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Bad news in regards to the Madame Frankenstein trade paperback, originally due in stores this week. We have been informed that some kind of problem at the docks has delayed the shipment from the printer, and so the books won't be in stores now until March 18.
Our apologies for this most unexpected development. In the meantime, here is a sneak peek at some of the design elements and sketches from the book.
For more details on the series, visit the Image Comics page, or join us on Facebook.
Megan Levens and I were on the Weird Girls video cast with Danni Danger discussing all of our books.
Current Soundtrack: Jungle, Jungle
See a longer preview at What'cha Reading.
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Frankenstein meets Pygmalion in MADAME FRANKENSTEIN by Jamie S. Rich (12 Reasons Why I Love Her, You Have Killed Me) and Megan Levens, a graphic novel set in the dying days of the Jazz Age, coming in February from Image Comics.
In 1932, Vincent Krall, an impoverished medical student, sets out to create his perfect woman by reanimating the corpse of the woman he loved but could not possess. But in this dark tale of obsession, Vincent finds that a man cannot master life and death, and a woman is not so easily controlled.
MADAME FRANKENSTEIN began as a drawing in artist Levens’ sketchbook. After she met Rich, the two began trading ideas, and the idea became a fully-fleshed story. Rich is known for his romantic graphic novels, but MADAME FRANKENSTEIN is far from a love story, as the creators explained in an interview with Newsarama.
“Though we certainly are hoping readers will root for Gail to get her freedom, the story is more of a tragedy,” Rich said. “There are no heroes in a traditional sense. Rather, it's a tale of several people whose lives are hopelessly entangled, and the bad things this relationship causes.”
“Vincent believes he has a chance to create a woman who is completely within his control, reprogrammed and taught to think and behave how he thinks she should,” added Levens, whose evocative art captures the emotional subtleties of her and Rich’s characters and the story’s mounting dread in striking black-and-white. “As an artist I was very conscious and deliberate about showing, through the characters' expressions and body language when they interact, that their relationship is based on her fear and his desire for control.”
A graphic novel combining the horror of classic gothic fiction with the glittering tragedy of The Great Gatsby, MADAME FRANKENSTEIN will be in comic book stores on February 25 and in bookstores on March 10. It is available now for pre-order. - See more at: http://imagecomics.com/content/view/jazz-age-glamour-and-gothic-horror-in-madame-frankenstein#sthash.lvn9Vni6.dpuf
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MADAME FRANKENSTEIN by Jamie S. Rich and Megan Levens (cover art by Joelle Jones)
ISBN 978-1-63215-197-1
Diamond Comic order code DEC140674
192 pages, paperback, black and white
$16.99
Collects MADAME FRANKENSTEIN #1-7
In comic book stores February 25, bookstores March 10
Retailers, librarians, and reviewers may request a PDF galley from Jennifer de Guzman, Director of Trade Book Sales, jenniferdeguzman@imagecomics.com
* Praise for MADAME FRANKENSTEIN *
“The heart of this tale is the complex relationship between the creator and his creation…. Looming, expressionistic shadows ramp up the horror; and all the while, Levens’ bold lines and feel for scene-setting flourishes evoke the romance comics of the ’40s, all without feeling too derivative. ...This is a re-interpretation of an old story that lives and breathes.” –Michelle White, Multiversity Comics
“Madame Frankenstein sees Rich twist the old tale into something even creepier, set against Levens’ cinematic, wide, black and white panels. For horror and sci-fi fans, Madame Frankenstein is a must read.” –Tim Midura, The Outhousers
“Madame Frankenstein is a fitting tribute to old-school Universal monster movies and Mary Shelley's classic novel. It's a comic that shows how human beings can be the real monsters, even in a world where the dead can return to life.” –James Ferguson, Horror Talk
“The craft is outstanding, with Jamie S. Rich’s dialogue revealing so much in just a few sentences, and Megan Levens’ art delineating the cast wonderfully.” –Johanna Draper Carlson, Comics Worth Reading
MADAME FRANKENSTEIN “breathes new life into the tale of Frankenstein’s monster.” –Sara Westrop, Geek Syndicate
*
Current Soundtrack: Jessie Ware, Devotion
More Madman in Your Face 3D Special pin-ups, this time by Sean Murphy, Paolo Leandri, Ian Bertram, Emma Rios, Clive Goodyer, Matthew Allison, and Andrew Robinson.
The book goes on sale tomorrow--Wednesday, November 26, just in time for Thanksgiving.
Not convinced you need this? Here is an early review from Rock! Shock! Pop! that praises the 3D especially:
So the two main stories in this issue will obviously be pretty familiar to long time Madman readers but seeing them in 3D really does make a huge difference here. The 3D effects work incredibly well in both stories (at least in digital format, which is what we’ve been given to review) and those old school red and blue glasses (physical copies will include a special pair of Madman 3D glasses) definitely bring out a lot of depth and dimensionality that obviously just can’t be there in the regular versions. Christian LeBlanc has done a phenomenal job here, ensuring that the obvious things like flying fists or zipping spaceships come at you the way you’d expect them to. Maybe more impressive though is how he brings out a lot of the background details into the foreground just enough to keep your eyes moving from one panel to the next to see what’s going to ‘move’ in the story. It’s pretty wild stuff and whole lot of fun to read and to look at.
And we are also amongst the picks of the week for a couple of different sites:
* IGN: "It would be easy to dismiss the 3D element as a silly gimmick. But considering that Allred is one of the most talented artists in the business, would he bothered with a 3D special if he didn't feel there was a great story to be told?"
* Yahoo: "Do you like 3D comics? Let’s be honest, this is a bit of a novelty. I’m a sucker for 3D mainly because my father collected them. It might be none to some that I’m also a huge Mike Allred/Madman fan. The idea of a 3D Madman comic is fitting for the character."
Hell, just look what a great fashion accessory the 3D glasses are!
Image Comics released their solicitation info for February, including the lowdown on the Madame Frankenstein trade paperback.
MADAME FRANKENSTEIN TP
STORY: JAMIE S. RICH
ART: MEGAN LEVENS
COVER: JOËLLE JONES & NICK FILARDI
FEBRUARY 10 / 192 PAGES / BW / T+ / $16.99
In 1932, Vincent Krall sets out to create his perfect woman by reanimating the corpse of the love of his life. He’ll soon discover, however, that man was never meant to peer beyond the veil between life and death, and a woman is not as easily controlled as he believes. The collected MADAME FRANKENSTEIN contains all the covers by Helheim artist JOËLLE JONES and an exclusive gallery section showcasing MEGAN LEVENS’ development process.
Collects MADAME FRANKENSTEIN #1-7
Current Soundtrack: The New Basement Tapes, Lost on the River
On 11/26, the day before Thanksgiving, we're teaming up with Image Comics to give you something to be thankful for:
THE MADMAN IN YOUR FACE 3D SPECIAL!
Scroll through this gallery to see some of the new pin-ups and a page from the brand-new five-page story, all featured for the first time in glorious 3D thanks to Christian LeBlanc.
Images featured above, in order (scroll by clicking on them); the 3D cover; Nick Dragotta pin-up; Becky Cloonan; Declan Shalvey & Jordie Bellaire; Paolo & Joe Rivera; and the opening page of the book's new story.
Below: a page from Madman Atomic Comics #9, a.k.a. the world's longest comic book panel; a pin-up by Marcos Martin (cross your eyes, it's in 3D!).
Current Soundtrack: Serial podcast
So, what a fulfilling seven months that was. Madame Frankenstein ended this week, and so far, the response has been really good, despite our fears that our fully embracing the more horrific elements of the story might send people running. As one reader tweeted, it is a horror book, after all.
A particularly thoughtful piece at Major Spoilers really digs into the themes, the storytelling, and the art, summing up this way:
Madame Frankenstein #7 is the perfect ending to a delightfully unique comic series out of Image. It deserves to be read in full and the creative team deserves to have their work celebrated by all comic fans.
Unleash the Fanboy also really got into the more gruesome aspects of the outcome.
Jamie S. Rich is a really great writer. The spin that has been put on the old story is very refreshing and relevant to today’s society. It makes the reader ask questions and face those consequences with the characters. It’s what comic books should be doing!
Megan Levens has a unique voice that is brought out through her art. She understands where things are suppose to go and how they are to play out. The emotions she conveys with the pictures are so inviting that you feel that your right there. It is really cool.
Coming Up Comics has been one of our most ardent supporters and weren't disappointed.
This is the hardest issue for me to review as I don’t want to give anything away about the grand finale for this amazing story that we’ve been loving. I will say that it’s a fantastic ending to the chapter of this story. As everything begins to unravel, we’re allowed to watch from a distance while horrific things happen and you’re left feeling that nothing was rushed as this story was perfectly paced and delivered to us.
More mixed over at Need to Consume, but the writer will come around and see it our way eventually. :)
The art work has reached an emotional level that does the characters and the greater narrative more justice. There is an energy to the figurative work that has been lacking in some of the previous issues. The reader can feel the pain as Gail strikes Vincent’s face and the disembodiment sequence is as graphically uncomfortable as any of the scenes in Shelley’s original novel.
We're scheduling the trade paperback for February. Issues 2-7 are in my store, though, and if you buy them all, I'll make sure you get a pdf of #1. Just sayin'.
Current Soundtrack: Antony & the Johnsons, Turning
Joëlle Jones talks to PreviewsWorld.com about Lady Killer and shares a page from the opening of the book.
Also, the Madman In Your Face 3D Special! is now approved for printing. This was a massive undertaking, with Christian LeBlanc going to herculean lengths to convert 80 pages of comic book art.
You get two vintage Madman stories, a new five-page story, and a whole bunch of never seen pin-ups by the likes of Becky Cloonan, Declan Shalvey & Jordie Bellaire, Eduardo Risso, Marcos Martin, Jenny Frison, Sean Murphy, Ming Doyle, Paolo Rivera, Emma Rios, Nick Dragotta, Joe Quinones, Aaron Conley, Andrew Robinson, and more. Plus, you own Madman 3D glasses!
The book should be out around the first week of December. Here is Paolo Rivera's piece, inked by Joe Rivera.
Lady Killer is published by Dark Horse Comics, Madman In Your Face 3D Special! is coming from Image Comics.
Current Soundtrack: The Thompson Twins, Remixes & Rarities
In advance of the release of Madame Frankenstein #7 this Wednesday, November 5, here is the cover and first three pages of the final issue. Click on the image to scroll through. (via Comic Book Resources)
And check out The Mary Sue for an exclusive look at Lady Killer, including images from #1 and this cover from #2. I can't get enough of Laura Allred's colors over Joëlle Jones.
Lady Killer #1 is released on January 7.
By the by, Brides of Helheim #2 is also on sale this week, also featuring art by Joëlle Jones, with incredible colors by Nick Filardi, who colored the Madame Frankenstein covers.
Current Soundtrack: Taylor Swift, 1989
Seven days away from the conclusion of Madame Frankenstein.
Wow, more Lady Killer fan art! This time from Megan Levens, who also took the time to do a new Madame Frankenstein piece as part of her #Inktober project.
Check 'em out! And be sure to watch for Megan's debut in the Buffyverse with January's issue of Buffy the Vampire Season Ten.
Josie from Lady Killer
Gail from Madame Frankenstein
Current Soundtrack: The Primitives, Spin-O-Rama
The video above features a few minutes of Megan Levens talking Madame Frankenstein. Issue #7 is just a week and a half away!
Also, Megan posted a sneak peek image from our Oni Press romance comic Ares & Aphrodite that's just too darn cute.
Current Soundtrack: Andrew Montgomery, Ruled by Dreams
Madame Frankenstein #6 continues to get good reviews. Unleash the Fanboy raves:
Jamie S. Rich is a great writer and really shines with this issue. You face a lot of moral questions that are brought to the surface. It is really fantastic. It, also, gives Vincent a conscience, which is something that we haven’t really seen but now we do get a chance to see that part of the character and now we do.
Megan Levens is a really great artist and gives us the emotional looks and feel for this issue. I really do think that she is someone to look out for because of her ability. Each panel is packed with great stuff and you will see that in this issue.
It is, of course, in finer comic book shops everywhere. You can also download the comic from Comixology or direct from the publisher. Both options are now DRM-free.
I love how the cover turned out. So simple, yet so evocative. Take a gander at Joëlle Jones' black-and-white line art.
Joëlle is a great collaborator and always open to suggestions for what we might be looking for. After the elaborate #4 and #5 covers, I thought something more reserved would not only be fitting, but had some idea of how to capture the mood of this issue.
These posters from the film A Kiss Before Dying came to mind.
As you can see, Joëlle took the inspiration and flipped it around. It's the moment before the violent act, and this time from the man's point of view.
The male gaze, indeed.
Here it is again, as you've likely seen it, with Nick Filardi's colors, as well as an alternate choice that he eventually discarded since the previous issue's cover had been primarily blue.
I think the orange was better anywhere. It burns hotter. More passionate and threatening.
Nick has been awesome to work with, he always surprises us.
Current Soundtrack: Jamie T, Carry on the Grudge
Tomorrow is Madame Frankenstein #6 day. And if that weren't enough reason to head to the comic book store, it's also your chance to get the debut issue of Brides of Helheim, featuring art by our cover team of Joëlle Jones and Nick Filardi. Please look at this awesome preview of their comic over at CBR.
Coming Up Comics are all-in for MF. They gave the new issue a 10 out of 10.
You just don’t get stories like this every day. When you do, read them, and then read them again. When they’re this good, this deep, and this enjoyable, you don’t want to skip a moment of enjoying them. Issue by issue, more of the story has been given to us and these characters are more complicated than we had imagined. It’s truly a study on how there is no such thing as being completely bad or completely good, but human.
And for you, the first six pages of #6, just scroll through the gallery below.
Current Soundtrack: Prince, ART OFFICIAL AGE
Madame Frankenstein #6 is nearly here. Wednesday, October 1st, is nearly upon us.
We got one great review so far from What'cha Reading.
The train wreck we see coming in issue 5 is still on the horizon and Jamie has us holding our collective breath awaiting the inevitable.
In issue 6 it’s immediately clear that Vincent is losing ground with Gail, the pressures he applying and expectations she has for are just too much. And adding in the continuation of Vincent’s relationship with Linda Ruby, the woman from the carnival, we see the wheels start to come off. It’s fitting that someone so obsessed with controlling one woman should have his comeuppance instigated by a woman he can’t control.
Plus, my buddy Joe Bowen surprised us with this fantastic bit of fan art.
The reception for Madame Frankenstein #5 has been pretty great overall. Here are a couple of reviews.
* Honored to be one of the staff picks for September on Women Write About Comics. They say:
We’re reaching the climax of this seven-issue miniseries, a reimagining of the Frankenstein story with a feminine perspective, set in the early 1930s. Levens’ black and white art is gorgeous and lively, and Rich’s story provides an interesting twist on the familiar tale.
Check out all their great picks right here. We are in very good company.
* "Krall Calls a Mulligan On Gail's Public Appearance": Great headline and a very nice review from the Outhouse.
Current Soundtrack: A.R. Rahman & Iggy Azalea, "Million Dollar Dream;" Sia, "Fair Game"
Madame Frankenstein #5 is on sale today. The one where the monster goes to a Jazz Age party. You can find it in your favorite comic book store.
Digital versions include Comixology and also from the publisher.
The issue got a really fantastic review from Johanna Draper Carlson over Comics Worth Reading.
The craft is outstanding, with Jamie S. Rich’s dialogue revealing so much in just a few sentences, and Megan Levens’ art delineating the cast wonderfully. The slender Gail is perfectly suited for the fashions of the period, nicely done details, and she contrasts in more than one way with the plumper, earthier showgirl Linda.
And then hop over to the Coming Up Comics blog for their review:
Jamie and Megan have created this story that reads like a play. It’s getting you invested in these characters to the point where you wish you could just ask them all to stop before something bad happens. The bad happening seems all but inevitable at this point however. Like I said in my past reviews, it’s very rare for me, while reading a story, to have so many conflicting emotions and they’ve all happened in only five issues.
If you’re a fan of great storytelling and wonderful artwork that will transport you back in time you must go get this.
Nice, huh?
More informative, maybe, is Unleash the Fanboy who makes sure we know that Megan blows
your mind.
Sorry. Couldn't resist. :)
Current Soundtrack: The National, Trouble Will Find Me
Madame Frankenstein #5 is on stands this coming Wednesday. It's the crucial part of the middle act. The series is kind of structured in three pieces: issues #1-3, #4-5, and #6-7.
What'cha Reading? has a pretty good overview up until now, free of #5 spoilers, too.
They have a preview, as does the awesome Comicosity site. Or you can just scroll through the gallery below.
I've added the issue to my webstore, as well, in case you wanted to preorder it during this weekend's sale.
Current Soundtrack: Ariana Grande, My Everything
The full solicitations for Image Comics in November features the final issue of Madame Frankenstein.
MADAME FRANKENSTEIN #7 (OF 7)
story: JAMIE S. RICH
art: MEGAN LEVENS
cover: JOELLE JONES & NICK FILARDI
NOVEMBER 5 / 32 PAGES / BW / T+ / $2.99
The creature confronts her creator as both try to maintain the control they so desperately crave. But, as with many things, the more someone wants something, the easier it is to lose. It’s the gruesome grand finale that promises to be more strange and horrific than anything you’ve seen so far!
Also from Image in November, a new Madman special!
MADMAN IN YOUR FACE 3D SPECIAL!
story: MICHAEL ALLRED
art / cover: MICHAEL ALLRED & LAURA ALLRED
3D conversion: CHRISTIAN LeBLANC
NOVEMBER 26 / 80 PAGES / FC / E / $9.99
This super-sized special-effects spectacular features an all-new Madman story by MICHAEL ALLRED, plus an exclusive 3D gallery of superstar talent: PAOLO RIVERA, MARCOS MARTIN, JAE LEE, EDUARDO RISSO, EMMA RIOS, NICK DRAGOTTA, ANDREW ROBINSON, SEAN MURPHY, MARIS WICKS, AARON CONLEY, JENNY FRISON, DECLAN SHALVEY, BECKY CLOONAN, JOE QUINONES, MING DOYLE, NICK BRADSHAW, and more! Plus newly converted 3D versions of the acclaimed "Swiped From Dimension X," where ALLRED drew almost every panel in the style of a different artist, and "The World's Biggest Comic Book Panel." Also includes a cut-out 3D cube and surprises galore! Custom MADMAN 3D glasses included!
Current Soundtrack: Leonard Cohen, "Almost Like the Blues;" Taylor Swift, "Shake It Off" -- I know, I can't believe they released singles on the same day, either!
