I read IMAGE UNITED #1...

Above: Artwork to Jim Lee’s variant cover to IMAGE UNITED #1. Inks by Scott Williams.

I have always liked Image Comics. They publish some really wonderful books. I also enjoy comic book team-ups and crossovers. So, it’s no surprise that I have been looking forward to IMAGE UNITED #1.

IMAGE UNITED #1 is a pretty good read. Nice artwork by the various Image creators. Robert Kirkman (my favorite comic book writer) does a fine job with the writing. The coloring is absolutely beautiful! And it’s really fun to see some of the original Image characters teaming-up again (although, I would have loved to see the Maxx and Trencher show up, as well). It kinda reminds my of the early days of Image Comics.

Not a whole lot happens in issue one, though. There’s some big bad that all of the Image super-heroes need to band together to confront. Not much else happens. This is understandable, of course. It’s only the first issue of the mini-series.

The down side to IMAGE UNITED #1 is that I thought the $3.99 cost was kinda pricey. There’s twenty-four pages of the main story with a six-page HAUNT story. $3.99 might be a bit much, but, I think many comic books are too expensive now-a-days, anyway.

If you enjoyed the early years of Image Comics, then you should enjoy IMAGE UNITED #1, as well.

I give IMAGE UNITED #1 three and a half out of five NM’s:

The Mayflower Compact…

In honor of Thanksgiving: The Mayflower Compact…

In November 1620, the Pilgrims arrived at (modern day) Massachusetts. They made their historical landing at Plymouth Rock in December 1620. The Pilgrims had left England for religious freedom from that of the Church of England. They were Puritans who wished to worship God in the way that they saw fit.

Before leaving the Mayflower, the Pilgrims wrote (and signed) the Mayflower Compact. The Mayflower Compact provided the Pilgrims with a simple constitution. It declared the establishment of law, the idea that everyone was created equal, and the right to gather and vote. The Mayflower Compact is an inspiring piece of work that some see as a precursor to the United States Constitution.

Take a read…

In the name of God, Amen. We whose names are underwritten, the loyal subjects of our dread Sovereign Lord King James, by the Grace of God of Great Britain, France and Ireland, King, Defender of the Faith, etc.

Having undertaken, for the Glory of God and advancement of the Christian Faith and Honour of our King and Country, a Voyage to plant the First Colony in the Northern Parts of Virginia, do by these presents solemnly and mutually in the presence of God and one of another, Covenant and Combine ourselves together into a Civil Body Politic, for our better ordering and preservation and furtherance of the ends aforesaid; and by virtue hereof to enact, constitute and frame such just and equal Laws, Ordinances, Acts, Constitutions and Offices, from time to time, as shall be thought most meet and convenient for the general good of the Colony, unto which we promise all due submission and obedience. In witness whereof we have hereunder subscribed our names at Cape Cod, the 11th of November, in the year of the reign of our Sovereign Lord King James, of England, France and Ireland the eighteenth, and of Scotland the fifty-fourth. Anno Domini 1620.

THE ADVENTURES OF THE ARAKNID KID #1!

Above: Cover to Josh Alves’ THE ADVENTURES OF THE ARAKNID KID #1.

Got some comic book booty in the mail today… THE ADVENTURES OF THE ARAKNID KID #1. The package also included a Nihilist-Man trading card illustrated by Josh Alves!



Above: The Araknid Kid getting ready for some action before kicking some Gorp butt!

In the tradition of fun comics like LETHARGIC LAD and BUZZBOY, comes THE ADVENTURES OF THE ARAKNID KID #1. Well, the Araknid Kid first appeared as a webcomic for DC Comics and Zuda Comics. Fortunately for us, Zuda Comics didn’t keep their grubby hands on the Araknid Kid.

I thoroughly enjoyed THE ADVENTURES OF THE ARAKNID KID #1. How can ya not like this goofy-looking hero with such cool web-guns!?! In this issue, the Araknid Kid battles the Jack Pack gang, the diabolical Kracker and Flea, and the thieving Glorp. The Araknid Kid even goes to rescue a bunch of pets, too.



Above: An amazing-looking Araknid Kid by Dan Schoening.

So, if ya like fun, all-ages comics, then don’t be a dope, get yourself a copy of THE ADVENTURES OF THE ARAKNID KID #1!

I give THE ADVENTURES OF THE ARAKNID KID #1 four out of five NM’s.



Above: A trading card by Josh Alves depicting Nihilist-Man and a couple of robotic villains.

BACK ISSUE #40...

Above: A sneak-peek of the cover to BACK ISSUE #40. The issue ships in mid-April.

BACK ISSUE editor, Michael Eury, gives the skinny on the cover:

Here's the cover to BACK ISSUE #40, our "Cat People" issue, by Joe Staton and colorist Freddy Lopez. Enjoy!

For more on BACK ISSUE magazine, stop by TwoMorrow Publishing’s website.

The Yankees win!!!

Last night, the New York Yankees won their 27th World Series championship. With the series-clinching win in a 7-3 score, the Yankees won game six against the Philadelphia Phillies. Hideki Matsui (with his 6 RBIs in last night’s game) was named Most Valuable Player.

I like this statement from Yankee first baseman, Mark Teixeira, concerning the win: "I’ve been praying, praying, praying. God didn’t let me down."

Archie Comics art show @ MoCCA...

In my latest comp copy package, I received the above postcard from Archie Comics. I have no idea if any artwork that I inked will be part of the MoCCA show. Info of the event is listed above, or stop by MoCCA’s website.

Is Lethargic Lad dead!?!

Above: Artwork from LETHARGIC LAD by famed cartoonist, Greg Hyland.

Is Lethargic Lad dead!?! Could be. Comic book characters die and come back all the time. And Lethargic Lad has died at least twice before, right? Just check out LETHARGIC COMICS #1 and "Lethargic Lad R.I.P." So, is Lethargic Lad dead? P.I.C. News has the inside scoop with an exclusive interview with LETHARGIC LAD creator, Greg Hyland...

P.I.C. News: Is Lethargic Lad dead?

Greg Hyland: Lethargic Lad is as dead as Batman and Captain America!


Stay tuned for continuing updates!

Speak freely...

-George Washington (March 15, 1783):

If the freedom of speech is taken away, then dumb and silent we may be led, like sheep to the slaughter.



-Thomas Jefferson (1823):

The only security of all is in a free press. The force of public opinion cannot be resisted when permitted freely to be expressed. The agitation it produces must be submitted to. It is necessary, to keep the waters pure.

It’s Pro’s birthday!!!

Above photo: P.I.C. member, artist, and thespian, Steve Pro.

Hey! It’s Pro’s birthday today. Merry Birthday, Mr. Pro!

Stop by Pro’s website to see some of his excellent artwork!



Above photo: Me (who was about to have his lunch) and Pro at Sloane House (the School of Visual Arts dormitory). Fall 1986.

Don't stand in poo!

Above: A Cerebus print by Dave Sim.

Lately, I am (more often than not) reminded of what Dave Sim stated in his Pro/Con address from April 1, 1993:

I can certainly tell you that the happiest days of my life are the days when someone goes "over the wall": The day that Image left Malibu; the day Steve Bissette decided that his royalties from 1963 were going to finance his long-delayed start in self-publishing; the day Colleen Doran decided that her goal was to do A Distant Soil exclusively and that any work she did for any company was just a means to that end. And most particularly the day when Alan Moore said to me, after leaving DC for the last time: "When you find out you've been standing in shit, you don't jump up and down on it to punish it, you walk away."

"That Annoying Pro/Con ’93 Speech" by Dave is a must-read for any cartoonist and for those interested in comic book Creator’s Rights.