Groshan Fabiola asked:

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The Supernatural fan base is undeniably strong, and they serve as a good market for publishing companies who would like to release material on the Supernatural series. In fact, WildStorm released Supernatural: Origins comic book last year, and it was a fair success. This year, fans will again delight in another release, as Supernatural: Rising Son is coming soon. The new comic book is a six-issue miniseries that will tell another tale about the Winchester brothers. To be released on April 23, the series will follow a 7-year-old Sam and 11-year-old Dean as they travel with their father, John.

Writer Peter Johnson, who is also a co-executive producer on the TV show explained that this series focuses more on John and his dysfunctional family.

“We’re really going to explore the differences between Sam and Dean in this one,” Johnson added. “Dean is becoming aware of what his dad’s up to and we’ll see him training and hunting a little bit, while John will start to key in on something different about Sam.”

Despite being another Supernatural project, show creator Eric Kripke, who contributed hugely to the Origins project, was not present in any way in Rising Son, mostly due to the writers’ strike. Although the strike does not include comic book writers, Kripke saw the thin line between writing for the TV series and writing a comic book based on the series, and thus opted to not be part of it this time.

Johnson added that this action packed series includes familiar faces, creepier monsters, fighter ****** and a villain that may be part of the show itself. This will be one hell of a comic book for Supernatural fans to look out for, and just to add to the excitement, there is a third comic book in its conception stage. As for now, let’s await the release of Supernatural, Rising Son, on April 23.

For more resources about Supernatural or for the full story of New Supernatural Comic Book Series Starting in April please review http://www.buddytv.com



ROCKY
Sep
19
Krystle Green asked:
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In the United States, the first comic book was published in 1934. Ever since the first comic came out, the leading producer has been the United States. The first comics were similar to the comics found in early newspapers; however, they were published as their own books. The first comic books were mostly about adventure stories and depicted some type of superhero character. Historians break up the history of American comic books into different eras. There are four eras starting with the Golden Age, the Silver Age, the Bronze Age, and the Modern age of comic books.

The Golden Age of comics is said to have last from the 1930s to the late 1940s. During this time, comics became main stream and readers were introduced to superheroes such as Batman, Captain America, and Wonder Woman. Superman was the first known superhero and made his debut in 1938. After Superman, almost all comics featured a superhero, and the Golden Age is classified by their appearances. World War II had a big impact on the popularity of the superhero comic books during this era. What made them so popular was showcasing that good triumphs over evil. There were even some comic books that showed characters punching Adolf ******.

The Silver Age of comics was more about commercial success and artistic advancement. The Golden Age proved that comics were popular and readable, and the Silver Age maintained that success. This ere lasted from the mid 1950s to the early 1970s. During this time, comics were blamed for juvenile crimes occurring more frequently. As a result of this, comic sales went down and writers had to rethink their story plot. Comics started to represent authority. The characters went through a dynamic change and the stars of the comics started to appear as aliens and other science fiction characters. Also during this time, underground comics made for adults started to emerge.

The Bronze Age lasted from the 1970s to the mid 1980s. The look of the comic book didn’t change during this era, however, the story plot changed dramatically. Although the pages and pictures were bright and colorful, the story line was more dramatic, realistic, and dark. Real world issues were brought to attention in the comics of this era. Drug use was an issue addressed. The comics became more mature and life like.

The Modern Age of comic books started in the 1980s and continues on in to the present. In addition to the characters in comics, the writers are also more recognizable. There are more publishing houses that produce comics and there are independent comic books too. The larger publishing houses became more commercialized. The characters also change during this era. They are now more complex, show self doubt, and the villains are darker.

 



MURRAY
Vince Platania, Jr. asked:
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Comic books have carried a negative stigma for as long as they have existed.  Viewed as juvenile, cheap or inferior forms of literature and art, comic books have had an uphill battle from day one.  But with the success of comic books as represented in Hollywood, maybe, just maybe the perception of them will change.

The truth is, however, that in some circles comic books will always represent what’s wrong with the world, like many other forms of entertainment.  Video games and television have been put under a similar assault by parent groups, religious groups and highbrow elitists that just don’t get their appeal and blame them for the moral downslide of society.  Music over the past few decades has suffered the same kind of negative backlash.

The beautiful thing about comic books, though, is what sets them apart from all other forms of art.  And that thing is the marriage of art and writing that come together in a symphony of story unparalleled.  Much like the film and television industries possess the unique coupling of stories, and sometimes graphic art, with live action, or moving pictures, comic books are unique in the way they present a story.

For instance, take the art in comic books.  Any artist worth his salt can illustrate a still portrait or landscape scene, or what have you. Similarly, any abstract artist with any merit can illustrate a still masterpiece of odd attraction and sensibility.  But it takes a special kind of skill to use those same artistic abilities and techniques to transform a writer’s words to sequential story-telling, depicting constant movement and a wide range of emotions panel after panel, page after page.  Likewise, it’s a chore for a writer to structure their words in such a way that allows the art to do the descriptive ‘talking’ and fill in the dialogue in the appropriate places while still maintaining an interesting and flowing story.  And this is what comic books are made of.

Look at an artist like David Mack who pushes the medium of comic books into another level with his use of paints and materials to create abstract beauty while still maintaining the comic form.  Or the many acclaimed novelists, like Orson Scott Card and Stephen King, for example, who have made the transition to comics bringing their same talents and skill to the mixed media art form.  Yet comic books continue to be disrespected, or looked at as substandard as compared to other media.

That perception may never change, but whether comic books continue to thrive and grow, or eventually fade away, there will never be another art form that quite does what comic books are able to do.



RAYMUNDO
Vince Platania, Jr. asked:


There are thousands of comic book characters in existence from past to present. Many are well known while the majority are more obscure to the general public. And while top ten lists are generally subjective and based on opinion, there are certain comic book characters that will be discussed in this article that are worthy of that distinction by most standards. These are in random order.

Superman - There absolutely cannot be a top ten list of comic book characters without the Man of Steel. He’s one of the first (arguably THE first) superhero to ever grace the four-color world, and thus his history is one of the richest. He’s also one of the most popular in both comics and worldwide as viewed by the general public. He represents truth, justice, righteousness and morality. And while many find it hard to relate to him, those same people look up to his characteristics and admire his altruistic spirit.

Batman - Not quite so altruistic, but every bit as popular and loved is the Dark Knight. He may not always do the right thing, or do it the right way, but his motives are always pure, and his intent is always clear. He’s a thinking man’s hero, but he’s also a warrior’s hero. He’s well rounded and complete, and a little bit gritty, and that’s why we like him.

Spider-Man - The boy next door; the everyman; the geeky kid a great majority of us can relate to who overcomes the odds and becomes something great. Spider-Man gives us hope that we can achieve that same greatness in our own special ways. He truly is a standard bearer and a true hero to the core, always trying to do the right thing, but many times messing it up horribly, thus proving he’s still human, and thus endearing him more and more to our hearts.

Lex Luthor - The arch-nemesis of the ‘Blue Boyscout’, Superman, Lex Luthor is all kinds of evil wrapped up in money and a well pressed, expensive suit. He’s diabolically clever and vicious, and he never lets Supes sleep on the job. Cementing his legacy as one of the greatest villains of all time, Luthor wins our allegiance for the depth of his character and his driven purpose.

Captain America - Maybe not as popular in modern times as he was in the days of World War II when he first appeared on the comic scene, but still a symbol of America and classic comics from the Golden and Silver ages. Captain America is displaced and so he views the world a bit differently than the rest of us. He sees things the way they should be in his mind, which isn’t always the most popular point of view. He’s often portrayed as a boy scout, but truthfully he’s much deeper than that, and that’s where the appeal lies.

Wolverine - Overused or not, Logan is one of the most popular comic book characters in existence today. When he first burst onto the scene in the revitalized X-Men he quickly gained an everlasting fan base because of the difference he brought to the table. He’s not your typical do-gooder hero, though he always does fight for the right causes. He’s temperamental, at times insecure, rude, crude and unpredictable. He’s a loner with a heart of gold and a penchant for violence. He’s an anti-hero who takes no crap, but at the same time he deeply cares about those he surrounds himself with. And it’s those complexities that make him stand out in our minds.

Wonder Woman - The first widely received female superhero, Wonder Woman is by far the most popular female comic book character to date. She comes from a world where women are dominant, which gained her popularity early on in the women’s liberation movement. She stands head-to-head and toe-to-toe with any male superhero, and she shows them up oftentimes. She’s a strong, beautiful, intelligent and yet still feminine heroine with a costume that has become more than iconic.

The Joker - The thorn in Batman’s side rightly deserves a place on this list for his epic battles with the ‘Caped Crusader’. Of all comic book characters in the superhero realm, there is none quite like the Joker. He’s maniacal, insane, and ruthless, yet charming, smooth and debonair at the same time. He’s a mass murderer and a child killer, and he’s obsessed with Batman. He’s just too crazy not to love!

The Flash - If underoos and t-shirts are any indication, The Flash is one of the most noticeable and popular iconic comic book characters of all time. He’s a fan-favorite of comic readers and non-comic fans alike. He’s known worldwide and his trademark red costume with the white circle and yellow lightning bolt are instantly recognized. But more than appearance, it’s his powers and his wit that land him on this list. He’s one of the original comic relief superheroes in the genre with his sarcastic and humorous banter that rivals that of Spider-Man. And who doesn’t love super speed powers? He’s the best at what he does.

The Incredible Hulk - Mr. Green Genes himself has to make this list merely for his iconic status in the world of comics and beyond. He’s a classic hero that has gained notoriety through comics, television and film. And with the popularity of the second Hulk film that just released, his star will only continue to rise. Couple that with the massive success of Planet Hulk and the Incredible one is a force to be reckoned with. Whether it’s his intense power, or the dynamic between that power and the weak, but intelligent alter-ego Bruce Banner, we love him no matter what.

There are many other comic book characters that could have easily made this list, like Magneto, Iron Man, Robin, Green Lantern, Professor X and so many others. The names represented above, though, are undoubtedly some of the greatest comic book characters ever created.



DARNELL
Andrew Hawnt asked:


It is a rather strange and exciting time for the comic book movies genre. With last year’s superhero films The Dark Knight, Iron Man and The Incredible Hulk, audiences were treated to feature films that took the core elements of the superheroes that have filled comics for decades and turned them into successful movie properties. The genre as a whole has reached something of an impasse now, mostly down to The Dark Knight, but also down to this year’s WATCHMEN adaptation. Audiences aren’t just there for effects, and the studios have been taking note. The comic book films we are now seeing released are amongst the most serious, most respectful and most powerful the genre has ever produced.

With The Dark Knight, long-held perceptions of the superhero genre have shifted somewhat. Now, movie audiences are starting to see the same grit and level of drama that comics audiences have known of for years. Iron Man is an ideal example of the genre being captured perfectly on film. Robert Downey Jr’s portrayal of the billionaire Tony Stark was pitch perfect, giving us a hero with much more than just two dimensions.

Some may argue that the superhero film came of age back with the first X-men film, and they would be right to a certain extent, but it does seem that the genre is starting to be taken more seriously by critics as a viable source of intelligent entertainment as well as simple blockbuster fodder. What critics need to remember is that these characters have had decades to become the fully realized people that appear on screen. These characters come supplied with a ready-made background and motivations, making it much easier for filmmakers to bring a vibrant portrayal to the screen.

WATCHMEN is seen as the Citizen Kane of comic books, and to many fans of the printed page, it is the Holy Grail. Film versions have been talked about for many years now, but it finally fell upon the shoulders of Zack ‘300′ Snyder to bring Alan Moore and Dave Gibbon’s massively influential 12-issue series to a new audience. Fans old and new are curious as to the film will match the depth and scope of the book itself.

That’s the thing though- films have been a huge boon to the comics industry, helping it survive as tastes in entertainment have continued to change. With superheroes, there will always be an audience, but that audience has changed. The comic book movie is no longer just the domain of elitist geeks (not that it ever really was), but now something that everyone can take an interest in. With new Spider-man, Batman and X-Men movies on the way, as well as many more properties announced and in development, the future of the genre really can’t go anywhere but up, up and away.



ALPHONSO
Groshan Fabiola asked:


Smallville fans were more than just excited when it was announced last month that Chloe Sullivan will become part of the Superman comic books in issue number 674. Unfortunately, DC Comics Executive Editor Dan DiDio recently announced that the move from television to comic books isn’t going to happen. Apparently fans were misled and are now out of luck.

“Chloe is an exciting character on the television show, and we had hoped to work her into DC continuity,” DiDio said in a recent conversation with Newsarama.com. “Unfortunately, the stars did not align properly, and even though we had announced it, she will not be appearing in any of the issues of Superman or Action Comics.”

That was all DiDio had to say about Chloe’s sudden disappearing act. It was probably some sort of rights issue, or that Superman writer Kurt Busiek just found no way of incorporating the teenage character into the adult world of Clark Kent. Initially, some fans were disappointed to hear that DC Comics wanted to repurpose the character, as they believed that Chloe’s original traits was what made her memorable and special.

BuddyTV readers also reacted intensely to this issue, as they aired their thoughts through their comments. Gen717 said, “”Whoever this character is they chose to call Chloe in the comics is NOT our Chloe. They are basically going to strip her of everything I love about her, make her a different character and call her Chloe? No, I’m not buying a comic that grossly distorts a character I love. Sorry DC, but what on earth are you thinking?”

cecil44 shared the same sentiments, saying, “I’m actually really really disappointed at the DC version of ‘Chloe’! They want to strip her off everything that makes Chloe Sullivan on Smallville such a special character! There is no way I would buy a comic book that distorts her character like this. The whole reason that Chloe is soo great and soo special is the fact that she’s a reporter first and Clark ’s best friend! But like someone else said, I guess we can’t really know until we see how they will introduce her.”

Well, we won’t be seeing how Kurt Busiek and the DC Comics team will be introducing Chloe, as they already postponed the adaptation. Having seen their plans, Chloe might as well stay inside our television screens.

For more resources about Smallville or for the full story of Smallville: Chloe Sullivan Not Appearing in Comic Books please review http://www.buddytv.com



RICKIE
Xavier Gallery asked:


Even with the emergence of popular entertainment outlets such as the internet and satellite television, comic books have maintained an impressive market share of consumer spending. There simply is no replacement for the unique way a comic can present a story and engage its readers. Because of this, comic book collecting has also grown in recent years with a new generation of readers enjoying this rewarding hobby.

For collectors who are just beginning, there are a couple of different approaches to take to the hobby. Some people are simply fans of a particular hero or publisher. They purchase comics for their own entertainment and don’t concern themselves much with the after-market value of the publication. Other collectors concentrate on acquiring limited edition or rare comics for the sake of achieving a return on their investment. This form of collecting usually requires an advanced knowledge of the market as well as the necessary funds to make large purchases.

There are five distinct eras of comic book memorabilia. The Platinum Age represent the oldest time period, dating between the 1800’s and 1937. The Golden Age covers the years of 1938 to 1955. Silver Age comic books are dated between 1956 and 1969, and the Bronze Age occurred between 1970 and 1979. The Modern Age includes everything that was produced from 1980 through today. Each time period is unique and distinctive in the way the publications were written, produced, and distributed. Obviously the older periods offer the most valuable items, but there are still plenty of rare and limited comics to be found in the Modern Age.

Today’s collectors will find a multitude of outlets to help them add to their collection. The internet alone has increased the accessibility of hard-to-find comics to collectors all over the world. eBay, Craigslist, and online comic book stores make finding exactly what you want as simple as clicking a mouse. While these outlets are probably the most popular markets for collectors, there is still plenty of demand for local comic book shows and stores. Of course newsstands and bookstores remain the best source for the latest publications. Ideally, the savvy collector will be comfortable with using all of the outlets mentioned here. You simply never know where you might uncover the next hidden gem to add to your collection.

Beyond these basics of comic book collecting, there are other intricacies to learn for the new collector. For instance, collectable comic books are often graded to measure their condition in a uniform manner. This is done by a professional third-party company which will seal the comic in a protective sleeve to preserve its integrity. New collectors will need to become familiar with this process if they plan on investing in rare comics. Other essential tools include comic price guides and market sales reports which help to ***** the value of a particular piece.

Collecting comic books has been an entertaining hobby for many decades, and it does not appear to be slowing down anytime soon. With the continued influx of new characters and publishers, there will always be a solid foundation of new adventures to satisfy the fans. Perhaps the best part about this hobby is that there is always something new to learn along the way. By joining the legion of comic collectors around the world, you are guaranteed to have a rewarding hobby for years to come.



LAURENCE
Groshan Fabiola asked:


After years of adapting many elements and components of Superman from its original comics genre to television’s Smallville, the magazine has finally taken one of Smallville’s own characters to become part of an upcoming issue. Chloe Sullivan, played by Allison Mack on The CW cult series, debuts in Superman issue 674, which hits stands on March 12.

Comic book writer Kurt Busiek told Newsarama recently that he took inspiration from another Superman character, Jimmy Olsen, who also made the leap from one medium to another. According to Busiek, Jimmy was first introduced into Superman lore on the 1940 radio show called The Adventures of Superman. It was only a year later that his character was incorporated into the comic book.

“It made me think, ‘Yeah, and the next obvious choice would be bringing in someone like Chloe, but the problem with that would be…’ and then bam, a way to do it fell into place that I thought really served the book well, and made her a strong and useful and fun addition to the cast. One that would give us several elements to the cast structure that have been missing for years, but in a new and different way,” Busiek revealed.

One sticking point however, in the move to deliver Chloe from Smallville to Superman 674, has to do with rendering her in such a way as to look like Chloe, without appearing too much like actress Allison Mack. This has to do with issues surrounding likeness rights that need to be taken into consideration. Another challenge was to find a niche for the Chloe character, without overlapping with those that are already firmly set in the Superman comic book universe.

“The problem we’d have faced if we brought her in with the same background as the TV show is that she’d fill two basic roles - the Girl from Back Home and the Reporter - and those roles are both pretty solidly filled in the adult Superman cast, by Lana and Lois,” Busiek explained. “So she’s got to have a different spin, one that lets her occupy a different role from either of them. She’s the younger sister of someone Clark went to school with, not a classmate of Clark ’s herself. As a result, she’s the new intern at the Daily Planet, fresh out of journalism school and itching to make a name for herself. That’ll make her clearly different from Lois and Lana, and at the same time more familiar to watchers of the show.”

For more resources about Smallville or for the full story of Smallville: Chloe Sullivan Comes To Comic Books please review http://www.buddytv.com



MICHEAL