Trevor Von Eeden’s Original Johnson
Posted by: Rich Watson on November 20, 2009 at 10:08 am
Longtime DC artist Trevor von Eeden has been putting together a biography of boxer Jack Johnson as a graphic novel. It’s due out next month. Here’s a piece on it from the New York Times.
Elba as Heimdall in Thor movie… Why?
Posted by: Rich Watson on November 20, 2009 at 12:24 am
Huh?
Oh boy, I can hear the fanboy complaints already. But you know what, this is one I have to question as well. The Gods of Asgard are part of Norse mythology. Even if there are black Norwegians out there somewhere (which I doubt, but I suppose anything’s possible), they’ve gotta be the tiniest of minorities.
This isn’t like Michael Clarke Duncan playing the Kingpin in Daredevil (which this will undoubtedly get compared to). Nothing in the Kingpin’s history as a character suggests he absolutely has to be white for the movie version, and plus, there are few good actors who have the size necessary to play the Kingpin. Heimdall, on the other hand, is a character from the mythology of a very specific culture, one known for its pale-skinned, fair-haired natives!
I’m really surprised at director Kenneth Brannagh for choosing political correctness over historical accuracy. I thought he was smarter than that. I’m sure we’ll get some BS in-story explanation about how “Heimdall” is from some obscure Moor-like tribe of Asgardians that live off in the mountains or something. And I’m sure Idris Elba’s a decent actor and will pull the role off competently, but this is nothing but a flimsy excuse to fill a quota.
(Left: “Heimdal,” by Danish artist Johan Lundbye, via Wikipedia.)
For your consideration
Posted by: Rich Watson on November 19, 2009 at 9:40 pm
Edi Gathegi in New Moon
Posted by: Rich Watson on November 18, 2009 at 10:40 am
“…I thought about that in the sense that there are no other blacks in the film, but when I was going out for the part, I didn’t ask how many people were going to be African American. I just auditioned for the role, and then I got it. There was actually some fan backlash when I got cast, because people didn’t see Laurent being black. In the book, he’s described at being olive-toned, and I decided to address the issue head on. I did an interview where I said, “The character is described as olive-toned, but there are many patches of olives. Black olives anyone?” I think the fans responded to that, and they immediately gave me an open reception after the interview. I think that they did a great job in casting colorblind, because it makes it more accessible to many groups of people, and for African Americans to see me in the film, they know that they are being represented.”
Lee, Fuqua to adapt Euro GN ‘Miss’
Posted by: Rich Watson on November 18, 2009 at 10:31 am
I actually have this book. I thought it was just okay, nothing special, when I initially read it and forgot about it afterwards. Looks like I’ll have to give it a reappraisal.
Zoe Saldana interview
Posted by: Rich Watson on November 17, 2009 at 11:45 am
“…In my entire career, [Avatar] was the most challenging role I’ve ever played. It just challenged me from head to toe. Not only did I have to become more in tune with my body and train for seven months to do this role, but it was also a mental thing where I had to dehumanize myself because I was playing a different species–not of a different country. I was from a different planet so it took a lot of time and it was the most amazing experience I ever had.”
stolen from Marc Bernardin’s FB page
Posted by: Rich Watson on November 17, 2009 at 11:13 am
Comics for November 18 and news
Posted by: Rich Watson on November 16, 2009 at 3:25 pm
NOLA #1
advance review @ Comics Bulletin
HuffPo article from earlier this year about post-Katrina New Orleans
This new comic set in the Big Easy is a revenge thriller.
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Also this week:
Azrael #2
Black Lightning Year One TP
War Machine #11
Gold Digger #112, GD Tech Manual #9. By Perry.
President Evil #3
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Also notable:
Dr. Horrible one-shot. Based on the popular web series by Joss Whedon.
Farscape #1. Based on the sci-fi TV series.
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The following DC books are advance-solicited, meaning they’ll appear in the February 2010 Previews but will go on sale in March 2010:
HARDWARE: THE MAN IN THE MACHINE TP
Advance-solicited • On sale March 24 • 192 pg, FC, $19.99 US
Written by Dwayne McDuffie
Art by Denys Cowan, J.J. Birch & others
Cover by Denys Cowan
This first-ever HARDWARE collection, featuring HARDWARE #1-8, introduces inventor/engineer Curt Metcalf whose high tech armor enables him to break free of his corrupt employer, mob connected businessman Edwin Alva.
FINAL CRISIS AFTERMATH: INK TP
Advance-solicited • On sale March 3 • 144 pg, FC, $17.99 US
Written by Eric Wallace
Art by Fabrizio Fiorentino Cover by Brian Stelfreeze
In this collection of the 6-issue miniseries, the Tattooed Man is considered a hero for the first time in his life. At first, it’s a welcome change, but things go from bad to worse when he finds his body covered in unfamiliar tattoos with lives of their own.
UNKNOWN SOLDIER VOL. 2: EASY KILL TP
Advance-solicited • On sale March 17 • 200 pg, FC, $17.99 US MATURE READERS
Written by Joshua Dysart
Art by Alberto Ponticelli & Pat Masioni
Cover by Dave Johnson
In this second volume, collecting issues #7-14 of the acclaimed series, a militant group makes the Unknown Soldier an offer: To focus the world’s attention on Africa’s problems, kill American celebrity Margaret Wells on Ugandan soil.
(In an unrelated aside, the 11″ x 17.5″ HC edition of Wednesday Comics is also being advance-solicited; it’s due May 26 and costs $49.99.)
Editor Axel Alonso (along with artist Scot Eaton) talk about the DoomWar mini-series, which will feature, among others, the Black Panther and Storm.
slightly off-topic: superhero migrant workers
Posted by: Rich Watson on November 15, 2009 at 2:01 pm
This is quite fascinating: in Washington, DC, there’s currently an exhibit at the Smith Farm Center of photos in which Mexican immigrants in New York are dressed up as superheroes, to underscore the hard work they do every day to support their families. Find out more here. The exhibit ends the 29th, so if you’re in the DC area, you might wanna give this a look.
Lennie James in The Prisoner
Posted by: Rich Watson on November 13, 2009 at 3:05 pm
“…147 is the taxi driver of The Village. He’s the first person that Jim Caviezel’s Six makes contact with, and through the episodes they befriend each other and build up a close friendship that has major effects on both of them. When you first meet 147, he is utterly content with his life in The Village. Then he meets Six, who is utterly discontent with his survival in The Village and his forced imprisonment, and together they have an effect on each other, which leads to some high drama and major changes in both their lives.”
