Open forum about comic books, superheroes, writers, artists and anything comic book related. All thoughts are welcome but please do not use foul language. Heroes, remember, should set an example.
Krypto-Knight Comics
Find Your Comics at Krypto-Knight Comics
Showing posts with label comic book blog. Show all posts
Showing posts with label comic book blog. Show all posts
Well I realize I am a little late with these comments. I finally saw Captain America: The First Avenger last night and my initial response to the film is that I thoroughly enjoyed it. I realize that some aspects of the film are not true to Captain America comic book canon so let me first say to all those who are going to cry and moan over that fact to just get over it. Never has a comic book movie ever been exactly as the comic book story originally was written. In fact, mainstream comic companies like DC and Marvel have a difficult time holding to their own universal story lines. When this happens we, as readers, viewers, and fans have to just step back and ask ourselves if the story is well written, are the visual interpretations well presented, and do we feel entertained when we reach the conclusion. When I apply this to Captain America I have to say that I enjoyed the film.
One aspect I enjoyed more than most is the visual representation of the Red Skull's scientific equipment and flying ships. They had that futuristic design popular in the 1940's comics. Those designs, when combined with the literal era pieces, gave it a nice comic book feel without becoming too campy. I also felt that the simplistic visual effects for the Red Skull were believable as opposed to just looking like a stupid mask or bad makeup.
In regards to Cap's uniform I must admit that I had concerns upon my initial viewing of the trailer, but after watching the film I felt like it was more appropriate to the era and the story. Presenting a cheap campy version during his entertainment tour of duty lent to a more appropriate battle version that was more in line with the World War II era. It reflected well the time period and what one might expect. My hope is that in the upcoming Avengers film that his costume will be more appropriate to the modern era.
My one complaint about the film was that there was not enough of action with Steve as Captain America highlighting him as a hero. The majority of his action shots were in the campy uniform covered by a leather jacket, and the scenes with him in his official uniform were too few and short for my taste. I also felt that the movie could have gone another 15 or 20 minutes and still not have been too long. However, taking the time to develop Steve Roger's pre-Captain character was essential to appreciating him as a humble man and why he would appreciate the gift provided him. This development will hopefully fuel his character in a greater way when he makes a powerful appearance in The Avengers. The contrasting characters of Tony and Steve will be fun to watch.
Overall, I will say I am pleased with what Marvel Studios did with Captain America: The First Avenger. I could watch it several more times and be happy with it.
Wolverine, Darkseid, Black Lightning, Black Panther, Luke Cage, Sabretooth, Patsy Walker, Etragan, Ghost Rider and myself all have something in common. We are are tied to the comic book industry and we were all produced in the 1970's.
The 70's were a cool decade that brought us Saturday Night Fever, Kojack, Superman The Movie, Star Wars, and Lynda Carter as Wonder Woman. It was time unlike any other as unrest on the world scene increased. Terrorism beginning to show its ugly face, an oil crisis plagued the world, the US Presidency was in turmoil and inflation was through the roof! Yet, out of the ashes of world turbulence, new heroes arose that led the comic book industry back into an industry of demand and want.
Stan Lee and Jack Kirby continued to produce great stories and art but the art of such individuals like Neal Adams and Jim Aparo helped take the industry to a new level. The stories of the 70's took on real life issues of the day such as teenage drug abuse, domestic violence, terrorism, pollution, cold war and other similar topics. Governmental corruption became more dominate in the news and likewise showed up in the pages of comics. The world increased in more turmoil following the Vietnam War and what it needed was a new breed of heroes and villains. Ghost Rider (Johnny Blaze) and Wolverine serve as an example of the type of anti-typical heroes that arose to take on issues that called for more than simply a 'feel good' solution. Readers wanted retribution and such heroes delivered it.
Horror comics also took on greater roles and increased in popularity during the 1970's. Werewolf by Night, Dracula, Morbius, Blade, Swamp Thing and similar titles/characters became a mainstay during a period of what seemed to be a dark hopelessness. The darker, edgier characters were fitting for the time. Blood, gore and the occult ruled the era that was already ransacked with it.
Long time heroes such as Batman and Green Lantern also took on edgier roles during this period which led them to the kind of characters they still are today. The 1970's blurred the line between heroism and villainy and it made right vs. wrong more difficult to distinguish. Violence grew darker in comics as it also grew darker in the real world.
The 1970's produced an age of comics that certainly was not 'golden'. Yet the demand for Bronze Age issues increases as the nostalgia of such issues are a favorite among modern collectors. It is certainly one of my favorite decades for comics, not because of the darkness, but because of the willingness of the industry to change, the manner in which real problems were addressed, and because of the evident demonstration that answers to problems among humans and heroes is not always as clear cut as we might like them to be. The struggle of heroes helped readers relate to their own issues.
To celebrate the 70's, we have decided to make our contest this week (week of 03-14-2011) 1970's Week. Watch for our contests on Facebook, Twitter or join our email list.
What are you favorite story lines, heroes, villains, artists, etc for the 1970's? We would love to know. Leave a comment and we will give you 20 points per word toward our weekly contest.
February in the United States is Black History Month. I would be negligent not to acknowledge the black writers, artists, creators, heroes, villains and supporting characters that have helped make comics fun and exciting. This week we will be making the theme of our contest Black History.
It is quite easy for anyone of any race to view another as inferior. It is almost human nature to view ourselves as superior to others even in arenas outside that of race. Among heroes, however, that should never be the case. All humans are equal and deserve the same respect and dignity as any other. Our view at Krypto-Knight Comics is one of equality. We appreciate people from all backgrounds, races and cultures. The difference in backgrounds and skin color bring life to our planet and provide variety for us to enjoy. The human race is like a box of crayons with new colors being added regularly. When we work in harmony with all the different colors we can create beautiful things.
Black and African-American comic book characters are just as good and evil as any other. They bring character and life to the universe and have proven to be the favorites among comic book fans. Let us share a few of ours.
Who cannot ignore the total coolness of Black Panther. An African king and member of the Avengers not only is quite intimidating to villains but he is well respected by his fellow heroes for his honor and ethics. As an honorable king he cares for his people and he has a cool costume too!
Storm, powerful mutant and member of the X-Men, is without doubt one of Marvel's most famous black heroes. As former leader of the X-Men and weather master, she has proven to be a force to reckon with among villains. Few are able to withstand her fury when it is at its peak and it can be frightening if you are on the receiving end of it. Her marriage to Black Panther makes for a great alliance!
Powerman, Luke Cage, is not the kind of guy you want mad at you. When it comes to playing games, he doesn't! His role in the Marvel Universe has become ever more involved over the last decade and a renewed interest in the character is a nice thing to see.
Among the most powerful of all black comic book characters is John Stewart, Green Lantern. His strong will for justice and his upright ethics have made him a perfect choice to wield a 'green ring'. He knows how to use it too! His reputation for what is moral and his desire to protect life far exceed the boundaries of earth. His reputation is known throughout the galaxy as an honorable, yet powerful, Green Lantern. His demonstration of leadership has been evident in his role on the Justice League animated series. John Stewart is definitely among our favorites!
Other heroes that also deserve attention include The Falcon, Spawn, Black Lightning, Bishop, War Machine, Mace Windu and many more. Which black superhero is your favorite? We would like to hear from you!
Have you ever wondered which books are coming out on Wednesday's? Now you can find out everything that comes out each Wednesday with a new app for the iPhone. It is the Comics Day App and it was designed by my longtime
high school friend and fellow comic book fan Joe Martine, owner of Martine Lounge, LLC. Joe's Comics Day App ties in with Diamond Distributor's releases of comics and merchandise each week so that those with the app will know what issues and toys to pick up from their local comic shops on Wednesdays. Anyone with an iPhone should not be without it. The best part is that it is FREE! Maybe I can convince Joe to make one for BlackBerry!
Those words issuing forth from the Joker's mouth in the film The Dark Knight will stand as one of the most famous lines in movie history. Throughout the Batman's history the Joker has been easily identified by that evil grin plastered against his pale skinned face. However, he will not be the only comic book character identified by his grin. Let me introduce to you...The Maniacal Smile!
Who is the Maniacal Smile? Fierce Comics, publisher of 'The Smile' describes the comic in this way...
"Born with super irritable bowel syndrome, Alex McClendon uses his powers to protect the city of Utopia. And when he dons The Maniacal Smile suit, you can be sure that there'll be a splatter of action. Keeping Alex from just farting around with his powers are his ex-hero Uncle Rich and his lab assistant the enigmatic E.V.I.L. Robot. But not everyone knows that Alex is the Maniacal Smile. His best friends Puffy, who owns a comic book shop, and Nikki can never seem to spend any time with the ever-disappearing Alex. Teenage angst, girl problems, and city destroying threats are all a day in the life of THE MANIACAL SMILE!"
Fierce comics sent me an issue to review and I have to say that I could not help but laugh at the crazy antics of this story. Mike Foss scripts the character with laugh-out-loud humor that borders on the juvenile and considering that the hero is a teenager growing into the role of hero, juvenile is quite fitting. Rob Rhine, creator of 'the Smile', provides the art and colors and gives the book a bright look fitting of the character. The artwork is superb and I found it entertaining to look at. The story flows easily with simple page layouts, and the paper on which it is printed is of a higher quality than you might expect from an Independent title.
The aspect I enjoyed the most about this book, though, is what was mentioned earlier. IT IS FUNNY! It brings 'comic' back into the meaning of 'comic book'! So if you want to read a GREAT book, see some fantastic art and get a good laugh, then pick up an issue of The Maniacal Smile...it will put a smile on your face!
Bob Kane, with the uncredited aid of Bill Finger, sold the rights for a superhero in 1939 to National Comics. The hero proved to be an everlasting icon among comic book characters. Batman has gone from the pages of comics to be featured in newspaper comic strips, novels, graphic novels, television shows, cartoons and films. He is among one of the most celebrated and recognized characters in all of comic book history.
Despite the diverse markets in which Batman has been shared, the one that continues to define him is the comic book. His history is written and established through the pages of one of imagination's oldest outlets. The artists who have been privileged to bring Batman to life have also affected the dynamics of such a visible character. Many great artists, and some not-so-great, have penciled the Caped Crusader and Dark Knight to life each leaving him with their own touch, their own mark and their own interpretation.
Different eras have defined different styles. Different artistic media have also been used, such as animation, painted art and dynamic pencils. Among the greats are such ones as Jack Kirby, John Byrne, Neal Adams, Dick Sprang and others. Through their work Batman has grown to what he is today. Their definition of justice is revealed through their artistic impression of Batman.
We would like to know what you think. Which art style and artist do you prefer and enjoy. Cast your vote below, leave a comment about your favorite Batman artist and share with us as we continue Batman Week. Be sure to visit us at our website, http://www.kryptoknightcomics.com.
Heath Ledger gave Batman fans what they wanted...a truly evil Joker! Since the release ofThe Dark Knight, fans have been eager to see what Batman villain will be next on Christopher Nolan's list. To this point we have seen in his films, The Scarecrow, Ra's Al Ghul, The Joker and Two-Face. I would like to see a truly frightening film with The Scarecrow. I felt that character had great potential. One thing for certain, though, is that Nolan will have a difficult time following up The Dark Knight with another stellar movie. The rumor mill has it that the villain will be The Riddler and that the 'evil questioner' will be portrayed by Johnny Depp. No facts have yet to be established.
We want to know who you would enjoy seeing take on the Batman. Cast your vote and then leave a comment why you chose your particular villain.
"Atomic batteries to power. Turbines to speed." Those classic lines from the Batman TV show in the 1960's solidifies one of the most recognizable cars ever to exist, The Batmobile. Bob Kane's creation of the Batmobile changed the way superheroes were made. Since Bruce Wayne had no super powers and had a HUGE bankroll instead, it only made sense that he would have gadgets to fight. Any crime fighter in his position would need a means to travel. Superman could fly. The Flash could run. Spider-Man had webbing. Batman, however, has always had the coolest ride!
This raises an interesting question. Which design for the Batmobile has been the best. We have seen TV versions, animated versions and film versions. We would like to know what you think. Cast your vote below for your favorite Batmobile. You will earn 10 points in our weekly contest. Just for the record, our favorite is the 1960's version driven by the Adam West Batman. It is too hard to vote against such a classic Batmobile!
Since the birth of The Shadow, Superman, Batman and Captain America, comic book superheroes have grown in number and popularity. Without doubt this popular pastime has influenced many and inspired the imagination to new heights. Out of the ideas and stories that have flourished some have become legend while others have faded from memory. There have been heroes who have soared to popularity and fandom, while others simply disappear. Throughout the various ages of comic growth, writers and artists alike have contributed to these successes and failures.
Today we refer to the different eras of comics by ages. Currently, or at least recognized by most, the Golden Age represents comics produced between the years 1938 and 1955, beginning with Action Comics #1 and the first appearance of Superman. This era witnessed the production and rise of comic book popularity with characters such as Batman, Wonder Woman, Hawkman, Captain Marvel, Captain America and The Justice Society of America.
In 1956, comics took on new beginnings as the effort to revitalize the industry took place. In October of 1956, DC Comics introduced the new Flash Showcase #4. This began a new era now referred to as the Silver Age. It witnesses re-created DC characters as well as the introduction of new characters in the Marvel Universe. Characters such as the Flash, Green Lantern and the Justice League of America were 'reboots'of former superheroes, usually in name only, while at Marvel Stan Lee, Jack Kirby, Steve Ditko and others were introducing now popular characters such as the X-men, Spider-Man, the Hulk and Fantastic Four. Marvel also reintroduced Golden Age character, Captain America, in the Silver Age as an early member of The Avengers. The end of the Silver Age has also been up for debate. Some comic book historians believe it ended in 1970 with the move by Jack Kirby to go to DC and the change in the "grittiness" of comics as can be seen in Conan #1 and Green Lantern/Green Arrow #76. Comics tackled more adult subjects that seemed to be plaguing America. Historian Arnold Blumberg, however, that the Silver Age continued until 1973, with the death of Gwen Stacy in Spider-Man comics. His view is not the popular one as most agree the Silver Age ended in December 1969.
1970 is credited with the beginning of the Bronze Age of comics. Comics took on more adult story lines among their heroes and an increase in fantasy comics came about with the production of such title as Conan, Tarzan, Ka-Zar, Arak, Arion, Red Sonja and others. These characters were medieval, barbaric characters who fought with swords, battle axes, knives, fists and similar weapons. Their enemies were of dark origin and character. This fit right in the times as even darker comics were produced like The Tomb of Dracula, Ghost Rider, Swamp Thing and several horror titles. Add to the fact that the 'heroes' were darker and edgier the Bronze Age of comics fit the era of the times in which they were produced. The positive side is that several black, oriental and other racial characters were introduced during this era. The Bronze Age is said to have ended in 1985 with DC's Crisis On Infinite Earths and Marvel's Secret Wars.
The Modern Age of comics began in 1985 and runs until present day. This era has seen a lot of change in the industry both up and down. There have been changes in they way comic book companies are managed, their ownership, the improved visual quality of the books and big changes in all the universes. New technology has allowed old fans to revisit old characters on the movie screen while also introducing the world of comics to a whole new generation of fans in a new era. With the introduction of digital technology and the expanding growth and use of the internet, some have tried to conclude that the old Modern Age should be renamed the Copper Age but such attempts have not yet been widely accepted. At some point we will have to see introduced a new era of comic books as the industry has growing rapidly and so are the changes in storytelling and presentation. Whatever the era will be called fans can only hope that their heroes continue to survive, new and exciting heroes can be introduced and the world of comic books never dies!
In a universe and industry that is male dominated, Jill Thompson stands out among women comic creators. Her art style is unique in that it is has an Alice In Wonderland feel to it. It is bright, colorful and alive. Jill's artwork has appeared in books by Marvel, DC, Dark Horse, Comico, First, Topps, Sirius, Bongo, Caliber and Scholastic. She is probably best know for her work on Neil Gaiman's Sandman and DC's Wonder Woman. However, her best work is found in the works for which she has won Eisner Awards, 5 to be exact, for Best Painter/Multimedia Artist (Interior Art). They are...
2007 "A Dog and His Boy" in The Dark Horse Book of Monsters; "Love Triangle" in Sexy Chix (Dark Horse); "Fair Division", in Fables: 1001 Nights of Snowfall (Vertigo/DC)
2010 Beasts of Burden (Dark Horse); Magic Trixie and the Dragon (HarperCollins Children's Books)
Jill Thompson is married to comic writer Brian Azzarello. You can follow her on Twitter and Facebook. She is very fun to chat with and is just as creative in her expressions as she is in her art.
