Who Lives in a Pineapple Under the Sea?

I couldn't help but point out this little bit of news from WENN.

Man, first the controversy over that rabbit and the lesbians on that PBS show, now Spongebob is gay? Do people not have anything better to do with their time?

sigh

mike

Good News For Xenomorphs

Just a quick AVP tidbit from Sci-Fi Wire until I can sit down and post something more substantial...

"The franchise-blending action film Alien vs. Predator sold about 1.9 million combined DVD and VHS units on its first day of release Jan. 25, nearly matching its opening-weekend domestic box-office total of $38.3 million, the Reuters news service reported."

A lot of people hate this movie, but I liked it well enough to own it (Hell, I have the Alien Quadrilogy plus both the original Predator release and the Special Edition that came out last year). Still, if I was to be perfectly honest, I'm far more excited about picking up the new Predator 2: Special Edition DVD than grabbing AVP. Those two commentary tracks are just calling to me...

mike

Owen...Clive Owen

Looks like Hugh Jackman may be out of the running as Pierce Brosnan's replacement for the coveted James Bond role since all eyes seem to have turned to Closer star and Oscar nominee, Clive Owen. WENN has the article here.

mike

Working for Peanuts

Not only is there a nice preview of what's coming from Fantagraphics in 2005 at The Pulse, but there's also the requisite mainstream v. indie debate that occurs anytime anyone from Fantagraphics utters a word.

It's also good news to hear that, according to Eric Reynolds, the Peanuts collections, besides being amazing to look at and just great reading, have also put the company in a good position financially which will allow them to continue for some time. Considering some of their recent setbacks, this is good news.

Unless you're one of the folks arguing against Eric on the boards.

Here's a pic of the 3rd Peanuts collection featuring Pigpen on the cover and designed by Seth.



mike

Bustin' Makes Me Feel Good

I pick up my mail today and balancing precariously in my box is a package from 88mph Studios containing issues 3 and 4 of their abso-bloody-lutely fabulous Ghostbusters mini-series for review purposes.

Now, as a follower of the mini since day one (I am a looooooong time fan of the boys with the proton packs), I can say without a doubt that issue 4 will be a knockout, even before I read it (I say #4 because I'd already bought issue 3 from my LCS, but thanks for the extra copy, Sebastien!). I'll still come back on and make an official post/review of the series as a whole once I'm done, but I wanted to make mention of it here now, especially in light of my recent "Marvel and Deceased" post. Maybe I was a little bit crusty that day, maybe I hadn't had enough fibre, maybe I was totally clear in mind and body, but there's one thing that'll cure anyone of the 'no reviews from me, bored of comics blues', and that's getting free comics mailed to you.

I also finshed Louis Riel last night, so when I come back on with the GB comments, I'll probably post my Riel thoughts as well.

And if anyone with any sort of influence in the mailing out of comics for review purposes is reading this, send more comics! If you can't beat 'em, join 'em, right?

mike

Reviving the Dead...Evil, That Is

"Get the bubblegum out of your ears and listen up!"

I was shocked when I saw this bit on Sci-Fi Wire regarding Rob Tapert's and Sam Raimi's plans of hiring someone in to remake Evil Dead.

"We mean to bring that out to a whole new generation in something that honors all of the people that loved it and yet gives them a new and thrilling ride that they weren't expecting. That's the challenge, and hopefully if we succeed that's kind of the glory."

While I can see how it might work in this climate of "let's take all these old '70s horror movies and 're-imagine' them', I can't say that I'm excited to see it happen. I think Rob and Sam make a good argument for doing it, but ultimately, whatever they decide to do, in the end we will vote with our dollars as we always do.

mike

Picture Imperfect

Has anybody seen my copy of The Picture of Dorian Gray? I can't seem to find it and I've looked everywhere?

mike

In a Family Way

Woop!

I'd be remiss if I didn't mention this here interview with Seth "Family Guy" MacFarlane on the rebirth of his irreverent animated series, courtesy of The Onion's AV Club.



mike

The Real Comic Gold

Ever wonder how much Marvel actually makes from publishing comics, and how much comes from all the underoos and blockbuster summer movies? Click here to get the scoop from Marvel's vice chairman, Peter Cuneo, courtesy of The Motley Fool.

mike

U2 Kick off Vertigo Tour

Looks like the boys are going to be out and about again after sorting out their recent scheduling difficulties. Get the skinny here.

mike

Marvel and Deceased

You know, I look at a handful of comic book related blogs and it always makes me feel like I should be contributing to the white noise - posting the reviews, or commenting on the solicitations, or speculating on who the killer in this story is or who the creative team on that book will be. To be perfectly honest, I'd have a lot more posts here if I did, but I've realised something recently that I also find mildly distressing (considering my love for the medium and the fact that I love writing about it), and that is that I don't think I care anymore. Not enough to seek the information out, not enough to gather it up and not enough to comment.

If something comes my way, I'll say a word or two. I'm still reading Louis Riel, which I've mentioned in an earlier post, and I've just picked up Will Eisner's Fagin the Jew, both of which I planned to say a few words on, but for the most part, I couldn't care less what Marvel or DC are doing these days, and I'm not reading as many indie books as I'd like.

It's probably just a phase. I've been here before and come back. I've stared into the abyss that is a comic free world and it's stared it's flimsy, collectable, overpriced eyes right back at me, luring me, once again, into the fold.

Hmmm...

mike

Spatial Relations

Pay attention guys, this article on hormones could save you from countless unecessary arguments while driving on vacation, or just joyriding with your partner or spouse.

mike

Zero Notice

So I'm Googling my name the other day (oh, come on - you've all done it) and I run across a match with a website that I'm not only unfamiliar with, but is listed only as an odd collection of words reminiscient of a William S. Burroughs novel. One of the words, however, is fearsmag.com, a little online horror mag run by a swell guy named Ed Flynn for whom I did my first paid writing (thanks again for getting he ball rolling, Ed). Anyways, my curiosity got the better of me so I clicked through only to find this:


Now, I remember writing the review, but at no point did I know that it had actually made it to the back of the Trade Paperback (and the embarrasing thing is, I've held the thing in my hands a number of times and never noticed).

Anyway, I know other guys and gals have their names appear like this every day of every month of every year, but this is my first back cover blurb, and I just found out about it and I can post about it if I want to.

Now I'm going to go watch some Season 2 Farscape. Hope your day treats you equally well.

mike

Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star

Little Star is the newest offering from one of my favourite comic guys (and I wager, Johnny Bacardi's from how many times he's mentioned Love Fights Vol. 2 over on his blog), Andi Watson. His previous books, Breakfast After Noon, Slow News Day, and Dumped were/are some of the best romance/slice-of-life stories out there and I've been looking forward to Little Star ever since I heard about it in a Comics Journal interview a couple of years back.


The story is about a thoroughly modern "involved" Dad and you get to watch him stagger through the pee, the poo, and the puke in a sleep-deprived haze. Something I can relate to, having three kids of my own.

Originally, I thought this was supposed to be the sequel to Breakfast After Noon from the way Andi has spoken about this project in the past, but I guess it's not. Only in theme, I guess, which is fine, although it would have been nice to see those characters again (like their cameo in Dumped) even in a small role - like how thrilled I was when Nick Hornby added Dick from High Fidelity into the briefest of cameos in How to be Good.

"I can make you a tape if you want."

Comic gold, baby.

Looking back on this post I realised that I could have mentioned this book a long time ago since I've known about it for a few weeks now (and it's not like I couldn't have used the extra posts), but I guess I was kind of waiting on word from Andi himself as to whether or not he was up for the interview I requested with him. No reply yet, but it usually takes a while to get a response from Andi. I'll maybe try again in a couple of days.

I'll keep you posted!

mike

Endless Weekend

Sorry for the lack of posts lately but I've been having a curmudgeony weekend that I'd just rather not recount. I will say, however, that over the course of the three days (I'm counting Friday, here) all I wanted...no, all I needed to turn my entire weekend around was a hamburger platter from a local joint here in town called Kelsey's, and maybe a movie. I wasn't even too picky on which movie it had to be. Blade: Trinity, maybe, or The Aviator would have done fine. And somehow, that simple list of tasks that would have been the D-Day to my most lousy of lousy 72 hours was impossible to accomplish.

sigh

To top it off, my Steelers lost today in a game I didn't get to watch, so they are officially out of the playoffs until next year. Click on the image if you want to check out the word on the official site.



I think I might have a head cold, too, which is just icing on the cake.

Anyway, here's hoping this week looks a bit brighter.

mike

Local Boy Does Good

I just found out that local artist, Tom Grummett has signed exclusively to Marvel. Here's the release...

TOM GRUMMETT GOES EXCLUSIVE WITH THE HOUSE OF IDEAS! VETERAN ARTIST INKS DEAL WITH MARVEL COMICS!

"Tom Grummett is one of the most underrated artists working in comics today, and a real trooper. Its about time he got his due," said Marvel Editor-in-Chief Joe Quesada upon signing Tom to an exclusive contract. "Tom's from that great Jack Kirby school; solid figures, explosive action, and one heckuva professional work ethic. That's why we want him here at Marvel...oh, and rubble! He draws great rubble!"

The artist, a mainstay of the industry since the late 80s, is best known for his work on such DC Comics titles as Superboy, Robin, Teen Titans, and more recently, Power Company. He was also a co-founder of Gorilla Comics. At Marvel Comics Grummett's action-packed pencils have been seen on Avengers/Thunderbolts, Generation X, Silver Surfer, X-Men Unlimited, and assorted Spider-Man books. He is presently providing the art for New Thunderbolts.

Grummett anticipates cooking up a storm with the heroes and villains of the Marvel Universe. "I'm really looking forward to the opportunity of working with these great Marvel characters...it's like a whole new toy box to play around in," he said when approached about his exclusive contract. "I'm particularly excited with my current gig on the New Thunderbolts, and proud to be working with such a great team."

Grummmett is joined by Fabian Nicieza on the current Thunderbolts title.

Superstar writer Kurt Busiek, longtime collaborator of Grummett's, was quick with reminisces and high praise for his artistic compatriot. "I've been a huge fan of Tom Grummett's work ever since I first saw his stuff on a Canadian-published small-press book called Privateers. Back then, I was editing Open Space for Marvel, and tracked him down to offer him work - but that bastard Mark Waid had tracked him down like two weeks earlier, and he was already working for DC. I got a couple of stories out of him at least. Since then, I've always been eager to work with him, and jumped at the chance to offer him both Power Company and Thunderbolts. He's a terrific penciller -- great page design, energetic storytelling, terrific draftsmanship -- he just makes it all come to life so well. Plus, you know, he's got that cool signature. Who could ask for more?"

Grummett is not pausing long to look back at his career or rest on his laurels. He's viewing the future with a gleam of inspiration in his eye. "I've enjoyed working on all my past projects for different reasons...why else would I be in this biz? I'll be concentrating on the Thunderbolts for the immediate future, with a few little side dishes that may crop up from time to time."

Not sure if I can count that as a post, but I'm taking it and running with it. Maybe I'll be back later with more from the mind of me.

mike

Steelers Win by 3

Well, it was a tense finish, but the Pittsburgh Steelers managed to beat the New York Jets by 3 points in overtime.



The Steelers have been "my team" since following Terry Bradshaw and the Iron Curtain in the late '70s, but it's been a long time since I've bothered to watch any football. Heck, if it wasn't for a chance encounter watching Ben Roethlisberger and his winning team on the television one Sunday afternoon with my dad, I probably wouldn't be watching it now. But I am, and I'm glad, because I haven't seen football this good in a good long while (of course, I'm sure Jets fans feel completely opposite to this observation, but...).

Anyways, looking forward to Steelers v. Patriots on Jan. 23rd.

And in other news, "Rental reading poses copyright challenge"

mike

Who You Gonna Call?

I'm not one for getting caught up in the year-end best and worst lists (hence my posting this in the middle of January), but here's one Top Ten List for 2004 that I actually found fun to read.

Today I've also added a link to Denis Kitchen's weblog for Condolences & Memories of Will Eisner and one to The Johnny Bacardi Show, the latter of which I have started to check out on a regular basis.

mike

Somebody Save Me

I'm wondering how Smallville manages to stay on the air week after week. I mean, I haven't been an avid viewer of the show since day one, but when it first started out back in 2001, I remember tuning into what was one of the best pilots I'd seen in years. A well-written super-hero story without tights, nice production values, a great deal of respect for the source material and beautiful direction by David Nutter, one of the best guys making pictures move on TV.

But I'm sitting here watching the 10th episode of the fourth season right now, and I don't know how it could have gone so far, or so very wrong. The characters are insipid, the plotline is...mind-blowingly ridiculous (to say the least) and the writing is terribly overwrought.

Still, the show manages to trundle on and remains one of The WB's big winners.

Can anyone explain this to me?

mike

Revenge of the Nerds

Thanks to Johnny Bacardi and ADD's blogs, I now know...

mike