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Marvel Comics wants to know which comics you believe sported the best cover art in 2007. Visit their website and you can browse every comic book cover published by Marvel in 2007 and select your top 5. I know it's a little late in the year for a Best Of 2007 contest. But it's still a fun little romp down memory lane. Below you can check out my picks, just for grins. Visit Marvel to cast your vote by clicking here.
By Mike HeronimeAmong my favorite comic book authors I include Alan Moore, Grant Morrison, Ed Brubaker, Matt Fraction, Mark Waid, and, of course, Eric Robinson and Tony Pacitti. I would suggest that most of the names on the short list you probably recognize with maybe the exceptions of Eric and Tony. Eric introduced me to Tony. Both writers work with me on the comic books we publish for Pandemonium Comics. Eric writes Dark Dallas and Tony writes two titles, RoboPlanet and The Silencer. And both writers are getting their share of press lately. Eric was recently mentioned in a D Magazine review of Dark Dallas. And now you can read Tony's interview by Southcoast 247 as they pick his brain to find out his secrets to comic book success. You can read their interview with Tony by clicking here.
Those familiar with Pandemonium Comics will be familiar with the name of Daniel Crosier. Dan provided the writing and art for the January issue of Pandemonium Comics titled "Sons of Soil." He has also created cover art for PositiveBrand titles "The Zombie" and "The Land of Andrak." Additional cover illustrations by Dan will be seen later this year on Pandemonium Comics titles "The Arena", "The Exquisite Vanishteer", and "Grave Mistakes." Given Dan's unique talents and style, it's no wonder Yahoo! has asked Dan for his expert opinion on pursuing a career in comic book art. What follows is an excerpt from an article posted by Yahoo! Hot Jobs targeting job seekers.
The Colorful World of Comic Book Artistry
Daniel Crosier, comic book illustrator currently working on "Bartholomew of the Scissors" (Blue Water Productions), says comic book illustrations are a natural extension of his artistic ability, which includes creating contemporary wood sculptures, paintings, building props for local films, and directing short films. "This is another outlet for my art and storytelling. Having a background in illustration translates well into comic books."
Comic book illustrators typically work closely with the in-house editorial department. As stories evolve, so do the illustrations to match the characters and their actions. Illustrators need to adhere to strict deadlines to ensure their role is on track with the publisher's schedule and be able to work with others. "Work at your craft and learn how to take criticism," says Crosier.
Dream big: "Network, network, network!" he advises. "If an opportunity doesn't present itself, make an opportunity. Things will rarely happen to you." A degree in fine arts is a plus.
The rest of the article can be read here.
Press ReleaseApril 14th – For the third year in a row, the city of Dallas proclaims the first weekend in May "Free Comic Book Day" in honor of CAPE, the comic and pop-culture expo. CAPE 4 (www.capeday.com <http://www.capeday.com> ) takes place on Saturday May 3rd at Craddock Park from 10am-6pm in the heart of Dallas. This festival of comic and comic art includes more than 80 comic book writers and artists for a free afternoon in the park. With several thousand attendees and over seven thousand free comics, CAPE has grown to be the world's largest Free Comic Book Day event.
"It's an incredible honor for my hometown to recognize my work and the work of my peers while we reach out to the community for CAPE," said Scott Kurtz, CAPE host and creator of the web strip PVP.
Kurtz will also be celebrating the 10th anniversary of his web strip PVP at CAPE. The marriage of the two prominent PVP characters will be marked at the event by a wedding guest's registry book. "I would like to invite all of my fans and the CAPE attendees to sign the guest book for Brent and Jade," said Kurtz.
This year's list of CAPE guest comic book artists and writers includes the new additions Daniel Way, (Wolverine Origins and Ghost Rider) and Andy Kuhn (Firebreather and Marvel Team-Up). They join industry giants Mark Waid, Chynna Clugston, Robert Kirkman, Greg Pak, Jason Pearson, Gail Simone and David Mack. With over 80 guests, CAPE! just keeps getting bigger and bigger! For a complete list of guests and to view the proclamation go to www.capeday.com <http://www.capeday.com> .
CAPE 4 takes place at Craddock Park on Saturday, May 3rd, 2007 from 10am – 6pm coincides with the Free Comic Book Day events taking place all over the world. CAPE! festivities allow fans a chance to interact with top creators in the comic industry, get sketches, talk comics and pick up some fantastic free goodies including 7,000 free comics and much more!
CAPE 4 is hosted by Popsyndicate, PVPonline and Zeus Comics. The event is also supported by sponsors the Art Institute of Dallas, Martini Lab, Liquid Logixx, Christon Company, Courtyard Marriot, the Marvel Zombie Society APA and Korn, Bowdich and Diaz.
For more information on CAPE or if you are a comic professional who wants to attend please visit www.capeday.com <http://www.capeday.com> or call Zeus comics at 214-219-TOYS.
By Mike HeronimeCape! is the FREE COMIC BOOK DAY festival hosted by Zeus Comics in Dallas, Texas. Going on its fourth year, Cape! takes the concept of FREE COMIC BOOK DAY one step further by introducing the comic book curious not just to comic books for perhaps the first time but also to comic book artists, writers, and publishers. Hosted and promoted by Zeus Comics, Dallas' critically acclaimed premier comic book retailer, Cape! is held outdoors in tents and is free to everyone. PositiveBrand / Pandemonium Comics will have a table at the festival, where you can pick up the latest copy of Pandemonium Comics for free if you printout this article and bring it with you. Here are copies of this year's Cape! flyer and for more details, be sure to check out www.capeday.com.
Review by Mike HeronimeThis month, Pandemonium Comics features "Dark Dallas," the crime noir story that takes place in one of the nation's most crime infested cities, Dallas, Texas. Written by Eric Robinson with art by yours truly, "Dark Dallas" hit the retail shelves of Zeus Comics in Dallas this week and instantly attracted the attention of Dallas' biggest lifestyle magazine, D Magazine.
During his weekly pilgrammage to the comic book story, D Magazine Editor Trey Garrison found this month's issue of Pandemonium Comics too good to pass up. And good enough to mention on D Magazine's blog, Frontburner. Trey's response to "Dark Dallas" is just an early indication of how popular this title is becoming. It went on the shelf at Zeus two days ago (prior to Wednesday, the day of the week that new comics are available) and half of the issues had already been sold. It's highly likely that this comic book will completely sell out of Zeus by the end of the day today with Wednesdays being Zeus' highest traffic day of the week.
Don't despair, though. You can buy a copy of "Dark Dallas" by clicking here.
You can read Trey Garrison's blog entry for "Dark Dallas" by clicking here.
And you can learn more about Zeus Comics by clicking here.
Review by Mark AllenRecently, Marvel Comics decided to begin making their comics available online. Dubbed Marvel Digital Comics Unlimited, the program will boast 2,500 comic books available for viewing, with 20 additions every week, for about five dollars a month. The "classics" will be included, of course, to help (hopefully) new readers become familiar with the company's flagship characters, such as Spider-Man, The Hulk and Captain America. So, is this a good thing? The short answer is "yes." The long answer is more involved.
For years, many comics fans have feared the encroachment of the digital age into their beloved hobby. Their trepidation has centered mainly around the belief that, once comics are put on the 'net, or on cd-rom for home viewing (which has already been done), they will one day no longer be able to purchase the single-issues and paperback collections that bring so much enjoyment. As a fan, I'll admit the thought is disturbing. After all, the comics experience is not just visual, it's tactile. There is no substitute for holding that colorful pamphlet in your hands, enjoying the brightly-colored artwork on slick paper, then tucking your newest addition into the rest of your carefully managed collection of four-color fiction.
It's that very experience, however, that leads me to believe that there will always be some individual or entity that will be publishing comics on paper. Human beings like to "show off" what they have accumulated, and you just can't do that effectively on a screen.
The upshot of Marvel's venture is that it will help introduce new and younger readers to the work of individuals who broke fresh and exciting ground, not just in comics, but in entertainment itself. The likes of Lee, Kirby, Ditko, Romita, Sr. and many others will come alive for yet another generation. Ultimately, it will drive most of them to seek out that material in a more tangible form.
Fans shouldn't fear Marvel's foray into the digital universe. They should embrace it as an investment in comics' survival.
Mark Allen
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