BRANDON GRAHAM’S “THE SPEAKER” DEBUTS IN DARK HORSE PRESENTS #7

October 27, MILWAUKIE, OR—Brandon Graham, creator of King City and Multiple Warheads and writer of Prophet, one of the series in the heavily NYCC-hyped Extreme Studios relaunch, will be making his Dark Horse Presents debut in issue #7!

“A man loses his voice—his voice goes off to see the world. Years later the man dies and the voice that walks like a man hears the news and returns home. The Voice has to deal with all the personifications of the man’s doubts, secrets, and ideas that are left behind.

“It’s got doubts using tuning forks like guns and ideas that smash the light bulbs over their heads like they were bottles in a bar fight,” says Graham.

Graham’s work is widely known and followed through his blog, http://royalboiler.wordpress.com/.

Stay tuned for more about original stories premiering in Dark Horse Presents!

Dark Horse Presents #7 is on sale December 21, 2011, and also contains brand-new Age of Reptiles, Skeleton Key, and Hellboy stories.

The Variant Cover To A Child Is Born

Artist PHILIP TAN On The Changes To The DCnU HAWKMAN

From Newsarama.com

For artist Philip Tan, the chance to draw DC's relaunch of Savage Hawkman is the culmination of three years of artistic evolution.

"For a long time, I had a lot of criticism from fans and readers about how inconsistent my artwork is. Quite frankly, I had to go through a lot of searching for a look that I'm comfortable with and happy with," Tan told Newsarama. "It has been a learning process for me since I started my career. You saw me experimenting in the work I did on Green Lantern and Outsiders and Batman and Robin. They were all stages of learning and growth for me as I experimented to find that look I wanted."

Now that readers have seen his work on Savage Hawkman, the artist is determined to keep up the "consistency." As he and writer Tony Daniel introduced readers to the Hawkman of the DCnU, the character was revealed to have a new organic-type armor, as well as a mysterious origin.

In our continuing follow-up with the creative teams behind DC's New 52 initiative, we talk with Tan about the first issue of Savage Hawkman -- and get a peek at some exclusive art.

Newsarama: Phil, with Savage Hawkman, one of the more interesting additions you made to the character was his armor. Was that something you came up with?

Philip Tan: The design originally came from Jim Lee. Tony and I took that original [design] idea and came up with ideas about how we could make it even more interesting visually and in the story.

It evolved from there. We put a lot of thought and discussion into it. We thought it would really help the visuals of the book while adding to the character. And we really agreed on making it that way.

We really wanted to show the process of him changing. We wanted the audience to see how it happens.

As people have seen, the armor is more organic. It's alive. It's building on the character like a canvas. It's appearing out of his skin. It's not like he has to physically put pieces of it onto his body.

And this armor manifests whatever weapon he needs or armor for whatever part of the body needs to be shielded.

This will all be important as you keep reading the book.

Nrama: A lot of readers have noticed the style you're using for this book, and how different it is from some of the work you've done in the past. What's the process behind this newer look?

Tan: For awhile now, I've been using watercolors and have been inking my own stuff. It's a medium I wanted to use to do my artwork. I prefer this medium, with the use of the watercolor. It's unlike the traditional penciling I've been doing before.

It really helps me find the details I want put into the book. And it's the happy accidents that sometimes give the book such an interesting look, especially when you're working with watercolor and mixing it with inks and paints.

Nrama: Is it softer?

Tan: Yes, the effects are going to be softer.

But you know, a lot of the stuff that we do on the book, the colorist also has had a very involved hand. So the visual is not just myself, or not just Tony and myself. The colorist is Sunny Gho, who is just amazing.

Nrama: Is it more difficult working with an artist like Tony as your writer? Or does that actually make things easier?

Tan: It's more collaborative, really. We go over the script, and I have a lot of input, as far as ideas about the visuals and how we're going to tell the story. Then I do the layout, and he's very open to different interpretations.

Nrama: There's still a lot of mystery about Carter. We still don't know his real background. There's a hint that he's "not of the world," yet he said he's born in the USA.

Tan: Yep.

Nrama: I assume we're going to get answers soon?

Tan: Well, there won't be one issue where we'll explain everything. We don't want that, and I don't think the readers really want that either. It's going to be a slow reveal. We want everyone to be enjoying the book while he's going through all these adventures, and really, really make this character compelling. We want to establish him and his stories in this new DC Universe.

Nrama: We discovered a lot about him, but how would you describe this character's thought process now that we've seen the first issue? He doesn't really want to be Hawkman, does he?

Tan: He's got a lot of things going on that he doesn't want to face, but he has to. Things he must take care of.

As an archaeologist, he's been isolated a lot. He's had to do his work by himself, or in the past with Hawkgirl. But now, these supporting characters will be more involved. He's got a lot of people around him that we thought would bring a lot of color into his adventures, and you'll get to know them more.

Nrama: So it's an adjustment for him to go from having Hawkgirl around to working with these other people?

Tan: You know what? I would not comment on Hawkgirl right now.

But to answer the other part of your question... yes, it's a big adjustment period for him right now.

Nrama: So I can't ask you if you have gotten to draw Hawkgirl?

Tan: You can't.

Nrama: Nothing we can tell readers about that?

Tan: Just tell readers to be patient.

Nrama: How far ahead are you?

Tan: We've been working really far ahead. Right now, we're more than four issues ahead. I'm working on issue #5.

Nrama: Has the story evolved in style or tone now that you're working on issue #5?

Tan: We're actually working very hard to keep things consistent for the first arc, so the evolution for me has been more about getting to know the characters in the book and just feeling familiar with them. I think the tone and the style were something we really put a lot of thought into before the first issue, so we're keeping that steady for all our new readers.

Nrama: So it's still this Indiana Jones/adventure approach?

Tan: Yes, and that has been driven by Tony. He has a real vision for what he wants this book to be. I'm riding shotgun on this thing.

Nrama: There are changes to Hawkman, but it's obvious you guys understand the character's past. Did you look at any of the old comics for your design ideas?

Tan: I've been reading a ton of old comics, but not for the design really. Jim designed the new one, so we've been working from that. The new design is what DC wanted, and I actually love the new one.

I've been using some of the old ones for the design ideas for his weapons, and his armor, and have kind of incorporating it into the organic armor he got that morphs into weapons.

Aside from that, visually, we're trying to go with this new direction on design that Jim created.

But story-wise, I went back and read a lot of old Hawkman comics. I wanted to know this character really well, and I have come to love him. I really love him.

Nrama: Any comic in particular that you really liked?

Tan: I really liked Geoff [Johns] and James [Robinson]'s take.

Nrama: What have you heard about the reception to Savage Hawkman #1 from fans?

Tan: I haven't read anything online, but I've heard about the success of the book, so I'm very happy about that. And I've met fans here in New York who really like the comic, so that's always great to hear. I love working on this comic, and I'm very thankful that people are giving me a chance, working with Tony, on Savage Hawkman.

Final Cover For A Child Is Born From Bill Tucci

DC ENTERTAINMENT WILL CREATE GRAPHIC NOVELS BASED ON STIEG LARSSON’S MILLENNIUM TRILOGY

From DC Comics.com By Brandy Phillips

‘The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo’ Graphic Novel to be Released by Vertigo in 2012 with Sequels Following in 2013 and 2014
NEW YORK, NY,  October 11, 2011 – Best-selling comic book and graphic novel publisher DC Entertainment has secured the worldwide rights to adapt the international phenomenon and best-selling Millennium Trilogy novels into graphic novels. DC Entertainment’s Vertigo imprint will work with the estate of Stieg Larsson and Hedlund Literary Agency to adapt the books.  The announcement brings together two publishing powerhouses just in time for the Frankfurt Book Fair and New York Comic-Con.
Each book by Larsson will be presented in two graphic novel volumes that will be available in both print and digital formats.  THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO volumes will be released in 2012, with volumes for THE GIRL WHO PLAYED WITH FIRE following in 2013, and THE GIRL WHO KICKED THE HORNETS’ NEST wrapping up the graphic novel series in 2014.
“The intricate characters and stories Larsson created in the Millennium Trilogy are a perfect match for the graphic novel format, where we can bring Lisbeth Salander to life in entirely new, visually compelling ways,” stated Dan DiDio, Co-Publisher of DC Entertainment. “It’s a distinct honor to work on a story that is already so popular with millions of readers around the world.”
“Stieg always liked comics and it will be exciting to see the unforgettable characters he created come to life on the comics page,” says Joakim Larsson, younger brother of the journalist and novelist whose untimely death in 2004 meant he didn’t see even the first book in the Millennium sequence published.
DC Entertainment is the worldwide leader in producing best-selling graphic novels and comic books, including best-selling Vertigo titles SANDMAN, FABLES, 100 BULLETS and ROAD TO PERDITION.
Stieg Larsson’s Millennium Trilogy is an international publishing juggernaut, with more than 60 million books sold worldwide and reaching the top of numerous best seller lists. Sales for all three books exceed 17 million copies in the U.S. alone, including digital sales of 3.5 million copies. Since September 2008, when THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO was published in hardcover, Larsson’s books have been a constant presence on bestseller lists across America.
The various storylines in the Millennium Trilogy revolve around truculent computer hacker Lisbeth Salander and investigative reporter Mikael Blomkvist.

AVENGERS Trailer

AVENGERS: Cap And Thor

Marvel Studios To Present Exclusive Look At Marvel’s The Avengers At New York Comic Con

Official Press Release

Producer Kevin Feige and Select Cast Members to Appear Saturday, October 15 in the IGN Theater – Presented by Sprint!

Norwalk, CT, October 4, 2011: New York Comic Con (NYCC) is proud to announce Marvel Studios, for the first time ever, will participate in this October’s NYCC. Marvel Studios will present a special event in NYCC’s IGN Theater – Presented by Sprint on Saturday, October 15th from 6:30-7:30 PM, a high-profile panel focused on the upcoming feature film Marvel’s The Avengers. Marvel Studios will debut never-before-seen footage from The Avengers, and panelists will include Kevin Feige (Producer), Chris Evans (Captain America), Tom Hiddleston (Loki), Clark Gregg (Agent Coulson), and Cobie Smulders (Agent Hill). The Avengers is scheduled for release on May 4th, 2012.

The sixth annual New York Comic Con will take place October 13-16, 2011 at the Javits Center in Midtown Manhattan. NYCC, which attracted 96,000 attendees in 2010, celebrates comics, movies, television, toys, games, and the popular arts from around the planet. Tickets are now on sale via the website www.NewYorkComicCon.com, with limited 4-Day tickets remaining.

“I am incredibly honored Marvel Studios has decided to participate in New York Comic Con in such a significant way,” notes Lance Fensterman, Group Vice President for ReedPOP and Show Manager for NYCC. “The center of our show is creating exclusive opportunities for fans to meet their favorite stars and creators. The Avengers presentation is exactly this kind of once-in-a-lifetime event. We’re very excited to be able to host cast and crew from The Avengers and know our fans will be on the edges of their seats. As always, we want to present the very best that the pop culture world has to offer in art and entertainment, and The Avengers panel is at the head of that list!”

As previously announced, Marvel will also be bringing high profile comics guests to New York Comic Con including Joe Quesada, Chief Creative Officer of Marvel Entertainment, Axel Alonso, Marvel’s Editor-in-Chief, and notable Marvel creators Jason Aaron, Matt Fraction, Kieron Gillen, and Stuart Immonen.

“Marvel’s The Avengers” is the Super Hero team up of a lifetime, featuring iconic Marvel Super Heroes Iron Man, The Incredible Hulk, Thor, Captain America, Hawkeye and Black Widow. When an unexpected enemy emerges that threatens global safety and security, Nick Fury, Director of the international peacekeeping agency known as S.H.I.E.L.D., finds himself in need of a team to pull the world back from the brink of disaster. Spanning the globe, a daring recruitment effort begins.

Starring Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Mark Ruffalo, Chris Hemsworth, Scarlett Johansson, Jeremy Renner and Samuel L. Jackson, and directed by Joss Whedon “Marvel’s The Avengers” is based on the ever-popular Marvel comic book series “The Avengers,” first published in 1963 and a comics institution ever since. Prepare yourself for an exciting event movie, packed with action and spectacular special effectswhen “Marvel’s The Avengers” assemble in summer 2012.

“Marvel’s The Avengers,” is presented by Marvel Studios in association with Paramount Pictures. The film is being produced by Marvel Studios' President, Kevin Feige, and executive produced by Alan Fine, Stan Lee, Jon Favreau, Patricia Whitcher and Louis D’Esposito. Marvel Studios’ Jeremy Latcham and Victoria Alonso will co-produce. The film will be released May 4, 2012.

Gene Simmons And Shannon Tweed Finally Tie The Knot

Congrats to the happy couple.