Newsarama: A Union - Can/Should It Happen In Comics?

See answers from Steve Niles, Robert Kirkman, Brad Meltzer, Peter David and many others.

As the strike by members of the Writer's Guild of America dominated discussions in the entertainment industry this week, Newsarama decided to utilize this month's question for 'The Q' to allow creators to share their opinions on whether writers in the comic book industry should form a similar union.

Earlier this week, Newsarama shared comments on the WGA strike by Brian K. Vaughan, who supported the idea of a union for comic book writers. But as he and others have pointed out, starting a union for creators in this industry has been tried before by creators like Arnold Drake and others – but none of those attempts have been successful.

So it's time for creators to sound off on the issue as we asked the question:

- Should comic book writers unionize? Could they unionize?

Paul Norris, R.I.P.

Paul Norris, who co-created the comic book character Aquaman, and who produced the Brick Bradford newspaper strip for a little over 35 years, died about four hours ago at the age of 93. He'd had a series of strokes in the last few months and had just been hospitalized for his most recent.

Paul was born April 26, 1914 in Greenville, Ohio. He studied at Midland Lutheran College and at the Dayton Art Institute before landing a job as an illustrator and cartoonist for the Dayton Daily News in 1936. Three years later, he assembled a portfolio of his best work and took it to New York in search of better prospects, which turned out to be comic books. No one, not even Paul, was ever certain what his first job was in that medium but by 1940, he was drawing for Prize Publications, where he launched several of their star strips — Yank and Doodle, Power Nelson and Futureman.

A year later, he was at DC Comics where his most memorable assignment was Aquaman, which he and editor-writer Mort Weisinger created. (DC now puts a 'created by Paul Norris' credit on all Aquaman comics. The absence of Weisinger's name is apparently a legal problem on DC's end, not a case of Norris squeezing out his former collaborator.) Paul also worked on, among others, the Sandman in Adventure Comics. He was the artist who revamped the character from his old costume — a business suit and a device that looked like a gas mask — and turned him, at editorial insistence, into a Batman knock-off. When Norris left the strip, Joe Simon and Jack Kirby took it over. During this period, Paul also worked on the Vic Jordan newspaper strip for the New York Daily PM.

Steranko to Hold Storytelling Workship

To highlight his personal appearance at the Big Apple National Con - Nov 17-18 at Manhattan's Penn Plaza Pavilion - comics icon JIM STERANKO has agreed to hold a MARATHON WORKSHOP spotlighting his internationally-celebrated specialty: MASTERING NARRATIVE TECHNIQUE. Voted by Wizard as the Fifth Most Influential Artist in comics' history, Steranko will reveal a host of spectacular storytelling techniques, tricks, and theories _from the basics to the ultra-sophisticated‹which he promises will enhance every attendee's understanding of the complex comics medium, fans and pros alike.

'This may be the last of my public seminars,' says Steranko, who has only heralded such ground-breaking how-to events once in every ten or more years. 'The National is such an important show, and one I've supported since it began under Mike Carbonaro's guidance, that it warrants this kind of special effort. Everyone interested in comics, film, animation, and electronic games will find an infinitely deeper comprehension about the architecture of narrative art and I'm talking about practical and efficient material that will expand the vision and experience of everyone ready, willing, and able to spend an afternoon with me.'

Steranko will be articulating many of the more than 100 narrative devices and techniques he developed during his career, from his SHIELD, X-MEN, and CAPTAIN AMERICA books to his film collaborations with Steven Spielberg, George Lucas, and Francis Coppola, which include DRACULA and RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK. The four-hour workshop will provide an extraordinary behind-the-scenes look at the creative process by one of America's premiere pop-culture legends. Attendance will be limited and early registration is recommended. Email thebigapplecon@yahoo.com or call 201-865-3288 for availability.

Every workshop attendee will receive a FREE Vanguard Steranko collectors item.

Mandrake The Magician Casting

Mandrake has long been a favorite character of mine. I didn't know that his strip still ran though, very interesting. I first ran across the character in Jules Pieffer's book The Comic Book Heroes as a kid.

I hope hope hope that this movie doesn't suck.

In an interesting bit of casting, Jonathan Rhys Meyers (The Tudors) will star in Omega Entertainment and Baldwin Entertainment Group’s Mandrake, based on the comic strip created by Lee Falk.

Chuck Russell (The Scorpion King, The Mask) will direct the film, which is set to shoot next year in China and the United States. Criss Angel reportedly has a role in the picture.

Mandrake the Magician debuted in newspapers 1934, and stars a tuxedo-clad stage illusionist who battles crime with his hypnotic abilities. The strip spawned comic books, radio and movie serials, a TV movie, and a co-starring role in an animated series.

Although nowhere near as popular as it was in the 1930s and '40s, the King Features strip still appears in newspapers.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, the film will update the comic and feature a Mandrake who is 'an extreme escape artist embroiled in international espionage.'

Happy Halloween From Adam Ant

I'm the dandy highwayman who you're too scared to mention
I spend my cash on looking flash and grabbing your attention
The devil take your stereo and your record collection!
The way you look you’ll qualify for next year's old age pension!

Stand and deliver your money or your life!
Try and use a mirror no bullet or a knife!

Wanted Trailer

So, the first trailer for Mark Millar's Wanted. It doesn't appear to have much in common with the comic though.

Japanese Vending Machines: Books & Earthquake Aid : Japan Probe

I wish that Americans were honest enough to have the same sort of vending machine culture that they have in Japan. I really think it would rock.

Here are two examples of what is new in the world of Japanese vending machines.

First we have a video of a new book vending machine at JR’s Ebisu Station. Some customers prefer buying books the old fashioned way, but a poll found that 75% find the new vending machine to be convenient.

Next we have a new model of Coca Cola vending machine that receives news signals and informs people of current events and weather on a news ticker. In the event of a major earthquake, such machines will get a special signal that makes them display emergency messages and converts them into free drink dispensers. There are already 10,000 machines of this type throughout Japan.

The linked article has links to a couple of (Japanese language) YouTube videos.

Four Color: Free and On RPGNow

Philip Reed's Four Color (4C) System is done and ready for the public!

This complete in 34 pages role-playing system is all that you need to launch your own adventures in super-hero universes. An emulator for an old MARVELous game, the new material and old material are all compatible and can be used in each game system.

Enjoy!

Beyond the Groovy Age of Horror

Here's a cool little blog that I found when I was trying to Google up some information on a cheesy 60s "Black Magic" English horror novel that I picked up cheap a while back.

If you're wondering, the book is The Curse of Rathlaw by Peter Saxon (which was apparently a publisher's house name) dealing with a group called THE GUARDIANS who fought against Black Magic and the Dark Arts.

It's actually pretty good. Eventually I'll have to see if I can track down others in the series.

But regardless, check out this site. Not only does it has some good stuff about 60s-70s horror but it's got the goods on the pulps and various hardboiled/noir writings as well. I know that there are readers of this blog that are interested in that stuff as well.

Games for the Brain

In case you're bored.