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ComicMix Columns & Features for the Week Ending August 17, 2008

  • News
  • August 17, 2008

You know, it’s not like the Olympics broadcasters on NBC get paid to talk for a living or anything.  I actually heard one of them exclaim, after Michael Phelps won his record-breaking eighth gold of these 8-8-08 Games, "This has never happened before, and may never happen before!"  I immediately looked around for a TARDIS.  Then again, I keep confusing "Citius, Altius, Fortius" ("Faster, Higher, Stronger") with the opening from the Six Million Dollar Man ("better… faster… stronger") anyway, so there you are.  Meanwhile, ComicMix columnists have been jumping some hurdles of our own for  you:

How can geeks be this into international competition?  Well, when else are you gonna see dressage and badminton and water polo and trampoline?  At least, in between the endless bouts of beach volleyball?

Amazon Now Selling Comic Subscriptions

  • News
  • August 17, 2008

Maybe some bean counter finally tallied up all those comic book trade paperback sales. But Amazon.com, the world’s largest online retailer of, well, just about everything is now offering comic book subscriptions. Not for collected editions, but the regular old monthly books that some call “floppies.”

Is this a direct attack against your local comic store? Hardly. Amazon has been offering magazine subscriptions for years now. Adding comics to the mix is just an expansion of that business.

The offerings from Amazon are for the more mainstream, monthly comics. Not the best-sellers only found in direct market shops, like Secret Invasion, but titles more likely to appeal to the “My son really liked the Dark Knight movie, so let me get him a subscription to Batman” set.

It’s true that this could potentially take some casual market dollars out of dealers’ hands, but today’s shared universe, interconnected comics might have those readers seeking out stores for more titles. And think of the benefit to readers who live nowhere near a comic shop.

Random Video: “Batman Begins” Keyski Fighting Demo

  • News
  • August 17, 2008

While this video was posted a year ago, I’m fairly certain I’m not the only one who didn’t pick up on it until now. It’s a short promotional clip featuring the Keysi Fighting Method used in the current Batman film franchise by ol’ Dark Knight himself.

From what I gather around the ‘Tubes, KFM is a fairly controversial fighting style, with many arguing that it doesn’t hold up off the movie set. All I know for sure is that it looks pretty dangerous in this clip, and I’m not sure I want to test its "usefulness" in any way, shape or form.

In fact, I’m content just checking out this video:

 


 

“Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince” Release Delayed

  • News
  • August 17, 2008

hbp7-00-6355381ICv2 reports that Warner Bros. has pushed back the release of the sixth film in the Harry Potter franchise, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, due to fallout from the recent Writers Guild strike. Instead of being released on November 21, 2008, the next Harry Potter film will appear in theaters on July 17, 2009. The move is the result of the studio not having any "tentpole" blockbusters scheduled for release during the all-important summer season, as such films’ production would have normally begun during the time period in which the strike occurred.

Harry Potter fans can take heart, however, as it’s also reported that the move shouldn’t have any effect whatsoever on the release of subsequent films in the series.

The shift of The Half-Blood Prince will have no effect on the scheduling of the next Potter film, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, which will be released in two parts, the first of which will debut in the fall of 2010 followed by the eighth and final Harry Potter film in the summer of 2011.

 

Two of the previous five Harry Potter films have opened during the summer, but the young magician’s rabid fan base will flock to the theaters in any season, which has allowed Warners to schedule the films effectively during either the summer or the winter holiday season.

More on the other films that Half-Blood Prince will now be competing with, as well as the moves made by other studios in the wake of this announcement, can be found over at ICv2.

In case you missed the recently released trailer for Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, Cinematical has a nice version of it posted on their website.

“Kick-Ass” and Matthew Vaughn Go Indie

  • News
  • August 17, 2008

Filmmaker Matthew Vaughn recently announced plans to go the independent route with an adaptation of Mark Millar and John Romita Jr.’s gritty series Kick-Ass after studios balked at the ages of the characters and the level of violence in the story.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Vaughn has managed to raise $30 million on his own, with many crediting his fundraising success to the recent fortunes raised by another adaptation of a Millar project, Wanted. Thus far, the cast of the film is likely to include Christopher Mintz-Plasse ("McLovin" in Superbad), who is in negotiations for the role of the film’s villain, and Chloe Moretz (The Amityville Horror) who has signed on to play another pre-teen vigilante. The series’ main character has not been cast at this point.

From THR:

 

Vaughn first brought the project to Sony, which distributed his "Layer Cake," but the studio balked at the violence, which he refused to tone down. Several other studios expressed interest but demanded that the protagonists’ ages be upped. Vaughn, who most recently co-wrote and directed the international hit "Stardust," now is going it alone.

Production on the film is expected to begin next fall.

ComicMix Radio: Meet Jane And The Dragon

Already a children’s classic book and a worldwide TV success, Jane & The Dragon are now both a part of NBC’s Saturday morning line-up and the local DVD rack. Here’s what you are missing, plus:

  • Darwin Cooke tackles Madman
  • Conan gets a tribute
  • Marvin The Martian gets a film to himself

Let your imagination run a little wild and Press the Button!

And remember, you can always subscribe to ComicMix Radio podcasts via badgeitunes61x15dark-6871928 or RSS!

 

 

Nickelodeon Announces “Best Kids’ Graphic Novel Awards”

  • News
  • August 16, 2008

Nickelodeon Magazine recently announced their first-ever awards for kids’ graphic novels, and creators should take note of the open call for submissions. The awards, which will be given out in in spring 2009, are intended to honor "the best comic books and animated novels for kids published across the U.S."

Also worth noting is the pedigree of judges who will be evaluating submissions. Dave Roman, co-creator of one of my favroite webcomics, Teen Boat, will be joined by former DC associate editor Chris Duffy in determining the best of best in kids’ graphic novels.

Here are some details about the awards:

All graphic novel submissions must be submitted before Sept. 30, 2008. A list of books for kids to vote on, pre-selected by the Nickelodeon Magazine editorial staff, will be available in the December issue and online. The results will be announced in print and online in spring 2009 in conjunction with the release of Nickelodeon Magazine’s popular annual cartoon-themed issue.

Publishers interested in submitting graphic novels should send two copies of each title no later than Sept. 30, 2008. Submissions should be mailed to:

Chris Duffy or Dave Roman
Graphic Novel Award
Nickelodeon Magazine
1515 Broadway 37th Floor
New York, NY 10036.

Before you get your hopes up, however, keep in mind some words of advice from Gary Tyrrell of Fleen.com, who I assure you is not advocating murder in pursuit of childrens’ literature glory:

Got something that’s appropriate for the 7 to 13 crowd? Send it in and get yerself a little publicity. You probably won’t win unless you kill Kean Soo. Please note that this is not a suggestion that you kill Kean to improve your chances, ’cause he’ll just get the sympathy vote.

Check out the Nickelodeon Magazine website for more information.

Bigfoot Found, Cryptozoo Crew on the Way… Coincidence?

  • News
  • August 16, 2008

With all of the recent chatter about Bigfoot being discovered in Georgia, it seems appropriate to mention some big news regarding one of the upcoming series you’ll be seeing here on ComicMix — because if anyone can determine whether that’s a real Bigfoot in the cooler, it’s the Cryptozoo Crew.

Previously published by NBM, writer Allan Gross and artist Jerry Carr’s Cryptozoo Crew is headed to ComicMix for an all-new online series exploring the facts, fables and funny business surrounding mysterious creatures like, for example, Bigfoot. In fact, Gross has promised that the first storyline in the series will involve our ol’ buddy from Georgia — so the timing couldn’t be better, eh?

In case you haven’t been keeping up to snuff with the goings-on of the ‘Crew, here’s a quick synopsis of the series, according to Gross:

The story of CRYPTOZOO CREW is the story of Tork Darwyn and his wife Tara. Tork is a Cryptozoologist. He can understand all the "unknown" animals he discovers, but can never figure out his wife (or wife to be in this origin story). It is a mix of Indiana Jones adventure and Moonlighting/Romancing the Stone type male-female (mars/venus) relationship interaction. All ages appropriate.

What’s more, Gross tells me that Cryptozoo Crew was recently optioned for film adaptation by Alcon Entertainment — so it might be a good idea to get to know Tork and Tara real soon. (Well, before all that fame goes to their heads, that is.)

You can find out more about Cryptozoo Crew on the series’ official website, www.cryptozoocrewonline.com.

 

 

Michael Phelps, Dara Torres, Aquaman and me, by Martha Thomases

  • News
  • August 16, 2008

Watching the Olympics, like so many other things, reminds me of super-heroes.

Not that I watch a lot of the Olympics. The jingoistic nationalism of the coverage disturbs me. While I admire the perseverance and determination and hard work of the athletes, I don’t find it particularly heroic. Heroism, I think, involves putting yourself out for the benefit of others. Competing in the Olympics may be a way to test oneself, to try to attain an ideal of physical perfection and international harmony, but it doesn’t benefit others. Unless, that is, your idea of benefiting others is enriching the corporate coffers of the sponsors, the networks, and the governments that use their victories for propaganda purposes.

But I digress …

To look at me, you would not think that there was a time when I could have been an Olympic-level athlete.

And you’d be right.

However, I was on a swim team for most of a decade. From the time I was five until I aged out of the league at 15, I swam every summer for a local league, and every winter for the YMCA. This meant hours and hours every week, swimming laps until my eyes were red from chlorine (this was before racing goggles) and my lips were blue.

I loved being able to hold my breath for a long time, and I loved the way my body felt when I was slicing through the water. My body made sense, hips powerful enough to keep my torso level while I kicked. I loved wearing a racing tank, sleek and fast, like a superhero costume. Of course, I thought I was Atlantean, like Aquaman. It would be so much cooler if I could breathe underwater, like he could.

Writers complain that it’s hard to write stories for Aquaman, that his only powers are that he can breathe underwater and communicate with fish. Some examine the possibilities of the strength he must have to live under water, and how tough he must be to withstand the cold of the ocean. I think there’s an entire world to explore on the ocean floor, and that a character who can breathe water and air is inherently more versatile than one who can breathe only air. (more…)

Robbie Greenberger, R.I.P.

  • News
  • August 16, 2008

robbie-1-4900308We are incredibly sad to have to report that Robbie Greenberger, son of DC and Marvel alumni and ComicMix contributor Robert Greenberger, passed away on Thursday evening after a months-long struggle with leukemia. He was 20.

He is survived by his father, mother Deb, sister Kate, and everyone who knew him, all of whom are staggered by the news. Bob has been blogging about the entire course of treatment, and has written up the final week.

Friends may greet the family Sunday from 3-5 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. in the Spear-Miller Funeral Home, 39 South Benson Road., Fairfield. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Monday, August 18, 2008 at 1 p.m. meeting directly at Saint Pius X Church 834 Brookside Drive, Fairfield. Interment will be private at Oak Lawn Cemetery, Fairfield. In lieu of flowers contributions in Robbie’s memory may be made to The Tommy Fund for Childhood Cancer, Yale-New Haven Children’s Hospital, 20 York Street, New Haven, CT 06511-3202 (www.tommyfund.org). For information or to offer an online condolence, please visit www.spearmillerfuneralhome.com.

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