Sergio Leone’s trilogy spawned a whole new rebirth of the Western with his "The Man With No Name". The movies were regarded by many to be comic-book related with the plot and various head shots in the film. The perfect anti-hero now has his own comic by Dynamite and it’s about time. Why let Jonah Hex and bunch of other rip-off characters bask in the glory. This is great news for the spaghetti western fans who want to further examine the extended exploits of Clint Eastwood’s famous character. The cover is amazing and the art inside by Wellington Dias and writer Christos Gage are going to win over many fans.

Scholastic is a winner with many parents with their imprint Graphix books since they first published Jeff Smith’s Bone. They acquired hot artist Kazu Kibuishi’s webcomic Copper. Fans of Kazu Kibuishi will find his work from the Flight anthologies who collect some of the media’s top talent, some either forgotten or undiscovered all ages artists.

Scholastic is making strides in the domain of all ages illustrated graphic novels and has hit the trifecta with this acquisition. Their other properties Bone and Kibuishi’s Amulet series also published by Scholastic will be translated into the big screen in the near future.  Just this bonus will add more revenues to their coffers and expand the line at Graphix with new publicity at the big screen. See the making of Copper >>

The death of the graphic novel? Have you noticed as of late the sheer volume of new graphic novels and reprints of old newspaper strips collected in book form. Seems anybody who can get a hold of a printer can put out any old reprint property out there. Alternative comics are one thing, but some of the sluggish stories or lack of stories just don’t cut it lately. Some alternative companies are gambling with some real bad choices of reprinted material. There was a time when there very little to pick from when graphic novels came out.  Sure they are making oodles of money on them right now. For every good book coming out, there will be another four that will gather dust on the shelves and the numbers will grow. Bargain bin anybody?

Manga, don’t get me going about that, there is so much rubbish out there and nobody says anything. Why should they these books have replaced Harlequin books for young girls and many parents are not even aware of the content inside. Why ring the death knell?  This fast growing part in the book industry has shades of the comic boom in the 90’s. Case example, many collectors pay top buck for the Peanuts anthologies from Fantagraphics and a few months later they end up at Costco at bargain prices. Now everybody is flooding the market and these publishers don’t have a clue what’s going on. I am scared for the graphic novel, it is starting to lose luster in my opinion. It will peak in two years and from there the numbers will dwindle. How many anthologies will commit to all the volumes they promise to print?

The graphic novel has saved the alternative imprints and exposed their stable of talent to the masses and given them new venues for their artists for freelance work. I see the signs already, there are books in the graphic novel section that are not moving. Many of these volumes start at a price of 20.00 and over 100.00, that is a fair chunk of change. Recession, that word will frighten many people from buying books such as these. It remains to be seen, but there are already graphic novels in bargain bins at the big box stores already. A rare site in the past. The more that end up there, the less stores will order in the future.

Some artists try to build a legacy that will transcend after their death, Wally Wood would not be that artist. His life he took in his hands, a troubled artist but a great artist. Sometimes the net is like a rummage of rare finds, and I found Against the Grain: Mad Artist Wallace Wood by Bhob Stewart printed by TwoMorrows Publishing. Here is a perfect opportunity to read the whole book online for free, I would strongly recommend buying the book, TwoMorrows has an amazing line of books about modern and past comic book artists.

Bhob Stewart’s long-awaited Against the Grain: Mad Artist Wallace Wood is the definitive book ever produced on the career of one of science fiction and comics’ finest artists. In addition to a remarkable memoir of life at the Wood Studio, former Wood associate Bhob Stewart also provides a biographical portrait, tracing Wood’s life from Minnesota to Manhattan while exploring the humorous spirit, dark detours, and psychological twists of a gifted maverick who often went against the grain. From childhood drawings and ambitious teenage samples to an endless parade of pages for a variety of publishers - Avon, EC, Fox, Marvel, Warren, and more - plus illustrations for Galaxy Science Fiction, this is the most stunning display of Wood art ever assembled. Many of the artists and writers who knew Wood personally have also contributed articles and essays, making this book a huge compendium of imaginative art, insights and critical commentary. Bill Pearson, executor of the Wood Estate, has made available rare drawings directly from Wood’s own files, while noted art collector Roger Hill, an authority on artists of the EC era, provides a wealth of obscure, previously unpublished Wood drawings and paintings.

 

Dan Piraro is a man on a mission. His daily strip Bizarro has a wide following in 250 newspapers. He is a one man show beyond cartooning. Most cartoonists are introverted, but not Dan. He is full of life as featured in this mini documentary. Having the pleasure of meeting Dan a few months ago, Dan is wealth of quirky information and acts out his passion as an artist but also as an advocate of being a human being by shedding off animalistic misunderstandings we have for the animal kingdom. His Vegan beliefs transcend his daily life and once in a while this message finds a way into his strip Bizarro. Robert Garver had the brilliant idea of bringing Dan to film with a documentary of this genius artist. Robert will not be disappointed, and neither will his fans, Dan brings much to the table with a wealth of stories and a true passionate individual drawn into a new life since he met his new wife. This rebirth also changed his set of beliefs and his move to New York brought new life to the strip and we all benefit in the process.

 

Bluewater Productions has expanded the RAY HARRYHAUSEN PRESENTS comic line with nine new titles for 2008.

In conjunction with the 50th anniversary of some of the Harryhausen classic films, Sony DVD is releasing IT CAME FROM BENEATH THE SEA and EARTH VS. THE FLYING SAUCERS. Bluewater will release comics inspired by these classics as well. The Sony DVDs will include previews of the comics as part of the special features.

“There are some cool stories that we are working with. THE ELEMENTALS was a story that was not made into a film and we wanted to bring that cool story to life,” said Bluewater publisher Darren G. Davis. “Harryhausen’s world [includes] classic stories that we feel we can bring to a new generation.”

Bluewater will also be launching their first ongoing series based on WRATH OF THE TITANS. Davis says, “We wanted to test the waters before we jumped into ongoing series and 2008 is the time to start. We will also be looking at developing an ongoing JASON & THE ARGONAUTS series.”

Katzenjammer Kids is celebrating 110 years of syndication and still holds the record of the longest running comic strip ever. It first saw print in 1897 on December 12th. It is still being published by King Features, not much jubilee to ceremonialize the event at their end. Long gone is the luster of the strip, but it had a lasting impression on many cartoonists who began their strips after Katzenjammer Kids started to fade into public obscurity. It’s more now as a token series of an attitude and lifestyle long gone. Katzenjammer Kids will always be the forefather of Peanuts, Pogo, and countless other strips that followed it.