Thursday, February 26, 2009
Graze Anatomy: Sketches from Your Publisher
Image announces WonderCon plans and Top Cow will be there!
This weekend thousands of comic fans will flood San Francisco's Moscone Hall for WonderCon 2009 to meet their favorite creators and the publisher who brings it better than any other, the Bay Area's very own Image Comics!
"It’s always fun to travel to conventions, but nothing beats the hometown show," Image Comics Founder and Illustrator of the WonderCon Exclusive SAVAGE DRAGON #145 Erik Larsen said. "It may not be the biggest, but it’s certainly one of the best! Plus, it’s a particularly important con for me as this week marks the big relaunch of SAVAGE DRAGON! I’m excited to hear what the fans have to say about the big issue!”
Throughout the weekend Larsen along with VIKING's Ivan Brandon, ELEPHANTMEN's Richard Starkings & Moritat, DARKNESS' Michael Broussard and Top Cow Productions Publisher Filip Sablik and will be available at the Image Comics booth signing autographs and selling exclusive items! However, the convention doesn’t truly begin until Friday’s Image Comics Show at 3-4 PM in room 103 featuring Larsen, Starkings, THE GREAT UNKNOWN’s Duncan Rouleau and Champions Online writer John Layman with the first word on an all-new project! In addition, the already much coveted SAVAGE DRAGON #145 variant featuring President Barack
Image Comics can be found at booth #407 during Wondercon, February 27 - March 1st 2009, taking place in the San Francisco Moscone Center.
READ MORE.Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Graze Anatomy: Sketches from Your Publisher
Then I made the mistake of thinking I could draw like Mignola. Big mistake. Anyone who thinks what Mike does is either simple or easy simply has never tried to replicate it with the same style, panache, and sheer understanding of how light and dark can play off each other. Here's my poor man's attempt to draw The Sovereign (currently appearing opposite Jackie Estacado in The Darkness) in a mashup of my style and Mignola's.
Newsarama offers an exclusive first look at Broken Trinity:Aftermath's Ryan Sook cover
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CBR debuts Top Cow solicitations for May Shipping Product
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MTV's Splash Page asks for comic industry reactions to the Academy Awards
MTV: What do you think about the sheer number of comic book movies nominated for Academy Awards this year?
FILIP SABLIK (publisher, Top Cow Productions, “Wanted”): We were pretty excited to see “Wanted” nominated for two awards. And of course, “Iron Man” and “Dark Knight” both deserved their nominations and accolades. It’s been a great year for comics and movies, let’s hope for an even better year in 2009!
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Comic Pants reviews The Darkness: Accursed Volume 1
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New Downloads
This weeks new downloads only at topcow.com.
- 1 NEW Berserker Wallpaper
- 2 NEW avatars from Darkness and Dragon Prince
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Two Part Berserker interview on Omnicomic
At NY Comic Con Tedd and I had the privilege of interviewing Jeremy Haun and Ron Loverd of Top Cow about their book Berserker. The book features the creative input of Milo Ventimiglia of Heroes fame, and is rapidly becoming a book that is becoming all the rage.
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For Part 2 click on the link below.
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Controlling The Darkness interview with Phil Hester
Eric: The first question I have about the issue is how did the idea for the apocalyptic future come up?
Phil: Remember that Viking Darkness one-shot that Oeming and I did? Well, it began with me asking Mike "what do you want to draw"? The first thing he requested was an apocalyptic cityscape and that got my mind churning. The story turned out to be too big for a normal sized one-shot, so we moved on to Mike's second favorite topic: Vikings.
READ MORE.Monday, February 23, 2009
Graze Anatomy: Sketches from Your Publisher
Robot 6 Blog @ CBR links in Fresno Bee article about "Let Us Win YOU Over"
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Newsarama shows a sneak peek of Fusion #1 cover by Mike Choi & Sonia Oback
In a display of how much importance Norman Osborn and the Thunderbolts have achieved in the Marvel Universe, the team is getting equal billing with the Avengers in Top Cow's latest inter-company crossover, entitled Fusion: Cyberforce/Hunter-Killer/ Avengers/Thunderbolts
The three-issue limited series begins in May and Top Cow has provided Newsarama with a first look at Mike Choi's cover to the debut issue.
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Mark Waid discusses Cyberforce/Hunter-Killer with CBR
Seventeen years ago, Top Cow launched its first title, Marc Silvestri’s “Cyberforce.” Over the years, Silverstri’s team of cybernetically enhanced mutants have starred in number of ongoing series, most recently the 2006 Ron Marz penned “Cyberforce” Volume Two. A year before that, Mark Waid teamed with Silvestri to create “Hunter-Killer,” a series about a team of genetically-engineered “Ultrasapiens” who hunt down their rogue brethren for the same government that created them all.
Top Cow’s 2009 summer event, “Cyberforce/Hunter-Killer,” features the long-awaited return of both teams, brought to you by the creative team that rounded out “Hunter-Killer” Season One, writer Mark Waid and artist Kenneth Rocafort. The book will be preceded by a Free Comic Book Day preview in May, and CBR News caught up with Waid to get all the details
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Troy Hickman Blogs@Newsarama about Breaking In
Since I started this column, I’ve heard from a number of folks who want me to write something about how to break into the comics business. I suppose that would be a natural, given that (A) I’m a teacher and tend to be didactic, and (B) I’m still relatively new to this, so I’m fairly fresh from the womb (and the metaphorical doctor probably slapped my backside AFTER he read some of my comics).
Perhaps the best way to go about it, though, would be to start with what you SHOULD NOT do if you’re hoping to get into the comics business. Since a lot of folks go the route of trying to sell themselves at conventions, that’s a good place to start. A few thoughts:
Fresno Bee spotlights "Let Us Win YOU Over"
"I think almost all comic publishers are looking at how we can bring new readers in" says Filip Sablik, publisher of Top Cow Productions Inc. during a telephone interview from the company's Los Angeles office. First, the company plans to give away thousands of comic books for free over the course of the year at participating retailers in the U.S. and Canada.
READ MORE.Friday, February 20, 2009
The Related Recap podcast interview Ron Marz at NYCC
For episode #74 we begin the walk through the final audio interviews of New York Comic Con. Over tonight and the next three days, we'll formally close out the 2009 show and wrap up our podcast coverage. In many ways, we've saved some really great interviews for these final few shows.
Jump to a little after the 20 minute mark to hear Ron's interview.READ MORE.
Graze Anatomy: Sketches from Your Publisher
Wizard reviews Cyblade #3 in Thursday Morning Quarterback
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Girls Entertainment Network reviews Berserker #0
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Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Girls Entertainment Network reviews Cyblade #3
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Ron Marz & Bryan Edward Hill talk "Broken Trinity: Aftermath"
On sale in April is “Broken Trinity: Aftermath,” the followup to Top Cow Productions’ recent Broken Trinity event. The one-shot is illustrated by Jorge Lucas and Tyler Kirkham, co-written by Ron Marz and Bryan Edward Hill, and depicts the quest for the 13 artifacts in the Top Cow Universe. Following the events of “Broken Trinity” come two new characters, two new stories and another chapter in the growing Witchblade saga. Michael Finnegan wrestles with the power and purpose that comes with the Glacier Stone, and his first test might be saving Darkness wielder Jackie Estacado from himself. Hundreds of miles away, Glorianna Silver suffers from her banishment at the hands of The Angelus, and in order to survive, she will have to embrace the power of the Ember Stone and the destiny it has for her.
In support of the release, co-writers Ron Marz and Bryan Edward Hill join CBR today to discuss with each other their work on the special and its story’s implications for the Top Cow Universe going forward. The pair also get deep into the differences between writing for comics and writing for film.
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Graze Anatomy: Sketches from Your Publisher
The Beat comments on Filip Sablik's "Be Nice" blog entry
So what’s the point of this rant? I’d ask you to think the next time you go to post that angry, ill conceived post on Newsarama or your favorite message board. Take a moment to see if you can inject a little bit of civility and respect into your commentary. Because what took you 15-30 minutes to read and 1 minute to comment on, took an entire team of people months of blood, sweat, and tears to create. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying you shouldn’t critique books you don’t like (although if you haven’t read a title for 10 years, you probably should keep silent), but I am suggesting you express your critique in a constructive, respectful way. Think about it, you wouldn’t want me coming into your place of work and telling you that you’re doing your job poorly. Unless you are my local Starbucks barista, in which case I will let you know when my Grande Low Fat, No Sugar, two pump Cinnamon Dolce Latte isn’t up to snuff.
We have to admit that this is a pet peeve of ours as well — not that many comics that are produced aren’t crummy, but the glee with which message board regulars love to jump on their favorite pro whipping boys is tedious and uninformed.
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The Beat notes Glyph Award nominations
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Phil Hester delivers a Director's Commentary on The Darkness: Accursed Volume 1
Of course, what's even better than $4.99 is free and here is a look at dozens of pages (almost half) from the collection along with writer Phil Hester's "Director's Commentary" on the selected pages.
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Monday, February 16, 2009
Congratulations to Genius for 6 Glyph Award Nominations!
THE 2009 GLYPH COMICS AWARDS NOMINEES ARE NAMED; THE FAN AWARD POLL IS OPEN
Now in its fourth successful year, the Glyph Comics Awards (GCA) continue to honor the best in black comics and creators. Many new faces are among this year’s nominees, as well as some old familiar ones.
The nominees for 2009 are:
Story of the Year
Bayou, Jeremy Love, writer and artist
Incognegro; Mat Johnson, writer, Warren Pleece, artist
Justice League of America: The Second Coming; Dwayne McDuffie, writer, Ed Benes, artist
Pilot Season: Genius, Marc Bernardin & Adam Freeman, writers, Afua Richardson, artist
Presidential Material: Barack Obama; Jeff Mariotte, writer, Tom Morgan, artist
READ MORE.Darkness #75 spotlighted in Oklahoman
Top Cow’s "The Darkness” celebrates its 75th issue on Wednesday, with an oversized issue featuring art from former series artists Dale Keown, Joe Benitez, and co-creator Marc Silvestri.
"There are not many characters that are independently created characters that have had 75 issues come out,” said Top Cow Publisher Filip Sablik. "We wanted to celebrate that fact. It’s a big deal for us. We think on some level, it’s a big deal for comics.”READ MORE.
The Quarter Bin reviews The Darkness #75
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Graze Anatomy: Sketches from Your Publisher
Have you been looking for a NYCC report of the Berserker panel? CBR has you covered!
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Sunday, February 15, 2009
Sunny Jhanna reviews Witchblade #124
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Friday, February 13, 2009
Milo Ventimiglia chatting about Berserker on G4 with Blair Butler
Graze Anatomy: Sketches from Your Publisher
Milo Ventimiglia Talks Berserker with Teen.com TV
WATCH THE VIDEO.
Comic Addiction reviews The Darkness #75
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Comic Addiction reviews Berserker #0
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WonderCon Programming Announced!
1:00-2:00 Extending the Franchise: Wanted—Matt Hawkins (publisher, Top Cow) and J. G. Jones (artist/co-creator, Wanted) have seen the Wanted characters come to life on the big screen with the film's release in Summer 2008. Now with guidance from Pete Wanat (executive producer, Universal), the video game Wanted: Weapons of Fate will continue the Wanted mythology in March. Come find out how they've turned a comic book series into a multimedia blockbuster, as Hawkins, Jones, and Wanat talk about the future of Wanted! Room 104
3:00-4:00 Celebrating 75 Issues of The Darkness—Top Cow publisher Filip Sablik and Michael Broussard (The Darkness) take a look back at 75 issues of The Darkness and look forward to the series' future. Plus get information about next month's 125th issue of Witchblade, which kicks of "War of the Witchblades," and information about Top Cow's 2009 initiatives such as "$2.99 in 2009" and "Let Us Win YOU Over" in this one-on-one interview and Q&A session! Room 104
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Wizard reviews The Darkness #75 in Thursday Morning Quarterback
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Thursday, February 12, 2009
Graze Anatomy: Sketches from Your Publisher
I have to apologize. I traveled back East before the New York Comic-Con to visit family and did not prep adequately before leaving to ensure I had sketches going up in my absence. Travel, conventions, and a lack of scanners can definitely complicate getting these doodles up on a daily basis. I'm hoping to come up with a solution before my next show (look for me in WonderCon!) so that the few and proud that are looking for my sketches are not denied from daily scribbling.
By the by, a big thanks to all of our fans that came by and said hello during New York Comic-Con. It was very cool to meet all of you. If I looked crazed or busy, it's because I was;)
Without further ado...
ComicBookJesus reviews Berserker #0
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Christian Manifesto reviews The Darkness #10
This particular storyline has been a bit darker than I am used to from this series. It is entirely appropriate, but the direction continues to muddy the waters for poor Jackie Estacado. As this title continues to show that this is ultimately a redemption tale, one is forced to question whether Jackie will he ever find it? Only time will tell.
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Comic Box reviews The Darkness #75 (in French)
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Comic Box reviews Berserker #0 (in French)
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Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Newsarama analyzes Comic Pricing
"Small talk of the economy has officially replaced 'How's the weather?', 'How much is the Death of Superman worth?', and even 'Who is that Red Hulk?' as the most talked-about subject in the comic shop," said Bret Parks, owner of Ssalefish Comics in Winston Salem, NC. "So far, most customers have not been overly sensitive to the price change [in comic books], but with more and more fan interaction online and tons of job loss, it is not taking long for the complaint and weariness to circulate."
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AICN reviews Impaler Volume 1 Trade
IMPALER is one of the best vampire books I’ve read in years which is saying something in a market where vampires, zombies, and the like are being overused to death. Think of IMPALER as ‘Twilight for Guys’ except with all the things that make vampires great. I use the comparison only because writer William Harms is able to bring something new to the vampire genre. His vampires are deadly and menacing but have a bunch of powers you’ve never seen before. So while Twilight’s queer vampires sparkle (or whatever the hell they do) IMPALER’s vampires bring the death and destruction we all deserve while making vampires seem fresh.
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Ron Marz talks War of the Witchblades with CBR
Two years ago, the Witchblade was torn asunder. Where there was one wielder, there was now two. Sara Pezzini retained the dark half of the ancient weapon, and Dani Baptiste became the wielder of the better angels of the Witchblade’s nature. Dani and Sara’s personalities have clashed from time to time in the past, but the long-brewing conflict between the two Witchblade wielders finally came to a head in Top Cow's “Witchblade” #124. This week, “Witchblade” #125 kicks off a six-issue arc entitled “War of the Witchblades,” and CBR News caught up with series writer Ron Marz to get the details.
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Girls Entertainment Network reviews The Darkness #75
“Absolute Darkness” is set in a future where pollution has grown so thick, the sun is blocked out by smog and the earth is cold and dying. The sisters of the Magdalena fight to preserve the human race by fighting against the world’s aged but dangerously powerful self-appointed ruler, Jackie Estacado—host to the Darkness even now.
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The Quarter Bin reviews Berserker #0
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UGO.com interviews Milo Ventimiglia about Berserker
The Fanboy Review of Berserker #0
Artist – Jeremy Haun
Publisher – Top Cow Comics
The Grade – 3.5 out of 5
Berserker is the latest title to hit comic shops from Top Cow and it is being produced in conjunction with Divide Pictures, of which Milo Ventimiglia of Heroes is a part. This alone will be enough to get most people to buy the book and give it a try. For those of us who don’t watch Heroes, is there anything for us? Fortunately, yes.
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Comicvine's 90 Second Review of Berserker
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Tuesday, February 10, 2009
The Quater Bin interviews Berserker team
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The Quarter Bin provides report on Berserker panel at NYCC
It’s Saturday afternoon here at New York Comic Con, and Top Cow’s Berserker panel is about to begin. I’m glad I got here early, because the room is packed with girls just waiting to get a glimpse of Milo Ventimiglia. Joining Milo will be his production partner, Russ Cundiff, Berserker writer Rick Loverd, and artist Jeremy Haun. Hit the jump to hear all about Top Cow’s newest series, which will be launching next week.
-There’s not an empty seat in the house, and the Berserker guys are already five minutes late. The fans are getting restless.
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Comics Bulletin reviews Witchblade #124
I must sound like a skipping CD by now. Stjepan Sejic's artwork makes Witchblade a joy to absorb. In this issue, the tone of the story becomes darker, and Sejic casts Sara Pezzini and Danielle Baptiste in the constant glow of rain excited by lightning. Weather reflecting the character's mood is an old trick, but it's a good one. In the hands of a masterful artist, it never loses its potency. Sejic is such a master.
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Ain't It Cool News debuts Berserker video teaser
Hey folks, Ambush Bug here. We have a couple previews to share with you this time on Spinner Rack to the Future. Let’s start out with a little video that will be leaked at the NYCC. It’ got something to do with Top Cow’s upcoming BERSERKER series about normal people who discover they have inherited the ancient powers of the Norse Berserkers.
READ MORE.MTV's Splash Page features interview with rapper Common about "Wanted: Weapons of Fate"
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Wizard reviews Witchblade #124 in Thursday Morning Quarterback
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CBR shows off Exclusive Preview of The Darkness: Accursed Volume 1 TPB
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