Splash Panel

The first proper content on this site in a while and a slight shift in the way I will be reviewing graphic novels you can now download the enhanced Splash Panel podcast. Hopefully these will come out as a minimum of once a week, however if I get into the groove and am really firing on all cylinders this might be extended a little bit further. I’m sure there will be gremlins to deal with in future installments as I get to better grips with the software I’m using so bear with me. My intention is that is shows a sign of things to come here on Splash Panel.

Download the Standard version

Download the Enhanced version

I think I’ve sorted out the podcasting gremlins to be honest, however there is still some work to be done in getting my feeds sorted out on itunes as well, so we’ll see how that all works out.

Comics Village seems to be a collection of guys and gals who contributed to the excellent Borderline Magazine. Loads of a great reviews and articles. There is something lacking about the design of the website to be honest but i guess i honestly can’t complain since I’ve been sitting on my design for this site for donkey’s. Been a really long time since I posted anything on this site, so I’ll start slowly and build the momentum.

Splash Panel is a reviews and news website dedicated to the graphic novel medium. The traditional comic book industry is changing. Thousands out there are converting their reading habits from the monthly grind of the pamphlet to something more substantial, 120 page book that sits on your shelf, that contains in one place a complete story (or a healthy chunk of one).

We don’t generally give bad reviews, because there is soo much good stuff out there that deserves your attention first. If you have any recommendations that have not been reviewed on the site yet please don’t hesitate to contact us.

Whenever I get the chance, I usually take the diamond weekly comics list, edit it and only show the trade paperbacks and the original graphic novels. Then I throw my two cents about what people should consider getting this week.

JUL070056 EDEN VOL 9 ITS AN ENDLESS WORLD TP (MR) $12.95
God I’m behind on this exceptional series. I’ve got the first two books and they are by far some of the best manga I’ve read in a really long time. The last time I got excited about a Manga like this was back when I was reading Planetes. Check out the always excellent Dark Horse website for further information regarding this series.

APR070023 GRENDEL ART OF MATT WAGNERS GRENDEL HC $39.95
I only recently read my first Grendel tale, which was the very first Grendel story every drawn/written. While it was rough around the edges I could most definitely see a great deal of potential and can see why Wagner is so in demand. I’ve got to admit that I am lacking in the works by Wagner but everything I’ve ever read about the man has always pointed that he’s an exceptional talent and great storyteller. Whule I don’t think I’m the target audience for this, it’s just a good little reminder for me to maybe get some Grendel instead.

JUL070245 BATMAN ARCHIVES VOL 7 HC $49.99
JUL070292 CAIRO HARDCOVER (MR) $24.99
Probably won’t be getting this series as a hardcover, however I do tend to give Vertigo books the benefit of the doubt. Here’s what they have to say in the solicitation:

Written by breakout talent G. Willow Wilson, a Cairo-based journalist, and drawn by renowned illustrator M.K. Perker, the original hardcover graphic novel CAIRO is action-adventure that brings the ancient and modern Middle East together with a Vertigo twist! A stolen hookah, a spiritual underworld, and a genie on the run change the lives of five strangers forever in this modern fable set on the streets of the Middle East’s largest metropolis!

I will say however that the colours for the cover really do blow. There’s no real creativity in how that is presented which is a real shame as the inside is in black and white and that’s the only colour for the entire story.

AUG070272 GREEN ARROW ROAD TO JERICHO TP $17.99
AUG070273 GREEN LANTERN CORPS A DARKER SHADE OF GREEN TP $12.99
JUL078014 HEROES HC ALEX ROSS COVER $29.99
JUL078015 HEROES HC JIM LEE COVER $29.99
A series soo good that it needs that extra push of two variant hardcovers. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a hardcover being released with a friggin variant cover, unless it’s trying for two different markets (like the Marvel Premiere editions which will have the name of the writer in really large if they’re aiming for the bookmarket audience). This however is just giving your two friggin covers for no other reason but because. If they include the alternative cover on the inside as a pinup or something then they’re cool, otherwise, they’re a bunch of wankers as far as I’m concerned. Will I be picking this up? Seeing as I really felt that the series is a bit better than average but with some pretty good parts to it, I think I’ll probably wait for the cheaper soft cover version.

AUG070301 KING OF CARDS VOL 2 $9.99
AUG070278 ROBIN TEENAGE WASTELAND TP $17.99
JUN071891 ART OF GREG CAPULLO SC $24.99
SEP072167 DARK TOWER GUNSLINGER BORN PREM HC $24.99
Ah, finally this is coming out. If you remember, I reviewed the first issue around 8 months ago, so that’s really not a bad turn around from Marvel. Series obviously came out on time and they’ve quickly put this together just in time for Christmas. I’m actually pretty excited about this, although again not loving the HC only treatment. It would be nice to have the option really.

SEP072284 MARVEL LEGACY 1960S TO 1990S HANDBOOK TP $19.99
SEP072277 NEW AVENGERS VOL 6 REVOLUTION TP $14.99
SEP072279 OMEGA FLIGHT ALPHA TO OMEGA TP $13.99
SEP072263 SPIDER-MAN PETER PARKER BACK IN BLACK HC $34.99
SEP072264 ULTIMATE FANTASTIC FOUR VOL 4 HC $29.99
SEP073771 30 DAYS OF NIGHT EBEN & STELLA TP $17.99
Just in time for the release of the movie. Not been keeping up with this series of books that have been coming out consistently from IDW. The books that I have bought have always been incredibly enjoyable and it’s a small little concept that has really sprouted an entire library of books and a movie for the creators which is great as it’s a good series. Don’t believe, here read that review of the first book I wrote many many moons ago. I’m not going to spoil what this series is about, but needless to say, you’ve got to have read Dark Days before hand.

SEP073475 ALEX RAYMONDS FLASH GORDON VOL 1-7 HC SET $139.65
SEP074081 ALICE ON DEADLINES VOL 1 TP $10.99
AUG074002 ARK ANGELS VOL 3 GN (OF 3) $9.99
SEP073289 AZUMANGA DAIOH OMNIBUS VOL 1 GN $24.99
AUG074075 BABY & ME VOL 5 GN $8.99
AUG074061 BLACK CAT VOL 11 TP $7.99
AUG074003 BLAME VOL 10 GN (OF 10) (MR) $9.99
AUG074000 BOYS BE VOL 15 GN (OF 20) (MR) $9.99
SEP073578 CAMERA CAMERA CAMERA VOL 1 GN (MR) $12.95
SEP073579 CANT WIN WITH YOU VOL 2 GN (MR) $12.95
JUN073852 CHARLEYS WAR VOL 4 BLUES STORY HC $19.95
AUG074069 D GRAY MAN VOL 7 GN $7.99
SEP073871 DAN BRERETONS NOCTURNALS VOL 1 REG ED HC (RES) $29.99
SEP074025 DOROTHY OF OZ VOL 1 GN $11.95
AUG074004 DRAGON HUNTER VOL 17 GN (OF 18) $9.99
SEP073585 ENCHANTER VOL 6 GN (MR) $12.95
SEP073298 EVERYBODY COSPLAY VOL 1 GN $19.99
AUG074070 GIN TAMA VOL 3 TP $7.99
AUG074076 GODCHILD VOL 7 TP $8.99
AUG073553 HACK SLASH VOL 3 FRIDAY THE 31ST TP $18.99
AUG073993 HANDS OFF VOL 1 DONT CALL US ANGELS GN (OF 2) $9.99
AUG073581 HEROES ARE EXTINCT VOL 2 GN $12.95
AUG074071 HUNTER X HUNTER VOL 17 TP $7.99
AUG073992 INITIAL D VOL 28 GN (OF 35) $9.99
AUG074024 INNOCENT BIRD VOL 3 GN (OF 3) (A) $9.99
AUG074077 KAZE HIKARU VOL 7 GN $8.99
AUG074072 KUROHIME VOL 2 TP $7.99
AUG074007 LITTLE QUEEN VOL 4 GN (OF 8 ) $9.99
AUG074078 LOVE COM VOL 3 TP $8.99
AUG074025 LOVE MODE VOL 7 GN (OF 11) (A) $9.99
SEP074014 LOWER REGIONS GN $6.95
MAY073802 MIDDLEMAN VOL 3 TP $9.95
AUG073979 MODESTY BLAISE VOL 12 DEATH TRAP TP $19.95
AUG074063 NARUTO VOL 22 TP $7.95
AUG074064 NARUTO VOL 23 TP $7.95
AUG074065 NARUTO VOL 24 TP $7.95
AUG074094 NAUSICAA WATERCOLOR IMPRESSIONS HC $34.99
So what’s this then? A hardcover artbook from Miyazaki? The solicitation for this reads:

Original watercolor illustrations used as concept sketches for both the manga and film versions of Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind. This full-color, over-sized, hardcover book also includes Miyazaki’s earliest sketches that eventually became the basis for some of the most beloved anime movies of the past 20 years.

Well isn’t that nice. I think I might be getting myself some of that action. Yes I do.

AUG074010 NECK AND NECK VOL 8 GN (OF 8 ) $9.99
AUG074009 NEVER GIVE UP VOL 6 GN (OF 13) $9.99
AUG074062 ONE PIECE VOL 16 TP $7.95
AUG074011 ONE VOL 10 GN (OF 11) $9.99
AUG074012 PLANET BLOOD VOL 7 GN (OF 11) $9.99
AUG073578 PRINCE CHARMING VOL 1 GN (MR) $12.95
AUG074067 PRINCE OF TENNIS VOL 22 GN $7.95
SEP073586 PRINCESS PRINCESS VOL 5 GN (MR) $12.95
AUG074014 QUEENS VOL 4 GN (OF 5) (MR) $9.99
AUG074015 RECAST VOL 4 GN (OF 6) (MR) $9.99
AUG074081 SA VOL 1 GN $8.99
AUG074016 SAKURA TAISEN VOL 6 GN (OF 6) $9.99
AUG074017 SATISFACTION GUARANTEED VOL 5 GN (OF 9) $9.99
AUG074082 SKIP BEAT VOL 9 TP $8.99
AUG074038 STAR PROJECT CHIRO VOL 1 TP $11.95
SEP073785 TANK GIRL THE GIFTING TP $17.99
AUG074073 ULTIMATE MUSCLE VOL 18 GN $7.95
SEP073905 UNBEATABLE GN (MR) $14.95
AUG073974 WEIRDLING GN $15.95
SEP074082 WORLD OF QUEST VOL 1 TP $9.99

When I read about Mike’s sudden death, I was seriously shocked and actually upset about it. Although I’ve never met the man, I genuinely enjoyed his work emmensely and always looked forward to seeing his stuff. For those in the dark Mike was a great character designer and instilled a great deal of fun in is artwork. Notably his creator owned book Tellos and his work on Flash, Spider-man and Fantastic Four always jump out as his career highlights. Mike passed away on Sunday evening from a sudden heart attack at the age of 44.

Here’s a few links in helping you remember Mike Wieringo:

Mike Wieringo
An interview with John Siuntres
Cully Hamner’s Eulogy
Remembering Mike

‘Ringo, you will be missed.

Superpowers interview with Alex Ross. The new series from the creators of Earth X. New series from Dynamite Entertainment. The first book I got from Dynamite was Lone Ranger, which I really enjoyed a lot. This seems to have a lot of energy which is a good thing. And the fact that it’s got both Alex Ross and Jim Krueger on board is a definite must. My only complaint is the ABYSMAL graphic design for the first issue. Come to think about it couldn’t they have come up with a better logo for Dynamite. I mean seriously, with a name like that there is room for so much more energy than that piece of shit yellow and red thing.

Justice League | The New Frontier Animated movie is hitting shelves next year, and I’ve got to say based on this little preview clip, I’m actually intregued to buy the book this week and really looking forward to seeing the movie. It’s the first DC animated movie that I want to watch and it’s nice to see what Dan Didio, Paul Levitz, Darwyn Cooke, Bruce Timm actually look like.

I don’t know what prompted me to actually buying this on Saturday. I was in the store, and I’ve got to say that there was a huge amount of books that were all vying for my attention, but for some reason the fact that this book was nominated for an Eisner really made me sit up and give it a shot; I’m soo glad I did. I tore through this 5 issue mini series like few other books I’ve read in a really long time.

The Other Side is hard to describe without doing it some injustice. It’s not just a ‘war’ story, it’s much more than that. It’s a world view and has something very important to address to everyone who’s interested in current affairs and the actual effect that current events will have on many generations to come. You’d think that being from a war torn country I’d try my best to avoid being reminded of the horrors of war, however this book is different and deserves your attention.

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Mary Jane. Aunt May. Uncle Ben. I couldn’t save any of you. Never had the power. Never could handle the responsibility. When I’m buried beside you, will you tell me . . . why you lied to me?

Spider-Man: Reign, from writer and artist Kaare Andrews, is a powerful and emotional journey through the tortured mind of Peter Parker as he enters the last years of his life and begins to confront everything that he has ever cared for and lost.

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The Eisners are the comic book equivalent of the Oscars. The winners have been posted. The full list of nominated entries can be found here. The full results are found below, with commentary by me for the categories of particular interesting:

Best Short Story
“A Frog’s Eye View,” by Bill Willingham and James Jean, in Fables: 1001 Nights of Snowfall (Vertigo/DC)
This is a pretty cool story but I dunno if it’s worthy of the best short story. The artwork is brilliant but it was over before it started. Maybe I’m being hypercritical about this but as I’ve not really read the other stories in this category.

Best Single Issue (or One-Shot)
Batman/The Spirit #1: “Crime Convention,” by Jeph Loeb and Darwyn Cooke (DC)
I actually read and heard a lot of great things about this here little story. Definitely going to pick it up when it’s in a nice little collection, which hopefully should be pretty soon. Once again I’ve not actually read any of the other entries in this category. A couple of Adhouse stories in there, which makes me wonder why I’ve not been buying much from them.
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