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I understand KC’s around right here somewhere.
A KC Column by KC Carlson
AH! DOES B&V! (Gee, I hope nobody takes that the wrong way…)
At some point in late 1988 while working for Westfield (yes, method back then), marketing material for a new series from Comico (hands up, everybody who keeps in mind that way-cool publisher) ended up on my desk. I was instantly taken with the artwork — extremely slick, yet a bit raw. undoubtedly a “new” artist, I thought, however his figurework as well as storytelling was area on, as well as even then I might tell he had a genuine skill for drawing extremely appealing ladies.
That series was the late, lamented The labyrinth company — a tale of two detectives (Jennifer Mays as well as Gabriel Webb) who fix fascinating as well as unusual mysteries. It was written by Mike W. Barr (who undoubtedly liked the secret genre) as well as drawn, at least initially, by comic book newcomer Adam Hughes. I called Comico administrative director Bob Schreck to ask about this new book, as well as particularly this new artist. next thing I knew, I had Adam’s phone number, as well as he had agreed to do an special labyrinth company cover for the Westfield newsletter (which Roger is going to insert somewhere around here). This cover obviously brought a great offer of interest to the series as well as its young artist.
Adam Hughes’ The labyrinth company Westfield newsletter cover
VERY long story short, Adam thanks me for this whenever I see him (maybe just every other time these days…). even when he was one of the very first freelancers I satisfied in the DC Comics offices when I started working there in 1989, he couldn’t stop speaking about it. (Adam was a regular visitor in the DC offices those days — he would come often to draw Justice league pages in Andy Helfer as well as Kevin Dooley’s office).
A few years later (when I was really editing books), I realized that as much as I desired it to happen, Legionnaires artist Chris Sprouse wasn’t yet quick sufficient to keep up with a monthly book at that time. I had an Adam Hughes fill-in problem (commissioned by the previous editor) that was going to be slotted in as Legionnaires #7, so I came up with the truly screwy concept that Adam might do routine back-up stories for Legionnaires. (Surely, Chris might do 15 pages a month as well as Adam might do the seven-page back-up… (and they might switch off on covers) as well as I would have the most beautifully drawn book at DC during that time!) as well as it really worked!… For about 4 or 5 issues, as well as then I believe both of them wished to step on to other assignments. I wasn’t the type of editor who stood in the method of truly skilled young people who wished to development their undoubtedly going-somewhere careers, as well as I understood that it would be unusual to keep any type of artist on the LSH books because of having so lots of characters in each issue. people like John Forte, Curt Swan, as well as Keith Giffen are a unusual breed…
Betty & Veronica #1 by Adam Hughes
ANYWAY… it’s nearly 30 years later (sheesh!), as well as Adam’s most current job is currently being solicited, as well as I’m quite sure that he’s ecstatic about it. (I understand I am!) just days after my birthday, the very first Adam Hughes written as well as drawn problem of Archie Comics’ Betty & Veronica will be on sale in July. (You Westfield subscribers must be pre-ordering it now!) There’s a fantastic mini-interview with Adam in the current Previews, which likewise showcases the issue’s 25 covers!!! (Only one of which is by AH!. however one is likewise blank, so if you’re lucky at cons this summer, you may be able to sweet-talk Adam into a “quick” sketch —although you much better not offer it or I will TRACK YOU DOWN as well as YOU will understand WHY.)
(ahem)
Anyway, this will be a extremely awesome series, as well as I am very recommending that you inspect it out. Adam Hughes… quite girls… Ummm… duh!
Betty & Veronica #1 Cover E by Cliff Chiang
One thing I don’t believe is so awesome about Betty & Veronica #1 is the 25 variant covers. type of excessive, Archie? As an Archie collector, I’d like to get all the covers, however at four-bucks-a-pop, that adds up quite quick. (Like about $100. Sheesh!) I’d suggest just choosing a couple, if you can select — there are a great deal of fantastic artists doing them, including Cliff Chiang, Colleen Coover, Chip Zdarsky, Erica Henderson, Francesco Francavilla, Alitha Martinez, Ryan Sook, Stephanie Buscema, Andy Price, Chrissie Zullo, as well as great deals more! (And besides, if you wait on the inevitable trade, all the covers will most likely be in there!)
MLJ: WHAT IS IT?
The MLJ Companion
Also, if you like the old-school Archie super-hero characters, TwoMorrows has the best recommendation book for you. The MLJ buddy is a 288-page softcover collection of articles as well as essays about the different generations of the Mighty Crusaders characters, including The Shield, Black Hood, Steel Sterling, Hangman, The Fly, Mr. Justice, as well as lots of others. as well as it’s not just the traditional Archie Comics version of the characters being overviewed — the book likewise covers the campy Mighty Comics line of the 60s, the Red Circle line, the effect imprint at DC Comics, in addition to the present Archie revivals — including The Fox. Plus: discover what MLJ really stands for! (I’m guessing My Long-Johns!) The book is written by Rik Offenberger as well as Paul Castiglia, who are both extremely familiar with the Archie characters, as they were both previously employed by Archie Comics. awesome book for huge fans — Don’t miss it!
Back problem #91
While we’re speaking about TwoMorrows, don’t miss Back problem #91’s “All-Jerk Issue!” starring person Gardner, J. Jonah Jameson, Reggie Mantle, Bronze Age Namor, Obnoxio the Clown, as well as DC’s greatest blowhards. Jeez, that problem need to be 1,000 pages long… (Nope, only 80! It doesn’t talk about any type of real-life comics people, so that’s exactly how editor Michael Eury can keep the page count down…!)
WONDER lady IS OLD, BATMAN IS RETRO, as well as SCOOBY DOO TEAM-UP IS NOT CANCELLED
Wonder Woman: The true Amazon HC
Wonder Woman’s 75th anniversary is coming up soon, as well as DC is celebrating with a number of special jobs for the Amazon Warrior. question Woman: The true Amazon is an all-new graphic book written as well as completely painted by Eisner Award-winning Jill Thompson about the early life of question lady — much of it based on the famous character’s original conception. When young Diana has the fawning interest of a nation, she grows spoiled. however a series of tragic events take their toll, as well as Diana need to discover exactly how to grow up, take obligation as well as take her destiny. 128 pages. on sale in September.
Wonder Woman: A event of 75 Years
Also solicited this month: question Woman: A event of 75 Years is a new collection of question Woman’s finest stories in DC’s time-tested anthology hardcover format. expect work by William Moulton Marston, H.G. Peter, Robert Kanigher, Ross Andru, Mike Sekowsky, Brian Azzarello, Mike Deodato, Phil Jimenez, Gail Simone, Greg Rucka, Cliff Chiang, as well as others. 400 pages. on sale in September … question Woman: The golden Age Omnibus volume 1 HC collects All-Star Comics #8 (her very first appearance), feeling Comics #1-24, question lady #1-7, as well as stories from Comic Cavalcade #1-4. All by William Moulton Marston as well as H.G. Peter. new cover by Darwyn Cooke. 768 pages. on sale in October … On a more affordable note, the paperback question lady by George Perez volume 1 reprints question lady #1-14 by George Perez, Greg Potter, Len Wein, as well as Bruce Paterson from 1987. (Note: this material has been collected before.)
Batman ’66 satisfies Steed as well as Mrs. peel #1
Also from DC: Batman ’66 satisfies Steed as well as Mrs. peel #1 (of 6): The hip TV crossover we never saw in the 1960s — Batman satisfies The Avengers! (No, not that incredibly team from across town — that’s why they can’t phone call it that!) It’s the popular avenging duo of John Steed as well as Mrs. (Emma) Peel! This appears like a great deal of fun, as well as the creators (writer Ian Edgintion, artist Matthew Dow Smith, as well as cover artist Michael Allred) are filling the series with fantastic “time-sensitive” circumstances (like Mrs. peel vs. Catwoman: believe about what both women normally wear…). I’m likewise extremely curious who miss Michaela Gough will turn out to be… I hope at least one problem will be titled “Steed bops The Bat, Emma states That’s that.” very first problem is in July.
Scooby Doo Team-Up #17
And finally, let’s applaud the return of Scooby Doo Team-Up — with #17, co-starring Hawkman & Hawkgirl! Talk about high-flying adventure!
WHAT’S HAPPENING AT marvel THIS MONTH?
Civil war II #3
Well, there’s Civil war II. as well as some a lot more Civil war II. as well as later on I believe there will be even a lot more Civil war II… as well as crossovers. Did I mention Civil war II crossovers. Boy, I hope everybody likes that motion picture that’s coming out soon. What was its name again?… I believe Captain America is in it… Man, what is that called…? It sucks being pre-senile.
Vision #9
Sorry, I’m just unfortunate since there aren’t going to be lots of Tom King The Vision problems left. (He signed a DC special to compose Batman stuff.) I’m so sad, I’m incredibly snarky today. OOOH!… incredibly Snarky! Bitten by a radioactive Snarky… um… no.
Ms. marvel Omnibus
I am type of ecstatic that there is a Ms. marvel Omnibus provided this month. (On sale in November.) I believe it’s so awesome that a new(-ish) character like Kamala Khan can ended up being so prominent she gets a new (and huge) collection of all her stories (even the ones in odd locations like S.H.I.E.L.D. (2014) #2, fantastic Spider-Man (2014) #7-8, as well as All new marvel NOW! point One #1 — generally whatever as much as the 2015 trick Wars event). It’s great, it’s cool, as well as it’s completely timed to be a excellent Christmas gift for any type of enthusiast of great comics. (Plus, if everybody bought just one, it would truly drive Santa as well as those irritating reindeer crazy this year!)
Mockingbird Classic: Bobbi Morse, agent of S.H.I.E.L.D.
If you like your collections to have whatever — as well as you like the female characters — you must likewise inspect out the new Mockingbird Classic: Bobbi Morse, agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. TPB. 440 pages of a few of the most obscure stories in the marvel Universe, however a lot of all of deserving of reading (or re-reading). Bobbi Morse has a much a lot more fascinating life in the comics than she has on the S.H.I.E.L.D. TV show. Although if she ever gets her long-rumored own series that may change! get in on the ground floor on her long, unpredictable occupation as a marvel Comics action hero — ideal here, ideal now!
TROLLIN’ TROLLIN’ TROLLIN’…
Neil Gaiman’s Troll Bridge
Neil Gaiman’s Troll Bridge is not only a horrible pun, it’s likewise a new 64-page hardcover graphic book by Neil as well as illustrated by Colleen Doran (a zillion awesome things however right here let’s state Sandman), starring a character named young Jack who is named that since he is… tall? Oh, really he’s young. as well as afraid. terrified of ghosts as well as ghouls as well as trolls. any type of a lot more than that, as well as I’ll provide as well much away. as well as I don’t want to do that since I don’t want Neil calling me. That’s never fun… Hey, it’s published by Dark equine in September as well as looks quite scary, kids!
NARRATOR: “THE CITY OF TOWNSVILLE!”
The Powerpuff women #1
The Powerpuff women return to comics courtesy of IDW this month with all-new adventures by Haley Mancini, Jake Goldman, as well as Derek Charm. however where is Phillip Moy, who did such a fantastic task on the DC version of the comics series a number of years back? (It’s likewise ROM Cover Month at IDW in July, so if you dig shiny alien robots, it’s your lucky month! They’re being collected — in 3-D!!! Yowie!)
Funko Pop! Dr. Strange
I’m likewise ordering the Funko Pop! Dr. odd figure this month to join the ranks of my computer safety agents (CSA). present members are Funko Pop! Frankenstein Jr. as well as Spi-Dog.
The guardians of KC’s computer.
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KC CARLSON SEZ: very first person who can tell me what now obscure 1970s-80s new Wave band I’m obliquely referencing in the title of this column as well as can describe why I can’t discover any type of of their CDs anymore wins my eternal gratitude (and perhaps your name in print).
WESTFIELD COMICS is not accountable for the silly things that KC says. particularly that thing that truly irritated you. You know, they state that history never repeats, however I’m not so sure… You know, they state that history never repeats, however I’m not so sure… You know, they state that history never repeats, however I’m not so sure… You know, they state that history never repeats, however I’m not so sure… You know, they state that history never repeats, however I’m not so sure…