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PULP ARK DAY THREE-WRAPPIN’ IT UP

Sunday, May 15th, 2011

PULP ARK came to a close at 12 Noon, May 15th, 2011.  That was four days ago.  Still, the internet is alive with pictures, comments, ideas, threads, and remembrances of a three days that we will never forget.  There are even more pictures below.  I had planned to do a major article here, but I won’t.  Instead I’ll say-There will be a PULP ARK 2012, most of the guests who were there for the first time around have already committed to return.  And I’ll also say…

Thank you.  Thank you all.

Tommy Hancock

And for some, the Con went on!

RADIO LIVES AGAIN!

Derrick Ferguson and Art Sippo

Derrick Ferguson and Lee Houston, Jr.

Bobby Nash and Van Plexico

Fuller Bumpers and Bobby Nash

Ron Fortier and the Domino Lady

Lee Houston, Jr.

Terry Alexander and his lovely wife

And The Pulptress awaits your return next year
to PULP ARK 2012!

ComicMix Quick Picks: May 19, 2011

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Closing them in our browsers so you can open them on yours…

Anything else? Consider this an open thread.

‘The Dark Knight Rises’ Begins Shooting

christian-bale-batman11-300x212-6842725Here’s the release with all the current information, reminding us of how much we’re looking to seeing how this wraps up:

BURBANK, CA, May 19, 2011 – Principal photography has begun on Warner Bros. Pictures’ and Legendary Pictures’ The Dark Knight Rises, the epic conclusion to filmmaker Christopher Nolan’s [[[Batman]]] trilogy.

Leading an all-star international cast, Oscar® winner Christian Bale (The Fighter) again plays the dual role of Bruce Wayne/Batman.

The film also stars Anne Hathaway, as Selina Kyle; Tom Hardy, as Bane; Oscar® winner Marion Cotillard (La Vie en Rose), as Miranda Tate; and Joseph Gordon-Levitt, as John Blake.

Returning to the main cast, Oscar® winner Michael Caine (The Cider House Rules) plays Alfred; Gary Oldman is Commissioner Gordon; and Oscar® winner Morgan Freeman (Million Dollar Baby) reprises the role of Lucius Fox.

In helming The Dark Knight Rises, Christopher Nolan is utilizing IMAX® cameras even more extensively than he did on The Dark Knight, which had marked the first time that a major feature film was partially shot with IMAX® cameras.  The results were so spectacular that the director wanted to expand the use of the large-format cameras for this film.

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Jeffrey Catherine Jones, 1944 – 2011

art-9b584ed64d74ddffffa82bbe9594caf9_h-2566473Noted illustrator and sometime comics artist Jeffrey Catherine Jones died yesterday of complications from emphysema.

In comics, her work appeared in Heavy Metal, the various Warren magazines, Epic Illustrated, and many, many others. Committing herself to illustration in general and expressionism in specific, she was a member of the legendary Studio along with Michael Kaluta, Barry Windsor-Smith and Bernie Wrightson. Jones’ illustrations graced a great many science fantasy novels (Michael Moorcock, Dean Koontz, Fritz Lieber, Andre Norton, and others) and magazines as well as publications such as The National Lampoon.

Her work has been reprinted in a number of albums, most recently IDW’s [[[Jeffrey Jones: A Life In Art]]]. This ironically titled tome was released at the beginning of this year.

Jones married Mary Louise Alexander (now Louise Simonson) in 1966 and had a daughter, Julianna, the following year. In 2001 Jeffrey had gender reassignment surgery. In recent years she suffered from numerous ailments, but had made a sadly brief return to the drawing board last month.

In one of the highest compliments imaginable, illustrator Frank Frazetta called Jones “the greatest living painter.”

PULP ARK DAY THREE-THE FINAL ACT OF THE BLOODY PULP!

Sunday, May 15, 2011
The theater day opened at PULP ARK with a rousing fight scene involving most of the cast that took two of them literally tumbling down the stairs into the middle of a panel!  After that, the cast gathered and presented the third and final act of this fast paced, high adrenaline Pulp play like no other!  And without further adieu….

CAST-
Merlin Montgomery-Tommy Hancock
Benita Isadore Magready (Bim)-Shannon O’Cain
Newt the Newsboy-Alex Hancock
Simon Sanders, The Rogue-Brian Coltharp
Nikola Deveraux-Tanya McClure
August-Bo Elrod
Captain Mordechai Maelstrom-David Jones
Buster-Lucas Smith
Shevara/Penny Preston-Megan Smith
Little Sister-Mackenzie Haugh

ACT THREE
(Puff of smoke, SHEVARA appears)
Merlin Montgomery antagonizes Shevara
BLOODY PULP, ACT THREE
SHEVARA-I have fed on the horror and hatred of a world gone mad and power flows through my body once more!  Trapped far too long in one prison, then another cage, reduced to nothing but ink and words by a trifle of an insect! No More!  I reentered life here so from here death shall spread!  And upon the bodies, the bones, the charred remains of humanity I will build my throne…my castle…my universe…starting here!
MERLIN-(Steps out in front of Shevara) Sorry, but I’ll have to see your building permits.
SHEVARA-What?? 
MERLIN-Permits….To build a throne…not to mention the red tape you’ll get tangled in trying to build your own universe.
SHEVARA-You speak nonsense!  What do you think, that you alone can stop one that your insipid ancestors worshipped as their own Goddess?  You, one pitiful little girl…
MERLIN (As she talks, all the former cast members who weren’t killed start coming out, forming a circle around her, each of them holding some kind of weapon)  Been a long time since anyone’s called me little girl.  But only my Daddy could do that and you don’t even step close to my Daddy. 
SHEVARA-I own you, rodent!  You and all like you exist only to give me power, to feed me with all the sin and terror your kind produce! You cannot stand against me!
MERLIN-I’ve stood against bigger than you, supposed deities who have whole books written about them.  You barely rated a pulp magazine!
SHEVARA-YOU SHALL BE THE FIRST TO DIE, THE CORNERSTONE I WILL BUILD MY THRONE UPON! DIE!
(SHEVARA zaps, shoots, something and MERLIN goes down…SHEVARA laughs evilly but is surprised as MERLIN stands up, grasping her shoulder)
SHEVARA-What? NO! No human can challenge the magic of SHE WHOM ALL FEAR!!



bloodypulp3-9693779
Shevara faces off with Merlin Montgomery
BLOODY PULP, ACT THREE



MERLIN-I told you I’ve gone one on one with monsters that make you look like Little Bo Peep.  I’ve picked up a few things and skills along the way.  This is barely a flesh wound.
SHEVARA-WHAT???
MERLIN-School’s out, sweetheart! NOW!
(Coordinated fight scene between SHEVARA and everyone with a weapon, but BUSTER never gets quite close.   And each one is defeated, not killed, but laid low, hurt, etc.)
SHEVARA-SHE WHOM ALL FEAR RULES ALL!  SHEVARA STRIPS ALL HOPE FROM HUMANITY!
BIM-Okay, distract and sneak attack didn’t work…any other notions?
MERLIN-Givens said something, something about the stanza…it was the key to freeing Shevara…
ROGUE-But also the key to stopping her!
CAPT’N-But who remembers that chant?
PENNY-I do!  I made sure I listened closed when Nikola said, just so I could get the scoop on all the other papers!
“Death and hatred,  take you life!
Murder and sin, become flesh and bone!
Walk this earth and spread your strife!
‘less you are laid low by man crafted stone!’
MERLIN-That’s it!  Where’s Newt?  (bolts to find him) Have to find-
NIKOLA-You have to do nothing but die, like Shevara decrees, dear Merlin
MERLIN-Nikola, what are you doing? We have to stop her!
Cast of Bloody Pulp trying to decide what to do next
BLOODY PULP, ACT THREE
NIKOLA-No.  I have realized that even though I do not control her, her will and my plans are the same.  I have served her and not even known it.  And I will continue to do so….by killing you.
SHEVARA-OH LOOK!   THEY FIGHT BECAUSE OF SHEVARA! ONE EAGER TO DIE, THE OTHER EAGER TO FEED ME!  HATRED AND PAIN FOR SHE WHOM ALL FEAR!
(Fight scene with Nikola and Merlin, Nikola gets beaten, Merlin stands up) NEWT! Where are you?
NEWT-Here, Merlin! 
(Merlin starts to cross to Newt, who is close to Shevara, but Nikola rises, grabs her.  Newt sees this, runs for Merlin, runs in front of Shevara, who grabs him)
SHEVARA-Ah, even the tiny ones throw themselves at me to sate my appetite.  Mmmm..this one is thin, but so full of energy that I can turn to hatred!
NEWT-Let me go!! Leggo!
MERLIN-NEWT, YOUR NEWSBAG! HIT HER WITH YOUR NEWSBAG!!
(Newt does just  that, smacks Shevara hard with his newsbag.  She looks as if she’s been shot with a bullet..Pain on her face.  She lets Newt go and stumbles, very clearly dying…
SHEVARA-Man…crafted…stone…from…a child….(She collapses, smoke if possible.  Lights go out.  When they come back up, Nikola and August are gone.  Penny is standing up slowly)
PENNY-What-What happened?
LITTLE SISTER-PENNY!
BUSTER-One minute she was a reporter, next minute she’s a demon goddess…now that Shevara frail is gone..vanished ! POOF!
BIM-Yeah, and so are Nikola and her pet boy!
MERLIN-Not like we didn’t expect that! Or like we won’t see them again.
CAPT’N-What is suprisin’, though, is that this yellow sapsucker stayed.
ROGUE-With eveything that I am, I’m not a sneak away type.  Besides, I figure we’ll all make scarce soon enough.  No one wants to be here when badges and sunglasses come through the door.
PENNY-I have to go to, have to get this story in, though no one will believe it.  But I don’t understand what happened.  How did Newt’s bag get that out of me?  How did it kill a demon??
MERLIN-Show ‘em, Newt.  Show ‘em what’s in the bag.
NEWT-THIS! (holds up a brick)
MERLIN-The incantation warned Shevara that she may be ‘laid low by man crafted stone.’  It’s part of the binding.  Whoever originally came up with the way to trap her built into it a weakness she couldn’t escape.  Once she was captured the very first time, the weakness stayed with her.  And bricks are
EVERYONE-Man crafted stone.
BUSTER-So she’s dead?
CAPN’-Probably.  At least gone.  But just to be sure, we need to destroy the Bloody Pulp.
MERLIN- (walks up)  No, no you don’t.
CAP’N-Eh? Whattya mean?
MERLIN-When…whatever that thing was disappeared…the Bloody Pulp did, too. I recovered it after Nikola threw it down yesterday.   But it’s gone.  It and the parchment.   Up in a green cloud of smoke.  And now we have nothing to show…nothing to exhibit….
BIM-And I’ll bet you old Givens’ body, wherever it was restin’, is gone, too! It always goes like that!  We have nothing!
PENNY-And no one will believe me…
MERLIN-Well, you both have eyewitnesses and the participants in what just happened.  You know, those who saved the world.  We could tell the story for you.
ROGUE-And what of those authorities I mentioned, Merlin?
MERLIN-Like Bim said, Simon, there’s nothing.  No evidence.   Just great stories.
NEWT-EXTRA EXTRA, READ ALL ABOUT IT, CASE OF THE BLOODY PULP CLOSED! WORLD SAVED FROM DEMONIC DESTRUCTION! MERLIN MONTGOMERY AND  HIS COMPANY OF HEROES OF THE DAY! EXTRA! EXTRA!
THE END
Since the end of PULP ARK, there has been some clamoring for further adventures of this crew. I am already writing the sequel.  There has also been discussion of turning this play into a story and writing other stories with this cast.  If you’d like to see that, please let me know either through comments here or at proseproductions@earthlink.net – Tommy Hancock

Henry Rollins Trains as Kilowog for ‘Green Lantern: Emerald Knights’

  • Uncategorized
  • May 19, 2011

Henry Rollins is so many things to so many people.

One moment, he’s the uber-tattooed punk rock front man for [[[Black Flag]]] or [[[The Rollins Band]]]; the next, he’s stealing the spotlight as one of the memorable cast of [[[Sons of Anarchy]]]; and while that’s airing, he’s ranting live for hours to sold out crowds as one of the most popular spoken-word artists of our day, easily translating that mad-as-hell attitude and undying curiosity into his thought-provoking KCRW talk show. His quarter century of globe-trotting has recently added National Geographic to his resume, the latter-day Renaissance man now filming documentaries for the renowned publication.

Intelligent? Beyond your dreams. Intense? Absolutely. Restless? Without a doubt. But does Henry Rollins ever pause long enough to be playful? Animation fans know it all too well.

When he isn’t perusing the Sudan, performing in Prague or recording for public radio, Rollins takes to another of his true passions: voiceovers for animated projects.

Rollins’ latest animated incarnation is in the guise of Kilowog for the next DC Universe Animated Original Movie, Green Lantern: Emerald Knights. Produced by Warner Premiere, DC Entertainment and Warner Bros. Animation, Green Lantern: Emerald Knights will be distributed by Warner Home Video on Blu-Ray™, DVD, On Demand and for Download June 7, 2011.

Rollins voices one of the most beloved characters in the entire universe of Green Lanterns – Kilowog, the hardcore drill sergeant-style trainer of Green Lantern recruits.  Written by Peter J. Tomasi (based on “New Blood” by Tomasi & Chris Samnee) and directed by Lauren Montgomery, the “Kilowog” segment of the film depicts the gruff character’s initial days as a young recruit under the abusive tutelage of Deegan, an equally gruff character who shows Kilowog the true “tough love” principles of training. As the segment play out, Kilowog must assume an integral leadership role within the ranks.

Green Lantern: Emerald Knights is far from Rollins’ first venture down the animated path. For Warner Bros. alone, Rollins has recorded over the years for Batman Beyond, Teen Titans and Batman: The Brave and the Bold. And then there’s his more recent forays into voiceovers for series like Cartoon Network’s Adventure Time and the primetime series American Dad!

Green Lantern: Emerald Knights weaves six legendary stories of the Green Lantern Corps’ rich mythology around preparations for an attack by an ancient enemy. As the battle approaches, Hal Jordan mentors new recruit Arisia in the history of the Green Lantern Corps, telling tales of Avra (the first Green Lantern) and several of Hal’s comrades – including Kilowog, Abin Sur, Laira and Mogo. In the end, Arisia must rise to the occasion to help Hal, Sinestro and the entire Green Lantern Corps save the universe from the destructive forces of Krona.

Rollins is joined in the voicecast of the intergalactic animated film by Nathan Fillion (Castle), Elisabeth Moss (Mad Men), Jason Isaacs (the Harry Potter films), Arnold Vosloo (The Mummy), Kelly Hu (The Vampire Diaries), Wade Williams (Prison Break), professional wrestling legend Rowdy Roddy Piper and Radio Hall of Fame commentator/talk show host Michael Jackson.

No stranger to the spoken word, Rollins spent some significant time after his initial recording session chatting about his character, his love of great literature, Too Much Coffee Man, his need to travel the Earth, and much, much more. Read on…

QUESTION: How did you approach the character of Kilowog for this story?

HENRY ROLLINS: For me, Kilowog is a man who’s pure of heart. He’s a warrior. He’s a soldier. And he loves his rookies. Deegan is the guy who broke him in – in boot camp – and kind of brought him into command position. So Kilowog came up through the ranks by being brave and by being a take-charge leader. In the Kilowog segment, you see that he had a grasp of the leadership idea from the get-go. He’s with other recruits and he immediately takes the leadership position. So I think he’s a good guy, but he always knew he was gonna be running things.

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PULP ARK DAY THREE-AS THE CURTAIN FALLS

Sunday, May 15, 2011

After another wonderful gathering for breakfast, the guests and vendors that made PULP ARK such a success convened one final time at The Cinnamon Stick, 151 West Main, Batesville, Arkansas, for the final day of the First Annual Pulp Ark Conference/Convention. 

9-10:00 AM-PULP FACTORY PANEL-Why The Current New Interest in Pulps Moderator – Ron Fortier

pulpfactoryt-4854081
RON FORTIER leads the Pulp Factory Panel

PANELISTS
Bobby Nash
Wayne Reinagel
Art Sippo
Ric Croxton

Helmed by Comic Veteran and New Pulp pioneer Ron Fortier, this panel discussed and analyzed just what is behind the current resurgence of Pulp in general as well as interest in New Pulp tales.  Not only was this panel manned by excellent writers, but also by the geniuses behind The Book Cave, considered by many to be the best Pulp Podcast airing today.

  10-11:00 AM-CLASSROOM-All You Ever Wanted to know about Sun Koh!-Art Sippo

ART SIPPO (on right) with his SUN KOH books

Taking on a monumental task, Art Sippo tackled the writing as well as the ‘rehabiliation’ of a Germanic character based on Doc Savage.  This class focused on the controversial history behind Sun Koh as well as steps taken by Sippo to cast the character in a plainer, more favorable light.

‘Torchwood’ Adds All-Star Guests. Lots of ’em!

  • Uncategorized
  • May 18, 2011

torchwood-miracle-day-torchwood-19164132-570-4001-8945614OK, you know [[[Torchwood]]] is returning July 8th. And you know Bill Pullman is now part of the cast, joining John Barrowman, Eve Myles, Kai Owen, and newcomers Lauren Ambrose, Alexa Havins, Mekhi Phifer, and Arlene Tur. You know this because it’s all been reported here on ComicMix, right?

Well, then. Let’s expand upon this some. This new season of Torchwood also has a whole bunch of interesting guest stars. In politically correct yet still tantalizing alphabetical order, we’ve got John DeLancie, Frances Fisher, C. Thomas Howell, Ernie Hudson, Wayne Knight, Nana Visitor (hot damn!) and Mare Winningham.

Not bad for a ten episode cable run. But that’s not all. There’s plenty more Torchwood ahead.

There’s going to be a Torchwood webcast series called Web of Lies, which will star Eliza Dushku. It’s being written by producer (and former Battlestar: Galactica, Dollhouse, and Tru Calling Buffy writer/producer) Jane Espenson, and she’s been Tweeting the news all over the smartphone world. There are implications that Dushku might appear in the next series on Starz/BBC.

Meanwhile, John Barrowman, Eve Myles, Kai Owen, Mekhi Phifer and Alexa Havins are doing new full-cast audio dramas for the BBC. A three-parter is currently being recorded in Los Angeles, with more coming in the future.

Man. Nothing for two years, and now more Torchwood than you can shake a stick at. I’m hyped; it’s my favorite teevee series.

PULP ARK DAY TWO-AWARDS AND AUCTION!!

Saturday, May 14th, 2011
After the final panel ended for the day, most of the stalwart band of PULP ARKers, guests and fans alike, went out for a nice, large dinner at Colton’s Steak House.  The table filled with over thirty guests went from one wall of their largest room to the other.  As had quickly become the norm, great fun and camaraderie was had by all. 

Following that, PULP ARK continued with the presentation of the first annual PULP ARK Awards!  These awards covered ten categories and had been voted on after nominations were taken late last year.  Nine of the awards were voted on by anyone who made a nomination in just one of the nine categories.  The Lifetime Achievement Award was chosen by a hand selected committee of ten, who each made three initial nominations, then the top three of those were voted on to determine the winner. 

Rob Davis and Ron Fortier accepting BEST PULP COMIC
The Pulptress in the background

Several awards were accepted by their winners, others by proxies.

 The First Annual PULP ARK Awards went to-

BEST BOOK-Gregg Taylor for TALES OF THE RED PANDA: THE ANDROID ASSASSINS

BEST COVER-Anthony Perkins for TALES OF THE RED PANDA: THE ANDROID ASSASSINS

BEST SHORT STORY-Phil Bledsoe for THE MOUNTAIN GOATS OF MADNESS

Tommy Hancock accepting BEST PULP MAGAZINE

BEST INTERIOR ART-ANTHONY CASTRILLO for THE ROOK, VOLUME 5

BEST PULP COMIC-Ron Fortier and Redbud Studios for BOSTON BOMBERS

BEST PULP MAGAZINE-Fuller Bumpers and Tommy Hancock and Pro Se Productions for MASKED GUN MYSTERY

BEST PULP REVIVAL-Adam Lance Garcia for GREEN LAMA UNBOUND

BEST AUTHOR-Barry Reese

BEST NEW WRITER-Tommy Hancock

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD-Tom and Ginger Johnson

Art Sippo Accepting Lifetime Achievement Award for
Tom and Ginger Johnson

Following the award, the first annual PULP ARK Art Auction was held.  Three artists contributed pieces-Rob Davis of Airship 27 and Pete Cooper and Dalton Carpenter of Pro Se Productions.  Although the bidding was quick, there were a few heated wars amongst fans for some of the available pieces, but everyone enjoyed themselves and it must be noted 80% of the proceeds went back to the artist!  This will be an event that will continue at PULP ARK!

Barry Reese Accepting BEST AUTHOR Award

A major announcement, or actuall revelation was made during the Awards and Auction.   The mysterious masked lady that had been seen frequently since Pulp Ark started, at one point in her standard striped shirt, suspenders, skirt, and fedora and at another in a rather stylish cowgirl outfit, was on hand to give out the awards.  Her identity was revealed by Tommy Hancock to be that of THE PULPTRESS!  Hancock explained that this Pulp Heroine for the 21st Century would be promoting Pro Se Productions but equally as important would be the spokesmodel for the New Pulp Movement as well.  The applause and pictures being snapped around the room signalled that this announcement was a positive one.  The Pulptress, still shrouded in mystery, was very pleased to be a part of all the activity and vowed to promote New Pulp along with her never ending battle against Evil. You can now join The Pulptress’s page on Facebook!  Just search for The Pulptress and she’ll be there!



Tommy Hancock accepting BEST NEW WRITER Award

 After the Convention wrapped up for the evening, most of the participants once more gathered in the Comfort Suites conference room for an impromptu New Pulp meeting.  The results of this conversation are still being developed and will be announced soon!

Reviews from the 86th Floor: Barry Reese looks at

THE ADVENTURES OF DODGE DALTON AT THE OUTPOST OF FATE
Sean Ellis
ISBN 978-0982609996

Sequels can be funny things – deviate too much from what the original successful and people wonder what went wrong. Adhere too much to the first one’s formula and people cite you for being unoriginal. The Adventures of Dodge Dalton At The Outpost of Fate manages to dance along that delicate line that’s needed to create a worthy successor to last year’s debut. Sean Ellis reunites us with a character who’s a canny mix of Indiana Jones and Dirk Pitt, with the intriguing setup that our main character is the ghostwriter for the adventures of the “real” hero.

Ellis manages to infuse his novel with romanticism and good old-fashioned by-the-seat-of-your-pants adventure. Without giving too much of the plot away, this is another globetrotting epic with plenty of narrow scrapes for our heroes and a satisfying ending.

It’s inevitable that a second adventure seems less “new” than the original but Ellis is more comfortable now and the characters more nuanced. The Dodge Dalton series is one of the best New Pulps to come along.

I give it a solid 4 out of 5 stars!

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