SUPER REAL NOTES - 12/28/07

With the new book, SUPER REAL VS THE MOVIE INDUSTRY, being at the distributor, and due in shops in the next couple weeks, I've released another set of preview pages for marketing it's release.

Here's the preview interface from the website, go ahead and click on it to link over to the actual preview.
I'll update the scheduled in store date as soon as I have it, but it's most likely next week.

STAY TUNED,
jason

MEANWHILE AT THE MOVIES... Bilbo strikes back!

Great news recently that New Line and Peter Jackson made up and that The Hobbit is back on track to be adapted as a feature. I loved Jackson's Lord of the Rings trilogy, but wasn't dead set on him returning for the Hobbit. I'm fine if he does, but wouldn't be against seeing someone new take a try at Tolkien. Well, looks like we'll get a bit of both, with Jackson on board to produce and drive it, but likely too busy with his current directorial commitments (Lovely Bones, and Tintin!, fucking Tintin!!).

But what I really love about The Hobbit, is the 1977 cartoon feature. That movie was up ther with Star Wars in terms of childhood loves, it was such a cool fantasy tale, all in amazing animation (with great music too)! I loved Gollum so much...

Any way, my buddy Grant Gould did a sketch recently from that movie, and I just had to color it, so thought I'd share that!

SUPER REAL NOTES - SRvsTheMovieIndustrySpecial

The new book is still held up at the printer, but the latest info should have it on track to be in shops by December 27th. As I get updated info I will pass it on, but the time is almost upon us, so it's time to crank up the hype machine...
This is a pinup from the incomparable Mr. Grant Gould, commercial artist, most notably contributing to just about every card set released in recent memory... turned into a new ad for the book - SUPER REAL VS THE MOVIE INDUSTRY #1!!

STAY TUNED,
Jason

TSL CATCH UP WEEK: DAY 3 - Make Mine Manga

EARTHLIGHT - Tokyopop

For my money, former Marvel editor Stuart Moore is perhaps one of the most underrated writers in comics, especially in terms of sci-fi. But then good sci-fi comics are undervalued... Here, Stuart creates a great concept, the colonization of the moon as a resource station for Earth, and the children of it's colonizers, and what it's like to grow up in that situation. Couple this with some strong manga/animation inspired artwork from Christopher Schons, and Earthlight is a top flight comic.

The first volume is also one of the strongest stories you'll find anywhere. However, the more recent second volume was not near as solid, and, as with most TPop OEL manga, the artwork is rushed at times.

RECOMMENDED

FREE RUNNERS - Seven Seas

The art by Rosero is pretty... but the story feels fairly derivative, almost as if it's the straight up swipe at Oh Great!'s AIR GEAR it appears to be on the surface. It's not bad though, especially if you're looking for something in that thrust.

MILDLY RECOMMENDED



KAMIYADORI - Tokyopop

Solid-if-familiar sci-fi story, interesting characters, and great art have me eager to return after volume 1.

Kei Sanbe's artwork and cyberpunk world are cool by me.

RECOMMENDED



KING CITY - Tokyopop

Brandom Graham is like the Fruity Pebbles of comics, a wacky but tasty choice. King City showcases his penchant for offbeat ideas, and funky imagery. Anything this man does is imaginative in spades! Roll up your sleeve and mainline some Graham today!

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED (In fact, I'd highly recommend anything this man does!)

SHAMAN WARRIOR - Dark Horse

A Korean manhwa fantasy battle epic with detailed, lush artwork, and pitch perfect combat action.

There's also some odd gender/orientation stuff going on around a baby that I haven't figured out yet...

RECOMMENDED


WITCHBLADE TAKERU - Top Cow

Manga or Anime adaptations of Witchblade?!? Yes please.

Besides being an interesting experiment in seeing a Western comic adapted as an Eastern manga, Top Cow’s dual release, in both full size color comic format serialization, or standard size b&w manga format is unique. I'm following the color comic format...

MILDLY RECOMMENDED

TSL CATCH UP WEEK: DAY 2 - Tales From Netflix

Another batch of passed by comic culture recommendations, this time from the DVD department...

DOA: DEAD OR ALIVE

This is not just a worthless video game movie built around cheesecake, it's actually a must see for comic book/anime fans! Is it pure fluff? Sure, but it knows that, and has a great time anyway!
Non-stop action, cool cinematography, and sleek design propel this fun thrill-ride!

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

EVIL ALIENS

This UK romp blends horror and sci-fi with plenty of in your face camp, gore, sex, and humor! The film opens with some graphic probing... you've been warned!!RECOMMENDED

MURDER PARTY

Quite simply the most innovative, riveting, and righteous film journey since PULP FICTION!

Yeah, it’s that good (though not AS good as Pulp Fiction mind you)!!

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED


PUZZLEHEAD

A purely cerebral sci-fi indie that draws you into the life of a scientist and his cyborg clone. That is to say, it's sci-fi, without any of the trappings, but only the ideas, and none of the budget or effects...

RECOMMENDED

SEVERANCE

Another UK blending of black comedy and horror setups. Unique and engaging (but much more mainstream than Evil Aliens).RECOMMENDED

WRONG TURN 2: DEAD END

Henry Rollins goes AHnuld on mutant hillbillies!!
You need more than that?!?This movie was a blast, and way better than the first!

RECOMMENDED

TSL CATCH UP WEEK: DAY 1 - I WATCH ANIME

All week long I'll be running down the comic culture items I've missed blogging about in recent months, or at least some of them. Today it's notes on some anime...

ERGO PROXY - ErgoProxyDVD.com

I mentioned this one when the DVD's first hit, but recently wrapped up the final volume...

Ergo starts out a noir sci-fi utopia mystery, that quickly gets deeper and more immersive than you expect. Not only is it visually stunning at times, Proxy’s a very rewarding thinker too.


GHOST IN THE SHELL: SOLID STATE SOCIETY - GhostInTheShell.tv

This movie length outing of Stand Alone Complex (the TV series take on the Shirow property), which is actually it's third (following two stellar full seasons of the TV series), was another solid entry, and brought this version more in line with where the orginal movie and manga character is at the end of their respective first volumes (there've been 2.5 manga volumes and 2 movies as well).

Confused? Don't be, any one of the three takes on Ghost In The Shell - manga, anime movie, or anime series - are landmark efforts, and are worth your time. Try any one of them, or if you're a fan of the this series, be sure and see this latest effort.



GODANNAR - ADVFilms.com

This series is a couple years old, but it just started running on Anime Network on-demand, and I'd been anxious to see it...

Giant robots served up sweet, with exta oomph all around, and super slick production. I'm a few episodes in and really enjoying it!