CLAY N. FERNO / CLAY FERNALD - Writing Samples
DigBoston and LeaguePodcast Comic Book Picks of the Week for June 19, 2013
COMICS
Do you want to believe that IDW can produce the faithful next season of X-Files? Jim Carroll (Basketball Diaries) once told me in real life that, “Scully is hot”, and he was right. Here’s to X-Files Season 10 #1. O.K., Mulder’s hot too. … New publisher Black Mask Comics run by Steve Niles (30 Days of Night) and Brett Gurewitz (guitarist-songwriter Bad Religion, owner Epitaph Records) unleashes two comics today, #OCCUPYCOMICS anthology issue 2 and a story about vigilante animal rescuers in Liberator #1. 30% off the proceeds go to animal rescue initiatives! … Read Harbinger #13 8-Bit Variant by the pool as Harbinger Wars continues in Summer of Valiant ‘13. … Picks this week from LeaguePodcast.com.
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MAN OF STEEL (review) at FORCES OF GEEK
MAN OF STEEL (review)
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Review by Clay N Ferno
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Produced by Christopher Nolan, Charles Roven,
Emma Thomas, Deborah Snyder
Screenplay by David S. Goyer
Story by Christopher Nolan, David S. Goyer
Based on Superman by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster
Directed by Zack Snyder
Starring Henry Cavill, Amy Adams, Michael Shannon,
Diane Lane, Kevin Costner, Laurence Fishburne,
Antje Traue, Ayelet Zurer, Russell Crowe
Warner Bros. / PG-13
Superman, though not in the title, and only spoken once in the movie has returned in Man of Steel.
Starring Henry Cavill as Clark/Kal/Superman, Amy Adams as a smart and engaging Lois Lane and Michael Shannon as our villain, last seen in the comics or Superman II,General Zod of Krypton.
Kevin Costner is an earnest, sensitive and sensible Jonathan Kent, Kal’s adoptive father with Diane Lane as Martha Kent by his side. Laurence Fishburne stars as the Daily Planet’s Chief, Perry White.
The film opens on doomed planet Krypton, Russell Crowe as Jor-El helps deliver his son to Lara Lor-Van played by Ayelet Zurer.
With a cast like this, we can’t go wrong, right?
I tend to love almost everything superhero related and this movie was no exception. After cramming in a Dark Knight trilogy over the weekend, I was well prepared for this Man of Steelscreening. To be honest, I thought the bridge would be there for me like the Timmverse versions of the characters. Batman first. Superman second. One dark. One light. Similar vibe. I was happy to be half correct in that assumption. This is a modern looking film, and perfect for our time. Snyder and Nolan are different stylistically, and I appreciate that.
Having Christopher Nolan as a producer did inform the look of Metropolis somewhat, and the collective success of Dark Knight did get the wheels turning for Superman. I’m happy this all worked out the way it did.
They tell a different sort of origin story with pacing, flashbacks and nonlinear jumps in Man of Steel. Breaking the predictable pattern was welcome, and allowed for more time spent on the story of Krypton as a planet and it’s fate. Zod and Jor-El open the movie fighting and it is this fight over the fate of Kryptonians and their last son that drives the plot.
Krypton is an organic alien planet filled with strange rounded spaceships, elaborate birdcage steampunk costumes, and Giger-esque (or, more recently and to the point, Prometheus) settings and ships. The time we spend on Krypton is delightful, and much different from the crystalline palace of Brando’s Jor-El.
They’re doing it right with the Houses of Krypton and the General Zod-ness of Krypton just before the explosion. The “S” seal of the House of El is in tact and standing for “hope” in Kryptonian (‘borrowed’ from Mark Waid’s Superman: Birthright). Zod seems to have another pentagon-shaped sigil on his chest, not exactly a “Z”, more of a horseshoe tilted 45 degrees. Heck, I’m no translator! The Kryptonian letters are also different from that of Smallville and comics versions. Spend half a day over at Kryptonian.info if you are curious.
It couldn’t be Zod without The Phantom Zone exile, The Phantom (Zone) Projector and some bitter allies. He’s got that in a bad-ass Faora (sorry, Ursa fans, a new/old girl is in town—and she can fight!).
On Earth, as Clark grows up he’s initially freaked out by his powers until he grows older and starts to roam the world, TV-Hulk style (or JMS: Grounded style, for the snarky). All the while he chooses to do good, save people and shun bullies.
Ma and Pa Kent do their best to protect the young boy Clark from revealing his secret before the world is ready and there are great moments of father son bonding between Jonathan and young Clark (Dylan Sprayberry). Jonathan assures Clark that people are afraid of what they don’t understand.
Missing Smallville pals? Don’t worry, you’ve got Pete Ross and Lana Lang keeping Clark company…and perhaps his secrets? You know Pete is always gonna keep his lips tight. Smallville varsity football kids even pick on Clark with the traditional maroon and yellow jackets. Go Crows!
Slight spoilers, though don’t expect many from this review. Lois has figured out Clark’s secret before she’s even met him through the doors of the Daily Planet. He saves her as they both are investigating an ancient Kryptonian scout ship on the North Pole (Fortress of Solitude?). It’s a different Lois, and as I think she also likes pink very much, Amy Adams brings an intelligence and powerful female to her performance. Lois is in the middle of the action and helps take down the baddies in the end. We don’t get the feeling that she’s putting herself in harms way to bait Superman’s enemies or to be saved. Lois is willing and able to fight with her wits against a Kryptonian army, and that’s respectable.
Origins of Kryptonian births, and how Krypton found Earth are revealed by Jor-El’s consciousness projection when near Kryptonian tech. Much more than the ghost head of Jor-El in the Reeve films, this Jor-El walks and talks and interacts with both Kal and Lois. He’s not alive…but his spirit or memory or virtual reality is very much a real being. This expansion of the relationship Jor-El gets to have with Kal makes it more direct than previous ‘man behind the curtain’ interactions (Smallville, Superman I, II).
After donning the costume (sorry ladies, no red undies!) Jor-El coaches Kal on flying, or at least using his powers to the full potential. It’s tough not to recall both Spider-Man movie versions as Superman first takes flight like a klutz and crashes through a mountaintop.
The flight? Just right. Hovers? Perfect. Floating parallel to the ground? OK, never seen that before, so you must be doing it right. Our imagination leaping from the comic page and the recollection of blue screen Christopher Reeve on a glass cube days are long gone. I would say a huge selling point to comic fans is that the powers are right. The Powers are Right. THE POWERS ARE RIGHT! Heat vision, X-ray vision, impervious to bullets (and anything else) coupled with flight makes for great superhero moviemaking. Batman was all about the Tumbler and The Bat and Bat-Pod. Here, we can believe a man can fly…finally! Sonic BOOM!
Speaking of Spider-Man (both versions) Ma Kent and Aunt May have a lot in common. Probably hard to separate thinking about the history of other superhero movies while watching this one. Diane Lane is fantastic, and does not dote over Clark. She encourages him to reveal himself when the time is right.
Zod’s motivation is to take over the Earth and repopulate Krypton with stored DNA from a Krypton artifact. In the process he’d terraform and kill all humans. This is a standard story for a bad guy but the buildup from the opening sequence was way more satisfying compared to Nero’s motivations in the first Star Trek (2009).
As a Superman fan, and one that doesn’t wish to spoil anything more than necessary for the purposes of this review, I have both praise and criticisms.
I applaud every effort to include major and minor fan service moments, characters, re-imaginings (Jenny Olsen instead of Jimmy, Kryptonian atmosphere affecting Kal instead of Kryptonite proper), LexCorp trucks and Wayne Enterprises artifacts. Digging deep into the history of Superman by keeping true to the main players is important and approachable. The new tone of the movie (a darker palette in set design and for mood) is a welcome update as well.
Let Donner be Donner. Let Smallville and Geoff Johns comics be those things. This is a new thing. Were this movie to take major liberties with Krypton, Kal and the Ma and Pa Kent dynamic I would be offended. Even Nolan’s Batman trilogy, a masterwork in my opinion, felt at times too based in reality.
Man of Steel scratches the itch of a sci-fi fan in a modern film context while inserting the aesthetic of a news camera crew or reality show when appropriate. Big action here. Elaborate ships and Kryptonian armor texture the movie with fantasy. Inception and Avengers style of building destruction shows us just how real and elaborate CGI has become. Do I need to mention that the Hans Zimmer score is amazing? Though I wish I could have the movie at home now so that I can mash up the John Williams score with 10 minutes of Cavill flying scenes….for my own use!
On to the criticisms of the film, from a fan of Superman in all forms. I could have used a but more brightness on the camera settings. Though not every shot, I’m disappointed in the use of filters on some of the film processing. Hey, I’m no expert but my untrained eye was put off by the “Instagramification” of some scenes in the film.
Maybe this is the trend, a stylistic choice by Snyder, or something beyond my comprehension. To contradict an earlier statement somewhat, Nolan’s lens is more clean, crisp and cinematic. Some emotional scenes in this film were given a post production filter to break the scene visually from the action, but it took me out a bit. A small complaint on my part, really. Overall with visual effects and CGI, I still would give this movie 5 stars.
Superman doesn’t exactly stand for truth, justice, and the American way in 2013. In Man of Steel, Clark stands for what’s right, his family, and believing in himself to do good. I might be missing something in there but that’s the general idea. He’s only on his first ‘missions’ as a superhero, so he has growing up to do. My major (and for some, the make it or break it) opinion about his victory over Zod in the end had me asking these questions. What exactly does a 75 year-old hero mean in a modern context. Were curveballs thrown at the audience to see how much they can take? Is the world seen through “Instagram X-Pro II” colored glasses? I just don’t have the answer to that, except that for just 5 minutes of the film, I wanted a Christopher Reeve to be there in his red undies instead of the equally handsome Henry Cavill fighting off Zod’s newfound Earth-based uncontrolled heat vision.
This is Superman. You must see this movie in the theatre and enjoy an HD copy at home when the time comes. Just imagine the binge you can have with a Dark Knight Trilogy and Man of Steelmarathon. I may sidestep sleep and any social engagements to do just that again this weekend. If there is any doubt in your mind, Henry Cavill is Superman, he deserves the cape for the DC Cinematic Universe and fan drawings on Tumblr. I believe he can fly. Michael Shannon’s Zod is an assertive villain and worth watching every moment he is on the screen.
[READ MORE at FORCES OF GEEK]
DigBoston and LeaguePodcast Comic Book Picks of the Week for June 5, 2013
COMICS
One sign of summer is the #summerofvaliant, and more time for video games like Valiant Comic’s Harbinger Wars: Battle for Las Vegas for iOS and Android. This week the company releases two more 8-bit variant covers for our heroes. … Archer and Armstrong #10 written by Fred Van Lente is a mystery wrapped inside a puzzle inside an invasion of Area 51. … In NOLA, our pal Shadowman alongside Doctor Mirage take on Master Darque as the dead are screaming in Shadowman #7. … Daredevil: End of Days ends it’s limited run at Issue #8. We finally get the reveal of what Matt Murdock’s final words, “Mapone” mean, as this supergroup of a creative team (Bendis, Mack, Janson, Maleev, Sienkiewicz) give Daredevil his Dark Knight Returns future tale. … Picks this week from LeaguePodcast.com.
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DigBoston and LeaguePodcast Comic Book Picks of the Week for May 29, 2013
COMICS
For some reason, it is still X-Men, but this X-Book puts the ladies at the forefront. X-Men #1 debuts this week at Marvel NOW! with ladies at the helm of this team featuring Storm, Rogue, Jubilee, Kitty Pryde, Rachel Grey, Rogue & Psylocke. … Whoa-oh-oh! Positive. Last summer we interviewed Alan Grant (Detective Comics, Judge Dredd) about his Tales of the Buddha Before He Got Enlightened and now the trade paperback is available. Tales of Sex, absurdity, meditation, smoke and rock & roll from Alan and Jon Haward are now available at the TFAW.com link and Renegade Arts Entertainment. … Who is the new Batman of Earth 2? Find out in Earth 2 Annual #1 - the closest thing you can get to an Elseworlds story these days. … Picks this week from LeaguePodcast.com..
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DigBoston and LeaguePodcast Comic Book Picks of the Week for May 15, 2013
COMICS
John Byrne (Superman, Star Trek, Next Men) takes a page from Marvel NOW! and gives us a Point One reboot of his post-apocolyptic space race 1975 Charlton comic Doomsday +1. The new book is Doomsday.1 #1 from IDW, taking place on the International Space Station with astronauts looking to return home to an Earth decimated by a solar flare! Hot Stuff! … The JSA Liberty Files have only been cracked this once since the New 52, and this issue of The Whistling Skull #6 marks the end of the miniseries. Written by B. Clay Moore and drawn by Tony F’n Harris, this steampunk via Hitler-smashing Sherlock Holmes type story is a masterpiece of the bizarre and macabre featuring the Whistling Skull and dimwit sidekick Nigel. Hard to put into words, really. … We haven’t forgotten about the all ages comic picks, this week we have Regular Show #1 from Boom! Studios. Mordecai the Bluejay and Rigby the Raccoon are just chillin’, yo. Whoa-Oh-Oh! Join ‘em for a regular day! … Picks LeaguePodcast.com.
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DigBoston and LeaguePodcast Comic Book Picks of the Week for May 8, 2013
COMICS
They Trojan-Horsed the villain in the new Iron Man movie, but you know what we get as a result? A bizarre marketing ploy (that worked) that moves from Marvel NOW! to Marvel THEN!. Coordinated with the new flick, Marvel releases an untold tale of Ol’ Shellhead in Iron Man #258.2, harkening back to the days of 8bit computer graphics and mullets, the glorious 90s and Armor Wars II. Written by David Micheline and Bob Layton, with art by Bob and David Ross we are treated to a pre-RDJ Iron Man being attacked by a computer virus. … We’re sort of scared of the spy-fi black helicopters showing up if we don’t plug Nathan Edmondson’s Where is Jake Ellis #4 (part 9). Check out our EARTH PRIME TIME interview with Nate! … You’re All Just Jealous Of My Jetpack from The Guardian and NYT cartoonist Tom Gauld gets the hardcover treatment from Drawn and Quarterly this week. It’s the perfect gift for Mom (she just has to be funny, not necessarily into the history of comics—though that helps)! … Picks LeaguePodcast.com and Samurai Saturdays at the MFA..
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DigBoston and LeaguePodcast Comic Book Picks of the Week for May 1, 2013
COMICS
There was a time when we thought Gail Simone’s departure from DC Comics was permanent. The talented writer is back on Batgirl and now gives us the comic book take on #occupy with The Movement #1. A citizen’s army strikes back against greed! … We’re still amazed at our interview with The Activity’s Nathan Edmondson. For true to life military and service drama, complete with all the tech gadgets you see on the news and strategic exfils and infiltrations, join Nate and guest artist Mark Laming on The Activity #12. … Shadowman was also featured in an EARTH PRIME TIME last year, and nothing is better than a Zero Issue from the company that invented them, Valiant Comics. Go way back twenty-five years to learn the mysteries of sorcerer Master Darque and the nightmare realm of Deadside in >Shadowman #0. … Picks this week from LeaguePodcast.com episode #150!.
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DigBoston and LeaguePodcast Comic Book Picks of the Week for April 17, 2013
COMICS
What’s the best thing about comics? It’s that all ages can read them! This weekend’s Boston Comic Con kicks off with an All Ages Comic Book Panel at Noon Saturday. Our resident Brony and Mathematical genius Clay N. Ferno is hosting his first Boston Panel, every pony should come! Panel guests will be Shelli Paroline & Braden Lamb (Adventure Time) along with Andy Price (My Little Pony). The stand alone issue of Adventure Time #15 hits shelves today with a new look at the land of Ooo. … Next Week, Andy Price stitches up a unicorn pony tale in the form of My Little Pony Micro Series #3: Rarity. Come get your books signed and ask great questions! … Gilbert Hernandez (Love and Rockets) also debuts the highly anticipated all ages graphic novel of his childhood Marble Season from Drawn & Quarterly this week. … Picks this week from LeaguePodcast.com.
SAT. APRIL 20 - 12 pm (Noon)
BOSTON COMIC CON
ALL AGES COMIC PANEL
MAIN LOBBY PANEL ROOM
SHELLI PAROLINE (ADVENTURE TIME)
BRADEN LAMB (ADVENTURE TIME, ICE AGE, DUCK TALES)
ANDY PRICE (MY LITTLE PONY)
BOSTON COMIC CON PANEL HOSTED BY THE LEAGUE’S CLAY N. FERNO!
DigBoston and LeaguePodcast Comic Book Picks of the Week for March 20, 2013
COMICS
COBRA! With G.I. Joe: Retaliation holding strong behind the debut of League favorite Evil Dead this weekend, it’s time to hit the comic shop for a New #1 of G.I. Joe Cobra Files, written by Mike Costa (Transformers, Smoke & Mirrors, G.I. Joe: Cobra). Nathan Edmondson checked into our secret DigBoston lab a few weeks ago to spill some state secrets, but Where is Jake Ellis? Issue #4 of the acclaimed second Jake Ellis spyfi series hits shelves today! … Punisher’s Duane Swierczynski reboots Dark Horse ’90s ultraviolent protector of Arcadia, X in a new issue of X #0 with art from Eric Nguyen. … Picks this week from LeaguePodcast.com.
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DigBoston and LeaguePodcast Comic Book Picks of the Week for April 3, 2013
COMICS
I huge complaint about the New 52 reboot was about the numbering for the issues. As a fan service, DC will recognize it’s flagship title’s 900th issue in Detective Comics #19, which would have been a landmark issue had the reboot never happened. It’s Batman vs. the ManBats in “What is the 900”? by John Layman and Jason Fabok. … Legendary artist and amazingly nice guy Walter Simonson (Fantastic Four, Thor) picks up the mighty pen for art duties on Mark Waid’s Indestructible Hulk #6. Guest starring a familiar blond Norse God! … The spotlight is turned onto Autobot Trailcutter in the latest in the series, Transformers Spotlight: Trailcutter. Autobot ship Lost Light has been boarded by Decepticons, can Trailcutter’s force field protect his shipmates? … Picks this week from LeaguePodcast.com.
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DigBoston and LeaguePodcast Comic Book Picks of the Week for March 20, 2013
COMICS
Trust me, I’m the Doctor. This week marks the return of Season 7 Doctor Who with new companion Clara by his side. Prepare yourself with Doctor Who Vol. 3 #7 as the Eleventh Doctor helps out a stranded cosmonaut. Written by Joshua Hale Fialkov of Action Comics and I, Vampire. … Skullkickers becomes Savage Skullkickers #1 this week with at familiar looking cover. Good on ya, Jim Zub. The underground hit makes an unnecessary cash grab at what should be issue #20. Get in on the ground level for the first time again! … Aw Yeah everyone, it’s Superman’s Mom, Ma Kent starring in Superman Family Adventures #11 from Art & Franco. Also starring Lois and the Super-Pets! … Picks this week from LeaguePodcast.com.
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DigBoston and LeaguePodcast Comic Book Picks of the Week for March 20, 2013
COMICS
This week’s picks are a bit macho, we’re not gonna lie, but we’re not going to claim that girls don’t like Dredd, G.I.Joe or KISS, THAT would be sexist! … Also, when a new G.I. Joe book comes out, it’s kind of ‘our thing’. Re-introducing a season of a title with it’s origins in the ’80s, Chuck Dixon and Paul Gulacy give us G.I. Joe: Special Missions #1, Scarlett vs. Baroness! … You probably missed Dredd in theaters last year—most did—but reaction from the RedBox is that the movie about 2000 AD’s future cop starring Bones from Star Trek was one of the best of the year. IDW gives us Judge Dredd Year One this week. KISS goes Solo this week at The Demon (Gene Simmons)takes on the Four Horsemen. You wanted the best? You’ve got Angel Medina on art in Kiss Solo #1: The Demon. … Picks this week from LeaguePodcast.com.
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DigBoston and LeaguePodcast Comic Book Picks of the Week for March 13, 2013
COMICS
Friend of the Dig and spy-fi writer Nathan Edmondson with Tonci Zonjic have been nominated for nearly every award for the espionage thriller Jake Ellis series. Where is Jake Ellis #3 reunites Jon with Jake at a critical moment but at what cost to both of them? … Marvel NOW! had a bit of a #SXSNafu this week when they offered over 700 free digital codes to everyone that wanted them. This crashed Comixology, and they are still working on the fix. The best solution is to pick up this week’s Wolverine #1 at an actual store from the superstar team of Paul Cornell and X-Man legend Alan Davis. … A new book from ComiXTribe, The Standard #2, hits shelves today. Will the original Standard come out of retirement as a chemistry teacher to save the life of a young girl? … Picks this week from LeaguePodcast.com.
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DigBoston and LeaguePodcast Comic Book Picks of the Week for March 6, 2013
COMICS
Dark Horse Publisher Mike Richardson along with Usagi Yojimbo’s Stan Sakai continue with the national story of Japan, 47 Ronin, this week with issue 3. Oishi vows to avenge the death of Asano with loyal samurai. Catch these books now, or in the collection eventually for an historical and beautiful adaptation and interpretation. … Revealed in an untold tale of the Autobots is how Bumblebee takes command in Transformers Spotlight: Bumblebee one-shot from IDW. … Before Art & Franco spend all the kid’s money in the just announced New 52 Green Team title, there are still a couple of issues of Superman Family Adventures to hit the stands. Issue #10 pits the family against Zod and 52 Foot Long Frankfurters! Aw Yeah, hot dog comics! … Picks this week from LeaguePodcast.com.
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DigBoston and LeaguePodcast Comic Book Picks of the Week for February 27, 2013
COMICS
Dennis Hopeless and Mike Norton give you The Answer #2 this week from Dark Horse Comics. How will our fearless punctuated pal protect the liberal librarian lady? Find out in the action packed second issue of this new fun series. … Skullkickers pick up an adjective and a brand new volume of Uncanny Skullkickers #1. Kusia and Rex are Lost on a desert island with little more than come coconut rum, will they be able to survive after a “Good Times Jungle Exploration Montage? Break the fourth wall to find out. Based on a DC Comics version of the video game Mortal Combat, the new INJUSTICE: Gods Among Us comic delivers a combination punch with issue #2 out today. … Picks this week from LeaguePodcast.com.
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DigBoston and LeaguePodcast Comic Book Picks of the Week for February 20, 2013
COMICS
YO JOE! Clay’s so excited about the release of this book, and a recent conversation he had with scribe Fred Van Lente that he got the Arashikage tattoo on the 27th anniversary of his first G.I.Joe comic book (#46!). Dig favorite comic writer Van Lente puts the team in the public eye in the age of WikiLeaks and Twitter combat in G.I.Joe #1. It’s an extra-sized extra-wierd Action Comics #17 from Grant Morrison and Rags Morales. Morrison’s New 52 Superman run ends here, as Kal-El must save all of creation, natch! … Billy Martin of Good Charlotte enters the ring of spooky comic writers with his debut book, Vitriol The Hunter from IDW. Knowing our soft spot for guitars and vampire comics, it’s a safe bet we’ll stake this one out for at least a few issues. … Picks this week from LeaguePodcast.com.
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DigBoston and LeaguePodcast Comic Book Picks of the Week for February 13, 2013
COMICS
An Uncanny X-Men book returns to the Marvel Universe with a new #1, this time with Cyclops as the leader of the X-Men. A great companion book to The All New X-Men timeline by Bendis, Uncanny is a drawn by the amazing and polarizing Chris Bachalo. … Another Marvel NOW! book dominates the picks with Nick Spencer’s Secret Avengers #1 drawn by Luke Ross. These Avengers are so secret, they hardly know they are on the team! … TwoMorrows Publishing delivers a series of books journaling the history of comics and the origin of our favorite heroes. Here’s a great one including Stan Lee and Jack Kirby’s Marvel Madness and the formation of the Justice League of America with the revolution of the 60s as a backdrop. This edition of American Comic Book Chronicles covers 1960-1964. Picks this week from LeaguePodcast.com.
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DigBoston and LeaguePodcast Comic Book Picks of the Week for February 6, 2013
COMICS
Toyo Harada, Head of Harada Global Conglomerates leads the young psiots and hyper-telekinetics in the Harbinger Foundation. Sometimes his motivations are for the betterment of all, other times for profit. For the first time, learn of Toyo’s survival of Hiroshima and his first encounter with the Bleeding Monk in the highly collectible Harbinger #0. … We couldn’t possibly fall for such a ridiculous marketing stunt from DC Comics that produces a different state flag cover for each state to debut Justice League #1, right? We won’t even mention the rare MA state variant. Megatron returns to find the Decepticons under control of Starscream. All is revealed in this unseen tale about Megatron’s reaction to the coup and how Starscream endures the wrath in Spotlight: Megatron. … Picks this week from LeaguePodcast.com.
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EARTH PRIME TIME: MARA INTERVIEW WITH MING DOYLE
Ming Doyle is a Boston-based illustrator and comic book artist whose amazing Mara is now on sale from Image Comics (Issue #2 out today!). Writer Brian Wood (DMZ, Northlanders, Wolverine and the X-Men, Star Wars) pens the tale of a superstar athlete, Mara Prince, and the manifestations of her superpowers to the public eye. Ming is here with us to talk about Mara and her start in comics, that includes milestone contributions to Womanthology, Jonathan Hickman’s Fantastic Four #600, and Marvel’s 2010 Girl Comics.
DIGBOSTON: Thanks for joining us to talk today, Ming. Boston has a great community of comic book artists and writers. Congratulations on the success of Mara. Issue #2 is out today. How has the reaction been to your work on this title since issue one came out last month?
MING DOYLE: Thanks so much, and I do agree that the Boston area is lucky enough to be home to a lot of talented people in the comic industry. It’s kind of a fun hidden perk for nerds in the know to discover whenever they go to local events like Comicazi’s Drink ‘n’ Draw or the Boston Comics Roundtable meetings, not to mention shows like MICE (the Massachusetts Independent Comics Expo) and Boston Comic Con.
Overall, I think reaction to the story’s been positive! It’s my first miniseries and largest project in mainstream comics so far, but the story is only just beginning so there’s still lots to learn before it wraps up in issue #6.
[READ MORE at DIGBOSTON.COM]