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Wednesday, April 05, 2006
This blog's on shuffle mode
After writing "The Rise of Comics Piracy" for The Comics Journal issue #269 I've been interested in seeing how publisher deal with their copyrighted content and the anarchistic nature of the internet. I suspect some publisher will come up with the somewhat-discussed "iTunes model" but we're all still waiting. Until then there have been some interesting developments, the latest one being AiT/Planet Lar posting an entire 104 page graphic novel for free. You can download Continuity by Jason McNamara and Tony Talbert from the publisher’s website. We'll see if this pays off for Larry Young and his company.
I don't think this move is meant to battle any piracy, although that might be a happy side-effect. Larry's always been about getting the word out about his book and in this case he'll go as far as put the entire book in reader's hands, or at least their hard drive. Graeme ponders that perhaps this strategy was taken because the complicated plots is "not as simple a sell as the high concept books like Astronauts in Trouble or even Demo." If that's the case perhaps other independent publishers with "heady" material will take Larry's lead. I suppose we'll find out if it's a path worth taking when the book arrives in June.
I must say I wasn't expecting this! I love Criterion's edition of F for Fake but Mr. Arkadin (titled Confidential Report in some markets) is probably Orson Welles's most difficult film and the hardest to like. Perhaps that makes it the best candidate for the deluxe DVD treatment. The film really shows the wear of Welles's low-budget and on-the-fly filmmaking. The dubbing in the film is particularly distracting. Get past those problems and you'll find a film that is of interest to fans of Welles or film noir. Arkadin is the cynical, ugly twin of Citizen Kane. The critique of powerful men and where their power comes from is far angrier and to the point. Welles's performance as Gregory Arkadin is one of his best roles. Welles's tendency to go over the top benefits the overall film's grotesque nature. Even with the low-budget Welles gives us the audience some amazing scenes. There's a scene where Welles and Patricia Medina are in a cabin's room. The room seems to be expanding and shrinking at the same time, reflecting Medina's drunken state right before she meets her fate. One of the best thing's Welles has ever filmed.
Perhaps we'll see Criterion come up with a DVD for The Trial now?
Have you checked out the new Comic Foundry? Cable television star Tim Leong has come up with a pretty interesting package that feels like Blender or Rolling Stone, but for comics. I must admit my association with the magazine and plug my article The Best Comic Ever. I suppose on one level it’s about comics but it’s really about moving away and leaving friends behind and turning favorite activities into fond memories. Mike helped out with the article, although he probably just found out about this now.
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