Tag Archives: BOOM! Studios

Wrapping Up Baltimore Comic Con ’10

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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.

Baltimore Comic Con ’10 Programming Highlights

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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.

Baltimore Comic Con: Less Stabby, More Friendly

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My first and only experience at Baltimore Comic Con two years ago was a very pleasant one. It’s a show that is totally focused on comic books, their creators, and fans. It’s a great show and a nice change of pace from the bigger shows and unlike the Wizard shows there will actually be a presence from gasp comic publishers. This year Top Cow, BOOM! Studios, Image Comics, Dark Horse will be in attendance with a significant presence.

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And the best part, you don’t have to worry about getting stabbed over a seat for one of the panels. However, the same can’t be said when you head out to get back in your car after the show.

A a sampling of the guest list shows that there is a good mix with some current favorites and classics:

Todd MacFarlane (Spawn, Spider-Man), Adam Hughes (Wonder Woman, Power Girl), Steve Niles (30 Days of Night), Ryan Ottley (Invincible), Paul Pope (Paul Pope, Batman Year 100), Herb Trimpe, (Godzilla, GI Joe: Special Missions), & Bernie Wrightson (Swamp Thing)

Baltimore Comic Con runs August 28-29 tickets can be purchased online through Ticketmaster or at the door and kids 10 and under are free.

Remember To Scam Some Free Comic Books Tomorrow

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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.

Free Comic Book Day is May 3, 2009

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.

DDOY Review: Station #1

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As much as I love seeing Daredevil, Batman, and Captain America among my weekly haul of comic books, I find it refreshing at times to have non-super powered beings at the center of the story. BOOM! Studios latest offering, Station fills that specific void for me, and I can honestly saw that the first issue was full of win.

BOOM! Studios' Station #1 Is Full of Win

Hyperbole aside, what is Station all about? Well … the official press release is as follows:

Two hundred and twenty miles above Earth and it seems all five nations working on this space station are getting along fine. Or are they? An astronaut is killed on Earth’s first multinational space station has everyone else on the station wondering is it an accident, sabotage, or cold-blooded murder?

Before we go any further I just want to put a disclaimer out there … I totally geek out over all things space. As a kid I was able to name of all the space shuttles and even had an extensive knowledge of the Voyagers I & II. It goes without saying that Station #1 was right up my alley.

….. and back to the review:

Series creator and writer Johanna Stokes very quickly underscores the fact that in space no one can hear you scream. Instead of a ludicrous plot involving space-vampires, very quickly we find ourselves in a situation that is well within the realm of possibility … the loss of an astronaut during a seemingly routine EVA. Before the end of the issue we find that the incident in question was no accident. The art by Leno Carvalho, is equally effective in establishing the hopeless situation that one astronaut faced as he floated off into the black oblivion … and pages 9 through 11 sent shivers up my spine.

That being said this title quite deservedly earns an Four Kirk rating on the DDOY Scale.

DDOY 4 Star Review Rating

By the end of Station #1 I was ready for the second installment. Far from a simple whodunit set in space, Station is a worthy addition to your (and my pull list). You’ll be able to find Station #1 at your local comic shop on June 25th for $3.99.

DDOY Review: North Winds #5

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Of the many exciting things going on at DDOY HQ, one has to be my ability to bring you the latest reviews from some of the criminally underrated publishing houses. This week’s review is North Winds #5 from BOOM! Studios, which wraps up this post-apocalyptic mini-series set in an America beset by a new Ice Age some 200 years in the future.

Previously on North Winds … we’ve seen our protagonist, Pak grow from an orphan to an enigmatic “Skinrunner”, whose best friend is an Albino Bison. Pak’s thirst for vengeance will only be quenched by killing Slaughterhouse Joe, leader of Lost Angeles. Twenty years prior Slaughterhouse Joe murdered Pak’s mother and his entire village over a misunderstanding as to where his village was obtaining “the heat” … or oil.

See, Slaughterhouse Joe controls an ice covered version of Barter Town replete with ridiculous sporting arena and embargo. During the course of this mini-series I was waiting for Master Blaster to make an appearance. Issue #5 picks up just as Pak has scooped up his childhood love, Schuyler (who has survived the massacre and raised as Slaughterhouse Joe’s daughter) and Lost Angeles is poised for revolt … and Pak is the man for the task.

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