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RVA Comics X-Change: Issue 28

Ash Griffith | October 8, 2019

Topics: Bruce Campbell, comics, Comics X-Change, Craig Thompson, Doctor Doom, Eleanor Davis, Evil Dead, Ginseng Roots, Joaquin Phoenix, Joker, Pug Davis, Rebecca Sugar, RWBY, Sam Raimi, The Batman's Grave, The Hard Tomorrow, Velocity Comics, Warren Ellis

Happiest of Tuesdays, comic fans! Welcome to issue number twenty-eight of your biweekly comic exchange in what is only the best and spookiest month of the year. I have some good old-fashioned Halloween-flavored news for you. After that, our good friends down the block at Velocity Comics have some hearty recommendations for you this week that cover the gamut, including one from a (neighboring) hometown hero.

Grab your candy of choice, and grab your favorite blanket. Not only is it finally chilly in the River City, it’s time for comics. Dig on in, friends.

This past week the newest cinematic dive into the DC Universe was released in the form of The Joker’s origin story in Joker, starring Joaquin Phoenix. The film is one of DC’s most divisive film releases yet – from a rave review in The Observer to a borderline critical score of 69% on Rotten Tomatoes to polarizing reviews all over the internet, Joker is already a film with no middle ground.

You’re really going to love it, or you’re going to really hate it.

Phoenix portrays Arthur Fleck, a failed stand-up comedian in the 1970s, who falls into a quickly spiraling decline to madness and crime as he becomes the titular Joker of Gotham City. Refusing to acknowledge that he just isn’t cut out for comedy, he decides to go for a life of crime instead, and apparently, if you believe reviews, decides to go into a weird rendition of Taxi Driver. Moral of the story: Maybe comedy just isn’t for everyone – even Batman’s favorite frenemy who could never take a hint.

Fellow Evil Dead fans – dust off your chainsaws, because Sam Raimi has teased that he is giving us more. The only catch is that it might be without Bruce Campbell’s beloved Ash, at least not on screen..

“There’s more Evil Dead coming,” Raimi told NME while on a press tour.

No word yet on any further details, aside from the fact that Campbell is set to produce, but needless to say, if he’s involved – even backstage – it will not disappoint.

And now, on to the comics! We’re finally getting chilly and seasonally appropriate down in Richmond, and we could not be more excited. Nothing says fall like cool air and a good read, and luckily for us, our good friends over at Velocity Comics have some page turners to keep us warm and cozy while the leaves fall around us.

Doctor Doom #1, by Christopher Cantwell and Salvador Larocca

“Marvel’s original bad guy gets his own ongoing series for the first time, and he gets thrown in the deep end as he’s accused of an act of terror he didn’t commit,” said owner Patrick Godfrey.  “Writer Christopher Cantwell has been dazzling the comic biz for the last few years with his creator-owned titles She Could Fly and Everything, and the layered complexity of his plotting is perfectly suited to this Monarch/Villain/Sorcerer/Scientist. It’s gonna be good!”

The Batman’s Grave #1, by Warren Ellis and Bryan Hitch

“About 20 years ago, writer Warren Ellis and artist Bryan Hitch teamed up to create The Authority, a superhero team book that changed the direction of comics forever,” said Godfrey.  “Here they reunite for a 12-part series starring everyone’s favorite orphan (sorry, Annie) confronting the notion of his own mortality. Sounds fun!”

Ginseng Roots #1, by Craig Thompson

“Craig Thompson puts out comic work every 6-8 years or so, and every time he does the accolades and awards almost bury him alive,” said Godfrey. “The guy’s a master brush n’ inker, and is also pretty good at making you feel sad and stuff. Ginseng Roots is an autobiographical look back at Thompson’s childhood, when he and his brother worked on a farm harvesting ginseng. I’d expect some whimsy  with a side of existential dread, sprinkled with familial dysfunction.”

Pug Davis, by Rebecca Sugar

“One of the past decade’s cartoon phenomenons [Steven Universe] was created by Rebecca Sugar,” said Godfrey. “[She] grew up just north of NoVA… and before she became a beloved animation showrunner, she did some comics! This is a new printing of an old favorite that has been very, very hard to get one’s hands on until this week. A pug-headed space hero fights evil aliens with his sensitive partner named Blouse. And for the first time ever: it’s all in color!”

RWBY #1, by Marguerite Bennett and Mirka Andolfo

“Learn about the prestigious Beacon Academy, training the next generation of monster hunters,” said Godfrey. “This one follows the adventures of a tight-knit team of students as they try to protect their world. Tying in with the hit Rooster Teeth series! I’m 48 so I don’t know what that means. But this looks cool!”

The Hard Tomorrow, by Eleanor Davis

“Eleanor Davis is for sure one of the premier cartoonists working today,” said Godfrey. “Her work mines delicate territory with depth and humor, and her experimental linework never fails to connect. Here she explores the ups and downs of a couple in their 30s grappling with the realities of relationships, aging, and surviving in the current world.”

That wraps it up for us this week, comic friends. Tell us: what are you cozied up with this week? Did you see Joker? Was it everything you wanted Taxi Driver to be?

Until next time!

Top Image via Warner Bros

RVA Mag Comics X-Change: Issue 2

Ash Griffith | September 10, 2018

Topics: comics, Dark Horse Comics, Marvel, Stranger Things, Velocity Comics

Welcome back, comics fans! We just introduced you to our new comics column a few weeks ago. If you missed it, you can check it out here. The next two weeks in comics are a bit of a doozy with plenty of new (and old) things to check out from the indie racks to the DC side of the stage as well, with even a surprise guest appearance from my forever favorite, “Stranger Things.” Luckily, we have Patrick Godfrey of long-standing favorite, Velocity Comics on West Broad Street to help guide us through the “Legends of the Hidden Temple” ropes course of new comics for you to devour. 

“Border Town #1” by Eric M. Esquivel

“You’ve got a lot of monsters and creatures from Mexican lore that are breaking into our reality on the border between Texas and Mexico, and basically all hell breaks loose,” said Godfrey.

“Thanos Legacy #1 (One Shot)” by Donny Cates

Image result for Thanos Legacy #1 (One Shot)

“Basically threading Thanos’ life between his solo and the ‘Infinity Wars’ series to get us how he got from Point A to Point B,” said Godfrey.

“Bully Wars #1” by Skottie Young

“It’s about a bully at school who has to befriend the nerds he beat up to take down a larger threat,” said Godfrey.

Image result for Bully Wars #1

“Cosmic Ghost Rider #3” by Donny Cates

“It’s a big-time travel gonzo, really explosively funny mini-series from Marvel. This issue focuses on a team of ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’ in the far future where Howard the Duck has the power of the Juggernaut,” said Godfrey.

“Berlin (Complete Edition)” by Jason Lutes

Image result for Berlin (Complete Edition) comic

“It tells the story of people who were living in Berlin between World War I and World War II. It’s a big sweeping epic,” said Godfrey.

“Heroes in Crisis #1” by Tom King (September 26 Release)

“Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman have created a trauma center where superheroes can go deal with traumatic events in their lives,” said Godfrey.

From me, I have three recommendations I have been antsy to share with you. An old favorite, “The Backstagers” by James Tynion IV, is finished with its eight-issue run, but is still worthy of a mention. After joining an all-boys school, Jory joins the stage crew only to discover that door backstage leads to different worlds (and all of the stagehands knew about it, naturally). Anyone who was involved in theater in high school, this is entirely your bag.

From old to brand new, the series “Crowded” by Christoper Sebela just released its first issue recently with a trade expected in March. Imagine a world where someone can request to have you killed through an app as easily as you can preorder your Starbucks latte from the bathroom. This already has the smell of classic all over it, with an art style that reads like a cyberpunk “Sailor Moon.”

“Stranger Things” fans, regardless of how much or how little they care about our beloved Barb, can all agree on one question that has to be asked. What exactly did Will do in the Upside Down while waiting on his search party? Dark Horse Comics heard our prayers, and oh we will receive, on Sept. 26 when issue #1 of a four-part run is released.

That about wraps it up for this week for Comics X-Change. What titles are you excited for?

RVA Mag Comics X-Change is a bi-weekly comic column which dives into the latest and upcoming releases, along with insider info from local and regional comic book shop owners. 

Top image by: Lindsay Eastham

Monstrous Optimism: Local Artists Organize Benefit For Family Of Deceased RVA Artist Kerry Talbott

Marilyn Drew Necci | August 18, 2014

Topics: Artspace, fundraiser, Kerry Talbott, Monstrous Optimism, RVA, Velocity Comics

The Richmond art world lost an important leading light when illustrator and teacher Kerry Talbott passed away from brain cancer last October. To celebrate his life and to help Talbott’s family take care of the significant remaining medical expenses related to Talbott’s treatment, a group of local artists are putting together a benefit show entitled Monstrous Optimism to take place this Friday at Artspace Gallery in Manchester.

[Read more…] about Monstrous Optimism: Local Artists Organize Benefit For Family Of Deceased RVA Artist Kerry Talbott

RVA Artist Chris Visions Signs His New Comic, Dead Letters, At Velocity Comics This Saturday

Marilyn Drew Necci | April 3, 2014

Topics: art, BOOM! Studios, Chris Visions, Christopher Sebela, comics, Dead Letters, RVA, Velocity Comics

Chris Visions has been on our radar for a while; this VCU alumnus has done some incredible artwork lately, from his illustrations for James Wayland’s Trailer Park Trash & Vampires to his recent cover for Adventure Time #19. Now he’s about to introduce the world to what might be his best work yet: his new ongoing comic series, Dead Letters, the first issue of which was released this week by BOOM! Studios.
[Read more…] about RVA Artist Chris Visions Signs His New Comic, Dead Letters, At Velocity Comics This Saturday

RVA Artist Chris Visions Signs His New Comic, Dead Letters, At Velocity Comics This Saturday

Marilyn Drew Necci | April 3, 2014

Topics: art, BOOM! Studios, Chris Visions, Christopher Sebela, comics, Dead Letters, RVA, Velocity Comics

Chris Visions has been on our radar for a while; this VCU alumnus has done some incredible artwork lately, from his illustrations for James Wayland’s Trailer Park Trash & Vampires to his recent cover for Adventure Time #19. Now he’s about to introduce the world to what might be his best work yet: his new ongoing comic series, Dead Letters, the first issue of which was released this week by BOOM! Studios.
[Read more…] about RVA Artist Chris Visions Signs His New Comic, Dead Letters, At Velocity Comics This Saturday

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