Hellboy Gets Medieval (Again)!

In celebration of Hellboy's Arthurian adventure-themed in Hellboy: The Wild Hunt, Hellboy: The Storm, and Hellboy: The Fury, Funko has released a special figure of the half-demon anti-hero bearing the sword of his ancestor King Arthur. The figure can be purchased online at Amazon.

The original solicitation can be accessed at https://www.previewsworld.com/Catalog/JUN178581.

Witchblade?

The most recent issue of Witchblade No. 183 (available from comiXology) appears to feature an image of a young Arthur drawing forth the Sword in the Stone. This would not be the first time the series has addressed the legend (see Alan Stewart's Camelot in Four Colors), but is it a legitimate link or am I seeing Arthur where he is not?

Dorman's The Wasted Lands Collected

Another quick update for the night:

Dave Dorman's once and future series The Wasted Lands has been collected and reissued as an omnibus edition by Magnetic Press. Its a handsome over-sized volume and reasonably priced at $24.99.

Full details at http://www.magnetic-press.com/wasted-lands-omnibus/. The site includes an interview with Dorman, a video trailer (see below), and a press kit.



Dave Dorman's WASTED LANDS Omnibus graphic novel trailer from Neurobellum on Vimeo.

Captain Britain Toys

Still catching up:

Marvel and Hasbro released a series of Captain Britain action figures recently. One is featured in his "modern" outfit worn from the 1980s through (at least) the 1990s. The remainder were offered as a tie-in to the Captain America: The First Avenger film. There are two variants--one in his New Excalibur costume and one in his Captain Britain and MI:13 costume (apparently a K-Mart exclusive)--and both come bearing Excalibur. The three figures are pictured below in an image from ItsAllTrue.net.

Additional reviews, details and images at the following sites:

Hasbro: Captain America: The First Avenger: The International Patriots (n.d.)

International Patriots: Captain America: The First Avenger (6 June 2011)

Captain America: The International Patriots (13 July 2011)

Vault Review: Captain America Captain Britain (New Excalibur) (20 July 2011)

Vault Review: Captain America International Patriots 3pk (26 July 2011)

Comics Get Medieval 2012

I just posted the session details for the Comics Get Medieval sessions for PCA in Boston and thought readers of this blog might also be interested as all 3 papers are devoted to Arthurian subjects. Details at  http://medieval-comics-project.blogspot.com/2011/12/comics-get-medieval-2012-update_21.html .

Kalamazoo 2012 Session Update

The Society has finalized the details of its comics-themed roundtable. Full details are on the Medieval Comics Project blog, and I have posted the Arthurian-themed papers below:

The Comics Get Medieval at Kalamazoo: New Perspectives for Incorporating Comics into Medieval Studies Teaching and Research

2. “Caliber (2008), or Arthur’s Mystical Six-Shooter and the Gunslingers of the O.K. Corral”

Karen (Casey) Casebier, St. Mary’s College of Maryland

3. “Arthurian Themes in DC Comic’s Demon Knights (2011-)”

Jason Tondro, University of California, Riverside

New from SelfMadeHero as part of their Eye Classics line, this graphic novelization of Malory presents the Arthurian story from the conception of King Arthur to the coming of Lancelot:

Le Morte D'Arthur: “The Coming of the King, Volume One”

Author of Original: Sir Thomas Malory
Adaptor: John Matthews
Illustrator: Will Sweeney

ISBN: 9781906838249
Available: Mar 2011
Binding: PB(f)
Price: £14.99
Size: 165x241
Extent: 144 pp
Colour: Full colour [actually blue color with black ink on cream-colored paper (as shown)]

Product Description
The epic legend of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table is re-imagined here as a visually stunning graphic novel adapted by John Matthews and illustrated by Will Sweeney. This faithful reworking of Sir Thomas Malory's chivalric masterpiece introduces the young Arthur and charts his rise to power as King of Britain and the formation of his Knights of the Round Table. Aided by Merlin, Arthur must unite the kingdoms of Britain under his banner and take on adventures that will take him closer to his destiny and a danger caused by those he loves and trusts most.

Fate/Stay Night No. 11

Despite the closure earlier this year of publisher Tokyopop, it seems that number 11 (May 2011) of the Fate/Stay Night manga was released and is available from a limited number of retailers. This issue is of particular interest in that it features a series of flashbacks to Saber's past as King Arthur, with appearances by both Merlin and Bedievere. There is also a section entitled "Pendragon" that features a dragon, which is (presumably) related to the Arthurian legend as well. In addition, as the current Holy Grail War continues, readers learn further details about the last war and its outcome.

Classics Illustrated Returns

British publisher Classic Comic Store Ltd. has begun releasing reproductions of the original Classics Illustrated series, all with re-colored artwork and digitally enhanced cover art. Number 11 of their new line includes a reprint from 2009 of "Knights of the Round Table," which was originally published as Classics Illustrated No. 108 in June 1953. The book, which (as to be expected from a story from 1953) presents a bowdlerized account of the complete Arthurian story from Arthur's birth to his death and focuses on the adventures of Gareth, Galahad, and Lancelot, is nicely produced with crisp art and glossy white pages. Appendices include a history of the Round Table in medieval Arthurian literature, an overview of the Arthurian legend on film (and some TV), two versions of Arthur's genealogy (from Geoffrey of Monmouth and Thomas Malory), a short essay on the history of Excalibur, 5 questions to spark discussion on the Matter of Britain, and a timeline of Arthurian Britain.

Arthurian eComics

I came across the following last night on DriveThruComics.com:

Arthur: The Legend Continues (Cosmic Times) 1 & 2:
No. 1 tells of the death of King Arthur. No. 2 of his return in England's darkest hour.

Destiny of the Dragon: Daughters of Merlin (Jester Press Comics) 1, 2, & 3
At the fall of Camelot, Merlin gathers three women together, but they are separated when a band of dragons attack. The three are reunited centuries later and charged by Merlin (who is rather Doctor Who-like) to recreate the Round Table to save their universe.

Digital Visions (Visionary Comics) 2 & 4
No. 2 includes a preview of A. David Lewis's Gangland Avalon. No. 2 presents what I assume is the first story, which looks like we are being set up for a boy king/coming of King Arthur story. Gangland Avalon is a modern-day recasting /restaging of the legend in gangster/mob trappings.

Ex Occultus: A Matter of Britain (Saint James Comics)
The last days of an immortal Lancelot.

Pilot Season: Lady Pendragon (Top Cow)
Catches readers up to date on the Lady Pendragon Saga and suggests future storylines.

Captain Britain Action Figure

Marvel has released a new Captain Britain action figure as part of the Captain America: First Avenger line. Empowered by Merlyn, Captain Britain has long been associated with the Matter of Britain and comes with "Mighty Excalibur Sword". Yours for about $10 as the Marvel Store and elsewhere.

Details as follows:

Captain Britain is a jack of many trades and a master of all. Strength, stamina, flight and invisible force field - your Captain Britain Action Figure has got everything he needs to battle villains all across the globe.

Product Details

Poseable
Includes Clip-on Rocket Blaster and Excalibur Sword
Plastic
Figures in this series approximately 3 3/4'' H. Individual size may vary
Ages 4+
Imported
Part of the Captain America: The First Avenger Comic Series, each sold separately
WARNING: CHOKING HAZARD - Small Parts. Not for children under 3 years.

Caliber: First Canon of Justice Comic Trailer

I came across the following via a link from Alan Stewart's excellent Camelet in Four Colors website. He also links to a lengthy interview on Comic Book Resources. From Radical Publishing, Caliber: First Canon of Justice (2008), written by Sam Sarkar and illustrated by Garrie Gastonny, is a recasting of the Arthurian legend in the American Old West. It was originally published in five issues and later collected into both a hardcover and paperback edition. There are links to further interviews (under "News/Reviews") at Radical's site for the series.

Here's Radical's introduction to the series:

The Arthurian Legend of Excalibur is reborn in the Old Pacific Northwest. A world in which Shamans replace Wizards, gunfighters walk where knights once stood, and in which a mystical gun will change the world in place of the sword of legend. It is here that Caliber is revealed as a tattooed six gun imbued with supernatural power. A land where lawlessness runs rampant, and Arthur will have his chance to set balance to the scales of justice.