Bleeding Fool |
- Mobile Suit Gundam’s Yasuhiko Shares His Success and Failures
- Live Action He-Man Casts ‘West Side Story’ Star Kyle Allen
- Denzel Washington: ‘Diversity Shouldn’t Be Something Special’
- More & More Celebrities Coming Out Against Vaccine Mandates
- Mortal Kombat Sequel in the Works with ‘Moon Knight’ Screenwriter
- Jason Momoa Joining the Fast & the Furious Franchise for F10
- Sony Pictures Classics Snags Alex Helfrecht’s ‘A Winter’s Journey’ Animated Film
- Bowie’s ‘Man Who Fell to Earth’ Movie Gets Graphic Novel Adaptation
- Examining the Recorded History of Comic Books
- Disney’s Predator Prequel Influenced by ‘God of War’ Video Game
| Mobile Suit Gundam’s Yasuhiko Shares His Success and Failures Posted: 31 Jan 2022 06:15 AM PST
Japanese animation director/producer Yoshikazu Yasuhiko, one of the leading creators of the Mobile Suit Gundam franchise that’s been going since 1979, along with at least a few other cartoon series, was recently interviewed at Forbes. One of the subjects brought up was how Japan does do licensed merchandise, and there had been some produced based on Giant Gorg in 1984:
Admittedly, it’s unfortunate if neither TV show nor toy adaptations were a success at the time, but one advantage most Japanese cartoon producers have is that, unlike in the west, if they’re manufacturing toys based on the animation, they don’t water down the vision to suit the western idea of a kid-friendly production. Of course, from a western perspective, merchandise based on movies, comics, TV and cartoons is surely the problem, because in the end, why spend all that extra money on stuff that could take away attention from the original creation? And what if it’s unsuccessful in the end? Yasuhiko had a good idea not to make the robot in Giant Gorg according to what was commonly expected. However, depending on how one views Japan, much like the USA, they may still have certain drawbacks when it comes to how a new movie should be developed:
If this is correct, it reminds me of an interview I may have read from a now defunct magazine, American Film, in the mid-80s, with a producer from the similarly now defunct Filmation studio (1962-89), that it had become “an impossible task” to market TV cartoons based on original ideas. Instead, they had to try more to base them on already established comic and toy franchises, like the Masters of the Universe toys from Mattel Corp. Which confirms what went wrong with consumerism in the 80s, and explains the lack of faith most marketers had at the time in selling anything original. How can you truly expect to build up success if it all hinges on weak business choices, rather than – again – entertainment value? Not to mention finding ways to build up a sizable audience for more adult and/or intelligent fare?
Unfortunately, Yasuhiko also says something flawed from a modern perspective, although there’s also a plus:
If he’s alluding to the present, there’s no longer a case like there was over 40 years ago when comics were popular at the time he was barely new to his career, and I wish people like him would be willing to do some better math and not look at the pop culture landscape through a rose-colored lens. But I think it’s admirable he wasn’t in this for the money alone, and if importing Gundam to the US meant dumbing anything down, that’s not the way to go. Whatever the quality of the original story, it should be imported intact, and sold to the precise audience it was intended for, just as it was in Asia.
Yasuhiko also cited an episode from the original Gundam that wasn’t part of the original video package when it was dubbed in the USA:
I’ve always thought it was odd this episode wasn’t sold as part of the original package in the USA, if only because, having once seen it myself, I didn’t think the animation was so bad as to hide their shame beneath a boulder. I don’t know if this is still the case where it’s been left out of overseas packages, but it decidedly should be included with the rest intact as it was before, and let audiences judge for themselves.
Anyway, Yasuhiko looks like he’s had quite an impressive career, whatever the ups and downs, and is one of various animators in Japan who’ve proven they can produce stories and themes far more sophisticated than what’re usually seen in US animation.
Originally published here. The post Mobile Suit Gundam’s Yasuhiko Shares His Success and Failures appeared first on Bleeding Fool. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Live Action He-Man Casts ‘West Side Story’ Star Kyle Allen Posted: 31 Jan 2022 04:45 AM PST
The live-action feature film adaptation of "Masters of the Universe" has finally anointed its He-Man: rising actor Kyle Allen, Variety reports.
Producer Mattel Studios and Netflix announced that the "West Side Story" actor will take up the sword and skimpy costume of the '80s icon in a film to be directed and co-written by The Nee Brothers (of the upcoming Sandra Bullock film "The Lost City" and "Band of Robbers").
In "Masters of the Universe," Allen will play an orphan named Adam who discovers he is a prince destined to be the savior of a faraway land. He must quickly learn of his power and the importance of saving his true home from an evil force. Previously at Sony Pictures, the project was officially announced by Netflix after months of further development. Sony will retain release rights to the project in China, insiders familiar with the deal said.
"’Masters of the Universe’ is an iconic property that shaped the imaginations of an entire generation of kids with the message of becoming the best version of yourself. With our partners at Netflix, we look forward to showing audiences that anything can happen in Eternia. We are continuing to unlock this global franchise in new ways, and we can't wait to see Kyle battle it out with Skeletor in this epic live-action saga," said Robbie Brenner, head of Mattel Films and an executive producer on the project.
Our friends at Clownfish TV discuss their concerns here.
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| Denzel Washington: ‘Diversity Shouldn’t Be Something Special’ Posted: 30 Jan 2022 03:55 PM PST
Oscar-winning actor Denzel Washington recently spoke on how he believes America should already be regarded a “post-racial” culture. He also discussed why he believes actors should outright reject any preoccupation with racial “diversity” in a recent interview for his film, The Tragedy of Macbeth. The film, which was released on Apple TV+ last month and is making the rounds in theaters this month, The latest adaptation of Shakespeare’s tragedy tells the story of a Scottish general whose life spirals into despair after he is told by three witches that he will become King of Scotland and commits a series of murders to protect his political position.
Washington plays the lead in the film, for a story that has traditionally featured a white protagonist, but he believes that the varied casting choices for the Joel Coen-directed picture should not be taken too seriously. Washington also went on to say that he doesn’t want fans to see the picture just because it has a “diverse” cast.
"Obviously we are diverse, so I think that's a great thing," Washington told NBC BLK . “In my humble opinion, we ought to be at a place where diversity shouldn't even be mentioned, like it's something special. These young kids — Black, white, blue, green or whatever — are highly talented and qualified. So that's why they're there," he said.
Washington is a bit of an outlier when it comes to Hollywood actors. Unlike most entertainers, Washington unashamedly expresses his conservative Christian beliefs. Warner Todd Huston at Breitbart had the following to say:
Earlier in the year, Washington spoke about the importance of prayer and insisted that you have to "listen to God" to lead a proud and upright life. "At 66, getting ready to be 67, having just buried my mother, I made a promise to her and to God, not just to do good the right way, but to honor my mother and my father by the way I live my life, the rest of my days on this Earth. I'm here to serve, to help, to provide," Washington told participants at The Better Man Event hosted by First Baptist Orlando in Florida last September. Washington also recently argued against the anti-police narrative so popular with most of Hollywood's leftist stars. The Oscar-winner made his support for America's police and soldiers clear in an interview in February in which he called out people who "put down" America's law enforcement and military, men and women for whom Washington said he has "the utmost respect." "I have the utmost respect for what they do, for what our soldiers do, [people] that sacrifice their lives. I just don't care for people who put those kind of people down. If it weren't for them, we would not have the freedom to complain about what they do," Washington said while promoting his film, The Little Things.
As both an actor, and a godly man, Denzel is definitely a class act. The post Denzel Washington: 'Diversity Shouldn't Be Something Special' appeared first on Bleeding Fool. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| More & More Celebrities Coming Out Against Vaccine Mandates Posted: 30 Jan 2022 02:10 PM PST
Vaccine mandates have been affecting the entire world, and touching almost every modern industry. Entertainment is not different as major movie and TV productions are dealing with challenges by many actors refusing to take the medical procedure. Recent examples in Hollywood include Ice Cube dropping out of the Jack Black comedy Oh Hell No because he didn’t want to comply with the vaccine mandate, and Black Panther actress Leticia Wright speaking up against the mandates.
Even legendary actor Robert De Niro suspects vaccines caused his son to be autistic and he has actively promoted mandate speakers and movies like 'Vaxxed.' Comedian Rob Schneider recently stated on Twitter: "Just say no… And keep saying no… More than half of the US population continues to say no to this unapproved experimental gene therapy! My body, my choice."
Broadway star Laura Osnes left the cast of Crazy For You, a show set for late August 2021, because she refused to receive the coronavirus vaccine. Most recently, Marvel Studios’ actress Evangeline Lilly recently attended an anti-mandate rally, and was spotted slamming those mandates on social media. The 43-year-old actress announced that she was personally in attendance at a rally in Washington, D.C., to protest the vaccine mandates on Sunday.
The actress added: “This is not the way. This is not safe. This is not healthy. This is not love. I understand the world is in fear, but I don’t believe that answering fear with force will fix our problems. I was pro choice before COVID and I am still pro choice today.” However, these opinions are considered by some to be controversial given the cultural divide among the general public about the Covid-19 vaccines.
This movement is not only happening Hollywood. The music industry is seeing many artists speaking up too, and several concert venues are having to cancel shows because certain entertainers have decided they would refuse to play at venues with any kind of mandates.
Metallica's vocalist James Hetfield have announced the band may decide to cancel gigs if festivals and concert venues impose COVID-19 regulations. Hetfield is one among a group of celebrities who disagree with strict vaccination requirements or dismiss the coronavirus vaccine altogether. The singer expressed his concerns about the COVID vaccine [via Blabbermouth]: "I'm a little skeptical of getting the vaccine, but it seems to be rolling out and people are getting it and I've got lots of friends that have done it — I'm not totally sure about it. But I hope it doesn't come to a point where you have to have that COVID stamp in your passport or something to go everywhere. But if it comes down to that, then I'll make a decision then."
As we’ve reported before, legendary guitarist Eric Clapton has spoken up about venues asking for vaccine passports on entry. In fact, and is outright refusing to play concerts at such venues. His reasoning? He experienced a "severe" reaction to the AstraZeneca vaccine and doesn't think it should be a criteria. Clapton wants equal access and inclusion for unvaccinated people. "I will not perform on any stage where there is a discriminated audience present," he said. "Unless there is provision made for all people to attend, I reserve the right to cancel the show."
Pete Parada, drummer of Offspring, saw himself forced to leave the band because he would not get a second dose of the vaccine. He wrote on Instagram that he's "unable to comply with what is increasingly becoming an industry mandate," namely being vaccinated to enter a concert hall or club.
But not every artists agrees. And this divide is now moving from the concert halls to streaming. Just last week, 76-year-old Neil Young demanded streaming platform Spotify remove comedian Joe Rogan's popular podcast for what he said was sharing "misinformation" about COVID-19. Young threatened he would demand his music be removed from the platform if they didn’t. Other musicians like Joni Mitchell joined Young in his demands for Spotify to censor Rogan.
Other popular entertainers have joined the fray. Comedic actors like the formerly edgy Sacha Baron Cohen has made it his mission to fight "misinformation" on social media, with Facebook as his number one target. And now, as reported by Hollywood in Toto, even Howard Stern, the once courageous shock jock, joins with the likes of Arnold Schwarzenegger, and openly agrees with guys like Neil Young, and wants Spotify to censor Rogan.
COVID-19 broke what remained of the old Howard Stern. He no longer broadcasts from his studio, preferring to work from home like so many blue state teachers. The lean, and healthy, talker sounds deathly afraid of the pandemic, despite taking all the available inoculations to stave off hospitalization or death. He isn't taking kindly to those who put the virus' risks in perspective. "F— them. F— their freedom. I want my freedom to live," Stern lashed out late last year, channeling a certain Governator. He rages against athletes who question vaccine mandates, ignoring science suggesting they'd get the virus anyway and would be good as new within days.
Fellow liberal and comedian Jimmy Dore recently appeared on FOX News as a guest on the Tucker Carlson program to excoriate Stern as an embarrassment and disappointment.
No matter where you land on the vaccine debate, it’s clear that new lines are being drawn, with political loyalties being tested and ignored, this debate isn’t going away anytime soon. How long and how extensively it will effect popular culture and entertainment is anyone’s guess. The post More & More Celebrities Coming Out Against Vaccine Mandates appeared first on Bleeding Fool. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Mortal Kombat Sequel in the Works with ‘Moon Knight’ Screenwriter Posted: 30 Jan 2022 12:00 PM PST
A Mortal Kombat sequel is in the works at Warner Bros. and New Line Cinema, Variety reports.
Jeremy Slater, best known for the Disney+ Marvel series "Moon Knight," has been tapped to write the screenplay. Warner Bros. and New Line had quietly been looking to develop other installments in its Mortal Kombat universe, but plans for a follow-up film had not been official until Slater had been hired to pen the script.
The last Mortal Kombat reboot, a martial arts-inspired adaptation of the popular video game, opened in theaters and on HBO Max last April. Despite mixed reviews, the R-rated movie still managed to generate solid ticket sales at a time when most people were largely steering clear of their local cinema. It earned $42 million domestically and $83 million worldwide.
Plot details, as well as returning or newly cast actors, have not been finalized. The first film featured Lewis Tan, Jessica McNamee, Josh Lawson, Tadanobu Asano and Mehcad Brooks.
The post Mortal Kombat Sequel in the Works with ‘Moon Knight’ Screenwriter appeared first on Bleeding Fool. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Jason Momoa Joining the Fast & the Furious Franchise for F10 Posted: 30 Jan 2022 09:55 AM PST
The rock who? In the first major casting for the next installment, Vin Diesel’s Dominic Torreto will have a new counterpart to square up against. Deadline reports that Jason Momoa has joined the cast of F10, the next installment in the Fast & Furious series starring Vin Diesel.
Tyrese Gibson, Ludacris, Michelle Rodriguez and Sung Kang are expected to return with Justin Lin on board to direct. Diesel and Lin are producing. Plot details are still unknown at this time.
The film is set to bow on May 19, 2023. The most recent pic F9 bowed this past summer, grossing more then $720 million at the global box-office, making it one of the biggest films of the year. The post Jason Momoa Joining the Fast & the Furious Franchise for F10 appeared first on Bleeding Fool. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sony Pictures Classics Snags Alex Helfrecht’s ‘A Winter’s Journey’ Animated Film Posted: 30 Jan 2022 07:30 AM PST
Sony Pictures Classics has taken North America, Latin America, Middle East, Scandinavia, Australia/New Zealand, Turkey, India, South Africa, Southeast Asia, Japan, Thailand rights and global airlines to Alex Helfrecht's animated movie A Winter's Journey.
Set in Bavaria in 1812, A Winter's Journey follows an itinerant lovelorn poet who undertakes a hazardous walk across mountains, ice, and snow – a journey which will bring either death or a new life.
Painted by the animation artists behind the Oscar-nominated Loving Vincent, A Winter's Journey is a romantic and epic tale which blends live action with CG and painted animation. The world of the film is the first to be built using PlayStation's "Dreams", developed by PlayStation Studios' multiple-BAFTA-winning games studio Media Molecule. The pic is an adaptation of Franz Schubert's timeless masterpiece "Winterreise", the most performed classical song cycle in the world.
The cast includes John Malkovich, Jason Isaacs, Marcin Czarnik (Son of Saul, Sunset), Ólafur Darri Ólafsson (Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald), Martina Gedeck (The Lives of Others) and introduces Gabriella Moran.
via Deadline The post Sony Pictures Classics Snags Alex Helfrecht’s ‘A Winter’s Journey’ Animated Film appeared first on Bleeding Fool. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Bowie’s ‘Man Who Fell to Earth’ Movie Gets Graphic Novel Adaptation Posted: 30 Jan 2022 05:25 AM PST
Titan Comics is thrilled to announce an all-new, fully-authorized graphic novel adaptation of the cult 1976 movie The Man Who Fell To Earth from STUDIOCANAL starring David Bowie! Penned by Dan Watters (Cowboy Bebop) with art by Dev Pramanik (Dune: House Atreides), the hotly anticipated graphic novel is due to hit stores Fall 2022!
Based on the classic science fiction novel by Walter Tevis (The Queen's Gambit, The Hustler), The Man Who Fell to Earth is the 1976 science fiction movie by STUDIOCANAL, directed by Nicolas Roeg and written by Paul Mayersberg. It stars David Bowie, Candy Clark, Buck Henry, and Rip Torn.
The story follows an extra-terrestrial called Thomas Jerome Newton (played in the movie by David Bowie) who lands on Earth in search of water to save his dying home planet. Using his advanced scientific knowledge, Thomas becomes incredibly rich thanks to dozens of inventions his company releases. He uses his wealth to search for a way to transport water back to his home planet, but as his wealth and his fame grows, Thomas becomes a target of interest to the U.S. Government who begin to investigate him.
Now Titan Comics will bring a brand-new visual interpretation to the graphic novel medium, adapted by comic book writer Dan Watters (The Shadow, Assassin's Creed, Lucifer, Cowboy Bebop) and illustrated artist Dev Pramanik (Paradiso, Firefly, Dune: House Atreides).
"The Man Who Fell to Earth is a masterpiece of a film with an awful lot to say; about men, about the Earth, and lots of things in between," said Dan Watters. "There are ideas in the film, about climate crises and corporate greed, that are more relevant now than they were when Nicolas Roeg set out to make it. And now here we are. I think it's high time to look at the world through Thomas Newton's mismatched eyes all over again. Perhaps he'll see something we've been missing." The post Bowie’s ‘Man Who Fell to Earth’ Movie Gets Graphic Novel Adaptation appeared first on Bleeding Fool. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Examining the Recorded History of Comic Books Posted: 29 Jan 2022 03:55 PM PST |
(@DebraMessing) 
(@ReginaMichele5) 
| YEARS | COMIC BOOK AGE | DEMARCATION(S) OF ONSET |
| 1897 – 1937 | Platinum (Pre-Golden) Age | Pulp Magazine Era; Comic strips collected into 'book' format |
| 1938 – 1955 | Golden Age | Costumed Adventurer debuts (The Phantom) |
| 1956 – 1972 | Silver Age | Revival of the Flash (DC Comics) |
| 1973 – 1985 | Bronze (Brass) Age | Industry-wide slump; 1960s Marvel Bullpen 'core team' leaves |
| 1986 – 1997 | Iron (Plastic/Tin/Dark) Age | Superhero deconstruction (Dark Knight, Watchmen) |
| 1998 – Present | Clay (Modern) Age | No Imagination; Recycle-Reuse-Redundant |
The Tarnish on the Trophy
I'll come back to the heyday of Marvel (1961-1968) and its first sale to a corporate raider in 1968 in a later post. Yes, read that correctly — 1968, not 1986. The buyout in 1986 was the second sale. Again, more on that another time.
I want to say a few words about how the Silver Age ended. Since Marvel was the big dog in superhero comics, most historians look to them for the end point in the Silver Age, just as DC is considered the initiator of the Age in 1956-1958 with the new Flash, though Barry Allen's version was preceded by J'onn J'onzz, the Martian Manhunter (1955), and Captain Comet (1951).
Many comic historians end the Silver Age with Amazing Spider-Man Issue 121 and the death of Gwen Stacy.
No. That makes zero sense. Why?
Because Stan Lee had already been out of the comic book creation loop since Spider-Man Issue 110 (July 1972)–his final issue–almost a full year before the Gwen Stacy moron-level screwup–er, death scene.
Additionally, Stan had stopped writing for both Fantastic Four and Thor about two years prior, in 1970. UPDATE: GCD says I am incorrect on FF and Thor dates. Stan's last FF issue was 124 125, which was the same one month after Spider-Man 110. His last Thor issue was 192 in September 1971. This doesn't change the gist of my statement on Stan being disconnected from day-to-day comic operation. Lee moved from Editor-in-Chief to Publisher in 1972. By the time Stan moved into an Executive Editor position in charge of IP management and sales in 1978, all the key creative players who made Marvel a success had moved on from Marvel superhero titles, or from Marvel itself.
Steve Ditko left in 1966, leaving Doctor Strange rudderless, while Spider-Man was re-vectored under Lee and Romita into a Mafia-fighting crusader who occasionally did fight a super-villain. After his departure, Ditko worked with Charlton Comics as he had in the early 60s, drawing his creations of Captain Atom and the Question, re-working the venerable Blue Beetle, and establishing his other independent comic book titles, such as Mister A.
Jack Kirby left in 1970 after finishing art on Thor 179, Fantastic Four 102, and Amazing Adventures 4 (The Inhumans) to bring his Fourth World creations to DC from 1970 to 1973. He had stopped innovating for Marvel years earlier, about the time of the company's sale in 1968, due to disagreements over credit and compensation.
Don Heck was doing pick-up art on titles for Marvel, as more of a contract freelancer than a Bullpen member since Steranko had taken over on Nick Fury, Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. in Strange Tales. The co-creator of Iron Man and anchor point artist for The Avengers would sporadically work for future Marvel superhero titles.
Jim Steranko was thwarted in projects he proposed after the 1968 sale of Marvel Comics, and he left the company to focus on commercial art projects, illustrations for books and movies, and other independent comic art.
John Buscema and Gene Colon never liked superheroes and moved to sword & sorcery, science fiction, mystery, adventure, romance, and horror titles, along with Roy Thomas in the 70s.
That pretty much cleared out the first stringers of the 1960s Marvel Bullpen by 1972. Therefore, Stan's departure from an active role in comic book creation, as of Spider-Man 110 (not 121) and Fantastic Four 125, is the end of the Silver Age of Comics in my book.
Who was doing what when and to whom?
Let's also compare this timeline of the Ages with Brian Niemeier's "Lost Generations" timeline for cultural generations.
| Greatest Generation | 1914-1934 |
| Silent Generation | 1935-1945 |
| Baby Boomers | 1946-1956 |
| Generation Jones | 1957-1967 |
| Generation X | 1968-1978 |
| Generation Y | 1979-1989 |
| The Millennials | 1990-2000 |
| Generation Z | 2001-2011 |
Now, let's assume that kids start reading comics at 10 years old, start creating their own comics at 20 years old, and stop creating 40 years after starting such work. (Rough estimates.) Rolling this information out against Ages of Comic Books, we find the following:
| GENERATION | |||||
| YEARS | COMIC BOOK AGE | BIRTH | START READING | START CREATING | STOP CREATING |
| 1897 – 1937 | Platinum Age | Greatest | |||
| 1938 – 1955 | Golden Age | Silent, Boomers | Greatest, Silent | Greatest | |
| 1956 – 1972 | Silver Age | Jones, Gen-X | Boomers, Jones | Silents | |
| 1973 – 1985 | Bronze Age | Gen-X, Gen-Y | Jones, Gen-X | Boomers, Jones | Greatest |
| 1986 – 1997 | Iron Age | Gen-Y, Mils | Gen-X, Gen-Y | Gen-X, Gen-Y | Silents |
| 1998 – Present | Clay Age | Mils, Zoomers | Gen-Y, Mils, Zoomers | Gen-Y, Mils | Boomers |
Peak Marvel Comics occurred about 1966/67, almost in the middle of the Silver Age. Boomers and early Jones got to experience it, while the Greatest and the Silents created it.
Later Jones and Gen-X started reading as the crash of 1973/74 wiped out a lot of comics Silents and Boomers were making, and ushered in the Direct Market distribution model vice the original newsstand model.
Gen-Y began their comics experience with the deconstructionist Dark Knight and Watchmen.
Mils and Zoomers were left with nothing but the post-1997 dregs of Recycle-Reuse-Redundant to begin their comic book experience, if they even had one.
Where did you come up with THAT idea?
Throw another twist into this scenario: where did the Golden Age creators get their ideas for characters and stories? As we mentioned before, from the Pulps, the Western canon of literature, historical and cultural tales, fantasy works, and similar stories. These sources were commonly available through book stores, libraries, and book collections in homes, as well as being passed down via word of mouth through families.
The Pulp Magazines that fed the Golden Age were hounded out of business by 1949/50 by whisper campaigns that claimed the magazines were childish and didn't represent or print more literary works. The large book publishers that often repeated this disparagement of the Pulps were also quick to rifle the pockets of the dead for their paperback anthologies. This did allow people unfamiliar with the Pulps to at least get a taste of many of the stories and series that flourished in those publications.
Due to excess printing by publishers, back catalog warehouses often stocked "new old stock" in books, i.e. books printed years before, but never distributed. This allowed retailers to request back catalog items via queries sent to warehouses and their distributors. Periodic catalogs of inventories, large as an old phone book, would be made available to retailers. Since pulp stories were often reprinted in paperback anthologies, they were common enough that Gary Gygax chose to make a list of books that influenced him in creating Dungeons & Dragons, and recommended gamers get them and read them. (See Advanced Dungeons & Dragons, 1st Edition, Dungeon Masters Guide, Appendix N.)
The ready availability of these Appendix N materials was impacted by a court decision in 1979/80 (Thor Power) that changed how many companies could claim inventories on their taxes. For books, the large warehouses of back catalog paperbacks and other books that were a ready source of older titles were now more a liability than an asset.
After 1980, the availability of the books that Gygax recommended, and that of similar pulp-derived materials, was much reduced. New and newer books began to fill book stores, without as many reprints peppering the shelves. Well-known authors of the previous several decades fell out of favor and became virtual unknowns with younger readers who never had a chance to hear of these creators.
For comics, this meant that mainly new fiction informed creators, rather than a much richer selection of entertainment from the past that was available prior to 1980. Creators would soon be 'running on empty' for story material, thus harvesting from the older comics themselves, not the literature on which they were once based.
That's it for this installment. Let me know what you think. Don't be shy about correcting my factual errors. My opinions? That's another story…
Background Reading
"The Grand Comics Database", comics.org
"Captain Billy's Whiz Bang", MNOpedia.org
"The Phantom", Infogalactic.com
"Ace Comics #11", Everything2.com
"Thor Power Tool Co. v. Commissioner", Infogalactic.com
"Thor Power Tool v. Commissioner, 439 U.S. 522 (1979)", Supreme.Justia.com
"The Effect of the Thor Ruling on School Librarian's Ability to Obtain Copies of Children's Literature and Reference Materials in Atlanta Public Schools." eric.ed.gov
"The Effects of the Thor Power Tool Decision on the LIFO/FIFO Choice", JSTOR.org
"A Comment on 'The Effects of the Thor Power Tool Decision on the LIFO/FIFO Choice’", JSTOR.org
Originally published here.
The post Examining the Recorded History of Comic Books appeared first on Bleeding Fool.
Disney’s Predator Prequel Influenced by ‘God of War’ Video Game
Posted: 29 Jan 2022 02:25 PM PST
Up until now, Prey, Disney’s upcoming Predator prequel, has been quietly leaking details, and now director Dan Trachtenberg has revealed where he got some of his inspiration from: the video game series God of War. Taking to social media, the filmmaker expressed his gratitude for the renewed love for God of War, concluding that “it’s had some influence on PREY.”
While @corybarlog GOD OF WAR is getting new recognition for its PC release I will pile on that praise and point out— it's had some influence on PREY.
— Dan Trachtenberg (@DannyTRS) January 24, 2022
God of War is a 2005 action-adventure video game franchise created by Sony’s Santa Monica Studio by David Jaffe. The plot revolved around Kratos, a Spartan warrior who becomes the God of War after being duped into killing his family by his old master, Ares, the ancient Greek god of war. Seeking vengeance, Kratos waged war on the gods, triggering a chain of events that resulted in battles with the mythological pantheons.
God of War has gained widespread acclaim since its release, with critics applauding the tale, the maturation and characterization of Kratos, and the spectacular visuals on show. Trachtenberg, no doubt, is looking for a similar reaction to his Predator installment.
Prey is to be the fifth film in the Predator franchise, and will situate the alien warrior back in the past, transporting the series back in time and examining the iconic movie monster’s initial visit to Earth.
“An all-new installment in the Predator franchise, Prey is set in the world of the Comanche Nation 300 years ago,” according to the film’s synopsis. The film, once known as Skull, will also return the franchise to its roots, with producer John Davis comparing Prey to the bleak Oscar winner The Revenant. “[Skull] has more akin to The Revenant than it does any film in the Predator canon,” Davis revealed. “You’ll know what I mean once you see it.”
In keeping with current trends towards more inclusion and diversity, Prey will introduce a female lead in the form of Legion star Amber Midthunder, who will star as a Comanche woman who goes against gender norms and traditions to become a warrior, setting her on a collision course with the alien skull-collector.
Prey is scheduled to be released exclusively to the streaming service Hulu in summer 2022.
The post Disney’s Predator Prequel Influenced by ‘God of War’ Video Game appeared first on Bleeding Fool.
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