Comixology and Kindle Apps to Merge

I received the following email from Amazon.com earlier today: 

Hello Comics fans,

We’re writing to let you know about upcoming changes to the way that you will access and read your Comixology digital comics, graphic novels, and manga titles. On December 4, 2023, we will be merging the Comixology and Kindle applications on iOS, Android, and Fire OS. Starting today, any books previously purchased on Comixology will automatically be visible in your library on the Kindle app. The upgraded Kindle app experience is available now; however, you may continue reading your books in the Comixology app until December 4, 2023. You can read more about the upcoming changes here. We’ve been hard at work upgrading the Kindle app to deliver the great digital comics, graphic novels, and manga experience you’re accustomed to in the Comixology app, including: Your library in the Kindle app now groups your issues, volumes, and omnibuses from the same series together. The Kindle app now allows you to hide and unhide specific comics, graphic novels, and manga in your library. Titles you’ve already set to hide via the Comixology app will automatically be hidden in the Kindle app. With your complete library of books now conveniently in one place, you can select ‘Comics & Manga’ from the in-app filter menu to quickly find just your comics, graphic novels, and manga titles. Members of Comixology Unlimited, Kindle Unlimited, or Amazon Prime can borrow comics, graphic novels, and manga titles directly in app. Tap the ‘Home’ button from the bottom nav, select the ‘Explore’ button in the top left directly under the search bar, then select the ‘Comics, Manga, and Graphic Novels’ button listed under the ‘More categories’ label. You may also continue to browse for content on the web via www.amazon.com/comixology. You may also continue to read your Comixology books on the web via read.amazon.com. If you prefer to read on your Kindle E-reader, you can go to Your Content and Devices to send individual titles to download on your e-reader. If you encounter any issues accessing your content, or have not yet merged your Comixology account with an Amazon login, please contact Customer Service for support: Go to https://www.amazon.com/hz/contact-us/ Go to ‘Help with Something Else’ and select ‘eBooks, Prime Videos or Music.’ Then click ‘Kindle eBooks/Digital Content/Comics’ and select the subcategory best related to your question. We look forward to continuing to serve you, The Comixology team

Movie Monday: Batman: The Dark Knight Returns Part 2

I actually picked up the Batman: The Dark Knight Returns Part 2 DVD in May of this year at the local Dollar Tree. Yes, it brings the Alan Moore graphic novel to animated life and is pretty faithful to it. I actually watched it a few months ago and never got around to posting about it here. Peter Weller is Batman, Ariel Winter is Carrie Kelly and David Selby is James Gordon. It's kind of weird to hear the voices of RoboCop and Quentin Collins from Dark Shadows in an animated movie from DC Comics. I highly recommend it especially if you enjoyed the graphic novel,.

 

PCH Super Hero Comic Books Plus Graphic Novel

My Superhero Comic Books plus graphic novel grab bag arrived from Publishers Clearing House (PCH) on Tuesday, April 29, 2014. We got a nice mix with some comics from DC Comics and various independent comic publishers. Unfortunately, there was nothing from Marvel Comics. I haven't had the chance to read any of them yet so no reviews.

First up is Bloodshot #11 (December 1993) from Valiant Comics. The only other issue that I have in this series is #3.

Next up is G.I. Joe #16 (October 2006) from Devil's Due Publishing. I have no other issues of this series from this publisher.

I also received Justice League International #62 (March 1994) from DC Comics. This joins #20 and #21 that I already have.

Robotech: The Macross Saga #5 (August 1985) from Comico was also included. I have never read an issue of this comic based on the cartoon series.

I also have never seen an episode of Robotech: The Macross Saga.

I love the wraparound cover.

Finally, the graphic novel that I received was Spawn Batman (1994) from Image Comics. While I only have three issues of Spawn (#1, 2, 116), I do have a lot issues of Batman and related titles.

Overall, an interesting grab bag of comics from PCH. I was surprised at the choice for the graphic novel.

Superhero Comic Books Returns To PCH

Yeah, I couldn't resist ordering the Superhero Comic Books from PCH (Publishers Clearing House):

Instead of a pack of trading cards like the last time, this set includes four comic books and one graphic novel. I actually don't have any of the comics pictured in the above ad but I doubt that I will get any of them. I can't wait to see what I get in this comic grab bag.

Aaron Eckhart As Adam In I, Frankenstein

Aaron Eckhart is portraying Adam the monster in I, Frankentein based on the graphic novel by Kevin Grievous:

Check out beefy Aaron Eckhart as the muscled monster in I, Frankenstein for more information.

Comic Review: Doctor Muscles Journal One

Doctor Muscles: Journal One is a 146 page full color paperback that collects the first five issues from Bogus Publishing. The mature science fiction stories were written by Austin Tinius and Robert Salinas. Various artists include Andrew Whyte, Stefano Cardoselli, Antonio Brandao, Cecilia Latella and Ilaria Bramato. The cover artwork was done by James Brunner. The publisher’s synopsis states “The smartest man in Philadelphia, Dr. Arthur E. Muscles, is about to retire from a life of science when things go awry. A fortuitously modified formula at his research laboratory transports Dr. Muscles to another dimension, known as Quargo. Dr. Muscles now finds himself the lab rat in a maze full of perverted wizards, enslaved species, beastly giants and western motifs. His only shot at returning to Earth is to reach the Ultra-Lord at the end of the maze. Along the way, Dr. Muscles picks up various misfits and does his best to do the right thing, which usually ends up backfiring.”

“The Doctor Is In” is the first chapter and introduces Doctor Arthur E. Muscles, the smartest man in Philadelphia. One of his experiments goes wrong and the resulting explosion sends him to a planet in another dimension named Quargo. The planet has seven suns and is ruled by the Over-Lord. Muscles tracks down Mickey, a humanoid rat that stole his shoes, who he enlists as his guide to Vinny’s castle. The ratman is annoying but he quickly becomes my favorite character. The pair run into a giant Droxin that Muscles kills but Mickey will brag throughout the series that he did it thus earning him the title of Droxin Slayer. They then run into bat-like creatures that are slaves to Vinny. Muscles finally has a showdown with the perverted mage. I really like this chapter and give it a solid A.

The next two chapters are “Back In Black” and “Escape From Hell” that finds Doctor Muscles in the other dimension’s version of Hell. The Devil is an Old West sheriff and wears a key to the gate out around his neck. A duplicate key is rumored to be buried and everyone is looking for it. Muscles and Mickey meet Doris, a busty robot. She guides them to search for the duplicate key but they are quickly captured by the Bone-Heads, a group of sand burrowing skeletons. Overall, I give these two chapters a B- because the artwork was such a contrast to the first chapter.

The forth chapter is “Dear Droxin” and introduces Herb Boyer, a fellow scientist that was in the same room with Muscles when the explosion happened. He crossed over to Quargo two years to Arthur’s two weeks. Mickey is captured by a giant Droxin and takes him to an arena. He must fight the family of the the young Droxin that was killed in the first chapter. I give this chapter a B+ mostly because of what happened to Mickey even though it sets up the next chapter. Chapter five is “Junkyard Memoirs” and gives more background for Muscles and Mickey. This is my favorite story from the entire collection and earns an A+.

You can purchase Doctor Muscles: Journal One at Bogus Publishing for $14.95.

Thrift Store Find: Fiction Illustrated Volume Two

I found a copy of Fiction Illustrated Volume Two (Pyramid Publications, April 1976) this morning at a local thrift store for only fifty cents. The book is only 6 3/4" tall and most of the pages are one page panels. The front cover proclaims that Starfawn by Byron Preiss (writer) and Stephen Fabian (artist) is a "full color adventure in the Star Trek tradition!" The back cover text states "A full-color odyssey into time and space with the crew of the starship Destiny and the fantastic woman known as Starfawn. Volume Two of America's first adult graphic novel revue!"

Bryon Preiss, of course, was responsible for the Weird Heroes paperback series. Stephen Fabian is also known for his "artwork for TSR's Dungeons & Dragons game from 1986 to 1995, particularly on the Ravenloft line."

As far as I know, Starfawn as never appeared anywhere else other than this graphic novel.