Tag: Titan Comics

Takeaways from 2018 San Diego Comic Convention

San Diego Comic Con International LogoBy Ed Sum
(The Vintage Tempest)

Many announcements and bombs happened over the July 18th to 22nd weekend at SDCC2018. Some of the news that happened divided a community and my thought is simply on whether Guardians of the Galaxy even continue after what happened? Only time and executive decisions can tell.

Many movie trailers were released to show what’s coming and while most of them look fantastic. Out of all of them, the second instalment of Legendary Pictures’ Godzilla: King of the Monsters stands out the most, and I’m not necessarily picking favourites. Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald is my second and Glass rounds out my top three. Excluded is what’s coming on television.

The following is a greatest hits package of what to look for at comic shops or video stores in the coming months.
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May the Fourth Be Coming to Free Comic Book Day

Free Comic Book DayBy Ed Sum
(The Vintage Tempest)

Free Comic Book Day is coming, and it’s happening after May the Fourth. Star Wars fans can rejoice as a tale featuring Han Solo is offered. Bounty Hunters Zuckuss and 4-LOM have found these smugglers for hire, and just what happens will require stopping by a comic shop so I can find out! The brief synopsis offered online does not say much, but it’s enough to get me curious.

Fans who are unaware of this saga’s long history in this medium can also talk to the staff of their local comic book store in what else to look at, or pick up. I followed the run back when they started at Marvel. Dark Horse continued the love a decade later with a terrific Dark Empire saga (and much more), but these days they are back with Marvel. Other chapters include a Star Wars: Rebels tie-in with Kanan. I miss this computer-animated series and honestly, the poster tease for the new Resistance looks too bright and colorful. With IDW on board to publish tales from the Forces of Destiny line, no shortage is planned as long as Lucasfilm/Disney is involved! Just how well received it will be depends on the story direction.

At least there are other franchises to consider on Free Comic Book Day. Teasers to Overwatch, Riverdale, Street Fighter and Transformers are just a sample of what people can find at their local comic book store.

These works are usually one-offs. Some have even become collectibles because of the extra work put behind releasing them. Gold Comics are titles which the publishers put a touch more work behind to release “free,” and those Mouse Guards I have from previous years will forever be treasured.

The following are my top ten picks of what must be considered. They are not necessarily collectible, but as a primer for what’s planned by the big publishers, to start here is a must!

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A How to Train Your Dragon Franchise Series Update

By Ed Sum (The Vintage Tempest)

dragonsracetotheedgeThe next batch of Dragons: Race to the Edge episodes is long overdue. Netflix is either waiting for the 2015 year to be over or there’s been a delay to get the product done. No official word is made and for followers of the How to Train Your Dragon series, all anyone knows are the episode titles for the next 13 episodes (see below).

When considering other DreamWorks properties have had their batch releases every 5-6 months (All Hail King Julien and The Adventures of Puss in Boots), to not hear of a date for Dragons is unusual. Race to the Edge released June 26, 2015 and based on dates of these other series later package releases, new episodes should have been at least out by November.

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DreamWorks’ Dragons are Found! Titan Comics’ “Dragon Down” Reviewed

By Ed Sum (The Vintage Tempest)

Dragon Down

Whatever the reason is for the transition, fans of the Dragons: Riders of Berk / Defenders of Berk television series can find the graphic novel at their nearest comic book store or available on Amazon. Instead of APE Publishing printing and distributing the book, Titan Books took over. They will release the two issues previously solicited from last year in May and August, and will continue with all new stories.

In these new adventures, the dragon riders will have to face new threats from within the Archipelago. The first issue, “Dragon Down,” finds Snotlout’s dragon Hookfang shedding blazing hot scales that’s causing havoc for Berk. With most of the town very flammable, this dragon has to find a new habitat to live in. If that is not enough for Hiccup and gang to deal with, Alvin the Treacherous is on the prowl too.

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[Editorial] First It Was Star Wars, and Now It’s Doctor Who Changing Ships …

Two grand comic book licenses are making a transition from one publishing company to another. On one side of the spectrum, most fans are lukewarm at the news of Star Wars moving from Dark Horse to Marvel Comics. On another front, most readers may well wonder about Doctor Who’s transition from IDW to Titan Comics.

Marvel's Star WarsTwo grand comic book licenses are making a transition from one publishing company to another. On one side of the spectrum, most fans are lukewarm at the news of Star Wars moving from Dark Horse to Marvel Comics. On another front, most readers may well wonder about Doctor Who’s transition from IDW to Titan Comics.

In the business perspective, the publishers are cordially appreciative of the time they had to grow the licensed property into new territory. But as for what will happen next, with a different publisher, what will become of both relicensed products is anybody’s guess. Perhaps readers should consider the following:

In a galaxy far, far, away, in a saga that Marvel Comics ran from ’77 to ’86, long-time fans will recall that the comic book had a few bright moments, namely issue #52, “To Take the Tarkin.” If Marvel Comics can recreate some of that magic, then the transition is in capable hands. Sadly, with the fact that thirty years have passed and that tastes have changed, not everyone is enthused. There are three generations of fans to satisfy. Dark Horse Comics had a great start with Dark Empire (1991). Tales of the Jedi was even better when it segued to look at the history of the original Sith Lords. For later titles, fans had to invest a fair bit of money in order to keep up with all the multiple titles.

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