Thursday, August 28, 2008

William Harms interviewed about IMPALER

Although it was critically acclaimed for its unique vision of a world destroyed by vampires, the Impaler comic book series by writer William Harms was left unfinished last year after only three issues.

But now, all six issues of the first volume have been completed and are being collected in trade in October, with a new ongoing Impaler series to begin later this year. READ MORE.




Full issue of PILOT SEASON: ALIBI

Voting is open, and Top Cow has provided Newsarama with ALL the Pilot Season 2008 titles for you to check out, today: Alibi. Head to topcow.com for voting details. -- The solicitation reads: (W) Joshua Hale Fialkov (A) Jeremy Haun (Cov) Jeremy Haun -- The perfect killer always has an airtight alibi. But can anyone be in two places at once? John Stephens can. He’s often a suspect whenever a high-profile target is taken out, but he always gets off scot-free because he’s usually somewhere else, having the time of his life. How can he be responsible? The authorities may be fooled, but now someone knows his secret, and John is going to have to face the consequences. From the people’s choice Joshua Hale Fialkov (Cyblade, Marvel Comics Presents) and artist Jeremy Haun (Civil War: Iron Man/Captain America, Chuck) comes this espionage thriller with a twist! READ MORE.



Wednesday, August 27, 2008

ANNOUNCES BROKEN TRINITY LITHOGRAPH BY JEFFREY SPOKES

BROKEN TRINITY LITHOGRAPH BY JEFFREY SPOKES TO BE MADE AVAILABLE FOR SALE

BROKEN TRINITY LITHOGRAPH

Limited-edition litho features Spokes' stunning interpretations of Witchblade,
The Darkness and The Angelus

Top Cow Productions, Inc. announced today it will make available a limited number of lithographs of Jeffrey Spokes' triptych image created for the company's Broken Trinity summer event. The image features the Trinity of the Top Cow Universe – Witchblade, The Darkness and The Angelus.

The image was broken into three parts and initially appeared as alternate covers for the Broken Trinity tie-in issues published by Top Cow. Broken Trinity is a three-part mini-series with three tie-in books in which at least one established character dies and new characters with permanent ramifications for the Top Cow Universe are introduced. The three main books are by the Witchblade team of Ron Marz and Stjepan Sejic with Phil Hester providing layouts, while the three tie-in books include work by writers Marz and Phil Hester (The Darkness), and artists Jorge Lucas (The Darkness), Brian Stelfreeze (Batman: Black and White) and Nelson Blake II (Black Vault).

Jeffrey Spokes' comics work outside of Broken Trinity includes covers for Virgin Comics' Sahdu: The Silent Ones and Devi. He has also done commissions for Star Wars, X-Men and Hellboy, and his original works have appeared in The New York Times, all showcasing his highly sought-after work. More examples of Spokes' fantastic artwork can be found at his website (www.jeffreyspokes.com).

"We were introduced to Jeffrey Spokes' work by Broken Trinity writer Ron Marz and I was immediately taken by his incredible sense of design and artistry," says Top Cow Publisher Filip Sablik. "We're incredibly proud to offer Jeffrey's three covers for Broken Trinity as the unbroken, beautifully iconic piece he originally envisioned."

The 11" x 17" lithograph is available in October and comes in a protective sleeve with a certificate of authenticity. The lithograph retails for $29.99. Fans who wish to pre-order the item should provide their comic shop retailers with Diamond Item number AUG082283.




Urban Myths reviewed on Fresh Ink by Blair Butler





Pilot Season: Genius #1 - The FULL Issue

Voting is open, and Top Cow has provided Newsarama with ALL the Pilot Season 2008 titles for you to check out, today: Genius. Head to topcow.com for voting details. --- (W) Marc Bernardin, Adam Freeman - (A) Afua Richardson - (Cov) Afua Richardson --- Alexander, Hannibal, Napoleon, Patton. What if the greatest military mind of our generation was born in strife, surrounded by violence and combat since birth? When the gauntlet is dropped, the question isn’t “How did 17-year-old Destiny Ajaye unite the gangs of South Central into a killer army and declare war on the LAPD?” No, the question is, “Can anyone stop her?” -- From the minds of writers Marc Bernardin and Adam Freeman (The Highwaymen, Monster Attack Network) and innovative illustrator Afua Richardson (Half Dead), Genius is a book that will have readers talking for months to come. READ MORE.




Tuesday, August 26, 2008

Witchblade Volume 5 TPB PREVIEW

Witchblade Volume 5 Trade Paperback
(W) Ron Marz, Ian Edginton (A) Stjepan Sejic, Stephen Sadowski, Luke Ross, Rick Leonardi and Sami Basri (Cov) Stjepan Sejic

This latest volume in the Ron Marz era features last summer's crossover hit, FIRST BORN, its tie-in issues and several issues dealing with Dani Baptiste and Sara Pezzini's lives after the universe-altering event. Showcased in this volume is the artwork of current WITCHBLADE ongoing artist Stjepan Sejic, Stephen Sadowski (JSA, PROJECT: SUPERPOWERS), Luke Ross (INDIANA JONES), Rick Leonardi (ACTION COMICS) and Sami Basri (JLA: CLASSIFIED). Plus, this trade paperback features a brand-new painted cover by Sejic!
Collects WITCHBLADE #110-115 and FIRST BORN #1-3.

Full Color 226 pages $17.99 Trade Paperback











TOP COW ANNOUNCES IMPALER NOVEL + NEW SERIES

Top Cow Productions, Inc. announced it will publish the first, complete story arc of William Harms’ Impaler in a new trade paperback that will debut this October, and then will launch a new series for the property in December.
The first three issues of the series were initially published by Top Cow parent company Image Comics in 2006-2007, but was never completed. The Impaler Vol. 1 trade paperback collects those three issues plus the final, three never-before-seen issues of the initial story arc. Top Cow was so excited by this series that it also greenlighted a new ongoing to follow the collection. READ MORE.




Monday, August 25, 2008

Newsarama posts entire PILOT SEASON: THE CORE issue

(W) Jonathan Hickman (A) Kenneth Rocafort (Cov) Jonathan Hickman The Core is the center of the known universe where ancient and well-established species have created powerful empires, federations and cooperatives. The Core is also the most dangerous place in existence, and younger races are not welcomed warmly. When the first human is appointed to an extraterrestrial Special Forces unit, the soldier must first earn the respect of his peers as he fights for the recognition of his species. The writing of critically acclaimed scribe Jonathan Hickman (Nightly News, Pax Romana) and the distinct stylings of Madame Mirage artist Kenneth Rocafort combine for this unique Pilot Season book! Click to launch viewer READ MORE.




Sunday, August 24, 2008

Marc Bernardin asks fans to vote for Genius

This is shameless, I know. And I'm no stranger to shameless: One time, in D&D camp, I put 15 dodecahedrons in my, er, "pants of holding" to see how many natural 20s I could roll with...but I digress. READ MORE.




Friday, August 22, 2008

CBR posts Image/Top Cow solicitations for November

-Jingle Belle: Santa Claus Vs. Frankenstein
-Cyblade #2
-Broken Trinity #1 San Diego Comic-Con Exclusive Variant
-Witchblade #122
-Broken Trinity Poster
-Dragon Prince #3
-Starfall Preview and San Diego Comic-Con Exclusive Variant
-The Darkness: Accursed Vol. 1 Trade Paperback
-Lady Pendragon 10th Anniversary Trade Paperback
-Wanted T-shirt
READ MORE.




Newsarama does a Pilot Season Wrap Up with Rob Levin

In its second year running, the newest Pilot Season initiative brought new characters and concepts to the Top Cow pasture. Five new books launched, with their future in the fans' hands as they vote for which continue. Last year's winners were Cyblade and Velocity, and both have new series debuting later this year. Between those two inaugural winners and this year's crop of five books there's a lot to talk about.

As the final day of voting draws near, Top Cow's Vice President – Editorial Rob Levin came by to talk about this year's crop of books and how Pilot Season came to be. READ MORE.




Thursday, August 21, 2008

Troy Hickman & Jay Faerber Blog on Myspace

New entries on the Pilot Season website posted by guest bloggers Troy Hickman (TWILIGHT GUARDIAN), Jay Faerber (URBAN MYTHS) and Joshua Hale Fialkov (ALIBI)Here.




Girls Entertainment Network reviews The Art of Marc Silvestri

The more I looked through this book (thanks Top Cow!!), the more my jaw dropped. Marc Silvestri’s pencils are absolutely amazing. So what’s in this $30 gallery that makes it worth the money? Here’s a run-down. READ MORE.




Ron Marz talks Broken Trinity

If Top Cow's trinity of Witchblade, the Darkness and the Angelus is broken, how do you fix it? One man possibly holding the superglue solution is scribe Ron Marz. He promised by the end of these six issues, " ... one of them is dying. For good. READ MORE.




Wednesday, August 20, 2008

Milo Ventimiglia mentions Berserker in interview

Ventimiglia and his company have another book they’re producing with Top Cow called “Berserker,” which will be coming out in the first quarter of next year. READ MORE.




In Stores this week

The Art of Marc Silvestri Deluxe Hardcover
(A) Marc Silvestri

The spotlight shines on Top Cow founder Marc Silvestri in this very special art collection!

Silvestri’s career blossomed during runs on Uncanny X-Men and Wolverine. In the early 1990s, he revolutionized the comics industry when he co-founded Image Comics and had a hand in creating such hit properties as Cyberforce, Witchblade, and The Darkness. This oversized art book showcases some of Silvestri’s favorite, most popular, and most iconic images from his illustrious career.

Featuring commentaries by Dave Finch, Brandon Peterson, Billy Tan, Mike Choi and Michael Broussard.

Full Color 96 pages $29.99 Hardcover BUY NOW.




Comic Geek Speak discusses all 6 Pilot Season issues

The crew reviews all of this year's Pilot Season books from Top Cow. READ MORE.




Tuesday, August 19, 2008

Top Cow November Solicitations

-Jingle Belle: Santa Claus Vs. Frankenstein
Paul Dini/Stephanie Gladden/Greg Horn $2.99
-Cyblade #2 Joshua Hale Fialkov/Rick Mays $2.99
-Broken Trinity #1 SDCC Variant Ron Marz/Phil Hester/Stjepan Sejic $10.00
-Witchblade #122 Ron Marz/Stjepan Sejic $2.99
-Broken Trinity Poster Dale Keown $7.99
-Dragon Prince #3 Ron Marz/Lee Moder/Jeff Johnson/Brandon Peterson $2.99
-Starfall Preview Randy Queen/Sarah Oates $2.99
-Starfall Preview SDCC Variant Randy Queen/Sarah Oates $5.00
-The Darkness: Accursed Vol. 1 TP Phil Hester/Michael Broussard $4.99
-Lady Pendragon 10th Anniv. TP Matt Hawkins/John Stinsman/Drew Struzan $14.99
-Wanted T-shirts Top Cow Design $19.99

READ MORE.








Weekly Comic Book Review reviews Broken Trinity: The Darkness

Phil Hester (Writer), Jorge Lucas (Art), and Lee Loughridge (Colors)

I’ve always felt that The Darkness works best when it brings Jackie Estacado’s moral code into the equation and that is exactly what the bulk of this Broken Trinity prequel does. Jackie goes on the warpath when he finds out from The Butcher that some people that used to work underneath him accidentally killed a five year old girl they were holding for ransom. To complicate things (or make the issue feel uneven), some Angelus soldiers are hunting Jackie in what is yet another attempt to destroy The Darkness. The storyline involving the dead little girl is compelling, brutal, and extremely well written. The appearance of the soldiers, however, feels extremely tacked on and seems to force the extremely strong stand-alone Darkness story into being something that it isn’t. That said, as a whole, this is a well done prequel because it gives Jackie a reason to want to be with his daughter, Hope. READ MORE.




Comic Vine reviews Art of Marc Silvestri HC

Whoa! When I think back to the 90s, three of the top artists that come to mind are Jim Lee, Todd McFarlane and Marc Silvestri. I remember first seeing Marc's work in the pages of Uncanny X-Men. I was a little bummed when the creation of Image was coming about because I didn't want to see my favorite artists leave my favorite characters. READ MORE.




Wizard previews Art of Marc Silvestri HC

Silvestri's career blossomed during runs on Uncanny X-Men and Wolverine. In the early 1990s, he revolutionized the comics industry when he co-founded Image Comics and had a hand in creating such hit properties as Cyberforce, Witchblade, and The Darkness. This oversized art book showcases some of Silvestri’s favorite, most popular, and most iconic images from his illustrious career. READ MORE.




Ron Marz talks Dragon Prince

Westfield: What can you tell us about the book Dragon Prince?

Ron Marz: It's actually an idea Jeff Johnson showed me six or seven years ago. He had characters designed and a bunch of story notes. We'd wanted to get together and hammer it into a book even back then, but our schedules never matched up. Now, after a few years and a couple of moves to and from Florida, it's a reality. It's set in the here and now, but it really qualifies as a fantasy story. It's about a boy who discovers his true heritage - he's the last dragon on earth, and it's up to him to keep dragonkind from disappearing forever. It's about family, about growing up, about finding your place in the world... and about magic. READ MORE.




CBR runs the Art of Silvestri Preview

The Art of Marc Silvestri Deluxe Hardcover
(A) Marc Silvestri

The spotlight shines on Top Cow founder Marc Silvestri in this very special art collection!

Silvestri’s career blossomed during runs on Uncanny X-Men and Wolverine. In the early 1990s, he revolutionized the comics industry when he co-founded Image Comics and had a hand in creating such hit properties as Cyberforce, Witchblade, and The Darkness. This oversized art book showcases some of Silvestri’s favorite, most popular, and most iconic images from his illustrious career.

Featuring commentaries by Dave Finch, Brandon Peterson, Billy Tan, Mike Choi and Michael Broussard. READ MORE.




Monday, August 18, 2008

Preview The Art of Marc Silvestri Deluxe Hardcover

The Art of Marc Silvestri Deluxe Hardcover
(A) Marc Silvestri

The spotlight shines on Top Cow founder Marc Silvestri in this very special art collection!

Silvestri’s career blossomed during runs on Uncanny X-Men and Wolverine. In the early 1990s, he revolutionized the comics industry when he co-founded Image Comics and had a hand in creating such hit properties as Cyberforce, Witchblade, and The Darkness. This oversized art book showcases some of Silvestri’s favorite, most popular, and most iconic images from his illustrious career.

Featuring commentaries by Dave Finch, Brandon Peterson, Billy Tan, Mike Choi and Michael Broussard.

Full Color 96 pages $29.99 Hardcover Check it out HERE.




FIRST LOOK: Cyblade #1 Rocafort Variant

Top Cow Productions has provided CBR with a first look at artist Kenneth Rocafort's variant cover of "Cyblade" #1, the new ongoing series from Joshua Hale Fialkov and Rick Mays. Beginning in October, Cyblade was the winner of last year's Pilot Season initiative whereby the character was awarded a new title based on popular demand. When you're through checking out this first-look artwork, don't forget to visit CBR's Image Comics forum to discuss "Cyblade" with fellow readers. READ MORE.




Friday, August 15, 2008

Wizard reviews Broken Trinity: The Darkness

It's the first ‘Broken Trinity' Darkness issue, and Jackie Estacado hightails it back to town after the Butcher informs him that the crew he left behind has been making some pretty stupid decisions…like kidnapping an asthmatic 5-year-old for ransom. Jackie regulates in the baddest way, from threatening to make one goon a junkyard dog treat to shoving a wad of payoff down another's throat in an explosion of blood and flesh. Jorge Lucas' art is top notch, READ MORE.




Thursday, August 14, 2008

ICV2 Covers Dini Cartoons

At San Diego Top Cow announced a new imprint, Dini Cartoons that will feature humorous comics from animation savvy producer/writer Paul Dini. The first comic to be published under the imprint will be Jingle Belle: Santa Claus vs. Frankenstein, which will be written by Dini and illustrated by Stephanie Gladden. READ MORE.




Jay Faerber talks Urban Myths on Audioshocker Podcast

An interview with Jay Faerber, the comic book writer and creator of Noble Causes, Dynamo 5, Gemini, Urban Myths, and more. We talk about the creation of his Top Cow Pilot Season offering, Urban Myths READ MORE.




Marc Silvestri's Original Art, Benefit American Cancer Society

At the Top Cow art exhibit, now showing at Brave New World Comics in Santa Clarita, California, an original Marc Silvestri piece of Witchblade is on sale for $2,900. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the American Cancer Society in the late Michael Turner's name. Read more about the exhibit READ MORE.




Monday, August 11, 2008

Seth Green Video Interview on Freshmen Movie

According to Green, don’t expect another series of comics this time around. “[Writer and co-creator] Hugh [Sterbakov] and I have talked about [volume three]…he has the whole thing mapped out,” he hinted. “[But] I really wanna push towards trying to exploit another medium — I really want to make a movie at this point. So we’re talking about how to do that. It’s always a process getting a film made, but I think this concept will really come alive on film and that’s what I’m pushing for.” WATCH THE VIDEO.




Pilot Season 2008 - Who's Winning?



Check out the PILOT SEASON WEBSITE for a new blog that lists the standings thus far. The top two vote-getters will get greenlighted for their own series!

Remember: You can vote once per day on the Pilot Season MySpace page, the Top Cow MySpace page or the Top Cow main site. Several comics news sites also have stations set up. But once you vote at one voting station you cannot vote again until the next day, even at another station! So get your friends and family in on the action if you want your favorite book to win!

Voting ends on September 8th!


Saturday, August 09, 2008

Photos of Magdalena Stars at San Diego Comic Con

Pictures of Jenna Dewan and Luke Goss signing at Top Cow booth in San Diego READ MORE.




Mel Caylo answers FAQ for Pilot Season 2008

I linked over to the Top Cow Pilot Season MySpace page earlier this week so people could go vote for their favorite comic in this year’s competition, but now Top Cow has provided us with our very own voting station. So vote early and often (but not more than once per day) below: READ MORE.



Wednesday, August 06, 2008

The Quarter Bin reviews Broken Trinity: The Darkness

I hope yesterday’s preview of Broken Trinity: The Darkness has whet your appetite for the full review. We’ve read the first tie-in issue of the big summer storyline, and it only made us want more. Hit the jump for all of TheQuarterbin’s thoughts on Jackie Estacado’s foray into Broken Trinity. READ MORE.




Comic Vine reviews Broken Trinity: The Darkness:

Jackie's back in New York City. That's good. My problem is we still haven't seen the conclusion of his adventures on the other side of the equator. It's been interesting in the Darkness series seeing Jackie operating in another country. It's too bad things didn't go too well for him down there.

With this issue, Jackie has made the decision to head back to New York to be closer to his daughter. That makes sense. An appearance by Butcher was nice too. We get to see some of the ramifications when Jackie just decided to up and leave. He had an organization that he simply left behind. There's bound to be some fallout from his move. Now that he's in a weakened state, he has his work cut out for himself. He will show that he's still a formidable opponent. READ MORE.




MySpace Comic Books previews Pilot Season: Genius

IT'S PILOT SEASON TIME! Our good friends at TOP COW are back with another round of their wildly successful PILOT SEASON program. They've released six brand new comic books, and YOU get to vote and decide which book becomes a regular, ongoing series!

To celebrate, MySpace Comic Books is proud to bring you a look inside each of the PILOT SEASON 2008 candidates. The voting begins in August, so read up and make an informed choice which books continue to issue 2! TAKE CONTROL! READ MORE.




Wizard reviews Broken Trinity: The Darkness

The future's not looking too bright for Jackie Estacado in Top Cow's Broken Trinity: The Darkness, which hits shelves on Wednesday. Our favorite crime boss is holed up in Central America, his bond with the Darkness weakened and his crime family shattered. Understandably, he's taking a little siesta, while up north his former employees run rampant preying on the innocent. But there's no rest for the wicked, so the Butcher pays Jackie a visit to remind him of his responsibility to his crew and that, because of him, his misguided crew has killed a 7-year-old girl. After a nervous phone call from Finn, who lost his cover in Broken Trinity #1 while tailing Sara, Jackie heads back up to New York to set things right again. READ MORE.




Seth Green on MTV's Splash Page

In terms of livin’ the geek high life, Seth Green’s got it made. Not only is he widely known for his work in film and on Adult Swim’s hit “Robot Chicken,” but he’s also got a hit comic book in Top Cow’s “The Freshmen.” READ MORE.




Blog @ Newsarama Spotlights Pilot Season Voting

Earlier this week Top Cow opened up the polls for their second Pilot Season competition, which allows fans to help determine what the company’s going to publish. While last year’s competition featured creators working on stories about pre-existing characters, this year’s comnpetition featured two pre-existing characters and four new concepts. READ MORE.




Tuesday, August 05, 2008

Best Shots - The Core

The Core is one of the last of Top Cow’s Pilot Season, where six books are debuted and readers vote on which ones should get their own ongoing series. Writer Jonathan Hickman and artist Kenneth Rocafort have created a sci-fi tale of a sort of intergalactic Special Forces unit, welcoming its first human member. READ MORE.




Monday, August 04, 2008

Broken Trinity: The Darkness PREVIEW

Broken Trinity: The Darkness
(W) Phil Hester (A) Jorge Lucas (Cov) Jorge Lucas, Jeffrey Spokes

Depowered and alone, Jackie Estacado latches on to the only two people in the world he still cares about: Sara Pezzini and her baby, Hope. So when the man he’s hired to watch over them is discovered and chased away by Sara, Jackie makes his way back to New York City. But he quickly realizes the journey home is littered with obstacles, and he’s in no mood for delays.

This is the first of three tie-in issues to Broken Trinity, featuring the art of Jorge Lucas (Pilot Season: Ripclaw) and the first of three alternate covers by Jeffrey Spokes (Sadhu: The Silent Ones). Subsequent tie-in issues will feature Witchblade and The Angelus.

Cover A – Jorge Lucas
Cover B – Jeffrey Spokes

Full Color 32 pages $2.99 One-shot







Madame Mirage Vol 1 TPB review

Writer-producer Paul Dini's femme fatale is getting her mini-series collected by Top Cow; it combines all the tech noir action of the six issue mini-series and it reads even better as a book than as indidivual issues. READ MORE.




Girls Entertainment Network reviews Pilot Season: The Core

The Core is the center of the known universe where ancient and well-established species have created powerful empires, federations and cooperatives. The Core is also the most dangerous place in existence, and younger races are not welcomed warmly. When the first human is appointed to an extraterrestrial Special Forces unit, the soldier must first earn the respect of his peers as he fights for the recognition of his species. READ MORE.




Girls Entertainment Network reviews Freshmen: Summer Vacation Special

The critically acclaimed hit is back with an all-new adventure! There’s no rest for the weary as the kids’ summer vacation takes a bizarre twist when someone from their past rises from the dead to wreak havoc on Freese College. An all-out, action-packed brawl filled with drama and laughs, told through the sky-high eyes of the Intoxicator! READ MORE.




CBR’s Buy Pile recommends Pilot Season: The Core

Jump from the Read Pile. This book jumped based on two words alone: Jonathan Hickman. READ MORE.




Inked Comic Book Blog reviews Pilot Season: The Core

Well Top Cow has outdone themselves again. It’s easily the best they’ve offered yet and it makes it all the harder when deciding the two series that should get the pick up into an on-going series. The Core is the last pilot offered and it comes to us from writer Jonathan Hickman and artist Kenneth Rocafort. A sci fi book set in Earths distant future, the book follows Asimov Dedeken, a human entering into the Dahibian Special Forces, the first of his kind. READ MORE.




Luke Goss talks about his role as Kristof in the upcoming Magdalena film

Luke Goss plays the baddie (he's got his reasons) in the deluxe summer popcorn movie Hellboy 2: The Golden Army, but he's playing the good guy in his next film.

'He's not squeaky-clean, though - I'm not interested in rescuing cats from trees,' Luke said of Kristof, the part he'll play in the movie Magdalena, based on a graphic comic novel created by Top Cow. READ MORE.