Tag:

InSEXts

[Solicitations] AfterShock Comics – June 2018

by Jason Bennett April 2, 2018

written by Jason Bennett

PopCultHQ looks at all of the comics and trades
releasing from AfterShock Comics in June 2018…

~~~~~

A WALK THROUGH HELL #2 Andy Clarke & Jose Villarrubia cover

A Walk Through Hell #2

Written by Garth Ennis
Art by Goran Sudzuka
Colored by Ive Svorcina
Lettered by Rob Steen

Order Code: APR181227
In Shops: June 13, 2018

You’re an experienced, confident FBI agent, armed and trained for the worst the world has to offer. You’re on a routine job in a Long Beach warehouse, not long to go before you clock off for the night. So why are you seeing things that just can’t possibly be? Why has your heart stopped beating in your chest? And why are you terrified beyond anything you ever imagined?

A new kind of horror story for modern America, written by Garth Ennis (Preacher, The Boys, Crossed) and drawn by Goran Sudzuka (Y: The Last Man, Hellblazer) that HAD to be told at AfterShock!

ALTERS Volume #2

Alters Vol. 2

Written by Paul Jenkins
Art by Leila Leiz
Colored by Leonardo Paciarotti
Lettered by Ryane Hill

Order Code: APR181239
In Shops: June 20, 2018

Collecting the complete second story arc of this hit AfterShock series!With her nemesis, Matter Man, finally under control, Chalice begins a new chapter of her life as spokeswoman and primary recruiter for the Gateway Army. Sensing that time is running out on the safety of the world’s newest Alter, Chalice expands her search. But as she closes in, new complications arise: Chalice finds herself juggling impossible responsibilities to her family, her Alters family, and an impoverished, now-homeless family she barely even knows. As past guilts intensify, she must stand fast against the pressure of her new responsibilities, or be consumed.From Paul Jenkins (Wolverine: Origin, Sentry) and Leila Leiz (NVRLND) comes the groundbreaking series that HAD to be told at AFTERSHOCK.“The visuals are beautiful and deserve attention, while the story looks to be addressing something avoided in American society. Overall grade: A.” – Patrick Hayes of SciFi Pulse

ANIMOSITY #15 Rafael de Latorre cover

Animosity #15

Written by Marguerite Bennett
Art by Rafael de Latorre
Colored by Rob Schwager
Lettered by Marshall Dillon

Order Code: APR181235
In Shops: June 6, 2018

With the hideous truth of the Walled City revealed, Sandor must use every ounce of cunning to rescue Jesse from her human captors—before the try to “save the world” from the risen Animals…

From creator/writer Marguerite Bennett (INSEXTS, Bombshells and Batwoman) with artwork by Rafael De Latorre (SUPERZERO).

“Animosity looks to be AfterShock’s first true classic, the book that’ll put them on the map.” – Tara Giovannini of IGN

ANIMOSITY EVOLUTION #7 Eric Gapstur cover

Animosity: Evolution #7

Written by Marguerite Bennett
Art by Eric Gapstur
Colored by Rob Schwager
Lettered by Marshall Dillon

Order Code: APR181236
In Shops: June 13, 2018

With one crisis defeated, a new nemesis lurks deep beneath the city, poisoning that which no living thing can live without—water.

From the brilliant mind of creator/writer Marguerite Bennett (INSEXTS, Bombshells and Batwoman) with artwork by SHIPWRECK’s Eric Gapstur—ANIMOSITY: EVOLUTION is an exciting new series that expands upon this already amazing world!

“AfterShock has earned their reputation for putting out some of the most diverse and en-tertaining comics in the industry. Animosity is a prime example of this.” – Steve Gus-tafson of 411 Mania

BABYTEETH Volume #2

Babyteeth Vol. 2

Written by Donny Cates
Art by Garry Brown
Colored by Mark Englert
Lettered by Taylor Esposito

Order Code: APR181225
In Shops: June 13, 2018

Collecting the complete second storyarc from the hit AfterShock series, BABYTEETH!

From Donny Cates, writer of Thanos, Dr. Strange, Buzzkill, Paybacks, Rednecks and the break-out hit God Country, comes a pulse-pounding new series with art from THE REVISIONIST’s Garry Brown!

“This book is going to be the most sought after title of 2017” –Rick Shea of Famous Faces & Funnies comic shop

BETROTHED #4 Steve Uy cover

Betrothed #4

Written by Sean Lewis
Art by Steve Uy
Colored by Steve Uy
Lettered by Simon Bowland

Order Code: APR181238
In Shops: June 13, 2018

The Betrothed’s earth-bound guardians get involved as all hell breaks loose for Kieron and Tamara. After battling Barbarians and having their friends discover the truth about the pair, how can they find a way to cope? Enter an all-night keg party, filled with flirtation, jealousy and a few pranks along the way. Funny, fantastical and full violence—issue #3 arrives with a bang! From writer Sean Lewis (The Few) and artist Steve Uy (Uncanny X-Men, Avengers Initiative, Grumpy Cat) comes a sci-fi series, with a fun mix of Archie and Saga, that HAD to be told at AfterShock!

BROTHERS DRACUL #3 Mirko Colak cover

Brothers Dracul #3

Written by Cullen Bunn
Art by Mirko Colak
Colored by Maria Santaolalla
Lettered by Simon Bowland

Order Code: APR181231
In Shops: June 20, 2018

Discover the sorrow-filled truth of Vlad’s descent to the role of the Impaler! Vlad and his brother Radu have excelled in the art of vampire-slaying. But the vampires have a few tricks of their own. Some of those tricks may shatter Vlad’s sanity.

From writer Cullen Bunn (DARK ARK, UNHOLY GRAIL, X-Men Blue, Deadpool, Ven-om) and artist Mirko Colak (UNHOLY GRAIL,The Punisher) comes a tale of brothers and blood that HAD to be told at AfterShock Comics!

COLD WAR #5 Hayden Sherman cover

Cold War #5

Written by Chris Sebela
Art by Hayden Sherman
Colored by Hayden Sherman
Lettered by Hayden Sherman

Order Code: APR181237
In Shops: June 6, 2018

Many of them are dead, the war they’re stuck in is still in full swing, but now the Cryonauts are face to face with the most dangerous situation of all: a 16 year old girl named Polly. As the stakes and body count rise, they’ll fight to stay alive and uncover just who has thrown them into this bloodbath and why.

From Chris Sebela, writer of Blue Beetle, Kiss/Vampirella and Evolution, and Hayden Sherman, artist of The Few and John Carter The End, comes the story that HAD to be told at AfterShock!

“…there’s no denying the fact Cold War is a new series that flat-out demands your attention!” -Craig Neilson-Adams of BigComicPage

Dark Ark #7

Written by Cullen Bunn
Art by Juan Doe
Lettered by Ryane Hill

Order Code: APR181232
In Shops: June 6, 2018

The monstrous creatures of Shrae’s Ark have been tasked with protecting Noah and his flock. But the shocking nature of the creature that plague’s Noah may set the mon-sters of the Dark Ark at each other’s throats!

From writer Cullen Bunn (X-Men Blue, Deadpool, Venom) and artist Juan Doe (AMERICAN MONSTER, WORLD READER) comes a sinister tale of biblical propor-tions that HAD to be told at AfterShock Comics.

“Bunn, Doe, and Hill are a dream team, each contributing mightily to making this a fantastic book!” – Grant Stoye of CourtOfNerds

FU JITSU Volume #1

Fu Jitsu Vol. 1

Written by Jai Nitz
Art by Wesley St. Clare
Colored by Maria Santaolalla
Lettered by Ryane Hill

Order Code: APR181232
In Shops: June 27, 2018

Collecting the first five issue of this hit AfterShock series!

Fu Jitsu is the world’s smartest boy, and has been for the last hundred years. Wait, what? Fu is an un-aging genius, and has had adventures around the globe and around the galaxy. From Einstein and the Wright brothers, to Gandhi and Johnny Unitas, Fu has met everyone in history while protecting Earth from Robert Wadlow, the world’s tallest man, and his dangerous magi-science.

Fu exiles himself to Antarctica to try and forget the painful breakup with his ex-girlfriend, Rachel. Meanwhile, Wadlow returns from the far-flung future and sends James Dean, his ultimate assassin, to kill Fu at the South Pole. And you thought your teenage years were tough?

From Jai Nitz, the award-winning writer of El Diablo, Sucide Squad Most Wanted and Dream Thief comes this action-packed new series with art from Teen Titans Annual artist Wesley St. Claire!

“FU JITSU #1 is an infectious ball of fun. Jai Nitz and Wes St. Claire’s sensibility is delightfully off-kilter.” – Kent Falkenberg of Multiversity Comics

HER INFERNAL DESCENT #3 Kyle Charles cover

Her Infernal Descent #3

Written by Lonnie Nadler, Zac Thompson
Art by Kyle Charles
Colored by Jordan Boyd
Lettered by Ryan Ferrier

Order Code: APR181234
In Shops: June 27, 2018

Lynn and William Blake confront the anxiety-ridden mad judge of hell, Franz Kafka. Lynn descends further down the fiery depths into the circle of gluttony, where Cerberus awaits with a hunger of his own. Plus, a guest appearance by the world’s most beloved author of suspense and mystery!

From the writers of the break-out hit The Dregs and Marvel’s Cable, and the artist of Roche Limit, this is HELL like you’ve never seen before.

INSEXTS YEAR ONE

InSEXts Year One Vol. 1

Written by Marguerite Bennett
Art by Ariela Kristantina
Colored by Jessica Kholinne, Bryan Valenza
Lettered by Troy Peteri

Order Code: APR181228
In Shops: June 6, 2018

Collecting the complete INSEXTS series in one volume!

At the dusk of a century, a pair of vengeful Victorian vixens discover a horrifying power that transforms them into rich and strange new creatures. Armed with their dark, evolving forms, they descend into a world of the cultured and occult, with new senses and new sensuality, to forge a life for themselves and the child of their love. This new monthly series is the brainchild of writer Marguerite Bennett (ANIMOSITY, Bombshells and Batwoman) and artist Ariela Kristantina (Wolverines, Deep State), a comic unlike any you’ve seen before!

“This is a series that knows what it’s about and revels in it, and I just can’t resist!” – Marykate Jasper of Comic Book Resources

PESTILENCE A STORY OF SATAN #2 Tim Bradstreet cover

Pestilence: A Story of Satan #2

Written by Frank Tieri
Art by Oleg Okunev
Colored by Rob Schwager
Lettered by Marshall Dillon

Order Code: APR181233
In Shops: June 27, 2018

As this newest version of the Black Death begins to rise up and become an even dead-lier crisis than before, Roderick Helms and the surviving members of Fiat Lux race to stop it—but can they do so while being hunted themselves…by the NEW Fiat Lux?

Written by the master of violence, gore, and mayhem, Frank Tieri (Harley Quinn, Marvel vs Capcom, Wolverine, Deadpool), with spectacular art from illustrator Oleg Okunev, and covers by Eisner Award-nominated artist Tim Bradstreet (The Punisher, Hellblazer)!

“The truth about the Crusades is finally told and you’d be dead wrong to miss it. Great characters and detailed art make this a must read.“ –Patrick Hayes of SciFiPulse

THE LOST CITY EXPLORERS #1 Rafael La Torre with Marcelo Maiolo – Cover A

THE LOST CITY EXPLORERS #1 Alvaro Sarraseca – Cover B

The Lost City Explorers #1

Written by Zack Kaplan
Art by Alvaro Sarraseca
Colored by Chris Blythe
Lettered by Troy Peteri

Order Codes:
APR181229, APR181230
In Shops: June 20, 2018

NEW SERIES!

Lost cities aren’t just the stuff of myths. They exist hidden right under our noses. But when a mysterious expedition is disrupted by supernatural activity, and an antiquities professor goes missing, his teenage daughter and her friends must become underground urban explorers, follow his tracks on a coming-of-age journey through subterranean tunnels, and ultimately find the holy grail of lost city: Atlantis buried right under New York City!

Explore science fiction and archeology in this new adventure series by Zack Kaplan (Eclipse, Port of Earth) and Alvaro Sarraseca (Magnus, Turok).

Launched in April 2015, AfterShock Comics is a comic book company that combines the creative edge of an independent comic book publisher with the strengths and experience of a traditional powerhouse. In addition to Editor-in-Chief Mike Marts, AfterShock’s executive team includes: Chief Creative Officer/Publisher Joe Pruett; President Lee Kramer, a film/TV production and development executive who has worked with some of the biggest names in Hollywood; CEO Jon Kramer, an entertainment entrepreneur with extensive worldwide production and distribution experience, SVP, Brand, Mike Zagari, oversees the AfterShock innovative and immersive story-driven digital experiences, Senior VP of Investor Relations Jawad Qureshi an experienced Silicon Valley entrepreneur and investor as well as an award-winning filmmaker, Publishing Operations Manager, Stephan Nilson, Retailer/Fan Relations Manager, Lisa Wu, and Publishing Assistant, Ashley Wyatt.

T H E ~ C R E A T I V E ~ R E V O L U T I O N ~ S T A R T S ~ H E R E !

April 2, 2018 0 comment

Comic Creators independent Comic Interview

[Creator Spotlight] PopCultHQ’s Artist of the Month – February 2018: Ariela Kristantina

by Jason Bennett February 19, 2018

written by Jason Bennett

PopCultHQ is kicking off 2018 in a new way. Each month, we’ll be selecting Comic Book Creators of the Month and interview them for a spotlight article. For February 2018’s Artist of the Month, we chose illustrator Ariela Kristantina.

In just a handful of years, Ariela’s illustrations have been featured in Marvel, AfterShock Comics, Image Comics, BOOM! Studios, and Dark Horse Comics. She’s also been fortunate to work alongside some of today’s hot writers like Marguerite Bennett, Justin Jordan, and Tim Seeley. Plus she takes on cover art, like she did with the entire series of InseXts. If that doesn’t just scream “in demand,” I don’t know what to tell ya.

Her latest offering is the beautiful new series out this week from Dark Horse entitled Mata Hari, where she’s teamed up with writer Emma Beeby and colorist Pat Masioni. We had the fortunate pleasure in speaking with Ariela about her new miniseries, what the comic scene was like growing up in Indonesia, and a very cool way to get larger publishers to tap into the manga magazine market. So sit back and hear from this incredibly talented artist as we put Ariela Kristantina in the spotlight.

PopCultHQ Spotlight Interview

Artist of the Month – February 2018:
Ariela Kristantina

PopCultHQ: How did comic books influence your childhood? What was the defining moment in your life that you knew, from then on, that you wanted to illustrate comic books for a living?

Ariela Kristantina: Growing up in the 90s, manga was flooding Indonesia’s local market. There was a vacuum of local/Indonesian comic production and American/European comics were too expensive to get or the translated ones weren’t as many available as translated manga. Translated manga, on the other hand, were easily found and the cheapest with a wide variety of themes and style. My mother always bought me books to read –I have always loved reading. She started with picture books to novel. I think I’ve never without a book to read on my hand growing up.

There wasn’t really a defining moment in my life that I knew that I wanted to be a comic artist –I’ve been reading comics ever since I could remember. If anything, a group of friends I hung out with when I was in the second or third grade of elementary school encouraged me more to draw comics. One of them drew all the time and she had the most largest manga collection among us, translated or original Japanese manga magazine and the other two “wrote” stories for me to draw but they also gave me a chance to write as well. We kept a book which we circulated among the four of us and we wrote our stories there. We continued where the other left off. It was fascinating because you can never guess how the characters will end up in your stories.

From then on, I guess I’ve never wanted to do anything else but comics.

PopCultHQ: My first exposure to your work was InseXts from AfterShock Comics, of which you were the cover artist for the series as well as the interior artist. The series went 13 issues by time it wrapped up last fall. What did you enjoy most about working on InseXts? Could we (hopefully) see another volume from you and Marguerite Bennett?

Ariela: The most exciting part about working on InSeXts was creating the world and the characters. Marguerite created such rich characters and environment. Before InSeXts, I worked on several Marvel books (The Logan Legacy 2, 3 issues of Wolverines) and Deep State for Boom [Studios] with Justin Jordan. The characters in InSeXts ventured out into a whole new world, full of unknown beasts and creatures. I’ve always had a horror side in me and a gritty style so InSeXts fell right in my alley. InSeXts has two volumes (1-7 and 8-13) but I don’t know if there will be the third volume. I sure hope so! 🙂

PopCultHQ: This week, your new miniseries at Dark Horse entitled ‘Mata Hari’ debuts which, from our advance look, the imagery is simply illustrious with sometimes ornate artwork. How has the transition been going from a Victorian-era look in InseXts to the charming and exotic look of the Javanese princess Mata Hari?

Ariela: Basically, the events in Mata Hari are happening a few decades after InSeXts so the transition hasn’t been jarring at all. Fashion-wise, each era has differences from its predeccesor but around the era/years that are overlapping, I already have a great collection of buildings, furnitures, and wardrobe photo references. There are some specific landmarks and characters I need to do more research on because Mata Hari still, however we approach the comic, deals with historic events so it’s important to be accurate to some extent.

The only thing I REALLY have to do here is to restain a bit of my grittiness. The story we are doing on Mata Hari isn’t solely focused on her exotic and dramatic life. I need to be able to visualize everything clearly. We are trying to capture her as a woman who was wronged, treated unjustly to the end all her life and she was doing what she could to survive that. She’s a fighter, to me –a side of her we don’t get to see often.

In addition, I am half Javanese but I am not/wasn’t really in touch with my culture so it’s interesting to do research about Javanese dances and Batavia/Indonesia in the colonial era. Although Mata Hari isn’t actually a Javanese princess and it’s one of her many “rebirths” in life, I still feel the obligation and responsibility to do this as accurately as possible and present her as one.

PopCultHQ: What are you most excited for fans to see and/or experience in Mata Hari?

Ariela: First and foremost, her life story –told from her perspective. The book is in a form of (fictional) biography and I think it could make all the difference. Visual-wise, my style here is a little bit different than my usual style in my other published works so expect a bit more playful layouts. The color by Pat Masioni also feels different yet very much fits the overall atmosphere of Mata Hari. Our Mata Hari isn’t all about the sexy dancer and the exotic spy.

Mata Hari #1 - page 1

Mata Hari #1 - page 2

Mata Hari #1 - page 3

Mata Hari #1 - page 4

PopCultHQ: What has been the most important and/or valuable piece of advice you’ve received as an artist in the comic book industry?

Ariela: I can never forget these two since I was told a LOT of it during my time as a sequential art student and in the beginning of my career: do your underdrawing and do more live drawing.

PopCultHQ: On top of Mata Hari, what’s on tap in 2018 for Ariela Kristantina? Any conventions and signing appearances lined up? Projects you can discuss?

Ariela: I live in Indonesia so I can’t go to a lot of conventions. This year, the two which are confirmed are HEROES CON in Charlotte, NC and THOUGHT BUBBLE in Leeds, UK. I am looking into going to NYCC but we’ll see about that :). No signing scheduled yet but I will be staying in New York and visit Savannah/Boston/Denver so if any local comic book store wants to arrange a signing, let me know anytime or people can find me in Heroes/Thought Bubble.

As for some side projects I can discuss, I did a three page comic with Alan Christopher Medina (writer). The title is “Helping Hands” as a part in PUERTO RICO STRONG comic anthology by Lion Forge which will be released in March 2018 with all profits being donated to disaster relief and recovery programs to support Puerto Rico. You can order it through Amazon or ask your local comic book store to order it through Diamond. Also, I am given a chance to participate in the forthcoming WHERE WE LIVE comic anthology by Image Comics. For WHERE WE LIVE, I am working with Mariah McCourt (writer) and Bryan Valenza (color). Proceeds for the anthology will be donated to an existing GoFundMe for the survivors in Vegas. I believe WHERE WE LIVE will be released in May 2018.

I have projects I want to pursue this year with several writers and to compile a sketch/artbook after Mata Hari but nothing I can share for now.

PopCultHQ: If you had the power or ability to make one change in the comic book community or industry, what would it be?

Ariela: Oooh, this is a tricky one. Of all the things I want to see introduced and added is for the bigger companies to try the manga magazine system in Japan. It can be published once a month (or bi-monthly for a start), pairing pro writers with newer artists or pro artists with newer writers, and doing a vote so the readers can rate/vote for the stories they like most each month so every other issue, the stories with least votes can be dropped. The cover for the next coming issue can come from, let’s say, one of the three most voted stories. It will be cool to target a specific age for the magazine too for future publications. You can have teen/young adult/adult categories.

PopCultHQ: Which artist’s work are you currently following/reading/collecting?

Ariela: Currently, I am quite busy so I don’t really read a lot of the newer comics. The latest ones I bought/read/collected is The Sheriff of Babylon, Black Panther, Bitch Planet, and I will pick up any books by Sara Pichelli, Stuart Immonen, and Jerome Opena. I can’t keep up with most superheroes recently but I am hoping to pick up some of them when I visit the states this summer.

~~~~~

Special thanks to Ariela for making time to speak with PopCultHQ.

To find out more about our February Artist of the Month,
be sure to follow Ariela Kristantina online!

Artist – Ariela Kristantina

February 19, 2018 0 comment

Comic Previews Comic Solicitations independent Comic

#Solicitations – November 2017: AfterShock Comics

by Jason Bennett August 25, 2017

written by Jason Bennett

PopCultHQ looks at all of the comics and trades
releasing from AfterShock Comics in November 2017…

~~~~~

ANIMOSITY: EVOLUTION #2

Written by Marguerite Bennett
Art by Eric Gapstur
Colored by Rob Schwager
Lettered by Marshall Dillon
Cover by Eric Gapstur

Diamond Order Code: SEP171087
Available on November 22, 2017
SRP: $3.99

NEW SERIES!Violence breaks out in the City by the Sea as the Animals struggle to fend off predators from both outside the city…and inside!From the brilliant mind of creator/writer Marguerite Bennett (INSEXTS, Bombshells and Batwoman) with artwork by SHIPWRECK’s Eric Gapstur—ANIMOSITY: EVOLUTION is an exciting new series that expands upon this already amazing world!

BABYTEETH #6

Written by Donny Cates
Art by Garry Brown
Colored by Mark Englert
Lettered by Taylor Esposito
Cover by Garry Brown

Diamond Order Code: SEP171089
Available on November 15, 2017
SRP: $3.99

Crazy Warlock dudes, super secret cabals, inter-dimensional portals, new assassins, and the horrors of airline travel with a (demonic hellspawn sent to destroy the universe) baby! Plus—Marty, your new favorite demon-racoon-thing friend! An all-new story arc of the critically-acclaimed series BABYTEETH begins here! Part one of RAZED from Donny Cates and Garry Brown!“This book is going to be the most sought after title of 2017” –Rick Shea of Famous Faces & Funnies comic shopFrom Donny Cates, the writer of Buzzkill, Paybacks, Redneck and the breakout hit God Country, comes a pulse-pounding new series with art from THE REVISIONIST’s Garry Brown!

BLACK EYED KIDS #15

Written by Joe Pruett
Art by Szymon Kudranski
Colors by Guy Major
Lettered by Marshall Dillon
Cover by Francesco Francavilla

Diamond Order Code: SEP171094
Available on November 8, 2017
SRP: $3.99

Still reeling from last issue’s traumatic ending, our surviving heroes decide it’s time to stand and fight. But are they prepared for the full fury of the Black-Eyed Children?From EISNER AWARD winner Joe Pruett and Szymon Kudranski, artist of Daredevil/Punisher and Spawn.

Brilliant Trash #1 – Cover A by Mike Norton

Brilliant Trash #1 – Cover B by Tim Seeley

BRILLIANT TRASH #1

Written by Tim Seeley
Art by Priscilla Petraites
Colors by Marco Lesko
Lettered by Marshall Dillon
Covers by Mike Norton, Tim Seeley

Diamond Order Codes: SEP171085, SEP171086
Available on November 15, 2017
SRP: $3.99

In the days to come, a super powered teenage girl wipes the heavily disputed Old City of Jerusalem from the face of the globe. Now, in American dystopia after the “Lady Last Word Incident”, a click-bait headline writing “journalist” holds the key to a med-tech conspiracy that could turn people into gods for the price of days off their lives. But in a world where news is tailored to every viewpoint, will anyone believer her?A sci-fi superhuman epic from Tim Seeley, the writer of Revival and Grayson, and breakout art sensation Priscilla Petraites!

DARK ARK #3

Written by Cullen Bunn
Art by Juan Doe
Lettered by Ryane Hill
Cover by Juan Doe

Diamond Order Code: SEP171090
Available on November 29, 2017
SRP: $3.99

Something vile is lurking just beneath the surface of the fathomless floodwaters. As the rivalry between the various factions of monsters heats up on Shrae’s Ark, an evil from below rises to threaten every human life on board the vessel.From writer Cullen Bunn (X-Men Blue, Deadpool, Venom) and artist Juan Doe (AMERICAN MONSTER, WORLD READER) comes a sinister tale of biblical proportions that HAD to be told at AfterShock Comics.

ELEANOR & THE EGRET #5

Written by John Layman
Art by Sam Kieth
Colors by Ronda Pattinson
Lettered by John Layman
Cover by Sam Kieth

Diamond Order Code: SEP171095
Available on November 1, 2017
SRP: $3.99

Eleanor and Ellis, the art thief and her art-eating egret, are embarking upon their most challenging caper yet…confronting the malevolent painter Anastasia Rüe. Eleanor intends to take back what is hers, and expose Rüe for what she is. Will our high-flying adventure end in triumph, or will this be E&E’s final flight? Find out in the stunning conclusion to the strange and wondrous adult fable by Sam Kieth and John Layman!From John Layman, appetizing writer of Chew, and Sam Keith, captivating creator & artist of The Maxx and co-creator of Sandman, comes the series that HAD to be told at AfterShock!

FU JITSU #3

Written by Jai Nitz
Art by Wesley St. Claire
Cover by Wesley St. Claire

Diamond Order Code: SEP171091
Available on November 29, 2017
SRP: $3.99
`

Travel back in time sixty years to 1959 where Johnny Unitas and Fu Jitsu fought crime as The Golden Arm and Shaolin Lad! Then travel sixty centuries into the future where Robert Wadlow tries to escape the infernal prison at the end of time! Then travel back to now and see this story is just getting started! Kung-fu-time-travel-football goodness, brought to you by AfterShock Comics!

From Jai Nitz, the award-winning writer of El Diablo, Suicide Squad Most Wanted and Dream Thief, comes this action-packed new series with art from Teen Titans Annual artist Wes St. Claire!

INSEXTS Vol. 2 TP

Written by Marguerite Bennett
Art by Ariela Kristantina
Colors by Jessica Kholinne
Letters by A Larger World
Cover by Ariela Kristantina

Diamond Order Code: SEP171098
Available on November 29, 2017
SRP: $14.99

Collecting all six issues of “The Dragon” storyarc! The lovers have barely survived their battle with the Hag, and must now flee to Paris to heal, recover, and restore their love. But beneath the City of Light is a world of darkness, a world pulsing with witchcraft, seduction, and utter, obscene monstrosity…From the brilliant mind of Marguerite Bennett, the writer of the break-out hit ANIMOSITY, Bombshells and Batwoman, with artwork by AfterShock’s own Ariela Kristantina!

JIMMY’S BASTARDS #4

Written by Garth Ennis
Art by Russ Braun
Colored by John Kalisz
Lettered by Rob Steen
Cover by Andy Clarke

Diamond Order Code: SEP171092
Available on November 22, 2017
SRP: $3.99

Jimmy meets his repulsive offspring at last, but things don’t go quite the way either side was expecting. For Nancy, all that skydiving practice she put in suddenly comes in handy—but a terrible surprise awaits her at ground level, in the heart of a suddenly very different London.“JIMMY’S BASTARDS…is a crazy, offensive, beautiful debut to what is sure to be another Garth Ennis winner!” – Lucas Wagner of thatsnotcurrent.comFrom the creator and writer of Preacher and The Boys comes the series that HAD to be told at AfterShock Comics.

PESTILENCE #6

Written by Frank Tieri
Art by Oleg Okunev
Colored by Rob Schwager
Lettered by Marshall Dillon
Cover by Tim Bradstreet

Diamond Order Code: SEP171093
Available on November 8, 2017
SRP: $3.99

This is it—our knights vs. zombies epic reaches a startling climax! Can Roderick and his able men of Fiat Lux navigate through the Church’s conspiracy and finally put an end to this apocalypse of the undead? Or will the unliving and the forces of evil reign forevermore?Written by the master of violence, gore, and mayhem, Frank Tieri (Marvel vs Capcom, Wolverine, Deadpool), with spectacular art from illustrator Oleg Okunev, and covers by Eisner Award-nominated artist Tim Bradstreet (The Punisher, Hellblazer)!

ROUGH RIDERS Vol. 2 TP

Written by Adam Glass
Art by Patrick Olliffe
Colored by Gabe Eltaeb
Lettered by Sal Cipriano
Cover by Patrick Olliffe

Diamond Order Code: SEP171097
Available on November 1, 2017
SRP: $14.99

Collecting all six issues of the Riders on the Storm arc!Three years have passed since the Rough Riders last adventure, but when an assassins’ bullet takes President William McKinley’s life, Vice President, Theodore Roosevelt is thrust into the role of Commander in Chief. As a country mourns the loss of their leader, Roosevelt believes that the assassin is part of a bigger conspiracy, ones whose tentacles reach back to Europe and whose intentions are to destroy humanity through world-wide ANARCHY.To stop them Roosevelt must convince Harry Houdini, Jack Johnson, Thomas Edison and a surprisingly very alive Annie Oakley to band together again. But time has strained the bonds that once united them and the ideologies of their enemies may have already seeped into one of their own.Created and written by Adam Glass (executive producer of Supernatural and writer of Suicide Squad) with art by Patrick Olliffe (Untold Tales of Spider-Man).

UNHOLY GRAIL #4

Written by Cullen Bunn
Art by Mirko Colak
Colors by Maria Santaolalla
Lettered by Simon Bowland
Cover by Mirko Colak

Diamond Order Code: SEP171088
Available on November 15, 2017
SRP: $3.99

In a story where Merlin is the paragon of evil, how will Morgan Le Fay be depicted? The greatest enemy of Camelot arrives in the darkest chapter of this Arthurian horror tale. And the love affair between Lancelot and Guinevere is revealed—with deadly consequences!From writer Cullen Bunn (X-Men Blue, Deadpool, Venom) and artist Mirko Colak (The Punisher) comes a Lovecraftian take on the Arthurian legend that HAD to be told at AfterShock Comics.

WORLD READER Vol. 1 TP

Written by Jeff Loveness
Art by Juan Doe
Lettered by Rachel Deering
Cover by Juan Doe

Diamond Order Code: SEP171096
Available on November 8, 2017
SRP: $14.99

Meet Sarah, an astronaut traveling from dead planet to dead planet, talking to the ghosts of the dead worlds…as she fights to discover the secret that’s killing the universe. But Death doesn’t give up its secrets so easily, and as Death hunts her from planet to planet, Sarah struggles to maintain the trust of her crew and her own sanity in the endless ocean of lives. Every world has a story, and if she can find the secret tying them all together, she can save Earth from being the next world to die.From Groot and Jimmy Kimmel Live! writer Jeff Loveness and AMERICAN MONSTER, ANIMOSITY: THE RISE artist Juan Doe comes the chilling, epic new series that will be sure to appeal to fans of Arrival, Interstellar, and The Expanse.Collecting all six issues from this hit AfterShock series!

ABOUT AFTERSHOCK COMICS– Launched in April 2015, AfterShock Comics is a comic book company that combines the creative edge of an independent comic book publisher with the strengths and experience of a traditional powerhouse. In addition to Editor-in-Chief Mike Marts, AfterShock’s executive team includes: Chief Creative Officer/Publisher Joe Pruett; President Lee Kramer, a film/TV production and development executive who has worked with some of the biggest names in Hollywood; CEO Jon Kramer, an entertainment entrepreneur with extensive worldwide production and distribution experience, Senior VP Digital-Creative, Mike Zagari, oversees the AfterShock innovative and immersive story-driven digital experiences, Senior VP of Investor Relations Jawad Qureshi an experienced Silicon Valley entrepreneur and investor as well as an award-winning filmmaker, Publishing Operations Manager, Stephan Nilson, Retailer/Fan Relations Manager, Lisa Wu, and Publishing Assistant, Ashley Wyatt.

T H E ~ C R E A T I V E ~ R E V O L U T I O N ~ S T A R T S ~ H E R E !

*** info and images courtesy of AfterShock Comics, ComiXology, and PreviewsWorld

August 25, 2017 0 comment

Comic Previews Comic Solicitations independent Comic

#Solicitations – September 2017: AfterShock Comics

by Jason Bennett June 29, 2017

written by Jason Bennett

PopCultHQ looks at all of the comics
releasing from AfterShock Comics in September 2017…

~~~~~

Animosity: The Rise #3

Writer: Marguerite Bennett

Artist: Juan Doe
Letters: Marshall Dillon

Cover Artist: Juan Doe

Item Code: JUL171311

In Shops: Sep 06, 2017
SRP: $3.99

The City by the Sea is under Animal control. Led by a mysterious beast, and under laws and dangers never known before, the city is on the brink of crisis—and one man stands between totalitarian order or ravenous chaos. What choice is there?

The exciting third chapter of this ANIMOSITY trilogy comes to a conclusion here, paving the way to AfterShock’s new ongoing ANIMOSITY series, debuting next month!From creator Marguerite Bennett (INSEXTS, Bombshells and Batwoman) and artist Juan Doe (AMERICAN MONSTER, WORLD READER).

Babyteeth #4

Writer: Donny Cates
Artist: Garry Brown
Colors: Mark Englert
Letters: Taylor Esposito

Cover Artist: Garry Brown

Item Code: JUL171308
In Shops: Sep 13, 2017

SRP: $3.99

So, you know how we’ve all been really coy and playful about how this book is going to get dark and bloody and really hardcore at a certain point?
This is the issue where that starts happening.

Happy reading everyone! (Call your mother. She worries).

From Donny Cates, the writer of Buzzkill, Paybacks, Redneck and the breakout hit God Country comes a pulse-pounding new series with art from THE REVISIONIST’s Garry Brown!

Black Eyed Kids #14

Writer: Joe Pruett
Artist: Szymon Kudranski
Colors: Guy Major
Letters: Marshall Dillon
Cover Artist: Francesco Francavilla

Item Code: JUL171314

In Shops: Sep 13, 2017

SRP: $3.99

Jim Loudin life’s has been shattered. The BEK have caused the death of his wife, the corrupting of his son and the near death of his daughter. Now his comes face-to-face with the monster behind all his pain, the impish leader of the Black-Eyed Children. But will he survive the encounter?

From EISNER AWARD winner Joe Pruett and Szymon Kudranski, the artist of DAREDEVIL/PUNISHER and SPAWN.

Dark Ark #1 – Cover A by Juan Doe

Dark Ark #1 – Cover B by Phil Hester

Dark Ark #1

Writer: Cullen Bunn
Artist: Juan Doe

Letters: Ryane Hill

Cover Artists:
Juan Doe
Phil Hester

Item Codes:
JUL171303 (Cover A)
JUL171304 (Cover B)

In Shops: Sep 20, 2017

SRP: $3.99

NEW SERIES!The wickedness of mankind has moved the Creator to destroy the world by way of the flood. Noah has been tasked with building an ark to save his family and the animals of the world. But this is not Noah’s story. For darker powers have commanded the sorcerer Shrae to build his own ark and save the unnatural creatures of the world-such as the vampires, the dragons, the naga, and the manticore. But what will happen on a vessel crawling with monsters, where insidious intrigue and horrific violence are the rule of law?

From writer Cullen Bunn (X-Men Blue, Deadpool, Venom) and artist Juan Doe (AMERICAN MONSTER, WORLD READER) comes a sinister tale of biblical proportions that HAD to be told at AfterShock Comics.

Fu Jitsu #1 – Cover A by Wes St. Claire

Fu Jitsu #1 – Cover B by Greg Smallwood

Fu Jitsu #1

Writer: Jai Nitz
Artist: Wesley St. Claire
Letters: Ryane Hill

Cover Artists:
Wesley St. Claire

Greg Smallwood

Item Codes:

JUL171306 (Cover A)

JUL171307 (Cover B)

In Shops: Sep 27, 2017

SRP: $3.99

NEW SERIES!

Fu exiles himself to Antarctica to try and forget the painful break up with his ex-girlfriend, Rachel. Meanwhile, Wadlow returns from the far-flung future and sends James Dean, his ultimate assassin, to kill Fu at the South Pole. And you though your teenage years were tough?

InseXts #13

Writer: Marguerite Bennett
Artist: Ariela Kristantina
Colors: Jessica Kholinne

Letters: A Larger World

Cover Artist: Ariela Kristantina

Item Code: JUL171310
In Shops: Sep 13, 2017
SRP: $3.99

In the climactic arc finale of INSEXTS, Lady and Mariah-the deadly Victorian vixens out for revenge-begin a chain reaction to alter their world forever…

From the brilliant mind of Marguerite Bennett, the writer of the break-out hit ANIMOSITY, Bombshells and Batwoman, with artwork by AfterShock’s own Ariela Kristantina!

Rough Riders: Riders on the Storm #6

Writer: Adam Glass
Artist: Pat Oliffe
Colors: Gabe Eltaeb
Letters: Sal Cipriano
Cover Artist: Pat Oliffe

Item Code: JUL171313

In Shops: Sep 27, 2017

SRP: $3.99

“Man of War”

The epic showdown is upon us as Roosevelt and the Rough Riders take on QUEEN VICTORIA and the BRITISH NAVY in order to save the United States from the clutches of an Anarchist Invasion. However, the Rough Riders will learn that their greatest challenge could still be ahead of them as they must set aside their own differences and focus on a much larger threat. A danger that in the end will sow the seeds of their very own destruction!

Created and written by Adam Glass (executive producer of Supernatural and writer of Suicide Squad) with artwork by Patrick Olliffe (Untold Tales of Spider-Man).

The Normals #5

Writer: Adam Glass
Artist: Dennis Calero
Colors: Adriano Augusto
Cover Artist: Juan Doe

Item Code: JUL171315
In Shops: Sep 27, 2017

SRP: $3.99

“This Must Be The Place”

The Normals now know and accept that they’re different…but what they can’t decide on is all the rest. Are they still a family? Are they on a fool’s errand? Can they trust one another? As they try to figure this all out, the Normals find their first Automaton that they must awaken-so he knows the truth about his existence and has the choice of free will. Only one problem, this Automaton seems to be a MURDERER. Raising the question: do you give awareness to something that’s already evil?

Created and written by Adam Glass (executive producer of Supernatural & writer of Suicide Squad) with art by Dennis Calero (X-Men Noir).

Unholy Grail #3

Writer: Cullen Bunn
Artist: Mirko Colak
Colors: Simon Bowland

Cover Artist: Mirko Colak

Item Code: JUL171309

In Shops: Sep 20, 2017

SRP: $3.99

You’ve heard the story of Arthur, Guinevere, and Lancelot-a tale of love both courtly and true. Now envision that love unfolding in a version of Camelot crawling with demonic receivers and unnatural horrors! Love itself takes a dark turn as jealousies unfold and grim thoughts of murder and betrayal take root in the minds of kings.

From writer Cullen Bunn (X-Men Blue, Deadpool, Venom) and artist Mirko Colak (Punisher) comes a Lovecraftian take on the Arthurian legend that HAD to be told at AfterShock Comics.

World of Animosity #1

Writer: Marguerite Bennett
Artist: Rafael De La Torre, Juan Doe

Colors: Rob Schwager
Letters: Marshall Dillon

Cover Artist: Roberto De La Torre

Item Code: JUL171305

In Shops: Sep 20, 2017

SRP: $3.99

A journey through an apocalypse like none ever imagined-this singular one-shot brings readers and fans alike an exclusive look at the characters, creatures, maps, mysteries, enemies, histories, and the road-so-far in a world where the Animals have risen up to take revenge. This standalone collection includes a variant cover gallery, character designs, never-before-seen artwork, and summaries that will not only bring new readers up to speed, but allow existing readers to dive deep with new information into stories they already love.

World Reader #6

Writer: Jeff Loveness
Artist: Juan Doe

Letters: Rachel Deering
Cover Artist: Juan Doe

Item Code: JUL171312

In Shops: Sep 06, 2017

SRP: $3.99

Sarah’s mission lies in failure, but the moment of truth is here. Who is the Faded Man and why is he hunting Sarah across the dead worlds? The breath of every life speaks through Sarah, and Life itself reveals its purpose. The first arc of this epic sci-fi comes to a starling conclusion!

From Groot and Jimmy Kimmel Live! writer Jeff Loveness and AMERICAN MONSTER, ANIMOSITY: THE RISE artist Juan Doe comes the chilling, epic new series that will be sure to appeal to fans of Arrival, Interstellar and The Expanse.

T H E ~ C R E A T I V E ~ R E V O L U T I O N ~ S T A R T S ~ H E R E !

*** info and images courtesy of AfterShock Comics, ComiXology, and PreviewsWorld

June 29, 2017 0 comment

Comic Previews Comic Solicitations independent Comic

PopCultHQ’s First Look: July 2017 Solicitations from AfterShock Comics

by Jason Bennett April 28, 2017

written by Jason Bennett

Popculthq looks at all of the comics
releasing from AfterShock Comics in July 2017…

~~~~~

ANIMOSITY: THE RISE #2

Writer: Marguerite Bennett

Artist: Juan Doe
Letters: Marshall Dillon
Cover Artist: Juan Doe

Item Code: MAY171048

In Shops: Jul 12, 2017

SRP: $3.99

A city by the sea rises, ruled by animals who become more human and humans who become more animal. All the while, Adam, an imprisoned veterinarian, works on the technology that would give his captors the strength to change the world…

BABYTEETH #2

Writer: Donny Cates
Artist: Garry Brown

Colors: Mark Englert
Letters: Taylor Esposito

Cover Artist: Garry Brown

Item Code: MAY171047

In Shops: Jul 05, 2017

SRP: $3.99

The first few weeks of raising a baby can be hell. Clark won’t latch or take a bottle, he’s fussy all the time and he has just destroyed Sadie’s sleep schedule. Ugh, and also the constant assassins and secret cabals organizing against her to kill her baby because he’s the dark lord incarnate who will usher in the apocalypse…well, that is just not helping either…
From the writer of Buzzkill, Paybacks, Redneck and the break-out hit God Country comes a pulse-pounding new series with art from THE REVISIONIST’s Garry Brown!

BLACK EYED KIDS #13

Writer: Joe Pruett
Artist: Szymon Kudranski

Colors: Guy Major
Letters: Marshall Dillon
Cover Artist: Francesco Francavilla

Item Code: MAY171053

In Shops: Jul 12, 2017

SRP: $3.99

The BEK Boy King home for a house visit, with Jim, Andrew, Lara, Jones, and Riley the unwilling hosts and Michael forced to make a life-altering decision to save his mortal family or embrace his supernatural destiny.
From EISNER AWARD winner Joe Pruett and Szymon Kudranski, the artist of Daredevil/Punisher and Spawn.

INSEXTS #12

Writer: Marguerite Bennett
Artist: Ariela Kristantina

Colors: Jessica Kholinne
Letters: A Larger World

Cover Artist: Ariela Kristantina

Item Code: MAY171054

In Shops: Jul 19, 2017

SRP: $3.99

The rebellion reaches a fever pitch as the prisoners of the museum come to life – and rise up against Lady and Mariah!
From the writer of the break-out hit ANIMOSITY, Bombshells, and A-Force.

JIMMY’S BASTARDS #2

Writer: Garth Ennis

Artist: Russell Braun

Colors: John Kalisz

Letters: Rob Steen

Cover Artist: Dave Johnson

Item Code: MAY171046

In Shops: Jul 19, 2017

SRP: $3.99

Helicopter gunships and golf don’t mix, as Jimmy finds himself proving when a quick nine holes turns into Apocalypse Now. But Nancy, who is assigned to watch over Jimmy, is not convinced that his opponents are quite what they seem – and with the real enemy still lurking in the background, our heroes find themselves investigating a conspiracy of unthinkable proportions. If only Jimmy wouldn’t keep shagging everything in a skirt, the world might still be in with a chance…
From the creator and writer of Preacher and The Boys comes the brand-new series that HAD to be told at AfterShock Comics.

PESTILENCE #3

Writer: Frank Tieri

Artist: Oleg Okunev

Colors: Rob Schwager

Letters: Marshall Dillon

Cover Artist: Tim Bradstreet

Item Code: MAY171050

In Shops: Jul 19, 2017

SRP: $3.99

How did Roderick Helms’ and Geofrey Anteil’s journey as members of Fiat Lux begin? We find out this issue as a journey of another sort is underway for Fiat Lux – a race to rescue the Pope himself in Avignon! What knowledge of the zombie plague does the Pope possess? And will he share it with Roderick and his men before it’s too late?

Written by the master of violence, gore, and mayhem, Frank Tieri (Marvel vs Capcom, Wolverine, Deadpool), with spectacular art from Disney illustrator, Oleg Okunev, and covers by Eisner Award-nominated artist Tim Bradstreet (The Punisher, Hellblazer)!

ROUGH RIDERS: RIDERS ON THE STORM #5

Writer: Adam Glass
Artist: Pat Oliffe
Colors: Gabe Eltaeb
Letters: Sal Cipriano
Cover Artist: Pat Olliffe

Item Code: MAY171052

In Shops: Jul 26, 2017

SRP: $3.99

Teddy Roosevelt and the Rough Riders go charging headfirst into the dangerous rapids of Niagara Falls to rescue one of their own – and collide with a familiar enemy. While Annie Oakley learns some hard truths about herself from the team, Teddy will come face-to-face with America’s greatest threat yet, but will he have what it takes to save the United States again from almost sure destruction?
Created and written by Adam Glass (executive producer of Supernatural & writer of Suicide Squad) with cover by Pat Olliffe (Untold Tales of Spider-Man

THE NORMALS #3

Writer: Adam Glass
Artist: Dennis Calero

Colors: Adriano Augusto

Letters: Corey Breen

Cover Artist: Dennis Calero

Item Code: MAY171049

In Shops: Jul 26, 2017

SRP: $3.99

Doctor Gordon reveals the nature of Jack and his family’s creation by Westin Incorporated! He also brings to light that there are more automatons just like Jack and his family, throughout the country and possibly, the world. All the while, Jack plots to rescue and escape with his family before Westin Incorporated can do any more harm – but is he already too late?
Created and written by Adam Glass (executive producer of Supernatural & writer of Suicide Squad) with art by Dennis Calero (X-Men Noir).

UNHOLY GRAIL #1

Writer: Cullen Bunn
Artist: Mirko ColakCover Artists:
Mirko Colak (Cover A)
Francesco Francavilla (Cover B)

Item Codes:
MAY171044 (Cover A)

MAY171045 (Cover B)

In Shops: Jul 05, 2017

SRP: $3.99

Arthur Pendragon was the king of all Britain. His story is legendary. Merlin. The Lady of the Lake. Excalibur. Camelot. The Knights of the Round Table. But these stories are bright lies painted over the truth. Here is presented the gospel of Arthur’s bloody rise to power and his unholy reign. The legend of King Arthur is not the stuff of legends, but the fuel of nightmares.
As Arthur descends into darkness, is there any lingering hope that he still might do something good?
From writer Cullen Bunn (Uncanny X-Men, Deadpool) and artist Mirko Colak (Punisher) comes a Lovecraftian take on the Arthurian legend that HAD to be told at AfterShock Comics.

WORLD READER #4

Writer: Jeff Loveness
Artist: Juan Doe
Letters: Rachel Deering
Cover Artist: Juan Doe

Item Code: MAY171051
In Shops: Jul 12, 2017
SRP: $3.99

Sarah explores a dead world that holds the key to everything, but Death will do anything to keep its secrets buried. And as Sarah’s powers reach their breaking point, the Faded Man closes in to silence her forever.
From Groot and Jimmy Kimmel Live! writer Jeff Loveness and AMERICAN MONSTER, ANIMOSITY: THE RISE artist Juan Doe, comes the chilling, epic new series that will be sure to appeal to fans of The Arrival, Interstellar, and The Expanse.

T H E ~ C R E A T I V E ~ R E V O L U T I O N ~ S T A R T S ~ H E R E !

*** info and images courtesy of AfterShock Comics, ComiXology, and PreviewsWorld

April 28, 2017 0 comment

Comic Book News Comic Books Comic Previews Exclusive independent Comic

AfterShock Comics & ComiXology Team to Offer Limited-Time Exclusive Digital Connecting Covers

by Jason Bennett March 22, 2017

written by Jason Bennett

For the first time, AfterShock Comics and comiXology have partnered to provide limited-time exclusive digital connecting covers across several exciting titles. These covers will only be available to add to your digital collection via the comiXology platform until May 11th, 2017. The connecting covers were illustrated by Mike Zagari and colored by Gabe Eltaeb.

Each digital comic will be released over the course of the next month, but can be pre-ordered right now! Remember to act fast, as time is extremely limited to get these exclusive digital covers.

~~~~~

Animosity #6 – Digital ComiXology Variant by Zagari

Animosity #6 – Cover by Rafael de Latorre

ANIMOSITY #6

Written by Marguerite Bennett
Art by Rafael de Latorre
Colored by Rob Schwager

Cover by Rafael de Latorre

Digital Variant Cover
by Mike Zagari, Gabe Eltaeb

Print Release Date: March 29, 2017
Digital Release Date: March 29, 2017

When Jesse is abducted by humans, Sandor, her faithful and protective Bloodhound, will cut a swath of blood and bone through everything that stands in his path to find and rescue his beloved friend.

From the writer of INSEXTS, BOMBSHELLS, and A-FORCE and the artist of SUPERZERO!

<PopCultHQ’s Creator Spotlight/Interview – Marguerite Bennett from ECCC 2017>

~~~~~

Black Eyed Kids #12 – Digital ComiXology Variant by Zagari

Black Eyed Kids #12 – Cover by Francesco Francavilla

BLACK EYED KIDS #12

Written by Joe Pruett
Art by Szymon Kudranski
Colored by Guy Major

Cover by Francesco Francavilla

Digital Variant Cover by
Mike Zagari, Gabe Eltaeb

Print Release Date: April 26, 2017
Digital Release Date: April 26, 2017

The Black-Eyed Children wreak havoc and destruction as they seek their revenge and push their agenda forward, while the under-sieged town’s newest resident might have the answers to secrets that could turn the tide of battle.

From EISNER AWARD winner Joe Pruett and Szymon Kudranski,
the artist of DAREDEVIL/PUNISHER and SPAWN.

<PopCultHQ’s Spoiler-Free Comic Book Review: BLACK EYED KIDS Vol. 1 TPB>

~~~~~

Captain Kid #5 – Digital ComiXology Variant by Zagari

Captain Kid #5 – Cover by Wilfredo Torres

CAPTAIN KID #5

Written by Tom Peyer and Mark Waid
Art by Brent Peeples
Colored by Kelly Fitzpatrick

Cover by Wilfredo Torres

Digital Variant Cover by
Mike Zagari, Gabe Eltaeb

Print Release Date: April 5, 2017
Digital Release Date: April 5, 2017

The METASTROPHE wreaks widespread and irreversible dWilfredo Torres, Brent Peeplestruction. Captain Kid doesn’t know how to stop it without expert help, but Helea, his mentor from the future, has disappeared. Who in the present day could possibly help him govern his electromagnetic powers?

From the writers of Spider-Man, Daredevil, Hourman and Kingdom Come

<PopCultHQ’s Spoiler-Free Review: CAPTAIN KID #4>

~~~~~

inSEXts #10 – Digital ComiXology Variant by Zagari

inSEXts #10 – Cover by Ariela Kristantina

INSEXTS #10

Written by Marguerite Bennett
Art by Ariela Kristantina
Colored by Bryan Valenza
Cover by Ariela Kristantina

Digital Variant Cover by
Mike Zagari, Gabe Eltaeb

Print Release Date: March 29, 2017
Digital Release Date: March 29, 2017

As the mystery of the Parisian Monstress lures Lady and Mariah deep into the catacombs beneath the city, our heroes discover that the Medusa is not the only evil that seeks them…

From the writer of the break-out hit ANIMOSITY, DC Comics’ Bombshells, and Marvel’s A-Force.

~~~~~

JACKPOT! #5

Jackpot! #5 Cover by Brian Stelfreeze

Jackpot! #5 – Digital ComiXology Variant by Zagari

Written by Ray Fawkes
Art by Georges Duarte
Colored by Stefano Raffaele

Cover by Brian Stelfreeze

Digital Variant Cover by
Mike Zagari, Gabe Eltaeb

Print Release Date: April 19, 2017
Digital Release Date: April 19, 2017

This is it! The secret history of the world! The end of an era! Bloodshed and backstabbing! And the ascension of a new God. Everything’s going to turn out for the best, right?

<PopCultHQ’s Spoiler-Free Comic Book Review: JACKPOT! #4>
<PopCultHQ Comic Creator Spotlight Interview: RAY FAWKES>

~~~~~

Rough Riders: Riders on the Storm #2 – Digital ComiXology Variant by Zagari

Rough Riders: Riders on the Storm #2 – Cover by Pat Olliff

ROUGH RIDERS: RIDERS ON THE STORM #2

Written by Adam Glass
Art by Pat Olliffe
Colors by Gabe Eltaeb

Cover by Pat Olliffe

Digital Variant Cover by

Mike Zagari, Gabe Eltaeb

Print Release Date: March 29, 2017
Digital Release Date: March 29, 2017

Madman Leon Czolgosz has just shot President McKinley at the 1901 World’s Fair. As the nation looks to Vice President Theodore Roosevelt for guidance, he calls upon his fellow ROUGH RIDERS to help him investigate the assassination attempt. As they dig deeper they unearth a WORLDWIDE CONSPIRACY that not only threatens the fabric of our society, but also pits the Rough Riders against some of history’s most famous characters. Join this secret adventure of the greatest band of heroes that the world never knew. Welcome to ROUGH RIDERS: RIDERS ON THE STORM.

<PopCultHQ’s Spoiler-Free Comic Book Review: ROUGH RIDERS: RIDERS ON THE STORM #1>

~~~~~

Shipwreck #4 – Digital ComiXology Variant by Zagari

Shipwreck #4 – Cover by Phil Hester

SHIPWRECK #4

Written by Warren Ellis
Pencils by Phil Hester
Inks by Eric Gapstur
Colored by Mark Englert

Cover by Phil Hester

Digital Variant Cover by
Mike Zagari, Gabe Eltaeb

Print Release Date: April 26, 2017
Digital Release Date: April 26, 2017

He told people he knew how to evacuate the human race to another world. Now he’s stranded on that world. But the thing about Jonathan Shipwright is that he never tells anyone the whole truth. And maybe he’s stranded on a planet that wants to kill him for a good reason…

From the co-creator and writer of The Authority, Transmetropolitan and Planetary.

How sweet would this look in your digital collection?!

Be sure to pre-order/purchase these limited-time exclusive digital covers
no later than May 11th, 2017!

inSEXts #10 - Digital ComiXology Variant by Zagari

Rough Riders: Riders on the Storm #2 - Digital ComiXology Variant by Zagari

Black Eyed Kids #12 - Digital ComiXology Variant by Zagari & Eltaeb

Shipwreck #4 - Digital ComiXology Variant by Zagari

Animosity #6 - Digital ComiXology Variant by Zagari

Jackpot! #5 - Digital ComiXology Variant by Zagari

Captain Kid #5 - Digital ComiXology Variant by Zagari

T H E ~ C R E A T I V E ~ R E V O L U T I O N ~ S T A R T S ~ H E R E !

*** info courtesy of AfterShock Comics and comiXology

March 22, 2017 0 comment

Comic Books Conventions Interview

PopCultHQ Creator Spotlight – Marguerite Bennett

by Jason Bennett March 8, 2017

written by Jason Bennett

At this year’s Emerald City Comicon in Seattle, WA, the list of publishers and creators attending the event’s 15th anniversary was massive! One such writer made what she called a “ghosting” appearance at the con, as she didn’t have a table at ECCC 2017 but was on hand for a surprise appearance, signings, and to support others at the event.

A fan at this year’s ECCC with writer Bennett with his copy of ANIMOSITY at AfterShock’s signing

Marguerite Bennett has taken the world by storm with her mad skills and wildly creative mind. From titles such as A-FORCE and ANGELA: ASGARD’S ASSASSIN (Marvel), DC’s BOMBSHELLS and the new BATWOMAN: REBIRTH, to Archie Comics’ JOSIE & THE PUSSYCATS, and Dynamite’s RED SONJA. In late 2015, Bennett dropped her first title with AfterShock Comics entitled inSEXts with the incredible artistic stylings of Ariela Kristantina. Fast forward to late 2016, the gifted writer debuted the breakout sensation ANIMOSITY with the red-hot indie publisher.

PopCultHQ was surprised with an unplanned, unexpected interview with the red-hot writer and there was no way we were going to miss this opportunity. So sit back and hear from Marguerite (by far, the more talented writer with the surname Bennett between the two of us, and no, we are not related) on her current projects, working with AfterShock, and what 2017 has in store for comic fans everywhere!

PopCultHQ: ANIMOSITY is one of the biggest titles right now at AfterShock Comics. What’s the reception been like when traveling to cons or at signing appearances? How are people responding?

Marguerite Bennett during her signing appearance at the AfterShock Comics booth at Emerald City Comicon 2017

Marguerite Bennett: It’s been overwhelmingly positive. Everyone’s been very supportive of the book. I was so concerned at the beginning because you know it’s a violent series. It’s a series in which the animals one day “wake up” and they come online and they have human-level intelligence. So it’s just so violent. It’s this massive social and religious, and just interpersonal uprising. There’s animal cruelty, there’s people dying, animals dying, so it’s one of those things like, you know that whole website DoesTheDogDie.com? I had so many people hit me up immediately with questions like, “Do any animals die in this series?” and I’m like, “(pausing) Yes.” And I was so concerned that it would turn off readers. But there’s been so much interest in it and honestly, people came back around on it. They were really supportive, really engaged, it’s just been overwhelmingly positive. I honestly haven’t had anyone come up and say, “Well, I didn’t like this issue” or “I felt this issue was soft” but everyone has been like, “I thought this one was even better than the last one.” And that’s all you can really hope for as a writer and it’s been so delightful.

PopCultHQ: So definitely a change of pace from inSEXts, your other title with AfterShock, which got me thinking… you’ve worked on inSEXts with AfterShock, but what is it about this publisher, that made you say, “I want to continue with AfterShock“? We’ve been seeing so many well-known creators in the industry who are either hopping on board with AfterShock or now doing multiple titles: Garth Ennis (DREAMING EAGLES, JIMMY’S BASTARDS) coming back, Adam Glass (ROUGH RIDERS, ROUGH RIDERS: RIDERS ON THE STORM) on his second series. Now here you are with your second title with them. What is it about AfterShock that had you decide to release a second title with them?

Bennett: Oh goodness! You know, from the very beginning…I knew Mike Marts and he helped start my career. He helped me come in with DC, he almost single-handedly brought me into Marvel, and then it was the chance to do this creator-owned project and have him editing me again I just jumped at the opportunity, frankly. Also the fact that he was, as far as the pitches of the creator-owned, he said, “What pitch couldn’t you do somewhere else?” and this is sort of no-holds-barred. It’s actually funny, and he gets tickled by this story, I sent them like three pitches and inSEXts was tacked on at the end because I was convinced that even that was too outrageous for this new company, and they were like, “Actually, this is the one we want.” <laughs>

PopCultHQ: Oh wow! Nice! <chuckles>

Bennett: Yeah! But honestly, with my other work, I’m very proud of the other stuff I do with superheroes or properties like JOSIE & THE PUSSYCATS through Archie [Comics] but it’s this level of heroism or superheroism, or just a lighter, brighter story in some ways. But there were parts of my interests and parts of my personality I didn’t get to explore or express through the work that I had so sometimes that can be sort of constraining. AfterShock was where I could come and just be messy and let off steam, just have fun, and do some outrageous and shocking things. They just gave me such support and such freedom. They’ve made me so happy, they take such good care of me and I just love everyone.

PopCultHQ: So in being able to “get messy” and creative, how do your co-creators respond to that messiness, like Ariela Kristantina on inSEXts or your team on ANIMOSITY? By the way, Rafael de Latorre is amazing in this series.

Marguerite with AfterShock at ECCC 2017 and a four-legged fan

Bennett: Yeah, he’s phenomenal, he’s just delightful. And honestly, even down to the variant artists. He just turns in some of the most fantastic art. I’ll give him some of the most troubling or bizarre designs like the war bison or the wolves and coyotes, the reverse bear trap, just every single thing that I give him, every time he’s taken it and made it ten times better. Or like Juan Doe on ANIMOSITY: THE RISE, I have a print of that cover in my bedroom because it’s so simply beautiful. And Ariela is a delight. The subject matter for inSEXts is so ghastly and so sexual, it’s like, “Can I pull this off in a way that’s feasible?” We went through a number of proposed artists and was like, “This isn’t quite right” but Ariela brings this level of sincerity and tenderness and true artistry to it. I mean, there is no one that could have pulled off this series like Ariela.

PopCultHQ: What else can we can expect from you coming up here in 2017 from you? We know ANIMOSITY has already had a one-shot (ANIMOSITY: THE RISE), but is there anything else planned for ANIMOSITY or with Ariela on inSEXts? I understand that sometimes creators can’t speak on certain projects but is there anything you can talk about that we can look forward to?

Bennett: Well, we are fully green-lit and ongoing. So there bunch more inSEXts and a bunch more ANIMOSITY coming out. One of the wonderful things about both of these stories, but in particular ANIMOSITY, is that the story can just run forever. With ANIMOSITY, the world is just so massive and there’s so intricate stories to be told, so I’ll run until they stop me essentially.

A fan at this year’s ECCC with writer Bennett displaying his newly-signed copy of ANIMOSITY #1

PopCultHQ: So how far ahead on these series right now? I know you’re working on multiple titles with multiple publishers and trying to juggle all of that. Are you only like two issues ahead, or have six done…

Bennett: …Oh, I have plot for days. I know the whole story, and even in the first issue, originally issues one and two were just going to be one issue and Mike was like, “You can slow this down and we can expand this a bit” so a lot of the issues were originally designed to be one-shots so we can breathe a bit so we can let the story expand consequently as we go. So I can’t really give an answer to have much story I have done beyond “I’ve got stories for days!”

PopCultHQ: I gotcha! Is there anything you have coming up in 2017, like appearances or signings or anything, that you’d like people to know? I know it’s not always easy to find out that info online, like I didn’t know you were going to be here but wanted to meet you at some point

Bennett: Oh thanks! I did a bit too much travelling last year so I’ll just be “ghosting” at a couple of shows this year. I will be walking the floor at C2E2, so if folks see me, feel free to come up and chat, but I won’t be tabling. I will be at San Diego Comic Con this year as a guest, so that’s going to be really nice. So this will just be like a soft year and next year I’ll be back at doing the shows. I’ve got DC BOMBSHELLS and the relaunch of BATWOMAN in Rebirth, at Archie I have JOSIE & THE PUSSYCATS, and there will be another new title released this year.

PopCultHQ: Wonderful! Thank you so much for your time. Really appreciate it!

Bennett: Thank you!

~~~~~~~

It was truly an honor and privilege to sit and speak with Marguerite at Emerald City Comicon. A special thanks to AfterShock Comics, and especially to Stephan Nilson, AfterShock’s Publishing Operations Manager who “Rocks the party that rocks the body,” for making this interview possible for PopCultHQ while in Seattle. Everyone at ECCC Booth #1212 was extremely gracious, helpful, and surprisingly humble. Admire the heck out of each and every one at Team AfterShock!

(l.-r.) Editor-in-Chief Mike Marts, Creator/Writer Marguerite Bennett, President Lee Kramer, Retailer/Fan Relations Manager Lisa Wu, Publisher/CCO/Creator/Writer Joe Pruett, and Publishing Operations Manager Stephan Nilson at Emerald City Comicon 2017

~~~

To see more from Marguerite Bennett, be sure to follow her online!

*** images courtesy of AfterShock Comics

March 8, 2017 3 comments

Comic Books Conventions independent Comic

AfterShock Comics @ ECCC – Exclusives, Creators + More!

by Jason Bennett February 28, 2017

written by Jason Bennett

Headed to EmeraldCity Comicon this year? AfterShock Comics will be there in full force to celebrate premier comic book and pop culture convention in the Northwest, taking place in beautiful downtown Seattle, Washington.

Convention Days/Hours:

• Thursday, March 2: 2:00 PM – 7:00 PM
• Friday, March 3: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
• Saturday, March 4: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
• Sunday, March 5: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Our Booth: #1212

Our Emerald City Comicon Exclusives
(available at the AfterShock Comics booth #1212):

Animosity #5 – Variant Cover by Mike Rooth
(Limited to 150 copies. Mike Rooth knocks it out of the park again
with another amazing ANIMOSITY cover specifically designed with Seattle in mind)

Blood Blister #1 – Variant Cover by Phil Hester
(Limited to 100 Copies, and drawn by series creator Phil Hester)

Black-Eyed Kids #11 –
Variant Cover by Francesco Francavilla
(Limited to 100 copies. The Shadow Boy King is taking no prisoners in this dark tale,
and the book hits a new depth of creepiness with this cover by Francesco Francavilla)

Rough Riders: Riders on the Storm #1 – Variant Cover by Patrick Olliffe

Babyteeth poster – Signed by creator + writer Donny Cates with art by Garry Brown

AfterShock Creators & Staff Appearing at ECCC 2017:

Marguerite Bennett (ANIMOSITY, INSEXTS)

Ray Fawkes (JACKPOT!)

Justin Jordan (STRAYER)

Lee Kramer (AfterShock President)

Ariela Kristantina (INSEXTS)

John Layman (ELEANOR AND THE EGRET)

Mike Marts (Aftershock Editor-in-Chief)

Stephan Nilson (AfterShock Publishing Operations Manager)

Joe Pruett (AfterShock Publisher/CCO & BLACK-EYED KIDS)

Lisa Wu (AfterShock Retailers/Fan Relations Manager)

Plus!

Tamra Bonvillain (ALTERS, STRAYER), Donny Cates (BABYTEETH), Kelly Fitzpatrick (CAPTAIN KID)
+ more!

CBCS Offers ON-SITE GRADING in Seattle During Emerald City Comic Con!

Attention Seattle and comic book collectors!

The CBCS (Comic Book Certification Service) crew will be traveling to Seattle March 2-5, 2017 to offer our comic book grading services during the Emerald City Comic Con weekend.

CBCS will be providing On Site Grading and accepting Regular submissions at the Grand Hyatt Seattle across the street from the Comic Con. We are excited to try out this new venue for On-Site Grading, but that is not all. CBCS will also be hosting some special signing events with comic book creators at our location within the Grand Hyatt Seattle. As we get closer to the event, we will be releasing the names, dates and times for these events.

BLOOD BLISTER #1 CBCS Variant, by AfterShock, will debut on Thursday, March 2 at the Grand Hyatt Seattle at the Tolmie room on the 6th floor. The Color Variant will have 350 copies made & will sell for $10 raw ($40 CBCS 9.8 blue label) and the Black/White Variant will only have 150 copies made for $20 raw ($50.00 CBCS 9.8 blue label)!
.
CBCS 9.8 blue label will be very limited! Writer PHIL HESTER will be at C2E2 (not ECCC) & would be able to sign them in there.

*** info courtesy of AfterShock Comics

February 28, 2017 0 comment

Comic Previews independent Comic

PopCultHQ’s First Look: March 2017 Solicitations from AfterShock Comics

by Jason Bennett December 29, 2016

written by Jason Bennett

Popculthq looks at all of the comics and trade paperbacks
releasing from AfterShock Comics in March 2017…

ANIMOSITY TP VOL 01

Writer: Marguerite Bennett
Art: Rafael de Latorre, Juan Doe
Cover Artist: Rafael de Latorre

One day, for no reason, the Animals woke up. They started thinking. They started talking. They started taking REVENGE. Collecting the first four issues of the best-selling series, plus the special one-shot issue ANIMOSITY: THE RISE. The world is plunged into chaos as the newly-intelligent Animals fight humanity, and simply fight each other, for their own life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness. In the midst of the turmoil is Jesse, an 11-year-old girl, and her dog, Sandor, who is devoted to her and her protection. One year after the incident, Jesse and Sandor begin a cross-country journey to find Jesse’s half-brother, Adam, who is living in San Francisco. Don’t miss out on this fantastic first collection of the series EVERYONE is talking about!

In Shops: Mar 01, 2017

SRP: $14.99

LCSD 2016 ROUGH RIDERS NATION #1

Writer: Adam Glass
Art: Various
Cover Artist: Pat Oliffe

Executive Order 13526, issued on December 29, 2009, intended to increase government transparency and regain trust with U.S. Citizens. It led, in turn, to the creation of the National Declassification Center, a sub-section of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). Suddenly, thousands of top-secret files were declassified and made available to the public. One such file confirmed the validity of a long-thought tale that Theodore Roosevelt had created a momentous team of the greatest citizens of his time-which he named the “ROUGH RIDERS”-to fight for America in its darkest hour. Not only was the tale true, but the dossier also exposed that the Rough Riders did not end with Roosevelt but rather were continued throughout history by his daughter Alice, who, like her father, called upon America’s greatest to band together in its most desperate time of need. If you choose to accept, take a look inside this file and see those who have had the honor to be called a ROUGH RIDER. If you decline, these confidential files will self-destruct. Created and written by Adam Glass (executive producer of SUPERNATURAL & writer of SUICIDE SQUAD) with cover by Pat Olliffe (UNTOLD TALES OF SPIDER-MAN).

In Shops: Mar 1, 2017
SRP: $3.99

BLACK EYED KIDS #12

Writer: Joe Pruett
Art: Szymon Kudranski
Cover Artist: Francesco Francavilla

The Black-Eyed Children wreak havoc and destruction as they seek their revenge and push their agenda forward, while the under-sieged town’s newest resident might have the answers to secrets that could turn the tide of battle. From EISNER AWARD winner Joe Pruett and Szymon Kudranski, the artist of DAREDEVIL/PUNISHER and SPAWN.

In Shops: Mar 08, 2017
SRP: $3.99

ROUGH RIDERS RIDERS ON THE STORM #2

Writer: Adam Glass
Art: Pat Olliffe
Cover Artist: Pat Olliffe

DREAMING EAGLES HC NYCC ED VOL 01

Writer: Garth Ennis
Art: Simon Coleby
Cover Artist: Francesco Francavilla

In the 1960s, as the Civil Rights movement shocks American to its core, Second World War veteran Reggie Atkinson sees his teenage son Lee drawn into the dangerous battle for racial equality – and fears for him. Twenty years earlier, in an unheard of place called Tuskegee, Alabama, cadet officer Atkinson and his comrades report for pilot training to fight in the war-torn skies of Adolf Hitler’s Fortress Europe, forging a legend that endures to this day. This is the story of two generations fighting their own battles and conquering all obstacles in their path. This is the previously exclusive New York Comic Con variant edition, complete with dust jacket and a variant metallic brush cover. Limited to only 200 copies, all signed by GARTH ENNIS and sequentially numbered. From writer Garth Ennis (Preacher, The Boys, War Stories) and artist Simon Colby (Judge Dredd, The Royals, The Authority).

In Shops: Mar 15, 2017
SRP: $75.00

BLOOD BLISTER #3

Writer: Phil Hester
Art: Eric Layton
Cover Artist: Tony Harris

YOU DON’T NEED TO DIE TO GO TO HELL… There’s no rest for the wicked in this new horror classic by Hester and Harris. Brand Hull’s soul belongs to a devil of his own making, but his horror only intensifies when he learns the evil afflicting him can also infect the world around him. Meanwhile, a more earthly threat takes aim at Hull’s estranged family. Opening a jarring window on to a world of horror from the Eisner Award-nominated writer of THE COFFIN, FIREBREATHER, and DEATHSTROKE and the Eisner Award-winning artist of EX MACHINA and STARMAN.

In Shops: Mar 22, 2017
SRP: $3.99

INSEXTS #11

Writer: Marguerite Bennett
Art: Ariela Kristantina
Cover Artist: Ariela Kristantina

Beauty. Intrigue. Treachery. Are the creatures lurking beneath the dark streets of Paris the real foes… or are Lady and Mariah the true dangers? And will those closest to the Insexts be harmed before an answer can be found? Another dose of bone-chilling horror from Marguerite Bennett and Ariela Kristantina. From the writer of the break-out hit ANIMOSITY, Bombshells, and A-Force.

In Shops: Mar 22, 2017
SRP: $3.99

SHIPWRECK #6

Writer: Warren Ellis
Art: Eric Gapstur, Phil Hester
Cover Artist: Phil Hester

FINAL ISSUE! Jonathan Shipwright races to reach the rescue site before the saboteur that put him here – and the entire strange world he washed up on is against him. From the co-creator and writer of AUTHORITY, TRANSMETROPOLITAN, and PLANETARY.

In Shops: Mar 29, 2017
SRP: $3.99

ABOUT AFTERSHOCK COMICS – Launched in April 2015, AfterShock Comics is a comic book company that combines the creative edge of an independent comic book publisher with the strengths and experience of a traditional powerhouse. In addition to Editor-in-Chief Mike Marts, AfterShock’s executive team includes: Publisher Joe Pruett; President Lee Kramer, a film/TV production and development executive who has worked with some of the biggest names in Hollywood; CEO Jon Kramer, an entertainment entrepreneur with extensive worldwide production and distribution experience, Senior VP Digital-Creative, Mike Zagari, oversees the AfterShock innovative and immersive story-driven digital experiences, and Senior VP of Investor Relations Jawad Qureshi an experienced Silicon Valley entrepreneur and investor as well as an award-winning filmmaker; as well as Co-CEO Michael Richter, an accomplished media and technology executive, most recently at Facebook.

*** info courtesy of AfterShock Comics

December 29, 2016 0 comment

Comic Previews independent Comic New Comic Book Day

New Comic Book Day: This Week’s Must-Have Indie New Releases (12/28)

by Jason Bennett December 27, 2016

written by Jason Bennett

New Comic Book Day this coming Wednesday (12/28) has some great new releases, debuts, and variants galore. PopCultHQ has compiled a list of new releases from indie publishers that we think are must reads and ones to watch. Our top picks this week are from Action Lab & Action Lab: Danger Zone, AfterShock Comics, Dark Horse, IDW Publishing, Image Comics, Valiant and Zenescope.

Check out all the available covers, read up on each one’s synopsis,
and then pick them up this coming Wednesday!

#NCBD

~~~~~~~

ACTION LAB ENTERTAINMENT

Athena Voltaire and the Volcano Goddess #2

Writer: Steve Bryant
Art: Steve Bryant
Cover: Steve Bryant

Cover Price: $3.99

The Eisner-nominated adventures of Athena Voltaire continue in this latest installment! Athena flies to Hawaii in the hope of returning the artifact known as Pele’s Tears to the Kilauea Volcano, but deadly assassins, an old nemesis, and the Nazis all want the mystical item for themselves!

Blue Hour #3
.

Writer: Dino Caruso
Art: Chad Cicconi
Cover: Chad Cicconi
Cover Price: $3.99
.

Both the colonists and the Maasym struggle choose between peace and revenge in the aftermath of a brutal assassination. The path chosen could mean life or death for the colony.

ACTION LAB: DANGER ZONE

Tomboy #9 – Cover A

Tomboy #9 – Cover B

Tomboy #9

Writer: Mia Goodwin
Art: Michelle Wong
Cover: Mia Goodwin
Cover Price: $3.99
.
After Henri is attacked, Detective Autry zeroes in on her prime suspects, while Dead Jessica’s words send Addison looking for information at Mercy Hospital from Iris

.
.

Cover A – Standard Cover (unlimited): Dan Mendoza

Zombie Tramp New Years Eve 2016

Writer: Dan Mendoza
Art: Rene Cordova
Cover: Dan Mendoza
Cover Price: $3.99
.
It’s New Years Eve in NYC and that means a couple stiff media friendly suits gripping their mics and broadcasting live while giant balls drop! Well this year Zombie Tramp is going to help them bring in 2017 with a BANG in this all new special issue! An all new special number one issue with 3 regular and risqué variant covers!!!

COVERS AVAILABLE

Cover A - Standard Cover (unlimited): Dan Mendoza

Cover C – Limited variant (limited to 2000): Rene Cordova

Cover E – Artist variant (limited to 2000): Winston Young

Cover B - Risqué (limited to 2500): Dan Mendoza

Cover D – Limited risqué variant (limited to 2500): Rene Cordova

Cover F – Artist risqué variant (limited to 2500): Winston Young

AFTERSHOCK COMICS

InSEXts #9

.
Writer: Marguerite Bennett
Art: Ariela Kristantina
Cover: Ariela Kristantina
Cover Price: $3.99

In the glamour and glory of Paris, Lady’s family is drawn into a web of art and intrigue with an intoxicating new monstress at its center…

Rough Riders, Vol. 1 TPB

Writer: Adam Glass

Art: Pat Olliffe
Cover: Pat Olliffe

Cover Price: $19.99

Collecting the first seven issues of the epic AfterShock series! At the cusp of the 1898 World’s Fair, America is poised to become Earth’s most industrious nation. When a terrible power emerges from the darkness, a group of unlikely heroes team-up to stop it.

A tortured Teddy Roosevelt recruits a struggling Coney Island magician named Harry Houdini: a hard-drinking, gun-slinger, Annie Oakley; a financially strapped and aging Thomas Edison; and a boisterous, womanizing African American boxer with a big chip on his shoulder named Jack Johnson.
These legends of old will soon wage a shadow war that will change the course of history for America, and the world. That is of course, if they don’t kill one another first. Don’t miss out on this first collection from ADAM GLASS (executive producer of Supernatural & writer of Suicide Squad) and PAT OLLIFFE (Untold Tales of Spider-Man).

DARK HORSE

AVP: Life and Death #1 – 30th Anniversary Variant (Carlos D’Anda)

AVP: Life and Death #1 – Cover A (David Palumbo)

Aliens Vs Predator: Life And Death #1

Writer: Dan Abnett
Art: Brian Thies
Cover: David Palumbo
Cover Price: $3.99

The Predators arrive on LV-223! The question is: are they here to finish the fight with the Colonial Marines, or will they join the marines in the battle against the Aliens? And who will Ahab-the Predator from the Fire and Stone story cycle-side with?

Cover A – Daniel Dos Santos

Cover B by Georges Jeanty

Serenity: No Power In The Verse #3

Writer: Chris Roberson
Art: Georges Jeanty
Cover: Daniel Dos Santos
Cover Price: $3.99

With River still away from the Serenity, Mal and the crew are forced to conduct a rescue mission without her. Simon and Inara go deep undercover to locate their old friend at an Alliance headquarters while Mal finds his new partnership may include more than he bargained for! o iZombie creator Chris Roberson writes the continuing adventures of Mal and crew.

IDW PUBLISHING

Cover A by Ariel Olivetti

G.I. Joe (2016) #1

Writer: Aubrey Sitterson
Art: Giannis Milonogiannis
Cover: Ariel Olivetti
Cover Price: $3.99

G.I. JOE IS BACK! In the wake of IDW’s Revolution crossover event, G.I. JOE’s mission has become a global one-they aren’t just Real American Heroes, they’re Real Earth Heroes. Get ready for an explosive, innovative take on Joe, as writer Aubrey Sitterson (Street Fighter x G.I. Joe, SKALD) and artist Giannis Milonogiannis (Prophet, Old City Blues) bring you lasers, intense sci-fi action, and the return of all your favorite characters: Scarlett, Roadblock, Snake Eyes and more! Spinning directly out of the events of IDW’s Revolution event! Writer Aubrey Sitterson brings his unique take on the G.I. JOE characters and mythos! Featuring stunning, updated character designs by series artist Giannis Milonogiannis! With an explosive cover by international superstar artist Ariel Olivetti (Venom: Space Knight)!

COVERS AVAILABLE

Variant Cover by Andrew Griffith

Micro Comic Variant by Aaron Conley

Blank Variant Cover by Nobody (yet)

1:10 Variant by Sara Pitre-Durocher

1:25 Variant by Sonny Liew

1:50 Variant by Paul Pope

Cover A by Tommy Lee Edwards

Mask: Mobile Armored Strike Kommand #2

Writer: Brandon Easton
Art: Tony Vargas
Cover: Tommy Lee Edwards
Cover Price: $3.99

M.A.S.K. vs. V.E.N.O.M. for the very first time! After being lured into a trap, Matt Trakker and the M.A.S.K. team must survive in order to stop Miles Mayhem from leaking their secret technology to terrorist cells around the world. Matt and Gloria Baker go undercover to infiltrate a black market weapons ring but what they discover will change Matt’s life forever!

COVERS AVAILABLE

Mask Mobile Armored Strike Kommand #2 - Variant Cover by Joe Suitor

Mask Mobile Armored Strike Kommand #2 - Variant Cover by Dan Schoening

Mask Mobile Armored Strike Kommand #2 - 1 in 10 Variant Cover by Marcelo Ferreira

IMAGE COMICS

A.D. After Death #2

Writer: Scott Snyder
Art: Jeff Lemire
Cover: Jeff Lemire
Cover Price: $5.99

What if we found a cure for death? The second chapter of the haunting sci-fi epic by SCOTT SNYDER (WYTCHES, Batman, American Vampire) and JEFF LEMIRE (DESCENDER, Moon Knight, Sweet Tooth). Jonah Cooke is haunted by his long, long past, but will it be enough to push him to turn his back on eternal life? And who or what may be calling to him from the old world below the clouds?

Cyberforce Artifacts #0

Writer: Kelly Bender
Art: Jim Towe
Cover: Khoi Pham
Cover Price: $3.99

CYBERFORCE: ARTIFACTS #0 delves deep inside the secret world of CyberForce with three stories. ‘Someone is dealing in Protocol tech, and it’s up to APHRODITE IV to stop them dead.’ ‘Velocity mourns the supposed death of her father, Stryker, the only way a super speedster can.’ and more!

VALIANT

Cover A by CLAYTON CRAIN

Divinity III: Komandar Bloodshot #1

Writer: Jeff Lemire
Art: Clayton Crain
Cover: Clayton CrainCover Price: $3.99

Out of the the pages of DIVINITY III: STALINVERSE, New York Times best-selling writer Jeff Lemire (Death of X) and comics superstar Clayton Crain (4001 A.D.) present the first of four essential specials chronicling the history of the Stalinverse’s worldwide superhuman regime! He’s put down protests, led the purge of political undesirables, and executed dozens of traitors to the Soviet super-state. His name is KOMANDAR BLOODSHOT, and his existence is a hushed whisper among the terrified populace of the 21st century’s global Soviet Union. But just who is this unrelenting enforcer of state superiority, and what is the shocking truth about his power, his allegiances, and his true identity? Valiant’s first reality-shattering event explodes outward as Jeff Lemire & Clayton Crain lead KOMANDAR BLOODSHOT from DIVINITY III, and into a gut-wrenching tale of power, sacrifice, and authority that will take Valiant’s blood-stained icon to his most punishing depths yet!

COVERS AVAILABLE

Cover B by RYAN BODENHEIM

Cover C by GREG SMALLWOOD

Character Design Variant by TREVOR HAIRSINE

Variant Cover by KANO

Cover A by STEPHEN MOONEY

Generation Zero #5

Writer: Fred Van Lente
Art: Francis Portela
Cover:Stephen MooneyCover Price: $3.99

We live for destruction! Generation Zero has finally pinpointed the silent evil that has infiltrated Rook High School?but it’s not going down without a fight! Now, every corner of this idyllic techtown is about to become a war zone as Cronus, Telic, Animalia, and Cloud hit back with the force of four walking hydrogen bombs and show the world why this one group of reformed commandos aren’t just dangerous? They’re disorderly!
.

COVERS AVAILABLE

Cover B by TOM MULLER

Valiant Cat Cosplay Variant

Character Design Variant by ANDRÉS GUINALDO

Variant Cover by STEPHEN SEGOVIA

Cover A by LEWIS LAROSA

Savage #2

Writer: B. Clay Moore
Art: Clayton Henry
Cover: Lewis LaRosa

Cover Price: $3.99

Nature conquers all! Marooned in an unforgiving prehistoric landscape, high society’s most privileged celebrity family is fighting tooth and claw – literally – for survival. With no shelter, no weapons and no escape, the Savage family is about to come face to face with the cruelest laws of nature – in the form of the lethal dinosaurs that somehow stalk the impossibly ancient island that has become their home. Once they lose everything – and each other – what part of them will endure? Where will the man inside each of them end?and the animal begin? It’s survival of the fiercest as acclaimed writer B. Clay Moore (Aloha, Hawaiian Dick) and blockbuster artists Clayton Henry (HARBINGER WARS) and Lewis LaRosa (BLOODSHOT REBORN) catapult the fiercest Valiant hero of all time into the bone-breaking comic book debut that will have everyone talking!

COVERS AVAILABLE

Cover B by JARED FLETCHER

Valiant Cat Cosplay Cover

Variant Cover by BILL SIENKIEWICZ

Character Design Variant by LEWIS LAROSA

B&W Sketch Variant by LEWIS LAROSA

ZENESCOPE

Grimm Fairy Tales #1 – Cover A by David Finch

Grimm Fairy Tales #1

Writer: Joe Brusha, Ralph Tedesco
Cover: David Finch

Cover Price: $3.99

New Series Launch! Grimm Fairy Tales is Back! The world of humans has forever changed and the Grimm Universe has been shaken to its core. It started with the Age of Darkness and now with the death of Sela Mathers, earth’s long time guardian, the Realms of Power have fallen into chaos. But Sela left behind one thing that may be able to save the world…her daughter, Skye. Don’t miss this new chapter in Grimm Fairy Tales that takes the series back to its roots.

COVERS AVAILABLE

Grimm Fairy Tales #1 - Cover B by Eric Basaldua

Grimm Fairy Tales #1 - Cover C by Greg Horn

Grimm Fairy Tales #1 - Cover D by Talent Caldwell

Grimm Fairy Tales #1 - Cover E by Josh Burns

Grimm Fairy Tales #1 - Cover F by Eric Basaldua

Grimm Fairy Tales #1 - Cover G Diamond Exclusive Variant by David Finch

GFT Presents Apocalypse #4 – Cover A by Salvatore Cuffari

GFT Presents: Apocalypse #4

Writer: Pat Shand
Art: JG Miranda
Cover: Salvatore Cuffari

Cover Price: $3.99

The casts of Zenescope’s flagship series – Grimm Fairy Tales, Robyn Hood, and Hellchild – unite for an event to end all comic book events? the apocalypse. As Marian and the witches unite to launch a massive attack against the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, Robyn must place her trust in the murderous Cindy to escape a perilous situation. The stakes have never been higher as the heroes and villains of the Grimm Universe are put to the test!

COVERS AVAILABLE

GFT Presents Apocalypse #4 - Cover B by Harvey Tolibao

GFT Presents Apocalypse #4 - Cover C by Mike Krome

GFT Presents Apocalypse #4 - Cover D by Roger Bonet

December 27, 2016 0 comment

Newer Posts

Older Posts

InSEXts

PopCultHQ looks at all of the comics and trades releasing from AfterShock Comics in June 2018…

T H E ~ C R E A T I V E ~ R E V O L U T I O N ~ S T A R T S ~ H E R E !

PopCultHQ Spotlight Interview

Artist of the Month – February 2018: Ariela Kristantina

Artist – Ariela Kristantina

PopCultHQ looks at all of the comics and trades releasing from AfterShock Comics in November 2017…

T H E ~ C R E A T I V E ~ R E V O L U T I O N ~ S T A R T S ~ H E R E !

PopCultHQ looks at all of the comics releasing from AfterShock Comics in September 2017…

T H E ~ C R E A T I V E ~ R E V O L U T I O N ~ S T A R T S ~ H E R E !

Popculthq looks at all of the comics releasing from AfterShock Comics in July 2017…

T H E ~ C R E A T I V E ~ R E V O L U T I O N ~ S T A R T S ~ H E R E !

<PopCultHQ’s Creator Spotlight/Interview – Marguerite Bennett from ECCC 2017>

<PopCultHQ’s Spoiler-Free Comic Book Review: BLACK EYED KIDS Vol. 1 TPB>

<PopCultHQ’s Spoiler-Free Review: CAPTAIN KID #4>

<PopCultHQ’s Spoiler-Free Comic Book Review: JACKPOT! #4> <PopCultHQ Comic Creator Spotlight Interview: RAY FAWKES>

<PopCultHQ’s Spoiler-Free Comic Book Review: ROUGH RIDERS: RIDERS ON THE STORM #1>

How sweet would this look in your digital collection?!

T H E ~ C R E A T I V E ~ R E V O L U T I O N ~ S T A R T S ~ H E R E !

To see more from Marguerite Bennett, be sure to follow her online!

Our Emerald City Comicon Exclusives (available at the AfterShock Comics booth #1212):

AfterShock Creators & Staff Appearing at ECCC 2017:

Marguerite Bennett (ANIMOSITY, INSEXTS)

Ray Fawkes (JACKPOT!)

Justin Jordan (STRAYER)

Lee Kramer (AfterShock President)

Ariela Kristantina (INSEXTS)

John Layman (ELEANOR AND THE EGRET)

Mike Marts (Aftershock Editor-in-Chief)

Stephan Nilson (AfterShock Publishing Operations Manager)

Joe Pruett (AfterShock Publisher/CCO & BLACK-EYED KIDS)

Lisa Wu (AfterShock Retailers/Fan Relations Manager)

Plus!

Tamra Bonvillain (ALTERS, STRAYER), Donny Cates (BABYTEETH), Kelly Fitzpatrick (CAPTAIN KID) + more!

CBCS Offers *ON-SITE GRADING* in Seattle During Emerald City Comic Con!

Popculthq looks at all of the comics and trade paperbacks releasing from AfterShock Comics in March 2017…

*** info courtesy of AfterShock Comics

#NCBD

~~~~~~~

ACTION LAB ENTERTAINMENT

ACTION LAB: DANGER ZONE

COVERS AVAILABLE

AFTERSHOCK COMICS

DARK HORSE

IDW PUBLISHING

COVERS AVAILABLE

COVERS AVAILABLE

IMAGE COMICS

VALIANT

COVERS AVAILABLE

COVERS AVAILABLE

COVERS AVAILABLE

ZENESCOPE

COVERS AVAILABLE

COVERS AVAILABLE

PopCultHQ looks at all of the comics and trades
releasing from AfterShock Comics in June 2018…

Artist of the Month – February 2018:
Ariela Kristantina

PopCultHQ looks at all of the comics and trades
releasing from AfterShock Comics in November 2017…

PopCultHQ looks at all of the comics
releasing from AfterShock Comics in September 2017…

Popculthq looks at all of the comics
releasing from AfterShock Comics in July 2017…

<PopCultHQ’s Spoiler-Free Comic Book Review: JACKPOT! #4>
<PopCultHQ Comic Creator Spotlight Interview: RAY FAWKES>

Our Emerald City Comicon Exclusives
(available at the AfterShock Comics booth #1212):

Tamra Bonvillain (ALTERS, STRAYER), Donny Cates (BABYTEETH), Kelly Fitzpatrick (CAPTAIN KID)
+ more!

CBCS Offers ON-SITE GRADING in Seattle During Emerald City Comic Con!

Popculthq looks at all of the comics and trade paperbacks
releasing from AfterShock Comics in March 2017…