Go HERE now and check it out!
Monday, August 01, 2005
IN CASE U MISSED IT: SDCC from me to you 6
Been too busy to update lately, but just talked to my neighbor from San Diego Comic-Con (David Montoya of Yume Comics), and he's got a GREAT photo gallery of the con. Probably the best I've seen, especially of the show floor.
Go HERE now and check it out!
Go HERE now and check it out!
Thursday, July 28, 2005
IN CASE U MISSED IT: SDCC from me to you 5
Even though the next con, Wizard World Chicago (see me in artist alley 9169), is almost upon us, I'm still sharing some of the goods from San Diego.
We've already talked about that crazy manga kid (crazy cool), Felipe Smith's MBQ. Go to your local bookshop and grab that badboy!
And we peeked in on SHARKNIFE. Corey Lewis's truly inspired restaurant defending, monster smashing, fight comic. Also available in finer book shops.
Now it's time to talk about another book.
An art book.
But before you get all glazed over at the thought of some art history tome, filled with portraits and murals, this is a cool art book...
This is the latest limited art book from professional illustrator Celia Calle!
Volume No.2 "Pseudo"
If you're not familiar with the name, you might know the work. She did some comic covers for Marvel and Vertigo a couple years back, and her pro work is for some of the biggest in the biz.
Celia's got a style all of her own. A sexy, soft, inky, angular approach that moves all over the page. Looking at her work is kind of like viewing liquid mercury paintings of sexy girls, and guys. I also find her style similar to my all time fave, Peter Chung. Perhaps I need to find her influences...
Any way. Celia has been selling her stuff at San Diego Comic-Con since I've been going (this was my third year), and it was high time I picked up a book. I became an instant admirer the first time I saw the advance cover for Mekanix #1, Kitty Pride never looked so cool. The book I picked up is actually her second volume of illustrations. It's got 12 pages in a big over-sized, thick, rich, paper stock format. It's kind of like buying 12 prints for only $25.
I'd love to scan in some of the pages, but I don't want to damage the book on my user-un-friendly scanner. If you haven't seen her work, just do yourself a favor and check out her website HERE
We've already talked about that crazy manga kid (crazy cool), Felipe Smith's MBQ. Go to your local bookshop and grab that badboy!
And we peeked in on SHARKNIFE. Corey Lewis's truly inspired restaurant defending, monster smashing, fight comic. Also available in finer book shops.
Now it's time to talk about another book.
An art book.
But before you get all glazed over at the thought of some art history tome, filled with portraits and murals, this is a cool art book...
This is the latest limited art book from professional illustrator Celia Calle!
Volume No.2 "Pseudo"
If you're not familiar with the name, you might know the work. She did some comic covers for Marvel and Vertigo a couple years back, and her pro work is for some of the biggest in the biz.
Celia's got a style all of her own. A sexy, soft, inky, angular approach that moves all over the page. Looking at her work is kind of like viewing liquid mercury paintings of sexy girls, and guys. I also find her style similar to my all time fave, Peter Chung. Perhaps I need to find her influences...
Any way. Celia has been selling her stuff at San Diego Comic-Con since I've been going (this was my third year), and it was high time I picked up a book. I became an instant admirer the first time I saw the advance cover for Mekanix #1, Kitty Pride never looked so cool. The book I picked up is actually her second volume of illustrations. It's got 12 pages in a big over-sized, thick, rich, paper stock format. It's kind of like buying 12 prints for only $25.
I'd love to scan in some of the pages, but I don't want to damage the book on my user-un-friendly scanner. If you haven't seen her work, just do yourself a favor and check out her website HERE
IN CASE U MISSED IT: Just in case you're wondering...
The new J Scott Campbell joint drops (uh, sorry for the lingo)...
well just read the pic above!
J looks to bring back some fun and light-hearted fair to the game.
Can't wait!!
Wednesday, July 27, 2005
Super Real at Wizard World Chicago!
Taken from my DeviantArt journal:
It's comin up Wizard Chicago time...
My first trip to the mid-west Wizard con, the second biggest in the nation, and also a stones throw from some family.
WIZARD WORLD CHICAGO
August 4th-7th
DONALD E. STEPHENS
CONVENTION CENTER
Artist Alley 9169
That's where I'll be!
I'm hangin with a cool comics posse, but I hear tell that they got our requests in on the late side, so our tables got split up and I think we're in the new "annex". Shuffled off to some side "game room".
I'm thinking we'll make a sign that says "free beer in here... while supplies last" to direct traffic our way.
But HEY
Don't let any of that stop you from finding us, cause we're selling the last of our San Diego Con editions of the first issue. And before you go all, "you still have copies of that book from the SDCC? You must not be selling well!", I'll have you know we had to print up more for this show (alas, comiXpress couldn't turn around a special Wizard World cover in time)!
And while we're on the subject of my comic, Super Real. Keep your eyes peeled for the September Previews catalog, or on comic shops this November, because it will be making it's debut nationwide!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Yep
It's got a cool JOSH HOWARD variant cover an all that.
32 pages of my cool shit, and maybe even some ads from cool comics companies. FULL COLOR
All for the low low price of $3.25!!
TELL YOUR LOCAL COMICS RETAILER ALL ABOUT HOW F'ING COOL IT IS!
That's all for now 8)
STAY TUNED!!!
It's comin up Wizard Chicago time...
My first trip to the mid-west Wizard con, the second biggest in the nation, and also a stones throw from some family.
WIZARD WORLD CHICAGO
August 4th-7th
DONALD E. STEPHENS
CONVENTION CENTER
Artist Alley 9169
That's where I'll be!
I'm hangin with a cool comics posse, but I hear tell that they got our requests in on the late side, so our tables got split up and I think we're in the new "annex". Shuffled off to some side "game room".
I'm thinking we'll make a sign that says "free beer in here... while supplies last" to direct traffic our way.
But HEY
Don't let any of that stop you from finding us, cause we're selling the last of our San Diego Con editions of the first issue. And before you go all, "you still have copies of that book from the SDCC? You must not be selling well!", I'll have you know we had to print up more for this show (alas, comiXpress couldn't turn around a special Wizard World cover in time)!
And while we're on the subject of my comic, Super Real. Keep your eyes peeled for the September Previews catalog, or on comic shops this November, because it will be making it's debut nationwide!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Yep
It's got a cool JOSH HOWARD variant cover an all that.
32 pages of my cool shit, and maybe even some ads from cool comics companies. FULL COLOR
All for the low low price of $3.25!!
TELL YOUR LOCAL COMICS RETAILER ALL ABOUT HOW F'ING COOL IT IS!
That's all for now 8)
STAY TUNED!!!
Tuesday, July 26, 2005
IN CASE U MISSED IT: SDCC from me to you 4
Well the big piece of comic book heaven that is San Diego Comic-Con is getting to be a sweet sweet memory, as we're now more than a week removed, but I've still got some con goodies to share!
Next up, SHARKNIFE!
You've gotta say that with some pizzaz, SHARKNIFE, with some oomf, the title demands it, especially once you've read it.
Now Sharknife is not a new offering, it came out a few months back, but somehow my store missed my copy, and my reorder. This, on perhaps my most anticipated book of the year no less. If they weren't so good to me I'd skip shop...
but back to Sharknife!
I went ahead and scored my copy from Oni early one AM before the hall opened. I'd wanted to get a copy when the creator Corey Lewis was around, but in the madness that is exhibiting, I didn't want to take a chance that'd I'd miss picking one up altogether...
The first thing that grabs you about the book, is the incredible character design of it's titular character. Sharknife is the essence of cool, all pointy and aquatic, with seamless super hero design and punk rock elements all blended with an Eastern flair. He's way cool to look at
See what I mean?
And just like Popeye needed his spinach to get off, er ya know, bulk up, Sharknife needs a fortune cookie to transform from busboy Ceaser Halleluja to the Guangadong Factory's mystical protector! You see the Guangadong Factory is a giant restaurant that specializes in peach dumplings, but also is plagued with horrible creatures that spring from it's walls. That's a taste of the crazy-mad ideas at play here.
Corey's layouts and artwork are as wild and imaginative as the story, the book sings along as Sharknife defends the restaurant from one escalating attack to the next. My only complaint is that I wish the book were a bit bigger, or in color. I think Corey's (or the Reyyy as he's sometimes known) artwork would look just that much better. But I understand ONI's going for a manga thing here with the b&w paperback format. Maybe they just need a better binding so the pages don't overlap so much at the center...
But enough quibbling, if you're still reading, why haven't you clicked over to his site yet and checked out the book further?! Go on over HERE and have a look, NOW! Sharknife should be on everyone's must read list, it's too much fun, and has a broad appeal. I look forward to more, I'll just make sure my shop doesn't screw up next time!
An' hey, don't forget to peep the prior SDCC features if you haven't:
Felipe Smith's MBQ (see below)
Con Report
Con Photos
Next up, SHARKNIFE!
You've gotta say that with some pizzaz, SHARKNIFE, with some oomf, the title demands it, especially once you've read it.
Now Sharknife is not a new offering, it came out a few months back, but somehow my store missed my copy, and my reorder. This, on perhaps my most anticipated book of the year no less. If they weren't so good to me I'd skip shop...
but back to Sharknife!
I went ahead and scored my copy from Oni early one AM before the hall opened. I'd wanted to get a copy when the creator Corey Lewis was around, but in the madness that is exhibiting, I didn't want to take a chance that'd I'd miss picking one up altogether...
The first thing that grabs you about the book, is the incredible character design of it's titular character. Sharknife is the essence of cool, all pointy and aquatic, with seamless super hero design and punk rock elements all blended with an Eastern flair. He's way cool to look at
See what I mean?
And just like Popeye needed his spinach to get off, er ya know, bulk up, Sharknife needs a fortune cookie to transform from busboy Ceaser Halleluja to the Guangadong Factory's mystical protector! You see the Guangadong Factory is a giant restaurant that specializes in peach dumplings, but also is plagued with horrible creatures that spring from it's walls. That's a taste of the crazy-mad ideas at play here.
Corey's layouts and artwork are as wild and imaginative as the story, the book sings along as Sharknife defends the restaurant from one escalating attack to the next. My only complaint is that I wish the book were a bit bigger, or in color. I think Corey's (or the Reyyy as he's sometimes known) artwork would look just that much better. But I understand ONI's going for a manga thing here with the b&w paperback format. Maybe they just need a better binding so the pages don't overlap so much at the center...
But enough quibbling, if you're still reading, why haven't you clicked over to his site yet and checked out the book further?! Go on over HERE and have a look, NOW! Sharknife should be on everyone's must read list, it's too much fun, and has a broad appeal. I look forward to more, I'll just make sure my shop doesn't screw up next time!
An' hey, don't forget to peep the prior SDCC features if you haven't:
Felipe Smith's MBQ (see below)
Con Report
Con Photos
Monday, July 25, 2005
MEANWHILE AT THE MOVIES... The Devils Rejects escape from the House of 1000 Corpses!
The second Rob Zombie movie, The Devils Rejects is out in theatres, and I felt a burning need to go back and see his first film, House of 1000 Corpses.
The first viewing, when it came out on DVD was a memorable experience. I found the characters, settings, and directing, wildy and visually imaginative. From Captain Spaulding - the explosive foul mouthed roadside attraction clown clerk, Baby - the gleefully laughing murderous amazon blonde, to the straight-from-comics design of the mysterious Dr. Satan, to the climatic flight of one of the unfortunate "kids" dressed in Alice in Wonderland motif. House had tons of images and scenes that stick with you long after the film, and for me, it filled me with a nervous energy at what would transpire next, like most horror films should, but never do. Really the only horror movie to affect me in that way since my youth. That by itself is reason enough to herald the film, as I like and watch a lot of horror movies, but none are actually scary.
The second time through the film was still thoroughly enjoyable, and it's primed my thirst for the sequel even more. Or as Sid Haig, the actor who played Captain Spaulding (pictured above) in the first film, told my wife at San Diego Comic Con, "The Devils Rejects isn't a sequel, it's a continuation of the first film, it picks up the story where House of 1000 Corpses left off."
House of 1000 Corpses is the "Pulp Fiction" of horror films, an explosive, raunchy, character filled film, with visionary direction. Check it out if you haven't (and you have a strong stomach)...
Go HERE to IMDB.com for more info.
The first viewing, when it came out on DVD was a memorable experience. I found the characters, settings, and directing, wildy and visually imaginative. From Captain Spaulding - the explosive foul mouthed roadside attraction clown clerk, Baby - the gleefully laughing murderous amazon blonde, to the straight-from-comics design of the mysterious Dr. Satan, to the climatic flight of one of the unfortunate "kids" dressed in Alice in Wonderland motif. House had tons of images and scenes that stick with you long after the film, and for me, it filled me with a nervous energy at what would transpire next, like most horror films should, but never do. Really the only horror movie to affect me in that way since my youth. That by itself is reason enough to herald the film, as I like and watch a lot of horror movies, but none are actually scary.
The second time through the film was still thoroughly enjoyable, and it's primed my thirst for the sequel even more. Or as Sid Haig, the actor who played Captain Spaulding (pictured above) in the first film, told my wife at San Diego Comic Con, "The Devils Rejects isn't a sequel, it's a continuation of the first film, it picks up the story where House of 1000 Corpses left off."
House of 1000 Corpses is the "Pulp Fiction" of horror films, an explosive, raunchy, character filled film, with visionary direction. Check it out if you haven't (and you have a strong stomach)...
Go HERE to IMDB.com for more info.
TALES FROM NETFLIX
Tales From Netflix are DVD reviews, where I tell you if a DVD is worth putting in your Netflix rental queue, moving it to the top, burying it at the bottom, or not even bothering in the first place.
CONSTANTINE
Constantine starts off really well, and features a ton of great cinematography, directing, and effects, the story's halfway decent too. I'm not at all familiar with the comic, having never picked it up, so I can't say how badly the movie followed it (but I hear it's not very faithful, no pun intended).
A little bit Blade, a little bit MIB/Hellboy, but yet different enough to entice. Keanu worked well for me in this role (again, don't know the original character), and I thought it was one of his better performances. Unfortunately by the end though, I found it dragging on a bit.
I'd still recommend you move Constantine to the top of your QUEUE
HELLRAISER VII: DEADER
My wife had on Hellraiser VI not too long ago, on digital cable on-demand, and it was a decent watch. I'd never really seen many of the Hellraiser movies, and didn't realize they were more phychological than overt horror.
VII is in that vein, this time we have a female journalist protagonist exploring a new bizzare cult in the UK.
It's watchable, but not much more. Put it at the bottom of your QUEUE
IMMORTAL
I caught a glimpse of Immortal via the DVD review on G4TV's Attack of the Show, and the cg/live action sci-fi premise was all I needed to queue this one up...
Turns out Immortal is a French (I believe) adaptation of a Graphic Album (European comic book), and the premise is as dizzying as the reviewers led me to believe. Just know that there are ancient gods come to future Earth in their hovering pyramid, and the story unfolds from there.
Immortal was visually stunning, and totaly immersive. The mix of CG and live action is a bit odd, mostly along the lines of Sky Captain, where you have live actors in front of cg effects, but also includes a fair amount of CG characters. So some scenes actually feature live actors with CG actors, all human/humanoid... odd.
Immortal is very similar in spirit to The Fifth Element, both being European sci-fi. Go ahead and move it to the top of your QUEUE. It's a great experience.
CONSTANTINE
Constantine starts off really well, and features a ton of great cinematography, directing, and effects, the story's halfway decent too. I'm not at all familiar with the comic, having never picked it up, so I can't say how badly the movie followed it (but I hear it's not very faithful, no pun intended).
A little bit Blade, a little bit MIB/Hellboy, but yet different enough to entice. Keanu worked well for me in this role (again, don't know the original character), and I thought it was one of his better performances. Unfortunately by the end though, I found it dragging on a bit.
I'd still recommend you move Constantine to the top of your QUEUE
HELLRAISER VII: DEADER
My wife had on Hellraiser VI not too long ago, on digital cable on-demand, and it was a decent watch. I'd never really seen many of the Hellraiser movies, and didn't realize they were more phychological than overt horror.
VII is in that vein, this time we have a female journalist protagonist exploring a new bizzare cult in the UK.
It's watchable, but not much more. Put it at the bottom of your QUEUE
IMMORTAL
I caught a glimpse of Immortal via the DVD review on G4TV's Attack of the Show, and the cg/live action sci-fi premise was all I needed to queue this one up...
Turns out Immortal is a French (I believe) adaptation of a Graphic Album (European comic book), and the premise is as dizzying as the reviewers led me to believe. Just know that there are ancient gods come to future Earth in their hovering pyramid, and the story unfolds from there.
Immortal was visually stunning, and totaly immersive. The mix of CG and live action is a bit odd, mostly along the lines of Sky Captain, where you have live actors in front of cg effects, but also includes a fair amount of CG characters. So some scenes actually feature live actors with CG actors, all human/humanoid... odd.
Immortal is very similar in spirit to The Fifth Element, both being European sci-fi. Go ahead and move it to the top of your QUEUE. It's a great experience.
Thursday, July 21, 2005
IN CASE U MISSED IT: SDCC from me to you 3
Yesterday we covered some insider tips for navigating San Diego and the con.
HERE
Before that I shared some pics of crazy characters at the table.
HERE
Today, we begin to talk about some of the cool books I picked up at the show. Though admittedly, these books weren't necessarily new or unique to the show, they're mostly one's my shopp'd missed for me that I'd been dying to get my hands on.
Up first we have MBQ, the new TokyoPop manga from Felipe Smith, a US creator (or manga-ka) of Jamaican-Argentine decent.
I'd featured MBQ on TSL previously, since I'd had my eye on Felipe after seeing his original manga, Money, from an internet contest a ways back.
Felipe works in a bold manga flavored style, with some SERIOUS storytelling chops, and a wicked cool filter. MBQ and the characters within spring to life, it's more like being in the scenes than reading them. Felipe's talent for immersing you into the story and making you feel the work is astounding. This worked to especially strong effect in one scene where he had a girl throwing up, but the way it's played, at first you're not sure what's going on, he takes you on the ride with her, til she drunkingly spews all over herself in a hallway halfway to the restroom...
Oh yeah, MBQ does not play it safe, it lives over the edge, as much as it explores all the little details inbetween.
MBQ is at heart though, a character piece, filled with several diverse, unique characters; from the artist Omario (who appears to be patterned at least loosely around Felipe), to the massive MBQ star employee (and I do mean massive) Jeff, to the over the top Irish wunderkind police officer O'Malley, they're all fully realized. At this point in the story, he's just setting up all the players, we're not really sure where they're going yet.
Felipe even manages to get in some thoughts on the state of US comics, be they traditional or manga, and some good natured nudging for others to fully explore the MEDIUM. No wonder I like this guy so much. Or maybe I'm biased after meeting him at the con, and seeing he's just as wild, cool, and engaging in person as his craft. Either way, check out MBQ, it's a strong first effort and volume, leaving me just as anxious for more Felipe as I was coming in!
You can check out more of the man and the book HERE at his website, or go HERE to dig on the book at TokyoPop!
HERE
Before that I shared some pics of crazy characters at the table.
HERE
Today, we begin to talk about some of the cool books I picked up at the show. Though admittedly, these books weren't necessarily new or unique to the show, they're mostly one's my shopp'd missed for me that I'd been dying to get my hands on.
Up first we have MBQ, the new TokyoPop manga from Felipe Smith, a US creator (or manga-ka) of Jamaican-Argentine decent.
I'd featured MBQ on TSL previously, since I'd had my eye on Felipe after seeing his original manga, Money, from an internet contest a ways back.
Felipe works in a bold manga flavored style, with some SERIOUS storytelling chops, and a wicked cool filter. MBQ and the characters within spring to life, it's more like being in the scenes than reading them. Felipe's talent for immersing you into the story and making you feel the work is astounding. This worked to especially strong effect in one scene where he had a girl throwing up, but the way it's played, at first you're not sure what's going on, he takes you on the ride with her, til she drunkingly spews all over herself in a hallway halfway to the restroom...
Oh yeah, MBQ does not play it safe, it lives over the edge, as much as it explores all the little details inbetween.
MBQ is at heart though, a character piece, filled with several diverse, unique characters; from the artist Omario (who appears to be patterned at least loosely around Felipe), to the massive MBQ star employee (and I do mean massive) Jeff, to the over the top Irish wunderkind police officer O'Malley, they're all fully realized. At this point in the story, he's just setting up all the players, we're not really sure where they're going yet.
Felipe even manages to get in some thoughts on the state of US comics, be they traditional or manga, and some good natured nudging for others to fully explore the MEDIUM. No wonder I like this guy so much. Or maybe I'm biased after meeting him at the con, and seeing he's just as wild, cool, and engaging in person as his craft. Either way, check out MBQ, it's a strong first effort and volume, leaving me just as anxious for more Felipe as I was coming in!
You can check out more of the man and the book HERE at his website, or go HERE to dig on the book at TokyoPop!
Wednesday, July 20, 2005
IN CASE U MISSED IT: SDCC from me to you 2
Yesterday I showed you a sampling of pics of some of the cool characters running around the mega-show!
HERE
Today we have a full CON REPORT for you!!
HERE
Find out all the inside tips on setting up at the show, hotels, food, and more!
Tune in tomorrow as I start to share some of the goodies I scored at the con!!
Tuesday, July 19, 2005
IN CASE U MISSED IT: SDCC from me to you
Over the next few days I'll be sharing a ton of fun from the big San Diego Comic-Con 2005.
Including:
- A photo parade of all the oddities that pass by your table during the show
- A con wrap up with all the inside info for those who haven't been
- And last but not least, I'll share some of the cool swag I picked up at the show!
So to kick things off, click HERE for some photos!
Tune in tomorrow for the con report, with even more photo-ey goodness, and maybe even some tips for you newbies out there!!
Monday, July 18, 2005
MEANWHILE AT THE MOVIES... Fantastic Four of the Worlds
Just wanted to report in on the movie viewing we took in during our Anaheim vacation prior to the big San Diego con thing...
First up
The Fantastic Four
Not even the happiest place on earth could keep me from checking out Kirby and Lee's foursome on the big screen (not to mention the horrible buzz), so we went ahead and took in the show on the opening weekend.
It was everything I'd feared, horrible directing, and a hodgepodge dumb-ass script. However, it did have it's moments of fun, with the dude playing the Torch standing out as the best performance, followed closely by the Nip Tuck dude saddled by the horrible made-for-TV version of Doom, and Chiklis would've been perfect if not for the terrible, browless, rubber-suited thing (yes, you see the rubber wrinkle every time he moves his head).
Oh my god, and don't even get me started on the horrible, wretched scenes with Ben Grimm's fiancee...
I think it's quite amusing that week one's numbers were heralded for saving Hollywood, and that week two was on track for a 68% drop (or some such) in revenue. All the comic fans went regardless of the reviews the first week, and the rest of America apparently listened and stopped showing up...
Next
War of the Worlds
I wanted to check this out in the theatres when it came out, but a couple weeks later when my wife suggested it on the trip, I was not so excited. But I am not one to turn down a chance to go to the movies...
I'm glad we went. I had a really fun time watching the movie. Spielberg and the actors made the events transpiring on the screen big and engrossing. The movie clipped along with the Cruise family dodging lasers left and right and only falling into a couple weak moments.
The ending was too Hollywood, and some of the later scenes of alien effects were a touch on the cheesy side, but all in all it was a total blast! No, not a great movie, but a fun one...
First up
The Fantastic Four
Not even the happiest place on earth could keep me from checking out Kirby and Lee's foursome on the big screen (not to mention the horrible buzz), so we went ahead and took in the show on the opening weekend.
It was everything I'd feared, horrible directing, and a hodgepodge dumb-ass script. However, it did have it's moments of fun, with the dude playing the Torch standing out as the best performance, followed closely by the Nip Tuck dude saddled by the horrible made-for-TV version of Doom, and Chiklis would've been perfect if not for the terrible, browless, rubber-suited thing (yes, you see the rubber wrinkle every time he moves his head).
Oh my god, and don't even get me started on the horrible, wretched scenes with Ben Grimm's fiancee...
I think it's quite amusing that week one's numbers were heralded for saving Hollywood, and that week two was on track for a 68% drop (or some such) in revenue. All the comic fans went regardless of the reviews the first week, and the rest of America apparently listened and stopped showing up...
Next
War of the Worlds
I wanted to check this out in the theatres when it came out, but a couple weeks later when my wife suggested it on the trip, I was not so excited. But I am not one to turn down a chance to go to the movies...
I'm glad we went. I had a really fun time watching the movie. Spielberg and the actors made the events transpiring on the screen big and engrossing. The movie clipped along with the Cruise family dodging lasers left and right and only falling into a couple weak moments.
The ending was too Hollywood, and some of the later scenes of alien effects were a touch on the cheesy side, but all in all it was a total blast! No, not a great movie, but a fun one...
Wednesday, July 13, 2005
TSL is MIA?
If you've been missing updates for TSL, stay tuned...
I'm currently at the big San Diego Comic Con, so new updates will return the week of the 18th!!
Look for my wrap up of the nation's biggest pop culture con!
I'm currently at the big San Diego Comic Con, so new updates will return the week of the 18th!!
Look for my wrap up of the nation's biggest pop culture con!
Wednesday, July 06, 2005
COMICS SHIPPING TOMORROW
Due to the fireworks festivities, new comics hit tomorrow.
Here's a look at some of the highlights (click HERE to see the whole shebang at Diamond):
VILLAINS UNITED #2 SECOND PTG - Enjoyed the first issue, but missed the first printing of number two, so I'll be picking this up...
Y THE LAST MAN #35 - Great series!
BATTLE POPE COLOR #1 - I might pick this up...
BONEREST #1 - Been looking forward to this, heard great things about it long before it was translated and released by Image...
STRANGE GIRL #2 - After hearing and seeing so much of the first issue, I was a bit let down, hopefully number two will pick up the slack...
WILDGUARD FOOLS GOLD #1 (OF 2) - That OTHER reality TV comic. But seriously, I had the pleasure of being next to Mr. Nauck at the WWLA con, and he's a great guy... consequently, so's his book!
FANTASTIC FOUR HOUSE OF M #1
HOUSE OF M #3
IRON MAN HOUSE OF M #1 - Whole lot'a House of M... Heard good things about FF and Iron Man, and still waiting for some semblence of a story in the main book (if we don't get one now, I may bail)...
SHANNA THE SHE DEVIL #6 - Great, gorgeous, stuff!
ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN #79 - The only Spidey for me (if you don't count New Avengers)
Here's a look at some of the highlights (click HERE to see the whole shebang at Diamond):
VILLAINS UNITED #2 SECOND PTG - Enjoyed the first issue, but missed the first printing of number two, so I'll be picking this up...
Y THE LAST MAN #35 - Great series!
BATTLE POPE COLOR #1 - I might pick this up...
BONEREST #1 - Been looking forward to this, heard great things about it long before it was translated and released by Image...
STRANGE GIRL #2 - After hearing and seeing so much of the first issue, I was a bit let down, hopefully number two will pick up the slack...
WILDGUARD FOOLS GOLD #1 (OF 2) - That OTHER reality TV comic. But seriously, I had the pleasure of being next to Mr. Nauck at the WWLA con, and he's a great guy... consequently, so's his book!
FANTASTIC FOUR HOUSE OF M #1
HOUSE OF M #3
IRON MAN HOUSE OF M #1 - Whole lot'a House of M... Heard good things about FF and Iron Man, and still waiting for some semblence of a story in the main book (if we don't get one now, I may bail)...
SHANNA THE SHE DEVIL #6 - Great, gorgeous, stuff!
ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN #79 - The only Spidey for me (if you don't count New Avengers)
I SAW IT ON TV: Real World flow chart of love...
One thing is clear after watching the third episode of the Real World Austin, it's hard to keep straight who's attracted to who. So in an effort to help those of you who may be struggling to keep up, here's a chart that show's the latest... (red arrows are denials, etc.)
Tuesday, July 05, 2005
TALES FROM NETFLIX
Tales From Netflix are DVD reviews, where I tell you if a DVD is worth putting in your Netflix rental queue, moving it to the top, burying it at the bottom, or not even bothering in the first place.
This is a new format, instead of updating with single reviews for DVDs I've watched via Netflix, I'll put out one list of reviews per week. This way, instead of skipping reviews for movies I don't feel like talking about, I can give a quick word for all of them, and get you the appropriate Netflix queue levels!
CURSED - Unrated/Uncut
Cursed is the latest horror flick from genre innovator Wes Craven. Cursed felt very much like it was striving for the same successful formula of the first Scream film, but it misses that mark by a wide amount. You have the Hollywood backdrop standing in for the horror cliches, Shannon Elizabeth for the opening death sequence instead of Drew Barrymore, and even Scott Baio filling in for the Fonz.
What you don't get is a good movie. Instead you get a very predictable, incredibly obvious script. The only highlights of the film are the sequence when Mya is being chased by the Werewolf in the parking garage elevator, and the brief scene with Craig Kilborn.
Don't put this one in your queue.
Oh yeah, and one of the main characters is a high school nerd, so of course his bedroom is littered with comic books!
D.E.B.S.
DEBS is a DVD I came across in an online review section, that I'd otherwise never heard of. The concept being that the SAT's are used to cull an elite percetage of those predispositioned to spying, and in this case focusing on group of the girls finishing up the schooling that the chosen must complete. Basically, yet another spin on the spy genre, and more on the spoof side.
There is nothing groundbreaking to be found, but the concept, charcters, actors, and set up are all fun. Otherwise the movie really flounders, with next to no plot. If you are inclined to fun characters, schoolgirls, spy genre, etc., it's still a worthwhile view. It also features a pretty decent soundtrack.
Put DEBS in the middle of your queue.
HOSTAGE
Hostage is a return to familiar territory for Bruce Willis, the cop-with-family-in-danger genre. This time, instead of saving a high rise, or airport, or city, Willis must save families from a home invasion hostage situation.
The first half of the movie plays out well, and has quite a few clever twists, but from that point on it gets more and more ridiculous until by the end, it's laugh out loud bad.
I think they could've saved this one and had a smart simple little movie if they'd played for a more straightforward resolution, and cut out about a half hour of the bullshit ending. It's too bad, could've been a good little movie...
Put Hostage in the bottom of your queue.
This is a new format, instead of updating with single reviews for DVDs I've watched via Netflix, I'll put out one list of reviews per week. This way, instead of skipping reviews for movies I don't feel like talking about, I can give a quick word for all of them, and get you the appropriate Netflix queue levels!
CURSED - Unrated/Uncut
Cursed is the latest horror flick from genre innovator Wes Craven. Cursed felt very much like it was striving for the same successful formula of the first Scream film, but it misses that mark by a wide amount. You have the Hollywood backdrop standing in for the horror cliches, Shannon Elizabeth for the opening death sequence instead of Drew Barrymore, and even Scott Baio filling in for the Fonz.
What you don't get is a good movie. Instead you get a very predictable, incredibly obvious script. The only highlights of the film are the sequence when Mya is being chased by the Werewolf in the parking garage elevator, and the brief scene with Craig Kilborn.
Don't put this one in your queue.
Oh yeah, and one of the main characters is a high school nerd, so of course his bedroom is littered with comic books!
D.E.B.S.
DEBS is a DVD I came across in an online review section, that I'd otherwise never heard of. The concept being that the SAT's are used to cull an elite percetage of those predispositioned to spying, and in this case focusing on group of the girls finishing up the schooling that the chosen must complete. Basically, yet another spin on the spy genre, and more on the spoof side.
There is nothing groundbreaking to be found, but the concept, charcters, actors, and set up are all fun. Otherwise the movie really flounders, with next to no plot. If you are inclined to fun characters, schoolgirls, spy genre, etc., it's still a worthwhile view. It also features a pretty decent soundtrack.
Put DEBS in the middle of your queue.
HOSTAGE
Hostage is a return to familiar territory for Bruce Willis, the cop-with-family-in-danger genre. This time, instead of saving a high rise, or airport, or city, Willis must save families from a home invasion hostage situation.
The first half of the movie plays out well, and has quite a few clever twists, but from that point on it gets more and more ridiculous until by the end, it's laugh out loud bad.
I think they could've saved this one and had a smart simple little movie if they'd played for a more straightforward resolution, and cut out about a half hour of the bullshit ending. It's too bad, could've been a good little movie...
Put Hostage in the bottom of your queue.
IN CASE U MISSED IT: CBG gets WWW
Comics Buyers Guide is the long running industry newspaper that recently changed formats to become a news-magazine. Now, since they made the change in format (what's going on 1 or 2 years, I forget), I haven't noticed CBG in virtually any comic shops (same as with the newspaper), but I have noticed them on quite a few newsstands. Now the baffling lack of direct market penetration aside, CBG has thrown into the comics internet community with the newly launched CBGXTRA.COM.
I haven't had a chance to dig into it yet, but at first glance it looks like yet another site to fish out news items from the comics industry, with perhaps a focus on community. Go see for yourselves HERE
I haven't had a chance to dig into it yet, but at first glance it looks like yet another site to fish out news items from the comics industry, with perhaps a focus on community. Go see for yourselves HERE
Thursday, June 30, 2005
It's a dead man's party...
Well, I couldn't make the swanky LA party (stupid giant Earth!), but I did hit the now live message boards...
There was talk of tacos and enpanadas.
The bottom line?
Check out the cool new website home of El Muerto, Aztec Zombie goodness, now on the internets!
Click the pic for some Muerto madness!
IN CASE U MISSED IT: PSPcmx taking over?
BronkenFrontier.com today has a feature on PSPcmx.com, the recent website that offers comics for the Playstation Portable.
The write up doesn't really offer anything beyond cursory information for the startup, or any insights into the emerging format, but it is good to hear more on the topic. I'm not a PSP owner, nor do I run in circles of those who are (yet?), so it's hard for my to gauge if this is even something that community is more than passively aware of (comics for the PSP). It's hard to deny the potential though, and that's mainly what this piece touches on.
Check it out HERE
The write up doesn't really offer anything beyond cursory information for the startup, or any insights into the emerging format, but it is good to hear more on the topic. I'm not a PSP owner, nor do I run in circles of those who are (yet?), so it's hard for my to gauge if this is even something that community is more than passively aware of (comics for the PSP). It's hard to deny the potential though, and that's mainly what this piece touches on.
Check it out HERE
Wednesday, June 29, 2005
IN CASE U MISSED IT: Aphrodite IX anime trailer
Buzzscope.com recently added a cool new news feature, a daily roundup of comic happenings from the web, with extra insights and pics.
One of the items they touched on yesterday was an Aphrodite IX trailer up on the Top Cow site. Go HERE to view the anime trailer for the Top Cow property. It's pretty cool. Hopefully this is a full length anime coming soon...
One of the items they touched on yesterday was an Aphrodite IX trailer up on the Top Cow site. Go HERE to view the anime trailer for the Top Cow property. It's pretty cool. Hopefully this is a full length anime coming soon...
COMICS IN STORES TODAY
It's that special day once again...
Click HERE for the complete list of what's due in stores today from Diamond Comics Distributors!
Or check out these highlights:
PREVIEWS VOL XV #7 - Preorder, all the cool kids do it!
YOUNG AVENGERS #5 - Good stuff, Heinberg's crafting a great story and solid new characters
GI JOE AMERICAS ELITE #1 - The new #0 taste was pretty good, I'll check this out a little more...
MR T #1 - Oh boy, I'll rubberneck this one...
SHAUN OF THE DEAD #1 - Not sure we need a comic for this, but I'll peek...
Click HERE for the complete list of what's due in stores today from Diamond Comics Distributors!
Or check out these highlights:
PREVIEWS VOL XV #7 - Preorder, all the cool kids do it!
YOUNG AVENGERS #5 - Good stuff, Heinberg's crafting a great story and solid new characters
GI JOE AMERICAS ELITE #1 - The new #0 taste was pretty good, I'll check this out a little more...
MR T #1 - Oh boy, I'll rubberneck this one...
SHAUN OF THE DEAD #1 - Not sure we need a comic for this, but I'll peek...
I WATCH ANIME: Champloo, watch, repeat?
Samurai Champloo is a stylish anime to be certain. From the concept, mixing classic Japanese samurai legends with modern hip hop, to the animation, which is always rendered with quality and flair. It's also got legions of fans, and quite a strong buzz.
I'm now through the second volume of the series on DVD, and I'm a bit unsure what all the hooplah's about though... It's a solid show, and a fresh concept, but just as with Cowboy Bebop (from the same creator), I don't really get the fascination? For me it's good stuff, just not the best, like so many others make it out to be. As with Bebop, the characters don't really draw me in, and I suspect that's my main problem. I just find them to be mildly interesting.
Overall though, Samurai Champloo is a great anime, you can't go wrong. Catch it either on DVD or Cartoon Network and see for yourself, maybe you'll join the legions of Champloo worshipers...
Tuesday, June 28, 2005
TALES FROM NETFLIX: Hitch 'em up!
Tales From Netflix are DVD reviews, where I tell you if a DVD is worth putting in your Netflix rental queue, moving it to the top, burying it at the bottom, or not even bothering in the first place.
First off, it was really hard to actually watch this movie, I wanted to see it, but it was still hard to talk myself into actively plugging the DVD into the machine. Once I got over that hang up, I found Hitch to be a very well written, fun movie. With Will Smith finally back in a role that allows him to shine. Though the movie got a bit caught up in itself towards the end, it was still an enjoyable experience.
Add Hitch to the middle of your queue.
First off, it was really hard to actually watch this movie, I wanted to see it, but it was still hard to talk myself into actively plugging the DVD into the machine. Once I got over that hang up, I found Hitch to be a very well written, fun movie. With Will Smith finally back in a role that allows him to shine. Though the movie got a bit caught up in itself towards the end, it was still an enjoyable experience.
Add Hitch to the middle of your queue.
Sunday, June 26, 2005
MEANWHILE AT THE MOVIES... Batman Begins
Batman Begins was released with a lot of favorable industry and critical buzz, as well as being helmed by a successful director and featuring a cast of solid actors, so expectations were a bit high. That said, I always know it's dangerous to have high expectations, because with Hollywood, it's all too easy to be let down. It's much better to have low expectations, and be pleasantly surprised. In this case, the movie did not live up to the hype, at all.
That's not to say it wasn't a good movie, or that I didn't enjoy it. I just had more problems with it than I would've liked, to make it a movie I really favor.
To me, Batman Begins is probably my third favorite Batman film, behind Batman Forever, and the original Tim Burton. While Tim Burton's original was a bit too slow and long overall, the spirit and approach was magical, really capturing, or creating it's own Bat mythos, and while Schumacher's take on the caped crusader was widely panned (and deservedly so with Batman and Robin), I thought his Batman Forever was a fun comic romp, that's cast really took flight.
Batman Begins strength is in it's faithful, more serious approach, but I think that's also what kept the film from ever really clicking for me. In fact, much of the movie missed it's mark for me. From the cast; Christian Bale is a great actor, but he seemed to be a bit too subdued in his portrayal (then at times spot on, like when he goes all out, and his Batman was howling at criminals), and Katie Holmes is a genuinely likeable actress, that is a bit robbed of that in her thinner frame. To the Bat suit, I really think they really should've taken this new direction in the film series to come up with a different approach, the rubber muscles and cowl just don't work for me, every time Batman's on screen, I find myself taken out of the film, staring at the eye-makeup under the cowl and such. Then there's the quotes the movie drops and picks up through-out, at times painfully trite, and others fabulously successful, if the screenwriters would've just limited trimmed down on those, they would have been a great success (like when Bruce quotes back something to Rutger Hower's character at the end).
Then there's the action/fighting sequences, with the same problem as Star Wars Episode III, they're filmed too tight and blurry to follow. Which for me, kind of sums up the movie, there was a lot good going on in the film, but just as much that detracted from that, so that I couldn't ever get fully engaged.
Saturday, June 25, 2005
I WATCH ANIME: Tenjho Tenge
After all the uproar online about the editing of the CMX version of this manga, I'd hesitated to check it out in that format, but after seeing the favorable review for the anime in the recent issue of Play Magazine, I decided to give that version a try.
At first, I wasn't particularly drawn into the anime. The first episode was decent enough, featuring some great animation and kinetic action, but also featruing some run of the mil anime-type characters and situations. However, after finishing off the rest of the volume one DVD, four episodes, the series really starts to take shape and I found myself buying in more to the cast and situations. The animation and style is pretty strong throughout.
While there's nothing groundbreaking here, there is a lot of fun to be had in the moments of battle between the classmates the story's centered around, and I can certainly see that escalating as the story goes on. Tenjho Tenge is worth another view for volume two, from there we'll see.
You can learn more about the series HERE
Friday, June 24, 2005
I SAW IT ON TV: The Real World VS Austin TX... FIGHT!
Oh yeah, I watched the season debut of THE REAL WORLD the other day, and forgot to blog about it...
It's like season 16 or whatever, I lost track, and also of late for the first time, stopped following every episode. Any more, a bunch of kids locked in an Ikea loft is hit or miss for me, I must be getting old. I mean shit, I exceeded the age cut-off for application going on a decade ago...
But I digress...
This season, Austin, got off to a crazy start. Not only is there like a love sextet (that's six as opposed to the usual triangle of three), there's beat downs in the street! This cast is about as combustible as any ever assembled from the looks of things, so this season might be a keeper.
Tune in Tuesdays at 10 on the Mtv, and then come by TSL for my rundown (if the show stays watchable, either way, gots ta do my research!).
It's like season 16 or whatever, I lost track, and also of late for the first time, stopped following every episode. Any more, a bunch of kids locked in an Ikea loft is hit or miss for me, I must be getting old. I mean shit, I exceeded the age cut-off for application going on a decade ago...
But I digress...
This season, Austin, got off to a crazy start. Not only is there like a love sextet (that's six as opposed to the usual triangle of three), there's beat downs in the street! This cast is about as combustible as any ever assembled from the looks of things, so this season might be a keeper.
Tune in Tuesdays at 10 on the Mtv, and then come by TSL for my rundown (if the show stays watchable, either way, gots ta do my research!).
Wednesday, June 22, 2005
COMICS IN STORES TODAY
Click on over to Diamond for the full LIST of comics hitting shops today.
Here are the highlights:
HOUSE OF M #2 - We can only hope this is an improvement over last issue...
LIVEWIRES #5 (OF 6) - My favorite book right now, AGAIN, PLEASE TRY THIS ONE IF YOU HAVEN'T!
NEW AVENGERS #6 - I'm enjoying this one so far...
BATTLE ROYALE VOL 13 GN - Great, twisted, manga...
DOC FRANKENSTEIN #3 - Skroce is a comics master
KILLER STUNTS INC #2 - High octane fun
LEXIAN CHRONICLES FULL CIRCLE #1 - The art on this series looked phenom
MBQ - Felipe Smith is a rising manga talent, and this is his firt full length
Big week!
Here are the highlights:
HOUSE OF M #2 - We can only hope this is an improvement over last issue...
LIVEWIRES #5 (OF 6) - My favorite book right now, AGAIN, PLEASE TRY THIS ONE IF YOU HAVEN'T!
NEW AVENGERS #6 - I'm enjoying this one so far...
BATTLE ROYALE VOL 13 GN - Great, twisted, manga...
DOC FRANKENSTEIN #3 - Skroce is a comics master
KILLER STUNTS INC #2 - High octane fun
LEXIAN CHRONICLES FULL CIRCLE #1 - The art on this series looked phenom
MBQ - Felipe Smith is a rising manga talent, and this is his firt full length
Big week!
Tuesday, June 21, 2005
IN CASE U MISSED IT: Ultimate perm
Marvel released preview pages from the upcoming first issue of Ultimate Fantastic Four by Mark Millar and Greg Land today. The pages looked really good, but the panels with Johnny Storm, aka The Human Torch, stood out, for obvious reasons...
Not only is Johnny rocking a lame new hairdo, but it's the opposite of the one featured in the movie due out next month...
So much for synergy.
But hey, when you can throw a golden perm on a character, to make them more "ultimate", why pass that up?
Not only is Johnny rocking a lame new hairdo, but it's the opposite of the one featured in the movie due out next month...
So much for synergy.
But hey, when you can throw a golden perm on a character, to make them more "ultimate", why pass that up?
Monday, June 20, 2005
IN CASE U MISSED IT: Tears for the clown...
Veteran comics scribe and long time industry insider, not to mention self-proclaimed manly man, Beau Smith has a column over on SilverBulletComicBooks.com called Busted Knuckles. Today's installment muses on the state of comic book writing, specifically focusing on humor, or the lack thereof in today's books. He even goes so far as to put out a call to arms of sorts, for readers to really think twice about their purchases, as Beau says,
"Do this for me. Here in the next couple of weeks really read what you've bought. Forget the web hype and the Top Ten writers lists. Try not to think of the character as one you've known for 30 years. Is the writing giving you characters you like. Characters you care about. Characters you want to invest your time with."
His point being, so often collectors put their buying habits on cruise control, and pick up books just because they've followed them so long, or have fond memories for tales gone by. As a self-publisher, I can tell you, spending your dollars on books that you don't really like, only hurts the little guys. There is such a wealth of diverse comics product out there right now, you really can't afford to spend your dollars on dead weight. So, are you man enough to take his challenge?
Pop on over to his column and check it out HERE
It's good, thoughtful, and I think appropriate, stuff. I'm very much drawn to characters and story that infuse a sense of humor into the mix, and Super Real is created with this forefront in my mind.
Friday, June 17, 2005
IN CASE U MISSED IT: Super Real reviewed!
Just in today, thefourthrail.com has a review up for the advance copy of SUPER REAL number 1, from renowned online comic book critic Randy Lander!
Randy gives a very favorable review that can be found HERE
We've still got some review copies out without reviews turned in, so stay tuned, but it's very exciting to see the favorable response back so far!
For links to more reviews, just check the NEWS page of the website!
Randy gives a very favorable review that can be found HERE
We've still got some review copies out without reviews turned in, so stay tuned, but it's very exciting to see the favorable response back so far!
For links to more reviews, just check the NEWS page of the website!
IN CASE U MISSED IT: Tilting at Windmills
A regular column over on Newsarama, is bay area retailer Brian Hibbs' Tilting at Windmills. Brian is a noted leader in the comics retailing community, and his column is an always insightful look at how to improve the industry.
By it's very nature, the column rubs some readers the wrong way, with them just seeing it is a bunch of hot air, but if you really look at the columns, you'll see information, often backed up by data, regarding potential ways to improve the industry. In short, Brian really cares about the industry, and it's health.
Today's column looks at the big two's latest round of mega cash cows, sorry, mega cross-overs. From the column, in regards to his take on these event stunts:
and:
So, Brian's theorizing that, just as they did in the early 90's, and times before, these big stunts will not yield any real growth, just potential loss. And moreover, he suggests that maybe these events, and publishing mindsets, are at the heart of what's bringing the industry down. Don't know about the latter, I think it's much bigger than that, but certainly, as I've said, the big two's increasingly corporate approach is a scary situation.
By it's very nature, the column rubs some readers the wrong way, with them just seeing it is a bunch of hot air, but if you really look at the columns, you'll see information, often backed up by data, regarding potential ways to improve the industry. In short, Brian really cares about the industry, and it's health.
Today's column looks at the big two's latest round of mega cash cows, sorry, mega cross-overs. From the column, in regards to his take on these event stunts:
And it doesnÂ’t bring in genuinely new readers. Despite the hype and hyperbole and the spin the majors like to throw out about sales figures and market share and all of the meaningless nonsense we discuss ad nauseum, weÂ’re not bringing in significant numbers of new customers to American comics.
and:
The comics industry has a distressing habit of marginalizing its lifers. Of chasing short term goals, and ignoring long-term planning. And year after year we watch as the number of people reading American comics shrinks and contracts. Could it be that those two actions are intertwined? Could it be that those who do not learn history are doomed to repeat it?
So, Brian's theorizing that, just as they did in the early 90's, and times before, these big stunts will not yield any real growth, just potential loss. And moreover, he suggests that maybe these events, and publishing mindsets, are at the heart of what's bringing the industry down. Don't know about the latter, I think it's much bigger than that, but certainly, as I've said, the big two's increasingly corporate approach is a scary situation.
Wednesday, June 15, 2005
COMICS SHIPPING TODAY
Click HERE to see Diamond's list of comics due in shops today.
Here are some of the highlights:
VIMANARAMA #3 - This has been a great little series, with Morrison writing, and Bond on art, it doesn't get much better for me...
WILDSIDERZ #0 - The triumphant return of J Scott Campbell, one of the big creators that helped pull me back into comics.
NYC MECH BETA LOVE #2 - NYC Mech is good comics, check it out if you haven't...
GIANT SIZE X-MEN #3 - What exactly is this all about?
ULTIMATE MARVEL FLIP MAGAZINE #1 & ULTIMATE TALES FLIP MAGAZINE #1 - I assume these are the direct market versions of the latest attempts at mis-managed Marvel mainstream marketing, the flip books for 7-11's that have umpteen different versions of the same Marvel characters. Synergy people, I'm tellin ya, say it with me, s-y-n-e-r-g-y... I knew you could.
BLACK DIAMOND ON RAMP - Give this one a peep, it looks good, and it's overshipped for free, so you store might actually have one!
STREET ANGEL VOL 1 TP - If you missed the series in comics, check out the trade!!
Here are some of the highlights:
VIMANARAMA #3 - This has been a great little series, with Morrison writing, and Bond on art, it doesn't get much better for me...
WILDSIDERZ #0 - The triumphant return of J Scott Campbell, one of the big creators that helped pull me back into comics.
NYC MECH BETA LOVE #2 - NYC Mech is good comics, check it out if you haven't...
GIANT SIZE X-MEN #3 - What exactly is this all about?
ULTIMATE MARVEL FLIP MAGAZINE #1 & ULTIMATE TALES FLIP MAGAZINE #1 - I assume these are the direct market versions of the latest attempts at mis-managed Marvel mainstream marketing, the flip books for 7-11's that have umpteen different versions of the same Marvel characters. Synergy people, I'm tellin ya, say it with me, s-y-n-e-r-g-y... I knew you could.
BLACK DIAMOND ON RAMP - Give this one a peep, it looks good, and it's overshipped for free, so you store might actually have one!
STREET ANGEL VOL 1 TP - If you missed the series in comics, check out the trade!!
Tuesday, June 14, 2005
TALES FROM NETFLIX: Man-Thing on DVD
Tales From Netflix are DVD reviews, where I tell you if a DVD is worth putting in your Netflix rental queue, moving it to the top, burying it at the bottom, or not even bothering in the first place.
The latest Marvel Comic turned film?
No, not Elektra.
No, not Fantastic Four.
It's Man-Thing!
Man-Thing not only skipped the theatres, it also skipped DVD and released straight to the SCI-FI channel. Kind of makes you scared to watch it...
But it was recently released on DVD, and you know what? It wasn't all that bad.
The story starts off well enough, and the characters could all be considered stereotypical, or goofy, but the cast make them work (except for the fact that they have what seem to be weird ever changing accents, from bad southern at times, to nothing, to Australian). Even the special effects are okay (well, they aren't totally laughable). Where the movie really falls apart is the plot, it doesn't really have much to it. By mid point of the movie you stop having much fun, and that's before you even see Man-Thing, I suspect that was supposed to save the finish, but it didn't.
All that said, I still liked the movie over all. I'm really not sure why, that's a head scratcher, but I can't write it off as a complete waste.
Go ahead and put MAN-THING towards the bottom of your queue.
The latest Marvel Comic turned film?
No, not Elektra.
No, not Fantastic Four.
It's Man-Thing!
Man-Thing not only skipped the theatres, it also skipped DVD and released straight to the SCI-FI channel. Kind of makes you scared to watch it...
But it was recently released on DVD, and you know what? It wasn't all that bad.
The story starts off well enough, and the characters could all be considered stereotypical, or goofy, but the cast make them work (except for the fact that they have what seem to be weird ever changing accents, from bad southern at times, to nothing, to Australian). Even the special effects are okay (well, they aren't totally laughable). Where the movie really falls apart is the plot, it doesn't really have much to it. By mid point of the movie you stop having much fun, and that's before you even see Man-Thing, I suspect that was supposed to save the finish, but it didn't.
All that said, I still liked the movie over all. I'm really not sure why, that's a head scratcher, but I can't write it off as a complete waste.
Go ahead and put MAN-THING towards the bottom of your queue.
Sunday, June 12, 2005
I WATCH ANIME: Ghost in the Shell SAC concludes
As mentioned here before, I've been watching the first series of Shirow's Production I.G television version of Ghost in the Shell, Stand Alone Complex.
Just like the title suggests, the series is rather complex. The core plot running through it, is perhaps even denser than the side episodes, and the sixth and final DVD collection from the first series is 3 episodes completely focused on that "Laughing Man" plot thread.
And just as the themes of this sci-fi series are cerebral in nature, we're treated to an almost entirely cerebral wrap-up. There is a bit of mechanized action and fighting tossed in, but it's really a sidebar to the situations built over the series playing out and coming to somewhat of a resolution.
And just as I've commented before, in regards to the animation, the quality in the final episodes is the same. At it's core, it's incredibly solid, and richly detailed, but at times the characters loosen up a bit too much, and even our main character, female cyborg Major Motoko Kusanagi, can range in depiction and quality too much. That's really my only qualm with the series at all. If the animation weren't so crisp and striking at times, I wouldn't even mention it, but I'd really like them to focus more effort on depicting at least the main character consistently.
Ghost in the Shell SAC is a phenomenal series, and beyond appealing to sci-fi or anime fans, it has such a strong focus on story, and complex ideas and situations, that it can really appeal to fans of police procedurals, or action TV. A very wide cross-section of folks. Try the first disc if you haven't, you're in for a treat!
Check out more HERE
TALES FROM NETFLIX: How cool is BE COOL?
Tales From Netflix are DVD reviews, where I tell you if a DVD is worth putting in your Netflix rental queue, moving it to the top, burying it at the bottom, or not even bothering in the first place.
So in answer to the question, is Be Cool cool?
Well, yes and no.
It is a fun movie, with a great cast and some cool roles (Travolta's in his element, Vince Vaughn's a laugh, and The Rock almost steals the show), but cool, it may try a little too hard to qualify for that (it certainly didn't try too hard in the plot department, that is skeletal at best)...
Go ahead and put Be cool towards the top of your queue though. Just plug it in and have a good time.
So in answer to the question, is Be Cool cool?
Well, yes and no.
It is a fun movie, with a great cast and some cool roles (Travolta's in his element, Vince Vaughn's a laugh, and The Rock almost steals the show), but cool, it may try a little too hard to qualify for that (it certainly didn't try too hard in the plot department, that is skeletal at best)...
Go ahead and put Be cool towards the top of your queue though. Just plug it in and have a good time.
Friday, June 10, 2005
TALES FROM NETFLIX: Batman Begins, on DVD?!
Tales From Netflix are DVD reviews, where I tell you if a DVD is worth putting in your Netflix rental queue, moving it to the top, burying it at the bottom, or not even bothering in the first place.
Okay, so it's not Batman Begins, that comes out next week in theatres (and is getting some damn good buzz), it's actually a new DVD release called The Machinist.
The Machinist you see, stars Christian Bale, the new Batman, and is very similar to Memento, the indy suspense thriller that put Christopher Nolan on the map, and he's the director of Batman Begins. Now do you see what I'm saying?
All that aside, the comparison to Memento is not only appropriate, for the style and genre it shares with The Machinist, but both films also happen to be quite excellent. I might even go so far as to say The Machinist is better. Actually, now that I'm actively comparing the two films, I'm starting to think the Machinist is perhaps quite derivative in several ways, but it's such a solid film, I don't care if it is...
Be warned, Christian Bale is known for throwing himself into his roles, and this one is a physically alarming turn. You'd almost wonder if he survived the production. The man is a walking skeleton. But he's also a damn fine actor! I'm looking forward even more to his go at the caped crusader. And if you haven't seen him in American Psycho, you should give that one a look (it's also very disturbing though).
The Machinist is definitely a DVD to put at the top of your queue, it has some great acting, and is suspensefull and dreamlike (very much in the spirit of the late great Hitchcock)!
Okay, so it's not Batman Begins, that comes out next week in theatres (and is getting some damn good buzz), it's actually a new DVD release called The Machinist.
The Machinist you see, stars Christian Bale, the new Batman, and is very similar to Memento, the indy suspense thriller that put Christopher Nolan on the map, and he's the director of Batman Begins. Now do you see what I'm saying?
All that aside, the comparison to Memento is not only appropriate, for the style and genre it shares with The Machinist, but both films also happen to be quite excellent. I might even go so far as to say The Machinist is better. Actually, now that I'm actively comparing the two films, I'm starting to think the Machinist is perhaps quite derivative in several ways, but it's such a solid film, I don't care if it is...
Be warned, Christian Bale is known for throwing himself into his roles, and this one is a physically alarming turn. You'd almost wonder if he survived the production. The man is a walking skeleton. But he's also a damn fine actor! I'm looking forward even more to his go at the caped crusader. And if you haven't seen him in American Psycho, you should give that one a look (it's also very disturbing though).
The Machinist is definitely a DVD to put at the top of your queue, it has some great acting, and is suspensefull and dreamlike (very much in the spirit of the late great Hitchcock)!
Thursday, June 09, 2005
I SAW IT ON TV: The MTV Movie Awards a classy event?
Well, almost.
The 2005 MTV Movie Awards ran this evening, and MTV award shows can be hit or miss, ranging from infectous overloads of energy, to flat marathons of queue cards and lame jokes. This was one of the better ones.
From the host, Jimmy Falon, to the elaborate, fun, imaginitve stage, with giant letters spelling movie, each with multiple sets within, full of performances...
Even the music was pretty solid.
Well, Eminem did cut his decent new track short to blab on about his daughter, and Mariah Carey performed as well, but the Foo Fighters rocked solid...
and Yellowcard turned in a surprisingly cool reworking of the Breakfast Club staple, Don't Forget About Me, during the tribute (but where were Emilo and Judd?).
Tarantino was crazy red (or just plain crazy)...
Dustin Hoffman brought the wacky energy from Meet the Fockers to his golden corn acceptance, and some of the MTV movie spoof/productions were top rate, such as opening the show with a thrill ride in the new Bat-suv.
Even the pre-show was fun, with Nicole Richie, and Fat Joe turning in surprisingly good guest host performances.
Yeah, it was good. Oh, the awards? Who cares. Same as usual, the MTV movies cleaned up, but they were mostly deserving, sort of...
Catch one of the 24/7 reruns if you missed it!
Or make with the CLICK
And now some more pics!
Ultimate Fantastic Four?
This one speaks for itself...
IN CASE U MISSED IT: Batman soars into the NY Post
Over on Newsarama, there's a quick note confirming a DC Comics, Batman promotion, through the NY POST. It seems DC will distribute 750,000 copies of Batman number 608, the kickoff of the top selling "Hush" storyline, with the newspaper to tie in a promotion with the Batman Begins film releasing next week.
For the full details, go HERE
This is a great marketing attempt by DC, and exactly the kind of thing the big publishers need to do more of, to bring new readers into the market. I especially like the fact that they chose a story/issue that features themes that work for mature, and younger audiences, rather than material aimed strictly at kids. One can argue either way in regards to targeting kids with these types of promotions, but since the market is not geared for them, a product that appeals on all levels is, I think, the best choice.
IN CASE U MISSED IT: SIBAM reviews
Thought I'd throw a quick spotlight on the Should it be a Movie? review column by Marc Mason, that runs on MoviePoopShoot, because I'm not sure how widely known it is.
I travel quite a bit in internet comic sites, and I'd never heard of it til he bought a copy of my SDCC preview book for review from my wife at the con last year. He was kind enough to review my book, and I've since kept tabs on his column.
He gives brief but insightful reviews to a healthy cross-section of books, as opposed to the sometimes too faithful pandering of bigger publishers found in other columns. Hell, we all read the bigger stuff, so I'm not knocking that, just saying his reviews are a welcome change up.
Check out his current line-up, if you want to sample a good mix small press HERE
Or the current column can always be found at this link HERE
Wednesday, June 08, 2005
IN CASE U MISSED IT: LITG gets corporate
Lying in the Gutters, in it's new journalistic form, has a great rundown of the current climate of our big two comics companies. Summing up where they've been, where they're at now, and how they got there. A good overview of thier current, increasingly corporate, directions.
From his comments about Marvel:
And then on DC:
As I've stated here previously, I'm leary of these new corporate directions, but hope for the best.
For the full scoop from Rich, go HERE
From his comments about Marvel:
As for content, recent comics look in many ways to continue along the lines of the sea change Joe and Bill brought to the company, but increasingly in content the nostalgia has been creeping in again. While Icon gives limited scope to experimentation, and titles like "Omega the Unknown" emerge, overall there seems a more conservative and nostalgic slant. Even "House Of M" has its roots in Avengers plotlines over a decade old. And the large amount of off-the-wall titles are suddenly rarer.
At Marvel, modernization won, saved the company and revitalized the comics, but nostalgia has managed to grab onto its neck at the last minute.
And then on DC:
The company is changing to a multi-media business model, as Warner Brothers pay it more attention in the light of successful film and TV franchises emerging.
As I've stated here previously, I'm leary of these new corporate directions, but hope for the best.
For the full scoop from Rich, go HERE
Tuesday, June 07, 2005
TSL links section updated
I went ahead and added the RECOMMENDED COMICS CREATORS section to the links on the side. It's filled with creators and companies that were previously featured in my BOOKS YOU SHOULD READ section of the old Super Real links page.
So go ahead and check out some of the folks there if you haven't heard of them, you might find something you like!
I also pointed the Super Real links to the blog, since all the material found there is now here...
So go ahead and check out some of the folks there if you haven't heard of them, you might find something you like!
I also pointed the Super Real links to the blog, since all the material found there is now here...
COMICS SHIPPING TOMORROW
Click HERE to see Diamond's list of comics due in shops tomorrow.
Here are some of the highlights:
GRAVITY #1 - Marvel comics releasing a brand new hero/concept/property? Who'd'a thunk... too bad the art is so stale (like most all of their new concepts, Livewires and Runaway's excluded)...
FLAK RIOT #1 - Saw the crew for this book in the artist alley at WWLA, the book looks good, great pencils. Looking forward to seeing the story.
STRANGE GIRL #1 - The page samples and words from creator Rick Remender in the Comic's Pimp feature made this one look great, a real potential favorite...
Here are some of the highlights:
GRAVITY #1 - Marvel comics releasing a brand new hero/concept/property? Who'd'a thunk... too bad the art is so stale (like most all of their new concepts, Livewires and Runaway's excluded)...
FLAK RIOT #1 - Saw the crew for this book in the artist alley at WWLA, the book looks good, great pencils. Looking forward to seeing the story.
STRANGE GIRL #1 - The page samples and words from creator Rick Remender in the Comic's Pimp feature made this one look great, a real potential favorite...
Monday, June 06, 2005
IN CASE U MISSED IT: Vincent Chase to star as Aquaman!
As seen on last night's Entourage, the HBO show that goes inside Hollywood, actor Vincent Chase is set to star in the movie version of DC Comic's Aquaman.
Chase, fresh off of the indy film Queens Boulevard, will play the title role.
No word yet on whether he'll be dying his hair yellow, and donning the trademark orange and green swimwear...
For more on this story, go to the Entourage episode guide HERE
Sunday, June 05, 2005
I WATCH ANIME: Metropolis
I'd seen this in the theatres when it originally released stateside, a couple years ago, but just watched it again on DVD.
Metropolis is the anime adaptation of the Tezuka manga interpretation of the classic film. When I originally saw it, it was breathtaking in it's scope and achievement, in terms of animation, and that still holds true, though, of course, scaled down in the home theatre... However, my first time through I was a bit let down, and even laughed out loud (along with about half the theatre) at the absurd use of Ray Charles during the climax, different cultures and all that. Now the main let down for me the first time I think had to do with the pacing, and the direction the story went. I originally came in hoping for more of a cutting edge anime (in terms of content), being somewhat not as savvy with anime at the time. This is not that type of anime. It's more in the vein of the theatrical animes, like Miyazaki (Spirited Away, Howl's Moving Castle). So, the second time through, I enjoyed it quite a bit more.
Metropolis is worth the viewing for the animation production alone. The hallmark Tezuka designs, meshed with lavishly painted and fully realized CG cityscapes, it's a treat for the eyes, and senses. The story is solid too, a bit complex, playing on many levels, as more serious animes often do. A movie not so much to watch, but to experience...
Give this one a view if you haven't.
Friday, June 03, 2005
IN CASE U MISSED IT: Dude, I'm like, in Wizard...
So I'm digging through the back, price guide, pages of the recent Wizard, July #165, where I do all my Wizard reading, in the john, and if you strain your eyes real hard...
you'll see this
Yes, on the bottom right hand of that list you'll see "Super Real Preview #1 ....5.00". That's right kids, Super Real is listed in Wizard Magazine, we're big time now. Oh, never mind that it's a retailer exclusive price guide, or that it's tiny print buried on page 138 of 152... It's Super Real in Wizard Magazine (and valued at $5 dollars, $2 over cover price, no less)!!
Okay geek moment over, you can resume your regularly scheduled blog...
you'll see this
Yes, on the bottom right hand of that list you'll see "Super Real Preview #1 ....5.00". That's right kids, Super Real is listed in Wizard Magazine, we're big time now. Oh, never mind that it's a retailer exclusive price guide, or that it's tiny print buried on page 138 of 152... It's Super Real in Wizard Magazine (and valued at $5 dollars, $2 over cover price, no less)!!
Okay geek moment over, you can resume your regularly scheduled blog...
COMICS REVIEW: House of M
Marvel's big cross-over event gets off to a shaky start.
It's not that the writing is bad, Bendis has some spot on character moments, his voice for Spidey that carried over from Ultimate to New Avengers shines here too, and there's a couple great lines from Wolvie. And it's not that the art is lacking, Oliver Coipel is one of the top artists in the game, and he shows that here too. But this book read very light, speaking of light, and reading light, we're treated to a 2 page sequence that features a growing glob of distortion. A rather ugly, unartistic, boring, confusing glob of light effects sprawled across what appear to be meant as key, epic, pages at the end, that are in result, laughable in their failure. Also, there were times I thought I'd skipped a page or two, only to find out I hadn't. Not sure if that's me, the writing, or the intent. Are things jumbled and disjointed, within the framework of the story, and in the telling? I don't know. The way things were presented, I don't particularly care.
I think this lead-off would've benefited from some extra length. It's just too short to really set things up, and for an event book, a limited series, you can't really lead off with a partial story like this, unless this thing is shipping weekly.
I'd hope for better with this.
It's not that the writing is bad, Bendis has some spot on character moments, his voice for Spidey that carried over from Ultimate to New Avengers shines here too, and there's a couple great lines from Wolvie. And it's not that the art is lacking, Oliver Coipel is one of the top artists in the game, and he shows that here too. But this book read very light, speaking of light, and reading light, we're treated to a 2 page sequence that features a growing glob of distortion. A rather ugly, unartistic, boring, confusing glob of light effects sprawled across what appear to be meant as key, epic, pages at the end, that are in result, laughable in their failure. Also, there were times I thought I'd skipped a page or two, only to find out I hadn't. Not sure if that's me, the writing, or the intent. Are things jumbled and disjointed, within the framework of the story, and in the telling? I don't know. The way things were presented, I don't particularly care.
I think this lead-off would've benefited from some extra length. It's just too short to really set things up, and for an event book, a limited series, you can't really lead off with a partial story like this, unless this thing is shipping weekly.
I'd hope for better with this.
IN CASE U MISSED IT: El Muerto gets the love...
Super Real friend Javier Hernandez's El Muerto gets big time love on JoBlo.com
With the movie adaptation of Javier's self-published LA latino zombie hero moving through post production, JoBlo gave not only a great review of the comic and it's movie potential HERE
but also had a top notch interview with Javier HERE, where you'll find such nuggets as this,
I didn't necessarily seek out a speaking role, but it was in the perfect spot in the film. I remembered Todd McFarlane climbing out of a pile of garbage in Spawn and thought I should have a more dignified cameo!
where Javier muses about the chance to cameo in the film! Too funny!
On top of that, the all-seeing, all-knowing, coimics blog THE BEAT linked up to it too...
Can the rest of the comics world be far behind?
Thursday, June 02, 2005
COMICS SHIPPING TODAY
For the complete list of comics due in shops today, go HERE
Here are my highlights:
SEVEN SOLDIERS ZATANNA #2 - Grant Morrison's Seven Soldiers endeavor has him at the top of his game.
SON OF VULCAN #1 (OF 6) - Can anyone say "Keron Grant"? I knew you could! Can't wait for some more sequentials from one of the most stylish artists working in the biz today...
VILLAINS UNITED #2 - I actually picked up the first issue, now I'm hooked...
WE 3 TP - More Morrision, at the top of his game (when is he not?), joined by Quitely. W-O-W
Y THE LAST MAN #34 - One of the best books going...
HOUSE OF M #1 - It seems like I've heard something about this book somewhere...
SHANNA THE SHE DEVIL #5 - My current guilty pleasure...
BLEACH VOL 7 TP - Tite Kubo can flat out draw...
SMOKE #1 - This one could be amazing...
SUPER FUCKERS #1 - Could be the first Kochalka book I purchase, looks fun...
That's quite a list this week, and those are just the highlights!
Here are my highlights:
SEVEN SOLDIERS ZATANNA #2 - Grant Morrison's Seven Soldiers endeavor has him at the top of his game.
SON OF VULCAN #1 (OF 6) - Can anyone say "Keron Grant"? I knew you could! Can't wait for some more sequentials from one of the most stylish artists working in the biz today...
VILLAINS UNITED #2 - I actually picked up the first issue, now I'm hooked...
WE 3 TP - More Morrision, at the top of his game (when is he not?), joined by Quitely. W-O-W
Y THE LAST MAN #34 - One of the best books going...
HOUSE OF M #1 - It seems like I've heard something about this book somewhere...
SHANNA THE SHE DEVIL #5 - My current guilty pleasure...
BLEACH VOL 7 TP - Tite Kubo can flat out draw...
SMOKE #1 - This one could be amazing...
SUPER FUCKERS #1 - Could be the first Kochalka book I purchase, looks fun...
That's quite a list this week, and those are just the highlights!
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