Critical Mass.
FOR SOME BEWILDERING, UNKNOWABLE REASON, the folks at the Northwest Film Center have been kind enough to invite me to participate in an upcoming panel at the Portland International Film Festival. They’re screening a documentary about film criticism, you see; apparently, someone at the Film Center thought I’d have something worthwhile to add to a post-screening discussion. (Yes, this person is clearly ill-informed, and no, I don’t have any idea how this all came about—especially when I remember that the good people at the Film Center might still pissed at me for writing this a few years ago.)
For the Love of Movies is Gerald Peary’s documentary about film writing, a profession I’ve been gleefully half-assing my way through for years. The official PIFF synopsis:
Boston Phoenix film critic Peary has crafted an entertaining and informative history of American film criticism from its raw beginnings before “The Birth of a Nation” to Bowsley Crowther’s 27-year reign at The New York Times; from the incendiary Pauline Kael-Andrew Sarris debates of the ’60s and ’70s right up to the current battle for audiences between youthful website populists and the veteran print establishment. Providing a unique insider’s view of the film critic’s profession are comments by some of America’s most influential film writers, including A.O. Scott (The New York Times), Lisa Schwarzbaum (Entertainment Weekly), Roger Ebert (The Chicago Sun-Times), as well as other legends like Sarris, Janet Maslin, and Jim Hoberman.
Joining Gerald Peary after the Sunday screening will be Portland film critics Shawn Levy, D.K. Holm, Aaron Mesh, and Erik Henriksen.
The screening is this Sunday, February 14. (Yes, Valentine’s Day—because what could be more romantic than hearing film critics talk about their jobs?) More about Levy, Mesh, and Holm here, here, and here; screening details here; tickets here.
I really have no idea how this thing is going to play out, but I’m looking forward to it. Also, please be aware that I’ll be desperately looking for an opportunity start a fistfight over Benji the Hunted and Carnosaur.
A Non-Update Update.
CONSIDERING THE FIRST—and so far, the only—issue of The Warriors: Jailbreak came out like six months ago, I’d expected people to stop asking me about it by now. But they haven’t, which is kind of great and kind of awkward: Great because a lot of people are still interested in the book, and awkward because when they ask where issues two, three, and four are, I don’t have much to tell them.
I will say this: Hopefully the rest of Jailbreak will come out, either in single-issue or trade-paperback form, and hopefully that’ll happen sooner rather than later. As some of you know, Jailbreak was originally published by Dabel Brothers; when Dynamite Entertainment acquired Dabel Brothers’ properties, it became clear that if Jailbreak was to continue, it would be via Dynamite. As of now, it’s still up in the air as to whether or not Dynamite will print Jailbreak’s remaining issues—though I, along with Jailbreak artists Todd Herman and Herb Apon, have been talking with Dynamite about that possibility, so if all goes well, something will work out.
I don’t wanna jinx it, so that’s all I’ll say for now—but rest assured that if Jailbreak does get picked up, and if there will be a way for readers to finish the story that began in Jailbreak #1… well, I’ll be as excited about that as anybody, and this’ll be the first place I’ll let people know about it.
In the meantime, thanks to everyone who has asked about the book during the past few months. It’s meant a lot, and while I feel lousy that I haven’t been able to give you an answer yet, hopefully that’ll change soon.
Hype Talk.
WHEN I STARTED this site, it was with two intentions: 1) to relentlessly, unapologetically hype the hell out of projects I might might be working on, and 2) to relentlessly, unapologetically hype the hell out of projects various friends and/or associates of mine might be working on. So far, the site’s had a lot of 1) and not much of 2). Thankfully, that changes this week.
FIRST. MySpace Dark Horse Presents Volume Four is scheduled to hit comic book shops on Wednesday. Not only is Volume Four another welcome dose of the insanity that got MDHP nominated for an Eisner earlier this year, but it also features a comic written by the charming and beautiful Ann Romano, who dishes on Hollyweird’s hottest gossip via her One Day at a Time column in the Portland Mercury. (Hey! That’s where I work!)
If that’s not enough motivation to get your ass to a comics shop post-haste, consider this: Not only does Ann’s latest adventure costar a couple of beloved characters from Eric Powell’s The Goon, but it also features gorgeous artwork by the inimitable and admirable Kristian Donaldson. If you want to read Ann and Kristian’s story for free, okay, sure, fine, be a cheap bastard. If you aren’t a cheap bastard, though, buy Volume Four (for cheap!) here. You’ll be glad you did, as the collection also features work by Gilbert Hernandez, Farel Dalrymple, Kate Beaton, Carolyn Main, David Malki, Chris Onstad, and even more people who are preposterously and gasp-inducingly talented.
[NOTE: Thanks to a production error in the initial printing run of MySpace Dark Horse Presents Volume Four, the first page of Ann's comic is missing its dialogue balloons. Right-click here to download a .jpg of the story's first page, with Ann's words intact.]
SECOND. The aforementioned Kristian Donaldson (who, apparently, will go to all sorts of absurd lengths to get his name repeatedly mentioned on this site) also has a hand in another Dark Horse production: He drew several covers for Dr. Horrible, a one-shot based on Joss Whedon’s web series Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog. Dr. Horrible is written by Zack Whedon and boasts jaw-dropping art by the amazing and delightful Joëlle Jones. For everyone who loved Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog—i.e., everyone worth knowing—the comic won’t disappoint. Check out a six-page preview of the issue here, then buy it (for cheap!) here.
Cool? Cool. Hype: CONCLUDED.
Sound and Fury, Signifying Nothing.
IN THE HALLOWED PAGES of this week’s Portland Mercury, I wrote a story about the Apocalypse. Along with this post’s title, the above image—which took me more time to Photoshop than I will admit here—sums up the thing with a surprising level of thoroughness. That said, should you have a few moments to waste—and should you be curious about what Ragnarök has in store for you—then WELCOME TO THE APOCALYPSE!
Now seems as good a time as any to narcissistically round up a few recent and semi-recent Mercury pieces, actually: Elsewhere in this week’s issue, I wrote (briefly) about Mark Millar and Steve McNiven’s Old Man Logan (which, though it’s a very different book, might stand alongside Brian K. Vaughan and Eduardo Risso’s Logan as my favorite comic starring Marvel’s feral cash cow); over the past month or so, I’ve also cranked out reviews for, among other things, the films A Serious Man, Gentlemen Broncos, 2012, The Men Who Stare at Goats, The Box, and Ong Bak 2.
For the last chunk in this uncommonly Mercury-centric post, I offer you a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity: a glimpse inside the Mercury offices. A few weeks ago, photographer Leah Verwey photographed the paper’s environs and inhabitants; due in no small part to my chronic unphotogenic-ness, I spent much of the time she was clicking around anticipating the worst, but it turns out she’s quite good. (I particularly like her portrait of Olive, everyone’s favorite member of the Mercury editorial staff; you can see that one below.) Verwey’s photos are here.
Bonus points if you spot Kato Kaelin’s autograph. He once visited us, and it was the grandest day of all of our lives.
So That’s Why They Call It the Idiot Box.
AS MENTIONED in my last post, Rick Emerson at Outlook Portland was kind enough to invite me, Todd Herman, and Herb Apon onto the show a few weeks ago to talk about The Warriors: Jailbreak. The episode’s now online, for your viewing pleasure/displeasure. It’s split into four parts; part one is above, and here are parts two, three, and four.
Once again, thanks to Rick Emerson and Cheryl Kanekoa at Outlook Portland for having us on. Also, the show airs on NW 32—yes, my fellow Portlanders, the very same channel that brings us the delights of the CW. Below, please find a list of other NW 32 shows that, due to my new-found television fame, I would consider making special guest appearances on:
• Legend of the Seeker
• Smallville
• Gossip Girl
• America’s Next Top Model
• Washington’s Most Wanted
Wait. Scratch that last one. But hey, Gossip Girl and Top Model producers? There’s a “Contact” button up at the top of this page. Use it.
POST-SCRIPT: NW 32 also airs repeats of Star Trek: The Next Generation. I’ll leave the details of my appearance on that one up to you, Emerson. Just make it happen.
We Are Currently Experiencing Technical Difficulties.
AS SOME HAVE NOTICED, The Warriors: Jailbreak #2 was supposed to be out a while ago. August, in fact. And yet: It is not out.
So here’s the bad news, which I just got yesterday: The Warriors: Jailbreak, after having its first issue come out in July, appears to have been put on a hiatus of sorts. It’s currently unknown when Jailbreak #2, #3, and #4 will come out, but I wouldn’t hold your breath, as it sounds like they might not hit comic-book stores until sometime in 2010—at which point, I suspect, everyone will be too busy fleeing in terror from replicants on hoverboards to pay much attention to a comic that should have been out a year previous.
The collected edition of Jailbreak, which was set to be published in December (and which would have made a really fantastic Christmas gift for all the teenage gangmembers in your life) has also been delayed indefinitely.
I’m as frustrated, disappointed, and angered by this as anybody, if not more so; rest assured that if there’s any news about when Jailbreak will resume publication, I’ll post about it here first.
As for discussing the specific factors that have caused this delay, there are a number of things keeping my mouth shut for the time being—some of them are due to professional and legal obligations, and some of them are merely related to the fact that I want to be done with this mess for a little while. I can note, however, that all four of my Jailbreak scripts have been turned in since May, and that as far as I know, Jailbreak’s exemplary art team—pencilers Todd Herman and Herb Apon, inker Nick Nix, and colorist Jeremy Treece—have been completing their work as quickly and as professionally as can be expected given the tumultuous circumstances. It’s been a pleasure working with those guys, and I think I speak for Jailbreak’s entire creative team when I say that we’re hoping the book comes out in its intended form as soon as possible.
———
In less depressing news, thanks to Rick Emerson and Cheryl Kanekoa at Outlook Portland for putting together a whole goddamn Jailbreak-centric episode a few weeks ago. Here! Look at a kinda crappy picture I took of Todd and Herb on set, talking with host Rick Emerson!
Herb, Todd, and I had a fantastic time pretending to be fancy-pants TV stars and bullshitting our way through Rick’s questions about comics in general and Jailbreak in particular. While Rick’s kind words about how the three of us fared on the program do seem to be influenced by either bribery or a potent chemical substance, it was still a great experience being on the show, and I hope we didn’t screw it up too badly. Video of the episode should be online soon; I’ll post it here once its available.
Likewise, and despite the delay in Jailbreak’s publication, I’ll continue updating this site fairly regularly with links to and excerpts from my work in the Portland Mercury, news about other comics projects I have in the pipeline, shameless plugs for upcoming comics from creators I know and like, and any news about Jailbreak. In other words, I won’t be going anywhere, so stay tuned.
Re: Jailbreak #2 & Tetherball.
I SHOULD HAVE SAID something about this earlier, but between The Blueprint 3 and Neil Gaiman’s bookshelves, I’ve had a hard time concentrating.
Big thanks to everybody at The Famous Mysterious Actor Show for having me, Todd, and Herb on the show Wednesday night. Hopefully it was as much fun for those not on the stage as it was for those of us on it. I remember little of the evening other than the fact that candy was thrown, Silly String was sprayed, and tetherball was played—the latter activity occurring, almost certainly, as an awkward demonstration of that time-honored maxim: Comic book nerds have absolutely no business playing sports of any kind.
Warriors update: Jailbreak #2 was supposed to be in comic book stores by now, but frustratingly, it isn’t. (Here’s where I pull a Lando: “It’s not my fault!”) That said, I’ve been told it should hit shelves sometime this month, and rest assured I’ll make a note of it here as soon as it’s available.
In semi-related Jailbreak news, here’s an excerpt from an email I just received. I’m pretty sure this needs to be a pull quote, prominently and proudly featured on the cover of the Jailbreak trade.
I got so high just now, I had a song with no music in it stuck in my head. Like… I dunno. I had silence stuck in my head. Like it was a song. Crazy ass silence.
ALSO! EL WARRIORS ES MUY BUENO. EN FUEGO. Nice work, pimp.
Can one ask for a better thing to find in their inbox than that? No.
Image above via io9. And yes, I know it’s not tetherball. But it’s close enough, dammit.
Fame! Mystery! Acting! (And Also Maybe Comic Books.)
DO YOU HAVE PLANS on Wednesday? No? Well, you do now: You’re going to The Famous Mysterious Actor Show! And if you do already have plans on Wednesday, guess what? They’ve been canceled! Which sucks and everything, and I’m sure you’re really disappointed—but hey, on the upside, now you can go to The Famous Mysterious Actor Show!
The reason I’m dictating/revising your social calendar: Not only will Wednesday’s Famous Mysterious Actor Show mark the long-awaited return of Portland’s beloved enfant terrible, but it’ll also mark the stage debut of The Warriors: Jailbreak’s creative team.
Yes: For some utterly bewildering reason, Famous’ wranglers decided to invite me and my partners in crime on The Warriors, Todd Herman and Herb Apon, onto the show as guests. As for what the show will contain, that’s all up to Famous, so I have no goddamn idea. But I’ll guess this much: There will be the Famous Mysterious Actor, and there will be comedy, and there will be rejoicing, and then Herb and Todd and I will stumble onstage and bring everything to a screeching halt. And then we will stumble offstage, and the comedy and rejoicing will resume. Also, there might be some discussion about candy bird dicks.
The details: The Famous Mysterious Actor Show on Wednesday, September 2 at 8 pm at Curious Comedy Theater (5225 NE Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Portland, Oregon). Tickets are $10 and are available here.
Pictured above: Artwork by Todd Herman, from Famous’ appearance on MySpace Dark Horse Presents.
Born to Be Kings, We Are the Princes of the Universe.
ALERT. This Sunday, August 16, I’ll be taking part in “It’s a Terrible Movie,” an event brainstormed by Will Radik, loyal Mercury intern and infamous man-about-Portland. Full details are over at PDX Pipeline, but the short version is this: We’ll be screening 1987’s Masters of the Universe—the He-Man flick starring Dolph Lundgren, Frank Langella, that chick from Friends, and Lieutenant Tom Paris—and throughout, Will, KUFO’s Fatboy, and I will be doing live commentary*. Audience members are also encouraged to heckle, and the proceeds will benefit CoHo Productions. It’ll all go down at 10 pm at the CoHo Theater (2257 NW Raleigh, Portland), and admission is $5-10, sliding scale.
(Also, I know it’s Masters of the Universe, with emphasis on the “masters” part, but ever since Will told me which movie we’d be mocking, I’ve had this stuck in my head. IT WON’T GET OUT. Which, actually, I’m totally okay with.)
*Well, Will and Fatboy will be live commentarying, and no doubt being hilarious. I, on the other hand, will probably just be loudly getting drunk near a microphone, rousing myself only to shout occasional obscenities at the crappiest character in the history of cinema.
Re: Commie-Con & Kirsten Cohen.
REMEMBER WHEN KIRSTEN could just relax and enjoy a martini and nobody would shoot her any of those awkward, judgmental, guilt-inducing glances? I remember those days. I think we all do. Those were the days.
Hard as it may be to believe, there is a reason for the above photo, and no, it doesn’t (only) have to do with my eternal passion for O.C. arcana: After surviving Comic-Con International and then taking a few days afterward to chill with some friends—in, yes, Orange County—I have returned to Portland. Commence with the ticker-tape parades, etc.
As usual, the pop-culture clusterfuck that is Comic-Con was an exhausting blast. And—when I wasn’t stuck in preposterously long lines and/or geeking out over everything from James Cameron’s blue aliens to the news that Patton Oswalt’s gonna write a Serenity comic to the fact that, at least according to Kevin Smith, Bruce Willis believes Comic-Con to be an annual gathering of communists—I was able to get the word out about The Warriors: Jailbreak. And, usually over a beer or three, I got to touch base with a few friends and associates who happen to be in the comics industry, and I got to make a few new friends and associates who happen to be in the comics industry, and, naturally, I acted like a total jackass in front of at least four comics creators whom I greatly admire.*
Thanks to everyone who swung by the Dabel Brothers booth and allowed Todd, Herb, and I to scrawl our signatures all over the cover of Jailbreak #1. Jailbreak’s inker, Nick Nix, dropped by to sign for a few hours too, and all around, it was great to meet so many Warriors fans—including actor James Remar, who played Ajax in The Warriors, and who, after flipping through the first few pages of Jailbreak, declared Ajax losing a fight with Swan to be “horseshit.” But my favorite person I met at Comic-Con was a little kid, maybe 10 or 12, who came up to the booth while Herb and I were signing and took about 20 minutes to make up his mind about whether Jailbreak was worth his money:
KID: So what happens in this?
HERB: Well, the Warriors break Ajax out of jail.
KID: So… there’s a jailbreak. And you guys named it… Jailbreak?
HERB: Yeah.
KID: Y’know, you guys are about as creative as… as… a bunch of pirates.
[beat]
ME: How about I knock a dollar off the cover price?
*And I scored one of those gorgeous Essex County hardcovers! And I got a The True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys t-shirt!