Tuesday, November 24, 2015
2016 Awesome Con panel pitches and special guests
Earlier this month, 1960s Batman TV series actors Adam West and Burt Ward were announced as special guests for the show.
Monday, November 23, 2015
Charles Berberian covers the New Yorker
How this week's New Yorker magazine cover beautifully salutes Paris after the attacks
Washington Post Comic Riffs blog November 23 2015
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/comic-riffs/wp/2015/11/23/see-how-this-weeks-new-yorker-magazine-cover-beautifully-salutes-paris-after-the-attacks/
The Express on Jessica Jones and Supergirl
Girl powers: How do the Superwomen of this season compare? [online as 'Supergirl' and 'Jessica Jones': How do TV's heroines compare?]
Express November 23 2015.
Rob Rogers wins DC-based Berryman Award
Post-Gazette's Rob Rogers wins national editorial cartoon award
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette November 22, 2015http://www.post-gazette.com/local/region/2015/11/22/Post-Gazette-s-Rob-Rogers-wins-national-editorial-cartoon-award/stories/201511220146
Saturday, November 21, 2015
Flugennock's Latest'n'Greatest: "We Are All French. Tough Shit."
"We Are All French. Tough Shit."
http://sinkers.org/stage/?p=1809
Remember when Beirut was attacked by suicide bombers last week, and a bunch of people died, and it was all over the media, and there was a global outpouring of condolences and solidarity? Me, neither!
"Beirut, Also the Site of Deadly Attacks, Feels Forgotten", NY Times 12.15.15
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/11/16/world/middleeast/beirut-lebanon-attacks-paris.html
SPX video of Jessica Abel and NPR online now
SPX 2015 Panel - SPX Spotlight on Jessica Abel and NPR
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TOMASFvzaCU
What is it about narrative non-fiction stories in the form of graphic novels, public radio, and podcasts that keep readers and listeners coming back for more, time and time again? National Public Radio's Rachel Ward interviews Jessica Abel, author of "Out on the Wire: The Storytelling Secrets of the New Masters of Radio"
Friday, November 20, 2015
Interview with Carla Speed McNeil's coauthor on No Mercy
DF Interview: Alex de Campi amps up the teen terror in No Mercy's new arc
By Byron Brewer
November 20 2015
http://dynamicforces.com/htmlfiles/interviews.html?showinterview=IN11201562414The Smithsonian honored Francoise Mouly
The New Yorker Editor Who Became a Comic Book Hero
The amazing tale of a determined art director who harnessed the powers of the greatest illustrators around the world to blow kids' minds
November 12, 2015
11/21: Illuminati cartoonists at Third Eye Comics
Hello Third Eye Faithful!
Photos of "Drawn from the Headlines" online
Natl Archives -- Panel -- 11th Annual McGowan Forum on Communications ("Drawn from the Headlines") w/David Sipress, Tom Toles, Jen Sorensen, Keith Knight, and Signe Wilkinson:
- Bruce Guthrie Photos Home Page: [Click here] to go to Bruce Guthrie Photos home page.
- Description of Pictures: 11th Annual McGowan Forum on Communications
Drawn from the Headlines: Communication and Political Cartoons
A panel of award-winning political cartoonists discuss their work, inspiration, and motivation, as well as how these cartoons affect the political community and the public, and how technology has impacted the form. Moderated by cartoonist David Sipress (The New Yorker), the panel includes Tom Toles of The Washington Post, winner of the 2011 Herblock Award; Jen Sorensen, nationally syndicated political cartoonist and 2013 recipient of a Robert F. Kennedy Journalism Award; Keith Knight, award-winning creator of Knight Life and The K Chronicles; and Signe Wilkinson, the first female artist to win a Pulitzer Prize for Editorial Cartooning. This program is generously supported by the William G. McGowan Charitable Fund, Inc..
The Post's Jessica Jones tv show review
In Netflix's new series, Jessica Jones is 'exactly the hero' we want her to be [in print as A female superhero with heart, and a past: Netflix's 'Jessica Jones' is a noirish Marvel riff].
By Bethonie Butler
November 20 2015, p. C1, 3
https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/tv/for-marvels-jessica-jones-the-struggle-is-real/2015/11/19/42e674d0-8e12-11e5-baf4-bdf37355da0c_story.html
Thursday, November 19, 2015
Drawn from the Headlines: Communication and Political Cartoons
11th Annual McGowan Forum on Communications
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y-IEXeFRFaU
Drawn from the Headlines: Communication and Political Cartoons
Editorial cartoons are often characterized by their originality, editorial effectiveness, and quality of drawing and dramatize a wide range of social and political issues with style and humor. But how has the ever changing technological climate influenced this art form and what lies ahead for the future? A distinguished panel of award-winning political cartoonists will present and discuss their work, what inspires and motivates political cartoons, how these cartoons affect the political community and the public, and the impact of changing technology. Moderated by David Sipress, cartoonist for The New Yorker, the panel features panelists Tom Toles of The Washington Post, winner of the 2011 Herblock Award; Jen Sorensen, nationally-syndicated cartoonist and 2013 recipient of a Robert F. Kennedy Journalism Award; Keith Knight, award-winning creator of Knight Life and The K Chronicles; and Signe Wilkinson, the first female artist to win a Pulitzer Prize for Editorial Cartooning.
This program is generously supported by the William G. McGowan Charitable Fund, Inc.
The Post's best graphic novels list
Best graphic novels of 2015
November 18 2015
https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/books/best-graphic-novels-of-2015/2015/11/18/89086376-7902-11e5-b9c1-f03c48c96ac2_story.html
Cartoons & Cocktails auction tonight
Tickets NOW ON SALE through 3 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 19. Tickets will be available in the Holeman Lounge of The National Press Club thereafter.
Plan now to attend the 28th annual auction of editorial cartoons made possible through generous donations of original* cartoon art by prize-winning cartoonists.
Join us Nov. 19 in the National Press Club ballroom for an evening of food, drink and lively bidding. It's a fantastic opportunity for collectors and admirers of cartoon art to acquire new works and help good causes.
*Because some cartoonists are creating their work electronically, their C&C items vary. Some are limited-run prints with original signatures; some are original sketches accompanied by signed prints.
Wednesday, November 18, 2015
Meet a Local Cartoonist: A Chat with Christiann MacAuley of Sticky Comics
Earlier this year, I met cartoonist Christiann MacAuley at Smudge, a comics expo in Arlington's lamented Artisphere. She's been staying busy with Sticky Comics, a weekly webcomic for Cosmopolitan, but here's her answers to our usual questions. (all images are courtesy of her)
What type of comic work or cartooning do you do?
I mostly create one-shot humor comics about modern life. Sometimes they're autobiographical. My work appears weekly on Cosmopolitan.com since 2013.
How do you do it? Traditional pen and ink, computer or a combination?
During childhood, I read a lot of newspaper comics, and I was particularly inspired by one-panel cartoons like The Far Side and Bizarro. I also liked to read kids' comic books like Donald Duck, funny stuff like Cracked and MAD Magazine, and mystery/horror comics like Tales From The Crypt. My dad subscribed to something called CARtoons, which was a cartoon magazine about cars, and I read it every month. I think that my early impression of comics was more topical and less story-driven, which is probably still reflected in the work I do today.
If you could, what in your career would you do-over or change?
I probably would have taken a few more art classes! I would also have liked to learn more about animation, something I'm trying to learn today.
What work are you best-known for?
I started making comics and posting them on the internet almost ten years ago. Probably my most widely-shared comic is called An Update Is Available For Your Computer (2011). You can find it on my website, although it's really dated now. Since then, my Cosmopolitan.com comics are what I'm best known for. They largely focus on the humor of everyday stuff, like eating, sex, and riding the Metro, from my own perspective that happens to be female.
What work are you most proud of?
I'm really proud of anything that legitimately makes people laugh. When people laugh at my work it makes me feel great. Amusing myself is the main reason I started drawing comics, and making other people laugh is usually why I share them. A few funny comics I'm proud of are How To Go To Work With A Hangover (2015), Juice Cleanse (2015), Morning People Are Smug (2014), The Seven Deadly Keys (2011), and Spoiler Alert (2010).
What would you like to do or work on in the future?
I'd like to publish at least one book in the near future and probably develop relationships with more magazines or online publications like I have with Cosmopolitan.com. If I ever get better at animation, I wouldn't mind doing more of it. As far as subject matter I'd like to work on, I would love to do some more work related to some other topics that interest me, including technology, futurism, and classical literature. Also, I'd love to write and draw an autobiographical comic memoir at some point.
What do you do when you're in a rut or have writer's block?
Work on something else. My twin sister, Sheridan, calls this FAUXcrastination. I think she coined the term. The idea of fauxcrastination is that yes, you're procrastinating, but at least you're getting something done. Otherwise you'd just be watching Netflix or reading Facebook or whatever. I also think getting out of the house, taking a walk, and talking to friends all help. If I have a deadline and I'm in a rut, I basically just force myself to work until dawn. I'm an avid night person.
What do you think will be the future of your field?
I think comics have a bright future. It will always be a great way to convey ideas in an accessible and interesting way. I also think there's a great future in being funny, if you can keep it up. I'll never get tired of laughing.
What local cons do you attend? The Small Press Expo, Intervention, or others? Any comments about attending them?
The Small Press Expo is my favorite! I regularly exhibit there, and actually started attending when I was a teenager making feminist zines in the 90s. I have also done Intervention a few times and love the supportive community there. SMUDGE is another awesome local indie comics show I've done twice, and hope to do again. I will probably try tabling at AwesomeCon one of these years too, although I haven't done it yet.
What's your favorite thing about DC?
Wow, there's a lot. Personally it's my family and friends. As far as DC area goes, I adore the multiculturalism here. In the DC area, I have eaten almost every kind of food there is, and can regularly see art and culture and meet people from almost anywhere on earth.
Least favorite?
Probably just how expensive it is to live here. I'm sort of a minimalist, but even living in a small space without owning a ton of stuff requires a pretty good job and a lot of hard work. I think the cost of living here is hard on the art scene, because it's so hard to make enough money just to pay rent.
What monument or museum do like to take visitors to?
I take international visitors to the Air & Space Museum. Not just because I love space travel, but because it's a fairly unique American thing and they usually love it. Some other favorites are the FDR Memorial at night in the winter when the fountains are frozen, the Washington Monument with kites on a windy day in spring or fall, and exhibits and cafeteria at the Museum of the American Indian.
How about a favorite local restaurant?
I'm kind of a dive restaurant person, so a lot of my favorite places are in the NoVa 'burbs where you can find great Vietnamese (Pho Vinh Loi in Bailey's Crossroads), Korean (Kogiya in Annandale), Mexican (Taco Bamba in Falls Church), etc. In DC proper, I'm going to say it's Quick Pita in Georgetown.
Do you have a website or blog?
My website is stickycomics.com. You can find me on Twitter, Facebook, Tumblr, Instagram, and even a few other places. If you google my name you'll also find a lot of my recent work on Cosmopolitan.com.
PR: Nguyen Nguyen's Double Release Party!
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
A DOUBLE RELEASE PARTY!
Washington DC – November 17, 2015
Multi-disciplinary artist Nguyen Khoi Nguyen is premiering two new projects: The second album with his Jazz trio: Superior Cling, and The fourth chapter of his graphic novel: the Gulf. The double release party will include a live performance of the album by Superior Cling. The album, chapter four, and other merchandise will be on display and for sale!
Where: Shaw's Tavern (upstairs)
About Nguyen:
Nguyen Khoi Nguyen is the author of the multimedia graphic novel "The Gulf," which includes original drawings, music & animation. Nguyen is the vocalist, pianist, composer and bandleader of the jazz trio: "Superior Cling," which performs widely in the DC metro area. As a filmmaker, Nguyen produces a dynamic range of content including art films, documentaries and promotional videos for non-profits and institutions.
Nguyen is currently the Video & Multimedia Editor at Science magazine. He is an exhibitor at Artomatic 2015. His video installation: F & G Variations was show at DC's Art All Night this fall. He is the recipient of a 2015 American Web Design Award. Nguyen was a 2014 Strathmore Fine Artist in Residence and was awarded a DC Commission for the Arts Artist Fellowship Grant in 2013.
Nguyen was born in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, raised in Cape Coral, Fl. and currently resides in Washington D.C. He studied visual art at the Cooper Union, music and integrated arts at Bard College and completed a master's degree in jazz piano at the University of Maryland.
Contact Information:
Email Address: ngknguyen@gmail.com
--Tuesday, November 17, 2015
Kickstarter for new Outliner comic book
A rulebreaking graphic novel about a young man with the power to redraw reality by bending the outlines of the drawings we put him in.
Outliner is a 135-page comic that wants to break the rules of comics.
Its hero is a wannabe comic book artist named John who is on the verge of rock bottom. He's unemployed, lives with his mom, and all he can do is draw drawings and hopelessly stare through his window at the girl next door.
The story and art are finished. The art is by Jon Reed, an illustrator with whom I've collaborated before. We need roughly $1,300 to hire a letterer -- the words and balloons you see above are placeholders -- and the rest is for getting books printed to send to publishers and media. And of course, to our donors!
I've included images of the inks before and after Jon Reed added color via computer so donors can see what it looks like in black and white.
Risks and challenges
I don't see a major obstacle to getting a small number Outliner books printed and delivered to donors. We think of that as an initial step toward hopefully landing on a bigger platform and reaching a bigger audience.Arthur Delaney is a professional journalist covering politics and the economy for The Huffington Post. He co-hosts the HuffPost Politics podcast and writes about presidential campaigns and Congress, with an eye toward connecting the stories of real people to the national policy debate. He lives in Northeast Washington, D.C. with his family and you can reach him via arthur.delaney@gmail.com.
Jon Reed is an accountant who has done illustration work for IDW Publishing, BOOM!, and Kevin Eastman. He lives in Northern Virginia with his family.
Monday, November 16, 2015
Nov 19: Warren Bernard speaks in Brooklyn
- at 7:00pm - 9:00pm
- Desert Island540 Metropolitan Ave, Brooklyn, New York 11211
The home front during World War II was one of blackouts, Victory Gardens, war bonds and scrap drives. It was also a time of social upheaval with women on the assembly line and in the armed forces and African-Americans serving and working in a Jim Crow war effort. See how Superman, Donald Duck, Mickey Mouse and others helped fight World War II via comic books and strips, single-panel and editorial cartoons, and even ads. Cartoons for Victory showcases wartime work by cartoonists such as Charles Addams (The Addams Family), Harold Gray (Little Orphan Annie), Harvey Kurtzman (Mad magazine), Will Eisner, as well as many other known cartoonists. Over 90% of the cartoons and comics in this book have not been seen since their first publication. Editor Bernard gathered them over years of unstinting research through private collections and the obscure holdings of public sources.
SPX's Black Art Matters panel is online
Keith Knight will be in town at the National Archives on Weds.
SPX 2015 Panel - Black Art Matters
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vfhncaGl9o4
Black Art Matters. Black creators Darryl Ayo (Press (A) To Talk), Ron Wimberly (Lighten Up), C. Spike Trotman (Iron Circus Comics), and Whit Taylor (The Fabric of Appropriation) discuss their experiences as comics creators and what it means to make art that speaks about the black experience in American comics. Moderated by Keith Knight.
Nov 24: Double release of books from Nguyen Nguyen
A DOUBLE RELEASE PARTY!
Tuesday, November 24th from 8:00 PM to 10:00 PM
Shaw's Tavern
520 Florida Ave NW, Washington, DC
11/17: Teresa Roberts Logan does standup comedy
- PUNCH Comedy Open Mic3415 11th St., NW (The Coupe), Washington, District of Columbia 20010
PUNCH!, the brainchild of storytellers/comedians Vijai Nathan & Jenny Splitter, is a space for all types of comedic talent -- storytellers, stand-ups, sketch/improv groups, solo-performers, author/writers, slam poets, singers, puppeteers-- anything you can think of that is funny.
We want PUNCH! to be an inviting place for both the audience and the performers and to become a comedy community where performers hang out, forge friendships, find comedy partners, get inspired by other artists, solicit feedback if you want (totally up to you!), and just chill, drink & chat.
Michael Cavna's short story about his childhood dog today on Comic Riffs
Here's The Post's first Instagram short-story art. Now it's time to show us yours.
By Michael CavnaWashington Post Comic Riffs blog November 16 2015
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/comic-riffs/wp/2015/11/16/heres-the-posts-first-instagram-short-story-art-now-its-time-to-show-us-yours/
Nov 18: Cartoonists talk at National Archives
11th Annual McGowan Forum on Communications: Drawn from the Headlines: Communication and Political Cartoons
- Date: Wednesday, November 18, 2015
- Time: 7:00 pm
- Location: William G. McGowan Theater, Washington, DC
Editorial cartoons are often characterized by their originality, editorial effectiveness, and quality of drawing and dramatize a wide range of social and political issues with style and humor. But how has the ever changing technological climate influenced this art form and what lies ahead for the future?
For the 11th annual McGowan Forum on Communications, a distinguished panel of award-winning political cartoonists will present and discuss their work, what inspires and motivates political cartoons, how these cartoons affect the political community and the public, and the impact of changing technology. Moderated by David Sipress, cartoonist for The New Yorker, the panel features panelists Tom Toles of The Washington Post, winner of the 2011 Herblock Award; Jen Sorensen, nationally-syndicated cartoonist and 2013 recipient of a Robert F. Kennedy Journalism Award; Keith Knight, award-winning creator of Knight Life and The K Chronicles; and Signe Wilkinson, the first female artist to win a Pulitzer Prize for Editorial Cartooning.
This program is made possible in part by the National Archives Foundation with the generous support of the William G. McGowan Charitable Fund.
Nov 19: Cartoons & Cocktails editorial cartoon auction
http://www.cartoonsandcocktails.org/index2.htm
Tickets NOW ON SALE through 3 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 19. Tickets will be available in the Holeman Lounge of The National Press Club thereafter.
Plan now to attend the 28th annual auction of editorial cartoons made possible through generous donations of original* cartoon art by prize-winning cartoonists.
Join us Nov. 19 in the National Press Club ballroom for an evening of food, drink and lively bidding. It's a fantastic opportunity for collectors and admirers of cartoon art to acquire new works and help good causes.
*Because some cartoonists are creating their work electronically, their C&C items vary. Some are limited-run prints with original signatures; some are original sketches accompanied by signed prints.
Sunday, November 15, 2015
Craig Fischer's SPX interview of Scott McCloud is online now
SPX 2015 Panel - SPX Spotlight on Scott McCloud
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cIQgG5FpDr0
Scott McCloud has influenced countless artists, readers and scholars with his analytical treatise in comics form, "Understanding Comics." Most recently he has published "The Sculptor," a nearly 500-page graphic novel about art, love and mortality. Professor Craig Fischer talks to Scott about his body of work, including a live close reading and analysis of a selected sequence from The Sculptor.
Saturday, November 14, 2015
Corsetto by Rawson
Art Hondros' comic on the Naval Observatory in the Post
The other dome on the Hill
Illustration by Art Hondros
Washington Post magazine November 15 2015
Friday, November 13, 2015
Flugennock's Latest'n'Greatest: "Mission Accomplished, no. 2"
http://sinkers.org/stage/?p=1806
So, Liberals... how'd that Hope'n'Change horseshit work out for you?
Here's Obama's "George W. Bush Moment".
Nov 28: Big Planet College Park sale on Local Comic Book Day
Comic strip and books received in early November
by G. B. Trudeau
Andrews McMeel, $20
Welcome to the age of pivots. Two centuries after the Founding Fathers signed off on happiness, Zonker Harris and nephew Zipper pull up stakes and head west in hot pursuit. The dream? Setting up a major grow facility outside Boulder, Colorado, and becoming bajillionaire producers of “artisanal” marijuana. For Zonk, it’s the crowning reset of a career that’s ranged from babysitting to waiting tables. For Walden-grad Zip, it’s a way to confront $600,000 in student loans.
Elsewhere in Free Agent America, newlyweds Alex and Toggle are struggling. Twins Eli and Danny show up during their mother’s MIT graduation, but a bad economy dries up lab grants, compelling the newly minted PhD to seek employment as a barista. Meanwhile, eternally blocked writer Jeff Redfern struggles to keep the Red Rascal legend-in-his-own-mind franchise alive, while aging music icon Jimmy T. endures by adapting to his industry’s new normal: “I can make music on my schedule and release it directly to the fans.”
He’s living in his car.
by Scott Adams
Andrews McMeel, $20
Does Scott Adams really have a hidden camera in your cubicle?
Dilbert, the cubicle-dwelling drone, is at his satirical best with this new collection of cartoons. Dilbert has managed to keep up with technology like iPads and Twitter over the years, as well as advanced systems like the Disaster Preparedness Plan that has its followers eating the crumbs from their keyboards. It doesn’t get any more sophisticated than that.
It’s an office code violation to be this good after so many years, but Dilbert keeps doing what he does best: passive-aggressively out-witting his superiors and exercising conflict avoidance. And he is so good. No wonder office drones and workforce automatons alike can’t resist the cold embrace of Dilbert’s workplace.
by Jim Toomey
Andrews McMeel, $15
Join Sherman, the lovable shark, and his aquatic cohorts in the comfy environs of Sherman's Lagoon.
Sherman’s Lagoon is an imaginary lagoon somewhere in the tropics, inhabited by a cast of sea creatures whose lives are curiously similar to our own.
Sherman, the main character, is a great white shark who is completely unaware of how intimidating his species can be. He gets pushed around by the other characters, namely: Hawthorne the hermit crab, Fillmore the sea turtle, and his wife, Megan, who is another great white shark, of course.
The Art and Making of The Peanuts Movie
by Jerry Schmitz
Titan, $35
This in-depth book goes behind the scenes of the movie-making process and looks at how the movie continues the tradition and legacy of Peanuts. An unmissable experience.
For the first time ever, in November 2015, Snoopy, Charlie Brown and the rest of the gang we know and love from Charles Schulz's timeless "Peanuts" comic strip will be making their big-screen debut; like they've never been seen before in a CG-animated feature film in 3D.
Three books relating to comic books are all reprints of World War II stories from DC Comics, edited by Roy Thomas, a former writer for the company who specialized in retro stories. The stories can be corny now, but these are nice collections and well-priced.
by Roy Thomas
Titan, $25
Wonder Woman, warrior princess of the Amazons, is among the most famous heroes of all time. From her introduction in 1941, she has been a shining example of feminism and the strength of womankind. But what was her role during the wartime of her creation? Wonder Woman: The War Years 1941-1945 details how she used her super speed, strength, and Golden Lasso of Truth during World War II to bring peace and justice to a turbulent world.
by Roy Thomas
Titan, $25
For more than 75 years, through countless comics, television, and movies, Batman has been a symbol of strength and perseverance. He was created in 1939, on the brink of World War II -- a volatile time, when we needed a hero most. Who better to come to the rescue than the Caped Crusader? For the first time, Batman: The War Years 1939-1945 details The Dark Knight's involvement in the war and his fight against some very real villains.
by Roy Thomas
Titan, $25
One day, a lonely orphan named Bruce Wayne finds himself in a dangerous situation. He defends himself against a monster bat--and he wins. From that time on, he is determined to fight evil. He becomes ... Batman!
In advance of the new Batman movie coming out in March 2016 comes a beautifully illustrated hardcover version of Batman's Dark Secret! The cover features a new illustration by Caldecott Honor winner Jon J Muth!
Not the actual cover) |
With a Wink and a Nod: Cartoonists of the Gilded Age will examine the history of Puck and American humor through 72 original drawings created for the magazine from the collection of Jean S. and Frederic A. Sharf, supplemented with published cartoons and more than 20 vintage issues of Puck. Organized by the Flagler Museum, With a Wink and a Nod runs from October 13, 2015, through January 3, 2016. An illustrated catalogue will accompany the exhibition.
Finally, I received a copy of this exhibit catalog book because I know Frederic Sharf, the man who loaned the artwork. Presumably it will eventually be on sale at the museum's website. All the artwork in the book is reproduced from the originals. It's a nicely done, albeit minor, addition to the literature about cartoonists of the 19th century.
Professional-quality Spider-Man "fan film" made in Falls Church
Spider-Man Lives: A Miles Morales Story is a new short film from Bard Tales Productions, LLC a Falls Church, VA-based firm which specializes in "bringing broadcast level quality productions at competitive pricepoints." Yesterday they contacted me about their new film and said, "A bunch of comic fans in the Washington, DC area thought Marvel should make a Miles Morales film. Since that wasn’t going to happen any time soon, they decided to make their own Miles Morales short." (For non-Spider-Man readers, Marvel Comics introduced a separate "Ultimate" universe a few years, ago, and when Peter Parker was killed, Miles Morales took over his role as Spider-Man.) As of this morning, the film has been online for two days and already has over 100,000 views on Youtube.
The film was impressive enough that I decided to ask producer Chad Horn a few questions about how it was made.
MR: There's obviously some money and a lot of time invested in this. Your site makes it clear that you aren't a bunch of students doing this as a school project. You had enough Ultimate Spider-Man readers in the office to make a fan film?
CH: To really hone our craft we try to do stuff that is way outside of our comfort area every year. Last year we set a girl on fire for a Hunger Games parody, and we had to top it this year. Ivan, the director, was closely watching the Miles Morales story and the potential that he might join the Marvel Cinematic Universe – so when it started to look like that didn’t happen he pitched me on the film. Knowing Jeff Wilhelm (the stunt coordinator who set our Katniss on fire last year) I knew it was something we could try to pull it off even though none of us had any fight scene experience. Our professional line of work being video (television, corporate, political, association, etc.) we knew exactly who to beg, borrow, and steal from to get all of the equipment and personnel to come out to help. All of the pieces kind of fell together at that point and tons of people worked ridiculously hard to pull it off.
We knew we had a lot of introduction to do – Peter Parker is dead, the city is in chaos, Spider-Man is missed greatly – but we also knew we had to get it done as fast as possible to get the audience into the fight scene before we lost their attention.
MR: It looks like you had help from a local tv station?
CH: Francis Abbey, who directed our short film last year, works in the promotions department of WUSA9 and he asked Mike Hydeck if he’d be happy reading our newscast, which he did one morning immediately after their morning newscast. It was just awesome.
CH: Kangaroo was the first villain Miles fought in the comics (Ultimate Comics Fallout #4, a little bit before they started to publish the Ultimate Comics Spider-Man), so we felt that was a fitting villain for Miles on screen. Our super-powered thief who got in over her head was Lana Baumgartner, aka Bombshell, who would go on to team up with Miles for a bit later in the series. It was great to get a subscription to Marvel and write it off as a business expense!
Mr. Horn also answered some questions on Youtube, and I've included one of his answers here.
Hammad Imtiaz asked about the budget.
CH: Budget is a tough thing - we spent only a few thousand dollars (minimum wage for the SAG stunt team, got everyone food, paid a few people minor stipends for their work, spent some money on props and wardrobe). Most of the labor, the locations, equipment were donated by local professionals we have regular working relationships with.
Here's the film, and below that are some more photos from the production. Be sure to watch the film through the well-done animated credits to catch the obligatory Marvel post-credit scene.
Here's some behind the scenes shots:
And some stills from the movie:
Thursday, November 12, 2015
Wednesday, November 11, 2015
Dec 19: The Secrets Behind Superman and Batman:
- Saturday 12/19/15
- 2 p.m. (lasts 1 hour)
- Bethesda Library, 7400 Arlington Road
- ages 8 and up
- free