December 12, 2011 Johanna Boom! Studios / Archaia Leave a comment

The Sigh

I’m pleased to see that Marjane Satrapi, best known for her autobiographical Persepolis, continues to write and draw stories beyond her own experience. (Too many cartoonists who put out comics from their own lives are expected to continue in that vein instead of branching out.) From telling us about her female relatives to an unbalanced uncle, now she’s moved completely into fable and folktale with The Sigh. With a beginning that will remind the reader of Beauty and the Beast, […]

December 12, 2011 Johanna DCU Original Animation Leave a comment

Justice League: Doom Officially Announced

Warner Brothers has released more details about the next original DC Universe animated feature, Justice League: Doom. (I put the earlier voice casting news up at that link.) The movie will be released on February 28, 2012. The Blu-ray Combo Pack (list price $24.98) will include these special features, according to the press release: • Sneak Peak at Superman vs. the Elite, the next DC Universe animated original movie • Featurette “A Legion of One: The Dwayne McDuffie Story” — […]

December 11, 2011 Johanna Comic Book Films One comment

The Rocketeer

When I first had a chance to see The Rocketeer, I was too young to appreciate the appeal of a simple adventure story. (I thought maturity required cynicism.) Now, I’m thrilled to get a chance to better appreciate the excitement and nostalgia of this 1938-set tale about a guy with a jetpack who fights Nazis and saves the day. It’s a lot more fun for me now, especially since I know more about the period and some of the inspirations […]

December 9, 2011 Johanna Other Publishers Leave a comment

Picket Line

I love the internet. I don’t remember how I first heard of Breena Wiederhoeft or her work, but I visited her website, where she put the full first chapter of this book online as a PDF preview. After reading it, I knew I needed to know more about what happened to these characters. Click, pay, and here was a chunky (over 250 pages) volume ready for me to read. Picket Line is one of the last Xeric Award grant recipients. […]

December 8, 2011 Johanna Comic News One comment

Dark Horse Goes Same-Day Digital, Raising the Price Debate Once Again

A week ago, Dark Horse became the last major American comic publisher to announce that, beginning December 14, they would be releasing new comics on the same day in print and digitally, attributing their “huge success with digital sales” so far. Unlike many other publishers, they run their own online store, with frequent giveaways and a usual price point of $1.99 an issue, plus bundled discounts. This new policy includes collections and graphic novels as well. The combination of those […]

The Black Widow Murders: The Blanche Taylor Moore Story

December 7, 2011 Johanna Warner Archive Leave a comment

Warner Archive Brings Montgomery Murders to DVD

As part of their newest release wave, Warner Archive is offering a set of TV movies starring Elizabeth Montgomery, including The Black Widow Murders: The Blanche Taylor Moore Story. This one is a particular favorite for me, because I have a tenuous connection to the story. In addition to having one of those particularly Southern names, Blanche Taylor Moore was a serial killer in Alamance County, North Carolina, where I used to live. She was finally discovered to be poisoning […]

December 6, 2011 Johanna Viz Manga Reviews 3 comments

Ooku: The Inner Chambers Volume 6

I have been remiss in not talking more about this amazing series by Fumi Yoshinaga, because I fear it’s dropped off many readers’ radar. (Only one book a year comes out in Japan, and this was the only volume released in English this year.) It’s a challenging read, both in its use of Japanese history and in the way it tackles political expectations for its ruling women. The first thing that’s distinctive about the series is how striking it is. […]

December 5, 2011 Johanna Other Publishers Leave a comment

The Cartoon Guide to Calculus

I knew Larry Gonick did excellent illustrated histories, but I had no idea that he knew so much about math. (Although co-writing The Cartoon Guide to Statistics might have been a hint. Turns out he used to teach calculus at Harvard.) In The Cartoon Guide to Calculus, “the mathematics of change”, we begin with brief history (Newton and Leibniz), but quickly, we’re into formulas and functions. However, even those are accompanied by cartoon kibitzing, which makes the material come alive […]

« 1 … 418 419 420 421 422 … 608 »