Friday, February 20, 2004
JULIUS SCHWARTZ 1915 – 2004
DC Comics Press Release
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I only me Julie Schwartz twice. Once was at the Chicago Comicon in 1987 after they launched the new FLASH series. The second time I met him was at FallCon 1997. He was a gracious man who loved what he did. He told those who would listen about how comics were done in the 1960’s with the cover coming first and then the writer having to fit the script around that cover. The world is a little dimmer because of his passing. |
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DC Comics Press Release
COMIC BOOK REVIEW: HARD TIME #1
Review:
I rarely review regular “pamphlet”/monthly comics due to the manic complexity of getting all the issues together and then reading them. (That may be one of my first rants. Hmm…) HOWEVER, I did pick up this first issue of HARD TIME from DC Focus, a new line from DC comics. I always like to check out stuff that claims to be new. (That curiosity is a double-edged sword, especially with monthly comics.)
Part of the attraction is because it is written by Steve Gerber, whom I know mostly as a writer for Marvel Comics back in the 70’s and early 80’s. Most people know him as the man who created and wrote HOWARD THE DUCK for Marvel and DESTROYER DUCK at Eclipse. As a kid, I was fascinated with most of his run on THE DEFENDERS. There is something magical about issues 27 to 40 of that title.
The art is by Brian Hurtt (yes, with two ts). Brian is most recognized for his work on QUEEN & COUNTRY: DECLASSIFIED, SKINWALKER and THREE STRIKES. All of them come from Oni Press. He also did GOTHAM CENTRAL #11.
Since this is the first issue, it sets the tone for the series. HARD TIMES is complex and intense and it hooks the reader quickly. I like this book. It is mature without being sophomoric. It is topical without a pandering attitude. It strikes a strong emotional chord, which resonates out in to the larger picture of Life.
I do have one fear. I always get worried that monthly comics will not tell a complete story. This is because, in part, they are so susceptible to the creative whimsy of corporate publishing. I hope the complete story of HARD TIMES gets published, but if I could predict the future then what fun would each day be?
Ladies and Gentlemen, the creative roller coaster is out of the boarding house. Who knows where the publisher and the creators have laid the tracks?
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HARD TIME #1 Writer: Steve Gerber Penciller: Brian Hurtt Cover: Tomer Hanuka Publisher: DC Focus Published: February 4, 2004, 56 pages, Color, $2.50 |
Review:
I rarely review regular “pamphlet”/monthly comics due to the manic complexity of getting all the issues together and then reading them. (That may be one of my first rants. Hmm…) HOWEVER, I did pick up this first issue of HARD TIME from DC Focus, a new line from DC comics. I always like to check out stuff that claims to be new. (That curiosity is a double-edged sword, especially with monthly comics.)
Part of the attraction is because it is written by Steve Gerber, whom I know mostly as a writer for Marvel Comics back in the 70’s and early 80’s. Most people know him as the man who created and wrote HOWARD THE DUCK for Marvel and DESTROYER DUCK at Eclipse. As a kid, I was fascinated with most of his run on THE DEFENDERS. There is something magical about issues 27 to 40 of that title.
The art is by Brian Hurtt (yes, with two ts). Brian is most recognized for his work on QUEEN & COUNTRY: DECLASSIFIED, SKINWALKER and THREE STRIKES. All of them come from Oni Press. He also did GOTHAM CENTRAL #11.
Since this is the first issue, it sets the tone for the series. HARD TIMES is complex and intense and it hooks the reader quickly. I like this book. It is mature without being sophomoric. It is topical without a pandering attitude. It strikes a strong emotional chord, which resonates out in to the larger picture of Life.
I do have one fear. I always get worried that monthly comics will not tell a complete story. This is because, in part, they are so susceptible to the creative whimsy of corporate publishing. I hope the complete story of HARD TIMES gets published, but if I could predict the future then what fun would each day be?
Ladies and Gentlemen, the creative roller coaster is out of the boarding house. Who knows where the publisher and the creators have laid the tracks?
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Here is Steve Gerber’s description of HARD TIME from his website. LINK Click on the cover for DC's description of HARD TIME. |
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ACID KEG
Read this Web Comic.
This is one trippy experience. ACID KEG has beautiful art, an odd story and a groovy feel to it.
It “rebooted” itself at the beginning of the year, so if you go into the archives you will find some one-time gag strips that were the predecessors to the new on-going storyline. They give you some additional insight and clues into the current story.
CTRL+ALT+DEL
One of the most popular themes in web comics is the life of gamers. It makes for good stories and lots of in-jokes. This is one of those web comics.
I like the art and the site is easy to get around. This is worth visiting, if only to see what Tim Buckley is thinking.
POCKY BOT
Science-fiction fun and adventures to give you your MRDA of fun, mayhem, anarchy and disorientation. Served fresh from the mind of Cory You.
It is relatively new, so check it out.
Read this Web Comic.
This is one trippy experience. ACID KEG has beautiful art, an odd story and a groovy feel to it.
It “rebooted” itself at the beginning of the year, so if you go into the archives you will find some one-time gag strips that were the predecessors to the new on-going storyline. They give you some additional insight and clues into the current story.
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CTRL+ALT+DEL
One of the most popular themes in web comics is the life of gamers. It makes for good stories and lots of in-jokes. This is one of those web comics.
I like the art and the site is easy to get around. This is worth visiting, if only to see what Tim Buckley is thinking.
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POCKY BOT
Science-fiction fun and adventures to give you your MRDA of fun, mayhem, anarchy and disorientation. Served fresh from the mind of Cory You.
It is relatively new, so check it out.
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Comic Strip Icon to get Married.
Cathy Guisewite is marrying off her cartoon alter ego.
Read the press release. LINK
Cathy Guisewite is marrying off her cartoon alter ego.
Read the press release. LINK
Tuesday, February 03, 2004
Chugworth Correction
Per Dave Cheung, "It's only TWO college age kids and two high school kids"
BTW It is only 51 strips long (so far) so you can read the archives and get up to date on what's what in no time.!!
Per Dave Cheung, "It's only TWO college age kids and two high school kids"
BTW It is only 51 strips long (so far) so you can read the archives and get up to date on what's what in no time.!!
