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Firebreather Variant CoverNovember looks like it was quite the month for Phil Hester (and Andy Kuhn).

It began with the announcement that writer J. Michael Straczynski would be stepping down as the writer of Wonder Woman (and Superman) for DC Comics. That same announcement was accompanied by the notice that Phil Hester would be the new writer on WW, effective with Wonder Woman #605. Sweet.

On November 24 (this week, by the way, mark your calendars), Cartoon Network is debuting a brand new animated movie based on Firebreather, the Image Comics series Hester co-created and writes for artist and co-creator Andy Kuhn to draw.

Writing at his blog, Kuhn posted of the film: “It's incredible. I knew the story and I still got caught up.” It’s nice to see creators pleased with an adaptation of their work!

If you want a peek, check out this Firebreather trailer at the Cartoon Network website. The movie was written by Jim Krieg (Ben 10, Batman: The Brave And The Bold) and directed by Peter Chung (Aeon Flux; Animatrix). It looks like something we all need to be checking. Make the appointment, old-school style with your TV or just set the DVR.

Click to continue reading Firebreather: Phil Hester, Andy Kuhn And Peter Chung


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Camelot 3000Prince William has finally picked a bride, Kate Middleton, the only girl in London without a tattoo of an old boyfriend’s name or an upskirt photo on the internet. It’s a terrific moment for the Royal Family and for journalists who can postpone writing about the economy for a few more months.

But now you have some hard choices to make. You’re a comic book fan and a fan of the Royals. So what can you give them as the perfect wedding gift? Yes, you could get them something spectacular from Harrods, but won’t the rest of England be doing that? And do they really need a new toaster or some monogrammed tea cozies?

You can’t go wrong with comics. It’s the universal language, especially if your universe’s language is in the US, Canada, Australia and the UK. So don’t panic. Here are some friendly comic book choices. Pick the right gift and you might even get a knighthood. Apparently they give them out like tiny Cadburys at Halloween.

King Aroo (Library of American Comics/IDW): The comical and fantastical adventures of a different kind of king, by the acclaimed cartoonist Jack Kent. Dean Mullaney and his crew have put together an awesome book that both Royals can enjoy while their bodyguard reads it to them.

Click to continue reading Comic Book Gift Suggestions For Prince William


The DemonI don’t think of a toy company like Mattel as having comic book jobs readily available, but then I’m happy to be wrong. The home of Barbie and Hot Wheels is looking for a Senior Level Project Management Associate to “join its team of Product Development professionals within its Action Play team.”

This is all happening down in El Segundo, which sounds like the greatest name for a super-hero, but instead is the name of a city south of Los Angeles.
 
Mattel’s Action Play team “is a cohesive group of talented and knowledgeable individuals.” If you’re selected you’ll get to work with “some of the finest Toy Design and Development professionals in the industry.” More specifically, you’ll be working on DC Comics properties. Ah ha! So there’s the comic book connection.
 
They want you to have “experience working for a consumer packaged goods company utilizing plastic materials.” Responsibilities include “oversight of issues pertaining to product schedule, cost, product functionality, and quality.” You’re like the inspector of DC toys for Mattel.
 
Some might think that’s the coolest job ever, and you’ll get to see the toys long before they reach the shelves, and probably the conceptual ones that don’t make it out of the Action Play meeting room.
 
Intrigued yet? 

Click to continue reading Comic Book Jobs: Mattel


Naruto1Interning is a great way to pick up some business skills while you’re in school and get some college credit. Interning at a publishing company is a great way to figure out if you have any interest in getting involved in the business that helps you clutter up your bookshelves with books and your iPads with downloads.

Acclaimed manga publisher and anime company Viz Media, in San Francisco, is taking applications for their 2011 Spring Intern program and there’s no time like the present to get those applications in.

Viz has part-time internships available in a variety of departments including: Animation Production; Consumer Marketing; Consumer Products & Approvals; Design Intern; Editorial; Information Technology; Magazines; Publishing Licensing; Sales & Retail Development; and Web Production.

But those positions won't last for long, so brush up the resume with all your Starbucks and McDonald's experience and get it over there.

Good luck, internship seekers!

[Artwork: Naruto, from Viz Media]

Read More | Viz Media

Stellar SixPreviously, Tokyopop, the leading manga producer out of Los Angeles, was looking for a Director of Digital Business.

That must’ve gone pretty well, because now they’re looking for a Manager of Digital Business to report to that person.
 
You’ll be “responsible for building a successful digital operation under the guidance of the executive team.” You’ll be using all the cool tools the kids have - “Apple iOS, Android, Facebook, Twitter, ebook readers such as Kindle, game platforms such as PSP, DS and consoles, and the Internet” - and all the cool stuff that’s about to be invented.
 

Click to continue reading Comic Book Jobs: Tokyopop (Digital)


Mighty SamsonThank you internets, you’ve been great this week. So let’s share that bounty with others:

Mighty Samson: Writer J.C. Vaughn has a preview of Mighty Samson #1 at his blog. Shooter’s involved, Patrick Olliffe is the artist. Dark Horse is the publisher. I’m in!

Here’s a little more about the series at Comic Attack.

Shadow: Novelist James Reasoner has a Forgotten Book that’s a must have for fans of Maxwell Grant’s The Shadow: Gangland's Doom: The Shadow of the Pulps, by Frank Eisgruber Jr.

British Comics: Matthew Murray at Comics Beat goes all out for the new Dandy and breaks down its contents.

Peanuts: Zach Weiner finally lets Charlie Brown kick that football.

Peppers: Mark Evanier lives the sitcom life.

3-D: Ricky Sprague at Project Child Murdering Robot tells how Marvel Comics (in 3-D!) turned him into an atheist. Bonus: 3-D artwork on the internets!

Click to continue reading Weekend Reading: Bill Finger, Mighty Samson, The Shadow & Valerian


Trucks & SkullsDo you like Monster Trucks and Laughing Skulls? And stuff that blows up real good?

Then you’ll want to play iPad’s Game of the Week: Trucks & Skulls!

It was created by the gang at Appy Entertainment, which is run by a couple of friends of mine (Chris Ulm and Paul O’Connor) who are both comic book industry veterans. Ulm is the guy who came up with the idea for the Ultraverse, and O’Connor wrote several dozen comics back in the go-go 1980s.

Click to continue reading Trucks & Skulls For Your iPad!


Shadow1"He's back…and God help the guilty."

My favorite thing to hit at the San Diego Comic Con is the back issue bins – the so-called quarter boxes (usually greatly reduced in price by Sunday) of oddball and overstock comics from the 1980s – now.

At this year's con, there was one dealer in particular who had over a dozen long boxes of comics in nearly alphabetical order, and I and many other well-mannered scavengers thumbed through them all. One of my treasures was the complete 4-issue run of Howard Chaykin's The Shadow from DC Comics (1986).

Coming on the heels of his award-winning run at First Comics with his own American Flagg! Chaykin went over to DC for a revamp of the old 1930s pulp character created by Walter Gibson (aka Maxwell Grant). DC's previous attempt with the character back in the 1970s stayed true to its pulp origins and was unsuccessful despite the involvement of Denny O'Neil, Mike Kaluta and Bernie Wrightson.

By bringing in Chaykin a decade later, it was clear that some things were going to be shaken up and this was not going to be a standard pulp revival. You don't turn to Howard if you want the same old, same old.

Click to continue reading Forgotten Comics: Howard Chaykin’s The Shadow


Mickey Mouse & Walt DisneyDisney Publishing Worldwide is the publishing arm of The Walt Disney Company. They develop “original, award-winning content...including Disney books, magazines and comic books.”

Based in White Plains, NY, they need a Digital Managing Editor to “oversee the digital content making process from concept through posting of final files.”

 

Click to continue reading Comic Book Jobs: Disney Publishing


Fairy TailLots of good jobs out there this week, for those interested in the manga, the MMOs and the internets. Let’s check ‘em out:

Random House is looking for a Production Manager who can “handle all aspects of production, pre-press, and manufacturing related to manga titles.” This means “estimating, schedule generation and adherence, working with various groups including editors, designers, and compositors, routing, maintaining production specifications in an enterprise system, and resolving quality issues as needed.”

You need at least 5 years experience in trade book production, and preferably some manga or comics experience. If you’re one of those DC people getting downsized, please note that Random House is in New York.

Blizzard Entertainment is looking for a Franchise Development Producer which sounds like one of the coolest jobs ever. You’ll be tasked with creating “brand-extending merchandise for the next-gen MMO franchise, including: “Books / Novels, Action figures, Comics, Short movies and Apparel.” Have you clicked the link yet?

Click to continue reading Comic Book Jobs: Random House, IGN and Blizzard


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