We’ve gone ON and ON about this title and we’re back for issue 3.

I wanted to enjoy this issue as much as the previous two but it was not to be.

If anything can be classified as “hipster” to me it’s the opening scene of this issue. A rag doll sitting in front of a thrift store listening to the folk/punk of Andrew Jackson Jihad while musical notes dance around his head screams HIPSTER! LOOK AT ME! I FEEL!

LDB is still in the presence of weird girl and she seems to have total control over him. His personality is a pushover when it comes to her and she can steer him wherever she wants.

LDB is tricked into attending a Hipster party where he points fingers and trash talks the people around him with another party goer. He brings a very thoughtful gift and we get a knock on the door to break up the party and lead us to the next issue.

Along with other BSR staffers, I really enjoyed the first two offerings but this hit a sour note. LDB’s interaction with others leaves me scratching my head wondering why people like him, or why he’s depressed. There are, of course, no answers to these questions.

I have not read any of the online content and wonder if we’ll see a transformation from rag doll to “real boy” or perhaps, everyone around LDB transforms into rag doll’s.

I hope issue #4 gives me a li’l more insight into LDB or I might comb my hair over my forehead and slink away with my hands in my pocket.

The Li’l Depressed Boy #3 is in stores now
$2.99
Image Comics

Anyone who reads the various things I write knows two things. I love digital comics, and I love sharing all ages comics with the younger people in my family. Now, thanks to comiXology, I can combine those two passions thanks to the Comics4Kids App! Teaming up with a plethora of publishers, comiXology has created a one-stop app where you can easily find age-appropriate material. This way, you can feel safe handing your child you iDevice and not having to worry they’re going to accidentally see your digital copy of Eviscerate Man #12.  David Steinberger, comiXology’s CEO says it more succinctly.

“Comics4Kids is specifically designed for a new generation of tech-savvy kids and teens. We have parents writing us all the time that they love our apps, and want to share comics with their kids, but they’re afraid they’ll pick up one of our mature titles. I couldn’t even hand my iPad off to my own young niece so I knew we needed to make an app for the kids who want to explore comics in an environment that makes their parents comfortable.”

It’s no surprise that Archie Comics is headlining the app. They are, after all, known for their all-ages appropriate material. The full list of companies contributing books to the app is nothing to sneeze at either. You’ll be seeing titles like Atomic Robo (a personal favorite), Secret of Kells, and Sonic the Hedgehog. Take a look at the list of publishers already on board for a general idea of what you’ll be seeing.

• Alterna Comics
• Antarctic Press
• Arcana Comics
• Archie
• Bluewater Comics
• GKids (Secret of Kells)
• Devil’s Due
• Dunamite
• Eigo Manga
• Image
• Keenspot
• Markosia
• NBM
• Red 5
• Shadowline

That’s pretty impressive already, and I am sure once the word gets out, other publishers will be adding their age-appropriate books as well.

So now you’ve been given the pitch, where can you find the app? We’ve got you covered with the iTunes store link, as well as a QR code (if you want to be fancy).

We all know what day it is today, and Image Comics sent us the following image with no information attached to it. It could be a prank, it could be an actual thing. Knowing Robert Kirkman, it’s probably for real. Take a look at the image, and you can read my take on what it could be.

Coming in 2012, Invincible finds out he has a sweet soul brother he never knew about! In an untold tale of Omni-Man’s past, we find out that in the late 70’s he had a one-night affair with a woman in Harlem named Marla Mason. From this night of passion, a child was born. Marla named the boy Tyrone, but growing up, everyone called him ‘Stone’, due to his cool demeanor and tough exterior. No one knew why Stone was so resilient, until one day, Marla was gunned down in case of mistaken identity. On her deathbed, she tells Tyrone of his heritage.

Now, knowing his lineage and having new purpose in life, Tyrone ‘Stone’ Mason meets his estranged father and half-brother, better known as Nolan and Invincible respectively. After being filled in on the current situation, ‘Stone’ takes on the duties of Invincible on Earth while Nolan and Mark Grayson take off for space. Watch out! This ain’t your mother’s Invincible, sucka!

Yeah, that’s totally made up, but we’ll keep you posted if anything does come of the teaser image. Happy April 1st!

Now this is something to look forward to. Jonathan Hickman, who has been writing an incredible run on Marvel’s Fantastic Four is delving once again into the pool of the creator-owned. This July, Hickman and newcomer artist Nick Petarra are releasing a new mini series called The Red Wing. While in less capable hands, could be as disastrous as the NHL hero of the same name (see photo), thankfully Hickman has a much cooler idea in mind.

Thankfully, this is NOT Hickman's vision.

The Red Wing takes takes place in a future world where the best pilots don’t just fly in the sky, they fly through time. While some high concepts never get off the ground or can’t live up to high expectations, Hickman’s track record on Fantastic Four alone shows that this is going to be something to watch out for. There isn’t a whole lot of information regarding the series as of yet, but we here at BSR will be sure to keep you posted. In the meantime, here is Image’s press release for the new series.

No one can ever claim Jonathan Hickman is lazy. Not content with helming head-turning runs on Fantastic Four, Secret Warriors and S.H.I.E.L.D., not to mention re-imagining the FF for his most recent hit, The Future Foundation, Hickman returns to Image this summer with an all-new creator-owned miniseries, THE RED WING.

“We’re all pretty excited for this one,” Hickman explained. “We believe we not only have a solid concept for an engaging new series, but even at this early stage, THE RED WING has that lightning in a bottle feel to it. I think people are really going to like it.”

Written by Hickman, with art by amazing newcomer Nick Pitarra and colors by Rachelle Rosenberg, THE RED WING marks Hickman’s first creator owned work since the conclusion of the critically acclaimed A RED MASS FOR MARS.

“Nick is going to really surprise some people,” Hickman said. “When the art for this starts hitting the web, and then when the finished product shows up in stores, many of them are going to wonder where this guy has been hiding. Nick’s a very hungry, special, special talent. I consider myself fortunate to be working with him.”

Set in a future where the best fighter pilots in the world not only have to master their craft and perfect their skills, the heroes of THE RED WING also have to learn how to navigate through time. Described by Hickman as “the greatest battle in the history of the history of three worlds,” the four-issue miniseries is but the first concept to be mined by Hickman & Pitarra as part of Hickman’s ongoing “PLUS!” project.

“Well, I’ve been promising I’d get to this for over a year, so now it’s time,” Hickman said. “We’ll start with THE RED WING, and then I’ll be writing and drawing something called, FEEL BETTER NOW, before Nick and I move on to our next exciting project. We have a busy, aggressive slate of exciting stories to tell, and, like I said before, it’s time.”

“It’s a real privilege to be working with Jonathan and the incredible team he’s assembled for THE RED WING,” added Image Comics Publisher Eric Stephenson. “Since his comics debut with THE NIGHTLY NEWS, Jonathan has been one of the most unique and visionary voices in contemporary comics, and after hearing what he has planned for THE RED WING and the rest of the PLUS! series, I can guarantee you he’s not planning to rest on his laurels anytime soon!”

THE RED WING #1 (of 4), a 32-page full color comic with a cover price of $3.50, will be available for order now in the May issue of Previews and will go on sale July 6.

ABOUT IMAGE COMICS
Image Comics is a comic book and graphic novel publisher founded in 1992 by a collective of best-selling artists. Image has since gone on to become one of the largest comics publishers in the United States. Image currently has five partners: Robert Kirkman, Erik Larsen, Todd McFarlane, Marc Silvestri and Jim Valentino. It consists of five major houses: Todd McFarlane Productions, Top Cow Productions, Shadowline, Skybound and Image Central. Image publishes comics and graphic novels in nearly every genre, sub-genre, and style imaginable. It offers science fiction, romance, horror, crime fiction, historical fiction, humor and more by the finest artists and writers working in the medium today. For more information, visit www.imagecomics.com.

If you’re a regular reader here at BSR, you’ll remember back in December whent Clobber-Tron and I reviewed the first issue of Ian Churchill’s Marineman. In that review I kind of groused a bit about how the story kind of hit a brick wall, and has various other issues with it, but agreed that it had vast potential. I’ve been keeping up with the book, and now I’m happy to say that Marineman is now probably my favorite aquatic-based superhero of all time.

While I wont spend a couple paragraph recapping the series thus far, some of the things we’ve learned since the debut issue is that Steve Ocean does indeed have powers, including webbed hands, echolocation, and the like. He’s also an Atlantean (we think), but he’s lived his whole life as a human, and that’s the big difference for me. It’s hard for me to get into characters like Aquaman and Namor because they are so defined by their status as Atlantean kings that I find it hard to relate to them. Wheras Marineman is just this guy, you know? Anyway, onto the issue proper.

It may look like he's commanding fish, but this is actually echolocation.

Last issue left off with a cliffhanger, Steve (Marineman) Ocean’s military liaison/partner Charlie was stranded 20,000 feet under the sea in Marine Base Alpha’s experimental ship Deep Marine One (the military isn’t known for creative names). Most of the issue deals with Steve doing his best to save Charlie before the ship’s air supply runs out or the intense pressure crushes the ship. We’re treated to the single most heroic act I’ve seen in a comic for a while. It’s right up there with Superman wrestling an angel, in my book.

And he plans on lifting that monstrosity for 20,000 feet!

Sadly, Steve isn’t quite up to the task, and just as all seems lost, a mysterious white light appears and the ship and Steve alike are suddenly gone. The story does one of those cutaways where you find out how exactly everyone got into this situation in the first place, which at first was actually a little off-putting. I didn’t see the “Three Hours Earlier” blurb since it wasn’t in a caption per se, but I acclimated quickly. Anyway, after that vignette, we find out heroes face to face with some shadowy figures that have been lurking about the past couple issues. The issue itself ends with a revelation that is both intriguing and has me impatiently waiting for the next issue.

Note: This isn't the issue's big revelation.

After the story proper, there is more supplemental material focusing on real-life Oceanauts, and they are very informative and keeps with the spirit of the book. I really like Churchill’s art style. The only problem I had with the writing was what I mentioned before about transitions. I must say that I don’t think the book would look as nice as it does without the superb coloring by Churchill and Alex Sollazzo.  I don’t really do star ratings or anything when I review books, so I will say that if you’re like me, and never gave water-based heroes a second thought, Marineman may just be up your alley. There is definitely enough here to keep you coming back month after month.

It’s time for another installment of This Week IN Comics!

Big Shiny Robot! has a weekly column in the Salt Lake City alt-weekly IN Magazine and every week we bring it to you on the site.

If you live in the greater Salt Lake area, you can pick up a copy of IN Magazine up from one of their ubiquitous newsstands, and we would highly suggest that you do.

You can read the online version of the story here.

This week we have a spring break reading list.  You can pick up all the titles on Amazon.

Invincible Vol. 1, The Unwritten, Marvel Civil War, American Vampire.

Spoiler Alert: If you want to be shocked by the comic you can read it first then read this and decide if you agree or disagree. I will reveal important plot pieces and shockers in this review…. at least… I guess they’re important.

This week Image is releasing a one shot companion to their ongoing series Hack/Slash. I’ll be the first to admit that the promises of a super-villain queen that demolishes cities with her explosive powers battling 2 people who just plain like killing killers peaked my interest enough for a read. After the six minutes it took to absorb the book, I almost wish I hadn’t. I’m aware that this is supposed to be an over the top violent, edgy, profane, and sexual experience. The Bomb Queen is rocking a thong bikini, and the main character is in a mesh top and mini-skirt, trust me, the connection wasn’t hard to make. Through the well done art and the angry demon battles I found myself thinking, “I’ve read this before” or, “Really? This isn’t sex charged enough?”

The problem that I found with the book wasn’t the the art work or the premise. I thought the characters were well put together and thought-out enough to be interesting. My gripe was the needless piling-on of the “all comic readers are pervs” imagery. It didn’t help develop the characters, advance the story, or really change the outcome.. Oh my god I sound like my parents….

I don’t consider myself a prude by any means, there’s generally nothing that offends me, and this comic is no different. I just find being explicit for the sake of being explicit to be tacky. As an example: imagine that you’ve already wrapped your head around them entering an alternate dimension with their spiked bat and meat clever to kill a demon who’s invading our world, and of course most of the demon’s minions are naked zombie women. As an added bonus you then get to wrap your head around the super hero crew that wanted vengeance against the Bomb Queen and her demon cat. (He, by the way, was fed off of hate, and he only wanted his hate stone back.  Unfortunately for him it was nestled firmly in the queen’s Vajay.) At what point do you ask, ” Why didn’t she just leave the hate stone at her bomb queen palace, or shag pad, or whatever?” The answer is right in front of you, and is depicted in the image below. Because if she didn’t then the hate stone couldn’t give her a 3 page hate orgasm when the demon is slain..

The point of my rant is simply this: After reading past the death of our foe the “Demon Cat” and watching the Queen’s 3-page orgasm due to the release of hatred into her super-villain Vag, I found myself wondering when it would all just end. For any form of entertainment the viewer checking for the ending, or waiting to escape the confines of the media providing the escape is a bad thing.

This is something to pick up to say you own it, or to prove that nothing shocks you. The artwork is fantastic, and the story is so so, for artistically inclined folk this is probably a worthy look. As for me I think the fact that nothing shocks me was proven years ago, and art escapes me, so I’ll let this one go to the “donate” pile .

Seems like we’re getting more feast than famine this week from Image.  There are however, a few promising nuggets releasing this week.  I’ve been meaning to actually read The Walking Dead Weekly so maybe the ebbing flow of comics will allow me that freedom.  Also Bomb Queen Vs. Hack Slash looks like a promising one shot provided you’re into: serial killers killing serial killers, green dudes in gas masks, scantily clad women near explosions and alternate dimensions. My rambling aside, the list is below.
Happy tuesday everybody.

Artifacts #6

The Battle Begins in Earnest!
The antagonist’s plans continue to unfold with deadly precision as   Witchblade, The Darkness, Angelus, Tom Judge, and Magdalena are drawn into a conflict with the heroes of Cyberforce. Just as the misunderstanding is resolved Aphrodite IV arrives with murderous intentions. How does one defeat an opponent who doesn’t feel pain or tire?
From Top Cow Universe architect Ron Marz (Witchblade, Magdalena) and legendary artist Whilce Portacio (The Darkness, Uncanny X-Men) comes an event series, which will literally shake the Top Cow Universe to its foundation. Featuring a gorgeous cover by Phil Noto (Pilot Season: 7 Days From Hell, Jonah Hex) as well as a variant cover featuring Aphrodite IV by John Tyler Christopher (Witchblade).
Each issue will also feature a Top Cow Origin backup written by Marz and drawn by a superstar artist.

Bad Dog #4

“CREAM OF THE CROP,” Part One
Yes, we’re late… but we still love you, baby! We’re going to prove our love with drugs, violence and dysfunction — all hand crafted just for you! Lou calls for a road trip to Vegas — the most dangerous place on Earth for a werewolf in an existential crisis, not to mention the home turf of his mysterious shadow… BAKER

Bomb Queen Vs. Hack/Slash One Shot.

The demon dog, Pooch, leads Hack/Slash’s Cassie and Vlad to the dimension of superheroes where they hunt Bomb Queen’s cat, Ashe. Her demon cat has split a dimension between realities, allowing the Queen’s twisted and perverted slashers into Cassie’s world—along with, worst of all, Bomb Queen herself!

Chew Script Book

Presenting a special behind-the-scenes, chock-full-o’-extras look of the New York Times best-selling, Eisner and Harvey award-winning, and inexplicably popular first issue of CHEW. Contains the entire first script, as well as penciled and preliminary art, and a detailed look at the entire process of putting the book together. An absolute must-have for anybody who must have this sort of stuff!

Hack/Slash #2

Hack/Slash Inc. is under siege by zombie animals as undead vet Bobby Brunswick returns from the grave. Cassie and Vlad will have to team with an archenemy to keep their friends from becoming undead pet food! Meanwhile, Samhain’s hunt for the Black Lamp will bring him to a very dark place!

Morning Glories #8

What is Morning Glory Academy, and what does it want with Casey, Zoe, Hunter, Ike, Jade, and Jun? What mysteries connect the six of them to the school, and what is their true potential? This spellbinding issue brings us one step closer to the answers to those pivotal questions!

Mice Templar Vol 3 #3

“ROYAL DIVISION”
The Rat Druids bring even greater oppression upon the mouse citizens to quell all resistance to their rule. But Karic’s audacious attack on the king has generated a legend that is not so easily crushed. Aquila makes a reckless choice to aid the young mouse she loves. Royal Consort Lorelie tests the alliance between rat and weasel. And Captain Tosk returns, bringing order as only his iron gauntlet and heartless will can achieve.

The two-time Harvey Award-winning series continues, from the acclaimed writer of Valkyrie and Thor: First Thunder and the co-creator of POWERS!

Twilight Guardian #3

The Pilot Season Winner Returns in “Heroes and Villains” Part 3!
It’s a case of multiple personalities as Twilight Guardian is pitched several possible interpretations of her tireless war on crime in her very own comic book! Which identity will Twilight Guardian choose? And has her arch villain Dusk Devil finally come to confront her on her home turf?
Eisner-nominated creator and writer Troy Hickman (Common Grounds) and talented up-and-coming artist Siddharth Kotian (Eat The Dead) continue the highly anticipated four-issue mini-series. Issue #3 features a portrait of Twilight Guardians by Jeffrey Spokes (Witchblade, Irredeemable)

The Walking Dead Weekly #11

Rick is finally getting settled into his new life. He’s got a roof over his head and a pretty secure shelter, and he’s surrounded by people who he’s come to know as friends. Over all, life is good. And after the last few months he’s been through he welcomes this change. But things can’t stay like this forever. Something bad looms just beyond the horizon — something really bad.

We here at BSR! Have expressed our love for S. Steven Struble and Sina Grance’s Li’l Depressed Boy multiple times in the last couple of months, and it seem you guys agree with us! Image just let us know that Li’l Depressed Boy #1 has sold out and a second printing is coming. This is awesome for anyone who missed out. In fact, run to your local shop tomorrow and pick up LDB #2, and say, “Hey Mr. Shopkeep! This is a fine publication, will you order my the awesome first issue’s reprint as well?” While it’s possible he may criticize your cadence, he won’t refuse you, and you’ll have two awesome issues instead of the just the one.

For those of you not in the know, Li’l Depressed Boy has actually been around for about a decade, so this success is long deserved.  The creators themselves are a bit taken aback as well.

From Struble:

“We’ve been working on the The Li’l Depressed Boy for a long time.  All this love really fills our hearts and proves the hard work was worth it.”

“If someone were to tell me that the book not only sold out as fast as it did, but also warranted a second printing, I would have called them a mean liar. I still cannot believe the tremendous support we’ve received from fans, retailers, and more so than ever: Image Comics!”

2 weeks ago Shaz-Bot brought us Lil’ Depressed Boy 1, a fun tale about a kid who meets what could quite possibly be the girl of his dreams. This issue continues the story with them having 2.5 dates and our hero LDB realizing that he doesn’t know her name.

Entered in his phone as “wierd girl” he spends his time with his buddy Drew Blood trying to prove that they’ve had a “real” date, and figure out what her name is.  Scraping together ideas such as asking around her local haunts to find her name, mugging her for her wallet (I’ll let you find out for yourself if and how that one goes down.), trying the wing-man introduce yourself trick (it usually worked for me back in the day), or simply hoping that she happens to mention it during conversation LDB spends this issue battling the thought that he forgot to ask in the first place.

I find LDB to be intensely interesting, and pretty much spot on to what makes a nerd tick. Looking back to issue one again some of the first discussions between LDB and “weird girl” are simply about super jumping in Mario 2, or getting stuck in Mega Man. Most nerds/gamers can relate to the instant attraction to most girls that have these memories and speak fondly of them. Then you add bowling for “style points” you have an instant success. All groups of friends have a game with a stern set of rules, it may not be bowling, it may revolve around shotgun in the car, or assigning team members, but they exist we grew up with them, we lived by them. Secondly everyone goofs off while bowling. LDB and “wierd girl” take it to the maximum by bowling in the most ridiculous and creative ways imaginable, the page where LDB tries to catch up in style points by pulling a “hadouken” bowling maneuver had me laughing hard enough to make me drop the book. It’s rare when a comic hits home like that for me and keeps me smiling from page to page. I don’t know if I can recommend this book enough. Packed with punk-rock house parties, style bowling, video game references, and nerd-rage sarcasm, LDP pegs what it’s like growing up geeky. If you haven’t picked up on Lil’ Depressed Boy issue 1 is available at comic shops everywhere for $2.99 and issue 2 will be available March 9th. If you can’t wait for that check our their web comic here.