Articles by van-jensen
Fri Jul 25, 2008 — by Van Jensen
SDCC: Stephen King and Marvel Make Video Comics
King's unpublished story 'N' gets animated
Hot on the heels of announcements of the pseudo-animated versions of DC's Watchmen and Image's Invincible, the Wall Street Journal breaks early word that Marvel will join that game with an adaptation of an unpublished Stephen King short story.
Marvel's announcement probably will come today. The story, N, will be available in 25 installments starting next week, available for download on iTunes, Amazon and elsewhere.
It's sort of a tie-in promotion for King's new book of stories, including N, from publisher Scribner. And no one's sure what to expect:
For Scribner, the venture is a shot in the dark. There's no way of forecasting how well the videos will translate into book sales. While Scribner's corporate sibling, CBS Mobile, cites Nielsen data showing that roughly 14 million cellphone users in the U.S. pay for video services, it doesn't know how many of those people are regular book buyers. However, the links from the videos to the NisHere.com pre-ordering Web site will allow Scribner to get a sense of how many sales result from video viewings.
Mr. King is optimistic about the video's prospects. "I think they're readers," he says of likely video viewers. But he admits that the venture is "something of a test" whose outcome isn't certain.
Fri Jul 25, 2008 — by Van Jensen
SDCC: Radical Making Movie News
Three projects optioned
Comics and movies meet at Comic-Con, and this year Radical appears to be the most forward gal at the dance, so to speak.
The relatively new publishing company announced recently that a film version of its Old West action series Caliber is headed to screens with John Woo attached to direct. In balmy San Diego, they've announced another three series getting development deals.
The company has also made deals for Hercules: The Thracian Wars and the mecha book Freedom Formula. Blog@ notes:
Radical Publishing is introducing the five-issue series this week at Comic-Con, and will release the first issue in August. ...
The comic, created by Edmund Shern, is set in a future in which racing exo-suits have replaced fighter jets. The story centers on Zee, a genetically engineered racer who transforms himself into the hero of a dying city.
Fri Jul 25, 2008 — by Van Jensen
SDCC: Kevin Spacey Partners With Devil's Due
Triggerstreet looking for new comics talent
Shortly before Comic-Con started, word spread that Devil's Due was bringing a major celebrity mystery guest, who was then shortly revealed to be Kevin Spacey.
Kevin Spacey? The actor? Yep, that guy.
At Comic-Con on Thursday the sort of odd pairing was explained, which ComicMix's Chris Ullrich reports:
Devil's Due partners with triggerstreet.com to find new comics talent and hopefully get them to the big screen
Kevin Spacey (co-founder of triggerstreet.com) said when asked why they were doing this, "Because comics are taking over Hollywood"
Triggerstreet started as a site to allow aspiring filmmakers to upload content for peer review. Now you can upload comics for the same purpose (and to be discovered, I suppose). Here are their uploading guidelines, which were just posted:
* The page size should be 6.875" wide x 10.438" high.
* The page count should be a minimum of 6 and a maximum of 10.
* You may also (optionally) upload an icon / avatar
associated with your Comic. The image should be 85 pixels wide by 100 pixels tall and in GIF or JPG format.
* Your Comic should be uploaded as a .pdf file.
Fri Jul 25, 2008 — by Van Jensen
SDCC: The Marvel Panel
New projects, partnerships announced at Comic-Con
No huge news yet from Marvel in San Diego, but they did reveal a few upcoming projects at Thursday's creator-dominated panel, according to various reports.
CBR's Andy Khouri was there, and listed off the major news:
[Kevin] Grevioux and [Mat] Broome will be coming out with a new title called "Adam: Legend of the Blue Marvel." It's about a black superhero in the late '50s and early '60s, who is the most popular hero in the country -- but he wears a mask to hide his skin color. When he is revealed to the public as a black man, President Kennedy calls the Blue Marvel to the Oval Office and implores the hero to stand down so as to not disrupt the ongoing Civil Rights movement. Blue Marvel agrees and forty years later his greatest villain returns, and Blue Marvel is the only one who can stop him. The miniseries begins in November and runs six issues.
Grek Pak will write "War Machine," a new ongoing series illustrated by Leonardo Manco. The title will replace the outgoing "Iron Man: Agent of SHIELD." "You will soon see the humanity of Jim Rhodes and War Machine. The book will be HARD. CORE. Around the world, tyrants and madmen are committing the worst atrocities imaginable. Jim Rhodes is going to take on the responsibility of taking them on upon his giant rocket-equipped shoulders." The book begins in December.
Garth Ennis return to the Punisher with the weekly "Punisher- War Zone" miniseries. It's six issues and begins in December. It takes place in Ennis & Dillon's Marvel Knights run on "Punisher."
David Mack will adapt Philip K. Dick's "Electric Ant" for Marvel, with Paul Pope providing cover artwork.
Newsarama offered pretty similar coverage of the panel (and coverage of the X-Men panel), and had this note about a possible big cosmic event:
A fan complimented the cosmic books - Nova and Guardians of the Galaxy - and asked if they're going to intermingle with the rest of the Marvel Universe. McCann said there were "really big plans" for Marvel's outer space characters (and not just the ones in the aforementioned two titles), and said more will be revealed at the Secret Invasion panel Saturday.
Thu Jul 24, 2008 — by Van Jensen
SDCC: What if Grant Morrison Met Stan Lee?
Creators talk Virgin comics
Here's a bizarre bit of "Only in San Diego." Grant Morrison and Stan Lee agreed to partner on a new superhero... Let that soak in.
We'll see if anything comes of the planned partnership, which came about during a panel featuring the two creators at which they discussed their work with Virgin comics. They also talked up some existing work, including Morrison's MBX animated shorts. CBR reports:
After a short delay, the panel kicked off with a quick video -- an electronic press kit prepared by Virgin -- giving a glimpse of Grant Morrison's "MBX." "MBX," a series of animated shorts, will launch online later this year, and the video showed some behind-the-scenes footage of the motion capture technology and even a glimpse of the characters in action. The characters, based on Hindu mythology but re-imagined by Morrison for the 21st century, fought robots on what looked like a post-apocalyptic landscape. With their energy bows and laser whips, the fierce combatants held off the mechanized swarm. ...
Stan Lee, when asked what drew him back to writing comics, said it was "the idea of coming to Virgin and working with new artists on new projects. It's like the early days at Marvel to dream up something brand new. It's exciting and I can't wait to get started."
Then Lee added, "of course -- to compete with someone like this," referring to Morrison, "I wouldn't have been so eager if I had known."
Thu Jul 24, 2008 — by Van Jensen
SDCC: 'Agents of Atlas' Returns
Jeff Parker brings back funkiest Marvel team
For those who gave Jeff Parker's Agents of Atlas miniseries a shot a couple years ago, it comes as great news out of San Diego that a new ongoing A of A series is on the way.
Parker and editor Mark Pannicia shared some dirt with CBR on the new series which will show up early in 2009.
Paniccia added. "'Weird turn of events' is something readers should get used to with this book. Jeff's got quite a few 'Oh &%$@#!' moments planned."
The "Agents of Atlas" may control a global empire, but their main base of operations is currently under a California city that's quickly becoming a Mecca for Marvel heroes. "At the moment the Agents still work from the underground city below San Francisco. But the surface there just became the home to a lot of nosy mutants!" Parker explained. "So they may find it necessary to relocate soon to function without interference."
Thu Jul 24, 2008 — by Van Jensen
SDCC: Geek Chic Jumps the Shark?
Paris Hilton invades
There are no shortage of reminders of the lack of attention span in today's culture, so it shouldn't come as any surprise that there's already some murmurings that "geek chick" has "jumped the shark." At the very least, those are two phrases that are well beyond cliché.
The Hollywood Reporter gives some thought to the sentiment that this year's massive Comic-Con marks the moment the tide shifts away from all things nerdy, with the ominous mention that -- gasp! -- Paris Hilton is doing San Diego. (No, not the whole city.)
There is talk that despite the high numbers of conventiongoers, or maybe in spite of them, Comic-Con as a measure of geek cool may have reached a tipping point.
Critics are pointing to the scheduled appearances by tabloid mainstays Paris Hilton, who will join Thursday night's panel for Lionsgate's "Repo! The Genetic Opera" as well as host a party, and fellow party girl Kim Kardashian, who is supposed to hit DC Comics' party Friday night before appearing at a "Disaster Movie" panel Saturday. When Comic-Con becomes fodder for the Us Weekly crowd, has the event nuked the fridge? Folks wonder.
"This may be the 2012 of Comic-Cons," said one comic writer-turned-screenwriter, referring to the year on the Mayan calendar that signals the end of the world.
Seriously, one "writer-turned-screenwriter" (whatever the hell that means) made an off the cuff remark and now the comic book renaissance is ending?
Thu Jul 24, 2008 — by Van Jensen
SDCC: BBC America Adds 'Torchwood' Season Three
Science fiction show's return announced at Comic-Con panel
I just got an e-mail from ComicMix's Chris Ullrich, who was sitting in on a panel at Comic-Con regarding the TV show Torchwood.
Chris has an update on the show that's sure to be happy news for fans of Torchwood.
He writes:
I'm at the torchwood panel and they just announced season three was picked up by BBC America. Deal was done today.
As always, stay tuned to ComicMix for news from San Diego.
Thu Jul 24, 2008 — by Van Jensen
Cartoon Network Adapts Image Books
'Firebreather,' 'Mice Templar' and 'The Vanishers' to be toons
One of the cool early pieces of news out of San Diego has been Cartoon Network's development of a trio of Image properties for cartoons.
That would be Mice Templar (created and drawn by Hammer Of The Gods co-creator Mike Avon Oeming with Bryan J.L. Glass), Firebreather, and The Vanishers.
CBR has an interview with Firebreather creator Phil Hester who talked about the upcoming two-hour cartoon and the potential for an animated series.
Both Hester and Kuhn credit film producer Julia Pistor for seeing "Firebreather" through the hazards of Hollywood development to find it a home. "Originally, we were optioned by Paramount, and during that time they didn't really do anything," said Kuhn. When the option was up, it was Pistor who contacted the creators with an offer to help. As a vice-president at Nickelodeon, Pistor has a long history of shepherding successful animation projects. She recognized "Firebreather" as something special.
The executive who had brought "Firebreather" into Paramount had unexpectedly passed away, leaving the project with no champion when the option period had passed. "She said 'this is too good to just let die," Hester explained. "She offered to take it out herself and find a place to set it up."
I can only wonder (and hope) a Perhapanauts cartoon could soon follow, as writer Todd Dezago recently told me there had been some serious interest in that Image book as well.
Thu Jul 24, 2008 — by Van Jensen
SDCC: 'Watchmen' the Game
Warner Bros. announces tie-in videogame
Watchmen seems to be officially the big deal of Comic-Con so far, with long lines of people forming just to watch the upcoming film's trailer at the Warner Bros. booth and to ogle the model of the Owl Ship.
Then there's news that a tie-in videogame is in the works. The AP has a report.
Warner Bros. announced Wednesday it will release an episodic downloadable video game developed by Deadline Games that will prequel next year's big-screen adaptation of the "Watchmen" graphic novel pegged to the film's March debut. Another game that will take place following the first game will be released later in 2009 at the same time as the "Watchmen" DVD.
In the games, players will be able to combat foes as the pointy-eared Nite Owl (played by Patrick Wilson in the film) and inkblot mask-wearing Rorschach (Jackie Earle Haley). The mature action-brawler will be released for Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and Windows PC and will match the visual style of the film, which is being directed by "300" director Zach Snyder.
Thu Jul 24, 2008 — by Van Jensen
SDCC: Comics via Wii
Nintendo system to deliver manga
The electronic future of comics moves apace with the announcement that some manga titles will be distributed on Nintendo's Wii videogame system.
At first, it looks like this will only be available in Japan, but it may develop further.
The companies, Kadokawa, Kodansha, Shueisha and Shogakukan, have formed a joint venture with a local software house that aims to be the first to bring digital comics to the hit console. The venture, called Librica, was formed in July and will deliver comics through the Wii Ware software channel to users. An Internet connection will be required to use the service.
Initially it will target the Wii but Librica said it is considering expanding the service goal to encompass the handheld DS gaming device. It will also offer other publishers the chance to join its platform when launched.
Launch timing and pricing for the service was not announced.
Thu Jul 24, 2008 — by Van Jensen
Behind the Scenes of Tori Amos' 'Comic Book Tattoo'
Interviews with Amos and creators
Today sees the release of one of the most odd comics projects of late, a compilation of stories based on the music of Tori Amos, Comic Book Tattoo.
Spinner has a lengthy interview with Amos on the subject, as well as chats with many of the project's creators. Read it all right here.
Amos offers her reaction to the book:
I'm not offended by this book, but I'm shocked. And it's shocked in a way that makes me laugh, sometimes makes my skin crawl, sometimes makes me have to go back and dive back into that song again. I had given a brief to Rantz. I said, "This is not about people trying to, line by line, interpret and do a visual cover version of this song." Because I just didn't find that intriguing at all. The comics that I was introduced to, which was 'The Sandman,' had integrity to me. And sometimes in the storyline, things didn't always end up OK. Sometimes people die. Sometimes life does not triumph over all.
Thu Jul 24, 2008 — by Van Jensen
McCain, Obama Profiled in IDW Comics
Who is 'Presidential Material'?
The trend of using comics in politics has been picking up steam of late, starting with the graphic adaptation of the 9/11 Commission Report to Dan Goldman's upcoming 2008 campaign book to that nutso Oklahoma county commissioner who thinks he's being attacked by Satan and gays.
Now IDW is jumping into the political waters with a pair of comic book biographies of the two (realistic) contenders for the presidency. The Presidential Material books feature John McCain and Barack Obama in what sounds like it'll be a guide for voters.
They're $3.99 a piece at 28 pages, and will ship in October.
At right is the cover of the McCain book, which I posted instead of the Obama one. Liberal media my ass.
Thu Jul 24, 2008 — by Van Jensen
Comic-Con News: Wednesday
Cooke GNs, Brubaker series, and crowds crowds crowds
Comic-Con International officially kicked off last night, and already there's plenty of news to report:
The early hit of the show? Heidi MacDonald of The Beat says it's the model Owl Ship that Warner Bros. brought from the Watchmen film. "Cooler than dirt," Heidi says.
Ed Brubaker makes the jump to scripting live-action, as Sony has announced they'll make an online series out of Brubaker's Angel of Death. It'll appear on Crackle, Sony's online video outlet. More information right here.
Darwyn Cooke also announced his new project for IDW, a potential series of four graphic novels based on the Parker
On a related note: "And IDW did a nice job with the collateral material as well, handing out Cooke artwork with a disc, as well as Parker T-shirts to the press. Well done, guys." I guess the whole "journalists don't accept gifts from sources" thing doesn't apply to the comics world?
"Tossing a bus on an unsuspecting villain never gets old." And that's the highlight quote from the DC Universe Online panel. Check right here for more.
Blog@ has a nice collection of photos from day one.
Bully makes a smart move with the California excursion and loads up on In-N-Out.
Twitters from Pop Candy, and be sure to note the uber-creepy Photoshopped image of Whitney turned to She-Hulk.
And, lastly, the legend of The Bag.
Wed Jul 23, 2008 — by Van Jensen
How the Superheroes Saved Movies
Five films rake in $500 million in a month
We've heard plenty about the dominance of the superhero in Hollywood, but a new story in the UK Telegraph puts some numbers together and shows just how much movies are benefitting from the comics influx.
After a huge run of successful comics films, The Dark Knight (which happened to open with a record $158 million weekend) was just the cherry on the ice cream:
It becomes the fifth film with a comic book or graphic novel theme to dominate the box office in recent weeks following Universal's blockbuster Iron Man, as well as Hellboy II, The Incredible Hulk and Wanted. Together they have generated more than $500 million (£250 million) in US takings alone.
Sequels to this year's hits are already planned and dozens more offerings based on comic books are in the pipeline.
"They have become Hollywood's safety net," said Jeff Bock, of Exhibitor Relations, the box-office analyst.
It would be interesting to see a breakdown of how much of that gigantic sum is actually coming back to comics publishers.
