Panel Vision - Mnemovore

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Let’s talk about Vertigo Comics.  Established in 1993, Vertigo was intended to be a mature readers imprint for DC Comics as a way to capitalize on the growing adult comic reading marketing.  It’s had ups and downs in its history but, by in large, it has been an enormous success spawning numerous best-sellers and massively popular works that have been adapted into several mediums such as Hellblazer, Fables, Preacher, Lucifer, V for Vendetta, and iZombie.  One of the imprint’s major focuses has turned out to be horror, mainly because that was the easiest genre to turn into R-rated comics back during the ‘90s. 

Since then they’ve consistently put out of some of the most frightening and well-considered horror comics in the medium.  One such miniseries has stuck with me since I read it and now that Channel Zero: No-End House has started hitting on a lot of similar plot points it’s the perfect time to dust off this old chestnut: let’s talk about Mnemovore. 

Panel Vision - Green Hornet (2011)

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Edited by Robert Beach

One of the more bizarre powerhouse talents in Hollywood today is Seth Rogen. Rogen’s a relatively recent star, but he’s been around for a while, making his way through smaller roles before joining forces with Judd Apatow for Knocked Up and parlaying that success into a more substantive career. 

He didn’t really break big as a face of comedy till 2014 with Neighbors, though he took a big step forward with the 2013 comedy This is the End. Still, 2014 was the year Rogen became a name film journalists and bloggers starting talking about, first with the narrative of his R-rated comedy Neighbors beating the PG-13 tentpole of Amazing Spider-Man 2 and then with the “controversy” surrounding he and James Franco’s comedy The Interview. 

In the wake of all that attention, Rogen has only grown bigger and recently used that clout to launch an adaptation of the Vertigo Comic Preacher on AMC. Apparently, Rogen is a big comic book geek, which is why he did Preacher. Now that Preacher is a hit; he will probably produce that The Boys show he’s been teasing (Editor’s Note: Superheroes who fight meteors with their genitals). In honor of Rogen’s rise, I thought I’d look back on his own entry in the superhero genre. The other failed 2011Green superhero film: Green Hornet.  

Cover Story - Top 12 Preacher Covers

So, AMC’s Preacher show premieres tomorrow.  It’s a pretty big deal, the first major comic adaptation by AMC after their phenomenally successful adaptation of Walking Dead.  Additionally, it represents the first time Seth Rogen has thrown his considerable weight behind a television series, no less an adaptation of one of the goriest and edgiest comic books to come out of DC Comics mature reader’s imprint Vertigo. 

Finally, this is the 2^nd time someone has attempted to adapt a Verigo Comic to the small screen after the abysmal failure of last year’s Constantine, making this a second shot at success for the vast amount of properties at Vertigo.  Given all that, and that it’s another comic book show for me to leach hash tags off of, of course I’m going to celebrate it and what better to do that then with a look at the comics the show is based on.  So, let’s dive into the shallow end and get the cover story on Preacher’s 12 best covers.

AMC's Preacher Premiere Trailer

Preacher was a Vertigo Comic by acclaimed author Garth Ennis and equally beloved artist Steve Dilon.  Lasting for a total 75 issues it’s considered a major hallmark for comics and is one of the universal counters to the claim that comics sucked in the ‘90s as the series lasted from 1995 to 2000.  Recently, rising star comedian Seth Rogan has set-up about bringing the show to AMC in what, I assume, was an attempt to recreate the monster success the network enjoyed with The Walking Dead.  Against pretty much everyone’s better judgment that adaptation is going forward with a confirmed 10 episodes set for a premiere next year and Dominic Cooper set to play the lead character of Jesse Custer.  Cooper is actually a bit of a get for the series as he’s most well known for playing Howard Stark in Captain America: The First Avenger and Agent Carter making him one of the many Marvel actors crossing the floor to a DC project.  Now, the first full trailer has premiered for the show and surprise; it’s garbage. 

Marvel's Damage Control Show Coming to ABC

Edited by Robert Beach 

Marvel television is a spotty enterprise to be sure. As much as I loved Daredevil and enjoyed Agent Carter, there’s no getting around the many problems that seem to plague Marvel’s television projects. Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. is the least interesting and least ambitious superhero show on the air right now. It's completely dwarfed by the conceptual craziness and continuity of Flash and Arrow while simultaneously being completely outclassed by Gotham’s stylistic affectations. That’s not even touching the excellent indie comic shows like iZombie or the long running and beloved Walking Dead. 

Add in upcoming challengers like Lucifer, Preacher, and Legends of Tomorrow, it’s obvious the TV game is rife with far more challengers than Marvel is really equipped to handle just yet. As such, it makes some sense that they’re actually working to expand their market share with a new kind of show. While Daredevil was a gritty crime series, Agent Carter a period piece and Agents of SHIELD a blatant marketing tool, Marvel’s latest TV venture will be a comedy based off the obscure comic series Damage Control.

Zack Snyder Bringing Watchmen to HBO?

One of the great struggles of the modern geek age has been DC Comics continued quest for mainstream interest and relevance.  This battle has been raging more or less continuously since 1986 when The Dark Knight Returns and Watchmen hit stands and transformed the comics landscape forever.  Since then DC has been desperately working to claim permanent cultural dominance through movies, TV, games, and all manner of other methods. 

This has come with obvious ups and downs but recently they’ve hit something of a major snag.  While Marvel launches themselves forward with hip new comics that showcase diversity and accessibility DC has floundered in numerous reboots and branding initiatives along with some fairly bad film failures like Green Lantern and Man of Steel. 

The only place DC seems to be winning its cultural battle is on TV as Arrow and Flash have cemented themselves as major superhero hits alongside blossoming success like Gotham and Supergirl and upcoming shows like Lucifer, Preacher, and Legends of Tomorrow.  Even though Marvel has its own successful TV shows and Image has tested the television waters a number of times this is where DC has really planted its flag.  So, I guess it then makes sense that they would try and wed their new success to their old success, by which I mean of course a Watchmen TV show.