tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79003402426525584652024-03-05T18:38:27.888-05:00Al NickersonAlNickersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03744163183810158492noreply@blogger.comBlogger353125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7900340242652558465.post-54335636863485717922017-04-25T21:10:00.001-04:002017-04-27T12:06:33.341-04:00Frank Miller got me thinking...<img src="http://albert.nickerson.tripod.com/blogfrankmiller.jpg"/>
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Above photo (Left to right): Klaus Janson and Frank Miller at the School of Visual Arts’ “100 Years of Genius: The Life and Legacy of Will Eisner” event in April 2017. Photo by (DC Comics editor and SVA faculty member) Joey Cavalieri.
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Frank Miller got me thinking.
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On April 4, 2017, during his chat at the School of Visual Arts’ “100 Years of Genius: The Life and Legacy of Will Eisner,” Frank Miller talked a bit on the topic of Will Eisner and comic book Creators’ Rights. Miller explained Will’s views on comic book Creator’s Rights and contracts:
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<I>The most frequent business advice [Will Eisner] gave me was: ‘Stop whining.’ Because I would go in saying: ‘Creators’ Rights this, Creators’ Rights that, Creators’ Rights this.’ And he’d say: ‘Look, if you sign the contract, it’s over. Stop complaining about anything.’ His point of view was simply that if you’re working on other people’s material, then you don’t have that much of a claim. And so, clearly, his whole point was that the future of comics was for people to be introducing new material.</I>
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(You can watch the entirety of SVA’s “100 Years of Genius: The Life and Legacy of Will Eisner” event <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s--asnHjWEw">here on Youtube</a>.)
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In the book EISNER/MILLER, Will stated:
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<I>Take a look at the marketplace and understand what its realties are. I never subscribed to this Creators’ Bill of Rights because I believe that there was no reality to it. In the marketplace, moral rights are often disregarded.</I>
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And…
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<I>Well, there is no ingrained right, there are no God-given rights here. The rights are what you negotiate.</I>
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Now, it’s true that Will was a very savvy business person. (And you really have to be if you want to have a successful career in the arts.) I don’t think that Will would have needed to be reminded by something like (the very important) Creators’ Bill of Rights. However, the vast majority of young artists do need to be reminded and told about the Bill and about Creators’ Rights.
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(I lecture on all of this in my Sequential Art: Comics Illustration class at SUNY Orange.)
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In an interview on the Creators’ Bill of Rights and Creators’ Rights for <a href="http://www.tcj.com/the-comics-journal-no-137-september-1990/"> THE COMICS JOURNAL (No. 137, September 1990)</a> by Gary Groth and with Steve Bissette, Scott McCloud stated:
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<I>Whatever crimes are going on at companies where Creators’ Rights are not honored become pretty quickly irrelevant because essentially it’s your own damn fault if you decide to work there… if there is an alternative… yeah, if you went in with some knowledge. ‘What’s smoking?’ As long as the warning is there.</I>
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(A must-read and/or must-listen interview with Stephen Bissette and Scott McCloud.)
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Over the years, I’ve been quite outspoken about comic book Creator’s Rights.
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In 2005, I began becoming more vocal and more public about my views on Creators’ Rights. I started conversations with folks like Steve Bissette, Dave Sim, Rick Veitch, Scott McCloud, and even with Denis Kitchen, Erik Larsen, and Fernando Ruiz.
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(All of these discussions are collected and posted at
<a href="http://albert.nickerson.tripod.com/yacanteraseink.html"> www.yacanteraseink.com</a>)
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Dave Sim had suggested to me that my eventual departure from Archie Comics may have been due to my public outspokenness on Creators’ Rights. Dave could very well be right.
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In 2010, I officially ended my contributions toward work-made-for-hire.
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(Two weeks ago, for about an hour, I was on the phone with a publisher and trying to convince him that I had no interest in working on their work-made-for-hire project.)
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<img src="http://albert.nickerson.tripod.com/blognycspecialedition.jpg"/>
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Above photo: This photo was taken in June 2014 during the "Creator-owned Comics (vs. Corporate-owned Comics)" panel at the Special Edition: NYC comics convention which was held at the Jacob Javits Center in New York City. I was joined on the panel by Mike Allred and Kurt Busiek.
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In 2014, I was on the <a href="http://albert.nickerson.tripod.com/creatorsbillofrightssim25.html
">“Creator-owned Comics (vs. Corporate-owned Comics)” panel held at the Special Edition: NYC comics convention</a>. The panel featured a discussion between myself, Michael Allred, and Kurt Busiek. That panel pretty much summed up my view on Creators’ Rights in regards to Creator-owned Comics versus Corporate-owned Comics.
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Simply put: Comic book publishers have a horrible history with treating their writers and artists. If you’re interested in playing in the work-made-for-hire sandbox, then know the environment in which you’re working and know what your rights are. For me, now, creator-owned comics are the only thing that I’ll be doing in comics.
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The topic of comic book Creators’ Rights does still interest me a great deal. I still believe that, at the very least, the Creator’s Bill of Rights is a must-read for professional comic book creators and for young artists who wish to have a career in comics and/or in animation.
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It’s just that, now, I don’t know if we can actually change the policies of comic book publishers that promote work-made-for-hire. Maybe it’s just best to ignore the likes of Marvel and DC. There are more creator-friendly publishers out there. Why keep flogging a dead horse?
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My opinion hasn’t changed, exactly. I like to think that my focus has just evolved. I don’t care what the corporate comic publishers are doing anymore.
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I’m wondering if Will Eisner was more often correct about Creators' Rights than I previously thought.
AlNickersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03744163183810158492noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7900340242652558465.post-30344655284670483932017-04-24T23:43:00.002-04:002017-04-24T23:43:22.818-04:00AN ACT OF FAITH: THE SWORD OF EDEN Motion Comic...<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/GgiD82BFcro" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
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AN ACT OF FAITH: THE SWORD OF EDEN Motion Comic...
AlNickersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03744163183810158492noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7900340242652558465.post-76184454653931075142017-04-24T23:30:00.001-04:002017-04-24T23:32:19.352-04:00Juiced...<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/bAW_BayyFG0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
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I have been asked about the JUCE TV animatic. Folks can view the animatic on YouTube, as well.
Here’s how Nemish-Man likes to juice his TV…AlNickersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03744163183810158492noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7900340242652558465.post-61825557826590838652017-04-24T23:21:00.001-04:002017-04-24T23:33:11.324-04:00Framed...<img src="http://albert.nickerson.tripod.com/aaof1coverartframed2.jpg" />
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Above: This photo was sent to me by the new owners of the original artwork to the cover of AN ACT OF FAITH #1. I am flattered...AlNickersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03744163183810158492noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7900340242652558465.post-66473366207628321072013-03-21T12:21:00.000-04:002017-04-17T16:09:36.959-04:00AN ACT OF FAITH #2 now on sale!<img src="http://albert.nickerson.tripod.com/anactoffaith01pgcover.jpg" />
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<a href="http://digital.comicsplusapp.com/series_comic_details.php?product_id=com.iversecomics.messianic.comics.an.act.of.faith.two.03122013">AN ACT OF FAITH #2 is now on sale at iVerse Media!</a>
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<a href="http://digital.comicsplusapp.com/publishers.php"> You can see Messianic Comics' publisher section on this page.</a>
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<a href="http://digital.comicsplusapp.com/group_comics.php?publisher_id=139"> Which takes you here.</a>
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<a href="http://albert.nickerson.tripod.com/anactoffaith02preview.html">And you can preview pages of AN ACT OF FAITH #2.</a>
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<a href="http://anactoffaithcomic.com/">For news, preview art, and updates to AN ACT OF FAITH.</a>
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Thanks for reading.
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Holy is Yeshua!AlNickersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03744163183810158492noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7900340242652558465.post-59586460496997674612013-03-07T13:50:00.001-05:002013-03-07T14:31:21.301-05:00AN ACT OF FAITH now on sale!<img src="http://albert.nickerson.tripod.com/anactoffaith01cover.jpg" /><br />
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AN ACT OF FAITH #1 is now on sale at <a href="http://www.comicsplusapp.com/">iVerse Media</a> and <a href="http://digital.comicsplusapp.com/just_added.php?page=9">here</a>.
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AN ACT OF FAITH #1 is available on the ComicsPlus app by iVerse Media. Download the app. Each issue costs $1.99.<br /><br />
You can download the app at <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/comics-plus/id323397665?mt=8">the Apple store</a>.
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If you’re not using an app and prefer to download and read the book on the web, <a href="http://digital.comicsplusapp.com/series_comic_details.php?product_id=com.iversecomics.messianic.comics.an.act.of.faith.one.02012013">here's a direct link to the book</a>.
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AN ACT OF FAITH is a downloadable digital comic that can be purchased through iVerse Media, and read on tablets, smart phones, and computers. Each new issue will be available every six weeks, or so.<br /><br />
AN ACT OF FAITH is self-published by Messianic Comics. The comic is aimed at a readership of thirteen-years of age and older.<br /><br />
AN ACT OF FAITH introduces readers Rebecca Stern as she begins her career as a super-hero. What will happen when our young heroine joins forces with Nemish-Man, Kid-Cockroach, and Professor Jack in retrieving the Sword of Eden (the legendary sword used by angels to keep Adam and Eve out of the Garden of Eden). In their adventures, our heroes battle demons, zombies, a bunch of ninja, and other super-villains. And how will these super-heroes cope when they must combat mythological villains such as Count Orlok or the Green Knight? If that ain’t enough, will our heroes be capable of locating Noah’s Ark?<br /><br />
For AN ACT OF FAITH comics news and preview artwork, stop by <a href="http://www.anactoffaithcomic.com">www.anactoffaithcomic.com</a>.
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Or visit us on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/al.nickerson.3">Facebook</a>.
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Let me know what you think of AN ACT OF FAITH.
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Thanks for reading. <br /><br />
Holy is Yeshua!AlNickersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03744163183810158492noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7900340242652558465.post-13304489129598023712012-12-08T17:27:00.001-05:002012-12-08T17:33:39.865-05:00"Vampires should be dusted, not hugged!"<img src="http://albert.nickerson.tripod.com/aaof5cover.jpg" /><br />
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Above: Line art for the cover to AN ACT OF FAITH #5 by me.<br />
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This past week, I’ve been working on the covers for AN ACT OF FAITH. Here’s the line art for the cover to issue five.<br />
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I suppose there’s always been a sense of romanticism associated with vampires in fiction. There’s been Bram Stoker’s DRACULA, Friedrich Wilhelm Murnau’s NOSFERATU, Bela Lugosi, and Anne Rice’s VAMPIRE CHRONICLES (I think that that’s when things started getting really weird), to name the most prominent.<br />
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Nowadays, though, things have been getting way out of hand with TWILIGHT and THE VAMPIRE DIARIES. Vampires are walking dead things. They shouldn’t be nice guys that all of the young girls want to make smoochies with. Vampires make excellent villains. They should be dusted, not hugged.<br />
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That’s going to be one of my points with AN ACT OF FAITH #5.<br />
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<img src="http://albert.nickerson.tripod.com/bladeversustwilight.jpg" /><br />
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Isaiah 5:20 (King James Version): Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!AlNickersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03744163183810158492noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7900340242652558465.post-18503613948051059322012-09-14T21:41:00.000-04:002012-09-14T22:01:09.968-04:00LETHARGIC LAD 2011...<img src="http://albert.nickerson.tripod.com/lethargiclad2011.jpg" /><br />
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Above: Cover to Greg Hyland’s LETHARGiC LAD 2011. Lethargic Lad and all other prominent Lethargic Lad characters are TM and © 2012 Greg Hyland.<br />
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Tired of comics that are reboots? Annoyed with comics that are the "New" that, or "Next" this, or full of "52" crap? Then, it’s time you gave up on corporate super-hero comics and paid more attention to super-hero comics that are fun.<br />
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Today, my mailbox gave me LETHARGiC LAD 2011. The book was signed, numbered, and included a keen "Holy Crap" Lethargic Lad cover sketch by cartoonist Greg Hyland. LETHARGiC LAD 2011 is nicely printed, and the widescreen format is brilliant (as always). (Greg is still very smart.)<br />
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Greg’s writing is hysterical and his artwork is sharp. (Nice inking, Mr. Hyland.) And Greg’s annotations are entertaining and informative.<br />
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With LETHARGiC LAD 2011, Greg mocks WIZARD magazine (and who really doesn’t want to?), Rebecca Black (I forget who she is), super-hero deaths in comics, DC’s ‘New 52’, and Frank Miller’s HOLY TERROR (My favorite part of the book. But unlike Greg, <a href="http://alnickerson.blogspot.com/2011/10/comics-versus-terrorism-frank-millers.html">I did enjoy HOLY TERROR</a>.).<br />
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If you want to read comics that are witty and fun, then you’ll love LETHARGiC LAD 2011. I did.<br />
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To order the limited edition LETHARGiC LAD 2011 and to read new weekly LETHARGiC LAD webcomics, stop by <a href="http://www.lethargiclad.com/">the LETHARGiC LAD website</a>.<br />
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I give LETHARGiC LAD 2011 four out of five NM’s:<br />
<img src="http://www.brandonjcarr.com/icons/nmanicon.gif" /><img src="http://www.brandonjcarr.com/icons/nmanicon.gif" /><img src="http://www.brandonjcarr.com/icons/nmanicon.gif" /><img src="http://www.brandonjcarr.com/icons/nmanicon.gif" />AlNickersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03744163183810158492noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7900340242652558465.post-1055009104548520812012-07-07T13:19:00.000-04:002012-07-07T13:21:13.774-04:00The 2012 Harvey Awards...<IMG SRC="http://albert.nickerson.tripod.com//pictoonsharveyawards.jpg"><br /><br />Below are my votes for the 2012 Harvey Awards. I didn’t vote in all of the categories. I had a tough decision to make with the "BEST CONTINUING OR LIMITED SERIES" category. I love both ATOMIC ROBO and RACHEL RISING. I did vote for RACHEL RISING for "BEST NEW SERIES."<br /><br /><B>BEST LETTERER</B><br />Chris Eliopoulous, FEAR ITSELF, Marvel Comics<br /><br /><B>BEST COLORIST</B><br />Dave Stewart, HELLBOY: THE FURY, Dark Horse<br /><br /><B>BEST SYNDICATED STRIP or PANEL</B><br />MUTTS, Patrick McDonnell, syndicated by King Features Syndicate<br /><br /><B>BEST NEW SERIES</B><br />RACHEL RISING, Abstract Studio<br /><br /><B>BEST GRAPHIC ALBUM PREVIOUSLY PUBLISHED</B><br />PS MAGAZINE: THE BEST OF PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE MONTHLY, Abrams ComicArts<br /><br /><B>BEST DOMESTIC REPRINT PROJECT</B><br />WALT SIMONSON'S THE MIGHTY THOR ARTIST'S EDITION, IDW<br /><br /><B>BEST COVER ARTIST</B><br />Mark Simpson (Jock), DETECTIVE COMICS, DC Comics<br /><br /><B>BEST BIOGRAPHICAL, HISTORICAL, or JOURNALISTIC PRESENTATION</B><br />PS MAGAZINE: THE BEST OF PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE MONTHLY, Abrams ComicArts<br /><br /><B>SPECIAL AWARD for EXCELLENCE IN PRESENTATION</B><br />WALT SIMONSON’S THE MIGHTY THOR ARTIST'S EDITION, edited by Scott Dunbier, IDW<br /><br /><B>BEST CONTINUING OR LIMITED SERIES</B><br />ATOMIC ROBO AND THE GHOST OF STATION X, Red 5 Comics<br /><br /><IMG SRC="http://albert.nickerson.tripod.com/detectivecomics880.jpg"><br /><br />Above: And, of course, I voted for the still awesome cover to DETECTIVE COMICS #880 by Mark "Jock" Simpson.AlNickersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03744163183810158492noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7900340242652558465.post-11135148275609493592012-05-11T11:35:00.000-04:002012-05-11T11:36:01.967-04:00Stan Lee on Creator’s Rights...<IMG SRC="http://albert.nickerson.tripod.com/stanleewebbing.jpg"><br /><br />Above: Comics legend, Stan "The Man" Lee.<br /><br /><A HREF="http://www.grantland.com/story/_/id/7906504/the-surprisingly-complicated-legacy-marvel-comics-legend-stan-lee">In an interview, Stan Lee shares his opinions concerning comic book Creator’s Rights:</A><br /><br /><I>Then I ask him if he feels, in general, that the comic-book industry has been fair to comic-book creators.<br /><br />"I don't know," Stan says. "I haven't had reason to think about it that much." Five-second pause. "I think, if somebody creates something, and it becomes highly successful, whoever is reaping the rewards should let the person [who] created it share in it, certainly. But so much of it is — it goes beyond creating. A lot of people put something together, and nobody really knows who created it, they're just working on it, y'know? But little by little, the artists and the writers now are a different breed than they were, and most of them, if they create anything new, they insist that they be part owners of it. Because they know what happened to Siegel and Shuster, and to me, and to people like that. I don't think it's a problem anymore. They make much more money than they used to make, when I was there. Proportionately.<br /><br />"Everybody thought that I was the only one that was getting paid off, but I never received any royalties from the characters. I made a good living, because I was the editor, the art director, and the head writer. So I got a nice salary. That was all I got. I was a salaried guy. But it was a good salary. And I was happy."</I>AlNickersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03744163183810158492noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7900340242652558465.post-24842852096107913362012-05-07T20:25:00.000-04:002012-05-07T20:26:47.545-04:00180 Movie...<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/7y2KsU_dhwI?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>AlNickersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03744163183810158492noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7900340242652558465.post-53509989932474230472012-05-07T15:40:00.000-04:002012-05-07T15:44:23.758-04:00Podcasting: The Avengers Movie and Creator's Rights...<IMG SRC="http://albert.nickerson.tripod.com/mikekitchen.jpg"><br /><br />The Avengers movie is taking over the world. A new video by Mike Kitchen and Blair Kitchen <A HREF="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NN6hCVq03Pc">"talk about conventions, and The Avengers Movie, and Creator’s Rights, and other comic stuff."</A> At the 22-minute mark, the Creator’s Rights website,"Ya Can't Erase Ink...", is mentioned. For me, in regards to comics, there’s nothing more important than the treatment of comic book creators.<br /><br />For more information about comic book Creator’s Rights, visit<A HREF="http://www.yacanteraseink.com/">Ya Can't Erase Ink...</A> Here, we will feature conversations and interviews with Scott McCloud, Dave Sim, Steve Bissette, Rick Veitch, and others about The Creator’s Bill of Rights and other Creator’s Rights issues.AlNickersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03744163183810158492noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7900340242652558465.post-72723016077542597412012-05-04T13:51:00.000-04:002012-05-04T13:52:13.485-04:00Happy Free Comic Book Day!!!<IMG SRC="http://www.freecomicbookday.com/SiteData/Images/save-the-date-300x250.jpg"><br /><br />Don’t forget about <A HREF="http://www.freecomicbookday.com/Home/1/1/27/981">Free Comic Book day</A>… which is May 5th.AlNickersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03744163183810158492noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7900340242652558465.post-90454166197608000412012-04-08T09:37:00.001-04:002012-04-08T09:39:11.870-04:00Happy Resurrection Day!<IMG SRC="http://albert.nickerson.tripod.com//Jesus2.jpg"><br /><br />Matthew 28:2-10 (King James Version):<br /><br /><I>2 And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it. 3 His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow: 4 And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men. <br /><br />5 And the angel answered and said unto the women, "Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. 6 He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. 7 And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I have told you." <br /><br />8 And they departed quickly from the sepulchre with fear and great joy; and did run to bring his disciples word. <br /><br />9 And as they went to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, "All hail." And they came and held him by the feet, and worshipped him. 10 Then said Jesus unto them, "Be not afraid: go tell my brethren that they go into Galilee, and there shall they see me."</I>AlNickersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03744163183810158492noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7900340242652558465.post-90917031244018866992012-04-05T09:56:00.003-04:002012-04-07T10:44:59.298-04:002012 Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards…<IMG SRC="http://www.willeisner.com/biography/images/eisners_logo.gif"><br /><br />I voted online for the <A HREF="http://www.comic-con.org/cci/cci_eisners_main.php">2012 Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards</A>. I had several "Write-In" votes…<br /><br /><B>Best Continuing Series</B><br />RACHEL RISING Terry Moore (Abstract Studio)<br /><br /><B>Best Limited Series</B><br />ATOMIC ROBO AND THE GHOST OF STATION X Brian Clevinger and Scott Wegener (Red 5)<br /><br /><B>Best Archival Collection/Project--Comic Books </B><br />WALTER SIMONSON'S THE MIGHTY THOR: ARTIST'S EDITION (IDW)<br /><br /><B>Best Writer</B><br />(Write-In) Robert Kirkman INVINCIBLE, THE WALKING DEAD (Image Comics)<br /><br /><B>Best Writer/Artist</B><br />Terry Moore RACHEL RISING (Abstract Studio)<br /><br /><B>Best Penciller/Inker or Penciller/Inker Team </B><br />(Write-In) Ryan Ottley/Cliff Rathburn INVINCIBLE (Image Comics)<br /><br /><B>Best Cover Artist </B><br />(Write-In) Jock, DETECTIVE COMICS #880 (DC Comics)<br /><br /><B>Best Comics-Related Journalism </B><br />TwoMorrows Publications: ALTER EGO edited by Roy Thomas, BACK ISSUE edited by Michael Eury, DRAW edited by Mike Manley, and JACK KIRBY COLLECTOR edited by John Morrow<br /><br /><IMG SRC="http://albert.nickerson.tripod.com/detectivecomics880.jpg"><br /><br />Above: Still an awesome cover to DETECTIVE COMICS #880 by Jock. I don’t know why this wasn’t nominated. I voted for it, anyway.AlNickersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03744163183810158492noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7900340242652558465.post-50234432697648447772012-03-06T11:54:00.005-05:002012-03-06T12:09:29.907-05:00Happy birthday, Will Eisner!<IMG SRC="http://albert.nickerson.tripod.com//picnewswilleisner.jpg"><br /><br />Above: Comics legend and teacher, Will Eisner. William Erwin "Will" Eisner was born on March 6, 1917.<br /><br />Will Eisner was always a wealth of information. Many members of <A HREF="http://albert.nickerson.tripod.com/picphotoshomepage.html">P.I.C.</A> were once students in Will’s <A HREF="http://www.creators.qcomics.net/index.php?topic=167.0">‘Sequential Art'</A> class at <A HREF="http://www.schoolofvisualarts.edu/">the School of Visual Arts</A>.<br /><br /><IMG SRC="http://albert.nickerson.tripod.com//inkplotswill.jpg"><br /><br />Above photo: Original artwork from Will Eisner’s A CONTRACT WITH GOD. This piece was part of the School of Visual Arts’ Ink Plots exhibit. The photo was taken during the exhibit's reception on October 14th 2010 by <A HREF="http://www.atomicshelter.com/Home.html">Miguel Martinez Joffre</A>.<br /><br />"I think comic books are far more than two mutants trashing each other." -Will Eisner (September 1986)<br /><br />"I feel the same as the other winners ... proud and pleased by the approval of my peers. Of course I'm embarrassed at winning an award that has my name on it. But it will not stop me from continuing to produce the very best I can do. Perhaps I ought to change my name." -Will Eisner (who won a 2002 Eisner Award for "Best Graphic Album" for his THE NAME OF THE GAME)<br /><br />"That’s one of the main struggles in this medium, anyway, is the struggle for sovereignty over storytelling and art. I believe this is a language. I think of it as a literary form. Comics is literature." -Will Eisner (from an interview in HERO GETS GIRL! By TwoMorrows Publishing) <br /><br />"(SHOP TALK interviews) reinforced the feeling I always had about the fact that this (comics) is a valid literary form and also a valid field to be in. And when you talk to guys like Joe Kubert and Jack Kirby- as simple a guy as he was- you got the feeling that you were part of group of giants. That’s exactly what they were." -Will Eisner (on his new book, SHOP TALK, 2001) <br /><br /><IMG SRC="http://albert.nickerson.tripod.com//willeisnersvaarticle2.jpg"><br /><br />Above photo: Original artwork from Will Eisner’s THE SPIRIT.AlNickersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03744163183810158492noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7900340242652558465.post-42949184798280703632012-03-02T19:39:00.000-05:002012-03-02T19:41:36.932-05:00Another letter from Dave Sim...Today, my mailbox gave me a new package from Dave Sim. Normally, I wouldn’t post a letter such as this. It really has nothing to do with Creator’s Rights. However, the message is a good one, especially when I see all manner of foul language commonly used on the Internet. Anyway, Dave was referring (in part) to <A HREF="http://alnickerson.blogspot.com/2011/11/whats-occupying-frank-millers-mind.html">Frank Miller’s thoughts on the "Occupy" movement</A>.<br /><br /><IMG SRC="http://albert.nickerson.tripod.com/davesim022012.jpg">AlNickersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03744163183810158492noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7900340242652558465.post-37760092905805801962012-03-01T10:59:00.002-05:002012-03-01T11:01:58.588-05:00Steve Bissette talks about Marvel/Disney, Jack Kirby, and THE AVENGERS film...<IMG SRC="http://albert.nickerson.tripod.com/jackkirbytoughness.jpg"><br /><br />Above photo: Kirby toughness… comics legend, Jack Kirby. (I swiped this photo from Bleeding Cool. Thanks, Rich.)<br /><br /><A HREF="http://srbissette.com/?p=14066">The great Steve Bissette talks about Creator’s Rights, Work-for-hire, Marvel/Disney, Jack Kirby, and THE AVENGERS film in "Marvel/Disney v Kirby: Do Avengers Avenge… Or Not?":</A><br /><br /><I>DC Comics, Paul Levitz, and Jenette Kahn started working out ways to work royalty shares with Kirby while he was still alive (using Super Friends as the initial vehicle).<br /><br />Marvel hasn’t. Marvel has repeatedly demonstrated, from the late 1960s to today, that they’re not even remotely interested in "working out ways" to resolve this.<br /><br />Fine. It’s their business.<br /><br />And they’re getting no more of mine.<br /><br />For me, it’s simple: the judgment of 2011 was the straw that broke the camel’s back. Do what you want; I’ve had it with Marvel as a consumer at this point.<br /><br />I won’t be seeing The Avengers movie. I will encourage others to avoid it, if and as I can.<br /><br />The thought of sitting through another bloated multi-million dollar-budgeted charade about how "it’s right to fight for justice" when Marvel/Disney can’t cough up the equivalent of, say, one day’s shooting budget for catering or grips to toss a bone to Jack’s heirs—well, that act of enduring that film isn’t at all attractive or appealing to me any longer on any level.<br /><br />THE AVENGERS? It’s a sham.</I><br /><br />And…<br /><br /><I>Work-for-hire does not, ipso facto, mean a creator or co-creator benefits not at all from their creations earning (in this case) billions for the parent corporation. I earn royalties on Swamp Thing to this day. Every quarter, they show up. I earn more royalties for John Constantine, Hellblazer; when the movie option yielded a movie, we each banked a $45,000 check from our fraction of a percent of our co-creator shares.</I>AlNickersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03744163183810158492noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7900340242652558465.post-5518013678872509132012-02-18T11:31:00.003-05:002012-02-18T12:19:17.645-05:00My 2012 Harvey Awards nomination ballot...<IMG SRC="http://albert.nickerson.tripod.com//pictoonsharveyawards.jpg"><br /><br />It’s that time of year when comic book creators fill out their <A HREF="http://www.harveyawards.org/">Harvey Awards Nomination Ballot</A>. Here’s mine…<br /><br /><B>HARVEY AWARD VOTING CATEGORIES</B><br /><br /><B>BEST WRITER</B><br />Robert Kirkman INVINCIBLE<br />Greg Hyland LETHARGIC LAD 2010<br />Brian Clevinger ATOMIC ROBO AND THE GHOST OF STATION X<br />Paul Grist THE WEIRD WORLD OF JACK STAFF<br />Terry Moore RACHEL RISING<br /><br /><B>BEST ARTIST</B><br />Ryan Ottley INVINCIBLE<br />Alan Davis CAPTAIN AMERICA<br />Paul Grist THE WEIRD WORLD OF JACK STAFF <br />Chris Bachalo AVENGERS #13 and #15 <br />Greg Hyland LETHARGIC LAD 2010<br /><br /><B>BEST CARTOONIST</B><br />Greg Hyland LETHARGIC LAD 2010<br />Terry Moore RACHEL RISING <br />Eric Powell THE GOON<br />Paul Grist THE WEIRD WORLD OF JACK STAFF<br />Steve Remen HIM<br /><br /><B>BEST LETTERER</B><br />Dave Sim GLAMOURPUSS<br />Terry Moore RACHEL RISING <br />Greg Hyland LETHARGIC LAD 2010<br />Paul Grist THE WEIRD WORLD OF JACK STAFF<br />Rus Wooton INVINCIBLE<br /><br /><B>BEST INKER</B><br />Mark Farmer CAPTAIN AMERICA<br />Terry Moore RACHEL RISING <br />Cliff Rathburn INVINCIBLE<br />Dexter Vines BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER: SEASON NINE<br />Greg Hyland LETHARGIC LAD 2010<br /><br /><B>BEST COLORIST</B><br />Fco Plasencia INVINCIBLE<br />Chris Bachalo AVENGERS #13 and #15<br />Ferran Daniel AVENGING SPIDER-MAN<br />Greg Hyland LETHARGIC LAD 2010<br />Ronda Pattison ATOMIC ROBO AND THE GHOST OF STATION X<br /><br /><B>BEST COVER ARTIST</B><br />Jo Chen BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER: SEASON NINE<br />Jock DETECTIVE COMICS #880 <br />Eric Powell THE GOON<br />Alex Ross ASTRO CITY<br />Adam Hughes BATGIRL<br /><br /><B>MOST PROMISING NEW TALENT</B><br />Ferran Daniel AVENGING SPIDER-MAN<br /><br /><B>BEST NEW SERIES</B><br />ATOMIC ROBO AND THE GHOST OF STATION X Red 5 Comics <br />BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER: SEASON NINE Dark Horse Comics<br />RACHEL RISING Abstract Studio<br />AVENGING SPIDER-MAN Marvel Comics<br /><br /><B>BEST CONTINUING OR LIMITED SERIES</B><br />INVINCIBLE Image Comics<br />ATOMIC ROBO AND THE GHOST OF STATION X Red 5 Comics<br />BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER: SEASON NINE Dark Horse Comics<br />RACHEL RISING Abstract Studio<br />THE WEIRD WORLD OF JACK STAFF Image Comics<br /><br /><B>BEST ANTHOLOGY</B><br />BACK ISSUE TwoMorrows<br /><br /><B>BEST GRAPHIC ALBUM – ORIGINAL</B><br />HOLY TERROR Legendary<br /><br /><B>BEST GRAPHIC ALBUM – PREVIOUSLY PUBLISHED</B><br />ROCKETEER JETPACK TREASURY EDITION #1 IDW<br /><br /><B>BEST SINGLE ISSUE OR STORY</B><br />THE WEIRD WORLD OF JACK STAFF #6 Image Comics <br />INVINCIBLE ("The Viltrumite War") Image Comics<br />THE TICK NEW SERIES #8 New England Comics Press<br />AVENGERS #15 Marvel Comics<br />ATOMIC ROBO AND THE GHOST OF STATION X Red 5 Comics<br /><br /><B>BEST DOMESTIC REPRINT PROJECT</B><br />ROCKETEER JETPACK TREASURY EDITION #1 IDW<br /><br /><B>BEST ONLINE COMICS WORK</B><br />LETHARGIC LAD http://www.lethargiclad.com/<br />HIM http://www.himcomic.com/<br />JONNY CROSSBONES http://www.evilspacerobot.com/ <br />PIPEDREAMS http://scanscorner.blogspot.com/<br /><br /><B>SPECIAL AWARD FOR HUMOR IN COMICS</B><br />Greg Hyland LETHARGIC LAD 2010<br />Steve Remen HIM<br />Leslie McClaine THE TICK NEW SERIES/JONNNY CROSSBONES<br />Stephen Scanlon PIPEDREAMS<br />Eric Powell THE GOON<br /><br /><B>SPECIAL AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN PRESENTATION</B><br />BACK ISSUE TwoMorrows<br />AVENGING SPIDER-MAN Marvel Comics<br />ROCKETEER JETPACK TREASURY EDITION #1 IDW<br />INVINCIBLE Image Comics<br />RACHEL RISING Abstract Studio<br /><br /><B>BEST BIOGRAPHICAL, HISTORICAL, OR JOURNALISTIC <br />PRESENTATION</B><br />BACK ISSUE TwoMorrows<br />HOW TO DRAW WOMEN Abstract Studio<br /><br /><B>BEST ORIGINAL GRAPHIC PUBLICATION FOR YOUNGER READERS</B><br />THE TICK NEW SERIES New England Comics Press<br /><br /><IMG SRC="http://albert.nickerson.tripod.com/detectivecomics880.jpg"><br /><br />Above: Awesome cover to DETECTIVE COMICS #880 by Jock. ("Jock"? What kinda name is THAT? I think I'm gonna start signing my comics as "Stud.")AlNickersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03744163183810158492noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7900340242652558465.post-76080629747397685462012-01-30T22:11:00.001-05:002012-01-30T22:11:41.903-05:00Neil Gaiman and Todd McFarlane settle...<IMG SRC="http://albert.nickerson.tripod.com//picnewsSpawn9.jpg"><br /><br />Above: The cover to SPAWN #9 which introduced Angela, Cagliostro, and Medieval Spawn.<br /><br />Several news outlets are reporting that Neil Gaiman and Todd McFarlane have finally settled their dispute over Gaiman’s contributions to SPAWN. <br /><br /><A HREF="http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/spawn-copyright-suit-comic-book-giants-neil-gaiman-todd-mcfarlane-finally-settled-article-1.1014310">The NY Daily News reports:</A><br /><br /><I>Fantasy industry giants Neil Gaiman and Todd McFarlane finally called a truce in their long-running legal feud over who owns which characters in the Spawn universe, according to court documents.<br /><br />Gaiman and McFarlane have been sparring for a little more than a decade over royalties from a handful of characters from the Spawn comic book series. Their attorneys filed a joint notice Friday in federal court in Madison saying they’ve reached a deal.<br /><br />Jeffrey Simmons, one of Gaiman’s attorneys, said terms of the agreement were confidential. A jury had already found Gaiman a 50 percent owner of content in two Spawn issues and the first three issues of a Spawn spin-off. Simmons said reiterating that declaration would block any appeal.<br /><br />"This is intended to put an end to the whole thing. It’s fair to say both parties are pleased to have this resolved," Simmons said.</I><br /><br />For all of the hub-bub, check out <A HREF="http://alnickerson.blogspot.com/2007/12/old-news-neil-gaiman-versus-todd.html">"Neil Gaiman versus Todd McFarlane feud"</A>.AlNickersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03744163183810158492noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7900340242652558465.post-38554884174518908002012-01-19T11:00:00.003-05:002012-01-19T11:29:59.322-05:00Problems in Riverdale...<IMG SRC="http://albert.nickerson.tripod.com//picnewsarchfriends138b.jpg"><br /><br />Above: Partial cover artwork to ARCHIE & FRIENDS #138 by (penciler) Fernando Ruiz and (inker) myself.<br /><br /><A HREF="http://www.bleedingcool.com/2012/01/19/archie-ceo-being-sued-for-bullying-write-antibullying-comic/">Bleeding Cool continues to report on the events concerning Archie Comic Publications’ dispute with the co-Chief Executive Officer of Archie Comics, Nancy Silberkleit, accusing her of sexual harassment and bullying.</A><br /><br />I was debating whether I should blog about this because of some of the more adult language involved in the story… which is why I’ve waited until now.<br /><br />I’ve spoken to Nancy Silberkleit only once. She called me a couple of years ago to contribute to a documentary that she was working on at the time (which I decided not be involved). To me, Nancy seemed like a very friendly person.<br /><br />Still, if the allegations are true, I suppose you shouldn’t point at men while in the work place and say "penis." <br /><br /><A HREF="http://www.whenmonkeysattack.com/blog/2010/01/13/archie-ceo-talks-mocca-and-creator-credits/">Over at The Beat, Archie co-Chief Executive Officer Jon Goldwater once stated:</A><br /><br /><I>I can’t speak for things prior to my being here, but things that have gone on previously with how artists were treated has nothing to do with where we are now. We support every artist, every writer, every employee of Archie. They are valued. They are treasured.</I><br /><br />I find this all very ironic considering, <A HREF=" http://www.comicsreporter.com/index.php/cr_holiday_interview_11_steve_bissette/">as Steve Bissette put it recently:</A><br /><br /><I>...and arguably no comics publisher with that company's longevity has badly used and ill-treated more creators than Archie...</I><br /><br /><IMG SRC="http://albert.nickerson.tripod.com//picnewsarchfriends129.jpg"><br /><br />Above: Artwork from ARCHIE ALL-STARS VOLUME 3: THE CARTOON LIFE OF CHUCK CLAYTON by (penciler) Fernando Ruiz and (inker) myself.AlNickersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03744163183810158492noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7900340242652558465.post-57159173285754703822012-01-17T21:38:00.006-05:002012-01-17T21:51:02.894-05:00Words from Honest Abe...<IMG SRC="http://albert.nickerson.tripod.com//abrahamlincolnfasting.jpg"><br /><br />Above photo: President Abraham Lincoln.<br /><br /><I>We are not enemies, but friends. We must not be enemies. Though passion may have strained it must not break our bonds of affection. The mystic chords of memory, stretching from every battlefield and patriot grave to every living heart and hearthstone all over this broad land, will yet swell the chorus of the Union, when again touched, as surely they will be, by the better angels of our nature.</I><br /><br />-March 4, 1861 (President Abraham Lincoln’s first Inaugural Address.)<br /><br /><I>If God now wills the removal of a great wrong, and wills also that we of the North as well as you of the South, shall pay fairly for our complicity in that wrong, impartial history will find therein new cause to attest and revere the justice and goodness of God.</I><br /><br />-April 4, 1864 (A letter from President Abraham Lincoln to Albert Hodges.)<br /><br /><I>I am naturally anti-slavery. If slavery is not wrong, nothing is wrong. I can not remember when I did not so think, and feel. And yet I have never understood that the Presidency conferred upon me an unrestricted right to act officially upon this judgment and feeling.</I><br /><br />-April 4, 1864 (A letter from President Abraham Lincoln to Albert Hodges.)<br /><br /><I>In regards to this great Book [the Bible], I have but to say it is the best gift God has given to man. All the good the Savior gave to the world was communicated through this Book. But for it we could not know right from wrong. All things most desirable for man's welfare, here and hereafter, are found portrayed in it.</I><br /><br />-September 7, 1864 (President Abraham Lincoln's reply to the Loyal Colored People of Baltimore upon presentation of a Bible.)<br /><br /><I>I pray that our Heavenly Father may assuage the anguish of your bereavement, and leave you only the cherished memory of the loved and lost, and the solemn pride that must be yours to have laid so costly a sacrifice upon the altar of freedom.</I><br /><br />-November 21, 1864 (A letter from President Abraham Lincoln to Mrs. Lydia Bixby, who lost several sons during the Civil War.)<br /><br /><I>Both [the North and South] read the same Bible, and pray to the same God; and each invokes His aid against the other. It may seem strange that any men should dare to ask a just God's assistance in wringing their bread from the sweat of other men's faces; but let us judge not that we be not judged. The prayers of both could not be answered; that of neither has been answered fully.</I><br /><br />-March 4, 1865 (President Abraham Lincoln's second Inaugural Address.)AlNickersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03744163183810158492noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7900340242652558465.post-61352870878264184062012-01-13T18:31:00.001-05:002012-01-13T18:36:15.842-05:00DC Comics' new logo?<IMG SRC="http://albert.nickerson.tripod.com/dclogo.jpg"><br /><br /><br /><A HREF="http://www.bleedingcool.com/2012/01/13/dc-comics-gets-logo-here/">Bleeding Cool is reporting</A> that DC Comics and DC Entertainment will be getting a new logo. The current logo is the DC Swoosh (which I’ve grown to like) and before that was the DC Bullet.<br /><br />Man, this new logo is ugly. Did DC actually pay someone to design this? And how is this an improvement?<br /><br />Stupid corporate comics.AlNickersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03744163183810158492noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7900340242652558465.post-17971483550881612512012-01-07T17:14:00.000-05:002012-01-07T17:16:08.616-05:00ZOOTANAPUSS #1: The Al Nickerson Edition...<IMG SRC="http://albert.nickerson.tripod.com/zootanapuss1large.jpg"><br /><br />Above: Cover to Dave Sim’s ZOOTANAPUSS #1. TM and © 2012 Dave Sim.<br /><br />Today, my mailbox gave me a nice surprise, a signed copy of Dave Sim’s ZOOTANAPUSS #1. Dave signed it with "Al Nickerson Edition #1/1." I thought that funny. As it turns out, ZOOTANAPUSS #1 is the incentive variant cover to GLAMOURPUSS #22. <br /><br /><IMG SRC="http://albert.nickerson.tripod.com/zootanapuss1.jpg"><br /><br />I liked Dave’s mentioning of Will Eisner’s definitions between "graphic narratives" and "graphic novels." I enjoyed the Frank Miller ("For Al Gore and Mother Gaia!")and Todd McFarlane ("Die, Violator Bunny!") parodies. Hee-hee.<br /><br /><A HREF="http://momentofcerebus.blogspot.com/2011/11/zootanapuss.html">Also, as Dave Sim mentioned somewhere else:</A><br /><br /><I>We have Glamourpuss 22 coming out and you’ll notice that instead of it being the fourth annual swimsuit issue, it’s not the fourth annual swimsuit issue and that’s because I’ve decided to go off in a completely different direction. I’m doing a Zatanna parody, Zootanapuss.<br /><br />There’s also a Glamourpuss 22 incentive cover and this is probably very destructive of the comic book field, but we’re all just trying to keep ourselves alive. So, for the Zootanapuss number one cover you gotta buy four of the regular ones to even get the number one cover. Now is that absolutely evil or is that absolutely evil?</I>AlNickersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03744163183810158492noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7900340242652558465.post-25367760497791529792012-01-04T14:39:00.002-05:002012-01-04T14:43:45.545-05:00Gimmicks and the state of the comics industry…<IMG SRC="http://albert.nickerson.tripod.com/goon39small.jpg"><br /><br />Above: THE GOON © and TM 2012 Eric Powell. <A HREF="http://albert.nickerson.tripod.com/goon39large.jpg">Click here for a larger view. </A> I think this cover to THE GOON #39 says it all.<br /><br />If not…<br /><br />In the early and mid-1990s, gimmicks ruled comics. Instead of having quality artwork and well-written stories to sell comic books, many publishers relied on the increased sale of multiple variant covers, polybagged books, enclosed trading cards, and embossed covers. This caused the creation and burst of the Comic Book Speculation Boom.<br /><br />In the last couple of years, comic book gimmicks have made a horrible return to the comics industry. Corporate-owned comics are using more gimmicks to sell their books. Characters are increasingly dying and then becoming alive again. Characters are getting new outfits. Titles are renumbered over and over again. And let’s not forget about the reboots and retcons.<br /><br />How does all of this help long-term sales of comic books? It really doesn’t. But, narrow-minded marketing people (and others) at the big publishers still look to increase short-term sales of their books while the comic book market continues to suffer.<br /><br />All of this ain’t new news.<br /><br />So, when will some folks learn?AlNickersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03744163183810158492noreply@blogger.com0