Alex Ross returns for “Project Superpowers” Chapter 2, launching from Dynamite in June.  The popular painter will paint ever cover of “Project Superpowers,” and will plot and direct the entire “Project Superpowers” universe.

Writer Jim Krueger returns to the series, joined by two artists: Edgar Salazar and Doug Klauba.  Salazar will draw the main story; Klauba paints a special painted origin sequence in each issue. He’ll kick things off with an origin of the Black Terror.

Issue #0 of chapter 2 will launch in June for a $1 retail price.

- Matt Price

See the full release after the break.

Ross and Krueger Continue Best-Selling Series from Dynamite in Full Size Comic Book featuring 32 pages of story and art for Just $1.00!

The next exciting chapter of Dynamite Entertainment’s PROJECT SUPERPOWERS begins this June! And, following up on the success of the first PROJECT SUPERPOWERS SERIES – quick Dynamite plug – Available in Hardcover at your local comics reatiler and in TPB in May, PROJECT SUPERPOWER Chapter Two is debuting with a full-size 32 page introductory priced #0 issue! Featuring 20 pages of original story and art, as well as a special two-page painted Origin sequence of the Black Terror for a total of 22 pages! And best of all, issue #0 features three connecting covers – forming one amazing and powerful image – by Alex Ross!

Alex Ross tackles every cover on Project Superpowers Chapter 2, and he brings this comic to the fans from beginning to end — plotting and art-directing the entire PROJECT SUPERPOWERS universe! Writer Jim Krueger is back on board and joined series by up and coming artist extraordinaire Edgar (DEATH-DEFYING ‘DEVIL) Salazar! Painter and artist Doug Klauba rounds out the Chapter two creative team with a special painted origin sequence in each and every issue of the series – first up, The Black Terror!

“We’ve been working hard to continue the action, intrigue and excitement we started in chapter One, as Joe in my office stated, and to quote George Lucas “Faster, More Intense, more Power in every scene”!” said Dynamite President and Publisher Nick Barrucci. “Volume one dealt with quite a bit of introduction of the characters, with character build up. Now, Alex, Jim and Dynamite Editorial have ratcheted this new series up past full volume as we continue to explore the nature of power, and loss!”

This full-size, 32-page comic features 22 pages of story and art, INCLUDING two page origin sequence of the Black Terror by Doug Klauba (each issue of Chapter Two will feature extra content like the Origins sequences)! PROJECT SUPERPOWERS: CHAPTER TWO picks up from the events of CHAPTER ONE as the newly returned heroes have set out on a quest to use their newfound freedom to return the world to the power of the people, while facing the shadowy Supremacy and the unlikely foes of the Inheritors! Dynamite, Alex Ross and Jim Krueger have built up the SUPERPOWERS universe… now watch it be torn down! All for $1.00!

PROJECT SUPERPOWERS: CHAPTER TWO #0
Alex Ross, Jim Krueger (W),
Edgar Salazar (main story) (A)
Doug Klauba (painted Black Terror origin story)
Three Connecting Covers: Alex Ross, Sneak Peek Cover: Alex Ross
Price: $1.00

WORD BALLOONS
Writer Scott Beatty and artist Carlos Rafael will create the new adventures of Buck Rogers, under covers from John Cassaday (”Astonishing X-Men”).

“Buck is a sci-fi icon. We wouldn’t have ‘Star Trek’ or ‘Star Wars’ or many of the familiar trappings of the genre without the trails blazed by Buck with his trusty ray-gun and jet-pack,” Beatty said in a news release.

Buck Rogers started in the pulps in 1928, as Anthony Rogers in the story Armageddon 2419 by Philip Francis Nowlan. Rogers moved to the comic strips the next year, when he gained a new first name, Buck, and an artist, Richard Calkins, according to Don Markstein’s Toonopedia.

Buck Rogers is an accomplished pilot who is frozen in suspended animation for 500 years. He awakens in the 25th Century to a new world. He befriends Wilma Deering and Dr. Huer, and joins Earth’s defenders, as the planet is under siege from an alien force.

Buster Crabbe, who previously played Flash Gordon, brought Buck Rogers to movie screens in 1939 as part of a motion picture serial. The character briefly appeared on television in the 1950s; the comic strip ended in 1967.

But that wasn’t Buck’s last gasp. The success of “Star Wars” – which was partially inspired by “Buck Rogers” – brought Buck back to cinemas in 1979. The film, starring Gil Gerard, was followed by a TV series. These episodes are now available for viewing online at www.hulu.com/buck-rogers.

The series lasted two seasons. The comic book based on the series was published by Gold Key for three years, according to Toonopedia, and a new newspaper strip ran through 1983. Other than a brief revival in the early 1990s, it’s been mostly quiet for Buck since then. Dynamite aims to change that.

“We’re planning Buck’s launch to be one of our biggest of 2009, one that will propel him into the comics future,” Dynamite President Nick Barrucci said in a news release.

And Buck may grace the big screen again, as well: According to a December article in The Hollywood Reporter, “The Spirit” director Frank Miller was in talks to bring “Buck Rogers” to movie theaters.

By Matthew Price
From Friday’s The Oklahoman

Greg Elwell, Kyle Roberts and Matt Price talk about “Wolverine: First Class,” #1 ”Secret History of the Authority – Hawksmoor” #1, “Army of Darkness/Xena: Why Not” #1 and “Transhuman” #1 on this week’s comics podcast at newsok.com.

About “Secret History of the Authority: Hawksmoor” #1:  

Matt Price: I thought this had a decent feel with what you had of the early “Authority.”

Greg Elwell: Well, maybe … There are some good ideas in there. I certainly enjoyed Hawksmoor using the city to fight the robot, but, I dunno. The love story aspect – I wish there was one or the other.  But the nice thing is, a lot of characterization.

—

About “Wolverine: First Class”:

Kyle Roberts:  I liked it. It’s kind of the early 80s X-Men.  I really like all the facial expressions from Shadowcat and Wolverine, and the personality that shows through for both of them. … It’s written very well.

—

About “Army of Darkness/Xena”:

Greg Elwell:  I was not ever a huge Xena the Warrior Princess fan … when I did tune in, I’ll tell you the reason I did tune in: Bruce Campbell. … John Layman has done a really great job here by taking a couple of pretty wacky ideas and going full-tilt with them.

Matt Price: They’re taking it kind of tongue in cheek, and I think that’s the way to do it.

Greg Elwell: It’s an “A” in my book.

—

About “Transhuman” #1:

Matt Price: This is my favorite thing (Hickman) has done so far.  It’s about two companies that are both trying to build the next generation of humans. … I really wanted to read more.