The Tim Burton, Johnny Depp, Helena Bonham Carter connection continues with Dark Shadows. The upcoming movie is inspired by the 1970’s daytime gothic soap opera. Depp plays vampire Barnabas Collins. Michelle Pfeiffer (Catwoman in Batman Returns) is another Burton alumni in the cast. Bond girl Eva Green (Casino Royale) plays the witch villainess. I have never experienced a trailer take a 180 turn like this. Enjoy! I sure did!
Seattle comic book fans from diverse backgrounds and with even more diverse tastes gathered for the third monthly gathering at Zanadu Comics Downtown to share and talk comic books, news and creators.
“Rachel Rising” by Terry Moore was our book of the month. (It’s like Oprah’s book club for geeks!) A girl crawls out of a ravine after being buried alive, tried to uncover what happened in that lost time. Dark, gritty art mixed with an eerie mystery reminds me of “Twin Peaks” and “The Killing.” The possible theme of a doppelgänger and that the heroine could be in the wrong body came from the group.
“I like the way he writes women,” and “he does not overexplain,” are among the comments sparked an exploration of Terry Moore’s other work, “Strangers in Paradise”, “Echo” and “Love and Rockets.”
The 6 issues of “Rachel Rising” are being collected into a trade collection coming out later this month and a preview will be in this month’s issue of “The Walking Dead.”
“Moebius is a God,” said Casey as our panel leader took a moment to recognize the death of the influential French artist. This continued our exploration of European comics which are called albums not issues and are treated like fine art. Comic book artists in Europe are celebrated as national heroes and commissioned to create public art.
More of this week’s picks from our panel:
“Whispers in the Walls” is a beautiful and creepy graphic novel in the style of Guillermo Del Toro’s work mirroring a slow descent into madness.
“Corto Maltese” a trade collection of rare European pulp adventure strips by Hugo Pratt.
“Archie Meets KISS” was “weird, hard to get through but a fun different take on Archie but you have to commend the publisher for pushing boundaries with stories about gay characters, interracial romance and breast cancer.
“Avengers Children’s Crusade” reached a finale about 3 years and was just beautiful art and storytelling and “incredible to feature two gay couples so prominently in the storyline.”
“Emitown” is an anime style collection from a Portland, Oregon based creator that’s semi autobiographical comics about Emi’s daily life. One panelist called it “a comic book about the cool girlfriend you wish you had.”
“Week in Hell” is an experimental comic book by a woman who locked herself in a New York City hotel room and “turned off her mind and drew.”
“Womanthology” is a mammoth book of stories featuring more than 140 female creators. It became a sensation before it was published. Women artists and writers have been underrepresented in the industry for a long time. One female editor took editor and raised the money on Kickstarter to secure the printing of these tales by published and brand new female creators.
“The Last of the Greats” is next month’s book of the month to read. Once there were seven heroes with the powers of Gods now there is only one to save an Earth on the brink of destruction.
Every month with this group I discover so many comic books beyond the traditional superhero type. While the latest with X-Men, Avengers and Batman is always in the discussion, it’s the sharing of never before experienced (new and old) creators, comics and themes that make this a great experience with fellow fans. Come join us next month!
A driven Captain America. A battered but defiant Cyclops. The latest AVX teaser image by John Romita Jr on Marvel focuses on the two generals in the war of superhero teams.
Cap will lead Earth’s Mightiest Heroes in an invasion of Utopia to seize Hope when he gives the order, “Take the beach.”
Two great leaders, master strategists, both devoted to their causes will clash. The big question is just how much will one leader sacrifice to win the war?
Jason Aaron and Nick Bradshaw deliver one hell of a lesson in biology and evolution in the final chapter of their outrageously fun arc of Wolverine and the X-Men.
The mystery of Kitty Pryde’s freaky pregnancy is resolved and the promise of a new X-couple is kindled. Sorry, Colossus fans. Even with an army of aliens at war with her teammate inside her body, Kitty is pure bad ass against the mastermind invading her body and the school.
The bamfs (imagine Gremlins but as baby Nightcrawlers) have been comedic troublemakers but demonstrate their power in this issue’s showdown. My favorite character in the series so far really shines. Broo is the target of a sinister and cruel experiment in evolution. I cheered for him and felt his pain.
While Beast, Rachel, Kitty and Iceman have been having inner space exploits, Wolverine and Quentin Quire had their own adventure in outer space…at a casino. This is my favorite X-book because it’s pure fun.
Why would Protector betray the Avengers? A killer image by the legendary Walt Simonson and an ominous teaser for Avengers #27 was revealed in the June solicitations on Marvel.com.
“With the events of AVX raging around them, an Avenger betrays the team”
The young Kree stands with guns blazing over a disassembled team. This awesome tease brings up a lot of question. How does this connect to teaser for Captain Marvel returning in June and the Secret Avengers #27 cover showing Ms. Marvel, Captain Marvel and Protector. Or could this ‘betrayal’ be the plot twist I thought might happen: that the X-Men have a wild card inside Earth’s Mightiest Heroes.
New photos are emerging of Daniel Craig on the set in Surrey along with possible details that reveal the meaning of the title of the next James Bond film.
MI6 reports Skyfall Lodge is part of the Bond family ancestral home in Scotland. The site has an extensive story with exclusive photos displaying gravestones of 007’s parents, Andrew Bond and Monique Delacroix Bond. In Ian Fleming’s books, Bond’s parents died in a skiing accident when he was young but the idea that they were killed because they were secret agents has been hinted at in other books.
Dark Horizons reports that the lodge is the hideout of the villain played by Javier Bardem.
This is not the first time the title of a 007 film has been named for a place. Goldeneye, Pierce Brosnan’s first 007 film, was inspired by Ian Fleming’s retreat in Jamaica where he wrote several Bond novels.
Thanks to Just Jared and FameFlyNet pictures.
The Walking Dead Season 2 Finale is this Sunday. After two shocking episodes (I won’t give away what happened) back to back stay tuned for more surprises says executive producer Glen Mazzara.
“I haven’t seen other shows do two back to back deaths. We don’t play them for shock value – we really wring our hands over these,” Mazzara tells TV Guide.
Many fans had already figured out one character’s fate based on the comic book series and an ad for the Season 2 dvd.
“We still have major plot twists and revelations coming,” he continues,”That cat got out of the bag, but have a lot more cats.”
One big question I hope will be answered this week: What Dr. Jenner told Rick in the final episode of Season 1.
Marvel unveiled the first of six new movie posters for The Avengers. Captain America (Chris Evans) and Hawkeye (Jeremy Renner) are ready for battle in this new design.
Steve Rogers and Clint Barton have had an often rocky relationship in the comics. The boy scout from an old-fashioned era and the hot-headed bad boy with a criminal past didn’t always connect. So far all we know is this cinematic Hawkeye is a good soldier and SHIELD operative that follows orders. Hopefully we learn more of this Clint’s back story on May 4th.