Tag: dark horse comics

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Toys & Collectibles

Camilla d’Errico & Dark Horse Create “No Ordinary” Collectible

Camilla d'Errico's "No Ordinary Love" Limited Edition Statuette

Delicate Doppelganger
There were lots of exciting new items at Dark Horse Comics’ Toy Fair 2012 booth. Along with their Mass Effect Reaper prototype, they also offered a first look at the upcoming Camilla d’Errico sculptural bust.

The piece is based on the painting “No Ordinary Love”, which can be found in the d’Errico art book Femina and Fauna, also produced by Dark Horse. Camilla’s work reminds me of a blend between Margaret Keene’s iconic 60’s doe-eyed waifs and 70’s TV Anime. As the book title suggests she often juxtaposes ethereal young ladies with some unexpected wildlife eliciting a placid, though equally disquieting, beauty. If I simply described this fantasy portrait you might imagine a tentacle enrobed, raven caressing, bride of Cthulu. Thankfully my photos reflect something quite the opposite and answer the question “Can you fall in love with a girly wearing a calamari as a chapeau?” with a rousing affirmative.

Dark Horse Product Development Manager Chris Gaslin told me that the sculpt was done by Gentle Giant Studios with d’Errico supervising the prototyping. They’ve created a masterful work imbued with the detail and delicacy of the original painting. The 8 inch tall, 5 inch wide, statue will be produced in a limited edition of 950 copies for worldwide distribution. Each will be hand-numbered and collector boxed, with a certificate of authenticity. Expected release date is June 2012. Dark Horse also plans Helmetgirls a second helping of Camilla’s paintings for July publication.

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Toys & Collectibles

Mass Effect Reaper Replica to join Dark Horse Stable

Mass Effect Reaper Replica from Dark Horse Comics

More exciting news from the absolutely amazing 2012 American International Toy Fair. Here’s a quick note to alert Mass Effect franchise fans about Dark Horse Comics‘ upcoming Reaper replica. While I was visiting their booth to get a peak at the new line of “Good Luck Trolls” (“Wishniks” to those my vintage), Dark Horse’s V.P. of Product Development, David Scroggy, gave me the OK to shoot some first-look photos of their Mass Effect Reaper replica just cleared for licensing. As you can see from this prototype, collectors will be treated to an exceptionally detailed rendering of these bio-mechanical starships.

Thanks so much to David and Chris G., Product Development Manager, for taking time out from what is essentially a sales event to give me a look at some of the incredible new items to come from the company. Check back soon for more information and photos of Dark Horse’s newest collectibles.

Now go download your Mass Effect 3 demo.

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Andy Says Books & Graphic Novels

Stand Back Sabrina, Buffy and Bella! Zoey Redbird Enters the “House of Night”

Jenny Frison's Cover for House of Night #1

(Guest Editor Adriana “Andy” Melendez returns with her look at the premiere issue of a new graphic novel series.)

House of Night
On Wednesday, November 9th, Dark Horse Comics brings you the first installment in their adaptation of “House of Night,” based on the series of books penned by mother/daughter writing duo P.C. and Kristin Cast.

What It Is…
Ever since Joss Whedon gave us “Buffy the Vampire Slayer,” teen angst and the supernatural have become inextricably entwined in the land of young adult fiction.

Enter Zoey Redbird, a 16-year-old, like Buffy, reluctant to answer her own calling. In a world where Vampyres (yes, spelled with a Y), Witches and Goddesses all exist, she must learn to embrace and develop her powers, all the while navigating the usual drama of school, bullies, friends, and a budding romance. However, Zoey’s school is a bit different from most; she attends a “Potter-esque” Vampyre Academy, where she must learn to hone her craft, as she begins her transformation into a “creature of the night” herself. As Joss would say, it’s another allegory for adolescence and the horrors of High School.

Been there, done that. But what sets “House of Night” apart from the others, and that which piqued my curiosity, is the way authors P.C. and Kristin Cast (joined by Kent Dalian for the graphic novel) manage to weave in elements of mysticism, mythology and lessons on spiritual growth throughout the plot. It will be interesting to see how these elements develop in further issues.

Musings…
The allure of the supernatural, the idea of a realm “beyond the veil,” fascinates most of us. Of course, like the world of comic book heroes, we find that hidden world (a world beautifully illustrated by artists Joëlle Jones, Karl Kerschl and Jenny Frison) and the promise of power difficult to resist. Sadly, what I notice in popular teen fiction, is how it often discards the concept of consequences and finding balance when it comes to power. In my humble opinion, there should be more lessons on growth and spirituality and “be careful what you wish for.” I’d be curious to see if “House of Night” continues down this path.

Andy Says…
I get what “House of Night” is going for, but never having read the books, I found the first issue, although interesting and definitely able to hook a teen audience, a bit disjointed. However, if you’re a fan of L.J. Smith’s “Vampire Diaries” or the “Secret Circle” series, as well as “Twilight,” there may be something for you here.

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Music SkeletonPete Says Toys & Collectibles

Tom Morello Jump Starts NY Comic Con

Tom Morello fires up Black Spartacus @ NYCC Special Concert

New York Comic Con 2011 offered Press, and those willing to spring for 4 Day passes, a chance to get a 3 hour event “sneak peak” in advance of the inevitable onslaught of fandom sure to descend on The Jacob Javitts Center on official day one.

They’ll be plenty of images to peruse here on SkeletonPete over the next few days. Along with Piercing Metal’s Ken Pierce I’ll do my best to give you a healthy overview as well as a closer look at things that draw my attention. From the small taste we got today it looks like it will be an “I’ll sleep when I’m dead” weekend. It’s a veritable storm of dazzling sights.

Capping off the evening on October 13 Rage Against The Machine’s guitarist Tom Morello, AKA “The Nightwatchman”, treated post preview attendees to a sterling set at the venue’s IGN theater space. Morello, with Freedom Fighter Orchestra cohorts, lauded the NYC grassroots “Occupy Wall Street” movement for their resolve with “Save The Hammer For The Man” (co-penned with Ben Harper). He introduced his new guitar “Black Spartacus” with a tune of the same name and mesmerized the crowd with quiet (“Garden of Gethsemene”) and thunderous (“Ghost of Tom Joad”) moments, including some of his patented guitar abuse.

Tom admitted surrendering to his inner sci-fi and comics geek. “You gotta embrace it”. The set also served to herald the release of Orchid, a graphic novel written by the guitarist. The story cycle will be presented by Dark Horse Comics in 12 installments, the first of which was made available at the convention kick-off concert by Mid-Town Comics. Morello describes the titled teenage heroine as “part suicide girl, part Joan of Arc, who becomes the Spatacus of whores”. Interior art is by Scott Hepburn, with a special convention variant cover rendered by a SkeletonPete fave, Shepard Fairey.

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