#CoolArt: Hero Complex Gallery Online Print Releases From WonderCon 2019

Hero Complex Gallery have released prints that they premiered at their booth during WonderCon weekend.

On sale now from the Hero Complex Gallery website.

by Kevin M Wilson

#CoolArt: 'Castlevania: Symphony of the Night' print by Nico Delort for Cook & Becker

'Castlevania: Symphony of the Night' print by Nico Delort, a new officially licensed print release from Cook & Becker.

20" x 28" 3 colour screen print in a numbered Regular edition of 200 (+35 AP), and larger sized 4 colour, with gold ink, numbered Luxury edition of 25 (+10 AP).

Each order includes an enamel pin created by Nico (while supplies last)

On sale now from the Cook & Becker website.

Pin

Finalists for the 2019 Hugo Awards Announced

Finalists have been announced for the Hugo Awards, presented annually since 1955 by the World Science Fiction Society, to recognize the best in science fiction and fantasy.

The winners will be announced at the World Science Fiction Convention in Dublin, Ireland, on August 15-19 2019.

2019 Hugo Award Nominations

Best Novel

• The Calculating Stars, by Mary Robinette Kowal (Tor)
• Record of a Spaceborn Few, by Becky Chambers (Harper Voyager)
• Revenant Gun, by Yoon Ha Lee (Solaris)
• Space Opera, by Catherynne M. Valente (Saga Press)
• Spinning Silver, by Naomi Novik (Del Rey)
• Trail of Lightning, by Rebecca Roanhorse (Saga Press)

Best Novella

• Artificial Condition, by Martha Wells (Tor.com Publishing)
• Beneath the Sugar Sky, by Seanan McGuire (Tor.com Publishing)
• Binti: The Night Masquerade, by Nnedi Okorafor (Tor.com Publishing)
• The Black God’s Drums, by P Djèlí Clark (Tor.com Publishing)
• Gods, Monsters, and the Lucky Peach, by Kelly Robson (Tor.com Publishing)
• The Tea Master and the Detective, by Aliette de Bodard (Subterranean Press / JABberwocky Literary Agency)

Best Novelette

• “If at First You Don’t Succeed, Try, Try Again,” by Zen Cho (B&N Sci-Fi & Fantasy Blog)
• “The Last Banquet of Temporal Confections,” by Tina Connolly (Tor.com)
• “Nine Last Days on Planet Earth,” by Daryl Gregory (Tor.com)
• “The Only Harmless Great Thing,” by Brooke Bolander (Tor.com Publishing)
• “The Thing About Ghost Stories,” by Naomi Kritzer (Uncanny Magazine #25)
• “When We Were Starless,” by Simone Heller (Clarkesworld #145, October 2018)

Best Short Story

• “The Court Magician,” by Sarah Pinsker (Lightspeed, January 2018)
• “The Rose MacGregor Drinking and Admiration Society,” by T Kingfisher(Uncanny Magazine #25)
• “The Secret Lives of the Nine Negro Teeth of George Washington,” by P Djèlí Clark (Fireside Magazine, February 2018)
• “STET,” by Sarah Gailey (Fireside Magazine, October 2018)
• “The Tale of the Three Beautiful Raptor Sisters, and the Prince Who Was Made of Meat,” by Brooke Bolander (Uncanny Magazine #23)
• “A Witch’s Guide to Escape: A Practical Compendium of Portal Fantasies,” by Alix E Harrow (Apex Magazine, February 2018)

Best Related Work

• Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works
• Astounding: John W Campbell, Isaac Asimov, Robert A Heinlein, L Ron Hubbard, and the Golden Age of Science Fiction, by Alec Nevala-Lee (Dey Street Books)
• The Hobbit Duology, written and edited by Lindsay Ellis and Angelina Meehan(YouTube)
• An Informal History of the Hugos: A Personal Look Back at the Hugo Awards, 1953-2000, by Jo Walton (Tor)
• The Mexicanx Initiative Experience at Worldcon 76 (Julia Rios, Libia Brenda, Pablo Defendini, John Picacio)
• Ursula K Le Guin: Conversations on Writing, by Ursula K Le Guin with David Naimon (Tin House Books)

Best Graphic Story

• Abbott, written by Saladin Ahmed, art by Sami Kivelä, colours by Jason Wordie, letters by Jim Campbell (BOOM! Studios)
• Black Panther: Long Live the King, written by Nnedi Okorafor and Aaron Covington, art by André Lima Araújo, Mario Del Pennino and Tana Ford (Marvel)
• Monstress, Vol. 3: Haven, written by Marjorie Liu, art by Sana Takeda (Image Comics)
• On a Sunbeam, by Tillie Walden (First Second)
• Paper Girls, Vol. 4, written by Brian K. Vaughan, art by Cliff Chiang, colors by Matt Wilson, letters by Jared K Fletcher (Image Comics)
• Saga, Vol. 9, written by Brian K Vaughan, art by Fiona Staples (Image Comics)

Best Dramatic Presentation – Long Form

• Annihilation, directed and written for the screen by Alex Garland, based on the novel by Jeff VanderMeer (Paramount)
• Avengers: Infinity War, screenplay by Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely, directed by Anthony Russo and Joe Russo (Marvel Studios)
• Black Panther, written by Ryan Coogler and Joe Robert Cole, directed by Ryan Coogler (Marvel Studios)
• A Quiet Place, screenplay by Scott Beck, John Krasinski and Bryan Woods, directed by John Krasinski (Platinum Dunes/Sunday Night)
• Sorry to Bother You, written and directed by Boots Riley (Annapurna Pictures)
• Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, screenplay by Phil Lord and Rodney Rothman, directed by Bob Persichetti, Peter Ramsey and Rodney Rothman (Sony)

Best Dramatic Presentation – Short Form

• The Expanse: “Abaddon’s Gate,” written by Daniel Abraham, Ty Franck and Naren Shankar, directed by Simon Cellan Jones
• Doctor Who: “Demons of the Punjab,” written by Vinay Patel, directed by Jamie Childs
• Dirty Computer, written by Janelle Monáe, directed by Andrew Donoho and Chuck Lightning
• The Good Place: “Janet(s),” written by Josh Siegal & Dylan Morgan, directed by Morgan Sackett
• The Good Place: “Jeremy Bearimy,” written by Megan Amram, directed by Trent O’Donnell
• Doctor Who: “Rosa,” written by Malorie Blackman and Chris Chibnall, directed by Mark Tonderai

Best Editor – Short Form

• Neil Clarke
• Gardner Dozois
• Lee Harris
• Julia Rios
• Lynne M Thomas & Michael Damian Thomas
• Catherine Tobler

Best Editor – Long Form

• Sheila E Gilbert
• Anne Lesley Groell
• Beth Meacham
• Diana Pho
• Gillian Redfearn
• Navah Wolfe

Best Professional Artist

• Galen Dara
• Jaime Jones
• Victo Ngai
• John Picacio
• Yuko Shimizu
• Charles Vess

Best Semiprozine

• Beneath Ceaseless Skies, editor-in-chief and publisher Scott H. Andrews
• Fireside Magazine, edited by Julia Rios, managing editor Elsa Sjunneson-Henry, social coordinator Meg Frank, special features editor Tanya DePass, founding editor Brian White, publisher and art director Pablo Defendini
• FIYAH Magazine of Black Speculative Fiction, executive editors Troy L. Wiggins and DaVaun Sanders, editors L.D. Lewis, Brandon O’Brien, Kaleb Russell, Danny Lore, and Brent Lambert
• Shimmer, publisher Beth Wodzinski, senior editor E. Catherine Tobler
• Strange Horizons, edited by Jane Crowley, Kate Dollarhyde, Vanessa Rose Phin, Vajra Chandrasekera, Romie Stott, Maureen Kincaid Speller, and the Strange Horizons Staff
• Uncanny Magazine, publishers/editors-in-chief Lynne M. Thomas and Michael Damian Thomas, managing editor Michi Trota, podcast producers Erika Ensign and Steven Schapansky, Disabled People Destroy Science Fiction Special Issue editors-in-chief Elsa Sjunneson-Henry and Dominik Parisien

Best Fanzine

• Galactic Journey, founder Gideon Marcus, editor Janice Marcus
• Journey Planet, edited by Team Journey Planet
• Lady Business, editors Ira, Jodie, KJ, Renay, & Susan
• nerds of a feather, flock together, editors Joe Sherry, Vance Kotrla and The G
• Quick Sip Reviews, editor Charles Payseur
• Rocket Stack Rank, editors Greg Hullender and Eric Wong

Best Fancast

• Be the Serpent, presented by Alexandra Rowland, Freya Marske and Jennifer Mace
• The Coode Street Podcast, presented by Jonathan Strahan and Gary K. Wolfe
• Fangirl Happy Hour, hosted by Ana Grilo and Renay Williams
• Galactic Suburbia, hosted by Alisa Krasnostein, Alexandra Pierce, and Tansy Rayner Roberts, produced by Andrew Finch
• Our Opinions Are Correct, hosted by Annalee Newitz and Charlie Jane Anders
• The Skiffy and Fanty Show, produced by Jen Zink and Shaun Duke, hosted by the Skiffy and Fanty Crew

Best Fan Writer

• Foz Meadows
• James Davis Nicoll
• Charles Payseur
• Elsa Sjunneson-Henry
• Alasdair Stuart
• Bogi Takács

Best Fan Artist

• Sara Felix
• Grace P Fong
• Meg Frank
• Ariela Housman
• Likhain (Mia Sereno)
• Spring Schoenhuth

Best Series

• The Centenal Cycle, by Malka Older (Tor.com Publishing)
• The Laundry Files, by Charles Stross (Tor.com Publishing)
• Machineries of Empire, by Yoon Ha Lee (Solaris)
• The October Daye Series, by Seanan McGuire (DAW)
• The Universe of Xuya, by Aliette de Bodard (Subterranean Press)
• Wayfarers, by Becky Chambers (Harper Voyager)

Best Art Book

• The Books of Earthsea: The Complete Illustrated Edition, illustrated by Charles Vess, written by Ursula K. Le Guin (Saga Press)
• Daydreamer’s Journey: The Art of Julie Dillon, by Julie Dillon (self-published)
• Dungeons & Dragons Art & Arcana: A Visual History, by Michael Witwer, Kyle Newman, Jon Peterson, Sam Witwer (Ten Speed Press)
• Spectrum 25: The Best in Contemporary Fantastic Art, edited by John Fleskes (Flesk Publications)
• Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse - The Art of the Movie, by Ramin Zahed (Titan Books)
• Tolkien: Maker of Middle-Earth, edited by Catherine McIlwaine (Bodleian Library)

Lodestar Award for Best Young Adult Book
Award for the best new book published for young adult readers. (Not a Hugo Award, but administered along with the Hugo Awards.)

• The Belles, by Dhonielle Clayton (Freeform)
• Children of Blood and Bone, by Tomi Adeyemi (Henry Holt)
• The Cruel Prince, by Holly Black (Little, Brown)
• Dread Nation, by Justina Ireland (Balzer + Bray)
• The Invasion, by Peadar O’Guilin (Scholastic)
• Tess of the Road, by Rachel Hartman (Random House)

John W Campbell Award for Best New Writer
Award for the best new professional science fiction or fantasy writer. (Not a Hugo Award, but administered along with the Hugo Awards.)

• Katherine Arden (2nd year of eligibility)
• SA Chakraborty (2nd year of eligibility)
• RF Kuang (1st year of eligibility)
• Jeannette Ng (2nd year of eligibility)
• Vina Jie-Min Prasad (2nd year of eligibility)
• Rivers Solomon (2nd year of eligibility)

#CoolArt: 'Batman' print by Patrik Svensson through Bottleneck Gallery

'Smile' by Patrik Svensson, a new officially licensed print release from Bottleneck Gallery.

16" x 20" giclee print, in a numbered limited edition of 125 for $45.

On sale Tuesday April 2 at 12pm ET from the Bottleneck Gallery website.

#CoolArt: 'Batman' #1 print by Bob Kane & Jerry Robinson through Bottleneck Gallery

'Batman' by Bob Kane & Jerry Robinson, a reprint of 'Batman' issue #1 published March 1940 by DC Comics, and a new print release from Bottleneck Gallery.

18" x 24" screen print, in a numbered limited edition of 200 for $50.

On sale Tuesday April 2 at 12pm ET from the Bottleneck Gallery website.

#CoolArt: 'Captain Marvel' print by Adi Granov through Grey Matter Art

'Captain Marvel' by Adi Granov, originally Variant cover art for 'Infinity Countdown' #1, published March 2018 by Marvel Comics, and now a new officially licensed Marvel print release from Grey Matter Art.

13" x 19" giclee print in a numbered limited edition of 150 for $40.

On sale Thursday April 4 at 1pm ET from the Grey Matter Art website.

#CoolArt: 'The Amazing Spider-Man #600' prints by Alex Ross through Grey Matter Art

'The Amazing Spider-Man' by Alex Ross, originally variant cover art for issue #600 published July 2009 by Marvel Comics, and now a new officially licensed Marvel print release from Grey Matter Art.

13" x 19" giclee prints in numbered editions of 100 for $40 each.

On sale Thursday April 4 at 1pm ET from the Grey Matter Art website.

Book Review: 'The Pale Dreamer - A Bone Season Novella' by Samantha Shannon

'The Pale Dreamer' by Samantha Shannon is a prequel novella to her 'Bone Season' series that introduces the main protagonist Paige Mahoney, the clairvoyant underworld and the Scion, a group dedicated to eradicating clairvoyants in an alternative London set in the near future of 2056, a few years before the first book in series begins.

A poltergeist is on the loose in London and the novella, narrated by Paige, follows Paige as she is tasked with her first assignment to locate the 'geist before it causes havoc and before other gangs in the clairvoyant syndicate lay claim to it. As she's only been with the team a months, she has been itching to get an assignment but she is at first full of self doubt as to whether she is even up to the task. But with the crew of the Seven Seals behind her, under the leadership of Jaxon Hall, she learns to have confidence in herself and in her abilities, the added experiences of negotiating the rival gangs plus surviving an unpleasant encounter with the Underlord, head of the syndicates, she actually does better than she thought possible.

I found it felt kind of similar to Neil Gaiman's 'Neverwhere', a blend of the familiar and fantastic with a whole world hidden in plain sight from the regular non clairvoyant population. And that, to me, is no bad thing at all as 'Neverwhere' is one of my favourite books. The world building of this secretive world of the paranormal is done very well, and together with the good character development too, draws you into Paige's London and by the end I was wanting more of the characters and world.

It's a short but good read that serves to pique my interest in the main 'Bone Season' series, of which I've heard many good things, and is now on my TBR list. But as I had no knowledge of the characters or setting, it also worked as an enjoyable stand alone story too. A recommended read.

Available from Bloomsbury Publishing, Audible Audiobooks and all good bookstores.

#ArtOfTheDay: 'The Savage Sword of Conan The Barbarian' by Joe Jusko

Cover art by Joe Jusko for 'The Savage Sword of Conan The Barbarian' issue #104, published September 1984 by Marvel Comics

#CoolArt: Spectrum 26 Award Winners Announced

Winners of the 'Spectrum 26: The Best in Contemporary Fantastic Art Awards' have been announced. in a ceremony held at the Folly Theater in Kansas City, MO on Saturday, March 30, 2019.

The Gold and Silver Award Winners in each of the categories - Advertising, Book, Comic, Concept Art, Dimensional, Editorial, Institutional and Unpublished - plus the Rising Star Award and the Grand Master Honouree are below.

Call For Entries poster by Tyler Jacobson

Book Review: 'Star Wars: Queen's Shadow' by EK Johnston

Cover art by Tara Phillips

'Queen's Shadow' by EK Johnston follows the beginnings of the senatorial career of Padmé Amidala, as she steps down as the Queen of Naboo as her term finishes, and is persuaded by the new Queen to take up a position of senator on Coruscant in the hope of continuing to do some good. She admittedly doesn't quite get off to the best of starts, as she gets used to her new role beyond the queen's shadow. But after meeting Senator Bail Organa, and eventually Senator Mon Mothma, she starts to find her feet within the Galactic Senate. 

Queen's Shadow could also refer to Sabé, one of the handmaidens from her royal term, as played by Keira Knightley in 'The Phantom Menace'. On occasions during Padmé's Royal reign, Sabé became the Queen's shadow, posing as the Queen as a decoy. And over the course of the term, she also became one of Padmé's trusted confidantes as well as a loyal friend, and would do anything for her. The book focuses on the close, almost sisterly, relationship between the pair.

And that is the premise of the book. It's not exactly action packed, but it is full of political drama, as Padmé settles into her new role, trying to win the favour of senators, all the while standing up for what she believes is right for the Republic.

And when the book isn't focused on the political or on Sabé's supporting role, it also explores Padmé's relationship with her handmaidens and retinue of guards. The time spent with her entourage helps to flesh out Padmé's personality a lot more. We haven't had much of that previously really, the best so far has been her supporting role in Timothy Zahn's' 'Thrawn: Alliances', as the movies and other media have mostly seemed to gloss over her character. But here we get to delve into her more as a person, getting to know her ambitions, her hopes and fears, in one of the best character studies of her yet.

I really enjoyed 'Queen's Shadow'. I liked the look behind the curtain into the life of Padmé Amidala, her close relationship with her royal and senatorial retinues, and at the Galactic Senate. It's a very different Star Wars story, although does have similar vibes to Claudia Gray's 'Leia, Princess of Alderaan', and is one that is worth reading.

Available from:

#ArtOfTheDay: 'Anakin vs Obi-Wan' by Adam Hughes

Variant cover art by Adam Hughes for 'Star Wars: Doctor Aphra' issue #30, published March 2019 by Marvel Comics

Artist Spotlight: The Art Of . . . Jim Burns

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 Jim Burns.

#ArtOfTheDay: 'Red Sonja' by Esteban Maroto

Cover art by Esteban Maroto for the hardcover graphic novel 'Red Sonja: The Ballad Of The Red Goddess', published April 2018 by Planeta Cómic and March 2019 by Dynamite Comics

#CoolArt: 'Childish Gambino at Paris, France' prints by Miles Tsang

'Childish Gambino at Paris, France' by Miles Tsang.

18" x 24" screen print in a numbered 'Redbone Rouge' AP edition of 75 for $75, a numbered 'Kauai Cool' AP Edition of 50 for $90, and a 'Fire Fly Foil' AP Edition of 25 for $150.

On sale Saturday March 30 at 12pm ET at his website.

'Redbone Rouge' Edition

'Kauai Cool' Edition

'Fire Fly Foil' Edition

Artist Spotlight: The Art Of . . . Jill Thompson

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 Jill Thompson.

#ArtOfTheDay: 'Fantastic Four' by Jen Bartel

Cover art by Jen Bartel for 'Marvel Tales: featuring Fantastic Four' issue #1, published January 2019 by Marvel Comics

#CoolArt: 'Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse' TIMED Release prints by Alice X Zhang through Bottleneck Gallery

'Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse' by Alice X Zhang, an officially licensed prints release through Bottleneck Gallery, in collaboration with Grey Matter Art.

• 'Just A Leap Of Faith' & 'From Another, Another Dimension' 14" x 18" giclee prints, in numbered TIMED editions for $45 each or $180 for the set for four prints.

• 'What's Up, Danger?' & 'Can't Stop Me Now' 13" x 19" giclee prints, in numbered TIMED editions for $45 each or $180 for the set for four prints.

On sale Friday March 29 at 12pm ET until Tuesday April 2 at 12pm ET from the Bottleneck Gallery website.

'Just A Leap Of Faith'

'From Another, Another Dimension'

'What's Up, Danger?'

'Can't Stop Me Now'

#CoolArt: 'Eddie Vedder at Tempe AZ' AP Edition print by Ken Taylor through Posters And Toys

'Eddie Vedder at Tempe AZ' by Ken Taylor, available through Posters And Toys.

18" x 24" 5 colour screen print, in an AP edition of 100 for $50.

On sale Friday March 29 at 2pm CT from the Posters And Toys website.

#CoolArt: Star Trek Discovery: S2 E10 'The Red Angel' by Laz Marquez

Star Trek Discovery: S2 E10 'The Red Angel' by Laz Marquez