Articles by rick-marshall
Fri Jun 13, 2008 — by Rick Marshall
Foo Fighters to Develop 'The Amazing Joy Buzzards' Music?
Popular band could be involved in animated version of super-band series
The Amazing Joy Buzzards has been an under-the-radar favorite of mine for quite a while now, so it was nice to see the series' name appear on this week's list of releases. Apparently, Image Comics is publishing a new "director's cut" of the first volume of the superhero rock band's adventures, titled "Here Come the Spiders."
Matt Brady has posted an interview with Mark Andrew Smith and Dan Hipp, who write and provide the art for the series, respectively.
During the interview, Smith drops this piece of information that made me even more fond of the series -- and its (potential) future:
We're always quiet on what the Amazing Joy Buzzards sound like because every reader plugs their own favorite band into the spot. But soon we might have an Amazing Joy Buzzards cartoon in the works with the Foo Fighters involved developing their sound so eventually for film and animation they will actually have a sound if all goes well.
Foo Fighters, eh? Here's the part when I say, "Rock on."
For the rest of the interview, head over to Brady's website.
[UPDATE - June 19, 2008: Mark Andrew Smith recently contacted ComicMix to clarify that nothing is finalized regarding the Foo Fighters or the band's involvement with anything related to Amazing Joy Buzzards. The text of the interview on Matt Brady's website has been edited to remove any reference to the band's involvement, as the terms of any agreement with Foo Fighters or other entities are still under discussion. We have preserved the excerpt of the original interview here, in the interest of maintaining transparency. -RM]
Fri Jun 13, 2008 — by Rick Marshall
Webcomic News Roundup: Garfield Hearts PvP, She-Hulk Has Powerful Lady Parts
Say it with your best 'quiet voice,' folks...
The post-event reports from the MoCCA Art Festival are finally starting to dwindle, but in case you missed my Day One and Day Two reports, go back and check them out for a few earlier bits of news from the digital side of the comics world.
Here are a few more items of note from the week's webcomics scene:
Fleen's Gary Tyrrell has posted his exceptionally comprehensive MoCCA report, which covers a lot of ground in and around the online comics community. He's also posted a nice gallery of photos from the event, including this great shot of Octopus Pie creator Meredith Gran that illustrates the proper way to stretch every few hours during a show. Unfortunately, some guy ruined one of the last photos he posted.
Over at Diesel Sweeties, Rich Stevens recently contemplated the perils of sexing up She-Hulk. *owch*
I broke the solo format with my weekly webcomic interviews this time around, and asked some questions of the pair of talented creators behind A Softer World, Joey Comeau and Emily Horne. They had some great answers, too.
Continue reading Webcomic News Roundup: Garfield Hearts PvP, She-Hulk Has Powerful Lady Parts ›
Thu Jun 12, 2008 — by Rick Marshall
Video: David Tennant Talks 'Doctor Who' and 'Hamlet'
The Doctor travels through his own professional timeline in BBC video interview
In a recent video interview with the BBC, Doctor Who's David Tennant chatted up Andrew Marre about the hit science-fiction series, his breakthrough role on Taking Over the Asylum and his upcoming turn as Hamlet.
I've embedded the full Andrew Marre episode below, but you can watch a higher-resolution version focused on the Tennant portion of the show, over at BBC News.
(semi-via LitG)
Thu Jun 12, 2008 — by Rick Marshall
Free Download of 'The Middleman' Pilot Episode
Javier Grillo-Marxuach series finally hits the screen... and iTunes.
For those of you who are iTunes-enabled, the first episode of the new ABC Family series The Middleman, based on a comic book series by former Lost writer and producer Javier Grillo-Marxuach, is currently available as a free download. The series premieres this Monday, June 16, at 8 PM on ABC.
The episode will only be available for a limited time, so make it a point to snag it as soon as you have a chance.
For those who aren't familiar with The Middleman, the series chronicles the adventures of a secret agency whose slogan is "Fighting evil so that you don't have to." The Viper Comics series was filled with well-scripted humor, crazy science-fiction gadgetry, over-the-top action and a never-ending supply of creepy-crawly tentacled things for the heroes to battle. After picking up a copy of the first volume a few years ago (there have been a total of three volumes published thus far), I became a big fan of the series -- so the news that a television adaptation was in the works was a nice surprise indeed.
Grillo-Marxuach initially conceived the story of The Middleman as a television project, but Paul Dini convinced him to kick it off as a comic. The pilot episode of the series was written by Grillo-Marxuach, who also serves as executive producer of the series.
(via beaucoupkevin)
Thu Jun 12, 2008 — by Rick Marshall
Interview: Emily Horne and Joey Comeau on 'A Softer World'
Creators of popular photo-based webcomic strive to remain unpredictable
I've been reading A Softer World off and on for the last three years, but I have a good reason for my my irregular visits to Joey Comeau and Emily Horne's photo-based webcomic.
The fact is, it's hard to predict what emotion I'm going to feel when I take the plunge into a new iteration of ASW and its text-over-photograph, three-panel world. With other comics, I can usually anticipate the laugh or, in some cases, the snark-fueled sense of satisfaction the latest strip is likely to provide. Heck, with most strips I can at least anticipate learning the next plot point in an ongoing storyline.
ASW, however, is always a gamble.
One strip can prompt hysterical laughter, while the next can only make you shiver and and wonder what the unholy hell was going on in its creators' minds when that strip was conceived. ASW can explore complex social issues one moment and the depth of depravity in the next.
The point is, I like having at least an inkling of what I'm jumping into before my feet leave the ground -- so that's why A Softer World has always been one of the more irregularly visited comics on my reading list. But I'm not too dense to realize that therein lies its appeal.
In fact, it was one of the more recent, controversial episodes of ASW, sent to me by a friend who is far more willing to suffer the emotional highs and lows of this tremendously creative series, that prompted me to roll the dice and become a regular reader once again -- and to contact its creators about this interview.
COMICMIX: With most comics, script usually comes first and art later, but you go at it in reverse with A Softer World. Can you tell me a bit about the creative process for ASW? How does a strip typically come together for you?
EMILY HORNE: When we were both in Halifax, we used to be able to be much more collaborative about it. ASW started with us taking a typewriter and a stack of photos to the all-night copy shop and making a mess of comics all at once. Now that we live on opposite sides of the continent, it's a bit more difficult. I usually make up three or four comics at a time and upload them for Joey to look at. He comes up with text for them as inspiration (and our 3x a week posting schedule) demands. If we are both online before it goes up, we'll edit together.
JOEY COMEAU: Also, it's worth noting that we try to keep the relationship between the images and text interesting and not always a literal illustration. Often times, the picture just feels like it goes with the text, even though they both seem to involve different things. Or, it's also fun to have a conflict between the two. Very serious people making very serious faces, and ridiculous text.
Continue reading Interview: Emily Horne and Joey Comeau on 'A Softer World' ›
Wed Jun 11, 2008 — by Rick Marshall
'Superbad' Writers to Script 'Simpsons' Episode
Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg to pen episode of animated series
Various sites are reporting that Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg, co-writers of the recent comedy Superbad, are currently writing an episode of The Simpsons.
Much like most deals in Hollywood, the arrangement was initiated when the pair met Simpsons producer James L. Brooks at a party, made a connection (he liked Superbad), and then the pair wound up pitching ideas to the staff of the animated series. The episode is expected to air sometime next season, and Rogen could voice one of the characters introduced in the episode.
According to Rogen:
We went in and pitched them like five ideas and surprisingly hadn’t done some of them. And we all kind of settled on one in the meeting and then we went out and wrote an outline and they gave us notes on it.
(via toonzone, CelebrityCafe and somewhere in the jungle of IGN)
Wed Jun 11, 2008 — by Rick Marshall
Archie Goes Digital With 'Bronze Age' DVD-ROM
What Would Jughead Do?
Following in the footsteps of previous digital media initiatives, Archie and the crew from Riverdale will soon be making their adventures available via the ol' computer machines.
A recent press release from Archie Comics indicates that the publisher has put together a new DVD-ROM collection that will feature high-quality image files from a large number of Bronze Age Archie comics.
The specs, according to the official PR:
This includes a total of 97 comic books covering a span from February 1970 through December 1979, including annuals, all articles, and every single advertisement. All comics can be printed or viewed on your PC. The high-quality DVD-ROM is compatible with nearly every platform, including Windows 95 / Me / 98 / XP / 2000 / Vista, Mac OS X, Mac OS 9 and below, Linux, Mac OS X Intel. Purchase the Archie Bronze Age Series at your local computer software store or buy it online at http://stuffshop.archiecomics.com/arbragesedv.html
Since the Archie titles remain one of the only current series that seems to stay afloat selling in supermarket checkout lines, I have to wonder how well they'll do in the new frontier of "computer software stores." I'm not going to bet against them, though, as it seems like anything is possible with Archie.
Wed Jun 11, 2008 — by Rick Marshall
'Iron Man 2' Release Date 'Unrealistic' Says Jon Favreau
Is trouble afoot in Marvel movieland?
After Marvel Studios released a comprehensive lists of upcoming films and their release dates, Iron Man director Jon Favreau recently told fans on his MySpace page that the March 2009 scheduled start date for filming of Iron Man 2 is "unrealistic."
Apparently, Marvel Studios was a bit hasty in announcing release dates for the upcoming slate of films that, if all goes as planned, will eventually lead to a big-screen team-up involving all of the characters in The Avengers. When asked about year's time between the scheduled release of Iron Man 2 and Avengers, the director (who has also been pegged as a potential director for both of the films) said, "I was really bummed when I saw that there was only a year between the two when Marvel announced the release dates. It would be impossible to direct both."
According to Favreau:
It’s been five weeks since the one and only phone call my reps have gotten from Marvel. I know their hands are full with the Hulk and I’m sure they will get into it shortly, as they tell me they intend to. I ran into the Marvel guys at the Hulk premiere and everyone sounded eager to get to work on IM2.
I am concerned, however, about the announced release date of April 2010. Neither Robert nor I were consulted about this and we are both concerned about how realistic the date is in light of the fact that we have no script, story or even writers hired yet. This genre of movie is best when it is done thoughtfully and with plenty of preparation. It might be better to follow the BB/DK, X/X2 three year release pattern than to scramble for a date. It is difficult because there are no Marvel 09 releases and they need product, but I also think we owe it to the fans to have a great version of IM2 and, at this point, we would have less time to make it than the first one.
Owch.
Wed Jun 11, 2008 — by Rick Marshall
Thomas Scioli on Gødland, Day Jobs and Joe Casey
Award-winning artist chats about the end of one series and beginning of another...
Over at The Comics Reporter, Tom Spurgeon has been conducting a great series of weekly interviews that, for no good reason whatsoever, I've been neglecting to point out here on ComicMix. It's time to change that.
His most recent interview, with Gødland co-creator and artist Thomas Scioli, was a real gem. Much like Spurgeon, I'm not very familiar with Scioli himself, but I've enjoyed the way he's channeled Jack Kirby in Gødland ever since I came across the first issue. However, despite the critical praise the series received, Casey and Scioli recently announced that Gødland would end with issue #36.
Spurgeon has a frank chat with the award-winning artist about Gødland, the reasons behind its cancellation, the collaborative process and what he has planned for the future.
Here, Scioli discusses one of the conditions that led to the series' termination:
The collections did a lot better than the single issues. The first collection was far and away the most successful book. Most of my earnings from this series are from that single volume. Before this series came out, I had a lot of assumptions about what would sell, and I was pretty much wrong. I thought that there was more of a hunger for this type of material. I know this is the kind of comic I'd like to see more of. Maybe my expectations were too high, though. I mean it is the most successful thing I've ever been involved in. We sold a lot of comics, relatively speaking, but the number you need to consistently sell to really make a go of it is awfully high.
The main frustration is that I wish there was more room for us. It's crowded out there. I kept hearing from people who couldn't get a certain issue because their store sold out of it, or they ordered it but it never showed up at their store. Hearing that kind of thing makes me crazy.
Head over to The Comics Reporter for the full interview, and be sure to check back there every Sunday for more of Spurgeon's interviews.
Tue Jun 10, 2008 — by Rick Marshall
New 'Twilight Zone' Graphic Novels Announced
Series will make sure of original Rod Serling scripts
Earlier this year, publisher Walker Books announced that they would be adapting episodes from the classic television series The Twilight Zone into a series of graphic novels. When the announcement was first made in April, the plan was to release two episodes this September and six more in the future. Today, the publisher released the names of the rest of the episodes they'll be adapting.
According to ICv2:
In December, The Monsters are Due on Maple St. from Season 1 and The Odyssey of Flight 33 from Season 2 will be released.
Spring 2009 will see The Midnight Sun and Deaths-Head Revisited, both from Season 3.
And in Fall 2009, Walker will release The Big Tall Wish from Season 1 and Will the Real Martian Please Stand Up from Season 2.
For those who might have missed the initial announcement, Mark Kneece will be adapting the books from original scripts written by Twilight Zone creator Rod Serling. The 72-page, full-color projects will be illustrated by students from the Savannah College of Art and Design's Sequential Arts Program. The books will retail for $9.99, which seems like a good deal if the projects turn out well.
The first two episodes hitting shelves will be "Walking Distance" and "The After Hours" -- with the former holding a special significance in Serling's life, according to ICv2:
Walking Distance, which is illustrated by Dove McHargue, is one of the most personal of all Serling's scripts for The Twilight Zone. It revolves around Martin Sloan, a successful middle-aged man who attempts to re-enter the world of his childhood, (which is based on Serling's hometown of Binghampton, New York).
(Yes, I know they mispelled "Binghamton." But the books look pretty interesting, eh?)
Tue Jun 10, 2008 — by Rick Marshall
'Incredible Hulk' Countdown Roundup
There's a lot of green on the scene these days...
With the release of The Incredible Hulk looming, there have been a few items of note hitting the 'Net that might be worth, well... noting. While I could probably re-write that sentence to make it read a little better, I think it fits in well with the overall Hulk vibe, which seems to go something like this:
HULK SMASH YOUR PUNY GRAMMAR!
Over at Marvel.com, The Incredible Hulk Smash game is a free, online game in which you play as the Hulk and try to smash everything in sight -- which consists of buildings, taxis and military vehicles. Apparently, Hulk really hates taxis. While I understand the whole "power-up" and "super smash" abilities, I'm not quite sure I understand why Hulk is also able to freeze time in this game. But anyways...
Did anyone catch the "Hulk Up" episode of American Gladiators last night? I missed it, but I'd love to hear how that cross-promotion turned out. It was a nice idea, so I'm curious about viewer reaction. At least one reviewer wasn't impressed. Anyone else have an opinion? Is anyone who reads ComicMix watching American Gladiators?
Feeling a bit nostalgic for the old Hulk television series? SciFi Channel is currently running a marathon of the series, with 10 episodes airing each day until Friday's film release.
Oh, and on a completely unrelated-to-the-movie but Hulk-related all the same, I wonder if the Elias Hulk album "Unchained" is feeling the effects of all the Hulk mania. Just check out that excellent, semi-NSFW album cover!
Be sure to keep an eye on ComicMix this week for our special ComicMix TV video interviews with the people behind The Incredible Hulk, as well as our review of the film later this week.
Tue Jun 10, 2008 — by Rick Marshall
Iron Man, Hurley and a Gay Dalek
Artist Daryl Cunningham covers all the pop culture bases
Michael Pinto at Fanboy.com recently directed me to this Flickr set posted by artist Daryl Cunningham. There's some great use of color in Cunningham's work, and I can't help but love the pop culture inspiration. Heck, there's a bit of DC, a bit of Doctor Who and even some Lost mixed in there.
Here's one example, with a few more after the jump:
Mon Jun 9, 2008 — by Rick Marshall
MoCCA Recap: Day Two - Fire! Smoke! Sellouts and Links!
Fire alarm? I thought someone was the 1,000th customer...
Day Two at the MoCCA Art Festival was... an experience.
Except for the few moments when the possibility of dying via fiery inferno was an issue, much of the day felt as if I was slogging through a sweaty, soupy mess thanks to the outdoor conditions and the exhaustion from the previous day (which I detailed in my MoCCA: Day One Recap).
As ComicMix's Elayne Riggs pointed out earlier today, the forced evacuation of the Puck Building generated quite a buzz as attendees, guests and staff were asked to leave the building (and its air conditioners) while emergency personnel did their thing. (On a side note, for a comprehensive look at exactly what "doing their thing" meant for the emergency crews, check out Fleen's MoCCA Emergency '08 report.)
Okay, confession time: When the fire alarm first started ringing, I honestly thought somebody in the room had won something... and according to a few reliable sources, I started clapping.
Apparently, all the bells, whistles and sirens I've been exposed to over the last few years at larger conventions have succeeded in reversing decades of training regarding what to do when I hear an alarm. Nevertheless, it looks like I won't die alone.
Continue reading MoCCA Recap: Day Two - Fire! Smoke! Sellouts and Links! ›
Mon Jun 9, 2008 — by Rick Marshall
Doctor Who in Review: Season Four, Episode #6 - The Doctor's Daughter
It's 'bring your daughter to work' day in this week's episode!
The hit BBC series Doctor Who
Every week, we'll have our best Who-philes go through the most recent episode with a fine-tooth comb (or whatever the "sonic screwdriver" equivalent might be) and call out all of the continuity checks, names dropped and storyline hints we can find to keep in mind for future episodes. We'll post our analysis each Monday, so you have ample time to check out the episode once it airs each Friday at 9 PM EST on Sci-Fi Channel before reading our review.
Missed a week? Check out our "Doctor Who in Review" archive or check out any of the past editions of this column via the links at the end of this article.
Keep in mind, we're going to assume readers have already watched the episode when we put fingers to keyboard and come up with our roundup of important plot points. In other words, SPOILER ALERT!
Let's begin now, shall we?
Season Four, Episode #6: "The Doctor's Daughter"
Continue reading Doctor Who in Review: Season Four, Episode #6 - The Doctor's Daughter ›
Sun Jun 8, 2008 — by Rick Marshall
MoCCA Recap: Day One - Heat, Buzz, Star Wars and Dinosaur Comics
One day down, another to go in the hot, hot city...
With one day down, I still feel pretty good about declaring MoCCA Arts Festival my favorite comics event thus far this season.
Sure, it doesn't have the numbers or names of New York Comic Con or San Diego's Comic-Con International, but it also doesn't have 100,000 people vying for seats in 1,000-chair auditoriums and competing, mind-numbingly overpowered loudpseakers at every other booth. What it does have, however, is a great opportunity to actually meet, greet and have an honest-to-goodness conversation with professionals at every level of the industry.
So how did the first day go?
Well, I arrived a few hours after the doors opened to the show -- just about the time the weather outside turned from "oppressive" to "unbearable," but before the transition to "stay the hell inside at all costs" occurred. After bumping into Fleen.com's Gary Tyrrell, the main mustache himself took me on a whirlwind tour of the show, culminating with my purchase of Harvest Is When I Need You The Most, the Star Wars fanbook featuring the work of eight cartoonists paying homage to the film franchise. The Harvest crew had only brought 50 with them to the show, and I believe I purchased one of the last dozen-or-so remaining.
Continue reading MoCCA Recap: Day One - Heat, Buzz, Star Wars and Dinosaur Comics ›
