Category Archives: JP/Japer
Uncover Oz In “Action Comics #987” On The Wednesday Run
It’s been a year and a half in the making:
A comic book mystery to rival all others! A senses shattering surprise that not only changes the DC Universe as we know it today, but one that will have echoes and reverberations for decades to come! It’s a long-play reveal that no one could possibly see coming!
Well, maybe a few did. And it’s not like we haven’t all read over-the-top superlatives about comic book crossover event series’ before.
But the DC Universe Rebirth initiative from the spring of 2016 that saw the reboot/relaunch of their classic characters and publications has seen a swell in the comic book company’s sales figures. Their monthly offerings have delighted both critics and fans and has got all the industry buzzing about what happens next in the story.
Rebirth has been a success.
At the heart of that story, someone named Mr. Oz, you see, has been pulling the strings of heroes, villains and possibly reality itself, from behind the scenes.
Today, in Action Comics #987, Mr. Oz, finally, gets revealed! No spoilers below, but make the jump to the how’s and why’s of it all!
Don’t Be Caught Dead Without “Deadman By Kelley Jones: The Complete Collection” On The Wednesday Run
Hands down, Deadman is one of my favourite DC Comics characters.
Created by industry legends, Arnold Drake and Carmine Infantino within the pages of Strange Adventures #205 in 1967, the relatively obscure character has remained ever-present in the DC Universe. In the last decade or two, however, because of appearances in Justice League Unlimited, Batman: The Brave and the Bold, and Justice League Dark cartoons, he has slowly gained in popularity.
I was first introduced to Deadman via a seven-issue DC Comics reprint series in the mid 1980’s – stories that re-published the characters origin from those Strange Adventure pages, specifically highlighting the realistic and heroically-styled artwork of Neal Adams. I’ve since read pretty much everything that Deadman has been a central character in.
Biff Bam Pop! has highlighted Deadman and the comic book pages he graces on a few occasions, most recently in a 2016 Halloween-themed The Wednesday Run column here and a 2008 editorial call out (by yours truly) to have the character make the leap to the silver screen here.
Today sees the paperback compilation of some Deadman’s greatest tales, all illustrated by Kelley Jones, an acclaimed and fan favourite artist that simply redefined the look of the acrobat-turned-ghost-turned-superhero in the early 1990’s.
No one’s interpretation of Deadman comes anywhere near the one that Kelley Jones gave us in those Gothic tales!
Here then, is the low-down on the larger-market release of Deadman By Kelley Jones: The Complete Collection!
BBP! Guide To Fan Expo Canada: Day 4 #FXC17
Day four of Fan Expo Canada 2017 starts with an early rise and shine, a cold shower, a healthy breakfast, and a cup (or two) of coffee. Grab your backpack – we’re heading out the door for our last, but still busy, day at the Metropolitan Convention Centre.
It’s a long weekend here in Toronto, and that means today you’ll see lots of kids saddling up next to their favourite cosplay superhero or Pikachu for a chance at a photograph. School starts next week, and you can be sure that tales of #FXC17 will echo through the locker-clad hallways.
There’s always one-more-thing to get, isn’t there? So, as you pick your brain for that last item of fancy, here are the things Biff Bam Pop! thinks you should be checking out between the Sunday hours of 10 AM to 5 PM…
BBP! Guide To Fan Expo Canada 2017: Day 3 #FXC17
Two days of Fan Expo Canada have passed, and you’ve been a good little pop culture soldier.
Perhaps you’ve got a full weekend pass. Perhaps this is your first day in line. Either way, today is giant-sized Saturday – and the Metropolitan Convention Centre kicks it up into its highest gear today!
Certainly the busiest day of the four day convention, Saturday, Day 3 of Fan Expo Canada, offers up a whole host of challenges and opportunities. Your adrenaline, for one, will be coursing through your body like you’ve never experienced. But you’ll need to be a pro, and temper that enthusiasm with the knowledge that you’ll most likely be in some long lines. It’s a natural occurrence and the real test is how you can deal with that pressure.
Pro Tip: go to the bathroom early. 10 AM to 7 PM makes for a long day.
Still, it’s all worth it, as you’re bound to bump into friends you know, and the exhibitors start talking with an aim to sell product. Some of the biggest programming events are today as well – and you can find all of them here in Day 3 of Biff Bam Pop’s Guide to Fan Expo Canada!
BBP! Guide To Fan Expo Canada 2017: Day 2 #FXC17
So, how did things go yesterday? Did you find what was on your Holy Grail list?
Thursdays are meant to be a sort of Fan Expo Canada scouting mission – getting the lay of the land, what the price ranges are for the goodies you want, and meeting up with some friends…some of whom you haven’t seen in a long, long time.
Remember, it’s not a race – Fan Expo Canada is a four-day marathon.
But things really start to get heated today!
Still got those comfortable shoes on? Today’s a longer day, starting at 10 AM and running until 7 PM. So, loosen up those hamstrings and follow us into the fray of Friday’s Day 2!
Here are some of the things Biff Bam Pop! thinks you need to experience today!
#FXC17 Exclusive Interview: John Bolton On Horror, His Art & His Graphic Novel: Shame
Artist John Bolton has had a long and storied career in comic books and sequential art. He made the jump from working in English magazines such as Warrior, to burgeoning American periodicals like Epic Illustrated, in the early 1980’s. He’s been working in and around the mainstream comic book industry ever since, as comfortable drawing superheroes as much as he is painting fairies, vampires and demons.
Drawn to the genres of fantasy and horror as both an illustrator and painter, Bolton has worked alongside some of the greatest writing names the comic book industry has known, including Chris Claremont on Marada The She Wolf and Black Dragon, both for publisher Epic Comics. With Neil Gaiman in The Books of Magic for DC Comics, he created the look of the reluctant boy-wizard, Timothy Hunter, based on his eldest son. His acclaimed graphic novel series, Shame, alongside writer Lovern Kindzierski, is where Bolton’s efforts most currently dwell, with the first three acts being recently complied into a single hardcover volume.
There’s a sense of wonder, amazement, power, and sexuality inherent in Bolton’s work, combined alongside an overt menace that makes a viewer full of trepidation. Even when his sense of horror is not manifest, nothing is ever as it seems in Bolton’s completed visual offerings.
On the eve of an infrequent visit to Toronto via the 2017 edition of Fan Expo Canada, JP Fallavollita caught up with John Bolton in an exclusive interview via email, and asked him about his process, his female-driven subject matter, and his recent work on Shame.
BBP! Guide To Fan Expo Canada 2017: Day 1 Of #FXC17
It’s Day 1 of Fan Expo Canada 2017. Are you prepped?
Let’s run through your pre-game checklist:
- A hardy breakfast and lunch
- Comfortable shoes
- A backpack
- A visit to the cash machine
- Your list of pop-culture themed heart’s desires
If you haven’t got those five items checked off yet, what are you waiting for? This is Day 1! You plan to make it through to Day 2, don’t you???
Follow us down pop culture lane! Biff Bam Pop! is making it’s way to the Metropolitan Toronto Convention Centre and, between the hours of 4 PM and 9 PM today, there are a number of things to do and see…and tips you need to know.
Let’s not dally another minute…here we go!
#Kirby100 Lives On In “The Black Racer And Shilo Norman Special #1” On The Wednesday Run
This past Monday, August 28th, would have been the “King” Jack Kirby’s 100th birthday!
The comic book legend has had a hand in creating or co-crating pretty much all of the major pop culture superhero icons that you know and love today. I’m not going to get into that list – it’s extensive. But you can find it right here.
Go ahead. Be blown away by all that creativity.
In any event, Biff Bam Pop! has been celebrating #Kirby100 all summer long. You can find a list of all of our fascinating articles and commentaries right here. Of course, this particular column has gotten into the celebrations every week this month, highlighting:
Today sees the last “heads up” in The Wednesday Run #Kirby100 celebrations. At least for this month!
Today sees the release of the compelling, action-packed, sci-fi, philosophical meta story – and absolute fun of The Black Racer And Shilo Norman Special #1!
BBP! Guide To Fan Expo Canada 2017: Preview #FXC17
There’s a well-known, partly tongue-in-cheek saying, that every Torontonian knows: The City of Toronto sees two seasons – winter and construction.
With the gut-bursting pop culture excitement of this coming long weekend, I’m wondering if we can’t add a third season into the mix, even if it is a relatively short one! Canada’s largest and most anticipated pop culture experience that ranges from comic books to movies and television to anime to gaming to toys…and so much more… is finally back!
Fan Expo Canada 2017 is here!
After waiting through twelve months of winter and construction, the most eye-popping weekend of the year begins on Thursday at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre and runs through Sunday afternoon. And, of course, Biff Bam Pop! will be there!
Here, then, is our prelude to all the sights, sounds, symposiums, breakout sessions, photo-ops and merchandise you need to experience over the coming four days…
With an expectation of over 129,000 people in attendance this year, make sure you hydrate, wear comfy shoes, and follow us around the pop culture floor of Fan Expo Canada 2017!
Follow The #Kirby100 Tracks To “Manhunter Special #1” On The Wednesday Run
Biff Bam Pop’s celebration of the legendary Jack Kirby during the #Kirby100 party continues today!
This month would have seen the “King’s” 100th birthday, you see, and his numerous creations are front and center, as they’ve touched so many lives during the seven decade-long working career of the artist/writer/creator.
Lucky for us, DC Comics has been publishing one-off Kirby specials all month long, featuring some of his most loved – and most obscure – comic book creations.
So far this month, this column has highlighted:
None of these characters share the convoluted history of the protagonist in today’s double-sized, wholly exciting, release of the Kirby-created Manhunter #1!
