IMAGE Comics NIGHTLY NEWS creator Jonthan Hickman on Comicazi!

[bahlactus]

Propaganda, Trust, Activists, War, and Coffee. It's the tagline for a gritty new joint that Image Comics is droppin' TODAY called, the "Nightly News". We've got Jonathan Hickman -- creator, writer, and artist for this hot new indie-flavored Comic droppin' science on what Nightly News is all about and what we can expect from this new 6-issue mini-series. It's a Comicazi EXCLUSIVE all about the Nightly News, right here in Comicazi Issue No.6! (http://bahlactus.com/2006/11/comicazi-issue-no6/)

[the goddamn batman]

This looks like it should be really good!

[lboinyamouf4sho]

has anybody read it??

[Mo S.]

I wrote a quick opinion for MW -

The Nightly News #1 (Jonathan Hickman; Image). Hmmm. Designed to appeal to my inner tin-hat-brigade member, this comic strongly reminds me of Automatic Kafka, except that instead of going after the world of marketing and merchandising, this one is going straight for the throat of media empires. God knows a more deserving target is harder to find. Still, let's see, do we root for murdering cultish terrorists or media moguls and their perfectly-groomed on-air representatives? Is there a choice here? A strongly-worded comic, full of real-world facts, that falls just short of harangue. On the other hand, it sparked a spirited half hour "discussion" here at Chez MoS, and most comics don’t do that, so it gets props.

Very interesting art and page layouts; definitely non-traditional, but also, again, reminiscent of Ashley Woods' work on Automatic Kafka. The "brothers" all look alike, but then I believe that's one of the points. Hickman skates it a little close with the Cronkite and Dan Rather look-alikes, but that serves a purpose as well.

[the goddamn batman]

I see the line you're drawing here with the Automatic Kafka comparison.

Though, I have to say the art is very different. I'd liken it to Jock more than Ashley. I know Jonathan is very inspired by Ash, we had a small chat about Ash's work, but I wouldn't say he wears that on his sleave.

I think the lookalikes are important. He's naming news companies by name, like CNN instead of CNM or some shit.

This comic is about the reality of the media centric world we live in. It's not an analogy. It's not a parody.

At any rate, this is a great book so far. I'm picking up the single to show my support for this type of book, but the trade is really going to be a breathtaking experience.

I can't wait to see where this story goes.

[Arvandor]

I liked it. Well written and the layouts were nicely constructed. The little humourous bullet points kept it from being too serious, but its the kind of cynical humour that I like. Very different from most comics, and that's hard to find.

The only problem is that it kind of shoots itself in the foot with its message of media corruption.
When the message is being filtered through the lens of murderers and madmen, it loses any effect. When its made so blatant that these cultists are nutters, its hard to give their message any credibility.

[the goddamn batman]

Let's wait and see where it goes, before we decide it's shot itself.

[Arvandor]

Let's wait and see where it goes, before we decide it's shot itself.

Well, obviously.

It's just that this comic reminds of a thread on the Rumbles board, where they compared "Intended message" with "Actual message".

This could be another one where the "intended message" of media corruption is buried under the "actual message" that cultists are nutters and should be ignored.

[the goddamn batman]

I suppose it could be.

It sure is beautiful though, whatever it is.

[Jonathan Hickman]

Propaganda, Trust, Activists, War, and Coffee. It's the tagline for a gritty new joint that Image Comics is droppin' TODAY called, the "Nightly News". We've got Jonathan Hickman -- creator, writer, and artist for this hot new indie-flavored Comic droppin' science on what Nightly News is all about and what we can expect from this new 6-issue mini-series. It's a Comicazi EXCLUSIVE all about the Nightly News, right here in Comicazi Issue No.6! (http://bahlactus.com/2006/11/comicazi-issue-no6/)

Everyone support these guys they do a good show.

And they have great guest! ;)

[Jonathan Hickman]

I liked it. Well written and the layouts were nicely constructed. The little humourous bullet points kept it from being too serious, but its the kind of cynical humour that I like. Very different from most comics, and that's hard to find.

The only problem is that it kind of shoots itself in the foot with its message of media corruption.
When the message is being filtered through the lens of murderers and madmen, it loses any effect. When its made so blatant that these cultists are nutters, its hard to give their message any credibility.

A good (and fair) point, and I'm not letting the cat out of the bag when I say this (because it's been in plenty of acticles), but I think this will help with your problems so far:

The Meta-Theme of the Nightly News is this:
Distilled down to their essence, there is no psychological difference in the information provider/information receiver relationship when comparing corporate news and its audience and with religious cult leaders and their followers.

This gets hammered home as the story progresses.

Hope that helps, if not, ask it a different way and I'll come back and answer it.

Thanks for buying the book.

[Jonathan Hickman]

I see the line you're drawing here with the Automatic Kafka comparison.

Though, I have to say the art is very different. I'd liken it to Jock more than Ashley. I know Jonathan is very inspired by Ash, we had a small chat about Ash's work, but I wouldn't say he wears that on his sleave.

Nope. And I'd say I'm "most inspired" by Sienkiewicz - and I don't draw like that either.

Oh, I do like Jock. I think he's about a year away from doing something earth shattering. Awesome talent.

[the goddamn batman]

Nope. And I'd say I'm "most inspired" by Sienkiewicz - and I don't draw like that either.

Oh, I do like Jock. I think he's about a year away from doing something earth shattering. Awesome talent.

What good artist isn't inspired by Sienkiewicz?

[Jonathan Hickman]

What good artist isn't inspired by Sienkiewicz?

I would hope none, but you know there's probably one out there.

[the goddamn batman]

Yeah, there probably is one or two.

Too bad Bill doesn't do much in comics anymore. Too bad so much of his owrk is out of print.

[Jonathan Hickman]

Yeah, there probably is one or two.

Too bad Bill doesn't do much in comics anymore. Too bad so much of his owrk is out of print.

At least Stray Toasters is back in print. I'm actually looking forward to a Marvel Essentials of his New Mutants so I can see it in Black and White.

The Barry Windsor-Smith issues in the X-Men Essentials are amazing.

--

Oh, I actually got some amazing Sienkiewicz stuff from the CBLDF booth in Charlotte that Frank Miller had donated. It was a good day.

You should get a copy of that Santa Claus book he did. Pretty snazzy.

[the goddamn batman]

Yeah, Stray Toasters back in print is awesome.

Now if only we could get the Elektra Assassin book back in print. Or his old Sketchbook.

Saw Bills work at the Roger Waters show the other week, that was nice.


I love those essential books, just for the untouched line art.

If you havn't, do yourself a favor, go look at Jock's originals at

http://www.splashpageart.com/GalleryDetail.asp?GCat=21

his stuff is amazing in B&W.

[Jonathan Hickman]

Yeah, Stray Toasters back in print is awesome.

Now if only we could get the Elektra Assassin book back in print. Or his old Sketchbook.

Saw Bills work at the Roger Waters show the other week, that was nice.


I love those essential books, just for the untouched line art.

If you havn't, do yourself a favor, go look at Jock's originals at

http://www.splashpageart.com/GalleryDetail.asp?GCat=21

his stuff is amazing in B&W.


I've got a "Jock subfolder" in my "Artists folder" with all that art downloaded.

He's got a great line.


I didn't know Elektra: Ass. was out of print. That's just silly.

And I would kill a small animal to get that Sketchbook. Pisses me off I haven't ever been able to find one.

[the goddamn batman]

I've got a "Jock subfolder" in my "Artists folder" with all that art downloaded.

He's got a great line.

I've totaly got a folder of Jock originals on my mac too.

He recently sent me some preview pages from FAKER. He also just posted a bunch of FAKER pages in the 'pencil to ink' thread over at 'The Engine'.

Worth looking at.

Jock is going to be in Swallow #3! That'll be sweet.

I didn't know Elektra: Ass. was out of print. That's just silly.

And I would kill a small animal to get that Sketchbook. Pisses me off I haven't ever been able to find one.

It's criminal is what it is.

[lboinyamouf4sho]

i read the 1st issue and it was very interesting. i think some of the overall message of the series may end up going over my head but i think it will still be a pleasure to read and i will be picking up the rest of the issues.

the art is very nice, what do you guys think of daniel zezelj's art??

[Jonathan Hickman]

I've totaly got a folder of Jock originals on my mac too.

He recently sent me some preview pages from FAKER. He also just posted a bunch of FAKER pages in the 'pencil to ink' thread over at 'The Engine'.

Worth looking at.

Jock is going to be in Swallow #3! That'll be sweet.

Yeah, saw that. Good stuff.

I don't have Swallow #1. Somehow I missed it.

Funny story: I was at HeroesCon this summer and there was this vendor selling wholesale "independent" graphic novels. I had some Inki Bilal and Moebius in my hand when the guy beside me pulled a copy of Swallow #1 out of a box (the only one they had).

He's says to the guy running the booth: "Hey, what's this? Look's kinda neat. Oh, what the hell, I'll take a chance on it."

First and only time I've ever wanted to tackle a guy for a comic. LOL.

[Jonathan Hickman]

i read the 1st issue and it was very interesting. i think some of the overall message of the series may end up going over my head but i think it will still be a pleasure to read and i will be picking up the rest of the issues.QUOTE]

I think you'll be fine and thanks for picking up the book

[QUOTE=lboinyamouf4sho]the art is very nice, what do you guys think of daniel zezelj's art??

Is that the guy doing Desolation Jones now?

[the goddamn batman]

Yeah, and he's the man!

Too bad J.H. left, but it could be worse.

[lboinyamouf4sho]

[QUOTE=lboinyamouf4sho]i read the 1st issue and it was very interesting. i think some of the overall message of the series may end up going over my head but i think it will still be a pleasure to read and i will be picking up the rest of the issues.QUOTE]

I think you'll be fine and thanks for picking up the book



Is that the guy doing Desolation Jones now?


thanx for putting out something so different.

not sure about desolation jones, i 1st saw him doing a captain america mini called "dead men running" and most recently a few issues of brian azzarello's "loveless". he reminds me of ashley woods early comic stuff like shadow man.

[the goddamn batman]

not sure about desolation jones,


Yes, he is the artist on Jones...

[Jonathan Hickman]

Okay - i'll check him out.

[the goddamn batman]

He did some work on Loveless. He's the regular guy on the second half of 'Jones'... there's a preview for that somewhere.

Other than that, I know he's done a lot of French comics. But, I don't know what else he's done domestically.

[lboinyamouf4sho]

should i feel bad for rooting for the psycho cult members at this point?? it was pretty cool to see the news people getting picked off like that(in comic form of course). the press are such scumbags but there must be some journalists out there with a little integrity.

[the goddamn batman]

but there must be some journalists out there with a little integrity.

Keith Olbermann and Jon Stewart come to mind.;)

[lboinyamouf4sho]

Keith Olbermann and Jon Stewart come to mind.;)

i don't know the other guy, but i wouldn't enjoy jon getting picked off by sniper fire.

[Jonathan Hickman]

should i feel bad for rooting for the psycho cult members at this point?? it was pretty cool to see the news people getting picked off like that(in comic form of course). the press are such scumbags but there must be some journalists out there with a little integrity.

It's fiction, enjoy any part of it you want to!

[Jonathan Hickman]

Keith Olbermann and Jon Stewart come to mind.;)

Sorry, no way a smarmy guy like Olbermann makes it out alive (even though he is funny).

Jon Stewart though,... any guy that has Elizabeth Shue grab your junk on TV is OK by me!

[lboinyamouf4sho]

It's fiction, enjoy any part of it you want to!



4sho!!!!!!!:)

[the goddamn batman]

Issue #2 hit stands today folks, go get it already!

[diablo7]

i believe that you can still get elektra but it's with another sienkiewicz daredevil graphic novel...i think it's call love and war or something...it's in the marvel section of the previews order book...and i think i still have his first sketchbook somewhere...really cool stuff in there...

[the goddamn batman]

amazon had it listed as out of print, but it seems to be fully orderable now.

I'll check the Daredevil stuff.

[Lance]

Issue #2 hit stands today folks, go get it already!

Did it come out? Because my shop didn't have one damn copy if it was released.

[Jonathan Hickman]

Did it come out? Because my shop didn't have one damn copy if it was release.

Yes, it came out. Just tell them to order it from Diamond, as they have copies in the warehouse.

If you want to make sure you get it (because Image is not overprinting this by much), tell your comic shop to order you a copy every month becuase you'll buy it. He'll order it if he knows he's going to sell it.

All the best!

[lboinyamouf4sho]

issue #2 was as good as the 1st. this book is very interesting an unlike anything i've read in comics before, also i love the art, very stylish. it is now my most anticipated book of the month(formerly villains by adam cogan and ryan cody that recently wrapped up).

are there any other books like this that i should check out??

[ryancody]

issue #2 was as good as the 1st. this book is very interesting an unlike anything i've read in comics before, also i love the art, very stylish. it is now my most anticipated book of the month(formerly villains by adam cogan and ryan cody that recently wrapped up).

are there any other books like this that i should check out??

Hey thanks for the mention, be sure to check out the Villains trade next month for a bonus story, and I have been checking out Nightly News as well, it's a slick read.

[Jonathan Hickman]

This is probably heresy, but Newsarama is offering Issue #1 online for free:

http://www.newsarama.com/ImageComics/NightlyNews/01/TNN01_full.html

[lboinyamouf4sho]

Hey thanks for the mention, be sure to check out the Villains trade next month for a bonus story, and I have been checking out Nightly News as well, it's a slick read.

would love to lend the support, but it's just not in the budget to by the trade just for a bonus story. i hope lots of people pick up the trade though because if they don't they're missing out.

any chance for a sequel in 2007??

[DWEarhart]

Aside from some good artwork the story is a challenging, thought provoking read which takes longer than three minutes to read - - much much longer.

It's a reward to reach the end of every issue only to find that it's not over yet. Yet.

[lboinyamouf4sho]

Aside from some good artwork the story is a challenging, thought provoking read which takes longer than three minutes to read - - much much longer.

It's a reward to reach the end of every issue only to find that it's not over yet. Yet.


4sho, each of the 2 issues i've read have left me eagerly awaiting the next.

[ryancody]

would love to lend the support, but it's just not in the budget to by the trade just for a bonus story. i hope lots of people pick up the trade though because if they don't they're missing out.

any chance for a sequel in 2007??

We're hoping to do a sequel but it kinda depends on sales and time right now.

[will_butler]

Picked up issue 3 on Wednesday, and I have to say that the material about the state of our educational system may well be my favorite bit of the series thus far (due in no small part with Mr. Hickman's views dovetailing with my own, I'm sure). The formula to determine whether your higher education was worth the bother made me laugh out loud. Then I felt slightly like crying. I'm truly enjoying this one, and can't wait for the next issue already.

Will

[Joshua Pantalleresco]

What a great issue. I loved the commentaries and realities of the system. And think that anyone who recommends Prozak is officially insane.

I want to read the books he researched and I for one can't wait to see how this ends. I really love this series.

JP

[lboinyamouf4sho]

4sho, this is the best book i'm following currently. it really gets you thinking about alot of things. glad i decided to pick it up despite not being familiar with jonathan hickman. have to add the art is very cool too.

[the goddamn batman]

despite not being familiar with jonathan hickman.

It's his first book.

[lboinyamouf4sho]

It's his first book.


that's most likely why i was not familiar with him.

[the goddamn batman]

Yup. Not bad for his first book, huh?

From what I've heard, his next book (or two) is (are) going to blow this away!

Hickman wins the "Best Newcomer of 2006" over at Popimage.com.

http://www.popimage.com/content/viewnews.cgi?newsid1168380216,8677,

[lboinyamouf4sho]

Yup. Not bad for his first book, huh?

From what I've heard, his next book (or two) is (are) going to blow this away!

Hickman wins the "Best Newcomer of 2006" over at Popimage.com.

http://www.popimage.com/content/viewnews.cgi?newsid1168380216,8677,

link is not working for me, i noticed hickman is doing a variant cover for gamekeeper #2(book by guy ritchie)

[the goddamn batman]

http://www.popimage.com/content/viewnews.cgi?newsid1168380216,8677,

Stupid CBR boards decided the comma at the end of the address was a part of my sentence and not the address. Should work now.:)

[lboinyamouf4sho]

http://www.popimage.com/content/viewnews.cgi?newsid1168380216,8677,

Stupid CBR boards decided the comma at the end of the address was a part of my sentence and not the address. Should work now.:)

cool, but where did it say anythin about his next project??