Comic News And The Latest Fashion

Ah, this old chestnut... WEDNESDAY COMICS has finally been released as a hardcover... Given the state of the industry since the last time you saw this image on PLANET GRIFFIN, and given the discounted prices to which it can be obtained, this edition is worthy of your bookshelf... Better make it count, seeing as how DC has announced it's price hike of $3.99 of standard comics across the board beginning in August...

July 8th is X-MEN DAY with the release of X-MEN #1 by Paco Medina. Marvel touts that this is the first #1 issue of X-Men in almost 20 years--- apparently, we forgot...

... Lastly, TOM SPURGEON over at CBR raised a few questions concerning what arguments should be had across comic internet blogs... I've decided to attempt a few of my own answers to the questions he posed... Just to get it started...

Does reprinting archival comics have a moral component?
Not really. While this particular area of the genre owes a great deal to those creators who came before us, the companies that hold the rights to said works rarely kick back royalties in a timely fashion, so while a moral component does exist here, it's not necessarily adhered to.

Why are so many Direct Market shops still female unfriendly?
For the same reason that comics have been male oriented for so long---comics have long been considered exploitive power fantasies for young geeks who couldn't find an audience with the very same female crowd they longed for... Some of those geeky kids grew up to run said businesses that never sought to scare the females away, they just didn't know how to approach them. Despite the fact that times have changed and some progress has been made, that age old stigma of geeky guys who grew up to become geeky men who still don't know how to approach the female audience at large... I mean, have you ever walked into one of these shops to find Brad Pitt behind the glass?

What are all these superhero comics really saying?
In such a general term, what can they say? The same recurring themes have been recycled for decades by the Big 2; not sure whether to go with innovation or nostaglia (and by the way fellas, one cannot serve two masters). It's still cool to have the big guns, big fights, and big breasts, as long as there's a different way to present it. The phrase 'Everything's derivative' exists for a reason... And not to get it twisted, but even though superhero movies may produce big numbers at the multiplex, why is it that the comics these movies are based on don't produce the same in the Direct Shops? Think about it.

Flowing In The Breez

Checking out Brandon Graham's RoyalBoiler Blog (What IS that kid on?! I want some, whatever it is!), I came across a blurb featuring a recent reading done by BREEZ EVAHFLOWIN--- I can't even view comics in the same light after seeing this! Twisted brilliance!

All The Rage For Rachel: Volume 2 Debut!

As some of you may know by now, original NEXT 100 member JOHN ASTON released RACHEL RAGE VOL. 2 this past Tuesday... The indie cult hit is quickly hitting it's stride as the South Carolina writer/creator's moving into his second story arc, SHORT TIME WOMAN. (Check out the OldeTowneComix link on the sidebar to order Volume 2, as well as Volume 1- HEARTLAND)
Volume 2 compiles 3 supplemental stories to the Rachel universe which were previously seen and one tale, The Big Caged Bird, that's new to print, unseen on the website (another reason to purchase the book since that tale not only introduces a new character integral to the Rachel Rage storyline, but also bridges the 2 volumes).

Also included within Volume 2 are pin-ups showcasing the established indie players (like NEXT 100 alums SAMAX AMEN from GHETTOMANGA.COM and multiple award winner JAY POTTS of THE WORLD OF HURT) as well as the new upstarts (the incredible debut of ERIK WILLIAMS, DEREK DAVIS and RAYMOND SANDERS)--- Of course, I save my own contribution for last, but certainly not least.

John Aston's work is definitely cut out for him as he preps the next chapter installment of STW for the site, as well as other surprises planned for later in the year (more on that later, but I can personally GUARANTEE that you'll want to be here for the exclusive first word!). After reading the work for yourself, you too will be celebrating the arrival of the new queen of the grindhouse set: RACHEL RAGE!

Heroes Are Dead. Long Live Heroes.

Well, now that HEROES has been cancelled due to low ratings, it seems that the Great-Networks-That-Could are looking to do it again. Looks as though the comic genre for television isn't dead yet. Of course, you be the judge... They could be onto something here...If they get them right...

NO ORDINARY FAMILY



THE CAPE

You Cannot Fake What You Do...

"To be a cartoonist, you must actually make cartoons. I bring this up because I've met a lot of people who say they want to be cartoonists, but they don't have any cartoons..."
- Kyle Baker


"Most comics publishers are kind of dumb and don't have a lot of money. They publish a lot of bad stuff. They turn down a lot of good stuff. Sometimes it's for stupid reasons. Other times it's for reasons that make good economic sense but still suck. There are two ways to deal with this situation. One is to draw the kind of comic that appeals to comics publishers. This is a great way to go, except for one thing: you can't fake it. A cartoonist who cynically crafts a comic to fit a market can never compete with a cartoonist who draws a comic about the same thing because he genuinely loves it. You know why Scott Pilgrim and Penny Arcade are blockbusters? Because those guys genuinely love jokes about Super Mario. You know why their dozens of imitators are less successful? Because they're imitators."
- Shaenon K. Garrity, editor VIZ Media

Coming back to broadcast depth to remind you that comics in particular and art in general is NOT dead, I've been checking out the recent STUMPTOWN COMICS FESTIVAL and came across audio of their SELF PUBLISHING LIKE A ROCKSTAR panel in its entirety. Very informative and definitely worth sharing to those of us who believe in the stories we create, shape, and prep for the world at large. Take a few minutes and give a listen...

Self-Publishing Like A Rockstar from Erika Moen on Vimeo.

Iconism Doesn't Need Words

PLANET GRIFFIN pays the tribute to those who have long since been just due.

FRANK FRAZETTA. LENA HORNE. Salud.

The New Machete Movement

AIN'T IT COOL NEWS has been flooding the market since yesterday, spreading the word of the release of ROBERT RODRIGUEZ' new cut of the MACHETE trailer--- and it ROCKS! The real kicker is it's special message to the administration of Arizona! In response to this, the New Machete Movement is now in full swing, and you can't BUY press like this! PLANET GRIFFIN fully supports the Movement, so enjoy!

Your Mind Is Not Yet Ready For Something This Big...

CHRISTOPHER NOLAN has nurtured the idea of what can only be described as 'The Existential Heist' for the better part of a decade... Looking back on Nolan's track record, almost everything he's done has been the equivalent of 'Slight of Hand Storytelling'--- from the mindbending, backward-stylings of MEMENTOto finding 'true magic' between 2 illusionists in THE PRESTIGE to the success application of 'Chaos Theory' in the now legendary THE DARK KNIGHT--- Nolan has positioned himself to now introduce his biggest trick yet. The sci-fi actioner INCEPTION has been, without a doubt, one of the closest kept secrets in Hollywood.

Even then, seeing has how Nolan has also proven to be a master of misdirection, knowing anything about the project at this stage can realistically be considered purposeful. Welcome back to PLANET GRIFFIN.
Sporting an international cast with locales to match, INCEPTION is about the next unexplored level since plugging into the MATRIX--- dreams. DOM COBB (Leonardo DiCaprio) is a master thief, though not of physical trinkets or money... Dom specializes in stealing valuable secrets from deep within the subconscious mind during its most vulnerable point--- the dream state.

In the world of corporate espionage, Cobb's viewed as a Morpheus figure; an international fugitive that the world's not ready for... Of course, Cobb's offered a shot at redemption if he can pull off the impossible: Inception. Rather than steal an idea, Cobb and his team must plant one.
Like all impossible missions, nothing is ever what it seems, and Cobb and company must now fight an enemy that seemingly knows their every move... An enemy that only Cobb could've seen coming... Hence, the movie's infamous tagline: Your mind is the scene of the crime.

Personally, I can't wait for July 16th when the film opens... And once you realize Nolan's track record has yet to see one disappointment, you too may bear witness to the next big thing!