2009 May
Send Us Your Shelf Porn!
Welcome to another edition of Send Us Your Shelf Porn. Our guest this week is Kurt Young, who hails from Ottawa, Ontario, and works for the Canadian federal government.
Thanks by the way to all those who’ve been sending photos in or just emailing comments and suggstions. Your efforts and thoughts are always much appreciated. As a reward, I’ll refrain from my usual pleas for material this week and let Kurt take over …
- May 6, 2009 @ 02:25 PM by Chris Mautner
Strangeways: The Thirsty – Page 067
Okay, if you want to learn how to win yourself a copy of MURDER MOON, then read along and get to the end of the post after the free comics right here.
Page sixty and seven. That’s like three issues plus!
Written by Matt Maxwell. Art by Gervasio and Jok.
So that’s it. Makes a little more sense now.
Remember, you can catch up on the story at the archives here.
Okay, I’ll see you all on Friday and…
What? What’s that? I’m forgetting something? Oh yeah, I guess I am at that. I promised copies of MURDER MOON to people, didn’t I? Okay, but you’re not going to get them for exactly, precisely free, are you? I’d like to know that you’ve all bee reading and paying attention. So let’s start at the beginning.
On the very first page of this serial, there’s a drunkard of a tavern owner. We’ve seen him recently, a little worse for wear. But what’s his name?
Send your email to strangeways@highway-62.com and put “Murder Moon Contest” in the subjectline. Then put the answer in the body of the message. You can write some other stuff too if you like. You’ve got until midnight (PDT) tonight, that’s May 6th (for those of you who had too much tequila last night) to get your entries in. I’ll post the winner, drawn randomly, along with Friday’s page, at 1pm.
And if’n you don’t win, don’t feel bad. You’ll get another shot at it. I guarantee it. Entries are likely to be added to my (very infrequently utilized) mailinglist.
Good luck!
- May 6, 2009 @ 01:00 PM by Matt Maxwell
The Chris Ware/Andrew Bird mash-up finally becomes a reality
For a special live edition of This American Life that was broadcast in theaters across the country a few weeks ago, Chris Ware contributed the above animation, featuring Quimby the Mouse and that nameless cat that doesn’t have a body. Man, that thing always freaks me out.
Update: Aaaaand no wit looks like it’s been taken down. Sorry about that. If it comes back up again somwhere soon I’ll update the link.
- May 6, 2009 @ 11:17 AM by Chris Mautner
Aaron and Dillon preparing for the Punisher?
Punisher
Are writer Jason Aaron and artist Steve Dillon on their way to The Punisher?
Colorist Matt Hollingsworth updated the Current Comics Work page on his website, and one of the projects he lists is The Punisher, starting with issue #75, “with Jason Aaron, Steve Dillon, Sebastian Girner and Axel Alonso.”
Although Marvel responded with a “no comment” when asked about it, it wouldn’t be the first time either creator worked on the character. Dillon worked with Garth Ennis on the character for about two years, and also drew a Punisher/Bullseye mini-series. And Aaron wrote last year’s Punisher MAX X-Mas Special. Based on his work on Scalped and Wolverine, Aaron seems like a natural choice for the title.
Thanks to Robot 6 reader “TC” for the tip.
- May 6, 2009 @ 10:20 AM by JK Parkin
King City to return
King City #1
This is great news — Brandon Graham’s King City, which was caught up in the Tokyopop implosion last year, is returning to print in August.
Graham writes on his LiveJournal that Tokyopop and Image Comics will release King City as a 12-issue comic series starting Aug. 19. It will be printed in the same, larger format as Image’s recent Viking comic.
The first six issues will reprint volume one, which Tokoyopop released last year, with “some cool extra shit to try to make it interesting even if you’ve got the TP book.”
The last six issues showcasing what would have been volume two. “Needless to say I’m fucking thrilled,” Graham said.
I hope this means that similar deals are in the works for some of the other “Original English Language” books that Tokyopop started but never finished, like Becky Cloonan’s East Coast Rising and Dan Hipp’s Gyakushu. It would be great to see them wrapped up as well.
- May 6, 2009 @ 09:48 AM by JK Parkin
Keep on trucking … I guess
The Mr. Natural shoe
I’m not sure how I feel about this: Vans Shoes has, according to the Los Angeles Times, teamed up with legendary cartoonist Robert Crumb to release special edition footwear with some of his more famous characters emblazoned on them:
Four different R. Crumb shoes are due to hit store shelves on Oct. 1; two in the Vans Classics collections — including the Mr. Natural deconstructed SK8-Hi pictured above ($60) and a classic slip-on featuring Fritz the Cat ($52) — will be available through regular Vans vendors.
Two additional higher-end styles (using suede and leather) will be sold through Vans Vault accounts; a “Modern America” Chukka boot ($95) and a “Keep on Truckin’ ” Authentic ($90).
I hate to sound like a grumpy old man here or accuse Crumb of being a sell-out — if this deal nets him much-earned coin or helps him bring his work in front of the eyes of younger consumers, more power to him. I guess I’m just a bit surprised that someone who’s been as protective of his material as Crumb has been (t-shirts and Devil Girl candy bars aside), not to mention bitter toward those big-industry types to tried to ride on the R.Crumb gravy train, would join forces with an international clothing firm like this. But perhaps that just underscores my own naiveté and half-baked assumptions. (found via Tom)
- May 6, 2009 @ 09:00 AM by Chris Mautner
Comics A.M. | The comics Internet in two minutes
Warlord of Io
Publishing | The discussion continues about Diamond’s decision not to carry James Turner’s Warlord of Io, with clarifications from SLG Publisher Dan Vado, an overview from Editor-in-Chief Jennifer de Guzman, and commentary from Heidi MacDonald (followed by debate in the comments section), Greg Burgas, Sean Collins and Dirk Deppey.
I haven’t fully read and absorbed all the articles, but I liked Tom Spurgeon’s contention that, “[S]ome things have value even if they only sell 4000 units, both in terms of one day potentially selling many more than that but also in and of themselves and, perhaps most importantly of all, by adding to a varied and rich and unique experience that involves stringing together multiple titles.”
Pedro Bouça follows sometime later with this observation: “Funny thing is, Asterix, the world’s best-selling comic series has sold some 350 MILLION books all over the world. But guess how much the first book sold originally? Some 6000 copies. Luckily it was sold in bookstores, not on the direct market.”
Archaia
Publishing | Archaia Studios Press resumes publishing in June under a slightly different name: Archaia. [press release, via Comics Worth Reading]
Publishing | The first titles from Japanese publisher Kodansha’s new North American division have appeared on Amazon.ca: Akira and Ghost in the Shell, both previously licensed to Dark Horse. [Anime Vice]
Publishing | The solicitation for Love and Capes #11 was omitted from the May issue of Previews. Johanna Draper Carlson talks with creator Thom Zahler about Diamond’s efforts to make up for the error. [Comics Worth Reading]
Publishing | Montreal-based publisher Drawn & Quarterly, which marks its 20th anniversary this year, is profiled. [The Globe and Mail]
- May 6, 2009 @ 08:14 AM by Kevin Melrose
Jim Lee draws Gambit
Dunno about you guys, but it looked like he was moving a lot faster than that to me.
- May 6, 2009 @ 05:37 AM by JK Parkin
Iron Maiden’s lawsuit is ‘outrageous,’ comic creator says
Iron and the Maiden #2
The creator of the comic Iron and the Maiden calls the trademark-infringement lawsuit filed by heavy-metal band Iron Maiden “outrageous” and “completely without merit.”
The band wants to prevent Iron and the Maiden LLC from using the “confusingly similar” name to sell comic books, video games and other merchandise. It also seeks undisclosed damages.
“The Iron and the Maiden legal team believes that this case is completely without merit,” a spokesperson for creator Jason Rubin said in a statement. “It is outrageous to claim ownership of the well-known term ‘Iron Maiden,’ a medieval torture device that predates rock and roll by centuries and is part of world culture, legend and lore.”
Released through Aspen Comics in 2007, Iron and the Maiden centers on the characters Michael Iron and Angel Chase, who are caught in the middle of a war between the government, a religious sect and a criminal organization in an alternative-universe 1930s.
“The title is a play on the torture device,” the spokesperson said. “Any rational person who looks at the property at www.ironandthemaiden.com will immediately understand how ridiculous the assertions made in the complaint are.”
- May 6, 2009 @ 04:51 AM by Kevin Melrose
Help artist Josh Medors in his battle with cancer
Artist Josh Medors has been fighting cancer for more than a year, and his condition continues to worsen. Image Comics sent out the following letter yesterday asking for help with an alternative treatment:
The Darkness cover art by Josh Medors
This is a call to action!
As many of you may know already, artist Josh Medors (Frazetta’s Swamp Demon & Sorcerer, Runes of Ragnan, 30 Days of Night) has been fighting a losing battle against a terminal form of cancer for well over a year, and it has recently taken a turn for the worst. The doctors and conventional medicine have all but given up on him and say there isn’t anything else they can do. But he has found an alternative treatment that has the possibility of extending his life a bit and can help improve the quality of his life near the end so he can spend it with his wife and son. There is even a slim chance it can make him somewhat better, so he has to try. But of course the treatment is very expensive and Josh has no medical insurance.
So myself and my brother, Andrew Mangum (currently Josh’s inker on Frazetta’s Sorcerer) decided to arrange another benefit auction like the one they did at Emerald City Con back in ’08. This auction is different though because the last one was organized by Jay Fotos to help Josh pay his rising medical bills to fight the cancer, and this one is specifically to get the treatment he needs to be keep him around. I know there are a lot of fans and friends out there that want to help, so this auction series will be that opportunity. A wide variety of artists are contributing personal works and art from their collections just like last time, but this time it’s open to collectors, fans, and everyone else. as well anyone can donate if they want to help! We just ask that it be comic or comic art related.
I have set up a special “preview gallery” for all the items as they come in on my Comic Art Fans webpage at http://www.comicartfans.com/GalleryRoom.asp?GSub=80032
- May 6, 2009 @ 04:14 AM by JK Parkin
Robot reviews: Two from Toon Books
From 'Luke on the Loose'
Luke on the Loose
by Harry Bliss
Toon Books, 32 pages, $12.95.
This is my favorite title in the Toon Books line so far. Bliss, best known for his contribution to the New Yorker as well as children’s books like Diary of a Worm, delivers a great manic energy to this story of a boy who wanders away from his dad and ends up chasing pigeons all across New York City. I liked how the backgrounds where filled with Mad Magazine-like nonsense bits like having Tintin and Olive Oyl as aghast onlookers or the dog walker who was keeps getting pulled around the park. I liked Luke’s father’s nonchalance at losing his son and how his dialogue was frequently summed up as “boring dad talk.” I liked how Bliss uses long, horizontal panels to denote both setting and motion, as in an amusing sequence where Luke runs roughshod through an outdoor restaurant, interrupting a proposal in the process. Basically it’s speedy pace and refuse to take itself seriously or offer any sort of moral works in its favor and I think kids will get a few good belly laughs out of Luke’s adventures. I know I did.
- May 5, 2009 @ 01:27 PM by Chris Mautner
Was this trip really necessary?
Grumpy Old Fan
I’m sure I don’t need to tell you who’s back.
Let’s talk about him … and his buddy too, while we’re at it.
SPOILERS for Legion Of Three Worlds #4 behind the jump.
- May 5, 2009 @ 12:35 PM by Tom Bondurant
I guess the Punisher’s not a fan of rap music
Eminem meets the Punisher
As we mentioned a few weeks back, the Punisher has pointed his scope at rapper Eminem, and there’s going to be a showdown. The first part of the crossover appeared in the pages of XXLmag, while the second half is available for free from Marvel Digital Comics Unlimited. The story is written by Fred Van Lente with art by Salvador Larroca.
- May 5, 2009 @ 11:39 AM by JK Parkin
Everyone’s A Critic: A round-up of comic reviews and thinkpieces
X-Men Origins: Wolverine
* Jog compares and contrasts the new Wolverine movie with the third film in the Death Note franchise, L, Change the World: “The fan-service of L seeks to draw the fan closer to the character, to make them love him more. The fan-service of Wolverine, in contrast, mainly draws attention away from Wolverine himself, instead emphasizing the grandness of his world, reducing characters to more of a series of impulses.” (smug note of self-satisfaction: I helped a tiny, tiny bit with this piece)
- May 5, 2009 @ 10:50 AM by Chris Mautner
Slash Print | Following the digital evolution
from Anda's Game
e-Publishing | Citing “objectionable content,” Apple has removed “Anda’s Game” from the iTunes store. “Anda’s Game” was one of several stories by novelist and blogger Cory Doctorow that was included in IDW’s Cory Doctorow’s Futuristic Tales of the Here and Now. Robot Comics (no relation) adapted it into an iPhone application.
“The publisher says that they believe this beheaded orc is the objectionable content in question,” Doctorow wrote on BoingBoing. “So much for Apple as a benevolent dictator, well-suited to acting as guardian of what sorts of things you should and should not be allowed to run on your devices.”
If the beheading was the reason for the removal, it’s worth noting that violent movies like 300 and Lord of the Rings (the latter of which features plenty of human-on-orc violence) are still available from iTunes.
- May 5, 2009 @ 09:47 AM by JK Parkin