Podcast Update November 1st

That New 52 Smell V2 Episode 5 is now up and available, reviewing Issue #24 of Action Comics and Teen Titans, as well as Batman : Lil Gotham Special Halloween Digital Edition.

Some changes are coming...

Next Week Digital Scribbles becomes Digital Scribbles Max, goes to a full hour and adds on lots of content for review including physical comics.

Both the Digital Doctor Who Podcast and Digital Trek will become specials (all their comc reviews moving over to Digital Scribbles Max). Doctor Who will become a weekly once the new season with the new Doctor begins in 2014, stay tuned.

Well that's it for updates. A whole new Digital Scribbles Max is coming next week so stay tuned!

Podcast Update April 2nd 2013

All new casts are up and available! New OMGComics (Easter Edition), new That New 52 Smell (update on subscriptions) and new This Old Comic Addict (first unboxing two parter).

New stuff on the way, stay tuned!

New Podcasts now available

Two new podcasts are now out and available.

This Old Comic Addict Episode 1
Coverage of comics 80's, 90's and early 2000's are covered This episode it's the start of coverage of Malibu's less successful super hero line, the Protectors' era, starting with Protectors #1-#2, The Ferret One Shot and Arrow One Shot.

Next Episode - The other part of Malibu's heroes, the Ultraverse first episode coverage.

This Old DC Swag Episode 1
Same as This Old Comic Addict, focused on DC. This episode I begin covering DC's first run of Star Trek (in the 80's) with Star Trek #1-#2 (and the many reasons why you should be reading this if you haven't yet)

More stuff (including the launch of That New 52 Smell) coming soon, stay tuned!

Daily News IDW Edition

IDW Teams Up With Cartoon Network!... yay?

Well... somebody had to, really, they are not going to be making new friends over at DC Comics (the last company to publish their stuff) with axing Young Justice and Green Lantern so, well, there you go. And yes, I doubt this was the reason why they did that lest they would have completely cancelled DC Nation and said this Fall it's... I don't know... IDW Kids on DC Nation's old time slot or something. I still think it's content that killed it but we'll see. Anyway... here's some cut and paste, enjoy!

"IDW Publishing and Cartoon Network Enterprises today announced that the two companies have forged a partnership to produce and release comics based on many of the network’s popular and iconic classic characters!

“Many of these Cartoon Network shows have only grown in popularity since they originally aired,” said Chris Ryall, IDW’s Chief Creative Officer/Editor-in-Chief, “and we’re excited to be able to offer new iterations of the characters in comic-book form alongside both our planned reprint material and also some new animated ventures Cartoon Network has planned, too. There’s a wealth of fun properties to play with here, and we’ve already got some unique things in mind for them.”

Beginning in 2013, fans can look forward to seeing the returns of beloved characters from classic Cartoon Network shows including THE POWERPUFF GIRLS, BEN 10, DEXTER'S LABORATORY, SAMURAI JACK, JOHNNY BRAVO, GENERATOR REX, and many more.

Not only will IDW be teaming with high-caliber creators from the world of comics to publish new adventures featuring tons of Cartoon Network’s characters, but fans can also look forward to a variety of reprints of previous incarnations of Cartoon Network comics.

“We are excited to partner with IDW to bring some of our most beloved and iconic brands and characters to life for fans of all ages,” said Pete Yoder, Vice President of Consumer Products, North America for Cartoon Network Enterprises. “It will be a great opportunity to revisit and expand many of these great stories told in comic-book form, and we’re excited to see what the creative team at IDW comes up with.”

While details have yet to be announced on the specific titles and creative teams, IDW and Cartoon Network are  thrilled to be heading into 2013 with this new partnership and great new comics hitting comic shops soon!"

Hmph. My sister has a full collection of Powerpuff Girls and Dexter's Lab from the old DC Comics era, so Cartoon Network is... hmm... reaching hard here to make a buck. Still I guess we can give it a chance. Stay tuned for updates here eh?

FYI

FYI
This Week - Next Step with Publishers Part 1

February is drawing to a close, and I am just about ready to begin researching interview requests... just requests! That way if I am approved for an interview I can launch right away.

But what was the result of February's inquiries?

I approached six companies with reviewer inquiries. Dark Horse, DC, Dynamite, IDW, MARVEL and Valiant.

Two of the six emailed me in one day with answers. That would be Dynamite and IDW... however on Dynamite's front? Well I was contacted, but the email sent was rather... vague. So I sent an email inquiring for details, of which I have yet to hear back. I will send another email (to the first person who contacted me) and try again.

OK. As for the three inquiries I made?

Press Releases.
I now receive news from IDW and Valiant, which I need to now post daily to get all caught up.

Yeah. Valiant didnt contact me, but they did put me on their mailing list for news.

Interviews
I can make requests of IDW... thats it.

Technically the invitation is also available from Dynamite... so I am going to buy me a batch of Army of Darkness and make an interview request or three (one at a time slowly) and see how I fare.

Review Material Request
Well... I was expecting that this would have to be something done reasonably... it will never again be the first decade of the 21st Century, and I have some great reviewing tales of that era. So what happened?

IDW gave me permission to do sneak peek recommendations and I finally set a recommendation scale for the article, which means I am drafting up my first Sneak Peeks IDW article that I will send to the Editor at RKYV for consideration ASAP. Stay tuned for updates and a blogcentric version coming soon. And yes, embargoes will be respected, even if I dont plan to spoil nothing on 5 or so pages of sneak peek.

Dynamite? Again the offer is there but I plan on carrying the burden abit first before making my first request. And... that is it. Don't get me wrong I am quite thankful for this oppertunity and all, but at the end of the day... well... wow.

Next up I am talking about plans for the upcoming "That New 52 Smell" cast. The hows of reviewing, what I will review, and so forth. Stay tuned!
"

Start of the Week (abit late, sorry)

Start of the Week
Feb 25th

Well once again its the start of a brand new week, so lets see whats going on.

Wrapping up wait on publishers
Well we are rounding the corner to the finish line, and the wait on publishers. I will be doing the writeup on the whole experience in two weeks, unless Dark Horse responds this week.

Nothing changed since I last bought up the topic, so I am going to say most likely I wont be hearing from DC Comics or MARVEL. Oh well. In that regard...

- In light of events the best thing to do is to keep a positive spin on everything and put in that extra bit of effort to bring you content.

- To that end I will drop in from time to time to check both DC and MARVEL for news on slow news weeks.

- While not being able to make interview requests is a bit disappointing we can still point out the many others who can deliver interviews, and recommend them to you.

- Will continue planning to review titles from each company. Probably acquire subscriptions.

Yes, I am kinda disappointed in the turn of events. No hiding that. But once again there really is nothing to do but roll with it and maintain an overall positive spin on the whole matter. It really is the only option.

Maybe with hard work and due dilligence I can try again in 2-4 years, who can say.

In the end I did hear from half the publishers, so at least that is something good. At least there is that.

OK. Lets see what am I working on this week.

Tuesday - This Old Comic Addict
X-Men Evolution #3-#8 (Part 2)

Thursday - FYI
My thoughts on what is next in covering DC and MARVEL.

Saturday - Book Em' Danno
Update on progress in preparing to write ebooks.

Sunday - News Weekend

That is that otherwise. By next week a large amount of review content should be in, so I will have lots to say about that. Stay tuned.

Last minute update
Presently developing a new podcast specifically covering one of the publishers... that won't give me the time of day.
Presently working on "That New 52 Smell" covering a batch of New 52 titles from DC Comics... stay tuned as I post more information on the coming cast coming soon.

News Weekend Valiant Edition

News Weekend

Lots of news to cover so let's get started! First off, from Valiant Comics, we have news on this first bundle batch of one dollar comics coming up this May, a quick and easy way to get your feet wet with the new Valiant line.
Cut and paste below! Read on!

Dateline February 12th 2013
Publisher - Valiant
Subject - One Dollar Debuts line!

"Valiant is proud to announce a new line of One Dollar Debuts, re-presenting the sold-out #1 issues that relaunched the Valiant Universe — just in time for Free Comic Book Day and the one-year anniversary of Valiant's return! Arriving in stores on May 1st, this is the perfect chance to jump aboard all five of Valiant's best-selling series from page one. From Archer & Armstrong to X-O Manowar, each One Dollar Debut edition contains the first epic chapter of a new hero's introduction to the Valiant Universe, as told by the some of the most acclaimed creators in comics!"

That's Archer and Armstrong, Bloodshot, Harbinger, Shadowman and X-O Manowar #1 if your curious! I for one am looking forward to picking up the bundle ($5) and reviewing it! Stay tuned for more on this as news comes in.

Speaking of more how about some more Valiant news!

Dateline February 14th 2013
Publisher - Valiant
Subject - Archer and Armstrong #5 and Shadowman #2 roll out second printing!

"Valiant is proud to announce that the sold-out FIRST ISSUE of Archer & Armstrong's new smash hit story arc, "Wrath of the Eternal Warrior", will be returning to stores with the Archer & Armstrong #5 Second Printing Variant on March 13th! From acclaimed creators Fred Van Lente and Emanuela Lupacchino and featuring the first appearance of the Eternal Warrior in the all-new Valiant Universe, Archer & Armstrong #5 is the perfect place to find out why this is the series that Comic Book Resources trumpets as "exactly what you should want from a monthly comic."

Also returning to stores on March 13th, look for the Shadowman #2 Second Printing Variant, from fan favorite creators Justin Jordan and Patrick Zircher. Continuing the debut adventure of the new Shadowman and his first battle against the forces of the Deadside, get in on the ground floor of the series IGN calls "simply stunning" before an all-new arc begins on March 6th in Shadowman #5!

For more information, visit Valiant on Facebook, on Twitter or at ValiantUniverse.com.

ARCHER & ARMSTRONG #5 SECOND PRINTING VARIANT (DEC128341)
Written by FRED VAN LENTE
Art by EMANUELA LUPACCHINO
Cover by PATRICK ZIRCHER
$3.99/Rated T+/32 pgs.
ON SALE – 3/13/13 (FOC – 2/18/2013)

SHADOWMAN #2 SECOND PRINTING VARIANT (DEC128340)
Written by JUSTIN JORDAN & PATRICK ZIRCHER
Art & Cover by PATRICK ZIRCHER
$3.99/Rated T+/32 pgs.
ON SALE – 3/13/13 (FOC – 2/18/2013)"

OK they're out by now so go check them out if you haven't had a chance to pick them up yet! Should be quite good! Speaking of which how about some Harbinger news!

Dateline February 14th 2013
Publisher - Valiant
Subject - Harbinger #9 brings on the Zephyr... huh?

Here, have some cut and paste.

"ZEPHYR Flies High in HARBINGER #9

Valiant is proud to present an advance preview of Harbinger #9 from New York Times best-selling author Joshua Dysart (BPRD) and rising star Pere Pérez (Smallville Season 11)! Pinned down by the forces of Project Rising Spirit, Peter Stanchek and his new team of Renegades are facing their first trial by fire and their only hope is the amazing, the indomitable, the indestructible…Faith Herbert?!

Nothing can bring her down. She’s the light in the dark. The soul of a rising resistance movement. Here now, for the first time, is the story of Zephyr (aka Faith…but shhh don’t tell anyone)! As danger closes in on all sides, Faith must begin the trials and tribulations of being the Valiant Universe’s first real-life superhero. Look, up in the air! It’s a bird, it’s a plane… it’s frakkin’ Zephyr!

On February 20th, learn the secret potential of Zephyr's powers and the truth about her time at the Harbinger Foundation — and then follow her into her battle as she vies to save the Renegades in the devastating penultimate chapter of "Renegades," only in Harbinger #9!

HARBINGER #9 - ON SALE FEBRUARY 20th!
Written by JOSHUA DYSART
Art by PERE PEREZ
Cover by MICO SUAYAN (DEC121263)
Variant Cover by KHARI EVANS (DEC121264)  
$3.99/T+/32 pgs"

.Finally wrapping up the news we have May Solicitations so let's see... we have...

HARBINGER WARS #2 (of 4)
Written by JOSHUA DYSART & DUANE SWIERCZYNSKI
Art & Cover by CLAYTON HENRY
Pullbox Exclusive Variant by LEWIS LAROSA
Variant Cover by CLAYTON CRAIN
Variant Cover by STEPHANE PERGER

The HARBINGER WARS heat up Las Vegas!

After decades of secret conflict, Toyo Harada has managed in one fell swoop to cripple Project Rising Spirit through the masterful manipulation of key players in the Valiant Universe. Now he wants the psiot children Bloodshot rescued from the bowels of a nightmarish PRS facility. Too bad.  This rogue band of super-powered escapees have begun to call themselves GENERATION ZERO and they've declared a war of their own. First strike: Vegas, baby! And while PRS fashions a radical plan for getting the kids back, Peter Stanchek and the Renegades are following visions right into the heart of the Harbinger Wars.

$3.99/T+/32 pgs.
ON SALE MAY 1st!

HARBINGER #12 (HARBINGER WARS)
Written by JOSHUA DYSART
Art by KHARI EVANS
Cover by AMY REEDER
Variant Cover by KHARI EVANS

HARBINGER WARS: HARBINGER continues here!

Battle weary, the Renegades follow Peter Stanchek's strange dreams and visions into the Southwest American desert, unsure of what exactly they'll find. Under the duress of constant conflict, and led by the words of the Bleeding Monk – who bleeds but does not die – our band of teens begins to fray, barely even a cohesive group by the time they reach Las Vegas, Nevada – now rechristened "Psiot Nation." Here Peter and his crew come face to face with the Harbingers who have escaped from Project Rising Spirit’s prison…Harbingers who call themselves GENERATION ZERO.

$3.99/T+/32 pgs.
ON SALE MAY 8th!

BLOODSHOT #11 (HARBINGER WARS)
Written by DUANE SWIERCZYNSKI
Art by BARRY KITSON
Cover by KALMAN ANDRASOFSZKY
Variant Cover by MATTHEW CLARK

HARBINGER WARS: BLOODSHOT continues here!

Everyone says they want what's best for the children... but Bloodshot's the only one who’s willing to fight for it. After a lifetime of lies, destruction and pain, he's vowed to use his extraordinary abilities to do one simple thing: keep these kids alive, even if they’re terrified of him. The war for GENERATION ZERO, however, has been waging longer than Bloodshot realizes. And what can one soldier do when he's up against two powerful, secret armies?

$3.99/T+/32 pgs.
ON SALE MAY 15th!

X-O MANOWAR #13 (PLANET DEATH)
Written by ROBERT VENDITTI
Art by CARY NORD
Cover by TREVOR HAIRSINE
Variant Cover by RYAN SOOK

Part III of the explosive PLANET DEATH mega-event!

Aric discovers the Vine he intends conquer aren’t the only race on planet Loam, but will these surprise inhabitants offer him refuge or rivalry?  Meanwhile, the Vine leaders plan their most devastating attack yet, one that will push the X-O Manowar armor to its limits and beyond.  The stakes are raised and the table set for the epic battle from which no one—human or Vine—will emerge unchanged.

$3.99/T+/32 pgs.
ON SALE MAY 15th!

ARCHER & ARMSTRONG #0
Written by FRED VAN LENTE
Art & Cover by CLAYTON HENRY
Pullbox Exclusive Variant by LEE GARBETT
Wraparound Gatefold Variant by TOM FOWLER

The true story of the Epic (Fail) of Giglamesh!

Original series artist and Harbinger Wars superstar Clayton Henry returns to tell a tale of the early days of the man known as Armstrong! How early? How's ancient Ur sound? For the first time, the 100% true story behind the Epic of Gilgamesh can be told… A tale of three warrior brothers, the Anni-Padda – or as you may know them, ARMSTRONG, the ETERNAL WARRIOR and TIMEWALKER – on a quest to the mysterious Faraway to bring back its immortal Boon. What they find is a lost land full of danger, excitement – and the greatest secret of the Valiant Universe! Plus: this issue tees up the next arc of A&A, beginning this June in issue #10!

$3.99/T+/32 pgs.
ON SALE MAY 8th!

SHADOWMAN #0
Written by JUSTIN JORDAN & PATRICK ZIRCHER
Art by TREVOR HAIRSINE
Cover by DAVE JOHNSON
Pullbox Exclusive Variant by KHARI EVANS
Wraparound Gatefold Variant by LEWIS LAROSA

The end has always been near.

Twenty five years ago, Josiah Boniface was the Shadowman, and he had more problems than simply Master Darque: things from beyond are trying to eat the world, the police are trying to send him to jail and now he's got to rescue Helena LeBretton from a murderous cult, whether she likes it or not.

A special standalone issue featuring art by comics superstar Trevor Hairsine, go back to the beginning to discover why this is the series IGN calls “all kinds of great” right here in Shadowman #0!

$3.99/T+/32 pgs.
ON SALE MAY 1st!

ONE DOLLAR DEBUT: X-O MANOWAR #1
ONE DOLLAR DEBUT: HARBINGER #1
ONE DOLLAR DEBUT: BLOODSHOT #1
ONE DOLLAR DEBUT: ARCHER & ARMSTRONG #1
ONE DOLLAR DEBUT: SHADOWMAN #1
ONE DOLLAR DEBUT: WAVE ONE (BUNDLE)

On May 1st, jump into all of Valiant’s ongoing series for only a dollar apiece!

Just in time for Valiant’s one-year anniversary and Free Comic Book Day 2013, Valiant is proud to announce a new line of reprints, re-presenting the sold-out first issue debuts of the series that launched the all-new Valiant Universe.

And try all five at once with the One Dollar Debut: Wave One bundle – a shrink-wrapped package containing all five #1 issues for only $4.95!

 “We’ve been yelling from rooftops about how good this Valiant relaunch has been, so now’s the time to jump on board.” – MTV Geek
“The Valiant Entertainment relaunch is one of the best things to happen to superhero comics for a while." – Comic Book Resources
“Every book in Valiant's relaunched comic line is a really great comic book." – IGN
“Valiant means business…” – iFanboy

$1.00 each/T+/32 pgs. each
ON SALE MAY 1st!

HARBINGER VOL. 2: RENEGADES TPB
Written by JOSHUA DYSART
Art by PHIL BRIONES, MATTHEW CLARK, KHARI EVANS, LEE GARBETT, BARRY KITSON and PERE PEREZ
Cover by MICO SUAYAN

Outside the law. Inside your head. Welcome to the Renegades.

Battered and broken after his escape from the Harbinger Foundation, telekinetic teenager Peter Stanchek only has one option left – run. But he won’t have to go it alone. Crisscrossing America with the only two people he can trust, Peter will have to activate a new team of super-powered recruits before Toyo Harada and his Harbinger shock troops can reach them first. Peter Stanchek. Zephyr. Kris. Flamingo. You’ve never met a team of super-powered teenagers quite like the Renegades. And, together, they’ll dismantle Harada’s global empire one brick at a time.

Collecting HARBINGER #6-10 by New York Times best-selling author Joshua Dysart and an all-star cast of comics’ top artistic talents, get ready for the second stunning volume of the series Ain't It Cool News calls "simply astonishing."

“Four words, ladies and gentlemen: Read this book NOW.” – Ain’t It Cool News
“A superb level of awesomeness.” – IGN

$14.99/T+/128 pgs.
ISBN: 978-1-939346-02-5
ON SALE MAY 22nd!

VALIANT MASTERS: SHADOWMAN VOL. 1 - SPIRITS WITHIN HC
Written by STEVE ENGLEHART, BOB HALL, BOB LAYTON, JIM SHOOTER and More
Art by STEVE DITKO, BOB HALL, DAVID LAPHAM, DON PERLIN and More
Cover by DAVID LAPHAM

A deluxe hardcover collecting Shadowman’s legendary first appearance in the original Valiant Universe – featuring classic work by Steve Ditko, Steve Englehart, Bob Hall, David Lapham, Jim Shooter and more!

Jack Boniface nearly died one night – attacked by something out of a nightmare. But since that terrifying experience something has changed. Now, when darkness falls, a feeling comes over him, an urge to destroy the demons that would defile the New Orleans night. Wild, reckless, and hell-bent on eliminating evil in all its forms, Jack is now his city’s new protector – the nocturnal avenger simply called Shadowman.

This Valiant Masters volume collects SHADOWMAN (1992) #0-7 and material from DARQUE PASSAGES  (1994) #1.

$24.99/T+/184 pgs.
ISBN: 978-1-939346-01-8
ON SALE MAY 29th!

All this and news is already stacking up AGAIN! I think I will need to post two news posts for Valiant a week at this rate Well, more news then coming up Wednesday so stay tuned!

News Weekend

News Weekend

When I started getting in touch with publishers I knew that one of the results would be adding a weekly news section, as well as a regularly updated news section for RKYV (different name of course). Simple.

As News Weekend launches, and I prepare the first RKYV news section, we are presently receiving news from IDW... and that is that... for now.

OK. Lets dig into the first weekend of News. We start off with news fresh from IDW, our first (and as of this date only) publisher who put us on their press release mailing list.

Dateline February 7th
Publisher : IDW
Location : San Diego, CA
Subject The Salvatores crank out new Dungeons & Dragons Mini, Cutter, coming April 2013.

Looking for something new to bite your Dungeons & Dragons loving teeth into... and you already know about that whole people playing Dungeons & Dragons on podcast thing? Honestly I just found out about it yesterday and started listening to it. Anyway how about a new mini from the people at IDW? Here, take this cut and paste for more info.

"IDW Publishing is thrilled to announce another action-packed entry in their line of Dungeons & Dragons comics! This April, DUNGEONS & DRAGONS: CUTTER, a five-issue miniseries written by R.A. and Geno Salvatore with art by David Baldeon and covers by Steve Ellis, weaves the tale of a family fiercely divided and at odds with itself, with a legendary sword hanging in the balance!

When the battle-hardened Drow renegade Tos’un must choose an heir to his legacy, his half-Drow son Tierflin and daughter Doum’weille become locked in vicious competition. But what will the prize, the bloodthirsty sword Khazid’hea, have to say on the matter?

“These comic series have become a wonderful tool for me to fill in the blanks and to crystallize my thoughts on the Legend of Drizzt novels going forward,” explains R.A. Salvatore. “The fallout from the twisting events in Neverwinter Tales not only came into play in the last couple of Drizzt books, but allowed me a strong plot line for an upcoming novel I’ve yet to pen. The same is true for Cutter – I see it already. So while these comic stories are self-contained, they open up to the wider stories going forward.”

From the writing team of powerhouse Dungeons & Dragons veterans R.A. and Geno Salvatore comes a tale steeped in action and intrigue, woven into the fantastically imaginative world that can only be found in the Forgotten Realms of Dungeons & Dragons. Rounded out by the vivid art of David Baldeon and Steve Ellis’ striking covers, DUNGEONS & DRAGONS: CUTTER is sure to be a wildly fun ride for fans of Dungeons & Dragons and comics everywhere, not to mention an unexpected tie-in to this summer's blockbuster R.A. Salvatore novel!

Dungeons & Dragons: Cutter (FC, 32 pages, $3.99). In stores 4/17/13.
Diamond Code: FEB130303"

At present admittedly I only have one R.A. Salvatore item to review, and that is actually from his stint with CrossGen... I wonder if it's appropriate to review that... but we'll crank out a review of that in the near future while I secure myself a D&D graphic novel from IDW to look at. In the meantime look forward to Cutter, coming Mid April for $4 (or less if you buy out of places like Things From Another World, where I do all my online comic shopping)!

Now adopt me, Things From Another World!... I need a sponsor.