For some of you who may not know who Brian Bolland is. He is referred to as the artist's artist. He has been drawing comics for over 25 years. He is a true talent and unfortunately easily overlooked. There is so much realism in his art it's completely mind boggling why he stays in the comics field, when he could be making more money in advertisement. My first taste of his wonderful art was in Batman: The Killing Joke by Allan Moore. But it’s his covers that have sold me on so many books. I would never have picked up The Invisibles, The Flash and Wonder Woman if it wasn't for those beautiful covers.
Image is releasing a wonderful book this May that collects some of Brian Bolland's astonishing art work and takes a look at the man himself. The book will be 176 pages long and will be released May 31st. I really hope they include his adult comics work because I am a pervert and his use of bondage is some of the best damn things ever published on paper. I am really looking forward to this book, never thought Image of all people would be releasing it though. Retail is $49.95 for this book, there will also be a signed and numbered edition offered for $79.95.
I haven't really been a fan of the Superman videogames since I played the first one on the Nintendo. I really tried to enjoy them, because I was a big fan of the movies. Then I tried The Death and Return of Superman on the SNES and the one of the N64......well to put it in one word SUCK! Electronic Arts swears up and down that the Superman Returns video games will make you forget those wretched games of the past. IGN has released a few screenshots which you can check out here . From the looks of the screenshots this game looks pretty damn good. I will give it a shot, surely it can't be as bad as the N64 Superman. Just had to share this little screenshot with you guys though....awww lookat lil superman!
First a little background story to inform some people in case they didn’t know. Back in 1988 comic book readers had a choice to make within the DC universe. They had the choice of letting Jason Todd, the Robin at the time, live or die. By calling an 800 number within 48 hours or so, readers could choose the destiny of Jason Todd. I myself being new to the DC universe then called in thinking it was the Dick Grayson Robin they were going to kill. Jim Aparo, the Batman artist at the time, drew two pages just to be prepared for any possible outcome. So, in the end readers decided it was better that Jason Todd wasn't around anymore and DC killed the little guy, who was a pest anyway.
Fast forward to 2006, Jason Todd, very much like Bucky, is now alive and has become a thorn at Batman's side. How he survived his death(which was still a great scene watching Joker beat the hell out of a 14 year old kid and then blowing him up is priceless) will be explained in May's Batman Annual 25. Not only will there be an explanation of how Jason Todd managed to survive, but the alternate page that Jim Aparo drew in 1988 will be included in this annual. Thanks to Judd Winick who is a great fan of Mr. Aparo's Batman. Sadly, Jim Aparo past away last year, but his legacy still lives on. When I first started reading Batman, it was Mr. Aparo's issues I picked up, so to me there is no better way to honor a fantastic artist that was taken before his time. I am really looking forward to this to this issue.
While most people that are reading DC now are excited about the upcoming 52 and One Year Later titles...there is a book I am really hyped out about. Now, DC already stated that their 52 title will be $2.50, but as of May all their titles will be bumped up to $2.99. This of course gives me more of a reason to quit buying monthly DC books and just get some trades. But I will damned if I miss my monthly dosage of this book! Gail Simone got to play with a group of villains last year in Villains United (my favorite Countdown tie-in) now she gets another chance to mess with these villains. That's right, I am talking about the Secret Six six issue mini-series. So far returning characters include Ragdoll, Catman, Scandal and Deadshot, but in this interview she speaks about two new characters joining the ranks. If this is anything like Villains United, DC can gladly take my hard earned cash!
Another reason that I am excited to hear about this book, is there might be a chance of a reprint of the 1960's Secret Six title. I remember being 10 years old and going to a yard sale with my mom, now at the time I was heavy into Marvel, but when I ran into a box of 100 random comics for 5 bucks, I just couldn't pass up. I'm sure the original book was no inspiration for this new incarnation other than its name, mainly because it was more of a spy covert missions book. Never the less, I wants my damn Showcase Presents: Secret Six!
Just wanted to wish everyone a Happy V day and thank you for listening and reading!!! If you don't have a significant other, go buy your ass Absolute Watchmen!!! If you do have a significant otherl, go buy their ass Absolute Watchmen!!!!
And now for my non-comic-related post of the week...
Freedy Mercury is coming to stores in May! NECA is producing an 18-inch figure of Freddie from the "Live at Wembly '86" performance. From the NECA site:
Freddie Mercury was a singer, songwriter, and pianist that so far has had no equal in the world of Rock and Roll. With a vocal range that spanned nearly four octaves, Freddie quickly became one of the most celebrated voices around the world. With a versatile musical sound-scape and a voice that could make a pack of dingos keep from eating babies, Freddie Mercury lead Queen into a spot in the lore of Rock music that no other band will ever come close to taking. Based on his appearance from memorable concert at Wembly Stadium 1986, the Freddie Mercury 18 Inch Action Figure w/Motion Activated sound will be hitting stores late in May.
A voice that could make a pack of dingos keep from eating babies. That really says it all. Buy this toy.
When I heard that Marvel cancelled their deal with Capcom and decided to go with Activision, well I wept like a little bitch! There would be no more videogames the like of Marvel vs. Capcom or X-men Vs. Capcom or Speedball vs. Yo Noid!!!! As they say time heals all wounds and so do nice looking screenshots. It's been a little while in the making, but IGN got a hold of some nice screen shots of the upcoming X-men 3 official game. According to the article found here Chris Claremont and X2/X3 screenwriter Zak Penn are collaborating to make this game really matter. There are only three playable characters Iceman, Wolverine and Nightcrawler; a nice change from the usual overabundance of playable characters. This game looks really nice, of course we all know that looks aren't everything, specially in videogames.
