Panini UK publish 160 page CAPTAIN MARVEL special

As I reported last week, Panini UK's The Mighty World of Marvel now has Captain Marvel as an ongoing strip in the comic. Now, making the most of the movie's popularity, they've also published a Captain Marvel stand-alone special comic. 

Its full title is Marvel Select: The Essential Guide to Captain Marvel and it weighs in at 160 pages for £9.99. Considering that Panini's regular Marvel reprints are £4.99 for 76 pages, this seems like a fair deal. The book reprints seven key issues from the character's long history and evolution, from the days when she was Ms. Marvel to some of the more recent comics. The issues collected here are: Ms.Marvel 19 to 21 (1978), Uncanny X-Men 164 (1982), Captain Marvel 1 (2012), and Captain Marvel 7 and 8 (2014). 

There are also new feature pages about the character's history, creator interviews, art galleries, character spotlights, and more.

You'll find this Marvel Select special alongside the Marvel Collectors' Editions in WH Smith or your nearest comic shop. 

I went to see the Captain Marvel movie today and thought it was brilliant! The cast (and cat) were spot on, and the story packs an emotional wallop. Too bad some pathetic misogynistic trolls tried to sabotage the film's chances by leaving thousands of negative reviews before it had been released, just because they can't cope with strong women, real or imaginary! Speaking as a straight white middle-aged bloke I thought the movie was terrific and if it gives women and girls a sense of empowerment then it's a job well done!

Review: ROY OF THE ROVERS 2: FOUL PLAY

The second volume of the all-new Roy of the Rovers graphic novels has just been published and it's a another winner! 

Since acquiring the rights to Roy of the Rovers (along with numerous other classic comics), Rebellion have really invested in the character, revamping him for a modern audience whilst retaining the excitement that made the original series so popular. The new graphic novels, published quarterly, are complimented with new illustrated prose novels (also quarterly) and whilst it's not absolutely necessary to read both it does help to fill in some backstory. 

Roy of the Rovers 2: Foul Play picks up the story of young Roy Race a few months after Book 1. Roy is now a successful rising star at Melchester Rovers, but the club is still struggling. Football agents are interested in signing up Melchester's star player for their own teams. Will Roy succumb to the glamour of a richer lifestyle? As you might guess from the title of the book, it's not as straightforward as that, and fate can intervene.

Once again, Rob Williams' script is a pleasure to read, making the book a compelling page turner that I read in one sitting as soon as the post delivered it. A nice way to spend a Saturday afternoon, reminding me of reading the original Roy of the Rovers in Tiger and Jag fifty years ago. Ben Willsher's artwork is sublime, carrying the action along at a cracking pace with a dynamic contemporary style that's just perfect for the story. Kudos also to letterer Jim Campbell and colourists John Charles and Guilherme Lindemberg Mendes. Last but not least, the book's designer, Sam Gretton and editor Keith Richardson  They all make a great team!

These hardback Roy of the Rovers graphic novels are a superb format for today's market, and at only £9.99 very good value. I'm looking forward to Book 3: Going Up already!

Roy of the Rovers 2: Foul Play should be available to buy or order from your nearest bookshop or comic shop. ISBN 978-1-78108-669-8

You can also order it directly from Rebellion or online stockists:
https://royoftheroversofficial.com

This week's Big Issue North...

There's a great feature by David Barnett on Northern comic cons in this week's Big Issue North, available from vendors now. It even includes a photo of my ugly mug but don't let that put you off. 

I'll be a guest at a few conventions in the North of England this year, plus others in the Midlands and the South. Here's the list so far. Hope to see you at some of them!

STOKE-CON-TRENT

Sunday 14th April 2019

Staffordshire University,

Stoke-on-Trent

http://stokecontrent.co.uk/cartoon-and-comic-arts/

MANCHESTER COMIC FEST

Saturday 27th April 2019

Wythenshawe Forum

www.facebook.com/manchestercomicfest/

To Be Announced:

Saturday 11th May 2019

To Be Announced:

Saturday 18th May 2019

COMICS SALOPIA

1st and 2nd June 2019

Shrewsbury

https://comicssalopia.com

MACC-POW! 4

22nd June 2019

Macclesfield Town Hall

http://maccpow.co.uk

To be announced:

26th to 28th July 2019.

ICE 2019 

Saturday 31st August 2019

Edgbaston Cricket Ground

Birmingham

B5 7QU

www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/ice-birmingham-2019-tickets-52230273153

To be announced.

14th September 2019.

NOR-CON

28th and 29th September 2019

Norfolk Showgound Arena

https://www.nor-con.co.uk

GOOF! No.8 - out today!

The eighth issue of the online humour comic Goof! is available from today! It features the latest chapter of my all-new Derek the Troll adventure, plus fun strips by Joe Matthews, Emmeline Pidgen, Marc Jackson, and many more! Comics to read on your desktop of device for a subscription of just £12 for 12 issues. (And when you subscribe you'll get access to all previous issues too of course!) Suitable for all ages.

Here's a preview of some of the strips in Goof! No.8...

The strips in Goof! are all creator-owned, and any profits are shared amongst the contributors, so all subscriptions are very much appreciated! Spread the word and subscribe today!
https://www.goofcomic.co.uk

Advance Preview: 2000AD Prog 2122

A fantastic cover by Alex Ronald for next week's 2000AD Prog 2122, on sale Wednesday 13th March. Here's the PR...

• UK and DIGITAL: 13th March 2019 £2.85
• NORTH AMERICA: 13th April 2019 $22.40 (per pack)
• DIAMOND: JAN192055
• COVER: ALEX RONALD

In this issue:
JUDGE DREDD: MACHINE LAW by John Wagner (w) Colin MacNeil (a) Chris Blythe (c) Annie Parkhouse (l)

SKIP TRACER: LOUDER THAN BOMBS by James Peaty (w) Paul Marshall (a) Quinton Winter (c) Ellie De Ville (l)
THARG'S 3RILLERS: TOOTH AND NAIL by Andi Ewington (w) Staz Johnson (a) Abigail Bulmer (c) Simon Bowland (l)
GREY AREA: SHOOT TO KILL by Dan Abnett (w) Mark Harrison (a) Ellie De Ville (l)
JAEGIR: BONEGRINDER by Gordon Rennie (w) Simon Coleby (a) Len O'Grady (c) Annie Parkhouse

Available in print from: newsagents and comic book stores via Diamond Available in digital from: 2000 AD webshop and apps for iPad, Android, Windows 10