Robert Meeks: November 2008 Archives

This thirty second video clip is only a brief glimpse of what's to come but for the hardcore fan of "Battlestar Galactica," it is something to be dissected, inspected and discussed.

I'm trying to rewind it again but my darn internet is too slow.

Who is President Laura Roslin threatening? And what did Kara Thrace (STARBUCK) find? Check out this clip from SCI FI and expect to hear a lot more from me sometime before the final episodes premiere January 16, 2009.

For those who want more -- there is an extended online only trailer here.

It has been reported that "Heroes" will be getting an extra month off before returning for the second half of its third season.

Matt Brady at Newsarama reports that the series will return in February while NBC runs a dance program and some other new reality show produced by Ryan Seacrest.

All snark aside, "Heroes" has its problems and is in need of a retool. Many of you have moved on and some of you have told me you just don't care enough to watch right now. Maybe it is the writing, the time it airs or the novelty that has worn thin. Who knows? What matters is whether the wheels will ever be put back on the bus.

What hasn't fallen off to me? I have written here that I like the special effects and the production value works. Beyond that? I watched some of the animated graphic novels and live-action shorts at the official Web site and they aren't bad. In fact, I believe they are a lesson in building a larger web-based world that interested viewers can explore.

I expect to focus a little more on that during the "Heroes" down time in January as the network and producers try to get the TV version back to the basics.


Image courtesy NBC/HEROES  

I told you about the "Old Man Logan" story running in the regular "Wolverine" series months ago and I am happy to tell you that it continues to be just as compelling in the fourth part featured in issue #69.

No spoilers except to say if you are a Mark Millar hater, don't let that keep you away from this superior teaming with artist Steve McNiven. (I don't have to say I didn't dig their "Civil War" series, that would be a waste of space... um... I just did it again didn't I?)

Nevertheless, I applaud this effort to inject what amounts to an "Elseworlds" future where the villains win and Logan is a pacifist into the mainstream title. Out of the deal we get a blind, crazy Hawkeye, a deadly roadtrip and a map of Millar's vision of which supervillains would rule. The choices are interesting.

I am a week or so late in reminding you about this, but I'm sure you all picked it up on your regular Wednesday run, and if you haven't, get it.

Let me know if you agree or not with this great run on "Wolverine."

Chris Lopez gave me a copy of one of his original comic strips. What a gift!  He's got great storytelling, an expressive style and a sense of humor. I hope he sticks with it. I will keep this copy of his original art so when he's famous I can say I have some of his early work.

That's what I call Thanksgiving. Have a good holiday, folks. The comic strip is below -- click for a larger copy.

Fans of Rivers Cuomo and his band Weezer have probably read that the lead singer/guitarist cites Brian Wilson as an influence but few may know he gives comic books props for helping him with his lyrics as well.

This interview excerpt with Cuomo via Matt Brundage.

"Lyrically I think I'm influenced by very few other musicians. Maybe Lou Barlow and Brian Wilson and some of his later songs. They just seem very direct and honest and unpretentious. Other than that, I think I'm hugely influenced by comic books..." 

Cuomo visited Fingerprints record store in Long Beach to promote his new solo CD "Alone II: the Home Recordings of Rivers Cuomo," and jam with some members of the audeince. Check out the video and a certain sound guy in Batman attire. 

A year for firsts, even though this one won't be seen until about 2010 if it happens.

Lying in the Gutters and SF Crowsnest are reporting that Paterson Joseph, who we mentioned a while back, has been offered and accepted the lead role in DOCTOR WHO.

We will miss you David Tennant, but according to one of my co-workers who watched Joseph in the BBC produced "Jekyll," fans will be singing the praises of the new Doctor when and if he makes his debut.

"He was great in Jekyll, you should definitely check that out," Joe tells me again when I mention the news.

OK man, I promise to check it out.

More later...


(Editor's note: Thanks to the vigilant Corsair800 I corrected the picture above with who I believe is actually Paterson Joseph! I should really watch "Jekyll"! And the headline is changed to await a confirmation by BBC. I will update.)

Even though it's not our usual SCI FI, fantasy or superhero selection, Dana Middle group #3 says it's all about "Family Guy."

Because they made fun of some celebrities

They go too far and they know it, and it's funny.

Peter was making fun of Megan.Peter is funny.

Stewie apparently beat up Brian because he owed him money

Stewie is not a fan of Lois.

Albert, grade 7, says he didn't see it but heard good things.

Anthony, grade 6 says "the Joker was creepy."

Brandi, grade 7 says "you should see it because it's a really cool movie, it has a lot of action and it's scary."

Aaron says he liked the Bat Pod.

I'm visiting Dana Middle School in San Pedro today and they are recommending some SCI FI films and television shows for your viewing pleasure...

Group number one recommends the number one film at the box office "Twilight."

Leticia says the film "Is cool."

Roberto says "A lot of people will recommend this."

One student who says she was born without a name (It's Monique) (aren't we all until we are named?) says that "It's a good love story."

Tiffany says "the book is better."

And finally... Abigail says "It's awesome." 

Anyone else notice that 'Heroes" was a lot more interesting when the characters lost their powers?

AAAGGGHH! Sorry... here's your SPOILER ALERT. Not like I told you anything the commercials for tonight's episode didn't already spill.

This won't be long.

Temporary "spider" break for SURESH (I have nothing to add).

CLAIRE (heal thy self) learns to fight from NOAH (her daddy) and then everything in the plot goes "General Hospital."

PETER (Mr. everything) actually comes off smarter than his brother NATHAN (Flyboy politician).

HIRO (The master of time travel) makes that jump over the shark and then surfs on a dolphin when he lands in Kansas.

DAPHNE (the speedy hipster) reveals something that may have been obvious.

SYLAR (super serial killer) makes out with ELLE (I can't believe this was Veronica Mars).

And despite all of this I am still compelled to know how the show will change direction in the wake of departed producer and writer Jeph Loeb. Alas, this will not be answered until sometime next year.

Nevertheless, here are my pleas to the writers... get my man Robert Forster some more villainy moments. Don't wipe out THE HAITIAN the way you did every other black male character on the show and even if you don't do anything with the future storyline, find a way to get Claire back into the "evil-Claire" wardrobe.


Image Courtesy NBC and watch full episodes of "Heroes" here.

In an Associated Press interview earlier this weekend, "Twilight" director Catherine Hardwicke called the film's successful weekend a triumph for not only women directors, but all minorities who pursue a filmmaking career.

"Twilight" grossed and estimated $70.6 million and set a record for opening weekend box office for a film directed by a solo-female director.

That's so right on. I can't describe it any other way. Hardwicke ("Thirteen") told the AP that young girls were coming up to her to tell her they want to become directors and writers as well.

A little inspiration is never a bad thing.

The studios underestimated the blockbuster potential before and now there is little surprise that there are already plans to film Stephenie Meyer's next book in the series "New Moon."

Usually it is the big studios that take all this credit but it was the smaller production company Summit Entertainment who took an intelligent risk -- congrats to them.


Image courtesy Summit Entertainment

Your boy can admit when he may have been a little off the mark, and for "True Blood" that was the case. I have been kinder to it than some other shows over the course of the season and that's because it did manage to pull me in.

Watch it from the beginning if you have HBO and take it in at your pace until you get to the conclusion. I'm talking about the season finale that ran tonight. It is a grisly delight... for those of you who are into it.

We posted a story a few days back with some details about the series and a few words with creator Alan Ball ("SIX FEET UNDER," "AMERICAN BEAUTY").

Kristen Stewart, left, and Robert Pattinson, of the new movie "Twilight," appear on the NBC "Today" television program in New York, Thursday Nov. 20, 2008. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)


By CHRISTY LEMIRE
AP Movie Writer

LOS ANGELES (AP) _ The vampire romance "Twilight" drained the box office in its opening weekend, taking in $70.6 million. Catherine Hardwicke's film also enjoyed the biggest opening ever for a female director, blowing away the previous standard of $41.1 million set by Mimi Leder's "Deep Impact" in 1998.

Drawing from its huge fan base of teenage girls, who fell for Stephenie Meyer's novel of forbidden love between brooding vampire Edward Cullen and bookish high schooler Bella Swan, "Twilight" made a whopping $20,636 per theater, according to Sunday morning estimates.

And the fangirls will get another taste soon enough: Summit Entertainment, which released "Twilight," announced during the weekend that it's going ahead with production of "New Moon," based on the second book in Meyer's internationally best-selling series. Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart will return as its star-crossed lovers, but whether Hardwicke will be at the helm again is still being determined.

The laid-back Hardwicke, who went bodyboarding at sunset Saturday to take her mind off this high-pressure weekend, said Sunday morning that she was heading to a meeting later in the day to discuss her possible involvement in "New Moon."

"I want to be sure that it's going to be done right. I don't want to rush into it," she said. "It's not like 'Friday the 13th' or 'Halloween,' you can't just do it super fast and knock another one out. I want to understand their plans and all that."

Hardwicke, whose previous films include "Thirteen" and "Lords of Dogtown," also said she was thrilled about the prospect that the success of "Twilight" will inspire other women and young girls to pursue a career in filmmaking.

"I hope not just women but all minorities get enthused and encouraged by it. I look at the (Directors Guild of America) calendar, at the pictures of everyone that had different movies each month, and it's usually 22-29 different directors, and almost every month there's one female and maybe one minority," she said. "We've been having a lot of events, talking to a lot of fans, and so many kids of course are madly in love with Robert but tons of kids of every kind (and) girls are coming up to me and saying 'I want to direct now, I'm writing a screenplay now, you're my inspiration.' I think it's great that people are getting excited."

The big opening for "Twilight" also helps put Summit Entertainment on the map, said Richie Say, the company's president of domestic distribution. Summit has only been around since April 2007 and "Twilight," its sixth release, cost just $37 million to make.

"It certainly says what we've been saying all along, that we can do more with less," he said. When Warner Bros. pushed "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" from this weekend to a July 2009 debut, and Summit jumped to move "Twilight" from Dec. 12 into that spot on the schedule, "that decision was made in a day. I don't know that the major studios have that ability."

The tremendous take for "Twilight" far exceeded expectations, which had been set around $50 million.

"Teen girls rule the earth," said Paul Dergarabedian, president of Media By Numbers. "If you look back at the 'Hannah Montana' movie, how well that did, and now this movie, the teen girl audience will never be ignored again or underestimated. It was always teen boys who were the coveted ones, but someone finally caught on to the idea that girls love movies, too, and if you create something that they're into, that they're passionate about, they will come out in big numbers and drive the box office."

The other major debut of the weekend, Walt Disney's 3-D animated "Bolt," made $27 million to take third place. Featuring the voices of John Travolta and Miley Cyrus, "Bolt" follows the cross-country journey of a dog who plays a superhero on television, but sadly realizes he has no magical powers once he gets separated from his "person."

Chuck Viane, Disney's head of distribution, said "Twilight" took a bite out of everyone's box office this weekend. If the vampire saga hadn't been around, Viane said, Disney would have expected an opening of at least $30 million.

"Obviously we believe in the Thanksgiving holiday in a big, big way," he said. "We've always viewed this as one of those 10-day marathons between opening day and the end of the Thanksgiving weekend."

Last weekend's No. 1 movie, "Quantum of Solace," came in second with $27.4 million. The latest James Bond extravaganza has now grossed $109.5 million, and it crossed the $100 million mark faster than any other film in the franchise, said Rory Bruer, head of distribution for Sony. It's also made $309 million internationally.

"We're in great shape. We're way ahead of where we were with 'Casino Royale,'" said Bruer, referring to the last Bond picture, which also starred Daniel Craig as a more visceral incarnation of 007.

Estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at U.S. and Canadian theaters, according to Media By Numbers LLC. Final figures will be released Monday.

1. "Twilight," $70.5 million.

2. "Quantum of Solace," $27.4 million.

3. "Bolt," $27 million.

4. "Madagascar 2: Escape 2 Africa," $16 million.

5. "Role Models." $7.2 million.

6. "Changeling," $2.6 million.

7. "High School Musical 3: Senior Year," $2 million.

8. "Zack and Miri Make a Porno," $1.7 million.

9. "The Boy in the Striped Pajamas," $1.67 million.

10. "The Secret Life of Bees," $1.28 million.

The "Twilight" movie opens today and is estimated to make lots of money and thrill lots of girls, but this vampire thing has gone out of control.

Click here or the image below to view.

 


Video Courtesy The Tyra Banks Show and Entertainment Tonight

I must have been sleeping the last few years... are they having release parties for DVDs now?

On the serious tip, I suspect this practice has been going on for awhile. And if the Disc comes packed with enough bonus features, a new DVD hitting the stores can justify having another premiere all over again.

Cast and crew of "Hellboy II: The Golden Army," including powerhouse director Guillermo del Toro, gathered to celebrate the release of the DVD (which hit a week or so ago) with some partying and a little presentation.
 
Thanks to the magic of YouTube Via Splashpage, you'll see del Toro himself provide brief explanations of some of the Blu-Ray DVD extras. I looked at the other stuff but one of the most interesting special features to me is the Comic Book Builder.

Like 99.9 Percent of most fans of the comic book art form I have attempted to create comics once upon a time -- if someone can help me make one from my sofa, I say why the heck not?

Well... I would say that if I owned anything that used Blu-Ray -- which I don't.

There is an announcement of a special BD-Live (Blu-Ray interactive) chat with Guillermo on November 23 at 6 p.m. when he will announce even more features I cannot use but maybe you can.

Please check out the video above and drop me a comment to tell me what you think.
 

I have been absent form the Comic Book Club the last few weeks and have not been able to offer a proper update in a bit. To make up for it I will suggest the latest graphic novel "Scott Pilgrim's Precious Little Life Vol. 1."

The crew was still hyped from the election results only a few weeks back. They were supposed to discuss "All Star Superman" that night, and from what Geoffrey's Comics co-manager Geoffrey Patterson Jr. said, the group was watching the television coverage most of the time.

After some settling down last night we finally did get to "Scott Pilgrim." Written and drawn by Bryan Lee O'Malley, the graphic novel follows 23-year-old Scott Pilgrim -- an unemployed all around "awesome" dude  living in Toronto.

Scott, who is recovering from a breakup, starts dating a 17-year-old high school girl named Knives Chau. Not long after that he meets the girl of his dreams -- literally. I liked this graphic novel, and even though I am not a regular reader of manga-style works it drew me in.

Beyond the art style is the writing. O'Malley creates characters that are so vivid it seems like people you know. Knives, the 17-year-old who thinks Scott is the greatest thing in the universe, was spot on. So was Scott himself who is a lot like some dudes were when they were 23. Not me, but, um, other dudes. 

Check it out and please save some money for the following volumes because you're going to want to read more. Did I hear 'gift idea for the Holidays?' (I Hope my wife reads that last part.)

Later, we checked out the new J.J. Abrams Star Trek trailer and man, it sparked a discussion. I was one of the ones who liked it, but there was a hardcore fan in our midst who was concerned.

Did you see it during the Sarah Connor Chronicles on Monday? No? Click the image below to peep it out or go here and let me know if you are appalled, thrilled or still think Sylar looks like Sylar and not Spock.

(So far the video is only offered through Apple Previews so it's in Quicktime format right now.)



Image courtesy Paramount Pictures

I say there are a few too many vampire creations out there without scary vampires.

I know that makes me sound like a grumpy so-and-so and maybe even a "hater" as "Twilight" author Stephanie Meyer described some who defame her works in an interview with the LA Times.

There's no hatred here -- I'm down with the true players, and Meyer with her series of books featuring vamp romance, is a true one for real. The trailers for the film adaptation of "Twilight" might even evoke a feeling of dread in me if all the characters weren't so darn... cute.

And while I initially picked on "True Blood," the new vampire drama on HBO, I have said the romance parts don't intrigue (and still don't), but the setting of the story does. I have taken a bit of a shine to the downright twisted world those characters live in. It's scary in a whole different kind of way.

Now "Twilight" doesn't appear to have the kind of elements 'Blood' has, and it really shouldn't considering the audience of teens who are below the fold of young adulthood who will actually see it when it opens this weekend.

I am cautioned that I shouldn't characterize this soon-to-be multiplex phenomenon as something only young girls will be in line to see.

While hanging out with the comic book club at Geoffrey's Comics last night, one of the attendees, Soyini Hamit said one of her close lady friends is an adult who loves the book series and is expected to see the movie opening weekend.

A quick poll of our mostly-male comic club indicated only one out of ten will likely see the movie and there was talk of confiscating his "man-card" for admitting such a thing. (That was just wrong.)

In order to avoid the get-off-my-lawn mentality I have to break "Twilight" down like this -- Any entertainment that offers a larger audience a chance to appreciate stories that have fantasy and/or supernatural elements is a good thing for us all. 

Will I be in the crowds? I am not certain since that's a game time decision and the wife has her turn to choose what film it will be this weekend. It will likely be "Quantum of Solace," that James Bond flick.

She's a greater Bond fan than I am... I wonder if that puts my "man card" in jeopardy?


Photo from "Twilight" courtesy of Summit Entertainment 

Mike Mignola raps about his project that's being developed with the movie studios called "Baltimore." It is developed from the illustrated book "Baltimore, or the Steadfast Tin Soldier and the Vampire" he wrote with Christopher Golden.
 
The story is about a vampire accidentally awakened by blood left on the battlefield by a British infantry Captain named Lord Henry Baltimore. The co-producing talents of David S. Goyer, who has directed and written "The Unborn," has been tapped to bring the project to the theaters.

I haven't read this yet and it may be very good, but I fear a vampire overload.  

There is more with Mignola via a Q&A with Sci Fi and his perspective on taking what he has done as a comic creator and expanding (I should say "translating") it to film as a screenwriter. His comments on that are really worth reading because it speaks to the ever-increasing crossover between film and comics.

There is some response on the possibilities of "Hellboy 3" from Mignola as well at the Sci Fi interview. And there's mention of filmmaker Guillermo Del Toro and his ideas for Hellboy's future. But Guillermo is also working on "The Hobbit" and its sequel - he may be busy. (The American movie studio mantra: Why make one flick -- when you can make two at twice the price?)

This is the first comic store I have ever attended regularly -- congrats you guys! 

There is a collection of special guests and deals for visitors (30% off everything except new comic books. Check out the trade paperbacks).

Guests scheduled to appear today: Mark Waid ("Kingdom Come" and "The Incredibles"), Josh Dysart ("Unknown Soldier"), master inker Danny Miki ("Ultimatum") and Mike Wellman ("Mac Afro" and "World of Warcraft").

The event is from 12-6 p.m. There's more info on the image below.

 
 

The first trailer set the mood and this one fills in some of the blanks.

For those unfamiliar with the graphic novel this new release provides a sense of premise and more of that stunning camera work from director Zack Snyder and crew. Check out a larger version and more at Yahoo! Movies.

Let me know what you think.

By Ryan Riley, Contributor

Halloween came and went a couple of weeks ago, but it seems like there is always a market for entertainment in the genre of horror. Hollywood studios have no problem releasing scary movies on a year-round basis (the notable exception being what has become the tradition of a new "Saw" sequel every Halloween). And comic books like Marvel Zombies, The Living Dead & 30 Days of Night have proven that the popularity of the horror genre isn't limited to a certain time of year.

Devil's Due Publishing released The Haunted Caves, a comic book that was adapted from a screenplay for a horror movie, just before this past Halloween, but the book is still selling pretty well at retailers a few weeks after the fact. Pulp Fiction Books in Long Beach hosted a book signing on Saturday, Nov. 8 that featured Sammy Montana, the writer that adapted the screenplay for The Haunted Caves into a comic book. He was obliging enough to sit down and answer some questions about the book and about himself.

Modern Mythology: Tell us a little about yourself.

Sammy Montana: I currently live in the south part of Long Beach, I've been living here for the past 6-7 years. I moved over from Canada, I used to live in Toronto, (nice & cold), then I moved here (nice & sunny), so that was a good change of weather for me. Long Beach is one of the few places that I like well enough to call home. I lived in Orange County for a short time, in places like Mission Viejo & Costa Mesa, etc. I like Long Beach because it's kind of an artsy community, with writers & poets all around this area. I really enjoy living here.

I've been a big fan of comic books since I was about 14. I took a few years off from collecting, then started reading again. I'm addicted to them, so I had to come back and start reading. I also work in the film industry, which is similar in nature to comic books.

I work for Trancas International Films, which is mostly known for producing the re-launched "Halloween" franchise. I handle production development over there, and then I do the other stuff, the writing, on the side.

M.M.: From what I heard, you once wrote comic & movie reviews for a website. What's has the transition from reviewing the work of others to creating your own work been like?

S.M.: Yeah, I wrote for the site www.comicnews.info, I had a column on there and I did some reviews for Alterna Comics before they got picked up for Birth. After a while I just got busy and didn't have time to keep up the reviews and handing in my columns. You have to keep on top of things, and having a full-time job on top of that is kind of difficult so I eventually stopped. But I enjoyed doing it when I was doing it.

M.M.: Is the adaptation of "The Haunted Caves" your first published work?

S.M.: The Haunted Caves adaptation is my first published comic book work. I wrote a comic book about 3 years ago for a now-defunct comic book company. They were going to publish it but they went under before that happened. After a while I was going to do a few more submissions to other companies. I wanted to write for comic books, the money obviously isn't great but it's just a thing of mine I like to do, I like to write. I waited a while and my life got busy, the comic writing got put on the back-burner. When the opportunity to write this graphic novel I jumped on it. I've had some short stories published before that, The Feeders, a sci-fi/horror type of story featured in the anthology book Scary Stories 2, and The Cross Killer, which was published in Spinetingler Magazine and is currently available to read for free on the internet (http://www.spinetinglermag.com/canadian2006story3.htm). That story in particular is very different from The Haunted Caves.

M.M.: How did you get involved in the adaptation of The Haunted Caves?

S.M.: Initially what happened was about a year and a half ago Michael Stevens (the writer of the screenplay for The Haunted Caves) contacted me at Trancas International Films about submitting his screenplay. I read the screenplay and liked it, but at that time I had instructions to seek out specific types of scripts and I couldn't really deviate from those instructions. But I read it and it was good and it was different, it took time to really build up the characters so it really struck a chord with me. I contacted the guy, which is something I don't do a lot because of the sheer number of submissions we receive, and let him know that the script was good even though we weren't using his script. We kept in touch after that, and about a year later we were talking, and Trancas International was doing business with Devil's Due Publishing. I talked to my contact there and showed The Haunted Caves to him. One thing led to another and we set up meetings between Michael and Devil's Due and we ended up teaming together to adapt the screenplay into a graphic novel.

Michael had approached me about writing the adaptation initially but there was another writer attached to the project at first, Stef Hutchinson, who had done some Halloween stories for Devil's Due. He had a bunch of other things on his schedule, so he had to drop out and Michael asked me again about doing it. I put together a story outline for Michael and Devil's Due, and they both liked it so I got hired to do the adaptation.

M.M.: Where is the screenplay at as far as getting made into a movie at this point?

S.M.: The screenplay has not been optioned at this point. We were initially going to finance the film through interested private investors, but we decided that there were certain people that we wanted to get on board. The investors weren't interested in solely investing in movies, they were involved in real estate, computer technology, etc. So we decided that we want to wait on a few things, because there were some production companies that showed interest in optioning it. We're just trying to find the right place for it at this point. We're talking to a few different companies, and one of the people that is hopefully going to take a look at it is the producer of the current "Halloween" franchise. Meanwhile, Michael is adding some more touches to the script.

M.M.: Was it challenging to adapt the screenplay into a graphic novel format?

S.M.: It was definitely a challenge. There were quite a bit of differences between the screenplay and the finished graphic novel. The general idea of the story was the same, but I kind of put my own touches on it. It's kind of like adapting novels like The Silence of the Lambs and The DaVinci Code from a novel to a screenplay. It's not going to look exactly like you envisioned when reading the novel. You try to do it justice so people don't go "Oh my God, the novel was better", which happens a lot. I tried to do it justice, and I think in the end, we were all happy with it.

M.M.: That being said, tell us a little about the storyline of The Haunted Caves.

S.M.: The plot is centered around an activity that millions of Americans do every year across the country on Halloween. People go to events & places like Knott's Scary Farm, Universal Halloween Haunt, Shipwreck at the Queen Mary, as well as a variety of local haunted-house style attractions in search of a good scare on Halloween. The story, which takes place somewhere in Oregon, centers on a group of teenagers that go to the local attraction in their neck of the woods called The Haunted Caves. Things go downhill for these kids quickly as they discover that there is actually a killer that traps them inside and picks them off one by one. It's definitely a case of "Be careful what you wish for..."

M.M.: What projects are you currently working on?

S.M: I have a few ideas in the outline phase, so they're not fully fleshed-out yet. I'd like to adapt The Cross Killer into a graphic novel some time soon. Plus I'm working on writing screenplays when I can. I've got a pretty full schedule at Trancas International right now with some projects currently in pre-production. I would also like to write some comics for Fangoria if I ever got the chance.

M.M.: You and your wife just had your first child not long ago. What's that been like and how has it affected the creative process?

S.M.: Yes indeed. She's a little over six months old right now. She's growing up fast, so it's making me kind of panic a little bit! She's able to sit up now, and I make time to spend time with her and stuff when I'm not writing. The way I do it is I spend time with her, wait until she goes to sleep, then drink a lot of tea and/or coffee so I can stay awake because I'm exhausted, so that's mainly when I write. There's also a half-hour to hour period when she's taking a nap during the day when I can fit some writing in, but good luck getting writing done in that short a time-frame (especially when I encounter writer's block)!

M.M.: For the people that didn't catch you here, are you going to be doing any other promotion for The Haunted Caves?

S.M.: We're having a book signing at the Borders bookstore in Los Altos Shopping Center at Bellflower & Stearns in Long Beach on Friday, Nov. 21. I'll be there along with Michael Stevens, the screenwriter that penned the script for The Haunted Caves.

Stan "The man" Lee, the living legend creator of the Fantastic Four and Spider-Man, will produce the series "Hero" for Showtime following the life of a gay superhero.

The concept is based on the book "Hero" by Perry Moore which features a high school age second generation superhuman whose powers are manifesting as he "comes to terms with his sexuality (NPR)."

The deal to develop the series under the Showtime banner is a testament to the cable network's desire to be innovative. Showtime produces "Dexter," "Weeds" and "The L-Word."

While Lee still does some work on behalf of Marvel Comics he has continued to be a creative force on his own (ie. "Who Wants To Be A Superhero" on SCI FI).

Variety has more here.

 

This is via the Red Eye's Geek to Me blog and courtesy Erik Larsen of Image Comics and writer-artist on "The Savage Dragon." I can only show you some detail of the comic page but see the entire thing here.

'Dragon' was one of the comics that depicted President-elect Obama on its cover when the Savage Dragon endorsed him.

(Editor's note: There is more!)

Readers of the Savage Dragon who were looking to be surprised are like "Hey, isn't that the Dragon back in his police uniform?"


Yes it is. So the hero is not only tapped to do some sort of task for the new President, he is also back with the police force. Creator Erik Larsen told the Chicago Tribune that it has been more than 12 years since his character has been on the force. (I can't believe it's been that long!)

"What I hadn't counted on was just how much readers identified him as a police officer," Larsen told the Tribune.

Issue #145 of "The Savage Dragon" will be on sale in February just in time for the new president to give fin-head his orders. 
 

Art courtesy Erik Larsen/Image Comics

Watchmen Exclusive: Girls Kick Ass


This video has been the best of the behind the scenes "Watchmen" stuff so far. The character of the Silk Spectre is actually represented by two generations -- the "golden age" version played by Carla Gugino and the present day played by Malin Akerman. This video does double duty of offering some insight into the tone of the film due March 2009 (skipping any legal snafu) and gives viewers unfamiliar with the graphic novel a great intro to one of the characters.

There's some great fight scene stuff in this video too. Also, I hope the movie is going to be as cool as the recently released Silk Spectre poster below. Click for a larger image.

Hey Robert when you do a poll maybe you should let other people know how it went?

I apologize folks. For more than a week I have left some of you in suspense over the results of whether readers of Modern Mythology would like to see another Superman movie.

That answer would be YES.
 
Obviously, it wasn't a landslide. That 39 percent of 'NO' respondents fell only 11 points short of the half of you who wanted another "Superman." Only 11 percent wanted to give other filmmakers a shot. I would consider this a vote of confidence for director Bryan Singer to put those considerable visual storytelling skills of his to work on another super-film.

My request would be for Warner Bros. to reach beyond any "dark-Superman" gimmicks and gather a panel of the best "Superman" comic book writers of recent years (MARK WAID and GRANT MORRISON should make that list) and sit them with screenwriter Steven Zallian ("AMERICAN GANGSTER," "SCHINDLER'S LIST").

Be true to the character and toss out the re-tread of the original Superman films. Wonderful as those movies were, it's time to make a picture that speaks to not only the lifelong comic-addicts like me, but to the new generation of fans who need to learn what the man of steel is really all about.


Image of Superman courtesy DC Comics

It's not a live-action film, but sometimes those are overrated anyway.

BET's animated "Black Panther" series planned to debut early 2009 has reportedly cast Academy Award nominated actor Djimon Hounsou to voice the main character T'Challa, also known as the Black Panther.

A fine move for BET to cast a high-profile actor into another one of their animation projects. (The other would be Vin Diesel, who is the producer and voice talent in an animated series based on the Carthaginian general Hannibal.)

The successful relaunch of the character a couple years back in a regular comic series started with a limited story arc that reintroduced Black Panther to the Marvel Universe and to fans who may have forgotten about him. The animated series will mirror that comic arc written by former BET entertainment president and filmmaker Reginald Hudlin and drawn by prolific comic artist John Romita Jr.

If you look at the series trailer embedded below you will notice the animation itself has been created from the actual comic book panels of Romita's art. It is a process growing in popularity with comic creators who want to cut the animation production time and still preserve the feel of a comic.   

The Black Panther, like Batman, is seldom outwitted or beaten by his opponents. And while T'Challa lacks obvious super powers, he makes up for it with his unlimited resources, intelligence and courage. 

I hope it leads to a big reception for this Marvel Comics character created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby in the 1960s. To this day the Black Panther is at the top of the A-list of black superheroes. One news story suggested "it was about time" Panther had his day in the sun.

I say Amen to that.

 

LOS ANGELES (AP) _ Captain America has a new boss.

Joe Johnston, whose credits include "Jurassic Park III" and "Jumanji," has been signed to direct the comic-book adaptation "The First Avenger: Captain America," Marvel Studios announced Monday.

The movie is scheduled for release May 6, 2011, the same weekend that Marvel scored a blockbuster this year with "Iron Man," starring Robert Downey Jr. "Iron Man 2" comes out May 7, 2010.

Distributed by Paramount Pictures, "Captain America" is based on the Marvel Comics character Steve Rogers, who volunteers for a research program that transforms him into a patriotic super-soldier. The lead role has not yet been cast.

Marvel also is teaming Captain America with Downey's Iron Man, the Incredible Hulk, Thor and other superheroes from the comic-book giant's vaults for "The Avengers," due in theaters July 15, 2011.

Johnston is directing "The Wolf Man," an update of the horror classic starring Benicio Del Toro and Anthony Hopkins that comes out in 2009. His other credits include "Honey, I Shrunk the Kids," ''The Rocketeer" and "October Sky."


Art by Logan Ross - Captain America copyright Marvel Comics

It wasn't easy to accept another "Terminator" vehicle after the last film. You know the film I'm talking about.

The occasional delight of watching Kristanna Loken as the T-X hunting John Connor, played by Nick Stahl, in "Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines" was drowned out by the lackluster plot. Some people dug the flick, but it didn't move me.

The story about a would-be messiah/warlord named John Connor who is such a threat to the future machine-run earth that he must be killed when he is young and defenseless, stokes the imagination. But the third installment of the film series drops you on your head when it comes to emotional connection.

Then I watched the first season of "Terminator: Sarah Connor Chronicles." Can this be as good as I think it is? Does this work with a cast that is devoid of the Governator and the hype that is attached to making it a direct sequel? After watching season two, in progress on Fox, the answer is an emphatic YES.

Tonight's episode should be a doozy and will bring "ill-fated" closure to one of the character storylines. When it comes to Sarah Connor that could mean someone is getting killed off the show. Pretty heavy stuff for 8 p.m.

Again, none of this would matter if the characters were not well-written and well-played. A season two highlight for me was an episode spent examining the damaged memories of Cameron (Summer Glau, "SERENITY") -- the terminator who protects young John Connor. Credit to the writers and Glau for somehow creating a moving story for a character that doesn't emote. (I should say barely emotes)

I am stingy with my TIVO hours and I know you must be with yours too. But if you record tonight's episode, save it. Then watch season one with your Netflix rental account or whatever. And after that, pick a day and haunt your favorite coffeehouse with Wi Fi and watch all of season 2 on your laptop for seven hours (buy something, don't just sit there).

And finally, when all of that is done, catch tonight's episode.

There will not always be Monday Night Football or Dancing With The Stars to contend with so consider making "Terminator: Sarah Connor Chronicles" one of your regular shows.

Those who know Kevin Smith only as the "Clerks" guy don't realize he does more than sprinkle his films "geeky" references to comics, he is proven talent when it comes to writing them as well. (See his Marvel Comics-saving Daredevil run and his significant work on Green Arrow.)

Some good soul on MySpace has placed a five-page preview of his "Batman: Cacophony." You can go here or click the image below.

I'm a fool for flicks that have exorcisms in them. Blame "The Exorcist" and other films with similar themes released over the last thirty years.

David S. Goyer, co-writer on "Batman Begins" and "The Dark Knight," has written and directed a supernatural thriller called "The Unborn." This extensive trailer has the requisite scary kids and stop-motion spooky people coming toward you. And it has GARY OLDMAN ("THE DARK KNIGHT") and IDRIS ELBA ("THE WIRE").

After winning the popular vote, Stephen Colbert fell short of making his case for the Presidency to the denizens of the Marvel Universe.

The Daily Bugle initially reported Colbert as the winner. Election results later indicated that Democrat Barack Obama actually won.

President-elect Barack Obama  will be making plans to move into the White House in the Marvel Comics Universe as well our actual one. All that campaigning at the Comic-Con in San Diego last July apparently paid off.

Congratulations to President-elect Obama and my condolences to Colbert. Comic readers should keep your eyes on the Comedy Central star in 2012.


Newspaper Images Courtesy Marvel Comics and the Daily Bugle 

The lack of fond sentiments for "Heroes" this season that you all shared with me last week are apparently felt by NBC network management as well. Two executive producers/writers who have worked on the series since the first season are reported by Variety to have been let go -- Jesse Alexander and Jeph Loeb.

Loeb's name is familiar with many comic readers due to his extensive past and present work in comics. ("Captain America: White," "Ultimates 3"). The article in Variety can be seen here.

While I am aware these types of changes do happen in the life of a series there is no way of knowing at this point if a change like this will help or hinder the show. The "Heroes" creator Tim Kring appears to still be on board and if this staff realignment is as reported, then the pressure to make this series the phenomenon it was more than a year ago is all on him.

I have been tough on the development of the PETER PETRELLI character and the time traveling plotlines were confusing. But this move was unexpected. I figured there would be more focus on the successful aspects of the show (The effects were excellent) and they (the producers)  would cut the characters who were nothing but a drag (MAYA).

This, however, was not the kind of change I thought would happen... More later. Related: Poll results and it's not pretty

              The villain revealed

              Confused and shocked

              Lots of action and more revelations

              Keeping the story on track

              The Heroes return tonight

              Heroes Watch: Looks like a fun season