IN CASE U MISSED IT: Cool stuff!

If in your poking around the infinite sprawl of interwebs you haven't glimpsed some of the artist blogs giving peeks at upcoming new projects, then perhaps I can help...

My good buddy Javier Hernandez will up here in Portland for the April 26-27th Stumptown Comics Fest, and he'll have a new creation in tow... Known for his indy comic turned indy movie, El Muerto the Aztec Zombie, Jav's got a new character of equal creatively blended intrigue, the forthcoming Demolition Dove!
Demo Dove looks to be a perfect blending of the pop culture zeitgeist, grindhouse/pulp inspired concepts (a concoction I'm currently brewing myself), with a timely reflection of American politics. Now politics is the great divider, but it seems the Jav-Man is savvy enough to know this, and appears to be approaching them from a higher level non-partisan view. We shall see. Either way, I, and many others are intrigued about this new creation.

You can check out more on Demolition Dove at Javier's blog HERE

Then over at Josh Howard's blog, he's put up a tease of his upcoming work (following his popular ongoing runs of Dead@17, as well as other creations like Black Harvest, or Lost Books of Eve), T-Bird and Throttle. While not much has been revealed yet, the book does look to be Josh's first efforts in a more superpowered direction (and maybe even blending in some of his love of the Transformers franchise?)... As with anything he does, I can't wait to check it out!

There's something so special, and inherently wholly unique from seeing new creator owned works brought to life as comics, so I can't help but share in my excitement!

And if you know of any upcoming creator owned works being teased out there that have you excited, be sure and let me know!

SUPER REAL NOTES - Model Operandi artwork

I don't normally post press releases here, but this little nugget concerns a personal favorite book of mine, Model Operandi, that's by my friends Joe and Dennis! (Not only that, but it involves me a tad too!)

Tuesday, April 01, 2008

New York Comic Con NEWS!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
APRIL 1, 2008

EXCLUSIVE SKETCHBOOK FEATURES JUSTINIANO, ELIOPOULOS
One-of-a-kind item to be featured at the third annual New York Comic Con

NEW YORK, NY-- Comic book creators Dennis Budd and Joe Caramagna have announced that they will offer a convention-exclusive sketchbook at the New York Comic Con the weekend of April 18th. The sketchbook will feature characters from their comic book property Model Operandi™ as drawn by Budd and an assortment of guest artists that includes Justiniano (DC’s "52") and Chris Eliopoulos (Marvel’s "Franklin Richards: Son of a Genius").

"Dennis and I are so grateful to all of the participating artists for donating sketches for the sketchbook," said Caramagna. "They all did such a great job and there is some great artwork here that can’t be seen anywhere else. If you’re a fan of any of these talented artists, or just a fan of good comic book art in general, you’ll love it, absolutely." Other artists that donated sketches include: Chris Giarrusso, Rich Molinelli, Brian Kong, Jason May, Jason Martin, Matthew Tow and Andrew Edge. And because the book features a bonus sketch cover, it is customizable to any fan in attendance at the convention.

Model Operandi™ is the story of a world-famous supermodel and her friends who stumble into trouble wherever they go. The first critically-acclaimed graphic novel "Affair of the Heart" was published by After Hours Press in 2006, and a special one-shot is due out in the Fall of 2008.

The "2008 Model Operandi Sketch Book: New York Comic Con Exclusive Edition" is sponsored by StupidVideos.com and will be available in limited numbers at the After Hours Press booth 2447 at the Jacob Javitz Center in New York City, April 18-20.

wwww.modeloperandi.com
www.nycomiccon.com
www.stupidvideos.com
www.ahpcomics.com

IN CASE U MISSED IT: James Jean trip out

This was featured over on The Beat (you're reading The Beat right?) and I couldn't resist... It's a simply sublime animation/advertising effort from James Jean's concept art...


Prada Animation - Trembled Blossoms from kwest on Vimeo.

MEANWHILE AT THE MOVIES... Snake Eyes!

No, not that dreadful Nick Cage thing from a few years back... SNAKE EYES as in YO JOE!

The first images from the upcoming GI Joe live action movie are up, a couple shots of Ray Park as the silent assassin, and I wasn't prepared for how geeked I would be to see Snake Eyes (and crew) brought to life!!!

I was a huge GI Joe fan circa 1983, when the new fully poseable 3.5" toy line launched, and they were so richly detailed and such strong character designs. I mean those toys were bad ass! The vehicles alone, the tank, the dune buggy, the Cobra tank etc, were just the coolest, and built for war! What 12 year old boy doesn't want to blow shit up and stage epic battles with their friends for 24 hours straight in their bedrooms (sounds kinky). Not to mention, the packaging? Holy shit, GI Joe was the full meal deal, you got these kick as ID cards with each figure, with a backstory and awesome painted artwork of Scarlet, or Roadblock, or whoever. Then there was Cobra Commander, with 2 cool faceless designs... but come on, the thing that put GI Joe over the edge? It was always Snake Eyes. Everybody loved him, what with his bad ass all black ninja inspired, visor wearing design? He was the coolest of the cool!

Then you add on some serious marketing synergy, the comic (of which issues 1 and 2 probably still rank in my all time top 10), and the cartoon?!? Man, good stuff, and good times (again, Gerber, you will be missed).

So, decades later when they finally announce a GI Joe movie, after scores of reboots to the toys and such, and me not having been a fan in 20 years... and they attach a director, Stephen Sommers, who's VAN HELSING only ever put me to sleep (similar to Underworld - cool to look at, but the visual equivalent of a bedtime story), I didn't for a moment really stop to care. Sure, cool, I'll look forward to it, but actively wait for it? Or geek about it? Nah.

Well, that's changed. Man, Snake Eyes... you bad ass mofo. Can't wait!

In the immortal words of Joe, now I know, (and if you can't fill in the rest, you're no fan of Joe)!!!

SUPER REAL NOTES - Marvel Masterpieces sketch cards

As I've mentioned, I'm in the midst of doing sketch cards for the upcoming Marvel Masterpieces 2 set from Upper Deck, and since I've started to receive approvals for cards that I've done, I thought I'd share some...

Here's a set based on the current Ultimates cast, from Loeb and Madureira's Ultimates 3...
And a set based on the new X-Force book...
By their nature (you have to return all of the cards they give you, so there's no do-overs), some come out better than others!

I've got some more cool sets done, and will post more as I go!

SUPER REAL NOTES - WonderWrap

Well the annual aught eight Con to the Wonder was last weekend...
High hopes dashed on the rocks an all that aside, it was a good show (last years all pro sales were back to reality this year for me, but many I talked with said the same, and indeed said those they talked with concurred, so perhaps I wasn't alone).

As ever, it was cool to see returning faces, catch up with friends and acquaintances...

It was also cool to share space with the Gnome crew, Dave Dwonch (writer/artist/creator), and John Williams, aka Super Ugly (cover artist).
Dave, center here, was of course pimping Gnome and doing some slick sketches, mostly for his many fans on the Comic Geek Speak forums. John was doing his first con, with his Super Ugly artbook (which I had to pick up, good stuff), prints, paintings, you name it, all in that inimitable "Ugly" style!

Prepping late into the night Thursday, and only catching 2 hours rest before leaving for an early AM flight, I was tapped by the shows end Friday and crashed.
Saturday the Gnome gang and friends hit some dinner and the Isotope Darwyn Cooke party. We'd done the same last year, but the 'Tope was much more user friendly at that DeMaitais party... when we showed up for tip drinks, comics, art, and networking, the place was comfortably occupied, but within an hour or so it was madness and we had to escape the crowd.
I guess we were there long enough to make the scene though (see side pic from the Newsarama article)... too funny! We were barely there (but long enough for me to put back three Isotope super strength Jack and a tiny bit o Cokes)...

I've said it before, but the Isotope is a great shop, boldly going where others have yet to tread, and worth a look when in the Bay Area!

I did manage to get out my trusty "Friends and Neighbors" sketchbook I take with me on my journeys, where I do just as the name implies, and pass it to friends and neighbors at cons for sketches of either their characters, or mine, often times with humorous mash ups of the two... This time I got it to Dave, who worked up this great Kityana of Super Real, holding "gnome".
I'll try and remember to share these here from now on...

I got a little fanboy thrill (still happens some times) when I realized I was just across an aisle from J Campbell, and had to grab one of his 07 sketchbooks (wanted to get the awesome 10th anniversary oversized Danger Girl print too, but resisted)... It was fun to see some of the sketches he did at the show.

So, another show has flown by, with very little time spent outside my table... some day. Of course, the occasional good costumes go by, including the requisite Star Wars, Spider-Man, etc, but also a great troop of Cobra Commandos... why have I not seen more of those?!? They were cool!!

Coooooooobraaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!!!!!!!!!!

Next up? April and 3 shows, Portland, NYCC, Stumptown, followed by Emerald City 2 weeks later!
Is it April yet??!!

SUPER REAL NOTES - Wondercon Weekend 08

The convention season kicks off for me tomorrow, as I make my third annual journey down the coast to San Francisco Wondercon.

I'll be exhibiting in artist alley Friday thru Sunday in space AA71, alongside my friend Dave Dwonch (creator of the upcoming SRG Presents: Gnome). Stop by and say hello, and check out preview books of Gnome.

I'll also have the entire run of Super Real of course, as well as prints, art, and my brand new 2008 sketchbooks (fresh from the printer). The new book is 32 pages and includes black and white and many color pages of commission work, fan art, pinups, sketches and more! I think it's my best book yet. I'll have those available from the website upon my return.
Wondercon is a fast growing show that packs in a great crowd, and is an enjoyable scaled down version of San Diego Comic Con (by the same organizers). This year, they've got a really great lineup of media guests, including the whole crew from X-Files (promoting the new film), which is quite thrilling for me and the wife!

Very excited and looking forward to it, it should be a great weekend!

SUPER REAL NOTES - 2/19/08

As my focus broadens out from just creating and self publishing Super Real, I'm going to keep the blog as my home for anything pertaining to me, and therefore the Super Real Notes will be more than just notes on Super Real :)

As I've mentioned here recently, I've got two projects going on in addition to Super Real (which is on track for a mid-to late 08 return).

One being the first book I'm publishing outside Super Real, the new OGN line, Super Real Graphics Presents, and it's first offering Gnome. As you recall, Gnome is a 64 page digest sized full color book currently open for orders in the February Previews catalog, by my friend, and swanky comics maestro, Dave Dwonch.
I've just updated the site there, which includes a 9 page preview of the book, and the new limited edition print promo...
Check it out HERE

We're getting free copies of the print to any interested retailers who stock the book, so if your shop does, perhaps they can score one for ya!
Check the LIST or check with your shop! :)

Gnome is a great book, and I can't wait to share it with the comic loving masses!

Second, would be the exciting new world of sketch cards. I'd mentioned being signed up to do sketch cards for the upcoming Marvel Masterpieces 2 set from Upper Deck a ways back, and well, the cards finally showed up today... all 200 of them!
Back when I committed to that many I thought the comp cards, or artist cards (the blank cards they get the artist as part of the payment, to sell or do whatever they like with), were correlated to however many cards you did, but it seems like everyone gets the same 10 cards, regardless. So here I have mountains of cards to move, for the same amount of artist proof cards! (They do also pay a small amount per card)

Just confirmed it looks like those are due back around mid to late April, so over the next 2 months I'll need to work through those (at a pace of 25 per week). We'll see how detailed I get on them. I'll likely do a good percentage of detailed, mid range, and quick. We'll see.
I'll try and post some here to share!

Looks like I'll be having fun picking which Marvel characters to do... all X-Men? Or a full mix? Avengers? FF? All ladies? I'm a Marvel fan going all the way back, so this will be a delight (I hope), alas licesed characters are out, so no Rom etc!

In the meantime, there were plenty of personal sketch cards I did recently and sold on eBay, that you can see in my DeviantArt gallery.

Or, if you're interested in any custom sketch cards, just let me know and I can sell those direct!

And finally, I've got another top secret project I'm working on with many of the folks who've helped on the Super Real specials in the past, that's slowly coming together. As I get the Gnome book further in my rear view mirror, I'll be able to ratchet up the production on that.
It's a lot of fun, and shaping up very well!!!
Can't wait to share!

So, stay tuned in for updates on all of this in the months ahead!
Thanks,
jason!

IN CASE U MISSED IT: Crush Linking

It's Valentines Day, so thought I'd link to a few points of interest out there I'm crushing on right now...
A couple good write ups on the late great Steve Gerber:
THE BEAT
PERMANENT DAMAGE

A new column on BrokenFrontier.com looking at publishing/creating/starting out in comics, with the first installment on about the different options to take a book:
Delusions of Grandeur
This one looks worth following, either if you think about going this route, or wonder what's involved.

There looks like a cool new pulp inspired book, stocked to the gills with talented industry creators coming soon, as previewed in this weeks Lying In The Gutters:
Five Color Comics

And last but not least, potentially good news for Flash Gordon fans, a new publishing upstart, Ardden Entertainment, co-helmed by Rich Emms formerly of Markosia and AP Comics, has obtained a license to produce new comics based on the property, that look to take inspiration for the serials, with their own spin on it:
Newsarama feature
We'll see, we all know how the SCI-FI TV series turned out... It does look like they might have something in time for New York Comic Con, so cool! I'll be there, and will check it out!!
Here's hoping!!!

And then of course, the news that the new Clone Wars CG animated TV show will bow in movie theaters this August!!!

R.I.P.

What a heavy 24 hours.

First Roy Scheider, now Gerber?!?

Scheider, was 70, and although he strikes a cord, with Jaws being the biggest pop culture thing to come along pre-Star Wars in my world, I'd always enjoyed him as an actor, but can't count too many big impact works post Jaws. That said, I really liked him in those movies, and you know, he was the hero, he saved me and others from those damn monstrous fish time and again. It stings.

But Steve Gerber?!?

The man was only 60 years old.
What a shame.

Howard the Duck is one of the biggest influences on me as a fan and creator of comics. I collected every issue of ol Howard, and really was inspired by the offbeat nature of his stories and characters, that was 100% the uniqueness Gerber brought to the book. His character. His creation.

I've enjoyed other works of his career too, I never missed an episode of GI Joe back in the day, and he was a writer and story editor for the show. I also really enjoyed his mid 90's vertigo series, Nevada. And only upon reading about his passing, did I realize the man created one of my favorite cartoons, Thundarr the Barbarian!!

It's a shame a man so creative, and able to offer so much to so many, was ultimately shorted in his public creative struggles with Marvel over Howard the Duck, and now in the battle for his very life, at quite a young age.
He's barely older than my own father...
I'm truly saddened.

I can't help but reflect on his words, reading time and again, how he'd press for creators to stop seeking to work on other's characters, and come up with their own, and leave their own mark. Well he did, and I'll keep striving...

Super Real Graphics Presents: GNOME

In the current February Diamond PREVIEWS catalog, out in shops today, I have a brand new book I'm publishing, that's part of a new creator owned series of OGN's -
SUPER REAL GRAPHICS PRESENTS: GNOME

The book is by my bud Dave Dwonch, and you can find more information, and even check out the first 9 pages at the book's site HERE

It's a ton of fun, and I think "Gnome" could be the next great action icon (watch your back Rambo!)!!

You can order the book now:
64 pages, Full Color, $6.99
DIAMOND ORDER CODE FEB084007

Marvel Masterpieces 2 and Sketch Cards

As I mentioned in my newsletter, I'll be doing 200 sketch cards for the upcoming Upper Deck Marvel Masterpieces card series.

In preperation for that I started creating some of my own custom sketch cards, and offering those on eBay.
So far they've been selling pretty quick, they can all be found in my DeviantArt gallery though.

I've recently started a set of X-Men cards...

For those that are interested, I can sell them direct, or create custom cards too. Just contact me at jason@superrealgraphics.com

Otherwise, I'll update you once I've started my Masterpieces cards with art and info as I can.

DeviantArt - Cloverfield fan art

As I mentioned in my Cloverfield write up, I did complete my fan art for the movie this weekend. You can check it out at my DeviantArt gallery...

As you can see, I went with a cast shot, as opposed to featuring the "monster". It was a lot of fun!

MEANWHILE AT THE MOVIES... Cloverfield

There has been a truly great run of kick ass genre films taking cinema to a whole nother level, all within the last year, and I absolutely love it!!!
First 300 exploded with some of the coolest visuals ever put to film, along with a truly epic story, then Grindhouse unleashed RR and QT gone hog wild with some of the coolest visuals, characters, and stories put to film, and now Cloverfield takes the "coolest visuals" and inspired reworking of ideas and absolutely runs with it!!
This is a must see in theaters, and a pure thrill ride of a movie going experience. If you can't hang with shaky cam, that's a shame, because the people who made this movie, crafted the best hybrid of Blair Witch, Godzilla, 9-11, and Aliens, you could imagine, that totally captures the visceral human condition under extreme mindbending stress.
I love nothing more than to be put in the shoes of ordinary people, in extreme, world ending circumstances (that's why the zombie genre is so utterly fascinating to me)... doomsday scenario's are interesting on so many levels, and Cloverfield really brings that to life, perhaps more than any other movie, ever.
Not only that, but it sets up a wealth of potential for future films, and one any fan would die to see. Can't wait for more!
The only question is, will it be another shaky cam video capture, or a full blow theatrical production?
So much they can do here.HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
After getting home from the movie yesterday, I couldn't help but pull up the drawing table chair and start working on a fan art... so I'll be posting that soon!

Oh, and my buddy Grant Gould is hosting a peek at the monster over on his blog, SPOILER WARNING

SUPER REAL NOTES: Movie Special IN SHOPS TODAY

The new book is out!!!

SUPER REAL NOTES - MOVIE SPECIAL in stores next week

Turns out the new books got held up at the distributor, but I understand they should be in shops next week, 1/23/07. So please look for them then!

They turned out great, and favorable reviews are already starting to come in:
SEE HERE

The new books are also currently available in the website store (where you can now also pick up copies of the new extremely limited “POD variant” cover for the issue)

Order info:
SUPER REAL VS THE MOVIE INDUSTRY SPECIAL #1
DCD#SEP073951

MEANWHILE AT THE MOVIES... Grindhouse lives!

The movies came out going on a year ago, and the DVD's rest on our shelves, but Grindhouse is still a well of inspiration and infinitely cool, so why not check out the Grindhouse fans page on Myspace and these kick ass new gifs from Planet Terror!!!

DeviantArt - Flash Gordon

Last year, I got on a Flash Gordon kick, with the new Sci-Fi TV series coming up, I was anxious for that, and revisiting the Flash of my youth.

In 1980 the Flash Gordon movie came out, and I was pumped for it from the first teaser ad on TV. I still remember watching that first trailer, on my parents old black and white (10", 12" ?!?) set, and describing it to them in a rush, down to the colors of the bad guys outfits (red, which of course is a shade of gray on the set, so whatever)...
Seeing the movie time and again, it was a childhood favorite, no Star Wars, but certainly up there. Around the same time there was a Flash Gordon cartoon I remember being all excited about too.

Going back and revisiting them, I've only grown to appreciate the movie more, with it's lavish sets and costumes, and it's fun and sexy vibe, it's a visual treat that's only heightened by Queen's epic soundtrack!
While the cartoon is of good quality, it's hard to compete with today's animation, and I've yet to get past the first couple episodes.

The new TV show though, was a big letdown. There was no quality treatment like what was bestowed on Battlestar Galactica, just a pale imitation of the concept. It is however passable sci-fi entertainment, but lacking in any real spark that a new generation would fall in love with.

So, before the show launched, amidst my reborn interest with Flash and it's pulpy science fiction roots, I did a sketch inspired by the movie version... which I just resurfaced and finished up with some colors.

In re-Googling reference material to finish it up, I also came across this Japanese movie poster gem...
I'd love to do a Flash Gordon comic series, but rather than mess with that, I've found a way to incorporate a concept inspired by it into another project I'm working on for this year!

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!