Lucid Comics - June 17
Written by Adam A. Donaldson
Wednesday, 17 June 2009 16:03
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The Web Comics Questionnaire
***In this new section, we’ll spotlight web comics and web comic creators, in a uniquely new media fashion: an e-mail questionnaire.
In this edition of the Web Comics Questionnaire, we grill Scott Hepburn from Transmission X who’s writing and drawing the new series The Port for the syndicate. Aside from recently making the leap to online comics, Hepburn continues to draw adventures in the Star Wars comic universe for Dark Horse. Taking a break from his Toronto-based drawing table, Hepburn answered the following questions.
1) Why web comics?
Putting comics on the web is just an easier way of publishing your work. It’s virtually free and instantaneous, and has no ceiling on the amount of viewers you might reach. Of course, the flip side is that you need to work hard to find and maintain an audience, but for what I wanted to do right now, it’s perfect.
2) Who are your influences?
Art Adams, Mike Mignola, Stuart Immonen, Jamie Hewlett, Glen Keane, Chris Sanders, Olivier Coipel, Guy Davis, Frank Quitely. There are many more, but that’s good for now.
3) If I wasn’t making comics, I’d be…?
…In a lot of trouble.
4) What’s the best comment about your work you’ve ever received? I don’t know if there is a favourite comment in particular, but when people say they find my drawings inspiring, that’s something I can’t related to as an artist who looks to be inspired.
5) Reversely, what’s the worst criticism you’ve ever received?
Again, it’s not a specific comment, but when they point out something about the art that I, myself, am unhappy with, or feel should be better, it really hits home.
6) What are some of the challenges that you face in getting out your comic?
Time management is my biggest problem in all my work, but with The Port I’m writing for the first time, and that is a whole new challenge. Dialogue especially I pain over for hours, often for the simplest little exchanges.
7) How did you get into comics to begin with?
I was an animation designer first, and a friend of mine was getting work through a studio here in Toronto called Udon. He got me in with them and for a few years they kept me busy with not just comics work but also fantasy and sci-fi illustration. I eventually built up a portfolio and in 2007 I sat in the portfolio review line for Dark Horse, were I met Randy Stradley, who later offered me four issues of Knights of the Old Republic, and after that Clone Wars, which I’m still working on.
8) What’s worse: an irate fan boy or a bear with a thorn stuck in its paw?
Depends. How does the bear smell?
9) Anything you want to plug?
The Port and TX Comics in general. I’m also still the regular artist on the Clone Wars monthly for Dark Horse.
A new page from The Port can be read every Saturday on Transmission X Comics at http://www.transmission-x.com/_the_port/
Back of the Box
***Going to conventions, on encounters all sorts of oddities in the infamous long boxes retailers only bring out during convention season. In the new “Back of the Box” segment, we’ll explore little heard of, or otherwise forgotten books that you either stumble across in the hunt for bargains or rediscover when re-organizing your own collection.
The Lost #1 – December 1997
Marc Andreyko, Jay Geldhof, Galen Showman, and Mark Ricketts
Chaos Comics
It was a simple idea. Looking at J.M. Barrie’s classic story about the boy who wouldn’t grow up, one wonders: how would a boy stay young forever? In The Lost, the answer is that Peter Pan is a vampire. He and the Lost Boys are all of the Nosferatu variety and they stalk the streets of modern New York as small time hustlers, and in the case of Peter, teenage prostitutes. This starkly adult take on the material, and its black and white art work, caught the imagination of a young comic book reader, now Lucid Forge editor, back in the day when The Lost was spotlighted on YTV’s gone but great comic news show, The Anti-Gravity Room.
The Lost was originally published by Caliber Comics, but the creators moved their enterprise over to Chaos! Comics creator own branch Breakthrough Entertainment, where the first two issues were republished, followed swiftly by the third. Issue #4 never saw the light of day though. A not uncommon fate for indie books where in creators pushing themselves long hours for little money sometimes suffer burnout, self-doubt or just the intrusion of “real life” pushing them away from ambition until its forgotten as just another unfinished project.
Quite honestly, I’ve had this book for years and never availed myself of the chance to take the time and find out the fate of the other three issues of this miniseries. Looking back now, and having a greater appreciation for post-modernism than I did at the time, The Lost is a compelling alternative take on Barrie’s work. It’s richly rendered and atmospheric with the black and white art work. I know that at the time, with printing costs and distribution being what they were, going black and white was an economic choice, as well as an aesthetic one. But frankly, I can’t imagine this book any other way.
In The Lost, Peter Pan is more of a lecherous Artful Dodger than a playful sprite disinterested in becoming an adult. Wendy is a grumpy teenager forced to move to the city by her mother, and but when she catches the eye of Peter while at Grand Central, he whisks her off to Neverland, which is some kind of magical realm in the New York City sewer, by using his vampiric power of suggestion and a drop of his blood in a soda pop. Police are referred to as “pirates,” the mermaids are there in the sewer though they have more in common with the Creature From the Black Lagoon than Ariel from The Little Mermaid, and Capt. Hook does make an appearance on the last page as a vampire himself and holed up in some kind of abandoned church.
In researching this story, I did a Google search for The Lost and came up with Jay Geldhof’s blog (http://dimmydraws.blogspot.com/). Last year, he published six completed pages from the final issue of The Lost and wrote briefly about why the book was never finished. “All I can say is during my work on #4 I suffered from what can only be called a crisis of faith,” Geldhof wrote. “I was growing more and more dissatisfied with my own work, the quality of the story we were telling, and EXTREAMLY dissatisfied with the state of the comics industry.”
He concluded by saying: “If you want to place blame on someone, I guess the buck stops here. I deeply apologize for leaving our fans/readers hanging. We received MANY letters and e-mails from you folks (still do!) and we were always happy that the work was being well received.” To see the six finished-though-out-of-order pages go to Geldhof’s blog here: http://dimmydraws.blogspot.com/2008/02/lost-lost.html
Reviews
Batman and Robin #1Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely
DC Comics
In much the same way that the odious “One More Day” led to some of the most compelling Spider-Man stories in years with “Brand New Day,” so to seems the poorly handled death of Batman and the new relaunch “Batman Reborn.” This new Batman and Robin book was the first to see the printing press and it’s a very impressive start. Morrison and Quitely, the dynamic duo behind New X-Men and All Star Superman have crafted an opening issue that’s compelling and refreshing with the new Batman getting a new Robin and embarking on a new series of adventures. The back and forth between Dick Grayson as the new Caped Crusader and Damien Wayne as the new Robin riff great together and have an interesting potential father/son dynamic with maybe a bizarre twist. On the story side, Morrison unleashes one of the oddest new Bat-villains in some time, which is saying something, and Quitely’s art is top-notch and silently invocative of classic Bats of the 60s but without the camp.
Batman #687Judd Winick and Ed Benes
DC Comics
New Bat writer Judd Winick and artist Ed Benes back track a little to fill in the gaps between Battle for the Cowl and Batman & Robin with an issue that lays the compelling psychological ground work for Dick Grayson’s transformation into the new Batman. Featuring the points of view from numerous members of the Batman supporting cast, as well as appearances by the Justice League and favourite fiendish foe from the Rogues’ Gallery, this issue is taunt, tight and crams a lot of back story into a few pages, and does so in a way that doesn’t feel stuffed or overwrought. Benes’ artwork is also impressive; very sharp and very expressive in a way that’s both mournful and hopeful. Winick instantly proves that he has command of the Batman universe and is capable of playing in the big box with the best toys.
Red Robin #1Chris Yost and Ramon Bachs
DC Comics
With Damien now wearing the scarlet bird uniform, what becomes of the stalwart Tim Drake? Smartly, the DC editors didn’t let him fade into the background. Rather they kind of gave him an emotional and adventurous promotion as Tim launches into a global search for Bruce Wayne and perhaps getting caught in a web laid out by one of Batman’s most devious enemies. Overall, this is a great direction for the character. Tim was the first one to seek out the role of Robin, and did so with the intention of learning from Batman and becoming the best detective in the world. He’s suffered before with the murder of his father during Identity Crisis, so he’s lost one father now only to loose another. It’ll be interesting to see this mystery unfold and how Tim either makes his piece with Bruce’s loss, or drives himself mad(der) trying to find the mentor he presumes is still alive (although we know he is).
Ultimatum #4 of 5Jeph Loeb and David Finch
Marvel Comics
Well, it’s nice of Loeb and Finch to take a break from all the pointless killing in order to give us some back story. Admittedly, I was at first intrigued by the direction of Ultimatum, but now I’m just bored. There are only so many times you can go to the well to kill another main character before it loses both meaning and impact, and just becomes a trick to get you to keep reading. Although, to be fair, it seems to be working. My interest though is in just seeing it end. What’s going to happen in the Ultimate universe after this? Well, it occurred to me a couple of days ago: Infinity Gauntlet. Remember in Infinity Gauntlet #4 when most of the major leaguers in the Marvel U were killed taking on Thanos and then at the end they were resurrected without memory of being a cosmic strike force that ended up KIA? Yeah, me neither.
X-Men Forever #1Chris Claremont and Tom Grummett
Marvel Comics
I’m sure more than a few people thought that seeing Claremont continue the storyline he began in the first three issues of X-Men in 1991, before he left the book prematurely, was a smashing idea. Unfortunately, the only thing X-Men Forever does is cement in my mind how much more sophisticated comic book writing’s become in the last 20 years. It’s not that Claremont’s no longer capable, but here it seems he’s working rather hard at capturing that aesthetic of the time period, but it’s not quaint. It’s kind of hackneyed, and frankly, rather embarrassing. Also, why are Shadowcat and Nighcrawler here? Back in ’91 they were still with Excalibur, and all of the sudden they’re part of the X-Men again? That doesn’t jive, and neither does Grummett’s half-hearted attempts to parrot Jim Lee’s style. Grummett’s a wonderful artist in his own right and shouldn’t take second to anyone. This project must have looked interesting on paper, but in execution it leaves a lot to be desired.
Amazing Spider-Man #597Joe Kelly and Marco Checchetto
Marvel Comics
The aforementioned Spider-Man hits into high gear as we count down to the magical 600th issue (which includes a wedding, he teased). In the meantime though, we get this jewel of a story from Kelly and Checchetto which features superheroic espionage as Spider-Man does something almost completely out of character: he gets proactive. Infiltrating Avengers Tower posing as Venom, Spidey tries to find a way to help out BFF Harry and get him out from under the claws of his abusive father (and the nation’s top superhero), Norman Osborn. This latest storyline has featured numerous surprises and in this issue the twist ending really makes you stand up and say “No he didn’t!” For this reason alone, I highlight this issue especially, and “American Son” generally as must reads. It’ll surely be interesting to see how Kelly writes
Special Commentary – The Return of Steve Rogers
So it turns out the rumours were true, and the white star on black background really was the signal that just over two years since he was gunned down in Captain America #25, Steve Rogers was returning from the dead. It’s shades of “Death of Superman” all over again, for after Marvel went to lunch with a tonne of mainstream media attention coming from the offing of an iconic character like Captain America, they’re now playing take-backs. Should we be surprised? Not really, but unlike the aforementioned “Death of Superman,” the current Cap storyline with Rogers former partner Bucky Barnes taking up the shield and the stars and stripes has been too good to get the shaft like this.
On the plus side is that this Return, beginning this week with the publication of Captain America #600 (part of Marvel’s “My bad for constantly rebooting titles that didn’t need it” campaign) is being scripted by Ed Brubaker. Brubaker is the writer that made Cap a masterpiece of superheroics mashed with conspiracy and espionage thrillers, so if there’s anyone that can wipe the stick of gimmick off this, it’s him. In July, the return will continue in the appropriately titled Captain America: Reborn miniseries.
“How can Steve Rogers return from the dead, and will his rebirth be enough to stop the global threat of his sworn enemy?” asks a recent Marvel press release. “Hitting shelves on July 1st, the special five part series Captain America Reborn finally reveals the true scope of the Red Skull’s nefarious plan, and begins Captain America’s triumphant return.”
Naturally, with Marvel’s 70th anniversary celebration/madness, and the fact that the Marvel Universe is literally being run by a villain, the time certainly feels right for the return of “the real” Captain America. Still, seeing Bucky finds his way around being Cap, trying to live up to Rogers legacy and now being a part of the New Avengers and finding his way around a team dynamic, still has so much interesting potential. Hopefully Marvel knows what its doing, but I am very sceptical. I have faith in Brubaker, but as witnessed over in Spider-Man with “One More Day,” faith in a creator doesn’t always translate when under the gun of editorially mandated changes to a book.
New Releases
ARCHIE COMICS
Betty & Veronica #242
Betty & Veronica Digest #195
Jughead’s Double Digest #151
Sabrina Vol 2 #103
ASPEN ENTERTAINMENT
Executive Assistant Iris #1
BONGO COMICS
Simpsons Comics #155
BOOM! STUDIOS
Caped #3 (of 4)
Fall Of Cthulhu Nemesis #3 (of 4)
Mr Stuffins #2 (of 3)
DARK HORSE
Bride Of The Water God TP Vol 3
Conan The Frazetta Cover Series #3 (of 8)
Rex Mundi #18
Star Wars Knights Of The Old Republic #42
DC COMICS
Action Comics Annual #12
Air #10
Batman Streets Of Gotham #1
Batman The Black Casebook TP
Brave And The Bold #24, $2.99
Cartoon Network Block Party #58
Dorothea TP Vol 5
Ex Machina #43
Final Crisis Aftermath Dance #2 (of 6)
Flat Earth Exchange TP Vol 4
Gears Of War Sourcebook
Green Arrow Black Canary #21
Green Lantern Sinestro Corps War TP Vol 2
Green Lantern Corps Through The Ages TP
Hellblazer #256
Hitman TP Vol 1 A Rage In Arkham (New Printing)
Jack Of Fables #35
Mysterius The Unfathomable #6 (of 6)
Outsiders #19
Power Girl #2
Question The Five Books Of Blood TP
Sleeper Season 1 TP
Starman Omnibus HC Vol 3
Supergirl #42,
Superman Batman #61
Tiny Titans #17,
Vigilante #7
Will Eisners Spirit Archives HC Vol 26
World Of Warcraft #20
Young Liars #16
DYNAMITE ENTERTAINMENT
Army Of Darkness TP Vol 8 Home Sweet Hell
Boys Herogasm #2 (of 6)
Complete Just A Pilgrim TP
Man With No Name #11
Masquerade #4
Project Superpowers Chapter Two #0
Red Sonja HC Vol 6 She Devil With A Sword
HEAVY METAL MAGAZINE
Luis Royo Dead Moon HC, $29.95
IDW PUBLISHING
Angel #22
Barack Obama The Road To The White House #1 (One Shot)
Captain Canuck HC Vol 1, $24.99
GI Joe Cobra #4
Groom Lake #3
Robot Galaxy #1 Brotherhood Returns
Robot Galaxy #2 Battle Begins
Star Trek II The Wrath Of Khan #2 (of 3)
Transformers Premiere Edition HC Vol
Transformers Spotlight Cliffjumper
IMAGE COMICS
Amber Atoms #4
Body Bags TP Vol 1 Fathers Day
Bomb Queen Presents All Girl Comics (One Shot)
Dead At 17 Afterbirth #1 (of 4)
Elephantmen #20
Invincible #63
Madman Atomic Comics #16
Mice Templar TP Vol 1
Olympus #2
Phonogram 2 Singles Club #3 (of 7)
Red Mass For Mars #3
T Runt HC
MARVEL COMICS
1939 Daily Bugle, AR
All New Savage She-Hulk #3 (of 4)
Amazing Spider-Girl TP Vol 5 Maybreak
Amazing Spider-Man Family #7
Cable #15
Captain America #600
Captain America Man With No Face Premiere HC
Captain Britain And MI 13 #14
Dark Reign Fantastic Four #4 (of 5)
Dark Reign Hawkeye #3 (of 5)
Dark Reign Mister Negative #1 (of 3)
Dark Reign Young Avengers #2 (of 5)
Dark Tower The Fall Of Gilead #2 (of 6)
Destroyer #3 (of 5)
Fantastic Force #3 (of 5)
Incognito #4
Invincible Iron Man #14
Irredeemable Ant-Man TP
Marvel Adventures Avengers #37
Marvel Adventures Avengers TP Vol 9
Marvel Pets Handbook,
Marvel Triple Action #3
Marvel Zombies 4 #3 (of 4)
Mighty Avengers #26
Ms Marvel TP Vol 6 Ascension
Power Pack Classic TP Vol 1
Punisher #6
Punisher Year One T
Spider-Man Loves Mary Jane Season 2 TP
Spider-Man New Ways To Die TP
Thor Trial Of Thor (One Shot)
Ultimate Origins TP
Ultimatum Spider-Man Requiem #1 (of 2)
War Machine #7
War Of Kings Ascension #3 (of 4)
Wolverine Origins #37
Wonderful Wizard Of Oz #7 (of 8)
X-Infernus HC
X-Men Legacy #225
X-Men Origins Gambit #1 (One Shot)
X-Men Premiere HC Phoenix Rising
Young Allies Comics #1
Ythaq Premiere HC Forsaken World
MIRAGE STUDIOS
Tales Of The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #59
ONI PRESS
Wasteland TP Book 4 Dog Tribe
Wonton Soup GN Vol 2
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