Wednesday, August 15, 2007

Sad news: Mike Wieringo passes away

From Newsarama:

The comics industry lost a luminary this weekend - Mike Wieringo passed away Sunday of a sudden heart attack. Details are still sketchy as of this time, but according to close sources, the acclaimed artist had chest pains at some point during the day and called 911, but the responders did not make it in time.

Wieringo was 44 years old. He was a vegetarian, and "one of the healthiest ones of us in the bunch," as his longtime friend and collaborator Todd Dezago described him. Currently, there are no details about services or a funeral.

Wieringo worked every day, updating his blog and website with a constant stream of sketches at MikeWieringo.com. His last sketch was posted on Friday.

Wieringo was born June 24th, 1963 in Venice, Italy, and first caught the attention of comic book fans when he joined writer Mark Waid on DC's The Flash with issue #80 in 1993. Together, the two co-created the character Impulse, the future speedster brought back to the present. Wieringo (or, 'Ringo as he was better known by then) moved on to Robin at DC, and then moved to Marvel, where he settled in on Sensational Spider-Man with writer Todd DeZago.
The pairing with DeZago was something of fate, as the two co-created and launched their creator-owned property Tellos, which saw several projects and miniseries published over the years. Ringo moved back to DC for a run on Adventures of Superman, and then, in 2002, reunited with Waid for a run on Fantastic Four that was perhaps best known for fan outcry when Marvel announced that they were going to replace the team. Marvel quickly reversed their decision, and the two completed their run on the series.

Ringo then moved to Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man with writer Peter David, and most recently, completed a Spider-Man and the Fantastic Four miniseries written by Jeff Parker. His next project had not been announced, although, as readers of his blog knew, he was very excited at the prospect of doing more Tellos work, with an eye on being able to debut something at next month's Baltimore Comic-Con.




Thursday, August 9, 2007

The Avengers by John Byrne, part II

Here's another round of beautiful Avengers-related pieces of art by Mr. John Byrne, some of them recreating classic fights, others just headshots...click on the images to get the larger version and enjoy!


The God of Thunder looks mad, so be careful with that hammer!


Headshots of Cap, Iron Man, Wanda and the Vision, four of the most important and significant avengers.


The Avengers from the second half of the 70's against Ultron!


Against Nefaria! Hey, is this a recreation of issue #166? Cause that's one of my favorites!

Ok, so that's it for today...hey, did you notice that way back (20 years ago) Byrne drew that fight against Nefaria?

Sam

A picture of a common comics geek!


Look, that could be me writing my blog, or my fella Orkey writing his stuff...
But no, fortunately for us it is just a funny pic from the Simpsons' owner of a comic book store!

Sam

How to chronicle a war...with Hank Pym's thoughts

Here I found a nice clip which gives a brief recap of the Civil War, first with the narrator's voice and then through a letter from avenger Hank Pym to his ex-wife, Jan a.k.a. the Wasp.

It is funny to see how it took so little time to explain what Marvel needed almost a year to tell us...hehe. No, seriously, watch it, it's short and good.

Sam

Chesterquest: Marvel looking for new talent

Be Professional.
Be Persistent.
Don't be Pestering.
Don't be a Prick.


Remember “The Rule of Four Ps” when submitting to Marvel’s newest talent search initiative, ChesterQuest, officially launched at Comic-Con International in San Diego last month.

Spearheaded by C.B. Cebulski, ChesterQuest was conceived as a talent search for pencilers and painters. According to Cebulski, It is meant for new artists. Anyone who has previously been published by Marvel Comics is ineligible.

So there you go, Marvel seems to be opening its arms and welcoming new talent, and this might be an interesting and valid way of doing so.

Sam

Wednesday, August 8, 2007

Crossovers...they can have good moments!



Here's a moment that I really think set in motion a series of events very in-character with the two heroes involved.
Two vigilantes that have become important figures in their respective "universes", and that here find that collisions can be solved without fighting first and asking questions later.

These are two characters with a wide view of things, and that Kurt Busiek really understands.

Sam

Tuesday, August 7, 2007

Fans' reaction to the introduction of the Vision

Yes, here I'm going to post the letters page of Avengers #60, which was about the introduction of a new character on issue #57, just a few months back (an issue that has been reviewed on this blog!). And believe me, they are not what you expect...


Dear Stan, Roy , and John,

I have just finished AVENGERS #57. A Poem?!? (Shelley, wasn't it?) knew you were slanting your stories to the high school and college student (and high school teacher- I showed my biology teacher my Hulk collectionand she's started reading it-does that qualify me as KOF?, but I never expected this. I like it. It's a nice touch. (A word of advice, Keep it on the epilogue so it doesn't break up the action.) I didn't think much of the Vision, but I guess he's going to stay around for a few issues. When you're through with him, kick himm out. So much for the literary criticism. Now for advice. Keep in touch with the times. For instance, let the Black Panther become interested in civil rights. ay, why don't you make him a social worker and let him quit the Avengers? The Avengers should add a few members. I nominate the Hulk, the Black Knight, and the Silver Surfer (or even Spider-man). The Avengers need someone with the sheer power these provide. Finally, please don't bring Ultron-5 back. When a villain is destroyed, he should stay destroyed- otherwise you lose the realism


Kenneth Eng, 390 Gypsy Road
King of Prussia, Pa. 19406


Dear Stan, Roy and John,

Are you trying to hint to us about the Vision becoming the fifth and final Avenger? My fellow Marvelites are hoping you are. If so, it's a great way of displaying him to the other Avengers and to us. . Remember, the named him the Vision! It is ironic that a super-villain created a superhero. Didn't Ultron-5 realize that this synthetic android he created would have emotions? If you ask me, he lost his mind (later his head) in letting an android do his dirty work. Anyway, the Vision would provide the Avengers with the super-power that a team like the Avengers needs. After all, you can't break down every wall. He is one who must be planted firmly as an Avenger (or in his own mag), or else must wander aimlessly as a guest star, (Ouch!) We faithful ones hope you will give the Vision the job he deserves. Forever, Make Mine Marvel.


Robert Maldenhauer, 52 South 20th St.
Kenilworth, N. J. 07033


Dear Stan, Roy and John,

AVENGERS #57... What an ish! What a vision to behold! Simply out-of-sight. Yu just hafta keep the Vision around. He's my kind ofher or villain, as the case may be. But a few questions, even if you won't answer them publicly. Since when does Hank have red hair? Wasn't it blonde a few ishes ago? I was glad to see the Black Widow back in costume, but since he's decided to return to the ranks of superheroes, doesn't the Avenger membership offer still stand? Personally, I would rather see the Black Knight in the Avengers instead, but better yet in his own strip. I wish you hadn't killed Ultron-5. He was worthy foe for any group. This month's MARVEL SUPERHEROES with the Black Knight was superb. I hope he won't stop after destroying the dagger made out of the same star as the ebony blade. The panel on page 19 was the best ever. Please don't restrict the Knight to supernatural stories. I hope you keep your promise and give 3 more strips this year in the Inhumans, Doc Doom and Ka-Zar. If not, I might be able to survive till next year.


Bob Barnett, 2318 44th Ave
San Francisco, Calif 94116

Avengers Assemble letter page from #60

Well, I hope you enjoyed those! Here goes a thanks to collaborator Orkey! As you can see some fans wanted the Vision out! could they be relatives of Bendis or Millar?...who knows!

Sam