from "The Making of a Silent Movie" in Cracked #138 (Major, December 1976), pencils and inks by John Severin
Showing posts with label Cerebus. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Cerebus. Show all posts
Saturday, July 08, 2023
Today in Comics History, July 8: Happy birthday, Marty Feldman!
Born on this day in 1934: comedian, comedy writer and actor Marty Feldman from Young Frankenstein, The Adventure of Sherlock Holmes' Smarter Brother, Yellowbeard, At Last the 1948 Show and many more! Including Silent Movie!
from "The Making of a Silent Movie" in Cracked #138 (Major, December 1976), pencils and inks by John Severin
from "The Making of a Silent Movie" in Cracked #138 (Major, December 1976), pencils and inks by John Severin
Friday, May 06, 2022
Today in Comics History, May 6: Happy birthday, Orson Welles!
Born on this day in 1915: American screenwriter, actor, producer, director, newspaperman, advertising spokesman, magician, and perhaps the largest personality of the twentieth century: Mister Orson Welles.
I can hear you asking, though: Was he great? Have you ever seen his him in a comic book? Hmmm? How can you say someone is great who's never been in a comic book?
Ladies and gentlemen, I give you a birthday celebration of Orson Welles in Comic Books. (Mercury Theatre On the Air overture begins playing)
The Mercury Theatre on the Air overture
I can hear you asking, though: Was he great? Have you ever seen his him in a comic book? Hmmm? How can you say someone is great who's never been in a comic book?
Ladies and gentlemen, I give you a birthday celebration of Orson Welles in Comic Books. (Mercury Theatre On the Air overture begins playing)
The Mercury Theatre on the Air overture
Tuesday, March 31, 2020
Today in Comics History, March 31: Ben Grimm Goes to DashCon
Hey hey hey Baxter Building Boosters! What day is it?
Today the Human Torch plays a April Fool's joke on the Thing, in one of the finest Ben Grimm stories put down on paper! (Seriously, you need to get it. It's in Marvel Fanfare #15, and I don't know why it hasn't been reprinted twenty times. Ask for it by name!
from Marvel Fanfare #15 (Marvel, July 1984); script, pencils, inks, and colors by Barry Windsor-Smith; letters by Jim Novak
But wait, Bully! (you're saying) Why are you posting this a day too early? Have you made a mistake? (you ask). Well, no (I say). I'm not the one who made a mistake.
In any case, get a good night's sleep, and have a peaceful and serene April Fool's Day tomorrow. Don't do anything too extreme: I don't think our hearts can stand it this year.
Today the Human Torch plays a April Fool's joke on the Thing, in one of the finest Ben Grimm stories put down on paper! (Seriously, you need to get it. It's in Marvel Fanfare #15, and I don't know why it hasn't been reprinted twenty times. Ask for it by name!
from Marvel Fanfare #15 (Marvel, July 1984); script, pencils, inks, and colors by Barry Windsor-Smith; letters by Jim Novak
But wait, Bully! (you're saying) Why are you posting this a day too early? Have you made a mistake? (you ask). Well, no (I say). I'm not the one who made a mistake.
In any case, get a good night's sleep, and have a peaceful and serene April Fool's Day tomorrow. Don't do anything too extreme: I don't think our hearts can stand it this year.
Sunday, December 27, 2015
365 Days of Star Wars Comics, Day 361: Everything I Need to Know I Learned from a Little Golden Book
Hey, look at what else Bully me! got for Christmas this year: the complete boxed set of Star Wars Little Golden Books!
Now you may say, Hey Bully! I thought those books were for little kids? Doesn't it say on the books that they are recommended for ages 2-7? And yes, you're right. But might I please remind you that despite my erudition and innate sophistication, I am only six.
Hey, lookit the way-cool special little golden spines on these things! They have substituted the usual poky little puppies and saggy baggy elephants for the heads of your favorite Star Wars characters: Darth Vader, Yoda, R2-D2, and of course everyone's true favorite, Jaxxon the Giant Green Star Wars Rabbit. (Aw, you wish!)
There are six books in the series (to go with, natch, the six movies of the Star Wars saga:
(Click picture to Death Star-size)
And whatdaya know, I collected them all! (It's fun!)
The books cover all the best, most exciting parts of the Star Wars saga:
And, let's face it, some of the parts we wish we didn't remember.
Hey, these aren't comic books! you're no doubt saying now, as you comfortably sit in your post-Christmas snug living rooms with a mug of eggnog and some leftover cheese log. Well, technically not. But I'm featuring them on "365 Days of Star Wars Comics" partly because the illustrations are absolutely wonderful, but most because it's my blog, not yours, and how come you're not sharin' that cheese log, huh? Here's Episode I, reminding us that even when we cringe at the character they can look cute in cartoon form. Or, to put it another way: YIPPEE! (PS: I've put links below to all the artists' names where available, so you can check out their other excellent work! And where not available? Guys, really: you oughta have an easily findable webpage of some sort!)
Page from Star Wars: The Phantom Menace Little Golden Book (July 2015), adapted by Courtney Carbone, illustrated by Heather Martinez
The general action of the movies is well represented without any of the gore or violence.
Page from Star Wars: Attack of the Clones Little Golden Book (July 2015), adapted by Christopher Nicholas, illustrated by Ethen Beavers
Check it out: Little Golden Book Belly Shirts of the Star Wars Universe!
The books nicely depict the iconic moments from the series...
Page from Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith Little Golden Book (July 2015), adapted by Geof Smith, illustrated by Patrick Spaziante (No official webpage. Here's Tumblr reposts of his art.)
...and tho' each is by a different artist, they feature a complementary but distinct cartoon art style for each book. Check out this cooly styledDark Helmet Darth Vader!
Page from Star Wars: A New Hope Little Golden Book (July 2015), adapted by Geof Smith, illustrated by Caleb Meurer and Micky Rose
And there's plenty of the signature Star Wars humor that characterizes thesix first three movies.
Page from Star Wars: The Empire Strike Back Little Golden Book (July 2015), adapted by Geof Smith, illustrated by Chris Kennett
Also: cool sound effects you can read aloud, or if you like people reading to you (and who doesn't?), have read aloud to you.
Page from Star Wars: Return of the Jedi Little Golden Book (July 2015), adapted by Geof Smith, illustrated by Ron Cohee
Plus: ohmygolly isn't this these the cutest depiction of an Ewok, ever? (Also cute: Woodland Leia.)
Hey, where's The Force Awakens Little Golden Book? Don't stress, it's on the way! But you'll have to wait until April for it to be published. In the meantime, there's also another group of more general Star Wars Little Golden Books that you can look for, because boy, I can tell you're lookin' to quench your Little Golden book hunger.
(Click picture to Big Golden Book-size)
Yes, truly it can be said that, just like the world's greatest Little Golden Book...
...this one has a monster at the end, too.
Now, are these totally suitable for young children? Well, I'm one of them, and you know the kind of garbage I read. But I think that for most children these are going to be perfect retellings or introductions to the Star Wars Universe without some of the scary stuff or the obvious violence. There's no arms being cut off here, the word "killed" is never used (it's occasionally phrased as "destroyed"), and scenes of Anakin wiping out the Younglings and Obi-Wan thwackin' off Dr. Evizan's arm are not included in these books. Still, your child-mileage may vary, and you might do well to check them out before you give 'em to a child, just like a responsible parent or guardian should. For example, this Amazon.com reviewer found them a bit disturbing:
Wha...? Inferred? My good sir, you should always remember the difference between inferred and implied. Why, I learned it myself thanks to a talking aardvark!
Panels from Cerebus #33 (December 1981); script, pencils, inks and letters by Dave Sim
Because once you learn this lesson, you can't unlearn it!
Panels from Cerebus #36 (March 1982); script, pencils, inks and letters by Dave Sim
Now you may say, Hey Bully! I thought those books were for little kids? Doesn't it say on the books that they are recommended for ages 2-7? And yes, you're right. But might I please remind you that despite my erudition and innate sophistication, I am only six.
Hey, lookit the way-cool special little golden spines on these things! They have substituted the usual poky little puppies and saggy baggy elephants for the heads of your favorite Star Wars characters: Darth Vader, Yoda, R2-D2, and of course everyone's true favorite, Jaxxon the Giant Green Star Wars Rabbit. (Aw, you wish!)
There are six books in the series (to go with, natch, the six movies of the Star Wars saga:
And whatdaya know, I collected them all! (It's fun!)
The books cover all the best, most exciting parts of the Star Wars saga:
And, let's face it, some of the parts we wish we didn't remember.
Hey, these aren't comic books! you're no doubt saying now, as you comfortably sit in your post-Christmas snug living rooms with a mug of eggnog and some leftover cheese log. Well, technically not. But I'm featuring them on "365 Days of Star Wars Comics" partly because the illustrations are absolutely wonderful, but most because it's my blog, not yours, and how come you're not sharin' that cheese log, huh? Here's Episode I, reminding us that even when we cringe at the character they can look cute in cartoon form. Or, to put it another way: YIPPEE! (PS: I've put links below to all the artists' names where available, so you can check out their other excellent work! And where not available? Guys, really: you oughta have an easily findable webpage of some sort!)
Page from Star Wars: The Phantom Menace Little Golden Book (July 2015), adapted by Courtney Carbone, illustrated by Heather Martinez
The general action of the movies is well represented without any of the gore or violence.
Page from Star Wars: Attack of the Clones Little Golden Book (July 2015), adapted by Christopher Nicholas, illustrated by Ethen Beavers
Check it out: Little Golden Book Belly Shirts of the Star Wars Universe!
The books nicely depict the iconic moments from the series...
Page from Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith Little Golden Book (July 2015), adapted by Geof Smith, illustrated by Patrick Spaziante (No official webpage. Here's Tumblr reposts of his art.)
...and tho' each is by a different artist, they feature a complementary but distinct cartoon art style for each book. Check out this cooly styled
Page from Star Wars: A New Hope Little Golden Book (July 2015), adapted by Geof Smith, illustrated by Caleb Meurer and Micky Rose
And there's plenty of the signature Star Wars humor that characterizes the
Page from Star Wars: The Empire Strike Back Little Golden Book (July 2015), adapted by Geof Smith, illustrated by Chris Kennett
Also: cool sound effects you can read aloud, or if you like people reading to you (and who doesn't?), have read aloud to you.
Page from Star Wars: Return of the Jedi Little Golden Book (July 2015), adapted by Geof Smith, illustrated by Ron Cohee
Plus: ohmygolly isn't this these the cutest depiction of an Ewok, ever? (Also cute: Woodland Leia.)
Hey, where's The Force Awakens Little Golden Book? Don't stress, it's on the way! But you'll have to wait until April for it to be published. In the meantime, there's also another group of more general Star Wars Little Golden Books that you can look for, because boy, I can tell you're lookin' to quench your Little Golden book hunger.
Yes, truly it can be said that, just like the world's greatest Little Golden Book...
...this one has a monster at the end, too.
Now, are these totally suitable for young children? Well, I'm one of them, and you know the kind of garbage I read. But I think that for most children these are going to be perfect retellings or introductions to the Star Wars Universe without some of the scary stuff or the obvious violence. There's no arms being cut off here, the word "killed" is never used (it's occasionally phrased as "destroyed"), and scenes of Anakin wiping out the Younglings and Obi-Wan thwackin' off Dr. Evizan's arm are not included in these books. Still, your child-mileage may vary, and you might do well to check them out before you give 'em to a child, just like a responsible parent or guardian should. For example, this Amazon.com reviewer found them a bit disturbing:
Wha...? Inferred? My good sir, you should always remember the difference between inferred and implied. Why, I learned it myself thanks to a talking aardvark!
Panels from Cerebus #33 (December 1981); script, pencils, inks and letters by Dave Sim
Because once you learn this lesson, you can't unlearn it!
Panels from Cerebus #36 (March 1982); script, pencils, inks and letters by Dave Sim
Monday, April 26, 2010
Monday Night Murals: Aardvark never hurt anyone
And you think you take a long time to get ready for bed!:
Cerebus the Aardvark #291-297 (June 2003-December 2003), art by Dave Sim and Gerhard
(Click picture to Secret Sacred Wars Roach-size)
Let's get this out of the way first: Dave Sim: Threat or Menace? Apparently, he doesn't like girls much. Which is silly, because they're soft and round and cuddly. Mmmmm. Anyway, I'm not gonna get into that. Whether you're a Sim fan or Sim fowl, I think (philosophy aside), you gotta appreciate his artwork with Gerhard, especially many of the innovative and sharply-designed covers. This mural comes from the last arc of the series, covering Cerebus's final day on Earth. He ain't a young aardvark whippersnapper no more, so we see as he moves through a series of connected covers, and landscape of his rooms. Nice interior design, huh? Well, it's a nice place to visit, but I wouldn't want to die there. Whoops, sorry, Mister Cerebus.
It's a fitting wind-up to the last of Sim's record-smashing 300 issues in a row, especially considering the snail-like pace Cerebus takes across the rooms: many of the issues take place over a period of only part of a day or sometimes even minutes, and entire arcs collected in the famous and hefty Cerebus "phone books" can often only consist of the actions of a few days. What would be excruciating to watch in animation works perfectly when we only see one animation cell a month on the cover of a comic book.
But: didn't I say 300 issues? (looking up) Yes! Why yes, I did. So if this immediate mural ends on issue #297, what's on #298-300? Those of you who answered "Cerebus battling Batman" please step to the back of the room, please.
Ish #298 looks familiar, doesn't it? In fact, it's basically identical to #297. Except...and I'm not certain whether I'm reading into this because I have a slightly faded scan of #298's cover...#298 looks darker, dimmer, more shadowy. In the story itself, as Cerebus lies in bed before his estranged son arrives to shatter his final dreams of happiness, dusk is falling; the day (The Last Day) is ending. In other words: I wouldn't oreder any magazine subscriptions right now, Cerebus. In fact, the way it's looking, you better not even order any Domino's Pizza, dude.
The final issue:
You know how the cover of superhero comics often proclaim "In this issue: Somebody Dies!!!," and you spend the whole time reading the issue on the edge of your seat until you find out that it's Jimmy Olsen's grandmother's best friend's dog who didn't appear in the comic book until page 15. Well, you get what you paid for in Cerebus #300: just like Dave Sim promised all those years ago, Cerebus dies, alone and unloved, and steps into the light, which might be heaven, but hey, surprise! Might be the other place, too. Notice how the light beams emanate from above Cerebus's bed: that;'s some heavy-duty deity-illuminatin' there, whichever side it works for.
That's the end of Cerebus #300, but Cerebus will be back in Cerebus II: The Wolveroach Strikes Again! Oh, no, wait, no, he won't.
Bye, Cerebus!
(Click picture to Secret Sacred Wars Roach-size)
Let's get this out of the way first: Dave Sim: Threat or Menace? Apparently, he doesn't like girls much. Which is silly, because they're soft and round and cuddly. Mmmmm. Anyway, I'm not gonna get into that. Whether you're a Sim fan or Sim fowl, I think (philosophy aside), you gotta appreciate his artwork with Gerhard, especially many of the innovative and sharply-designed covers. This mural comes from the last arc of the series, covering Cerebus's final day on Earth. He ain't a young aardvark whippersnapper no more, so we see as he moves through a series of connected covers, and landscape of his rooms. Nice interior design, huh? Well, it's a nice place to visit, but I wouldn't want to die there. Whoops, sorry, Mister Cerebus.
It's a fitting wind-up to the last of Sim's record-smashing 300 issues in a row, especially considering the snail-like pace Cerebus takes across the rooms: many of the issues take place over a period of only part of a day or sometimes even minutes, and entire arcs collected in the famous and hefty Cerebus "phone books" can often only consist of the actions of a few days. What would be excruciating to watch in animation works perfectly when we only see one animation cell a month on the cover of a comic book.
But: didn't I say 300 issues? (looking up) Yes! Why yes, I did. So if this immediate mural ends on issue #297, what's on #298-300? Those of you who answered "Cerebus battling Batman" please step to the back of the room, please.
Ish #298 looks familiar, doesn't it? In fact, it's basically identical to #297. Except...and I'm not certain whether I'm reading into this because I have a slightly faded scan of #298's cover...#298 looks darker, dimmer, more shadowy. In the story itself, as Cerebus lies in bed before his estranged son arrives to shatter his final dreams of happiness, dusk is falling; the day (The Last Day) is ending. In other words: I wouldn't oreder any magazine subscriptions right now, Cerebus. In fact, the way it's looking, you better not even order any Domino's Pizza, dude.
The final issue:
You know how the cover of superhero comics often proclaim "In this issue: Somebody Dies!!!," and you spend the whole time reading the issue on the edge of your seat until you find out that it's Jimmy Olsen's grandmother's best friend's dog who didn't appear in the comic book until page 15. Well, you get what you paid for in Cerebus #300: just like Dave Sim promised all those years ago, Cerebus dies, alone and unloved, and steps into the light, which might be heaven, but hey, surprise! Might be the other place, too. Notice how the light beams emanate from above Cerebus's bed: that;'s some heavy-duty deity-illuminatin' there, whichever side it works for.
That's the end of Cerebus #300, but Cerebus will be back in Cerebus II: The Wolveroach Strikes Again! Oh, no, wait, no, he won't.
Bye, Cerebus!
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