For The Love Of Loeb Don’t Miss These Comic Books

It started out as a retrospective look at one of Marvel’s most popular characters from one the industry’s most celebrated creative teams.  Daredevil: Yellow brought together Jeph Loeb and artist Tim Sale for a one of a kind comic book about Marvel’s Man Without Fear that wound up changing the way people look at superheroes. In the wake of prized fighter Battlin’ Jack Murdock’s murder, a new hero emerges from the depth’s of New York City’s Hell’s Kitchen. It’s an origin story comics fans have heard before, but never like this. Compelling, visceral and as much a work of High Art as it is a masterpiece of modern comic storytelling Daredevil: Yellow was but the first of phenomenal works to come.

When Jeph Loeb teamed up with Tim Sale one year later for a cerebral look inside the life of Peter Parker for the acclaimed Spider-Man: Blue mini-series, the pair didn’t just re-tell the same origin story, they explored the world of a fledgling hero faced with his darkest hour. But they didn’t stop there…

Then came HULK: Grey and once again Jeph Loeb and Tim Sale joined forces; this time tackling the formative years of Marvel’s very own not-so jolly green giant, only to make him grey in the phenomenal HULK: Grey limited series. This introspective look at the man behind the monster is both moving and sincere. It not only leaves readers wanting more but also delivers the perfect jumping on point for anyone looking for more than just the words “Hulk Smash!”

Today Daredevil: Yellow, Spider-Man: Blue, Hulk: Grey and more of the generations-spanning work of Jeph Loeb is on sale for half-price on comiXology. Do yourself a favor and pick up these groundbreaking works at an incredible price. Read them for yourself or even gift them to a friend, either way you can’t loose…Think of it as your chance to score some reading material while you wait for more news on Captain America: White 

Digital Comic Recommendation: Sam & Twitch

Sam & Twitch are back on the force! And they have one hell of a case…

Somebody’s killing people. Somebody’s leaving body parts at the scene of the crimes. Four of each. Thumbs, ears… other stuff. And they’re from the same person.

A rare gem from the early days of Image Comics. This week comiXology added Brain Michael Bendis’s killer crime classic Sam & Twitch to the collection. Two buddy cops who are anything but friendly when it comes to taking down the bad guys.

Get the first three issues of this critically acclaimed series right now. Follow the misadventures of homicide detectives Sam Burke and Maximilian “Twitch” Williams straight from the pages of Todd McFarlane’s Spawn and ready to kick-ass in the seedy underbelly of good ol’ New York City.

Sam & Twitch is more than a good crime comic. It’s a study in scarlet, blood red and  action packed, as well as a study in how to make a comic that breaks the rules, changes the game and doesn’t look back.

Download the first issue for FREE, then pick up issues 2&3 and keep an eye out for more Sam & Twitch in the coming weeks because this is one series you don’t want to miss.

The Eisner’s on comiXology: Read Return of the Dapper Men

Another year of Eisner awards has come and gone. Last week many great creators and professionals across the industry came together to celebrate and recognize the best of the best in comics and graphic novels at the San Diego Comic Con. With many of the winning books apart of the comiXology library there has never been a been a better time to check out these award winning books. In honor of the Eisners this week we’re enlisting the help of our out of this world summer intern to take a closer look at the books that took this year’s Eisners by storm.

First up is Archaia’s Return of Dapper Men by Jim McCann and Janet K. Lee. It won the Eisner for best Graphic Album. Check out the review below:

By: Chanelle Reyes

This is a book to be prized by anyone who understands how to take the second star to the right, and while you may see bits from classic fairy tales such as Peter Pan, Alice in Wonderland, Willy Wonka and others right from the beginning of the world of Anorev, Return of The Dapper Men takes its own unique course in the way it hits so close to the real world yet still has that imaginative spark. This book has taught me a valuable lesson after an afternoon of slowly taking in all of the colorful illustration work by Janet K. Lee and lyrical expression by each individual character. It’s taught me to keep moving forward no matter how scared I am of change. It isn’t hard for children to understand, yet it isn’t so childish that adults will become bored with it.

Time had left Anorev for years to the point where children and machines did not know “Which was work nor what was play.” Memories became useless because there would never be yesterdays nor tomorrows. Dreaming was a lost word for there would never be night but only day, and children and machines were forever separated when one day long ago they were joined.

Only the innocence of friendship of a human named Ayden, a boy with many questions, and a robot named Zoe, a machine with few words, would change how their world continued when 314 Dapper Men fell from the sky. The relationship between these two characters was both mesmerizing and enjoyable to see as they struggle through their questions and fears about their destinies. #41 of the Dapper Men acts as the helping hand for Ayden to mature, answering his questions, but always in a witty response.

Within moments you find yourself connecting with the characters as they begin to witness a sunset and bedtime and fear of what is “tomorrow”. To read Return of The Dapper Men is not only diving into a world of mysteries, but finding the mystery within our own world. I have always wondered what the world would be like if there was no time, and for me #41 has answered this question, but if you want you want to know what he has to say, you’re just going to have to download the book to find out.

Be sure to check back here at the blog as we continue to look at some of the great digital comics that swept this years Eisner awards as the week continues. Until then check out  the FREE preivew of Jim McCann’s and Janet K. Lee’s Return of the Dapper Men on comiXology. Then pick up the entire 129 page Graphic Novel from Archaia for only $9.99.

The Smurfs are back in new digital comic form with their own dedicated iOS App

Download The Smurfs App here http://cmxl.gy/SmurfsComics

New York, NY / July 18^th, 2011 – In celebration of the all-new Smurfs movie, Papercutz, The Smurfs graphic novel publisher since September 2010, has partnered with comiXology, the leading distributor of digital comics, to launch a dedicated Smurfs App for the iOS. The Smurfs App will initially contain seven volumes and over 450 pages of Smurftastic adventures and fun for all ages!

Papercutz proudly brings these acclaimed comics to digital format for the very first time. “I grew up with these comics, they truly are classics. It’s a shame that these books, which have been in print forever everywhere else on Earth, have been out-of-print for so long in America, which is why we decided to publish them in print and digitally,” says Terry Nantier, Papercutz’s Publisher.

“Not many people realize that the Smurfs originally appeared in comics before they were adapted to animation,” continued Mr. Nantier. “Which is why we partnered with comiXology to bring the Smurfs original graphic novel adventures to our fan base in digital form with its own iOS app.”

The Smurfs, created by Pierre Culliford, known as Peyo, became so popular when they first appeared in the series Johan et Pirlouit that soon they were awarded their own graphic novel series. After an animated movie in 1976, the Smurfs starred in their own blockbuster Saturday morning TV series on NBC starting in 1981. The hit series was responsible for creating Smurf-mania, and the Smurfs were suddenly everywhere – toys, bed sheets, breakfast cereals, and more. The Smurfs aired nine seasons, and still runs on Cartoon Network’s Boomerang channel and is now available on DVD.

“The Smurfs are such an iconic brand that Papercutz has done a great job revitalizing and this app is a testament to that,” said David Steinberger, CEO of comiXology. “Having been out of print for so long, this app will ensure that anyone who wants to enjoy Smurf comics will be able to at their convenience.”

Each Smurfs volume is full-color and in comiXology’s Guided View^TM Technology that allows you to seamlessly transition from panel to panel for only $3.99. Any Smurf comics purchased will also sync with the Comics and Comics4kids iOS apps, the Comics Android app and comics.comixology.com.

A list of all the volumes and the single issue are listed below:

• The Smurfs Vol. 1: The Purple Smurf
• The Smurfs Vol. 2: The Magic Flute
• The Smurfs Vol. 3: The Smurf King
• The Smurfs Vol. 4: Smurfette
• The Smurfs Vol. 5: The Smurfs and the Egg
• The Smurfs Vol. 6: The Smurfs and the Howlibird
• The Smurfs Vol. 7: The Astro Smurf
• The Smurfs: The Smurfnapper #1

#  #  #

About comiXology

Since 2007 comiXology has been developing the technological infrastructure to bring comics into the digital mainstream and expose new audiences to the rich history and culture of the industry. Through partnerships with top comic book publishers including Marvel Comics, DC Comics, IDW Publishing, Archaia Entertainment, BOOM! Studios, Dynamite Entertainment and Image Comics as well as their own mobile and web apps which hosts over 10,000 digital titles, comiXology has become a leader in digital comic book proliferation. Also focused on creating strong ties with retail stores through its technology solutions, comiXology continues to transform the previously fragmented comic ecosystem into a vibrant and cohesive marketplace.

About Papercutz

Papercutz is dedicated to publishing the very best comics and graphic novels for audiences of all-ages, In the spring of 2005, Papercutz launched its line of graphic novels to great success, bringing Nancy Drew and The Hardy Boys into comics for the first time in many years.  Papercutz has continued to grow over the years and is also publishes popular graphic novels Bioncles, Classics Illustrated, Disney Fairies, Geronimo Stilton, and Tales from the Crypt.

The two principals of Papercutz are Terry Nantier, founder of a leading literary graphic novel publishing company and pioneer in the field, and Jim Salicrup, the fan-fave editor who built up Spider-Man while at Marvel and who was Editor-in-Chief at Topps Comics, publishing X-Files and Xena comics, among others.

Contact:

Tracey Daniels

Media Masters Publicity/Papercutz

828-859-9456

tracey@mmpublicity.com

Trace Cohen

comiXology PR

516-225-7417

tcohen@ifluencepr.com

Critically Acclaimed Series BONE and RASL Debut on comiXology with Their Own Dedicated iOS Apps

Fans of All Ages Everywhere Can Now Enjoy One of the Greatest Comics of All Time in an Ultra-Intuitive Digital Format

New York NY, July 14^th 2011 –Named “one of the ten greatest graphics novels of all time” by TIME Magazine, BONE is now available for fans of all ages everywhere to read and enjoy in an ultra-intuitive digital format through comiXology, the leading digital comics platform provider for the iOS, Android and Web.  In collaboration with creator Jeff Smith, comiXology has created a dedicated digital comic app of the series for the iPad, iPhone and iPod touch.

Created by Smith, a multiple award-winning cartoonist, the critically acclaimed BONE series centers around the humor-laced misadventures of the BONE cousins. Booklist writes: “As many comics fans know, the series chronicles the adventures of the Bone cousins–plucky Fone Bone, scheming Phony Bone, and easygoing Smiley Bone– who leave their home of Boneville and are swept up in a Tolkienesque epic of royalty, dragons, and unspeakable evil forces out to conquer humankind.”  The series will also soon to be made into a major motion picture.

“BONE is a modern day classic,” said David Steinberger, CEO of comiXology.  “We are proud to bring this multiple award-winning comic book into the digital environment for the enjoyment of fans of all ages.”

Published by the #1 children’s book publisher in the world, Scholastic, BONE is one of two books written by Smith that will be released on comiXology. The second, RASL, is a stark, black and white comic book focusing on the hard-boiled adventures of an art thief who hops through dimensional barriers, hiding out on various parallel worlds. In a starred review, Publisher’s Weekly decribed it as “ a stunning narrative that impresses with its originality, sophistication, and complexity.”  RASL will also get its own dedicated app.  And to celebrate their release, BONE #1 and RASL #1 will be free with the other books on sale for $.99 from July 14^th-19^th.

This year, Jeff Smith is celebrating twenty years in the comic book business. In 1991, he launched a company called Cartoon Books to publish his comics work, and against all odds, the small company flourished, building a reputation for quality stories and artwork.  In 2005, Scholastic Graphix began publishing Bone as a series of full-color graphic novels.  With well over 6 million books sold in the U.S. and Canada, BONE has become one of the top selling U.S. graphic novels of all time.

“comiXology is on the pulse of what readers want in the digital world,” said Jeff Smith, creator of BONE. “Based on popular demand, we couldn’t be more delighted to bring BONE to its community of loyal fans and now for the first time ever, on the iPad.”

Creator Jeff Smith will also be hosting an exclusive live Q&A on Reddit, Thursday July 14^th, from 4pm-6pm to answer any questions and thoughts that you have. Please go to www.comixology.com/reddit during that time to chat directly with him.

Any BONE and RASL comics purchased in the dedicated apps will sync and also be available to read in the Comics apps.

About comiXology
Since 2007 comiXology has been developing the technological infrastructure to bring comics into the digital mainstream and expose new audiences to the rich history and culture of the industry. Through partnerships with top comic book publishers including Marvel Comics, DC Comics, Archaia Entertainment, BOOM! Studios, Dynamite Entertainment and Image Comics as well as their own mobile and web apps which hosts over 10,000 digital titles, comiXology has become a leader in digital comic book proliferation. Also focused on creating strong ties with retail stores through its technology solutions, comiXology continues to transform the previously fragmented comic ecosystem into a vibrant and cohesive marketplace.

More Than Meets the Eye: Transformers Staff Picks

Last week comiXology rolled out a truck load of totally awesome TRANSFORMERS comics from IDW Publishing just in time for this week’s big movie premiere! Available on the Android and Web Store we’ve got 200 rocking comics on sale for only $0.99 in honor of this massive launch! Of course with so many cool comics to choose from it can be a little intimidating So we’ve got some staff picks listed below to help you dip your toes into the world of giant cybertronian robot battles. Check it out and don’t forget to pick up a few of the FREE first issues we’ve got available as well.

Transformers: Dark of The Moon Prequel and Movie Adaptation- With the Autobots and Decepticons readying for their third big screen outing this week, topping the list is of course the latest movie tie-in comics. Want to know what the bots have been up to in the days since Revenge of the Fallen? Bridge the gap with the all-new movie prequel before you head out to this summer’s latest blockbuster!

All Hail Megatron- The maxi-event that rocked the original transformers universe to the core and brought the classic characters from Generation 1 into an exciting new era. It’s an earth where The Decepticon’s rule, and there’s isn’t a prime in sight to do anything about it. Witness the tyranny of Megatron through his defeated foes as they desperately try to re-group and save an enslaved humanity. All Hail Megatron marked a groundbreaking re-boot of the original comic line, and all 16 issues are available now!

Transformers Best of the UK: Prey- Check out the Autobots from across the pound as Optimus and gang have a jolly good time thrashing Megatron and his fearsome Predicons! With plenty of Dinobot Action and cybertronian mystery it’s no wonder this UK classic became a fan-favorite. This is one title worth picking up as much for the retro transformers propaganda as for the totally awesome storytelling.

Last Stand of the Wreckers- What happens when a Black-ops Autobot unit must re-unite for one last gear-wrenching mission? Betrayal, sacrifice and a whole lot of explosive action. This is the kind of mini-series that breaks the rules and brings the pain, introducing a slew of new characters and taking them straight to the top. These are five issues of transformers comics you don’t want to miss.

Transformers: Stormbringer- With more homages to the grand Transfomers comic tradition of the past than any other series Stormbringer explored the history of cybertron while at the same time paving the way for it’s future. It’s all robots all the time and brings plenty of high octane action to the streets of Cybertron, at four issues it’s a must have!

Transformers Spotlight- With so many rad robots in disguise It’s tough to pick a favorite. Luckily with Transformers spotlight fans don’t have to. A series designed to showcase individual  Autobots and Decepticons both familar and new Spotlight has so many good comics to choose from it has to make the list. Sure Optimus and Ultra Magnus both have their stories, but have you ever heard of Nightbeat the Autobot dectetive? or maybe Doubledealer the Decepticon who is quite literally more than meets the eye? Spotlight is a great way to discover new characters and get reaqutied with old ones. Whatever you do don’t miss out.

Of course these are but a quick sampling of some of the great TRANSFORMERS titles available on comiXology. With 200 different comics running the range from Movie tie-ins to old school classics it’s a pretty safe bet there’s a Transformers comic out there for everybody. Be sure to take advantage of the $0.99 sale while it lasts, and keep an eye out for more cool comics speeding your way soon!

Digital Comic Recommendation: Wasteland issues #1 and #2

In the post-apocalyptic world of Wasteland everything has a price and nothing is as cheap as life. Michael and Abi are the Odd Couple of the Armageddon battling the Sandeaters and the elements as they begin a deadly quest through the wasteland. It’s an uncompromising vision as seen through the grim and gritty art of Ben Templesmith and Christopher Mitten and told through the words of master scribe Antony Johnston. At long last fans check out the harvey and eagle award nominated series exclusively through comiXology as this week Wasteland joins the ranks of other great digital comics from Oni Press.

100 years after the Big Wet, Earth has been left a broken, infertile world of rock and sand.The town of Providens is like many others on the post-Big Wet planet-small, mostly illiterate, and struggling for survival. When the town welcomes a stranger named Michael into its midst, will the quiet man lead them to a brave new world or shatter what little order still exists? From the writer and artist of Queen & Country: Declassified: Sons & Daughters comes a bold new ongoing series that bends genres and conventions in a way that only comics can!

Not all the cities that survived the Big Wet are like the town of Providens. Some are like Newbegin, burgeoning metropolises that combine pieces of past societies with the new status quo. Can Abi and Jakob make it to across the wastelands to this shining light of the dark future?

Looking for an exciting read this week that will stay with you awhile, check out the first two issues of Wasteland today and keep and eye out for releases in the weeks to come and more cool comics from your favorite digital comics distributor. The First issue is Free and as a special bonus check out this podcast featuring Wasteland creator Antony Johnson in a rare interview.

Marvel Monday 6/6 50% off Ultimate X-Men #1-12

The world stands on the brink of genetic war. Mankind makes the first move, launching an army of giant, cybernetic executioners called Sentinels-programmed to target and eliminate mutants. The only force preventing total annihilation: the X-Men!

With X-Men: First Class dominating the box office, we’re continuing our celebration with all things X this week! On sale today we’ve got the first twelve issues of the groundbreaking Ultimate X-Men series at half-off the normal price.

Magneto and his mutant terrorist cell are preparing to follow through on their threats of Homo Sapien genocide. Are the X-Men up to the task of stopping them?

The only mutant to ever make it outside the walls of Weapon X has been the Adamantium-clawed Wolverine…until now! Get a look inside the Ultimate Universe’s Weapon X program and see what is in store for the mutants!

Find out what happens in these stellar stories from Mark Millar and Andy Kubert, add them to your digital collection today and keep an eye out for more totally awesome deals down the road.

Do Androids Dream Of Electric Sheep? Three Day Sale

Looking to save a few penny’s after the long weekend? Why not check out a new comic series at half-price for the next three days. That’s right this week comixology and BOOM! Studios are slashing the price on the award-winning adaptation of Philip K. Dick’s Do Androids Dream Of Electric Sheep?

The book that inspired the film Blade Runner comes to BOOM! with backmatter by Warren Ellis! Visionary sci-fi author Philip K. Dick’s Do Androids Dream Of Electric Sheep? has been called a masterpiece ahead of its time, even today’ and served as the basis for the Ridley Scott film Blade Runner.

San Francisco lies under a cloud of radioactive dust. The World War killed millions, driving entire species to extinction, and sending mankind off-planet. Those who remained coveted any living creature, and for people who couldn’t afford one, companies built incredibly realistic fakes: horses, birds, cats, sheep – even humans. Rick Deckard is an officially sanctioned bounty hunter tasked to find six rogue androids – they’re machines, but look, sound, and think like humans, clever, and most of all, dangerous humans. Rick Deckard, Pris, The Voight-Kampff Test, Nexus 6 androids, the Tyrell Corporation: join BOOM! Studios as the complete novel transplanted into the comic book medium, mixing all new panel-to-panel…

Don’t miss out on this spectacular deal. Get issues #1-21 for half-price during the next three days. The sale ends on June 2nd at 11pm EST so don’t delay add these incredible issues to your collection today!

Digital Comic Recommendation: Golden Age Batman

In the past few years the caped crusader has saved the world from aliens, traveled through time and space, established a global crime fighting syndicate while harboring a private battle against the ancient secret society now ruled by the mother of his only son. A little film called The Dark Knight was released back in 2008. His origins have been re-examined, re-told and even rebooted under the master pens of scribes like Grant Morrison, Neil Gaiman, Frank Miller and a host of other talented writers and artists. In short, right now the bat books are the best they have ever been…or are they?

Bob Kane created the character in 1939 that’s over 70 years of storytelling, and while the Batman of Grant Morrison’s recent awe-inspiring run is nothing short of ground breaking, so much of the character’s history that is featured in arcs like “The Black Glove” and “Batman R.I.P” is actually chronicled in the classic golden age issues now available on comiXology.

Find out how the Joker earned the title “The Clown prince of Crime”, See the first appearance of Dr. Hugo Strange, watch the evolution of Catwoman’s costume, then watch it evolve again. These classic issues are the building blocks of what made the original dynamic duo great, with each download packing a whooping 53 pages of all the POW! ZAP! and SLAM! you could ask for. These are some of the most sought after comics of all time, in print they’d cost close to 40,000 dollars per issue! On comiXology fans can read them for only $1.99

A welcomed addition to the ever expanding digital offerings in our library we’re not only extremely excited to feature the first 12 issues of Batman this week but also extremely proud. So go ahead and pull these comics today, there just maybe something to this Bruce Wayne fellow after all, so why not see what all the fuss is about for yourself.