YOU SHOULD'VE KNOWN BETTER THAN TO MESS WITH ME, HONEY

More on Lady Killer, as we close in on the final order cut-off. Comic shops need to get their initial orders for the first issue in on December 1, so this Wednesday is your last new comics day to tell them that you're interested in signing on for the series. Diamond's order code is NOV140021. Don't forget, you can download a handy order form right here.

* Those bastards over at Comic Bastards prove a lot nicer than their name suggests, giving the first issue a 5/5 and declaring: "I'm calling it right now: Lady Killer is going to be big." Read their review.

* I'm also reminded that it's been a while since I originally linked to it, so worth taking a look back at the book's launch announcement via Comics Alliance from this past summer.

* Similarly, when was the last time you gave a gander to Joëlle's ad parodies featuring Josie? The Pulp Corner column at Evil Geeks rounds them up.

* Multiversity is looking ahead and chose Lady Killer #2 as one of their top 10 books from Dark Horse in February.

“Brides of Helheim” is really cementing my feeling that Joëlle Jones is one of the most dynamic and versatile artists in comics. She can nail the sweet, emotional aspects while simultaneously delivering you one of the most brutal comics on the stands. That’s why “Lady Killer” sounds like a slam sunk for her, as well. And a great opportunity to see what she can do on the scripting side of things, as well. Something tells me she’s going to rise to the challenge.

* And once again, don't forget to follow the Lady Killer tumblr, where you will see behind-the-scenes work like the sketch below.

You'll also see all the amazing fan art other creators have put together for us. Like this new one from Tyler Crook.

If you don’t know Tyler Crook’s work on BPRD or the phenomenal original graphic novel Petrograd or his fill-ins on The Sixth Gun, you need to remedy that. 

His work is hugely admired around here, and he’s a pretty cool fellow, as well. He's actually got a new book out this Wednesday, November 26: the collection of Bad Blood from Dark Horse, which I've read. It's excellently spooky.

You can buy his original art via Cadence, the same dealer that reps Joëlle.

Current Soundtrack: Iggy Azalea, Reclassified

ALL THE MADMEN

More crazy pin-ups for the Madman In Your Face 3D Special. I haven't seen it yet, but folks have been getting their comps, and the photos I've seen look great. The comic is on stores November 26, the day before Thanksgiving.

More details.

The first gallery.

Click on the images in the gallery to see pictures by Aaron Conley, Eduardo Risso, Jae Lee, Jenny Frison, Joe Quinones, Maris Wicks, and Ming Doyle.

Current Soundtrack: Hanz Zimmer, Interstellar original motion picture soundtrack

JAZZ THIEVES

It's been a weird couple of weeks without me reviewing any major releases. I skipped the press screening for Mockingjay because there were so many restrictions on my attendance...well, I just couldn't see Katniss putting up with all those rules. I'll be seeing it on Sunday. Catch my rating at my letterboxd.com account.

NOW IN THEATERS...

* Bad Turn Worse, a sparse little crime thriller with designs on Jim Thompson.

* Keep on Keepin' On, this jazz documentary about an old trumpet player and his blind protege is a good cure for Whiplash. 

Revival movies playing in Portland include Ginger Rogers in Roxie Hart and a festival of WWI movies, including The Big Parade and Paths of Glory.

Whereas, Portlanders, you've already missed these, but who knows, other locales might be getting:

* Pulp: A Film About Life, Death & Supermarkets

* Two evenings with experimental filmmaker Ben Russell

WATCH IT AT HOME... 

* It Happened One Night, the screwball comedy that started it all, starring Clark Gable and Claudette Colbert, directed by Frank Capra.

* L'Avventura, Michelangelo Antonioni's classic breakthrough coming to Blu-ray from Criterion.

Current Soundtrack: Tim Wheeler, Lost Domain

BRING IT ON HOME AND DROP THEM GUNS ON THE FLOOR

We have a final cover for Ares and Aphrodite: Love Wars, my romance graphic novel with Megan Levens.

The comic, which Megan is finishing the coloring on right now, will start being serialized on Comixology in January, and then Oni Press will publish the book edition in April.

Here is the marketing copy:

Will Ares, a successful divorce lawyer, find himself working alongside Gigi Averelle, a wedding planner, when their respective clients - movie producer Evans Beatty and Hollywood starlet Carrie Cartwright - plan to marry. As Beatty's ex-wives come out of the woodwork to cause mayhem, Gigi and Will make a bet - Gigi agrees to go on a date with Will if Evans and Carrie really do go through with the wedding. Should they break up, however, Will must reveal, in a full-page newspaper ad, how many marriages he's ruined. Is Will a fool for love, or is this the start of a beautiful relationship?

Current Soundtrack: Jim Bob, A Humpty Dumpty Thing

DOMESTIC GODDESS

A couple of more Lady Killer interviews with Joëlle Jones and myself have gone live.

First, you can listen to us chat about the book with Michael Romeo on the Robots of Tomorrow podcast over at Multiversity.

Second, read our chat with Steve Sunu at Comic Book Resources.

Finally, the Outhousers have given us a very positive advance review: "One could boil Lady Killer down to its name, but Jones and Rich make it so much more. Josie’s knack for perpetuating her naivety and wholesomeness, while keeping her husband in the dark and her snooping mother-in-law off her back, adds entirely new layers of depth." 

Joëlle also stopped by Print Julep for some cocktails. Watch the video below, and read about it on their blog.

Current Soundtrack: Banks, Goddess 

THE RETURN OF MIRANDA TURNER

It's been a bumpy road, but she's back!

December 4 will see the digital release of The Double Life of Miranda Turner #4. I'm excited to see it released, as this is the one where you finally get to see how Lindy Turner died.

George Kambadais did a knock-out job on the art this issue, and he's already done with #5. Scripts for the entire first nine-issue story arc are also in the can. So we're hoping to be steady rollin' from here.

You can preorder The Double Life of Miranda Turner #4 right now. It's only $0.99. If you haven't started the series yet, you can jump in right now for less than $4!

Current Soundtrack: The Orb, The Orb's Further Adventures Beyond Dark Matter

LADY KILLER #2 COMING FEBRUARY 4

And now Dark Horse comics has released their February solicitations. 

Lady Killer #2 (of 5)
Joëlle Jones (W/A/Cover) and Jamie S. Rich (W)
On sale Feb 4
FC, 32 pages
$3.50
Miniseries
 

Josie’s life grows more complicated than ever. Between the demands of her family life (including her disapproving mother-in-law), the challenges of performing as a ruthless assassin, and being underestimated by the men she works for, how can she do it all—and make it look so good?
• A new original series!


“Lady Killer is a killer cool book with one of my favorite artist/writer teams at the top of their game. It’s an exciting and unique take on the whole midcentury-modern vibe, with one great surprise after another! And the colors are really nifty too!”—Mike Allred

Current Soundtrack: TV on the Radio, Seeds


MADAME FRANKENSTEIN COLLECTED IN FEBUARY

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

PRE-ORDER FORM FOR LADY KILLER #1

As we ramp up promotion on Lady Killer, we also want to make it as easy as possible for readers to communicate to their comic book shops that they want the comic.

To that end, we have made the handy order form below. You can download a high-rez pdf right here.

Contact your favorite retailer before December 1 to make sure your preorder beats the cut-off.

Current Soundtrack: David Bowie, Nothing Has Changed (The Best of David Bowie)

WOMAN OF THE YEAR

Comic Book Resources and Comics Should Be Good have put together a four-part series on Joëlle Jones and the evolution of her work as part of their Year of the Artist. It's rather impressive to see.

Part 1: 12 Reasons Why I Love Her

Part 2: You Have Killed Me

Part 3: Helheim

Part 4: Batman '66

Current Soundtrack: Depeche Mode, Live in Berlin

KILLER IN THE HOME

The press roll-out for Lady Killer has begun. 

Today Newsarama posted an interview with Joëlle and myself, talking about the origins of the series, our working process, etc. Give it a read. 

We also got a really great advance review from the Joss Whedon-centric blog, Buffyverse.

Lady Killer by Joelle Jones is the comic equivalent of Kill Bill meets Mad Men. I

Check out the whole thing.

Don't forget to preorder the first issue with your favorite comic book shop. Here are the details: cover price $3.50, order code NOV140021. On sale January 7 2014.

Need to see more? Scroll through the gallery to see some art, including the covers to #2 and #3. You can also subscribe to our tumblr dedicated to the series.

Current Soundtrack: Jean Grae, 5

3RD DIMENSIONAL TRANSITION

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

AFTER THE ENDING

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

LA VIE D'ARTISTE

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 

FALL DOG BOMBS THE MOON

NOW IN THEATERS...

* The 41s Annual Northwest Filmmakers' Fest is on all this week. Here are my choices from what I've seen.

* Advanced Style, the personalities behind the blog showcasing the fashion of older New York women.

* Big Hero 6, a collection of comic book cliches makes for a half-baked, dull Disney retread.

* Color of Noise, a special showing of the documentary about the Amphetamine Reptile record label.

* Harmontown, a tour film and a documentary about Dan Harmon, the creator of Community, and his podcast. I assume he named it that just so people could say any number of variations on "it's a nice place to visit but only he'd want to live there." (And even that's debatable.)

* Interstellar, the year's most ambitious movie is a lot to take in, but worth it.

WATCH IT AT HOME...

* The Young Guns, a 1956 hybrid of western/juvenile delinquent movie.

Current Soundtrack: Azealia Banks, Broke with Expensive Taste

TWIN PEEKS

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

PARANOID ANDROID

NOW IN THEATERS...

* Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance), the much-hyped superhero meta-movie with Michael Keaton taking on the role of a disgraced actor post-franchise. There's something not quite right about this one.

* Citizenfour, a film about Edward Snowden that also serves as a powerful historical document. A definite must-see.

* Eternity: The Movie, a musical comedy about a Hall & Oates-like duo in the 1980s, and one of the worst movies I've seen this year.

* Nightcrawler, a phenomenal performance by Jake Gyllenhaal is almost enough to save this hollow motion picture.

Portland also has short runs of Alain Resnais' 1968 time-travel movie Je t'aime je t'aime and the 1985 cult hit Return to Oz.

Oh, and film related, I also reviewed the book De Niro: A Life by Shawn Levy. It's a great read, with lots of backstage talk and insight on how De Niro's best and worst roles came to be.

WATCH IT AT HOME...

* Hangmen Also Die, a gripping World War II thriller from master director Fritz Lang.

* La dolce vita, Fellini's masterpiece shined up and polished and looking better than ever.

* Sundays and Cybele, a surprising drama about the relationship between a troubled man and a needy little girl. The 1961 winner of the Best Foreign Language Oscar.

Current Soundtrack: Ex Hex, Rips

LADY KILLER #1: PLEASE RSVP

The new Previews catalogue listing all the comics coming out in January is in comic book stores today.

That means Lady Killer #1, co-written by myself and Joëlle Jones, drawn by Joëlle, colored by Laura Allred, lettered by Crank--that's in the catalogue today.

Look for it in the Dark Horse Comics section. Show it to your retailer and tell them you want it. Given them the code NOV140021.

 Or send them this link, it has everything they need to know.

Preordering will be essential for us, so please don't hesitate. We're going to make this book as fun as we can. We're even converting the letters column into an advice column so Josie, our main character, can answer your questions and give etiquette advice.

And now, some more fan art, including a cool doodle from my pal Nicolas Hitori de, who worked on Spell Checkers with Joëlle and I.

We also got these really adorable pieces from a reader. Anne Stinson is an A-#1 fan of comics!

Current Soundtrack: Panda Bear, Mr. Noah