2009 October
Everyone’s A Critic: A round-up of comic book reviews and thinkpieces
• We’ll start off by linking to Scott McCloud’s recent article on how creators would be wise to pay more attention to criticism, even horribly, dismissively negative criticism of their work:
Scott McCloud
For myself, I always consider reviews useful—even the hatchet jobs. It makes my heart sink a little when I hear other artists dismiss all reviews as irrelevant to their process. A common claim is that reviews tell us “only about the reviewer” and tell us “nothing about the work,” but I disagree. Yes, reviewers have biases. Yes, they miss the point sometimes. But there’s always some kind of information embedded in any reaction to any creative effort.
I tend to agree with Mark-Oliver Frisch’s comment that most criticism is intended for the reader, not the artist, but still, that’s a really healthy attitude to have.
• Matthew Brady on Masayuki Ishikawa’s Moyasimon, volume 1: “Not only is it actually quirkily charming, the torrents of educational facts actually turn out to be pretty informative.” He’s also got a nice review of Ken Dahl’s Monsters.
- October 15, 2009 @ 09:00 AM by Chris Mautner
Jon Favreau’s not directing Avengers
Sounds like some other director will be hollering “Avengers Assemble!” to peel a gaggle of high-paid actors away from the craft services table: Jon Favreau confirms to MTV News that he won’t be directing Marvel Studios’ big movie mash-up of its various superhero franchises. As reported at MTV’s Splash Page blog, Favreau says he won’t be available to direct the Avengers film, though he is one of its executive producers and will have a hands-on role in that regard. Moreover, Favreau argues that his years-long immersion in Iron Man‘s “tech-based” milieu might have made him a poor choice to bridge the gap with, say, the Lord of the Rings mysticism and Shakespearean grandeur of Kenneth Branagh’s upcoming Thor movie. Which is a good point, now that I think of it: The Avengers movie will most likely include three relatively realistic super-science-based heroes (Iron Man, Captain America, and the Hulk) and a Norse god. That’s a tough row to hoe even in the wilder and woollier world of superhero comics.
Anyway, check out more from Favreau, including musings on potential cameos in Iron Man 2, at the link or in the video above.
- October 15, 2009 @ 08:38 AM by Sean T. Collins
Michael Jackson wrote a graphic novel
Michael Jackson browsing in L.A.'s Golden Apple
Should that headline read “Michael Jackson wrote a graphic novel!!!” or “Michael Jackson wrote a graphic novel???”
Either way, it appears the late King of Pop will soon be conquering another part of pop culture. Reporting from the Frankfurt Book Fair, Publishers Weekly reveals that Jackson and his friend Gotham Chopra (son of famous guru Deepak Chopra and former honcho of Virgin Comics) had quietly spent years collaborating on a book called Fated, about a reclusive pop superstar whose failed suicide attempt makes him even more famous and “something not quite human.” (Whether that means he somehow gains extraordinary powers or is just, you know, kinda like Michael Jackson remains to be seen.)
The book, a small black-and-white hardcover illustrated by Mukesh Singh, is due out from Random House/Villard in June 2010. Here’s hoping its success leads to a 12-issue Thriller maxi-series.
- October 15, 2009 @ 08:08 AM by Sean T. Collins
Comics A.M. | The comics Internet in two minutes
Wowio
Publishing | Gary Tyrrell reports that publishers have begun receiving payments for the second quarter of 2008 from long-struggling e-book site Wowio. All publishers are expected to be paid by Nov. 15. [Fleen]
Awards | When the National Book Award nominations were announced Wednesday, some wondered why David Small’s graphic novel Stitches: A Memoir was included in the young people’s literature category. It turns out the publisher nominated it as a young-adult title. [GalleyCat]
Business | Former DC Comics President Jenette Kahn and ICv2.com President Milton Griepp have joined the board of advisers and directors of comiXology, which produces the Comics by comiXology digital comics application. [press release]
Conventions | Remember that ad incorrectly announcing Warren Ellis as a guest at Toronto Comic Con? It turns out they totally meant Dollhouse star Eliza Dushku. Not Warren Ellis. Eliza Dushku. [Bleeding Cool]
- October 15, 2009 @ 07:47 AM by Kevin Melrose
Gorillas Riding Dinosaurs: The Cowl, Super Maxi-Pad Girl, and the return of Rooster Jack
With the convention season wrapping up, I’m taking a break from longer graphic novels this week to finish up some shorter works that I’ve picked up at recent cons.
The Cowl
The Cowl
Written by Brian Azzarello; Illustrated by Benito Gallego
Based on characters created by Joseph Finder
JosephFinder.com; Free
One of the few highlights of this year’s WizardWorld Chicago Comic-Con was Crimespree Magazine’s booth and the focus on crime comics that it brought to the show. On one of my many trips to the booth I got handed a superhero mini-comic called The Cowl that was written by Brian Azzarello. The connection to crime fiction – other than Azarrello – is that it’s a tie-in to Joseph Finder’s most recent thriller, Vanished. Not an adaptation of Vanished, but a real version of a fictional comic created by one of the novel’s characters.
It’s only eight pages and mostly a teaser, so it’s tough to review, but it serves it’s function as a teaser very well. In some of the material that came with the comic, Finder talks about how he came up with the idea and asked a friend at DC for artist recommendations. After describing the style of art he wanted, Finder learned that he was looking for a modern-day John Buscema and was directed towards Benito Gallego. It was a good lead. I don’t know if Gallego’s intentionally trying to evoke Buscema for this project or if that’s his usual style, but he does a fine job in the way he draws anatomy, poses his characters, and delivers action.
Even though the comic is essentially an ad for Vanished, Azzarello isn’t wasted on it. The Cowl could have been – probably should have been, by all rights – a disposable superhero cliché. Certainly his costume is uninspired. But Azzarello gives him a couple of moments that are so cool – and a villain who’s so immediately wicked and horrifying – that you can’t help but hope to see him succeed. Only that’s when you hit the cliffhanger and realize you’re gonna have to read the novel. Nicely done.
Super Maxi-Pad Girl and Rooster Jack await you after the break.
- October 14, 2009 @ 08:22 PM by Michael May
Send Us Your Shelf Porn!
It’s Wednesday, and you know what that means. Yes, it’s Shelf Porn time once again! Our Guest this week is Mark Poulton, the VP of Operations at Arcana Comics, as well as the writer/co-creator of Koni Waves. Since Waves takes place in Hawaii, Poulton decided to build a tiki bar in his basement to display his collectibles.
Before we get to Mark’s collection, though, let me offer my regular reminder. Sure, you may be saying “My collection is nowhere near as awesome as the ones featured here. There’s no way I should send my pics in.” You know what I say to that negative thinking? Fiddlesticks! Send me photos of your collection, be it large or small to cmautnerATcomcastDOTnet and we’ll post ‘em with love no matter what.
Now, here’s Mark to take us on a tour of his home …
- October 14, 2009 @ 02:00 PM by Chris Mautner
Strangeways: The Thirsty – Page 094
1. Today’s page:
Art by Gervasio and Jok. Written by Matt Maxwell
2. I’ll still be appearing at APE this weekend. And the Highway 62 compound will feature a special guest in the form of Alex Sheikman, author and illustrator of ROBOTIKA, put out by Archaia Studios Press. His book will be prettier than mine. And hardcover. And in color. Tough to compete with competition like that. But I’ll be doing Five Minute Stories and he’ll just be doing garden variety sketches. Take that, Alex! Anyways, hope to see some of you there. I know that JK Parkin (Robot6 High Overlord, or Co-High Overlord, depending on who you ask) will be at the show as well. Bet he’ll sign your laptop if you leave the browser window open to R6.
3. I turn really old tomorrow. No, older than that. Like so old that this issue of FANTASTIC FOUR came out the month I was born.
4. Turns out that having children ages you prematurely. Who knew?
- October 14, 2009 @ 01:00 PM by Matt Maxwell
APE ’09 | Exhibit A, NBM, SLG and more
The Alternative Press Expo, or APE, is coming up this weekend at The Concourse in San Francisco. The show runs from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday. Special guests include Jamaica Dyer, Phoebe Gloeckner, Dean Haspiel, Batton Lash, Lark Pien, Dash Shaw and Jeff Smith. I’ll be there covering the show, while Matt Maxwell will have a table to sell copies of Strangeways.
And over the next couple days, I’ll be posting what various companies and creators have planned for the show. If you’d like to be included, drop me the details on where you’ll be, what you’ll be selling and all that good stuff.
Exhibit A Press | Jackie Estrada dropped us a note about what Exhibit A Press (table 312) will have at the show, where special guest Batton Lash will be celebrating 30 years of Wolff & Byrd, Counselors of the Macabre.
“He’ll be signing the limited-edition Supernatural Law Tales from the Vault Anniversary Special as well as comics and trades,” she writes. “We’ll also have Batton’s ‘monster cameos,’ one-of-a-kind hand-painted miniatures of everyone’s favorite monsters. Plus: new Graphitti Designs Supernatural Law T-shirt!”
More info at www.exhibitapress.com/pages/index.php
SLG Publishing | Jennifer de Guzman sent over an update on SLG’s plans for the show. “Jamaica Dyer will be a special guest, so we will have plenty of copies of her new book Weird Fishes,” she writes. “Jamaica will also be on the panel Personal Stories on Saturday at 5 p.m. with Dean Haspiel, Phoebe Glockner, and Dash Shaw. I’ll be moderating her spotlight panel on Sunday at 12 p.m.”
Things Undone
NBM | Ted Rall and Shane White will be at APE; Rall will have a few copies of The Year of Loving Dangerously, while White will sign copies of the recent release Things Undone (which is sitting on my dresser in my “to read” pile; I should read it before this weekend).
Top Shelf | Brett Warnock posts on his blog that Nate Powell, Grant Reynolds and Jeremy Tinder will be at their booth, along with himself and Leigh Walton. And as always, he’ll be at the Isotope party Saturday night.
Creators | Scott Morse will be on hand doing commissions and selling the last few remaining copies he has of The Ancient Book of Sex and Science.
Manga | Deb Aoki rounds up what various manga publishers are doing at the show.
- October 14, 2009 @ 12:30 PM by JK Parkin
Not comics: Cancer Vixen beauty supplies
In case you weren’t aware of it, October is Breast Cancer Awareness month here in the U.S. (I don’t know about elsewhere in the world). To help get the word out, Cancer Vixen author and cancer survivor (and New Yorker cartoonist) Marisa Acocella Marchetto has teamed up with Bigelow Chemists to put together a special limited edition beauty kit.
The kit, featuring Marchetto’s illustrations, includes all-time favorite C.O. Bigelow formulas: Lemon Cream Body Wash (1.7 oz.), Lemon Body Cream (1.7 oz.), Mentha Lip Tint in Pink Mint (0.5 oz.), Mentha Foot Tingling Foot Cream (2 oz.), and Dr. Hiosous Quince Hand Lotion (2 oz.).
The kit costs $29.50. In addition, Bigelow will donate $250,000 to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. (found via Bleeding Cool)
- October 14, 2009 @ 12:03 PM by Chris Mautner
Oh Captain My Captain! Rest in peace, Lou Albano
The Honeymooners
Wrestling legend, music video star and even comic book character Captain Lou Albano has passed away. Yes, Capt. Lou once appeared with Ralph Kramden in a wrestling-themed issue of The Honeymooners, which sounds crazy, but hey, that was the Captain. Rest in peace, Capt. Lou.
- October 14, 2009 @ 11:30 AM by JK Parkin
‘Wearing a dramatic eye and form-fitting outfits, Ali is ready to fight the crimes of fashion at any moment’
Ali Stephens by Thierry Le Gouès for French Revue de Modes
Hey look, more fashion/comic book action today … the blog Fashion Gone Rogue has pictures from a photo shoot featuring model Ali Stephens and a guy in a Batman suit. The pictures are from the latest issue of French Revue de Modes (caution: their home page may cause a seizure and is potentially NSFW).
- October 14, 2009 @ 11:10 AM by JK Parkin
David Small’s Stitches nominated for National Book Award
Stitches: A Memoir
David Small’s well-received graphic memoir Stitches has been named as a finalist for the prestigious National Book Award in the category of young people’s literature.
The bestselling graphic novel, released in September by WW Norton & Co., recounts Small’s experience as a young teen who hadn’t been told he had cancer and was expected to die.
Stitches is the second graphic novel to be nominated in the young people’s literature category; Gene Luen Yang’s American Born Chinese was a finalist in 2006.
Established in 1950, the National Book Awards are presented annually to American authors for works published the previous year. The winners, announced in November, each receive $10,000 and a bronze sculpture. Finalists each receive $1,000, a medal and a citation.
- October 14, 2009 @ 10:26 AM by Kevin Melrose
Ellis: Don’t believe everything you read (at least about his con appearances)
Toronto Comic Con
Despite what that full-page ad suggests in Wizard’s ToyFare magazine, Warren Ellis won’t be a guest at next year’s Toronto Comic Con.
“First I’ve fucking heard of it,” Ellis writes this morning on his blog. “I’m presuming this is some kind of impossibly convoluted but innocent mistake, as opposed to ‘well, if we just SAY Warren Ellis is showing up, then he’ll HAVE to.’ But I’ve had no contact from Wizard World about this or any other show, so, god knows what actually happened for this to have somehow gotten printed …”
However, Tom Spurgeon notes that Ellis may be a bit generous in his assessment: “While I can’t speak to this specific incident, given the potential dissonance created by their appropriation of the term ‘Comic-Con’ and the direction of their PR regarding same, I wouldn’t be surprised if dubious strategies aren’t going to be par for the course in getting this new generation of Shamus-owned shows on their feet.”
Wizard CEO Gareb Shamus purchased the Toronto Comicon from Paradise Conventions in June, tweaking the name and adding it to a stable that now includes events in five cities. The shows no longer sport the WizardWorld brand.
Toronto Comic Con is scheduled for March 26-28, 2010.
- October 14, 2009 @ 10:00 AM by Kevin Melrose
Afrodisiac trailer: ‘Wool so fine it’ll blow your mind’
This December Brian Maruca and Jim Rugg, the creators of Street Angel, team up on a full-length Afrodisiac graphic novel. The above trailer, set to the tune of “Cramming for College” by Don Argott, should give you an idea of what to expect.
- October 14, 2009 @ 09:21 AM by JK Parkin
Your video of the day: Alexa Kitchen talks cartoons
Here’s a cute video/commercial for 12-year-old Alexa Kitchen’s newest book, Grown Ups Art Dumb! (No Offense) (found via boing boing)
- October 14, 2009 @ 08:50 AM by Chris Mautner