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November12, 2005 - [ComicBooknet E-Mag] CBEM 549.6 >> |
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------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor --------------------~--> Get fast access to your favorite Yahoo! Groups. Make Yahoo! your home page http://us.click.yahoo.com/dpRU5A/wUILAA/yQLSAA/bGIolB/TM --------------------------------------------------------------------~-> +++++ From Blair Marnell in his ALL THE RAGE Gossip Column at: http://www.SilverBulletComicBooks.com Write to him at: blairm@silverbulletcomicbooks.com RUMOUR BARRIER "I accept that the following material is rumour and gossip, intended to entertain only. I won't repeat the information inside as fact. I understand if I want the truth, I will go to Silver Bulletins. I enter freely with my mind open and my blinkers off." Now, on to the rumours . . . [NOTE: this column may be slightly edited for language. - D.L.] Nothing's Gonna Change My World By Blair Marnell Welcome back to another edition of ATR. Election season is upon us again. And just think, there's only three years until we choose our next president! More on that later. The Last Word News about Speakeasy Comics is starting to pop up everywhere. On Wednesday, Heidi MacDonald filed a story at The Beat which shed further light on Speakeasy's Hollywood deal. MacDonald wrote that the deal in question was not a buyout, but rather a "partnership" between Speakeasy and an entertainment company. And I have heard that she is correct in her assertion. Word is that this deal has been in the works for some time before recently coming to fruition. No one has yet come forward to speak on the record, but from most accounts, Speakeasy's new Hollywood connection (let's call him "BL" for now) has an interesting track record in the entertainment industry. "BL" started out as a "Rock band photographer" before becoming a music producer. For over ten years he worked his way up through the ranks and became a producer on feature films like Detroit Rock City and the upcoming Damn Nation. He has also worked with Mike Richardson's Dark Horse Entertainment. "BL" has also a partner in the Takoma Entertainment Group, though I now hear that the parent company in this deal is called Artistry Entertainment. Regardless, the move is widely perceived as a positive one, which should give Speakeasy more of an edge as they attempt to expand their properties into film and television. So what does this deal mean for the comic creators at Speakeasy? From what I've heard, all contracts will be honored (including deals with creators whose projects have not been released or announced) and Speakeasy will continue to take submissions. It has been rumored that Speakeasy's focus will shift from creator owned books to more comics like Spellgame and Beowulf, which are at least partially owned by Speakeasy. However, Speakeasy insiders have downplayed that particular rumor. As for the rumors of additional creators possibly leaving Speakeasy. It looks like the wind has changed direction. A lot of that talk has gone quiet, as most of the creators now seem content to stay where they are and see how things play out. This Has An "Untouchables" Factor of Eight Out of Ten The Right Hand of Doom Earlier this week, artist Sean "Cheeks" Galloway posted the following pic and blurb on Deviant Art: Heya, gang! WHEW! NOW I can spill the beans. hahaha. Recently, I got selected as lead character designer for the Hellboy Animated cartoon. What you see here is the new look for the cartoon. Sorry to say, but it won't be based on Mignola's style. He wanted something other than his style. It's going to be 2 direct to DVD movies (70 minutes each). They'll be aired on Cartoon Network. The first one is scheduled for next October. I just wrapped up the designs for the first DVD. This Has A "Conqueror Worm" Factor of Nine Out of Ten Covert Operations I've been told that DDP will be bring out a GI Joe one-shot next February, entitled GI Joe Special Missions: Manhattan. The story follows some of the Joes not being used in GI Joe: America's Elite (Cover Girl, Beachhead and Tunnel Rat) as they assault a building in Manhattan to snag a toxic virus being cooked up in an old Cobra lab. Of particular note, the Battle Hymn creative team of B. Clay Moore and Jeremy Haun will be providing the story and pencils, respectively. This Has A "Rolling Snake Eyes" Factor of Eight Out of Ten In The Year 2006. In a post over at The Engine, Warren Ellis has invited comic creators to talk about their 2006 comic plans, with some intriguing replies. Here are some of the highlights: Dan Curtis Johnson: My horror-western is still being drawn but I think it'll be finished and published in 2006, and I'll hopefully get the Roman/Punic War historical action-adventure thing scripted enough to get an artist started on it. Of course, I'll be a new dad so everything else may disintegrate utterly as I spend all my time learning how many shades of poo there are. Andrew Dabb: Most of the stuff I'm working on right now (Dragonlance, Forgotten Realms, Atomika, Vaistron, and Sigma Six) will continue on into 2006, and in the case of at least two of them very possibly 2007. My original graphic novel DANCERS should be out through Slave Labor Graphics sometime within the next twelve months, and I've also got at least one six issue science fiction mini-series lined up with an ambitious publisher (details to be announced shortly), have a short story placed in an upcoming anthology, have just accepted a job writing dialogue for a series of manhwa digests, have a second OGN which is a few months from being completed, and Boussourir (Vaistron artist) and I are already planning another project. Max Douglas (Salgood Sam): I'm wrapping up the first POTA story early in the New Year, and I'll be back on Sea of Red doing layouts for Paul for at least an arc. Will at some point likely do a SOR story myself, nursing the seed of a vampire tale, that may happen late in the year. May be some more apes too if the numbers are good on this first run, not sure when that would be. For now a lot of my focus is on Dream Life for next year, I applied for a grant to do the GN, find out in March if I got that. If not, it and other personal things may be riding the back burner for a bit while I make a living. Jock: My last LOSERS deadline is literally right before Christmas, so this year will have an even bigger sense of closure for me. In the New Year I'm doing a fill in on SWAMP THING, which I get to colour myself and go all out on the psychological horror aspects. Can't wait... it's not something I get to indulge in on a lot of the other stuff I do. Next year there's an OGN in the works at Vertigo, though unsure as to when that's supposed to be starting, plus I've just recently got the urge to produce my own CANNIBAL comic, as that's one genre of horror that doesn't seem to have been updated. I'm thinking of calling it EATEN, and doing it as a 48pp one shot. purely within the skeleton of the old Italian movies. but you know, more trashy. Ray Fawkes: There's the Oni OGN of The Apocalipstix I'll be doing with Cameron Stewart, and I'm doing what I can to make sure the horror books I'm putting together (one with Vince Locke, one with Michael Manning) hit the stands before the end of the year. Neil Kleid: Want to get through a year (or more) of the capes and tights Image book I'm writing and launch the HELL out of BROWNSVILLE at NBM and URSA MINORS! at Slave Labor. Beyond that, get out more books. THE BIG KAHN and AMERICAN CAESAR are the next two books on the production plate at NBM (with Scott Chantler and Jake Allen, respectively) and finalizing an original graphic novel with Matt Bors at a major indy publisher. As well, I'll be drawing away on MIGDAL DAVID, my second drawn book. Miles Gunter: I've got an action horror comedy OGN coming out from Image. Hoping to have in stores by fourth quarter 2006. Continue work on NYC Mech. Art production will begin on a fight comic drawn by Mike Oeming and Mike Hawthorne. I'm scripting and co-writing with Oeming. You can check out the entire thread here. http://www.the- engine.net/forum/messages.php?webtag=ENGINE&msg=625.1 This Has A "Future Looks Bright" Factor of Ten Out of Ten Retrovision Word out of Marvel is that a special handbook is hitting in February: Marvel Legacy: The 1960s Handbook. As the name implies, the handbook will only focus on Marvel characters that were introduced in the 60s, with character bios written in the classic over-the-top style of the era. This Has An "Excelsior!" Factor of Nine Out of Ten For The Man Who Has Everything Alright, people. It's time to send out some well wishes: Congratulations to the newly married couple of Paul Dini and Misty Lee. For those who want to send the happy couple their best, feel free to leave a comment on Dini's blog. http://www.livejournal.com/users/kingofbreakfast/ This Has An "It's A Magical World" Factor of Ten Out of Ten Sacre Bleu, That's Just Up The Rue! Long time ATR readers should recall Mike Mackey's Liberality For All, which I've covered here before. The first issue came out this week, and I know all of you ran out to buy it. Right? Come on, people! Surely you didn't miss the "most talked about comic in years?!" Oh, well. In that case, let me fill you in on the high points. Apparently, the cause of Mackey's Liberal Dystopia is the untimely death of Ralph Nader before the 2000 US Presidential Elections: Resulting in an Al Gore victory, and apparent "liberal" capitulation to Al Qaeda. Followed by Osama Bin Laden's declaration of war on Right Wing Talk Radio hosts. So, flash forward twenty years and a Cybernetic Sean Hannity is one of America's last hopes against Liberal oppression. And there's his friend, G. Gordon Liddy! BTW, you can't tell me "so many cold dead hands" isn't the funniest line you'll read this year. And to cap it off, a heroic portrait of Liddy on the backcover. This is the kind of book I should hate, but instead I love it. It's an instant comedy classic. Like The Godyssey. So run out and buy a copy. There should be several available. The predicted rush of conservative comic fans failed to materialize. At least here in Los Angeles. This Has A "So Many F.O.I.L.S, So Little Time" Factor of Six Out of Ten Regime Change Staying with crazed partisan politics, it's no secret that America is currently in political turmoil. The White House is embroiled in scandal upon scandal, an unpopular (and seemingly unending) war, to say nothing of the massive Blue & Red State schism. As a people, we have rarely been so divided. However, there is hope on the horizon. A presidential candidate for the 2008 election has picked up a massive online following not seen since the early days of "Howlin'" Howard Dean. His name? General Zod, of Krypton. On his website (http://www.zod2008.com/), General Zod has left the following message to the American people: When I first came to your planet and demanded your homes, property and very lives, I didn't know you were already doing so, willingly, with your own government. I can win no tribute from a bankrupted nation populated by feeble flag- waving plebeians. In 2008 I shall restore your dignity and make you servants worthy of my rule. This new government shall become a tool of my oppression. Instead of hidden agendas and waffling policies, I offer you direct candor and brutal certainty. I only ask for your tribute, your lives, and your vote. The General clarified his plans at his campaign launch in Philadelphia. Listen to me, people of the Earth! Today I bring a new order to your planet! Your lands, your homes, your possessions, your very lives -- all of this and more you will gladly give to me! In return, I promise you lower taxes and cheap gas prices! It is as useless for you to deny me your vote as it is for me to annihilate you. You will only bring death and destruction upon yourselves, while I lose the potential products of your labor. In return for your vote, you will have my generous protection! In other words - you will be allowed to live. Hear me now! There is now one law, one order, one ruler who alone will determine your collective destiny! Kneel before me! From this day forward - there is only Zod! Well. I've heard enough. Clearly, this is the man America needs in the White House. Unlike other politicians, he's got a certain honesty about him. I like that. Plus, he's actually got a plan for the future! Therefore, ATR officially endorses General Zod in the 2008 Presidential Election. Hail Zod! And we are done. See you in seven. Later, Blair PS If anyone has any rumors, stories or news to share, please email me at blairm@silverbulletcomicbooks.com. Thanks to everyone who has been sending stuff in. It's greatly appreciated. +++++ Items found in Rich Johnston's "Lying in the Gutters" column at http://www.comicbookresources.com/columns/ which are all rumors or gossip so take any of it with a BIG bucket of salt! Rich was chosen Best Comics Journalist in the 2003 Usenet Squiddy Awards, his fourth consecutive win. Write to Rich at: richjohnston@gmail.com Rich heard rumors . . . Both "Batman Confidential" and "Superman Confidential" will replace an existing title in their respective families. The raison d'?†tre of each title is to mix an A-list artist with an unknown writer, or an A-list writer with an unknown artist. Tim Sale will be one such A-list artist on the first arc of "Superman Confidential." The purchaser of Speakeasy Comics is entertainment company Ardustry Entertainment. Barry Levine, formerly of Dark Horse Entertainment, and current Ardustry figure will be running Speakeasy Comics as President Of Entertainment. Despite reports to the contrary, FM International has not gone under. Michael Tierney is a comic book retailer in Little Rock, Arkansas. Last week, Tierney had a surprise. He had a call from a customer who also works in local law enforcement to warn him about the potential dangers of selling "homosexual content" in "Outsiders" #30. As a result, he has bagged the comic on display in his stores, has himself labelled it "Mature Readers" and passed on to other retailers in similar markets his concerns. Only a few days, but the current DC Crisis Couselling website, intended to fill you in on what you might have missed Infinite Crisis-wise the previous week, gives plot spoilers for "Gotham Central" #37... shipping this week. Oops. From "Ultimate Hulk Vs Wolverine/" Hulk rips Logan into two big pieces. _________________________________________________________________ ----------------------------------------------------------------- COMICS OBSCURA Mike Curtis shandafa@cyberback.com [COMICS OBSCURA are facts Mike Curtis has dug out during his 30 years of collecting Superman and writing about comics. His website for his comic imprint is www.shandafantasyarts.net ] HEY, IF IT WORKED FOR ONE HERO.... DC was known for recycling plots between various media, for example BIZARRO first appeared in the daily comic strips before his comic book debut. In the 1950's many comic book stories were used in THE ADVENTURES OF SUPERMAN television series. However, the episodes PERRY WHITE'S SCOOP and THE MAN IN THE LEAD MASK were adapted from BATMAN comic books. _________________________________________________________________ ----------------------------------------------------------------- [5] Interviews Richard Vasseur richardv@sympatico.ca David Nakayama artist on "City of Heroes" from Top Cow interviewed by Richard Vasseur www.jazmaonline.com Rich: Can you tell us what "City of Heroes" is all about? David: City of Heroes started as a PC game with a really unique hook: design your own superhero from scratch and fight crime online with thousands of others. It's a comic fan's DREAM, and our book tells stories set in that universe, complete with locales and characters that fans will instantly recognize. Rich: What do you think of Dan Jurgens work? David: C'mon-Dan's a legend. This is the guy who killed Superman, after all, so the fanboy in me is just bouncing off the walls. His scripts are smooth, action-packed, and because he's an artist, he's got this amazing ability to visualize each scene-- almost as if it were already drawn--and communicate it to you. We're talking staging, props, even camera angle. Makes it really easy to know what he's looking for. Rich: Why would you recommend "City of Heroes" to a comic fan? David: Because it's a great book. Whether you've played the game or not, we've set this up to be 100% accessible to anyone, and with guys like Dan and Mark Waid contributing stories, you know you can expect the highest quality. Rich: Do you have a favorite character you enjoy drawing? David: Sister Psyche, hands down. All the characters have cool visuals, but she's the only female on the team, and I guess that gives her the edge. Fans seem to really like her too, so writers take note: more Psyche please! Rich: Do you find it hard to keep dead lines? David: It's a constant challenge and tough to deal with day after day, but when the book comes out and you see all your hard work in print, it's well worth it. Rich: What was it like to win Wizard Magazine's Be The Next Top Cow Superstar contest? David: One of the biggest thrills of my life! I'd been through a 4-year university, 2 years at the Kubert school, and pounding the convention circuit to show my portfolio. So when that contest came up, of course I had to give it a try. And about the same time, Dark Horse sent me a Star Wars gig, so there was this strange feeling that the stars had somehow aligned, and that maybe those years of effort were paying off. Rich: What was it like training under Marc Silvestri? David: Well, not only is he a comic genius but an incredible mentor as well. He's helped me iron out more drawing problems than I care to admit, and when you think about how many A-list talents he's personally trained and given their starts in comics, it's kind of staggering. I feel really fortunate to work for the guy, that's for sure. Rich: How did you feel when you started working at Dark Horse on Star Wars Tales? David: Intimidated! Not only was it going to be my first published work, which made me nervous as hell, but it was STAR WARS on top of that. And say what you will about the last 3 movies, but STAR WARS is an institution and something I grew up with, so I really felt a need to make those pages something special. It was only a 6-page story, but I just went overboard on the reference, trying to keep things on model and true to the STAR WARS universe. Rich: What projects are you working on now? And what future projects do you have? David: At the moment, I'm finishing the 7-9 story arc of City of Heroes, written by Dan Jurgens, and I'll go straight into issues 10-12 after that. Not sure if the next writer's been announced yet, so I'll just keep that a surprise for now. :) Rich: What super-hero comic would you most like to draw outside of Top Cow's? David: Everyone says this, but I'd love to take a stab at the iconic Marvel and DC characters. Spidey or Superman would be a dream come true, but I think I'd have an even more interesting take on Hulk or Wonder Woman. Rich: If you could have any one super power what would you like to have? David: Flight, definitely. A power like that you could use everyday. Heat vision? Not so much. Rich: How can someone contact you? David: Check out my website at www.davidnakayama.com. Lots of galleries, news, and contact info. Rich: Any last words of advice? David: Uh, eat more fruits and veggies? ****** Duncan Rouleau writer/artist/creator of "The Nightmarist" from Active Images interviewed by Richard Vasseur www.jazmaonline.com Rich: How would you describe the story? Duncan: It's a paranoid dream tale. A dark fantasy. Its theme is the nature of fear. It's about our interior lives. How we can find ourselves defined by our suspicions instead of our dreams. The plot centers in on a young suicidal woman, Beth Sorensen, a product of a troubled childhood. For most of her life Beth has been battling night terrors and horrific reoccurring dreams. Lost and withdrawn her traditional support systems---family, therapy and even friends---are failing her. In fact they seem to fuel her sense of dread and isolation. When we meet her Beth is considering trying suicide---again. One night, a strange figure appears in her dreams calling himself THE NIGHTMARIST. He claims that he works for an organization called the Ministry of Dreams and that he has been assigned to defend her. He tells her that she has become THE centerpiece in a metaphysical war waging in a realm best described as the universal subconscious, and that an ancient dark force called the Arbus has laid siege on her psyche, that it is trying to corrupt her will. When Beth asks why, The Nightmarist informs her that she has been identified as a century dreamer---a powerful visionary whose prophecies can be so potent that their effects can change the course of the world. "Your vision can lead a way to light like a Gandhi or bring hell to Earth like a Hitler. If they control your dreams they control future." Of course Beth rejects this notion. There is nothing in her life that is exceptional. She thinks that she has completely lost it: Her Doctor, Her Mother, even Her Boyfriend agree. But strange things keep happening, surreal visions and paranoid events all seem to lead to the possibility that what the Nightmarist has told her is true...and that her friends are not her friends. Beth has to decide IS the world out to get her, has she gone crazy, or is she meant for something great. This sets her out on a quest to find out and uncover a hidden world of corrupted souls and walking dreams. Rich: What type of character is Beth? Duncan: Beth Sorrensen is 21, smart, perhaps even a genius. She is all about potential. But, when we meet her she is potential in its death throws. Haunted for years by horrific night terrors she has lost her way and is caught in a tide pool of doubt and fear. Her father, an artist of note, committed suicide years before and Beth seems to be following in his footsteps. At the beginning of our story Beth wears her anger like a crown, adrift and viscous she is trying to decide whether or not to kill herself or just kill the world. Of course she's a little afraid to deal with these BIG feelings, so instead she finds herself boiling in them. This is when her world starts breaking down and she is forced to step outside of herself to save herself. Rich: What can you tell us about the being the Nightmarist? Duncan: From his cubicle in the Ministry of Dreams he stares into our minds searching for the fears that hide inside us all. If he appears in your dreams be warned, he is there to kill a part of you. In many ways he is more terrifying than Beth's nightmares. Most definitely cut from the mold of the old noir pulp characters of the '30s, we're unsure if he is a good or bad guy. His function finally is to be a warning post: Go No Further. He is the guy that even our nightmares fear. Rich: What inspired you to create this comic? Duncan: I've had this idea in one form or another bouncing around in my head for a while. I have always been fascinated by tales that blur lines of reality perspective and being. I love the notion that there is so much more going on than we could possibly understand and that once in a while the great cogs of the universe open up and give us a glimpse inside its inner workings. I think that happens every day, but this story just tells it in a big way. As far as "why now?" I was ready. I've been taking about doing this for so long I got tired of hearing myself talk. Rich: How is storyboarding different than drawing comics? Duncan: The biggest difference is---storyboarding is a blueprint for someone else to work off of. A comic book is a finished product. Also, a comic demands style and pathos. All a storyboard requires is readability. Rich: Do you prefer writing or drawing more? Duncan: Both have their plusses and minuses. When I'm drawing I prefer writing but when I'm writing I prefer drawing! Rich: What other comics have you worked on? Duncan: The X-Men, X Factor, Wolverine, Alpha Flight, Flash, Superman and Justice League, just to name a few. Rich: How did you become involved with Active Images? Duncan: I've known Richard Starkings for many years and have admired his work. My company and his company have worked together on many projects---it's just a natural fit. Plus I have incriminating photos of Richard and the Queen Mum. Rich: What is "Man of Action"? Duncan: Man of Action is a company of creative talent think tank from the comics industry. We are made of four partners: Joe Casey, Joe Kelly, Steve Seagle and myself. We have created cartoons for Cartoon Network (Ben 10 appearing in December this year), written video games (X-Men Legends) for Activision and written movies for Universal Paramount and others, to name a few. We are presently in the throws of creating a production arm. Rich: Do you have any other future projects? Duncan: Several! Another graphic novel, "The Seventh House" that I'm doing on my own, and "The Public Privates" that I'm doing with Joe Kelly, plus developing a cartoon for kids WB that Joe Kelly and I created. Rich: What would you like to accomplish in the next five years? Duncan: To have a wide array of projects in different mediums, and have our production company up and running. Rich: How can someone contact you? Duncan: Duncan@manofaction.tv Rich: Any last words of wisdom? Duncan: Nec aspera terrent which roughly translates "difficulties be damned". Do your best and leave your mark! _________________________________________________________________ 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. Shortcut URL to the Egroup page: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ComicBookNetworkEmag All contents COPYRIGHT 2005 The Comic Book Network. This messages may be reproduced only in its original form, and in its entirety for non-commercial purposes. Contact the original author(s) or the Editor for permission to use individual items. Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ComicBookNetworkEmag/ <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: ComicBookNetworkEmag-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/ |
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