The Mix : What are people talking about today?

Morality and such, by Dennis O’Neil

It seems to me that I used to hear the word “morality” a lot more than I do nowadays. That might have a simple explanation: I used to hear

Look, sorry, I gotta break in here for a minute. You don’t know me unless, maybe, you once read an online thing called The O’Neil Observer and ain’t that a laugh. Like anybody would want to observe that loser! Well, one of those guys who studies bugs…an ente-something – maybe a guy like that would be interested in observing chrome-dome O’Neil. Anyway, I was introducing myself. Name’s Randy Hyper and I’m a character the loser made up because he’s too wussy to tell people about what’s he’s doing and he needs to hide behind a scrap of fiction to do it and if that ain’t pathetic, I don’t know what is. What he’d like you to know about is a course in comics writing he’s supposed to teach at New York University beginning February 13th and you could sign up for by contacting NYU. Or you could hit your toe with a hammer. That’s all I got to say. Now back to Mr. I’m-Too-Modest-To-Talk-About-Myself.

people use the word “immoral” when they mean something like, “I really, really don’t like this.” It’s been suggested – I don’t remember by whom – that the great bete noire of the comics world, Dr. Fredrick Wertham, whose background was European high culture and whose wife did fine art, found comic books unbearably vulgar and that perception of vulgarity somehow morphed into a perception of immorality and, worse, psychological corruption. 

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Middleman Set Photos

Javier Grillo-Marxuach has posted some early photos from the set of the The Middleman, the TV adaptation of his Viper Comics series.

The photos were taken during filming of the pilot episode, and feature the cast of much of the film’s lead roles, including Matt Keeslar as "The Middleman."

Robin and Marian, together again

In today’s all-new episode of Demons of Sherwood, Bo Hampton and Robert Tinnell continue their rolicking tale of love, legend, and witchcraft in Nottingham.  

Can you go home again?

 

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Ghost Rider, FF Among 2007’s Worst Films?

Reuters reports that nominations were announced today for the 28th Annual Golden Raspberry Awards, highlighting the worst performances, pairings and other elements from the list of films released in 2007. Big-screen adaptations of comics found their way into the nomination list once again, with Nicolas Cage earning a nod in the "Worst Actor" category for Ghost Rider, while Jessica Alba received a "Worst Actress" nomination for her portrayal of Sue Storm in Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer.

Also nominated for a Razzie was Bratz, a live-action film based on the popular series of toys and produced by former Marvel Studios chairman Avi Arad. Prior to the film’s release, Arad described Bratz as "X-Men for girls."

Previous recipients of the "Golden Razzie" award include 2004’s Catwoman (seven nominations, four wins) and 2005’s Bloodrayne (six nominations, no wins).

Oz to Justice League Filmmakers: Not Our Fault!

justice-league-2764263Following up on a previous Hollywood Reporter article in which Warner Bros. blamed the delays in production of a Justice League film on script issues and problems with potential Australian tax deductions, Variety now reports that the government of Australia has denied any fault in the matter. Apparently, Warner Bros.’ implication of the Aussies couldn’t have happened at a worse time, with the announcement hitting Australian wires on the first day of a government-sponsored celebration of American-Australian tourism and trade relations.

Australian officials were quick to issue a statement assuring the public that there was no conflict with tax incentives, but rather a conflict with "creative issues" related to the script. However, Variety‘s report would seem to indicate that the truth lies somewhere in the middle:

Pics seeking the uncapped 40% refund need to meet specific criteria to be deemed Aussie, and this is where "Justice League" appears to have failed to qualify, despite the studio having inked helmer George Miller in September and some Aussie thesps such as model Megan Gale.

 

Richard Thompson Interviewed

Over at The Comics Reporter, Tom Spurgeon has posted a great interview with Richard Thompson, the creator behind Cul de Sac and Richard’s Poor Almanac, among other projects.

The interview provides a look at the daily routine for a creator balancing multiple ongoing projects and the struggle to keep things fresh. It also provides a few funny examples of the relationship between a creator and his/her editor, as described below.

Nowadays my editor, Ann Gerhart, doesn’t ask for a rough, or even any idea of what I’m doing, so I guess we’ve reached a level of trust, or maybe nobody’s reading it still. The only complaint I ever remember getting from Gene [Weingarten, a former editor of Thompson’s], whose motto is that he edits for humor but not for taste, was when I used the phrase "fart-catcher" to describe a presidential aide twice in as many weeks and he found that excessive.

 

Zack Snyder Posts Watchmen Storyboards

Over at the official Watchmen film site, director Zack Snyder has posted an interesting explanation of how storyboards play into his production of a film, and even included a few boards from the much-anticipated adaptation of the Watchmen graphic novel.

The boards feature several scenes involving the character of Rorschach, played by Jackie Earle Haley.

As you can see from these frames, my storyboards aren’t necessarily super-finished art pieces on their own. I often find that the frames that get the most detail are the ones where I’m stalling – thinking of the next shots. In contrast, if I already have a sequence sorted out in my head, the boards tend to be much sketchier.

 

Prince Caspian Photos and Interview Hit the ‘Net

USA Today has posted an interview and gallery of photos from the set of The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian, set to hit theaters May 16. The photos feature the returning cast from The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, as well as many of the second installment’s new characters. The interview focuses on how filmmakers conquered one of the series’ most frustrating obstacles: how to "bring the sexy back" to Narnia.

… But with a quartet of mostly unseasoned child actors as the Pevensie kids, the 2005 release was severely lacking in an elixir that fuels many fantasy epics: sex appeal.

But that was then. This is wow. Ben Barnes, 26, the British newcomer who plays the title role in Prince Caspian, has visitors to the film’s Internet Movie Database message board virtually drooling.

What, putting Warwick Davis in a lead role wasn’t sexy enough? Come on, people!

 

No Boobies on Camera!

In 1916, only seven years after its inception, The National Board of Review, otherwise known as the National Board of Censorship, once the watchdog of the industry, covering filmmakers’ backs from the evil censorial ways of the powers that be, became on this day the National Ball Vice of America, saying no to pee-pees and boobies on camera.

Because we all know that if anybody, my god, if our children see nipples, they will go CRAZY.

Because the truth is, Mattel got it right with Ken and Barbie. That’s how we all really look under our clothes, kids. I’m going to go feel ashamed about my body now and shower with my underwear on.

What Would Golden Age Wonder Woman Do?

Boingboing.net points us to a great feature on Again With the Comics, the blog of Brian Hughes. In "Ask Golden Age Wonder Woman," Hughes answers questions from readers using actual panels from Golden Age issues of Wonder Woman.

The panels provide insight on everything from Wonder Woman’s musings on the subjugation of one’s spouse to the heroine’s lessons on corporal punishment. An example is pasted below:

Dear Golden Age Wonder Woman-

I have met the girl of my dreams, but there is one problem: she doesn’t want to get married. She’s worried that if she marries me, she won’t get alimony any more, and I say she doesn’t need it if she’s married to me. I don’t make much money, but I’m going to school at night, and I think we can do just fine. Who’s right?

-Frustrated in Mesa, AZ