Transformers: Windblade Issue 1

Windblade, Issue 1, Stone Cover

It's been a while since I read Transformers, but when I found out about the creative team on Windblade, I immediately picked it up.

Transformers: Windblade features the talents of two creative women, writer Mairghread Scott and artist Sarah Stone.

There are plenty of good interviews to be read in addition to some brouhaha over this female creative team. Suffice it to say, in the opinion of this humble reviewer, Mairghread and Sarah have written and drawn an amazing book, and it's exciting to see these two take on this Transformers story together.

Transformational Robot Art

I've read some Transformers in the past. The thing that gets to me sometimes is that the

Episode 7 - The Cosplay Connection Plus Movies

Godzilla returns

Patrick Clarke and Short Nerdy Man’s Jay Wheeler join Ben to talk about cosplay, the new Godzilla movie, and future DC movies. Plus: DC Movies and favorite Kevin Smith movies.

EmpiresCV.tv Ep155 - Meet Captain Dylan Hunt the Pug on Thursday

 Folks can't seem to get enough of Captain Dylan Hunt, aka, The Captain. She'll be in the shop this Thursday all day, so please stop in to meet her.

There are some great books out this week, so have a look at the video. It's about 4 minutes long.

EmpiresCV.tv Episode 154 - New Comics and Sac Con on Sunday

 In this episode, in the first minute, we shares how you can win free tickets to this weekend's Sac-Con. Note: To participate, you have to visit our FB Page and comment in the post about this video.

After that, we talk comics! Enjoy, and take some time watch Ben and special guest Jay Wheeler talk comics on Jay's show, Coffee & Comics.

EmpiresCV.tv Episode 153 - 4th Saturday of Free Comic Book Month

Free Comic Book Month continues at Empire's Comics Vault. Bring your FCBMonth Passport down and get it stamped for access to freebies.

You've probably heard about Captain Dylan Hunt. We're so excited we can't stand it! Coming soon, we're throwing her a party. Hope you'll come. Things will be on sale in her honor.

Well, that's right, there's new comic books this week also, and you'll see what they are when you watch our brief highlights video. Enjoy.

Ben loves Saga.

Secret Avengers - Issue 2

Ever wonder what the conversation is like between two BFF men adrift in space without a lifeline in sight? Or what it's like for MODOK to save the day? Or what it's like for Hawkeye to be stuck on a mission with, not one, but two ex-girlfriends -- Jessica and Natasha?

Read this issue to find out. It wraps up the "Save the Empire" storyline with a neatly tied comic book bow. You'll feel fully satisfied after reading this, but wanting more.

Issues one and two set the expectation level high for what's ahead in this book. As Director Hill says, "This is the Secret Avengers. There are no rules."

Storyline: Save the Empire: Part two of two
Writer: Ales Kot
Artist: Michael Walsh
Color Artist: Matthew Wilson
Letterer & Production: VC's Clayton Cowles
Cover Artist: Tradd Moore & Matthew Wilson

By RonOfTheEmpire

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EmpiresCV.tv Episode 152 - Store Changes Afoot

Ben shows off some store changes by sitting in a new space! He also talks up the comics that are making an impression on him, including Starlight. Plus, somethings changing at Dark Horse. Watch and find out.

Ben, excited like a little kid

Episode 6 - Geek Talk with Angela and Ian

Read comics. Talk comics.

New comic book reader Angela McIntire and her brother, Ian McIntire, join Ben to talk about cool geek stuff, like Green Lanterns, movies, television, and more.

About our podcast

Sacramento comic shop owner Ben Schwartz sits down with fans of the shop to talk comics. You can subscribe via iTunes or Stitcher.

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• Episode 4 - It's All About Indie Comics

Tomb Raider - Issue 1

As a reader of Top Cow's Tomb Raider, I can say that it is in fact a pleasure to see Lara Croft gracing the pages of a comic book again. But it gets better: She's being written by Gail Simone.

This story builds the suspense for a much deeper mystery. Laura is being haunted, literally, by a previous adventure -- the discovery of an island of legend, an island called Yamatai. But Laura isn't alone in this nightmare; the other survivors are also suffering.

This story, "Survivor's Guilt!," starts with suspense and tension and only escalates from there as part of a much larger storyline, "Season of the Witch."

The art and inks are clean and strong. Facial expressions are on point and clear, no fudging. The colors really stand out, ranging from simple for indoor scenes to really textured and lush outdoors.

Script: Gail Simone
Pencils: Nicolas Daniel Selma
Inks: Juan Gedeon
Colors: Michael Atiyeh
Lettering: Michael Heisler
Cover Art: Dan Dos Santos