Take My Breath Away

Stay tuned... David Aja's cover to issue #18 (don't
even get me started). Courtesy blog.david.aja.com

It's Wednesday! Which means...

A. It's Hump Day.
B. It's bloody cold outside.

It's also "New Comic Book Day," the day of the week when all the new releases are shipped to comic book stores around the country (yes, I'm geek chic enough to know that). 

I keep looking on the schedules to see when the next issue of Marvel's Hawkeye book is coming out. Launched immediately following the successful Avengers movie in 2012, the monthly book has been highly acclaimed for the quality of its art and story... perhaps because of the high standard, the book is also notorious for being delayed. So I got a little excited when I saw the book listed on Earthworld Comics' collection of titles coming out this week... but issue #16? Did #15 even come out yet?... No, in fact it hadn't (can they do that?). Turns out I'll have to wait another month to see the beautiful illustrations of artist David Aja--this month it is Annie Wu, who has started rotating the slot with Aja... presumably so he could get it done! Being a purist, I think I'll wait it out (this is sequential art, after all). 

I'm good anyway... a couple hump days ago I scored big time, finally locating Hawkeye writer Matt Fraction's first work with artist David Aja: The Immortal Iron Fist. Currently out of print, I picked up the first two volumes of these new tales of Marvel's old martial arts hero, which show the beginning of Fraction and Aja's creative collaboration. In addition, I picked up the latest issue of Afterlife with Archie-- I know, it sounds like I'm crazy... but this book, which turns the Archie characters into a honest-to-goodness horror graphic novel, is an unexpectedly fun read (I always was a fan of monsters as a kid). Truly creative work by writer Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa and artist Francesco Francavilla, which keeps you guessing which of the Riverdale gang is going to get zombiefied next!

These books are, of course, exceptions to the current norm. Maybe it's the deadlines, but most of the monthly comic books aren't that interesting... reminding me why I left the scene in the first place. 

Breaking out the Spidey tie for the opening of LitGraphic
(with artists Marc Hempel and Mark Wheatley). November 10, 2007.
Photo by Sarah Clowe. ©Jeremy Clowe. All rights reserved.

I blame Norman Rockwell Museum, which reconnected me with the genre with their LitGraphic: World of the Graphic Novel exhibition back in 2007. That show introduced me to many creative artists, who loved this kind of visual storytelling... names like Lynd Ward, whose stunning wordless novel Gods' Men from 1929 can be seen as a precursor to the work of such modern day graphic novelists as Peter Kuper (The System) and Art Spiegelman (Maus). 


I had the great fortune of interviewing about half a dozen of the LitGraphic artists for a video I created for the exhibition. Two of the most entertaining of the bunch were Mark Wheatley and Marc Hempel, whose 1990 mini-series Breathtaker (created for DC's Vertigo line) is an example of the high standard that can be achieved in this art form.

Breathtaker tells the story of Chase Darrow, a woman whose affections are known to kill. A mutant pursued by the government because of her ability to drain life from her lovers, she is hunted by The Man, the world’s first superhuman, who is willing to bring her in dead or alive.

Reading the book during my research for the video, I was really drawn in by the pulp-like storyline and expressive artwork. As I learned, the longtime collaborators blended their talents, with Hempel conceptualizing, pencilling, inking and lettering the book, which was scripted and colored by Wheatley. Hempel's strong graphics were reproduced on clear acetate, providing a framework for Mark Wheatley's vibrant watercolors, which lies beneath it.

Of course that was 1990, and things have certainly changed. For instance, Hawkeye artist David Aja does all his drawing on computer, and most coloring for books is done digitally as well. Mark Wheatley contacted me a few months back to inform me that he and Hempel are looking at "remastering" the Breathtaker project, and even possibly looking at a sequel. Here is a video, which gives a little more background on their exciting news: 

Time flies... I can't believe it has been seven years since we hosted this exhibition, and a whole year since we had comic book artist Alex Ross' work on display. I actually received a call the other day from a reporter from The Wall Street Journal, looking for information about Ross (who I also interviewed for an award-winning Museum exhibition video). It turns out that his exhibition of masterful superhero paintings is heading to Paris (the Mona Bismarck American Center for Art & Culture) this March. Well, if the bon vivants are starting to take note, then you know that comic book art has reached a new pinnacle... keep it coming, I say (this means you, Aja!). 

Related Links:

Mark Wheatley and Marc Hempel's Breathtaker Remastered (indiegogo Campaign)

"Exclusive First Look: Hawkeye #15," January 15, 2014, comicvine.com

Earthworld Comics, Albany, NY

Never-Ending Battle

"With great power, comes great responsibility."− Uncle Ben, 1962

Since I wrote about the subject in such detail last year, I thought it made sense to give a nod to PBS's excellent new documentary on superheroes, which aired last week. Superheroes: A Never-Ending Battle is a three-hour look at the origins of today's modern myths, and how they have mirrored the times they were created in. For a comic book and pop-culture fan, it's a fascinating and surprisingly thorough look at our favorite caped crusaders, kicking off with the creation of Superman by writer Jerry Siegel and artist Joe Shuster in the 1930s: 

Siegel and Shuster were Jewish, and it is really interesting to consider that the history of immigrants coming to America inspired the concept of the "man from Krypton."

The documentary continues to have a wonderful flow, detailing how current events and pop culture served as the true origins of earth's mightiest heroes: World War II (Wonder Woman, Captain America); The Atomic Age (Fantastic Four, The Hulk); Civil Rights Era (Black Panther, X-Men); Post-Watergate (The Punisher, Wolverine, The Watchmen) and so on. The filmmakers obviously have a love for the genre, as they go on to include such seminal comic book stories as Green Lantern/Green Arrow, The Dark Knight Returns, and Marvel's Civil Wars... and interviews with such experts as Marvel Comics' Stan Lee, and historian William H. Foster III (who spoke at our Museum last year)... what's not to love?

Superheroes was produced by historian Laurence Maslon and director Michael Kantor, who has worked with documentarian Ken Burns. The well-researched tone makes it feel like something Burns himself might consider putting together... as Lee points out in the documentary, comics and supermen are "sort of like jazz... it's an American art form!"

Another bullseye... "Hawkeye #13"-
Aja and Fraction explore the topics of death 
and family relations. ©Marvel Comics.

But as we know, comic books are still fighting their way towards respectability− I have written about this before, so I hardly need to repeat it. Since the Alex Ross exhibit at Norman Rockwell Museum, I have found myself popping back into the comic book stores... but I must admit to being disappointed about the general quantity over quality of books produced. Having said that, like any art form I know that it can still produce true, creative work.

Last week they finally released the latest issue of Marvel Comics' Hawkeye. Written by Matt Fraction and illustrated by the Spanish artist David Aja, it continues to be a gorgeous series, certainly standing out from the typical superhero fare. It's been about three months since their last issue hit the stands, but I guess the time and care these creators put into their storytelling makes it worth the wait (the European, storyboard style is a winner).

Similar to Aja, I am drawn to the work of Italian comic book artist Francesco Francavilla, who illustrated one of the better fill-in issues of Hawkeye and is the creator of Dark Horse Comics' The Black Beetle. Francavilla has a brilliant, cinematic quality to his lines and layout, and he is obviously takes a cue from the daring style of Fraction/Aja. But I was hardly prepared for his latest book... a re-imagining of the Archie Comics' characters as a horror comic. Afterlife with Archie takes Archie, Veronica, Betty, Jughead and the rest of the gang, and merges them with the current zombie craze that has infested pop culture. Writer Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa has a background in horror as well as a love for Archie, and surprisingly this collaboration with Francavilla really seems to work. One of my big gripes about comics is that they tend to shy away from trying anything that different, so you can imagine my shock in looking forward to these new tales of the gang from Riverdale!



On that note, kudos to PBS for airing the Superheroes documentary. As a fan and creator of documentaries, I found a lot to learn from here. I'm actually in the midst of working on my next short video for the Museum and, as always, it's a struggle... but I remember that the love and care I put into my own superhero documentary for the Alex Ross exhibit last year, which resulted in some very favorable reviews and top awards... so like Ben Parker's nephew, I'll try and summon that old spider-strength once again.

Hey, I realize that PBS is where I first met Spidey back in the day (Electric Company), proving that it once again comes full-circle and anything is possible. Hell, maybe I'll even get the chance to create my own PBS documentary some day...

Well, halloween is right around the corner...
Photo ©Norman Rockwell Museum. All rights
reserved.

Related Links:

Superheroes: A Never-Ending Battle 

Comic-Con 2013 Panel for "Superheroes," PBS Channel, YouTube, October 11, 2013

"'Superheroes' Interview: Filmmakers hold mirror up to American culture," Washington Post, October 15, 2013

"World War R: New Comic Pits Archie and Friends Against the Undead," NPR, October 18, 2013

The Art of Francesco Francavilla

David Aja's blog

Higher Resolution

Happy 2013! Hope your new year is off to a good start...

JC + SC... now in HD! Courtesy Mom B. All rights reserved.

So it has taken me a few days to get back to blogging, but fear not dear readers! No, I haven't abandoned the idea of keeping you up-to-date on my ever blue-eyed soulful self during this new year... maybe just easing up on the daily assignment from 2012 (man needs a life too, you know)...

The new year has been fairly good for us so far, starting with a great night out with some of my improv friends for New Year's Eve. Along with a spirited Beatles sing-a-long, we couldn't resist doing a few improvised musical numbers (consider it early rehearsal for our January 18th performance at the Spectrum Playhouse in Lee, MA). 

I was also excited to hear about a film short that my friends Mike and Lex had been busy working on at the end of last year. No strangers to theater (both on-stage and directing), movies are a relatively new venture for them... however it sounds like it was supported in the very best, independent way, with help from fellow artists, friends and family.

On New Year's Day I felt a little "under the weather," so reading and watching movies was about all I had the motivation to do. Sarah and I rented Gayby, an independent feature about two single friends who decide to have a baby... it was an interesting, romantic comedy about a couple that aren't really romantic (Jenn is straight, Matt is gay). With a clever, well-written script, the movie explored some of the issues that such a scenario might hold for these two individuals. We didn't realize how independent the film was until the end credits, which included a thank-you to those who supported the film through the donation website, Kickstarter. It was an impressive debut for writer/director Jonathan Lisecki, and I appreciated the comic book references (the character Matt, played by the charming Matthew Wilkas, works at a comic book shop).

The next day I was supposed to head back to work, but found myself with some car issues... 

Hawkeye #1. ™ & © Marvel & Subs.

On the way back from picking up my car (which suffered from a case of exhausted sparkplugs) I stopped by a comic book shop myself... to promote the Alex Ross exhibition, of course! I also managed to pick up a couple new titles... the book I am especially intrigued by is Hawkeye, which explores the off-duty exploits of the long-time member of the Avengers (also seen in last year's movie). I have always liked the "down on his luck" archer hero, and I have to say that this new book, written by Matt Fraction and illustrated by David Aja, is a perfect bullseye! It is presented in a very subtle, comedic style, and the artwork is just exquisite... somewhat different from typical superhero comic book fare. My first thought, in fact, was that it all unfolds like a good independent movie. Some of the other titles I picked up haven't been quite as successful, and I realize that great art is still dependent on strong storytelling in this medium. Really, the same holds true for television.

We both enjoy The Big Bang Theory, but there aren't too many other shows I consider worth sitting through... clever writing seems to be sacrificed for shock value and crass jokes nowadays. With a lack of quality options, we decided to tune our new HD television into the Me-TV Network, which runs old-time TV classics (Sarah's new favorite is I Dream of Jeannie... :) ). Things really started cooking when we got to The Mary Tyler Moore Show and The Bob Newhart Show— I didn't really grow up with these programs (which were airing right around the time I was born), but we have been enjoying them! There is a noticeable difference in the quality of these sitcoms from what is airing today— a little more intelligent and sophisticated... often dealing with cultural issues of the day. The Odd Couple airs right after these two programs, proving that 1970s TV, like film, might indeed have been a "golden age" (the crazy fashion and design choices don't hurt either)!

Yesterday we headed outdoors... braved the elements to help our extended family move, go skiing, and then back inside to watch another movie with Sarah's folks later in the evening: the classic Who Framed Roger Rabbit?, one of my all-time favorites. It's funny, we had just been talking about actor Bob Hoskins ("watching" the British comedy Mrs. Henderson Presents the night before... well, Sarah watched it, I fell asleep... surprising since it dealt with the real-life story of a 1930s burlesque show-!). 

Back to Roger Rabbit, what a joy it was to watch this movie again! I had fond memories of the film when it was originally released back in 1988, right before the advent of computer generated imagery. No, this part-animated/live feature was done the old fashioned way... hand-painted animation, puppeteers, robotics, and a little lighting help from George Lucas' Industrial Light and Magic. But where this film differs from Lucas' infuriating Star Wars prequels from the late '90s, is that you actually feel like the animations and live actors are interacting. I think a lot of the credit must go to director Bob Zemeckis (Back To The Future), who I greatly admired for his creativity and technical skills... at least back then. It seems that the late '80s were also a strong time for filmmaking, where more organic, technical achievements more than held their own. Seriously, watch something like The Polar Express or Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace, and tell me if it succeeds on the level of our friends Roger and Jessica Rabbit. Bob Hoskin's detective character, Eddie Valiant, is fun too...the film noir, detective-style writing adds to this cinematic delight.

So when it comes to visual storytelling, I guess it's important to remember what has been working in the first place, while being open to explore new technological advances.On that note, has anyone seen The Hobbit? I'm sort of curious... but that comes more from my memories of the great storytelling that my elementary school teacher shared with us back in the day ("precious" indeed)...

P.S.-Sarah is just settling in to watch one of her NEW favorites, Dowton Abbey.  A modern-day classic? Ok, maybe I'll give it a shot...

Related Links:

www.gaybyfilm.com

"Conversing on Comics with David Aja," Comic Book Resources/Robot 6, December 28, 2012

http://metvnetwork.com

"California Films: Who Framed Roger Rabbit," KQED, January 5, 2013