Demo #5

The Green Hornet HC Volume 1: Sins of the Father: I picked up issue 4 on a whim, wanting to check out the Kevin Smith treamtent, and boy is it good. It made me give a crap about characters I honestly didn’t care about to begin with. Smith is the ultimate geek comic boy, so his story was spot on in terms of comic vibe. Lots of action, good dialogue, and that sweet sweet Kevin Smith humor abounds. One way to see it all is to grab this hardcover collection of issues 1-5.

The story concerns the individual members of the KOWH rock band saving the world from the evil Professor Groofball by way of detective work, superhero powers, and good old-fashioned rock n roll. A shifting perspective accompanies shifting artists across the entire book, telling the story of LA detectives working an ethnic war between the russian, italian, irish, chinese, and japanese crime gangs; the president of the united states fighting crime wiht a ray that zaps criminals to the death planet, Professor Groofball and his messianic hostage; and superheroes Tony Whitfield and Cain Fonesca flying across the city to save them all in time to perform as The Kids Of Widney High in a concert that will teach the world about respect and love.

Themes about ability, caring, hope and respect for our fellow man abound in this fun romp through the eyes of some kids with special needs who have found a way to rock with the best of them while having a great time and setting an example for the rest of us. In the words of one member of The Kids of Widney High, “We may all be disabled, whether you have a physical disability of not. Some of us are disabled spiritually, emotionally, mentally. maybe all three!”

As a comic, this book shows off a range of artistic styles and talent that I found to be visually stimulating. Each artist draws the subject matter with an energy and intensity that isnt’ always found even in mainstream comic books. From line-drawn caricature  to sketch-like realism, the book captures a wide range of emotional beats. The story itself takes a couple of reads to fully “get” what’s going on, but I recommend the effort. Like most teen creative efforts, the writing represented here has the marks of talent in progress, with hints of greatness to be fully developed in the future. The themes and values espoused across all the story lines are fully realized and timely, though, making a second and even third read through enjoyable and worth the time.

The Kids of Widney High Comic shoots for the sky, and beyond, as do its real world protagonists. A reminder for us all to take a moment to realize how similar we all are, regardless of ability. These kids rock just as hard as anyone else, and now have shown that they can bring that energy and sense of fun to the comics world as well. Here’s hoping that we’ll see a second issue soon!

Be sure to check out their website here: http://kidsofwidneyhigh.com/ and read more about them on Wikipedia here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Kids_of_Widney_High. Then be sure to check out the trailer for their very own movie, coming soon.

Enter the iPad, comics’ brave new hope. Again, Marvel and IDW put out their own storefronts. So does comixOlogy. All are very good iPad comic reading apps, with a rub — you have to use their storefront. When I went searching for a .cbr/.cbz reader the other day for my iPad, I found that there are a couple, but was heartily glad to see ComicZeal, my reader of choice on the iPhone.

I’ll be taking this baby for a spin this week, and hit out a review of it soon. I’ll be using some .cbr files of my own, to comics I have bagged and sealed in plastic tubs — no use opening them up just yet. See the gallery below for some screenshot love.

BUT BEFORE I GO…comment below and tell us why you should get a FREE copy of this $7.99 iPad app. We have five of these bad boys to give away, courtesy of ComicZeal, so get your comments in early. We’ll give it a week from today, and then choose five random winners fromt eh slew of comments. Enjoy!

“Now a major motion picture, Kick-Ass is set in a world very similar to ours, where superheroes only exist in comic books, movies and (of course) the PSP. From the Wolverine: Enemy of the State dream team of Mark Millar (Civil War) and John Romita Jr (Amazing Spider-Man, World War Hulk), 8 foul-mouthed issues of Kick-Ass arrive on the Digital Comics store today.”

Seriously? This might make me buy a $500, 16G device with no 3G and no storage expansion capabilities. DO. WANT. Can’t wait to see what the other companies do. Might be a great opportunity for a re-seller like ComiXology, as well.

IDW Publishing is proud to announce that the hugely anticipated Apple iPad will feature four IDW comics applications today at launch. Taking full advantage of the iPad’s full-screen, full-color capabilities, each IDW store front will offer the next level of reading experience to fans. The free IDW iPad comic shop apps each include a selection of comics with the initial download, and offer more comics as in-app purchases. Fans can choose apps for their favorite brands, like Star Trek, G.I. JOE and TRANSFORMERS, or download the IDW Comics app for access to all the company’s iPad releases.

FREAKANGELS: EPISODE 0091
Some of the best visual storytelling to date, with images of the building the Freakangels are inside, confronting Mark, on either side of a poignant vignette from earlier, happier days. No spoilers, go read it.

New Series

The Gwaii
An all-ages book from Arcana Kids! Tanu is a sasquatch lost in the Canadian wilderness who must face the Fearsome Creatures in order to find the clues that will lead him to his mother. Using his agility, speed, jumping ability, and a mean snowball-throwing arm, the young Sasquatch must find his way back home facing the most fearsome mythological creatures ever whispered about in the wild wilderness.

Birth
A graphic novel prelude to the ongoing series ‘Novo’, creator/writer/artist Michael Bracco has created a world filled with passion, war, and revenge. The tale of two alien nations that have cursed one another to the brink of extinction, ‘Birth’ tells the story of the conflict that becomes of them, when joy and love turn into resentment and bloodshed.

BloodRayne: Tibetan Heights #1
Seventy years ago, Rayne met her mentor at the roof top of the world to begin her training as an agent of the Brimstone Society. For the first time ever, catch a glimpse of Rayne alongside Mynce in one of their earliest action-packed adventures together. The fate of Tibet hangs in the balance as master and apprentice fight to stop a vampire occult from hijacking an entire country!

New issues from Marvel

Uncanny X-Men #466-468
In the wake of House of M, Marvel Girl’s emotions are heating up! Faced with a future she thought was destroyed, Marvel Girl will find out just what she is really made of!

Daredevil #88-90
This month features a stand-alone issue entitled, THE SECRET LIFE OF FOGGY NELSON, a special interim episode focusing on Daredevil’s recently deceased best friend. Did we really know all there is to know about Foggy? What remains hidden in the life of this man, that could still affect Matt Murdock’s fate to this day?

Fantastic Four #11-15
In this issue, Dr. Doom returns! Doom traps the FF inside the Baxter Building and hurls it towards the sun, how will the FF survive?! Guest starring the Sub Mariner. Brought to you by the legendary Stan Lee and Jack Kirby!

Fantastic Four #540-544
CIVIL WAR tie-in! It had to happen! Amidst the tumult and tensions of CIVIL WAR, the Fantastic Four break up! Who will toe the line, who will join the resistance, and who will leave the battlefield altogether? And is this the end for Marvel’s First Family?

New issues from Top Cow

Witchblade #8-12
Ian Nottingham plots to take the power of the Witchblade from Sara Pezzini, will she survive? Written by David Wohl and Christina Z, with art by Michael Turner.

The Darkness Vol. 3 #7-9
Never has Jackie Estacado’s dark, evil history served him so well as when he crosses paths with La Bruja de Las Paredes. Fleeing from the Central American country he once ruled over, Jackie runs afoul of the witch, who has enslaved a Mexican town by eating the memories and nightmares of its citizens.

Also new this week

Jericho: Season 3 #3
Jake and Hawkins arrive at Loomer Ridge Prison in Colorado. Their goal: break into the massively fortified, off-sight facility and retrieve terrorist John Smith. This unreachable goal becomes slightly more attainable with the aid of Chavez, who knows the ideal way to infiltrate the Allies States’ defenses. Meanwhile in Jericho, ASA intelligence officers target Beck and Heather in their attempt to quell the growing resistance.

New Issues

• The Walking Dead #52-54
• Invincible #10-12
• Comic Book Comics #3-4
• Public Enemy #4-5

http://www.avatarpress.com/2009/11/09/supergod-1/

We’re so sure of the quality of this book that we’re recommending you go and get the first 8 issues, if you can find them, so you can enjoy this one in a mad rush of vicious insanity.

Issue 9 promises to be 40 pages of pure series-ending glorious comic cattle-prod, and will be in stores this coming Wednesday.