2009 July
Road to San Diego: Talking to Neil Kleid
The Big Kahn
I thought it might be fun to check in with a few people who are heading to the San Diego Comic-Con next week to see what they have planned for the big show, then follow up with them afterward to see how everything went — provided they make it out unscathed.
Up first is comic writer Neil Kleid, who used to blog with us in a previous life. Kleid writes Action, Ohio, a webcomic hosted at the Shadowline website. He’s also written Brownsville, Ursa Minors and Ninety Candles, and has contributed to Tales from the Crypt, Comic Book Tattoo, X-Men Unlimited and the Postcards anthology. His new book, The Big Kahn, will be published by NBM later this month.
JK: So before we get into the con, you have a book coming out this month, correct? Tell us a little bit about it.
Neil Kleid: I have two, in fact — the first drops next Wednesday and it’s an eight page horror story in Dark Horse’s new Creepy Comics #1, the resurrection of the old Warren anthology. My story, “All the Help You Need,” is illustrated by Brian Churilla and takes a unique look at weight loss camps — mirroring my growing concern about my growing midsection, perhaps.The book is 48 pages and $4.99. Considering most comics these days, at 22 pages or so, are pricing in around $3.99, it’s a great value for quality horror/suspense by quality creators. It’s my first work for Dark Horse, so I’m fairly excited about it, and hopefully not my last.
- July 13, 2009 @ 09:22 AM by JK Parkin
Straight for the art | Sullivan’s Sluggers
Sullivan's Sluggers
James Stokoe, creator of Wonton Soup, is teaming up with Amazing Joy Buzzards writer Mark Andrew Smith for something called Sullivan’s Sluggers. You can see some additional preview art here and here.
- July 13, 2009 @ 08:30 AM by JK Parkin
Comics A.M. | The comics Internet in two minutes
Batman and Robin #1
Publishing | Bolstered by Batman and Robin #1, Captain America #600 and the Dark Reign titles, direct-market sales rose 6 percent in June over the previous year. However, sales of the Top 100 graphic novels plummeted 35 percent.
According to the retailer-oriented website ICv2.com, comic sales were down 3 percent from the second quarter of 2008, and 4 percent for the first half. The reason? Higher cover prices, possibly: “It’s worth noting that the declines in comic sales come in the face of significant price hikes on the bestselling titles. Eleven titles out of the top 25 comics in June 2009 were over $2.99; only three were over $2.99 in June 2008.”
Still, the debut of Batman and Robin sold an estimated 168,604 copies, making it the best-selling comic since January’s Amazing Spider-Man #583, which featured President Obama. The Final Crisis hardcover was the top-selling graphic novel, with an estimated 8,219 copies. [ICv2.com]
Action Comics #1
Legal | Following last week’s ruling in the prolonged legal battle over Superman, Michael Moran speaks with Siegel family attorney Marc Toberoff, who says it’s “absolutely” possible his clients and the Joe Shuster estate could take Superman to another company in 2013. That’s when, under U.S. law, Shuster’s executors will recover his share of the copyright.
“I was looking for an analogy to World War II: We won the war but they still want to fight the battle,” Toberoff says. “The more we fight, the closer we get to 2013. Plus all the fighting just antagonises my clients. So it’s almost like they are driving my clients into the arms of a competing studio.”
Graeme McMillan, meanwhile, zeroes in on recent claims made by Warner Bros. that Superman is “damaged goods” and “uncool.”
- July 13, 2009 @ 07:17 AM by Kevin Melrose
SDCC ’09 | Saturday and Sunday at the con
Comic-Con
The programming schedules for Saturday and Sunday have been released.
What was once the most insane day at the con is now the most pleasant one to spend on the dealer room floor, for the most part … with every single day being a sellout, the crowds never let up, but last year there were so many huge media panels on Saturday that you could actually walk across the movie section of the dealer room floor and get a decent look around. So bring on those pilot premieres and Q&A’s, Hall H ….
Here are some of the Saturday highlights:
- Comic-wise, you’ve got publisher panels for Wildstorm, SLG Publishing, Dark Horse, IDW’s Angel panel, Marvel’s Dark Reign event, BOOM!’s Farscape books, Aspen, Del Rey Manga and Del Rey Comics, Archaia, American Original and DC’s Blackest Night event, among others. Gerard Way will be announcing his next project, while Terry Moore will talk about Echo.
- Marvel and DC also have panels for their big upcoming video game releases, Marvel Ultimate Alliances 2 and the DCU MMORG.
- There are lots of TV panels on Saturday, for old con stalwarts like Lost, Heroes, Chuck, Spongebob SquarePants, The Simpsons, Family Guy, Ben 10, Venture Bros. and Futurama as well as new shows like Eastwick, The Cleveland Show, Glee, Warehouse 13, Human Target, The Vampire Diaries, V and Marvel’s The Super Hero Squad Show.
- July 12, 2009 @ 07:30 PM by JK Parkin
Six by 6 | Six comics that made us laugh out loud
A couple of weeks ago Chris Mautner and I listed the six comics that made us cry. You guys responded with more than 160 comments filled with memories of comics that brought you to tears as well. It was very cool and kind of overwhelming to see that many people open up like that, so from both of us, thank you.
One commenter, cinorjer, suggested we name “six comics that made us laugh out loud.” Which we thought was a great idea — thanks, cinorjer! — so wipe away your tears and get ready to exercise your funnybone.
Joining Chris and I this week is Tom Bondurant, who was quick to come back with an example when I asked for suggestions. So let’s make with the ha ha’s and get down to it … and please share your own favorites in the comments section.
1. “What am I s’posed to do with a whole dollar!?”
I laughed aloud at much of Brian Azzarello and Cliff Chiang’s “Architecture & Mortality” storyline from the recent Tales of the Unexpected miniseries. There were the Primate Patrol’s obvious (but well-executed) Planet of the Apes references; Traci 13′s “paper covers rock” spell; and the part where Infectious Lass says she’ll never know the touch of a man, about which I … Vampire! observes “perhaps if you changed your name….”
However, I particularly liked Dr. 13′s first real meeting with Genius Jones, the smartest little boy in the world. He’ll answer any question for a dime, but he won’t deal with Dr. 13 — because the Doc only has a dollar bill. “What am I s’posed to do with a whole dollar!?” Genius wonders.
“Tell you what — I have ten questions,” Dr. 13 responds.
“Do you have ten dimes?”
Eyes practically bulging out of his glasses, and beads of sweat leaping off his forehead, Dr. 13 spits, “I have a DOLLAR!”
It goes on like that for another few panels, until the head of the Primate Patrol bursts in: “How ’bout I geev you a nickel saun’wich?” And … scene!
–Tom Bondurant
- July 12, 2009 @ 11:37 AM by JK Parkin
What are you reading?
Prince Valiant Vol. 1
Welcome to another round of What Are You Reading. Our guest this week is blogger, critic, Comics Comics editor and expectant dad Tim Hodler. To find out what Mr. Hodler and the rest of us are reading this week, click on the link below. And be sure to let us know what you’re currently reading in the comments section.
- July 12, 2009 @ 09:00 AM by Chris Mautner
Your Mileage May Vary: Wednesday Comics
So DC’s Wednesday Comics had its debut recently. It’s new and different, so it’s very interesting to see what people have to say about it.
Glenn Walker thought it was amazing:
Wednesday Comics #1
Kyle Baker’s Hawkman is stunning. Neil Gaiman and Mike Allred have recreated the Silver Age Metamorpho perfectly. The Flash is the peak of sequential storytelling. Great to see a jet age Green Lantern, it’s the era he was created for. Father and son Kuberts do Sgt. Rock, just as husband and wife Palmiotti and Conner give us a delightful take on Supergirl, Krypto and Streaky. Dave Gibbons and Ryan Sook pay homage to Hal Foster’s Prince Valiant with Jack Kirby’s Kamandi just as Paul Pope does the same for Alex Raymond’s Flash Gordon with his Adam Strange. It’s just beautiful.
And for those of you for whom that last paragraph means nothing, don’t worry. The best thing about Wednesday Comics is that it’s non-continuity. In English, that means it’s mainstream – it’s accessible to any readers new or old. If you’ve been reading these things forever or if you wouldn’t know a Teen Titan from Tony the Tiger, you’ll still enjoy this.
- July 11, 2009 @ 08:40 PM by Melissa Krause
Jock shares details on Losers filming + SDCC movie poster
The Losers
Losers artist Jock has an update on the Losers film that has long been percolating — it starts filming in Puerto Rico in two weeks time:
Up until yesterday, I’d not allowed myself to actually think it was happening, as it’s been well over 3 years since we first met Pete Berg and things started moving. Three (maybe four) directors along the way, hearing it had stalled a number of times, we thought it was unlikely it’d see the light of day. I’m sure that’s part of the course in the movie world, but as it’s been both mine and Andy’s first experience with film, we’ve erred on the side of caution so as not to get our hopes up too much. But it got cast. It got a shooting date. It got a release date. Still, every time we didn’t hear anything for a few weeks, we assumed it probably wasn’t happening.
He also said producer Joel Silver called him up and asked him to create a one-sheet movie poster that could be given away later this month at the San Diego Comic Con. He’s redrawing the cover of issue 12 (above), but giving the characters the likenesses of the actors playing those roles. That’ll be something cool to look for at the con.
- July 11, 2009 @ 09:47 AM by JK Parkin
Thunderbolts: Rebirth?
Thunderbolts #137
As I’ve been following the current Thunderbolts run by Andy Diggle, particularly the subplot involving Songbird and her mission to take down Osbourn’s team, one of the questions that’s been on my mind is, “Where the heck are the rest of the original Thunderbolts?” It’s been awhile since we’ve seen Atlas, MACH-IV and the rest of that crew, and you figure if Songbird’s going to ask someone for help, wouldn’t it make sense to give her old friends a call?
Well, in issue #134, that call goes out.
As revealed in yesterday’s Cup o’ Q&A with Joe Quesada over at the main CBR site, the original team is coming back to help Songbird. Two other fans apparently had the same question that I did, and asked Marvel’s Editor in Chief about Baron Zemo — the team’s original leader — and the rest of his crew.
“It’s a great question, Steven and Mike, and I guess you can say you heard it here first,” Quesada responded. “Old school T-Bolts fans rejoice! Songbird is actually going to begin to assemble the original TBolts in issue #134. Her mission basically is to destroy Norman Osborn and his crazy pack of killers who have taken the good name of the original T-bolts. And yes, Zemo has been discussed internally, so stay tuned. We haven’t decided just yet… or maybe we have and I’m just not going to tell you. [laughs]”
From the artwork above, it looks like at least MACH-IV and Techno are back, teaming with Songbird and … well, if you’ve read the most recent issue (or even if you just recognize those bracelets) you know who they’re standing with …
- July 11, 2009 @ 06:40 AM by JK Parkin
SDCC | Friday’s programming schedule
Comic-Con
Friday’s programming schedule for the San Diego Comic-Con is up; you can check out right here. Let’s take a look at some of the highlights …
- Friday at the San Diego Comic-Con is Star Wars day, with seven panels themed around the space epic. It includes the “Lucasfilm: Star Wars Spectacular” panel, which will be aired on G4.
- The Brave & the Bold episode “Mayhem of the Music Meister” featuring the voice of Neil Patrick Harris, will be shown at the con. Harris isn’t listed as being at the panel, but hey, it’s San Diego — anything can happen.
- Warner Bros. will show off footage from a number of upcoming movies, including Jonah Hex.
- July 10, 2009 @ 11:40 PM by JK Parkin
Read Dorkin and Thompson’s ‘Stray’ for free
From "Stray," by Evan Dorkin and Jill Thompson
Dark Horse has posted online the first of Evan Dorkin and Jill Thompson’s wonderful Beasts of Burden short stories, “Stray,” from 2003′s Dark Horse Book of Hauntings. It’s designed to whet our appetites for the long-awaited Beasts of Burden miniseries, which debuts in September.
The shorts, which appeared in each volume of the Dark Horse Book of … anthology series, are among my absolute favorite comic stories released in recent years. They’re moody, touching, funny, creepy and beautifully illustrated. But I think I’m most fascinated by the culture and belief system, complete with rituals and folklore, that Dorkin and Thompson have created for their occult-battling dogs and cats.
If you’ve not read any of the shorts, do yourself a favor and check out “Stray” now.
- July 10, 2009 @ 03:23 PM by Kevin Melrose
The Sword to end with issue 24, plus electrical pirates!
G4′s Blair Butler shared the news that the Image Comics title The Sword was moving into its final story arc and will end with issue #24.
She also shows off artwork from the upcoming comic Captain Swing and the Electrical Pirates of Cindery Island, written by Warren Ellis and published by Avatar. I think it wins the best new title for a comic award hands down. Watch to learn more:
- July 10, 2009 @ 03:06 PM by JK Parkin
The Fifth Color | Overassembled
They’re Mighty, they’re New, they’re Young, they’re Dark, they have their own Initiative and, if you want to get technical, they even have their own Marvel Adventures. The Avengers are in high demand in the MU and not as Earth’s defenders but as something even more important to one and all. Back in the day, the Avengers had a huge rotating roster, now they have their own specialized teams to tell specialized stories. Think of them less as Earth’s Mightiest Heroes and more like… Earth’s Mightiest Plot Device.
And really, what’s wrong with that? Pick up a Marvel book at the start of the alphabet and you can get an incredible snapshot of the entire Universe in your own favorite flavor! Want to know what’s going on with the cool kids? Read New Avengers and get headliners and raucous rebels. Want to know what villainy is afoot? Go for an issue of Dark Avengers and watch the current status quo come alive in various shades of sinister. I’m looking for a book about the foundations of a team and focused character development, so I read Mighty Avengers and find myself satisfied. But are you, dear reader? Are we really getting what we paid for? After all, that’s what the cover is there for: to judge the book. So are these Avengers stories or something more?
- July 10, 2009 @ 02:13 PM by Carla Hoffman
Time to vote in the faux superhero mayorial race
As you might remember from Wednesday, the New Organizing Institute is running a training course this week for organizers and campaigners on technologically-enabled organizing. This training includes a mock-election of eight Superhero candidates for mayor of Washington, D.C.
Well, today is election day in the country’s fake capitol; you can cast your vote here for which candidate you think would make the best mayor.
I still stand behind my endorsement of Green Lantern, who I think made a lot of great points on his site, but in the interest of fairness here are the other candidates he’s running against:
The polls close in about an hour and a half, so vote while you can!
Update: Via email, the New Organizing Institute announces that Wonder Woman is the winner. Congrats to her campaign team, and to the Green Lantern folks for putting up the good fight and coming in third after the Atom.
- July 10, 2009 @ 01:21 PM by JK Parkin
Strangeways: Murder Moon – Page 09
Written by Matt Maxwell. Art by Luis Guragna.
Commentary after the jump, y’all.
- July 10, 2009 @ 01:00 PM by Matt Maxwell