Based on numerous recommendations from GWCers I’ve torn into Alan Moore’s Watchmen. Even though I’m only two chapters/issues in, it’s amazing how much popular sci-fi/comic culture draws from this story and the way it’s presented. It’s gritty, ugly, and often uncomfortable to read, but I can already tell that it’s going to give me new insight into the other material I consume.
I also recently jumped into both early and late Star Wars tales in the form of the 125-years-post-Episode-IV Legacy series and the thousands-of-years-earlier Knights of the Old Republic. Incredibly, I’ve never been exposed to the “greater” Star Wars universe, except through a two-year ongoing explanation from Sean. It’s great to see the story in vivid art now, too.
Thanks again for the recommendations, everyone. And I totally look forward to discussing these with you soon!
It’s been a banner day for superheroes over on Ain’t It Cool News today. Here’s a summary. Today they posted:
- Hulk and Wolverine pics from Empire magazine
- News that the Justice League flick is back on track for a 2009 release, with casting information (including Adam Brody as Flash and Common as Green Lantern)
- And “a long-but-facinating interview with the folks behind the new 8-CD box set of Superman scores.”
Enjoy.
Danielle Leigh has written two interesting columns for Comics Should Be Good outlining her take on the state of manga in America, suggesting that the import simply won’t survive without expanding to include more adult subject matter that doesn’t include pornography. She makes a couple of very valid points — there’s manga targeting virtually every age group in every manner available for import, and though many fans may disagree, comics and manga need not be mutually exclusive — but she definitely steps on a few toes in the process.
Regardless of how you feel about manga, this is a really interesting read. And if you’re not familiar with manga, her columns (along with the comments they draw) might help explain the genre a bit.
Of course, our friends over at Wired put together a kick-ass introduction to manga which served as the cover story of issue 15.11. Anyone interested in jumping into this great art form should grab a back issue, or at least check out the sweet manga they created that explains the art — with art. It’s a downloadable PDF, and it’s free.
(Thanks, bluemodern, for the great CC-licensed photo.)
Manga Before Flowers, Part 1 [Comics Should Be Good]
Manga Before Flowers, Part 2 [Comics Should Be Good]
GWCers have recommended the Star Wars Legacy comics, and considering that the folks at Dark Horse are shipping the first issue of a new story arc today, now’s a great time to jump in and check ‘em out. According to our friends over at Rebelscum.com, the new arc focuses on “the adventures of outlaw Admiral Gar Stazi, who has led the remains of the Galactic Alliance in hit-and-run operations against the Sith-led Empire.”
I’m in.
Note: The ‘scum also noted that the ’08 Wave 1 Star Wars figures are on shelves. Avid collectors, start your engines.
Dark Horse On Sale Today [Rebelscum.com]
San Francisco’s all alight with the wonders of WonderCon this weekend, and not to be left out, Chronicle writer Peter Hartlaub published his list of eight comics he recommends you read before you die. I know GWCers will agree with at least a few of these. Read on past the jump for his list.
If you’re looking for some unique comic culture, swing by the West Valley Art Museum in Surprise, AZ — a Phoenix suburb — before March 16th. They’re hosting a display of vintage Mexican comics belonging to local avid collector Russ Todd.
Stephen Fishler of Metropolis Collectibles is on CNN today explaining how collecting comics — and vintage movie posters — might be an option for wary investors burned by the stock market. One example: Fishler owns the first comic in which Batman appeared, which sold for $0.10 in 1939, but is worth $485,000 today.
So I hear that Taylor Kitsch will be playing everyone’s favorite (or despised) Cajun — Gambit — in the new Wolverine movie. In the immortal words of Mal: “Hmpf.”
You can always recognize Gambit via his traditional garb — a long trench coat and (most of the time) a fighting staff. He can charge any solid object with energy that explodes like a plasma grenade on contact. His biggest weapon however, is his southern charm and boyish smile, which he employs at the drop of a hat.
Though many have never forgiven him for turning on the X-Men, becoming a Horseman of the Apocalypse — Death, no less — and trying to wipe out all his former colleagues, I’ve always been a Gambit fan. Sure, he has issues. But in his defense he was under mind control at the time. Plus, he does turn it around later and make it right.
This is a guy who gets caught in the middle of everything and normally is on the losing end of the battle — no matter what side he chooses. Why does he keep at it? Simply put: he loves Rogue and would do anything for her. I can respect that.
Of course, it’s a comic, so it stands to reason that the greatest lover in the Marvel world has the hots for the one chick that is physically incapable of touching anyone skin to skin. Which leaves Gambit perpetually… frustrated.
He’s also normally on the wrong side of Wolverine’s temper, so I can’t wait to see how that works out in the new movie. Think of Gambit as the yin to the yellow tights’ yang. If Logan would use brute force to resolve a situation, Gambit would charm his way through.
The upcoming movie should be interesting. Do us proud, Taylor.
When I saw today’s io9′s recall of the long (and thankfully) lost Superboy show, it reminded me of my first (and only) close encounter with the Superman franchise.
Some of Superboy was filmed at the University of Central Florida during my brief time there. In fact, someone happily edited this into UCF’s Wikipedia page recently — don’t look at me! — noting that “Superboy prominently featured the Library and Phillips Hall.” If memory serves, the library is easy to pick out because there’s a big fountain between it and the administration building, which student legend says was designed in to make it easier to defend the administrators during times of civil unrest. (Must’ve been those killer progressive-fine parking tickets.)
But the fun part was Phillips Hall. A number of my friends lived there, and they all boast crazy Superboy encounters.
My fave: imagine waking up after a serious college bender, peering bleary-eyed out your not-first-floor window to see the caped ‘boy fly by your window. Then fly by backwards. Then forward again. Eventually, curiosity bested hangover, and my friend opened her window to find out what was going on just in time to see Superboy hanging from a crane for a flying scene — and to get bitched at by the crew.
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