comicfoundry.com » 2008» March

We couldn’t fit it in the issue: Short Review of Hopey Glass

THE EDUCATION OF HOPEY GLASS, Fantagraphics
By Jaime Hernandez
Review by Jason Michelitch

In the case for Jaime Hernandez as one of America’s great cartoonists, the “Locas” series of short stories and novellas is Exhibit A. Although some dismiss Hernandez, with his bold lines and impeccable compositions, as merely a superior draftsman, his true keys to the pantheon lie in the strength of his characters and the powerful economy of his storytelling.

In the titular story from the latest “Locas” collection, THE EDUCATION OF HOPEY GLASS, one of Hernandez’s most popular characters, Hopey, comes face to face with the end of her youth as she transitions careers from bartender to kindergarten teacher. The second half of the book tracks the strained relationship of a loser named Rick and an aspiring actress named Vivian amidst weirdoes, exes, and murderers. Their’s is a pulpier, more noirish story than Hopey’s slice-of-life tale, but one of Hernandez’s strengths is in keeping all the “Locas” stories peripherally connected, but independently readable.

Hernandez’s visual pacing makes the storytelling anything but static, and in a world of “artcomix” dominated by disaffection and despair, Hernandez’s characters are refreshingly joyful and alive; even their lowest moments seem animated rather than weighed down. The entire book is infused with the hallmark of any Jaime Hernandez work: pure, believable humanity.
Posted by Tim Leong on March 31st, 2008 filed in Reviews, Blog | 1 Comment »
Comic Foundry Issue 2 Preview - 8 Breakout Creators of 2008

In this issue we feature the 8 Breakout Creators of 2008 — these are people who could be new to the industry or have been around for a while — either way, 2008 is going to be the year they breakthrough to a new level in comics. Here we have graphic guru Jonathan Hickman and Zuda strongman David Gallaher. Who are the rest of the Oceanic 8, er, Comic Foundry 8? Check out the new issue of Comic Foundry Magazine, on stands April 2nd.
Posted by Tim Leong on March 28th, 2008 filed in Blog, In this Issue | 1 Comment »
Transformers ipod Speaker Dock

Check out the new Optimus Prime ipod speaker dock. Plug in your ipod and set the blasters to blast. The Transformers timing couldn’t be more off, but hey, it’s an all-white Optimus Prime, which is kind of neat. My only question is: Does it make the cool Tranformers sound when you connect?

Via Craziestgadgets.
Posted by Tim Leong on March 27th, 2008 filed in Toys, Blog | 2 Comments »
Secret Invasion Webisode

Marvel is pulling out all the stops to promote Secret Invasion. They had the posters, the viral vids and Marvel staffers in Skrull masks. Up now? An animated websiode. Tres neato, we thinks.
Posted by Tim Leong on March 27th, 2008 filed in Blog, Videos | Comment now »
Comic Foundry Party a Success!

The new issue isn’t on stands until next week, but we still had a lot of fun last night! There was a fantastic turnout last night at the Comic Foundry release party and we easily ran out of the 100 comp copies we brought for the guests. I want to thank everyone who came out last night, including our friends at Barnes and Noble, The Beat, The CBLDF, CMJ Magazine, Complex Magazine, Comixology.com, Condenast, The Daily Crosshatch, DC Comics, In Style Magazine, iVillage, Men’s Health Magazine, Mens.style.com, Neilalien.com, The NY Times, Occasional Superheroine, Publisher’s Weekly Rocketship, TV Guide, US Weekly, Virgin Comics, Wizard Magazine, Zuda. Also in attendance were creators Fred Chao, Nikki Cook, David Gallaher, Dan Goldman, Andy MacDonald, Ben McCool, Yuko Shimizu, Ben Trinh and plenty of other incredibly awesome people that I can’t quite remember right now.

Also, a photo from the party is the Photo of the Day in Publisher’s Weekly Newsletter. Thanks for the support everyone! We got a great response and the most common thing I heard all evening was, “Hey, this looks like a real magazine!” Here are some photos from the night — hopefully I can get some captions up soon. Enjoy! And thanks again for coming!

Posted by Tim Leong on March 27th, 2008 filed in Party, Blog | 2 Comments »
Comic Foundry Issue 2 Preview - Table of Contents

Want a taste of what’s in this all-new issue? Take a glimpse at our TOC (that’s Table of Contents for people in the know). Grant Morrison! The Venture Bros! Achewood! Battlestar Galactica! Terry Moore! A giant Matt Fraction head! All this goodness can be yours on if you pick up the new issue of Comic Foundry Magazine, on stands April 2nd.
Posted by Tim Leong on March 26th, 2008 filed in Blog, In this Issue | 2 Comments »
Star Wars Fozzie — Lucas/Disney/Muppet Toy Collab

There’s a great toy line expected to debut this summer that features a cool collab between George Lucas characters (Star Wars and Indiana Jones) and Disney/Muppets characters. Above is Fozzie Bear as Chewbacca. Others include Goofy as Jar Jar Binks (sigh.) and Mickey as Indiana Jones as well as the whole motley muppet crew. EndorExpress has exclusive photos of all the sets. I’m not a typically not a toy guy but I’m going to have to consider getting some of these. Check it! Wakka Wakka Wakka!
Posted by Tim Leong on March 26th, 2008 filed in Toys, Blog | Comment now »
COMIC FOUNDRY RELEASE PARTY TONIGHT!

Join us in celebrating the release of issue 2 of Comic Foundry Magazine! The official release day is still a week away but we’ll have exclusive copies of the issue for the early arrivers. It’ll be good times and good people, so tonight come to:

The Irish Rogue
Wednesday, March 26th
356 W 44th St.
6:30- late
Upstairs
Posted by Tim Leong on March 26th, 2008 filed in Party, Blog | Comment now »
Comic Foundry Issue 2 Preview - Secret Invasion vs. Final Crisis

In our Longbox section we feature a face-off between this summer’s big event books, Secret Invasion and Final Crisis. The fantastic editorial illustrator Thomas Pitilli drew a kick-ass illustration to open the section and introduce the story. Check out the full illustration and our interviews with Brian Bendis and Grant Morrison in the new issue of Comic Foundry Magazine, on stands April 2nd.
Posted by Tim Leong on March 24th, 2008 filed in Blog, In this Issue | Comment now »
Comic Foundry Issue 2 Preview - Molly Crabapple

Molly Crabapple, New York artist, model and entrepreneur, is the first subject of our new MISCONCEPTIONS page. Here we ask Ms. Molly to refute common misconceptions about her, her work and the industry. Check it out in the new issue of Comic Foundry Magazine, on stands April 2nd.
Posted by Tim Leong on March 24th, 2008 filed in Blog, In this Issue | 1 Comment »
Comic Foundry Issue 2 Preview - Dan Didio’s Office

We went to DC Comics and Dan Didio, executive editor of DC Comics, gave us a tour of his office. Check out memorabilia, the mementos and even some Marvel stuff… in the new issue of Comic Foundry Magazine, on stands April 2nd.
Posted by Tim Leong on March 24th, 2008 filed in Blog, In this Issue | 1 Comment »
New Issues Are Here!

On stands April 2nd…
Posted by Tim Leong on March 24th, 2008 filed in Blog | 1 Comment »