Monday, October 31, 2022

Quick Reviews: Trick or Treat Scooby-Doo!

By Claire Rhode

Trick or Treat Scooby-Doo! (2022) is a love letter to the franchise, but Warner Bros isn't Shakespeare. The premise of the film is that every case from the original series had one mastermind behind the costume villains -- Coco Diablo. Coco is suave, knows her way around a wardrobe, and has a cat for a personal assistant (an opportunity, as always, for Scooby Doo to hate cats. Rude boy). However, when Mystery Inc. tracks down Coco, they create a whole new problem: without good costumed creeps, there are no new monsters to chase. At least, there are no new monsters until the gang's ancient doppelgangers show up to wreck havoc on Halloween, which means that the gang has to team up with an unexpected ally.

Not the sort of doppelganger you want to run into in a dark alley

This movie isn't deep, but it is a fun romp that managed to give each member of the gang their own subplot, which is rare in a Scooby-Doo movie. Velma's reveal is well-known -- if you saw the clips of her swooning over Coco Diablo, you're not alone. And, honestly, I respect Velma's taste. Daphne is questioning her place in the gang. Fred doesn't know how to live in a world without weirdos dressing up in costumes trying to commit land related crimes. And Shaggy and Scooby? Well, theirs is food focused, of course.

Some pros include:

Fun music! Wouldn't be a Scooby-Doo chase scene without it.
A morally grey character. Weird, but Scooby-Doo rarely goes there.
Refined versions of the characters we started to see in the earlier Mystery Incorporated series. Each member of the gang gets a bit more personality than we saw in the original series, but they are definitely reliant on fans already recognizing aspects of the characters from Mystery Incorporated specifically - so they've brought in Fred's himbo energy (but toned him down a bit so he isn't too stupid to live), given Daphne agency, explored Velma's sexuality without having to include a character named Hot Dog Water, and actually differentiated a bit between Shaggy and Scooby's personalities.

Hot Dog Water, for the uninitiated

Pulls off a twist ending. You don't have to be Sherlock Holmes to solve a Doo mystery, but I do like when they at least try to throw you for a loop.

Some cons:

Scooby-Doo supports the prison-industrial complex.
The animation, a return to an almost traditional 2D style, occasionally veers into uncanny valley, especially with some facial expressions.
Mostly I liked it, but there is a little part of my heart that gets grumpy when they retcon or change things about earlier series.
The shushing librarian stereotype. We've moved past it. Our librarian training is firmly anti-shushing. That said, I do love that a scene happened in a library!

I consider myself a Scooby-Doo aficionado. I've been watching since I was a kid. I've seen the rough ones. I've sat through Scrappy-Doo episodes on purpose. Trick or Treat won't be going down on my list of favorites, but I've seen it twice now and I can imagine rewatching again next Halloween season. It's delightful, lighthearted, and includes a lot of Easter eggs and small callbacks for fans of the franchise. Overall, I give Trick or Treat Scooby-Doo! four out of five stars.

Claire Rhode, a former children's bookseller, is now studying to be a youth librarian.

Ward Sutton wins Berryman award from NPF

Ward Sutton Wins 2022 Berryman Cartoonist Award

Boston Globe cartoonist's work is "just powerful," NPF judges say

Oct 31, 2022

https://nationalpress.org/award-story/ward-sutton-wins-2022-berryman-cartoonist-award/

Happy Halloween! from Arlington's Mike Jenkins

After 2 versions of his wildly successful Trump pumpkin (or Trumpkin), the caricaturist has turned to another world 'leader', and has created a Putin pumpkin for Halloween.

Mike's website is https://www.capitalartworks.com/

NPR on Charles Addams

How the cartoonist behind The Addams Family defused fear, with dead-on humor

Allyson McCabe

https://www.npr.org/2022/10/27/1129540641/charles-addams-cartoonist-new-yorker

https://ondemand.npr.org/anon.npr-mp3/npr/me/2022/10/20221031_me_how_the_cartoonist_behind_the_addams_family_defused_fear_with_dead-on_humor.mp3

Comics Research Bibliography citations update, 10/28-30/22

In Memoriam: Michael Kopsa [voice actor]

Scoop October 28 2022

https://scoop.previewsworld.com/Home/4/1/73/1012?ArticleID=264891

Such Sights To Show You – This Week's Links

Clark Burscough | October 28, 2022

https://www.tcj.com/such-sights-to-show-you-this-weeks-links/

Soccer Balls and Bullet Shells: PW Talks with Lauren Haldeman

By Shaenon K. Garrity |

Oct 21, 2022

A version of this article appeared in the 10/24/2022 issue of Publishers Weekly under the headline: Soccer Balls and Bullet Shells

https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/authors/interviews/article/90673-soccer-balls-and-bullet-shells-pw-talks-with-lauren-haldeman.html

'Gargoyles' creators Greg Weisman and George Kambadais talk the clan's comics return

Chris Coplan

October 27, 2022

https://aiptcomics.com/2022/10/27/gargoyles-creators-qa/

Stevan Subic talks leaving an indelible mark on the 'The Riddler: Year One' with Paul Dano

David Brooke

October 25, 2022

https://aiptcomics.com/2022/10/25/stevan-subic-the-riddler-year-one/

On new beginnings: Tini Howard and Gleb Melnikov talk 'Punchline: The Gotham Game'

David Brooke

October 25, 2022

https://aiptcomics.com/2022/10/25/tini-howard-punchline-the-gotham-game/

Mark Millar and Jorge Jiménez talk 'Nemesis: Reloaded' with cover art revealed

David Brooke

October 25, 2022

https://aiptcomics.com/2022/10/25/image-mark-millar-jorge-jimenezs-nemesis-reloaded/

"I Just Love a Sense of Place, I Really Can't Let it Go" – Tillie Walden Talks Psychogeography, Queer Comics, and The Walking Dead's 'Clementine'

by Andy Oliver

October 27, 2022

https://www.brokenfrontier.com/tillie-walden/

"Everywhere All Over the World People Are in More and More Fragile Positions" – Dr. Sarah Wishart Talks About EachOther's 'Get Out of Detention: A Comic for Immigrant Detainees'

by Andy Oliver

October 26, 2022

https://www.brokenfrontier.com/sarah-wishart-eachother-detention/

When Henry Selick and Jordan Peele Team Up, Things Get Wild

By Carlos Aguilar

A version of this article appears in print on Oct. 30, 2022, Section AR, Page 15 of the New York edition with the headline: What Springs From Two Weird Minds

https://www.nytimes.com/2022/10/27/movies/henry-selick-jordan-peele-wendell-and-wild.html

'Wendell and Wild' Review: Not Wild Enough

By Maya Phillips

A version of this article appears in print on Oct. 28, 2022, Section C, Page 12 of the New York edition with the headline: Very Ambitious Demons, And a Rock 'n' Roll Attitude.

https://www.nytimes.com/2022/10/27/movies/wendell-and-wild-review.html

"Black Adam," Reviewed: Dwayne Johnson Emerges from a Tomb and Finds Nothing

The setup for a new franchise strips the substance and the fun from a mighty character.

By Richard Brody

October 27, 2022

https://www.newyorker.com/culture/the-front-row/black-adam-reviewed-dwayne-johnson-emerges-from-a-tomb-and-finds-nothing

Bhanu Pratap, October 25th, 2022 [India]

Oct 25, 2022

New York Comics & Picture-story Symposium 343

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SJkctpYfUEQ

Ep. 80: Space Brothers, by Chuya Koyama

October 26, 2022

https://www.mangasplaining.com/blog/ep-80-space-brothers-by-chuya-koyama/

Hayao Miyazaki's latest, How Do You Live?, "nearing completion"

Finally, a modest update on the master animator's latest final work

Matt Schimkowitz

October 27 2022

https://www.avclub.com/hayao-miyazaki-how-do-you-live-nearing-completion-1849713042

Oscar Isaac Tries on a New Hat: Comic Book Creator

The 'Star Wars' and 'Moon Knight' star released his debut graphic novel 'Head Wounds: Sparrow' through Legendary Comics, the publishing arm of the company producing 'Dune.'

Seth Abramovitch

October 27, 2022

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/oscar-isaac-comic-book-head-wounds-sparrow-legendary-1235248171/

Ideas Don't Bleed LIVE! w/ TINI HOWARD

Matthew Rosenberg, Ethan S. Parker, and Griffin Sheridan

Oct 26, 2022

Ashcan Press Comics Corp.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BxR70TZYzgU

"Introducing New Artists to the World Was the Most Rewarding Part of My Work" – Annie Koyama Looks Back on the Influential Koyama Press and Forward with Koyama Provides

by Andy Oliver

October 24, 2022

https://www.brokenfrontier.com/annie-koyama/

Comic Culture with John Zuur Platten

Oct 26, 2022

terence dollard

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oXhHycKOOcU

The Daniel Clowes Shoot Interview (Reflecting on the Complete Eightball Series and More)!

Ed Piskor and Jim Rugg

Oct 23, 2022

Cartoonist Kayfabe

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XgbaGex7PtE

"Comics Give the Reader Control and Agency that is Not Possible in Other Media" – Woodrow Phoenix on the Unique Language of the Form

by Andy Oliver

October 25, 2022

https://www.brokenfrontier.com/woodrow-phoenix-donny-digits-rumble-strip/

IRMA KNIIVILA & TRI VUONG for EVERYDAY HERO MACHINE — Oct 2022 Kids' Club Selection

Oct 23, 2022

Comix Experience

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aipvm3Zs_jw

KARL KESEL & DAVID HAHN for IMPOSSIBLE JONES — Oct 2022 Graphic Novel Club Selection

Oct 26, 2022

Comix Experience

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eYsNY3xEYQc

Jackson Lanzing Talks IDW Star Trek Comics

Oct 25, 2022

wordballoon

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=33y-MkGABLc

Art Baltazar Famous Cartoonist On His Creator owned books

Oct 26, 2022

wordballoon

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2FkSOwyUBfk

Visual onoma-to-wave: environmental sound synthesis from visual onomatopoeias and sound-source images

Hien Ohnaka, Shinnosuke Takamichi, Keisuke Imoto, Yuki Okamoto, Kazuki Fujii, Hiroshi Saruwatari

https://arxiv.org/abs/2210.09173#

https://arxiv.org/pdf/2210.09173

COO: Comic Onomatopoeia Dataset for Recognizing Arbitrary or Truncated Texts

Jeonghun Baek, Yusuke Matsui, Kiyoharu Aizawa

European Computer Vision Association (ECVA) conference

https://www.ecva.net/papers/eccv_2022/papers_ECCV/html/1946_ECCV_2022_paper.php

https://www.ecva.net/papers/eccv_2022/papers_ECCV/papers/136880265.pdf

https://www.ecva.net/papers/eccv_2022/papers_ECCV/papers/136880265-supp.pdf

More to Come 540: Indie Comics Interviews at SPX 2022

Heidi MacDonald

PW Comics World: More To Come

10/21/2022

https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/podcasts/index.html?channel=2&podcast=1225

Andrea Colvin Launches LB Ink Graphic Novel Imprint At Little, Brown

October 28, 2022

by Rich Johnston

https://bleedingcool.com/comics/andrea-colvin-launches-lb-ink-graphic-novel-imprint-at-little-brown/

Jules Bass, Co-Producer of TV Holiday Staples, Is Dead at 87

By Richard Sandomir

A version of this article appears in print on Oct. 29, 2022, Section A, Page 21 of the New York edition with the headline: Jules Bass, 87, Who Co-Produced Holiday Favorites for TV, Is Dead.

https://www.nytimes.com/2022/10/28/arts/television/jules-bass-dead.html

Jules Bass, who brought Rudolph and Frosty to TV life, dies at 87 [Producer brought Rudolph, Frosty to TV life in holiday classics]

Emily Langer

Washington Post October 29, 2022 : B5

https://www.washingtonpost.com/obituaries/2022/10/26/jules-bass-rudolph-frosty-dead/

Before the Guardians, James Gunn made some of the weirdest superhero movies of all time

Looking back at James Gunn's pre-Marvel career might predict what he'll do at DC Films

William Hughes

AV Club October 29 2022

https://www.avclub.com/james-gunn-before-guardians-super-specials-brightburn-1849713471

Yellow in Ukraine: October sirens and memories

William L Brown

Native Cpeaker Oct 30 2022

https://nativecpeaker.substack.com/p/yellow-in-ukraine

Margo Feiden, Hirschfeld's Idiosyncratic Gallerist, Dies at 77

By Neil Genzlinger and Alex Traub

A version of this article appears in print on Oct. 30, 2022, Section A, Page 29 of the New York edition with the headline: Margo Feiden, 77, an Eccentric Gallerist Who Represented Hirschfeld for Decades.

https://www.nytimes.com/2022/10/28/nyregion/margo-feiden-dead.html

Dynamite Sell Over 100,000 Copies Of Disney's Gargoyles #1 So Far

October 29, 2022

by Rich Johnston

https://bleedingcool.com/comics/dynamite-sell-over-100000-copies-of-disneys-gargoyles-1-so-far/

Animating the Grim Reaper and a Canine Companion, in "Death and the Lady"

Geoff Bailey and Lucy York Struever used C.G.I. to create a world that's layered and cozy, even when Death comes knocking.

Film by Geoff Bailey and Lucy York Struever

Text by Jessie Li

October 28, 2022

https://www.newyorker.com/culture/screening-room/animating-the-grim-reaper-and-a-canine-companion-in-death-and-the-lady

Rihanna returns to music with 'Black Panther: Wakanda Forever' single [Rihanna's lilting ode for 'Black Panther']

By Sonia Rao

Washington Post October 29, 2022 : C1, 4

https://www.washingtonpost.com/arts-entertainment/2022/10/28/rihanna-black-panther-lift-me-up/

5 Spooky Halloween Comics for Horror Fans

By George Gene Gustines

A version of this article appears in print on Oct. 26, 2022, Section C, Page 5 of the New York edition with the headline: Many Tales of Horror From Different Crypts.

https://www.nytimes.com/2022/10/24/arts/halloween-comics.html

Page and Screen: How Well Do You Know This Prolific Author's Work? [Gaiman]

By J. D. Biersdorfer

Great Adaptations, Oct. 28, 2022

https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2022/10/28/books/review/page-screen-sandman-author.html

PICOF Interview: Craig Thompson Gets Personal

Host: Duy Tano

Oct 17, 2022

The Comics Cube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OQTntN-d2JE

The Nightmare Before Christmas Director's Return to Stop-Motion Animation! [ Henry Selick, Wendell & Wild]

Oct 28, 2022

Adam Savage's Tested

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SqCgyunir4s

Matt Madden Conversation

Oct 27, 2022

Noah Van Sciver

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V74QAK_Ts9Y

The David Armstrong Interview Playlist

Comic Book Historians (October 20 2022): Oct 20, 2022

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLcJ4JJkHSvBPb9wNv8Ej-LDzyb5md6bSW

The John Buscema 2001 Shoot Interview by David Armstrong