1:45 PM, Thursday, May 23rd, 2013 - Posted by Brant Fowler
 The originator of the comic print-on-demand (POD) services, ComiXpress, announced this week they are shutting down, as The Beat reported. ComiXpress debuted in 2004 and served the independent comic community for nine years before deciding to call it quits. No details or specific reasons were given beyond this statement:
"As our nine year anniversary approached we took a step back and looked at how we've grown in that time and what the next nine years might mean for us - both as a company, and as the creative individuals who make up the pieces of that company. Ultimately, after much soul-searching we realized that although it's been an amazing nine years, sometimes things just run their course and we've made the decision to close our doors. This decision wasn't made lightly but we feel it's time to close this chapter."
ComiXpress was not without their problems, shutting down business several times due to server issues, overload of orders and various other reasons. And with several other services available, notably Ka-Blam, it doesn't come as a complete surprise. However, the company will be missed, and it does leave a lot of creators having to seek out one of these other services.
ComiXpress did confirm that any paid-for orders would be shipped, but no other orders would be shipping out from the company.
The entire topic of ComiXpress shutting down spurred debate on various websites and social media, with some citing the problems and potential death of POD services. Barry Gregroy of Ka-Blam stepped in and made this statement:
"I can't speak to the specific model Comixpress used, but this notion about some purported problem in general with the print-on-demand model for comics is certainly not supported by the evidence I have at my disposal.
Here at Ka-Blam (http://ka-blam.com) we're in our 8th year of operation. At last check we had just shy of 15,000 registered users (and we may have surpassed that by now). We seen growth every year of operation. Presently our volumes are running at an all time high and we were implementing expansion plans even BEFORE this news about Comixpress.
The work is labor-intensive, the profit margins are relatively low, and we're ever at the mercy of temperamental equipment , but seven plus years in and business is very good and growing.
And c'mon ... aren't low wages , hard work, and bad temperament what comics are all about anyway?"
So, while ComiXpress may be done, other companies are still going strong and continue to provide POD services for the masses.
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| 1:00 PM, Wednesday, May 22nd, 2013 - Posted by John Wilson
 Mike Carey has said that a conclusion to The Unwritten is "within sight".
The writer and artist Peter Gross have set out the events of the Vertigo series up until its conclusion.
"We always knew what the climax was going to be, but we deliberately left some of the stops along the way fairly vague so that we could incorporate good stuff that we happened across by serendipity," he told Graphic Novel Reporter.
"That was an approach that we developed when we were working on Lucifer, and it worked really well there. But now we're within sight of those final arcs and final revelations, and we have something like a beatsheet for the remaining storylines.
"We wouldn't have been able to say that three months ago, but it's true now."
The series will shortly enter into a crossover with fellow Vertigo series Fables.
The Unwritten centres around Tom Taylor, the inspiration for a Harry Potter-like character, and his exploration into a world where stories have the power to alter reality.
Source: Digital Spy Add a reply
| 2:00 PM, Monday, May 20th, 2013 - Posted by John Wilson
 If you have not read JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA'S VIBE #4 and do not wish to know what happens, stop reading this post now (major spoilers ahead!)
From the creative team of writer Sterling Gates and artists Manuel Garcia, Fabiano Neves, Sandra Hope Archer, and Brad Anderson, JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA'S VIBE #4 continues Vibe's head-spinning emergence into the world of superheroes.
Last issue, Cisco (a.k.a. Vibe) and his brother Dante received a surprise visit from a being who seemed to slip through dimensions ... and right into the Ramon family's home!
It all begins with Dale Gunn returning home and the revelation that the mysterious agent of A.R.G.U.S. is married. Agent Gunn has kept his marriage hidden up until now in an effort to protect his husband, Casey, from coming to harm at the hands of A.R.G.U.S.'s growing roster of enemies.
Meanwhile, Vibe's mysterious visitor claims to have been A.R.G.U.S.'s "Subject Zero", the first being to breach the dimensional membrane in an effort to warn Earth about Darkseid's invasion which claimed the life of Vibe's brother Armando years ago.
The visitor, Breacher, tries to caution Vibe about the ominous motives of A.R.G.U.S., but before he can finish, he appears to be pulled back through the dimensional rift by an unseen force.
As Cisco and Dante begin researching the origins of A.R.G.U.S., the shadowy organization summons Vibe to assist them in tracking down the escaped fugitive and shape-shifter known as Gypsy.
Following a brief attempt to escape disguised as Batman, Gypsy flees into a nearby building and finds herself cornered by Vibe. But after listening to Gypsy's sad story, Vibe agrees to use his powers to instead help her figure out how to return home to her own dimension.
While all of this is happening, Amanda Waller (who had been observing Vibe during his encounter with Gypsy) declares him AWOL and orders a mysterious team to bring them both in. And just who is Waller speaking to? Deadshot, Harley Quinn and King Shark of the Suicide Squad!
"I like the Suicide Squad quite a bit," Gates told COMIC BOOK RESOURCES earlier this morning. "And when you've got a kid who can tear the universe apart if he wants to who's just gone AWOL along with Gypsy -- who Waller seems to know a lot about and we'll learn more about soon -- I think Waller's justified in sending this special ops team. Now, are there other special ops teams that are also qualified for this? Maybe. But I'm sure Waller feels justified in doing this. And things don't go well for all the members of the Suicide Squad in issue #5. Vibe is incredibly powerful, and while he has some training, if you push him to the limit he could tear the universe apart. God help you if you push him too far."
Source: DC Blog Add a reply
| 1:00 PM, Monday, May 20th, 2013 - Posted by John Wilson
 Multiple Eisner Award-winning writer James Robinson is the latest high profile creator to leave DC Comics. On Friday Robinson tweeted: "So as of today I am leaving Earth 2 with Issue #16. It's been a blast. Man, it's a lovely day. Think I'll take Rex to the beach." Later Robinson followed up with: "Yes, this means I'm no longer working at DC Comics. Best wishes and regard to Dan (Didio), Geoff (Johns), and everyone."
While Robinson's departure does not appear to be as acrimonious as some of the other creators who have ankled DC, there does seem to continuing editorial tension at DC as evidenced by a stream of defections by some pretty high profile writers including Andy Diggle , Joshua Hale Fiakov, and Tony Daniels. Robinson, who created The Golden Age and Starman for DC, is if anything even a bigger loss--and as recently as WonderCon in an interview with Comic Book Resources, Robinson sounded like he had big plans for his stint on Earth 2 that extended into 2014 when a major "event" in the DC Universe was to have brought Earth 1 and Earth 2 together.
Source: ICv2 Add a reply
| 7:00 PM, Sunday, May 19th, 2013 - Posted by John Wilson
 Marvel Comics has canceled Gambit and Red She-Hulk.
The publisher's August solicitations have revealed the conclusion of the two ongoing series.
Jeff Parker's Red She-Hulk was absent from the latest solicitations.
Marvel has confirmed to Comic Book Resources that the conclusion of the 'Route 616' storyline in July's issue #67 will mark the end of the title.
August's Gambit #16 was listed as the series' penultimate issue.
Writer James Asmus has confirmed that September's issue #17 will be the last for the X-Men spinoff on Twitter.
"August solicits let the cat out of the bag, so I can say: 'Yes, our Gambit series will end with #17. 13 issues later than most expected'," wrote Asmus.
Source: Digital Spy Add a reply
| 11:30 AM, Saturday, May 18th, 2013 - Posted by Chuck Moore
Dark Horse sent out a long image containing a full preview of Gerard Way's The True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys as seen below. Click the image to enlarge.
The first issue of the serious hits shelves on June 12th, and the first three issues are available for Pre-Order now. Here's the official description for issue #1:
Years ago, the Killjoys fought against the tyrannical megacorporation Better Living Industries, costing them their lives, save for one-the mysterious Girl. Today, the followers of the original Killjoys languish in the Desert while BLI systematically strips citizens of their individuality. As the fight for freedom fades, it's left to the Girl to take up the mantle and bring down the fearsome BLI or else join the mindless ranks of Bat City!
The follow-up to the album Danger Days: The True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys!
FROM THE CREATOR OF THE UMBRELLA ACADEMY
Find more at DarkHorse.com
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| 6:00 PM, Tuesday, May 14th, 2013 - Posted by Brant Fowler
This is the story of a circus performer turned vigilante. A story of the daughter of a police commissioner turned caped crimefighter. A tale of two heroes working side by side to clean the streets of Gotham. This... is a story of love.
Or rather the story of a couple falling in love because of their mutual love for Batman and all things comics.
Seth and Laura fell in love with each other after a conversation about Batman. That all led to a magnificent wedding with a Nightwing/Batgirl theme, complete with Batman symbol garter belts and ice sculptures, a Haly's Circus themed reception and a Gotham city decorated cake, complete with Nightwing and Batgirl toppers and the Bat signal. Not to mention the awesome photo ops.
I don't know who these people are, but cowls off to them for pulling off one memorable event that they and their kids will cherish for years to come.
Find the complete gallery here: http://imgur.com/a/XSADm
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| 5:00 PM, Monday, May 13th, 2013 - Posted by John Wilson
 If you have not read SUICIDE SQUAD #20 yet and do not wish to know what happens, stop reading this post now (major spoilers ahead!).
This week, SUICIDE SQUAD welcomed writer Ales Kot and artist Patrick Zircher to the fan-favorite series for an explosive new direction. Full of twists, turns, and of course, blood-spatter, SUICIDE SQUAD #20 had fans' jaws dropped to the floor when they discovered the identity of Amanda Waller's latest recruit for the team: James Gordon Junior!
Most recently, James was seen in the pages of BATGIRL, where he teamed up with Joker to terrorize his sister, Barbara, in the "Death of the Family" crossover event. And when Barbara believed to have killed her treacherous and serial killing brother with a batarang at the end of BATGIRL #19 (hence James' eye patch and slight scar), Commissioner Gordon vowed to get revenge on Batgirl for spilling the blood of his only son. But as is so often the case in Gotham City, things aren't always what they seem ...
"He's an obsessive, he's a psychopath, he's extremely intelligent," Kot explained to NEWSARAMA about James' introduction to the Squad. "James Gordon Junior is the Hannibal Lecter of the team and he's interested in working for the Squad because it means he can be near Waller — and also because the membership enables him to figure out ways to kill and torture people and be rewarded for it. It's a new situation for him and while the incarceration itself is a sore spot, he is excited about what he can do."
As for why Amanda Waller sees James as a viable candidate for the Suicide Squad?
"Nothing better than a psychopath when it comes to dissecting other psychopaths," Kot continued. "Gordon Jr. is young, ';talented' and driven. Waller wants his expertise and she believes she can keep him on a tight leash. That said, she's involved with running other teams, so if she overcommits, something might just slip her attention for a moment."
With James Gordon Junior alive and collaborating with Amanda Waller to add his twisted expertise to the Suicide Squad, what does this mean for the future of the team? And should Waller be concerned for her safety now that this psychopath claims to have fallen in love with her? Place your bets in the comments section below, and don't forget to pick up your copy of SUICIDE SQUAD #20, in stores now!
Source: DC Source Blog Add a reply
| 2:00 PM, Monday, May 13th, 2013 - Posted by John Wilson
 Dark Horse Comics is set to release a brand new superhero inside the pages of the Eisner-winning anthology, Dark Horse Presents. Blackout is ready for action!
In Blackout, the commonplace life of Scott Travers changes forever when he comes to possess an extraordinary piece of technology that allows him to access a mysterious dimension within our own. Blackout is wire-to-wire excitement in a world where nothing is as it seems.
Blackout writer Frank Barbiere says, "Blackout has a very fun sci-fi/mystery mythology that comes straight from DH Publisher Mike Richardson, and I think readers will be surprised and intrigued by what we have in store for them! Working with artist Micah Kaneshiro is a delight, and I look forward to bringing our story to DHP."
Says Kaneshiro: "Working on Blackout has allowed me to do things on a technical level that I've never been able to do before professionally. With such a long history of brilliant contributors and significant creations, one can only feel honored to be a part of Dark Horse Presents in any capacity."
Catch Blackout appearing in Dark Horse Presents #24, on sale May 22, 2013!
Source: Dark Horse Add a reply
| 5:00 PM, Sunday, May 12th, 2013 - Posted by John Wilson
 DC Comics has announced Batman Incorporated Special #1.
The anthology will feature tales of the series' characters from creators including Chris Burnham, Ethan Van Sciver, Dan DiDio and Joe Keatinge, reports IGN.
Grant Morrison's ongoing title will conclude in July's issue #13, which brings to a close his seven-year run on the Batman franchise.
Regular series artist Burnham will also serve as guest writer on Batman Incorporated #11, which will arrive on May 22.
DC announced last month that the series would conclude with Morrison's departure rather than continuing under another writer.
The superstar writer's run was originally scheduled to end on Batman Incorporated #12.
His departure, following the conclusion of his work on Action Comics, will mark a hiatus from Morrison's work on ongoing superhero titles.
Batman Incorporated Special #1 will arrive in August.
Source: Digital Spy Add a reply
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