News by glenn-hauman at ComicMix

Articles by glenn-hauman

Displaying 121-135 of 1172

Thu Aug 13, 2009 — by Glenn Hauman

John Ostrander Benefit raises over $31,000, and counting...

“The Comix4Sight.com benefit for comics veteran John Ostrander has raised $31,322.00 thus far,” committee co-chairperson Mike Gold revealed today. “And we still have more than 100 great pieces of original art, signed books and prints, and manuscripts to auction off!”

“Contributions are continuing to pour in, even after the benefit at the Chicago Comic-Con,” program coordinator Adriane Nash stated. “In the past several days, we’ve received material from Paul Gulacy, Jason Owen, golden age great Fran Matera, the cast of The Simpsons, and so much more.”

“The auction held last week at the Chicago Comic-Con raised half the current total in about two hours,” Nash continued. “We wouldn’t have had time to present everything if we had all night.

“Details about the upcoming auctions, including a full schedule of sales, will be posted online at www.comix4sight.com beginning Wednesday August 19th. As we’ve stated, we will donate any excess revenue to other comics professionals suffering from major vision issues or to The Hero Initiative, whose help and assistance has been critical to our success,” Nash concluded.

A 27-year veteran of the comics field, Ostrander is undergoing a series of operations and medical treatments to fight off blindness and glaucoma. “The response from the entire comics community has been overwhelming,” Gold noted. “The cost of these John’s procedures has been through the roof and are only partially covered by insurance.”

The Comix4Sight.com committee includes Nash, Gold, writer Gail Simone, and getthepointradio.com’s Mike and Kai Raub. Auctioneers included WGN-AM radio news director Charlie Meyerson, artist Hilary Barta, comics/movie attorney Ken Levin, and yours truly. Monetary contributions are also gratefully accepted by check or through PayPal at Comix4Sight.com. Individuals and corporations interested in making contributions should send them to:

Mike Gold and Adriane Nash
arrogantMGMS
304 Main Avenue, #194
Norwalk, CT 06851

A full list of contributors will be posted at Comix4Sight.com.

Permalink Comments (0)

Thu Aug 13, 2009 — by Glenn Hauman

Les Paul: 1915-2009

(CNN) -- Les Paul, whose innovations with the electric guitar and studio technology made him one of the most important figures in recorded music, has died, according to a statement from his publicists. Paul was 94.

Paul died in White Plains, New York, from complications of severe pneumonia, according to the statement.
Paul was a guitar and electronics mastermind whose creations -- such as multitrack recording, tape delay and the solid-body guitar that bears his name, the Gibson Les Paul -- helped give rise to modern popular music, including rock 'n' roll. No slouch on the guitar himself, he continued playing at clubs into his 90s despite being hampered by arthritis.
"If you only have two fingers [to work with], you have to think, how will you play that chord?" he told CNN.com in a 2002 phone interview. "So you think of how to replace that chord with several notes, and it gives the illusion of sounding like a chord."
"The world has lost a truly innovative and exceptional human being today. I cannot imagine life without Les Paul," said Henry Juszkiewicz, Chairman and CEO of Gibson Guitar. "He would walk into a room and put a smile on anyone's face. His musical charm was extraordinary and his techniques unmatched anywhere in the world."

I had the privilege of seeing him perform live-- he was doing that for years, playing in a jazz club in New York once a week, giving unlabeled and almost unheralded master classes on how to create. Yeah, people would pony up big bucks to see Eddie Van Halen or Jimmy Page or the latest flash in the pan, but here was the guy who had been playing the electric guitar longer than anyone, by definition.

It's hard to thnk of someone in comics who was at the level of Les Paul was for creating new technology and ways to tell stories. Steranko is about as close as I get. Who's your nominee?

Permalink Comments (1)

Wed Aug 12, 2009 — by Glenn Hauman

Subtle reminder: 'GrimJack: The Manx Cat' #1 on sale today

Available in finer comic book stores everywhere, GrimJack: The Manx Cat #1 from John Ostrander, Timothy Truman, John Workman, and Lovern Kindzierski. Only $3.99 for 26 pages of story and art. Remember: the more copies you buy, the sooner we get to work on the next one.

Continue reading Subtle reminder: 'GrimJack: The Manx Cat' #1 on sale today ›

Permalink Comments (2)

Tue Aug 11, 2009 — by Glenn Hauman

Zatanna at the Ostrander Comic-Con Auction by Gene Ha

If you didn't make it to the Comix4Sight benefit auction for John Ostrander, you missed the added incentive of having the lovely Kathy displaying the items up for auction, while dressed in a Zatanna costume.

Luckily for you, Gene Ha was there and recorded the activity as only he could.

And before you ask-- no, she's engaged. And if you try anything, I will be forced to hurt you. (For your own good, you understand-- her fiancee would kill you.)

Yes, more art will be up for auction soon.

No, she's only displaying a few pieces that are still up for auction.

UPDATE: No, even we can't hire her. She has an exclusive contract with Unshaven Comics, who volunteered their time and effort to help out with the auction.

Permalink Comments (8)