IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: RoboGeisha

From the director of MACHINE GIRL and the effects specialist of TOKYO GORE POLICE (if you don't know one or both of those movies, shame on you, go rectify that) comes the trailer everyone is talking about... ROBOGEISHA!!
What?
That's not the AVATAR trailer AVATAR everyone AVATAR is AVATAR talking about?

SUPER REAL NOTES: CBR interview and GN update!

Been slammed beyond infinity, and someone forwarded me a link to this, but have not gotten to posting it around...

I did an interview for Comic Book Resources a while back, and they ran it last week HERE

It's centered around Super Real, and the Graphic Novel, and it touches on other stuff too, but mainly I shoot straight about what's what with the book, and how it got to where it's at, format and schedule wise...
It's reformatted in a funky quote laden expose of sorts, and has a couple wonky facts (mainly A) the final issue is being published digitally via SRG and in print via Haven, and B) SRG has always been the publishing company, but only started offering other products, outside Super Real, in 2008), but is a good summary of where we're at with the book and what's to come!
And yes, the book is late.
I scheduled it for July with the hopes of having it for the big cons, but it was too much to finish for that, and got further delayed when I had to drop it for weeks doing the shows, but it's back on track and nearing completion.

It (the graphic novel) will be out in September (along with the final issue), and Diamond will have it out to shops per the original terms and all that. No worries.
It is indeed coming, and SOON!
I promise :)

From there it's over to launch Pulp Girls
Plus there's other exciting stuff moving forward too!!!

STAY TUNED
Lots of cool stuff coming VERY SOON!!!

Meanwhile at the Movies... G.I. JOE... Now I know...

and it's kind of an okay flick.

Mindless? Sure.
Fun? Sort of.
Terrible? Mostly not.
Cool? Sort of.

As the buzz has been, it's nowhere near as horrible as we feared (but that's not saying alot).
The do-hickey suits aren't as bad as they looked, and there's a lot of really decent stuff in play... and yeah, plenty of cheese, and lame casting, performances, and spins on things... but mostly it's an enjoyable romp for 13 year old boys, and those that can throw down with that level of entertainment.
So, me :D

The main offense here is Snake Eyes.
Mis-cast as Ray Park, who has the chops, but a terrible build for the part, Snake looks way too short and stocky, and not very ninja like.
Of course, his god awful suit design doesn't help anything... what the hell is with the Schumacher-style muscle-sculpted torso, with generic JCPenny cargo pants?!?!
To say nothing of those LIPS!!!
My god man, WTF?!?!
Lips?!?
Look, I knew they were coming going in, but they're so much worse than you'd ever think... like Steven Tyler/Easter Island ginormous LIPS?!?!
It's too bad, he's by far the coolest character, and he's woefully mismanaged here.
He looks like a fucking guy in a ninja turtle suit!!! No joke!

In other bad casting news, Channing Tatum can't act his way out of a paper bag, at least in this movie. I've not seen much with him in it, but I got the impression the kid was supposed to be good, and I've nothing against him, he sure looks the part, but man, he was bad, just flat, lifeless, and did I mention BAD?!?

Completing the axis of evil casting? We have Dennis Quaid.
Love the guy, but wow, just a horrible choice for Hawk.
He must be friends with the director, Stephen Sommers.
Because he sure doesn't work here.

And as bad as they all were, the casting is otherwise really good.
Sienna Miller is strong as the Baroness.
Joseph Gordon is solid as what becomes Cobra Commander, in spite of what seemed an odd choice (the kid is just good).
Destro's good, Storm Shadow's good, Scarlett's really good, Mr. Echo... I mean Heavy Duty, even Marlon Wayans is really good with what he's given.

It is odd that the story centers around a pre-Cobra setup, and that so much of what worked so well with the "real American hero" toy line, is not in play, or reworked. The characters and designs at play for that were so ahead of their time, they really didn't need to shy away from most of it.
Hopefully, if we get a sequel, that will all be in more play.

And why, why on Earth, when you've got a classic piece of iconic music, like the theme from the cartoon, is it nowhere to be found?!?!
Especially when there's no score to speak of?!?!
Why do studios keep ignoring the music??!!
The score can take a decent movie, and elevate it.
For god's sake, where was the music?!?
That's half the fucking battle you twits, not ham fisting the tag lines into self-referential in-joke bullshit dialogue!!!!??!!
Fuck!

Then there's the direction of the story, more espionage than battle, again, which we knew going in, with the "global team" focus, and it mostly works, but then at the end we get a 50,000 leagues under the sea/Phantom Menace Gungan city battle, and it's supposed to play like a mix of Battlestar Galactica, and Star Wars, but it really just looks silly and has no real punch.

Then, there's the limited scope of the Joe cast of characters.
We only really get a sense of their scale in an early montage, and otherwise follow a half dozen or so main characters throughout, with generic soldiers filling in the background.
Lame.

So, despite all of my many grievances, I still rather enjoyed the movie, and think it was, in spite of being another watered-down Hollywood botch job, a mostly fun flick, that I'd be happy to watch again. It does get some of it right, and contain some of the vibe we all loved so much with the toys, comics, and cartoons. Some tweaking to Snake Eyes, soul infusion for Tatum, and embracing of the source material, and the franchise could be a winner.

RECOMMENDED (for Joe fans)
MILDLY RECOMMENDED (for non-Joes)

Wizard World Chicago Comic-Con this weekend

I'll be in Chicago (Rosemont, IL) all weekend for the big comic show, formerly Wizard World Chicago, now called Chicago Comic-Con.

The show starts Thursday 8/6, for preview night, and runs through Sunday 8/9.

I'll be exhibiting in artist alley, space 4228.

I'll have the new Pulp Girls convention books (limited to 250 copies, and going going), the Pulp Girls limited silk screen print (limited to 150 copies), Super Real comics, SRG Presents Gnome and Wolves of Odin books, fan art prints, sketchbooks, and more!
Of course I'll have and be doing sketches.
Also, I'll have copies of my buddy Dan Mendoza's Comic-Con sellout, ZOMBIE TRAMP, in a new "SR DISTRO" printing (SR Distro is a new direct sales distribution model I might try out)!!!

Lots of cool stuff!

Can't wait for the show, and to see all the cool friends, fans, and comic book fiends!

I may even get to check out Chi-town a bit on Monday before my flight (fun fact, I was born in East Chicago) ;)
and of course deep dish pizza, and White Castles are on my to-do list (along with maybe seeing some family).

Phew, I'm worn out just thinking about it!

See ya there!

Here's a couple pre-done sketches I'll have at the show and a sample of the Pulp Girls convention book sketch page (and sketch):

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: Pulp Girls and Wolves

Still digging out from Comic-Con (and Wizard Comic-Con is only 6 days away!!)...

I put a brief con recap on my DeviantArt journal, but there were a couple web updates today to share...

1) Pulp Girls (as well as Dan Mendoza's Zombie Tramp) got some love over on the Comic Monsters website, a cool destination if you dig horror, and comics, natch ;)
Check that out HERE

2) WolvesofOdin.com debuts the new ongoing Wolves of Odin webcomic sequel to the SRG Presents: Wolves of Odin OGN from last November, starting today!
Check out the updates HERE

SDCC 09 update

I'll be tweeting Comic-Con updates on Facebook...

If you're so inclined.

SUPER REAL NOTES: SDCC 09 info

Hey everyone!

Been real busy finishing up the Super Real graphic novel and final issue special, it's coming together very well... and also getting my new project, Pulp Girls, ready to debut at the big summer cons. Which brings me to...

I'll be exhibiting Super Real Graphics at booth 5331 in the independent publisher area at San Diego Comic-Con for the entire show, 7/22-7/26

That's right, this year I've moved over from small press, to a full booth (no promises for next year though)!!!

At the booth with me will be:

Dan Mendoza - artist - Super Real, Pulp Girls
Dave Dwonch (Friday and Saturday) - creator - SRG Presents Gnome
Grant Gould (Thursday-Sunday, first hour of each day) - creator - SRG Presents Wolves of Odin
Jerry Gaylord (limited times) - artist - Super Real, Pulp Girls
and maybe John (Super Ugly) Williams - cover artist - Gnome and G4TV SDCC correspondent... if we're lucky (for all you star fuckers out there!) ;)

And maybe some other folks, it'll be a bit of a revolving door of SRG friends.

We'll have:

A special pre-sale offer for the Super Real graphic novel (see below for details)
SRG Presents Gnome and Wolves of Odin
and my new project debuting at the show, Pulp Girls



If you can't make the show, the Pulp Girls con books are available via the website too here
Check that out, it's really cool stuff man!

All artists, including myself, can of course also do sketch commissions and signings.

Hope to see you at the show!

Next stop... Wizard World Chicago!

_____
SUPER REAL GN PRE-SALE DETAILS:

Since the books aren't ready for the big show, I'm having a special offer for those who haven't already signed up for it with their shops (which I'll also offer for a limited time via the site for those who can't make the show).
If you pre-pay for your copy of the book, you'll get:

The book shipped to you, free shipping
A pre-sale only sketch plate, with an original character sketch
And a free copy of either SRG Presents Gnome, or Wolves of Odin

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!