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Friday, May 10, 2013
Review: PEPITA: TAKEHIKO INOUE MEETS GAUDÍ
VIZ MEDIA – @VIZMedia
AUTHOR: Takehiko Inoue
TRANSLATION: Erni Louie-Nishikawa
ISBN: 978-1-4215-5274-3; hardcover (April 16, 2013); Rated “T+” for “Older Teen”
108pp, Color, $24.99 U.S., $28.99 CAN
Takehiko Inoue is the famed creator of two acclaimed basketball manga, Slam Dunk and Real. He also produces Vagabond, a manga that dramatizes the real-life figure, Miyamoto Musashi, perhaps the most celebrated samurai of all time. Pepita: Takehiko Inoue Meets Gaudi is a hardcover travel diary comprised of prose, sketches, and artwork produced by Inoue during a 2011 trip to Spain.
Gaudí (full name: Antoni Gaudí i Cornet – June 1852 to June 1926) was a Spanish modernist architect who was born in Spain’s Catalan region. Gaudí, the leading figure of Catalan Modernism, is known for works that reflect his highly individual and distinctive style and also that emphasize his passions: architecture, nature, and religion.
Pepita: Takehiko Inoue Meets Gaudi traces Inoue’s fascination with the legendary Gaudí and also his obsession with the architecture of Gaudí. The book is a travel memoir about the manga master artist’s travels to the Catalan region of Spain, the people he meets, and the stunning architecture he experiences. Much of the journey focuses on the massive Gaudí-designed, Sagrada Família. This iconic Roman Catholic cathedral is located in the city of Barcelona, and it is apparently a perennial news item because it remains under continual construction after more than a century of work.
The press release for Pepita: Takehiko Inoue Meets Gaudi emphasizes the “east meets west” aspect of the two artists’ respective nationalities. That is worth noting. The book is about an influential figure of high art from Spain and also about a manga artist from Japan, a comics creator who is arguably one of the ten best in the world. This book, however, is a bit more personal, inquisitive, and introspective, being more than a comparison of art from different sides of the planet.
Concerning the trip that makes up this book, Takehiko Inoue is on a journey to discover and to learn. The importance of teachers and learning is a theme that reoccurs throughout this book. To that end, Inoue interviews Gaudí scholars, Professor Juan Bassegoda and Professor Ana Maria Ferrin.
Inoue also delves into Gaudí’s longings and aspirations and comes to believe that Gaudí had a deep respect and a love for creatures living in their true forms. In fact, the idea of building within nature or “creating like God” becomes, perhaps, the dominate theme of Pepita. With Inoue’s coaxing, you come to see Gaudí’s respect for nature in his works, which are presented as numerous photographic images.
While Pepita is personal in regards to Inoue, there is a generous sampling of Gaudi’s art and an index of the photographs published in the book, so the book is something of a catalog of Gaudi. Pepita: Takehiko Inoue Meets Gaudi is one of the more unique art books I have ever encountered. It is a good introduction to Gaudi, but it is an even better look into the cerebral side of a great comic book creator, Takehiko Inoue.
A-
Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux
Thursday, May 9, 2013
Dark Planet Comics' "Silver #1" at ComiXology
DARK PLANET COMICS is proud to announce the digital release of its very first title: SILVER #1, now available for download on ComiXology. Silver, a 12-issue miniseries, marks the comic book debut from animation veteran Stephan Franck (The Iron Giant, Despicable Me).
Set in a direct 1930’s extension of Bram Stoker’s universe, and steeped up to its eyeballs in the pulp tradition, SILVER introduces James Finnigan, a witty but (figuratively) soulless con man, who sets out to separate the living-dead from their silver. As Finnigan assembles the crew of talented but broken misfits needed to pull off the heist of the last ten centuries, personality conflicts, emotional entanglements and character comedy abound.
With SILVER, Franck brings the combination of light tone and character depth that has made him first-call in the animation industry. “Silver is about fathers;” Franck says; “It’s about sons. Sons who had bad fathers, and who carry the fear of not knowing how to be good into manhood. Ultimately, it’s about greed and emptiness versus the elusiveness of feeling alive.”
Comic book luminaries have been enjoying Franck’s debut comic:
“With SILVER, Stephan Franck shows how much excitement can be packed into a fast-moving, thrill-filled story...dynamic, unfussy, black and white art, all in the service of speed and momentum...a really, really fun ride.” — Tim Sale (Batman: The Long Halloween; Batman Dark Victory; Superman For All Seasons)
“A beautifully drawn and masterfully told noir/heist story with a teasing side of the supernatural that constantly kept me surprised with it’s reveals. I was particularly taken aback by the creative camera angles and use of shadows. I was kinda blown away, really.” — Takeshi Miyazawa (Spider-Man Loves Mary Jane; X-Men Unlimited; Runaways)
ABOUT STEPHAN FRANCK:
Stephan Franck is a writer/director/animator who has worked for Disney, Dreamworks, Warner Bros, Universal, Columbia Pictures, and Sony Pictures Animation. He was a supervising animator on The Iron Giant, and contributed story to films such as Despicable Me. He is the co-creator of the cult TV show, Corniel & Bernie (ADA Watch My Chops) (TF1, BBC, ABC Australia), that runs in over 60 countries and just got picked up for a second season. He’s had the giant out-of-body experience of being personally hired by George Lucas to direct a movie so cool and crazy it had to be abandoned, and just directed THE SMURFS: THE LEGEND OF SMURFY HOLLOW for Sony Pictures Animation, which is selected in official competition for the 2013 ANNECY INTERNATIONAL ANIMATION FESTIVAL in the Best TV Special category.
ABOUT DARK PLANET COMICS
Created in 2013, Dark Planet Comics is the home of Stephan Franck’s original comic book properties. “Having a comic book imprint has been a dream of mine,” Franck says, “it’s about authorship. It’s about the commitment to put my stories out into the world in the way they were intended to be. ComiXology’s amazing platform makes this kind of independence possible.”
Silver #1 on ComiXology: http://www.comixology.com/Silver/comics-series/10508
In addition to digital downloads, Silver #1’s print edition is available on the Dark Planet Comics website: www.darkplanetcomics.com
Black Bird: Misao’s Pregnancy
Wednesday, May 8, 2013
Review: STAR WARS #5
STAR WARS #5
DARK HORSE COMICS – @DarkHorseComics
["Star Wars Central" review page is here.]
SCRIPT: Brian Wood
ART: Carlos D’Anda
COLORS: Gabe Eltaeb
LETTERS: Michael Heisler
EDITOR: Randy Stradley
COVER: Rodolfo Migliari
28pp, Color, $2.99 U.S. (May 2013)
“In the Shadow of Yavin” Part Five
Set during the time of the original and classic Star Wars film trilogy, Star Wars is a recently launched comic book series from Dark Horse Comics. Star Wars is written by Brian Wood, drawn by Carlos D’Anda, colored by Gabe Eltaeb, and lettered by Michael Heisler.
Star War’s opening story arc is “In the Shadow of Yavin.” It begins shortly after the events depicted in Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope. The Rebel Alliance destroyed the Galactic Empire’s fearsome space station, the Death Star, at the Battle of Yavin. However, the Rebellion, still fighting off attacks from the Empire, is trying to find a new permanent home base. Princess Leia Organa has formed a secret squadron of stealth X-wing fighters to help find a new rebel base, but she must also expose a spy within the Rebellion’s ranks
Senator Leia Organa and her secret squadron of stealth X-wings enter the Pybus System, in the continuing search for a new rebel base. As Star Wars #5 opens, Leia and her squadron are fighting off two squadrons of TIE fighters and an Imperial Interdictor. Of course, the Rebels have some success, but the TIE squadrons are commanded by the ambitious Colonel Bircher, and he plans on matching the Rebels trick for trick.
Meanwhile, Han Solo and Chewbacca seek refuge in the underworld of Coruscant, the Imperial center. Is Perla their salvation? Meanwhile, Darth Vader continues to make plans with Birra Seah. Luke Skywalker and Prithi prepare to disobey Leia, again, but at least they mean well.
As I wrote in my review of the fourth issue, this new Star Wars comic book is like having a follow-up to the original Star Wars film. It’s like an imaginary television series called “Star Wars: The Day After” or “What Happened after Luke Destroyed the Death Star.”
Writer Brian Wood has summoned his inner George Lucas and Alan Dean Foster (the ghost writer of the novelization of the first Star Wars movie). Carlos D’Anda’s art goes back in time, recalling Howard Chaykin, the first Star Wars comic book artist, and creates art that looks like classic, 1970s Star Wars comics. In fact, Wood and D’Anda, issue by issue, are building a Star Wars masterpiece.
A
Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"
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Tuesday, May 7, 2013
DC Comics from Diamond Distributors for May 8 2013
MAR130201 BATMAN #20 $3.99
MAR130204 BATMAN #20 COMBO PACK $4.99
MAR130200 BATMAN AND RED HOOD #20 $2.99
MAR130257 BATMAN ARKHAM UNHINGED #14 $3.99
FEB130217 BATMAN DEATH BY DESIGN TP $14.99
JAN130294 BATMAN INCORPORATED HC VOL 01 DEMON STAR (N52) $24.99
MAR130233 CONSTANTINE #3 $2.99
MAR130243 DEATHSTROKE #20 $2.99
MAR130241 DEMON KNIGHTS #20 $2.99
MAR130227 GREEN LANTERN CORPS #20 (WRATH) $2.99
JAN130335 HELLBLAZER TP VOL 05 DANGEROUS HABITS NEW ED (MR) $19.99
FEB130111 JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #3 $3.99
FEB130114 JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #3 COMBO PACK $4.99
MAR130169 KATANA #4 $2.99
FEB130213 LEGION OF SUPER HEROES TP VOL 02 DOMINATORS (N52) $16.99
MAR130251 RAVAGERS #12 $2.99
FEB130211 RAVAGERS TP VOL 01 THE KIDS FROM NOWHERE (N52) $16.99
DEC120338 SHOWCASE PRESENTS SUPERMAN FAMILY TP VOL 04 $19.99
MAR130261 SMALLVILLE SEASON 11 #13 $3.99
MAR130247 SUICIDE SQUAD #20 $2.99
MAR130194 SUPERBOY #20 $2.99
MAR130242 TEAM 7 #8 $2.99
MAR130244 THRESHOLD #5 $3.99
DC COMICS/DC COLLECTIBLES
JAN130349 GREEN LANTERN SIMON BAZ AF $24.95
Marvel Comics from Diamond Distributors for May 8 2013
MAR130670 ALPHA BIG TIME #4 $2.99
MAR130708 ASTONISHING X-MEN #62 $3.99
MAR130611 AVENGERS #11 NOW $3.99
MAR130634 AVENGERS ARENA #9 NOW2 $2.99
FEB130624 AVENGERS ARENA TP VOL 01 KILL OR DIE TP NOW $15.99
MAR130607 AVENGERS ASSEMBLE #15AU NOW $3.99
FEB130643 AVENGERS HEART OF STONE TP $24.99
DEC120731 AVENGERS VS X-MEN HC COMPANION $99.99
MAR130671 AVENGING SPIDER-MAN #20 $3.99
FEB130634 AVENGING SPIDER-MAN THREATS AND MENACES TP $14.99
FEB130583 CASTLE A CALM BEFORE STORM #5 $3.99
MAR130643 DEADPOOL #9 NOW2 $2.99
FEB130651 ESSENTIAL DEFENDERS TP VOL 07 $19.99
MAR130658 FEARLESS DEFENDERS #4 NOW $2.99
MAR130675 IRON MAN #258.2 $3.99
MAR130701 MARVEL UNIVERSE AVENGERS EARTHS HEROES #14 $2.99
FEB130640 MARVEL UNIVERSE ULT SPIDER-MAN DIGEST TP VOL 03 $9.99
MAR130631 SECRET AVENGERS #4 NOW $3.99
MAR130752 SHANNA BY MANARA POSTER $8.99
FEB130638 SPIDER-MEN TP $19.99
FEB130647 STAND TP VOL 06 NIGHT HAS COME $19.99
MAR130753 STORM BY MANARA POSTER $8.99
MAR130754 SUPERIOR SPIDER-MAN BY MARTIN POSTER $8.99
MAR130649 THOR GOD OF THUNDER #8 NOW2 $3.99
FEB130627 THUNDERBOLTS TP VOL 01 NO QUARTER NOW $15.99
FEB130637 ULT COMICS SPIDER-MAN BY BENDIS TP VOL 03 $19.99
MAR130680 ULTIMATE COMICS ULTIMATES #24 $3.99
MAR130609 UNCANNY AVENGERS #8 NOW2 $3.99
FEB130549 UNCANNY X-FORCE #4 NOW $3.99
MAR130647 WOLVERINE #3 NOW $3.99
MAR130755 WOLVERINE BY DELLOTTO POSTER $8.99
FEB130612 WOLVERINE YOUNG READERS NOVEL TP $6.99