17
Jan
I remember taping this when it first aired. Sadly, the VHS copy has since been lost. But I get the feeling when I watch this again, I won’t be quite as sad.
A 1996 made-for-TV movie based on the Marvel Comic series of the same name
via tuberqlosis31
Dec
A personal pledge re: SOPA
I’ve said a few things here about the Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA), which is due for a House vote once Congress gets back from the break. You’ve all likely heard here or elsewhere about how terrible a bill it (and its Senate counterpart, the PROTECT-IP Act, or PIPA) is and how it would, with little doubt, destroy the Internet as we know it.
Marvel Comics and Time Warner (parent of DC Comics) have come out in support of SOPA. As much as I love comics, and enjoy many books from the Big Two, I have to take a stand here. People I know have spoken of boycotting the Big Two for far less (such as a story they didn’t like), or worthier causes (sexist and/or discriminatory material). I’ve always disagreed and said a line-wide boycott isn’t necessary, that simply not buying the offending books and putting your money towards more deserving work makes a clearer point.
But now the problem is bigger than any one book.
That’s why I will no longer purchase any comics from Marvel or DC (or any media from Time Warner) until they publicly renounce their support for SOPA. I urge all of you to do the same, and to make your voices heard through calls, letters, petitions or whatever means is available to you. Let them know that you will not sit idly by while they support a bill that would effectively allow government and big business to censor the Internet at will.
I urge you to stand for this.
27
Jul
I rediscovered my love of (or obsession with, depending on your perspective) MacGyver this year, when I learned Netflix has the entire series available for streaming.
Now, this.
With a creative team that includes Doctor Who comics writer Tony Lee and Demo artist Becky Cloonan, this carries high expectations for a TV adaptation. Or maybe just with me.
Obviously, I am shit-my-pants excited over this.
07
May
It’s Free Comic Book Day!! I can’t believe it’s been a year since I last expressed my enthusiasm about it on this blog. My excitement about it has yet to wane. I mean, come on, you walk in and get free comics! What could be better?
This song has nothing to do with comics, but the video is appropriately nerdy enough that I don’t mind posting it here today. It just popped into my head, and it’s propulsive enough to encapsulate how I feel about today. I present “Circuit Breaker” by Mark Ronson and the Business Intl.
Hot damn, free comics!
29
Jan
Lyrics: “Runaway (ft. Pusha T)”
Art: Lew Sayre Shwartz, Batman #66
Amalgamation: beatyourwings
I’d just like to say that this one makes me laugh every time I look at it. For the astounding true story behind this panel, check out Dial B For Blog. -ch
I can’t think of a more appropriate marriage of Kanye and comics.
via kanyepluscomics24
Jan
I didn’t stop with the first one. I’m sure there will be more Kanye + Comics work from me. Song is “Devil in a New Dress” again, as I had a couple ideas for that one. Art is by Richard Ortiz.
I don’t have to explain this one.
Kanye West and comics. Those aren’t usually seen as complementary, but Kanye + Comics goes a long way toward changing that notion.
Chris Haley, of the webcomic Let’s Be Friends Again, has created a blog where fans submit their own Kanye West/comics mashups, marrying their favorite panels, splashes or covers to Yeezy’s lyrics. The results thus far have been nothing less than splendid.
No, I’m not qualifying that with “surprisingly.” Kanye and comics are two great tastes that go motherfuckin’ great together.
In fact, I decided to get in on the fun. You might remember I posted “Devil in a New Dress” as a Song of the Day selection a while back. I took inspiration from that song for this piece. The art is Gabriele Dell’Otto’s cover to Secret Invasion #3. I hope I don’t need to explain how it fits…
28
Aug
It's Read Comics in Public Day!
Not that I’m ashamed to read comics in public (trust me, I’m really not), but I’m down for any day based on celebration of the hobby. I’m gonna read something on the train at least, and wherever else I can.
07
May
big beautiful 4th of July
Couple thoughts:
- This year’s Sunoco Wawa Welcome America Festival lineup has been announced, and I am as shocked and appalled as you are to learn the Goo Goo Dolls are headlining. I know, they have a new album about to drop, but come on, going from the Roots to the Goo Goo Dolls is a bit of a drop.
I know what you’re gonna say, “but I like the Goo Goo Dolls!” Well, I don’t dislike them, but think about it: they have no major or discernible tie to our region and they haven’t been big even in a nostalgic capacity in a long time. There is no logical reason for the Goo Goo Dolls for headline this show. Still, if you like them, that’s cool. It’ll probably be fun. If you don’t, at least there will be fireworks.
I am, however, looking forward to the Taste of Philly event on June 26th, because Morris Day and the Time are on the bill. It’s a safe bet to expect they’ll absolutely blow it out. - My friend Jamar Nicholas has a blog devoted to artistic renderings of a big, beautiful Wonder Woman. He put it on hold last year while working on a major graphic novel project, but it looks like he’s started updating again. It’s actually a neat concept, featuring art from creators such as Mike Manley, Bryan Lee O’Malley, and the late Mike Wieringo. I’m surprised I didn’t even know about it until I saw it mentioned on Comics Alliance, but it’s definitely worth looking through.
- A late addition, but worth mentioning is Chris Sims’ Comics Alliance post on the racial politics of regressive storytelling, specifically among the DC heroes (and definitely in the work of Geoff Johns). Sims is careful not to accuse anyone of racism, and I agree with him there, though there’s a different kind of ignorance at work here. In Johns’ rush to remake the DC Universe in the image of its forebears, he’s undone many of the strides made in the name of diversity.
There’s not much I really have to add right now. I mostly agree with him, though I’m still turning it over in my head. I’ve long thought that regressive storytelling is harmful to comics in the long run, but like almost everyone else, I looked at the problem simply from an artistic standpoint. It’s very interesting, and a little disquieting, to consider it from a social perspective, but I’m glad someone thought of it. Of course, I wish I could have thought of it first, but I guess I’m not that deep.
Actually, I guess I do have something to add. I’m sure people are going to ask why Sims singled out the DCU (and they may already have; I haven’t read all of the comments). Not that Marvel comics is totally teeming with racially diverse heroes, but ever since Stan introduced Gabe Jones and the Black Panther, they’ve made a serious effort and continue to do so. It’s woven deeper into the fabric of the Marvel Universe than in the DCU.
Anyway, it’s definitely something to keep in mind.
01
May
It's Free Comic Book Day!
I don’t know if I’ve been more excited about a Free Comic Book Day than this year. For the first time ever, this doesn’t directly coincide with a big comic book movie release, although Kick-Ass is still sort of there (it is a lot of fun though) and Iron Man 2 is going to crush everything next week.
Perhaps that’s for the best. It’s time for the medium to finally stand on its own. Comic books aren’t just an idea factory for the major studios. They’re a viable method of delivery for stories all their own. There are so many things comics can do that other media can’t, and only a fraction of that involves capes and spandex.
If you’re a fan already, go pick up some new exclusive books. If you have friends who are curious about comics, take them with you. If you’re curious about comics, definitely go! The FCBD page has a locator so you can find your nearest participating comic shop.
I’ll be out there too. If you see me, say hi! I shaved the mustache, by the way.
If you live in the downtown Philadelphia area, I recommend these three shops:
Brave New Worlds
45 N. 2nd St.
Atomic City Comics
638 South St.
Fat Jack’s Comicrypt
2006 Sansom St.
Check the FCBD site for more shops in your area!
