Man...or Astro-Clay?

Man...or Astro-Clay?
Man...or Astro-Clay?

Monday, January 31, 2011

Old Review... 2-Bit Comics! - Sunday, November 8, 2009

Hello Leaguers!

Here is a column I will now dub '2-Bit Comics'!

I find some great comics hiding in the 25 cent to $1 bins and highly recommend you do the same! Also, here is where I may share some cheap TPB deals that I have discovered.

Of course the other leaguers are free to participate as well. A light bulb popped over my head this morning as I awoke to share with you two books that I picked up yesterday.

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Frank Frazetta's Dracula Meets the Wolfman One-Shot, Cover B, August 2008, Image Comics
What I paid: 50 cents.

WOW! This was a great book. Art by Francesco Francavilla. Story by Steve Niles.
This sepia toned book takes us back to Moldavia circa 1849. Nicolae Bulinski is professing his love for his dear Marta as she heads into the house. Nicolae then realizes he is out too late and transforms into the Wolf-Man!

Wolf-Man bolts into the woods, eventually to be captured by his caring father and brother, as he chases down a horse for food. Pa and Bro net him and lock him up for the night. The family is used to his unfortunate curse, and take care of him until he transforms back to Nicolae.

Marta, meanwhile, is preparing for a night dining with the Count! Though she is fearful, she accepts the invitation. The Count's driver picks her up in a carriage and brings her to the castle. Dracula wastes no time and makes his intention clear...he wants to feast on her ("In Transylvania, dinner host eats YOU!").

Well, this is where I stop describing the plot — I want you to track down this book if you like classic Universal Monster Team-Ups! This comic reads like an old movie. It's comfortable, beautiful, and has a classic illustration style.

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Countdown Special : The New Gods - Featuting Mister Miracle, Orion, and The Forever People DC Comics, March 2008. Cover by Ryan Sook
What I paid: 50 cents.


First things First: This is Jack Kirby! 80 delicious pages of story and art from the King himself. Reprinted from the pages of Forever People, Mister Miracle and New Gods, here is an introduction to some of Kirby's most lauded Cosmic characters in the Mighty 1970s DC style.

Let's talk art. Vince Colletta inks the first two stories, and Mike Royer inks the third story. I understand Jack and a lot of fans weren't that crazy about Vince's work, but I thought his inks complemented the pencils well and maintain the classic Kirby look. No complaints from me. Mike Royer inks the Orion origin, the third story in the book that takes place mostly on Apokolips. Kirby dots are everywhere and the New Gods look noble and dynamic. There are weirdo contraptions, Dragon Tanks, and action on every panel. This is a great looking story. If I were to compare the two, I would say That Mike Royer's inks lean a bit more toward the bold ink lines and swooshy brushwork of Kirby himself. Both inkers, in my opinion, are great. I believe that because Vince does not seem to have the same style as Jack, some fans cast aspersions on his art but I think that is unfair.

As far as the story, we get the first appearance of some great characters — The New Gods. Being a Marvel kid, I was in the dark of this era of the King's career up until recently. Boy, am I glad to get into this now! Every panel moves the story along, each word in the captions and word balloons are relevant. Inner dialogue is kept to a minimum and not abstract. There are complex familial relationships in the New Gods, similar to Greek mythology. Each time I open a book and it says "Written, Drawn, and Edited by Jack Kirby", I laugh a little bit. But then after the second reading I think to myself "How could anyone ELSE edit this book? Jack's got all this stuff floating around in his head! He's establishing the continuity!" I really enjoy what little I have read of Jim Starlin's versions of the characters, but this certainly is the real deal!

This review is not just an endorsement for this book, but a strong recommendation for you to find old Kirby comics and read them and enjoy your art until your eyes bleed.
Seriously, it is so worth the trip!

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Well that does it folks! You can expect some upcoming reviews of Jack Kirby's Black Panther, and Justice League Europe.





Captain America by Jack Kirby, Vol. 1: Madbomb

Captain America by Jack Kirby, Vol. 1: MadbombCaptain America by Jack Kirby, Vol. 1: Madbomb by Jack Kirby

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Wow! The Bicentennial run of Jack 'King' Kirby on Captain America (with Falcon): MADBOMB has some completely off-the wall bonkers patriotism and comic book fun!



Great extras from Marvel in this book. A/B Kirby's pencils with fully produced art for most of the covers! John Romita inks the cover of ish #193.



Jim (my good pal lending me all of this bat-koo-koo Kirby stuff) left me a note, "Here is Vol. 1 of Kirby Cap from the 70s - it's insane".



Hmmm..let me count the ways...



A powdered wig aristocrat plotting to bring back nobility to power (what?), small machines with mind control capability, a BIG-ASS version of those machines, Falcon using the word 'dude' every other panel...and a 200 year old ancestral grudge over a pistol duel!



To say I enjoyed this book after trying to make sense of the Fourth World stuff is an understatement. I can connect with Kirby's Marvel work a bit easier, and this was one story arc with two main heroes.



The production of the coloring in this book and the two Kirby Black Panther books are really nice 'remasters' of the original plates and the Kirby crackle pops on the glossy pages.



Thanks, Cap! Make my Kirby Marvel!







Clay N. Ferno on Goodreads


Sunday, January 30, 2011

Jack Kirby's Fourth World Omnibus: Volume 2

Jack Kirby's Fourth World Omnibus: Volume 2Jack Kirby's Fourth World Omnibus: Volume 2 by Jack Kirby

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



This volume has everything! Darkseid has brought the battle to Earth, and a rag tag team of earthlings, New Gods, Forever People, The Last Son of Krypton, Sonny Sumo, and Don Rickles are here to stop him. This book gets wonderfully weird and confusing, all penned by "The King" himself. There should be another Gracelend where Jack and Roz lived.
Only one more volume to go! I'm vowing to return all of the books that I've borrowed.


Clay N. Ferno on Goodreads


Urban Dictionary: prample

Urban Dictionary: Author claynferno

My one entry posted 8/19/04.

Drugs were...involved.

prample - A shiny glittery sticker paper, usually used for band promotional materials. http://t.co/n8YMbJ6 via @urbandictionary


My Review of The Facebook Marketing Book




Originally submitted at O'Reilly

How can Facebook help you promote your brand, products, and services? This book provides proven tactics that you can use right away to build your brand and engage prospective customers. Whether you're a marketing and PR professional, an entrepreneur, or a small business owner, you'll lea...


Facebook 101

By Clay N. Ferno from Brighton, MA on 1/29/2011

 

4out of 5

Pros: Well-written, Accurate, Easy to understand, Concise

Best Uses: Intermediate, Novice, Student

Describe Yourself: Designer, Sys Admin

The Facebook Marketing Book is an invaluable tool for the social media driven workplace. O'Reilly's latest marketing guide to the popular website is full of insightful ideas for marketers, salespeople, and managers to maximize the potential of Facebook's ubiquitous online presence. Dan Zarrella and Alison Zarrella clearly illustrate the basics of the website's functionality and goals in the first few chapters. The latter half of the book gives more advanced direction and suggestions for page owners to increase page views and likes, engage customers, and leverage feedback.

Illustrations and graphs of facebook user data are throughout the book to give perspective of the popularity of the Facebook platform since it's inception.

Brands, services, famous people, organizations and other public facing entities are encouraged to set up a Facebook Page, separate from personal profiles. You are encouraged to take advantage of the various customization features available, as well as to add relevant applications to your page. Some valuable and not so obvious suggestions regarding vanity URLs and profile completion are suggested for both beginning and advanced administrators.

Facebook groups are addressed in Chapter 4. Groups differ from pages in the way the interact with members versus fans. Honestly, after marketing with Facebook for a few years now, Dan and Alison do the best job of differentiating these types of web pages and the pros and cons of each.

Facebook event invites are polluting inboxes daily, and for good reason! As someone who hosts a variety of events any given year, Chapter 5's tips on promoting an event or sale on Facebook are wonderful. Don't forget to invite your friends and share events on your own personal wall!

More experienced marketers will benefit largely from the concluding chapters of the book regarding strategy, effective timing and keywords, and engagement with customers by sharing. Breaking down these key concepts are critical to running an effective marketing campaign but are also quite fun once you can drill down to this level of detail. Advertising and metrics on who is viewing your page are covered in Chapters 11 and 12. Make use of this data or at least be aware of the data to continue to enlighten your fans and customers as Facebook is becoming a prevalent website for most computer users worldwide.

This book was an easy to digest and clear guide to marketing via Facebook. This is something that O'Reilly does very well, and I look forward to reading more books from Dan and Alison Zarella.

Full Disclosure: I received the eBook downloads for review purposes.

(legalese)



This was not my motivation for writing this review. I would have bought this book to help me do my job better.

Monday, January 10, 2011

[PRESS RELEASE] 2/5 DIVISION TREE hosts Old School Freak Out! @ Chit Chat Lounge, Haverhill, MA

http://profile.ak.fbcdn.net/hprofile-ak-snc4/hs462.snc4/50236_162290920482733_2729073_n.jpg

Saturday, February 5, 2011
Chit Chat Lounge, Haverhill MA

DIVISION TREE
Four Legged Faithful
Merrimack Delta Dub Set
When Geeks Unite

with supporting acts:
Mudflap Junior Jones
Jamie Pigeon
Adamas Pondera
Darren Hawe & more!

21+ $10

MUSIC STARTS PROMPTLY at 7PM! Come Early, Stay Late!
FACEBOOK EVENT: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=162290920482733

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An underground art scene explosion is taking over both floors of the Chat.

Heady music brought to you by (in alphabetical order) Divison Tree, Four Legged Faithful, Merrimack Delta Dub Set, When Geeks Unite, with supporting acts, Mudflap Junior Jones, Jamie Pigeon, Adamas Pondera, Darren Hawe, etc..

Local artists will be presenting there awesomeness, and the entire mood will be built to feed your brain.

Tickets are $10.00 and are not going to last. You can get tickets through us or through any of the bands.

Music starts at 7:00 sharp so don't be late. Freak Out!

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DIVISION TREE
Photo
Genres: Rock / Psychedelic / Groove


Division Tree is a four piece original rock band. Drawing from classic influences, such as Floyd, Zeppelin, Marley, and U2, they have created a unique and identifiable brand of "ass-shaking" music. Their shows are all about energy and fun, always winning over even the coldest of crowds with their infectious grooves. Division Tree features veteran rockers, having graced the stage at such clubs as Whiskey a GoGo, Harper's Ferry, Bills Bar, TT the Bears, and The Middle East.

DT was touring and rocking at the early age of seven years old. The four boys, all neighborhood friends and childhood prodigies, started jamming out 'Til Tuesday covers in Ryan's garage, and performing dinner music for their parents nudist parties. As the mafia took notice of this amazing young rock band, they were kidnapped and forced to live a life of decadent poverty on the streets of Palermo, Italy, where they survived on lemon cello, and tacos. They soon grew tired of drowning their sorrows in tan Mediterranean bosoms, and they bought their freedom from the mafia by writing the perfect traditional Italian song, "Louie Louie." Taking their newfound freedom back to America, the young lads pursued their dreams of conquering the world one tasty beer at a time.

OR...four veterans of the local music scene met at the Chit Chat Lounge and joined forces to form the best rock and roll band the planet has ever known (that practiced on Pilgrim Road!) They have been winning an audience one gig at a time and are poised to break out on to the regional and national scene.

Artist Website:  http://www.reverbnation.com/divisiontree

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FOUR LEGGED FAITHFUL

Artist Website:  http://www.myspace.com/thefourleggedfaithful

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MERRIMACK DELTA DUB SET

Hailing from the streets of the Northeast Massachusetts, the Merrimack Delta Dub Set are a one of a kind shot of musical energy to today's music scene. MDDS blend a diverse group of musical elements to create a vibe unlike any other band playing today. The Dub Set boast fierce original songwriting, well thought production and virtuosic musicianship to bring their loyal listening base one solid gold groove after another.

Artist Website:  http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/MerrimackDeltaDubSet/from/viglink

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WHEN GEEKS UNITE

Artist Website:  http://www.myspace.com/whengeeksunite

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VENUE: http://www.chitchatlounge.com/
Chit Chat Lounge
103 Washington St, Haverhill, MA 01832 / (978) 374-9710

TICKETS: Contact DIVISION TREE on FACEBOOK: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Division-Tree/125847694065

FACEBOOK EVENT: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=162290920482733

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Clay N. Ferno

Publicity - Old School Freak Out Party 2/5
M: +1 (617) 30-COMIC (google voice)
claynferno@gmail.com | google.com/profiles/claynferno