Author: Glenn Hauman

Taking Down “The Dark Knight Rises”

dark_knight_rises_poster-4132675Ouch, ouch, and more ouch.

FADE IN:

EXT. AIRPLANE

After DC COMICS reminds everyone of their shitty new logo, HANS ZIMMER plucks a couple strings until HOODED TOM HARDY and nuclear scientist ALON ABOUTBOUL are taken on board CIA AGENT AIDAN GILLEN’S PLANE.

AIDAN GILLEN

We were only expecting the scientist, who the fuck are you?

TOM HARDY
(in 5.1 surround)

Remember how the lasht villain was introduced in a full-head mashk, only revealing hish true face ash he pulled off an overly elaborate plan that involved shacrifiching hish own underlingsh?

(removes hood)

WE’RE DOING IT AGAIN, WITH NO SHURVIVORSH!

via If ‘Dark Knight Rises’ Was 10 Times Shorter and More Honest | Cracked.com.

And just for good measure, we have the folks at How It Should Have Ended weighing in:

Sadly, I can’t find much wrong with their critiques.

Then we have word that The Dark Knight Rises passes $900 Million in worldwide box office, while at the same time selling fewer tickets than Tim Burton’s Batman. Amazing, ain’t it?

Kevin Sussman Upped To Regular On “The Big Bang Theory”

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Finally, the comic book store owner on TV that comic fans can respect (as compared to that guy on The Simpsons) gets some respect of his own as Kevin Sussman gets a regular gig on The Big Bang Theory. Deadline Hollywood has the details:

Leonard, Sheldon & Co. may be haning out at the comic book store more often next season. Kevin Sussman, who plays the comic book store manager Stuart, has been promoted to a regular for the upcoming sixth season of the hit CBS comedy. He has been recurring on the show since Season 2, appearing in 15 episodes so far. I hear Sussman’s deal is of the “7/13″ kind, meaning that he likely won’t be in every episode like Big Bang‘s core cast. This is the fourth promotion for a Big Bang recurring player, following similar upgrades for Melissa Rauch and Mayim Bialik, who now appear in virtually every episode, and Sara Gilbert, who left the series.

Stuart played a key part in the relationship between Sheldon (Jim Parsons) and Amy (Bialik) as it was Stuart’s date with Amy that prompted Sheldon to make her his girlfriend. His character also was behind a bet that produced one of the most popular images from the show with the main gang dressed as  Catwoman, Wonder Woman, Batgirl, and Supergirl.

Watch Marvel’s Avengers gag reel

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Well, everybody else has the Avengers gag reel, so why not us? See Chris Evans, Robert Downey Jr., Chris Hemsworth, Tom Hiddleston, Gwynneth Paltrow, Jeremy Renner, Scarlett Johansson, Clark Gregg, Cobie Smulders, Mark Ruffalo, Samuel L. Jackson, and somebody named Joss and how they spent their summer vacation playing Avengers vs. Chitauri. Watch it now, and you’ll feel better for the entire day.

Gag Reel from “Avengers” by Flixgr

WEIRD TALES PULLS NOVEL ENDORSEMENT IN MIDST OF CONTROVERSY

Weird Tales, a Magazine known for featuring the odd and strange and being the home of such classic Pulp Authors as Robert E. Howard and H.P. Lovecraft, has found itself in a position to retract an endorsement by Weird Tales Editor Marvin Kaye of a novel by author Victoria Hoyt.

In a post entitled, ‘A Message from the Publisher’, said Publisher John Harlacher details that editor Kaye had endorsed a novel written by Hoyt.  Upon further investigation and learning more about the content of the book, The Publisher consulted with Kaye and the decision was made to rescind the endorsement.  For the full contents of the letter from Weird Tales’ Publisher, go here- http://weirdtalesmagazine.com/2012/08/20/a-message-from-the-publisher/

Although it is not stated in the above cited message, it is believed by All Pulp staff that the title of this novel is “Save the Pearls”.  This novel and Hoyt herself have been criticized on the internet for what is being cited as obvious racist themes in the book as well as in promotional material.  All Pulp has not contacted any of the parties involved, but is willing to discuss this with both sides and report on it accordingly.

Worldcon and Dragon*Con announce shared programming

300px-dragonconlogo-761966770th World Science Fiction Convention

We really are living in the future. Chicon 7, the 70th World Science Fiction Convention (Worldcon), and Dragon*Con, the leading multimedia and popular culture convention, will run joint programming through a two-way video link. Chicon 7 and Dragon*Con attendees will be able to sample the flavor of each other’s events through a series of program items featuring participants at each location. In addition, Dragon*Con will show a live broadcast of the Hugo Awards Ceremony from Chicon 7, while Chicon 7 will present a video (previously recorded) of the unique Dragon*Con parade on the streets of downtown Atlanta, which features over 3,000 costumes.

Details of the joint programming can be found on the Chicon 7 website at http://www.chicon7.org/dragoncon.php. Four shared program items have been scheduled for each day from Friday, August 31, to Sunday, September 2. Final details of program participants at each location will be added to the Chicon 7 website in the next week.

Reminder: Today’s the last day to vote in the 2012 Harvey Awards, hosted this year by Phil LaMarr

new-harvey-logo-web-2012-2-5553637We want to remind you that voting for the Harvey Awards closes tonight at midnight, so get your votes in now if you haven’t already. Please remember that only comic book professionals – those who write, draw, ink, letter, color, design, and edit comic books and graphic novels – are eligible to vote. All you have to do is go to the Harvey Awards website and vote, quick and easy. Voting turnout seems healthy this year, thanks to the new online voting.

The 2012 awards will be handed out at the Baltimore Comic-Con on September 8th, in a ceremony hosted by Phil LaMarr. We hope to see you there!

Named in honor of the late Harvey Kurtzman, one of the industry’s most innovative talents, the Harvey Awards recognize outstanding work in comics and sequential art. Nominations for the Harvey Awards are selected exclusively by creators – those who write, draw, ink, letter, color, design, edit, or are otherwise involved in a creative capacity in the comics field.  They are the only industry awards both nominated and selected by the full body of comic book professionals. The awards have been presented annually since 1988.

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Phil LaMarr (Photo credit: Gage Skidmore)

Phil LaMarr is best known as a cast member of Fox’s MADtv, a sketch comedy show based on characters and situations from MAD magazine, which was founded in 1952 by Editor Harvey Kurtzman (namesake of the Harvey Awards) and Publisher William Gaines. The show first aired in 1995 and ran for 14 seasons, of which LaMarr was a cast member for 5 seasons (1995-2000).

In addition to his comedic acting, LaMarr is also an accomplished voice actor for such renowned shows as Futurama, Kaijudo, Foster’s Home for Imaginary Friends, Static Shock, Evil con Carne, Samurai Jack and Justice League Unlimited, as well as recurring roles on King of the Hill, Family Guy, Star Wars: The Clone Wars, Young Justice and The Adventures of Jimmy Neutron.

LaMarr says: “I’m excited and honored to be a part of the Harvey Awards this year, and I am looking forward to meeting many of the people I spend every Wednesday afternoon with.”

The change in host this year from Harvey Award mainstay Scott Kurtz was due to a family conflict. Kurtz, a friend of both the Baltimore Comic-Con and the Harvey Awards, will return in the future.  “Scott worked really hard to make the show this year, and we all understand and respect that family commitments must take priority,” said Marc Nathan, Baltimore Comic-Con promoter.  “Scott is always welcome here in Baltimore!”

stainless-steel-rat-1-1192910

Harry Harrison: 1925-2012

stainless-steel-rat-1-1192910Harry Harrison, best known for his character Jim DiGriz, the Stainless Steel Rat, and the novel Make Room! Make Room! (adapted into film as Soylent Green) died yesterday at the age of 87.

Harrison started as a comics illustrator in 1947, notably with EC Comics’ two science fiction comic books, Weird Fantasy and Weird Science, as well as a short stint on Blackhawk for Quality, and various war, western, and romance comics– even western romance comics. Harrison was one of Wally Wood’s early employers and the man who brought Woody to EC.

He also edited comics in the 50s for very small publishers. He used house names such as Wade Kaempfert and Philip St. John to edit magazines, and has published other fiction under the names Felix Boyd, Hank Dempsey, and even as Leslie Charteris on the novel Vendetta For The Saint. Harrison also wrote for syndicated comic strips, creating the Rick Random character and writing the Flash Gordon comic strip during the 50s and 60s.

Harrison is now much better known for his writing, particularly his humorous and satirical science fiction, such as the Stainless Steel Ratseries (which was adapted into a comics series by Kelvin Gosnell and Carlos Ezquerra) and the novel Bill, the Galactic Hero (which satirizes Robert A. Heinlein’s Starship Troopers). But he may be best known for Make Room! Make Room! which was adapted into film under the title Soylent Green— which (spoiler alert) is delicious.

He is survived by two children, Todd and Moira. Our condolences to his family, friends, and fans.

FULL MOON: PHASES OF THE MOON HARDCOVER COMING!

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Cover: Andy Black

Moonstone Books has announced that the FULL MOON: Phases of the Moon HC is about 4 weeks away from release and fans of great comics can preorder it from their retailers still…

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FULL MOON: Phases of the Moon

Story: Steven L Frank, Paul D. Storrie, CJ Henderson, Earl Mac Rauch
Art: Nathan Stockman, Glen Fernandez
Cover: Andy Black
78pgs, PC, $29.99

The only occasion this crazy time-travelling serial killer saga will appear all together in color!

What started with The Spider, Domino Lady, Honey West, Kolchak and others…ends here!

*Plus the unseen final chapter starring SHEENA!
*Plus a recently uncovered BUCKAROO BANZAI part of this tale!
*Plus a never before seen epilogue starring KOLCHAK, as years later he uncovers the even more startling truth behind the lies!

Moonstone is about to send out an amazing collection of pulp stories and the publisher had this to say about it: “This is Moonstone’s big team up adventure, but with our own spin on that kind of concept.”

First, there are 6 individual comic book short stories, each spotlighting one character with some have characters acting in unison as well.

fullmoon_dl-5781510

These 6 stories are broken down into 3 different time eras:

Era: the 1930’s: The Spider & Domino Lady
Era: the early 70’s: Honey West and Kolchak
Era: current day: Sheena

After these 6 stories, come 2 prose stories, one featuring Buckaroo Banzai (written by Banzai’s creator Mac Rauch) and Kolchak.

The Kolchak prose story is the official story ender, as the final truths are revealed.
“Years after the fact, more startling revelations are uncovered by Kolchak, with a wild twist ending!”

Written by Kolchak scribe CJ Henderson!

The overall plot is about a serial killer… and that story flows through the three time periods mentioned.

Finally the publisher concludes my stating “We wanted a big team up story… without the story being too cosmic, because these characters are not all-powerful superheroes, but ones that really put it all on the line… WITHOUT powers.”

The idea for the project and the plot was created by Steven L Frank.

You can still order FULL MOON: PHASES OF THE MOON HC via your retailer and local comic shop:
JUNE DIAMOND PREVIEWS http://www.previewsworld.com/support/previews_docs/orderforms/JUn12_COF.txt
MOONSTONE
PAGE 312-313    
SPOT    JUN12 1198    FULL MOON PHASES O/T MOON HC (C: 0-1-0)    08/29/12    SRP: $29.99       
   
For more on Moonstone Books and its titles, past-present-future, please visit http://www.moonstonebooks.com

You can also directly buy via the Official Moonstone Shop.

Also be sure to “like” Moonstone on Facebook.

That Weird Moment When You Discover That The Joker And Robin Were Classmates

Monday Mix-Up: “The Dark Knight” Class Reunion

That Weird Moment When You Discover That The Joker And Robin Were Classmates

It’s even weirder when you realize that Mr. Universe was cropped out of the photo.

VP Candidate Rep. Paul Ryan and “Smiler” Gary Callahan from “Transmetropolitan”

paul-ryan-gary-callahan-smiler-8734298In light of Mitt Romney’s announcement of Rep. Paul Ryan as his running mate for the 2012 Presidential Election, we’d like to point back to our article from April of 2011:

On the left is Gary Callahan, a.k.a. The Smiler, from Warren Ellis and Darick Robertson‘s Transmetropolitan. On the right is U.S. Representative Paul Ryan (R-WI), Chairman of the House Budget Committee.

One of these individuals has good looks and a certain amount of charisma, but has no empathy for the lower classes of society. He has designs on the presidency, and will cut odious political deals to make that happen, all while being fawned over by right wing pundits and a segment of the voters who are convinced that he will save us from “the Beast”.

The other, of course, is a character out of the comic books.

For further comparison, consider this page from Transmetropolitan #41 (reprinted in Transmetropolitan TPB #7: Spider’s Thrash) and remember that this first came out over ten years ago. It certainly sounds like something Ryan has in his campaign platform…

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Here, let me transcribe it so the other spiders can get to it:

You have to understand that the care system of the country cannot be taken for granted. It is not American to swaddle you in cotton wool from cradle to grave. It is the mark of a mature country that you, too, take responsibility for your life and the lives of those around you.

We are not big government. We do not own you. These streets are your streets. Therefore it is you, in your greatness as Americans, who must care for your streets.

And the people on them.

Care for your community. Because we can’t do it for you.

To paraphrase Warren Ellis, the only future worth talking about in science fiction is the future we’re living in.