Artist Spotlight: The Art Of . . . Jennifer Dionisio

I've previously showcased a few of my favourite pop culture and vintage pulp artists, and each weekend I showcase art from more of my favourite artists.

The art of Jennifer Dionisio.

#ArtOfTheDay: 'Battlestar Galactica' by Alex Ross

Cover art by Alex Ross for 'Battlestar Galactica' issue #3, published July 2013 by Dynamite Comics

#CoolArt: 'Superman: Peace On Earth' print by Alex Ross for Sideshow Collectibles

'Superman: Peace On Earth' by Alex Ross, originally the cover art for the graphic novel, now a new officially licensed print release from Sideshow Collectibles.

18" x 24" lithograph print, on 100% archival heavyweight 300gsm rag art paper, with embossed seals of authenticity in a signed limited edition of 250.

On sale for Pre-Order framed for $350 on Monday January 7 between 12pm-3pm PT from the Sideshow Collectibles website.

Any remaining copies will be available for Pre-Order as an unframed edition for $150 from Friday January 11 between 12pm-3pm PT.

Artist Spotlight: The Art Of . . . Jenna Kass

I've previously showcased a few of my favourite pop culture and vintage pulp artists, and each weekend I showcase art from more of my favourite artists.

The art of Jenna Kass.

#ArtOfTheDay: 'Firefly' by JG Jones

Variant cover art by JG Jones for 'Firefly' issue #1, published November 2018 by BOOM! Studios

#CoolArt: Aretha Franklin print by Carl Glover through The Flood Gallery for Classic Album Sundays

'I Never Loved A Man The Way I Love You and Lady Soul' by Carl Glover, a new print release through The Flood Gallery, for Classic Album Sundays, which celebrates the albums by Aretha Franklin, at special events around the world.

Go here for more on the events.

18" x 24" giclee print on 100% Cotton Rag Paper Stock, in a signed and numbered limited edition of 70 for £35, or £75 framed.

On sale Friday January 4 at 4pm UK from The Flood Gallery website.

#CoolArt: 'Wonder Woman' & 'The Cheetah' prints by John Keaveney for Bottleneck Gallery

'Wonder Woman' & 'The Cheetah' by John Keaveney, new officially licensed prints from Bottleneck Gallery.

• 'Wonder Woman'. 16" x 20" giclee prints in numbered Classic editions of 100 for $50 each, numbered Golden Age & Sensations Comics editions of 50 for $50 each, and numbered Rebirth editions of 75 for $50 each.

• 'The Cheetah'. 16" x 20" giclee prints in numbered Regular editions of 100 for $50 each, numbered Classic & Modern editions of 50 for $50 each, and numbered Justice League editions of 75 for $50 each.

On sale Friday January 4 at 12pm ET Bottleneck Gallery website.

'Wonder Woman' (Classic Edition)

#ArtOfTheDay: 'Stranger Things' by Jen Bartel

Variant cover art by Jen Bartel for 'Stranger Things' issue #4, published January 2019 by Dark Horse Comics

#CoolArt: 'Phantom Rain' print by Tanya Shatseva for The Peoples Print Shop

'Phantom Rain' by Tanya Shatseva, a print release by The Peoples Print Shop.

11" x 14" archival pigment print in a signed and numbered limited edition of 20 for $34.95 or $154.95 framed, and a signed and numbered hand embellished edition of 10 for $69.95 or $189.95 framed.

On sale now from The People's Print Shop website.

#CoolArt: 'Brazil' print by Nikita Kaun for Spoke Art

'Brazil' by Nikita Kaun, a print release that was available at a double feature screening, presented by Spoke Art and Midnites For Maniacs at the Roxie Theater in San Francisco in December 2018.

18" x 24" screen print in a numbered limited edition of 100 for $40.

On sale now from the Spoke Art website.

#CoolArt: 'Blade Runner' print by David Moscati for Spoke Art

'Blade Runner' by David Moscati, a print release that was available at a double feature screening, presented by Spoke Art and Midnites For Maniacs at the Roxie Theater in San Francisco in December 2018.

18" x 24" screen print in a numbered limited edition of 100 for $40.

On sale now from the Spoke Art website.

Book Review: 'Assassin's Creed Odyssey' by Gordon Doherty

The official novelization of the 'Assassin's Creed Odyssey' video game by Gordon Doherty, follows Kassandra, the playable female protagonist from the game and through the main family and Cult of Kosmos storylines.

Considering how expansive the game is, some of the game's narratives are glossed over, but some are also delved into a bit deeper. Most of the main plot points are hit upon, driving Kassandra and the narrative forward, so if you've played the game, as I have, then it's a very familiar retelling.

In the game you could chose between both female and male (Alexios) protagonists to play through as. And from what I know about her character from playing the game, I think Kassandra was a good choice for the main role in this story. She comes across as a very compelling character, who always tries to do what is right, despite the forces at play against her. The book gets into her head and we get to read her thoughts as the war against the cultists weighs down on her, and especially as she copes with the guilt with those lives taken from her.

It is an action packed story, with some of the battles described in vivid and brutal detail. Most of the main battles that are part of the game's main plot are featured. And we also get a glimpse into the Cult of Kosmos, as they try to outfox and defeat Kassandra. Each time getting frustrated as Kassandra dispatches their agents, picking off their numbers one by one.

Although not as good as the 'Assassin's Creed Origins' tie in book (which was a prequel to that game instead of being a novelisation of the game like Odyssey is), it is still an enjoyable read. Although I did find the pace slow going at times, there was enough to keep me engaged in the story, such as when Kassandra meets certain characters and getting caught up in the battles too. I think it also helps if you've played the game or are a fan of the recent series of games as well. And I'd maybe recommend reading this AFTER playing through the two main storylines in the game, just in case you don't want to know any spoilers.

Available from Amazon, Waterstones, Audible Audiobooks and all good bookstores.

#ArtOfTheDay: 'Miles' by Alice X Zhang

'Miles Morales' by Alice X Zhang

#NewComicBookDay: My Comics Pull List This Week

My comics Pull List this week.

• 'Coda' #8 (Boom Studios)
• 'Sword Daughter' #5 (Dark Horse Comics)
• 'Low' #20 (Image Comics)
• 'The Sandman Universe: Books Of Magic' #3 (DC/Vertigo Comics)
• 'Pirates Of Venus' #2 (American Mythology)
• 'Star Wars: Age Of Republic - Obi-Wan Kenobi' #1 (Marvel Comics)

'Coda' #8
Cover art by Matías Bergara

#CoolArt: 'Dumbo' by Jeremy Pailler for Gallery1988

'Dumbo' by Jérémy Pailler, available through Gallery1988.

16.6" x 11.7" original in a framed edition for $375.

On sale now from the Gallery1988 website.

Graphic Novel Review: 'The Rocketeer' by Dave Stevens

Found this at a second hand collectables stall over the holiday period and really enjoyed reading this! It's a rollickingly fast paced adventure set in the late 1930s. The discovery of a prototype engine pack, stowed away in a jet by a couple of German spies, before they are apprehended by the law, leads aviator Cliff Secord, along with some help from ace engineer Peevey, to use the jetpack to revitalise his act in an airshow. But when both the Feds and the German agents get wind of him and the jetpack, he tries to keep the jetpack from falling into their clutches.

With story and awesome art by the legendary Dave Stevens, this collects the five chapters of 'The Rocketeer' into one volume. You really get a sense that it's set in the 30s, especially with the settings and with some of the vocabulary that is very evocative of the time. The art is superb! Some of the best comic art I've seen, making you linger on some of the comic panels longer just to savour some of the added details and visual expressions on the faces of the characters. And with Stevens reknowned for pinup comic art, Cliff's girlfriend Betty, modelled on vintage pinup model Bettie Page, gives him ample excuse for some exquisite pinup art too!

Well worth picking up if you're a fan of golden age comics, vintage serials and of the movie that was based on the comic.

Book Review: 'Snow, Glass, Apples' by Neil Gaiman

'Snow, Glass, Apples' is a twisted take on the fairy tale of Snow White. Neil Gaiman flips what you already know about the classic and tells it from the perspective of the 'wicked' stepmother, and does what he does best, twisting the familiar and traditional tale into something that is very dark and creepy.

Here, Snow White isn't the pure and innocent that you knew of before, and as her myth grows throughout the kingdom, the feelings of dread and horror are woven excellently throughout the story, keeping you engrossed with morbid fascination. With vampirism and, erm, necrophilia hinted at, this definitely isn't a Disney-fied version of the classic fairy tale, but more akin in tone perhaps with the original Brothers Grimm tales.

It is a short read (and one that is available to read here -https://thedreaming.moteofdust.com/1999/10/10/snow-glass-apples/) but it is one that drags you off down to the darker parts of the forest and leaves you there!

#ArtOfTheDay: 'In A Galaxy Far, Far Away' by Adam Hughes

'In A Galaxy Far, Far Away' by Adam Hughes

#CoolArt: 'Once Upon A Time No More 5' print by Mimi Yoon for 1xRun

'Once Upon A Time No More 5' by Mimi Yoon, a new print release through 1xRun.

19" x 20" Archival Pigment Print on 290gsm Moab Fine Art Paper in a limited edition of 100 for $100, and a larger 27" x 28" sized limited edition of 15 for $250.

On sale now from the 1xRun website.

#CoolArt: 'The Walking Dead' prints by Tracie Ching

'The Walking Dead' by Tracie Ching

Exclusive limited edition prints that were included in the December edition of The Walking Dead Supply Drop Box subscription.

Regular Edition

Variant Edition