Monthly Archives: June 2010

June 23rd, 2010 Releases featuring Canadian Creators

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Batman: The Return of Bruce Wayne #3 Variant Cover by Yanick Paquette, Michel Lacombe, and Nathan Fairbairn

If I have missed any works by Canadian Comic Book Creators, please leave a comment, or send me an email at jason@joeshusterawards.com

Air #22
DC/Vertigo US$2.99
Colours by Chris Chuckry.

American Vampire #4
DC/Vertigo US$3.99
Colours by Dave McCaig.
Preview at Vertigo: Graphic Content

Batman: The Return Of Bruce Wayne #3
DC US$3.99
Artwork and Variant Cover by Yanick Paquette. Inks by Michel Lacombe. Colours by Nathan Fairbairn.
Preview at DC Universe: The Source

Deadpool & Cable Ultimate Collection Book 2 Trade Paperback
Marvel US$39.99
Inks by Crystal “M3TH” Reid.

Disney/Pixar’s The Incredibles #10
BOOM Studios US$2.99
Artwork and Covers by Marcio Takara.
Preview at Comic Book Resources

X-Men Legacy #237 Variant Cover by David Finch

Heralds #4
Marvel US$2.99
Written by Kathryn Immonen. Colours by Nathan Fairbairn and Ronda Pattison.
Preview at Comic Book Resources

Hulk #23
Marvel US$4.99
Artwork by Dale Keown. Colours by Dave McCaig and Brad Anderson.
Preview at Comic Book Resources

Marvel Adventures Spider-Man #3
Marvel US$2.99
Inks by Terry Pallot. Cover by Karl Kerschl. Cover Inks by Serge Lapointe. Cover Colours by Nadine Thomas.
Preview at Comic Book Resources

Mystery Society #1 (2nd Printing)
IDW US$3.99
Artwork and Colours by Fiona Staples.

Peter Parker #4
Marvel US$2.99
Inks by Serge Lapointe.
Preview at Comic Book Resources

The Phantom: Generations #12
Moonstone US$3.99
Artwork by Ronn Sutton.

Proof Vol. 4: Julia Trade Paperback
Image US$16.99
Artwork and Cover by Riley Rossmo.

Marvel Adventures Spider-Man #3 Cover by Karl Kerschl, Serge Lapointe, and Nadine Thomas

Red Sonja #50
Dynamite Entertainment US$4.99
Variant Cover by Johnny Desjardins.

The Secret History Book 10
Archaia Studio Press US$5.95
Artwork by Igor Kordey. Colours by Chris Chuckry.

Spider-Man & The Secret Wars Trade Paperback
Marvel US$14.99
Inks by Terry Pallot. Colours by Brad Anderson.

Superman #700
DC US$4.99
Artwork by Bernard Chang. Colours by Blond. Cover Colours by Brad Anderson.

Disney/Pixar's The Incredibles #10 Cover A by Marcio Takara

Ultimate Comics Avengers 2 #4
Marvel US$3.99
Colours by Dave McCaig.
Preview at Comic Book Resources

X-Factor #206
Marvel US$2.99
Artwork by Valentine De Landro. Inks by Pat Davidson. Cover Colours by Nathan Fairbairn.
Preview at Comic Book Resources

X-Men Legacy #237
Marvel US$2.99
Variant Cover by David Finch.
Preview at Comic Book Resources

X-Men: S.W.O.R.D.: No Time To Breathe Trade Paperback
Marvel US$15.99
Inks by Craig Yeung.

Proof Vol. 4: Julia TPB Cover by Riley Rossmo

Happenings: Paquette & Lacombe at Montreal’s La Gallery June 26

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From Facebook:

Yanick Paquette et Michel Lacombe en dédicace à La Gallery

Date:
Saturday, June 26, 2010
Time:
2:00pm – 5:00pm
Location:
La Gallery
Street:
4109 Rue St-Denis
City/Town:
Montreal, QC

Description

Yanick Paquette et Michel Lacombe en dédicace à La Gallery pour la parution de Batman, The return of Bruce Wayne #03
——————————————————————————–
Pour la parution de Batman, The return of Bruce Wayne 3, La Gallery et Millenium Comics sont heureuses de vous inviter à venir rencontrer Yanick Paquette et Michel Lacombe,

le samedi 26 Juin 2010, de 14h00 à 17h00 pour une séance de dédicaces.

Avec des planches originales de Yanick Paquette et Michel Lacombe.

Les comics seront également disponibles à La Gallery grâce à Millenium.

Un vin d’honneur vous sera offert.

Au plaisir de vous rencontrer.
——————————————————————————–
For the release of Batman, The return of Bruce Wayne 3, La Gallery and Millennium Comics is pleased to invite you to come meet Yanick Paquette and Michel Lacombe

Saturday, June 26, 2010, from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. for an autograph session.

With original art by Yanick Paquette and Michel Lacombe.

The comics will also be available for sale at La Gallery courtesy of Millennium Comics.

Interviews -Yanick Paquette on Batman: The Return of Bruce Wayne #3

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Variant cover by Yanick Paquette

Newsarama interview.

#3 is out next week at a comics retailer near you.

Yanick recently returned to work for DC Comics after a few years at Marvel working on various X-Men related comics. This week he was added to the guestlist for Fan Expo Canada, a show he attends nearly every year. In the interview he also hints at another project he has agreed to work on with writer Grant Morrison. Aside from this issue of Bruce Wayne coming out next week, the two previously collaborated on the Seven Soldiers of Victory: Bulleteer mini-series.

Nrama: You said that after this, you’re doing something with Grant Morrison that can’t be announced?

Paquette: Well, Grant is very busy doing the Batman stuff. I might want to do something in between, to give him time to produce something else. He’s very in demand at DC, of course, so we just can’t tell when this is going to happen.

Comic Retailers – Buddy Toad Comics (Gander, NL)

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Buddy Toad Comics is a hobby store based in Gander, NL. Gander is found in the Northwest portion of Newfoundland, along Highway 1. With a population approaching 10,000, Gander is the 7th largest city in the province. It’s great to see a comic shop in a town that size, and we can thank the entrepreneurial spirit of the owner Claudette Warren. Buddy Toads is the fourth comic shop solely owned by a woman that I’m familiar with, joining Gotham Collectibles in Burnaby, BC; Second Star in Port Perry, ON; and The Dragon, in Guelph, ON. If there are any other comic shops solely owned by women out there, let me know! I’d really like to get some perspective from these ladies about the industry and their businesses; an idea for a new article.

If you would like to see your store profiled here, please contact us: retailers@joeshusterawards.com.

Store Questionnaire

Owner’s Name: Claudette Warren

Manager’s Name: Michael Rose

Number of Employees: 3

Years in Business: 1 1/2 years

Physical Address: 230 Airport Blvd, Gander, NL, A1V1L7

Telephone Number: 709-256-8686

Website: www.buddytoadcomics.ca

Email: buddytoad@hotmail.com

How did you choose your store name?

Kid friendly, something won’t forget about, wanted a fun logo

How many sq ft is your store?

500

Favorite Comic Book, published in the past few months:

Blackest Night

Five all-time classic comics, graphic novels or story arcs

Preacher

Y the Last Man

Runaways

Takeshi!!!


Todd McFarlane’s run on Amazing Spider-man

Green Lantern volume 3 – when that book launched it was the first time I had heard of the character and I’ve been collecting ever since.

What are you excited about for this coming year? What are your plans for the next 12 months?

Expand the non-sports gaming dramatically; increase our outreach to the area youth, to open their eyes to the comic medium/market.

What has been one of the most rewarding parts of running your business?

The young kids coming in after reading something the have enjoyed and trying to explain the story to me.

What has been one of the biggest challenges?

Educating the community on the services and products that we offer.

Why are you a comics retailer?

This is what I love.

Product Lines Carried:

  • Comic books
  • TPBs
  • Manga
  • Anime
  • Clothing
  • Collectible Card Games: Magic The Gathering, Pokemon, Yu-gi-oh
  • Dungeons and Dragons
  • Toys
  • Twilight related products

Best selling floppy/monthly books:

monthly single issues would be Deadpool or Blackest Night

Best selling manga:

recently it has been One Piece, as they have been catching up and releasing 5 issues a month; normally our best manga seller is Zelda by a landslide.

What percentage of your business is comics compared to the peripherals of a ‘culture store’?

maybe 20%

What are your Best selling graphic novel books?

Walking Dead

What books do you find yourself recommending the most?

Preacher, Walking Dead, Max Brooks World War Z, Zombie Survivial Guide, most Vertigo titles; really it depends on the customer and their product knowledge. We try to introduce them to books in small steps. For returning readers, it depends on when they got out of reading/collecting: a lot of collectors were from early 90′s, so they were use to big pictures, not much substance.

What great comic/manga should everyone under 14 be reading?

Runaways

What comic/manga would you recommend for an adult interested in returning to comics (superhero / non-superhero)?

We first ask what they enjoy reading. For example, if they like Stephen King, then go the Dark Tower comic books. We recommend Y the Last Man vol. 1 or 100 bullets vol. 1 quite often. These are books that are priced around $15, so people are pretty open to trying them. In our store, with most of the Vertigo volume 1′s, I give a money back guarantee and nobody has ever brought the book back requesting a refund. I am a huge Azzarello and Vaughn fan, the produce great stories, and I am a Bendis fan for straight superhero comics. Ultimate Spider-man is a great reintroduction book for Marvel fans. I could write an essay on this question, on what I reccomend, but it really is on a case by case basis.

How important is the web to your business?

Ebay is not important at all as shipping rates from Newfoundland cannot complete with the main land, but we are always pushing the website with our customers locally and provincially.

Does your store have an area of expertise? What makes your store unique?

In our area, definitely. I opened to fill a niche that was not available, while keeping the price point affordable and comparable to larger cities.

Describe the comic book scene within your community? (e.g.: amateur comics, anime/manga clubs, comic clubs, convention events)

An anime/manga club is something I am starting in 2010. We also have a Grade 5 young readers group that I support.

Do you participate in Free Comic Book Day?

Last year we did a little, but this year I am intend to do radio ads and make a major push through the schools.

What aspect of your store are you most proud?

Our selection is one of the best in the province, for the size.

Do you have special event nights/days at the store? What have been some or your best/most fun promotions/events?

We just started a group for Sunday Magic The Gathering players.

Have the last few years of Hollywood film releases changed your customer
base?

Watchman pulled in a lot of new customers to the store, but not many other movies have had an impact as there is no movie theater in our community; the closest is 1 hour away. The big box stores saturate the market with merchandise for the movies, so there is not much money left for the small business who supports them the other 11 1/2 months.

Graphic Novels have been a growth product for large bookstore chains, does
this affect your customer base or business?

I push my customers towards graphic novels/TPBs. Monthly books are so time sensitive while trades are usually always in print, so there are no problems keeping them in stock.

With the increasing popularity of GN’s/TPB’s do you find yourself stocking
these more or less than you expected. There are a lot of upfront cost in a
large TPB inventory, are you focusing on a publisher or specific series? Do
you intend to carry a wider range of publisher in the future or would these
books be special orders only?

I carry an ever growing library. We start slow but smart, for example with 100 bullets, I stocked the first 5 books, doubling up on books 1 & 2. When a customer picked up 1 & 2, I ordered 6 & 7, and so on. We also do special orders, and series I believe are very strong I try to maintain heavy stock levels.

Are you located near any schools? Is there a college nearby? What
percentage of your business would be students? Did the presence or lack of
presence influence your decision to open at your current location?

We are in a mall, there are no schools really close. There is no university, but we do have a private college in the community.

Do you consider your store woman and kid friendly? What percentage of your business is female/child? Do you have plans to grow these groups? Do you have a kids comics section? Do you stock comics that are considered kids friendly/age appropriate reading?

Most of my women customers are either mothers or they are into twilight related products. We see manga as a very, very important market which I am trying to tap into.

Do you consider your store a collector store, where you can find high
grade books, or long runs of older back issues? Do you find that back
issues are a focus for your customers?

Back stock is not a big part of store. I do have substantial stock in the store, around 7000-8000 comic books, but with such a huge amount of older comics to contend with we find that TPBs are so much cheaper and easier to bring those stories into the store.

What form of advertising do you use? (city newspaper, small/free papers,
TV, radio, flyers, word of mouth?)

Radio ads really work! We used the local paper when I first opened but found that a waste of money.

Pull lists: good or bad? Do you have free pull list? Minimum number of
titles? Do you offer a discount on everything for a pull list customer? Do
you have them pay a yearly membership fee to get a discount?

Pull lists are a must. I try to push all my regular comic and manga customers towards a pull list account. There is no cost for setting up, we try to enforce a 30 day cancellation policy, so we are not stuck with deadstock. We charge no fees, provide no extra discount, though my regular customers who have slots get 10% off new trades.

Do you use a computerized point of sale and inventory system? Do you track sales of items to adjust orders up or down? Do you have a system to ensure a restocking of a sold book?

A POS system is our upgrade over the next 2 months. We do a lot of hands on paper trailing right now, but we going to be completely computerized.

image and Top Cow comics shipping in September 2010 featuring work by Canadians

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SKULLKICKERS #1
story JIM ZUBKAVICH
art CHRIS STEVENS, EDWIN HUANG & MISTY COATES
cover CHRIS STEVENS
SEPTEMBER 22
32 PAGES / FC
$2.99
“ONE THOUSAND OPAS AND A DEAD BODY”
No one knows where these two warriors came from. The only thing that’s clear is that they’re two of most ornery, trouble-making $%@# that have ever lived.

SKULLKICKERS is a fantasy action-comedy: Two mercenaries are entangled in a high-class assassination plot and nothing—werewolves, skeletons or black magic—will stop them from getting paid. If you love tabletop fantasy RPGs or movies like Army of Darkness, SKULLKICKERS is waiting for you!

SPAWN ORIGINS, VOL. 7 TP
story TODD McFARLANE
art TODD McFARLANE, GREG CAPULLO & TONY DANIEL
cover GREG CAPULLO
SEPTEMBER 15
160 PAGES / FC
$14.99
The latest addition to the ever-growing SPAWN: ORIGINS family of books is coming down the pipe! SPAWN: ORIGINS, VOL. 7 collects classic SPAWN issues written by creator TODD McFARLANE, with the art on each issue alternating between GREG CAPULLO and TONY DANIEL.

Cy-gor is on the hunt and headed straight for NYC with only one thing on his simian mind: find and destroy Spawn. Will Spawn even be able to fight, with the Curse and his minions doing their own brand of damage to the hell-born hero? Throw angel warriors and the Violator into the mix, and Spawn is headed for deep trouble.

Also included is the fan-favorite “Santa Spawn” issue, where Spawn saves Christmas for a hard-working family.

Collects SPAWN #39-44.

COWBOY NINJA VIKING #10
story AJ LIEBERMAN
art & cover by RILEY ROSSMO
SEPTEMBER 29
24 PAGES / FC
$3.99
Double crosses, blown up boats and Bangkok strippers…
Duncan, Nix and Ghislain survived it all, but will they survive what comes next? As the fallout from the failed mission continues, Duncan learns a new secret that will change everything he thought he knew about being a Triplet.

HAUNT #12
story ROBERT KIRKMAN
art GREG CAPULLO & TODD MCFARLANE
cover GREG CAPULLO
SEPTEMBER 1
32 PAGES / FC
$2.99
The sense-shattering second story arc concludes!
Hurg and his secret organization have been dragged into the open and exposed. Now is the time to strike! Haunt and the agency must act now—before he moves deeper underground. He had Kurt killed, he set these events leading to the birth of Haunt into motion—and now it’s time to pay for what he’s done!

SPAWN #207
story WILL CARLTON
art SZYMON KUDRANSKI & TODD MCFARLANE
cover SZYMON KUDRANSKI
SEPTEMBER 29
32 PAGES / FC
$2.99
The continuation of Jim’s view of heaven! The education Jim attains while visiting such a place is immense, but is there a traitor amongst the great angels? Will Jim’s reputation as a God on earth be put in jeopardy?

ARTIFACTS #3
story RON MARZ
art MICHAEL BROUSSARD
cover KALMAN ANDRASOFSZKY, JOHN TYLER CHRISTOPHER
SEPTEMBER 15
32 PAGES / FC / LIMITED SERIES
$3.99
Top Cow’s biggest event gets even bigger!

While Witchblade bearer Sara Pezzini and Darkness host Jackie Estacado form an uneasy alliance to search for their missing daughter, more of the all-powerful Artifacts are brought into play as Magdalena, Tom Judge and the Angelus join forces. But unbeknownst to any of them, the unseen villain is manipulating people and events to bring about the end of the world.

From Top Cow Universe architect Ron Marz (Witchblade,†Angelus) and Top Cow superstar artist†Michael†Broussard (The Darkness) comes an event series, which will literally shake the Top Cow Universe to its foundation. Featuring a gorgeous cover by superstar artist Kalman Andrasofszky (Dazzler, R.E.B.E.L.S.) as well as a variant cover series featuring Tom Judge by John Tyler Christopher (Witchblade).

Each issue will also feature a Top Cow Origin backup written by Marz and drawn by a superstar artist.

PILOT SEASON 2009 TRADE PAPERBACK
story ROBERT KIRKMAN
art NELSON BLAKE II, JOE BENITEZ, SHELDON MITCHELL, BERNARD CHANG & BRIAN STELFREEZE
cover MARC SILVESTRI
SEPTEMBER 22
144 PAGES / FC / TRADE PAPERBACK
$14.99
Robert Kirkman and Marc Silvestri Unleash 5 New Concepts!

Image Partners and superstar creators Robert Kirkman (The Walking Dead) and Marc Silvestri (The Darkness) collaborate for the first time by creating five new properties for 2009’s Pilot Season event! The powerhouse team paired with a who’s who list of interior artists, including Nelson Blake II, Joe Benitez, Sheldon Mitchell, Bernard Chang, and Brian Stelfreeze.

This volume collects all five concepts including Murderer, Demonic, Stealth, Stellar and Hardcore along with a cover gallery, behind the scenes sketches, designs, and more!

2010 Gene Day Award winner – Ethan Rilly for Pope Hats No.1

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Gene Day

Gene Day (1951-1982) began his career in the Canadian alternative comix scene, working with and encouraging a new generation of Canadian comic creators create their own comics. In the seventies he began his own publishing imprint, Shadow Press / House of Shadows and put out over twenty issues of Dark Fantasy, a horror/fantasy/sci-fi digest that featured the early writings of Joe Lansdale, Charles De Lint, John Bell and Charles R. Saunders, amongst others; a short-lived comic publication, Out of the Depths and various other one-shots, portfolios, and prints. Those early roots led Day to be noticed my larger publishers, Day continued working in comics until his untimely death. Dave Sim credits Gene Day as his earliest and most influential mentor and the inspiration for his own self-publishing efforts. Gene Day was inducted into the Canadian Comic Book Creator Hall of Fame in 2007. This award was created with the permission of the Day family and is accompanied by a $500 cash bursary from the Canadian Comic Book Creator Awards Association to encourage future efforts.

Unfortunately, due to other commitments, Gene’s brother DAVID DAY was unable to attend the ceremony,  so on June 5th, at the Joe Shuster Awards ceremony, cartoonist JEFF LEMIRE presented the Gene Day Award – Lemire, a previous Xeric Award winner for his self-published comic Lost Dogs who has since gone on to produce the Joe Shuster-Award Winning Essex County Trilogy and was nominated this year in the Outstanding Cartoonist category for his graphic novel The Nobody and his series Sweet Tooth. Here’s the introduction from the ceremony:

Jeff Lemire

The self publishing scene seems to grow every year.  The scene is in a renaissance, invoking the creative 80’s, and the caliber of talent producing unique, fresh, fun and interesting comics is very strong on a national level.

There is a healthy, independent, creative comix scene all over the country in cities like Vancouver, Edmonton, Calgary, Toronto, Guelph, Oshawa,  Montreal, Quebec City, Moncton and Halifax, which speaks to the growth of widening recognition that zines and comix are receiving.

This year the level of quality was top notch, there were 3 Xeric Grant recipients included amongst our finalists, and the quality of the cartooning is very strong.  We look forward to following the careers of all of the nominees but the 2010 winner is Ethan Rilly for Pope Hats!

With Pope Hats No.1, Ethan Rilly produced a very sophisticated work.  The story was intriguing and complex, utilizing a time shift.  The artwork was lush and detailed, showing off a wonderful brush stroke with the inking. The Award selection committee was impressed with the maturity and strengths of the entire package and can’t wait to see more of Rilly’s work in years to come.

Pope Hats was first published in 2008, received a Xeric Award & grant, which Rilly used to revise, redraw, rework and expand  upon for the spring 2009 release of this edition. Pope Hats is already a success story in that it has already been picked up for distribution in November 2009 by American publisher Adhouse Books.

Congratulations Ethan!

Ethan Rilly accepting the Gene Day Award

La Gallery Montreal: Le Crépuscule des Dieux” tome 4 signing

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La Gallery
4109, Rue St-Denis
Montreal, Qc
Exposition & vente de Planches Originales Comics, BD Franco-belge, Québécoise, Manga, Art Contemporain

Le Crépuscule des Dieux" tome 4

On June 11th La Gallery hosted a special signing of “Le Crépuscule des Dieux” tome 4 with artist Djief & colourist Olivier Héban (Djief is in a red shirt, Olivier in blue).

Some original artwork from “Le Crépuscule des Dieux” tome 5 by Djief Bergeron has been on display (and for sale) since June 4th and continues through to Sunday, June 20th. Here’s a gallery of the original artwork on display / for sale.

One thing that strikes me as I look at these pictures is just how great the Gallery set-up looks and how much I want to go and visit! I will try and visit there if I end up going to the Montreal Comic-Con in September. I also like the fact that Le Gallery has a little bit of everything from all over the world, but with a distinct emphasis on Canadian creators who produce artwork for the North American, Franco-Belgian and Quebecois markets.

(Click on each photo for a larger image).

Marvel Comics in September 2010 featuring work by Canadians

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As with DC, Marvel only lists pencillers, cover artists and writers in the advance solicits.

ASTONISHING X-MEN: XENOGENESIS #4 (of 5)
Written by WARREN ELLIS
Pencils & Cover by KAARE ANDREWS
Something is causing the children of an African village to be born mutated. Something in the woodland outside the village.
Something they don’t talk about. But now, whatever it is, it’s being hunted, and the X-Men are trapped between the hunters and the hunted.
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #644
Written by Mark Waid & Stan Lee
Penciled by Paul Azaceta & mArcos martin
Cover by MARKO DJURDJEVIC
Issue #644 Variant Cover by CHRIS BACHALO
Part 3 of ORIGIN OF THE SPECIES.
Plus the SPIDEY SUNDAY FEATURE continues!
32 PGS.(each)/Rated A …$2.99 (each)

I AM AN AVENGER #1 (of 5)
Written by JIM McCANN , DU ANE SWIERCZYNSKI, ALEX ZALBEN & MORE
Penciled by CHRIS SAMNEE, JASON LATOUR, TOM FOWLER & MUCH MORE
Cover by LEINIL FRANCIS YU
What is it that makes one an Avenger? That’s what this series starring characters from all across the Avengers’ history will attempt to answer! Featuring tales of Iron Man, Captain America, the Thing, Iron Fist, Justice, Firestar, Squirrel Girl, Nova and the Young Avengers and more!
32 PGS./Rated A …$3.99

NEW AVENGERS #4
Written by BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS
Pencils & Cover by STUART IMMONEN
Variant Cover by STUART IMMONEN
Super Hero Squad Variant also available
With reality under furious attack by arcane power far beyond anything anyone on Earth has ever dealt with before, the Avengers have to start getting creative or forfeit all that we know. The rules of magic and mysticism in the Marvel Universe are about to change in a gigantic way and it’s all going to happen here! All this plus a brand new chapter in the oral history of the Avengers.
40 PGS./Rated A …$3.99

SPIDER-MAN #6
Written by PAUL TOBIN
Penciled by ROBERTO DI SALVO
Cover by KARL KERSCHL
Still recovering from his injuries in his fateful battle with Bullseye, Spider-Man is forced to rely on his friends to stem the tide of New York City’s crime. But while a girl who can talk to animals might be able to stop carjackers and pickpockets…it sure would be a horrible time for a truly deadly foe like Dr. Octopus to arrive. Like he does.
32 PGS./MARVEL ADVENTURES/All Ages …$2.99

STEVE ROGERS: SUPER-SOLDIER #3 (of 4)
Written by ED BRUBAKER
Penciled by DALE EAGLESHAM
Cover by CARLOS PACHECO
His enemy stands revealed – but that’s just the beginning of Steve’s problems: Reverted to his former 98-pound-weakling self, Steve is trapped in the heart of the enemy’s lair and fighting for his life!
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

ORIGINS OF MARVEL COMICS: X-MEN #1
Written by CHRIS YOST, MIKE CAREY, PETER DAVID, & OTHERS!
Penciled by GREG LAND, MARK BROOKS, NICK BRADSHAW, JILL THOMPSON & OTHERS!
Cover by MIKE DEL MUNDO
The origins of your favorite X-Men written and drawn by the best in the industry collected in one place! Cyclops! Wolverine! Magneto! All the big characters’ origins boiled down to one beautiful page that every reader will cut out and tape up on their wall!
40 PGS./One-Shot/Rated T+ …$3.99
ENLARGE

X-MEN: CURSE OF THE MUTANTS – X-MEN VS. VAMPIRES#1 (of 2)
Written by VARIOUS
Art by VARIOUS
Cover by NICK BRADSHAW
Lock your doors, board up the windows, arm yourselves with stakes and sunlight…and it still won’t protect you when the vampires stalking the X-Men set their sights on YOU! The X-Men have their work cut out for them as they‘re pitted against a terrifying new clan of vampires in all the B-movie-styled glory we can print in four colors! Baby, this is one comic book with bite! Four brand new tales of horror await PLUS the first part of NIGHT SCREAMS, from Uncanny X-Men #159, the classic tale of Storm’s struggle with Dracula himself by Claremont and Sienkiewicz!
48 PGS./New & Reprint/Parental Advisory …$3.99
ENLARGE

NEW MUTANTS #17
Written by ZEB WELLS
Penciled by LEONARD KIRK
Cover by DAVE WILKINS
Super Hero Squad Variant also available
“FALL OF THE NEW MUTANTS”
Project Purgatory has captured [CENSORED] and the New Mutants are on their way to get it back. If only the New Mutants knew that Project Purgatory has a 10 mutant kill-team waiting for them. Who is this kill team and where did they come from? The answer will take you all the way back to a classic X-Men crossover! The New Mutants will never be the same, thanks to Zeb Wells (AMAZING SPIDER-MAN) and Leonard Kirk (DARK X-MEN, CAPTAIN BRITAIN & MI 13)! Part 3 (of 5)
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$2.99

X-MEN FOREVER 2 #7 & 8
Written by CHRIS CLAREMONT
Issue #7 Penciled by Mike Grell
Issue #8 Penciled by RODNEY BUCHEMI
Covers by TOM GRUMMETT
It’s double the danger as Sabretooth fights for his life against….SABRETOOTH!? The cover says it all, folks, as the X-Men’s resident bad boy faces off with his Marauder self. He’s blind and down a hand…but Victor Creed is angling to prove it ain’t the prettier killer who walks away…but the one who’s willing to go the furthest. Just how far will the reformed villain go? Find out as X-Legend Chris Claremont whips up a throw-down that’ll leave fans salivating!
32 PGS.(each)/Rated A …$3.99 (each)
ISSUE #7 COVER
ENLARGE

ACTS OF VENGEANCE OMNIBUS HC DAVIS COVER
Written by MARK GRUENWALD, JOHN BYRNE, DWAYNE MCDUFFIE, HOWARD MACKIE, RON FRENZ, TOM DEFALCO, TERRY AUSTIN, DAVID MICHELINIE & GERRY CONWAY
Penciled by PAUL RYAN, JOHN BYRNE, VINCE MIELCAREK, DWAYNE TURNER, AL MILGROM, KIERON DWYER, RON LIM, HERB TRIMPE, RON FRENZ, MIKE VOSBURG, COLLEEN DORAN, ERIK LARSEN, TODD MCFARLANE, SAL BUSCEMA, MIKE ESPOSITO & ALEX SAVIUK
Covers by ALAN DAVIS & JOHN BYRNE
Two dozen of Marvel’s top talents set more than 40 super heroes against at least as many super villains in the premier crossover event of the 1990s! Plus: the debut of the New Warriors! The destruction of Avengers Island! Spider-Man’s cosmic power and the madness of the Scarlet Witch! A three-headed monster, a three-faced robot, a trip through the worlds of What If? and more! Special guest-appearance by Abraham Lincoln! Collecting AVENGERS #311-313, AVENGERS ANNUAL #19; AVENGERS SPOTLIGHT #26-29; AVENGERS WEST COAST #53-55; CAPTAIN AMERICA #365-367; IRON MAN #251-252; QUASAR #5-7; Thor #411-413; CLOAK & DAGGER #9; AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #326-329; SPECTACULAR SPIDER-MAN #158-160; WEB OF SPIDER-MAN #59-61.
744 PGS./Rated A …$99.99
ISBN: 978-0-7851-4464-9

HERALDS HC
Written by KATHRYN IMMONEN
Penciled by TONCI ZONJIC
Cover by JELENA KEVIC-DJURDJEVIC
Powerful forces are converging on Earth and the women of the Marvel Universe are at the center of it! Years ago, a herald of Galactus sacrificed her life for the universe. Little did anyone realize, a shred of that spirit lived on…and now she’s back for vengeance on those who abandoned her. The most powerful super heroines of the Marvel Universe must put aside their differences to stop this threat before the Earth is destroyed. Emma Frost, She-Hulk, Agent Abigail Brand, Hellcat, Valkyrie, Monica Rambeau, Sue Storm…these mighty women will be put to the test as never before, as cities are destroyed, families are torn apart, and a cosmic resurrection changes the heroes’ lives forever! Collecting HERALDS #1-5.
120 PGS./Rated A …$19.99
ISBN: 978-0-7851-4325-3
Trim size: oversized

GIRL COMICS HC
Written by VARIOUS
Penciled by VARIOUS
Cover by AMANDA CONNER & LAURA MARTIN
Marvel is proud to bring you a celebration of amazing women in comics with a brand-new anthology created entirely by the most talented and exciting women working in comics today, including Ann Nocenti (DAREDEVIL), Amanda Conner (Power Girl), Laura Martin (SECRET INVASION), G. Willow Wilson (Air), Devin Grayson (Nightwing), Stephanie Buscema (WEB OF SPIDER-MAN), and more! With stories featuring your favorite Marvel characters, from the Punisher to Mary Jane, don’t miss what will be one of the most talked-about series of the year! Collecting GIRL COMICS #1-3.
120 PGS./Rated T+ …$19.99
ISBN: 978-0-7851-4792-3
Trim size: oversized

CIVIL WAR: THE UNDERSIDE HC
Written by FABIAN NICIEZA, CHARLIE HUSTON, JUSTIN GRAY, JIMMY PALMIOTTI, FRANK TIERI, MATT FRACTION & DANIEL WAY
Penciled by TOM GRUMMETT, DAVID FINCH, MICO SUAYAN, BILLY TUCCI, STAZ JOHNSON, ARIEL OLIVETTI & JAVIER SALTARES
Cover by DAVID FINCH
Civil War rages in the Marvel Universe, and even those on the periphery can’t escape its effects! As Baron Zemo and his Thunderbolts assemble an army of super villains for the government, the Punisher is busy killing these deputized do-gooders, Ghost Rider fights against others who’ve been possessed, and Moon Knight can’t choose a side! Plus: The Kingpin manipulates Iron Man from jail, a new team of Heroes for Hire makes its mark, and more! Collecting THUNDERBOLTS #103-105, MOON KNIGHT #7-12, HEROES FOR HIRE #1-3, CIVIL WAR: WAR CRIMES, PUNISHER WAR JOURNAL #1-3 and GHOST RIDER #8-11.
512 PGS./Rated T+ …$39.99
ISBN: 978-0-7851-4883-8
Trim size: oversized

SPIDER-MAN: THE GAUNTLET VOL. 5 – LIZARD PREMIERE HC
Written by ZEB WELLS with FRED VAN LENTE
Penciled by CHRIS BACHALO with JEFTE PALO & XURXO PENALTA
Cover by CHRIS BACHALO
“Half-Man, Half-Reptile…the Lizard will take over all of Earth unless Spider-Man alone can stop him!” With these words, Dr. Curt Connors, the man who would be The Lizard, ushered a new kind of villainy into Spider-Man’s life. Now a widower with a son in foster care, and working at the bottom of the pharmaceutical industry, Connors is a broken, shell of a man…how long will it be before a Lizard breaks that shell?! How will it affect Peter Parker’s date with Carlie Cooper?! How is THE BLACK CAT involved? Zeb Wells and Chris Bachalo reunite to bring you the next great Spider-Epic as The Lizard returns! Collecting AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #630-633 and material from AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #629 & WEB OF SPIDER-MAN #5.
128 PGS./Rated A …$19.99
ISBN: 978-0-7851-4615-5
Trim size: standard

CAPTAIN AMERICA: WAR & REMEMBRANCE PREMIERE HC
Written by ROGER STERN
Penciled by JOHN BYRNE
Covers by FRANK MILLER & JOHN BYRNE
The people’s choice?! Captain America’s endless war on crime and tyranny sets him against new enemies and old, from an army of robot replicas to the black deeds of Baron Blood! Plus: Captain America for president! Guest-starring the Avengers; S.H.I.E.L.D.; and the late, great Union Jack! Featuring Cobra, Mister Hyde and Batroc the Leaper! The complete Stern/Byrne run, culminating with the standard-setting version of Cap’s awe-inspiring origin! Collecting CAPTAIN AMERICA #247-255.
224 PGS./Rated A …$29.99
ISBN: 978-0-7851-4966-8
Trim size: standard

MARVEL ADVENTURES SPIDER-MAN: AMAZING DIGEST
Written by PAUL TOBIN
Penciled by MATTEO LOLLI
Cover by KARL KERSCHL
To the public, he’s a mystery. To the media, he’s a menace. To the Torino crime family, he’s a possible million dollar payday. To Gwen Stacy, he’s the subject of her latest school paper, and a way to become a reporter for the Daily Bugle. He’s Peter Parker, the amazing Spider-Man! Featuring SHANG-CHI, WOLVERINE & BULLSEYE! Collecting SPIDER-MAN #1-4.
96 PGS./All Ages …$9.99
ISBN: 978-0-7851-4118-1
ENLARGE

ULTIMATE X-MEN ULTIMATE COLLECTION BOOK 4 TPB
Written by BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS
Penciled by DAVID FINCH
Cover by MARK BROOKS
Collecting the groundbreaking fourth year of Ultimate X-Men in one colossal trade paperback! After years of indentured service to a covert military group called Weapon X, Wolverine escaped and joined the X-Men. Now, after a short time away from the X-Men, Wolverine has returned to New York—with a strange strike force armed with sophisticated military technology on his tail. To survive, he is forced to rely on the Big Apple’s own Spider-Man and Daredevil—not to mention a little help from his fellow X-Men! Plus: For years, Professor X has championed the peaceful relationship between mutants and humans. But with racism and paranoia growing, the president decides Xavier—with his mysterious psychic powers and shrouded background—might be the bigger problem. His solution: get the government involved in the mutant-training business. With the help of Emma Frost, the president handpicks a class of “New Mutants” to serve his political agenda. But who is this mysterious Emma Frost and what is her connection to Xavier? Collecting
ULTIMATE X-MEN #34-45.
304 PGS./Rated T+ …$29.99
ISBN: 978-0-7851-4923-1

NEW MUTANTS VOL. 2: NECROSHA TPB
Written by ZEB WELLS & KIERON GILLEN
Penciled by DIOGENES NEVES, PAUL DAVIDSON & NIKO HENRICHON
Cover by ADAM KUBERT
Cypher returns from the dead, but this is no joyful reunion! As one of the Black Queen Selene’s shock troops in her war against the X-Men, the undead Doug Ramsey is back for one thing and one thing only: to kill Amara! With Warlock on the scene, and the Hellions risen from the dead and raising morbid mayhem, life couldn’t possibly get any worse for the fragile New Mutants. Or could it, now that Magik is finally ready to put her cards on the table? Collecting NEW MUTANTS #6-10 and material from X NECROSHA.
160 PGS./Rated T+ …$16.99
ISBN: 978-0-7851-4065-8
ENLARGE

RUNAWAYS: LIVE FAST TPB
Written by BRIAN K. VAUGHAN
Penciled by ADRIAN ALPHONA & MIKE NORTON
Cover by JO CHEN
New beginnings! The Runaways say good-bye to the past, and make hard decisions about their future. Plus: Still reeling from the events of YOUNG AVENGERS/RUNAWAYS, the teenage heroes must now confront a horrific enemy who threatens to tear the team apart! Collecting RUNAWAYS (2005) #19-24.
144 PGS./Rated T+ …$16.99
ISBN: 978-0-7851-4155-6

Happenings: Toronto Small Press Book Fair June 19, 2010

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THE TORONTO SMALL PRESS BOOK FAIR AT THE GREAT HALL ON QUEEN WEST, JUNE 19, 2010

Because the Toronto Reference Library is having construction work done, the event will be held at the Great Hall at 1087 Queen Street West.

DATE: Saturday, June 19. (Readers and performers, TBA)

TIME: 11 am-5 pm (presses should be on-site by 10:00 at the latest—doors open at 9 am)

ADDRESS: 1087 Queen Street West, Toronto M6J 1H3
(Directions: Queen Street West & Dovercourt Road. Some street parking. Public Transit: TTC Queen Streetcar.19, 2001

Up to 80 small- to medium-sized presses from the Greater Toronto Area—and a number from as far afield as Montreal, Calgary, and even Vancouver—will gather in the atrium of the Toronto Reference Library to sell their books, chapbooks, graphic novels, audio-books, magazines and comics, and a wide array of high-quality arts & crafts.

List of Participants*:

Bongo Beat Books
Eastbound Books
Iron Rabbit Bindery
The Porcupine’s Quill
The Workhorsery
Kaleeka Press
Make’r Good
XOXO Publishing
Microcosm Publishing
ESR Media / The Eclectic Screening Room
Karen Dales
learn/yeats & co
CJS
Sapien Books
Oksanna Crawley
Valet Publishing
Aeolus House
Picture it Picture Books
The Mammalian Daily
above/ground press + Chaudiere Books
Barry Lynds
Fangs ’n Hiss Books
Clouds in the Sky, Jessica Chan
LLS Cartoons
Burning Effigy Press
Freelance Blues
Carousel
Descant
Sherwood Press
Dragon Moon Press
Talia Eylon, Dina Eylon
Denise Kwan
Wooden Rocket Press
Kate Story / Ursula Pflug
Judith Kopacsi Gelberger & Eric Choi
Alternate Reality News Service
ROOM Magazine
Bits of String
Chizine Publications
Invest Now
Fooliar Press
Nano-Nano (OCAD indie publishing course)
Imaginary Press
Shannon Gerard
Worn Fashion Journal
Writers ink – a Rosedale Heights small press
Royal Sarcophagus Society
Vivek Shraya
Nonexistent Press
Lost City Press
Clark-Nova Books
Echolocation Magazine
Tania Press
Lickin’ the beaters / The Molotov Rag
Steeltoedblues
Megan Speers

*Registration is now closed.

The Toronto Small Press Group is a non-profit arts organization that has dedicated itself to support reading, encourage publishing and writing and to increase an awareness of the literary community in Toronto and the GTA. Its mandate is to promote very small to medium-sized presses, by holding two Toronto Small Press Book Fairs in the spring and fall of each year, and by a series of literary events held throughout the year.

The Toronto Small Press Group grew out of the “Meet the Presses” events organized by Stuart Ross and Nick Power back in the 80s, which was then a once-a-month gathering featuring five or six small and micro presses displaying, selling, and reading from new work. A much larger gathering, The (first) Toronto Small Press Book Fair, became an annual event in 1987, and a biannual event in the fall of 1990. The fair has become an integral part of the Ontario literary community and is a greatly anticipated part of the literary seasonal calendar.

New Funnyman collection by Siegel and Shuster in stores!

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Released to comic stores through Diamond Distribution last week, with a wide release to bookstores in mid-July 2010, Feral House’s Siegel and Shuster’s Funnyman: The First Jewish Superhero From the Creators of Superman by Mel Gordon and Thomas Andrae looks at the last great collaboration between Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster.

It’s an interesting book, and I was surprised at just how much of the page count is taken up by articles on the humour traditions that spawned and influenced the character, the information leading up to the publication of the 6-issue comic book series published by Magazine Enterprise in 1948 (followed by a brief newspaper strip series in the fall of that same year) – such as their negotiations with DC as a potential publisher of the series, and how the strained relations eventually led to the lawsuit over Superman in 1947.

This is much more of an historical and contextual analysis than the regular reprint series we see released by the standard comic publishers.

Highly recommended for people who are into comics history – especially those who enjoy publications like Roy Thomas’ Alter Ego magazine.

2010 Outstanding Cover Art: The Hunter by Darwyn Cooke

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Richard Stark's Parker: The Hunter Cover by Darwyn Cooke

Jury member DUANE MURRAY presented the award for Outstanding cover:

Being asked to look at a bunch of covers and choosing the most “outstanding” one is no easy feat.  Getting together with a group of people to agree on that could is even harder, as seeing a cover and reacting to it is such a personal response. No two people’s reactions are alike.

What makes an “outstanding” cover? At it’s base, a good cover is simply something that catches the eye and makes you want to pick up the book.

For some it is a beautiful image – a singular picture that grabs your eyes and forces you to not look away – a clear and powerful image. All of the nominees have that going for them, but what sets a cover apart from being just another pretty picture, is storytelling.

The difference between a good cover and a great cover is the ability to indirectly express the themes of the story, without giving too much away. A cover needs to be striking, dynamic and different. It needs to relate to the story and the art inside but more than anything else it should entice readers to buy the book and not make them feel cheated when they do.

The winner of this year’s Joe Shuster Award for Outstanding Cover Art is: Darwyn Cooke for Richard Stark’s Parker – The Hunter, published by IDW.

Darwyn Cooke’s cover for The Hunter encompasses all those things I mentioned earlier that define a great cover.

Underscored by a great use of negative space displaying the often overlooked art of the title of the book is a beautifully composed image of a man sitting at the edge of a bed, a dead naked woman laying beside him, cast in the spotlight of a toppled over side table lamp – filling with light an otherwise dark scene.   He looks forward, holding a gun, perhaps pondering the same questions the viewer may have — “What happened here?”  The answers lay inside the pages beyond…. Drawing the viewer in… it engages, and it’s truly outstanding.

Duane accepted the award on behalf of Darwyn Cooke.

Duane Murray is a Toronto-based writer, director and actor. As an actor he has accumulated over 45 produced credits.  As a writer/director Duane has produced 4 nationally released films as well as acting as story consulted on several wide-release studio features.  Duane is currently in development with Telefilm on his next feature film project, and is in the process of adapting two published graphic novels to film. This is Duane’s second time serving on the Joe Shuster Awards jury – and in 2010 he served on both the Art Jury (Artist, Cover Art, Colourist) and the Story Jury (Webcomic Creator, Writer, Cartoonist).

Duane Murray presenting the Outstanding Cover Art award - unfortunately Darwyn Cooke was unable to attend the ceremony on June 5th.

Darwyn Cooke is a graphic designer and animator who turned his attention toward cartooning in the late nineties. Known primarily for his work on the DC line of superheroes, Cooke has always had an affinity for crime fiction and has often cited the Richard Stark Parker books – which he is currently adapting for publisher IDW – as a great source of creative inspiration. Cooke has won multiple Eisner, Harvey and Joe Shuster Awards as well as the National Cartoonist Society’s Best Series Award. In 2008 Cooke was Emmy nominated for the animated adaptation of his magnum opus Justice League: The New Frontier.

2010 Harry Kremer Award Winning Store: The Beguiling

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The following statement was written by Robert Haines – coordinator of the Harry Kremer Award.

The Beguiling is a multiple-year Kremer Award nominee, an Eisner-Award winning store that is often referred to as one of the best stores in North America.  Really, they were competing against themselves last year.

What did The Beguiling do in 2009 that was above and beyond what they normally do?

The largest reason behind The Beguiling being selected Outstanding Retailer of 2010 was for the fantastic and consistent job they did in promoting Canadian talent and really turning up their community presence and support with events such as Word On The Street, numerous book launches and in-store signings promoting the works of Canadian creative talent, working with Canadian publishers like Drawn & Quarterly and Conundrum Press, working with the Toronto Public Library system, and finally for the excellent Toronto Comic Arts Festival – 2009 was the year that the Festival moved into the Toronto Reference Library and was upgraded to an annual event.

The Beguiling
601 Markham St. Toronto, Ontario, Canada M6G 2L7
ph: (416) 533-9168 – fax: (416) 533-7313 – mail@beguiling.com
Owner: Peter Berkimoe
Manager: Christopher Butcher
Mon-Thurs 11:00AM – 7:00PM
Friday 11:00AM – 9:00PM
Saturday 11:00AM – 7:00PM
Sunday & Holidays 12:00PM – 6:00PM

From their website:
Founded in 1987, The Beguiling has set a new standard in Canada for comics and graphic novel retail. Showcasing the largest selection of alternative, underground and avant-garde graphic story telling in the country, The Beguiling has a worldwide reputation for excellence. Among the many accolades afforded the store, the most prestigious was the first-ever Will Eisner Spirit of Retailing Award for excellence in retailing.

In its long history The Beguiling sponsored many book launches, author signings, readings, and other comics events with legendary creators including Robert Crumb, Harlan Ellison, Jamie Hernandez, Neil Gaiman, Joann Sfar, and literally hundreds more. In 2003 several members of The Beguiling staff founded The Toronto Comic Arts Festival, bringing alternative and independent comics creators from around the world to Toronto to celebrate the best of comic art. The show continues to thrive, growing in size with each iteration.

The Beguiling is proud to act as the official art representative for dozens of talented comics artists, cartoonists, and illustrators. We sell original artwork from these cartoonists on a consignment basis, to ensure the majority of the proceeds go directly to them. Please visit our online art store at http://www.beguiling.com/artstore1a.asp.

The store regularly buys old comics published from the 1930’s up to the present day. New comic books come in every Wednesday, and new shipments of Japanese anime every Wednesday & Friday. New graphic novels arrive regularly, and thanks to our attention to detail and commitment to diversity, we receive many books before any other retail outlet. If you can’t find it anywhere else, The Beguiling probably has it, or can get it for you.

The Beguiling is located at 601 Markham Street, just west of Bathurst and south of Bloor on the same block as the Historic Honest Ed’s department store.
The closest TTC stop is Bathurst Station, on the Bloor Subway line.

For further directions to the store, why not try Google Maps? (Click here).

Space producer , writer and former Silver Snail store manager, Mark Askwith presents the Kremer Award to Beguiling manager Chris Butcher at the Joe Shuster Awards ceremony on June 5, 2010

The Saga of Rex collection is coming this Fall from Image Comics

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Nominated twice (2007, 2009) in the Outstanding Cartoonist Category for the Rex stories printed in the Flight Anthology, Michel Gagne’s entire 200-page Saga of Rex is going to be collected in a single volume this Fall from publisher Image Comics for a mid-October release date.

Description:

The adorable little fox named Rex is plucked from his home world by a mysterious spaceship and transported to the arcane world of Edernia, where he meets Aven, an enigmatic biomorph with a flying saucer. Follow his epic journey as he travels through outer-worldly landscapes, faces strange perils, and makes surprising encounters. A story that is in turn adventurous, heroic, tragic, romantic, and wonderfully surprising, The Saga of Rex perfectly captures a vision of whimsy and wonder that will delight young and old. Michel Gagne’s lush and colorful illustrations, combined with cinematic storytelling, have earned The Saga of Rex a worldwide following. For the first time, the complete and unabridged tale originally serialized over a period of seven years in the award-winning anthology, Flight, is now available in all its glory in a single volume.

DC Comics in September 2010 featuring work by Canadians

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Newsarama has posted the DC solicitations for September 2010.

Generally this will only include Writers, Pencillers and Cover Artists as Colourists and Inkers are not always listed in the preliminary solicitations.

Brightest Day 10 - cover by David Finch

BRIGHTEST DAY #9-10
Written by GEOFF JOHNS & PETER J. TOMASI
Art by IVAN REIS, PATRICK GLEASON, ARDIAN SYAF, SCOTT CLARK & JOE PRADO
Covers by DAVID FINCH
1:10 Variant covers by IVAN REIS
The resurrected have discovered their purpose for being back, but where will the knowledge lead them? Who is the new Aqualad? And what strange event is taking place around the White Power Battery in New Mexico?
Retailers please note: These issues will ship with two covers each. Please see the Previews Order Form for more information.
Issue #9 on sale SEPTEMBER 1
Issue #10 on sale SEPTEMBER 15
32 pg, FC, $2.99 US

Justice League of America 49 - variant cover by Francis Manapul

JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #49
Written by JAMES ROBINSON
Art by POW RODRIX
Cover by MARK BAGLEY & ROB HUNTER
1:10 Variant cover by FRANCIS MANAPUL
The BRIGHTEST DAY shines a spotlight on Jade as she adjusts to the repercussions of the JLA/JSA crossover. She and Donna Troy head to the San Francisco Bay area to make themselves a new home but are confronted with old and new threats – including the New Teen Titans!
Retailers please note: This issue will ship with two covers. Please see the Previews Order Form for more information.
On sale SEPTEMBER 22 • 40 pg, FC, $3.99 US

Bords of Prey 5 - cover by Alina Urusov

BIRDS OF PREY #5
Written by GAIL SIMONE
Art by ALVIN LEE
Cover by ALINA URUSOV
Join writer Gail Simone and guest artist Alvin Lee as two Birds track down a missing team member in Thailand…where someone is hunting them to make sure they never return! Plus, the shocking events of BRIGHTEST DAY continue to rock Hawk and Dove, the newest recruits to Oracle’s organization!
On sale SEPTEMBER 15 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US

The Flash 6 - cover by Francis Manapul

THE FLASH #6
Written by GEOFF JOHNS
Art and cover by FRANCIS MANAPUL
1:10 Variant cover by ALE GARZA & SANDRA HOPE
BRIGHTEST DAY dashes on with the stunning conclusion of “The Dastardly Deaths of the Rogues!” With Barry caught between the Rogues and the Renegades, the resurrected Captain Boomerang’s role in the adventure is revealed! You won’t believe how this leads to the upcoming FLASHPOINT…
Retailers please note: This issue will ship with two covers. Please see the Previews Order Form for more information.
On sale SEPTEMBER 22 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US

Weird War tales 1 - cover by Darwyn Cooke

WEIRD WAR TALES #1
Written by DARWYN COOKE, IVAN BRANDON and JAN STRNAD
Art by DARWYN COOKE, NIC KLEIN and GABRIEL HARDMAN
Cover by DARWYN COOKE
Three sensational short stories from three exceptional creative teams! Whether it’s soldiers risen from the grave, horror beneath the sea or battles among dinosaurs, war has never been weirder than this!
ONE-SHOT • On sale SEPTEMBER 8 • 32 pg FC, $3.99 US

BATMAN AND ROBIN #16
Written by GRANT MORRISON
Art by CAMERON STEWART
Cover by FRANK QUITELY
1:25 variant cover by ETHAN VAN SCIVER
Don’t miss this fantastic finale as BATMAN AND ROBIN’s storyline connects with THE RETURN OF BRUCE WAYNE! The climactic showdown between Batman and the Black Glove is finally here. It’s payback time for The Dark Knight as Batman and Robin face the ultimate evil. Will Damian betray his father’s legacy? Will Bruce Wayne return just in time to see Dick Grayson die? Plus, The Joker and Professor Pyg!
This is only the beginning of a startling new status quo for the Batman…
Retailers please note: This issue will ship with two covers. Please see the Previews Order Form for more information.
On sale SEPTEMBER 15 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US

Red Robin 16 - cover by Marcus To

RED ROBIN #16
Written by FABIAN NICIEZA
Art and cover by MARCUS TO & RAY MCCARTHY
The new Anarky has his own version of Red Robin’s Hit List! Ulysses Armstrong has made a record of Gotham City teens who could be Red Robin – and he’s murdering them one by one. With an incapacitated Tim Drake crossed off his list, can Red Robin stop Anarky before the villain attacks his next target? And with the deaths of innocents weighing on his conscience, how far will Red Robin go to cross Anarky off his own Hit List?
On sale SEPTEMBER 8 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US

Action Comics 893 - cover by David Finch

ACTION COMICS #893
Written by PAUL CORNELL
Co-feature written by NICK SPENCER
Art by PETE WOODS
Co-feature art by R.B. SILVA
Cover by DAVID FINCH & RICHARD FRIEND
Lex Luthor is a pro at breaking man’s laws, but when he leads a raid on one of Gorilla Grodd’s bases and breaks The Law of the Jungle – “Don’t Mess with Grodd” – can he make it out alive? Or will he become Grodd’s latest meal?
Plus, this issue kicks off an exciting new co-feature starring Jimmy Olsen by up-and-comers Nick Spencer (Existence 3.0, Morning Glories) and R.B. Silva (SECRET SIX)! Get ready for an entirely different look at Metropolis – courtesy of Superman’s pal!
On sale SEPTEMBER 29 * 40 pg, FC $3.99 US

ADVENTURE COMICS #518
Written by PAUL LEVITZ
Co-feature written by JEFF LEMIRE
Art by KEVIN SHARPE & MARIO ALQUIZA
Co-feature art by MAHMUD ASRAR & JOHN DELL
Cover by SCOTT CLARK & DAVID BEATY
It’s not easy being Superboy. He knows he’s destined for greatness as Superman, but how does a teenager deal with that knowledge? Not as well as you’d think…
Also: The Atom co-feature continues with Ray Palmer trying to learn who stole his shrinking technology!
On sale SEPTEMBER 8 * 40 pg, FC, $3.99 US

R.E.B.E.L.S. 20 - cover by David Finch

R.E.B.E.L.S #20
Written by TONY BEDARD
Art by CLAUDE ST. AUBIN & SCOTT HANNA
Cover by DAVID FINCH
Lobo returns to his old teammates for the conclusion of “The Sons of Brainiac” arc! But can even the baddest bastich in the universe beat the brains and brawn of Brainiac? Will Lobo perform the first Brainiectomy – or will the Last Czarnian become just another of the villain’s lab subjects?
On sale SEPTEMBER 1  • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US

BATMAN & ROBIN: BATMAN VS. ROBIN DELUXE EDITION HC
Written by GRANT MORRISON
Art by CAMERON STEWART, ANDY CLARKE, DUSTIN NGUYEN and SCOTT HANNA
Cover by FRANK QUITELY
The new Dynamic Duo uncovers clues involving the mysterious death of Bruce Wayne before facing off against each other in a heated battle that both heroes will regret — if they live through it!
Pulling stories from issues #7-12 of this hit series, this volume includes the story “Blackest Knight,” which ties into THE BLACKEST NIGHT, as well as stories that lead directly into BATMAN: THE RETURN OF BRUCE WAYNE!
On sale November 3 • 160 pg, FC, 7.0625” x 1.875”, $24.99 US

JONAH HEX: COUNTING CORPSES TP
Written by JUSTIN GRAY and JIMMY PALMIOTTI
Art by DARWYN COOKE, DICK GIORDANO, JORDI BERNET, PAUL GULACY and BILLY TUCCI
Cover by DARWYN COOKE
The latest HEX collection, featuring stories from issues #43 and 50-54, includes a look at Hex’s tragic relationship with the scarred gunfighter Tallulah Black, a startling tale of theft and revenge, and more.
On sale October 20 • 160 pg, FC, $14.99 US

NORTH 40 TP
Written by AARON WILLIAMS
Art and cover by FIONA STAPLES
The residents of an isolated rural area discover superhuman – and supernatural – power in their midst in this title collecting the hit 6-issue miniseries. The power stops at the county line, but inside the afflicted area, something ancient and malevolent stirs as new monsters arise. Can Wyatt, an unlikely hero from the wrong side of the tracks, join forces with Sheriff Morgan and town outcast Amanda to keep the county from imploding or being eaten by mighty Cthulhu?
On sale October 13 • 144 pg, FC, $17.99 US

FRINGE: TALES FROM THE FRINGE #4
Written by ALEX KATSNELSON & MATTHEW PITTS and DANIELLE DISPALTRO
Art by JULIUS GOPEZ and FIONA STAPLES
Cover by DIEGO LATORRE
1:10 Photo variant cover
In the first tale, Nina Sharp must choose between her arm, her life…or something even more precious. In the second story, a beautiful young woman finds her youth drained away in a matter of minutes and is willing to do anything to get it back.
Retailers please note: This issue will ship with two covers. Please see the Previews Order Form for more information.
On sale SEPTEMBER 22 • 4 of 6 • 32 pg, FC $3.99 US

Sweet Tooth 13 - cover by Jeff Lemire

SWEET TOOTH #13
Written by JEFF LEMIRE
Art and cover by JEFF LEMIRE
A new storyline begins! Gus and the other hybrid kids meet a new ally in the militia camp, but will he help them find a way out? Meanwhile, Jepperd and his new traveling companions head into the heart of “The Last City” looking for allies of their own.
On sale SEPTEMBER 1  • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US MATURE READERS

June 16th, 2010 Releases featuring Canadian Creators

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New Avengers #1 Regular (Left) and Variant Cover (Right) by Stuart Immonen

If I have missed any works by Canadian Comic Book Creators, please leave a comment, or send me an email at jason@joeshusterawards.com

Age Of Heroes #2
Marvel US$3.99
Artwork by Ty Templeton. Cover by Takeshi Miyazawa.
Preview at Comic Book Resources

Amazing Spider-Man #633
Marvel US$2.99
Artwork and Cover by Chris Bachalo.
Preview at Comic Book Resources

Arcana Presents 2010
Arcana Studios US$0.25
Written by Sean O’Reilly.

Berserker #6
Image/Top Cow US$3.99
Colours by Dave McCaig. Cover by Dale Keown.

New Mutants #14 Variant Cover by David Finch

Brightest Day #4
DC US$2.99
Cover by David Finch.
Preview at Comic Book Resources

DC Universe Legacies #2
DC US$3.99
Colours by Brad Anderson.
Preview at DC Universe: The Source

Do Androids Dream Of Electric Sheep #11
BOOM Studios US$3.99
Colours by Blond.
Preview at Comic Book Resources

DV8: Gods & Monsters #3
DC/Wildstorm US$2.99
Cover by Fiona Staples.

Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 4: Realm Of Kings Hardcover
Marvel US$24.99
Artwork by Wes Craig. Inks by Serge Lapointe. Colours by Nathan Fairbairn.

R.E.B.E.L.S. #17 Cover by Kalman Andrasofszky

Haunt #7 (2nd Printing)
Image US$2.99
Inks by Todd McFarlane.

Heralds #3
Marvel US$2.99
Written by Kathryn Immonen. Colours by Nathan Fairbairn.
Preview at Comic Book Resources

Kade: Rising Sun Trade Paperback
Arcana Studios US$14.95
Written by Sean O’Reilly.

Kade: Shiva’s Sun Trade Paperback
Arcana Studios US$14.95
Written by Sean O’Reilly.

Amazing Spider-Man #633 Cover by Chris Bachalo

Magdalena #2
Image/Top Cow US$3.99
Colours by Dave McCaig.
Preview at Comic Book Resources

The Marvelous Land Of Oz #7
Marvel US$3.99
Colours by Jean-Francois Beaulieu.
Preview at Comic Book Resources

The Mighty Avengers Vol. 6: The Unspoken Trade Paperback
Marvel US$14.99
Inks by Craig Yeung.

New Avengers #1
Marvel US$3.99
Artwork and Covers by Stuart Immonen.
Preview at Comic Book Resources

DV8: Gods & Monsters #3 Cover by Fiona Staples

New Avengers Finale #1 (2nd Printing)
Marvel US$4.99
Artwork by Stuart Immonen, David Finch, and Steve McNiven.

New Mutants #14
Marvel US$2.99
Variant Cover by David Finch.

Official Handbook Of The Marvel Universe A To Z Update #2
Marvel US$3.99
Cover by Kalman Andrasofszky.

R.E.B.E.L.S. #17
DC US$2.99
Cover by Kalman Andrasofszky.

Berserker #6 Cover by Dale Keown

Seven Soldiers Of Victory Vol. 1 Hardcover
DC US$39.99
Artwork by Cameron Stewart.

Spawn Origins: Deluxe Edition Vol. 1 Hardcover
Image US$100.00
Written and Artwork by Todd McFarlane.

Star Wars: Clone Wars Digest Vol. 6: In Service Of The Republic Trade Paperback
Dark Horse US$7.99
Artwork by Scott Hepburn. Cover by Ramon Perez.

Superman: War Of The Supermen Double Feature #1.
DC US$4.99
Colours by Blond.

Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe A to Z Update #2 Cover by Kalman Andrasofszky

William Shatner Presents: Tek War Chronicles #7
Bluewater Productions US$3.99
Written by William Shatner.

X-Factor #205 (2nd Printing)
Marvel US$2.99
Artwork and Cover by Valentine De Landro. Inks by Pat Davidson.

X-Factor Forever #4
Marvel US$3.99
Colours by Jim Charalampidis.
Preview at Comic Book Resources

Brightest Day #4 Cover by David Finch

Joe Shuster Awards & Toronto ComiCON audio by Jamie Coville

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Sarrah Young and Jonathan Llyr

Pictures from the events can be found here: http://picasaweb.google.ca/comichistory/TorontoComicConAnd6thAnnualJoeShusterAwardsJune56th2010#

As he does every year, Jamie Coville has posted a full audio recording of the Joe Shuster Awards ceremony.

The recording can be found here: http://www.thecomicbooks.com/Audio/10-06-05-6thJoeShusterAwards.mp3 (1:57:47, 107mb)

Introduction by the Master of Ceremonies Jonathan Llyr, assisted by Sarrah Young
Hall of Fame induction for Serge Gaboury, presented by Robert Pincombe
Harry Kremer Award for Outstanding Comic Book Retailer to The Beguiling, accepted by store manager Chris Butcher, presented by Mark Askwith
Outstanding Comic Book Publisher Award for La Pasteque, presented by Jeff Brown
Hall of Fame induction for Dave Darrigo, presented by Joe Kilmartin
Comics for Kids Award to Svetlana Chmakova for Night School Vol 1 & 2 (Yen Press), presented by Jennifer Stewart
Gene Day Award for Self Publishing to Ethan Rilly for Pope Hats 1, presented by Jeff Lemire
Hall of Fame induction for Deni Loubert, presented by Ty Templeton
Outstanding Cover Award to Darwyn Cooke – Richard Stark’s Parker: The Hunter, presented by Duane Murray
Outstanding Comic Book Colourist to Nathan Fairbairn, presented by Robin Fisher, accepted by Mike, friend of Mr. Fairbairn
Outstanding Comic Book Artist to Stuart Immonen, presented by David Okum
Hall of Fame induction for Claude St. Aubin, George Freeman and Richard Comely (The Captain Canuck team), presented by Kalman Andrasofszky, Lesley Livingston and Ron Kasman
Outstanding Comic Book Writer Award to Maryse Dubuc for Les Nombrils, Tome 04: Duels de Belles (Dupris), presented by Robin Fisher
Outstanding Web Comics Creator Award to Karl Kerschl, presented by Duane Murray
Outstanding Comic Book Cartoonist Award to Michel Rabagliati for Paul, Tome 06: Paul A Quebec (La Pasteque), presented by Ty Templeton
Closing by Jonathan Llyr

In addition, Jamie has posted some recordings from the Toronto ComiCON:

All Panels moderated by Walter Dickinson of Toronto Cartoonists Workshop.

The Zen of Inking with Ernie Chan. (54:30, 49.9mb)
Bronze Age inker and artist Ernie Chan talks about being an artist in the Philippines, how they worked and the tools they used, then coming over to America and working with artists like John Buscema and Gil Kane. He talks about how he inked Marvel and DC books, his penciling work and some of his very recent commissions.

Greg Rucka – A Novel Approach. (50:12, 45.9mb)
Greg Rucka answers questions about how he got into comics, writing books, working with various artists and other writers. He also tells a story about being an EMT and how he helped a woman that got stabbed in the throat in New York City. Rucka talks about his changed views on the movie industry after his experiences on the set of Whiteout. Greg also tells us about his upcoming creator owned work as well.

Shop Talk with Philip Tan, Barry Kitson and Francis Manapul. (57:29, 52.6mb)
These 3 artists talk about their art education, the process they use when working with different writers. More specifically Kitson talks about working with Mark Waid, Manapul talks about Geoff Johns and Jim Shooter, and Philip Tan talks about working at Marvel and with Dan DiDio. Kitson talks about Negative Space and leading the readers eye around the page and Manapul joins in. They also talked about the benefits and pitfalls of using Agents among other topics.

Chris Sprouse – From Panel to Page. (54:49, 50.1mb)
Chris Sprouse talks about his process of drawing comics. He takes us through going from thumb nails, to layouts to the finished page. Sprouse also talks about why he sticks to working on paper and when and how he does use a computer. He talks about what programs he does use to help him on certain things. Chris also goes into designing new characters and what he thinks of computer colouring.

Jeff Lemire – Bruisers, Brawlers and Invisible Men. (47:35 43.5mb)
Jeff Lemire explains how he went from being an celebrated indy cartoonist to a monthly superhero writer for DC. He talks about his earliest work and winning the Xeric Grant and how that helped him. Jeff gives insight to the real and not real parts of Essex County trilogy and how the 3 book series came together. He mentions how things are going for him in Vertigo and also his now creating a new origin for The Atom and writing Superboy.

6th Annual Awards wrap-up and thanks

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Aside from some mailings of plaques, some updates to this site, adding pictures from the event and our annual wrap meeting we have completed the 6th Annual Joe Shuster Canadian Comic Book Creator Awards.

I really want to say thanks to everyone’s efforts over the past seven months – this was definitely a year to remember and it was amazing that we were able to pull it off in such a short time. I personally think we did a better job of cementing what we do this year than in any other previous year – we placed the focus firmly back on the honouring of creators, retailers and publishers.

We will work to continue to ensure that these awards are focused and continue to be of benefit to the community of creators, retailers and publishers here in Canada in raising awareness of their efforts.

Everyone who helped out this year should take a pause and pat themselves on the back for a job well done – we made it! Phew! Now the word is getting out about the winners and I’m sure we’ll be getting some valuable feedback.

Then we can start thinking about what we can do BETTER for 2011. About where we fell short and what can we do to make things even smoother and more efficient.

We’ve already had some discussions with many of you about these matters and we’d be happy to continue these further.

—————————-

THANKS TO:

CEREMONY

Master of Ceremonies: Jonathan Llyr

Assistant to Jonathan Llyr: Sarrah Young

Presenters: Robert Pincombe, Jeff Brown, Mark Askwith, Joe Kilmartin, Jennifer Stewart, Jeff Lemire, Ty Templeton, Duane Murray, Robin Fisher, David Okum, Kalman Andrasofszky, Lesley Livingston, and Ron Kasman.

Powerpoint presentation: Tyrone Biljan

Special Thanks to Innis Town Hall, University of Toronto Services.

Award Plaques by Ace Awards, Inc.

Printing by Guerilla Printing of Toronto

NOMINATING COMMITTEES

* Publications: Laurent Boutin (Planète BD), Patrick Marleau (Imaginaire), Rachelle Goguen (Living Between Wednesdays), Leonard Wong (Vancouver Comicon), Jamie Coville (The Collector Times), Jeff Brown (Dork Shelf), Mike Jozic (freelance writer), Troy Wilson (author), Gareth Gaudin (Legends Comics), Jonathan Ellis (PopImage), Don McPherson (Eye on Comics), Peter Fisico (All New Comics), Lloyd Chesney (Legends Comics), Jonathan Kuehlein (JPK Comics), and Alex Kennedy.

* Webcomics / Publisher / HARRY KREMER / GENE DAY:  Robert, Allison, Jason, Chris, Tyrone and Scott.

* COMICS FOR KIDS: Beth Alexander, Diana Pai, Jennifer Stewart

JURIES:

* ARTIST/COLOURIST/COVER: Blake Bell, Amy Chop, Robin Fisher, Duane Murray, David Okum

* CARTOONIST/WEBCOMICS/WRITER: Dr. Bart Beatty, Patrick Berube, Eric Bouchard, Robin Fisher, Duane Murray

* COMICS FOR KIDS: Douglas Davey, Renee Jackson, Graham Purcell

* GENE DAY AWARD/HARRY KREMER AWARDS: Robert, Allison, Jason, Chris, Tyrone.

* HALL OF FAME: Scott Dutton, Phil Kilmartin, Phil Latter, Robert Pincombe, with initial input from John Bell & Bob MacMillan.

OTHER THANKS

Thank you to the publishers and retailers who assisted us in obtaining reading copies and/or scans of the nominated comics to provide to our jury members.

Thanks to Andrew Gurudata of the Constellation Awards for his previous assistance with the awards ceremony presentation. Unfortunately Andrew was not available to do it again this year due to commitments at Anime North, which was held one week prior to the awards ceremony.

Thanks to Keiren Smith, who was to present the Hall of Fame Award to Deni Loubert but fell ill on the day of the awards. We all hope she is feeling better.

Thanks to the Dragon for sponsoring the Comics for Kids Award once again this year and for sponsoring the after awards event.

I’d like to thank the many creators and fans who support these awards year after year.

I’d like to thank the 2010 Canadian Comic Book Creator Awards Association -  Robert Haines (Associate Director), Allison Covey (Publisher Liaison), Chris Owen and Tyrone Biljan (who stepped in Art Director) and Associate members: Jason Truong and Scott Townsend.

I would in particular like to thank and welcome back founding member Tyrone Biljan back to the awards. He provided some valuable insight and was able to again provide his skills as a designer to our plaques, poster and powerpoint presentation.

Bravo!

Kevin Boyd, Executive Director