Comic Book Collection News and Updates

Well, well, well look what dropped into my lap. Anyone interested in watching a Stan Lee interview for free with the basic version? Géraldine Belloir left me some comments and her press release about the Stan Lee interview. Read on:

"PRESS RELEASE: JULY 3rd 2007 (FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE) AN AUDIENCE WITH THE LEGENDARY COMIC BOOK WRITER, STAN LEE

Delve into the mind of a great master and find out how some of the world's most famous comic book characters were created. Peoples Archive presents the video life story of the legendary American comic book writer, Stan Lee. Stan Lee is the one of the most charismatic and famous figures in the comic book world, the father of the likes of Spiderman, the Fantastic Four, X-Men and Daredevil, most of whom have now made it to the big screen.

Peoples Archive could therefore not pass up the chance to film Stan Lee reminiscing about the creation of the now infamous Marvel Comics Empire, as well as speaking in depth and at length about his career. With over 3 hours of footage, this is a rare opportunity to hear him discuss his personal life and work, as well as listen to him sharing his opinions on the evolution of comic books and the future of the characters he created.

The footage has been broken down into 42 stories, all titled and presented chronologically. They are accompanied by word accurate transcripts and additional resources including: a complete bibliography, biography as well as links to relevant websites. Stan Lee's life story is available to view free on the Peoples Archive website and can also be purchased on DVD-ROM.

Peoples Archive currently presents 38 life stories, totaling over 200 hours of video divided into 4557 segments. The Archive is grouped into seven sections: Arts, Literature, Masters, Medicine, Politics and Science. Future additions to the Archive include the writer Doris Lessing and the team of Architects Venturi-Scott Brown.

### For Further information, please contact: Geraldine Belloir, Marketing Manager, Peoples Archive Ltd. Tel +44(0)20 7631 9922 or geraldine.belloir@peoplesarchive.com About Peoples Archive. Peoples Archive launched in May 2004 (www.peoplesarchive.com), is an online video on-demand archive dedicated to collecting for posterity the life stories of the greatest thinkers, creators and achievers of our time.

All contributors are given an unlimited amount of time to tell their life story in their own words, with minimum intervention by the 'listener', generally a colleague with a thorough knowledge of their life and work. High-quality footage is shot on location in digital video format with subsequent editing being kept to a minimum. The interviews are then broken down into individual stories, which are indexed and placed on the Peoples Archive website via the Internet, enabled by Apple QuickTime." To watch the Stan Lee interview, click here!

I am in the process of watching the interview myself. Looking Good! Be sure and read the instructions at the top left-hand side of the home page. You need the latest version of Quick Time to watch the videos. I had to do this. There is a link there to download a copy of the software for free. It is well worth it, if you can't watch the videos without it.

You can get better viewing and listening options if you upgrade to a membership to the site. But you can also watch Stan Lee for free to test it out. And there are other movers and shakers to watch. Because I have a degree in Physics, I am interested in William Teller, Freeman Dyson and John wheeler, all renowned Physicists! Let me know what you think of the site.

Dave

July 17, 2007 07:22 - Want to Create your Own Web Comics?

Are you the type who likes to produce your own comic book creations? And you may be wondering where you can get your stuff noticed! A friend of mine happened to send me a link to this article so you may be interested:

"DC Comics to Launch Zudacomics.com
By Calvin Reid -- Publishers Weekly, 7/6/2007 12:53:00 PM

DC Comics has announced plans for Zudacomics.com, a Webcomics imprint and online community that will solicit original Web comics from fans for Web serialization and possible print publication. The majority of the comics published by the site will be selected by the Zudacomics community, which will vote in monthly competitions to pick the best comics submitted to the site. Winners will be published online for a year and published in print.

Zudacomics.com will begin soliciting comics for the site July 9 and begin promotions during the upcoming San Diego Comic-con in preparation for the site's official launch in October. The site will be directed by Ron Perazza, DC director of creative services, Kwanza Johnson, DC Comics online editor, and Richard Bruning, DC senior v-p, creative director.

Perazza said the new imprint will use the Web to find new comics talent and to publish original comics in a wide variety of styles and genres. He called the process "like a portfolio review," and emphasized "this is not for the DC Universe; it's not a place to submit your Batman story." According to Perazza, DC will be"open to any genre; biography, romance, whatever. We will support a variety of art styles, display the work well and give everyone who submits material a fair shake."

Each month Perazza and Johnson will pick 10 original Webcomics submissions and the Zudacomics community will vote for (and comment on) their favorite series. The monthly winner will be serialized for a year and published in print. Fans and professionals are encouraged to submit material. All creators chosen for the site will be paid; winners will receive a more elaborate compensation agreement..." And to finish the rest of the article, head on over to DC Web Comics!

This site may be just the ticket to help your comic book creation profession along (ha ha). Seriously though, this may give you the right venue to display your wares. And if you are planning on attending Comic Con this year, you may just want to look them up.

If comic book creation is your cup of tea, then you may want to check out my email bud, Gideon's website. He is coming along quite nicely and we manage to stay in contact. You can visit him at comic book creation. Tell him I sent you over. Bye for now.

Dave

July 19, 2007 11:24 - Hey All You Indy Fans!!

Anyone into Independent Comic Book Producers? I haven't had the time to get into and determine my best and least Indy comics. But I am sure many of you have your favs. Well here is another company to check out. Martin turned me on to him and his partner's new production company. They are just about to release some of their work in the states. They are an Argentina company. Here is an excerpt from their site:

"Pit Bros Productions is a publishing company dedicated one hundred per cent to horror, sci fi, and action comic books.

It was founded in 2005 by two life-long-buddies, illustrator Martin Blanco and writer Gonzalo Ventura, when both of them decided to make their dream come true and create their own space so that they could tell all the stories they had in mind.

Today, publishing the stories of its founders is not the company`s sole purpose. Its intentions are also to edit those writers and illustrators who have points in common with the general artistic concept of PBP.

The company mixes the old school spirit from the masters of the genre with a new refreshing way of creating: Making each story with the old day tradition of concepts, aesthetics and narration, but putting in new ideas. Above all, the creators believe in the mystique of comic books; in the almighty panels and dialogue balloons.

Pit Bros. Productions is a company founded by two comic book guys who work in a different way. Their own way.

Martin and Gonzalo´s primary goal is to convey their personal points of views and unique styles in every project they start..." Click on over and check out their indy comic site! If you need English, be sure and click on the American Flag.

Here is a chance to get in on the ground floor of a few new line independent comic books. I do believe their work is well worth at least checking out. What do you have to lose? And let me know what you think of them!

Dave

July 21, 2007 11:08 - Well, It's That Time Again, Stan Lee and Superheroes!

Next week starts season two of Stan Lee and his superhero reality show on the Sci Fi channel. I am sure the fans can't wait and the rest of us? We will just have to take it or leave it. Guess I will check in on occasion. The concept has sparked a small interest in myself. Well here is an article I found for you:

"Who Wants To Be A Superhero? season two -- an early look
Posted Jul 20th 2007 9:09AM by Brett Love

The fine folks over at the Sci Fi channel sent over a copy of the WWTBAS? premiere and, for better or worse, it's much of the same. One thing I've noticed, among my friends anyway, is that this show is kind of polarizing. People either love its campy humor and look forward to the new episodes, or they despise it and wonder what it is doing on the Sci Fi channel. It's topped only by the ECW in that regard.

While there is a whole new crop of potential superheroes, the basics of the show remain the same. So, if you didn't like it before, I don't think season two is going to do anything to change your mind. On the other hand, fans should look forward to another fun season. I'm not convinced that they managed to get the best group of potential heroes they could have, as some of those that we see in the very brief casting segment looked rather interesting. However, it is a pretty solid group overall.

I'll start with my early favorites. Basura communicates with insects to enlist their help and can tell by touching an object how it was made. She seems like a really interesting girl. On the men's side, my favorite so far is The Defuser. an expert at gadgetry who specializes in non-lethal weapons. The police detective comes across as a good guy an should be fun to watch..." To finish Superhero Reality! Are you an avid fan? Has this show tingled your taste buds? Or does it totally disgust you? Let us know. I will be checking in on the show on occasion. But I put it in the same B minus class category as Sci Fi's Saturday night movies. Pretty low grade. Not even close to the Stargate series. In my mind, these two series are some of the best science fiction on the tube. Don't you agree?

Dave

July 23, 2007 12:01 - Comic Con Anyone?

Well, I imagine many of you are preparing to head to San Diego this week for Comic Con! Aaron over at About.com has kind of a heads up list of items you want to be sure and take. Here is a list of needed accessories according to Aaron:

"Essential Convention Items
From Aaron Albert,
Your Guide to Comic Books. FREE Newsletter. Sign Up Now!

Top Things To Make Your Comic Book Convention A Success

Going to a comic book convention is a fun and exciting thing for every fan. It is a place to meet creators, buy comics and other related goods, go to panels, network, and have a great time. You won't be as excited though, if you forget some essential con items. Here is a list of some essential things you will need to make your comic book convention trip a success.

1. Shoes

Four days, five if you count the preview night, and all the time walking around on concrete? Your shoes will be the biggest asset of the weekend. Don't bring cowboy books, pumps, or flip flops as those won't support you for the time you'll need tracking down that comic, going to the many panels, or getting that autograph will be spent in pain. Your shoes should be top quality and broken in.

2. Cash

Cash is king at the convention. Sure, there are many ATM's and some retailers will be able to take credit/debit cards, but having cash is the best. It can in some instances get you a discount - if you're savvy about it. Be sure to keep it in a safe place and don't bring to much. This will help you in setting a self imposed budget for the con keeping you safe from overspending.

3. Backpack

If you are going to a convention, chances are you will spend money on some great product. Some vendors might have bags for their wares, but having a decent sized comfortable backpack will make a big difference. You're going to want your hands free to take pictures and get autographs.

4. Comics/Notebook

Bring something to sign! You can bring your favorite comics, but many creators have comics you can buy from them. You might also bring a notebook or sketchbook to get autographs and sketches. Having something handy can mean the difference between getting that sketch or being left in the dust.

5. Camera

There are many sights to see at a convention and you need to be sure that you can remember it, especially on those hazy nights at the local watering holes. Having a camera is a great thing to capture those amazing moments at the con. Be sure to bring something to put those pictures on, or have extra film or a storage device handy as you will want a way to take a picture at a moments notice.

6. Water

Stay hydrated. You're going to be moving around a lot and having a ton of fun, but in doing so will put you in a situation to lose a lot of water. Many conventions are in the summer, which can make water loss even worse. Bring a small bottle as there are many fountains and sinks to replenish your water supply..." And to finish Aaron's list, Comic Con must haves!

You may or may not want to take all these suggestions. But remember, you will want to has as fulfilling a time as possible. So make sure you take everything you need and you don't have one of those Oh No!! moments.

Dave

July 28, 2007 14:21 - Iron Man at Comic-Con 07!

Well, Comic-Con 07 has been rolling in San Diego now for the last two days. I was able to catch channel G4's broadcast of the first two days. There are some amazing things happening. I was surprised to hear of yet another Star Trek movie in the offings. And with a new Spock to boot. I will have to keep my ear to the ground. Of course I was around when the first series back in the 60's started the whole franchise!

Anyway on of the hits this year was a trailer of the New Iron Man movie released to the Comic-Con fans. I have yet to find it. Here is an article I found though:

"Iron Man Footage at Comic-Con!
Source: Edward Douglas July 26, 2007

After a bunch of movies were hyped-up at the Paramount panel at Comic-Con International (we'll have more on them soon), they announced that as a special treat, they'd be showing "test animation" from Jon Favreau's Iron Man instead of making everyone wait until Saturday. It was obviously a gag as they started to show cheesy animation from the '60s cartoon and after a bit of that (and a lot of laughter from the packed auditorium), director Jon Favreau came out with his video camera in hand, shooting the audience and saying that he wanted to make sure to put it onto YouTube before anyone else could. Yup, we'd been Punk'd but we were given a special treat for the trouble.

Without much urging, he agreed to show some footage, actually a rough trailer, for the movie, rather than making everyone wait until Saturday to see Iron Man in action. It went by fairly quickly but this is what we remember:

The footage starts with Robert Downey Jr. as Tony Stark addressing soldiers with a speech which is paraphrased here: "Is it better to be feared than respected? I say, 'Is it too much to ask for both?' With that in mind, I humbly present the crown jewel of Stark Industries' Freedom Line. It's the first missile system to incorporate our proprietary repulsor technology." He then says something about the best weapon being one you don't have to fire, but he disagrees and says that the best weapon is the one you only have to fire once. "That's how America does it." It's a great scene that shows the humor that Downey Jr. will be bringing to the role as do the next two scenes.

Then we see Tony Stark coming out of an event in a tuxedo and he's stopped by a Vanity Fair reporter to ask him questions about being a "merchant of death" and he makes a snappy comeback. (We also see Favreau as his bodyguard in the scene.)

The next scene shows a bunch of military vehicles driving through the desert to the tune of an AC/DC tune with Robert Downey Jr. sitting in the back with a soldier who wants to take a picture with him. He jokes "I don't want to see this on your MySpace" page and then the soldier makes a V sign and he says "No gang signs, please." The soldier puts the V down and he goes "I'm just kidding."

There's then an explosion as they're under attack and he runs for cover and then in the next shot, he wakes up in a cavern and opens his shirt to see a round metal device where his heart is. "What did you do to me?" he asks and a man in the cave says, "I did it to save your life," and explains how he has put an electro-magnet hooked up to a car battery to save him.

He then starts building the suit and the next few scenes show him taking on a few Iraqi-types and we get to see the first Iron Man suit in action to the tune of Black Sabbath's "Iron Man." Lots of men are shooting at him but the bullets are bouncing off him and at one point, he swings his fist and his metal arm gets lodged into the cave walls and then one of the guys attacking him walks up and tries to shoot him in the Iron Man helmet but the bullet bounces back and hits him in the head..." To finish the article and see a few pics of the director, Iron Man at Comic-Con!

I would sure like to see that trailer. But then it may only be reserved for those actually paying to get into Comic-Con (which isn't me). But it may yet become available on the Net in the next few days. I will have to keep an eye out. If any body else finds it, would you please let me know? Thanks a bunch. Dave