Author: Marc Alan Fishman

Saturday Morning Cartoons: Iron Man, Smooth Jazz Style

With Iron Man 2 coming to theaters soon, and fan anticipation at an all time high, we figured it might be fun to take a leap back in time. Here’s a little ‘Iron Man’ ala 1966. Enjoy the smooth jazz theme song! Marvel at the fluid animotion! Revel with each CLANG! POW! and ZZZOOOOOOM! You’ll gasp at the revelation that Happy knew all along!

This wonderfully cut episode pits Iron Man against Titanium Man. We personally love the whole “Radio Show” feel of the piece. And Gene Colan’s Iron Man design is timeless. Of course the special effects are… well… amazing. And the voice acting? Well, it’s not quite Robert Downey Jr. and Mickey Rourke, but it should put a lil’ twinkle in yer eyes. So, without further adieu, enjoy the “Cool exec with the heart of steel…”

What To Do This Weekend: C2E2 – Chicago Comic & Entertainment Expo

What To Do This Weekend: C2E2 – Chicago Comic & Entertainment Expo

Sniffle. That’s right folks. The very first story I broke here for you ComicMix fans was the announcement for Chicago’s new convention, C2E2. Founded by the same company that does the popular NY Comic Con, C2E2 has been prepping to hit the Lake Shore side of the famed McCormick Place in downtown Chicago since last February.

The show itself is chock full of features, including an auction for actual Iron Man movie props, a Star Wars celebration featuring Carrie Fischer, a special screening of the new Doctor Who, and a CBLDF Benefit showcase starring Hugo Nominee superscribe Neil Gaiman. In addition to that, stars from Kick-Ass will be on hand for their windy city premiere, as well as a gaggle of special guests from Marvel, DC, Dark Horse, Boom! Studios, and yes… even a few Comic Mix folks!

Ok, you twisted my arm gentle readers, let me extrapolate on who from Comic Mix you might catch while on the con floor. First and foremost, you’ll want to check out Brainiac on Banjo’s Mike Gold as he leads his panel “Chicago Vintage Comic Fandom” including a discussion about the late Joe Sarno. If you make your way down artist alley, you’ll be glad you did… as you get to meet Comic Mix’s Andrew Pepoy, or friend of the ‘Mix… Mr. Peter David!  Or if you so choose, meet your favorite bearded rabble-rouser…. me. That’s right, look for those cool hip smiley faces and meet Unshaven Comics (that’s Me, Matt Wright, and Kyle Gnepper)! Sure there are other artists who’ll be there too… but face it, you want to come meet us first right?

So, you’ve bid on Iron Man’s Repulsor Gauntlet. You got signatures from Andrew Pepoy and Peter David. You got to tell me how horrible my April Fool’s Day joke was. You even got to see the new Doctor. But what else can you do over the weekend? C2E2 is just to big for us to list out everything here, so, do yourself a favor and check out their site. With plenty of local retailers still selling tickets, now’s your chance to plan a wild weekend in the windy city!

And for you first timers to the city, here are some tips:

Subtle reminder: ‘The Pilgrim’ #1 on sale today

Subtle reminder: ‘The Pilgrim’ #1 on sale today

Available today in the finest comic book stores you frequent, The Pilgrim #1 from Mark Ryan and Mike Grell can now be yours! Weaving together true timelines from WWII and
the present day, The Pilgrim is a tale of war and the
supernatural, drawing on the history of the occultism used by both
British and Nazi forces and fusing it with a modern day
intelligence and espionage story ripped from today’s headlines.

Buy it now. It’s OK. We’ll hold down the fort while you go get it.

$3.99, 32 pages, Mark Ryan and Mike Grell. What else need we say?

Found On The Web: People At Parks, Super Hero Edition 2, Electric Boogaloo

Found On The Web: People At Parks, Super Hero Edition 2, Electric Boogaloo

As found over at People @ Parks…


After years of badgering wandering kids on Sesame Street, Big Bird and Snuffy had enough. Thanks to a connection they had through Jim Henson’s workshop (trust us, it’s like six degrees of separation from Kevin Bacon) they got a hold of a phantom zone projector. With the projector in tow, Big Bird and Snuffy confronted Oscar about his general grouchiness around perspective customers kids.

Found On The Web: People At Parks, Super Hero Edition

Found On The Web: People At Parks, Super Hero Edition

As found over at People @ Parks…


Alas the economy has hit even those hard working folks in
Metropolis. With most people turning to digital publications, the Daily
Planet was forced to lay off several less than stellar reporters. In an
unrelated story, it appears Superman is selling merchandise from his
“Super Cart” in the middle of downtown Metropolis Square. Truth be
told, there are plenty of deals to be had, folks. For just $13.95 plus
tax you can have any number of fabric swatches literally stolen off the
backs of unsuspecting super-folk.

CoCo to Basic Cable

CoCo to Basic Cable

Seems TBS has out-foxed Fox to woo Conan O’Brien and his late-night comedy show to their Time-Warner owned TBS. The deal, as announced today will allow CoCo to own the rights to his show (ala David Letterman) and grants him a 4 day work week, ala Cable’s Jon Stewart, Steven Colbert, and George Lopez. Lopez’s show will be bumped to midnight, but according to The Wrap’s Josef Adalian, it was George himself who called Conan to talk up the “8 Figure Deal”.

This is a big blow to Fox, but given that no deal had even been brought up to Conan and his people. And what talk there was of a deal, didn’t speak about owning production rights, as well as possible restrictions for affiliates happy with their Seinfeld, Simpsons, and Office reruns.

So, is CoCo happy? “In three months I’ve gone from network television to Twitter to performing
live in theaters, and now I’m headed to basic cable,” O’Brien said. “My plan is
working perfectly.” So said the Boston-born pale skinned late-night virtuoso. Look for the new Conan O’Brien show in November.

Monday Mix-Up: Bateman Begins

Monday Mix-Up: Bateman Begins

Some boys grow up to be scientists. Others grow up to be bus drivers. Some become doctors. Others become writers. Some become international playboys who fight crime at night in order to make good on the their promise to their dead parents. Others become international playboys who need to murder at night in order to feel real feelings anymore. It’s really a small world when you think about it eh? And thanks to this little You-Tubery we can see that there’s a thin line between the Dark Knight and the Cocaine-Infused ATM Kitten Feeder. And while we’re pretty sure Bruce Wayne would get reservations at Doria if he wanted, Batman never trained in precise chainsaw dropping. Bateman 1, Batman 0.

Enjoy the mash-up.

Plenty To Do At This Year’s MoCCA Festival!

Plenty To Do At This Year’s MoCCA Festival!

Today and tomorrow, you and your loved ones can have a mighty good time at the Museum of Comic and Cartoon Art’s annual festival! This year’s festivities include an amazing array of panels and programs to tickle the fancy of plenty of comic, sci-fi, and cartoon fans alike. With a gaggle of exhibitors, and professionals there to sign all your ebay-able wares, there’s plenty for you to do! Highlights include:

Saturday, April 10th
11:30 AM Titans of Comics: Living Cartooning Legends with Al Jaffee, Arnold Roth, Gahan Wilson and Danny Fingeroth!

2:00  PM The Art of the Superhero: When Singular Vision Meets Popular Mythology with Paul Pope, Jaime Hernandez, Frank Miller, Kyle Baker and Dean Haspiel!

5:15  PM The MoCCA Live Strip Show: Actors Perform Indie Funnies Featuring the art of: R. Sikoryak, Michael Kupperman, Kim Deitch, Gabrielle Bell, and Emily Flake with the voice talents of Sam Seder, Sara Benincasa and Jon Glaser!

Sunday, April 11th
10:30 AM  How To Create A Cartoon Character with Rick Parker
In this workshop for kids of all ages, Rick Parker (Pekar Project, Beavis & Butthead, Dead Boy) will show you how to create your own cartoon character from scratch, in one hour and that if you can draw one character, you can draw them all!

11:30 AM James Sturm and Paul Karasik in Conversation

3:15 PM A Scandinavian Comics Primer with Johannes Klennell (Sweden, Galago), Mats (Sweden, Galago), Espen Holtestaul (Norway), Ville Hänninen (Finland) and Henrik Rehr (Denmark) moderated by Shannon O’Leary.

For complete show listings, admission and ticket info, and more… click here to visit the MoCCA Festival Homepage!

Saturday Morning Cartoons: WMAC Masters

Saturday Morning Cartoons: WMAC Masters

Normally I have some coy and cute way to setup these little clips. I use some alliterations, and a few turns of phrases to make you giggle a gaggle at the you-tubery I trot out (see what I did there!?). But really, there’s not much I need to do here other than allow you to press play. ComicMixers, I proudly present to you the best contractually-obligated ninja warrirors stunt men and women of the World Martial Arts Council Univerval Studios! One of my favorite little gems to pop up Saturday mornings during my childhood. It’s no cartoon, but it’s darn amazing. I present to you…The WMAC Masters!