The Mix : What are people talking about today?

Late for the Legion

Late for the Legion

Must-read blogger and actor Wil Wheaton has an amusing anecdote about almost missing his latest stint doing voice work as Cosmic Boy in the Legion cartoon.  He also teases, "Sadly, I can’t say anything specific about the episode. Warner Brothers is incredibly serious about protecting the content of the shows, and I’d really like to keep working on them, so I’ll just say, once again, that the level of talent, commitment, professionalism, and ultra-nerdy love for this show at all levels — writers, producers, directors and actors — is unlike anything I’ve ever experienced. [Actor’s name redacted] just blew me away today."

Eisner group bids $385.4 million for Topps

The Sporting News and AP reports that a buyout group that includes former Disney CEO Michael Eisner and Chicago private-equity firm Madison Dearborn Partners LLC. has paid over a third of a billion for the Topps Company, the makers of sports cards, Garbage Pail Kids, Wacky Packages, the classic Mars Attack! series, and even the occasional comic book.

The deal drew immediate opposition from Topps director Arnaud Ajdler, who said Tuesday he had not yet been in touch with other major shareholders. He thought the deal should be abandoned because negotiations did not go through a proper process and that the Eisner-led offer undervalues the company.

The board approved the deal in a 7-3 vote, with Ajdler and two others opposed. The company said it will solicit better offers over the next 40 days. The deal requires regulatory approval and a vote by Topps shareholders.

Jae Lee speaks, IFC goes anime

Jae Lee speaks, IFC goes anime

The Flash gets a new artist, the 2007 24-hour-comics-day is disclosed, this week’s new comics are previewed, Jae Lee is interviewed, IFC’s anime maven speaks… and… where is Buffy hiding?

Mike Raub has the lowdown on ComicMix Podcast #10 — available right now, right here:

Running the Mickey Mouse outfit

Running the Mickey Mouse outfit

The New York Times has a long article on John Lasseter, who has been tapped to become the chief creative officer of animation for the Walt Disney Company after founding Pixar. Good reading, particularly with Lasseter reviving the 2-D animation department – with a strong focus on story.

Yes, story. The New Disney. It ain’t just pretty pictures anymore.

Dennis O’Neil: The Fanatic Conclave

Dennis O’Neil: The Fanatic Conclave

File this under: If the tail wags the dog for long enough, does the tail become the dog? Part I.

But first, a little reminiscence.

I had been in the comic book business less than six months, maybe not much more than one month, when I attended my first comics convention at the invitation of Flo Steinberg, known as “Fabulous Flo” during Marvel’s formative days. The event was held in the gym of the McBurney YMCA on 23rd Street in Manhattan. The guest of honor was Buster Crabbe. I don’t think I’d seen any of his filmed work yet, but somewhere I’d learned that he had done some comics-derived movie serials and that made him a celebrity and I guess I was impressed, not having met many celebrities.

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Comicspace fundraiser

Comicspace fundraiser

Josh Roberts reports: "Starting today, I’m launching a week-long ComicSpace Fundraiser to help cover hosting costs. It was either this or sell one of my kids, and I’m not convinced I can get a decent price for either of the little brats. All donations generated through this week-long fundraiser will be used to pay ahead on the combined monthly hosting bill for OnlineComics.net and ComicSpace – which, believe it or not, is nearly equal to my mortgage payment."

Pini draws Poe

Pini draws Poe

ICv2 reports that Elfquest creator Wendy Pini has signed with Go!Comi to write and draw an original graphic novel series based on the Edgar Allen Poe short story The Masque of the Red Death, said to feature "Gothic horror, erotica, and yaoi-style gay relationships."  The series bows first as a webcomic, to be collected into hard-copy GNs down the line as enough pages are done. 

 

This is the first non-Japanese work and first original series produced by Go!Comi, which made the announcement at NYCC and believes Pini’s style is a good fit for the company.  More details at Mangablog.

Hello Kitty Airlines

Hello Kitty Airlines

There’s a large section of America’s comic reading public that just doesn’t get the appeal of manga, chibi, or any of the cutesy stuff from Asia… and this is not going to help.

From Eva Air, we present to you the first Hello Kitty Airline. Complete with stamped tickets, special stewardess uniforms, in flight sales, and special inflight meals.

Rojaks documents the atrocities.

Delicious extermination!

Delicious extermination!

I know ComicMixers Martha and Glenn might disagree, but in my opinion knitted Daleks have nothing on chocolate ones!  Via BoingBoing, here’s how to make a chocolate Dalek.  Decadent and tasty!  I will be assimilated, gladly!

Meanwhile, Series 3 of the new Doctor Who programme is said to begin on the Beeb on March 31, start airing on Canada’s CBC in June, and debut in the US… Who knows when?  No announcements yet from Sci Fi, although they’ve posted a nice interview with star David Tennant.

Friends of friends

Friends of friends

The more years we all spend involved in comics, the less able we are to escape our past, especially in the Web 2.0 age.  And that’s actually A Good Thing.  For instance, check out cartoonist Howard Cruse’s blog post where he effusively and rightly pays tribute to ComicMix’s own Martha Thomases, whose family he and his partner Ed Sedarbaum have known for a good long time.  I’m a sucker for "then and now" photos.  Of course, Howard’s not above posting possibly incriminating photos of himself, as you can see by the lovely Esther-and-Vashti ensembles which he and Ed chose to don for their local Purimspiel.

Speaking of past Friends, Leigh Dragoon reports that there will be a forthcoming press release from Friends of Lulu (an organization with which Martha and I both spent many years) regarding their ill-fated Empowerment Fund.  From what she writes, it seems the organization is intent upon correcting past wrongs, which bodes well for its future.  Considering the long journey women in comics still have to undergo before the industry’s playing field is truly level, the continued vitality of organizations dedicated toward that goal is more important than ever.