One hundred years ago today in Spokane, Washington, Charles Martin “Chuck” Jones was born. It is quite possible there has not been a more widely influential artist in the twentieth century.
We could easily list his over three hundred cartoons that he directed; we could talk about all of the influential cartoons that he didn’t do for Warner Brothers– Pogo, The Grinch Who Stole Christmas, The Dot and the Line, and revitalizing Tom & Jerry; we could mention his creation and co-creations Private Snafu, Charlie Dog, Hubie and Bertie, The Three Bears, Claude Cat, Marc Antony and Pussyfoot, Charlie Dog, Michigan J. Frog, Marvin the Martian, Pepe LePew, the Road Runner, and Wile E. Coyote; we could discuss his educational work with The Electric Company and Curiosity Shop and his works with Dr. Seuss, not to mention the multiple generations of animators he taught and trained– but we’ll simply note that three of his shorts (Duck Amuck, One Froggy Evening and What’s Opera, Doc?) have been inducted into the National Film Registry.
Recently, I had a long wait for a mammogram at the doctor’s office and I used the time to consider why living in the real world is better than living in the world of comics. And I love comics.
10. In the real world, buildings don’t get knocked over in fights. If they do, it’s such a big deal that we invade Iraq.
9. Crowd scenes in comics show people who are better looking, in general, than we are in the real world. Very few are overweight or wear baggy clothes. They are not ethnically diverse. A disproportionate number have Mohawks. In the real world, we stumble along in our own individual funks, and I don’t stand out with my gray hair and cellulite.
8. Parties in comics are even worse. Women wear outfits that would require more Hollywood tape than can be found in all of Bigelow. No woman ever wears a nice pantsuit unless it has a plunging neckline. No woman could eat a sandwich in those outfits. In the real world, it’s not a party without a sandwich.
7. In the real world when there is an important election we sometimes find out that a candidate has accepted money from people from other countries. In comics, we sometimes find out that a candidate has accepted money from aliens.
6. Or one of the candidates is an alien. That hasn’t happened in the real world yet. Not that we know of.
5. In comics, a disproportionate number of people are doctors, corporate executives, fashion models and scientists. None of those are careers for which I would qualify, much less succeed. In the real world, I can be a writer.
4. No one in comics spends any time in the bathroom. I have a decent percentage of my library there.
3. In comics, any misunderstanding with a person you just met turns into a knock-down, drag-out fight before you resolve your differences and team-up. In the real world, we have a conversation. And sandwiches.
And, because I was waiting for a mammogram (which was fine, thanks for asking)…
2. In the real world, radiation can detect, and sometimes cure breast cancer. In comics, it can make one Hulk out. I don’t want my tits to get large, green, and super-strong every time they get angry.
1. Or else radiation can make them invisible, stretchy, on fire, or orange and rock hard. We only need one Pamela Anderson, thanks.
SATURDAY: Marc Alan Fishman Sez Comics Are Good For Learnin’
Listen to episode 197 of The Book Cave at http://thebookcave.libsyn.com as hosts Ric Croxton and Art Sippo count down to their big 200th podcast episode.
New York, N.Y. (September 17, 2012) – Titan Merchandise, a leading international licensee of pop culture icons and Captain Action Enterprises, licensors of the popular Captain Action line, have teamed up to produce a series of T-shirts, mugs, I.D. holders and more. These products will be on sale internationally in late 2012.
Captain Action is based on the action figure created in 1966 by Stan Weston for Ideal Toys and sold internationally. The hero came equipped with a wardrobe of costumes allowing him to become many different heroes such as Batman, The Lone Ranger, the Green Hornet and many more. In 1967, Captain Action proved so popular that the line was expanded to include a sidekick, Action Boy and a blue skinned alien foe with bug eyes, the nefarious Dr. Evil. The following year, DC Comics licensed the character from Ideal and published five issues of Captain Action featuring industry luminaries such as Jim Shooter, Wally Wood and Gil Kane.
The line has experienced as strong resurgence, complete with an all-new toy line that debuted earlier this year.
“I’ve been a massive fan of Captain Action since my late 60s childhood in the North West of England” said Titan director Andrew Sumner. “Back then, my grandfather kept me supplied with a steady diet of US comic books and I was filled with excitement every time I read a Captain Action advertisement in the back pages, I would have done ANYTHING to own the action figure. Stan Weston’s costume design blew my mind, which was blown even further when I picked up Jim Shooter and Wally Wood’s first issue of the DC comic. By the time Gil Kane and Wally Wood’s classic, way-ahead-of-its-time issue five rolled around, I was hooked for life! It’s our absolute pleasure to be working with the awesome team at Captain Action Enterprises on such an iconic, brilliantly-designed property.”
“We’ve been big fans of all Titan’s products and are proud to be part of their line-up, “ said Ed Catto of Captain Action Enterprises. “From Doctor Who to Star Trek to the classic Hammer horror movies – Titan’s products always seems to be top-notch in quality and lovingly created.”
Current plans call for the first wave to include a distressed T-shirt with the Captain Action logo, a coffee mug and an I.D. holder.
The new products will debut at New York Comic Con at the Javits Center from October 11 to 14, 2012.
This has us deliriously happy because Quentin Tarantino is one of the great stylists, who can deliver action, humor, and moments you have never seen before. He has a great ear for music so his soundtracks sing, and his casting is always brilliant. Go ahead and read the following then begin writing to Santa Claus.
SANTA MONICA, CA (September 17, 2012) – Celebrating Quentin Tarantino’s legendary filmmaking, Lionsgate and Miramax are proud to present the Tarantino XX: 8-FilmCollection, arriving on Blu-ray Disc November 20th.
Tarantino XX contains eight films chosen by Tarantino to illustrate the first 20 years of his career, featuring the films that helped define his early success, including Reservoir Dogs, True Romance, Pulp Fiction, Jackie Brown, Kill Bill Vol. 1, Kill Bill Vol. 2, Death Proof and Inglourious Basterds. To complete the stunning high definition 10-disc set, the Tarantino XX: 8-Film Collection also features two discs with five hours of all-new bonus material, highlighted by a critics’ retrospective on Tarantino’s groundbreaking catalog of films and “20 Years of Filmmaking” that contains interviews with critics, stars and other masters of cinema.
Tarantino XX: 8-Film Collection showcases one of the most innovative filmmakers of our time and is a must-have for serious film fans, as Tarantino’s highly-anticipated new film, Django Unchained, prepares to hit theaters. Honoring the 20th anniversary of Reservoir Dogs – the cultural milestone that brought Tarantino to the forefront as a cinematic legend – the collection is highlighted by recurring appearances from celebrated actors including Uma Thurman (Pulp Fiction, Kill Bill), Samuel L. Jackson (Pulp Fiction, Jackie Brown, Kill Bill), Tim Roth (Reservoir Dogs, Pulp Fiction) and Steve Buscemi (Reservoir Dogs, Pulp Fiction), and also includes starring performances from iconic actors such as Brad Pitt (Inglourious Basterds), Pam Grier (Jackie Brown) and Robert Forster (Jackie Brown).
Tarantino XX on Blu-ray also features striking, original artwork designed and illustrated by MONDO (www.mondotees.com). Housed in collectible packaging, the Tarantino XX: 8-Film Collection will be available for the suggested retail price of $119.99.
CONTENTS SUMMARY
BLU-RAY SPECIAL FEATURES – 2 Discs*
Critics Corner: The Films of Quentin Tarantino – In-depth critics’ discussion piece exploring Tarantino’s films that redefined cinema and the impact of one of the most influential writers/directors of our time.
20 Years of Filmmaking – Take a look at Tarantino’s career from the beginning, with interviews from co-workers, critics, stars and master filmmakers alike as well as a tribute to his greatest collaborator, Sally Menke.
RESERVOIR DOGS
Quentin Tarantino’s directorial debut, nominated for the Grand Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival (1992) and awarded the International Critics Award at the Toronto International Film Festival (1992), is raw, violent and unforgettable. Four perfect strangers are assembled to pull off the perfect crime, but when a botched robbery reveals a police informant among them, their simple robbery explodes into a bloody ambush.
Blu-ray Special Features*
Pulp Factoids Viewer
Playing It Fast and Loose
Profiling the Reservoir Dogs
TRUE ROMANCE – DIRECTOR’S CUT
Runaway lovers Clarence and Alabama (Christian Slater and Patricia Arquette) play a dangerous game with a stolen suitcase containing $5 million worth of cocaine. They head for Los Angeles, where they’ll sell the goods and begin a new life, but both sides of the law have other ideas. This dark comic web of crime, murder and mayhem from writer Quentin Tarantino and director Tony Scott (Top Gun, Spy Game), features an ensemble cast including Dennis Hopper, Val Kilmer, Gary Oldman, Brad Pitt, James Gandolfini and Christopher Walken.
Blu-ray Special Features*
Audio commentary by Christian Slater and Patricia Arquette
Audio commentary by Tony Scott
Audio commentary by Quentin Tarantino
Scene selective commentaries by Val Kilmer, Dennis Hopper, Brad Pitt and Michael
Rapaport
Deleted/Extended Scenes with Optional Director Commentary
Alternate Ending with Optional Director and Writer Commentary
Original 1993 Mini-feature
Behind-the-Scenes Interactive Feature
Animated Photo Gallery
Theatrical Trailer
PULP FICTION
Pulp Fiction has been hailed by critics and audiences worldwide as a film that redefined cinema. A burger-loving hit man (John Travolta), his philosophical partner (Samuel L. Jackson), a drug-addled gangster’s moll (Uma Thurman) and a washed-up boxer (Bruce Willis) converge in four tales of violence and redemption. The film was honored with an Academy Award® for Best Original Screenplay (1994) and earned seven total nominations, including Best Picture and Best Director. It has also been listed as one of the best films of all-time by Time and Entertainment Weekly.
Blu-ray Special Features*
Interviews with Cast
Critics’ Retrospective on the Movie’s Place in Film History
Behind-the-Scenes Footage
Pulp Fiction: The Facts
Production Design Feature
Siskel & Ebert At the Movies – The Tarantino Generation
Independent Spirit Awards Footage
Cannes Film Festival Footage
Charlie Rose – Tarantino Interview
Stills Galleries
Trivia Track
Deleted Scenes
JACKIE BROWN
Quentin Tarantino’s acclaimed adaptation of Elmore Leonard’s Rum Punch follows a cash-smuggling flight attendant (Pam Grier) who is busted by an ATF agent (Michael Keaton) and a cop (Michael Bowen). When pressured to help with their investigation, she agrees to do one last run for a ruthless arms dealer (Samuel L. Jackson). Mistrust and suspicions arise when Jackie plays the opposing forces against each other in an effort to walk away with the dough. Robert Forster earned a Best Supporting Actor Oscar® nomination for his role as Max Cherry, a bail bondsman who falls for Jackie and becomes embroiled in the scheme.
Blu-ray Special Features*
Breaking Down Jackie Brown
Jackie Brown: How It Went Down – Retrospective Interviews with Cast and Crew
A Look Back at Jackie Brown – Interview with Quentin Tarantino
Chicks with Guns Video
Siskel & Ebert At the Movies – Jackie Brown Review
Jackie Brown on MTV
Marketing Gallery
Stills Galleries
Trivia Track
Deleted and Alternate Scenes
KILL BILL VOL. 1
In the first volume of this gritty revenge saga, an assassin (Uma Thurman) is shot at the altar by her ruthless employer, Bill (David Carradine), and other members of his Deadly Vipers Assassination Squad. In this epic tale of survival The Bride sets out to bring justice to all those who wronged her, including a reformed suburban mother (Vivica A. Fox) and the Japanese Yakuza crime-lord (Lucy Liu).
Blu-ray Special Features*
The Making of Kill Bill Vol. 1
The 5.6.7.8’s Bonus Musical Performances
Tarantino Trailers
KILL BILL VOL. 2
The murderous Bride (Uma Thurman) mercilessly continues her vengeance quest against her ex-boss, Bill (David Carradine), and his two remaining associates: Bill’s degenerate younger brother (Michael Madsen) and a vicious one-eyed swordswoman (Daryl Hannah).
Blu-ray Special Features*
The Making of Kill Bill Vol. 2
Damoe Deleted Scene
Chingon Musical Performance
DEATH PROOF
Kurt Russell stars as a tough-talking, psychotic serial murderer who transforms his stunt car into an indestructible killing machine, then climbs behind the wheel to stalk and terrorize a group of women on the road. What he doesn’t realize is that he’s picked the wrong babes to mess with.
Blu-ray Special Features*
Stunts on Wheels: The Legendary Drivers of Death Proof
Introducing Zoe Bell
Kurt Russell as Stuntman Mike
The Uncut Version of Baby, It’s You performed by Mary Elizabeth Winstead
A Jewish cinema owner in Nazi-occupied Paris is forced to host a movie premiere for the Third Reich, where a radical group of American soldiers, The Basterds, led by Lt. Aldo Raine (Brad Pitt), plan to roll out a score-settling scheme. The film was honored with an Academy Award® for Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role (2009, Christoph Waltz) and earned seven total nominations, including Best Motion Picture of the Year for Lawrence Bender and Best Writing, Original Screenplay for Quentin Tarantino.
Blu-ray Special Features*
Extended and Alternate Scenes
Roundtable Discussion with Quentin Tarantino, Brad Pitt and Elvis Mitchell
Dynamite Entertainment‘s full December 2012 solicitations will be released soon, but the publisher has released a limited number of first looks at some of their pulpy offerings. Comic book shops and bookstores are pre-ordering these titles now to be in store in December. If you want your local shop to carry these titles, please let them know now.
Join pulp heroes like Green Hornet and The Shadow, pulp warriors like Dejah Thoris, the Lord of the Jungle, the Lone Ranger, and Red Sonja as they battle the forces of evil this December. Click on covers for a larger view.
THE SHADOW #9 32 pages FC • $3.99 • Teen + Written by Victor Gischler Art by Aaron Campbell Covers by Alex Ross (25%), Michael Golden (25%), Tim Bradstreet (25%),Francesco Francavilla (25%) Revolutionary Part 2 (of 4) – The Shadow finds himself face to face with George Orwell smack dab in the middle of the Spanish Civil War, but his mystic powers fail to illuminate what significance this literary legend holds for the world. No time to figure that out! The Shadow’s campaign against a murderous gang of gun runners takes him on a tour of Barcelona’s underbelly where he meets the beautiful and dangerous Black Sparrow! But is he really an old friend in disguise? Pause to ponder that and you might miss the deadly dogfight over the Spanish countryside. Pack a parachute, Shadow, because you’re going to need it!
THE LONE RANGER VOL 2 #12 32 pages FC • $3.99 • Teen + Written by Ande Parks Art by Esteve Polls Cover by Francesco Francavilla The epic conclusion of the Native Ground arc. The Lone Ranger has traveled through Indian lands in search of a healer for his friend Tonto. Now, the healer has been found, and she is not at all what the Ranger expected. Has the Ranger come all this way just to watch his friend die? The battle for Tonto’s life and soul will be resolved. Your understanding of this iconic character will be forever changed.
THE GREEN HORNET: YEAR ONE SPECIAL #1 40 pages FC • $4.99 • Teen + Written by Nate Cosby Art by Ariel Padilla Cover by Sean Chen Ruby’s thirteen. She sells newspapers for pennies. And she’s got The Green Hornet’s gun. Will Hornet and Kato find Ruby before the mob does…or can THE GREEN GUN GIRL save herself? The original Green Hornet in a super special tale from writer Nate Cosby (Cow Boy)!
LORD OF THE JUNGLE #13 32 pages FC • $3.99 • Mature Written by Arvid Nelson Art by Roberto Castro Cover by Lucio Parrillo The savage ape-man clashes with Russian super-fiend Nicholas Rokoff in the shadow of the legendary city of Opar. Don’t worry! It’s only the fate of the free world hanging in the balance. Rokoff is holding the ape-man’s true love hostage, and he won’t hesitate to kill her. But wait – the savage denizens of Opar are out for vengeance following the ape-man’s escape from their clutches, and they could ruin everyone’s plans. Lord of the Jungle #13: Through the Valley of the Shadow!
RED SONJA #75 32 pages FC • $3.99 • Teen + Written by Eric Trautmann • Art by Marcio Abreu Covers by Mel Rubi (cover A), Erik Jones (cover B), Walter Geovani (cover C)(Fans – each cover has it’s own UPC so you and your retailers can order the Special Anniversary Covers of your choice!) SPECIAL ANNIVERSARY ISSUE! On the snowy steppes of Hyrkania, Red Sonja faces off against an army bent on crushing her homeland. Old scores are settled, alliances are broken, and rest assured, with the She-Devil With A Sword entering the fray, blood will surely flow.
THUN’DA #5 32 pages FC • $3.99 • Teen + Written by Robert Place Napton Art by Cliff Richards Cover by Jae Lee The war with the Monkey Men reaches a climax as Roger Drum calls upon a dangerous power to defend Pha and the Shareen against the ruthless incursion of the talking primates! The concluding chapter of Thun’da’s first adventure! THE FINAL ISSUE!
WARLORD OF MARS: DEJAH THORIS #22 32 pages FC • $3.99 • Mature Written by Robert Place Napton Art by Carlos Rafael Covers by Paul Renaud (50%), Fabiano Neves (50%) Dejah and Gunbor’s shocking discovery of Mortus’ true plan for Barsoom leads them into an unlikely alliance with some of Barsoom’s most dangerous assassins!
For a full listing of Dynamite’s October Release, visit them at www.dynamite.net.
When a literary giant dies, there’s a rush to rediscover the author’s works, delighting in old favorites or finally reading a work you have somehow missed. The passing of Ray Bradbury has prompted such a journey in print and in other media. Warner Archive, to their credit, has just released The Halloween Tree, the 1993 animated adaptation of his 1972 fantasy.
The 90-minute feature was adapted by Bradbury and directed by Mario Piluso, featuring the voices of Leonard Nimoy, Annie Barker, Darleen Carr, Lindsay Crouse, Alex Greenwald, and Bradbury himself as the narrator.
A small group of four children are out trick-or-treating one Halloween when one of them, Pip, goes missing. Checking his house, they learn he has been rushed off for an emergency appendectomy. Instead of making their rounds without him, they determine to visit him instead at the hospital. Instead, they wander off their intended path and get lost. They then encounter Mr. Moundshroud (Nimoy) who explains he’s after Pip’s ghost and refuses to help the children since they are woefully ignorant of the true meaning behind Halloween. If they can keep up with him and his giant kite, they can accompany him and suddenly, they are taken 4000 years into the past. The bulk of the tale explores the Egyptian Book of the Dead, stop by Notre Dame Cathedral and its gargoyles followed by a trip to Mexico and their Day of the Dead, which is also where they finally catch up to Pip.
The animation design is adequate if uninspired but it does convey a nice sense of atmosphere, aided by the vocal cast, which does a nice job. Overall, this is something that should be in regular rotation alongside the annual Peanuts special so people can delight in Bradbury’s work and learn a little something, too. Rather than hope it gets rerun on the Cartoon Network, you might want to get this for your home collection.
You should seek out the 2005 edition of the book which has the “author’s preferred text” along with the screen adaptation script.
The sunshine is warm, but the air carries a tiny bite of chill. The trees are still green, except for a pioneering dogwood in the front yard, which is in the process of color changing. And our teacher friends are back at work. So is fall about to glorify the geography? Indeed.
What are we waiting for? Bundle the crowd into the car and let’s go down to he Chevy dealer’s to inspect next year’s models and after that we can go to the Ford dealer and we’ll still have time to visit the Chrysler showroom before supper. Then maybe we can stop at the soda fountain for a malt and wonder if the St. Louis Browns will ever climb out of the American League cellar…
Oooops. Time warp. I’ve been revisiting my childhood. The debut of new cars is no big event, not anymore. Oh, savvy shoppers may be aware that September is a good month to hunt the elusive bargain, but there’s not much hoopla attached to auto shopping, no balloons, no clowns, no big red signs. (The Edsel Is Here!!!) New sleds are just something that happens.
Same with television. Sure, (like a lot of you?) I scan the TV listings and make a mental note of premiers of shows I might want to sample. If we again time warp, we’ll see an era when the three networks (not counting the occasional wannabe) presented their wares pretty much simultaneously in early autumn like the car guys, and it was pretty darn stimulating to meet the folks who would keep is entertained while the snow fell. But with the coming of King Cable, shows pop up throughout the year, and some of our favorites are limited series that run in the summer. (Has anything recent been better than Newsroom?)
In the land of comics, back when comics cost maybe fifteen cents, the big moments tended to be in early summer when the oversize publications known as “annuals” graced the newsstands because, the wisdom went, readers weren’t busy during the warm months and had more time, and maybe more disposable income, for the funny books. At summer’s end, well… we got the things out and expected a slight dip in circulation. Later, when hardcover graphic novels became a factor, we had to have them almost done by September because, again nodding to conventional wisdom, we had to have the in stores by Thanksgiving to catch customers who might want them for Christmas gifts. If they weren’t ready for the printer by October, trouble was looming. In any case, autumn equaled doldrums.
I’d better quit blathering because I’ve got to get this to Mike so I can free the evening for television watching and… wait! What’s this? An unfamiliar vehicle in my driveway? What has that wife of mine been up to?
RECOMMENDED VIEWING: When Mike Gold and I initiated the Recommended Reading feature in The Question, lo those many years ago, most of my good information came from books. That’s less true now. So instead of recommending a book, let me direct you to a movie which you can rent from Netflix: Carbon Nation. Everyone should see this.
FRIDAY: Martha Thomases and Living Better in Reality
Marvel Entertainment and ABC Studios are proud to announce Castle: A Calm Before A Storm, an all-new comic book limited series by the popular Castletelevision series. The first issue of this five issue series, based the titular novel from noted author Richard Castle, hits comic shops, the Marvel Comics app and the Marvel Web Store on December 5th, 2012. Following issues will ship monthly through April 2013. Castle: A Calm Before A Storm is written by New York Times best-selling author Peter David (Stephen King’s Dark Tower, X-Factor), penciled by popular artist Robert Atkins (Amazing Spider-Man) and features powerful covers by Mico Suayan (Moon Knight).
Derrick Storm is looking forward to finally getting out of the game – stocking up his cabin cruiser and heading out into the open Atlantic for good. But his plans are put on hold when, on the eve of a UN summit, the severed head of a Russian diplomat is found bobbing in the backwaters of the Hudson. Storm’s CIA handler Clara Strike, enlists him to crack a plot of global proportions, pitting the uncanny PI against a legion of eastern bloc mercenaries, and an ex-KGB hit-man known simply as “The Fear.”
“The continued success by Marvel with these graphic fiction adaptations of my work is incredible. I’m thrilled to welcome Peter, Robert and Mico to the family,” said Richard Castle. “Derrick Storm is one of my favorite creations and it’s great to have such an excellent creative team join us with this new comic series,”
This is the third Castle graphic fiction adaptation to be released through a collaborative effort between Marvel, ABC Studios and the producers of Castle. In 2011, Castle: Richard Castle’s Deadly Storm dominated sales charts and garner worldwide acclaim. And on October 15th, 2012, Castle: Richard Castle’s Storm Season will be released on sale in comic shops, the Marvel Comics app, Marvel Web Store, iBookstore, Nook Bookstore and everywhere books are sold
“The partnership with Marvel has been a dream,” said Andrew W. Marlowe, “Castle” creator/executive producer. ‘Their extraordinary creative vision has given our audience a new and exciting way to enjoy Richard Castle’s work.”
“With the newest adaptation of the Derrick Storm novels it’s safe to say that Richard Castle’s work is a hit with comic book fans around the world!” said Axel Alonso, Marvel Entertainment Editor in Chief. “Castle: A Calm Before A Storm follows in the tradition of our Castle projects full of great characters, international intrigue and packs every page with lots of action!”
CASTLE: A CALM BEFORE THE STORM #1
Written by PETER DAVID
Penciled by ROBERT ATKINS
Cover by MICO SUAYAN
13 & Up …$3.99
ON SALE DECEMBER 5, 2012
Castle stars Nathan Fillion as Richard Castle, Stana Katic as NYPD Detective Kate Beckett, Susan Sullivan as Martha Rodgers, Molly Quinn as Alexis Castle, Ruben Santiago-Hudson as NYPD Captain Roy Montgomery, Tamala Jones as Medical Examiner Lanie Parish, Jon Huertas as NYPD Detective Javier Esposito, and Seamus Dever as NYPD Detective Kevin Ryan.
Castle is produced by ABC Studios. Andrew Marlowe is the show’s creator/executive producer, along with executive producers Rob Bowman, David Amann, Laurie Zaks and Armyan Bernstein.
