“There are few things I enjoy more in comics than a good team-building issue. If used effectively, readers get introduced to each character and learn just enough to theorize how they’ll fit into the team dynamic; Parker nails this perfectly. Each individual has a clear voice. From the eerily quiet Ghost to the unstoppable Juggernaut, there are no overlapping personalities or power sets. And the potential for internal conflict between members is just as exciting as the external threats they are sure to encounter.”

- Miguel Perez, IGN UK http://uk.comics.ign.com/articles/109/1093070p1.html

“Jeff Parker and Kev Walker have teamed up and, somehow, in the first issue right out of the gate, reignited the flame of the Thunderbolts for me so much that now I can’t wait for the next issue… The cliffhanger/reveal keeps the spirit of the original book in a way I didn’t think [Parker would], but also does it in a way that shows that this isn’t just a rerun of past comics, that this is something entirely new.”

- Ron Richards, iFanboy http://ifanboy.com/content/potw/pick_of_the_week_-_05_26_2010_-_thunderbolts__144

“A master of continuity, Parker remembers to include old time Thunderbolts (and genuinely reformed villains) such as Songbird, Fixer, and Mach V, as well as using Luke Cage’s past as a former con to his advantage… Despite the bizarre team, Parker makes the characters all work as one would expect, yet appear interesting enough as an alliance. Considering he does the same on AGENTS OF ATLAS material, this is no surprise.”

- Alex Widen, examiner.com http://www.examiner.com/x-19829-Brooklyn-Comic-Books-Examiner~y2010m5d26-Picks-Of-Comic-Book-Week–May-26th-2010

“THUNDERBOLTS #144 was an absolutely fantastic issue that incorporated events from not only the current happenings in the Marvel Universe, but also the past. As this is a new team led by Avenger Luke Cage, the build-up is done quite well; this is a page-turner, to say the least. This issue would have been excellent with just the introduction of the new recruits, but writer Jeff Parker leaves us with a bombshell that will have readers begging for the next issue.”

- Matt McGloin, Cosmic Booknews http://www.cosmicbooknews.com/reviews/tbolts144_review

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Next Wednesday, there are two comics release parties in Portland:
From 6-8 pm, Floating World Comics is hosting Graham Annable, celebrating the release of his new Grickle book.

Then, jump on the MAX for a short ride to the Hollywood transit station, because from 8-10 pm, Things from Another World will have Jeff Parker and Steve Lieber signing their just-released UNDERGROUND trade paperback. Steve will be doing free sketches in your copy of the book. More importantly, there will also be free beer and free food. Free sketches. Free beer. Free food. Does it GET better than that? No.

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“It’s amazing what an accomplished creative team can accomplish with such a straight-forward story. More survival adventure than crime comic, Underground has been a refreshing read for several reasons.”

Write Club

“this comic is fun, action packed, and highly atmospheric.”
The Outhousers

“Parker has graced this story with a lot of strong character development, and has a feel for how people would react in and to these types of situations. Lieber’s art is fantastic throughout…This is a title that seriously deserves some awards.”
Things I Like

“It’s a testament to Parker and Lieber that they made even the most minor of characters interesting in this series. Here’s hoping the trade sales on this series makes feasible for Parker and Lieber to do more with these folks beyond Stillwater Cave.”
Tim O’Shea Robot 6

“…terrific dialogue showing that this man really seems to know how actual conversations work with suitable pauses and interruptions in Wesley and Seth’s interactions. Lieber finishes the run well using his angles and layouts in a varied and effective manner to wring the best out of the plot and caving action.”
Paradox Comics Group

“Lieber and Parker are functioning as a well-oiled machine in this story. If not for the credit box, interviews, and blogs, I would almost believe that the tale came from one single creator, so tight is the story to art and vice versa.” Doug Zawisza
Comic Book Resources

“It’s amazing how they’re able to keep that feeling of claustrophobia… you’re there with the characters.”
Meltdown Comics Podcast Starts at 39:40.

“No other book gripped me like this one did – and all without a single superhero. I didn’t think that was possible in the world of comic books. Jeff Parker proved me wrong.”

Mr Pasty Ain’t it Cool News

“Jeff Parker’s writing guides this story through some great moments of tension, but Steve Lieber’s art really makes the cave come alive. The background is such a huge part of the issues, and it is next to impossible to ignore the intense shift in color as we go above and below ground. This book proves color can be a key story telling tool when used with great effectiveness.”
Black Thursday

“Parker…has a good old fashioned chase scene brewing at the same time as our heroes are being tracked down by gun wielding thugs with murderous intent.  The result is a story that is able to keep the reader on the edge of their seat from start to finish.”
Comic Book Revolution

“Jeff Parker is a writing fiend these days, truly a man among men or a writer among writers or something like that…and this 5-issue series is the best thing he’s done since The Interman. He’s also fortunate to have Steve Lieber on art at the top of his game helping out. The best adventure story about Kentucky caves and park rangers that maintain same that I’ve ever read, and seriously, the guys nail the verisimilitude…believe me, I know. ” Johnny Bacardi
Pop Dose

“a fine adventure with sympathetic characters and some really nice artwork. ”
Hipster dad

“If you’ve only read Parker’s Marvel stuff, you might not realize what a good writer he is and how well he creates characters. His “awesome” moments for Marvel might overshadow the fact that he really knows what he’s doing. ”

Greg Burgas Comics Should be Good

“The finale was great, the series is great…my favorite miniseries by far…I love this series.” Fourth Wall Podcast Starts at 34:10.

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How great is Jeff Parker, Steve Lieber and Ron Chan‘s work on Underground? Here’s an even dozen reviewers raving about issue #4.

Ain’t it Cool News | Paradox Comics Group | Comics Waiting Room | Comics Bulletin | Things I Like | Best Shots | Great Caesar’s Post | Blair Butler | Comics Should Be Good | Awesomed By Comics | Comics Nexus | Mondo Magazine

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Ben Dewey inking “Blighter”, written by Jeff Parker for Dark Horse Presents.  It’s free, go read it.

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There’s a great interview with the Underground boys up now at Robot 6:

Lieber: Underground is all about the irrevocable consequences of a few bad decisions. You can do a lot of things in a shared superhero universe, but irrevocable consequences? No such thing. For that, you’ve got to tell your own story.

Parker: In issue one, Wes tries to tell the people of Marion how one wrong move in a cave can destroy a delicate crystal formation that took fifteen-thousand years to develop. She’s right, but their community’s fragile, too, and if they don’t take action to save it, it’s gonna fall apart. There are moments like that in every life, where the wrong choice can send things spiraling out of control, changing things forever. You can’t tell that story in a world where Superman can spin the earth backward, in clear defiance of Marlon Brando’s sternest warnings.

Read the rest here.

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Barnes and Noble
Marvel 70th Anniversary Celebration Author Event
Join us as we celebrate 70 years of Marvel Comics with a panel discussion featuring Marvel celebrity guests Brian Michael Bendis (Ultimate Origins, Ultimate Spiderman), Jeff Parker (X-Men: First Class) and Rick Remender (Punisher War Journal).
Tuesday August 11, 2009 7:00 PM

Clackamas Town Center Mall
12000 SE 82nd Avenue, Portland, OR 97266, 503-786-3464

Parker will have some copies of the Underground ashcan with him. Ask him a half-decent question at the panel and he’ll probably give you a free one.

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Jeff Parker is a guest on Episode 241 of Around Comics. It’s a great episode. There’s a long, funny, informative interview with Parker, who talks about Agents of Atlas, Exiles, X-men: First Class, Mysterius the Unfathomable, capers, heists, comics message boards, the awesomeness of Gabe Hardman and Tom Fowler, Underground and inevitably Colossus: The Forbin Project. The Parker interview starts at the 38 minute mark.

There’s more, too. Chris Neseman, Chris Burnham, Patrick Brower, John Siuntres talk about talk about Marvel’s Dark Reign, and War of Kings stories, Savage Dragon, and the new issue of Morrison and Quitely’s Batman & Robin.

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Steve Lieber writes:

My wife and I were just burgled. They stole our laptops, so we have no computers at home anymore, and we’ve got several days ahead of us of running around dealing with police, insurance, checking to make sure backups work, etc. This means that all the time at home I’d planned to spend doing promotion on Underground is gone, as are the machines I’d planned to it with.

Lots of folks have asked “what can I do to help?” The answer, if you have a comics audience, is blog or tweet something about the book. Send them to this specific post on the Underground site, or just tell them that Parker and I have a new book coming out from Image. Your RTs and facebook posts will make a big difference.

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X-Men: First Class Finals #2 will be out tomorrow, Wednesday the 4th! Written by Jeff Parker and fantastic art by Colleen Coover.  Strongly advise to pick it up!

Panel for X-Men: First Class Finals #2 by Colleen Coover

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