“Incredible Hercules” #128, written by Greg Pak and Fred Van Lente with pencils by Dietrich Smith, hits stores today. Here’s the preview from Marvel.com:
The DARK AVENGERS versus the OLYMPUS GROUP versus Herc & Co! ‘NUFF SAID!
CBR interviews Greg Pak about “War Machine” #5 and #6
“War Machine” writer Greg Pak drops a lot of hints about what’s coming up next for Jim Rhodes in an interview with Comic Book Resources. Here’s an excerpt:
“War Machine†#6 kicks off the series’ second arc, a story called “Homeland.†“It’s the highest stakes fight of Rhodey’s life, and the worst nightmare a patriotic soldier could find himself in,†Pak said. “We’re talking Rhodey versus the United States of America. Or, to coin a phrase, World War War Machine? Rhodey’s discovered that the greatest threat to the safety of millions has found safe haven right here at home. But before he hits his target, he’ll have to face Jason Strongbow, a.k.a. American Eagle. And, possibly even more terrifying, his own mother. That’s right, Mother Rhodes plays a huge role starting with issue #6, and she’s awesome.â€
Click here to read the whole thing!
And pick up “War Machine” #5 at your local comic shop on April 29.
CBR interviews Pak and Chow about “Secret Identities” and “The Citizen”
“Secret Identities: The Asian American Superhero Anthology” hits stores today — and Comic Book Resources has interviewed co-editor Keith Chow and “The Citizen” writer Greg Pak about the book. Here’s Pak discussing “The Citizen,” his contribution to the anthology:
On the surface, it’s just a crazy buddy story with the president and a super soldier fighting Nazi gremlins. How much bigger and goofy comic book can you get? But on a deeper level, without even talking about it, it creates an image of an Asian American who is a symbol for America. That’s useful symbolically just because there has been a trend forever for Asians to be associated with aliens. Asians and Asian Americans have long been treated as foreigners.
Click here to read the whole interview.
Click here to watch the trailer.
Click here to buy the book online at a 32 percent discount!
Greg Pak on what’s coming up for Jim Rhodes in “War Machine”
Marvel.com has posted a new interview with writer Greg Pak about his “War Machine” series. Here’s an excerpt:
At the center of that question stands James Rhodes, the man in the high tech armor. How he copes with his actions promises to be a driving force in the title as it moves forward.
“There’s a major emotional and dramatic story arc for Jim Rhodes over the course of the first 12 issues or so that will become clearer as we move along,” Pak reveals. “On an individual level, we’re exploring what it means to be a soldier and the terrible price that’s often exacted from those who serve.”
Ares, the God of War offers a contrast to this sober perspective as Rhodes’ co-star in the first arc of WAR MACHINE. As opposed to War Machine, who seems to struggle with his conscience, Ares embraces his actions wholeheartedly. Pak, however, sees their relationship as a bit more complicated than simple opposites.
“Ares is a big blowhard, which means he can be entertainingly over the top, which is a blast when you’re telling a super powered action story,” the writers explains. “But at the same time, Ares has unplumbed depths related to his mythological past and his role as the God of War. In WAR MACHINE I’ve loved having the chance to explore the reasons Ares might be interested in Rhodey. One of my favorite pages in WAR MACHINE #4 includes a few panels the brilliant Leonardo Manco drew of Ares just staring out over the desert, then looking back at us in a moment of stillness. The chance to show Ares in a moment of honest reflection with a fellow warrior was something pretty special.”
2009.04.03 – 04.04 – Greg Pak at I-CON 28 in Long Island
Comics writer Greg Pak will attend the I-CON 28 science fiction convention in Long Island this Friday and Saturday, April 3 and 4. For more information about the convention, visit iconsf.org.
UPDATE! Here’s Pak’s schedule for the weekend:
FRIDAY
6 pm – Sigining in the Dealers Room
8–9 pm – (65) Moral Codes & Ethics in Comics, Fantasy & Science Fiction (crossover panel with the Authors track) – with Terry McGarry, Charles Gannon, David Mack, Drew Henrickson
9-10 pm – (65) What Makes It Comics? – with David Wade, Bernie Hou, Andy Weir
10 pm – Meet the Pros Party
SATURDAY
12:30–1:30 pm – (360) Marvel Turns 70. What’s Next? – with Tom Brevoort, Joe Kelly, Peter David
2:30–3:30 pm – (180) Comics: Crossover Events – with Bob Greenberger, Tom Brevoort, Bob Rozakis, Peter David
3:30–4:30 pm – (180) Mythology & Folklore in Comics – with Peter David, Joe Kelly, Andy Weir, Michael Terraciano
4:30 pm – Signing in the same room as the previous panel
Just two days left to buy signed Greg Pak “Battlestar” and “Phoenix” trades in Planet Karen Benefit Auction!
Greg Pak has donated signed trade paperbacks (including “Phoenix Endsong,” “Phoenix Warsong,” and three “Battlestar Galactica” trades) to the Planet Karen Benefit Auction, which is raising funds for webcomics creator Karen Ellis, whose home was recently destroyed in a fire. Just two days remain in the auction — click on the images below to bid today!
Comixtreme loves “Incredible Hercules” #127
Another rave! Here’s an excerpt:
The script is top-notch, as is the art. It’s an enjoyable, well-paced romp (which is actually the best word I can think of to describe this series much of the time these days), and just goes to show that Hercules can actually hold his own title, as long as he’s in the hands of the right writers. Van Lente/Pak have proven themselves immensely talented, as they were able to make Hercules the main star, and make the book a good and intelligent read, without changing who Hercules is. He’s not suddenly a thinker, he’s still the way he always has been portrayed in Marvel Comics, if not in some ways moreso, as he is counter-balanced by Amadeus Cho. This is a great comic, more people should be reading it, just give it a chance and you’ll be charmed by this excellent comic. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
Click here to read the whole thing.
“Incredible Hercules” #127 was written by Greg Pak and Fred Van Lente with pencils by Dietrich Smith.
First review for “Secret Identities” — with props for “The Citizen”
Von’s Comics has posted an advance review of “Secret Identities: The Asian American Superhero Anthology.” Here’s an excerpt:
The anthology is worth the cover price simply for one of the least publicized appearances by Barack Obama in recent publication, and certainly the most hilarious.
That would be the President in “The Citizen,” written by Greg Pak and illustrated by Bernard Chang. Check out the trailer below for more Presidential action, and click here to buy the book for 32 percent off at Amazon.com.
Newsarama interviews Pak about “The Citizen”
Matt Brady at Newsarama has interviewed writer Greg Pak about “The Citizen,” Pak’s contribution to “Secret Identities: The Asian American Superhero Anthology.” Here’s an excerpt:
NRAMA: Speaking about the tone of the story – it seems like it could be straight-ahead super-hero adventure, but is there a hint of anything else in there?
GP: With a patriotic superhero and the President of the United States as your central characters, you’re in for a tasty, heaping portion of political subtext, supertext, and satire. On one level, the story gives us a chance to explore and challenge very different interpretations of what it means to be a patriot and a citizen. But we’re also having a lot of goofball fun with giant airships and Nazi gremlins and whatnot.
“The Citizen” was written by Pak with art by Bernard Chang. The full six page story will appear in “Secret Identities: The Asian American Superhero Anthology,” which hits stores on April 15.
Click here to read the whole interview.
Click here to watch the “Citizen” trailer.
Click here to buy “Secret Identities” from Amazon.com.
IGN likes “War Machine” #4
IGN has posted a review of “War Machine” #4, which hit comic book stores on Wednesday. Here’s an excerpt:
I’ll hand it to Pak. It’s tough to see Ares plastered on the cover and not assume his presence is merely of the cash-cow variety. But his presence really does serve the story, and he too causes Rhodey to reflect on a life ruled by war and killing. The more introspective this series becomes, the more it reminds me of Garth Ennis’ Punisher MAX, which is only a good thing.
Click here to read the whole thing.
“War Machine” #4 was written by Greg Pak with art by Leonardo Manco.