Supernatural Law & Magical Law: Separated At Birth?

Posted by Tom Mason Categories: Editorials, Independent,

I really enjoyed reading this article about a new TV series in development at Fox. The working title is Magical Law and according to the article “the would-be hour-long Fox show takes place in a Harry Potter–esque world where supernatural beings are part of the fabric of everyday life.”

I thought that was a cool idea for a show - a logical extension of the popularity of Harry Potter, Twilight, The Walking Dead and others since TV loves to make shows about cops, lawyers and doctors when it's not obsessed with dancing.

I also thought it was a cool idea because I’d read Batton Lash’s Supernatural Law, a comic book series (created back in 1979) that “features the law practice of Alanna Wolff and Jeff Byrd, who specialize in serving the legal needs of monsters and other supernatural beings, or those who find themselves in conflict with such beings.”

I’m not the only one who sees similarities, either. The A.V. Club also weighs in.

You can check out some Supernatural Law over at Webcomics Nation.

As the tag line to Lash’s series notes: “Beware the creatures of the night - they have lawyers!”

[Artwork: Supernatural Law © Batton Lash]

Deep Thoughts: Iron Man and Twilight

Posted by Tom Mason Categories: Editorials, Marvel Comics,

“Hey Cullen! Isabella! Get in the house this instant!”

Did you know that in 2009, according to the folks at Social Security, the most popular names for kids were from vampire fiction? And it’s not Dracula, or Vlad, or Alucard or Vampira. That’s old school thinking. The new popular names are from Stephenie Meyer’s Twilight, the book-and-movie franchise.

Cullen jumped up 300 spots on the list from the previous year, Jacob is #1 for boys, Isabella (the formalized version of Bella) is #1 for girls and Bella is #58. I think it’s great that the Twilight series of books and movies has spawned an entire generation of children named after the characters. I hope it means that naming your kids Peaches, Apple, Brooklyn and Pilot Inspektor in lockstep with nutty celebrities is on the outs, and the Twilight franchise as name-generator is in.

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Dark Horse Teams Up With Hammer Films

Posted by Robin Paulson Categories: Movies, Dark Horse Comics,

Comic book publishing house Dark Horse is teaming up with Hammer Films to print a series of comic books and graphic novels in the horror genre (fitting, right?).

First up on their list is a storyline based on Hammer’s upcoming remake of last year’s Swedish film, Let the Right One In (which you must add it to your Netflix queue right now if you haven’t yet). Despite the fact that it has been released in the midst of the current teenage-vampire-lust trend, this tale of a 12 year-old boy and his friendship with a girl who only comes out to play at night is far removed from your typical Twilight fare—trust me!

No word yet as to the novels’ storyline, but the companies claim that it “will incorporate some of the film’s characters and mythology with some fresh themes.”

The American remake, starring Chloe Moretz of current Hit Girl fame and Richard Jenkins, is set to hit theaters on October 1st. Knowing those smart marketers, I’m sure we can expect some of the said comics to be sold in conjunction with the film’s release.

Read More | Reuters

Female Force Series Includes JK Rowling and Stephenie Meyers

Posted by Robin Paulson Categories: Editorials, Independent,

Bluewater Comics recently announced a JK Rowling edition of their Female Force series, set for a December release.

Unfortunately for Harry Potter fans, Twilight creator Stephenie Meyers is ahead of that curve, having her own biographical issue released in November.

While I have not had the privilege of reading the Hilary Clinton nor Sarah Palin issues, I just can’t bring myself to give the series a chance. Maybe it’s the awkward art, or perhaps it’s just the title, Female Force—whatever it is, I can’t imagine as to why either sets of fanatics will be willing to shell out money for it. Let’s see if the Potterheads and Twihards prove us wrong.

Read More | E! Online

COMIC CON INTERNATIONAL: Jim Balent and Lita Ford

Posted by Tom Mason Categories: Editorials,

Welcome home! Comic Con International 2009 is over and most of you are back home, sorting through your many treasures and trying to remember who that is in the picture you took. I have no memories of 2009 because I didn’t make it this year, even though I’m just a few hours away. But to celebrate in the coming week, I’m going to post a few pictures from my convention archives, pre-digital era. And yes, there will be some scanning involved.

First up are two photos from CCI back when it was called the San Diego Comic Con and back when the year was 1993. The girl in the top photo getting a surprise breast inspection is Lita Ford, once part of an all-girl group called The Runaways (with Joan Jett) and then a very popular and attractive solo act – managed by Ozzie Osbourne’s wife, Sharon Osbourne. Also, having met Lita, pretty darned cool, too.

Click to continue reading COMIC CON INTERNATIONAL: Jim Balent and Lita Ford