Friday, February 27, 2009

Who watches the Watchmen?

Well, we do, or rather we will when it hits the big screens in a couple of weeks, in the mean time, we have to do with trailers, on TV and and on the Intertubes, as well as stories like this from The Wall Street Journal

Wednesday, February 25, 2009

Bright Lights! Big Spidey!

Well folks, according to Marvel, Spider-Man the Broadway Musical is one step closer to reality.



Webheads, get ready to experience the exploits of your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man in an entirely new, exciting way when "Spider-Man, Turn Off the Dark" opens on Broadway!

Mark your calendars now, thwippers, "Spider-Man, Turn Off the Dark" opens on Thursday, February 18, 2010 at Broadway's Hilton Theatre, 213 West 42nd Street. And some lucky Broadway goers will get to see the show when preview performances begin Saturday, January 16, 2010.


Check out the rest of that story from the Marvel Web site.

Apparently the casting for Spider-Man will be announced soon, while group tickets now on sale. Single tickets will go on sale June, 2009. For more information about group tickets, visit the Spider-Man website or by calling 1.800.Broadway.

* * * * * * UPDATE! UPDATE! UPDATE! * * * * * *

SPIDER-MAN
Turn Off the Dark

Broadway
Opening Night: Thursday, February 18, 2010
Preview Performances begin Saturday, January 16, 2010

Directed by Julie Taymor
Music and Lyrics by Bono and The Edge
Written by Julie Taymor and Glen Berger

More info and future updates

Monday, February 16, 2009

What The--?!

Here is a bit of silliness from the folks over at Marvel, proving that it is OK to kick a guy when he is down, especially when that guy is best known for playing one of the Iconic characters from the Distinct Competition.

Thursday, February 12, 2009

Yes, this IS the Apocalypse!

Every day, in every way I keep thinking that I’ve seen everything, then there is a story like this that comes along and convinces me that — even as jaded as I believe myself to be — I can (apparently) be surprised, and by the silliest things?

Anyone remember DC’s Legion of Super Pets? Yeah, me too. anyways, it seems that memories of this band of pet heroes isn't some youthful discretion, drug-addled part of my brain on comics, but an actual part of the funnybook landscape of the ‘60s.

Well, just as we’ve all experienced LSD-laced flashbacks and wicked-hot, bad chili that repeats, so too do comicbook-inspired retro-plots inspire new riffs on old songs, so now Marvel has leaked news that we are about to be subjected to experience the Marvel Comics version with the all-new, (all-the-same), take on this hot topic.

To be sure, this could be fun, and I certainly hope it will be fun, but seriously, what is with this move on Marvel’s part to emulate DC of the ‘60s (First the current Marvel Universe (with Civil War, and Secret Invasion) is no longer “the world outside my window,” then Marvel Apes, and now Avenger Pets?). While it does give an interesting spin to storytelling, I can’t help but to thing WTF?

Anyone else want to weigh in? Personally I have to go back to tracking Marvel Index continuity (which sounds like the mother of all oxymoronisims, but that could just be me).

Wednesday, February 11, 2009

The Phone books are in! The Phone books are in!

OK, not the phone books per se, but The Official Index to the Marvel Universe, which — as you all should know by now — I’m currently contributing to (beginning with this issue, #2).

While the issue doesn’t break out who did what, I did about 10 entries for the Spider-Man section of the edition. In issue #3 I did (am doing) more entries.

Each entry is about 350–400 words, and just takes hours to do as it involves cataloging all of the creative staff, all of the various characters, items locations, and then penning a synopsis the entire story. Sounds easier than it actually is, and it doesn’t sound easy at all.

Not that I’m complaining, I’m enjoying writing about something that I love, while doing something that I love to do. Not bad work if you can get it.

Thursday, February 05, 2009

A pre-Valentine’s Day Mystery

So I get home today and I find an Express Mail package in the mailbox. The package is addressed to me, and — when opened — contains a packet of Spidey Valentines, and a note from my “secret” Valentine. The return address on the package is the next town over, which is unfamiliar to me, as is the handwriting.

Someone is playing me, and has a sense of humor.

So far I’m entertained.

A picture is worth...ewwww

At the risk of burning the sockets out of your eyes, I felt in necessary to post this pic, even as we race forward towards NY Comic Con.

I can’t help but to think that this guy has long since passed “obsession”.

Wednesday, February 04, 2009

Just when we thought they were done...

...we get dragged back for more!

That’s tight buoys & gulls, there is a fifth variant edition of Amazing Spider-Man #583. I’m thinking that Marvel is going to keep this particular issue in print long after President Obama has left office.

Actually, in an interesting twist on the issue’s collectible value, one store owner to whom I spoke speculated that the later variant editions (with geometrically smaller print runs), might actually be worth more than the initial versions.

Personally, I don't know, but I suppose anything is possible (plus there is the possibility that a complete set of all variants might also increase the value if combined).

Tuesday, February 03, 2009

Happy Belkis Year! (February)

So, as you all know, 2009 is Belkis year. It is the year that we get to celebrate one of the most beautiful, talented, and entertainingly wonderful women that I (personally) know in this industry. Belkis is the feature pin-up girl of a calendar that was produced by James Rodriguez’s NovaStar Studios. James recruited a number of very talented NY fantasy artists and pulled this thing together in a gorgeous package.

So, at the beginning of each month I’m going to post the image corresponding to the month on the calendar. This month’s image is courtesy of James himself. If you are going to be at this year’s NY ComicCon, then you’ll want to stop by James’ table in Artist’s Ally and pick up one. I know that Belkis will be there so perhaps you’ll not only get to meet her but get her autograph as well.

Anyway, Belkis has a very cool marketing site where she talks about the industry, and her most recent post made me remember that it is a new month, and I needed to let you all know that as well. Now I’m going to go back to staring at my calendar.

Groundhog Day (a day late and a dolar short)

Yesterday (Monday February 2nd) was Groundhog Day. Today the cable network FX is playing the great eponymous 1993 Bill Murray, Andie MacDowell film.

The question I have is why a day late and only once? On Christmas some network was playing that horrible A Christmas Story. Yeah, yeah, I know that some folks swear by that film, but I find it wretched and mean spirited. I’ve never watched it all the way through, and I hope never to watch any more of it than I ever have.

I guess what I’m asking is is why, if A Christmas Story can be played all day on Christmas, and The West Wing can be marathoned all day on election day, and horror flicks play all October, why can’t someone play this film all day on Groundhog Day?

Seems like a natural to me.

Sunday, February 01, 2009

It is 2 Weeks ‘till Valentine’s Day!

...And already it is starting!

This was either an early gift from my wife, or a reminder that Valentine’s day is coming. I’m not sure which.

Non “Funny” Funnybooks on the Rise

We’ve been reading comics since around 1961. It is — as we’ve often said — our preferred form of entertainment. In fact, the guy we’ve been ...