#Claudia Balboni

[weathermanone]

Star Trek: Khan 1 (2013) by Mike Johnson, David Messina & Claudia Balboni

Cover: Paul Shipper

[graphicpolicy]

Preview: Ghostbusters: Back in Town #4

Ghostbusters: Back in Town #4 preview. The Ghostbusters face a dire situation when roach infested ooze floods the firehouse and malevolent apparitions swarm freely #comics #comicbooks #ghostbusters

[buffythecomicslayer]

The Vampire Slayer #8 [preview]

Script: Sarah Gailey; illustration: Claudia Balboni; colors: Valentina Pinto; letters: Ed Dukeshire.

[smashpages]

Nominees announced for the 2023 Eisner Awards

Comic-Con International has announced the nominees for this year’s Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards. This is the 35th year for the awards, which will be given out at this year’s Comic-Con International on July 21.

In terms of publishers, Image Comics received the most nominations, followed by DC, Fantagraphics, Marvel and Dark Horse. Creator-wise, Zoe Thorogood led the pack with five nominations. Hall of Fame nominees and inductees were announced earlier this month.

And the nominees are …

Best Short Story

“The Beekeeper’s Due,” by Jimmy Stamp and Débora Santos, in Scott Snyder Presents: Tales from the Cloakroom (Cloakroom Comics)

“Finding Batman” by Kevin Conroy and J. Bone in DC Pride 2022 (DC)

“Good Morning,” by Christopher Cantwell and Alex Lins, in Moon Knight: Black, White & Blood #4 (Marvel)

“Silent All These Years,” by Margaret Atwood and David Mack, in Tori Amos: Little Earthquakes (Z2)

“You Get It,” by Jonathan Hickman and Marco Checchetto, in Amazing Fantasy #1000 (Marvel)

Best Single Issue/One-Shot

Batman: One Bad Day: The Riddler, by Tom King and Mitch Gerads (DC)

Mary Jane & Black Cat Beyond, by Jed Mackay and C. F. Villa (Marvel)

Moon Knight: Black, White, and Blood #3, edited by Tom Brevoort (Marvel)

Star Trek #400, edited by Heather Antos (IDW)

A Vicious Circle Book 1, by Mattson Tomlin and Lee Bermejo (BOOM! Studios)

Best Continuing Series

Daredevil, by Chip Zdarsky, Marco Checchetto and Rafael de Latorre (Marvel)

The Department of Truth, by James Tynion IV and Martin Simmonds (Image)

Killadelphia, by Rodney Barnes and Jason Shawn Alexander (Image)

The Nice House on the Lake, by James Tynion IV and Alvaro Martinez Bueno (DC)

Nightwing, by Tom Taylor and Bruno Redondo (DC)

She-Hulk, by Rainbow Rowell, Rogê Antônio, Luca Maresca, and Takeshi Miyazawa (Marvel)

Best Limited Series

Animal Castle, by Xavier Dorison and Felix Delep (Ablaze)

Batman: One Bad Day, edited by Dave Wielgosz and Jessica Berbey (DC)

The Human Target, by Tom King and Greg Smallwood (DC)

Miracleman by Gaiman & Buckingham: The Silver Age, by Neil Gaiman and Mark Buckingham (Marvel)

Superman: Space Age, by Mark Russell, Michael Allred, and Laura Allred (DC)

Best New Series

The Atonement Bell, by Jim Ousley and Tyler B. Ruff (Red 5)

Love Everlasting, by Tom King and Elsa Charretier (Image)

Public Domain, by Chip Zdarsky (Image)

Star Trek, by Collin Kelly, Jackson Lanzing, and Ramon Rosanas (IDW)

Traveling to Mars, by Mark Russell and Roberto Meli (Ablaze)

Best Publication for Early Readers (up to age 8)

Beneath The Trees: A Fine Summer, by Dav (Magnetic Press)

Fox + Chick: Up and Down: and Other Stories, by Sergio Ruzzier (Chronicle Books)

Grumpy Monkey Who Threw That? by Suzanne Lang and Max Lang (Random House Studio)

Hey, Bruce!: An Interactive Book, by Ryan Higgins (Disney/Hyperion)

The Pigeon Will Ride the Roller Coaster! by Mo Willems (Union Square Kids)

Best Publication for Kids (ages 9-12)

Adventuregame Comics: Leviathan, by Jason Shiga (Amulet/Abrams)

Frizzy, by Claribel A. Ortega and Rose Bousamra (First Second/Macmillan)

Isla To Island, by Alexis Castellanos (Atheneum/Simon & Schuster)

Little Monarchs, by Jonathan Case (Margaret Ferguson Books/Holiday House)

Swim Team, by Johnnie Christmas (HarperAlley)

Best Publication for Teens (ages 13-17)

Chef’s Kiss, by Jarrett Melendez and Danica Brine (Oni)

Clementine Book One, by Tillie Walden (Image Skybound)

Do A Powerbomb! by Daniel Warren Johnson (Image)

Heartstopper Volume 4, by Alice Oseman (Scholastic Graphix)

Wash Day Diaries, by Jamila Rowser and Robyn Smith (Chronicle Books)

Best Humor Publication

Cryptid Club, by Sarah Andersen (Andrews McMeel)

I Hate This Place, by Kyle Starks and Artyom Topilin (Image Skybound)

Killer Queens, by David Booher and Claudia Balboni (Dark Horse)

Mr. Lovenstein Presents: Failure, by J. L. Westover (Image Skybound)

Revenge of the Librarians, by Tom Gauld (Drawn & Quarterly)

Best Anthology

Creepshow, edited by Alex Antone and Jon Moisan (Image Skybound)

The Illustrated Al: The Songs of “Weird Al” Yankovic, edited by Josh Bernstein (Z2)

The Nib Magazine, edited by Matt Bors (Nib)

Sensory: Life on the Spectrum, edited by Bex Ollerton (Andrews McMeel)

Tori Amos: Little Earthquakes, The Graphic Album, edited by Rantz Hoseley (Z2)

Best Reality-Based Work

Alfred Hitchcock: The Master of Suspense, by Noël Simsolo and Dominique Hé, translation by Montana Kane (NBM)

Alice Guy: First Lady of Film, by José-Louis Bocquet and Catel Muller, translation by Edward Gauvin (SelfMadeHero)

But I Live: Three Stories of Child Survivors of the Holocaust, edited by Charlotte Schallié (University of Toronto Press)

Flung Out of Space, by Grace Ellis and Hannah Templer (Abrams ComicArts)

Invisible Wounds: Graphic Journalism, by Jess Ruliffson (Fantagraphics)

Pinball: A Graphic History of the Silver Ball, by Jon Chad (First Second/Macmillan)

Best Graphic Memoir

Down to the Bone: A Leukemia Story, by Catherine Pioli, translated by J. T. Mahany (Graphic Mundi/Penn State University Press)

Ducks: Two Years in the Oil Sands, by Kate Beaton (Drawn & Quarterly)

It’s Lonely at the Centre of the Earth: An Auto-Bio-Graphic-Novel, by Zoe Thorogood (Image)

So Much for Love: How I Survived a Toxic Relationship, by Sophie Lambda (First Second/Macmillan)

Welcome to St. Hell: My Trans Teen Misadventure, by Lewis Hancox (Scholastic Graphix)

Best Graphic Album—New

The Book of Niall, by Barry Jones (Ellie & Beatty)

Crushing, by Sophie Burrows (Algonquin Young Readers)

Francis Rothbart! The Tale of a Fastidious Feral, by Thomas Woodruff (Fantagraphics)

The Night Eaters, Book 1: She Eats the Night, by Marjorie Liu and Sana Takeda (Abrams ComicArts)

Ultrasound, by Conor Stechschulte (Fantagraphics)

Best Graphic Album—Reprint

Days of Sand, by Aimée de Jongh, translation by Christopher Bradley (SelfMadeHero)

Geneviève Castrée: Complete Works, by Geneviève Castrée, translation by Phil Elverum and Aleshia Jensen (Drawn & Quarterly)

Mazebook Dark Horse Direct Edition, by Jeff Lemire (Dark Horse)

One Beautiful Spring Day, by Jim Woodring (Fantagraphics)

Parker: The Martini Edition—Last Call, by Richard Stark, Darwyn Cooke, Ed Brubaker, and Sean Phillips (IDW)

Super Spy Deluxe Edition, by Matt Kindt (Dark Horse)

Best Adaptation from Another Medium

Chivalry by Neil Gaiman, adapted by Colleen Doran (Dark Horse)

Rain by Joe Hill, adapted by David M. Booher and Zoe Thorogood (Syzygy/Image)

Ten Days in a Madhouse, by Nellie Bly, adapted by Brad Ricca and Courtney Sieh (Gallery 13/Simon $ Schuster)

Tori Amos: Little Earthquakes, The Graphic Album, edited by Rantz Hoseley (Z2)

A Visit to Moscow by Rabbi Rafael Grossman, adapted by Anna Olswanger and Yevgenia Nayberg (Turner)

Best U.S. Edition of International Material

Always Never, by Jordi Lafebre, translation by Montana Kane (Dark Horse)

Blacksad: They All Fall Down Part 1, by Juan Díaz Canales and Juanjo Guarnido, translation by Diana Schutz and Brandon Kander (Dark Horse)

Down to the Bone: A Leukemia Story, by Catherine Pioli, translation by J. T. Mahany (Graphic Mundi/Penn State University Press)

The Pass, by Espé, translation by J.T. Mahany (Graphic Mundi/Penn State University Press)

Tiki: A Very Ruff Year, by David Azencot and Fred Leclerc, translation by Nanette McGuinness (Life Drawn/Humanoids)

Best U.S. Edition of International Material—Asia

Black Paradox, by Junji Ito, translation by Jocelyne Allen (VIZ Media)

The Hellbound vols. 1-2, by Yeon Sang-ho and Choi Gyu-seok, translation by Danny Lim (Dark Horse)

Look Back, by Tatsuki Fujimoto, translation by Amanda Haley (VIZ Media)

PTSD Radio vol. 1, by Masaaki Nakayama, translation by Adam Hirsch (Kodansha)

Shuna’s Journey, by Hayao Miyazaki; translation by Alex Dudok de Wit (First Second/Macmillan)

Talk to My Back, by Yamada Murasaki, translation by Ryan Holmberg (Drawn & Quarterly)

Best Archival Collection/Project—Strips (at least 20 years old)

Bungleton Green and the Mystic Commandos, by Jay Jackson (New York Review Comics)

Come Over Come Over, It’s So Magic, and My Perfect Life, by Lynda Barry (Drawn & Quarterly)

The George Herriman Library: Krazy & Ignatz 1922-1924, by George Herriman, edited by J. Michael Catron (Fantagraphics)

Macanudo: Welcome to Elsewhere, by Liniers, edited by Gary Groth (Fantagraphics)

Pogo The Complete Syndicated Comic Strips: Volume 8: Hijinks from the Horn of Plenty, by Walt Kelly, edited by Mark Evanier and Eric Reynolds (Fantagraphics)

Best Archival Collection/Project—Comic Books (at least 20 Years Old)

The Deluxe Gimenez: The Fourth Power & The Starr Conspiracy, by Juan Gimenez, edited by Alex Donoghue and Bruno Lesigne (Humanoids)

The Fantastic Worlds of Frank Frazetta, edited by Dian Hansen (TASCHEN)

Home to Stay! The Complete Ray Bradbury EC Stories, by Ray Bradbury and various; edited by J. Michael Catron (Fantagraphics)

The Simpsons Treehouse of Horror Ominous Omnibus 1 (Abrams ComicArts)

Walt Disney’s Uncle Scrooge: The Diamond Jubilee Collection, by Carl Barks; edited by David Gerstein (Fantagraphics)

Best Writer

Grace Ellis, Flung Out of Space (Abrams ComicArts)

Tom King, Batman: Killing Time, Batman: One Bad Day, Gotham City: Year One, The Human Target, Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow (DC); Love Everlasting (Image)

Mark Russell, Traveling to Mars (Ablaze), One-Star Squadron, Superman: Space Age (DC); The Incal: Psychoverse (Humanoids)

James Tynion IV, House of Slaughter, Something Is Killing the Children, Wynd (BOOM! Studios); The Nice House on the Lake, The Sandman Universe: Nightmare Country (DC), The Closet, The Department of Truth (Image)

Chip Zdarsky, Stillwater (Image Skybound); Daredevil (Marvel)

Best Writer/Artist

Sarah Andersen, Cryptid Club (Andrews McMeel)

Kate Beaton, Ducks: Two Years in the Oil Sands (Drawn & Quarterly)

Espé, The Pass (Graphic Mundi/Penn State University)

Junji Ito, Black Paradox, The Liminal Zone (VIZ Media)

Zoe Thorogood, It’s Lonely at the Centre of the Earth (Image)

Best Penciller/Inker or Penciller/Inker Team

Jason Shawn Alexander, Killadelphia, Nita Hawes’ Nightmare Blog (Image)

Alvaro Martínez Bueno, The Nice House on the Lake (DC)

Sean Phillips, Follow Me Down, The Ghost in You (Image)

Bruno Redondo, Nightwing (DC)

Greg Smallwood, The Human Target (DC)

Best Painter/Multimedia Artist (interior art)

Lee Bermejo, A Vicious Circle (BOOM! Studios)

Felix Delep, Animal Castle (Ablaze)

Daria Schmitt, The Monstrous Dreams of Mr. Providence (Europe Comics)

Sana Takeda, The Night Eaters: She Eats the Night (Abrams ComicArts); Monstress (Image)

Zoe Thorogood, Rain (Syzygy/Image)

Thomas Woodruff, Francis Rothbart! The Tale of a Fastidious Feral (Fantagraphics)

Best Cover Artist (for multiple covers)

Jen Bartel, She-Hulk (Marvel)

Bruno Redondo, Nightwing (DC)

Alex Ross, Astro City: That Was Then . . . (Image); Fantastic Four, Black Panther (Marvel)

Sana Takeda, Monstress (Image)

Zoe Thorogood, Joe Hill’s Rain (Syzygy/Image)

Best Coloring

Jordie Bellaire, The Nice House on the Lake, Suicide Squad: Blaze (DC); Antman, Miracleman by Gaiman & Buckingham: The Silver Age (Marvel)

Jean-Francois Beaulieu, I Hate Fairyland 2022, Twig (Image)

Dave McCaig, The Incal: Psychoverse (Humanoids)

Jacob Phillips, Follow Me Down, The Ghost in You, That Texas Blood (Image)

Alex Ross and Josh Johnson, The Fantastic Four: Full Circle (Abrams ComicArts)

Diana Sousa, Critical Role: Vox Machina Origins; The Mighty Nein Origins: Yasha Nydoorin; The Mighty Nein Origins: Fjord Stone; The Mighty Nein Origins: Caleb Widogast (Dark Horse)

Best Lettering

Pat Brosseau, Batman: The Knight, Wonder Woman: The Villainy of Our Fears (DC): Creepshow, Dark Ride, I Hate This Place, Skybound Presents: Afterschool (Image Skybound)

Chris Dickey, The Night Eaters: She Eats the Night (Abrams ComicArts)

Todd Klein, Chivalry (Dark Horse); Fables (DC); Miracleman by Gaiman & Buckingham: The Silver Age (Marvel)

Nate Piekos, Black Hammer Reborn, Minor Threats, Shaolin Cowboy, Stranger Things: Kamchatka (Dark Horse), I Hate Fairyland, Twig (Image)

Stan Sakai, Usagi Yojimbo (IDW)

Thomas Woodruff, Francis Rothbart! The Tale of a Fastidious Feral (Fantagraphics)

Best Comics-Related Periodical/Journalism

Alter Ego, edited by Roy Thomas (TwoMorrows)

Comic Book Creator, edited by Jon B. Cooke (TwoMorrows)

The Comics Journal #308, edited by Gary Groth, Kristy Valenti, and Rachel Miller (Fantagraphics)

PanelXPanel magazine, edited by Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou and Tiffany Babb (panelxpanel.com)

Rob Salkowitz, Forbes, ICv2, Publishers Weekly

Best Comics-Related Book

The Art of the News: Comics Journalism, edited by Katherine Kelp-Stebbins and Ben Saunders (Oregon State University Press)

Charles M. Schulz: The Art and Life of the Peanuts Creator in 100 Objects, by Benjamin L. Clark and Nat Gertler (Schulz Museum)

The Charlton Companion, by Jon B. Cooke (TwoMorrows)

Gladys Parker: A Life in Comics, A Passion for Fashion, by Trina Robbins (Hermes Press)

Resurrection: Comics in Post-Soviet Russia, by José Alaniz (Ohio State University Press)

Best Academic/Scholarly Work

Bandits, Misfits, and Superheroes: Whiteness and Its Borderlands in American Comics and Graphic Novels, by Josef Benson and Doug Singsen (University Press of Mississippi)

Graphic Medicine, edited by Erin La Cour and Anna Poletti (University of Hawai’i’ Press)

How Comics Travel: Publication, Translation, Radical Literacies, by Katherine Kelp-Stebbins (Ohio State University Press)

The LGBTQ+ Comics Studies Reader: Critical Openings, Future Directions, edited by Alison Halsall and Jonathan Warren (University Press of Mississippi)

Teaching with Comics and Graphic Novels. By Tim Smyth (Routledge)

Best Publication Design

Francis Rothbart! The Tale of a Fastidious Feral, designed by Thomas Woodruff, Jacob Covey, and Ryan Dinnick (Fantagraphics)

A Frog in the Fall (and later on), designed by Linnea Sterte, Olle Forsslöf, and Patrick Crotty (PEOW)

Joan Jett & the Blackhearts 40X40: Bad Reputation/I Love Rock-n-Roll, designed by Josh Bernstein and Jason Ullmeyer (Z2)

Mazebook Dark Horse Direct Edition, designed by Tom Muller (Dark Horse)

Parker: The Martini Edition—Last Call, designed by Sean Phillips (IDW)

Tori Amos: Little Earthquakes, The Graphic Album, designed by Lauryn Ipsum (Z2)

Best Webcomic

Deeply Dave, by Grover, http://www.deeplydave.com/

Delilah Dirk: Practical Defence Against Piracy, by Tony Cliff, https://www.delilahdirk.com/dd4/dd4-p46.html

Lore Olympus, by Rachel Smythe (WEBTOON), https://www.webtoons.com/en/romance/lore-olympus/list?title_no=1320&page=5

The Mannamong, by Michael Adam Lengyel, https://mannamong.com/episode-1/

Spores, by Joshua Barkman, https://falseknees.com/22ink1.html

Best Digital Comic

All Princesses Die Before Dawn, by Quentin Zuttion, translation by M. B. Valente (Europe Comics)

Barnstormers, by Scott Snyder and Tula Lotay (Comixology Originals)

Behind the Curtain, by Sara del Giudice, translation by M. B. Valente (Europe Comics)

Ripple Effects, by Jordan Hart, Bruno Chiroleu, Justin Harder, and Shane Kadlecik (Fanbase Press)

Sixty Years in Winter, by Ingrid Chabbert and Aimée de Jongh, translation by Matt Madden (Europe Comics)

[viktorreadscomics]

I love how Alex got the Kirk speech. I am so proud of my space dyke.

Space Queens

written by David M. Booher, Pencil by Claudia Balboni, Colour by Harry Saxon

[lamilanomagazine]

Modena, in arrivo la performance di poesia “SLAM! Poetry and Identities for Social Justice”

Modena, in arrivo la performance di poesia “SLAM! Poetry and Identities for Social Justice”.   Domenica 11 dicembre alle 21.00 Centrale 66 a Modena (Via Nicolò dell’Abate, 66) apre le sue porte a “SLAM! Poetry and Indentities for Social Justice”. Performance collettiva per corpo e voce, una serata in forma di competizione in cui un gruppo di giovani tra i 18 e 25 anni si sfida a colpi di poesia, versi, parole e rime che si intrecciano con il corpo in movimento, che si fa strumento per tradurre pensieri ed emozioni in impulsi espressivi. Conducono Barbara Facchinetti e Andrea Garganese, membri del collettivo Mutuo Soccorso Poetico, che sollecitano il pubblico, invitato a esprimersi su quello che avviene in scena. Il premio del contest è l’occasione di aver condiviso insieme un momento di poesia. A seguire il concerto di Claudia Is On The Sofa, cantautrice italiana dal cuore americano che si esibisce in un live intimo e appassionato. L’iniziativa si inserisce nell’ambito di SLAM! Poetry and Identities for Social Justice, un progetto promosso e sostenuto dall’Ambasciata degli Stati Uniti in Italia e realizzato da Teatro di Roma – Teatro Nazionale e da Emilia Romagna Teatro ERT / Teatro Nazionale, con l’obiettivo di far incontrare pratiche di scrittura, lettura e performance con le domande della comunità. Il programma, rivolto a un gruppo multietnico e multiculturale di giovani non professionisti provenienti da i più diversi contesti sociali, ha visto alternarsi due workshop intensivi e paralleli condotti a Roma da Lorenzo Maragoni, campione del mondo 2022 di Slam, e a Modena dalle performer e autrici Emanuela Serra e Giulia Spattini di Balletto Civile. Quello di domenica 11 dicembre è quindi il momento finale del laboratorio modenese, uno spettacolo in cui il gruppo, a partire dal linguaggio della Slam Poetry, cerca nuove soluzioni espressive affrontando temi come identità, coraggio, cittadinanza ed equità. Dopo le sfide finali nelle due città, sarà Roma a ospitare domenica 18 dicembre 2022 il Talk conclusivo. Ingresso libero fino esaurimento posti. SLAM! Poetry and Identities for Social Justice. Performance collettiva per corpo e voce. Con i/le partecipanti al laboratorio SLAM! Poetry and Identities for Social Justice: Maddalena Barbari, Ana Dhavy’a Balboni Rodrigues, Seit Kibja, Ilyass Maylani, Adele Verri, condotto da Emanuela Serra e Giulia Spattini di Balletto Civile, presentato da Barbara Facchinetti e Andrea Garganese, realizzato da ERT in collaborazione con HAPPEN, Mutuo Soccorso Poetico, Centrale 66 nell’ambito di Carne – focus di drammaturgia fisica a cura di Michela Lucenti, illustrazione Daniele Tozzi. SLAM! Poetry and Identities for Social Justice è un progetto promosso e sostenuto dall’Ambasciata degli Stati Uniti in Italia e realizzato da Teatro di Roma - Teatro Nazionale (Roma) e da Emilia Romagna Teatro ERT / Teatro Nazionale (Modena).  ... #notizie #news #breakingnews #cronaca #politica #eventi #sport #moda Read the full article

[superheroes-or-whatever]

Killer Queens #1

[geekcavepodcast]

“Buffy the Vampire Slayer” Gets 25th Anniversary Comic Special

BOOM! Studios has announced a special one-shot anniversary comic to celebrate Buffy the Vampire Slayer’s 25 anniversary. Buffy the Vampire Slayer 25th Anniversary Special #1 hails from writers Jeremy Lambert, Lilah Sturges, Danny Lore, Casey Gilly, and Sarah Gailey and artists Claudia Balboni, Claire Roe, Bayleigh Underwood, Marianna Ignazzi, and Carlos Olivares.

Buffy the Vampire Slayer 25th Anniversary Special #1 will include original stories and an epilogue to BOOM! Studios; first three years of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. The one-shot also features a prologue to a new comic book series set in the Buffyverse from writer Sarah Gailey and artist Carlos Olivares.

Buffy the Vampire Slayer 25th Anniversary Special #1, featuring a main cover by Frany and variant covers by Jenny Frison, Jorge Corona, and Mirka Andolfo, goes on sale in March 2022.

(Image via BOOM! Studios -  Frany’s Cover of Buffy the Vampire Slayer 25th Anniversary Special #1)

[elizabethbeals]

KILLER QUEENS

My variant cover for KILLER QUEENS #2 

*After Dave Stevens cover for Planet Comics #1 (Blackthorne re-print)

Elizabeth B.

[ultrameganicolaokay]

Killer Queens #3 by David M. Booher and Claudia Balboni. Cover by Balboni. Variant covers by (2) Chris Ables and (3) David Talaski. Out in October.

“Our super-gay sass-assins have broken out of captivity with the help of some super cute new friends and a hot new ride. Teaming with rebels Haws and Ballik, the Killer Queens set out on a groovy adventure to escape the chaotic aftermath of their jailbreak! However, these new friends may not be what they seem—are Max and Alex in for the ride of their lives? The only way to survive is to abandon Earth!”

[graphicpolicy]

Preview: The Vampire Slayer Vol. 2

The Vampire Slayer Vol. 2 preview. WILLOWVERSE continues as Buffy still struggles with her powerless predicament, feeling envy and frustration as her sense of purpose is lost with the existence of the new Slayer #comics #comicbooks

[thecomicon]

Dark Horse's 'Killer Queens': Love, Xenophobia, And Fascism Coming In August 2021

Dark Horse’s ‘Killer Queens’: Love, Xenophobia, And Fascism Coming In August 2021

Join writer David M. Booher, artist Claudia Balboni, colorist Harry Saxon, and letterer Lucas Gattoni in the new Dark Horse mini-series Killer Queens, arriving August 2021. The all LGBTQ creative team tackles issues of love, xenophobia, and the terror of fascist dictatorships in the hilarious queer sci-fi epic.   ‘Meet Max and Alex, two gay reformed intergalactic assassins-for-hire on the run.…

[buffythecomicslayer]

The Vampire Slayer #7 [preview]

Script: Sarah Gailey; illustration: Claudia Balboni; colors: Valentina Pinto; letters: Ed Dukeshire.

[smashpages]

Killer Queens #1 by David M. Booher and Claudia Balboni present a “hilarious sci-fi epic” in this new miniseries about two reformed intergalactic assassins who are on the run from a monkey with a jetpack. It debuts today from Dark Horse Comics.

See what other comics and graphic novels arrive in comic book shops this week.

[dirtyriver]

Fairlady #2, written by Brian Schirmer, art and cover by Claudia Balboni and Marissa Louise, variant cover by Benjamin Dewey 

[comicweek]

In this issue, we learn what happens when you anger a Jessu. Hint: It’s like when you anger a Wookie.

Written by Brian Schirmer Illustrated by Claudia Balboni Colored by Marissa Louise Lettered by David Bowman

Going in I wasn’t quite sure what to make of “Fairlady” from writer Brian Schirmer with artist Claudia Balboni and Marissa Louise. I did remember a blog post acting thirsty over lead Jenner Faulds feline companion. What I got was a series that elevator pitched itself as Magnum P.I. set in a post-War of the Ring fantasy setting offering single issue cases. That pitch is not too far off from the end result, as the debut issues a solid one shot featuring Jenner Fauld attempting to find a missing accountant who absconded with some gold and has criminals on her tail. The first issue of “Fairlady” offers workman like worldbuilding that rightly lets technicalities of the world exist in the negative space as an unspoken context as it works through the investigative procedural. The fact that the town of Feld is made out the remains of giant Celstial-esque being is just treated as normal is wonderful.

“Fairlady” is an enjoyable read in the way procedurals like Magnum or Murder, She Wrote are enjoyable to watch. While giving us a bit more about Jenner Fauld may have been nice, there is an admirable efficacy to two paragraph synopsis at the start of the issue. Balboni’s character acting is enough to give the sense of life to Fauld as well. She is the lead of a procedural series, those kinds of characters are never ultra-detailed or dynamic. What detail we are given, that she posed as a man to fight in the war and now works as most veterans in private investigations, but through sexism is discounted and ostracized, is enough for everything to work in this opening issue. “Fairlady” treats issues of sexism and racism as matter of fact, letting them inform the fantastical environment with an immediately understandable reality.

The first case in “Fairlady” shows Schirmer has the ability to use the detective procedural to explore a world while also hunting for a prize in dramatically effective ways. The plot of this issue may focus on the hunt for a missing bookie, but it’s really dealing with the affects of the war on the populace and attempts at living in that post-War world.

As with shows like Magnum, “Fairlady” has just the right amount of wit and charm to it. Line artist Claudia Baboni’s page designs aren’t hyper detailed, but they have an easy flow and hit their marks. One page that sees our two leads ascending via an elevator contrasted with David Bowman’s lettering of unknown narration that makes for a simple but visually pleasing and engaging page. That kind of thinking is evident by the opening page, a simple vertical stack of five panels that sees Jenner, her companion, and the Landlord have a chat. The Landlord slowly gets more and more mouthy until things can only end one way. Having that page lead into the credits spread is excellent craftmanship. “Fairlady” is littered with functional and clever page construction. Baboni’s ability to create an easy sense of flow and use the page real estate in conjunction with Schirmer’s solid scripting, made this one of the more friction-less reads you can have. Like the television procedural, there is this sort of classic mentality of just lulling the audience into the media.

Read Full Review @ MultiversityComics.com