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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 2007TWOMORROWS PUBLISHING FOR MAYIMAGE COMICS: THE ROAD TO INDEPENDENCE
By George Khoury.
In 1992, seven artists shook the comic book industry when they left their top-selling Marvel Comic titles to jointly form a new company named Image Comics. With no certainty of success, they formed a home that would allow themselves and other artists the opportunity to tell stories without any censorship or editorial restraints. Even more importantly, Image would finally give creators full ownership of their properties. Out of the gate, millions of readers flocked to the energetic adventures by these creators, as together they ushered in the Image Age, where comics would sell in the millions, and a comic book artist could become a mass media celebrity. Image Comics: The Road to Independence is an unprecedented look at the history of this important comic book company, featuring interviews and art from popular Image founders Erik Larsen, Jim Lee, Todd McFarlane, Whilce Portacio, Marc Silvestri and Jim Valentino. Also featured are many of finest creators who over the last 15 years have been a part of the Image family,
offering behind-the-scenes details of the company¹s successes and failures. There¹s plenty of rare and unseen art, helping make this the most honest exploration ever taken of the controversial company whose success, influence and high production values changed the landscape of comics forever.
280 pages, $34.95, in stores on May 30.
WORKING METHODS: COMIC CREATORS DETAIL THEIR STORYTELLING AND ARTISTIC PROCESSES
By John Lowe.
Professional comic artists interpret scripts every day as they successfully transform the written word into the visual form. However, rarely do we get to examine the process that is unique to each artist. Unlike any other "how-to" book, Working Methods puts the minds of comic artists under the microscope, highlighting the intricacies of the creative process step by step. For this book, three short scripts are each interpreted in different ways by professional comic artists to illustrate the varied ways in which they "see" and "solve" the problem of making a script succeed in comic form. Working Methods documents the creative and technical choices Mark Schultz, Tim Levins, Jim Mahfood, Scott Hampton, Kelsey Shannon, Chris Brunner, Sean Murphy and Pat Quinn make as they tell a story, thus allowing comic fans, artists, instructors, and students into a world rarely explored. Hundreds of illustrated examples document the artists¹ processes, and interviews clarify their individual approaches regarding storytelling and layout choices. In Working Methods, the exercise may be simple, but the results are profoundly complex.
204 pages, $21.95, in stores on May 16.
BRUSH STROKES WITH GREATNESS: THE LIFE AND ART OF JOE SINNOTT
By Tim Lasiuta.
Joe Sinnott is a true living legend. During his 56-plus-year career in comic books, he has worked in every genre, and for almost every publisher. As a young artist in the 1940s, he started with Stan Lee at Timely Comics, then branched off to Charlton Comics, Treasure Chest, and Dell as a top penciler. But the creation of the Fantastic Four in 1961 by Lee and Jack Kirby ushered in the Marvel Age of Comics, and Joe
began a long and storied association with Marvel as its top inker. His
deft touch can be seen on almost every book published by Marvel in the
¹60s to the late 1980s, and today, Stan and Joe continue that tradition
with the Sunday Spider-Man comic strip. Brush Strokes With Greatness
celebrates the storybook career of the versatile artist, as he
demonstrates his passion for his craft. In it, Joe shares his
experiences working on Marvel's leading titles, memories of working with
Lee and Kirby, and rare and unpublished artwork from his personal files.
This book features dozens of colleagues and co-workers paying tribute to
Joe and his amazing body of work, plus an extended Art Gallery, and a
Checklist of Joe's career. Don't miss this once-in-a-lifetime
celebration of all things Sinnott, which includes a Foreword by Stan
Lee, and an Afterword by Mark Evanier.
136 pages, $17.95, in stores on May 23.
ALTER EGO 68
Edited by Roy Thomas.
This issue remembers Jerry Bails -- the Father of Comics Fandom! Besides
founding Alter Ego and spearheading the landmark Who¹s Who of American
Comic Books, Bails launched the first comics adzine and newszine‹so we
celebrate his momumental life with a special tribute issue, behind a
gorgeous Justice Society of America cover by George Perez! Plus: A
mountain of rare comic art by the likes of Joe Kubert, Carmine
Infantino, Gil Kane, Irwin Hasen, Dick Dillin, Mike Sekowsky, Jerry
Ordway, Joe Staton, Jack Kiby, and many others -- a true feast for the
eyes! Also: Steve Ditko's never-before-seen notes to Stan Lee for a 1965
Dr. Strange story! And: Star Wars is 30, so Roy Thomas reveals secrets
behind the birth of Marvel's epic Star Wars comic, with
never-before-seen photos and art, plus tales of George Lucas, Mark
Hamill, Harrison Ford, Howard Chaykin, Steve Leialoha, and more!
100 pages, $6.95, in stores on May 9.
BACK ISSUE 22
Edited by Michael Eury.
In this issue: "Dynamic Duos!" Two "Pro2Pro" interviews reunite Batman's
Alan Grant and Norm Breyfogle and Legion of Super-Heroes' Paul Levitz
and Keith Giffen, while "Backstage Pass" takes you to Dark Horse Comics,
courtesy of your hosts, Mike Richardson and Randy Stradley. Also:
Robin's history from sidekick to solo star; Kevin Eastman and Peter
Laird's groundbreaking collaboration on Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles;
and histories of the dynamite duos of Robin and Batgirl, Captain America
and the Falcon, and Blue Beetle and Booster Gold. Plus: a bonus "Scott
and Zot!" interview with the influential Scott McCloud. With a
breathtaking Breyfogle cover starring everyone's favorite Boy Wonder!
100 pages, $6.95, in stores on May 16.
E-mail the Continuum at RobAlls@aol.com
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