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Review: Brian K. Vaughan’s ‘Batman: False Faces’

batmanfaces-1-4292282With the recent and much heralded conclusion to Y: The Last Man, the continued strong run of Ex Machina and a gig writing for Lost, Brian K. Vaughan is living pretty high on the hog nowadays. But it can easily be forgotten that Vaughan wasn’t always a superstar writer, and the new collection of comics from his formative years at DC serves as a telling picture of the artist in progress.

In Batman: False Faces ($19.99), we’re taken back to Vaughan as a struggling writer, working a day job at the psychiatric ward of St. Vincent’s Hospital in New York. Three stories in the collection feature Batman or his rogues, and the fourth sets Wonder Woman against Clayface.

As Vaughan writes in his introduction: “[A]nyone who thinks that pitting a character made of magical clay against friggin’ Clayface isn’t a totally awesome idea is a dirty communist.” True enough. But while the setup is golden, the execution isn’t. What could have been a deeply introspective story is more cursory and trivial, while also moving a bit too slowly in places.

The Batman stories (which Vaughan wrote later) show the expected improvement. Further exploring issues of identity, Vaughan takes a thoughtful look at Batman’s two-bit-criminal alter ego Matches Malone in one story, and then he explores the diseased mind of the Mad Hatter. When Hatter says, “The only way you shall ever comprehend insanity is by ducking the shallow gerund,” Vaughan reveals the savvy and linguistic dexterity that would go on to make him a star.

[[[False Faces]]] isn’t for everyone, but for Vaughan devotees or those interested in the development of a talented creator, it’s a must-have collection.

ComicMix Radio: When Good Heroes Get Bad Makeovers

So you grow up with a favorite comic character and then you actually get into the industry and get a chance to work on the hero you read as a child. What happens when the story you work on happens to be the one in which they trash the character? ComicMix‘s Andrew Pepoy shares his story here, plus

— It’s another midnight release for Marvel’s Dark Tower

— Ultimates 3 has another sell out and bounces back in black & white

— Komikwork’s World Of Quest hits Cartoon Network UK

— Believe it or not,  another brand new trivia question and another chance to grab an exclusive Graham Crackers Comics variant by e-mailing us at: podcast [at] comicmix.com

This time – no hint – it’s an easy one – Just Press The Button and get us an e-mail!

 

 

And remember, you can always subscribe to ComicMix Radio podcasts via badgeitunes61x15dark-4568234 or RSS!

 

Spielberg Says ‘No’ to ‘Indy 4’ Digital Projection?

  • News
  • February 28, 2008

I don’t always believe many of the "rumors" circulating around the Internets. The web is a big place and people sometimes exaggerate, or perhaps even fabricate, in order to get some kind of "scoop" or exclusive "insight" for their websites.

That said, I am inclined to believe the following rumor which has recently surfaced, courtesy of tipster ‘Ohio Munson’ at JoBlo: Steven Spielberg won’t be allowing any theaters to show Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull using digital projection. It will only be available on film.

Think about that for a minute and then I’ll tell you why I’m inclined to believe this one. Spielberg is an old-school kind of filmmaker and has never really embraced his buddy George Lucas’ love for all-things digital. In fact, he vehemently resisted Lucas’ attempts to persuade him to shoot Indy 4 digitally.

Since he’s Steven Spielberg and is working with Lucas, a devout technophile, the director could have had the most advanced digital camera system in the world at his disposal for Indy 4 and yet, he still went with film.

He’s also, by his own admission, one of the few directors out there still cutting negative during post-production — something that, with digital post and non-linear editing systems like AVID and Final Cut Pro being the "standard’ these days, is almost never done.

Given his feelings regarding digital and his prior decisions, I feel he will stick with film for the theatrical release of Indy 4. Film is an aesthetic and creative choice he believes in, likes to works with, and, when playing at your local theater, will want his movie to be shown on. It’s really that simple.

If true, is this a bad decision on Spielberg’s part?

On This Day: Milton Caniff and Gaston LaGaffe

  • News
  • February 28, 2008

In 1907 Milton Caniff was born in Hillsboro, Ohio. Caniff was best known for the Terry and the Pirates and Steve Canyon cartoon strips. He helped found the National Cartoonists Society and received its first Cartoonist of the Year Award in 1947. He was entered into the Will Eisner Award Hall of Fame in 1988.

 

In 1957, issue #985 of Le Journal de Spirou introduced a new cartoon character, a bumbling young man named Gaston LaGaffe. Created by André Franquin, Gaston was a popular character and strip for almost forty years.

 

‘Superhero Movie’ Poster Revealed

  • News
  • February 28, 2008

It was only  a matter of time. After spoofing horror films, teen films, date films, epic films and Spartans, the satire train has finally set its sights on the highly profitable world of superhero movies. Some of the comedic "talent" responsible for bringing you Scary Movie are releasing Superhero Movie on March 28.

If the film is anything like its spoof brethren, most of the jokes will undoubtedly be ripped wholesale from other films and be of the "Hey, I remember that movie!" variety. It will also probably do huge business at the box office, ensuring more films of its like.

Superhero Hype has posted a large image of the film’s movie poster, which includes Tracy Morgan as Dr. Xavier, Regina Hall as the Storm-like Mrs. Xavier, Simon Rex as the Human Torch, Pamela Anderson as The Invisible Girl, Craig Bierko as Wolverine and Leslie Neilsen as, uh, Uncle Albert. With a cast this star- studded, there’s no way this film can’t rock!

Other People’s Sandboxes, by John Ostrander

  • News
  • February 28, 2008
 
This column has its roots in Mike Gold’s column this week. While it’s not necessary to read Uncle Whizzy’s Wazoo this week,  it is recommended – as it is every week. Loves my UWW on Monday!
 
I’ve spent a lot of my writing career in other people’s sandboxes and, in general, have had a great time. Sometimes I wonder if I haven’t spent a little too much time in those sandboxes. My career might have been better served with a few more original creations such as GrimJack (and I’m working on some that will appear here on ComicMix eventually) but, as they say, hindsight is 20/20. Hindsight also often sounds as if one is looking out one’s butt – which certainly explains many of the utterings we hear from political pundits these days. However, that’s a different topic for another time.
 
Brother Gold’s column this week was about whether or not a strip or a character or a series should continue after its creator’s death (or their choice to discontinue work on said property). His point was that in many cases we would not have some very fine stories using those properties were that not the case. Nor would we have had some very notable careers. For example, Frank Miller first made his name taking over the very moribund Daredevil book at Marvel and making it the most talked about book in the industry. Alan Moore was known to those us who could get their hands on 2000 AD and/or Warrior (and thus first saw Miracleman, a Captain Marvel rip-off character that he performed surgery on and made into something very new) but his first big American title was when he took over Swamp Thing and re-invented not only the character but its whole mythology.
 

(more…)

Marvel Unveils Ultimate Spider-Man in Spanish

  • News
  • February 27, 2008

Marvel’s PR department just sent over news that Ultimate Spider-Man Ultimate Collection Vol. 1 and Ultimate X-Men Ultimate Collection Vol. 1 will be translated into Spanish and rereleased in late March.

The collections, which retail for $29.99, include the first year’s worth of stories from each series, all redone in Spanish. This is just the latest effort by Marvel to make a play for Spanish-speaking readers, as in recent months the publisher released a special issue of the Fantastic Four in Spanish. Fantastic Four: Isla De La Muerte #1 was released in Spanish and English in January.

It’ll be interesting to hear if anyone tracks sales of those issues by language. Though publishers of all stripes are interested in tapping into the growing Hispanic population in the United States, such efforts are clearly in the early stages.

witchbladedevicover-9541624

Top Cow and Virgin Comics Announce First Crossover

  • Uncategorized
  • February 27, 2008

witchbladedevicover-9541624Top Cow Productions and Virgin Comics today anounced the first-ever crossover comic book featuring the top female characters from both companies. Sara Pezzini, the main character of Top Cow’s Witchblade and wielder of the mystical weapon, will cross paths with Tara Mehta, the supernatural force created by the Gods in the Virgin series Devi.

“The crossover seemed like a perfect connection,” said Top Cow Publisher Filip Sablik. “It was a natural fit to have the Witchblade and Devi meet each other. And to have writer Ron Marz at the helm for us was by far the logical choice.”

Virgin Comics Gotham Chopra was equally as enthusiastic about the new venture.

“Simply put, this was a no-brainer for us to do,” said Chopra, "Not only are we at Virgin huge fans of Witchblade, but the whole team behind it at Top Cow. I know our guys—Samit Basu and Mukesh Singh—are both going to bring their A game to make sure that Devi holds her own against Sara.”

Top Cow will publish part one of the story, called Witchblade/Devi #1, in April. Virgin Comics will then follow up with part two, called Devi/Witchblade #1, in May.

Marko Djurdjevic Joins Marvel’s ‘Thor’ as Guest Artist

  • News
  • February 27, 2008

According to Marvel Comics, acclaimed cover artist Marko Djurdjevic is joining the hit-comic series Thor as a "special guest artist’ for a two-issue arc that promises to, as Marvel puts it: "turn the God of Thunder’s world on its head!"

And as if that were’t enough, Djurdjevic and regular series artist Olivier Coipel have also teamed-up to create a special variant cover for the issue which, according to Marvel, "you need to see the results of this superstar jam to believe it!" The team-up cover is also available as a poster.

Here’s some more info on the Thor comic, and Djurdjevic’s involvement, from the official press release:

Thor’s world has been rocked by the machinations of others, but will the return of his father set him on a path of no return? And what of Loki’s machinations with the deadly Dr. Doom? If you haven’t checked out one of 2007’s most critically-acclaimed new series, then don’t miss Thor #7, kicking off a series of events that promise to shatter the status quo!

 

THOR #7 (DEC072216)

Written by J. MICHAEL STRACZYNSKI

Art and Cover by MARKO DJURDJEVIC

50/50 Cover by OLIVIER COIPEL & MARKO DJURDJEVIC

Rated T+…$2.99

FOC—2/28/08, On-Sale—3/19/08

 

THOR BY COIPEL & DJURDJEVIC POSTER (DEC072283)

24×36 Color Poster…$7.99

IN STORES NOW!

On This Day: Lori Lemaris, Norm Breyfogle and Jeff Smith

  • News
  • February 27, 2008

lori_lemaris-3358394Though the ocean tides play havoc with calendars, today is officially recognized as the birthday of Lori Lemaris, mermaid of Atlantis and one-time girlfriend of Superman. Don’t ask how old she is, though—a lady never reveals, not even a lady fish.

In the “real” world, today is also the birthday of comic book artist Norm Breyfogle and comic book creator Jeff Smith. Both were born in 1960.

Breyfogle is best known for his work on various Batman titles, while Jeff Smith is the creator of the popular Bone comic book series.

Happy birthday, guys!

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