Monthly Archive: March 2008

New ‘Wanted’ Trailer and Pics Hit the Web

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  • March 7, 2008

wantedjoliesmall-5850661When I first heard about the upcoming big-screen adaptation of Mark Miller’s Wanted, I was, as I usually am in these situations, skeptical. Hollywood’s treatment of comic books has ranged greatly over the years and produced some seriously bad movies such as Daredevil, Ghost Rider and The League of Extrordinary Gentlemen.

However, to be fair, Hollywood also gets it right sometimes, like they did with Sin City, Batman Begins and X-Men. So, when I heard about the Wanted movie I was hopeful that this one could potentially join the ranks of "good" films  — that is, until I saw the first trailer. And now, there’s another one — which doesn’t really make things any better.

I’m not sure what movie they think they’re making, but it isn’t Wanted — at least not the one that I read. Instead, we’re treated to what appears to be your standard action fare including guns, babes, car chases and explosions galore. Don’t get me wrong, I like all those things — especially babes that take on the form of Angelina Jolie.

What I don’t like is Hollywood buying the rights to a comic book just to use the title and not making a movie actually based, in some part, on that comic book. Sure, Wanted might have things about it that may be difficult to adapt for the movies — like an interesting bad guy made out of a certain waste material — but still, those are the things that made Wanted interesting, unique and fun in the first place.

In the alternate reality where I run everything, this kind of thing wouldn’t happen. Sadly, we don’t live in that world and instead have to deal with things like this. Well, enough of my ranting, head on over to MySpace if you want to see the new trailer and stills from the movie supposedly based on the Wanted comic book. Enjoy.

‘Captain America’ Tops Rolling Stone’s 10 Best List

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  • March 7, 2008

As I’ve said before, I’m a fan of lists. I’m particularly interested in lists of favorite, must-read comic books or must-see movies and TV shows because, in some cases, I discover something new that I have never heard of before. I also sometimes see things on a list that make me wonder why they’re on the list at all.

So, it was with some great interest that I read Rolling Stone’s list of the "Top 10: Best in TV, the Web, Books and Beyond." Sure, comics were relegated to the "beyond" category but still, they were represented. Not only that, but one of my all-time favorite characters and titles, Captain America, topped the list at number one.

The magazine was particularly impressed with the latest Captain America storyline, calling it "a metaphor for the effects of the Bush Presidency." This was due in large part to the recent storyline where Cap is killed and "a new, more morally compromised character has taken over the stars-and-stripes uniform" in the persona of Cap’s former sidekick Bucky — who is now a gun-toting killer.

It’s an interesting way to think about it, I suppose. Although, I kinda expect Rolling Stone to find the political angle on most anything, so its not much of a surprise they went that way. Plus, they did also pick the abyssmal Quarterlife and the inane Project Runway as some of the other "Top 10."

Even though I think they made a good choice with Captain America, adding those other two to a list of the supposed "best" makes me question the entire thing. Given that, if you’re still curious to see if your tastes fit in with Rolling Stone’s, check out the list right here.

I Want To Be Like Mike, by Michael Davis

  • News
  • March 7, 2008
 
What is cool? 
 
I’ve always thought that each person should gage what he or she thinks is cool. I hate those magazines and television shows that tell you what’s cool or what’s hot and proclaim what they think we mere mortals should follow. Not just follow, but follow blindly. How do we know the person entrusted with that list is not some stupid old fart who still thinks that The Beatles were Paul McCartney’s first back-up band?  This is the person who gets to decide what I will think is cool? For my money that’s the problem with the television and fashion industries. Take an original show like Sex in the City* –that show was bold and funny and deserved the label of cool. 
 
* I must admit I only watched that show when I was trying to impress a girl. I am straight, you know.
 
So what do TV executives do? They green light shows which are pretty much carbon copies of Sex in the City. One is called Lipstick Jungle. The names of the other shows, I can’t think of. Let’s call those other shows Middle Age Girls Gone Wild or Booty Call Diaries or I Can’t keep a man so I have to devote my time to my career because I’m just not that attractive anymore but that’s OK I have my work but I’m ugly. 
 
The hope is that these shows will garner ratings and become cool enough to spawn spin offs and licensing. 
 
Not likely on any of those counts.
 
This “we think this is cool” happens a lot in the fashion industry also. Some “experts” say what they think is cool to wear and hope we will act like sheep and follow along.
 
Bah. Bah, my tight firm ass. Yeah, I work out. It’s the PS3, 360 and Wii ass workout. 
 

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How The Internet Has Changed Comics Production, Part XLII

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  • March 6, 2008

Time was, you wouldn’t know how your freelancers were doing on their art assignments until you got either a package in the mail or a panicked phone call explaining why they were late.

Now, you can just follow their LiveJournal page. Here’s Joanna Estep:

Today I finished pencils on my run of Munden’s Bar, for ComicMix.

Okay, okay, so I may have announced this uh, last year on the ComicMix panel at Mid-Ohio Con… but let’s forget about that and pretend I’m announcing it here for the first time.

Anyway, short primer: Munden’s Bar is this inter-dimensional bar type place, where all sorts of characters from across time/space/fandom-of-your-choosing can stop in and have a drinky-poo. Various writers and artists drop by and make comics about it, too.

For example, if you’re a fan of Gaiman’s Sandman, you could read MUNDEN’S BAR: INSOMNIAC, written by John Ostrander and drawn by my friend/idol Marc Hempel. (See how I namedrop and wallow in bragging rights? Do you see?)

Point being, I’m in good company.

So, yes, there will be more Munden’s Bar stories real soon now. And not just from Joanna and Martha — but we’re not going to spoil the surprises for you.

Feel better, Joanna. If there’s any story that needs to hit a deadline, it should be this one — a story titled "Crimson Tide" should never be late.

‘Sin City’ Videogame on the Way

  • News
  • March 6, 2008

Just the other day, ComicMix‘s Karl Cramer brought you the news that a Batman: The Dark Knight video game might be on the way. Now comes word that another comic/film property could be headed to consoles near you.

The Hollywood Reporter has an interesting story about the upcoming Sin City videogame. Sounds like a no-brainer, but the story has a couple of wrinkles. 

From the article:

But when the "Sin City" game hits store shelves around Christmas 2009, there will be no stars, no day-and-date marketing with the film’s sequel, "Sin City 2," and the publisher’s name on the box — Red Mile Entertainment — will be unknown to even the most hardcore gamers. Red Mile?


Indeed, the fledgling game maker has secured the rights not to either of the movies but to the seven graphic novels that comprised their source material, a strategy that even the company’s president and COO has a difficult time explaining.

Essentially, Red Mile decided it would be easier to develop the games from the comics, which have a lot more stories to choose from, giving the game creators more freedom, than to adapt something directly from the plot of the movie.

It’s probably a smart move, because the game can benefit from all the name recognition the movie earned without having to shell out for those specific rights. We’ll keep you posted.

Marvel and Facebook Team-Up

  • News
  • March 6, 2008

First, Marvel launched its online comics subscription service last November where you could read over 3000 comics online. Now, the company is dipping another virtual toe in the Internet’s waters and has joined with social networking site Facebook to launch a new digital comics application.

This new application, according to Marvel:

…immerses fans in the world of Marvel Digital Comics Unlimited, the home of the greatest collection of Marvel Comics ever assembled online. This new application page will serve as a hub to the Marvel Universe on Facebook.

Among the cool things this application will allow you to do is check out the entire collection of comics at Marvel’s Digital Comics site and read synopsies of the titles. You will also be able to pick and choose favorites, offer lists of "must reads" to other Facebook users and share comments.

John Dokes, VP of Online Operations and Marketing at Marvel, had this to say about the new venture:

“Facebook is an extraordinary outlet to communicate with and entertain Marvel fans,” said John Dokes, Vice President, Online Operations and Marketing, Marvel Entertainment, Inc. “This clearly extends our Internet reach and familiarizes a new fan base with all of the cool things happening with Marvel Digital Comics Unlimited and Marvel.com.”

The decision to go the Facebook route as opposed to MySpace, where several comic publishers such as Dark Horse Comics have already begun publishing content, is an interesting move. While MySpace is still the king of social networking sites, Facebook is quickly becoming the place where people go after they get tired of MySpace and its often painful to read custom homepages. So is this move by Marvel incredible foresight or a clever gamble?

Check out the new Marvel Facebook application right here.

 

UDON Makes Open Call for ‘Street Fighter Tribute’ Art

  • News
  • March 6, 2008

Not only has comic studio UDON been tapped by videogame publisher Capcom to update the characters for the upcoming Super Street Fighter II HD Remix re-release of the classic 2D fighting game, they’ll be releasing an all-new, full-color art book for the 20th anniversary of the game.

Street Fighter Tribute will debut at this year’s San Diego Comic-Con featuring Street Fighter characters illustated by UDON artists and professional comic, videogame and freelance illustrators.

Recognizing that the Street Fighter empire couldn’t have lasted this long without the support of the fanbase, UDON is sending out an open call among the videogame fan art community to submit work for possible inclusion in the print collection. If you think your drawing of Ryu, Chun-Li or Cammy has what it takes to go down in history, then go to UDON Entertainment for submission guidelines. Hadouken!

 

Simone & Ajax: Duck Amuck!

  • News
  • March 6, 2008

 

Today, in Andrew Pepoy’s all-new, full-color graphic novel, Simone & Ajax: The Case of the Maltese Duck, our heroes follow the clues to find the missing mallard.  

Where will the trail lead?  Who can they trust?  And why a duck?

Credits: Andrew Pepoy (Artist), Andrew Pepoy (Letterer), Andrew Pepoy (Writer), Jason Millet (Colorist), Mike Gold (Editor-In-Chief)

More: The Adventures of Simone & Ajax: The Case of the Maltese Duck

 

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ComicMix Radio: Peter David and ‘The Incredible Hulk’

You can’t surf the ‘Net without running into something about the Iron Man movie, but what about the Incredible Hulk feature set to hit screens just 30-plus days later? Peter David, the man who probably knows ol’ Greenskin better than anyone has seen the script and isn’t shy about sharing , plus:

— Marvel open up shop on Facebook

— ComicsPro takes on 24 Hour Comics

—  Yes, there will be a new 24 this year!

—  Plus a brand new trivia question and another chance to grab an exclusive Graham Crackers Comics variant by e-mailing us at: podcast [at] comicmix.com

— And catch us live tonight on "Comic Book Novice Radio"!  Get details at: www.mfc-studios.com

Press The Button – because you know what happens when we get angry!

 

 

And remember, you can always subscribe to ComicMix Radio podcasts via badgeitunes61x15dark-5702381 or RSS!

The Weekly Haul: Reviews for March 6, 2008

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  • March 6, 2008

Welcome to the inaugural Weekly Haul, a collection of reviews of this week’s comic book issues brought to you by none other than ComicMix. It was a big week for floppies, with four new series worth giving a read and several old standbys seeing new developments. Without further ado, let’s get to the reviews.

atom-8126234Book of the Week: The All-New Atom #21 — Anyone wondering whether this title would keep being a must-read after Gail Simone stepped aside as writer and Rick Remender took the reins can go ahead and relax. The All-New Atom is better than ever in this issue, which takes the classic archetypal conflict of man vs. himself and gives it one heck of a twist.

While trying to figure out if Ray Palmer’s experiments were responsible for Ivy Town’s craziness, the new Atom, Ryan, shrinks down to explore a sample of his own blood (sounds weird, but it makes sense). Remender makes that effort alone a pulse-pounder, but then Ryan finds some terrible infestation in his blood and all hell breaks loose.

While still a bit text heavy, the series remains just as zany as under Simone’s watch and is a bit more focused. Good stuff all the way around.

Runners Up:

Logan #1 — Brian K. Vaughan and Eduardo Risso taking on the most famous mutant is pretty well guaranteed to be a quality read. And while this issue is far from mind-blowing, it’s a far superior story of Wolverine getting his memory back than anything we’ve seen in Wolverine: Origins. The downside is Marvel once again arbitrarily slapping a $3.99 price tag on a book for no good reason.

Northlanders #4 — This is the classic "from bad to worse" part of the story, but Brian Wood pulls it off well. The best quality of this vikings series is how Wood gives depth to his characters and doesn’t let any of them fall too far into stereotypical roles of heroes and villains. Life is complicated, especially for blood-hungry Scandinavians.

Omega the Unknown #6 — For the most touching tribute yet to the recently deceased Steve Gerber, this issue merits a purchase. It’s also another darn fine bit of comics by Jonathan Lethem and Farel Dalrymple. After all the action of the past few issues, this one serves as a bit of set up to the coming battle with the robots before culminating with a well done metatextual flourish.

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