YESTERDAY WAS A GOOD DAY!Ah yes, it's amazing what a day off to focus on the book can do for things... not only did I decide on a great cover concept for the variant on the Super Real Special (SUPER REAL VS THE COMIC BOOK INDUSTRY), but I laid down what I think is the best script for it yet!
And really, I've been very impressed with the scripts I've already done!!
The special, five scripts by me, for five different artists, each focusing on participants 1 thru 5 of our Super Real cast, while also focusing on a different challenger inspired by comic book icons for each, has already been mostly planned out.
I have two sections completed, scripts and art (those two can be seen, except for their final, all-telling, pages, in the SDCC 06 preview book), and as I've catered each script to the artist, I've kind of organically created the foes/icons for each as I've scripted them for the artists. I mean, I've had ideas of what I wanted to cover, but specifically, things are hashed out as I know who I'm writing for, and let me just tell you, I don't know if it's the straight up action bent on this one, or that writing for someone else is liberating, or just the balls to the wall nature of the special, but I think I've come up with some of the best shit yet!!!
So, I've surprised even myself as I crank out what I think is another script, to top the previous ones, for the recently signed BIG NAME ARTIST that's now attached to the special. (I'm really having lots of fun coming up with crazy foes and situations for these stories!)
I'm not going to spill yet who it is, till we get further along, but he's a great fit, and should turn out a kick ass delivery!!
The special is now firmly on track for February... as with most things Super Real, the schedule has unfortunately slipped further than I originally hoped/planned, but also, has turned out much fucking better for it!!
With a February shelve date, that means I've got to get things together for Diamond by Thursday after next, and I must say, with the main cover almost tweaked to completion, and the variant cover now under way, along with the script for Ji... er the top secret artist completed last night, and only one script to write for the last awesome dood to jump on to go... well, we're solid fucking gold for February!
And really, February is right around the corner, just about 4 months.
Trust me, it'll be here before you know it, and well worth the wait!!
(And for those worried that the special won't have my chicken-scratch-deluxe artistic stylings, never fear, one section is penciled by some dood named... ME!)
STAY TUNED,
the best is yet to come!
jason
It's official, I've confirmed with Diamond that Super Real issue 3 is in stock at their warehouses, and should be shipping next week to comic shops everywhere!!
DEVI 1-3 VIRGIN COMICS
ULTIMATE FANTASTIC FOUR 27-32
But wait, oh yes, there's more, much more! For instance, besides the cool, wild, and vibrant cast of characters, actors, zombies, and CG creatures, besides the awesome character designs and costumes, besides the zippy editing, and crafty camerawork, there's also animation. The movie opens with a fun animation sequence, and also features a couple more during the film, acting as flashback sequences! 
The animation is well done, and a nice blend of western and eastern styles. Sort of like the Kill Bill animation sequence, only it's Sars Wars, so you know, more fun, and goofy.
My wife and I were big fans of the movies, a cool blend of horror, action, and style, so I was always curious about the transition to episodic television. Blade the series has a lot in common with the movies, but due to the format change, it's wisely been retooled to work in broader arcs that carry on through a season. Much like any of the successful dramas of recent years, BTS creates a storyline, and moves it forward from episode to episode, along with a large cast of characters. Perhaps the most interesting aspect about the TV treatment to the story, is it's lack of focus on Blade himself, instead we get the Blade setup we know from the movies, but most of the story is focused on his current rivals, a faction of vampires in Detroit, and more specifically, a young woman they've recently converted. Sure, there are plenty of scenes with Blade doing his daywalking, vampire takedown tactics, and patented vampire slaying moves, but the Vampire Christa is of equal focus, as we follow her decent into the vampire lifestyle, and all of the politics and dilemmas that come with it.
Lupin the III: The Castle of Cagliostro
With Cagliostro being over 25 years old, and an early work by Miazaki, the first questions I had before watching were, how good is the animation, and was Miazaki always at the top of his game? Would this Lupin feature leave me feeling less than impressed, something no Miazaki film has ever come even close to doing? Well, as soon as you press play, any doubts are washed away... Cagliostro is indeed an impressive work of animation, impressive movie, and a sure sign of things to come from one of the medium's masters. All of Miazaki's hallmark touches are found in spades, the crisp character designs, full of emotion, the sweeping scope of the landscapes, the artistic true-to-life details that send everything to another level. Cagliostro is charming and vibrant, and also, surprisingly timeless for a film created at the end of the trendy era that was the 70's. Sure some outfits and hairstyles are indicative of the time, but Miazaki grounds everything in classic styles and designs, from the cars to the enchanting castle set pieces.
Several scenes make great use of the titular castle, having it become as much a character as any of the "actors" in the film. And all this in a time before computers assisted with anything and everything of that nature.
Although the visuals are in the capable hands of Miazaki, he's no slouch in the story department either, and he takes part in adapting the story from the Monkey Punch originals, making the movie feel as much his as it is part of the Lupin cannon. Cagliostro is a great movie. It's not just moving to watch, it has a fun, and intricate story, with many scenes throughout that showcase action and wit, all in keeping with our hero, master thief Lupin III. Lupin is as smooth as they come, with a knack for the ladies, and getting out of just about any situation. He's got the gadgets, friends, and even enemies, to help whenever things look out of hand. No spot is to tight for Lupin, literally. 
As for the offerings on the DVD, the main attraction here is the quality of the film remastering coupled with the 16x9 full widescreen picture, both a huge plus for a film with this pedigree in visuals. Otherwise the attractions are fairly light, with some productions stills, and an interview of the animation director, except for a full presentation of the original Hayao Miyazaki storyboards, complete with soundtrack. And while the disc is not rated, there's only some mild language, so it would be most likely a PG-13 rating.