Who's Hungry

Apparently, David Ochs created this demented animated short for his first year CalArts project. It's truly impressive and the talent on display here is reminiscent of Tim Burton's Vincent short.

CHECK IT OUT (thanks to GhettoManga for finding this):




Can't see it? Well, "CLICK CLICK BLOODY CLICK PANCAKES": http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8srEvrF90-s&eurl=http%3A%2F%2Fghettomanga%2Eblogspot%2Ecom%2F2009%2F05%2Fthis%2Dcartoon%2Dis%2Dsick%2Ehtml&feature=player_embedded

Toy Story 3 Teaser

Clickity-Click: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VXJEDUainX4

Troy Jeffrey Allen

www.bamncan.com

TroyJ15@hotmail.com

 

 

 

---

Hotmail® goes with you. Get it on your BlackBerry or iPhone.

Reflecting on Counter Culture Fest

The weather was schizophrenic, the crowd was a mix of non-comic fans and enthusiast, we were competing with a fair down the street, a wolf-spider created a bit of excitement, and the Bamn crew maintained a diet of energy drinks...but Counter Culture Fest IV went well.

I desperately need to get my life together and write issue #3, so forgive me if this update is brief.

Click this link to catch some photos from the event:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/maljones/3546246136/in/pool-dcconspiracy/

I'll have more on Bamn #2's availability online and at comic shops soon. In the meantime, Dr. Dremo's Horrors of War (featuring a short by Dave and I) is available at Comixpress, here:

I'll have more about CC Fest in the future (after I sleep for a week).

Thanks to everyone at DC Conspiracy, family, and friends for their support this past weekend!

This Sunday (May 24th): DC Counter Culture Fest

This Sunday, May 24th of 2009, is the 4th annual DC Counter Culture Fest! Bamn #2 (art by Jay Payne and written by THIS GUY RIGHT HERE) will make it's debut at CC Fest, as well as "Dr. Dremo's Horrors of War" (with a short story by David Dean with Sergio Estavia and --- oh look it's me, again).
CC Fest has free admission, live music, comics, a comedy show, merchandise by local artist, food, and more!

Directions: http://www.soundry.net/directions.html

For more info (such as the event schedule) go to: www.dcconspiracy.com

Not going to make it? Buy the comic book anyway, you lazy @#$%!: http://store.comixpress.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=1369

Want to know what you're getting yourself into? Check out last years Festival: http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=26660607

Hope to see you kids there,

Troy

Ernie Barnes Dies

I caught wind of this from GhettoManga and thought I should share.

At the risk of sounding a bit ignorant, I always admired the painting that was featured on Good Times (above), but my interest never went further than that.

...something about the gyrating "jiggaboos," gave the image a watery feel. You could almost smell the sweat inside the cramped jook joint.

CLICKITY-CLICK: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=103674706&sc=emaf

Wolverine Game Trailer

Sweet baby Jesus! This may be worse than GTA! How can the game be "Mature," but the movie is bloodless and PG-13?!

Is this "Safe for Work?" I dunno.

Can't see the video? Your computer blows! CLICKITY-CLICK: http://www.gametrailers.com/video/review-x-men-origins/48750

Star Trek

Star Trek

Directed by J.J. Abrams

Written by Alex Kurtzman and Robert Orci

Starring Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, John Cho, Karl Urban, Simon Pegg, Zoe Saldana, and Anton Yelchin

It’s hard to avoid a cultural phenomenon like Star Trek. I’ve never seen an entire episode of any Star Trek series (I have, however, seen, like, two movies) and yet, despite it all, I know more about Gene Roddenberry’s creation than I want to admit. For example:

I know that Vulcans are a species fueled on logic, not emotion.

I know that there was a Captain Sisqo, a Captain Jane, and a Captain Picard.

I know what a mirror universe is.

I know the Klingons have some sort of honor system that defines them.

I know that Data is a humanoid artificial intelligence.

I know what a “Tribble” is. That they are, indeed, trouble.

I know that guy with the visor was on Reading Rainbow (Jordi?).

I know that everyone loves Wrath of Khan (no, I’ve never seen it)

I know that Kirk died falling from a bridge in Generations.

I know that Spock learned to embrace his emotions by serving on the USS Enterprise.

I know George Takei (Sulu) is gay in real life.

I know “The Borg” assimilated with Captain Picard.

I know that Captain Kirk was a p@ssyhound, and that he and Uhura shared the first interracial kiss on television.

I also know that Roddenberry intended Star Trek to be a “space-western” --- a kinda Bonanza meets science fiction. It’s the space-western angle that always made me want to watch Star Trek, but the overt sci-fi-ness of the original’s predecessors (Next Generation, Deep Space Nine, etc. --- all of which we’re the only Star Treks that existed during my lifetime) always kept me away. I wanted less philosophy, less “aliens-are people-too”-crap, and less stationary spaceships shooting at each other while the actors swung their bodies right to left. I wanted less sci-fi and more western.

I guess director J.J. Abrams must have felt the same way, ‘cause this new, shrewdly named Star Trek film is exactly that. Abrams intentions are clear at the exact moment we’re re-introduced to James T. Kirk. He’s involved in some pre-teen grand theft auto (read: horses) and narrowly avoiding death by letting his Corvette drive right off the cliff like a runaway stagecoach. There are quite a few nods like this in the film, from saloon fights to old west shoot-outs on Romulan ships.

Yeah, there is a lot of action in the new Star Trek film, almost to point of interfering with it’s nimble comic book-styled plot, but never at the risk of under-characterizing the film’s magnificent seven. Chris Pine (Kirk), Zachary Quinto (Spock), John Cho (Sulu), Anton Yelchin (Chekov), Zoe Saldana (Uhura), Simon Pegg (Scotty), and Karl Urban (Bones), all glisten charisma. Abrams, along with, screenwriters, Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman prove that they are adept at writing for ensembles (they first worked together on the TV show Alias), and the actors all manage to tightrope that median between pop impersonator and personal interpretation (though, Urban’s Deforest Kelly is so spot-on that you never want him to leave a scene).

Surprisingly, the only small disappointment is Eric Bana as the heavy, but you’ll be too concerned with when the sequels coming out to think about that. This non-Trekkie sure was.

Copyright Infringment

I remember reading somewhere that no idea is original. That an idea just floats around in the ether for someone to pluck and claim as their own...or you could just completely gank someone elses idea after they've already produced it.

That's the concept behind YouThoughtWeWouldn'tNotice.com, a website dedicated entirely to exposing those who have taken someone else's intellectual property and sold it as their own.

Very interesting (and scary) stuff...

CLICKITY-CLICK: http://youthoughtwewouldntnotice.com/blog3/

Thanks, Jay.

The Lazy Man's Update

We received the proof* for Bamn #2 (pictured above) over the weekend. I can say without any humility that it looks great. Jay's artwork has become so much sharper, so much more inviting, and Ron's edits have made this book quality.

"It's like we have an actual story to tell," I said to Jay after seeing the actual comic in my hand.

Props to everyone at Comixpress for giving two squirts --- helping us get this bad bear out in time for the DC Counter Culture Fest.

We hope to see some new and familiar faces for our Issue #2 debut on MAy 24th! She's going for $3.50 and issue #1 will also be available.

Keep an eye out for Dr. Dremo's Horrors of War (pictured below) at CC Fest, too. It's our first foray into non-Bamn territory!

*A proof copy is kinda the test comic. We receive it from our publisher first (y'know to make sure everything is in order) before the mass shipment comes in.

TWITTER-LENGTH MOVIE REVIEWS

I’m swamped, exhausted, and my computer crashed on Free Comic Book Day. I intended to write full-length reviews for each of these, but I’ll settle for 140 characters (exact Twitter-size) per critique.  

I don’t know what I’ll do when Twitter goes the way of MySpace. I guess I’ll have to stop being lazy and write entire paragraphs again…

 

STRANGE NOTE: Microsoft Word’s spell check recognizes “Steven Spielberg” but not “Martin Scorsese.” Hmmmmmmmmm…

 

AMERICAN VIOLET

This episode of “Law and Order” has plenty of solid performers, but not every true-life event needs to be put on film.

 

FAST AND FURIOUS

Pre-sequel tries to squeeze drama out of the series. Entertaining (CGI) car chases, but the franchise is still in neutral.

 

MEAN STREETS

The intentional comedy is surprising for a crime film. A great chance to see Scorsese on the ground floor, going up.

 

SUPERBAD

If we compiled one of those super-gay EW list, then this would be the #1 teenage comedy of the decade.

Eminem vs. Punisher?!?!

Let's be honest. Most comic book crossovers are crap. They usually start with two heroes fighting, while the villian(s) take advantage of the two distracted retards to initiate some dumb@ss scheme. Then, before either hero can actually beat the other, they realize they've been duped and team-up. 
For that reason, when something truly ridiculous like Charles Barkley vs. Godzilla or Archie vs. Punisher rolls around...you have to admire the sheer WTF-ness of it all. At least it is honest with it's audience that the outcome is irrelevant.
Well, in the tradition of Ali vs. Superman, I give you Eminem and Punisher (by Salvador Larroca, no less)...
 
Clickity-Click: http://www.marvel.com/punisher_and_eminem

Troy Jeffrey Allen

www.bamncan.com

TroyJ15@hotmail.com

 

 

 

---

Hotmail® goes with you. Get it on your BlackBerry or iPhone.

X-Men Origins: Wolverine

X-Men Origins: Wolverine

Starring Hugh Jac.k.man, Live Schr.i.eber, Ryan Rey.n.olds, and Will.i.am.

Directed by Gavin Ho.o.d

 

 

MWS---EHG

 

Fox Studios

Century City, CA                  May 1^st, 2009.

 

Mr. Tom Rothman

 

     Century City,

 

          California.

 

To Mr. Tom Rothman and Jim Gianopulos, Heads of Fox Studios:

 

I hope this information has not arrived to you late.

 

You do not know me and I would like to remain anonymous, but I am just a concerned moviegoer who has labored over endless amounts of evidence in the name of justice…

 

Recently, your studios fell victim to the evils of piracy. An unfinished copy of the film titled Wolverine 4 --- I mean, X-Men Origins: Wolverine was leaked to the Internet. With anticipation, I have followed your investigation (as well as the MPAA and the FBI) to smoke out this digital Captain Hook, this cyberbully who prematurely unveiled your studio’s latest cinematic masterpiece. Seemingly, the blame could have been placed on any number of people. I, similar to your own studios investigations, deduced that the Wolverine leak must have come from within the production itself. You made a brilliant accusation that Rising Sun Pictures (a Special FX house out of Australia) had been responsible, but ultimately that lead to a dead end. Once that happened I began conducting my own investigation…

I think I discovered who leaked the Wolverine film.

 

I present to you Exhibit A:

 

Yes, in order to better understand my prey, I did indeed watch the X-Men Origins: Wolverine leak. Wisely, director Gavin Hood opted to cast Ryan Reynolds as the character of Deadpool. This was quite ideal, but even more ideal was the film’s finale in which Deadpool has the powers of Cyclops, Nightcrawler, and a boxcutter. In a moment somewhat reminiscent of the Darth Maul fight in (another Fox masterpiece) Star Wars Episode 1: The Phantom Menace, Deadpool is beheaded and falls into a dark shaft-thingy.

This image provided is from the April 1st 2009 cover of Deadpool # 9 published by Marvel Comics. This issue arrived in stores the same week of the film’s leak. On the surface, this cover image may seem mundane, the result of the cover artist echoing a moment inside the comic itself, however, this moment never happens in the book. It does however echo the fight with Deadpool/PredAlien from the Wolverine film (not to mention the irony of it being released on April 1^st).

 

Still not convinced, Mr. Rothman? Mr. Gianopulos? Are you wondering what I’m getting at? Allow me to present Exhibit B:

 

This is the cover image for Utlimate Hulk vs. Wolverine #4, also published by Marvel Comics. This time, my theory doesn’t focus on the exterior of the book, but the interior. Towards the middle of this title (which I am quick to point out features Wolverine as one of the title characters) a fictional female scientist travels to China to sell a pirated copy of the very real Star Trek movie that will be hitting theatres one week after the May 1^st release of X-Men Origins: Wolverine.

 

Are you following me, Mr. Rothman, Mr. Gianopulos? No? Here, I’ll explain, sirs…

In a moment of irony, Marvel Comics stole X-Men Origins: Wolverine from you. They are laughing at you, and they are leaving you clues within their own comics (the last place anyone involved in the Wolverine film would look) It is no big secret that since Iron Man became their first in-house success last year, they have been hell-bent on controlling their motion picture properties. Marvel has become bitter to the fact that your studio controls both the Fantastic Four and X-Men movie franchises. Clearly, they must have been upset about something in the Wolverine movie (what exactly, I have no idea) and leaked it to the Internet one month before the film’s theatre release.

However, Marvel did not act alone. Helping them orchestrate this act of piracy was, Lost producer, Damon Lindelof. No stranger to conspiracies, Lindeloff works for your network rival ABC (owned by Disney), he also is the writer of Utlimate Hulk vs. Wolverine for Marvel Comics.

Wait. I haven’t blown your mind yet…Lindeloff produces Lost with J.J. Abrams, the director of the upcoming Star Trek movie!

Don’t you see?!? Marvel made a deal with Lindeloff and Abrams to ensure, either, an opening week failure or a huge 2^nd week drop-off for X-Men Origins: Wolverine. Their DARMA Initiative-esque plot was all so Abrams could score a huge opening week for Star Trek (which, as stated before, opens 7 days after your film, thus making it your direct opposition in the box office), and in turn, Marvel could stick it to the studio system that they have grown to loathe over the last several decades.

I think this evidence would hold up in a court of law, and falls squarely under the rights of the studio to protect their property from piracy. While I do wish to remain anonymous, I will allow my face to be recorded as a video witness, as long as my face is blurred out and my voice is changed to sound like Darth Vader. Also, if you could relay my findings to your cult leader/snake-god, Mr. Rupert Murdoch, it would be greatly appreciated.

 

Very respectfully,

 

Typographic Era

 

P.S. Did I forget to mention that they employed the espionage/martial arts-skills of Jennifer Garner to swipe the Wolverine workprint from your studio? Y’know, she played Sidney Bristow on Abrams’ show Alias and she also played Elektra in Marvel’s Daredevil movie…

Yeeaaaaaaaaah…it makes SO MUCH SENSE! I KNOW!

Facebook's Porn Cops

VIA E-Mail from http://menagerieofkickassery.blogspot.com/

Newsweek did an entertaining article on the staff who maintain user decorum on Facebook.
While I have to question what should be considered "good taste" on a social network site, I do understand the need for censorship on something so ridiculously widespread as Facebook.  
I wonder what kind of background check you have to undergo to become a Internet porn cop. Surely, you need to be trustworthy, but what's to stop you from holding onto profile pics of Heather's pot-smoking, blackmailing her, getting her fired from the cushy office job she has listed under her "Education and Work." At least that's what I would do. LOL!
 
CLICKITY-CLICK: http://www.newsweek.com/id/195621?GT1=43002

Troy Jeffrey Allen

www.bamncan.com

TroyJ15@hotmail.com

---

Hotmail® goes with you. Get it on your BlackBerry or iPhone.

The Princess and The Frog

This is old news that I wanted to recognize on my blog...
Disney is breaking ground for their company --- that is, for the first time, the main princess is black in one of their animated features.
"Gee, it takes a black president for Disney to realize the lack of diversity in their films," is what some of you might say, but it take years to complete an animated project and this was in the works a while ago.

Check out this YouTube clip about the making of The Princess and the Frog: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TbCT0pG5iw4&feature=player_embedded

(Thanks to Ghetto Manga for pointing this out)

DC Counter Culture Fest

Not to beat a dead kitten, but the DC Counter Culture Fest received a write-up in The Northern Virginia Magazine and the Express. An internet search for The Northern Virginia article bared no results (If you can find a link, it'd be greatly appreciated).

Nonetheless, here is the Express article. It's listed at #21 on their Summer Preview: http://www.expressnightout.com/content/2009/05/summer_guide_random_fun.php

I am sleep deprived, missing my POS laptop, late for this update, and crashing from a full day of coffee...forgive me if I forgot to mention that, both, Bamn #2 and Dr. Dremo's Horrors of War will make their official debut at the Counter Culture Fest (I wrote both, Dave drew War, Jay drew Bamn).

See you next Wednesday (hopefully, in better spirits),

Troy Jeffrey Allen

www.bamncan.com

TroyJ15@hotmail.com

 

 

 

---

Hotmail® has a new way to see what's up with your friends. Check it out.

6 Things to do Instead of watching "X-Men Origins: Wolverine"

I'm a man on a (losing) mission. I'm determined to single-handedly sway dollars from the "X-Men Origins: Wolverine" film that was released in theatres today. Why? Because, I saw the leak --- I don't care what anyone at Fox claims, what I saw was a film that was 90% complete, and now it seems the critics are responding to the final product the same way the internet responded to the leak.

So, the first salvo into the summer movie season is a misfire, but don't fret...Star Trek comes out next week. But that gives you 7 days to fend off that itch to catch "Wolverine 4."

No worries. I've got 6 things that can distract you:

1. Movies suck, but comics don't: Go to Free Comic Book Day on May 2nd!.

2. Move on to worrying about next summer. Anticipate Iron Man 2.

3. Draw something and be made fun of or applauded for it.

4. Support Prop 8 in a Galaxy Far, Far, Far Away...:(

5. Watch the new G.I. Joe animated movie by Warren Ellis. (See, I just saved you from wasting your money on another live-action movie.)

6. Watch, the animated series, "Wolverine and The X-Men" and fill that heartbreak that "X-Men Origins: Wolverine" will cause when you go see it this weekend (because I know you're not going to listen to me).