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Comic Books

Brer Warrior Returns

A creative outfit known as Graffiti on the Sun sent us a press release: “Graffiti On The Sun returns with its long-awaited second issue of the comic book series Brer Warrior. Not only does the hopping hot comic series return after a hiatus, it returns at the low price of $1.99. In the second issue of Brer Warrior (the [black & white] comic series that’s loosely based on the folktale character Brer Rabbit with kung-fu packed, sci-fi seasoned, urban twist), Brer returns to his childhood home to restart his kung-fu training. But well his fellow student and former friend Ebunny let him, or will something from his past prevent her from doing so?

Brer Warrior issue 2 can be purchased at Indyplanet. For more info about Brer Warrior and Graffiti on the Sun, check out our main site.”

image c. 2011 Graffiti on the Sun

Ursa Major Nominations Open!

Here we are in a new year, and once again it’s time for all the Furry Fans out there to nominate their favorite movies, books, comics, TV shows and more from the previous year for the annual Ursa Major Awards — Furry Fandom’s answer to the Hugo Awards ™ from Science Fiction Fandom, the Anthony Awards from Mystery Fandom, and so forth. In other words, these are the people’s choice awards, where the fans themselves get to pick out the best from all the material released in the previous year — in this case, January to December, 2010. Last year, more than 1,000 fans around the world voted on the best anthropomorphic media from 2009, and the Ursa Majors hope to top that record this year. Get involved! Visit the Ursa Major Awards web site to find out about how to nominate your favorites. Don’t remember all the great movies, books, video games, art, or whatever that came out in 2010? Fear not! The Ursa Major web site provides a handy Recommended Reading and Viewing List to help jog your memory. (Just keep in mind: Things don’t have to be on the Rec List to be nominated. It’s just there to help you think of things). Nominations are open now in each of 10 categories, and they close at the end of February. Then the actual voting will begin in March. The awards themselves will be handed out at a lucky Furry Fandom convention this summer.

Goodbye to Fission Chicken

Word is slowly making the rounds that John Patrick Morgan — better known in fandom by his initials as J.P. Morgan — passed away from a heart condition at the end of December at the age of 53. J.P. was a cartoonist and illustrator for many years. His best known creation, the comic book series Fission Chicken, made him a star among the “funny animal” segment of furry fandom. Fission Chicken saw the light of day in funny animal fandom publications like Rowrbrazzle before being picked up by Fantagraphics Books. The Fission Chicken on-line story arc concluded in late December last year — a few days before Mr. Morgan passed away. His web site is still there, along with his Deviant Art site. An official obituary is also on line.

image c. 2011 by Jim Groat (Rabbi Tom)

Binky the Space Cat

We missed this the first time around (it arrived in 2009), but now it’s offered again by Kids Can Press. The Binky Adventures are a series of full-color graphic novels written and illustrated by Ashley Spires. We’ll let Ashley describe Binky the Space Cat, the first book in the series — she does it far better than we could. “Binky is a space cat – at least in his own mind. He’s really a house cat who has never left the family ‘space station’. Unlike other house cats, Binky has a mission: To blast off into outer space (outside), explore unknown places (the backyard) and battle aliens (bugs). Binky must undergo rigorous training so he can repel the alien attacks that threaten his humans. As he builds his spaceship, he must be extremely careful with his blueprints – the enemy is always watching. Soon Binky is ready to voyage into outer space. His humans go out there every day and he’s sure they need a certified space cat to protect them. But just as he’s about to blast off with his co-pilot, Ted (a stuffed mousie), Binky realizes that he’s left something very important behind — and it’s not the zero-gravity kitty litter.” Check it out at Amazon.com.

Justin… Beaver?

Evidently, some bad puns are just too good (or bad) to pass up… That, or some comic book companies don’t check with each other very often! It seems that not one but two different comic book companies have come up with parody one-shots called Justin Beaver — making fun of teen pop heart-throb Justin Bieber, of course, as if you couldn’t guess.  Even stranger, they’re releasing them to comic book shops almost simultaneously! Antarctic Press’ Justin Beaver is illustrated (in black & white) and written by Ben Dunn (Ninja High School), while Archie Comics’ Justin Beaver is the full-color cover story of Archie & Friends #155. Comics Alliance has an article on their web site explaining the whole thing, sort of.

Godzilla is Back — And He Brought Friends!

This March, IDW Publishing will bring us a brand new comic book series celebrating the King of the Monsters himself, Godzilla — or Gojira, to his original fans in Japan! Godzilla: Monster World is a new full-color series following the exploits (and explosions) of Godzilla, Rodan, Mothra, and a host of other giant city-stomping monsters made famous by Toho Movie Studios since 1955. The Goon creator Eric Marsh is writing and illustrating the first story arc, assisted by Tracy Marsh and Phil Hester. Fifty percent of the issues released will feature a special variant cover by the celebrated artist Alex Ross. IDW has a preview and press release on their web site.

The Escape Goat

It’s not too soon to start thinking about Free Comic Book Day this year. Not with titles like The Intrepid Escape Goat coming our way. If you’ve not heard, every year during the first weekend in May, comic book publishers from all over flood your local comic book shops with miniature versions of their upcoming titles to give away for free to prospective buyers. There’s a web site dedicated to the event where you can find out all about it. And this year one of the titles to look for is an anthropomorphic steam-punk adventure written and illustrated (in full color) by Brian Smith, Mike Raicht, and Charles Paul Wilson III. It’s published by Th3rd World Studios. “It is the dawn of the 20th Century, and one brave soul dares to walk the line between the worlds of science and the arcane; he is Thomas Fleet… The Intrepid Escape Goat! Touring with his ward and assistant Isis (a 2,000-year-old mummy girl), Escape Goat performs to sold-out crowds around the globe… but it’s what happens off-stage, when locals call upon him to solve the paranormal mysteries plaguing their cities, that provides the most peril! Also in this issue: A special preview of The Stuff of Legend Volume 3, continuing the saga of the New York Times bestselling graphic novel!” The Stuff of Legend, of course, is Th3rd World’s continuing series about an army of loyal toys out to save their missing master — and children the world over — from an invasion of nightmare demons.

image c. 2010 Th3rd World Studios

Warriors of the Dharuk

Creators Edge Press is releasing a new full-color 4-issue mini-series this coming February. It’s called Warriors of the Dharuk, and here’s the description we found from the creators: “From the mind of Stephen Lindsay of Jesus Hates Zombies fame, and amazing art by Dave Myers and Alfredo Lopez Jr., comes an epic adventure all-ages book just in time for the holidays! Warriors of the Dharuk is the tale of Jody, a young warrior-in-training among the Clan of the Dharuk – a Koala clan that lives in harmonious existence with nature. As Jody prepares to enter The Trails — the tests of manhood for all warriors to-be — he is thrust into the middle of a brewing conflict between the Clan of the Dharuk and the Shak-ta, a technology-obsessed clan of Sugar Gliders. The Shak-ta have no respect for the ways of the Dharuk and see them as archaic hold-outs of a world long gone. For the Shak-ta to progress further, they need the Dharuk moved off of their lands or eliminated all together. To the Shak-ta, either end is acceptable. When a failed Dharuk warrior turns traitor, the very existence of the Dharuk is threatened. But the Dharuk holy man, Yuan — a blind skunk — tasks Jody and his new friend and protector, a wandering armadillo warrior named Ota, with finding a way to stop the Shak-ta.” Heavy Ink is taking pre-orders for the first issue on-line.

image c. 2010 Creators Edge Press

Elephantmen: Cover Stories

This coming February, in preparation for the return of artist Ladronn to the pages of Elephantmen, Image Comics will be presenting a special art collection, Elephantmen: Cover Stories. It’s 64 pages of Elephantmen and Hip Flask covers and cover sketches by Ladronn, page-flipped with covers and cover sketches by current Elephantmen artist Boo Cook. The collection also includes a 5-page preview of Elephantmen Volume 4 by Ladronn.

Cover to Elephantmen Volume 4 by Boo Cook, c. 2010