The Killer

Beware, Assassin!

Publisher Archaia, writer Matz, art by Luc Jacmon.

The Killer first appeared in 2006 (print version) and was released digitally in 2011. Its originally a French comic that Casterman published in eleven 'albums'. Thankfully, Archaia Studios came along and translated the lot into English and made two fine graphic novels out of them. (I love the French titles of the original albums though, there is something really arty and bohemian about them. "Le Commun des Mortels." Ace.)
I recently discovered "The Killer" whilst perusing the fabulous ComiXology App on my Nexus, and you should check it out too if you fancy a decent read that will nip at your morals and have you questioning if the shady world of murder-at-a-price can be wrong in some cases. There are some major sleazebags out there remember, most of them quite deserving of a bullet between the eyeballs.
The first issue, Long Fire: Part 1, is free, and after that cost a mere £1.31 each which is a steal for such a solid, stylish series.
Like all good assassins, the antihero here is unnamed. A cold, solitary killer without scruples who lives in the shadows. Think "Leon", he was French too. But there is trouble in (dark) paradise because the longer he lives in this dark world, living for the next target, the more he thinks he is going bonkers. His moral compass is all over the shop which can be tricky when you happen to be a professional hitman.
This series has me gripped and I look forward to every new installment like a vampire looking for its next plump vein.

And for movie fans, The Killer is being made into a film by Paramount Pictures which will be directed by David Fincher. It could be very good too, but this is Hollywood so I won't hold my breath.

The Wolverine (official trailer)

In cinemas July 25th 2013!

Hugh Jackman was born to play the Wolverine, and wanna know something? I can't wait to see this ace looking movie!

Man Of Steel trailer

In cinemas June 14th.

Commando Comics

The famous badge

Commando comics (formerly Commando War Stories in Pictures), began its life in Scotland in 1961 courtesy of D.C. Thomson of Dundee. They are a series of British comic books that are inspired by incidents from World Wars I & II and use it as a running theme. I remember first seeing them in a local newsagents as a boy in the late seventies and always thought the handy pocket size a nice idea because you didn't have to fold it like the Beano and thus spoil it. Comic fans are funny about little things like creasing but now all that is a distant memory! Why? Because like with everything else, you can get an App to read them. I love living in the future!
And whats great is when you subscribe, being the kind folk they are, D.C. Thompson will shout you 4 free comics ('Combat Zone', 'Desert Vengeance', Jack's Private War' 'The Winter Warriors). That's 66 pages per comic so you get *does sums* 264 of brilliantly drawn action. Cool huh? Be warned though, they are better read on a tablet because I found using an iPhone got to be a strain after a few pages.

30 Days of Night

As with every comic/graphic novel these days, the complete "30 Days of Night" collection is available via iOS App. Head on over to Comixology to get stuck into the human claret drenched series, the vampire romp also has a dedicated App of its own via IDW Publishing. They'll even shout you 3 free comics when you sign up. Ace. Everyone loves free stuff.
We all know the story by now (even non comic fans, thanks to the movie) where for one month in every year, Barrow, an isolated Alaskan town, is plunged into darkness, leaving it a party town for murder loving vampires. Its a satisfying slice of gore and storytelling (Steve Niles) with some brilliant illustrations by Ben Templesmith.
I recently read "Beyond Barrow" and "Bloodsucker Tales" and enjoyed both. Vampires fans who have not yet taken the plunge into Barrow should definitely do so. I do have some niggles though. Firstly the lettering; some of the panels have bold red words over a black background which makes it difficult to read. It feels very hard on the eyes. Secondly, owing to some of the fine drawings which have a faded look, this series is better read on a larger tablet over the iPhone.


Books in the 30 Days of Night series:

30 Days 'Til Death
30 Days of Night Sourcebook
Annual
Beyond Barrow
Bloodsucker Tales
Dark Days
Dead Space
Eben and Stella
Juarez
Original Series
Red Snow
Return to Barrow
Scriptbook
Spreading the Disease
Three Tales

Iron Man 3 trailer

Enter Mandarin into Iron Man's world on 26th April 2013

World War Hulk Movie?

War!

The Hulk may be getting another stand-alone movie after Avengers 2. Thats exciting enough but get this: it is thought that the new film will take its plot from the Planet Hulk and World War Hulk storyline! HULK SMASH!!