive. However, when he reaches home, he may find the most horrible part of it all waiting for him…



REBEL BLOOD #1, a 32-page full-color horror comic book for $3.50, will be on sale in stores on March 28 and available for order in the January issue of Previews. A preview of REBEL BLOOD #1 will be featured in the back of both HAUNT #20 (AUG110523), a 32-page full-color horror comic book for $2.99 that goes on sale December 28, 2011, and SPAWN #215 (NOV110468), a 32-page full-color horror comic book for $2.99 that goes on sale January 11, 2012.

With the new “52″ reboot, we’ve been given, in the pages of Detective Comics, a not-so-great Joker story to start things off.  In the pages of Batman: The Dark Knight, Two-Face is on drugs. Catwoman is, literally, humping Batman into submission and meanwhile, The Riddler, one of Batman’s greatest rogues is missing in action.

There’s probably a good reason for this. The reason?

No one wants to look stupid writing a genius…

The Penguin is a fat guy who looks like a penguin. He has a thing for trick umbrellas. He also happens to be a crime boss who also runs a “legit” business from his club, “The Iceberg Lounge.”

The writer writes a story.

The Joker is a colorfully dressed, homicidal maniac who looks like a clown or the joker in a deck of playing cards. He’s completely without ethics, morals and is totally devoid of order. He’s nearly an exact opposite of his arch-enemy, The Batman.

The writer writes a story.

Catwoman is a woman dressed like a black cat so she rarely brings anyone good luck. Like a cat, she’ll let you get only so close before she tires of you. She flirts with Batman. She’s is a cat burglar.

The writer writes a story.

Now, The Riddler.

Whoa-ho! The Riddler, he’s different. He’s a master criminal with a genius IQ who uses riddles to try and stump The World’s Greatest Detective. He’s essentially Batman’s Moriarty from Sherlock Holmes lore.

The writer writes a story… and may not do that great of a job.

The Penguin, The Joker and Catwoman are all pretty much straightforward in their motivations, they are creatures of want. The Riddler is unique in his motivations. He is a entirely a creature of need. His sole need in life is to upstage one of, if the smartest player in the comics universe, The Batman. He needs everyone to know that he is better than Batman.

The problem with writing The Riddler is that, as a writer, one should be smart; one should be clever. Sometimes smarter and more clever than the main character, Batman, you’ve been hired to write. While you can be the cleverest of writers, in the actual writing of The Riddler, you run the risk of exposing your weaknesses as a plotter…

And a writer.

If the biggest clue you have The Riddler drop is something along the lines of “What gets bigger the more you take away,” to this reader, the deal’s been broken.

The Riddler works best when you can’t see him coming and as much as I generally dislike most of Jeph Loeb’s Batman work, I truly did like the end of his Batman: Hush saga. He had The Riddler remove himself from the equation early on and proceeded to watch The Batman run himself ragged over the identity of the man who’d turned his world inside out. In doing so, The Riddler manipulated the likes of The Joker, Catwoman and even Superman into breaking Batman down, piece by piece. While I still have issues with Loeb’s execution, his having Batman believe he’d taken The Riddler out so early on was an inspired bit of storytelling. It showed a conceit on Batman’s part we’d rarely seen before. We’d seen this side of Batman a bit in Mark Waid’s JLA run but Hush laid it out there for stories such as Identity Crisis and The OMAC Project to pick up on.

In having The Riddler solve the ultimate riddle of “Who is Batman,” Loeb inadvertently changed the character, spoiling him for every other writer after him. Really, who’d want to write the character after he’d bested the ultimate?

Well, Judd Winick could have him go to Green Arrow’s city with a nuke and threaten to detonate it unless he gets $100,000,000. You could go that way but you shouldn’t. Having the genius, Riddler go against Green Arrow is like bringing a finely honed sword to a switchblade fight.

Paul Dini in his Detective Comics run has done a superb job in grasping The Riddler’s own conceits, having him “reform” as Gotham’s newest and greatest detective for hire, not remembering his former victory and attempting anew to best Batman at every turn. In Dini’s having The Riddler attempting do so 100% legally, we get a welcome, fresh configuration of The Batman/Riddler dynamic we’ve been stuck on for so many years.

Long story short, The Riddler, as a character is smarter than you. If a writer is bright enough to realize this, one of two things could happen: the reader gets a good story or the writer is exposed as not very good.

The Riddler is id, ego & super ego born and like all three, hard as hell to figure out.

Godspeed to the person who can put their own aside and write up to The Riddler’s level.

Essential Riddler reading:

Batman: The Private Casebook by Paul Dini

Batman: Detective by Paul Dini

Batman: The Complete Hush by Jeph Loeb and Jim Lee

Cartoons:

Batman: The Animated Series:

The Riddler’s Reform

If You’re So Smart, Why Aren’t You Rich

Berkeley, CA – 7 December 2011 – In Judith’s short life, the street smart punk has already proved to be a survivor, but now she’ll have to fight to remain the last one standing!



It’s 1984 – Reaganomics are in full swing, Herbie Hancock ruled the first MTV Music Video Awards, movie-goers met The Ghostbusters and The Terminator, Indira Ghandi was assassinated, B.A. Baracus pitied fools, and a third rate cosmetics company single-handedly destroyed civilization. Is Judith, a 17-year-old chain smoking delinquent humanity’s last hope?



In the upcoming ALPHA GIRL miniseries, co-creators Jeff Roenning and Jean-Paul Bonjour are plotting plenty of trouble for Judith. Robert Love is illustrating Judith’s close calls with the masses of flesh-hungry zombie women and the men who hunt them. ALPHA GIRL promises to be the action-packed gore fest that you’ve been waiting for!



“When I got hooked on comics in 1980 I quickly found that the best titles were relegated to the 25 cent box. Creepy, Tales From The Crypt, and Ghostly Tales were my favorites, but they never went far enough,” explained Roenning. “ALPHA GIRL has been a chance to not only quench my blood lust, but to do it with a kick ass heroine.”



“As a child of the 1980′s, it has been a blast drawing a comic that takes place during my formative years,” said Love. “The Adidas track suits, big hair, and the ’80′s rock ‘n’ roll and hip hop – I’m definitely having fun!”



“I cut class my sophomore year of high school to go hang out, smoke cigarettes, and check out girls. I ended up watching a movie called Evil Dead 2. When I saw that flick I had found my calling in life,” added Bonjour. “When Roenning approached me with the concept of a cosmetic company turning all women into man-eaters, with a kick ass protagonist like Judith, I was all in. If you’re like me and a fan of the zombie horror genre when the lead character has a flash of attitude, you are in for a hell of a ride.”



This “Return of the Living Dead meets Zombieland” new miniseries will appeal to fans of the dark humor and horrors of CHEW and HACK/SLASH. For those that can’t wait until February, Cassie Hack fans will discover another kick ass femme fatale in the back pages of HACK/SLASH #11, where we’re sharing a sneak peek of ALPHA GIRL #1!



ALPHA GIRL #1 (DEC110475), a 32-page full-color horror comic book for $2.99, will be on sale in stores and on digital platforms on February 1, and is available for order in the December issue of Previews. HACK/SLASH #11 (Seeley & Badilla Cover A: OCT110549, Laiso Cover B: OCT110550), will be available on December 28.

To learn more about the ALPHA GIRL comic, visit http://alphagirlthecomic.com/. You can also get the latest ALPHA GIRL news by following the team on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/alphagirlthecomic and on Twitter @AlphaGirl_Comic.

Comic creator Steven Walters’ long-in-development project “The Sweet Souvenir” is finally making its way to fans of his previous works and new readers online.

“Desmond DeLeon and Alexis Dimailig haven’t been friends for years but when almost six years apart, and a reunion in the most uncommon of places pulls them back together again they are almost forced to re-evaluate what happened to there friendship. A friendship that could’ve changed their lives, and a friendship both are still secretly reeling from.”

Readers can go to thesweetsouvenir.com for page-by-page updates every Friday, before moving to two weekly updates, starting in 2012.

And while my fan brain usually defaults to secondary concerns of who’s going to do the theme song, I’ve shifted my focus to what the opening title sequence will look like. I would love to see the filmmakers go a little old-school, with some sort of modern flair. Look back at the old paperback spy novel era, something closer to the medium in which Bond originated. And I think if anyone could guide a design team in that direction conceptually, it would be Phil Noto.

Noto’s influences are heavily steeped in the art and design of the 60′s and 70′s, and there’s no denying the old-school Bond films having been some of them. With the right team of people behind him, I can only imagine what it would be like to see his style of art brought to life on screen.

I don’t know about the rest of y’all, but I really can’t let this go. I feel like it needs to happen. There’s no getting around it, and I’m sure there are plenty of you who feel the same way. Bond fans, Noto fans, Noto fans who are ALSO Bond fans!! Y’all need to get out there on Twitter (#notoforbond), Facebook, LinkedIn, whatever! Just tell someone! Badger someone! Somebody get Michael Caine on the phone! Make it happen!

For more art from Phil Noto, check out notoart.com and philnoto.tumblr.com.

Dear DC Comics, three months in and I can’t bring myself to give a damn about your new Superman comic. I just don’t.

I have my reasons.

Superman sucks.

I say this as a tried and true and unabashed Superman fan. I kid you not; my greatest moral influences, growing up have been my mother and grandmother, my faith and Superman.

Yes.

Superman.

Superman, a fictitious character who in his every action espouses the goals of truth and justice, ideals I’ve continuously strived to better understand my entire life.

Superman has been sure, steadfast and when things need saying he says things like, “Dreams save us. Dreams lift us up and transform us. And on my soul, I swear… until my dream of a world where dignity, honor and justice becomes the reality we all share… I’ll never stop fighting. Ever.”*

See that? That’s a guy you want to know more about. That is something to strive for. That’s the guy whose t-shirt you want to wear. Not as some lazy-ass afterthought Halloween costume but more as a mission statement of who you want to be.

The other day, I’d realized I didn’t know what the hell Superman was saying in a Superman comic anymore because I hadn’t read one in, I guess, two years and this just makes me sad. I want to read a proper Superman comic but what we’ve gotten has been severely lacking in what interests me as a Superman fan and more importantly, as a comics reader.

Last I checked, Superman was coming back from exiling himself in space and came back to Earth and decided to throw himself a pity parade after someone said they didn’t like him.

(pause)

That guy sucks. F*** him. I don’t want to read about that guy in a Superman comic. If I want to know about how bad some guy’s feelings are, I’ll go read a Peter Parker comic.

No offense to you, DC but the handling of your Superman comic just seems like a horrible afterthought. Over the past two years, all you’ve given us is “bold new directions” that have done nothing but showcase just how precious you’ve become with a character that most likely has been and could’ve been everyone’s gateway into comics.

Superman has become boring.

Superman has and almost always should be about escapism. Superman, from the outset has been about asking the reader to detach and watch this character do things no man should be able to do. Superman should be about “the impossible” and how to tear it down.

The one thing Superman should not do is massive amounts of introspection. Again, see my above Peter Parker comment. Superman should be all about what is great and good about your comics, DC.

What should be happening is every month we should be getting not an icon but a character who rocks our world with a smile on his face every single time. DC, you should make it your mandate to new writers to be extraordinary in their handling of all things Superman. Ask everyone involved to surprise themselves. Ask them to find what is grand about comics and bring it to comics’ oldest and greatest of characters. Ask everyone to stretch their imaginations and tap into the fantastic. Ask this of the reader, as well.

Give the reader the opportunity to explore new worlds and situations that require only a Superman.

Give the reader the wonder of looking up in the sky and not seeing a bird or a plane but a white dog in a little red cape soaring above the skyscrapers of Metropolis.

Dear DC Comics…

Make Superman a book everyone would want to read again.

*Taken from Joe Kelly’s excellent Action Comics #775.

In yet another New York Comic Con Artist Alley interview, we caught up with the creative team behind the upcoming miniseries, A.K.A.

There’s just a lot of really great things going on and more ways than ever to get at them.

Next year, we comic book fans will be treated not only to the final installment of director Christopher Nolan’s Batman trilogy but we’ll also see a new, NEW Superman rebooting from Zack Snyder of 300/Watchmen/Sucker Punch fame.

Now, I may be in the minority but I actually liked his Watchmen and that movie showed me he just may have the chops to pull off another new, NEW Superman reboot. Although, Amy Adams as Lois Lane? Let me check my heart.

(pause)

Nope. Still not doing it for me.

Next year also sees The Avengers… as a major motion picture.

Let’s look at those words.

The Avengers… as a MAJOR MOTION PICTURE! 

Not with scrub actors and B-movie directors but with box-office draws and actual actors who seem to like playing superheroes and a director practically born to do this job. Now, there was a time when the idea of an Avengers motion picture was mostly a dream as the cost of it would’ve been massively prohibitive. Now, the technology has caught up to the wonder Avengers creator Jack Kirby put upon the comics page and here we are. We’re all looking forward to seeing The Avengers on the big screen. This is a thing that is happening, people.

If that doesn’t get you excited, I suggest there’s something wrong you and I don’t wanna know you.

(I kid. I kid.)

No, seriously, what the hell is wrong with you?

Also, the local comics shop has more to offer than ever. More books in more genres than ever before; with the digital realm offering new ways in which to view our favorite hobby. As a dyed-in-the-wool comics fan, I mourn that our children will never know the sheer pleasure of discovery in picking up a comic book off of a local drug store spinner rack or from finding DC Comics, as I did, while standing in grocery store checkouts that had the late, lamented DC Digests. These things were awesome. They were $1 books that essentially allowed young readers a chance to sample the best the DC Universe had to offer. In any given book, you were treated to stories of World War I flying aces (Enemy Ace) or teenaged super-heroes 1,000 years in the future (The Legion of Super-Heroes) or simply enough, a Superman story. The digests were perfect. They were practically designed to fit in a child’s hand, having multiple stories that truly made the young reader want to know more about the characters contained within its pages. It felt like a superhero safari and all for the cost of a dollar.

Here it is some thirty years later and there’s still nothing like it.

I truly wish there were.

Well, if comics truly wanted to foster an environment for new readers, there would be but that friends, that just may be a whole new topic for yet another Gateway.

Don’t ask me why, but it’s always surprising to meet someone who’s never been to New York before. It just seems like one of those place everyone should have already visited at least once in their lifetime. But as it happens, Image writer Kurtis Wiebe found himself in NYC for the first time this past weekend, and we took a few minutes to talk about his book, Green Wake, and some other projects he’s got going on in the coming months.

New York Comic Con 2011: Artist Alley Intervew – Kurtis Wiebe from Popcultureshock on Vimeo.

One of the high points of the New York Comic Con was catching up with Jamar Nichols. Writer, illustrator, and one of the hosts of the Comic Book Diner podcast, Mr. Nichols has always been a great guy to chat with.

The New York Comic Con found its way back to the Javits Center this past weekend, and it was nice to see that it’s still the chaotic zoo of a convention that it’s always been! Even with all the headaches that come with such a convention, that’s growing bigger and bigger with every passing year (and has a separate anime convention going on simultaneously), I still enjoyed myself immensely. And as always, I had the most fun in Artist Alley.

I set out with the goal of getting as many interviews as I could (riding solo-dolo for PCS, as it were!), and hopefully spotlight a few creators that I felt were worth checking out. So first up is my interview with Enrique Carrion, currently working on his creator-owned title for Image Comics, Vescell.