Posts Tagged mike mignola
Cammy’s Comic Corner – Episode 204 (4/15/12)
Posted by Cammy in Weekly Reviews on April 15, 2012
Nyuk Nyuk Nyuk! Pick Of The Week goes to Brian K. Vaughan & Fiona Staples for Saga #2 (Image)! Fast Five picks include Lobster Johnson: The Burning Hand #4 (Dark Horse), Fantastic Four #605 (Marvel), Alabaster Wolves #1 (Dark Horse), Secrets #1 (Image), and Orchid #6 (Dark Horse). Spoilers!
Cammy’s Favorite Covers for 4/11/12
Dark Matter #4 by Garry Brown
An explosive start to the covers this week! Garry Brown (as usual) blows my eyeballs away with another action-packed cover for Dark Matter. His covers remind me of the big blockbuster Sci-Fi movies that Hollywood loves cranking out, only if this were an actual movie poster, I’d be buying tickets to the midnight showing in a heartbeat. I love the jagged blasts from the guns, as the commandos are engulfed in flames all around. Add the destroyed spaceship above the title and this cover just kills it!
The Unwritten #36 by Yuko Shimizu
Donnie Darko; the later years.
Alabaster Wolves #1 by Greg Ruth
Maybe it’s just because I’m in the current mindset, but The Hunger Games slightly comes to mind when viewing this cover. I say this only because the gal with the knife reminds me a little of Katniss, and this four-headed specter is just another one of the game pieces in play at the arena. Seriously though, this cover is intense and intriguing, all rolled into one. I love the details in the long and tangled black hair, and the talon-like claws are just downright freaky. Even if I didn’t already see Steve Lieber’s name on the title, I would definitely would have picked it up based on the cover alone. Beautiful stuff!
Resurrection Man #8 by Rafael Albuquerque
Looks like Resurrection Man is The Flash all of a sudden, trying to outrun death. As awesome as this cover is, it just still kinda freaks me out a little seeing Albuquerque doing covers for other series outside of American Vampire. It almost feels like I caught him cheating on Scott Snyder, and this bastard is the result of him fooling around with other series. On a more serious note though, I love the different layers presented to us on this cover; map, death, and an active trail. The washes are gorgeous, and Rafael shows us once again why he is the master of his craft.
Lobster Johnson: The Burning Hand #4 Variant by Mike Mignola
As much as I marvel at the beauty of this cover, it upsets me a little at the same time. It upsets me in the sense that while Lobster Johnson is my favorite Mignola-verse character, I’ll never get a series starring him illustrated front-to-back by Mike Mignola. I remember the good old days (as many of us do) when it was Mignola writing and illustrating, with coloring by Dave Stewart. I understand that he’s a busy dude with the writing nowadays, but this cover just makes me long for that Mignola style on another Lobster Johnson miniseries. While I go cry in the corner, take a few minutes to take-in the essence of this cover, and then come join me. I’ll have the Kleenex ready.
Cammy’s Favorite Covers for 2/22/12
All Star Western #6 by Ladrönn
Rarely do we see any expression of shock or fright from Jonah Hex, but if you were to put yourself in his current situation, chances are you would crap yourself. Multiple times. I’ve fallen in love with the details Ladrönn puts into the giant bat, right down to every strand of hair. That bat face is just pure terrifying, for if the fright from the size alone didn’t kill you, those sharp teeth certainly would. Next thing you know, you’re a human Capri-Sun. Absolutely stunning cover by Ladrönn, and it’s definitely my favorite cover of the week.
Dark Horse Presents #9 by Mike Mignola
Want to easily have your way with me and my money? Simply have Lobster Johnson on the cover. Doesn’t need to be action-packed or anything like that, just the simple menacing pose will suffice. It works so well to have anything but black as the background, because then you can really hone-in and appreciate the beauty of both characters. This cover once again proves that Mignola remains one of the best cover artists in the business.
Incorruptible #27 by Garry Brown
The colors and loud images just screams “PUNK ROCK!” to me, and here I am moshing away to another Garry Brown cover. It almost feels like I dropped some acid, stared at this cover for a few minutes, and suddenly the dose hit me I could hear what the soundtrack was to this cover. I was transported back to the CBGB in the mid-70′s, and the Sex Pistols and the Ramones formed a Punk Rock Super Group, and the New York Dolls provided the colors. In my opinion, jagged lightning bolts make everything better. Oi! This cover is wicked! Oi Oi Oi!
Jennifer Blood #9 by Tim Bradstreet
“Shot through the heart, and you’re too blame, darling you give love, a bad name…” – Bon Jovi
Prophet #22 by Simon Roy
At first glace I feel much like the main character; I was just dropped into this cover, and have no idea what’s going on. I find myself drawn to the beautiful muted coloring of this illustration, and the intense action between the two foes. Plus it’s a well-known fact that automatically any cover is improved by 46% when you include prehistoric flying reptiles. The gripping of the slimy tongue, the dagger sticking out of it’s neck, and the human ready to swing again with his machete; all beautiful details, which make this cover so damn awesome.
Secret Avengers #23 by Arthur Adams
Finally we get a sneak-peek of that Kevlar outfit that was sewn together with threads from goat’s milk. You know the goat I’m talking about; the one that was spliced with arachnid DNA. It makes perfect sense for Venom to receive the first prototype.
Cammy’s Comic Corner – Book Of The Month – Baltimore: The Plague Ships
Posted by Cammy in Book Of The Month on February 18, 2012
Book Of The Month – February 2012
Baltimore: The Plague Ships
Written by Mike Mignola & Christopher Golden
Art by Ben Stenbeck
When the name Mike Mignola comes to mind, one automatically associates him with the Hellboy / B.P.R.D. universe that he brought to life over at Dark Horse. Just upon reading a Mignola-penned comic, you’re transported to a gloomier cesspit of a world where monstrous machinations roam wild and free, and Armageddon is constantly creeping up around every corner. Mignola sets a certain tone with his stories, that even if two different works of his aren’t connected in the same universe, somehow in the back of your mind you know they are. It doesn’t hurt that Mignola has access to the best artists in the business, with each of them bringing their own style paired with that natural Mignola-feel to the characters. Throw in colorist Dave Stewart on every project, and it’s a comic book hit waiting to happen.
When I first heard of the character Lord Henry Baltimore, it was at Comic-Con International a few years ago. There was a poster of the first issue at the Dark Horse booth, and I instantly recognized Mignola as the artist. While everyone would love to see more Mignola art on his own stories, the man is obviously extremely busy building universes that he simply wouldn’t be able to keep to a schedule if he were illustrating as well. So the next best thing for us comic fans is to have him at least produce the covers of the comics he’s writing, and that’s the natural conclusion I came to when looking at the cover to Baltimore: The Plague Ships. Sure enough, he and Christopher Golden were the authors, and this guy I wasn’t that familiar with, Ben Stenbeck, was on art. It’s Mignola, it looks creepy, what have I got to lose?
Upon further research of this series, I discovered that Mignola and Golden originally wrote an illustrated novel about Lord Baltimore a few years earlier called Baltimore, or The Steadfast Tin Soldier and the Vampire. While I still have not read it to this day, it’s not considered required reading if you were to dive-in to Baltimore: The Plague Ships, for the authors give his entire history within the miniseries. Lobster Johnson has a similar type of novel (The Satan Factory), so perhaps it’s just a thing for some comic writers to explore and experiment with their characters in different mediums.
In a nutshell, Lord Henry Baltimore is a veteran of World War I and was gravely wounded in battle. His entire company was slaughtered on the field, and when he awakes he discovers monstrous bat creatures feeding on his fallen brothers. Lashing out with a bayonet, he strikes and wounds one of the bats in the right eye, blinding him for the rest of its days. For that, the bat infects Baltimore’s wounded leg with gangrene and releases a plague onto all of Europe. Turns out these bats are actually ancient vampires, and the one that Baltimore wounded was an older and more powerful one named Haigus. Haigus has his revenge as he destroys everything Baltimore has ever loved, and after having his fun continues to plunder and kill across Europe. Losing the leg and replacing it with a wooden peg leg, Baltimore’s only mission in life is to get even with Haigus, and only then will he be able to rest.
Already finishing a second miniseries (The Curse Bells), this first volume really examines the effects of the plague across Europe, and shows Baltimore going to the extremes to hunt down and kill his winged foe. He gets sidetracked onto an island in this volume, filled with sunken plague ships and German submarines. The plague and vampires are connected, and whatever dead beings the plague touches can be brought back to life. This hardcover has page after page of action sequences, weapons galore (Baltimore is a one-man armory), and gruesome creatures aplenty. Even if not directly connected to the Mignolaverse, it certainly is a nice pairing for any horror comic fan.
Before Baltimore, I recognized the art team of Ben Stenbeck and Dave Stewart from another Mignola miniseries Sir Edward Grey: Witchfinder. Instantly I was hooked by Stenbeck’s smooth finishes, and uniquely dark and gloomy style. Stewart’s coloring choices were superb as well; setting the tone with dated, muted colors to fit the feel of that period. I was so happy to see both gentlemen back for the second volume The Curse Bells, for I cannot imagine a different art team for Baltimore now.
So if you like Hellboy and want something in that same vein from Mignola, I highly recommend checking out Baltimore: The Plague Ships. You’ll worship the art, fall head-over-heels in love with the story, and quickly choose Lord Henry Baltimore as the subject of your next commission at a convention.
Click here for previous Book Of The Month selections!
Cammys Comic Corner - Book Of The Month - Baltimore The Plague Ships Play Now | Play in Popup | DownloadCammy’s Comic Corner – Episode 196 (1/29/12)
Posted by Cammy in Weekly Reviews on January 29, 2012
In this intoxicating episode we have no Pick Of The Week, however we do have a Fast Five selection. Picks include All-Star Western #5 (DC), B.P.R.D.: Hell On Earth – Russia #5 (Dark Horse), American Vampire #23 (Vertigo), Fantastic Four #602 (Marvel), and The Walking Dead #93 (Image). Spoilers!
Cammy’s Comic Corner – Episode 190 (11/13/11)
Posted by Cammy in Weekly Reviews on November 13, 2011
Have you joined the Occupy Monster Planet movement yet? Pick Of The Week goes to Jeff Lemire & Alberto Ponticelli for Frankenstein: Agent of SHADE #3 (DC)! Fast Five picks include Incredible Hulk #2 (Marvel), Batwoman #3 (DC), Baltimore: The Plague Ships #4 (Dark Horse), Deathstroke #3 (DC), and Avenging Spider-Man #1 (Marvel).
This episode has been brought to you by, Zombie Outlaw.
Cammy’s Comic Corner – Episode 187 (10/23/11)
Posted by Cammy in Weekly Reviews on October 23, 2011
The New 52 titles roll-on this episode! Pick Of The Week goes to Geoff Johns & Jim Lee for Justice League #2 (DC)! Fast Five picks include Batman #2 (DC), Catwoman #2 (DC), B.P.R.D. Russia #2 (Dark Horse), Red Hood & The Outlaws #2 (DC), and Wonder Woman #2 (DC). Spoilers!
Cammy’s Comic Corner – Episode 178 (8/14/11)
Posted by Cammy in Weekly Reviews on August 14, 2011
In this action-packed episode the Pick Of The Week goes to Scott Snyder, Jock & Francesco Francavilla for Detective Comics #881 (DC)! Fast Five picks include Baltimore: The Curse Bells #1 (Dark Horse), Fear Itself #5 (Marvel), American Vampire: Survival of the Fittest #3 (Vertigo), PunisherMAX #16 (Marvel), and Hellboy: The Fury #3 (Dark Horse).
Only 2 video reviews remain until the switch to audio!
Cammy’s Comic Corner – Episode 175 (7/17/11)
Posted by Cammy in Weekly Reviews on July 17, 2011
Jam-packed episode this week! Pick Of The Week goes to Scott Snyder & Sean Murphy for American Vampire: Survival of the Fittest #2 (Vertigo)! Fast Five picks include Amazing Spider-Man #665 (Marvel), The Red Wing #1 (Image), Hellboy: The Fury #2 (Dark Horse), X-Men: Schism #1 (Marvel), and Green Lantern #67 (DC).
No review show next week because of Comic-Con!
Cammy’s Favorite Covers for 7/13/11
Posted by Cammy in Covers, Weekly Reviews on July 15, 2011
Hellboy: The Fury #2 by Mike Mignola
Now this is a fantastic cover to start the week with. You see depicted Hellboy fighting a dragon. A dragon! Something I never thought I’d see in a million years is executed flawlessly by Mignola. The earthier tones are what really make it shine, with Hellboy not a vibrant shade of red like we’ve grown accustomed to with these covers. The use of negative space surrounding the two figures is also really well done, it’s just one of those pieces that you find yourself getting lost in. This is one of the best Mignola covers I’ve seen in recent memory.
Batgirl #23 by Dustin Nguyen
I always find myself enjoying Nguyen’s hybrid style of watercolors and inks when it comes to these covers. The use of violet, white, and black make the cover flow with action and beauty in every inch of the image. I especially love the little smirk on Stephanie’s face, as she’s taken quite the pounding. It’s like she knows she still has the upper-hand, despite what the current situation looks like. Even though this series will soon be coming to an end, I will definitely be on the lookout for Nguyen’s style on other covers in the future.
B.P.R.D. Hell On Earth: Monsters #1 by Francesco Francavilla
With the typography of the word ‘MONSTERS‘, it immediately sets the tone of the cover. Francavilla’s pulpy style brings new meaning to the characters we see before us. It makes us instantly imagine wicked and evil beings, with Kate being caught in the middle. With red in the foreground and black and white in the background you find your eyes darting all over the page trying to make sense of the current situation. Are those beings undead? Is Kate in serious trouble? Is this an old movie poster? It very well could be, but I’d rather it be a poster on my wall instead. Francavilla’s covers are a thing of beauty, and I’m always a fan of his stamp he puts on every one of them.
The Amazing Spider-Man #665 by Paolo Rivera & Michael Lark
Okay, this cover made me laugh out loud the first time I saw it. With the Spider-Man musical being plagued with technical difficulties before it even opened, you have to give Marvel credit for having a sense of humor about the whole thing. I mean, now that they have a new director and it’s been sold-out for the next decade, why not laugh about it now? They could even have this cover be featured on the Playbill and the audience would laugh about it too! Very funny stuff.
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