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Our week in review

  • News
  • April 8, 2007

This is the week ComicMix went interactive, adding our comments feature and Active Conversation/Latest Comments windows at the right.  Rest assured there’s much more to come, but in the meantime here’s your weekly catch-up on our regular columns:

And I think it’s high time I got caught up myself on Mellifluous Mike Raub‘s latest podcasts:

Listen to ’em as you work on your taxes; that’ll take the edge off!

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An August primer

  • News
  • April 8, 2007

Writer John August notes, "Ever since I announced that I’m writing Shazam!/Captain Marvel, I’ve gotten some great questions and comments from longtime fans of the character, many with detailed pleas to include a specific cherished piece of the mythology. But when I tell people face-to-face that I’m writing a Captain Marvel movie…their eyes go up and to the left as they try to remember, who the hell is Captain Marvel?…

"So, in the interest of spreading general knowledge about Captain Marvel and why he kicks ass, I thought I’d share a reading list. Don’t worry; there’s no test. In fact, consider this a gentle education (or re-education) on why some of the best writing today is inked and colored."  And he goes on to recommend in detail a step-by-step list for folks new to comics, new to the DC Universe, and new to the specific character.  It’s always a good sign when a writer’s done his homework!

More 300 views

  • News
  • April 8, 2007

300thumb-3140836You know something’s become a cultural phenomenon when it’s used as a springboard for humor pieces, on the assumption that viewers and readers will "get it" because the source material has become firmly embedded in our collective consciousness.  So it was with great amusement that I read Dr. PZ Myers’ take on 300 wherein he reveals that the movie is really about "a retelling of the creation-evolution struggle!" Next up, his similar interpretation of Grindhouse!

On a more serious note is artist Chris Weston’s I Hate 300 analysis, in which he pulls no punches in finding the movie "the most racist, homophobic and conservative film that I’ve ever had the misfortune to endure."  Weston later confesses that it took him about a week to get over the experience, so for good or ill the movie seems to be making quite an impact.

Tasty Easter videos

  • News
  • April 8, 2007

ComicMix would like to wish all our readers a very happy Easter, wherein we pay tribute to Eostre, the Great Mother Goddess of the Saxons — otherwise known as Astarte in ancient Greece, Ishtar in Assyria, Ostara in Norse myth, and Peeps in modern times — by eating questionable foodstuffs high in sugar content.

And comic book peeps are no different.  Paul Dini interviews the Easter Bunny on his latest Monkey Talk, wherein he can’t resist nibbling on his interview subject’s chocolate relative; and Rich Johnston tries repeatedly to give away a free Cadbury’s Creme Egg, below:

We have a theory as to why Rich was having trouble.  Here’s hoping your holiday is sweet and springtime fresh!

 

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Virgin Galactic’s new home

  • Uncategorized
  • April 7, 2007

virgalactic-3322156Auntie Beeb confirms that the Virgin Galactic spaceport proposal is a go.  Residents of New Mexico have voted their approval of "a new tax to build the nation’s first commercial spaceport."

Virgin Galactic will be building in Dona Ana County, described as " a relatively poor and bleak swathe of desert in southern New Mexico with fewer than 200,000 residents," who will be supporting billionaire Richard Branson via a 0.25% increase in the local sales tax.  This increase is expected to raise about $50 million towards the project’s estimated $200 million pricetag.  Presumably the rest will come from Branson’s petty cash drawer.

The spaceport, whose supporters are spouting the usual "bring thousands of jobs and hundreds of millions of dollars in space tourism revenue to the area" lip service, is expected to open in 2009, catering to elite members of Branson’s tax bracket which will pay about $200,000 each for a 2.5-hour flight.  Not including sales tax, presumably.

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Bureaucracy of robotics

  • News
  • April 7, 2007

When it comes to robots, it’s fairly well acknowledged that Japan’s been kicking other countries’ butts since the days of Astroboy.  Now, reports IESB, "the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry has drafted a hugely complex set of proposals for keeping robots in check. The document, entitled Draft Guidelines to Secure the Safe Performance of Next Generation Robots, extends to nearly 60 pages of civil service jargon."

robot-8047595The document calls for the formation of a special study group — including lawyers — to draw up a set of firm proposals to govern the development of robots.  But they’re not counting on robot lawyers!

According to our step-sister website Engadget, "Under Japan’s plan, all robots would be required to report back to a central database any and all injuries they cause to the people they are meant to be helping or protecting. The draft is currently open to public comment with a final set of principles set to be unveiled as early as May." 

And did you know Japan is not the first country to draft ethical robot legislation?  South Korea and Europe had already unveiled their versions.  Apparently South Korea in particular has been wrestling with this for awhile.

For the Birds

  • News
  • April 7, 2007

90bop2-5856713Sean McKeever notes, regarding his takeover of writing chores on DC ‘s popular Birds of Prey series with the departure of long-time writer and fan favorite Gail Simone: "My first issue will be #112, and the commitment is open-ended."  He also links to his latest interview with Newsarama’s Vaneta Rogers.  For her part, Simone says she’s leaving the book because "I was simply offered a project I couldn’t turn down. A dream book with a dream art team, and a real chance to reshape comics’ history."  Let the speculation commence!

(Full disclosure: My husband inked Birds of Prey for about a year.)

Apollo and Annette? Starbuck and Li’l Archie?

Transformers sell out, Bendis and Bagley invade The Mighty Avengers, the awesome Bob Bolling (one of the all-time great writer/artists) returns to Li’l Archie, Galactica‘s Apollo shares even more television wisdom (complete with a season review), and the low-down on this year’s Free Comic Book Day!

But most important, you get a peek under Annette’s blanket – all on ComicMix Podcast #24, available right here, right now:

Conan The Historian

  • Uncategorized
  • April 7, 2007

conanthephenomenon-1125099This September (the 26th, if you’ve got a "Week At A Glance"), our friends at Dark Horse will be releasing the difinitive story behind one of their leading franchises. Paul Sammon’s CONAN THE PHENOMENON promises to offer a complete look at the mostly naked barbarian, covering Robert E. Howard’s original stories, the subsequent prose authors, and all the comics incarnations – including those produced by such masters as Roy Thomas, Barry Smith, John Buscema, and Timothy Truman.

The Schwartzenegger movies will not be ignored. At least, not by Sammon or, for that matter, by the voters of California.

One cannot produce such a tome without offering tons of illustrations, and this book promises to be up to the task. Of course, it will sport a Frank Frazetta cover (above). The introduction is being provided by Elric’s daddy, the eternal champion himself, Michael Moorcock.

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