Articles/blogs
TV Guide Covers
The November 12-18th issue of TV Guide will have a series of 4 covers by 4 top artists.
To purchase all four covers for US$14.99, click here.
#1 - Will Hiro Get His Revenge? - Jim Lee
Adam Monroe, Hiro Nakamura, Ando Masahashi
#2 - What’s Niki Hiding? - Phil Jimenez
Matt Parkman, Nathan Petrelli, Niki Sanders, Mohinder Suresh
Two more covers and a video from TV Guide: Video interview with Tim Sale, the artist of Isaac Mendez’ paintings and the fourth TV Guide cover after the jump.
Notes on “Quarantine”
This week’s graphic novel was DOPE. One of the best, in my opinion. I was skeptical at first, as our narrator was a new character who figures to never even appear on the show or in any other novels, but Howard Lemay? My man! This guy is badass to the core. A tough Homeland Security agent who leaves his own wife and child locked in a contaminated building without so much as a second glance? Dude is cold.
I loved the pacing of the novel. It developed organically, slowly, eerily. None of the action felt forced or hurried. I also really liked the narration and its prominent role in the story. I could tell instantly who Howard was and what he was all about, because of the perfect clarity of his narration.
The artwork was good, the easter egg was not (a still photo of Mohinder and Nikki? Boring!), and the story was intriguing without trying too hard. These are the kinds of novels that make all those other ones seem so crappy. Job well done, comic guys. Job well done.
What did you guys think? Let me know!
(For my full analysis on last night’s episode of Heroes, check out Media Maven Musings)
Writers Strike and the fate of the ‘Heroes’ graphic novel
New blog post posting an interesting question on the HeroesARG Social network.
As of this morning, The Writer’s Guild of America, is outside picketing the major TV and film studios on both coasts. “… the strike is expected to last for weeks rather than days, and possibly months.”
My question is, what does this mean for the graphic novels? They’re written side-by-side with the Heroes show writers. Does this mean no more GN’s after they run out? Or, will they keep running every week? Will the quality of storyline go down?
Update: Jason Badower explains what’s happening with the GN’s:
I have been contacted by some of you asking how the writer’s strike in Hollywood is going to affect the HEROES graphic novels. Apparently they have up to episodes 11 and 12 in the can. But as most of you know, the graphic novels are created on a much tighter time frame. So how does the strike affect your HEROES graphic novel?
Funny you should ask.
I was recently contacted, by my editor, Frank about doing a HEROES story. The script by Chuck (0.07%) Kim came through. It’s called “The Ten Brides of Takezo Kensei” and it’s a ripper of a story.
Unfortunately, due to the strike, Chuck asked that the script be pulled. Apparently he also had a specific artist friend of his in mind to draw it. That’s a huge shame as I would have knocked this one out of the park. This one is so up my alley it’s not funny. So when you do see it, you can try to imagine if I’d drawn/painted it.
But to answer your question, this script is set after the events of episode 11 (it specifically says so). So they’ve pulled the web comic episode that’s set after the week of episode 11. I have no idea if the stories before it have been pulled. But now you know that is your thin red line as far as the HEROES graphic novels go.
For those of you angry at how this affects you, consider these hard working writers who are asking to be included in the 21st century as far as financial credit goes. They’re asking for compensation for internet and mobile phone sales of their work (currently there is little or none) and an increase from 4c per dvd sold. I don’t think they’re being unreasonable and I support them 100%. I just hope the networks and the writers can reach some sort of agreement soon.
Notes on Team Building Exercise
Not bad. Not bad at all. In fact, I found this to be one of the cooler graphic novels we’ve had of late. We got a nice flashback of young HRG sans the HRG, running around with Ivan (could it be a more generic Russian name? They spent what, 2 seconds thinking of that one?), and two dudes with awesome powers. First, there’s a guy with sweet fire powers– I wonder if this is the same power that Claire’s birth mother has, or if there is a difference between the two. Perhaps Evil Russian is just a more developed Super than she is? Second, we had a cool power we haven’t seen at all before– the ability to turn into/form water. I hope this guy, or at least this power, pops up on the show.
I like this story because it shows us how HRG almost, dare I say it, enjoys bagging and tagging people with abilities. It’s like he derives some dark pleasure from exerting power over those that nature has determined i>should be more powerful. As HRG himself points out, what good is the ability if you don’t embrace it or know how to use it? HRG is badass and this novel proves it.
Two things I didn’t like: It takes place in Odessa, Russia. Just like HRG’s hometown of Odessa, Texas. Yuck yuck yuck. Also, the easter egg was terrible. What was that even a picture of?
What did you guys think? Let me know!
(For a full analysis of last night’s episode of Heroes, check out Media Maven Musings. Thanks!)
TVGuide Exclusive: Alternate Graphic Novel Cover
TVGuide had the first look at the graphic novel cover coming out Nov. 7th. They’ve recently released another version of the cover.
Previously we’ve shown you the first of two versions of the Heroes graphic-novel cover. Now TVGuide.com has your exclusive first look at the other one. (Click here for a larger version.) This cover was drawn by Jim Lee, editorial director of WildStorm, the DC Comics imprint that is publishing the graphic novel.
The Heroes graphic novel, which goes on sale Nov. 7, collects the first 34 chapters that originally appeared at NBC.com.
I think I like the other one better. It’s cleaner… suits a book cover better. What do you think? You can comment here for free, and with no sign up.
Heroes on G4
G4 has stated they have aquired Heroes in a press release on October 11th:
G4 is now your official cable television home for the one and only Heroes, the television sensation that has held the world in thrall for the past year or so.
Beginning November 3rd, you will be able to watch all of the Season 2 episodes of Heroes on Saturdays at 10PM ET. This means if, for some reason, you missed a new episode on Monday night, you can catch it right here on G4 on a second night - Saturday.
But that’s not all! Following each new episode, stick around at 11PM ET for the Post Show. Hosted by Kevin Pereira and Blair Butler, this live event will take an interactive look at everything Heroes. Exclusive interviews, viewer commentary, interactive polling, behind-the-scenes footage, and everything you need to make your Heroes experience truly immersive.
In the meantime, if you missed Season 1, catch up on the television phenomenon by watching the Heroes Season 1 Marathon, all weekend long October 27th and 28th, right here on G4. And remember to tune in November 3rd and every Saturday for our Heroes Saturday night spectacular.
Click here to view the Heroes page on G4’s website. And in the meantime, Ryan from HeroesWiki says “I will be one of the hosts of the show, and I’m really excited, of course. People interested in viewing a taping of the show in Southern California can contact me at by email or on HeroesWiki.”
