Paper Cuts
PAPER CUTS FOR DECEMBER 2004
Compiled by Glenn Walker, press releases courtesy of NBM Publishing, ReelArt Studios and Lightningstrike Publishing, special thanks to Comics Continuum, Reuters and Mike Gagnon.
NBM PUBLISHING DISCOVERS UNIQUE CRYPTOZOO CREW!
Bi-monthly comic solicited this month for January 2005 coming out party! www.cryptozoocrew.com
You may never see a Thunderbird in flight. Or feast your olfactory senses on the pungent odor of the mysterious Florida Skunk Ape. But coming this January, you will have a chance to read a comic book with universal appeal. Now that's rare indeed!
And for that reason, CRYPTOZOO CREW is a natural for NBM Publishing (www.nbmpublishing.com), long known for selecting and publishing comics with wide audience response. Readers join Tork Darwyn, a world famous Cryptozoologist, and his adventurous wife Tara as they travel the globe solving the mysteries of legendary animals. Think "Crocodile Hunter meets Kolchak the Night Stalker" and you get the idea. But there's a unique twist to this story, one rarely seen in the world of comics - WOMEN AND KIDS LOVE THIS BOOK TOO!
"The husband and wife interaction has drawn great responses from both sexes," said artist Jerry Carr, whose clean style and sexy girl next door heroine has endeared both seasoned comic fans and housewives alike. "And we've found out from the ashcan editions that this is truly a strip for all ages. It's been wonderful to watch kids pick this up and buy it with their own money. We're excited about bringing comics back to a larger audience!"
"CRYPTOZOO CREW came together like a perfect storm," points out writer Allan Gross, "It combines my passions and experiences writing for children's television, conspiracy theory comics (Doctor Cyborg), and newspaper adventure stories (Tarzan). Not only does Tork track down these wild, unknown animals, he can often communicate with them. As for his wife Tara, well, she expects Tork to read her mind!"
More information on CRYPTOZOO CREW, a free sample story, and daily strips and informational "cryptid-bits" can be found at: http://www.cryptozoocrew.com. In fact, CRYPTOZOO CREW was first launched as a free on-line strip at the Insight Studios website and quickly garnered attention from comic shops, legions of fans of Cryptozoology, and webmasters of comic book related sites interested in increasing traffic.
Ashcan editions sold out at quickly at last year's Small Press Expo and then again this year at Philadelphia Wizard World and the San Diego Comic Convention. There have also been stories produced for the MORE FUND and EVEN MORE FUND CBLDF anthologies. The response has been overwhelmingly positive. Readers like the straightforward single-issue stories with character-driven plots and punch lines. Each book will feature 2 complete stories. No getting bogged down in continuity!
But what has been truly amazing has been the variety of sources taking notice! Even before the publishing agreement with NBM was announced, one major comic shop volunteered to help promote the book, writing to say, "We were wondering if it was at all possible to get advance copies, or posters, or anything really, as we would really love to push this book. You know, it's not often we do this - in fact, this is the first letter I've written like this! Actually, we've already started hyping it - some customers already ask if it's out yet, every week."
And it's a phenomenon that has caught the attention of those outside the comic book industry through the wonders of the Internet. The Cryptozoology message boards are already abuzz with talk about the new CRYPTOZOO CREW. One fan said, "This has been the MOST enjoyable read I have come across in a LONG LONG time." Cryptozoology is a diverse and growing field with a tradition of enjoying both good science and great fiction!
Others on the Internet were not content to merely read the strip. They began to use the "Tooncasting code", which allows then to run the strip (updated automatically on a daily basis) on their own personal pages. The first fan started only three days after the strip was launched! She said, "I just put it on my website. I hope you guys keeping popping these babies out, they're so cool!" And others sites soon followed, including GEMSTONE PUBLISHING and COMIC WIDOWS.
When not running a story, the on-line strip still features fun and informative "Cryptid-bits" describing the characters and strange creatures to appear in upcoming story lines. This daily entertainment and presence on the Internet will amplify the buzz between issues of the regular series. This series has more legs than the cryptids that Tork and Tara track down!
CRYPTOZOO CREW appeals on a number of levels. It is suitable for all ages, but still great fun for adults. Men enjoy the adventure and Jerry's good girl art, while women see Tara as the real hero of the story as she often has a great deal of fun at Tork's expense. But she sticks with him through thick and thin as he tracks down the legendary Cave Monkey or chases the blood-sucking Chupacabra. Ultimately, there's only one creature whose secrets Tork will never unravel, and that's his lovely wife!
For more information, go to www.cryptozoocrew.com and www.nbmpublishing.com.
CHO PUTS THE MONKEY ON TOP
The king of monkeyboys and artist extraordiniare, Frank Cho has signed a licensing agreement with ReelArt Studios to produce his creator owned property, KINGS OF SKULL ISLAND - BATTLE ROYALE, as a pre painted cold cast resin statue.
KINGS OF SKULL ISLAND features everybody's favorite great ape astride his nemisis, the T-Rex, locked in a fierce battle royale. Who will come out on top? True to form, our hero is getting the best of his arch enemy. The hefty statue will rest on a handsome wooden base and will be limited to an edition of 2000 pieces.
Working closely with Cho, Shawn Nagle, a master of the simian form, will be the sculptor on this project. Though they have known each other for years, this is the first time the two have had the opportunity to work together. Both creators are looking forward to taking Cho's vision of this monumental battle into the third dimension.
Expected release date for KINGS OF SKULL ISLAND - BATTLE ROYALE is early to mid 2005. Please visit the ReelArt Studios website at www.reelartstudios.com or Cho's wonderful web site at www.libertymeadows.com for more information and continual progress updates.
MARVEL ON THE MOVE IN THE MEDIA
Slated for 2005: Electra, Man-Thing and Fantastic Four motion pictures.
Slated for 2006: Iron Man, Ghost Rider, Deathlok and Luke Cage motion pictures with sequels for X-Men and the Punisher. Animated series for the Fantastic Four. Two animated DVD features for the Avengers.
Slated for 2007: Namor and Wolverine films with sequels for the Hulk and Spider-Man.
In development: Ant-Man, Black Panther, Captain America, Nick Fury, Silver Surfer and Thor films. Live-action series for Blade and Brother Voodoo. Animated DVD features for Iron Man and the Hulk.
PAINKILLER JANE GREENLIT FOR SCI FI
Sci Fi Channel has greenlit a two-hour pilot for Painkiller Jane, based on the Event Comics character created by Jimmy Palmiotti and Joe Quesada.
NBC Universal TV Studios will produce the project in association with MGM TV. John Harrison Don Opper and Greg Gold wrote and will executive produce the film. Production is expected to begin by the end of the year.
Sci Fi's Mark Stern said to Variety: "She's a strong female superhero paradigm, not simply someone in spandex fighting crime. It's really the drama of a normal person who finds themselves with powers that they don't know what to do with or how to handle." It's likely the Painkiller Jane pilot will air next summer.
from Comics Continuum
HARRY LAMPERT, FLASH CO-CREATOR, DIES AT 88
Harry Lampert, who along with prolific writer Gardner Fox, co-created the Golden Age Flash, died on November 13, 2004 after a long battle with cancer. He was 88 and continued drawing the Flash for fans until the end of his life. Lampert also worked at the Fleischer Studios and di cartoons for magazines in his later years. He also wrote many books on the card game Bridge, among them one that is considered the final word on the subject. He was a comics legend and will be remembered.
SUPERMAN CASTING
LOS ANGELES (Reuters www.reuters.com ) - Landing one of the hottest roles in Hollywood, little-known television actor Brandon Routh has been cast as the Man of Steel in an upcoming "Superman" movie from Warner Bros. Pictures, the studio said on Friday.
Routh, 25, whose credits include the ABC soap opera "One Life to Live" and prime-time WB drama "Gilmore Girls," is the only casting choice announced for the film, which has been in development at Warner in one form or another since 1998.
Now under the direction of Bryan Singer, the filmmaker behind the "X-Men" movies for 20th Century Fox, the "Superman" film is expected to begin principal photography in Australia early next year for a summer 2006 release, the Time Warner Inc.-owned studio said.
Routh originally tested for the role when director McG was overseeing the project and later caught Singer's attention, a source close to the actor told Reuters.
The casting announcement came less than two weeks after actor Christopher Reeve, who wore the red cape for Warner Bros. in four "Superman" movies during the 1970s and '80s before he was paralyzed in an equestrian accident, died at age 52.
In a statement issued by the studio, Singer said he always had intended to hire an unknown to play the comic book hero in the upcoming film.
"Brandon is an extremely fine actor who possesses the physical qualifications of (the role). But he also embodies the legacy and history of this character in a way that makes me certain he's the right choice."
The 6-foot-2-inch performer was born and raised in Iowa, home state of television's original Superman, George Reeves, giving Routh the same Midwestern roots as the superhero's mild-mannered alter ego, Clark Kent.
LIGHTNINGSTRIKE PUBLISHING CLOSES UP SHOP AFTER FOUR YEARS
Tiverton, Ontario, Canada, November 12th, 2004 As of midnight on November 11th Lightningstrike Publishing has officially dissolved as a business, primarily due to a two year financial battle with Canadian bank CIBC.
Several independent comic book artists, creators, and publishers are reacting with mixed emotions today at the announcement that independent publisher Lightningstrike Publishing has decided to close down its operations. Many creators have been left asking why this event is occurring at a time when the company's future seemed to be its brightest ever. Fans that have been waiting for the release of several highly promoted comics and graphic novels have been left asking when and if they will ever see some on the most anticipated books from their favorite creators.
The closure comes after the break down of negotiations between Lightningstrike and Nordon Collection Networks, who are representing the CIBC. The problem arises from a two year dispute involving a 2002 business investment between the small Canadian publisher, and one of the big five banks of Canada. Lightningstrike launched its successful comic book line, SMASH! Comics, in 2002 with a funding loan from Bizsmart Inc. Nine months after its launch, and six months after funding SMASH! Comics Bizsmart, a subsidiary of CIBC, folded and went bankrupt. When Bizsmart went bankrupt the company's final act was to demand all payment in full on any outstanding balances that did not meet the re-financing terms set forth by CIBC. Because a small press comic book label was considered by the bank to be very high risk, Lightningstrike was immediately declined for re-financing.
When Lightningstrike was unable to pay the outstanding balance to CIBC immediately and in full, the matter was quickly handed over to collection agency after collection agency, each one continuing to inflate the balance payable. Things came to a head when CIBC enlisted the services of the Nordon Collection Network in summer of 2004. Negotiations broke down between Nordon and Lightningstrike when the collection agency refused to deal with an outside member willing to grant Lightningstrike a private loan to cover the debts, or to accept monthly payments on the balance from Lightningstrike. Nordon's stance was based on a huge misunderstanding of the comic book industry. Agents from the collection agency repeatedly stated that a small press comic company with a website should easily be able to generate the balance of $10,000 of disposable profit within 30 days. When faced with Nordon's unwillingness to deal and unrealistic view of the comic industry Lightningstrike owner Mike Gagnon was faced with a tough decision.
"It all boils down to greed..." Said Gagnon, he added; "...I'd rather make the choice to step out of business myself than be forced out of business by a greedy corporation." Although Lightningstrike has never gone bankrupt they are now using the services of a financial trustee to resolve any and all outstanding debts with creditors, which includes the CIBC. Several highly publicized projects, studios, and subsidiaries of Lightningstrike, including SMASH! Comics, have already begun to find new homes and will be showing up again in the near future.