This is the list of the sh!t that I’m listening to, watching, or reading, between (or during) the creation of Super Real Graphics comics. The cool sh!t, the nasty sh!t, the good sh!t... THE SH!T LIST
SUPER REAL NOTES: SRG Gnome cover artist on ATTACK OF THE SHOW, named SDCC correspondent!!!
The first SRG Presents volume, Gnome - by Dave Dwonch, sported a cover by his friend, bay area rapper/artist, Super Ugly (aka John Williams). We all just did a room share for Heroes con, and John had submitted for G TV's SDCC 09 guest correspondent contest... "Dark Horse Pop Culture Fanatic"
Turns out John was announced as the winner live on ATTACK OF THE SHOW today!!!
Meanwhile at the Movies... Inglourious new trailer
In case ya didn't know, I got a giant man-sized crush on Tarantino... I appreciate visionary creators, and he definitely changed the landscape of film. So, of course I'm stoked for the August release of Inglourious Basterds!!!
The Harry one was kind enough to post this new international trailer for the film, so I thought I'd go ahead and pay it forward...
Made it to the multiplex yesterday, and happy to report Land of the Lost has gotten a really bad rap!
The movie is a visual treat, and is fun, and often funny, throughout.
First, the special effects, they're great. The dinosaurs and world are fully realized and of the highest level. There are tons of different dinosaurs, creatures, and environments at play, and they all look wonderful. Both in terms of quality, and character. The budget on this one really shows.
Second, the art direction and set work, are amazing! A lot of care and design was put into making the land of the lost unique, vibrant, engrossing, and also very much the orgasmic evolution of the oh so crude original. From the lush forests, to the craggy rocks, to the windswept deserts... they've really built a new dimension for the cast to explore.
Which brings me to, the cast. It's great. Sure, not everyone is fan of Will Ferrell, and yes, he's in full on man child mode here. But, I suspect even if that's not to your liking, he's solid enough to overlook. Then we have Danny McBride, who again, has a shtick, and if you're not into his macho redneck loser thing, well, your missing out! I find McBride to be a treat, and anyone who's a fan of Eastbound and Down, will find Danny to be on his game here too. Which leaves "Holly" and "Chaka", played by Anna Friel, Chuck from the late Pushing Daisies, and Jorma Taccone of SNL respectively. Both are great here. The Chaka from the original series was always more annoying and downright ugly than anything else, except to children, so he's upgraded here to a more cool version, that's a touch easier on the eyes... part caveman, part wookie, and much more low key. And Anna Friel brings the same charm to her role here, with a touch more edge.
As a fan of the mid 70's Sid and Marty Kroft original, the movie is even more rewarding. Sure the main draw as a kid was the dinos, but you also got the epic cool lizard men, the Sleestak, who are also upgraded here. With lavish high tech updates to their cool but low-tech original look, and most of their connecting mythos intact as well; temples, Enik, pit, library of skulls, etc. It's cool to see that world brought to life with the full budget modern Hollywood treatment, that's faithful to the source.
All that said, is it a great film, or really good story? No, not really. But it is a great escape to another dimension of space and time, full of vibrant characters, and fun action. It's also played very adult for a PG-13 film. It's definitely not aimed at the kids. Just as the show, a Saturday morning kids program, had gobs of actual sci-fi writing that likely zoomed way over our young dino-crazed heads.
Land of the Lost is a tachyon radiated trip to a crazy land of legendary adventures, with potty mouths and humor. The scheduling on this one, a quirky oddity aimed at big kids, releasing amidst the explosion of summer blockbusters, didn't do it any favors, and you might be surprised at just how good this one so many have written off is. Check it out if you ever considered giving it a shot.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
But wait! There's more!!
Check out my posting of the review over on my DeviantArt journal for some discussion on the movie HERE
And hey, I'm not the only one who dug the film, check out these reviews over on AICN!
Annnnd, if you are a true old school Land of the Lost fiend, then you need to check out this fan site I was pointed to from my last LotL post!
Now here's some Land of the Lost fan art by my bud E Pun!
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: Haven Distribution's COMICS! catalog
For all you comic book fiends out there, just want to spread the word... Diamond is cool and all that, but Haven Distribution is an alternative distributor that now has a new catalog that offers independent comics as an option to just Diamond via comic book shops.
The first issue of the new catalog, Comics!, came out recently, and you may be able to see one via your local shop, or order one, but they're also available via the Haven website, either as a free download/online or order your own print copy. Check it out HERE
There is a lot of really cool stuff in there that you either miss via Diamond, or isn't offered by them at all... and because of that, there's a lot of oddball stuff in there too (like my stuff, lol), but if you're a fan of books outside the big publishers, you need to check this out!
I'm saying this as a fan of comics, not as a sales pitch. Sure my stuff is listed in it, but so could yours, and that's what's cool. It's a level playing field, and a way to check out a much wider selection of books. Sure, it's cool to see the latest and greatest professionally polished corporate offerings, but we all know the underground, the alternative, is where the really exciting and cool stuff can happen!
I was recently alerted to the fact that Super Real made an appearance in UK magazine, Front, in the new July issue. Apparently there was a section that included a model holding the Movie Industry Special Jonboy Meyeres "Kill Bill" cover...
Upon seeing a scan of the page, turns out the book is indeed pictured, in a section detailing a models embracing of all things geek, and references comics "with big tits and/or zombies" in the "What I Does Love This Month" section with accompanying Super Real cover...
So there ya go.
Cool to see the book getting some love, whatever the case may be ;)
We interrupt your regularly schedule broadcast for this news update...
Land of the Lost is out today (and looks to have reviews on par with the flat attempts at humor on exhibit in the ads)...
Initial sales numbers are in, and the Super Real Graphic Novel is locked in at Diamond (I know this may not seem like much of a statement, but in today's market, and with their new thresholds, nothing is guaranteed)...
Oh, and an interview I did with Newsarama's Chris Arrant over a month ago finally went live!! Newsarama is the industries leading news source, so check that out HERE
The interview is centered on the graphic novel release, but covers the entire scope of self publishing the series, and publishing comics in general, and I think came out really well! Be sure and check that out!
This week I'm doing a little show and tell of the production for the Super Real graphic novel collection, and focusing on the inclusion of the Super Real VS The Comic Book Industry special issue, which was originally in black and white, but will now be in color.
There were five sections in the special, each by a different artist, and my section was in color (of sorts) already, so that left four sections needing color, with no time on my schedule to do it.
Yesterday we looked at samples of the first section, and today we'll focus on another, the section by Edward Pun, who worked in a manga style, as his section pit our cast member Kit against Poke-Zap, a Pokeman stand-in.
It was also one of the sections I filled via an open call, so today, here are the two sample pages I received for the section...
When I started to setup Super Real in one graphic novel collection, I knew right away, that with the collected format being in color, there was an opportunity to go back and colorize our first special, Super Real VS The Comic Book Industry, as it was originally printed in black and white. However, I also knew, with everything else that needed done, I wouldn't have time to color the pages myself. Even though, since it featured 4 sequences by guest artists Jim Mahfood, The Boo, Daniel Campos, and Edward Pun, it would've been a lot of fun to color all those different artists. So, I asked a couple folks if they were interested, and decided to try putting out an open call to the DeviantArt.com community, for the remaining sections.
Over the next few days, I'll share some of the newly colored pages here, starting with the three folks who were kind enough to submit color samples for the two open sections (by Daniel, and Ed). As you'll see, I found some cool artists, and I really appreciate them taking the effort to try out for a non paying gig like this.
Today I'll show our first selection, by Oliver Lee Arce, and his colors over Daniel Campos' first page from the special...
A side by side comparison, from inks, to colors, and letters...
As you can see, his colors really bring the page to life, and also are full of unique touches. Very nice!
If anyone else wants to play with colors on the pages, feel free, just click on the ink image, and let me know so I can post your results here (just remember the slots for the book are already filled!).
Tune in tomorrow, and we'll share the two submissions we got for Edward's section, and then after that, some of the cool colors provided by friends!
There are just too many movies coming out this month... I know there are a lot all summer, but it sure seems the studios are squeezing way too many into May and early June. I saw Star Trek, and Wolverine, but probably won't make it to Terminator, and who knows about Up (or Drag Me to Hell), but one movie I'll damn sure catch on the big screen?? Land of the Lost!!! Now, I was really jazzed about this one, with fond yet vague early childhood memories of dino's, Sleestak's, a raft, and lots of jungle action... with extra cheese. But the movie version also happens to feature Will Ferrell and Danny McBride, so BONUS! However, once the trailers hit, and aside from some great looking effects, the humor was pretty flat, and killing my drive to see it... that was until Sci-Fi ran a Memorial Day marathon of the original series!!!
It was the first time I'd seen the shows in over 30 years, and man, that was some messed up and inspired children's entertainment only the 70's could bring!! Turns out, while pretty uneven and definitely for kids, there was some serious sci-fi at play, and plenty of tripped out imagination! So, I can't wait to see the movie, regardless... The creatures, characters, cast, and effects, even if a bad movie, will be worth the price of admission. Here's hoping the movie is actually good, or fun, too!
As you know, we've got our double-sized finale special coming soon (July - via comic shops and Haven distribution, or direct from SRG), and the entire series collected as a graphic novel (August - via comic shops and Diamond distribution).
I've started to post the entire series online, for free, and right now it's available in my DeviantArt gallery HERE I'll probably create an official page for the updates, but for the time being I'm updating a scene each weekday there. So, you can check out the book, or just get caught up in time for the new releases!!
Tell a friend! And be sure to pick up your copy of the print editions later this summer! Both of which can be preordered now:
So just got through the big season 5 finale of Lost last night...
What did everyone think?
I thought it was really good, and while some of it was a bit obvious, there were still cool moments, and of course headscratchers! SPOILER Locke's dead in the cliffhanger, again?!? So who is the living Locke? The final scene in the foot with Jacob they reference the loophole, from the opening scene, where Jacob's on the island with another man, who apparently wants to kill him, if only he could find said loophole. So who was that man? (and what did I recognize him from, it's driving me batty... and I'm too lazy to IMDB it...) What is this loophole? What is Jacob? And how is this man Locke, or vice versa. I mean, we know it's all something to do with Egyptian gods, or some such, but I'm no student of anything outside comics and pop culture. So is Jacob an Egyptian god of life/death (I know this was speculated, as to what Egyptian stuff was in play for weeks)?
It was kind of neat how Jacob was there giving a "little push" at the moment of crisis for all of our cast... How? And to what end?
Who are these self proclaimed "good guys" with their shadow of the statue talk?
And, are we really going to see the cast back on flight 815 and landing safe at LAX next season? Or is that a red herring? Seems to me, if they do put the cast back together, on the other side of flight 815... it's ripe for that proposed movie there's been talk of in the past. Then the cast could have some reason to find the island or some such.
But if that's where we are at the start of the final season, where do we go from there? If that's not where we are, what does Juliette's detonation bring?
2010
Good stuff.
Thoughts??
I posted this over on my DeviantArt journal last nigte, so check over there for some discussion... HERE
Also, you can check out the always stunning breakdowns by Doc Jensen on EW.com HERE And The Beat does a recap with lively discussion each ep HERE
One meh, grade C, mildly entertaining waste of a perfect character. One awesome, grade A, wildly entertaing celebration of great characters!
Guess which is which ;) First off, the claw poppin mutant origin story. Or, X-Men Origins: Wolverine. Or, we're Fox, we have no fucking idea how to make good comic book movies... Remember X-Men 1 and 2, yeah, we fucked that up with this awesomely bad bastardizing of the Dark Phoenix saga, with a lame ass nod to Days of Future Past for good measure. Fantastic Four, greatest comic magazine ever? Here, fight a galactic cloud in an orange rubber suit! Need I say more? Wolverine sucked. Sword popping, concusive blasting, Deadpool raping bad. But, if you want my full review from last week, go HERE
NOT RECOMMENDED
Then there's Star Trek.
So yeah, it's good.
It's really good.
Mostly, it's JJ's focus on the cast, and the characters that make it work. I had every confidence in the cast they assembled, and they mostly pull it off, without missing a beat. Sure, there's only one Shatner, but as has been said, Pine does his own thing, while still being visually similar, and every bit as charming as the original. Quinto just looks so good as Spock, but he also does nicely in the Vulcan shoes. Urban, well, he does well, and I'm not sure if it's me, as Bones was always my fave, but I had the hardest time buying his performance. His seemed the most copy cat. Everyone else brings their own thing to the roles.
The story?
Well, its very good too.
SPOILERS I especially enjoyed the beginning, the opening chapter with the birth of Kirk. We really hit the ground running, both in terms of action, and emotionally. Actually, I think that turn of events, culminating in ol' James T's birth, is hard to top.
Then of course, the young Kirk stuff was gold. Beastie Boys in a Star Trek movie?!? But it was great!
The bar scene, the academy stuff. Pine really shines in the role.
I also thought the original Spock's role worked very well, handing off to the next gen premise, and also building a cool alternate reality universe. SPOILERS OFF The effects are great.
And yes, more cool, and more action oriented, like Star Wars. More truly alien aliens. All the things as a kid, watching the movies, post Star Wars, you wished they'd push. I mean, the TV show had simpler effects and aliens for a reason... it never felt right to stay so subdued on the big screen budget.
Oh yes, there's plenty to love.
My only qualms would be that the climax could've used more punch, and so could the sound. I know I harp on sound a lot, but it often seems so lacking. Here, it's pretty good, but they tossed out most the trademark stuff, and went different directions... which I get, but still think would've been better served keeping. When stuff's that iconic, it's probably for a reason, and I don't think because it was cheesy... SPOILER We only get the theme at the end... which would've worked better had we not just seen that with the Battlestar finale... SPOILER OFF So yeah. It's sexy, fun, thrilling, cool, and just like in the movie, there's more warp factors yet to come!!
Here's a sneak peek at 6 pages from our upcoming July/August release, the SUPER REAL GRAPHIC NOVEL, which collects the entire 200 page series:
issue 1, and issue 2 issue 3, and newly colored Jim Mahfood pages from our VS The Comic Book Industry special Josh Howard page from the VS The Movie Industry special, and the previously unreleased series climax featuring new participant "O"
SUPER REAL – graphic novel By Jason Martin, with guest artwork from Jim Mahfood, Josh Howard, and various 220 pages, digest sized (6x9), Full Color, mature readers, $18.99 DIAMOND ORDER CODE MAY09 1018 ISBN:0-9802498-2-1
Remember to place your orders with comic book shops now, via the Previews catalog and Diamond order code MAY09 1018 (Please use the comic book shop locator on the sidebar to find the shop nearest you)
The first SRG Presents volume, Gnome - by Dave Dwonch, sported a cover by his friend, bay area rapper/artist, Super Ugly (aka John Williams). We all just did a room share for Heroes con, and John had submitted for G TV's SDCC 09 guest correspondent contest... "Dark Horse Pop Culture Fanatic"
You can find John/Ugly's art HERE 
