Matthew K. Manning's Blog, page 7

Justice League: You Choose…

Out now in bookstores and online are my two latest Capstone DC SuperHeroes chapter books. Part of the You Choose line of Choose Your Own Adventure-style stories, these books are based in the animated DC Universe established back in 1992 with the release of Batman: The Animated Series. These two particular books are set after the conclusion of the Justice League Unlimited cartoon series, but require no prior knowledge of the characters, so they’re perfect for DC Comics fans of any age.
Here’s a bit about each book straight from Capstone:
Justice League: The Ultimate Weapon
Lex Luthor is holding an illegal auction for the cruelest criminals around. When Batman, Wonder Woman, and Aquaman investigate, they discover their teammate Metamorpho is up for bid!
Justice League: The League of Laughs
The Joker has teamed up with the zaniest villains to take over the Justice League Watchtower! When the crooks knock out Batman and Superman, it’ll be up to Cyborg to reclaim the headquarters.
Both books feature great illustrations by Erik Doescher and twelve possible endings, each depending on which choices the reader makes. Just tell your children that these are like video games, but with way more reading. What kid can resist that sales pitch?
Shhh. Let me have my optimism.

To be continued…

Batman: Shades of Black...

Out now is my newest Batman book, Batman: Shades of Black, a hardcover history of Batman's many costumes available in the Batman: Deluxe Cowl gift set . Not only does the book touch on all the many costumes in the Caped Crusader's comic book wardrobe, it also comes with a Batman cowl in its own display dome. The cowl features light-up eyes and a sense of foreboding for all that enter your office and/or toy room.*

*Sense of foreboding varies from person to person. Results not guaranteed.

To be continued...

Xander and the Rainbow-Barfing Unicorns...

Last year, Capstone Publishing asked me if I'd like to write a book series called Xander and the Rainbow-Barfing Unicorns. They had created the title and the idea that the main characters are zombies unicorns. But other than that, I was given free rein (puns always intended) to come up with Cradie, Blep, and Ronk, our very odd cast of characters.
I was a little unsure about the series at first, but when I mentioned the title to Lilly, my eight-year-old, she couldn't stop laughing. So I dove into the first book, excited to gear a series for kids her age (8-13) and hopefully, their parents. The result was easily the most fun I've ever had writing chapter books.

Magic Smells Awful
While the books in the series can be read in any order, Magic Smells Awful is the best place to start. In this book we learn how Xander, a 6th grader with an deep belief in magic, meets his rather uncouth zombie friends.
Here's how Capstone describes the book:
Xander Stone didn't believe in unicorns -- until one puked on him! In this adventure, twelve-year-old Xander first meets the Rainbow-Barfing Unicorns -- stinky, zombielike, upchucking creatures from the magical world of Pegasia. They've been banished to Earth for, well, being stinky, zombielike, upchucking creatures. However, Earth presents them with a great danger: HUMANS. Luckily, the dashing, naively heroic Xander vows to protect them and their disgusting secret at all costs.

Revenge of the One Trick Pony
The secret of the Rainbow-Barfing Unicorns is out and that makes Xander Stone sick! Twelve-year-old Xander is the only person on Earth who knows about the Rainbow-Barfing Unicorns. Except, of course, for a rich and crazy billionaire who will stop at nothing to capture these zombielike, upchucking creatures and get even richer and crazier!

Return to Pegasia
Xander Stone travels to the home world of the Rainbow-Barfing Unicorns and it smells surprisingly good! Once banished for being stinky, zombielike, upchucking creatures, the Rainbow-Barfing Unicorns (still stinky, zombielike, upchucking creatures) return to their home world, Pegasia. Twelve-year-old Xander travels along, but Pegasia isn't the retched realm he expects. Instead, beautiful, brightly colored, tra-la-la-ing unicorns roam this fairy tale-ish world. Heck, even their farts smell strawberry-sweet! Which is a problem, since the Rainbow-Barfers just emptied their stomachs and are craving fruit-flavored unicorns!

The Search for Stalor
Xander Stone must save the handsomest of all Rainbow-Barfing Unicorns! In this installment, the handsomest of all Rainbow-Barfing Unicorns, Stalor, is missing. (P.S. He's not really that handsome.) Twelve-year-old Xander and his other stinky, zombielike, upchucking unicorns set out to find him. Their naively heroic quest leads them to another dimension ruled by a diabolically bizarre king. Can the Rainbow-Barfing Unicorns save their relatively handsome friend, or will the plan throw up in their faces?
Each book features great, lively illustrations by Joey Ellis who helped bring Xander and his unicorns to life. All four books in the series are out now and can be ordered through the links above. Plus, two more in the series are due out this spring!
Happy reading!
To be continued...

Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles # 0...

New monthly series alert!

As you may have heard by now, Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles is debuting this fall on Nickelodeon. In anticipation of this brand new animated series, Nick and IDW have teamed up to offer a teaser issue of our upcoming ongoing Rise of the TMNT comic book series. I'm happy to report that I'll be the regular writer on this new title.

Cover by Chad Thomas
Featuring the always impressive art of Chad Thomas, one of my favorite collaborators from several of the other TMNT animated books, this series stars an inexperienced batch of Ninja Turtles boasting new, mystical weapons. Out July 18th is our special preview issue, including a brand new TMNT story, one meant to introduce these weapons, and debut a mutant threat from the Rise of the TMNT show.

Variant cover by Andy Suriano
Chad and I have some really fun things planned for this title, and editor Bobby Curnow - as well as the helpful people at Nickelodeon - have been sending us plenty of TV clips, scripts, and tips to make sure we match the show as much a possible. So be sure to grab the teaser issue, and let us know what you think. It only gets crazier from here...

2018 Convention Exclusive!
To be continued...

TMNT Universe Vol. 4...

If you missed my quick short story in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Universe # 20, your time of mourning and sadness is finally over. The comic in all its four-page glory is included in the trade paperback TMNT Universe Volume 4 , out this week at comic and book shops.


And for more Turtle goodness, be sure to check back next week as I spotlight my new ongoing series, Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Our issue # 0 teaser issue hits stores on July 18th, giving readers the inside scoop on the newest animated series from Nickelodeon.


To be continued...

Hickory Comic Con 2018...

I'll be making the short drive to the Hickory Comic Con this weekend (June 2nd). So you should, too! My table will be stocked with everything from Teen Titans Go! issues to Batman/Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Adventures issues and trades, to copies of The Batman Files, so stop by and let's chat comics.

To be continued...

Asheville Comic Con 2018...

I'll be at the Asheville Comic Con this Saturday (May 19th) at the Western North Carolina Agricultural Center with a tableful of books, comics, and other worthwhile nonsense.

Hope to see you all there!

To be continued...

Teen Titans Go! # 27...

As a loyal fan of the Teen Titans Go! cartoon, I was happy to contribute my first story for the comic series in issue # 27. Drawn by Erich Owen with letters by Wes Abbott and edits by Kristy Quinn, "Appointment With Doom!" tells the story of the valiant battle between the Teen Titans and the evil, evil insurance companies. If you've ever shopped for health insurance, you can guess who wins this one. The issue also includes a story about the dangers of dust bunnies by writer Ivan Cohen an artist Jeremy Lawson with a great cover by Marcelo Di Chiara.

So far, people seem to like the comic. Look, proof!

If you don't want to leave the house and risk filing a claim, you can buy my half of the book (Chapter 53) digitally and read it from the comfort of your device of choice on comixology, all for a measly dollar. That's affordable healthcare we can all get behind.

To be continued...

SC ComiCon 2018...

If you're in the South Carolina area, be sure to check out this year's SC ComiCon on March 24-25th at the TD Convention Center in Greenville, SC. I'll be there again this year, with special cameo appearances by my regular co-plotters, my seven and four-year-old daughters.

Hope to see you at the show!

To be continued...

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Universe # 20...

Out Wednesday, March 21st, is my newest Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle project, TMNT Universe # 20. The issue features a lead story by writer Ian Flynn, artist Dave Wachter, and colorist Ronda Pattison featuring TMNT supporting character, Alopex. But stick around for the second tale, a quick story about Raphael just trying to get a good night's sleep in the hub of activity that is the Turtles' Lair.


That particular story is written by me with art by the brilliant Adam Gorham and colors by the equally effective Brittany Peer, all put together and edited by Turtles' mainstay Bobby Curnow.


More Turtles news is on the way, so keep checking back!

To be continued...