Press Release: AdHouse Announces Immonen Centifolia Project

Click Image to View PDF PreviewCentifolia 2 by Stuart Immonen.
Published by AdHouse Books

AdHouse Books is pleased to announce the upcoming publication of Centifolia V2 by Stuart Immonen.

Centifolia V2 marks Stuart Immonen’s return to his eclectic collection of work! Continuing where V1 left off, we find even more sketches, concept designs, illustrations and comics. Best known for his mainstream superhero work, Stuart is a multi-faceted creator and this publication proves it. Again, 32 of the 128 pages are full color, and Stuart’s attention to detail shows through in the publication’s design.

But wait! There’s more! AdHouse Books will also be bringing Centifolia V1 back in print! To help celebrate these two beautiful publications, there will even be a limited (100) slipcase edition created that includes a special S&N print and custom slipcase design.

Click Image for PDF Preview

Publisher Chris Pitzer responded, “I was very happy to be approached by Stuart to help make this happen. We’ve been con-buddies for a few years now, and I really love his work.”

Centifolia V1, V2 and the limited slipcase will make their con debut at the 2011 Toronto Comics Art Festival that takes place May 7th & 8th.

Centifolia Volume 1 & 2
96 1C pages & 32 4C pages
8” x 10.75” SC
$19.95 US funds
V1: ISBN 978-1-935233-13-8
V2: ISBN 978-1-935233-14-5
Shipping May 2011

Kickstarter: Jay Potts' "World of Hurt"

Friend of the Dollar Bin, Jay Potts, is coming down to the closing week of his Kickstarter project pledge period.  He is currently about $1300 away from his goal.  With Kickstarter its all or nothing, so let’s help make sure Jay can get his project of the ground.

Jay has been working on World of Hurt as a web comic series for years.  He is a great writer and an amazing artists.  I, personally, can’t wait to see this project in its upcoming physical incarnation.

For more information on World of Hurt and the perks of backing the project you can click here:  Kickstarter:  World of Hurt: The Thrill Seekers

To check out Jay’s webcomic follow this one:  World of Hurt: The Internets #1 Blacksploitation Webcomic

Here is a brief:  World of Hurt is a serial, B&W, adventure webcomic set in the early 1970s. World of Hurt attempts to combine the format and storytelling traditions of classic newspaper strips like Peter O’Donnell’s Modesty Blaise and Alex Raymond’s Rip Kirby with the visceral energy and iconography of the Black action movies of the 1970s, such as Shaft, Trouble Man, and Super Fly. Although some of the more lurid and over-the-top aspects of the Blaxploitation film movement certainly lend themselves to satire or humor, the intent of World of Hurt is to use the time period and setting as a departure point for dramatic, urban crime stories in the vein of some of the best Black action films of the 1970s.

Review: Batman: Brave and the Bold Season 1; Part 2

Comic fans are an extremely fickle lot.  Look on any message board and you’ll see page after page of concern among comic readers about the monthly decline in comic sales and how the reading demographic is gradually getting older and older and how we’re not grabbing the younger readers. 

Look a little further down on the same message board and you’ll hear those same fans complain about the latest Batman animated series Batman: The Brave and The Bold.  There will be a chorus of people complaining that it is too campy, that the stories are too light-weight, that Batman is too jokey, that he should work alone for the most part, and that *gasp* Kevin Conroy isn’t doing Batman’s voice! 

Is the dark, gritty, and oft-times depressing Batman: The Animated Series really the best way to introduce new younger readers still in single digits age-wise to Batman?  Wouldn’t a show with a lighter tone and brighter palette that pairs him up with characters from every corner of the DC universe be a better way to go?  Give the kids a taste of what DC has to offer in a fun way and like crack dealers where the first taste is free, the kids will come back and pay for the comics.

Even though this series is aimed at kids, I love it.  The 9 year old in me is has a towel pinned around his neck while jumping on the couch with joy when he hears the theme song and he cannot wait to see who the guest star is that week so getting my copy of Batman: The Brave and the Bold-Season One; Part Two made me a very happy 9 year old.  The adult in me who read the original comic series this cartoon is based on loves not knowing who the guest star that week will be and how Batman interacts with the different characters.  The mentor/apprentice relationship with Blue Beetle, the friendly rivalry with Green Arrow, or his exasperation with the over-enthusiastic Aquaman are all great.

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Shawn Says: Spotlight on New Releases March 23, 2011

In which Shawn looks at the New Releases and lets you know which books she is most excited about!

1) Superman Batman #82

This is the second part of the Sorcerer Kings storyline which is written by Cullen Bunn with art by Chriscross and Marc Deering. Superman has disappeared and Batman is enlisting the help of the more magical members of the DCU. I am pretty sure that this is the first Superman Batman storyline that I have read and I must admit that I am thoroughly enjoying it. It is a fun read that features the Shadowpact, Detective Chimp and Doctor Occult. Not to mention the art is pretty awesome. I bet Chriscross and Deering are having a blast drawing all these monsters and magical creatures.

2) Green Lantern #64

The War of the Green Lanterns has official begun! This issue is full of action and twists. It made me wonder why I stopped picking up Green Lantern after Blackest Night. I am going to try and only read Green Lantern and see if the story makes sense. I can’t really afford to pick up all the issues in this crossover, though I have a feeling that I will need/want to once I get into the story.

3) Deadpool #34

Deadpool in space! I still enjoy Deadpool even after all this time. Some of the storyarcs have been a little weak but this one has been highly entertaining. The Merc With a Mouth has been hired to kill Id the Selfish Moon. I don’t have a lot of faith in him being able to successfully pull this off without causing some serious mayhem. Oh, and did I mention he is married to a giant hippo-like lady named Orksa? Yep, this series is crazy!

4) Meta 4 #5

Ted McKeever’s metaphorical and allegorical mini-series ends with this issue. I really dug this comic and I thought that it had a great ending. McKeever fittingly wrapped up the story with a beautiful sense of closure. I want to sit down and read all five issues at once though. I am sure I will be able to glean even more meanings out of the book if I read it all in one chunk.

DC Nation coming to Cartoon Network

As reported by Deadline.com, during a presentation of new programming held in New York on March 23, Cartoon Network announced that in 2012 it will host a new on-air and online programming block called DC Nation, which will be the home of Warner Bros. Animation’s DC-based projects going forward.

From DC’s The Source blog:

“Debuting in 2012 as a multi-platform franchise, DC Nation will be the exclusive home for original DC animation properties. Backed by the production, publishing and marketing resources of Warner Bros., DC Entertainment and Cartoon Network, DC Nation will be an on-air and online programming block populated with event programming, interstitials, exclusive behind-the-scenes of theatrical production and an insider look into the world of all things DC.

“‘DC Nation on Cartoon Network will be the first-ever dedicated broadcast destination to showcase the depth and breadth of the DC Universe,’ said Diane Nelson, President of DC Entertainment. ‘We and our partners at WBTV are thrilled that fans will be able to immerse themselves in DC’s phenomenal stories, experience a wide spectrum of amazing characters and stay up-to-date on the latest happenings of the world’s greatest superheroes and their creators, both on-air and online.’”

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