One of the greatest challenges facing any independently published comic or creator-owned work is consistency. Whether we want to admit it or not, most of us crave consistency in our comics; derive pleasure and comfort from the same creative teams bringing us our monthly dose of spandex and capes. Sure, we’re also the first to identify and complain bitterly about so-called production line comics but in point of fact, most of us find an abrupt or frequent change in creative teams jarring or in some cases, a personal affront.

Consistency and the status quo are what make comics such an insidious and widespread form of popular entertainment, in the first place.

Thanks to their deep pockets and huge respective fanbases, larger publishers like Marvel and DC have little difficulty finding and keeping talented creators. Not so the indy publishers, who most often rely on the primary creators to build and retain their creative teams. This isn’t a criticism of the industry. It’s simply a reality of the current state of affairs of comic book publishing.

Unfortunately, it’s also a reality that can have a negative impact on an otherwise strong property.

Philosopher Rex is a book I would really like to see gain a wider audience. Brothers Ian and Jason Miller deliver a solid premise, grounded in the everyday, of a world of occult shadows policed by a clandestine organization of supernatural Philosophers. It is a story concept that falls regretfully short due to a revolving cast of artists, who vary far too much in both style and quality.

Read the full review here: http://www.brokenfrontier.com/reviews/p/detail/philosopher-rex

Simply put, Harbor Moon is one of the finest comics I’ve read all year. This book—written by Ryan Colucci and Dikran Ornekian and illustrated by Pawel Sambor—truly has something to offer fans of horror and dark fantasy: a feverish premise, an intense narrative, haunting artwork and colors, and a murky atmosphere latent with danger and dread. And, for added effect, the ending is even a bit optimistic. Isn’t that an interesting twist?

Read the full review here:

http://www.brokenfrontier.com/reviews/p/detail/harbor-moon

“This is probably the best comic that i have read since joining the site.” – Kent Durgan

See full review or add you own by clicking this LINK

Broken Frontier lays out the next three quarters of the Arcana books being printed.

“This is a proud moment to see how far Arcana has come in such a short period of time. It’s a testament to our great library of characters, as well as the passion and commitment of our creators.” – Mark Poulton VP of Operations

More HERE

A Cat Named Haiku writer/co-creator Mark Poulton recently received the following email from a fan and wanted to share:

“I wanted to share with you that I read A Cat Named Haiku to my niece who has been staying with me about 3 weeks now and she has asked for it for as bedtime story every night since then! I can now pretty much recite the entire book! She is 6 years old and it really engages her, last night she actually “read” it to me. So cute!”

Created and Written by Ian & Jason Miller
Pencils – Geraldo Borges, Rick Silver, Richardo Soathman, Adita Wardina
Inks – Junior Capoeira, Estudio Haus, Cristiano Lopez De Sousa, Alex Silva, Rick Silver
Colors – Estudio Haus
Letters – Kurt Hathaway
Paperback: 96 pages
Publisher: Arcana Studio (August 15, 2010)

Meet Dr. Ishmeal Stone: Philosopher, detective, monster-hunter, primes inter pares of a shadowy network of supernatural guardians sworn to shelter the world from the Infernal Orders. Stone’s mission is aided by his daughter, half-ghost, half-witch Amara Stone, Wilbur Branch, a master of mystic weapons, the mysterious monster-detector known as Blind Jack, and the smooth-talking mentalist Martin Priest. Philosopher REX opens at a moment of crisis as the old orders are fragmenting and the Philosophers dividing into rival camps, with Stone and his comrades on one side of the battle, with the malignant and craven Philip Delacroix on the other. Complicating matters… just when Stone and his associates need them most, their various abilities are inexplicably on the wane!

Continued here: http://www.brokenfrontier.com/headlines/p/detail/preview-millerbroscomics-redball-6-and-philosopher-rex

It’s believed in our common Judeo-Christian belief systems that when you die you go to either Heaven or Hell. It simplifies things…it’s black and white…pass or fail. Some denominations believe in a third option, Purgatory, a kind of afterlife time out, but once you serve your time, you’re on your way to Heaven. Not many believe in God’s detention hall anymore, but even then, things are pretty simple.

But what if the Afterlife is more complicated. What if it’s more like New York City with its five boroughs? That’s what Wayne Hambler has learned. After his death he awakens in Near Dis, a city which acts as a kind of metropolitan halfway house between Heaven and Hell. But, it’s not Purgatory.

Continued here: http://blogmonster.evilgeniuscomics.com/2010/07/comic-book-review-redball-6-tpb.html

Tomorrow marks the official start of the 2010 Comic-Con, but the stars are already gearing up for the anticipated event. “Supernatural” star Jim Beaver told followers, “Finished my Supernatural scenes–headed home tomorrow, on to Comic-Con this weekend,” while dearly departed “Vampire Diaries” actress Malese Jow tweeted, “I’ll be at Comic Con (7/24) from 12-2pm at the Arcana booth #2415 signing for the release of Koni Konfidential!…

Full story here: http://hollywoodcrush.mtv.com/2010/07/21/comic-con-mean-girls-2-twitter/

Cats, Kitties and More Cats…

By Luisa LaFleur, The Children’s Book Review
Published: July 30, 2010

Not long ago, I reviewed a few books that had mice as the main characters. Well, now the counterpoint to that: books with cats as the main characters!

A Cat Named Haiku

by Mark Poulton (Author), Dexter Weeks (Illustrator)

Reading level: Ages 4-8
Paperback: 42 pages

Publisher: Arcana Studio (2010)

Source of book: Publisher

In A Cat Named Haiku, author Mark Poulton tells us the story of a mischievous cat through the use of haiku, a form of Japanese poetry. The beautiful illustrations perfectly capture Haiku’s antics and the haiku poetry lyrically evokes all the trouble that the cat gets into. It’s a great combination and a perfect way to introduce little ones to different forms of writing and literature.

Add this book to your collection: A Cat Named Haiku

Full article here: http://www.thechildrensbookreview.com/weblog/2010/07/cats-kitties-and-more-cats.html

There have been sightings across the nation of a man known to be aiding super-criminals.

His name is Harry Walton, and he’s out thanks to Arcana

Check the link for more details! THE LINK