All week at Broken Frontier will be a veritable treasure trove of articles and interviews focused on British comics, and creators. Saucily called Brits on Top, there’s already an interview with editor Calum Laird about 50 years of Commando Comics, a few creators reminiscing about great British comics (Bananaman! Yay!), Pat Mills talking about 2000AD and oh, so much more. Keep checking in to see what other goodies will show up.
Being a Brit (by birth, though an Aussie at heart) with Brit parents meant I grew up with an awesome education in English sitcoms. Blackadder, Fawlty Towers, Red Dwarf and of course, Monty Python’s Flying Circus. That means that the upcoming BBC film, Holy Flying Circus is good news.
The film focuses on the filming of Monty Python’s 1979 film, Life of Brian. We all remember the, “He’s not the Messiah, he’s a very naughty boy!”, “blessed are the cheesemakers,” and all that. It’s a memorable film for sure and was surrounded by controversy and protests upon its release. Few of the Christians I know (including myself) actually hate the film. In fact, the Pythons were quite clear about it not being about mocking Christ, and they achieved it. It is a smart, funny and entertaining film.
I’ll certainly be watching Holy Flying Circus, especially as it casts actors as the Python team (John Cleese, Eric Idle, Michael Palin,etc) and will incorporate animation and puppetry. I’m a sucker for all the behind the scenes stuff too and thoroughly enjoyed the modern interviews with the Pythons on the great Almost the Truth: The Lawyers Cut DVD. See the trailer for that below, including a snippet of the Brian trouble.
There’s always cool stuff to be found on funding site Kickstarter. I have it bookmarked to see what unique, arty and ambitious projects are getting attention and money to make them spring to life. American Dark Age is one such project I discovered, amongst the plethora of cool comics vying for attention. It has until Sunday September 4 to reach its goal of $2600. So far it has $2470 so its promising. Below is the lowdown on the project and here’s where to discover more. Oh, and here’s where to see some preview pages.
Megabrain Comics brings you the first series in their neo-medieval, apocalyptic trilogy; AMERICAN DARK AGE which takes place in a near future when a mysterious event renders all combustion based machinery, weapons and electrical technology impotent and useless. The story focuses on Katherine Brody, a young punk singer from Oregon and her rise as an unlikely warrior in a world that no longer recognizes itself.
AMERICAN DARK AGE thrusts the reader in to this archaic landscape and asks not only who you were before “The Blackout” but who will you be after, with so much righteous destiny and sinister opportunity laid before you to be picked at with the tip of a sword.
Brody’s journey takes her and a small band of Marine Corps “Knights” from the bloody shores of California across the now harsh and lawless landscape of the United States to an end that will change the face of a nation forever.
Filled with political intrigue, character drama and ultra-violent sword clashing battle scenes, AMERICAN DARK AGE takes a new look at the American spirit and what people can achieve and destroy when they set their mind to it.
The story by Jean Michel is epic!
The art by Jacqueline Taylor is bloody amazing!!
The production by Megabrain Comics is slick!!!
But, this much awesome isn’t free, people.
We need $2600 to get issue #1 off the ground and on to the shelves, but exceeding our goal will allow us to put additional content in the book or print variant covers. Plus we’ll be able to offer more rewards and one-of-a-kind goodies.
That is why we’ve come here today to give you, stalwart Kickstarter philanthropist and you, loyal and ravenous Mega-Fan, the opportunity to be a part of all the magic…with your money.
Here’s a bunch of stuff I’ve seen and read recently that I recommend checking out.
Limitless, starring Bradley Cooper and Robert DeNiro. Cooper plays a lazy writer lacking motivation, until an encounter with and old friend gives him access to a super drug that unlocks his brain’s full potential. Better than it could’ve been, it starts with a Fight Club-like approach with its visual trickery and subversive attitude, has a predictable middle, and then ramps up for an exciting conclusion.
Secret Six #36. It’s sad to see this series starring a bunch of baddies (Bane, Ragdoll, Catman,etc) go, but this is a satisfying farewell from Gail Simone and Jim Calafiore. Having pretty much all of DC’s big heroes show up in the stand off that ends the ish is cool, especially with Calafiore’s pencil behind them. I hope we see these characters again soon though in DC’s new plans.
The Punisher #1. I’ve been an occasional follower of the surly Frank Castle and thankfully the creators attached to him have always pulled him past his one-note potential. This (yet another) relaunch for the ex-Marine by Greg Rucka and Marco Checcheto is as gritty as any of Castle’s previous series. It’s a great set up for a new tale, and even though the titular gun lover hardly shows up, and doesn’t even speak, the moody art and unique story approach (a silent wedding massacre opener, and a police interview closer) make this issue stand out.
Tucker & Dale vs Evil. Two loveable hillbillies are mistaken for psycho killers by a group of attractive college students. Hilarity, and accidental bloodshed, ensues. It’s such a great genre-nixing set up. Unfortunately the trailer has the best bits, though the chemistry between leads Alan Tudyk and Tyler Labine results in some great dialogue and comedic moments.
DC Retro-Active-1980s. This series of one-shots by DC is a good idea, and will go some way to quelling the discontent from nostalgic superhero readers. They’ve done the ’70s and next up is the ’90s (which I’m looking forward to, as that’s when my comics habit became serious) and getting the original creators from that decade is awesome. Each issue also includes a reprinted tale from the time period. Flash stars Wally West (always my fave speedster) and is by William Messner-Loebs and Greg LaRocque. Flash rescued a girl from the clutches of the Trickster a while ago and she’s fallen hard for her hero and steals his enemies’ weapons to get his attention. The backup tale doesn’t make much sense as its from the middle of a story arc, but reminds us that colouring techniques these days are much better. Batman’s trip down memory lane features the return of the baddie Reaper from the Year Two storyline (a tale of which is the reprint) and features Jason Todd as bare legged Robin, Batman calling him, “chum,” and a genuine mystery about who the new Reaper is.
X-Men Schism #2. I thought I’d grab the latest issue of this mini-series as it has art by Frank Cho and that’s always a good reason. Wolverine and Cyclops are still yet to fall out and go their separate ways, so the remaining 3 issues must be pretty intense. Cyclops really looks like his nickname, “Slim,” when Cho draws him.
Just released on Yahoo! is this new trailer for the complete Star Wars saga on Blu-Ray. It’s released next month and features over 40 hours of bonus features! Sold!
Nerdcore duo Kirby Krackle have just released the first video from their third album, Super Powered Love. The song is Nerd Core and has a great, “if I won the lotto, I’d buy…” approach to it.
They’ve also created the theme song for Marvel’s official Who Watches the Watcher? online news, and here’s the video for that too.
Their songs and videos just keep getting better.
The ASA (Australian Society of Authors) is holding a master class for those interested in creating, or knowing more about, comics. Colleen Doran (Sandman, A Distant Soil) is the guest speaker and it’ll be held in Sydney on November 19 and 20.
In response, the Australian Society of Authors (ASA) has invited world-renowned comics creator Colleen Doran to Australia to run a weekend comics masterclass in November 2011, designed to jump-start the careers of aspiring comics creators and to accelerate the careers of Australian comics professionals. It’s also an ideal opportunity for multi-platform creators, educators and book editors to learn more about the medium and to become proficient in deconstructing comics and graphic novels.
All the details are here.
My favourite magazine, the film focused Empire is running their Big Screen expo again this year. It’s this weekend and it’s in London. Apart from film stuff, they have a bunch of comic stuff as well, with panels discussing the greatest superhero, and guests like Mike Carey, Mark Millar, Adi Granov and many more.
Go here for the full details.
Here’s a funky gallery interpreting a few Marvel characters as minimalist posters from artist Marko Manev. I like the way he used the Fantastic Four, and even got the Scarlet Spider his own design. The old Spider-Man clone doesn’t get much love.
This looks kinda cool, from the creator of Kane, and Jack Staff. Not that I’ve read much of either but this sounds like an entertaining combination of superheroics and drama.
50 mins. We focus on two very different comics this week, in Gestalt’s The Deep and Top Shelf’s League of Extraordinary Gentlemen Century: 1969. Also, comic shops in Sydney, ping pong balls, The Rock and more.
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4:30 NEWS
The Annotated Sandman Volume 1
The White Rabbit Batman villainess
Robert Crumb cancels his Australian visit
Tanarus, the new Thor
13:16 FEATURE REVIEWS-THE DEEP & CENTURY: 1969
From Tom Taylor and James Brouwer comes this fun all-ages adventure about the Nekton family.
Alan Moore and Kevin O’Neill bring us the latest, and certainly not all-ages, instalment in their increasingly strange League of Extraordinary Gentlemen series.
This week is a huge one for Hellboy. Creator Mike Mignola and publisher Dark Horse have been quietly spreading the word that this is going to be one of those, “things will never be the same” stories that we read so much about. However, this time, it actually means something.
He’s already lost his eye, and now he’ll lose a lot more. Below is a snazzy preview of this week’s finale, along with an official description.
The word is out that today’s release of The Fury #3 will rock the comics world to its very core! With word leaking out over the last week that big changes are in store for Dark Horse’s most recognizable character, this third issue has sold out before even arriving on shelves.
In response, Dark Horse has rushed through reprints of all three issues of this critically acclaimed story arc. These reprints are available for reorder now, with an on-sale date of August 17, just one week after Hellboy: The Fury #3 goes on sale.
Hellboy: The Fury marks the dramatic conclusion to the epic story line by Mike Mignola and Duncan Fegredo that began in Darkness Calls back in 2007. This final three-issue story pits Hellboy against the Queen of Blood one on one, leaving behind a war-torn battlefield strewn with the bodies of monsters and knights. In this dramatic conclusion, the fate of the world, and of Hellboy himself, lies with the Ogdru Jahad, his greatest foe, culminating in one final battle for the ages.
Rising writer Cullen Bunn (The Sixth Gun, a growing number of Marvel series) is writing a regular column for BF called Writer of Wrongs. Check out the first one right here.
New Spidey artist Sara Pichelli’s opened up her sketchbook to reveal her initial thoughts on the new man under the Ultimate Spider-Man mask, Miles Morales. Check them all out right here.
comicbookjesus 