Blue Water Film Festival rolls up its tent

After screening 110 films by 87 directors from Michigan and Ontario over its five-year run, the Blue Water Film Festival is folding up its screens and capping its projectors – at least for this year.

The BWFF Board of Directors announced Feb. 4 the organization will not present the annual festival, held in the early fall, in 2014. In its press release, the board cited a lack of sufficient audiences, money, staff and volunteers to sustain the project, which typically screened about 20 films per year.

It’s not clear if the BWFF is gone permanently.

Kelly Kennedy, vice-president of the BWFF’s board of directors and chair of the film selection committee, responded to a message on her phone via e-mail.

“At this time, the festival wishes to provide no other statement regarding the postponement of our 2014 event other than the press release that was distributed yesterday,” Kennedy said in her e-mail.

Jeremy Stemen, executive director of BWFF, did not return a message left on his phone.

“We haven’t been involved with the program,” said Vicki Fournier, president of the Port Huron Chamber of Commerce. “So I really don’t know the impact.”

Looking in from the outside, 2013 appeared to be a good year for the festival.

The fifth annual and perhaps final BWFF was held Sept. 28, 2013. Crowds appeared solid for the three flights of films screened at McMorran Auditorium in Port Huron. Director Jonathon D'Ambrosio of Clarkston won the platinum award for best picture for his film “The Whistle,” about a Jewish girl torn from her family by the Nazis in WWII Germany. Ellen Burstyn, 80, who is a Detroit-born actress – winner of an Oscar, Emmy, Tony – added BWFF’s Golden Mitten award to her mantelpiece at a well-attended awards ceremony. Burstyn starred in a number of classic pictures by A-list directors, such Martin Scorcese’s “Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore,” Peter Bogdonovich’s “The Last Picture Show,” and William Friedkin’s “The Exorcist.”

Early in 2013, BWFF teamed up with local environmental groups to screen Bryan Hopkins’ “Dirty Energy,” an exploration of the Deepwater Horizon oil disaster in the Gulf of Mexico, which began in April 2010 and continues to impact the coast today.

It was the only out-of-festival film shown by the BWFF in its five year history, said Jeremy Stemen, executive director of the BWFF, speaking last year. Technically a fundraiser for BWFF, Stemen said his main goal was getting the word out about the Wyandotte resident’s film, which won the Grand Jury Prize at the Dallas International Film Festival and the Social Justice Award at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival. The screening drew a sizeable crowd to the auditorium at Port Huron Northern High School on a snowy January night.

“The Blue Water Film Festival Board of Directors would like to thank the Michigan filmmaking community and independent filmmakers for their embracement of the festival and attendees that came far and wide each year to support the event,” said the press release. The board thanked its advisors, the Blue Water Film Society, volunteers, staff, community leaders, donors, sponsors and media partners.

Post written by Jim Bloch for Digital First Media. Reprinted with permission.

X-Men: No More Humans to come out at original graphic novel

Best-selling author Mike Carey and chart-topping artist Salvador Larocca gather Marvel’s most popular mutants for an all-new original graphic novel, X-MEN: NO MORE HUMANS! Spinning out of the New York Times Bestselling X-Men: Battle of the Atom, this landmark epic features an all-new blockbuster story set in the continuity of the Marvel Universe. For years, the X-Men have dreamed of a world safe from humans. But now, their dream is about to become their worst nightmare. When all the world’s humans mysteriously vanish, it’s up to the disparate factions of X-Men to come together, get to the bottom of the mystery and find a way to bring humans back. But do all the mutants want their human brethren to return?

                                                       

X-MEN: NO MORE HUMANS will be available May 7^th.

The One-Man-War Heads West in THE PUNISHER #2

 This February, Frank Castle continues his journey out west in THE PUNISHER #2 – and the City of Angels has no idea what it’s in for! From blockbuster writer Nathan Edmondson and red-hot artist Mitch Gerads – a lead on a major source of guns and drugs finds Punisher hot on the tail of the Dos Soles gang. But when he finds himself in the crosshairs of dozens of armed thugs – they’ll find the Punisher isn’t so easily dispatched! Now, with the help of some unlikely allies (including a coyote), the stage is set for Frank to wage his war on crime on the streets of L.A. – if he lives that long! Los Angeles is also home to some of the Marvel Universe’s big baddies, and you’ll never believe who’s turf Frank just stepped on! Don’t miss the shocking last page when the explosive new series continues in THEPUNISHER #2

Shang-Chi Unleashed in AVENGERS WORLD #3

 Marvel is pleased to present your first look at AVENGERS WORLD #3 – the next blockbuster issue from critically acclaimed creators Jonathan Hickman, Nick Spencer, and Stefano Caselli! Spread thin across the globe, squads of Avengers fight for their lives on multiple deadly fronts. A.I.M. has made their move – and they’ve declared Earth an Avengers World no longer! But not if Shang-Chi has anything to say about it! The Hand has woken the beast of legend. Out of the Earth rises a great dragon – with the city of Madripoor atop its head! Deep in the heart of the city, Shang-Chi faces down The Gorgon – ruthless leader of the shadowy ninja clan. Winner takes control of The Hand – and gets to keep their life! Don’t miss a minute of the bone-crunching martial arts action this February! The fight to the death begins in AVENGERS WORLD #3

WARLORD OF MARS #100, a Celebratory Special, Coming Out in April

 The Warlord of Mars comic series approaches a milestone -- nearly one hundred issues have been released to date by Dynamite Entertainment.  To celebrate that incredible feat, Dynamite will be releasing a special celebratory Warlord of Mars #100! This special squarebound issue is written by three key Warlord of Mars writers, with multiple stories by Arvid Nelson, Robert Place Napton, and Mark Rahner. Featuring a who's who of today's best comic artists, Warlord of Mars #100 features covers by joseph Michael Linsner, Jay Anacleto, Fabiano Neves, Emanuela Lupacchino, and Stephanie Buscema.  Also featuring special bonus material, this is a must-read for Warlord of Mars fans! This comic can be found in comic book stores and also can be read digitally this upcoming April.

In Warlord of Mars #100, we begin with a story by Robert Napton (Warlord of Mars: Dejah Thoris), taking place 400 years before John Carter's arrival on Barsoom, where a young Woola discovers an ancient First Born artifact that isn't quite what it seems. The story continues by Arvid Nelson (Warlord of Mars), as the artifact is recovered by the Warlord himself many years later.  What happens to the good people of Helium as the evil power begins to be unleashed? And what could it mean for the rest of Barsoom?  Then, in the final chapter by Mark Rahner (Dejah Thoris and the Green Men of Mars), Woola must do the hardest thing of his life: not protect John Carter.  The fiercely loyal calot must resist his strongest instincts to save Carter from horrifying brutality - or pay an infinitely worse price.

"Having been with Warlord of Mars from the very beginning, this issue has deep personal meaning for me," says writer Arvid Nelson. "Our goal from the start was to capture the spirit of the original stories, but also make them accessible for a modern audience.  I'm proud of what we accomplished."

"It's an amazing milestone for Dynamite and the Warlord of Mars comics that we've reached our 100th issue," states writer Robert Place Napton.  "It's a testament to the rich world Edgar Rice Burroughs created that we've come this far.  I can't think of a better way to celebrate than throwing all the storytellers into the arena together and seeing what kind of mayhem ensues.  It should be fun!"

"I've loved John Carter's adventures since I was a kid, and being a part of the 100th issue makes me feel like my life's come full circle," adds writer Mark Rahner. "So I need to go on a pilgrimage to the River Iss and be devoured."

Flash Gordon celebrates 80th birthday with new comic series debuting in April

 Dynamite proudly announces that writer Jeff Parker (Batman '66) will continue the science fiction thrills of a science fiction legend in Flash Gordon #1, a new ongoing series illustrated by Evan "Doc" Shaner (Deadpool) and featuring the colors of Jordie Bellaire (Pretty Deadly).  Slated to debut in April 2014, Flash Gordon marks the 80th anniversary of the fictional icon, follows Parker's critically acclaimed Kings Watch miniseries, and includes beloved cast members Dale Arden, Dr. Hans Zarkov, and the infamous Ming the Merciless.

"Dynamite and editor Nate Cosby have put together the dream team for Flash Gordon, and I'm the lucky writer who gets to work with them," says Jeff Parker.  "We're bringing Flash back for a new audience.  It's over-the-planet high action and adventure where Flash's spirit and optimism are as powerful as anything the forces of Ming the Merciless can dish out.  We also have some of my favorite artists contributing covers - make no mistake, this book is going to absolutely kill!"

The new Flash Gordon series places the ultimate sci-fi hero on the bizarre planet Mongo, where his thirst for thrills and danger makes him the perfect weapon against world-breaking Ming the Merciless and his awful inter-planetary swarms of terror.  Can the cocksure Man From Earth funnel his overconfidence into saving worlds, or will the universe fall to Ming?

Dynamite has assembled a team of three highly respected creators for the new Flash Gordon series, individuals whose recent comics work has made their names instantly recognizable to fans.  Writer Jeff Parker's recent successes at DC Comics - including Aquaman and the retro-chic Batman '66, follow his many years as a contributor to Marvel titles including Agents of Atlas, X-Men: First Class, and Hulk.   Evan "Doc" Shaner will bring his kinetic visual style seen in Deadpool and Ghostbusters to the Flash Gordon project, just as Jordie Bellaire will bring the coloring flair she's known for on such titles as Pretty Deadly, Captain Marvel, and The Rocketeer.

Flash Gordon #1 will feature a wide selection of cover variants, presented by some of comics' most talented artists:  Gabriel Hardman, Jonathan Case, Declan Shalvey, and Marc Laming.  Stephen Mooney provides a special 80th Anniversary Cover, illustrated to capture an aesthetic of the bygone golden era, while Ken Haeser provides a cute Subscription-Only Variant Cover of "Li'l Flash", intended as a reward for dedicated fans who preorder with their local comic shop retailers.  A Blank Authentix Cover will be created for the first issue, featuring blank white space on the cover perfect for convention artist commissions or the creative whims of the do-it-yourself fan.

Bodie Troll creator Jay Fosgitt debuts new graphic novel at Dearborn comic store

DEARBORN — The new “Bodie Troll” graphic novel is making its world debut at Green Brain Comics.
Local comic creator Jay Fosgitt will make an appearance from noon to 3 p.m. Feb. 15 at the store, which is located at 12310 Michigan Ave. The building, which also houses Stormy Records, is in the budding arts district of east downtown Dearborn.
“Bodie Troll” is a creator-owned, all-ages comic set in the mythic village of Hagadorn and featuring a grumpy little troll named Bodie. Full of colorful characters, fantastic cartooning and light storytelling, Bodie Troll will appeal to fans of Bone by Jeff Smith, Pogo by Walt Kelly and readers that like a little good clean fun with slightly wacky humor.
Green Brain Comics will have copies of the Bodie Troll graphic novel available for sale. Fosgitt will personalize a copy anyone that stops in. A limited supply of single issues of the “Bodie Troll” comic will also be available. Copies of the graphic novel will be limited.
The comic is published by Red 5 Comics. Fosgitt also is the creator of the graphic novel/web comic “Dead Duck,” and writes the “Necronomicomics,” single panel comic for “Rue Morgue Magazine” each month.
Fosgitt has also produced licensed comic book work, contributing illustrations to Boom's “Adventure Time” comic and Ape Entertainment's “Dreamworks Animation Magazine.” He's done design work for IDW Comics, and has been a contributing writer and artist for the “Sesame Street” comic book. Also for Ape Entertainment, Fosgitt was the writer/artist on the all-ages comics “Little Green Men,” “Dino Duck,” and “Old McMonster’s haunted Farm.”
Outside of the comics industry, Fosgitt has contributed artwork for such sketch card series as “Star Wars Galaxy 5” for Topps Entertainment; “Archie,” “Sabrina,” and “Hack/Slash” for 5finity Productions; and “Adventure Time” for Cryptozoic. He has worked on several Marvel-licensed sets for Rittenhouse Archives as well.
For more information call 1-313-582-9444 or go to Greenbrain.biz. Information will also be available at the store’s Facebook page at Facebook.com/greenbraincomics.