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ComicScape is in an A5 format and can be printed without distortion on home printers and read easily on tablets. To read on PCs/laptops, go to View → Page STARSCAPE SAYS... Display → Two-Page View. No need to zoom or scroll. Calling all Starkids! Thanks and welcome to issue of COMICSCAPE. Some of you might be wondering why it took so long between the second and third issue. Well, life took over. And that included moving continents twice, as well as all the nonsense that goes with it. Let’s take a quick trip through some of the regulars to COMICSCAPE. : yep, now as well as reading about comics, you can now also read comics. Want to see more? Let me know. FEATURES: interviews, in-depth commentaries and opinions. OLD AND THE NEW: where we compare the same issues from different volumes, so, in this issue #4 from 1973 and 2012. NEWS: all that’s hip and happening in four-colour fun and related media. SUSPENDED ANIMATION: comic reviews and commendations. TALES THAT ASTONISHED: the greatest stories in comicdom celebrated, plus FLICKS THAT TIME FORGOT, for classic movies and television. THIS DAY IN COMICS: a run through comics glorious and murky past VERSUS: deciding comics’ greatest battles…once and for all! Sample file WEBSCAPE: flagging up the most entertaining comic websites on the net. As ever, I’m interested in what you enjoy and what you don’t. Where are we getting it right and what can be improved. And if you’ve ever fancied getting involved, whether that’s in writing articles, compiling news, submitting comics, design or anything else appropriate, just let me know. Reach me at [email protected] Until then... Keep watching the stars! Chris Smillie (Starchief) * * STARSCAPEONLINE.COM * * comics, , music & movies

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May 2012 COMICSCAPE #3 is back ...... 15 A sister publication to StarscapeOnline.com The Sloperian ...... 15 Published by SpitfireComics.co.uk DC to publish He-Man ...... 16 A division of SuperHeroStore MultiMedia ’s Digital Crusaders ...... 16 All illustrations herein remain the property of their respective announcement ...... 16 copyright holders and are only used in a review or news IDW’s ...... 17 capacity. No copyright infringement is intended …and Genghis Khan ...... 17 STARSCAPE SAYS...... 3 …and ...... 18 NEWS ...... 5 Jack Staff no more?...... 18 AvX ...... 5 news ...... 19 eBay sales figures ...... 6 legal battle ...... 20 "Amazing Spider-Man" Statues ...... 6 Earth-2 is here! ...... 20 Scott Pilgrim goes Full-Colour ...... 7 FEATURES ...... 22 The Dark Judges are back ...... 8 Are British comic shops failing British LEGO 2: DC Super Heroes 8 comics? ...... 22 The LEGO ...... 8 Avengers Assemble ...... 24 Spidey’s Greatest Cover ...... 9 VERSUS ...... 26 Waid releases Thrillbent ...... 9 Spider-Man v ...... 26 The O-Men return! ...... 9 Avengers Assemble...... 10 SUSPENDED ANIMATION ...... 28 Higher Earth sells out! ...... 10 Essential Four Vol. 3 ...... 28 The Black Dossier finally gets a UK Essential Vol. 4 ...... 29 release ...... 10 COMICS ...... 30 The Jikan Chronicles ...... 11 Sample Kidfile ...... 30 Archie…or is it Archina??? ...... 11 2 ...... 11 TALES THAT ASTONISHED ..... 32 MorrisonCon Line-up ...... 11 Legion of Super-Heroes: The Great The Dark Knight Rises ...... 12 Darkness Saga ...... 32 The Art of Abraham Lincoln: Vampire FLICKS THAT TIME FORGOT . 34 Hunter ...... 12 Threads ...... 34 Another Lobo re-write ...... 13 WEBSCAPE ...... 36 Atomeka to return ...... 13 Super-Team Family ...... 36 Spider-Man movie ...... 13 City of Dredd ...... 14 THE OLD & THE NEW ...... 37 DC Thomson Annuals ...... 14 Defenders #4 ...... 37 Horror Award for Moore ...... 15 THIS DAY IN COMICS ...... 38 Graphicly drops its apps ...... 15 May 1982...... 38 Kick Ass 2...... 15 EISNER AWARDS ...... 40 grievous threat to the planet – a NEWS threat known as ! Only this time the entity is after Hope as its AvX host. ( Comics) The Avengers decide the best place AvX sees Marvel’s two premiere for Hope is teams, the - under their Men and the protection. Avengers, do , battle with each partially driven other. A battle by guilt for the compounded original death of by the fact that as many of their Phoenix, thinks members have otherwise and been adherents vows to protect the . to both groups, Wolverine is caught between both such as the (who had a great groups however. Not so much run around Shooter time), Sub- which side to pledge his allegiance Mariner and, of course, Wolverine. to but which side to be more Although a 12-issue mini-series, against! After seeing the power of AvX is inevitably shadowed by Hope, Logan decides she must die – numerous tie-ins. However,Sample Marvel a decision file that doesn’t go down well is at pains to point out that fans will with either Avenger or X-Man! not lose out by only reading the main series, unlike the disastrous Infinite , which relied on the barely read Superman 3-D for a coherent ending. The series sees X-Man , future son of Scott Summers (Cyclops) and Madelyne Pryor, warn of a disaster caused by the death of AvX has been well-received by both Hope – a death laid at the feet of the critics and fans, despite these days Avengers. of ‘arc fatigue’. This has meant Meanwhile, Earth’s mightiest AvX rising to a best-selling position heroes are attempting to forestall a in Diamonds comic shop sales. eBay sales figures and statues. Since they had so much fun working on the movie version Some of the big news from sales at of Ol' -Head eBay was the Walking Dead #1 last time, they (CGC 9.9) selling for a massive decided to get back $7,000. into the game for A near-mint 2000AD #2, first the new movie, appearance of Judge Dredd, The Amazing complete with biotronic stickers, Spider-Man! There sold for $992.17. are four busts and British humour mini-statue in the works, and comic #86, they're all designed by Gentle Giant complete with Buzzy Studios, based on digital data from Buzzer free gift, sold the movie. Designed to be displayed for a massive £227! individually or as a Other gifts include group, all of the Pow! #54 stickers busts stand 9-10 (£112), #53 spacecraft cut- inches tall (The out (£127) and Pow! #3 Haggis Lizard is enormous) Launcher for £340! and feature character-specific "Amazing Spider-Man" patterning on their bases; the Statues Samplebattle file-damaged () Spider-Man bust Diamond Select even comes with Toys has been out interchangeable masked and of the Marvel unmasked heads, as well as an statue game for a interchangeable left little while, but at hand! The statue is one point they were around 8 inches tall, steadily and shows Spidey documenting every perched on the corner of the translucent wall of a , and one of the City crown jewels in the line was their skyscraper. Look for assortment of Spider-Man 3 busts them to arrive sometime this !

Scott Pilgrim goes Full- the deal.” Colour “It's been eight years since the first (Indie Press) Scott Pilgrim book was published,” Oni marketing director Cory Casoni This August, and Bryan added. “Since then, the series has Lee O'Malley will be bringing the seen over twenty first reprints of the uber-popular Scott Pilgrim series original format, with over a million back to store copies of the first volumes sold. shelves, but Scott Pilgrim Colour Hardcover, this time as Volume 1 takes the familiar story an ultra- from the original Scott Pilgrim swank, 6 X 9, series and gives it a new look. Plus full-colour it includes previously unpublished hardcover extras and bonus materials making edition. Scott this mighty tome one that’s required Pilgrim reading for Scottaholics Colour everywhere!” Hardcover, Volume 1 Scott Pilgrim Colour Hardcover, reprints the Scott Pilgrim's Precious Volume 1 will be the first of six Little Life for the first time in full hardcover reprints to be published colour. The digital colouring is by bi-annually. Scott Pilgrim Colour the Shuster Award-nominated artist Hardcover, Volume 2 is currently Nathan Fairbairn, the colouristSample for scheduled file for an October 2012 Batman Incorporated and Swamp release. Thing, and the whole thing is Each volume will be sized at 6” x capped with a new cover from 9”, making it bigger than the O'Malley. original versions, as well. “We're “Everybody loves Bryan's black- upgrading the presentation in every and-white artwork,” series editor way,” Jones said. “The traditional James Lucas Jones explained, “but black-and-white versions will be after seeing the few colour stories there for those who still prefer that he did with Scott and the gang, it option, but now everyone can have was hard to avoid imagining a 'what a choice. One, the other, or both!” if?' scenario. Now those wild Scheduled for a August 8th, 2012 have come true. And to have publication date, Scott Pilgrim one of the best colourists in the Color Hardcover, Volume 1 will industry at the helm, that just seals for $24.99. The Dark Judges are back including Superman, and to stop (British Comics) the notorious villains Way back in the day, and The from destroying and brought forth a . Batman fans of all twisted to Judge Dredd in ages will enjoy a new and original the Dark Judges. Now Wagner story filled with classic LEGO brings back the unholy trio of Judge videogame and humor as Fear, Judge Fire, and Judge Mortis. players fight to put the bad guys The series arc is part of the Day of back behind bars. Chaos epic that Rebellion, publishers of 2000AD, describe as The LEGO Avengers “the most keenly anticipated 2000AD event in years”. (Marvel Comics)

LEGO Batman 2: DC Super Heroes (DC Comics) Batman and return in LEGO® Batman™ 2: Sample DC file Super Heroes, the highly-

In related news, Marvel has teamed up with LEGO for an awesome anticipated sequel to the best-selling poster for "Marvel's The Avengers"! LEGO® videogame of all time, Featuring , Captain which to date has sold more than 11 America, , Black Widow, , million units worldwide. This time and in LEGO the Dynamic Duo join forces with form, the poster pays homage to the other famous DC super heroes most recent theatrical one-sheet.

Spidey’s Greatest Cover raison d’etre in his welcome page: (Marvel Comics) “Thrillbent was created because John Rogers and I believe strongly In a poll of readers, that comics can and will be a Resources have revealed their thriving mass medium in the digital favourite ever Spider-Man cover. age if–IF–they're created for And it’s this classic beauty from the modern media devices and not mind and pen of John Ring-A-Ding exclusively for printed pamphlets Romita. that are overpriced, uninviting to new readers, and abominably distributed in only a relative handful of storefronts nationwide.” Mark is at pains to point out he’s not trying to kill the printed word. However, by using comics that actually fit the screen, he hopes to create comics that are comfortable to read online.

The O-Men return! (UK Independent Comics) SampleMartin file Eden has been making big headlines with his LBGT series, Spandex. However, Eden first came to attention with his long-running For the rest of the top 50, see http:// serial, the O-Men. comicbookresources.com/?page=art The O-Men first saw light in 1997. icle&id=37893 The series closely resembled a Vertigo-inspired version of the X- Men. Waid releases Thrillbent The first of five collected editions is (Independent Comics) due to be released at the May fan favourite, Kapow convention. The fifth? has launched his new Probably when Martin finishes it! webcomic site. Mark describes his Avengers Assemble "Space is dead. Why conquer other planets when there's a perfectly (Marvel Films) good Earth in the universe next Marvel’s Avengers movie has taken door? Heidi, a girl born in garbage. box offices by storm. The movie Rex, a soldier gone rogue. The only took a mind-shattering $80.5M, thing between them and their according to Hollywood Reporter, destiny is an of a hundred on its first Friday in the US. different Earths, across a hundred Worldwide, the movie has grossed alternate timelines. One majestic over $400M! planet dominates them all: Higher Amongst the plaudits the film has Earth." taken was an incredible 9+ at imdb.com (although it’s slipped a The Black Dossier finally little now) and favourable ratings at Rotten Tomatoes. See our review in gets a UK release this very issue! (UK Independent Comics) Whilst the rest of the world got to Higher Earth sells out! read and Kev O’Neill’s League of Extraordinary (Independent Comics) Gentlemen’s Black Dossier, Higher Earth ‘copyright #1 has gone to reasons’ ensured a secondSample print that file Britain could seven days not issue copies. before its Rumour abounds release on that the decision to May 9th! withhold UK Created and distribution was written by down to concerns Sam over then distributor, DC Comics Humphries, and specifically. Higher Earth is his sci-fi follow up Knockabout appears to have to last year's indie sensation Our circumvented those problems, Love Is Real. Francesco Biagini is ensuring a final legal release for this the artist for this new ongoing compilation of literary references series, a epic of and re-imagining of classic infinite possibilities. characters. The Jikan Chronicles Salem’s spell wear off, thus giving the gang a new appreciation for who (UK Independent Comics) they are, or will the up The Jikan Chronicles announces become permanent? their second volume in the saga of the time-travelling Samurai . Captain America 2 Released by UK small press publishers, Paragon, the protagonist (Marvel Films) continues his demon-hunting through the dimensions. Jikan is written by Dirk Van Dom, Matt McLaughlin, Chris Cronin and Mark Howard and drawn by El Chivo, Chris Askham, Dustin Parr and Davey Candlish.

Following the success of the Archie…or is it Archina??? Avengers movie, Chris Evans will () be recapturing his role as Cap. The movie will feature Steve Rogers This August sees adjusting to his new life following and girls his wake up from his World War II of Riverdale coma, plus he also has to adjust to perform theSample Great his filenew role as operative. Switcheroo. Upon overhearing the The movie will also see Samuel guys and gals Jackson return as Nick Fury and grumbling over Neal McDonough as Dum Dum how the other half has it easier, Dugan, from Captain America: The Sabrina the Witch’s mischievous cat First Avenger. Salem turns the town upside down when he dishes out the ultimate genetic makeover! MorrisonCon Line-up Chaos ensues as the teens discover The convention will be held in Las Vegas on the 28th to it’s not as easy to walk in each th other’s shoes (or heels!) as they 30 September. Guests announced originally thought, so it’s up to so far are Gerard Way, Jonathan Sabrina to set things right! Will Hickman, Quitely, J.H. Williams III and Chris Burnham. Timur Bekmambetov, in association Expect more announcements soon. with , will be releasing The Art of Abraham The Dark Knight Rises Lincoln: Vampire Hunter deluxe edition hardcover book. The film, (DC Films) directed by Bekmambetov and The much-anticipated final chapter produced by him along with Tim in the Christian Bale Batman trilogy Burton and Jim Lemley, will be released domestically on June 22nd. is due for release on July 20. The Art of Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter will contain 128 pages of never- before-seen storyboards, conceptual art, and production illustrations. This movie will see Batman -off Bekmambetov discusses the film against both and Bane – and the accompanying art book's the man responsible for breaking release: Bruce Wayne’s back in the "Our visual team, led by Bazelevs's nefarious Knightfall comicSample arc. storyboard file artist Indar How will this play out in the movie? Dzhendubaev, created a rich and Well, with a byline of “The Legend exciting world for the movie. In Ends”, it’s doubtful it’s a happy revisiting their art, we tried to craft ending! a book that pushes the envelope of visual design and does justice to The Art of Abraham their great work. I am very happy Lincoln: Vampire Hunter that fans will finally get to enjoy the expanded world of Abraham (Independent Comics) Lincoln Vampire Hunter." In connection with the summer Bekmambetov's production release of the 20th Century company Bazelevs has teamed up motion picture Abraham Lincoln: with Aspen MLT, Inc. to produce Vampire Hunter, renowned director The Art of Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter. , who Atomeka to return is overseeing the project as editor, divulged more about the behind-the- (UK Independent Comics) scenes book: reports that much- "Timur's attention to detail and loved Atomeka Press is due to for the project, combined return. with the exquisite artwork for the Dave Elliot appeared on their forum film in the hands of Aspen's to confirm that a Massacre designers, has created an "art-of" collection will be released under the book that is truly unique and imprint. Elliot also held out hopes visually spectacular. It's been a for a monthly MM, or even a return pleasure to be part of this one-of-a- of A1 magazine. Elliot however kind project." stated that he is unlikely to reprint The Art of Abraham Lincoln: any former material from those days. Vampire Hunter will be in stores in June. Spider-Man movie Another Lobo re-write (Marvel Films) (DC Films) Lobo, the former Omega Man and inter-galactic bounty hunter, has again undergone a re-writeSample for a file proposed movie, reports Deadline. Originally written by Guy Ritchie, he passed the project onto Don Payne, whose credits include Marvel have released images of the Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Lizard from the new Spider-Man Surfer and Thor. However, now, movie – release date: 3rd July. Brad Peyton has now taken over the scripting. A move that may cause some surprise as Peyton’s big break was with the family adventure, Journey 2: The Mysterious Island. Lobo is a hard-drinking, cigar- chomping, ultra-violent biker.

And here’s a couple from ol’Web- Thomson, the UK’s biggest comic Head himself. publisher, has released images of their hardback annuals for 2013.

City of Dredd Both and Dandy (British Comics) celebrate an amazing 75 years, and John Caliber, long-time expert in all this is displayed prominently on things Judge Dredd, has releasedSample an their file covers. unofficial guide to the Mega-City As well as One lawmaker. classic Caliber has collated and Broons and summarised every piece of Dredd , history, then displayed these as full- the boy with colour maps with a cornucopia of the bucket facts and figures. also has his own annual – DC Thomson Annuals although you could argue (British Comics) that’s really a Looking forward to Christmas? It bi-annual, as it’s shared on alternate years with . may seem a little early but DC Horror Award for Moore Scottish writer, . The well-received first movie starred Alan Moore, Northampton’s finest Nicholas Cage and generated comic-scribe, has been named the controversy due to the inclusion of first recipient of the Bram Stoker the foul-mouthed, violent but very Achievement in a Graphic young Hit-Girl. Novel Award. Kick Ass 2 is due to be released in May 2013. Graphicly drops its apps (Webcomics) Tokyopop is back In a surprise announcement, (Manga) Graphicly, the web comic distributor, announced it was Online retailer Right Stuf dropping its own platform. Instead, announced that, through a special Graphicly will attempt to push its arrangement with Japanese products via existing technologies, publisher Gentosha Comics and such as Apple's iBooks, Amazon's Tokypop, it will be offering manga Kindle and the Barnes & Noble fans the opportunity to purchase Nook. Hetalia Axis Powers, Volume 3, in English-translated book form for With this expansion, Graphicly aim the first time ever, as well as to help publishers get more titles reprints of the manga series’ first into these eBookstores, explained two volumes, exclusively through CEO Micah Baldwin. Sample file RightStuf.com. Volume 3 will be available in late Kick Ass 2 June 2012, while Volumes 1 and 2 (Independent Films) are each available immediately.

Bleeding Cool reports that John Romita Jr. has stated that Kick Ass The Sloperian 2 will begin filming this summer. (British Comics) Indeed Romita declared an interest in being responsible for an animated Alan Clark, a renowned expert in sequence, although he also early British comics and proclaimed that no decision had yet storypapers, has self-published a been made in regards to that. fanzine aiming to shed light on those oft-ignored pre-cursors to the Kick Ass is the brainchild of modern day comics. The Sloperian – named after Ally Archie’s Digital Crusaders Sloper, a character that dates back to Victorian times – features articles (Archie Comics) on Ally Sloper artist WG Baxter, Archie Comics are bringing back early 20th century humour artist their superheroes from yesteryear Harry O'Neill, humour artist and on the 16th scripter AT "Charlie" Pease, DC May. The Thomson adventure writer Gilbert digital imprint Dalton, artist Jack Prout, will carry the and ' various tramp famous name characters. of Red Circle – The Sloperian is currently only the publisher’s available via eBay. moniker at the time of the original ultra-heroes, the Mighty DC to publish He-Man Crusaders. The series will later be (DC Comics) followed by print editions. Eighties The first arc is a six-issue sequence, series, He-Man called Rise of the Heroes. These and the Masters of heroes being The Web, Shield, - the Universe, is set Girl, Jaguar, the and more. to return to Archie/Red Circle will be using comics. The series their tried’n’trusted ‘family was previouslySample entertainment’ file genre, which is published by hoped will be more popular than Image, Marvel and DC Comics lack of success with a CrossGen, more traditional action line. however, it began life as a comic with DC Comics. Older fans may remember insets in many titles First Comics announcement DC will be presenting all-new (Independent Comics) adventures of Castle Grayskull. The First Comics celebrated their 30th adventure begins, says writer James anniversary with a re-launch at the Robinson, with Skeletor managing Expo. to erase the memory of the heroes, Instead of using a distributor, such including Prince Adam, aka He- as Diamond, First intends to sell Man. directly to comic shops. IDW’s Transformers feature a special painted cover by Sam Shearon as well as back-up (Independent Comics) material detailing Khan’s life and IDW has picked battles. up the rights to “My job,” Transformers. Gregory said, According to “was to comb Down The through his Tubes, history to find Transformers: the moments Regeneration in his life and One will discover what continue from the Generation One drove him. Alan Transformers comics originally had the toughest published by Marvel UK. job, though. He had to show not Transformers: Regeneration One only the emotional lives of a huge #81 will be available in July and cast of characters, but deliver the will be written by epic sweep of the story, with one and legendary Transformers artist bloody battle after another. People . are going to be blown away by what he's done.” …and Genghis Khan To this day, Khan is known as one of the greatest leaders by (Independent Comics) Sampleconquering file lands one military This July, IDW Publishing will victory after another. By of bring you Secret Battles of Genghis his life, the Mongol Empire Khan, the story of how a boy named occupied a large percentage of Temujin became the founder and Central Asia and China. Although Great Khan of the Mongol Empire. famous for being heartless, Khan Adapting Khan’s engrossing life to was a man that was both brutal and graphic-novel form are writer Daryl fair. He was cruel to his enemies, Gregory, award-winning novelist of but even-handed to those that were The Devil’s Alphabet and loyal, no matter what their tribal Pandemonium, and artists Alan background or ethnicity. Secret Robinson (Weekly World News, Battles of Genghis Khan outlines Phoenix Without Ashes) and Jay the history and experiences of the Fotos (Locke & Key). The all-new, man that is regarded as the founding 104-page will also father of Mongolia. …and Judge Dredd partnership happen. With 2000AD’s longest-serving, and multiple (Independent Comics) award-winning, editor Matt Smith IDW has partnered with 2000AD to working with IDW on establishing launch a line of Judge Dredd comics the new series, we’re delighted to starting later this year. make 2012 an even more Details and creative teams will be spectacular year for Judge Dredd and 2000AD.” announced at a later date, but the partnership includes the creation of all-new Judge Dredd comics as well Jack Staff no more? as classic Dredd material. (Independent Comics) “Judge Dredd has announced the quite turns 35 this year, brilliant Jack Staff is now defunct. and it’s great to There is a possibility of a return, help him celebrate however, as a mini-series. his birthday like this,” said Chris Jack Staff followed the adventures Ryall, IDW’s of a British super-hero not Chief Creative Officer/Editor-in- dissimilar to Chief. “It was great to meet up with Marvel’s Union the 2000AD team at the recent Jack. Indeed, nods Super Con and cement the to Marvel (e.g. partnership on this one. My interest Sergeant States) in Judge Dredd far predatesSample my and file British comics tenure at IDW, so it’s a real drokkin’ (such as Archie the pleasure for us to now be the first Robot-esque Tom American publisher in 18 years to Tom the Robot create new tales of Dredd.” Man) were welcome and plentiful. “IDW are renowned for their ability Grist blamed the hiatus on poor to create new comics for existing sales and will instead concentrate on characters with both respect and Mudman. Perhaps though, it’s not a imagination,” said Kingsley, lack of interest but distribution that CEO of Rebellion, “so we were means sequels to sell outs will not intrigued when they approached us. be bought in in sufficient quantities Their familiarity with Dredd and or perhaps even at all! See ‘Are passion for the character were vital British Comic Shops Failing British components in making this Comics?’ later in COMICSCAPE. Tank Girl news original stories in chronological order as fourteen digitally (Independent Comics) remastered issues! The first five What’s bald, and smelly, snogs issues are now available to purchase kangaroos, wears shoes that don’t fit digitally via comiXology and and a bra that’s too tight (and iVerse, with new selections knickers that need a good wash), following every four weeks! smokes, drinks, and fights too much As well as releasing stories from her for her own good… and has her early years, Titan Comics is original stories, now available building the complete Tank Girl digitally for the first time via digital collection, starting with comiXology and iVerse? Martin & Rufus Dayglo’s Bad Wind You guessed it! TANK GIRL! Rising. Described by Aint It Cool as Titan Comics is “possibly this year’s coolest comic", delighted to Bad Wind Rising sees Tank Girl and announce its Booga, her partner of 22 years, split partnership with up! comiXology and Titan is also iVerse for the releasing release of Jamie The Hole of Hewlett and Alan Martin’s Classic Tank Girl. Tank Girl stories on the iPad, This will iPhone, Android devices, Kindle comprise of Fire and the web. Sample“everything file First appearing in Deadline ever done” magazine, the anarchic series by Martin follows the adventures of Tank Girl and Hewlett. and her kangaroo boyfriend, The book, Booga. may have according to Martin, will be famously gone on to create the presented in pristine, recovered, visuals for the cartoon band Gorillaz repaired, and remastered large – but this is your first opportunity to format. Hard cover, slipcase, over experience Hewlett’s fully-formed 30 pages of unseen archive material, and gloriously anarchic artistic with the first 2,000 copies hand vision on your favourite computer signed on a bound-in parchment or tablet! page by Martin, and a glorious cover of a more “mature” looking Titan Comics is releasing these Tank Girl by Hewlett. Superman legal battle cancelled. (DC Comics) Warner’s has managed to obtain the legal right to see documents from a Warner Bros., owners of DC former Toberoff legal accomplice Comics, have announced what they that details plans for a deal between term a “significant victory” in the the lawyer and the families. Despite ownership of the character of attempting to halt such a ruling, Superman. Toberoff insists the documents will Following a change in US have no bearing on the outcome of copyright law, the the case. families of Superman Earth-2 is here! creators, and Joe (DC Comics) Shuster, have A notable absence from DC Comics announced their 52 re-launch was intention to claim the absence of the back ownership of Justice Society and the Big Blue Boy Scout. Indeed, related characters. this is similar to the claims made by Earth-2 was to take back the initially introduced Fantastic Four and other characters in the classic (co-)created by the King at Marvel. of Two Worlds The lawyer for both these Sample cases is (Flash file vol.1 #123), where it was one Marc Toberoff, and he, rather revealed that the golden age than the families, is the centre of the characters of Wildcat, Dr Fate, Dr court case. Midnite and , as well as versions of , Green Warner’s has maintained that Lantern, Batman, Superman and Toberoff should not be involved in others occupied a counter Earth. the case as, not only is he the lawyer, but he also has a business Earth-2, out now, follows the stake in the future of Superman’s devastation of a battle against ownership. For proof, Warner’s that leaves the world point to an attempted deal between devoid of superheroes. However, Toberoff and the Siegel/Shuster that’s all about to change for group. However, the latter are at businessman and pains to point out any such deal was Mercury’s protégé, Jay Garrick.

RECOMMENDED COMICS FOR MAY 2012

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sale basis (the comic shop buys the FEATURES comics but can't give them back), whilst newsagents are stocked on a Are British comic shops sale-or-return deal (the shop tries to failing British comics? sell them - if they don't, they give them back). But is that really the Let's lay it on issue? I'm quite sure distributors the line - I would be happy to sell more items used to run a via comic shops as well as British comic newsagents. shop and I used to be a Another argument would be that it's British-based not the comic shop's clientele. Well, comics of course it's not. If a comic shop publisher. I've doesn't sell kids comics, then kids seen it from are hardly likely to be able to buy both sides. I also know that many them from there. And there’s shops are just not trying hard another point. They're KIDS enough. Not just at promoting comics. You know, the demographic comics from their own country, but that retailers have been trying to also turning that into more business encourage into for themselves. their shops for years? Let If there are any retailers out there, I them buy their know what you are going to say - Dandies and, "small press are notoriously Sampledifficult file hey, remember to sell". Quite true, but let's leave that Avengers the indie comics aside for a minute. film that you Our American friends would just saw? Well, probably collapse if they knew that here's the the top selling comics in Britain are comic...and there's a new comics not stocked by British comic shops. fan with more years ahead of them But it's true! than your traditional fanboy buying Comics such as the Beano, Dr Who, up the latest Hawk & Dove. , Toxic! and a variety of Talking of ... others are only on sale in newsagents, not comic shops. The Here's where the indie press come argument, I know, will be that in...small press are very difficult to Diamond stocks comics on a direct sell. What it needs really is some

kind of filter, so that, you might say, Don't insist on the ridiculous we have an indie press and a small American format. We don't use that press. That is, size in Britain. What's wrong with saleable A4 and A5 comics? It's no less books with a appealing a size, plus can be mainstream produced cheaper in Britain, so we appeal, plus can actually sell indie comics at homemade comparative prices. We just don't comics that have the printers here to sell at US- could only size taking into account a 50% ever be of distro cut. interest to a So, there cult audience. So does that preclude you have not selling indie comics at the it. British moment? Hell, no. Walk into your comic nearest Forbidden Planet or shops can whoever and count how many sell more copies they have of the by aforementioned Hawk & Dove or stocking the revamped Power Man & Iron the most Fist, or even the now defunct Justice popular Society of America (pre-Final British Crisis). There's quite a few! And comics, they ain't gonna sell. Try Sample to find whilst file also establishing a younger Strip Magazine and you'll be lucky. audience to graduate onto their Plenty of Frankenstein, Agent of other . Meanwhile, by though... allowing British comic sizes, they So what can can increase their sales by allowing comic shops British creators to sell comics at do to sell UK reasonable prices. indie comics? Doesn't seem like rocket science to Firstly, insist me. on a sampler to see the We would all like to see comic quality or shops and stores across the world not. Take 2-5 succeed – what are YOUR on a sale-or- solutions to boost sales? return basis. [email protected] Avengers Assemble The characterisation is quite brilliant. We really have three sets of heroes: Bruce (Hulk) Banner and Tony In a quite spectacular movement, (Iron way above all expectations, Man) Stark as the technoboys, Thor Avengers Assemble smashed all and Steve (Captain America) records for box-office openings. Rogers as heroes out of time, with Previous records were set by the no concept of computers, and Dark Knight ($158.4 million) and Natasha (Black Widow) Romanoff Harry Potter and the Deathly and Clint (Hawkeye) Barton as not- Hallows – Part 2 ($169.2 million). However, Avengers Assemble to-be-trusted SHIELD operatives. shattered those by raking in $200.3 The mood is darker than expected million in the North American and the heroes less united than a opening. Already, the movie has team movie might have originally taken in $641.8 million in just 12 suggested. And for that, writer Joss days, completely eclipsing Iron Man Whedon must be congratulated. 2’s totality for 2010! The Black Widow matches (which Tom Hiddleston gets Hulk smash indeed! exactly) for scheming, whilst the SampleHulk’s file appearance has been so successful that a Hulk 2 is now being talked up. Like all great Marvel moments, the action is forged by adversity. And this new team is all the better for it.

I’m pleased to say the movie lives up to the hype. Hopefully, you’ve seen the previous films…and, more so, you didn’t miss the scenes after the credits! If so, you’ll know there’s a certain cube of interest to Loki – god of mischief and brother to Thor (“…he’s adopted…”).

A general amnesty puts the Daltons back on the streets, something Lucky Luke isn’t happy about. And, to make it worse, they seem to have become model citizens. But it doesn’t take long for the stupidest quartet in the West to be back behind bars. Luke is already riding off into the sunset… But he’s not counting on the Apache tribe that attacks the penitentiary where the Daltons are locked up…

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When a rogue planet threatens a new Human colony, Valerian and Laureline are sent to investigate and discover a whole world beneath the surface! The people who live inside Zahir have never seen the stars. Divided along gender lines, torn by war, they are unaware that their planet is hurtling towards disaster. To stop it, the two agents of Galaxity will have to infiltrate both sides and reconciliation.

Accused of murder and hated by an entire nation, Largo is hiding in and feeling very much alone. But his friendships are stronger than his circumstances, and soon he’s able to counterattack against the various factions that are trying to bring him down. In the end, only the smartest and strongest will prevail—for such is the Law of the Dollar. mightiest mortals in Sub-Mariner VERSUS (although that Spider-Man v Wolverine may have been different It's a old battle this one. had Strength-wise, there's not too much been aware of between them, with even Logan's Marvel.com rating them equally. trademark Spider-Man's agility and speed claws), as would make it difficult for well as going Wolverine to catch. But, if it came toe-to-toe down to it, one or the other, on with the likes which side would the coin fall? of . So head-to-head, trading blow-for- blow, I can't see Spidey holding his own. Wolverine's adamantium claws would be too much for the Web-Slinger in that instant. If Spidey did somehow get the drop on the X-Man, then Wolverine's healing factor would come into play, allowing the mutant to take Spidey is of course the joker of the everything Spidey throws at him. pack. A seemingly Sample carefree file Using his (although we know different, don't webs to entrap we guys?), wise-cracking wall- Wolvie would crawler. He's come up and probably be triumphed against foes far more disastrous as powerful than himself, such as the those claws Rhino. Whilst his regular battles would once with enemies, like the Green again make Goblin, and short shrift of show how adaptable and, much this weapon. more importantly, how intelligent Web-Head is. So, on that basis, it's Wolverine. Wolverine? Well, he was designed to take on targets like the Hulk. However, Peter Parker is way more He's soundly defeated one of the intelligent than Wolverine. His capacity to outwit Logan, despite Wolverine's years of experience, is Strip magazine almost a . What Parker would need to do to stand even the The return of British slimmest chance of success would be to somehow immobilise Wolverine in a place that would not be susceptible to Logan's claws. Really, all the (X-)factors are on Logan's side. Spidey's chances are indeed slim....but I'd just fancy Web-Head to upset those odds once again. It's what he's good at!

Classic and all-new , including Sample fileHook-Jaw by  Warpaint by and John McCrea  Age of Heroes by James Hudnall and  Black Ops Extreme by John Freeman and PJ Holden ______At all good comics shops and online for iPad/tablet. WHO WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE NEXT IN COMICS’ PrintMediaProductions ULTIMATE FACE OFF? SUSPENDED ANIMATION drama, intensity and complexity of the plots reached a fever-pitch in Essential Fantastic Four Vol. this collection, with no sign of 3 diminishing. (Marvel Comics) Additionally, if it can be stated when Jack Kirby’s artwork became Simon and Garfunkel. Burns and archetypal in its power and design, Allen. Conway and Knotts. Sonny my vote is for this point in comics and Cher. Abbot and Costello. history. If volume two of Essential What do these duos have in FF (mentioned in the last column) common? They saw Kirby’s style developing into produced a lot of that oft-imitated approach, then entertainment, volume three is to its birth. for a lot of Here, it is immense, audacious, people, which innovative, and barely contained by will be the comics page. THIS is Jack remembered for a Kirby. long time. Of course, we can Not that any add many more more incentive to such a list, but the duo this for acquisition is column is concerned with is Stan needed, but let Lee and Jack Kirby, as the look me point out that back on their classic workSample on this file body of comics’ premiere family continues. work also contains facts for the detail-oriented: Storm’s initial Volume three of Essential Fantastic encounter with Four boasts some important firsts: the of comics’ Golden The first appearances of the Silver Age – a significant occurrence for Surfer, , the , fans and historians alike. , the Black Panther and , as well as the Essential Fantastic Four Volume 3 is discovery of the . By a wonderful example of the best the themselves, these accomplishments medium of comics has to offer, and testify to the fact that Lee and Kirby is recommended for everyone. Find were “in the zone” as much as any it at your local comics shop, or time in their respective careers. As online auctions and retailers. if that weren’t enough, the humor, (But, try the comics shop first.)

Essential Fantastic Four Vol. such as the afore-mentioned world- 4 devourer, the , Annihilus and others aid in the The Fantastic upward motion of the quality of this Four was, for Lee and Kirby product. This is the some time, kind of cosmic “stuff” which helped Marvel Comics’ make The Fantastic Four one of the flagship book. most fondly-followed works in And for good comics history. reason. and Jack Kirby’s One of the most attractive historic work on characteristics of this volume is the the mag a measuring rod significant for comic book stories, even today. amount of drama And the inspiration gained by fans swirling around during the Silver Age is mirrored by the Thing. their modern day counterparts who Whether being are fortunate enough to uncover this manipulated by a sequential gem. villain bent on destroying the Volume 4 continues to the F.F. from within, explosive, burgeoning work of Jack or buffeted by Kirby, who, it could be argued, did his own struggles pertaining to more than anyone to put Marvel on being a man for himself, versus a the media map. It also containsSample monstrous file for the team, significant premiers, including the tragedy surrounding Psycho Man, “Him” (the character makes for superior four-color who would become Warlock), and theatre. the announcement of the Richards’ baby. Additionally, there are All this, and an entertaining parody interesting interactions between of the goings on in the Marvel secondary characters Black Panther Comics offices, written and drawn and the Inhumans. by Jack Kirby, earn this volume the highest recommendation for readers From a storyline aspect, this volume of all ages. Find it at your local sees the property persist in the shop, or online retailers and tradition which can be said to have auctions. But, try your comics shop truly begun with the first Galactus first. story, reprinted in Volume 3. Fresh encounters with quality characters Mark Allen

COMICS Kid Tiger

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KID TIGER continues next issue! that he rather politically made him TALES THAT so hideous his mask could never be ASTONISHED removed. Legion of Super-Heroes: The The more silly Great Darkness Saga characters like Bouncing Boy In case you were unaware, the and Matter- Legion of Super-Heroes was Eater Lad originally titled were, in quite ‘ & the different ways, Legion of Super- shuffled out of Heroes’, having the plane of the graduated from stories. Superboy’s solo Then big LSH fan, Paul Levitz, title - the Boy of moved in. Paul had an innate feel Steel would for the characters, the future setting regularly appear and team interaction, aided and in Adventure abetted by the quite brilliant Keith Comics. Giffen. The Legion began Originally, the LSH were pretty recruiting. Personalities were more juvenile. Good fun still but not rounded, making even Wildfire really something that stood the test more sympathetic. of time. That was until took over. Big Jim was justSample a teen file himself when he started writing. He began to develop the personality of characters, rather than the fairly two-dimensional run-ins they had previously been. Superboy himself was no longer central to the stories. More adult themes, such as race came in, including the notorious answer to ‘why are there no black Legionnaires?’ Would you believe And for a remarkably long time in the answer was because they were those days, a build-up with hints, all on one dimension-travelling battles and, yes, losses ensued. Of island. Shooter was so angry at not course, a long time then was only 5 being able to make Ferro-Lad black issues, rather than today’s 5 years

but it was a wonderful run, with action in every issue. No talking Love comics? head filler issues. The LSH end up fighting beings of they would last vast power. Clones of even that little bit longer? Superboy and a Guardian of the Universe (from Green Lantern) serve this terrible master. I would love to leave this round-up as a great surprise, Unfortunately, the collected How about trying edition – which is much recommended – already some prose? features the face of the villain on the front cover. Oh well! Still, hopefully facing off against the Legion (all the Legion that is, Sample file including Superboy, and the Legion of sci-fi, fantasy, horror Substitute and super-powered Heroes) will just lend itself tales for your Kindle, to a further whetting of the appetite. iPad or computer A deluxe edition of the Legion of Super-Heroes: The Great DOWNLOAD FROM Darkness Saga can be ordered from Amazon and comes highly STARSCAPEONLINE.COM recommended! The story works so well by FLICKS THAT TIME focussing upon a small number of FORGOT people in a young family’s life. The political reasons for the war are told Threads only through infrequent news broadcasts that don't really say the BBC made-for-tv movie from 1984 full story behind the emerging concerning the aftermath of a conflict. In fact, we probably have nuclear war in Sheffield, Great as much info as most of the people Britain. in the programme. Life goes on. The end is getting closer but as one character says 'What can I do?'.

I first watched this as a schoolboy. My feelings were one of horror. The story isn't 100 miles an hour. Next day in the common room the Instead, there's a patient build-up as talk was of 'I wouldn't wantSample to we fileget to know the minutiae of the survive a nuclear war'. With the main characters' lives. Minutiae phrase from the film 'you cannot and lives that are destroyed in an win a nuclear war' going down in instant. In the post-nuclear popular culture. holocaust world, radiation So good were my memories of the poisoning does for most of the programme that I settled down to inhabitants. We're thrown back to with some trepidation. Could it the Dark Ages, where money is of possibly be as good as I no value but food and water without remembered it? I'm pleased to say fertilizers or pesticides decide who the answer is yes. In fact, it's is really wealthy. Life expectancy probably better as, at the time, I plummets as does law and order, didn't know too much about which are now controlled by a marriage, kids and society, over and largely unaccountable armed force. above the school playground. Education and travel are radically diminished resulting in the strong regional accents of old.

It's probably pretty obvious by this time, this is no feel good movie. The devastation felt by the main characters is real and palpable. This must be one of the most important programmes ever made and should be shown regularly on tv and in Out NOW! schools. My feelings at the end of the show were the same as way back when, that is, 'I wouldn't want to survive a nuclear war' and 'you cannot win a nuclear war'. Sample file

Threads is available at LOVEFiLM via Amazon.co.uk and as a DVD at Play.com film and television, including the WEBSCAPE not quite Super-Team Family forgotten Dynomutt and http://braveandboldlost.blogspot.co.uk/ Blue Falcon with In 2010, the owner of the site (I can Spider-Man. only find the name ‘Ross’) came up Personally, I'm with a great idea of merging most enamoured characters to come up with ‘lost’ by the cosmic- issues of the Brave & the Bold, DC powered covers. Comics Presents, Super-Team What if Became the Family, Marvel Team-Up and Herald of Galactus is quite simply a Marvel Two-In-One. stunning idea. Some of the Ross has a number of ‘retro’ issues. issues are These bring to inspired. mind either the Witness for golden-age or instance, the DC’s . Justice Society Here’s a cover versus featuring two of Galactus, with the most the tagline enduring “Galactus characters from swore toSample never file that golden-age, attack Earth again…but he made no with a Bats meeting a such promise to Earth-Two”. Wow! Kirby Cap, complete with DC checkerboard top. Ross also shows the counter-heroes in This has to be action, such as the most fun and Mr website I’ve Fantastic, the Vision come across in and Red , a long time. and Conan Not only that, etc. but there has to be inspiration All very intriguing. But it’s not just in there for comics. The site also brings some fanfic. together some famous faces from powerful villains in the Enchantress THE OLD & THE NEW and the . Defenders #4 Plenty of action. Plenty of intrigue. Defenders #4 1973 Defenders #4 2012 Steve Engelhart I was significantly less than and Sal enamoured by the latest issue of the Buscema. I Defenders. know what is the only Defender you’re thinking. that makes any significant input to Famous but not the issue. Iron Fist appears to be an renowned idiot, rather than the Zen master he names in the is. field of comics. Yet, they Indeed, most of the issue is made up produced some amazing runs. The of a teenager being embarrassed early issues of the Defenders are about a sexual relationship with the to that. Doc and a less than powerful Defenders #4 sees the first teen magician appearance of the Valkyrie. Kind wanting one of of. Actually, Valkyrie was a his books. character that first appeared in a women’s lib version of the Avengers Namor appears at (the Liberators). However, thatSample was file the very end to really the Enchantress in disguise. warn of a threat. And that’s it! A This Valkyrie was a cross between a non-story to woman trapped in madness and an advertise that next comic / TPB. Asgardian enwrapped in amnesia. The Upshot We also have the Black Knight being turned into stone. A scenario The latest Defenders 4 doesn’t hold that had later repercussions as it a candle to the original. Not only morphed into the Avengers/ was the 1973 book exciting and Defenders War. packed with characters (it is a team after all); it also had ramifications So, all-in-all, we have heavyweights for the Marvel Universe. The latest in The Hulk and Doctor Strange, a is simply an advert for the next new Defender in Valkyrie, the book. I feel cheated. ‘death’ of the Black Knight and Jughead with Archie Pep Comics #385 THIS DAY IN COMICS Digest #50 Power Man and Iron of Fist #81 May 1982 America #202 Superman Family 218 Ka-Zar the Savage ROM Spaceknight 30 YEARS AGO TODAY! #14 #30 2000 AD #262-266 Captain Carrot & His King Conan #10 The Saga of Swamp Action Comics #531 Amazing Zoo Crew! 3 Legion of Super- Thing #1 The Aliens #2 Captain Victory and Heroes #287 The Savage Sword Of All-Star Squadron #9 Galactic Rangers #4 Life with Archie #230 Conan #76 Alternate Existance Cerebus #38 Marvel Fanfare #2 Sgt. Rock #364 #1 Charlton Bullseye #7 Marvel Super- Space Family #11 Heroes #385 Robinson #59 The Amazing Spider- #134 Marvel Tales #139 The Spectacular Man #228 Crazy Magazine #86 Marvel Team-Up Spider-Man #66 Arak Son of Thunder Creepy #137 #117 #59 #9 Daredevil #182 Marvel Two-In-One Superman #371 Archie #316 Dazzler #15 #87 Thor #319 Archie... Archie DC Comics Presents Master of Kung Fu The Zone #92 Andrews, Where Are #45 #112 Uncanny X-Men #157 You? Comics Digest DC Special Blue Mendy and the The Unexpected #222 Magazine #22 Ribbon Digest #21 Golem #5 Unknown Soldier #263 Archie's Double The Defenders #107 #41 #105 Digest Quarterly Dennis the Menace #7 #19 's Comics Magazine #2 Duck #1 The New Adventures and Stories #499 Archie's Girls Betty of Superboy #29 The Warlord #57 and Veronica #317 #514 The New Teen Weird War Tales #111 Archie's Jokebook Magazine Titans #19 Wonder Woman #291 Magazine #285 #64 SampleThe file Occult Files of World's Finest Comics Archie's Pals 'n' Gals #240 Doctor Spektor #25 #279 #158 Fantastic Four #242 Archie's TV Laugh- Fantastic Four Roast May 1982 was comeback Out #85 The Flash #309 The Avengers #219 G.I. Combat #241 central at the House of Ideas! Batman #347 Rider #68 There used to be two rules of The Best of DC #24 #112 comics: Betty and Me #128 Green Lantern #152 Blueberry #7 Grimm's Ghost Stories 1) Nobody stays dead forever The Brave and the #59 Bold #186 Heavy Metal #62 2) Nobody stays dead Brothers of the House of Mystery forever…except ! Spear #18 #304 in the The Incredible Hulk Unfortunately, there’s now only the 25th Century #16 #271 one rule. So to prove that, Marvel Captain America Iron Man #158 brought back a couple of dames! #269 Hex #60

First up, we had a young writer/ Although you might struggle to artist, that was believe it, it was actually Doug beginning to Moench that garner some was the hottest interest around writer of the a character that time. His Moon had become a Knight with Bill little tired. Sienkiewicz Yep, it was and Master on Kung-Fu with Daredevil. Rick Maygar Great cover, huh? Miller was really were creating, not the of staggeringly good. It’s a shame that Daredevil, but rather the character there seems little interest in them of Matt Murdock. After all, Bruce these days, aside from Bill’s nigh- Wayne is simply a front for Batman on Neal Adams art. but Spider-Man is a disguise for DC Comics began the return of the Peter Parker. It’s subtle but hugely muck monster in Saga of the important. – a title that paved We also have Phoenix make a return the way for later Alan Moore to the X-Men. greatness. Aside from How can that that…nothing really. I mean, the be when we all JLA and were decent know she died Sampleenough. file Flash, in some classic Green Lantern, episodes? All-Star Well, relax. Squadron and so It’s simply on. All ok. Just Kitty Pryde in nothing special. a ‘costume’. Things were a We’d all agree lot better over in bringing her back would be a jolly old Blighty, where Judge terrible move. Erm…. Dredd in 2000AD was engaged in Over at Marvel Team-Up, we have the epic Apocalypse War. Spidey meeting Wolverine in a bit Over all, a mixed bag of comic fun. of a yawn-fest, whilst Jim Shooter MORE YESTERDAYS NEXT writes another great Avengers tale. TIME IN COMICSCAPE!  Daredevil #7, by Mark Waid, EISNER AWARDS , and Joe Rivera The nominees for the Eisner Awards (Marvel) were recently announced. Marvel  Ganges #4, by Kevin Huizenga and DC Comics dominate many of () the categories but there’s still room  Locke & Key: Guide to the for a number of independents. Known Keys, by and Gabriel Rodriguez (IDW)  Princeless #3, by Jeremy Whitley and M. Goodwin (Action Lab)  The Unwritten #24: "Stairway to Heaven" by , , and Al Davison The nominees are: (Vertigo/DC)

Best Short Story Best Continuing Series  "A Brief History of the Art  Daredevil, by Mark Waid, Form Known as Marcos Martin, Paolo Rivera, Hortisculpture," by Adrian and Joe Rivera (Marvel) Tomine, in Optic Nerve #12  ’s 20th Century (Drawn & Quarterly) Boys, by Naoki Urasawa (  "Harvest of Fear," by Jim Media) Woodring, in The Simpsons’Sample  fileRachel Rising, by Treehouse of Horror #17 (Abstract Studio) (Bongo)  Ultimate Comics Spider-Man,  "The Phototaker," by Guy by and Davis, in Metal Hurlant vol. 2 Sara Pichelli (Marvel) (Humanoids)  Usagi Yojimbo, by  "The Seventh," by Darwyn (Dark Horse) Cooke, in Richard Stark’s Parker: The Martini Edition Best (IDW)  Atomic Robo and the Ghost of  "The Speaker," by Brandon Station X, by Brian Clevinger Graham, in Dark Horse and Scott Wegener (Red 5) Presents #7 (Dark Horse)  : The Last of the Innocent, by and Best Single Issue (or One-Shot) (Marvel Icon)  : Batman - Knight of  Princeless, by Jeremy Whitley Vengeance, by Brian Azzarello and M. Goodwin (Action Lab) and  Snarked, by (Vertigo/DC) (kaboom!)  The New York Five, by Brian  Zita the Space Girl, by Ben Wood and Ryan Kelly Hatke (First Second) (Vertigo/DC)  Who Is Jake Ellis? by Nathan Best Publication for Young Adults Edmondson & Tonci Zonjic (Ages 12-17) (Image)  Anya’s Ghost, by Vera Brosgol (First Second) Best Publication for Early  Around the World, by Matt Readers (up to age 7) Phelan (Candlewick)  Beauty and the Squat Bears, by  Level Up, by Gene Yang and Émile Bravo () Thien Pham (First Second)  Benjamin Bear in Fuzzy  Life with Archie, by Paul Thinking, by Philippe Coudray Kupperberg, Fernando Ruiz, (Candlewick/Toon Books) Pat & Tim Kennedy, Norm  Dragon Puncher Island, by Breyfogle et al. (Archie) James Kochalka (Top Shelf)  Mystic, by G. Willow Wilson  Nursery Rhyme Comics, edited and David Lopez (Marvel) by Chris Duffy (First Second)  Patrick in a Teddy Bear’s Best Anthology Picnic, by Geoffrey HayesSample  fileDark Horse Presents, edited by (Candlewick/Toon Books) Mike Richardson (Dark Horse)  Nelson, edited by Rob Davis Best Publication for Kids (ages 8- and (Blank 12) Slate)  The All-New Batman: The  Nursery Rhyme Comics, edited Brave and the Bold, by Sholly by Chris Duffy (First Second) Fisch, Rick Burchett, and Dan  The Someday Funnies, edited Davis (DC) by Michel Choquette (Abrams  Amelia Rules: The Meaning of ComicArts) Life ... And Other Stuff, by  Yiddishkeit: Jewish Vernacular Jimmy Gownley (Atheneum) and the New Land, edited by  The Ferret’s a Foot, by Colleen and Paul Buhle AF Venable and Stephanie Yue (Abrams ComicArts) (Graphic Universe/Lerner) Best Humour Publication Sowa and Sylvain Savoia  The Art of Doug Sneyd: A (Vertigo/DC) Collection of Playboy Cartoons  Onward Towards Our Noble (Dark Horse Books) Deaths, by Shigeru Mizuki  Chimichanga, by Eric Powell (Drawn & Quarterly) (Dark Horse)  Vietnamerica, by GB Tran  Coffee: It’s What’s for Dinner, (Villard) by Dave Kellett (Small Fish) Best Graphic Album - New  Kinky & Cosy, by Nix (NBM)  Bubbles & Gondola, by Renaud  Milk & Cheese: Dairy Products Dillies (NBM) Gone Bad, by  Freeway, by Mark Kalesniko (Dark Horse Books) (Fantagraphics)  Habibi, by Craig Thompson Best (Pantheon)  , by Josh Neufeld,  Ivy, by Sarah Olekysk (Oni) www.cartoonmovement.com/co  ’s Tale of Sand, mic/24 adapted by Ramón K. Pérez  Battlepug, by , (Archaia) www.battlepug.com  One , by Ray Fawkes (Oni)  Delilah Dirk and the Turkish Lieutenant, by Tony Cliff, Best Graphic Album - Reprint www.delilahdirk.com  Big Questions, by Anders  Outfoxed, by Dylan Meconis, Nilsen (Drawn & Quarterly) www.dylanmeconis.com/outfoxSample fileThe Death Ray, by Dan Clowes ed (Drawn & Quarterly)  Sarah and the Seed, by Ryan  Richard Stark’s Parker: The Andrews, www.ryan- Martini Edition, by Darwyn a.com/comics/sarahandtheseed0 Cooke (IDW) 1.htm  WE3: The Deluxe Edition, by Grant Morrison and Frank Best Reality-Based Work Quitely (Vertigo/DC)  Around the World, by Matt  Zahra’s Paradise, by Amir and Phelan (Candlewick) Khalil (First Second)  Green River Killer: A True Detective Story, by Jeff Jensen Best Archival Collection/Project - and Jonathan Case (Dark Horse Strips Books)  and Jungle Jim,  Marzi: A Memoir, by Marzena by Alex Raymond and Don Moore, edited by Dean  Bubbles & Gondola, by Renaud Mullaney (IDW/Library of Dillies (NBM) American Comics)  Isle of 100,000 Graves, by  Forgotten Fantasy: Sunday Fabien Vehlmann and Jason Comics 1900-1915, edited by (Fantagraphics) Peter Maresca (Sunday Press)  Like a Sniper Lining Up His  Prince vols. 3-4, by Hal Shot, by Jacques Tardi and Foster, edited by Kim Jean-Patrick Manchette Thompson (Fantagraphics) (Fantagraphics)  Tarpé Mills’s Miss Fury  The Manara Library, vol. 1: Sensational Sundays, 1944- Indian Summer and Other 1949, edited by Trina Robbins Stories, by with (IDW/Library of American (Dark Horse Books) Comics)  Night Animals: A Diptych  Walt Disney’s About What Rushes Through vols. 1-2, by , the Bushes, by Brecht Evens edited by and (Top Shelf) (Fantagraphics) Best U.S. Edition of International Best Archival Collection/Project - Material - Asia Comic Books  A Bride’s Story, by Kaoru Mori  Government Issue: Comics for (Yen Press) the People: 1940s-2000s, edited  Drops of God, by Tadashi Agi by Richard L. Graham (AbramsSample fileand Shu Okimoto () ComicArts)  Onward Towards Our Noble  The MAD Fold-In Collection, Deaths, by Shigeru Mizuki by (Chronicle) (Drawn & Quarterly)  PS Magazine: The Best of  , vols. 3-4, Preventive Maintenance by Hisae Iwaoka () Monthly, by  Stargazing Dog, by Takashi (Abrams ComicArts) Murakami (NBM)  The Sugar and Spike Archives,  Wandering Son, vol. 1, by vol. 1, by (DC) Shimura Takako  ’s The Mighty (Fantagraphics) Thor Artist’s Edition (IDW) Best Writer Best U.S. Edition of International  , The Sixth Gun Material (Oni)  Mike Carey, The Unwritten and Bucky, Ultimate Spider- (Vertigo/DC) Man #155 (Marvel)  Jeff Jensen, Green River Killer:  Marcos Martin, Daredevil A True Detective Story (Dark (Marvel) Horse Books)  Paolo Rivera/Joe Rivera,  , , Daredevil (Marvel) Flashpoint: Frankenstein and the Creatures of the Unknown, Best Cover Artist Frankenstein: Agent of  Michael Allred, iZombie S.H.A.D.E. (DC); (Vertigo/DC) (Vertical/DC)  Francesco Francavilla, Black  Mark Waid, , Panther (Marvel); , (BOOM!); Lone Ranger/, Dark Daredevil (Marvel) Shadows, Warlord of (Dynamite); Archie Meets Best Writer/Artist (Archie)  , The Lives of Sacco  Victor Kalvachev, Blue Estate and Vanzetti (NBM) (Image)  Terry Moore, Rachel Rising  Marcos Martin, Daredevil, (Abstract Studio) Amazing Spider-Man (Marvel)  Sarah Oleksyk, Ivy (Oni)  Sean Phillips, Criminal: The  Craig Thompson, Habibi Last of the Innocent (Marvel (Pantheon) Icon)  Jim Woodring, CongressSample of the  fileYuko Shimizu, The Unwritten Animals (Fantagraphics), (Vertigo/DC) "Harvest of Fear," in The Simpsons’ Treehouse of Horror Best Colouring #17 (Bongo)  Laura Allred, iZombie (Vertigo/DC); Madman All- Best / or New Giant-Size Super-Ginchy Penciller/Inker Team Special (Image)  Michael Allred, iZombie  Bill Crabtree, The Sixth Gun (Vertigo/DC); Madman All- (Oni) New Giant-Size Super-Ginchy  Ian Herring and Ramón K. Special (Image) Pérez, Jim Henson’s Tale of  Ramón K. Pérez, Jim Henson’s Sand (Archaia) Tale of Sand (Archaia)  Victor Kalvachev, Blue Estate  , Captain America (Image)  Cris Peter, : Avaritia, by Tom Spurgeon, Casanova: Gula (Marvel Icon) www.comicsreporter.com  TwoMorrows Publications: Best Lettering Alter Ego edited by Roy  Deron Bennett, Billy Fog, Jim Thomas, Back Issue edited by Henson’s Dark , Jim Michael Eury, Draw edited by Henson’s Tale of Sand, Mr. Mike Manley, and Jack Kirby Murder Is Dead (Archaia); edited by John Helldorado, Puss N Boots, Morrow Richie Rich (APE Entertainment) Best Educational/Academic Work  Jimmy Gownley, Amelia Rules!  Alan Moore: Conversations, ed. The Meaning of Life ... And by Eric Berlatsky (University Other Stuff (Atheneum) Press of Mississippi)  Laura Lee Gulledge, Page by  Cartooning: Philosophy & Paige (Amulet Books/Abrams) Practice, by (Yale  , Manara University Press) Library, with L. Lois  Critical Approaches to Comics: Buholis(Dark Horse); Manga Theories and Methods, edited Man (Houghton Mifflin); by Matthew J. Smith and (Image) (Routledge)  Stan Sakai, Usagi Yojimbo  Hand of Fire: The Comics Art (Dark Horse) of Jack Kirby, by Charles Sample fileHatfield (University Press of Best Comics-Related Journalism Mississippi)  The AV Club Comics Panel, by  Projections: Comics and the Noel Murray, Oliver Sava et al., History of 21st Century www.avclub.com/features/comi Storytelling, by Jared Gardner cs-panel/ (Stanford University Press)  The Beat, produced by Heidi MacDonald et al., Best Comics-Related Book www.comicsbeat.com  Archie: A Celebration of  , edited by America’s Favorite Teenagers, Gary Groth, and The Comics edited by (IDW/Yoe Journal website, www.tcj.com, Books) edited by Timothy Hodler and  Caniff: A Visual Biography, Dan Nadel (Fantagraphics) edited by  The Comics Reporter, produced (IDW/Library of American Comics)  Drawing Power: A Compendium of Cartoon Advertising, edited by Rick Marschall and Warren Bernard (Fantagraphics/Marschall Books)  Genius Isolated: The Life and Art of , designed by Dean Mullaney (IDW/Library of American Comics)  MetaMaus, by (Pantheon)

Best Publication Design  Genius Isolated: The Life and Art of Alex Toth, designed by Dean Mullaney (IDW/Library of American Comics)  Jim Henson’s Tale of Sand, designed by Eric Skillman The down-to-Earth (Archaia)  Kinky & Cosy, designed by Nix British superhero from (NBM) Sample filethe mind and pen of  The MAD Fold-In Collection, Jack Staff creator, designed by Michael Morris Paul Grist (Chronicle)

 Richard Stark’s Parker: The Martini Edition, designed by (IDW)

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