PULP GIRLS DEBUTS at COMIC-CON '09

My new project, that I've been developing over the last year, Pulp Girls, is debuting next week at San Diego Comic-Con!

But just what is Pulp Girls?

Well, besides being really cool and exciting, let me give you a better idea...

Pulp Girls is a collection of concepts - inspired from grindhouse cinema, pulp heroes, and similar genre roots - in small cliffhanger style format, all with a female-centric twist.
In your face, fun, dangerous, colorful, short, and sweet.

GIRLS + WEAPONS x DANGER = PULP GIRLS
Ever since the release of the Grindhouse double-feature, there's been a shift in the pop-art/comic world, and a move to the more subversive genre fare that inspired that film. And while it didn't set any box office records, it's impact can be seen everywhere in comics, from the pulpy books on the rise, to the retro color effects and cover designs seen industry wide.
Pulp Girls is a celebration of that spirit, taking it to another level.
The artists, concepts, characters, and themes all share a similar drive, that provides for both unique stories and art, that also complement each other perfectly!
Rock'n'roll midnight movie serials.

The project features many talented creators, from across the globe...
England, Ireland, Germany, Norway, France, Mexico, and of course, the good ol' U S of A!
Just to name a few.

Creators like:
The Boo (Transformers Animated), Jerry Gaylord (ID Comics), Grant Gould (Star Wars the Clone Wars online), Josh Howard (Dead@17), Jason Martin (Super Real), Dan Mendoza (Zombie Tramp), Hector Sevilla (Marvel Assistant-Sized Spectacular), Nate Stockman, Bob Strang, Justin Wayne, and many more!

Basically, the same contemporary, colorful, animated house style I employ with Super Real Graphics.


Pulp Girls will be debuting at San Diego Comic-Con 2009, at the Super Real Graphics booth, 5331 (in the independent publishers area at the front of the hall).

We'll have a limited edition 2009 convention book that showcases the upcoming series available at the show, while supplies last.

The books are limited to 250 copies, and are an over-sized 8.5x11" perfect bound format, in full color, and feature 72 pages of Pulp Girls content!

They're $20 each (plus US shipping), come with a sketch, and you can pre-oder a limited number of them now if you can't make it to the show, right here via PayPal:

SOLD OUT

The 09 convention books have several of our complete serials, early versions of others, as well as some teasers, and pinups, in addition to an art section from our cover artist, the astonishing Bob Strang.
It’s really like an art book with comics, and as such, the book will make a great addition to both your reading stack, and your bookshelf!
We truly have some amazing artists, characters, and stories featured here.


Stay tuned to PulpGirls.com for more details on the developing project soon!
There's much more on the way!! Jason Martin
(Super Real Graphics - Pulp Girls creator/editor)

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: Grant Gould, rockstar!

Grant Gould, creator of SRG Presents Wolves of Odin, has a super fan, Jarmo from Finland...
He's super because he does things like taking the time to create 4 minute YouTube videos promoting Grant, and not only that, half the video showcases Wolves of Odin. So, check it out, because of course Wolves is cool, but ya know, so is Grant, and you can peek at his awesome 2009 sketchbook and some of his other non Wolves artwork!!

SUPER REAL NOTES: SRG Gnome cover artist on ATTACK OF THE SHOW, named SDCC correspondent!!!

The first SRG Presents volume, Gnome - by Dave Dwonch, sported a cover by his friend, bay area rapper/artist, Super Ugly (aka John Williams). We all just did a room share for Heroes con, and John had submitted for G TV's SDCC 09 guest correspondent contest... "Dark Horse Pop Culture Fanatic"

Turns out John was announced as the winner live on ATTACK OF THE SHOW today!!!

Video Game - E3 2009 - Attack of the Show

Congrats Ugly!!!!

So, John should be doing some of the on camera work for G4/AOTS during their hours of live Comic-Con coverage... NICE!

You can find John/Ugly's art HERE
and music HERE

Dave and John also do a pod cast, The Geek Savants, for which I was a guest during Heroes con... check out the podcast HERE

That's right kids, comic book dreams really do come true!!!
Now let's get some SRG love on G4 baby!!!!!

Meanwhile at the Movies... Inglourious new trailer

In case ya didn't know, I got a giant man-sized crush on Tarantino... I appreciate visionary creators, and he definitely changed the landscape of film. So, of course I'm stoked for the August release of Inglourious Basterds!!!

The Harry one was kind enough to post this new international trailer for the film, so I thought I'd go ahead and pay it forward...

SUPER REAL NOTES: Heroes Con this weekend!

I'll be in Charlotte North Carolina for the big Heroes Con, this Friday thru Sunday at small press table 840.


This will be my first time at the show, and I'm looking forward to it, as I always here such great things!

I know quite a few friends will be there, and a few others I've yet to meet, so should be good times!

Here's to a good show, and if you're there, please come by and say hello!

I'll of course have comics, sketchbooks, prints, and be doing sketches.

Recent commissions...

Thought I'd share some recent commission work I'd done...



And this Firestar sketchcard that still needs color...

Meanwhile at the Movies... Land of the Lost, don't believe the hype

Land of the Lost is all kinds of awesome!!

Made it to the multiplex yesterday, and happy to report Land of the Lost has gotten a really bad rap!

The movie is a visual treat, and is fun, and often funny, throughout.

First, the special effects, they're great. The dinosaurs and world are fully realized and of the highest level. There are tons of different dinosaurs, creatures, and environments at play, and they all look wonderful. Both in terms of quality, and character. The budget on this one really shows.

Second, the art direction and set work, are amazing!
A lot of care and design was put into making the land of the lost unique, vibrant, engrossing, and also very much the orgasmic evolution of the oh so crude original. From the lush forests, to the craggy rocks, to the windswept deserts... they've really built a new dimension for the cast to explore.

Which brings me to, the cast. It's great.
Sure, not everyone is fan of Will Ferrell, and yes, he's in full on man child mode here. But, I suspect even if that's not to your liking, he's solid enough to overlook.
Then we have Danny McBride, who again, has a shtick, and if you're not into his macho redneck loser thing, well, your missing out! I find McBride to be a treat, and anyone who's a fan of Eastbound and Down, will find Danny to be on his game here too.
Which leaves "Holly" and "Chaka", played by Anna Friel, Chuck from the late Pushing Daisies, and Jorma Taccone of SNL respectively. Both are great here. The Chaka from the original series was always more annoying and downright ugly than anything else, except to children, so he's upgraded here to a more cool version, that's a touch easier on the eyes... part caveman, part wookie, and much more low key. And Anna Friel brings the same charm to her role here, with a touch more edge.

As a fan of the mid 70's Sid and Marty Kroft original, the movie is even more rewarding. Sure the main draw as a kid was the dinos, but you also got the epic cool lizard men, the Sleestak, who are also upgraded here. With lavish high tech updates to their cool but low-tech original look, and most of their connecting mythos intact as well; temples, Enik, pit, library of skulls, etc.
It's cool to see that world brought to life with the full budget modern Hollywood treatment, that's faithful to the source.

All that said, is it a great film, or really good story?
No, not really.
But it is a great escape to another dimension of space and time, full of vibrant characters, and fun action.
It's also played very adult for a PG-13 film. It's definitely not aimed at the kids. Just as the show, a Saturday morning kids program, had gobs of actual sci-fi writing that likely zoomed way over our young dino-crazed heads.

Land of the Lost is a tachyon radiated trip to a crazy land of legendary adventures, with potty mouths and humor. The scheduling on this one, a quirky oddity aimed at big kids, releasing amidst the explosion of summer blockbusters, didn't do it any favors, and you might be surprised at just how good this one so many have written off is. Check it out if you ever considered giving it a shot.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED


But wait! There's more!!

Check out my posting of the review over on my DeviantArt journal for some discussion on the movie HERE

And hey, I'm not the only one who dug the film, check out these reviews over on AICN!

Annnnd, if you are a true old school Land of the Lost fiend, then you need to check out this fan site I was pointed to from my last LotL post!

Now here's some Land of the Lost fan art by my bud E Pun!

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: Haven Distribution's COMICS! catalog

For all you comic book fiends out there, just want to spread the word... Diamond is cool and all that, but Haven Distribution is an alternative distributor that now has a new catalog that offers independent comics as an option to just Diamond via comic book shops.

The first issue of the new catalog, Comics!, came out recently, and you may be able to see one via your local shop, or order one, but they're also available via the Haven website, either as a free download/online or order your own print copy.
Check it out HERE

There is a lot of really cool stuff in there that you either miss via Diamond, or isn't offered by them at all... and because of that, there's a lot of oddball stuff in there too (like my stuff, lol), but if you're a fan of books outside the big publishers, you need to check this out!

I'm saying this as a fan of comics, not as a sales pitch.
Sure my stuff is listed in it, but so could yours, and that's what's cool. It's a level playing field, and a way to check out a much wider selection of books.
Sure, it's cool to see the latest and greatest professionally polished corporate offerings, but we all know the underground, the alternative, is where the really exciting and cool stuff can happen!

Check it out... NOW!!!
(And spread the word!!!)

SUPER REAL NOTES: Super Real in Front magazine

I was recently alerted to the fact that Super Real made an appearance in UK magazine, Front, in the new July issue. Apparently there was a section that included a model holding the Movie Industry Special Jonboy Meyeres "Kill Bill" cover...

Upon seeing a scan of the page, turns out the book is indeed pictured, in a section detailing a models embracing of all things geek, and references comics "with big tits and/or zombies" in the "What I Does Love This Month" section with accompanying Super Real cover...

So there ya go.

Cool to see the book getting some love, whatever the case may be ;)

Have a look!

SUPER REAL NOTES: Newsarama interview

We interrupt your regularly schedule broadcast for this news update...

Land of the Lost is out today (and looks to have reviews on par with the flat attempts at humor on exhibit in the ads)...

Initial sales numbers are in, and the Super Real Graphic Novel is locked in at Diamond (I know this may not seem like much of a statement, but in today's market, and with their new thresholds, nothing is guaranteed)...

Oh, and an interview I did with Newsarama's Chris Arrant over a month ago finally went live!!
Newsarama is the industries leading news source, so check that out HERE

The interview is centered on the graphic novel release, but covers the entire scope of self publishing the series, and publishing comics in general, and I think came out really well! Be sure and check that out!

STAY TUNED

SUPER REAL NOTES: Graphic Novel new colors 2

This week I'm doing a little show and tell of the production for the Super Real graphic novel collection, and focusing on the inclusion of the Super Real VS The Comic Book Industry special issue, which was originally in black and white, but will now be in color.

There were five sections in the special, each by a different artist, and my section was in color (of sorts) already, so that left four sections needing color, with no time on my schedule to do it.

Yesterday we looked at samples of the first section, and today we'll focus on another, the section by Edward Pun, who worked in a manga style, as his section pit our cast member Kit against Poke-Zap, a Pokeman stand-in.

It was also one of the sections I filled via an open call, so today, here are the two sample pages I received for the section...


So that's Ed's lineart (with grayscale), and sample 1 by Jesus Alessandro Esparza Hurtado, and sample 2 by Fabián Cobos...

Both samples were cool, but quite similar, so I had a tough time picking. Stay tuned to see some future samples from the selected artist!

And again, a big thanks to everyone who took the time to do up some samples, and color some pages!

Tune in tomorrow for more before and after from new colorists on new artists!

SUPER REAL NOTES: Graphic Novel new colors

When I started to setup Super Real in one graphic novel collection, I knew right away, that with the collected format being in color, there was an opportunity to go back and colorize our first special, Super Real VS The Comic Book Industry, as it was originally printed in black and white. However, I also knew, with everything else that needed done, I wouldn't have time to color the pages myself. Even though, since it featured 4 sequences by guest artists Jim Mahfood, The Boo, Daniel Campos, and Edward Pun, it would've been a lot of fun to color all those different artists. So, I asked a couple folks if they were interested, and decided to try putting out an open call to the DeviantArt.com community, for the remaining sections.

Over the next few days, I'll share some of the newly colored pages here, starting with the three folks who were kind enough to submit color samples for the two open sections (by Daniel, and Ed). As you'll see, I found some cool artists, and I really appreciate them taking the effort to try out for a non paying gig like this.

Today I'll show our first selection, by Oliver Lee Arce, and his colors over Daniel Campos' first page from the special...


A side by side comparison, from inks, to colors, and letters...
As you can see, his colors really bring the page to life, and also are full of unique touches. Very nice!

If anyone else wants to play with colors on the pages, feel free, just click on the ink image, and let me know so I can post your results here (just remember the slots for the book are already filled!).

Tune in tomorrow, and we'll share the two submissions we got for Edward's section, and then after that, some of the cool colors provided by friends!

STAY TUNED!

Meanwhile at the Movies... Land of the Lost

There are just too many movies coming out this month... I know there are a lot all summer, but it sure seems the studios are squeezing way too many into May and early June.
I saw Star Trek, and Wolverine, but probably won't make it to Terminator, and who knows about Up (or Drag Me to Hell), but one movie I'll damn sure catch on the big screen??
Land of the Lost!!!
Now, I was really jazzed about this one, with fond yet vague early childhood memories of dino's, Sleestak's, a raft, and lots of jungle action... with extra cheese. But the movie version also happens to feature Will Ferrell and Danny McBride, so BONUS!
However, once the trailers hit, and aside from some great looking effects, the humor was pretty flat, and killing my drive to see it... that was until Sci-Fi ran a Memorial Day marathon of the original series!!!

It was the first time I'd seen the shows in over 30 years, and man, that was some messed up and inspired children's entertainment only the 70's could bring!!
Turns out, while pretty uneven and definitely for kids, there was some serious sci-fi at play, and plenty of tripped out imagination! So, I can't wait to see the movie, regardless...
The creatures, characters, cast, and effects, even if a bad movie, will be worth the price of admission. Here's hoping the movie is actually good, or fun, too!

SUPER REAL NOTES: read the series online!

As you know, we've got our double-sized finale special coming soon (July - via comic shops and Haven distribution, or direct from SRG), and the entire series collected as a graphic novel (August - via comic shops and Diamond distribution).

I've started to post the entire series online, for free, and right now it's available in my DeviantArt gallery HERE
I'll probably create an official page for the updates, but for the time being I'm updating a scene each weekday there. So, you can check out the book, or just get caught up in time for the new releases!!

Tell a friend!
And be sure to pick up your copy of the print editions later this summer!
Both of which can be preordered now:

SUPER REAL: CAST CHANGE SPECIAL

48 pages
Black & White
$6.99

HAVEN ORDER CODE:
SUPRSUP101

SUPER REAL GRAPHIC NOVEL

220 pages
Full Color
$18.99

DIAMOND ORDER CODE:
MAY09 1018

I SAW IT ON TV: Lost season 5 finale

So just got through the big season 5 finale of Lost last night...

What did everyone think?

I thought it was really good, and while some of it was a bit obvious, there were still cool moments, and of course headscratchers!
SPOILER
Locke's dead in the cliffhanger, again?!?
So who is the living Locke?
The final scene in the foot with Jacob they reference the loophole, from the opening scene, where Jacob's on the island with another man, who apparently wants to kill him, if only he could find said loophole.
So who was that man? (and what did I recognize him from, it's driving me batty... and I'm too lazy to IMDB it...)
What is this loophole?
What is Jacob?
And how is this man Locke, or vice versa.
I mean, we know it's all something to do with Egyptian gods, or some such, but I'm no student of anything outside comics and pop culture.
So is Jacob an Egyptian god of life/death (I know this was speculated, as to what Egyptian stuff was in play for weeks)?

It was kind of neat how Jacob was there giving a "little push" at the moment of crisis for all of our cast...
How?
And to what end?

Who are these self proclaimed "good guys" with their shadow of the statue talk?

And, are we really going to see the cast back on flight 815 and landing safe at LAX next season?
Or is that a red herring?
Seems to me, if they do put the cast back together, on the other side of flight 815... it's ripe for that proposed movie there's been talk of in the past.
Then the cast could have some reason to find the island or some such.

But if that's where we are at the start of the final season, where do we go from there?
If that's not where we are, what does Juliette's detonation bring?

2010

Good stuff.

Thoughts??

I posted this over on my DeviantArt journal last nigte, so check over there for some discussion... HERE

Also, you can check out the always stunning breakdowns by Doc Jensen on EW.com HERE
And The Beat does a recap with lively discussion each ep HERE

Meanwhile at the Movies... Wolverine VS Star Trek

Two weeks.
Two HUGE genre movies!

One meh, grade C, mildly entertaining waste of a perfect character.
One awesome, grade A, wildly entertaing celebration of great characters!

Guess which is which ;)
First off, the claw poppin mutant origin story.
Or, X-Men Origins: Wolverine.
Or, we're Fox, we have no fucking idea how to make good comic book movies...
Remember X-Men 1 and 2, yeah, we fucked that up with this awesomely bad bastardizing of the Dark Phoenix saga, with a lame ass nod to Days of Future Past for good measure.
Fantastic Four, greatest comic magazine ever?
Here, fight a galactic cloud in an orange rubber suit!
Need I say more?
Wolverine sucked.
Sword popping, concusive blasting, Deadpool raping bad.
But, if you want my full review from last week, go HERE

NOT RECOMMENDED

Then there's Star Trek.

So yeah, it's good.


It's really good.

Mostly, it's JJ's focus on the cast, and the characters that make it work.
I had every confidence in the cast they assembled, and they mostly pull it off, without missing a beat.
Sure, there's only one Shatner, but as has been said, Pine does his own thing, while still being visually similar, and every bit as charming as the original.
Quinto just looks so good as Spock, but he also does nicely in the Vulcan shoes.
Urban, well, he does well, and I'm not sure if it's me, as Bones was always my fave, but I had the hardest time buying his performance. His seemed the most copy cat.
Everyone else brings their own thing to the roles.

The story?

Well, its very good too.

SPOILERS
I especially enjoyed the beginning, the opening chapter with the birth of Kirk. We really hit the ground running, both in terms of action, and emotionally. Actually, I think that turn of events, culminating in ol' James T's birth, is hard to top.

Then of course, the young Kirk stuff was gold.
Beastie Boys in a Star Trek movie?!?
But it was great!

The bar scene, the academy stuff.
Pine really shines in the role.

I also thought the original Spock's role worked very well, handing off to the next gen premise, and also building a cool alternate reality universe.
SPOILERS OFF
The effects are great.

And yes, more cool, and more action oriented, like Star Wars.
More truly alien aliens.
All the things as a kid, watching the movies, post Star Wars, you wished they'd push.
I mean, the TV show had simpler effects and aliens for a reason... it never felt right to stay so subdued on the big screen budget.

Oh yes, there's plenty to love.

My only qualms would be that the climax could've used more punch, and so could the sound.
I know I harp on sound a lot, but it often seems so lacking.
Here, it's pretty good, but they tossed out most the trademark stuff, and went different directions... which I get, but still think would've been better served keeping.
When stuff's that iconic, it's probably for a reason, and I don't think because it was cheesy...
SPOILER
We only get the theme at the end... which would've worked better had we not just seen that with the Battlestar finale...
SPOILER OFF
So yeah.
It's sexy, fun, thrilling, cool, and just like in the movie, there's more warp factors yet to come!!

Can't wait for the next voyage!

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

SUPER REAL NOTES: Graphic Novel PREVIEW

Here's a sneak peek at 6 pages from our upcoming July/August release, the SUPER REAL GRAPHIC NOVEL, which collects the entire 200 page series:


issue 1, and issue 2

issue 3, and newly colored Jim Mahfood pages from our VS The Comic Book Industry special

Josh Howard page from the VS The Movie Industry special, and the previously unreleased series climax featuring new participant "O"


SUPER REAL – graphic novel
By Jason Martin, with guest artwork from Jim Mahfood, Josh Howard, and various
220 pages, digest sized (6x9), Full Color, mature readers, $18.99
DIAMOND ORDER CODE MAY09 1018
ISBN:0-9802498-2-1


Remember to place your orders with comic book shops now, via the Previews catalog and Diamond order code MAY09 1018
(Please use the comic book shop locator on the sidebar to find the shop nearest you)

SUPER REAL NOTES: Double-sized finale special

Yesterday I talked about the Super Real graphic novel, that you can currently pre-order for later this summer, which includes the entire series, but some of you may be wondering about the final issues that haven't come out yet?

Well, I'm happy to say fans of the book who don't necessarily want to buy the graphic novel, can get the climax of our genetically powered reality TV tale this summer as well. The final two issues will be available as one over-sized 48 page book, Super Real: Cast Change, either in comic book shops via Haven Distribution, or directly from Super Real Graphics, both in print or PDF download (more info on this option to come)!

Here's the book info:
SUPER REAL: Cast Change SPECIAL
48 pages, b&w, mature readers - $6.99
Pre order now – May Haven Comics! Catalog

Our reality show cast were promised million dollar payouts for participation, but now a bold change to the show’s format via a controversial new cast member has them reeling... If their fifteen minutes of fame, and cash reward are cut short, will anyone survive?!?
It’s all out war in this brand new super-sized conclusion to the popular independent series that mashes-up pop culture with comic book mayhem, and features a character inspired by the most popular man on Earth - Barack Obama, who completes the book’s trinity of Presidential likenesses (with Bush and Cheney already in place as the show’s producers)!

This is not a marketing stunt dear readers, this is the only conclusion our tale could possibly have!! Don’t miss it!!!

Your local comic book retailer will have a copy of the Haven Distribution catalog, Comics!, in May (and you should be able to have them order you a copy), but you can also order it yourself directly from Haven if you like (there are tons of cool independent retailers listed in the catalog, but it is new, this is the first issue):
The catalog can be pre-ordered through www.havendistro.com. It's shown on the front page of the cart once you login (you can use guest/guest to see it).

Super Real: Cast Change will be an advance order item in the catalog, so I'll give an update once the book is available (early summer). And again, you can get the issue on it's own, or as part of the graphic novel, later in the summer.

Check out and stay tuned for more info at the book's site HERE

SUPER REAL NOTES: Super Real Graphic Novel preorder/info

SUPER REAL – graphic novel
220 pages, full color, 6x9, mature readers - $18.99
ISBN#0-9802498-2-1
Pre order now – May Diamond Previews Catalog, page 280 via DCD#MAY09 1018

Collects the complete independent series recommended by Newsarama, Aint It Cool News, Comics Buyers Guide and many more. Super Real follows five people who sign million dollar contracts to get genetically enhanced for a reality show based on comic book superheroes. An over the top mash-up of reality TV and comic book fiction, that’s like Survivor with superpowers, or The Real World meets The X-Men!
Find out what happens when our cast goes beyond reality.
Features guest artwork from Jim Mahfood, Josh Howard, and more.

That's right!! The entire series gets the book treatment! And you can preorder your copy now!!!

The Super Real graphic novel collects the complete series, which includes the unreleased double-sized final issue, and all five previously released issues, in one 220 plus page, full color volume!

The entire Super Real epic, in one handy book, for you to keep and treasure ;)

Real World meets X-Men, with a dash of Star Wars, a hint of politics, Street Fighter for spice, and a bit of the old ultra-violence!!

Be sure to let your local comic book retailer know to order you a copy.
Spread the word.
More details to come!
(Including information on those previously unreleased issues!!)

jason

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: new Sony Notebook - comics reader?

Apparently it’s reallyyyy slow, and yeah, it’s like $900 dollars… otherwise the new 8" screen Sony Netbook looks awfully close to the killer comic reading machine!
Watch the AOTS vid, or check out their notes on it HERE

Darn!

COMIC BOOK REVIEW: Wise Intelligence

Wise Intelligence #1
By Ryan McLelland, Adam Talley, with Ian Harker

Ryan McLelland, whom you might recognize from around comics in the past few years, among other things, he’s had a column on Newsarama.com, contributes reviews for Ainitcoolnews.com, and also started a series called Philly with Arcana Comics.

Back in the day, Ryan wrote about making his comic Wise Intelligence as part of his indie comics column on Newsarama, and actually created an issue of the book years back. This however, is a new first issue for Wise Intelligence, billed as number 1 or 3, which features a main story (of standard comic length) by McLelland and Talley, and a short comedic backup by Harker (as well as some extra inside and back cover art by other artists).

WI is the college days slice of life tales of four dudes, making their way through higher learning… you know, how to fit school around drinking and girls? Having never gone to college myself, I can always enjoy a peek at all the stuff I missed out on, and I can still easily relate to the young college age male, and their pursuits; video games, beer, girls, and the various versions of the post high school guys one can know and be buds with. Here, McLelland simply aims to capture those youthful days, and exploits on the comic page, and for that he does fairly well.

His cast ring true, and his stories feel genuine, and artist Adam Talley brings a fun comic strip style approach to the mix, which helps keeps things in the light vibe McLelland is working for. However, Talley isn’t quite up to the task of making it really come to life beyond the perfunctory, and it can be difficult telling the similar college bros and gals apart. Also, there’s nothing extraordinary about these stories. No high concept using the college buddies to jump off from. It’s all played very straight. There’s not even modern Superbad-raunch-humor-with-heart at play here, or crazy off-the-wall debauchery to take things to another level. So ultimately, I think that’s WI’s fatal flaw. Because if you’re going to build a comic around something as simple as four college guys, it needs an artist to really bring it to life and sell it, and unfortunately Talley is not at that level. Which is a shame, because the guest artwork, on the inside cover for instance, gives us a taste of what WI truly needs.

But, don’t get me wrong, if you’re looking for an earnest tale of college life, from the young male perspective, WI is a solid read. And perhaps McLelland has more wrinkles waiting in future installments, or Talley can continue to evolve and improve, because he’s got a solid foundation to work with. It just needs a little extra something, either in story, or art.

Give Wise Intelligence a look if college life appeals to you, either from the outsider perspective of not having experienced it yourself, or for the first hand look back on simpler, youthful times.

MILDLY RECOMMENDED

SUPER REAL NOTES: ECCC this weekend!

Hey!

I'll be at the world famous Emerald City Comicon this weekend, Saturday and Sunday, in rainy dreary Seattle, exhibiting in the artist alley! Come by, say hey, and look over prints, sketchbooks, comics, art, or get a sketch!

This was a con sketch preorder for my version of the James Jean golden age Sally Jupiter pinup from the Watchmen movie...


I'm looking forward to it!

Meanwhile at the Movies... Monsters VS Aliens, we win!

Okay, Monsters VS Aliens, the latest kid friendly, CG animated, potential franchise bait felt rather inspired, and appealing on many levels beyond just kiddie fair, ya know?
The perfect strap in, take a ride to new places kind of movie going thing I seek and devour.
But the couple reviews, or what I'd seen going into Friday's release, were kind of not that good. Calling it a marginal outing...
I'm happy to say, the wife and I saw it Friday in 3D, and loved every damn minute!!!
That, was a damn good movie.

Holy S Batman!?!?!
From the 3D, best I've seen yet... Beowulf - kind of odd, My Bloody Valentine - the 3D was just okay, but full on animated CG (I didn't see Bolt in theaters), DAMN!!!!!
Now that is good times!

Anyway, the 3D was great, very immersive, and just really worked.
Then you had the animation, stylish and quality enough to work very well.
The characters, all around, just fabulous. From voice acting, to design, very engaging... especially Susan (the 50 foot woman) and Bob (the Seth Rogan blob). A couple could've used some more life, but a really deep inspired cast, in all aspects.

Then the story, all out fun, all the time.
The only thing MVA lacks is the bonus round levels of heart of Incredibles and Wall-e, but I think, MVA is only inferior to Incredibles... I enjoyed it much more than Wall-e. Again, Wall-e packed a stronger emotional punch, but it's plot, ripped from Mike Judge's Idiocracy was far inferior.

MVA is just movie making at it's best, nonstop fun, inspired action, eye-popping visuals, great cast/characters, and genre bending next level shit.
And, it's damn funny!

I can't recommend it enough.
It is what everyone thought Kung-Fu Panda was.
Sure Panda looked great, and had lots of fun, but nothing about it felt as enjoyable as this to me.
Panda was just too predictable.
And sure MVA is too, it's MIB meets Incredibles, or Independence Day meets Hellboy etc... but it's got quirk and creativity in spades when it came to the storytelling. It was just too engaging to be weighed down by any of that.

I loved it.

See it in 3D, and I dare you not to enjoy it.

(and be sure and stay a couple minutes into the credits, for more President Colbert... then, you're safe to leave)

Go see it!!!
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
(You can check out more MVA discussion in my DeviantArt journal posting HERE)

Comic Book Indsustry State of the Union 2

Well, I've always focused on the bigger picture of the comic industry here, first, as a publisher/creator working in the direct market it's obviously on my radar, and second, because I've known for years that we were at a crossroads in the US industry. Now it seems, keeping tabs on the pulse of the industry is a daily occurrence, so here's another roundup of news items relating to our changing times...

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First we have a new feature on The Beat, adding an independent publisher roundup to their monthly tallies of comic shops sales, based off the Diamond top 300 books.
Very interesting to get a coherent rundown of all the indie books making the list.
Check it out HERE

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Next, also courtesy of a link from The Beat, Todd Allen explores a doomsday scenario, where the direct market, if things play out poorly, could collapse altogether (and hey, that's not too far fetched... I've always said, digital will reach a tipping point when either A) there's a reader device current fans embrace, or B) when one of the large publishers (Marvel or DC) decide to switch to a digital model, of which the latter could occur at any time).
Check out part one HERE

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Then, hop over to Newsarama for a couple different articles on digital comics...
First, a poll on what readers think is the best price model for digital HERE
and second, they take a look at the new software update for the iPhone, and it's implications for comics HERE

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And finally, there's the news that DC plans to start shifting pricing on it's books to $3.99 (to match Marvels recent-ish moves of the same), and also some rumblings of continued price increases for Diamond UK, that were on-again, off-again (see Lying In the Gutters), that could've had a big impact on the UK market.

Tune in next week dear readers for what I'm sure will be more developments...

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: Dan's animated short

My buddy Dan Mendoza, who I've worked with on Super Real (SR vs The Movie Industry special), and also the upcoming Pulp Girls (Bewere), just shared an animated short he did in college that's a fun little Sasquatch tale...
whats afoot? from dan mendoza on Vimeo.

CHECK IT OUT!