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| << May21, 2005 - [ComicBooknet E-Mag] CBEM 524.06 |
May21, 2005 - [ComicBooknet E-Mag] CBEM 524.09 >> |
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------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor --------------------~--> What would our lives be like without music, dance, and theater? Donate or volunteer in the arts today at Network for Good! http://us.click.yahoo.com/pkgkPB/SOnJAA/Zx0JAA/bGIolB/TM --------------------------------------------------------------------~-> ----------------------------------------------------------------- [8] A Marvel-ous Time David Galassie David45330@aol.com When we watch old movies and TV shows from the '40's, '50's, or '60's we tend to take for granted the fashions and furnishings of the day that we see on screen. Even the automobiles, which usually were in perfect condition while filmed, merit only the slightest yawn of recognition as they drive by. We fail to realize that we're watching, in a sense, a record of a world gone by. So, imagine the thrill of watching an old TV show as a comic book fan, and spotting one of the Holy Grails of comic book-dom in pristine condition, in its element at a newsstand, right there on the screen. That's what happened the other night as I watched a DVD of a show called Naked City. A black and white police drama, Naked City was set in New York City and was in production from 1958 through 1963. Filmed on location in the seedier parts of Manhattan, the show was a critical success on ABC. The show, like many of its time, was a primer in Hollywood talent. Like Twilight Zone and the Alfred Hitchcock Hour, it was a training ground for many notable actors you just might have heard of- George C. Scott, Robert Redford, Dustin Hoffman, Walter Matthau, and many others. The DVD I watched, featured an episode entitled "Hold for Gloria Christmas," starring Burgess Meredith (later, The Penguin on the '60's Batman show) as an alcoholic poet who stole back some poems he'd sold to a bartender for quick cash. Meredith steals the poems with the intention of sending them to the mysterious "Gloria Christmas." In the opening sequence, not even a minute into the program, he runs down the street to a newsstand. In the ensuing confrontation with the newsstand's owner, a perfect copy of Amazing Fantasy #15 hangs down from the top of the newsstand, precisely placed in the background between the two men. And as the camera pans a little bit to the right, next to it is Journey Into Mystery #83, featuring the introduction of "The Mighty Thor!" What a sight. Until recently, if comic books were featured at all in a sitcom or movie, the book was specially made up, inventing some "new" superhero that seemed plausible to the writers. Naturally, this solves the extra expense and headache of seeking rights for licensed characters. In the case of Naked City however, the producers demanded gritty realism, so filming progressed with as little tinkering of the natural New York as possible and usually what you saw was what you got. I wonder if Marvel was aware at the time of their product being shown in this manner; I don't recall seeing any mention of them in the credits. But considering all the stories we've heard about the origin of Spider-man and of how his debut was a last ditch effort to save a dying company, Stan Lee might have been thrilled to see this free advertising! After seeing the books in those fleeting glimpses, I was left with a bittersweet feeling for a long ago time, an era when anybody walking by could have had those two comics for a quarter. Today's serious collector who'd shelled out many thousands for his near-perfect copies might hyperventilate at seeing his "babies" hung up there like yesterday's laundry! But for those of us of lesser means, who consider ourselves lucky to have battered reading copies of key Silver Age books, what a treat. Who could have known that this little 12 cent book on display with no pretense in 1962, would reach the hallowed status it holds today. I'm glad I could see it as it was. ---------------------------------------------------------------- Let me know what you think. Thanks again, David Galassie _________________________________________________________________ ----------------------------------------------------------------- [9] Thoughts From the Land of Frost Alex Ness Alexander@popthought.com http://www.Popthought.com [Alex has taught college level history and is a full time father. His interests include cats, comics and militaria. His writings have been featured on SlushFactory.com, UGO.com, and are currently on the Popthought.com web site. ] From IDW SWORD OF DRACULA Written by Jason Henderson, Art by Greg Scott, William Belk, and Terry Pallot $14.99 Herein Dracula is portrayed as the greatest threat to world peace, a terror expert and a king on the run with a vampire army and many new powers. This trade paperback collects the six issues of Sword of Dracula. We meet Ronnie Van Helsing, a commando who must use every resource @ her command to capture the dark prince. But when she finds him, they must join forces in fighting an even greater horror. There are extras here, including a six-page "Issue 0" and a 15-page "Sword of Dracula scrapbook," featuring commentary, artist discussion, concept art, pinups, and a new cover Tony Harris. If you ask me there is always something disappointing when a good concept is not fulfilled. I read a couple issues of this series in single issue format and I was never quite there. Now the whole story is good, and I found the TPB format to have helped. The writing and premise is good, and seems ready made for a movie or some further development. However, and it is really strange, IDW, who does a great job with both house art style and reproduction of previous titles (I AM LEGEND is a great example of this), allows the pages here to seem muddy, and somewhat confusing. I do not remember if the single- issue series was in color, but this is in black and white, and I think it is something of a bad choice. Color here would help. Perhaps a lot. I liked this, but did not love this. But the collection is worth pursuing, the cover and story are very nice. OLYMPUS HEIGHTS By Kevin Munroe $19.99 Monsters, a hunter of monsters, fun friends and situations and adventure. The animation style lightens the setting, and the mixture of genres allows Munroe to write and illustrate what could have been a dark, gritty, moody piece as light fun and somewhat cute. This collection adds to what is already a nice work, with a forward, intra-chapter prose, pin ups. The package itself is a very attractive book. Munroe's vision is really a fine one, and, while the animation styled art is not my favorite, the story is served by it. I also like that Olympus Heights is a sort of ironic label that tells the reader that the setting is anything but normal. So while this is outside of my taste, I definitely think it is a fine package and a work you oughtta consider. From TOP SHELF COMIX THE SURROGATES Written by Robert Venditti Artby Brett Weldele Monthly mini series, $2.95 In the future you can do anything. You can drink alcohol until black out, and rejoin the drink the next day. You can smoke six packs of your deathsticks unto your cancer begged death. You can ingest animal fat unto your oblivion. You will not, however, die from your behavioral choices. You see, The Surrogates take the risk, they are engineered humans who are designed to allow you to live whatever life you seek, without the consequences of early death, or painful disease. Bungy jump your ass into oblivion. It won't matter. The choice you have made will not affect you, ... or will it? Top Shelf Comix presents the comic The Surrogates. This is the first "mainstream" title from Top Shelf and writer Robert Venditti's efforts are a welcome addition to the already impressive listing of works from Top Shelf. The writing is mature beyond the writer's published experience. Beyond simply story telling his view of the world in 2054 and the police work at that time is very powerful. The art is stunning, on a level with Ashley Wood or Ben Templesmith, Brett Weldele has crafted a look that is very appropriate, and a physical world wherein there is clear threat, as well as devotion to pleasure and personal enjoyment. This world is real. I am really looking forward to this title when it comes out in July, and I cannot help but recommend it, to comic book readers interested in thinking about the medium they are viewing, and overall, to anyone interested in considering the consequences of our current culture of instant gratification. Look for more information on Top Shelf's Web site, and I hope you preorder this book. Top Shelf is making a new step, and it looks to me like a brilliant one. The first issue ships in July for $2.95. From VANGUARD PRODUCTIONS STEVE DITKO SPACE WARS Compiled & edited by J. David Spurlock, Steve Ditko 2005, 144 pages. Soft Cover, Full Color cover, BW 9" x 11" (23cm x 28cm) $16.95 This collects Steve Ditko's science fiction oriented Comic book stories as originally appeared in Charlton Comics between 1954 & 1960. Known for his work on Spider-Man and far more at Marvel comics, and elsewhere, the impact of Ditko's non super heroic work is often ignored or forgotten. This volume addresses some of that with a brilliant collection of that non spandex works. Science Fiction in the late 50s USA was a genre that was popular in all mediums, and there was a wonderful quality of work on the stands. Ditko produced work that was fabulously unique. Whereas Wally Wood drew beautiful pulp tales, and Alex Schomburg was producing covers that were scientifically unusual but deeply interesting, Ditko avoided worries over science or machismo, his stories were about first contact and the various issues of the human entering into a new foreign, different world. The work here is good, certainly interesting, but the art is not as good as the stories are well done. Ditko is above all a story teller and a philosopher and neither the dialogue nor art are as important as the story itself. As such, this work is a vital look into the heart of a creative talent who was later to arrive at some great fame. I enjoyed this. Is it worth the cover price? Well yes but especially to the Ditko fan. To people who are not Ditko fans, or newcomers to Ditko's work this is not the best place to start, and might be thought of as somewhat confusing or expensive. But the production quality of collection is high. THE THRILLING COMIC BOOK COVERS OF ALEX SCHOMBURG Compiled by J. David Spurlock, with Dean Motter Introduction by J. David Spurlock & Tim Lasiuta 2005, 112 pages. Soft Cover Full Color 9" x 11" (23cm x 28cm) $24.95 Alex Schomburg was a magnificently talented artist. He could draw and paint equally well. His work published and private demonstrated a genius talent, able to work in any art medium, and in any style. His works illustrated the covers of Marvel Comics during the World War II era, and his work had a considerable effect upon the kids and soldiers who read it. While he utilized racist images, it could be argued that he did so during a battle to the death, and no side in the war was holding back. In any event, his work on comics spans the Golden Age of comics, and this title is a fine collection of his work. Included here is a biographical introduction, and then page after page of fabulous covers by a master artist. Schomburg was every bit the Alex Ross of his day, but more than that, he was an artist worth remembering and celebrating. This book is worth the money, and it is a fabulous work. From WATSON GUPTILL DRAWING DYNAMIC COMICS By Andy Smith $19.95 144 pages, 50 color, 300 black and white illustrations If you consider comic books to be the domain of heroes in spandex with great powers, and you wish to illustrate their adventures, this book is definitely for you. I am not saying that perception about comics is right or wrong. Just that, having introduced the piece as being about super heroes, someone will write me and declare that comics are about far more than heroes. Well ok. Got that out of the way. Andy Smith is able here to show the reader how to present an image, to make it move, to imply action and to compel the reader to follow the action. As such, this book might be specialized, and not for every illustrator, but it is very good at what it does. I also think his tips on how to present your work are practical and well considered. I am no artist, I have rudimentary skills but nothing I would ever share. I took pen and paper in hand and was able quickly to adapt the lessons here. As such I think that it is a valuable resource for anyone desiring to illustrate a hero in action. Having artistic skills is a plus of course. SUPERHEROES: Joe Kubert's Wonderful World of Comics By Joe Kubert $19.95 144 pages, 60 color, 300 black and white illustrations Joe Kubert is among the few great comic book artists who teach, and the world is better for it. Some great talents have come through the Kubert School, Tim Truman, Tom Mandrake, and Jan Duursema to name but a few. This book is nowhere near as extensive as going to the Kubert School. But this is a fabulous book. However much the previous volume assumes that comics = super hero this volume starts with super heroes and teaches the reader how to draw a comic, with great attention to the aspect of story telling. This title shows the reader, whatever their starting point of talent, how to look at the page, how to create believable figures, and to make heroes and normal folks look real. His construction of a how to draw book is vital, and as much as the above reviewed/considered book is good, the years of teaching by Kubert is telling. This title should be in every artist's library. If you know one, buy it for them. The test of a great teaching book is how much you can use what it talks about. This is a book that upon reading even a non artist will be able to appreciate the artist's work. TRADES THAT OUGHT TO BE BADGER By Mike Baron and Bill Reinhold From Capital and First and Image Comics From the start when I saw BADGER on the newsstand shelf I thought he must be a Wolverine wannabe. But by no means was he. He is almost as characters go, the anti Wolverine. He is happy, whereas Logan/Wolverine is angry. He is moral, not gray in the least, whereas Logan/Wolverine is many shades of gray. Both love to fight but Badger uses only as much force as needed, while Wolverine revels in combat. So finding this series way back when, I found a title that NEVER failed to entertain me, almost always made me laugh and ultimately grew to be one of the best titles I have ever read. BADGER is a martial artist, but is not a super hero so much as one of the templates of personality as expressed by the multi phasic personality disorder of Norbert Sykes, a Vietnam veteran. His allies, Ham the weather wizard/druid, Mavis Davis, MD and his pet pig Kasten, named for former Wisconsin Senator Bob Kasten are all equal parts unusual if not crazy and the stories told are light, but worth your time, funny, but action oriented, and clever. If the issues in this title do not deserve to be collected for TPB purposes, then very few comic books do. I liked every issue of BADGER and there are damn few titles I can say that about. AND let me say this, there is no ongoing series or even mini series of this fine character? That is messed up. Like SABLE, GRIMJACK and eventually SCOUT, BADGER ought to be an ongoing tale. That he is missing from the shelves is completely stupid. There I said it. The people who can make BADGER happen ought to, or else I think they are messed up. SHADO Song of the Dragon #1-4 Writer: Mike Grell Pencils and Colors: Michael Davies Lawrence Inks: Gray Morrow From DC Sometimes you have to decide what is important to know about a character. After all, there are a lot of stories to be told about every character. In the case of GREEN ARROW, there is more than 50 years of history behind the character. Different versions of the character have led to different periods and events in the characters life. The Mike Grell era was very adult, utilizing intelligent character development and intrigue. SHADO's, an Asian assassin, life intersected with GREEN ARROW'S in LONG BOW HUNTERS, and she became an interesting foil throughout the regular series, a lover, and a sometimes ally. I consider how great it would be to see that character in an ongoing series by Grell, or, at the very least, to collect the character's self named mini-series. In that series, an old American soldier decides to return a sword taken as a war souvenir in the Second World War, but finds out that doing so might upset the current balance of power in the Yakuza and Samurai controlled Japanese power structures. SHADO becomes involved, and you get to see how she is in control, and virtually above the petty struggles. As such, you develop a sense of the character, and an appreciation for the character development skills of Mike Grell. This is among the best writing in Grell's career and, beyond a doubt, worthy of being collected for mass enjoyment. I worry for the likelihood of this, because DC is riding the wave of a different continuity stream, one where the excellent works of Grell on Green Arrow are nearly ignored due to the changes in the character by 10 years of writers on Green Arrow and the cast of characters within his world. And honestly, if a company won't consider or release a quality title because it might conflict with ongoing continuity I am not sure that it is worth supporting. The goal of publisher ought to be producing the best work possible. Grell and friends have done that here. IRON MAN #50 -- #66 Written by Mike Grell MARVEL Comics Who better to write the tales of a man in a suit of Iron than a man who jousts, and is an expert in armored warfare? I am not so much a fan of Mike Grell (ok, I am but, that is not the point) as I am a fan of well done stories and art. While Iron Man has gone through numerous incarnations recently, and this run was not perfect, it was nonetheless still good. I think it needs to be collected in trade format, if not for its impact upon the character's canon, then for its general fine quality. BLACK LAMB #1-6 By Timothy Truman HELIX/DC Comics While I like horror, and this tale involves the children of the night, it is not about horror. The Black Lamb is the chief protector of those who live in the shadows, and also their chief judge and law keeper. The darkness is surprisingly ordered and interested in fairness, considering their origins. Truman's art flows here, and I particularly enjoyed the humanity themes here, outsiders yet still worth love, non-people but still a community and far more. This needs to be collected for many reasons, but mostly because this is an unexpected tale. WINTER WORLD #1-3 Written by Chuck Dixon, Art by Jorge Zaffino ECLIPSE Comics The world has had a catastrophic environmental collapse. The earth is covered by snow and ice, and the remnants of human kind struggle over the scraps left behind. Resources are scarce, and morals and beliefs are even more scarce. The consequences of trusting another person might lead to death, and strange alliances form in response to bestial violence. The art here is beyond good, it is incredible. The writing is equal to the challenge, as Dixon truly seemed to understand the characters and world herein. The overall quality of this book demands that someone collect it. AND ONE THAT WILL BE HER NAME IS EARP, WYNONNA EARP "...In July IDW Publishing will release Wynonna Earp: The Complete Collection. This will be a book as big as the monsters Wynonna hunts down. It will collect EVERY Wynonna Earp story that I have ever done..." From Beau Smith and his Busted Knuckles Column on Silver Bullet Comic Books. First off, I like Beau Smith, he is a friend. But beyond that, I also like the talents he makes use of in the comic book industry. His writing is imbued with his personality, and he is very able to express a certain kind of zest in that writing. For me, it is never more evident than in his Wynonna Earp character and stories. They are violent, sexy, funny, and wild. Kind of like an extremely well made B Movie. There is a sense of adventure and fun to them that I really find helpful to deal with life's anxieties, and stresses. I plan on buying this, and reading the hell out of it. Life is good. THE LAND OF FROST ONLINE ARCHIVES:: http://www.popthought.com/archives.asp?CMID=3 http://www.robingoodfellow.com/tftlof.html http://www.slushfactory.com/columns/an/ http://tftlof.stlcomics.com/ http://www.thegreatcurve.net/ http://hometown.aol.com/ComicBkNet/ Yo Publishers...Send review products: Alexander Ness The Land Of Frost Box 142 Rockford MN 55373-0142 _________________________________________________________________ ----------------------------------------------------------------- [10] Suspended Animation Michael Vance & Mark Allen MiklVance2@worldnet.att.net http://www.starland.com/sus [Michael Vance, a professional writer since 1977 and has been published in dozens of magazines including Starlog and Jack and Jill, and as a syndicated columnist and cartoonist in over 500 newspapers. His history book, Forbidden Adventure: The History of the American Comics Group, has been called a "benchmark in comics history". He ghosted an internationally syndicated comic strip, and his wrote own strip, Holiday Out, that was reprinted as a comic book. Vance also wrote the comic books Straw Men, Angel of Death, The Adventures of Captain Nemo, and Bloodtide. He is listed in the Who's Who of American Comic Books and Comic Book Superstars. His short stories have appeared in dozens of magazines and recorded by actor William (Murder She Wrote) Windom. Suspended Animation, has been published for more than sixteen years, and Vance worked in newspapers for 22 years as an editor, writer and advertising manager. Mark Allen lives in Western Oklahoma with his wife and daughter. He has been a Baptist minister for over 15 years, and has also written for the Oklahoma news industry. Having indulged in comics for nearly 30 years, Mark now enjoys using the written word to share with others what he believes is a true, and extremely under-acknowledged, art form.] The Lone and Level Sands, published by Caption Box, 145 pages, $9.95. I enjoy comics projects which employ Biblical material, as well as those which utilize historical in-formation. The Lone and Level Sands, by writer A. David Lewis and artist Marvin Perry Mann, does both, while building a framework of "speculation and creative thought" around it. Sands tells a story of Ramses II, a somehow-prominent historical figure, of whom precious little is really known. From what I've seen (40 pages of lettered work, 105 more of panels, sans lettering), this is going to be comics work worth owning. Lewis pens a wonderfully-entertaining tale of a proud, dignified and noble ruler, who loves his family and nation, at odds with a man who is driven by sincere conviction. The later will be familiar to those acquainted with the book of Exodus. The former is a fresh take on a king of long ago, but could be imagined true without clashing with Biblical material. After all, how many of us could be (or have been) undone by our pride, under the proper circumstances? The characters are deep and emotional, and certainly the primary source of entertainment in this story. Mann has an art style that, while not complex, is certainly not your run-of-the-mill independent fare. It is reminiscent of animation art, yet replete with mood and emotional overtones. It is consistent, with a mature air; a sense that this is what his style has become after working at it. And, while I believe all good artists seek improvement throughout their career, I could be very happy with Mann's current style from now on. The Lone And Level Sands could prove one of the best independent offerings of 2005, and is highly recommended for all ages. Check out www.captionbox.net/lals/ for all purchasing information. Website recommendation: Monsterblog.oneroom.org gives a look at the monster comics work of Jack Kirby. A wealth of reproduced covers, some never-before reprinted material, and review options for fans. A fun and historically relevant site! Mark Allen _________________________________________________________________ Thanks for subscribing to the Comic Book Network Electronic Magazine (CBEM) --------------------------->Disclaimer<--------------------------- This is an ANNOUNCE only mailing list, only the Editor can send messages to the list. No one else has access to the subscriber list. Replies to these messages will be received by the Editor ONLY, so you must CC: individual contributors if you want them to get your E-Mail. The E-mail to the E-mag MAY be used in future issues at the Editor's discretion UNLESS you specifically request that they not be. It is our policy to withhold names and/or Addresses, by request only, from letters of comment. All contributors are required to use their real name and have a valid Email address for their columns to be published. Send Email comments to: ComicBkNet@aol.com Material for inclusion in the Emag - press releases, solicitations, column submissions, Letters to the Editor, guesses for the trivia contest should be sent to ComicBkNet@aol.com The EDITOR, not the submitter, has final approval and edit rights on ALL material. Printed comic books and advanced copies for review in the Emag should be sent via US Mail or UPS to David L. LeBlanc 84 Heather Circle Jefferson, MA 01522-1419 TO Subscribe send a message FROM the intended address to: ComicBookNetworkEmag-subscribe@yahoogroups.com TO Unsubscribe send a message FROM the address to be dropped to: ComicBookNetworkEmag-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com You may also unsubscribe from the Egroups Web page at the short cut below. 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May21, 2005 - [ComicBooknet E-Mag] CBEM 524.09 >> |
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