Kick Ass

How many of you have seen this new video on YouTube, the New York Super-hero video? It's being promoted as an actual event, but it's pretty clear it's been staged. And you know why, because it was. It's just the newest piece of viral marketing. But what's it marketing for, you ask? Simple, Mark Millars' new book, Kick Ass. Kick Ass is the newest of Millars' Millarworld books, this time from the Marvel Icons imprint. You may remember some of his previous Millarworld material, such as The Unfunnies, or Wanted (already a major motion picture). The plot? What if someone did decide to be a vigilante in our world. What does it take, in the modern 21st Century to get someone to put on a ski mask and body armor and go fight crime? Millar says this is one of the most original stories that he's ever done, but I don't know. Sure, we've never seen exactly this type of story before that I can think of, but tone, and flavor? Yeah, this is just the idea of Watchmen in modern times. I but guess Millar wants to explore the mentality and motivations of the superhero, with out all the messy bussiness of superpowers. If you're interested, there's an interview with Millar over at Newsarama that goes pretty in depth as to the "why" of the series.

-Dan

"Heroes" Cast on Writer's Strike Picket Line

As the WGA strike lingers on, I'm sure it was refreshing to have the cast and crew of "heroes" join their cause. The main debate between the WGA (Writers Guild of America) and the AMPTP (Alliance of Motion Picture Television Producers) is fair percentage of the use and reuse of scripted programming as the internet gradually becomes the main way of viewing television. "Heroes" second season was ended abruptly by the strike, and the spin off series "Heroes: Origins" was cancelled all together.

Here are some more fun pictures of the cast at the strike:


Actor Greg Grunberg (Parkman)


Actor Masi Oka (Hiro) posing with fans


"Heroes" Tim Kring addressing the crowd

Good Luck WGA

-Jon

Drunken Fun

Not really a blog, I just had to share this with everyone. It is both cute, and funny, just like Janeane Garofalo.

-Dan

RASL update

For the many of us who didn't get to go to the 2007 San Diego comic con and get the 6-page RASL preview, Jeff Smith's first original comic since Bone, don't worry because it is available in it's entirety on Boneville.com. In the December diamond ad for RASL, the series is described as "A Stark, Sci-fi series about a dimension-jumping art thief -- a man unplugged from the world who races through space and time searching for his next big score -- and trying to escape his past." RASL will be shipping in February 2008, so make sure to pre-order your copy soon.

In other Jeff Smith news, check out this in depth interview he gave with filmmaker Kevin Smith's quickstopentertainment.com about a possible Bone movie and the politics in Shazam! The Monster Society of Evil.

-Jon

Ghost Rider's Revelation

Spoiler Alert - The latest issue of Ghost Rider #18 has some pretty big news for the flame-head, as writer Daniel Way reveals that the true nature of the Ghost Rider is not a demon but an angel. Interestingly, Way makes this big reveal right before he and artistic team Javier Saltares and Mark Texeira are leaving the book, to be replaced by writer Jason Aaron and artist Roland Boschi. In an interview with newsarama, Way explains that since he started the new ongoing-series that this was the main idea to move Ghosty forward. When Aaron takes over, poor old Johnny Blaze will have a new and unexpected place to seek vengeance, Heaven, a la Garth Enis' Preacher.



With one Way issue left, fans can expect a battle of epic proportions when Ghost Rider finally facing off against the last of 666 Lucifers. However, the next story (art above) looks to be promising and could finally be the arc that defines Ghost Rider, moving him past cult hero and back into the Marvel mainstream.

-Jon

Mushroom Power

Every once in awhile Classic Nick (Nick Main, not to be confused with our other Nick, Nick Kuntz) will pick up a shift at Star Clipper. This is always a great time to steal precious, precious blog ideas from him, as he is often willing to pimp out a new comic he is working on for extra promotion. So, to appease his demands and prolong my safety, check out Nick's current web comic Mushroom Power. It's adorable and features all kinds of great trademarked characters like Super Mario, the Smurfs, Totoro and The Go-Bots. By the way, it reads from the bottom up.

In other Nick Main news, if you get thirsty for a Ramune, but can't figure out how to get one of those wacky bottles open don't fret, because Nick has provided a great comic featuring Star Clipper's own Dan Mcnamara showing us how to open them. They are free and waiting for you next to the Star Clipper cooler with a purchase of a tasty Ramune.

-Jon

Movie News

There are some new movie trailers you might want to check out. Down here at the store we'll be running the new longer trailer of "I Am Legend", I wanted to see this movie already, but now I'm definately going. Of course we have the trade as well. But you knew that already, didn't you? Cheeky monkey.

And former AsstMngr Nick Main (Hey Nick!) turned me on to the new "Speed Racer" trailer. You may remember the pictures of it from this years Comic Con in San Diego, yes? Apparently it's not around for long, as the Mach 6 is pictured several times in the trailer. Here's a clearer picture of it from the side. I saw the auto-jacks, do you think we'll get the buzzsaw blades too?

Finally, "Wanted" got pushed back to the summer. The official word is that the studio believes in this film, and they think it can be the big summer blockbuster. Yeah, maybe. I mean sure, it's got potential. Granted it's nothing like the book. Neither was "Starship Troopers". And yes, it's a horrible movie, but it's just so bad it's fun. Lets hope that "Wanted" manages at least that.

-Dan

The Future's in Scrap!

The long awaited Hate Annual #7 has finally arrived and it finds the increasingly bizarre Buddy Bradley fighting his "good pal" Jay, over scrap metal.? Yes, you read that right, a full comic book about scrap metal that's not Iron Man. However, for those of you who have been following Hate Annual, you know Peter Bagge has retired Buddy's hipster ways, making him an eccentric kook who lives in a junkyard with his family. What's really impressive is how well it works for the character! I would even dare to say that Buddy's transformation from shaggy-haired flannel wearing hipster to crazed false eye-patched junk pirate is the best comic "custom" change since Spider-Man went from his original Ditko suit to the black-Venom suit in the 80's!


Besides the continuing story of Buddy, Hate Annual 7 also includes the conclusion of P. Bagge's Bat Boy strips from World Weekly News, and a satirical strip called "Partying with the 'Dickster'" included below:

Finally, Bagge turned 50 on December 11. Happy Birthday P. Bagge!

I can't wait for HATE 8!

-Jon

I am Legend: Awakening

So, I was hoping to write an early review on I Am Legend because we had been giving out sneak preview passes to the film and it was on my night off. Unfortunately, getting to the theatre an hour early just ain't early enough. Even though I was the person giving away the passes all week, I got turned away because the theatre had reached capacity. Obviously, I won't be able to comment on what I thought of the film, but I encourage you to let me know how it was, since I'm going to have to pay for it now.

Bitterness aside, here is an interesting trailer I found about I Am Legend: Awakening, the new graphic novel from Vertigo, which acts as a prequel to the Will Smith Film and classic Richard Matheson novel.

Git jiggy wit it!

-Jon

CSN!

Some you may have noticed something familiar in your pull files these past few weeks. Yes, its true, Star Clipper will be carrying Comic Shop News! It was weird for me, it's probably been a good ten years since I took a look at one of these. I have to admit, the first thing I noticed was that the main article was mostly just a repost of Matt Brady's Newsarama interview with Greg Pak about the future of The Hulk.

Not really all that surprising, CSN is a collabritive effort between Comic Shop News and Newsarama. All that said, I did see a few things in there I didn't see on Newsarama, or just missed in the avalanche of postings they have. Good thing too, they were talking about the new book set, The Starman Omnibus. I'll let you check out the issue for the details, #1068. If you're not a Pull customer, don't despair, we'll have plenty of free copies available by the front door. Remember though, CSN is weekly, and if you wait too long they'll all be gone. Oh, and we won't be carrying them regularly until sometime in January.

-Dan

Not *Another* Day!

I know I rip on Marvel alot, too much really. But I just can't help it, they drive me nuts most of the time. Sorry. And this isn't about Marvel, okay, it is, but I'll try not to...., I'll be nice is what I'm saying.

I was over at JMS's (J Michael Straczynski) archive yesterday, and saw this little tidbit from the man himself. Maybe I should say a little something about JMS's site first though. It's not so much an actual website as a comment archive. Anything JMS posts, anywhere, ends up in the archive, filed away for future use. This has been going on for quite some time actually, November of '91, and hit it's big stride during the third and fourth seasons of Babylon 5. Now for the past few years it's just been collecting up anything about JMS, mostly comics related, but the big things lately have been the writers strike.

Anywho, I was over at the site and found this post, originally taken from a Marvel Universe Google group. On the group there had been a lengthy discussion about how bad many people felt the One More Day story arc was progressing. Many are not fans of the idea, some are, and some are just nitpickers. "Why Mephisto, why not ________?" Who cares? Does the vehicle of the offer change it any? As a matter of fact, I had never read Spider-Man before JMS, so some things, like why the Kingpin wanted him dead in the first place, are not part of my familiarity with the character. But whatever, I can deal.

So after the conversation on the group had been going for a bit, pretty well reasoned arguments all around actually, JMS stopped by to have his say and to make clear certain points. Yes, in "Sins of the Past", Gwen Stacey's kids were supposed to be Peter Parkers, but Joe Q. over ruled him. Straczynski also made in plain that NO, he did agree with where they were taking the character, but it's their character. When you're playing with somebody else's toys, in their sandbox, you have to play by their rules basically. You can go to the archive here, or if you want to see the original, go here, JMS's post is about a quarter of the way down on the second page.

-Dan

The Comics of David Rees

Since George W. Bush was elected in 2000, artist David Rees has been making his satirical clip-art comic Get Your War On. With plans to retire the strip when Bush is out of office, GYWO has been a consistently funny and insightful political comic for the last 7 years. As the change in presidency nears, Rees is working on a new comic called Relationshapes. Rees describes Relationshapes in an interview with newsarama:

Relationshapes is the hottest new comic for women. It's about relationships from a new point of view-- the point of view of geometric shapes. Basically, it's an opportunity for me to showcase some of the cool geometric shapes I'm capable of drawing. A lot of people think that because I use clip art, I can't draw. But if you spend ten seconds looking at the amazing shapes I have drawn for Relationshapes, you will see that I am a very good drawer-- especially when it comes to kick-ass shapes that can get you so pumped and excited!!! Also, I just liked the idea of trapezoids and octagons having arguments about really personal, uncomfortable issues.

Now see for yourself:



For archives of both strips go to these convenient links:

Get Your War On

Relationshapes

-Jon

Mini Marvels

Creating an all ages comic that also appeals to adults is a difficult challenge, and one that Mini Marvels creator Chris Giarruso has achieved. Acting as miniature synopsis stories in the back of some of Marvel's biggest events, such as Planet Hulk, Civil War, and World War Hulk, Chris G. has pushed the popularity of his Mini Marvels to an anticipated pleasure of any Marvel crossover. The Mini Marvels don't effect normal Marvel continuity because they are in their own alternate self-contained universe where these heroes are just children. Chris G. explains in an in depth interview with newsarama that the Mini Marvels originally appeared in Bullpen Bits during the late 90's, but didn't gain their fan-base until recently . In this months World War Hulk: Aftersmash, the Mini Marvels recap the events leading to Hulk's destruction of New York City. Hulk explains in a cleaver Haiku:

Illuminators
...Shot me into outer space.
Now I Will Smash Them.

That's pretty much all you need to know folks.

For more Mini Marvels check out Chris Giarruso's website with full Mini Marvels archives and the complete animated Hawkeye trilogy.

-Jon

Whitechapel

Ellis is on the move again. Earlier this year, Warrn Ellis' site, TheEngine, closed down. Now he's back with a new page, spinning off his much anticipated web comic, FreakAngels. The new site, called Whitechapel, will not be the hardcore comics page that TheEngine was. This will be more of a lifestyle page, where people who enjoy his work, and many of the intrests that go into his work, can do the usual message board/commmunity dance.

But this is definately his site. One of the features you can access (once registered), is Whitechapel Radio. In context its much like The 4am and Superburst, it's just music that Ellis is listening to. I really enjoyed the Member Map feature, it's just neet to see the one dude out in the middle of Nowhere, China. Comic fans will enjoy the Printhead section, while I'll be rooting around in the Mad Science boards. Ellis also has a big Second Life presence, and the Office Stygian section is for all you other SL'ers out there.

I must say though, you guys really need to come through and get signed up. So far there's only four of us in St Louis! Now I'll admit, I haven't posted anything on there myself yet. I'm a lurker by nature. But whatever.

If you're a hardcore fan like me, this site is a must. If you're a casual fan it's highly recomended. And it's just a good idea for the rest of you.

-Dan

Well Blow Me Down! A new Popeye collection

New from Fantagraphics books is the second fantastic Popeye collection "Well Blow Me Down!" The tough-guy sailor Popeye was created by E.C. Segar in 1929 for the comic strip Thimble Theatre. Quickly becoming the main focus of Segar's comic, Popeye was known for his distinctive corncob pipe, single good eye, and compulsion towards boxing. Like Mark Twain, Segar developed his sense of humor around the main character's undignified sea-tongue and exaggerated tall tales. Popeye also became a famous cartoon character for Paramount in 1933 and a mascot for spinach. Here is the first appearance of Popeye in Thimble Theatre:

The first collection "I Yam What I Yam" covers 1928 -1930 of Thimble Theatre, following Popeye's initial courtship of wiggly armed girlfriend Olive Oyl. "Well Blow Me Down!" covers 1930-1932 and introduces Segar's second most popular character J. Wellington Wimpy, the likeable cad. It also has an introduction by Beetle Bailey creator Mort Walker.

Popeye's cultural impact is essential in the evolution of comic books as he is often considered a precursor to modern super-heroes, especially Superman. So, if not having these great Popeye collections has you saying, "I can't stands it no more" check' em out!

-Jon

Bearded Men Unite

First off, I want to thank everyone who replied to Ben's blog about my beard. It was very flattering that everyone was so interested in my little shaving mistake. We got more responses on that blog then on any other one previously. Thanks.

Second, I'm sorry, but the beard is coming back. That was never really in doubt, it was, after all, a shaving MISTAKE. But, seeing how everyone was so interested, and you were fooled to thinking your vote mattered (just like real voting!), I thought we could do a real beard vote. I actually stole the idea from my brother. He's getting new glasses, so he posted six pictures of himself with different glasses and is letting people vote on which pair to get. I thought it was a really good idea.

So here you go, I pulled this picture off this really cool site called Beards.org It's neat, but a little..., well, it is a website devoted to pictures of hairy guys. But it's still cool, and they're an Internet original, started in '96! They offer all kinds of great stuff, Beards of the World, Featured Beards, Submit a Beard, and my favorite, advice on how to Grow a Beard! Not that I need it, I just thought it was funny! I also happened upon the World Beard and Mustache Championships. OMG! These are crazy! Especially the German guys. Oddly enough, I never saw a picture of Alan Moore on either site. He could totally win the Natural Full Beard category.

I'm casting the first vote myself, and going for the Friendly Mutton Chops.

-Danny Boy

X-Changes

In X-Men news, there are going to be some major changes to all the X-books after Messiah Complex.

First, Uncanny X-Men will become the main X-book again, as "adjectiveless" X-Men will become X-Men: Legacy, beginning at issue 208. The series will continue to be written by Mike Carey, with John Romita, Jr. and Scot Eaton taking over as artist. Carey explains on comicbookresources.com
that fans should not confuse the word "Legacy" in the title to have anything to do with the legacy virus from past X-Men story-lines. Little other information has been released in the Marvel February solicitation about "Legacy" with Carey only briefly commenting, "It relates to the X-Men's past in a very broad sense, but it's set in present terms."

Cable's miraculous return in X-Men 205 will also introduce a new ongoing Cable series, unfortunately ending the great Cable/Deadpool series running since 2004. Novelist Duane Swierczynski will be writing the new series about the time-displaced mutant. What will happen to poor old Wade Wilson and Bob, Agent of HYDRA, is yet to be revealed, but I'm sure it will be zany.

It also looks like New X-Men might be folding since there is no solicitation for it in the February previews, leading me to guess that many of the young students will die during Messiah CompleX. It's replacement will likely be the relaunched X-Force, staring Warpath, Wolfsbane, Wolverine, and X-23 (everyone basically has claws!). To hype the series Marvel has described "There are lines that the X-Men have sworn never to cross. But after the shocking events of “Messiah Complex,” Cyclops realizes that some enemies need to be dealt with permanently… and the X-Men can never know about it."



Finally, spoiler alert, here is the most recent update on Messiah CompleX.

Nuff Said!

-Jon

Alan Moore Moves League of Extraordinary Gentlemen to Top Shelf

Starting in 2008, writer Alan Moore and illustrator Kevin O'Neill, will publish The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen (Volume III): Century through indie companies Top Shelf Publications and Knockabout Comics. The recent release of The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen: The Black Dossier will be Moore's last League work published from America's Best Comics, a subsidiary of Wildstorm Comics which is owned by DC. Moore's decision to sever ties with DC, who is owned by Warner Bros., comes from his displeasure with the film adaptation of his V for Vendetta. The acclaimed comic writer explained that the filmmakers, including The Matrix's Wachowski brothers, made false allegation that he approved of the film adaptation, and is disappointed that Warner Bros. did not retract their statements to gain better publicity for the feature. Now, Moore will officially not be working for either of the big two comic publishers, Marvel or DC, both of whom he has had well publicized feuds with. His choose to publish through Top Shelf comes from his successful released of the controversial Lost Girls. This is good news for Top Shelf because The Black Dossier was a huge hit, one so popular that Star Clipper sold out of in the first day!

The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen (Volume III): Century will be divided into three self-contained graphic novels. The story will span over one hundred years and will focus on Miss Wilhelmina Murry. Top Shelfs news page has a detailed overview of each chapter of Century.

In other Alan Moore news, the englishman was recently a hysterical guest on The Simpsons, pictured below sitting in front of a Lost Girls poster :



And the Best Dialogue Ever!

Bart: Alan Moore, you wrote my favorite issues of Radioactive Man.
Alan Moore: Oh really, so you liked that I made your favorite superhero a heroin addicted jazz critic who's not radioactive?
Bart: I don't read the words. I just like when he punches people. How do you make his costume stick so close to his muscles?
Alan Moore: Ughhh.

Also, for the adults, check out the one Lost Girls television episode!

-Jon

Meet the Marauders

X-Men- Messiah Complex is the biggest X crossover event in years. Concluding the story of the decimation of the mutant gene started in House of M, Messiah Complex is actually breathing fresh hope into the normally fatalistic comic with the birth of the first new mutant child. Unfortunately, the X-Men are faced with a roster of villains equally interested in getting ahold of the child including Predator X, the Purifiers and most predominately Sinister's Marauders.

As always Sinister's mysterious intent for the child hasn't been revealed, but his Marauders have caused a great deal of collateral damage in their wake including the supposed death of Cable, abducting Rogue, and having former X-Men Gambit, Mystique, Sunfire, Lady Mastermind and Omega Sentinel join their ranks. The Marauders have had a long history in X-Men but for many X fans little is known about the full roster. With the exception of Sabertooth, Marvel.com has recently done an excellent job of introducing readers to the Maraurderspast, present, and future. I urge all to check it out!

The current issue of X-Men (#205) has been the most revealing point of the Messiah Complex thus far, with a great cliffhanger that I'm not going to give away. If you haven't picked it up yet, this is where the action really starts and is a perfect place to jump in. If not just for the awesome fight between the X-men and Marauders, especially watching bad boys Wolverine and Gambit go at it:



Plus, we currently have all the previous chapters still in stock. So pick it up while it's hot bum!

-Jon

So, What do YOU Want for Christmas?

Christmas rolls around again this year, and with it the dreaded question of what to get everyone. Several years ago I realized that most major retailers could really help people out by using something they already have. Most really big stores, department stores and such, have a little thing called a gift registry, though they only use it for people who're getting married. Well, why shouldn't I be able to go into Best Buy and create a list of all the DVD box sets I want? Or go into Game Stop and put a few games that I'd like under my name. This way you get something you actually want, while not really knowing what you might get.

Well Star Clipper has been doing this now for a while. Sure it's not well known, but everyone who used it last Christmas was very happy come the 25th. And it's not just books or toys that you can add to your list. Would you rather have a gift certificate? If so, toss that up there. Come in, browse for a while, make up a list while you shop, or make one up at home and bring it by. Just come up to the front counter with your list, and we'll take care of the rest. You might want to order them according to preference (if you do, please mark it so), you may not care. Also, if you're pressed for time, just e-mail them here to me - dan AT starclipper DOT com!

-Dan

The Complete Little Sammy Sneeze

The latest addition to the Windsor McCay archives is the Complete Little Sammy Sneeze from Sunday Press Books. Predating McCay's Milestone Little Nemo in Slumberland, The Complete Little Sammy Sneeze not only reprints in full color all of the Sammy Sneeze strips from 1904 and 05, but also features full runs of other forgotten McCay classics such as Hungry Henrietta, The Woozlebeasts, and The Upside Downs.

In reflection of the strips original formatting in the New York Herald, where Sammy Sneeze was printed in full color on one page with the reverse side being another black and white McCay strip, the book aims to recreate this experience for new readers. Thus, the page-by-page layout has one full color Sammy Sneeze strip opposite another black and white comic, illustrated below:



The conventions of Little Sammy Sneeze gives fans a glimpse into McCay progression as a storyteller and artist, and how he perfected his masterpiece Little Nemo. Like Nemo's inevitable trip to Slumberland and subsequent nightmare, Sammy Sneeze is always awaiting the next violent sneeze. Both strips explore the innocents of childhood, with poor Sammy always being punished for his outrageous sneezes, even with the disclaimers "He just simply couldn't stop it" and "He never knew when it was coming."

While supplies last The Complete Sammy Sneeze will also come with an official Sammy Sneeze tissue box to help avoid those unwanted sneezes:



Gesundheit

-Jon

Corps: Come to Order!

One of the hottest comic stories this year was also probably one of the least hyped. Sure, Marvel's big ones, World War Hulk and Messiah Complex have been all the talk. And it seems that DC can't make any move lately that isn't somehow related to the upcoming Final Crisis, wether it be in Countdown, or any of it's myriad tie-ins. But the story that just won't quit has to be the Sinestro Corps War currently running in Green Lantern and Green Lantern Corps. Oh sure, they get mentioned here and there in a few other books, Teen Titans had a surprise link to it this week, but it's really been contained within the two core books. Thanks to reprints DC has kept the books out there and available to anyone who want them. And people want them! A couple times a week I will sell the entire run, 10+ issues, to someone who has heard through word of mouth just how good the story is.

But what I really wanted to talk about was the order of the run. Up until this point the story has switched back and forth from GL to GLC and then back to GL. This week though they forego that. Had they continued the order they were using GL #25 should have been Part 10, and GLC #18 would have been Part 11, the finale. But instead, the War goes from GLC #17 right into #18. This allows them to score a double with GL #25, making it an oversized 25th issue story-arc finale. The point is, no, you didn't miss an issue, they skipped one. Kinda. But remember, Green Lantern #25 is not the complete end of the Sinestro Corps. There's still the Ion special, and an epilogue issue for each series. Carry on!

-Dan

Readers Poll! VOTE on Dan's FACE!

Those of you readers who shop at Star Clipper regularly are probably familiar with the smiling mugs of most of the staff who work here. It's also possible that you're aware of a little "shaving mistake" that happened to Dan a couple of weeks ago resulting in a clean-shaven Dan McNamara. Something AJ and I had never before seen in our lives.

Now Dan is in the process of re-growing that beard he enjoyed so much - but I say "NO!" Dan has no idea I'm posting this blog so here is your big chance to have some say in whether you think Dan should have a beard or not.

Here's his beard picture:



And here's his clean-shaven picture:



Which do you prefer? Comment away and if more of you prefer a clean shaven Dan (like AJ and I), I'll do my best to convince him to leave it off. If more of you like the old-fashioned hairy-faced Dan, well then I'll just tell him he was right all along. Post a comment and have your say!!

-b