Free Comic Book Promotes Season 2 Premiere of "into The Badlands" TV Series

This week readers of some of DC Comics' titles will find an extra special surprise waiting for them on comic book shelves.  Five of the publisher's series that are being released on Wednesday, March 1, 2017 will be polybagged containing a bonus FREE comic book that tells an origin story for one of the characters from the into The Badlands television series on AMC.  The 32-page into The Badlands Special #1 includes a 24-page story plus a 4-page section that provides profiles on several of the characters who are important to the TV show. The free comic book is promoting the March 19, 2017 debut of the television series second season.

The wars were so long ago nobody even remembers. Darkness and fear ruled until the time of the barons, seven men and women who forged order out of chaos. People flocked to them for protection. That protection became servitude. They banished guns and trained armies of lethal fighters they called Clippers. This world is built on blood. Nobody is innocent here. Welcome to the Badlands.



into The Badlands tells the tales of a warrior who takes a young boy on a journey of enlightenment through dangerous lands ruled by ruthless barons in an apocalyptic future. The free publication was written by the TV show's co-producer Matt Okumura and features artwork by reputed comic book artist Steve Ellis.  into The Badlands Special #1 revolves around Quinn, the preeminent Baron, who rules his domain within the Badlands with an iron fist and tells the story of his first kill and how that led him on the road to where he is at now in the television series.

You can find this special comic book edition bundled with DC Comics Green Arrow #18, Harley Quinn #15, Deathstroke #14, Red Hood & The Outlaws #8 and Suicide Squad #13.  This is a print edition of a digital comic book used to promote the debut season of the television series back in 2015.  CLICK HERE to view the free digital version of the comic book.

 
into The Badlands returns to AMC on Sunday evenings at 10pm ET/PT beginning on March 19th.  For more information about the show, visit amc.com/shows/into-the-badlands

Batman is giving out presents to celebrate his birthday

DC Entertainment has designated Wednesday, July 23, 2014 as BATMAN DAY to celebrate the caped crusader's 75th birthday.  Batman's was introduced in 1939 with his appearance in Detective Comics #27.  In recognition of the 75th anniversary of the character's origination, DC will be issuing a new version of Detective Comics #27 that participating comic book retailers will be providing for FREE on BATMAN DAY.

This FREE comic will be a modern interpretation and retelling of the original Detective Comics #27 script and artwork.  This new version is designed by Chip Kidd and scripted by best selling novelist and DC comic veteran Brad Melzer with a cover by the "Batman" monthly series artist Greg Capullo.  Also for the more avid comic enthusiasts out there I'll note that this FREE comic story has already been published this year and was included as one of the multiple stories in the New 52 Detective Comics #27 Mega Batman Anniversary Issue that was sold a few months ago.  That issue retailed for $7.99 and had a few other stories included within it beyond the "original Batman story" though in my opinion after reading it that was the best part of that particular comic book.  Based upon seeing the content already in the Mega Batman Anniversary Issue of the New 52's Detective Comics (fyi DC rebooted all their comic book series a few years ago back to issue #1 and refer to this current timeline with their titles as the New 52) I have to say that it is a real value to get this story as a FREE stand alone comic book for BATMAN DAY.  It is well worth the effort to swing by a comic book store to pick one up!

In addition to the FREE comic book, retailers are being provided with some other giveaway items to distribute on BATMAN DAY.  You can pick up bookmarks featuring cover images from various Batman graphic novels.  There will also be four poster-board Batman masks designed by comic book artist Ryan Sook highlighting variations of Batman's look during his 75-year history.  The masks include:

+Batman's very first appearance in the 1939 DETECTIVE COMICS #27 as drawn by Bob Kane;
+BATMAN '66 - Adam West's classic television series version;
+THE DARK KNIGHT RETURNS as drawn by Frank Miller in the 1986 comic book mini-series;
+ THE NEW 52 BATMAN as drawn by Greg Capullo.

There will also be a Batman 75th anniversary cape handed out that I'm not sure if it is made of poster board, paper, or cloth?  From the picture provided and based upon these being giveaway items for a national promotion, I assume the capes will most likely be made with the same material as the masks.  I wonder if the masks and capes are BYOS - Bring Your Own String - so you (or your kids) can wear them.

Normally you are giving someone a present on their birthday, so it's nice that instead on BATMAN DAY someone is giving you something for theirs.  DC hosted a similar event last year for Superman's milestone anniversary that I attended with my kids.  They provided free comic books, mini posters and book marks for MAN OF STEEL DAY at comic book retailers like they are doing this year with BATMAN DAY.  It was fun to take some time off of work and use this event for a little special time with my children that was out of the ordinary.  We went out to lunch, picked up some free stuff from the comic book store, than went home and enjoyed superman ice cream.  They had fun, I had fun, we made some family memories of them spending some quality time with their geeky dad.

Don't miss out on BATMAN DAY! Pick up a free comic book, have some fun with the event, and wish the caped crusader a very happy 75th birthday ... he doesn't look a day over 40 does he?  Here's a Superman Ice Cream toast to the caped crusader may you enjoy 75 more years of adventures!

For those of you not from the Midwest United States, Superman Ice Cream is produced by STROH'S and consists of a mixture of blue moon, red pop and lemon flavors.  Several other brands have imitated it with names like Super Scoop that mix together vanilla with cherry and blue moon ice cream but nothing beats the taste of the original STROH'S Superman Ice Cream.

Mark your Calendars: Get a Free Comic Book to Celebrate Batman's Birthday on July 23, 2014

You couldn't tell it from looking at him, but Batman turns a spry 75 years old this year.  The Caped Crusader made his first appearance in Detective Comics #27 published in 1939, which featured artwork by Bob Kane and a script by Bill Finger.  So DC Entertainment is celebrating Batman's 75th anniversary in 2014 and like his partner in crime, Superman, they are holding a birthday party for him at your local comic book retailer.

Last year, Superman turned 75 and DC Comics hosted "Man of Steel Day" at comic book shops and libraries across the country.  I took my kids and we grabbed a FREE All-Star Superman comic book than went home and read it together on the back porch while enjoying some Superman ice cream.  A similar event will take place this summer to celebrate Batman's 75th birthday.

Batman Day will be on Wednesday, July 23, 2014. DC Entertainment is partnering with thousands of comic retailers, book stores and libraries for “Batman Day” where each location will host a Batman 75^th anniversary celebration and offer fans a free, special edition Batman comic.

Mark your calendars and have your self some fun wishing the Dark Knight a happy 75th birthday ... and many more!

PS...The Batman television series that I grew up watching reruns of that originally aired on ABC from 1966 to 1968 starring Adam West as Batman and Burt Ward as Robin will be available to purchase on DVD for the first time ever this year in celebration of the 75th anniversary of the franchise.  Keep an eye out for that release date.

VIKINGS RAID CABLE TV HOPING FOR A SECOND SEASON OF HIGH RATINGS FOR THE HISTORY CHANNEL

The History Channel's VIKINGS are back for a second season of of brawling and pillaging.  Season 2 starts Thursday, February 27th and the show that raided other networks viewers during its first season by gaining an average viewership of 5 million U.S. households per episode is hoping to build on its popularity in 2014.  VIKINGS airs at 10pm EST.

I hadn't started watching the show when it first aired because I thought it was going to be a documentary on the Vikings, but caught an episode while flipping channels one night and became hooked on the show.  It is more drama than documentary with action scenes and plots that are reminiscent of Games of Thrones but without the fantasy elements of the HBO series.  

VIKINGS while not entirely historically accurate is inspired by true tales of the raiding, trading and exploring of medieval Scandinavian Norsemen.  The show is based on the exploits of a legendary Viking chieftain Ragnar Lothbrok and his family.  In Season 1, Ragnar builds a new longship that can travel further across the sea than any Viking ship beforehand.  He uses this ship to raid unexplored North East England returning to Scandinavia with enough loot and influence to overturn his local village ruler and take charge himself.  As the new village leader, Ragnar pledges his loyalty to the Norse King and is sent as an emissary negotiate a solution to a land dispute with a neighboring kingdom.

Season 2 begins with negotiations in the land dispute faltering leading to war, disease ravaging the village Ragnor left behind where his wife and children are residing, and a princess seducing the Viking chieftan becoming pregnant with his child. So what will befall Ragnar Lothbrok, his crew and his family?  I don't know, we'll all have to tune in this season on the History Channel to find out.

While you are waiting for Season 2 to begin, check out this FREE comic book by Zenescope on Comixology: www.comixology.com/Vikings . The saga of the History Channel's VIKINGS begins with this thrilling prequel to Season 1.  Join Ragnar and Rollo as they bravely fight for their father in his final battle.  This battle plants the seeds for the brothers' epic rivalry and introduces a fierce shieldmaiden destined to change their lives forever.  You can also currently watch all of Season 1's episode on the Vikings section of the History Channel website if you need to catch up with the show before watching the Season 2 premiere. I encourage you to check out Season 2 of the Vikings...that's what I'll be watching Thursday night after I've put the kids to bed for the night.