The Wonderful World of Miyazaki
It was relatively recently announced that superstar anime icon, Hayao Miyazaki, is retiring from the business. He was semi-retired back in 1997 but came back with a vengeance. Mixed emotions have spurred up the internet with so much bravado that I feel compelled to write this article.
But, before I go jumping the gun, let me explain who Miyazaki is. The co-founder of Studio Ghibi and anime director of classics like Spirited Away and My Neighbor, Totoro. He has been working in the business for 50 years now.
Most fans have a feeling of sadness due to this news of Miyazaki’s retirement. His films have transported us all to worlds of magical excitement and thrills. All the while, he kept all the movies family friendly.
His partnership with Disney has allowed a new age of fans, who aren’t gifted in the world of anime, to simply enjoy his works. This new audience will probably feel the most lost due to them just recently discovering his films.
I first discovered the world of Miyazaki through his first film in what will become known as Studio Ghibli, Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind. I saw it dubbed in English back in 1985 on HBO. I didn’t know what the film’s name was so I called it “HBO science fiction movie.”
Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind (Kaze no Tani no Naushika, 1984), was an adventure film that introduced many of the themes which would recur in later films: a concern with ecology and the human impact on the environment; a fascination with aircraft and flight; pacifism, including an anti-military streak; feminism; and morally ambiguous characterizations, especially among villains.
I have watched that film so much that I tend to judge all other Miyazaki films by this standard. This is a grave mistake on my part since Miyazaki will not simply rehash an idea. Never will two films capture a similar feel or style.
This brings me to what critics feel is his greatest film, Princess Mononoke. In 1995, Miyazaki began work on Princess Mononoke, which uses the ecological and political themes of Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind, but tells the story in vibrant color and action. The story is about a struggle between the animal spirits inhabiting the forest and the humans exploiting the forest for industry. The film was released on July 19, 1997 and was both a financial and critical success; it won the Japan Academy Prize for Best Picture.
Shortly after Princess Mononoke’s success, Miyazaki went into semi-retirement. In working on the film, Miyazaki redrew 80,000 of the film’s frames himself. He also stated at one point that Princess Mononoke would be his last film.
Of course, like all the greats, Miyazaki could not retire fully and returned to the world with Spirited Away. Critics across the globe loved and cheered this film.
With 50 years of fantastic, imaginative and downright enjoyable films along with few very good mangas under his belt, the great Miyazaki has a legacy that may never be surpassed and he can retire and bask in the admirations of his peers and his devoted fan base, young and old.
The real question is will he stay retired this time? With icons like Stan Lee at 91 years young still working the business, the real question is why should he retire. His imagination is great and his talent is still strong, which he still might be able to contribute more to the world of anime and manga.
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Review of Godzilla 1954
By Ben Velazquez
2014 marks the 60th anniversary of the king of all monsters, Godzilla. The last time I saw a Godzilla movie was back in the mid 1980’s. After Godzilla 1985 came out,WPIX here in NY (channel 11), would air his “classic” films on Sunday evenings. Some of my friends and I would watch the big green monster battle aliens from Dimension X, become a parent with having a Baby Godzilla and team up with likes of Ultraman.
Yet, in all those years, I have never seen the film that started this dynasty, the original Godzilla. I know it was recut in the States and Raymond Burr was added into the film, yet I never had the opportunity to watch it. Fast forward to this past week when I was invited to a press screening of the remastered 60th anniversary edition. That’s right, no Raymond Burr. This is the original Japanese cut of the film.
Showing up on a typical rainy day in April, I was the first to arrive (despite getting lost a few times)
to the premier of the 60th anniversary of Godzilla at the Film Forum.
As soon as the movie began, the credits were off a bit graphically. So much so that it had me considering a trip to the eye doctor, but I was wrong. The movie simply had to be restarted due to a minor malfunction.
From the beginning of this film, director Ishiro Honda did a spectacular job keeping your eyes glued to the screen. Although the movie was released in 1954, it seemed new and fresh because of the story, the actors, and the action. Everything seemed to fall in its place perfectly.
This isn’t some run of the mill monster trashing through the city, the typical image that we think about when the name Godzilla appears.
No, it’s the simple details such as Godzilla becoming what it is because of nuclear radiation due to the after effects of World War 2. The power of the romantic story that was thrown in the middle of the mix added more suspense to this wonderful movie.
There was never a “cheesy” moment in this movie. A little comedy, sure, but most of all, it was very well put together and a movie that will stand the test of time. This movie was so good that it made me a fan of Godzilla all over again.
The original cut of Godzilla is being shown April 18-24 to commemorate the film’s 60th Anniversary at the Film Forum. Go see where it all started before the new film debuts!
KABOOM! CELEBRATES TWO YEARS OF THE FAT CAT WITH OVERSIZED ‘GARFIELD’ #25
KaBOOM!, an award-winning imprint of publisher BOOM! Studios, is excited to announce the May debut of a special oversized issue of GARFIELD #25 that celebrates its two-year anniversary of producing Garfield comics. Created by Jim Davis, veteran GARFIELD contributing writers and artists Mark Evanier, Andy Hirsch, Scott Nickel, and David DeGrand bring you two fun-filled stories of the Fat Cat and all of his friends. This issue also features a variant cover from legendary creator George Pérez (The Avengers, Wonder Woman), as well as pin-ups by artists Courtney Bernard and Genevieve FT.
“When we first started publishing GARFIELD comics two years ago we were honored to carry on the tradition of telling stories with such an iconic character,” said BOOM! Studios Editor-in-Chief Matt Gagnon. “Today, with this special anniversary issue, that energy and excitement has only grown stronger. We look forward to many more years of great comics with our favorite Monday-hating feline.”
We’ve spent an amazing two years with Garfield and the gang, so of course we’re going to celebrate by bringing you an extra-large-sized anniversary issue containing two, all-new jumbo stories! First, Mark Evanier and Andy Hirsch team up to tell a tale of a very special day in Garfield’s life. Then, Scott Nickel and David DeGrand bring us the return of Garfield’s food foes—this time, they’ve joined forces to take down the Fat Cat once and for all!
GARFIELD #25 arrives in comic shops on May 7th with a cover by Gary Barker for the price of $4.99 under Diamond order code MAR141003. A retailer incentive cover by George Pérez is available in limited quantities. Not sure where to find your nearest comic retailer? Use comicshoplocator.com or findacomicshop.com to find one! It’s also available for order directly from boom-studios.com.
Action Lab Entertainment’s Dave Dwonch launches “Cyrus Perkins and the Haunted Taxi Cab” on Kickstarter.
Action Lab Entertainment’s Dave Dwonch launches “Cyrus Perkins and the Haunted Taxi Cab” on Kickstarter.
Cyrus Perkins and the Haunted Taxi Cab is a four issue supernatural crime noir comic series. When a young boy named Michael dies from a gunshot wound in his taxi cab, Cyrus Perkins is thrust to the role of unlikely hero as Michael’s spirit is trapped in his cab. Cyrus must solve his murder, and give him the peace to pass into the afterlife.
Described as part murder mystery and part buddy cop story, Dave’s inspiration for the series comes from an..unusual source.
“Last year, amid several health issues, I misdiagnosed myself with food poisoning. Days later I was being rushed to the hospital in a taxi cab as my body was shutting down. In between bouts of unconsciousness I muttered, “If I die in this cab I’m haunting it.” to the cabbie. This was the inspiration for Cyrus Perkins.” Dave states on his Kickstarter page.
Dave Dwonch has been a comics writer and artist producing indie titles for over a decade. In 2010 he founded Action Lab Entertainment with fellow indie mavericks and as Creative Director for Action Lab helped produce several of their titles including the Eisner nominated series Princeless. Recently he penned several titles, most notably Vamplets (with Gayle “My Little Pony” Middleton), Ghost Town, and CBR’s Top 100 of 2013 series Double Jumpers.
Joining Dave as artist is Anna Lencioni. A graduate of the Savannah College of Art and Design, Anna has been working as a sequential artist on such titles as NFL Rush Zone and Miss America. Cyrus Perkins is her first long form project.
“Cyrus Perkins and the Haunted Taxi Cab is a 100% creator-owned project, and truly a labor of love. With your help, Anna and I are hoping to cover the production cost of the first issue of the comic. This series is a huge undertaking, and your donations will allow us to take time out of our schedules to produce the fully colored artwork and limited edition Kickstarter Edition of Cyrus Perkins #1.”
Cyrus Perkins and the Haunted Taxi Cab is now on Kickstarter.com ( https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/960202687/cyrus-perkins-and-the-haunted-taxi-cab)
and view the Kickstarter video at ( https://d2pq0u4uni88oo.cloudfront.net/projects/810966/video-359978-h264_high.mp4)
THE STRAIN: THE NIGHT ETERNAL CONTINUING GUILLERMO DEL TORO AND CHUCK HOGAN’S ACCLAIMED VAMPIRE EPIC!
DARK HORSE ANNOUNCES
THE STRAIN: THE NIGHT ETERNAL
CONTINUING GUILLERMO DEL TORO AND CHUCK HOGAN’S ACCLAIMED VAMPIRE EPIC!
As the world gears up for the premiere of the new FX television program adapting the original novel trilogy The Strain, Dark Horse announces The Night Eternal, the third comics chapter of this ongoing vampire epic, adapted by David Lapham and Mike Huddleston.
Following the first two comics series, The Strain and the recently wrapped The Fall, The Night Eternal will begin on August 20, just after The Strain’s television debut on FX!
It’s been two years since the Master’s plan succeeded and a near apocalypse coated the world in darkness. Now able to roam freely, the Master’s legion of vampires rule the world—a horrifying police state where humans are harvested for blood. As humanity despairs, Dr. Ephraim Goodweather and an unlikely team of heroes continue their fight against extinction, all the while hoping to unlock the secret to the Master’s demise. The final chapter in the Strain Trilogy, the series that put a terrifying twist on the vampire genre, begins here.
Dark Horse is giving readers a chance to catch up on what they’ve been missing with a one-dollar reprint of the first issue of The Strain. This horrifying first chapter of the original Strain saga takes readers back to the beginning of an outbreak of diabolical proportions. On shelves June 18.
It doesn’t stop there! July will see the reprint of the entire first series of The Strain in a deluxe hardcover. This all-new edition will collect the first eleven issues in 272 full-color pages for only $29.99! On sale July 9 in comic shops everywhere.
July will also see the release of The Strain Volume 4: The Fall, wrapping up the second series. This collection arrives at your local comic shop on July 2 for $19.99.
Read the comic! Watch the series!
Mezco Presents Living Dead Dolls 16th Anniversary Limited Edition Coins
Mezco Presents Living Dead Dolls 16th Anniversary Limited Edition Coins
New York- As part of the ongoing celebration of the 16
th Anniversary of the Living Dead Dolls, Mezco presents a new and very unique Living Dead Dolls challenge coin.
Each coin features the face of the fan favorite Living Dead Doll known as Posey on the face of the coin and the Living Dead Doll symbol on the reverse.
Of the 320 coins being made for this commemorative limited edition, 160 variant coins will feature a glow in the dark element. The variant glow coins will be randomly assorted with the regular coins and randomly packaged.
Each hefty coin is crafted of solid metal and die struck. Each color is individually added by hand before being fired at over 500degrees Fahrenheit for 24 hours to ensure maximum durability.
Only 160 of the coins will be sold exclusively on MezcoToyz.com , the remaining 160 coins will be distributed at the Living Dead Dolls event at Ripley’s Believe It Or Not Times Square on 4/16 starting at 11am.
Photo Credit: Heng Zheng
For more information visit:
http://www.mezcotoyz.com/living-dead-dolls-16th-anniversary-limited-edition-coin-set
http://www.mezcotoyz.com/living-dead-dolls-16th-anniversary-limited-edition-coin
The Inkwell Awards Announces the 2014 Joe Sinnott Inking Challenge Results And Fundraiser
The Inkwell Awards, a non-profit organization devoted to the art of inking, will be displaying the long-awaited results of its fourth annual Joe Sinnott Inking Challenge in a series of fund-raising online auctions beginning Saturday, April 5.
Bob Almond, founder and director of The Inkwell Awards (AKA “The Inkwells”), said, “Joe Sinnott is our Hall of Fame namesake and recipient, Special Ambassador, a living legend, and the embodiment of what the art form of inking is really about, with over a half-century career of work to prove it. This inking challenge has become an essential platform for us to both teach and promote the ink arts, while raising much-needed funds for operations.”
To best display exactly what inkers bring to the form, Sinnott pencilled a drawing of the Black Panther, Marvel’s—and the industry’s—first black superhero, as well as a “breakdown”, or rough sketch, of the popular Incredible Hulk. This art was scanned and then sent in blue-line form to various inkers around the USA and elsewhere. The ink artists were invited to “take their shot” at inking “Joltin’ Joe”, whether staying more or less faithful to the original lines or reinterpreting and creating something different but equally special. This is especially true of the Hulk breakdown, which requires the ink artist to complete the drawing and then finish the art in ink, adding more diversity and upping the challenge. Most of the pieces also sport a classic, hand-lettered logo to enhance aesthetics.
The original art is being auctioned off at The Inkwells’ eBay store and will later be collected into book form. All pieces for this challenge are personally signed by the great Mr. Sinnott himself and include a certificate of authenticity, increasing the desirability and collectibility of the art.
The list of ink artists contributing is equally impressive: Scott Hanna, Bob Wiacek, Keith Williams, Neil Vokes, Scott Koblish, Mark Pennington, Mark McKenna, Jack Purcell, Gerry Acerno, Josef Rubenstein, Charles Barnett III, Almond himself, and many other professionals all lent their skills and have pieces in the auctions. (Many other top names have competed in previous challenges. The list changes each year.)
“Begun in 2011,” added Almond, “based on a similar challenge given by Steve Morger at his Big Wow Comicfest in San Jose, California, we’ve had Joe draw many great Marvel characters since: Namor The Sub-Mariner, Dr. Doom, Thor, Captain America, the Thing and Silver Surfer. Now with the Black Panther and the Hulk, the inkers had a chance to flex their skills with jungle action or urban destruction, respectively. Some even created mock comic-book covers. The diversity is stunning and really shows what good inking can add, even to great pencils.”
Joe Sinnott commented, “…after embellishing the likes of Kirby, Buscema, Romita, Steranko, Colan, Kane, Perez, Byrne, Frenz and so many other greats for the past 50 plus years, I’m on cloud nine that my pencils are being rendered by the elite of the [inking] profession. To have [these artists] work on my pencils makes me proud to have been selected by Bob for this great assignment. I can’t say it enough, they’re all great and I appreciate their contributions to The Inkwell Awards.”
All the art, from last year up to the current pieces, can be seen at The Inkwell’s ComicArtFans gallery at http://tinyurl.com/inkwellawards-CAF. The first wave of inked blue-line pieces from the latest Sinnott Challenge will be on the eBay auction block beginning Saturday, April 5 at http://tinyurl.com/baapz4d. The following week, on April 12, the inking advocacy group will set up a second wave auction.
The Inkwell Awards web site also offers Sinnott Inking Challenge book collections of previous art donations with regular and signed and limited editions available for monetary donations to the organization—all with front and back covers from top professionals. Art from last year’s third challenge will be collected for the Heroes Con in June. Fans and pros are encouraged to check the Inkwell Awards’ Web Store for prices and availability on these editions and other merchandise.
The Inkwell Awards is an official 501(c)3 non-profit organization whose mission is to educate and promote the art form of comic-book inking, as well as annually recognize and award the best ink artists and their work. Now in its seventh year, the organization is overseen by a committee of industry professionals and assisted by various professional ambassadors and numerous contributors. They sponsor the Dave Simons Inkwell Memorial Scholarship Fund for the Kubert School and host the Joe Sinnott Hall of Fame Award.
Web site: http://www.inkwellawards.com/
VIZ MEDIA’S PERFECT SQUARE IMPRINT DELIVERS ACTION, ADVENTURE AND LOTS OF PIE IN NEW UGLYDOLL: MY HERO? ORIGINAL GRAPHIC NOVEL
VIZ MEDIA’S PERFECT SQUARE IMPRINT DELIVERS
ACTION, ADVENTURE AND LOTS OF PIE IN
NEW UGLYDOLL: MY HERO?
ORIGINAL GRAPHIC NOVEL
San Francisco, CA, March 19, 2014 –
VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), the largest distributor and licensor of anime and manga in North America, delivers a whimsical new breed of pop culture champions with the debut of the latest original graphic novel release from the Perfect Square imprint. UGLYDOLL: MY HERO? launches on April 1st, is rated ‘A’ for All Ages and will carry a print MSRP of $7.99 U.S. / $9.99 CAN.
A digital version will also be available beginning on April 1st for $4.99 U.S. / CAN from the Perfect Square App, which has titles available for the Apple iPad® and iPad® Mini. The Perfect Square App is available from the iTunes store. Fans can also find a digital version of the title for the NOOK, Kindle Fire, and Kobo ereaders, as well as in the iBooks and GooglePlay Stores.
Do you need a hero? We do too. We want to help, we really do. But after all the suiting up, choosing powers, assembling a super team and rescuing cats from trees, there’s no time for pie. And we really like pie. So maybe we’re not cut out for saving the world. Don’t you agree, Ice-Bat? Oh, wait, he’s off defending the Uglyverse. We’ll ask him when he’s done. Right after we finish dessert.
MY HERO? features 10 full-color stories by veteran UGLYDOLL writer and artists Travis Nichols, Ian McGinty, and Phillip Jacobson. In this new release, Uglydoll co-creator Sun-Min Kim, Theo Ellsworth, renowned pop culture artist/writer Junko Mizuno, and two talented design teams from Japan-MAD BARBARIANS and DEVILROBOTS-also lend their considerable talents.
“Uglydolls may not be the first characters to come to mind when you think of super heroes, but they rise hilariously to the occasion in UGLYDOLL: MY HERO?,” says Traci Todd, Senior Editor, Children’s Publishing, “Frostbite, Ice-Bat’s alter-ego, is back, and he’s joined by a whole host of Ugly heroes… and anti-heroes. Some of the stories in MY HERO are epic, some are about cookies, but they’re all about being true to yourself-the most heroic act of all.”
David Horvath and Sun-Min Kim are renowned for creating the world of Uglydoll. Inspired by a love letter David drew for Sun-Min, Uglydoll began as a line of handmade plush dolls and has since grown into an evergreen, multi-million dollar brand loved internationally by fans all ages. Their works can be found around the world, from the MOMA in Tokyo and the Louvré in Paris, to the windows of the Uglydoll shop in Seoul. Based on a vision to build a world that showed the whimsical twists and turns that make people unique, both inside and out, and to demonstrate how “ugly” means unique and celebrating who you are is the new beautiful.This UGLYDOLL comic is also inspired by some of Sun-Min and David’s personal heroes from the pop art and comic art world.
VIZ Media’s Perfect Square imprint focuses on delivering original comics, graphic novels and other books with an emphasis on strong storytelling, eye-popping graphics, empowering themes, and a dash of irreverence, that captures the imagination of a whole new generation.
For more information on UGLYDOLLS, please visit www.uglydolls.com.
Additional information on titles published by Perfect Square is available at www.PerfectSquare.com.
For more information on other manga titles from VIZ Media, please visit www.VIZ.com.
‘RUST VOL. 3: DEATH OF THE ROCKET BOY’ JETS INTO COMIC BOOK SHOPS THIS MAY
April 2, 2014 – Los Angeles, CA – Award-winning publisher Archaia, an imprint of BOOM! Studios, is excited to announce the May debut of RUST VOL. 3: DEATH OF THE ROCKET BOY, the third installment of Royden Lepp’s exciting all-ages saga. This beautifully bound hardcover continues the story of Jet Jones and the Taylor family as they struggle with a past that’s rushing up to haunt them, and one boy’s struggle to find his place in the world. RUST is currently in development as a feature-length film at 20th Century Fox.
“RUST continues to be one of the crown jewels in Archaia’s publishing lineup,” said BOOM! Studios Editor-in-Chief Matt Gagnon. “Royden’s penultimate chapter is a stunner. It’s a marvelous example of Archaia’s commitment to producing high-end graphic novels that inspire through their stories and presentation.”
WHY WE LOVE IT: Creator Royden Lepp continues his all-ages saga of Jet Jones and the Taylor family in this third and penultimate installment of RUST, giving us more of the lyrical and visually stunning ode to family, childhood, and sacrifice that we love.
WHY YOU’LL LOVE IT: More secrets of the past are revealed for both Jet and the Taylors as they face their darkest fears in this calm before the oncoming storm. And, of course, more high-octane robot action!
WHAT IT’S ABOUT: Oz Taylor may know Jet Jones’ secret, but convincing the rest of his family may be harder than he counted on. As Oz plots to rid the Taylor farm of the rocket boy, Jet tries to prove himself to the family that has taken him in, in hopes of finding the home he has searched for for so long. However, when shadows of Jet’s past start coming back into his life, he realizes his days of running may be numbered.
RUST VOL. 3: DEATH OF THE ROCKET BOY arrives in comic shops on May 7th with a cover price of $24.99 under Diamond order code MAR140973. Not sure where to find your nearest comic retailer? Use comicshoplocator.com or findacomicshop.com to find one! It’s also available for order directly from boom-studios.com.
RUST VOL. 3: DEATH OF THE ROCKET BOY’ Cover by Royden Lepp
