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Thursday, October 8, 2009
There Were Elephantmen In Richard Starkings' Booth @ 2009 LBCC!
Mood:  caffeinated
Topic: Comic Books - New

 

Click here to see our ENDING SOONEST Comics, Graphic Novels, Toys, Cards and Magazines for sale! 

   

There Were

 'Elephantmen'

In Richard Starkings' Booth!

As Seen @ LBCC 2009!

Click Here to see our NEWLY LISTED Comics, Graphic Novels, Toys, Fanzines and Prozines!

Above:  Variant Front Cover to Issue #21.

To The Left: Richard Starkings holding lastest issue of his Elephantmen Comics.

Continuing my new series on comics and graphic novels that I found out about at the 2009 Long Beach Comic Con...

Is the 'Elephantmen' comic book series published by Image Comics. 

I met Richard Starkings, writer of the series, on Saturday at the LBCC when I went by his booth.

Of course I knew who he was, as he has been in the comics industry for a while.  Plus he is a recent 'Facebook Friend'.  However, I had not yet read an issue of his 'Elephantmen' series, even though it has been running for a while.   Actually Issue #1 was released in July 2006.

When Richard heard that I reveiwed comics in my Blog, and had not yet read any of the series, he introduced me to his latest issue (#21), and the ending issue of a three issue mini-series (#3 of 3 in Elephantmen: War Toys).  This mini-series was actually a prequel to the series.

There is so much 'product' out there, that I am sent a lot of comics and graphic novels to possibly review, so it does take me a while at times to read everything.  So even if a series has been running for three years like Elephantmen has, it doesn't mean that I been that I've been exposed to it before.  So this series was 'new' to me when I saw it at Richard's booth.

So what is the storyline of the series about?  Here's just a few paragraphs to explain this series:

YEAR 2259: THEY ARE THE SURVIVORS of genetic engineering experiments and indoctrination by Doctor Kazushi Nikken and MAPPO, a sinister organization which sought to create suprahuman weapons of mass destruction.

FREED AND REHABILITATED by the United Nations Intelligence Taskforce, the 'Unhumans' now live amongst men. Legitimized by the 'Elephantmen' act, they are nevertheless denied the right to bear arms and must survive on their wits alone.

BUT REGARDLESS OF THE ROLES they accept in the concrete jungles built by man, Hip Flask and his kind are treated with suspicion and contempt by the species that created them, and cannot always rely on one another for reassurance or friendship.

So with 21 issues and a few other issues that were mini-series, etc., there is a little bit of continuity to this series that a new reader would have to read to catch up...  The earlier issues have been collected into TPBs, and issue #21 is actually Part 6 of 8 of a story arc that is being published.

Details for the issue #21 shown at the above right with the variant cover are:

"KILL KILL KILL
Ebony prepares to spend a quiet day at home... but a MAPPO sleeper cell has other plans for him.

Published: September 2009
Story: Richard Starkings
Artwork: Boo Cook
Cover: Boo Cook
Variant cover: Ian Churchill
32pp full color for $3.50
Diamond: JUL09 0393 (page 150)

Okay, the above issue and the #3 of 3 in Elephantmen: War Toys (E:WT), actually caught my interest and made me want to blog about this series bringing it to my blog readers if they aren't already reading it.

Why?  Even though I haven't been exposed to this series before, there are a minimal amount of stories to catch up on, via TPBs if nothing else if you can find the floppy single issue comics.

The storyline of the two issues I read kept my interest, and it wasn't that hard 'jumping' onto the series.  Sometimes coming into a series, even in the second issue, a reader could be 'lost' quite easlily.  Not here, as the storyline was well written and kept me turning the pages of the 'floppy' single issues.

The artwork by Moritat in E:WT#3 was in grayscale.  Drawn very well, and the blood wasn't overwhelming in this grayscale mode.  Even tho it was the last issue of the mini-series, the conclusion to this story made me want to immediately read the next issue I had.

Elephantmen #21 is part 6 of 8 in the story arc 'Dangerous Liasions'.  Here the blood was in color, along with the rest of the scenes and characters.  But after reading into the issues a few pages, I realized that the animal savagery of the beastmen allowed for this bloodletting.  It wasn't blood n' gore just for shock value.  The art by Boo Cook was also illustrated very well, and Richard's writing had a sense of direction where this story had come from (previous issues), and where it was going next (the final two issues of this story arc). 

I found after reading these two issues, that I liked the concept of the Elephantmen, and would add it to either purchasing back issues of 'floppies' comic books, or see if there any TPBs that I could pick up at reasonable cost.

BTW, If YOU are anywhere near Baltimore, Maryland this upcoming weekend, Richard Starkings will be exhibiting there next at the Baltimore Comic Con!  He should have more issues and TPBs for sale there at his booth if you want to get introduced to this series! 

Here is the link to that Con for dates and hours, etc.:

http://www.comicon.com/baltimore/

I have not blogged about the 2009 Baltimore Comic Convention so far, and it doesn't look like I'll be doing any posts on it other than this mention, as it runs from this upcoming Saturday Oct 10th thru Sunday Oct 11th, 2009.

 

If You can't make it to the Baltimore Comic Con, You can find more about the Elephantmen comic book series at their web site and links to purchase individual issues or TPBs also:

http://www.hipflask.com/index.html

My thanks to Richard Starkings who gave me a couple of issues to read and possibly review while Tina and I were at his booth during the Long Beach Comic Con!  My thanks for the introduction to this well written and illustrated comic book series!

BTW.... Whereas Tina and I don't publish comics or books (yet?) or set up at comic cons, (except at our own Facebook Virtual Comic Con Dealer Table), we do have thousands of indies and mainstream comics in our own online store. Be sure to check out our new listings of comics, graphic novels, Comic Con exclusives and more pop culture items for sale in our online eBay Featured Store that our blogs are based on!  It's due to sales at this online store that keep us going with the ability to post blogs like the one you have read here today! 

Thanks again to all of YOU reading our current and archived blog posts!  We do blog daily on comic book creators, comic book reviews, and other pop culture news and events including some TV shows and theatrical films! 

~ Michael @  ComicBookCollectorsBlog.com

 

Now Celebrating the 11th Year On The Web!

"Hammering Out the Web
For You Since May 12th, 1998!"

Click Here to see 'Our Reviews posted at eBay! 

Note: If you breaking into or work in the comic book industry or other pop culture productions, you are welcome to email us press releases, news items, and updates that you feel would be of interest to our blog readers. Including YOUR own works!

To mail printed items to us for review, send to:

Make It So Marketing Inc
PO Box 130653
Carlsbad, CA 92013

   
     

 

Thank You For Being One Of This Blog's

Site Meter
NOTE:  This blog post is written for the IE Browser standards. Netscape, Firefox and the others serve the page up differently. The screen display resolution is best seen at the setting of 1024 x 768.

All images and characters within this blog post are copyright and trademark their respective owners.

CONVENTION PHOTOS:  We also met 'Vem', who was involved in the characters and story of the upcoming graphic novel 'HollyVOOD'.  If this sounds familar to you, it's because I met a few of the creators of this GN at the 2009 SDCC and blogged about them and the GN.  Sadly, Vem wasn't there at the San Diego Comic Con.  However we couldn't miss him at this past weekend's Long Beach Comic Con, (LBCC), as he was wearing a yellow t-shirt with the red 'HollyVood' letters! Vem is pictured below in The Antidote Trust (TAT) booth at the LBCC, standing by the banner showcasing the 'HollyVOOD' grapic novel.  I have already read the preview comic book for the graphic novel, which I blogged about here:  (Click here.)  It was good meeting Vem at the LBCC, and we are now proud owners of a couple of HollyVOOD t-shirts, which we will proudly be wearing to introduce others to this outstanding graphic novel concept! 

Click Here to see 'My World at eBay!

If you are a Facebook member and want to join my Facebook Network, feel free to send a 'friend request' to 'Michael D Hamersky'.

 

 


Posted by makeitsomarketing at 10:57 AM PDT
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Wednesday, October 7, 2009
New Shel Dorf Tribute Web Site!
Mood:  chillin'
Topic: Comic Cons

 

Click here to see our ENDING SOONEST Comics, Graphic Novels, Toys, Cards and Magazines for sale! 

   

New Shel Dorf Tribute Web Site!

Co-Founder of SDCC

Click Here to see our NEWLY LISTED Comics, Graphic Novels, Toys, Fanzines and Prozines!

Above:  Jack Kirby (left) and Shel Dorf (right) as seen on November 9th, 1969. This photo is taken from the 1st Vistit to see Jack Kirby by the group that went on to found the SDCC!

To The Left:  As seen on September 20th, 2009 for "A Celebration of San Diego Comic-Con International At Mysterious Galaxy Bookstore". Richard Alf (reading out loud), Clydene Nee (behind Richard), Mike Towry (to the right, listening), and Batton Lash (dressed in black, watching). For full story of this event, (Click Here).

 

I meant to continue my new series on comics and graphic novels that I found out about in the Artists Alley at the 2009 Long Beach Comic Con from this past weekend...

But an email came in yesterday that I didn't want to wait on telling my blog readers about.

That's because the email came in from Mike Towry, who I met at the September 20th event at Mysterious Galaxy Bookstore in San Diego.  For full story of that event, (Click Here).

A photo from the Mysterious Galaxy event is shown at the top left of this blog post, and includes both Mike Towry and Richard Alf, plus others named above. 

The reason I mention Mike and Richard in particular, is because I asked them both if they were on Facebook (FB) or some other social media platform at the book signing event.  Or if they had a web site.  Richard said no, that he was basically just on for email, and Mike was not on FB either, which was unfortunate because I wanted to communicate further with them both more easily.

I mentioned to Mike about seeing them at the July 2009 SDCC, when they were on a special panel about the 1970's origins of the San Diego Comic Con International.   Matter of fact I had talked with Richard Alf at a later panel, and re-introduced myself to him.  That's because many years ago, Richard had bought my duplicate copies of my comics, before I went into selling them myself!

I had asked Mike and Richard follow up questions about the early days of the SDCC, and then followed up by sending both of them emails about the event held at Mysterious Galaxy.  (I included a link to my blog post for that event.)  So I was very pleased when the below email came in yesterday from Mike with the new Tribute web site news:

"Hi Michael,
 
I thought you might be interested to know that Richard Alf, Barry Alfonso, and I have just launched the ShelDorfTribute.com Web site. There's just a single posting on the site at present, which is a welcoming and explanatory message from we three. We're looking for people to share reminiscenses of Shel, tributes to what he's meant for them and for others, and also any pictures of Shel they might have.
 
BTW, I enjoyed seeing the pictures of our Mysterious Galaxy session on your Web site.
 
Regards,
 
Mike Towry

I took a look at the web site, realizing it was brand new, and decided to help them kick off their new endeavor.  BTW, I did not see Barry Alfonso at the Mysterious Galaxy book signing event.  He lives in Pittsburgh, PA, and was not able to come to this event.

Here is just a small portion of what YOU can see at the web site that the above three named persons have created in the 'Shelf Dorf Tribute' web site:

Shel Dorf has lived for comics, for bringing their fans and professional creators together, and for helping many of those fans to become professionals themselves.

In 1969, Shel came to San Diego already possessing years of experience in producing comic conventions and other fan activities along with a host of fan and professional contacts. He was certainly in a position to claim a preeminent place for himself as the chairman, the great leader of the comic convention he proposed for San Diego. It would not have seemed unreasonable had he viewed the inexperienced young fans he gathered as fit only to be his gofers and flunkies. Another man might have done so, but that wasn’t Shel. He always wanted to help his friends and associates to realize their dreams, to discover what they could do, to find their own places in the sun. From the beginning, he always was content to be known simply as Comic-Con’s founder and the advisor to its committee. He was surely those things and more.

At the time we first met Shel in 1969, we ranged in age from 12 to 17. How could we think we could put on our own convention? Shel showed us the way. It was an experience that few kids could have, one that we’ll always remember, one that Shel made possible.

Through Shel, we got to meet the comics pros, something that we had never considered possible – isolated as we were in our sleepy little Navy town in the southwest corner of the United States. And thanks to Shel, we started at the top with our first visit to see Jack “King” Kirby in November of 1969. To us Kirby truly was the King of comics, and because of Shel’s efforts in arranging our visit, we found out first hand that Kirby was a fascinating thinker, full of boundless ideas and creative energies matched only by the kindness and consideration he showed his fans.

Would there have been a Comic-Con in San Diego without Shel? Probably, someday, sure. Would it have been the one we have today? Certainly not. Comic-Con got its spirit, its positive, non-profit, welcoming vision from Shel. The Con committees throughout the years have done a fantastic job in building the Con into what it is today, but, to paraphrase Isaac Newton, “If they have seen further than others, it is because they stood on the shoulders of a giant.”

Shel was always better at doing for others than at doing for himself. How many fans and pros did he bring together, how many fans became pros because of the man and his work: these are questions we hope this site will start to answer for all to see.

Since we three – Richard Alf, Barry Alfonso, and I – were kindly invited to attend Comic-Con this year as 40th-anniversary guests, we’ve come to learn more of the state of knowledge regarding Comic-Con’s founding. That there is a paucity of accurate information available about this matter is perhaps not a surprise as we who were there at the beginning had not before related the facts in public. One purpose of this site is to remedy that situation and thereby assure Shel his just recognition. As the only three of the original founding members of the Comic-Con Committee available, we want to set the story straight and fill in the gaps regarding Comic-Con’s earliest days.

Shel, unfortunately, cannot speak for himself. He has been in the hospital for over a year. He is currently unable to communicate: unable to speak or even to read or hear much of anything. We of course hope that his condition will improve, but we have not been given reason to believe that it will. However, we will be sure to let you know of any change in his condition. If prayer is something that you do, we’re sure you’ll want to pray for Shel.

—Mike Towry

 

So now, with respect, gratitude, and affection, we launch this site in tribute to Shel Dorf. Our best wishes go out to Shel and to all his friends and admirers. Please let us hear from you.

—Richard Alf, Barry Alfonso, and Mike Towry

 

Again, I must mention that this web site is brand new, and will grow in the weeks to come.  If you have any early memories of the San Diego Comic Con, and with Shel Dorf in particular, feel free to visit the Tribute web site and submit your memories there!

Here is the url for doing that:

http://www.sheldorftribute.com/ 

My Thanks to Mike Towry for informing me so quickly of their new endeavor.  I look forward to coming back and seeing more stories about Shel and the good ol' days of the Comic Con!

Oh, and before you leave this blog post, take a look at the bottom right photo of this blog post.  There you will see a photo I took at the July 2009 SDCCI, when those that were first involved with organizing the Con came back for a Special 40th Comic-Con Program!

BTW.... Whereas Tina and I don't publish comics or books (yet?) or set up at comic cons anymore, (except at our own Facebook Virtual Comic Con Dealer Table), we do have thousands of indies and mainstream comics in our own online store. Be sure to check out our new listings of comics, graphic novels, Comic Con exclusives and more pop culture items for sale in our online eBay Featured Store that our blogs are based on!  It's due to sales at this online store that keep us going with the ability to post blogs like the one you have read here today! 

Thanks again to all of YOU reading our current and archived blog posts!  We do blog daily on comic book creators, comic book reviews, and other pop culture news and events including some TV shows and theatrical films! 

~ Michael @  ComicBookCollectorsBlog.com

 

Now Celebrating the 11th Year On The Web!

"Hammering Out the Web
For You Since May 12th, 1998!"

Click Here to see 'Our Reviews posted at eBay! 

Note: If you breaking into or work in the comic book industry or other pop culture productions, you are welcome to email us press releases, news items, and updates that you feel would be of interest to our blog readers. Including YOUR own works!

To mail printed items to us for review, send to:

Make It So Marketing Inc
PO Box 130653
Carlsbad, CA 92013

   
     

 

Thank You For Being One Of This Blog's

Site Meter
NOTE:  This blog post is written for the IE Browser standards. Netscape, Firefox and the others serve the page up differently. The screen display resolution is best seen at the setting of 1024 x 768.

All images and characters within this blog post are copyright and trademark their respective owners.

CONVENTION PHOTOS:  Please note - I am publishing the below photo, although it is small in scope and somewhat grainy, because it shows all of those that came to the special 40th Anniversary of the Comic Con at the 2009 SDCC for the 1970's Origins Panel.  Left to right are: Dave Clark (behind podium), Richard Alf, Greg Bear, Ken Krueger, Roger Freedman, Scott Shaw!, Barry Alfonso, Mike Towry, and William R Lund.  My thanks to Will Lund for identifying those that I didn't have identified earlier!

Click Here to see 'My World at eBay!

If you are a Facebook member and want to join my Facebook Network, feel free to send a 'friend request' to 'Michael D Hamersky'.

 

 


Posted by makeitsomarketing at 8:15 AM PDT
Updated: Wednesday, October 7, 2009 2:41 PM PDT
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Tuesday, October 6, 2009
It's Mysterious Adventure Magazine!
Mood:  caffeinated
Topic: Comic Books - New

 

Click here to see our ENDING SOONEST Comics, Graphic Novels, Toys, Cards and Magazines for sale! 

   

It's Mysterious Adventure Magazine

The Comic Book Series!

As Seen @ LBCC 2009!

Click Here to see our NEWLY LISTED Comics, Graphic Novels, Toys, Fanzines and Prozines!

Above:  Front Cover to the Spring 2009 issue of Mysterious Adventure.

To The Left:  Matt (Crap) Bennett & Scott Godlewski @ 2009 LBCC.

Continuing my new series on comics and graphic novels that I found out about in the Artists Alley at the 2009 Long Beach Comic Con ...

Is the 'Mysterious Adventure Magazine' comic book series from Matt (Crap) Bennett and Scott Godlewski.

Their table caught my attention because the way the covers of their publications were laid out on the table made me first think that they had several publications for sale.  Upon closer examination there were only two publications, but each cover was striking enough to make me pick them up to look at closer.

In the photo to the above left is Matt holding the Spring 2009 issue and Scott at the right holding the 2nd issue (Summer 2009).  The photo insert to the right of their photo is a close up of the first issue.

You can see how striking both covers are.   The genre that the covers present is one that I like, so of course I struck up  a conversation with both of them.

The following is what their first issue of this comic book series is about:

"Written and Illustrated by Scott Godlewski, Matt Bennet, Joe Dellagatta, Ben Perkins, Matt Kaufenberg

Standard Comic
Black & White
Page Count: 40  Cover Price:  $2.99

The Flying Phantom must escape a deadly trap sprung by the manical Dr. Otto Metzger and the Dead Baron! Plus, an eerie retelling of the Selkie legend, a private eye with a frightening secret, and two ranchers discover an unbelieveabe creature on the Arizona desert!

Mysterious Adventure Magazine recaptures the magic of the great Silver Age anthologies with a modern twist!"

I put the above issue mentioned and the second issue toward the top of my list of comics to read first from the LBCC, because of the covers and the conversation I had with them.

The first story in the Spring issue did not let me disappoint me.  It was exactly what the cover indicated this 'magazine' comic book would be. Good job by Scott Godlewski and Matt Bennett.

Then I read the second story, 'The Fisherman's Wife'.  Although it was an enjoyable story by Mat Bennett and Joe Dellagatta, it was then that it really struck me that I was reading an anthology comic book.  An anthology comic book as I have mentioned in this blog before, is one of the hardest comic books to review.  That's because that even though the cover may pull a casual browser to stop and pick up the comic book, you would think that all the stories inside would fit the 'theme' or genre format that the front cover suggested would be inside.

I found the second story to be good, but the art style was so different from the cover and the first lead story, that it was kind of jarring to be the following story after the lead story.  Taken on its' own, the story and art was good, but somehow didn't seem to fit in this issue in my opinion as a reader and reviewer.

The third story 'Found in The Desert' by Scott Godlweski and Matt Bennett, got back on track with the genre that I would think would be in this comic book.  A good 4 page story.

The fourth and final story, by Matt Bennett and Ben Perkins, fit in the genre, and actually reminded me of the old stories by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko that were the pre-superhero HoRRoR / MoNSTer stories that I loved so much.

The last four pages were welcomes from Matt and Scott, and a great 'hook' for the reader to join the 'Mysterious Adventure Club' with a membership card, etc.  Now that is the branding and style that made me pick up these two issues in the first place!

So for me, the first issue this anthology comic book series did a pretty good job in delivering the promise of what the cover suggested would be inside.  Again I want to state that publishing anthologies with different writers and artists are one of the hardest things to do in comic book publishing.  Matt and Scott did a pretty good job delivering in the first issue of this series.

Wait, I said there were two issues, right?!

Here's the details on the second issue, Summer 2009 cover date:

Written and Illustrated by Matt Bennett, Scott Godlewski, Joshua Covey, Michael Kasinger, Michael Babinski, Dan Schkade, Matt Kaufenberg, Ryan Cody

Standard Comic
Black & White
Page Count: 40
Cover Price:  $2.99

Masked mystery men, water-borne legends, and demonic detectives await!

Mysterious Adventure Magazine recaptures the magic of the great Silver Age anthologies with a modern twist!

Again, Scott and Matt promise a 'Mysterious Adventure' comic book on the front cover.  And again for the most part they delivered that to me as a reader.

There were five stories in this second issue.  The front cover featured 'Night Shift'.  That lead story delivered what the front cover promised. But again the following story, although I enjoyed it in its' own right, was too different for me as a reader from what the front cover suggested would be in the comic book.

The third story, 'Saying Goodbye With Bullets' fit the story genre of the comic book although the art style was different.  But it wasn't that different from the issues's theme after reading the second story.  It kind of put the issue back on track for me as a reader.

The fourth story, 'Down To Zero' was another Flying Phantom story, who was featured in the first issue.  Again, another well done story and art here!

The fifth and final story. 'Death In Haiku', was another story with artwork that was too jarring for this comic book in my opinion.  It just didn't seem to jell with the rest of the issue's works.  This would be a good anthology story, but just not in this series in my opinion.

So... for me the first issue was a good first issue start for this series.  The second issue had a couple of stories that just didn't jell for me as a reader.  Again as I've said, publishing anthology comics is a hard undertaking to take on. 

The premise of the series is a good one, and the lead stories delivered what the front covers promised.  Being a long-time comic book reader, I'm wondering if instead of an anthology book, maybe a 'split book' would work better?

A 'split book' would be like the old 'Tales of Suspense' which basically ended up with Iron Man and Captain America sharing the covers for the most part and sharing the interior pages.  'Tales To Astonish' with the Incredible Hulk and the Sub-Mariner would be another good example.  However, just like anthology comics, the 'split book' concept doesn't always work to draw in readers.  Take for example 'Strange Tales' that had Doctor Strange and Nick Fury - Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D.  The readership of that split book probably didn't like both features, as they were too different.  That is probably why sales of that series weren't as high in numbers as TOS and TTA.

However, in 'Mysterious Adventure Magazine', the comic book series, I could see that 'split book' concept as probably working.  Especially with their own characters 'Flying Phantom' and 'Night Shift'.  Both of those features worked well and were actually the featured characters on the two front covers.  Those front covers promised and the interior pages with those two characters delivered! 

You can find more about the 'Mysterious Adventure Magazine' at their web site:

http://www.comicspace.com/mysterious_adventure/

You can purchase these issues at:

http://www.indyplanet.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=1785

I enjoyed both of these issues enough that I would be sure to come back for the third issue.  Like any new comic book title that is an anthology comic book series, the publisher does have to get a few issues out to see what the reading public enjoys before finding its' selling niche!

BTW.... Whereas Tina and I don't publish comics or books (yet?) or set up at comic cons, (except at our own Facebook Virtual Comic Con Dealer Table), we do have thousands of indies and mainstream comics in our own online store. Be sure to check out our new listings of comics, graphic novels, Comic Con exclusives and more pop culture items for sale in our online eBay Featured Store that our blogs are based on!  It's due to sales at this online store that keep us going with the ability to post blogs like the one you have read here today! 

Thanks again to all of YOU reading our current and archived blog posts!  We do blog daily on comic book creators, comic book reviews, and other pop culture news and events including some TV shows and theatrical films! 

~ Michael @  ComicBookCollectorsBlog.com

 

Now Celebrating the 11th Year On The Web!

"Hammering Out the Web
For You Since May 12th, 1998!"

Click Here to see 'Our Reviews posted at eBay! 

Note: If you breaking into or work in the comic book industry or other pop culture productions, you are welcome to email us press releases, news items, and updates that you feel would be of interest to our blog readers. Including YOUR own works!

To mail printed items to us for review, send to:

Make It So Marketing Inc
PO Box 130653
Carlsbad, CA 92013

   
     

 

Thank You For Being One Of This Blog's

Site Meter
NOTE:  This blog post is written for the IE Browser standards. Netscape, Firefox and the others serve the page up differently. The screen display resolution is best seen at the setting of 1024 x 768.

All images and characters within this blog post are copyright and trademark their respective owners.

CONVENTION PHOTOS:  Speaking of Captain America in the above main feature of this blog post... Below is another photo from this past weekend's Long Beach Comic Con, (LBCC).  This one has Reb Brown showing two of the several photos that he had for sale at his media guest table. These photos were from his Captain America films that were made for TV. This was during the era of the Incredible Hulk TV series that Bill Bixby and Lou Ferrigno were starring in.  When you get a chance to see Reb Brown at a convention near you, stop in and say hi to him and check out the other photos from other films and TV Shows including 'Yor, the Hunter from the Future' - a cult classic!

Click Here to see 'My World at eBay!

If you are a Facebook member and want to join my Facebook Network, feel free to send a 'friend request' to 'Michael D Hamersky'.

 

 


Posted by makeitsomarketing at 6:38 AM PDT
Post Comment | Permalink
Monday, October 5, 2009
Red Moon - The Rising - The Prequel To Upcoming Graphic Novel
Mood:  caffeinated
Topic: Comic Books - New

 

Click here to see our ENDING SOONEST Comics, Graphic Novels, Toys, Cards and Magazines for sale! 

   

'Red Moon'

'The Rising' - A Prequel Comic Book To The Upcoming Graphic Novel

As Seen @ LBCC 2009!

Click Here to see our NEWLY LISTED Comics, Graphic Novels, Toys, Fanzines and Prozines!

Above:  Front Cover to Comic Book Prequel.

To The Left:  Steve Kozak & David McAdoo.

Okay, this blog post is a bit later this morning in being posted...

That's because after a Great Weekend @ the Long Beach Comic Con, (LBCC), I had so much to catch up on first!

However, as I stated last night on my Facebook Wall, I am starting my 'reviews' of comics and graphic novels here this week on those copies that were given to me to read and possibly review here in my Blog. Those were given to me by creators that had enough faith in their projects to hand me a sample copy or two of their publications for possible inclusion here in my Blog.

Above left are pictured Steve Kozak - President of Cossack Comics, and David McAdoo - Story, Art & Design of 'Red Moon - The Rising', the prequel comic book to the upcoming Red Moon Graphic Novel.   You can see the comic book that they are both are holding in the photo, but I also ran a larger photo of just the comic book to the right of their photo, so that you my blog readers can see it better.

The comic book prequel jumped out at Tina on Saturday, as we both were together going through the rest of Artists Alley tables that I didn't get to on Friday when I was alone doing so.

So right off the bat I could see that there would be 'female' interest this project could play to.  Not all projects seen at the LBCC even try to bring in the female audience.  That being said, I thought we should stop and talk with Steve and David further.  I found that the project was also of interest to me, so I told them what I did industry-wise and went home with a sample copy.   Since Tina was going to read this right away, I thought I would do so also, and decided to blog about this project first.

I'm going to let their web site tell you what they believe the story will be about, as it is a work in progress at this time, and only a little is printed in the prequel comic book:

"Red Moon is an epic story of the power of nature, the essence of destiny and the unseen bond between all living things. It’s a mystical journey through the animal kingdom, known and unknown. It’s filled with friendship and sadness, action and drama, love and betrayal.

Raised in the quiet suburbs of middle America, the unknowing hero of this story is a small dog named Mox. The family that owns him seems different now that he’s not a puppy anymore and Mox is slowly coming to the realization that the world around him is changing quickly. Mox is unhappy in his suburban pen but Daeden, a street-wise stray dog, is there to help. Daeden breaks Mox out of his fenced-in yard and shows him that the world outside the fence can be unimaginably wonderful...and tragically terrifying!

Once freed of his confines Mox begins having horrific visions of a world in destruction; forests of fire, crumbling mountains and sunken cities, all under the ominous stare of a RED MOON. What do the visions mean? Why do they send Mox into an uncontrollable frenzy? Even Daeden’s vast knowlege doesn’t have an answer. But there is someone who does have an answer... Krigg. He’s a scarred brute of a raven, black as coal and as big as Mox if not bigger. The hideous bird recites a prophecy that tells the end of Man’s World comes with the visions of a Red Moon...

With that Mox and Daeden’s journey begins. And along that journey they will cross dangerous enemies, make powerful allies and come face to face with some of the most fantastic ancient sages of the animal world!" 

Okay, the above storyline was definitely touched upon in the prequel comic book. Here's my thoughts and at least one from Tina on the prequel comic book alone:

I found that having what would be the 'splash page' to the comic book be the 'Note page' instead would very beneficial to a new reader. Which was good, because the first of the three stories inside the comic book was just a little 'confusing' to Tina.  She wasn't able to keep track of which bird was which during the fight for supremacy of the flock in the first story.  (Hey, it's black and white interior pages and most wild birds do look the same!)

That didn't keep her from reading the rest of the stories, and actually suggesting it to a film producer friend to follow up on, when we met her on Sunday. 

I found that the theme of Daeden, who as a street-wise stray dog, suggesting to Mox, who as a house pet is no longer the center of attention in the household, to escape and be free with Daeden, to be somewhat familar as a theme in an old animated film, but that didn't keep me from enjoying the prequel stories.

The color cover to this prequel is striking, with a good layout, a great intro to the main characters, and the lettering on the cover is perfect in presentation.

The back cover is also striking, and gives the reader a good image to remember.  Very good 'branding' for this graphic novel!

The black and white interior pages are illustrated well, but I can see where others could have trouble like Tina had with the first story when identifying which bird was which during the 'One Must Fall' story. 

The last pages in this prequel were 'Early Character Sketches' of the three main characters.  Which was helpful.  The last article title 'My Process and Technique' was very insightful also.  This is the kind of article that makes new readers want to come back to see how the story continues in the graphic novel.  Very good marketing!

Anyways, I would have to say that I would add this to my list of graphic novels to check out when it is published.  It is supposed to be 196 action packed pages when published.

 

You can find more about the Red Moon Graphic Novel at their web site:

http://www.redmoongraphicnovel.com/

My thanks to Tina who brought this production that Steve Kozak was showing at the LBCC to my attention.  And thanks to David McAdoo whose creation this project was from the very start!

BTW.... Whereas Tina and I don't publish comics or books (yet?) or set up at comic cons, (except at our own Facebook Virtual Comic Con Dealer Table), we do have thousands of indies and mainstream comics in our own online store. Be sure to check out our new listings of comics, graphic novels, Comic Con exclusives and more pop culture items for sale in our online eBay Featured Store that our blogs are based on!  It's due to sales at this online store that keep us going with the ability to post blogs like the one you have read here today! 

Thanks again to all of YOU reading our current and archived blog posts!  We do blog daily on comic book creators, comic book reviews, and other pop culture news and events including some TV shows and theatrical films! 

~ Michael @  ComicBookCollectorsBlog.com

 

Now Celebrating the 11th Year On The Web!

"Hammering Out the Web
For You Since May 12th, 1998!"

Click Here to see 'Our Reviews posted at eBay! 

Note: If you breaking into or work in the comic book industry or other pop culture productions, you are welcome to email us press releases, news items, and updates that you feel would be of interest to our blog readers. Including YOUR own works!

To mail printed items to us for review, send to:

Make It So Marketing Inc
PO Box 130653
Carlsbad, CA 92013

   
     

 

Thank You For Being One Of This Blog's

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NOTE:  This blog post is written for the IE Browser standards. Netscape, Firefox and the others serve the page up differently. The screen display resolution is best seen at the setting of 1024 x 768.

All images and characters within this blog post are copyright and trademark their respective owners.

CONVENTION PHOTOS:  Looking at what photo to publish this morning from this past weekend's Long Beach Comic Con, (LBCC), I knew exactly which one to publish with the main feature of this blog post!  Yep... a photo of the BLACK CAT and myself!  How fitting for the BLACK CAT costumed cosplay attendee's photo to be published with a blog post titled 'Red Moon' !  BTW, if you haven't seen the BLACK CAT before at any comic cons, she is usually seen also at the SDCC! I thank her for taking the time out of her busy Con schedule to be photographed with me!

Click Here to see 'My World at eBay!

If you are a Facebook member and want to join my Facebook Network, feel free to send a 'friend request' to 'Michael D Hamersky'.

 

 


Posted by makeitsomarketing at 11:12 AM PDT
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Sunday, October 4, 2009
As Seen 2nd Day @ 2009 Long Beach Comic Con - LBCC!
Mood:  chillin'
Topic: Comic Cons

 

Click here to see our ENDING SOONEST Comics, Graphic Novels, Toys, Cards and Magazines for sale! 

Michael and Reb (Captain America) Brown!

"As Seen" @ 1st Annual Long Beach Comic Con

Photos From the 2nd Day!

 October 2nd - 4th 2009

@ Long Beach Convention Center
Long Beach, CA, 90802

Fri: 3:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Sat: 10:00 am - 6:00 pm
Sun: 10:00 am - 5:00 pm

Click Here to see our MARVEL SUPERHEROES Comics!

Trisha Paytas (a.k.a. Ms. Limelight), Michael D Hamersky, and Melody Mooney (a.k.a. Hygena) first known for their great roles on Stan Lee's Who Wants To Be A Superhero? TV Show @ LBCC!

Click Here to see our MARVEL SUPERHEROES Comics!

Wonder Woman and Michael... and Yeah, I know I was with another Wonder Woman the day before.  So I'm fickle! LOL!

   

Click Here to see our CGC GRADED comic books!

The Knight Rider Companion Book Author & Publisher at their booth!  Book Review Blog from Michael to follow in the days to come!

Click Here to see our CRIME Comics!

Saturday's attendance in the exhibit hall was full, with several long lines for signings for creators like Jim Lee!

 

Click Here to see our FREE COMIC BOOK DAY - FCBD Comics!

One of my favorite comics dealers @ comic cons - Phil Schlaefer @ his booth!

Click Here to see our COMIC CON promotional items!

Vem Of HollyVood Graphic Novel @ TAT Booth #148!

Click Here to see our SIGNED Comics!

Red Moon Graphic Novel Creative Team Steve Kozak & David McAdoo

 

Click Here to see our FANZINES AND PROZINES!

Andi Ewington flew in from the UK to be @ Com.x booth #263

Click Here to see our FANZINES AND PROZINES!

DWAP Productions team, Dale Wilson & Astra Price @ TAT Booth # 148

 

Yeah, I'm up early again, the morning after the 2nd Day of the Long Beach Comic Con!

For those of you that are new to our blog, I have been blogging the last couple of days that the 1st Annual Long Beach Comic Con was running from October 2nd thru the 4th!  Which means... that TODAY will be the FINAL DAY of this Comic Con in Long Beach, California!

As You can see from the photos above, (taken from several hundred that Tina and I shot on Saturday to use in later blogs to come), it was another fun day at this comic book convention!

Please see yesterday's blog where I showed photos from Opening Day.  That's where I mentioned that I enjoyed seeing Stan Lee cut the Opening Day Ribbon, and of course the whole crowd joined in on congratulating Stan for having October 2nd, 2009 proclaimed 'Stan Lee Day' by one of the Long Beach City Councilmen.  It was great to be there to see this in person, and for those that couldn't be there 1st Day, I shared a couple of photos of this event in yesterday's blog!

Most of my half day on Friday that the con was open, was spent talking to comic book and graphic novel creators as I visited them in Artists Alley (AA).  I only saw 5/8 of the tables in the AA on Friday, plus a couple of booths on the way walking to AA.

So Saturday, with Tina along this time to help take photos and point me in the right directions, we saw the remaining 3/8 of the AA tables, the media guests tables, and then the exhibitor booths, and then walked by the retailer booths saying hello to those that we knew on the way out last night.  Tina and I have prior committments for today, (Sunday), so we had to take in the rest of it all on Saturday!

So, before I start commenting more on the photos shown above all of this text, I want to tell You that if YOU are in the Los Angeles / Long Beach area today, Sunday October 4th, drop in and see this comic con!  There are many good illustrators there that can draw sketches for you, media guests from several TV Shows and Films that have photographs and autographs to sell, Plus there are actual comic books that you can purchase direct from the creators, plus even older back issues and the newest issues from the retailer booths! 

Okay, I want to mention a little more about those that are pictured in the photos above:

First, the large vertical photo is of Michael with Reb Brown, who played Captain America in the TV Films.  Tina and I enjoyed talking briefly with Reb about those films and other films that he has played in since then.  I will be blogging about Reb's future con appearances as he makes them known to me.  I previously blogged about Reb Brown and published photos of his days as Captain America. (Click here to see that post.)

The photo shown below Reb's is of Michael with Trish Paytas and Melody Mooney, both of whom were contestants in Season 2 of Stan Lee's Who Wants To Be A Superhero?, which I enjoyed watching.  I have "seen" Melody before at the SDCC when the Season 2 was being first promoted, but in that setting there are so many persons there that getting a chance to talk with her was near impossible.  Here at the LBCC I was able to talk with her and Trisha.  I'll be sharing more about them in future blogs.  In the meantime, here is my previous blog post that they would be attending this LBCC:  (Click here for that post.) 

Below their photo is another photo of Michael,(Thanks Tina!), with Wonder Woman... again(?!).  Yeah, Tina puts up with my requests to have photos taken with Wonder Woman, who seems to be everywhere at Comic Cons, just like Santa Claus is everywhere during the Holiday Season!  My thanks to this Wonder Woman for posing with me! I do appreciate that!

The second column photos, in order from top to bottom are:

Nick Nugent, and his publisher Gary Spohn, who had a booth to promote Nick's book "The Knight Rider Companion".  Tina immediately pulled me to their booth when she saw it, knowing of my interest in the latest version of 'Knight Rider' that recently was on TV.  My thanks to Nick & Gary who furnished me with a preview copy.  I will be reading that book soon, and blogging a review of it here in this Blog!  Tina, who is in book publishing / promotions / book launches, was impressed in the high end quality of the book.  Just thumbing through the book while at their booth, I was impressed with the number of color photos the book contained. More on that book later and a link to their web site then...

The photo below that was taken from the 2nd floor of the convention center overlooking the exhibit hall floor.  My thanks to the con staff for allowing me to take photos from that special room using our press pass. As you can see, the room was full of attendees when I took that photo (and others) approx 1PM.

The third photo on the top right column shows Phil Schlaefer, a good comics retailer in Sunnyvale, California, who has set up at comic cons for years.  He recently had a Grand Re-Opening in Sunnyvale, and we spoke briefly about business there and at the recent SDCC and this LBCC.

In the fourth photo is 'Vem' who is a driving force behind the graphic novle 'HollyVood'.  If you are at the last day of the LBCC, look for him and others that are wearing the yellow shirts with the red letters 'HollyVood' and ask them more about this project.  I've already blogged about this project, (click here).

The fifth photo shows Steve Kozak and David McAdoo promoting their Red Moon upcoming graphic novel.  I received a sample copy of their prequel comic book, which I will review here later.

In the sixth photo is Andi Ewington, who along with others from the UK that were at the Comic.x booth, flew in from the UK to attend.  More on his works later in this blog!

In the seventh and last photo in the right column are Dale Wilson and Astra Price, who are the co-owners of DWAP Productions. Great to meet you this time Astra!  I've blogged about one of their titles, 'Caffeine Dreams' in this Blog before. (Click here!)

OK, I've run out of room in this post... But Who else is scheduled to be there?  Well, here is the link to the full comics creators and media guests schedule: http://www.longbeachcomiccon.com/guests.html  - Please note, appearances and times are always subject to possible change.  The link will also take you to the other tabs in the web site for FAQs, programs, etc, for this, the Final Day of the 2009 LBCC!

Also, our thanks to the folks at MAD Exhibits who are putting on this Con: Martha Donato, Phil Lawrence, Mike Scigliano, also known as "Scig!", Steven Hoveke, Kate Horn, Mike Horn, and Chip Carter.  Plus thanks to Drew Seldin of Seldin Gross Communications for handling our press requests. Tina and I both enjoyed attending and reporting about this comic con! 

OKAY, that takes care of 'con updates' from Saturday.  As mentioned earlier, I was there the first day, and Tina and I were there Saturday. Previous committments keep us from attending the final day.  But we know that those attending and also exhibiting there will have a Great Final Day at this year's LBCC!

BTW.... Whereas Tina and I don't publish comics or books (yet?) or set up at comic cons, (except at our own Facebook Virtual Comic Con Dealer Table), we do have thousands of indies and mainstream comics in our own online store. Be sure to check out our new listings of comics, graphic novels, Comic Con exclusives and more pop culture items for sale in our online eBay Featured Store that our blogs are based on!  It's due to sales at this online store that keep us going with the ability to post blogs like the one you have read here today! 

Thanks again to all of YOU reading our current and archived blog posts!  We do blog daily on comic book creators, comic book reviews, and other pop culture news and events including some TV shows and theatrical films! 

~ Michael @  ComicBookCollectorsBlog.com

 

Now Celebrating the 11th Year On The Web!

"Hammering Out the Web
For You Since May 12th, 1998!"

Click Here to see 'Our Reviews posted at eBay! 

Note: If you breaking into or work in the comic book industry or other pop culture productions, you are welcome to email us press releases, news items, and updates that you feel would be of interest to our blog readers. Including YOUR own works!

To mail printed items to us for review, send to:

Make It So Marketing Inc
PO Box 130653
Carlsbad, CA 92013

   
     

 

Thank You For Being One Of This Blog's

Site Meter
NOTE:  This blog post is written for the IE Browser standards. Netscape, Firefox and the others serve the page up differently. The screen display resolution is best seen at the setting of 1024 x 768.

All images and characters within this blog post are copyright and trademark their respective owners.

 

CONVENTION PHOTOS:   Michael D Hamersky congratulating Mike 'Scig' Scigliano on a great Opening Day before starting making the rounds @ LBCC the second day.  Michael & Tina also thank Drew Seldin for extending the courtesy of our press questions requests.  A Great Job was done by all concerned with handling the 1st annual Long Beach Comic Con.  Tina and I are looking forward to attending again next year!  We'll let our Blog readers know ahead of time as to the dates of the con, names of guests and creators that will be attending and more before the next LBCC arrives!  

Click Here to see 'My World at eBay!

If you are a Facebook member and want to join my Facebook Network, feel free to send a 'friend request' to 'Michael D Hamersky'.

 

 


Posted by makeitsomarketing at 6:25 AM PDT
Updated: Monday, October 12, 2009 10:43 AM PDT
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