Hasslein Blog
Saturday, December 21, 2013
Friday, December 20, 2013
Apes Week!
By Rich Handley
Last week was a special one for Planet of the Apes fans. Why, you ask? Because it was Apes Week at the 13th Dimension comics culture blog, that's why. And it was also a special one for me, in particular, as I was honored to be invited by editor Dan Greenfield to be a big part of it. Dan asked me to write a five-part series of articles about unpublished Apes comics, a subject near and dear to my heart.
While conducting research for Timeline of the Planet of the Apes: The Definitive Chronology and Lexicon of the Planet of the Apes: The Comprehensive Encyclopedia, I reached out to the writers and editors of the various comic series from Marvel Comics, Malibu Graphics, Dark Horse Comics, Mr. Comics and Argentina's Editorial Mo.Pa.Sa, seeking tidbits about their unpublished lore. And this year, I supplemented that information by speaking with the creators of BOOM! Studios' current run.
What I received was staggering: not just brief descriptions, in some case, but entire outlines or even scripts. Thanks to the generosity of these creative minds, I was privileged to offer 13th Dimension's readers a look back at several time-lost comic books from Planet of the Apes. You can read the five installments here:
• Part 1: Marvel Comics
• Part 2: Malibu Graphics
• Part 3: Editorial Mo.Pa.Sa and Dark Horse Comics
• Part 4: Mr. Comics
• Part 5: BOOM! Studios
Read more »
Labels: 13th Dimension, Apes Week, BOOM! Studios, comics, Dan Greenfield, Dark Horse Comics, Malibu Comics, Marvel Comics, Planet of the Apes
Matthew Sunrich Presents... Batman #234
Labels: Batman, Bronze Age, comics, Matt Sunrich, Neal Adams, Two-Face
Thursday, December 19, 2013
Back to the Comics: Dan Clowes
Daniel Clowes is a cartoonist who created a comic made up of short works in various styles called Eightball, probably best known for the coming of age story Ghost World. I’m a great fan, but Ghost World was certainly my least favorite work of his. I didn’t feel much sympathy for the characters, which might say more about me than the author. I found myself wanting them to lose and be unhappy. This feeling only grew in the feature film adaptation of that work.
I suppose I could be forgiven, as most of Clowes’ work ends up being about people who can’t get it right to the degree that you expect them to implode. Sometimes funny, sometimes sad, sometimes dramatically, a Clowes character is almost always one that is emotionally adrift. Clowes takes the entire concept of stories told with sequential drawings to a new level. These are elusively moving exposes of the foibles of mere mortals, drunk on pop culture and self-obsession. He understands our funny way of being both stupid and brilliant, and his work can confound, amaze and electrify you all at once. He can draw very realistically as well as abstractly, usually in one kind of story or another.
My favorite of his is Ice Haven. After many years of experimenting with different styles, Clowes finally developed a story which allows him to use his wide variety of stylistic flourishes all to tell one story. Clowes can do cartoonist work as well as he can do starkly realistic illustrations, and here we have a cohesive Little Epic told in a series of seemingly unconnected comic strips that would make the most amazing Sunday comics page ever if they were laid out as such. The perception of each character to the world they inhabit sets the tone for the art, so that the young boy is in a world not unlike Peanuts, while the detective is in a literal reality, like Rex Morgan M.D. The result is a brilliant whole, and one that beautifully illustrates that only a comic could convey.
Rocko Jerome has lived many lives. Right now, he's a writer. You can read Rocko's work at his blog and at Atomic Wanderers.
Labels: Back to the Comics, Dan Clowes, Eightball, Ghost World, Ice Haven, Little Epic, Rocko Jerome, Shia LaBeouf
Tuesday, December 17, 2013
Tom Baker as Doctor Who
Doctor Who came to me when I was 13, over the summer between 7th and 8th grades. The Sci-Fi Channel had launched, and they were airing the Tom Baker episodes daily at or around noon. Despite the wonky special effects and very complex—some might say impenetrable—mythology, I quickly became enamored with the series. I doubt I could’ve told you why then, but I know now. It was because Tom Baker as the Doctor introduced me to the concept of an eccentric, and pointed the way for me in the treacherous world ahead.
My childhood Doctor Who figure. Somehow, he was produced without a scarf, so my mom made one from yarn. |
The Doctor was always thoroughly out of step, in his own world—sometimes to his detriment, but he almost always found a way to persevere. He represented hope, brilliance, flamboyance. Happiness. Maintaining a sense of the inner child, listening to the truth that you know is inside of you. Being stubborn when it’s worth it. The Doctor didn’t just feel like family to me, he felt like the family member I should’ve had, but didn’t. To paraphrase John Waters talking about Vincent Price, I always felt like Tom Baker was my friend. I still do.
Read more »
Labels: Doctor Who, Rocko Jerome, Tom Baker
Monday, December 16, 2013
Back To The Comics: Ninja Turtle Devolution
Generation X is very upset about the changes made to the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle franchise, and all the supposed and alleged odd details in upcoming adaptations. Believe it or not, there’s people really upset that they might turn out to be aliens in that next movie that probably will never get made.
So I’d just like to point out that this is what those turtles started out like:
And this is what they were like by the time any of you heard of them:
Just saying.
Rocko Jerome has lived many lives. Right now, he's a writer. You can read Rocko's work at his blog and at Atomic Wanderers.
Labels: Back to the Comics, Rocko Jerome, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
Saturday, December 14, 2013
Plugapalooza: What Are YOU Working On?
Those who read the Hasslein Blog often hear about what we're up to. Naturally... it's our blog. But many of you are also creative types—and here's a chance to plug your own work.
Do you have a book, a story, a poem, an anthology, an article, a comic book, artwork or some other creative venture in the works? Is there anything you've written, edited or illustrated that is out now, that you'd like to promote? If so, feel free to plug away in the comments section below. Tell us what you're up to—and where potential readers can find it!
(Giving credit where it's due: Artwork found here.)
Friday, December 13, 2013
Return of the Jedi: An Unabashed Appreciation
Labels: Harrison Ford, Return of the Jedi, Rocko Jerome, Star Wars
Thursday, December 12, 2013
Matthew Sunrich Presents...Creatures on the Loose #10
Labels: Berni Wrightson, comics, Creatures on the Loose, Matt Sunrich, Swamp Thing
Monday, December 9, 2013
Win Lunch With LeVar Burton!
We-Care.com is a promotion with LeVar Burton (of Roots, Star Trek: The Next Generation and Reading Rainbow fame) and the AIDS Research Alliance to help find a cure for human immunodeficiency virus / acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV / AIDS). To date, the group has already raised nearly $60,000 in contributions from 5 million users. Won't you sign up and show your support? Everyone who creates a We-Care.com account here will automatically be entered to win lunch with LeVar.
Labels: AIDS research, LeVar Burton, Star Trek
Friday, December 6, 2013
Matthew Sunrich Presents... The Best Comics of 2013
Labels: Aspen Comics, comics, Conan, Dark Horse, DC Comics, Helheim, Jirni, Marvel Comics, Matt Sunrich, Oni Press, Wolverine
Thursday, December 5, 2013
The Alien/Predator Comic Strips, Part Two
(For part one of this article series, click here.)
Labels: Alien, Aliens, AvP, Dark Horse, Jean-François Boivin, Predator
Wednesday, December 4, 2013
Looking for a Dictionary of Collectibles? Then Visit The Collectionary!
Josh Lohrenz from The Collectionary has asked us to share the following information, and we are happy to do so!
Information, technology, and innovation are moving at an incredible rate. People are constantly bombarded with the most recent data, newest items, and latest fad. What if there was a place where you could take a break from the constant noise of what’s NEW? The Collectionary is focused on the history and stories of items and collectibles in a way that has never been done before.
What inspired The Collectionary into existence?
The Collectionary was created because we wanted to create a dictionary of everything in the world that people collect. There are hundreds of e-commerce sites, but there is no dedicated place where you can learn about different items. Whether it's the history, facts, or unique attributes regarding a particular collectible or item, we want to give people a place to learn about the collectibles they love.
What made you coin it The Collectionary?
"Collectionary" comes from combining the words collection and dictionary. A fun play on words that explains our goals as a website and brand.
Why is your site devoted solely to Star Wars?
No, the Star Wars Collectionary is one out of hundreds of different Collectionaries to join. We have expert collectors we call moderators that help us with each Collectionary to add new and cool items to the site from anywhere on the internet. In fact, we would love to have more Star Wars moderators willing to help out :).
What's the takeaway for potential customers? What can they hope to gain from perusing your site?
We hope anyone checking out our site will enjoy looking at all the amazing collectibles ever created. Looking at the older, nostalgic items, our goal is to bring back a few fond memories as a child or another time in your life. We want people to learn about collectibles as we point to where those items are for sale anywhere on the internet.
Anything unusual worth noting about your site? Star Wars?
Our site would love to have more moderators helping us out with their expertise and knowledge of different categories. I'm sure you will find many unusual and never-before-seen Star Wars items here.
To see all the amazing Collectionaries, please visit our homepage.
Labels: Collectionary, Star Wars