Last year I had the honour of being a finalist in the annual monologue competition at His Majesty’s Theatre in Perth. You can read my script from last year here.
I submitted a new monologue this year for the theme Modern Gods but alas, didn’t get picked, but no-one else did from last year either by the looks of it. If you’d like to see this year’s competition, it starts at His Maj on Wednesday May 2 and ends on Saturday May 5. Get all the info you need here, and below is my submission for this year. I must say, I struggled a bit with the theme this year. Last year, it came rather easily.
The Cult of Donald
My step brother Donald once tried to start a cult. Actually, he didn’t try; he succeeded. Though I often wonder, how exactly do you measure the success of a cult? By the number of robe clad bodies the police have to put in body bags? Or maybe by the number of successful Hollywood actors who follow your teachings?
Thankfully, Donald didn’t kill anyone, or himself, but he did prove that you don’t need a good education or even a pleasant body odour to amass followers who believe whatever craziness spouts from your mouth. Apparently all you need is a mildly entertaining delusion, and no awareness of personal space. Continue reading →
64 mins. We dedicate this show to supporting cast members who had their day in the sun, but haven’t been seen for some time. It’s time for misty eyed fondness as we remember some of our favourite characters who never had their own series, but fulfilled a special role. Also Dr Marvin Monroe as Batman, the importance of butlers, and crotch sniffing.
The League: Century trilogy by Alan Moore and Kevin O’Neill finishes in June from Top Shelf. Oh yeah. Here’s the official lowdown.
In this third and final chapter, our narrative draws to its cataclysmic close in London 2009. The magical child whose ominous coming has been foretold for the past hundred years has now been born and has grown up to claim his dreadful heritage. His promised aeon of unending terror can commence, the world can now be ended starting with North London, and there is no League, extraordinary or otherwise, that now stands in his way. The bitter, intractable war of attrition in Q’umar crawls bloodily to its fifth year, away in Kashmir a Sikh terrorist with a now-nuclear-armed submarine wages a holy war against Islam that might push the whole world into atomic holocaust, and in a London mental institution there’s a patient who insists that she has all the answers.
It’s a spectacular finish that must be seen to be believed.
Pre-order your copy now in the current April DIAMOND PREVIEWS!
THE LEAGUE OF EXTRAORDINARY GENTLEMEN (VOL III): CENTURY (#3 of 3) “2009”
by Alan Moore & Kevin O’Neill
— 80-page softcover
— 6.625″ x 10.125″, full-color graphic novel
— For mature readers (16+)
— ISBN 978-1-60309-007-0
— Diamond DM code: APR12-1232
— $9.95 (US)
— Shipping to stores in June!
— Co-published by Top Shelf Productions (US) and Knockabout Comics (UK)
G-MAN creator gives classic Image characters a make-over
On April first at Emerald City Comicon, Robert Kirkman and Chris Giarusso revealed a new project: THE WALKING DEAD for Kids. A panel-by-panel recreation of the original issues using Kirkman’s scripts, THE WALKING DEAD for Kids would be drawn in an art style with kid appeal by G-MAN creator Giarusso.
The project, of course, was yet another April Fool’s Day prank on a day that saw a few “announcements” come out of the convention. But the image is part of a series of special limited edition variant covers that Image Comics will be releasing in the upcoming year.
In commemoration of Image’s 20th anniversary, Giarusso will re-create twelve classic first issue covers. First to get the too-cute treatment is YOUNGBLOOD, the very first Image title. The cover will ship in limited quantity as a variant for YOUNGBLOOD #71 (FEB128256), the relaunch of the Rob Liefeld Extreme Studios title written by screenwriter John McLaughlin (The Black Swan, Parker) and drawn by John Malin (AVENGELYNE) and Liefeld. YOUNGBLOOD #71 will be in stores on May 23.
The covers are Giarosso’s tribute to his youthful love of Image Comics. “Twenty years ago, I was eagerly anticipating the launch of Image Comics,” said the artist. “Maybe it was partially due to my upcoming high school graduation, but it felt like the whole world was changing. I vividly recall the excitement of seeing the Image books on the shelf for the first time. It was a new era, and these cover images were instantly iconic. The opportunity to pay tribute to these classic Image covers is an honor and a privilege, and I couldn’t be more excited about my role and participation in Image’s 20th anniversary celebration.”
Look for more Giarusso tribute covers in the coming months!
I wrote this for this week’s church bulletin, and thought I’d share it here. Good Friday has passed, but it’s fitting that I post it on Easter Sunday, to celebrate Jesus’ awesome resurrection.
Good Friday. How can we celebrate a man’s death and call it ‘good?’ Because the death of Jesus, and his resurrection three days later, is a celebration of more than just a man. What other life, and death, has had such a profound impact on this planet? When celebrities die, we remember them for a few days and loving tributes flow across the world, and then they are soon forgotten, but Jesus’ words and deeds have continued to inspire, comfort and heal people all across the world.
In fact, many countries acknowledge Good Friday as a public holiday, even those which may not be considered Christian countries. The buying and selling of alcohol is prohibited in South Africa on the day itself, in Bermuda handmade kites in the shape of the cross are flown, and 2012 is the first year in which communist Cuba will celebrate Good Friday as a holiday. No other life has made such an impact across all manmade boundaries, and no other life continues to transform hearts and open minds. You and I, and all believers continue to prove that Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, and our only Saviour, is all that we need and more that we could hope for.
Jesus’ death on the cross for our sins, and our salvation means life now and forevermore for those who turn to Him. We celebrate that the holiest blood that ever walked the Earth was spilled for our eternal freedom, and that’s ‘good’ indeed.
62 mins. It’s the 20th anniversary of Image Comics this year, so in honour of the young upstart publishing company, we look at our fave Image tales covering drama, comedy, adventure and more. Also, the wonder of ’90s fashion, and Aussie TV actresses.
April Fools’ Day shenanigans including Stephanie Brown, Mars Attacks!, and George Takei
Triplets (the Twins sequel), and He-Man at DC Comics
11:10 THEME – IMAGE COMICS
A brief history of the Marvel walkout that led to one of the most successful indie publishers and the giant steps they’ve made in the last two decades.
This year’s nominations for the prestigious Eisner Awards are now up, right here. Voted by industry professionals, the winners will be announced at July’s San Diego Comic-Con. It’s an impressive and diverse list including a few faves of mine like Who Is Jake Ellis? and Atomic Robo. Daredevil, Jim Henson’s A Tale of Sand and many more have also been given nods, from creators to overseas works.
There’s a great interview at CBR here with Archaia’s Stephen Christy and P.J Bickett about the publisher’s plans and upcoming releases. The pair discuss their Eisner wins last year, forthcoming film adaptations and their generous Free Comic Book day offering on May 5.
Bickett: Some of the other high profile books we have are the second volume of “Rust” and “Cursed Pirate Girl” by Jeremy Bastian, a lifelong friend of David Petersen. “I’m Not A Plastic Bag” with Rachel Hope Allison who is an amazing talent. It’s just all pictures telling a story, it’s amazing and coming out on Earth Day. We have “The Grand Duke” which is a Father’s Day tale coming out around the same time. We have a lot of great stories and books that people this year will hopefully get into even more than they did in years past. At the end of the year, we have — at high anticipation from many fans — “Labyrinth” and the second volume of “The Dark Crystal.”
Finally, directed by Underworld’s Len Wiseman and starring Colin Farell is the Total Recall film based on the Arnie actioner from 1990, and the Philip K. Dick short story, We Can Remember It For you Wholesale. It opens in August. Here’s the sleek trailer.
Swancon, or Doomcon as it’s known this year in keeping with the apocalyptic theme, is an annual sci-fi/fantasy convention here in Perth, Western Australia. Here’s how they describe it:
If you’re thinking anything from Douglas Adams to Dr Who, or Accelerando to Atlantis, you’re on the right page!
This Easter join amazing authors, pop-culture experts and fellow lovers of fantastic tales at the longest-running speculative fiction convention in the southern hemisphere.
Our amazing guest authors are Brandon Sanderson (Wheel of Time conclusion,Mistborn series) and Marianne de Pierres (Parrish Plessis series, Burn Bright series) and they’ll be on hand for presentations, discussion and a little mingling. Joining them as our fan guest of honour is the inimical Chris Creagh.
From April 5th to 9th, five days of literature, laughter, games and dance. Come with friends, meet new ones and enjoy it all in the luxury of the pre-apocalyptic Pan Pacific Hotel.
It’s mainly a novels and gaming weekend, but the comics focus is getting bigger, and this year, it includes little old me! I’ll be a panellist at two panels on Friday, which will cover comics for beginners, and the DC relaunch, and then on Sunday night I’ll be taking part in a live podcast event. I’m looking forward to it.
Here’s the programme and it’s only a gold coin donation to come on Friday, so come on by and say hello if you’re in the area!
UK publisher Com.x may not publish a lot, but what they do is worthy of your time. Their next project is a new edition of a classic work. Here’s the official lowdown.
Exactly 8 years after its publication by Com.x in 2004 as a trade paperback, we are proud to announce the DIGITAL publication of The Last American.
Originally a four-issue comic-book mini-series released under the Marvel Epic Comics imprint in 1990, The Last American was written by John Wagner (Judge Dredd, A History of Violence) and Alan Grant (Judge Dredd, 2000AD) with art by Mike McMahon (Judge Dredd, ABC Warriors, Slaine). Innovative and groundbreaking on its initial release, its message and tone are still completely relevant in today’s political and social climate.
Eddie Deighton from Com.x comments:
“We are so pleased to finally be bringing this amazing book back to market, albeit in digital format only. Readers may or may not be aware, but as the book was created in the 1990’s it precedes digital technology, so the pages only exist in their original form or as reprographic film separations. We’ve spent the last six months painstakingly scanning the pages from our printed collected edition, retouching them and boosting the colours for today’s mobile devices whilst retaining the wonderful quality of Mick’s line-work and colouring technique.
Unless you were lucky to pick up a (much sought after) copy of our collected edition, or copies of the original 4-issue mini-series, this is the best opportunity you’ll get to own and read a book that was way ahead of its time.”
“…for me this is one of the very best comic-books ever published… Pilgrim has a gallery of nightmares to face beyond
anything mere science-fiction or horror could offer. But he also finds hope, in the story’s last and most affecting sequence,
and that – perhaps – is The Last American’s greatest surprise.”
GARTH ENNIS
“Under the editorial guidance of the late greatly missed Archie Goodwin, with darkly funny scripting by John Wagner and Alan Grant, Mike fashioned some of his finest pages. Here are all the elements that characterise his work. His idiosyncratic vision, his command of storytelling, his sense of humour, his sense of drama and his sheer good craftsmanship.”
DAVE GIBBONS
“…Reprint, please…”
FORBIDDEN PLANET INTERNATIONAL
“…Our pick this week…”
MICHAEL RYAN, COMIC VAULT
“It’s funny, it’s sad, it’s incredible, it’s almost unbelievable. But it retains enough realism that it could happen… Order it today… I don’t care how you get it. Just get it.”
CRAIG JOHNSON, COMICS BULLETIN
The Last American is available on ComiXology, Graphicly and iVerse on 4th April 2012, priced at $4.99 for 128-pages.
An upcoming OGN called Overrun has been getting some well deserved attention lately, and the book is currently looking for a publisher. Overrun is by Andi Ewington, the writer of Com.x’s unique 45, with Matt Woodley and artist Paul Green. Check out the just launched website for heaps of great artwork, and the teaser video and official description are below.
The city is at breaking point. Living space is running out.
Those in power are forced to execute a desperate measure – introduce a poison to wipe out a huge part of the population.
This is no ordinary city, however.
Overrun takes the reader into the heart of their own computer. Citizens are files. There are .xls business people, sexy .jpegs, hip musician .mp4s.
The space which is running out is memory – the poison a computer virus.
Political intrigue and epic action scenes take place inside the brilliantly crafted world as we follow a group of friends, forgotten computer game heroes, as they fight their way through the virus infection which is transforming their fellow citizens into memory sucking zombies.
Woo hoo! West Australian publisher Gestalt is getting the distribution they deserve, thanks to the fine folks at Madman. Details below.
MADMAN TO DISTRIBUTE ‘GESTALT’ GRAPHIC NOVELS
Madman is proud to announce it will be officially distributing for Gestalt – Australia’s leading independent graphic novel publishing house, beginning April, 2012.
Gestalt’s endeavour is to showcase the unique works of Australian graphic novelists and artists to the world, and since its inception in 2005, has released books with input from talent such as Shaun Tan (The Lost Thing, The Arrival), Tom Taylor (Star Wars graphic novels, DC Comics), Justin Randall (30 Days of Night, Silent Hill) and many more.
The Gestalt catalogue launches April 10, 2012, featuring a 16-title strong line-up – including: new adventure series, The Deep: Here Be Dragons (Vol. 1); the Roman Empire meets zombie apocalypse, Rombies (Issues #0 & #1); the “quasi-sequel” to Alex Cox’s cult film Repo Man, Waldo’s Hawaiian Holiday, and Justin Randall’s atmospheric psychological horror and 2011 ‘Best Illustrated Book/Graphic Novel’ Aurealis Award-winner, Changing Ways (Vol.1).
“Having followed Madman since their inception, I’ve been consistently impressed by their approach to business and the quality of the materials they deal with,” said Wolfgang Bylsma, Gestalt Editor-in-Chief. “I’m delighted that Gestalt has found a distributor in Madman, who share a similar ethos and the attention to detail that is inherent in everything we do. I look forward to a long, mutually beneficial relationship with Madman.”
Titles from the Gestalt launch line-up have also received nominations for the prestigious 2011 Aurealis Awards. Tom Taylor’s The Deep: Here Be Dragons (Vol. 1) has been nominated for two awards, ‘Best Children’s Picture Book’ and ‘Best Illustrated Work’. Also nominated in the ‘Best Illustrated Work’ category are ‘reverse werewolf’ story, Torn and supernatural Western, The Eldritch Kid: Whisky & Hate (Vol. 1).
“It’s fantastic to receive a nomination for The Deep. And with four nominations for Gestalt in all, I’m thrilled to see Australia’s premier speculative fiction literary awards recognize the quality and wonderful storytelling Gestalt has produced,” said Tom Taylor, author of The Deep: Here Be Dragons.“While my Star Wars and DC Comics works are top-sellers in the U.S., nothing would make me happier than seeing The Deep, and Gestalt in general, being embraced by every book, comic and pop culture store in Australia. I believe this partnership with Madman can make this a reality.”
65 mins. We finally get to this topic! The history of minority characters within comics, superheroes who are replaced by minority characters, or changed when adapted to other media. We also throw a few gnarly questions at one another.
Black Manta, Black Lightning, Black Racer (he’s on skis!), and Black Vulcan
Asian characters like Amadeus Cho, James Woo, Green Arrow Connor Hawke, Batgirl Cassandra Cain, Katana, Lady Shiva and Nico Minoru from Marvel’s Runaways.
and many more characters.
As an added bonus, here’s the “Bruce Lee” film from 1977 that Mladen mentions.
If you’re heading to the Emerald City Comic Con this week, you can also meet some great creators, go bowling, and get a chance to win some original art (on a bowling pin! Go Plastic Man!). Awesome. Details below.
Hero Initiative the non-profit organization that aids comic creators in medical and financial need is heading to Emerald City Comic Con March 30 through April 1 in Seattle, Wash. at the Washington State Convention Center. We have many special guests, and we are going BOWLING!
That’s right! We’re bowling to raise money for our cause on Friday March 30 at 8pm! There are 24 spots to bowl with a special guest including Jim Valentino, Francis Manpul, Barry Kitson, Tony Parker and more at Garage Billiards at 1130 Broadway in downtown Seattle! (http://www.garagebilliards.com) For $40 you get 2 games with a special guest, shoe rental, a drink ticket and five raffle tickets to win a bowling pin designed by artists such as Joe Linsner or Matt Wagner!
And if you don’t want to bowl, come and have some fun! The custom bowling pins can be won by ANYONE who shows up! Raffle tickets are $5 each, and tickets will be sold all day Friday at booth number #807 and all evening at the event. Winners MUST BE present.
Of course our special guests at the booth will be signing and sketching for us. Check it out!
Friday, March 30 (hours 2-8)
200-300: Keu Cha
300-400: Scott Morse
400-500: Mike Oeming
500-700: Bill Willingham
Saturday, March 31 (hours 10-7)
1230-130: Jim Valentino
130-230: Adi Granov
430-630: Chrissie Zullo
Sunday, April 1 (hours 10-5)
1030-1130: Steve Lieber
1130-1230: Matt Fraction
About The Hero Initiative
The Hero Initiative is the first-ever federally chartered not-for-profit corporation dedicated strictly to helping comic book artists and craftsmen in need. Hero Initiative creates a financial safety net for yesterday’s creators who may need emergency medical aid, financial support for essentials of life, and an avenue back into paying work. It’s a chance for all of us to give back something to the people who have given us so much enjoyment.
Since its inception, The Hero Initiative has had the good fortune to grant over $500,000 to the comics veterans who have paved the way for those in the industry today. For more information, visit http://www.heroinitiative.org or call 626-676-6354.
57 mins. Strange x-overs you never knew existed! Unusual team-ups you tried to forget! Dodgy pronunciations of ‘moustache’ and ‘oeuvre.’ This one has it all, including a detour involving celebrity cameos and Jeff Goldblum movies.
64 mins. It’s all about the ladies and the awesome comics they create. Mladen proves his immaturity and Kris reveals his love for Faith Erin Hicks. Also, missing Australian Prime Minister Harold Holt.
comicbookjesus 