Jason Truong is published in Wizard Magazine!

I'm happy to report that in the current issue of Wizard Magazine (issue #191), I have two photos published, from Paradise Toronto Comicon 2007.

On page 12, you can see the photo of Tom Grummett and Stuart Immonen.


On page 14, you can see the photo of Nicola Scott with some kids at the Comics For Kids Bullpen.


I'm quite happy to see not only one photo that made the cut, but TWO, to make it in the issue! I'm even more happy to see my name in there, twice!

I remember, as a kid, I tried to get in with the Wizard Fan Mail thing, where people drew and coloured envelopes, and sent it in. I can't really remember what I drew, and whether or not I sent it in, but I'm sure it looked like crap, and wouldn't have made it to the magazine back then.

Umm, I guess the scans of the Wizard Magazine are copyrights of Wizard Entertainment.

Boughts and Thoughts - July 25th, 2007

Decent week of books. Nothing spectacular, but not too bad. Passed on Mighty Avengers #4 and Green Lantern Corps #14. I'll wait for the collected editions.

All Star Batman And Robin The Boy Wonder #6 - I guess Frank Miller likes using "The Goddamn Batman," cause it was used several times in this issue. Not much developed with Batgirl. The preview was pretty much all that was it for her. More of a Black Canary/Batman issue. I thought they were supposed to focus more on Robin?

Amazing Spider-Man #542 - My mistake, Peter Parker vs. Kingpin. Not that bad. They seem to be planning Aunt May's death. Or maybe, Kingpin's?

Buffy The Vampire Slayer #5 - Okay issue. Many people are saying it's the best standalone of the year. I dunno.

The Immortal Iron Fist #7 - Now this, was a really good issue. This was more of a story book, but damn, was it good.

Incredible Hulk #108 - I could've done without this issue. Not too bad, but pointless. I guess this was just a fill-in issue for what appears to be Carlo Pagulayan taking over the rest of the World War Hulk arc of Incredible Hulk.

The Walking Dead #39 - The baby is born.

Wolverine #55 - Sabretooth is now dead, I guess.

IRON DAY @ PARADISE COMICS!

PARADISE COMICS
IS PROUD TO ANNOUNCE A SPECIAL IN STORE SIGNING
WITH FRANCIS MANPUL ON
WEDNESDAY AUGUST 1 FROM 4-7
FRANCIS WILL BE SIGNING COPIES OF HIS NEW BOOK
IRON AND THE MAIDEN #1

Iron and the Maiden - the first individually-creator-owned property in Aspen’s history – beginning in August.

And Rubin won’t be alone – from Aspen:

Joe (Ultimates 3) Madureira and Jeff (The Batman) Matsuda helped Jason Rubin’s extraordinary comic vision come to life by providing character designs for Iron and the Maiden, a four issue mini-series portraying an alternate-universe 1930’s metropolis. “The City,” is struggling to survive a three-way battle for power between The Government, the ominous religious sect The Order, and the seedy criminal underbelly led by The Syndicate. Caught in the middle of this war for power, Michael Iron discovers firsthand the meaning of sacrifice, his only hope for survival coming in the form of a forgiving Angel and several more unexpected surprises along the way! Jason Rubin on the journey of Iron and the Maiden’s production:

“Iron and the Maiden has been stuck in my head for over 8 years. It’s been an incredibly rewarding experience to work with such great talent as Joe Madureira, Jeff Matsuda, Francis Manapul, Joel Gomez, and Danimation, and to finally bring this series out.”

Iron and the Maiden #1, debuting in stores on August 1st, will feature 50/50 split covers by Francis Manapul, and a Joe Madureira/Jeff Matsuda compilation cover. The series will also feature a host of guest covers by Jim Lee, Michael Turner, Jeff Matsuda, Chris Bachalo and many more. The new Aspen Comics series will also break the standard comic book format with each issue jam packed with 28 full pages of story. Even though the series’ books will all be slightly oversized, Aspen is offering each with a 100% Guaranteed Shipping assurance, or the books will be fully refundable to retailers. Editor-In-Chief Vince Hernandez discusses Aspen’s guaranteed shipping promise:

“Iron and the Maiden represents everything we look for in a property. It is an innovative story alongside gorgeous artwork created by the industry’s finest talents. Jason Rubin is a brilliant creator whose work in the video game industry speaks for itself, and we couldn’t be happier to have his first comic vision in our line of books! Because each book in the entire series is completed, we’re going above and beyond industry standards

Boughts and Thoughts - July 18th, 2007

Pretty good week of books. I cut back on a few, since I can't make the trip to the shop on Wednesdays, like I normally do (gotta watch after my little sibs). Two books see the end of the creators' run on the titles.

All Flash #1 - I really want Karl Kerschl as the regular artist on The Flash. He's just too good. As for the book itself, it was good, but the previews had most of the best parts.

Birds of Prey #108 - Thank you Gail Simone! I may stop with BoP in single issue format, and pick up the trades from here on out. I haven't decided on it. Nicola Scott's artwork was beautiful. I really wish that two straight double splash pages, was printing as a four-page foldout. It would've worked better like that. Regardless, it was still beautiful, and a great way to end Gail's run.

Captain America #28 - Good issue, but I'd rather have more of a Winter Soldier story.

Justice League of America #11 - Gene Ha's art was a big change from Ed Benes' art. The story revealed Vixen's powers are now working.

Shazam: The Monster Society Of Evil #4 - Fantastic book! The series is a great one for all ages.

The Spirit #8 - Another great story, and great artwork. One of the best series on the market.

Ultimate Spider-Man #111 - Thank You, Mr. Bagley! Better issue to leave off on, than the last one. Welcome, Mr. Immonen! May your run be as successful as Mr. Bagley.

World War Hulk #2 - This was really good.

Boughts and Thoughts - July 11th, 2007

First off, Rest In Peace "Honest" Ed Mirvish.

I don't really have any memories to share, since Honest Ed's was a place I only visited a few times as a child, and even less nowadays. I did make the stop in there today, before heading over to The Beguiling for the Scott Chantler signing (more on that later).

I made the trip to Cyber City Comix this afternoon, to make my weekly trip for comics. The store is having their Summer Sale. Here's a rundown on the deals.

Cyber City Comix Summer Sale Spectacular
Back Issues 40% off
TPBs/HCs 20% off
Toys 25% off
Statues 15% off
Art Books 20% off
DVDs/Box Sets 25% off
Posters 20% off
Cards/Heroclix 15% off

Members get an additional 20% off on Back Issues and TPBs/HCs (and possibly other stuff). I might head back there for other items, and to search through the bins. The sale ends this Saturday (July 14th).

And now for the stuff I bought.

Green Arrow: Year One #1 - Not sure why I actually bought it, but I did. It wasn't bad, but it's something I should've waited for the trade.

Green Lantern #21 - Sinestro Corps Wars continues. It was good. Argh... I want to wait for the collected, but I don't want to wait.

Justice Society of America #7 - Citizen Steel story. I really liked the interaction between Starman and Superman.

New Avengers #32 - Is it really gonna end like that? Spider-Woman is a skrull? Or does she really want to find out if Tony Stark is a skrull? Pretty good issue.

Superman Confidential #5 - The origin of Kryptonite continues. Ends in the next issue. Looking forward to the finale.

Painkiller Jane #1 (Adam Hughes incentive cover) - This was a back issue from the first Painkiller Jane series, from Dynamite Entertainment. Sticker price was only $4.25, and less the sale and member discount, came out to $1.70. Not bad.

Green Arrow: Quiver Hardcover - I've been looking for this for quite a while. And I'm glad to find this during this sale. $41, less 20% and the membership discount, made this hardcover only $23. It collects the first 10 issues of Kevin Smith's run on Green Arrow (also, the relaunch of the Green Arrow series, that just ended).

As I said earlier, I went down to The Beguiling for the Scott Chantler signing. I got there a little early, so I went to check out Honest Ed's. Moreso, to kill some time, until the signing started. When I got out, I noticed that news crews were setting up around Honest Ed's. Global was doing their "News from the Neighbourhood" across the street from Honest Ed's.

As for the signing at The Beguiling, I picked up Stephen Colbert's Tek Jansen #1 (both covers), for myself and my brother. I got the kick ass sketch above, of Stephen Colbert as Captain America on a Fallen Son Sketch Cover.

I also picked up some books there.

The Amazing Screw-On Head (3rd Printing) - Not sure why, I still haven't seen the pilot episode. But I am interested in it. It's by Mike Mignola.

Chip Zdarsky's Monster Cops - I finally got it! After so many months, I finally got one. I was looking for it at The Beguiling back on FCBD, but there were a bunch of girls sitting on the floor, infront of that rack, just reading the manga there, so I didn't check that one rack, which had it. Now, I have it. You hear that Chip?!? I HAVE IT!

Fallen Son: The Death of Captain America #3 Sketch cover - I found some there, so I picked up a couple copies.

Scott Chantler Signing @ The Beguiling

STEPHEN COLBERT'S TEK JANSEN IN ALPHA-SQUAD 7 #1
CREATOR SIGNING FEATURING ISSUE #1 ARTIST SCOTT CHANTLER
Wednesday, July 11th from 5pm-7pm
The Beguiling, 601 Markham Street
FREE

Come one, come all, to The Beguiling Books & Art this Wednesday for a signing with Scott Chantler, illustrator of the new comic based on The Comedy Network's THE COLBERT REPORT, STEPHEN COLBER'S TEK JANSEN IN ALPHA SQUAD 7. Based on the fictional novel (as in not a real novel, not just, you know, "of fiction" in the way of novels) by Stephen Colbert on the show, TEK JANSEN features Colbert's two-fisted sci-fi alter-ego plowing his way through alien menaces with lasers, all the while an attractive bevvy of alien hotties waits at his side. Tongue-in-cheek? Hell yes, but then that's what fans of The Colbert Report have come to love...

TEK JANSEN #1 features top-notch art by Canada's own Scott Chantler, and to celebrate, the artist will be signing copies of the book at The Beguiling and even selling original art from the series featuring Tek and the whole alien crew.

This is a last-minute signing because we wanted to make sure that the book would be in stores FOR SURE this Wednesday, and it will! Anything you can do to help us spread the word would be appreciated. Include in your listings! Tell your friends! And limit one copy per customer...

This signing is graciously sponsored by the fine folks at Oni Press.

Boughts and Thoughts - July 5th, 2007

Spoiler alert. If you haven't read any of these books, you may be spoiled. This is from here on out.

All Star Superman #8 - I'll admit, I zoned out while reading this book. I just didn't want to try to comprehend the Bizarro dialog.

The Astounding Wolf-Man #2 - The costume! The uncontrollable Wolf-Man.

Fallen Son: Death Of Captain America #5 - Iron Man - So, not really as big as it was played out to be, before this past week. But, Steve Rogers/Captain America gets buried. Bulk of the issue was the Falcon's eulogy.

The Loners #4 - Looks like a throwdown goes in the next issue.

Marvel Zombies vs Army Of Darkness #5 - Marvel Zombies Wolf-Men! First appearance! Is this the next big fad?

New Avengers/Transformers #1 - Some great artwork from Tyler Kirkham. Still iffy on the series itself, but they're making it work.

New Warriors #2 - Wolverine knows... and Jubilee!

Runaways #27 - Quite surprised about the ending, but I'm looking forward to the rest of Whedon's arc. Who's going to take over after him? I'm guessing Terry Moore?

Thor #1 - Not a bad start. I don't like Thor's costume. Coipel's artwork was pretty good. Whether or not I continue the series is another thing.

Also, I received the following in the mail.

Marvel Zombies Hardcover (First Printing) - I ordered it from MidtownComics.com, for $10USD + Shipping, which in a way, splits the cost with the next item.

Young Avengers Hardcover V1: Sidekicks - Also, for $10USD, from MidtownComics.com.

2x Nintendo Wii Remote Controllers - Ordered it from BestBuy.ca during the Canada Day Sale. $35.99 each, instead of the $44.99 regular price. Finally, I can play 4-player games with the Wii!