You can find more of Jay's artwork at: http://jayapayne.deviantart.com/
Enjoy...
March 25, 2009
Mr. Jay Payne
Artist/Co-Creator, Jay Payne wanted to share some additional material he's been working on for "Bamn." This is mostly promotional materials and some random dickery.
March 23, 2009
Taken
TAKEN
Starring Liam Neeson, Famke Jansen, and
Directed by Pierre Morel
Written by Robert Mark Kamen and Luc Besson
It’s kind of an understood thing that action films --- as much as I do love them --- tend to lack in their depiction of genuine drama. Now, there are always exceptions to this (Don’t act like the bromantic bathroom exchanges in “Lethal Weapon 2” aren’t affecting), but more often than not, action films don’t have to generate any emotions outside of excitement. “Taken” has plenty of excitement (for certain) but its biggest detractor is the film’s irritating plot device.
Liam Neeson plays. Top-ranking “preventer” Bryan Mills. Now divorced, Mills’ past has destroyed his family life forcing him to settle into reminiscent poker nights with his fellow retirees. However, he is not estranged from his re-married wife and their daughter Kim (Maggie Grace)...in fact, he tends to be over-imposing. When Kim decides to travel abroad, Bryan’s world-weary secret serviceman kicks in. He’s completely opposed to the idea of his young girl traveling through France without a chaperone. Ultimately and dishonestly, Kim leaves the country and get’s kidnapped in the process. Bryan, proven correct in his concern, sets out to find his little Nemo by shooting and asking questions simultaneously.
The meat of “Taken” is awesome! Neeson takes to the streets of France with the obsession and the discipline of a man who trained Batman. Yet, it is the baguette that makes “Taken” a stale experience…
Before the story gets to all the bad-ass car chases, electro-shocks, and knife-juggling, you have to (briefly) slog through opening and closing scenes where a blatant 20-something (Grace) pretends to be Neeson’s teenage daughter. It’s almost embarrassing to watch her enthusiasm as she runs around in her Lolita dress squeaking for her father. It takes away from a film that seems so at home with violence and so uncertain about depicting a family dynamic. Still, if I’m going to take the earlier stance that an action film just needs to excite then writers Robert Mark Kamen (co-writer of “Fifth Elelement”) and Luc Besson (director and writer of “The Professional” and “The Fifth Element” ) are allowed to come up short in the human drama area --- especially when their subtext could never be clearer: STAY THE F@CK OUT OF FRANCE!
Starring Liam Neeson, Famke Jansen, and
Directed by Pierre Morel
Written by Robert Mark Kamen and Luc Besson
It’s kind of an understood thing that action films --- as much as I do love them --- tend to lack in their depiction of genuine drama. Now, there are always exceptions to this (Don’t act like the bromantic bathroom exchanges in “Lethal Weapon 2” aren’t affecting), but more often than not, action films don’t have to generate any emotions outside of excitement. “Taken” has plenty of excitement (for certain) but its biggest detractor is the film’s irritating plot device.
Liam Neeson plays. Top-ranking “preventer” Bryan Mills. Now divorced, Mills’ past has destroyed his family life forcing him to settle into reminiscent poker nights with his fellow retirees. However, he is not estranged from his re-married wife and their daughter Kim (Maggie Grace)...in fact, he tends to be over-imposing. When Kim decides to travel abroad, Bryan’s world-weary secret serviceman kicks in. He’s completely opposed to the idea of his young girl traveling through France without a chaperone. Ultimately and dishonestly, Kim leaves the country and get’s kidnapped in the process. Bryan, proven correct in his concern, sets out to find his little Nemo by shooting and asking questions simultaneously.
The meat of “Taken” is awesome! Neeson takes to the streets of France with the obsession and the discipline of a man who trained Batman. Yet, it is the baguette that makes “Taken” a stale experience…
Before the story gets to all the bad-ass car chases, electro-shocks, and knife-juggling, you have to (briefly) slog through opening and closing scenes where a blatant 20-something (Grace) pretends to be Neeson’s teenage daughter. It’s almost embarrassing to watch her enthusiasm as she runs around in her Lolita dress squeaking for her father. It takes away from a film that seems so at home with violence and so uncertain about depicting a family dynamic. Still, if I’m going to take the earlier stance that an action film just needs to excite then writers Robert Mark Kamen (co-writer of “Fifth Elelement”) and Luc Besson (director and writer of “The Professional” and “The Fifth Element” ) are allowed to come up short in the human drama area --- especially when their subtext could never be clearer: STAY THE F@CK OUT OF FRANCE!
March 19, 2009
Self-Reflection
Yeah, that's me. Personally white leggings aren't my bag --- especially seeing how sweaty it gets down there when I'm leaping rooftops...
I think it says "The Mad Hot Executive" behind my massive 'fro. Does that mean I got bit by a sun burned AIG exec?
Make your own: http://www.cpbintegrated.com/theherofactory/
I think it says "The Mad Hot Executive" behind my massive 'fro. Does that mean I got bit by a sun burned AIG exec?March 18, 2009
Horrors of War Preview Art
Switching it up this week. I figured I'd treat you kids to a preview page of "Disposable Heroes," A short story by the Bamn crew. It is slated to be featured in the "The Horrors of War" anthology book, presented by Dr. Dremo's Taphouse (R.I.P.) and the fine people of the DC Conspiracy.
The premise for the short is based on a true life account...but, yes, that is a Star Wars homage that you are seeing below. The story revolves around SPC Sergio Estavia's experience on Christmas during the Iraqi general election. A seeminlgy quiet evening for his convoy gives way to a fiery act of revenge.
Jay did the layouts, David did the final art, and I (me) did the typos. The book is due for an April release and will be available in comic shops around the D.C., Maryland, Virginia.
You can find out more here: http://dcconspiracy.com/
-Troy
The premise for the short is based on a true life account...but, yes, that is a Star Wars homage that you are seeing below. The story revolves around SPC Sergio Estavia's experience on Christmas during the Iraqi general election. A seeminlgy quiet evening for his convoy gives way to a fiery act of revenge.
Jay did the layouts, David did the final art, and I (me) did the typos. The book is due for an April release and will be available in comic shops around the D.C., Maryland, Virginia.
You can find out more here: http://dcconspiracy.com/
Click for a larger image.
-TroyMarch 17, 2009
Black People Love Us
About 2 years ago, I read a book by satirist damali ayo (yes, her name is in lower case). It was called "How To Rent A Negro." It quickly become one of my favorite reads. The book was a self-help guide for White people who wanted to improve their social standing by having African-American friends. It's double-edged humor was right up my alley. Highly suggested.
Well, it appears that someone else enjoyed the smirky writings of ayo, going as far as to create a site paying tribute to a pair guffawing yuppies who soak up the company of their Black friends!
It's hilarious to read some of the confused responses of the site's visitors!
CLICKITY-CLICK:
March 13, 2009
Facehead
My Mom (Am I 'sposed to say "God bless her" if she ain't dead?) called me up about this article from the front page of The Washington Post.
Her words, not mine: "It's about 'Facehead.'"
Turns out the article is about Facebook and an unfortunate lass whose last name is "BatMan."
I'm not sure if Mother Era thought I wanted to read this because she figures I like comics and the article mentions BatMan, or because she knows I have a Facebook. But how and why would she know the latter? She can't even operate the Fios remote.
AnyDamnway, it's a humorous little piece that was anchored on to the bottom front page of Thursday's paper.
Enjoy: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/03/04/AR2009030404159.html?hpid=topnews
P.S.
Speaking of Narcissism...y'know...I was in the Post once.Well I was.
March 12, 2009
Watchmen: The Animated Series
Got this from Coolsville, USA. It's hilarious only if you know the book (okay, okay, and if you saw the movie). The bit that got me is Veidt saving The Comedian.
As some one pointed out on the site's forums, "This is what Alan Moore sees in his nightmares."
As some one pointed out on the site's forums, "This is what Alan Moore sees in his nightmares."
March 11, 2009
Getting to Know You with Ron Cristobal
FROM BAMNCAN.COM:
In an attempt to create content for this little corner of the internet, I got the obvious idea to interview Bamn’s creative team.
Below are the highlights from a pair of interviews I threw from one side of the web to the other. Jay, Ron, and Dave caught them via e-mail and responded with a collection of typos that seem like responses to my questions (I know, I shouldn’t talk about typos).
Up next is…Ron Cristobal! (Ron actually gave the best interview of the 4 of us) Ron is Bamn’s editor, musician, and soon to be M.D. What’s he doing making a comic book? I dunno, but we are lucky to have him.
(Be sure to click on the previous blogs to read any other interviews you may have missed.)
-Troy
What is Bamn about?
It’s about sex, money, and murder. It’s about life
What is your role in Bamn?
I am the editor of Bamn. I’m not sure if I’m really qualified to do this (laughs)…but I did ALOT of writing and proofreading of other people’s writing in high school/college/grad school. Like the other guys, I have a love for comics and pro-wrestling….so I mostly know where they are coming from in terms of the art and writing. The guys use my place as one of their meeting places to discuss the direction of the book, and I’ll throw in my own two-cents from time to time. I feel like we are like the guys in HBO’s “Flight of the Conchords”, but smarter…not by much, admittedly, but still smarter.
Now that issue #1 is available (http://www.comixpress.com/), what would you have done different?
I probably would have had more Filipino characters and probably more scenes of girls in bikinis… They wouldn’t listen to me, but hey at least I get to look at the grammar and sentence structures of the characters. There’s still time to incorporate more Filipino characters and bikini scenes, guys!
Which character in Bamn do you identify with the most?
As a child, I probably would have identified with Art the best. Even though he knows what the wrestling business is all about (i.e., predetermined outcomes, drugs, sex, etc), he still seems to have a child-like wonderment about Pro Wrestling that I think all of us had or still have.
What was SPX like?
I thought it was AWESOME, and I wish I had been there for more of the days. It was really great seeing the creative community of the Tri-State area.
Any good indy stuff (besides your own) that you got from SPX?
A lot of good free stuff. I picked up “Scars and Bars” by William Rees and Jason Moser and was really impressed at the quality of the book – great packaging, great art and writing. They could have used me as an editor, though because there were quite a few typos (laughs). But that was one of the best things I’ve read, independent-wise.
What comics are you reading right now?
My favorite book right now is “Wolverine: Old Man Logan” by Mark Millar and Steve McNiven. It’s just unnerving to see Wolverine as a broken-down pacifist who won’t fight anybody. Reminds me of Clint Eastwood in “Unforgiven”.
I also love Mark Millar and Bryan Hitch’s take on the Fantastic Four. Hitch is the best artist going today and Millar’s writing is excellent as ever.
During the past year, I also really enjoyed “Avengers: The Initiative”, and “The Immortal Iron Fist”. I’m also looking forward to “War of Kings” – Black Bolt is a badass!
Besides eat, poop, and sleep, what do you do when you’re not working on Bamn?
Well, I’m currently finishing up medical school and looking to go into child/adolescent psychiatry, someday. I’m somewhat of a musician and will sit in at jazz-bars, and I’ve also had the good fortune of playing around the area in different bands. I have even performed at the 930 Club, twice! Because of school, I really haven’t been that musically-active this year, but may have a big show coming up in April. I’ll keep you all informed.
Why a wrestling comic? Those never work.
Why NOT a wrestling comic book? I don’t think there’s ever been a comic book that makes note of the behind-the-scenes stuff like this book does. And it’s a great story about a man trying to find his self-respect, again. I know it’s kind of been done with “The Wrestler”, but I’ve known these guys for a while and they had this idea down well-before Mickey Rourke’s movie. The best way I’d describe the book is “The Wrestler” meets “Buffy The Vampire Slayer” meets “The Bad News Bears” meets “The Karate Kid”. Sound interesting? Check out the book!
Do you remember The WWF comic books from Chaos? They were godawful.
That must have been one of the short periods in my life when I wasn’t into comics. I remember Undertaker having one of his own books, though.
Did you ever Backyard wrestle?
No, but my brother and I used to love to perform wrestling maneuvers on my sister’s oversized, 4-foot teddy bear…poor thing. I also used to put my brother in the Figure-four-leg-lock. In college, I was known to powerbomb my poor college friends onto various articles of furniture. And I even put my college roommate in the Human Torture Rack (Lex Luger’s finisher, and also the most useless move in pro-wrestling).
What was that like?
It definitely entertained our friends.
Did you have a gimmick or wrestling name?
If I did, it would have been the Filipino Machino.
Anybody get hurt?
Putting the Figure-four Leg Lock on someone hurts you just as much as it hurts the other guy!
You remember the first comic you ever read?
It was either a comic book adaptation of Tarzan or a “Just Say No to Drugs and Smoking” book that featured Power-Man, Iron-Fist, and Spiderman.* One of those books had a free-subscription thing you could send out for 12 issues and I ended up choosing “Power Man and Iron-fist” for my first series. I chose it mainly because it sounded cool (laughs), but it was so well-written. It even delved into serious issues like terminal cancer, which you normally wouldn’t read about in a comic book in those days.
Some general questions…
Favorite color?
Green
Below are the highlights from a pair of interviews I threw from one side of the web to the other. Jay, Ron, and Dave caught them via e-mail and responded with a collection of typos that seem like responses to my questions (I know, I shouldn’t talk about typos).
Up next is…Ron Cristobal! (Ron actually gave the best interview of the 4 of us) Ron is Bamn’s editor, musician, and soon to be M.D. What’s he doing making a comic book? I dunno, but we are lucky to have him.
(Be sure to click on the previous blogs to read any other interviews you may have missed.)
-Troy
What is Bamn about?
It’s about sex, money, and murder. It’s about life
What is your role in Bamn?
I am the editor of Bamn. I’m not sure if I’m really qualified to do this (laughs)…but I did ALOT of writing and proofreading of other people’s writing in high school/college/grad school. Like the other guys, I have a love for comics and pro-wrestling….so I mostly know where they are coming from in terms of the art and writing. The guys use my place as one of their meeting places to discuss the direction of the book, and I’ll throw in my own two-cents from time to time. I feel like we are like the guys in HBO’s “Flight of the Conchords”, but smarter…not by much, admittedly, but still smarter.
Now that issue #1 is available (http://www.comixpress.com/), what would you have done different?
I probably would have had more Filipino characters and probably more scenes of girls in bikinis… They wouldn’t listen to me, but hey at least I get to look at the grammar and sentence structures of the characters. There’s still time to incorporate more Filipino characters and bikini scenes, guys!
Which character in Bamn do you identify with the most?
As a child, I probably would have identified with Art the best. Even though he knows what the wrestling business is all about (i.e., predetermined outcomes, drugs, sex, etc), he still seems to have a child-like wonderment about Pro Wrestling that I think all of us had or still have.
What was SPX like?
I thought it was AWESOME, and I wish I had been there for more of the days. It was really great seeing the creative community of the Tri-State area.
Any good indy stuff (besides your own) that you got from SPX?
A lot of good free stuff. I picked up “Scars and Bars” by William Rees and Jason Moser and was really impressed at the quality of the book – great packaging, great art and writing. They could have used me as an editor, though because there were quite a few typos (laughs). But that was one of the best things I’ve read, independent-wise.
What comics are you reading right now?
My favorite book right now is “Wolverine: Old Man Logan” by Mark Millar and Steve McNiven. It’s just unnerving to see Wolverine as a broken-down pacifist who won’t fight anybody. Reminds me of Clint Eastwood in “Unforgiven”.
I also love Mark Millar and Bryan Hitch’s take on the Fantastic Four. Hitch is the best artist going today and Millar’s writing is excellent as ever.
During the past year, I also really enjoyed “Avengers: The Initiative”, and “The Immortal Iron Fist”. I’m also looking forward to “War of Kings” – Black Bolt is a badass!
Besides eat, poop, and sleep, what do you do when you’re not working on Bamn?
Well, I’m currently finishing up medical school and looking to go into child/adolescent psychiatry, someday. I’m somewhat of a musician and will sit in at jazz-bars, and I’ve also had the good fortune of playing around the area in different bands. I have even performed at the 930 Club, twice! Because of school, I really haven’t been that musically-active this year, but may have a big show coming up in April. I’ll keep you all informed.
Why a wrestling comic? Those never work.
Why NOT a wrestling comic book? I don’t think there’s ever been a comic book that makes note of the behind-the-scenes stuff like this book does. And it’s a great story about a man trying to find his self-respect, again. I know it’s kind of been done with “The Wrestler”, but I’ve known these guys for a while and they had this idea down well-before Mickey Rourke’s movie. The best way I’d describe the book is “The Wrestler” meets “Buffy The Vampire Slayer” meets “The Bad News Bears” meets “The Karate Kid”. Sound interesting? Check out the book!
Do you remember The WWF comic books from Chaos? They were godawful.
That must have been one of the short periods in my life when I wasn’t into comics. I remember Undertaker having one of his own books, though.
Did you ever Backyard wrestle?
No, but my brother and I used to love to perform wrestling maneuvers on my sister’s oversized, 4-foot teddy bear…poor thing. I also used to put my brother in the Figure-four-leg-lock. In college, I was known to powerbomb my poor college friends onto various articles of furniture. And I even put my college roommate in the Human Torture Rack (Lex Luger’s finisher, and also the most useless move in pro-wrestling).
What was that like?
It definitely entertained our friends.
Did you have a gimmick or wrestling name?
If I did, it would have been the Filipino Machino.
Anybody get hurt?
Putting the Figure-four Leg Lock on someone hurts you just as much as it hurts the other guy!
You remember the first comic you ever read?
It was either a comic book adaptation of Tarzan or a “Just Say No to Drugs and Smoking” book that featured Power-Man, Iron-Fist, and Spiderman.* One of those books had a free-subscription thing you could send out for 12 issues and I ended up choosing “Power Man and Iron-fist” for my first series. I chose it mainly because it sounded cool (laughs), but it was so well-written. It even delved into serious issues like terminal cancer, which you normally wouldn’t read about in a comic book in those days.
Some general questions…
Favorite color?
Green
Favorite character?
Hulk
Favorite movie?
If I had to name one, it would be John Woo’s “The Killer”. I actually wanted to be Chow Yun-Fat in high school. I even dressed like him on occasion…with the sunglasses and trenchcoat. Although today if you dress like that, it’s not a good look. People think you will go Columbine on people or whatever. Other movies include “Coming to America”, “Anchorman”, “Rocky”, “Halloween”, “Terminator 1 and 2”, “Tropic Thunder”, and all Zombie Movies.
Favorite penciller?
Without a doubt, Dale Keown. His version of the Hulk in the 90’s will forever be the version I know and love. That dude has an imagination; I just wish he would stay off the drugs and come back to work full-time! I also am a big fan of Bryan Hitch and John Cassaday, and Stefano Caselli
Favorite musician?
Stevie Wonder, Clifford Brown (Jazz Trumpeter), James Brown, Jay-Z, and Jeff Buckley
Favorite wrestler?
As a child I was a big fan of Dynamite Kid (one of the original British Bulldogs). He was so intense in the ring and he made it look REAL. So when I grew up…and I may catch some hell for admitting this today….but I really took to Chris Benoit. He looked and wrestled just like Dynamite Kid x 100! He was not very good on the mic, but he certainly let his wrestling do the talking. It’s just so f’d up what happened with him and his family. Truthfully, after the whole Benoit thing, I kind of got away from pro-wrestling for a bit. But I’m kind of getting back into it…and helping edit a pro-wrestling comic book certainly helps one get back into pro-wrestling, too! I was also a big fan of The Great Muta, Sting, Ric Flair, the Road Warriors, and Booker T/Harlem Heat. I guess you could say I was a big WCW/NWA fan.
What is the meaning of life?
To crush your enemies…see them driven before you…and to hear the lamentation of their women! Haha…I wish I could take credit for that, but that is Conan from “Conan the Barbarian.”
If you could blow somebody up who would it be?
I don’t have that type of ill-will towards anybody. But I would love to tie up some deserving people to the “Tree of Woe” as the American Dream, Dusty Rhoades would say.
Where can we find you online?
Hit me up on facebook (Ronald Cristobal) or check some of my music out at www.myspace.com/ronaman35 . I haven’t had time to write a lot of music lately, but will hopefully be updating the site, soon.
(*Troy’s note: “I had that book too! They gave it to us in elementary school!”)
March 9, 2009
Watchmen
WATCHMEN
Directed by Zack Snyder
Starring Malin Akerman, Bill Crudup, Matthew Goode, Jackie Earle Haley, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Patrick Wilson, Carla Guigino
A bit of history first…
The journey to get writer Alan Moore’s 1980s groundbreaker “Watchmen” to the big screen has been problematic. There were legalese, pitfalls, and, most notoriously, the author himself publicly denouncing any attempt to adapt his comic book mini-series. The book, which off and on has been the top selling graphic novel since its original printing, was deemed by frustrated and capable filmmakers as “unfilmable.” Now that I’ve seen the movie, I still conform to that logic. Yet “Watchmen,” as it exist in its celluloid form, has the makings of a cult classic.
After much trial and error, director Zack Snyder suited up for a task that was seemingly unfitting. Re-creating the painstakingly detailed “Watchmen” for, both, the popcorn and the Doritos crowd was a slippery-slope. His take was to do what he had done with “300” and what had become the fanboy mantra for years: “Just make the damn comic book.” Well, that is exactly what Snyder has done and the final product is 60% brill’ and 40% mechanized. Snyder has gone out his way to embrace Alan Moore’s writings, going as far as to keep the story centered during the Cold War, and (digitally) copying and pasting the images of the book’s artist Dave Gibbons (who, stubbornly, Moore signed over all his rights to in lieu of the movie being made).
Unjustly, I’ll say that “Watchmen” is a murder mystery. No…wait. (I have to do it justice.) It’s also a murder mystery that takes place in an alternate 1980s --- It’s also a murder mystery that takes place in an alternate 1980s that focuses on the world’s reaction to the emerging presence of superheroes. (Hm, let me try that again) It’s also a murder mystery that takes place in an alternate 1980s that focuses on the world’s reaction to the emerging presence of superheroes that is intertwined heavily with sex, political commentary, and violence. It stands to reason that something had to give, and a lot did…but a lot didn’t. I’m taking the long way around to explain to you that “Watchmen,” as a film, is a strange purple-stripped animal. The argument that it couldn’t be made is truly understandable when you factor in the audience. There is no solid demographic for the bean-counters to cater this to. Even the comic fans that will plop down money for a ticket on opening weekend have a tendency to be fickle about beloved properties (if you recall, most fans didn’t gel to “Spider-Man 3” or “Superman Returns” but both those movies had significantly different reactions in box office dollars).
I’m sorry. You just want to know if it was any good. Well, yes it was. But a simple “yes” deserves to be challenged. Not because it’s not what Alan Moore wanted, not because fans will examine it in the same way they examined the book, but because it’s the comic film that we’ve always wanted. (Not necessarily the “Watchmen” film you always wanted --- I didn’t really want one to be honest), it exemplifies a comic book’s spirit, the way we the fans perceive them. A lot of this has to do with Snyder taking repeated handfuls out of the source material (though he sets the stage perfectly with a much needed opening credit sequence). Unlike “300” or “Sin City,” which are equally deliberate in their xeroxing of the comic book originals, “Watchmen” doesn’t exist in some photocopied gimmicky world. It, like most contemporary comics, exists in our world (granted 23 years back). And while I can’t give Snyder too much credit, because of how he safely adapts, I can credit him with providing the truest realization of that pulpy, Benday dot aesthetic. That unsaid thing (though I’m sure someone else can verbalize it better) that makes a comic a comic. This is what I think polarizes critics on the “Watchmen” movie. Comic books and film come from two decidedly different tones (especially in “Watchmen’s” case). Comics can imitate movies, but movies cannot imitate comic books. Their mannerisms are different. Story-wise they can come to the same conclusion but the journey they use to get there is not the same. Tonally, comics are not quite films and not quite novels; they are the bridge between the two realms.
With that understood, seeing “Watchmen” this weekend reminded me a lot of Gus Van Sant’s 1990s remake of “Psycho.” Van Sant attempted to just duplicate shot for shot, word for word. The end result was never going to compare to the original, but it called to attention the nuances of Alfred Hitchcock’s masterpiece --- symbolism and subtleties that Hitch wanted for you to understand subconsciously or draw your own conclusions on. Hitchcock, like Alan Moore, was a stickler for detail. Hitchcock would cast actors based, not just on their performances, but their height. Unassuming psychopath, Norman Bates was shorter than the detective who tried to intimidate him. Visually, the shift in physical stature throws you off. Norman can’t be the knife-welding, cross-dressing title character…can he?
Van Sant, like Snyder, was under the impression that duplicating was the safest path to recreation, yet some of the content got lost in all the visualizations. At times, the effects, the dialogue, and the fights in “Watchmen” are sensationalistic when, given the characters familiarity with their chaotic world, it probably should feel practical. The flashbacks are too many, when in the confines of a comic book they feel quite natural, and the movie may come off misogynistic when the book’s female characters seemed intriguingly tormented. There is also the issue of the film’s grand finale. (**SPOILER**) The concept of a manufactured terrorist attack is more impressive in a forward-thinking comic book from 20+ years ago. Making yet another political film commentary on the heels of the Bush administration just seems tiresome. (**END SPOILER**)
Yeah, this is all fanboy hearsay seeing how the film is in theatres now, but I’m not so much concerned about how the fans will respond to it (in fact, I think they will really like it), I’m more concerned with how John Q. Public perceives it. The success of such a “weird” film like “Watchmen” will dictate how movie studios gamble on future comic book properties. Is the fanboy dollar enough to sustain this? Will we start to see more comic adaptations stay faithful in spite of their eccentricities? Will we see more comic films so uncompromising that they will be rightfully rated R (‘cause let’s face it, plenty of comic book content would give the MPAA a collective heart attack and spit directly in the face of political correctness)? Hopefully a film like this finds the box office and DVD strength to inspire the future of comic book adaptations. For a nerd like me, someone who revels in consistent entertainment, that’s an intriguing alternative. I can’t make Alan Moore support it, but as for you…well, to quote the gravely-voiced Rorschach, “I leave it entirely in your hands.”
Directed by Zack Snyder
Starring Malin Akerman, Bill Crudup, Matthew Goode, Jackie Earle Haley, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Patrick Wilson, Carla Guigino
A bit of history first…
The journey to get writer Alan Moore’s 1980s groundbreaker “Watchmen” to the big screen has been problematic. There were legalese, pitfalls, and, most notoriously, the author himself publicly denouncing any attempt to adapt his comic book mini-series. The book, which off and on has been the top selling graphic novel since its original printing, was deemed by frustrated and capable filmmakers as “unfilmable.” Now that I’ve seen the movie, I still conform to that logic. Yet “Watchmen,” as it exist in its celluloid form, has the makings of a cult classic.
After much trial and error, director Zack Snyder suited up for a task that was seemingly unfitting. Re-creating the painstakingly detailed “Watchmen” for, both, the popcorn and the Doritos crowd was a slippery-slope. His take was to do what he had done with “300” and what had become the fanboy mantra for years: “Just make the damn comic book.” Well, that is exactly what Snyder has done and the final product is 60% brill’ and 40% mechanized. Snyder has gone out his way to embrace Alan Moore’s writings, going as far as to keep the story centered during the Cold War, and (digitally) copying and pasting the images of the book’s artist Dave Gibbons (who, stubbornly, Moore signed over all his rights to in lieu of the movie being made).
Unjustly, I’ll say that “Watchmen” is a murder mystery. No…wait. (I have to do it justice.) It’s also a murder mystery that takes place in an alternate 1980s --- It’s also a murder mystery that takes place in an alternate 1980s that focuses on the world’s reaction to the emerging presence of superheroes. (Hm, let me try that again) It’s also a murder mystery that takes place in an alternate 1980s that focuses on the world’s reaction to the emerging presence of superheroes that is intertwined heavily with sex, political commentary, and violence. It stands to reason that something had to give, and a lot did…but a lot didn’t. I’m taking the long way around to explain to you that “Watchmen,” as a film, is a strange purple-stripped animal. The argument that it couldn’t be made is truly understandable when you factor in the audience. There is no solid demographic for the bean-counters to cater this to. Even the comic fans that will plop down money for a ticket on opening weekend have a tendency to be fickle about beloved properties (if you recall, most fans didn’t gel to “Spider-Man 3” or “Superman Returns” but both those movies had significantly different reactions in box office dollars).
I’m sorry. You just want to know if it was any good. Well, yes it was. But a simple “yes” deserves to be challenged. Not because it’s not what Alan Moore wanted, not because fans will examine it in the same way they examined the book, but because it’s the comic film that we’ve always wanted. (Not necessarily the “Watchmen” film you always wanted --- I didn’t really want one to be honest), it exemplifies a comic book’s spirit, the way we the fans perceive them. A lot of this has to do with Snyder taking repeated handfuls out of the source material (though he sets the stage perfectly with a much needed opening credit sequence). Unlike “300” or “Sin City,” which are equally deliberate in their xeroxing of the comic book originals, “Watchmen” doesn’t exist in some photocopied gimmicky world. It, like most contemporary comics, exists in our world (granted 23 years back). And while I can’t give Snyder too much credit, because of how he safely adapts, I can credit him with providing the truest realization of that pulpy, Benday dot aesthetic. That unsaid thing (though I’m sure someone else can verbalize it better) that makes a comic a comic. This is what I think polarizes critics on the “Watchmen” movie. Comic books and film come from two decidedly different tones (especially in “Watchmen’s” case). Comics can imitate movies, but movies cannot imitate comic books. Their mannerisms are different. Story-wise they can come to the same conclusion but the journey they use to get there is not the same. Tonally, comics are not quite films and not quite novels; they are the bridge between the two realms.
With that understood, seeing “Watchmen” this weekend reminded me a lot of Gus Van Sant’s 1990s remake of “Psycho.” Van Sant attempted to just duplicate shot for shot, word for word. The end result was never going to compare to the original, but it called to attention the nuances of Alfred Hitchcock’s masterpiece --- symbolism and subtleties that Hitch wanted for you to understand subconsciously or draw your own conclusions on. Hitchcock, like Alan Moore, was a stickler for detail. Hitchcock would cast actors based, not just on their performances, but their height. Unassuming psychopath, Norman Bates was shorter than the detective who tried to intimidate him. Visually, the shift in physical stature throws you off. Norman can’t be the knife-welding, cross-dressing title character…can he?
Van Sant, like Snyder, was under the impression that duplicating was the safest path to recreation, yet some of the content got lost in all the visualizations. At times, the effects, the dialogue, and the fights in “Watchmen” are sensationalistic when, given the characters familiarity with their chaotic world, it probably should feel practical. The flashbacks are too many, when in the confines of a comic book they feel quite natural, and the movie may come off misogynistic when the book’s female characters seemed intriguingly tormented. There is also the issue of the film’s grand finale. (**SPOILER**) The concept of a manufactured terrorist attack is more impressive in a forward-thinking comic book from 20+ years ago. Making yet another political film commentary on the heels of the Bush administration just seems tiresome. (**END SPOILER**)
Yeah, this is all fanboy hearsay seeing how the film is in theatres now, but I’m not so much concerned about how the fans will respond to it (in fact, I think they will really like it), I’m more concerned with how John Q. Public perceives it. The success of such a “weird” film like “Watchmen” will dictate how movie studios gamble on future comic book properties. Is the fanboy dollar enough to sustain this? Will we start to see more comic adaptations stay faithful in spite of their eccentricities? Will we see more comic films so uncompromising that they will be rightfully rated R (‘cause let’s face it, plenty of comic book content would give the MPAA a collective heart attack and spit directly in the face of political correctness)? Hopefully a film like this finds the box office and DVD strength to inspire the future of comic book adaptations. For a nerd like me, someone who revels in consistent entertainment, that’s an intriguing alternative. I can’t make Alan Moore support it, but as for you…well, to quote the gravely-voiced Rorschach, “I leave it entirely in your hands.”
CLICK HERE FOR AN ENTERTAININGLY SECTARIAN TAKE ON WATCHMEN:
March 5, 2009
Avatar: the Last Airbender
I've never watched "Avatar: the Last AirBender," but I know a bunch of someones that have. Many of which are over the age of 21, so I'm safe in assuming that Avatar has a strong adult/cult following. Well, M. Knight Shyamalan is making a live-action version of the Nickelodeon animated series and apparently, there is a huge protest against the film's casting decisions. To my limited understanding, most of the characters in Avatar are Asian, the actors playing the roles are mostly white.
The Post printed an article on Monday about the whole thing: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/03/01/AR2009030102088.html
Speaking of which, in the wake of Slumdog Millionaire's Oscar-nabbing, I just had a conversation about Tinseltown's compulsion to cast caucasian actors in ethnic roles (Check out the upcoming Prince of Persia movie, the Prince is played by Jake Gyllenhaal) or use caucasian characters to tell the stories of people of color (Edward Zwick is eternally on my $hit-list for that reason). It just proves that Slumdog's Oscar win, with it's all-Indian cast, does not mean that Hollywood is becoming forward thinking (Damn ---You think I would've retained that lesson after Denzel and Halle won their Oscar's back to back). They'd sooner insult an entire culture, not to mention it's already solid fanbase, in an attempt to perpetuate a norrow-minded worldview:
March 4, 2009
Getting to Know You with Jay Payne
In an attempt to create content for this little corner of the internet, I, Troy Jeffrey Allen, got the obvious idea to interview Bamn’s artistic duo, David (The) Dean and Jay (The House of) Payne (apologies to Stan Lee). Below is the highlights from a pair of interviews I threw from one side of the web to the other. Jay and Dave caught them via e-mail and responded with a collection of typos that seem like responses to my questions (I know, I shouldn’t talk about typos).
Up next is Jay Payne, artist to the stars (Well…just his dog, really.)
What is Bamn about?
Bamn is about the world of wrestling and the people who live in that world.
What is your role in Bamn?
I illustrate the comic book for Bamn.
Now that issue #1 is available (http://www.comixpress.com/), what would you have done different?
Nothing.
Which character in Bamn do you identify with the most?
I identify with all the characters. They all carry a small personality of mine, and of my closest friends. Some of them even carry a fantasized idea of who I would like to be.
What was SPX like?
It was very overwhelming and one of the happiest moments of my life.
Any good indy stuff (besides your own) that you got from SPX?
Sadly I didn’t check out the other tables while I was there. Don’t tell anyone.
What are comics you reading right now?
All Star Superman.
Besides eat, poop, and sleep, what do you do when you’re not working on Bamn?
I’m either sketching new ideas or sketching for fun. Watching movies, and playing Street Fighter.
Why a wrestling comic? Those never work.
It’s too expensive to make a movie.
Do you remember The WWF comic books from Chaos? They were godawful.
Yes they were.
Did you ever Backyard wrestle?
No; not I.
What was that like?
Don’t know.
Did you have a gimmick or wrestling name?
It would’ve been House of Payne!
Anybody get hurt?
They would’ve gotten hurt.
You remember the first comic you ever read?
It was a Spiderman comic book; I don’t remember which one though.
Some general questions…
Favorite color?
Lime Green
Favorite character?
Superman
Favorite movie?
Saving Private Ryan
Favorite penciller?
Adam Hughes
Favorite musician?
Michael Jackson
Favorite wrestler?
Bret “The Hitman” Hart
What is the meaning of life?
Don’t know yet.
If you could blow somebody up who would it be?
M. Night Shyamalamas!
Where can we find you online?
www.bamncan.com
Bamn is about the world of wrestling and the people who live in that world.
What is your role in Bamn?
I illustrate the comic book for Bamn.
Now that issue #1 is available (http://www.comixpress.com/), what would you have done different?
Nothing.
Which character in Bamn do you identify with the most?
I identify with all the characters. They all carry a small personality of mine, and of my closest friends. Some of them even carry a fantasized idea of who I would like to be.
What was SPX like?
It was very overwhelming and one of the happiest moments of my life.
Any good indy stuff (besides your own) that you got from SPX?
Sadly I didn’t check out the other tables while I was there. Don’t tell anyone.
What are comics you reading right now?
All Star Superman.
Besides eat, poop, and sleep, what do you do when you’re not working on Bamn?
I’m either sketching new ideas or sketching for fun. Watching movies, and playing Street Fighter.
Why a wrestling comic? Those never work.
It’s too expensive to make a movie.
Do you remember The WWF comic books from Chaos? They were godawful.
Yes they were.
Did you ever Backyard wrestle?
No; not I.
What was that like?
Don’t know.
Did you have a gimmick or wrestling name?
It would’ve been House of Payne!
Anybody get hurt?
They would’ve gotten hurt.
You remember the first comic you ever read?
It was a Spiderman comic book; I don’t remember which one though.
Some general questions…
Favorite color?
Lime Green
Favorite character?
Superman
Favorite movie?
Saving Private Ryan
Favorite penciller?
Adam Hughes
Favorite musician?
Michael Jackson
Favorite wrestler?
Bret “The Hitman” Hart
What is the meaning of life?
Don’t know yet.
If you could blow somebody up who would it be?
M. Night Shyamalamas!
Where can we find you online?
www.bamncan.com
March 3, 2009
A Panda-suit, at that!
This was just too good to not pass around. Jamie Foxx has single-handedly usurped every party video in recent memory. I don't care if you've got Puff Daddy and Def Leppard snorting "Cambodian Bam Bam" off a sex robot's butt crack in your vid...NOBODY will "party up" like Hollywood!:
March 1, 2009
Back in The Saddle...
So...the last several months I've been distracted with the job search. The good news is that I found a job, the bad news is that my blog (a place intended for oddities) has been focusing entirely on "Bamn" and movie reviews, but not on short stories and hyperlinks of note. The fact that I have not been contributing those last two things is an oddity in itself --- I mean, finding weird internet $hit is easier than finding an Electra complex on a porn set.
*Ahem* But I digress. So, in an attempt to provide even more content to "TypoEra," I present to you the first in an ongoing series of things that make you go "hmm" from the World Wide Web.
Up first...Topless Coffee Shops.
Thanks, Jorge:
Secondly, just to gross you out after the notion of nudity, I give you "The Man With No Face" (God, I hope this ain't real):
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