By Jimmy Palmiotti
Been a busy week here working on my full time job and haven’t had a lot of time to run around and be crazy and gather crap for the blog, but I am going to give it my best.
A FEW FILMS:
SLUMDOG MILLIONARE earned their Golden Globes the hard way, by being one of the best movies of the year. Loved it and the energy on screen. Truly wonderful and made for all audiences. It’s a shame its rated R.
Saw REVOLUTIONARY ROAD as well this week and had a really hard time dealing with all the self –pitying of the two characters, and call it bad timing as well when people are losing their jobs and homes, we have to watch a movie about a couple that has both and still can’t act like grown-ups. The screenplay was, I thought, weak in that it never fully introduced these two people as a family since the kids were really never in more than two quick scenes and the interaction was nil. The biggest problem I had was that I just didn’t get the feeling these two people really loved each other. That alone made it hard to follow them till the end.
Also checked out GRAN TORINO. It’s no secret I am a big fan of Clint Eastwood and this film once again proves how talented this man is. I thought it was funny and sweet and had some really great life lessons. It was a win-win for me.
Last, caught THE UNBORN, which was wonderful fun for the most part till the last 20 minutes when I figured out that they didn’t have all the details worked out where the film was going. It felt like a wish list of a lot of cool things and scenes and then they figured out a way to string them all together… except the end. I was hoping for a bit more from David Goyer since I am a fan and hoping for an R-rated horror show as well. Don’t get me wrong, it was entertaining and fun, but I think next time he should hit me up and let me look over the script. I think I can help… lol.
CONVENTION TIME:
Yeah, New York and Megacon are coming in a few weeks, and how we prepare around here is Amanda starts working till 4am every day to make up for the lost time and money the cons cost us and I just try to make her life easier by booking flights and hotels. We both love the cons for the same reasons… we get to meet and talk to the fans. Sometimes we make some cash selling prints, but usually it just about covers our expenses. Not a problem with Megacon really since they are taking good care of us. The N.Y. con this year was cool enough to give us a table and admission, but since we are not special guests, coming from Florida and staying near in a hotel, its going to cost us a bit to break even this year. This is true for most of the people in Artists’ Alley folks… remember, only a few people actually walk away with a profit and especially the case with the lesser-known pros and the people introducing their creator-owned books. As a rule I try to support them whenever possible.
BLAIR BUTLER:
For those of you that watch G4, you already know why I consider Blair one of the coolest people inside and outside of comics. Enough cant be said about her, so give her a watch here.
Thanks again for the props, Blair.
VOTE:
Go to the CBG Fan Awards page and vote. Vote for your favorites and while I am here with you, don’t forget everyone’s favorite scarred western star. I know it’s a shameless plug, but think of it as a reminder while all you are thinking about are men in tights. Jonah Hex would shoot them all given the chance.
PLUG FOR A GOOD CAUSE:
The Hero Initiative has announced that annual memberships for the organization are now available for purchase. There are four levels of membership: Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Excelsior!
A Bronze membership costs $29 and includes: a personalized membership card, a quarterly newsletter, and a Hero Initiative sketch card from a randomly selected artist.
A Silver membership costs $99 and includes: all of the Bronze perks, plus a Hero Initiative T-shirt (your choice of Dawn or Hero Hand), a copy of the Marvel Then and Now DVD, and a copy of The Unusual Suspects graphic novel.
A Gold membership costs $250 and includes: all of the Silver perks, plus invitations to Hero Initiative VIP Members-Only parties at 2009′s Wizard World Los Angeles and Wizard World Chicago.
An Excelsior! membership costs $500 and includes: all of the Gold perks, plus your flat item (maximum size 11” x 17”), signed and personalized by the one and only Stan Lee.
To become a member of The Hero Initiative, fans can click here or sign up on-site at The Hero Initiative booth at the following upcoming comic book conventions: Phoenix Cactus Comic-Con, Jan. 23-25; New York Comic Con, Feb. 6-8; WonderCon, Feb. 27 – March 1; Orlando MegaCon, Feb. 27 – March 1; and Wizard World Los Angeles, March 13-15.
SETH KUSHNER AND CHRISTOPHER IRVING:
I thank God Amanda thinks I am attractive, but honestly I don’t feel like a prince away from her, but I got to hand it to a photographer friend of mine named Seth Kushner. Check out his work and the cool photos he has taken of a lot of the N.Y. area creators. The man is brilliant at his craft and a super nice guy. Seth has a skill that I think people seem to take for granted these days and it’s on display on his NYC GRAPHIC blog site.
Go take a look here.
See Paul Pope taking it easy at a burlesque show, marvel at Howard Chaykin’s stern expression… and enjoy a well-written blog by Christopher Irving.
THE GOLDEN GLOBES:
I watched them and it was OK. a lot of the usual B.S. and ass-kissing like all award shows and that’s cool as well. Glad Slumdog, Mickey Rourke, and a few others won, as well as Kate Winslet for THE READER. The thing that really got my attention was Salma Hayek.
I actually met Mickey for a minute in a club in New York in the early nineties and he was pretty cool. He was decked out all in white and so was his lady. I was a huge fan of his YEAR OF THE DRAGON, ANGEL HEART, POPE OF GREENICH VILLAGE, and NINE AND A HALF WEEKS. Something stuck in my brain about Year of the Dragon back then… the movie focused on a guy that everyone hated and I found it left a lasting impression on me. Anyway, back to Salma… Amanda and I actually had the pleasure of meeting her years ago on Kevin Smith’s set while he was filming DOGMA in Jersey. We took some photos with her and hung around the set and we did what you usually do around Kevin… listen to him talk. Anyway, she was super cool and beautiful and I wanted to post a picture of her NOT from the Golden Globes because we all have seen that this week. I found this photo online and figured I would share.
LINKS OF THE WEEK:
Well, the first is to another comic site… and it features a review of a book I co-write. Still… he makes some good points, lol…
The next link is something you will thank me for. It’s the mother of all links to everything you will ever need. Don’t believe me? Then click here.
At last , an excellent “how to” site for illustrators created by Von. R. Glitschka… check it out. I learned a lot on this and you will too.
That’s it for now folks, more to come next week.
JIMMY P
January 15th, 2009 at 11:02 am
Those pics of Salma Hayek got MY attention. Talk about “Golden Globes”! Nice undies, too.
January 15th, 2009 at 11:29 am
Jimmy – have you considered staying in Jersey? I’m paying 64 bucks a night at the Crowne Plaza near Newark Airport. Even when you add in tolls and travel into NYC, the city hotels can’t come near that.
Shortened link to hotel:
http://tinyurl.com/9zgga3
January 15th, 2009 at 11:44 am
Ahh…. Salma….
….Anyway, I can’t wait for Mega Con. I think it might be my only con this year.
Jimbo, didn’t you like living in Florida right about now? I know down here in Naples, FL, it is not too bad with this “cold” front that we are having.
January 15th, 2009 at 12:04 pm
Jimmy, I have to agree about Slumdog Millionaire. Clearly one of the year’s best. I’m still waiting for Revolutionary Road and the Wrestler to come to where I live. Thanks for the blog!
January 15th, 2009 at 12:12 pm
I feel the same way you do about conventions, Jimmy. While they are disruptive to my personal life and cost me a heck of a lot of money to attend (still paying the bills from last year’s Polaris Con), I do it because of the fans. I like to meet fellow comic book/horror/fantasy/sci-fi buffs, find out what they like and don’t like, get their feedback on my work. The panels are fun, too. I enjoy hosting and moderating discussions about all kinds of subjects, meeting new people, learning more about them. It’s all incredibly exhausting, though. At Polaris, I think I got 4 hours sleep the entire weekend. I was an absolute wreck by Monday. It’s nice to know that you share my thoughts and feelings about the con experience, Jimmy. We do it for the fans.
January 15th, 2009 at 12:17 pm
Jimmy!
See you at the NYCC brother!
Mike BMF
January 15th, 2009 at 12:18 pm
This is true for most of the people in Artists’ Alley folks… remember, only a few people actually walk away with a profit and especially the case with the lesser-known pros and the people introducing their creator-owned books.
Amen. I go by myself and don’t have to fly in but they charge me for a (half) table and my assistant who I room with can’t get a courtesy badge like other shows. I’ll be very lucky to break even and it only makes it that much harder to afford to come back each subsequent year and I’m not the only one who struggles as you said.
Another great blog, Jimmy!
For those who drop by my space please support the Inkwell Awards and check out our 2009 sketch compilation donation drive books! The non-profit organization will also be at Boston Comic Con and other venues (tentative at Boston Spectacular and Heroes Con) where we’ll be given a free table for revenue-raising.
January 15th, 2009 at 1:29 pm
Nice blog! I like your thoughts on recent films. I’d like to see Gran Torino and Slumdog Millionaire. My friends didn’t care for the Unborn so I’ll pass on that one…
I can’t wait to see you and Amanda in Orlando. I think this is the third year in a row I’ll see you guys and I’m sure to see you again. Thanks for coming all the way down here to Orlando…the place most avoid!
January 15th, 2009 at 2:27 pm
Salma is quite possibly the most attractive woman I’ve ever seen. I’ve been crushing on her for years.
January 15th, 2009 at 2:38 pm
I love how you say you didnt have time to gather things for the blog and then churn out eight different topics….
so when exactly would a publisher pick up the tab for your travel and accommodations? you are going to be on the wildstorm panel after all.
January 15th, 2009 at 2:59 pm
Jimmy, were you googling pictures like this:
“Salma Hayek”+”Golden Globes” or “Salma Hayek”+”Globes”
Either way, good work…
January 15th, 2009 at 3:02 pm
good lookin out on the artist alley front. it’s getting harder and harder for little guys to get tables. in addition to travel and hotel costs, the cost of the tables themselves keep going up and up.
and thanks for the illustrationclass.com link. always happy to get a new resource.
January 15th, 2009 at 5:34 pm
…that is the mother of all links!! Great blog! Looking forward to seeing you guys at Megacon. Amanda is rockin’ face with her awesome work on Terra and you, sir, always rock as well.
Much respect to the both of yas.
January 15th, 2009 at 5:49 pm
SHAUN: agree 100%
VINNIE: JERSEY, not an option since i am usually too exhausted after the show to lift my own feet, let along hit a tunnel and turnpike, but thanks for the recommendation.
ROBERTO: I love florida, especially this time of year. did you buy your megacon tickets yet?
CORY: anytime …the wrestler is out this week…anyone?
KELLY: WHAT IS POLARIS?
MICHAEL: not if i see you first!
BOB: you are famous dude, more about bob next week…lol
ROBBY: My brother tony and that famous artist phil noto live in orlando area, so its hard to avoid. I’m not a big disney guy, but universal has some fun stuff.
RWE1138: i just spoke to salma and she said “ditto”
STEVE: I actually did a search with her name and mine together and nothing came up. so sad.
ZIGGY: YOU’VE COME A LONG WAY FROM THAT PICKLE.
January 15th, 2009 at 6:13 pm
When we’re talkina about the little guys are we still referring to the subject of Salma?, I wouldn’t call those little. Great pic, Jimmy.
I’m going to give Gran Torino a try, I’ve always been a Clint Eastwood fan.
Another great blog, keep them coming.
January 15th, 2009 at 7:04 pm
Like many have said, hit up the artists in Artist Alley and show them some love. If they are there, kind and willing to talk and pimp their work in a polite way (the key to me), I always snag stuff from them. Don’t shove stuff in my face, look all depressed and brooding, show some personality and respect and people for the most part will return in kind.
Great movie reviews as always!!!
Go buy Jonah Hex people!
January 15th, 2009 at 8:54 pm
I want to see Gran Torino but with the Orlando Highland Games this weekend I doubt I’ll catch it till sometime next week.
Anyway, I’ll see you at Mega.
January 15th, 2009 at 9:34 pm
Just read the review for Jonah Hex #39. I agree 100%! This is the absolute best book on the market right now. I buy practically everything DC and Marvel put out, and many indies. The week Jonah Hex comes out, it is the FIRST book I grab to read. It is that good folks! If I had to cut my buying habits down to one book a month, that one book I would buy would be Jonah Hex. Also, I second the motion for a Jimmy Palmiotti/Justin Gray Blackhawk and Sgt. Rock book!
January 15th, 2009 at 10:25 pm
Thanks so much for your pimpage of Artists’ Alley! I’ve had to explain to many of my friends about how although artists might be grossing money at their tables, that doesn’t meaning they’re netting much or even any money. I’m pretty ecstatic if I manage to break even.
January 16th, 2009 at 12:42 am
This Billy Cox kid has the right idea. You and Justin on BLACKHAWK, a feature I have always loved. Always. For absolutely no good reason. I find nothing especially appealing about war stories, aviation, soldiers, or seven men in leather living together on an island. And yet, I love the Blackhawks. You guys would kick ass on that. Do that!
January 16th, 2009 at 11:21 am
Good deal on mentioning Vonster’s illustration blog. I’ve been friends with him for years.
He’s good people.
January 16th, 2009 at 2:26 pm
Yeah, I got my tickets for Mega Con.
(hell for that matter I placed an order for some Red Sox and Twins spring training tickets since Ft. Myers is about a 30-45 minute drive for me).
BASEBALL, BABY!!!!!!
January 16th, 2009 at 9:30 pm
you know…one artist complimenting another artist’s work is just like they sent you a gift basket…now you gotta send them one…So when can this Mark Waid kid expect you to demand he do a book, Jimmy? (http://www.snpp.com/episodes/CABF12 Ctrl-F basket)
January 17th, 2009 at 3:14 pm
Both SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE and GRAN TORINO are on my “must see” list. Thanks for the recommendations.
If I remember correctly, Blair has been supporting HEX for quite awhile now. Three cheers for her.
And you can post pictures of Salma Hayek all you like. Always beautiful.
I agree with Doug Zawisza’s review on CBR. I thought this excerpt was interesting:
“If this book were published by Image, Dark Horse, or IDW, folks would be raving about it and it would be the next best thing since “Invincible” or “The Goon.” It’s a right shame that this book doesn’t get a little more fanfare, as it is a powerful release from the event du jour while being a powerful read that will easily stand on its own legs a decade from now, just as strongly as it does today.”
DC does a lot of things right but promoting mid-tier books that don’t have the word “Crisis” in the title isn’t one of them. They’ve got a classic on their hands, a book that will be considered one of the definitive westerns of this era, they should let people know.
January 18th, 2009 at 11:42 am
D.PEACE: agree, and maybe the coming JONAH HEX film will help the book somewhat. until then we got a spectacular amount of artists coming on board and will continue to do our best making the fans happy. and yeah, If we had another 5 thousand fans like blair, we would be considered the next big thing. we love her.
BRUCE: Mark Waid is just plain awesome on a number of levels…if i could write him a love letter without sounding to man-loving, i would…but i am going to repay him in next weeks posting for sure.
ROBERTO: ITS TRUE…a lot of people are doing the con and staying don for some baseball. i know one editor in chief that is going to do exactly that.
ROB: thats awesome. i do link things without asking people…so it would be cool to hear that he is cool with it.
MR MARK WAID: nothing would make me happier if we were approached by companies to do different genre work…Blackhawks included. who knows…by the way. more on you next week.
TIM: It’s so true. i do not usually sell anything other than a print and usually i wind up giving away books more often than not to people that have never given my work a try or they just hate me for some reason that i don’t know of. heres hoping you more than break even next time out my friend.
BILLY COX: Thanks for the props billy. i would love nothing more than to do hawks and rock, but i got to be honest, i really love what billy Tucci is doing on rock right now. very few creators show the passion that billy does on his projects.
and Lou, as always, a big thanks!!