Click here for the flip-thru for Where’s My Shoggoth? by Adam Bolton and Ian Thomas.
Click here for the flip-thru for Siegfried by Alex Alice.
Click here for the flip-thru for Hopeless, Maine by Tom and Nimue Brown.
Click here for the flip-thru for The Wonderland Alphabet by Alethea Kontis and Janet K. Lee.
Click here for the flip-thru for Cow Boy by Nate Cosby and Chris Eliopoulos.
Click here for the flip-thru for Black Charity by Bal Speer.
Click here for the flip-thru for Judge Bao and the Jade Phoenix by Patrick Marty and Chongrui Nie.
Click here for the flip-thru for I’m Not a Plastic Bag by Rachel Hope Allison.

It was announced late last week that the network had picked up “Arrow” to series, meaning we’ll have plenty of Oliver Queen’s adventures to look forward to come the fall. But what exactly can we expect from the series, which has previously been described as more of a Jason Bourne-modeled tale than a classic superhero yarn? Well, thanks to an official plot synopsis for the new series, we’ve got some answers. Read all about it after the jump!

After a violent shipwreck, billionaire playboy Oliver Queen was missing and presumed dead for five years before being discovered alive on a remote island in the Pacific. When he returns home to Starling City, his devoted mother Moira, much-beloved sister Thea, and best friend Tommy welcome him home, but they sense Oliver has been changed by his ordeal on the island. While Oliver hides the truth about the man he’s become, he desperately wants to make amends for the actions he took as the boy he was. Most particularly, he seeks reconciliation with his former girlfriend, Laurel Lance. As Oliver reconnects with those closest to him, he secretly creates the persona of Arrow – a vigilante – to right the wrongs of his family, fight the ills of society, and restore Starling City to its former glory. By day, Oliver plays the role of a wealthy, carefree and careless philanderer he used to be – flanked by his devoted chauffeur/bodyguard, John Diggle – while carefully concealing the secret identity he turns to under cover of darkness. However, Laurel’s father, Detective Quentin Lance, is determined to arrest the vigilante operating in his city. Meanwhile, Oliver’s own mother, Moira, knows much more about the deadly shipwreck than she has let on – and is more ruthless than he could ever imagine.

The series stars Stephen Amell as Oliver Queen, Colin Donnell as Tommy, Katie Cassidy as Laurel Lance, David Ramsey as John Diggle, Willa Holland as Thea Queen, with Susanna Thompson as Moira Queen and Paul Blackthorne as Detective Quentin Lance.

Thanks to io9 for the heads up!

In this special episode I interview both Chad Cicconi and Shawn Gabborin of Action Lab. We discuss the release of the Fracture TPB, what’s on the horizon for volume two, and comic geekiness in general.

WAYNE OF GOTHAM is the story two men separated by a generation of tragedy: Thomas, the rebellious heir to the vast Wayne Empire and Bruce, his son whose life is forever altered by witnessing Thomas’ death. The murder of Thomas and Martha Wayne is the torturous point on which Bruce turns to become the Batman. The Dark Knight’s file on the case has long since been closed, the foundations of Bruce Wayne’s secret life secure in the simple symmetry of a mugging gone horribly wrong.

These foundations are shaken, however, when disturbing bits of information begin showing up in the Batman’s path that question the accepted story. Batman reopens the case file-and discovers a father and mother that he never knew and the burden of a dark legacy he must now bear.

The prolific comic book illustrator, a 1989 graduate of the institute, has been named as the 2012 recipient of its Distinguished Alumnus Award.

Ross’s notable works include Kingdom Come for DC Comics, and Captain America for Marvel Comics. He has contributed illustrations for dozens of other titles from the publishers, as well as drawing album artwork for musicians and DVD covers for film studios.

“We are proud of Alex and of all of his impressive achievements,” said Richard Otto, the Academy’s president. “Alex is an inspiration to our students and thousands of artists, worldwide. He’s very deserving of the highest honor our school bestows.”

Ross added: “It’s a great honor to have any kind of recognition like this and one I certainly did not expect. I’m thrilled that the school still offers the same education that I received, and by many of the same people who gave it to me 25 years ago.”

The artist will be presented with the award at a ceremony on May 14.

In the global market, Box Office Mojo has Avengers as the #11 film all-time. Bigger than any Marvel film before it.  Bigger than Dark Knight.  Bigger than all but the last Harry Potter.  I’d be surprised if it wasn’t #6 or #7 all-time by next weekend.  Granted, you’ve got some of the 3D screenings boosting the box office totals, but this is a very, very big film.  Avengers has really captured the both the domestic and foreign markets in a way that relatively few films have.

This weekend’s $103M was a 50% drop-off from last weekend.  That’s a relatively high drop-off, but then again, opening weekend was a record setter and you just don’t keep that up.  Let’s say Avengers drops 50% at the weekend box office for the next 4 weekends.  That would add roughly $95M to the Avengers coffers, for something in the neighborhood of $470M domestic box office dollars… and that’s not even counting ticket sales Monday through Thursday for the next month.

This is looking like a top 5 all time grossing film both internationally and domestically.  Possibly top 3.  It will be tough beating out Avatar and Titanic, but everything thing else seems possible.

Remember these comments can be directed at all the readers, not just me.

ALSO. You can use this space to re-ask me questions you asked me before that I failed to answer because I was too busy.

AND you can use this space to comment on posts that are old enough that no one is reading the comments threads anymore.

WRITING FOR THIS BLOG. If I see a big free form comment that deserves more attention, I will pull it and make it its own post. I am always looking for reviews of games, tv, movies, music and books. So feel free to contact me if you want to write for The Furnace.

When a group of high schoolers have to attend Saturday School they must work together to overcome their differences in over to survive when students end up missing. As if high school wasn’t scary enough…

Follow on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/ThrowingStoneswebseries

Watch season 1 of this original web series on MMTVN on-demand and tune in for season 2 starting January 2012. For more info or to watch the complete series visit: http://www.minglemediatv.com/ThrowingStonesWebSeries.html

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=beUYX3ZsESI

Higher Earth #1 (Cover C) by Frazer Irving

First things first; I love the cooler colors popping-off the warmth of the circle behind them. This sword-wielding duo had me at ‘hello’ when I first saw the press release for this series a few months ago. I’m a big fan of Irving’s dynamic style, and the background images have their own story to tell as well to the careful observer. The positioning of the characters feels intense as they make their way up, up, and away! Fantastic cover to start things off with, and I love the overall intensity of this image.

Lobster Johnson: The Burning Hand #5 by Dave Johnson

Reminding me of the movie posters from days long gone, this cover does a superb job at capturing the look and feel of the time period. The protagonist, Lobster Johnson, firing his way through an army of undead ghouls, while the villains are highlighted front and center. It may just be the layout, but I love that there’s no panel borders keeping everything separate. The images are the boundaries themselves. It all flows together smoothly, and really captures your attention. Another job well done by the Reverend Dave Johnson!

Mystery In Space #1 by Mike Allred

So that’s where Tobias Fünke has been hanging out! Actually, the more I study this azure alien, the more it slightly reminds me of a cosmic Dr. Manhattan of sorts. The theme being space and mysteries and the combination of the two, I really enjoy the inclusion of the toy robots and rocketships. Forget whatever psychic waves or transmissions you’re picking up; there are some awesome retro toys floating right next to you! Play with them already! Great job to Mr. Allred, for this cover is truly…out of this world.

Wolverine #306 by Chris Samnee & Javier Rodriguez

I think the main thing that draws me to this cover is just how outright bizarre it is. As if the floating decapitated head with blood dripping from the nostrils wasn’t enough, let’s make it look like Logan’s having some sort of brain lobotomy by actual-yet-freaky brains. Don’t even get me started on the inconvenient location for that cabin! Overall the image is simple and effective, and absolutely intriguing. The veins/tentacles of the brains are enough to make your skin crawl, and the blank stare from Logan is the cherry on top. Great job Mr. Samnee, you sick bastard!