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No Time, New Cap, Rob for the Win
I was hoping to blog at length about the great time I had in Calgary at the World Fantasy Convention, but, speaking as someone who is now doing so many things at once that important details have started to fall out of his head, someone, indeed, who on Friday night could be found beating on the door of a closed dry-cleaning establishment, yelling 'nooooooooo!' I'm just too busy to do it. Suffice it to say that it was a delight to see so many old friends again, and to meet a whole new crew of incoming writer folk, many of whom are the writers of short stories. My own reading of excerpts from two pieces, plus clips from the radio play, got a much bigger audience than I expected, and there were parties and receptions and meals and ploughing on to the early hours in Irish pubs galore. It's always good to find new drinking chums. But, in terms of why I purportedly went, which was to support Rob Shearman in his quest to win a World Fantasy Award for his collection Tiny Deaths, well...
This coming Wednesday/Thursday I have two comics out, the last issue of Fantastic Four: True Story and issue seven of Captain Britain and MI-13, the first six pages of which can be found here:
http://comicbookresources.com/?page=preview&id=1330&disp=table
And we're getting another variant cover, by Humberto Ramos, in a series spotlighting Marvel villains, for issue eight:
http://www.marvel.com/comics/onsale/lib/view2.htm?filename=/i/content/st/5903new_storyimage6078992_full.jpg
And as always this blog will serve as letters page for the new issue, so do let me know what you think.
I'm a little worried, time-wise about doing the Twelve Blogs of Christmas this year. I may let myself off the hook and get some rest. I'll let you know. Until next time, Cheerio.
This coming Wednesday/Thursday I have two comics out, the last issue of Fantastic Four: True Story and issue seven of Captain Britain and MI-13, the first six pages of which can be found here:
http://comicbookresources.com/?page=preview&id=1330&disp=table
And we're getting another variant cover, by Humberto Ramos, in a series spotlighting Marvel villains, for issue eight:
http://www.marvel.com/comics/onsale/lib/view2.htm?filename=/i/content/st/5903new_storyimage6078992_full.jpg
And as always this blog will serve as letters page for the new issue, so do let me know what you think.
I'm a little worried, time-wise about doing the Twelve Blogs of Christmas this year. I may let myself off the hook and get some rest. I'll let you know. Until next time, Cheerio.
Labels:
Captain Britain,
Fantastic Four,
Rob Shearman,
World Fantasy Convention
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And whatever happened to 100 reasons to love RTD, eh? :)
Love that Humberto Ramos villain variant. I've been waiting to see that for some time. Glad to see The Fury getting a front cover.
Best Fury I've seen since Davis. Does this mean it's coming back again? If ever there was a threat that's had all its original menace stolen by overuse, it was The Fury.
Still, I'd be more than happy with Sat-Yr-9 coming back. Or Saturnyne.
Dry cleaners opening hours are set not by any rational means, but by glancing into the scrying glass while mashed on peyote. Rarely can you find one open at a time when people might wish to take things in for cleaning.
There were bound to be casualties, Tom. And the villains covers, chaps, are just displays of classic villains from each title, so not indicative of content. Of that particular issue. And they've still got all my suits. I must find time to go and bang on their door again today.
Saturnyne? Hmmm. I've never thought of her as a villain. She was more of a suspicious ally of Brian.
Sat-yr-9, on the other hand...
That's a really nice image of The Fury, though. I've only ever seen Humberto Ramos working in standard pencils and inks. It pretty nice oil work.
I've read the preview pages. All very promising. I'm really interested to know just what Plokta offered Sid.
Fury will kill the hell out of you. That cat's bad.
Hey Paul,
Been reading here for a while, but this is my first time commenting, largely because I'm a lazy goit.
Having been a Marvel fan since first being able to read, I've always shied away from Captain Britain, assuming him to be merely a sub-standard Captain America. The very concept just seemed vaguely embarassing, if I'm honest.
When you started talking here about the new CB series, I cringed. Then I got over myself and picked up issue one.
Then I picked up issue two. And three. And ... well, I'm sure you can guess. I have seen the light. I am - humbly - converted.
Keep up the great work. Oh, and reading this blog also gave me the boot up the backside I needed to finally write my own comic. My artist and I have already received an offer from a small(ish) indie publisher, but our plan is to try to get published by Image. Wish us luck!
Issue 07 was plain brilliant.
The fact that every character manages to be well rounded, well written, and have an individual subplot going on, is just fantastic! And there's Jamie Braddock back! And Meggan!
And whilst I wasn't overly keen on the idea of Blade joining the book, i loved his dialogue with Spitfire, and I'd totally forgotten about him having brought back the vampires, so it all ties in nicely.
Loved the scene with Maureen, Kitty, Pete, and John the Skrull- I know he had to die, but I'll miss him.
The mounted Lockheed head on the wall was priceless too.
Cheers for making this thursday that little bit brighter Paul...
Thanks, all. Barry, I'm so pleased to hear that. Good luck, and let me know when it's out. (And glad you stopped cringing.) Hot: thanks very much. I'm glad people noticed the Lockheed head! Anyone notice John's footwear? Jamie's t-shirt? Hmm?
A momentary lapse of reason!
Nice one, I didn't notice that on first read
Was John's (lack of) footwear an Abbey Road reference? I'm far too young to know. And I try to blank out on Jamie, never liked him, he's too powerful. I looked up the album cover, clever selection!
Anywya, my ramblings on the issue:
http://dangermart.blogspot.com/
Paul,
Issue 7 does not disappoint. The interaction between the team is intriguing, but the ending is what I am most interested in. Not to come right out and say what happened, but it was hinted at. I thought, however, that Plokta would expose that, not Pete. Can't wait for his explanation!
Thanks again Paul!
Any chance that you'll do more with Lockheed than mount him on the wall...?
Thanks, all. Indeed, Mart, and thanks for the review. I'd like to, Craig, but he's in the world of Sword right now, so not in the near future.
I love issue 7 and your writing in general Paul, but let's not forget that comics are a team effort. I have been increasingly impressed with Leonard Kirk's work on this series! He evokes the best bits of John Buscema's early run on the Avengers and Brian Hitch's seminal stint on the Ultimates. He is, to use the customary breathless Marvel onomatapeia, an awesome avatar of art! Hopefully you and he will stick with this book for many years to come.
I couldn't agree more, Mike. Leonard consistently does an amazing job, and he should be much more feted.
Another good issue. Good job killing Cap again. When did Meggan get mind control powers? I always figured that Jamie would be into Prog Rock. Betsy would be into New Wave, and Brian probably only likes Classical music and other things that sound like math's involved.
I figure Cat's Laughing is like an Indie band, so Kitty Pryde likes College Rock. Black Knight likes Classic Rock. Pete Wisdom likes Soul and Electronica. Probably fond of Amy Winehouse. Spitfire likes Big Band. I bet Blade is into Metallica.
I keep on killing him, don't I? Meggan doesn't have mind control powers, she can project her emotions at other people, hence trying to make Jamie calm. I love your character music thoughts: I do think Dane probably has at least one Boston album. And Blade surely likes modern metal. I wonder if Pete has much time for it, or if he's just one of those people who hears something he likes on the radio every now and then?
Wow. I didn't think Pete hated Lockheed that much!
I like this story, and I'm kind of glad we didn't see Faiza or Sid's desires just yet. We all know enough about Pete, Brian and Dane to know what their desires are, so there would have been no real mystery in holding back.
As for music, I'd have thought Dane was into grunge. Blade would be into industrial. Faiza would be pop. Spitfire would be into classical of course. Traditionally, Pete would have been a classic punk kind of guy whose knowledge of music crystalised in 1984, but right now, I'd say anything but The Beatles.
I actually saw Lady Jacquie at a midnight showing of the fantastic new film Easy Virtue last night. She loved Car Wash done in the Noel Coward style, and sang along with Let's Misbehave. Blade was with her, but he seemed more interested in Jessica Biel (who knew she had such a great singing voice?) on screen, dunno why.
Hi Paul, it might not have been you at all but I work at the Eagle Tavern. I think it was you I saw there tonight! I wanted to tell you in person how much I loved Human Nature and The Family of Blood but I was too shy!! So I thought i'd leave you a message instead!
Thanks, all. Niall, I don't think we're going to be let into what Faiza was thinking in that panel: draw your own conclusions. I think Lady J likes her big band dance music. 'Proper dancing' as she'd call it. Martin: posts like yours are what make this job worthwhile, I loved that! Becky: yes, that was me, having a pie! Where were you? This is why I always say, do come over and say hello! I may well be back, the pie was great.
Ah, I thought that issue 7's cover (the one with Faiza and Dane, can't remember whether that's the regular or variant cover) was an illustration of what Faiza had been thinking? If so, very sweet. If not, does this make me some kind of shipper?
Has no one mentioned the last issue of True Story yet? If so, I will. I can't remember enjoying an FF story this much since... oohh... probably 1,2,3,4? Would be great to see you on the regular FF title once Millar and Hitch wrap their run - did you hear Gail Simone raving about your work on this, Paul?
Spot on, Mark. And thanks very much. No, I didn't, want did Gail say?
Ha, I win.
Anyway, Gail Simone... she mentions you in her recent 50 Questions on Wordballoon, specifically when asked which five writers she'd hire if she was EIC of an imaginary comics company. She particularly singled out True Story as making her interested in the FF, which she considered quite the achievement.
I thought it was you! I was the darker blonde behind the bar who served you your drinks and brought out the food etc. My family own the pub and the one in Fernham. I'm a huge new Doctor Who fan (mainly David Tennant's Doctor to be honest). Hopefully we'll see you at The Eagle again sometime! Next time i'll definately be brave and say hello! Will you be writing for Doctor Who again?
Mark, That was a great pick up about Faiza and the cover!
Paul, I was just wondering, if we just read issue #7 and the issue #10 solicitation just came out today, what issue are you actually working on?
Thanks.
Pete's gotta be a music lover, I wouldn't think he could be a pedestrian listener. I bet he really liked "Alternative" stuff from thw 90s. Probably a fan of the Afghan Whigs, one of my favorite bands. Wore suits, alpha males, songs hedonistic songs about doomed relationships. Maybe he quit paying attention so much when that scene crashed. Pete's a guy who has given up on a lot of things, keeping up with new music would be one of them.
Black Knight? Into Queen. No doubt.
I've heard the podcast now: how lovely of her, I do appreciate her support. Becky: I thought that was you! I think me and the chaps may be down on Wednesday for what the others refer to as 'boys night out'. And it's too early to say about stuff like that. Gov: I've just put in a lengthy plot for our next arc, and once me and Nick have knocked that back and forth a bit, I'll be starting work on Ten (we're all agreed on the basics of it, hence the solicitation). I call this story 'Captain Britain vs. Dracula', but the title is 'Vampire State'.
wow, youve really collected a mess of some of the more f*cked up characters in the marvel universe, all under one title. im still loving the comic and kirks art work seems to get better each time, keep it up!
Mr. Cornell, I have just read the solicitations for Marvel's February output and notice that the Captain Britain and MI 13 vol. 1: Secret Invasion trade is 96 pages for $16.99. Can you please confirm that that is indeed correct? If so (and I realize you have no say over pricing) that is incredible gouging.
Any information you have would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you.
Thanks Paul, the longer the plot the better!
Caleb: thanks, that's a good way to put it! Matthew: I have no info about that. But if that's not a mistake, obviously Marvel are just trying at the moment, like every other company, to get by. I don't think 'gouging' is possible with the world economy like it is. But I understand your frustration.
I just finished reading the last issue of True Story, which I loved the entire series, but I can't figure out something. Reed Richards stands by a directional post that reads: coma, land of fiction, nightmare, and a forth word. I'm sorry but I can't figure out this forth word and I've been trying to ever since I bought the issue. What is it?