Che: A Graphic Biography
Written by Sid Jacobson
Illustrated by Ernie Colon
Published by Hill & Wang

Che Guevara…, the dude seems to be stalking my comic book reading lately. Considering I’ve never had any interest at all, it’s a little surprising. First, I had interest in discovering the comics of underground legend Spain Rodriguez, which led me to borrow his book Che from the library. Now, I find a review copy of Hill & Wang’s new book, Che: A Graphic Biography in my mailbox.

While Spain opted for a more jingoistic approach, celebrating Che’s ideals and message, pushing adulation over journalism, Jacobson and Colon show respect for the man’s ideals, but balance their approach with frank comments about the assassination of Cuban dissidents overseen by Guevara and his later inability to stir Congolese and Bolivian revolutionaries. Of course, Jacobson and Colon are the duo who successfully adapted the 9/11 Commission Report to comics, so their balanced approach isn’t terribly surprising.

The book opens with the famed “motorcycle diaries” days and follows Guevara through his meetings with the Castro brothers, extensively details his role in the Cuban revolution, and then devotes two additional chapters to his life in African and South America, trying to again sow the seeds of revolution. While there will undoubtedly be far more detailed biographies (only so much can be said in 110 pages, no matter how talented the teller), Jacobson and Colon provide a compelling overview through the high points of Che’s career.

That said, a couple chapters run aground fairly heavily. The second, for example, details the political circumstances in Central and Latin America during Guevara’s coming of age. Certainly those respective histories are compelling unto themselves, but reducing the saga of each country to half a page, and compounding the problem by failing to tie any of those events firmly to Guevara’s life, doesn’t provide justice to the situation or its impact on the man.

Ernie Colon, a wonderful draftsman, does strong work throughout Che: A Graphic Biography. His likenesses are strong, without being stiff photographic tracings, and he does a professional job with backgrounds and locations. Occasionally, as with past Jacobson/Colon journalism collaborations, the order of captions and balloons is difficult to follow, however.

Che: A Graphic Biograpy continues Sid Jacobson and Ernie Colon’s streak of solid and effective comic book journalism projects.  I hope to see them tackle more current events, but their talents are put to good use here chronicling the life of one of the twentieth century’s most influential and controversial figures.

MTV has an interesting interview up with Wes Anderson, who seems to have been bit by the comic book bug while working on his computer animated feature, the Fantastic Mr. Fox:

Could there be a comic book spin-off for White Cape anytime soon? More importantly, could there be enough longing pauses, indie tracks, and Jason Schwartzman to satisfy Anderson’s jonesing? Either which way, the Fantastic Mr. Fox — starring George Clooney, Meryl Streep, Bill Murray, and the Anderson mainstay Schwartzman — will be hitting theatres this Thanksgiving.

Those of you who have been fans of Stephen King’s Dark Tower series, this might be some great news for you!

According to Shock ‘Til You Drop, the prolific author said a a book signing that he had “one more Dark Tower book to write.”

The Liljas-Library site also issued the following note, allegedly from Stephen King’s message board — that said, I’m taking this one with a grain of salt, as I have not been able to find a direct link yet:

“Stephen has given me permission to pass along that he has an idea for a new Dark Tower book, the working title of which will be The Wind Through The Keyhole. He has not yet started this book and anticipates that it will be a minimum of eight months before he is able to begin writing it.”

Considering the Dark Tower series has been lovingly rendered by Marvel, with creators such as Peter David, Robin Furth, Richard Isanove, and Jae Lee, this could be some welcome news for comics fans. It may not focus specifically on the Gunslinger himself — according to Zach Dionne at GQ, this will likely focus on supporting characters, especially dealing with events from Wizard and Glass and Wolves of the Calla — but this may definitely tie up some loose ends. Thoughts?

Ouch. This one’s going to be a talker, I’d imagine.

Mad Magazine is bringing up its annual “MAD 20″ list, and the number one dumbest thing of the year? According to them, it’s the beatification of the late King of Pop, who died in June allegedly due to the sleeping medication in his system.

If you check out Comics Alliance, where we found this story from, you’ll see the page in question, a stained-glass image of Jackson with some llamas, a monkey, and some crotch-grabbing. I can’t look at it without a weird mix of horror, awe, and laughter.

Considering how divided people have been over Michael Jackson’s death — one half cracking jokes, the other half mourning over his death, and another half more or less wishing him a not-so-happy afterlife — I’m curious to see how Mad’s issue will play out. There’s certainly a line between hilarious humor and poor taste: has Mad moonwalked over it?

Either which way, the book — which also has Sarah Palin, Glenn Beck, Kanye West, and Michael Jackson’s doctor on the list — comes out tomorrow. What say you, Rama readers?

Ready to see an awesome vision of Terry McGinnis? Check out The Mighty artist Chris Samnee’s sketch of Batman Beyond:

That image, which Samnee posted on his blog earlier today, is just totally hard core. I would pay to see an ongoing or a mini with Samnee behind the wheel — maybe this’ll convince DC?

For those of you still smarting over the news of Dollhouse’s cancellation, this may be a (slight) silver lining for you.

Sci Fi Wire has posted a casting call for what seems to be an online Buffy the Vampire Slayer Motion Comic, produced by MAXX INITIATIVE, and based on the Season Eight comic by Dark Horse. Here’s just a snippet:

[ FAITH (V.O.) ]
Co-Star / Female / Caucasian / 20 – 25 years
Description: MAXX INITIATIVE is now casting voice over talent for the Buffy the Vampire Motion Comic, upcoming web series. Seeking the role of FAITH – female, early 20′s, a slayer, displays a much darker, dangerously, fun-seeking, approach to both slaying and murder, she is the dark side of a slayer’s personality. Voice to match Eliza Dushku. Send voiceover links/ reels (if possible). Pay provided. Nonunion.

There’s no sign of Buffy anywhere in this casting call — although that may mean she’s already been cast. Interesting note, however, is there is a call for someone to match the voice of actor Daniel Craig. I don’t know what kind of role he might have, but that’s kinda cool.

Bloody Disgusting reports that the film adaptation of the Devil’s Due comic Hack/Slash is getting a new writer.

According to their announcement, Stephen Susco, writer of the Grudge, has been signed on to write the adaptation.

This is a new development, apparently marking the departure of Justin Marks, whose biggest (and only) feature film thus far was the disappointing Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun-Li.

Susco’s signing also marks a brand new creative team, as Fredrik Bond joined the production as a director back in July. What about casting? Currently there’s no word on any of it, although Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist (boy, that says something about my viewing habits when I confuse that movie with Zombieland) actresss Kat Denning expressed her interest in the property to MTV.

Even as his new comic on singing supervillain Dr. Horrible comes out this week, Zack Whedon is showing that he has a lot of range — even up to the horrors of 2029.

Indeed, the brother of Joss Whedon announced on Techland last night that he would be taking on a Terminator comic for Dark Horse.

Read on for the goods:

I am currently working on a six issue Terminator series for Dark Horse. I just turned in the first script and I’m very excited about it. I love Terminator. I think that movie is so good. Holy Toledo is it good. Now I get to play in that universe and make up Terminator stories of my own that people will get to read. I am not a big-time, famous dude and yet now I am choreographing action sequences set in a post-apocalyptic future overrun by evil cybernetic organisms hell bent on destroying the human race. How is that possible?! I’ll answer your question, Made-Up Person. It’s possible because in comics it doesn’t cost 150 million dollars to tell that story. They can put an idiot like me in charge!

No word yet over whether or not it’s set in the future, the present, or the past — or how John Connor, his mother Sarah, and his Resistance will play into this. What do you think, Rama readers?

Editor’s Note: Stay tuned to the mothership for our EXCLUSIVE Interview with Zack on the new series, later today!

Usually the “almost-cast-but-didn’t” kind of news doesn’t really stir our fancy, but USA Weekend has a post up that makes me almost mournful regarding the upcoming Thor film.

According to their interview, Chuck star Zachary Levi was apparently cast in the Kenneth Branagh-directed film to play Fandral the Dashing. He also said that at one point he had been considered for the main role of Thor himself, having even begun an exercise regimen to bulk up.

(Un)Fortunately, Levi had to back out of the production in order to film six more episodes of Chuck that NBC had ordered. At the very least, however, this means that the Warriors Three have to be in the film — who would you cast as Fandral, Hogun, and Volstagg? Sound off!

Princess Diana comic book under attack in Britain: The Los Angeles Times’ Geoff Boucher defends Bluewater Productions’ Female Force: Princess Diana comic from its critic Diana Funnell of the Diana Circle UK. Now I really, really wish Marvel would have let Peter Milligan write that X-Statix story where Princess Diana comes back from the dead as a mutant and joins the team, if only to have been able to see the reaction.

“He said that the audience to him tended to look like a ‘blur of pink unicorns’ to him”: I know what causes people to see pink elephants, but what causes them to see pink unicorns? You’ll have to ask Tony Lee, but from the lead of this short feature on his visit to Calcutta, it sounds like it might have had something to do with the length of the flight.

Wow, remember when Batgirl comics used to be awesome?: The gang at 4th Letter does.

Okay, I guess I’m not sick of Obama comics after all: Check out Steven Weissman’s strip. And then explain it to me. Wait, don’t explain it—I think I like it just the way it is.

Find out more about Global Freezing here on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays or at ComicsByEgg.com.

One year later…

While the Catwoman title may have been cancelled last Fall, Adam Hughes’ covers are hardly forgettable. He continues to exhibit the talent for which he is most known for. Newsarama briefly spoke to Adam Hughes on what it was like, literally, going back to the drawing board.

Blog@: So what was it like drawing Ms. Selina Kyle on her “resurrected” book? Bring back some fond memories?

AH: Yeah, and some regrets. I felt like I was finding my ‘zone’ in that last year on CATWOMAN; I was having ideas that were outside my usual box. Doing this cover reminded me of them. But it’s always great drawing Selina; she’s one of my favorite characters to draw. T’ain’t nothing like a bad girl gone good!

Blog@: How many drafts did you have before this particular one was selected?

AH: Just the one. I have an extremely subtle and streamlined work process with DC Comics Art Director Mark Chiarello, thanks to my years of doing covers for him. He said to me “Dan (DiDio) wants this certain vibe to the piece…” and explained the vibe, and I knew exactly what they wanted. It’s like an old-marriage where you can finish each others’ sentences. And eat their leftovers from the fridge.

Blog@: I guess you can’t give away any specific plot points, but what exactly is going on here on the cover?

AH: That’s OK: I don’t KNOW any specific plot points…! Basically, the feeling that DC wanted was akin to that moment in the 1925 Phantom of the Opera when the girl takes the mask from Lon Chaney’s head, and reveals his gruesome face. I didn’t want to ape that shot exactly, so I switched it so that the girl is in the front. Selina is finding a bloody face and is holding it up in a WTF?!? moment of dawning horror and the owner of the face is grasping at her from the shadows. Spooky stuff! Also, it’s my first zombie I’ve ever gotten to draw. Thanks, DC Comics, whee!!

You can get your paws on Catwoman #83 this January, ‘Rama readers.

It was Joe McCulloch who really sold me on the idea of DC’s First Wave series. In his regular preview of the week’s releases, he wrote of Batman/Doc Savage Special #1:

[W]riter/mastermind Brian Azzarello seems to have a pretty great concept brewing: a matured, shared universe of pulp magazine fixtures, upset by the arrival of the gun-toting early Batman cast as the young hotshot in town, thus neatly linking the early notion of the superhero to the costumed magazine characters that certainly provided some of the concept’s lineage.

That does sound like a pretty great idea for a series, huh? Something in the tradition of past DC epics hinging on the change of publishing eras. Think The Golden Age, The New Frontier or Kingdom Come, applied to the dawning of superhero comics as the adventure pulps began to fade. And if someone could do a kick-ass version of such a series, it would almost have to be Brian Azzarello, who has more great crime comics on his resume than just about anyone, and showed a great aptitude for metafictional fun in his Dr. 13 story.

Unfortunately, McCulloch wasn’t speaking for Azzarello or DC Comics, and this first book of the First Wave series/event isn’t anywhere near as clever. Instead it’s a 38-page, $4.99 comic book in which the two leads have a misunderstanding, get in a fight, realize their conflict is premised on a mistake, and decide to team up (Or as Graeme McMillian succintly put it in his Savage Critics review,  it’s “a standard Marvel Team-Up plot without much flair”). It even lacks what little punch that old superhero team-up formula has left, as it’s stretched out past the 22-page mark, but never actually gets around to the teaming-up. That’s something that will presumably happen at a later date, most likely sometime next spring, based on the back matter.

That back matter consists of eight pages of sketch art and character designs by Rags Morales, with a few paragraphs about a variety of characters playing a part in the First Wave to come by Azzarello. The characters are a pretty eclectic mix, so eclectic that it’s hard to find a pattern. There are a few standard DCU characters—new versions of Batman, Black Canary and the Blackhawks. There’s Will Eisner’s Spirit character, who also seems to be a distinctly new take (His Ebony White, for example, is a “brash girl.” Not even Frank Miller thought of doing that!). There’s Justice Inc, an old pulp franchise which became a DC comic briefly in the ’70s. Also from the pulps is Doc Savage, who also did time as a DC Comics-published character. And then there’s Rima, the mysterious jungle girl character from William  Henry Hudson’s 1904 romance Green Mansions, who also did time in the ’70s as a DC character, albeit in a jungle adventure mode.

Is there a logic to the character’s chosen? It’s difficult to say. It seems like they are among the less fantastic characters DC own or has the right to publish comics featuring—none are as hard to imagine existing in the real world as, say, Superman or Space Ghost—but there’s still a sense of the random about them, like they were chosen out of a hat and handed as an assignement to Azzarello, along with the instructions to “Try and make something out of all these guys, huh? We’ll let you know if we can get The Shadow or decide to throw in The Sandman or Crimson Avenger.”

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“Anyone with half a brain who had a love for Diana will hate it”: That’s Margaret Funnell, co-founder of the Diana Circle UK, lashing out against Bluewater Productions’ Female Force biographical comic book about Princess Diana. From the looks of the samples shown, and the looks of the other Female Force bio-comics, Funnell seems right on, although I don’t know whether or not loving Diana will necessarily have much to do with hating the comic. Funnell seems far more upset about the existance of the book than the quality of it, however, as she also says “Comic means something to laugh at. I don’t find it at all comical and I wish they hadn’t done it.” I thought everyone in the country that gave us 2000 AD and so many of our best comics writers of the last 20 years was pretty enlightened about comics. Bluewater publisher Darren Davis talks with Coventry Telegraph blogger David Bentley about the criticism, and defends the books portrayal of Diana and her life. Check it out here.

And on the subject of Bluewater’s Female Force bio-sploitation books…: Chris Sims reviews the latest, Female Force: Stephenie Meyer, and he does not much care for it. From the quality of the art he scanned and posted, it’s easy to see why—it’s pretty horrible stuff. It is intriguing that the creators decided to have the bio narrated by a Dracula to either fill space or make it more exciting than the bio on the jacket of Meyer’s own books. See, Margaret Funnell, the Princess Diana book could have been much more tasteless…it could have had an undead horror host narrator in it.

“If I’m to read that right, she’s a MacGuffin in a loincloth. Is this really the kind of nostalgia DC should be reaching for”: Racialicious has some concerns about how DC’s upcoming 2010 First Wave series will treat Rima the Jungle Girl, based on the little character sketch/proposal that writer Brian Azzarello had in the back of this week’s Batman/Doc Savage one-shot. Having just read Green Mansions for the first time this summer, it doesn’t sound a whole hell of a lot like the character in the book. Green Mansions isn’t exactly a terribly enlightened book when it comes to race in the first place, though. (Note: I do hope we get a Rima trade collection out of this First Wave business, though. Those Joe Kubert covers sure look great).

Next for Nancy: Drawn and Quarterly has a neat little preview of the next volume of Nancy from their John Stanley Library series.

“Will Kick-Ass be a 21st Century superhero?”: So asks The Guardian’s film blog. I’m going to say yes, unless they push the release date back about 91 years.

An important reminder from Don MacPherson: DC and Marvel aren’t the only superhero publishers with super-icky comics.

The other fantastic four: Check out PopMatters on Beatles comic books. Here’s my favorite Beatles appearance in a comic book recently, as the mentors attending Blue Beetle’s parent/teacher conference in Tiny Titans:

Find out more about Global Freezing here on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays or at ComicsByEgg.com.

The Rumpus has a fantastic interview up with Eddie Campbell, first talking about the collection of his Alec stories, “The Years Have Pants,” but ultimately going through his career, the state of making comics, his fan reactions, etc.

Here’s a great highlight:

Campbell: No, the reason I got out of it was because it was becoming more—the business model that existed when I went in had now evolved into another model. When I came in, I was supplying to the comic book shops, and there are no returns in that market. The publisher gets a smaller percentage, but he’s not taking returns. That makes all the difference. The retailer takes the risk. They’re specialists, they know their subject. It was a retailer who designed the scheme in the first place, and proposed it to the publishers. With the swift breakdown of that market through the late nineties, in order to survive we had to deal more and more with the regular bookstores, and these are two market types that have trouble interfacing. It’s like taking electrical appliances abroad. I was grappling with it up to the point where our bookstore distributor went bankrupt, owing me about $50,000. Then I thought “I don’t know how this works anymore.” This was supposed to be our safety net, dealing with the bookstores. Because one market wasn’t working, we go to the other market. And the first thing that happens is our distributor in the new field goes bankrupt. The terrain was getting too rocky, too mountainous, too impossible to negotiate. In fact, three years after my distributor went bankrupt the printer of From Hell went bankrupt as well, owing us $20,000, and we were in trouble because we were still working the old way with big sheets of negative film, and no digital files. The whole thing was just impossible. I don’t know how I survived it. Because everywhere I turned there seemed to be a disaster. That’s the reason I gave up.

Ronnie Scott certainly deserves a medal for transcribing all this stuff, in addition to asking such insightful questions. Want to read more? Click here for the rest of the interview.

With red ink rising and book publishers cutting costs, the pain is still moving to retailers even more.

Publishers Weekly has a depressing post up about Borders closing down 200 of its Walden Outlet stores — in this case, mall staples like Waldenbooks, Borders Express, and Borders Outlet. To give a good sense of scale, there will only be 130 of these stores left after the downsizings end.

Some food for thought:

Borders CEO Ron Marshall said that “through this right-sizing, we will reduce the number of stores with operating losses, reduce our overall rent expense and lease-adjusted leverage and generate cash flow through sales and working capital reductions.” The closing will result in the elimination of about 1,500 jobs, the majority of which, Borders said, are part-time positions.

You can check out a list of all impacted stores by clicking here.

What’s curious to me is how this might impact graphic novel sales, especially for younger readers. Keep in mind that while a lot of older comics readers have disposable income and methods of transportation, a lot of younger readers are being shuttled around from A to B — and their best chance of getting more comics is through the Borders and Barnes and Nobles out there, where Mom and Dad will be shopping for their books. What do you think, Rama readers? Sound off!

Move on over, Bono and Spider-Man — this is what I really want to see.

The Guardian reports that Alan Moore has been contacted by Damon Albern and Jamie Hewlett to work on the follow-up to their opera Monkey: Journey to the West. Read on:

“They came down to Northampton last week because we’re planning for me to do the libretto on their next opera ,” Moore recently told Mustard magazine. Though Moore offered no more details than that – and semi-erroneously referred to the pair as Gorillaz – Moore’s news will still set Blur (and comics) fans salivating. Albarn and Hewlett’s last show, Monkey: Journey to the West, was a hit in 2007 and led to a series of animated spots for the BBC’s Beijing Olympics coverage.

Jeez, can you imagine an Alan Moore-penned musical? I can pretty much see it now — imagine Rorscach the Rapper:

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