May We Quote You?

“Don’t mess with the volcano my man, ’cause I will go Pompeii on your . . . butt.” – Ben Stiller as Mr. Furious in the 1999 film Mystery Men based on the superhero wannabe characters created by Bob Burden. The comedic actor and director celebrates his 47th birthday today.

(Image: Ben Stiller as Mr. Furious, Mystery Men, Universal Pictures)

Avengers Recycle!

Librarian and Eisner Award-nominated author Robin Brenner transformed old books into Avengers hedgehogs. More images here. Brenner also writes for and edits No Flying, No Tights, a site that reviews graphic novels for teens.

(Shout-out: Robot 6)

Holy Holiday Shopping!

(Shout-out: Paul Dini)

An Angel In Disguise

Nigel Mitchell stands up director Mark Steven Johnson’s 2003 superhero outing Daredevil as one of the genre’s best. He gives part of the credit to Colin Farrell’s portrayal of homicidal bad guy Bullseye:

“We got to see him kill with pencils, paper clips, even Daredevil’s cane, and loving every minute of it. Every time he walked on screen, he was like chaos personified”

(Image: Ben Affleck in Daredevil, Marvel Studios/20th Century Fox)

I Was A Teenage Zombie Slayer

Anthony Saladino learns about teen angst in a post-apocalyptic world from 13-year-old Chandler Riggs of The Walking Dead: 

“I don’t think I would let my mom bleed out and die a painful death and then turn into a walker.”

(Image: Chandler Riggs as Carl Grimes in The Walking Dead, AMC)

School Spirit

The curtain is set to go up on a new stage play based on the manga series Ikki Tousen (a.k.a. Battle Vixens) in which seven rival high schools literally duke it out to be the top dog. The show kicks off on November 30 at the Ginza Hakuhinkan Theater in Tokyo and continues through December 9. Cast photos here and more details (in Japanese) here.

(Image: Miyuu Sawai as Ryomou Shimei, Shizuka Nakamura as Sonsaku Hakufu, and Natsuki Ikeda as Kanu Unchou)

Coming Attractions

Paramount Pictures released the Jerry Lewis comedy The Sad Sack on this date in 1957. Based on the comic strip character created by George Baker and directed by George Marshall, the film also featured David Wayne, Phyllis Kirk, Peter Lorre, Joe Mantell, Gene Evans, and George Dolenz (father of Monkees drummer and lead singer Mickey Dolenz).

Screen Name

You may not be familiar with Jayse Hansen, but if you caught The Avengers then you’ve seen his work. The visual effects and user interface designer developed the graphics (here and here) that appear on monitors aboard the S.H.I.E.L.D. helicarrier and on Iron Man’s head-up display.

(Image: Cobie Smulders as Maria Hill in The Avengers, Marvel Studios/Walt Disney Pictures)

'Tis The Season

On November 29, Drake Bell and Daniella Monet return as Timmy Turner and Tootie in Nickelodeon’s holiday special A Fairly Odd Christmas. Based on the animated series The Fairly OddParents and directed by the show’s creator Butch Hartman, this follow-up to last year’s live-action outing A Fairly Odd Movie: Grow Up, Timmy Turner revolves around the efforts of Timmy and his fairy godfamily, Wanda, Cosmo, and baby Poof, to (surprise!) save the Yuletide holiday.

Arm Yourself

Romanian-born graphic artist Daniel Nyari lays out some familiar armaments—from Green Lantern’s power ring to the nunchaku and sai used by the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles—for size and indentification. Take a closer look here and order a print here.

(Shout-out: Night of the Living Trekkies)

Keeping It Too Real

Philip Shanahan wishes that the recent crop of superhero films didn’t try so hard to stay grounded in reality:

“Comic book movies need a little bit of style, some pinash, a little bit of that cartoonish element to them, otherwise they’re just vigilante films. In what rational world does a person decided to dress up in a tight, red leather onesie with devil horns atop, when a hood or a ski-mask would suffice?”

(Image: Batman receives his usual welcome from Killer Croc, Batman: The Animated Series, Warner Bros.)

Launching A 1940s Comedy Franchise

Directed Edward F. Cline’s Bringing Up Father, based on the long-running eponymous comic strip by George McManus, premiered on this date in 1946. The movie, which pairs the working class with society’s uppercrust, stars Joe Yule as Jiggs, Renie Riano as Jiggs’ wife Maggie, and June Harrison as daughter Nora. Released through Monogram Pictures, the film spawned four sequels including Jiggs and Maggie in Society (1948), Jiggs and Maggie in Court (1948), Jiggs and Maggie in Jackpot Jitters (1949), and Jiggs and Maggie Out West (1950).

Voice Identification

RRaquello has released a fourth and a fifth roundup of classic cartoon voice actors—including June Foray (Rocket J. Squirrel), Paul Frees (Boris Badenov), and Ross Bagdasarian (David Seville)—in live on-screen roles. Earlier entries here, here, and here.

Coming Attractions

TriStar Pictures released Supergirl, starring Helen Slater as Superman’s cousin Kara Zor-El, in the United States on this date in 1984. Directed by Jeannot Szwarc, the film also featured Faye Dunaway, Peter O’Toole, Mia Farrow, Simon Ward, Hart Bochner, Brenda Vaccaro, Peter Cook, Maureen Teefy, and Marc McClure.

Shameless Plug Of The Day

Yesterday, the British stage company Whole Hog Theatre launched a Kickstarter campaign to add more shows of their adaptation of Hayao Miyazaki’s 1997 animated epic Princess Mononoke. A one-week run of the production, which has been approved by Studio Ghibli, is currently set for April of next year.

(Image: Princess Mononoke, Studio Ghibli)

May We Quote You?

“I guess it is not that common for a girl to be fully expressive in her rage, but I’ve never been the girl who’s had trouble with that,” – Danai Gurira discussing her hard-edged portrayal of the katana-wielding Michonne on The Walking Dead.

(Image: Danai Gurira as Michonne, AMC)

Coming Attractions

Paramount Pictures released Addams Family Values on this date in 1993. Based on the characters created by Charles Addams and directed by Barry Sonnenfeld (who also appears as Mr. Glickers), the movie starred Raúl Juliá (Gomez Addams), Anjelica Huston (Morticia Addams), Christopher Lloyd (Uncle Fester), Carol Kane (Grandmama Adams), Christina Ricci (Wednesday Addams), Jimmy Workman (Pugsley Addams), Carel Struycken (Lurch), Christopher Hart's hand (Thing), John Franklin (Cousin Itt), Joan Cusack (Debbie Jellinsky), David Krumholtz (Joal Glicker), Peter MacNicol (Gary Granger), Christine Baranski (Becky Martin-Granger), Dana Ivey (Margaret Alford Addams), Mercedes McNab (Amanda Buckman), Cynthia Nixon (Heather), Sam McMurray (Don Buckman), Harriet Samson Harris (Ellen Buckman), Nathan Lane (Police sergeant), David Hyde Pierce (Delivry room doctor), Tony Shalhoub (Jorge), Ian Abercrombie (Driver), and Peter Graves (TV show host). The film earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Art Direction, but lost to Schindler’s List.

Gotham City Rejects

The promotional onslaught that hearalded the release of The Dark Knight Rises failed to utilize all of the material created for the occasion. Among a number of one sheets recently featured by the marketing agency Trailer Park, Inc., on its website were three (including the example above) that played no part of the film’s advertising campaign.

(Shout-out: Batman-News.com)

No Harm In Asking

As a follow-up to their crowdsourced science fiction action flick Iron Sky, Finnish director Timo Vuorensola and producer Tero Kaukomaa have turned their attention to developing a movie around intergalactic bounty hunter Jeremiah Harm by writers Keith Giffin and Alan Grant and artists Rael Lyra and Rafael Albuquerque. Would-be xenobiologists (and artists) are invited to submit their own alien creations for possible inclusion in the film.

(Image: cover of Jeremiah Harm TBP, John Mueller, Boom! Studios)

Live From New York . . .

Jeremy Renner and the cast of Saturday Night Live took aim at The Avengers on last night’s broadcast.

(Image: Jason Sudeikis as Iron Man, Bill Hader as Thor, Taran Killian as Captain America, Kate McKinnon as Black Widow, Jeremy Renner as Hawkeye, and Bobby Moynihan as the Hulk, NBC)

Coming Attractions

Universal Pictures released director Ron Howard’s How the Grinch Stole Christmas (a.k.a. The Grinch and Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas) on this date in 2000. Based on the well-known children’s book by Dr. Seuss, the film featured Jim Carrey (the Grinch), Taylor Momsen (Cindy Lou Who), Kelley (Max the Dog), Frank Welker (voice of Max), Jeffrey Tambor (Mayor Augustus May Who), Christine Baranski (Martha May Whovier), Molly Shannon (Betty Lou Who), Bill Irwin (Lou Lou Who), Clint Howard (Whobris), and Anthony Hopkins (the Narrator).

Bad Company

Kevin Kelly over at The Technium suspects that even a mastermind villain would require loads of help to pull off a high tech scheme:

“The myth of the lone evil genius is that you can make complex technology all by yourself without the infrastructure of a society. You can’t, at least in the beginning. Because more powerful technologies require more social support, this increased social pressure keeps the technology in check.”

(Shout-out: The Dish)

(Image: Matthew Goode as Adrian Veidt in Watchmen (2009), Warner Bros.)

Diabolik Turns 50

On November 1, 1962, sisters Angela and Lucianan Giussani unveiled their Italian comic book anti-hero Diabolik to the world. The popularity of the master criminal and his parter Eva Kant eventually led to director Mario Bava’s 1968 live-action film Danger: Diabolik, starring John Phillip Law and Marisa Mell. Through November 21, the Museo della Scienze e della Technologia “Leonardo da Vinci” in Milan is hosting a multimedia restropective (Italian) of art, posters, and memorabilia to mark the character’s milestone anniversary. In addition, Sky Cinema recently released a trailer (above) for its new Diabolik television series slated to debut in 2014.

What Film Are You Reading?

Ramneek Tung turns up the houselights on Erin Fraser and Matt Bowes, creators of Graphic Content: A Comic Book Film Series. The Canadian duo’s approach to their pet project, which “promotes and explores the relationship between film and sequential art,” remains simple yet well thought out:

“It’s a literacy project,” Fraser explains. “Every month we present a film, which in some way reflects comics’ varied content, rich history, and unique style. We pair this film with a list of thematic and esthetically relevant comic book titles.”

(Image: poster for Graphic Content’s screening of Josie & the Pussycats, Sylvia Moon)

May We Quote You?

“I’m ignoring the first bit, because my dialogue isn’t great.” – Warren Ellis in response to a question about writing good verbal exchange.

Ross Retrospective

This past weekend, the Norman Rockwell Museum in Stockbridge, Massachusetts, unveiled  Heroes & Villains: The Comic Book Art of Alex Ross. One of the most well-known and acclaimed artists in comics, Ross employs a photorealistic approach when crafting his images of iconic characters such as Superman, Spider-Man, and Wonder Woman. The show, which features more 130 works, runs through February 24, 2013.

(Image: variant covers of Detective Comics #860, February 2010, Alex Ross, DC Comics)

May We Quote You?

“Everyone of us has a little Hulk inside of us, and we relate to that character beautifully.” – Lou Ferrigno. The actor and champion bodybuilder who portrayed the iconic Marvel Comics superhero in the ‘70s and ‘80s celebrates his 61st birthday today. Sound designer Christopher Boyes explains how Ferrigno’s distinctive roar made it into The Avengers here.

(Image: Lou Ferrigno as the Hulk, Universal Television)

The British Are Coming! (Sort Of)

William Gatevackes continues his chronicle of comic book films with a look at UK exports Judge Dredd and Tank Girl.

(Image: Tank Girl by Jaime Hewlett)

Music For Mutants

Though he may have little praise for X-Men: The Last Stand, David R believes that British composer John Powell’s soundtrack strikes the perfect note:

“His Phoenix theme is something to behold, and the cues he pulls out for the X-Men, Angel, and the end credits don’t sluch, either. Top it off with some huge choral pieces in the climax, and you’ve got one of the best superhero movie scores to date.”

Check Your Local Listings

Patrick Warburton portrayed the enigmatic “sterling silver ladle of justice” in the Fox superhero parody series The Tick, which debuted on this date in 2001. Based on the eponymous comic book by Ben Edlund, the show, which aired for just nine episodes but has since developed a cult following, also featured David Burke as the Tick’s sidekick Arthur, Nestor Carbonell as Batmanuel, and Liz Vassey as Captain Liberty. Among those making guest appearances were Ron Perlman as Fiery Blaze, Peter Bergman as Metcalf, Mari Morrow as Medusa, Michael Cornacchia as Kid Caboose, Antwon Tanner as Johnny Republic, Kurt Fuller as Destroyo, and Armin Shimerman as the Terror.

Shameless Plug Of The Day

Artist and Francophile Katharine Boyd hopes to get her comic book Pourquoi pas Quoi into people’s hands. Fans of French mod culture and ’60s spy stories would be wise to check it out.

Check Your Local Listings

ABC debuted the 90-minute television movie The New Original Wonder Woman on this date in 1975, which led to a series that lasted three seasons as well as actress Lynda Carter becoming synonymous with the Amazon Princess. The film also featured several prolific ’70s TV personalities, including Lyle Waggoner, Red Buttons, Stella Stevens, John Randolph, Fannie Flag, Cloris Leachman, Eric Braeden, and Henry Gibson.

Shoot 'Em Up Stallone

Our recent post on Dredd 3D got us thinking about Sylvester Stallone and that, in turn, made it seem like a good time to remind folks that Sly’s next movie Bullet to the Head is based on the French graphic novel Du Plomb Dans La Tete by Matz (a.k.a. Alexis Nolent). Directed by Walter Hill, the action film is slated to premiere next week at the International Rome Film Festival and will be released on February 1, 2013.

Filming The Future

Prime Focus World has released a series of four short videos (here, here, here, and here) showcasing the development and creation of the special visual effects for Dredd 3D. Featured speakers include VFX supervisor Jon Thum, art director Neil Miller, head of production Tim Keene, and CG supervisor Alex Pejic. Previous coverage here, here, and here.

Green With Embarrassment

Yesterday, we mistakenly failed to mention that November 4 marked the 35th anniversary of the premiere of the television movie The Incredible Hulk starring Bill Bixby, Lou Ferrigno, Susan Sullivan, and Jack Colvin. The pilot, which marked the first live-action appearance of the iconic Marvel Comics hero, spawned a well-received series and several more television movies. The Hulk made his comic book debut 50 years ago this past May.

On the Haunted Home Front

Horrorgami, currently on display at London’s Gallery One and a Half, focuses on the work of Marc Hagen-Guirey, whose love of scary movies inspired his kirigami models of well-known cinematic haunted houses. The exhibition runs through November 14.

(Shout-out: Boing Boing)

(Image: The Addams Family mansion, Marc Hagen-Guirey)

Trailer Talk

It’s been 10 years since director Sam Raimi’s first Spider-Man film swung into theaters. Looking back, some of its early trailers showcased things a bit differently.

(Shout-out: NerdyGeek)

Fight Club

The new series Arrow, inspired by the DC Comics character Green Arrow, infuses a hefty does of action in each epsiode. Fight choreographer James “Bam Bam” Bamford breaks down a scene involving a chair here.

Art Appreciation

Rorschach from Superhero Minimalist Posters by Australian artist Michael Turner. His series Superhero Batman T-Shirt Illustrations can be found here.

Coverage of other artistic endeavours here.

May We Quote You?

“I haven’t been involved with Spider-Man since the ’60s.” – Steve Ditko, who co-created the wall-crawling superhero with Stan Lee. The famously reclusive comic book artist, known also for his work on characters such as the Creeper, the Question, and Hawk and Dove, celebrates his 85th birthday today.

More recent Ditko coverage here.

(Image: cover of Strange Tales #110 (July, 1963), Marvel Comics. The issue marked the first appearance of another Lee/Ditko collaboration: Doctor Strange)

Shameless Plug Of The Day

Our friend Lex Fajardo has launched a Kickstarter campaign for his graphic novel Kid Beowulf and the Rise of El Cid, the latest installment in his Kid Beowulf saga. Based on the epic poem Beowulf, the kid-friendly series blends mythology, history, and classical literature as it follows 12-year-old twins Grendel and Beowulf on their heroic adventures. For information on the previous two entires, Kid Beowulf and the Blood-Bound Oath and Kid Beowulf and the Song of Roland, go here.

Coming Attractions

RKO Pictures released Li’l Abner, based on the comic strip by Al Capp, on this date in 1940. The 78-minute feature, directed by Albert Rogell, starred Jeff York, Martha O’Driscoll, Billie Seward, Mona Ray, Johnnie Morris, and Buster Keaton. The title song was composed by Ben Oakland, Milton Drake, and comedian Milton Berle.