ComicMix Six: Top Political Campaigns in Comics

ComicMix Quick Picks
April 17, 2008

smiler2-1805729 It happens every few years, just like the Olympics or locusts: People lucky enough to live in democracies hold an election.

Sometimes they’re voting for a President or a Congressman, and sometimes they’re voting for a mayor or dogcatcher. People in comics vote, too, and their choices are often as stupid as ours.

That’s why, with primaries on the horizon and campaigns dominating the headlines, we’ve decided to take a look at some of the most notable attempts (successful or otherwise) at obtaining political office in the comics world… in typical ComicMix Six fashion.

*Sigh* If only it were that easy to ret-con a disappointing election in the real world…

6. Myra Fermin, Mayor of Hub City (DC): In the most corrupt city in the DC Universe, Myra ran on a platform promising to clean up the mess. And she won, because there had to be a reason she couldn’t sleep with the Question.

5. Gary "The Smiler" Callahan, President (Vertigo): This mayoral candidate gave Spider Jerusalem a lot to write about in Transmetropolitan. At first, Spider liked him more than his predecessor, "The Beast." And then, Spider learned the truth. Basically, The Smiler was sort of like Rudy Giuliani, but without the combover.

(more…)

Other Than Myself, by John Ostrander

News
April 17, 2008

I remember the morning after the primary election where Harold Washington won the Democratic nomination for Mayor of Chicago, becoming the first African-American man to do so. It was February 22, 1983 – 25 years ago. The white voters were split between then incumbent mayor Jane Byrne and Richard M. Daley, son of long-time mayor Richard J. Daley and who is currently mayor of Chicago.

Whoever wins the Democratic mayoral primary is de facto mayor of Chicago. That’s a given. The last Republican mayor, William Hale Thompson, left that office in 1931.

There is no two-party system in Chicago. At best, it’s a party and a half. As a result, Washington was going to be the new mayor of Chicago and, oh, how the white establishment cried! One white Democratic politician actually considered switching parties to oppose Washington in the mayoral election rather than have Chicago face the terrible possibility of a Negro mayor. The fact that he didn’t simply means that he realized that the habit of voting Democratic was too ingrained.

I learned exactly what it meant on my way to work that day. I used the “L” at that time – Chicago’s rail transit line. My neighborhood was “iffy” – right on the borderline between an okay area and a slum and was gradually slipping downwards. That meant you walked around with your ‘spider-sense” definitely on. That was especially true of the L station.

I paid my fare and walk up the stairs to wait for the train. There was only one other person up there – a “Negro.” (more…)

What’s All This About a Comic Convention in New York?

News
April 17, 2008

Anybody know anything about this little get-together of a few comic book fans that’s supposed to happen in New York at some point soon?

No? Me neither.

Luckily for you, there are a few people who are paying very close attention (bordering on obsessive, in some cases) to all of the New York Comic Con hub-bubbery. Sure, you can check the official NYCC website, but where’s the fun in that?

If you really want to suffer the slings and arrows of outrageous lists of events, Heidi MacDonald over at The Beat is compiling an impressive list of everything that’s anything related to the New York Con. Not only will you be able to stay up-todate with all of the latest NYCC happenings, but you can also witness her descent into madness. Big convention chaos will do that to the best of ’em, I guess.

Once you get tired of watching Heidi’s sanity slip-slide away, check out the YouTube profile of ItsJustsomeRandomGuy, the creator of those "Marvel vs. DC" videos that have managed to meme themselves around the comics scene in recent years. The popular online filmmaker was commissioned to do some NYCC-themed shorts for the show, and has his very own panel on Saturday. (Also, I think he stole my "Thorbuster Iron Man" action figure, as it disappeared a few months back… right about the time he posted NYCC Video #3.) I’m watching you, mister.

Finally, keep an eye here on ComicMix tomorrow for a comprehensive list of all the places you’ll be able to find our news team, comics creators and assorted ComicMix roadies throughout the show.

‘Catwoman’ Cancelled With Issue #82

News
April 16, 2008

After DC released its last round of solicitations, people naturally assumed Catwoman was being cancelled with issue #81. That’s just unfounded nonsense. It’s actually being cancelled with issue #82!

According to writer Will Pfeifer, Selina Kyle will get one more issue in August before her solo title officially gets the axe. Did she have to spend one of her nine lives to do it? If so, does she have any more to spare in order to get a series relaunch?

Perhaps in the future, but as of now, Pfeifer has no information on any future plans for Catwoman. Fans will just have to be happy with one extra helping of their favorite cat buglar for the time being.

EZ Street: Big Breakthrough

News
April 16, 2008

Sometimes, the story just flows. In today’s brand-new episode of EZ Street, by Robert Tinnell and Mark Wheatley, Danny gets some new ideas about how to draw Scot’s story. Will the parts be greater than the whole? Can brothers collaborate on art and life?

Credits: Mark Wheatley (Artist), Mark Wheatley (Colorist), Mark Wheatley (Letterer), Mark Wheatley (Writer), Mike Gold (Editor), Robert Tinnell (Writer)

More: EZ Street

‘Watchmen’ Action Figures Revealed

News
April 16, 2008

Back in 2000, DC Direct created figures based on Alan Moore’s Watchmen to celebrate the comic’s 15th anniversary. Unfortunately, a dispute caused Moore to pull out of the project and the figures were scrapped, never to see the light of day.

Fans wondered if they’d ever have a chance to own a plastic version of The Comedian and place it upon their computer desks for all the world to see, right between the empty bottles of Mountain Dew and the economy bag of Doritos.

Wonder no more, because Watchmen action figures are on the way! Since Moore steadfastly chooses not to have anything to do with Zack Synder’s film adaptation of Watchmen, apparently it’s kosher to make action figures based on it!

DC Direct will debut all of the figures at the New York Comic-Con on Friday, but Entertainment Weekly scored an early look at two of them: Nite Owl and Rorschach. The figures will be released in January of next year, which is enough time to buy them all before the film is released on March 6.

Happy Birthday: Leonard Rifas

News
April 16, 2008

Born in 1951, Leonard Rifas loved comics but found cartooning to be hard work. He wanted to make sure the stories and messages he conveyed were important enough to demand such time and attention, so he turned to educational comics.

In 1976, he produced All-Atomic Comics, about the use of nuclear energy. That same year he created Educomics, a publishing label for educational comics, under which he has published such titles as Gen of Hiroshima and his own An Army of Principles: The History and Philosophy of the American Revolution.

Rifas has also taught cartooning to people of all ages, and has written books and articles about comics.

Sci-Fi Summit Report: More on ‘Star Trek’ and a Tale of Two Spocks

News
April 16, 2008

[EDITOR’S NOTE: You’re about to read our special ComicMix report on the Star Trek panel and Q&A at this year’s Grand Slam: Sci-Fi Summit in Burbank, CA. If you’d like to know more about the convention, we also have a general roundup of the Sci-Fi Summit and a special report on the James Marsters panel and Q&A session with the Buffy the Vampire Slayer actor. -RM]

2-spocks-3-tm-6878406 Last Sunday, Sci-Fi Summit attendees were treated to one half of the writing team behind the upcoming Star Trek film and the recent live-action Transformers movie, as writer Roberto Orci kicked off the grand finale of the show. After the writer apologized for the absence of Alex Kurtzman, his associate of 17 years, the fans were treated to a screening of the Star Trek trailer and some photos that Orci took on set.

The trailer didn’t feature any new footage, and included shots of the U.S.S. Enterprise’s construction, apparently on Earth. When a fan expressed his displeasure at this, Orci assured him, “Just because they start building it on Earth, doesn’t mean that it can’t be finished in space.”

Orci’s slideshow also failed to reveal any spoilers, with the possible exception of a photo of an inedible-looking craft service table marked “Romulan’s Only,” confirming the appearance of the alien race in the film

When the recent writer’s strike ended, Orci said he and Kurtzman spent nine weeks writing Transformers 2 and handed in their first draft this past Friday. When asked what new Transformers fans could look forward to in the film, the writer answered, “Maybe Soundwave.”

Orci also hinted that there are Star Trek references in both of his previous films, The Island and Transformers, and there will be more references in Transformers 2. He also confirmed that the writing team did a polish on the script for Watchmen.

According to Orci, famed director Steven Spielberg played a large role in J.J. Abrams’ decision to direct Star Trek. Abrams had agreed to produce the film, but was not sure if he wanted to direct. Spielberg read the script and convinced Abrams to helm the project. Orci also recalled a set visit where the Close Encounters of the Third Kind director sat on the bridge of the Enterprise and helped block out an action sequence. (more…)

Sci-Fi Summit Report: James Marsters on ‘Spike’ Movie and ‘Buffy’ Reunion

News
April 16, 2008

[EDITOR’S NOTE: You’re about to read our special ComicMix report on the James Marsters panel and Q&A session at this year’s Grand Slam: Sci-Fi Summit in Burbank, CA. If you’d like to know more about the convention, we also have a general roundup of the Sci-Fi Summit and a special report on the Star Trek panel and Q&A session, featuring "A Tale of Two Spocks." -RM]

Saturday at last weekend’s Sci-Fi Summit featured an appearance by popular Buffy the Vampire Slayer actor James Marsters (Spike), who also appears as Braniac on the television series Smallville, and is featured in a recurring role on the hit series Torchwood. Marsters will also be playing the role of villain Piccolo in the upcoming live-action adaptation of the anime classic Dragonball.

The actor began the panel by talking about his disappointment over the recent Buffy reunion at the Paily Center in New York.

“From my side, it was kind of a letdown, really. There were a lot of smart people on that show and really good questions being asked by the audience, but I felt like nobody really talked about anything interesting," said Marsters. "We didn’t say anything or bring anything nearly dangerous. I felt like we weren’t trying to prove something anymore, but trying to protect something — and I thought that was total bull. I left the stage thinking, ‘We didn’t get it, we didn’t give it to them. The audience was ready and we weren’t.’”

When asked about the possibility of a Spike film, he described his pitch for the film. It involved Spike falling in love with a woman but never telling her about his vampire origins for fear of her leaving him.

“She discovers he’s a vampire, is disgusted by it and kicks him out forever,” the actor explained. He went on to explain that later a monster would appear, and thinking that he could win her back by being the hero, Spike hunts the monster. However, once he gets into the fight, the monster grows to six times its original size and Spike runs away in fear. (more…)

‘Voltron’ Episodes Go Online

News
April 16, 2008

Maybe it was the recent interview with Voltron: A Legend Forged writer Josh Blaylock here on ComicMix that got them psyched-up to do it, but Xbox LIVE Video Marketplace has added the first two seasons of Voltron: Defender of the Universe to its list of downloadable videos.

If you already have an Xbox 360, then don’t hesitate to get the very first episode, "Space Explorers Captured," because it’s free. Other episodes will cost 160 MS Points (roughly $2 in the U.S.).

Travel to Planet Arus and uncover the secret of a weapon from ancient times — Voltron! Keith, Lance, Sven, Hunk and Pidge arrive too late, the planet has already been completely devastated by the evil forces of King Zarkon. They engage in battle with Zarkon’s general, Yurak, only to be captured and thrown into the dungeons on Planet Doom.

Like all cartoons from your childhood, they might not hold up to your memories. (Space mice? Really?) But the nostalgia’s worth the initial price. After that, you’re hooked. Darn animation pushers.

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