Tag:

Jeff Lemire

[Preview] GIDEON FALLS Creative Team Reunite This Fall for 6-Issue Miniseries PRIMORDIAL at Image Comics

by Jason Bennett June 28, 2021

written by Jason Bennett

GIDEON FALLS’ JEFF LEMIRE & ANDREA SORRENTINO
TO LAUNCH NEW SERIES PRIMORDIAL THIS SEPTEMBER

Green Arrow, Old Man Logan, and Eisner Award winning Gideon Falls’ creative team Jeff Lemire (Sweet Tooth) and artist Andrea Sorrentino will reunite for an all-new, upcoming six issue miniseries titled, Primordial. This mind-bending sci-fi/Cold War thriller mashup will launch from Image Comics this September.

“Andrea and I were keen for our next collaboration after the success of Gideon Falls, but we also didn’t want to repeat ourselves,” said Lemire in an exclusive on the announcement with Space.com. “I think with Primordial we are trying something totally new and different for us. This book is part Cold War thriller and part deep space sci-fi, but all grounded in an alt-history take on the first animals sent to space. This book is full of mystery, adventure and intrigue and Andrea and I have both tried to push ourselves into new story telling territory.”

Primordial reveals to readers that In 1957, the USSR launched the dog, Laika, into Earth’s orbit. Two years later, the USA responded with two monkeys, Able and Baker. These animals never returned. But, unbeknownst to everyone, they did not die in orbit…they were taken. And now they are coming home.

Sorrentino added: “I was totally in love with Primordial from the first time I read the pitch Jeff sent me. It’s thrilling, it’s noir, it’s moving and it’s full of heart. It’s also weird and crazy and it’s pushing me to new, exciting art approaches. Can’t wait for readers to have the first issue in their hands in September.”

This upcoming high-intensity story is perhaps best described as 2001: A Space Odyssey meets We3.

Primordial #1 will be available at comic book shops on Wednesday, September 15:

Cover A by Sorrentino – Diamond Code JUL210009
Cover B by Christian Ward – Diamond Code JUL210010
Cover C by Dustin Nguyen – Diamond Code JUL210011
Cover D by Yuko Shimizu – Diamond Code JUL210012
Cover E blank – Diamond Code JUL210013
Cover F (1:25) virgin incentive copy – Diamond Code JUL210014
Cover G (1:50) raw virgin B&W incentive copy – Diamond Code JUL210015
Cover H (1:75) Moon Footprint incentive copy – Diamond Code JUL210016
Cover I (1:100) incentive copy by Lemire – Diamond Code JUL210017

Primordial will also be available for purchase across many digital platforms, including Amazon Kindle, Apple Books, comiXology, and Google Play.

Publisher – Image Comics

Image Comics is a comic book and graphic novel publisher founded in 1992 by a collective of bestselling artists. Image has since gone on to become one of the largest comics publishers in the United States. Image currently has six individuals on the Board of Directors: Robert Kirkman, Erik Larsen, Todd McFarlane, Marc Silvestri, Jim Valentino, and Eric Stephenson. It consists of five major houses: Todd McFarlane Productions, Top Cow Productions, Shadowline Comics, Skybound Entertainment, and Image Central. Image publishes comics and graphic novels in nearly every genre, sub-genre, and style imaginable. It offers science fiction, fantasy, romance, horror, crime fiction, historical fiction, humor and more by the finest artists and writers working in the medium today. For more information, visit www.imagecomics.com.

June 28, 2021 0 comment

Comic Books Comic Previews Digital Comics independent Comic New Comic Book Day

[Preview] Season Two of SNOW ANGELS by Jeff Lemire & Jock Drops on comiXology 6/22

by Jason Bennett June 20, 2021

written by Jason Bennett

Snow Angels Season Two #1 written by Jeff Lemire (Sweet Tooth–now a Netflix series, Gideon Falls, Black Hammer) with art by Jock (Wytches, Batman)–two of the most acclaimed creators of their generation–arrives Tuesday, June 22.

Snow Angels marks the first time ever that the two esteemed creators have collaborated. Together, Lemire and Jock have created an epic science fiction adventure story set in a brutal near future where the world is covered in ice.

SNOW ANGELS – Season Two #1

Writer: Jeff Lemire
Art: Jock
Letters: Steve Wands

Cover Artist: Jock

Milliken and Mae have never left The Trench—it’s all they’ve ever known. They were born in The Trench, and they’ll die there, just like all their people do. The two girls, eight and eleven, are a part of The Trenchfolk, a sprawling settlement of people living inside the massive ice walls of a vast, seemingly endless frozen trench carved into the surface of an otherwise icy wasteland. The Trenchfolk survive in this hostile world by following The Three Testaments of The Trench—golden rules repeated like a mantra from birth to death…

1. YOU MUST NEVER LEAVE THE TRENCH.
2. THE TRENCH PROVIDES.
3. THE TRENCH IS ENDLESS.

Milli and Mae don’t really know how their people came to live here. No one does, not even their wise and gentle Father. On Milliken’s twelfth birthday, their father takes the two girls on an overnight skate down the trench — a coming-of-age ritual to teach them how to fish the frozen river, how to hunt the wild Trenchdogs that wander its frigid banks, and how to give proper thanks to their frozen Gods — The Colden Ones. It’s the trip of a lifetime until the girls push beyond the borders of their humble land and awaken the Trench’s deadly defender…The Snowman! What follows next is an action-packed story of survival, loss and redemption.

PREVIEW PAGES

Please wait while flipbook is loading. For more related info, FAQs and issues please refer to DearFlip WordPress Flipbook Plugin Help documentation.

Snow Angels is part of the comiXology Originals line of exclusive digital content only available on comiXology and Kindle and with comiXology Unlimited, Kindle Unlimited and Prime Reading.

For more updates on comiXology Originals,
check out comixologyoriginals.com and
follow comiXology on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

About The Creators:

Writer Jeff Lemire

Jeff Lemire is the creator of the acclaimed graphic novels Sweet Tooth (coming to Netflix from Robert Downey Jr.), the Essex County Trilogy, The Underwater Welder, Trillium, and Roughneck as well as Descender and Ascender with Dustin Nguyen, and Black Hammer with Dean Ormston. Jeff has also written Green Arrow, Justice League and Animal Man for DC Comics and Hawkeye for Marvel Comics. He’s also part of the creative team on Cosmic Detective which he recently Kickstarted with Matt Kindt and David Rubín.

In 2008 and in 2013 Jeff won the Schuster Award for Best Canadian Cartoonist. He has also received The Doug Wright Award for Best Emerging Talent and the American Library Association’s prestigious Alex Award, recognizing books for adults with specific teen appeal. He has also been nominated for 8 Eisner awards, 7 Harvey Awards and 8 Shuster Awards. In 2010 Essex County was named as one of the five Essential Canadian Novels of the Decade. He currently lives and works in Toronto with his wife and son.

Artist Jock

Jock is the three times New York Times best-selling British artist best known for his comics work with writer Andy Diggle on DC/Vertigo’s The Losers, the award-winning Batman: The Black Mirror, and Wytches with writer Scott Snyder. Jock has also produced key art and concept design for films including Dredd, Annihilation, Star Wars: The Last Jedi, and the Oscar-winning Ex Machina. Born in Glasgow, Scotland, he now lives and works in Devon, England.

About comiXology

ComiXology, an Amazon.com, Inc. subsidiary (NASDAQ:AMZN), is a revolutionary, cloud-based digital comics service. With content from over 125 publishers as well as thousands of independent creators from around the world, comiXology provides an unrivaled library of comic books, graphic novels, manga and bandes dessinées. The company’s first-in-class innovations include Guided View technology which provides an immersive and cinematic reading experience and a new monthly subscription service. ComiXology is based in New York City, with operations in Seattle and Los Angeles. For more information, visit comixology.com and follow the company on Twitter, Facebook and Tumblr.

June 20, 2021 0 comment

Comic Books independent Comic

[Comic Book News] Horror Anthology THE SILVER COIN Extends to Ongoing Series Due to Popularity

by Jason Bennett May 25, 2021

written by Jason Bennett

INTEREST IN THE SILVER COIN SERIES SKYROCKETS,
EXTENDED TO ONGOING SERIES

Michael Walsh’s new horror anthology The Silver Coin at Image Comics is being extended into an ongoing series this August in response to its breakout success and positive reception among fans.

The bestselling series, which has thus far showcased a murderers’ row of talent—including Chip Zdarsky (Stillwater), Kelly Thompson, Ed Brisson, and Jeff Lemire (Gideon Falls, Sweet Tooth)—will continue to send chills down readers spines with Joshua Williamson, Ram V, Matthew Rosenberg, and Vita Ayala on board to serve up thrilling new stories.

The Silver Coin #5 – Cover A

“I am beyond excited to continue telling stories in the world of The Silver Coin. The response to the first arc has been overwhelming and it’s provided me with the opportunity to bring in an all-new group of incredible talent for more tales of terror,” said Walsh. “I’m very lucky to be working with people that consistently elevate my own work and push me to grow as an artist and writer. Josh, Ram, Matt, and Vita are all such insightful, creative and unique voices in the world of comics… I can’t WAIT to show off the horrors that we are crafting together.”

Each issue of The Silver Coin tells a tale of terror in a shared supernatural world. The story starts in 1978 with a failing rock band whose fortune suddenly changes when they find the mysterious Silver Coin. Little do they know that fame comes with a cost, and a curse is always hungry.

The Silver Coin #5 – Cover B

The Silver Coin #5 Cover A by Michael Walsh (Diamond Code JUN210246) and The Silver Coin #5 Cover B by Maya McKibbin (Diamond Code JUN210247) will be available at comic book shops on Wednesday, August 11.

The Silver Coin is available for purchase across many digital platforms, including Amazon Kindle, Apple Books, comiXology, and Google Play.

Publisher – Image Comics

May 25, 2021 0 comment

Comic Books independent Comic

[Comic Book News] Jeff Lemire & Tyler Crook Expand the BLACK HAMMER Universe w/ THE UNBELIEVABLE TEENS

by Jason Bennett May 22, 2021

written by Jason Bennett

THE WORLD OF ‘BLACK HAMMER’ GETS
A LITTLE MORE UNBELIEVABLE

The world of the Eisner Award-winning Black Hammer series continues to expand at Dark Horse Comics with this meta team superhero saga taking place between two different worlds in The Unbelievable Unteens! Written by critically acclaimed author and Black Hammer co-creator Jeff Lemire (Berserker Unbound, Sweet Tooth: The Return) and illustrated by returning Black Hammer artist, Tyler Crook (Colonel Weird: Cosmagog, Harrow County), The Unbelievable Unteens spins a genre-bending origin story for a brand-new superhero team!

The Unbelievable Unteens #1 – Cover A by Tyler Crook

After signing at a comic book convention, Unbelievable Unteens artist Jane Ito finds herself visited by one of the characters from her own creation—but was it her own creation? Were the Unteens an actual school of teenaged misfit superheroes who battled supervillains under the lead of the mysterious Dr. Miles Moniker? And if so, who wiped their memories and why? As Jane’s world is turned upside down and she learns the true nature of her identity she discovers a sinister plot leading her to assemble a team she had suspected was purely fictional.

“The Unbelievable Unteens is a Black Hammer story that I have been working on for a few years and was just waiting for the right time and the right collaborator,” said Lemire. “After doing Colonel Weird with Tyler Crook I knew he would be perfect to bring the creepy and wonderful teenage super hero world of the Unteens to life. This series stands alone but will also tie back into the new Black Hammer: Reborn series in unexpected ways!”

“I loved working with Jeff Lemire on Colonel Weird: Cosmamgog and was very excited that he wanted to continue working with me on The Unbelievable Unteens,” Crook added. “I haven’t had many opportunities to work on superhero stories and this book gave me the chance to scratch that itch. I can’t wait for readers to get to know these characters and the weird events that made these Unteens so “unbelievable”!”

The Unbelievable Unteens #1 – Cover B by John McCrea

Praise for Black Hammer:

“Amazing. Just flat-out amazing.”–Patton Oswalt

“I don’t read many comics these days, and I can’t remember the last time
I read a superhero comic, but I’m loving Black Hammer…”–Mike Mignola

“Black Hammer is easily one of Lemire’s best creations.”–Scott Snyder

“On my pull list by the time I got to page five.”–Mark Waid

“Black Hammer is the maddest, most brilliant comic I’ve read in years.“–Mark Millar

“This book is a freaking masterpiece.”–James Gunn

The Unbelievable Unteens #1 (of 4) will hit comic shops August 11, 2021. It is available for pre-order at your local comic shop using Diamond Item Code JUN210271 (Cover A by Tyler Crook) and Diamond Item Code JUN210272 (Cover B by John McCrea).

About Dark Horse Comics:

For more than thirty years, Dark Horse Comics has proven to be a solid example of how integrity and innovation can help broaden a unique storytelling medium and establish a small, homegrown company as an industry giant. Founded in 1986 by Mike Richardson, the company is known for the progressive and creator-friendly atmosphere it provides for writers and artists. In addition to publishing comics from top talent, such as Eric Powell, Mike Mignola, Geof Darrow, Brian Wood, Gail Simone, Stan Sakai, and Guillermo del Toro, and comics legends, such as Will Eisner, Milo Manara, Kazuo Koike, Neil Gaiman, and Frank Miller, Dark Horse has developed its own successful properties, such as The Mask, Ghost, X, and Barb Wire. Its successful line of comics, manga, and products based on popular properties includes Dragon Age, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Aliens, Conan, Tomb Raider, Halo, The Witcher,Serenity, Game of Thrones, and Avatar: The Last Airbender. Today, Dark Horse Comics is the largest independent comic book publisher in the US and is recognized as one of the world’s leading entertainment publishers.

May 22, 2021 0 comment

Comic Books Comic Previews Digital Comics New Comic Book Day

[Preview] ComiXology Originals’ 5/18 Release: SNOW ANGELS #4

by Jason Bennett May 16, 2021

written by Jason Bennett

This Tuesday, May 18th, comiXology is releasing the latest issue of SNOW ANGELS! Two of the most acclaimed creators of their generation — Writer Jeff Lemire and Artist Jock — together for the first time in SNOW ANGELS — a 10-part science fiction adventure story set in a brutal world like no other!

Here’s a look at the cover, the storyline, and preview pages for this week’s new release from comiXology on New Comic Book Day! #NCBD

COMIXOLOGY ORIGINALS COMICS

New Release for the week of May 18th, 2021

~~~~~

SNOW ANGELS #4

Writer: Jeff Lemire
Artist: Jock
Colorist: Jock
Letterer: Steve Wands

Cover Artist: Jock

In the sense-shattering conclusion of “Season One,” Mae Mae and Millie struggle to survive a to-the-death battle with The Snowman!

PREVIEW PAGES

Please wait while flipbook is loading. For more related info, FAQs and issues please refer to DearFlip WordPress Flipbook Plugin Help documentation.

For more updates on comiXology Originals,
check out http://comixologyoriginals.com and
follow comiXology on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

About The Creators:

Writer Jeff Lemire

Artist Jock

About comiXology

May 16, 2021 0 comment

Comic Books Comic Previews Digital Comics

[Preview] Jeff Lemire & Jock Team for 10-Part Limited comiXology Originals Series SNOW ANGELS

by Jason Bennett February 11, 2021

written by Jason Bennett

Bestselling Creators Jeff Lemire and Jock
Unite For the First Time with Snow Angels

The Adventure Begins February 16th, 2021
Available exclusively from comiXology Originals

Two of the most acclaimed creators of our time — writer Jeff Lemire and artist Jock — are uniting for one of the most anticipated comic books of 2021 with Snow Angels. Next Tuesday, February 16, 2021 will see the debut of Snow Angels, a 10-part limited series by the writer of Black Hammer and Gideon Falls and the artist of Wytches and Batman, marking the first time ever that the two esteemed creators have collaborated. Together, Lemire and Jock have created an epic science fiction adventure story set in a brutal near future where the world is covered in ice.

In coordination with comiXology, Amazon Original Stories, an imprint of Amazon Publishing, is simultaneously releasing Jeff Lemire’s first prose short story, also entitled Snow Angels, which introduces the world that will be expanded upon in the comic series. With cover art by Jock, the short story acts as a prologue to the comics, but can also be read as a standalone coming-of-age science fiction story that combines the vivid world-building and deeply felt characterization that Lemire is known for.

“Snow Angels has been gestating in my notebooks for over a decade and it’s really rewarding to see Milli and Mae finally come to vibrant life with Jock’s kinetic and emotive artwork,” says Lemire. “Jock and Will and I have been discussing this book for years and now The Trench finally lives! Really excited to share this story with readers and for them to fall into this world we are creating.”

“Jeff had me hooked from the minute he told me about Snow Angels and the story of Millie and Mae,” says Jock. “The mix of personal drama and the unique setting of The Trench and the world they live in make it a dream to draw. It’s been a long time gestating so I’m thrilled to see it find it’s home with comiXology and released into the world.”

In Snow Angels, Milliken and Mae have never left The Trench—it’s all they’ve ever known. They were born in The Trench, and they’ll die there, just like all their people do. The two girls, eight and eleven, are a part of The Trenchfolk, a sprawling settlement of people living inside the massive ice walls of a vast, seemingly endless frozen trench carved into the surface of an otherwise icy wasteland. The Trenchfolk survive in this hostile world by following The Three Testaments of The Trench—golden rules repeated like a mantra from birth to death…

YOU MUST NEVER LEAVE THE TRENCH.
THE TRENCH PROVIDES.
THE TRENCH IS ENDLESS.

Milli and Mae don’t really know how their people came to live here. No one does, not even their wise and gentle father. On Milliken’s twelfth birthday, their father takes the two girls on an overnight skate down the trench — a coming-of-age ritual to teach them how to fish the frozen river, how to hunt the wild Trenchdogs that wander its frigid banks, and how to give proper thanks to their frozen Gods — The Colden Ones. It’s the trip of a lifetime until the girls push beyond the borders of their humble land and awaken the Trench’s deadly defender…The Snowman!

Please wait while flipbook is loading. For more related info, FAQs and issues please refer to DearFlip WordPress Flipbook Plugin Help documentation.

“Having had the great fortune to work with both of these talented creators separately, it’s a real thrill for me to finally see them working together!” says editor Will Dennis. “They had an instant chemistry and the work they are doing is some of the best of their storied careers. Fans will be blown away by this project!”

“Snow Angels is an action-packed story of survival, loss, redemption, and sisterhood,” said comiXology Head of Content, Chip Mosher. “It’s a stunning comic by two of the most imaginative comic book creators of all time and it is a joy to read.”

Snow Angels issue #1, will be released February 16, 2021.

Part of the comiXology Originals line of exclusive content, Snow Angels will be available upon release, at no additional cost, for members of Amazon Prime, Kindle Unlimited, and comiXology Unlimited, and for purchase on Kindle and comiXology. Prime Reading offers all Amazon Prime members a rotating selection of thousands of top Kindle books, magazines, short works, comic books, children’s books, and more. Kindle Unlimited offers over 1 million titles, thousands of audiobooks, and select current issues of popular magazines for just $9.99 a month with a 30-day free trial at amazon.com/kindleunlimited. ComiXology Unlimited offers over 25,000 comics, graphic novels and manga for just $5.99 a month with a 30-day free trial at comixology.com/unlimited.

Like all Amazon Original Stories, Lemire’s Snow Angels: A Short Story will be available free to Prime Members and Kindle Unlimited Members in ebook and digital audio formats, beginning February 16, 2021. Snow Angels: A Short Story was acquired by Amazon Original Stories Senior Editor Kjersti Egerdahl.

For more updates on comiXology Originals,
check out http://comixologyoriginals.com and
follow comiXology on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

About The Creators:

Writer Jeff Lemire

Artist Jock

About comiXology

About Amazon Publishing

Amazon Publishing is a leading trade publisher of fiction, nonfiction, and children’s books with a mission to empower outstanding storytellers and connect them with readers worldwide. We publish emerging, bestselling and critically-acclaimed authors in digital, print, and audio formats. Amazon Original Stories, an imprint of Amazon Publishing, is known for its single-sitting reads from bestselling authors, acclaimed storytellers, and new voices.

February 11, 2021 0 comment

Comic Books independent Comic

[Comic Book News] Image Comics’ GIDEON FALLS Wraps Up Series w/ 80-Page Finale

by Jason Bennett August 16, 2020

written by Jason Bennett

MULTIPLE EISNER AWARD WINNING GIDEON FALLS SERIES WILL KEEP READERS GUESSING UNTIL THE VERY END WITH AN 80-PAGE, SHOW-STOPPING FINALE THIS DECEMBER!

The Eisner Award winning Gideon Falls by New York Times bestselling writer Jeff Lemire and artist Andrea Sorrentino (the creative team behind Green Arrow and Old Man Logan), with the talents of Eisner Award winning colorist Dave Stewart and letterer Steve Wands, will come to its show-stopping conclusion with an extra-length, shelf-busting issue #27. This final, mind-bending issue will clock in at 80 pages and release from Image Comics this December.

The horror/mystery series became an overnight success and critical darling when it launched in March 2018. It went on to take home the 2019 Eisner Award for Best New Series and become one of the top selling, reordered series at Image Comics with multiple reprints.

“We’ve been fortunate to publish a lot of great work by Jeff and his many collaborators—Descender, AD, Plutona, Royal City—but his work with Andrea on Gideon Falls is one of his most incredible storytelling accomplishments to date,” said Eric Stephenson, Publisher & Chief Creative Officer at Image Comics. “It’s a true pleasure to see talent of this level complete such an amazing series, not just in the way they intended, but with their most thrilling issue yet!”

Gideon Falls explores the lives of a reclusive young man obsessed with a conspiracy in the city’s trash, and a washed up Catholic Priest arriving in a small town full of dark secrets. At the heart of the town’s secrets is intertwined the mysterious legend of The Black Barn, a otherworldly building that is alleged to have appeared in both the city and the small town, throughout history, bringing death and madness in its wake.

Select praise for Gideon Falls:

“Saturated with a horrific sense of anxiety.”
—Entertainment Weekly

“Combines avant-garde graphic treatments with outstanding writing.”
—Boing Boing

“Lemire and Sorrentino will go down as
one of the greatest comic teams of all time.”
—Brian Michael Bendis

“Visually complex…Quite compelling.”
—Impulse Gamer

“A dark, brooding piece of evocative horror.”
—The Oregonian

“A pure vision of terror.”
—Comic Book Resources

“If you were a fan of Jeff Lemire and Andrea Sorrentino
Green Arrow or Old Man Logan…then check out this original story.”
—IGN

“Lemire really knocks it out of the park with this comic..”
—Bleeding Cool

“[Lemire] doesn’t lose a step here nor does Sorrentino,
who is composing here at peak level too.”
—The Comics Beat

“Truly unique.”
—Newsarama

“There is nothing else like Gideon Falls on the stands today.”
—HorrorDNA

“Where Black Science is full of wonder and science, Gideon Falls
is just evil. Gideon Falls is the dark multiverse to Black Science.”
—Monkeys Fighting Robots

“Some of the most beautifully haunting pages I’ve seen.”
—Black Nerd Problems

“A complex, nuanced, deranged narrative.”
—Comicon.com

Fans won’t want to miss the satisfaction of this finale. Gideon Falls #27 will be the final issue in the series and will be available at local comic book shops in December.

Gideon Falls is also available for purchase across many digital platforms, including Amazon Kindle, Apple Books, comiXology, and Google Play.

ABOUT IMAGE COMICS:

Image Comics is a comic book and graphic novel publisher founded in 1992 by a collective of best-selling artists. Image has since gone on to become one of the largest comics publishers in the United States. Image currently has five partners: Robert Kirkman, Erik Larsen, Todd McFarlane, Marc Silvestri and Jim Valentino. It consists of five major houses: Todd McFarlane Productions, Top Cow Productions, Shadowline, Skybound and Image Central. Image publishes comics and graphic novels in nearly every genre, sub-genre, and style imaginable. It offers science fiction, fantasy, romance, horror, crime fiction, historical fiction, humor and more by the finest artists and writers working in the medium today. For more information, visit www.imagecomics.com.

August 16, 2020 0 comment

Conventions independent Comic Interview

[Interview] SDCC 2019: Jeff Lemire & Michael Walsh of Dark Horse Comics’ BLACK HAMMER/JUSTICE LEAGUE: Hammer of Justice!

by Jason Bennett August 4, 2019

written by Jason Bennett

PopCultHQ made an appearance for a couple of days at this year’s 50th Annual Comic Con International: San Diego 2019. Knowing our time was limited, we knew we couldn’t spread ourselves too thin by conducting interviews from multiple publishers. Between the huge layout and the packed aisles with fans, rushing around the convention floor didn’t make much sense as we also tried to enjoy the event a little. So the decision was made to streamline the interviews we were going to conduct at SDCC by focusing on one publisher. From our previous enjoyable experience at NYCC 2017, it was a no-brainer to feature Dark Horse Comics.

One of our interviews was with writer Jeff Lemire and artist Michael Walsh to discuss their recent collaboration BLACK HAMMER/JUSTICE LEAGUE: Hammer of Justice!, which kicked off its 5-issue miniseries on July 10th at Dark Horse in their team-up with DC Comics. For those familiar with Lemire’s BLACK HAMMER universe, this is the mash-up you never realized you wanted. Two strong alliances on their own intertwining into a world of beauty, complimenting one another and adding another level of value to both franchises. Not only are these two well-established universes colliding, but having Lemire’s intelligent writing and Walsh’s stunning illustrations (and cover work) encompass the entire miniseries, you’ll find that what is delivered is nothing short of brilliance.

For those unfamiliar with the BLACK HAMMER universe, there’s no better time than now to be introduced to the characters as they interact with one of the comic book world’s first leagues to assemble. The series is even being billed as, “the ultimate superhero crossover event of 2019!” which is a spot-on assessment.

So take a look at the details of BLACK HAMMER/JUSTICE LEAGUE: Hammer of Justice! #1, then sit back and chill as we chat with creators Jeff Lemire & Michael Walsh at the Dark Horse Comics booth at SDCC 2019!

BLACK HAMMER/JUSTICE LEAGUE: Hammer of Justice! #1

Writer: Jeff Lemire
Artist: Michael Walsh
Letterer: Nate Piekos

Main Cover Artist: Michael Walsh

DC Comics and Dark Horse Comics present
the ultimate superhero crossover event of 2019!

A strange man arrives simultaneously on Black Hammer Farm and in Metropolis, and both worlds are warped as Starro attacks! Batman, Green Lantern, Flash, Wonder Woman, Superman, and more crossover with Golden Gail, Colonel Weird, and the rest of the Black Hammer gang!

PopCultHQ Interviews
Jeff Lemire & Michael Walsh

A special thanks to both Jeff and Michael for taking the time out of the craziness of SDCC to speak with us about their current project. And a huge thanks to Dark Horse Comics, and shout-out to Megan Connor, for arranging this interview for us.

Be sure to pick up BLACK HAMMER/JUSTICE LEAGUE: Hammer of Justice! #1 from your local comic shop or favorite online retailer. Then prepare for the second installment when it drops on August 14th!

BLACK HAMMER/JUSTICE LEAGUE #2 - Cover A

BLACK HAMMER/JUSTICE LEAGUE #2 - Cover B

BLACK HAMMER/JUSTICE LEAGUE: Hammer of Justice! #2

Writer: Jeff Lemire
Artist: Michael Walsh
Letterer: Nate Piekos

Cover Artists:
Cover A: Michael Walsh
Cover B: Jill Thompson

In Shops: Aug 14, 2019
SRP: $3.99

After a mysterious stranger warps reality, the out-of-practice Black Hammer heroes must contend with both Starro and the rest of the DC universe. Meanwhile, Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, and Cyborg try to adjust to life on Black Hammer Farm, while Colonel Weird and the Green Lantern try to uncover the secret behind this reality swap and the strange man who started it all.

Writer – Jeff Lemire

Artist – Michael Walsh

Publisher – Dark Horse Comics

Comic-Con International: San Diego (SDCC)

August 4, 2019 0 comment

Pop Cult News

[Comic Book News] SDCC: Jeff Lemire’s BLACK HAMMER Continues to Grow & Expand at Dark Horse w/ New Maxiseries and 3-in-1 Anthology!

by Jason Bennett July 19, 2019

written by Jason Bennett

SDCC 2019: PEEK INTO THE BLACK HAMMER-VERSE

Perfect Introduction to the “Black Hammer” Universe—
Three Complete Issues for One Dollar and Spiral City’s Newest Hero

Dip your toe into the Black Hammer-verse with the Black Hammer 3 for $1 and Skulldigger + Skeleton Boy from Dark Horse Comics! Explore the weird, wonderful, ever-expanding world created by acclaimed writer Jeff Lemire (Berserker Unbound, Ascender) and veteran artist Dean Ormston (Black Hammer, The Sandman).

Black Hammer 3 for $1 is a perfect intro to three great storylines in the Black Hammer–verse for just one dollar! This three-in-one anthology features the first issues of the original Black Hammer run, Sherlock Frankenstein, and Quantum Age, collected together in a 72-page discount package! Featuring art by artists Dean Ormston, David Rubín, and Wilfredo Torres, Black Hammer 3 for $1 is your one-way ticket to Spiral City and beyond!

And if you’re already well-versed in the Black Hammer-verse, then you won’t want to miss the debut of the newest hero to stalk the streets of Spiral City in Skulldigger + Skeleton Boy! Written by Black Hammer co-creator Jeff Lemire, with art by Tonci Zonjic (Lobster Johnson, Spectacular Spider-Man) and letters by Steve Wands (Berserker Unbound, Thanos), Skulldigger + Skeleton Boy is the latest installment in the ever-expanding Black Hammer-verse.

Teased in The World of Black Hammer Encyclopedia, this tale of dark tragedy finds Spiral City trapped in a vicious cycle of crime, corruption, and violence. With the heart of the city at stake, a vigilante rises in Skulldigger. However, when the nefarious Grimjim escapes from prison, will Skulldigger and his ward, Skeleton Boy, be enough to save Spiral City? Be sure to find out in Skulldigger + Skeleton Boy #1.

Praise for Black Hammer:

“I didn’t think something could be thrilling and sad at the same time but now there’s Black Hammer proving me wrong. Amazing, just flat-out amazing.”
—Patton Oswalt

“I don’t read many comics these days and I can’t remember the last time I read a superhero comic, but I’m loving Black Hammer by Jeff Lemire, Dean Ormston, and Dave Stewart.”
—Mike Mignola (Hellboy)

“Black Hammer feels like a superhero story through an X-Files lens; it’s strange and melancholy and real. The tale evokes an immense world filled with typically deep Lemire-ian themes of isolation, joy and simplicity. I can’t wait to see where he goes from here.”
—Charles Soule (Curse Words, Letter 44)

Black Hammer 3 for $1 goes on sale November 06, 2019, and Skulldigger + Skeleton Boy #1 (of twelve) goes on sale December 11, 2019. Both are available for pre-order at your local comic shop.

About Dark Horse:

July 19, 2019 1 comment

Comic Previews Comic Reviews independent Comic New Comic Book Day

[Comic Book Review] ASCENDER #1 from Image Comics

by Adrian Care April 23, 2019

written by Adrian Care

PopCultHQ received an advanced review copy of ASCENDER #1 from Image Comics. Available April 24th, 2019, the creative team for this issue features writing from Jeff Lemire, art from Dustin Nguyen, and lettering from Steve Wands.

Here’s PopCultHQ’s Spoiler-Free Review of…

ASCENDER #1

Writer: Jeff Lemire
Artist: Dustin Nguyen
Letterer: Steve Wands

Cover Artist: Dustin Nguyen

On Sale: April 24, 2019
Age Rating: M
SRP: $3.99

“THE HAUNTED GALAXY,” Part One

Powerhouse creative team JEFF LEMIRE and DUSTIN NGUYEN launch an all-new sequel series to DESCENDER with the launch of ASCENDER!

Set ten years after the conclusion of DESCENDER’s storyline, magic has taken the place of machinery and the rules are very different indeed… Mila, the daughter of Andy and Effie from DESCENDER, spends her days exploring the lonely wilds of the planet Sampson and trying to stay out of the clutches of the evil disciples of the all-powerful vampire witch known only as Mother. But, like her parents, Mila doesn’t like to play by the rules, and when a certain robot pal of her dad’s shows up, nothing will ever be the same! With all the scope and heart of the sci-fi classic DESCENDER, LEMIRE and NGUYEN reunite to take readers on an unforgettable fantasy quest!

PopCultHQ’s Comic Book Review:
ASCENDER #1

In an age of magic, Mother sees all and controls even more. What will all this have to do with a young rebellious girl from the outskirts of the galaxy?

Writing:

A writer who follows up something the scale of Descender with a near opposite point of view is clearly someone who’s earned the grace to tell his stories his way.

Jeff Lemire (Animal Man, Sweet Tooth) is a talent of many facets. Big ideas. Strange ideas. Significant moments. But it is his ability to craft such dimension in the characters that are the strength this issue sails on.

At times, there are moments in the story really reflective of Star Wars or any popular ‘80s fantasy quest. This is parried though with stereotypes that don’t actually read like stereotypes.

We recognize the role the evil mage must play in stories like these, but the distinct voice with which Mother is written, the underlying inherent fear for the unknown quantity that is evident in her character, these are different angles from which to approach things. They’re very effective too.

Even the depth which Lemire grants to Mother’s deceased coven of advisors have character and bite not usually afforded to what is usually a basic device.

There are creepy edges that usually watermark Lemire’s writing, but since it’s played as the norm in this universe, it too feels different enough to reinvest in a continuing saga of another galaxy far, far away.

Art:

Dustin Nguyen’s style can’t be talked about with the same metrics you would usually dissect any other artist’s work. He’s not a penciller. He’s also not just an artist who paints. In the most complimentary way, he is an Artist. Period.

There is an unfinished quality to where his basic pencils meet watercolor paintbrush that never really detracts from the read. In fact, it always feels perfectly suited to the story.

The sci-fi world of Ascender is just as suited to it as the espionage and black-ops super heroics of Wildcats, or the vigilante action and mystery of work on the Bat-family.

It’s malleable and fluid and it combines a mastery of colors, figure, and form in rotating importance to give books like this a visual distinction in a field that’s heavily populated. But it never hits that stratosphere that would push the book to the forefront.

It’s simple and subtle because this artist is also a storyteller who doesn’t rely on grandeur and gregarious splash pages to effectively communicate moments.

Art like Nguyen’s should excel when rendering a picturesque mountainside, and it does that. But the design of characters and the use of stylistic tricks to communicate the feel of the magic are just as striking.

Letters:

Steve Wands’ (Flash, Green Lantern Corps, Adventure Time) lettering stopped me in my tracks in this issue. Sometimes all a letterer needs to do is know when to whisper and when to shout and play tightly to those boundaries. I would have been fine if Wands did so with this issue.

The first few pages are an exercise in downplaying your hand. His effects work here was eye-catching without scene-stealing and his narrative and dialogue where great. But when the story begins to lean into the opposing genres and the narration suddenly switches, I instantly stopped reading and went back to the start, so I could re-read with a keener eye.

I could not believe how effective the lettering worked with Nguyen’s watercolor style. The modern blend of it should not go as perfectly as it does with the fantasy setting done in such a painterly style.

Mila’s narration is so well-realized that it’s as though the character came to life and submitted her own diary to Wands.

In future issues or further printings of this one, I implore Image to include Wands name above the title with Lemire and Nguyen. His work here is just as important to the book as both creators.

While it doesn’t distinguish itself from a lot of sci-fi/fantasy work out there right now, Ascender still reads incredibly well. The mish-mash of ideas, writing style, and art style, really shouldn’t come together as well as it does, and it propels the book along in entertaining fashion. Not just for fans of previous series Descender, a surprisingly accessible read that welcomes new fans with open arms.

3.5 out of 5 Stars

PopCultHQ Rating – 3.5 Stars

ASCENDER #1 can be pre-ordered on ComiXology
and available at your local comic shop and
online retailers Wednesday, April 24th!

Writer – Jeff Lemire

Artist – Dustin Nguyen

Letterer – Steve Wands

Publisher – Image Comics

April 23, 2019 0 comment

Newer Posts

Older Posts

Jeff Lemire

GIDEON FALLS’ JEFF LEMIRE & ANDREA SORRENTINOTO LAUNCH NEW SERIES PRIMORDIAL THIS SEPTEMBER

PREVIEW PAGES

For more updates on comiXology Originals, check out comixologyoriginals.com and follow comiXology on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

About The Creators:

INTEREST IN THE SILVER COIN SERIES SKYROCKETS, EXTENDED TO ONGOING SERIES

THE WORLD OF ‘BLACK HAMMER’ GETS A LITTLE MORE UNBELIEVABLE

PREVIEW PAGES

For more updates on comiXology Originals, check out http://comixologyoriginals.com and follow comiXology on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

About The Creators:

Bestselling Creators Jeff Lemire and Jock Unite For the First Time with Snow Angels

The Adventure Begins February 16th, 2021Available exclusively from comiXology Originals

Snow Angels issue #1, will be released February 16, 2021.

For more updates on comiXology Originals, check out http://comixologyoriginals.com and follow comiXology on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

About The Creators:

MULTIPLE EISNER AWARD WINNING GIDEON FALLS SERIES WILL KEEP READERS GUESSING UNTIL THE VERY END WITH AN 80-PAGE, SHOW-STOPPING FINALE THIS DECEMBER!

PopCultHQ Interviews Jeff Lemire & Michael Walsh

SDCC 2019: PEEK INTO THE BLACK HAMMER-VERSE

Perfect Introduction to the “Black Hammer” Universe— Three Complete Issues for One Dollar and Spiral City’s Newest Hero

PopCultHQ’s Comic Book Review: ASCENDER #1

3.5 out of 5 Stars

ASCENDER #1 can be pre-ordered on ComiXology and available at your local comic shop and online retailers Wednesday, April 24th!

GIDEON FALLS’ JEFF LEMIRE & ANDREA SORRENTINO
TO LAUNCH NEW SERIES PRIMORDIAL THIS SEPTEMBER

For more updates on comiXology Originals,
check out comixologyoriginals.com and
follow comiXology on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

INTEREST IN THE SILVER COIN SERIES SKYROCKETS,
EXTENDED TO ONGOING SERIES

THE WORLD OF ‘BLACK HAMMER’ GETS
A LITTLE MORE UNBELIEVABLE

For more updates on comiXology Originals,
check out http://comixologyoriginals.com and
follow comiXology on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

Bestselling Creators Jeff Lemire and Jock
Unite For the First Time with Snow Angels

The Adventure Begins February 16th, 2021
Available exclusively from comiXology Originals

For more updates on comiXology Originals,
check out http://comixologyoriginals.com and
follow comiXology on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

PopCultHQ Interviews
Jeff Lemire & Michael Walsh

Perfect Introduction to the “Black Hammer” Universe—
Three Complete Issues for One Dollar and Spiral City’s Newest Hero

PopCultHQ’s Comic Book Review:
ASCENDER #1

ASCENDER #1 can be pre-ordered on ComiXology
and available at your local comic shop and
online retailers Wednesday, April 24th!