Greg Ruth at MoCCA 2008

I recently received this great email from Greg Ruth regarding his participation in this year’s MoCCA NY comic book convention. Greg is a very talented artist and also very nice guy that I’ve talked to a few times over the years at MoCCA and he always has terrific art on display.

If you’ve never been, MoCCA is an independent comic book convention housed in the fantastic Puck Building which every June becomes full of fans and professionals alike who adore the four-colored (and sometimes black and white) art form.

Ahoy!

As previously forewarned, I wanted to update you all on the upcoming 2008 MoCCA Arts Festival at the Puck Building in lower Manhattan this June 7th and 8th. As in previous years, I shall be nuzzled in on the ground floor at my usual table alongside the illustrious Allen Spiegel in booths A55-A56, and this year we have a veritable horn o’ plenty of exclusives, sneak peeks and original art for you all to enjoy.

First off, I’ll be heavily featuring work put towards my upcoming creator owned graphic novel from Scholastic/Graphix, THE LOST BOY: The Woodland Chronicles Book 1. Included in the cacophony will be a great deal of new art, a galley of the book thus far, a new sumo-sized poster-card, and a special 18×20 limited edition giclee print of the image below:

As a special treat, I will have on hand a limited number of the upcoming hardcover edition of Conan: Born on the Battlefield complete with a seventeen page sketchbook feature and an introduction by the most excellent Ed Brubaker. This heavy tome collects the entire six issue run of my collaboration with Kurt Busiek, and won’t be out officially until later in the month, so stop on by early for a signed copy before they vanish like so much morning fog!

As always I’ll have original art put towards Goosebumps, Sherlock Holmes, The Matrix, Freaks of the Heartland, Sudden Gravity and a peek at my forthcoming children’s picture book from Feiwel&Friends entitled The Pirate’s Guide to First Grade, among others. There will also be a hefty number of some of my recent cover work and some exciting news and sneak-peeks at some forthcoming treats so that you may inoculate yourself properly for the future.

Allen will have on hand the newly collected hardcover of Jon Muth’s Zen Ties, the sequel to his award winning children’s picture book, Zen Shorts, his recently collected edition of M from Harry Abrams, Barron Storey’s collected sketchbook work, Kent WIlliams’ beautiful monograph, Amalgalm and the remaining few copies of Phil Hale’s double volume Mockingbirds. Allen will most assuredly have a good deal of other unmentionable glory to enjoy as is his tendency in this area, so make sure to come eyes wide open.

This is one of my all time favorite shows full of some of the best work around- I heartily encourage anyone who can muster for the journey to come on down and say hello. I sincerely hope to see you there, and hope this letter find you all well and happy. For further info, directions, a map of the show, and the exhibitor list, please click feverishly upon the link below. Come hungry!

http://www.moccany.com/artfest-main.html

DC Comics Senior Vice President of Creative Affairs Gregory Noveck discusses “Batman Gotham Knight”

DC Universe original animated movies are created by a unique
collaboration between four diverse units within the Warner Bros.
family – Warner Premiere, Warner Home Video, Warner Bros Animation
and, the source of the characters and many of the stories, DC Comics.
Leading the charge for the latter group is Gregory Noveck, Senior Vice
President, Creative Affairs for the iconic comics company, and
credited as Executive in Charge of Production for DC Comics on all of
the DC Universe films.

Noveck was instrumental in launching “Batman Gotham Knight” into
production, guiding the team toward its original concept and
recruiting an amazing array of writing talent for the project. It
proved to be a most interesting production at every turn – including
diverging from many of the traditional processes to bridge the
creativity between the writers, the production team at Warner Bros.
Animation and the directors and animators at three individual studios
in Japan.

As Noveck says, the end result is even more intriguing, inspiring and
visually stimulating – and he looks forward to witnessing the reaction
of Batman fans across the planet. His first opportunity will come at
Wizard World Chicago on June 28 when he moderates the panel following
the world premiere of “Batman Gotham Knight.”

“Batman Gotham Knight” will arrive July 8, 2008 on DVD and Blu-Ray
disc, and will also be available that day On Demand via digital cable
and for download through broadband sites.

Noveck explained the origins of “Batman Gotham Knight,” his sentiments
on the movie, and his thoughts on how it will be received by fans in a
short interview this week.

Question: How did this film originate, particularly in terms of
recruiting such a fantastic group of writers and animators?

Gregory Noveck answers:
When we decided to make this film, we wanted to get the best Japanese
animators and the best Batman writers we could. David Goyer was an
obvious choice, having written “Batman Begins” and the story for “The
Dark Knight” and knowing Batman so well. Jordan Goldberg had worked
with the Nolans extensively on the films and was a natural to help us
conceive the story. Then we said, “Who has written some of the best
Batman comics?” and Brian Azzarello and Greg Rucka immediately came to
mind. We wanted a screenwriter with a gritty, realistic tone, and we
thought of Josh Olson, coming off an Academy Award nomination for “A
History of Violence.” And then we said, “Is there someone that has
been involved with Batman for a long time and never gotten the chance
to really go edgy with the character?” Alan Burnett was the easy call
there. Amazingly, everything fell into place. Everyone was our first
choice, everyone said yes, and we ended up with an awesome lineup.

Question: Do you have a favorite segment amongst the six?

Gregory Noveck answers:
All of the segments have a special appeal to me for different reasons
– from Greg Rucka’s Gotham Central aspect to Brian Azzarello showing
us a side of Batman we’ve never seen before, to Burnett’s showcase of
Deadshot. It’s all pretty dazzling. Conceptually, my favorite is
probably Josh Olson’s opening segment because you get the unique,
individual perception of Batman through the eyes of several people.
The entire movie is really about that theme – how Batman is viewed
from other perspectives – and that theme succeeds on many different
levels.

Question: Does the final visual product match what you envisioned when
the film was initially discussed?

Gregory Noveck answers:
The look of the film ended up being something I couldn’t have
imagined. The idea was to bring in some of these really well known
Japanese animators, people who might have always wanted to work on
Batman and never had the opportunity, and just let them have at it.
There were certain limitations on what they could do – in terms of
staying within the styles. They couldn’t put him in red, not that they
wanted to. But what they did really exceeded anything beyond what I’d
imagined. They gave Batman so many new, different looks, and still
kept him recognizable as Batman, and that’s what we wanted.

The opening segment – and the very first Batman that audience will see
in the film – is a very good example of the limitlessness of the
animators’ creativity. To see that for the first time was strange, but
really cool. Not just his physical appearance as a shadow morphing
into the Batman, but when he turns toward the camera and gives that
first look, it really catches you. At first, it was strange to see –
but when you put it in the perspective of that image being seen
through a kid’s eyes, then it makes perfect sense. And that segment
has grown to be the most visually arresting. I like the Batman in
Jordan Goldberg’s “Field Test” segment because he reminds me of the
G-Force/Battle of the Planets cartoons when I was a kid. Batman has
such a sleek, high-tech appearance – I just love the look of him in
that segment.

Question: You know the Batman and comics fans as well as anyone. How
do you think the fans will react to this Batman film?

Gregory Noveck answers:
I think fans will be enthralled with the film’s strong blend of
original, never-before-seen interpretations of Batman and some very
familiar aspects of the character. The visuals of this film are
amazing, particularly the unique perspectives of Batman and the
detailed, intriguing visions of Gotham City. At the same time, fan
favorite Kevin Conroy keeps Batman grounded in familiar territory with
his renowned voice – as does the inclusion of both villains like
Scarecrow and Killer Croc, and allies like Commissioner Gordon,
Alfred, Lucius Fox and Crispus Allen of Gotham Central fame. It’s a
great mix and I think, from the opening moments to the closing
credits, fans will be blown away.

The Brights Movement Invades Doctor Who?

In an interview in The Independent, Russell T Davies talked about the upcoming series finale…

He is the creator of galaxies, saviour of Saturday night telly and the most influential gay man in Britain, but Russell T Davies can still shriek like a starstruck fanboy. “Richard Dawkins!”

The evolutionary biologist and best-selling author of The God Delusion will appear as a guest star in the new series of Doctor Who, which began last night. “People were falling at his feet,” says Davies, creator of the BBC’s flagship show. “We’ve had Kylie Minogue on that set, but it was Dawkins people were worshipping.”

As writer and executive producer of Doctor Who, Davies often plays with religious imagery (from a cross-shaped space station to robot angels with halos), but he’s a fervent believer in Dawkins. “He has brought atheism proudly out of the closet!”

Husband of former Doctor Who companion  Lalla Ward (Romana II), Richard Dawkins is a firm believer in the absence of belief… if that makes sense. It’s no secret that RTD is an atheist (given his incessant two finger salute to God in all forms unless He’s wearing lots of hair gel and trainers) from not only his writing on Doctor Who but also the frankly amazing TV miniseries ‘Second Coming.’

With Sarah Jane Smith, K-9, Rose, Martha, and Captain Jack arriving in the finale, a celebrity free thinker wouldn’t look amiss, would he?

Jack Kirby on NPR

In his new biography, Kirby: King of Comics, TV and comics writer Mark Evanier details the life and career of noted comic artist Jack Kirby.

Kirby is the co-creator (with Stan Lee) of the Marvel Comics characters the Fantastic Four, the Incredible Hulk and X-Men. He’s also credited with changing the look of the comics in the 1940s, moving away from visuals that aped what was being done in syndicated newspaper strips.

Evanier got to know Kirby when, as a young man recently out of high school, he took a job working as Kirby’s assistant. Since that time Evanier has written for several cartoon series, including Scooby Doo, ABC Weekend Special, CBS Storybreak and Superman: The Animated Series.

Evanier’s memories of Jack Kirby are recounted in his book Kirby: King of Comics.

An excerpt below:

Jack Kirby didn’t invent the comic book. It just seems that way. It’s 1939 and he’s still a few years from establishing himself as one of the most important, brilliant innovators of an emerging form. He isn’t even Jack Kirby yet. He’s Jacob Kurtzberg, from the Kurtzberg family on Suffolk Street in not the best part of New York. At age twenty-one he’s trying to do the most important thing he believes a man can do: provide for his family, bring home a paycheck. Nothing else matters if you don’t manage that.

Much of the work in comics is done in “shops”—cramped quarters where artists toil at rows of drawing tables. The money isn’t good, but it’s good for a young man whose neighborhood has yet to see evidence that the Great Depression is ending. It at least beats selling newspapers or several other alternatives he’s tried.

To promote his book, Evanier talked to NPR in their Fresh Air program.

Click here to listen to the whole special

The Sinister Six puts “The Spectacular Spider-Man” to the Ultimate Test

Here, here … the gang’s all here … with a slightly revised Sinister Six putting Spider-Man to the ultimate test in “Group Therapy,” an all-new episode of “The Spectacular Spider-Man” premiering this Saturday, May 31 at 10:00 a.m. ET/PT on CW4Kids.

“Group Therapy” starts quickly and never slows. With Electro’s help, Doctor Octopus busts himself, Vulture, Sandman, Rhino and Shocker out of Ryker’s Island prison to quench their mutual desire for revenge.

Even with his new black alien symbiote suit, Spider-Man finds The Sinister Six are more than he can handle. Peter Parker might wish for an easier way out of this predicament … but be careful what you wish for, Pete.

“Group Therapy” is the third “The Spectacular Spider-Man” episode written by Andrew Robinson this season. Jennifer Coyle previously directed Doc Ock’s premiere episode, “Reaction,” and takes her relationship with the character to new heights in “Group Therapy.”

Prior to the premiere of “Group Therapy,” CW4Kids will air a repeat of Sandman’s debut episode, “Competition,” at 9:30 a.m. ET/PT.

Darwyn Cooke on Jonah Hex

JONAH HEX #33

Written by Jimmy Palmiotti and Justin Gray; Art and cover by Darwyn Cooke

A special issue drawn by Eisner Award-winning artist Darwyn Cooke (DC: THE NEW FRONTIER, THE SPIRIT)! Jonah Hex travels to Canada on the trail of his latest bounty. But with the Mounties hot on his heels, this isn’t going to be an easy job.

On Sale July 2, 2008
For those of you who are unfamiliar with the greatness of Darwyn Cooke’s art, this is indeed a good thing. The new Jonah Hex series has been receiving rave reviews from fans and this issue will surely get even readers who are on fence in the door. Combining the mean scarred hombre with a tough guy comic creator like Cooke is such a no-brainer that I’m surprised that it has taken this long.

Reserve your copy today!

New Doctor Who Producer Officially Announced

Moffat Leading Doctor Who Into the Future
By John Scott Lewinski
May 21, 2008

Doctor Who is regenerating — with the help of an elite writer.

Russell T. Davies stepped down as the show’s executive producer Tuesday, suggesting that it was in the best interest of the sci-fi classic to bring a new eye and a fresh voice to the fifth season of its rebirth. Enter Steven Moffat — Who’s most accomplished writer over the series’ first four 21st-century seasons.

Moffat’s episodes are perennial fan favorites (“The Empty Child,” “Blink”), and he is the only Doctor Who writer in history to win two Hugos and two BAFTA Awards. Moffat ramps up the spooky factor in his Who stories, pushing camp and silliness to the rear. A veteran staff writer for the original version of Coupling, Moffat is adapting the antics of Belgian comic hero Tintin into a movie for Steven Spielberg.

This changing of the guard ends speculation on Davies’ future and his turbulent relationship with Who fans. He’s credited with championing and leading Doctor Who’s enormously successful return to global TV. Yet, some of the episodes he penned were not received well, focusing more on romantic melodrama and social/sexual agendas than the imaginative, hard-core sci-fi The Doctor’s followers tune in to see.

Davies will pilot the show through a partial hiatus in 2009, producing a series of special episodes. Moffat has the helm when Doctor Who returns for its fifth season come 2010.

There may very well be a light at the end of a very dark tunnel for me. After watching the series I once loved turn into a camp over-the-top shadow of its former glory, it looks like things may turn around. Writer of the best that the new program has to offer including ‘The Empty Child/The Doctor Dances,’ ‘The Girl in The Fireplace’ and ‘Blink,’ Stephen Moffat could be the man fit to save Doctor Who. Granted, Russell T Davies did bring the success of 1960’s BBC TV to a new generation, but after endless musings on The Doctor’s love life and pop culture references… I think he is more than ready to be replaced.

As of to back up my claim of Moffat’s greatness and Davies‘ ineptness, the grand producer RTD was quoted as saying “I’ll rewrite 100% if I have to. With Steven Moffat’s scripts, I don’t touch a word, but anyone else’s I do…”

I’ll sleep a little easier tonight, but may not wake up until 2010 when a new producer and revived program will arrive (and hopefully a new Doctor and signature tune… please!?)

Doctor Who Series 4 finale trailer

Each year, Doctor Who takes a moment to renew interest in its viewers with a surprise trailer featuring glimpses of what is to come. Last year we got the return of The Master… this year looks like a veritable Holiday gift for fans consisting of the Daleks, Rose… and Davros??

Last seen in the Classic Doctor Who series story ‘Remembrance of the Daleks,’ Davros was created by writer Terry Nation as a more interesting mouth piece for the shrieking menaces. A maniacal genius bent on dominating all inferior lifeforms, Davros is a dark statement of technological advancement and xenophobia all mixed up in one mean package. One of the most powerful villains of the Classic Doctor Who series, the return of Davros marks the latest in producer Russell T Davies’ homages to the program he fell in love with as a kid.

But seeing what has become of the program this year, will it be enough to save the most uninspired season to date for the longest running science fiction television series?

Doctor Who and The Poison Sky

Doctor Who- Series Four- Episode Five

The Poison Sky

The new series has a very poor record of decent two parters, doesn’t it? In fact, out of the 2-parters so far only The Doctor Dances/Empty Child and maybe The Rise of The Cybermen/Age of Steel are any good if I’m being generous. In the past the problem has been a superb set up with a lot of running around and shouting on the conclusion (as seen in The Family of Blood), but in this case the first episode was so poor that the story had nowhere to go but to the very shallow end of the pool.

There seems to be some major misunderstanding with the Sontarans as being clones. They are, in fact, all clones bred from the same genetic stock. Yet this story displays the Sontarans as masters of cloning technology full stop. In the back of my head a hope glimmered that this may be a nod to the shape-shifting enemy of the Sontarans, the Rutans… but I quelled my hopes since this series has shown again and again that it is just not that clever. No, the Sontarans simply clone people yet leave the host body alive for some reason and also clone all the personality aspects that could get in the way of their plans (like compassion or the inability to kill in cold blood) and none of the useful bits (like any personality traits that would convince anyone who really knew the original that the clone was genuine and not a knock-off).

Brilliant military tacticians, eh?

It’s because of this that their Martha clone can do nothing but hit a ‘No’ button on her palm pilot while UNIT struggles to launch a worldwide nuclear attack on the Sontaran base ship hovering in place. It’s so silly and demeaning an act that my eyes nearly rolled out of my skull. The fact that The Doctor later revealed that he allowed this masquerade to take place because he was desperate for a way to halt the nuclear attack hardly helps.

The ‘comedic’ moment referencing ‘The Empty Child’ where The Doctor dons a gas mask and asks the Brigadier ‘Are you my mummy?’ was so jaw-droppingly horrid that my wife turned to me asking if it really happened. This kind of sending up of the program is killing any hope of the series having even a sliver of dignity left.

The subplot involving the child geniuses rears its ugly head and was so poorly developed in the first part that I was left wondering who these terrible young actors were and what they were doing in the show. As if to show them all how it’s really done, Ryan Sampson as Luke Rattigan overacts the lot of them and spends the rest of the story in a kind of over-acting haze. It’s truly the most magnificent display of terrible acting I’ve ever seen. Well done.

We are treated to extreme close-ups of newscasters reporting doom for humanity for the fourth time in as many years and it is extremely obnoxious and not at all engaging as a narrative device. Someone needs to tell RTD that this looked dated the first time he did it in 2005, it looks down right embarrassing now.

The Sontarans are undone by a last-minute plot contrivance weapon that is thrown together so quickly that it becomes rapidly apparent that the program just does not care of you can follow it anymore. A weapon that ‘ignites the atmosphere’ strikes me as a dubious way to save the planet (wouldn’t it start a planet-wide fire that is never extinguished?) yet seems to work out just fine… somehow.

The entire exhaustive experience plays out with Martha cramming her way back into the TARDIS with some reference to being engaged to be married… but what the hell? Off to adventures!

A poorly constructed, over-acting beast of a story, this ranks up there with last years Dalek 2-parter amongst the worst that the program has to offer. If this is the direction that Russell T Davies wants to take the program, I’m very happy that his days are numbered.

With viewing figures taking a very noticeable dive this week at 5.9 million viewers, giving it a 32.5% share of the total television audience… I’m not the only one.

Doctor Who is taking a break (mid-story???) this week on Sci-Fi in the United States but will return next week May 30th.

New Cinematic Titanic trailer

From the founders of Mystery Science Theater 3000 (Joel Hodgson, Trace Beaulieau, Frank Conniff, Mary Joe Phelps and Josh Weinstein) comes another project, Cinematic Titanic.

I had very low hopes for their first film, The Oozing Skull. I mean, what is the chance of catching lightning twice? Yet it was uproariously hilarious and remains one of my favorites.

Here’s the trailer for their second film:

The Oozing Skull and future projects are available for purchase and direct download from the official website: http://cinematictitanic.com/wpmu/