Showing posts with label film noir. Show all posts
Showing posts with label film noir. Show all posts

Wednesday, November 30, 2016

There's Nothing That Says "Christmas" Like LUST!

If you've been a faithful reader of this blog, you're well aware we have a section in Atomic Kommie Comics called Seduction of the Innocent featuring risque pop culture subjects in both comix and film. In that vein, we present today's tawdry tale...
"She was greedy, heartless and calculating.

She knew what she wanted and was ready to sacrifice anything to get it"
Before Gil Kane's Blackmark, before Will Eisner's A Contract with God, there was It Rhymes with Lust, considered by many to be the FIRST Graphic Novel!
Created in 1950 by writers Arnold Drake (Doom Patrol, Guardians of the Galaxy) and Leslie Waller (numerous crime novels) under the pseudonym "Drake Waller" and artists Matt Baker (Phantom Lady) and Ray Osrin, the digest-sized b/w comic was a pulp noir potboiler about a steel-producing town (like Pittsburgh) and a manipulative woman named Rust who will use ANY means to control it. (It's a rather adult book, though not pornographic! Think "soft R" rating!)
Trivia: Leslie Waller, besides writing numerous crime novels, also penned the novelization of Close Encounters of the Third Kind!
The "Picture Novel" series (Lust was the first title) published by pulp/comic company St. John Publications, only ran for two books before being cancelled due to poor sales.
The book has been reprinted twice in recent years, first by Fantagraphics in the magazine The Comics Journal #277, then, in it's original format by Dark Horse Comics with a new intro by Arnold Drake. Both are available at your local comic shop or online.
Why do we tell you all this?
Because we at Atomic Kommie Comics believe that other companies occasionally produce kool collectibles, and in the Spirit of Christmas, we want to promote stuff that we ourselves would want under the tree. (Significant Other, please take note...)
Of course, the fact that we ourselves also produce It Rhymes with Lust collector's items like mugs, mousepads and mens'/women's clothing that would make great accompanying items in a themed gift package for a loved one who's into Graphic Novels this Yuletide never occured to us!
Nope, never!
Didn't even cross our minds! ;-)

Monday, February 11, 2013

BLACK BEETLE #1 Goes to Second Printing!

He's a NEW pulp-style character so popular that his #1 is already being reprinted...
...and #2 is due out on Feb 20th!
 So what are you waiting for, Bunkie?

Monday, January 7, 2013

The Black Beetle is Not Just "Noir"...It's SUPER Noir!

It's not often you get to define (or redefine) an entire genre...
...but multi-award-winning artist Francesco Francavilla has done just that, with Dark Horse Comics christing his new pulp-style retro-hero series Black Beetle as "Super Noir"!
So, what are you waiting for?
Get out there, and buy it...NOW!

Monday, April 16, 2012

Francesco Francavilla's the Black Beetle Cometh...

Our old friend, Francesco Francavilla, has a new series out this week...
...with a decidedly retro-kool flair!
Note that the cover above is one of two for the anthology title Dark Horse Presents #11.
But, of course, we'd want the Black Beetle cover...

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

The Coming of...The Black Beetle!

Now, that's kool!
Francesco Francavilla's new retro-style character, The Black Beetle, makes his print debut in Dark Horse Presents #11 this April!
It's on my pull list.
Add it to yours, now!

Tuesday, December 27, 2011

Beware The Black Beetle!

It's kool to see a friend do well...
Francesco Francavilla, noted artist on everything from Black Panther to Green Hornet has added another colorful character to his resume, this time one of his own creations...Black Beetle!
The film noir/pulp-influenced Internet sensation will see print in a three-parter at Dark Horse Comics' anthology title Dark Horse Presents!
Congratulations, Francesco!

Sunday, August 22, 2010

Preview: Green Hornet: Year One #8 Alternate Cover

An alternate cover preview for issue #8 by artist and interior colorist Francesco Francavilla of the best new Green Hornet series now on the stands!
This piece reminds me of some of the best Shadow or Batman covers showing the hero looming ominously over the baddies!
A treat for Golden Age and Film Noir fans alike!

Sunday, August 1, 2010

Preview: Green Hornet: Year One #7 Alternate Cover

A companion piece to yesterday's post of the Kato: Origins #6 cover.
An alternate cover preview for issue #7 of the best of the various new Green Hornet series now on the stands by artist and interior colorist Francesco Francavilla.
A treat for Golden Age and Film Noir fans alike!

Tuesday, April 20, 2010

Preview: Green Hornet: Year One #4 Alternate Cover

Another film noir poster  /  pulp magazine style cover from the talented pen of Francesco Francavilla!
With all due respect to main cover artist John Cassaday, these covers really evoke the feel of the era!
Check out Francesco's blog for MORE goodies!

Wednesday, April 2, 2008

Top Secret--Film noir on the printed page!


As you know, we at Atomic Kommie Comics are rabid comics fans.
The perfect interplay of text and illustration just makes us drool.
But sometimes, just sometimes, there are images that are so graphic, so iconic, that text would only detract from them.
That's what Top Secret, a new section in Crime & Punishment
is about.
Film-noiresque panels from Golden Age crime comics that tell a whole story without captions or balloons.
Have a look for yourself! See how the pics look on shirts, mugs, mousepads and other goodies.
And here's a question...what story do they tell you?