Comics

Hellraiser #1 – Review and Prelude Download

Clive Barker returns to Hellraiser with the first issue of the brand new series from Boom! Studios. This is only the third time Clive has actually laid hands on the issue so it’s kind of a big deal. Pinhead is after all one of the most recognizable characters in movies, not just the horror genre. Everyone has seen him at one point in their lives and along the way Pinhead and Hellraiser became watered down like a lot of horror franchises. The first thing to know about is the eight page free prelude to the series.

The Mission #2 – Review

Paul attempts to return to his average life after witnessing a horrific event in a court house the day before. Paul was given the mission of killing the man who gunned down a Federal Judge and two others, before he was able put a stop to it; unfortunately that wasn’t something Paul could do. He needed to know why this man had to be killed and everything he saw lead him to believe that the man was a good person. Paul’s wife and child can see that Paul is disturbed by something, but they’re not sure why and Paul has to leave them in the dark. Paul heads out to his car to find another note under the window giving him the location to meet Gabrielle at. There his guilt is worsened by Gabrielle shouting about the deaths of the three innocent people.

DC Nation for Your Television

At its upfront presentation in New York today, Cartoon Network announced
the 2012 launch of DC Nation, an on-air and online programming block of
DC animation properties “populated with event programming,
interstitials, exclusive behind-the-scenes of theatrical production and
an insider look into the world of all things DC.” The block, whose
content will be produced by Warner Bros. Animation, is the latest effort
under Time Warner’s new mandate to better integrate DC Comics with the
company’s film and TV divisions.

DC Nation is part of Cartoon Network’s slate of new programming
presented to advertisers today, which includes 13 new animated series,
19 returning shows, and the network’s newest live-action scripted comedy
series, Level Up. DreamWorks Animation SKG CEO  Jeffrey
Katzenberg made an appearance to talk about the company’s half-hour
CG-animated series for Cartoon Network based on the film’s How to Train Your Dragon.   Additionally, the network announced  fourth season renewals for the LucasFilm Animation’s Star Wars: The Clone Wars and animated comedy reality show franchise, Total Drama.

Witchblade #143 – Advance Review + Witchblade #142 Review!

After issue #142 served as a set-up to Witchblade #134 showcased terrible art and a sub-par story that did manage to intrigue me with the ending. Since it has been reported that Witchblade would be taking a short breather in 2011 (hopefully in order to spend more time trying to perfect the quickly decaying Artifacts mini-series), these will be the last two new issues fans will be able to enjoy for a while. The first part of “Upstate” stars Sara’s boyfriend and partner Patrick Gleason on a solo job retrieving a criminal for their station with the help of residential rookie cop Kate Rooney. Here, the story continues after all the cops are slaughtered while Petramale, the deadly criminal, remains in his cell, leaving us to wonder who the killer is when ghosts appear. This issue served as more of a large set-up issue that really did not have any appeal to me until the ending.

Soldier Zero #6 – Review

Armed with the iPhone from the future, Application Nine is about to put an energy knife into the back of Stewart’s head. Until his brother’s pleas distract him long enough for a context sphere that pushes App Nine through a wall. The two continue to battle as App Nine tries to reason with Stewart while ignoring the Soldier Zero half of his personality. The two cause a lot of destruction as Soldier Zero asks App Nine if he’s government issued. App Nine tells Stewart that he is far from being government and that he can protect him if he surrenders. Stewart wants to know who he’s going to be protected from. App Nine doesn’t tell him, but instead tells him that they just want the tech nothing more.

Lois Lane Girl Reporter – A Story That Never Happened

Before you get your hopes up, this series is not happening. Unfortunately the current leadership at DC Comics is not interested in the series which is a shame since it not only sounds interesting, but also a great way to bring female readers into the world of comics. Via Dean Trippe’s Tumblr account is all the nitty gritty details of the proposed series dubbed “Project 77.” The series was pitched as illustrated young adult novels in which eleven year old Lois Lane finds her calling in life… investigative reporting! Trippe goes on to outline the premise further that Lois seeks to write wrongs and help friends. The interesting part is the inclusion of a young Clark Kent and Bruce Wayne! That’s right the young reporter’s path crosses with her future husband and millionaire playboy at a young age. In general this series sounds like a no brainer to publish so it’s a bit shocking that DC gave it a pass. The art style is really cool and simple, but sticks with you all the same. If you’d like to read more about the outlined series I encourage you to check Dean’s Tumblr page where he has the first two books plot outlined as well. If you like let DC know and maybe they’ll give it shot after all.

Criminal Returns with ‘The Last of the Innocent’

Announced via Sean Phillips’ blog is the next chapter of Criminal the very successful and very good Icon pulp series. Criminal is a series of mini’s that follow… well criminals on their exploits. The series is written by Ed Brubaker (he killed Captain America) and drawn by Phillips (the hardest working man in comics?). Fans of the series can expect a July or August release which would be shortly after Incognito: Bad Influences wraps up. Here’s what Phillips said about the book: “The best-selling crime comic finally returns, and with their most ambitious story yet. Obsession, sex, money, murder, and nostalgia for days long past all collide in THE LAST OF THE INNOCENT.