June 2011 Archives

UNHAPPY WHITE Girls a graphic novel seeking funds via Kickstarter reached its required advance funding on June 20th.

Unhappy White Girls is about a day in the life of Tish and Branna, two teenage girls who live in Nowhere, New Mexico. From skipping school, to shoplifting at the mall, to a rich girl's party -- Tish and Branna will have their friendship tested. And over the course of this crazy day, secrets they are both hiding will be revealed.

Unhappy White Girls is written by Christian Beranek, pencilled by Triska, with inks and colours by Vivian Lee.

To view a preview visit: http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/christianberanek/unhappy-white-girls-a-comic-book-novella

THE PARIS Comic Con takes place across the waters on June 30th - July 3rd at the Paris-Nord Villepinte Exhibition Center this year.

25 minutes from the centre of Paris and 10 minutes from Charles de Gaulle Airport, the event takes the Memorabila angle of showcasing film and TV shows and personalities, alongside its comics content.

Over the four days visitors can meet comic creators such as Brian Azzarello, Lee Bermejo, Jeff Scott Campbell, Geof Darrow, Rufus Dayglo and Pasqual Ferry.

Previews for Métal Hurlant Chronicles a live French TV series, currently in production will be shown at the Paris Comic Con.

Founded by Moebius, Philippe Druillet and Jean-Pierre Dionnet, Métal Hurlant has been published worldwide.

The magazine has already been made into two animation movies. The series Métal Hurlant Chronicles is the first live adaptation and the first by a French team. The pilot has already being produced and Season 1 will be shot this summer.

Each episode is independent, adapted from the stories of the legendary comics magazine Métal Hurlant, and linked to each other by the "métal hurlant" that travels through time and space.

For more information on the Paris Comic Con visit: www.comic-con-france.com

THE MCM Expo Manchester Comic Con debuts at Manchester Central on July 30th.

The Manchester Comic Con intends to bring "all the magic of London's MCM Expo to the North West". This includes major games publishers, leading film studios, top comic artists and sports stars, sci-fi collectables and cosplay competitions. Pretty much something for everyone.

Manchester was the final resting place of UKCAC, Great Britain's fondly remembered first annual major comic event, having had to move out of London due to rising costs.

At Manchester this time round, kids go free! If aged ten or under and accompanied by a full paying adult, up to a maximum of two children per paying adult can enjoy a day out!
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For more information on the MCM Manchester Comic Con visit: www.manchestermcmexpo.com

FIVE REASONS to go and sit in the dark this summer...

The summer wouldn't be summer without a whole plethora of blockbusters waiting for the general public at the cinema. This year is no different with the studios lining up a whole host of movies based on comic book characters and books. The summer releases mean big money for the studios, a successful movie will generate a lot more income from merchandising and more importantly guarantee sequel opportunities. G.M. Jordan reports.

So what is going to get you into the darkness this summer, what can I tempt you with apart from a jumbo bucket of Transformers popcorn or a keg of Cars II cola?

So what is going to get you into the darkness this summer, what can I tempt you with apart from a jumbo bucket of Transformers popcorn or a keg of Cars II cola?

THOR

Ok, technically it was spring but Thor proved that Marvel Studios could produce a movie that would appeal to movie goers on many different levels. The story is basically a Shakespearian tragedy so the studios bosses made a smart move and recruited people who do Shakespeare very well. Kenneth Branagh signed up to direct his first superhero flick and brought along Sir Anthony Hopkins to play ole' one-eye himself, Odin, with Tom Hiddleston scene stealing as the trickster god, Loki.

Chris Hemsworth did a very good job of portraying Marvel's arrogant god of thunder. Thor has to be a moody, brash, spoilt brat otherwise his banishment to Earth wouldn't mean much. After all, if you are a god what could be a worse fate than a New Mexico desert? Hemsworth certainly makes the part of Thor as his own and with a love interest in Natalie Portman the screen is literally filled with beautiful people.

There is plenty of action to satisfy action adventure fans, with comic book readers enjoying the inside joke of having the legendry Walt Simonson and J.M. Stracynski, two of the best loved creators from the Thor comic appearing as in cameo's. There is also a nod to the forthcoming Avengers film with Jeremy Renner appearing as bowman Hawkeye and Samuel L. Jackson once again popping up as Nick Fury.

GREEN LANTERN

Not one of DC's standout characters as far as the general public is concerned but with Batman in production, Superman waiting for liftoff and Wonder Woman banished to development hell, Ryan Reynolds gets to put on the Lycra and save the world this year.

When a dying alien crash lands on earth he bequeaths his power ring to Hal Jordan (Ryan Reynolds). With the ring comes an induction to the Green Lantern Corps, basically an intergalactic police squad but without Frank Drebbin.

Much of the action takes place in space which is refreshing as most DC movies are based on Earth, even Superman sticks to fighting crime inside our atmosphere.

Mark Strong appears to be the man to go to if you want menacing bad guys and once again he puts in a stellar performance as Sinestro, so once again the Brits lead the way as baddies.

What makes Green Lantern interesting isn't Reynolds, as an actor he is as interesting as a wet lettuce; it's the supporting cast and Bond director Martin Campbell that appeal more. Joining Campbell and Strong are Tim Robbins, Peter Sarsgaard and Blake Lively as Carol Ferris.

Now I haven't seen Green Lantern yet but I have spoken to people who have and out of 10 an impressive 7 liked it, more importantly only 3 of those had read the comic version. I did recommend they pick up the newly released Green Lantern: Emerald Knights dvd that is an anthology of short Green Lantern Corp tales and is very good.

CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE FIRST AVENGER

Marvel is really getting the movie bug and hitting the target when it comes to making big gains at the box office and getting ready for next year's ensemble movie The Avengers (don't expect Emma Peel or John Steed to make an appearance this is based on Marvel's superhero team comic, The Mighty Avengers). Director Joe Johnston tells the story of how a skinny soldier with a heart the size of his helmet becomes super soldier Captain America, scourge of the Nazis and defender of truth, justice and the American way.

Chris Evans dons the leather as Captain America, and this is the third time he has tackled a comic book character on the silver screen (Johnny Storm in the atrocious Fantastic Four movies and Jensen in The Losers). Hugo Weaving loses his nose to play Red Skull and Dominic Cooper gets the job of portraying Iron Man's daddy Howard Stark.

Much of the movie was shot in the UK and from the trailer it certainly looks like they have managed to nail the right feel for the era. The action looks slick and Evans finally gets to show us he can carry a blockbuster, if he does it well enough he won't be acted off the screen by the likes of Samuel L. Jackson, Robert Downey Jnr. and Chris Hemsworth in next year's blockbuster.

The problem with Captain American: The First Avenger is the Red Skull, Hugo Weaving is such a fantastic actor that most other thespians wilt in his company, Natalie Portman didn't manage it in V for Vendetta, Keanu Reeves failed in The Matrix trilogy and in the Lord of the Rings trilogy he outshone the rest of the cast even by playing emo-elf Elrond.

COWBOYS AND ALIENS

Harrison Ford, Daniel Craig, big ships, big guns and horses, enough said.

With no Bond for a while Daniel Craig must have thought somebody was playing a joke on him when the script to this comic book adaptation fell through the letterbox. In fairness it could all have gone horribly wrong but word from the comic cons where there were test screens say it has all the hallmarks of being a movie to see. Iron Man director Jon Favreau was charged with bringing the film to the silver screen and he doesn't, literally, spare the horses.

1873 and aliens arrive on Earth to take over, standing in their way is gunslinger Daniel Craig, retired colonel Harrison Ford, House's Olivia Wilde and a whole posse of cowboys.

It could all be very silly but it actually works. Having seen the trailers for the last few months in various places it does appear to be a film you should sit up and take notice of. It is definitely my must-see movie of the summer.

X-MEN: FIRST CLASS

After X-Men: Last Stand failed to impress at the box office and in the fans hearts, the dire X-Men Origins: Wolverine failed to kick-start the franchise. Marvel have gone back to the 1960s to tell the story of how it all began for Professor X and Magneto, who not only put together their school for gifted youngsters but also manage to sort out some nonsense involving nuclear missiles.

After originally failing to net Kick-Ass director Matthew Vaugh for the previous X-Men run Marvel finally managed to get their man for X-Men: First Class and he brought his own writer to the table, with the phenomenal Jane Goldman (Stardust and Kick-Ass) adding extra polish to the finished script.

James McAvoy takes on the role of Professor Xavier, with Michael Fassbender taking control of metal as Magneto, but the surprising inclusion is Kevin Bacon as baddie Sebastian Shaw. Bacon is not really known as a blockbuster actor - apart from Footloose he has rarely made an impact on the box office - he is however fantastic in most of the parts he plays and there seems to be a new trend of attracting serious actors into films based on comic books. They don't just dial in their roles they actually enjoy them and breathe life into the part. Remember when Marlon Brandon turned up in Superman? He appeared to be there just to pick up a cheque and enjoy the onset catering.

First Class might not be your first choice for escaping the tedium of Wimbledon or the cricket but it is a good solid movie with a great cast of characters. It works as a period film, as a comic book adaptation and as an ensemble piece. Adults will enjoy it, kids will love characters like the Beast and Marvel will love you for taking a chance and proving that you don't have to have endless special effects pounding your senses to make a film work.

ROUND-UP

If you are missing a blue fix after Avatar you might be looking forward to The Smurfs. Yes the cute little Smurf's have their own movie and are transported to New York where they must find a way home.

Rise of the Planet of the Apes: James Franco having proved he can actually act in the fantastic Howl goes back to take on a blockbuster role as a scientist who plays god and jumpstarts evolution in apes (and it all goes horrible wrong for mankind).

Some kid called Harry Potter finishes up his epic journey into adulthood in The Deathly Hallows II. If you ever wondered why Potter fans have never had the chance to buy a Harry Potter comic then my guess is that if you go back and find a copy of Neil Gaiman's The Books of Magic (DC Comics) from the early 1990s you might find your answer.

For more from G.M. Jordan visit: www.jordanx.co.uk

CARTER'S COLUMN is back.... And there's danger everywhere you look! Click on the episode below for it to expand to fill your screen with this week's instalment.

Below you will find the latest version of The Seed, this time with Birch's guide vocals replaced by none other than TV personality Jonathan Ross:

For more information on the creators:

For Andrew Dodd: www.andydoddartoons.co.uk

CLICK ON the Farmageddon strips below... The Termite-nator might tickle your fancy!Below is a preview video for the Farmageddon animation series that is in development:

For more on Farmageddon visit: www.farmadeggon.tv

For more on Gordon Fraser visit: www.freewebs.com/gordonfraser/

GENE COLAN died yesterday, the 23rd June 23, 2011.

A professional comic book artist since the Golden Age of American comics, he worked for many companies over a long career, and was inducted into the Will Eisner Comic Book Hall of Fame in 2005.

His most celebrated works were his extensive runs on three different titles for Marvel Comics, the superhero series Daredevil, the satirical Howard the Duck, and the horror of Tomb of Dracula.

THE INTERNATIONAL Festival of Comics and Games takes place in Lodz, Poland from September 30th - October 2nd 2011.

Established back in 1991, it is the biggest comic event in Poland and Central-Eastern Europe, attended by thousands of comic book fans from Poland and abroad.

Among the international comic artists who will be in attendance will be Americans Norm Breyfogle and Alex Robinson. There will be workshops, exhibitions and other festivities taking place.

One of the highlights of the show is a short comic strip competition, this year's deadline being August 31st.

For more about The International Festival of Comics and Games visit: www.komiksfestiwal.com

COMICS LAUNCHPAD took place on Saturday 18th June - A new event, with a new main focus: breaking into the comic book industry.

Those attending Comics Launchpad as delegates pretty much wore the same look about their faces as they entered The Studio on Birmingham's Cannon Street: bright-eyed and eager to soak in as much information and practical advice about the comic book industry as they possibly could, while networking in a leisurely manner.

Workshops on different aspects of writing and drawing with the likes of Al Davison, Klaus Janson, Emma Vieceli, alongside one-to-one portfolio sessions, and othe events, most well attended resulted in Launchpad's bar getting voted the quietest ever at a British comics gathering!

Several commented that Diamond, the UK's main distributor to comics speciality shops, surprised them with their forward thinking, proactive comments about how independent publishers could develop. Cynics not present may call that a sign of the times, but the fact that they are reacting to the concerns of the industry in a positive manner will benefit many.

Some of the talks involved getting work internationally, and the Comic Book Alliance took a room where - aside from promoting Spirit of Hope - they debated ways to develop the British industry, while there were a couple of events that looked beyond the printed world and discussed the various merits of digital comics.

There are those who are born-again advocates of all things computer-derived and possibly the only people at the event pushing agendas but some very practical comments were made too, and it's up to each of us to see the wood for the trees in how to apply technology to our own benefits - a quick chat with Markosia publisher Harry Markos at the end of one of his talk clarified a question or two I had that I know will benefit something I'm involved with.

People were friendly, in mellow mood, there to help, learn and in some cases retool themselves for the modern age with all its marketing and publishing nuances.

That someone as lauded as Bryan Talbot whose work is sold internationally and seems to be more productive than ever producing by bestselling graphic novels for a publisher like Jonathan Cape feels it was worth his time and money attending a show like Comics Launchpad says a lot about why he remains at the top of his game, and why a show such as this is so important.

Downsides? Better signposting was definitely needed as some areas were a little shy of people at times and it got darn confusing walking up and down stairs or catching lifts to find rooms. So, if the event take place again that's something that should be looked into. There was only one delegate who had had too much to drink by nightfall, but he was being watched and merely annoyed a few people (myself included) rather than caused problems. A few last minute changes had to be made to a couple of events with people having to cancel last minute but no one seemed to mind too much apart from 2000AD's no-show when people had come to have their portfolios looked at by them specifically.

I got thrown in at the deep end and was asked to host DC Comics Senior Editor Joey Cavalieri's talk on getting work at that company. He proved to be a man of dry wit, addressing the room in a laid back manner but filtering his comments with sharp advice that I trust the crowd picked up on.

The evening continued in much the same manner, people chatting, learning from each other, networking here and there, and gathering a warm glow to their cheeks rather than just getting sloshed on booze: a feel good day followed by a similar night.

Should Comics Launchpad take place again I look forward to it taking on other aspects of the industry and seeing more of those already working in the industry attending as delegates so they can brush up on what's needed to keep their careers ongoing.

All in all, pretty much a success I'd say.

The summer sun came to Birmingham and it's due to shine again on August with 2011 B.C!

THOUGHT BUBBLE returns to Leeds for a 5th consecutive year.

Now a two day event it will run from the 19th to 20th November in two halls, Saviles Hall and Royal Armouries Hall.

International guests include Adam Hughes and Tim Sale.

For more on Thought Bubble visit: www.thoughtbubblefestival.com