Wednesday, February 25, 2015

Yoann and Le Roux

Comix Buro presents two new Sketchbook releases featuring some of the best artists of Europe.

For a real feel of cartooning with a slightly silly and comical look check out Yoann's Sketchbook.
Inside you'll be treated to a bevy of breath-taking beauties, cute critters, satirical stabs at society and unique takes on American comic book characters.

Sketches, color studies and tightly inked illustrations make up this great collection.

Le Roux's Sketchbook takes a much more realistic view of women, warriors, weirdos, wild alien creatures, cities, demons and characters studies and profiles in pencil, ink and color sketches and drawings.

It's a veritable cornucopia of eye candy that is sure to please the most discerning of art lovers.

Tuesday, February 24, 2015

Wolfy The Incredible Secret

"Now here's something you don't see every day."

A wolf and a bunny are the best of friends.  Wolfy (the wolf) and Tom (the bunny) are the best of buds.  Raised together, the two are inseparable friends.

One day Wolfy discovers his mother is alive.  For years he thought he was an orphan.  The news prompts him to travel to Wolfenberg in order to find her and discover more about himself.
Tom wants to tag along and the two best buddies make the long trip to Wolfenberg.

Unfortunately for Tom Wolfenberg is inhabited by wolves.  What do wolves like to eat-why animals of course-including rabbits.

Wolfy and Tom arrive right when the Carne Festival is in full swing.  The festival hosts the world's carnivores, including wolves.

What will happen to Tom?  Will Wolfy and Tom's friendship survive?  What secrets does Wolfy discover about his own past and how does Tom fit into them?

Wolfy The Incredible Secret DVD comes from Random Media/Cinedigm.  The traditional cell animation feature length film is a true feast for the eyes and harkens back to the day when all animated films were drawn by hand.

Get ready for adventure and fun as Wolfy and Tom tackle Wolfenberg and discover what true friendship is all about.

Monday, February 23, 2015

Encyclopedia of Television Shows, 1925 Through 2010

Consisting of a whopping three volumes the Encyclopedia of Television Shows, 1925 Through 2010 by Vincent Terrace and published by McFarland & Company, Inc. is every TV show fan's dream came true.

Expanded for its Second Edition, the massive paperback books provide full descriptions of every genre of TV including cast listings.

Not only are TV shows listed that actually made it to the air but pilot films, online shows, cartoons and much more.

If it's about TV then it's in this impressive set.    I for one plan on enjoying each and every page filled with facts, shows' synopsis and inside little known tidbits that make traveling down Memory Lane so much fun.

Friday, February 20, 2015

Mustang and Wrangler

Revell has released a duo of model kits: one for speed and one for work.

The 2014 Mustang GT model kit is pre-painted, comes with 49 pieces and requires glue and two to three hours worth of assembly time.

Beautifully displayed in an open bay box the Mustang upper body can be seen clearly with its striking silver paint scheme accented by a full body, three blue stripe accent.

Four custom chrome wheels come with the model as do five part trees, a chassis carriage, four rubber tires with axles (it moves!), easy to assemble interior and exterior body parts and accessories and plenty of chrome accents.

Some paint is required along with decal application.  Once assembled the Mustang actually rolls on its wheels, the hood opens revealing the powerful engine and clear plastic windows allow modelers to gaze at the impressive interior.

For the first-time model maker comes the Snaptite Build & Play green Jeep Wrangler Rubicon that requires no paint, no decals and no glue. 

A few minutes of assembly and before you know it you have a Jeep that rolls, shows off its engine beneath the opening hood and shows off tons of interior and exterior features and details.


It's the perfect model for the young and inexperienced model maker!

Wednesday, February 18, 2015

Previews, March

COMIC BOOKS & GRAPHIC NOVELS
Archie #666 l ARCHIE COMIC PUBLICATIONS
Providence #1 l AVATAR PRESS INC
Lantern City #1 l BOOM! STUDIOS
Swords of Sorrow #1 l D. E./DYNAMITE ENTERTAINMENT
Swords of Sorrow: Vampirella/Jennifer Blood #1 l D. E./DYNAMITE ENTERTAINMENT
D&Q: 25 Years Of Comtemporary Cartooning,
Comics & Graphic Novels HC l DRAWN &
QUARTERLY
Annihilator Book 1 HC l LEGENDARY COMICS
The Auteur: Sister Bambi #1 l ONI PRESS INC.
Legend of Zelda: Link to the Past GN l PERFECT SQUARE
Dead Drop #1 l VALIANT ENTERTAINMENT LLC
The Valiant TP l VALIANT ENTERTAINMENT LLC
Grimm Fairy Tales: Snow White 10th-Anniversary Special l ZENESCOPE ENTERTAINMENT INC






BOOKS
Women of Wonder: Celebrating Women Creators Of Fantastic Art l ART BOOKS
Isle of the Lost: A Descendants Prequel HC l DISNEY/ PIXAR
The Complete Guide To Self-Publishing Comics SC l HOW-TO
Ultimate Star Wars: The Definitive Guide to the Star Wars Universe HC l STAR WARS

MAGAZINES
Marvel Fact Files Binder l EAGLEMOSS
Ace Magazine #3 l COMICS

TRADING CARDS
Topps 2015 Stadium Club Baseball Trading Cards l TOPPS COMPANY
Bowman 2015 Football Trading Cards l TOPPS COMPANY
James Bond Archives 2015 Edition Trading Cards l RITTENHOUSE ARCHIVES

APPAREL
Daredevil: Noodle City Black T-Shirt l PREVIEWS EXCLUSIVE WEAR
Classic Shield Symbol 3930 Flex Fit Cap l PREVIEWS EXCLUSIVE WEAR
Hydra Symbol 3930 Flex Fit Cap l PREVIEWS EXCLUSIVE WEAR
Doctor Strange: Mythic Awareness Black T-Shirt l PREVIEWS EXCLUSIVE WEAR
Star Wars: Imperial Security Black Heather T-Shirt l PREVIEWS EXCLUSIVE WEAR
Batgirl Selfie T-Shirt l GRAPHITTI DESIGNS

TOYS & STATUES
Godzilla 1974 Vinyl Figural Bank l DIAMOND SELECT TOYS & COLLECTIBLES
Marvel Minimates Series 63: Avengers: Age of Ultron l DIAMOND SELECT TOYS & COLLECTIBLES
One:12 Collective: Judge Dredd Action Figure l JUDGE DREDD
Avengers 6-Inch Infinite Legends Action Figures l AVENGERS
Firefly: Jayne Cobb Legacy Collection Action Figure l SERENITY/FIREFLY
Transformers Generations Legends Action Figures l TRANSFORMERS
Transformers Generations Deluxe Action Figures l TRANSFORMERS
Transformers Generations Voyager Action Figures l TRANSFORMERS
Star Trek: USS Enterprise Cutaway 1/537-Scale Model Kit l STAR TREK

IMPORT TOYS
Avengers: Age of Ultron: Hulk Artfx+ Statue l KOTOBUKIYA
Avengers: Age of Ultron: Hulkbuster Iron Man Artfx+ Statue l KOTOBUKIYA
Attack on Titan: Levi RAH Figure l ATTACK ON TITAN
DC Comics Variant Play Arts Kai: Batman Timeless Wild West l DC HEROES
Marvel Comics Variant Play Arts Kai: Iron Man l MARVEL HEROES
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Lord Voldemort 1/6-Scale Figure l MOVIE/TV
Super Mario Bros: Yoshi S.H.Figuarts l NINTENDO
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Raphael PVC Figure l TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES

COLLECTIBLES & NOVELTIES
DC Bombshells Woven Tapestry Blankets l DC HEROES
POP! Big Trouble In Little China: Ghost Lo Pan Vinyl Figure l FUNKO

GAMES
Chew: Cases of the FDA Card Game l IDW PUBLISHING
D&D Attack Wing Wave 7 l WIZKIDS/NECA
Marvel Dice Masters Avengers Age Of Ultron l WIZKIDS/NECA
Marvel Heroclix: Avengers Assemble l WIZKIDS/NECA

DVDS & DIGITAL MEDIA
DC Universe: Batman Vs. Robin + Dvd l BATMAN
Dcu Batman Vs Robin Dvd l BATMAN

Game Of Thrones Season 3 Double LP Original Soundtrack l SOUNDTRACKS

Thursday, February 12, 2015

Abandoned and Stiffs

Have you ever had a series of events line up unexpectedly at just the right moment to solve a problem or coincide with an event?

Thanks to Schiffer Publishing I experienced that today.

One of my Advanced Placement student artists chose death and decay as the subjects of her 12-piece Concentration portfolio.

It just so happens Schiffer provided copies of two of its recent releases that pertain to those subjects.

Abandoned NYC by Will Ellis explores the many dilapidated, deserted and decaying locations around, in and under the Big Apple.

Stunning photographs show how time and the forces of nature have taken their toll on hospitals, hotels, public works, military complexes and other forgotten places.

Looking through its pages you get the feeling that the ghosts of past occupants still room the ruined and crumbling halls and rooms.



Stiffs, Skulls and Skeletons by Stanley B. Burns, MD and Elizabeth A. Burns explores the ravages that time and disease have on the human body.


Be warned!  This book is not for the faint of heart.
Autopsies, dissections, amputations, birth defects, and every other type of Medical Photography and Symbolism is explored extensively and thoroughly.

If skulls, skeletons, corpses (in every state of decomposition and dissection) and the dead in poses with the living are not your cup of tea it might be best to avoid this book.

However if you are fascinated by the human body, medical science and the lengths to which doctors and physicians go to understand the human body this is the book you will want to purchase, read and look through at the hundreds of photos.

Both books provide fascinating insights into death and decay.  

Wednesday, February 11, 2015

Adventure Time Frost & Fire

When I first heard of Warner bBros./Cartoon Network's Adventure Time animated series I figured it was a tried and true adventure series laced with humor and warm fuzzy feelings.  In part, that's true.  But it is much more than that.


As a high school teacher I was pleasantly surprised by the interest many of my students have for the series.

When asked what they like about the series I received a number of answers.  "It's funny." "It has great stores."  "I like the messages it tells and the friendship of the main characters."  "It's filled with danger, adventure, interesting characters, solid morals and it's loads of fun to watch."
Surprising for kids' fare on TV.

After watching several episodes I can see the draw the show has for young viewers.  I would have loved it when I was a kid.

The newest Adventure Time DVD episode compilation release centers around the continuing battle between the Ice King and Flame Princess.

Sixteen episodes make up the collection and each pack plenty of punch as Finn and his dog Jake travel across the Land of Ooo and encounter strange creatures, defeat deadly foes even rock on with undead music wiz: Marceline the Vampire Queen.

Darth Vader #1

The second of  Marvel Comic Books Star Wars titles stars the Star Wars Saga's chief villain as written by Keiron Gillen and featuring the gorgeous art of Salvador Larroca complemented by the brilliant hues by Colorist Edgar Delgado.

Darth Vader #1 takes place just after the destruction of first Death Star and the Outer Rim Empire Weapons Depot.

Chastised by the Emperor for his failure to stop the destruction of the Death Star Darth Vader is further humiliated when his position of power is demoted and he is forced to serve under a former underling from the Death Star.

Vader is sent to the Outer Rim to procure the services of Jabba The Hut and while there he hires the bounty hunter Boba Fett and his associated, a towering Wookie, to find and bring to him a certain X-Wing pilot responsible for the destruction of the Death Star.

Uncertain as to who the pilot was Darth Vader knows that the young man knew Obi Wan Kenobi and that his light saber looks strikingly familiar.

So sets in motion the events leading up to the Empire Strikes Back.

Readers are invited to see the Star Wars Saga through the eyes of its chief protagonist: Darth Vader. 

"Impressive, most impressive."

Thursday, February 5, 2015

The Monster Book of Manga Steampunk



Manga, Steampunk: an unlikely pairing, but The Monster Book of Manga Steampunk successfully combines both genres in a series of step-by-step drawing lessons. 

Edited by Jorge Balaguer and published by Harper Design, The Monster Book of Manga Steampunk is a massive paperback book filled with illustration lessons beginning with rough sketches and transitioning to full color mini-masterpieces.

Every conceivable variation on the Steampunk theme is examined from the Wild West to High Tech.

Instructions are thorough, easy-to-follow and supporting text instructions guarantee great results.

Wednesday, February 4, 2015

Lunch Wore a Speedo



Who would have ever thought that a shark attack could be so funny?  It’s true! Doubt me?  Then pick up a copy of Lunch Wore a Speedo the nineteenth collection of Sherman’s Lagoon comic strip by Jim Toomey and published by Andrews McMeel Publishing.
 
Sherman the shark, his pals Hawthorne the crab, Fillmore the sea turtle, Ernest the brainy fish and Sherman’s wife Megan are up to their gills in hilarity. Witness Sherman and his pals transformed into humans to attend the Super Bowl, Fillmore acquiring a VW Beetle to pick up girls, the gang stumbling into other fictional characters, Megan’s new robot and so much more outrageous situations that will cause you to laugh so hard your funny bone will hurt.

It’s undersea shenanigans as only Sherman and associates can serve up.