Tuesday, March 12, 2019
New! The Art of Ian Kennedy
With other UK publishers such as Rebellion and Titan delving into the archives of British comics it was only a matter of time before D.C. Thomson published something for collectors too. Now the company has announced The Art of Ian Kennedy as a 160 page art book to be published in April.
The Art of Ian Kennedy will be the first "art of" book from the company's Media Heritage Comics team and there could be no better choice of an artist to celebrate. Ian Kennedy's artwork has graced many comics over his long career, and in recent years the 86 year old artist has begun attending comics conventions, much to the delight of his numerous fans.
The book will focus on Ian's work for D.C. Thomson on comics such as Bullet, Commando, Topper, Starblazer, Warlord, and others. It will include scans of original artwork and sketches to give readers an insight into the artist's techniques. The next best thing to owning the actual artwork!
I know this news will please many collectors across the UK and beyond, and I'm also pleased for Ian receiving such recognition which is certainly well deserved. You can pre-order the book directly from D.C. Thomson from their online shop:
https://www.dcthomsonshop.co.uk/books/the-art-of-ian-kennedy
The Art of Ian Kennedy will be the first "art of" book from the company's Media Heritage Comics team and there could be no better choice of an artist to celebrate. Ian Kennedy's artwork has graced many comics over his long career, and in recent years the 86 year old artist has begun attending comics conventions, much to the delight of his numerous fans.
The book will focus on Ian's work for D.C. Thomson on comics such as Bullet, Commando, Topper, Starblazer, Warlord, and others. It will include scans of original artwork and sketches to give readers an insight into the artist's techniques. The next best thing to owning the actual artwork!
I know this news will please many collectors across the UK and beyond, and I'm also pleased for Ian receiving such recognition which is certainly well deserved. You can pre-order the book directly from D.C. Thomson from their online shop:
https://www.dcthomsonshop.co.uk/books/the-art-of-ian-kennedy
Panini UK publish 160 page CAPTAIN MARVEL special
As I reported last week, Panini UK's The Mighty World of Marvel now has Captain Marvel as an ongoing strip in the comic. Now, making the most of the movie's popularity, they've also published a Captain Marvel stand-alone special comic.
Its full title is Marvel Select: The Essential Guide to Captain Marvel and it weighs in at 160 pages for £9.99. Considering that Panini's regular Marvel reprints are £4.99 for 76 pages, this seems like a fair deal. The book reprints seven key issues from the character's long history and evolution, from the days when she was Ms. Marvel to some of the more recent comics. The issues collected here are: Ms.Marvel 19 to 21 (1978), Uncanny X-Men 164 (1982), Captain Marvel 1 (2012), and Captain Marvel 7 and 8 (2014).
There are also new feature pages about the character's history, creator interviews, art galleries, character spotlights, and more.
You'll find this Marvel Select special alongside the Marvel Collectors' Editions in WH Smith or your nearest comic shop.
I went to see the Captain Marvel movie today and thought it was brilliant! The cast (and cat) were spot on, and the story packs an emotional wallop. Too bad some pathetic misogynistic trolls tried to sabotage the film's chances by leaving thousands of negative reviews before it had been released, just because they can't cope with strong women, real or imaginary! Speaking as a straight white middle-aged bloke I thought the movie was terrific and if it gives women and girls a sense of empowerment then it's a job well done!
Its full title is Marvel Select: The Essential Guide to Captain Marvel and it weighs in at 160 pages for £9.99. Considering that Panini's regular Marvel reprints are £4.99 for 76 pages, this seems like a fair deal. The book reprints seven key issues from the character's long history and evolution, from the days when she was Ms. Marvel to some of the more recent comics. The issues collected here are: Ms.Marvel 19 to 21 (1978), Uncanny X-Men 164 (1982), Captain Marvel 1 (2012), and Captain Marvel 7 and 8 (2014).
There are also new feature pages about the character's history, creator interviews, art galleries, character spotlights, and more.
You'll find this Marvel Select special alongside the Marvel Collectors' Editions in WH Smith or your nearest comic shop.
I went to see the Captain Marvel movie today and thought it was brilliant! The cast (and cat) were spot on, and the story packs an emotional wallop. Too bad some pathetic misogynistic trolls tried to sabotage the film's chances by leaving thousands of negative reviews before it had been released, just because they can't cope with strong women, real or imaginary! Speaking as a straight white middle-aged bloke I thought the movie was terrific and if it gives women and girls a sense of empowerment then it's a job well done!
Sunday, March 10, 2019
Review: ROY OF THE ROVERS 2: FOUL PLAY
The second volume of the all-new Roy of the Rovers graphic novels has just been published and it's a another winner!
Since acquiring the rights to Roy of the Rovers (along with numerous other classic comics), Rebellion have really invested in the character, revamping him for a modern audience whilst retaining the excitement that made the original series so popular. The new graphic novels, published quarterly, are complimented with new illustrated prose novels (also quarterly) and whilst it's not absolutely necessary to read both it does help to fill in some backstory.
Roy of the Rovers 2: Foul Play picks up the story of young Roy Race a few months after Book 1. Roy is now a successful rising star at Melchester Rovers, but the club is still struggling. Football agents are interested in signing up Melchester's star player for their own teams. Will Roy succumb to the glamour of a richer lifestyle? As you might guess from the title of the book, it's not as straightforward as that, and fate can intervene.
Once again, Rob Williams' script is a pleasure to read, making the book a compelling page turner that I read in one sitting as soon as the post delivered it. A nice way to spend a Saturday afternoon, reminding me of reading the original Roy of the Rovers in Tiger and Jag fifty years ago. Ben Willsher's artwork is sublime, carrying the action along at a cracking pace with a dynamic contemporary style that's just perfect for the story. Kudos also to letterer Jim Campbell and colourists John Charles and Guilherme Lindemberg Mendes. Last but not least, the book's designer, Sam Gretton and editor Keith Richardson They all make a great team!
These hardback Roy of the Rovers graphic novels are a superb format for today's market, and at only £9.99 very good value. I'm looking forward to Book 3: Going Up already!
Roy of the Rovers 2: Foul Play should be available to buy or order from your nearest bookshop or comic shop. ISBN 978-1-78108-669-8
You can also order it directly from Rebellion or online stockists:
https://royoftheroversofficial.com
Since acquiring the rights to Roy of the Rovers (along with numerous other classic comics), Rebellion have really invested in the character, revamping him for a modern audience whilst retaining the excitement that made the original series so popular. The new graphic novels, published quarterly, are complimented with new illustrated prose novels (also quarterly) and whilst it's not absolutely necessary to read both it does help to fill in some backstory.
Roy of the Rovers 2: Foul Play picks up the story of young Roy Race a few months after Book 1. Roy is now a successful rising star at Melchester Rovers, but the club is still struggling. Football agents are interested in signing up Melchester's star player for their own teams. Will Roy succumb to the glamour of a richer lifestyle? As you might guess from the title of the book, it's not as straightforward as that, and fate can intervene.
Once again, Rob Williams' script is a pleasure to read, making the book a compelling page turner that I read in one sitting as soon as the post delivered it. A nice way to spend a Saturday afternoon, reminding me of reading the original Roy of the Rovers in Tiger and Jag fifty years ago. Ben Willsher's artwork is sublime, carrying the action along at a cracking pace with a dynamic contemporary style that's just perfect for the story. Kudos also to letterer Jim Campbell and colourists John Charles and Guilherme Lindemberg Mendes. Last but not least, the book's designer, Sam Gretton and editor Keith Richardson They all make a great team!
These hardback Roy of the Rovers graphic novels are a superb format for today's market, and at only £9.99 very good value. I'm looking forward to Book 3: Going Up already!
Roy of the Rovers 2: Foul Play should be available to buy or order from your nearest bookshop or comic shop. ISBN 978-1-78108-669-8
You can also order it directly from Rebellion or online stockists:
https://royoftheroversofficial.com
Saturday, March 09, 2019
This week's Big Issue North...
There's a great feature by David Barnett on Northern comic cons in this week's Big Issue North, available from vendors now. It even includes a photo of my ugly mug but don't let that put you off.
I'll be a guest at a few conventions in the North of England this year, plus others in the Midlands and the South. Here's the list so far. Hope to see you at some of them!
I'll be a guest at a few conventions in the North of England this year, plus others in the Midlands and the South. Here's the list so far. Hope to see you at some of them!
STOKE-CON-TRENT
Sunday 14th April 2019
Staffordshire University,
Stoke-on-Trent
MANCHESTER COMIC FEST
Saturday 27th April 2019
Wythenshawe Forum
To Be Announced:
Saturday 11th May 2019
To Be Announced:
Saturday 18th May 2019
MACC-POW! 4
22nd June 2019
Macclesfield Town Hall
To be announced:
26th to 28th July 2019.
ICE 2019
Saturday 31st August 2019
Edgbaston Cricket Ground
Birmingham
B5 7QU
To be announced.
14th September 2019.
NOR-CON
28th and 29th September 2019
Norfolk Showgound Arena
GOOF! No.8 - out today!
The eighth issue of the online humour comic Goof! is available from today! It features the latest chapter of my all-new Derek the Troll adventure, plus fun strips by Joe Matthews, Emmeline Pidgen, Marc Jackson, and many more! Comics to read on your desktop of device for a subscription of just £12 for 12 issues. (And when you subscribe you'll get access to all previous issues too of course!) Suitable for all ages.
Here's a preview of some of the strips in Goof! No.8...
The strips in Goof! are all creator-owned, and any profits are shared amongst the contributors, so all subscriptions are very much appreciated! Spread the word and subscribe today!
https://www.goofcomic.co.uk
Here's a preview of some of the strips in Goof! No.8...
The strips in Goof! are all creator-owned, and any profits are shared amongst the contributors, so all subscriptions are very much appreciated! Spread the word and subscribe today!
https://www.goofcomic.co.uk
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