The GB Pull List – John Constantine: Hellblazer 29th July 2020

The Geeky Brummie Pull List with John Constantine: Hellblazer.

Slim picking in the Pull List this week as comic schedules shop adjust to the new Covid normal. This week I pick one comic I’ve found to be nothing short of astonishing and a second I was originally going to pass on until I discovered it was reintroducing a group of characters I have a lot of affection for.

The all new section Meanwhile also continues this week with more comics related news.

Now on with the comics…

Title: John Constantine: Hellblazer

Issue: 8

Publisher: DC Black Label

From the Publisher:

Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned-especially one with gills, claws, and the teeth of a shark. Will John Constantine protect the fishermen who are in the siren’s sights? Or will he lead them right to her?

This comic is astonishing. I can’t believe it is getting published by DC. This is the best this character has been since the 80s/90s Vertigo haydays. Simon Spurrier and Aaron Campbell have revived a John Constantine fit for the strange new world the present has become. The writing is perfect, harsh and beautiful in equal measure and Aaron Campbell is creating art that is beautiful and full of horror. This book has propelled itself to the top of my must read list. It really is one of the best books on shelves at the moment.

Title: Cable

Issue: 2

Publisher: Marvel Comics

From the Publisher:

LOVE AND VIOLENCE! When mutant babies are going missing, Cable takes it personally. Almost as personally as his love life…It’s not easy dating five girls, even if they are clones.

I wasn’t that taken with the idea of a new  Cable book even with the enticement of Phil Noto on art so I passed on the first issue of this series. Then in the weeks that followed I saw reviews and a bunch of spoilers. And it was those spoilers that changed my mind on this title. The new Cable series has brought back the Spaceknights and that alone has got me adding this comic to my pull list. Quite how this will all play out is still to be seen but it looks like the upcoming Swords of X storyline will form a major part in how this series and the characters will develop. Until then I’m intrigued enough to be reading for the foreseeable future.

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Comic Con @ Home

San Diego Comic Con @ Home 2020 is all over. It was a strange situation for people who would have normally travelled to the event. But for this comic fan having the opportunity to see and hear all of these panels from the comfort of my own home was wonderful. If I had been at the event there would have been no way of seeing all these panels – you would have missed so many great talks as you juggled the massive schedule. Some of the big Hall H panels were accessible to me for the first time (without the need to scour the internet for shaky bootleg footage of the exclusive previews) and were well worth watching – highlights for me included the anniversary Constantine panel, Bill and Ted Face The Music and the wonderful The New Mutants panel. Outside of these big Hollywood panels were some great comic focused talks and in this weeks MEANWHILE… I’m bringing you some of the best you may have missed and will end with the 2020 Eisner Awards.

Breaking Into Comics and Staying In!

Comics Experience founder Andy Schmidt (Marvel, IDW), Comics Experience creators workshop director Bon Alimagno (Marvel), and artist Sanford Greene (Bitter Root) present an invaluable guide to breaking into the industry! You’re willing to do the work, but the world of comics is tough to crack into; join these pros as they break down the walls and offer practical advice that will jumpstart your career!

Terry Moore Is Still Drawing Comics

Terry Moore is still going strong with an impressive collection of work since his comics debut with the Eisner Award Winning series, Strangers In Paradise. Now there is Echo, Rachel Rising, Motor Girl, Five Years, and more on the bookshelf and Moore isn’t finished. From his studio, Moore discusses his work and what’s next, plus offers thoughtful answers to questions. Don’t miss this chance to sit with a career cartoonist and talk about comics.

The Annual Jack Kirby Tribute Panel

Every year, former Kirby assistant Mark Evanier hosts a gathering of fans of the man some call “The King of the Comics” and his vast, persistent impact on not only comic books but related fields, as well. This year, Mark and John Morrow (publisher of The Jack Kirby Collector) discuss all this with master artist Alex Ross who discusses the influence Kirby had on his work.

AHOY Comics Expect More!

Ahoy Comics has burst on the scene with acclaimed creators, smart satires, and a commitment to publishing fun and eclectic storytelling. Join editor-in-chief Tom Peyer, artists June Brigman and Steve Pugh, and writers Mariah McCourt, Stuart Moore, and Mark Russell for this panel discussion. Will Jesus return (again) with all new Second Coming comics? Is there any escape from Billionaire Island? Why don’t all comics feature old ladies saving the world, like Ash & Thorn? Will Ahoy continue to publish funny comic books in these dark times? Get the answers straight from the braintrust of Ahoy Comics in this intimate, pre-recorded, virtual panel.

What’s New In Small Press Comics

Catch up on everything awesome coming from some of the best small press publishers in the world. Joshua Starnes (publisher, Red 5 Comics) hosts James Haick (president of Scout Comics and Entertainment, Inc.), Christina Harrington (managing editor, AfterShock Comics), Josh Werner (art director at Source Point Press), and Manny Castellanos (director of sales, Mad Cave Studios) as they give an early look into new books coming out this year!

Comic Shops: Persevering Through Crisis

This COVID-19 lockdown has impacted many industries, and it has been especially devastating for the front line of geek culture; the nation’s comic shops. Learn how leading retailers developed entrepreneurial strategies and plans to get through these difficult times. Join Joe Field (Flying Colors Comics & Other Cool Stuff, Concord, CA), Marc Hammond (Aw Yeah Comics, Harrison, NY), Jeff Beck (East Side Mags Montclair, NJ), and Dr. Christina Blanche (Aw Yeah Comics, Muncie, IN) for a surprisingly engaging discussion on retailing endurance. Moderated by entrepreneur Ed Catto (Ithaca College, Agendae).

IDW in 2020 and Beyond

Look ahead to everything new from IDW Publishing! Learn what’s next for your favorite series and much, much more! There’s nowhere better to get a behind-the-scenes look at IDW than this conversation with Chris Ryall (IDW president, publisher, and chief creative officer), John Barber (IDW editor-in-chief) and moderator George Gene Gustines (senior editor at the New York Times).

Diversity and Comics: Why Inclusion and Visibility Matter

The past year has witnessed the birth of transformational change in the social fabric. The Killing of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Ahmaud Arbery (to name a few) has triggered a response to structural racism that has caused the nation and the world to take stock of its institutions. The growth of more diverse faces on the pages of popular comic books and in feature films has proven to be essential to reflecting the world in which we all live. And, despite the onset of an unprecedented pandemic, the inclusion of people of color, women and persons with disabilities and the LGBTQ community not only better reflects today’s culture, it has also proven good for the bottom line. We will bring an award-winning panel together to challenge ongoing issues and push the conversation forward. Panelists include John Jennings (MFA: Professor of Media and Cultural Studies, UC Riverside, 2-time Eisner Award winner (2016, 2018), Frederick Aldama (PhD: The University Distinguished Professor, Arts and Humanities Distinguished Professor of English and University Distinguished scholar, The Ohio State University, 2019 Eisner Award winner), Christina Steenz Stewart (syndicated cartoonist (Heart of the City), 2019 Dwayne McDuffie Award Winner), Chelsea ‘Ché’ Grayson (MFA: Executive Director, Northern California Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Foundation), David Walker (comic book writer, Bitter Root (Image) (Legendary Films): 2020 Eisner Award nomination, Naomi (DC): 2020 Eisner Award nomination), and Stanford Carpenter (PhD: Comics and Pop Culture anthropologist and Chair, Black & Brown Comix Arts Festival) .

BOOM! Studios: Discover Yours

BOOM! Studios returns with exclusive news about some of the year’s biggest new books—and first looks at your newest comic book obsessions! Join a star-studded panel of Sabaa Tahir (A Thief Among The Trees: An Ember in The Ashes Graphic Novel), Nicole Andelfinger (A Thief Among The Trees: An Ember in The Ashes Graphic Novel), Gabby Rivera (b.b. free), Matt Kindt (Folklords), and John Allison (Giant Days) discuss the diverse imprints of BOOM! Studios, Archaia, BOOM! Box and KaBOOM! and more surprises! Moderated by Filip Sablik (president, publishing and marketing, BOOM! Studios).

and finally…

32nd Annual Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards

The “Oscars” of the comics industry honor comics creators and their works in 32 categories. This virtual ceremony is hosted by Phil LaMarr, the actor/voice actor/comedian known for roles in animated series including Green Lantern/John Stewart and Ed Reiss in Justice League and Justice League Unlimited, Hermes Conrad in Futurama, and the title characters on both Samurai Jack and Static Shock. Sergio Aragonés will announce this year’s Eisner Hall of Fame inductees, and Ruth Clampett will present the 2020 Bob Clampett Humanitarian Award recipients.

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Your Local Comics Shops

Comic shops are open but things will be quite different for a while yet. Until things settle down I’ll continue to keep this section as a list of comic stores around the UK you can support.

So let your local comic shop know you are here for them. Contact them to pre-order titles, new collections or back issues from them and arrange either to collect or have your comics mailed out to you.

Here are a few of the great comic shops in the UK so get in touch and see how you can order comics and continue to support their stores –

FORBIDDEN PLANET INTERNATIONAL (VARIOUS) – includes Worlds Apart Birmingham

Stores reopened 15th June 2020 – please check with store for any changes to opening times and services.

Follow the stores social media pages for updates!

Our Stores

FORBIDDEN PLANET (VARIOUS) – includes Birmingham Megastore

All stores are now open. Check their website for more information –

https://forbiddenplanet.com/stores/

GOSH! COMICS (LONDON)

Store is now open again. Check their website for more information –

https://goshlondon.com/the-gosh-blog/the-gosh-authority-130620-reopening-news/ and https://twitter.com/GoshComics

OK COMICS (LEEDS)

OK Comics is now open. Follow the stores social media pages and website for updates!

http://www.okcomics.co.uk/ and https://twitter.com/OKComics

PAGE 45 (NOTTINGHAM)

Page 45 reopened this week. Check their website for more information –

http://www.page45.com/ and https://twitter.com/PageFortyFive

TRAVELLING MAN (VARIOUS)

Travelling Man has opened its doors again . Check their website and social media for more information –

https://travellingman.com/ and https://twitter.com/TravellingManUK

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