Tag: Graphic Novel

A Mix Tape of Delightful Media for Winter Solstice 2022. Yule Be Glad.

Here, we present a list of best Winter Solstice reads, viewing material and other goodness to keep to the spirit of the chilly season.

Winter Solstice at StonehengeOn the darkest night of the year on December 21, 2022, Winter Solstice is a good time to get cosy with a ghost story. Some people enjoy a tale of terror with a classic work, or might be watching HBO Max’s Yule Log, which is new for this year. Once upon a time, people were fearful at this coming of darkness and to acknowledge it is probably why the love persists to this day. That superstition was common amongst Northern Europe people in the old days, but these days, having something cheerier to enjoy makes more sense.

Ancient man did not necessarily fear death. It is part of the cycle of life. From that comes rebirth, and what’s celebrated is not limited to just a few cultures. How I acknowledge this occasion is to enjoy a wide range of media which recognises the transition in some way instead of being very specific to the lore. That would make for a very short list.

From horror to celebratory, I’m aiming to suggest something old and something new to read, hear or view. What I offer is something to enjoy reading, a theatrical presentation on television or a song to listen to. I’m trying very hard to not pick works that’s more about Christmas than Yule. These days, the two terms are synonymous with each other, and it makes knowing what fits into my tighter definition difficult. And thus, I begin with:

The Yule Cat (YouTube)

This live action horror film is perfect to kick off the longest night of terror. Although not set to debut until the 24th, this work makes my list since it’s Icelandic folk horror at its best, and the teaser is perfect to tense things up. This work, along with the aforementioned and coming picks for 2022.

Continue reading “A Mix Tape of Delightful Media for Winter Solstice 2022. Yule Be Glad.”

12 Scary Christmas Comics to Count down the Holidays With

To nail a list of new Christmas comics to countdown the “Twelve Days” is tough since some years don’t offer enough, so we present a mix of old and new.

Christmas Comics from BiblioasisIn sticking to the Victorian age supernatural tradition of enjoying ghost stories for Christmas, I have updated my list of graphic novel best reads to include upcoming releases which I feel are great. To nail a list of new Christmas comics to countdown the “Twelve Days” is tough. Technically, a few of my selections are more paranormal than just about spirits, and if available, the links go to Amazon USA listings. We’re an Amazon Associate, and any purchases made helps support this blog. Thanks!

The Corner Shop; The Dead and the Countess; and A Visit—Seth’s Christmas Ghost Stories (Biblioasis)

Leading this list are Gregory Gallant‘s (pen name Seth) comic book collection of ghost stories, which have three new books in 2022! I’m bundling this entry to one rather than individually, as there’s a lot to like about this cartoonist’s style. One of the first tales he adapted to the medium is The Signalman, originally written by Charles Dickens, and this artist adapted it for the masses to enjoy. It’s described to be, “An eerie story of isolation, dread, and supernatural visitation, this book is a small treasure, meant to be read aloud on a cold, dark winter night.”

Those unfamiliar with this name should look at Mister X and Clyde Fans. Those who read Lemony Snicket’s All the Wrong Questions will know his work. He’s also the author of the Palookaville series of graphic novels.

Continue reading “12 Scary Christmas Comics to Count down the Holidays With”

Ancient Explorers: The Lost City of Peru and The Man Behind the Legend Quest

Ancient Explorers: The Lost City of Peru is novel – comic book hybrid about two best friends on the quest for adventure!

Omar MaraPeople who attended SDCC a few weekends ago had plenty to look at. Whether that’d be comic books or the latest news on movies, there’s even something for the jungle explorer! Ancient Explorers: The Lost City of Peru is novel – comic book hybrid about two best friends on the quest for adventure! Together with two archaeologists, they discover an ancient map and a compass that’ll point them to more than adventure, but also self-discovery.

It’s now available across various platforms to read, and we at otakunoculture.com got a chance to talk to the author:

Could you please introduce yourself to readers unfamiliar with your work?

My name is Omar Mora. I am a writer, producer and actor from Puerto Rico who lives in Los Angeles. I have written two independent feature films; 30 Days with my brother and Inside the Circle. Both available on VOD. I have written a series of comics called The Unearthians. You can find my work at MorasProductions.com

What made you decide to create a hybrid written work with graphic novel elements? (and was it difficult to decide what parts of the narrative should be illustrated rather than described?)

When Covid came, so did the economy. Producing a comic is expensive, so the finances weren’t quite right. So we decided to do it as a hybrid. And to be honest it was the best decision. Because the design of the book along with the comic pages looks great and gives a special touch to the story. I am very happy with the final results.

It was not difficult to choose which pages were going to be comics. I usually chose pages that introduced a character, a very important aspect of the story, or fantasy elements that I knew would look amazing as art. I also wanted to choose pages that would help create intrigue in the story and create that suspense necessary for the reader to be engaged.

Continue reading “Ancient Explorers: The Lost City of Peru and The Man Behind the Legend Quest”

Blondie’s Musical Archives is Coming in One Big Z2 Package!

Blondie Against the Odds Graphic Novel and Album Release News is GOLD!

Blondie Against The Odds

In the mid-70s, singer Debbie Harry and guitarist Chris Stein were more than pioneers. Not only did they pioneer the new wave genre, but also broke the mold for what the New York sound was about. The band Blondie was more than a punk rock band too. From their self-titled debut album, “In the Flesh” got heads turning, and all it took were two more albums before they became mainstream with the disco-infused “Heart of Glass.”

I fell in love with their music somewhere in between, and back then, all I had were regular magazines to get any information about who they were. We didn’t have the Internet back then. Because they were relatively young, and as their fame grew, so did my passion to collect all their albums.

Coinciding with the upcoming launch of the Blondie: Against The Odds graphic novel–which features a short biography, and stories based on their music–this fall, Z2 Comics and Blondie will include the 124-track archival box set Against the Odds 1974 – 1982 too! It’s a curated collection, remastered from original analog tapes on vinyl and I can’t be any more excited. Now if only they can visit Victoria, BC and perform here! Realistically, it’d have to be in Vancouver, BC; I’ll be fine with that too.

The album will be out on August 26, 2022, but if you’re patient, buying the version with the graphic novel will make the experience all the more worthwhile.

Blondie

From the Z2 Press Release:

The package features 52 bonus tracks across four albums—Plaza Sound, Parallel Beats, Coca Cola, and Home Sounds—and comes with a 128-page hardcover book inside a foil-wrapped slipcase.

The package definitively captures the iconic band’s inception and rise, as Blondie merged disco, rock, and beyond in the punk cradle of New York City’s Lower East Side. Limited to 100 copies, the Blondie 1974-1982: Against The Odds 4-LP box set will be released in platinum editions of the Blondie: Against The Odds graphic novel anthology.

Continue reading “Blondie’s Musical Archives is Coming in One Big Z2 Package!”

Dark Horse Comics to Publish “Navigator” by Award Winning FX Master John Bruno

John Bruno—the visual effects mastermind behind Avatar and Terminator 2–has an epic science fiction graphic novel, Navigator, coming soon.

NavigatorPre-order Navigator on Amazon USA

From Academy Award-winner and Director John Bruno—the visual effects mastermind behind Avatar, Terminator 2, and original Poltergeist movie—comes his first graphic novel, Navigator! This idea is based on an original tale he made with Steve Burg and Ron Thornton.

The screenplay is by John Bruno and William Wisher (Terminator 2). Illustrating this epic space adventure is Jordi Armengol who, with his atmospheric work, helps bring the cosmos to life.

An alien navigator, captured in battle on Jupiter’s fourth moon, Europa, seeks sanctuary. In return, the alien will provide his advanced technology to help defend humankind from the alien force that enslaved him and has come to destroy us. In this backdrop is a story of love and reconciliation between a young Marine officer—placed in command of Earth’s forces—his estranged wife, and Amy, the daughter he’s never met.

Continue reading “Dark Horse Comics to Publish “Navigator” by Award Winning FX Master John Bruno”

Need More Pacific Rim? It’s Ultimate Omnibus is Now Here!

Pacific Rim Omnibus Book CoverAvailable to purchase on Amazon USA

Further expanding the epic mythology based on Legendary Entertainment and Guillermo del Toro’s blockbuster film franchise, the comics division has launched the ultimate collection for readers to delve into! It’s a hefty book, and it also includes the recently released Blackout to get readers up to speed about the lore before season two of The Black.

For the first time ever, the Pacific Rim: Ultimate Omnibus brings together New York Times best-selling Pacific Rim: Tales from Year Zero (presented by Guillermo Del Toro and written by Pacific Rim screenwriter Travis Beacham) alongside Pacific Rim: Tales from the Drift (written by Joshua Fialkov), Pacific Rim: Aftermath, Pacific Rim: Amara (both from Cavan Scott), and the newly released Pacific Rim: Blackout in a deluxe omnibus collection.

Continue reading “Need More Pacific Rim? It’s Ultimate Omnibus is Now Here!”