After Twilight #2 Review

Rating: 4/5
Publisher Name: Nu-Classic Publishing
Publisher Website: www.aftertwilightcomics.com

Writer: Gary L. Watson w/ Richard P. Alvarez & Sandra E. Yates
Pencils: Douglas Brown
Number of Pages: 29
Price: 3.99
Color: Color
Safety Content Label: PARENTAL ADVISORY – 15 years and older. Similar to T+ but featuring more mature themes and/or more graphic imagery.

Publisher’s Blurb:
After witnessing the murderous actions of the Apparitors, Jen resolves to carry out her dangerous mission for the resistance. She becomes a hunted fugitive with nowhere to turn, no one to trust. Sgt. Streetman has Jen in his sights and within his grasp. But the underground’s mysterious leader has other plans for Jen… Is it a devil’s bargain?

Reviewer’s Comments:
Issue 2 was a little less excitement packed than Issue 1, but still far above the intensity line for the average issue 2(Ask me about my Issue 2 Drop-Off Theory). It wasn’t boring by any means, just focused on expanding on set events as opposed to introducing new ones. So, basically, less high octane, but every bit as good as issue 1. Well written, well paced, just fine storytelling. Also, while I won’t throw out any spoilers, I will say that the ending is insanely suspenseful.

Now, I put the page count at 29. The main story is 26 pages, but there are two sketches at the end, along with a message from writer Gary L. Watson. The letter was of particular interest, as it explained the inspiration for the story and, more importantly, the meaning of the story. If you read my review for issue 1, my take on their intentions was pretty accurate, which I think speaks to the teams storytelling prowess to be able to convey such a clear message in one issue. In a nutshell, and I can’t stress this enough, After Twilight is not out to bash Christianity. If anything is being bashed, it is all forms of Extremism and those who are insistently ignorant no matter how little sense it makes to be so. Kudos AT team. If I had one complaint though, where are all my Sparkly pretty vampires and shirtless teen-wolves?(Had to)

Bottom line(cause Stonecold said so): I’m now a third of the way through this series(as it is a 6-part miniseries), and I have truly no clue where it’s going. That says a lot! I’m constantly guessing what will happen next, I’m often right. And as of now, no clue where issue 3 will take me, let alone issue 6. If you’re in the market for deep, dark storytelling, and a commentary on society(and a well delivered one at that) You’ll want to check out this series. So far, not one page has been anything less than vital.

ARCHIE COMICS ANNOUNCES CHANGES TO EXECUTIVE TEAM

New York, NY – Archie Comics, one of the leading children’s comic book publishers in the world and the home to some of the most recognizable pop culture characters in the world, including Archie, Betty and Veronica, Jughead, Sabrina the Teenage Witch and Josie and the Pussycats, proudly announced a slate of promotions and additions to the company’s executive board today, geared toward continuing the unprecedented success experienced over the last two years.

“This is a very exciting time for Archie, and we’ve made some moves to continue the great success we’ve experienced going,” said Archie Comics Co-CEO Jon Goldwater. “The addition of Ski is essential to solidifying our place in an ever-changing market, especially with new properties like NEW CRUSADERS and our growing Red Circle imprint. I couldn’t be happier to welcome him aboard.”

“Promoting Harold, Paul and Alex was a no-brainer. These three individuals have proven themselves to be essential to the company from the moment they each stepped into our offices. I’m excited to have them as part of our team. The sky’s the limit for Archie, and we’re fully-equipped to maximize some of the best-known characters in the world to an ever-growing audience.”

. Jim Sokolowski, formerly of Marvel and DC Comics, joins Archie as Senior Vice President – Sales and Business Development. “Ski” will oversee the company’s sales efforts in the direct, bookstore, digital and newsstand markets and guide plans to expand the reach of the company’s iconic characters and storylines. “Ski” brings a wealth of experience to the company, having previously served as Chief Operating Officer at Marvel and Executive Director of Publishing Operations at DC Comics.

In addition to the new faces, Archie Comics is proud to announce the promotion of a few key staff members to executive positions.

. Harold Buchholz has been promoted from Executive Director of Publishing and Operations to Senior Vice President – Publishing and Operations. Buchholz will continue to oversee the company’s distribution, printing and packaging in order to maximize sales through various channels. Thanks to Buchholz’s diligent efforts, Archie has seen a significant spike in graphic novel output, profitability and visibility – reaching a previously untapped number of new and returning fans. Prior to Archie, Buchholz worked with Jimmy Gownley and Renaissance Press on the popular Amelia Rules! line of graphic novels and was president of Acredale Media, an all-ages comic book print brokerage and consulting service. In addition to his work at Archie, Buchholz is also a cartoonist and writer, and has taught animation and entrepreneurship on the college level.

. Paul Kaminski, editor of SONIC THE HEDGEHOG, SONIC UNIVERSE, MEGA MAN, STAN LEE AND THE MIGHTY SEVEN and NEW CRUSADERS, has been promoted to Executive Director of Editorial. In his new role, Paul will oversee the editorial side of Archie’s graphic novel and comic book output and coordinate the editorial side of Archie’s entire line of titles and imprints. Kaminski saw Archie’s licensed titles, including SONIC and MEGA MAN, rise to new heights of success during his tenure as editor, and will bring his keen editorial insight and managerial style to the company as a whole. A BFA graduate of the School of Visual Arts, Kaminski brings a lifelong love of comics, music and pop culture to his work.

. Alex Segura has been promoted from Executive Director of Publicity and Marketing to Vice President – Publicity and Marketing, and will continue to oversee the company’s external messaging to the press, social media and marketing outlets. Since his arrival at Archie, the company has seen an unprecedented spike in attention and critical praise, including regular and focused news, feature and review attention in the mainstream, book trade and pop culture press, including THE NEW YORK TIMES, THE ASSOCIATED PRESS, CBS NEWS, THE DAILY MAIL and more. Before coming to Archie, Segura worked at DC Comics. In addition to his publicity and marketing work for the company, Segura was also the writer of the best-selling ARCHIE MEETS KISS storyline among other stories.

VIZ MEDIA CELEBRATES BERSERK GOLDEN AGE ARC ANIME TRILOGY AT COMIC-CON

VIZ MEDIA CELEBRATES BERSERK: THE GOLDEN AGE ARC ANIME FILM TRILOGY AT

2012 COMIC-CON INTERNATIONAL

VIZ Media Welcomes Studio 4ºC Founder, President & Producer Eiko Tanaka, And Plans An All-Day BERSERK Celebration With Panel Discussion, Exclusive Film Screening, And Autograph Session

San Francisco, CA, June 25, 2012 – VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), the largest distributor and licensor of anime and manga in North America, invites fans attending 2012 Comic-Con International to join an exciting all-day celebration of all things BERSERK on Friday, July 13th as the company announces a special slate of activities to preview the forthcoming release of the BERSERK: THE Golden Age Arc trilogy of anime feature films this fall.

An appearance by the Founder/CEO of Studio 4ºC, which produced the new films, is scheduled in addition to an informative panel discussion. In addition there will be a very special, advance, on-site screening of BERSERK: THE GOLDEN AGE ARC I – THE EGG OF THE KING. The film will formally debut later this year.

The VIZ Media Comic-Con booth will be a hub of activity throughout Friday, July 13th as the company welcomes Studio 4ºC Founder, President and CEO Eiko Tanaka to the show. The recent BERSERK: THE Golden Age Arc film trilogy, based on the bestselling medieval dark fantasy manga (graphic novel) series created by Kentaro Miura, was produced in Japan by Studio 4ºC. Tanaka is a prolific anime producer whose notable credits include work on Studio Ghibli’s My Neighbor Totoro and Kiki’s Delivery Service as well as producing director Katsuhiro Otomo’s Memories and Michael Arias’s Tekkonkinkreet, which was awarded the Nipon Academy Award for Best Animated Film and nominated for an Oscar. She also took part in the production of Warner Brothers’ Batman: Gotham Knight, the animated television program, Thundercats, and Microsoft’s Halo Legends. Eiko Tanaka will appear at the VIZ Media booth (# 2813) for a very special signing session at 3PM. Ms. Tanaka will also have a signing at the Dark Horse Comics Booth # 2615 at 2PM.

Comic-Con attendees are further invited to an informative BERSERK panel discussion scheduled for Friday, July 13th from 5:30pm to 6:30pm in Room 32AB. Tanaka will be joined by VIZ Media staff for a rare interview session to find out what it really takes to transform this stark manga into a gripping animated feature. Fans will not want to miss the very special sneak preview of Berserk: The Golden Age Arc II – The Doldrey War. Come early and receive fun BERSERK promo items; additional prizes also will be given away during the panel.

BERSERK Day will be capped off with a special Comic-Con exclusive – a live on-site screening of BERSERK: THE GOLDEN AGE ARC I – THE EGG OF THE KING, scheduled for 8:30pm to 10:30pm in Room 32AB. The film will be preceded by a special personal introduction by Eiko Tanaka.

Combining a foreboding medieval European-insired setting with fantasy and exquisitely detailed swordsmanship, BERSERK: THE GOLDEN AGE ARC I – THE EGG OF THE KING follows lone mercenary Guts as he travels the land where a hundred-year-old war is taking place. His ferocity and ability to take down enemies attracts the attention of Griffith, leader of the mercenary group “The Band of the Hawk,” and Guts is recruited to the unit. Thanks to their continued victories on the battlefield, the bond between Guts and Griffith deepens, but despite all their success, Guts begins to question his reasons for fighting for Griffith’s dream. Unknown to Guts, this unyielding dream is about to bestow a horrible fate on them both.

The BERSERK manga series, by Kentaro Miura, debuted in Japan in 1989 and quickly drew a devoted following, going on to sell more than 30 million copies worldwide. The series, still ongoing in Japan, has been published in North America and the UK, as well as in France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Russia, and Latin America. The BERSERK manga has also inspired a popular anime television series and has spawned a variety of related video games, collectable figures and toys, and music soundtracks, as well as the current BERSERK: THE GOLDEN AGE ARC film trilogy.

For more information on the BERSERK: THE GOLDEN AGE ARC film trilogy, please visit the official Facebook page at: www.facebook.com/BerserkFilm.

ADVENTURE TIME: MARCELINE AND THE SCREAM QUEENS WEB EXCLUSIVE COVER

Starting today, BOOM Studios has a limited edition web exclusive cover available for purchase at their official website.

Drawn by acclaimed web cartoonist John Allison (Bad Machinery and Scary Go Round) this is the first of his six web exclusive covers for the series, sold exculsively online by BOOM! This cover is limited to 1500 and is now available for pre-order. Also, only until July 11th, you can place a subscription for the exclusive covers to ensure you don’t miss one, and we’ll even throw in free shipping! Hurry, they are going fast!