Tag: adventure

Short Animated Film Find: Burn Out

Burn Out

  • Director, writer, animator: Cécile Carre
  • Published: 2017 online and at multiple short film festivals

Synopsis: S​tella,​ ​a​ ​space​ ​mechanician,​ ​has​ ​broken​ ​down​ ​and​ ​ended​ ​on​ ​a​ ​desert​ ​planet.​ ​While​ ​she​ ​is​ ​in​ ​despair,​ ​a​ ​little​ ​girl appears​ ​out​ ​of​ ​nowhere.​ ​Following​ ​the​ ​child​ ​into​ ​a​ ​tunnel,​ ​in​ ​the​ ​depths​ ​of​ ​the​ ​planet,​ ​she​ ​discovers​ ​a​ ​big​ ​cave​ ​full​ ​of objects​ ​that​ ​belonged​ ​to​ ​her,​ ​reminding​ ​her​ ​the​ ​dreams​ ​she​ ​has​ ​left​ ​behind.

Personal Thoughts:

This full film is short, but says much on the current human condition, how many of us feel deep inside yearning for more. We feel trapped, bound to duty, ever-dreaming, never-quite reaching. There is a struggle that I feel in our protagonists dilemma. But, then a child’s voice brings us forward.

We figure it out, an imagination in the story and from the storyteller, clueing us on the real dilemma. Not the need to fix a spaceship but to fix the pilot and get back on real course. The one she dreamed of as a child, and eventually gave up on. The curiosity, imagination, and drive to return to that childlike wonder and push to something better, is what brings our pilot back to the stars. But not so much to work, but to something new and daring.

“I am afraid to give up my dreams when I grow up”.

That’s a great line, for those who indulge in their desire to explore, travel, see new sights should push that priority above simple mundane duties of getting by. I love the message here.

I also love the animation. Very fluid character movement with an awesome use of space, colors, shapes, taking us viewers away for about 4 minutes, and then beyond for what our memory captures. I love every second. The music also fits.

Director, animator Cécile Carre’s artistic style inspires and amazes. She has art prints you can buy at www.inprnt.com/gallery/carrececile. Check them out!

Man Among Ye brings new reading treasure for comic stores this May

Top cow and Image Comics recently announced a new high-seas comic adventure in swashbuckling in yer comic stores for landlubbers as A Man Among Ye, from writer Stephanie Phillips (Butcher of Paris, Descendent) and artist Craig Cermak (Red Team, Voltron), sets sail this May.

Set during the waning days of piracy, when men were men (and the best pirates were…women?), bring to life the tale of Anne Bonny and Mary Read as they hoist the skull and crossbones, draw cutlasses, and seek a treasure that will make them legends. In an era when sailing with women was thought to be bad luck, Anne and Mary might just be the only people capable of saving the pirate way of life.

“I’ve always wanted the chance to work with Craig, and I think this was the perfect opportunity. Craig’s linework and storytelling are just phenomenal,” said Phillips in a recent press release. “I hope that readers really have fun with the story. This is an adventure with a lot of heart, and we look forward to sharing that journey with readers.”

Cermak added: “It’s a delight working with Steph, whose scripts flow so well, have a flurry of fun beats, as well as her knack for precise shaping of so many characters into believable forms—perfect for illustrating a variety of expressions and moods. This tale has all the conniving you’d ever want among a world of cut-throat pirates and pirate hunters, and a prime selection of the most beautiful, the handsomest, and the grimiest of pirates.”

A Man Among Ye #1 Cover A by Cermak and A Man Among Ye #1 Cover B by Sejic will be available at comic book shops on Wednesday, May 13. This new series will also be available for purchase across many digital platforms, including the official Image Comics iOS app, Amazon Kindle, Apple Books, comiXology, and Google Play.

In the meantime, here be some preview treasure and cover B (thanks to Image Comics)..

Image Comics unveils new Adventureman series, by Matt Fraction, Terry & Rachel Dodson

New York Times bestselling, Eisner Award winning writer Matt Fraction (Sex Criminals, Hawkeye), artist Terry Dodson (X-Men/Fantastic Four), and Rachel Dodson (X-Men/Fantastic Four) team-up for an all-new, ongoing adventure series blending high-octane pulp action, low-flying dirigibles and more art-deco rayguns, titled Adventureman.

Adventureman from Image Comics begins this April, massively with 64 pages for its first issue at the regular price of $3.99.

The story of beloved pulp hero “Adventureman” ended with a never-resolved cliff-hanger for his legion of fans as their hero faced execution at the vile hand of his ultra-nemesis “Baron Bizarre.” And now, eighty years later, single mother Claire and her Adventurefan son Tommy seem to be the only two people alive that remember the thrilling Adventureman sagas… but from that memory burns the spark of… resurrection. What if it was all true? What if it all really happened? And what if it was happening again? Where his story ended… her story begins!

“Terry and Rachel and I have been working together a long time on Adventureman and I’m thrilled our giant baby is finally ready for the world. It’s a high-flying, senses-obliterating, earth-shaking, imagination-quaking, adventure and we can’t wait to share it with everyone,” said Fraction in a recent press release.

Dodson added: “Creating Adventureman has been a heck of a journey! It’s been an amazing opportunity to develop new worlds of yesterday, today, and tomorrow. Worlds inhabited by enduring and believable characters, making a family. This project allows me to tick off numerous ‘wants’ on my creative list! I hope everyone enjoys the ride as much as we did making it.”

Adventureman #1 will be available at comic book shops on Wednesday, and on popular digital comics apps on April 29,for the introductory cover price of $3.99.

In the meantime, here’s a little preview of the upcoming, exciting series!

E3 Gaming 2019 Preview: Unto The End, by 2 Ton Studios

UntoTheEnd_Titled_1920x1080

New publisher Big Sugar (formerly Digital Uppercut) and indie developer 2 Ton Studios unveiled at this year’s E3 show, their upcoming combat adventure Unto The End. It’s a2D cinematic adventure, featuring a nuanced combat system and handcrafted encounters, which follows a father’s journey through an unforgiving wilderness to get back to his family.

Here revealed is some cool raw in-game footage…

Unto The End is the creation of the husband and wife development team of Stephen Danton and Sara Kitamura of 2 Ton Studios. Both shared some insight from a recent press release.

“From the very start we knew we wanted a minimal art style with a side-on presentation, and gameplay that focused on player skill,” explains game designer and animator, Danton. “We also didn’t want to copy-paste an existing game model, or simply make a puzzle-platformer, roguelike, metroidvania or 2D Dark Souls.

“So we spent a lot of time trying out ideas. And although that’s fun, it’s also really scary because there’s not much there to guide you. In the end we landed on a few simple ideas and then spent a bunch of time refining them.

“Unto is a focused experience. It’s handcrafted and values quality over quantity. When it’s all done, we hope players enjoy its challenges and come away feeling a real sense of mastery and accomplishment.”

Unto The End will launch on the PC, PS4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch. The release date is not set yet.

New Comic Series Preview: Monster World: The Golden Age #1

Monster World A

Demons, occult magic, and the history of monsters and humanity are at the center of Monster World: The Golden Age, a new comic book series coming out this summer from American Gothic Press.

This new series art by Piotr Kowalski, colors by Dennis Calero, and letters by Jenn Pham, accompanying publisher Philip Kim‘s original story and script by Holly Interlandi.

The story offers a lot for those who enjoy a mix of magic and mystery…

Monster World began at the doors of World Studios, where private detective Henry Barrymore was asked to investigate a case of multiple murders on movie sets and ended up uncovering an occult conspiracy that went back for decades!

Now an experienced magic user, Hank is on a quest to find Shirley, the Galgamaic witch who was captured when the studio was destroyed. Hank summons Nybbas, the demon of knowledge, to get information on the world before monsters existed.

Nybbas elaborates on the creation of the nephilim and how special dimensional portals enabled the pure Enocians to escape the wrath of the Watchers. Hoping to find one of these portals, Hank follows Nybbas’s clues to the plains of Oklahoma, where a strange farm boy has managed to keep his house standing in the face of an angry elemental mage named Rybach.

But something much worse than Rybach is coming. Something ancient, sinister, and branded in fire….

Monster World will have two covers for readers to collect by choice, with cover A by series artist Piotr Kowalski, and cover B by Nat Jones.

Monster World: The Golden Age #1 will release on July 24th, 2019 at better comic book stores everywhere, and on popular digital apps. Enjoy this 6-page preview (huge thanks to American Gothic Press, visit them for more info and other interesting titles at americangothicpress.com).

…

Canto, an upcoming comic book fantasy mini-series, in search of a heart!

unnamed (56)

IDW Publishing recently announced Canto, a surreal six-issue journey created by writer David M. Booher and artist Drew Zucker and featuring the talents of colorist Vittorio Astone and letterer Deron Bennett. Canto is an all-ages comic book miniseries that explores a strange and fantastic new world in search of the greatest prize of all: a heart!

Enslaved for generations, Canto’s people once had hearts. Now they have clocks. When slavers damage a little tin girl’s clock beyond repair, Canto must brave the darkest corners of his hostile world to bring back her heart. Can he overcome the dangers that await to save the one he loves?

David M. Booher said, “We set out to create a character in Canto who finds hope where there seems to be none. Drew, Vittorio, and Deron have done a spectacular job bringing this world to life with Canto as its light. We couldn’t be happier to team up with IDW and have readers join us on his adventure.”

“Canto has been one of the great joys of my career to work on and see evolve,” says Drew Zucker. “It has been amazing to see a sketch that was done just for fun evolve into this amazing story and universe about finding hope in the bleakest of worlds. I can safely say there is something here for everyone.”

“When you think about myths and fables, you think about stories that have lessons to teach and that will resonate for years to come—and Canto absolutely fits that bill. The joy and awe that the team puts into every page—even when things seem dark—make this story last with you long after you put it down,” says Associate Editor David Mariotte.

Canto #1 is set for release in June, in comic stores and digital platforms everywhere. For info, check with your comics dealer or visit www.idwpublishing.com.

Meanwhile, here is a look at a variant cover and inside art…


…

Seven Seas set to release Cutie Honey: The Classic Collection manga, next summer

Honey Flash!!!

Seven Seas Entertainment recently acquired new rights to reprint the original Cutie Honey classic manga into one hardcover omnibus as Cutie Honey: The Classic Collection, set to release in the summer of 2018.

Cutie  Honey is the original magical transforming heroine from Japan, with a history going back to 1973. The original manga became an instant cult classic, leading to multiple TV shows and a live-action movie.

Cutie Honey is also the creative work of legendary manga cartoonist, Go Nagai. With a career spanning 50 years, Go Nagai created many immensely popular series including Devilman and Getter Robo, and Cutie Honey–his edgy magical girl aimed at boys–remains one of his most influential works to this day.

The North American release for Cutie Honey: The Classic Collection, in one complete hardcover, will flash on July 3, 2018, for $24.99 US.

CAPTAIN’s NOTE: I am a huge fan of Cutie (or Cutey) Honey from the various anime series of her. I am excited about the news of the manga. Soon, I hope the classic 70’s anime series will eventually see the light on local DVD and Blu-Ray releases.

Alan Moore & Kevin O’Neill return for The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen finale

Alan Moore & Kevin O’Neill return for the finale to their 17-year journey through the world of The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, with The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, Volume IV: The Tempest.

The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, Volume IV: The Tempest, will format as a six-issue miniseries, with 32 full-color (mostly) pages each.

After an epic seventeen-year journey through the entirety of human culture – the biggest cross-continuity ‘universe’ that is conceivable – Alan Moore and Kevin O’Neill will close both their legendary League of Extraordinary Gentlemen and their equally legendary comic-book careers with the series’ spectacular fourth and final volume, The Tempest.

Tying up the slenderest of plot threads and allusions from the three preceding volumes, The Black Dossier, and the Nemo trilogy into a dazzling and ingenious bow, the world’s most accomplished and bad-tempered artist-writer team will use their most stylistically adventurous outing yet to display the glories of the medium they are leaving; to demonstrate the excitement that attracted them to the field in the first place; and to analyse, critically and entertainingly, the reasons for their departure.

Opening simultaneously in the panic-stricken headquarters of British Military Intelligence, the fabled Ayesha’s lost African city of Kor and the domed citadel of ‘We’ on the devastated Earth of the year 2996, the dense and yet furiously-paced narrative hurtles like an express locomotive across the fictional globe from Lincoln Island to modern America to the Blazing World; from the Jacobean antiquity of Prospero’s Men to the superhero-inundated pastures of the present to the unimaginable reaches of a shimmering science-fiction future. With a cast-list that includes many of the most iconic figures from literature and pop culture, and a tempo that conveys the terrible momentum of inevitable events, this is literally and literarily the story to end all stories.

Commencing as a six-issue run of unfashionable, outmoded and flimsy children’s comics that will make you appear emotionally backward if you read them on the bus, this climactic magnum opus will also reprint classic English super-team publication The Seven Stars from the murky black-and-white reaches of 1964. A magnificent celebration of everything comics were, are and could be, any appreciator or student of the medium would be unwise to miss The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, Volume IV: The Tempest.

The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, Volume IV: The Tempest will be 32 pages be saddle stitched, 6 5/8” x 10 1/8” (standard comic-book size), and priced at $4.99 (US). Issue #1 is scheduled for June 2018.

Issue #1 is scheduled for June 2018.

EDITOR’S THOUGHT: It’s going to be a long impatient wait for me. I remain a huge fan of The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen world, and the enormous amount of thought and attention put into this by Moore and O’Neill (and a top favorite of Alan Moore’s work). The wait will be long, but I think worth it. 

Sheena, Queen of the Jungle, swings back into action this summer

Later this summer, Sheena, Queen of the Jungle will swing back into action with a new ongoing series.

Dynamite Entertainment will lead on with her new comic series, written by GLAAD-Nominated, New York Times best-seller Marguerite Bennett (Batwoman, Animosity) and newcomer Christina Trujilo, with illustrations by Moritat (Hellblazer, Teen Titans).

Sheena, Queen of the Jungle, was the first female character in comics to carry her own dedicated series beginning in 1937. Created by industry legends Will Eisner and S. M. “Jerry” Iger, this groundbreaking character saw 167 issues over the span of two decades.

In this riveting relaunch, Sheena proves her prowess as the guardian of the jungle as she pursues a mysterious invader that has come to spy on the Amazon’s most ancient secrets. Following the path of the trespasser, she encounters a forbidden ruin in which even more deadly dangers lie in wait — and begins an adventure that will take her beyond her wildest imaginings!

SEE BELOW FOR PREVIEW AND COVER GALLERY

Writer Marguerite Bennett says, “Our story is glorious golden age pulp — high adventure, quick wit, ancient mysteries, and daring dames — clashing with the perils of two worlds: one, the modern world come to conquer, and one, a world of dark supernatural mystery long forgotten, awoken to anger once more. This is a fast paced, action packed kick off to more exciting adventures for Sheena!”

Co-writer Christina Trujillo adds, “Sheena is strong, brave, and willing to bend the rules in order to do her duty and keep her home safe. I think fans will enjoy having Sheena as a guide while they unravel the mysteries of the forest.”

The first issue will have multiple covers (see below) by J. Scott Campbell, Ryan Sook, cover artist Moritat, and Carli Ihde. Additional limited variant editions including “Black and White,” “Virgin,” and J. Scott Campbell’s “Jungle Green,” are also possible as retailer incentives. Ask your local comic store dealer for order info.

Sheena #1 swings into comic stores and various digital platforms, on September 6th. 

 

ANGELIC, a new comics tale of flying monkeys by Simon Spurrier, set for September

This summer, Image Comics sets the way for new readers into the pages of Angelic, a new post-apocalyptic fable by Eisner-nominated writer Simon Spurrier (The Spire, Cry Havoc, Godshaper), and artist Caspar Wijngaard (Limbo, Dark Souls, Assassin’s Creed).

SEE PREVIEW BELOW!

ANGELIC is a story of teenage rebellion and animal antics amidst the ruins of civilization.

Winged monkeys! Techno-dolphins! Quantum alleycats! In ANGELIC, humanity’s long gone. Its memory lingers only as misunderstood rituals among mankind’s leftovers: the genetically modified animals they used and abused for eons. But for one young flying monkey, QORA, the routines are unbearable. All she wants is to explore. Instead, she’s expected to settle down, to become a mother…to lose her wings.

“Angelic’s about teenage flying monkeys having adventures in the far future because that’s totally a genre now,” said Spurrier. “But in the best traditions of age-friendly fiction—think Pixar or Ghibli—there’s also a bunch of meaty themes beneath the fun: religion, parenthood, technology, and responsibility, it’s all in the mix. Ultimately it’s a tale about the Earth—after us. And all rendered in the unmistakably vivid color and crackle of superstar-in-the-making Caspar Wijngaard.”

ANGELIC #1 will hit stores on Wednesday, September 20th. The final order cutoff deadline for retailers is Monday, August 28th.