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Journalista! The Comics Journal blog has reported the passing of another comics great:

“I’ve just received word that Mad Magazine pioneer and Little Annie Fanny co-creator Will Elder died earlier this morning. He was 86 years old. I have no specifics regarding the cause of death; the funeral will take place on Sunday in

A longer report will appear here tomorrow.”

The link for Journalista! Is:

http://tcj.com/journalista/?p=599

As I have said more than once before,Gene “The Dean” Colan is one of my comic book heroes.  The Sub-mariner,Daredevil –you name it and the great man drew it.  So,I was sad to receive the following from John Freeman. 

American writer Clifford Meth has put out an urgent plea to help raise money for the family of one of

Gene’s one of the greats, whose work at Marvel included Silver Surfer, Iron Man, Sub-Mariner, Captain America and Doctor Strange. Especially notable were his long runs on Tomb of Dracula (with Marv Wolfman) and Daredevil — and his incredible collaboration with Steve Gerber on Howard the Duck. He’s worked in just about every genre comics have ever touched on: romance, war, crime/detective, western, sci-fi, horror, humour, and of course superheroes.

This regularly updated post on Clifford’s blog will give you up to the minute details of the fund raising, but already, numerous artists and writers will be contributing drawings and/or signed books to help Gene and Adrienne Colan with their mounting medical costs. Items will be auctioned by ComicLink.com.

Cliff’s blogspot:

http://thecliffordmethod.blogspot.com/2008/05/lets-help-gene-colan.html

This list will be updated regularly. So far, it includes (in alpha-order) : Neal Adams, Norm Breyfogle, Randy Bowen, Ed Brubaker, Adam-Troy Castro, Paty Cockrum, Peter David, Tom DeFalco, J.M. deMatteis, Pat DiNizio, Harlan Ellison, Mark Evanier, Neil Gaiman, Sam Keith, Joe Kubert, Erik Larsen, Bob Layton, Jim Lee, Stan Lee, Leah Moore, Albert Moy, Michael Netzer, Josh Olsen, Tom Palmer, Mike Pascale, Jim Salicrup, Bob Shreck, Dave Simmons, Gail Simone, Walter and Louise Simonson, Jim Starlin, Juan Torres, Marv Wolfman and Ash Wood.

NY ComicCon, Harris Publishing, IDW Publishing, PaperCutz, and Aardwolf Publishing have also stepped up. Will Marvel, who hired Gene for so many years to work on Daredevil and so much more be joining them?

I’m hoping any creators or collectors reading this will want to contribute, be it a piece of art for the auction, a signed script, or book.

• Even if you aren’t a creator, you can help right this minute: Order Meth, Colan & Other Theologians — the full proceeds will go directly and immediately to Gene. For details.

http://thecliffordmethod.blogspot.com/2008/05/meth-colan-other-theologians.html

• Clifford, pictured above with Gene, is also overseeing the sale of artist Dave Cockrum’s collection and file copies for his Estate. Sales directly benefit Dave’s widow. Interested? 

http://thecliffordmethod.blogspot.com/2007/12/own-dave-cockrums-comics.html

If you can contribute in any way please do.Terry

above [right] Andrew Winters writer of Blood Psi,Septic Isle and publisher of Moonface Press refuses to open his eyes at the Comic Expo -”You will steal my soul! Sssss!” might have been the response.  It would have been funny.  So I pretended it was.

I have completely forgotten the name of the artist sat next to Jason.  I apologise but my memory and names is awful!  Sorry!*

Watch for the review of Shriek tomorrow.

Below:Glenn Fabry’s cover for the up-coming Brit Force.  You can learn more at:

www.britforce.com

and

www.moonfacepress.com

*idiot that I am -I originally called Andrew “Jason” and he’s corrected me and told me the artist is none other than Mick Trimble! 

Thanks,steve,Mike,Colin? Andrew!

This year,as pointed out,I intended to go to the Comic Expo and just enjoy myself rather than run around like an idiot. So,on the Saturday at 2.00 p.m.,I went to the Dave Gibbons Spotlight.

Lee “Budgie” Barnett[above Left] held the microphone while Dave Gibbons took us on a long ride looking at his life as a Mod,as a super hero -the Big E- and his visit to the set of The Watchmen movie:I’ll give no spoilers here but it seems that David really enjoyed himself and how the film was going.

I have to admit that Gibbons is always a fun speaker -and the Hypotheticals panel at 5.00 p.m. with the gathered Barnett,Gibbons,Walter & Louise Simonson,Karen Berger and Emma Vieceli was hilarious!  Watch Emma dig herself into a very funny hole!

above:Emma Vieceli

For someone allegedly taking it easy this year,Ms Vieceli seemed to be everywhere:the Self Made Hero table,The Hypotheticals and Manga To Mainstream and Vice Versa!

But did you know Emma was also a great singer?  Check out her My Space site -and YouTube.

above:Bob and Laronzo at the Blink Twice table.  Two very busy fellas selling their Malcolm Magic complete book and sketching and talking and not talking about that very,very,very secret Random House comic that Random House won’t even tell..anyone about!

Two very nice lads and deserving of the success they are getting.

above:Tim Pilcher,Helen McCarthy,John Aggs,Akiko Shimojima and Sean Michael Wilson on the panel discussing the phenomenal Manga genius Osamu Tezuka.  Very enjoyable.

above:Brian M. Clarke wearing a shirt to match the weather -though it did blur my vision for several hours after! The latest issue of British comic tribute magazine Crikey! was available -No.5 [last one I saw was no.3!].  Seems the mag is doing really well which was good to hear.

above:the international jet-setter Sonia Leong back from her trip to Paris [France] to see her favourite pop group. In case you are wondering,Sonia put those nails on while travelling on a train to the Expo –style and skill!

Sonia was,as you’ll see [below],was on the “Manga To Mainstream..” panel with [L] David Hine,Emma Vieceli and Ilya.  Another fun Manga panel.

below:Sean Michael Wilson was the host “Manga Alternatives” in which Yishan Li [seated] and Akiko Shimojima talk about their way of creating Manga.

It’s interesting that most of the Japanese creators do not use computers to tone their artwork but use the commercially available Letraset-type tones.  The reason being that it would take too much time to learn the techniques using computers and it was quicker to do the work by hand.

Akiko,polite and shy,was stumped when,after mentioning that she has an assistant to help her,was asked by Sean to “explain ‘Assistant’ as most artists in the West do all the work and don’t use assistants”.  Akiko:”Okay. He is my assistant and assists me” -seems fair enough!

Those were some of my highlights and people I met.  My apologies for some of the photographic hitches [quality] as it seems traditional that every year whichever camera I use it gets the heeby-jeebees!

Phew! Little bit of politics there,folks!

This seemed rather interesting though I could not find anyone at the Expo to talk to about it.

I’ll see what I can find out.

PRESS RELEASE – “THE ROBERTS” CONTINUES THE TALE OF TWO OF AMERICA’S MOST NOTORIOUS SERIAL MURDERERS!

The Boston Strangler and Zodiac Killer are alive and well, living in a retirement community among the old and dying.  

13 May 2008 (Berkeley, CA) - For decades, the identities of the Boston Strangler and the Zodiac Killer have been shrouded in mystery. But this August, Image Comics/Shadowline reveals not only the identities of these two prolific killers, but also how they’re spending their golden years of life. THE ROBERTS hits store shelves courtesy of artist Erik Rose and writer Wayne Chinsang.  

“I admit, I’ve always had a morbid fascination with serial murderers,” said writer Wayne Chinsang, also known to the world by his real name, Justin Shady. “When Denis Rader (BTK) finally got caught in 2005 I remember thinking, ‘What if this guy had never been caught? What would he be like as an eighty-year-old man? Or as a grandfather? How long could someone like him go on living a lie, trying to blend in when he so clearly doesn’t?’ Those thoughts were the start of THE ROBERTS.”  

But instead of BTK, Chinsang chose two murderers who many believe were never caught: the Boston Strangler and the Zodiac Killer. In THE ROBERTS, the killers find themselves immersed in a world of bingo tournaments and social tea hours as they trade “war stories” about what they refer to as the “Golden Age” of mass murder. But camaraderie can also have a dark side as both men still crave the one thing they feel they’ve missed out on: infamy.  

THE ROBERTS #1, a two-issue, 48-page, black-and-white mini-series for $5.99, will be in stores August 6th.

..BUT NO COFFEE!

 above [L to R]:Karen Wemborn & Jo Wheeler

 Obviously I had to get to the Classical Comics table.  After all,I was on a promise of three cups of coffee.  Do I take coffee too seriously?  Heck no -it is a very important matter. And not being petty I won’t mention I never got the promised coffees..it’s now up to 4 cups with interest!

erm.

Anyhow,it was great to meet the team and Karen Wemborn and Jo Wheeler showed me some of the preview items -A Christmas Carol looks incredible!  But there were also samples of the educational packs available to schools.

I think that,like Cinebook,the success of Classical Comics over this last weekend is down to the sheer quality of their books.  The table was busy and the teams enthusiasm was near -but not quite- as high as Olivier Cadic’s!

I think that those who have not seen the great Henry V and MacBeth books are missing out.  And if you miss Frankenstein and Christmas Carol or any of this Summers releases then you are insane.  Nuts.  crackers. Two bananas short of a bunch.  An ice cube in a bath a…get the point?

You can check out the site at:

http://www.classicalcomics.com/

It was nice to talk to Nigel Dobbyn briefly about his 1980s Small Press work,Billy The Cat and his Classical Comics works.

It was even nicer to talk to Jon Haward,probably one of the most under-rated UK comic artists.  Why Marvel UK publish his work but not Marvel US is a mystery to me as his style would fit the Marvel Adventures titles perfectly.

Jon’s portfolio was full of incredible art and I came away with a signed poster,sketch and original page of art -they are going on my wall.  Luckily,Classical Comics spot talent!

And Frankenstein artist Declan Shalvey was also on hand.

 below[L to R]:Declan Shalvey,Nigel Dobbyn & Jon Haward

Hopefully,the team might get a panel at the 2009 Expo? In the meantime check out their web site and try to catch up with them at the BICS event later this Summer.

British comics are back!

 I’ve already said how this years Expo had a great buzz about it.  However,if one person personified that Buzz it was Olivier Cadic of Cinebook!

It was great to see,after 20+ years of telling people that European albums can sell in the UK,a man who proved the point beyond doubt!

Olivier has a publishing plan and is in for the long haul. The number of books on his table this year was fantastic to see and I have to say that it was good to see others just as enthusiastic.  2009 will see more books added to the range and this one man ball of energy and enthusiasm looks unstoppable.

I have to admit that I got almost as excited about how things were going as Olivier!

Not surprisingly,Vehlmann & Bodart’s “Green Manor” sold out! The art is superb and I guess that shows tastes have improved amongst some comic fans in the UK! In fact,not one single title failed to sell and I just hope that this means we might get some European creators over for future Expoes.

And the success for Cinebook is not just in the UK but also overseas.  And the success is well deserved because Olivier has gotten some of the top-selling European creators and books and had them translated into English for the first time.

I noticed that quite a few of the guests were also buying Cinebook albums.

If you have not seen the Cinebook catalogue or purchased their books you can see a great deal at their site.  Visit.  Buy and enjoy!

www.cinebook.com

“WHATEVER HAPPENED TO ALL THE HEROES ?”

HERO KILLERS

Moonface Press One-Shot

by Andy Winter(writer)& Declan Shalvey(Artist)

36 pages B&W Comic £2.50/$3.99

 Okay, this is something Mister Hooper got a hold of at the Bristol Expo, and graciously passed onto me to review as punishment no doubt for not reviewing Septic Isle as I said I would around a month ago. Firstly, I don’t know how available this is as it would seem that it was originally published in Spring 2006(well. I’ve got this copy, so obviously, you can still get hold of it).

Anyway, this as stated in the introduction, is a complete one-off, self-contained story. It’s about a group of super-criminals who seem to have set themselves up as a kind of Assasination Bureau for criminals who need the local super- do-gooder hindering their activities taken out of the equation. Imagine  some costumed villians set themselves up on the Enterprize Allowance Scheme or Prince’s Trust- they’ve got a van, a nice line in Powerpoint Presentations PR to Villain Conferences, and some nifty Logo and costumes. Like a bad-guy A-Team really. I actually really like Andy Winter’s premise here, it’s quite funny, although I don’t think he’s being tongue in cheek, but it’s a neat little idea. Indeed, it’s certainly one with a degree of mileage beyond this one-shot issue. One could imagine a Nasty A-Team-cum Marshall Law type plot developing here, with them having to eliminate an annoying Super-goody each issue. I’m all for that. As it is, in this story our Anti-heroes are hired to take down the best costumed hero in

 Story-wise, the whole thing glides along well, with some nice, simple flashbacks that hint at the relationship between our two main characters, a neat introduction with a somewhat absurd hero, that also has some significance in the ending, and some good dialogue exchanges throughout that keep the pace of the story ticking over nicely. My only real problem is that the one-off nature of the story hinders its resolution, which, (without giving anything away) I felt was slightly abrupt, and didn’t allow for an explanation of something that happens to a character at the end. Also, because this has potential, there are certainly ideas and characters here that definitely lend themselves to further exploration beyond this one-shot.

Added to Andy Winter’s neat story ideas, Declan Shalvey does a very good job of the artwork here. All the characters are well delinated and considered, he has a sure, confident clear line, and some very well designed and balanced page layouts that move the story along at a good pace. If anything, his artwork would certainly benefit from the addition of colour, but he handles and balances his black and white contrasts very effectively, and has very strong compositional skills throughout his panels. It’s also good to see some of Declan’s preliminary character and page design/layouts reprinted at the back of the comic(something I always enjoy seeing, an artists working process revealed). I will certainly be interested in seeing his work develop, an artist who definitely has the potential to go places, in my humble opinion.

So, in conclusion, a comic I was pleasantly suprised by, and definitely one that if Moonface were looking for a potential ongoing title, is well worth considering(despite the obvious problem due to the story ending).My one minor quibble is a rather weak cover that doesn’t do justice to the evident talent of Declan’s interior work. Mind you, that makes a change-a comic with a bad cover and good interior artwork, as opposed to what I feel is the usual reverse equation.Yes, I am that hard to please. I’d better go and listen to Bone Machine again…a very good idea you guys !

Paul “Superhero-Hater” Brown

And you can visit the publisher’s site at: http://www.moonfacepress.com/