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| Captain America #1 - Miller Variant |
© The Weirding, 2018
A rambling melange of pop-culture.
Showing posts with label frank miller. Show all posts
Showing posts with label frank miller. Show all posts
Thursday, June 28, 2018
Monday, May 07, 2018
Wednesday, June 14, 2017
Sunday, July 24, 2011
Friday, December 11, 2009
Spawn #10 (Cerebus) to be Reprinted After 15 Years!
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| Spawn #10 |
"It hasn't been reprinted since it first came out," SPAWN #10 writer and CEREBUS creator, Dave Sim, said. "I'm very glad that's all over with after 14 years. Todd sent me black and white scans of Spawn 10 which will be published in a Cerebus Miscellany volume someday and, hopefully, Spawn 10 will be included in any and all future collections if the Toddmiester decides to make that official McFarlane policy."
The SPAWN ORIGINS COLLECTION: DELUXE EDITION VOL. 1 HC features the artwork of Todd McFarlane, which laid the groundwork for the most successful independent comic book ever published. This limited edition hardcover includes classic SPAWN stories written by Sim, Alan Moore, Frank Miller, Grant Morrison, and McFarlane himself in one massive, slipcase collection. It will mark the first time Sim and McFarlane's collaboration has seen print since it first appeared in 1994!
SPAWN ORIGINS COLLECTION: DELUXE EDITION VOL. 1 HC (SEP090283), a 620-page full-color hardcover for $100 will be in-stores soon. A signed and numbered edition (SEP090284) will also be available for $150. Cerebus is ™ and © 2009 Dave Sim.
© C Harris Lynn, 2009
Monday, January 05, 2009
Miller Polishing Sequels
Frank Miller is polishing scripts and storyboards for the sequels to both 300 and Sin City. Mainstreamers are still declaring The Spirit "the end of his film career" and I still insist in going on record in staunch disagreement. Further, I love to flame, so please allow me for one brief moment, to allay all true fanboys' fears:
Most of the people who are decrying The Spirit a career-ending embarrassment, etc., are 20-something douchebags who are largely unaware of Miller's work outside of 300 and Sin City -- further, they had never even heard of the Spirit until now and certainly aren't familiar with the original material, nor Eisner's work in general. This is a generation which routinely makes movies like Borat, Jackass, and anything with Adam Sandler #1 at the box office; to say they are culturally bereft is like saying Lindsay Lohan needs help.
Maybe I'm a little too defensive here, but I literally grew up on Frank Miller's work and it was a breath of fresh air in a closed room. I agree that the quality of his work has suffered in the last decade, but let's face facts: The man's told the stories he wanted to tell -- all he's doing now is making the money he deserved to be paid the first go-round. I can't fault him that.
But the flip side of this coin is those who keep repeating - far more often, far more vehemently -- how all of his work is sexist, hyper-violent, "man-centric," heavy-handed, and void of any redeeming depth or social value. These people are morons; they should read Elektra: Assassin. They won't get it, but they should read it -- the very fact that they will not understand it should hopefully be enough to shut them up. At the very least, their exposure to the best of his work at the height of his career will be enough to invalidate their baseless dismissal of his canon.
So The Spirit flopped? So what? Frank Miller's earliest sequential work wasn't all that impressive, either -- no one's is. Should he choose to stick with it -- should he get the opportunity to -- he will improve; because he has to: You have to break some eggs to make an omelet, practice makes perfect, et. al.
The sequel to Sin City is slated to start shooting in April. Casting has not started.
© C Harris Lynn, 2008
Most of the people who are decrying The Spirit a career-ending embarrassment, etc., are 20-something douchebags who are largely unaware of Miller's work outside of 300 and Sin City -- further, they had never even heard of the Spirit until now and certainly aren't familiar with the original material, nor Eisner's work in general. This is a generation which routinely makes movies like Borat, Jackass, and anything with Adam Sandler #1 at the box office; to say they are culturally bereft is like saying Lindsay Lohan needs help.
Maybe I'm a little too defensive here, but I literally grew up on Frank Miller's work and it was a breath of fresh air in a closed room. I agree that the quality of his work has suffered in the last decade, but let's face facts: The man's told the stories he wanted to tell -- all he's doing now is making the money he deserved to be paid the first go-round. I can't fault him that.
But the flip side of this coin is those who keep repeating - far more often, far more vehemently -- how all of his work is sexist, hyper-violent, "man-centric," heavy-handed, and void of any redeeming depth or social value. These people are morons; they should read Elektra: Assassin. They won't get it, but they should read it -- the very fact that they will not understand it should hopefully be enough to shut them up. At the very least, their exposure to the best of his work at the height of his career will be enough to invalidate their baseless dismissal of his canon.
So The Spirit flopped? So what? Frank Miller's earliest sequential work wasn't all that impressive, either -- no one's is. Should he choose to stick with it -- should he get the opportunity to -- he will improve; because he has to: You have to break some eggs to make an omelet, practice makes perfect, et. al.
The sequel to Sin City is slated to start shooting in April. Casting has not started.
© C Harris Lynn, 2008
Sunday, January 04, 2009
Frank Miller's Independent Interview
The Independent spoke to comics legend, Frank Miller, on his new career as a director, and though some mainstreamers are predicting it will be his last foray into motion pictures, I beg to differ.
While there isn't much meat in this interview, it sufficiently covers the bases we fans already know - how Miller worked on the Robocop sequels and disliked the process so much that he vowed never to work in Hollow-wood again, until Robert Rodriguez convinced him otherwise. Now Miller loves his seat in the director's chair.
While The Spirit may not be faring so well at the box office, I'm sure it will recoup its expenses throughout its release. And though the critics have fairly soundly panned the flick, I believe everyone has to have their first - and few of us recall our first anything in terms like pleasurable, memorable, or... just plain good.
I have yet to see The Spirit, but I know that its creator, Will Eisner, spoke disdainfully of those who get into the sequential art business as a launching pad to Hollywood, so he may be somewhat pleased that Miller's adaptation of his time-honored classic turned out so poorly. Miller is not one of these, though; he was born to do comics and he blew the doors off the industry once he did.
But Miller's creative direction has deterred from its earlier thrust; increasingly throughout the years, Miller has dropped the pretenses and focused on images. Even I admit it has been to the detriment of his work, but all art is a process and Frank Miller has always had his tongue planted firmly in cheek, regardless of the project. I have the feeling he may have become blinded by his own bullshit somewhat, though; I'm not completely certain he knows where the line is drawn anymore: he seems to be approaching the superhero genre satirically, yet with a barely reserved reverence - it's confusing to the viewer, possibly because the creator himself is confused as to where he is going, what he wants to say, and why.
© C Harris Lynn, 2008
While there isn't much meat in this interview, it sufficiently covers the bases we fans already know - how Miller worked on the Robocop sequels and disliked the process so much that he vowed never to work in Hollow-wood again, until Robert Rodriguez convinced him otherwise. Now Miller loves his seat in the director's chair.
While The Spirit may not be faring so well at the box office, I'm sure it will recoup its expenses throughout its release. And though the critics have fairly soundly panned the flick, I believe everyone has to have their first - and few of us recall our first anything in terms like pleasurable, memorable, or... just plain good.
I have yet to see The Spirit, but I know that its creator, Will Eisner, spoke disdainfully of those who get into the sequential art business as a launching pad to Hollywood, so he may be somewhat pleased that Miller's adaptation of his time-honored classic turned out so poorly. Miller is not one of these, though; he was born to do comics and he blew the doors off the industry once he did.
But Miller's creative direction has deterred from its earlier thrust; increasingly throughout the years, Miller has dropped the pretenses and focused on images. Even I admit it has been to the detriment of his work, but all art is a process and Frank Miller has always had his tongue planted firmly in cheek, regardless of the project. I have the feeling he may have become blinded by his own bullshit somewhat, though; I'm not completely certain he knows where the line is drawn anymore: he seems to be approaching the superhero genre satirically, yet with a barely reserved reverence - it's confusing to the viewer, possibly because the creator himself is confused as to where he is going, what he wants to say, and why.
© C Harris Lynn, 2008
Saturday, December 27, 2008
The Spirit Clinging to Life at Box Office
Frank Miller's film adaptation of Will Eisner's The Spirit was soundly pummeled by Jennifer Aniston and Owen Wilson's dog (sans pony) show, Marley and Me, Christmas day. According to initial returns, The Spirit came in a distant seventh at the box office.
Of course, Christmas day brought a lot of heavy-hitters, including the Brad Pitt vehicle, The Curious Case of Benjamin Bratt; the Tom Cruise-ical Valkyrie; Jim Carrey's remake of Liar, Liar, Yes Man; and Adam Sandler's Disney outing, Bedtime Stories - all of which fared better than The Spirit. Miller's directorial debut could become a sleeper hit, but mixed reviews make it seem unlikely.
Perhaps it's a mixed blessing: if recent superhero movie performances are an indicator of audience taste, maybe the superhero movie fad is finally over; no longer will studios be able to churn-out cookie-cutter crap with a cape and expect big box office returns. Genuinely good movies, such as Iron Man and The Dark Knight, have proven the genre capable of delivering quality material - and it may well be that The Spirit will, in time, rise to such status, it may have just missed the boat. Only time will prove either theory true.
If The Spirit is a good film, it may have been overlooked in the wake of the superhero fad's (hopeful) death; it may (also) have been overcome by bigger box-office star-power; or it could just be a bad flick. Again, we'll just have to wait and see.
Interestingly, both The Day the Earth Stood Still and The Tale of Despereaux followed it on the charts. It may be safe to say audiences' love affair with all things comic has finally ended.
© C Harris Lynn, 2008
Of course, Christmas day brought a lot of heavy-hitters, including the Brad Pitt vehicle, The Curious Case of Benjamin Bratt; the Tom Cruise-ical Valkyrie; Jim Carrey's remake of Liar, Liar, Yes Man; and Adam Sandler's Disney outing, Bedtime Stories - all of which fared better than The Spirit. Miller's directorial debut could become a sleeper hit, but mixed reviews make it seem unlikely.
Perhaps it's a mixed blessing: if recent superhero movie performances are an indicator of audience taste, maybe the superhero movie fad is finally over; no longer will studios be able to churn-out cookie-cutter crap with a cape and expect big box office returns. Genuinely good movies, such as Iron Man and The Dark Knight, have proven the genre capable of delivering quality material - and it may well be that The Spirit will, in time, rise to such status, it may have just missed the boat. Only time will prove either theory true.
If The Spirit is a good film, it may have been overlooked in the wake of the superhero fad's (hopeful) death; it may (also) have been overcome by bigger box-office star-power; or it could just be a bad flick. Again, we'll just have to wait and see.
Interestingly, both The Day the Earth Stood Still and The Tale of Despereaux followed it on the charts. It may be safe to say audiences' love affair with all things comic has finally ended.
© C Harris Lynn, 2008
Sunday, December 21, 2008
Frank Miller Talks to Newsday
Regular readers, along with everyone who knows me, know I am a Frank Miller fanboy. As I've said many times before, I'm not completely blind - he's had his hits and misses. Of course, there have been far more of the former than the latter, and though I'm an admitted fanboy, I have not dutifully followed his career in many years.
However, I truly love the man's work and while "genius" is not a word I throw-around, Frank Miller is definitely a genius. The man has almost single-handedly reinvented the sequential art form. And please don't waste my time with that Alan Moore horseshit; Alan Moore is good, but Alan Moore is not Frank Miller good! What takes Moore seven years to accomplish, Frank can do in seven months - better, to boot. (Though I will grant you that has as much to do with the fact that he is a one-man team as his level of talent.) At any rate, I bristle whenever I hear criticisms of his work by people unfamiliar with his body of work - that's like basing your opinion of Brando solely on his work in The Island of Dr. Moreau.
Okay, enough fanboy-rambling: here's a quick chat with Frank from Newsday.
© C Harris Lynn, 2008
However, I truly love the man's work and while "genius" is not a word I throw-around, Frank Miller is definitely a genius. The man has almost single-handedly reinvented the sequential art form. And please don't waste my time with that Alan Moore horseshit; Alan Moore is good, but Alan Moore is not Frank Miller good! What takes Moore seven years to accomplish, Frank can do in seven months - better, to boot. (Though I will grant you that has as much to do with the fact that he is a one-man team as his level of talent.) At any rate, I bristle whenever I hear criticisms of his work by people unfamiliar with his body of work - that's like basing your opinion of Brando solely on his work in The Island of Dr. Moreau.
Okay, enough fanboy-rambling: here's a quick chat with Frank from Newsday.
© C Harris Lynn, 2008
Friday, December 19, 2008
Frank Miller to do Buck Rogers
Now this one is pretty much confirmed; it came out yesterday, but I waited to make sure (see Murphy as Riddler post). It seems Frank Miller will, in fact, be writing and directing a new Buck Rogers movie. Odd Lot owns the rights to the movie property, as well as the rights to The Spirit comics, so they will continue their working relationship with the iconic Miller. But some early reviews of The Spirit have not been very nice, leaving some to question whether or not the Frank Miller version of Buck Rogers will make it to the screen.
I have to question how Miller's "dark take" on Buck Rogers will play out. An avid Miller fanboy, I was also a huge fan of the Buck Rogers TV series and there was nothing dark about that. While the property has been around for nearly a century and has made the rounds through many mediums, the basic premise is far more camp space opera than gritty realism.
Dynamite holds the comic book rights to Buck Rogers and Hermes is reprinting the serial strips.
© C Harris Lynn, 2008
I have to question how Miller's "dark take" on Buck Rogers will play out. An avid Miller fanboy, I was also a huge fan of the Buck Rogers TV series and there was nothing dark about that. While the property has been around for nearly a century and has made the rounds through many mediums, the basic premise is far more camp space opera than gritty realism.
Dynamite holds the comic book rights to Buck Rogers and Hermes is reprinting the serial strips.
© C Harris Lynn, 2008
Monday, December 15, 2008
Advance Reviewer Pans Miller's The Spirit
A reviewer on Ain't It Cool News has posted an advance review of Frank Miller's The Spirit. And it is not pretty.
However, the guy is obviously not a comics fan, so let that temper your reaction to his nasty review. He lists some of his top movies of 2008 as a preface and includes both The Dark Knight and Iron Man, but once you read his ramblings, you will conclude that the movie theater is as close to any of these characters as he has ever gotten.
He also makes it pretty clear that he only knows Frank Miller from his movie work; he mentions his work on the Robocop films and Sin City, but does not even seem aware that Miller created Sin City! So:
Dear Who's-It,
Frank Miller created Sin City and was close friends with Will Eisner, who created The Spirit. It's absolutely fine that you did not care for his direction or work in general, but if you're going to pan it this hard, at least give the guy the benefit of a little research!
He does admit the movie looks great, which is at least half the battle - I can forgive Frank Miller for his directorial debut being a dud, so long as it looks as good as his sequential art work. The rest will come with time.
All in all, having not seen the movie, I can safely say this is not a researched review, but it's worth reading - most film-goers are not likely to know who Frank Miller is - or The Spirit, for that matter - so this may well be an indication of things to come.
© C Harris Lynn, 2008
However, the guy is obviously not a comics fan, so let that temper your reaction to his nasty review. He lists some of his top movies of 2008 as a preface and includes both The Dark Knight and Iron Man, but once you read his ramblings, you will conclude that the movie theater is as close to any of these characters as he has ever gotten.
He also makes it pretty clear that he only knows Frank Miller from his movie work; he mentions his work on the Robocop films and Sin City, but does not even seem aware that Miller created Sin City! So:
Dear Who's-It,
Frank Miller created Sin City and was close friends with Will Eisner, who created The Spirit. It's absolutely fine that you did not care for his direction or work in general, but if you're going to pan it this hard, at least give the guy the benefit of a little research!
He does admit the movie looks great, which is at least half the battle - I can forgive Frank Miller for his directorial debut being a dud, so long as it looks as good as his sequential art work. The rest will come with time.
All in all, having not seen the movie, I can safely say this is not a researched review, but it's worth reading - most film-goers are not likely to know who Frank Miller is - or The Spirit, for that matter - so this may well be an indication of things to come.
© C Harris Lynn, 2008
Thursday, October 09, 2008
The Spirit Collectibles
One of the most anticipated new films of the year is Frank Miller's movie adaptation of Will Eisner's comic strip, The Spirit, opening Christmas Day. A classic action-adventure-romance, The Spirit tells the story of a former rookie cop who returns mysteriously from the dead to fight crime from the shadows of an urban jungle. Dark Horse Deluxe has channeled the noir mood and exotic images of this Lionsgate release and brought the world of Central City into being with a new range of officially licensed collectibles, including a sculpted bust and statue, a beautiful snow globe, and a unique LED illuminated journal. As the movie opens nationwide, fans will be anticipating the arrival of these fine collectibles with the same eagerness with which they rushed to theaters to see the film.
The Spirit is portrayed by Gabriel Macht, who brings a larger-than-life heroic quality to the role. His performance inspired the initial sculptures: a limited-edition bust, full-size, limited-edition statue, and elaborate sculptural high-end snow globe. He was very generous in his cooperation for these projects, and the results are apparent in the realism of the finished work.
In selecting the creative team for this assignment, Dark Horse enlisted two of the most noted digital sculptors around to create the 3D versions of the moody hero. Hot on the heels of their stunning statues of the characters from the recent Batman smash hit, Kolby Jukes and Oluf Hartvigson have created, respectively, Dark Horse's statue and bust.
The bust, which is the latest example of what is now a well-established area of modern collecting, measures 4.30"W x 3.15"D x 6.00"H . Packaged in a protective foam cube in deluxe color packaging, this piece is a hand-numbered limited-edition of only 750 copies for worldwide distribution. The manufacturer's suggested retail price is $59.99 and The Spirit Movie mini-bust is scheduled to release on January 28, 2008.
The Spirit Statue presents the masked avenger in full figure (1:7 Life Size). The dimensions measure 11.21"W x 7.34"D x 8.5"H. Peering over a rooftop of Central City, The Spirit is poised and ready to spring. Sculpted by Kolby Jukes, this piece is also a numbered limited-edition of only 750 copies for worldwide distribution, with a manufacturer's suggested retail price of $199.00. It will be released on Christmas Day.
The continual snowfall is a graphic theme in The Spirit, as it as often been in Frank Miller's graphic stories, and creates a visual atmosphere that oozes drama. Therefore, it was not hard to imagine a beautiful snow globe that would capture and reproduce the effect. Central City, as depicted in the film, essentially becomes one of the main characters. The detail was focused on the buildings and fire escapes, and the movie's tagline acts as a rooftop sign. A high-quality 120mm glass sphere encases a liquid sky that is spackled with a miniature flurry of white. Crafting the miniature environment was a technical challenge for Dark Horse and sculptors Jukes and Hartvigson, but the result is a unique collectible that is fascinating. Limited to only 500 pieces, packaged in a foam cube in color packaging, The Spirit Movie Snow Globe has a manufacturer's suggested retail price of $99.99, and will be available in retail stores in late November.
Long known for its modern artist journal and stationery line, Dark Horse Deluxe has come up with a new journal for The Spirit. A moody silhouette of the hero stands against a snow-spackled night sky. This cover is enhanced with a dozen or so tiny lighting elements concealed inside the journal's cover. When activated by a hidden on/off button, the colored jewels in the snowflakes swirling around The Spirit light up as if under a streetlight on an urban winter's night. The journal itself is 51/2" x 81/2", with 128 interior pages suitable as a compendium of the owner's secret thoughts.
A logo-lettered book spine conceals spiral binding. The publication date for this item is December 6, 2008, just in time for the film release. The manufacturer's suggested retail price is $14.99.
© C Harris Lynn, 2008
Monday, September 22, 2008
All-Star Batman and Robin #10 - The Fallout
We brought you the story about All-Star Batman & Robin #10 a while back. Basically, the issue was chockful o' wirty dords and they blacked them out. Unfortunately, the ink wasn't opaque enough and you could plainly see the naughty language. In the industry, this is a major printing error.
DC Comics had to soak the printing costs of the entire print run, as well as shipping, delivery, and general distribution, and also the new printing. This probably cost them a few hundred thousand bucks! Granted, they can handle the hit, but make no mistake about it: it's a real blow to them, financially. I was as amused by this story as anyone, and said then that no one should be surprised if all the copies are not destroyed or returned, as DC asked.
I haven't been able to make the rounds as well as I used to lately, so since I got quite a bit done here and am gearing-up for the third season Heroes debut in about an hour, I figured I would take the time to do exactly that. That's how I came across Neptune's great post on it just today.
Regular readers know Neptune's Comics is one of our good blogger friends found in the trusty BlogRoll there to your right. While Lisa and I have frequently disagreed, it is never hostile and almost every time, it is because we work in different arenas within the industry. I am a writer and sometime sequential artist and she and her husband run a retail outlet. Of course, we are both bloggers and I respect her opinion and take on things specifically because it usually differs from mine (usually because she works retail); I hope she respects my viewpoint, as well. I really have learned a lot from her posts, since I haven't worked in a retail comic book/collectibles outlet in over 15 years.
This is one of those cases.
I suppose I was thinking about ethics when I said "fat chance" to the idea that everyone would burn their copies. Let's face it: that really is a dumb idea. Granted, it is the ethical thing to do, and I agree with Lisa that Diamond (and even DC) should look into finding out who the individuals/businesses are that have so eagerly sought to profit from this gaffe - if for no other reason than to reward those retailers who did the right thing - but as a collector, of course a lot of people are going to hang onto at least a handful of copies! After all, this was DC's error! And you already know the uncensored copies of this issue are going to skyrocket in price and be in high-demand for years to come.
Honestly, if I were a retailer, I would have held onto at least 10-20 copies of the shipment myself. I would have returned the rest and I wouldn't even have thought about offering them on eBay, in-store, or anywhere else for several years, but I would have thrown them in a fireproof box, put them in the bank, and started spending money on shit like tie-dyed Cadillacs, polka-dotted bow ties, and everything else I have absolutely no need for.
Because those issues are going to be worth megabucks.
Now, I consider myself to be an ethical person - to whatever extent I can be fair about such - but I also consider this a golden opportunity for collectors. After all, no matter whatever else, what few copies survive the recall are going to become the very cornerstone of collections. In several years, at least one or more will end up in sequential art displays in cons and museums, as well as printing and publishing presentations/displays, and on and on. This is kind of like having one of the few remaining, original copies of Nosferatu - the silent film horror classic Bram Stoker's wife fought most of her life to have destroyed. And that film is now a true classic of the field!
Had every copy of Nosferatu been destroyed, as Ms. Stoker had wished (and vigorously fought to have done in her waning years), a litany of fields and mediums would be the poorer for it. Horror films, silent films, the horror genre overall, the vampire sub-genre... The imagery of that film is legendary and while the filmmaker had no legal right to adapt Dracula into a movie, it remains one of the more faithful adaptations to this day!
I sincerely doubt ASB&R #10 can be elevated to the same level as Nosferatu, but the point remains: DC screwed-up - not the collectors, not the retailers. And I, like many others, wonder just how much of this really was a marketing ploy. Granted, DC makes no more money on privately-traded stock, but the entire thing probably drove sales of this particular issue, and this title overall, much closer to the numbers DC would like it to have. After all, though I just started reading (before this debacle - I didn't know Miller was doing it), it's pretty much been panned by everyone.
Still, retailers are pretty upset with this and they are all asking if anything is going to be done about those "bad apples" who disobeyed DC and Diamond and the sad reality is: no. Flatly.
For one thing, neither DC nor Diamond is willing to shell-out the money to do anything - they've already taken a bath as it is! For another, DC couldn't ask for better publicity and - I can attest to this, personally - their PR department is not that good. They can't even be bothered to work publicity online and a story this big accomplished, in one fell swoop, what they couldn't be bothered with up to now.
Again, I am a very moral person, but - and I mean forget the state of the economy, the fact that America is blanketly morally bankrupt, on and on - I would definitely have held back 10-20 copies! (Scratch that: 12-22, because I need two for my own collection!) I could justify this as preserving Americana or whatever - and honestly, that is not just an excuse - but the truth is, as a collector, this is one of those once-in-a-lifetime opportunities. And though I constantly bitch about how opportunistic this country and our modern world is, this isn't exactly like looting TVs during a hurricane.
© C Harris Lynn, 2008
DC Comics had to soak the printing costs of the entire print run, as well as shipping, delivery, and general distribution, and also the new printing. This probably cost them a few hundred thousand bucks! Granted, they can handle the hit, but make no mistake about it: it's a real blow to them, financially. I was as amused by this story as anyone, and said then that no one should be surprised if all the copies are not destroyed or returned, as DC asked.
I haven't been able to make the rounds as well as I used to lately, so since I got quite a bit done here and am gearing-up for the third season Heroes debut in about an hour, I figured I would take the time to do exactly that. That's how I came across Neptune's great post on it just today.
Regular readers know Neptune's Comics is one of our good blogger friends found in the trusty BlogRoll there to your right. While Lisa and I have frequently disagreed, it is never hostile and almost every time, it is because we work in different arenas within the industry. I am a writer and sometime sequential artist and she and her husband run a retail outlet. Of course, we are both bloggers and I respect her opinion and take on things specifically because it usually differs from mine (usually because she works retail); I hope she respects my viewpoint, as well. I really have learned a lot from her posts, since I haven't worked in a retail comic book/collectibles outlet in over 15 years.
This is one of those cases.
I suppose I was thinking about ethics when I said "fat chance" to the idea that everyone would burn their copies. Let's face it: that really is a dumb idea. Granted, it is the ethical thing to do, and I agree with Lisa that Diamond (and even DC) should look into finding out who the individuals/businesses are that have so eagerly sought to profit from this gaffe - if for no other reason than to reward those retailers who did the right thing - but as a collector, of course a lot of people are going to hang onto at least a handful of copies! After all, this was DC's error! And you already know the uncensored copies of this issue are going to skyrocket in price and be in high-demand for years to come.
Honestly, if I were a retailer, I would have held onto at least 10-20 copies of the shipment myself. I would have returned the rest and I wouldn't even have thought about offering them on eBay, in-store, or anywhere else for several years, but I would have thrown them in a fireproof box, put them in the bank, and started spending money on shit like tie-dyed Cadillacs, polka-dotted bow ties, and everything else I have absolutely no need for.
Because those issues are going to be worth megabucks.
Now, I consider myself to be an ethical person - to whatever extent I can be fair about such - but I also consider this a golden opportunity for collectors. After all, no matter whatever else, what few copies survive the recall are going to become the very cornerstone of collections. In several years, at least one or more will end up in sequential art displays in cons and museums, as well as printing and publishing presentations/displays, and on and on. This is kind of like having one of the few remaining, original copies of Nosferatu - the silent film horror classic Bram Stoker's wife fought most of her life to have destroyed. And that film is now a true classic of the field!
Had every copy of Nosferatu been destroyed, as Ms. Stoker had wished (and vigorously fought to have done in her waning years), a litany of fields and mediums would be the poorer for it. Horror films, silent films, the horror genre overall, the vampire sub-genre... The imagery of that film is legendary and while the filmmaker had no legal right to adapt Dracula into a movie, it remains one of the more faithful adaptations to this day!
I sincerely doubt ASB&R #10 can be elevated to the same level as Nosferatu, but the point remains: DC screwed-up - not the collectors, not the retailers. And I, like many others, wonder just how much of this really was a marketing ploy. Granted, DC makes no more money on privately-traded stock, but the entire thing probably drove sales of this particular issue, and this title overall, much closer to the numbers DC would like it to have. After all, though I just started reading (before this debacle - I didn't know Miller was doing it), it's pretty much been panned by everyone.
Still, retailers are pretty upset with this and they are all asking if anything is going to be done about those "bad apples" who disobeyed DC and Diamond and the sad reality is: no. Flatly.
For one thing, neither DC nor Diamond is willing to shell-out the money to do anything - they've already taken a bath as it is! For another, DC couldn't ask for better publicity and - I can attest to this, personally - their PR department is not that good. They can't even be bothered to work publicity online and a story this big accomplished, in one fell swoop, what they couldn't be bothered with up to now.
Again, I am a very moral person, but - and I mean forget the state of the economy, the fact that America is blanketly morally bankrupt, on and on - I would definitely have held back 10-20 copies! (Scratch that: 12-22, because I need two for my own collection!) I could justify this as preserving Americana or whatever - and honestly, that is not just an excuse - but the truth is, as a collector, this is one of those once-in-a-lifetime opportunities. And though I constantly bitch about how opportunistic this country and our modern world is, this isn't exactly like looting TVs during a hurricane.
© C Harris Lynn, 2008
Sunday, August 03, 2008
Martha Washington Collected
Martha Washington is the twenty-first century freedom fighter created by comic book megastars Frank Miller (Sin City, 300) and Dave Gibbons (Watchmen).
A masterpiece nearly twenty years in the making, The Life and Times of Martha Washington is an archival, oversized hardcover volume with slipcase containing over 600 pages and the complete life story of this remarkable character.
Collecting meticulously remastered versions of every Martha Washington story and featuring an extensive behind-the-scenes section, this is the ultimate edition of a modern comics epic crafted by two of the medium's greatest living masters.
Our story begins in the squalid corridors of a maximum-security housing project, where a young girl will rise from the war-torn streets of Chicago to battle injustice in a world insane with corruption. Her fight will take her far, from the frontlines of the second American Civil War, to the cold, unforgiving reaches of space. She will be called a hero, a traitor, and nearly everything in between, but all along the way, her courage, her integrity, and her unwavering commitment to that most valuable of rights — liberty — will inspire a movement that will never surrender.
"I know there are people that have been waiting for her to come back," says Frank Miller about his beloved character Martha.
"She really lives her life in the best way she can," explains Gibbons, "which is a heroism of a more truthful kind."
The Life and Times of Martha Washington hits shelves in the summer of 2009.
© C Harris Lynn, 2008
A masterpiece nearly twenty years in the making, The Life and Times of Martha Washington is an archival, oversized hardcover volume with slipcase containing over 600 pages and the complete life story of this remarkable character.
Collecting meticulously remastered versions of every Martha Washington story and featuring an extensive behind-the-scenes section, this is the ultimate edition of a modern comics epic crafted by two of the medium's greatest living masters.
Our story begins in the squalid corridors of a maximum-security housing project, where a young girl will rise from the war-torn streets of Chicago to battle injustice in a world insane with corruption. Her fight will take her far, from the frontlines of the second American Civil War, to the cold, unforgiving reaches of space. She will be called a hero, a traitor, and nearly everything in between, but all along the way, her courage, her integrity, and her unwavering commitment to that most valuable of rights — liberty — will inspire a movement that will never surrender.
"I know there are people that have been waiting for her to come back," says Frank Miller about his beloved character Martha.
"She really lives her life in the best way she can," explains Gibbons, "which is a heroism of a more truthful kind."
The Life and Times of Martha Washington hits shelves in the summer of 2009.
© C Harris Lynn, 2008
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
The Daredevil Omnibus on the Way!
Daredevil was one of the first real superheroes I ever got into. Something about him just “clicked” for me. And then came Frank Miller. Miller turned all of Comicdom on its ear with his Chandleresque take on all things Murdock, from his sanity to his love life to Hell’s Kitchen, itself. Those issues are still among my most favored and will always hold a special place in both my collection and heart. If you missed those, you honestly missed one of the best things to have ever happened to comics - ever! Now, here’s your chance to get in on the fun once again.This is an official Marvel press release:
Marvel is pleased to announce that the Daredevil By Frank Miller Omnibus Companion, collecting more of Miller's groundbreaking DD stories, has now expanded by over 120 pages! In addition to collecting Peter Parker, The Spectacular Spider-Man #27-28, Daredevil #219, 226-233, Daredevil: Man Without Fear #1-5, and Daredevil: Love And War, this collection includes a bevy of never-before-seen extras! Penciled pages by David Mazzucchelli! Frank Miller's Daredevil series bible from 1980! The original plot to Daredevil #219, the script to Daredevil #233 and the original drafts of the landmark Daredevil: Man Without Fear are all featured in this essential hardcover for any Daredevil fan!
Exploring Daredevil's earliest adventures and his later tragedies, this Marvel Omnibus features re-mastered pages from these issues, restoring the coloring to match the original perfectly and presenting a Daredevil experience like never before! This November, Daredevil By Frank Miller Omnibus Companion gets bigger and better—and no Marvel library is complete without it!
There's nothing like the Marvel Omnibus experience!
DAREDEVIL BY FRANK MILLER OMNIBUS COMPANION HC (SEP072255)
Written by FRANK MILLER, BILL MANTLO & DENNY O'NEIL
Penciled by FRANK MILLER, BILL SIENKIEWICZ, DAVID MAZZUCCHELLI, JOHN ROMITA JR. & JOHN BUSCEMA
Covers by DAVID MAZZUCCHELLI & JOHN ROMITA JR.
Rated T+ …$59.99
FOC—11/1/07, On-Sale—12/12/07
DAREDEVIL BY FRANK MILLER OMNIBUS COMPANION HC – VARIANT EDITION (SEP072256)
Written by FRANK MILLER, BILL MANTLO & DENNY O'NEIL
Penciled by FRANK MILLER, BILL SIENKIEWICZ, DAVID MAZZUCCHELLI, JOHN ROMITA JR. & JOHN BUSCEMA
Cover by JOHN ROMITA JR.
Rated T+ …$59.99
FOC—11/1/07, On-Sale—12/12/07
Saturday, June 30, 2007
Miller's Wolvie Model
I recently discussed Frank Miller and Chris Claremont's famous Wolverine limited series (which I have, both the comics and the TPB - just, you know, bragging) from 1982 and we've talked about the ElfQuest figurines coming from Dark Horse Direct - which I honestly really want, but don't think I'm going to be able to afford, especially with the move.Now, Marvel is bring us the Wolverine figurine, based on the cover from the 4th issue in that series. They have two editions, both limited: the regular, 2500 run and the limited to 500 pieces Variant Edition, with Miller's coloring (shown here). The Wolverine statue is from Diamond Select and sculpted by Gabriel Marquez. I'm not sure when you can expect them.
Friday, June 22, 2007
Frank Miller Does Chandler
Now how great is this?
As most of you know, Raymond Chandler is my favorite author and Frank Miller is my favorite comic book legend. Now, reports indicate that Miller will direct Clive Owen in a film adaptation of Raymond Chandler's novel, Trouble is my Business. This is one of the few Chandler works I have not read and it has never been adapted to film.
Of course, many of Chandler's longer works were actually culled from earlier, shorter ones, and since this features his iconic character, Philip Marlowe, I have likely read the shorter version at some point. Still, I would love to read this book before it hits the screens because I have every plan to see it.
Fans of Miller's know how strong Chandler's influence has been on him and his work. Clive Owen said, "Frank Miller knows more about noir than anyone I have ever met... Miller adapting Chandler seemed like a perfect match."
No production dates have been given yet. Miller is currently working on Will Eisner's The Spirit and is then set to start work on Sin City 2 with Robert Rodriguez, so we'll keep you posted.
As most of you know, Raymond Chandler is my favorite author and Frank Miller is my favorite comic book legend. Now, reports indicate that Miller will direct Clive Owen in a film adaptation of Raymond Chandler's novel, Trouble is my Business. This is one of the few Chandler works I have not read and it has never been adapted to film.
Of course, many of Chandler's longer works were actually culled from earlier, shorter ones, and since this features his iconic character, Philip Marlowe, I have likely read the shorter version at some point. Still, I would love to read this book before it hits the screens because I have every plan to see it.
Fans of Miller's know how strong Chandler's influence has been on him and his work. Clive Owen said, "Frank Miller knows more about noir than anyone I have ever met... Miller adapting Chandler seemed like a perfect match."
No production dates have been given yet. Miller is currently working on Will Eisner's The Spirit and is then set to start work on Sin City 2 with Robert Rodriguez, so we'll keep you posted.
Tuesday, June 05, 2007
Comics Movies News - Sin City 2, Transformers
Diamond notes that since Frank Miller is doing Eisner's The Spirit and Robert Rodriguez has recently been attached to a new Barbarella movie, it is sure to set the Sin City sequel back a bit. No start date was set for filming, but with the creators working on two separate projects, it is sure to be pushed back.
The new Transformers live-action movie will open one day earlier than originally scheduled. Transformers was set to open on Independence Day, July 4th, but has now been moved up to July 3rd instead. The movie tie-in collectible Transformers toys hit store shelves last Saturday (June 2nd), and the movie looks really good from the promos, so you might want to hurry and grab them before they're only available on eBay - for much more than you'll pay at the stores, I guarantee!
Shrek the Third fell to 3rd place and Spider-Man 3 landed at #5 at the box office this weekend, with Pirates of the Caribbean 3 holding onto the #1 position.
The new Transformers live-action movie will open one day earlier than originally scheduled. Transformers was set to open on Independence Day, July 4th, but has now been moved up to July 3rd instead. The movie tie-in collectible Transformers toys hit store shelves last Saturday (June 2nd), and the movie looks really good from the promos, so you might want to hurry and grab them before they're only available on eBay - for much more than you'll pay at the stores, I guarantee!
Shrek the Third fell to 3rd place and Spider-Man 3 landed at #5 at the box office this weekend, with Pirates of the Caribbean 3 holding onto the #1 position.
Thursday, May 31, 2007
Comics Rundown - Batman, Sienkiewicz, Miller, More
I know, I know. I've said it before: what's the point of getting all this inside information if I don't pass it on to you while it's still news? But this month (thank God we've reached the end of it!) was a real ass-kicker, so I'm not down on myself for not getting to this stuff sooner. I really need to get my stuff together, though.
We've got a lot of comics news for you today, and much more on the way throughout the weekend, so remember, alcohol may intensify the effects of this blog:
- DC is releasing several Batman figurines this Fall. They stand 12" and the one to be released in November was designed by Jim Lee.
- Lionsgate will distribute the Frank Miller Spirit movie.
- Miller and Dave Gibbons are teaming up once again to bring us Martha Washington Dies. This 24-page one-shot will include Miller's plotting, as well as original art from the first series and the rest.
- Legendary artist, Bill Sienkiewicz, provides a variant cover for Flash #14.
- Horror magazine, Fangoria, is releasing a comics line this summer.
- Sam Keith will do a two-issue Batman/Lobo crossover series to be released in August.
- Stan Lee is appearing on Fox Movie Channel's Life After Film School this month.
Tuesday, March 27, 2007
Turtles Back On Top
20 years later and the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles are still kicking mainstream comics properties' shells:
TMNT toppled 300 this weekend at the box office, cruising into the #1 spot with about $23 million. The family-friendly CGI-rendered movie of the turtles has gotten mixed, but generally favorable, reviews from critics and fans.
For those who don't know, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles is a spoof of the popular comics themes of the 1980s - namely teenagers (X-Men, Teen Titans), mutants (X-Men, many popular Marvel titles and Marvel in general), and ninjas (X-Men, Elektra, Lone Wolf & Cub, more) - when The Uncanny X-Men were uber-popular. Invented by the creative team of Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird, it was independently published and eventually moved to Archie Comics (if I remember correctly). It became so popular that it began outselling the titles it parodied and soon became a powerful commodity in its own right. This is the turtles' second movie; the first was a live-action piece which was surprisingly good.
The more things change...
In more 300 news, sources say Frank Miller is working on a sequel. Um? A sequel to the battle at Thermopylae? That's like a sequel to Titanic, isn't it? Which, by the way, I have never watched all the way through, so please don't tell me how it ends!
TMNT toppled 300 this weekend at the box office, cruising into the #1 spot with about $23 million. The family-friendly CGI-rendered movie of the turtles has gotten mixed, but generally favorable, reviews from critics and fans.
For those who don't know, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles is a spoof of the popular comics themes of the 1980s - namely teenagers (X-Men, Teen Titans), mutants (X-Men, many popular Marvel titles and Marvel in general), and ninjas (X-Men, Elektra, Lone Wolf & Cub, more) - when The Uncanny X-Men were uber-popular. Invented by the creative team of Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird, it was independently published and eventually moved to Archie Comics (if I remember correctly). It became so popular that it began outselling the titles it parodied and soon became a powerful commodity in its own right. This is the turtles' second movie; the first was a live-action piece which was surprisingly good.
The more things change...
In more 300 news, sources say Frank Miller is working on a sequel. Um? A sequel to the battle at Thermopylae? That's like a sequel to Titanic, isn't it? Which, by the way, I have never watched all the way through, so please don't tell me how it ends!
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