NEWS: THE SHADOW #1 ARRIVES THIS APRIL!

THE SHADOW #1 ONGOING SERIES BY GARTH ENNIS!

IN STORES APRIL 2012!!!

January 16th, 2012, Runnemede, NJ - Who knows what evil lurks in the hearts of men? The Shadow knows! The Shadow returns to comic stores written by the man born to write him - Garth Ennis. The artist joining Garth will be Aaron Campbell. Featuring covers by fan favorite artists Alex Ross, Howard Chaykin, Jae Lee and John Cassaday. The Shadow #1 his stores in April 2012!

In the first issue of the ONGOING SERIES, it's 1938 and The Shadow returns in a tale of blazing action and deadly intrigue, as a night of carnage on the New York waterfront plunges the mysterious vigilante into a conspiracy involving the fate of the world itself. As storm clouds gather across the globe, American Military Intelligence meets with a certain Lamont Cranston, determined to beat a host of spies and assassins to the greatest prize of all... but what that might be, only the Shadow knows. Be sure to get The Shadow #1 in April 2012!

"The Shadow is probably the last established character I like that I haven't gotten around to writing yet, certainly on this side of the Atlantic," says writer Garth Ennis. "It makes a kind of bloody, bullet-riddled sense: I always had a feeling our paths would cross sooner or later."

"The Shadow is an awesome character in an awesome time," adds artist Aaron Campbell. "I mean what's not to like? You have the old school mystique of eastern mysticism wrapped up with a badass gunslinger!"

"Garth is a writer who was born to write The Shadow," states Dynamite Entertainment President and Publisher Nick Barrucci. "Not since Howard Chaykin's acclaimed mini-series have I been this excited for a Shadow series. Garth will take The Shadow to a new level, and Aaron will compliment his scripts well. I cannot wait for fans to see Garth's take on the character!"

Garth Ennis is a Northern Irish comics writer, best known for his immensely successful revival of Marvel Comics' Punisher franchise and the DC/Vertigo series Preacher, co-created with artist Steve Dillon.

His work is characterized by extreme violence, black humor, profanity, an interest in male friendship, an antagonistic relationship with organized religion, and irreverence towards superheroes. Frequent artistic collaborators include Steve Dillon, Glenn Fabry, Carlos Ezquerra and John McCrea. Garth Ennis' current work includes Dynamite's hit series The Boys.

The Shadow is a collection of serialized dramas, originally in pulp magazines, then on 1930s radio and then in a wide variety of media, that follow the exploits of the title character, a crime-fighting vigilante in the pulps, which carried over to the airwaves as a "wealthy, young man about town" with psychic powers. One of the most famous pulp heroes of the 20th century, The Shadow has also been featured in comic books, comic strips and at least five motion pictures.

Join the conversation on Twitter with #TheShadowKnows and on Dynamite Entertainment's twitter page at http://twitter.com/DynamiteComics

NEWS: MERCILESS - THE RISE OF MING

SPINNING-OFF FROM FLASH GORDON - ZEITGEIST…THE PREQUEL COMIC BOOK SERIES, MERCILESS - THE RISE OF MING #1!

IN STORES APRIL 2012!!!

January 11th, 2011, Runnemede, NJ - The iconic legend Flash Gordon made his dynamic splash back into comics with Dynamite Entertainment with Flash Gordon - Zeitgeist! Spinning off from that series is the prequel comic book series, Merciless - The Rise of Ming #1, which is written by Scott Beatty and drawn by Ron Adrian, with an incredible cover from Alex Ross and is in stores April 2012! In issue #1, Prince Ming begins his rise to dominion over the entirety of Mongo! But who (or what) was Ming before he was 'Merciless'? Find out here as the origin of one of science fiction's preeminent villains is presented in all its diabolical details! Be sure to get Merciless - The Rise of Ming #1 in April 2012!

"In most heroic fiction, we (the readers, that is) never really question why the villains do very bad things. It's always just assumed that evil is as evil does," says writer Scott Beatty. "Ming is one of the great antagonists of science fiction. In many ways, he's archetypal and the model for all intergalactic despots to follow. But he's not just Ming. Everybody knows he's Ming the MERCILESS. And he's successful at being just that. Ming has a plan. For EVERYTHING. Readers of FLASH GORDON can think of MERCILESS: THE RISE OF MING as "required reading" for the series' central conflict. It's a primer that reveals not just who Ming the Merciless is--well before he ruled all of Mongo--but just what he did to get there... and WHY he did it."

"Scott [Beatty] has taken the groundwork laid by Eric [Trautmann] and Alex [Ross] in Flash Gordon and gone back in time to tell the tale of the Rise of Ming," states Dynamite Editor Joe Rybandt. "This is the direct precursor to the story in Flash Gordon and presents the definitive origin of the universe's most merciless dictator."

Flash Gordon is the hero of a science fiction adventure comic strip originally drawn by Alex Raymond. First published January 7, 1934, the strip was inspired by and created to compete with the already established Buck Rogers adventure strip.

The original Flash Gordon comic strip follows the adventures of Flash Gordon, a handsome polo player and Yale graduate, and his companions Dale Arden and Dr. Hans Zarkov. The story begins with Earth bombarded by fiery meteors. Dr. Zarkov invents a rocket ship to locate their place of origin in outer space. Half mad, he kidnaps Flash and Dale, whose plane has crashed in the area, and the three travel to the planet Mongo, where they discover the meteors are weapons devised by Ming the Merciless, evil ruler of Mongo.

For many years, the three companions have adventures on Mongo, traveling to the forest kingdom of Arboria, ruled by Prince Barin; the ice kingdom of Frigia, ruled by Queen Fria; the jungle kingdom of Tropica, ruled by Queen Desira; the undersea kingdom of the Shark Men, ruled by King Kala; and the flying city of the Hawkmen, ruled by Prince Vultan. They are joined in several early adventures by Prince Thun of the Lion Men. Eventually, Ming is overthrown, and Mongo is ruled by a council of leaders led by Barin. Flash and friends return to Earth and have some adventures before returning to Mongo and crashing in the kingdom of Tropica, before reuniting with Barin and others. Flash and his friends would travel to other worlds and frequently return to Mongo, where Prince Barin, married to Ming's daughter Princess Aura, has established a peaceful rule (except for frequent revolts led by Ming or by one of his many descendants). The long story of the Skorpii War takes Flash to other star systems, using starships that are faster than light.


Scott Beatty has worked extensively for the popular comic book publisher DC Comics since the mid '90s. He is perhaps best known for his work on several encyclopedic guides to superheroes. He has also worked writing comic books, recently contributing to the Wildstorm reboot World's End with the series Wildstorm: Revelations and Number of the Beast. Other projects include Buck Rogers, The Last Phantom, and Merciless - The Rise of Ming for Dynamite Entertainment.
Join the conversation on Twitter with #FlashGordon and on Dynamite Entertainment's twitter page at http://twitter.com/DynamiteComics

WHAT'S THE DEAL WITH THE 2 FLASH GORDONS?

After posting in our year-in-review the section for Dynamite's Flash Gordon: Zeitgeist, I received this comment from Brendan Deneen, who is a comic book writer and publisher, which I refrained from publishing:

"Why pay for this when you can read FLASH GORDON: THE MERCY WARS #0 and #1 (34 pages of story) for FREE at www.Ardden-Entertainment.com

We've been publishing Flash Gordon since 2008 and have received rave reviews from Publishers Weekly, Ain't It Cool News, and more.

Thanks!"

Now here's my response. I wanted to properly address this matter not in the comments section but as a post:

Dear Mr. Deneen,
I commend you on the efforts you are making to get your Flash Gordon book recognized. Let me tell you that I have read the preview of The Mercy Wars, which is co-written by Jim Krueger, a frequent collaborator and friend of Alex Ross, and found it exhilarating.

As you may have noticed, this site is dedicated to collecting the art of Alex Ross, hence the post on Zeitgeist and the omission of the existence of your title(s). I would've loved for you to contact me through the proper channels and discuss both books. I believe that questioning my readers as to why are they reading one thing and not the other wasn't the appropriate way, that's the reason behind my refusal to publish your comment. I don't mean any disrespect with my action because I firmly believe in free will and that the existence of two very different titles of such a beloved character such as Flash Gordon could co-exist so people can chose which one they like most.

Thanks for your time and I enjoy having you as a reader of my blog as I am now a reader of your work.

Sincerely,

Andres Avila
The Alex Ross Collector
www.alexrosscollector.com

So, to all the readers of this blog, I'm hereby exhorting you to try both titles. The complete issue one of Zeitgeist with a more retro take on Flash Gordon by Eric Trautmann, Daniel Indro and Dynamite Entertainment which can be found on this blog or Brendan Deneen's and Jim Kruger's more modern take on the same character which can be found at their website.

FLASH GORDON: ZEITGEIST #1 - FULL ISSUE!

Thanks to Dynamite Entertainment! Enjoy!

FLASH GORDON - ZEITGEIST #1
Plot by ALEX ROSS & ERIC TRAUTMANN
Script by ERIC TRAUTMANN
Art by DANIEL INDRO
Covers by ALEX ROSS (75%), PAUL RENAUD (25%), FRANCESCO FRANCAVILLA (1-in-10), WAGNER REIS (1-in-25)
The year is 1934, a time of two-fisted swashbuckling, of fearsome threats and wild adventure-and of ever-growing threats on the horizon.
Three valiant humans -- Flash Gordon, Dale Arden and Dr. Hans Zarkov -- are plucked from the Earth, traveling to the distant planet Mongo. Their exploits are legendary, battling the machinations and terror schemes of the dreaded emperor Ming, the All-Seeing Ruler of Mongo. But they did not fight alone...
Written by Eric Trautmann (Vampirella, Red Sonja), from a story and designs by Alex Ross (Kingdom Come, Marvels, Project: Superpowers) and illustrated by Daniel Indro.
32 pages FC • $1.00 • Teen +

MARCH 2012 SOLICITATIONS

KIRBY: GENESIS - CAPTAIN VICTORY #6
Written by STERLING GATES
Art by STEVE SCOTT
Cover by ALEX ROSS
“Virgin Art” Retailer incentive cover by ALEX ROSS
Following the disaster of Ilili, Captain Victory and his crew race back to Ranger Center to confront the traitor in their midst! But the traitor's got a secret weapon of his own aboard the Dreadnaught Tiger, a sleeper agent activated if Victory ever discovered what was really happening within the Galactic Command. Victory is forced to fight one of his own as Tiger 20 attacks!
32 pages FC • $3.99 • Teen +



KIRBY: GENESIS - SILVER STAR #5
Written by JAI NITZ
Art by JOHNNY DESJARDINS
Covers by ALEX ROSS (50%), JAE LEE (25%), MARK BUCKINGHAM (25%)
“Virgin Art” Retailer incentive cover by ALEX ROSS
What if the Silver Star had never existed? Tracy Coleman wakes up from her decades-long slumber to find a utopian world full of Kirby superheroes, but Silver Star isn’t among them. Tracy is the only person who remembers the most powerful superhero ever, and she is hunted for her forbidden knowledge. Can Tracy survive when everyone in the superpowered world is out to get her? And what happens when she finally finds the powerless Morgan Miller? Alternate universe action in the Kirby tradition, brought to you by Jai Nitz and Johnny D!
32 pages FC • $3.99 • Teen +


KIRBY: GENESIS - DRAGONSBANE #3
Written by ROBERT RODI
Art by FRITZ CASAS
Cover by ALEX ROSS
“Virgin Art” Retailer incentive cover by ALEX ROSS
Spinning out of KIRBY: GENESIS, Sigurd Dragonsbane and his band of champions explore the astonishing Mythlands, where the heroes and legends of every cultural tradition now reside. But there's someone terrifying waiting for them in the dark, dank forests of Eastern European folklore...and if she has her way, their journey might end right there! Plus: The mysterious meaning of the Soothsayer's prophecies-revealed!
32 pages FC • $3.99 • Teen +



THE BIONIC MAN #8
Written by KEVIN SMITH, PHIL HESTER
Art by JONATHAN LAU
Covers by ALEX ROSS (main), JONATHAN LAU (1-in-10)
“Virgin Art” Retailer incentive cover by ALEX ROSS
Will Steve Austin's first official mission as The Bionic Man also be his last? After infiltrating the headquarters of his arch enemy, the crazed cyborg Hull, Steve finds himself in the clutches of the bizarre machine man known as Naga. Now Steve stands helpless as Hull's terrifying robot army is unleashed on the wider world.
32 pages FC • $3.99 • Teen +



FLASH GORDON: ZEITGEIST #5
Written by ERIC TRAUTMANN
Art by DANIEL INDRO
Covers by ALEX ROSS (75%), PAUL RENAUD (25%),
FRANCESCO FRANCAVILLA (1-in-10)
“Virgin Art” Retailer incentive cover by ALEX ROSS
The rebellious Prince Barin has Flash Gordon in his clutches, and that may spell death... unless the intrepid Earthman defeats his own ally, Prince Thun of the Lion Men of Mongo. Insurrection against Ming's iron rule of Mongo is brewing, with shifting alliances and deadly intrigues at every turn. But the clock is ticking, as the merciless emperor has plans of his own: his royal wedding to Dale Arden. On Earth, three fugitives from Mongo have their sights set on their objective, with the Third Reich squarely in their crosshairs...
32 pages FC • $3.99 • Teen +


VOLTRON #4
Written by BRANDON THOMAS
Art by ARIEL PADILLA
Cover by ALEX ROSS (75%), SEAN CHEN (25%)
“Virgin Art” Retailer incentive cover by ALEX ROSS
Past and present collide as the scope of King Zarkon's terrible plan unfolds, revealing just what forced him to leave Earth so long ago in search of absolute revenge. Only the ghost of a friend long lost can convince him to turn away from Doom and honor the sacrifices once made on his behalf. Time is running out for everyone, as the Voltron Force storms the castle in their most dangerous rescue mission yet. Generation Voltron goes penultimate, everything coming together one last time before coming apart all over again...
32 pages FC • $3.99 • Teen +

ON SALE THIS WEEK: LONE RANGER & FLASH GORDON

THE LONE RANGER #1
Written by ANDE PARKS

Art by ESTEVE POLLS

Covers by ALEX ROSS (50%), FRANCESCO FRANCAVILLA (50%)

It's been two months since Lone Ranger and Tonto hit the trails of the old west, looking for injustice. They've found plenty. Now, they come across settlers who have been victimized in a way that stirs memories in John Reid. Loss, vengeance, and redemption as pioneer idealism meets the reality of hard life on the prairie. A stand-alone tale that ties into an epic six part story that will test the mettle of the west's most legendary heroes.
32 pages FC • $3.99 • Teen +





FLASH GORDON - ZEITGEIST #2
Written by ERIC TRAUTMANN
Art by DANIEL INDRO
Covers by ALEX ROSS (75%), PAUL RENAUD (25%), FRANCESCO FRANCAVILLA (1-in-10)
After crashlanding an experimental transdimensional spacecraft on the surface of an alien world, Flash Gordon, Dale Arden and Dr. Hans Zarkov come face-to-face with Ming the Merciless. Driven by an unquenchable thirst for conquest, Ming has plans for the "pathetic Earthlings": death for Flash in Mongo's arena, brain-stripping for the brilliant Dr. Zarkov, and a vile wedding ceremony for Dale. With the fate of our world extinct, can even Flash Gordon save us?
32 pages FC • $3.99 • Teen +