Archive for June, 2005
Pussy Galore Review
Our own Tom Williams’ 24-Hour comic was the featured review on Optical Sloth Tuesday. “[T]his was a wonderful comic for anybody who has ever had a really crappy customer service job but has lived to make it to their last day…another fun 24 hour book, and another book that I really liked by Tom Williams.”
Funny Stuff from McSweeney’s
I’ve said it before, but it is worth saying again: for consistently great writing and a good laugh, you should be reading McSweeney’s every day. Case in point, today’s piece entitled AN OPEN LETTER TO THE HUMAN RESOURCES DEPARTMENT OF THE SUPERFRIENDS.
One for Tom: Overheard Conversations
Tom’s recent work for that “overheard conversations” anthology came to mind when I ran across this blog today: Overheard in New York. Which is a posting of…duh, overheard conversations in New York City. Some examples:
“Tourist Guy: So what’s the difference between Korean and Chinese?
New York Guy: You mean the food, or the people?
Tourist Guy: Either one, but I only care about the food.
– Bayard & MulberryHobo: Can you offer a contribution to the United Negro I Didn’t Go to College Fund?
– 60th & Columbus”
(via 4ColorReview)
Ok everyone, let’s hear you chime in on artists…
I ran across an interesting thread on Digital Webbing, which asks the question “Artists who you think are great but…you don’t like their style?” The point being that instead of just yelling so-and-so sucks, let’s talk about artists who are clearly talented and adept at their craft, but their style just doesn’t appeal to you. Oh, and for the sake of this post let’s limit it to just comic book artists.
Some names mentioned in the above thread include Darwyn Cooke, Frank Quietly, John Romita Jr., and Jack Kirby.
Just a few names on my list:
Steve Dillon: great storyteller and excellent at conveying emotion through subtle facial expressions. But overall, his art just doesn’t appeal to me. I’d never not buy a book because of his art, but I also wouldn’t pick up a book just because he’s on it.
Jim Lee: out of all the original Image artists, he’s probably the most proficient and (more recently) dedicated artist. And he draws killer backgrounds and detailed architecture. But his figure work still has the whole 1990s Image house style that I really dislike.
Mark Bagley: obviously knows how to draw, is a decent storyteller, and a complete pro/workhorse. But I find his style sooooo bo-oooooring.
So I’m curious, who would you say is a talented artist, but his/her style just doesn’t do it for you?
Awesome collection of Monster Magazine covers
Check out the Monstermags! cover gallery website for a cool collection of covers from all the old monster magazines. Titles like Eerie, Vampirella, Tales from the Crypt, Creepy, and more. Classic stuff from the likes of Frank Frazetta, Richard Corben, Bernie Wrightson, and other great artists.
(via boingboing)
Random stuff at 4 AM
Greetings, faithful blog readers. Well, it’s another quarterly software release day here at the ol’ DJ (Day Job,) which means stating work at 4 AM. While I sit here waiting for 6 GB of files to copy from one server to another, I’ve got some time to waste on the blog. So let’s get linkin’:
- Corporate Gibberish Generator, by Andrew Davidson. “Enter your company name and click “Generate” to generate several paragraphs of corporate gibberish suitable for pasting into your prospectus.” Ok, don’t mind if I do:
“Ferret Press practically invented the term “technologies”. What does it really mean to expedite “proactively”? We usually syndicate seamless ultra-process management. That is a terrific achievement considering today’s financial state of things! What does the buzzword “angel investors” really mean? Is it more important for something to be 24/7 or to be back-end? The web-enabled development factor can be summed up in one word: vertical. We apply the proverb “A fool and his money are soon parted” not only to our bloatware but our power to actualize.”
- Shakespearean Insulter, for you writers wanting to spice up your drab dialogue. “Thou burly-boned earth-vexing codpiece”
One for all my writer peeps
FundsForWriters.com is a site that provides information on…well, just that. Various funds (grants, contests, etc.) for writers, as well as freelance markets and contract jobs opportunities. Check ‘em out.
Check out the new CBG
No, not that CBG. I’m talking about the new Comic Book Galaxy. Site originator Alan David Doane says:
“This is a re-launch of the criticism and commentary website that will celebrate its Fifth Anniversary on September 1st, 2005. The site boasts a brand new look, but will continue to feature all the writers and columns readers have long enjoyed.***
Today readers can view the following:
Ed Cunard’s TOM SPURGEON INTERVIEW looks at Tom’s time at The Comics Journal, his new site The Comics Reporter, and more
Larry Young says TAKE IT ALL! in our biggest contest ever, giving away one copy of every comic and graphic novel they’ve ever published
Mike Sterling’s BEHIND THE COUNTER looks behind the scenes at comics retailing
Logan Polk’s LOOSE STAPLES features reviews and commentary
Joe Rice’s MAKE-BELIEVE WAR launches
Shawn Hoke’s SIZE MATTERS features a weekly look at the best in mini-comics
Marc Sobel’s CRACK SHOTS features reviews of new comics and graphic novels
…and there’s even more new features in store!”
This thing must be broken.
I just took a geek test and scored 35 percent. That’s way too low for someone who posts on a group weblog about comix.
The explanation says, “OK, not that geeky at all, are you? I’ll bet you even have a girlfriend (or boyfriend).”
You lose that bet, sucka! Yeah! Um …. shoot, now I’m all depressed.
Comic geeks sad, Alan Moore happy
Apparently Paramount pictures has dropped the Watchmen movie from its production schedule.
“Paramount has pulled the plug on its proposed film version of Watchmen, Alan Moore’s celebrated superhero graphic novel, Variety reported. Producers Larry Gordon and Lloyd Levin were taking the project, with British director Paul Greengrass (The Bourne Supremacy) attached, out to other studios, the trade paper reported”
Now we’ll never see a clever modern adaptation of Moore’s seminal work, perhaps with an Al-Quaida plotline substituted for the nuclear war paranoia. Or a fully clothed Dr. Manhattan, because after all, comics are for kids.
Shucks.
(via Howling Curmudgeons)
Seth Fisher’s art
The Pulse has an article about the upcoming Legends of the Dark Knight story written by Dan Curtis Johnson and J. H. Williams III, with art by Seth Fisher.
Seth has previously worked on the Green Lantern: Willworld graphic novel, as well as a few other projects. So I’m curious, what do you kids think of his art? Like it? Hate it? Share.
Spudd 64 review
Frequest visitor to our blog, Kyle Wallace, has written a glowing review of Matt Kish’s Spudd 64 comic book. You can read it here on Kyle’s Fragility Productions blog.
“The art that Kish does is so remotely different from what anyone else tries to accomplish in comic books that it works, and it works beautifully.”
M.O.C.C.A.’s this weekend in NYC. Getting a head start on the next S.P.A.C.E., Bob had me do up a t-shirt design. It’s a two-sided number (graphic in pale blue) on a dark grey shirt. The pic above is a couple of stops darker than the actual shirt. Being as the show’s moved to the Alladin Shrine Temple, I suggested s.p.a.c.e. fez hats. Bob wasn’t so keen on that idea. Next up in the merch bonanza- s.p.a.c.e. plastic bags.
Win Hernandez Brothers Art
In addition to revamping their Web site, Fantagraphics is running a Love & Rockets contest with a chance to win exclusively drawn portraits of L&R characters by Jaime and Gilbert Hernandez, L&R books, and comics. The best part of the contest: there is a PG and R rated version of the paragraph you need to write to enter. Check it out and enter by June 19.
I’m glad it’s over
But if you want to relieve Star Wars III: Revenge of the Sith, here’s a link to the script (abridged):
DARTH HAYDEN CHRISTENSEN
Where’s Natalie Portman? Suddenly I
am worried about her again.
IAN MCDIARMID
It seems that in your overacting,
you killed her.
And for an added treat, here’s Oval Office Space!