Darkhan City Times

An "Atomic Robo" Halloween!: PODCAST #27

2009-11-02T13:09:00.000-07:00

Check out our amazing interview with ATOMIC ROBO creators Brian Clevinger and Scott Wegener on Episode #27 of the Darkhan City Awesome Comics Culture Podcast!

(Click on this to LISTEN)

Episode description:

Join the Pantyhose Ninjas for a (sort of) Halloween-themed episode as they interview Brian Clevinger and Scott Wegener, the creative forces behind the acclaimed "Atomic Robo" comic book series. Happy Haunting!

EPISODE LINKS:

Space Ghost comic book

Brutal Legend

The Princess Bride

ATOMIC ROBO

Brian Clevinger's website and comics

Scott Wegener's "Killer of Demons" comic book

Emerson Wild: Monster Hunter

Lizard Baby from "V"

Chris Dane Owens "Shine On Me" music video

Quinn’s newest reviews for That Gaming Site

Castlevania: Legacy of Darkness (Nintendo 64)

The Revenge of Shinobi (Sega Genesis)

SPONSOR LINKS:

Discount Comic Book Service

InStockTrades

Ape Entertainment

Ape Online Comics

Graham Crackers Comics

Would the "TMNT" use "Surrogates"?: PODCAST #26

2009-10-24T14:33:00.000-06:00

It's a cause for celebration! We've hit the 26-episode milestone (plus some) of the Darkhan City Awesome Comics Culture Podcast!

(click on this link to LISTEN)

Episode description:
We all have a special place in our hearts for '80s sitcoms. However, our reviews of "Surrogates" and "TMNT: Smash-Up" might just leave you feeling like your heart has been broken... by a ninja, no less.

LINKS FROM THIS EPISODE:

Night Court

The A-Team

Growing Pains

The Wonder Years

Family Ties

Who's the Boss?

Weird Snake

Agents of Atlas

"Tribute" by Tenacious D

Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark

The Surrogates graphic novel

Surrogates movie trailer

Mystery Men -- put some shorts on

TMNT: Smash-Up

Quinn's newest reviews for That Gaming Site:
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (NES)
Shatterhand (NES)
Contra ReBirth (Wii)
Rocket Knight Adventures (Sega Genesis)

SPONSOR LINKS:

Discount Comic Book Service

InStockTrades

Ape Entertainment

Ape Online Comics

Graham Crackers Comics

Batman and Halloween--The Ultimate Combo: PODCAST #25

2009-10-16T10:34:00.003-06:00

Welcome back! Episode #25 of the Darkhan City Awesome Comics Culture Podcast is up!

(click on the link to the right to LISTEN)

Episode description:
There are some super-lame comic book characters out there, and we've got a couple in mind to share today. To balance it out, we review one of the finest graphic novels ever-- "Batman: The Long Halloween." And we've got some fan submissions for "Good Idea, Bad Idea," too! Sweet nuts!

LINKS FOR THIS EPISODE:

Troy's Zombie Movie (Troy’s the zombie in the blue shirt and later in the long-sleeved red shirt)

Sham-Wow

The Fin

The Human Bullet ("Bullet Head")

Marrow from the X-Men

Star Wars: Dark Times

Game Over by David Sheff

Batman: The Long Halloween

Batman: Dark Victory

Batman: Hush

Steven Seagal

Quinn's newest reviews for That Gaming Site:
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (NES)
Shatterhand (NES)
Contra ReBirth (Wii)
Rocket Knight Adventures (Sega Genesis)

SPONSOR LINKS:

Discount Comic Book Service

InStockTrades

Ape Entertainment

Ape Online Comics

Graham Crackers Comics

Disney, Marvel, and "Monster Zoo": PODCAST #24

2009-10-07T12:22:00.003-06:00

Mickey Mouse as re-imagined for his new Marvel Comics action series.*

*Just kidding. I don't know where this creepy picture came from.

Episode #24 of the Darkhan City Awesome Comics Culture Podcast is up!

(click on the link to the right to LISTEN)

Episode description:
Some huge developments in the comics industry took place over the past few months, so the Pantyhose Ninjas are finally offering their thoughts on the Disney-Marvel deal. In addition, listen to Quinn's review of Doug TenNapel's fantastic "Monster Zoo" along with another childish "Word of the Day." Shine on!

And here's a message from listener Simon Owens:
Hey, I remember reading your post the other day mentioning Howard Tayler's Schlock Mercenary web comic. I got a chance recently to interview Stevens for a PBS piece about how web artists are monetizing their content and whether newspaper cartoonists could emulate them:

LINK

Anyway, I thought this was something you and your readers would find interesting.

Take care,
Simon

EPISODE LINKS:

Sho 'Nuff (The Last Dragon)

Gotham Central

Masters of the Universe

Robert's recent "Heroes" work

The Dukes of Hazzard

Monster Party

DragonStrike

Manarama art on Deviant Art

Chris Dane Owens "Shine On Me" music video

"Heroes" new season premiere

"Monster Zoo" by Doug TenNapel

Disney Acquires Marvel for $4 billion

Savannah College of Art and Design

SPONSOR LINKS:

Discount Comic Book Service

InStockTrades

Ape Entertainment

Ape Online Comics

Graham Crackers Comics

Gaming--from E.T. to Mario to The Beatles!: PODCAST #23

2009-09-29T12:02:00.002-06:00

Seeing as how the hosts of the show fit both categories...well, we don't know what to tell you.

Welcome back! Episode #23 of the Darkhan City Awesome Comics Culture Podcast is up!

(Click on the link to the right to LISTEN)

Episode description:

Think video games are a viable art form with significant cultural value? Well, you're right, so listen in to hear WHY you're right! From the humorous to the historic (including our review of "The Beatles: Rock Band"), the Pantyhose Ninjas divulge their thoughts on the genesis of video gaming at home. We advise wearing pants.

LINKS FOR THIS EPISODE:

"Jem" Cartoon Intro

The Nothing

Langoliers

Guy's Bushin-Izuna-Drop!

Captain Falcon PUNCH!!

Muramasa: The Demon Blade

Viewtiful Joe

Cloverfield

The Beatles: RockBand

Milli Vanilli

Atari games

Pitfall on Atari

Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of Swing

"Game Over" by David Sheff

E.T. on Atari

Super Mario Bros.

Contra

He-Man

SPONSOR LINKS:

Discount Comic Book Service

InStockTrades

Ape Entertainment

Ape Online Comics

Graham Crackers Comics

Podcast #22: Worst ways to "revitalize" major comics characters...and Atomic Robo review!

2009-09-21T14:54:00.002-06:00

Episode #22 of the Darkhan City Awesome Comics Culture Podcast is up!

(Click on the link to the right to LISTEN)

Episode description:
Do you like fresh fruit? Or fresh steak? How about fresh comic book characters? Listen to the Pantyhose Ninjas' thoughts on how to keep staple characters from going stale (plus examples of how to NOT do it) in addition to Robert's "Atomic Robo" review and another of Quinn's ridiculous "Good Idea, Bad Idea" segments. Brilliant!

Also check out these awesome renditions of characters from Elders of the RuneStone by Heartless Dark artist and writer Phil Sevy! These were done by Phil as part of the fundraising sketchathon for comics writer Jake Black. Thanks Phil!

LINKS FOR THIS PODCAST EPISODE:
Magical Luck Dragon

Rhythm of the Night

Slap Chop Rap

Mystery Men

Enrique Rivera art

Beatles RockBand

Westworld

Ted Woods art LINK 1

Ted Woods art LINK 2

The Glow (The Last Dragon)

Atomic Robo

"I hate orphans!!"

Death of Superman

Roadhouse

Spider-man: One More Day

Vampire Hunter D

SPONSOR LINKS:

Discount Comic Book Service

InStockTrades

Ape Entertainment

Ape Online Comics

Graham Crackers Comics

Podcast #21: Interview with professional martial artist and film star ERIC JACOBUS!

2009-09-12T17:50:00.003-06:00

Check out Episode #21 of The Darkhan City Awesome Comics Culture Podcast with special guest Eric Jacobus of The Stunt People!

(click on the link to the right to LISTEN)

Episode description:

What's more awesome than sitting around discussing martial arts movie action? Sitting around discussing it with someone who ACTUALLY KNOWS what they're talking about! Get pumped as the Pantyhose Ninjas welcome the amazing Eric Jacobus of The Stunt People as their first professional interview guest. COBRA JUICES!

Also check out Robert's newest work on the HEROES TV show's web-comics at this link:
HEROES web-comic episode 143: "Ice Queen"

LINKS FROM THIS PODCAST EPISODE:

Steven Seagal: Lawman

THE STUNT PEOPLE -- check this out!!

Jet Li's Fearless

Fist of Legend

Kiss of the Dragon

Eric Jacobus's other projects: Seasteading Institute and Ephemerile

Immortal Iron Fist

Nunchucks Pro

Shinobi 3 for the Sega Genesis

Trials for XBox Live Arcade

Egg Whites Fight

SPONSOR LINKS:

Discount Comic Book Service

InStockTrades

Ape Entertainment

Ape Online Comics

Graham Crackers Comics

Podcast #20: Marvel Vs Capcom 2 and making comics into movies!

2009-09-05T18:21:00.006-06:00

That's right, new name, same great show! Episode #20 of The Darkhan City Awesome Comics Culture Podcast is comin' atcha!

(Click on the link to the right to LISTEN)

Episode description below:

Find out exactly what we would walk 500 miles for (and perhaps even 500 more) as we review "Marvel Vs. Capcom 2" and discuss the good and bad of adapting existing properties into cinema sensations. Also, discover more ridiculous things that Troy will do for $10 in this "NeverEnding Story"!

And join Quinn Johnson at a special benefit event at comics and game shop Dragon's Keep in Provo, Utah on Saturday, September 12th.

Event description is as follows:

Jake Black is a writer with credits on Smallville, Ben 10: Alien Force, Chaotic and more. In comics he's worked on "Legion of Super-heroes" "TMNT" "Ender's Game" and more. He's written several books including stories featuring popular characters such as Batman, Superman, and the WWE. His next book, "The Authorized Ender Companion" (and encyclopedia of Orson Scott Card's Ender's Game series) hits stores in November 2009. Jake lives in a quiet Utah town with his wife and son.
The comic artists will be on hand providing sketches (for a small donation), selling original art and limited edition prints and other great items!! There will also be benefit fundraiser prize opportunities held through out the day! In addition, Dragon's Keep will also be donating a percentage of sales to help pitch in for Jake Black. So, Please join us in our effort to help support creator and Utah local Jake Black!
Date: Saturday- September 12
Time: 10AM
Artist Arrive: 12 Noon

Artists involved in the event: Ryan Ottley, Chad Hardin, Bill Galvan, Derek Hunter, Travis Walton, JJ Harrison, Howard Tayler, Jason Hanks, Quinn Johnson, Tyler Kirkham, and Sal Velluto.

Artists' blogs about the event:

Sal Velluto

http://theghostwhodraws.blogspot.com/

Howard Tayler

http://www.schlockmercenary.com/blog/index.php/2009/09/03/jake-black-benefit-september-12th-at-dragons-keep/

Bill Galvan

http://billgalvan.wordpress.com/2009/08/31/fundraiser-and-benefit-for-comic-book-writer-jake-black/

LINKS from this Podcast:
Haunt comic book
The Proclaimers "500 Miles" music video
Zombies Ate My Neighbors
Sho 'Nuff, the Shogun of Harlem
Big Trouble in Little China
Pound Puppies
"T-t-today, Junior!"
Windraider #1 comic book
Batman: Arkham Asylum
Werewolves: A Collection of Original Stories
Gorlac on 5SecondFilms.com
Hellboy/B.P.R.D.
Shark Attack
30 Days of Night
Marvel Vs Capcom 2
Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun Li trailer
Red House commercial
Dragonball Evolution trailer
The Stunt People
Robert Atkins interview with DollarBin
Robert Atkins interview with Half Hour Wasted
NeverEnding Story

SPONSOR LINKS:

Discount Comic Book Service

InStockTrades

Ape Entertainment

Ape Online Comics

Graham Crackers Comics

Podcast #19: G.I.Joe movie review and travels of the Pantyhose Ninjas!

2009-08-29T23:22:00.005-06:00

Hey all! Time for another episode of The Darkhan City Awesome Comics Culture Podcast! (and YES, the show DOES have a new name!)

(Click on the link to the right to listen!)

Episode description below:

Not only do the Pantyhose Ninjas read comics, play games, and watch movies, but they also travel around the world! Find out where and why, along with our review of "G.I. Joe: Rise of Cobra," and the best advice on how to improve your moods when life's got you down. Cowabunga!

And check out the photos below of Robert and Quinn's recent presentation at the Savannah College of Art and Design!

Robert (in white shirt) and Quinn (in red shirt and blue hat) enthrall the students with a mind-blowin' presentation on how to make the leap from graduation to professional success in the world of comics.

Robert (in white shirt) answers questions and shows off his artwork.

Quinn (in blue cap, red shirt) talks to students and professors about his professional writing experience.

Quinn (red shirt) gives advice on working in comics.

Quinn dishes out pointers to the awesome students of SCAD.

LINKS to check out from this episode:

Wario Ware Smooth Moves

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles for Gameboy Advance

Batman: Arkham Asylum

Beatles RockBand

TMNT Turtles in Time Re-Shelled

Ninja Turtles Smash-Up

Revenge of Shinobi

Bone video game

Deus Ex Comica

G.I.Joe movie trailer

Slap Chop Rap

Savannah College of Art and Design

Snake Eyes break-dances

SPONSOR LINKS:

Discount Comic Book Service

InStockTrades

Ape Entertainment

Ape Online Comics

Graham Crackers Comics

Podcast #18: Athena Voltaire and the Rebirth of Video Games!

2009-08-17T18:04:00.004-06:00

Prepare to be slapped silly by the newest episode of The Darkhan City Times Awesome Things Podcast, Episode #18!

(click on the link to the right to listen)

Episode description:

Walker, Texas Ranger; The Justice League; TMNT; Rhett and Link; Brandon Earnhart; Athena Voltaire; your grandpa; Kratos; and Mega Man...all in one episode?! Can it get any more awesome?! Perhaps if we were wearing little blue underpants...

LINKS to check out from this episode:

Whip It Castlevania video

Justice League Unlimited

TMNT Turtles in Time Re-Shelled

Ninja Turtles Smash-Up

Red House Commercial

"All These Days Undone” web-comic by Brandon Earnhart and Hudson Phillips

"Athena Voltaire” comic book series

Read Elders of the RuneStone!

SPONSOR LINKS:

Discount Comic Book Service

InStockTrades

Ape Entertainment

Ape Online Comics

Graham Crackers Comics

San Diego Comic Con '09, Pt. II!

2009-08-07T17:48:00.003-06:00

Quinn with friends Heather (left) and Natalie (right) at Free Comic Book Day 2009

Check out San Diego Comic Con '09, Pt. II! on The Darkhan City Times Awesome Things Podcast!

(click on the link to the right to listen)

Episode description below:

We're back! Picking up where they left off last episode, Quinn and Robert pump up the volume as they discuss the final days of the 2009 San Diego Comic Con. Because of all the exciting developments that are taking place, more high fives are required for this episode than ever before. Watch out.

LINKS to check out from this episode:

Hasbro

Mark Morales art gallery

Star Trek Meets Monty Python

Comic Book Movie Trailers

SPONSOR LINKS:

Discount Comic Book Service

InStockTrades

Ape Entertainment

Ape Online Comics

Graham Crackers Comics

San Diego Comic-Con--Report on the big show and PODCAST!

2009-08-01T13:42:00.031-06:00

Hey folks, we're back from San Diego with some truly awesome stuff to report on. We had a great time, talked about Elders of the RuneStone with tons of people, got to meet Wesley Snipes (kind of), and made some pretty miraculous professional contacts! Check out the full story on Part 1 of the San Diego Comic-Con Report in The Darkhan City Times Awesome Things Podcast!

(click on the link to the right to listen!)

Episode description below:

This is it! The real deal! Listen to Quinn and Robert divulge their thoughts as they actually practice what they preach during the San Diego Comic Con. Robert relates his experiences in Artists' Alley and the "G.I. Joe" panel, while Quinn talks about generating contacts and keeping focused on your primary goals. Meanwhile, Troy just slacks off in Japan. Sheesh!

Also check out all the fun photos from the show!

The big city (and palm trees)

The crowd going into the show. Yeah, this is pretty much what the entire show was like.

Darkhan Studios: Robert Atkins of G.I.Joe and Amazing Spider-man fame (left), and Quinn Johnson (Tales of the Ninja Turtles and Scrapyard Detectives).

Eric Jacobus of The Stunt People! These guys are martial arts experts and amazing stuntmen who are simply awesome! To be interviewed very soon in our show, The Darkhan City Times Podcast at http://runestonecomic.com/podcast!

Lee-Erin Fairbairn, one of our cherished podcast listeners (with her letter in "Ye Olde Mail Bag" from Episode #17! She was a lot of fun to meet and chat with.

WESLEY SNIPES walking past our Artists Alley table! Behind him you'll also see actor Tommy 'Tiny' Lister of The Dark Knight fame. Robert took the opportunity to give Mr. Snipes one of the G.I.Joe sketchbooks he was selling at the show.

Quinn with Andres Ponce, the artist who drew Tales of the Ninja Turtles #31 which Quinn wrote. Though the issue came out over two years ago, this was the first time they'd met face to face! A very cool guy, who happens to be from Argentina.

Dario Brizuela, another TMNT artist from Argentina. Extremely cool guy. He even gave Quinn an ORIGINAL page from an issue he drew, which Quinn's holding.

Tristan Jones of Australia (left) and Ross May of Canada (right), two other Tales of the Ninja Turtles writers who we had the pleasure of hanging out with during the show. A highlight was going out for sushi and talking Turtles. These are two truly awesome friends. Check out our review of Tristan's work in Episode #16 of the podcast.

Jim Lawson, one of the main artists for Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles for over 15 years. Quinn loves his art and he has also written some of Quinn's all-time favorite TMNT stories.

He even drew Quinn an awesome Leonardo! A super cool guy.

Love those costumed crazies!

A chap dressed as the vampire hunter Richter Belmont from the Castlevania video game series.

The gents Robert and Quinn shared their hotel room with for the big show. Left to right: David Chapman (pop culture journalist), Randy Green (X-Men) and Kelly Yates (Amber Atoms). Cool guys all, caught in mid-laugh Walmart ad style!

Matt Kindt, writer and artist of the amazing graphic novel Super Spy. He too is a very cool guy and was nice enough to draw a sweet picture of the assassin "Sharlink the Shark" above his John Hancock in Quinn's copy.

Robert Venditti, writer of the graphic novel The Surrogates, soon to be a motion picture starring Bruce Willis! Not only is his book extremely thought-provoking and all-around awesome, but he is a very cool, nice guy. Check out our Surrogates review in Episode #16 of the Podcast!

Stan Sakai, artist and writer of the stellar comic book series Usagi Yojimbo, about a rabbit samurai who travels feudal Japan getting into adventures. The series is one of Quinn's all-time favorites, and Mr. Sakai is truly one of the nicest, most pleasant people on Earth. Listen to our Usagi review in Episode #0 of the podcast!

Doug TenNapel (right), creator of such amazing works as Earthworm Jim, the Sockbaby films, and the graphic novel Creature Tech. Podcast reviews in Episodes #7 and #11.

Robert (far right) participating in IDW Publishing's panel on G.I.Joe and Transformers. THAT'S how famous he is!

Sakura from the Street Fighter video game series, but a man.

Gorlac, making the rounds. For him, changing the channel is no problem, no matter how far away the couch is! See him in action HERE.

BAM!!

Podcast #17—“Transformers 2” review, writing cool villains, and drawing legit!

2009-07-21T20:22:00.003-06:00

Welcome back to another fabulous edition of the blog! Episode #17 of The Darkhan City Times Awesome Things Podcast is up!

(click on the link to the right to listen)

Episode description is as follows:

By the power of Grayskull, it's yet another episode of the DCTATP! Listen up as we discuss how to effectively create and write intimidating villains and why it's okay when comic book artwork is not 100% realistic. Then, stay on board for our "Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen" review (if you can handle it). Oh yeah, punching Robert's mom in the face is a BAD IDEA.

And stay tuned for news from our big trip to the San Diego International Comic-Con!!

Episode #17 LINKS:

Thor

Monkey Island

Cheat Commandos

Invasion of the Black Slime

Hot Fuzz

Dukes of Hazzard

Read Elders of the RuneStone!

SPONSORS:

Discount Comic Book Service

InStockTrades

Ape Entertainment

Ape Online Comics

Graham Crackers Comics

Podcast #16—“Surrogates” review and how to set up at comic conventions!

2009-07-15T18:50:00.004-06:00

It's true, Episode #16 of The Darkhan City Times Awesome Things Podcast is on the air!

(Click on the link to the right to give a listen)

Episode description is as follows:

Yes, we are indeed children of the '80s. We are not ashamed. Please, take seriously Quinn's review of "The Surrogates," Troy's discussion on what it takes to be "Honk(y)asian," and the latest installment in Robert's convention tips series. Have you ever wondered what Chuck Norris tastes like?

And for the first time ever, we've included all the links for the stuff we discussed in the episode:

Bravestarr Cartoon Intro

Jem Cartoon Intro

Castlevania 3: Dracula’s Curse

Gauntlet

Shatterhand

The Surrogates at Top Shelf Productions

X-men: Legacy

Bomberman Ultra

Tales of the TMNT #59

SPONSORS:

Discount Comic Book Service

InStockTrades

Ape Entertainment

Ape Online Comics

Graham Crackers Comics

Also check out the newest entry for our coloring contest from Michael Weiss!

(click on the image for a larger view)

Podcast #15.5—Summer movie/video game review BLAST!

2009-07-07T20:04:00.003-06:00

(Thirst-quenching Darkhan City Times water contributed by Keith Jackson)

Hey all! Quench that summer thirst with Episode #15.5 of The Darkhan City Times Awesome Things Podcast! Sans Robert Atkins, the other co-hosts Quinn Johnson and Troy Johnson do their best not to screw things up!

(Listen in with the link to the right)

Episode #15.5 description is as follows:

With Robert absent for this episode, the Pantyhose Ninjas were left to their own devices to bring you whatever content they felt you should hear. Enter our Summer Review BLAST!: machinegun reviews of nearly a dozen movies and video games that you should definitely not miss out on (except one that you should DEFINITELY miss out on). Can it get any better? Are you all outta bubblegum?!

Podcast #15—Bionic Commando and the best All-Ages Comics!

2009-06-30T20:19:00.005-06:00

Check out this awesome Elders of the RuneStone fan art by Tom Ryan (as mentioned in Episode #15 of The Darkhan City Times Awesome Things Podcast)!

Check out more of Tom's great artwork HERE.

And yesiree, we've got the next startling installment of our world-famous podcast up and running!

(Click on the link to the right to listen)

Episode #15 description is as follows:

After a run-in with PETA, the Pantyhose Ninjas managed to escape just long enough to bring you Episode #15 of the DCTATP. Swing into our review of the new-gen "Bionic Commando," hire an assassin, and find out about some great all-ages comics to share with the little ones in your life. By the way, what is the appropriate gratuity for a trained killer these days?

And if that wasn't enough, check out this panel from Usagi Yojimbo Volume #17. Great minds think alike! (See "Quote of the Week" from Podcast #5 and you'll know what we're talking about.)

Podcast episode #14.5--Finally! A creators’ tell-all on “Elders of the RuneStone”!

2009-06-19T19:33:00.002-06:00

It's finally here! For all of you who have been scratching your heads and wondering what's the latest on our creator-owned comic book series Elders of the RuneStone, this episode is for you!
(Click on the link to the right to listen)

Episode #14.5 description is as follows:

If you don't like this episode, blame Quinn and Robert because Troy (and thus his hilarious wit) is conspicuously absent this time around! Still, though, you'll learn all about "Elders of the RuneStone" in this episode, as the creators finally go in-depth on their original property. Plus, you'll hear some of the Governator's most famous movie lines. Who can resist that?

And as mentioned previously, you can click on the following link to check out Elders of the RuneStone writer Quinn Johnson’s interview with Dragon’s Keep! Insights into the world of comic book merrymaking abound…

Dragon's Keep Interview

Quinn's RUNESTONE interview with Dragon's Keep!

2009-06-17T17:51:00.002-06:00

Click on the following link to check out “Elders of the RuneStone” writer Quinn Johnson’s interview with Dragon’s Keep! Insights into the world of comic book merrymaking abound…

Quinn's RUNESTONE interview

Podcast #14—"Terminator Salvation" review and punching your loved ones

2009-06-12T20:14:00.002-06:00

Check out Episode #14 of The Darkhan City Times Awesome Things Podcast by clicking on the link to the right. A mind-opening experience, as always! Episode description below:

Ever wonder what Robert would look like as a lumberjack? Well, wonder no more! Check out some great online entertainment hubs, find "Salvation" (pun!) in our review of the latest "Terminator," and learn the best tricks for punching both friends and family--right in the face. Wait... what? Lights out!

Coloring contest and fan art!

2009-06-08T18:30:00.004-06:00

Hey podcast fans, it's official! We're having a little contest for the best colored version of the "Pantyhose Ninja Drop-kicking the Puppy of Despair" as mentioned on Episode #12 of The Darkhan City Times Awesome Things Podcast (click on the link to the right to listen). You can find and copy the original black and white art from our May 29th, 2009 blog. Fan Keith Jackson already has a leg up on the competition as you will see below. No contest deadline yet.

The winner will receive some original art from Elders of the RuneStone artist and podcast co-host Robert Atkins!

Email your masterpiece to us at darkhancitytimes@gmail.com!

Keith Jackson's awesome rendition!
(Click on image for a larger view)

And check out this fantastic art by fan Brandon Earnhart, illustrating the most recent "Quote of the Week" from Episode #13! ("Do I look like I'm kidding? If I was kidding I'd be wearing a fez and no pants.")

(Click on image for a larger view)

Podcast #13—Wii "Punch-Out!!" review and working well with editors!

2009-06-05T17:26:00.003-06:00

It's true! Click on the link on the right to listen to Episode #13 of The Darkhan City Times Awesome Things Podcast. Episode description is as follows:

"You're the best...around! Nothin's ever gonna get you down!" Trust us, those lyrics are more appropriate when describing "Punch-Out!!" for Wii than they are for the movie "Batman and Robin." Besides those choice reviews, you'll also learn why you should wear pants and how to successfully network among artistic professionals. Whom should we throat-punch next time?

And as always, you can read the first published Elders of the RuneStone story free online! Go to www.ApeCMX.com and click on the link to the Free Comic Book Day "Cartoona Palooza" book. Our story is the book's last five pages. Enjoy!

Storytelling breakdown with the Tortoise and the Hare!

2009-06-01T17:49:00.015-06:00

Hey all, Quinn here!
Clear back in Episode #7 of The Darkhan City Times Awesome Things Podcast we had a discussion on effective comic book storytelling. (click on the link to the right to give a listen) As an example, we discussed how at SCAD we had the assignment to draw and write the classic "Tortoise and the Hare" story...but without any dialogue whatsoever. It was a great exercise in the importance of clear and effective storytelling even when you can't rely on dialogue to explain what's going on. So below you'll find my version of the assignment with my comments on what I think works well storytelling-wise, and what doesn't. (I've hopefully come a long way since then!)

(click on images for a larger view)

Page 1

Good points:
-What I think works here is that the character designs are very distinctive. The characters are obviously very different in both the way they dress, their body type, their posturing, and their personalities. It's pretty easy to see that the hare is the buff, athletic type and a real arrogant show-off, whereas the tortoise is just the opposite. You'll notice that while I couldn't use dialogue, I kind of "beat the system" with my "word balloons." Really look and see if you'd be able to get what's going on in the story as if you'd never heard this familiar story before.
-I like how at the beginning of the story, right before the actual "story" starts, we get a look at the two characters and their attitudes. Here's the cocky hare: BOOM. Here's the humble tortoise: BOOM. And between them is the checkered racing flag. Immediately we know that the story is about a race, as the checkered flag is universally associated with racing. And its positioning between the two characters also symbolically suggests that this race is the conflict "between" them, what divides them.
Bad points:
-Starting on this page and throughout the whole story, the backgrounds are pretty sparse and weak. It makes it harder to really be drawn into and to believe in the story.

Page 2

Good points:
-The relative speed of the two characters is really shown, as well as the way they approach their racing. Totally intense / slow and steady.
Bad points:
-Those big puffy things in panel one are my "lazy trees." My professor thought they were clouds. In that case they would have been "lazy clouds." Hard to recognize. This panel doesn't do much to really give us an idea of where this scene is taking place, but it DOES hint that it's a new day (rising sun) and thus time for the race.
-The racing and the way the characters are facing (as well as the panel with the gun going off) is right to left. This is counter-intuitive to the Western culture, which reads books left to right, so it can subconsciously slow down (not good in a "racing" story) or just plain muck-up the story flow for the reader. In Eastern culture, this would be the opposite, as they do read right to left.

Page 3

Good points:
-I like the humorous "beat" between panels 1 and 2. That awkward pause as the burning flag slowly floats down, and THEN the slow tortoise gets going.
-I also like the action shot of the hare in panel 3. The foreshortening as he flies toward us, plus the speedlines, really give us a sense of ridiculous speed.
Bad points:
-Again, the action is going right to left instead of left to right.
-The last panel where we see the hare's trail of speed as he tears through the countryside could have been more effective if, in addition to the leaves being blown around in the distance, one or two leaves were between his speed trail and the "camera" of our eye, as if they were floating close to us. It would have added an extra sense of depth and thus realism and involvement to the scene, drawing us in as if we're really there. It would make it really seem as if the hare had gone from being close to us to far away as he races by.

Page 4

Good points:
-The zoom in on the rock on the ground, which we may have missed in the first panel, emphasizes its existence and its importance to the action.
-I really like the action and funny expressions of the hare after he trips. Again it brings humor to the story and emphasizes his speed.
Bad points:
-Again, the direction the action flows should be from left to right, not right to left.
-I could have emphasized the "close-up of the rock" panel even more to make it even more visible to the reader.
-It would also be a good idea to bring the last panel with the tortoise down to the bottom of the page instead of having it touching the top of the last hare panel. There's a slight risk that the reader's eye will flow to the tortoise panel before the hare's last panel, and that interrupts the flow of the story.

Page 5

Good points:
-Showing the tortoise as a silhouette and pulling back the "camera" of our eye in panel 1 breaks up the monotony of just seeing him running panel after panel. Look for ways to keep the action interesting, even if virtually the same thing is happening several panels in a row. (this is very important for scenes where characters are just having a conversation)
-I also like how the passage of time is shown with the moon and the sun in various panels. It emphasizes that this is one slow dude. It's also more funny.
-Panel 2 shows where the two characters are relative to each other. Now we know for certain that they have been traveling the same course the entire time, and haven't just been on different roads somewhere. (which could have been the case if we never showed them together at all once the race started)
-I like how the tortoise bursting through the tape to much fanfare is almost an exact duplicate of the scene his word ballon describes on page 1. It gives the sense the story has come full circle.
-Also the last panel of the hare being carried away on a stretcher brings HIS story full circle. We're not left wondering whatever became of him after he hit that tree.
Bad points:
-Again, the action should be going left to right instead of right to left.

So I hope this has helped! We'd be happy to hear your thoughts and comments. Happy storytelling!

Podcast #12--"Wolverine" review and kicking the Puppy of Despair

2009-05-29T17:47:00.004-06:00

Episode #12 of The Darkhan City Times Awesome Things Podcast is up! (click on the link to the right to give a listen)

Episode description is as follows:

Put on your dancin' shoes, 'cause the Pantyhose Ninjas are gonna puppy-punt you from the graphic design aspect of publishing a comic book to our review of "XO: Wolverine," children's breakfast cereal, and Free Comic Book Day. How poignant! Producer's note: Due to a combination of malfunctioning technology and (sort of) strict scheduling, this episode features un-edited, un-mastered, and un-refined audio footage (it's all still clean, so don't worry, mothers). Those responsible have been sacked.

And in further news, as mentioned before, you can read the first published Elders of the RuneStone story free online! Go to www.ApeCMX.com and click on the link to the Free Comic Book Day "Cartoona Palooza" book. Our story is the book's last five pages. Enjoy!

Podcast #11--Movie star clones, space eels and making your own podcast!

2009-05-21T22:28:00.002-06:00

Read the first published Elders of the RuneStone story free online! Go to www.ApeCMX.com and click on the link to the Free Comic Book Day "Cartoona Palooza" book. Our story is the book's last five pages. Enjoy!

Plus, Episode #11 of The Darkhan City Times Awesome Things Podcast is up! (Click on the link to the right to listen in.)
Episode #11 description is as follows:

Eerie movie star lookalikes? We've got 'em! In addition, we've also got a review of Doug TenNapel's amazing graphic novel "Creature Tech" and a quick rundown of the steps we take to produce a podcast from which dreams are born. We don't really know what that's supposed to mean, either. "WHO'S THE MASTER?!"

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movie (1990) review!!

2009-05-18T17:57:00.002-06:00

You may have heard that they've recently announced a brand new live action Ninja Turtles movie (rejoice!!!). So the other night I took a trip down memory lane and watched the original Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movie from 1990. Though I'd already seen it countless times growing up, it had been a couple years. Here are my impressions:

THIS MOVIE ROCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!

There are some movies that you love as a kid, but once you grow up you see the flaws: poor script, aged special effects, bad acting, etc. But not TMNT. Although it has aged and has its share of now-embarrassing moments (the Turtles doing celebrity impressions with April in her apartment, and April's acting in general), the movie still brings on a rush of great memories and good solid JOY just like it did back in the day. Some highlights of the film:

1) The movie stays close to the original underground comics that the Turtles made their very first appearance in, so the movie retains much of its dark, urban atmosphere. The fight scenes, while mostly comedic (too much so in my opinion, but hey, it was made with kids in mind), still pack a punch, especially in the Turtles' final confrontation with the Shredder. This is one scary dude, and the heroes fighting him is a truly intense scene and a true climax to the film. And although the evil Foot Clan has been transitioned from the comic book's assassins to the more family-friendly "ninja thieves," the change works, because it solidifies one of the TMNT's most powerful themes: the importance of family. The film parallels three families: the Turtles' close and tender relationship with each other and their father-figure and rat sensei Splinter; the strained relationship between April's boss Charles and his delinquent son Danny (who is secretly in training with the evil Foot Clan); and the Shredder's "family," the Foot Clan, which is brutal to its enemies but promises a safe haven for wayward teens (including Danny) who feel estranged from their real families--without the teens realizing that the Shredder is just using them as foot soldiers in training and as disposable agents in his crime ring. The scenes where Danny goes to a captured Splinter for guidance and Splinter teaching him that "all fathers care for their sons," are truly touching as Danny slowly realizes the great love his father has for him, while the Shredder's fatherhood is just a facade by a truly evil man. The light-heartedness of the film is underlined by some pretty mature themes and scenes, striking a great balance of fun, and thought- and feeling-provoking.

2) The movie is absolutely hilarious. It has tons of cheesy lines, but the jokes are very, very witty. Just go on IMDB and look up TMNT's quotes for scores of examples. One of my favorites is when Donatello and the Turtles' vigilante friend Casey Jones are trading insults like "dome head," "elf lips," and "gack face." It's only when Don asks Casey what letter they're on that you realize they're insulting each other alphabetically. Also funny is when the guys are watching the old Fractured Fairytales cartoon of The Tortoise and the Hare and a frustrated Michaelangelo yells at the slow Tortoise to just "Ninja kick the (bleep) rabbit!!" Although the movie has the dressings of a stupid, cheap gag kids' movie, the writing and story themes are quite deep and it's obvious that a lot of love went into the making of it.

3) Elias Koteas as Casey Jones. Many actors may have just put their time in on a movie many would consider below them, but not my man Elias. He nails Casey Jones and makes the butt-kicking vigilante come to life. With his spot-on portrayal of Casey the tough crime fighter, the lovable goof, and the slightly dim-witted urban everyman (in the movie April describes him as "a nine-year-old trapped in a man's body....He might almost be cute if not for the pigheadedness"), Koteas becomes the best character in the movie, stealing every scene he's in. His final confrontation with the more-skilled and very deadly Foot lieutanant Tatsu starts off with Casey getting his butt handed to him, but ends with Casey knocking the crap out of the villain with a golf club ("FORE!"). Pure movie magic that honestly made me jump up and cheer! (It's true!)

So if you've never had the treat of feeling the magic of 1990's Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, do yourself a huge favor and check it out. If you haven't watched it in a while, go ahead and pop that DVD in (or the old VHS tape you know you watched a million times, with that Little League Pizza Hut commercial at the beginning). By the time the credits roll and you hear Partners in Kryme's rap "T-U-R-T-L-E Power," you'll be in Turtles euphoria.