Going to the Movies

by Victor Yap

Pix Credit:http: www.filmofilia.com

Avengers Assemble! Who’s excited about the Avengers movie? That one could be the ultimate comic book movie crossover, getting (almost) all the prime Marvel movie superheroes in one flick.

This is nothing new, though, as movies based on superhero comic books have been around for a while. Superman’s animated shorts were screened in cinemas starting 1941-43 and the first recognised Marvel film was the Captain America serial in 1944.

However, it must be said that this new surge of popularity is a new age of superhero films. Throughout the ‘90s, comic book movies had a bunch of hits and misses, creating cult-classics, popular franchises as well as flops as the years went on.

Rise of the anti-hero

by Rauf Fadzilla

Pix Credit: Retrorush.com, Marvel Comics
The original anti-hero of the Marvel Universe...who strangely did not get an entry in the article below

The verdict is in. Tough guys rule and dweebs drool. Judging from the trend that has steadily progressed in recent years across all mediums of popular culture (movies, games, comics...etc), it would seem that we now prefer our heroes bloodier and towing the line between "good" and "bad".

Personally, I’ve always been more interested in the darker side of life and by the meaner characters that inhabit the fictitious worlds of popular culture. It took a while, but it would seem that I'm not alone anymore (thank God).

Webcomics Avenue

by Victor Yap

Pix Credit: Megatokyo, Fred Gallagher
Largo from the Megatokyo webcomic is always ready to add a little l33t sp34k to his speech.
Note: Megatokyo was one of the first webcomics to go mainstream and spread the sp34k l33t (speak leet) culture.

It is a known fact that most comic fans love to draw, and would have tried their hand at producing a comic - be it a panel or an entire book. Some may even have considered or pursued a full-time job that allows them to create and publish their very own comics

As passionate as they may be, many Malaysian comic artists find it difficult to look for opportunities that can help them publish their comics. The same can be said of independent artists overseas as well.

How to Fake It as a Comics Geek

by Amir Hafizi

Pix credit:  Matt Groening and Fox Broadcasting Company

I’ll tell you a secret - I never had money to buy comics as a child. My family was poor, so the only thing I could do to enjoy comics (and I do love them) was to read newspapers and online reviews of comics. Only after I landed a job did I finally manage to buy all the comics I wanted... and get myself into credit card debt, but that’s another story. 

For years, in order to borrow comics from my geekier friends, I faked it. I didn’t lie. I just faked it, and no other comics fans figured it out. Or so I think.