While I’m not a die hard film noir fan, I’ve seen my fair share of flicks that feature the duped detective, devious damsels, and dire dilemmas that usually end with someone dying. Whether it is Sam Spade, Philip Marlowe, Dave Bannion, or Jeff Markam, the tales never have a happy ending where the hero rides off into the sunset with the girl. Oni Press’ You Have Killed Me is no different, and for those who are unfamiliar with the genre, it’s a perfect primer for pulp plotting.
Press Release
Since CHEW’s release, John Layman and Rob Guillory’s ongoing crime series with a disgustingly delicious twist has faced a series of distribution-level sellouts despite extremely healthy reprints. Next month, Issues One, Two and Three will each be reprinted in time for Issue Four’s release, with Issue One reprinted for a fourth (and final!) printing, a ‘Last Bite’ edition for people who are still hungry for a copy of one of the most talked about debuts of the summer.
If you were wondering what Ernie Hudson has been doing since HBO’s OZ ended, the answer seemed pretty boring until the announcement that the actor is joining NBC’s Heroes this season. The storyline is being kept under wraps, but we have learned that Hudson will play Captain Lubbock, a Baltimore detective.
The upcoming fourth season of “Heroes” introduces a major new mythology about a traveling carnival of people with special powers run by a charismatic but evil Earth-moving ringleader (Robert Knepper).
And let’s not forget the potential girl loves girl storyline with that Hayden girl.
Immediately upon release John Layman and Rob Guillory’s CHEW has experienced an immediate sell out for both issue #2 and the second printing of issue #1.
“I’m shocked, pleased and flabbergasted by the enormous positive response we’ve gotten from CHEW,” Layman said. “I can’t put into words how gratified I am for the readers and retailers who have helped spread the word about this strange and unique little book. I’m also grateful to Image for taking speedy action to help get this book into as many readers’ hands as possible. Thanks, everybody! The best is yet to come!”
It worked for Battlestar Galactica, so why not try it with another television series from days gone by? The Syfy Channel is looking to remake Alien Nation into a new updated television series.
“Alien Nation” centers on the partnership between a veteran cop and his alien detective partner, set against the larger tale of alien “newcomers” who move to Earth and attempt to assimilate into society.
Tim Miner of Angel, X-Files, Firefly, and Strange World fame is currently writing the first script.
Alien Nation was a very good movie, and an intriquing television series as it gave the creators a platform to talk about immigration and racism without singling out a particular race. It jumped around a bit, and ended up spawning a series of made for television movies as a way to wrap up the big arc. If SyFy brings the goods like it did with Battlestar, then I’m sure it will work out just fine.
Press Release
CHEW, the all-new crime series with a cannibalistic twist from writer John Layman and illustrator Rob Guillory, debuted to a near immediate distribution-level sell out despite a significant overprint, resulting in a second printing.
“I’ve been insisting for years that the comic book industry has been clamoring for more books with double page spreads of non-costumed characters eating soup, and it’s gratifying to see there indeed is a robust market for such a book,” Layman said. “Big thanks to everybody –retailers, readers and reviewers– who came out in such shocking numbers to check out something new and different, and more than a little bit weird. Rob Guillory’s amazing art certainly played a big part in attracting people’s attention, so I want to thank him for his great work as well.”
Press Release
John Layman and Rob Guillory’s highly anticipated June-shipping ongoing crime series with a sick yet tasteful twist, CHEW, will make its first full appearance in the comic book blockbuster, THE WALKING DEAD, this May.
“Having CHEW debut in WALKING DEAD is extremely appropriate considering I hope CHEW does for cannibalism what WALKING DEAD did for zombies,” Layman said. “Seriously, Rob and I are very flattered to have CHEW debut in one of the biggest books out there today. While very different in its approach, I think fans of Kirkman and Adlard’s ongoing saga of human survival despite the worst possible situations will love Detective Tony Chu’s ongoing saga of surviving the worst possible situations despite his very distinct and sometimes burdening ability. It’s going to be a weird, wild ride.”
Press Release
Top Cow Productions, Inc. revealed today the names of the participating retailers in their “Let Us Win YOU Over†initiative for April and the program would continue the second part of their “War of the Witchblades†storyline – Witchblade #126.
The “Let Us Win YOU Over†initiative is a yearlong campaign by Top Cow Productions to give out free copies of its regular comics to potential fans in the U.S. and Canada through participating comic book stores. Each month, a different set of stores, each month a different free comic. The stores vary by geography and demographics. Top Cow has partnered with ComicsPRO to bring this promotion to fans and all of February’s retailers are members of ComicsPRO.
Witchblade #126 continues the six-part “War of the Witchblades†storyline, which promises to shake the status quo of Witchblade to its foundation. Since the events of First Born, Detective Sara Pezzini and dancer Danielle Baptiste have shared the mystical gauntlet, the Witchblade; but recently cracks have appeared in their relationship. The cracks widen in issue #126 pointing an inevitable battle. Regular writer Ron Marz writes the story with art by ongoing artist Stjepan Sejic. The issue will be in comic shops on Wednesday, April 22nd, 2009 and normally retails for $2.99.
What’s better than looking at pretty art each day? How about drawing Wolalina, the time-traveling detective? All from Randy Green.
On sale this week is the latest issue of Witchblade, featuring Sara Pezzini taking on the Angel of Death. Top Cow sent Major Spoilers a sneak peek of the issue that you can see after the jump.
Ain’t It Cool News is reporting that the comedy duo of Simon Pegg and Nick Frost have been cast as Thomson and Thompson, the detective duo in Steven Spielberg/Peter Jackson’s 3D Tintin movie. The site’s announcement also included Andy Serkis as Captain Haddock, with more confirmed actors expected to be announced soon.
I would normally say, “File this under rumor,” but considering the huge number of insiders AICN has in the industry, this is more than likely information that is spot on. Any H’wood Insiders wanna be the Major Spoilers inside guy? You know who to contact…
The movie is currently scheduled to begin production in February, with Steve Spielberg scheduled to direct the first film (Jackson gets number 2), and is expected to arrive in theaters in 2010.
With Great Power Comes Much Punching and Fighting
With all the craziness that is going on in the DC Universe, it’s nice to know you can sit down and read a title that both follows and breaks continuity at every turn. Superman/Batman reintroduced Supergirl to the world, but it also featured a run where the entire universe went flippy a couple of times, and no one in any of the other titles noticed.
We’ve now come to a tale that has the Silver Banshee doing the thing that she does so well, which had the odd effect of Batman acquiring Superman’s powers. What’s the world’s greatest detective going to do with such power? It’s probably not what you think.
Unless you looked already looked at the cover.