American Vampire Re-Visions The Wild West and The Jazz Age

An exciting new series from Vertigo Comics hits stands in March: American Vampire.

American Vampire combines a supernaturally-themed western with a supernaturally-themed jazz-age motif.

I said, American Vampire combines a supernaturally-themed western...





















...with a supernaturally-themed jazz-age motif.


















Now, if you can't wait until March to read this fascinating and unique take on the horror genre, be sure to check out High Moon and The Night Owls on Zuda. They're free!

One Year Of Zuda

Today is the one-year anniversary of Zuda Comics. I live in a very Zuda-centric household, and so looking back at their website and index of strips, I can actually remember what I was doing when Avaste Ye or Joe Comics was currently offered in the competition.

As I've written in a previous post, I think Zuda is a noble and worthwhile enterprise, full of hope for the future. Zuda is the Barack Obama of DC Comics. Hopefully, what I just said will mean at least four more years of Zuda. Of course, if I'm wrong, Sarah Palin will be a heartbeat away from the presidency. But dammit, she'll look good doing it, won't she?

Here's my musical tribute to Zuda:

(sung to the tune of "We Didn't Start The Fire")

A Spelunker's Guide To The City, Azure and Alpha Monkey,
Araknid Kid, Avaste Ye, Hannibal Goes To Rome

Hopeless Youth, High Moon, Hammer Sound, Re-Evolution,
Rhandom Escape, Action Ohio, Adventures of Maxy J. Millionaire

We didn't start the Zuda

But the strips keep turning

And High Moon keeps earning

We didn't start the Zuda

Hey kids comix for free

In this bad economy

Support Creator-Driven Comics Like The Night Owls!

The Night Owls on Zuda.com really needs your help, in terms of readership, feedback, and support. It's a sharp, cute webcomic about a detective agency in the 1920's focusing on the supernatural. It's not cloying or saccharine but it's not gory and depressing either. It's just fun. And I give it my stamp of approval as something you can share with your older children. There are a few demons and boogeymen and whatnot -- but nothing worse than in Harry Potter.

Best of all, you don't have to spend any money on it! Recession special.

I firmly believe that especially in these troubled economic times, quality comics -- especially ones independent from editorial fiat and conceived & created by the creators -- need to be supported. Because if they're not supported, it turns into a Minx situation where you know the new mantra is "girl books don't sell." I think some of what DC puts out is heartless cynical crap, but if there are some diamonds here in the rough, comics with heart -- something has to be said. And that pretty much goes for any comic that you think is worthwhile.

Because really, Zuda is an example of a "big box" comic company trying to support independent creators. If these efforts aren't supported, then, like I said -- a new mantra is born. And that certainly doesn't help the diversity of product that this "big box" company will put out in the future. Then it all becomes Booster Gold and 24-month-long events and weak Sandman spinoffs. Then it all becomes editorial dictation rather than giving creators freedom. Then it's all capes-and-tights comics, with other genres be damned. And then that's what the public "voted" for -- so there really can't be too many complaints.

Please drop by the Night Owls site, check out their old stuff and then take a look at the new season. Then give them feedback if you wish, and tune in regularly for their new stuff.

And check out this trailer for their comix:

The Night Owls Season One Finale...

...is up on Zuda.com

The Timony Brothers, who produce this fine supernatural-humor webcomic, are great people and very friendly to fans.

Why not drop by and leave them a message of congrats for one season done, and another ahead?

Vote for RED ICE

Last chance to for for Scott Brown's RED ICE on Zuda!

We have a modest goal here; currently it's in 9th place, let's try and make it at least 5th by tomorrow!

If we all work together, this can be a better world.

(goes back to watch YouTube clips of the opening to Family Ties being dubbed with the theme song to Who's The Boss)

MoCCA Art Fest 2008: Webcomics

You would have to be Indiana Jones to get through the bottleneck
at the webcomic section of the convention

There was a strong webcomics presence at MoCCA Art Fest this year -- resulting in a bottleneck in the space where a number of the more well-known webcomics creators were situated. It was so crazy you literally could not get through.

The loyal fanbase and broad appeal of webcomics such as XKCD, Diesel Sweeties, Octopus Pie, and Girls With Slingshots -- all represented at the show -- cannot be overstated. Anybody who tells me that these digital comics do not present any sort of real competition to their print counterparts is full of crap. Seriously.


That said, I think it helps any webcomic creator to have some sort of print edition to sell/give away at show. Nay, it not only helps -- I think it is required. Take the case of Danielle Corsetto, sketching for charity at the Friends Of Lulu table and also selling a print collection of her webcomic Girls With Slingshots. Sales on the book -- that she had done on print-on-demand -- were brisk. The old argument has been: "they won't pay for comics they can get for free." I disagree.

But, the content has to be good, and your fanbase loyal. It's like those "pay-as-you-wish" downloads of that Radiohead album. No, I don't think it's a big moneymaker for them -- but they are still cleaning up on concerts and assorted merchandise. And some people will buy the "legit" collection regardless. Similarly, I think the money in webcomics are not to be made by those "micropayments" Scott McCloud refers to in Reinventing Comics, but in everything else that surrounds the daily or weekly online strip -- ads, merch, con appearances, print editions.


Further, if a mainstream publisher is racking its brains to find comic content with an appeal far beyond the comic book fan market, this is the way to go. One would assume that was part of the reason for Zuda's creation. Visiting their booth that was situated next to Minx & Vertigo, I wondered if they might have been better served in the webcomic section downstairs. But, then the question becomes -- is Zuda following the established webcomics model, or are they really trying to invent their own model?

Are they a "DC," or its own webcomics animal?

I would say, based on my personal observation, that the Minx/Vertigo/Zuda triumvirate is/is becoming as open, openminded, and creatively supportive as anything you could possibly find coming out of a large comics publisher. I think this is driven by the realization that the creation of truly creative content should lie with the creators. You can't just add water, heat and stir. Comics are not ramen noodles or Nestle Quik or instant oatmeal. You need innovative voices behind it, a pulse; you need to take a f**king chance.


It almost feels as if presently two DCs exist -- and the question is, which one will win out five years from now? The innovation, or the obsession with the past?

It's like McCain versus Obama. You know, I really don't dislike John McCain. In a lot of ways, I really respect the guy. But, if he becomes president and not Barack Obama, it's going to be depressing. Because, while I think McCain means well, it's going to be the same old s**t. And it can't be the same old s**t. Some people are so damn attached to the same old shit, but it's an unhealthy and unnatural attachment, and eventually it withers and rots on the vine.

Whatever the case, in five years a regularly updated webcomics feature will be a standard component of every comics publisher. If Zuda is a testing ground for new talent, the imprint itself seems to be a testing ground for the eventual future of the company.

(Oh, and for those who whine that I have a "conflict of interest" in even mentioning Zuda -- you know, I thought so too. That's why I held back from promoting them too much on the blog. And then I thought -- I'm getting slammed for even what little I do promote them. And that's when I realized: "You know f**k it. I'll promote them as much as I f**king want." Yes, I do have a vested interest in Zuda -- in making sure that it's legit, fair and treats its creators with dignity and respect. And it does. So if anybody would be in a position to know, it would be me. Zuda is biggest halo on DC's blessed corporate head. They treat their talent so well it blows my f**king mind. They've created a family environment between their creators and fans that has been absent in comics since around the time of Ask The Answer Man. I think this is a testament to Paul Levitz and his drive to legitimize graphic literature across genres. So unless you are in a position to really know what's going on...)

TOKYOPOP's "Pilot Program"

From TOKYOPOP's "Pilot Program" series The Hidden

So TOKYOPOP has their own Zuda-like webcomics thingie: Pilot Program.

I didn't even realize they were hosting webcomics.

As their site specifies, Pilot Program is not a competition, but more of a "proving ground" in which comments and feedback by fans help direct editorial as to what comic should go on to a full-length run:

"Manga Pilots: You Read and Review--You Help Decide What We Publish!

TOKYOPOP is launching an exciting new stage in our manga development program--and we need your help. We want YOU to read, review and tell us which TOKYOPOP Manga Pilots should be made into full-length manga.

In this new program, promising manga creators are selected and hired by our editorial team to create a 24-to-36-page “pilot”—a short-form manga that will be used to determine whether or not a full-length manga will be created. The Manga Pilot will be published online for TOKYOPOP community members to review, rate, and discuss.

The Manga Pilot program is not a competition. It's a proving ground that will give manga creators exposure to an enormous audience and help TOKYOPOP develop the next generation of manga superstars. And we want YOU be part of this process. Your positive reviews, for example, may very well catapult a pilot into the stratosphere!"

The flash comic reader mimics real page turning & fits the entire "book" comfortably on the screen. Of course, there is a right-to-left page navigation.

This is on top of the fact that with blogs, private messages, fans, "clans," and more, TOKYOPOP is turning their site into an honest-and-for-true social network. More on that another time -- but it's something I think publishers are going to have to get more and more into.

My pick for Pilot Program?

The Hidden, by Barb Lien-Cooper and Preston Park Cooper.












You can read it, rate it, and leave feedback about it here.

Experiment: Let's All Vote For Brendan McGinley On Zuda

Sure, I like Brendan McGinley and Mauro Vargas's Hannibal Goes To Rome strip on Zuda --

But this is more than that.

I'm curious as to how many people we can get to vote for Hannibal Goes To Rome in the competition.

How vast is the reach of Occasional Superheroine?

See, if we get this down, then we can all mobilize and vote in Jesse Ventura as president.

Click over to http://zudacomics.com/node/376, register and vote before May 30, add the comic as your favorite, and then copy and forward this email to at least two or three friends.

Be sure to write in your comments for Hannibal Goes To Rome that you were directed there by Occasional Superheroine. :-D

If you for some reason don't like Hannibal Goes To Rome, then why not try Neil Kleid's Action, Ohio and vote for it?

(Of course, if Neil wants me to do a "Let's All Vote For Neil Kleid" post, I could do that and really screw with the whole process...)

Experiment: Let's All Vote For Neil Kleid On Zuda

Sure, I like Neil Kleid and Paul Salvi's Action, Ohio strip on Zuda --

But this is more than that.

I'm curious as to how many people we can get to vote for Action, Ohio in the competition.

How vast is the reach of Occasional Superheroine?

See, if we get this down, then we can all mobilize and vote in Jesse Ventura as president.

Here's the instructions, per Neil's Action, Ohio Facebook group:

"Click over to www.zudacomics.com/node/438, register and vote before May 30 (it takes a moment), add the comic as your favorite, and then copy and forward this email to at least two or three friends."

Be sure to write in your comments for Action, Ohio that you were directed there by Occasional Superheroine. :-D

If you for some reason don't like Action, Ohio, then why not try Brendan McGinley's Hannibal Goes To Rome and vote for it?

(Of course, if Brendan wants me to do a "Let's All Vote For Brendan McGinley" post, I could do that and really screw with the whole process...)

New Zuda Crew

We at Casa De Superheroine are proud to endorse the following strips in this month's Zuda competition.

ACTION, OHIO










By Neil Kleid and Paul Salvi
What if the Silver age of comic book heroes was created to distract us from the real thing, from the existence of real super humans hiding in the heart of America?

HANNIBAL GOES TO ROME










By Brendan McGinley
The story of Hannibal Barca, who led elephants over the Alps to annihilate Rome, and almost succeeded! Thrill of tales of strategic genius and tactical daring. It's humorous fun for the whole family, assuming you come from a brutal warrior horde.

Go check them out as see if you don't agree!

New York Comic Con In Photos: Friday

Me with the blogosphere's Digital Femme, Cheryl Lynn.

Me and future OS columnist Mordicai Burke.

One half of Zuda's Night Owls: Peter Timony

Girl Wonder's Kate Fitzsimons proudly shows her colors.

The MoCCA/Friends of Lulu Crew:
Marion Vitus, Allan Dorison, Matt Murray, and me.

Comic Mix's Elayne Riggs and inker supremo Robin Riggs.

OS regular William Gatevackes and his wife.

The awesome volunteers at the Friends of Lulu table:
OS regular Mordicai Burke, Matt Mowczko, Marion Vitus, and
new New York Chapter Friends of Lulu President Danielle O'Brien.
Seated: Signer Alisa Harris

High Moon's Steve Ellis and David Gallaher.

I told Jeff Trexler: you're a comics celebrity now! Jeff is the author of a series of informative posts on Newsarama giving some insight on the Siegel Superman ruling. He's pictured here with his wife law professor Susan Scafidi.

The Top Ten Werewolf Movies

10. The Howling: This werewolf movie combines bloody lycanthropic goodness with a lampoon of the burgeoning "self-actualization" movement of the late 70s and early 80s. The transformation at the end looks more like a puppy than a werewolf, however.

9. Teen Wolf: This flick really ain't half-bad, and fits right in with other silly teen comedies of the era. I mean, Michael J. Fox's Wolf Man makeup is atrocious and looks like Jo-Jo The Dog Boy. But still...



8. Dog Soldiers: Stomach-churning (uh, literally) special effects and a unique twist on the werewolf design.

7. Curse of The Werewolf: This classic Hammer Studios film stars a young Oliver Reed tearing up the scenery and acting like a wild beast. And you should see how he acts after he transforms!




6. Cursed: An underrated Wes Craven film with a guest-appearance by Scott Baio as himself. What could be scarier than that?

5. Underworld: I'm not sure who Scott Speedman is, I just want him in more movies with his shirt off.

4. Werewolf Women Of The SS: Who can forget that classic grindhouse movie with Nicholas Cage as Fu Manchu? (NSFW)

3. An American Werewolf In London: This is like the TV show "Chuck" with lycanthropy, a living corpse, and a downer ending.

2. Ginger Snaps: One of the finest woman-centered horror movies, period. Also, a movie about periods




1. The Wolf Man: This 1940s movie still holds up today as one of the best werewolf movies ever made. Larry Talbot IS "Poor Bastard."

All of this, of course, is not a shameless promotion for the premiere werewolf entertainment in comics:

Who Is The Hottest In Comics This Week?

Who will be the most searched-for person or comic on my site this week?

Here are the current contenders:

Herb Trimpe


Jackpot

"Emo Viking"

Bayou

The OS Hot Ten For 2/7/08

10. Firestar (because David & Rich asked for it)















9. Zuda's Strangle/Switch



8. Barry Kitson on Amazing Spider-Man





















7. Bedard Back On Birds Of Prey (or so they say this month)



















6. Dirk Deppey Vs. Girl Wonder
















5. Gail Simone Vs. Dave Sim
























4. Colbert Vs. O'Brien Vs. Stewart












3. Doctor Who Season Four Trailer
















2. Iron Man Superbowl Trailer














1. Wolverine and the X-Men Trailer

My Zuda Picks For December

The latest Zuda comix are up for the December competition, and I've picked my top 5.

1. Adventures of Maxy J Millionaire -- cute strip about a little stuffed doll who thinks his owner is a slut when he catches her sleeping with her boyfriend. Hijinks ensue. A very Paddington Bear feel, except with anorexic hookers.







2. Development Hell -- The art is not flashy, but this Dilbert-like strip about the ins and outs of blog culture kept me engaged & laughing. I've actually worked for a web development firm, so the humor was very familiar to me (as well as the occasional moment of existential despair).







3. The Crooked Man -- This entry is a dead ringer for old adventure Sunday comics like Terry and the Pirates. The most "mainstream" of the entries, in that it is a straightforward action tale.







4. Avaste Ye -- The art is pretty low-tech, but this story about a slacker who becomes a pirate after he quits his job has a certain "Office Space" appeal.









5. The Mundane Overrated Adventures of Spudman -- A guy wakes up one morning to find out that he has inexplicably turned into a potato. Give this guy a DCU exclusive!






Overall I found the offerings this month far more engaging and diverse, across-the-board. Not enough werewolves in Stetsons, however.