The Museum Vaults Review

News
January 17, 2008

The Museum Vaults is the second of four graphic novels created through an unlikely publishing partnership: noted American art-comics publisher NBM and France’s cultural powerhouse museum the Louvre. All four of the stories will be about the Louvre in some way; the first book, Nicholas De Crecy’s Glacial Period, was published early in 2007.

Museum Vaults’ author, Marc-Antoine Mathieu, has been a prolific French cartoonist for the past twenty years, though very little of his work has turned up on this side of the Atlantic. (I’ll admit I didn’t previously know his work myself.)

As Museum Vaults opens, a young expert, Monsieur Volumer, arrives at a museum whose original name has been forgotten. His job is to delve into the subbasements beneath this museum to study, evaluate, and index the collections – to fully understand the museum. (more…)

Our Declining Years, by John Ostrander

News
January 17, 2008

And every fair from fair sometime declines

By chance or nature’s changing course untrimm’d

That’s Shakespeare. Sonnet XVIII – or 18 to those of us who don’t want to bother with Roman numerals.

Will is talking about the inevitable decay and decline of beauty in the person to whom the sonnet is addressed. For me, however, it is a reminder that everything – EVERYTHING – declines. It’s the power of entropy, folks – everything that is fair and/or beautiful, that is strong, must inevitably lose what is fair, strong, beautiful. It arrives sooner – by chance, as Will says, by accident – or later – by the accumulation of days but it must arrive.

That includes nations and brings me to a principle consideration of mine about all the candidates, Democrat and Republican, now vying for the post of Chief Executive of these Unites States. Which one is best equipped to deal with its decline?

Decline is inevitable, to begin with. Every nation, every empire, on top of the heap has fallen off that pinnacle. Every. Single. One. It is a historic inevitability that we will also slide as well. I’m betting on sooner rather than later. Here are my reasons.

(more…)

‘Persepolis’ Snubbed, No Academy Award Nomination

News
January 16, 2008

The finalists for "Best Foreign-Language Film" were announced by the Academy yesterday, with nine films making the cut for a potential Oscar. Conspicuously absent from the list, however, is the film adaptation of Marjane Satrapi’s graphic novel Persepolis. The animated film was the official submission of France to the category, and has been widely hailed by critics.

From the Los Angeles Times:

"Missing, too, is critically hailed "Persepolis," which won a jury prize at Cannes and was voted best animated film by the Los Angeles Film Critics Association and New York Film Critics Circle."

Remembing Bleeding Gums Murphy

News
January 16, 2008

Actor Ron Taylor, most favorably remembered as the voice of "Bleeding Gums" Murphy on The Simpsons died this day in 2002. Murphy’s character was Lisa Simpson’s inspiring, saxophone-playing mentor. Taylor also played a Klingon chief on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, and this reader’s favorite credit, Taylor originated the role of Audrey II in the Off-Broadway production of Little Shop of Horrors. Taylor tragically passed from a heart attack. His delightful performances will be missed.

Ballots open for 8th Annual Web Cartoonists’ Choice Awards

News
January 16, 2008

Registration for the Web Cartoonists’ Choice Awards has opened once again, providing webcomic creators the opportunity to vote for their favorite comics and creators. Voters must register before Jan. 23, 2008. Winners will be announced at MegaCon on March 8, 2008.

For rules regarding eligibility, timelines and a list of ways you can promote the WCCA on your own site, visit the WCCA homepage at www.ccawards.com/.

New Indiana Jones Downloads, Photos, Legos Hit The Net

News
January 16, 2008

The marketing machine for Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, the latest installment in the Indiana Jones film franchise, appears to be in full swing over the last few days, with various sites, sneak peeks and tie-ins popping up around the ‘Net. The film, which is scheduled for a May 22 release, stars Harrison Ford, Shia LaBeouf, Cate Blanchett, Ray Winstone, Karen Allen, John Hurt and Jim Broadbent.

Among the more notable items dug up recently:

New downloadable wallpaper, icons and other virtual dressing on the official film site at www.indianajones.com [WARNING: Video and sound launch automatically.]
A new website was launched for the Indiana Jones-themed Lego sets, featuring sticker sheets, wallpaper and other Lego goods [WARNING: More automatic video/music]
A new photo from the film, featuring Ford, LaBeouf and Winstone

Heck, it’s like having your own, virtual archeological site without all of the dirt, sun and endless hours of dusting! Okay, not really… but if you’re an Indiana Jones fan, you get the idea.

Brothers team up on EZ Street

News
January 16, 2008

Want to watch the birth of a comic? In today’s brand-new, totally free episode of EZ Street, Mark Wheatley and Robert Tinnell show brothers Danny and Scott starting their project, with the hopes that soon it will be a Major Motion Picture.

The Batman Saves Len Wein, and other stories

News
January 16, 2008

Len Wein writes that, had it not been for him blogging the terrific news about how the National Parks Service has added the cover of Batman: Nevermore to the permanent collection at the Edgar Allen Poe National Historic Site in Philadelphia, he might have left the house an hour earlier and become embroiled in a bank robbery. Notes Len, "The Batman saved my life… again."

Ran into Alex Simmons at the local diner last week, who reminded me that the next Kids’ Comic Con will take place at the Bronx Community College on Saturday, March 29. Ah, if only that wasn’t the date of my godson’s bar mitzvah! But no such excuses for the rest of you, particularly as the event will feature the announcement of the finalists in the first-ever KCC Comics Awards! The deadline for nominations is Valentine’s Day; check out this page for all the categories and to get a nominations form. The winners will be announced at this year’s New York Comic Con on Kids’ Day, April 20. And just as a reminder, Alex is also spearheading the Color of Comics exhibit at BCC, opening February 6 and running through mid-March.

For those het gals and gay guys looking for a little more parity in their superheroic objectification, it’s Shirtless Superheroes to the rescue! Although anyone who’s been to the beach can tell you shirtless men and near-topless women aren’t technically equivalent, it’s still something of a sight for sore eyes. Although so many six-pack abs in one place does start to look a bit creepy.

Speaking of deadlines and things of interest to female fans, Ginger Mayerson is pleased to announce the first issue of the Journal of Women On Comics, a print compilation of women writing on comics online. Deadline is February 29, gals! (more…)

Superhero-themed play to land in Manhattan

Uncategorized
January 16, 2008

In Save the World, a new superhero-themed play set to begin its run in Manhattan later this week, a group of powered-up heroes face trouble from both their enemies and, apparently, themselves. Created by Chris Kipiniak and Michael Barakiva, the play will open on Jan. 19 for a four-week engagement.

From Playbill.com:

"The superheroes of the Protectorate (Legend, Umbra, Stagger, Prodigy, Quake, Roach, and Future-Knight) fight bravely to protect the earth from a series of seemingly unrelated disasters. But when the unthinkable occurs the team begins to splinter. In their desperate search for the cause of the threat, compromises are made. So are mistakes. With their incredible powers and their human failings, the heroes risk becoming threats themselves to the good they’ve sworn to uphold."

Jaden Smith joins Keanu for Day The Earth Stood Still Remake

News
January 16, 2008

Jaden Smith, the son of actor Will Smith, is the latest cast member to sign on for a remake of the 1951 science-fiction classic The Day the Earth Stood Still.

Smith will join Keanu Reeves, who has already signed on for the role of Klaatu, the alien who visits Earth and, in the original film, first utters the words "Klaatu, barada, nikto." The phrase was later borrowed – and forever enshrined in cult film history – by the Evil Dead film franchise. Jaden will play Jacob, the stepson of scientist Helen Benson, played by Jennifer Connelly.

According to Reuters:

"Klaatu’s arrival on Earth triggers a global upheaval as governments and scientists race to unravel the mystery behind his appearance. Jacob and Helen get caught up in Klaatu’s mission, coming to understand the ramifications of his being a self-described ‘friend to the Earth.’"

The film will be directed by Scott Derrickson.

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