Introducing Comic Cover Muzei

If you own an Android phone you should know about the wonderful new live wallpaper app, Muzei coded by Roman Nurik. I was hooked on it from day one. You see Muzei automatically downloads and sets a new wallpaper image for you every day. By default the app will download art curated by Roman's fiancée. The first image it showed was van Gogh "The Starry Night" which is one of my favourite paintings and I'm getting a chance to see it at MOMA this summer but I digress.

After I downloaded the app I was reminded of a blog post by my buddy Raymond Camden. In the post on the Marvel Comic's API, Ray shows how to query the Marvel database and display covers. So I decided to combine chocolate and peanut butter into one awesome combination.

The Muzei app provides a way to write an extension to provide a new data source. So what I've done is to create an extension that randomly picks a Marvel Comic book cover and sets it as your wallpaper. It's called Comic Cover Muzei.

Select the data source

Set your options

Enjoy your art

Right now you can set an option to only download the images over wifi if you are worried about bandwidth usage and you can set the refresh interval from 3 to 24 hours. I've got plans to add more options to allow you to pick the character or series to pull the images from. 

Also, right now the app only uses Marvel Comic covers but I'd love to add other companies like DC, Image, etc.

Support Canadian Comic Book Creators

Extremely talented Canadian comic book creators have put together an IndiGoGo campaign to self publish a 100 page hard cover anthology of comic stories. They are looking to raise $20,000 by November the 5th and are currently just shy of $13,000. If you love comics then this will be a great anthology to pick up. There are perks levels from $5 to $300 so they are making it so easy for you to find a contribution level you are comfortable with.

Who are they? Well there is...

Adrian Alphona

Andy Belanger

J. Bone

Jack Briglio

Scott Chantler

Tom Fowler

Agnes Garbowska she drew one of my childhood favourites Spider-Ham but I can't get the image to load.

Faith Erin Hicks I recently read all her books.
Tim Levins
Ramon Perez
Ron Salas
Jay Stephens
J. Torres
Howard Wong

I will add images for the rest of these folks as I have time but really you shouldn't need anymore convincing. Go contribute!

Books I've Read This Week

Hulk Season One is the latest in the (now defunct?) line of Season One books from Marvel Comics. The book is written by the always funny Fred Van Lente and art duties are handled by local Ottawa boy, Tom Folwer. I was lucky enough to be able to pop down to the Silver Snail this week where Tom was doing a book signing. So my copy of the book includes an illustration of the Hulk looking like his anger is about to boil over. It really is these extra bits that make me continue to buy physical books instead of going totally over to eBooks.

So let me get into the book a bit more. First the good. Van Lente's writing is at times hilarious. This man really knows how to interject comedy into a story. If you've read his Action Philosophers or his long run on The Incredible Hercules you'll know what I mean. However, it isn't all fun and games. Van Lente gives us a real reason as to why the Hulk's alter ego, Bruce Banner, is such a weakling with repressed rage issues. I thought this was a great portrayal of both sides of the Hulk's persona. Also, the book has a beginning, middle and end so you feel like you are getting a full story. Honestly, that is one of the main reasons I rarely get monthly comic books anymore as you don't get much story anymore.

Although you can't have a great comic without great art to go along with it and Folwer really delivers. This isn't the dumb mindless Hulk that many comic book readers are used to. Tom really brings a very expressive emotional Hulk to the page. You can see a number of panels where you can tell the emotion of the Hulk without needing any words as he goes from anger, pain, rage to cold calculating fury. Check out some of the in progress pictures Tom posted. If you are not familiar with some of Tom's work then you really need to check out Mysterius the Unfathomable by himself and Jeff Parker or some of Tom's recent work on Deadpool or Venom.

Now onto the bad and it's not anything I can pin on the creative team rather it is all on Marvel Comics themselves. First at $28 CDN for 136 pages of story the price is a bit high. Especially when you consider at least 20 of those pages are from a reprint of the recent Incredible Hulk series that Marvel published and is about to reboot anyway. Now I paid $21 for my copy with the discount the Snail was able to provide and as I said I got an illustration on the inside cover so I feel like I got a real deal.

Also, the book is shrink wrapped to protect the digital download code that comes with the book. I thought the point of Season One books were to pull in new readers. Don't you think they'd like to flip through the book first? Also, maybe the price could've been a bit lower without the download code. Maybe, I don't know I'm not in marketing but that just seemed dumb to me.

Anyway, I don't want to end on a down note as I really enjoyed the book. If you saw the Avengers this year and wanted to get a better idea of where the Hulk is coming from than this is a good book for you to pick up. It's filled with good story and great art.

Formspring Account for PhoneGap Questions

Hey all,

I've been off on vacation for a bit and I'm struggling to catch up on the comments to this blog. The commenting features of blogger are actually pretty poor. Just wanted to let you know that I will get to them soon.

Also, as part of being able to react to things better if you have a question for me you should post it on my newly created Formspring account. I think this forum will offer a much better way for us to interact. If someone posts a really interesting question that leads to some coding I will end up posting it back here at the blog. Obviously, I'll be focusing on PhoneGap/Cordova questions but if you want to ask about comic books and coffee that'd be great too.

Cheers....

Simon

Guest Review of Atomic Robo: The Ghost of Station X over at the Signal Watch

Hey, once again my buddy Ryan has put up another one of my comic reviews at his site The Signal Watch. This time I'm talking about the latest Atomic Robo mini series.

Final New DCU Guest Post on The Signal Watch

Ryan is still not fed up with me so I've sounded off once more on this weeks DC new releases on his blog, The Signal Watch. My favourite book of the week was easily All Star Western which seems to be a mash up of Spagetti Westerns, Sherlock Holmes type mysteries and Hitchcockian horror!

Another Guest Post on The Signal Watch

Again my buddy Ryan let's me sound off on this weeks DC new releases on his blog, The Signal Watch!

My Guest Post on the Signal Watch

If you care to ready my thoughts on this weeks new releases from DC you can over at my buddy Ryan's blog, The Signal Watch!

Sandman Commission by Jay Odjick

So this arrived in the mail today:

and you'll have to trust me when I say that it looks even better in person. The sketch was done by local Ottawa artist Jay Odjick. I met Jay at one of the presentations at this years Ottawa Writers Festival when we both showed up to see JM DeMatteis and Mike Carey.

Jay is a talented artist who will be releasing his own original graphic novel in a few weeks called Kagagi: The Raven. You can check out this eight page preview on line. If you decide this is something you'd be interested in take the order code, STK436038, to any comic shop and they will be able to get it for you.

Worlds Colliding: Comics at Starbucks

It looks like I will be spending more time at Starbucks as Marvel Comics will be offering free access to Marvel Digital Comics Unlimited on the Starbucks Digital Network.  Digital Comics Unlimited is a way for folks to read Marvel comics from their computer. The SDC is a network only accessible from Starbucks free wifi giving users access to speciality content.

Book Review Catch Up: Pluto

If you were ever a fan of Astro Boy you will love Pluto. The 8 volume Pluto series is based off of an Astro Boy story The Greatest Robot on Earth by manga god Osamu Tezuka.

Pluto really is a love letter to Tezuka by one of the most popular and prominant manga artists of our time Naoki Urasawa.  The art in all of the volumes is absolutely gorgeous while the story has been updated with a more adult bent.  We follow Gesicht (see picture left) in his attempts to solve the case of a string of robot and human deaths.

I loved the entire series but not because I was an Astro Boy fan but because it was such a great story with art to complement it. I'm rating this series a buy.

MRVLCATS

So earlier this week Marvel talent scout C.B. Cebulski said that Marvel did not accept written submissions to which artist Katie Cook responded "HOW i am supposed to submit my pitch for the all kitten cast of the avengers?" which then prompted artist, writer, letterer Chris Eliopoulos then responded by posting a drawing of Catlactus. That's when things got crazy with artist from all over posting their own renditions of Marvel characters as cats.

The best place to see all the posts are over at Agent M's blog.  You really should check them out as they are very fun.

The example that I'm using here in this post is by Mike Maihack. Mike has a number of prints of his MRVLCATS entries available for pre-order. Proceeds go towards Siamese Rescue.

Friday Book Review: Batwoman Elegy

Um, Wow! I got my copy of Batwoman: Elegy about two weeks ago and I've had a chance to read and re-read it over that time and I have to say I'm amazingly impressed. The book is an amazing collaboration by artist J.H. Williams III, colorist Dave Stewart and writer Greg Rucka.

I have to start with J.H. Williams art as it is the first thing that really draws you into the book. In my honest opinion this is the best work of Williams career and remember his career includes his mind bendingly great work on Promethea. I've never seen an artist and writer so in-sync in their work. Williams really goes beyond the 6 or 9 page panel and brings out some very stylish non traditional page layouts. These layouts really make the story pop. Additionally, there are things in the art that are required by the story in the grand tradition of show, don't tell. No worries if you miss the clues the first time around as you are going to want to read this book more than twice. Flashbacks are handled by Williams by flipping to different art style than the main narrative to give the reader a visual clue as to what is going on.

Colorist Dave Stewart does some great work bringing the world to life as well. Batwoman's costume with the bright red and Alice's outfit are stand outs.

Finally, Greg Rucka delivers a story that people have been waiting for these past four years. Rucka does a fantastic job of building up the Batwoman character giving her a credible backstory. You can really understand why she'd want to fight crime for a living after you discover some of the tragic events from her past. Rucka also brings in a number of supporting characters in order to fill out the book and develop a whole new world outside of the traditional Bat-Family.

Even if there were no dialog in this book I would rate it a buy for the incredible J.H. Williams art and Dave Stewart's colors but combined with the engaging story told by Greg Rucka it is a must buy!

Update: Just released news on the new Batwoman on-going series.

Web Comics Wednesday: Cleopatra in Spaaace!

Wow, Cleopatra in Spaaace! is one of my new favourite web comics which came to my attention courtesy of my buddy Ryan and the talented artist Katie Cook who posted a pin up of Cleopatra on her blog recently.

The strip quite literally follows the adventures of a teen-aged Cleopatra from 52 BC transported through space in time to the future.  The comic is like a 1950's pulpy sci-fi adventure mixed with Egyptian myths.

I'm really digging what writer/artist Mike Maihack is offering here.  The first 28 page chapter has just recently completed and now chapter two is kicking off.  It is a great time to jump on this strip as there is not too many pages to read in the archive before you've gotten caught up.

Thorsday Review - Thor: The Mighty Avenger#1

Perhaps it is divine providence that the American Independence Day pushed the release of new comics from their regular Wednesday delivery date to Thursday as Roger Langridge and Chris Samnee's new book Thor: The Mighty Avenger drops on the day that is named after the titular character.

I was a big fan of the Thor run by Walt Simonson and I've been meaning to check out the recent, slightly unfinished, JMS run but this new book was right up my alley.  First, I really like Marvel's approach on this one.  They know they are going to have a big budget movie out next year so they are launching a new title now so they can have a nice size trade waiting for people who want to learn more about Thor either before or after seeing the movie.

Second I broke my current rule of only buying trades and pre-ordered the book from my local comic shop.  I really had to as what I've read of Roger Langridge's work has entertained me with it's wit and levity.  Plus, I've been saying for a few months now that this would be Chris Samnee's break out year in the comics business.

I was not disappointed.  Langridge quickly introduces us to the main characters of the series Thor, Jane Foster and Jim North.  In one particularly hilarious scene Jane and Jim see Thor being thrown out of a bar.  At this point the characters in the book do not know this is the Norse god of thunder but as readers we are well aware of his power so what could possibly toss him out a bar?

On the art side it already looks like Samnee has been drawing these characters for years.  The facial expressions on Thor and Jane really convey their emotional and mental states.  Also, Matthew Wilson's muted colors for this this book really gel well with Samnee's pencils and inks.

The issue ends on a good cliff hanger type moment which sets up the drama for the next issue which will be out in two short weeks.  I'm rating this issue a buy if you like well scripted and drawn comics that are accessible to new and veteran comic book readers.

Music Monday: Adam War Rock

Adam War Rock is a professional geek emcee. He's done some great songs of them my favourite has to be the Scott Pilgrim recap song called I Gotta Believe! Adam War Rock, aka Eugene Ahn, is currently hard at work on his first studio album. Last week he release the first song off the album, Starving Artist, for digital download.

Now you can download it for free but it is also setup so that you can pay Euge for his hard work. Stop by and purchase the song for $1. You won't be disappointed. Plus you'll be helping out a talented artist who is just on his way to super stardom. In 5 years when he's entering the Betty Ford Clinic for substance abuse you'll be able to say I knew him when and I enabled his rock star lifestyle just a little bit.

Euge is also the co-host and producer of the War Rocket Ajax podcast with Chris Sims of Comics Alliance and the Invincible Super Blog. This nominally about comics podcast is always a great listen so you should check that out when you have time too.

Web Comic Wednesday: Ants

Ants is a web comic from the talented and super fly Julian Lytle. I really have a hard time describing the strip as it is very high concept but at the same time it is ground in street level humour and pop culture references.

I think the best way to get a feeling on the strip is to talk to Julian. Ideas pop off him like Kirby dots and you can tell upon meeting him that he is going to be a star in the business. Heavy Metal agrees as he's recently been featured in their magazine.

A must listen is the CGS Super Show Web Comics panel. Julian owned the panel keeping the audience and panel members in stitches.

Check out a new episode of Ants every Wednesday at Ants.

Web Comic Wednesday: Let's Be Friends Again

Let's Be Friends Again is a bi-weekly web comic from creators Curt Franklin and Chris Haley. They combine topical humour with comic book knowledge in a hilarious way. This leads to juxtapositions like this encounter between Sarah Palin and Captain America.

Go check them out, buy their book and if you like the strips then contact Chris Haley as he is selling the original art from the series.

Both Chris and Curt appeared on an episode of one of my favourite podcasts, War Rocket Ajax. Please don't listen to it. Nothing good can come out of it.

Web Comic Wednesday: Gronk

Katie Cook has just started her own webcomic. It is called Gronk: A Monster's Story and it kicked off last Friday. Expect new strips every Friday or Saturday. Go check it out!

Katie is a very talented artist who's work recently appeared in Fraggle Rock #1 from Archaia. I've had the pleasure of meeting Katie and her husband Ryan on a couple of occasions and they are great people. At the last CGS Super Show Katie sketched Red from Fraggle Rock for me.

Web Comic Wednesday:Misery Loves Sherman

Misery Loves Sherman is a webcomic by Eisner award nominated Chris Eliopoulos. In it we follow the titular character Sherman as he makes his way through life. Which for poor Sherman is pretty tough as he is constantly being picked on by schoolmates, teachers, his parents and worst of all his little sister Fran.

The art reminds me a lot of Charles Schulz's Peanuts and when I think more on it the writing does as well. All of the characters in the strip seem to have a defining characteristic that separates them on the emotional scale.

Sherman = Misery
Zort = Ambition
Benny = Happiness
Fran = Agression
Dad = Disappointment
Mom = Love (if maybe a bit conditional at times)
Mort = Death

When I started thinking about the characters in their emotional roles the strip really took off for me. Which is not to say their isn't topical humour as evident by the strips on curling over the Olympics which are favourites of mine.

I recently had the chance to meet Mr. Eliopoulos at the Comic Geek Speak Super Show 2010. I took Anna to meet him as he also writes Lockjaw and the Pet Avengers which is a favourite comic of both of ours. He was really great to both of us.

I also purchased the first collection of the webcomic from Chris. The book contains the entire first year of strips and it reads really great in a collection.

The webcomic is still going strong and just recently reached it's 600th strip. As an added bonus this weeks storyline deals with coffee addiction which is a topic near and dear to my heart.