The Best Comic Books of 2013, Part One
The first installment of the ComicsAlliance staff's definitive (and funny) compilation of the best comic books released in 2013.
Tumblr, Buzzfeed and True Artist Credit
Matt Wilson ponders the problem of the lack of artist credit on social media sites like Tumblr and aggregation sites like Buzzfeed.
‘Arrow’ Season 2 Recap, Episode 8
This week, super powers officially become a thing on Arrow, Barry Allen makes his long-awaited first appearance, and a lot of arrows go into a lot of legs.
The Problem With Harley Quinn
In this week's column, Chris Sims discusses Harley Quinn, the Joker's girlfriend and one of the most misunderstood and misused characters in all of superhero comics.
Mortality In Superhero Comics
Andrew Wheeler explores whether mortality matters in superhero comics, a genre that takes a very light view of death.
Hear Todd McFarlane, Rob Liefeld And Marc Silvestri Describe Leaving Marvel In A Clip From ‘The Image Revolution’ [Video]
Ever wondered what exactly happened when Image Comics' founders told Marvel Comics they were leaving to start their own company? (And as a bonus, wanted to hear Rob Liefeld do a Southern accent?)
Well, you can get the story straight from three of those founders themselves -- Liefeld, Todd McFarlane, and Marc Silvestri -- in the below clip from the upcoming documentary The Image Revolution.
ComiXology Rings In The Holidays With ’12 Days of Free Comics’ Promotion
Starting today, ComiXology is spreading some digital good cheer.
From now until Friday, Dec. 20, the digital comics platform will be giving away one free comic every day. They're calling it the 12 Days of Free Comics. ComiXology users even send the comics as gifts to friends and family members, at no charge.
Best Cosplay Ever (This Week): Squirrel Girl, Jessica Rabbit, Kamen Rider & More
Although cosplay has been present for decades within the comics, anime, and sci-fi/fantasy fandoms, social media has played an integral role in the thriving communities of costuming that exist, such as Cosplay.com and the Superhero Costuming Forum. Over the years, the cosplay community has evolved into a creative outlet for many fans to establish and showcase some impressive feats of homemade disguise, craftsmanship, and sartorial superheroics at conventions. In honor of the caped crusaders of the convention scene, ComicsAlliance has created Best Cosplay Ever (This Week), an ongoing collection of some of the most impeccable, creative, and clever costumes that we’ve discovered and assembled into a super-showcase of pure fan-devoted talent.
Darwyn Cooke Adapts A Masterpiece in ‘Richard Stark’s Parker: Slayground’ [14 Page Preview]
Simply put, Slayground is one of the best crime novels ever written. The 14th book in Donald Westlake's brilliant Parker series of novels, it might be the quintessential Parker tale. Westlake, who wrote the series under the name Richard Stark, shows Parker at his best: alone, nearly defenseless, hunted by two dozen men as he hides out in a snow covered, shut down amusement park with a sack full of money. He finds a way out, of course, because that's what he does. But reading it as it unfolds, and witnessing Parker and Westlake do what they do best, is an absolute treat.
If you're a fan of the novels, there's an excellent chance this installment ranks among your favorites. And if you've read the books and you've been collecting the award-winning graphic novel adaptations by Darwyn Cooke, this may be the book you've been looking forward to the most, and maybe the one Cooke was most looking forward to recreating.
I've read all 16 of the original run of Parker novels -- Westlake would return to the series 23 years after the 16th book -- and one of the many things that strikes me about Cooke's adaptations is the fact that he's created a Parker who looks and feels exactly like the one I imagined: cold, calm, and effortlessly terrifying. Cooke's latest graphic novel in the Parker series, on sale this week, will no doubt be a late entry for best comic of 2013.
IDW has provided ComicsAlliance with a 14 page preview of Slayground, which you can view below.
The Best Comic Books of 2013, Part One
The last twelve months offered comic book readers a wide variety of work ranging from the most crowd-pleasing superhero epics to the most idiosyncratic of indies, and the return of old favorites to the emergence of exciting new talent. It was a busy and productive year for the industry, and one we’re pleased to celebrate with what we’re certain will be an uncontroversial, unenumerated list of awards that will prompt only resounding agreement and unbroken fellowship amongst our readers in the comments below. Welcome to part one of ComicsAlliance's Best Comic Books of 2013.
Holiday Gift Guide: ‘Spider-Man: Rock Reflections Of A Superhero’
When it comes to the holiday gift-giving season, comic book readers are notoriously difficult to shop for. I mean, most of us are down at the shop buying our favorite stuff every single week, so when the time comes for people who like us to get us something we want, well, a lot of times we already have it. That’s why we’re stepping in with a public service, bringing you comics-related items sure to make the season brighter, whether you’re browsing for a gift or just looking for something to drop hints about so that you don’t get stuck with a random assortment of back issues again.
On the off chance that you're buying a gift for someone who likes Spider-Man and rolicking, non-theatrical musicals, don't bother with that whole Broadway fiasco. Instead, grab the original Spider-Man musical from 1975, in which Doctor Octopus sings a song about finally defeating the Silver Surfer.
The X-Men Episode Guide 3×1: Out Of The Past, Part One
The early ’90s were spoiled for choice when it came to comic book adaptations. Not only was Batman: The Animated Series on the air, but X-Men led Marvel’s push to get on the small screen, diving right into the often convoluted continuity of everyone’s favorite mutants, luring in a generation of fans, and paving the way for cartoons to follow. That’s why we’ve set out to review every single episode of the ’90s X-Men animated series. This week: Season 3 kicks off with "Out of the Past, Part One!"
‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles,’ ‘My Little Pony’ And ‘Hello Kitty’ Boxos Coming From Funko
If you thought it might be fun to fold up Funko's papercraft Batman, Star Wars or Iron Man 3 sets, this January might just blow your Boxos mind. Funko has announced three new additions to its Boxos brand, including Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic and Hello Kitty.
Bad Goes Good Goes Bad In ‘Powerpuff Girls #4′ [Preview]
It's been a windy road for the ex-villains of Townsville, but Blossom, Bubbles, and Buttercup are about to find out the true nature of their former foes turning good in this week's Powerpuff Girls #4 by Troy Little. With the Gangreen Gang, Sedusa, the Amoeba Boys, Princess Morbucks, Fuzzy Lumpkins and others all on their best behavior, the Powerpuff Girls have had to deal with their city's usual crimewaves, plus the sneaking suspicion that not all is as it seems. But who is missing from that villains list who could be capable of crafting such a situation? IDW's provided us with a first-look at the new issue, which you can sample for potentially spoiler-y clues after the cut.
Link Ink: Drew Goddard Confirmed For Netflix’s ‘Daredevil,’ Yudetamago Draw Captain America And Thor, And Box Brown’s ‘Zelda’ Comic
Make your Monday with lots and lots of links.