X-Men Trilogy (Review)

Citizen's Grade: O.K.

This trilogy gives me mixed feelings. I've never read an issue of X-Men in my life; and although I did buy a X-Factor #1 in the 80's, I never really felt any desire to want to start. So although I'd heard much criticism from X-Men fans from local comic book shops, I wasn't at all concerned since I didn't know their history, etc. That said, the franchise has done very well at the box office, and several spin-off movies are in the works.

ELEPHANTMEN the Movie!!!!

FINALLY!! Finally, this wonderful comic book series has earned the respect it has deserved for the last few years! The following appears on the Elephantmen website:

"Comicraft/Active Images is proud to announce the option of their Image Comics series ELEPHANTMEN by Zucker Productions for major motion picture development.

The treatment for the movie is being drafted by Richard Starkings, creator and writer of ELEPHANTMEN. Starkings shares, 'I'm very pleased to be working with producer Janet Zucker and everyone at Zucker Productions. Janet has a wonderful instinct for story and totally understands the more subtle tones of the ELEPHANTMEN series.'

'Richard has created a world of implausible ideas and impossible characters, a world where transgenic animals and human beings come together in a dark, yet hopeful universe,' says Janet Zucker. 'Jerry (Zucker, Director of GHOST) and I can't wait to bring the stories of Hip, Horn and Sahara to life on screen in a way that will simply take your breath away.'

Starkings was approached by a number of companies and directors interested in optioning the project, but until recently he brushed them away, preferring to concentrate on putting out a good book. 'On the road to the creation of ELEPHANTMEN, I talked to everyone else in the business and listened to their advice. It's taken a very long time to build the series -- I created these characters fifteen years ago -- and I'm very grateful for our loyal readers and the incredible professional support that the book has received.' says Starkings. 'I didn't set out with a movie in mind, but I am grateful that this opportunity has come along and allows me to continue to write something that is very dear to me.'

ELEPHANTMEN is an Eisner Award winning series first published in 2002 under Starkings' Active Images imprint. In 2006 Image Comics approached Starkings to bring the book under their umbrella.

The story of the Elephantmen takes place in Los Angeles in the not too distant future -- in a world where human/animal hybrids were created to fight a war between Africa and China. Scarred by their experiences in war and seeking to somehow find their own humanity, the Elephantmen are now scattered throughout the world amongst the humans they were created to kill. ELEPHANTMEN is a brilliant commentary on racism, miscegenation, global warming, stem cell research and warfare. Created and written by Starkings, the series features artwork by Ladrönn, Moritat and Boo Cook."

As a long-time reader and fan, I can't wait for this to appear in Theatres!!!!!

Elephantmen Celebrates 25 Issues

As Elephantmen celebrates it's 25th issue, some of the world's best talent has been collected to join in on the celebration. Each page of the issue is drawn by a profoundly talented guest artist, and here is the list:

Tim Sale (Batman: The Long Halloween), Moritat (Elephantmen, The Spirit), Gabriel Bautista (Popgun), Duncan Rouleau (Metal Men, The Great Unknown), Sheldon Vella (Kill Audio, Supertron), Dave Gibbons (Watchmen, Marth Washington), Dougie Braithwaite (Justice), Gary Erskine (Dan Dare), Steve Buccellato (Battle of the Bands), Whilce Portacio (Spawn, Image United), Ian Churchill (Hulk), Shaky Kane (The Bulletproof Coffin), Raul Trevino (Final Incal), Boo Cook (Judge Anderson), Paul Grist (Jack Staff), Ladrönn (Final Incal), Marian Churchland (Beast), André Szymanowicz (Sushi Nachos), David Hine (The Bulletproof Coffin, Strange Embrace), Chris Burnham (Nixon's Pals) and Aaron Kuder, Brandon Graham (King City), Dan McDaid (Jersey Gods), Tom Scioli (Godland), Pia Guerra (Y the Last Man), Axel Medellin (50 Girls 50), and Rob Steen (Flanimals).

Is that a "Who's Who" of Comic Book Artists or what? ELEPHANTMEN #25: THE BIG PICTURE is told entirely in splash pages and chronicles the history of the Elephantmen from the point of view of one man, making it a great jumping-on point for new readers! Written by Richard Starkings.

Conspiracy Theory.....How Marvel Comics tried to kill Superman

I remember when all the buzz was going on about Bryan Singer leaving the X-Men movie franchise to revive the Superman movie franchise....I was excited! I watched all the trailers, saw the History Channel's show about Superpowers, etc. I knew this would bring Superman to new heights! The special effects that the 80's movies weren't yet privy to.....

Then I saw the movie...

Thor by JMS (Review)

Citizen's Grade: Impressive.

J. Michael Straczynski (affectionately known as "JMS" to his fans!) is a genius! Though misunderstood sometimes (I'll explain below), no one can question the quality of his work. Only he could bring back the Marvel Comics mythical legend....Thor! After the Norse City of the gods...Asgard...had fallen in the prophesied Ragnarok, Thor is in the beyond, where because of one's belief in him he comes back from death. Alone now (all the other Asgardians were killed in Ragnarok), he and his human host, Dr. Donald Blake move to Oklahoma.