(Note: couldn't access the comics on the portal so I'll blog what I know)
So, I'm pretty sure we all know the fairy tales of Snow White, The Three Little Pigs, etc- but when you are introduced to the world of "Fables" by Bill Willingham it's a whole new look on some timeless characters.
In the present time, the "Fables" (fairy tale folk) like in a community called "Fabletown" in New York City. Those Fables such as monsters or anthropomorphic characters who are unable to blend in live at "The Farm" in upstate New York. The Big Bad Wolf (Bigby) can take on a human form and he serves as the sheriff of the community.
I had seen several of the Fables titles in the bookstore, bu never showed interest or looked at them until I found a popular youtuber doing a playthrough of "The Wolf Among Us" - a game by telltalle games that is based on Fables and where you decided the outcome. The Wolf Among Us has what may be the most unique look to a video game that I have ever seen. Like telltalle's "Walking Dead" games, the Wolf Among Us looks exactly like a drawn and inked colored comic - only 3D. You play as Bigby as you try to solve a murder mystery. Seeing the storyline of the game (I watched the first part of it) the whole concept of Fables has peeked my interest as to where I want to have a look at the comic itself.
The Wolf Among Us trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7a_St9DTuO0
Wednesday, November 27, 2013
"It Sucks To Be Weegee" A parody Comic
If you are familiar with the Nintendo character Luigi and any of the characters in Nintendo's games then you'll find "It Sucks to Be Weegee" to be very funny and cute. This is a comic series that I stumbled across by accident.
Luigi, as you may know, is the rather unappreciated and overlooked younger brother to the infamous Super Mario. He's often refereed to as the other Mario or sinply "Green Mario". "It Sucks to be Weegee" is all about Luigi's handicap of just.... being Luigi.
Unlike other webcomics, there is really no set storyline for he entire series. Like a newspaper comic, there is a narrative for each single comic that will leave you feeling sorry for Mario's little brother every time. Not only does the comic focus on Luigi being overlooked and getting the short end of the stick in every situation, the parody also points out some of Nintendo's decisions and other modern topics - including viral internet references. While reading through each one, you'll find many "easter eggs" related to Nintendo games hidden in them.
So, if you're a fan of Nintendo, here is a way to pass some time and get a laugh in.
http://interrobangstudios.com/comics-display.php?strip_id=941
Luigi, as you may know, is the rather unappreciated and overlooked younger brother to the infamous Super Mario. He's often refereed to as the other Mario or sinply "Green Mario". "It Sucks to be Weegee" is all about Luigi's handicap of just.... being Luigi.
Unlike other webcomics, there is really no set storyline for he entire series. Like a newspaper comic, there is a narrative for each single comic that will leave you feeling sorry for Mario's little brother every time. Not only does the comic focus on Luigi being overlooked and getting the short end of the stick in every situation, the parody also points out some of Nintendo's decisions and other modern topics - including viral internet references. While reading through each one, you'll find many "easter eggs" related to Nintendo games hidden in them.
So, if you're a fan of Nintendo, here is a way to pass some time and get a laugh in.
http://interrobangstudios.com/comics-display.php?strip_id=941
Boxer Hockey: A web comic
My friend April told me about a web comic called Boxer Hockey that was pretty funny so I decided to take a look at it. She only gave me a few brief facts about it, so in short I really had no idea as to what I was expecting.
Boxer Hockey is one of those comics that I think was created out random and perhaps a bit of beer. In the story, Boxer Hockey is apparently a major sport where players play in their boxers as indicated in the title. Instead of hockey sticks - any blunt object is used like a 2x4 or even a rock. and instead of a puck, the players hit around a genetically altered frog. The characters are a bit weird and offbeat themselves - kind of matching the game that they play. However, past all the bizarre events and the concept of this comic in general, Boxer Hockey actually has some interesting writing and funny art. Aside from this work, Tyson Hesse, also has some other funny webcomics including some based on the popular Sonic the Hedgehog series.
Overall, Boxer Hockey is a comic that I might start looking more into since it peeked into my humorous interest. There is a reason that it has kept going since 2006.
Also, you can't help but feel sorry for the frogs...
http://boxerhockey.fireball20xl.com/?id=1
Boxer Hockey is one of those comics that I think was created out random and perhaps a bit of beer. In the story, Boxer Hockey is apparently a major sport where players play in their boxers as indicated in the title. Instead of hockey sticks - any blunt object is used like a 2x4 or even a rock. and instead of a puck, the players hit around a genetically altered frog. The characters are a bit weird and offbeat themselves - kind of matching the game that they play. However, past all the bizarre events and the concept of this comic in general, Boxer Hockey actually has some interesting writing and funny art. Aside from this work, Tyson Hesse, also has some other funny webcomics including some based on the popular Sonic the Hedgehog series.
Overall, Boxer Hockey is a comic that I might start looking more into since it peeked into my humorous interest. There is a reason that it has kept going since 2006.
Also, you can't help but feel sorry for the frogs...
http://boxerhockey.fireball20xl.com/?id=1
Graphic novel: Shutter Island
Note: I haven't seen the move Shutter island, but this is the graphic novel that is based on the novel that the movie is based on. ( that's a mouthfull)
Shutter Island was a graphic novel that I found in the clearance section of Books a Million. Not only did it have a $3.00 price tag but I just found the art pretty interesting - didn't really care much for the story at the time. By having unique art, it was illustrated in watercolors in a very limited color pallet with the exception of a few flashback scenes that were a more broad spectrum of colors. Since a lot of my sketch-work is limited as far as color, I guess that my my ultimate attraction to it.
After reading through Shutter Island, something that I originally wasn't going to do, I found that it was a worthwhile narrative to immerse in. It's a mystery that leaves you wondering the whole time and has an ending that is the unexpected kind that blows your mind at the finish. The graphic novel is a cool adaptation and worth looking at if you haven't seen the movie.
Shutter Island was a graphic novel that I found in the clearance section of Books a Million. Not only did it have a $3.00 price tag but I just found the art pretty interesting - didn't really care much for the story at the time. By having unique art, it was illustrated in watercolors in a very limited color pallet with the exception of a few flashback scenes that were a more broad spectrum of colors. Since a lot of my sketch-work is limited as far as color, I guess that my my ultimate attraction to it.
After reading through Shutter Island, something that I originally wasn't going to do, I found that it was a worthwhile narrative to immerse in. It's a mystery that leaves you wondering the whole time and has an ending that is the unexpected kind that blows your mind at the finish. The graphic novel is a cool adaptation and worth looking at if you haven't seen the movie.
Graphic Novel: Road Rage
Graphic Novel: Road Rage by Joe Hill, Stephen King, and Richard Matheson.
Road Rage is a mature graphic novel that contains two separate stories, although similar by setting and situation, they have different narratives.
Throttle is the first story in Road Rage and it's written by Joe Hill and Stephen King. Compared to the second story in the book, the look and narrative is quite different. Throttle has a very "traditional" graphic novel and comic book look to it and we are given more context to the characters, as in the story is a bit deeper in comparison to the other in Road Rage. Throttle follows a motorcycle gang in conflict with a very angry truck driver that mercilessly takes out the gang's members. Later in the story we find out that the truck driver is actually the father of a young girl that was killed by one of the gang's members. So in the end, you're kind of rooting for the "bad guy" in the story - even though he dies in the end by the motorcycle gang's doings.
The second story in Road Rage is Duel by Richard Matheseon. Compared to Throttle, Duel's style looks less like a comic and more illustrative with a limited pallet and unique art style. Unlike Throttle, we don't know much about the main character at all and he has no relation to the truck driver (who is never named or seen) that is chasing him. Thus, the story leaves us with questions in the end. Like why was the main character being perused and was there a driver behind the truck or was it just the truck itself.
Looking and comparing the contrasting elements of both stories are kind of interesting.
Road Rage is a mature graphic novel that contains two separate stories, although similar by setting and situation, they have different narratives.
Throttle is the first story in Road Rage and it's written by Joe Hill and Stephen King. Compared to the second story in the book, the look and narrative is quite different. Throttle has a very "traditional" graphic novel and comic book look to it and we are given more context to the characters, as in the story is a bit deeper in comparison to the other in Road Rage. Throttle follows a motorcycle gang in conflict with a very angry truck driver that mercilessly takes out the gang's members. Later in the story we find out that the truck driver is actually the father of a young girl that was killed by one of the gang's members. So in the end, you're kind of rooting for the "bad guy" in the story - even though he dies in the end by the motorcycle gang's doings.
The second story in Road Rage is Duel by Richard Matheseon. Compared to Throttle, Duel's style looks less like a comic and more illustrative with a limited pallet and unique art style. Unlike Throttle, we don't know much about the main character at all and he has no relation to the truck driver (who is never named or seen) that is chasing him. Thus, the story leaves us with questions in the end. Like why was the main character being perused and was there a driver behind the truck or was it just the truck itself.
Looking and comparing the contrasting elements of both stories are kind of interesting.
Graphic Novel: The Last Unicorn
The Last Unicorn by Peter S. Beagle
If I had to pick a graphic novel in the ones that I had seen so far for "most beautiful art" I would probable pick "The Last Unicorn." I'm sure several people are familiar with the old and somewhat corny 1980's animated movie with the same title. Indeed the graphic novel "The Last Unicorn" is the adaptation or the original story and the movie - just better. The characters are the exact ones that we've come to know in the movie and the narrative is the exact same with the exception of a few pages. Compared to the movie, the art in the graphic novel doesn't look as "cheap". In fact it's greatly detailed and atmospheric. It's textured and the style that the characters are done in makes them appear and look more mature than the way that they appear in the movie. The narrative seems to flow better, an overall it just has more of an impact than the movie does. The Last Unicorn is worth a look if you like clean but pretty graphic novels.
If I had to pick a graphic novel in the ones that I had seen so far for "most beautiful art" I would probable pick "The Last Unicorn." I'm sure several people are familiar with the old and somewhat corny 1980's animated movie with the same title. Indeed the graphic novel "The Last Unicorn" is the adaptation or the original story and the movie - just better. The characters are the exact ones that we've come to know in the movie and the narrative is the exact same with the exception of a few pages. Compared to the movie, the art in the graphic novel doesn't look as "cheap". In fact it's greatly detailed and atmospheric. It's textured and the style that the characters are done in makes them appear and look more mature than the way that they appear in the movie. The narrative seems to flow better, an overall it just has more of an impact than the movie does. The Last Unicorn is worth a look if you like clean but pretty graphic novels.
Graphic Novel: Pride of Bagdad
Pride of Bagdad was the first graphic novel that I decided to buy as well as one of the first that I ever came across. I believe that I mentioned it in a previous post here, but I'll elaborate on it a bit more. What attracted me to this graphic novel besides the fact that I liked the style it was drawn in, was the fact that it was a mature (not "Disneyfied") story told in the view of animals. Pride of Bagdad was inspired by a true story. Like Barefoot Gen, it takes place during the time of war - in 2003 at the time of an American bombing raid on Iraq.
The story follows a pride of lions as they "escape" from the Bagdad zoo's rubble just after the bombing. They then struggle to live in the destroyed streets along with an assortment of other animals. Unfortunately, in the end, all of the main characters ( Zill, Ali, Safa, and Noor) are gunned down by some US soldiers.
Overall, pride of Bagdad is a unique take on life during the wartime, illuminating its struggles. It is an interesting work and worth a look if you like to read something different every once in a while.
The story follows a pride of lions as they "escape" from the Bagdad zoo's rubble just after the bombing. They then struggle to live in the destroyed streets along with an assortment of other animals. Unfortunately, in the end, all of the main characters ( Zill, Ali, Safa, and Noor) are gunned down by some US soldiers.
Overall, pride of Bagdad is a unique take on life during the wartime, illuminating its struggles. It is an interesting work and worth a look if you like to read something different every once in a while.
Friday, November 22, 2013
Eectric Dragon 80,000V
If you've lived on the internet long enough, you'll know that most of the media or things associated with Japan is usually eccentric and weird. So odd in fact that whenever something strange and foreign appears on the web we say: "Yeah, that's got to be Japanese."
Sure, it's probably genius to them, but it kind of leaves the rest of us shaking our heads. Some Japanese oddities that I've come across are:
(Note some of these have explicit language)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sdmsRcsl_xA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9FcYTprT5QI
Then I saw "Electric Dragon 80,000V" in which I never heard of it before. And it falls into the catagory of "I can't tell if they are serious or not." For being made in two weeks, I'm surprised it didn't look like a high school film project. Some of the angles are interesting and it's kind of cool that it's black and white. As for he story itself, it seems like they were going for a certain level of "badass" but it just becomes very corny to me. If there was an American adaptation of this film, it might have a much different impact and even story.
The phone flipping with the sound effects... corny as it comes. Laughed every time that it occurred.
Sure, it's probably genius to them, but it kind of leaves the rest of us shaking our heads. Some Japanese oddities that I've come across are:
(Note some of these have explicit language)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sdmsRcsl_xA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9FcYTprT5QI
Then I saw "Electric Dragon 80,000V" in which I never heard of it before. And it falls into the catagory of "I can't tell if they are serious or not." For being made in two weeks, I'm surprised it didn't look like a high school film project. Some of the angles are interesting and it's kind of cool that it's black and white. As for he story itself, it seems like they were going for a certain level of "badass" but it just becomes very corny to me. If there was an American adaptation of this film, it might have a much different impact and even story.
The phone flipping with the sound effects... corny as it comes. Laughed every time that it occurred.
Thursday, November 21, 2013
Hellboy:Comics
I'm into the fantasy genre and my illustration work consists of Mythological creatures for the most part. I really enjoy the superhero movies that come out every so often and always make time to watch them - although I've never read any of the comics with the only knowledge I know about the characters from my dad. When the Hellboy movies came out, although I had never heard of the character before, since the series was based on mythology I thought I'd give it a look. The movies are among my favorite of any of the superhero movies that have been released over the years due to the fact that I find them unique in comparison.
Like I said before, I never looked into the superhero comics. Seeing the Hellboy comics among the course recourse page, I decided to give them a look. Suffocating from other schoolwork, I only had the time to read one of the comics: Hellboy: Savage Dragon (Of course, since it had the word "Dragon" in the title I felt obligated to read it first) I've heard before in illustration courses that the style of Hellboy comics is intriguing and I did indeed find it interesting. I found it funny that it contained a Natzi reference like that was shown in the first Hellboy movie - perhaps that something that occurs often in the comics? Of course, since I'm not fluent in the Hellboy fandom other than the movies, at times I found the narrative to be slightly difficult to understand (since I'm obviously not starting from the beginning). After it became clear, I found it worthwhile and I'll be sure to read more when I have the time.
I found myself snickering at Savage Dragons anatomy - he looks so top heavy. lol
Like I said before, I never looked into the superhero comics. Seeing the Hellboy comics among the course recourse page, I decided to give them a look. Suffocating from other schoolwork, I only had the time to read one of the comics: Hellboy: Savage Dragon (Of course, since it had the word "Dragon" in the title I felt obligated to read it first) I've heard before in illustration courses that the style of Hellboy comics is intriguing and I did indeed find it interesting. I found it funny that it contained a Natzi reference like that was shown in the first Hellboy movie - perhaps that something that occurs often in the comics? Of course, since I'm not fluent in the Hellboy fandom other than the movies, at times I found the narrative to be slightly difficult to understand (since I'm obviously not starting from the beginning). After it became clear, I found it worthwhile and I'll be sure to read more when I have the time.
I found myself snickering at Savage Dragons anatomy - he looks so top heavy. lol
Wednesday, November 6, 2013
Manga and Anime.... the difference.
Not sure if this is relevant to material in class, but since we recently viewed and discussed some anime pieces I thought I'd note it down.
Ever since I started to see the art style all over Deviant Art, Movies, etc. and hearing both the terms "Anime" and "Manga associated with it - I was confused of the differences. According to Wiki answers, this is the difference:
Manga is a sort of comic that comes from Japan. It comes in small books and is run in certain magazines. Anime, on the other hand, is animated (thus the name) and runs on television in Japan. Both, of course, get imported to other countries.
Another way to know the difference between the two is that manga is on paper and anime is manga on television.
In short:
Manga = Japanese comics
Anime = Japanese animation
Upon reading this, I am still left with a question. With Mangas like Ghost in the Shell it was turned into an animated movie, series,etc. Is it now anime or still considered Manga? Ghost in the Shell is often refereed to as Manga even in its animated form. I recently also noticed a difference in the anime animation compared to Ghost in the Shell. I'm not a hardcore fan or either and I only watch a select few so I'm not sure how to explain the following. In known animes like Pokemon or one of the others that I previously viewed in class, in some scenes - things get really dramatic and way over exaggerated? Such as the characters flipping out, their eyes becoming bigger than their head, etc. In Ghost in the Shell... this is not seen. No matter the age the animated feature is made for, there are these "moments". Is this another difference in Manga and Anime or am I just over-thinking and not understanding something?
Ever since I started to see the art style all over Deviant Art, Movies, etc. and hearing both the terms "Anime" and "Manga associated with it - I was confused of the differences. According to Wiki answers, this is the difference:
Manga is a sort of comic that comes from Japan. It comes in small books and is run in certain magazines. Anime, on the other hand, is animated (thus the name) and runs on television in Japan. Both, of course, get imported to other countries.
Another way to know the difference between the two is that manga is on paper and anime is manga on television.
In short:
Manga = Japanese comics
Anime = Japanese animation
Upon reading this, I am still left with a question. With Mangas like Ghost in the Shell it was turned into an animated movie, series,etc. Is it now anime or still considered Manga? Ghost in the Shell is often refereed to as Manga even in its animated form. I recently also noticed a difference in the anime animation compared to Ghost in the Shell. I'm not a hardcore fan or either and I only watch a select few so I'm not sure how to explain the following. In known animes like Pokemon or one of the others that I previously viewed in class, in some scenes - things get really dramatic and way over exaggerated? Such as the characters flipping out, their eyes becoming bigger than their head, etc. In Ghost in the Shell... this is not seen. No matter the age the animated feature is made for, there are these "moments". Is this another difference in Manga and Anime or am I just over-thinking and not understanding something?
Porko Rosso (The Crimson Pig)
Porko Roso is a Studio Ghibli Film that I think is overlooked by many of today's generation that's used to some of the recent Ghibli Films like Spirited Away, The Secret World of Arrietty, Howl's Moving Castle, etc. When I first saw Porko Rosso a few years ago, admittedly, I wasn't fond of it - mostly because I wasn't paying too much attention at the time. Re-watching it, I realized how good it was and I consider it to be one of the better Ghibli Films. At first, I never understood how Porko(or Marko as his real name is) became a pig since we are not shown any origin of the transformation and we are so used to seeing a human character being transformed into an animal for a reason like many other films. Although we are not given information as to how, but we are briefly given why. Porko is a bit of a womanizer - the term "Pig" used to describe such a man.
With that aside, Porko Rosso is a good film worth watching.
With that aside, Porko Rosso is a good film worth watching.
Underground Comics.... wow...
In the past year I've really gotten into graphic novels. When hearing the term "Underground Comics" I had no idea what it was. But knowing what underground music is - I did expect some explicit material.
Just not at the level that I would assumed.
Underground comics are incredibly sexually explicit and can qualify as porn really. Not only that, there is drug use and other things that I've never seen in the average graphic novel in a book store. Sure, some of these in the book store do have nudity and gore, but as nudity goes it only what one could see in a figure drawing class. In underground comics... there's insertion and any adult practice that goes on in the bedroom - fetish material included. Yes, these comics file under "anything goes" it seems - yes there is even a comic series titled "Tits ans Clits". Offensive to many (not to mention most of the art is poor quality), yes - but for many of my classmates as well as myself- they are so offensive and sexually explicit that we just find them to be downright outlandish and, admittedly, hilarious. Taking a good hour to read through a few of them - I found myself laughing over and over and shaking my head in disbelief. The ridiculousness was actually - enjoyable. I could do without the porn though.
Just not at the level that I would assumed.
Underground comics are incredibly sexually explicit and can qualify as porn really. Not only that, there is drug use and other things that I've never seen in the average graphic novel in a book store. Sure, some of these in the book store do have nudity and gore, but as nudity goes it only what one could see in a figure drawing class. In underground comics... there's insertion and any adult practice that goes on in the bedroom - fetish material included. Yes, these comics file under "anything goes" it seems - yes there is even a comic series titled "Tits ans Clits". Offensive to many (not to mention most of the art is poor quality), yes - but for many of my classmates as well as myself- they are so offensive and sexually explicit that we just find them to be downright outlandish and, admittedly, hilarious. Taking a good hour to read through a few of them - I found myself laughing over and over and shaking my head in disbelief. The ridiculousness was actually - enjoyable. I could do without the porn though.
Monday, October 7, 2013
Barefoot Gen.... Most Depressing Animated Movie Ever.
When it was announced that we were watching Barefoot Gen in our literature and comic class, I didn't know what I was expecting. For those that don't know, Barefoot Gen is an 80's anime centered during the time period of WWII. During the first thirty minutes or so, I figured that this was just like another Studio Ghibli Film such as Howl's Moving Castle where the subject of war is just in the "background" per say in the film. At first glance, Barefoot Gen seems to be just the seemingly cute story of a Japanese family - the main character Gen and his little brother's antics.
And then the bomb drops.... literally.
Instead of war being in the background of the film, it's upfront and in your face, right at the point during the bombing of Hiroshima. As the atomic bomb hits, a little girl is incinerated, a mom and baby are burned to a crisp, an old man's eyes melt out of his head... and it only escalated further as most of Gen's family is killed (surprisingly Gen survives the blast even though the girl standing next to him is incinerated and his pregnant mother falls off the balcony of their home - something that was just done in light of the story) people die left and right from their wounds or radiation... And it doesn't stop there! Gen's sister is born shortly after the blast, and at first the viewer is reassured with a sense of hope for the main characters, but then the newborn dies from starvation when Gen's mother can no longer produce milk. What happened to the seemingly pleasant movie!?
This movie was difficult to watch, and at points I wanted to stop watching. Amazingly, this movie continued to cling to my mind for the rest of the day because it was so disturbing to me. I think that this movie made an impact because the characters were human, of every age, and the most vulnerable group of people. Sure, graphic novels like Maus and Pride of Baghdad tell a hard story, but with animals. Something about seeing our own kind suffering just leaves a bigger scar.
Overall, I hated Barefoot Gen. Not because the story was horrible, the story was good - it was just too depressing! Not recommended for those who just want to watch a sweet movie with rainbows, sparkles, and unicorns. lol
And then the bomb drops.... literally.
Instead of war being in the background of the film, it's upfront and in your face, right at the point during the bombing of Hiroshima. As the atomic bomb hits, a little girl is incinerated, a mom and baby are burned to a crisp, an old man's eyes melt out of his head... and it only escalated further as most of Gen's family is killed (surprisingly Gen survives the blast even though the girl standing next to him is incinerated and his pregnant mother falls off the balcony of their home - something that was just done in light of the story) people die left and right from their wounds or radiation... And it doesn't stop there! Gen's sister is born shortly after the blast, and at first the viewer is reassured with a sense of hope for the main characters, but then the newborn dies from starvation when Gen's mother can no longer produce milk. What happened to the seemingly pleasant movie!?
This movie was difficult to watch, and at points I wanted to stop watching. Amazingly, this movie continued to cling to my mind for the rest of the day because it was so disturbing to me. I think that this movie made an impact because the characters were human, of every age, and the most vulnerable group of people. Sure, graphic novels like Maus and Pride of Baghdad tell a hard story, but with animals. Something about seeing our own kind suffering just leaves a bigger scar.
Overall, I hated Barefoot Gen. Not because the story was horrible, the story was good - it was just too depressing! Not recommended for those who just want to watch a sweet movie with rainbows, sparkles, and unicorns. lol
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