Jamesb
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Posts posted by Jamesb
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I enjoyed the Sgt Rock GN, but no where as much as I have enjoyed any of garth Ennis' War Stories, and the artwork for those eight were impeccable.
DC may be trying something with Sgt Rock and Jonah Hex comming back, shame they aren't under the Vertigo Banner, but then after reading HARD TIME which is also a DC title, maybe the lines are blurring.
Hard Time has supernatural stuff, a school Killing ( rememebr when they banned Shoot!) and has a nasty OZ element to it too.
Identity Crisis definatly had some intersting Adult content. I wonder what the policy actualy is.
I never wasted my money on Outlaw Nation, it was a blatant attepmt to keep the Preacher Market bouyant, and I didnt bother, another Vertigo waste of time.
Maybe you ae right, one swallow doesnt make a summer, and perhaps Vertigo will remian in the Doldrums for a while yet, with just mediocre output.
I did enjoy Loveless though. One can at least be hopeful for DMZ
jamesb
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I thought that too.
But I was told that he doesnt read many comics at all, very few in fact.
Its odd to hear as he goes to comic cons etc, but what we (the guys and me) were talking about was that essentially comic shop dudes should be a fountain of knowledge, and full of advice for good comics, and thats not John, by all accounts.
even in amsterdam, in Lambiek, when I said I wanted some war comics, they suggested Garth Ennis.
Rob Curley on the other hand has very diverse opinions on comics, compared to my tatse, but again, I wonder how many he actually reads, I must actually ask.
Recently, I was in a london comic shop, bout 4 months ago, I asked for 2 recomendations, and wasnt let down, have gond back and every time, I am impressed. They know good mainstream adult comic stories when they see it.
Richie has good tatse too, although is definatly the Batfan.
maybe I am being unfair, but one does wonder when 'hot' titles ae sold out, if the product klnwledge is there as much as it hould be.
hhhmmm, bit picky really, Rob is a great sort and John is a decent fella too, shopping in sub-city since it was Vertigo Comics in the Grafton Flea Market, thats a long time ago.
Freak Dhow makes up for lack of knowlegde
But objectively, you understand what I am saying - not so much a gripe, rather an interesting point.
Well Millar was over at 3rd PLace, and Millar has an interesting community, but how long would you last if you told him some of his comics sucked>? like he wouldnt say anything but would the sycophants jump up and down and intimidate a poster....
Dunno, never been there except to voyer. Its way to cliq-ish IMHO
Jamesb
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Dublin is a bit lacking full stop when it comes to stocking comics, to be honest.
i had a discusion at lunchtime with two friends, one a girl one a bloke, both comic readers. They were just back from Paris and amazed at the comic shops there, and suddenly quite dissapointed in our indiginous shops.
Apparently, out of all the shops, Rob and Rich may be the only ones whop are comic fans and readers. Dunno about Kevin.
Also, I am not an indie reader, but I was told that the selection here is very very poor, compared to whats available.
I wasnt surprised...
jamesb
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You should.
To be honest, I don't shop there any more at all, realy, only if there isnt a comic in the other two places, I just dont think that they know what they are doing.
Kevin is OK, and Cliff seemed real good, but they used to be the best shop in Dublin for SF books, now look at it.
I think Kevin would, if he wer asked
James
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Yes, thats a real shame alright, have you ever mentioned it to them?
Jamesb
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Just got the below info in, probably only of interest to Dublin comic buyers, or guys living here in Ireland anyhow.
The guys name is Robert Curley, he runs a comic shop called Sub-City.
Also has published his own comic, Freakshow, and had it listed in previews and has recently done a Trade of the first few issues. Industrious fellow...
Hi
Hope ever one is well. Over the last couple of months myself and rich
have been talking about different ways to make this hobby of ours a
little bit more social and at the same time do something worth while
in the process. So we have come up with a few different ideas. The
first being a monthly pub quiz concerned mainly with movies, comics,
TV etc.The cost will be 40 euro per teble of four ie 10 Euro per
person. There will be plenty of prizes and hopefully a bit of fun to
be had
Each moth the money raised will be donated to a different charity. So
if you have a charity you would like to see the money go to let us
know. And if you have any unwanted bits that you would like to donate
as prizes they would be much appreciated
The first quiz will be held on Thursday 24th of this month in the
Central hotel ( that's the one across from the shop ). It starts at
eight and will go on till closing.
In a similar vain we will be running a raffle each month in the shop
and again the money will be donated to the same charity as the
quiz.This months raffle prize is Bat man and robin # 1 singed by Frank
Miller, Jim lee and Scott Willams. The comic is limited to 195 copies
and has a dynamic forces certificate of authenticity included. The
comic retails for 150 euro so it is a pretty good prize. The tickets
are available from Sub-City starting this Saturday and cost one euro
each.
Also our eleventh birthday is close approaching so we will be having
drinks and of course a sale for that.But more on that next time!
The other event of note is the Irish comics expo being held this
coming December again at the Central hotel on Saturday 3rd. Beiging at
ten and going on until five in the evening. The idea of the expo is to
highlight the growing comics industry in this country which while
still in its infancy is quickly becoming a force to be reckoned with.
The last three years have seen the emergence of numerous titles and a
handful of independent publishers among them Bob Bryn's Mbleh, Gerry
hunts streets of Dublin, Alan Nolan and Ian Whelan's Sancho as well as
myself, Stephen Mooney and Stephen Thompson's work on Freak Show.
So if the Irish comic scene is something you are interested in I think
this is a good place to start. Also if you have a project of your own
which you would like to get of the ground why not bring it along and
trade ideas with other writers/artists.
Ok thats it for now.
Rob
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Yes, its hard to think that Ennis was working on Helblazer fourteen years ago, and how the title has slid since his run.
Of course back then there was no Brian Michael Bendis, or Ultimate stuff or at the time, any marvel comics worth buying.
I expect its cyclical and eventually Vertigo will get back to their Glory days, maybe DMZ and Loveless are a return.
I'd love a SGT Rock, by ennis inder the vertigo banner, or even allowing Bendis to play with some characters, he does have a certain knack.
yes, true there do seem to be more trades than ever, but then there are a lot of things Vertigo do, that i would question.
Comic sales down in America, really, thats interesting, where did you extrapolate those figures from?
I'd be interested to look at the top 100 comic sales for say 1995 and 2005, are they anywhere online?
Jamesb
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They do make allowances for comics whose trades sell really well, though. I think Lucifer's been hovering around the 12,000 mark for years, but the TPBs have sold so well that Vertigo have kept it running.
True, and of course they ae reprinting MIke Carey as a Trade, and they havent done all of Garths run, so orta shows you.
None of Paul Jenkins work has been reprinted, what a surprise (note thats sarcasm)
I spoke to some comic sellers, and it seems, that since I started Hellblazer, there are not only more comic shops in Dublin, but there has definatley been a continual increase in sales of comics.
Also, the guy pointed out that titles fluxuate, but overall sales seem to always go up.
He also had much to say about Trades, and how thats the biggest growth area for him, but some shops find the whole toy and merchandise just as important growth wise.
interesting stuff.
Jamesb
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The social scene is interssting.
There is a hotel which I will tell you about privately, that seems to host many of the parties.
There are 'trade' parties all the time, but you would know some creators, cause of this site, and if you didnt you should contact DC tell em you are comming and see what you get asked to.
There was a FANTASTIC club out in an old church, they have HUGE events every Halloween and also especially for SDCC details are here:
http://www.freaksnightout.com/xsanguin3.aspx
check out the photo gallery, I was at x-sanguin III and it was an amazing night.
The guys have a stall selling tickets at SDCC, or did.
check out the pics http://www.freaksnightout.com/mediagallery...diagallery.aspx
anyhow, I am keen but need to see whats happeing.
Although I did get the feeling, lots of people, just like at all cons, just went home happy, unfortunatly there is no 'conference hotel' where you would be assured of a great time in the bar, rather many hotels, with private stuff going on.
hhhhmmmm wonder if any forumurs here are locals theree?
Jamesb
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I see, tahts makes sense James, rememebr them selling well.
Cut off is 2,700 comics away, tahts not so cool.
I would have to disagree with you adrian. I dont think sales have dropped across the board at all.
As I think Hellblazer was actually a 'hot' book once and now isnt.
But before I do, I will go and look at comic sales, in general, Love figures...
it does seem like the top 10 are selling quite a large amount, and when I was buying Preacher I remember it was always in the 40's and was selling about 40k if I rememebr right, so that seems to compare still.
although i could be imagining it.
crap, wonder where the old comics internationlas are, they used to have listings...
will look at it.wow 178,000 is some amount of comics at No. 1. isnt it.
Ok, will come back on figures, or maybe start a tread on them.
Jamesb
ah- no john, figures arent yup to date - oh dear, mate,
surely you do enough...
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It is and it isnt John,
aer lingus to LA is not so bad at the moment 839 euro to La and back,
AER LINGUS EI145
non-stop Dublin
11:45 Mon 17 Jul 2006 Los Angeles
14:50 Mon 17 Jul 2006 Economy
AER LINGUS EI144
non-stop Los Angeles
17:00 Wed 26 Jul 2006 Dublin
11:00 Thu 27 Jul 2006 Economy
Price for this Journey
Prices are shown in EURO
Passengers Fare p.p. Taxes & Charges Cost p.p. Total
1 Adult 768.00 66.89 834.89 834.89
Handling Fee (excluding infants) 5.00 5.00
TOTAL EUR 839.89
The con is expensive, but Hotel rooms should be much cheaper than here, especially as I just got quated $100 a night per room, no brekkie, in anahiem, which is next to disney.
From LA to san diego is a long drive, not so bad, did it, and was OK, but you could fly. Fod is cheap, and the comics are all usually cheap, and the amount of free stuff isnt woprth thinking about.
I bought visionaires at $10 each, like thats about 9 euro, about 40% of what you would pay here, and they were knew. And the sam with Akira books, and they are really expensive here.
anyhow, it is an amazing trip. I would have to think hard about going again, mostly cause it is expensive, and I've done it, does that make sense.
You would need to full time there, its an amazing place.
Jamesb
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Strangley John has just said a lot of the reasons why I would choose Garth Ennis, and do, to read over and over.
I wish there was more with Kit, she was such a great character, and Heartland was such a wonderful tangent. An amazing character there.
In saying that, I also really enjoy rereading enjoy Ellis and Dealano and Gaiman and Morrison.
Steve Dillon's artwork is classic.
Its not adventurous, or mad or gobildy gook, its clean, and neat and tells a story, I find it eally pleasing on the eye and he has a great range, he definatly enjoys close up stories, with lots of faces, and I think he captures quite a bit of expression with his artwork, which many artists lack as the character spins fast etc.
But I am a hardcore Ennis and Dillon fan, so I would say that.
I see a lot of people like Dangerous Habits, which was drawn by Will Simpson, another artist with his own style, but very enjoyable,
Garth's run, for me is and will be for the moment a pinicle, that is hard to surpass.
I also think looking at scripts that the layout are dictated by the writer, not the artist, so if the panels etc, are boring, thats Garth's Fault, and if you think about his work, I dont think he is tremedously exploritive with panels and layout, such as alan moore in swamp thing, and I can see that anything 'different' may be seen as an ape of what has gone before.
Steve Dillon has doen some amazing splash page work, and even in his 2000AD days, there were some fantastic pages of artwork, full of action.
But they tell a bloody brilliant story, and thats good enough for me.
anyhow, Ennis it is.
as an add on, what sort of sales figures (shit did I ask this about 4 years ago) have the various writers captured?
and are there figures for Trades?
jamesb
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Anyway, the Ireland-set issue is #67, The Fool of the Forth, although whether it will make any kind of sense to you without having read the preceding 66 issues, I have no idea.
By the way, Jb - have you read Ennis' "Dicks"?
Thats great James, I shall look out for that issue, and see what its like, and will consider reading the series anyhow.
Strangely the local comic bookshop owner, is a HUGE shade fan, although on many other things we tend to disagree ;-)
yes, dicks is very irreverant and funny, and of course stems from oen of the finest portrayls of Northern Ireland in Comics - Troubled Souls.
Jamesb
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Neil Gaiman is doing an interesting tour for tha release of anasai boys. Info is on his website neilgaiman.com
meanwhile, here in Dublin I have just gotten tickets for the below interview.
Rattlebag is very pleased to announce our next public interview with the cult writer and graphic novelist Neil Gaiman.Writer Neil Gaiman is best known as the creator of the Sandman series of graphic novels, which helped launch DC Comics' Vertigo line and established him as one of the most innovative and thoughtful writers in the field of contemporary fantasy.
His most recent works include Smoke And Mirrors, a collection of short stories; The Day I Swapped My Dad For Two Goldfish, a children's book illustrated by Dave McKean; and the modern fairy tale and novel Stardust.
The interview will take place on Tuesday, November 15th in Studio One, here in the RTE Radio Centre and you are invited.
Tickets are free but you will have to call the programme on 1850 715 105 during the programme or 01 208 2822 at other time.
You may also email rattle@rte.ie or write to Rattlebag, RTE Radio, Dublin 4, to reserve you place.Please remember to include your name, postal address, contact number and the number of tickets that you require.
more info on http://www.rte.ie/radio/rattlebag
jamesb
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Yes, Sin City is prhaps one of the best movies I have ever seen, and definatly the finest comic adaption in existance, and its really reallt great comic too.
There is a boxed set just out statesie, with loads of xtras, sems good.
Jb
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hhhhmmmmm
Gosh I missed the Contstateen discussion.... that sounds fun, rmemebr Keanu being rumoured.
I enjoyed the movie. I saw it twice. Felt I got my monies worth and was happy with it. Beforehand I acknowledged that it would be nothing compared to the comic, and be totally hollywoodised - it was.
Keanu was good in it, cause I watched it as a movie. He would be a shit John Constintine ina perfect movie of Hellblazer. I think someone english, blonde and an ACTOOOOR would be better. Not sure whom, I dont really know actors that well.
Unfortunatly when compared to even the current HB stories, it is shite. But I didnt go to the movies with my notebook o compare it to the comic, I went to see a movie.
I really really wish that all movies could be done to the same standard and honesty as Sin City.
Thats is the way to adapt a comic book. You dont need a story board, we have the comic. Even the camera angles are perfect compared to the angles in the comic book.
ON a fan site, of a product, or writing or anything, it is perfectly acceptable for people to annoyed and angered by how the item of their adoration is distorted and ruined by idiots. Like garth Ennis can write a Helblazer story compared to the script of themovie - jesus, it isnt worth thinking about - a GULF.
Doesnt nessacarrily make it a bad movie IMHO. A bad adaption, a bad interpetation, yep, but it wasn;t THAT bad. IMHO. Like its more enjoyable than so many movies I just dont go to see, you know Scream, or american pie or sense and sensibility etc
anyway, shouldnt be talking about movies here.......
jamesb
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well thats a good start, any info would be welcomed.
I was asked to do a panel at a convention on the Portrayl of Ireland in mainstream comics. It went very well and was 50% humour looking at the way some comics portray Ieland and 50% a look at the way Garth Ennis does the same.
I ended up researching it quite a bit, and really enjoyed it, and have ended up buying most of the comics, hey another mad weird reason to collect.
anyhow, I was chatting with some guys afterwards and one of them mentioned Shade had visited Ireland.
There is no mention of it in Slings and Arrows, so just thought one of you guys would know.
If any of you know theissue number let me know, it may be a shitty story, but tahts OK.
I may actualy see about picking up the trades for this series....
ah - drink does that christaian
thanks guys
Jamesb
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yeah, I am heading over, alright, its something very different looking and am interested to see how it goes. Also a cracking amount of creators there.
Subcon was very small, but very good.
3 people turned up with tables and were selling their own comics, two of whom at a euro each, and it was quality tuff, one guy cleared about 5 comic boxes of stuff, it was a feeding frezny.
Mark Buckingham was super nice. Loads of kids popped over from the shop, throughout the day, many many more than I would have expected, and myself and some mates ended up buying all the peter parker spidermans and batman chronicles so that they had something relevant to get signed. They were cheap anyhow.
Spiderman was popular, as was death, but Mark was pleased/surprised with the amount of requests for Marvel Man. He still has all the artwork. I think I was the only person who got a hellblazer signed, as he was surprised to see one.
It was a grand day, met loads of people, enjoyed drinks with them, and might see them again, much more what I like at a con. The evening was good too, its amazing how many people turn up, and head off, yet there is a potential for some social time aterwards.
anyhow, yes, Brighton should be good - I hope. I haven't been to Bristol, so would like to get to it, but to be honest, SDCC has ruined me a bit, if I could I would go there again.
Jamesb
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Christian, cool, easy question for you then,
what isues does shade visit Irealnd, would you know?
and does it involve the hellblazer cross over issues?
I know its an odd one
Jamesb
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No, havent
yep used to post, back... been a while
jamesb
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Guys
any shade the changing man fans here?
I have a question about the series and the website I would tun too, Poet Mod God is no more.
so any hardcore fans who know the series for a stupid question????
Jamesb
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Guys
any shade the changing man fans here?
I have a question about the series and the website I would tun too, Poet Mod God is no more.
so any hardcore fans who know the series for a stupid question????
Jamesb
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Thats a shame John, would like to meet for a pint.
Did you et to the Sub con here in Dublin, Mark Buckingham was really sound, got a beut of a Marvel Man from him. Also got (oh the fanboy) some issues of HB signed.
I will keep an eye on LFCC and let you know if Mills is comming back, he seemed to really enjoy himself, as it was such a different enviroment.
I would have thought comic people would prefer a hotel, and bar, but not Pat, he loved the energy and enthuasiasm. Its mainly media, but at no time did I see comic articits not scetching or signing.
You know how it is, so much going on easy to miss
J
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NIce Cover.
I will wait and see, before I get excieted, I was badly let down by the Hellboy novels, which were shite. I have read a number of previous DC attempts at literary work, and they too have fallen short.
although Larry Niven did once write an excellent piece Man of Steel,
Woman of Kleenex
I see its a Pocket Star Book, so wondering if it will have a UK publisher, or if comic shops will import it, or if normal bookshops will import it. I supposse specialist shops will, but I dont know many London SF bookshops that do. It will be tough to find here in Dublin if the comic shops can't get it.
Of course, amazon... yes the internet will have it wont it.
Transfiguartion - sounds like a box Calvin once had...
niven story is here: http://www.larryniven.org/stories/Man_of_S..._of_Kleenex.htm
havent found the book online yet...
Jamesb
The Most Re-Readable Hellblazer Author
in Hellblazer
Posted
Do you thi that havinga title under the Vertigo Banner restricts or cutail sales?
It would be a shame to see Vertigo cease, as I have come to know it, as I think some sort of mature line is a good thing, so people at least know what the deal is.
James