Crayola Gold Medal

One hundred and ten years ago a simple yellow and green box containing eight colored wax sticks covered in paper premiered.  That box would change the world more than anyone thought possible.
 
That box contained the first set of crayons ever created and that simple box, created by Binney & Smith Co. opened a whole new world of color for children all over the world.  Often copied but never duplicated, Crayola crayons has changed a lot since then.  Hundreds of new colors have been created, color pencils, markers, drawing kits and so much more has sprung from eight color crayons.

Crayola has transformed from simplicity to immensity and evolved into a worldwide industry and phenomenon.

To celebrate 110 years of color, Crayola asked consumers to create new names for its original eight crayons.  A limited edition eight crayon commemorative box of crayons was created to house the crayons and can be purchased through Crayola's Facebook page.

Listed below are the eight original names along with their 21st Century nicknames:

• Red - Ladybug
• Orange  - Freshly Squeezed
• Yellow - Sunny Side Up
• Green - Jalapeno 
• Blue - BeYOUtiful Blue
• Purple - Peace, Love & Purple
• Brown - Freckle
• Black - Night Owl

Expose Vol. 11

You've read it here first.  After looking through the incredible digital art examples in Ballistic Publishing's Expose Vol. 11, I have 'officially' given up trying to match or create similar art.

 

I may be a graphic designer, but, the designers represented in Expose Vol. 11 are way out of my league.   However, that doesn't mean I can't enjoy the magnificent digital images they have conjured up.

Of all of the Expose collections I've had the privilege to review, I have to say that Expose Vol. 11 has the most divergent examples of digital art I've ever witnessed.

Every conceivable type of digital art (painted, drawn, realistic, fantasy) is represented in this edition.

Over 8,000 pieces of art were submitted for consideration and of that 8,000, 587 were selected from 405 artists.

I've lauded over Exposé's art since the first volume I reviewed.  This volume is no exception.  All of the art is awe-inspiring, breath-taking and absolutely amazing.

I am blown away by the fantasy pieces but even more impressed by the realistic renderings that completely fooled my eyes into believing they were photos.  Now that's good!

Not to belabor a point, but as a graphic designer I know what it takes to produce such amazing art-especially when a 3D rendering program is used. 

The hours of color studies, light and shadow shifting and reshifting, object rendering, perspective and composition and that's not counting the talent it takes to draw: something that has to be learned sans computer.

This is a collection of more than just computer-rendered images, this is a gallery of art by some the best illustrators and painters in the business.

Star Trek FAQ 2.0

"And now, for the rest of the story," to paraphrase Paul Harvey.  After the success of Applause Theatre & Cinema Books' first Star Trek FAQ author Mark Clark continues the examination of all things Star Trek TV, movies and beyond.

 

Everything there is left to know about the Next Generation, the movies and beyond is examined it what was a failed network program that went on to spawn a whole industry.

The Next Generation, Voyager, Deep Space Nine, Enterprise, the Trek movies (up to the reinvention of Star Trek by director J.J. Abrams) and online Trek fan films facts and fables are examined.

Learn how each TV series, movie and internet fan film came about, the Star Trek casts from each and much of the fan created and professional merchandizing.

Go beyond the everyday, everyone knows facts about Star Trek and read about little known (and unknown facts) of the phenomenon known as Star Trek.  Truly "Go where no man has gone before!"

Man Of Steel: Inside The Legendary World Of Superman

If you haven't seen the Superman: Man Of Steel movie yet, I urge you to do so.  While paying homage to the famous superhero the movie also introduces new facets of Superman and 'tweaks' some elements of his origin.  I loved it.

 

Man Of Steel: Inside The Legendary World Of Superman, the new book from Insight Editions, is every bit as spectacular as the movie.

Beginning with its Superman emblem embossed cover, complete with the same texture seen on the cinema version of Superman's costume, the oversize, hardbound book is....super!

Daniel Wallace is responsible for the look and feel of the book and the film's co-producers and director: Christopher Nolan and Zack Snyder provide the Foreword and Introduction.

Flipping through its pages I was amazed at the plethora of production art, color photos, character and environment designs, alien spaceships and worlds concept drawings as the entire world(s) of Superman and Clark Kent came alive through illustrations and artwork.

I could not helped but be impressed by the sheer artistic talent it took to put such a monumental film together.  Speaking as a graphic designer I was blown away by the technical know how and scope of the work accomplished.

The book is a real testament to the film and as a work of art itself it will make a fine addition to anyone's film library.

Zettai! and Kanji

It's no secret that Manga, Anime and all things Japanese are hugely popular here in the United States-especially with young people.  Cosplay is a favorite at conventions and Japanese products of all types are sure sellers at stores.

 

Stone Bridge Press provides its readers with the who, what, where, how and when of all things Japanese with its excellent reference compilations that explore Manga, Anime and the Japanese culture.

Two such books recently were released and they are 'must have' items for anyone serious about knowing more about The Land Of The Rising Sun, its people, customs and popular culture products.

Anime Classics Zettai!: 100 Must-See Japanese Animation Masterpieces, from Brian Camp and Julie Davis, is a perfect introduction to Anime for the novice.

The thick, square-bound book is filled with descriptions of the classic Anime, their storylines, characters and significance.  Black and white screenshots accompany most descriptions, conveniently arranged in alphabetical order.

Crazy for Kanji, compiled by Eve Kushner, offers A Student's Guide to the Wonderful World of Japanese Characters.

Learning the Japanese language is not easy, especially for those of us raised in the West.  If the language was not hard enough, learning the meaning of Kanji (Japanese written characters) is mind-boggling!

Never fear, this new book breaks down Kanji to their roots, explains their meanings, both literally and culturally, and provides clever games and exercises to help learn each.

Crazy for Kanji is more than just learning about characters, it's an exercise about learning about Japan, its people, places, culture and much more.

Grelin, El Gunto, Yeagle and Andreae

As citizens of the United States we as people, on the whole, tend to think of ourselves as the center of the civilized world, especially when it comes to the arts.

 

As a country comprised of immigrates you would think we would appreciate our European ancestries.  Sadly, most Americans do not.

Art, especially illustrated art and in particular cartoon/comic book/commercial art, is NOT the exclusive property of the United States and its artists.

Some of the most incredible art is coming out of Europe in all those aforementioned areas and as Americans we need to pay attention.

Comix Buro has a wonderful series of books under the umbrella banner of Sketchbooks. The small, square-bound, full-color books contain some of the best of the best of contemporary European art by some of the best known names in the business.

Simply referred to by their last names, four new Sketchbook collections, consist of work by El Gunto, Grelin, Andreae and Yeagle.  All are excellent draftsmen and artists-especially when it comes to the female figure.

All are adept at fantasy illustration, conventional and computer generated work and demonstrate an astonishing range in their work.

Yeagle's work looks so fluid that the figures practically jump off the page-especially his picky-ish girls.  Andreae has mastered computer coloring and character and their attire. 

Grelin's work is slightly more angular and realistic with bold compositions and innovative comic book panel layouts and El Gunto shows his incredible versatility as an artist from simple cartoon to polished computer rendered illustrations.

All of the Sketchbooks are a joy to look at and contain enough eye candy to satisfy the sweet tooth of any illustration fan.

The Alluring Art of Margaret Brundage Queen of Pulp Pin-Up Art

I have a confession to make:  I did not know who Margaret Brundage was.  I'd heard of her name and her association with Pulp magazines but that was about the extent of my knowledge of her.

 

After looking through and reading The Alluring Art of Margaret Brundage Queen of Pulp Pin-Up Art, written and compiled by Stephen  D. Korshak and J. David Spurlock and published by Vanguard Productions, I've come to admire and respect her work.

She was a pioneer.  She was the first woman to paint the cover of such notable Pulp magazines as Oriental Stories, Magic Carpet and most notably Weird Tales (for which she did most of her covers).

Her lush, erotic, exotic and controversial cover art walked the fine line between fantasy and fetish.  Most of her work centered around beautiful women-most in peril and hinting at bondage.
Much like her work, Margaret's personal life was steeped in mystery and speculation.  Elusive and unconventional Margaret was as provocative as her smoldering, semi-nude depictions of women.

Adept at painting horror and fantasy her paintings were as much pin-ups as cover art.
Bohemian by nature she was part of an unconventional couple who together changed the face of Pulp magazine art.

Part art gallery and part biography, the book delves into Brundage's life from an early aspiring artist to her final days.  

Lush, full color, full page reproductions of the lion's share of her Pulp magazine covers and black and white and pencil illustrations are included as well as vintage photos of the artist and her contemporaries.

Brundage was the first painter of Conan and a pioneer in the Pulp magazine cover profession.

Back Issue! #65, July

A lot of people love comic books from the Gold and Silver Ages.  When comic books were going through a change to fit the new distribution of magazines and the shrinking comic book demographics comic book companies began to push the boundaries of what comic books were about.

Most of these radical changes happened in the Bronze Age.  Many of the Modern Age key characters seen in comic books today were introduced during the Bronze Age and to me I enjoyed the Bronze Age titles as much as the Silver Age books.

Back Issue! #65, from TwoMorrows Publishing, takes a good hard look at this important age with its Bronze Age 'B' Team issue.  Here's what you can expect to read about: 

BACK SEAT DRIVER: Editorial by Michael Eury 

FLASHBACK: The Not-Ready-for-Super-Team Players: The Defenders

·              An issue-by-issue look at Marvel’s non-team, with creator commentary galore

FLASHBACK: “We’ll Keep on Fighting ’til the End”: The Champions

·              Why did this Marvel super-group struggle to maintain an audience?

FLASH FORWARD: Explore the Marvel Universe of the 31st Century with the
Guardians of the Galaxy

·              A cavalcade of stars discusses Marvel’s futuristic fighters—soon to become a major motion picture!

THE DOOM PATROL INTERVIEWS

·              Behind-the-scenes chats with four storytellers of DC’s World’s Strangest Heroes

o            Arnold Drake

o            Paul Kupperberg

o            Steve Lightle

o            Erik Larsen 

Bonus Pinup by Richard Case 

FLASHBACK: Go West, Young Heroes: Titans West

·              Teen Titans in La-La Land

FLASHBACK: Inhuman Nature

·              The genetics, social science, and superhero evolution behind the Fantastic Four spin-off

WHAT THE--?!: The Legion of Substitute Heroes in the Spotlight

·              These wannabes play second fiddle to Bouncing Boy, for goodness sake!

OFF MY CHEST: X-Factor vs. X-Factor

·              A look at the role of identity in Peter David’s X-series

BACK TALK

·              Letters on BI #60

Alter Ego #118, July

Here's a quick lowdown on what you can expect in Alter Ego for July.  As always articles are complemented by lots of full color and black and white artwork.

Writer/Editorial: Of Peaks and Panthers


Daredevil Vs. The Avengers

·              Will Murray explores the likelihood that the Man without Fear was due to come out first!

Assembling The Avengers

·              Kurt Mitchell takes a look at the first decade of Marvel’s real answer to the Justice League.

The Origin Of Jack Kirby’s Black Panther

·              An art-essay by Arlen Schumer on Marvel’s (and the U.S. comics industry’s) first black super-hero.

E.C. Stoner – The Forgotten Trailblazer

·              Ken Quattro surveys the career of an early African-American comic book artist.

Mr. Monster’s Comic Crypt! Evil Twins Two

·              Michael T. Gilbert points out the doppelgängers of Gabby Hayes & Casper the Friendly Ghost.

Comic Fandom Archive: “I Started To Remember…” . . . . . 61

·              Bill Schelly invites Bernie Bubnis to tell us about the first comics convention—& Steve Ditko.

re: [correspondence, criticism, & corrections]


FCA [Fawcett Collectors Of America] #177

·              P.C. Hamerlinck presents the last comics story ever drawn by Marc Swayze.

TwoMorrows Publishing

Robot Chicken DC Comics Special

It had to happen.  Adult Swim's Robot Chicken just had to take on DC Comics and the results are hilarious.

 

Stop-motion animation sketches take playful jabs at such famous DC Comics icons as Aquaman, Batman, Green Lantern, Superman and a host of other famous DC superheroes and super villaiins.

Nothing is sacred when such famous personalities as Neil Patrick Harris, Megan Fox, Alfred Mollina and others offer their own unique takes on DC Comics characters.

It's brash, sassy, slightly askew and loads of fun.

Look for the Robot Chicken DC Comics Special from Warner Bros. on Blu-ray and DVD.  Extras include a 'Making of' special, commentaries, outtakes, deleted scenes and other silliness, including a DC Entertainment Tour.

Regular Show: The Complete First & Second Seasons

For the last couple of years I've listened to my high school students go on and on about a Cartoon Network show called the Regular Show.  Since I didn't have cable (and very little free time) I was not familiar with the show.

 

The Regular Show?  Sounded innocent enough.  But why would a bunch of high school students watch something as mundane as the Regular Show? 

Curious I listened to their conversations and became even more confused.  The show is about two slacker ground-keepers.  One is a blue jay and  the other is a raccoon?  Their boss is a anthropomorphic gumball machine?  Other characters are a lollipop, a yeti, a muscle man, a ghost and other strange creatures?

Wait a minute! There's nothing regular about this show at all!  I had to find out more.  Fortunately I was able to get my hands on the Regular Show: The Complete First & Second Seasons Blu-ray courtesy of the Cartoon Network and Warner Bros.

Immediately I was intrigued by the Blu-ray cover: a family portrait (of sorts).  I popped in the Blu-ray and after a few animated episodes I was hooked!  The Regular Show is a hilarious and imaginative romp of imagination where anything is possible!  

There is nothing 'regular' about it.  I haven't had this much fun watching an animated show since I was a kid raised during the 1960s when Beanie and Cecil, Rocky and Bullwinkle and some of the offbeat Hanna Barbara shows ruled the Saturday morning airways.

Is it any wonder that the show garnered an Emmy Award!?  It's good-very good!  So, for something totally irregular be sure to pick up a copy of Regular Show: The Complete First & Second Seasons Blu-ray.  

Did I mention that the Blu-ray Combo also included lots of extra features such as commentaries, an interviews and much more? Well, now I have! 

Zits Chillax

Everyone needs to get zits.  No, no , not that kind of zits!  I'm talking about Jerry Scott's and Jim Borgman's award-winning, popular comic strip Zits starring everyone's favorite slacker Jeremy Duncan. 

Jeremy finds himself in an unusual situation.  For the first time he is going to his first real rock concert (Gingivitis) with his friend Hector.

Unfortunately their friend Tim has to stay behind to donate bone marrow for his cancer-ridden mother.

So...Jeremy and Hector decide to have the best time ever at the concert-for Tim.  But as with all things Jeremy, things get a little out of hand.  Hector and Jeremy decide to sneak backstage and take a few photos.  What they wind up doing far exceeds their wildest imaginations.

When they arrive back home they have a huge surprise for Tim and his mother.

Zit Chillax is classic Jeremy.  Bumbling, stumbling, awkward, self-centered and indecisive are just a few words to describe Jeremy and his friends.  

Sounds like typical teenagers to me and I should know-I raised two and teach at a local high school.

Teen drama is all around and Zits captures it perfectly.  Zits fits teenage misfits and you can thank Harper Teen!

Wolverine: Origin

From Shout! Factory's Marvel Knight Animation comes the greatest story 'never' told:  Wolverine: Origin.

 

Everyone's favorite Marvel Comics' Canuckle Head, Canadian superhero: Wolverine, had his origin hid for years.  No one knew of his early years.  In fact, no one knew how old Wolverine was, what his name was and how he obtained his healing factor and claws.

In the ground-breaking, maxi-series, Wolverine: Origin, put out several years ago, readers were given a first-person perspective on how Wolverine 'Logan' or "James Howlett' became the man, or mutant, he is today.

I prefer to refer to the maxi-series as an 'Origin(s)' story because it involves not only Wolverine's birth but the birth of Sabretooth and a certain young woman near and dear to both Sabretooth and Wolverine. 

Marvel Knight Animation has translated the story over to an intense new animated film that captures the look and feel of the maxi-series and ups the amps with a stellar voice cast, music, sound effects, visual effects and more.

Previews, July

New Diamond Previews merchandise for July:
 
COMIC BOOKS & GRAPHIC NOVELS
COW BOY VOLUME 2: UNCONQUERABLE GN l ARCHAIA ENTERTAINMENT LLC
AFTERLIFE WITH ARCHIE #1 l ARCHIE COMIC PUBLICATIONS
GOD IS DEAD #1 l AVATAR PRESS INC
THE SIMPSONS’ TREEHOUSE OF HORROR #19 l BONGO COMICS
SONS OF ANARCHY #1 l BOOM! STUDIOS
RASL COMPLETE HC l CARTOON BOOKS
KINGS WATCH #1 l D. E./DYNAMITE ENTERTAINMENT
CODENAME: ACTION #1 l D. E./DYNAMITE ENTERTAINMENT
THE ART OF SEAN PHILLIPS HC l D. E./DYNAMITE ENTERTAINMENT
CO-MIX RETROSPECTIVE SPIEGELMAN HC l DRAWN & QUARTERLY
BOXERS GN l :01 FIRST SECOND
SAINTS GN l :01 FIRST SECOND
SAILOR MOON: SHORT STORIES VOLUME 1 GN l KODANSHA COMICS
WORLD OF WARCRAFT TRIBUTE SC l UDON ENTERTAINMENT CORP
ETERNAL WARRIOR #1 l VALIANT ENTERTAINMENT LLC
POKEMON POCKET COMICS: BLACK & WHITE GN l VIZ MEDIA LLC
GRIMM FAIRY TALES HALLOWEEN SPECIAL 2013 l ZENESCOPE ENTERTAINMENT INC

BOOKS & MAGAZINES
MARVEL CHRONICLE YEAR BY YEAR HC l COMICS
DOCTOR WHO: ESSENTIAL GUIDE TO 50 YEARS OF DOCTOR WHO l DOCTOR WHO
NEIL GAIMAN: FORTUNATELY THE MILK HC l NEIL GAIMAN
THE WALKING DEAD BOOK 3: THE FALL OF THE GOVERNOR HC l WALKING DEAD
TRADING CARDS
TOPPS 2013 CHROME FOOTBALL TRADING CARDS l TOPPS COMPANY
ARCHER SEASON 1-4 TRADING CARDS l CRYPTOZOIC ENTERTAINMENT
MARS ATTACKS: INVASION TRADING CARDS l TOPPS COMPANY

APPAREL
THE WALKING DEAD: I GOT THIS T-SHIRT l PREVIEWS EXCLUSIVE WEAR
ARMY OF DARKNESS: S-MART WORK SHIRT l PREVIEWS EXCLUSIVE WEAR
A.I.M. LOGO YELLOW T-SHIRT l PREVIEWS EXCLUSIVE WEAR
HERO BREAKOUT: NEW 52 SUPERMAN SNAP BACK CAP l PREVIEWS EXCLUSIVE WEAR
HERO BREAKOUT: NEW 52 WONDER WOMAN SNAP BACK CAP l PREVIEWS EXCLUSIVE WEAR
STAR TREK: JOIN STARFLEET WHITE T-SHIRT l PREVIEWS EXCLUSIVE WEAR
STARK INDUSTRIES R&D DEPT. NAVY T-SHIRT l PREVIEWS EXCLUSIVE WEAR
MORBIUS BLACK T-SHIRT l PREVIEWS EXCLUSIVE WEAR
FRANKENCASTLE: MONSTER PARTY BLACK T-SHIRT l PREVIEWS EXCLUSIVE WEAR
GODZILLA: FIRE STARTER BLACK HOODIE l PREVIEWS EXCLUSIVE WEAR
GODZILLA: GREETINGS FROM MONSTER ISLE T-SHIRT l PREVIEWS EXCLUSIVE WEAR
CAPTAIN AMERICA: COMBINED ICONS WHITE T-SHIRT l PREVIEWS EXCLUSIVE WEAR
THOR: GOLDEN HAMMER GREY T-SHIRT l PREVIEWS EXCLUSIVE WEAR
TRANSFORMERS: ZOMBIE OPTIMUS GREY T-SHIRT l PREVIEWS EXCLUSIVE WEAR
SONS OF ANARCHY: R.I.P. OPIE BLACK T-SHIRT l PREVIEWS EXCLUSIVE WEAR
DOCTOR WHO: IT SEEMS TO ME HEATHER T-SHIRT l PREVIEWS EXCLUSIVE WEAR
DOCTOR WHO: TARDIS MOUNTAINS BLUE T-SHIRT l PREVIEWS EXCLUSIVE WEAR
STAR WARS: I’M NOT SORRY BLACK T-SHIRT l PREVIEWS EXCLUSIVE WEAR
SPIDER-MAN: KEEP CALM AND BE AMAZING RED T-SHIRT l PREVIEWS EXCLUSIVE WEAR
DEADPOOL: FLOOR POOL WHITE T-SHIRT l PREVIEWS EXCLUSIVE WEAR
WOLVERINE: BERZERKER SUN BLACK T-SHIRT l PREVIEWS EXCLUSIVE WEAR
BATMAN ‘66 SYMBOL T-SHIRT l GRAPHITTI DESIGNS
SANDMAN: MOONGLOW T-SHIRT l GRAPHITTI DESIGNS

TOYS & MODELS
AXE COP SERIES 1 4-INCH ACTION FIGURES l COMIC BOOK HEROES
MINI-MEZITZ BATMAN ‘66 BATMOBILE l DC HEROES
WOLVERINE LEGENDS 6-INCH FIGURES l MARVEL HEROES
BREAKING BAD: WALTER WHITE “BLUE HAZMAT” FIGURE l MOVIE/TV
LEGEND OF ZELDA: LINK PLUSH l VIDEO GAMES
THOR: SMASHING HAMMER STATUE l MARVEL HEROES
THE WALKING DEAD: SHERIFF GRIMES’ BADGE PROP REPLICA l WALKING DEAD
IMPORT TOYS
DC COMICS: SUPERMAN FOR TOMORROW ARTFX STATUE l KOTOBUKIYA
NARUTO: SHIPPUDEN KAKASHI HATAKE VERSION 2 G.E.M. PVC FIGURE l NARUTO
STAR WARS: JABBA THE HUTT 12-INCH TALKING PLUSH l STAR WARS
DAFT PUNK S.H.FIGUARTS FIGURES l TAMASHII NATIONS

COLLECTIBLES & NOVELTIES
ADVENTURE TIME: EPIC GASSY JAKE GAME l ADVENTURE TIME
DEADPOOL CHAIN WALLETS l MARVEL HEROES
FIREFLY: INDEPENDENCE FLAG l MOVIE/TV
THE WALKING DEAD MYSTERIO MINIS l WALKING DEAD
THE WALKING DEAD ROCKMASTER ELECTRIC GUITARS l WALKING DEAD
THE WALKING DEAD POLY GUITAR STRAPS l WALKING DEAD
THE WALKING DEAD LEATHER GUITAR STRAPS l WALKING DEAD

GAMES
ADVENTURE TIME CARD WARS GAME l CRYPTOZOIC ENTERTAINMENT
ARCHER BOARD GAME l CRYPTOZOIC ENTERTAINMENT
ASSASSIN’S CREED BOARD GAME l CRYPTOZOIC ENTERTAINMENT
ENDER’S GAME: BATTLE SCHOOL BOARD GAME l CRYPTOZOIC ENTERTAINMENT
THE HOBBIT: JOURNEY TO LONELY MOUNTAIN STRATEGY GAME l WIZKIDS/NECA
TRAINS & STATIONS STRATEGY GAME l WIZKIDS/NECA
DVDS & DIGITAL MEDIA
HIGH SCHOOL DXD THE SERIES BLU-RAY/ DVD l ANIME
ULTRA Q: THE COMPLETE SERIES DVD l ASIAN CINEMA
SWAMP THING BLU-RAY/ DVD l CULT CLASSICS
THE WALKING DEAD SEASON 3 l WALKING DEAD