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Friday, August 19, 2011
Vinnie's Take On: True Grit - The 2010 Film (And A Comic Book Connection!)
Mood:  caffeinated
Topic: Other Movie Genres

                                        

Michael D Hamersky On Comics Presents... 

Vinnie's Take On:

True Grit - The 2010 Film

(And A 'Comic Book' Connection!) 

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Top Photo:  A scene from the 2010 remake of 'True Grit' featuring the actors Hailee Steinfeld & Jeff Bridges.
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Bottom Photo:  A scene from the original 1969 'True Grit' with Kim Darby & John Wayne.
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Far Left Top Photo:  The 2010 True Grit film poster.
  

TODAY'S FEATURE - Blog #3488:

(Vinnie)  This past Saturday, my dad and I picked up the 2010 movie "True Grit" from Redbox.
  
Later that night we watched it, as well as Tina. I hadn't known what it as about, but after reading the information in the Redbox description at the kiosk, I found it to sound fairly interesting, versus the other choices at Redbox...
  
However, it was a lot better than I thought it would ber. The storyline was amazing, and the acting was even better. It all flowed well and I felt the story kept the goal or purpose always on the topmost matter. It was an interesting story that I was yet to hear or see. The acting was great, and the characters interacted well. It was all very realiastic and believeable, despite the time period of which such violence was common.
 
My favorite scenes were spread far apart. The first was near the beginning, where we find three men about to say their last words before being hanged. Two white guys say their final statements, and as the last one, an Indian is about to start speaking, they cut him off, put the bag on his head, and instantly pull the lever removing the floor. It was just unreal because of the time, and the likeliness of that unfair treatment actually happening.
My next favorite scene was the climax of the story. Cogburn starts riding in on his horse, holding the reins in his mouth, and wielding dual pistols, shooting at four people at once. It was just incredible, as he was all alone. But one man shoots him down, and as he was about to shoot him dead, the Texas ranger that had accompanied Cogburn from the very beginning... shoots the bad guy from way up high, and the bad guy just falls dead.
 
The most saddening scenes would have to be near the ending, and the actual ending itself. As Matty is riding back with Cogburn back to town, after being bit by a snake, they push the horse to its max, and it just collapsed in tirement, and Cogburn ended up having to shoot it's head to end the misery that it was in. The ending was sad, but I fear telling of it would be too much of a spoiler.
 
The movie was rated PG-13 for Western violence and disturbing images. I already mentioned some of those "images" but some others would be when a man gets his fingers chooped off, and getting left on the table, followed by Cogburn shooting a man straight in the face. Not the back, or side of the head, but right between the eyes.  After awhile, I knew the violence wouldn't end, so I just got used to it and expected it at every corner.
 
Overall, the movie "True Grit" was presented very well. It was a great story, and the actors played their roles very well and convincingly.
  
I give this Western remake a Very Fine/Near Mint (VF/NM), a 9.0 out of a 10.0 grade scale. Honestly, I would recommend it to someone at least 14 or 15, as I think 13 is still too young to view this movie because of the violence and "disturbing images".
 
~Vinnie! 

(Michael)  Thanks, Vinnie, for writing up this blog that I'm posting this Friday morning!

First of all, there is a reason that I asked Vinnie to blog about this rental DVD.

I don't ask him to do that for every movie that we watch together, but I figured there should have been a comic book for the original film that was released back in 1969.

However, there wasn't one! 

Dell's Four Color series, which published 1,331 issues, including a LOT of Movie & TV based comics, had stopped in Apr/June of 1962.  So my memory is failing just a bit!

However, I came across this graphic novel, 'True Grit - Mean Business', when searching for the original John Wayne film!

I had not known about this publication being published, otherwise I would have rented the DVD sooner, when it came out on June 9th of 2011, as this remake of the original film didn't have the 'drawing power' for either Tina or myself to go see it on the 'Big Screen'.

The rental DVD had no additional extras, being a 'rental DVD' from Redbox.

However, this link will take you online to where you can read for 'free', the 27 page 'graphic novel', which is a semi-prequel for the new film. !

After reading this graphic novel, I definitely realize that this was a Coen Brothers movie.  Normally I would not take my youngest son to such a film playing a the 'Big Screen'.  This graphic novel is also 'graphic' in nature, but semi toned down for print.  The interior pages are in black & white, so that the blood n guts are not vividly etched in my mind after reading it.

Our society has come a long ways since 1969 when I first saw the original film with John Wayne, Glen Campbell and Kim Darby in it.  Now over 40 years ago... It seems that more and more 'remakes' are being made, or sequels to original film properties, (i.e. 'Rise of the Planet of the Apes').   Not everything has to be so darn grim n gritty does it?

I found myself missing the original film's actors.  John Wayne's portrayal could not be matched nor surpsassed by Jeff Bridges, nor Glen Campbell's by Matt Damon, IMO.  However Kim Darby's portrayal was matched IMO by Hailee Steinfeld. 

I wouldn't give this remake such a high comic book grade as Vinnie did.  But then again, he hadn't seen the original film before seeing the remake.  Looks like I'll have to rent the original so he can see the comparison between the two.  I think that those of you that have viewed this film either at the Big Screen or on DVD could do the same.  This film was one of John Wayne's biggest film roles.  He actually won the Academy Award for Best Actor for his role in the original film!

Again, thanks to Vinnie for his review... And to the publisher of the graphic novel for making it available online to read

~ Michael


Note: Vinnie makes it to as many comic cons with me as he can. He collects the 'Amazing Spider-Man' comic book series, but is open to read other titles from publishers that print titles that are age appropriate for him.  He also has been attending 'behind the scenes' events, such as the one he blogged about ht here: Vinnie's Special 'Look at The Captain Rochester Party for the Artists' at the recent 2010 Comic-Con International: San Diego! He really had fun meeting and having dinner with Sergio Aragones, Bob Burden, Scott Shaw! and others there at this exclusive after hours Comic-Con Party in San Diego!

Also...If YOU liked Vinnie's guest review blog today, you may also enjoy reading Vinnie's other reviews on:  Yets! #2,  The HTHGNP: Red Phones,  The Strand Prophecy by JBB WinnerStuff that Dreams Are Made of - The Mini-Comix,  The Adventures of Faithboy #1Mouse Guard: The Black Axe #2 of 6Yogi Bear Film (DVD), Jim Henson's Fraggle Rock Vol 2 #1 of 3Space Punks #2Jim Henson's Fraggle Rock Vol 2 #2 of 3Kleeman and Mike #1Mortifera #3,  Classics Illustrated #142 Abraham Lincoln - 8th Edition2011 FCBD Edition - Mouse Guard / Dark Crystal Flip BookFraggle Rock Volume 2 #3 of 3Bear and Fox #2Space Punks #1The Daughters of Merlin #1Sea Ghost #1Mouse Guard: Legends of the Guard #4 (of 4)Clutch Cargo DVD, The All New Super Friends Hour Season 1 DVDThe Ultimate Underdog Collection Volume 1Planet HulkCoraline, Ponyo, X-Men Origins: Wolverine, Sonic the Hedgehog TPB Vol 1, Cloudy With A Chance of Meatballs, The Possum #1 comic book, Vinnie's Take on Berona's War: Field Guide, just to name the recent ones! 


My thanks again to all of YOU reading this blog and the archived blog posts, now over 3,487 total posts in number!  I do appreciate your continued reading and support of this Blog!

BTW, You can 'follow' this Blog by clicking the 'Follow' Button at this NetworkedBlogs app!  We currently have over 2,528 'Followers'!  Thanks to ALL of YOU that have already clicked that button!  And for those of YOU that haven't yet... I would appreciate it if YOU would!!!

~ Michael D Hamersky 

Note: My online 'Local' Comic Book Shop (LCBS), carries many different genres of comics, magazines, graphic novels, and comic con promotional items.  Possibly even copies of the item that was reviewed here today...!

If I have it... You can find it 'Under The Big Top Of Comics' at:   ComicBooksCircus.com.

If it isn't available in my online 'Local Comic Book Shop, (LCBS), then you may be able find it in my Amazon affiiate link, as seen here:  Comics & Graphic Novels at Amazon!

Web Page Note:  This blog post is written for the IE Browser standards.  Chrome, Safarai, Netscape, Firefox and the other browsers serve the page up differently, sorry about that!

The screen display resolution is best seen at the setting of 1024 x 768 on your laptop or desktop computer.

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

Comics Creators: If you are breaking into, or already work in the comic book industry or other pop culture productions, you are welcome to email or mail us press releases, news items, and updates that you feel would be of interest to our blog readers. Including YOUR own works!!  (Note:  I don't list my email address here, due to 'spambots' gathering it and 'spamming' me. 

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

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

 Also, if you are a Facebook member, I would have liked you to have sent me a 'Friend Request'. However, I have reached the maximum limit of 5,000 Facebook Friends and Fan pages in my network already, so I've added a New 'Facebook Fan Page' for myself so that even more of YOU can 'Like' what I am doing, and be interactive with me and others there.  Here is the link to that 'Facebook Fan Page': Michael D Hamersky On Comics! Please click the 'Like' button on that page! 
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Posted by makeitsomarketing at 12:01 AM PDT
Updated: Friday, August 19, 2011 8:36 AM PDT
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Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Comic-Con and... Cupcake Wars?!
Mood:  caffeinated
Topic: TV Shows

                                        

Comic-Con & Cupcake Wars?!

As shown on the Food Network August 16th, 2011!

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Top Two Photos:  Cupcake Wars TV Show As Seen On The 'Food Network' On Tuesday Nights 8PM EST & PST.  With (L-R) Season 3 judges: Florian Bellanger and Candace Nelson. And host: Justin Willman!   (Guest judge David Glanzer not pictured at the web site as this blog went to print!)
  

TODAY'S FEATURE - Blog #3487:

I have to admit... I thought this was a just a little out of the ordinary when I saw it mentioned on the Comic-Con International Facebook Fan Page by Jackie Estrada!

Sure, both Tina & I enjoy attending Comic-Con International each year, (10 straight years for Tina, and 21 straight for me!), and we both enjoy several food related TV shows, (Top Chef on Bravo being our #1 foodie show!), but mixing 'Cupcake Wars' with Comic-Con? This we both had to see last night at 8PM PST!

Yeah, it seemed a little corny, looking at the TV Show listing on our Droids, but still... It was Comic-Con & pop culture mixed together for a 'mainstream' viewing audience. 

So what did the 'Food Network' show for a listing on this Season 3 - Episode 10?  Here's what they listed:  "Four talented bakers will have to use their super powers if they want a chance to have their delicious display take center stage at Comic-Con's exclusive Masquerade Party".

Okay, so besides being a little 'corny', they were probably going to be a little 'campy' also.  Which for me... Isn't necessarily a bad thing!  Oh, and I wondered if the writer of the above promo had ever been to Comic-Con?  As the Masquerade Party is definitely not 'exclusive', as any of the 125,000+ attendees could attend... Of course getting a membership to be one of those 125,000+ is getting harder to obtain every year!

Okay... I'm not going to give last night's episode totally away... As it will be airing again on the Food Network, and there are a few online websites that appear to be also showing it for a charge.

Suffice to say that the premise was that there were four cupcake bakers that were invited to participate in this episode of 'Cupcake Wars', and that the winner would be chosen after three elimination challenges, thus taking up a full hour of network TV!

Of course the bakers had to work with 'super-powered ingredients'!  And some of those ingredients were pretty exotic!

The first commercial after the initial setup of the episode was on the upcoming 'Spy Kids in 4-D / All the Time In The World' on August 19th, which shows you the target market for this TV series, and this episode in particular!

The nice touch of this episode was that the 'guest judge' for this episode was David Glanzer, the Comic-Con Director of Marketing and Publicity. Which made the total number of judges being three.  Tina was wondering about this, as only two judges were first introduced...

The first challenge was quick, a 45 minute challenge. The film used for airing seemed to be a little 'speeded up', not super-powered or anything, but really speeded up / spliced to cut to the elimination of the first of the four bakers.

Not going to 'spoil' it for you here... As to who was eliminated. Plus the fact I can't find any photos online this morning as to the participants of this episode!

The second challenge was the 'sequel', (the host thinking he was using a comic book term), which was going to be based on 'taste & presentation' a 50/50 graded challenge.

Each of the three remaining bakers had to come up with three different cupcakes for this challenge.  Included were 'strawberry shortcake cupake', 'chocolate banana cupcake', 'vanilla bean cupcake', buttermilk chocolate cupcake', 'lime margarita cupcake', and 'red velvet cayenne cupcake'.

Those cupcakes were to represent super-villains, heroes, etc. Keeping with the 'Comic-Con' theme of course!

Very interesting cupcakes were presented. Tina & I enjoyed the judges reactions and comments. Tina did notice that the guest judge's comments appeared to be cut off, probably due to the time limitations. This show seems to 'run faster' than 'Top Chef' on Bravo Network does...  There's a lot of replaying the previous scene just before commercial break on 'Top Chef'.

Challenge #3 was the 'display presentation', where 1,000 cupcakes were to be displayed, and the winning presentation would be the centerpiece of the upcoming Comic-Con International's Masquerade Party. As both Tina and I have attended a few of those in the past, and seen the hordes of con-goers scarfing down any and all food presented... We both looked at each other at the beginning of this challenge. The displays would have to be built pretty sturdy to withstand the crush of con-goers is what we both voiced out loud!

So far, in Challenges 1 & 2, it had been just the four bakers, with an assistant brought in from their bakery.

For Challenge #3, the two remaining bakers & their one assistant each were helped by a craftsman, who would build the display based on the baker's idea, and four additional assistants to bake the 1,000 cupcakes! Now that was going to be a 'super-heroic' feat in itself, as the time limit for this was only two hours!

So far I had been 'amused' by all the usage of the generic 'comic book' terms that had been used in this episode. Of course with the four bakers being 'mainstream', they only knew comic books as 'POW!', 'BIFF!', 'ZAP!', and other cartoony expressions, plus outlandish color schemes representing super hero costumes. Which they had used on their cupcake decorations.

The final two bakers had totally different ideas on what the displays should look like.   However, one of them had a display that wouldn't be so functional on the floor of the San Diego Convention Center, in the 'Under the Sails Pavilion', where the food would be displayed... The other baker had a good idea, but the colors weren't so 'comic-book' friendly in presentation...

Who won? Tune in during the next airing of this 'Cupcake Wars' episode to find out if you didn't last night! Now that's a comic book expression for sure, LOL!

And yeah, I was a little disappointed that the winning display of cupcakes only ran onscreen showing appreciative con-goers eating the cupcakes at Comic-Con for approx 1-2 minutes at the closing credits.  Not enough time to showcase those that were there participating in this display at the Comic-Con's Masquerade Party area!

But... Both Tina & myself are going to check out the next episode of 'Cupcake Wars'... And that is what this special episode was all about... Bringing cupcakes & the 'Cupcake Wars' TV Show to even more viewers!

You can catch this episode next during one of these airings on the 'Food Network':

Aug 20, 2011 - 8:00 PM ET/PT

Aug 21, 2011 - 3:00 AM ET/PT

Aug 21, 2011 - 5:00 PM ET/PT

Here is the link to the Food Network Facebook Fan Page.

Here is the link to the Cupcake Wars Facebook 'Community' Page.

And here is the link to the Comic-Con International Facebook Fan Page!  

Thanks again to Jackie Estrada for bringing this to our attention on the Comic-Con International Facebook Fan Page yesterday afternoon!


  

~Michael D Hamersky - who is asking you for your vote in the current voting going on over at The Shel Dorf Awards web site. I was nominated for 'Comic Blogger of the Year' on Monday, August 8th!   While being honored to be nominated, I'd also like to win! The competition has some other good nominees for the same category I was nominated for, so I'm asking for your help on this!

If you have enjoyed this blog or any of the others in the now over 3,482 blogs in this series of mine, I'd appreciate your vote!

Here is a direct link to the voting page. 'Comic Blogger of the Year' is the category, and 'Michael Hamersky On Comics' is the name I'm listed as to vote for.

Here is a link to blog #3481, where I went more into depth on this topic.

My thanks to any of you that take the time to vote for me!


NOTE FROM THE BLOGGER:

My thanks again to all of YOU reading this blog and our archived blog posts, now at 3,487 total posts in number!   I do appreciate your continued reading and support of this Blog!

BTW, You can 'follow' this blog by clicking the 'Follow' Button at this NetworkedBlogs app link!  We currently have over 2,525 'Followers'!  Thanks to ALL of YOU that have already clicked that button! 

And for those of YOU that haven't yet... I would appreciate it if YOU would!!!

~ Michael D Hamersky

Note:  My online 'Local' Comic Book Shop (LCBS), carries many different genres of comics, magazines, graphic novels, and comic con promotional items. Possibly even copies of the item(s) that was mentioned here today...!

If I have it... You can find it 'Under The Big Top Of Comics' at:  

http://www.ComicBooksCircus.com/ 

Web Page Note:  This blog post is written for the IE Browser standards.  Chrome, Safari, Netscape, Firefox and the other browsers serve the page up differently, sorry about that!

The screen display resolution is best seen at the setting of 1024 x 768 on your laptop or desktop computer.  Note:  As of Monday, June 27th, 2011, I'll be using my new laptop, where the default resolution is 'higher', so there may be some temporary glitches until I am used to the new resolution.

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

Comics Creators: If you are breaking into, or already work in the comic book industry or other pop culture productions, you are welcome to email or mail 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 possible review, send to:

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

 Also, if you are a Facebook member, I would have liked you to send me a 'Friend Request'. However, I have reached the maximum limit of 5,000 Facebook Friends and Fan pages already, so I've added a New 'Facebook Fan Page' so that even more of YOU can 'Like' what I am doing, and be interactive with me and others there.  Here is the link to that 'Facebook Fan Page': Michael D Hamersky On Comics! Please click the 'Like' button on that page! 
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Posted by makeitsomarketing at 5:33 AM PDT
Updated: Wednesday, August 17, 2011 7:22 AM PDT
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Tuesday, August 16, 2011
Happy Birthday to Julie (Catwoman!) Newmar!
Mood:  celebratory
Topic: TV Shows

                                        

Michael D Hamersky On Comics Wishes A Happy Birthday To....

Julie Newmar!

a.k.a. 'Catwoman' in Batman TV Show, 'Yellowbird' in F-Troop, 'Eleen' in Star Trek -TOS, 'Ingrid' in Get Smart, and too many more to list here!

Click Here to see ABOUT THE SELLER in our eBay Store!

Click Here to add This ComicBookCollectorsBlog.com to Your list of NetworkedBlogs!

Click here to see the BATMAN ITEMS that we have in our online store for sale, including DOLLAR COMICS!
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Click here to see the DC SUPERHERO COMICS that we have in our online store for sale, including DOLLAR COMICS!
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All Three Photos Shown In This Section:  Were taken at the 2011 Wizard World Anaheim Comic Con by either Michael D Hamersky or Tina LoSasso.  More photos can be found in the special album at my Facebook Fan Page, 'Michael D Hamersky On Comics'!
  

TODAY'S FEATURE - Blog #3486:

This is a 'Happy Birthday' message blog to Ms. Julie Newmar, who I met once again recently! This time I saw her and others at the 45th Anniversary Panel of the Batman TV Show held at the  2011 Wizard World Anaheim Comic Con, as seen at the 2nd photo of the top right of this blog post! (More photos at this special photo album at my Facebook Fan Page.)

Ms. Newmar has lighted up the Big Screen, the Small Screen, and countless Comic Cons & Pop Culture Cons with her presence these many years of her career.

I'm sure I'm not the only one to wish her a 'Happy Birthday' today!

Here is a link to her latest book, 'The Conscious Catwoman', where you can get it signed and personalized to you!

Here is a link to her bio.

Here is a link to her acting credits!

Here is a link to her personal web site, JulieNewmar.com

Here is the link to the Official Julie Newmar Facebook Fan Page.

Here is the link to 'my book' Gotham City 14 Miles can be purchased at!

Again, my thanks to Ms. Julie Newmar for being gracious enough to pose recently with 'my book'.

 I promised her a 'shout out' when her new book, 'The Conscious Catwoman' was published... I've done it before at my Facebook Fan Page, (Michael D Hamersky On Comics), And here I am doing it again!  

Happy Birthday, Ms. Newmar, from one of your many fans!


  

~Michael D Hamersky - who is asking you for your vote in the current voting going on over at The Shel Dorf Awards web site. I was nominated for 'Comic Blogger of the Year' on Monday, August 8th!   While being honored to be nominated, I'd also like to win! The competition has some other good nominees for the same category I was nominated for, so I'm asking for your help on this!

If you have enjoyed this blog or any of the others in the now over 3,482 blogs in this series of mine, I'd appreciate your vote!

Here is a direct link to the voting page. 'Comic Blogger of the Year' is the category, and 'Michael Hamersky On Comics' is the name I'm listed as to vote for.

Here is a link to blog #3481, where I went more into depth on this topic.

My thanks to any of you that take the time to vote for me!


NOTE FROM THE BLOGGER:

My thanks again to all of YOU reading this blog and our archived blog posts, now at 3,486 total posts in number!   I do appreciate your continued reading and support of this Blog!

BTW, You can 'follow' this blog by clicking the 'Follow' Button at this NetworkedBlogs app link!  We currently have over 2,521 'Followers'!  Thanks to ALL of YOU that have already clicked that button! 

And for those of YOU that haven't yet... I would appreciate it if YOU would!!!

~ Michael D Hamersky

Note:  My online 'Local' Comic Book Shop (LCBS), carries many different genres of comics, magazines, graphic novels, and comic con promotional items. Possibly even copies of the item(s) that was mentioned here today...!

If I have it... You can find it 'Under The Big Top Of Comics' at:  

http://www.ComicBooksCircus.com/ 

Web Page Note:  This blog post is written for the IE Browser standards.  Chrome, Safari, Netscape, Firefox and the other browsers serve the page up differently, sorry about that!

The screen display resolution is best seen at the setting of 1024 x 768 on your laptop or desktop computer.  Note:  As of Monday, June 27th, 2011, I'll be using my new laptop, where the default resolution is 'higher', so there may be some temporary glitches until I am used to the new resolution.

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

Comics Creators: If you are breaking into, or already work in the comic book industry or other pop culture productions, you are welcome to email or mail 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 possible review, send to:

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

 Also, if you are a Facebook member, I would have liked you to send me a 'Friend Request'. However, I have reached the maximum limit of 5,000 Facebook Friends and Fan pages already, so I've added a New 'Facebook Fan Page' so that even more of YOU can 'Like' what I am doing, and be interactive with me and others there.  Here is the link to that 'Facebook Fan Page': Michael D Hamersky On Comics! Please click the 'Like' button on that page! 
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Posted by makeitsomarketing at 12:01 AM PDT
Updated: Tuesday, August 16, 2011 7:19 AM PDT
Post Comment | Permalink
Monday, August 15, 2011
Tina LoSasso's Take On: Conspiracy Of The Planet Of The Apes
Mood:  caffeinated
Topic: Comic Books - New

                                        

Tina LoSasso's Take On...

Conspiracy Of The Planet Of The Apes!

By Andrew E.C. Gaska / Published by Archaia Entertainment!

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Top Photo Right Column: The Front Cover to the new book, Conspiracy On The Planet of the Apes' with cover by Jim Steranko!
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Bottom Photo Right Column:  This is just one of several illustrations printed in the book... This one by Joe Jusko!
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Click here to see the PLANET OF THE APES ITEMS that we have in our online store for sale, including DOLLAR COMICS!
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TODAY'S FEATURE - Blog #3485:

Review: Conspiracy of the Planet of the Apes by Andrew E.C. Gaska

"Rise of the Planet of the Apes" took the top spot at the box office this weekend just as I was finishing reading the new apes story by Andrew E.C. Gaska.

It seems we can't get enough of those wacky talking, horseback riding, gun-toting apes.

Me? I like the sci-fi aspect of how the apes came to dominate (the "Rise" story) and how the humans fell (the original story).

Gaska's novel, with detailed illustrations by top comic book artists, explains what happened to the rest of Charlton Heston's crew, at least those that made it through the crash. "Bright Eyes" as the apes call him is still with us but off in the periphery getting Zira and Cornelius in all kinds of trouble with the ape tribunal, just like in the original movie.

"Conspiracy" shows us what happened to second in command, John Landon after he and the others are captured during the big hunt.

The first-ever novel set during the continuity of the original story, "Conspiracy" fills in the holes and fleshs out the gaps of the movie series. You want answers, you'll get answers.

You'll learn why the astronauts crashed in the first place, how the simians raised the ship from the dead sea for "Escape From The Planet of the Apes," what dinner time is like in an ape household (just what you'd think it'd be like if your kids really were monkeys), the astronauts' life on Earth, and even a previous mission.

Anyone who is into the "Apes" saga, should eat this up like a ape on a rutaberry. Anyone else might become as confused as Landon by the sheer volume of story lines. Why we even get a soap opera drama with a cuckold chimpanzee and his gorilla-loving wife.

Gaska does a great job of delving into simian society, their hierarchy, and mythos. As in all great sci-fi, "Conspiracy" isn't just a story set in another world reached by space travel, it's an opportunity for the author to comment on our society and caution us on our warring ways, how we seek to control information and how we treat the least of us.

The one sour note for me was the element of the bizarre mind-controlling force controlling Landon. I still have no idea who these entities were, what their purpose was, whose side they were on, and what the heck they did in the end. But, then, I've been on a lot of sudafed this weekend!

I'd strongly recommend "Conspiracy of the Planet of the Apes", giving it a 8.5 on a comic book grading scale of 10. 

Now Michael is going to comment on the amazing illustrations in the book. My fav was one you'll find toward the end. It's by Erik Gist and shows poor Milo making an unfortunate  discovery in the submerged spaceship.

~Tina LoSasso

--------------------------

Thanks, Tina, for the above review! 

I took a look for the illustration you mentioned above, and found that although the 2 page spread illustration makes for a good representation on what goes on in the book... It hasn't been reproduced for the web as of yet.  Plus, I believe that this illustration is one that should be seen while reading the book, so I won't attempt to copy it from our reviewer copy.  But you are right, it is one of the best illustrations in the book!

When I saw this book in our reviewer package, I asked Tina if she wouldn't mind reading this one first, to see if she'd like to review blog it.  As it isn't a 'graphic novel', but instead a prose fiction novel with illustrations!

Here's what the story is about, and the illustrators that have their work in the book: 

"Conspiracy of the Planet of the Apes is the first-ever original novel set in the continuity of the classic 1968 movie. Conspiracy tells the story of what happened between the scenes of the first film, exploring the adventures of the Astronaut John Landon, Chimpanzee scientists Dr. Milo and Dr. Galen, and Gorilla Security Chief Marcus.

Written by Andrew E.C. Gaska, and adapted from a story by Gaska, Rich Handley, Christian Berntsen and Erik Matthews, the book contains illustrations from the top talents in the industry, including:

Jim Steranko, Andrew Probert, Timothy Lantz, Joe Jusko, Mark Texeira, Dave Dorman, Chris Scalf, Brian Rood, Chandra Free, Dan Dussault, Ken W. Kelly, Colo, David Hueso, Miki, Matt Busch, Dirk Shearer, Barron Storey, David Seidman, Sanjulian, Chris Moeller, Thomas Scioli, Scott Hampton, Leo Liebleman, Lucas Graciano, Erik Gist, and Patricio Carbajal."

Readers of this blog will recognize several of the the names listed above, especially the illustrator of the black & white cover repro shown at the immediate above top, Jim Steranko!  I have blogged about many of them, plus several are comics industry giants! So this first effort by Archaia Entertainment into the illustrated novel format, through its new book trade distributor Publishers Group West (PGW), is not lacking in star power!

Note: There are 30 full-color paintings and another 19 black-and-white illustrations in this book. If you aren't familar with all of the names shown, here is a more detailed listing as to their other credits:  the cover by Jim Steranko (Raiders of the Lost Ark, Bram Stoker’s Dracula, Nick Fury: Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D.) and then the interior art pages from... Ken Kelly (Conan, KISS), Joe Jusko (Savage Sword of Conan, Tarzan), Sanjulian (Eerie, Vampirella), Mark Texeira (Ghost Rider, Wolverine), Leo Leibelman (Heavy Metal), Matt Busch (Star Wars, Battlestar Galactica), Brian Rood (Indiana Jones, Star Wars), Tom Scioli (Godland), David Hueso (G.I. Joe: Storm Shadow) and then newcomers Dan Dussault (Critical Millennium) and Dirk Shearer (Mice Templar)!

Quite honestly, I haven't read this prose fiction novel with illustrations yet, but wanted to mention and point out the great artwork inside, so that this blog of Tina's could be posted while still timely!  The book was just released on July 25th, and the latest of the Planet of the Apes films just hit theaters recently, 'Rise of the Planet of the Apes', which is #1 during its 2nd week of release at the Big Screen.  See this link for the current status of all films for the weekend of August 12th - 14th!

Lastly, here is the info you will need to find this book from Archaia Entertainment:

Hardcover: 272 pages
Publisher: Archaia Entertainment; 1st edition (August 16, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1936393360
ISBN-13: 978-1936393367
Product Dimensions: 10.1 x 7.1 x 0.9 inches

Archaia's web site doesn't yet show this book for sale, but this is the company web site, so this is the link to their book listing.

Archaia has a Facebook Fan Page, that I suggest you 'LIKE'.

PLUS:  There is a new Facebook Fan Page just for the book itself!

For other 'Planet of the Apes' comics, magazines, and movie items, you are welcome to check out my own Online 'Local' Comic Book Shop at: ComicBooksCircus.com!

Again, my thanks to Tina LoSasso for a timely review of this illustrated prose fiction novel!  

  

~Michael D Hamersky - who is asking you for your vote in the current voting going on over at The Shel Dorf Awards web site. I was nominated for 'Comic Blogger of the Year' on Monday, August 8th!   While being honored to be nominated, I'd also like to win! The competition has some other good nominees for the same category I was nominated for, so I'm asking for your help on this!

If you have enjoyed this blog or any of the others in the now over 3,482 blogs in this series of mine, I'd appreciate your vote!

Here is a direct link to the voting page. 'Comic Blogger of the Year' is the category, and 'Michael Hamersky On Comics' is the name I'm listed as to vote for.

Here is a link to blog #3481, where I went more into depth on this topic.

My thanks to any of you that take the time to vote for me!


NOTE FROM THE BLOGGER:

My thanks again to all of YOU reading this blog and our archived blog posts, now at 3,485 total posts in number!   I do appreciate your continued reading and support of this Blog!

BTW, You can 'follow' this blog by clicking the 'Follow' Button at this NetworkedBlogs app link!  We currently have over 2,521 'Followers'!  Thanks to ALL of YOU that have already clicked that button! 

And for those of YOU that haven't yet... I would appreciate it if YOU would!!!

~ Michael D Hamersky

Note:  My online 'Local' Comic Book Shop (LCBS), carries many different genres of comics, magazines, graphic novels, and comic con promotional items. Possibly even copies of the item(s) that was mentioned here today...!

If I have it... You can find it 'Under The Big Top Of Comics' at:  

http://www.ComicBooksCircus.com/ 

Web Page Note:  This blog post is written for the IE Browser standards.  Chrome, Safari, Netscape, Firefox and the other browsers serve the page up differently, sorry about that!

The screen display resolution is best seen at the setting of 1024 x 768 on your laptop or desktop computer.  Note:  As of Monday, June 27th, 2011, I'll be using my new laptop, where the default resolution is 'higher', so there may be some temporary glitches until I am used to the new resolution.

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

Comics Creators: If you are breaking into, or already work in the comic book industry or other pop culture productions, you are welcome to email or mail 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 possible review, send to:

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

 Also, if you are a Facebook member, I would have liked you to send me a 'Friend Request'. However, I have reached the maximum limit of 5,000 Facebook Friends and Fan pages already, so I've added a New 'Facebook Fan Page' so that even more of YOU can 'Like' what I am doing, and be interactive with me and others there.  Here is the link to that 'Facebook Fan Page': Michael D Hamersky On Comics! Please click the 'Like' button on that page! 
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Posted by makeitsomarketing at 12:01 AM PDT
Updated: Monday, August 15, 2011 7:36 AM PDT
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Sunday, August 14, 2011
Getting Ready For The 2nd Annual So Cal Comic Con In Oceanside, California!
Mood:  caffeinated
Topic: Comic Cons

                                        

Michael D Hamersky On Comics Is Getting Ready For...

The 2nd Annual

So Cal Comic Con! 

Being Held ONE DAY Only In Oceanside, California, On Saturday, August 27th, 2011!

Click Here to see ABOUT THE SELLER in our eBay Store!

Click Here to add This ComicBookCollectorsBlog.com to Your list of NetworkedBlogs!

Click here to see the COMIC CON PROMOS that we have in our online store for sale, including DOLLAR COMICS!
- 
Click here to see the SPIDER-MAN ITEMS that we have in our online store for sale, including DOLLAR COMICS!
-
Topmost Photo: Rey Reyes is one of the two So Cal Comic Con promoters.  Here he is at his dealer table at the 2010 Con!
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Above Bottom Photo:   My youngest son, Vinnie, with 'Spider-Man' at last year's So Cal Comic Con!  Thumbs up for that show, indicated Vinnie!   Who also added back issues to his Amazing Spider-Man collection!
Top Photo At The Left Column.:  Guest of Honor, Bob Layton, with Michael D Hamersky at the 2010 SoCal Comic Con!
  

TODAY'S FEATURE - Blog #3484:

Yesterday, my youngest son Vinnie and I worked on getting ready for the second annual So Cal Comic Con, being held at the Boys & Girls Club in Oceanside, California.

I haven't set up at a comic con or show for over 15 years now, (being an online comic book dealer only!), and it was an opportunity to show Vinnie the difference between setting up at a convention versus being set up for online sales.

In addition, out of the twenty boxes of dollar comics we will bringing to the show, six of those boxes will be his own comics, accumulated by his older brothers, and that he will be selling on a commission basis for them.  I like how his young mind thinks when an opportunity arises.  He can learn the business without buying inventory to resale, just invest his time, and learn from my knowhow from first setting up during my own college years at the San Diego Comic Con back in 1972!  

So this show should be a good learning experience, as well as a good financial one.  For both him and myself... Plus, Vinnie's step-mom, Tina, will be setting up for the first time also! She has been to many comic cons and shows, but never been on the other side of the table! So this will be a new experience for her also!

So enough about us getting ready for this comic con... What else is going on there?

Well, in addition to having a dealers table at this con, I'll also be blogging prior to the con, as in this 'weekend edition' of my blog, blogging the day of the con, and posting here afterwards as well, as to how it went.

In addition, I'll be mobile Facebooking from the con itself, and uploading those pics to my Facebook Fan Page, 'Michael D Hamersky On Comics'. Those pics, probably after the con is over, not during, will be placed in a special 2011 So Cal Comic Con album, which has already been set up for that purpose!

The So Cal Comic Con's Facebook Event Page can be found at this link.

The So Cal Comic Con's Facebook Fan Page is found here. You don't have to be coming to this year's comic con to 'Like' it.  Feel free to 'Like' it even if you aren't coming so that your Facebook Friends can see it!

Both of those Facebook pages are prime resources as to who will be guests, exhibitors, and attendees. Plus you can be interactive with the con promoters and other attendees as well, prior and possibly during the con?! 

I suggest you 'LIKE' the Fan Page, and click the the 'Attending' / 'Maybe Attending' / or even the 'Not Attending' links!

Here is the 'Press Release' so I don't miss posting anything in this 'weekend edition' of my Blog:

"The So Cal Comic Con is proud to announce that the Guest of Honor for the 2nd show will be none other than fan-favorite artist and creator J. Scott Campbell! A previous resident of San Diego while working at Wildstorm Productions, Campbell is known throughout the world for his artistic rendering of attractive women and dynamic pencilling on titles such as Gen 13, his creator owned titles Danger Girl and Wildsiderz, and his stunning covers for Amazing Spider-Man and other popular Marvel Comics titles.

In addition to Mr. Campbell, the So Cal Comic Con is also hosting comic creators such as Keu Cha (Hex), the Garage Art Studios team (Tony Fleecs, Chris Moreno, Tone Rodriguez, and Mark dos Santos), penciller Joel Gomez (Flashpoint: Reverse Flash), local artist David Miller, and inker Joe Weems. Blogger Michael Hamersky (ComicBook Collectors Blog) will be broadcasting LIVE from the event! Comic books can be autographed and receive the prestigious CGC Signature Series label designation for any guest at our show.

Admission to the show is only $5, or $4 with a flyer from your local Southern California comic book shop. Kids 13 and under get in free with a paid adult admission. Buy your tickets at the door. Free gift bags will be provided to the 1st 100 fans in attendance, filled with donated comics and posters from our sponsors (IDW, Marvel, DC, Dark Horse, Top Cow/Image, and more)
 
The 2nd annual So Cal Comic Con will be held on Saturday, August 27th, 2011, from 10 am to 5 pm, at the Oceanside Boys and Girls Club, located at 401 Country Club Lane, Oceanside, CA 92054. Raffles will be held throughout the day for amazing prizes like a copy of X-Men #1 from 1963 signed by Stan Lee! We are hosting over a dozen vendors, including Southern California Comics, Super-Con/Steve Wyatt, Terry's Comics, Comic Madness,  The Comic Cellar, Echo Base Toys, Comic Gallery, GoDaddyO's Comic Book Hideout, Mike's Collectibles N' Stuff, Angelo's Comics, Desert Wind Comics, FVF Comics, and more!"

Okay... That should do it for this pre-con blog!

I've posted about my personal interest in this upcoming one day show, that Vinnie, Tina & I will be having a dealer's table. Plus that I will be mobile Facebooking / blogging from the event itself.  So stop by, say hello, get your picture taken, and enjoy yourself at the rest of the con! 

Last year's 1st Annual So Cal Comic Con was a fun event, both for attendees, dealers, and comics creators.  Vinnie & I, who attended last year, are definitely looking forward to this upcoming show, only two weekends away from now... On Saturday only!  See you there???!!!

  

~Michael D Hamersky - who is asking you for your vote in the current voting going on over at The Shel Dorf Awards web site. I was nominated for 'Comic Blogger of the Year' on Monday, August 8th!   While being honored to be nominated, I'd also like to win! The competition has some other good nominees for the same category I was nominated for, so I'm asking for your help on this!

If you have enjoyed this blog or any of the others in the now over 3,482 blogs in this series of mine, I'd appreciate your vote!

Here is a direct link to the voting page. 'Comic Blogger of the Year' is the category, and 'Michael Hamersky On Comics' is the name I'm listed as to vote for.

Here is a link to blog #3481, where I went more into depth on this topic.

My thanks to any of you that take the time to vote for me!


NOTE FROM THE BLOGGER:

My thanks again to all of YOU reading this blog and our archived blog posts, now at 3,484 total posts in number!   I do appreciate your continued reading and support of this Blog!

BTW, You can 'follow' this blog by clicking the 'Follow' Button at this NetworkedBlogs app link!  We currently have over 2,521 'Followers'!  Thanks to ALL of YOU that have already clicked that button! 

And for those of YOU that haven't yet... I would appreciate it if YOU would!!!

~ Michael D Hamersky

Note:  My online 'Local' Comic Book Shop (LCBS), carries many different genres of comics, magazines, graphic novels, and comic con promotional items. Possibly even copies of the item(s) that was mentioned here today...!

If I have it... You can find it 'Under The Big Top Of Comics' at:  

http://www.ComicBooksCircus.com/ 

Web Page Note:  This blog post is written for the IE Browser standards.  Chrome, Safari, Netscape, Firefox and the other browsers serve the page up differently, sorry about that!

The screen display resolution is best seen at the setting of 1024 x 768 on your laptop or desktop computer.  Note:  As of Monday, June 27th, 2011, I'll be using my new laptop, where the default resolution is 'higher', so there may be some temporary glitches until I am used to the new resolution.

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

Comics Creators: If you are breaking into, or already work in the comic book industry or other pop culture productions, you are welcome to email or mail 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 possible review, send to:

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

 Also, if you are a Facebook member, I would have liked you to send me a 'Friend Request'. However, I have reached the maximum limit of 5,000 Facebook Friends and Fan pages already, so I've added a New 'Facebook Fan Page' so that even more of YOU can 'Like' what I am doing, and be interactive with me and others there.  Here is the link to that 'Facebook Fan Page': Michael D Hamersky On Comics! Please click the 'Like' button on that page! 
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Posted by makeitsomarketing at 7:10 AM PDT
Updated: Sunday, August 14, 2011 8:45 AM PDT
Post Comment | Permalink

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