Saturday, July 10, 2010

Book 1 of Batman Odyssey, is at your stores now. I did a signing at Mid-Town Comics today Saturday, a few hundred people came.

Most had more than one copy. Heck, most had more than three copies. We talked about all the clues and delayed fuses that were set in Book 1.

1. Who was the new Manbat? Clues are everywhere.
2. Why did Batman say, "We will face this Riddler?" Why did he phrase it that way?
3. Why has Batman chosen to go to the Piers, instead of the Mint? Was there something in Riddler's poem/riddle, that we didn't get?
4. Why does Batman say, that his story begins on his very first case?

These and other mysteries, will have to be cleared-up. But here's an interesting gag in the first book, that only one person on the signature line, picked-up on. If you flip the cover up and down to page one, you'll quickly see Batman's identity.

Now this one is between you, me, and the fencepost. Way back in the day, Ras Al Ghul greeted Batman in the Batcave, and revealed he knew Batman's secret identity, which apparently, he did. I would argue this. There's absolutely no way, that after all the hundreds of attempts, that even a brain like Ras Al Ghul, could figure-out Batman's secret identity. I just don't believe it. But let's take the high road, and assume he could figure it out. Would he also somehow, have the ability to figure-out how to get into the Batcave? When in fact, there woud be no reason to suspect that such a thing as a Batcave actually existed. I don't buy it for one minute, and yet, there he was, with Ubu, big as life, standing in the Batcave. Totally wrong. So how did he get there?

One more little question. Who is Bok?

Guys and Gals. This story lays down clues to what you're going to discover, like the first episode of "Lost". As you read the 12 issues of Batman Odyssey, you will see what I mean. Welcome to my adventure.

Does this count as a blog?

Wednesday, July 7, 2010

San Diego Comic-Con

Okay, two days before issue 1 of Batman Odyssey, Thursday July 8th, and I have to admit, I am a bit excited. From what's in Issue 1? Yes. But also, because I'm in the midst of drawing a battle between trolls and Deadman, and I know that before long, Batman will be joining the fray. The shadowy figures behind the plot are becoming just a little bit more distinct, and only I know who they are, and what's up.

Well a few more folks, but very few. And on Saturday, July 10th, between 2 and 4, I'll be signing books at Midtown Comics, on 40th St. and 7th Ave., and trying to avoid telling people all the secrets of the 12 issues. I know you guys are used to this, and it's no big woof for you. But it's been a couple of years for me, and I'm having a great time.

We'll try to announce stores that I'll be signing at, as we firm them up, and Cons that we'll be appearing in. But that's not the Big News.

THE BIG NEWS

The Big News is, most of the Adams Clan will be showing up in San Diego as guests of the convention. My 3 sons, Joel, Jason and Josh (with the 4 Adams' Sketchbook), my daughter Kris and Pete Stone, the beautiful Marilyn, and girlfriends, will all be there to do business, to sign sketchbooks, and yes, we will even be doing sketches.

Yep, we worked-out that "doing sketches stuff". So we'll all see you there. Bring your Batmans. If you don't have a good time, it won't be my fault. We will be having a GREAT time.

Neal

Thursday, July 1, 2010

My First Blog

This is my first BLOG. I’ll try not to be too wordy, but there’s a lot to talk about. I’ll do bits and pieces.

1. The “OIL SPILL”.
(Oh, horrors. Not comics,…Sorry, it’s on my mind, for a good reason.)

Oil and water don’t mix. That’s the first thing to remember. So the spill can and will get cleaned up. Unfortunately for LIFE, things are not so good. That stuff that makes your head greasy will mix with oil. That stuff that stops ducks from sinking is OIL. So, we’ll lose a lot of life. Not you,…the duck.

Another fellow and I, are working on a system to help Shrimp Fishermen make back their losses. Some shrimp/other nets are a fine mesh. Drag them through oil pods, and the mesh will let oil and water through, but properly treated, the mesh will clog with oil as the water goes through. When enough oil is collected a second and third boat can siphon off the oil, and sell it back to BP.

Why will they buy it all corrupted like that?

They are responsible.

It’s time, in my opinion, that everyone takes responsibility for our environment. What that means is NOT sit back in frustration thinking, “What can I do? I’m just one, frustrated and helpless individual”.
Write a letter to BP. Maybe they won’t READ it. Maybe they’ll just weigh it, but maybe that’s enough! BE the straw that broke the camel’s back. Become informed. It will put a smile on your heart and BRAIN!

O-KAY! Comics. So Batman gets thrown off the T-REX! No, that was last issue.

Let’s see,….I just finished the preliminary Martial Arts battle between Batman and ………. And witnesses ‘think’ The Batman has won. Only two people know the truth.

Something else that’s NOT KNOWN is that Robin has entered the underworld, against Batman’s direct orders. (Who will pull the safety line now, if it’s needed?) This is not looking good.

Batman’s resolve to never use guns, and never to kill, has been tested and tested, again and again. THIS however, could be bloody and mortal war. Will Batman just walk away? What then of Talia? And Tat? Who? O-kay, it IS 12 issues, and covers a lot. Next blog, I’ll focus on the specific-next-to-be-published book.

MOTION COMICS. Will they ever make money?

NO!

Heh, heh,.. of course they will. COME ON! Take for example, Our/MARVELS X-Men. Joss Whedon’s and John Cassaday’s, “Gifted”. As time goes on, Marvel finds more and more venues for it. First it was the internet in it’s various and sundry. Now, the Video is being packaged with the Graphic Novel. (Which would YOU buy, the Graphic Novel, or the Graphic Novel with the Motion Comic?)

Another company is selling the Graphic Novel as a DVD, with other add-ons. (Vid interview with Joe Quesada and ‘Yours Truly’.)

What’s next?

iPod? Smart Phone? iPad? Laptop? Sure, all of them. Next? Cable sale? Sure. Many cable sales. T.V. special on cartoon network or others? Sure. Disney Channel? Of course.

Isn’t a Motion Comic the same as/ but different than, an animated film, if done well?

Like anything NEW, it has to be chewed and chewed-over until it WORKS. And as with anything, it BEGINS WITH QUALITY! There’s a lot of crappy motion comic “STUFF” out there, but like FILM, we just have to focus on QUALITY. Just like FILM. Poor quality HURTS US. Good quality HELPS us. OR,…Good quality makes money! Duh.