All About 300

I'm not going to take up much of your valuable time today... I'm just going to say one thing:

GO SEE 300!!!!!

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Countdown to 300

The time is almost upon us! 300 will be in theaters everywhere tomorrow, but my plan is to hit a few bars this evening and then catch a midnight show. I haven't looked forward to a comic book / graphic novel movie adaptation in I don't know how long... perhaps since Tim Burton's original Batman.

More than anything, 300 is a perfect example that for comic book / graphic novel film adaptations, if you remain FAITHFUL to the source material then the final product will be that much stronger as a result. There's a reason that the property worked the first time; if it ain't broke, don't fix it. Just look at films like Sin City, Batman Begins, and The Crow (one of my all time favorites) - true to the source, and amazing films. On the other hand, look at the Judge Dredd movie... yea. As Stan the Man would say, 'nuff said.

What are some of your favorite comic-to-film adaptations? Let me know; leave a comment below.

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Capt. America: RIP

It’s Wednesday, so normally I use this space to gush about all of the new comics releases for the week. However, this week I would like to focus on something much more important: CAPTAIN AMERICA IS DEAD. Yep, after 66 years Cap has seemingly met his maker, and one of the most iconic comics characters ever is dead. Marvel is truly on a tear as of late – first they reveal Spidey’s secret identity to the world and now this. What’s next?

One thing to keep in mind is that death in comics is hardly a permanent thing; just ask Superman. There used to be only two hard and fast rules as it related to dead comics characters – only Bucky (Cap’s WW2 sidekick) and Jason Todd (the second Robin) could never be brought back to life. Since both are now alive and well (Bucky as the Winder Soldier and Jason as the second Red Hood), you can rest assured that it won’t be long before we see some iteration of Captain America once again. If Marvel is listening, my vote is to put more focus on U.S. Agent (I always loved that bastard).

And I can’t resist – here are a few of the titles I am looking forward to this week (it’s a big week):

Mighty Avengers #1
Civil War: The Initiative #1
Captain America # 25 (this is the book where Cap eats it)
Dark Tower #2
Onslaught Reborn #3 (sweet)
Marvel Zombies/Army of Darkness #1
Superman/Batman #32
52

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PS – if you didn’t pick up City of Others #1 last week, be sure to do so this week. Bernie’s art is amazing.

Comics: The Final Frontier

Something that has piqued my interest of late is the number of high-profile film / television properties are utilizing the comics medium in order to further their canonical storylines. Two examples that come to mind are Buffy: The Vampire Slayer (which is doing ‘season eight’ of the TV show as a comic book) and Star Trek: The Original Series (which originally ran for three seasons on TV, but will be doing the fourth season as a comic book). I think this is such a great idea, because you can give the fans of those properties more of what they love, but without the mega-bucks that are required to produce a weekly TV show.

Granted we’re doing something similar with our 28 Days Later and The Hills Have Eyes graphic novels, so if you’re a fan of either of those properties you’ll definitely want to check ‘em out!

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Move-in Day

Today feels like the first day of summer camp – Fox Atomic just moved into our new offices! Today’s post is a little late since my computer was a bit out of commission until only recently, but more tomorrow. Now please excuse me, I must get back to arranging my action figures and other toys in my new office.

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Moving Day

Today is the day that Fox Atomic bids a fond adieu to our palatial Pacific Ocean digs in Santa Monica, as next week we will be back on the historic Fox lot in our brand-new building. As I type this I’m currently surrounded by boxes (some stacked so high I swear they’re going to fall on me), all packed with my comics, graphic novels, toys, lightsatbers, etc etc (I swear that my office looks like Tom Hanks’ office from the movie Big).

I’m also a bit bummed because I’m missing WONDERCON in San Francisco this weekend… I’m still sick as a dog and run down from being run over in NYC so this weekend is all about rest. My only real plans are to clean up my apartment, go visit Steve Niles and Bernie Wrightson at their Dark Del signing on Saturday, and watch Black Snake Moan.

Finally, be sure to check out the comics section next week – I will be adding fresh updates and new pages for the 28 Days Later and Hills Have Eyes graphic novels. Have a great weekend!

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City of Others

As we all know, yesterday (Wednesday) was that glorious day known as New Comics Day. Instead of my usual selections that span the comics milieu, though, this week I had but one focus: City of Others #1. For those unfamiliar with the title, City of Others is a collaboration between two comics horror icons, Steve Niles and the legendary Bernie Wrightson. Not that either man needs any introduction, but Steve is the man behind such books as 30 Days of Night (coming to a movie theater near you in October, by the by), and Bernie is one of the most influential horror comics illustrators ever (the man co-created Swamp Thing!). What’s really cool is this book marks Bernie’s return to sequential comics work after a bit of a hiatus - welcome back Bernie!

In closing, go get CITY OF OTHERS #1. Now. That is all.

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