Wednesday, March 19, 2008

Pulp in the Making

The Radio Transmissions Will Be Resumed Soon.

Meanwhile hope you guys enjoy this sneak peek at the process behind Zorro #2 (which will be out at the very beginning of April) :)

Cheers,
Francesco

Zorro

Tuesday, March 11, 2008

Pulp Spotlight: The Rocketeer

Pulp Spotlight
Alan Moore
Hello pulp-friends,

I usually try to keep one spotlight a month so we can have room for the radio episodes, but when I heard today the sad news of Dave Stevens passing away I felt I had to spotlight his most famous creation which is, undoubtly, Pulp at its core. And it's also the occasion to celebrate the man himself.

I met Dave at a couple of shows and in both cases he was in company of our common friend Jim Steranko. The last time we met was particularly nice as it was away from the chaos of the convention but in the comfortable and realxing enviroment of the hotel lounge. A very good person, a real nice and classy guy. We'll miss you, Dave.

Greyshirt
Greyshirt

The Rocketeer has been created in what we can define "recent times" but its settings and the art deco style of the illustrations make it feel like it coming out straight from the '30s. Accidentally becoming a superhero after finding a (cool) jetpack and with a helmet that seems inspired by Commando Cody, pilot Cliff secord battles nazi spies and evil villains while surrounded/helped by beautiful women who are the paper version of pinup moodel of that period like Bettie Page.
The Rocketeer was so popular that eventually got also a big budget movie feature which was quite enjoyable in my opinion.
I still listen to the soundtrack every now and then while working on my stuff. Speaking of which, I will definitely get back to that Rocketeer pencils (see above) and finish to ink them as my tribute to the great Dave.

Cheers,
Francesco

Pulp Spotlight is the monthly feature where I cover other famous characters that have helped to build the Pulp genre not just on the radio but also in the other media.

Monday, March 3, 2008

Pulp Spotlight: Captain Midnight & the Secret Squadron

Pulp Spotlight
Alan Moore
Hello pulp-friends,

I know, I know, I am a day late but I hope you all will forgive me and will bear with me as I go through one of the busiest period of the year (and I know, the year just started, kinda, but hey, it started pretty busy so let's hope it will lighten up a bit ;))

This month (it's already March, isn't it?) spotlight is dedicated to Captain Midnight and the Secret Squadron. I am hoping to feature some radio episodes too but I still have to find an episode that works as standalone (the shows were serialized so it's like the pulp version of a soap, but way more cool ;))

Greyshirt
Captain Midnight began as a radio show in September 1940. The first comic book appeared in July 1941. Captain Midnight was really the aviator Captain Albright, who was to defeat the Nazis. A movie serial was made in 1942 and a comic strip was published for a short time. The comic book Captain Midnight ended his career in 1948. The radio premiums are the prized collector memorabilia today.
I am pretty sure this is not the last time we will see Captain Midnight on this blog, so more good news for Bill ;)

Cheers,
Francesco

Pulp Spotlight is the monthly feature where I cover other famous characters that have helped to build the Pulp genre not just on the radio but also in the other media.