From Gerweck.net:

“It’s being reported that TNA has only sold about 1600 tickets for the Against All Odds ppv tonight, which is in a 2500-3500 seat arena. Apparently WWE had only drew about 1000 paid when they tried running the same venue–something TNA should’ve taken note of. Apparently TNA has instituted a buy two tickets, get one free sale at the box office, and has also been giving away free tickets to local businesses.”

Nothing communicates excitement about a show like papering the audience…

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We’ve talked a lot about downloadable comics here at Shotgun. What a pleasant surprise that 2000AD is leading the charge into the modern age:

www.Clickwheel.net, the distributor of online comic books or ‘webcomics’ for Apple iPhone and iPod
and the exclusive distributor for the Sci-Fi comic 2000AD, has announced it will be expanding its offering
in the lead-up to the main 2000AD Digital Download service launch later this year.
Clickwheel and 2000AD owners, Rebellion, has agreed to include archive material from 2007 in addition to
the weekly 2000AD comic downloads, which began in December 2007.
Will Simons, Creative Director of Clickwheel said; ‘The plans Clickwheel and Rebellion have for the
2000AD download service are wide-ranging and incredibly exciting. They began with the 2000AD Christmas
special in December and we’re now implementing the first in a series of archive content.’
Jason Kingsley, CEO and Creative Director of Rebellion added ‘As the download service was designed
for existing overseas 2000AD readers and latent fans, the first archive will feature every issue from 2007 to
give fans access not just to copies they haven’t read but also overall storylines over a number of issues.’
Will concludes; ‘2008 promises to be an exciting year for Clickwheel and 2000AD. We have offered the
latest copies of 2000AD since December and with the 2007 archive in place, characters and storylines within
the comic can be fully explored and enjoyed.’
The archive goes live Friday 15
th
February 2008. Visit www.clickwheel.net for more details.This is some pretty cool stuff. Not only are they bringing up to date content, but they’re reaching back as well; plus, they’re doing it for viewing on a computer OR an iPhone simultaneously. Marvel, DC, TAKE NOTE!

The Dissector is back in gear, and here are the dissections for the last week of December! Spell character names correctly, get your costumes right, and for the love of Gawd, don’t mess with his “Ñ”s!!!
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Senator Obama, you’re amazing.

Kevin Huxford has ridden into the sunset, as documented here. However, that sunset has led to a sunrise for SCHWAPP!!!, his newly rededicated comics and pop culture blog.

As part of his relaunch, Kevin asked me 10 Random Questions for his new interview feature. It was rather fun, and Kevin decided to post the manga-style family portrait that the talented Sarah Vaughn did of me, my wife, and kids last year.

So, if you have ever found yourself enjoying Kevin’s posts, Kevin’s blogs, Kevin’s Best Shots reviews, Kevin’s arguments with comics talent, Kevin’s appearances in Lying with the Gutters, or tall bald Muslim men in general, you should check it out. And if you happen to dislike any of those things, I’m sure he’d welcome your posts as well. But don’t say I didn’t warn you . . .

Writer Steve Gerber, a comic book legend passes away. He will be fondly remembered, and sorely missed.
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A new publisher’s flagship title. A comic book legend in the art chores, and a story that combines Silver Age and pulp fiction elements. Is The Danger’s Dozen worth the risk?
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I can’t tell you how many times I’ve curled up with my favorite copy of the King James, hoping to launch into a cover-to-cover reading of my most holy scripture, only to be stopped at the relentless droning of Leviticus. I wish there was an action-packed, kicking ass and taking names kind of Bible that I could really dig my nails into.

Oh, wait! It’s here!

Introducing the graphic novel version of God’s divine word: The Manga Bible: From Genesis to Revelation. Take the Christian scriptures and give it an adrenaline shot. Maybe a splash of ninja. You know, throw out the boring stuff and beef up the action (including but not limited to Abraham riding the shit out of a horse, narrowly escaping an explosion, so he can save Lot). Instead of awkwardly translated, clunky redundancies that are no longer spoken in the English language, we have this here (according to the NY Daily News):

“Sounds interesting,” the unsuspecting Abel replies. “What is it?”
“Your death, you smug %@#$!”

Maybe we can get Chow Yun-Fat to play Jesus in the movie version.

Mike Huckabee wants you to know that all the votes should be counted! He doesn’t want the United States to be like the Soviet Union!

That would be awesome . . . if Huckabee hadn’t insisted on Gore dropping recount efforts in 2000.

Today’s internet lesson, kids: Once this shit goes up, it stays around FOREVER.

This year at MegaCon in Orlando, Florida, 803 Studios releases the second issue of their annual anthology SEQUENTIAL SUICIDE. This year’s anthology, entitled ‘SLOP’, contains fourteen stories from the folks at 803 Studios as well a mixture of new creators seeking to make their mark in the comic book industry–including yours truly.

I created a trailer of sorts last night.

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Roy Scheider, star of Jaws, passed away over the weekend. He was 75. The man had a great career (including Oscar nods for Supporting Actor in The French Connection and actor in All That Jazz), but he’ll live forever as Chief Brody.

If his reaction to the above moment and the subsequent line aren’t all-time classics, then I have no idea what qualifies.

For the past year I had been doing a weekly review column at The Comic World News.  With that site soon shutting down, I am now happy to bring the column over to Shotgun Reviews and to an even wider audience.  Shotgun is a great site and I haven’t utilized it enough.  As always, feel free to comment or e-mail me anytime. 

Eve: Vampire Diva #1 (Arcana Comics) Written by Frank Laperch; art by Ash Jackson.  My first thought when opening Eve was that the art reminded me of the Ralph Bakshi animated film Cool World.  It had that sort of funky, cartoony look to it and it caught my attention right away.  Eve is an aging pop star, now finding herself having to compete with modern Britney Spears types.  Eve is seemingly patterned a bit after Cher, at least from a brief flashback to her hit recording days.  Times are tough for Eve; the only gigs her agent can get her are reality shows and singing the national anthem at NASCAR races.  Oh, and Eve is also a vampire, but a good one.  She’s an outsider on the Vampire Council but the first one they call when there is trouble.  And boy have they got a job for eve this time!   

Eve’s a fun book…nothing terribly deep or meaty but certainly entertaining.  Eve’s and interesting character and I like the plot of her being a near has-been singer.  One often wonders what happens to former pop divas (Donna Summer anyone?)  Jackson’s caricature-like style was enjoyable and his color palette was particularly interesting.  Grade B 

    

Witchblade #115 (Top Cow) Written by Ian Edginton and Ron Marz; Art by Sami Basri.  You know I had never been a Witchblade reader until just about a year and a half ago.  Over the past year the title has seen a number of dramatic changes.  The original wielder of the Witchblade, Detective Sara Pezzini gave up the artifact when she became pregnant.  Danielle Baptiste, the daughter of Sara’s captain became the new holder.  Sara’s unborn child became a pawn in the ages long warn between The Darkness and the Angelus with both sides trying to claim the child.  This story played out in the recent First Born three issue mini-series.  The baby, Hope, showed remarkable powers of her own, rejecting both of the combatants and ending the war for the time being.  Sara also took back half the Witchblade, leaving both her and Danielle each sharing a portion of its power. 

The last few issues have been what I call “taking a breather” issues following the events in First Born.  Sara is adjusting to life as a new mom while Danielle is getting her own life in order while becoming used to the power of the Witchblade.  She also has a new boyfriend who is taking more than a passing interest in the ancient artifact.  The breather is up next issue when a new storyline begins along with new regular artist Stjepan Sejic.  Sejic was also the artist on First Born and his fully painted art is breathtaking.  There is a level of richness that you just don’t get in traditional comic book art.  If you haven’t been reading Witchblade, now is the perfect time to get on board.  Grade B+   

Wow. For the lonely girl (or guy) or has everything look no futher than this fab-ta-bulous V-Day gift that just keeps on giving!

Pick it up in chroma red or 24k gold-plated and make sure you engrave it too! Nothing says thoughtful like a $275 dildo!

http://www.redenvelope.com/re/gifts/product_display/product_information.jsp?nc=81011&refPg=endeca&oid=27183684&nc2=1

The new upcoming James Bond movie - with the most smarty/highbrowy and poetically odd title ever - ”Quantum of Solace” has just released its teaser poster.

 

Thoughts? Ideas? Explanation of what “Quantum of Solace” means? Anyone?