Kirkmania is abound! From his adaptation of his graphic novel series The Walking Dead set to debut on AMC on Halloween… to his work on Invincible, as well as his launching of Image’s newest imprint Skybound, to say that writer Robert Kirkman is a busy man is an understatement! Fresh Ink Online (from those fine folks at G4TV) presents this interview with one of comicdom’s most outspoken, well-bearded, and popular faces. Watch the clip below, and enjoy all the info!
I would have expected this panel to take place on Sunday, when everybody at Comic-Con is part of the walking dead. But no matter.
AMC has been here in force pushing the adaptation of The Walking Dead, the Image
comic book series created and written by Robert Kirkman, premiering in
October on AMC. Cast members Andrew Lincoln (Love Actually), Jon Bernthal (The
Pacific), Sarah Wayne Callies (Prison Break), Laurie Holden (The Mist), and Emma
Bell (Law & Order) joined series creator/director/executive producer Frank
Darabont (The Shawshank Redemption, The Green Mile), executive producer Gale Anne Hurd (The
Terminator), makeup artist Greg Nicotero, and Joel Stillerman (AMC’s senior
VP) joined Kirkman to discuss the making of the series and to show an exclusive
sneak preview– albeit one toned down a bit from the actual series, because as Hurd explained, this is a family convention. (Maybe that’s why the panel isn’t Sunday. Could you imagine holding this on Kid’s Day?)
ComicVine and DigitalSpy were both liveblogging (or should that be deadblogging?) the panel, including the reveals of new actors and the music composer.
The reaction to the preview was about what you’d expect from the topic matter, equal parts enthusiasm and horror. We’ll add the video as soon as we get it.
When Entertainment Weekly assembles seven of the most powerful men (and woman) in all of comics, obviously some massive news bombs are going to get dropped.
“Yes, I read comic books in the bath,” Grant Morrison announced, shocking the assembled fans and setting the blogosphere ablaze.
Okay, so there was little in the way of truly newsworthy information disseminated by the esteemed panel of Jim Lee, John Cassaday, Matt Fraction, Mike Mignola, Robert Kirkman, Colleen Doran, and Grant Morrison. However, there’s something immensely satisfying about sharing an hour of time with some of the most creative individuals in the comic book world (and frankly, beyond). It’s the kind of panel that reminds a guy why he reads comics in the first place, because these guys work their hardest and embody the philosophy John Cassaday put forth, “There’ll be limitations in whatever you do, so you might as well go for it.”
Also, these people are really, really funny.
A topic that is nearly omnipresent at this year’s ‘Con, the specter of the film industry looming large over the conference, was addressed by the panel, with many attendees asking questions about the increasingly symbiotic relationship between film and comics.
“I see a lot of storytelling techniques in TV being effected by comics,” Lee commented, pointing out that the comic book has become so successful that mainstream has no choice but to adapt some of its devices. However, not everyone on the panel was as excited by the increasingly close relationship between comics and movies,
“I see people applying film rules to comic book visuals, let’s do the comic and then let someone else do the film,” Mike Mignola said, keenly aware of the difference between comics and film. Human quote machine Grant Morrison added, “Hollywood is more formulaic, comics allow you to break those rules.”
All of the panelists expressed some dread at the lure of comic to film adaptations limiting the ambitions of up-and-coming creators. However they all reasserted that this is a life they pursued not for money, but because its the only calling they ever felt, “I really can’t imagine doing anything else… everyone up here ha a compulsion,” Colleen Doran said.
Following the theme of creative expression, Jim Lee and newly minted partner at Image Comics Robert Kirkman were asked how that will effect their craft, “Once you’ve done all that stuff, it’s kind of hard to just go back to a table and just sit there drawing,” Lee said. Adding that there’s a liberation that comes with his executive status. As for Kirkman, “So far, it’s just making a few extra phone calls.”
Free Comic Book Day started with a bang at Jim Hanley’s Universe in New York City last night – or was it a howl? Robert Kirkman (Invincible, Marvel Zombies, The Walking Dead) was on hand to launch his new book The Astounding Wolf-Man. The signing is the first of a series of five appearances across the country this weekend to promote the new book. “If giving the book away for free doesn’t work, I don’t know what will,” said Kirkman.
Kirkman described his new book as “An action-packed superhero romp.” The crowd that packed the aisles of Jim Hanley’s Universe were certainly eager to pick up the premier issue. Now that he has a book on zombies and a book on werewolves Kirkman said, “I think I’d like to do mummies.”
With comic book properties especially hot right now Invincible has been optioned by Paramount. “I’m working on a draft of the screenplay right now. There’s no casting yet. No director either,” said Kirkman. For those with more of a zombie jones Kirkman said, ”There’s interest in a The Walking Dead movie. My agent is listening to offers all the time. We’re waiting for the right one to come along.”
We asked him why he thought zombies were so hot these days. “People like zombie comics when they’re afraid. The last surge in popularity of zombie comics was at the height of the Cold War. Now the war on terror has the same atmosphere. The media is full of fear,” said Kirkman.
As for what’s next, “The Walking Dead and Invincible are both going strong towards issue 50, that’s pretty exciting. Marvel Zombies 2 is also about to get going,” said Kirkman.
Saying, "Anything DC can do, we can do better," Marvel Editor-in-Chief Joe Quesada today announced plans for next summer’s big event. "365 will be a daily comic," he said. "Every single day, including weekends and holidays."
Like 52, the new series will have a team of writers and artists. Twenty-eight writers, including Marvel All-Stars Ed Brubaker, Garth Ennis, Mark Millar, Chris Claremont, Tom DeFalco, Peter David, Brian Bendis, Mike Carey, Robert Kirkman, Paul Jenkins and Roy Thomas, among others. All will follow the direction of "show runner," Andrew Helfer, who is coming on board to see that all the deadlines are met.
"We have everything in place," Quesada said. "Andy lined up Bill Sienkiewicz and George Perez to alternate covers."
The first issue of 365 will go on sale on a year from today. Cover price will be $10.00 each issue. "That’s what it took for Diamond to handle the shipping," Quesada said.
In retaliation, Dan DiDio announced that DC would launch The Hundred Years War. "Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman and other super-heroes get stuck in a line at the Motor Vehicles Bureau," he explained. "It’s up to the rest of the DC Universe to fight the universe-threatening evil. Can Comet the Super-Horse and Ambush Bug save the day? Will someone die? Will anyone live? You might think you don’t care, but you will."
AMC has been here in force pushing the adaptation of The Walking Dead, the Image
When Entertainment Weekly assembles seven of the most powerful men (and woman) in all of comics, obviously some massive news bombs are going to get dropped.
Free Comic Book Day started with a bang at Jim Hanley’s Universe in New York City last night – or was it a howl? Robert Kirkman (Invincible, Marvel Zombies, The Walking Dead) was on hand to launch his new book The Astounding Wolf-Man. The signing is the first of a series of five appearances across the country this weekend to promote the new book. “If giving the book away for free doesn’t work, I don’t know what will,” said Kirkman.
