Comic Book Collection News and Updates

Well one of my newsletter subscribers, Diane sent me some interesting comments on her take on graphic novels, the other day. She had received one of my newsletter's, which was on graphic novels. So she felt compelled to send me some of her views. I am very grateful she did. And it gives me some great content to pass on to you. Diane also holds a PhD in education. So it is interesting to see what a would-be educator has to say about graphic novels. Her comments:

"Hi Dave -

Well imagine my surprise with this newsletter - the Graphic Novel... I recently bought a book on the forerunners of the graphic novel, i.e. wood-cut artists and lino-engravers such as Franz Masereel, Lynd Ward and others. The link for this book is here:

http://www.amazon.com/Graphic-Witness-Wordless-Masereel-Laurence/dp/15540727 00

And it is fascinating. It might not be as interesting to die-hard comic collectors, but it interested me because these are the texts that influenced comic artists like Frank Miller. These are the texts that provide a universal tale of struggle characterized by socialist themes of the "downtrodden" struggling against darker forces of capitalism, nationalism, and so on. I admit I was stunned by the powerful feelings evoked in Masereel's "Passion of a Man" (1918); an even more astonished by the details involved in the art of wood-cuts.

Anyhow, what was especially interesting to me was seeing the origin of the graphic anti-hero in these wordless texts, and how this evolved into a post-war comic Super-hero - from the industrial-age worker-hero, to the social outcast superhero, and so on. As well, the themes of the "little guy" fighting against forces that are larger than life (industrialisation, racism, class inequality, and so on) are easily spotted in the comic version, but the larger-than-life political forces are characterized by evil-power super-villains. Historically, I think this is ...I don't know, ...way cool. Ha ha. I could go on drawing comparisons between these two art forms (wood cut graphic novels versus comics) but it is a little bit nerdy. Heh. (I studied a lot of Marx, history of socialism and so on, so the contexts of these early graphic novels are familiar to me in a scholarly sense.)

As I say, this is likely not as interesting to the Marvel-DC universe of comic collecting, but it might be interesting in a nerdy-historical context, or something."

I shall post the conclusion of Diane's remarks with my next blog entry. Until then, tally ho!!

Dave

October 13, 2007 11:07 - More Graphic Novels Anyone?

Well, I hope you have enjoyed Diane's remarks so far. I found them rather invigorating! Following finishes her great content:

"The other thing that this history brought forth for me was the difference between the contemporary graphic novel and the individual issues of the comics themselves, which is also what you discuss in your newsletter and online article; and I did have some thoughts regarding collectibility and value and so on. Without further ado: WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE TO A COLLECTOR? - In collecting, individual issues are rated as more valuable than others when there is a "first" appearance of a villain, or an event of significance occur, a costume changes, a villain dies, a sidekick is introduced, or a death occurs (like Electra in the Daredevil comics, for example; or the death of Captain America...) and so on.

Individual issues have different values based on cover artists as well. So, the graphic novel provides the complete story in a bound volume, but the individual issues are likely more valuable for the reasons above. I think, personally, it is the difference between an art book of the collected paintings of so-and-so, or a complete volume of so-and-so's written works, versus an individual painting, or a first edition book. Similarly, reprints are less valuable than first run comics, and so again the graphic novel is, in effect, a collection of reprints versus the original individual comics.

For me, if I want the story arc for reading, I buy the graphic novel. If I want the value of the comic itself, I buy the individual comics.

That's my take on it all, anyway.

Thanks for the newsletter!
Cheers,
Diane"

And if you have any comments about graphic novels, feel free to leave them for others to reflect on. Thanks.

Dave

October 16, 2007 13:13 - Scream 2007, Anyone?

Well, here is a press release I ran across. If you are a Spike TV fan, you may know about this special, which is a tribute to comic books also:

"October 16, 2007: 11:33 AM EST

NEW YORK, Oct. 16 /PRNewswire/ -- Spike TV is putting on the biggest televised celebration ever of horror, sci-fi, fantasy and comic books under one roof and promises to be a night to remember. "SCREAM 2007," taping on October 19 at the Greek Theatre in Los Angeles, premieres on Spike TV Tuesday, October 23 (10:00 PM-Midnight, ET/PT) and will be seen and heard by an estimated one billion people spanning 130 countries and territories.

"SCREAM is all about the incredibly devoted fans of horror, sci-fi, fantasy and comic books. We're bringing them everything they want to see and celebrating the brilliant creative talent behind the genres," says Casey Patterson, senior vice president, event production for Spike TV and executive producer of "SCREAM 2007." "We're thrilled, but not surprised at the global appetite for an event of this kind; these fans have driven box office to record numbers around the world."

Beloved rock legend Alice Cooper will be center stage, as he is presented with the second annual Spike TV SCREAM Rock Immortal Award, an honor given to Ozzy Osbourne last year. This tribute will include a monster All-Star performance featuring Rob Zombie and Slash. The "Prince of Darkness," Ozzy Osbourne returns to the event this year to perform in addition to Avenged Sevenfold, performing their song SCREAM from their highly anticipated self- titled album set to hit stores October 30.

Spike TV's "SCREAM 2007" will also feature appearances by Criss Angel, Christian Bale, Jamie Bamber, Kristen Bell, Tobin Bell, Jessica Biel, Tim Burton, Bruce Campbell, Rosario Dawson, Casper Van Dien, Daeg Faerch, Ralph Fiennes, Harrison Ford, Megan Fox, Sid Haig, Paris Hilton, Tricia Helfer, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Jesse James, Amy Lee, James Kyson Lee, Tommy Lee, Kristanna Loken, Tyler Mane, Chris Marquette, Zachary Quinto, Keith Richards, Freddy Rodriguez, Robert Rodriguez, Seth Rogen, Eli Roth, Betsy Russell, Quentin Tarantino, Danny Trejo, Milo Ventimiglia, Michael Weston, Ray Winstone and many more to be announced shortly.

Spike TV and Comic-Con International have teamed up again to present modern comic, short story and novel writer, Neil Gaiman, with the Comic-Con Icon Award. Seth Rogen will present this distinguished award to Gaiman, who has been instrumental in creating awareness of, and appreciation for, comic and related popular art forms, bringing this great medium to wider recognition.

The official sponsors of Spike TV's "SCREAM 2007" are Captain Morgan, Taco Bell, Honda, Rhapsody(R) and truth(R).

www.scream.spiketv.com is the official home to Spike TV's "SCREAM 2007" voting, contests and news. Voting for Spike TV's "SCREAM 2007," which includes categories such as "The Ultimate Scream," "Best Horror Movie," "Best Comic Book," "Fantasy Fox" and "Most Memorable Mutilation," began on September 7 for fans, via the Web site scream.spiketv.com, and closes Friday, October 19. To keep track of the action backstage, spiketv.com will provide a web cam offering behind-the-scenes interviews with talent. The web site will also feature exclusive video footage of Red Carpet coverage.

Michael Levitt, Casey Patterson and Cindy Levitt are executive producers; Greg Sills is supervising producer, Gary Tellalian is producer, Austin Reading is co-producer and Ryan Polito is director of Spike TV's "SCREAM 2007." Alicia Portugal is the executive in charge of production for Spike TV.

Spike TV is available in 91.6 million homes and is a division of MTV Networks. A unit of Viacom , MTV Networks is one of the world's leading creators of programming and content across all media platforms."

This show could be of great interest or not. I believe it may be largely age dependent. I am an old rock and roller so it may be of mild interest. And I do watch Spike TV on occasion, mainly for Star Trek related reruns. Anyway, hope you like the press release and feel free to leave some comments.

Dave

October 24, 2007 16:06 - Scream 2007, Did you Catch it?

Well, I had no real plans on watching the Scream awards, I am not real big on awards shows, but I managed to fit them in. The show was aired on Spike TV last night. The show was rather interesting. Although, much of it may be targeted at the younger generation, I did enjoy bits and pieces. Here is what Comic Book Resources had to say about the show:

"CBR @ SPIKE TV'S SCREAM AWARDS 2007
by Emmett Furey, Staff Writer
Posted: October 23, 2007

On Friday, October 19 at the Greek Theater in Los Angeles, CA, Spike TV held its second annual Scream Awards, celebrating the horror, sci-fi and fantasy genres in film, television and comic books. The star-studded event was attended by all manner of luminaries from the entertainment world, and CBR News was on hand to talk to the stars as they made their way down the red carpet.

Honorary Scream Awards were bestowed upon original "Star Trek" cast members William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, George Takei, Walter Koenig and Nichelle Nichols, commemorating the 25 th anniversary of the release of "Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan." Khan himself, Ricardo Montalban, could not make it to the awards ceremony, and Shatner solicited a riotous "Khan" from the crowd in his honor.

TV phenom J.J. Abrams is helming a new Star Trek film scheduled for release in 2008, chronicling the adventures of Captain Kirk and company during their time at Starfleet Academy. Walter Koenig admitted he was not familiar with actors cast in the roles of the young Enterprise crew, but he wishes Anton Yelchin (who will be portraying Koenig's Chekov) and the rest of the cast the best. "I'm sure he'll be terrific," Koenig told CBR News. "I'm sure he'll make it his own and not have to answer to anybody."

"Star Trek" isn't the only sci-fi franchise on which Koenig had a recurring role. He also played Psi Cop Alfred Bester in J. Michael Straczynski's "Babylon 5." Though the series has been off the air for many years, the first of several planned direct to DVD "Babylon 5: The Lost Tales" films hit stores a few months ago, and Koenig spoke to the chances of him reprising his role as "B5's" most recognizable telepath. "I know that Joe [Straczynski] has expressed an interest in having Bester back in one of the DVD films," Koenig said. But the actor acknowledged that Straczynski's burgeoning feature film career could mean future "Lost Tales" are a ways off..." And to finish Scream 2007, click here!

I really do find "Heroes" a great TV show. I am glad they were acknowledged. I must admit though, some of the modern day horror shows are a little too graphic and gory for me. I am out for entertainment, not to see how many ways a human body can be chopped up! It was also nostalgic to see Alice Cooper again. He was actually prime time in my adolescence and college years. Anyway, if you have any interesting thoughts on Spike TV's awards show, let us know.

Dave

October 30, 2007 15:31 - Comic Books for Our Men in the Armed Forces!

Here is a great press release that was left at my "contact me" page. Just another way of showing our thanks to our military. And I do believe, from some of my research, that there are many in the military who like comic books:

"Corporate Communications NEWS RELEASE: 07-083 October 29, 2007 AAFES MEDIA CONTACT: Chris Ward - wardchr@aafes.com

AAFES and Marvel Unveil Fifth Military-Only Comic Book DALLAS - To help celebrate its 112th anniversary, the Army & Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES) is joining forces with Marvel Comics to once again distribute a free, military-exclusive comic book to troops around the world (cover shot available on request).

Expected to be available exclusively at BX/PX facilities around Nov. 10, including 53 locations in Operations Iraqi and Enduring Freedom, the newest issue in the AAFES/Marvel series, titled "Spirit of America," will feature Captain America for the first time since his demise in March after nearly 60 years in print.

"AAFES coordinates and distributes these complimentary comics as a way of saying 'thank you' to troops and their Families," said AAFES Chief of Staff Col. Max Baker. "If the first four comic books are any indicator, this edition will certainly become a 'must have' for our customers.

Exclusive military distribution combined with the first appearance of Captain America in eight months should create an unprecedented demand." "Spirit of America," the fifth installment in AAFES/Marvel military-only comic book series that began with "The New Avengers" in April 2005, tells the story of insurgents who attempt to infiltrate the Los Angeles Air Force Base. Captain America delivers a video in which he asks the Avengers, consisting of Ironman, Black Widow and Wonder Man, to protect a central character in the story, a U.S. Army Soldier serving overseas. -- 30 -

The Army & Air Force Exchange Service is a joint command and is directed by a Board of Directors which is responsible to the Secretaries of the Army and the Air Force through the Service Chiefs of Staff. AAFES has the dual mission of providing authorized patrons with articles of merchandise and services and generating non-appropriated fund earnings as a supplemental source of funding for military Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) programs.

To find out more about AAFES' history and mission or to view recent press releases please visit our Web site at http://www.aafes.com/pa/default.asp. ### Media Notes: For more information or to schedule an interview with an AAFES representative please contact Chris Ward, 214-312-2714 or wardchr@aafes.com."

What a great way to bring back Captain America. Do you think he should rise from the dead and stay risen? How about a new block buster special effects Hollywood movie? Leave your comments.

Dave