BATMAN BEATS STAR WARS! “The Dark Knight” takes #2 all time domestic box office position

Posted 15 August, 2008 in COMIC BOOKS | No comments

Well by the time you’ve read this “The Dark Knight” will have taken over the 2nd spot of all time domestic box office grosses.  Right behind “Titanic” and beating “Star Wars”,  “The Dark Knight” has made more movie history this year than any other.

Us Batman fans couldn’t be happier because this means there’ll never be an end to Batman movies and related DC Comics films.  Sure not all of DC Comics characters would make good blockbuster movies because the majority of them were created for a market and audience that no longer exists especially design sense wise.  DC could do for some fashion consultation but that would alienate long time fans.  Marvel and other companies never got themselves pigeonholed like that.

So here we are with a cartoon that’s 70 years old and has beaten the likes of master box office champs like George Lucas and Steven Spielberg.  Lucas still rules however having 3 films in the top 10 of all time and that’s just neat for us Lucas fans.

The big question remains however will “The Dark Knight” beat “Titanic” at the box office?  At %600 million “Titanic” remains the all time champ however “The Dark Knight” still has legs.  If it still collects just $3 million a day for 30 days, and that’s highly likely, then it’ll close in on that $600 million.  Let’s say it makes $3 million a day for 30 days from now.  That’d bring the film to about $550 million.  It’s highly feaseable that it would continue to bring in $1 million a day after that. Give it a month and a half to 2 months and it knocks “Titanic” from it’s throne. 

Even if we give “The Dark Knight” $1 million a day for 90 days it still puts it in range.  So at the earliest we’re talking the end of September or at the latest December for a titan to fall.

Sounds like a monster movie title don’t it?

BATMAN: THE DARK KNIGHT … MOVIE REVIEW

Posted 19 July, 2008 in Uncategorized | No comments

“What doesn’t kill you, makes you stranger!”  quips the Joker in this latest action packed incarnation of Bob Kane’s comic book superhero Batman!

I’m sure at this moment you’ve bought your tickets or are hoping to get tickets to this big budget follow up to “Batman Begins”.  All the hype is worth it as this movie is legend before it even hit the screen.  The buzzword is the late Heath Ledger who portrays the Joker, Batman’s #1 archnemesis and his performance.  Awesome would be appropriate.  He presents along with the script, a horrifying antagonist who is always three steps ahead of the good guys.  Cruel, sadistic, maniacal when cheeful,  the Joker owns this movie.  Perhaps he owns too much.

 In short, this episode in the revived movie franchise has Bruce Wayne and his global financial interests in trouble with mobsters.  He and the police must put an end to the mob’s money and crusading prosecutor Harvey Dent is doing a better job than the Batman at it.  The conflict between Bruce and Harvey for the love of Rachel Dawes.  Add to all this the rise of the Joker who is in it only for the fun, you have a somewhat unpredictible drama, not high flying superheroics, but combination police drama/monster movie.  It doesn’t get gory but it gets ugly, real ugly.  This movie was like having a fist fight in a burned out back alley warehouse. 

The fans and critics alike will rave about Heath Ledger’s performance and due just, however, Aaron Eckhart stands out so much as Harvey Dent that at times I was more interested in him than Batman!  All the major characters were performed magnificently and that’s something I’ve been saying for years and that’s these superhero and comic book based movies are going to be the top platform for acting superiority.  It’s because the source material is so solid especially when you have characters that are as old as the Batman franchise is.  Mind you, Batman is 70 years old this year.  It’s ALWAYS made money at the box office, tv, books, etc.  Heck, even I did a small story in Batman Annual #13 and my pal Doug Moench has written the regular Batman comic book and graphic novels for the past 18 years I figure.  Doug also wrote the intro to my comic book series “THE MONSTER POSSE” which is up for a new film option as I type.  Batman is such a part of the global mythos now that any movie with him in it is going to be guaranteed success.  This year and this decade has shown again, just like the 1990’s that the public loves it’s quality made superhero movies. 

The boxoffice take for Batman is going to be outstanding.  I wouldn’t be surprised if it made $3oo million at it’s second weekend easy.  It may well be a $1 billion global movie easy as moviegoers will return again and again for the fun.

The plot holes are small and overshadowed by the action and performances.  The mayhem level is on high and there’s lots of hurting, deeeeep hurting.  It’s not a movie for anyone under 12 years of age in my opinion because of the violence.  It’s a film that focuses on the technology of terrorism and shows how and why we’re so vulnerable to it.  That terrorism is always present, like an unseen ghost, and the only thing that can stop it is to have no rules.  It’s a comment on the times as well as ourselves.

Normally after watching a Batman movie you want to be Batman and go out and fight evil doers.  In this movie however, you’ll want to be the Joker. 

 You’ve been warned.

Hellboy II: The Golden Army Tops Box Office

Posted 13 July, 2008 in Uncategorized | No comments

Well here we go again!  Mike Mignola’s “Hellboy” comic book comes to life again in the second installment in the series.  The big red guy with the sawed off horns ruled over the box office this weekend showing very strong.  It beat out Will Smith’s “Hancock” another superhero jaunt.  Well this goes to show the superheroes have now officially taken over Hollywood and the power of comic books finally has become recognized by the world.  It’s a frenzy here in Hollywood as they’re scouring all over for comic book properties to bring to the screen.  Your’s truly is being inundated with offers to not only bring my comics to film again but to develope comic books from screenplays.  Three students of mine now have film offers.  Who knows what’s next.  My homie the artist Grey is back in Brooklyn at the studio breaking out his own masterpieces.  Good ol’ Alan Weiss of “Steelgrip Starkey” fame is also standing tall with his new and old properties getting picked up by the big screen studios.  We’ll see how it goes! 

HOW TO DRAW FIGHT SCENES IN COMIC BOOKS

Posted 12 July, 2008 in Uncategorized | No comments

Fans always loved my fight scenes.  I’m a fight scene fan.  Some of my fight scenes other artists have made careers out of ripping me.  Sometimes they end up in movies or tv.  I even saw one fight scene from Good Guys #5 ending up in a Japanese anime movie! 

So here are 7 pages from Bloodshot #39 you can check out.  Some guys draw a fight scene with big fists flying and guys going through brick walls which is cool but there’s no drama, no suspense.  I’m from New York, grew up in the Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan and when we fought we got knuckle close.  You learn fast or you don’t learn anymore.  So when constructing a fight scene you’ve got to do some thinking and it becomes like a dance choreography.  It has to tie into the story as all props should as well.  I’ll do a pencilled look at it soon as  get a chance.  Stay tuned!

http://www.boonestoons.com/comics/c%202.html
      

HANCOCK: Movie Review

Posted 3 July, 2008 in Uncategorized | No comments

Will Smith and Charlize Theron star in a sendup on superheroism in “HANCOCK”. 

That’s about the only exciting thing about the movie is that both stars are in it.

Some how, some way, along the line, someone forgot something called DIRECTING.  This movie looks like it was directed by the guy who stands up in the third row of the bleachers to handycam his 8 year-old playing football.  Why use a shakey camera to film people in a setting where intense drama is supposed to occur?  It looked worse than those tv commercials where someone is embarrassed to discuss some hygiene problem. 

The movie had a good premise about a man with super powers who has lost his memory, ( Can anyone say Wolverine from the X Men?) and has people problems as he continually causes collateral damage whilst in the midst of do gooding.  He then becomes involved with a public relations executive and his family who decides to help Hancock, Smith, and the story unravels from there as we learn more about this super powered anti-hero.

Here’s more of the problem.  When we write comic books we are sticklers for some form of realism.  It all began with the infamous Marvel ‘No Prize’ which was handed out monthly by Marvel Comics to readers who noticed obvious flaws in their stories.  They would publish these observations and the reader would get a ‘No Prize’.  Such things like noticing Spider-Man grabbing those kids in the first Spidey movie where he swings down to save them from a speeding car but somehow it doesn’t hurt the kids that he does impact them at 70 mph. 

So the No Prize goes to Hancock for no collateral damage to the wardrobe.  In the movie Hancock is wearing regular clothing and he stops a car with his feet and his shoes are okay.  Mind you he stuck his feet through the floor of a car at 100 mph using his feet as brakes like Fred Flintstone but his shoes are a-okay.  Stronger than the asphalt that got chewed up by his super feat.

This goes on throughout the movie except in one scene where Hancock’s clothes got burned. 

Anyhow, the movie is good for some chuckles but reminds me of something else like some other movie or script that got sampled like a cheap rap record that no one will know about.

Smith, Theron, Jason Bateman as the PR man are such super talents and it’s a shame to see them wasted here.  The movie will probably make a mint at the box office as it does have popcorn movie charm but the language is harsh for the wee ones.

All in all the movie’s storytelling didn’t say ” a fallen hero’s rise to redemtion.” instead it said ” interracial marriages don’t work.”

Oh, I liked the car stuck on the Capitol Records building.  Good to see Los Angeles have a superhero fight even though when they filmed this movie they screwed up our traffic even more.

THE INCREDIBLE HULK MOVIE REVIEW

Posted 17 June, 2008 in Uncategorized | No comments

Wow!  Just got back from seeing this latest incarnation of Marvel’s mightiest mortal.  It was just like reading the classic comic books of the character plus more.  I won’t spoil anything but go see it if you’re a fan and if you’re into love stories and wild sci-fi!  This had so much fun stuff for us ‘True Believers’ as Stan Lee would lovingly call us Marvel fans that this to me wasn’t a movie this was a note from home saying we love ya!  The fight scenes are outstanding and with the kind of power the old comics had.  The cast is just so awesome and I mean everyone in the cast from the leads to the extras just rocked.  Yes there are surprises in the movie which is why this film is the double whammy this year for Marvel as it now cements itself as the supreme ruler of the box office and will be so for 20 years easy. 

The only semi-spoiler I’ll make is in regard to a surprise character who appears in the movie and says “I’m putting together a team.”.  Well we old True Believers remember what that team is and it’s called “The Avengers”!!!  Yes!!! When Marvel began the stories of the Hulk, he was so destructive the other superheroes had to team up just to stop him.  They were called The Avengers and consisted of Iron Man, Capt. America, Submariner, Ant Man, The Scarlet Witch, Quicksilver and the Mighty Thor!  They all had to team up not only to fight the Hulk but evil doers too!  These stories were filled with drama, passion, romance, sci fi and all the good stuff and are legendary to this day.

 It’s all about the power of Marvel Comics characters and this film pays tribute not only to the creators at Marvel but the beloved tv series starring Bill Bixby and the incredible Lou Ferrigno.  All us fans of both these men are happy with this movie big time!

So strap in and go see The Incredible Hulk!  At least go see it twice, one for Bruce Banner and one for the Hulk!

Did I say how fine Liv Tyler looks in this movie?  You just gotta fall in love with her.  These Marvel babes are turning into the must have roles for actresses.  Marvel women were always feisty and just as tough as the men.  There’s a cab scene where Tyler rocks! 

I’ll write a more lengthy review after you guys have seen it!

Thanks Stan Lee, Jack Kirby, and the Marvel bullpen for another history making cinema feat!

COMIC BOOKS AND HOLLYWOOD RULE!

Posted 11 May, 2008 in Uncategorized | No comments

Well by now Marvel’s new IRON MAN movie has ruled the box office for two weeks straight.  It’s another case of a Marvel Comics hero property becoming a major blockbuster hit at the movies because someone cared to follow the original story and brand.

This just about cements the fact that a Marvel property done well means box office success.  IRON MAN is now the seventh  Marvel franchise following  BLADE, SPIDER-MAN, X MEN, FANTASTIC FOUR, GHOST RIDER, THE PUNISHER.  There are thousands of other Marvel comics heroes pantheon yet to hit the silver screen and we fans know what’s in store for Hollywood.  It would be wise for every actor this side of the galaxy had better get a role in a Marvel movie if they want to survive the next 20 years easy in Hollywood.

Soon, if all new Marvel projects are done as well as IRON MAN, Marvel will rule the top ten movies of all time spots very soon.

So because of this success, us comic book creators are being inundated with more comics, more art, more drawing!!! I’ve never seen it like this ever in this industry.  Stay tuned for more news!

New Free Comic Book E-Books!

Posted 3 May, 2008 in Uncategorized | No comments

Say boys and girls!  Pretty soon you’ll be able to get some FREE comic books in e-b00k format!  Can’t spoil the surprise but it’s on the way. Keep tuned!

CLICK HERE FOR FREE E-BOOKS AND COMIC BOOKS!

Legendary Artist Dave Stevens Passes Away At 52

Posted 12 March, 2008 in ANIMATION, COMIC BOOKS, FINE ART | No comments

http://www.newsfromme.com/archives/2008_03_11.html#014911

 This news hit me like a thunderbolt.  Dave Stevens has to have been the most outstanding and unique artist in the comics field in the past 30 years.  He had class and style that gave tribute to the nostalgic and the new age.  He was most famous however for his brilliant illustrations of pin-up queen Betty Page.

Stevens also was the creator of the hit comic book The Rocketeer which was made into a major motion picture.  I met Dave only once or twice but he was very encouraging to me.  A real gem of a chap and for him to pass on at such an early age is devastating.  His artwork and books are must haves.

I’m fighting my own dangerous illness and didn’t know about Dave.  Then here I am making out wills and what-not and I hear this news.  A real tragedy for sure.

God speed Dave Stevens!

Goin’ Back To Comic Books? Me?

Posted 2 March, 2008 in ANIMATION, COMIC BOOKS, FINE ART, Uncategorized | No comments

Well lo and behold more people from the comic book industry keep asking me to go back into comics.  It’s good to hear from the old gang and see they’re doing well.

Several of the store owners I’ve known over the years have been badgering me too to get back into the game.  I had to take a look at what the pay is nowadays and was it worth it.  It’s very intensive work. Lots of research and it’s like doing a term paper x 10.

Well as usual the pay is the same as when I left 10 years ago.  There are other perks that may make up for it though.  I just don’t have a week of intensive illustration for a few thousand bucks worth of my time.  I’d really have to like a project to get back in. 

I’ll keep you guys posted on what happens next.