What's up with updating? News, reviews, n' the like.

Whew, summer sure raced by this year. The homestretch - the past few weeks - especially so.

Over the past four months I transitioned from Journalism school/editing/writing for the Calgary Journal through to working a full time day job and writing a weekly column for the Fabler Blog. My photography has been getting a bit lax, and in the coming months I'd like to expand my sphere of freelance work more -but overall, I'm pretty satisfied with how things have gone this past summer. Maybe degree # 2 wasn't such a waste of time after all (excuse me while I hold my breath).

I'm especially pleased to have had the opportunity to talk (directly or indirectly) with so many talented Canadian comic creators. It really presents a whole new side to the many-sided-die that is contemporary Canadian identity. Perhaps a side that automatically grants a plus 6 bonus to Northern creativity.

Speaking of the Fabler, you can see the most recent interview I did up there now with Jason Turner, a Vancouver-based artist whose come to some renown thanks to both his work on True Loves and the endorsement he's received from Scott McCloud. I wanted to focus on more West Coast artists, and the several that I contacted happen to include both Turner and the very talented Steve Rolston. Look for more Vancouverites/Victoria locals in the coming weeks!

But not next week - that will be reserved for a transcript of the interview I did earlier this evening with Kate Beaton, a gifted artist and (as it turns out) pleasant conversationalist. If you haven't heard of her already, which you really should have, (consider yourself scolded!) you can check out her webcomics over at Hark! A Vagrant. Or cast your eyes southerly to the strip below.


There's been lots of news that I've been avoiding commentary on in the past few weeks, (namely, the Marvel-Disney shenanigans and now the DC Entertainment nonsense) and I have to say, nothing interests me enough about either to really write at any length on the subjects. At least not yet. There's enough speculation about both on the net for three more major comic book company events already; I think I'll wait til we actually start seeing some of the concrete changes that come about as a result of either of the above.

Admist all of my other life-busyness and recent rampant playing of Fallout 3 & Arkham Asylum, I've still managed to keep up with a few of my monthy reads...

Here's my EXTREME COLES NOTES version of my thoughts on some of the comics I've picked up in the past couple of weeks:

Sweet Tooth #1: Fantastically original story, trademark Lemire gorgeous linework - don't just buy it, buy it and mail it to Jeff for a free sketch!
Deadpool # 15: Still plot filler, but hilarious plot filler. Watch for the nod to Brubaker and Cap. A worthwhile, but not neccessary, read.
North 40 #3: Crazy shit gets even crazier, and it looks gorgeous. Hop on the North 40 bandwagon; you won't regret it.
Marvel Zombies Return # 1: Zombie Spidey meets Classic Spidey, and it's a pretty well-executed story with interesting juxtaposition of art. Could be worth reading.
Marvel Zombies Return # 2: Early career 616 Iron Man meets a zombie invasion, and it's boring. Not worth reading.
Torch # 1: I'm a sucker for all the Golden Age character properties Marvel is highlighting right now, and this is now exception. Still, we'll have to wait to see whether this title is really going to prove worthy of the original Torch title.
Irredeemable #6: More installments end with cliffhangers than a season of 24. This one too. Still, we get yet another interesting glimpse into the Plutonians past. Solid issue.
Ultimate Comics Spider-Man #2: New villains! Actually, truly new, not just rehashes of old ones! The art still has yet to grow on me, but I'm already hooked on Bendis' new arc.
Ultimate Comics Avengers #2: The history of the Red Skull is revealed... and it's freaking sweet. Millar is clearly taking the time needed to build up the supervillain before leading us into the meat of the conflict between Cap and the Skull. Worth reading to see how the Red Skull acquired his namesake this time around alone.
The Marvels Project #2: Brubaker's drawing from the mind of Golden Age Comics expert Jess Nevins proves to be a sound decision, with plenty of interesting cameos of forgotten Marvel characters. This is starting to feel more like a DC than a Marvel title, in a good way.



I suppose that's it for now. Remember to stay well-Purelled in the coming flu season, kids!