Cool Projects #22

Lets kick of Cool Projects #22 with YET ANOTHER fun looking game on Kickstarter, since I dig good indie games. This one is is Solo Una Noche, a luchador wrestling themed game from Cabin 21 Games.

This one looks like it plays fairly simply by defeating your oponent with your deck of signature attack maneuvers. You take down down their energy levels enough to defeat then via pinfall, submission or knockout. 

The funding is off to a slow start, but if we spread the word enough this one will hopefully fulfill the campaign goal. Check out more about Solo Una Noche at: www.kickstarter.com/projects/solounanoche/solo-una-noche/ or Cabin 21 Games on Facebook www.facebook.com/cabin21games/

We also have a couple great comics to show some love to. 

The first coming from our friends at Top Cow Comics and Image Comics, Cyberforce...

New Feature At thestevestrout.com!

I mentioned on social media that I want to do a regular feature here promoting all our favorite comic book stores, where I'd let you the readers, share your favorite comic shop with the world via guest post here at thestevestrout.com.

Show us what sets your favorite store apart, and give the shop a little free publicity, and you a reason to go comic shopping. If you have a site, blog, podcast, or something of the sort, we can give that a shout out as well. It's a win-win situation. Let's not limit it to comics. How about other "geek" culture shops like anime, gaming, retro and more! Let's make this a fun chance to cross promote and connect.

Cullen Bunn Q&A Plus a Punk Mambo #2 Teaser

With Punk Mambo being one of our favorite new comics, and personally not knowing much about the characters past, I felt obliged to get a bit of insight on the series from the writer, Cullen Bunn.

Cullen is one of the busiest writers in comics today, having worked on titles such as Deadpool, and Pumpkinhead (which happens to be illustrated by Comic Book Swap Meet guest Blacky Shepherd) so it was a treat that he took the time for us.

Before delving in to our Q&A, we have someteasers from Punk Mambo #2 for you to Check out, via Valiant Entertainment...

In issue 2 Punk Mambo faces off with Uncle Gunnysack, a demon who's been abducting loa's, or voodoo spirits. Let's see what kind of mystical scraps she gets into in the second issue of five.

The Comic Book Swap Meet returns July 13th!

I'm excited to announce the return of the Comic Book Swap Meet on July 13th.

If you didnt know, the Comic Book Swap Meet is our own "mini comic con" we produce here in Chimacum, Washington on the beautiful Olympic Peninsula, just west of Seattle. 

The 2019 edition of the show features a great lineup of guests, including:

Jeremy Colwell

Jeremy Colwell, our guest of honor, is a comic artist who is currently doing the color work on the Batman and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles crossover series, which just launched volume 3 of IDW and DC's epic crossover event.  He is also known for He-Man/Thundercats, Powerpuff Girls, and Super Angry Birds among many other titles.

With this year being Batman's 80th Anniversary, and the Ninja Turtles turning 35, this is a great chance to celebrate these fan favorote franchises, meet an artist on one of the hottest selling comics today. 

CD Poe

CD Poe is a popular artist on the northwest convention scene, and favorite regular at the Comic Book Swap Meet. 

His fantasy themed art has been featured by Valiant Comics and can be found on the labels of one of the areas favorite ice cream companies, Viking Ice Cream, based in Poulsbo, WA. He Will be joining us again by popular demand with his original art prints and more. Be sure to visit his table at the show!

Blood and Gourd 

Representatives from the Blood and Gourd comic series will join us with art and copies of their owner produced series about mutant pumpkins waging war on humans. Check out our preview on the comic in Cool Projects #21 by clicking HERE, and come and grab the first 3 issues of one of the best produced indie comic books going.

Blacky Shepherd

We mentioned Batman and TMNT having anniversaries this year, but ww also have another iconic character celebrating a milestone, as Vampirella turns 50 this year, Vampirella. Our next guest, Blacky Shepherd, is an artist on a popular series featuring Vampirella, in Vampirella vs Re-animator from Dynamite Entertainment.

Mr. Shepherd is a rising star on the comic scene, having worked on other popular titles such as Voltron: From the Ashes, Pumpkinhead (based on the 80s horror franchise) and recently doing cover work for the G.I. Joe comic.

On top of these great comic creators, we will be joined some some local indie creators, along with a bunch of great vendors selling comic books, collectibles, and so much more. 

We will also be giving back to the community by offering discounted admission for attendees who bring a non perishable food item for our local food bank, as well as a raffle for another local charity.

The Comic Book Swap Meet takes place July 13th at the Tri Area Community Center in Chimacum Washington. Admission is only $5 or discounted to $3 if you bring a non perishable for the food bank. We look forward to hanging out with you! Cosplay is highly encouraged!

This event wouldn't be possible without our amazing area sponsors:

www.valiantentertainment.com

Be sure to visit Anime Kat at 114 W 1st St. In Port Angeles WA and online at www.animekat.com for an extensive collection of anime, manga, Magic the Gathering, and so much more!

Ferino's Pizzeria is our favorite pizza joint in the area, and one of our favorite places to kick back with some great pizza with friends and family. We even bring along games to hang and play. Stop in for bite at 846 Ness' Corner Rd., Port Hadlock, WA. Check out their menu at www.ferinos.com 

The Retro Emporium in Kent, WA has one of the the areas best selection of collectibles and nerdy fares. Check out the shop at 328 Meeker in Kent and tell them we sent ya. They also have a great online selection at www.sweetgyrldesigns.etsy.com

Brocante is located at 105 W 1st St in Port Angeles and has one of the largest selection of antiques, collectables, records with a nice selection of comics too! They will bring a variety of goodies to the Comic Book Swap Meet on July 13th. They are also developing an online marketplace, but for now, stop by www.etsy.com/shop/BrocanteSound

The Printery, baaed in Port Townsend, WA is the areas 'go to' place for all your printing needs, providing top quality work at competitive prices. Check out the wide array of services the Printery provides at www.printery.com

We appreciate all of our fantastic sponsors, and hope you check them all out too!

Stay tuned here and at Facebook.com/ComicBookSwapMeet for the latest on the Olympic Peninsula's own "Mini Comic Con"!

Steve Strout is the media mastermind (haha) behind this site, host of the Comic Book Swap Meet, nerd, terrible artist, gamer, convention goer and comic book reader who spends more time rescuing toys from thrift shops than a normal adult should. He is also known around the northwest for his promotion of live music and stand-up comedy events and is the creator/producer of the Comic Book Swap Meet mini convention, and Olympic Peninsula Comedy Competition (which will make it's big return soon!). Follow him on Instagram at http://instagram.com/thestevestrout, and  He can be reached for comments at ptcomedy@yahoo.com on twitter at @thestevestrout

          

Cool Projects #21

Dig in to Cool Projects #21, and consider checking out and supporting these works.

First of all, if youve been on social media AT ALL, youve probably come across DC Comic's ad campaign for Lauren Myracle's YA graphic novel, Under The Moon: A Catwoman Tale. They pulled out all the stops even as far as to produce trailers for the comic.

Cool Projects #20

Thanks for continuing to visit the site. We really enjoy this feature we call "Cool Projects". We use this as an outlet to preview, review, and support comics, games, crowdfunding campaigns, tv, movies, and whatever other pop culture and media we believe you might be intrigued by. Please feel free to share any projects you come across or are a part of to possibly be featured here in "Cool Projects", whether it be an independent project or major publisher/studio work.

And now...lets get into Cool Projects #20. 

Our first features the second installment of Fallen World. Fallen World #2, from Valiant Entertainment, features eye catching art by Adam Pollina with a solid script by Dan Abnett.

Rai is a cyborg samurai from thousands of years in the future, who battles unstoppable enemies like robot dinosaurs. In this next chapter he faces his most dangerous foe yet, in his creator. 

Art courtesy of
valiantentertainment.com

If you're into lots of sword fighting action, be sure to pre order a copy of Fallen World #2 from your local comic shop, as it drops early June and is sure to fly off shelves. The art itself is enough to sell the comic. I'm looking forward to reading it. 

Here is a great game to keep an eye on. Gatwick Games will be launching a Kickstarter soon for Dungeon Royale! Dungeon Royale! is said to "look and feel like a video game" and is "full of death, stealing, heroes, and dragons". 

As an avid board gamer, I'm personally very interested on this one and will keep an eye out for more news. I will definitely share via our social media outlets once there is more on the Kickstarter launch, but for now stay tuned to their site at www.gatwickgames.com. 

Steve Strout is the media mastermind (haha) behind this site, host of the Comic Book Swap Meet, nerd, terrible artist, gamer, convention goer and comic book reader who spends more time rescuing toys from thrift shops than a normal adult should. He is also known around the northwest for his promotion of live music and stand-up comedy events and is the creator/producer of the Comic Book Swap Meet mini convention, and Olympic Peninsula Comedy Competition (which will make it's big return soon!). Follow him on Instagram at http://instagram.com/thestevestrout, and  He can be reached for comments at ptcomedy@yahoo.com on twitter at @thestevestrout

          

Cool Projects #19

Dig in to Cool Projects #19! We think you'll dig these ones, and if you do, SHARE AWAY!

Top Cow Comics will be releasing Paradox Girl Vol. 1, collecting the first 6 issues of the series, on May 29th. Paradox Girl is a hero like we've never seen before having the ability to teleport through time accurately to moments, without causing rifts in the universal continuity.

She uses the ability to help her sidekick Axiom Man solve issues and defeat enemies (like a kaiju and a wild wolverine), when she isn't distracted with fighting herself.

I'm a couple issues in to reading this amusing take on superhero comics, and can see creators Cayti Elle Bourquin and Yishan Li taking Paradox Girl into the future. Be sure to ask your local comic retailer to stock Paradox Girl Vol. 1 or order it via Top Cow Comics at topcow.com/paradox.

Speaking of unique comic books...

Indie comic creators and sibling team up of Brandon and Phillip Diaz, along with colorist Eugene Betivu, bring us Magic Cop via their Zaid Comics imprint. 

You can check out a preview issue of this comic, which Magic Cop writer Phillip Diaz describes as "Miami Vice meets Halloween Town", via their website at www.zaidcomics.com. 

I grabbed a copy of the Magic Cop preview, and found myself sucked right in to this new twist on a police drama. This world, set in the city of Ambrosia, jumps right into an interrogation scene where Iggy Cromwell, the Magic Cop, is trying to get info from what seems to be a demon gangster who won't sell out his boss...Leading Magic Cop to use his powers to get his info, and get on the case, and on the chase for the criminal mastermind known as Daimyo Kui.

Though the preview is short, it playwd out like a good movie trailer, and there is just enough story to leave me wanting to read more. In my opinion, that is what a good. comic book story should do. Isn't it?
The full graphic novel, which is in the works will bring us, as Phillip Diaz explains, "the story of Magic Cop as he learns to work with his wolfman partner on the case of a the murder of a mermaid hooker". Ummm, yes please! I'm intrigued.

Did I mention you can read the Magic Cop preview for free by signing up for their email list at zaidcomics.com? Go check it out.

Before wrapping this edition of "Cool Projects", I wanna drop the link for this Kickstarter.

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Vampirella character. There are a bunch of great works being released in celebration of her 50 years, with this campaign for artist Jose Gonzales' amazing sculpture being one of the coolest. I think it looks amazing and would be worth contrubuting to, especially with these awesome rewards available...check it out:
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/dynamiteent/vampirella-50th-anniversary-statue-by-jose-gonzale

As always, thanks for reading, and if you have a "Cool Project" you think we would dig, or if you would like to contribute to the site whether it be a review, cpnvention coverage, commentary, or anything that might interest our audience, drop a line. Let's chat!

Steve Strout is the media mastermind (haha) behind this site, host of the Comic Book Swap Meet, nerd, terrible artist, gamer, convention goer and comic book reader who spends more time rescuing toys from thrift shops than a normal adult should. He is also known around the northwest for his promotion of live music and stand-up comedy events and is the creator/producer of the Comic Book Swap Meet mini convention, and Olympic Peninsula Comedy Competition (which will make it's big return soon!). Follow him on Instagram at http://instagram.com/thestevestrout, and  He can be reached for comments at ptcomedy@yahoo.com on twitter at @thestevestrout

          

The Spider-Man: Far From Home trailer dropped!

Life after Endgame begins for Spider-Man, in Spider-Man: Far From Home, and the new trailer dropped this morning...AND IT LOOKS AWESOME! 

Check it out!

What are your thoughts? Honestly, I'm probably more excited for Far From Home, than any other Spider-Man movie to date. Talk to us on Twitter: @thestevestrout

Steve Strout is the media mastermind (haha) behind this site, host of the Comic Book Swap Meet, nerd, terrible artist, gamer, convention goer and comic book reader who spends more time rescuing toys from thrift shops than a normal adult should. He is also known around the northwest for his promotion of live music and stand-up comedy events and is the creator/producer of the Comic Book Swap Meet mini convention, and Olympic Peninsula Comedy Competition (which will make it's big return soon!). Follow him on Instagram at http://instagram.com/thestevestrout, and  He can be reached for comments at ptcomedy@yahoo.com on twitter at @thestevestrout

          

Cool Projects #18

Cool Projects #18 brings us a fun Y.A. comic and , check it out and share away!

Boom Studios imprint Boom! Box. brings us Lumberjanes: Somewhere That's Green, a one shot story from the acclaimed Lumberjanes series.

In this issue the Janes, having a case of cabin fever after being rained in at camp, hear what sounds like lost kittens. The Janes set out to reunite them with their mother, only to end up stuck a new secret part of their universe, described as a "green haven full of magical and wondrous plants".  This adventure calls for them to uses their friendship and smarts to get out of the situation. 

Though I haven't read any of the Lumberjanes series, based on Boom!'s preview I can see how the series is so well received. It seems like a great title for younger comic readers who like an adventure. It also helps that the writing is fun, in the sense that you feel like you're literally listening to adoloscent kids in the real world.  Some scripts can feel over written and this just has a real vibe.  Seanan McGuire really finds the voice of the youth. That combined with Alexa Bosy's bold, colorful art makes for a great, fun comic...as comic books were meant to be.

Though its a Y.A. series, I may search out some to read myself, when I'm in the mood for a lighthearted comic. This issue hits stores May 29th from Boom! Studios. More info can be found at www.boom-studios.com

Since this weekend is Free Comic Book Day, which I posted about recently HERE, I figure why not share a few preview pages of Valiant's arguably most popular (and dangerous) character, Bloodshot and their FCBD special Bloodshot issue...I might mention will also lead in to the new series by Tim Seeley later this year.  I love this artwork!

This looks epic, and gets me excited for the Bloodshot movie next year!

Are you going to check out these comics, or have you already been into these series'? Where's a good place for new readers to jump in to the titles?

Be sure to keep us in the loop on any exciting new projects that we should cover, whether it be comics, games, movies or whatever piques ypur interest. I'm always open to new contributors and guest posters here at thestevestrout.com. Wanna join the fun? Hit us up on Twitter at @thestevestrout and at www.facebook.com/ComicBookSwapMeet!

Steve Strout is the media mastermind (haha) behind this site, host of the Comic Book Swap Meet, nerd, terrible artist, gamer, convention goer and comic book reader who spends more time rescuing toys from thrift shops than a normal adult should. He is also known around the northwest for his promotion of live music and stand-up comedy events and is the creator/producer of the Comic Book Swap Meet mini convention, and Olympic Peninsula Comedy Competition (which will make it's big return soon!). Follow him on Instagram at http://instagram.com/thestevestrout, and  He can be reached for comments at ptcomedy@yahoo.com on twitter at @thestevestrout