NYCC: Look at who’s behind Doctor Who!

Ramen and a Half interviews Andrew Sumner to find out what Titan Entertainment Group is all about at New York Comic Con. Retrenders NYCC - Andrew Sumner and Jonelle MarieFirst and foremost our team at Retrenders reviews many of Titan Books and we’ve grown to love what they do, because we simply love the content they publish and re-publish. Titan Entertainment is known to reinvent and revive content that had once had their moment in time from cult classics novels, comics, and they publish niche content about historical arts, artists, musicians, early filmmakers and much more. It’s as if Titan reflects on fascinating content and say – “This is entertaining – let’s revive it!”

Titan Entertainment Group is also an official licensee of Doctor Who products and works with popular media entertainment and culture. You can find out about their latest releases and featured products at Titan Merchandise.

New York Comic Con 2013 Teaser!

nycc-logo-2013-hiI’m still jet lag after 3 days, our Ramen and a Half team had a great time in New York City and checking out New York Comic Con 2013 which took place this past weekend – October 10-13, 2013.  Stay tuned to our Retrenders.com and our YouTube Channel for videos from NYCC 2013!

Thrud The Barbarian by Carl Critchlow

thrud the barbarianIs it He-Man?  Conan the Barbarian!  No, it’s not – it’s our wandering beer-guzzling warrior Thrud The Barbarian!  Comic artist Carl Critchlow first unleashed his character Thrud as a college project, where it first appeared in a fanzine in the 1980s and then spawned a six-year comic strip run on Games Workshop’s “White Dwarf” magazine.

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Interview with Sharky! author Dave Elliot

 sharkycoverDon’t know the name Dave Elliot?  Well, he’s worked at DC, Marvel, 2000AD and Heavy Metal, just to name few places.  Over 25 years in the comics scene, our Retrenders team catches up with Dave Elliot about his new Sharky! graphic novel published by Titan Comics.

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RTNDR:  You have worked with artist Alex Horley on many projects, what is the work relationship like when you guys do a project together?  Is there much collaboration on story building and character designs?Dave Elliot:  Both Alex and myself have very similar influences.  Kirby, Frazetta and John Buscema are all at the top our lists.  We have had enough of those fevered fanboy chats late into the evening that even before we started we both knew what the other wanted to do.  For Sharky some of the character designs were set but Alex made them his own and then we built from there.

We wanted to do something that was a tribute to those creators as well, so in true Kirby style we wanted to come up with as many ideas as possible and then throw them in.  I think after all the decompressed storytelling of the last 15-20 years Sharky must read like a roller coaster ride.  I think we managed to get enough ideas for 20 comics in those original four issues.

RTNDR:  As you mentioned in the Sharky! graphic novel a origin story of Gunmetal is coming, can we also get a story arc on Thor Stormhausen (Max to her friends)?

David Elliot:  You’ll see Thor again in issue 256 of Heavy Metal this month. She makes a brief appearance with Sharky in a new Maximum Force story where Sharky tries to get Max Carnage to get back in the game and help him build a new team.

RTNDR:  How about a kick-ass team-up of Thor Stormhausen and Vampirella?
Dave Elliot:  That would be awesome and a lot of fun.
RTNDR:  In Sharky! Volume 1:  When Titans Clash! there are lots of special guests like Savage Dragon, The Mask, Madman and Wildstar.  How did you come about grabbing these characters?

Dave Elliot:  I knew all the creators so I just asked them for permission and they said yes.  It was just a brief use and all for fun.  Those creators got that.  Sharky has since gotten to team back up with Mister Monster as well as meet El Zombo in Monster Massacre.

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The Big Wow! Comicfest Wrap-Up!

Retrenders - Eddie Ballar & Ramon Angel - Johnny MorenoYes, it was a long weekend for the Ramen crew, but here is an “End-All” rundown on what “The Eddie” and Ramon have accomplished at Big Wow Comicfest. And not to mention, being a bit silly and fatigued from a long adventurous weekend.

Hosts: Eddie Ballar and Ramon Angel
Producer: Johnny Moreno
Executive Producer: Stephen Jang

Sharky! by Dave Elliot & Alex Horley

sharkycoverI got a glimpse of the off-beat muscle-bound Sharky and his friends in the graphic novel anthology Monster Massacre Vol. 1, and now we get a full Sharky graphic novel from writer Dave Elliot and artist Alex Horley.  Why does Tank Girl have to get all the crazy fun?  Sharky gets in on the action too.  If you’re looking for Shazam!, well this isn’t it bitches!  This is Sharky!

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From BIG WOW! Comicfest: Ivy Doomkitty, Cosplayers and we finally get our comics autographed by Stan Lee!

The “Eddie” and Ramon have made it to the end of the line – sort of like coming to the end of the yellow brick road in the Wizard of Oz, but here at Big Wow! Comicfest, we’ve come to the end to meet Stan Lee!Retrenders - Ivy Doomkitty and Black Cat & Wolverine Cosplayers - Johnny MorenoWe also get to talk to a couple more cosplayers, three girls promoting Castle Corsetry and a local comic artist, and we interview Ivy Doomkitty to find out about her role at Big Wow! Comicfest.

Fan Film: The Dark Knight Legacy

red hoodRed Hood on film!  Well, this is a fan-made film, but it’s pretty darn entertaining.  If you’re a fan of DC Comics’ Batman universe you will probably enjoy watching this short directed by Brett Register.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kmLXTFWgX2s

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From Big Wow Comicfest : Toshio Maeda (前田俊夫) – Famous Japanese Comic Artist

“The Eddie” was able to get a brief interview with Japan’s famous adult manga (comic) artist or Hentai (perverted) comic artists, Toshida Maeda.  Click on his name to view his website.Retrenders - Toshio Maeda - Japanese Manga Comic Artist - Johnny MorenoHe’s very well known and we feel pretty lucky have interviewed him. His comics may be for adult eyes only, but he definitely has solid good advice for anyone – including young artists wanting to get into comics and make it as a career.

Monster Massacre Vol. 1

mmcoverAre you tired of the regular ho-hum superhero comics?  How about something with big muscles, big guns, sexy babes, scary monsters and dark humor?  Titan Comics’ Monster Massacre Vol 1. is a anthology collection of sci-fi/fantasy stories from the top writers and comic book artists in the industry.

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“The Star Wars” Rough Draft by Dark Horse Comics

the star warsWTF – Is George Lucas re-releasing another Blu-Ray cut of the Star Wars Trilogy with additional scenes and new 3D effects?  Nope.  This time, Dark Horse Comics is publishing the original “Star Wars” rough draft by George Lucas before the mega-iconic 1977 hit film Star Wars.

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Devil May Cry: The Chronicles of Vergil

devil may cry vergil

The Capcom horror-gothic hack & slash video game “Devil May Cry” first appeared on the PlayStation 2 and has now spawned many video game sequels and other multimedia tie-ins.  This collected hardbound comic-book from Titan Comics – DmC:  The Chronicles of Vergil is a prequel story of events leading up to the first Devil May Cry video game.

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Lenore: Purple Nurples

lenore purple nurplesFrom the wacky mind of Roman Dirge comes the popular and kawaii (cute) living-dead girl Lenore.  This hardbound Volume 5 book collects issues #4 to #7 in full color with bonus art gallery.

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Interview with Animal Man and Red Hood artist Timothy Green

timothy greenDay One of Stockton-Con 2013 … wait, it’s the same joke again.  I’ll stop it.  Our Ramen crew took a road trip to the one-day comic convention to Stockton, CA – Stockton-Con 2013 held in the Stockton Sports Arena.

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DC Nation Shorts

wonderwomanDC Nation is back with stylistic and unique shorts for the Cartoon Network DC Nation block of programming on Saturday mornings.  Check these cool animated Wonder Woman shorts by Robert Valley.

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Thor Dark World & Captain America Winter Soldier Artist Ron Lim

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Day One of Stockton-Con 2013, wait a minute … the ‘con is only ONE day, anyways, our Ramen crew is in Artist Alley and we grab an interview with comic book artist Ron Lim.  Ron has been drawing various Marvel Universe characters for many years now and has worked on iconic projects like Marvel’s big crossover series Infinity Gauntlet with writer Jim Starlin and fellow artist George Pérez.  Ron also talks about his other Marvel movie comic book tie-in projects and his special Jollibee Avengers issue.

For more info and projects by Ron check out his site at Ron Lim Art.

The Ramen Crew visits Stockton-Con 2013

stockton-conThe Ramen crew heads up to Stockton-Con 2013 in downtown Stockton, CA.  This is the second year of Stockton-Con, the last one was held in a high school gym, now the ‘con has moved to the Stockton Arena.  They guys walked around looking for comics and other neat stuff.  Ramon interviews J Salvador of SuperEmoFriends.  Along for the ride, is Ramen friend and comic book shop owner Juan from CFA (Comic & Figure Addicts).

Classic 1960s TV Batman & Robin Figures

batman and robin 1960Many of you might be too young to remember the 1960s wacky colorful Batman & Robin TV series, from DC Classics line-up, these action figures pay homage to that TV series.  This awesome 2-pack of figures features  6″ Batman and Robin versions from the 1960s TV series.  This collectible is shipping out now to retailers.

MSRP:  $32.99USD

Buy it @ Entertainment Earth – Batman Classics 1966 TV Moments Action Figure 2-Pack.

 

ANIME EXPO 2013: Sleeping Cosplay? Batman & Spiderman duo? Mortal Come back?

Retrenders - Sleepy Thor - Batman Spiderman - Mortal Kombat - Johnny MorenoWhat’s going on here? Well, it’s early in the evening and some cosplayers are snoozing while others are trying to keep up with photographers. We lead in with cosplay model, Vampy Bit Me, who happens to be from the San Francisco Bay Area.Retrenders - Johnny Moreno - Ramen and a Half - Vampy Bit Me - Anime Expo 2013
In this segment the Ramen Crew really caught some random images, a cosplay snoozing, and of course the other 99 percent getting their photo’s taken every which way and loving it. Interestingly enough, we caught a Batman and Spiderman dynamic duo cosplaying on the ground floor. Ryan Turney tells us how he used dye sublimated lycra to create his outfit and Danny Lopez shows off his Batman cowl mask which is made by professional prop maker, Shawn Reeves. Then we get a flash back taste of Mortal Kombat!

We pretty much interviewed the obvious of course… other than eat breakfast then cosplay, eat lunch then cosplay and then catch dinner and hit the cosplay night life, but for those who come from afar or from next door to the Anime Expo convention center and perhaps maybe stayed up a wee bit too late the night before excitingly undecided in what cosplay will do …Well, we got one person to explain that!

Justice League x Kia Sorento

kia justice leaguekia justice league 02Batman may drive a technological advance Batmobile, but what about his Justice League teammates?

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Calvin and Hobbes Documentary

calvin and hobbes

As a kid I couldn’t wait for Sunday paper to be delivered in the morning.  Besides the Sports section, my other favorite section was the Sunday comics – the whole section devoted to comics!  I laughed and cried reading Calvin and Hobbes.  I just loved Calvin’s interaction with his parents, pet tiger Hobbes and friend Susie Derkins.  When the 11 books of collected adventures of the Calvin and Hobbes strips came out, my sister and me made sure we bought all of these at the bookstores.  And we still have these collected books to this day!

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Man of Steel novel by Greg Cox

man of steel

Growing up I love the original Superman I, II and III (we’ll just say IV – The Quest for Peace never took place, like X-Men 3:  The Last Stand – let us erase the memory of bad superhero flicks) with Christopher Reeves.  Warner Bros. put out some amazing trailers for the Man of Steel and I couldn’t wait for the anticipated spectacular in 3D IMAX.  It should be good since it’s produced by Christopher Nolan who brought us 3 terrific Dark Knight films, Zach Snyder of 300 & Watchmen fame and screenplay from David S. Goyer (Blade films & The Dark Knight trilogy).  I’ll say this is good film that was inspiring to be great, let’s just say it’s better than Superman Returns and as friend mentioned it was like watching a Dragon Ball Z movie.  I’ve watched the movie, now I read the book “Man of Steel” by New York Times bestselling author Greg Cox, who should be familiar to DC fans as he wrote the novelizations of Infinite Crisis, 52, Countdown and Final Crisis.

 

[Spoilers Ahead!!!]

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The Fastest Comic Illustrator in the Country quick-draws the Green Lantern!

Bordin (Mark) Marsinkul, also known as Hyperbooster, astonishingly produces up to 50 commission drawings in a day at a comic or anime convention.Johnny Moreno - Retrenders - Bordin Marsinkul HyperboosterHis hybrid technique of calligraphy and Japanese style manga brush strokes creates his uniquely textured drawings with anything he can get his hands on from paint, pencil to marker! He works intensely fast and he’s amazing if you get a chance to watch him. His drawings begin with abstract scribbles, marks and accents, but then it begins to reveal itself before your eyes with every scribble, mark and accent of intention. The image becomes animated, three dimensional and before you know it – it magically appears! Watch the video and you’ll experience what I’m talking about as he quickly draws a fantastic image of the Green Lantern!

For more information about Bordin (Mark) Marsinkul and where to catch him at his next convention visit www.facebook.com/hyperboosterJohnny Moreno - Retrenders - Bordin Markinsul 2

The Complete Flash Gordon Library: The Fall of Ming Vol. 3

flash gordon vol 3“There’s a charm to the dials and knobs of yesteryear’s imagination, the vacuum tubes and arcing electricity of the past’s futurism.” Foreword by Dave Gibbons

Kids today read everything on their tablets and smartphones, and sadly don’t remember the printed newspapers.  I couldn’t wait for the Sunday paper, because they always had a section devoted to Sunday comic strips, like Prince Valiant and Calvin & Hobbes.  Now Titan Books has just released the 3rd collected volume of the iconic sci-fi hero Flash Gordon.

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The FLASH – Hardcover bounded comics from Herring and Robinson Bookbinders!

Johnny Moreno - Retrenders - Sheldon Cooper Big Bang Theory FLASH BookAs the Ramen crew weaved their way through Big Wow’s ComicFest, we found something that FLASH fan, Sheldon Cooper, from the popular television hit series The Big Bang Theory would wonderfully appreciate. And that’s having your collected comic books bounded into a single volume for that utmost presentation. I would also like to mention that the longevity of a professionally bound hardcover will also help preserve and protect your favorite comics for future readings and sharing. However, if you can’t bare the fact of having your comics punctured and sewn together, they also have other wonderful alternatives!

Johnny Moreno - Retrenders - Bound Comic Books

For information about Herring and Robinson Bookbinders, and how to get your comics bound, go to their website:

www.herringandrobinsonbookbinders.com