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Comic Book Resources Presents… Comics Should Be Good! » Comic Book Urban Legends Revealed #54!
I am really having a good time reading through this blog, it is really good stuff! This post answered some questions that I had about the Grell era of Green Arrow. Do yourself a favor and give it a read at the link below.
Comic Book Resources Presents… Comics Should Be Good! » Comic Book Urban Legends Revealed #54!
This is the fifty-fourth in a series of examinations of comic book urban legends and whether they are true or false. Click here for an archive of the previous fifty-three.This week is a theme week! It is MIKE GRELL Urban Legends week!!
Let’s begin!
Technorati Tags: comics, green arrow, mike grell
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DIXON SHINES SPOTLIGHT BACK ON CONNOR HAWKE – NEWSARAMA
Now this is good news!! Chuck Dixon is one of my favorite writers, it is glad to see him writing for DC again after that CrossGen disaster. He is probably the best action writers out there, and I loved his run on Green Arrow back when Connor was the main character. I will be looking forward to this one.
Now if we could just get him to write Nightwing again!!
DIXON SHINES SPOTLIGHT BACK ON CONNOR HAWKE – NEWSARAMA
DIXON SHINES SPOTLIGHT BACK ON CONNOR HAWKE
Thursday we spoke with creator Howard Chaykin
about his upcoming new limited series putting a supporting member of
the Green Lantern cast (Guy Gardner) in the spotlight, today we check
in with writer Chuck Dixon who has plans to shine the spotlight on a
supporting member of the Green Arrow cast….Connor Hawke: Dragon’s Blood is an upcoming six issue limited
series written by Dixon and penciled by Derec Donovan tentatively
scheduled for a November debut that will thrust Oliver Queen’s son and
one-time star of the previous Green Arrow ongoing series back into a lead role.[accompanying Phil Noto image is not from the new series]
A “standalone kind of deal” by Dixon’s description, the new story finds
Connor Hawke back at the Napa Valley monastery where he seeks refuge
and escape from the world. Supporting player Eddie Fyers is there with
him, still fulfilling the vow to protect Ollie’s son.“Connor has a few goals he achieves in this series all in the midst of
a kick ass, globe-spanning adventure story,” explained Dixon, asked to
describe the story. “In the area of archery, Connor is not a match for
his dad and this is the one aspect of his life that he feels leaves him
incomplete. Connor’s offered an opportunity to rectify that which leads
him into a life or death situation alongside Shado, Eddie, and a cast
of new bowslinging characters from around the world.”The story involves a competition put on by a Shanghai billionaire to
find the world’s greatest archer. Bowmen we haven’t seen before and a
few we have (fans of Connor’s run will recall the Brotherhood of the
Monkey Fist) come from all over the planet to compete. Connor is here
as a stand-in for Ollie and sees this as his chance to step from under
his dad’s father. But the competition has a dark side and quickly turns
from friendly target shooting to a body-strewn bloodbath. All of this
action leads to an ancient prophecy coming true and threatening to
release a mythological horror upon the world…”Now what would you pay for this mini series?” asked Dixon “But there’s more! Sex! Laughs! And a really big dragon!”
While a limited series for now, talking to Dixon its clear that given
reader support, he’d like this to be just the beginning of more Connor
Hawke “solo” adventures.“I think Connor has the potential to carry his own monthly again,” said
Dixon. “He did it for more than forty issues not so long ago and his
sales were strong right up to the time it was decided to cancel the
book to make way for the re-launch of the title under Kevin Smith.”As to what distinguishes Connor Hawke as a character in a DC Universe
that has Ollie, Roy, and Mia all sporting bows and arrows or hand-held
weaponry, Dixon said Connor’s appeal to him is his “evolving” nature…”He’s not like other comic characters with a simple origin and then
he’s pretty much status quo for the rest of his shelf life,” explained
Dixon. “He’s also one of the DCU’s premier martial artists which
conflicts with his stoic and ‘centered’ personality. Connor doesn’t
really seek conflict, it seeks him out.“Obviously, he’ll always have ties to Oliver Queen. But the Connor
Hawke stories always had a different tone than the original Green
Arrow’s. They were more about high adventure and less about the weltschmerz,
cynical spy stuff that the Queen’s story was following. Where Queen
battled corporate corruption or Cold War leftover types, Connor was
battling dinosaurs or finding lost cities in China. There’s nothing
really like that in the DCU currently and I think Connor and his cats
would be a nice contrast to the urban action of most of the other
books.”
Technorati Tags: comics, Chuck Dixon, Green Arrow
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ANDERSEN GABRYCH ON OMEGA MEN – NEWSARAMA
Filed under: Comic Book News, Comic Creator Interviews, Coming Soon
This looks pretty good, Gabrych’s run on Batgirl was pretty good. I always wanted to read Omega Men when I was a kid, but it was always to hard to find for some reason.
Read the rest of the interview at the link below.
ANDERSEN GABRYCH ON OMEGA MEN – NEWSARAMA
ANDERSEN GABRYCH ON OMEGA MEN
As
a concept, DC’s Omega Men are a full 25 years old, but the property’s
been slowly and steadily making a comeback. The push goes full speed in
October with a new six issue miniseries by Andersen (Batgirl)
Gabrych and Henry Flint, pitting the Omegans against a new religion
sweeping through the Vegan galaxy, with the mysterious “Lady” at its
lead.For folks who may have first encountered the Omega Men in the pages of the recent Adam Strange: Planet Heist
miniseries…hoo-boy. That’s just the surface – and just the survivors.
Originally, the Omega Men were a collection of warriors from the Vegan
star system who were united in one mission – freeing their system from
the clutches of the Citadel. They members of the team – intially
numbering about 100 – were the leaders of the worlds of the Vegan
system that the Citadel overtook. Breaking free from their capture, and
at first led by Primus, the team stood against the Citadel, and
gathered even more members.As far as the original series went – it was hot in its
day. Not bound by the shared nature of the main DCU characters, it was
a place where cast members died, changed, and entered with regularity.
Oh, and some guy named “Lobo” made his first appearance in issue #3,
but that’s a whole ‘nother story…As a team, with help from the DCU heroes, the Citadel was finally
defeated and driven from the Vegan system, but that was only the start
of further instability among the worlds – the Spider Guild quickly
assumed dominance in the region, the Sun-Eater gobbled up some stars,
and Imperiex had his way with the system as well. The Omegans, their
membership barely resembling anything that they started with in ‘81,
were searching for a home among the war-torn worlds, when, as mentioned
above, they were drawn into the war between Rann and Thanagar, along
with Adam Strange…and that led to Infinite Crisis…and them getting their own miniseries. We spoke with Gabrych about the six issue story.
Newsarama: Let’s go to the beginning on this – how did you get on the gig? Was Omega Men something you pitched, or was it pitched to you?
Technorati Tags: comics, Omega Men
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Comic Book Resources: Lying in the Gutters – A Look at NBC’s new series “Heroes”
I have to say that I am looking forward to this series, the previews look really good. You can see video clips of it here: http://www.nbc.com/NBC_First_Look/Heroes
Comic Book Resources – Comic Book News, Reviews and Commentary – Updated Daily!
NBC’S HEROES
So
last week, I get a DVD through the post from an American broadcaster
called NBC. The pilot episode to something called “Heroes.”This is NBC’s new
superhero TV series starting this autumn in the US, so probably in the
UK in January or February. Or June if the BBC gets it.
The
pilot, which is in an unready-for-broadcast state (though looks more
ready than most British sci-fi shows) opens with the following
scrolling text:
“In recent days, a seemingly random group of individuals has emerged with what can only be described as ’special abilities.’
“Although unaware of it
now, these individuals will not only save the world, but change it
forever. This transformation from ordinary to extraordinary will not
occur overnight. Every story has a beginning.
“Volume One of their epic tale begins here…”
It’s not often a TV
show basically says right off you’re going to have to devote five years
of your life to watching this. And when they do, they end up getting
cancelled after series two. Yes, “Carnivale,” I’m looking at you.
The
show is created by Tim Kring, who seems to have been around the US TV
writing circuit, and created something called “Crossing Jordan” which
I’ve never seen and, from the description. I have no desire to. He also
wrote “Teenwolf, Too.” It wasn’t looking good.
After the chapter
title, “In His Own Image,” placed as part of the scenery like
“Teachers,” we start to meet the cast, each with their separate,
separated stories. A congressman candidate’s brother jumps off a
tenement building, and it was all a dream. And now thinks he can fly
and see the future. An Indian teacher whose father has died in
mysterious circumstances and whose research into super people across
the world is being bagged and tagged by American agents. A webcam
stripper in Vegas with an alternate personality who does bad things and
a brilliant young child being chased by the mob. A Texan bridge jumper
who keeps trying to kill herself unsuccessfully, with her nerdish
cameraman. A Japanese geek who can warp space and time while making
references to “X-Men” #143 when trying to teleport into the ladies. A
drug addled clairvoyant painter who paints of an apocalypse to come. As
you do. Oh and there is a solar eclipse.
I quite liked it. And I
really wasn’t expecting to. It’s not all twenty year olds playing high
schoolers, which makes a change. It’s international. The characters are
rough, and don’t fit into all the usual stereotypes. They even play
around with the idea of what a “hero” means, and the motivations behind
that. There are some links between the people, common interests or
people. Presumably as the show continues, we will discover more links
that will draw them together. But right now it’s beautifully disjointed
- as are many of the people whose lives we follow.
Superpowers
are hidden, revealed more like “Unbreakable.” And it doesn’t have the
action tone I’d expect from the likes of “24″ or “Lost.” It’s more like
the background stories to “Lost.” It reminds me of “Short Cuts.” A bit.
But with superpowers. It’s also leagues ahead of “The 4400,” “Mutant X”
and “Smallville.” It’s a bit more… grown up really. No pop culture
cracks, the dialogue is less stylised – I mean it’s not “The Wire.” Few
things are. There are a few clichés that stick out and the ending twist
was as predictable as me using the word “hell” in the next paragraph.
But I’d watch the
second episode. Hell, I’ll probably download it from some nefarious
source before Sky One or Five get a chance to show it in the UK.
Technorati Tags: comics, NBC, Heroes, superheroes
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The Movie Blog: Avi Arad Confirms Thor Movie In The Works
I hope Marvel doesn’t get “hammered” over this movie… hehe
I just can’t help myself
Avi Arad Confirms Thor Movie In The Works
Avi Arad Confirms Thor Movie In The Works
Get ready all you Viking god fans out there. Avi Arad has confirmed that a Thor Movie is indeed in the works. The folks over at iFMagazine recently had an interview with Arad and asked him the following question:
“There is a Thor film in the works as well?”
To which Arad replied:
“Yes, we’re in the scripting stage right now”
Lots of potential with this character… as long as they keep it on
Earth and don’t get into “other-worldly” stuff. Sort of the same reason
X-Men never gets into space or time travel stuff… it totally breaks
the mood and feel for the comic movies today. Well, that’s just my
opinion, I’m sure there are others who would disagree.
Technorati Tags: comics, Thor, movies
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The Movie Blog: Superman Returns Reviews
I think I am actually looking forward to this movie now 
Superman Returns Reviews
Thanks to Nick for the Heads up on this one. The first Superman Returns Reviews!
The very first screening of Superman Returns happened for some press
on Thrusday night, and the very first reviews are now coming in… and
man they look GOOD! Here is what some of them have to say:
THE BOSTON HERALD SAID:
Singer & Co. can be content knowing they’ve managed not only to
resurrect an American icon but done it with smarts, grace and even
poetry. It’s going to be hard for any superhero movie to beat the
magisterial bearing Singer so emphatically summons as in one memorable
shot Superman is seen suspended in space, his dusty-colored cape
twirling, an ancient god come from the heavens.JEFFERY BRIDGES SAID:
This movie is far greater than I could have ever anticipated, and I went in with extremely high expectations.HOLLYWOOD ELSEWHERE SAID:
I’ve echoed in this space the
general interpretation of WB’s decision to open Bryan Singer’s film on
Wednesday, 6.28, instead of the originally announced 6.30 debut, as a
desire to maximize the holiday take before the dreaded onslaught of
Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest the following weekend. This
view was, in hindsight, partially misleading because it suggested that
a better pure-entertainment, bang-for-your-buck element would be coming
from Pirates. That will obviously be a matter of perspective as the
days advance, but it seems highly unlikely (I almost wrote
“inconceivable”) that Pirates will surpass Superman Returns in terms of
emotionality and embodying a resonant, fully developed theme.COMIC BOOK REVIEW SAID:
My anticipation for the film “Superman Returns” was off the charts,
which concerned me – was there any chance this movie could live up to
my expectations? Well, CBR News was invited to a screening of the film
Thursday night and I can say with total confidence that it was
everything a comics fan – and movie fan – could hope for. Yes, it’s that good.
To
put it simply, every single critic that I’ve read that was actually
there on Thrusday night is just GUSHING about Superman Returns without
exception! That does it… my anticipation has now officially gone
through the roof!
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Blog@Newsarama » Kryptonite Bites: He’s not gay, so stop asking
Well that is good to hear…
Blog@Newsarama » Kryptonite Bites: He’s not gay, so stop asking
Kryptonite Bites: He’s not gay, so stop asking
Monday June 12, 2006, 10:10 am
After seemingly endless speculation, we can finally put those rumors to rest about the Man of Steel’s sexuality (yeah, right): Superman is definitely not gay, director Bryan Singer assures us.
In fact, he “is probably the most heterosexual character in any
movie I’ve ever made,” Singer tells Reuters. “I don’t think he’s ever
been gay.”DC Comics Publisher Paul Levitz admits he was confounded by all the
tongue-wagging, too: “We were all scratching our heads. He’s not a gay
character.”What’s behind all the buzz?
Of course, most of the buzz has been about the movie itself. Access Hollywood wonders what’s fueling anticipation for the June 28 release:
Access thinks it’s the whole, ahem, package. The
superpowers, the rascally villains … oh, and the heart-wrenching pain
which stems from being a vulnerable loner who can make time fly
backwards but can’t seem to make it work with the ladies …
Access’ “movie guru” Scott Mantz calls Superman Returns “the most hyped movie since Star Wars: Episode III.”
Superman documentary debuts tonight
Adding to the hype, A&E debuts the documentary, Look, Up in the Sky! The Amazing Story of Superman, at 8 tonight.
“A&E has opportunistically taken what would otherwise be a swell
DVD extra and turned it into an entertaining if almost exhaustively
comprehensive special, neatly latching onto the capetails of the
upcoming Superman Returns,” Variety writes.
The documentary sifts through nearly 70 years of Superman’s history, from the character’s creation to radio to TV to movies.
“The one glaring oversight, actually,” Variety
notes, “involves a failure to acknowledge the thorny matter of how the
creators were shortchanged on profits from their creation, spurring
several rounds of litigation.”
Other articles of note:
Spotlight on celebrities at Superman Celebration
Iowan works on Look, Up in the Sky!
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Boing Boing: Arf Museum: excellent comic history
Friday, June 9, 2006
Arf Museum: excellent comic history
Craig Yoe’s second Arf publication (first one here), Arf Museum just came out, and it’s an immensely giddy, scholary, funny, shocking, and enjoyable history of comics and art seen through the eccentric and eclectic filter of Yoe’s fevered, comics-crazed mind.
Yoe was the creative director of Jim Henson’s Muppets and a creative director at Nickeodeon and I doubt there’s anyone who knows more about cool old comics and who has a better collection of comic book art.
Some of the artists and characters in this issue include Art Spiegelman, Picasso, Patrick McDonnell, Bettie Page, Charles Addams, Coop, Dan DeCarlo, Hugh Hefner, Rube Goldberg, King Kong, Ernie Bushmiller, and Chester Gould.
Like those early, giant-sized issues of RAW, Arf Museum is something I’m going to keep, treasure, and pull off the shelf to pore over for the rest of my life. Link
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Newsarama: TIM HILDEBRANDT PASSES AWAY
Man this is sad news.
From the Hildebrandt Family – June 11th, 2006
Tim Hildebrandt has passed away. And, with him, so has an era.
Tim, 67, died today from complications due to diabetes. He is survived by his mother Germaine, twin brother Greg, sister Janie, wife Rita, son Charles, nieces Mary and Laura, and nephew Gregory.
Tim was an otherworldly artist. For 47 years, his captivating work fostered the dreams and fantasies of millions of fans, young and old.
Best known as part of the Brothers Hildebrandt team, Tim’s career transported him to—and through—many worlds. Technically speaking, Tim and Greg worked side by side. But their work together on such masterpieces as the original Star Wars poster and 70’s J.R.R. Tolkien calendars proved that their individual talents could coalesce seamlessly into one.
Tim was a wonderful man with a great sense of humor. While he loved and appreciated all forms of art, he had a particular passion for animation and illustration.
While he will be greatly missed by all of us who love him, we take comfort knowing that he will live on in the art that he created.
Anyone wishing to express condolences to Greg Hildebrandt can send them to:
The Spiderwebart Gallery,
5 Waterloo Rd.
Hopatcong, NJ 07843
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