New(!) Bill Watterson Interview
A rare interview with the reclusive artist/author. I adored Calvin & Hobbes as a child, and having re-read some recently, I am confident my love was well-placed.
DO ANYTHING 026 by Warren Ellis
Concluding Volume. 1, a brief history of comics, Jack Kirby, Marvel, DC, and the connections between them. Soon to be published in what I assume will be a print-on-demand edition.
I imagine the Robot Head of Jack Kirby curses a lot as it spins down.
Batman: The Animated Series Writer’s Bible
Brought you by the magic of the internet (PDF). Of personal interest to me:
NO STORIES ABOUT BATMAN’S ORIGIN
If only Hollywood would’ve listened. The document itself is full of reasons why Batman: TAS is still the best Batman-related media outside of the comics-sphere, but the above rings truest to me.
Warren Ellis’ BLACK SUMMER In Development As A Film
Congratulations, Internet Jesus. BLACK SUMMER’s main story is a super hero killing the President of the United States due to his implicit and explicit approval of various crimes against humanity. I’ll be surprised if this actually gets made, but I look forward to it. More: The official Black Summer comic site. Amazon has the Black Summer Trade Paperback for $16.95.
Do Anything 021 by Warren Ellis
This is where the robot head of Jack Kirby has been taking you too, all this time. This is a universe that abuts our own, a vast space of cometary ideoplasm and speaking atomic structure.
Status Report
Things are going to be slow around here while I try to squeeze in enough time for Brütal Legend in-between actual paying work. Should still be able to hit the Saturday, Tuesday, Thursday schedule for Extra Future Comics, though.
Warren Ellis Writing New Motion Picture Based on “Gravel”
Legendary Pictures has picked up the rights with Ellis serving as an Executive Producer. I’ve read the first 12 or so issues of Gravel, and it could make a fun movie. England, magic, detective grit. All good things.
Jack Kirby’s Heirs File To Regain Copyrights
The author assumes that Kirby’s heirs will probably just end up with rights to royalties, which I can’t say I give a shit about it. Jack’s long gone.
Von Sholly’s STAR SPANGLED DINOSAURS
Very authentic-looking spoofs of DC’s “STAR SPANGLED WAR STORIES” from the 1960s, which did feature the odd dinosaur.
Warner Bros. Creates DC ENTERTAINMENT
DC is now it’s own company, again, but still owned by Warner. I wonder if this is a response to the Disney/Marvel deal or if it was in motion before that went down?
Update: Warren Ellis says, no, in fact, neither company knew what the other was doing.
Disney to Buy Marvel Entertainment
A million voices crying out in terror, etc. The fanboys of the world just work up to a pretty lame Monday.
so I got this phone call from Joe Quesada and it was just the sound of him rubbing himself with money and now I am confused
comix4sight
Comics writer John Ostrander has been fighting glaucoma for years, and needs your help.
X-Men Relationship Map
As my friend Kate Dickson says, “ooooh, which X-Men have snogged each other?“
Handley, Comics and Obscenity
Newsarama’s Jeff Trexler on what the recent guilty plea of Christopher Handley in his “possessing obscene visual representations of the sexual abuse of children and mailing obscene material.” case. Handley could be in jail for 15 years for owning some Manga. This is beyond not good.
The Toronto Comic Arts Festival 2009
… is going on right now, and you should go if at all possible. Jeffrey Rowland is here! R Stevens is here! Kate Beaton and Ryan North are here, but they almost never leave.
Warren Ellis on Shitgaze, and Novum
Things like this just fall off of Warren when he’s taking his monthly bath, and it’s the most interesting thing I’ve read today.