Clash of the Titans: A Necessary Remake

I watched the 1981 Clash of the Titans recently and really – it’s a fairly average film compared to the other films that rocked the early 80s, such as Blade Runner, The Empire Strikes Back – and the underrated fantasy, Krull. However, I do recall the Medusa scene from my youth and nostalgia often makes details hazy, but the film is surprisingly dull. There’s long periods of silence, the characters are uninspiring and most of the time Ray Harryhausen’s stop motion special effects are unnecessary. It’s also a lot raunchier than what I remember. However it’s also filled with grand concepts and great potential. There are so many trivial remakes these days, but Clash of the Titans deserves one as today’s effects and audiences are ready for a tale of this epic nature. Now, below is a press release regarding the original’s release on iTunes, as well as the awesome The Neverending Story, as well as the latest action packed trailer for the remake.

See an exclusive behind the scenes sneak peek of the new Clash Of The Titans now when you buy the original film on iTunes.  Coupled with the original Clash Of The Titans film from creative genius Ray Harryhausen, the sneak peek offers an insider’s look at the making of the new movie with interviews of the cast and director.

To the delight of fantasy films lovers The NeverEnding Story and Clash of the Titans are now available on iTunes and for download at Amazon Video On Demand, PlayStation 3, XBOX and more.

Clash of the Titans is an exciting, epic fantasy, filled with drama, passion and colorful stop motion animated creatures that will look more eye-popping than ever.  The last feature film from creative genius and special effects wizard, Ray Harryhausen, Clash of the Titans is the original motion picture adaptation of the myth of Perseus and his struggles to save the Princess Andromeda.  This edition is also releasing on Blu-ray just before the new Clash of the Titans due in theaters April 2, 2010, which stars Liam Neeson, Ralph Fiennes and Sam Worthington (Avatar and Terminator Salvation), to be directed by Incredible Hulk’s Louis Leterrier.

Relive the flight of pure fantasy that’s The NeverEnding Story now on iTunes and for download at Amazon Video On Demand, PlayStation 3, XBOX and more. Based on the best-selling novel by Michael Ende and directed by Wolfgang Peterson (Troy, The Perfect Storm), The NeverEnding Storyis as enjoyable for adults as it is for children with its tale of a young daydreamer who, drawn into a timeless and wondrous world of fantastic beings through the pages of a mysterious book, discovers how his imagination and belief can save it from destruction.  Director Wolfgang Peterson’s first English language film, Roger Ebert called The NeverEnding Story “a real delight!”

March 17, 2010
Categories: Movies . Tags: . Author: Kris Bather . Comments: Leave a comment

Viz Unleashes Anime Site

Anime fans – here’s an exciting announcement from Viz just for you. Free episodes of some great series, (with 400 already up, and more to come!).

VIZ MEDIA LAUNCHES VIZ ANIME

A NEW OFFICAL WEB DESTINATION FOR SOME OF THE HOTTEST ANIME CONTENT

Optimized Technology Allows Fans To Connect And Interact And Spend Less Time Looking For The Latest Anime Episodes And More Time Enjoying Them

In a significant news announcement, VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), one of the entertainment industry’s most innovative and comprehensive publishing, animation and licensing companies, has detailed the launch of VIZ Anime – a brand new, free-to-use interactive web destination that will become a permanent home to some of the company’s best-loved animated series as well as new content which will be added on a weekly basis. VIZ Anime is accessible at:www.VIZAnime.com.

VIZ Anime kicks off with more than 400 episodes from hit series such as BLEACH, BUSO RENKIN, DEATH NOTE (complete series), HIKARU NO GO, HONEY & CLOVER, INUYASHA (complete series) and INUYASHA: THE FINAL ACT, NANA, NARUTO (complete series) and NARUTO SHIPPUDEN as well as THE PRINCE OF TENNIS. The site will also be the future web home for many other eagerly anticipated anime series set to launch later this year!

Episodes can be streamed for free with new ones being added weekly. A variety of interactive social networking tools and features also help foster an official online home and community for VIZ Media anime fans allowing them to connect on and discuss favorite shows, and offer ratings and opinions of various episodes. New functionalities will be added regularly.

  • Users can “follow” as many series as they like and choose to be notified each time a new episode is released, as well as keep track of the last episode they’ve watched. This makes it easy to stay current on series like INUYASHA or NARUTO, which feature more than 100 episodes.
  • Users can comment on individual episodes and also meet and interact with other fans, invite friends to join, ask questions and debate plot twists and characters, voice their opinion on what’s happening in a particular series, and also find out what else is going on across the anime and manga spectrums.
  • Users can rate their favorite episodes by using a “Like” button on each episode page. They can quickly access a list of all the episodes they’ve similarly liked to compare how other users have liked an episode.
  • Users can make a personalized profile page to keep track of the episodes they’ve watched and enjoyed, the series they’re currently following, and comments they’ve made. Mail tools can also be used to send private messages between individual users. Privacy controls let users decide what information is shared publicly and who is able to send them messages.

“We’re committed to developing VIZ Anime as a premiere online destination, and hope to offer a real community for VIZ Media fans to interact with each other and share their love of anime,” says Ken Sasaki, Senior Vice President & General Manager of VIZ Media. “We will also utilize the site as a means of two-way communication to better understand what our fans enjoy most and want, and how they engage with anime and manga online. With a lot of content to select from, VIZ Anime will become a favorite site to visit again and again!”

March 16, 2010
Categories: Cartoons, New To Comics?, News . Tags: , . Author: Kris Bather . Comments: Leave a comment

The Monster Engine

Thanks to Abduzeedo for pointing this great concept out. Basically, artist Dave Devries takes children’s drawings and transforms them into more realistic 3D renderings. See more magic at his website, The Monster Engine.

March 16, 2010
Categories: Art . Tags: . Author: Kris Bather . Comments: Leave a comment

Aleister Gilgrim Interview

Creator of The Cemetarians from Slave Labor Graphics, and more recently the Ferrymen OGN from Transfuzion Publishing, Aleister Gilgrim and I had a virtual conversation about his new book and a bunch of other stuff. Check it out at Broken Frontier here.

I also have an interview with Art A. Ayris, the man behind Kingstone Media, at Sight Magazine. Ayris pastors a church and guides Kingstone in creating some fine quality comics.

March 16, 2010
Categories: Interviews, New To Comics? . Tags: , . Author: Kris Bather . Comments: Leave a comment

Abin Sur Cast

The Green Lantern cast is expanding. According to Empire Online, New Zealander Temuera Morrison (Jango Fett from the Star Wars prequels) is playing Abin Sur, the alien who crashes on Earth and passes his ring to test pilot Hal Jordan (played by Ryan Reynolds). Taika Waititi (apparently also known as Taika Cohen) who starred in and directed comedy fave Eagle vs Shark is playing Jordan’s best pal (assumedly that’d be mechanic  Thomas Kalmaku, from the comics).

Filling out the main cast is Mark Strong (Sherlock Holmes) as Sinestro, Blake Lively (Gossip Girl) as Carol Ferris and Peter Sarsgaard as Hector Hammond. It started filming today, in New Orleans and is directed by Martin Campbell (Casino Royale).

Green Lantern opens June 17 next year. With Marc Guggenheim (Flash) and Michael Green (Superman/Batman) as co-writers lending the film some solid comic book credibility, this could be the film to prove that Warner Bros. know how to make a good film based on a DC Comics character who doesn’t have pointy ears and an annoyingly gruff voice.

March 15, 2010
Categories: Movies, New To Comics?, News . Tags: , . Author: Kris Bather . Comments: Leave a comment

The Handsome Men’s Club

From TV show Jimmy Kimmel Live and featuring a bunch of Hollywood hunks mocking themselves. Must be seen.

March 14, 2010
Categories: Movies, News . Tags: . Author: Kris Bather . Comments: Leave a comment

Let’s Hear It For The Girls!

Marvel’s Girl Comics is a 3 issue mini-series created by a team of talented ladies. It’s also a good idea. Now I know every now and then a comic company will scratch their head over just how to get girls to buy comics, and from what I understand, the number is growing, particularly in manga. DC tried a noble attempt a few years ago with their Minx line, which unfortunately never took off the ground. However, there are a lot more female characters in the spotlight in the pages of both companies superhero books. In May alone Spider-Girl returns again, Dazzler gets a one-shot, as do the many loves of the Amazing Spider-Man in a book of the same name, Galacta: Daughter of Galactus hits, Black Widow’s new series continues, Emma Frost gets an origin spotlight special, and Marvel Her-oes continues with its focus on teen female Avengers. Plus let’s not forget all the female spandex wearers in the various X-Men and Avengers titles. Of course, giving more female characters series doesn’t mean more female readers, as I’m sure there’s a fair amount of appeal to both sexes with superhero stuff, but it’s a good step in the right direction.

Now, about Girl Comics. I’m a sucker for anthology books, and this appealed. Not all of the 7 short tales contained within are good, but they represent a great diversity. Most don’t feature females as leads, but are just slices of superheroes from different perspectives. Willow G. Wilson (Vertigo’s excellent Air) and Ming Doyle present a simple tale of Nightcrawler saving a perfromer in what looks like a WWII cabaret bar, Valerie D’Orazio and Nicki Cook show Punisher in a subtle, yet creepy tale of child protection and by far my favouritre – Head Space by Devin Grayson and Emma Rios (whose art I’ve loved since BOOM!’s Hexed). The other tales fall kinda flat for me, but that’s the lottery of an anthology. I’ll certainly pick up the remaining two issues, just to see what talent lies on offer. The creator biographies and and spotlights on Marvel employees Flo Steinberg and Marie Severin are a superb touch too.

Street Fighter Legends: Ibuki from Udon Comics is another new series with a female focus, though a different endeavour from the book above. Like any Gen Xer I paved my way through high school via button mashing on Capcom’s classic game, but I haven’t followed the franchise in the years since. Udon produce lovely, kinetic comics though, so this was a purchase on a whim. Written  by Jim Zubkavich with art by  Omar Dogan, who worked on the Chun-Li Legends series, this premiere ish mixes light high school drama with face kicking action. I’m unexposed to the newer Street Fighter characters, but this explains Ibuki in a very likeable fashion.

She’s a Japanese teen in a ninja school who also goes to a regular school and uses a mobile phone and has too many clothes for a stealthy fighter and this issue balances both of her lives well. There’s also a new arrogant girl at school who challenges Ibuki to a fight, a secret cabal of ninjas called Geki and a conclusion that reveals next issue’s addition of another SF character. The whole tale bounces along well, with a great touch in pacing from  Zubkavich and suitably light yet frantic action scenes from Dogan.

Since we’re talking about girls – Whiteout. I saw the Kate Becksinale starring film recently and it wasn’t as bad as the critics led me to believe. Based on the 1998 Oni Press OGN from Greg Rucka and Steve Lieber, it tells of a U.S Marshall trying to solve the first murder in Antarctica before a deadly storm crashes on their doorstep. It’s a bit long and not full of surprises, and there a few changes from the book, but it was entertaining enough. Kinda like 30 Days of Night without the bloodsuckers.

March 14, 2010
Categories: Movies, New To Comics?, Reviews . Tags: , . Author: Kris Bather . Comments: Leave a comment

78 Planets, 7 Psychopaths And 1 Duck

BOOM! Studios have got to be one of the busiest indie publishers out there. Thankfully, their quality is consistently good. Now, here’s 3 new press releases spotlighting something for everyone.

THE AMORY WARS: IN KEEPING SECRETS OF SILENT EARTH: 3, 12-ISSUE MAXI-SERIES REVEALS THE SECRETS BEHIND COHEED AND CAMBRIA’S BIGGEST-SELLING EPIC ALBUM THIS MAY FROM BOOM! STUDIOS

PETER DAVID JOINS CLAUDIO SANCHEZ FOR THE NEXT CHAPTER OF THIS BESTSELLING SCI-FI SERIES!

GET CAUGHT UP! THE AMORY WARS: ULTIMATE EDITION HC COLLECTS FIRST TWO TRADES INCLUDING NEVER-BEFORE-SEEN MATERIAL

BOTH COMIC AND TRADE COME ON THE HEELS OF COHEED AND CAMBRIA’S NEW ALBUM YEAR OF THE BLACK RAINBOW THIS APRIL

THE AMORY WARS comic book returns this May, now from BOOM! Studios! Don’t miss the next chapter of the Coheed & Cambria mythos, straight from the band’s lead singer, Claudio Sanchez (KILL AUDIO) and now joined by legendary comic book writer Peter David (THE DARK TOWER: THE LONG ROAD HOME, SHE-HULK) with THE AMORY WARS: IN KEEPING SECRETS OF SILENT EARTH: 3 #1 this May.

Fans who missed the first go round have no excuse not to get caught up, as BOOM! Studios presents THE AMORY WARS: ULTIMATE EDITION HC collecting the first two trades, including never-before-seen material.

Both the new THE AMORY WARS comic series and hardcover come on the heels of COHEED AND CAMBRIA’s new album YEAR OF THE BLACK RAINBOW this April, co-released with a novel of the same name, also written by Sanchez and David.

“Working with Claudio has been an absolute revelation in terms of Coheed and Cambria’s popularity,” said AMORY WARS co-writer Peter David. “I cannot tell you the number of times I’ve encountered people who don’t read “X-Factor,” never heard of “Fallen Angel,” but I mention that I’m working with Claudio and they instantly declare their undying love for all things C&C. They start rattling off titles, song lyrics, and they absolutely cannot wait to get their hands on the next installment of Claudio’s epic science fiction vision. For those fans who have been waiting years for this new comic series, the wait is over. For anyone who’s going to be entering Claudio’s world for the first time, welcome to Heaven’s Fence.”

“I know fans have been waiting for this story for years,” said Coheed and Cambria lead singer and AMORY WARS writer Claudio Sanchez. “I’m excited about partnering with Peter David and BOOM! Studios to finally get this story out of my head and into your hands.”

THE AMORY WARS tells the story of Claudio Kilgannon, son of Coheed and Cambria, the subjects of a privately developed anti-terrorist unit. The insidious Supreme Tri-mage Wilhelm Ryan, self-proclaimed ruler of Heaven’s Fence a network of 78 planets, sets forth to decimate those that could stand in his way, which include Coheed, Cambria and their children. Claudio must discover his role in this galactic turmoil and come to terms with his own growth in worlds that are always changing. THE AMORY WARS is the story behind the band Coheed and Cambria’s music, and fans have tried to unlock the true course of events encrypted in the lyrics since the band first debuted.

The complete SECOND STAGE TURBINE BLADE saga will be collected in THE AMORY WARS ULTIMATE EDITION, also released in May, and is perfect for fans to get caught up on the story behind the band’s music. This release is also timed to coincide with the April release of Coheed and Cambria’s newest album, YEAR OF THE BLACK RAINBOW. THE AMORY WARS ULTIMATE EDITION HC is priced at $29.99.

THE AMORY WARS: IN KEEPING SECRETS OF SILENT EARTH: 3 #1 hits shelves in May, featuring covers by Tim Bradstreet and Scott Keating, a 1-in-10 incentive cover, and interior art by Chris Burnham. THE AMORY WARS: IN KEEPING SECRETS OF SILENT EARTH: 3 #1 is $3.99.

A NEW MINI-SERIES  FROM CRIMINAL CO-CONSPIRATOR SEAN PHILLIPS!

7 MEN. 1 IMPOSSIBLE MISSION. ASSASSINATE HITLER!

This May BOOM! Studios brings you a World War II epic like no other with 7 PSYCHOPATHS, written by Fabien Vehlmann and interior art by CRIMINAL co-conspirator Sean Phillips.

With World War II in full swing, there’s only one way to draw the war to a quick end: kill Hitler. But who would be insane enough to try? One person knows just the men to do it. Insane? Psychotic? Mad? Call them what you will, but the 7 PSYCHOPATHS are now the only hope the world has!

“7 PSYCHOPATHS is probably the most difficult story I’ve ever drawn,” said 7 PSYCHOPATHS artist Sean Phillips. “Nine or ten panel pages, having to find reference for everything I had to draw, drawing a type of story I’d never tackled before, it was hard work. Many times I wondered if it was worth the effort. Then I started to receive jpegs of Hubert’s coloured pages, and it was definitely worth it. He’s made it look like a book drawn by someone who knew what he was doing! It seemed as if I could do Fabien’s great story justice after all.”

7 PSYCHOPATHS #1 hits shelves in May, is written by Fabien Vehlmann and features cover and interior art by Sean Phillips. Cover price for 7 PSYCHOPATHS #1 is $3.99.

BOOM! STUDIOS GETS DANGEROUS WITH DARKWING DUCK

A BRAND-NEW MINI-SERIES FROM DISNEY AND BOOM! STUDIOS COMING THIS JUNE!

YOU DEMANDED IT! WE DELIVER!

He is the terror that flaps in the night. He is the super-hero that is about to make his return. He is…DARKWING DUCK! This June, Disney and BOOM! Studios herald the triumphant comeback of the beloved Disney Afternoon star with DARKWING DUCK: THE DUCK KNIGHT RETURNS. Lanchpad McQuack, Gosalyn Mallard, and the fiercest of Darkwing’s rogue gallery all join the daring duck of mystery in an all-new, completely original four-issue mini-series: DARKWING DUCK: THE DUCK KNIGHT RETURNS!

Whether you’re a Darkwing fan from the hit TV show or want to discover this cherished character for the first time, this new mini-series delivers all the madcap adventurous spirit that made a fan out of millions!

Written by Ian Brill (ZOMBIE TALES) and James Silvani (MUPPET KING ARTHUR), the mini-series sees Darkwing’s city of St. Canard under the control of a mysterious corporation. Darkwing’s been out of commission for a while but when his friends and family are under attack…you better watch out you bad boys! Darkwing fights new villains as well as old, for Megavolt, Quackerjack, Liquidator and Bushroot are on the loose!

“It’s such a dream to bring back Darkwing, a favorite of mine and millions of other’s,” says series writer Brill. “Everyone involved in this book are working tirelessly to make sure this comic has the same feel of anarchic fun of the TV series, while still presenting a whole new adventure in the life of Darkwing.”

Debuting in 1991 as a spin-off of the hugely popular DUCK TALES, DARKWING DUCK brought super-hero action and excitement to the Disney Afternoon animation block, captivating viewers for years. Shown around the world, DARKWING DUCK is still a fan-favorite of pop culture fans everywhere.

DARKWING DUCK: THE DUCK KNIGHT RETURNS #1 is written by Ian Brill with interior art by James Silvani. The debut issues features two covers in a 50/50 split by Magic Eye Studios and Silvani respectively and a 1-in-10 incentive cover by Silvani and Jake Myler.

March 14, 2010
Categories: New To Comics?, News . Tags: . Author: Kris Bather . Comments: 1 Comment

Chuck Norris Is 70?!

Yep, the world’s most powerful beard (with George Lucas a close second) was born on March 10, 1940. In celebration of such a momentous occasion, here’s the man himself talking to Empire about his own films, in which he discusses eating rats, being a baddie in China and doubting Arnie’s potential as a cinematic champion (“A movie star? You can hardly speak English!). Of course, any mention of Chuck must include the timeless favourites of the Chuck Norris Facts, such as:

Chuck Norris can slam a revolving door.

Chuck Norris can set ants on fire with a magnifying glass. At night.

Some people wear Superman pajamas. Superman wears Chuck Norris pajamas.

Classic, and you can even get your faves printed on a shirt to celebrate the master of the roundhouse kick to the face.

March 13, 2010
Categories: News . Tags: . Author: Kris Bather . Comments: 2 Comments

Ultimate Comics X #2 Preview

The premiere ish of this new Ultimate Universe-set series was great. Now, here’s a preview of the second issue, below the official synopsis. Ultimate Comics X #2 hits stands on April 7.

Marvel is proud to unveil your first look inside Ultimate Comics X #2, the series that’s redefining the Ultimate Comics Universe! Superstars Jeph Loeb and Arthur Adams continue their gripping story, answering the question everyone’s asking—who, or what, is Ultimate X?

Ultimate Comics X has critics raving:

“This is the archetypical comic story that some readers will one day point back to and say, ‘That was the single greatest issue I ever read.’…Adams turns in phenomenally detailed yet buoyantly composed art as only Arthur Adams can deliver it”- Doug Zawisza, ComicBookResources.Com

“The book lives up to its opening promise of a more hopeful and optimistic story, providing a very human character portrait of a new Ultimate character”—Dave Wallace, ComicsBulletin.Com

“This is Loeb at the top of his game”—Lee Newman, BrokenFrontier.Com

“I enjoyed it…It’s cool to see an alternate universe in which anything can happen and now it finally does.”– Chad Derdowski, Mania.Com

What’s the mystery behind Ultimate X? More answers arrive in Ultimate Comics X #2!

March 11, 2010
Categories: Comic Art . Tags: . Author: Kris Bather . Comments: Leave a comment

Tron Legacy Trailer

Thanks to my mate Mladen who gave me the heads up on this, and here’s me lazily linking to his post on his own love affair with the film. It’s a great looking trailer for the sequel to the 1982 film, which opens in December and will now star an Oscar winner thanks to original star Jeff Bridges.

I love the pared back simplicity of it all, which mirrors the original’s look. Too many sci-fi films these days are bombastic and colourful. This is a bold move, but so far, anticipation is high.

March 10, 2010
Categories: Movies . Tags: , . Author: Kris Bather . Comments: Leave a comment

Superman: Remade

Writer Warren Ellis’ popular site has a challenge to its many readers, and this is it:

So here’s the deal:

You are an artist/designer. You have to put together the cover for a comic called SUPERMAN. It is issue 1 of this book.

You have been told that Superman is a man who dresses predominantly in a shade of blue, and wears a red S symbol. You know nothing else about the character.

The cover must include a logo and the text THE COMPLETE STORY OF THE DARING EXPLOITS OF THE ONE AND ONLY SUPERMAN.

And that’s it.

It’s up to you what kind of company you’re at. What kind of comics you make. How you translate that description of Superman. What era you’re in. Who you are, even. Go nuts with it.

What a great idea. There’s some absolutely awesome pieces and it’s certainly worth going through the pages to see them all. Below are some of my faves.

March 10, 2010
Categories: Art, New To Comics?, News . Tags: , . Author: Kris Bather . Comments: Leave a comment

Hulk: Let The Battle Begin #1 Review

As faithfully and thoroughly documented by Rich Johnston over at Bleeding Cool, it’s been an emotional rollercoaster for comics fans hoping for a few very cheap Marvel TPBs from Amazon. As many of us discovered – yep, it was too good to be true. However, the beauty of being a loyal fanboy or girl is that every week holds the promise of some outstanding new comics, and this little puppy is one of them.

Jesse Blaze Snider continues to prove his skill as a scribe with his pulse on the core of the characters he writes. Dark romance with Vertigo’s Dead Romeo series, the playful cast in BOOM!’s Toy Story and now his great tale in this Hulk one-shot. The guy knows what he’s doing and obviously spends quality time thinking about the specific traits of the characters he’s writing. As anyone who’s enjoyed Toy Story (his 2nd issue is also out this week) already knows, Snider has quite the knack for bringing out the authentic personalities of each of the toys, even if they only utter a few sentences. Likewise, this standalone adventure starring the Green Goliath feels like a purpose built Hulk story, rather than just a bland tale featuring a brute who smashes tanks. Snider brings to play the humanity of Bruce Banner and the rampaging might of his emerald alter ego with equal aplomb.

In the first two pages of Let The Battle Begin, we are given one familiar Hulk element with his “stupid purple pants,” and a new element that makes perfect sense for a rational scientist (a small survival kit in those same pants) as Banner wakes up post-Hulk in the middle of a desert. I should point out that this tale is set sometime in the past, as Hulk’s simplistic threats, and Thor in his old duds reveals. As Banner hitchhikes to the nearest town as part of the post-Hulk routine he’s done many times before, we are given flashbacks to unveil just what went down the previous day. Basically – a massive brawl with The Wrecking Crew in the battleground of Mt. Rushmore. Snider paces it very well, and throws in some surprising humour so that it makes the kind of Hulk fight we’ve seen so many times before appear refreshing and wholeheartedly enjoyable. With hitting with sticks, jokes about haircuts and groin grabbing it’s a great sequence that never comes across as silly or irreverent. In fact Snider boils down the essence of Banner wonderfully, as the captions of his inner thoughts show, as Banner has conversations with the townspeople and just tries to live a normal life. He applies the same focused analysis of Banner’s other side (y’know, the green one) that makes this a superb entry level adventure for the Hulk curious. Within just a few pages Snider sums up the complexities of Banner/Hulk in a way I haven’t seen since Peter David wrestled with Ol’ Greenskin.

Snider isn’t alone on this tale though, and artist Steve Kurth matches the plot with some great images. A slightly sketchy style similar to Bryan Hitch’s, Kurth’s grasp of facial expressions is bordering on masterful. There are a few misshapen missteps, but generally he tackles the pages with ferocity and humanity. Banner’s messy hair, the enthusiasm of a Hulk fan/hotel clerk and the confidence that drips away from Thor’s bloodied face are all great touches in this hectic day-in-the-life-of Hulk tale. There are a few close ups that appear like snapshots, brimming with honest emotion.

Also included is a short story written by Mark Parsons and Tom Cohen that originally appeared in Marvel Comics Presents #9. With art by Ed McGuiness it of course looks brilliant, even if Kelsey Shannon’s colours take a while to get used to seeing over the monstrous McGuiness style. Excellently titled Gamaragnarok it focuses on the harsh world of the future Hulk, Maestro. It’s very different from the preceding pages, with its serious story of war, but it sure looks pretty.

March 10, 2010
Categories: New To Comics?, Reviews . Tags: , , . Author: Kris Bather . Comments: 2 Comments

Fantagraphics Does Manga

Press release below regarding even more diversity from the fine folks at Fantagraphics.

Here Comes The Son

Fantagraphics Starts A Manga Line

After years of development, Fantagraphics is unveiling a new line of manga. Kicking things off in September 2010 is a collection of short stories from the mother of shōjo (young girl) manga, Moto Hagio. Next, is a multi-volume series from the GLBT manga-ka Shimura Takako. Each book will be released in hardcover form, keeping the original “right to left” manga style for a deluxe, yet authentic reading experience.

The first book, entitled Drunken Dream, is a collection of short stories by Hagio falling into multiple genres created between 1971-2007. This tome travels through several of Hagio’s most revolutionary and poignant tales that span over the years of her lush career.

In December 2010, comes one of the defining transgendered-centric manga, Wandering Son. Shimura Takako’s ongoing series follows two young friends, Shuichi and Yoshino.  These 5th graders struggle with only not puberty, but also severe identity issues; Shichi is a boy who wants to be a girl, and Yoshino is a girl who wants to be a boy. The two find solace in their mutual confusion and help each other cope with their gender frustration while embarking on the complicated journey of growing up.

To celebrate the launch of the new Fantagraphics manga, Moto Hagio is making her first ever visit to The United States to attend Comic-Con International 2010 as a special guest. More details on a speaking event and panel at The Con will be available soon.

Moto Hagio spearheaded the rebellious shōjo in the 1970’s.  She, along with a few other women, formed an artist collective called the “Magnificent 24.”  Influenced by radical youth culture of the 60’s, American and British rock ‘n’ roll, and European cinema, these women pioneered shōjo and helped develop the style that so most manga-ka emulated today. Winner of the Shogakukan Manga Award, Seiun Award, Osamu Tezuka Cultural Prize, Nihon SF Taisho Award and many others, Hagio has earned respect as a Japanese artist superstar and won the hearts of manga fans for the last 40 years.

Shimura Takako is a female manga creator living in Tokyo. Her focus on GLBT issues places her work in a space that’s rocked out by The Gossip and on par with Alison Bechdel. Several of Takako books have been honored with recommendations from the prestigious Japan Media Arts Festival.

March 9, 2010
Categories: New To Comics?, News . Tags: , . Author: Kris Bather . Comments: Leave a comment

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