Comic Book Highs, Lows, Misses and More for 2009!
Get out the champagne, party horns and confetti! The new year is soon upon us, and like most other people who are out there reflecting on the year that was, we’re taking stock of the triumphs, the tragedies, the highs and the lows. Of course there are those “did that just happen” moments as well, just to keep things interesting. Let’s take a trip back over the past twelve months, shall we, to see the highs, lows and wth’s over this year in comics, using our own unique system of categories, labels and examples! Read more
Image United Prelude Offers Sneak Peek At Image Founder Crossover Event
Image Comics has announced that they will be giving fans a sneak peek at the highly anticipated Image founder crossover event. In October, several Image Comics will include a four part Image United prelude backup feature. The four part prelude will appear in Savage Dragon #153, Witchblade #131, Invincible #67, and Spawn #195.
Comic Book New Releases for July 1st, 2009
Before you rush off to that Fourth of July barbecue or picnic, be sure to swing by your local comic book shop this Wednesday and pick up these explosive issues from all your favorite publishers, guaranteed to cause plenty of fireworks on their own!
It’s finally here! For Marvel, the biggest release this week is certainly Captain America: Reborn #1. The book, with multiple variant covers, is set to be a bestseller, and Marvel has been relatively quiet on what impact this return will have on a Marvel universe currently dealing with the events of Dark Reign. On the lighter side, Deadpool: Merc With a Mouth debuts, with our anti-hero on a quest to retrieve his own head. Read the book to find out what that means! We can’t ruin all the fun! Not letting the boys have all the fun, Marvel Divas #1 drops into stores, focusing on four of Marvel’s lesser-used female characters. Also, don’t miss the second chapter in the Dark Avengers/X-Men arc Utopia; get Uncanny XMen #513 Wednesday! Read more
President Barack Obama Punches Osama Bin Laden And Carries Gun In Comic Books
The first couple of times that Barack Obama popped up in comic books he was fairly conservative. He received an endorsement from the Savage Dragon during the election, and he hung out with everyone’s friendly neighborhood Spider-Man at his inauguration. Now, that Barack Obama is actually President and occupying the White House his comic book appearances have gotten a little more risqué.
No longer is comic book Barack Obama content to sit on the sidelines and let the superheroes take care of business. No, comic book Barack Obama wants a piece of the action himself.
On a WonderCon comic book convention variant cover for Savage Dragon #145, President Barack Obama is shown socking it to Osama Bin Laden. The cover is a retro-cover calling back to the days when comic book characters like Captain America would punch Hitler.
No Shortage Of Barack Obama In Savage Dragon Comic Book
Image Comics appears to be poking a little fun at Marvel Comics for how many editions they’ve printed of Amazing Spider-Man #583 featuring President Barack Obama on the cover. Just for the record, there have been five printings in case anyone is still counting. In a press release, Image Comics wanted to make sure fans were aware that there will be plenty of prints of Erik Larsen’s Savage Dragon #145 which will also feature President Barack Obama on the cover.
Image Comics deserves credit (or maybe blame) for kicking off the Barack Obama cover mania. Before Barack Obama even won the election, Savage Dragon endorsed the then Presidential candidate on the cover of Savage Dragon #137 (which has gone to a fourth and final printing if anyone is still counting).
In addition to featuring President Barack Obama, Savage Dragon #145 is also being marketed as a jumping on point for new fans. The issue will feature Savage Dragon’s return to the Chicago police force.
Savage Dragon Endorses President Barack Obama One Last Time
After three sold out printings of Savage Dragon #137, it was beginning to look like Savage Dragon might wind up endorsing Barack Obama for President throughout his entire first term in office. However, Image Comics and Savage Dragon creator Erik Larsen have announced that the fourth printing of the landmark Barack Obama endorsement issue of Savage Dragon will be the final printing.
“While we sold out some time ago, we’ve been receiving an awful lot of letters from fans and retailers alike demanding another printing,” Erik Larsen said. “This fourth - and definitely final, I might add - printing commemorates the very first time a superhero has openly nominated a real-life candidate for Presidential office. It’s been flattering to receive such attention and I hope everyone who’s bought a copy sticks around for the rest of the series, especially #145’s relaunch!”
Can Barack Obama Save Comic Books?
While comic books haven’t seen the huge declines that many industries have seen, every industry appears to be hurting in these economic times. With so many people out of work, any product that is not absolutely necessary for survival is going to fill a pinch. Reports of comic book store closures and the recent cancellation and postponement of a couple of major comic book conventions by Wizard Entertainment suggests the comic book industry is not immune.
Since Barack Obama is reportedly a comic book collector, can comic book fans count on him to bail out the comic book industry if any of the major publishers get into financial trouble? While it’s doubtful that President Obama will be cutting a billion dollar bailout check to the comic book industry, he apparently doesn’t need to pony up any federal money to give the industry a jolt.
Barack Obama Makes First Comic Book Appearance As President
The Internet has been buzzing today about the latest great recognition bestowed upon Barack Obama. No, we’re not talking about Obama being named Time Magazine’s Person of the Year. Heck, George W. Bush was Time Magazine’s Person of the Year twice, so that’s hardly something that you would even bother to put on a resume.
What we’re talking about is Barack Obama’s first comic book appearance after being named president. The variant cover to Erik Larsen’s Savage Dragon #145 which features Barack Obama has just been revealed by Image Comics.
Erik Larsen Announces Savage Dragon Free Comic Book Day Edition
Several publishers are starting to reveal the details of the comic books that they will be making available for free during the next Free Comic Book Day. Image Comics and Savage Dragon creator Erik Larsen have announced that issue #148 of Savage Dragon will be given away for free on Free Comic Book Day 2009.
“For Free Comic Book Day I wanted to give readers an exciting stand alone issue that would give them an idea of what I’m doing with the book after February’s relaunch in #145,” Erik Larsen said. “It’s a great introductory issue for new readers and it features the start of something huge!”
Savage Dragon #148 will contain a completely self-contained story. The issue will introduce brand new cast members who will have a huge impact on the future of Savage Dragon. The issue will also serve as a primer for the series’ new direction, which involves Savage Dragon returning to the Chicago Police Force.
Savage Dragon Is Back In Blue
It’s been twelve years since the Savage Dragon was a Chicago Police Officer. However, Image Comics has announced that the Chicago superhero will once again be joining the Chicago Police Force.
The event will take place in issue #145 of the Savage Dragon. The issue will also feature another big event, as President-elect Barack Obama will greet Savage Dragon as he returns to the force.
“Writing and drawing Savage Dragon as a cop after nearly twelve years feels good–it feels right,” writer Erik Larsen told the Tribune. “It’s a homecoming of sorts and it’s a joy to be back.”
The Chicago Tribune’s RedEye recently printed an exclusive comic strip that showed President-elect Barack Obama congratulating Savage Dragon on his new position. In the strip, President-elect Barack Obama credited Savage Dragon’s endorsement with putting him over the top in the election.
