Comic Book Journal

With the tragic death of Heath Ledger on January 22, studios are at a crossroads since The Dark Knight was his final finished film. Studio executives are debating marketing campaigns for the picture since the majority of the promotional pieces were shots of Heath Ledger as a costumed Joker grinning maniacally at the camera. While studios are debating on how to handle the film’s widespread release in July, fans are questioning if the Joker drove Ledger over the edge. Various sources have reported that Jack Nicholson, who starred as the Joker in the 1989 Batman movie, warned Ledger about the physical and emotional stress of undertaking the role. So did method acting have a role in Ledger’s reported accidental overdose? Did playing a psychotic, sadistic, killer with a complete lack of remorse, that is the trademark of the Joker lead Ledger’s sleeplessness or did the breakup with Michelle Williams and the pressure of public life set the actor over the edge? These are questions, which may not ever be answered. For more details on the release of the Dark Knight see future blogs. I have a pic of one of the promo posters for the movie that is debated being released with the promotion of the film also. For the latest updates stay tuned to www.comicbookjournal.net.

I recently picked up an issue of BPRD and after a long absence from the world of Hellboy and the paranormal, I thought why not? I’ll give it a shot. I was extremely pleased. Even though the issue was not drawn by Mignola, Josh Dwyer’s style resembles him in this issue so much that I could barely tell the difference. But that said the art is absolutely fantastic. It is layered and detailed in the right areas, yet atmospheric and downright creepy. The art alone gets a ten.

A Mignola story is always fun to read. What could be creepier than two professors traipsing through an abandoned psychiatric asylum in Nazi Germany looking for evidence of the occult? That’s just great fun! So why do I like Mike Mignola? Stories like this. Also, he admits that sometimes he deliberates on his own art and storytelling too much, so he’s okay with other artists taking over his creations from time to time. He does this to ensure readers gets their fix. This shows he’s not egocentric at all. Also he has admitted in a recent interview that all he wants to do is make money drawing monsters. And he has. What started out a whim for Mignola has become an enterprise. Do you like Mike Mignola as much as I do? Feel free to let me know. Also be sure to check out Hellboy 2 when it comes out. It’s in production now.

I just read Amazing Spider-Man #546 and I was well, for lack of better word amazed. Marvel has really taken a bare bones approach to Spidey following the aftermath of one more day, taking him back to his roots of power and responsibility. There’s no MJ drama, no burdensome choices about family for Spidey to make. It’s just Peter Parker doing what he does best, relying on the Parker luck to try and eek out a living while saving lives. The art is happily retro, and the writing, while tongue in cheek at some points is paced extremely well for this type of story. With ASM being published three times a month now, this is a great book for new readers to jump on with and that will make the plotlines a little easier to follow. On a scale of one to ten I’d give this book a surprising seven. I think with this particular revamp Marvel is finally on the right track as to what fans want in a title, a simple, sit-down read with plenty of adventure, yet none of the baggage that the title had especially in the early and mid nineties. I think Stan Lee would have been proud of this issue as it did live up the the legacy he built with the old webhead.

Feeling under the weather is never any fun. But watching nature always is. I spent these past few days feeling not-so well with a lack of energy. However that has given me time to think. And I’ve pondered what’s missing in comic books today. I think what’s missing in the writing of today’s books is the ability for the reader to really care about the character. So why is Swamp Thing pictured here? Alan Moore took creative liberty to the max with this character. And overnight he went from being just another creature dealing with a bad circumstance to a human being trapped in a situation and looking for his long lost love. Did I want to see him reunited with Abby? Of course. Who didn’t. The book delved into not just battles with his opponents, but also the twisted psychology and inner demons which haunted him. If you haven’t read Moore’s run on this acclaimed series you should. Also the art always fits the storylines. You won’t be disappointed. I wasn’t.

I am eagerly awaiting the premier of Cloverfield. When I first saw trailers leaked on the internet for the film, I was in awe. I like the premise of the end of the world in a mockumentary, almost a modern update of H.G. Wells’ classic war of the world. I’ll let you all know my personal review of the film when I go see it. So what does this have to do with comics? Ah. It has recently been discovered that there is a rare manga adaptation of the film. The next question for me is which came first? The screenplay for the movie or the manga? I tend to believe in this case, based on the style in which it is written the screenplay came first. I’ve went ahead and included a picture of some artwork as well for your viewing pleasure. Now, we all know that I am not the biggest fan of the genre, see my blog on “Turning Japanese” for other manga goodies, but I thought this at least deserved a quick mention. The book itself doesn’t seem to follow the mythos of the movie very much, but I think that it is probably one in a series of prequels that will eventually adapt the events of the motion picture itself. If anyone can shed any more light on the topic please let me know, and as always any comments feel free to post them. Happy reading!

Just thought I’d give a quick posting to my whereabouts for the past few days. I recently had a death in the family which required my attention elsewhere. With that said I’m back at the office now and expect Comic Book Journal to resume as normal from here on out with all the latest news, reviews, and commentary from Marvel, DC, Image, Dark Horse, and all companies in between. I’ll be back tomorrow with more reviews.

This year promises to be a great year for comic book fans. I recently checked out Previews solicitations for March and I have to say that the creativity factor in new titles is at the max. Here’s a few titles to look for in your future: Buddha: A Story of Enlightenment– Virgin Comics’ newest title follows the true life story of one of the world’s most recognized — and perhaps misunderstood — historical figures; adapted from the New York Times bestseller by Deepak Chopra.

The man known as “Buddha” grew up as an heir to a powerful kingdom. Surrounded by war, and the promise of enormous power, he had everything available to him except the one thing he truly wanted. Eager to be something better, Buddha leaves his life of privilege and becomes a refugee among the people. Struggling to survive with nothing, Buddha attempts to discover what he is truly capable of.

He was known for his peaceful nature and journey to spiritual awakening, but Buddha’s path to get there is haunted by sexual passion, brutal violence and the death of hundreds.

Holmes (Graphic Novel)–When someone writes a story about Sherlock Holmes as a fully tweaked drug addict, stumbling around Jolly Olde London in search of a stolen skull? That’s an idea I can get behind!

Echo #1 (Terry Moore) In the classic manner, Julie is the girl in the “wrong place at the wrong time,” and when the strange fallout from an atmospheric explosion makes her the unwilling host for a symbiotic technology, being broke and divorced may not be the worst things in her life!

I look foward to reading this title as Terry Moore’s Strangers in Paradise was one of the most compelling series’ in comic book history. That’s 3 to watch for in 2008. If you have any pick of your own, just let me know.