Motor City

Writer Todd Livingston, friend of Motor City, and enemy to ghouls everywhere is at it again. He’s just released The Odd Squad with Devil’s Due, and we here at Motor City think you need to check it out.

Face it, you can never have enough monster books in your collecton, and here is another fine tale of those who combat the supernatural…

When the security of the nation is threatened by supernatural forces that transform citizens into strange and unusual creatures, the defunct Office of Dimensional Defense (O.D.D.) is reinstated with eccentric UFO-ologist Charlotte Springs as its new director. Quickly, she tries to recruit the best paranormal investigators in the country to complete her team. However, they’re NOT AVAILABLE and she must settle for less than second best. Now, the fate of the world is in the hands of these clueless underdogs that includes a geeky grad student, a Vegas charlatan psychic, and Charlotte’s ditsy (but hot) sister as the ODD Squad confronts life-altering danger, bold face skepticism, flying lingerie models, and a shadowy agency that doesn’t want the truth exposed. Created and written by Nick Capetanakis & Todd Livingston. Illustrated and lettered by Brendon & Brian Fraim. Colored by Matt Webb.

Make friends with the Odd Squad on myspace!

Next week is comic con, so march on down to your local comic store, pick up The Odd Squad, and then you’ll have something to read, while on the way to the big convention. It will help get you in the mood!

Speaking of Comic Con 2008, Motor City will be there! I’ll be down the entire convention, and Jetti (the hacksaw) Lewis will be down there for part of the weekend. So if you see us, and we’re not busy fighting evil, say hello!

I love me some Medicom Kubricks! And after a long drought of the small pieces of plastic goodness, it looks like some cool sets are coming out this year. First of all, I am very excited to see there were samples at the Tokyo Toy Fair of Ghostbusters Kubricks! Very Exciting.

And if that isn’t enough, how about the Lost Kubricks which are coming out later this year. I am not a super fan of the show like some people, but I sure would like to get my hands on the Jack, Lock, or Hurley Kubs, how awesome… and I hear there may be a chase figure of Ben!

Kubrick has made some very unusual figures in the past, from Tron to Amelie, even cool classic monsters like Wolfman and Invisible Man (one of the coolest).

So how about a Motor City Kubrick?! I think a member of the 133rd could hold their own as a Kub… Well, thanks to Denversaur we at least have this custom one, armed with a ghoul-smashing baseball bat!

What are Kubricks you may ask..? More info right here

Motor City artist Jettila Lewis is known for her outstanding pinups, and this one of Murrue Ramius slightly out of uniform is no exception.

I am just about finished watching Seed, I know, I know, I am behind, everybody else is probably watching Gundam 00, but hey, I’m a busy guy, got graphic novels to write and stuff…

Anyway, one of my favorite anime characters is the sexy captain of the Archangel, Murrue Ramius, and I was more than happy when Jetti decided to do this pinup. Hope everybody else enjoys as well.

Murrue is thrust into the role of the captain of the Earth Alliance assault ship Archangel, after the ship’s original commanding officers are killed during a ZAFT assault on the Heliopolis space colony. More info on the wikipedia page

Stan Winston died yesterday. I think anyone reading this blog knows what a great artist he was.

“Working with such directors as Steven Spielberg, James Cameron and Tim Burton in a career spanning four decades, Winston created some of the most memorable visual effects in cinematic history. He helped bring the dinosaurs from “Jurassic Park,” the extraterrestrials from “Aliens, the robots from “Terminator” and even “Edward Scissorhands” to the big screen, and was a pioneer in merging real-world effects with computer imaging.”

Stan Winston died yesterday after a battle with cancer. He was 62.

I’m gonna miss his creatures on the big screen most of all.

As a teenager (and fanboy) I met him at a convention and he was a really nice guy, very kind, and genuine.

I am pleased to announce that Motor City is now being carried at Midtown Comics and Jim Hanley’s Universe in New York City. So now you can find our book at not only St. Marks Comics, not only Jim Hanley’s but also Midtown Comics! That’s three great places to make a comic pit stop, New York!

And if you fear the Hulk smashing up NYC this weekend and are planning on staying indoors you can order your book from Midtown Comics Website here.

Motor City at Midtown Comics.

A big thanks to these fine stores for carrying our bad-ass-greaser-stomping-ghoul-monster action book! Phew!! What a mouth full.

Hey Everyone. Sorry to drop out for a bit. But rest assured, like a hand busting out from a freshly made grave, or a zombie roaming the night, I am back!

Jetti and I have started work on a super-secret project, which will occupy our time between volumes of Motor City. More on that soon.

I have been working with folks in retail and distribution to get Motor City: Volume One at a comic store, or book store near you, so please keep checking for it, asking for it, or feel free to hit up our webstore on the official site.

I was doing some research today and came across a fantastic image gallery I wanted to share with all you cats.

Photographs from Willam E. Jones, a gallery entitled “Is It Really So Strange?”

Shiftlessbody.com, Is It Really So Strange Image Gallery.

Okay, hope everyone is all revved up for summer 2008!!! I think I want to do a contest! Shall we? Hmmm, how about fan art?

Email your versions of Motor City characters, monsters, pinups, cars, etc… anything Motor City related to info@motorcitycomic.com, and I’ll post em up on the blog. Jetti and I will pick out favorites, and those winners will recieve some Motor City schwagg!!

I have something I am almost ashamed to admit. I had never seen George Lucas’ American Graffiti until last week… A crime indeed.

Of course having seen so many amazing films growing up maybe it’s okay to save a few for now. I don’t get amazed that often anymore and when I do it’s often over an older film.

And in this case amazed is an understatement. American Graffiti is one of the best films I have ever seen. Visually it is Gorgeous. The characters and actors in the film are amazing. It is truly groundbreaking. Upon watching it I can see the influence it had on so many other great movies. Superbad and Dazed and Confused to name a couple. Not that those movies aren’t solid in their own. But it is clear watching American Graffiti that it did so many things first.

George Lucas’ passion for the automobile couldn’t be more present in this film. (which, by the way, was great to see a week before Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal skull).

Watching the subtle character development, the pure Americana slice-of-life, flow of the story, and the attention to the cars and car culture in the film, it makes me almost wish I got to see another George Lucas.

I love Star Wars as much as anyone, and it may be the most influential film to make an impact on my age group… but one has to wonder without that giant, if we would have seen Lucas make more films, more American Graffiti style films. Grounded, real, character driven.

Of all the filmmakers out there, I would be most curious to see what George Lucas would do with Motor City. Watching how he handled the hotrods like the 32 Ford Coupe, or the racers like XXXX, I have to think he could make a pretty awesome Motor City film. We know he’s got the creatures down, I guess the question is could he tap back into that young man who made American Graffiti… Certain scenes in Kingdom of the Crystal Skull suggest yes.

I have a distinct memory of my brother and I in great need of an Indiana Jones action figure after we saw the first movie. The only problem, we didn’t have one, so my brother took a Star Wars Bespin Han Solo figure, put some Vaseline on the face, followed by coffee grounds (for that signature scruffy beard) and a hat which I think originally belonged to a Lego character. Aren’t kids super creative? We had hours of fun with that figure, and I think he narrowly escaped deadly traps in a temple, which resembled the staircase that led to our basement.

In honor of the new Indiana Jones and he Kingdom of the Crystal Skull coming out this weekend I thought I’d dork out a little bit about the Indiana Jones toys that have been made since the first film.

Does anyone remember the commercial for the Kenner Indiana Jones 12 inch doll? The kids playing in the commercial role a basketball after the doll like the boulder scene in Raiders? I still remember that. WE WANTED THAT DOLL!

Well, over the years since I’ve been able to get my hands on some of the cool toys they have made, which haven’t been many… but that is all about to change with the awesome line of action figures Hasbro is releasing now.

The original Kenner action figures were actually not a success. Despite how well Star Wars was doing, these figures never found an audience. I managed to pick up a few as a kid, and even found some of the rare stuff on clearance.

Even harder to find were the Temple of Doom action figures by LJN. I managed to pick up an Indiana Jones at a convention at some time in my teens. This action figure line was never completed. Three figures made it out, with another two never being released. This is not the best figure, but I really like it since it’s from a time period where movie toys were not as common as now.

Then there was a large gap of time with no Indiana Jones toys, until Disneyland made the odd, and awesome decision to sell some limited edition action figures only in it’s theme parks. I suck and have ever been to Disneyland, but some friends were nice enough to pick up some of these figures for me. Not the ultimate Indy action figure, but closer. This figure series reflected the live action theme park show, more than the movies, and were the best that had been made since the original Raiders toys.

And now, all these years later Hasbro has a real treat for us whom have been waiting 20 years for the perfect Indiana Jones Toys. I have already been going crazy for these awesome figures. The first wave to come out includes updated versions of the classic Raiders toys, as well toys from the new film. I can’t wait for the Last Crusade toys, which are on the way.

I’ll see everyone at the theaters or in the toy aisles this weekend! Oh, and one other thing… Anyone notice Shia LaBeouf is looking like a greaser in this movie… Interesting.

Yesterday I went to year three of the California Screaming event at the Gasoline Gallery in El Segundo. A nice little car show and art show all wrapped up into one.

I drove all the way from downtown LA, down the 110, across the 105, past LAX and boom, there I was right in El Segundo. I got to the address on main street, found the car show, and felt like I was right in the middle of small town America, which was strange. It really felt like a small town area, classic Americana, and yet I could almost smell the ocean and knew I was just a mile or so from LAX and one of the most urban feeling areas on the west coast.

Anyway, the gallery was super packed so I didn’t get a good look at the art, but I liked the shop. The real deal were the cars all parked out on the street.

Motor City made a stop at the LA Derby Dolls verses San Diego Derby Dolls match last night and all I can say is wow…

Has anyone reading this ever been to one of these roller derby matches on a banked track? What an experience! To anyone living in the LA area I highly recommend you check it out!

LA DERBY DOLLS OFFICIAL SITE

We made some new fast and furious lady friends, and sold copies of Motor City Volume One to those who stopped by our booth. It was a great time!

Thanks to Hellbound Harlot, Jihad, and Tarheart for making the evening a success!

(yes, the blurs in the picture are very fast women)

+ + + + +

Have you stopped by your local comic store and asked for Motor City yet? If not, get out there! What are you waiting for a zombie apocalypse?! If they don’t have it on the shelf let em know they can order through our distributor Haven Distribution.

Stay Tuned, I’m breaking into the vaults and posting a dirty picture Jetti drew on my next post… Tell all those derby dolls out there they’ll be rolling by in my dreams, and if you see the undead, aim for the head.