CBR: Tyrese Gibson Talks "Mayhem!"

[CBR News]

Performer Tyrese Gibson sets his sights on the comic book industry with "Mayhem!" from Image Comics. CBR News spoke with Gibson about how the project was formed and why he thinks he can introduce new readers to comics.


Full article here.

[AnoleX]

I think I'm on board for this. His enthusiam is awesome and he certainly has the means to possibly bring more fans to the medium. I was skeptical at first, but I think everyone usually is when someone from another medium does work in comics.

The artwork kind of reminds me of Paco Medina Deadpool meets "Tales of the Crypt". Is it my cup of tea? Maybe not, but it's always fun to support people and if this project does well then hopefully he and his team can come up with something else even better down the line.

Best of Luck, Mayhem!

[kingchino]

I want to preface this by saying I am a Tyrese Gibson fan, and a comic book fan. I have a lot of respect for the guy, the way he has succeeded in every aspect of the entertainment industry, whether it be modeling, singing, acting, etc. In order to do that, you have to not only be talented, but tenacious as well, so in that regard, we couldn't ask for a better champion for this industry.

It drives me crazy that comic book-based movies are making all this money, but it is not exactly translating to new readers the way it should be. People in this country still have this stigma that comic books are a kid thing, which we all know couldn't be further from the truth. Everytime I inform friends of mine that movies like "Road To Perdition", and "History Of Violence", are based on comic books, they are completely shocked. I am a big supporter of this industry and want to see it thrive, so regardless of what you may feel about Tyrese and this particular project, let's give him props for banging the drum for this industry, which can always use more publicity. The guy has been a man of his word, and has spoken about the comic book in virtually every interview, which some will say is simply self-promotional, but at least he's talking about it. If that brings new readers into the stores, then I am all for it.

[prismablue]

I like his attitude. He's going outside the exsisting market to bring in new readers, or at least trying. That's really the same thing the bigname comicbook guys should be doing.Todd MCfarlane has toys everywhere, why not get image comics out there too. I just wish he had one of the early Image guys drawing this. Tyrese should try to get backup features or covers by Mcfarlane, Liefeld, lee, Keown, Silvestri and so fourth because Tyrese enthusiasim fits that kind of style of art.


Still, the book looks are good as the dark X-men books being previewed here. It's not my type of art but it''s as good as a big X-men book in 2009.

[GRANT!]

I think he scored a Jim Lee cover. Wraparound too.

I admire the guys enthusiasm but this is a tough industry to crack. He should post on the board

[AlexApprobation]

His enthusiasm is infectious! I can't wait to see how it all goes!

[prismablue]

I think he scored a Jim Lee cover. Wraparound too.

I admire the guys enthusiasm but this is a tough industry to crack. He should post on the board

I wouldn't mind picking his brain about what he wants to accomplish with the book. I also like that he says he's focusing on making the comic and not a glorified movie pitch like most other actors who do a book.

A jim Lee cover would be great. I wouldn't mind seeing Rob Liefeld do a cover because tis is a type of character he'd kill on.

[foxtail22]

It's cool that tyrese is trying to create a new readership for comics using mayhem. props.

[Stevens]

I can't get excited over this. From what I have seen, a lot stronger stuff has been rejected by Image. Right now I am growing tired of actors and celebrities coming into comic books for a quick poke. It just makes it harder for unknown creators to get noticed.

[grphxkindaguy]

I can't get excited over this. From what I have seen, a lot stronger stuff has been rejected by Image. Right now I am growing tired of actors and celebrities coming into comic books for a quick poke. It just makes it harder for unknown creators to get noticed.

I concur 100%, sounds like another vanity project to me..."hey look, I have my own comic book!" :rolleyes:

[HEATWAVE 2010]

I just read the article.... Tyrese seems very enthusiastic about this project. I love how he just jumped head first into this and is really interested in the comics business. If only everyone was so enthusiastic about the comics biz, the industry as a whole would not be in such a rut and would have been able to rebound after the fallout after the mid-90's boom.

The penciller on this project seems very raw and definitely needs to improve the storytelling part of his art. The lettering boxes and bubbles seemed misplaced and it was hard for me to follow. I re-read it a few times before I was finally able to follow the story. Maybe it's me, but I doubt it.

Tyrese, if you're reading this as you say you frequent online forums, the trick to making a good comic book is the same as making a good movie. You need good characters, good stories, and catchy advertising. The stories should have a point, and not be just 22 pages of half naked females or relentless gun fights. Take the readers for a ride, and give them a good pay-off.

I whole heartedly agree with Tyrese's comments about the industry though. There isn't nearly enough advertising. It seems that the industry as a whole has just given up on the kids or any new customers and are just trying to cater to the existing customers. That's nice that they (sometimes) listen to the fans, but the trick to keeping an industry alive is to keep new customers coming in. I myself have not bought comics for a long time, and am just now getting back into them, but from what I've read and seen, it seems like the industry is a lot weaker than when I was collecting comics in the early 90's. Yes it was indeed a boom period where anything and everything sold well, and there had to be an end to the boom at some point, but the drastic drop in sales and the non-existent recovery since is a direct result of the comics biz not trying to bring in new customers. I don't buy the excuse that kids are too busy playing video games and such. Because even though they play video games, they still find the time and money to buy $200.00 mp3 players, $100 sneakers, and $75.00 t-shirts. If Apple, Nike, and Ed Hardy can trick the kids into buying this stuff, then how come Marvel and DC can't get them to buy $3.00 comic books? Like Tyrese said, how come there aren't comic book ads on buses? Why isn't there a bigger push in mainstream advertising by the big two? They have the means to reach a bigger audience. It's not rocket science. Disney is able to exploit the youngest of generations, why can't the comic industry do it too? This is the best time to promote the business and the industry as comic book characters and stories are better they ever have been and the characters are also ruling Hollywood. There are simple things that can be done to help the industry and help new readers discover the joy of comic books. For example, Marvel could have included gift certificates with the Iron Man DVD to be redeemed at any local comic shops for a free Iron Man comic instead of just including a small comic with the DVD, or having a digital comic as an extra feature. That way, it forces the consumer to make the trip to the comic book store where they'll discover the many other titles and items that are available. It will also help the customer who has never even seen a comic book, and it just might reel them in. And why are there no longer any comics at the grocery stores? That is one of the likeliest place kids will see the comics, and yet I haven't seen them in grocery stores for years. I remember I bought my first comic (Amazing Spiderman #361 ) years ago at a grocery store. Before that I had never even seen a comic book. Among the product placement, there are tons of other ways to get people interested in comic books, too many to list here. Heck, even a reference to 1-800-Comic Book in the credits of a film would help. I just hope Tyrese will influence the big wigs to do more for the industry, instead of just worrying about the next event book, or the latest variant cover to leach more money out of an already thinning population of fans.

[sHayden]

I can't get excited over this. From what I have seen, a lot stronger stuff has been rejected by Image. Right now I am growing tired of actors and celebrities coming into comic books for a quick poke. It just makes it harder for unknown creators to get noticed.

I'm not on board for the book, it doesn't hold any interest for me.
While some celebrity comics fail (the one with Rosario Dawson) some, like the Umbrella Academy are quite good. I will give Mr. Gibson credit for being enthusiastic and seemingly interested in the process. If his interest does not falter it may lead to some of these "unknown creators" to start showcasing artwork and their writing.

[HotDawgJohnny]

Yeah if you wanna make a good comic, it can't just be " guy with mask shooting stuff" its gota be like as good as a movie, alot better then Stan Lee's Lightspeed

[prismablue]

I can't get excited over this. From what I have seen, a lot stronger stuff has been rejected by Image. Right now I am growing tired of actors and celebrities coming into comic books for a quick poke. It just makes it harder for unknown creators to get noticed.

How does it make it harder for unknown cartoonists? His creative team is unknown so he's making it easier for them. People buying this book doesn't hurt any 'unknowns'. I don't follow the logic?

[jediracer]

I'll buy it if Tyrese Gibson posts in this thread. Hell, I'll buy two copies if he posts in this thread.