2011 June
Shelf Porn Saturday
Hello and welcome to Shelf Porn Saturday, where fans share their collections with us. Today’s adamantium-laced submission come from Eric Jaskolka, who shares a Juggernaut-sized collection of X-Men toys and merchandise. Seriously, it’s gotta be seen to be believed.
If you’d like to see your collection here, it’s easy — just send a brief write-up on your collection and some pictures to jkparkin@yahoo.com.
And now here’s Eric …
- June 25, 2011 @ 12:00 PM by JK Parkin
The Grumpy Color | Carla and Tom dig into the DC relaunch, Part 2
[After three solid weeks of coverage, you’d think we here at Robot 6 would have run out of things to say about September’s all-new, mostly-different DC Universe.
[Okay, maybe we have -- but when fearless leader JK Parkin suggested that DC blogger Tom Bondurant and retailer/Marvel blogger Carla Hoffman could do a back-and-forth about it, we were happy to oblige. The following was conducted via email from June 17 through June 22.]
* * *
[When we left off yesterday, the question was whether long-established characters or relative newcomers were easier to sell.]
Carla: I know DC has said there will be new characters, but how do you think that’s going to go? Will these be the next Booster Gold or the latest Chase? (P.S.: I sort of remembered that last name so I just looked that up and I was right! There was a character called Chase! I started selling comics when Chase was on the stands!)
Now, as for what I’m going to emphasize to customers as they look up and shout “Save us!”… and I’m going to have to whisper “no” on this one, Tom. The whole point of this re-something is to let a new reader pick up a book with a fresh start and a feeling of confidence that they are beginning at the beginning. Now, if someone wanted to read a Superman issue before, well… where did one begin? That’s where your LCS should factor in; clerks should be there to help people find the book they’re looking for. Most times, one of us at Metro will have read something that a customer is looking for. In this way, we can ask what they like in general (‘What movies do you like?’, etc.) and then direct from there. Does this make sense?
- June 24, 2011 @ 02:00 PM by Carla Hoffman
SDCC Wishlist | Aspen variants, Rick Geary and more
The massive Comic-Con International runs July 21-24 in San Diego, but it’s never too early to start planning your shopping list. So we’ll be running a list of potential “wishlist” items you may want to check out at the show.
If you are a comics creator or publisher, and you’re planning to bring something new to the con — a sketchbook, a print, a graphic novel debut, etc. — then we want to hear from you. Drop me an email at jkparkin@yahoo.com and let me know if you’ll have something cool on hand that attendees should know about. Feel free to send any artwork as well.
*****
Aspen Comics sends word of two variant covers they’ll have at the show, for Executive Assistant Iris and Charismagic
Executive Assistant Iris by Joe Benitez
- June 24, 2011 @ 01:03 PM by JK Parkin
Creators, fans and friends remember Gene Colan
Gene Colan at WonderCon 2007 (photo by Chip Mosher)
As CBR reported last night, comics creator and Eisner winner Gene Colan passed away at the age of 84 last night.
“The legacy of his artistic storytelling and abilities played a key role in cementing the enduring popularity of characters like Daredevil, Iron Man, Howard the Duck, Blade and Dr. Strange, and garnered him praise and fans the world over,” columnist George Khoury said in an obituary on Comic Book Resources this morning.
In lieu of flowers, Colan’s friend Clifford Meth is asking folks to contribute to a scholarship being set up in Colan’s name for The Kubert School. Details on how to donate can be found on Meth’s blog.
Fellow creators, fans and friends of Gene Colan are sharing memories. Here are a few; as always, click through to see the entirety of what they have to say about one of comics’ legendary artists:
Clifford Meth: “I knew this day would come but it came too quickly. It’s been a rare pleasure working with Gene. He knew who he was—how valuable his contributions to the world of comic art have been—how prized it remains by so many. Yet he never felt less than grateful to anyone who’d even read a single panel that he’d drawn. Until he was too weak to hold a pencil, he put his whole kishkes into everything he drew—whether it was a $5000 commission or a small drawing for someone’s child. And he was never satisfied with his artwork but always eager to learn a little more, do a little better, try something new. At 84.”
- June 24, 2011 @ 12:05 PM by JK Parkin
Six by 6 | Six pop songs about comic book characters
We sometimes get so immersed in our little world of words and pictures that it can be difficult at times to remember that comics are part and parcel of the larger pop culture and, as such, could often be referenced in other medium, like films and pop songs.
With that in mind, and since I’m always fascinated by this sort of cross-pollination, I thought I’d make a quick (and by no means definitive) list of some songs based on or about some beloved comic book characters. As a self-imposed caveat, I tried to stay away from theme songs or film contributions, so as much as I love The Ramones’ version of “Spider-Man,” I’m keeping it off the list for that reason.
Oh, and don’t forget to offer you’re own picks in the comments section …
1. Evangeline by Matthew Sweet
Sure, anyone can make up a song about Superman or Wonder Woman, but if you really want to establish your nerd cred, you need to write a song about a comic book character so long-forgotten even serious fans would need ten minutes or so to scratch their heads before saying, “Oh yeah, her.” So it was with Gen X songsmith Matthew Sweet, who penned a rather plaintive paen (“as sung by Johnny Six” the liner notes helpfully tell us) to the “sexy, killer vigilante nun” created by Chuck Dixon and Judith Hunt back in the heady days of the 1980s for Comico Comics. It’s a rather irresistible song — arguably one of Sweet’s best — as the singer looks at the figure he has placed on a pedestal and begs her to forget about all that “marriage to God” nonsense and give him the time of day, at least for a little bit. The fact that it features a really killer hook doesn’t hurt matters much.
B-Side: It’s not comics specifically, but the videos to Sweet’s Girlfriend and I’ve Been Waiting contain snippets from the anime Space Adventure Cobra and Lum, respectively.
- June 24, 2011 @ 11:03 AM by Chris Mautner
Your video of the day | Rocketeer 20th anniversary fan film
This year marks the 20th anniversary of the film adaptation of Dave Stevens’ Rocketeer comics, and John Banana has created an animated tribute that’s pretty dang awesome. Check it out.
- June 24, 2011 @ 10:00 AM by JK Parkin
Comic Express raises money, provides comics for kids in Joplin
Comics Express
A group of comic creators have gotten together to create a comic book specifically for the kids in Joplin, who lost their homes after the devastating tornado destroyed around 8,000 buildings in the Missouri town.
Carmen Morais, a former editor for Nickelodeon Magazine, has recruited several cartoonists, designers and editors to help create the comic, titled Comic Express. Contributors, who are donating their time to the project, include Dave Roman (Astronaut Academy), Johnny Ryan (Prison Pit), Raina Telgemeier (Smile), Mark Martin (Gnatrat) and many more. They’re using the site Indie GoGo to raise funds; the site works much like Kickstarter, where you contribute money and receive rewards based on the amount. Donations of $20 or more will receive the comic book, plus other goodies as the amount increases.
Although they’ve reached their goal to pay for the printing, you can still donate money and receive rewards; any money they raise over their target amount will go to the Joplin Public Schools’ Adopt-a-Classroom Fund to replace classroom supplies.
- June 24, 2011 @ 09:00 AM by JK Parkin
Check out DC Entertainment’s swanky new headquarters
The Pointe, the new home of DC Entertainment
DC Entertainment’s new Burbank, Calif., headquarters isn’t quite Titans Tower, but it’ll do.
The Hollywood Reporter tracks down the building that, beginning in mid-August, will house the company’s film and television, digital, administrative and consumer-products operations: The Pointe, a new 14-story office tower at 2900 W. Alameda Ave., nestled beside Disney/ABC, and less than a mile from Warner Bros. Studios.
DC has a 10-year lease on the entire second floor, 35,000 square feet of space “valued at roughly $16 million.” Landlord Worthe Real Estate Group advertises a “lobby crafted from the finest building materials; sleek and sophisticated, modern patterned glass with rich, imported Italian marble and travertine, walnut ceiling, and unique waved wood wall system.” The building also boasts “10 foot floor-to-ceiling vision glass for panoramic view of city and mountains,” and “over three acres of picturesque plaza with mature shade trees, walkways and benches.” There’s also a health club and restaurant on the first floor.
Warner Bros. has set up DC with temporary offices at 3400 Riverside Drive, where some have been working since last year, presumably following the announcement in late September of the massive corporate restructuring that leaves the publishing division in New York City while consolidating the rest of the companies operations on the West Coast. WildStorm’s offices in La Jolla, Calif., as well as the imprint itself, were shuttered as part of the reorganization.
Although DC wouldn’t say how many employees will work out of the new space once construction is complete, it’s known that DC Entertainment President Diane Nelson will have an office there and at the Warner Bros. lot.
- June 24, 2011 @ 07:00 AM by Kevin Melrose
Disney Publishing Worldwide launches its Disney Comics App
Disney Publishing Worldwide this morning launched its free Disney Comics App for iPad, iPhone and iPod Touch, with more than 50 titles ranging from the classic adventures of Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck to newer properties like Cars 2 and Tron: Legacy. Two new comics will be added each week.
Individual stories are 99 cents, with themed bundles available for $3.99 through In-App Purchase. The app debuts in the United States and will be available in more than 80 countries. It will be available in additional markets later this year.
Disney boasts that the app offers “a new, director-style reading experience,” with readers allowed to choose portrait or landscape mode, automatic or manual smart paneling, and double-page spreads. Readers also may preview titles before purchase, share their stories on Facebook and save content for offline reading. There’s also a feature that automatically updates readers when stories relating to their favorite characters become available. Also: sound effects!
“Comics are a tremendous part of our heritage and we see great potential and interest in bringing our extensive catalog of Disney Comics to mobile devices,” Russell Hampton, president of Disney Publishing Worldwide, said in a statement. “We create over 25,000 original comic pages each year and it’s critical that we deliver this content to our readers around the world. We have over 1 billion Disney comic readers today, and our Disney Comics App will further broaden that audience.”
Read the official announcement after the break.
- June 24, 2011 @ 06:00 AM by Kevin Melrose
The Grumpy Color | Tom and Carla dig into the DC relaunch, Part 1
(Note: costumes and/or secret identities subject to change without notice)
[After three solid weeks of coverage, you’d think we here at Robot 6 would have run out of things to say about September’s all-new, mostly-different DC Universe.
[Okay, maybe we have -- but when fearless leader JK Parkin suggested that DC blogger Tom Bondurant and retailer/Marvel blogger Carla Hoffman could do a back-and-forth about it, we were happy to oblige. The following was conducted via email from June 17 through June 22.]
* * *
Tom: When the relaunch became official, one of the first things it reminded me of was “Heroes Reborn.” Superficially it seems pretty similar, because you have some books virtually unchanged, some big names almost starting from scratch, and the whole superhero line affected. Now, I will admit to buying every issue of the “Reborn” books when they first came out, but that was partly out of curiosity and partly because I was already reading Fantastic Four and Captain America. Afterwards, I bought all four of the post-“Heroes Return” books, again because I had been getting FF and Cap, and because I wanted to read Busiek and Perez’s Avengers and Busiek and Chen’s Iron Man. Today we seem to remember “Heroes Reborn” for Cap’s mighty bosoms and those steampipes on Iron Man’s back, but I still bought ‘em. So the first question is, how much of this is “Heroes Reborn” for the whole DC superhero line, and is that necessarily a bad thing?
Carla: I was going to try and sidestep the whole SIMPSONS DID IT argument with how many Marvel revamps I’ve seen but…
Continue Reading »
- June 23, 2011 @ 05:00 PM by Tom Bondurant
Breitweisers recruit comic artists to help out a family in need
Artist Mitch Breitweiser and his wife, colorist Bettie Breitweiser, are raising money for Brittany Delarosa and her three kids, who recently lost their husband and father. The duo reached out to several comic creators to donate original artwork to be auctioned off or sold. Currently up for bid is the above piece by Chris Samnee, and they’re also selling pieces by Peter Krause, Andrea Furtrelle and (coming soon) Phil Hester.
Go here to check out all the artwork.
- June 23, 2011 @ 04:00 PM by JK Parkin
Quote of the day | Into the Void with Dave Sim
Cerebus
But the main impediment to Dave Sim’s literary reputation is Dave Sim himself. His regressive social and political views and obnoxious rhetoric have created a public persona that’s eclipsed his artistic achievement in the comics world much more completely than it would have in the larger, less insular artistic world — where, for example, plenty of people call John Updike a chauvinist but not even his bitterest detractors question his mastery as a prose stylist, where Karlheinz Stockhausen’s ill-advised statement about 9/11 being a work of art didn’t get him ejected from the first rank of postwar composers, and artists like Wagner and Pound are still secure in their respective pantheons despite having endorsed ideas that are, to put it charitably, pretty well discredited.
But Sim’s controversial ideas are not peripheral to his work; he ultimately makes them its central message and purpose. Wagner never actually wrote any operas about the villainy of the Jews, nor Pound cantos praising the wise and just rule of Franco, but Sim incorporated his screeds about women and the tenets of his one-man religion into the text of his novel, so that even a reader determined to ignore all the apocryphal gossipy bullshit accumulated around the artist and concentrate on the work itself is finally forced to confront the fact that the man has some bizarre ideas and an abrasive way of expressing them.
–Tim Kreider, in his must-read introduction to a longer essay on Dave Sim’s seminal (in more ways than one) independent comic Cerebus from The Comics Journal #301. (I made this exact point, complete with the Wagner example, a few years back.) It’s one thing to be an artist with odious ideas unrelated or tangential to your art; it’s quite another to make them your art’s main attraction. Kudos to Kreider for drawing the distinction so clearly.
- June 23, 2011 @ 03:00 PM by Sean T. Collins
‘He’s all white, and covered in spots, that’s why he’s called The Spot’
Although Marvel is heavily focused right now on the various Avengers movies hitting this summer and next, no doubt they’re looking for a big franchise to kick off in 2013. Using a green-screen suit, Patrick Willems may just have come up with the answer — The Spot. And he already has a catchy theme song to boot.
- June 23, 2011 @ 02:00 PM by JK Parkin
IDW to publish graphic novel about bin Laden’s death
Code Word: Geronimo
IDW Publishing announced today that they’ve teamed up with Charlie Foxtrot Entertainment to publish a graphic novel about “the amazing, moment-by-moment inside story of the clandestine raid that rid the world” of Osama bin Laden on May 1.
Code Word: Geronimo, due five days before the 10th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks in New York and Washington, D.C., is written by Captain Dale Dye, an ex-marine, and Dr. Julia Dye, with artwork by Gerry Kissell and Amin Amat. The graphic novel tells the story of SEAL Team 6 and the raid that occurred in Abbottabad, Pakistan that ended with bin Laden’s death.
Dye noted in the press release that due to security concerns there will be “some creative license” in the script. “But I think readers will be gratified with the detail and thrilled with our take on one of the most daring and successful commando raids in American military history,” he said. Dye has consulted on numerous military movies, including Platoon and Saving Private Ryan.
A portion of the proceeds from the book will be donated to a charity supporting military service members.
“I have worked for many years now with Charlie Foxtrot Entertainment on a number of successful projects,” said Tom Waltz, IDW editor, former Marine and Desert Storm I veteran, in the release. “But none of those compare to the excitement and pride I have for CODE WORD: GERONIMO. The Dyes have put together a fantastic script detailing the heroically dangerous raid by SEAL Team 6 against Public Enemy Number One, Osama Bin Laden, and I firmly believe you won’t get a more accurate account of this pivotal moment in history unless it is told by the SEAL team members themselves.”
- June 23, 2011 @ 01:01 PM by JK Parkin
USA Network partners with DC Comics on Burn Notice webcomic
Burn Notice: A New Day
USA Network has teamed with DC Comics to launch a webcomic — or, rather, “an interactive graphic novel” — for Burn Notice, the cable channel’s hit action series.
USA Today’s Whitney Matheson reports that A New Day is designed to bridge the storylines between the fourth season, which ended with former spy Michael Westen (Jeffrey Donovan) seemingly being welcomed back into the intelligence fold, and the fifth season, which premieres tonight.
Penned by Burn Notice writer Ryan Johnson and script coordinator Peter Laylaynis, illustrated by Tony Shasteen and overseen by series creator Matt Nix, Burn Notice: A New Day will run for 12 weeks, and include games, ciphers, video and more. Burn Notice returns tonight at 9 ET/PT on USA.
- June 23, 2011 @ 10:00 AM by Kevin Melrose