Michael Allred News

This post relates to: Michael Allred, Madman Atomic Comics, Madman

A couple weeks ago I went into my local comic shop.  The owner knows I'm a huge Madman/Mike Allred fan.  Image Comics had sent a poster for Madman Atomic Comics with a bunch of testimonials from different people in the industry stating how great the comic is.  She knew I'd want it and gave it to me. 

I glanced at a couple of the quotes but didn't have time to fully unfold the poster.  Right before I left for Disneyland, I decided to read more of the quotes.  To my surprise, I saw mention of Comic Vine.  When I interviewed Mike Allred back in April, I had mentioned that I was a "big fan."  Image took that and slapped in on the poster. 

To me, that's awesome.

Not only is it my quote that appears on it but it's really cool to see Comic Vine mentioned.  I only see Comic Vine from my side of the computer screen.  There are times when I talk to different people, in and out of the industry, and they say that they know of the site.  It's hard for me to be aware of how much exposure we have as a site.  We are growing every day.

So next time you're in a comic store, see if they have the poster hanging.  You can tell the person working there that you know the dude that said he was a "Big fan."

This post relates to: Red Rocket 7, Red Rocket 7, Laura Allred, Michael Allred

Mike and Laura Allred to celebrate anniversary with signing, party and original art gallery!

I think I've made it pretty clear that I absolutely love Mike Allred's work.  His artwork along with his wife's amazing colors always manages to bring new life to the story involved.  Being that music was involved, Red Rocket 7 was also published in a non-tradition comic format.  Each issue was published in the dimensions of an LP record.  Mike has played around with different formats over the years.  It's pretty cool to see something different and I think it shows that he's actually giving some thought about what he's doing.  He's not just on automatic and churning out the pages.  He's all for experimenting. 

It looks like there will be a little celebration for this event in San Francisco.  I will have to check my calendar and see what I need to do to make it there.

Here's the press release with all the details:

In their only public appearance this year, MADMAN ATOMIC COMICS' Mike and Laura Allred will celebrate the tenth anniversary of their RED ROCKET 7 graphic novel at San Francisco's Neon Monster on Saturday, October 4th!

“While Laura and I have held off from appearances this year, we couldn't pass up the opportunity to celebrate RED ROCKET 7's tenth anniversary with our friends at Neon Monster with their own one year anniversary,” Mike Allred said. “Like RED ROCKET 7, Neon Monster celebrates the common ground between comics and music on a daily basis and the enthusiasm they're bringing may even surpass our own!"

Neon Monster will be celebrating RED ROCKET 7 in a big way with a traditional signing from 5-8 PM and an anniversary party from 8-12 PM featuring the first ever public gallery showing of Allred's original art from RED ROCKET 7 and a rarely heard mix of the RED ROCKET 7 album sequel, THE GEAR: SON OF RED ROCKET 7.

The event will also be the debut of the NEON MONSTER ARTIST EDITIONS, a limited edition boxed set containing store exclusives, with the Allreds edition featuring a dozen 14” x 11” silkscreened prints reproducing art from RED ROCKET 7 in their original black & white state, each hand-signed by Mike and Laura, and a new compact disc pressing of THE GEAR. In addition, all copies of the RED ROCKET 7 hardcover sold at the event will feature an exclusive tip-in plate, also signed by the Allreds.

The RED ROCKET 7 10th Anniversary party will take place at Neon Monster, located at 901 Castro St. in San Francisco, CA on Saturday October 4. For more information, please call 415-206-9644 or visit www.neonmonster.com.

This post relates to: Madman Atomic Comics, Darwyn Cooke, Laura Allred, Michael Allred, Madman

MADMAN!!!!!! I can't get enough!

The award-winning creator of DC: THE NEW FRONTIER illustrates and all-new MADMAN ATOMIC COMICS story!

Ah, you know it's a dang good day when I get to put up a news bit about MADMAN.  I can't explain it but I absolutely love the character.  There's just something about him.  It helps that Mike Allred is a genius.  His art seems simple but is incredibly detailed.  You can see the retro feel it has.  Madman comics are just pure fun reading.  They're full of wacky zanniness that you don't really get from other comics.  There's also the amazing colors from Mike's wife, Laura.  I just think it's something when I can see a piece that she's colored and immediately recognize it's her work.  How is that possible?  Colors are colors, right? 

Regardless of how they do it, all I care is that they keep doing it.  I am a little concerned about issue 14.  I do enjoy Darwyn Cooke's art but obviously I'd want to see Mike Allred's art on the comic.  This should be an interesting read.  I do look forward to seeing his interpretation. 

Do yourself a favor and pick up some Madman comics if you haven't read them before.  Image has recently put out some awesome trades.  You can also check out the interview I did with Allred here.

DC: THE NEW FRONTIER author Darwyn Cooke will collaborate with writer J. Bone this November for an all-new story featuring Mike Allred's seminal creation, Madman, in MADMAN ATOMIC COMICS #14!

"Darwyn and I are like twins separated at birth," Allred said. "We dig all the same things and get ridiculously excited about whatever we're working on.  We also throw fits whenever we're told 'no' by 'the Man', and, sometimes to our detriment, have a 'burned earth policy' when it comes to doing a project the way we want.  Fortunately, we usually get the support needed to build our visions, and MADMAN ATOMIC COMICS is a prime example of that.  Image Comics could not be more supportive in their backing me up with all my crazed paper dreams in MADMAN ATOMIC COMICS.  They're just as jazzed as I am to invite Darwyn and mutual pal, and cool genius, J.Bone, on MADMAN ATOMIC COMICS #14!"

While Cooke and Allred have worked together on various projects such as CATWOMAN and THE X-STATIX, this will mark the very first time Darwyn and collaberator J. Bone have delved into a full story featuring Snap City's number one superhero. Their short, "Madman: The Movie," takes Frank Einstein and company down the treacherous road to Hollywood as a film studio intends to loosely adapt Frank's life story with some very strange results.

MADMAN ATOMIC COMICS #14, a 32-page full color comic book for $3.50, will be in-stores November 19th, 2008. In addition, Allred fans can meet the creator himself mere weeks before the issue's release on October 4th at San Francisco's Neon Monster.

This post relates to: Robert Kirkman, Michael Allred, Invincible, Madman

Here's this week's IMAGE Comic sneak peaks.  Topping the list is my favorite, the snappiest hero around, Madman!  Issue 9 is basically one long panel.  Check out the pages below (click on the images to get a bigger look).  This is why I love Mike Allred so much.  He's always willing to take a chance and try something different.










MADMAN ATOMIC COMICS #9
story MICHAEL ALLRED, art & cover MICHAEL ALLRED & LAURA ALLRED


32 PAGES, FC, $2.99


An advanced Alien civilization has engineered a mind boggling secret headquarters in Snap City for Frank "Madman" Einstein and the surviving members of the Atomics Super Group. A celebratory party may be in the making, but something sinister is part of the new decor. Is it "curtains" for Frank and the gang? Haunt your local comic shop this march and be the first in line to find out.







































INVINCIBLE #50
story ROBERT KIRKMAN, art RYAN OTTLEY, CORY WALKER & BILL CRABTREE, cover RYAN OTTLEY & VAL STAPLES


48 PAGES, FC, $4.99


It’s all been building to this. After five long years, the best superhero comic book in the universe has reached its monumental FIFTIETH ISSUE! Invincible and Cecil Stedman face off and after this issue, nothing will ever be the same. Also in this issue, Science Dog returns in an all-new back-up story... and the ORIGIN OF CECIL STEDMAN!












AFTER THE CAPE II: ALL FALLS DOWN TPB
story HOWARD WONG & JIM VALENTINO, art & cover SERGIO CARRERA

112 PAGES, BW, $12.99

How far can one man fall? How long does it take before ones bad life choices reap their consequences? Just when he thought things couldn't get any worse... they do! And Ethan Falls, former hero, loses the one thing that was more important to him than life itself.

Collecting the second hit miniseries AFTER THE CAPE II, plus tons of extras, this is a MUST-READ book!

Collects AFTER THE CAPE II #1-3












CHARLATAN BALL #1
story JOE CASEY, art & cover ANDY SURIANO

24 PAGES, FC, $2.50

WELCOME TO THE BALL!
Meet Chuck Amok, a down-and-out stage magician pumping the sleaze 'n' peanut circuit. When he and his trusty rabbit, Caesar, are transported to a reality where magic actually works… Chuck’s showbiz compulsions take on a whole new meaning. But why was this wayward chucker picked? Only the vile Demon Empty knows for sure! Take your comic book rulebook and tear it up, y'all! This is graphic fiction on shrooms, True Believer!













CRAWL SPACE, VOL. 1: XXXOMBIES TPB
story RICK REMENDER, TONY MOORE & KIERON DWYER, art & cover KIERON DWYER

96 PAGES, FC, $12.99

1977, with hopes of paying off his debit to a ruthless mob boss, sleazy porn producer Wong Hung Lau gathers a bevy of adult stars for a sequestered weekend of film making. However, when they emerge days later, they discover a zombie plague has overrun a now-quarantined Los Angeles.

Collects CRAWL SPACE #1-4

RETAILER WARNING: MAY NOT BE SUITABLE FOR ALL AGES









JACK STAFF #17
story, art, & cover PAUL GRIST
32 PAGES, FC, $3.50


NOW MONTHLY!
Introducing Castletown’s newest hero: The Butler! But will he be enough to stop Shock running riot in the city streets?












SCREAMLAND #4 (OF 5)
story HAROLD SIPE, art & cover HECTOR CASANOVA

32 PAGES, FC, $2.99

In the finest tradition of Rock Hudson, America's favorite vampire lady-killer is anything but. After decades of dodging certain... questions, the Count comes face-to-face with crack entertainment reporter Bob Berger. In a career-spanning interview on the set of HOLLYWOOD NOW! No closet will be left unopened! Will decades of meticulously crafted public image go up in flames? This is our gay issue and we're very proud of it.












THE AMAZING JOY BUZZARDS, VOL. 1: HERE COME THE SPIDERS GN
story MARK ANDREW SMITH art & cover DAN HIPP

300 PAGES, BW, $19.99

The world's greatest rock 'n roll adventure band makes their original graphic novel debut With girl-magnet Biff on guitar and vocals, tough guy Stevo on bass, and four-eyed genius Gabe on drums - not to mention their mythical Mexican wrestler genie, El Campeon - the Amazing Joy Buzzards hop from one fast-paced adventure to the next, living life to the fullest! As their world tour commences, their battle with the nefarious Spider Syndicate gets into full swing with the fate of the world in the balance!











WILDGUARD: INSIDER #2 (OF 3)
story TODD NAUCK, art TODD NAUCK, RAY-ANTHONY HEIGHT, & JOEY MASON, cover TODD NAUCK


32 PAGES, FC, $3.50


Superstar artist TODD NAUCK (Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man, Teen Titans) brings his popular made-for-TV super team, WildGuard, up close for an “insider” look! The collection of the exclusive WildGuard Internet comic strips continues with the next 20 strips collected here for the very first time! Also this issue, during an appearance on a late night talk show, Lily Hammer is haunted by her past. The fan favorite “Where Are They Now?” feature continues spotlighting rejected contenders, Astro-Girl and Power Temp!

This post relates to: Jay Faerber, Michael Allred, Madman

Ooh, I'd love to get my hands on that Madman issue...

Image Comics' Pacific Northwest bred heroes, MADMAN ATOMIC COMICS and GEMINI, celebrate Emerald City Comic Con with exclusive covers not to ever be made available anywhere else!

"Emerald City Comic Con is my hometown convention," GEMINI co-creator and writer Jay Faerber said. "Debuting my newest creation there, with an exclusive cover nonetheless, was too perfect an opportunity to pass up."

MADMAN ATOMIC COMICS #8 is also a starting point for the veteran hero, as Frank Einstein's backstory acts as a jumping point for readers old and new. To celebrate, the Emerald City Comic Con variant is a throw back for Frank's very first appearance in Caliber's CREATURES FROM THE ID #1. The GEMINI cover, all-new illustration by series co-creator and artist Jon Sommariva, displays the unique dual nature of Faerber's all-new sleeper super-agent. A select few of each cover will be given away at the IMAGE COMICS SHOW, featuring Faerber, WALKING DEAD creator Robert Kirkman and ELEPHANTMEN's Richard Starkings.

MADMAN ATOMIC COMICS creator Mike Allred added, "There's a lot of buzz up here in the Pacific Northwest for the Emerald City Comic Con and since I wasn't able to attend this year, I still wanted to do something very special. I hope folks will get a big kick out this."

The Emerald City Comic Con will take place May 10th and 11th at the Washington State Convention & Trade Center. More information on both covers can be found at the Image Comics booth, #602. In addition, THE IMAGE COMICS SHOW will be on Saturday in Panel Room B from 3-4 PM.

This post relates to: Madman, Michael Allred

Ooooh, my absolute favorite.  I love Madman.  Whenever a new issue comes out, I feel like it's my birthday.  I cannot give this a higher recommendation.  Between Mike Allred's witty writing and art and Laura Allred's colors, you can't go wrong.  Here is your chance to catch up to what Madman's been doing.  If you've ever wondered who he was or what he was about, don't miss this issue.  There is a movie in the works too.  Mike Allred's buddy, Robert Rodriguez (you may have heard of him...) is working on it.  So do yourself a favor and read up on your next favorite character before the movie is made.  You don't want to miss out on this.

May's Madman Atomic Comics #8 invites you to hop on board the ginchiest superhero comic book around around!


20 March, 2008 (Berkeley, CA) - Fresh off his adventure in space, Madman returns to Earth in MADMAN ATOMICS COMICS #8, the perfect jumping on point for any reader new to Snap City!


"MADMAN ATOMICS COMICS' first arc wrapped up an awful lot of threads I've had going since Frank first hit the scene," Allred said. "In a way, issue #8 is an all-new beginning, completely accessible to brand new readers, yet continues a lot for the veteran fans."


MADMAN ATOMIC COMICS' debut arc featured the long-awaited 'Madman in Space' storyline, finally revealing the truth of Frank's destiny with The Four, all through a soul searching jaunt in the farthest reaches of our galaxy. Allred's return to MADMAN came widely praised right out of the gate, featuring acclaimed issues such as issue three, "Swiped from Dimension X".


Allred explained, "The first arc got an awful lot of ideas finally out of my system, like issue three, basically cleaning the palette for what's to come. I'm very excited to offer readers the opportunity to jump on board."


MADMAN ATOMIC COMICS #8 (NOV072047), a 32-page comic for $2.99, will be in stores May 2008. Fans attending Washington's Emerald City Comic Con May 10th and 11th can purchase a limited edition convention exclusive, featuring an homage to Frank Einstein's first appearance in the pages of CREATURES OF THE ID.

If only I lived in Washington to get the convention exclusive issue...

 

 

This post relates to: Orson Randall, Matt Fraction, Mitchell Breitweiser, Michael Allred, Kaare Andrews

Good old Orson Randall.  It's a shame we only got to see him in the current Marvel Universe for so short a time.  I do like how we are getting glimpses into the past of the man that knows "gun-fu."  It is a little weird that he was out running around having all these adventures but it doesn't seem like people really knew there was an Iron Fist out there before Danny.  Oh well.  I'm going to enjoy this regardless.  To top things off, there's a credit for Mike Allred!  Sure it'll probably just be a pin-up or something since he's not mentioned in the bit below but I'll take any little bit I can get.

Experience the kung-fu powered action thrill ride that Entertainment Weekly, WWE Magazine, Aint-It-Cool-News, IGN and more can’t stop raving about in The Immortal Iron Fist: Orson Randall and The Green Mist Of Death! Red-hot scribe Matt Fraction teams with the all-star art team of Mitch Breitweiser, Chris Brunner, Russ Heath and Lewis Larosa, not to mention beloved cover artist Kaare Andrews! Featuring the Golden Age Iron Fist (Orson Randall) against the deadly Prince of Orphans, this is the battle that’s echoed through the ages—and will affect the current Iron Fist, Danny Rand!

In the action-packed Immortal Iron Fist Annual #1, Danny Rand and readers alike discovered the truth behind the Rand fortune—so just what kind of explosive secrets will be revealed this time? One thing’s for sure—you can bet your kicked butt that it’ll reverberate through the pages of Immortal Iron Fist and impact the deadly kung-fu tournament currently unfolding!

“It's a cul-de-sac off of the main book in the truest sense-- there's a surprising reveal at the end of Immortal Iron Fist #12 and this special fills in how that came to be,” Fraction teased. “Best of all, we get to tip our hats to the life and legacy of Mr. Bill Everett, to whom we are in tremendous debt.”

Combine the red-hot Fraction with a bevy of the industry’s best artists, add in a cup of suspense and a pinch of everything that is awesome about life, and you’ve got the extra-sized The Immortal Iron Fist: Orson Randall and The Green Mist Of Death. Suit up, assume the stance and get ready for the battle of your life as more secrets of Orson Randall’s past are unveiled!


THE IMMORTAL IRON FIST: ORSON RANDALL AND THE GREEN MIST OF DEATH (DEC072185)
Written by MATT FRACTION
Art by MITCH BREITWEISER, MIKE ALLRED, NICK DRAGOTTA, RUSS HEATH & LEWIS LAROSA
Cover by KAARE ANDREWS
Rated T+…$3.99
FOC—1/31/08, On-Sale—2/20/08

This post relates to: Michael Allred, Teen Titans, Bob Haney

Oh my gosh.  I cannot explain how exicted I am for this.  This was written over FOUR YEARS AGO.  For whatever reasons (I won't get into them) this has just sat around waiting to be published.  Check out the synopsis:

Don't miss the TEEN TITANS LOST ANNUAL, featuring the original Teen Titans: Robin, Kid Flash, Wonder Girl, Speedy and Aqualad! Classic Teen Titans writer Bob Haney sends the Titans into space to rescue President John F. Kennedy in this story illustrated by Jay Stephens (The Land of Nod) & Mike Allred (Madman, X-Statix)! Meet new alien races, witness a startling betrayal, and more! It's a secret space adventure that couldn't be told...'til now!

John F. Kennedy?  That's right.  Last week's Teen Titans Year One was pretty good.  I kind of wanted more.  I'm sure it'll get better with the next issue.  But this is definitely going to be good stuff.  With only having seen a tiny bit of it, I'm giving it my full recommendation.

It's no secret that I am a huge Mike Allred fan.  I'll buy anything with his name on it.  Regardless, with the original team, this is going to be cool.  In an interview with Allred, when he was asked why Teen Titans fan shouldn't miss this, he said, "Cuz they're stupid if they do! How's that for contentious?"

BUY THIS BOOK!!

This post relates to: Ultimates, Michael Allred, X-Men

More good stuff this week from Marvel.   Besides another chapter in Messiah CompleX, we finally get Ultimates 3.  Looking at the covers has gotten me excited.  The Initiative Annual could be interesting.  Last issue won me back.  I've been kind of indifferent to it before that.  The Twelve is worth looking into.  Don't miss out on that.  And finally, I've never read Kabuki but check out that MIKE ALLRED variant!!  I gotta have that.

Hey there True Believers, here’s your official list of comic books and collections arriving in comic stores on December 5th, 2007. For more information on any of these titles, and on upcoming mighty Marvel releases, please visit " />http://www.marvel.com/catalog/?date=2007-12-05 or contact your local comic book retailer at 1-888-comicbook. Stay tuned each week for a brand new list of Marvel releases so that you’ll never miss your favorite heroes in action!


Comics On-Sale:

ANNIHILATION: CONQUEST #2
AVENGERS: THE INITIATIVE ANNUAL #1 (SI:I)
HOUSE OF M: AVENGERS #2
HOWARD THE DUCK #3
KABUKI #9
KABUKI #9 ALLRED VARIANT
MARVEL ADVENTURES SPIDER-MAN #34
MARVEL TWO-IN-ONE #6
MS. MARVEL #22
OMEGA: THE UNKNOWN #3
SILVER SURFER: IN THY NAME #2
THE ORDER #5
THE TWELVE #0
ULTIMATE X-MEN #88
ULTIMATES 3 #1 HEROES GATEFOLD COVER
ULTIMATES 3 #1 VILLAINS GATEFOLD COVER
ULTIMATES 3 #1 WHITE VARIANT
UNCANNY X-MEN #492 2ND PRINTING VARIANT (MC)
UNCANNY X-MEN #493 (MC)
UNCANNY X-MEN #493 CHEUNG VARIANT (MC)
WHAT IF? X-MEN - RISE AND FALL OF THE SHI'AR EMPIRE
WORLD WAR HULK: AFTERSMASH ONE-SHOT
WYRMS #6
X-MEN: DIE BY THE SWORD #4


Collections On-Sale:

FANTASTIC FOUR VISIONARIES: JOHN BYRNE VOL. 8 TPB
MARVEL ADVENTURES HULK VOL. 1: MISUNDERSTOOD MONSTER DIGEST
NEW EXCALIBUR VOL. 3: BATTLE FOR ETERNITY TPB
PUNISHER WAR JOURNAL VOL. 2: GOIN' OUT WEST PREMIERE HC
SILVER SURFER: REQUIEM PREMIERE HC
WHAT IF? CLASSIC VOL. 4 TPB



*SI:I = Secret Invasion: The Infiltration Tie-In
*MC = Messiah CompleX Tie-In

This post relates to: Michael Allred, Erik Larsen, Corey Lewis, Jim Mahfood

This has a whole bunch of creators working on it.  Obviously that cover by Mike Allred immediately grabs my attention.  Man oh man, I just may have to pick it up.

                                                                                                POPGUN, VOL. 1 OGN

by MIKE ALLRED, DAVE CROSLAND, ERIK LARSEN, COREY LEWIS, JOSEPH MICHAEL LINSNER, JIM MAHFOOD, KHARY RANDOLPH, JAMIE S. RICH and many more! Cover MIKE ALLRED

400 PAGES, FC, $29.99

Featuring the work an all-star line-up that includes MIKE ALLRED,
ERIK LARSEN, JOSEPH MICHAEL LINSNER, JIM MAHFOOD and more, POPGUN acts as the ultimate graphic mix-tape by combining big name creators doing work fans never expected and an array of the industryís rising stars. The anthology crosses the protected borders of every genre,
fulfilling the desires of anyone hungry for the pungent taste of creativity.

MIKE ALLRED, CHUCK BB, MIKE BULLOCK, BENITO CERENO, DAVE CROSLAND, TOBY CYPRESS, BRANDON GRAHAM, SHEPHERD HENDRIX, JONATHAN HICKMAN, EVA HOPKINS, JOE KEATINGE, ERIK LARSEN, JASON LATOUR, COREY LEWIS, JOSEPH MICHAEL LINSNER, JIM MAHFOOD, DEREK McCULLOCH, CHRIS MORENO, MORITAT, KHARY RANDOLPH, RICK REMENDER, JAMIE S. RICH, MARK SABLE, TIM SEELEY, M. ZACHARY SHERMAN, MARK ANDREW SMITH, RICHARD STARKINGS, JAMES STOKOE, NICK STAKAL, DOUG WAGNER and more!