Product Description
The destruction of Buffy's hometown, plus covert and powerful slayer "cells" around the world, add up to a new label for the Scoobies: Terrorist threat. Speaking of Sunnydale, the crater formerly known as, has opened to reveal the witch Amy, and boy is she mad.
Season Eight continues as Buffy creator Joss Whedon brings Buffy back to Dark Horse in this direct follow-up to Season Seven of the smash-hit TV series.
Customer Reviews:
And the story continues.......2007-04-22
Warning: Thar be spoilers ahead!
Remember each week those exciting words (which alerted us that we were about to get a new exciting episode of the best show on TV)? "Previously on BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER . . . " The new comic series seems to be doing something along these same lines. On the inside of the outer cover are printed the following:
"This story takes place after the end of BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER Season Seven.
"The Slayer population of the world has gone from two to nearly two thousand. Almost five hundred are working around the world with Buffy's organization in squads--or "terrorist cells," according to the American military. Buffy, Xander, Dawn, and a passel of Slayers are currently bunked out in a Scottish castle, where the latest mission revealed a strange symbol carved into human bodies.
"Also, Dawn's a giant."
This may be a summary that is rewritten each month to reflect what has happened in the previous issues.
The first episode in Season Eight established the situation; this one begins moving the story forward. The U.S. military (or rather, a military leader who has on his chest the strange symbol referred to in the monthly summary) has authorized Amy the witch and her army of zombies to go after Buffy and her cohorts. After the story begins with three very different approaches to training the new slayers by first Giles, then Buffy, and finally Andrew (who actually couldn't be said to be training them at all) we find Xander explaining why Dawn took the form of a giant when it was possible she could have assumed other forms instead (obviously, she is trying to get her sister's attention in the most blatant manner possible). The catch is, does Xander really tell any of this to Buffy or is it all just part of what we later learn is a spell-induced sleep in which she experiences an unbroken nightmare. And in a fairy-tale twist she can only be awakened by the kiss of true love. We can, of course, imagine a line of possible candidates for that: Angel and Spike fighting to be first in line. Well, of course Buffy will be awakened, and sooner rather than later. Can't imagine her being asleep at the end of the next episode. The tricky part is how one defines "true love." That needn't mean romantic love. My gut tells me that the kiss won't come from any of the usual suspects. My money is on Dawn. Yeah, I know. No one likes Dawn. But the brute fact is that except for struggling to save her in Season Five, Buffy has been a truly awful sister. Not in a Cinderella step sisterly way, but in the completely neglectful, can't-spare-her-a-minute way. But early in Season Six, Dawn seemed to miss her more than anyone. Like I said, my money is on Dawn.
The issues ends with Buffy asleep, the castle under assault by hundreds of zombies they can't keep at bay, Amy gloating that she could handle slayers with ease, so there was no one there who could take her on. The final frame is of someone who says that they would "like to test that theory." And thus Willow makes her first appearance in the story.
I am going to say something that I don't think I can say often enough. I don't want Joss Whedon writing comics. I want him creating new television shows. I suspect he enjoys the control that a comic gives him. I am sure he is tired of battling studios and networks. I can understand that. But once the battles have been waged and the BS has been waded through, Joss Whedon has been able to create some of the most extraordinary, most timeless television that has ever been made. He needs to get back to it. That being said, I am so much happier with him doing BUFFY Season Eight than either his X-Men project or the Runaways (and mind you, I like both the X-Men and the Runaways). There are others who can tell further stories about the X-Men and the Runaways, but Joss Whedon is only one who can give us authoritative Buffy stories. So I am acquiring these with joy and my heart and impatience in my soul. But I want him back in television. We've had some great TV since BUFFY and ANGEL left the air. LOST, 24, VERONICA MARS, and especially BATTLESTAR GALACTICA have filled the huge gap BUFFY left at its departure. But LOST needs to start winding down (whether it will has to be seen), BATTLESTAR GALACTICA (the only show to completely match the brilliance that was BUFFY) has possibly only one more season left and at most two before Ron Moore brings his series to an end. 24 is definitely in decline. VERONICA MARS might be cancelled. In short, JOSS! WE NEED YOU TO COME BACK TO TELEVISION! But in the meantime, I'll wolf down every one of these issues.
Episode Two: Attack of the Rat.......2007-04-05
Buffy fans will be expecting a lot after seven stellar seasons on television and the success of the first issue of "Season Eight." So the question here is this: Does Issue #2 deliver?
In short, yes. I have to say though--there is so much going on, so many jokes, and so much foreshadowing that I wasn't able to completely enjoy the Jossy goodness until my second read. The first read intrigued me, but the second wow-ed me.
The plot continues directly from the previous issue. Amy (the former rat) is working with the government to take out Buffy and the slayers, and she has an army of zombies to back her up. The ending sequences are amazing--I'm already itching for May 2nd to come so I can get my hands on the third issue. There was a big revelation about half-way through the comic, and clues to who the Big Bad of the season will be as well. Giant Dawn is great, Buffy is true to herself, and Xander is playing the biggest role he's played since the first season.
This issue also re-introduces two fan favorites: Giles and Andrew. So, all in all, this issue is just as good as the first. But did anybody expect anything less? I mean, come on--Joss Whedon wrote it.
9/10
Book Description
Writer J. Michael Straczynski's superhero tour-de-force reaches its stunning conclusion as the final fate of the 113 "Pederson Specials" is revealed. The final chapter of one of the greatest comic series EVER is now available in trade paperback for your bookshelf! Collects Rising Stars #17-24.
Customer Reviews:
Graphic SF Reader.......2007-09-03
Conflicts between the writer and the company and others lead to yet another comic series being late, and stalled, and everyone lost interest, me included. Finally coming across this, it does seem to be thrown together.
Poet, as the last Special, has a destiny, and it involves another planet.
Rising Stars.......2006-07-25
This is the best graphic novel to come out in a long time.
A Solid FInish to the Greatest Superhero Story Ever.......2006-07-05
My friend Richard calls "Rising Stars" the "Greatest Superhero Story Ever". Richard has vastly less experience reading comics than I do, so I find it hard to completely concur. I can remember some storylines from back in the day that were pretty amazing. But this series is definitely up there, and it blew me away.
Part three is a solid ending that treats the story well, but to me it never quite lives up to the level of the first two collections. Of course, that's really more of a statement about how AWESOME the first two parts are. This part is still VERY good, just not quite up to par with them.
Check this one out if you love superheroes.
Great Story.......2006-01-06
This wraps up the Rising Stars story part 17-24 which was delayed for quite a bit of time because of a dispute with the publisher. The 3rd trade wraps up all the loose ends and a nice fashion. The writing is top notch. I like Brent Andersons pencils, but I prefer someone else to ink him. When he does his own, it often looks muddy to me. You can pick up the Visitations trade which collects all the hard to find short tales published. You can also go for the mega hard cover collector's edition which has everyone in one book.
Great graphic Novel.......2005-12-27
This is Rising Stars Vol.3 Chapters 17-24
The 3rd part of a 3 part series.
You made your choices... This is the ending result... All the powers in the Universe and in the end, only human after all.
You wish you did better, you wish you had known but... being human means coming to the world without an owners manual.
I highly recommed the series.
Book Description
In recent years, a number of artists have abstracted images culled from slapstick, comic strips and films, cartoons and animation into a new representational mode to address perplexing issues about war and global conflicts, the loss of innocence and ethnic and cultural stereotyping. From Julie Mehretu's intricately layered paintings and Arturo Herrera's psychological collages made of Walt Disney coloring books to Ellen Gallagher's seductively Minimalist paintings, permeated by "blackface" signs culled from minstrel performances, to Rivane Neuenschwander's wiped-out cartoon characters, the world of comic abstraction reflects the intensely personal relationship that many contemporary artists maintain with political currents. This publication, which accompanies a Spring 2007 exhibition of the same name at The Museum of Modern Art, presents the first major investigation into this new model of representation. It features recent work by 13 artists and a selection of 30 large-scale works and installations that bridge the rift between abstraction and comics in ways that are at once critical and playful. It also includes a critical essay, interviews with the artists, and a selected exhibition history and bibliography. Features work by Polly Apfelbaum, Inka Essenhigh, Ellen Gallagher, Arturo Herrera, Michel Majerus, Julie Mehretu, Juan Munoz, Takashi Murakami, Rivane Neuenschwander, Philippe Parreno, Gary Simmons, Franz West and Sue Williams.
Book Description
The Rising Stars saga marches on in this stellar paperback! See Special Matthew Bright and his career as a super-powered cop and "ghost detective" Lionel Zerb confront the Well of Souls!
Customer Reviews:
Graphic SF Reader.......2007-09-03
This trade comprises two Rising Stars mini-series. Bright, about Matthew Bright and his struggles to be accepted as a police officer, even though he was a Special and Lionel Zerb, who was not a big fan of his power.
Lionel could talk to the dead, so could find out and be horrified a lot of information that others could not.
Difficult.......2006-07-28
Amazon makes this one a little hard to find. The correct title for this is Rising Stars Voices of the Dead-Bright. If you do a search for that, you get a book on the Dead Sea Scrolls. That aside, this is an interesting read that gives some backstory to 2 interesting characters. If you have read the main series, then you know what is in store for the specials, but it is fun to read about their adventures again. The first story concerns Lionel Zeb who can see and interact with ghosts. The second has to do with Matthew Bright who is a superman type of character who really want to help people, but has to hide his powers and identity to join the police force. Avery is a good writer, maybe not quite as deft as J Michael, but she does a fine job with the characters. There is nothing earth shaking about either of these stories, but if you enjoy Rising Stars and want a little more history, then these are for you.
Book Description
As an animator, it's difficult to watch movies or animated films without thinking about the directing quality or technical aspects of the production. But when that movie pulls you in and draws you to the characters and their plights, you really experience the story. As an animator, it's difficult to watch movies or animated films without thinking about the directing quality or technical aspects of the production. But when that movie pulls you in and draws you to the characters and their plights, you really experience the story. Storytelling Through Animation provides an in-depth guide to the process of conceiving, planning, and producing an animated or live action media production. It covers specific information for many forms of visuals, including traditional cel, stop motion, Flash, or 3D CG with a focus on the most critical aspect of any production- the story. The book is written for filmmakers, animators, producers, editors, directors, game creators, and anyone who has the task of telling a story visually. It teaches the principles, real-world techniques, tricks, tips, and creative and visual fundamentals key to great animated storytelling. Using detailed explanations of principles and techniques and a variety of film examples, it guides animators through every step of the production process, and teaches them how to infuse their story and develop emotional connections in every part of the production. It provides systems and checks and balances that can make projects smoother and storytelling better at any level or budget. In addition, it explores all of the concepts and techniques needed for animation, including visual theory, motion, animation techniques, and their live action counterparts, character animation, composition, production, lighting, rendering, editing, and compositing. Finally, the book helps to create critical and realistic critiquing skills for evaluating and creating emotional connections with the audience. After reading this boo
Customer Reviews:
Like sucking molasses through a straw.......2006-11-15
I've read a lot of animation books over the years, but this is one I don't think I'll ever look at again. Most of these "one stop shop" type books that cover every single aspect of filmmaking end up not saying much no matter how long winded they are.
There's no shortage of information in this book. The problem is little, if any of it is in a form you can be readily applied to your own work. Complex thoughts with little elaboration. Highly visual ideas with no pictures explain things. Just a glut of film making tibits with little actual learning.
The CD content is better than ones in some other books I've read, but it doesn't help if the disc takes the place of illustrations in the book. That way I'm forced to be at my computer while I'm reading to get the most out of the book. Overall I think the CD added more to the price of the book than it did the content.
For my time and money, books like CGI Filmmaking: The Creation of Ghost Warrior are a much better buy.
My review.......2005-09-18
Lovely book, it has very interesting bits of information to guide students in animation.
The Story of Telling a Story Using Animation.......2005-04-24
First, this is not a book on the mechanics of producing animation. Instead it is a book that comes before that. It's about how to tell a story through animation. It's about the first steps that must be done right if the story is to be told at all.
It all begins with the story. Without a story, animation is just a bunch of pictures. How do you make the story better? How do you make it fit animation as opposed to live action?
How do you create the character? How do you make the image, the story give the character a personality? What kind of a background, a world do you design?
From here the book goes through the whole production process. Once again, this is not a book on how to use a software package to produce the animation, it's a step before that. The author is a professional at film making. In addition he interviews quite a number of professionals from the major studios to get their view of the process.
Finally the CD included with the book include film strips that you can use to evaluate just how well these guys did in following the precepts of the book.
Average customer rating:
- Don't Waste Your Hard Earned Money
- Written by a 12 year old!
- Mediocre
- Mediocre
- A Hysterical Attempt at Instructive Writing
|
Creating 3D COMIX (With CD-ROM) (Graphics Series)
Mortier , and
Bob Kraus
Manufacturer: Delmar Thomson Learning
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: CD-ROM
 Cartooning
| Comics & Graphic Novels
| Subjects
| Books
Web Graphics
| Web Design
| Web Development
| Computers & Internet
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Graphic Design
| Computers & Internet
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Computers & Internet
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Software
| Computers & Internet
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Arts & Photography
| Subjects
| Books
ASIN: 1886801924 |
Amazon.com
As computers grow in power, and the learning curve for graphics and 3-D software applications eases up, artists and designers who are focused more on content and less on the latest computer trick will be able to use these tools to fashion compelling stories. Creating 3D Comix gives you an overview of the tools available today and how they can be used to create such content, primarily for pseudo-comic-book-style work.
The examples in the book are rudimentary, but they provide a good cross section of the capabilities of each tool. Poser, formerly from MetaCreations, is the most widely used application in the book. Poser is good for this type of work: it includes lots of models that are easy to work with and easily exported to other tools for finishing, like Photoshop. (There is a demo of Poser 4 on the CD-ROM.) Other tools, such as Amorphium, Organica, Nendo, Photoshop, Painter, and After Effects, also are covered.
This book contains 19 chapters on not only the development and creation of the stories and characters, but also how to combine the separate elements (text, background, and characters) in a tool like Adobe Photoshop. Addition of lighting and texture effects also is discussed.
The focus is on tools and their features, but there's nothing about comics basics: composition, design, line flow, leading the eye across the page, etc. So, while this might be an interesting book on creating comics-like images by using today's accessible computer tools, you'll have to go elsewhere to learn what makes good comics work. --Mike Caputo
Book Description
With the advancements in 3D software, creating 3D comics is possible for any skilled artist, designer, animator, web designer or comic enthusiast. Whether you want to create a traditional comic, a 3D comic, an innovative ad campaign using comics, or put a weekly comic strip adventure on your Web site, all the tools and information your need are included in the instructions, and detailed tutorials.
For professional illustrators and designers wanting to make the leap from pen and ink to digital and for novices who wnat to try their hand at comic creation, every step of the process is covered from creatingg 3D Art & Effects, to Compositing, Text, Storyboarding, Scriptwriting, and marketing your comic!
Customer Reviews:
Don't Waste Your Hard Earned Money.......2002-07-21
Worst book I've ever paid for. If I could have rated this book zero stars I would have. I'll never pick up another book by this author ever again, let alone buy one.
Written by a 12 year old!.......2002-01-06
3D comics is a speciality topic, and what a book on such a topic requires is an author with the proper speciality experience. Mr. Mortier demeonstrates quite clearly that he knows very little about the topic (or about writing). I, myself don't know much about 3D comics, should I write a book and try and sell it too?
The images and characters in this book are distored, ugly aliens. Why? For one, I'm sure that Mr. Shamms really likes screwed up alien creatures, but this might also have to do with the fact that warped faced creatures are much easier to make, and require far less artistry/exprience/knowledge then anything photorealistic. A child could make Mr. Mortier's 'art'. Dumping your money into the sewer would be much more satisfying than paying for this book, and would essentially be the same thing.
Mediocre.......2001-04-22
The title "Creating 3D Comix" would excite anyone interested in either graphics or 3D animation. Unfortunately, Mr. Mortier's book does not fully deliver on this exciting premise. Why are all the comics in this book so infantile? I was expecting something on the lines of a slick Heavy Metal cartoon. What I got instead was silly children stories. Some of Mr. Mortier artwork could be deemed original, but it is not very practical. Why does he have an obsession with distorted and morphed figures? What use would I get out of a character with large ears and a pointed nose? Some of his images also have a disturbing hallucinogenic look. For example, on page 364 there is a strange three-headed bug man. It is interesting for a few seconds, but what the heck I am going to do with it. With this book, Mr Mortier seems to be playing around like a child with a toy. However, playing with toys is something we all eventually grow out of.
Mediocre.......2001-04-22
The title "Creating 3D Comix" would excite anyone interested in either graphics or 3D animation. Unfortunately, Mr. Mortier's book does not fully deliver on this exciting premise. Why are all the comics in this book so infantile? I was expecting something on the lines of a slick Heavy Metal cartoon. What I got instead was silly children stories. Some of Mr. Mortier artwork could be deemed original, but it is not very practical. Why does he have an obsession with distorted and morphed figures? What use would I get out of a character with large ears and a pointed nose? Some of his images also have a disturbing hallucinogenic look. For example, on page 364 there is a strange three-headed bug man. It is interesting for a few seconds, but what the heck I am going to do with it. With this book, Mr Mortier seems to be playing around like a child with a toy. However, playing with toys is something we all eventually grow out of.
A Hysterical Attempt at Instructive Writing.......2001-04-18
R. Shamms Mortier - Creating 3D Comix
This was the first book I bought from this author, and the last. I have read his other books, and they seemed to get progressively worse. This book, while with good intentions, falls flat on it's proverbial face. A long time fan of comics and used to reading instructional books written by competent and qualified writers, I was sorely disappointed with this book.
His models were atrocious, his page formatting and stories were poor, and his technique left much to be desired.
One can tell that this book was poorly researched, and I have doubts that anyone actually opened the book if they rated it over "two stars".
If you have the desire to create digital comics, I would recomment reading these following books:
Creating Comics, The Marvel Way - Stan Lee
Drawing Power - Bart Sears
and anything by Christopher Hart
You can take from these MUCH better written books, and apply them to your computer graphics, and get more out of them. Good luck on all your comic book endevours!
Book Description
Whether you’re creating animation for television, advertising, games, or multimedia,
[digital] Character Animation 3 can help you bring your imagination to life. In this updated classic, both newcomers to digital animation and old hands looking to hone existing skills will find essential techniques for creating lively, professional-quality animation that are applicable to any software application. Combining the fundamentals of modeling, rigging, and animation with advanced-level information on characterization, directing, and production management, author George Maestri has created an essential resource for digital animators.
[digital] Character Animation 3 is packed with beautiful new artwork and Maestri’s invaluable expert tips. Along with clear instruction on the theory and practice of foundation techniques such as rigging, walk-cycles, and lip-synch–the tutorials and exercises in this book let you practice what you’ve learned. Maestri also offers in-depth information on creating nuanced characters that feel âaliveâ and win audience empathy and attention. The book’s final chapter guides you through the entire filmmaking process, from story development through voice casting and animation directing.
Customer Reviews:
Digital Animation 3 Review.......2007-06-27
I enjoyed reading the book which gave me several options.
I purchased the book before obtaining the software. Software is needed because it doesn't have a CD-Rom.
I would highly recommend it!!
Linda
All levels of users gain insights.......2006-09-08
George Maestri's Digital Character Animation 3 provides new artwork to pair with animator and writer George Maestri's insights on the theory and basic techniques of rigging, walk-cycles, lip-synch and more: all the elements which bring an animation to life. You don't have to have a prior background in digital animation to appreciate this guide, either: chapters offer both the basics of modeling and animation and progress to more advanced levels of applications and characterization, so all levels of users gain insights.
Book Description
Kevin Matchstick's path brings him into the company of other legendary heroes, reborn in the modern world under the most everyday guises. Trouble arises when their purpose and challenges seem to be drying up and the number of supernatural "nasties" rapidly diminishing. Have the forces of darkness been defeated, or is there a more sinister manipulation at work?
Book Description
In 1992, seven artists shook the comic book industry when they left their top-selling Marvel Comic titles to jointly form a new company named Image Comics. Out of the gate, millions of readers flocked to the energetic adventures by these creators, as together they ushered in the Image Age, where comics would sell in the millions, and a comic book artist could become a mass media celebrity. Image Comics: The Road to Independence is an unprecedented look at the history of this important comic book company, featuring interviews and art from popular Image founders Erik Larsen, Jim Lee, Todd McFarlane, Whilce Portacio, Marc Silvestri and Jim Valentino. Also featured are many of finest creators who over the last 15 years have been a part of the Image family, offering behind-the-scenes details of the company's successes and failures. There's plenty of rare and unseen art, helping make this the most honest exploration ever taken of the controversial company whose success, influence and high production values changed the landscape of comics forever.
Customer Reviews:
The history of Image comics!.......2007-08-17
Image comics: the Road to Independence is about the history of Image comics! Seven Marvel comic artists left their popular jobs at Marvel comics to form their own comic book company called"Image Comics"! Todd McFarlane, Jim Lee, Rob Liefeld, Erik Larson, Marc Silvestri, Jim Valentino, and Whilce Portacio are the artists the left Marvel because they believed comic book artists should have better working conditions rather than what Marvel and DC comics were doing at the time. I like this book, because it does have a detailed history, interviews, and photographs of the Image founders and the people who supported the controversial comic book company. But I do not believe the Image comics book has enough artwork from the Image founders. If you want to read about Image comics, this book is definitely a good read. But If you want a book with a-lot of Image comics artwork, look somewhere else. C+
This book is a real Treat.......2007-08-08
Lenghty interviews covers all of the image founders including guys like Jae Lee, Steve Oliff J. Scott Cambell, Tome Defalco, Larry Mauder, and Sam Kieth. The problems Image had with their late books and why they left Marvel in the first place. It's really good even if you missed the 1992 formation of Image or was there when the speculative market put comic stores out of business.
Image Comics Road to a great true story.......2007-08-07
For any comic book or even somone who enjoys non-fiction, this is a great read. People that have enjoyed comics in the 90's this is a refreshing reflection of a time where comic history was in the making.
Book Description
This book is for professional, amateur, and hobby artists who are interested in adapting the anime and manga styles into their own work. Whether for commercial use or personal enjoyment, incorporating the anime style is both challenging and interesting. This book places an emphasis on creating an original character design from concept to digital color. It is the first in a series to describe the methods used in creating a finished anime.
Customer Reviews:
Not quite what I was looking for.......2007-03-19
It's got some information, but nothing I really didn't know. It's full of pictures, and not necessarily help for creating characters. I think I was looking for something that wasn't intended to be in here, as it is clearly a book on Anime and Manga mechanics.
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- Civilization and Its Discontents
- Communicating Change: Winning Employee Support for New Business Goals
- Creating Characters with Personality: For Film, TV, Animation, Video Games, and Graphic Novels
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