Review: Stan Lee's How to Draw Comics

STAN LEE’S HOW TO DRAW COMICS
WATSON-GUPTILL PUBLICATIONS/Dynamite Entertainment

WRITERS: Stan Lee with David Campiti
COVER: John Romita with Dean White (limited edition cover: Francesco Francavilla)
ISBN: 978-0-8230-0083-8; paperback
224pp, Color, $24.99 U.S., $27.99 CAN

He was born Stanley Martin Lieber in 1922, but the world of arts and entertainment knows him as Stan Lee. For Marvel Comics, Lee has been a writer, editor, and publisher and has been associated with Marvel Comics since 1939 when it was Timely Comics.

Collaborating with artists Jack Kirby and Steve Ditko, Lee created such characters as Spider-Man, the X-Men, the Fantastic Four, and the Hulk, among many others. In addition to writing comic books, Lee has also authored several books. Perhaps, Lee’s best known non-comic book, book is How to Draw Comics the Marvel Way (1978), which he co-authored with the late artist, John Buscema.

Stan Lee’s latest how-to book is Stan Lee’s How to Draw Comics. Co-written with David Campiti, Stan Lee’s How to Draw Comics is essentially an update of How to Draw Comics the Marvel Way, but with less emphasis on “the Marvel Way.” In his introduction, Stan writes that it was time for a new book, one with “a cornucopia of cutting-edge, techno-savvy instructions.”

I have a copy of How to Draw Comics the Marvel Way, one through which I’ve thumbed countless times, and the difference between the 1978 book and this one is jarring. Stan Lee’s How to Draw Comics is, for one thing, bigger, and there is much information on digital lettering and computer coloring. How to Draw Comics the Marvel Way is essentially analog, but obviously that’s because computers weren’t being used to produce comic book art and graphics when it was written. Campiti’s hand is all over the sections on computers and digital processes to create comics because he runs Glasshouse Graphics, a company that provides everything from story and art to pre-press and custom publishing for comic book publishers and other clients.

Stan Lee’s How to Draw Comics provides a broad overview of creating visuals for comic books. There are sections on penciling, inking and coloring; lettering and word balloons. Readers can learn about creating costumes; what makes great action; perspective and foreshortening; page and panel layout; and how to create visually appealing covers. There is information on digital advances, creating a portfolio, and getting work in the industry.

Not to dismiss the earlier book, Stan Lee’s How to Write Comics, but Stan Lee’s How to Draw Comics is a complete book offering both theory and procedure. A budding comic book creator can get tips on penciling, inking, coloring, and lettering a comic book using both new and traditional methods, and he or she can examine numerous black and white diagrams that illustrate the basics of creating comic book graphics. Stan Lee’s How to Draw Comics is a text book because it explains the why’s and how’s, often using the advise and expertise of industry professionals. There is even a section on using Google Sketchup to create skyscrapers, buildings, and other exterior landscapes.

There is apparently a limited edition of Stan Lee’s How to Draw Comics. I don’t know whether or not it’s a hardcover, but this paperback edition is the one to get if you have an eye on becoming a professional comic book artist. The paperback is made to be handled a lot.

A-

CONTRIBUTING ARTISTS:
Neal Adams, Erica Awano
Dan Borgones, Nick Bradshaw, Ariel Burgess
Aaron Campbell, J. Scott Campbell, Chris Caniano, Eman Casallos, John Cassaday, Frank Cho, Vince Colletta
Bong Dazo, Mike Deodato, Jr., Steve Ditko
Tina Francisco
Ken Haeser, Tabitha Haeser
Bob Kane, Gil Kane, Michael Kelleher, Jack Kirby
Fabio Laguna, Jonathan Lau, Jae Lee, Jim Lee, Jun Lofamia
Gemma Magno, Jezreel Morales
Earl Norem,
Ariel Padilla
Cliff Richards, Al Rio John Romita, Alex Ross, Mel Rubi
Steve Sadowski, Gaspar Saladino, Edgar Salazar, Mel Joy San Juan, Alexander Sicat, Joe Sinnott
Anthony Tan, Wilson Tortosa, Michael Turner

Sold Out "Black Dynamite" Comic Book Has Second Printing

BLACK DYNAMITE: SLAVE ISLAND SOLD OUT!

San Diego, CA - Ape Entertainment announced today that a second printing of BLACK DYNAMITE: SLAVE ISLAND will soon be on the way. The second printing, scheduled for an early May release, will give fans who missed the instant sell out debut of BLACK DYNAMITE: SLAVE ISLAND a chance to check out what is soon to be the most talked about comic of the year. Please note that Copies of the first printing may still be available at your local retailer.

“We just want to thank all the fans of the book, old and new, for giving BLACK DYNAMITE: SLAVE ISLAND a try” said David Hedgecock CEO of Ape Entertainment. Hedgecock went on to say “We know there are a lot of you who missed out on the first printing and we are moving as quickly as we can to make sure all of you who still need a copy will be able to get one with as little delay as possible.”

“Between the streets, Vietnam and the C.I.A., Black Dynamite thought he had seen it all. But nothing could have prepared him for his most dangerous mission yet! In BLACK DYNAMITE: SLAVE ISLAND, the world’s greatest Blaxploitation sensation uses his fists of fury to shut down a secret island where The Man still plays by 1850’s rules!” Inspired by the 2009 feature film BLACK DYNAMITE, SLAVE ISLAND is based on a story by Michael Jai White, Byron Minns and Scott Sanders; written by Brian Ash (The Boondocks), with art by Jun Lofamia.

“We couldn't be happier with the response the book is getting,“ says author Brian Ash. “What's even more exciting is it’s just the tip of the iceberg for what's in store for the fans. The movie's cult following seems to be growing by the day and with the Animated Series coming to Adult Swim next year, we're looking forward to exploring this character in all his iterations.”

For more updates on Black Dynamite, visit www.blackdynamite.com or become a fan on Facebook.

For second printing pre-sales, visit: http://www.blackdynamitemovie.com/store/comics/black-dynamite-slave-island

For more information on Ape Comics, visit http://www.apecomics.com/.

Follow us online on twitter: twitter.com/apecomics.

Friend us on Facebook: facebook.com/pages/ape-entertainment.


About Ape Entertainment:
Founded in 2003, Ape Entertainment is the brainchild of lifelong comic book devotees David Hedgecock, and Brent E Erwin. Ape Entertainment is home to such popular titles as WHITE PICKET FENCES, LITTLE GREEN MEN, GO-GO GORILLA AND THE JUNGLE CREW, and SCRATCH9 and is also the North American publisher for DreamWorks Animation’s KUNG FU PANDA and THE PENGUINS OF MADAGASCAR; Classic Media’s RICHIE RICH and CASPER SCARE SCHOOL; and American Greetings’ STRAWBERRY SHORTCAKE.

About Ars Nova:
Ars Nova is a New York-based production company specializing in multi-platform programming for film, television, web and live entertainment. Upcoming projects include: BLACK DYNAMITE: THE ANIMATED SERIES and a live-action adaptation of Rick Veitch’s BRAT PACK. http://www.arsnovaent.com/

I Reads You Review: INVISIBLE LOVE (YAOI)

Creator: Rie Honjyo (cartoonist) with Vivian Chien (translator)

Publishing Information: Juné Manga/DMP, paperback, 184 pages, $12.95 (US)

Ordering Numbers: ISBN: 978-1-56970-770-8 (ISBN-13); 1-56970-770-7 (ISBN-10)

Rating: “M” for “Mature Audiences 18+”

Invisible Love is a yaoi manga short story collection from creator, Rie Honjyo. Eight stories focus on five couples, each couple a perfect match, except that love is having a hard time being seen or coming to fruition.

The title story, “Invisible Love,” and the stories, “Impossible Lover” and “Extra Time,” focus on Inori and Senou, longtime friends. Inori is a hound dog and lothario who sleeps with many women, but he is always being dumped by them. Senou is the best pal who listens to Inori’s complaints, but Senou has feelings deeper than friendship for Senou. What happens when they act on those feelings?

“In a Box with You” finds two roommates at a boys’ boarding school who enjoy mutual masturbation. Is something wrong with them, or is masturbating merely a prelude to a more meaningful relationship? In “The Warmth of Your Hand,” Takeru meets a pretty blond boy named Yukihiko. Takeru thinks Yukihiko’s doll-like face looks familiar, but at the bottom of his memory hole is a childhood accident… and maybe love.

Rie Honjyo is quite talented at cartooning the male figure. In fact, Honjyo has a knack for cartooning the male figure as gorgeous male models. Her work is like manga as fashion photography. However, all that pretty boy art does not translate into erotic comics or even romantic boys’ love manga. The stories in Invisible Love aren’t bad; they’re just average.

The exception is “In a Box with You,” which I find interesting. I’ve never before read a yaoi story in which the sex is mainly mutual masturbation. Reading the story, I couldn’t help but wonder if the relationship between the characters, Sugawara and Nishimura, is representative of how women imagine budding sexual relationships between young men to be.

I ask this because the story is visualized in a sensitive manner, featuring compositions that are emotionally evocative. All the sex scenes in this story are depicted in a manner to suggest that each youth is considering the other’s pleasure. Too bad all of Invisible Love does not go into such intimate detail.

B

Invisible Love (Yaoi)

"Black Dynamite" the Movie Screens to Promote Black Dynamite Comic Book

The Crest: Black Dynamite Screening

ASR Innertainment to host film screening of Black Dynamite to promote Black Dynamite Comic Book from Ape Entertainment

April 13, 2011: Released in 2009, Black Dynamite quickly became a cult smash and received a comic book treatment from Ars Nova and Ape Entertainment. Black Dynamite: Slave Island, everyone’s favorite Blaxploitation sensation will appear in a one-shot, bringing his Kung-Fu fighting skills in this sequential page as he shuts down the mysterious island where Black slavery still exists.

“Fans of the film will feel right at home with the comic,” states Ape Entertainment founder and co-publisher Brent E. Erwin. “It has all of the elements that made the movie a cultural phenomenon, and Black Dynamite himself is still as much of a bad dude on the page as he is on the screen.”

Black Dynamite was directed by Scott Sanders and premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in 2009. The film stars Michael Jai White as Black Dynamite, a Kung-Fu fighting, gun blasting ladies’ man willing to fight from the ghetto streets all the way to the White House in his efforts to take down “The Man”.

“Although written for film, Black Dynamite was always meant to move beyond the camera,” continues Sanders. “As a medium, comic books seemed like such a logical step in Black Dynamite’s development as a character, and what better way to start then having him bring down the infamous Slave Island.”

Black Dynamite: Slave Island is based on a story by Michael Jai White, Myron Minns and Scott Sanders. Written by Brian Ash with pencils by Jun Lofamia, the 48-page on shot hit stores in February 2011.

As part of ASR Innertainment’s The Crest: Movie Series, the company will be holding two screenings of Black Dynamite. The first screening will be at the Crossroads Theater 2590 Washington Street Denver, CO. on Friday, April 15, 2011, from 6:00pm to 11:00pm, film starting at 7:45pm sharp. A reception will precede the first screening with food and beverages, with sounds provided by DJ Cavem (http://www.djcavem.com/).

The second screening with be next door at Coffee at The Point 710 East 26th Avenue, from 10:00pm to 2:00am for a midnight screening of Black Dynamite. Sounds will be provided by The Girl Grabbers (www.facebook.com/girlgrabbers) from 10:30pm to 11:30pm. A closing reception will follow the second screening with food, beverages and promotional materials, including limited copies of the limited edition comic book, Black Dynamite: Slave Island, as well as Black Dynamite merchandise for purchase at booth screenings.

For More Information on ASR Innertainment, visit http://www.facebook.com/pages/ASR-Innertainment/132894606761823?sk=wall

For More Information on Black Dynamite, visit http://www.blackdynamite.com/.

For More Information on Ape Entertainment, visit http://www.ape-entertainment/

For More Information on Ars Nova, visit http://www.arsnovaent.com/

Leroy Douresseaux Revews "BLACK DYNAMITE: Slave Island"

BLACK DYNAMITE

APE ENTERTAINMENT/ARS NOVA

WRITER: Brian Ash

STORY: Michael Jai White, Byron Minns, Scott Sanders
ARTIST/COVER: Jun Lofamia
COLORS: JM Ringuet
PREVIEW PIN-UP: Ed LaRoche and Dustin Evans (colors)
ADDITIONAL ART: Scott Fuselier and Brian Ash
46pp, Color, $5.95

The next great Black comic book character may be a character that originated in film. But this character’s first comic book appearance is so damn good that his cinematic origin in not a hindrance for his place in comic books. We need comic book super Negroes wherever we can get them. Let’s welcome Black Dynamite.

Black Dynamite was a 2009 independent feature film that was simultaneously a send-up of and homage to the Black exploitation (blaxploitation) films of the 1970s. The film starred Michael Jai White as the title character, Black Dynamite, a cross between Shaft and Marvel Comics’ Luke Cage, out to stop a plot to rob Black men of their manhood.

In fact, the film’s director, Scott Sanders, guides the film so smoothly that Black Dynamite also works as a straight action comedy. The script, written by Sanders, Michael Jai White and Byron Minns, even manages pointed political commentary and some rather subversive and occasionally racially charged humor.

Published by Ape Entertainment, Black Dynamite brings the character from the world of film to the world of comic books. Also known as Black Dynamite: Slave Island, the comic book is written by Brian Ash (from a story by the film’s screenwriters, Michael Jai White, Byron Minns, and Scott Sanders) and drawn by Jun Lofamia. Slave Island is also a direct sequel to the movie.

The story begins when Black Dynamite gets a call for help from a doctor friend of his, Alex Haley (seriously). From one of Haley’s patients, Black Dynamite learns about an impossible resort named Slave Island. There, the evil slave owner, Noah Hicks, runs a plantation as if it were a hellish Disney resort or bizarre bed and breakfast. There, slaves will wait on guests, and guests can watch slaves work in fields or get beaten with a whip. Black Dynamite is determined to burn the place down, but he can’t do it alone. Perhaps, the buxom lady Mandingo, Betty, will help him start a revolution.

If you liked Black Dynamite the movie, but don’t like the comic book after reading it, then, you just don’t like comic books, because this is one dynamite comic book. Slave Island has the exact same comical tone as the film, and the style, wit, and subversive humor of the comic book is a carbon copy of the film. I don’t know Brian Ash, but I do know that he has written one bad mutha f****ing comic book, and he has scripted a Black Dynamite tale that should make this character’s creators happy.

Meanwhile, artist Jun Lofamia has channeled 1970s Marvel. Lofamia’s cover for Slave Island recalls Luke Cage comic book covers, and his interiors recapture all the funky glory of Marvel’s “black” comic books like Black Panther and the various Blade comics. Lofamia’s storytelling is strong thanks to his compositional and design skills.

Black Dynamite: Slave Island is a one-shot, but hopefully there will be more.

A

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux - support on Patreon.

You can read my review of the movie Black Dynamite here.