WARP NINE COMICS SHOP

We've been sticking close to home during the pandemic with my wife or I really only going out to resupply on essentials. With that in mind, my son really hasn't been out to a store in quite awhile. So when I suggested we head over to a comic book shop to pick up some stuff to read over the long Fourth of July holiday weekend he we very excited to get out of the house.

The two of us drove over to our favorite local comic book shop, Warp 9 Comics in Clawson, Michigan. We made an appointment for a time slot to stop by as the building has occupancy restrictions as part of Michigan's coronavirus health regulations so besides the friendly staff at the store we had the place to ourselves to browse around. My son and I also wore masks during the visit but that didn't damper our enthusiasm to be experience a bit of normalcy again doing something that had just a few months again been something routine we often did together.

He was very happy to find a new issue of Peter Porker, the Spectacular Spider-Ham on the store's shelves. He's been a fan of this character since seeing the animated film Spider-Man into the Spider-Verse which featured a Peter Porker cameo. This was initially billed as a five-issue mini-series that began last December. But Issue 5 which he bought during our visit is described as the Spring Finale? My son's really hopes that means this Spider-Ham series was popular enough to keep the story going!

I picked up for myself during our visit to the comic book shop a special one-shot issue of The Walking Dead titled NEGAN LIVES! While The Walking Dead comic book series came to a surprising conclusion in 2019, its publisher wanted to do something special for retailers who are struggling due to the coronavirus impact on the economy. So The Walking Dead creator Robert Kirkman released on July 1 this story that wraps up some loose ties from the ending of comic book series.

The goal of this comic book is to help get people back into comic book shops. Negan Lives #1 will not be available digitally and will be available exclusively at comic book shops. Plus 100% of the revenue generated from sales of Negan Lives #1 will go to the stores selling it. Most comic shops are locally owned small businesses that depend on foot traffic to stay afloat so it is nice to see a publisher making a specific effort to do something special to lend them a hand.

Negan Lives #1 gives readers a glimpse into what has happened to one The Walking Dead's most popular characters since he was last spotted in The Walking Dead #174. The series ended with issue #193 without any definitive answer to Negan's fate. Issue #174 had Negan confronted by a vengeful Maggie, still heartbroken and furious over the murder of her husband Glenn, from back in The Walking Dead #100. It left readers with a cliff hanger on Negan's fate which is answered in this new 36-page black and white coloring book.

When was the last time you visited a comic book shop? If it has been awhile and you are interested in getting back into the hobby, click here to locate a store near you. We are going to be relaxing this holiday weekend reading some comic books. Hope you have an enjoyable Fourth of July too!

GAME OF THRONES POP UP BOOK

Pop Up books aren't just for kids! Take for example the GAME OF THRONES: A POP UP GUIDE TO WESTEROS from Insight Editions which transports readers to the fantasy world of the hit HBO television series through incredible 3D representations of key locations in the show. Flip through the pages of the book one by one to view five stunning spreads or unlock its magnetic spine to unfold a giant 46" x 30" map.

Inspired by the clock-work style animated opening that starts each episode, the book provides pop up recreations the include the Red Keep within the Seven Kingdom's capital city,  the castle of Winterfell and the Wall. It is like having a pop up version of the Game of Thrones opening that you can hold in your hands and keep on your book shelf. It doesn't just have impressive imagery to enjoy though, GAME OF THRONES: A POP UP GUIDE TO WESTEROS also is an insightful reference guide to the world of Game of Thrones.

Designed by paper engineer Matthew Reinhart who has gained renown for crafting pop up books he has crafted, GAME OF THRONES: A POP UP GUIDE provides a wonderful glimpse into this fantasy world. In addition to the books central displays, it is also filled with numerous mini-pop ups highlighting various aspects of the show. From dragons to white walkers, fan favorite elements of the television series pop out at your from the pages of this book. Plus, accompanying the book's dynamic imagery is informative text that delves into the family histories of the royalty competing for control of the Iron Throne and provides a background into the history of these players and the lands which they desire to rule over.

A unique collectible, GAME OF THRONES: A POP UP GUIDE TO WESTEROS is sure to delight any fan of the show. This visual guide provides more than 30 amazing pop up effects as it highlights the family sigils of the show's characters, landscapes where scenes have occurred, and other aspects of the show such as dire wolves, giants and the unsullied army which have captivated audiences for eight seasons.

While Game of Thrones is a television show that is absolutely not meant to be viewed by children, reading through this pop up book brought out the kid in me as I was giddy flipping through the pages exploring all the details packed inside it. This is a must-have for any Game of Thrones fan so it definitely earns A Geek Daddy nod of approval. If this book caught your interest, you may also want to check out the The Walking Dead: The Pop Up Book from Insightful Editions as well.



For more information about pop up books for adults and other publications to geek out over from Insightful Editions head over to insightfuleditions.com

THE WALKING DEAD: THE ALIEN Digital Pay-What-You-Want One Shot Comic Book

 

PANEL SYNDICATE, an online publisher of DRM-free pay-what-you-want webcomics, has released a digital one shot THE WALKING DEAD comic book.  IMAGE COMICS the publisher of the popular THE WALKING DEAD comic book series cut a deal with PANEL SYNDICATE to make this unique comic book a reality.  If IMAGE COMICS could sell a print version of PANEL SYNDICATE'S Eisner Award-winning sci-fi mystery story THE PRIVATE EYE than the digital publisher could create their own original THE WALKING DEAD story that could be distributed through its website panelsyndicate.com.

This 31 page story maintains the black and white coloring style of the print version of THE WALKING DEAD comic book series and is set in Barcelona, Spain just a few weeks after the beginning of the global zombie infestation.  THE WALKING DEAD: THE ALIEN tells the story of an American who had planned on wandering through Europe on a backpack trip but instead finds himself trapped in a foreign land trying to survive this new plague hitting Spain as society collapses around him.  THE ALIEN includes a surprising twist at the end which connects it with one of the main characters in THE WALKING DEAD franchise.  Fans of THE WALKING DEAD will absolutely want to read THE ALIEN!

Credit: Panel Syndicate

THE ALIEN is available in the same format as the other titles available through PANEL SYNDICATE so it is priced as pay-what-you-want, which includes the option to obtain the digital comic for free, and can be downloaded as a DRM-free PDF, CBR, or CBZ to read.  Robert Kirkman, the creator of THE WALKING DEAD, has agreed to allow all proceeds from for THE ALIEN to go the creators of PANEL SYNDICATE, Brian K. Vaughan and Marcos Martin, who are also the artists who put together this digital one-shot story.  So while you can select to pay nothing for this comic, paying something helps support this creative duo continue to promote interesting, original content by themselves and other artists like, THE PRIVATE EYE, BARRIER, and UNIVERSE! that is available on panelsyndicate.com.

Credit: Panel Syndicate

CLICK HERE to download THE WALKING DEAD: THE ALIEN.

The newest comic book adaption to become a television series iZOMBIE debuts on CW Network Tuesday, March 17

The CW Network which already has several popular television shows based on DC comic books (Arrow, The Flash) is debuting another one on Tuesday, March 17, 2015 called iZOMBIE.  This new television show is based on a comic book series of the same name published by DC Comics' Vertigo imprint about a zombie who helps solve murder mysteries.

iZOMBIE stars Rose Mclver as Olivia “Liv” Moore an over-achieving medical resident who had her life plans completely mapped out, until she attends a party that unexpectedly turns into a zombie feeding frenzy. Liv begins to transform into a zombie and finds herself needing to eat human brains to maintain her human side.  She begins works at a coroner's office to give her access to the brains she must eat to survive where she learns a side effect of her new diet is the ability to absorb the memories of the deceased, which helps her solve homicides.  The televisions series also stars Malcom Goodwin, as police detective Clive Babinaux who learns Liv's secret and begins asking for her help to solve crimes, and Rahul Kohli, as Dr. Ravi Chakrabarti who is Liv's boss and knows her secret and acts as if he is helping her as he secretly studies her.

In a nice tribute to the show's origins the opening credits provide a comic-style overview of the characters and plot of iZOMBIE created by Michael Allred who is the original iZombie comic book artist.  While the show does have a dark premise it is being produced by Rob Thomas, the creator of Veronica Mars, and the show appears from its previews to have a light-hearted  vibe to it.  It airs at 9pm and probably isn't a good fit for kids to view but seems like it would be of interest to adults who enjoy paranormal mysteries with a campy side to them.  Plus the show appeals to the CW's young adult audience which means it'll be filled with actors and actresses that will make this the opposite of The Walking Dead with zombies and the undead that look probably pretty attractive.  You wouldn't see Rose Mclver as she's made up in iZombie taking on Rick Grimes in The Walking Dead for sure!

If you tune in to iZombie feel free to share your thoughts of the show with A GEEK DADDY blog, we'd enjoy knowing your thoughts and opinions.

AMC Hypes BREAKING BAD Spin-off TV Series with Comic Book

Cable network AMC is hyping its new Breaking Bad spin-off television series Better Call Saul with an online comic book. Set in 2002, Better Call Saul focuses on the life of small-time lawyer Saul Goodman (played by Bob Odenkirk) six years before his appearance on Breaking Bad, though events during and after the original series will also be explored in the show.  The comic book features a story that ties together the new television series with Breaking Bad.  It also wraps up with a two page short at the end that has Saul imagining a TV commercial for his law practice portraying him as a super hero defending people from evil police officers. The online comic book,  Better Call Saul: Client Development, was written by Jenn Carroll and Gordon Smith with art by Steve Ellis.

 CLICK HERE to read Better Call Saul: Client Development.

The all-new "Better Call Saul: Client Development" online comic follows Mike Ehrmantraut and Saul Goodman as they work to root out the truth about Saul’s newest client, revealing exactly what took place between when Jimmy In-N-Out gets arrested as Heisenberg and the moment Saul confronts Walter White in his chemistry classroom. As a bonus, the Better Call Saul comic also includes an exclusive two-page short that reimagines Saul as a superhero, rescuing a client from the clutches of evil police officers.

Better Call Saul debuts on Sunday February 8, 2015 at 10pm (ET/PT) following the midseason premiere of THE WALKING DEAD on AMC.

5 Ways Comic Books Can Make Your Halloween More Fun

Halloween has always been one of my favorite times of the year ever since I was a little kid ... haunted houses, trick-or-treating, scary movies are fun thrills to enjoy throughout the month of October. Enjoying comic books can be another great way to enhance the spooky vibe of the Halloween season.  Here are 5 ways comic books can impact your Halloween spirit:

5.  WATCH CONSTANTINE ON NBC

Constantine is a new television series on NBC premiering on Friday, October 24, 2014 at 10pm ET/PT.  The series will focus on John Constantine a dark exorcist, occult detective and con man who is struggling with his past sins as he attempts to protect humanity from a gathering supernatural threat.  Constantine is based on the Hellblazer comic book originally published by DC Comics and more recently by its Vertigo imprint.

4. MONSTER THEMED DC COMIC BOOK COVERS

During the month of October, DC Comics will be publishing variant covers with a MONSTER theme for a variety of their comic book titles.  Keep an eye out for these spooky covers on the store shelves of your local comic book shop.

Action Comics #35

Batgirl #35

Batman #35

Batman & Robin #35

3.  DRESS UP AS YOUR FAVORITE SUPERHERO 

Show off your Super Hero Spirit by dressing your family up together with an Avengers or Justice League theme for Halloween.

Avengers: Captain America, Black Widow, The Hulk & Thor

 Justice League: Batman, Green Lantern, the Flash & Wonder Woman

2. WATCH THE WALKING DEAD ON AMC

If you enjoy being spooked out  than the AMC cable network's hit series The Walking Dead is a must watch show.  The premise of the television series now in its fifth season is that an epidemic of apocalyptic proportions has swept the globe. Now the dead  are walking the world with a hunger to feed on the dwindling number of survivors who manage to stay alive. 

The television show is based on The Walking Dead comic book series published by Image Comics starting in 2003 and is a still ongoing monthly serial.  In 2010 it received the Eisner Award for Best Ongoing Series.  Eisner Awards are like Emmy Awards for comic books recognizing the best in the industry each year.  The Walking Dead comic books are also a great read, especially during this time of year.  They are printed in black & white which enhances the horrific nature of the stories.

1. TRICK OR TREAT AT YOUR LOCAL COMIC BOOK STORE

On Saturday, October 25th participating comic book stores across the country will be giving out FREE Halloween themed comics to people, with or without a costume, who stop by that day.  There are 12 full size comic books being given out ranging from AFTERLIFE WITH ARCHIE to SCOOBY DOO TEAM UP WITH BATMAN.   There will also be 7 mini comics given out ranging from ANGRY BIRDS to VAMPLETS: THE UNDEAD PET SOCIETY.  Make sure to swing by and pick up these treats being given out for absolutely FREE!!!!

Visit www.halloweencomicfest.com to find participating comic book stores or for more information.

Building Blocks for Grown Ups

Watch out LEGO,  KRE-O & MEGA BLOKS there is a new brand of building blocks creeping onto store shelves this fall looking to take a bite out of your sales.  McFarlane Toys has partnered with AMC's The Walking Dead television show to produce a new line of building block play sets based upon the popular television show.  These building block play sets will be available starting in October, just in time for the beginning of The Walking Dead Season 5 on AMC, and will be sold exclusively on Toys-R-Us' website and at its retail stores.  The McFarlane Toys' The Walking Dead line will initially include 3 play sets:  Daryl Dixon with Chopper, The Governor's Room, and Prison Tower with Gate.  These play sets will retail between $9.99 and $64.99.  Additionally, blind bags for $2.99 each will be available to purchase that will allow people to buy additional scaled figurines of show cast members and zombies to include within their play sets.  The fall lineup of blind bags will include Michonne, Carl Grimes, Riot Gear Walker, Michonne's Pet Walker, and Herd Walkers.  Additional play sets and blind bag characters are expected to come out in the future.

While these are building block sets they really aren't aimed at a children's audience so McFarlane won't really be competing with LEGO and KRE-O.  The McFarlane Toys' The Walking Dead build block line is really aimed at adult building block hobbyists, toy collectors, and fans of the television series.  Unlike LEGO and KRE-O these building block sets will have very detailed figurine sculpts and accessories.  For example the Governor's Room play set will have the walker head aquariums from the television show that actually light up.  These new building block sets will probably be more competitive instead with MEGA BLOKS who have some brands like ASSASSINS CREED, HALO, and CALL TO DUTY that are marketed to teens and adults.  Interestingly, McFarlane Toys has the action figure license to 2 of these brands MEGA BLOKS is currently selling building block toys for HALO and ASSASSINS CREED. 

 

 As you can see from the picture below, McFarlane Toys building block aspect of these play sets will be mostly focused on the core scenery base with figurines/accessories probably playing a larger part in the appeal of these toys than their constructable features.

 

Here's the press release by McFarlane Toys announcing this new brand of building block:



Famed artist and award-winning toy designer Todd McFarlane and McFarlane Toys are unveiling a revolutionary evolution in brick building toys based on television’s most watched drama, AMC’s The Walking Dead. Known as a game-changer for its realistic action figures, including those based on The Walking Dead, McFarlane Toys is adding a new licensed category to the company’s portfolio. The new The Walking Dead toys will extend McFarlane’s high standards of artistic vision, realistic accuracy and incredible detail into the brick building toy aisle alongside of other leading manufacturers. McFarlane Toys’ The Walking Dead building sets and figures will be available this fall only at Toys“R”Us stores nationwide and online at Toysrus.com

The initial McFarlane Toys’ The Walking Dead brick building line will feature realistic sculpts, light-up and shaped features, iconic environments, and dozens of your fan-favorite characters and walkers. Both collectors and fans of the cult phenomenon can literally recreate their favorite scenes with this new highly detailed and realistic The Walking Dead product line.

“Twenty years ago I walked into the action figure aisle, saw an artistic void, and asked, can these toys look cooler? The answer was yes, they could, and I’ve survived twenty years next to the big boys creating those artistic toys,” said McFarlane. “Now I’m walking into another aisle with that same question, and the answer is still yes!”

“Will these be the best building sets out there? I’ll leave it up to the consumer to decide,” said McFarlane. But, will it look cooler? Yes. Will it be more detailed? Absolutely. Will it be more realistic? I guarantee it!”


Are you ready for the building block apocalypse?! Keep an eye out for the zombies as they'll be roaming toy store aisles during this year's Christmas holiday shopping season.

Photos provide via McFarlane Toys website & facebook page for publicity purposes

Walgreens Looks to be a Player in the Toy Arena

When I think of WALGREENS what comes to minds is filling my children's food allergy epi-pen prescriptions or picking up some cold medicine.  I'd never really though of the pharmacy as a place to go toy shopping, but Walgreen's is working to change that impression as it becomes more of a player in the growing arena of market challengers to Toys-R-Us.  This fall, Walgreens will be enticing toy shoppers to their stores with 2 exclusive action figures from the Star Wars and Marvel brands.

A Boba Fett action figure from Hasbro's popular 6" Black series collection will be sold exclusively in Walgreen's toy aisle.  This isn't just a generic action figure based upon a popular Star Wars character though, this toy is designed based upon the original Ralph McQuarrie concept art for Boba Fett that has the bounty hunter clad all in white, rather stormtrooperesque I would say, that was big enough news to warrant an announcement and rather detailed post on the official STAR WARS website.

Looking at this promo pic of the upcoming Ralph McQuarrie concept art Boba Fett action figure, I have to say "impressive, most impressive."  The actual price and launch dates for this Walgreen's Hasbro 6" Black Series exclusive haven't been announced yet but expect it to be around $20 and out around mid-September / October like the other toys in this lineup.  This will absolutely be a popular pickup for both children and adult collectors so keep your eyes peeled for it if you are interested in it as they will probably sell out quickly.

Joining Boba Fett this Fall on Walgreen's store shelves will be Marvel's Agent Venom which will be an exclusive action figure from Hasbro's Marvel Legends Infinite Series.  This is another 6" line of action figures from Hasbro based upon Marvel's comic book and movie superheroes.  Agent Venom is the bad guy alien symbiote that attached itself and took over control of Spider-Man's body for awhile in the comics and movies.  Venom has been taken over by a special agent for the U.S. government named Flash Thompson who is trying to use the symbiote as a tool for special ops missions.  This looks like a pretty cool toy too!

These six inch action figures are becoming more popular because the size allows for increased articulation, details, and durability compared to the three inch sized figures that most people associate with action figures but aren't as lanky and awkward as Barbie styled dolls (and the original GI Joes from the 60s & 70s)...plus they can command a higher price point at the cash register.  Walgreen's partnership follows recent exclusive offers from Todd MacFarlane Toys that included action figures from the Assassin's Creed & Halo video games and The Walking Dead television show.  So now that Walgreen's is drawing in consumers with "action figures" will they start branching out to other types of exclusive toy offerings? Will we see an increased toy area at stores?  Like these upcoming Star Wars and Marvel toys we'll just have to wait and see.

 DISCLAIMER:  My son bought me a Hasbro 6" Black Series Stormtrooper for Father's Day that I keep displayed on my desk...and I think it is pretty cool!

A New Take on the Story of Noah

FILM MAKER PORTRAYS ORIGINAL VISION 

OF MOTION PICTURE VIA GRAPHIC NOVEL

Ever wonder the image of a film’s story that is in a Director’s head in the early days of production before a script’s been finalized and scenes have been shot?  While the movie NOAH opened this weekend in theaters across the country its Director, Darren Aronofsky, in partnership with IMAGE COMICS (the publishers of The Walking Dead) also released a graphic novel which portrays his original vision of his film based on the first draft of its screenplay.  

Aronofsky known for his artistic flair in movies like ”Black Swan” and “The Wrestler” works with artist Niko Henrichon (who has received acclaim for his work on creating the graphic novel  Pride of Baghdad) to take the biblical story of NOAH from the Book of Genesis and infuse them with elements of science fiction and fantasy.  This isn’t the story of an elderly, white-bearded, Santa Claus looking Noah marching the animals two and two onto his ark that you learned in Sunday school. 

The graphic novel is full of crisp artwork that helps amplify the grimy vibe of the story.  The character’s in the comic aren’t illustrated to portray Russell Crowe, Jennifer Connelly, Hermoine (ooops I meant Emma Watson) and the rest of the actors from the film but rather shows them as Aronofsky was looking to find people to cast for the movie.  This was nice because you weren’t reading the comic book thinking it was just a print version of the movie rather it presented itself as its own story.  Because it is based on a first draft script of the movie some elements of the graphic novel are the same as the film but some things are vastly different.  It is interesting to read this print version and then view the movie looking for the differences.  If you do that, send us an email ( thegeekdaddy [at] yahoo [dot] com ) or leave a post with your thoughts if you liked the first draft script or the final cut of the film better.

I appreciated the visual approach the book took with illustrating Noah’s grandfather, he looks like what I imagine a 900-year-old person would appear, and the fallen angels known as the Watchers are sketched out to fittingly play out their role in the story.  The drawings of the primary bad guy, Tubal-cain and his warriors do a nice job of conveying the debauchery and degeneracy that lead the “Creator” to cleanse the world for a fresh start.

This NOAH portrays its central character as more tormented and turmoiled  than people may be used to as he struggles with whether his family is meant to repopulate the human race or just serving as stewards assisting with allowing the animals to survive in a new world void of mankind.  This really adds as much of a dramatic and dark element to the story as his battles with the Tubal-cain do.  Some readers may find this compelling and intriguing but I’m sure others may find it somewhat despairing and troubling. 

I found NOAH to be an interesting read and give it a positive recommendation.  Just be prepared that this isn’t a “religious” story but rather a “story” taken from a religious source.  That may be a plus for some but I’m sure it will sour the graphic novel, and movie, for others.  If you take this work on its own for itself though, it is a nice piece of drama that I’d encourage you to check out for yourself.

For more information on this graphic novel, visit: http://imagecomics.com/comics/releases/noah-hc 

It was released on March 19, 2014 and is available now at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and local comic book retailers.

DISCLAIMER:  I received a complimentary digital pdf of NOAH from the publisher to review.  I was not mandated to write a positive review to receive the digital copy.  The views and opinions in this post are my own.