On Writing for Comics

While it might not be common knowledge, yours truly is gunning to actually write comics some day soon (yes, I know my irregular blogging output doesn't exactly fill you all with confidence in my ability to write 22 pages a month). So, it is with a cheerful heart that I point at these fine resources and stories:

So You Wanna Write A Graphic Novel? - good coverage of the basics and hey, I didn't know that Kirsten Baldock from Isotope Comics wrote a comic! That's awesome. If you've never been to Isotope Comics in San Francisco, btw, it's seriously the hippest, most awesome Comic Book Store in America. Find me another comic book store with leather couches and alcohol-filled signing parties, I double dog dare you. Oh, how I miss you Isotope Comics.

Alan Moore discusses the craft of writing comic books. I own and have been religiously reading "Alan Moore's Writing For Comics" and this makes a very nice supplemental conversation.


Nifty Comics Blogger gets to write Cloak and Dagger series, News at 11. I think this is wonderful news and congratulations to Valerie on achieving her dream. Her triumph gives me hope that I might get a crack at an ongoing Deadpool series one day (fingers crossed, gang!). All I need is to get several years of experience editing in the industry and a large amount of publicity! Sorry, that was unnecessarily cynical of me. Forgive me, for I do plan on buying the crap out of this when it comes out.

A few quick thoughts

If this map is accurate, Smallville was/is in the state of The Flash. This amuses me greatly because that means that, when Supes goes home, everybody's a rabid Flash fan instead of being geeks for Superman. I don't know why that tickles me so much.

Also, check out the new animated Batman team-up series, The Brave and The Bold - now with extra-Blue Beetle!



(In other animated news, the surprisingly awesome Spectacular Spider-Man show is also coming back for a 2nd Season, which pleases me.)


And if you're reading Helen Killer (which of course, you should be already), you might be pleased to know that the fellow behind it is going to take over the writing duties on Black Canary/Green Arrow. I've resisted picking up this title for a long time - mostly because I felt like Black Canary and GA were more interesting and natural-feeling as an on-again/off-again relationship (and also, Ollie annoys me) - but dang it if this doesn't force me to start reading the book.

And in other news, there's some sorta comic book convention going on in San Diego right now. Who knew?

Ice, Ice, Maybe

So, NEWS ITEM - an upcoming solicitation for an issue of Green Lantern Corps says that Ice will propose to Guy Gardner. Some of you out there might recall that I really do like those crazy kids and may suspect that this nuptial news makes me pleased as punch (although really, how pleased can punch be? It's a goddamn fruit drink).

Nevertheless, the accompanying visual - all about the new Star Sapphire-y Love Ring Corps - makes me the cynical part of me think this is all just some nasty Pink Ring Brainwashing scheme that won't last the arc. I really am torn between "SQUEEE!" and "Ooh, You Bastards."

What do y'all think?

"It's a trick. Get an axe."?
Or
"It's a nice day for a White Wedding"?

The Tibetan Graphic Novel of The Dead

While I know most of you come here for the Batman-jokes and a wistful hope that I will post more about Emma Frost (be it naked or clothed), I have decided to help you all understand spirituality instead*. No need to thank me - the look on your faces is more than enough.

Please enjoy this very witty comic book style breakdown of The Tibetan Book of the Dead, courtesy of a gentleman named Thomas Scoville.

*For what it's worth, I think Emma Frost is a Protestant.

If you're a fan of Neil Gaiman's Sandman . . .

You should really go check out this awesome 20th Anniversary of Sandman Poster and the related interview here.

If I wanted to be a huge nitpicky nerd, I'd complain about the lack of Barnabas (is it just me or does Death look like she's trying to pet an invisible dog? Maybe Jill Thompson ran out of time?) but man, it's just so nice to see Fiddler's Green and all the other characters again. This poster is freakin' amazing. Makes me wistful that I don't have the funds to afford a trip to SDCC or, failing that, another volume of Absolute Sandman (I've got Vol. 1 due to the birthday kindness of lovely friends but that's it thus far).

Batman says "Right On!"

Batman and The Joker teach us about Sexual Harassment -

See more funny videos at Funny or Die

Also, Indian food is delicious -

See more funny videos at Funny or Die

And here's an actual, genuine, non-Batman related PSA (sort of) -

See more funny videos at Funny or Die

And if you want even more Batman-related funny, I direct you to this gem unearthed by Beaucoup Kevin.

Screw comics!

I'm blogging about Muppets!

See more funny videos and funny pictures at CollegeHumor.

The LookOut - Slacker or Menace?

Hello, loyal readers! I'm sure all five of you have missed me terribly. Especially you, TV's Summer Glau! Sorry, TV's Summer Glau. Just look how surprised she is that I'm updating again! Priceless. Well, you're very welcome, TV's Summer Glau and so are all of you!*

Seriously, I'm sorry for the long delay in posting. Things have just not been copacetic in the house of The LookOut as of late. Thankfully, I've got a new job and as soon as I get another one, things will be almost entirely back to normal. I may even have money for comics again in two months! Huzzah! The lack of Ellis' Astonishing X-Men, Helen Killer and Simone's Wonder Woman alone are killing me. Don't even talk to me about missing Booster Gold.

On much happier note, Dr. Horrible's Sing-A-Long Blog? Genius. Watch it now before it stops being free online! You know what else is awesome? The Middleman. I guess nothing cheers me up quite like mad science.

Oh, and hey, there's some weird movie coming out this week about a dude who dresses up like a bat or something. Bizarre. Anybody going to see that? I think I might go, even if it means selling bodily fluids, 'cause hey - Maggie Gyllenhaal is in it. I know her much raved about acting skills are the reason everyone's so hyped about this film.** Right? I don't know. Clearly, I don't really follow these "comic book movies".


*TV's Summer Glau has never, and probably will never, read, condone or know of the existence of "Look Out! Here Comes A Comics Blog!". We here at The LookOut apologize for the deceit.

**Fun Trivia Fact - Maggie Gyllenhaal and I have the same birthday! No foolin'.

Hurm

July 17th, 2008. CGI explosion in clip this evening, Billy Crudup on giant greenscreen. The fandom is afraid of it. I have seen its brief preview. The Hollywood is extended flash and the flash is full of stars and if the stars finally gloss over, all the fanboys will moan. The accumulated addition of all their SFX and smashed pumpkins will foam up about their eyeglasses and all the geeks and Alan Moore purists will look up and shout 'Save us!' And I'll look down, and whisper 'Meh.'

They had a choice, all of them. They could have followed in the footsteps of good movies like Iron Man, or Spider-Man. Decent movies, who believed in a continuity's dissolution for a movie's pay. Instead they followed the exacts of Englishmen and scholars and didn't realize that the trail led over a precipice until it was too late. Don't tell me they didn't have a choice. Now the whole PR campaign stands on the brink, staring down into bloody hell, all those purists and intellectuals and hysterical types, and all of a sudden everybody can think of smart-ass things to say.

Waiting for an actual whole movie to critique in all this snark and thunder.

I'm not stuck in this fandom with you.

You're stuck in this fandom with me.