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Could the eleventh time be the charm? I stopped watching Saturday morning cartoons right around the time Scooby-Doo solved his first mystery. To my mind, it was also a show from my younger brother’s era. At the time, I thought it looked and sounded pretty stupid, an opinion I maintained ever since.
Last year, I was forced to re-examine those feelings when I was invited to write a few Scooby-Doo stories for DC Comics’ print incarnation. I talked with longtime fans and other writers in addition to reading a ton of stories. The formula had its charm and the characters diverse enough to hang stories on but I couldn’t imagine things like their family lives or the unlikely coincidence of all four being only children.
I apparently was not the only one with those questions, and Warner Bros. Animation has offered up a new series, Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated which debuted in July. In late January, the first four episodes from the fourteen episode first season were released on DVD by Warner Home Video.
The formula remains the same. People get spooked by something, the kids investigate, wackiness ensues, and the monster is revealed to be someone in disguise who would have gotten away with the scheme du jour “if it wasn’t for those darn kids”. What’s different this time, though, is the introduction of a Big Bad, someone calling himself Mr. E (Mystery, get it? They owe Bob Rozakis a royalty), who is teasing Mystery, Inc. with clues to a some big mystery surrounding Crystal Cove. The mystery relates to the town’s history and involves a quartet of teen sleuths and their pet, and is being slowly unfolded so you don’t get a resolution to this in disc one (or disc two, due in March). Heck, you only get two clues this time around.
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RADIO WESTERN ADVENTURES Volume 1 is now available for signed edition pre-order.
You can own one of the first copies hot off the press, signed by Donald F. Glut and delivered to you via post for only $13.99.
Just go here and click on the paypal button to order your copy today.
http://pulp2ohpress.com/pulp/radio-western-adventures/
You can also see all of the bonus features of the book here:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?id=316374832771&aid=286770
RWA is a unique blend of nostalgia and hard-hitting western pulp action from the pen of DONALD F. GLUT (THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK, BROTHER BLOOD, and TV’s TRANSFORMERS) and pulp celebrity LESTER DENT (DOC SAVAGE, THE AVENGER).
The book features the novella “Who Really Was That Masked Man?” — a tall tale about what happens when all of the classic western stars from those thrilling days of yesteryear encounter one another and embark on a six-shooting, whip-cracking adventure. This is the story that fans of western pulp, serials, comics and old time radio have been waiting for years to read!
In addition, the Legendary Lester Dent contributes a never-before-published story “Snare Savvy” featuring Haw Kain, a slow-talkin’, but quick-witted cowboy from Montana who runs afoul of some greedy land grabbers. There’s also a fast talkin’ gal who catches Haw’s eye, and makes his job of stopping the crooks all the tougher.
This one-of-a-kind western pulp features many exclusive extras:
A comprehensive article on the great radio, comic and serial western adventure heroes (GENE AUTRY, HOPALONG CASSIDY, ROY ROGERS, SUNSET CARSON et al) that influenced the creation of “Who Really Was That Masked Man?” This article is lavishly illustrated with stills of young Don in his childhood cowboy outfits roaming the range of boyish imagination in Chicago.
A tribute to Jim Harmon, the man to whom this book is dedicated. Jim Harmon was a good friend, author and ardent western radio fan, historian and wrote of many books on the subject including the definitive THE GREAT RADIO HEROES.
A gallery of RARE STILLS featuring iconic western stars and autographed to Don Glut.
A behind-the-scenes peek at “Snare savvy” by noted author and pulp historian Will Murray.
and much more!!!
BARRY REESE NOMINATED FOR GEORGIA AUTHOR OF THE YEAR!
Barry Reese, recent winner of the PULP ARK 2011 BEST AUTHOR award and Spectacled Seven member at ALL PULP, has been nominated for a Georgia Author of the Year Award. His novel RABBIT HEART (also a nominee for Best Book in the 2011 Pulp Ark Awards) is eligible in the Fiction category. This year’s awards will be handed out on June 11, 2011 at the Kennesaw State University Center.
From the Georgia Writers Association Website:
The Georgia Writers Association recognizes Georgia’s authors of excellence by presenting the Georgia Author of the Year Awards. The GAYA has the distinction of being the oldest literary awards in the Southeastern United States while reflecting the current publishing world. The GAYA honors both independently published authors and those whose books are published by traditional publishing houses. The Awards have grown in prestige and participation since its inception in 1964 by the Dixie Council of Authors and Journalists. The GAYA changed hands in 1990 to Georgia Writers Association and in 2006 GWA began a strong affiliation with Kennesaw State University’s Department of Humanities. In 2006 over 100 books were nominated for Georgia Author of the Year. The GAYA covers the traditional categories of Poetry and Fiction, while accommodating the growing Creative Non-Fiction genre. The guidelines are revised each year to parallel the changing literary marketplace.
This March, join Charlie Brown, Linus, Snoopy and all your favorite Peanuts characters as Happiness is a Warm Blanket, Charlie Brown, the very first Peanuts graphic novel ever published, is released by newly-launched all-ages imprint kaboom! Based on the work by Peanuts creator Charles M. Schulz himself, this graphic novel is sure to delight a whole new generation of Peanuts fans!
“We’re honored to publish such a beloved property,” BOOM! Studios Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Ross Richie said. “I can think of no better way to kick-off our new all-ages imprint kaboom! than with the first Peanuts graphic novel ever published!”
Adapted from the brand new animated special from Warner Home Video, Happiness is a Warm Blanket, Charlie Brown features Charlie Brown’s kite-flying woes, Linus’ insecurities, Lucy’s unrequited love for Schroeder and everyone’s favorite beagle, Snoopy, in a lively and colorful spin through Charles Schulz’s imagination. The 80 page, 7×10, hardcover graphic novel ships this March at the suggested retail price of $19.99 in conjunction with the all-new Peanuts animated feature of the same name available on DVD from Warner Home Video March 29, 2011.
Happiness is a Warm Blanket, Charlie Brown is written by original creator Charles M. Schulz and adapted by Craig Schulz and Stephan Pastis (Pearls Before Swine) with art by Bob Scott, Vicki Scott and Ron Zorman.
“New original Peanuts comic book content is a tradition that goes pretty far back in comic book publishing,” said BOOM! Studios Editor-in-Chief, Matt Gagnon. “Dell Comics published ‘Tip Top Comics’ which featured new Peanuts comic book content created under the guidance of Charles Schulz. ‘Tip Top’ ran from 1936 until 1961, creating well over 40 original Peanuts stories and countless covers. It’s exciting to be a part of the return of Peanuts to the comic book format.”
The Happiness is a Warm Blanket graphic novel and DVD dovetails into a larger campaign launched in January when Peanuts proclaimed 2011 as “The Year of ‘Happiness Is…”. Throughout the year, the classic Peanuts concept, which cartoonist Charles M. Schulz coined in 1960 with “Happiness is a Warm Puppy,” will be celebrated with special-themed products, cross-branding partnerships, social media campaigns and nationwide activities.
Launched last week, KABOOM! is the brand new name for BOOM! Studios’ three year old all-ages imprint previously known as BOOM Kids!
I first visited Ursula K. LeGuin’s Earthsea series in my Fantasy Literature college course. Her books were short and eloquent, wonderfully transporting me to another place and time. The strength of her work is that is has endured through the years and inspired others. In 2006, Japan’s Studio Ghibli ([[[Princess Mononoke]]]) released their animated adaptation, [[[Tales from Earthsea]]], and it stealthily came to the United States last August via Walt Disney Pictures. Opening so late in the summer season hurt it at the box office, so it is welcome that the DVD release is finally here this week.
The movie doesn’t adapt any one novel but takes elements from the first four books in the series: [[[A Wizard of Earthsea]]],[[[ The Tombs of Atuan]]],[[[ The Farthest Shore]]], and [[[Tehanu]]]. With LeGuin’s blessing, the movie told a relatively new story about Earthsea filled with omens, sorcery, deception, destiny, and a love for the land. To be honest, it’s been so long that I couldn’t recall the source material and was treating the story as something entirely new. Apparently, LeGuin herself was less than thrilled and fans of the books were split.
To be sure, there are dragons, sorcerers, Kings, common folk and Arren, the sword-wielding youth who becomes the focal point of the tale. As he ventures into the countryside, Arren is joined by Sparrowhawk the Archmage, and together they take refuge at the home of Tenar, who is an old friend of the Archmage and caretaker to the young Therru, who has just been rescued by the men.
Comic book artist Greg Horn is going to be lending his talent to the Broadway extravaganza Spider-Man: Turn Off The Dark, providing illustrations for the play’s distinctive line of merchandise and also some imagery for the official program guide.
Touted as the most elaborate ever, the play brings Horn onto a star-studded project helmed by industry giant Julie Taymor, with songs by music legends Bono and The Edge of U2. Coming off his latest work for Marvel and ESPN Magazine’s NBA preview issue, the artist has already established his fair share of high profile projects recently. “I’ve worked on some mind-blowing jobs over the past 10 years, but this one might just take the cake. It’s a biggie! They were nice enough to fly me up last month to see the show in person, and that really helped me get a grasp of the show’s scope and look. I’ve never seen anything like it–a visual spectacle!”
Greg is better noted for his years of memorable cover paintings for Marvel Comics. His campaigns in the advertising field with giants including Leo Burnett and WK have helped prepare him for anything the high-pressure world of mainstream illustration can dish out. “My goal with any project – whether we’re talking advertising, video game, or comic book art – is to create the highest quality of illustration. In the case of Turn Off the Dark, the bar is set pretty high by the rest of the production. By focusing on the best qualities of the characters and freeze-framing the action in the perfect place, I can create a marketable image that is epic and inspiring. I’m extremely pleased with the way things are turning out so far with Spidey!”
Greg has upcoming projects with the University of Alabama, Abrams Publishing, Zenescope, and Marvel Comics. His online gallery costs nothing to peruse, showcasing all his illustrations for a variety of industries.
Indians mourned Saturday the death of Anant Pai, known as the father of the nation’s comic book industry, whose vibrant adaptations of Hindu mythology educated and amused young people for years.
Pai, credited with launching a series of comics to narrate Indian epics and folk tales, died of a heart attack at the age of 81 in the western city of Mumbai on Thursday, according to his family.
His very popular comic series Amar Chitra Katha, or Immortal Picture Stories, launched in 1967 with the goal of retelling stories from mythology, and still finds nearly three million buyers each year and is sold in 20 languages.
“We are still in a state of shock,” said Samir Patil, head of ACK Media, which now owns the comic series. “Mr Pai was a pioneer and an inspiration for everyone who worked in the field of children’s entertainment and education.”
Pai began producing comics because he was distressed with what he saw as Indian children’s lack of knowledge of mythology, culture and religion. “If the children of India dream, let them dream of India,” he said in a 2009 interview.
An editorial from the English daily Hindustan Times credited Pai with keeping Indians in touch with their culture and praised his ability to reach out to children.
In 1987 Pai established Tinkle, another comic book series featuring a lively cast of characters that included the foolish Suppandi, Tantri the Mantri, a scheming royal adviser, and a forgetful hunter Shikari Shambhu.
The writer and illustrator was affectionately referred to as “Uncle Pai” among his fans of every age group, who expressed sorrow at his passing.
Users of social microblogging network Twitter posted comments remembering “Uncle Pai”.
“A tear and a prayer for the demise of the legendary Anant Pai. He is as much a part of my childhood as my education at school. RIP Uncle Pai,” an Indian actor, Siddharth, tweeted.
Last week, the comic books convention held in New Delhi awarded Ananth Pai a lifetime achievement award for helping sire India’s comics industry.
Tommy Hancock, Editor in Chief of Pro Se Productions and Pulp Ark Coordinator, announces that voting has closed for the 2011 Pulp Ark Awards, the first awards given in association with this inaugural Pulp creators’ conference/convention.
The Winners of the 2011 Pulp Ark Awards are-
BEST BOOK-Tales of the Red Panda: The Android Assassins by Gregg Taylor (Autogyro Press)
BEST SHORT STORY-The Mountain Goats of Madness by Phil Bledsoe (Phil Bledsoe)
BEST COVER ART-Tales of the Red Panda: The Android Assassins by Thomas Perkins (Autogyro Press)
BEST INTERIOR ART-The Rook Volume 5-Anthony Castrillo, (Wild Cat Books)
BEST PULP RELATED COMIC-Boston Bombers (Red Bud Studios)
BEST PULP MAGAZINE-Masked Gun Mystery (Pro Se Productions)
BEST PULP REVIVAL-Green Lama -Green Lama Unbound by Adam L. Garcia (Airship 27/Cornerstone)
BEST AUTHOR-Barry Reese
BEST NEW WRITER-Tommy Hancock
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD-Tom and Ginger Johnson
The awards, 8X10 engraved wooden plaques, will be awarded in the middle of Pulp Ark, the evening of Saturday, May 14, 2011. Hancock stated that all winners as well as nominees are encouraged to attend, but any winners who could not would receive their awards by mail. Pulp Ark thanks all who nominated, all who voted, and congratulations to all the nominees and especially to the winners of the first ever Pulp Ark Awards!
Columns / Glenn Hauman / News
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