Fourth “Pirates of the Caribbean” looked good, says “On Stranger Tides” author Tim Powers
Author Tim Powers, who’s coming to Oklahoma City’s SoonerCon in June, said he enjoyed the fourth “Pirates of the Caribbean” film – but he admits to a bias.
“It looked good to me,” he said. “You know, I’m partial.”
He’s the author of “On Stranger Tides,” the novel on which the film was loosely based.
“My wife and I went to the premiere at Disneyland,” Powers said. “We got to walk up the ‘black carpet’ … and saw Johnny Depp, and Keith Richards, and Jodie Foster somehow.”
The movie features Blackbeard and the Fountain of Youth, which are featured in the “On Stranger Tides” novel, but Powers says much of the rest was changed for the “Pirates” film.
“Given that it was the fourth installment of a fairly complicated series, there was no way it could have a lot to do with my book, so I wasn’t expecting much overlap. But even when people make movies specifically of books, I don’t think they’re under any obligation to follow the book very closely. Whole different form and all.”
Fans of adventure fiction with a supernatural twist will find much to enjoy in Powers’ “On Stranger Tides,” which features a former puppeteer drawn into a world of the supernatural when he’s pressed into service on a pirate ship. Powers said he extensively researches the real world events and settings in his books so that when fantastic elements are introduced, they seem believable.
“I want it to be not too big of a speed bump when the supernatural stuff begins to intrude,” Powers said. “I really am always aware that the supernatural stuff is plain bogus, and we’ve moved from reality into just imaginary. And I don’t want that shift to jolt or jar the reader, I want them to sort of go along.”
Powers says he never considers whether any of his books will be optioned or filmed.
“I think it would be a handicap, because you’d think, ‘Oh wait, this would be too expensive to film this scene.’ You’d be restricting yourself with the eventual thought of the movie in mind.”
Powers will appear at SoonerCon, June 3-5, 2011 in the downtown OKC Sheraton, 1 North Broadway Ave. For more info or discounted pre-registrations, visit www.soonercon.com or call (405) 310-9255.
Look for a more extensive interview with Powers in an upcoming edition of the Oklahoman’s Weekend Look.
- Matt Price
James Bonds battle; War, Politics and Superheroes; Castle graphic novel announced
Kyle Roberts’ stop-motion film “Battle of the Bonds” debuts tonight at IAO Gallery, 706 W Sheridan. Matt Price and Kyle Roberts will co-host the event. The short film will be released online Saturday.
Matt and Kyle talk to author Marc DiPaolo about his book, “War, Politics and Superheroes.”
And a graphic novel inspired by “Castle” is coming out this fall.
Holiday gift ideas for comic-book fans include art books, anniversary titles
Paul Levitz with his book, "75 Years of DC Comics."
WORD BALLOONS
With Black Friday upon us, those with comic book fans in their lives might be considering what items relating to the hobby would make good holiday gifts. There are several items, from archival reprints to art books and histories, that might make good selections.
2010 marks the 75th anniversary of DC Comics, so several items are available celebrating that landmark. Paul Levitz has written the enormous “75 Years of DC Comics: The Art of Modern Mythmaking” ($200) from Taschen, recounting the company’s history with lots of beautifully presented art. The hardcover book “DC Comics Year by Year: A Visual Chronicle” ($50) takes fans on a chronological tour through important events in DC Comics’ publishing history.
For those who may be fans primarily of DC Comics’ artwork, “DC Comics: The 75th Anniversary Poster Book” ($40) provides a look at some of DC’s greatest covers, which can be pulled out as posters if desired.
Another DC Comics-related book of interest is “Icons: The DC Comics & Wildstorm Art of Jim Lee” ($39.95), which recounts the post-Marvel comics art of the DC Comics co-publisher, who has drawn story lines including “Superman: For Tomorrow” and “Batman: Hush.” Fans of classic comics may want to try out “Shazam!: The Golden Age of the World’s Mightiest Mortal” ($35), which looks back at the phenomenon of Captain Marvel from comics’ Golden Age.
Aspiring comic book artists might be interested in “Stan Lee’s How to Draw Comics” ($24.99), which covers essential elements in comic book creating, or “Bryan Hitch’s Ultimate Comics Studio” ($24.99), which shows the techniques of the popular comic book penciller.
If your comic fan’s taste runs more toward the indie, Oni Press has released a complete box set of all of the “Scott Pilgrim” graphic novels. Called “Scott Pilgrim’s Precious Little Box Set” ($72), this slipcased collection contains all six of Bryan Lee O’Malley’s “Pilgrim” graphic novels, in which a slacker must defeat all of his new girlfriend’s evil exes.
Marvel Comics fans may enjoy “Marvel Avengers: The Ultimate Character Guide” ($16.99), which gives a rundown on the various characters that were part of “The Avengers” over the years.
- Matt Price
From Friday’s The Oklahoman
David Sedaris to sign, speak in Oklahoma City
Author David Sedaris will sign and read from his book “Squirrel Seeks Chipmunk: A Modest Bestiary” at 7 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 19 at Borders, 3209 Northwest Expressway.
Sedaris is the author of the New York Times best-sellers Naked (1997), Holidays on Ice (1997), Me Talk Pretty One Day (2000), Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim (2004), and When You Are Engulfed in Flames (2008).
For more information, call 848-2667
Superman-Batman book Enemies and Allies out in paperback
"Enemies and Allies" by Kevin J. Anderson
The Kevin J. Anderson book featuring a Superman-Batman team-up, “Enemies and Allies,” is released in paperback today. I believe that’s an Alex Ross cover on the paperback edition.
I interviewed Anderson for The Oklahoman when the hardcover edition of the book came out in 2009.
Anderson sets the first meeting of Superman and Batman in the 1950s, at the height of the Cold War.
“It seemed unlikely to set a story in the modern day, and say that Batman and Superman have never heard of each other before,” Anderson said. “It felt more in keeping with the spirit of the universe if we set it back in a more nostalgic time. And of course the ’50s is the time we all remember from George Reeves as Clark Kent and Superman, and Noel Neill as Lois Lane, and that was the flavor I wanted to pick up on.”
Ultimately, the 1950s setting became interwoven completely with the story.
“It became not just window dressing, but the ’50s setting and everybody’s attitudes about the Cold War, the paranoia about flying saucers, and all of these details became integral to the plot rather than just little backdrops,” Anderson said.
- Matt Price
Abrams ComicArts announces signings, panels at Comic-Con International
Abrams has a nice line-up of panels and signings promoting its current and upcoming offerings. I for one am very much looking forward to the “Shazam” book this fall!
From Abrams:
Abrams ComicArts Signings
Booth #1216
Thursday, July 22
1–2:00 pm Ethen Beavers N.E.R.D.S. Book Two: M Is for Mama’s Boy
2–3:00 pm Chip Kidd Shazam! The Golden Age of the World’s Mightiest Mortal
Friday, July 23
11–12:00 noon Brian and Wendy Froud The Heart of Faerie Oracle
3–4:00 pm Jaime Hernandez and Todd Hignite The Art of Jaime Hernandez: The Secrets of Life and Death
Saturday, July 24
10–11:00 am Jaime Hernandez and Todd Hignite The Art of Jaime Hernandez: The Secrets of Life and Death
2:30–3:30 pm Lela Lee – Angry Little Girls, Angry Little Girls in Love
4–5:00 pm Brian and Wendy Froud The Heart of Faerie Oracle
Sunday, July 25
2–3:00 pm Jason Shiga – Meanwhile
Abrams ComicArts Panels
Friday, July 23
1:30–2:30 pm Spotlight on Jerry Robinson Room 9
One of the true legends of comics, Comic-Con special guest Jerry Robinson is a writer, artist, historian, curator, and creator rights activist. Jerry discusses his seventy years in comics––from his contributions to the Batman mythos to the creation of the Joker and development of Robin, Alfred, Penguin, Scarecrow, and Two-Face. Jerry is interviewed by Michael Uslan, the executive producer of the Batman movies, comics historian, and author of upcoming Archie Marries… (Abrams ComicArts). In their discussion, Robinson and Uslan will take the audience from behind the scenes of the Golden Age of comics to the filming of The Dark Knight and Jerry’s latest book projects including the upcoming Jerry Robinson: Ambassador of Comics (Abrams ComicArts).
4–5:00 pm Krazy Kat’s 100th Anniversary Celebration! Room 4
An exclusive multimedia show of unpublished strips, drawings, and paintings presented by Craig Yoe, author of Krazy + Ignatz in Tiger Tea (IDW) and the upcoming Krazy Kat & the Art of George Herriman: A Celebration (Abrams ComicArts). The panel will explore a century of Krazy-ness, with Greg Goldstein (IDW), R. C. Harvey (The Art of the Funnies), Charles Kochman (executive editor, Abrams ComicArts), Douglas Wolk (Reading Comics), and Peter Maresca, (editor/publisher, Sunday Press Books). Plus a thrilling bonus: a never-before-seen home movie of Krazy’s creator, George Herriman.
Saturday, July 24
11:30–12:30 pm Shazam! The Golden Age of the World’s Mightiest Mortal Room 9
Author/designer Chip Kidd (Mythology, Bat-Manga, Rough Justice), author/producer Michael Uslan (Archie Marries…), and Charles Kochman (executive editor, Abrams ComicArts) celebrate the 70th anniversary of the Big Red Cheese in this panel and slideshow discussion celebrating Kidd’s upcoming fall release from Abrams ComicArts, Shazam! The Golden Age of the World’s Mightiest Mortal.
X-Men/Avengers: Search and Destroy, the Gamma Quest Trilogy book 2 review
X-Men/Avengers: Search and Rescue, book 2 of the Gamma Quest Trilogy
In the second part of Greg Cox’s X-Men/Avengers trilogy, “Search and Destroy,” the Avengers, X-Men and the Hulk put aside their differences following a melee at Niagara Falls at the conclusion of book 1. This 1999 novel continues the “Gamma Quest” story.
The Beast, who has been a member of both teams, appealed to the scientific knowledge of Bruce Banner. While the Hulk in this story is intelligent, he doesn’t like being reminded of Banner. But he agrees to work with the Avengers and X-Men when he determines the Leader, a super-intelligent, gamma-powered longtime foe of the Hulk, is likely behind the disappearance of the Scarlet Witch and Rogue.
After Iron Man repairs the Vision, damaged in the battle with the Hulk, the group again splits up into two factions — the Hulk, now working with the X-Men and Avengers, joins Iron Man, Storm and Wolverine in response to a distress call from Moira MacTaggart in Scotland. (Readers of the first book will remember Wolverine was captured by the Leader in book 1, though neither the X-Men nor Avengers know this. So who is this Wolverine?)
While researching the Legacy Virus, scientist MacTaggart, and friends Nightcrawler and Iceman of the X-Men, come under attack from the Gamma Sentinels, stolen SHIELD developments that can mimic gamma-powered heroes and villains.
Cyclops, Captain America and Vision head to the Leader’s last known location, the hidden city of Freehold, where they come into contact with that city’s defenders, the Riot Squad, and its new leader, Omnibus. While Omnibus is sympathetic to the Leader’s goals, he believes the Leader to be dead.
Scarlet Witch, Wolverine and Rogue are tortured in some pretty difficult scenes; when they attempt an escape, they find the Leader has seemingly planned for every eventuality.
Cox, who has written multiple superhero novels for both Marvel and DC, has a good handle on these characters. His Captain America is heroic and inspiring; Iron Man is tech-oriented and flirtatious; the Beast is brilliant and jovial. George Perez again provides artwork in the chapter breaks; it’s always great to see “Avengers” artwork from Perez, who is one of the best-ever at drawing the team. Julie Bell is the cover artist.
- Matt Price
Review of Book One
X-Men/Avengers: Lost and Found, the Gamma Quest Trilogy book 1 review
The X-Men and the Avengers find themselves at odds when members of each of their teams go missing, in this 1999 novel by Greg Cox (writer of the “52″ and “Infinite Crisis” novelizations).
Scarlet Witch of the Avengers, and Wolverine and Rogue of the X-Men find themselves attacked in strange situations, and held hostage and tortured by a mysterious captor. Both the Avengers and the X-Men uncover gamma radiation at the sites of the disappearance – so they seek Bruce Banner, who is the world’s foremost expert.
However, Banner turns into the Hulk before a peaceful discussion can be had, leading to a huge donnybrook with X-Men, Avengers and Hulk all at seemingly cross purposes at Niagara Falls.
As the kickoff to a three-book series, “Lost and Found” had plenty of action, though the plot may have moved a touch slowly. I thought the characterization of Captain America and Iron Man on the Avengers side of things was particularly well-done. The Vision is the other main Avenger in the story. On the X-Men side, besides the aforementioned Wolverine and Rogue, the main players are Cyclops, Storm, and the Beast.
Of note is the cover, by Julie Bell, and illustrations throughout by George Perez, who was the “Avengers” artist around the time this book originally came out. Since Perez is possibly my favorite “Avengers” artist, it was great to see illustrations of his that I hadn’t seen before.
- Matt Price
Review of Book Two
Wonder Woman focus of new books, comic revamp
She’s the world’s most famous female superhero, but after a decade in development, there’s still little movement on a “Wonder Woman” film. But the star-spangled hero is still popular in the world of comics, and DC Comics is focusing even more attention on the character in 2010.
Writer J. Michael Straczynski (“Babylon 5”) will take over the adventures of the character starting with “Wonder Woman” No. 601, shipping in July.
“The chance to write Wonder Woman — the nearest analogue to Superman in the DC (universe) — is massively exciting,” Straczynski told DC Comics’ Source blog. “She’s a vital, powerful character, and we hope to bring a more contemporary sensibility to her character (while) retaining everything that makes her unique.”
If you want to get caught up on Wonder Woman before July, “The Essential Wonder Woman Encylopedia,” by Phil Jimenez and John Wells, is a 400-plus page reference tool with entries ranging from the ape queen Abu-Gita to the Central American kingdom Zarikan. This is an expansion of the previous Wonder Woman encyclopedia by Michael Fleisher, and it’s been revised and updated with more than 1,100 entries. “Essential” deals with the comic-book adventures of “Wonder Woman,” not her appearances on the Lynda Carter TV series or her various animated incarnations; but for comic aficionados who want the ultimate Wonder Woman reference, this is a very complete tool.
Also available for Wonder Woman fans is the Robert Greenberger book “Wonder Woman: Amazon. Hero. Icon.” This coffee-table book examines Wonder Woman’s comic book origins and her effect on culture.
And if you want to read the very first “Wonder Woman” stories, they have been made available for the first time in a trade paperback format. “Wonder Woman Chronicles” Vol. 1 collects the original adventures by writer William Moulton Marston and artist Harry G. Peter in chronological order from the pages of “All Star Comics” No. 8, “Sensation Comics” Nos. 1-9 and “Wonder Woman” No. 1.
- By Matthew Price
From Friday’s The Oklahoman
Watchmen, The Stand among recommendations for what to do after “Lost”
George Lang and I give 5 recommendations for “Lost” fanatics who have had some time open up on their schedule after last night’s finale. Among our recommendations are cracking a book – “Watchmen” and “The Stand” should both appeal to “Lost”-watchers. Check out Planet 46 for the full list!
- Matt Price
