Star Wars Adventures: The Will of Darth Vader is no longer being released in August… it’s now coming out next week!
I seriously urge everyone to pick up this book. I had such a great time writing Vader and I couldn’t be much happier with how the script came together on this one. A few people have been worried that Vader will be less menacing or less powerful in this book. Trust me; Vader gets to be Vader; the Vader I know and respect (and fear), one of the greatest bad guys of all time. And the supporting character in this book, Luca, gets away with more than you would expect from an Adventures tale.
Gun fights, space battles, pathos and humor.
Get this book!
I will be over at the San Diego Comic Con when it’s released… I imagine I’ll be able to find a copy there. I’ve been waiting for the release of this book for a very long time.
Sorry. Been busy and tired (Stupid World Cup. I should have just believed Paul the Octopus and stayed in bed).
Here are your Authority #24 and Star Wars: Invasion — Rescues #2 reviews. Authority #24 also made the ‘Read Pile’ over at CBR.
Invasion
“What I liked: Tom Taylor knows how to write a story that keeps you on the edge of your seat and Colin Wilson has made this era of Star Wars his own. What we only got to read about in the novels is brought to life on the pages. His characters are easily recognizable and his Yuuzhan Vong are beautifully freakish in looks. Tom has done in excellent job in handling characters like the Solo twins and keeping them true to how they were in the novels. Jaina really is a good pilot and Jacen, well Jacen is Jacen
What I didn’t like: Having to wait until the next issue to find out what happens.” – ACOMICBOOKBLOG.COM
“Star Wars: Invasion/Rescues stays strong with this second issue. At times approaching a meaningful theme, other times providing more visceral pleasures, it never fails to entertain.
Even the relatively slow parts are kept alive by Colin Wilson’s brilliant penciling. The images of the New Republic soldiers in spacesuits being showered with toxic rain are simultaneously classic and modern, drawing, it seems, from the best aspects of sci-fi aesthetics. The design of the Yuuzhan Vong Tsalok is also awesome, approaching the ferociousness of sci-fi creatures like the Predator. Even the purely functional panels offer something to gaze at at least momentarily. The art alone is almost enough to recommend buying the comic. The comic ends with “Freaking Continued!” which may be presumptuous but is a sign that writer Tom Taylor is excited about his story. It shows all the way through.” – The Sci-Fi Block
The Authority – Mondregon Part 2
“The end of the issue was pretty awesome and really unexpected. It closes an arc for one of the characters who we’ve followed for a while now. This run is more than halfway done and with certain storylines wrapped up and others opened, I’m anxious to see what else we’ve got coming before year’s end. 8 out of 10 (On its way to greatness)” - Wildstorm Addiction
“The Authority #24 has a very abrupt ending as John Cumberland has one very inspirational performance.”- CBR
Superstar artist, Al Barrionuevo, joins me on The Authority with issue #24 this week. Several people have called Al’s work on this book the best he’s ever done and I can’t disagree with them. Just check out this preview page…
Grab your copy of #24 to see Al’s return, the two-pronged, multi-scaled battle against Mondregon and The Aegean, The High being The High and, finally, an answer to… what’s in the box?
Authority #23 is getting some high praise on internet forums and I’ve also had a number of emails and facebook messages from people singing the praises of the issue.
A couple of good reviews have surfaced already. And the first one, from Comic Vine, really put a smile on my face. See an extract below.
“OMG! Ok stand back just a little, I’ve got to get this out of my system.
You didn’t experience what happened in the two minutes between the previous line and this one, but trust me, I needed it. I liked this issue. A lot. I’ve liked what’s been going on with The Authority since they’ve taken off, but this issue was great.”
“That scene with Grifter at the beginning was not only very funny, but also really worked to add an element of continuity by connecting it to the last issue in a fun way. It’s not just random stuff happening on the Carrier. The Grifter/Flint…encounter also shows that a network of relationships (not just sexual) is building and by the end Taylor has used this joke to add a strong element of community. There are natural friendships, but the lives of the people on the ship are going to be crisscrossing more and more.”
“This issue really shows that these characters have character, and I’m glad to see it. And even better is that the character development doesn’t get in the way of telling a story that draws you in and is exciting. I’m so pumped for the next issue.” – Comic Vine.
And from Comic Addiction…
“One thing I appreciate about Taylor’s writing is his insertion of humor. There’s a great moment at the beginning between Grifter, Flint, The Engineer, and Swift. Even though he can do good humor, Taylor is also good at giving the story scope. The Carrier as a ship is massive in its own right. But there are two times in this issue that we see that out here in space, The Carrier seems real small real quick. Add that to the fact that Taylor introduces TWO threats for the heroes in this issue and you’ve got a great set-up for conflict.”
“If you like your superheroes with a dash of sci-fi, this book is the place to be right now. Rating: 8 out of 10 (On Its Way to Greatness!)“ – Comic Addiction.
Issue #23 sadly marks the end of Mike S. Miller’s short run as the artist. Mike captured these guys fantastically and, as well as showing some incredible action and scope, he really helped inject the humour that I was after at this stage of my run.
Issue #24 sees the return of regular series artist, Al Barrionuevo. I’m a lucky guy to get to work with two incredible artists on this book. An exclusive preview page of Al’s pencils from The Authority #24 can be seen right here at the official Wildstorm Blog.
A new solicit for The Authority in August means a new split cover for The Authority and WildCATS – by Howard Porter (The Flash, JLA), Allen Martinez and Wes Hartman.
THE AUTHORITY #25
Written by TOM TAYLOR
Art by AL BARRIONUEVO
Cover by HOWARD PORTER, ALLEN MARTINEZ & WES HARTMAN
In the aftermath of the twin battles with the Aegean and Mondregon, the team assesses the damage and Hawksmoor is forced to explain the origin of his strange, secret weapon. Deathblow is down for the count, and Swift is unconscious with no one able to figure out why she can’t be revived. But there’s not much time to lick their wounds or ease over internal tensions as The Carrier appears to finally be approaching its ultimate destination. Who or what they are about to meet could alter the course of the Wildstorm Universe forever.
On sale AUGUST 4 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US
August will be a huge month. The Authority, Blood Ties and Will of Darth Vader are all coming out and it’s possible more may still be announced for the month… no wonder I’m falling asleep on the couch as I write this.
Today my run on The Authority begins with issue #22. And, this morning, I woke up to a good luck message from the man himself, Warren Ellis – Hell. Yes.
Acclaimed writer Tom Taylor (Star Wars: Invasion) takes the helm for a 4-issue arc. The Authority’s journey through space on The Carrier’s unknown mission continues. Their mysterious voyage takes an even more terrifying twist than anything they’ve experienced so far when they discover stowaways of the worst possible kind. Facing a hideous mutiny by overwhelming odds, only one person can possibly save them. But will this reluctant hero break his own vow and return to action?
Note: It isn’t just a four issue arc… and, apparently, I’m ‘acclaimed’.
Here is a preview of the first page by Mike S Miller, featuring Flint, Deathblow and Grifter… and vampires… in space.
I’ve read it. It’s good, seriously. Buy it. you won’t be disappointed.
An announcement this big had to come with a shiny, new look, and I’m happy to say it does. The website has been transformed and it is now the perfect place to announce that I am no longer just a ‘fill-in’ writer on The Authority. According to my editor extraordinaire, Jim Chadwick, I am now allowed to share this news with the world.
I’ve clearly been doing something right and the good people over at Wildstorm have asked me to stick around and finish the whole story arc. I couldn’t be happier about this. I’m still staggered and honored to be working on this title and I’m enjoying the hell out of it. This should be pretty clear when my run begins on May 5 with issue #22 and The Authority tackle Vampires… in space!
Written by TOM TAYLOR • Art by MIKE S. MILLER • Cover by PHILIP TAN
With the on-board rebellions subdued and attacks from the stowaways repelled, The Authority can once again focus on the nature of their voyage. Is the Carrier leading them to its home – or does it have some other, more sinister agenda? While passing through a vast graveyard of discarded spacecraft, the latest Century Baby detects a faint sign of life. The High goes off on a rescue mission, but what he brings back on board eclipses any danger they’ve faced so far.
Wildstorm Universe
32pg.
Color
$2.99 US
On Sale June 2, 2010
I also wanted to say a huge thank you to the wonderful Wolfgang Bylsma, Skye Ogden and Jake Gonzales who have worked tirelessly to create this new look to the website. Smell your screen, it still has that new website scent… SMELL IT!
Speaking of new, I’ve begun work on another new comics project which will be announced next month.
And, staying on the ‘new’, my wife is currently four days overdue with our second child… so this may be my last update for a while.
After happily announcing that I was the new writer of The Authority on Wednesday, I was then flown to Perth on the Thursday (Thursday morning… I don’t do morning) by Gestalt Publishing for Gestaltapalooza!
Comic Book Jesus posted about the night right here.
And the night was capped off with the announcement that our one-shot ‘Rombies‘ was just a teaser. Yep, Rombies is set to be a series! The Dead will walk again… in sandals.
The depth and breadth of the story Skye Ogden and I have planned was not even hinted at in the first publication. This story is tied to real-life historical events and crosses the path of real-life historical figures. It weaves through theologies and empires and leaves no one untouched, be they citizen, soldier or senator.
It will be fun.
A great celebration of the first five years of Gestalt also included a sneak peek of the incredible ‘Changing Ways‘ by one of the fine artists working on my upcoming Brief Cases, Justin Randall. Gestalt asked if I could provide a pull-quote for this incredible book. Which meant that I got to read an advance copy.
“Changing Ways grabbed me by the eyeballs and wouldn’t let go until it was done. The art demands you stop and admire every extraordinary rendered panel while the tension of this perfectly-paced thriller forces you to turn the page. Justin Randall balances beauty and terror on a rusty razor’s edge.” – Tom Taylor, writer of Star Wars: Invasion and The Authority.
Getting my first ongoing professional comics gig writing Star Wars was like being put on a ‘big-boy’ bike for the first time, and having the training wheels ripped off just before the really steep hill. It has been an incredible experience and, so far, I haven’t gone over the handlebars and left half my face on the pavement.
But then being asked to follow that up by writing the Authority… well, that’s like thinking you’re getting your first car and, instead, being handed the keys to a flying battleship that runs on the fury and the sex drive of one hundred caged dragons. I haven’t thought of an analogy for ‘going over the handlebars’ in this but I imagine it would end with a large explosion, a lot of death and a bunch of people suddenly discovering that ‘RAAAAAGHHH’ is dragon-speak for ‘do you come here often?’
The Authority has been written by three of my top ten favourite writers. Being asked to add to their creation is about as mind-blowing as it gets. If I was able to go back in time and tell a young me discovering Warren Ellis’ Stormwatch for the first time that I would one day be writing those characters… actually, young me would probably be more impressed that I had a time machine… and would want to think of ways we could use it to see boobs… young me was a bit of a caged dragon.
Anyway, a huge thank you to Ben Abernathy at Wildstorm for letting me in the door, to Jim Chadwick and to Shannon Eric Denton.
THE AUTHORITY #22
On sale MAY 5
32 pg, FC, $2.99 US
Written by TOM TAYLOR
Art by MIKE MILLER
Cover by PETE WOODS
Acclaimed writer Tom Taylor (Star Wars: Invasion) takes the helm for a 4-issue arc. The Authority’s journey through space on The Carrier’s unknown mission continues. Their mysterious voyage takes an even more terrifying twist than anything they’ve experienced so far when they discover stowaways of the worst possible kind. Facing a hideous mutiny by overwhelming odds, only one person can possibly save them. But will this reluctant hero break his own vow and return to action?
Follow @TomTaylorMade
Tom Taylor has written plays that have been produced across four continents, from the Sydney Opera House to the Edinburgh Festival.
He has killed characters for DC Comics and created characters for Lucasfilm.
He has written comics which have been reprinted in French, German and Spanish but he can’t read any of them.
He has sung for thousands in concert halls and acted to tens in the smallest of black-box theatres.
He has sent Luke Skywalker on a quest and taught Darth Vader a lesson.
He has juggled knives for billionaires and eaten fire for passers-by on the street.
He has written for film screened in California and radio aired in Melbourne.
He has won many awards for his writing and lost many of his indoor soccer finals.
He is the father of two and the husband of one.
Tom Taylor Made
STAR WARS: INVASION
ISSUE 1 - OUT NOW
THE EXAMPLE
OUT NOW
STAR WARS: ADVENTURES
LUKE SKYWALKER AND
THE TREASURE OF
THE DRAGONSNAKES
OUT NOW
THE AUTHORITY
ISSUES 22 - 29
THE DEEP
2011
STAR WARS: INVASION
ISSUE 2 - OUT NOW
FLINCH
OUT NOW
STAR WARS: ADVENTURES
THE WILL OF
DARTH VADER
OUT NOW
STAR WARS: INVASION
ISSUE 3 - OUT NOW
STAR WARS: INVASION
ISSUE 4 - OUT NOW
STAR WARS: INVASION
ONLINE NOW
AT STARWARS.COM
STAR WARS: INVASION
ISSUE 0 - OUT NOW
ROMBIES
OUT NOW
STAR WARS: INVASION
ISSUE 5 - OUT NOW
STAR WARS: INVASION
VOLUME 2 - RESCUES
STARTS MAY 2010
