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By Jon, August 31, 2010 12:34 am

If there is one thing that I took away from this year’s Baltimore Comic Con is that it was significantly looser than any show I’ve been to in quite some time. All credit must be given to Mr. Marc Nathan who over the years has created an environment where comic creators and fans alike have a venue to truly connect. There are no television or movie stars or broken down wrestlers charging excessive autograph fees.

Unlike other shows, whose producers alienated the bigger publishers *cough cough Wizard*; there was a showing from DC, Marvel, BOOM! Studios, Dark Horse, IDW Publishing, & Top Cow. And the biggest booth at BCC wasn’t for a cellphone or a car company, it was for Stylin Online (which I have no issue with at all).

The expansive Artist Alley was almost too much to do in just one day (which was all I had to work with); but I was able to connect with some of my favorite local Philadelphia artists like Scott Derby, Tom Whalen, and Geek Boy Press.

The absolute high for me at BCC was finally getting artist Herb Trimpe to sign some of my GI Joe: Special Missions issues. For about seven minutes Trimpe and I talked about how he felt that he had to frame Larry Hama’s scripts in an “epic light”. He stopped and flipped through #13, whose plot revolves around Dusty & Outback taking two probationary Joes on their final training mission.

The issue ultimately ends with one of the probies, Mangler sacrifice himself so that the other Joes may live. It was then Trimpe said to me, “You know the 90’s were criticized for their violence and dark themes, but Hama was really bringing some heat with these”. I laughed and agreed, and he asked me if Hama was at the show. I replied that he wasn’t, to which Trimpe said “I think he’ll be at New York, I’ll catch up with him then”.

I was taken aback that the guy who penciled The Incredible Hulk during the Silver Age would stop to have a conversation about Larry Hama with me. He was genuinely interested in hearing my take on his work and thanked me for stopping by. I’ve never experienced this before and I’ll never forget it, Trimpe is a class act through and through.

After my encounter I bumped into one of the guys from my local comic shop, Comics & More in King of Prussia, PA. We chatted for a few minutes about how we were enjoying the show and agreed that from a fan perspective, BCC is so far ahead of the pack. And that whatever formula they’ve worked out they ought to keep it the same.

From my experience, Baltimore Comic Con is the show that anyone in the Mid-Atlantic states must attend. Forget Wizard World and mark your calendars for next August … I’ll see you all there.

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By Jon, August 22, 2010 11:57 pm

This weekend I’ll be venturing to the Charm City for my second ever Baltimore Comic Con. I’ll be providing a moderate amount of coverage here and through my Twitter. The only other time I attended the show, I really enjoyed myself and found myself a whole lot closer to creators than at the “corporate” shows.

Late last week a presser was sent out outlining the programming in store, while I may not be able to attend every panel I figured I’d highlight some of the more interesting ones (to me at least).

IRREDEEMABLE/INCORRUPTIBLE Panel – Mark Waid’s Harvey and Eisner nominated, best-selling, multiple sell-out IRREDEEMABLE has taken comic fans by storm since its debut, becoming one of the top-selling independent comics published today. Join Mark Waid as he takes a look back at IRREDEEMABLE’s beginnings, the future of the series, and its sister series — INCORRUPTIBLE. A not-to-be-missed panel for any fan of these books! (PSSSSST: Mark will also talk a little bit about his new BOOM! book with Stan Lee called THE TRAVELER. Don’t miss it!)

I’ve only gotten a couple of issues into Mark Waid’s Irredeemable series, and I’ve enjoyed it. More importantly I would like to hear what he has to say about not reading anymore conventional superhero comics. I just hope he stays on with Spider-Man

Spotlight on Thor– With the THOR feature film from Marvel Studios premiering in May, 2011, and his adventures featured across both the Marvel and Ultimate Universes, Thor is one of Marvel’s hottest characters. Chroniclers of the Thunder God’s adventures from the past, present, and future – Walter Simonson, John Workman, Bryan J.L. Glass, and Jonathan Hickman – join Marvel’s Vice President – Executive Editor Tom Brevoort to discuss all things Thor.

Simonson lays claim to probably some of the best Thor stories, c’mon this guy created Beta Ray Bill!

Spotlight on Todd McFarlane – From SPAWN to HAUNT, Image Comics founder and partner Todd McFarlane has been the driving force behind the biggest creator-owned titles in the industry. Join McFarlane for exclusive sneak peeks of his upcoming projects and a Q&A session that shouldn’t be missed!

Say what you will about McFarlane’s many efforts in the comics/entertainment industry, you have to respect his body of work. If only I can track down those Spider-Man foil covers!

IDW ON THE MOVE! – Join IDW Senior editor Bob Schreck, Steve Niles, Bernie Wrightson, Chris Moreno, and Stuart Sayger in this lively look at the company’s current and upcoming releases to be followed by a Q&A session.

Bernie Wrightson and Steve Niles? I’m all over this one. IDW Publishing has done quite a job positioning themselves by licensing solid properties and snapping up some quality talents.

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By Jon, May 11, 2010 11:53 pm

Star Trek Captain’s Log: Harriman
writer: Marc Guggenheim
art: Andrew Currie

Rating:

To say this is an obscure title to review here at DDOY, you’d be right. The first question you might be asking yourself is who the hell is Captain Harriman. Well, Captain John Harriman was the commanding officer of the USS Enterprise-B, portrayed by Alan “Pardon My French You’re An Asshole” Ruck in Star Trek: Generations.

This issue picks up six months after the incident in which Captain James T. Kirk is killed during the inaugural cruise of the Enterprise-B. We find that Doctor Leonard McCoy has been recalled from reserve status to assist Starfleet with an outbreak of the Terrellian Virus (which could be a nod to Captain Terrell from Star Trek II: Wrath of Khan?). Understandably, McCoy is a curmudgeon more-so due to the fact that his best friend died while his new commanding officer was curled up in the fetal position. Harriman has had to live as the guy who got Kirk killed, and it has taken its toll.

We soon find that Captain Harriman has found it difficult to move on in the last six months, and is prepared to resign once this mission to the Antares System is finished. Harriman knows that his crew doesn’t believe in him, nor does he believe in himself. Of course, McCoy does nothing to provide some positive reinforcement … at first. He goes onto to relate to Harriman the difficulties that Kirk faced on the Genesis planet with the death of his son David, and scuttling of the USS Enterprise … and more importantly that Kirk bluffed his way out of things.

Captain Harriman is soon provided an opportunity to fake his way out of a run in with a Klingon battlecruiser. With weapons systems knocked out and all hope appeared to be lost … Harriman surprised McCoy and the rest of his crew and pulls a Kirk. I won’t spoil it for you, but all I kept hearing in the back of my mind was Christopher Lloyd yelling “Get out of there!”.

I really enjoyed this one off, it was a fun read about a character that really got hosed in Star Trek canon. I gladly give this Marc Guggenheim penned issue a 4 star rating.

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By Jon, May 1, 2009 4:55 pm

Held annually on the first Saturday on May, Free Comic Book Day is an event that is pretty much self-explanatory. Walk into any of the participating specialty comic book stores and you’ll find an array of comics free for the taking.

It is an event that had a two-fold purpose, to encourage younger folks to jump into reading and to get increased traffic into these small, niche retailers.

If you haven’t read comics, it’s a great way to get back into them. Most of the issues that will be available are great jumping on points, they get you up to speed or expose you to certain publisher’s upcoming projects. Marvel, DC, IDW Publishing, BOOM! Studios, ONI Press, and Dark Horse are participating as many other smaller publishers.

Many of the participating shops tend to have big sales and artist signings, so call ahead and head out.

I’ll be headed down to Bagged & Boarded, which is located in the Kohls/Staples shopping center on Street Rd. in Bensalem.

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By Jon, April 16, 2009 4:06 am

All Hail Megatron #10 ** 1/2
writer: Shane McCarthy art: Guido Guidi

To say that Shane McCarthy is taking a bashing from the Transformer fandom is an understatement. Prior to AHM, the IDW-verse had been going rather smoothly, with legendary Transformer scribe Simon Furman guiding the ship.

Well, that was derailed when McCarthy brought this one year later story where the Autobots got betrayed by one of their own (Sunstreaker) with the Autobots scraping by on Cybertron while the Decepticons run rampant on Earth using stolen technology (and perhaps the Matrix) to build a Space Bridge.

Guess what happens in AHM #10 …. Starscream BETRAYS Megatron. He builds up the backing of the most powerful ‘Cons and starts a coup. I’ve seen this in every comic and cartoon series. Here’s what really chafes my ass with this issue. Inexplicably, Optimus Prime who two issues prior was irreparably damaged and near death … is all shiny and ready to kick ass. See the Autobots have been stuck on Cybertron fighting off the insectoid Deception Swarm (which have been explained as frak ups when they were designing the Instecticons … boo).

Just as the Autobots are at their wits end … Omega Supreme shows up to whisk the Autobots to Earth for a confrontation with the Decepticons. So the question I ask is, how is this different than any other story I’ve read since I was 7? More importantly, McCarthy may be a competent creator … but this just seems hackneyed and trite. With two issues left, it really doesn’t look like anything exciting is coming down the pike … but I’ve come this far.

In all honesty this issue would have gotten a 1 star, but for Guidi’s art alone and the balls awesome (but deus ex machina) appearance of Omega Supreme seals it for me.

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By Jon, January 10, 2009 12:23 am

IDW currently has two Transformer related titles going within the G1 continuity, All Hail Megatron & Maximum Dinobots. Written by Transformers vet Simon Furman and art by Nick Roche, the second issue of Maximum Dinobots this week dropped which begins to bring threads together from previous stories and spotlights.

In MD #2 we find Grimlock in battle with his former Dinobot comrades, who are under the control of the nefarious Scorponok. In the midst of battle ol’ Grimmy finds some time to minimize collateral damage.

While I miss his “Me Grimlock” syntax, I do appreciate how he’s being portrayed by Furman. If there is anyone I trust with the character it would that crazy Brit.

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By Jon, October 23, 2008 11:47 pm

I often receive a good bit of ribbing at my local comic shop for having the various Transformers titles on my pull list. Some people don’t see them as a legit book, nothing more than an extension of a toy line. I’ve read Transformers comics all the way back to the Marvel days and picked them back up when Dreamwave had the license for a short period of time. With IDW Publishing now having the rights, they’ve brought some top flight writers and artists on to bring some depth to the Transformers universe.

All Hail Megatron takes place in the greater IDW continuity, a year after the initial conflict on Earth where both Autobots and Decepticons struggled for new energy sources and for planetary supremacy. In that year, the Autobots have been found to be stuck on Cybertron, broken and with Optimus Prime nearly dead; and the Decepticons are absolutely owning shit on Earth

In AHM #4, we finally get to see more of the Autobots who appear to be in dire straights and at each other’s throats. There is a traitor in their midst (more than likely Mirage), and all hope and energy appears to be exhausted.

What makes this book so good for starts is the art. Guido Guidi is the Transformers artist as far as I’m concerned. His take on the classic look of the characters is just phenomenal. The other thing that makes this a good book … for once we have the Autobots on the ropes. I mean shit is bad for them. They’re stuck on a dying Cybertron with no hope of escaping the inevitable.

Granted this isn’t a title that you can just grab up and be up to speed on it. Some elements of this story have been laid with the various minis and oneshots that IDW has been putting out for a couple of years now. This is a can’t miss for any Trans-fan.

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By Jon, May 30, 2008 12:14 am

There is a good chance that if you are between that ages of 25 and 30, there is a good chance that at some point in your youth a Marvel GI Joe comic made it into your hands. Back in 1982, Larry Hama began the tales of GI Joe well before the cartoon hit the airwaves. The stories Hama weaved were fare more complex and deeper than the slapstick zanyness that was ever present during the Sunbow & DIC animated series.

News hit the interweb today that IDW has officially landed the GI Joe comic license from Hasbro. Previously Devil’s Due had bee publishing Joe books (which I never got into). The best part of this announcement come from an interview over at Newsarama with IDW’s Chris Ryall, Publisher and Editor-in-Chief:

NRAMA: Any creators that you can mention that will be working on the property?

CR: Well, it wouldn’t be G.I. Joe with Larry Hama’s involvement, I’ll say that for now.

That’s right folks Larry Fucking Hama. This guy’s so awesome he can write an issue without any actual dialogue that remains to be perhaps one of the greatest books of the 1980s … I’m talking about GI Joe #21 the “Silent Issue” which featured the first appearance of Storm Shadow and the subsequent battle with Snake Eyes and the revelation that they are both from the Arishkage Ninja Clan.

Good job on this one IDW.