Wednesday, February 25, 2009

COMICS AREN'T JUST FOR KIDS.

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Montreal Artist Proves Comic Books Aren’t Just for Kids


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MONTREAL(RushPRnews)12/12/2008—Next time you tell your kid to stop doodling, maybe you should think again. At 31 years young, founder of AXAR Productions and co-creator of graphic novel, “Le Regard Des Autres”, Martin Balcer, won’t let anyone tell him he can’t make comic books for a living. The Montreal-born, comic lover, has made his entrance into the comic book/graphic novel industry, earning wide recognition around the province and only at the very beginning of a successful-looking career.

With the hopes of achieving recognition on a worldwide level, AXAR is a project that remains true to Balcer’s heart. “The focus of AXAR is to create comics/graphic novels that will compete on an international level and keep our very talented artists working in Québec,” he says.

Last month, Balcer had his first book launch for “Le Regard Des Autres”. The event attracted over one hundred people that had the chance to see a wide variety of the artists’ work. Books and sketches were being sold and people had the chance to get their copies signed.

The novel is already being sold at major book and music stores like Archambault and Renaud Bray and of course, through the author’s company, AXAR. “I really didn’t expect such a strong response. It’s like a tsunami of emotions,” Balcer says.

Balcer’s girlfriend, Myriam Labbé, was very glad others got the chance to celebrate the seven years of work he’s put in to this project. “It’s not easy to do what Martin is doing in Quebec” she says. “Martin took the plunge and went with it right till the end. He never gave up; even when things got hard; he always believed in his art.”

AXAR Productions has been an ever-growing concept that Balcer has worked on for many years. Developing the company with the aim of creating and producing quality comics, AXAR has been a vehicle enabling Martin to make the most of his talent and the talent of others.

Balcer was offered the initial story concept for “Le Regard Des Autres” by his university professor, Edmond Beaudoin, and he “jumped on the chance to take it.”

“Le Regard Des Autres” is a story about, a humanitarian photographer named Stephan Martel. Stephan finds out, after the death of his mother, that at a young age, the operation he had on his eyes was actually an organ exchange. Wanting to make things right, Stephan sets out to find the person who has lived without sight for over 22 years. But events turn troublesome when he finds himself surrounded by guards, in a dark cell in Rio. And they want to know why he’s looking for Anor J. Raconda.

Balcer gets much of his inspiration from one of his comic hero’s, artist/writer Alan Davis. According to Martin, “He taught me how to tell a story; the idea of mastering your craft to the point that the reader forgets that she/he is actually reading.”

“My favourite hero is the writer,” Balcer says. “She/he will make me forget I’m on the bus in rush hour; that I’m in a plane that’s about to crash.”
Eager for what’s in store, Balcer couldn’t be any happier doing what he loves.

Monday, February 23, 2009

WONDER WOMAN ANIMATED MOVIE!

Wonder Woman Animated Movie Images, DVD Box Art, Trailer


As I have mentioned before I have always been a fan of Wonder Woman and now I have something to rave about. I guess I'm a fan of strong sexy woman. Looks like the same artist that did Justice league and Superman however. He's okay but I was hoping someone a little more edgy. Still from the sreen shots it looks like it will be a blast! Here’s your complete look at the upcoming Wonder Woman feature-length animated movie, hitting stores March 3, 2009 from Warner Home Video. The movie will feature the voice talent of Keri Russell as Wonder Woman, Firefly’s Nathan Fillion as Col. Steve Trevor, Alfred Molina as bad guy Ares, Rosario Dawson as Artemis, and Virginia Madsen as Hippolyta. Directed by Lauren Montgomery. DVD box cover, images from the movie, and trailer below.

On the mystical island of Themyscira, a proud and fierce warrior race of Amazons have raised a daughter of untold beauty, grace and strength Princess Diana. When an Army fighter pilot, Steve Trevor, crash-lands on the island, the rebellious and headstrong Diana defies Amazonian law by accompanying Trevor back to civilization. Meanwhile, Ares (the god of War) has escaped his imprisonment at the hands of the Amazonians and has decided to exact his revenge - intending to start a world war that will not only last for centuries but will wipe out every living being on the planet, starting with the Amazons! It is up to Princess Diana to save her people and the world by using her gifts and becoming the ultimate Wonder Woman!

Special Features Include:

A Subversive Dream” will explore the rich history of Wonder Woman and her inspiration on American culture.
“The Daughters of Myth” is a riveting documentary explaining the archetype and tradition of the female DC Comics Super Hero.
Next Upcoming DCU Sneak Peak (10 min)
First Looks of Batman Gotham Knight, Justice League New Frontier & Wonder Woman
4 Bonus Episodes of Justice League New Frontier & Wonder Woman

Wonder Woman Official Trailer

Sunday, February 22, 2009

WEB COMIC REVIEW 15: THE BLACK FOX


CREATOR: Yolin
COMIC REVIEWER: Antionestife
UPDATES:

Welcome to another web comic review! This is one of those underground web comics that isn't have bad. You be the judge if it something you will like and I will always do my best to give you the facts. Today's comic is called THE BLACK FOX Lets begin...

PROS: It's a cute comic with characters reacting to each other in interesting ways. Mildly funny and quite entertaining. Well drawn and nicely written. While not having a page rank he Yolin does boast of having 640 fans.

CONS: Updates less than once a month.

LAST WORD: This comic does a great job of being fun to read and doing real well in the relationships between characters to keep it interesting. It's not real funny or witty but the characters will grab you attention at least for awhile.


Click here to see how rate a web comic.





9


OVERALL SCORE: 7.5


CONCEPT: 8

The Black Fox is story of fairy tale gone wrong which it might not be a no happy ever after.



Art: 8.5

Nice art style the backgrounds are pretty good too.



Color: 9

Real good job on the shading and shadows.



READERSHIP: 8

Good grammar and spelling. Easy to read and follow.This web comic is nicely written. The site is well organized with comic press and you can find your way around the site easily. The comic does not update near enough. Less than once a month! The characters are interesting. There is a content warning so be on the look out.



ENTERTAINMENT: 8

This comic was fun to read, despite it not having to much action. What is does really well is the interaction between characters seem to carry this story a long way. It's not real funny, witty, or suspenseful but it's not boring ether. People who like cute and character driven comics will love this one.



CHANCES OF BECOMING A FAN: 6

Better than 50/50 but this comic isn't my cup of tea. Despite saying that this comic is one I would want to read more of the archive to get a better handle of every characters role. It just doesn't update enough to keep a readers attention once they go through the archive.



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Saturday, February 21, 2009

WEB COMIC REVIEW 14: BRAT HALLA


CREATOR TEAM: Jeffery “DarkOra” Stevenson
Seth “Dam” Damoose
Anthony “Tony” Lee


COMIC REVIEWER: Antionestrife
Updates: Wendnesdays and Fridays

I know I've haven't done a review for awhile. My fault, I've been busy and little on the war path. So just didn't feel like doing one when I had some time. This comic is a little different and touches on one of my favorite things... mythology! It's called BRAT HALLA and thanks for tuning in fo another web comics review!

PROS: Very nice art, it reminds me allot of Walt Simpson, when he did "The Mighty Thor" from issue 320 to 375 I think. The story has allot of substance and depth. The coloring is old school but it's all good. The web site is well designed and there is plenty of info at your finger tips.

CONS: I read quite a few updates and none really touched my funny bone. While the story is engaging it's not witty or action packed enough which would be okay if it was funny or suspenseful in some way.

LAST WORD: This comic is alright. There is allot there that can grab and hold a readers interest. The only thing that worries me is I had more fun reading XKCD than reading this comic. Things may grow stale after you catch up to what the story is about and it doesn't seem to have the core things that less well drawn or even written comics have. Like ether it has suspense in stead of comedy or wit in stead of action in abundance or a combination of all three. I was not moved to read the whole archive.


Click here to see how rate a web comic.





9


OVERALL SCORE: 8.5


CONCEPT: 9

Brat-halla is a web comic about the Norse gods from their elementary school days. All-Father Odin and Frigga constantly have their hands full with Thor and the other little runts. Not bad.



Art: 10

The art style fits and its great to look at . The backgrounds are very good as well.



Color: 9

It's old school paint but it works wonders.



READERSHIP: 9.5

Good grammar and spelling. Easy to read and follow.This web comic is well written and does great with what it has. The site is well organized and you can find your way around the site easily. The comic updates twice a week and there is blogs and much more to see on this site. The story is easy to follow but it is a little long winded.



ENTERTAINMENT: 7

This web comic is interesting and it's great to look at. But it doesn't have that "wow" factor with the story that will make most readers want to keep reading after digesting allot of words that don't inspire much emotion (laughter, intrigue ect... ) I would suggest If anything" that less words might do more."



CHANCES OF BECOMING A FAN: 7

Pretty high but...This comic is good and it has allot of readers but I'm always looking for that comic that makes me want to see or want to read more of it. Like I can't wait for the next update! This one doesn't do it for me but it is good enough that most readers like myself will tune in from time to time.



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