And that’s just part of the good news. Come back on Tuesday for the 2015 State of the StarWarp Concepts Union address, to learn what’s been going on at ‘Warp Central these past months—and where we’re headed.
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Pandora Zwieback Says, “It’s About Damn Time!”
Posted in Dark Urban Fantasy, Pandora Zwieback, Publishing, Young Adult
Tagged blood reign: the saga of pandora zwieback book 2, Dark Urban Fantasy, Pandora Zwieback
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Season’s Greetings!
Best wishes to you and yours for the holiday season and the New Year, from all of us at StarWarp Concepts—including the ‘Warplite Carolers (seen below). We’ll see you in 2015!
The Ghost of Reviewapalooza at Comics for Sinners
It’s the year-end wrap-up! Over at the news site Comics for Sinners, as some of you may be aware, I’ve become a comic and graphic novel reviewer, giving my opinion on some of the latest releases for bad-girl fans and general readers alike. Here are the titles I’ve reviewed in 2014:
Archie Comics
Afterlife with Archie #6: Written by Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa, art by Francesco Francavilla
Chilling Adventures of Sabrina #1: Written by Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa, art by Robert Hack
Black Mask Studios
Pirouette #1: Written by Mark L. Miller, art by Carlos Granda
Dark Horse Comics
Kiss Me, Satan!: Written by Victor Gischler, art by Juan Ferreyra
The Strain, Book 1: Adapted by David Lapham (based on the novel by Guillermo del Toro and Chuck Hogan), art by Mike Huddleston
DC Comics
Harley Quinn Invades Comic-Con International: San Diego #1: Written by Jimmy Palmiotti and Amanda Conner, art by Amanda Conner and others
Scooby-Doo Team-Up #5: Written by Sholly Fisch, art by Dario Brizuela
Dynamite Entertainment
The Blood Queen #1: Written by Troy Brownfield, art by Fritz Casas
Chastity #1–2: Written by Marc Andreyko, art by Dave Acosta
Dejah of Mars #1–2: Written by Mark Rahner, art by Jethro Morales
The Devilers #1: Written by Joshua Hale Fialkov, art by Matt Triano
Doctor Spektor: Master of the Occult #1–2: Written by Mark Waid, art by Neil Edwards
Jennifer Blood: Born Again #1: Written by Steven Grant, art by Kewber Baal
John Carter: Warlord of Mars #1: Written by Ron Marz, art by Abhishek Malsuni
Vampirella, Vol. 2 #1–6: Written by Nancy A. Collins, art by Patrick Berkenkotter and Dennis Crisostomo
Vampirella: Prelude to Shadows: Stories by Nancy A. Collins and Archie Goodwin, art by Cristhian Crizam Zamora and Jose Gonzalez
Warlord of Mars #0: Written by Matt Brady, art by Jack Jadson and Marcelo Mueller
IDW
Star Trek: Harlan Ellison’s The City on the Edge of Forever: The Original Teleplay #1–2: Adapted by Scott and David Tipton, art by J. K. Woodward
Image Comics
Wytches #1: Written by Scott Snyder, art by Jock
Storm King Productions
John Carpenter’s Asylum, Vol. 1: Written by Bruce Jones & Various, art by Leonardo Manco
Zenescope Entertainment
Charmed: Season 10 #1–2: Written by Pat Shand, art by Erica Feliz
Cinderella: Age of Darkness #1: Written by Pat Shand, art by Ryan Best
Grimm Fairy Tales 2014 Holiday Edition: Written by Anne Toole, art by Butch Mapa
And be sure to bookmark Comics For Sinners to keep up-to-date on my opinionated ramblings about bad-girl (and other) comics.
He Is Not Groot…But He’s Painted Starlord!
If you’re a fan of Marvel Films’ extraordinarily successful movies, you’re no doubt aware that tomorrow’s the day for the DVD and Blu-Ray release of Guardians of the Galaxy, the box-office blockbuster adaptation of the popular Marvel Comics scj-fi series. Starring Chris Pratt (Parks & Recreation), Zoe Saldana (Star Trek), WWE wrestling legend Dave Bautista, and the voices of Vin Diesel and Bradley Cooper, Guardians has taken the world by the proverbial storm, and is the highest grossing film of the year. Who knew a talking raccoon and a walking tree with a three-word vocabulary could generate such interest?
But, you ask, why am I talking about this movie, here at ’Warp Central? Because long before he became a motion picture star, Peter Quill, aka Star-Lord, was the star of a series of comic and magazine adventures published by Marvel—and SWC’s own artistic legend, Bob Larkin, painted the cover for one of them!
What you see here is the cover of Marvel Preview #18, with Quill in his 1970s-era costume—a lot more superheroish than what you saw in GotG, but what would you expect from a company that specializes in superhero comics? (Bonus tidbit: the male model who posed for this painting was actor Steve Holland, who not only played Flash Gordon in a popular 1950s television series, but whose rugged features, from the ’70s to today, remain the gold-standard look for pulp adventurer Doc Savage. Holland posed for Doc covers not only for Bob, but for Bob’s mentor, superstar painter James Bama.)
By the way, science fiction comic book fans, have you purchased a copy of The Bob Larkin Sketchbook? If not, you’re missing out on spectacular pencil drawings of Richard Rider, the original Nova (from GotG’s Nova Corps), the X-Men, the Hulk, Luke Skywalker, and a host of other characters by the talented Mr. Larkin. It’s 24 pages of artistic goodness, available exclusively from the StarWarp Concepts webstore. Visit the Bob Larkin Sketchbook product page for all the ordering information, as well as sample pages.
Posted in Bob Larkin, movies
Tagged bob larkin, bob larkin sketchbook, guardians of the galaxy, star-lord
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Take Your Child to a Bookstore Day is Saturday!
Hey, book lovers, this Saturday, December 6, is the fifth annual Take Your Child to a Bookstore Day! Founded in 2010 by author Jessica Milchman, the event, according to its Web site, “is about instilling a love of bookstores in children so that they will value and support this most precious of resources as they go on to enter and create communities of their own.”
Kids + reading + brick-and-mortar bookstores? Always a great combination!
For more information, including a map of the bookstores that are celebrating with events of their own, visit the TYCBD site by clicking on the banner up top.
Posted in Events
Tagged take your child to a bookstore day
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The Son of Reviewapalooza at Comics for Sinners
Over at the news site Comics for Sinners, as you might be aware, I’ve become a comic and graphic novel reviewer, giving my opinion on some of the latest releases for bad-girl fans and general readers alike. Here are the titles I’ve reviewed in November:
Archie Comics
Chilling Adventures of Sabrina #1: Written by Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa, art by Robert Hack
Dynamite Entertainment
John Carter: Warlord of Mars #1: Written by Ron Marz, art by Abhishek Malsuni
Image Comics
Wytches #1: Written by Scott Snyder, art by Jock
Storm King Productions
John Carpenter’s Asylum, Vol. 1: Written by Bruce Jones & Various, art by Leonardo Manco
Zenescope Entertainment
Charmed: Season 10 #2: Written by Pat Shand, art by Erica Feliz
Cinderella: Age of Darkness #1: Written by Pat Shand, art by Ryan Best
Grimm Fairy Tales 2014 Holiday Edition: Written by Anne Toole, art by Butch Mapa
Interested in seeing what else I’ve reviewed? Then check out these previous lists and head over to C4S to read the entries:
Reviewapalooza
The Bride of Reviewapalooza
Be sure to bookmark Comics For Sinners to keep up-to-date on my opinionated ramblings about bad-girl (and other) comics.
Posted in Comic Books, Reviews
Tagged comic book reviews, comics for sinners, reviewapalooza
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John Carpenter’s Asylum Review at Comics for Sinners
Over at the news site Comics for Sinners, you’ll find my review of John Carpenter’s Asylum, Vol. 1, a Mature Readers graphic novel now on sale from Storm King Productions, Inc. Writer Bruce Jones (Incredible Hulk, Batman, Deadman) and artist Leonardo Manco (Hellblazer, Hellstorm: Prince of Lies, Werewolf by Night) team up for this supernatural buddy-cop movie on paper. There’s a demon loose in Los Angeles, and the only ones who can stop him are a hardheaded homicide detective and a defrocked priest—think 48 Hours meets The Exorcist, and you’ve got a good notion of John Carpenter’s Asylum. Head over to C4S to learn more, but be warned: there’s some great but Not Safe For Work art displayed with the review.
And if Mature Readers horror graphic novels are what you like to read, then allow me to point you to Lorelei: Sects and the City, the StarWarp Concepts graphic novel that stars a soul-stealing succubus in battle with a cult of Elder God worshipers attempting to unleash hell on Earth. This critically acclaimed adventure is written by Steven A. Roman (that’s me), and illustrated by Eliseu Gouveia (Vengeance of the Mummy), Steve Geiger (Web of Spider-Man), and Neil Vokes (The Black Forest), with a cover by legendary artist Esteban Maroto (Vampirella). Visit the Lorelei: Sects and the City product page for all the ordering information, as well as sample pages.
Posted in Comic Books, Reviews
Tagged comic book reviews, comics for sinners, john carpenter's asylum, lorelei: sects and the city
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Grimm Fairy Tales Holiday Edition Review at Comics for Sinners
You better watch out, you better not cry… In the mood for a Christmas tale of a different sort? Now at the news site Comics for Sinners, you can read my review of the Grimm Fairy Tales 2014 Holiday Edition, which is now on sale from Zenescope Entertainment. Written by Anne Toole (Crystal Cadets, The Lizzie Bennet Diaries) and illustrated by Butch Mapa (Grimm Fairy Tales 2014 Halloween Special), it reveals the pulse-pounding origin of the Krampus: the anti–Santa Claus who pops up at Yuletide, not to deliver presents, but to steal away misbehaving children. See, kids? There are a lot worse things you could get for Christmas than just a lump of coal in your stocking, so be good for goodness’ sake! Head over to C4S to see what I mean.
And if you’re a fan of the Brothers Grimm’s renowned fairy tales, then you should definitely check out Snow White, StarWarp Concepts’ presentation of their classic story. Featuring full-color illustrations first published in 1883, this digital-exclusive title is available for immediate download for the low price of just 99¢! Visit the Snow White product page for sales links and sample pages, and start downloading today!
Posted in Comic Books, Reviews
Tagged comic book reviews, comics for sinners, grimm fairy tales, grimm fairy tales 2014 holiday edition, snow white
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Underwater Nazi Zombies?!
Right on the heels of my last post, in which I discussed the use of legendary painter Bob Larkin’s Doc Savage artwork in faux superhero covers at the site Super-Team Family: The Lost Issues, comes some great Larkin-related news for horror movie fans!
Today’s the day for the DVD and Blu-Ray release of Shock Waves, the 1977 Nazi zombie cult classic that stars legendary actors Peter Cushing and John Carradine, along with actress Brooke Adams (Monk, Invasion of the Body Snatchers). And that zombie-rific cover art that you see here is a reproduction of the original movie poster painted by none other than Bob Larkin! Back in the 1970s and ’80s, Bob was a one-man movie-poster factory, creating art for such films as Heaven’s Gate, The Toxic Avenger: Part II, Piranha, Piranha II, Night of the Creeps, Humanoids from the Deep, and many more. It’s good to see another of his masterful paintings back in circulation, with the release of this rather odd but enjoyable film.
By the way, horror fans, have you purchased a copy of The Bob Larkin Sketchbook? If not, you’re missing out on spectacular pencil drawings of a host of famous comic characters by the talented Mr. Larkin. It’s 24 pages of artistic goodness featuring succubi, vampires, pulp-action heroes, and even a Master of the Mystic Arts, and is available exclusively from the StarWarp Concepts webstore. Visit the Bob Larkin Sketchbook product page for all the ordering information, as well as sample pages.
Posted in Bob Larkin, Bob Larkin Sketchbook, movies
Tagged bob larkin, bob larkin sketchbook, horror movies, shock waves
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The Things You Find on the Internet 2
First it was “The Block”: a long-forgotten comic collaboration between book packager Byron Preiss and comic-art legend Jim Steranko that I stumbled across in my Internet travels. Now here’s another pleasant discovery.
For years the site Super-Team Family: The Lost Issues (formerly Brave and the Bold: The Lost Issues) has presented—through the magic of Photoshop—covers of comic book superhero mash-ups that never were, and in all likelihood never will be, by combining the works of artists whose styles complement each other. Case in point: on a recent visit to the site I came across these two entries featuring pulp-action hero Doc Savage, The Man of Bronze—taken from book covers painted by SWC’s own Bob Larkin! Bob is considered to be one of the greatest Doc Savage cover painters of all time, right behind his mentor, James Bama, who developed Doc’s signature look for Bantam Books.
Matched up with Bob for these covers are Captain America by John Cassaday (Star Wars, Planetary, Astonishing X-Men) and Hawkman by…I don’t know; I don’t recognize the image, and the site doesn’t list the artist. (Then again, they don’t list Bob’s name for any of his work on the site; they seem to think it’s by Joe Jusko. Bob was one of Jusko’s mentors/inspirations.) There are other entries featuring Bob’s paintings—for example, one of his Planet of the Apes covers combined with a Jusko Hulk, and a Nick Fury image matched with James Bond (by Robert McGinnis?), Doc Savage, Indiana Jones (by Dave Dorman?), and Batman—so visit Super-Team Family: The Lost Issues for all the comic book team-ups you’ve dreamed about seeing. Since the site’s constantly being updated, if the team-ups you’re looking for aren’t there, it’s probably only a matter of time before they show up!
By the way, Doc Savage fans, StarWarp Concepts is the publisher of The Bob Larkin Sketchbook: 24 pages of spectacular pencil drawings of Doc Savage, Pat Savage, the Shadow, and a host of other subjects by the talented Mr. Larkin. The sketchbook is available exclusively from the StarWarp Concepts webstore, so order one today and prepare to be superamalgamated! Visit the Bob Larkin Sketchbook product page for all the ordering information, as well as sample pages.
Posted in Bob Larkin, Bob Larkin Sketchbook, Comic Books
Tagged bob larkin, bob larkin sketchbook, captain america, doc savage, hawkman, super-team family: the lost issues, things you find on the internet
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