The word has filtered throughout the internet pretty quickly that Marshall Rogers has died. Although I didn't know Marshall that well, I really loved his art and story telling and think he was one of the first to push the still conventional layout form of the time into something different and exciting. Below is a picture Marshall did for my "Wolfman" mug book back in 1979, where many artists of the day did their take on my name. You can see the brilliance and dedication to his work even in this rough sketch. He will be missed.

Labels: Marshall Rogers

I seem to have caught something while in Chicago as I've been down with a bad cold for the past few days. But that isn't why I'm blogging now. Lying in bed I was looking at the TV Guide and noticed that today, Saturday, the Cartoon Network is premiering my CONDOR animated movie. Check your local time and listing; I'd have to assume it'll be rerun. Enjoy!

Labels: Marv items

I'm sitting in a cab heading to the Chicago airport and home, punching keys on my Treo hoping this comes thru. I attended the dinner for Bill Rubin who conceived the HOMELAND book I wrote and was just published. It was a great evening, actually good food and lots of books to sign. I gave my little speech, eventually wandered back to my room to learn that Stephanie Edwards was wrongly booted off of American Idol. Except for that it was a great trip. Congrats again, Bill. You deserved the evening and all those wonderful tributes.

Labels: Homeland

Just to let you know. I made the deadline listed below. Actually, by taking off Sunday I made two different deadlines. Hated to miss the con, but man it was necessary.Now it's back to Nightwinging it.

Labels: Marv items

I forgot to mention that the other day I had a camera crew over from STARZ. I'm not positive I fully understood what they were doing, aside from dragging cameras all over my living room, but I think they were interviewing me, and a number of other people who work in the horror vein (after me they were meeting with John Carpenter) for a series of shows they're doing during Halloween. I get interviewed a lot and I'm used to it, but I never, ever watch myself later. It's not a policy; it's protection. I think when any of us hear our own screechings we go "God, I sound like a six year old girl!" I'm sure somewhere James Earl Jones thinks the same thing. So although I have it, I've not heard myself on the Transformers: Beast Machines, DVD or the 14-disc Superman set, or the dozens of other DVDs I've done commentary on. Now I have to avoid STARZ this coming September and October. If I work this out right, I'll do recordings on every show out there and give up TV once and for all.

Labels: Interviews, STARZ

Just saw RAINES, the new Jeff Goldblum cop show on NBC. I almost didn't watch it as the network really did it a major disservice in mis-representing what the show is. They made it seem like another cop show in the Medium or Ghost Whisperer vein, or actually in the 6th Sense "I see Dead people" vein. It's not. Our lead character doesn't see dead people. What he's seeing is a visual representation of his internal detective process. The dead people are in his head, but it lets us watch him working through the process, asking himself questions, going over clues, etc. There's one other twist I won't spoil, but I knew what it was almost instantly and I suspect so will you.

I've been a fan of Jeff Goldblum since Ten Speed and Brown Shoes, the worst name for a really good TV show ever. He has a singular way of phrasing his sentences that really brings what he says to life. The show itself is extremely 1970s in its style and for an old guy like me was somewhat comforting because of that. This episode was directed by Frank Darabont, who is a brilliant writer/director who did, among other great movies, The Shawshank Redemption. It was created and written by Graham Yost who wrote Speed, Broken Arrow and many, many other movies and TV shows.

The pilot episode was nothing brilliant, but it was, as I say, comforting and interesting. I had set it for a TiVo season pass and will watch it for awhile, see how it progresses. Most TV these days has to be special and sometimes single stand alone murder mystery shows, unless there's something extra going for them, become easily droppable. But since I like Goldblum as much as I do, I'm hoping the writers can find ways to keep me coming back. They are starting out right and I'd recommend you go to NBC.com and download the show . You should try this one from the beginning.

Labels: Raines, TV Reviews

There's a really nice comment about my latest book, HOMELAND, THE ILLUSTRATED HISTORY OF THE STATE OF ISRAEL on NEWSARAMA. Take a look while it's still up. And if you'd like to see some of the art from the book, take a look HERE.

Labels: Review

I'm not going back to Wizard World for Sunday. It was actually a really good con and I enjoyed the panels I was on. The DCU panel is always fun; Dan Didio has more energy than any two cartoon squirrels and keeps everyone laughing. My writing seminar went well, at least by my standpoint, and I think, from the folk who came by immediately afterward, the people who came seemed to like it, too. The room as packed. Also, I had brought a large number of scripts to sell and they sold out within two hours, so all was well in that department. I bring scripts to help defray costs for things like parking, lunch, frappacinos etc. No. Simply, I am swamped with work and one of my overseas clients needs a job done by Monday (it's not late; they had a schedule change) so I'll be working all day Sunday. I'm sorry if you're going to the con Sunday specifically to see me, but I am around and about LA all the time and I have a large number of con appearances set for the rest of the year (I'll let you know about them as we get closer) so you will be able to get that copy of The Fabulous Foob #1 signed sooner than later.

I also had a nice chat with many friends I hadn't seen in awhile, and I was really pleased that Wizard did such a good job this year. I have to admit I didn't care for last year's LA show although I have liked their Chicago events when I've gone there. I think they got a better room at the LA Convention Center and things seemed to be a lot livelier and from the fans I spoke with, they seemed to think it was a better con, too. Still wish they were back in Long Beach; more restaurants in the area and cheaper parking, too, but the powers that be appear to be taking care of business and making the shows better, so that's what really counts. I'm also a guest at another Wizard show in a few months, this one on the East Coast and after this one I'm looking forward to it.

Labels: Wizard World

Labels: Wizard World

Labels: Marv items

Just a reminder that I'll be at Wizard World LA starting tomorrow. Also note that DC does not have a table this year so I won't be there (!) but I will be at table 2011 during many other hours (although I may not be there all the time). I hope you can make it for the panels and come by the table for chatting afterward.

Labels: Wizard World

I just got my copies of HOMELAND, THE ILLUSTRATED HISTORY OF ISRAEL. In a week or so I head for Chicago for the official "release" party for the book. I spent the last 3-4 years, on and off, working on it and you can imagine my relief that it's actually, finally real. Now, you might ask, how did I get the job? Good question. Glad you asked. Although I personally love reading history I'm not well known for writing it. My writing usually features people in skin tight clothes who can fly, or people in dark Victorian garb who bite others. I also write about the occasional duck, mouse or Pocket Dragon. Well, the funny thing is, I got this assignment because back in 1986 I wrote a different history book; THE HISTORY OF THE DC UNIVERSE.

Bill Rubin, who is the creative force behind Homeland The Illustrated History of Israel had read my DC history way back when and thought it would be a cool way to do a real history book. He contacted artist Mario Ruiz to put it together. Mario had found well deserved fame for his other religious-based comics - and Bill mentioned to him my DC History book. Together they decided to ask if I wanted to write this one, too. When Bill brought up the idea, after the appropriate silence where I sat there stunned, I said, "Bill, you realize I pretty much made up the DC History. It's not real. I think people might get upset if I put Moses in spandex and have him battle the emperor of Planet Zog." But Bill was undaunted and offered me the book again, and when I saw Mario's incredible art, I said yes. I was foolish. I had no idea how impossibly hard the book would be. Easily the hardest job I've ever done in my life. But now, after three years, it is out and it looks great and you can order it by clicking on the cover to your right which will take you to the amazon.com sales page.

As the title suggests, this is an overview of the history of the State of Israel. It is not about religion but about the Jewish people's struggle to find and settle a homeland. If you are concerned that it's a religious tome, don't worry it's not. It begins with Abram (before his name was changed to Abraham) and continues right up to this year. It is fully illustrated and as I say it looks great. The book is designed to present an overview, touching on many of the most important events in the founding of Israel. It is also a story told from the Jewish perspective. One day I'd love to see a similar book told from other viewpoints. I learned an awful lot while working on the project and I think others will, too. And if something we touch on makes you want to do further research, to fully understand a subject we just mention, so much the better. You can learn more about HOMELAND and other projects at: http://www.nachshonpress.com/

Labels: Israel

For those in the LA area, I am a featured guest at WIZARD WORLD LA this Friday, Saturday & Sunday and if you want to hunt me down, you'll be able to find me either at the DCU panel on Friday, 12-1 PM, at the Comics Writing 101 panel on Saturday, 4-5 PM or at the VIP meet and greet Sunday between 2-4. I'll also be sitting at the DC booth, Earth-2 and other places as well. C'mon by and please let me know you read about it here.

Labels: Wizard World

First of all, I am Jewish. If my nose and New York birth didn't give that away, the fact that my new book, "Homeland, The Illustrated History of the State of Israel" has just been published might have given you a clue. But even I have to draw the line. I went to my local Longs Pharmacy and there, in the Passover section (I keep forgetting that's coming up! It means I'll probably have to eat some matzoh sometime, easily one of the less edible bread products ever manufactured) are a bunch of Passover toys. No little spinning tops anywhere, but soft, plush Passover Plague toys. You know, the ten plagues that Moses and God sent against the Egyptians. There were Ten Plague Finger Puppets and a Bag O' Plagues, and and much, much more. They had the plague of frogs, and boils and locust, and blood and God knows what else. Actually God would know since he dispatched them. And yes, when I checked the Bag O' Plagues, there was indeed the death of the first born plague represented by a jigsaw puzzle. They are selling to kids a representation of the plague that killed first born kids. As a jigsaw puzzle. Here's the baby's spleen. Here's the baby's head. Here's the baby's liver. I can only image some five year old opening his Passover Plague Present and sticking his finger into the butt end of the dead baby puppet. I can't possibly imagine the psychiatry bills that poor kid is going to have in a few years.

At least the worst that you can get with the Easter Bunny (a truly religious icon celebrating death and resurrection) is the Easter Bunny good luck rabbit foot. I can put up with an Easter Bunny on crutches. But dead baby finger puppets? Yikes!

Labels: Passover Toys

I'm pleased to announce that my novelization of SUPERMAN RETURNS is a finalist for a SCRIBE award in the Best Novel Adapted category by the The International Association of Media Tie-In Writers. The actual winners will be announced this year at Comic-Con International San Diego. Fingers are crossed. If you haven't seen it, the novel is still available through amazon.com or by clicking on the cover to your right. As for all the nominations:


BEST NOVEL ADAPTED

SLAINE: THE EXILE by Stephen Seville
SUPERMAN RETURNS by Marv Wolfman
TOXIC AVENGER: THE NOVEL by Lloyd Kaufman & Adam Jahnke
ULTRAVIOLET by Yvonne Navarro
UNDERWORLD: EVOLUTION by Greg Cox

BEST NOVEL ORIGINAL

STAR TREK CRUCIBLE: McCOY PROVENANCE OF SHADOWS by David R. George
III
STARGATE ATLANTIS: EXOGENESIS by Elizabeth Christensen & Sonny
Whitelaw
THIRTY DAYS OF NIGHT: RUMORS OF THE UNDEAD by Jeff Mariotte & Steve
Niles
WARHAMMER: FAITH AND FIRE by James Swallow
WARHAMMER: ORC SLAYER by Nathan Long


BEST NOVEL ADAPTED

SNAKES ON A PLANE by Christa Faust
THE PINK PANTHER by Max Allan Collins

BEST NOVEL ORIGINAL

CSI NEW YORK: BLOOD ON THE SUN by Stuart Kaminsky
LAS VEGAS: HIGH STAKES by Jeff Mariotte
MR. MONK GOES TO HAWAII by Lee Goldberg
OAKDALE CONFIDENTIAL: SECRETS REVEALED by Alina Adams


BEST NOVEL

ALIAS APO: STRATEGIC RESERVE by Christina York
BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER: PORTAL THROUGH TIME by Alice Henderson
DRAGONLANCE: WARRIOR'S HEART by Stephen Sullivan
KNIGHTS OF THE SILVER DRAGON: PROPHECY OF THE DRAGONS by Matt Forbeck

Labels: SCRIBE awards

I do writing in animation. As many of you know, I'm currently finishing up "The Judas Contract," the first Teen Titans direct to DVD animated movie for Warners. Last year I wrote animated movie, The Condor, for Stan Lee's POW Entertainment and STARZ. . There are times however that I tried to get on a show but they had already booked their writers. One of those shows was DEFENDERS OF THE EARTH. Why did I want to write it? How about Flash Gordon, The Phantom and Mandrake The Magician. Three of my favorite adventure strip characters. Well, two of my favorites; never much cared about Mandrake, if truth be told. I mean, "Mandrake gestures hypnotically." So what? I wanted him to cast spells like Dr. Strange. But Flash Gordon and Phantom, definitely two of my all time faves. I never wrote it, but a DVD of those cartoons just came out. You can find it at a video shop or right here if you click on amazon.com.

Labels: Defenders of the Earth

Labels: Nightwing

According to a CNN breaking news, "Former White House aide Lewis "Scooter" Libby has been found guilty on multiple counts in the CIA leak case." This can be up to a 25 year sentence and a million dollar fine. Sentencing is May 15th.

This should continue to prove interesting. The main question I have is whether he'll get a Presidential pardon now or if they'll wait until 2009. Also, it will be interesting to see if this will publicly lead directly to the White House now or again, after the next election and if there can now be a real case against either Cheney or Bush. Further, I wonder if anything will be done for the actual victims in this case, not only Valerie Plame, the outed CIA agent, but all the other agents and their families - in the U.S. as well as overseas - who, because of her outing, were possibly killed or otherwise affected. "Brewster Jennings & Associates"a secret CIA company, was outed with the revelation that Plame was a CIA operative. There were other people, many of whom were agents, who used Brewster Jennings as their cover. When Libby, and possibly the Vice President and the President had that information released, their covers were blown as well. Whether you agree with everything the CIA does or not, these people were U.S. Agents trying to do their work to protect the country. If, because political concerns were behind the Plame revelations, putting at risk not only our people but people overseas who were working with our agents, someone beyond Libby has to pay.

Labels: Scooter Libby