Me Geek, You Geek

It appears that scientists and your own federal government (DARPA) are taking the science, or fictional science from our beloved comic books.  Like many inventions and gadgets that have come from the imaginations of science fiction writers, here are some new ideas and technologies that have been inspired by old webhead himself.

The title to this article read, "DARPA Binoculars Will Give Soldiers a Spidey Sense".  As read on Gizmodo.com where the article originated:

Soldiers may never be in harm's way if these binoculars come to fruition. Developed by the folks at DARPA, the so-called "Luke's Binoculars" (named after the specs in Star Wars) would be capable of seeing miles away and would tap into a soldier's brain giving him/her a heads up on any impending threats. The idea sounds pretty far-fetched, but DARPA is hoping to have prototypes ready in a few years. All we need now is a lightsaber.

And an Italian scientist is developing the following:

In an upcoming paper, Nicola Pugno, a professor of structural engineering at the Polytechnic University in Turin, Italy, discusses formulas for fashioning carbon nanotubes into superadhesive gloves and boots that could be used to create a Spider-Man-like suit in the near future. He also outlines a theory for using carbon nanotubes to create large invisible cables that could act as human-strength cobwebs.

This excerpt was taken from News.com.

Interesting...

Posted by Jon at 9:40 PM | Permalink | Comments | links to this post

The first show has been recorded and is ready for download or stream.

Bart and I discuss mostly Marvel comics; The Death of Captain America, the upcoming World War Hulk and the fate of Reed Richards. We also begin discussion regarding online distribution for comics and how this may impact the industry.

Let us know your thoughts and what you would like to hear us discuss for future shows.

And take it easy on us...we're internet talk show virgins.

Labels: Internet Talk Show (MP3)

Posted by Jon at 1:41 PM | Permalink | Comments | links to this post

In a recent interview with SuperHeroHype.com, Thomas Jane is reported as saying the following:

"Well, the problem has always been getting a decent script. We actually have a script that's being turned in this week and we all have our fingers crossed, you know? We'd love to do it. Everybody wants to do it, but we all want to make a good movie. It starts with the script. We've gotta get a good script, and then we'll be ready to rock. The plan is to start the "Punisher 2" in June; of course, I think I said that last year, too."

Hmm.  Was that not the problem for the first movie?  Getting a decent script?  Getting a good script before they rock?  Somebody needs to tell Mr. Jane that the problem is that they didn't get a decent script for the first movie and it sucked, so now making a second one will be nearly impossible unless it's straight to DVD.

But you go ahead and tell him, I'm not going to.  His arms are as big as my thighs.

Posted by Jon at 11:16 AM | Permalink | Comments | links to this post

Then do I have the book for you.

The Avril Lavigne's Make 5 Wishes comic book!  The funny thing is, this will sell better than 80% of the crap in Previews.  I really want to see the sales numbers when all is said and done.  If she "rocks out" the sales chart (sorry) then I have some of my own ideas.  Hmm...which pop star do I want to write about?

Here's the books description:

WELCOME TO MAKE5WISHES.COM

Hana just doesn’t fit in. At school, she feels like the invisible girl. (“No. Not invisible. Being invisible would’ve been cool. I just wasn’t worth noticing.”) And at home, she avoids her parents’ arguments by retreating to her bedroom, where she spends hours online, playing the part of various cool, smart, sexy, and popular alteregos, and kicks back with her all-time idol and very best (though only in her imagination) friend, rebel rocker Avril Lavigne. One night she runs across a mysterious website called Make5Wishes.com. Somehow, she can’t click away–and before she knows it, she’s ordered a package guaranteed to make dreams come true. But will it end up being a Pandora’s box? It all depends on the lovable but wily demon inside. Is Hana sure she knows what she wants? And does she know that what you want can be very different from what you get?

So then, like, Avril shows up, and like, does these really cool things, and like, it was so totally cool!  She came and rocked out and said to that loser ex-boyfriend of mine:

"Uh-huh,
Life's like this
Uh-huh, uh-huh
That's the way it is
'Cause life's like this
Uh-huh, uh-huh
That's the way it is
Chill out,
What you yellin' for?
Lay back, it's all been done before
And if you could only let it be
You will see
But you become
Somebody else
'Round everyone else
Watchin' your back
Like you can't relax
You're tryin' to be cool
You look like a fool
To me
Tell me "

Tell me!

Uh...maybe there isn't less drama.  Pandora's box?  Demons? Parental arguments. Hours online (hey...what's wrong with that?).  I guess I'll go back to my Cap-killing-world-is-ending mainstream books.  At least they don't have Avril Lavigne and Sk8er Boy showing up.  But it does beg to ask the question of Marvel and DC: "Why do you have to go and make things so complicated?"

I'm done...

If you feel so inclined, click on this link to go to Amazon.com and check out the Avril Lavigne's Make 5 Wishes comic book

And, if you don't feel so inclined, at least check out the following video to get a completely different kind of vibe:

If you are reading this in a RSS reader and the video does not come through, click here.

Posted by Jon at 9:47 AM | Permalink | Comments | links to this post

Yes the show is on the horizon.  The first show is in the can, just working on some edits to the intro and lead out segments.  Bart (my co-host) and I are interested in hearing what you want us to talk about, we're interested in featuring you on the show, and we're interested in hearing your opinions.  So come one come all...

Bart will also begin working on some posts for the site as well.  We are looking to jam Me Geek, You Geek with news, opinions and general geekedness.  If you have something to say or write about, let us know.  We'd love to have you.

**The following image is brought to you for no particular reason other than I just felt the love.  Apparently so did The Batman.  Damn sicko.  No wonder Dick is so screwed up now...

Posted by Jon at 2:42 PM | Permalink | Comments | links to this post

I ran across this movie this morning.  It looks to be a good portrait of Will Eisner, a man that truly deserves to have a portrait done about him.

As I was looking through the production company's website, I found the following picture of Mr. Eisner...

How old is he here?  Certainly in his 70's.  And the funny thing is, he was still actively involved in working in comics, er, graphic novels.  How many artists that we read today are going to be working in comics in their 70's, hell even in their 50's? 

Alex Ross? 

Jim Lee? 

Rob Liefeld (ha...that's funny.  More on Ol' Rob in a future post...).

George Perez.  Perez will be. But he's the only one I can think of.

If Mr. Eisner was still alive he would still be working in the field.  Truly amazing.

Go read his works.  Some of them get critiqued that they are outdated...but I don't buy this argument.  Read them, appreciate them, learn from them.

Click to check out the trailer for the Will Eisner: Portrait of a Sequential Artist.

An here is just a small sampling of his creative works.  Any of them will teach you a thing or two...

Posted by Jon at 10:22 AM | Permalink | Comments | links to this post

CBR has a good interview posted that I thought you might be interested in.  Like the title of this post suggests, its with Matz, the writer of "The Killer" that is being adapted to the States by Archaia Press.

I have read the first issues of this book and am enjoying it thoroughly. The art is very interesting; really good in my opinion.  Apparently, the artist Luc Jacaman, has his first comic book work depicted in this series.  Here's a sample page...

To read the interview head over to CBR.

Here's an excerpt of the interview by CBR:

“A hitman is a figure that allows dealing with such matters in a non-apologetic, non-judgmental way; and therefore allows us to tell a story that relies on his state of mind as well as his actions. So we have action sequences – and violence – justified by an approach and a reflection on facts of life I believe most everybody can relate to, despite my character's profession.”

Again, to read the interview head over to CBR.

Posted by Jon at 10:29 AM | Permalink | Comments | links to this post

This isn't comic book or media related in any way but even so I had to share.

If you do anything on the web, do anything where constant communication and information is a must, get one of these...

It's a Palm Treo 700w.  This thing will do everything except wipe your bum, and I think I saw a patch for that online somewhere.

It gives you the ability to "push" e-mail to your device as the server receives it, it runs Windows Mobile 5.0, it let's you browse the internet, and with a neat software program called NewsBreak, it feeds your RSS feeds to you throughout the day.

These devices have been out for sometime of course, this is like the 15th generation of Palm, but it works seamlessly for everything I can think of.  I can constantly keep in touch through e-mail, voice and text messages.  And, I am constantly being fed information that helps with the blog.

The only knock I have is the voice quality is a bit off due to it being packed so tight with all the other features.  But it's not so bad that I can't live with it.

If not a Palm, go for the Samsung Blackjack, or at least a Blackberry.  These devices will change your life...

Posted by Jon at 10:12 AM | Permalink | Comments | links to this post

Whoa!

Labels: Marvel Comics, Movies

Posted by Jon at 10:05 PM | Permalink | Comments | links to this post

I have been looking forward to this for a while now.

I'm not a big Hulk fan, never have been, probably never will. But after Planet Hulk I started to like the idea of him getting back to earth and seeking some revenge. The above picture is from World War Hulk: World Breaker that is coming out in May. It's written by Peter David and drawn by Lee Weeks. While I'm not too excited about Peter David writing it since I haven't liked much of his recent works, I do have to admit he had a great run on the old green skin.

So here's to hoping...

Great image though.

If you aren't up to date on all things Planet Hulk, you better catch up before this summer. Here's all you need:

Labels: Comics, Marvel Comics

Posted by Jon at 9:49 PM | Permalink | Comments | links to this post

Last night I had the pleasure of sitting down and chatting with Ryan Sias.  He is the creator of Silent Kimbly, a webcomic you need to be checking out on a weekly basis.  Ryan was gracious with his time (the interview is almost 50 minutes long), was down to earth, and was modest in his accomplishments. 

This guy deserves, and is getting, lots of attention for his art and creations.  But don't take my word for it, check these out and then listen to the interview below. (Clicking on the MP3 link under the player will download it to your hard drive so you can do what you want with it.)

I love that last one.  Look at the peanut yelling at the top of the luggage.  Hilarious.

If you like these, go check out Ryan's site at SilentKimbly.com

And as for that audio interview I promised ya...

Labels: Interview

Posted by Jon at 12:35 PM | Permalink | Comments | links to this post

I need to start off this post by way of disclaimer...

"My name is Jon. I am a Brian Michael Bendis fan."

I'm not a ball sucking, ass kissing fan of his. But I am a fan. He's done some great works and he has done some good work. I don't think any of his work is bad, or even slightly bad. It's either really good or above decent. I've never read a book of his and thought, "Damn, this is horrible." So now let's continue since I have that out of the way, now that you know I am a fan and not another "BMBB" or Brian Michael Bendis Basher (there is a group...look it up).

I was reading, I believe in Wizard, that Brian was talking about bringing the thought bubble/balloon back. That intrigued me a bit, but with Wizard always pulling April Fool's pranks I thought it was just a joke. After all, go back and read some of those old Stan Lee comics with 30 thought balloons on each page...it hurts. I don't think you can seriously consider thought balloons being a great mechanism in comic book storytelling.

But then I finally got my issue of Might Avengers #1. (I get my comics through mail, you should try it. You save tons of money which means more comics! www.mailordercomics.com) Lo and behold, it was, the use of thought balloons in a Marvel book.

As you will see as you continue reading, I hated it. Truly hated it. And I am usually open to change and can accept new ideas (Captain America being killed off, Bucky and Jason Todd being brought back from the dead, the fact that my hairline is receding...).

But after several years of captions being used for character's thoughts and the importance of the art becoming more significant in the storytelling process, I was sad to see the old thought clouds floating over head.

Here are some examples for you. All images are taken from Mighty Avengers #1 (Marvel Comics) and are used here only for educational purposes. Or something like that. Just go buy the book so I don't get sued.

So here you have the first usage of a thought bubble in Mighty Avengers:

Not a bad use of a thought bubble...

It actually leads a bit to the story. We see that Tony is so smart he can be talking to two different people and thinking about complex equations at the same time. A more modern way to this approach would be to have the POV from another angle and we could actually see the formula on his Tablet. But hey, I can deal so far. One thing I can't deal with his that he is nonchalantly talking about selling the Helicarrier on eBay. So after a Civil War, the death of his best friend and countless others, being in charge of S.H.I.E.L.D. and also dealing with the Registration Act, he's cutting jokes? Seems out of character doesn't it? But this is a topic for another post I am working on.

Moving on.

Here's where things start to get silly. This is where I start to ask, how does the thought balloon do anything other than show that they are using a thought balloon? To me it breaks up the conversation. If they want Carol to be getting the point across that she is pleased with the fact there are registered heroes, couldn't she just have said, "You finally have super heroes working in all fifty states"?

Same page, a two page spread. We're really getting our money's worth of thought balloons.

Here is where I can see what Bendis is saying about appropriate use. Due to space limitations, he seems to have wanted to show that Tony is detached (might make my problem with the eBay comment less important) and that Rogers is a statistic. This could have been done by having her stop and ask the question out loud, which would have required a 1-2 more panels. So maybe space was an issue. Although at the end of the issue there are some 3 panel pages.

I also personally think it would have been easier to read if they would have changed her second though balloon to "He's calling Captain America Rogers now???" The way it is now makes it seem as if she is still talking to Tony, even though it's supposed to be a thought.

This next image needs some setup. In the panel previous to this one, Tony says, "That's the magic of a great team. Plus the magic that comes from the team dynamic that you didn't see coming." Carol then says...

This is an instance where Bendis decide's not to use a thought balloon. And look how much MORE is said in Tony's silent panel. The art is telling the story. The readers get to decide for themselves what Tony is feeling and thinking. Is he sad? Is he about to blow up and get pissed? Is he thinking about drinking again? The story becomes more powerful, rather than us reading a thought balloon from him that says something like, "That was a harsh comment." And Bendis has done these moments beautifully for years.

Here's a long one...

The first "What?" throws me off. What does she mean by saying "What?"

The second thought balloon is funny, and doesn't throw me off too much. Having Tony saying it out loud to her would have been funnier though.

The third balloon, is it funny? Does it add to the story? I don't think so.

Besides me wanting to put this next image in just cause Frank Cho draws an amazing Warbird, here is another one that I think distracts from the character's dialogue...

While...

...seems to work very well.

And these go on and on. I would say 95% of them do nothing to enhance the story, and in fact, mostly detract from the story. I found while critiquing these, the majority of the thought balloons that detract from the story are the ones that are slammed in the middle of a conversation. And the majority of the thought balloons that work are in a panel with only one character talking, much like the Warbird panel above. Overall I would give the Return of the Thought Balloon a D+. It didn't fall on it's ass all the time, but it definitely didn't kick ass either. If I were a main stay Marvel writer I'd stay away from using them.

And while I am critiquing this first issue of Might Avengers, I would grade the overall score a B+. Does anybody care? Probably not. Would Bendis care if he ever were to read this? Probably. I've noticed in interviews he takes constructive critiques to heart. As long as they are constructive and as long as they are valid, he is open to discussion, for what I believe is his hope to continue perfecting his craft. I admire that. And I admire that he is trying this, even though I didn't like it. Experiments are needed to push the medium forward.

Labels: Comics, Marvel Comics

Posted by Jon at 4:04 PM | Permalink | Comments | links to this post

Oddly Normal is a book put together by Otis Frampton and Sergio Quijada.  It's published through Viper Comics and was voted as one of the best children's comic books on the market.

I read through the preview, it's pretty good.  The coloring is amazing to look at and the art is nice and toony.  It's also got a story that kids will enjoy.

Anyway, check out the "Oddly Normal" Preview for free (pdf).

You gotta love free...

Posted by Jon at 3:07 PM | Permalink | Comments | links to this post

I am really digging these. This one on Ryan Ottley isn't anything too special, but it's still neat to see what their work quarters look like.

Check it out...

Also check out Mark Waid's Studio Tour. It's pretty funny, especially the part about the "closetful of dead hookers".

Not that I think there's anything funny about hookers...or death.

Labels: Comics

Posted by Jon at 8:36 AM | Permalink | Comments | links to this post

Sony Pictures has released an online game that asks the question, "How long can any man fight the darkness before it consumes him"?

He can fight it as long as the 'darkness' isn't an overwhelming sense of boredom.

Oh well, I guess I can't expect much from an online, movie tie in game created by a movie studio.

There is some customization for the moves Spidey will use making sure he's not consumed. I myself used the Girder Pull, the Web Machine Gun and the really wussy Flip Kick.

But what the hell. Check it out, it's free.

Follow the link to see the Spider-Man 3 Online movie game.

Labels: Comics, Marvel Comics, Movies, Spider-Man 3

Posted by Jon at 10:02 PM | Permalink | Comments | links to this post

Some updates for all you people regarding Stephano Caselli. Some of his work and his blog site. I'll start with his recent work on 'The Initiative' for Marvel. Here's a stolen paragraph from CBR News (and when I say 'stolen' I mean a 'properly referenced' quote in blockquote style and everything):

When Slott originally pitched "The Initiative" he had no idea how big the project would become. "Tom Brevoort liked a lot of the ideas I had riffing off of Millar's 50 State Initiative concept. And he said, ‘Why don't you pitch that at the next editorial retreat?'" Slott told CBR News. "We threw it out there and people just went crazy about it. Bendis was a really big booster for it. Joe Quesada really liked it. Guys like Ed Brubaker and Mike Carey were chiming in as well and they just really seemed to dig it. Before I realized it everybody was saying, ‘Let's make this an ongoing.' Tom Brevoort and I were the only ones saying, ‘Whoa! Let's try six issues first and see what people think.' The only person who was agreeing with us was Dan Buckley. It was weird to be fighting for a book to be a mini instead of an ongoing.

"But once we started getting all the designs and art work in from Stefano Caselli, it was all so gorgeous! And suddenly I was like, ‘There's all these stories I want to tell with these characters, this set up, and status quo! I'm an idiot! Why did I say six issues?! Why?!' Then the orders came in for the first issue and it was like, ‘My god this thing is huge.' Marvel wanted to make it an ongoing, and I wasn't going to complain!"

Kick ass. Here's hoping the writing is as good as the preview art and that the sale numbers stay up. Mr. Caselli deserves any recognition that comes his way.

More recognition you say? Here's some more of what the writer said about his partner (same article reference):

One thing that isn't open to debate for Slott is how much he loves the work of his collaborators on "Avengers: The Initiative," artist Stefano Caselli and colorist Daniele Rudoni. "I first saw Stefano's work on the ‘Young Avengers/Runaways' cross-over for ‘Civil War' and I thought it looked really sweet. And as good as I thought those issues were, the stuff he's doing in ‘Avengers: The Initiative' is even more amazing.

And even though he is up against some deadlines for his Marvel book, he still takes time to post a new colored image on his blog...

Labels: Comics, Marvel Comics, Recommended, Stephano Caselli

Posted by Jon at 10:38 PM | Permalink | Comments | links to this post

"Cribs". Ha.

Comicbookresources.com has a cool installment going where they go into the home studios of the industries top artists. Or at least, they have the artists take a bunch of pictures and then send them to CBR. But anyway, I thought it was pretty cool to look at the spaces that these guys use to create our favorite past time.

It's nice to see that these guys work in houses and rooms much like you and I do. Now all we need is a little bit of creativity and a hell of a lot more artistic skill and we will be just like 'em.

I am linking to the most recent tour (Mike Allred) and then you can go on your own after that and look at other artist's abodes by your lonesome. I'm sick of holding your hands all the time.

Labels: Comics

Posted by Jon at 11:18 AM | Permalink | Comments | links to this post

I just recently ran across this site, or I guess, this service.  It allows users to download and view comic books on their phone.  It looks like at this time the only services that it works with is Verizon, Sprint, Cingular and Amp'd, but I'm sure more are to come.

At first I thought this would be a bad idea, I mean, how could you be reading a comic book on your phone?  I had attempted reading comics on a Palm Pilot before and was disappointed.  It had me scrolling around the screen and it was just a bad experience.

But with this new service they have set it up so that you are only getting one panel per screen.  Per small, small, mobile screen.  It looks good in their Flash version of a cell phone on their website, but after a while I would think it would get annoying hitting the next page button every 5-10 seconds.

Head on over to their site and check it out.  The Flash demo is on the front page so you can see what it looks like.

This marks the fifth time I have attempted to read comics on an electronic device.  The first was the old Marvel and Crossgen online comics.  The second was PDF comics.  The third was on a Palm Pilot.  Fourth on my iPod.  And now this, on a cell phone.  Out of all of them the PDF is the best to me, especially when printing is enabled, although it takes a bunch of ink.  At the end of the day though, the best way to read a comic, is to actually read the comic itself. (I should know, I just bought "Blankets" at Borders yesterday and am thoroughly enjoying sitting back in my chair and reading through it.  No electronic device could give me the same pleasure....yet.)

Labels: Comics

Posted by Jon at 11:26 AM | Permalink | Comments | links to this post

I had forgotten that a while back (2-24-06 to be exact), I had the pleasure and the privilege to chat with Jeff Smith for an interview for another website I was associated with.  Jeff was extremely gracious with his time (the interview went on for almost an hour), with his expertise in the field, and in allowing myself and the listeners to go down memory lane with him.  He talked about everything from the beginning of Bone to the recent colorization of his series by Scholastic.

I have to admit I was a bit nervous at the beginning, but his ability to turn my lame ass questions into interesting answers carried the conversation through to the end.  Give the conversation a listen by clicking on Part 1 and then Part 2 (just in case that was confusing ;) and enjoy learning from one of the few leaders of the indie comic scene.

To check out Jeff's site go to www.boneville.com. 

** Take Note:  I am very much interested in doing more interviews, well actually "conversations".  If you're a comic book creator of any kind, or know anyone who is in the comics biz, please feel free to contact me.

Podcast:

Part One:
MP3 File   (length 29 minutes and 22 seconds)

Part Two:
MP3 File   (length 21 minutes and 10 seconds)

Labels: Comics, Interview

Posted by Jon at 9:36 PM | Permalink | Comments | links to this post

I still can't believe the graphics on these systems. Just beautiful.

Check out the following trailer from GameVideos.com. This is looking to be a classic game, much like the first two Spider-Man movie games. Here's hoping the story adds up to the graphics and the playability is as good as the last two.

Comics, movies, and games continue to melt into one source of entertainment...amen.

Labels: Marvel Comics, Spider-Man 3, Video Games

Posted by Jon at 12:26 PM | Permalink | Comments | links to this post

Not that this is a prank or a punk'd or anything.   I just thought this picture was odd.

Hmmm.....

UPDATE (4-2-07):  I feel like it is my duty and responsibility to update this pic.  I was surfing around and found the pic below...which kinda explains the first pic I saw (above) and it makes more sense to me now.  That damn Invisible Woman and her "I-disappeared-and-now-you-are-looking-at-your-buddy's-crotch" trick.  Damn her!

Labels: Movies

Posted by Jon at 12:45 AM | Permalink | Comments | links to this post

I am really amazed at this one. Really amazed. I guess there is no way to change the look of the Silver Surfer for film, but I admit I was a little scared. With successful comic book movies making some drastic changes to costumes (Superman Returns, X-Men, The Thing's lack of eyebrows, etc), I thought for sure they would make the Silver Surfer look like a regular guy with silver hair or some dumb ass thing like that.

But after seeing the Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer trailer and seeing the poster for the Surfer (below), I have to say, I am quite impressed.

Looks just like the comic! Check it out...

Click here for some great Silver Surfer TPBs!

Labels: Comics, Marvel Comics, Movie Trailers, Movies

Posted by Jon at 12:01 AM | Permalink | Comments | links to this post