Basically all the stuff I meant to do a proper post on, but didn’t quite get to …

–So who watches Veronica Mars? I was geeking out last night to the “Comic Con” references. The story, for those who didn’t watch it, revolved around a comic fan who met the girl of his dreams at a comic book convention, but didn’t get her digits or even her last name before they parted, so he hired super-sleuth Veronica to hunt her down. The story gets more complicated from there, but the notable parts had the guy describing how he bonded with his dream girl over Battlestar Galactica, Chuck Klosterman and Dave Gibbons.

Veronica Mars is one of the most consistently clever, witty and excellent shows on the air. Previous episodes can be watched for free on the CW website, while last night’s episode should be on iTunes soon, if it isn’t there already.

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I try my best on this column to pose ideas rather than just come out with specifics.  Mind you, I try my best but who’s perfect these days, right?  But today, there is something I have to shout to the hills about, something to sing about, even.  In the days where Civil War slogs on, showing us the dark underside of ‘no villain, just opposing view points’, one might even be looking for some catharsis, some sort of epically scaled battle of good and evil where hard work pays off, where heroes are heroes, where men are men and women also kick ass and the universe is saved.

Ladies and gentlemen, look no further than Annihilation #6

Spoilers ahead, not to mention some fairly biased commentary on a book I so delightfully enjoy, so consider yourself warned.  And, if you can, go find and read Annihilation.  Enjoy this book.  And if you don’t plan on any of that, keep reading.
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You may have noticed that Marvel.com’s content has taken an upswing lately … in addition to their creator blogs and the wikipedia-like character index, they’ve also started posting themed cover galleries. While previous galleries have focused on current comics, like the Marvel Zombies-related books and Civil War, the most recent one goes back into Marvel’s past, as they recap and feature covers related to the return of Thanos and The Infinity Gauntlet:

The actual Infinity Gauntlet story starts with Cloak and Dagger #18, kicking directly into Infinity Gauntlet #1 as Thanos, along with his new consort Mephisto, begins adjusting to godhood. After playing with lives and making small displays of power, the now-omnipotent Thanos makes his grand gesture to Death: He wipes out half the sentient life in the universe.

Of course, with the recent return of one of Thanos’ key enemies and the New Avengers Illuminati book, there’s probably a marketing angle in there somewhere … but it’s also a fun look back for those of us who haven’t read their Infinity Gauntlet comics in awhile.

The Chicago Tribune’s Redeye magazine takes a look at the Super Bowl-bound Chicago Bears in a somewhat different light:

They come not to save the world, but to win a world championship. From the Halas Hall of Just-Us, three heroes with almost superhuman abilities lead their team on a final mission: to win a Super Bowl.

RedEye presents Chicago artist Mitch O’Connell’s superstyled illustration, with our own profiles. But pressing questions loom for these comic-book Bears: Can they focus their powers? Who will rise up to stop the Colts of Ind-Evil-Apolis? Does this spandex make them look fat? And who is this mysterious blue creature leading Indy?

A PDF of the print version of Redeye, which features a poster of the Bears in hero garb, can be found here.

Reuters talks to Roger Cruz, Ivan Reis and Octavio Cariello, among others, about their work in American comics:

The Internet and other new technology has been a big help for Brazilian artists as it assured U.S. companies that they could deliver their work on time, said Ivan Reis, who draws exclusively for DC and now works on the Green Lantern.

“Today, what’s the difference for DC, with offices in New York, to work with a guy from San Diego or another from Brazil? It doesn’t matter. What’s important is quality,” he said.

Greg Tocchini said distance was no longer relevant. He left Sao Paulo a few years ago and moved to a small, remote house by a river from where Thorn Son of Asgard, Capitan America and the Falcon started to transform.

Brazil: harnessing the internet for good.

Will Eisner Studios has set up a new website devoted to all things Will Eisner: “This web site serves as the online home for news and information about the legendary comic artist, father of the graphic novel, and creator of The Spirit… Will Eisner.”

Go check it out.

Certainly, there’s been plenty of examples, particularly in comics, of creators whose work and success shines ever so brightly for a relatively short amount of time and flames out just as quickly. There’s a reason for that, based on a study featured in the journal Management Science about inventors working in the computer hard drive industry, whose brains are hardwired on innovation and creativity.

OK, I know all this sounds a bit esoteric, but stay with me for a moment…

Turns out, success is the culprit among inventors who have experienced it in their efforts to patent inventions. Yes, they’ll continue to generate new patents but, often, they’ll tend to be less divergent from their previous work, meaning you’ll probably see variations of the same ol’ hard drive, or comic book…

One way to get around that creative “obstacle,” according to researchers: “Encouraging inventors to collaborate with one another.” With comics as collaborative a medium as they come, there’s little doubt, for example, a Alan Moore story mixed with, let’s say, the artistry of an Eddie Campbell has the raw potential to become a classic, just as From Hell has become. In other words, the work of two equals can often be far more powerful than the one…

Bet you can think of at least one former fav creator whose career would flourish once again had they the withwhithal or sense to share the marquee with somebody else…

Dan Goldman writes:

Recently, I announced that Act Two of “KELLY” would begin on Nerve.com early this month. Yesterday morning, I was informed that it will in fact not be appearing on their site at all.

What does that mean for our little friends and their grimy adventures? It means we’re debuting “KELLY” here on ACT-I-VATE, now, today. I’ve spent the last month working on this sans the welcome company of your lovely feedback. This is some of my favorite work to date, so get ready to fling some kisses.

Elsewhere, he calls Kelly “too raw” for Nerve, which can only mean one thing: Nerve are weak. Comics… are strong. Go read Kelly, but bear in mind that there’s language that certain people wouldn’t want you to read at work or if you’re a child, so don’t come running to me if you get caught looking at it and get in trouble.

This story by The Deseret News might include some interesting tidbits from a college professor who teaches a graphic novel class, but what really makes it gold is this quote on the appeal of the medium:

“I just picked up one one day and I said, ‘Hey, this is pretty cool. I don’t have to read a lot of words. The pictures are right here for me.”‘

Screw you, words! Meanwhile, The Daily Astorian says the streets of Astoria are infected with a “comic book craze:”

Jake Danner has been collecting comic books on the North Coast for 16 years, and lately he’s seen a “comic book craze” sweeping through the streets of Astoria.

Danner, 32, said it’s not just the new comic book store, Amazing Stories, Comics Games and More. He’s seeing more comics at local antique stores, grocery stores and art galleries. It’s not just a local phenomenon, either. There’s a new Spider Man comic book series inside the Oregonian, and the new film “The Night Rider” is the latest example of modern movies being inspired by comic books.

Heh, shows what they know … Night Rider is clearly based on a song. Ain’t gonna let’em catch me, no …

Heidi reports new NYCC rumors:

We keep hearing how hard it is for people to get badges. People like comics pros. Apparently, comics pros are being charged $45 for a three-day pass. (There was a long Engine thread on this topic a while back which we didn’t get to link to.) Convention organizers suggested that pros would need to get badges via their publishers.

Yesterday we heard a new wildfire rumor that publishers were being limited in how many creator badges they could get, and in some cases the amount was Not Enough. Stress that it was a rumor, but all of this seems to be making it hard for the crazy mix of artists and writers from all walks of life — especially The Beat’s it seems — to swingle and mingle in that crazy comicon way we all love so much. We understand that keeping the guys who staple their cousin’s minicomics from flooding the zone with non pros getting in for free is necessary, but we’ll have to see how this plays out.

Today is also the deadline for purchasing advance tickets for the February event. Be warned.

Charlie Anders - who is, after meeting her last Thursday, definitely on the Official Blog@Newsarama 10 Most Awesome People Ever list (San Francisco Chapter) - is thinking about Wonder Woman:

I was realizing the other day that Wonder Woman is my favorite comic character, but I own very few Wonder Woman comics. I have the hardcover Archives volumes that cover the early 1940s issues, but that’s about it… I didn’t start buying comics regularly until sometime in the 90s, when I picked up tons and tons of back issues for a dime each, pretty much indiscriminately buying stuff until I found what I liked. I never got into buying Wonder Woman’s comic because it always seemed a bit joyless and dull. I read a few issues around the time when she defeated intergalactic slavers and then came back to Earth and got a job at a Taco Bell because she needed money and had no work experience. I sort of liked those issues. But by the time I was reading comics regularly, she was being replaced with a boring red-haired tough chick, and then John Byrne took over writing her comic. Those issues were unbelievably, just horrendously bad. And then a blur of various writers I wasn’t interested in, until Greg Rucka took over. I read a lot of the Rucka issues from the quarter bin, but they never really resonated with me for whatever reason. The new series lost my interest the moment it filled Wonder Woman with boring angst about letting people down and how it’s bad to decapitate people, blah blah blah.

Wonder Woman should be the most fun comic book character ever. Instead, she’s the most boring. Why is this?

She goes on to offer some possible reasons (and then unfairly disses Catwoman, who’s been much more interesting since Brubaker did a revamp on her). Worth a read.

At his newly redesigned and very attractive site, Chris Butcher pushes you in the direction of Pilgrim:

Scott Pilgrim @ the Library
Presented in partnership with Toronto Public Library
Part of Keep Toronto Reading 2007
http://www.keeptorontoreading.ca
Sit down with critically acclaimed graphic novel creator Bryan Lee O’Malley, the man behind the witty and hilarious Scott Pilgrim series, selected as the Independent Comic of the Year by Entertainment Weekly (2006). Bryan chats with The Beguiling’s Peter Birkemoe and you never know, he might just give away a few exciting teasers about the highly anticipated new volume of Scott Pilgrim.
North York Central Library (Concourse)
Tues. Feb. 20, 6 - 7:30 p.m.
http://keeptorontoreading.com/anime.php#scott_pilgrim
Also: Live chat with Bryan Lee O’Malley!

Can’t wait until the 20th? Chat online with Bryan a day before the event on Book Buzz: Toronto Public Library’s Online Book Club. It’s the perfect appetizer to what will be a highly memorable event.
Mon. Feb. 19, 4-5 p.m. FREE.

Brian Wood on The Couriers being adapted for movies:

So yeah, its optioned, a very long time in coming. My agent and I have spent a lot of time from 2003 to now trying to land a deal, and I’m really happy we have one. I don’t have a lot of information at all, since its pretty early on, but I did have a phone conversation with Javier Grillo-Marxuach earlier today, who is adapting the books. Great guy, great talent, and he’s a fan of the book from the start, having bought a copy of vol. 1 when it first came out. I have every reason to think this’ll be a faithful adaptation.

A Shazam fan writes:

I strongly urge you over the next couple of days and months to come to review the sales of both Trials [of Shazam, the 12-issue miniseries set in current continuity by Judd Winnick and Howard Porter] and [Jeff Smith's 4-issue miniseries, Shazam and the] Monster Society of Evil. Hopefully this analysis will prove me right that sales figures talk and it is a true litmus test of what the fans in this industry truly want for the direction of Captain Marvel. If anything I implore you to take my suggestion and make [Winnick's] story take part on an alternate earth in the newly re-vamped multiverse since no other characters except Zantanna has interacted with Billy.

Please bring back the characters we SHAZAM fans some who have been loyal to the characters for 30 plus years all know and love. Please remember how long it took before Justice Society finally made it big and remember what got them back on top. This can be done with Captain Marvel. Jerry Ordway proved so for 50 issues. Judd Winack’s rendition and vision is just not the right fit for this character.

I have to admit, I know which I’d rather read, and it will be interesting to see whether continuity beats creator in this particular sales battle…

Yes, Kiss are coming back to the world of comic books. Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons talked to Jonah Weiland from Comic Book Resources to show that, yes, they are insane. Paul?:

I think between Scott Rosenberg and the whole Platinum crew, we have the makings of a team that can not only win the World Series, but become one of the best teams ever. KISS obviously is a band that has a dual identity in that we’re musicians, but we’re also super heroes and we’ve certainly found ways to market that before. I think this venture, just the fact that the first comic coming out will be the largest in history and certified by the Guinness Book of World Records, says that we’re all on the same page. The truth is that games are won by teams and wars are won by armies and we’ve amassed a great bunch of people.

What does that even mean?

I received the hardcopy version of First Second’s catalog in the mail a few days ago (thanks, Gina!), but you can check out their Spring 2007 selections over at their website. The graphic novel that draws my interest the most in the new catalog is Garage Band by Italian comic creator Gipi, and First Second rewarded my curiousity about the book with preview pages from it over on their site. Go check’em out.

Update: In terms of when to look for these books … First Second is releasing their spring 2007 titles over three months, instead of all in one as they have in the past. Sardine in Outer Space 3 and Garage Band are coming out in April; Tiny Tyrant and The Professor’s Daughter are coming out in May; and The Lost Colony 2: The Red Menace and The Black Diamond Detective Agency are coming out in June. So it looks like they’re releasing one “all ages” title along with one aimed at older audiences each month.

One of the more interesting news stories that’s been popping up over the past several months — the kneejerk removal of a pair of award-winning graphic novels (Craig Thompson’s classic Blankets and Alison Bechdel’s graphic memoir Fun Home: A Family Tragicomic) from the Marshall (Mo.) Public Library — may soon be coming to an end, based on accounts late last week from the Marshall Democrat-News.

Although the ultimate fate of Blankets and Fun Home remains a mystery (nobody’s talking about it for the record yet), there is one piece of good news to report: A request by one Marshall Public Library patron to label graphic novels or sequester them away from other books — I assume based on content — was denied by the board as prejudicial.

No matter what happens, I suspect people around the world will be interested in the outcome, as David Twiddy’s Associated Press story about the Marshall Public Library has been circulated and re-circulated around the world on scores of newspaper Web sites since mid-November.

Len Wein has a post up on his blog about this past weekend’s Phoenix Cactus Comicon:

On Friday evening, after the convention preview, all the guests were treated to a thank you dinner from the convention staff, which may well have been the highlight of the weekend for me, since I found myself with Bret Blevins and his lovely wife Patricia sitting to my left side and, on my right, the original Lois Lane herself, the incredible Noel Neill and her charming husband Larry. Since I’m one of those kids who grew up on The Adventures of Superman, seeing Noel again was a real treat. She was even kind enough to pretend to remember me from our last meeting many months earlier. It always freaks me out a tad to realize that, thanks to Noel, I’m only three degrees of Kevin Bacon away from movie great Clark Gable, since Noel and I both appeared in the DVD super-hero feature Surge of Power, and she had appeared in the aforementioned Superman series with the late, lamented George Reeves, who in turn had appeared in Gone With the Wind with Gable. Anyway, the dinner was a hoot, and I hope to post some photos from same here soon.

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So, It’s been a while. It looks as things have gotten a little wilder while I was gone. Marvel decided to publish books where they turned characters like Slapstick into Flagello, the Flagellation Man. Superman won’t stop crying over at DC. There have been so many shocks and surprises and the internet just can’t be broken anymore. It’s become tougher, like when you tear a phone book into pieces and eventually it just won’t rip anymore. It’s just too hard to find good content out there. How do you tell who’s who and what’s what in this new world out there? Don’t worry, people. I’m back to comfort and guide. Welcome to the world outside B@N. Welcome to Meanwhile….

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