R.I.P. Batton Lash

Posted on 01/12/2019 by Pop-Culture Spectrum

Was very disheartened to hear of the passing of Batton Lash today. My energy goes out to his longtime companion and co-publisher Jackie Estrada. Batton was the long time cartoonist and writer of Wolff & Byrd, Supernatural Law. He also wrote for Bongo Comics as well as did work elsewhere.

I didn’t want to make an official post till I was able to share something personal so that it wasn’t just a proper respectful understanding and love. Here is a piece Batton did for me many years ago of Wolff meeting my character Zemo.

Posted in Comics, Tributes to the Fallen | Tagged batton lash, honor, sketch, tribute, wolff and byrd | Comments Off

Music, Wrestling, WOW

Posted on 01/12/2019 by Pop-Culture Spectrum

WOW Superhero Tessa Blanchard hosts a “Battle Royale” of the most recognized women in music! The lineup includes performances from Blondie, Cyndi Lauper, Grace Potter, Heart, Melissa Etheridge, Stevie Nicks, and Sheryl Crow! This Saturday beginning at 1/12c.
http://www.axs.tv/axstvconcerts/womenofrock/

WATCH THE PROMO NOW!

Posted in Music, Wrestling | Tagged AXS, AXS TV, WOW, WOW Superheroes | Comments Off

Award-Winning BOLIVAR Returns With A New Original Graphic Novel from BOOM! Studios in November 2019

Posted on 01/09/2019 by Pop-Culture Spectrum

“This brilliantly drawn story will resonate with a wide audience” – School Library Journal

“It’s an irreverent but loving tribute to a city whose residents have seen it all but sometimes miss what’s right in front of them, too” – Publishers Weekly

“[Sean] Rubin’s authorial debut is a masterful one” – Booklist

“Straddling the line between picture books and graphic novels with evident ease, Sean Rubin brings to life the tale of a reclusive Upper West Side dino and the girl that who loves him”- NPR Best Books of 2017

LOS ANGELES, CA (January 9, 2018) – BOOM! Studios has announced BOLIVAR EATS NEW YORK: A DISCOVERY ADVENTURE™, a new original graphic novel arriving in stores November 2019 from Bolivar creator Sean Rubin.

Debuting in 2017, Bolivar introduced readers to a dinosaur that lives in New York City—and his young neighbor Sybil who tries to tell everyone about him. The original graphic novel earned universal acclaim, including a prestigious selection as one of NPR’s “Best Books of 2017”, being named one of 2017 New York Public Library Best Books For Reading And Sharing, earning a 2017 Junior Library Guild Selection and earning a place as a 2018 Excellence In Graphic Literature Finalist: Best Children’s Books. Bolivarcontinued to impress audiences in 2018, earning nominations for 2018 Eisner Comics Industry Award for Best Kids’ Book (Ages 9-12) and 2018 Ringo Award for Best Kids Comic or Graphic Novel, while Rubin himself was named a finalist for the 2018 Russ Manning Most Promising Newcomer Award. The original graphic novel also earned starred reviews in top publications such as Publishers Weekly, Booklist and School Library Journal.

In BOLIVAR EATS NEW YORK: A DISCOVERY ADVENTURE™, Sybil learns that Bolivar only likes corned beef sandwiches, so she informs him that he’s been missing out on one of the great attributes of New York City and its rich communities–delicacies from around the world! Knishes! Falafel! Dim Sum! And it wouldn’t be a story in the Big Apple without pizza! Explore the five boroughs: Brooklyn, Queens, Bronx, Staten Island, and Manhattan in this lushly illustrated Discovery Adventure™ where kids and parents alike search for their favorite foods, and find other sites unique to one of the greatest cities in the world!

Sean Rubin is a native of Brooklyn, New York and graduated from Princeton University, later making his graphic novel debut in 2017 with Bolivar. He’s also an illustrator for the New York Times Bestselling Redwall series and of the upcoming Astronaut Who Painted the Moon (Scholastic, 2019) and Capital Magic (Holiday House, 2020).

“I was delighted when BOOM! Studios suggested creating a discovery adventure around Bolivar and New York City, especially because this would give me an opportunity to revisit some of my favorite places to eat in all five boroughs,” said Rubin. “I’ve even had multiple offers to help with the research!”

BOLIVAR EATS NEW YORK: A DISCOVERY ADVENTURE™ is the latest release from BOOM! Studios’ ambitious Archaia imprint, home to graphic novels such as Mouse Guardby David Petersen; New World by David Jesus Vignolli; Jane by Aline Brosh McKenna and Ramón Pérez; About Betty’s Boob by Vero Cazot and Julie Rocheleau; and licensed series like Jim Henson’s The Power of the Dark Crystal and Jim Henson’s Labyrinth: Coronation.

“Audiences of all ages embraced the hijinks of young Sybil and her prehistoric friend Bolivar as they maneuvered through the streets of Manhattan. But we knew they’re journey was just beginning. . .” said Sierra Hahn, Executive Editor, BOOM! Studios. “BOLIVAR EATS NEW YORK: A DISCOVERY ADVENTURE™ is a love letter to everything that makes New York such an unforgettable city—the mix of people, cultures and, of course, the incredible food!”

Print copies of BOLIVAR EATS NEW YORK: A DISCOVERY ADVENTURE™ will be available for sale in November 2019 at local comic book shops (usecomicshoplocator.com to find the nearest one), bookstores or at the BOOM! Studios webstore. Digital copies can be purchased from content providers, including comiXology, iBooks, Google Play, and the BOOM! Studios app.

For continuing news on BOLIVAR EATS NEW YORK: A DISCOVERY ADVENTURE™and more previews from BOOM! Studios, stay tuned to www.boom-studios.com and follow @boomstudios on Twitter.

Posted in Comics | Tagged archaia, bolivar, boom comics, boom studios | Comments Off

TALKING PICTURES Awards Now Accepting Submissions

Posted on 01/08/2019 by Pop-Culture Spectrum

Program Dedicated to Excellence in Visual Design to Honor Books in Five Categories at New York Rights Fair

NEW YORK, NY – January 8, 2019 – TALKING PICTURES: Selected Books is now open for submissions for the 2019 awards, for books published in 2018. TALKING PICTURES: Selected Books celebrates excellence in book design in five categories and is an offshoot of “TALKING PICTURES: The Visual Book Now,” a cultural initiative of the New York Rights Fair.
Three books in each of the five categories—contemporary art and photography; architecture and graphic design; children’s picture books; comic books and graphic novels; and cookbooks—will be selected along with special honorees by an expert panel of jurors renowned in their respective fields and drawn fromPublishers Weekly, Parsons School of Design and the Hamelin Cultural Association.

The deadline for submission is February 7, 2019. Winners will be announced later in February. Guidelines and details are available at https://www.newyorkrightsfair.com/talking-pictures.
“

“TALKING PICTURES provides a platform to discuss excellence in the design of the visual book from a global perspective in New York City. We were overwhelmed last year with the number of books submitted from more than 500 publishers in the U.S. and around the world. It was a tangible indicator that there was a real need for this conversation, conducted with a sophisticated domestic and international audience,” said Krista Rafanello, New York Rights Fair show manager. “TALKING PICTURES is exciting and reflects New York Rights Fair’s core mission to provide a welcoming environment to connect and do rights business.”
The chosen books will be discussed in depth during a special panel at the New York Rights Fair on May 30, 2019, at the Jacob Javits Center in New York. The books will also be on display at the New York Rights Fair, raising their global visibility. Following the panel, a reception with the honored authors, illustrators, photographers, designers and publishers will take place.
“TALKING PICTURES marks an entry into the global ecosystem of book publishing and art, where design and text meet and elevate each other within the context of the visual book,” said Ilaria Tontardini of the Hamelin Cultural Association.
TALKING PICTURES is a collaboration among the New York Rights Fair (NYRF), Hamelin Cultural Association and Parsons School of Design professor Steven Guarnaccia. The inaugural program honored books published in 2017 and received 511 submissions from 166 publishers from around the world. Members of the jury, including outside expert jurors Seymour Chwast and Jonathan Wajskol, then selected 30 notable books, which hailed from publishers in Japan, Italy, France, Switzerland, the U.K., Portugal, Spain, Canada and the U.S.

Posted in Book Expo America | Tagged contest submission, new york rights fair, press release | Comments Off

Start off 2019 with 1996! Party Time!

Posted on 12/31/2018 by Pop-Culture Spectrum

As the eve of New Year’s approaches I’m taking a quick look at a collection GN shipping Jan 2nd 2019, the first New Comics Day.

Bill S. Preston Esq. and Ted “Theodore” Logan have a long history in comics, but it’s a universe full of such richness that allows it to always be explored, built on and expanded. A colorful cast of characters with both dads, Rufus, Death, Station, the Princesses and friends throughout all time and space the chances for different adventures. I’ve enjoyed everything thrown out there and that doesn’t change with Bill & Ted Save The Universe.

Brian Joines and Bachan who previously did BOOM Comics’ Bill & Ted Go To Hell return to tell a space faring adventure with shocks and surprises. New characters, new twists, new friends, new enemies, new places, new time lines, reveals and more.

On the five year anniversary of the culmination of everything Fate turns its head at a party and once things get crazy they don’t stop. Revealing anything would ruin it for you. Just trust you won’t see what’s coming till the last minute and even if you do, I’m positive it won’t be exactly how you saw it coming unless of course you cheated and used a phonebooth to read ahead or already read it in floppy format.

The collection brings together all 5 issues for a cover price of $20. Go grab it wherever you get comics in the universe.

Posted in Comics | Tagged bill and ted's bogus journey, bill and ted's excellent adventure, boom, boom studios, station | Comments Off

Adventure Pals is a Great Adventure

Posted on 12/27/2018 by Pop-Culture Spectrum

One of the most addictive, pleasurable, experiences I’ve had in game playing not just in 2018 but a long time was THE ADVENTURE PALS.

A 2-D platforming action-adventure with cutesy art, puzzles and minor combat it delivers the kind of experience a player of my aesthetic, gameplay experience and desires for a challenge without frustration desire.

Offered up is a kawaii-esque boy, giraffe and very shortly living rock off to save family and stop a villain, but along the way new quests, detours and collecting quests get in the way in rambunctious and exciting manners. Who doesn’t love hunting for stickers? Or trying to beat their last time getting through a maze?

In a year with major shooters, RPGs, action-adventure console exclusives and the like, Adventure Pals is just something really fresh. Platformers can be really hard at times, making one to throw the controller across the room or directly at the monitor. Not the case with AP. It’s always satisfying and fun, even when it gets slightly harder it’s at a level of “I’ll get it eventually” instead of “I want to say harsh words to the person who developed this”.

Equally the boss battles are full of fun. They’re puzzles yet, also combat and platform and an amazing combination of cute and ugly gore.

Adventure Pals has a very Cartoon Network feel invoking Steven Universe, Adventure Time, and in some cases cause of character designs The Adventures of Gumball. Yet not feeling like stepping on the shoes of any of those. Artist Julian Wilton seems equally inspired by traditional graphic design and cartooning to create his own personal style that is as a joy to behold as Jay Armstrong’s coding that lets such great art operate in a game very fun to play.

ADVENTURE PALS is available on almost all platforms (Steam, GOG, Switch, PS4 and Xbone) for $15 when bought at regular price.

Grab it now!

Posted in Video Games | Tagged cute, game review, review, the adventure pals, video games | Comments Off

Netflix Original Series GLOW Dazzles as Upcoming IDW Comic Book

Posted on 12/17/2018 by Pop-Culture Spectrum

IDW Publishing enters the world of hairspray and headlocks with the announcement of a four-issue comic book miniseries based on GLOW, the acclaimed Netflix Original comedy series.

Debuting in March, the GLOW comic is written by Tini Howard (Euthanauts, WWE, Rick & Morty) and drawn by Hannah Templer (Jem and the Holograms: Dimensions). Liz Flahiveand Carly Mensch, the co-creators of the show, will officially serve as executive producers of the original comics, overseeing their creative development.

“We’re thrilled to work with IDW to bring new stories to life on the page and in the ring. Can we smoosh 14 women into a little frame? Only time will tell… but we couldn’t be more excited!” say Liz Flahive and Carly Mensch.

Starring Alison Brie, Betty Gilpin, and Marc Maron, GLOW shines the spotlight on a crew of misfits in mid-1980s Los Angeles who reinvent themselves as the Gorgeous Ladies Of Wrestling. IDW’s GLOW miniseries provides a glimpse into the action between-the-scenes, as the less-than-prepared ladies are conned into a fundraising match… against real lady wrestlers!

“I’m more than just a GLOW fan, I’m a wrestling fan, too. I’ve written wrestling comics before, and I adore it,” says Tini Howard. “Wrestling and comic books are a natural fit for more than just tights and fights. Each of the gorgeous ladies has either developed her own character or adapted to one thrust upon her, and making that identity her own is not dissimilar to, say, putting on a bat costume.”

Hannah Templer says, “I’m absolutely thrilled about the visual opportunities a GLOW comic offers – there is a wealth of inspiration to be drawn from ’80s animation, fashion, and even wrestling magazines. I also think GLOW, which takes real-world conflicts and settles them within the fantasy of the wrestling ring, provides a really fun arena for expressiveness and visual play!”

For information on how to secure copies of the GLOW miniseries, please contact your local comic shop or visit www.comicshoplocator.com to find a store near you.

Posted in Comics | Tagged glow, idw comics, netflix, wrestling | Comments Off

Your First Look at ADVENTURE TIME: MARCY & SIMON #1 by Olivia Olson and Slimm Fabert

Posted on 12/17/2018 by Pop-Culture Spectrum

Discover The Future of Your Favorite Vampire Queen & Former Ice King in January 2019

LOS ANGELES, CA (December 13, 2018) – BOOM! Studios and Cartoon Network today revealed a captivating first look at ADVENTURE TIME™: MARCY & SIMON #1 (of 6), the start of an all-new limited series in January 2019. Writer Olivia Olson (voice of Marceline on Cartoon Network’s Adventure Time™) and artist Slimm Fabert (Adventure Time™ comic series) unveil the exciting official comic book continuation of the Emmy® Award-winning Cartoon Network animated series by revealing what’s next for the reformed Ice King and Vampire Queen Marceline in comic book form.

Marcy and Simon’s friendship has endured over 900 years and through bouts of insanity and amnesia. After the events of Adventure Time™ Season 10, we get to see the Vampire Queen and former Ice King rediscover themselves and their ever-evolving relationship as they tour the Land of Ooo in order to make amends for Simon’s past misdeeds. But the transition from evil Ice King to gentle Simon isn’t without its consequences, and Marcy will have to face her greatest fear once again: losing Simon.

A modern day fable, the Emmy® Award–winning animated series Adventure Time™ has become a global success since its premiere in 2010, attracting adult and kid viewers in their millions over the course of 10 seasons. It follows unlikely heroes Finn and Jake, buddies who traverse the mystical Land of Ooo and encounter its colorful inhabitants. The best of friends, our heroes always find themselves in the middle of heart-pounding escapades. Finn, a silly kid with an awesome hat and Jake, a brassy dog with a big kind heart, depend on each other through thick and thin. Adventure Time™ is created by Pendleton Ward and produced at Cartoon Network Studios.

BOOM! Studios has been publishing the New York Times bestselling Adventure Time™comic books and graphic novels through their KaBOOM! imprint for middle grade readers since 2012 and been honored with Eisner, Harvey, and Diamond Gem Awards for the series.

ADVENTURE TIME™: MARCY & SIMON #1 is Olson’s third writing contribution to the expanded literary world of the eponymous franchise, previously collaborating with her father Martin Olson (the voice of Hunson Abadeer) on The Adventure Time™ Encyclopedia. The two also co-authored Adventure Time™: The Enchiridion & Marcy’s Super Secret Scrapbook, written from a first person perspective through Marceline’s diary entries about when she and Simon first met. Both Adventure Time™ books, published in partnership between Abrams and Cartoon Network, are available now everywhere books are sold.

ADVENTURE TIME™: MARCY & SIMON #1 features a main cover by Brittney Williams (Goldie Vance), along with variant covers by Lisa Dubois (Rugrats), Sofie Drozdova (Regular Show) and Ashley Morales.

ADVENTURE TIME™: MARCY & SIMON is the latest release from BOOM! Studios’ award-winning KaBOOM! imprint, home to comics for middle grade and younger readers including licensed series such as Over The Garden Wall, Regular Show, Steven Universe, Peanuts, and Garfield, along with original series like Mega Princess by Kelly Thompson and Brianne Drouhard, Bodie Troll by Jay Fosgitt, Ruinworld by Derek Laufman, and The Deep by Tom Taylor and James Brouwer.

Print copies of ADVENTURE TIME™: MARCY & SIMON #1 will be available on January 16th, 2019 at local comic book shops (use comicshoplocator.com to find the one nearest you), or at the BOOM! Studios webstore. Digital copies can be purchased from content providers like comiXology, iBooks, Google Play, and the BOOM! Studios app.

For continuing news on ADVENTURE TIME™: MARCY & SIMON and more from BOOM! Studios, stay tuned to www.boom-studios.com and follow @boomstudios on Twitter.

Posted in Comics | Tagged adventure time, boom, boom comics, boom studios | Comments Off

Solid Snake from your TV to your dining room table!

Posted on 12/12/2018 by Pop-Culture Spectrum

KONAMI’S METAL GEAR SOLID TO SNEAK ONTO THE TABLETOP IN 2019
Miniatures-Based Board Game in Development by IDW Games

San Diego, CA (December 11th, 2018) IDW Games and Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. announced today that they have partnered to bring Metal Gear Solid to the tabletop with Metal Gear Solid: The Board Game.

Designed by Emerson Matsuuchi (designer of the Century game series, Reef, and Specter Ops)Metal Gear Solid: The Board Game is a fully cooperative, miniatures board game. Following the story of the first Metal Gear Solid video game, players take on the roles of Solid Snake, Meryl Silverburgh, Dr. Hal “Otacon” Emmerich, and Gray Fox the Cyborg Ninja. They’ll need to use their unique skill sets to avoid detection as they complete objectives across multiple campaign scenarios. Featuring a highly dynamic A.I. system and sandbox gameplay, missions can be completed in multiple ways and will always play out differently.

Jerry Bennington, IDW Publishing’s VP of New Product Development says, “Having partnered with Konami in the past to adapt Metal Gear Solid into comics and produce all new stories in the Silent Hilluniverse, we are extremely excited to be partnering again to bring Metal Gear Solid to a new gaming medium: tabletop. We know this a beloved franchise with a die-hard fan base, and as such we’re putting all of our energy into producing a premium gaming experience that is exciting to play over and over again.”

Game designer Emerson Matsuuchi says, “I’m probably the biggest fan of Metal Gear Solid. Ever since playing the first Metal Gear Solid, it has forever altered the way I view games. The story it told was so memorable and the gameplay experience so rich that it has shaped my expectation of games as both a designer and gamer. So the opportunity to bring this masterpiece to the table has been an honor and dream come true. I’m excited to be able to capture the tactical stealth action that is the hallmark of the franchise as well as create a new experience and story for the Snake fans. Age hasn’t slowed him down one bit.”

Metal Gear Solid: The Board Game will feature miniatures by the highly regarded sculptor Francesco Orrù, and art from lifelong Metal Gear Solid fan and comic artist Kenneth Loh.

Gaming media interested in playing Metal Gear Solid: The Board Game will get their first chance at E3 2019. IDW Games will be booking play session for media outlets for Saturday, June 8, through Monday, June 10. Gamers eager to sample Metal Gear Solid: The Board Game will have a chance to demo it at any of the following 2019 summer conventions: Origins Game Fair, Dice Tower Con, San Diego Comic Con, and Gen Con.

For more information on Metal Gear Solid: The Board Game, follow IDW Games on Twitter and like their Facebook page, where fans can discover art and gameplay development ahead of the game’s release in 2019.

Posted in Video Games | Tagged board game, idw, konami, metal gear solid, publishing, tabletop games | Comments Off

Your First Look at the Legends in WWE: FOREVER #1

Posted on 12/07/2018 by Pop-Culture Spectrum

Discover Brand New Stories In and Out of the Ring in January 2019

LOS ANGELES, CA (December 7, 2018) – BOOM! Studios and WWE today revealed a first look at WWE: FOREVER #1, the all-new oversized one-shot special featuring action-packed stories of the greatest WWE Legends on-sale January 30, 2019.

You’ve never seen the Legends like this before! The team of Michael Kingston (Headlocked) & Michel Mulipola (WWE) return to document the rise of the Excellence of Execution, Bret “Hitman” Hart. Brent Schoonover (Captain Marvel) recounts when Bobby “The Brain” Heenan attempted to kidnap Matilda the Bulldog. Lan Pitts (WWE) and Carlos Magno (Planet of The Apes) bring us a showdown between Razor Ramon and Ted DiBiase at a jewelry shop. Arune Singh and Kendall Goode (WWE: NXT Takeover) reveal the true origin of the partnership between Money Inc. tag team partners Irwin R. Schyster and Ted DiBiase. Derek Fridolfs (Adventure Time) shows us what happens when the electrifying Junkyard Dog gets pushed too far!

WWE: FOREVER #1 features a main cover by Rahzzah (Luke Cage), along with a wraparound preorder cover by Kendall Goode (The Doorman) and a variant cover by Marco D’Alfonso (I Am Groot) that will connect to variant covers for WWE #25 and WWE WRESTLEMANIA 2019 SPECIAL.

“Each of the stories in WWE: FOREVER #1 reminds us why these Superstars became Legends!” said Chris Rosa, Editor, BOOM! Studios. “An all-star team of writers and artists tackle the untold stories of some of WWE’s greatest performers, making this a special issue jam-packed with fun and action you won’t find anywhere else!”

WWE: FOREVER is the latest release from BOOM! Studios’ eponymous imprint, home to a world-class group of licensed comic book series and ambitious original series, including Joss Whedon’s Firefly and Buffy The Vampire Slayer, Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, Planet of the Apes, Bone Parish, Mech Cadet Yu, Grass Kings, and Klaus.

Print copies of WWE: FOREVER will be available for sale on January 30, 2019 at local comic book shops (use comicshoplocator.com to find the nearest one) and on November 6th at bookstores or at the BOOM! Studios webstore. Digital copies can be purchased from content providers, including comiXology, iBooks, Google Play, and the BOOM! Studios app.

For continuing news on WWE: FOREVER and more from BOOM! Studios, stay tuned to www.boom-studios.com and follow @boomstudios on Twitter.