Even if you’re not a regular comic book reader, you’ve got to appreciate the originality of the art form. In fact, some of Complex’s favorite artists, from Paul Pope to James Jean, have used the canvas of a comic book cover to create some of their most memorable work. We’ve seen so much great art popping up on the shelves this year that we recruited a panel of Complex Experts to assemble The 50 Best Comic Book Covers of 2009. Check ’em out…
Sure, it’s old news by now, but Disney’s announced purchase of Marvel and all its characters has revved up the Internet’s creativity machine, with comic-book fans and Disney-loving pedophiles alike firing up the imaging software to imagine their favorite mashups. The thing is, no one’s as good at it as we are (suck it, Conan!) Besides, no one cares about Disney characters, and the House That Walt Built knows that it’s gonna need a lot more than Mickneto to get its movie mojo back. That’s why we went ahead and planned out Disney’s next few tentpole releases (ayo!), starring the only sure-fire moneymakers in Hollywood…
In the search for material, movie studios have hit the bottom of the comic-book barrel. (Jonah Hex? Really?) Now they’re turning to anime and manga for inspiration, which Complex details in the 2009 Style & Design package from our latest issue. Read on to learn about four manga titles that might be going Hollywood on us. And no, we’re not counting Astro Boy…
[Each week, Complex columnist Percy Carey a.k.a. MF Grimm dives into the world of comic books with industry interviews, reviews and more. All MF Grimm music can now be purchased on Itunes. Follow Percy on Twitter here.]
Comic-Con 2009 was a busy few days for Tyrese Gibson and Team MAYHEM! The comic book drops today (August 5). Both groups increased awareness and developed greater fan following at Comic Con. And me? I caught the action. But as you can see, I had my share of fun as well! Enjoy the pictures and video below…
Our love for comics might have started when we were kids, but it’s persisted well into our non-kid years. And being the adults that we are now, with our attendant adult tastes, we sometimes like our comic books to have…let’s call it “mature content.” After all, stylized violence seems weird when it’s all THUD! and no blood.
That’s why we maintain a love for books that manage to juggle it all: great writing, great art, and no-holds-barred material when the time is right. You can keep your tights and sterile fights; we’ll stick with the comic books that put the “ill” in “illustration.” And we’ve rounded up The 40 Most Violent Comic Books Ever in anticipation of this weekend’s San Diego Comic-Con; read up now, impress a booth babe with your detailed knowledge later…
[Each week, Complex columnist Percy Carey a.k.a. MF Grimm dives into the world of comic books with industry interviews, reviews and more. All MF Grimm music can now be purchased on Itunes. Follow Percy on Twitter here.]
It’s no secret how I feel about the retail comic book industry and my opinions on what direction it should go in. I don’t want you to think I’m just talking and there was no research involved, I personally call comic book stores across the United States and speak with retailer’s directly; I listen (the key word is listen) to the store owners, and their buyers. They enlighten me about what, in their professional opinion, is needed to give first time readers the incentive to enter their comic book store, and for their regular customers, incentive to try a new tittle or a new publisher that is not normally in their store.
One of the topics I asked about is the female consumer.
I was honored to have the opportunity to interview Grant Morrison. My goal was to not ask questions that are repeated over and over again. Therefore, in this interview, I touched on a topic that didn’t solely benefit Morrison or myself.
We covered content beneficial to anyone who dreams of being in the comic book industry. I hope you enjoy the interview and I ask you to please leave comments so I can relay them back to Mr. Morrison. Thank you for watching!
Special thanks to Comics On Comics for the video coverage!
[Each week, Complex columnist Percy Carey a.k.a. MF Grimm dives into the world of comic books with industry interviews, reviews and more. All MF Grimm music can now be purchased on Itunes. Follow Percy on Twitter here).
For those of you who habitually read my blog, you’ll recognize the name William Wilson, the guru behind Arch Enemy Entertainment. As usual, of course, behind every great general are the grunts in the trenches shoring up the battle lines. I had the chance to sit with two admitted grunts and get their take on comics, movies, and life on the front line.
Neil Thompson is one of our stable of writers in Arch Enemy, with projects Karma, The Diplomat, and Born & Bred currently in development. In addition to comics, he also recently directed a short film called Thorns, written by his novelist brother Eldon Thompson. Eldon is the author of the medieval fantasy series The Legend of Asahiel. In addition, his script adaptation of the bestselling Terry Brooks’ novel The Elfstones of Shannara is currently under option at Warner Bros. Check out my interview with the brothers Thompson…
[Each week, Complex columnist Percy Carey a.k.a. MF Grimm dives into the world of comic books with industry interviews, reviews and more. All MF Grimm music can now be purchased on Itunes. Don't forget to wish Percy a happy birthday tomorrow, June 11th! (here's his twitter)]
Bayou Volume One collects the first four chapters of the critically-acclaimed webcomic by Jeremy Love. Bayou is the first title to come out of ZudaComics.com, the online imprint of DC Comics. Blending elements of Fantasy and southern folklore, Bayou is a supernatural fairytale that sets Alice in Wonderland within a historical representation of poverty and racism in 1930s South. Click Here to read it online, or check out a few pages below…
[Each week, Complex columnist Percy Carey a.k.a. MF Grimm dives into the world of comic books with industry interviews, reviews and more. All MF Grimm music can now be purchased on Itunes]
Man it’s been a crazy week hanging out with Tyrese Gibson and Team MAYHEM! We got to hang out with Oscar-winning director Guillermo Del Toro and discussed things like…(oops I can’t say), but don’t worry, you’ll find out soon enough. Tyrese and Guillermo really hit it off and Guillermo is a stong supporter of MAYHEM!…
[Each week, Complex columnist Percy Carey a.k.a. MF Grimm dives into the world of comic books with industry interviews, reviews and more. All MF Grimm music can now be purchased on Itunes]
Tyrese Gibson’s MAYHEM! supporters you can now be the first to download 4 free pages of MAYHEM! in jpg format then bring them them to your local comic book store; ask to speak with the store buyer, then show the store buyer your 4 free pages of MAYHEM! and then ask them order MAYHEM! for their store. You’re not just witnessing history, you are actually part of MAKING history!. MAYHEM! is on the rare path to break records in the comic industry, and with your support, together. we can change the way comics books are viewed. Together we can prove the skeptics wrong. It is well known that there is strength in unity, so I’m asking all MAYHEM! supporters to show the stores we are united if so then together we will break records. Our time is now, Let’s seize the moment. Check out the preview (along with an exclusive look at the cover of Issue #2) below…
Where do I start? MR. STUFFINS is one of the reasons that people should go out to a comic book store. This book leaps off the page with heart. From the creative duo behind EUREKA —Andrew Cosby and EUREKA writer Johanna Stokes—comes one of the best books of the year.
The comic reads like a high concept movie. When a scientist succeeds in creating artificial intelligence, he discovers to his horror that the government plans on making it a weapon. On the run, he hides the program inside a mechanical toy bear named MR. STUFFINS. An unsuspecting father buys the toy bear for his son Zach. Zach soon discovers that his new best friend will change his life forever. The artwork is by comic book artist Axel Medellin, and is solid and pops in the right places as Cosby and Stokes deliver great moments and great characters. Boom Studios also has a variant cover By MOUSE GUARD’s David Petersen, showing that they are bringing in the best for the launch of this mega-title. Hit the jump for a preview of Mr. Stuffins…
[Each week, Complex columnist Percy Carey a.k.a. MF Grimm dives into the world of comic books with industry interviews, reviews and more. All MF Grimm music can now be purchased on Itunes]
What’s up Complex readers? Today I have the honor of introducing extended family named The Madtwiinz. The Madtwiinz are incredible animators who have mastered the ability to combine hip-hop music and animation and bring it to life the way it should be.
To me, they’re Disney, Pixar, Dreamworks for the hip-hop generation and deserve the respect and support of the Complex readers. The comic book and animation world who knows about them will tell you it’s only a matter of time before the Madtwiinz take over the industry. Well, the time is now. Enjoy the interview…
Someone told us that today marked the 54th anniversary of Alfred E. Neuman’s first appearance on the cover of MAD Magazine. Hard to say, since it’s the July 1955 issue, but we’ll buy it; more importantly, though, the granddaddy of all humor magazines (except maybe Prevention, but that’s only because people walking proudly towards death is hilarious) just dropped its 500th issue. So recognize: Without MAD, there would be no Saturday Night Live, no Simpsons, no Apatow crew–hell, no Complex blog. Think we’re wrong? MAD’s had a number of Complex-friendly covers over the years…and yes, we’ve rounded them up as a way to say “Happy birthday, you usual gang of idiots.” Blecccch!
TEAM MAYHEM! Creators Tone Rodriguez, Mike Le, William Wilson, and Tyrese Gibson with Percy Carey
[Each week, Complex columnist Percy Carey a.k.a. MF Grimm dives into the world of comic books with industry interviews, reviews and more. All MF Grimm music can now be purchased on Itunes]
Ladies and Gentlemen, I’m going to keep it short this week because I’m still recuperating from the Tyrese Gibson’s MAYHEM! launch party. Tyrese, you are the muthafuckin’ man! It was an amazing event filled with celebrities, great people, beautiful women all around and good food and (did I forget to say beautiful women all around?) I kicked it with the MAYHEM! creators Tyrese Gibson, Mike Le, William Wilson and the legendary Mr. Tone Rodriguez at Lucky Strike (LA Live). I even had an opportunity to sit down one on one with my friend, director/executive producer Micheal Bay (Transformers 1 and 2).
I won’t lie to you, I was suppose to cover the event, but I was too busy being interviewed by the press and partying. I let you down, Complex readers (blame it on the alcohol), but in my defense, you have not partied until you’ve hung out with Tila Tequila and ElectrikRed (I just couldn’t help myself…could you?). Tyrese, you sure know how to throw a party, my brother!. I can’t wait for the Tyrese Gibson’s MAYHEM! party at San Diego Comic Con JULY 2009—it’s going to be off the chain. Now, readers, although I was slacking because of macking, I still didn’t forget you (we’re family): I have some wonderful shots from the event for you to check out. Enjoy…
