STAPLE! and Alan J. Porter interview

My latest Nexus Graphic column over at SF Site centers on my visit to the 5th STAPLE! con.

Subtitled "the independent media expo," STAPLE! began in March, 2005 after Chris "Uncle Staple" Nicholas, co-creator of You Chose Right The First Time, realized that the Austin area offered enough talent "to put on a pretty good indie comics show" but none in the region. By combining a focus on independent, alternative, and small press media with independent-friendly comic book shop sponsorship and an affordable entrance fee, STAPLE! succeeded like none before. Each successive show, while staying true to Uncle Staple's vision, has attracted more fans and required a larger venue.

More than sixty exhibitor tables showcased a multiplicity of works in both content and medium. The creators and fans present varied in age, race, and gender. In an unusual and welcome change, young adult women represented a large percentage of the attendees. Long seen as a key to the industry's survival, the need for inclusion of women in the field as both creators and fans led to the 1997 creation of the Friends of Lulu, whose "purpose is to promote and encourage female readership and participation in the comic book industry." From where I stood, the group has made serious inroads over the past twelve years.

I then go on to talk about several of the people I met. This issue's reviews all tie in with STAPLE! including coverage on Alan J. Porter's James Bond: The History of the Illustrated 007 and the anticipated The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen Century: 1910.


Speaking of Porter, the latest edition of my Baker's Dozen interview series focuses on Mr. Porter, James Bond, comics, and Cars.

The bottom line is that neither of the property owners; Ian Fleming Publications who hold the rights to the literary Bond, nor Eon Productions, who hold the rights to the cinematic Bond, seem interested in granting a license to do comics. I know of at least one US based publisher who applied a few years ago and was refused. I am working with another US publisher who has a strong track record with high profile licensed properties, to see if we can get something off the ground, but so far have had no response from either license holder.

Believe you me, I would love nothing more than to be writing an ongoing James Bond comic series.

Quantum of Solace at HMSS

The folks at Her Majesty's Secret Servant have just posted my review of Quantum of Solace.

...Quantum of Solace is frustrating. In looking backwards and forwards it cuts Bond, both physically and psychologically, in ways we’re not used to. This is hardly surprising when one considers that the movie is continuing to explore ground covered by its predecessor...Deep though these cuts might be, however, they are too often quickly bandaged by unnecessary action sequences. Worse still, the bandages aren’t as binding as they should be; they threaten to unravel the entire picture, leaving it to die from blood loss.

My review of Quantum of Solace

My take on the latest Bond film:

Craig returns for his second go, sans Campbell, as the world's most famous spy in Quantum of Solace, a direct sequel to the previous movie. Sadly, like his predecessors, Craig failed to shake the sophomore doldrums.

In the midst of careening cars on the streets of Siena, Italy, Quantum picks up soon after the conclusion of Royale as Bond begins his quest to avenge Vesper's death. Following the opening credits, director Marc Forester attempts to recapture the excitement of the previous film's frenetic, parkour chase, but fails miserably. This sequence typifies a flaw throughout. By using too many closeups and jerky camera angles, the scenes become murky and indecipherable.

More

Devil May Care Cover Art

From The Literary 007:

"The jacket image for Devil May Care by Sebastian Faulks is unveiled today by publisher Penguin. The cover features model Tuuli Shipster, muse of the British photographer, Rankin (whose subjects include Young Bond author Charlie Higson)."



Alas, it lacks the both the pulp beauty of the old Signet paperbacks and the retro sensibility of the Penguin reprints, but it has its own charm nonetheless, and I can't fault the artist's use of Tuuli Shipster.

Unlikely Movie Scientists (WIRED MAGAZINE: ISSUE 15.10)

We've actually discussed this topic at several of our meetings and I know we all agree on number one!







Denise Richards, The World Is Not Enough (1999)
Her character's name is bad enough: Jones, Christmas Jones. But it requires a quantum leap in logic to buy the scantily clad, blank-faced Richards as a nuclear physicist.

Check out the rest of the list!

Miss Moneypenny To Flirt No More

Sad news...

Bond star Lois Maxwell dies at 80
Actress Lois Maxwell, who starred as Miss Moneypenny in a string of James Bond movies, has died aged 80.

Maxwell starred alongside Sir Sean Connery in Bond's first movie outing, Dr No, in 1962.

Continued...

I Love Fridays

(via the wondrous Tomato Nation)

There's this guy.

And he sings parodies of movie theme songs with little videos to go along with them.

And he's awesome:





He also does Back to the Future, James Bond, and Batman.

Happy Friday, everyone!

Alan Porter Signing

Imagine my surprise when I opened up the latest Austin Books & Comics *We've Got Issues* newsletter only to discover that as part of their annual clearance sale preview night on Thursday, August 30 that our very own ALAN PORTER WILL BE SIGNING!

To America, With Love: Bond in U.S. Comics
Alan Porter signing 007 James Bond: Death Wing at Preview Night

BondWriter Alan Porter will be joining us Thursday evening to sign copies of the most recent James Bond graphic novel, Death Wing. In it is a detailed feature written by Porter about Bond's history in American comics. He's well-versed on the subject, and it's interesting to read what a British writer has to say about the American adaptations.

These events are usually a lot of fun and this time you get the added bonus of getting a book signed by Alan!