Thursday, November 29, 2007

New Comics Day!

Fear not – I live still! I came down with a bit of a cold post-Thanksgiving (darn turkey), but I’m slowly working my way back to full capacity. To aide in recovery I have retreated into the comfort of the weekly wonder that is New Comics Day; here’s what a kind friend is picking up for me to read whilst I sneeze:

CRIMINAL MACABRE MY DEMON BABY #3
CUT
FEAR AGENT HATCHET JOB #1
ALL STAR BATMAN AND ROBIN THE BOY WONDER #8 (oh yea!)
AUTHORITY PRIME #2
BATMAN #671
BATMAN AND THE OUTSIDERS #2
COUNTDOWN LORD HAVOK AND THE EXTREMISTS #2
COUNTDOWN TO FINAL CRISIS 22
FREDDY VS JASON VS ASH #2
GREEN LANTERN CORPS #18
SUPERMAN BATMAN #43
TEEN TITANS #53
TRIALS OF SHAZAM #10
UNCLE SAM AND THE FREEDOM FIGHTERS #3
BAD PLANET #4
CASANOVA #11
FRANK FRAZETTAS DEATH DEALER #5
BLACK PANTHER #32
CABLE DEADPOOL #47
DAREDEVIL #102
MARVEL ZOMBIES 2 #2
DAN DARE #1
DOCK WALLOPER #1

Later

Monday, November 19, 2007

Turkey Time

Hard to believe that yet another year is soon to be put to bed. My, how time files! Due to the Thanksgiving holiday this week the postings may be sporadic, but fear not, you will all be in my heart (and the turkey will be in my stomach – wakka wakka).

I saw a movie last weekend that I think would make for a perfect comics series: the Cohen Brother’s No Country for Old Men. I’m not talking about a straight adaptation of the film, mind you (because that’s boring), but rather an ongoing series that follows the continuing adventures of Javier Bardem’s vile hitman character. This is literally one of the best villains I have seen in a long, long time, and his warped, ‘there but not there’ take on reality is utterly fascinating.

Random, I know, but it would work. Trust me.

Later

Wednesday, November 14, 2007

New Comics Day!

Yesterday I bemoaned the sheer number of epic videogames that have been released of late. I’m happy to report that last night I upped my completion percentage on The Orange Box to 40% (Xbox achievement points are the new crack), so I can take a short break to celebrate New Comics Day. Here’s what I plan on picking up tonight:

LIVING WITH THE DEAD #2
100 BULLETS #86
ALL STAR SUPERMAN #9 (awesome)
BATMAN AND THE OUTSIDERS #1
BLACK ADAM THE DARK AGE #4 (this series is fantastic; highly recommended)
BOOSTER GOLD #4 (if you love DC continuity you’ll love this book. it’s funny as hell to boot)
COUNTDOWN TO FINAL CRISIS 24 (ohhhh – new title alert!)
DMZ #25
FABLES #67
GEN 13 #14
JLA CLASSIFIED #46
SIMON DARK #2
SUPERMAN BATMAN #42
TEEN TITANS EAST SPECIAL #1
WONDER WOMAN #14
WORLD OF WARCRAFT #1 (damn enablers)
AMORY WARS #4
BRIT #3
CIRCLE #1
MICE TEMPLAR #2
AVENGERS INITIATIVE #7
CAPTAIN MARVEL #1
HOUSE OF M AVENGERS #1
NEW AVENGERS #36
NOVA #8
PUNISHER #52
PUNISHER WAR JOURNAL #13
THOR #4
ULTIMATE FANTASTIC FOUR #48
WORLD WAR HULK #5
X-FACTOR #25
ATOMIC ROBO #2
BLACK DIAMOND #5

Later

Tuesday, November 13, 2007

Off Topic

I need to rant a bit. There are way, way, WAY too many good videogames out right now. I simply don’t have the time to keep up with them all. To wit, here’s a rundown of the games I’m currently trying to juggle:

Halo 3
The Orange Box (which is really five games in one… Portal and Team Fort 2 rock the hardest)
Super Mario Galaxy
Call of Duty 4
Guitar Hero
Gears of War
World of Warcraft (I need WOW-anon or something… seriously)

On top of it all, I’m about to go pick up Assassin’s Creed at lunch. I really want Crysis as well, but I’m afraid my poor old PC rig wouldn’t be up to the task (especially given that the recommended specs are absolutely insane, something along the lines of a quantum computer with holographic storage that won’t be invented until the year 2059).

All levity aside, it truly is an embarrassment of riches for us gamers right now. And people wonder why movie attendance appears to be down ;)

Later

Thursday, November 8, 2007

Back on the Grid

I’m back in LA after a short/productive/fun jaunt out to NYC. Big thanks to everyone who attended Monday evening’s Nightmare Factory event at the Museum of Comic and Cartoon Art; the panel was stocked with an incredibly diverse and cool crew which definitely lead to a rollicking question and answer session. Some media outlet (damn my propensity to forget names) recorded the panel, so as soon as I track down a link I shall post it.

I stopped by my old haunt Midtown Comics (Times Square location) to celebrate New Comics Day, NYC style. Here’s what I picked up (which certainly added quite a bit of weight to my luggage for the trip home. Sigh):

BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER #8
ART OF MATT WAGNER’S GRENDEL
HELLBOY DARKNESS CALLS #6
LOBSTER JOHNSON THE IRON PROMETHEUS #3
COUNTDOWN TO FINAL CRISIS 25
FREDDY VS JASON VS ASH ASH #1 (very cool)
HEROES HC (the Alex Ross cover)
INFINITY INC #3
JONAH HEX #25
METAL MEN #4
MIDNIGHTER #13
ROBIN #168 (I’m really curious to see how Ras will be re-born…)
SUPERMAN #670
VINYL UNDERGROUND #2 (not too sure about this series yet, althou the first issue was interesting)
Y THE LAST MAN #59 (I thought this had ended… hmm…)
LUCHA LIBRE #2
SPAWN #172
STEVE NILES STRANGE CASES #2
ANNIHILATION CONQUEST #1
ASTONISHING X-MEN #23
CRIMINAL #10
FANTASTIC FOUR #551
HOWARD THE DUCK #2 (call me crazy)
IMMORTAL IRON FIST #10
NEW AVENGERS ILLUMINATI #5
UNCANNY X-MEN #492
2001 MANIACS SPECIAL #1 (out of sheer, morbid curiosity)
HIGHLANDER #12

On an unrelated note, I saw the Joy Division biopic ‘Control’ last week and I highly recommend it. The cinematography alone is gorgeous.

Later

Sunday, November 4, 2007

New York, New York

I’m off to the greatest city in the world to attend a Museum of Comic and Cartoon Art event for The Nightmare Factory on Monday night – details below! Stop on by; anyone who attended the Fox Atomic Comics panel at last years New York Comic Con knows that we like to have a good time.

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2007 – NEW YORK, NY
MOCCA – MUSEUM OF COMIC & CARTOON ART — 6:30 p.m.
594 Broadway/Suite 401
(bet. Houston & Prince)
New York, NY 10003
(212) 254-3511

Writers Stuart Moore and Joe Harris, artists Michael Gaydos and Ted McKeever, editor Heidi MacDonald, and editor-in-chief R. Eric Lieb come together for a discussion of Fox Atomic and The Nightmare Factory with moderator Calvin Reid, Publishers Weekly

Best of all - it's free!

Later

Wednesday, October 31, 2007

Happy Halloween!

Be safe trick or treating tonight; watch out for all the ghouls and goblins. Don’t forget that we have another NYC-based event TONIGHT for The Nightmare Factory – the full schedule is below! Thanks again for everyone who attended the Comic Book Club event last night too!

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2007 – NEW YORK, NY
MCNALLY ROBINSON BOOKSELLERS — 6:00 p.m.
52 Prince St
New York, NY 10012
(212) 274-1160
*Literary Halloween Party event with readings; refreshments – FREE
*Silent projections from horror comic anthology Nightmare Factory (HarperCollins/Fox Atomic) and signings by artist Colleen Doran and writer Stuart Moore

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2007 – NEW YORK, NY
MOCCA – MUSEUM OF COMIC & CARTOON ART — 6:30 p.m.
594 Broadway/Suite 401
(bet. Houston & Prince)
New York, NY 10003
(212) 254-3511
*Writers Stuart Moore and Joe Harris, artists Michael Gaydos and Ted McKeever, editor Heidi MacDonald, and editor-in-chief R. Eric Lieb come together for a discussion of Fox Atomic and The Nightmare Factory with moderator Calvin Reid, PW. – FREE

Later

Tuesday, October 30, 2007

A Nightmare Factory Halloween!

Tonight marks the first in a series of NYC-based events in celebration of The Nightmare Factory! Here’s the full list, but be sure to check out the event TONIGHT if you’re otherwise indisposed on this fine Tuesday:

********************
COMIC BOOK CLUB
***NIGHTMARE FACTORY SPECIAL***

Hosted by Justin Tyler, Pete LePage, and Alex Zalben

Tuesday, October 30 @ 9:30 PM

Featuring:
Stuart Moore (The Escapist)
Joe Harris (Darkness Falls)
Michael Gaydos (Alias)
& Colleen Duran (Sandman)

Tickets: $10 tickets in advance / $15 tickets day of show
***$5 off with the promo code CBCCMX***

Online: ComixNY.com
Phone: 212-524-2500

COMIX NY
353 West 14th St.
Just East of 9th Ave.

Check out our website:
http://www.popcultureshock.com/cbclub

Check us out on MySpace:
http://www.myspace.com/comicbookclub3

The show is sponsored in part by Midtown Comics (www.midtowncomics.com)!

But don’t fret if you miss this event; there are two more coming up!

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2007 – NEW YORK, NY
MCNALLY ROBINSON BOOKSELLERS — 6:00 p.m.
52 Prince St
New York, NY 10012
(212) 274-1160
*Literary Halloween Party event with readings; refreshments – FREE
*Silent projections from horror comic anthology Nightmare Factory (HarperCollins/Fox Atomic) and signings by artist Colleen Doran and writer Stuart Moore

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2007 – NEW YORK, NY
MOCCA – MUSEUM OF COMIC & CARTOON ART — 6:30 p.m.
594 Broadway/Suite 401
(bet. Houston & Prince)
New York, NY 10003
(212) 254-3511
*Writers Stuart Moore and Joe Harris, artists Michael Gaydos and Ted McKeever, editor Heidi MacDonald, and editor-in-chief R. Eric Lieb come together for a discussion of Fox Atomic and The Nightmare Factory with moderator Calvin Reid, PW. – FREE

More reviews posted in the blog below as well!

Later

Thursday, October 25, 2007

New Comics Day!

In case you missed it, our pals over at MySpace Comic Books have posted the world premiere of an animated 'trailer' that we put together for The Nightmare Factory - be sure to check it out!

www.myspace.com/comicbooks


Also, once I take a break from Halo 3 and Portal (so good), here’re the new books that I plan on picking up this week…sometime:

CRIMINAL MACABRE MY DEMON BABY #2 (go niles!)
ACTION COMICS #857
AUTHORITY PRIME #1 (hell yea!)
COUNTDOWN 27
GOTHAM UNDERGROUND #1
GREEN ARROW YEAR ONE #6
GREEN LANTERN CORPS #17
HELLBLAZER #237
JLA CLASSIFIED #45
LOVELESS #20
ROBIN #167
SUPERMAN #669
SUPERMAN BATMAN #41
TALES OF THE SINESTRO CORPS SUPERMAN PRIME #1
UNCLE SAM AND THE FREEDOM FIGHTERS #2
WETWORKS #14
CASANOVA #10 (oh baby – poppa like)
WALKING DEAD #43
BLACK PANTHER #31
CABLE DEADPOOL #46
DAREDEVIL #101
SHE-HULK 2 #22
THUNDERBOLTS #117
ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN #115
X-MEN #204
30 DAYS OF NIGHT RED SNOW #3
DOKTOR SLEEPLESS #3 (i love this book)
GENE SIMMONS DOMINATRIX #3 (just kidding! i was seeing if you were paying attention)
METAL GEAR SOLID SONS OF LIBERTY #12
MY BORING A$$ LIFE UNCENSORED DIARY OF KEVIN SMITH
SOUTHLAND TALES THE PRELUDE SAGA

Later

Wednesday, October 24, 2007

Another Glorious day in the Corps

MySpace Comic Books just posted the world premiere of an aniamted 'trailer' that we put together for The Nightmare Factory - be sure to check it out and give some love if you like it! It's a pretty slick 2D/3D mix that really floats my boat.

www.myspace.com/comicbooks


Good times.

Later

Tuesday, October 23, 2007

SpikeTV Scream Awards!

Be sure to watch the Scream Awards on SpikeTV tonight - 28 Days Later: The Aftermath won the Scream Award for 'Best Screen to Comic Adaptation’. Huzzah!

Later

Monday, October 22, 2007

28 Days is a Winner!

Break out the Champagne - we won!

On Friday night 28 Days Later: The Aftermath won a SpikeTV Scream Award for 'Best Screen to Comic Adaptation’ at their annual horror awards show. Huzzah!

Later

Friday, October 19, 2007

It's Friday!

Go see The Comebacks!

And 30 Days of Night!

And Blade Runner: The Final Cut!

And buy The Orange Box for Xbox 360!

That is all; you have your marching orders.

Later

Thursday, October 18, 2007

The Final Cut

My favorite movie of all time is Blade Runner. Why, you might ask? One word: mood. Blade Runner is perhaps one of the most evocative movies ever; the story, cinematography, acting, and especially the score all exist in a rare cinematic symbiosis that truly creates a ‘world’ that feels decaying and ‘lived in’. It’s also one of those movies that gets better each time you watch it.

I had the privilege of seeing Ridley Scott’s ‘Final Cut’ of the film last night on a big, big screen in LA. Wow. I had never seen such a large, clean print (could have been digital, it was that pretty) of the film, and I was absolutely blown away. What made me happy was that Scott didn’t ‘Lucas-ize’ the movie, so don’t expect any extra Spinners, dancing CGI lounge singers, or wholly superfluous cameos from Jabba the Hutt (I still cringe every time I see that scene that was added to the first Star Wars… yes, I do refuse to call it ‘Episode Four’). I was, though, a bit miffed at two specific changes: the revision of “I want more life, $%^&$%” to “I want more life, father”, and a subtle change that finally closed the loop on the ‘extra Replicant’ plot-hole. But yes, I am a geek, and these things do bother me.

The film is currently playing in both New York and Los Angeles, so do check it out if you’re a fan of the film (but after you go see The Comebacks this weekend… naturally….)

Also, in case you missed it yesterday, the SpikeTV Scream Awards also tape on Friday, and yours truly will be there because we have not one, but TWO of our Fox Atomic Comics graphic novels up for awards (both “28 Days Later: The Aftermath” and “The Hills Have Eyes: The Beginning”)! Wish us luck!

Also, keep an eye out for a special Nightmare Factory-related goodie coming next week!

Later

Wednesday, October 17, 2007

New Comics Day!

Welcome to Wednesday… each new day inches us one step closer to that magical funder-land known as Friday. This weekend looks to be a particularly interesting one on the movie front, with something for just about everyone. For you comedy fans we have a movie of our very own opening up, the sports spoof “The Comebacks” (please go see it, or at least buy a ticket for it ;). In addition, for you horror hounds, friend of the family Steve Niles (who wrote our “28 Days Later” graphic novel) hits the silver screen with the adaptation of his hit graphic novel “30 Days of Night”. Why not see both?!

The SpikeTV Scream Awards also tape on Friday, and yours truly will be there because we have not one, but TWO of our Fox Atomic Comics graphic novels up for awards (both “28 Days Later: The Aftermath” and “The Hills Have Eyes: The Beginning”)! Wish us luck!

Don’t worry, I didn’t forget about “The Nightmare Factory”… keep watching for a brand new surprise, coming very shortly!

Oh yes; it’s also New Comics Day! I love hump day. Here’s my pull list for this week:

CONAN #45
UMBRELLA ACADEMY APOCALYPSE SUITE #2
CHECKMATE #19
COUNTDOWN 28
DEATH OF THE NEW GODS #1
DMZ #24
EX MACHINA #31
FABLES #66
HIGHWAYMEN #5
JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #14
WITCHBLADE #110
CAPTAIN AMERICA #31
MARVEL ZOMBIES 2 #1 (i loved the first series)
MIGHTY AVENGERS #5
POWERS #26
ULTIMATE FANTASTIC FOUR #47
ULTIMATE X-MEN #87
X-MEN EMPEROR VULCAN #2
BOYS #11
NEGATIVE BURN #14
STAR TREK YEAR FOUR #4

Later

Tuesday, October 16, 2007

Comeback (To The Nightmare Factory!)

Double-post alert! Eagle-eyed readers will note that today's blog may seem suspiciously familiar, but I wanted to take advantage of the Comebacks release week (in theaters this Friday! plug plug plug!) to welcome all you Comebacks-curious people who so adroitly managed to find the part of our site where all of the cool kids hang out. Because nothing says ‘cool’ like comics. Work with me here, people.

For those new to the site, we publish graphic novels over here in the Fox Atomic Comics fiefdom. Our latest book, The Nightmare Factory, released last month in order to tie into all things Halloween, and we’ve been seeing some nice critical love for this very pretty book:

Boston Globe
September 17, 2007
"In a fall season typified by much more categorizable frights, Nightmare Factory provides a bitterly entertaining treat for those attuned to its storyteller's grim sentiments."

EW.com
September 26, 2007
"Makes for deliciously bleak reading as its damned protagonists find themselves ensnared in metaphysical traps they often barely comprehend."

Wizard Magazine
November 2007
"These twisted tales based on Thomas Ligotti's stories come alive in the hands of Ben Templesmith and Michael Gaydos, and others. Retaining unique styles, Ligotti's brand of psychological terror still permeates, oozing into your nightmares."

If you’re a fan of scary, cerebral books, then I highly suggest that you pick up a copy or ten. In addition, if you want to meet and greet the brains behind the book (and if you’re East Coast based), check out the upcoming live event!

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2007 – NEW YORK, NY
MCNALLY ROBINSON BOOKSELLERS — 6:00 p.m.
52 Prince St
New York, NY 10012
*Signings by artist Colleen Doran and writer Stuart Moore

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2007 – NEW YORK, NY
MOCCA – MUSEUM OF COMIC & CARTOON ART — 6:30 p.m.
594 Broadway/Suite 401
(bet. Houston & Prince)
New York, NY 10003

*Writers Stuart Moore and Joe Harris, artists Michael Gaydos and Ted McKeever, and editor Heidi MacDonald come together for a discussion of Fox Atomic and The Nightmare Factory with moderator Calvin Reid, PW.

Later

Monday, October 15, 2007

Comeback (To The Nightmare Factory!)

Alright, I will concede that the title of today’s posting is a tad bit lame, but it’s my way of welcoming all you Comebacks-curious people (in theaters this Friday! Plug plug!) who so adroitly managed to find the part of our site where all of the cool kids hang out. Because nothing says ‘cool’ like comics. Work with me here, people.

For those new to the site, we publish graphic novels over here in the Fox Atomic Comics fiefdom. Our latest book, The Nightmare Factory, released last month in order to tie into all things Halloween, and we’ve been seeing some nice critical love for this very pretty book:

Boston Globe
September 17, 2007
"In a fall season typified by much more categorizable frights, Nightmare Factory provides a bitterly entertaining treat for those attuned to its storyteller's grim sentiments."

EW.com
September 26, 2007
"Makes for deliciously bleak reading as its damned protagonists find themselves ensnared in metaphysical traps they often barely comprehend."

Wizard Magazine
November 2007
"These twisted tales based on Thomas Ligotti's stories come alive in the hands of Ben Templesmith and Michael Gaydos, and others. Retaining unique styles, Ligotti's brand of psychological terror still permeates, oozing into your nightmares."

If you’re a fan of scary, cerebral books, then I highly suggest that you pick up a copy or ten. In addition, if you want to meet and greet the brains behind the book (and if you’re East Coast based), check out the upcoming live event!

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2007 – NEW YORK, NY
MCNALLY ROBINSON BOOKSELLERS — 6:00 p.m.
52 Prince St
New York, NY 10012
*Signings by artist Colleen Doran and writer Stuart Moore

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2007 – NEW YORK, NY
MOCCA – MUSEUM OF COMIC & CARTOON ART — 6:30 p.m.
594 Broadway/Suite 401
(bet. Houston & Prince)
New York, NY 10003

*Writers Stuart Moore and Joe Harris, artists Michael Gaydos and Ted McKeever, and editor Heidi MacDonald come together for a discussion of Fox Atomic and The Nightmare Factory with moderator Calvin Reid, PW.

Later

Friday, October 12, 2007

28 Weeks Later Goodness

So 28 Weeks Later came out on DVD (as well as on the whole rainbow of other assorted format flavors that even I, as a HUGE geek, can’t even keep track of) this week. If you missed the movie in theaters (shame on you) I highly suggest picking up a copy; 28 Weeks Later is one of those sequels, much like Aliens, Terminator 2, or Star Trek 2: The Wrath of Khan, that utilizes and embraces the core concepts of the initial film, yet adds that little something ‘extra’ to make it feel fresh and original at the same time.

While you’re at it, be sure to check out the two 28 Days Later: The Aftermath graphic novel animated features found on the same DVD. Both are taken directly from Steve Niles’ graphic novel (that also ties in the 28 Days/Weeks universe), but animated in distinct styles befitting each tale. Reviewers across the board seem to be responding very well to these two special bonuses; check out what Premiere Magazine had to say:

“But the most original features are two shorts entitled "28 Days Later: The Aftermath — Stage 1, Development" and "28 Days Later: The Aftermath — Stage 3, Decimation." Taken from the Fox Atomic graphic novel series, these animated shorts ("Development" is literally a moving comic book, with word balloons and text boxes) act as bridges between the two films and boast some engaging eye candy (particularly "Decimation").”

Full link here: http://www.premiere.com/dvdreviews/4161/scary-movies.html

Also, as previously mentioned, I’ve been so bloody busy this week I haven’t been able to make it over to the comics store yet. Here’s what I plan to pick up sometime over the weekend:

BATMAN CONFIDENTIAL #10
BLACK ADAM THE DARK AGE #3 (this series is great so far)
BOOSTER GOLD #3 (this book is really fun, especially if you’re a fan of the DCU. do give it a look if you have yet to do so)
CAPTAIN CARROT AND THE FINAL ARK #1 (no, i’m not kidding)
COUNTDOWN 29
GREEN ARROW BLACK CANARY #1
GREEN LANTERN #24
JLA CLASSIFIED #44
SIMON DARK #1 (go steve!)
SUPERMAN #668
UN-MEN #3
BRAWL #1
FANTASTIC FOUR #550
HEROES FOR HIRE #14
NEW AVENGERS #35
NEW WARRIORS #5
PUNISHER #51
PUNISHER WAR JOURNAL #12
RUNAWAYS #28 (love love this book)
WOLVERINE #58
X-FACTOR #24
TANK GIRL THE GIFTING #4

That’s it for this week. I’m off to Lebowskifest!

Later

Thursday, October 11, 2007

The Nightmare Factory – Events!

As you may be able to tell from the (in)frequency of my postings as of late, I have been a tad busy. Fox Atomic has another movie releasing very soon (The Comebacks), and helping to put the finishing touches on that puppy has eaten up my precious comics-reading and videogame-playing time.

Also, with Halloween coming up, we have a whole mess of events lined up for our latest graphic novel, The Nightmare Factory! Most (actually all) are NYC based, so if you’re fortunate enough to live in The City do stop by and say hi! The full list is below, but the first event (a signing) is tonight, and if you get there early enough you can even say hi to Steve Niles, writer of 28 Days Later: The Aftermath graphic novel!

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2007 – NEW YORK, NY (TONIGHT!!)
JIM HANLEY’S UNIVERSE — 6:30 p.m.
4 West 33rd St.
New York, NY 10001
(off 5th Ave. - opposite the Empire State Building)
*Signing event with Nightmare Factory writers/artists: Stuart Moore, Joe Harris, Michael Gaydos

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2007 – NEW YORK, NY
MCNALLY ROBINSON BOOKSELLERS — 6:00 p.m.
52 Prince St
New York, NY 10012
*Signings by artist Colleen Doran and writer Stuart Moore

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2007 – NEW YORK, NY
MOCCA – MUSEUM OF COMIC & CARTOON ART — 6:30 p.m.
594 Broadway/Suite 401
(bet. Houston & Prince)
New York, NY 10003
(212) 254-3511
*Writers Stuart Moore and Joe Harris, artists Michael Gaydos and Ted McKeever, and editor Heidi MacDonald come together for a discussion of Fox Atomic and The Nightmare Factory with moderator Calvin Reid, PW.

In case you missed ‘em, check out some nice review blurbs for The Nightmare Factory!

Boston Globe
September 17, 2007
"In a fall season typified by much more categorizable frights, Nightmare Factory provides a bitterly entertaining treat for those attuned to its storyteller's grim sentiments."

EW.com
September 26, 2007
"Makes for deliciously bleak reading as its damned protagonists find themselves ensnared in metaphysical traps they often barely comprehend."

Wizard Magazine
November 2007
"These twisted tales based on Thomas Ligotti's stories come alive in the hands of Ben Templesmith and Michael Gaydos, and others. Retaining unique styles, Ligotti's brand of psychological terror still permeates, oozing into your nightmares."

I shall post my weekly pull list tomorrow… I haven’t been able to get to the store yet! (*sheds a tear)

Later

Monday, October 8, 2007

Monday: Bad for Health, Good for Education

(Before I get started, big points to anyone who picked up on the movie reference contained in today’s post headline. If you know the movie lemme know and I shall send you my love. Or perhaps a graphic novel or a DVD. Who knows!)

So the weekend’s over, school’s back in session (and by school, I mean work). This weekend I read two books that I particularly dug (aside from all of the other books and graphic novels I read on a constant basis – cheers to A.D.D.): Vinyl Underground #1 (Vertigo) and Game Keeper #5 (Virgin). I highly dug both of these books for very different reasons: Vinyl Underground is best described as an underground, occult detective agency based out of London, and being that I’m a huge Anglophile the book hit all the right notes for me. Very different from Hellblazer (a natural comparison, what with all the British occult business going on), in that this book takes itself much less seriously than the aforementioned Swamp Thing spin-off. The second book, Game Keeper, wraps up what looks like the first story arc in director Guy Ritchie’s inaugural comics outing (and in five issues, no less). I must say I enjoyed this story; seeing the titular character pitch a bodyguard off of a skyscraper was worth the price of admission alone.

We’ve also put together a nice slice of The Nightmare Factory review quotes below – do check this book out if you have yet to do so! Here’s what the critics are saying about The Nightmare Factory:

Boston Globe
September 17, 2007
"In a fall season typified by much more categorizable frights, Nightmare Factory provides a bitterly entertaining treat for those attuned to its storyteller's grim sentiments."

EW.com
September 26, 2007
"Makes for deliciously bleak reading as its damned protagonists find themselves ensnared in metaphysical traps they often barely comprehend."

Wizard Magazine
November 2007
"These twisted tales based on Thomas Ligotti's stories come alive in the hands of Ben Templesmith and Michael Gaydos, and others. Retaining unique styles, Ligotti's brand of psychological terror still permeates, oozing into your nightmares."

Later

Wednesday, October 3, 2007

New Comics Day!

New Comics Day waits for no one, even as I continue to bravely plow through the stack of books from last week. Out of said stack I have really encountered a few gems, but none shine so bright as one book that continues to be my favorite guilty pleasure: All-Star Batman and Robin. The latest issue (released last week) continues the adventures of the bat-crap crazy Batman as he enjoys carnal relations with Black Canary (while they’re both in full costume, no less), and watches in sheer delight as young Dick Grayson extracts a brutal revenge on the thug who murdered his parents. Jim Lee’s gloriously gritty, ultra-detailed art never ceases to amaze as well. The one downside is that the whole “godd*am Batman” shtick has gotten way, way out of hand. On one page that phrase was used no less than three times. Once was cool, twice was cute, but please. No more.

Anyway, we all know what today is: New Comics Days! Now that I have beaten Halo 3 (well… I beat it over the weekend) I can finally put a dent in the aforementioned stack of books that I picked up last week. I shall not be deterred from picking up new books this week; here’s what I plan on grabbing at Comics Ink this eve:

BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER #7
CONAN #44
LOBSTER JOHNSON THE IRON PROMETHEUS #2
ACTION COMICS #856
COUNTDOWN 30
DETECTIVE COMICS #837
FAKER #4
GREEN LANTERN CORPS #16
INFINITY INC #2
JACK OF FABLES #15
JLA HITMAN #2
JONAH HEX #24
METAL MEN #3
TALES OF THE SINESTRO CORPS CYBORG SUPERMAN #1
VINYL UNDERGROUND #1 (this looks cool)
WALKING DEAD POSTER (not a comic, but I love this poster for some reason I can’t really put my finger on)
EXILES #99
HOWARD THE DUCK #1 (yes. don’t laugh)
OMEGA UNKNOWN #1
BLACK DIAMOND #4
GAMEKEEPER #5
STAR TREK YEAR FOUR #3

Oh! And lest I forget, Ain’t It Cool News posted the winners in their Nightmare Factory contest! HEAD HERE (http://www.aintitcool.com/node/34273) to check it out!

Later

Monday, October 1, 2007

Mondaze – Sponsored by Halo 3 and Comic Books

So this weekend was a good one. Why, you ask? All I can say is that Halo 3 and comics are the key ingredient to any good weekend. I don’t do the all-geek weekend all that often (normally social situations get in the way… grrr), but this weekend was blissful. I beat Halo (naturally), and overall was a bit under whelmed by the story but since the game rocks so hard all is forgiven.

I’ll post some thoughts on the comics I read tomorrow, but I finally got around to reading one that really stood out: Brian Wood’s Local #10. I have been following this book for quite some time (started with issue #1 when I was still living in Manhattan), so Local holds a special place in my heart. I’m not sure what the original publishing schedule was supposed to be, but considering I haven’t lived in NY for going on two years now that tells you something. Normally I would bemoan irregular books (such as All-Star Batman, which again is forgivable because it’s so damn good), but local stands as an example of reason #2465 why I love comics so: just like music, reading a particular book or back issue can take you to a different place in your life. Local is one of those books for me.

Back to business for a bit: the positive Nightmare Factory graphic novel reviews keep rolling on in! We got another good one below, and check out the FEARNET.COM link for your change to win a copy of your very own!

BOOKLOONS REVIEW (http://www.bookloons.com/cgi-bin/Columns.asp?name=0709a&type=Between%20the%20Lines)

FEARNET TRIVIA CONTEST
(http://www.fearnet.com/Games.aspx)

Later / Local

Friday, September 28, 2007

Friday Fun Day

I must admit, this has been a bit of a busy week. I also came down with a heavy case of the aforementioned Pac-Man Fever, which has consumed all of my free moments with Halo 3 goodness. With first-day sales hitting a reported $170 MILLION dollars it would seem that I’m not alone either!

And yes, I did manage to pry myself away from the Xbox for a few hours thou (although I think I went to bed around four AM last night… not sure). I even missed picking up comics on Wednesday (but that’s a long story that has absolutely nothing to do with videogames), but what I plan on picking up this weekend can be found below.

Also, be sure to pick up the latest issue of Wizard Magazine (the one with the beautiful shot of the Dark Knight on the cover) – there is a positive review of our Nightmare Factory graphic novel in the ‘Bookshelf’ section!

ALL STAR BATMAN AND ROBIN THE BOY WONDER #7 (I get so much crap for saying this, but I LOVE All-Star Batman. If there’s ANYONE who is allowed a license to do anything he wants with the Batman character, that man is Frank Miller. Plus, I read that this book takes place in his Year One / Dark Knight Returns universe, which is really, really cool)
BATMAN #669
COUNTDOWN 31
COUNTDOWN TO ADVENTURE #2
GREEN ARROW YEAR ONE #5 (love that Jock art)
JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #13
SPIRIT #10
SUPERNATURAL ORIGINS #5
UNCLE SAM AND THE FREEDOM FIGHTERS #1
WONDER WOMAN ANNUAL #1
ASTOUNDING WOLF-MAN #3
BRIT #2
AVENGERS INITIATIVE #6
CABLE DEADPOOL #45
CAPTAIN AMERICA CHOSEN #2
CRIMINAL #9
IMMORTAL IRON FIST #9
PUNISHER MAX ANNUAL #1
SUB-MARINER #4
ULTIMATE FANTASTIC FOUR #46
ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN #114 (hard to believe an ‘ultimate’ book is already over 100 issues… kinda defeats the whole ‘ultimate’ purpose, but the books are cool so who bloody cares, nah?)
X-MEN #203
ARMY OF DARKNESS FROM ASHES #2
BRODIES LAW ROAD TO REDEMPTION GN
HIGHLANDER #11

Later

Tuesday, September 25, 2007

Pac-Man Fever

So I considered calling in sick today with a mean case of Pac-Man Fever. And by ‘Pac-Man Fever’, I mean that today is the long-awaited and much heralded release of none other than Halo 3. I’ve got the DT’s so bad I can barely type.

The Halo franchise has become such a juggernaut; the release hype for Halo 3 is reminiscent of the frenzy that accompanies a new Star Wars film. What particularly intrigues me about the Halo licensing empire is how they have expertly and adroitly embraced the comics/graphic novel world, particularly from a creative standpoint. Granted they have been producing licensed (prose) novels for some time, but their first foray into the graphic novel space was extremely well-handled, IMHO. Instead of just cranking out some quick-and-dirty book with no-name talent, they produced the book completely in-house and secured amazing artists, such as the legendary Moebius. In essence, the editors were careful to pay the proper respect to the Halo universe, a concept that I find is exceedingly important when working with titles on this level, be they film or video game. If you’re a Halo fan and haven’t picked up this book I highly suggest you succumb to the Fever yourself and pick up a copy.

While you’re at it, pick up 28 Days Later: The Aftermath and The Hills Have Eyes: The Beginning – two other franchise titles done right with superb talent (man, I can never resist)!

Later

Friday, September 21, 2007

Leavin On A Jet Plane

The 28 Weeks Later DVD comes out shortly, and on said DVD are two animated shorts from the 28 Days Later: The Aftermath graphic novel. The movie is AMAZING (and again, I say that as a fan and not the studio hack that I truly am), but the animated graphic novel featurettes have been receiving a nice amount of love as well. Check out these review excerpts!

http://www.bloody-disgusting.com/news/9728

The most intriguing features are two bonus short films. Essentially a Anamatic interpretations of the Fox Atomic's 28 DAYS LATER Graphic Novels, the first, STAGE 1: DEVELOPMENT, is a 7-minute look at the history of the creation of the rage virus by Cambridge University scientists. The second, STAGE 3: DECIMATION is a much shorter look at a vigilante solider fighting a one-man war against the infected on the streets of London. The artwork, in a sometimes slick, sometimes sketched, comic book style along with the voice over narration provides for a very cool supplement and easily the best feature this DVD has to offer?aside from the film of course. These final two extras typify what great bonus materials should be?an extension of the film that enhances the viewing experience. I really hope we see more of this type of thing on future releases.

http://dvd.ign.com/articles/819/819354p2.html

But the "Aftermath" offerings are different. They're unique. These cleverly-produced, stylized, cinematic graphic novels provide background on the development of the virus previous to the start of the first 28 film. And it's not that this is such an evolutionary idea - it's not. But the approach and the music and the integration of live-action film into these well-drawn inserts is masterfully handled. These are visceral 10-minutes shorts that deserve your rapt attention.?

http://www.r2-dvd.org/article.jsp?sectionId=4&articleId=7678

THE AFTERMATH: Stage 1: Development: This short featurette shows the conception of the Rage virus, which turns out to be developed by several rather unscrupulous scientists. This adheres to the old adage that it's cheaper to tell something in an animated form than it is to film it. This little vignette isn't strictly animated, it's more a series of illustrations from renowned artist Steve Niles, who has collaborated with the likes of Clive Barker, Richard Matheson & Harlan Ellison. This isn't really up to much, merely trying to provide an explanation for the events depicted in such a hugely popular movie - a similar thing was attempted when a comic book prelude to Night of the Living Dead was created in the early to mid nineties. This featurette is really hard work, like sitting through a Monkey Dust sketch without the jokes.

THE AFTERMATH: Stage 3: Decimation: This is similar to the previous featurette, but the style is completely different - Stage 1 was more dialogue-driven, whereas Stage 3 relies on visuals much more. The only difference is that this one is fantastic stuff - the style of the illustrations are completely different to the Stage 1. The story is engaging and gripping on both and visceral and emotional level. Steve Niles was the writer and Nat Jones was the illustrator on this one. Great work.

I'm off to Colorado now!

Later

Wednesday, September 19, 2007

I Need A Vacation

Where to begin… I’m really tired today. I’m also really happy. Allow me to elucidate. It’s Wednesday. If you’re taking the time out of your day to peruse my ramblings than you surely know that Wednesday means New Comics Day, which is like a mainline of pure awesome straight to any fanboy’s geeky little heart (mine included). Not sure if I’ll make it to Comics Ink tonight since there is drinking to be done, but below is my pull list for the week. We’re also less than ONE WEEK away from the release of Halo 3… I’m not sure the English language contains the words to properly express my excitement. I think I feel a case of Typhoid Fever coming on as well. Cough, cough - I think I may be out of the office next week.

Here’s my pull list. No Nightmare Factory reviews this week, but do scroll back to my previous posts to catch some of the love we’re getting for that rad book. We also have a few really cool events coming up, but more on those later.

CRIMINAL MACABRE MY DEMON BABY #1 (love that cover… nice work Timmy B!)
UMBRELLA ACADEMY APOCALYPSE SUITE #1 (hell yea. not a huge my chem romance fan, but love the artist)
BATMAN LOBO DEADLY SERIOUS #2
EX MACHINA #30
GREEN ARROW BLACK CANARY WEDDING SPECIAL #1 (don’t laugh)
HELLBLAZER #236
HIGHWAYMEN #4 (still digging this series – do pick up this book; you won’t be sorry)
SUPERMAN BATMAN #40
TALES OF THE SINESTRO CORPS PARALLAX #1
REPO #4
SPAWN #171
CAPTAIN AMERICA #30
IRREDEEMABLE ANT-MAN #12
NEW X-MEN #42
WORLD WAR HULK #4
30 DAYS OF NIGHT BEYOND BARROW #1
30 DAYS OF NIGHT RED SNOW #2

Later

Monday, September 17, 2007

It’s Monday Again?!

Seriously, this has to stop; I love the weekends too much. This weekend was a nice one, as I had a bit of down time to both a) school n00bs on GoW b) catch up on my comics reading. Read and loved the following: JSA #9 (that scene where the crew races alongside a fire engine… wow), Casanova 8&9 (loving ‘season 2’), Black Adam #2 (…wow), Booster Gold #2, and a few others. All and all, a great weekend to be sure.

There were two nice / new Nightmare Factory reviews posted over the weekend as well; I really love this book. Give ‘em a look!

Pop Syndicate (4 stars!)
http://www.popsyndicate.com/site/story/the_nightmare_factory/

Blog Critics Magazine
http://blogcritics.org/archives/2007/09/15/135345.php

Later

Friday, September 14, 2007

Inching Towards the Weekend

Man oh man; what a Friday it’s been. If I didn’t already have plans to go out carousing this eve I would be completely content to head home and read my current favorite book, Matt Fraction’s Casanova. I, for one, am very happy how this guy has blown up of late; I’ve been a fan of his ever since his book “Last of the Independents” (if you haven’t checked it out, do try and track down a copy). Casanova is one of those books that just plain makes me laugh out loud – it’s very much in the vein of Ellis’ work (such as his vastly under-appreciated ‘NextWave’), in that the book is inherently self-referential in the way it plays with the conventions of comic books, but it also manages to incorporate my favorite field of study (quantum mechanics), which always scores big points in my book. Casanova is in the midst of a new story arc, but I definitely recommend that you pick up the first trade first so that you know what the heck is going on.

Back to a bit of Fox Atomic Comics: if you missed it, the fine folks over at Aint It Cool News posted an excellent review of The Nightmare Factory! An excerpt is below, but HEAD HERE (http://www.aintitcool.com/node/34010) to read the full review!

From the review: “There isn’t a story in this book that doesn’t have the highest amount of professionalism added to it. Fox Atomic really has put together a special compilation and this is by far the best book the company has published to date.”

That’s all for now boys, girls, and who/whatever else is out there. More next week. As always, be excellent to each other.

Later

Wednesday, September 12, 2007

Aint it Cool News Reviews The Nightmare Factory

Yesterday I mentioned that I would soon be posting a non-Nightmare Factory related blog. I lied. All for a good cause, however: the fine folks over at Aint It Cool News have just posted an excellent review of The Nightmare Factory, and I want to share the goodness! An excerpt is below, but HEAD HERE (http://www.aintitcool.com/node/34010) to read the full review!

From the review: “There isn’t a story in this book that doesn’t have the highest amount of professionalism added to it. Fox Atomic really has put together a special compilation and this is by far the best book the company has published to date.”

BUY ONE!

*ahem*… sorry, I have Turrets. Speaking of buying comics, being that it’s Wednesday I guess I only half-lied… below are my picks for the week!

FEAR AGENT LAST GOODBYE #3
BLACK ADAM THE DARK AGE #2
BOOSTER GOLD #2 (be sure to get this book; it’s great!)
COUNTDOWN 33
DMZ #23 (i love DMZ)
FABLES #65
GREEN LANTERN #23
JUSTICE SOCIETY OF AMERICA #9
SUPERMAN #667
BAD PLANET #3
CASANOVA #9
WALKING DEAD #42 (what is this book weekly now?!)
DAREDEVIL #100
LONERS #5
NEW AVENGERS #34
PUNISHER WAR JOURNAL #11
THOR #3
ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN #113
X-FACTOR #23

Later

Tuesday, September 11, 2007

Tuesday Nightmare

The Nightmare Factory link train continues to roll on down the line... non-NMF blogs are coming, I do swears and promises:

- Comic Book Resources posted an interview with little old me that delves into the background behind the book. Read on for my ramblings: CLICK IT (http://www.comicbookresources.com/news/newsitem.cgi?id=11773)

- Want a chance to win a copy for your very own? Well then head on over to DREAD CENTRAL (http://www.dreadcentral.com/index.php?name=Sections&req=viewarticle&artid=252&page=1) to enter (they also say some kind words about our previous, wonderful, books)

- Another contest – why not hedge your bets and enter both? The fine folks over at Aint It Cool News have posted a great contest for The Nightmare Factory, whereby you can submit your worst nightmare for a chance to win a Thomas Ligotti-autographed copy of the graphic novel! Check it out HERE (www.aintitcool.com/node/33912), and stay tuned for their review of the book later this week!

- We’ve also slightly the Fox Atomic Comics MySpace Profile (www.myspace.com/foxatomiccomics) to feature a fun video that goes into detail about what it takes to make a graphic novel! This video was produced for our second graphic novel, The Hills Have Eyes: The Beginning, and debuted as an exclusive on The Hills Have Eyes 2 DVD. Check it out for all sorts of cool interviews, including one with me in my fat suit.

- IGN premiered a few exclusive pages last week; HEAD HERE (http://comics.ign.com/articles/816/816198p1.html) to check 'em out.

Reviews!

MANIA.com (A- REVIEW)
"...if Fox Comics (continues) to put out fantastic titles like "The Nightmare Factory" they will be a force to be reckoned with…"

AND NOW THE SCREAMING STARTS (great website name!)
"The Nightmare Factory is freakin' fabulous"

FANTASY BOOK CRITIC
"a winning combination of diverse comic book talent and masterful storytelling that will appeal to readers who appreciate horror of the more cerebral variety."

ARROW IN THE HEAD.com (A mixed review overall; this is a heavy book!)
“The artwork was superb across the board and was the highlight of the whole experience. However, if you're a fan of Ligotti or the likes of Poe and Lovecraft, and you're looking for something to curl up to this fall to get your 'creep' on, then I'd recommend picking THE NIGHTMARE FACTORY up and giving it a whirl.”

Later

Monday, September 10, 2007

Just Another Maniac Monday

Monday? Again? Really? Who let that happen? Seriously – I was just getting into the weekend groove. Ah well, pack away your cares and concerns, for I have the cure for the Monday malaise: new Nightmare Factory links!

And here's even more Nightmare Factory linkage; be sure to peep the reviews at the bottom of the blog:

- Comic Book Resources posted an interview with little old me that delves into the background behind the book. Read on for my ramblings: CLICK IT (http://www.comicbookresources.com/news/newsitem.cgi?id=11773)

- Want a chance to win a copy for your very own? Well then head on over to DREAD CENTRAL (http://www.dreadcentral.com/index.php?name=Sections&req=viewarticle&artid=252&page=1) to enter (they also say some kind words about our previous, wonderful, books)

- Another contest – why not hedge your bets and enter both? The fine folks over at Aint It Cool News have posted a great contest for The Nightmare Factory, whereby you can submit your worst nightmare for a chance to win a Thomas Ligotti-autographed copy of the graphic novel! Check it out HERE (www.aintitcool.com/node/33912), and stay tuned for their review of the book later this week!

- We’ve also slightly the Fox Atomic Comics MySpace Profile (www.myspace.com/foxatomiccomics) to feature a fun video that goes into detail about what it takes to make a graphic novel! This video was produced for our second graphic novel, The Hills Have Eyes: The Beginning, and debuted as an exclusive on The Hills Have Eyes 2 DVD. Check it out for all sorts of cool interviews, including one with me in my fat suit.

- IGN premiered a few exclusive pages last week; HEAD HERE (http://comics.ign.com/articles/816/816198p1.html) to check 'em out.

Reviews!

MANIA.com (A- REVIEW)
"...if Fox Comics (continues) to put out fantastic titles like "The Nightmare Factory" they will be a force to be reckoned with…"

AND NOW THE SCREAMING STARTS (great website name!)
"The Nightmare Factory is freakin' fabulous"

FANTASY BOOK CRITIC
"a winning combination of diverse comic book talent and masterful storytelling that will appeal to readers who appreciate horror of the more cerebral variety."

ARROW IN THE HEAD.com (A mixed review overall; this is a heavy book!)
“The artwork was superb across the board and was the highlight of the whole experience. However, if you're a fan of Ligotti or the likes of Poe and Lovecraft, and you're looking for something to curl up to this fall to get your 'creep' on, then I'd recommend picking THE NIGHTMARE FACTORY up and giving it a whirl.”

Later

Friday, September 7, 2007

Nightmare Factory Friday

Friday funday - to celebrate, why not pick up a copy of The Nightmare Factory graphic novel, in stores everywhere right now! New comics came out yesterday; here's what I picked up:

BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER #6
CITY OF OTHERS #4
COUNTDOWN 34
FAKER #3
INFINITY INC #1
JONAH HEX #23
METAL MEN #2 (loving this series)
Y THE LAST MAN #58 (wow!)
FRANK FRAZETTAS DEATH DEALER #4
STEVE NILES STRANGE CASES #1 (go Steve!)
AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #544
CAPTAIN AMERICA CHOSEN #1
EXILES #98
NEW WARRIORS #4
UNCANNY X-MEN #490
WOLVERINE #57
30 DAYS OF NIGHT RED SNOW #1
BOYS #10
DOKTOR SLEEPLESS #2 (I’m digging this series)
NEGATIVE BURN #12
PAINKILLER JANE #3

And here's more Nightmare Factory linkage, updated with new reviews!

- The fine folks over at Aint It Cool News have posted a great contest for The Nightmare Factory, whereby you can submit your worst nightmare for a chance to win a Thomas Ligotti-autographed copy of the graphic novel! Check it out HERE (www.aintitcool.com/node/33912), and stay tuned for their review of the book next week!

- We’ve also slightly the Fox Atomic Comics MySpace Profile (www.myspace.com/foxatomiccomics) to feature a fun video that goes into detail about what it takes to make a graphic novel! This video was produced for our second graphic novel, The Hills Have Eyes: The Beginning, and debuted as an exclusive on The Hills Have Eyes 2 DVD. Check it out for all sorts of cool interviews, including one with me in my fat suit.

- IGN premiered a few exclusive pages last week; HEAD HERE (http://comics.ign.com/articles/816/816198p1.html) to check 'em out.
Reviews!

MANIA.com (A- REVIEW)
"...if Fox Comics (continues) to put out fantastic titles like "The Nightmare Factory" they will be a force to be reckoned with…"

AND NOW THE SCREAMING STARTS (great website name!)
"The Nightmare Factory is freakin' fabulous"

FANTASY BOOK CRITIC
"a winning combination of diverse comic book talent and masterful storytelling that will appeal to readers who appreciate horror of the more cerebral variety."

ARROW IN THE HEAD.com (A mixed review overall; this is a heavy book!)
“The artwork was superb across the board and was the highlight of the whole experience. However, if you're a fan of Ligotti or the likes of Poe and Lovecraft, and you're looking for something to curl up to this fall to get your 'creep' on, then I'd recommend picking THE NIGHTMARE FACTORY up and giving it a whirl.”

Later

Thursday, September 6, 2007

All Nightmare Factory, All the Time (cont…)

Just a reminder – The Nightmare Factory graphic novel hits comic and book stores everywhere THIS WEEK, and to celebrate we’re hosting a week-long kegger at the Fox Atomic Comics mansion! I wish. Nay, I have something better to offer: fine, fine Nightmare Factory linkage! (the crowd goes mild):

- The fine folks over at Aint It Cool News have posted a great contest for The Nightmare Factory, whereby you can submit your worst nightmare for a chance to win a Thomas Ligotti-autographed copy of the graphic novel! Check it out HERE (www.aintitcool.com/node/33912), and stay tuned for their review of the book next week!

- We’ve also slightly the Fox Atomic Comics MySpace Profile (www.myspace.com/foxatomiccomics) to feature a fun video that goes into detail about what it takes to make a graphic novel! This video was produced for our second graphic novel, The Hills Have Eyes: The Beginning, and debuted as an exclusive on The Hills Have Eyes 2 DVD. Check it out for all sorts of cool interviews, including one with me in my fat suit.

- I’m also going to be pimping this all week, so be sure to head over to the MySpace Comic Book profile (myspace.com/comicbooks) to see an EXCLUSIVE preview of the complete Ben Templesmith story!

Please do be sure to pick up a copy of The Nightmare Factory – it makes the perfect Halloween gift for that random Goth friend you have (but never talk to), so do please pick up a copy or two to warm his or her black little heart. Not sold yet? Well, have some reviews!

MANIA.com (A- REVIEW)
"...if Fox Comics (continues) to put out fantastic titles like "The Nightmare Factory" they will be a force to be reckoned with…"

FANTASY BOOK CRITIC
"a winning combination of diverse comic book talent and masterful storytelling that will appeal to readers who appreciate horror of the more cerebral variety."

Arrow in the Head.com (A mixed review overall; this is a heavy book!)
“The artwork was superb across the board and was the highlight of the whole experience. However, if you're a fan of Ligotti or the likes of Poe and Lovecraft, and you're looking for something to curl up to this fall to get your 'creep' on, then I'd recommend picking THE NIGHTMARE FACTORY up and giving it a whirl.”

Later

Wednesday, September 5, 2007

All Nightmare Factory, All the Time

Just a reminder – The Nightmare Factory graphic novel hits comic and book stores everywhere THIS WEEK! It makes the perfect Halloween gift for that random Goth friend you have (but never talk to), so do please pick up a copy or two to warm his or her black little heart.

In celebration we’ve also slightly updated the Fox Atomic Comics MySpace Profile (www.myspace.com/foxatomiccomics) to feature a fun video that goes into detail about what it takes to make a graphic novel! This video was produced for our second graphic novel, The Hills Have Eyes: The Beginning, and debuted as an exclusive on The Hills Have Eyes 2 DVD. Check it out for all sorts of cool interviews, including one with me in my fat suit.

I’m also going to be pimping this all week, so be sure to head over to the MySpace Comic Book profile (myspace.com/comicbooks) to see an EXCLUSIVE preview of the complete Ben Templesmith story!

We’re starting to see some nice reviews for the book itself too... more to follow this week!

MANIA.com (A- REVIEW)
"...if Fox Comics (continues) to put out fantastic titles like "The Nightmare Factory" they will be a force to be reckoned with…"

FANTASY BOOK CRITIC
"a winning combination of diverse comic book talent and masterful storytelling that will appeal to readers who appreciate horror of the more cerebral variety."

Arrow in the Head.com (A mixed review overall; this is a heavy book!)
“The artwork was superb across the board and was the highlight of the whole experience. However, if you're a fan of Ligotti or the likes of Poe and Lovecraft, and you're looking for something to curl up to this fall to get your 'creep' on, then I'd recommend picking THE NIGHTMARE FACTORY up and giving it a whirl.”

Later

Tuesday, September 4, 2007

The Nightmare Factory – In Stores TODAY!

Our third graphic novel from Fox Atomic Comics, The Nightmare Factory, hits stores everywhere TODAY! If you missed it over the weekend, be sure to head over to the MySpace Comic Book profile (myspace.com/comicbooks) to see an EXCLUSIVE preview of the complete Ben Templesmith story!

We’re starting to see some nice reviews for the book itself too... more to follow this week!

MANIA.com (A- REVIEW)
"...if Fox Comics (continues) to put out fantastic titles like "The Nightmare Factory" they will be a force to be reckoned with…"

FANTASY BOOK CRITIC
"a winning combination of diverse comic book talent and masterful storytelling that will appeal to readers who appreciate horror of the more cerebral variety."

Later

Friday, August 31, 2007

The Nightmare Factory - Reviews & Exclusives

On Monday we previewed a grip of exclusive pages over at IGN.com, and today (Friday) we're gonna blow it up even more with a big MySpace premiere! Keep watching this space for more details; I'll let you know when it's posted!

We're also starting to see some nice early reviews for The Nightmare Factory, in bookstores everywhere next week! Here's a good one:

"The horror scene in comics keeps getting better and better all the time and if Fox Comics and continue to put out fantastic titles like “The Nightmare Factory” they will be a force to be reckoned with…"
- mania.com (grade A- review)

Nice. More to follow!

Later

Wednesday, August 29, 2007

New Comics Day

In case you missed it, yesterday the fine folks over at IGN.com debuted a few exclusive interior pages from our upcoming graphic novel The Nightmare Factory. Head on over to http://comics.ign.com to check them out, or click over to our ‘pics’ if you happen to be on the Fox Atomic Comics MySpace profile (myspace.com/foxatomiccomics). Words can’t really express how happy I am with this book; the adaptations of Thomas Ligotti’s stories by Stuart Moore and Joe Harris are spot on, and the art by Colleen Doran, Ben Templesmith, Ted McKeever, and Michael Gaydos is nothing short of stunning. Check out those pages, and hang tight for more exclusive MySpace goodness at the end of the week!

My oh my – it’s New Comics Day once again! Seems like the weeks are falling like rain as of late. My picks for this week are below, but first here’re a few of the books that I enjoyed from last week’s pull list: BATMAN #668, BATMAN / LOBO DEADLY SERIOUS #1 (love that Sam Keith art, althou it all does end up looking like The Maxx), GREEN LANTERN CORPS #15 (still loving the Sinestro Corps arc), SUPERMAN #666 (this book was just… odd… but in such a good way), and HALO UPRISING #1 (granted, I am a Halo nut… let’s see a Bioshock comic now!)

And here’s what I will be grabbing at Comics Ink this eve:
CONAN #43
52 AFTERMATH THE FOUR HORSEMEN #1
ACTION COMICS #855
AMERICAN VIRGIN #18
BATMAN ANNUAL #26 HEAD OF THE DEMON (the origin of Ra’s!)
COUNTDOWN 35
COUNTDOWN TO ADVENTURE #1
EX MACHINA MASQUERADE SPECIAL
HELLBLAZER #234 (loving the current arc)
OUTSIDERS FIVE OF A KIND WEEK 5
TEEN TITANS #50
AMORY WARS #3
BRIT #1
MICE TEMPLAR #1
WALKING DEAD #41 (why are they suddenly spitting out these books every two weeks? Seems odd. Series is still boring me; I may drop it soon. GET THEM OUT OF THE DAMN PRISON! (please))
BLACK PANTHER #30
30 DAYS OF NIGHT EBEN & STELLA #4 (gotta say, the 30 days movie is looking sweet)
LOCAL #10 (love this series)

Later

Tuesday, August 28, 2007

The Nightmare Factory – IGN Exclusive Pages!

The fine folks over at the IGN.com Comics page have posted a few exclusive interior pages from our upcoming graphic novel The Nightmare Factory! If you’re visiting on Tuesday, head over to http://comics.ign.com to check ‘em out – you can’t miss the link! Let us know what you think of the pages, and more Nightmare Factory goodness to follow this week, including a bit more info on that horror movie we shot last week…

I’m also re-posting this from yesterday, mainly because I think it’s really damn cool. BLOODY-DISGUSTING.COM has posted a review of the 28 Weeks Later DVD, on which you can find animated versions of two of the stories from 28 Days Later: The Aftermath! I’m a big fan of these animatic animations that we’ve produced for our books… you may even see one for The Nightmare Factory!

From the BLOODY DISGUSTING review:
“The most intriguing features are two bonus short films. Essentially a Anamatic interpretations of the Fox Atomic’s 28 DAYS LATER Graphic Novels, the first, STAGE 1: DEVELOPMENT, is a 7-minute look at the history of the creation of the rage virus by Cambridge University scientists. The second, STAGE 3: DECIMATION is a much shorter look at a vigilante solider fighting a one-man war against the infected on the streets of London. The artwork, in a sometimes slick, sometimes sketched, comic book style along with the voice over narration provides for a very cool supplement and easily the best feature this DVD has to offer—aside from the film of course. These final two extras typify what great bonus materials should be—an extension of the film that enhances the viewing experience. I really hope we see more of this type of thing on future releases.”

Later

Monday, August 27, 2007

Coming Soon - The Nightmare Factory!

It’s a bit hard to believe, but our third graphic novel, The Nightmare Factory, releases next week! We’ll be pumping this book all throughout October (up until Halloween, naturally), and we kick things off with an EXCLUSIVE premiere this evening and through tomorrow on the main Comics page over at IGN.COM! I am quite pumped about this book, both as a company hack and a comics fan. Check out the art and let us know what you think! More goodies and reviews to follow later this week…

Also, those fine folks over at BLOODY-DISGUSTING.COM posted a review of the 28 Weeks Later DVD, on which you can find animated versions of two of the stories from 28 Days Later: The Aftermath! I’m a big fan of these animatic animations that we’ve produced for our books… you may even see one for The Nightmare Factory!

From the BLOODY DISGUSTING review:
“The most intriguing features are two bonus short films. Essentially a Anamatic interpretations of the Fox Atomic’s 28 DAYS LATER Graphic Novels, the first, STAGE 1: DEVELOPMENT, is a 7-minute look at the history of the creation of the rage virus by Cambridge University scientists. The second, STAGE 3: DECIMATION is a much shorter look at a vigilante solider fighting a one-man war against the infected on the streets of London. The artwork, in a sometimes slick, sometimes sketched, comic book style along with the voice over narration provides for a very cool supplement and easily the best feature this DVD has to offer—aside from the film of course. These final two extras typify what great bonus materials should be—an extension of the film that enhances the viewing experience. I really hope we see more of this type of thing on future releases.”

Anyone reading the Oni book "Mulptile Warheads"? I love it!

Later

Wednesday, August 22, 2007

New Comics Day – The Nightmare Factory Edition

Hello boys & girls – I have to make today’s entry a quick one since I’m shooting a horror short film tonight… but more on that later. We’re currently counting down the days until the release of The Nightmare Factory, our third graphic novel! We’ll be debuting a nice bit of the (incredible) art shortly, but to help familiarize you with the book here’s a bit of press release-goodness for you to chew on:

“In July 2006, Fox Atomic created a partnership with their sister company HarperCollins to publish and distribute branded graphic novels from Fox Atomic Comics. THE NIGHTMARE FACTORY (Harper Paperbacks/Fox Atomic Comics; $17.99; TP; ISBN 13: 9780061243530; on-sale: September 4, 2007), the third book to be released as part of this joint venture, is based on the work of Thomas Ligotti, a horror master for whom the New York Times coined the phrase “philosophical horror” to describe his groundbreaking work. With THE NIGHTMARE FACTORY, four of Ligotti’s most terrifying stories are adapted by four distinct writer/artist teams.

“In “The Last Feast of Harlequin,” writer Stuart Moore and artist Colleen Doran tell of an anthropologist’s journey into a surreal winter carnival, where he witnesses an ancient rite of human sacrifice to grotesque worm-like creatures. Ben Templesmith’s art accompanies Stuart Moore’s adaptation of “Dream of a Mannikin,” the story of a patient and psychiatrist bound together in a horrific dream. In “Doctor Locrian’s Asylum,” writer Joe Harris teams with artist Ted McKeever to bring to life a small town living in the shadow of a looming asylum with a monstrous past. And in the final story, Joe Harris and artist Michael Gaydos team up to adapt a strange urban legend that robs artists of their desire to create art when they’re confronted with horrible revelations. Each story is more terrifying than the next, and the talent assembled brings a new dimension to a legendary horror writer’s most chilling work.”

Man, I want to BUY that book! Oh wait… yea, I still wanna buy it.

Also, as you know Wednesday = New Comics Day, and my picks for this week are below. Of my pics from last week, I particularly enjoyed Booster Gold #1 (BUY IT NOW!), Hellblazer #235, Highwaymen #3, and the aforementioned Doktor Sleepless. So, without further ado, here’re this weeks pics:

BATMAN #668
BATMAN LOBO DEADLY SERIOUS #1
COUNTDOWN 36
GREEN ARROW YEAR ONE #4
GREEN LANTERN CORPS #15 (LOVE THE SINESTRO CORPS ARC)
JSA CLASSIFIED #29
OUTSIDERS FIVE OF A KIND WEEK 4
SUPERMAN #666 (NICE)
INVINCIBLE #45
REPO #3 (OF 5)
WALKING DEAD #40 (MUST ADMIT… THE SERIES IS STARTING TO BORE ME ZZZZZ)
AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #543
ASTONISHING X-MEN #22
CABLE DEADPOOL #44
HALO UPRISING #1
IMMORTAL IRON FIST #8
IRON MAN #21
THE ORDER #2
THUNDERBOLTS #116
WOLVERINE #56
X-MEN #202
GAMEKEEPER #4
NEXUS #99 SPACE OPERA
TANK GIRL THE GIFTING #3

Later

Monday, August 20, 2007

Monday Malaise Redux

Here we are again ­ another Monday. Another glorious day at Fox Atomic. A day at Fox Atomic is like a day on the farm. Every meal's a banquet! Every paycheck a fortune! Every formation a parade! (Yes, I was watching Aliens this weekend, why do you ask?)

This past weekend was indeed a good one. And why is that, you wonder? For one simple reason: I didn¹t do squat except p0wning a few brats in Gears of War and got caught up on my reading.

One book really stood out in this weekend¹s read ­ Warren Ellis¹ new series Doktor Sleepless. I am admittedly a huge Ellis fan (do pick up his first novel, Crooked Little Vein), but Doktor Sleepless truly reminds me of my favorite Ellis series ever, Transmetropolitan. Granted the art in Doktor is far inferior to Transmet, but the overt sci-fi / real world hybrid setting coupled with a smartass lead both hearken back to the exploits of one Spider Jerusalem. Be sure to check it out!

Also, keep an eye out for more goodness from our next graphic novel, The Nightmare Factory, coming soon!

Later

Wednesday, August 15, 2007

New Comics Day!

Seriously, the week is flying by. Most people complain about ‘hump day’ (a phrase that always makes me twitter, primarily because my sense of humor is that of a middle school-age boy), but not I. Nay, New Comics Day is almost as good as Friday, and no Wednesday would be complete without a list of the books that I will be picking up this week!

Before I launch into the picks, however, I wanted to send a special shout-out to both Geoff Johns and Jeff Katz on the debut of Booster Gold #1! From what I’ve heard this book promises to be a fun ride that ties into DC continuity (and rewards the hardcore fans who really know their stuff), all anchored by, IMHO, one of the strongest characters in the uni/multiverse. Congrats you two! Go buy this book!

Also, on the Fox Atomic front, keep your eyes peeled for more info and art from our next graphic novel, The Nightmare Factory, which drops September 4th!

And now, without further ado, here's what I will be picking up this evening at that comics place over by the Sony lot (man, I'm bad with names):

ACTION COMICS #854
ARMY @ LOVE #6 (MR)
BOOSTER GOLD #1 (naturally)
CHECKMATE #17
COUNTDOWN 37
FLASH #231
HELLBLAZER #235 (read this book!)
HIGHWAYMEN #3 (I’m digging this book too… lotsa fun)
JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #12
OUTSIDERS FIVE OF A KIND WEEK 3
SPAWN #170 (I’ve said it before… Spawn is good again!)
SUPERMAN BATMAN #39
FRIENDLY NEIGHBORHOOD SPIDER-MAN #23 (final ish before things get... interesting... hmmm....)
NEW X-MEN #41
ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN #112
WOLVERINE ORIGINS #16 (love me that Steve Dillon art)

That's it for now. I'm off to the races.

Later

Tuesday, August 14, 2007

Tuesday Malaise

So it’s Tuesday. I’m currently sitting in my geeked-out office, blasting a little Bloc Party (Weekend in the City)… much to the chagrin of my Atomic neighbors I’m sure… and trying to come up with a proper blog topic for today. Let’s poke around the stuff lying on my desk shall we? You should see my desk, by the by – ‘Lieb’s Law of Physics’ states that any horizontal surface is soon piled up, so it always looks like Dresden during WWII…

Here we go…

Hmm…

- New Tank Girl series from IDW rocks (love that Ashley Wood – he did the cover for our upcoming Nightmare Factory graphic novel, by the by. I can’t resist the chance to pimp!)
- Faker from Vertigo… haven’t read yet, but love that Jock art
- Immortal Iron Fist #8 – that Matt Fraction is a good egg
- Runaways… I f-ing LOVE Runaways
- A NextWave: Agents of Hate TPB. Perhaps my favorite Ellis series since TransMet
- Punisher #50 – perhaps my favorite Tim Bradstreet cover in a long time, and that’s saying a lot since everything he does is pure gold
- Paul Pope’s THB: Comics from Mars #1. Here we go – Paul Pope. If you are unfamiliar with this gentleman, go pick up the 100% and Heavy Liquid trades RIGHT NOW. I often prefer black and white to color finishes, and suffice to say that Paul’s art SHINES in black and white.

That’ll do it for now. I’ve got some calls to make so I can jet out at a half decent hour. Also my crappy computer is about to crash anyway… there’s a reason I bring in my Macbook to work ;)

Later skaters

Monday, August 13, 2007

Countdown…

I’m not talking about the DC Countdown (which I am really digging, by the by) – nay, I refer to the countdown to Fox Atomic’s third graphic novel, The Nightmare Factory! It’s our first ‘original’ book, and having gotten the VERY first printed copy today I can attest that it kicks all sorts of butt. The art is beautiful, with some amazing work by Ben Templesmith, Ted McKeever, Colleen Doran, and Michael Gaydos. The Nightmare Factory releases in early September (timed to Halloween, naturally), so be sure to pick one or ten up for those horror freaks in your life. More info, reviews, and other goodness to follow!

Also, if you haven’t been reading Andy Diggle’s current run on Hellblazer I HIGHLY recommend that you correct that oversight post haste.

Later

Wednesday, August 8, 2007

New Comics Day - Post Comic-Con Edition!

I tell you what, digging out from under the pile of work that was waiting for me post Comic-Con has been rather daunting, to say the least. I walked into my office after having been in San Diego for a week and I swear the tower of papers in my inbox had clouds floating by at the top. The pile also suspiciously resembled the Leaning Tower of Pisa, but sadly it collapsed before I could snap a picture. Three interns were killed.

Anyway, I digress. I will be back to regular postings shortly, but as we all know today is that glorious day known as New Comics Day! If I get out of the office at a decent hour here’s what I will be picking up this week:

ALSO – be sure to pick up the eagerly-awaited BAD PLANET #2 today, from those fine folks at RAW:

BATMAN #667
BLACK ADAM THE DARK AGE #1
COUNTDOWN 38 (I’M STICKING WITH COUNTDOWN… FOR NOW…)
DMZ #22
FABLES #64
GEN 13 #11
GREEN ARROW YEAR ONE #3 (LOVE ME THAT JOCK ART)
GREEN LANTERN #22
JACK OF FABLES #13
JLA CLASSIFIED #41
UN-MEN #1
BAD PLANET #2
CASANOVA #8
CRIMINAL #8
DAREDEVIL
ESSENTIAL DAZZLER (I AM NOT PICKING THIS UP… WTF?!?!)
EXILES #97
NEW AVENGERS #33
OMEGA FLIGHT #5
POWERS #25
X-FACTOR #22
AMERICAN WASTELAND BLOOD & DIESEL #2
BLACK METAL VOL 1

Later

Friday, August 3, 2007

Comic-Con in the Rear View

What a show. It feels as if I have been muttering those words ever since Monday. What a show. Between the set-up for our booth, running the bloody booth, meetings, reunions, seeing old friends, meeting new friends, the parties, the parties, the parties, tear down for said booth, ad infinitum, needless to say it was a week for the ages. Then again, it's Comic-Con.

We had a great time at the show, and also hosted some really fun signings at our booth featuring the likes of Kevin Bacon, Saw director James Wan, Steve Niles, Tim Bradstreet, Jimmy Palmiotti & Justin Gray, Henry Rollins, Ben Templesmith, Futurama voice talent, and more. We captured a number of these signings on video and streamed them live over the Intraweb; if you missed the live stream be sure to check out the archived videos in the player below.

Also, to see more pics from the show check out our Flickr page: http://www.flickr.com/photos/foxatomic/

More next week once my brain returns.

Later

Monday, July 30, 2007

Comic-Con Decompression

We're alive! We just got back from the San Diego Comic-Con, and now it's time to sleep. More to come, but the show was great. If you missed the party be sure to check out the video player below to see a couple of our booth signings, featuring the likes of Kevin Bacon, Saw director James Wan, Jimmy Palmiotti & Justin Gray, Futurama voice talent (listen for Maurice to spout Brain's classic 'YES'), and, of course, me.

Later

Thursday, July 26, 2007

Live from Comic-Con!

If you're on the Fox Atomic Comics MySpace page, check out the new window below - Fox Atomic Comics is live at the 2007 San Diego Comic-Con! We're uploading pictures of our days and nights from Andre's iPhone, and when we have booth signings we will be broadcasting LIVE! Check the schedule:

Thursday
5:00 – 6:00: The Nightmare Factory / Fox Atomic Comics
- Ben Templesmith, Ted McKeever, Michael Gaydos, Joe Harris, and Stuart Moore

Friday
12:00 – 1:00: The Hills Have Eyes: The Beginning / Fox Atomic Comics
- Jimmy Palmiotti and Justin Gray

2:30 – 3:30: The Tripper
- David Arquette, Thomas Jane, Joe Harris

4:00 – 5:00: 28 Days Later: The Aftermath / Fox Atomic Comics
- Steve Niles and Tim Bradstreet

Saturday
12:30 – 1:30: Wrong Turn 2
- Henry Rollins, Joe Lynch, Erika Leerhsen, Daniella Alonso

3:00 – 4:00: Death Sentence
- Kevin Bacon(!), James Wan, and Garrett Hedlund (Note this panel will require tix that will be distributed at the booth on Saturday morning)

Be sure to stop by booth #4429 and say hi if you're at the show!

Later

Tuesday, July 24, 2007

Fox Atomic at the San Diego Comic-Con

It's almost here - Comic-Con! If you are going to the show, please stop by the Fox Atomic / Fox Atomic Comics booth (#4429) to check out our set-up, pick up our free swag (believe me, we’ll have LOTS of it), meet the gang, and perhaps score an autograph or two.

Keep watching the Fox Atomic Comics MySpace page for a few Comic-Con surprises... I will tease them much more when I can! ;) Just waiting on our tech goblins to work their magicks.

Here’s our signing schedule as well:

Thursday
5:00 – 6:00: The Nightmare Factory / Fox Atomic Comics
- Ben Templesmith, Ted McKeever, Michael Gaydos, Joe Harris, and Stuart Moore

Friday
12:00 – 1:00: The Hills Have Eyes: The Beginning / Fox Atomic Comics
- Jimmy Palmiotti and Justin Gray

2:30 – 3:30: The Tripper
- David Arquette, Thomas Jane, Joe Harris

4:00 – 5:00: 28 Days Later: The Aftermath / Fox Atomic Comics
- Steve Niles and Tim Bradstreet

Saturday
12:30 – 1:30: Wrong Turn 2
- Henry Rollins, Joe Lynch, Erika Leerhsen, Daniella Alonso

3:00 – 4:00: Death Sentence
- Kevin Bacon(!), James Wan, and Garrett Hedlund (Note this panel will require tix that will be distributed at the booth on Saturday morning)

Later

Friday, July 20, 2007

Comic-Con!

Heading down to Comic-Con next week? You are? Well, so are we! Wow, what a coincidence. Come here often?

Anyway, I digress, as I am want to do (I know better to post blogs before I head to the bar). Where was I? Oh yes – COMIC-CON! If you are going to the show, please stop by the Fox Atomic / Fox Atomic Comics booth (#4429) to check it out, pick up our free swag (believe me, we’ll have LOTS of it), meet the gang, and perhaps score an autograph or two.

Here’s our signing schedule!

Thursday
5:00 – 6:00: The Nightmare Factory / Fox Atomic Comics
- Ben Templesmith, Ted McKeever, Michael Gaydos, Joe Harris, and Stuart Moore

Friday
12:00 – 1:00: The Hills Have Eyes: The Beginning / Fox Atomic Comics
- Jimmy Palmiotti and Justin Gray

2:30 – 3:30: The Tripper
- David Arquette, Thomas Jane, Joe Harris

4:00 – 5:00: 28 Days Later: The Aftermath / Fox Atomic Comics
- Steve Niles and Tim Bradstreet

Saturday
12:30 – 1:30: Wrong Turn 2
- Henry Rollins, Joe Lynch, Erika Leerhsen, Daniella Alonso

3:00 – 4:00: Death Sentence
- Kevin Bacon(!), James Wan, and Garrett Hedlund (Note this panel will require tix that will be distributed at the booth on Saturday morning)

Later

Thursday, July 19, 2007

San Diego Atomic-Con 2007

As most of you (should) know, next week is that glorious bacchanal of geekdom known as the San Diego Comic-Con. This week, however, is more akin to HELL WEEK, given the amount of prep that is required before yours truly jets down to San Diego all next week (hence my rather infrequent blog postings… I know). If you are going to the show be sure to stop by our booth (#4429) to say hi, and we’ll also be hosting signings with Steve Niles, Tim Bradstreet, Jimmy Palmiotti, Justin Gray, Ben Templesmith, Michael Gaydos, Ted McKeever, Joe Harris, Stuart Moore, Henry Rollins (!) Kevin Bacon (!!), and more! Check back tomorrow for the full schedule…

In the meantime, those loveable horror-hounds over at DREAD CENTRAL just posted a kick-ass review of the Hills graphic novel! Here's a sampling:

"There is enough blood and body parts littered throughout this book to satisfy any hardcore horror fan while telling a well planned, engrossing story at the same time." NICE!

FULL REVIEW:
"The Hills Have Eyes remake presented a faster, meaner animal living among the vast American wasteland. Luring wayward travelers into what literally became their “"dead end" is just a way of survival for the misshapen refugees of the atomic age. The Carters were one such unlucky family, coming face to deformed face with terrors you never dream possible as we go about our mundane lives. Only 4 would make it out alive, or so it seemed.

Hills 2 initiates a silent war as our military forces spill into the hills to back up scientists running tests on this poisoned patch of land. Unfortunately, the hills are still occupied and before long, army green turns to deep, blood red. Each movie ended in the typical Hollywood horror fashion, leaving plenty of room for a sequel, with the subtlety of a hammer on a bag of kittens, so you know there are more stories to come should the box office hold out. Still, there is even more that can be told. What happened between the first and second film? Better still, how did the residents of these irradiated badlands become those predatory creatures with faces even their momma’s dry heave over? Fox Atomic has the answers in The Hills Have Eyes: The Beginning.

The Sawney Bean clan first came to this place along with so many others, dreaming of untold fortunes in gold buried beneath them. When the gold dried out, some left but the Bean clan remained with others who made a home among the acrid landscape. Years pass and the government decides one person’s community is just as good a place as any for the testing of good ole’ American firepower ...namely the Atom Bomb. This is where the fun begins. Honest, hard working folk go head to hear with military forces that don’t take no for an answer and inadvertently pave the way for the birth of generations of human monstrosities. The animals we call man and woman have a miraculous will to survive...one might say is encoded right into our DNA. When faced with adversity, we adapt. In the case of the Sawney Bean clan, you could call it De-volution. Basically, they fucked their way to a brighter tomorrow. Sounds almost cheery, eh?

Hills Have Eyes: The Beginning spins an American tale, much in the way our Grandfathers sit with us when we are small and recall the events of their youth. These are usually happy memories, but America was built on the backs of others who often lay broken and battered for the sake of progress when the job is done. Hills is that sort of tale, only the broken and battered pick up the pieces and become reborn into living nightmares preying on anyone who cross their path. What’s more American that that? It ain’t called the land of opportunity for nothing! Also, keep in mind, it’s not exactly Grandpa in a rocking chair doing the telling. You’ll most likely be eaten when the story is done.

Comics have an excellent track record of taking a story told through film, adapting it to panels on a page with fantastic art, and then, if you’re lucky, continuing that story, answering all the "what ifs" you conjured up when the movie ended. Hills: Beginning is one such golden opportunity to build a history around a fairly simple premise, turning it into a multi generational epic you never expected. Jimmy Palmiotti and Justin Gray construct a tangible world from some pretty visceral architecture, carving out a new blueprint written in the language of revenge, violence and ultimately, survival. Amazing how fleshing out a story can turn insane, pick wielding mutants into a sympathetic family! Art from John Higgins; smacking of work I’ve personally come to love in a little book called Preacher; plays up the raw quality woven throughout the story. On every page, things go from bad to worse with a gritty coating over every face, home and even the landscape rendered. Anyone can flick red splotches onto a page. Not everyone can re-enact carnage like this.

Hills Have Eyes: The Beginning holds nothing back. I can say I was a fan of the remake, but the sequel left me with nothing more than a hope that a further installment might tell a new story instead of parading out the same old trappings. The Beginning goes a long way to fill my wish list! You finish reading, put the book down and immediately get the notion you need to wash your hands. There is enough blood and body parts littered throughout this book to satisfy any hardcore horror fan while telling a well planned, engrossing story at the same time. If only Hollywood could boast the same. It’s time, once more, that I start making my argument to have comic writers pen all movies and television in the future. Seems we’d be a hell of a lot better off. At the end of the day though, this is The Hills Have Eyes. Be prepared for mutant mayhem and mongoloid lovin ... and lots of both. If you want pretty people, go read Witchblade."

Later

Tuesday, July 17, 2007

The Hills Have a DVD

Today marks the release of The Hills Have Eyes 2 on DVD! If you pick up the disc there's a really cool 'making of' feature that explores the background and creation of The Hills Have Eyes: The Beginning, which features interviews with writers Jimmy Palmiotti and Justin Gray, artist John Higgins (taped in London), editor Heidi MacDonald, colorist Dennis Calero, and yours truly (hiding in my fat suit). I was very impressed with the feature; it's quite nicely put together. IGN.com reviewed the Hills Have Eyes 2 DVD a week or so ago, and had very nice things to say about the aforementioned ‘making of’:

“Finally, the hands-down best piece of content is the engaging, dynamically-produced look at the making of the Hills Have Eyes which, not shockingly, has nothing to do with the film itself. Featuring interviews with the comic creators and some captivating glimpses at the creation of a graphic novel, this feature illustrates how the writers have taken the basic premise and built out sixty years of prequel history that the viewer actually finds themselves wanting to read.”

Later

Monday, July 16, 2007

San Diego Atomic-Con 2007

It approaches! The yearly bacchanal of geekdom known as the San Diego Comic-Con is almost upon us, and I for one cannot wait. Granted the planning that goes into it is rather hellish (which, in and of itself, is an understatement), but the show itself is beyond compare. I will be posting more details about our talent signings and giveaways, but if you’re planning to head down to the show be sure to stop by booth #4429 and say hi!

Also, Rue Morgue has posted a giveaway for The Hills Have Eyes: The Beginning graphic novel. CLICK HERE to enter!

Or enter two! Why not! E-Splatter.com is also hosting a Hills graphic novel giveaway; CLICK HERE to enter!

Later

Thursday, July 12, 2007

Hills Signing Alert and New Interview!

For those of you lucky enough to live in New York (I used to be one of you), be sure to catch Jimmy Palmiotti, co-author of The Hills Have Eyes: The Beginning, who will be signing copies of the book live and in person TONIGHT (Friday)! Here're the details on Jimmy's signing:

Friday, July 13, 2007
05:00 PM - 07:00 PM
FORBIDDEN PLANET
840 Broadway
New York, NY 10003

Stop by and say hi! I wish I could be there, but i will be happily ensconced at some bar in Venice.

If you're like me and can't make it, then be sure to read this new interview with Jimmy and Justin Gray that was posted by the fine folks over at BROKEN FRONTIER:

"The seemingly perennial writing duo of Jimmy Palmiotti and Justin Gray recently released their first non-DC work in some time, the graphic novel The Hills Have Eyes: The Beginning, for Fox Atomic Comics. We spoke…

BROKEN FRONTIER: The Hills Have Eyes: The Beginning is basically the story behind the story in that it goes back to the early days of the townspeople in the New Mexico desert while at the same time bridging the gap between the two Hills films. How did you make that work structurally?

JUSTIN GRAY: It was relatively easy given the wealth of material to work with.

JIMMY PALMIOTTI: It was just a matter of digging into a time line based on events happening in the real world and making them work in the context of the story. If we were going to do a book like this we wanted to give the actual story a bit more of a background and establish a telling of the story from both sides.

BF: Was it hard to find your "writer’s voice" for the real stars of the book, seeing that they’re, well… mutated freaks?

JUSTIN: Mutated freaks are my people! Actually, when you approach the characters from a point where you accept them as human beings it makes it much easier to see their side of the story. We’re looking at the genesis of transforming simple rural people into carnivorous monsters.

JIMMY: And for this story to work on any level, you really needed to see and understand what they are going through and what drove them to do what they do. I think once a person reads this book they will have a bit if empathy for their situation… But really, at the end of the day they are still eating people, so some things don’t change.

BF: Has your involvement in this project opened any doors when it comes to working on Fox Atomic properties in other media, mainly film?

JUSTIN: Hopefully yes when the DC contract expires. I’d love to work with them again, the quality of the books combined with the extremely open-minded and creative editorial staff made for a great working relationship.

JIMMY: What Justin said! And, we hope if they make another film they actually go to this book and try to adapt it. I think it will give the fans what they really want on a lot of levels from a Hills movie. If I was at Fox, I would just hand over their next project to us and let us take a shot at it… wink wink!

BF: Palmiotti the Pitcher! [Laughs] Did it cost you more sweat to tell this story as a graphic novel, as opposed to the periodical format you’re more accustomed to?

JUSTIN: We tend to enjoy working on all-inclusive material and delivering a complete story in one sitting, be it comics, film or TV. The transition is relatively simple to expand outward into a Graphic Novel format.

JIMMY: I would much rather always work in this format any day than the 22 page limited format that monthly comics are. Give me a graphic novel every time. There is no comparison.

BF: Jimmy, you’re also the line editor for all of Fox Atomic’s graphic novel releases. Was this an opportunity you jumped at, especially considering the professional atmosphere you’d be working in, with FA being part of the HarperCollins group and all?

JIMMY: I was only the start-up editor. When I signed the DC deal I had to move on, but what I did while there was try to establish with Eric Lieb the format, page count and look of the books and how they should be approached. I think 2 books out of the gate and they are doing well. My good friend Heidi MacDonald is now the editor.

And yes, working with professionals like Fox and Harper Collins are always a plus for me since I work with a lot of people who have no clue what they are doing on a daily basis. You know who you are… [Laughs]

BF: Was it also your call to bring in John Higgins to handle the art? Did it take much persuading?

JIMMY: Well, I was showing Eric a lot of people’s work, but the guy I was always pushing for was John… and we got him. John is a classic storyteller and we really needed someone that understood that this was a story about emotionally driven people put in unusual situations and I knew John was our man. Just look at the level of quality presented in these pages.

John and Dennis knocked it out of the park on this one. I would work with John again in a heartbeat, and actually am on another project to be announced soon.

BF: Since the two of you hardly go anywhere without each other, what other projects do you have coming through FA?

JUSTIN: Right now you’ll have to be content with the Hills Have Eyes. Perhaps in a year or so we’ll have the opportunity to work with them again.

JIMMY: we are hoping to land something as soon as possible. They have such a wealth of characters.

The Hills Have Eyes: The Beginning went on sale last week through Fox Atomic Comics.

Later

Wednesday, July 11, 2007

New Comics Day!

It’s morning again in America, made even more glorious by the fact that it’s New Comics Day. Before I launch into my weekly comic picks, however, I must once again don my purple pimp hat (with plume) to remind ya’ll that The Hills Have Eyes: The Beginning is currently in stores! Check out this excerpt from a review posted over at Aint It Cool News:

“Textured and perfectly paced, this is one helluva good read. And it’s a girthy bastard too weighing in at 89 pages with additional production notes from the artist and a trio of nice pinup pages from Bill Sienkiewicz, Tim Bradstreet, and Greg Staples. All in all, this is another slick production from Fox Atomic Comics. These guys have been churning out some pretty impressive books with this and their previous offering 28 DAYS LATER: THE AFTERMATH. I look forward to seeing what this company has in story for us in the future.”

Wait! Since you’re probably rushing out to the bookstore, why not pick up some other cool books that are coming out today? I’m so helpful!

100 BULLETS #84
COUNTDOWN 42
DMZ #21 (I love me some DMZ)
FABLES #63
GEN 13 #10 (Yes, I am a sucker for ‘90s comics)
GREEN ARROW YEAR ONE #1
GREEN LANTERN #21
ALIEN PIG FARM #4 (Go RAW!)
AMORY WARS #2 (I’ve always kinda liked Coheed and Cambria)
SPAWN #169 (Spawn is good again! Another sign of the apocalypse!)
ANITA BLAKE VH FIRST DEATH #1
EXILES #96
NEW AVENGERS #32
OMEGA FLIGHT #4
X-FACTOR #21
30 DAYS OF NIGHT EBEN & STELLA #3
STEPHEN COLBERTS TEK JANSEN #1

Later

Tuesday, July 10, 2007

The Hills Have MORE Reviews

As you (should) know, The Hills Have Eyes: The Beginning is in stores RIGHT NOW, and the excellent reviews keep rolling in! Check this blurb from the review by those fine folks over at MANIA.COM:

“I normally eschew licensed comics. But, The Hills Have Eyes: The Beginning is a fantastic, gritty examination of how far people will go when you force them to survive. But, it is also intensely violent and frequently disturbing, both for its graphic depictions and its portrayal of humanity at its worst. John Higgins’s art brings the pain in ways I haven’t seen in a long time. This story serves to forcefully remind you of the terrible things people will perpetrate against each other. It also reminds you of the equally terrible backlash that often follows. You can almost detect a subtle commentary about the Iraq war within the work. But, first and foremost, Palmiotti and Gray tell a story that drags you through the mud and keeps you interested the entire time. But, while you feel a small measure of sympathy for Karen Bean and her mutant children, that sympathy gives way to disgust about the entire situation and all involved – the National Guard, the mutants, and the townspeople that shun them. Any smug that’s-what-you-get moralizing dissipates and you feel sorry that the entire situation happened in the first place.”

Makes you wanna read it, no? It’s good so just go buy the bloody thing so I can take off my purple pimp hat (with huge plume) every once in a while.

Later

Monday, July 9, 2007

The Hills Have MORE Reviews

As you (should) know, The Hills Have Eyes: The Beginning is in stores RIGHT NOW, and the excellent reviews keep rolling in! Check this blurb from the review by those fine folks over at MANIA.COM:

“I normally eschew licensed comics. But, The Hills Have Eyes: The Beginning is a fantastic, gritty examination of how far people will go when you force them to survive. But, it is also intensely violent and frequently disturbing, both for its graphic depictions and its portrayal of humanity at its worst. John Higgins’s art brings the pain in ways I haven’t seen in a long time. This story serves to forcefully remind you of the terrible things people will perpetrate against each other. It also reminds you of the equally terrible backlash that often follows. You can almost detect a subtle commentary about the Iraq war within the work. But, first and foremost, Palmiotti and Gray tell a story that drags you through the mud and keeps you interested the entire time. But, while you feel a small measure of sympathy for Karen Bean and her mutant children, that sympathy gives way to disgust about the entire situation and all involved – the National Guard, the mutants, and the townspeople that shun them. Any smug that’s-what-you-get moralizing dissipates and you feel sorry that the entire situation happened in the first place.”

Makes you wanna read it, no? It’s good so just go buy the bloody thing so I can take off my purple pimp hat (with huge plume) every once in a while.

Later

Friday, July 6, 2007

The Hills Have a Holiday

I'm currently in Texas, as we at Fox Atomic Comics have been given a few fishin' days to celebrate the July 4th holiday. There's no rest for the weary, though, as this week marks the release of The Hills Have Eyes: The Beginning, the second graphic novel from Fox Atomic Comics! Tell your ma, tell your pa, just get them to the bookstore! I am very proud of this book, and if you like mayhem and maddness you'll dig it as well. The book's release is timed to coincide with The Hills Have Eyes 2 DVD (July 17th), and on that DVD you will find some fun special features that tie into the Hills Have Eyes graphic novel! The coolest is a ‘making of’ feature on the graphic novel itself, which features interviews from yours truly, Jimmy Palmioti, Justin Gray, John Higgins, Dennis Calero, Heidi MacDonald, and more! IGN.com reviewed the Hills Have Eyes 2 DVD today, in fact, and had very nice things to say about the aforementioned ‘making of’:

“Finally, the hands-down best piece of content is the engaging, dynamically-produced look at the making of the Hills Have Eyes which, not shockingly, has nothing to do with the film itself. Featuring interviews with the comic creators and some captivating glimpses at the creation of a graphic novel, this feature illustrates how the writers have taken the basic premise and built out sixty years of prequel history that the viewer actually finds themselves wanting to read.”

So be sure to check out the DVD when it comes out on July 17th, and also don’t forget to pick up The Hills Have Eyes: The Beginning this week! We’re already getting some great reviews for the book; check ‘em out:

AINT IT COOL NEWS
FANGORIA

Later

Tuesday, July 3, 2007

Today's the Day!!!

TODAY marks the release of The Hills Have Eyes: The Beginning, the second graphic novel from Fox Atomic Comics! Tell your ma, tell your pa, just get them to the bookstore! I am very proud of this book, and if you like mayhem and maddness you'll dig it as well.

The book's release is timed to coincide with The Hills Have Eyes 2 DVD (July 17th), and on that DVD you will find some fun special features that tie into the Hills Have Eyes graphic novel! The coolest is a ‘making of’ feature on the graphic novel itself, which features interviews from yours truly, Jimmy Palmioti, Justin Gray, John Higgins, Dennis Calero, Heidi MacDonald, and more! IGN.com reviewed the Hills Have Eyes 2 DVD today, in fact, and had very nice things to say about the aforementioned ‘making of’:

“Finally, the hands-down best piece of content is the engaging, dynamically-produced look at the making of the Hills Have Eyes which, not shockingly, has nothing to do with the film itself. Featuring interviews with the comic creators and some captivating glimpses at the creation of a graphic novel, this feature illustrates how the writers have taken the basic premise and built out sixty years of prequel history that the viewer actually finds themselves wanting to read.”

So be sure to check out the DVD when it comes out on July 17th, and also don’t forget to pick up The Hills Have Eyes: The Beginning this week! We’re already getting some great reviews for the book; check ‘em out:

AINT IT COOL NEWS
FANGORIA

Later

PS - I saw Transformers last night. Sigh. More on that later