[Press] STAR WARS: THE CLONE WARS Returns - With a Closer Look at the Malevolent Count Dooku

January 1st, 2009

Original Post here: Tales from the Longbox

STAR WARS: THE CLONE WARS gives audiences a different look at Separatist leader Count Dooku, and also introduces a new set of villains in “Dooku Captured,” an all-new episode of the hit animated series directed by Jesse Yeh, premiering at 9 p.m. ET/PT Friday, Jan. 2, on Cartoon Network.

The episode finds Anakin and Obi-Wan attempting to capture Dooku, only to discover the Sith Lord has already been kidnapped by intergalactic pirates.

Yeh says the episode reveals more insight into Count Dooku’s descent from Jedi Knight to his lofty place within the ranks of those wielding the dark side of the Force.

“I have always been interested in the drama behind this particular character,” Yeh explains. “He thinks realistically, and has a solid mind. The actions he takes are always so direct and straight forward.

“I sense that deep down, Dooku holds a sort of emotional connection with the Jedi,” Yeh says. “I’ve always been interested in the drama behind him. Dooku thinks realistically, he has a solid mind, and the actions he takes are very direct and straightforward.

THE CLONE WARS premiering at 9 p.m. ET/PT Friday, Jan. 2, on Cartoon Network.

Count Dooku is greeted by Pukk, a not-so-friendly Kowakian monkey-lizard, in “Dooku Captured,” an all-new episode of STAR WARS: THE CLONE WARS premiering at 9 p.m. ET/PT Friday, Jan. 2, on Cartoon Network.

“In a way, he’s almost pathetic. His mind is constantly being twisted by his pride, which is what originally led him to the dark side. Because of his pride, he doesn’t realize he has turned into exactly the sort of monster that he once fought against. From his perspective, he is not doing anything different from what he did when he was still a Jedi. He’s just trying to save the universe – but this time from what he sees as a corrupt Republic. In the end, he’s become just another expendable pawn of the true evil.”

Yeh said Dooku’s position as a prisoner in “Dooku Captured” provided a dramatic and animation challenge. “Dooku is no longer in control of the situation, do we had to spend some time trying to figure out how to animate this ‘tamed’ Dooku.”

In addition to working with Dooku, Yeh said it was particularly exciting directing an episode that introduces new characters.

“The pirates have a gangster-like society. The fact that they were actually capable of capturing the legendary Dooku took me by surprise,” Yeh says. “Since the pirate chief is a new character, there were really no limitations on how to bring him to the screen. As a director, I got to determine who this new character would be – how to bring out the combative and greedy nature of this particular species, and put those characteristics onto the very surface of his performance.”

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I am Batman too…

December 31st, 2008

Original Post here: Tales from the Longbox

I haven’t been a big fan of how they ended Batman: R.I.P. (though Last Rites has offered some redemption), but I have to say I really like the teaser image that DC released and the commentary from Didio and Tony Daniels about it.

I AM BATMAN

However, they did forget to put me in the picture… ;-)

November 19, 2008 — The Quick and the Read #9 - Final Crisis Edition
November 5, 2008 — More Bat-cancellation news
November 4, 2008 — Robin, Nightwing, Birds of Prey to End in February - WTF Didio???
October 1, 2008 — Book Review: The Last Days of Krypton by Kevin J. Anderson - Blogger News Network
August 3, 2008 — The Quick and the Read #7 - ACCCKKKK!! More Comic Reviews

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I am Batman too…

December 31st, 2008

Original Post here: Tales from the Longbox

I AM BATMAN

However, they did forget to put me in the picture… ;-)

November 19, 2008 — The Quick and the Read #9 - Final Crisis Edition
November 5, 2008 — More Bat-cancellation news
November 4, 2008 — Robin, Nightwing, Birds of Prey to End in February - WTF Didio???
October 1, 2008 — Book Review: The Last Days of Krypton by Kevin J. Anderson - Blogger News Network
August 3, 2008 — The Quick and the Read #7 - ACCCKKKK!! More Comic Reviews

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[Press] Atlanta comic book writer creates the new Atlanta Comics Creators networking group

December 5th, 2008

Original Post here: Tales from the Longbox

Atlanta comic book writer creates the new Atlanta Comics Creators networking group

Contact:
Sean Taylor
mail@taylorverse.com
http://atlcomix.ning.com/

Atlanta, GA; December 4, 2008 — Gene Simons Dominatrix writer Sean Taylor, a local boy who was able to beat the odds and break into the comic book industry, has created a brand new group on the networking site Ning just for other locals who are currently in the industry or operating on the fringes in the indie field.

The group is open to all comics creators, including pencilers, inkers, colorists, writers, letterers, editors, publishers, involved in mainstream, indie, manga, or web comics. Membership is also open to pop art and low brow artists who include comic style art or influences in their toy and exhibition work.

The Atlanta Comics Creators group’s goals include:

* breaking the isolation the comics industry tends to foster of creators sitting in their studios and offices and seldom seeing other creators
* building effective networks branching locals to national and international markets
* fostering creative partnerships among locals
* mentoring up-and-comers
* promoting occasional real-life events to get local creators together in a relaxing, non-work atmosphere, both in small “lunch groups” or larger “membership-wide” get-togethers
* and more to come as the group decides

With so many existing networking groups from Facebook to MySpace to ComicSpace, another group like the Atlanta Comics Creators might seem superfluous, but according to Taylor, the idea for the group grew out of the camaraderie he felt after joining a small group of local comics folks from time to time for lunch.

“As I went about my day-to-day job of scripting and putting together pitches, I realized how much working in this industry tends to keep us away from each other instead of pulling us together. Some folks have the luxury of working in studios, but others don’t and we all need those occasional opportunities to sharpen each others’ iron and to just hang out and shoot the breeze.

“Also,” he adds, “the industry is changing so much so quickly with the inclusion of webcomics, digital techniques, new book formats, pop art, low brow, the growth of manga in the U.S., etc., that it seems to me we need each other more than ever to stay on top of our game.”

For more information, visit http://atlcomix.ning.com/

For more information about Sean Taylor, visit http://www.taylorverse.com

August 8, 2008 — The Associated Press: `Star Trek Online’ is ready to beam up
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August 1, 2008 — [Press] - The life and times of Martha Washington are finally collected!

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The Quick and the Read #9 - Final Crisis Edition

November 20th, 2008

Original Post here: Tales from the Longbox

Its been a while since I have done one of these, I have just been busy working on the book. I decided to take a break and clean my writing “pallet” and write some reviews focused around Final Crisis and its tie-ins.

Final Crisis #4 - Up until this issue, this series has been practically impossible to figure out what was going on. I know I am not alone on this. After reading this issue, I think I finally understand what is going on now. I have to say that this has been the best issue of this series so far, with some good scenes (even if some where a little cliché) that are just the kind of thing that reminds me of why I love comics. Overall the whole series has been a big disappointment when compared to the hype that followed it. So far I have enjoyed all the “tie-in” series\one-shots with the “Final Crisis” banner a lot more. Hopefully this will get better by the end, but somehow I doubt it, considering the drama that seems to be going on behind the scenes on this book.

FC: Submit #1 - I liked this issue, and I think it was a mistake not to convey somehow that it takes place before Final Crisis #4. I read Submit after that issue, not knowing any better, and it would have made my reading of Final Crisis #4 a lot more enjoyable. Even though this was a good story, some of the dialogue seemed a little cheesy at times and I think Morrison made Black Lightning sound a little bit too preachy. The only other thing that kind of bugs me is the idea of the newspapers, and heroes running around delivering them. Having someone like the Ray do that I can understand, he can travel pretty fast, but having BL running around on foot with Justifiers everywhere is just kind of silly. A little bit of a plot hole if you asked me.

FC: Revelations #3 of 5 - I really have been enjoying Greg Rucka’s work on this series, and I think the art really fits the overall tone of the book perfectly. I am glad to see more being done with the new Question, I enjoyed what Rucka did with the Crime Bible series and I was happy to see that story continued here. It was also good to see a new character like Radiant be introduced last issue. It makes more sense to have another entity like the Spectre around but be sort of his opposite number. I am looking forward to the next issue of this and see how things turn out.

FC: Rouges’ Revenge #3 of 3 - What can I say? Johns delivered an excellent end to another awesome story. I am so glad things ended the way they did (trying to stay spoiler free here), but I don’t see how they could have ended any other way. Regular readers of my blog know I love John’s work, so no need to go on about it here. I will however say I would like to see more of Scott Kolins work, I didn’t appreciate it enough until I saw it again in this title. He has a very gritty style that fit perfectly for this book. This was one of the Final Crisis tie-ins that was definitely worth every penny.

FC: Legion of 3 Worlds #2 of 5 - Holy shit, this is the greatest comic I have read in a while. Which is pretty much a given for me considering its 1) Johns writing, 2) Perez doing the penciling, and 3) its about the Legion. This is like Christmas and my birthday all rolled into one. The obvious care and hard work that was put in this title just pours off the page. I LOVE IT!! I hate it when books are late, but if they need time on the next one, then so be it. I am willing to wait for this kind of quality in this one case.

FC: Resist #1 - Here is another book I liked better than the series that it is tied to. Rucka did a good job with this one, I really like the interaction with Mr. Terrific and the rest of the characters. I have to admit I was beginning to wonder how the heroes were going to pull their asses out of the fire up until this issue, and I am actually looking forward to seeing one hell of a battle come out of this.

FC: Rage of the Red Lanterns #1 - Wow this comic is really something. There is a lot of going on here, some of it might be lost on you if haven’t been reading the Secret Origins arc in Green Lantern, but it might not be too bad if you are picking this up cold. Once again, Johns delevers a great Green Lantern story that I really enjoyed. I am really looking forward to watching this play out in the GL titles, it should be a lot of fun.

Well that is it for now. Next time I will either cover the New Krypton or Batman R.I.P. stuff I have read so far.

August 3, 2008 — The Quick and the Read #7 - ACCCKKKK!! More Comic Reviews
October 1, 2008 — Book Review: The Last Days of Krypton by Kevin J. Anderson - Blogger News Network
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[Press] Heroes: Destiny Web - New Web Series

November 14th, 2008

Original Post here: Tales from the Longbox

NEW “HERO” CHOSEN BY FANS IN ‘CREATE YOUR HERO’ CAMPAIGN –NEW MICRO-SERIES ‘HEROES: DESTINY’ PREMIERES TONIGHT ON NBC.COM, HULU AND SPRINT WIRELESS PHONES

Fans Select ‘Santiago’ as the #1 Fan Favorite to Star in Mobile/Online Series; Robert Urbina Set for the Role of ‘Santiago’ and Lina Esco, Andrea Thompson also Star

BURBANK, Calif. – November 10, 2008 – After more than one million votes were cast, today NBC and Sprint announced the winning hero in the “Create Your Hero” campaign.

The winning character will star in the new online live action micro-series, HEROES: DESTINY. The first of four episodes will premiere tonight exclusively on online at NBC.com and on Sprint phones, one episode to be released every Monday at 9pm et/pt starting November 10.

Also announced today was the casting of Columbian-born actor, Roberto Urbina, to bring the character to life. Urbina stars in a story created by the show’s award-winning writers and produced in collaboration with the series creators.

Lina Esco (”Cane”) and Andrea Thompson (”24″) will also star in the innovative micro-series, being filmed on location in Los Angeles. Based on the Aspen Comics’ online illustrations which brought Santiago to life on NBC.com, the micro-series will be directed by Eagle Egilsson (”CSI: Miami,” “The Wire”).

“For the first time ever, Sprint and NBC gave Heroes fans a hand in the creative process,” said Bill Morgan, Senior Vice President, Corporate Marketing, Sprint. “And with the ability to vote and ultimately watch the new micro-series exclusively on mobile with their Sprint phones, we are demonstrating even more ways that our technology allows people to interact and be entertained.”

“Create Your Hero” began last season with fans selecting the characteristics of the new hero, including gender, name, special powers, personality and physical features. Each week fans voted on a different trait, which gradually evolved into two final character candidates: “Audrey” and “Santiago.” The winning hero, Santiago, 23, is an only child and lives with his mother in Lima, Peru. He works as an auto mechanic and hopes to go out in the world one day and accomplish something that makes his mother proud.

“We developed this campaign directly with Mindshare Entertainment as not only a great way to engage the fans with their favorite show,” said Barbara Blangiardi, Senior Vice President, Creative Partnerships and Innovation, NBC Universal, “but as an innovative project that connected Sprint’s marketing objectives seamlessly with our content, enhancing the overall viewing experience.”

The four-episode micro-series premieres tonight on NBC.com, Hulu, and Sprint wireless phones with sneak previews running each week during Heroes on NBC. The concept for the “Create Your Hero” project was developed in conjunction with “Heroes” creator Tim Kring. The production is a partnership between Mindshare Entertainment and NBC Universal Creative Partnerships & Innovation. To see HEROES: DESTINY the series, please log on to http://www.nbc.com/heroesdestiny.

Tags: create your hero, Heroes, heroes: destiny, NBC, press release, sprint, Television, Web Series

August 1, 2008 — [Press] - NBC\Sprint “Create your Hero” contest

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[Press] R2-D2’s inner workings revealed in Friday’s episode of STAR WARS: THE CLONE WARS

November 11th, 2008

Original Post here: Tales from the Longbox

Beginning this Saturday, Nov. 15, Cartoon Network will add an encore presentation of STAR WARS: THE CLONE WARS on Saturday mornings! All-new episodes of STAR WARS: THE CLONE WARS premiere at 9 p.m. Fridays. And now, at 9:30 a.m. each Saturday, Cartoon Network will re-air the previous evening’s 30-minute episode, providing a new opportunity to experience the adventure.

R2-D2’s inner workings revealed in Friday’s
episode of STAR WARS: THE CLONE WARS

What is R2-D2 made of? Audiences will find out, both literally and figuratively, in ”Duel of the Droids,” an all-new episode of the hit animated series STAR WARS: THE CLONE WARS, premiering at 9 p.m. ET/PT Friday, Nov. 14, on Cartoon Network.

In the episode, Anakin, Ahsoka and replacement droid R3-S6 (aka “Goldie”) embark on a dual rescue/sabotage mission when they discover R2-D2 is being held at General Grievous’s secret enemy listening post.

Writer Kevin Campbell (”Disney’s House of Mouse,” ”Jackie Chan Adventures”) created a little extra work for the Lucasfilm Animation crew when he used the unusually vivid word ”splayed” to describe how R2-D2’s internal mechanisms would be removed and exhibited across an examining table. That gave the production team ample opportunity to delve into Artoos’s inner workings, as well as to have a little fun at director Rob Coleman’s expense.

Loyal astromech droid R2-D2 is followed by his temporary replacement, R3-S6

“Dave (Filoni) and the designers - particularly Killian Plunkett - figured out what was actually inside Artoo,” Coleman says. ”He’s the ultimate Swiss Army knife, and we all love the myriad things that come out of him, but having to build and animate all of that is another story. Lucasfilm Animation’s Gary Scheppke got a box full of ’Artoo bits,’ and the modelers - basing it off the actual hardware - crammed it into the model inside the computer. There are definitely some recognizable pieces on that table from the films, as well as all the things that show up for the first time in this episode - a cutter wheel, suction cups, etc. Then they animated in a few things like a pea shooter and a boxing glove just to get my attention. They’re funny guys.”

Campbell says he took pride in the opportunity to add some history for Artoo and his capabilities, showing some aspects of the droid that audiences haven’t seen before.

“I love that we’re adding back story to the back story. We discover that when Princess Leia hides the Death Star plans inside Artoo in Episode IV, it’s not the first time he’s been entrusted with important information,” Campbell says. ”I also like that we get to play with Anakin’s emotional side. The Jedi are saying he gets too attached, that he’s willing to risk everything to get Artoo back. He’s a Jedi, and yet he assigns sentimental value to an inanimate object. I can relate to that, because that’s real loyalty.”

Ahsoka Tano finds herself in lightsaber combat with General Grievous

October 22, 2008 — [Press] LUCASARTS AND BIOWARE REVEAL STAR WARS: THE OLD REPUBLIC
October 1, 2008 — STAR WARS: THE CLONE WARS premieres back-to-back episodes Friday, Oct. 3 on Cartoon Network

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More Bat-cancellation news

November 6th, 2008

Original Post here: Tales from the Longbox

More news on CBR from Peter Tomasi and Fabien Nicieza.

Nicieza & Tomasi on Robin & Nightwing R.I.P.

As has been suspected and discussed over on the CGS forums this has been planed for a while.

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Best Obama picture I have seen yet…

November 6th, 2008

Original Post here: Tales from the Longbox

from over at BeaucoupKevin(dot)com

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Yes we can…

November 6th, 2008

Original Post here: Tales from the Longbox

look through the lies and fear that the Republican party has spread for the last decade and elect someone to be President that can really get this great country back on track.