| August 3, 2007 05:44 - Superheroes Start at an Early Age!
When did you start becoming interested in Superheroes and all they offer? Did you believe a man could fly? I don't believe I can remember a time that I wasn't interested in comic book fanfare. I am sure my mom can attest to that. Here is something for you moms and your younger ones:
"Mom on Film: Superhero Summer
Sue Harvey, Aug 02, 2007
This Superheroes are popular in our home this summer. Our five-year-old son has been wearing his rummage-sale Superman t-shirt so often I have taken to waiting several days after it lands in the dirty laundry pile before washing it, just to get him to wear something else. He has discovered his sisters' old Batman and Wonder Woman books, and carries his Spiderman lunchbox on picnics. He is hooked on superheroes.
So it was no big surprise when he began requesting superhero movies. His education in this realm actually began a couple of years ago when he was probably too young for, but nevertheless watched, The Incredibles . I would like to say here, and for the record, that Elastigirl is my all time favorite superhero. Perhaps because like her I am a stay-at-home mom with three exceptional children, am often stretched thin, almost to the point of snapping, and somewhere along the way developed a rear-end unlike the one I sported back in the day. But I digress. His knowledge of superheroes began with The Incredibles, and although the action occasionally frightened him, overall he liked it. He especially enjoyed Dash, the super-fast son of Mr. Incredible and Elastigirl, and when the bad guy, Syndrome, gets his just desserts. Our girls, Mr. Wonderful (our own version of Mr. Incredible) and I enjoyed it too, so much so that we own the DVD. The Incredibles is, in my opinion, worth owning and holds up to repeated viewings..." And to finish Mom's view of Superheroes!
Can you relate? Generation after generation will always be around to spark interest in comic books and superheroes and justice for all!
Dave
August 13, 2007 12:38 - Creating Your Own Comic Books or Not!
Well, as I continue to research and build my comic book site, I do find more and more interesting "Stuff" on how to create your own comic books. I like to reference Aaron Albert, who keeps up the comic book section at about.com. I am on his newsletter list and keep up to a certain degree, with what he is posting on the site. He has started several interesting pages on all aspects of creating your own comics. They are really worth a look:
"From Aaron Albert,
Your Guide to Comic Books.
FREE Newsletter. Sign Up Now!
New Creating Comic Books Section
Well we've been pretty busy working on the latest installment to the About.com Comic Book section and it's been an exciting voyage so far. Ever wondered what it takes to create a comic book? Got a fabulous idea for one but can't find the resources to make your dreams a reality? Check out the new Creating Comic Books Section and see what is available. Keep checking as things will continue to be added to the new section of the sight. We're hoping this will be a very large resource for anyone interested in creating their own comic books, or are just interested in finding more about the process..." And do the click thing to get to Create Your Own Comics!
If creating your own comics is your cup of tea, then Aaron should have some great insight for you. And keep checking my site and I may have some good tidbits for you later on. Let me know if you start your own series.
Dave
August 18, 2007 14:08 - Comic Book Treasure in Canada!
How would you like to come across comic books in pristine condition, old and the owner doesn't know what they are? Looks like this happened to a certain degree a while back. And one of the major players in the comic book industry got in on the action. Read on:
"PACK RAT: THERE'S MONEY IN THE ATTIC
The end of a legend
A U.S. millionaire breaks up the famed Vancouver Collection of pristine 1940s comic books
KERRY GOLD
August 13, 2007
VANCOUVER -- AU.S. millionaire, who's well-known in comic-book circles, has auctioned off pieces of a famous collection that originally came out of a Vancouver man's estate more than a decade ago.
Steve Geppi of Baltimore purchased the comic-book collection about four years ago from Vancouver antiques dealer Chris Bell for nearly $500,000. Since Bell bought the collection in 1996 from an estate sale, it has become known among aficionados as the Vancouver Collection and is prized for the immaculate condition of the comic-book pages. The pages are so white they look as if they were just printed.
Geppi's auction was conducted over several days last week in Baltimore. The relatively small collection, composed of 253 comic books dated between 1939 and 1953, is better known to U.S. collectors than it is here in Canada. In the auction catalogue it says that "Canada's naturally cool climate" allowed the comic books to "remain in the gleaming, near-pristine condition in which we find them today."
"In terms of page quality, it's the best of all time," says Barry Sandoval, director of comic-book operations for Dallas-based Heritage Auction Galleries, which handled the sale.
Geppi thinks there are likely more comic books north of the border. "I hope the publicity that comes out of this story brings out the rest of the comic books, if there are any to bring out," he says. "This Vancouver Collection lent itself from the mid- to late-forties, and I would love nothing better than to discover there was an early forties period out there."
Geppi is CEO of Diamond Comic Distributors (the largest comic distributor in the world), the owner of Geppi's Entertainment Museum and a part-owner of the Baltimore Orioles baseball club. But his greatest passion is for comic books from the forties..." To finish the article, read on!
I keep wondering just where my old collection got to. I haven't seen it in 30 years. Is it laying around in someone's attic? Do the guys who boosted it from me still have it? I would love to run across it some day and with proof all the comics are mine. Dream on! Later.
Dave
August 27, 2007 12:53 - Richard Branson is into Comic Books!
Hey, this was a rather interesting story to me. I am well aware of Richard Branson and what he is planning on in the commercial space tourism industry. But I didn't realize he was into comic books also! Read on:
"Dan Dare: The Movie
Virgin bringing back Brit comic book hero.
by IGN Staff
August 27, 2007 - The classic British comic book Dan Dare: Pilot of the Future is being dusted off by Virgin Comics for a new feature film and a revamped comic book series that will revolve around the iconic adventurer.
Today's Variety scoops that Richard Branson, Virgin Group Chairman, personally led the effort to acquire the publish, TV, movie and videogame rights to the property of which he is a huge fan. Branson is such a big fan of Dan Dare, in fact, that he's had artwork from the comic put on display in Virgin Atlantic Ariways lounges.
"Dan Dare is a heroic, thoughtful and fiercely independent character," Branson said. "I was an avid reader of his epic journeys."
The character first emerged in a 1950s comic strip. He had his own radio show, and more recently there was a Dan Dare CG-animated series.
There's no timeframe on the movie, but Virgin is currently working with Creative Artists Agency to package the film and entertain development opportunities.
The new comic book series will launch in November with issues penned by Garth Ennis.
The story reportedly has Dare resurfacing after a self-imposed exile, the result of his disgust with politics and the post-nuclear warfare that has destroyed North America and much of Asia -- leaving the U.K. as the world's last remaining superpower."
Well, maybe one day, Richard can take a copy of Dan Dare into space with him, when his company, Virgin Galactic starts their private space runs. And remember you heard it here first or did you? Maybe my site will be mentioned in space also. Ha ha!
Dave
August 30, 2007 15:21 - Want to Become a Comic Book Artist?
I do, on occasion, get comments at my contact me page over in the menu at the left, on how to become a comic book artist. I have looked up a few resources on the Net in the past that offers comic artistry courses. But here is an article on the subject I ran across a few minutes ago:
"Comic book artist teaches kids his craft
Sherborn -
In his 15-year career as a comic book artist, Jack Purcell has never met a kid who didn't like comic books. It was no exception during his workshop at the Sherborn Library on Monday.
After being taught drawing technique basics by Purcell, a couple of boys were perfectly content to sit and read through his personal collection of comic books while supposedly looking through them for ideas on developing a completely new character of their own.
Purcell said that nowadays, most children do not actively seek out individual comic books anymore, but the graphic novel has helped revive the art form. The town library offers this type of book to young patrons most often described as an expanded story using sequential art. Or, according to Purcell, essentially a series of comic books that have been bound.
The session began with Purcell explaining the stages of putting together a comic book. Five professionals are involved: a writer; a "penciller;'' a black and white inker (himself); a colorist; and a letterer. Finally, Purcell told his young audience, an editor gets involved. "Like your teacher in school, he's the boss," Purcell told his students.
The artist does all his work "by hand" and Purcell "challenges anyone to do what I do by using a computer." Holding up a "Countdown" comic book, Purcell said "This is a good example of everyone doing their job very well. Each person should add something to the page … for example, the letterer added a lot of sound effects."
Purcell encourages kids to draw, saying, "There is no such thing as talent, it's skill." Using a sports analogy, he said drawing just takes a lot of practice. He demonstrated simple techniques for the children to copy. The first showed a method to draw a front and side view of a face using construction lines. Handing out large erasers, he added, "Ink is not your friend; pencils are forgiving."
According to Purcell..." And do the click thing to finish comic book artist!
As I scour the Internet for great comic book stuff to add to my own, I come across some interesting software programs to help create comic books. I will eventually be creating more content on this subject and will let you know about some of these programs. In the mean time, keep trying your hand at your own comic book character renditions. I too remember my own drawings when I was young (oh, so long ago!).
Dave
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