Category Archives: animation

April 2, 2013 · 6:07 pm

INTERVIEW: Ray Sumser and his CARTOON UNIVERSE

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Independent artist Ray Sumser wears many hats as an artist making it in New York City. Check out his website here and you’ll see that the man is busy. One priority is his Cartoon Universe. This is an ongoing project where he creates works that bring in various characters from comics and pop culture.

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His most recent one was, “Just The Women,” which celebrated women characters. That was a successful Kickstarter campaign and will lead to more.

Ray’s new Kickstarter campaign is an all-ages comic book that builds on his own original cartooning. This is the story of a little yellow kitten, aka LYK, and a Teddy Bear in search of their lost Leopard Gecko friend.

“LYK and Bear,” Issue One, is a hilarious 22-page comic book. This is a hip, funny comic appropriate for any age. It has a gentle quality with a broad humor that just sweeps you away. LYK and Bear are on a quest that is dreamy, colorful, and very animated. The Kickstarter project is to fund a print run. Check out that campaign which runs from April 2 thru May 4. You can view it here.

This Comics Grinder interview with Ray Sumser covers a little of everything: art school, New York City, and the love of comics.

You can listen to the podcast interview here:

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Vist Ray at raysumser.com.

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April 1, 2013 · 12:28 am

VIZ MEDIA: NEW AND RECENT RELEASES, APRIL 2013

Here is a quick look at some assorted new an recent VIZ Media releases: Naoki Urasawa’s 21ST CENTURY BOYS; Mizuki Sakakibara’s TIGER & BUNNY; Toh Enjoe’s SELF-REFERENCE ENGINE; Sakyo Komatsu’s VIRUS; Takehiko Inoue’s INOUE MEETS GAUDI.

VIZ Media has got you covered in more ways than you might think: manga, anime, books, video, all faithfully translated into English. You will find something for everyone: from a study on Japan today and its future to the latest Naruto. Check it out at VIZ Media here.

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February 6, 2013 · 10:43 pm

Review: BATMAN: THE DARK KNIGHT RETURNS, PART 2

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“Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Part 2” picks up a few months after the first part so, as director Jay Oliva suggests, Robin (Ariel Winter) has had time to train up and Batman (Peter Weller) has had time to mend his broken arm. Turmoil. Chaos. Mayhem. It’s all here, even the threat of World War III. We also get two all-time throw downs: Batman versus Joker; and Batman versus Superman. Questions are settled, or as close at they can be. There is no holding back. This is based, after all, on one of the most audacious, and thought-provoking, works of comics by Frank Miller. The time is a futuristic present/80s. It could be now but there’s no way we can deny the present time in the original graphic novel, when Ronald Reagan sat in the White House and the Cold War still raged. The threat of a nuclear strike from an itchy trigger finger remained embedded in reality and in popular fiction.

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Some might say that Ronald Reagan was the ultimate amalgamation of reality and popular fiction so it is quite fitting to have him play the role of president in this story. He’s the one that concludes that Batman has become a “problem” and instructs Superman to put him in his place. Reagan uses the analogy of a bucking bronco. Sometimes you have to put him down. In this case, the bronco has to be broken. Superman grudgingly agrees. As we’ll come to see, this sets into motion a collision between two forces for good with very different philosophies. Superman places himself within the perimeters of authority. Batman places himself outside the perimeters of authority.

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What happens when the government you are supposed to trust in is acting in its own self-interest? What happens when the media you are supposed to rely upon for information is untrustworthy? This is where Superman hopes for the best. This is where Batman relies on his own moral code. And this is where the Joker comes in as the wild card. He keeps Batman on his toes and perhaps helps keep him focused. This animated movie brings all these issues to life starting with the Joker, played with devilish glee by Michael Emerson. In short order, we see the Joker go from inmate to guest on a David Letterman type of talk show. The Joker convinced his therapist that it would be good for him. It’s not long before the Joker is on a whole new killing spree and has found a way to fuel the flames over a dispute between the U.S. and the Soviet Union.

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The Batman/Joker smackdown is a beautifully choreographed piece enhanced by the brooding synthesized score by Christopher Drake. Batman commands the stage. He’s nicely paired up with the Joker, who doesn’t ease up for a second. The original graphic novel had them duke it out in some grimy tunnel. But, in this movie, the two find themselves in an amusement park tunnel of love. It’s pitch perfect given their yin-yang relationship and the less than subtle homoerotic undertones.

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Once we get to the main event, Batman vs. Superman, the whole world has been through hell. But there’s still a chance, that we can all just get along, right? It doesn’t look good and the stakes are as high as you can go. What’s interesting is that all the factors on how to make this a fair fight have been considered. It’s a pretty awesome fight. Superman, played by Mark Valley, is nobody’s fool and he helps add to the Man of Steel’s stalwart mythos.

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There are three main bonus features: a discussion on superheroes in society; an analysis of the Joker; and a behind-the-scenes look at the animation process with director Jay Oliva. Plus you get three animated shorts. And an excerpt from the original graphic novel. It’s a wonderful treasure trove of informed discussion and added entertainment. Warner Bros. goes the extra mile with these features which mirrors their devotion to comics and animation. There’s a genuine respect for comics history and for solid storytelling. It’s a nice added touch to include in the discussion a noted expert in the classics, Richard Rader, along with Denny O’Neil, editor on the original graphic novel, and, especially noteworthy, Jerry Robinson, who was key in the creation of the Joker.

“Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Part 2” is available now and you can find it here. Visit our friends at DC Comics and see a clip from the movie here.

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February 5, 2013 · 7:50 pm

ACADEMY AWARDS: HEAD OVER HEELS WINS 2013 ANNIE AWARD

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Academy Award-nominated animated short, “Head Over Heels” has won a 2013 Annie Award, the most prestigious animation award in the world, and could very well be on its way to an Oscar. The story about a most unusual old married couple is decidedly original and twisted good fun. It is a major achievement for its director, Timothy Reckart. See the trailer here. This is a student film that has made a spectacular debut onto the entertainment scene. Learn more about the National Film and Television School here.

Press release follows:

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July 20, 2012 · 3:50 am

COMIC-CON 2012: BILL PLYMPTON

Bill Plympton is an amazing artist known for his distinctive drawings that can be sexy, funny or, quite often, both sexy and funny. His Academy Award-nominated short, “Your Face,” (1987) sealed his fate. He is a man full of joy, confidence and vigor. But don’t let me spoil it all for you. You should buy the new documentary that spills the beans on everything you’d want to known about this legendary cartoonist and animator: “Adventures in Plymptoons,” by Alexia Anastasio.

You can see a teaser for this artful and hilarious documentary, along with other fun and interestings things, at Alexia’s website. This documentary is a must-have whether you’re a Plympton fan or just a lover of hedonistic, decadent mayhem. You too will learn the joys of sliding naked through mud!

Learn what it takes to make it in animation and keep your integrity with Bill Plympton’s latest book on the business and art of animation: “Make Toons That Sell Without Selling Out.” This is like taking a master class from Mr. Plympton.

And if you’re really looking for a treat, then consider a very special project from the Bill Plympton Studio: “The Flying House (1921 – 2011),” a restoration of the Winsor McCay animation classic and an interpretation using current digital technology. This project was founded by a Kickstarter campaign that rasied twice as much as its goal of $10,000. The Plympton-McCay version has received praise, and some scorn from purists, as it revists the original by adding color, removing the cumbersome word balloons and adding music and voices by noted actors Matthew Modine and Patricia Clarkson.

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July 7, 2012 · 4:05 am

COMIC-CON 2012: ADVENTURE TIME

EDITOR’S NOTE: Go to the Comics Grinder Facebook Page to view new drawings of Adventure Time. Feel free to add your own! Updated 11 October 2012

What are we waiting to see at San Diego Comic-Con? Now, really, let’s get organzied.

There are two Adventure Time panels and they are both must-see.

So, see them both:

Saturday, July 14

11:15-12:15 Cartoon Network: Adventure Time—Not just any ol’ panel, this is Adventure Time! Join series creator Pendleton Ward (Lumpy Space Princess), Jeremy Shada (Finn), Tom Kenny (Ice King), and others to experience the all-out good time that is Cartoon Network’s Adventure Time!There will be singing, live readings, lots of exclusive clips, and other mathematical surprises! Room 6A

Friday, July 13
2:00-3:00 BOOM! Studios: Adventure Time Comic Book— What time is it? It’s Adventure Time! The top-rated Cartoon Network show is now a bestselling comic book published by KaBOOM! You won’t want to miss this all-star panel featuring the show’s creator Pendleton Ward, along with series artists Shelli Paroline and Braden Lamb (Ice Age) and writer/artist Meredith Gran (Octopus Pie) of the new miniseries Marceline and the Scream Queens, as they discuss what’s next for the Land of Ooo in the world of comics. Room 23ABC
UPDATE: Well, we weren’t able to make either one of these panels! How sad. Such is life in the high-octane world of Comic-Con. But we did get some neat Adventure Time merch.
“What’s for b-fast, Jake?”
“Everything Burrito! I love you, Everything Burrito!”
That’s from “Conquest of Cuteness,” from “Adventure Time,” Season 3, which you can find here! Jake has just planted a wet kiss on his larger-than-life burrito when King Snuggadoodle and the Huggaboopies invade Finn and Jake’s treehouse. Visit Cartoon Network and properly worship, “Adventure Time”!
What follows is the neat press release from Comic-Con featuring news of The New Children’s Museum:    

Cartoon Network Partners with The New Children’s Museum for

FIRST EVER San Diego Comic Con Take-Over!

Showcasing and Celebrating the Fandom of Hit Series Adventure Time

It’s a Finn and Jake take over, Comic-Con style! For the first time ever, The New Children’s Museum, located in Downtown San Diego, will be re-conceptualized to feature an exclusive, fully immersive Adventure Time experience.  Inspired by two fan-favorite episodes, the Adventure Time: Keyper Seeker experience will welcome guests into this lush re-creation of the Land of Ooo! The Keyper, a beloved Adventure Time character who just happens to wear a key shaped hat, will present guests with a special key that opens one of the many doors within the secret lair of the Door Lords. Before a door will open, each guest must decipher a riddle that if successful will grant access to an extra-special prize locked inside!

The New Children’s Museum of San Diego and Cartoon Network will also be partnering to host an Adventure Time exhibition featuring fan-generated artwork! Cartoon Network has assembled a diverse array of Adventure Time themed artwork which will be displayed for the duration of this year’s Con.

Celebrating the amazing fandom of this hit series, the Adventure Time: Keyper Seeker experience and the Adventure Time Fan Art Exhibit will be open to the public and Comic-Con attendees at the New Children’s Museum of San Diego Wednesday, July 11 – Sunday, July 15, 2012.  The New Children’s Museum is located at 200 West Island Avenue , San Diego , California 92101 , conveniently located directly across from the Convention Center.

The New Children’s Museum is a dynamic new model of a museum that provides inventive and engaging art experiences that are meaningful to children and families. NCM brings families together in a rich educational environment that fosters creativity — blending elements of art museum, children’s museum, and community center.

A non-profit institution funded by admissions, memberships, and community support, the Museum stimulates imagination, inquisitiveness and innovative thinking by exhibiting participatory works of art by contemporary artists and providing a venue for art making and play. Serving all ages, from toddler to teen, NCM inspires new ways to see the world through the language of art.

Cartoon Network (CartoonNetwork.com) is the #1 U.S. television network among boys 6-11. Currently seen in 99 million U.S. homes and 168 countries around the world, Cartoon Network is Turner Broadcasting System, Inc.’s ad-supported cable service now available in HD offering the best in original, acquired and classic entertainment for kids and families. In addition to Emmy-winning original programming and industry-leading digital apps and online games, Cartoon Network embraces key social issues affecting families with solution-oriented initiatives such as Stop Bullying: Speak Up and the Move It Movement.

Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., a Time Warner company, creates and programs branded news, entertainment, animation and young adult media environments on television and other platforms for consumers around the world.

When you’re in San Diego, be sure to visit The New Children’s Museum!

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June 30, 2012 · 10:58 pm

DISNEY’S “PAPERMAN” DEBUTS NOVEMBER 2, 2012

Whenever I read that there’s some advancement in animation, I’m ready to believe since we haven’t been let down so far. I can’t think of any unkept promises. In the case of “PAPERMAN,” it looks like such a lovely piece of work. Its secret? Well, you can thank director John Kahrs and his team at Walt Disney Animation Studios for coming up with, Meander, a program that seamlessly merges computer-generated and hand-drawn animation. “Paperman” will debut as the opening short with Walt Disney Animation Studios’s “WRECK-IT RALPH,” in theaters November 2, 2012. Here are some samples:

Here’s hoping for more similar work from Walt Disney Animation Studio. After the success of “THE ARTIST,” there’s no reason we can’t have more and more amazing combinations of old school and new school.

“Like” WRECK-IT RALPH on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/WreckItRalph

Follow WRECK-IT RALPH on Twitter: @WreckItRalph

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December 14, 2011 · 5:11 am

JUSTICE LEAGUE: DOOM is next up on Warner Home Video

Next up in the outstanding series from the DC Universe is “Justice Leauge: Doom” which is set to release on February 28, 2012 from Warner Home Video. The press release follows:   

BURBANK, CA (Dec 12, 2011) – Earth’s greatest super heroes face foes on all fronts – using a plan initiated from within – in the all-new Justice League: Doom, the next entry in the popular, ongoing series of DC Universe Animated Original Movies. Produced by Warner Premiere, DC Entertainment and Warner Bros. Animation, the all-new, PG-13 rated film arrives February 28, 2012 from Warner Home Video as a Blu-Ray™ Combo Pack ($24.98 SRP) and DVD ($19.98 SRP), On Demand and for Download. Both the Blu-Ray™ Combo Pack and DVD will include an UltraViiolet™ Digital Copy,

Justice League: Doom finds Superman, Wonder Woman, Flash, Green Lantern, Martian Manhunter, Cyborg and Batman on their heels when a team of super villains discover and implement the Dark Knight’s “contingency plans” for stopping any rogue Justice League member. The story is inspired by Mark Waid’s much-heralded “JLA: Tower of Babel.”

Primetime television stars Nathan Fillion (Castle) and Tim Daly (Private Practice), the reigning voices of Green Lantern and Superman, respectively, join a group of eight actors reprising their famed Justice League cartoon roles. Fillion made his debut as Green Lantern/Hal Jordan in the recent Green Lantern: Emerald Knights, and took his initial DC Universe movie bow as the voice of Steve Trevor in the 2008 hit Wonder Woman. Daly originated his role as Superman’s voice in the landmark cartoon, Superman: The Animated Series. He has reprised the role in two DC Universe films: the 2009 extravaganza Superman/Batman: Public Enemies and the 2010 thriller Superman/Batman: Apocalypse.

The grand reunion of actors who provided the voices of the Justice League for the cartoon of the same name and its follow-up, Justice League Unlimited, includes Kevin Conroy (Batman: The Animated Series) as Batman, Michael Rosenbaum (Smallville, Breaking In) as Flash, Susan Eisenberg (Superman/Batman: Apocalypse) as Wonder Woman and Carl Lumbly (Alias) as J’onn J’onzz/Martian Manhunter. Bumper Robinson (A Different World, Transformers: Animated) joins the cast as Cyborg.

The Justice League faces two sets of villainous teams in the film – The Royal Flush Gang and a sextet of notable evildoers. The latter group includes three voice acting alumni of the Justice League animated series: Phil Morris (Smallville, Seinfeld) as Vandal Savage, Olivia d’Abo (The Wonder Years) as Star Sapphire, and Alexis Denisof (Angel) as Mirror Master. Also opposing our heroes are Carlos Alazraqui (Reno 911) as Bane, Paul Blackthorne (The Dresden Files) as Metallo, and Claudia Black (Farscape, Stargate SG-1) as Cheetah.

David Kaufman (Danny Phantom) also reprises his Justice League role of Jimmy Olsen.

The film is executive produced by Bruce Timm (Batman: Year One), and directed by Lauren Montgomery (Batman: Year One), who is also credited as producer alongside Alan Burnett (Batman: The Animated Series). Justice League: Doom is the final DC Universe film script from the late Dwayne McDuffie (All-Star Superman, Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths), who passed away in February 2011. Casting and dialogue direction is once again in the capable hands of Andrea Romano (Batman: Year One, Justice League).

“Justice League: Doom has all the classic ingredients of a great super hero film – a cavalcade of dynamic villains, internal strife amongst our heroes, treacherous twists and turns, and a cast that brings together some of today’s popular primetime television actors with many of the fans’ favorite voices from the original series,” said Hersin Magante, Warner Home Video Marketing Director, Family & Animation. “I think fans will embrace Dwayne’s McDuffie’s final DCU script, particularly as it has been nuanced by Bruce Timm and the Warner Bros. Animation team. Warner Home Video is proud to distribute Justice League: Doom as the next DC Universe Animated Original Movie.”

Justice League: Doom Blu-Ray™ Combo Pack has 3 hours of exciting content, including:

  • Standard and high definition versions of the feature film
  • UltraViiolet™ Digital Copy,
  • Sneak Peak at Superman vs. The Elite, the next DC Universe Animated Original Movie
  • Featurette – “A Legion of One: The Dwayne McDuffie Story” – The skilled writer penned some of the best stories which consistently entertained fans. From his early writing career to adapting the popular work of All-Star Superman, this is the story of Dwayne McDuffie, as told by his family and friends.
  • Featurette – “Guarding the Balance: Batman and the JLA” – Everyone has a weakness and so do superheroes, yet when they go rogue, their power can topple more than a few egos, they can shatter worlds. The Justice League is the most powerful organization of superheroes on the planet, but what if the Justice League went rogue, and decided to use their power for harm?
  • Mini-featurette – “Their Time Has Come: Cyborg and the DC Universe’s New Diversity” – 2011 will go down in DC Comics storied history as a year when a rich diversity of characters were re-introduced into the spotlight alongside Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman. One of the most celebrated of the re-imagined characters is Cyborg, who became the new Man of Steel in Geoff Johns’ altered universe storyline, Flashpoint.
  • Creative team commentary
  • Two bonus episodes from the Justice League animated series handpicked by Bruce Timm: Wild Cards, Part 1 and 2, written by Stan Berkowitz and Dwayne McDuffie
  • Digital Comic

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Filed under animation, Batman, Comics, DC Comics, Justice League, moives, Superheroes, Superman, Warner Bros.

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April 23, 2011 · 2:07 am

Win the new AVENGERS DVDs from Disney XD

Go to GeekWeek for a chance to win the new releases of AVENGERS from Disney XD. All 20 microsodes from the first season have been streamlines into 13 standalone episodes on two volumes. GeekWeek is offering you a chance to win both DVDs. There are three chances to win. The grand prize winner will also get a classic Iron Man action figure from Entertainment Earth. All you have to do is contact them and let them know why you should win. Pretty easy, huh?

Also, let us know here at Comics Grinder how you feel about contests. You like a chance to win free swag? Drop us a line and tell us about it. We might just have a contest here too pretty soon.

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March 29, 2011 · 7:25 pm

Nuclear Jokes Taboo?

The Telegraph reports that German, Austrian and Swiss broadcasters feel a need to censor any jokes regarding nuclear power in the long running animated TV show, “The Simpsons.” What is Homer without his donuts and one bumbling step away from nuclear meltdown?

This reaction is somewhat similar to the erasing of the Twin Towers from movies after 9/11. Of course, any tragedy of this magnitude, whether natural or caused by humans, is going to be very hard to process. What has happened in Japan is, as we know, a combined natural and human-made catastrophe. But does that mean we should look away and not question nuclear power? It remains an issue whether we want to look away or not.

We can’t stop editorial cartoons when they address tough subjects. Sure, editorial cartoonists can sometimes cross a line. But if it is a fair attempt at commentary, then that should settle it. “The Simpons” have been providing an excellent satire on the human condition for over twenty years. That’s quite a track record. Like it or not, we humans are always prone to a collective bumbling. Our mismanagement of the nuclear genie in a bottle is not something we want to ignore, dismiss or just try to pretend away.

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