Black Summer, Possible spoiler

[40yearoldnovafan]

S

P

O

I

L

E

R


The cover to issue #5 (December) depicts four members of the seven guns fighting. The text states one of the guns is now dead. Well, Tom Noir is not on that cover. We already know the deal with the other seven - Tom's girlfriend is dead already (makes six) and Horus is the villain (which makes seven). I really liked Tom. But I guess before this series is over, more will be dead.

Jimmy

[matrix]

S

P

O

I

L

E

R


The cover to issue #5 (December) depicts four members of the seven guns fighting. The text states one of the guns is now dead. Well, Tom Noir is not on that cover. We already know the deal with the other seven - Tom's girlfriend is dead already (makes six) and Horus is the villain (which makes seven). I really liked Tom. But I guess before this series is over, more will be dead.

Jimmy i don't think it's tom that bites the dust, i think it's
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

John:eek: which would make an interesting plot twist

[DouglasDanger]

where do you see these covers? any idea where to get full-size images of the variants? (Without buying the comic three times, or paying 9 dollars for a really cool cover.)

[David@AvatarPress]

where do you see these covers? any idea where to get full-size images of the variants? (Without buying the comic three times, or paying 9 dollars for a really cool cover.)

The regular and wrap cover for #5, and the limited, sketch variant for #3.
http://www.avatarpress.com/2007solic/12/larger/bs5.jpg
http://www.avatarpress.com/2007solic/12/larger/bs5w.jpg
http://www.avatarpress.com/2007solic/10/larger/bs3oi.jpg

[DouglasDanger]

Awesome. Many thinks, David. Is there any chance of getting the rest of the covers and their variants? They make great wallpapers!

[NimNams]

Agreed! The sketch covers are specially appreciated, since I'm yet to actually see one in a store.

[matrix]

Awesome. Many thinks, David. Is there any chance of getting the rest of the covers and their variants? They make great wallpapers!http://m-sweeney.deviantart.com/gallery/ you can find a few of the wrap-around covers here but the sketches you're on your own

[DouglasDanger]

The wrap-arounds are nice, but I really want to see more of the character sketch covers. Any chance of that, David? We would be very grateful.

[David@AvatarPress]

The wrap-arounds are nice, but I really want to see more of the character sketch covers. Any chance of that, David? We would be very grateful.

I had the wraparound cover for BS#1 as my wallpaper for a at least 2-3 months.

P.S. BLACK SUMMER #3 will be in stores October 10th.

http://www.avatarpress.com/2007solic/06/large/bs0oi.jpg
http://www.avatarpress.com/2007solic/08/bs1oi.jpg
http://www.avatarpress.com/2007solic/09/larger/bs2oi.jpg
http://www.avatarpress.com/2007solic/10/larger/bs3oi.jpg

[40yearoldnovafan]

I had the wraparound cover for BS#1 as my wallpaper for a at least 2-3 months.

P.S. BLACK SUMMER #3 will be in stores October 10th.



Thanks, that makes me very happy.

Jimmy

[DouglasDanger]

Thank you very much, David.:) The covers are appreciated. Very glad to hear Black Summer #3 is coming the 10th. I was really bummed when I saw somewhere that it was solicited for the 31st. That was just too long!

[NimNams]

Sweet! Thanks, David!

Have you thought about putting these up on your site? Maybe as a cover database? I know that I, for one, would really dig that.

[David@AvatarPress]

Sweet! Thanks, David!

Have you thought about putting these up on your site? Maybe as a cover database? I know that I, for one, would really dig that.

We will look into it. Thanks for all your support.

http://www.avatarpress.com/2007solic/11/larger/bs4oi.jpg

http://www.avatarpress.com/2007solic/12/larger/bs5oi.jpg

[NimNams]

Ooh, sweet!

David, what's the story behind the Black Summer figure I see solicited in December? Who makes it? Anywhere I can see a picture?

[DouglasDanger]

Thanks so much for the covers.

It would be cool to see the 7 Guns in their prime, taking back the streets.

[David@AvatarPress]

Ooh, sweet!
David, what's the story behind the Black Summer figure I see solicited in December? Who makes it? Anywhere I can see a picture?

The HORUS figure is designed to take after the 70's style action figures with cloth costumes. This old-school design makes it a really cool collectable, and the clam shell casing makes it easy to open, have it signed, and reseal the package without damaging the product. The packaging artwork is by Juan Jose Ryp too!

There was a blood splattered version of the figure, which we sold at Comic-Con. I'll have to see if there are any left.

http://www.avatarpress.com/2007solic/12/larger/bshorusfig.jpg

BLACK SUMMER: HORUS 8 inch figure
Retail Price: $24.99 US
Package Art: Juan Jose Ryp
Format: 8 inch figure in a clam-shell package
UPC: 890007002011

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION: Straight from the pages of Warren Ellis’ smash-hit series Black Summer, Horus is now available as an action figure! The hero who killed the President is now immortalized in this retro-style 8 inch poseable figure. Styled after the popular 1970’s type of toys, Horus comes with a cloth costume, complete with his emblem on the back. The packaging features all-new artwork by series artist Juan Jose Ryp on the front and back, and the package itself is a re-sealable clam-shell so that you can easily open and close it without damaging the plastic. Limited to just 750 units.

[ultramandingo]

.......wow a ellis mego ! hows about a wolfskin one?

[DouglasDanger]

That figure is... interesting. I never really thought figures in the Mego style would come back.

Are there any chances of a line of action figures? Maybe by Mezco? That would be awesome.

[ultramandingo]

bad signal
WARREN ELLIS

Well, now. I guess we burned through the print runs on BLACK SUMMER
#0
and BLACK SUMMER #1. Because I'm looking at a note here from Avatar
saying that they're releasing a composite book called BLACK SUMMER
ALPHA, containing #0 and #1.

We warned everyone that they needed #0. Now, judging by my email,
we're getting a lot of people coming back to look for the #0, or
looking
to get onboard the series, and coming up short.

So here's what I've been given: it won't be listed in Previews until
the
Nov issue, but it's actually available for immediate order through Teh
Magic Ov Comics.

Retailers can place orders today and will have it in stores on October
24. In fact, retailers can call it in to Diamond right now, giving
ref
Black Summer Alpha: code AUG078104. And you can give your
retailer that code and have them do it for you.


###

[NimNams]

That figure is... interesting. I never really thought figures in the Mego style would come back.

Are there any chances of a line of action figures? Maybe by Mezco? That would be awesome.

I completely agree. A line of figures in a more modernized style, maybe by Mezco, NECA or McFarlane, would be great. Maybe if you could even manage to work one or two of them into the Marvel Toys "Legendary Comic Book Heroes" line (which, I know, is near-impossible, considering the graphic nature of the book).

[ultramandingo]

.......just got #3 beautiful , beautiful book ,but ....... is it just me or do avatar books smell funny ?

[ultramandingo]

........overcome by fumes........

[NimNams]

Wow.

A week ago, I would've scoffed at the idea of a Black Summer issue being compelling and exciting without a single appearance from John Horus. But Tom Noir? The suit? Total badass.

Amazing issue.

[DouglasDanger]

So what are everyone's thoughts on Black Summer #3?

It was nice to see the team interacting, even if it was mostly bitching. Poor Dom really wants the rest of the Guns to respect him.

SPOILERS BELOW

When I first some Tom with his half of a leg, I thought "why the hell does he not have some advanced cyborg replacement?" Turns out Dom made him one years ago, and Tom was too depressed and drunk over Laura's death to get off his ass and use it.

Tom's costume was very cool. The visual of his helmet surrounding his head was very awesome. Nice to see exactly what his powers were. I guess he hacks the data cloud around him with his mind.

The ending was kind of a holy shit moment for me. Tom hacks that tank and commits suicide, but acts like he is surrendering. I hope he is not really gone, because I enjoyed the character and wanted more.

So the rest of the Seven Guns arrive, Zoe thinks Tom was trying to surrender, and then the Guns declare WAR.

[Omega Alpha]

Last issue was pretty cool. It's great to see the entire team on the run and against the government, even if it was obvious that this would happen. And i don't think Tom is dead yet

[NimNams]

I don't believe for a second that Tom is actually dead. The faked death was a gambit to get Dominic to cross that line and commit to fighting the good fight. I see the ending of the series as either all seven Guns reuniting under John Horus or Noir and Horus clashing in the most kick-ass of all kick-ass battles.

I also love how Tom is essentially a mirror image of John. While John had always been the pure, virtuous, Superman-type, Tom became the dark, brooding and disturbed Batman-type. Their costumes reflect the dichotomy, with John being draped in white while Tom's in black. What's interesting to see is whether or not these traits continue, or if they completely flip by series end. Tom's still pretty dark, but he's clearly taking the reins as the leader and that means a heightened sense of right and wrong. John seems to go either way right now, but the last book could just as easily vindicate him as a still-pure hero as it could show him as an insane murderer.

[40yearoldnovafan]

I don't believe for a second that Tom is actually dead. The faked death was a gambit to get Dominic to cross that line and commit to fighting the good fight. I see the ending of the series as either all seven Guns reuniting under John Horus or Noir and Horus clashing in the most kick-ass of all kick-ass battles.

I also love how Tom is essentially a mirror image of John. While John had always been the pure, virtuous, Superman-type, Tom became the dark, brooding and disturbed Batman-type. Their costumes reflect the dichotomy, with John being draped in white while Tom's in black. What's interesting to see is whether or not these traits continue, or if they completely flip by series end. Tom's still pretty dark, but he's clearly taking the reins as the leader and that means a heightened sense of right and wrong. John seems to go either way right now, but the last book could just as easily vindicate him as a still-pure hero as it could show him as an insane murderer.
When I first looked through the book without reading it, I thought "John changed his outfit to black." The when I read it, I said "holy crap, that's Tom!" They do appear to be dressed (purposely I would suspect) as opposite ends of the spectrum. I wonder who developed their's first.

Also, I do not believe at all that Tom Noir is dead. We have no idea what all his capabilities are. I believe he's now operating behind the scenes. Well I hope he is because he has so much potential.

Of this whole four weeks of comics I bought ($96.00 after a 20% discount) two comics were at the top of my list as definite must reads - NOVA and BLACK SUMMER. This book rocks!

Jimmy

[David@AvatarPress]

BLACK SUMMER ALPHA (http://www.avatarpress.com/2007/10/08/black-summer-alpha/).

I will post some images soon. (note: The wraparound cover for ALPHA is probably the most bad-a** cover so far.)

[NimNams]

Ooh baby. David, is this the same thing as the Axillary issue, or are the two separate?

[DouglasDanger]

It is reprinting 0 and 1.

I think it is cool and a little odd how Tom and John are both wearing costumes which resemble military officer garb from the later 19th century, complete with the braided thingies from the buttons on the chest running to the shoulders.

I can't wait to see what happens next.

[DouglasDanger]

BLACK SUMMER ALPHA (http://www.avatarpress.com/2007/10/08/black-summer-alpha/).

I will post some images soon. (note: The wraparound cover for ALPHA is probably the most bad-a** cover so far.)

Awesome. Many thanks, David. I can't wait to see it.

[ShAdOwgHoST]

so far ive been loving black summer......i also didnt believe tom died, at least i hope he didnt.....anyway i cant wait for tha BS4

[Crenshaw]

anyone think john horrus and tom noir are in cahoots?
1. the rest of the guns still don't know tom has his powers.
2. if tom's stunt succeeded in anything, it was erasing the idea of surrender from their minds.
3. john's interested in getting the army out of the city and wouldn't the guns be the most effective dispatchers.
4. john was in communication, or at least had the ability to communicate with tom until the end of issue 2. Who knows what those guys were jabbering about.
5. don't be stupid, tom's not dead. he's sneaky.

i mean, why else would he be sporting all that black?

no, i don't think it has anything to do with his name. that'd be more shallow than thinking someone's sneaky just cause they're wearing black.

[ShAdOwgHoST]

anyone think john horrus and tom noir are in cahoots?
1. the rest of the guns still don't know tom has his powers.
2. if tom's stunt succeeded in anything, it was erasing the idea of surrender from their minds.
3. john's interested in getting the army out of the city and wouldn't the guns be the most effective dispatchers.
4. john was in communication, or at least had the ability to communicate with tom until the end of issue 2. Who knows what those guys were jabbering about.
5. don't be stupid, tom's not dead. he's sneaky.

i mean, why else would he be sporting all that black?

no, i don't think it has anything to do with his name. that'd be more shallow than thinking someone's sneaky just cause they're wearing black.

u know u made some really good points especially tha bolded.....i didnt think of it like dat.....i guess we'll juz have to wait n see wut happens

really good story so far.....keepin us on our toes

[Fatguy]

So, I was looking at this at my LCS this last week and it looked interesting. Thinking about picking up the series next week due to it being such a small week for me.

I was wondering though, is this an ongoing or a mini?

[Strannik]

I was wondering though, is this an ongoing or a mini?

It's a limited series. An eight-part limited series, if I'm not mistaken.

[Fatguy]

Thanks for the info :)

[Shadow ES]

It's a limited series. An eight-part limited series, if I'm not mistaken.

I thought it was seven, includeing the #0 issue.

[Assassin Spider]

Sounds awesome, but considering the lack of immediately available funds, I suppose I'll just wait until Black Summer is collected in TPB format and then buy that. I hope my university bookstore or any other bookstore is willing to carry it.

[40yearoldnovafan]

It's a limited series. An eight-part limited series, if I'm not mistaken.

From what I understand, there will be eight issues total 0 - 7.

Jimmy

[Marked Man]

Definitely enjoyed #3, but not as much as #0-2. First, this was the first issue that I've noticed significant editing errors. There's a *cough* that is not marked off by any punctuation, making it look like Tom is saying "cough" right in the middle of a sentence. Obviously not a huge error, but it does look sloppy. Second and more importantly, who is Dom talking to at the end, and why are all the Guns pointing their weapons at the ground? At first it seems he's talking to Tom, then he says they'll kill all of "you little people" they need to, as if there's a soldier around. Does anyone care to explain this scene? Also, while not an error, I felt that the "Tom hacking" scene could have been pruned, especially in light of how economical Ellis and Ryp have been in terms of pacing in the series so far.

The high point of course is Tom suiting up. Very cool how it evokes both Horus and another well-known Ellis creation, Midnighter.

[DouglasDanger]

You should try to pick up the singles. Avatar does not trade everything. Ellis is a pretty big name, so it probably will be traded, but do not expect the trade 2 months after the series concludes.

I think The Guns were talking to a soldier, who was cowering on the ground, crippled with the fear.

I am still trying ot figure out what the hell Tom is doing. Those programs [tomnoirx1 (30 minutes from mark) and 2 (12 hours from mark)] could be anything. He could be setting them to run after he dies. Maybe he really is dead, and the programs will do something. They could be plans to gather information for his next step, whatever that.

The sky looked... funny when Tom "suicided". Was that a coloring error, or was something happening on a huge scale? Were those little black dots in the sky meant to be dozens of aircraft over the city, hunting the Guns, Tom doing something, or just weird coloring?

[Kyle Taylor]

Black Summer is epic. Tom can't be dead already. He just got his suit and robotic leg. I see some kind of battle with him and Horus at the end. good reading so far. I got issue 0 signed by Ellis if anyones interested in making a purchase send me a PM....

[matrix]

BLACK SUMMER ALPHA (http://www.avatarpress.com/2007/10/08/black-summer-alpha/).

I will post some images soon. (note: The wraparound cover for ALPHA is probably the most bad-a** cover so far.)
DUDE:eek: i just saw the solicts for january and i have to say there just badass. i'll be sure to pick'em up when i can

[40yearoldnovafan]

I doubt Tom walked out there just to get himself killed and/or commit suicide. Think about it, if he really wanted to die, he would have just allowed Frank's goon to kill him off. He would not have called the other guns to come and save his hide. Tom DID NOT want to die. I doubt he had a change of heart once he met up with the other guns. Tom also did to much investigation before going outside. I think he also did a check on Laura's hidden gun, which Dominic asked him about. Tom is going under ground and he's going to get Laura's gun.

And what do you folks think about Dominic? I did not care for him the first time we saw him. But I do now. Dom seems to be the most sentimental gun and actually the most level head. And he is far smarter than I originally thought. I initially thought he was a muscle bound idiot, punching poor Tom in the head. And now I see the guns mean everything to him and he is attempting to do whatever he can to protect them.

By the way, Tom and Angel... Yep, she still cares about him.

Jimmy

[matrix]

I doubt Tom walked out there just to get himself killed and/or commit suicide. Think about it, if he really wanted to die, he would have just allowed Frank's goon to kill him off. He would not have called the other guns to come and save his hide. Tom DID NOT want to die. I doubt he had a change of heart once he met up with the other guns. Tom also did to much investigation before going outside. I think he also did a check on Laura's hidden gun, which Dominic asked him about. Tom is going under ground and he's going to get Laura's gun.

And what do you folks think about Dominic? I did not care for him the first time we saw him. But I do now. Dom seems to be the most sentimental gun and actually the most level head. And he is far smarter than I originally thought. I initially thought he was a muscle bound idiot, punching poor Tom in the head. And now I see the guns mean everything to him and he is attempting to do whatever he can to protect them.

By the way, Tom and Angel... Yep, she still cares about him.

Jimmy
i got this werid feeling that angel hiding something. Looking back at this series i was wondering if the guns are mentally unstable cause i'm wondering if that's why they pointed their guns to ground and it looked like no one was there.

[DouglasDanger]

DUDE:eek: i just saw the solicts for january and i have to say there just badass. i'll be sure to pick'em up when i can

I found tiny, tiny pictures in Avatar's January Solicits (http://www.avatarpress.com/2007/10/21/january-2008-solicited-releases/), but did you find better pictures somewhere?

Black Summer Alpha:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v661/douglasdanger/blacksummeralpha.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v661/douglasdanger/blacksummeralphawrap.jpg

In a new edition, the start of the Warren Ellis masked hero epic, Black Summer, is available again! With the complete #0 and #1 issues together in one book, here is your chance to get the start of the super-powered epic everyone is talking about! This unbeatable package is also available for the special price of just $2.99! The Alpha issue comes with all-new covers by series artist Juan Jose Ryp in 3 editions, the Regular, Wraparound, or a special Poster Edition that comes bagged with a 24 x 36 poster of the original cover of #0!
32 pages, $2.99 (Poster Edition, $5.99).



I saw the end of issue 3 as the Guns pointing their weapons at and talking to a wounded soldier, probably one of the guns in the tank. There is a panel showing them jumping out of the tank, right as Dominic charges it.

The idea of the Guns being mentally unbalanced has been with us since issue 1.

Also, there are going to be 7 issues, not counting the 0 preview issue.

[DouglasDanger]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v661/douglasdanger/blacksummer6.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v661/douglasdanger/blacksummer6wrap.jpg
Warren Ellis' masked hero story hits its penultimate issue. John Horus has come home, to the place where the Seven Guns started. Which may have been the plan all along -- because, in the chaos of the conflict between the Guns and the army, it's the only place in America where he can be trapped and killed by Frank Blacksmith's new super-team of Tactical Guns. This issue is available with a regular or wraparound cover and also a rare 1-in-25 cover featuring a Tactical Guns design sketch, all by series artist Ryp.
32 pages, $2.99.

Man, this is going to be huge!

[40yearoldnovafan]

i got this werid feeling that angel hiding something. Looking back at this series i was wondering if the guns are mentally unstable cause i'm wondering if that's why they pointed their guns to ground and it looked like no one was there.
The gun pointing - I took it as a dramatic effect. They were pointing at the audience - us. And honestly I think the only crazy one may be Ms Jump, the speedster. You notice how they treat her like a child and how she responds? She's a crazy person who believes everyone else is crazy.

Jimmy

[NimNams]

First off, DouglasDanger rocks for posting those covers. Thank you!

And what do you folks think about Dominic? I did not care for him the first time we saw him. But I do now. Dom seems to be the most sentimental gun and actually the most level head. And he is far smarter than I originally thought. I initially thought he was a muscle bound idiot, punching poor Tom in the head. And now I see the guns mean everything to him and he is attempting to do whatever he can to protect them.


Yeah, Dominic is definitely dichotomous (wow, that's a lot of d's...). I'm just surprised that Ellis could make me like the guy. We probably all know those people who are passionate and lead with their hearts, but we didn't really see how much Dominic cares about the team until he was pushed. Very cool of Tom to know enough about his team members to get them there. The less they think of him, the more he's capable of.

I disagree with you, though, that Dominic is the most level-headed. The desire to give up and work with the government seemed to come from equal parts fear (both for his team and for himself) and statistics. It makes sense for him, since he's a passionate guy, but he's also a technological genius. However, it's still Tom who gets up to speed first. Sure, the attack on his life helped him grasp the situation a little better, but he still was able to see things as they really are, not as they seem to be. To me, that makes him the most level-headed.

[ShAdOwgHoST]

^i agree

dominic came off as a bit naive as to what the government and frank are capable of and what they're real intentions would be while on the other hand tom was more capable of seeing the reality of the situation tho i also concur with him being attacked as being somewhat the reason he saw the truth

[40yearoldnovafan]

First off, DouglasDanger rocks for posting those covers. Thank you!



Yeah, Dominic is definitely dichotomous (wow, that's a lot of d's...). I'm just surprised that Ellis could make me like the guy. We probably all know those people who are passionate and lead with their hearts, but we didn't really see how much Dominic cares about the team until he was pushed. Very cool of Tom to know enough about his team members to get them there. The less they think of him, the more he's capable of.

I disagree with you, though, that Dominic is the most level-headed. The desire to give up and work with the government seemed to come from equal parts fear (both for his team and for himself) and statistics. It makes sense for him, since he's a passionate guy, but he's also a technological genius. However, it's still Tom who gets up to speed first. Sure, the attack on his life helped him grasp the situation a little better, but he still was able to see things as they really are, not as they seem to be. To me, that makes him the most level-headed.

I actually mis-spoke. I actually meant Dominic was the most level headed besides a non-drunk Tom. But that's not correct either. Angel seems to be pretty level headed. It's the other two I have questions about. But I am enjoying all of them.

Jimmy

[DouglasDanger]

^i agree

dominic came off as a bit naive as to what the government and frank are capable of and what they're real intentions would be while on the other hand tom was more capable of seeing the reality of the situation tho i also concur with him being attacked as being somewhat the reason he saw the truth

Please try to compose your thoughts into sentences. It makes it much easier to include you in the discussion.

I think Dom really wants to be the leader. He is under a great deal of pressure and it is not a role he is used to. He was also a bit naive, until Tom tricked him and the rest of the Guns into fighting the para/military. After Tom and John, I like Dom's armor the best.

[NimNams]

I think Dom really wants to be the leader. He is under a great deal of pressure and it is not a role he is used to. He was also a bit naive, until Tom tricked him and the rest of the Guns into fighting the para/military. After Tom and John, I like Dom's armor the best.

Hmmm. Interesting stuff...though I'm not entirely convinced that Dom wants to be the leader as much as it is that he's found himself taking the lead in the interim. It makes sense that the guy with the most passion would step up and steer the group rather than let everything fall apart. I think a lot of his anger towards Tom stems from the fact that Tom thought about himself after the car accident, rather than focusing his energies into the team. Tom is a natural leader and the originator of the Seven Guns. That he is willing to walk away, even under extreme circumstances, must've been an ultimate betrayal for Dominic.

[DeeSnider]

Finally got my copy of #3 in my comic shipment last night. Another great issue, I'm really loving this book.

I took Tom's "suicide" at the end to be a kind of Obi Wan "if you strike me down, I will become more powerful then you can imagine" moment. Something about his comment along the lines of "Is this why you wanted me dead, because I live in the world?" I think Tom is technically "dead" but certainly not gone. But that's just my current hunch.

I took the guns pointed at the ground as more of a stylistic thing then anything; their guns are finally drawn, and about to be raised.

[matthewaos]

I'm not sure about Tom's death... I mean it may be permanent, as it can may be not. If his existence ended in that issue though, the book haven't started yet!