In the third installment of the official Diablo III comic book, our mopey hero returns home seeking the punishment he has been craving since the first issue.

The issue begins on a cool note, as a band of Khazra goat demons argue with the thugs who are pursuing Jacob. In a truly creepy moment, the thugs’ leader, Ivan, starts bleeding from his facial orifices as he strikes a bargain with the demons.

It soon becomes apparent that Ivan is possessed by a sinister force—a force that offers to make the Khazra great again if only they will reveal Jacob’s location. The Khazra spend about five seconds contemplating the offer before declaring that Jacob and his wizard friend, Shanar, are hiding beneath them.

Thankfully for Jacob, Shanar has some more nifty wizard tricks up her sleeve, and she deploys several new in-game spells, including Mirror Image and Electrocute. Meanwhile, Jacob engages in some expository combat with Ivan that reveals that the madness affecting Jacob’s people is apparently spread by blood.

A well-placed lightning bolt from Shanar knocks Ivan to the ground, which gives Jacob an excellent opportunity to rid himself of the madman who has been pursuing him for the past three issues. Common sense suggests that it might be a good idea for him to use his flashy magic sword to lop off Ivan’s head. Sadly, common sense is not Jacob’s strong suit.

Instead of killing Ivan, he uses his sword to carve glyphs into his chest. Shanar is naturally confused, and Jacob explains that he will return to his home city of Staalbreak with Ivan and the other thugs so that he can face justice for killing his father.

The problem is, Jacob’s plan is epically stupid. I understand that he feels guilty about killing his father (he has, after all, been moaning about that since the first issue), but the idea that he will find justice back home is just laughable.

He knows his people are suffering from an insanity-inducing plague of unknown, but undoubtedly sinister, origin, yet he is willing to let them sit in judgment of him. That is not nobility. That is not ‘doing the right thing.’ It is a logic fail of titanic proportions, and Jacob richly deserves the slap that Shanar administers to try to jolt some sense into him.

Naturally, things go to Hell as soon as Jacob returns home. The townspeople start to stone him as soon as he enters the city. He is dragged before the constable (who has the face of a demonic Kewpie doll) and is cheerfully informed that there will be no trial. Jacob was found guilty as soon as he fled the city. Jacob begs for a chance to address the people, and the constable agrees, provided Jacob surrenders his super powerful magic sword.

Because Jacob has all the common sense of a head of cabbage, he agrees to this proposal and is promptly hung from a gibbet by his wrists. The townspeople start stoning him again, and they refuse to listen to his attempts to warn them about the plague. He spends an entire night hanging from the gibbet before Shanar saves his sorry butt once again.

Throughout the issue, readers have cause to question Jacob’s intelligence. If he did not know about the blood plague, then his decision to return home to face justice would seem noble, but he knows something is rotten in Staalbreak. He watched his father go crazy. He saw Ivan and his minions eat a boar while it was still alive.

Heck, he even heard Ivan speaking in the voice of a demon! All these things suggest that Jacob’s countrymen are under the influence of something nasty, but he seems oblivious to the danger he faces. He apparently believed that all he had to do was address the people, and they would realize that something evil was afoot. Calling him naïve would be the understatement of the year.

This is the second time Jacob’s masochistic guilt has gotten him into a dicey situation from which Shanar has had to rescue him. We can only hope he has finally learned his lesson.

The article Diablo III Sword of Justice: Issue 3 appeared first on The Toonari Post - News, Powered by the People!.

Mayumi Azuma’s third installment of Erementar Gerade is all about observation and learning. From the scrutinizing eye of Cisqua, the leader of the Arc Aile team who follows the hero and his Edel Raid, to the mysterious onlooking of a dark, cloaked figure ready to buy the captured human weapons, the Edel Raids, there is no lack of new knowledge throughout this volume.

In the last volume of Erementar Gerade, readers were left in suspense after the kidnapping of Kuea and Challo, a couple of Arc Aile’s Edel Raids. Volume 3 drops readers right back in to the scene of the of the crime.

Just as the kidnapper and Edel Raid hunter Wolx, is about to sell his catch to his most valued buyer, Cisqua comes out of nowhere and delivers a speech disallowing the buying and selling of stolen Edel Raids. Wolx is dismayed, but chooses to fight Cisqua, thinking he is at an advantage since this spirited young female does not have an Edel Raid at her disposal. Cisqua proves that intellect is far more reliable than the brutality of a weapon.

Unfortunately, Cou, who has snuck behind the backs of the fighting trio to save the kidnapped Edel Raids, does not poses this intellect. He does, however, have determination and although he doesn’t know how to properly use his Edel Raid, Ren, he never gives up. Fortunately for him, the mysterious buyer calls her minion, another Edel Raid, away from Cou, declaring that winning is not the goal.

Upon first glance these human weapons look just like humans but through further scrutiny, their true nature is evident. Ren, in particular, is recognized by her fighting style. The quickness of her movements and the coloring of her gem, which every Edel Raid has and hides from public view, remind observers of a legendary type of Edel Raid that has been lost to the world for over 400 years.

The mysterious buyer leaves without buying the Edel Raids, believing that the information she was able to gain about Ren will be payment enough. Just who this information will benefit is not yet certain, but ultimately Ren has, yet again, proved herself worthy of the attention and intense observation of an outsider.

After the defeat of Wolx, the team makes its way to the next town. In the process, Ren overhears Cisqua’s plan to take her back to Arc Aile Headquarters. This is not good news for Ren, whose mission is to go to Edel Garden. When alone with Cisqua, she confronts her about the plan. Cisqua, at first, is defensive, but then admits that Wolx was right, that she may be a protector or Edel Raids, but that she is doing it for the money and glory.

At first, she too saw Edel Raids as just tools, but her opinion has changed through experience. Ren confides in her that she used to hate humans until she met Cou but now realizes that humans and Edel Raids are more similar than she initially believed. However, a seed of doubt is planted in readers’ minds when a particular thought passes through Cisqua’s mind. She says regretfully that perhaps if Ren were human, they could be friends.

Cisqua proves that she is more than a money hungry, overzealous lady when she promises to take Ren to Edel Garden before she turns her in to headquarters. Multiple sides of Cisqua are shown in this volume, proving the complexity of her character.

It is hard to tell at what turn she will be the nitty gritty, passionate fighter, the money-loving, selfish individual, or the more emotional girl, longing for a relationship with those around her. She plays the dominant role in this installment, but it is not disappointing to see less of the other characters.

Cisqua’s character development sees her struggle with how others see her and strives to fulfill the mission assigned to her by Arc Aile, while also keeping the promises she makes to Ren. Despite her struggles, she never seems to stay down for long, mainly because of the antics Cou, the main hero, gets himself into.

Once she has circled her way around the demands of Headquarters, the team moves on in their journey to Edel Garden, which lands them in an underground fighting and gambling ring.

Since Cou destroyed the last villain’s motorcycle and Arc Aile’s money had to go to its repairs, this fighting and gambling ring that allows Edel Raids to be used as weapons is the perfect cash opportunity.

Cou is the only one ready to fight, but proves unworthy of the opponents when he loses in the lowest ranking available. That’s not the only problem Cou is faced with. As their funds for the match entrance fee dwindles, the opponents continue to get tougher and more skilled.

Overall Rating: 4/5

The article Delve into The Psyche of Cisqua in Volume 3 of Erementar Gerade appeared first on The Toonari Post - News, Powered by the People!.

Marvel has recently announced the first look at Daredevil #12. The best reviewed comic of the year continues as writer, Mark Waid, welcomes aboard fan favorite artist Chris Samnee (Thor: The Mighty Avenger, Ultimate Comics Spiderman). Matt Murdock’s alter-ego leaves him little time for a social life; but the Man Without Fear finally makes time for Kirsten McDuffie. But, the assistant district attorney’s motives aren’t so innocent; she’s on a mission to uncover Daredevil’s true identity at any cost.

“I’ve been a lifelong Daredevil fan and Mark happens to be one of my all-time favorite funnybook writers, said Samnee. “I’ve have been head over heels for this latest run of DD since I first caught a glimpse of Paolo’s onomatopoeia filled cover for issue one.”

“When Chris’s pages come in over email, I drop everything to admire them” explained Waid. “He’s astounding.”

Will Daredevil’s super-human senses save him from falling hopelessly in love? Find out in Daredevil #12, hitting comic shops everywhere and the Marvel Comics app, this May; as Samnee joins the all-star Daredevil creative team, creating unimaginable adventures only The Man Without Fear can handle.

“Chris is a profoundly adept storyteller with an eye for posture and mood in all his characters,” adds Marvel Senior Editor, Stephen Wacker “He’s a perfect complement to his cohort Paolo Rivera’s outstanding art on Daredevil and I’m over the moon that he’s on board.”

Marvel also gave a first look at Hulk #50, from the critically acclaimed team Jeff Parker and Carlo Pagulayan. Red Hulk’s hostile encounter in Las Vegas during Circle of Four is coming back to haunt him. The end of the world may be upon us, but that’s not all that’s headed for Red Hulk;

“The Red Hulk didn’t get out of that Venom story unscathed,” explains Jeff Parker. “Something followed him out of hell and it’s going to make the supernatural territory of Marvel break open and swallow our anti-hero whole!”

The stakes grow even higher, as a mysterious figure lurks in the shadows waiting to destroy Red Hulk and his fellow comrades! Will Red Hulk’s might be enough to match ghoulish malevolent magic? Can the help of Doctor Strange, Iron Man, Daredevil and more aid Thunderbolt Ross? Find out in the bonus-sized issue- Hulk #50, hitting comic shops everywhere and the Marvel Comics app, this April.

“This arc puts Red Hulk in the paranormal hot seat,” adds Marvel Comics Senior Editor Mark Panicca. “Hulk #50 is a gamma-powered, poltergeist-packed issue that’s a joy ride through Marvel’s darkest side.”

No fan can miss this explosive landmark 50th issue providing readers with a perfect jumping on point, as Red Hulk combats a supernatural threat unlike any he’s ever faced before! With variant covers by Walter Simonson, Arthur Adams, & Humberto Ramos AND a 10 page back up by fan favorite artist Dan Brereton – this is a must have!

The article Marvel Opens the Pages on New Daredevil, Hulk appeared first on The Toonari Post - News, Powered by the People!.

In the next installment of CLAMP’s Gate 7, the team of artists and authors who make up CLAMP keep readers captivated with their style as well as storyline. Although there are many characters throughout the story, readers will become acquainted with them as they continue on their journey through the upcoming volumes.

Quite a few names may ring a bell to anyone who has studied Japanese history, but don’t be alarmed if you do not recognize them, because CLAMP provides brief summaries at the end of the manga to let the readers know more about characters which may be a hazy memory.

Gate 7 does not lack in plot. In fact, it holds the usual suspects, including a romantic and dramatic storyline. The characters met on every page seem to have their own secrets. A playful and subservient teacher may turn out to have a darker side, and the cute, noodle-loving girl you see on one page may not be that same endearing character you see five pages later.

CLAMP keeps readers intrigued with their ability to bring about every emotion, within just a few pages.  Readers will find themselves laughing one moment and becoming defensive the next, as they follow each individual on their journey.

Also, since this is a manga translated from Japanese, the names of each character have a particular meaning.  Just to make sure readers do not overlook these seemingly small details CLAMP has included snippets in the back of the manga to inform readers of the meanings of the names.  Keeping these meanings in mind adds new light not only to the characters themselves, but to their particular importance in the story’s plot.

CLAMP has definitely taken an interesting turn when it comes to confronting historical figures in manga.  By adding a layer of oni (a sort of Japanese demon or ogre), which are prevalent in many aspects of Japanese culture throughout their history, the authors are reaching out to a variety of new fans, all the way from Japanese history fanatics to avid and loyal CLAMP followers.

This is a new manga that you will not want to miss.  For an overall rating I would have to give it a 4.  A 5 would have been ideal, but the great number of characters can be a bit confusing, unless you pay close attention or have an amazing memory.  The next installments, I am sure, will help with the repetition of little known characters met in this volume and make the story all that more enjoyable.

The article Fantasy with a Touch of History: Gate 7 Review appeared first on The Toonari Post - News, Powered by the People!.

Throughout her young life, Buffy has faced all sorts of challenges. Not only has she saved the world innumerable times, fought a smorgasbord of vicious hellspawn, and experienced the drama of romancing the undead, but she has also come back from the dead on two separate occasions. This is a woman who has literally been there, done that. But now the Powers That Be have decided to throw a new challenge at her: a baby.

At the end of the last issue, we saw a shocked Buffy contemplating a positive result on a home pregnancy test. In this issue, Buffy struggles to come to terms with the fact that she is going to have a baby. An unplanned pregnancy would be frightening enough for any woman, but for Buffy, it is even more catastrophic. Being a Slayer pretty much precludes her from having a normal life, even in this crazy post-Seed world.

Buffy ends up turning to Robin Wood, who fans may remember as the principal of Sunnydale High during the final season of the TV show. His mother Nikki was a Slayer too, and she also found herself unwed and pregnant. She wrestled with the question of whether or not to have her baby.

Robin tells Buffy how stressful it was having a Slayer for a mother. Each night he would lie in bed, waiting to see if his mother would actually make it home alive. Nikki’s Watcher offered her the chance to put down her stake and give up slaying, but in the end she could not resist her calling. That proved to be her undoing, and she was eventually killed by Spike.

Robin’s tale naturally makes Buffy doubt the wisdom of having a baby, but he insists that she can do it. He points out that she has already been through so much more, and that she has a close-knit bunch of friends who will help her out. Buffy, however, does not share his optimism, and the issue ends with her deciding to have an abortion.

Spike has some scenes of his own in this issue, and we are reminded once again that he still has feelings for Buffy. It looks like he may have finally screwed up the courage to tell her how he feels, but his announcement is preempted by her decision to have an abortion. Which is really too bad, considering it might have ended one of the series’ more annoying subplots. I have never been a fan of Spike, and his incessant angst over his relationship with Buffy got old a long time ago.

I was starting to have my doubts about Season 9, but this new storyline has me interested again. It could have very easily become a Very Special Episode, but scriptwriter Andrew Chambliss handles the material sensitively without resorting to melodrama or histrionics. The new focus on real-life issues reminds me of vintage Buffy, and it will be interesting to see how the writers handle Buffy’s pregnancy.

Personally, I would love to see her actually have the baby. It would take the series in an interesting new direction, and it would certainly be a lot more interesting than if she just decides to have an abortion. It would be nice if Buffy finally got to be a full-fledged adult, and motherhood might just do the trick.

The article Buffy The Vampire Slayer: Season 9, Issue 6 Review appeared first on The Toonari Post - News, Powered by the People!.

Star Wars: Dawn of the Jedi -Force Storm is a comic set 36,000 years Before the Battle of Yavin (BBY) where Luke Skywalker destroyed the first Death Star.

This first issue sets up the world in which readers can become familiar with the re-imagined origins of the Je’daii. An Issue Zero was actually released that depicted the various buildings, pre-hyperspace ships, organizations and characters that readers would come to know in Dawn of the Jedi Issue #1.

Well written by John Ostrander with penciling by Jan Duursema, this comic reads and looks fantastic. With inking by Dan Parsons and Coloring by Wes Dzioba, the vividness of the characters almost jump off the page in their lifelike movements. Lettering was done by Michael Heisler. There are two covers available from artists Jan Duursema and Gonzalo Flores. The story was conceived by both Jan Duursema and John Ostrander.

The opening of the comic, after the set up by Issue #1, is 12 years after the end of the Despot War. This was a war in which the Je’daii fought in order to defend against the growing war path that Queen Hadiya, Queen of Shikaakwa was spearheading. In the end, she fell at Kaleth, the temple of knowledge.

The Je’daii take her actions and look for resemblances in her once noble goals to unify a nation. In her, they see a loss of balance and so strive to understand the ways of the force and how it binds the universe in equality.

The Balance of the Force is another essential element to the Dawn of the Jedi comic series. As issues progress, it is likely that the polarization between the light and dark sides of the force will become more and more prevelent. Master Ketu, an adult who is watching over two children, appears to be the narrator to the founding of the Je’daii. He speaks to the children of the balance of the force, about the balance in all things and that they should focus on balance even as they are in conflict.

A precursor to the Jedi Code, the Je’daii code is different in that it seeks balance between harmony and chaos rather than only harmony and no chaos at all as with the later Jedi Code, not to mention the sith code. The Je’daii code therefore includes tenants that accept the feeling of hatred and fear, as long as hatred and fear are not the only existing emotions a Je’daii feels.

In balance, a Je’daii feels hate but also feels love, they know chaos and they know harmony and are therefore immortal in the force. Meanwhile on another planet called Tatooine, another sort of conflict waged. Dawn of the Jedi Force Storm follows the tale of Force Hound Xesh.

A Force Hound is, much as the name describes, a seeker of Force Sensitive individuals on planets that the Rakatan Infinite Empire seeks to control. Force Sensitive’s are found and then destroyed. Xesh is owned by Predor Tul’kar, a Rakatan overlord.

The Rakatan Infinite Empire is a government that currently seeks the destruction and enslavement of other cultures. As an Empire they cull Force Sensitive’s when possible, likely to remove competition and take only a select few to become Forces Hounds to hunt for other Force Sensitive’s within the galaxy. What weapons will these Force users utilize since the only sword wielding of any kind in Dawn of the Jedi will involve real steel rather than light particles.

It seems then, that through the force, Master Ketu and Xesh therefore will eventually clash. The first issue gives clues to the exciting next issue that will come as Xesh and his master Predor Tul’kar set out to hunt a new planet of Force Sensitive’s, possible Master Ketu on Tython itself. As the first issue comes to a close it seems as if conflict is imminent and only time will tell who will be the victor.

The article Star Wars- Dawn of the Jedi, Force Storm #1, Review appeared first on The Toonari Post - News, Powered by the People!.

Tony Puryear wrote the 1996 Arnold Schwarzenegger smash Eraser, becoming the first African American screenwriter to pen a $100 million summer blockbuster. He has written action and sci-fi scripts for a who’s who of Hollywood A listers, from Will Smith to Mel Gibson to Jerry Bruckheimer, and adapted storied sci-fi properties like Fahrenheit 451 and Buck Rogers for the big screen. Now he brings that Hollywood horsepower to the world of graphic novels.

Concrete Park, Tony Puryear’s first comics project, appears in Dark Horse Presents #8 from Dark Horse Comics, the premier independent comics publisher. “Concrete Park is a sprawling epic,” Puryear says.

“It’s the sci-fi story I’ve been waiting to tell. It’s a perfect fit with Dark Horse Presents, the legendary anthology comic that served as a launch pad for innovative work by the biggest names in comics, including Frank Miller (Sin City, 300) and Mike Mignola (Hellboy). I’m honored to be in the company of these amazing world builders, and happy Mike Richardson of Dark Horse believes Concrete Park belongs with them.”

Richardson says, simply, “I love this strip.”

Concrete Park is a dark and provocative near-future story. It takes place in a turbulent mega-city on a distant desert planet (think Cairo or Rio in space). Young human exiles from Earth must fight to make a new world there. They are “young, violent and ten billion miles from home.”

In its ambitious scope, it resembles nothing so much as George R. R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire series, but with favelas and aliens, cops and cyborgs, ghettos and gangs, instead of castles and armies.

Concrete Park was cocreated by Puryear and his wife, actress Erika Alexander (Living Single, Déjà Vu), and her brother, writer Robert Alexander. Puryear handles the writing and art chores on the book, and in a refreshing twist for someone known as a writer, it’s his art that has drawn the most initial acclaim.

Read About Comics said, “[Puryear’s] art . . . instantly grabbed my attention. His thick, heavy inks are striking, forming his characters with a great deal of confidence and force. Through his art, you instantly get a feel for this near-future [city]; the swagger of his characters and their surroundings just bursts off of the page.”

About Tony Puryear

Tony Puryear is the first African American screenwriter to write a $100 million summer movie blockbuster. His 1996 hit Eraser catapulted him into a career writing pictures for A listers Jerry Bruckheimer (Buck Rogers), Will Smith, and Oliver Stone. Puryear’s adaptation of the Ray Bradbury classic Fahrenheit 451 for Oscar-winning director Mel Gibson has circulated in Hollywood for years as a legendary unproduced script. His latest script is Lady Scarface for the new RKO Pictures.

A talented artist and designer, Puryear was recently honored when his official campaign poster for Hillary Clinton’s historic 2008 presidential run was added to the permanent collection of the Smithsonian Institution’s National Portrait Gallery.

He lives in Los Angeles with his wife, actress and Concrete Park cocreator Erika Alexander.

The article Tony Puryear Joins Dark Horse Comics with Concrete Park appeared first on The Toonari Post - News, Powered by the People!.

Cole Haddon, along with his artist M.S. Corley, has created an astounding illustrated tale based off of the classic novella ‘The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde’. Haddon has given the classic novella his own twist to the story but importantly, stayed true to the original source.

The story itself is an elaborate crossover between the classic Robert Louis Stevenson novella and the historical murders of Jack the Ripper. The plot, which takes place five years after Hyde’s rampage, is an intriguing “Holmes VS Moriarty” detective thriller where the reader follows Inspector Thomas Adye of the Scotland Yard as he begins his investigation into the Whitechaple murders.

Once on the case, Adye finds himself in a situation beyond his control and realizes he is on the trail of someone, or something, that may be too much for him to handle alone. So Adye turns to a similar case of gruesome murders for helpt and finds the one man who may know how to stop the Whitechaple murderer (AKA Jack the Ripper). We are introduced to Dr. Jekyll in the same way Clarice met Hannibal Lecter. This event really sets the tone of the comicbook and the conflict between Adye and Jekyll.

The characters in the story are very interesting and aid the pace and details that really brings this story to life. Adye is a young detective whose goal in life is to become a prestigious members of society, believing that true justice will prevail. On the other hand we have Dr. Jekyll, who used to have the same ambitions as Adye for his science experiments, but after taking the serum and becoming Hyde, now sees the darker side of humanity and believes it should be embraced. These contrasting ideologies are really what drive this story.

The illustrations are another astounding success for ‘The Strange Case of Mr. Hyde’. The action scenes are expertly crafted, very visual, and beautiful to look at. The style owns a mature, cartoonish feel with very vibrant colors. The designs are extremely detailed and you can tell that a lot of effort has been put into making this comic book look truly beautiful.

Probably the only gripe with the book would be some of the character designs of the background characters. In one scene when Adye and Jekyll enter a manor, they are greeted by two butlers. The two butlers look as though they have the same exact facial design, which I find slightly troublesome, and the same could be said about some of the police officers. However, this issue can easily be overlooked (and forgiven) when considering how great the illustrations are in general.

Overall, the ‘The Strange Case of Mr. Hyde’ is an amazing work of art and a must read for comic enthusiasts. I found myself giddy when Inspector Adye was introduced to many of the characters from the original novella and the historical figures from the real Whitechaple murder case.

I was especially excited beyond comprehension when Adye received the ‘Dear Boss’ letter from Jack the Ripper. I personally loved this comic do death and found myself wanting more and would implore comic readers to pick this up once it hits shelves on February 22nd! Click here for more details from Dark Horse Comics.

Rating 8/10

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Uncanny X-Men, Wolverine & The X-Men and Avengers; All have new and amazing covers for their new issues unveiled by Marvel this month. As the Phoenix Force continues its bee-line towards Earth, Cyclops leads the X-Men into their toughest battle yet. Also, fans can’t miss two mammoth titans, Colossus and Red Hulk, square off in a bare knuckle brawl across Utopia with an outcome that may sway the tide of the war.

Can the X-Men keep the Avengers out of their nation? Find out in Uncanny X-Men #11 from the blockbuster creative team of Kieron Gillen & Greg Land, available in comic shops worldwide and on the Marvel Comics app this April!

This April as well, as the Marvel Universe waits on baited breath for the arrival of the all-powerful Phoenix Force, Wolverine must choose a side of the coming war…but will the Jean Grey School of Higher Learning follow? Find out if Logan fights for mutantkind or mankind in Wolverine & The X-Men #9 from the blockbuster creative team of Jason Aaron & Chris Bachalo available in comic shops worldwide and on the Marvel Comics app.

Ever imagine what the Avengers would look like if they existed throughout the ages? Well here’s your chance as Marvel is proud to unveil Avengers Art Appreciation Variants available throughout all of April.

With everyone on the edge of their seats for Marvel Studio’s The Avengers, fans will have the opportunity to see their favorite super hero team in the styles of the world’s greatest artists like Rembrandt, Michelangelo, Monet, Pollock, Schielle and more.

No fan can miss their favorite Marvel artists like Alex Maleev, Michael Kaluta, Gabriele Dell’otto, Greg Horn, Gerald Parel and more put their spin on these surefire classic covers.

So be on the look-out True Believers, because in April – these Avengers Art Appreciation Variants are sure to go fast!

Which team will reign supreme? Join the conversation on Twitter with #AvX!

For more on Avengers VS X-Men, please visit http://avx.marvel.com

The article Marvel Unveils Amazing Covers for Upcoming Issues appeared first on The Toonari Post - News, Powered by the People!.

When Steve Niles (Criminal Macabre, 30 Days of Night) premiered artwork from his upcoming collaboration with artist Menton3 (Monocyte, Proof: Endangered, Crawl to Me) via his Twitter feed, speculation and anticipation spread like wildfire across the Internet. Now, Dark Horse has finally announce that this new vampiric tale will premiere in Dark Horse Presents.

The Black Plague was a time of death and misery; except for the undead. For vampires, the Black Death was a welcome relief from being hunted and a time of incredible growth for the undead. On the night of their wedding, two vampire lovers are torn apart and separated for five hundred years, setting off a sequence of events that will bring the modern world to its knees.

“I haven’t been this excited about working on something in a long time. Menton3 is the perfect artist and we couldn’t be more thrilled to be doing this at Dark Horse,” Niles said. “This year I’m making a big push to become 100 percent creator owned. Nosferatu Wars will be a big part of that, I hope.”

Steve Niles and Ben Templesmith redefined the vampire genre with the groundbreaking comic series 30 Days of Night in 2002. Ten years later, Niles is poised to make history again, as he and Menton3 blow the sparkle off of the undead in Nosferatu Wars, premiering in Dark Horse Presents later this year.

Earlier this month, Dark Horse Originals also announce two new amazing series from critically acclaimed creators Matt Kindt and Gilbert Hernandez.

Matt Kindt, the most original voice in genre comics, outdoes himself in his bold new espionage series, Mind MGMT. Reporting on a commercial flight where everyone aboard lost their memories, a young journalist stumbles onto a much bigger story, the top-secret Mind Management program. Her ensuing journey involves weaponized psychics, hypnotic advertising, talking dolphins, and seemingly immortal pursuers, as she attempts to find the flight’s missing passenger, the man who was Mind Management’s greatest success—and its most devastating failure. But in a world where people can rewrite reality itself, can she trust anything she sees? If you think you know what Matt Kindt can deliver, you haven’t seen anything yet.

Comics luminary Gilbert Hernandez envisions his strangest, most thrilling future yet in Fatima: The Blood Spinners, a horrifying new take on zombies. A drug called “spin” offers the wildest trip imaginable, followed by its users’ inevitable, rapid deterioration into undead flesh eaters. Despite the side effect, the drug is so popular that the human population is dying out. With no cure to be found, the beautiful, lovesick Fatima may be the only thing standing between the survivors and the apocalypse. Get ready for four issues of zombies, drug lords, and gorgeous women.

Also, announced this month was multiple Harvey and Eagle Award winner Peter Bagge’s Reset, which leads off the Dark Horse Originals variant-cover program.

The article Nosferatu Wars, Mind MGMT Premieres with Dark Horse appeared first on The Toonari Post - News, Powered by the People!.

The adventures of Zoey Redbird continue in the newest installment of House of Night, Issue #3. The House of Night is a finishing school for fledgling vampyres awaiting the change to come into their full powers. Boys and girls will eventually become men and women, but until such a time arrives, they stay and train. Learning is the same whether you are human or vampyre, and this lesson is evident within the story.

Written by P.C Cast and Kristin Cast, the mother and daughter team successfully bring the reader into another exciting episode in the life of Zoey, now head of the Dark Daughters. With art by Joelle Jones and Daniel Krall, House of Night is gaining a tradition of excellently drawn imagery, coupled with dramatic storytelling. Daniel Krall also worked on coloring with Ryan Hill for this issue, and lettering was done by Nate Piekos of Blambot. The cover was done by Jenny Frison, who also worked on the covers for issue numbers 1 and 2.

In this newest issue, Zoey meets with the element of water. She learns the story of Circe and how she managed to change the perception of the ignorant outside world with her good deeds and valiant honesty. The lesson of water starts with Zoey using her powers to pour rain on an unsuspecting mob of villagers. Blatant destruction is avoided, but only because Zoey fanned the flames of distrust between the townsfolk and the House of Night residents.

John Heffer is a new character introduced into the series to serve as a primary antagonist now that a tentative friendship with former rival, Aphrodite, has been forged. John Heffer is the reverend of Tulsa and arrives with a mob set on removing the House of Night from their town. A holy man of some considerable renown, John is called “StepLoser” by Zoey. It is his outrage and shame that Zoey has become a resident at the House of Night. With no real knowledge of the House besides what God has given him, John is a stoutly religious man who rejects Zoey’s way of life.

Another new character is Neferet, the school’s alluring High Priestess. It was she who gave Zoey formal control of the Dark Daughters. Her roll has yet to be revealed, but she seems to have a good grasp of leadership in contrast to the impulsiveness of Zoey. The little that is known about Neferet shows that she is quite calm and collected, much like the vampyre, Circe.

In this story, Circe saves Odysseus and his men from great peril. On his journey home, Odysseus and his men encounter a fierce storm and must land on Circe’s island. Initially wary and scared of the unknown, they attack Circe, who defends herself while not attacking anyone, much like High Priestess Neferet has done. Circe convinces Odysseus to give his blood as payment for helping him and his men. In return, she promises to see Odysseus home safely to his family.

The lesson in House of Night, Issue #3 is be more accepting of others and to gain knowledge before casting judgment. Zoey eventually starts small by first saving her younger brother who is being harassed at school for something equally ignorant, his race. She speaks to her brother, Kevin, and slowly he sees that maybe Reverend John, his mother’s husband, and his own mother are maybe not completely right.

This issue of House of Night brings together yet another aspect of teenage life, emulating the bullying that happens in both vampyre and human worlds. There is no one emotion greater than fear of the unknown, and it is this that charges Issue #3 of House of Night with great energy and forward momentum.

Learning each of these lessons gives younger readers a great guide to how art can imitate life accurately. Older readers will certainly enjoy the storytelling, as well as some of the mythology evident throughout the series. This comic is available through Dark Horse Comics now.

The article Comic Review: House of Night #3, Where Zoey Meets Water appeared first on The Toonari Post - News, Powered by the People!.

Dark Horse Comics has released Issue 4 of their ongoing continuation of the cult TV show, ‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’. When we last left our heroine, she had been betrayed by her erstwhile ally, Severin. The issue begins with a flashback showing Severin working his mojo on a vampire in a bid to gain information about his girlfriend, Alessandra. He seems to be able to steal magic from vampires, but in doing so, he kills the underlying human.

A mysterious stranger told Severin that he needed to destroy Buffy. As he lunges to attack her and steal her power, he taunts her in typical Buffy-villain fashion. As they grapple, both the San Francisco Police Department and her former vampire love interest, Spike, converge on her. The former plan to arrest her, while the latter is trying desperately to save her.

This issue turned out to be a bit of a letdown, actually. The writers seemed to be treading water throughout much of the text, and the fight between Buffy and Severin was not terribly dramatic. A bunch of panels showing Severin gripping Buffy while mysterious green energy dances around them does not make for a very compelling fight. It almost felt like the fight scenes were being used as filler in between the scenes that were happening elsewhere in the city.

I do not want to give away too many spoilers, but the end of the issue wraps up the ‘Buffy as fugitive’ plot arc in a way that just felt rushed. It seemed to end because the writers needed it to end, rather than ending in a natural fashion.

The dialogue also seemed to suffer in this issue. There were a number of instances where writer Andrew Chambliss seemed to be trying too hard to capture Joss Whedon’s famed Buffyspeak (worst line of the issue: “I’ve just got to keep with the fighty until you use up all your snap, crackle, and pop.”) With Whedon, it seemed natural; with Chambliss, it tends to feel contrived.

In my review of Issue 3, I noted that the characters sometimes did not resemble the actors who played them on TV. That problem is even more pronounced in Issue 4. Willow has a brief walk-on part towards the end, but you would be hard-pressed to tell that she was once played by Alyson Hannigan. Buffy’s resemblance to Sarah Michelle Gellar is also at an  all-time low in this issue, and she still tends to look like she is twelve years old.

OVERALL GRADE: B-

The article Comic Review: Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season 9 – Issue 4 appeared first on The Toonari Post - News, Powered by the People!.

The second issue for House of Night heralds continued pressure for fledgling misfit Zoey Redbird.

The vampyres of this world attend a boarding school called the House of Night and here they receive training and guidance not unlike those at a mortal school. However, newcomers to the series, regardless of age, will recognize the historic references scattered throughout the pages.

Based on a novel written by mother and daughter team P.C and Kristin Cast, this is a new comic series where puberty for some select teenagers will lead not only to odd skin and hormone changes, but adopting new vampire powers as well. With art by Joelle Jones and Joshua Covey, House of Night is drawn beautifully, with each page filling out the story wonderfully. Available here to order at Dark Horse Comics and on store shelves near you.

The cover was done by Jenny Frison, with lettering by Nate Piekos of Blambot and annoyingly authentic teenage conversations scripted by Kent Dalian. The conversations and tone in this comic will ring true to anyone within close proximity to a teenager. The series continues to deal with the drama of growing up as well as the harsh reality of not fitting into your own life.

From the first issue readers will know Nyx, the Vampyre Goddess, has given Zoey the task of learning 5 lessons of leadership with which each associated lesson correlates with a basic element. In issue two Zoey exhibits more confidence in her actions, no longer hiding behind a hooded sweatshirt like an outcast. She displays her ceremonial markings proudly and doesn’t appear concerned with the stir that it might still cause.

Zoey’s main concern is how she will lead the Dark Daughters, a student group that functions as a fledgling support group. The history of the Dark Daughters is revealed within this second issue, so readers from the first issue will have a more clear idea of just how their society functions. Whereas the first issue was rather light-hearted in many respects, this second issue is filled with dark themes and eventual rebirths.

Zoey’s arch nemesis, Aphrodite, is the former leader of the Dark Daughters. Her personality shows the archetype image of the female bully with emotional baggage. For the most part she has belittled, embarrassed, and bullied classmates she believed to be lesser than her. While her story will soon unfold, it is likely that she has a bigger part to play than just the mere bully of an international finishing school.

The newness of the series will make for surprising twists and turns while hopefully avoiding the pitfalls of vampire fantasy. These are all young people in the story, but the themes set deep into the plot are classic storytelling tools that guide a reader along on a journey that often mirrors life. The start of a new comic series, especially when the source material is a novel, should make for a very engaging storyline. So far, this has rung true, with the plot moving along at the proper moments.

This comic is hugely entertaining and gives a visual representation of characters from a long standing novel series, which should do well with fans and new readers alike. It is likely that fans will wait to see their favorite storyline moments unfolding while new readers of the comic will go to the novels for further reading. Pre-orders are also available for the next two issues through Dark Horse as well.

The article Comic Review: House of Night Issue #2 Where Zoey Meets Air appeared first on The Toonari Post - News, Powered by the People!.

The #159 issue of Femforce will be published by AC Comics in 2012 and all-ages fans and readers who like Silver-Age style super heroics as well as fans of classic “good girl” art and superhero comics in general should start getting excited.

The recently released synopsis goes as following: The Femforce find themselves in Europe, pulled into the fight of their lives against an alliance of human and supernatural foes in “House of Lost Souls”, while Will Meugniot’s smash sensation back-up feature N.E.D.O.R. Agents must face “The Menace From Within”.

Writers include Will Meugniot, Chad Halcom, Eric Johnson, Mark & Stephanie Heike and Eric Lindberg while artists include Will Meugniot, Rock Baker, Jeff Austin, Scott Shriver, Dan Gorman and Eric Alan Nelson. Cover by Will Meigniot.

Superstar creative dynamo Will Meugniot is in the spotlight again this issue, from his spectacular front-cover rendering of the glamorous super heroines who make up The Femforce, to writing and drawing the latest installment of his N.E.D.O.R. Agents superhero/heroine group series, currently the talk of the internet.

What makes N.E.D.O.R. Agents unique? That can perhaps be best summed up in Will’s own words: “I wanted to do a story that I would enjoy as a consumer, and one that my friends, who used to be heavy comics consumers but are not now, could embrace. The medium has undergone a major “deconstruction” over the last 25 years, and I’m intrigued by the idea of doing a story which goes back to classic form while embracing contemporary mores.”

To hopefully bring more attention to the comic book return of this talented creator (who in recent years has held the position of producer or director on such animated fare as X-Men: The Animated Series; EXOSquad, The Real Ghostbusters; Jem, G.I. Joe, Spydogs, Street Fighter, Captain Planet, Spider-Man Unlimited; Conan the Avenger; Bob The Builder; Ultimate Avengers 2 and dozens of others)

AC Comics is offering a limited number of copies of Femforce #159 personally Autographed by Will Meugniot at no additional charge. Simply order five copies of Femforce #159 and receive one of those five autographed at no additional charge!

At 84 pages of all-new, never-before seen art and story, Femforce is already the best entertainment value in comics; making 20% of the print run valuable collector’s items as well only “raises the ante”.

Fans should not that the Will Meugniot-autographed copies of Femforce #159 will be a Diamond Distribution exclusive, and will NOT be offered for sale directly from AC Comics at any time in the future.

The article AC Comics Reveal Femforce for March Next Year appeared first on The Toonari Post - News, Powered by the People!.

Cut off one of its heads, and two more take its place — An all-new Hydra has risen and they have their sights set on the Sentinel of Liberty in your first look at Captain America #6.

Critically acclaimed writer Ed Brubaker is joined by legendary artist Alan Davis for an important new chapter in the life of Steve Rogers. Throughout Fear Itself, Rogers has been harboring a dark secret and its one that may leave the leader of Earth’s Mightiest — powerless. Can Cap and his closest allies take on the revitalized Hydra and stop them before it’s too late?

Meanwhile, Norman Osborn’s new Dark Avengers are put to the test next month in New Avengers #19, courtesy of the blockbuster creative team of Brian Michael Bendis and Mike Deodato.

The new and improved H.A.M.M.E.R., led by Osborn, is out for revenge and failure is not an option for his new Dark Avengers. And when the New Avengers find out who their doppelgangers are, it will send shockwaves throughout the team. Get your front row ticket to the action in New Avengers #19.

Finally, for X-Men fans, Stryker’s rampage against all of mutant kind escalates in your first look at Ultimate Comics X-Men #4 from the creative team of Nick Spencer and Paco Medina.

With the number of mutants still on the run dwindling down, the new X-Men must act quickly if there is any hope of survival. Except when tensions rise amongst the group – a traitor may be in their midst.

Can Stryker be stopped and can the X-Men hold it together in time to save their race? Find out in Ultimate Comics X-Men #4.

The article More From Captain America, Dark Avengers and the X-Men appeared first on The Toonari Post - News, Powered by the People!.