2010 April
Comics College: Lewis Trondheim
Sequence from 'Mister O'
Comics College is a monthly feature where we provide an introductory guide to some of the comics medium’s most important auteurs and offer our best educated suggestions on how to become familiar with their body of work.
Today we’ll be crossing the Atlantic to take a look at the one of the most prolific cartoonists of the past 30 years, either in Europe or America, Lewis Trondheim.
- April 30, 2010 @ 03:00 PM by Chris Mautner
Zuda ends their monthly competitions
Zuda‘s Ron Perazza announced today on the Zuda blog that they’ve decided to stop their hallmark monthly competitions for a variety of reasons:
Those of you familiar with the history of the competition know that we’ve had our ups and downs. While I don’t think anyone can argue with the quality of previous competition winners like HIGH MOON, SUPERTRON and others, I’d be remiss if I didn’t acknowledge that there were clearly great series that, for one reason or another, didn’t win.
The format absolutely has merits; engaging the community and giving them real decision making power, giving creators a level of exposure that they might not have otherwise had and encouraging an ongoing dialogue about storytelling, quality and what makes good comics. However it’s also had its shortcomings; accusations of cheating, confusion about the process, spamming in the the name of promotion and argumentative, dismissive or even aggressive behavior.
Is there a better way to achieve the former without having to endure or encourage the latter? I think so. The comic industry needs a steady influx of new creators and new ideas. We should consistently explore the medium, looking for new ways to tell great stories. I think that if we, as a company, are committed to those goals we would be foolish not to pursue them.
He goes on to say the site will change as they eliminate the competition and retool the submissions section.
- April 30, 2010 @ 02:31 PM by JK Parkin
The Fifth Color – Killing Spree!
Shocking!
This was a good week for Marvel.
There were so many books to read, so many fantastic stories, turning points, fancy new covers (Honestly, how the heck is anyone going to be able to file that new Invincible Iron Man cover design? Comics don’t go horizontally into comic boxes!), that I could sit here and wax poetic to you all night about how rad the House of Ideas was last Wednesday.
Mind you, I could also grumble about why the heck the final issue of Siege isn’t here, but eh. The ending isn’t going to shock us silly or anything like that. Let’s focus on the positive.
I know, hard to do in comics ‘journalism.’ People like to hear the negative, it’s easier to get angry about the declining state of the industry, etc. etc. but really. This is not the end. Sometimes the worst things that you could gnash your teeth at or start that letter writing campaign over turn out to be great ideas in the long run.
So let me state it bluntly: Death is Awesome.
WARNING: Someone totally died this week in X-Force #26. Not shocked or horrified? Morbid curiosity got you curious as to who it was? Read on!
- April 30, 2010 @ 01:00 PM by Carla Hoffman
Six by 6 | Six Fraggle Rock episodes that will blow your mind
Fraggle Rock
Editor’s Note: One-time Robot 6 guest blogger Sam Humphries, who has a story in tomorrow’s Mouse Guard/Fraggle Rock Special Edition Flip-Book, pays us a visit today to share some of his thoughts on Fraggle Rock. And if you’re in the L.A. area, be sure to stop by Meltdown Comics tomorrow to meet Sam.
I know what you’re thinking. Who is this guy to tell me which Fraggle Rock episodes will blow my mind? I mean, how presumptuous, right?
Dude, I know. I did not even grow up with Fraggle Rock. The Rock was on HBO and there was no HBO in the house. HBO showed boobies and Mama Humphries did not play like that. I am not that person who has held Fraggles in their hearts since their formative years.
But I did write a story for Archaia’s new Fraggle Rock comic anthology, illustrated by Jeremy “Eisner nominated for Bayou” Love. You can find our Fraggle tale in the Mouse Guard/Fraggle Rock Special Edition Flip-Book, available at comic book stores everywhere, for FREE, on May 1st — otherwise known as Free Comic Book Day! Ah, the nice price.
If you’re near Los Angeles, come on down to Meltdown in Hollywood, where Jeremy and I will be signing copies of the free Fraggle book. Astoundingly, Red Fraggle herself will also be in attendance. Karen Prell, the OG puppeteer of Red on the Fraggle Rock show, will be there with the original Muppet, meeting fans, singing songs, and taking pictures as Red Fraggle.
So, watching Fraggle Rock for the first time as someone old enough to attend rated R films alone, I got to enjoy the series with eyes unclouded by nostalgia. And I realized: for a “kids” show, Fraggle Rock is a mind freak.
Emboldened by the success of the previous Muppet franchises, Jim Henson and company didn’t flinch from daring themselves to new heights of spectacular puppet feats. And when it came to the themes of the series, they didn’t hesitate to go deep — way deep. Compared to the groovy sunshine sessions of Sesame Street and the upbeat let’s-put-on-a-show enthusiasm of the Muppet Show, Fraggle Rock is the slightly moody teenage cousin of the bunch.
The result? A multi-layered head trip for all ages. Sure, there’s plenty of exuberant songs, bright colors, and cute foam creatures, but Gobo, Red, Wembly, Mokey, and Boober Fraggle spent most episodes exploring dark, complicated passageways of existence. It’s no surprise that Fraggle Rock has the most “cult” fanbase of the three series.
Whether you are new to the Rock or a big fan from way back, there’s plenty of crazy on this list to rock your world. Here, for your lid-flipping pleasure, are are Six Fraggle Rock Episodes That Will Blow Your Mind.
- April 30, 2010 @ 12:30 PM by Sam Humphries
Straight for the Art | Kazu Kibuishi’s library illustration
Kazu Kibuishi's pro-library art
The state of California, in what is looking like a perpetual budget crisis, is contemplating huge cuts in school libraries, but school librarian Marie Slim and bookseller Pat Nelson are ganging up on them. The two have asked a number of prominent illustrators to help advocate their cause, and one of those who has responded is Kazu Kibuishi, creator of Copper and Amulet. His piece features Miskit, the toy rabbit from Amulet, and can be downloaded, along with illustrations by Aliki, Brian Selznick, and other illustrators, from the SLA Advocacy page.
- April 30, 2010 @ 11:45 AM by Brigid Alverson
I’d totally buy a Kate McMillan & The Super Apes spinoff series
CBR posted a preview of one of Marvel’s Free Comic Book Day offerings earlier this week, which features a tale by Paul Tobin and Craig Rousseau starring Iron Man, Nova and a brand-new Marvel U. character named … Kate McMillan:
Iron Man, Kate and Nova
As it turns out, “Kate McMillan” is also the name of our own Graeme McMillan’s wife. Coincidence? It turns out no, it isn’t. “Kate McMillan is a supporting character-cum-heroine in Paul Tobin’s FCBD book from Marvel,” Graeme said. “I saw the script way back when, Douglas Wolk showed me the finished comic on Saturday. It’s hilarious, if only because it really kind of looks like her. I have to ask Paul if he sent the artist reference.”
I knew she was a great web designer, but I had no idea Kate was the keeper of the Super Apes when they weren’t out causing trouble. The things you learn in comics …
- April 30, 2010 @ 11:15 AM by JK Parkin
Arizona poised for showdown with Mount Wundagore
High Evolutionary
In a sign of escalation in a brewing war with the High Evolutionary, the Arizona state Senate has passed legislation targeting human-animal hybrids.
Politico reports the bill would prohibit anyone in the state from “creating or attempting to create an in vitro human embryo by any means other than fertilization of a human egg by a human sperm.”
It also would outlaw attempting to transfer a human embryo into a nonhuman womb, and vice versa, as well as transporting or receiving “for any purpose a human-animal hybrid.” The latter provision presumably aims to prevent Bova from immigrating to Yuma.
Louisiana passed a similar law in 2009. Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer has not voiced her opinion about the bill, which also passed a state House committee.
Neither the Transian embassy nor a spokes-animal for Herbert Edgar Wyndham responded to requests for comment.
- April 30, 2010 @ 10:45 AM by Kevin Melrose
Best Bets | Free Comic Book Day edition
On Saturday stores around the world will play host to Free Comic Book Day, the annual promotion designed to introduce new readers to comics by giving away no fewer than 33 different titles. (USA Today rounds up creators to discuss this year’s offerings.) Many retailers, of course, also sponsor signings and other activities as part of the event.
What follows is a rundown of just some of the creator appearances. For more signings, visit the FCBD website or follow the organization on Twitter. For details on event times, visit the stores’ websites.
Benton, Arkansas | Dustin Higgins appears at Autobot City Comics (111 S. Main St.).
Bellflower, California | Batton Lash signs at Metropolis Comics (16509 Bellflower Blvd.)
Los Angeles, California | Golden Apple Comics (7018 Melrose Ave.) features Scott Shaw, Jeff Nentrup, John Heffernan, Dave Server, Jackson Lanzing, Geoffrey Throne, Carly Mizzou, Greg Pak and Marc Andreyko.
Northridge, California | Earth 2 Comics (8967 Reseda Blvd.) hosts Mark Waid, JT Krul, Christopher Yost and Filip Sablik.
Pasadena, California | Stan Lee and Philip Tan sign at Comic Odyssey (319 S. Arroyo Parkway #3).
San Francisco, California | Nine-year-old creator Basie signs at Isotope (326 Fell St.).
Sherman Oaks, California | Sterling Gates, Sean Galloway, Ryan Benjamin, Ryan Odagawa and Todd Harris appear at Earth 2 Comics (15017 Ventura Blvd.).
- April 30, 2010 @ 10:15 AM by Kevin Melrose
Straight for the art | Paul Maybury’s FCBD print for Rogues Gallery
Bedrock City Comics isn’t the only Texas-based comics shop offering up a print on Free Comic Book Day … artist Paul Maybury created the above piece for Rogues Gallery Comics & Games in Round Rock, Texas, to help promote tomorrow’s big Free Comic Book Day event.
“Maximillian Larch, the store mascot of Rogues Gallery Comics & Games in Round Rock, Texas, done up in post-apocalyptic style by Paul Maybury,” said store owner Randy Lander. “Paul will be one of ten guests we’ll have at the store on Free Comic Book Day, and we’re hoping to have prints of this piece available for sale that day as well!”
Other guests include Paul Tobin, Colleen Coover, Paul Benjamin, Alan Porter, Chris Roberson, Matt Sturges, Bill Williams, Paul Maybury, Scott Kolins and Nick Derington.
- April 30, 2010 @ 09:45 AM by JK Parkin
Kickstart my art | Help get Edward Bak to Alaska to finish Wild Man
from T. Edward Bak's 'Wild Man'
Mome contributor tor T. Edward Bak is heading to Alaska this summer to do research on Wild Man – The Strange Journey and Fantastic Account of the Naturalist Georg Wilhelm Steller, From Bavaria to Bolshaya Zemlya (and Beyond), which has been running in Fantagraphics’ Mome anthology. Bak received a residency in Talkeetna, Alaska for part of the summer through Seattle’s La Familia gallery, but he still needs to fund his travel and buy supplies — so he’s selling artwork from the book to raise money
“I’m trying to raise $5000 by July 1, 2010 to help pay for supplies and travel expenses (which aren’t covered through the residency) and to fund a ferry trip out to Dutch Harbor in the Aleutian Islands, where Steller traveled through on his expedition’s return trip to Kamchatka in the late summer of 1741,” Bak wrote. “For $50.00 you will know that you played a part in making this book happen, and you’ll own a 5×8″ original ink/watercolor drawing from the work.”
You can find out more details on how to purchase his artwork in the sidebar on his blog.
- April 30, 2010 @ 09:00 AM by JK Parkin
Grumpy Old Fan | No issue shall escape my sight
Green Lantern v. 2 #200
I have written before, I’m sure, about my deep and abiding affection for the Green Lantern Corps, but here are some more bona fides: I actually think the GL oath works better when it’s spoken aloud. All the various power-ring premiums from Blackest Night still can’t compare to the glow-in-the-dark model which came with the first issue of Green Lantern: Mosaic. I admire the simplicity of the Gil Kane-designed GL uniform. I even liked the ring’s old weakness to yellow and its 24-hour charge.
Having said all that, I can sympathize with Tom Spurgeon:
I firmly believe I’ve read my lifetime’s allotment of Green Lantern stories the same way I’ve seen my lifetime’s allotment of “Becker” and sat through more than enough South Pacific and never again should have to listen to anything by Bon Jovi. If I had known Mr. Space Cop With A Magic Ring would make this unlikely comeback, maybe I wouldn’t have spent that Saturday afternoon in 1997 with a pile of the Dave Gibbons stuff. As it is, I break out into a cold sweat at the thought of catching up with the bulk of this material. I can’t be the only one. I’m sure I’ll get it done, because I should know and understand these comics, but I’m not unhappy to put it off for a while yet.
- April 29, 2010 @ 03:00 PM by Tom Bondurant
‘You do not want me as a neighbor’: Cartoonist/musician Brian Chippendale on NPR
Brian Chippendale (photo by Troy Swain)
Brian Chippendale is a just-plain interesting cat. He’s a co-founder of Providence, Rhode Island’s hugely influential art/comics/music/madness collective Fort Thunder, he’s the drummer in the insanely intense punk/metal/noise band Lightning Bolt, and just for fun he writes a blog about Marvel Comics.
Now he’s talking to NPR station WRNI about the whole shmear. Listen to the interview for details on his 800-page (!) upcoming sci-fi graphic novel If n’ Oof for PictureBox Inc., his experiences being evicted from multiple residences by the city of Providence, his drumming style, the pitfalls of political comics, the faded glory of the “mill scene” in which artists lived and worked in abandoned industrial buildings, and more. And be sure to check out the bonus video below, in which Chippendale shows off some gorgeously dense If n’ Oof pages.
- April 29, 2010 @ 02:30 PM by Sean T. Collins
Legal battle between Marvel and Kirby heirs will take place in New York
Jack Kirby
The legal showdown between Marvel and the heirs of Jack Kirby will take place in New York, Eriq Gardner reports.
The decision by New York District Judge Colleen McMahon gives Marvel an important victory in what’s sure to be a prolonged court fight over the copyrights to lucrative characters like the Fantastic Four, the X-Men, Spider-Man, Thor, The Avengers and the Incredible Hulk.
Kirby’s four children filed a lawsuit last month against Marvel and new owner Disney seeking to reclaim copyrights to properties created or co-created by their father. The action followed copyright-termination notices the Kirbys sent in September, as prescribed by U.S. copyright law. The Kirby heirs also sought to dismiss Marvel’s preemptive lawsuit, arguing it should have been filed in U.S. District Court in the Central District of California, rather than in New York, because Marvel Characters, MVL Rights and parent company Disney are headquartered in Los Angeles and Marvel Worldwide regularly conducts business in California. In addition, two of the Kirby chidren, Lisa and Neal, live in California, while the other two have consented to the court’s jurisdiction.
But in an April 14 decision, Judge McMahon ruled that “by virtue of having mailed the termination notices to Marvel, all four Kirbys … projected themselves into New York and into the local commerce.” She found that Marvel’s lawsuit should be given priority, which means the case will be heard in New York.
Gardner, who writes for The Hollywood Reporter‘s THR, Esq., blog, asserts that McMahon’s decision could end up tipping the scale in Marvel’s favor: “there’s been a split developing between two major jurisdictions over how to treat the topic. California, in the Ninth Circuit, has given authors favorable treatment in cases involving Superman and Lassie, among others. Meanwhile, New York, in the Second Circuit, has given studios and publishers a slight upper hand in cases involving John Steinbeck books. The East Coast takes a more favorable view about whether late agreements can supersede termination rights.”
- April 29, 2010 @ 01:47 PM by Kevin Melrose
Comics Cavalcade | Health care, Cow-boys and Kevin Huizenga
Broken Lines by Tom Pappalardo
- April 29, 2010 @ 11:30 AM by JK Parkin
Straight for the art | Terry Moore’s Bedrock City Comics anniversary print
by Terry Moore
Echo and Strangers in Paradise creator Terry Moore has created the above print for his local retailer, Bedrock City Comics in Houston, in celebration of their 20th anniversary. The print goes on sale on Saturday during Free Comic Book Day and will also be available on the store’s website.
“If you care anything for Francine, Katchoo, Cyclops, Martian Manhunter, The Hulk, or Charlie Brown, or Zatanna, or the Starship Enterprise or about 30 other fantastic characters in the comicverse…. you should have this print,” Moore wrote on his blog. “I actually have no idea how many different characters are in the drawing. I just lost my mind and kept drawing until they took it away from me.”
- April 29, 2010 @ 10:50 AM by JK Parkin