Occupy Comics #2: Signing at Carmine Street Comics w/ Matt Miner and Sean Von Gorman

Occupy Comics #2

By: Alan Moore, Ronald Wimberly, Riley Rossmo
Genres: Anthology
Series: Occupy Comics
Publisher: Black Mask Studios
Pub. Date: June 19, 2013

Cover Price: $3.50

"Synopsis: This star-studded political anthology features Alan Moore (Watchmen, V For Vendetta), David Lloyd (V For Vendetta, Aces Weekly), Charlie Adlard (The Walking Dead), Art Spiegelman (Pulitzer-winning Maus), Molly Crabapple (Shell Game), Matt Bors (Pulitzer-nominated political cartoonist), Mike Allred (Madman), Ben Templesmith (30 Days of Night), J.M. DeMatteis (Justice League, Spider-Man), Tyler Crook (Petrograd),Joshua Hale Fialkov (I, Vampire), Joe Infurnari (Mush!), Ales Kot(Wild Children), Dean Haspiel (American Splendor), Douglas Rushkoff (media theorist), Joshua Dysart (Unknown Soldier, Swamp Thing), Matt Miner (Liberator), & the project’s organizational spearhead Matt Pizzolo (Godkiller)."

If you're a comic fan and a member of twitter, two creators that you need to watch out for are the creator of Liberator, Matt Miner and co-creator of The Secret Adventures of Houdini, Sean Von Gorman. In Occupy Comics #2, Matt and Sean are teaming up to tell Matt's "riveting new piece about how Occupy Sandy rescued his Rockaway, NY community after Hurricane Sandy." 

Every Friday night  (5pm-8pm), New York's new comic shop, Carmine Street Comics does its installment of Don't Feed the Artist with Sean Von Gorman. However, this Friday is a very special installment because it includes Sean's co-collaborator of Occupy Comics #2, Matt Miner. 

Here's the information from the event page on Facebook (Created by Sean Von Gorman). 

"June 21st my special guest will be Matt Miner of the brand new comics series Liberator. We will be signing copies of Occupy Comics #2 which features a story we molded out of pain, anguish, and paper.

This issue also features work from several other awesome people. Who you may ask? Ever heard of a guy named Alan Moore? You never know he might show up too! (probably not but we can hope)

I'll be there starting at 2 but they official signing will begin at 5pm.

Don't Feed The Artist w/ Sean Von Gorman & Matt Miner

Carmine Street Comics
34 Carmine Street
btwn Bleecker & 7th Ave
2pm-11pm"

If you're unable to attend the event and do not reside in NYC, here's where you can buy Occupy Comics #2. This information is from Black Mask Studios. 

CALIFORNIA

BEACH BALL COMICS
3024 W Ball Rd Anaheim, CA 92804
(714) 826-6127
http://www.cornerstorecomics.com

BLUE MOON COMICS
1560 4th St. Ste B.
San Rafael, Ca 94901
http://www.bluemooncomics.com

BLACK CAT COMICS
73 N Milpitas Blvd
Milpitas, CA 95035
(408) 942-6903
http://www.blackcatcomics.biz

BRAVE NEW WORLD
22722 Lyons Ave #6
Newhall, CA 91321
(661) 259-4745
http://www.bravenewworldcomics.com

EARTH 2 COMICS
15017 Ventura Blvd
Sherman Oaks, CA 91403
(818) 386-9590
http://www.earth2comics.net

HOODOO!
56778 29 Palms Hwy
Suite B
Yucca Valley, CA 92284
https://www.facebook.com/ShopHoodoo

HOUSE OF SECRETS
1930 W Olive Ave
Burbank, CA 91506
(818) 562-1900
http://www.artoffiction.com/HouseOfSecrets
http://www.facebook.com/HouseOfSecretsBurbank

MELTDOWN COMICS & COLLECTIBLES
7522 Sunset Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90046
(323) 851-7223
http://www.meltcomics.com

MISSION: COMICS & ART
3520 20th St, Suite B
San Francisco, CA 94110
http://www.missioncomicsandart.com/

RED SKY COMICS
617 W Main Street
Merced, CA 95340
(209) 726-0667
http://www.redskycomics.com

THE SECRET HEADQUARTERS
3817 W Sunset Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90026
(323) 666-2228
http://thesecretheadquarters.com

CONNECTICUT

CAVE COMICS
57 Church Hill Rd
Newtown, CT 06470
(203) 426-4346
http://www.cavecomics.com

DELAWARE

THE COMIC BOOK SHOP
1855 Marsh Rd
Wilmington, DE 19810
www.thecomicbookshop.com

FLORIDA

SECRET HEADQUARTERS
2218 N. Monroe St.
Tallahassee, FL 32303
www.shqcomicsandgames.com

IOWA

CUP O’ KRYPTONITE
2608 Beaver Avenue
Des Moines, Iowa 50310
(515) 974-0515
http://www.cupokryptonite.com

LOUISIANA

BSI COMICS
3030 Severn Ave Suite F
Metairie, LA 70002-4845
http://www.bsicomics.com

MARYLAND

THIRD EYE COMICS
2027 West St
Annapolis, MD 21401
(410) 897-0322
http://www.thirdeyecomics.com

MASSACHUSETTS

LARRY’S COMICS
66 Lakeview Ave Lowell, MA 01850
(978) 459-5323
http://www.larryscomics.net

MICHIGAN

COMIC CITY – CANTON
42727 Ford Rd
Canton MI 48187
734-981-3561
http://www.comiccity.com

COMIC CITY – WEST BLOOMFIELD
7366 Haggerty Rd
West Bloomfield Twp MI 48322
248-592-3049
http://www.comiccity.com

COMIC CITY – PONTIAC
466 N Telegraph Rd
Pontiac MI 48341
248-334-4139
http://www.comiccity.com

COMIC CITY – TRENTON
3410 West Rd
Trenton MI 48183
734-692-7060
http://www.comiccity.com

FANFARE SPORTS & ENTERTAINMENT
4415 S.Westnedge Ave.
Kalamazoo, MI 49008
Phone: (269) 349-8866
http://www.fanfare-se.com/
http://www.facebook.com/fanfare.store
http://twitter.com/Tom_Fanfare

MINNESOTA

BIG BRAIN COMICS
1027 Washington Ave S
Minneapolis, Minnesota 55415
http://www.bigbraincomics.com

MISSOURI

THE FANTASY SHOP – SAINT CHARLES
2426 West Clay
St. Charles, MO 63301
(636) 947-8330
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/FantasyShopStCharles

THE FANTASY SHOP – SOUTH COUNTY
10560 Baptist Church Road
St. Louis, MO 63128
(314) 842-8228
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/TheFantasyShopSoCo
Twitter: http://twitter.com/fantasyshopsoco

THE FANTASY SHOP – FLORISSANT
8232 N Lindbergh Blvd
Florissant, MO 63031-7107
(314) 831-5211
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/fantasyshopflorissant

THE FANTASY SHOP – MAPLEWOOD
7238 Manchester Road
St. Louis, MO 63143
(314) 644-3070
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/FantasyShopMaplewood

NEW HAMPSHIRE

JETPACK COMICS
37 N Main St Rochester, NH 03867
(603) 330-9636
http://www.jetpackcomics.com

NEW JERSEY

THE COMIC BOOK MARKET
28 Washington St
Bloomfield, NJ 07003
http://www.thecomicbookmarket.com

NEW YORK

BERGEN STREET COMICS
470 Bergen St
Brooklyn, NY 11217
(718) 230-5600
http://bergenstreetcomics.com

FORBIDDEN PLANET
832 Broadway
NYC NY 10003
http://www.fpnyc.com

JIM HANLEY’S UNIVERSE – MANHATTAN
4 West 33rd St.,
New York, New York
(opposite The Empire State Building)
(212) 268-7088
http://jhuniverse.blogspot.com

JIM HANLEY’S UNIVERSE – STATEN ISLAND
299B New Dorp Lane,
Staten Island, NY
(718) 351-6299
http://jhuniverse.blogspot.com

TWO KINGS COMICS
171 West Main Street
Victor, NY 14564
http://www.twokingscomics.com

NORTH CAROLINA

ACME COMICS
2150 Lawndale Dr
Greensboro, North Carolina 27408
(336) 574-2263
http://www.acmecomics.com

CHAPEL HILL COMICS
316 W Franklin St
Chapel Hill, NC 27516
http://www.chapelhillcomics.com

SSALEFISH COMICS
3242 Silas Creek Pkwy
Winston-Salem, NC 27103
(336) 499-3910
http://www.ssalefish.com

PENNSYLVANIA

PLANET X COMICS & COLLECTIBLES
2085 Springwood Road
York, PA 17403
717.747.1092
www.welcometoplanetx.com
www.facebook.com/planetxcomics

TEXAS

BEDROCK CITY – WESTHEIMER
6517 WESTHEIMER
Houston, TEXAS 77057
(713) 780-0675
bedrock@bedrockcity.com
http://www.bedrockcity.com

BEDROCK CITY – CLEAR LAKE
106 W. BAY AREA BLVD.
Webster, TEXAS 77598
(281) 557-2748
bedrock4@bedrockcity.com
http://www.bedrockcity.com

BEDROCK CITY – 1960
4683 FM 1960 W.
Houston, TEXAS 77069
(281) 444-9763
bedrock2@bedrockcity.com
http://www.bedrockcity.com

BEDROCK CITY – WASHINGTON
4602 Washington, Suite A
Houston, TEXAS 77007
(713) 862-0100
bedrock5@bedrockcity.com
http://www.bedrockcity.com

WASHINGTON

THE DREAMING
5226 University Way NE
Seattle, WA 98105
(206) 525-9394
http://www.thedreamingcomicsandgames.com

CANADA – ALBERTA

WIZARD’S COMICS AND COLLECTIBLES
6819 109th St NW
Edmonton, Alberta T6G 1E7
Canada
http://www.wizards-comics.com

CANADA – CALGARY

ALPHA COMICS
#9, 7005 – 18th St. SE
Calgary – Alberta
T2C 1Y1 Canada
http://alphacomics.ca/

CANADA – TORONTO

THE BEGUILING
601 Markham St.
Toronto, ON
M6G 2L7
Canada
416-533-9168
http://www.beguilingbooksandart.com

UNITED KINGDOM – ONLINE

CMJ COMICS
[Online Store Only]
Birmingham, West Midlands B32 3RL
United Kingdom
http://www.cmjcomics.co.uk

Superman's Secret History: Behind the Shield

In less than a week, everyone including their mother's mother will be seeing Man of Steel on the big screen. For years, Superman has been seen as a boring character that can easily be killed by a green rock and who wore his red underwear on the outside. Starting next Thursday, everyone will forget about that because Superman will be COOL again.

In preparation for Man of Steel, I've decided to help fanboys and non-comic readers get excited for the new movie. Part 1 consists of showing the evolution of Superman's shield. (No, I did not make these. I googled Superman's shield and these two images showed up.) Part 2 will  focus on the evolution of Superman's costume and Part 3 will be Superman's greatest moments via movies, TV shows, cartoons and comic books.

Nerdi News

Too many Trailers: For the first time since the 80s, the entire world is pumped for Superman. Man of Steel is everything we want. It has no Lex Luthor, Superman is cool again, and we finally get to watch Superman punch someone and something. For years, that is everything we have asked for and we've finally been rewarded with it. However, WB needs to stop throwing it in our faces. So far, we've watched 10 trailers (including tv spots) and one featurette. I get it, Man of Steel is going to be bad ass. Haven't we seen a little too much? In one of the trailers, we are shown a quick glimpse of Superman conversing with Jor-el. I saw that and I'm thinking, "#@%@#%@, please just surprise me." Prior to these trailers, I was complaining that we've seen zero trailers since the movie was two months away. In the end, I was half wrong. The world is pumped for Man of Steel, but I think 10 trailers is excessive and possibly showing too much of the film.

I actually haven't seen a trailer yet where Supes punches someone, so I don't know if I agree with that part of it. Then again, I stop watching trailers after the second one I see because I hate having shit ruined for me. Have you seen the Star Trek Into Darkness trailers that are premiering now? I don't know if it's just because it came out several weeks ago now, but they give soooooo much away. It's so clear that "John Harrison" is.... spoiler alert?, that guy we all thought he might be. Maybe this is just my opinion since I've already seen the movie and can now say "oh god, that gives everything away!" 

Saying Goodbye: If you have not heard already, Matt Smith, the 12th Doctor is leaving Doctor Who. In my opinion, he's really good, but he's no David Tennant. I'm actually surprised that he is leaving because I read two weeks ago that he said he was staying. Anyways, the role is open and I suggest Richard Madden (Robb Stark, Game of Thrones). Actually.....hmmm. Now that I think about it, he's a brooder and Doctor Who is too witty to be a brooder.

I'm okay with this. I love David Tennant as Dr. Who and wasn't quite as into Matt Smith. Don't get me wrong, he's really effin' good, but ya can't top Tennant. My suggestion would be Domhnall Gleeson (Bill Weasley from Harry Potter, and the seriously awesome Black Mirror), who's just unappreciated enough and has the acting ability to do it.  This casting would be doubly good because the Doctor can finally be a ginger, as he's so often wished. 


R.I.P: What is the #1 comic book rule? No body, no death. This week, that was not the case. In Justice League of America #4, Catwoman got a bullet to the face. Now, fanboys can no longer say that Geoff Johns has never killed a main character. Even though Catwoman is laying in a puddle of her own blood, I see one MAJOR problem. For the past few years, all the major news outlets have reported major comic book deaths. The list includes Captain America, Peter Parker (twice), Johnny Storm, and Robin #5. However, DC did not jump on this breaking news opportunity and no one really reported it. That makes me wonder if there is a reason behind that. Now, people are coming out of the woodwork with their theories. One theory is that someone stole Selina Kyle's identity which means there were two versions of Catwoman that Batman was screwing. He needs to get tested ASAP.

Is that an STD joke? I'm surprised how little people made of this. How many times have we known well in advance these huge deaths and such? Peter Parker, Damien Wayne, hell, people voted on the Jason Todd death, Bane breaking Bat's back was on the damn cover of the issue. How did this not get out? I guess something is probably up with this too. Selina Kyle dying would be a pretty big deal, no? 

Red Wedding: Holy Shit. Definitely the most exciting episode since Ned Stark was decapitated. Unlike Brian, I don't watch it every week. I enjoy the show much more when I watch the the episodes in bunches. Lucky for me, yesterday was that day. After Sunday's episode, so many thoughts and emotions are running through me. What the hell will happen next? Who the hell should I root for when the good guys are all dead???? Others might be rioting, but I am ok with Robb Stark's death. With Robb's death, I'm expecting to see more Jon Snow and more Dragons. Oh yeah, one more thing. I know The Hound is a piece of shit, but in the end, he knows how to be a hero. I wouldn't be surprised if The Hound, Arya, Gendry, and Tryion form some kind of union and defeat both the Lannisters and White Walkers.

Okay, I might rant just a little bit here. Warning, I don't read the books, so this was a complete shocker to me. I am very serious about not having things spoiled for me with this show and I almost feel that reading the books would do that. I know that is completely backwards but I got into the show first and it's just so goddamn good I want to see how the show does it more than I want to see how Martin did it. First and foremost, Walder Frey: total douchebag, let's get that out of the way. Roose Bolton, even douchebaggier, since he was the Stark's bannerman and trusted confidant. I'm just a bit concerned here because this eliminates any threat the Lannisters have at all. Let's run through the houses real quick: Baratheon: Stannis is "licking his wounds" back at Dragonstone, anyone else of consequence is pretty much gone (as Joffrey is not really a Baratehon, and I guess the same could be said for Gendry). Greyjoy: they don't give a shit about what happens in the south and their prodigal son has just has his penis lopped off (probably). Tully: Catelyn, dead, Lysa, raising a moron that should have stopped breast feeding 10 years ago, Edmure, got a hot wife, probably doesn't care much what happened to the rest of his house, Blackfish, probably still kicking ass and taking names. Targaryen: 100% of their house is still across the Narrow Sea and, despite Dany's badassery, still a long way from posing a threat. Tyrell: we're not quite sure where their allegiances lie, but I think Lady Olenna has something in store. And of course, House Stark: Robb, dead. Catelyn, dead (once again). Arya has probably seen enough and is going to take the Hound's advice and abandon any honor that makes House Stark what it is. Jon Snow, abandoned his woman (though that'll probably be remedied) and has finally decided to take Jeor Mormont's sword out and do some damage with it. Bran may be a warg unlike any the Seven Kingdoms has ever seen before, but I think he's a long way away from doing any real damage. Rickon... well, at least he got to speak in this episode. And Sansa is about as useful as Rickon. So, the Lannisters are sitting pretty right now. And I think the only threat the Lannisters face (besides Lady Olenna who is wayy too smart for her own good) are in fact, the Lannisters themselves. Cersei certainly ain't marrying Loras, Tyrion has obviously had his problems with his father and siblings (but I think it's about time he actually DID something about it) and Jaime will probably receive no respect or sympathy from Lucius Malf- sorry, Tywin Lannister, and may have had enough. I really need Jorah (please don't kill Jorah, kay?), Davos, and/or Gendry to come up big and be the characters I can root for. Okay, sorry, that's all I have to say. Promise. 

Green Lantern meets Blade Runner 2: This week it was announced that Michael Green, one of the screenwriters for Green Lantern, was signed to help rewrite the script for Blade Runner 2. I think some people are asking the question: WHY. For those who don't know Green, he did a stint on the NBC's quickly canceled Kings and did a pretty good job on DC's New 52 Supergirl. Now, lets get back to Green Lantern. Honestly, there was nothing good about that movie. The pacing was awful, way too many subplots and Hector Hammond was useless. To make you feel better, I believe I have solved the problem with my suggestion on who should be hired. I know some fans were disappointed with Prometheus, but I suggest Damon Lindelof. You can't deny that he fits the perfect bill of a writer for Blade Runner 2.

Phil, you share my thoughts exactly here.Yeah, I think the Prometheus thing might have hurt his chances at Blade Runner 2. I loved Prometheus by the way, but that's probably because it was perfect for me; Lost-ian. And by that I mean it asked too many questions and didn't answer enough of them (god, I miss Lost). But I'm gonna hope that the problems with Green Lantern weren't Michael Green's fault (I mean, there were four screenwriters) and hope he does a better job with the much more important property (showing my sci-fi/non-comic nerd side of me) of Blade Runner 2. 

Marvel's Ultron is a distant cousin to Doctor Who's Daleks

Thank you Aaron Meyers for this gem.

If you watch Doctor Who, I bet you will squirm when you read this page.

If you have no idea what a Dalek is then watch the video.  You can thank me later.

2013 Eisner Nomations

Best Short Story

• “A Birdsong Shatters the Still,” by Jeff Wilson and Ted May, in Injury #4 (Ted May/Alternative)
• “Elmview” by Jon McNaught, in Dockwood (Nobrow)  
• “Moon 1969: The True Story of the 1969 Moon Launch,” by Michael Kupperman, in Tales Designed to Thrizzle #8 (Fantagraphics)
• “Moving Forward,” by drewscape, in Monsters, Miracles, & Mayonnaise (Epigram Books)
• “Rainbow Moment,” by Lilli Carré, in Heads or Tails (Fantagraphics)

Best Single Issue (or One-Shot)

• Lose #4: “The Fashion Issue,” by Michael DeForge (Koyama Press)
• The Mire, by Becky Cloonan (self-published)
• Pope Hats #3, by Ethan Rilly (AdHouse Books)
• Post York #1, by James Romberger and Crosby (Uncivilized Books)
• Tales Designed to Thrizzle #8, by Michael Kupperman (Fantagraphics)

Best Continuing Series

• Fatale, by Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips (Image)
• Hawkeye, by Matt Fraction and David Aja (Marvel)
• The Manhattan Projects, by Jonathan Hickman and Nick Pitarra (Image)
• Prophet, by Brandon Graham and Simon Roy (Image)
• Saga, by Brian K. Vaughan and Fiona Staples (Image)

Best New Series

• Adventure Time, by Ryan North, Shelli Paroline, and Braden Lamb (kaboom!)
• Bandette, by Paul Tobin and Colleen Coover (Monkeybrain)
• Fatale, by Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips (Image)
• Hawkeye, by Matt Fraction and David Aja (Marvel)
• Saga, by Brian K. Vaughan and Fiona Staples (Image)

Best Publication for Early Readers (up to age 7)

• Babymouse for President, by Jennifer L. Holm and Matthew Holm (Random House)
• Benny and Penny in Lights Out, by Geoffrey Hays (Toon Books/Candlewick)
• Kitty & Dino, by Sara Richard (Yen Press/Hachette)
• Maya Makes a Mess, by Rutu Modan (Toon Books/Candlewick)
• Zig and Wikki in The Cow, by Nadja Spiegelman and Trade Loeffler (Toon Books/Candlewick)

Best Publication for Kids (ages 8-12)

• Adventure Time, by Ryan North, Shelli Paroline, and Braden Lamb (kaboom!)
• Amulet Book 5: Prince of the Elves, by Kazu Kibuishi (Scholastic)
• Cow Boy: A Boy and His Horse, by Nate Cosby and Chris Eliopoulos (Archaia)
• Crogan’s Loyalty, by Chris Schweizer (Oni)
• Hilda and the Midnight Giant, by Luke Pearson (Nobrow)
• Road to Oz, by L. Frank Baum, adapted by Eric Shanower and Skottie Young (Marvel)

Best Publication for Teens (ages 13-17)

• Adventure Time: Marceline and the Scream Queens, by Meredith Gran (kaboom!)
• Annie Sullivan and the Trials of Helen Keller, by Joseph Lambert (Center for Cartoon Studies/Disney Hyperion)
• Ichiro, by Ryan Inzana (Houghton Mifflin)
• Spera, vol. 1, by Josh Tierney et al. (Archaia)
• A Wrinkle in Time, by Madeleine L’Engle, adapted by Hope Larson (FSG)

Best Humor Publication

• Adventure Time, by Ryan North, Shelli Paroline, and Braden Lamb (kaboom!)
• BBXX: Baby Blues Decades 1 & 2, by Jerry Scott and Rick Kirkman (Andrews McMeel)
• Darth Vader and Son, by Jeffrey Brown (Chronicle)
• Naked Cartoonists, edited by Gary Groth (Fantagraphics)

Best Digital Comic

• Ant Comic, by Michael DeForge
• Bandette, by Paul Tobin and Colleen Coover
• It Will All Hurt, by Farel Dalrymple
• Our Bloodstained Roof, by Ryan Andrews
• Oyster War, by Ben Towle

Best Anthology

• Dark Horse Presents, edited by Mike Richardson (Dark Horse)
• No Straight Lines: Four Decades of Queer Comics, edited by Justin Hall (Fantagraphics)
• Nobrow #7: Brave New World, edited by Alex Spiro and Sam Arthur (Nobrow)
• 2000 AD, edited by Matt Smith (Rebellion)
• Where Is Dead Zero?, edited by Jeff Ranjo (Where Is Dead Zero?)

Best Reality-Based Work

• Annie Sullivan and the Trials of Helen Keller, by Joseph Lambert (Center for Cartoon Studies/Disney Hyperion)
• The Carter Family: Don’t Forget This Song, by Frank M. Young and David Lasky (Abrams ComicArts)
• A Chinese Life, by Li Kunwu and P. Ôtié (Self Made Hero)
• The Infinite Wait and Other Stories, by Julia Wertz (Koyama Press)
• Marbles: Mania, Depression, Michelangelo & Me, by Ellen Forney (Gotham Books)
• You’ll Never Know, Book 3: A Soldier’s Heart, by C. Tyler (Fantagraphics)

Best Graphic Album—New

• Building Stories, by Chris Ware (Pantheon)
• Goliath, by Tom Gauld (Drawn & Quarterly)
• The Hive, by Charles Burns (Pantheon)
• Unterzakhn, by Leela Corman (Schocken)
• You’ll Never Know, Book 3: A Soldier’s Heart, by C. Tyler (Fantagraphics)

Best Adaptation from Another Medium

• Chico and Rita, by Fernando Trueba and Javier Mariscal (Self Made Hero)
• Homer’s Odyssey, adapted by Seymour Chwast (Bloomsbury)
• Richard Stark’s Parker: The Score, adapted by Darwyn Cooke (IDW)
• Road to Oz, by L. Frank Baum, adapted by Eric Shanower and Skottie Young (Marvel)
• A Wrinkle in Time, by Madeleine L’Engle, adapted by Hope Larson (FSG)

Best Graphic Album—Reprint

• Cruisin’ with the Hound, by Spain (Fantagraphics)
• Ed the Happy Clown, by Chester Brown (Drawn & Quarterly)
• Everything Together: Collected Stories, by Sammy Harkham (PictureBox)
• Heads or Tails, by Lilli Carré (Fantagraphics)
• King City, by Brandon Graham (TokyoPop/Image)
• Sailor Twain, or The Mermaid in the Hudson by Mark Siegel (First Second)

Best Archival Collection/Project—Strips

• Alex Raymond’s Flash Gordon and Jungle Jim, vol. 2, edited by Dean Mullaney (IDW/Library of American Comics)
• Mister Twee Deedle: Raggedy Ann’s Sprightly Cousin, by Johnny Gruelle, edited by Rick Marschall (Fantagraphics)
• Percy Crosby’s Skippy, vol. 1, edited by Jared Gardner and Dean Mullaney (IDW/Library of American Comics)
• Pogo, vol. 2: Bona Fide Balderdash, by Walt Kelly, edited by Carolyn Kelly and Kim Thompson (Fantagraphics)
• Roy Crane’s Captain Easy: The Complete Sunday Newspaper Strips, vol. 3, edited by Rick Norwood (Fantagraphics)

Best Archival Collection/Project—Comic Books

• Crime Does Not Pay Archives, edited by Philip Simon and Kitchen, Lind & Associates (Dark Horse)
• David Mazzucchelli’s Daredevil Born Again: Artist’s Edition, edited by Scott Dunbier (IDW)
• Wally Wood’s EC Stories: Artist’s Edition, edited by Scott Dunbier (IDW)
• Walt Disney’s Uncle Scrooge: Only a Poor Old Man, by Carl Barks, edited by Gary Groth (Fantagraphics)
• Young Romance: The Best of Simon & Kirby’s Romance Comics, edited by Michel Gagné (Fantagraphics)

Best U.S. Edition of International Material

• Abelard, by Régis Hautiere and Renaud Dillies (NBM)
• Athos in America, by Jason (Fantagraphics)
• Blacksad: Silent Hell, by Juan Diaz Canales and Juanjo Guarnido (Dark Horse)
• The Making of, by Brecht Evens (Drawn & Quarterly)
• Monsieur Jean: The Singles Theory, by Philippe Dupuy and Charles Berberian (Humanoids)
• New York Mon Amour, by Benjamin LeGrand, Dominique Grange, and Jacques Tardi (Fantagraphics)

Best U.S. Edition of International Material—Asia

• Barbara, by Osamu Tezuka (Digital Manga)
• A Chinese Life, by Li Kunwu and P. Ôtié (Self Made Hero)
• Naoki Urasawa’s 20th Century Boys, by Naoki Urasawa (VIZ Media)
• Nonnonba, by Shigeru Mizuki (Drawn & Quarterly)
• Thermae Romae, by Mari Yamazaki (Yen Press/Hachette)

Best Writer

• Ed Brubaker, Fatale (Image)
• Matt Fraction, Hawkeye  (Marvel); Casanova: Avaritia (Marvel Icon)
• Brandon Graham, Multiple Warheads, Prophet (Image)
• Jonathan Hickman, The Manhattan Projects (Image)
• Brian K. Vaughan, Saga (Image)
• Frank M. Young, The Carter Family (Abrams ComicArts)

Best Writer/Artist

• Charles Burns, The Hive (Pantheon)
• Gilbert Hernandez, Love and Rockets New Stories, vol. 5 (Fantagraphics)
• Jaime Hernandez, Love and Rockets New Stories, vol. 5 (Fantagraphics)
• Luke Pearson, Hilda and the Midnight Giant, Everything We Miss (Nobrow)
• C. Tyler, You’ll Never Know, Book 3: A Soldier’s Heart (Fantagraphics)
• Chris Ware, Building Stories (Pantheon)

Best Penciller/Inker

• David Aja, Hawkeye (Marvel)
• Becky Cloonan, Conan the Barbarian (Dark Horse); The Muse (self-published)
• Colleen Coover, Bandette (Monkeybrain)
• Sean Phillips, Fatale (Image)
• Joseph Remnant, Harvey Pekar’s Cleveland (Zip Comics/Top Shelf)
• Chris Samnee, Daredevil (Marvel); Rocketeer: Cargo of Doom (IDW)

Best Painter/Multimedia Artist (interior art)

• Brecht Evens, The Making Of (Drawn & Quarterly)
• Juanjo Guarnido, Blacksad (Dark Horse)
• Teddy Kristiansen, The Red Diary/The RE[a]D Diary (MAN OF ACTION/Image)
• Lorenzo Mattotti, The Crackle of the Frost (Fantagraphics)
• Katsuya Terada, The Monkey King vol. 2 (Dark Horse)

Best Cover Artist

• David Aja, Hawkeye (Marvel)
• Brandon Graham, King City, Multiple Warheads, Elephantmen #43 (Image)
• Sean Phillips, Fatale (Image)
• Yuko Shimizu, The Unwritten (Vertigo/DC)
• J, H. Williams III, Batwoman (DC)

Best Coloring

• Charles Burns, The Hive (Pantheon)
• Colleen Coover, Bandette (Monkeybrain)
• Brandon Graham, Multiple Warheads (Image)
• Dave Stewart, Batwoman (DC); Fatale  (Image); BPRD, Conan the Barbarian, Hellboy in Hell, Lobster Johnson, The Massive (Dark Horse)
• Chris Ware, Building Stories (Pantheon)

Best Lettering

• Paul Grist, Mudman (Image)
• Troy Little, Angora Napkin 2: Harvest of Revenge (IDW)
• Joseph Remnant, Harvey Pekar’s Cleveland (Zip Comics/Top Shelf)
• C. Tyler, You’ll Never Know, Book 3: A Soldier’s Heart (Fantagraphics)
• Chris Ware, Building Stories (Pantheon)

Best Comics-Related Periodical/Journalism

• Alter Ego, edited by Roy Thomas (TwoMorrows)
• ComicsAlliance, edited by Joe Hughes, Caleb Goellner, and Andy Khouri
• The Comics Reporter, edited by Tom Spurgeon
• Robot Six, produced by Comic Book Resources
• tcj.com, edited by Timothy Hodler and Dan Nadel (Fantagraphics)

Best Comics-Related Book

• The Art of Daniel Clowes: Modern Cartoonist, edited by Alvin Buenaventura (Abrams ComicArts)
• Marie Severin: The Mirthful Mistress of Comics, by Dewey Cassell (TwoMorrows)
• Marvel Comics: The Untold Story, by Sean Howe (HarperCollins)
• Mastering Comics, by Jessica Abel and Matt Madden (First Second)
• Team Cul De Sac: Cartoonists Draw the Line at Parkinson’s, edited by Chris Sparks (Andrews McMeel)
• Woodwork: Wallace Wood 1927–1981, edited by Frédéric Manzano (CasalSolleric/IDW)

Best Educational/Academic Work

• Autobiographical Comics: Life Writing in Pictures, by Elisabeth El Refaie (University Press of Mississippi)
• Comics Versus Art, by Bart Beaty (University of Toronto Press)
• Crockett Johnson & Ruth Krauss: How an Unlikely Couple Found Love, Dodged the FBI, and Transformed Children’s Literature, by Philip Nel (University Press of Mississippi)
• Lynda Barry: Girlhood Through the Looking Glass, by Susan E. Kirtley (University Press of Mississippi)
• The Poetics of Slumberland, by Scott Bukatman (University of California Press)

Best Publication Design

• Building Stories, designed by Chris Ware (Pantheon)
• Dal Tokyo, designed by Gary Panter and Family Sohn (Fantagraphics)
• David Mazzucchelli’s Daredevil Born Again: Artist’s Edition, designed by Randy Dahlk (IDW)
• Mister Twee Deedle: Raggedy Ann’s Sprightly Cousin, designed by Tony Ong (Fantagraphics)
• Wizzywig, designed by Ed Piskor and Chris Ross (Top Shelf)

Pop Culture Talk: Episode 6-The Walking Game of Thrones of M. Night Shyamalan

In this episode we give you a quick update on our new comic (617), we discuss the polarizing finale of The Walking Dead, the much anticipated return of Game of Thrones, the many ups and downs of M. Night Shyamalan's films and close with our usual must buy comics for next week.

You can listen to The Illumi-Nerdi: Pop Culture Talk on PodOmatic or you can download and listen to our episodes on iTunes

Episode 6: The Walking Game of Thrones of M. Night Shyamalan

00:48-617 Update

3:03-Drunk on Comics' March Madness Superhero bracket

14:05-Our review on the polarizing Walking Dead Season 3 finale.

33:51- Game of Thrones is BACK and we discuss the Season 3 premiere.

46:25- Our "Director of the Week" segment focuses on M. Night Shyamalan.
     46:48-Phil doesn't think that Sixth Sense is a horror movie and Brian believes he's wrong.
     52:41-Can you find anything wrong with Signs? The answer is...maybe but probably not.
     56:18 Why did the aliens invade a planet that is 77% water? Brian has the answer for you.
     60:00 Phil's in the minority because most movie goers didn't enjoy The Village.
     70:30-Brian watched Lady in the Water but Phil forgot to and he apologizes.
     73:36- In honor of Roget Ebert, we are giving The Happening "Two Thumbs Down".
     79:49-Phil argues that The Happening was not a horror story but a love story.

80:06- Our "Must Buy" comics for 4/10/13. 

C. Robert Cargill's Dreams and Shadows

Dreams and Shadows, by C. Robert Cargill.

       In this highly imaginative debut, C. Robert Cargill (reviewer for film.com and Ain’t it Cool News and screenwriter of the uber creepy Sinister) builds a world that is quite close to our own, but unseen by most of the human world: Austin (yes, that Austin).  In it dwell fairies and angels, sorcerers and djinns. It is a world most children would give up anything to be a part of; which brings us to our protagonist Colby Stevens, who does just that. Though the premise itself may sound like a story perfect for lovers of Harry Potter or Narnia, this one is certainly not for kids. The audience for Dreams and Shadows is far more adult (think more Neil Gaiman meets Clive Barker).

        It starts the way any fantastical story should, with those four magic words: once upon a time. From there, Cargill sends the reader unprotected through his dark fairy tale, exploring some characters and creatures you may or may not be familiar with (the leprechaun’s not-so- distant cousin the Clurichaun, the beautiful and dangerous Sidhe and remember those Bendith Y Mamau stories we all grew up with? No? Just me?).

       It truly is an expert reworking of traditional folklore (particularly Irish mythology) and Cargill does not leave the reader lost for a moment. Throughout the novel, especially the first half, there are excerpts from the fictional “Dr. Thaddeus Ray’s” various novels written on the fantastic inhabitants. These serve as explanations for some of the less familiar dreamfolk and fairies in Cargill’s strange Austin, TX. These excerpts show us how talented of a writer he really is. He writes this book through so many different points of view including this “non-fiction” one. 

       This book is a true page turner. Though the exposition does run a bit long, Cargill is simply drawing his audience in and establishing the world in which they are about to immersed. Once he does this, a fairly simple question is presented which serves as the plot for the remainder of the novel: what happens when the traditional “young boy” protagonist grows up? He has already seen too much of the world (in a way that most people will never get to see) and can never feel as if he belongs. This is just what happens to the adult Colby Stevens. The result is a sort of John Constantine-type character, forced to walk the world knowing and seeing far more than he should (some might say a cursed existence). It is a story of love and loyalty, pain and loss; and it does it beautifully.

       I always had a theory, and perhaps it was just one aspiring writer’s defense against critics but I believed it anyway: those who cannot do, teach. Those who cannot do or teach, criticize. While this may be true for many, it does not seem to ring true for C. Robert Cargill. He has proven his worth as a critic and has made the extremely successful leap to novelist. If his debut is any indication, I think it will be only a matter of time before you’ll be hearing his name again, with an equally impressive follow-up. 

Verdict: A-