Live-Action Akira Movie Coming in 2009
February 27, 2008 | Categories: Comic Books / Films

That little headline got me all excited. A week ago FirstShowing.net revealed that the most well known anime in the world is getting the Hollywood treatment next summer. The rights were purchased by Warner Bros. who describe the film as “Blade Runner meets City of God”, which when you think about it like that, it sounds even better. They’re also saying that the movie going to be based more-so on the manga than on the anime, which should make for a much bigger story. One thing that FirstShowing mentions is that it might be taking place in “New Manhattan” instead of a neo-Tokyo. This would be pretty damn annoying if it was, Japan is the perfect setting for this movie, and always will be.

I think as long as they get a good director, don’t butcher the screenplay, and give it a decent budget, this should be awesome. They should just let the Wachowskis do it since they’re already directing Japan’s other most famous anime, which is also being produced by Warner Bros. I don’t even care for them that much, I just don’t think they’d screw up.

Who else would be cool for this project? Leave me some suggestions in the comments.

Bobby

The New Fantastic 4
February 17, 2008 | Categories: Comic Books

I picked up the new issue of Fantastic 4 last week, #554 to be exact, where writer Mark Millar and artist Bryan Hitch have started their run on the comic. These guys are only household names if you live with someone who reads comic books, but they could be compared to a guy like David Fincher, who makes movies that are not only smart, but flashy and edgy as well. The two worked together previously on a comic called Ultimates, sort of a contemporary take on The Avengers, but filled with the moral and political issues of our modern day society.

But now they’ve set their sights on bringing back one of Marvel’s most recognizable heroes to the glory they haven’t experienced since the 60’s or 70’s, honestly. Their run is slated at being 16 issues, almost a year and a half, and the first issue doesn’t disappoint. Within the first 10 pages, you’re subtly shown what each character’s powers are, and even a slight nod to how they got them. After that, it starts to feel extremely real. Millar’s characterizations are spot on, and you don’t feel like you’re reading a comic, it’s like you’re reading an issue of your favorite well written TV show.

That idea is also helped entirely by the amazing art of Bryan Hitch, who is hands down one of the best artists in the industry. His character’s feel absolutely real, such as seeing She Hulk sitting down on the couch with a more normal sized person. She Hulk looks like she’s 7 feet tall because she is 7 feet tall. Or when Sue (The Invisible Woman) is sitting on the opposite couch relaxing, suddenly an old love of Reed’s (Mr. Fantastic) teleports into the room. The first thing Sue does is put up her hair, realizing that she looks like she a mom and not the hot chick from the F4. It’s these subtle details that really make this something different from normal comics.

At the end of the issue you’re left with a pretty big reveal, drawn in a typically epic style that only Bryan Hitch can do so well. If you have any interest at all in comics, pick this up. If you’ve never read a comic in your life, go pick this up. This is a great place to start and should lead up to some pretty exciting things over the next year or so.

Bobby

I Want Those Flashing Lights by Colin Munroe
February 14, 2008 | Categories: Art / Comic Books / Design / Films / Music


I Want Those Flashing Lights by ColinMunroe (mp3)

I’ve never been a big Kanye fan, but I noticed he had this sneak peek of his new video Flashing Lights floating around, so I checked it out, and it was kinda lame. But I read that it wasn’t the real video, so I went looking for the real thing, and stumbled upon Colin Munroe’s version of the song, which is the video above.

Colin is a Canadian singer who describes himself as a “Do-It-Yourself guy” and cites his biggest influences as The Beatles and J Dilla, which sounds cool to me. Not only is this song extremely infectious, but the video is pretty rad as well. I really hope this guy does good, he has a great voice and rad sense of design.

Bobby

Alex Lukas
February 14, 2008 | Categories: Art / Comic Books / Design

Being a person who loves prints and comic books, it’s natural that I would like this Comic SFans poster by Alek Lukas. Alek is a RISD graduate and currently has a residency at Space 1026. There’s also a really great interview with him over on Fecal Face, which is where I came across him. The rest of his work doesn’t look anything like this, but as consolation, you can purchase the print from Cantab Publishing for $20.

Can anyone guess each of the character’s names on the poster? I’m having a problem with two of them, but I don’t want to say who just yet. A no-prize to the person who can figure them all out first!

Bobby

World War Robot / Bertie Figure
February 6, 2008 | Categories: Art / Comic Books

Yesterday, Ashley Wood put up some new photos of his upcoming Bertie figure, and they look so incredible! I think they’re going to be around 18″ tall with a ton of articulation, a bunch of weapons, and amazing paint jobs. There are also going to be two versions, Dirty Deeds (what you see above) and Desert Combat Bertie, with a special edition version to be released at the New York Comic Con.

The official release date has yet to be announced, only the general date of April 2008, but I definitely want to pick one of these up when they do come out!

Ryan Heshka Show at Secret Headquarters
January 31, 2008 | Categories: Art / Comic Books

Secret Headquarters in Silverlake is having an awesome looking art show tomorrow night featuring the awesome artwork of Ryan Heshka. All of the pieces in the show look like they were inspired by old, pulp and science fiction comics from the 50’s, with all sorts of weird yetis and aliens and ghosts.

The show is from 8 to 10pm and there will be drinks, as always.

Bobby

Astonishing X-Men Covers by John Cassady
December 19, 2007 | Categories: Art / Comic Books / Illustration

I was cleaning up last night and came across a big stack of comic books and I thought I’d post these. These are four alternate covers from Astonishing X-men, and I absolutely love them. The artwork is by John Cassaday, whom I’ve already ooo’ed and aww’ed over, but these covers are like comic book pop art. It would be so cool if Marvel made prints of these, I would certainly buy them.

Bobby

Giant Size Astonishing X-Men
November 20, 2007 | Categories: Comic Books

I’m not as big of a comic book fan as I used to be, but when I read Astonishing X-Men, I get that loving feel again. The series is written by Joss Whedon, who most people will know as the writer and creator of the Buffy TV show. Also, it’s drawn by the amazing John Cassaday, who is definitely the best artist in comic books, these days. His style is pretty realistic and and gritty at times. Together, the book is completely realistic feeling, with Joss bringing his witty and clever writing style to comics and John’s art really making you believe it.

Sadly, their series is coming to and end, with the upcoming Giant Size Astonishing X-Men #1, which looks like it’s going to feature the Avengers and the Fantastic Four. And I guess that one of the X-Men is going to die? It better not the be the new girl, Shield. She’s a rad, new, Kitty Pryde or Jubilee for Wolverine. It’s going to such a bummer to not have this to look forward too!

Bobby

Swallow 4
November 7, 2007 | Categories: Art / Comic Books / Illustration

I popped over to Ash Wood’s blog earlier today, and he posted a pretty sweet homage image to Frank Frazetta, something he came up with for his newest edition of Swallow. I clicked the image to see it in a much larger, more beautiful way, and what immediately caught my eye was the fact that Paul Pope is going to contribute!

I really can’t believe it, I’m so excited. Ashley Wood should just take the money out of my bank account, right now. They’re two of my absolute favorite artists, and their working together. I need more of this, all the time… and for Ash to bring back Automatic Kafka, damn that was good.

Bobby

Tampon in a Teacup
November 4, 2007 | Categories: Comic Books / Films

When I posted last week about Tobias Wong’s ccPhone, it made me think of the movie Ghost World. The scene I kept thinking of is when Enid is in her summer school art class, and oneof her fellow classmates brings in a project and presents it to the class. Her piece is a tampon, in a teacup, which the girl says is her, “response to the issue of a woman’s right to choose… it’s something I feel super-strongly about.”

Daniel Clowes, the writer of both the comic book and the movie, obviously understands the concept of bullshit. A tampon in a tea cup or an iPhone painted black, either way it’s not art, it’s a half-ass attempt at someone telling you you’re a visionary.

Bobby