Umbrella Academy... where does one start? Well, I must admit I like the series, but the last issue seemed rushed and kind of a let down. Overall, when it works it works and when it doesn't you just want to skim to get through it quickly.
What's good? Spaceboy. Spaceboy had his head transplanted onto the body of a gorilla after a failed mission to Mars. He's by far the most interesting character design of the bunch and just a whole lot of fun. Dr. Pogo. Talking chimps always win the day. The Eiffel Tower launching into space. To name a few.... I enjoyed the density of the story. That is, the background, the history, the interactions of the characters. The world really seemed well considered and fleshed out. There are cool ideas and throw-away cleverness around every corner. The first issue has to be the best of the bunch. I think the character designs of the youthful versions of the characters are what caught my attention initially; somewhere between Harry Potter and the Crazy 88s from Kill Bill. Gabriel Ba's artwork fit the bill perfectly. He depicts the insanity of the action with a cool eye and scary accuracy, but manages to introduce elements of expressionism, stylization and a goofy matter-of-fact charm. That is hard to accomplish.
The Bad? Well, in the end it's another save the world story. It really reminded me of Watchmen and The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen. I can imagine Alan Moore reading it and yelling "OY! What Cheek!" Ok, I can't imagine that, but you get the idea. Ultimately the series is a must read. I was surprised how much I liked this book. I bought all six issues at once and read them back to back. I think I'll actually splurge and buy the trade paperback, comics have a shorter shelf life than books. http://www.amazon.ca/Umbrella-Academy-1-Gabriel-Ba/dp/1593079788/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1207194120&sr=8-1
There are lots of Comic review sites out there, but I feel the need to respond to some really interesting work that has been released recently. I've also been working on my own creative work recently and have been reading everything I can get my hands on in order to procrastinate... I mean learn from, yeah, that's the ticket. So without any further ado...
http://www.transmission-x.com I met these guys in Toronto this summer and I was really impressed by the charisma and professionalism they exude. They also don't mind taking a few minutes to talk with people and I was pleased to see them out from behind their tables schmoozing shamelessly with the public. I was a fan of the horcast podcasts because they really cut to the issues comic artists and writers have to deal with when they create comics. I recently plowed through the you-tube videos they have produced and felt like I have been really out of touch with the professional projects they have worked on in recent years. I found their.. er.. analysis of the creative process in webcomics to be insightful and almost world-weary. I liked the quirkiness of the humour and their collaborative process.
http://www.pulpsecret.com/ Hosted by three improv friends from New York, Pulp Secret is a reliable and good natured review of comics and the foibles of the industry in general from a fan perspective. Hosted by Pete LePage, Justin Tyler and Alex Zalben, the three have some lively debates that verge on mean spirited, but are always entertaining. There are moments when it's all too much, when the three are arguing like schoolchildren and I just want to shut the thing off. Maybe it's the yelling, maybe it's the sophomoric humour, but it's a guilty pleasure and I somehow manage to continue watching and generally don't regret it. Pete can be a bit of a bully and take things too personally, ending a show with his arms crossed and looking a little too angry, but he's obviously very passionate about the medium of comics and it shows.
On a final note, I have missed A Comic Book Orange and realize that it probably won't continue, but it had a punchy format that I really miss.
Next time: A review of the series The Umbrella Academy.
Alright, before things get too much like an Apple Commercial I must say that I really am enjoying my new Macbook Pro. There, I've said it. I like the design, the new operating system. It's ridonkulous I hadn't had a laptop before. It's so odd listening to music and doing computer stuff anywhere in the house. No wires! I am still not used to the move the mouse thingy so I have a bluetooth mouse for now. I kind of like it. I organized some music on itunes, watched Homestar Runner cartoons and worked on a photoshop project all at the same time. I like the power and the effortlessness of this machine. Now I have to use it to make some amazing artwork so I can pay the rest of it off. Merry Christmas to all..
The icy clutch of the cold and flu season has me in it's murky grip. My nose is raw, my throat is scratchy and I sound like I've been gargling with carpet tacks again. When someone comments on my Tom Waits voice I say, "you should hear the other guy." I guess I waited to finish two huge projects before I got sick. When you feel sick are you able to put of the actual throes of illness until you get a job done or are you just sick when you're sick? I'm often fell I can put off an illness until I have time to rest up. In this case there are lots of essays and projects to finish marking as well as my book to finish fergoshsakes. On another note: I just finished watching Dr. Strangelove and The Party this weekend. I am seriously in awe of Peter Sellers' range of talent. Being There is a movie I really don't think I appreciated fully when I first saw it. I was probably too young at the time to truly understand it. I keep thinking of it when I teach my media studies course. I don't know if the current generation of students would get it, it's more of a post - post secondary thing I think. You must get around a bit before you even get the jokes. One thing I noticed with "The Party" is how it reminds me of "The Office" in the comic timing, embarrassment as humourous fodder and boss/worker relationships.
Sometimes the crush of work can catch up to you and pin you against the wall when you least expect it. Marks were due today and I finished them with time to spare, but it has worn me out. I'm also finishing up a mural that is hurting my hips (low, crouched painting for hours on end). Next I have a 20' x 40' backdrop to paint for the school play. In the meantime, I'm finishing up my book. Stress! The crazy thing is that despite my panic of projects I am gleefully awaiting the opportunity to start the next wave of assignments. I want to paint, to build things and publish my online comic. But first I have to clean my studio. It's a mess.
I really need to get to work on my webcomic to get it ready for a January release. Looks like the website will be ready for January 1st and the content will be introduced February 1st. The first story arc will be 100 pages released at the rate of 10 pages a month. I think I'll post some concept art on here as I start scanning it in. Yay!
Hmm.. Ok, I haven't been able to get out much, but I thought I'd head on down to see Now and Then Books today and it was all closed up, newpaper on windows and a promise of another store opening there soon. It's too bad really. So much of my development as an artist was tied up with that place. Harry was the guy who told me to check out superhero comics, giving me a stack of old comics for free! I know Dave had a huge task, keeping that juggernaut jogging, but I was excited about his ideas for the store. Still, ideas need cash flow and people were keeping away in droves. I know Dave wanted to relocate, but I don't know if he was able to. Oh well, R.I.P. Now and Then Books (until I know otherwise). https://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=24281398&postID=8652034362001702911
I have realized that I haven't seen an episode of Heroes. I watched one or two at the start, but couldn't get into it. I don't know why. To be honest I haven't watched anything new on TV except for some random Dr. Who and an episode or two of Smallville last season. I want to watch the Tudors, but I'm too busy these days. I'm trying to record it so I can watch it later, but I'm not convinced it will happen. I'm really not interested to watch TV these days. It reminds me of when Babylon 5 took off and I really didn't get it.
As a media teacher I think this is an important issue to discuss. I know it's an ad for a product ultimately, but I think it's a rare, honest to goodness message. That's rare these days.
Wow, school starts for me tomorrow. I guess the summer is really over. I've been busy getting a book done this last month and though there's still some to do this week, it really feels like it's finally done. Yay. After I wrap this baby up I'm going to start an online comic series or two. Cuz I'm not busy enough...
Overall, a very classy event. I might like to get involved next time. The trouble is parking. My latest book is almost done. It's a few days away from being done. It has been so long it seems almost impossible to be at this point. Just a few more late nights.
Charles Nelson Reilly almost made it into my Superhero Madness book. I tried to sneak him in as an example of stylizing versus realism. He is also the inspiration for my character Bookman which appears in my favourite comic I never painted. Charles Nelson Reilly was a regular on Match Game (which is a favourite of my kids in re-runs) and played a crazy character on H.R. Puffinstuff that I seem to remember was green or something. He was also in a great episode of the X-files. He died last month and I guess this is some kind of tribute to him.
I'm a big fan of machinima, that's movies created using video games. I'd like to do more, but who has the time? Here's one I created with my kids. Enjoy.
It's funny how a livejournal can so quickly become a dead journal. I have resolved to make more timely and interesting updates as I get my main site spruced up. So far I have changed the index page (kermit dance). Next I will reorganize the galleries.. wow.. what a mess. It will all be worth it in the long run.
Hello there. Yes, I am still alive. I've been rather busy of late with some freelance work and book editing/cover art so very few updates. I will be scanning in some sketchbook pages for your viewing pleasure over the next little while. Enjoy! This is a Supergirl redesign.
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okumarts's journal
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