Gates The Comic by Hal Hefner, Presented by Heavy Metal

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20 Twenty Things Every Sci-Fi Nerd Should Own Physically and Emotionally

by Hef on March 24, 2012 at 9:33 am

So you think you’re a NERD. Not the kind of nerd that would hang out with Lamar and Booger and the other Tri-Lams–BUT a REAL Sci-Fi NERD. Whell let’s just how how nerdy you really are. Below is a little checklist of 20 Things Every Sci-Fi Nerd Should Own To Earn, physically as well as emotionally. If you “own” at least twelve of these twenty things, you are entitled to your SCI-FI Nerd Badge.

My name is Hal Hefner, I am a Sci-Fi nerd. I create Sci-Fi nerd dreams with my comic Gates, the flagship product of an epic science fiction franchise. How nerdy are you?

Go for it. I dare ya…

1) Conan The Barbarian Soundtrack:
If you are a fan of the movie, Conan the Barbarian then you know how awesome the soundtrack is as well. Great music by Basil Poledouris set the tone of the movie and is an epic score to kick ass to.

2) Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep:
This is the book by Phillip K. Dick that inspired Ridley Scott’s Bladerunner. It’s good, real good and in fills in lots of holes in the movie and also gives you a different twist on it. Great, easy read even for you folks out there who haven’t read a book since college.

3) The Twilight Zone Collection:
The Twilight Zone is one of if not the greatest TV show ever. For any aspiring Sci-Fi geek and or creator, it is essential guide to storytelling, RIP Rod Serling, a genius way ahead of his time.

4) The Original Star Wars Trilogy – WITHOUT ANY ADDED CRAP
We didn’t need Boba Fett and Jabba to show up in the a New Hope. We didn’t need anymore crappy creatures that added no value and we all certainly know: HAN SHOT FIRST.

5) A Profound Hatred for Star Trek Enterprise:
Need I say more? Okay, I will. Brannon Braga’s take on the Star Trek universe was crap.

6) The Lord of The Rings Extended Edition, The Soundtracks and all of the books;
You’ve gotta own it all. Own it. Live it. Love it.

7) A Profound Sadness for the Way Battlestar Galactica Ended:
There’s a lot of us that feel we got hosed with that ending. I can still hear Jim Hendrix’s, All Along the Watchtower playing in my head and I’m thinking WTF is this?

8 ) A Passionately Favorite Version of the REAL Doctor Who:
Tom Baker. Period. And I will gladly meet you in an alley to fight about it.
9) A Fear That Will Smith Will Someday Star in The Movie Adaptation of Your Favorite Book:
Every character is the same, that wise cracking boy from Philadelphia living with his cousin Carlton and Uncle Phil.

10) Toys from Your Childhood That You Refuse To Part With:
I still have my original Kermit the Frog from when I was three and my first Boba Fett. Trump that.

11) The Belief that the Word Midichlorian Was Just from a Nightmare and NOT a real Star Wars Movie:
This is just a dream. Metachlorians are not real. Seriously. It’s just a bad joke and it will be over when I wake up. AHHHHHHHH!!!!!

12) The Original Tron Movie:
You own it. You love it. It loves you.

13) An affection for the TV show Firefly:
Every Sci-Fi nerd loves this show. If you don’t you are a loser.

14) A Hatred for Chris O’Donnell:
As Robin, he was the harbinger of death for the original Batman movie franchise.

15) You Know Asimov’s Three Laws of Robotics:
Learn it now if you don’t know it.

16) You think Cheetara is HOT!
The star of two version of Thundercats cartoons was also the star of your wet dream. Admit it, you’d love to let her claw your back and bite your neck. GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR

17) You Believe Aliens are our REAL Gods:
If you read enough science fiction, and of the right kind, all of those books questioning are existence in the universe, finally open up some possibilities for you. BUT depending on where you live, who your parents are and who you are sleeping with, you may not admit this in public.

18) You Have a Favorite Animated Cult Sci-Fi Movie:
There are so many to pick from. Many will choose Heavy Metal.

19) You Blame Hot Rod for Optimus Prime’s Death:
Well, it was his fault. And after Optimus rose form the grave Rodimus got hosed. AND DESERVEDLY SO!

20) You DESPISE Michael Bay for Masturbating on your Childhood.
The king of explosions, inexplicably keeps making million dollar movies and in the process he has destroyed the Transformers and has now decided to shit on the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles by making the aliens in his new adaptation. Someone needs to destroy the people at Paramount for allowing him to live. Michael Bay is the fucking anti-Christ.

8 Comments

Remembering Moebius, Comic Artist and Creative Storyteller – Au reviour!

by Hef on March 10, 2012 at 10:14 am

It is with great sadness that I write this article.

One of my favorite artists and someone who was a direct inspiration for me in EVERYTHING that I do has passed on to become one with the great consciousness of the universe. French comic-book artist, designer and creative innovator, Jean Giraud, (Moebius), died overnight at the age of 74 after a long illness, an associate and work colleague reported from Paris, France.

Moebius was a legend. An artist yes but at heart Moebius was an amazing storyteller. He used his art to tell stories. Without Moebius, there would be no Heavy Metal. There would be no me.

Jean Henri Gaston Giraud was one of the world’s leading cartoonists, artists and thinkers, who also found a large and loyal following in Japan and the United States. Moebius was the modern day Shaman shared his tales of science fiction and fantasy around the international fires of the independent comic book industry.

As well as being published in top French magazines, and being one of the co founders of Metal Hurlant, which in the US became Heavy Metal, Moebius worked with Japanese manga artists and co-produced and illustrated, Marvel’s, The Silver Surfer with Stan Lee.

Giraud also contributed to a number of blockbuster movies all over the world. In the early 80′s he and famous French Animator, Rene Laloux, creator of the movie Fantastic Planet, co-piloted the movie, Time Masters. It was a great film and visually stunning with a very interesting take on time. Laloux is to animation as Moebius is to comics and this pairing was incredible.

Back in 2001, I met Moebius at a screening of Time Masters, at the Egyptian Theater in Hollywood. I actually showed him my tattoo that I have of Fantastic Planet on my arm and he loved it, ” OHHH, I will tell Rene when I get back to France. It is the most beautiful tattoo I have seen of this, Rene will be pleased.” I also discussed my initial concepts for the Gates comic book with him for a second and he encouraged me to keep going and not to ever get discouraged.

Moebius was an inspiration to me…not only because of the work he did, but the work he didn’t do.

There was the ill fated Dune movie by Alejandro Jodorowsky, that Moebius did some amazing character designs for. Below are his conceptions of some of the characters. They are pretty awesome.

Paul Atreides concept art by Moebius for Alejandro Jodorowsky’s Dune

Baron Harkonnen concept art by Moebius for Alejandro Jodorowsky’s Dune

In 2010 France’s Cartier Foundation for Contemporary Art produced a far out, retrospective of Moebius’ work that was so uniquely designed and constructed that it was a desire of mine to see–but I never did.

But I did meet Moebius and his work has inspired me since I was a teenager.

Below are some links to some articles I’ve written about him over the years.

Moebius: one of my favorite Heavy Metal comic book artists.

Moebius animated series Arzak.

Au revoir Moebius, My dear shamanistic inspiration. May your travels into the next stage of consciousness be as creative as those wonderful days you spent on planet Earth.

2 Comments

The Geeks of Doom Reviewed the Gates Comic Book Soundtrack!

by Hef on February 16, 2012 at 12:00 am

The Geeks of Doom website is a very fun pop culture menagerie of nerd stuff in the world of music, comics, art and anything and everything fanboy geeky.

In mid January, the Geeks of Doom Website did a review of the Gates soundtrack that was released to accompany the epic science fiction comic book back in August of 2011.

They had some nice things to say about teh soundtrack and really seemed to get the

GatesSoundtrackVolume1 The Geeks of Doom Reviewed the Gates Comic Book Soundtrack!

“vibe” we were going for. One of the things I really appreciated is how they mentioned that Gates is dedicated to the art of Frank Frazetta and the music of Ronnie James Dio as well as an homage to the original soundtrack of the 1981 Heavy Metal film.

So Special thanks to Dan Bond (Obi Dan) for taking the time to review the soundtrack and give us some props. Much appreciated!

You can also

BUY THE SOUNDTRACK TO GATES: The webcomic presented by Heavy Metal and created by Hal Hefner – NOW!!!

…AND MAKE A SMALL DONATION TO THE RONNIE JAMES DIO STAND UP AND SHOUT CANCER FUND.

100% of the proceeds go to the cancer fund in Dio’s name.

It is available for download on iTunes and AmazonMP3

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Sci-Fi Inspiration for Creators: Moebius – Arzak Rhapsody Animated Series

by Hef on January 26, 2012 at 12:01 am

If you love Heavy Metal then you know who Moebius is.

And if you don’t know who Moebius, please let me enlighten you.

MOEBIUS = Jean Henri Gaston Giraud

Jean Henri Gaston Giraud has earned worldwide fame as an innovator and creative genius under the pseudonym Moebius. Back in the 1970′s Moebius was involved in the creation of Metal Hurlant.

Arzak was a psychedelic comic of surreal weirdness with a sci-fi meets spaghetti western twist from the 1970′s, created by Moebius for sci-fi/fantasy comics magazine Metal Hurlant. In the United States, Metal Hurlant became, Heavy Metal Magazine.

Arzak is said to be the inspiration for the lastsegment, “Taarna” from the 1981 animated cult classic, Heavy Metal.

Rhapsody is designed and directed by Jean Giraud / Moebius and is co-produced with Wolfland Pictures and the Carrere Group . It is an animated comic that is filled with coolness and is a pleasure to watch. If you love sci-fi comics, this will thrill you and utterly confuse you at times but that’s the best part.

Below you will find the entire collection of Rhapsody videos that were posted on YouTube. They are in Spanish, which actually gives it a very cool feel adding to the allure of this timeless classic. This si the kind of nerd stuff I love to share as this comic and Moebius himself are Huge inspirations on me, heavy Metal Magazine and of course, Gates the epic sci-fi comic I create for Heavy Metal Magazine.

Chapter 1

0 Sci Fi Inspiration for Creators: Moebius Arzak Rhapsody Animated Series

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

2 Comments

Marvel Comics Hotlist: Marvel’s 15 Hottest Babes

by Hef on January 19, 2012 at 12:01 am

As person who was born with the last name Hefner, what can I say except that I LOVE women! It was my destiny to draw and write about hot girls…as well as science fiction when you factor in the first name (Hal) as well. And since I do write and illustrate Gates, Heavy Metal’s first online comic, in my own head all of these delusions of grandeur make me the perfect outsider to rank Marvel’s blistering babes of beauty.

So I took it upon my opinionated self to sit back, relax and rank the hotties of the Marvel Universe. Since the new 52 arrived for DC I have really not payed attention to what is going on there, so it was best that I chose to look at Marvel and their lineup of super sexy hot villains and super heroines. I know them well having grown up with them and in all honesty my loyalties rest more-so with Marvel than DC…even though Marvel supports SOPA. So at this point in time I am boycotting both Marvel and DC comics and my only way to discuss them is through an online beauty pageant.

As for this beauty pageant list of Marvel’s hottest chicks, the qualifications were pretty simple. Hot bodies, hot faces, hot powers and sexiness.

It was a difficult process narrowing down who should be included on this list of Marvel’s beauty queens. However I HAD to make a choice. Unfortunately some of Marvel’s girls had to be left off, like Polaris and Namora to name a couple. And it was a difficult decision ranking these hotties as well.

But I managed to do it…So without further delay, here are my choices for Marvel’s 15 Hottest Women.

15) Psylocke = Betsy Braddock
Purple hair, an amazing body and enchanted by Merlin, imagine the things she could do to a man.

Psylocke 04 150x150 Marvel Comics Hotlist: Marvels 15 Hottest Babes

14) Rogue = Anna Marie (full name unknown)
A southern girl with lots of spunk, Rogue is so hot you can’t even touch her…or you’ll get your life sucked out of you.

ROGUE001 medium 150x150 Marvel Comics Hotlist: Marvels 15 Hottest Babes

13) Dagger = Tandy Bowen
The girl is sexy in that whitey tighty outfit and can throw light daggers that do everything from cure drug addiction to forcing people to confront their own demons.

dagger1 Marvel Comics Hotlist: Marvels 15 Hottest Babes

12) Tigra = Greer Nelson
What man would not want to get nasty with a cat woman? Grrrrr

tigra1 Marvel Comics Hotlist: Marvels 15 Hottest Babes

11) Mystique = Raven Darkholme
Blue skin, amazing body and to top it off can shape-shift into anything. She would make an interesting one night stand

Mystique Vol 1 12 Textless 150x150 Marvel Comics Hotlist: Marvels 15 Hottest Babes

10) She-Hulk = Jennifer Walters
Big green and sexy, what man wouldn’t wanted to be dominated by this hot hero?

she hulk 150x150 Marvel Comics Hotlist: Marvels 15 Hottest Babes

9) Scarlet Witch = Wanda Maximoff
A crazy sorceress who is into sex with androids. She might make for a fun night that only Clive Barker could dream about.

scarlet witch 150x150 Marvel Comics Hotlist: Marvels 15 Hottest Babes

8 ) Black Widow = Natasha Romanova
Sleek, sexy and dressed in skin tight black leather, this is one Russian babe who could paint your town red very quickly.

widow060606 150x150 Marvel Comics Hotlist: Marvels 15 Hottest Babes

7) Ms. Marvel = Carol Danvers
Ms. Marvel is one sexy alcoholic who looks to be a real warrior in the bedroom.

Ms Marvel by JPRart 150x150 Marvel Comics Hotlist: Marvels 15 Hottest Babes

6) Black Cat = Felicia Hardy
She is a sleek and sexy ex-catburgler with a body to die for but Spider Man chose Lindsey Lohan like Mary Jane Watson instead? WTF?

black cat Marvel Comics Hotlist: Marvels 15 Hottest Babes

5) Elektra = Elektra Natchios
Elektra is one Greek Goddess Assassin who can rock your world with her ass kicking moves.

Elektra 07 150x150 Marvel Comics Hotlist: Marvels 15 Hottest Babes

4) Storm = Ororo Munro
An African priestess with a bangin’ body, a beautiful booty, white hair and can rock a mohawk better than Grace Jones, Storm is a “thunderous” babe.

Stormcivilwar 150x150 Marvel Comics Hotlist: Marvels 15 Hottest Babes

3) Phoenix = Jean Grey
As Marvel Girl, Jean Grey was cute. But as Phoenix she was diabolically delicious, especially the darker she got.

JeanGrey442 Marvel Comics Hotlist: Marvels 15 Hottest Babes

2) Spider Woman = Jessica Drew
This curvaceous black haired she-arachnid is ass-kickingly beautiful in a Jaclyn Smith in her prime type of way.

spider woman Marvel Comics Hotlist: Marvels 15 Hottest Babes

1) The White Queen = Emma Frost
Emma frost is as sexy and sultry as any comic book seductress can get. Her cold chill cannot does nothing to defrost her hotness. Her inner battle with good and evil only makes her hotter.

emmafrost Marvel Comics Hotlist: Marvels 15 Hottest Babes

All characters are Copyright of the Marvel Universe. Their images and information are found on the official Marvel Web Page, that has character bios and anything and everything you desire to know about the Marvel Universe.

Thank you Marvel for creating these hot babes! BUT I’m very disappointed in YOU for supporting SOPA. Maybe if you were a little quicker at embracing understanding and innovating the digital space, you wouldn’t have to support SOPA. Blame yourself not others.

2 Comments

STOP SOPA AND PIPA THEY WILL DESTROY THE FREEDOM OF THE INTERNET

by Hef on January 17, 2012 at 12:01 am

THIS WEEK’S REGULARLY SCHEDULED PAGE OF GATES

WILL BE DISRUPTED DUE TO A BOYCOTT OF TWO BILLS

THAT ARE ANTI-FREEDOM AND ANTI-INTELLIGENT!!!!!

The Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA, H.R. 3261):

The Protect IP Act (PIPA, S. 968)

The Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA, H.R. 3261) is on the surface a “HAPPY” bill that claims to attempt to curb the online piracy of copyrighted media content. As a creator of an IP myself in Gates the comic book, I myself believe that it would be nice to have something in place that could protect my hard work more. However as sadly as this may be, the proposed way SOPA goes about attempting to do this would devastate the online economy and the overall freedom of the internet that all of us enjoy today. In particular this bill will affect sites with heavy user generated content, for example like Youtube, Reddit, Facebook, Twitter, and many other sites may cease to exist in their current form if this bill is passed and enforced with a heavy hand of censorship, ignorance and laziness.

Basically we will all pay for the laziness and stupidity of companies such as Marvel comics, who support the bill yet were not intelligent enough to embrace and capitalize on the growing internet opportunities before the were pirated to the point of online in effectiveness. The music industry and companies like BMG, were also ravaged by the laziness of their executives who moved too little too late to embrace the internet and how it could benefit their artists. Instead of work on new technologies to protect their IP’s or new business models to promote and distribute their content, these multi-billion dollar babies, have cowardly banded together to create an asinine “Patriot Act”-like abuse of power that will ravage the internet if employed.

The Protect IP Act (PIPA, S. 968) is SOPA’s twin in the Senate. Under current DMCA law, if a user uploads a copyrighted movie to sites like Youtube, the site isn’t held accountable so long as they provide a way to report user infringement. The user who uploaded the movie is held accountable for their actions, not the site. PIPA would change that – it would place the blame on the site itself, and would also provide a way for copyright holders to seize the site’s domain in extreme circumstances.

The Protect IP Act (PIPA, S. 968) is SOPA’s twin in the Senate and just as harmful and ridiculous. Under the current DMCA law, if a user uploads a copyrighted movie to a sites like Vimeo or Youtube, that particular site isn’t held accountable, as long as they provide a way to report user infringement and the company being infringed upon can block the content. Youtube is very good about this and is policed very well. It is the user who uploaded the video, that is held accountable for their actions, not the site that is hosting the content. PIPA would change that and it would place the blame on the site itself, which is bad enough, but to make matters worse, it would also provide a way for these copyright holders to seize the site’s domain in extreme circumstances and shut it down in true communistic, Big Brother like fashion.

Here are some links to learn more about SOPA & PIPA and for you to take a stand against it, like I have.

America was built on a cry of freedom to stop the evil’s of empires form ruling society, holding it back and crushing the ability for the common man to survive and make a living. This heavy handed act of cowardly ignorance is ant0-freedom, anti-American and is another way for governments, lobbyists and multi-billion dollar corporations of greed to control our lives and keep the economy in their control.

This is the 1% that the Occupy movement discusses.

This is the 1% being backed into a corner and being afraid.

WE MUST FIGHT THEM! OR BIG BROTHER WILL SURELY WIN!

war is peace

freedom is slavery

ignorance is strength..BIG BROTHER IS WATCHING YOU!

On Jan 24th, Congress will vote to pass internet censorship in the Senate…Even though the a gigantic population of intelligent, tax paying Americans are opposed to this act of cowardliness. We need to kill the bills, specifically PIPA in the Senate and SOPA in the House. We must protect our rights to free speech, privacy, and economic and intellectual prosperity.

“THIS AGGRESSION WILL NOT STAND” – JEFFERY LABOWSKI

0 STOP SOPA AND PIPA THEY WILL DESTROY THE FREEDOM OF THE INTERNET

List of Supporters: H.R. 3261, the Stop Online Piracy Act

60 Plus Association

ABC

Alliance for Safe Online Pharmacies (ASOP)

American Federation of Musicians (AFM)

American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (AFTRA)

American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP)

Americans for Tax Reform

Artists and Allied Crafts of the United States

Association of American Publishers (AAP)

Association of State Criminal Investigative Agencies

Association of Talent Agents (ATA)

Baker & Hostetler LLP

Beachbody, LLC

BMI

BMG Chrysalis

Building and Construction Trades Department

Capitol Records Nashville

CBS

Cengage Learning

Christian Music Trade Association

Church Music Publishers’ Association

Coalition Against Online Video Piracy (CAOVP)

Comcast/NBCUniversal

Concerned Women for America (CWA)

Congressional Fire Services Institute

Copyhype

Coty, Inc.

Council of Better Business Bureaus (CBBB)

Council of State Governments

Country Music Association

Country Music Television

Covington & Burling LLP

Cowan, DeBaets, Abrahams & Sheppard LLP

Cowan, Liebowitz & Latman, P.C.

Creative America

Davis Wright Tremaine LLP

Deluxe

Directors Guild of America (DGA)

Disney Publishing Worldwide, Inc.

Elsevier

EMI Christian Music Group

EMI Music Publishing

ESPN

Estée Lauder Companies

Fraternal Order of Police (FOP)

Gospel Music Association

Graphic Artists Guild

Hachette Book Group

HarperCollins Publishers Worldwide, Inc.

Hyperion

Independent Film & Television Alliance (IFTA)

International Alliance of Theatrical and Stage Employees (IATSE)

International AntiCounterfeiting Coalition (IACC)

International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW)

International Brotherhood of Teamsters (IBT)

International Trademark Association (INTA)

International Union of Police Associations

Irell & Manella LLP

Jenner & Block LLP

Kelley Drye & Warren LLP

Kendall Brill & Klieger LLP

Kinsella Weitzman Iser Kump & Aldisert LLP

L’Oreal

Lathrop & Gage LLP

Loeb & Loeb LLP

Lost Highway Records

Macmillan

Major County Sheriffs

Major League Baseball

Majority City Chiefs

Marvel Entertainment, LLC

MasterCard Worldwide

MCA Records

McGraw-Hill Education

Mercury Nashville

Minor League Baseball (MiLB)

Minority Media & Telecom Council (MMTC)

Mitchell Silberberg & Knupp LLP

Morrison & Foerster LLP

Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA)

Moving Picture Technicians

MPA

The Association of Magazine Media

National Association of Manufacturers (NAM)

National Association of Prosecutor Coordinators

National Association of State Chief Information Officers

National Cable & Telecommunications Association (NCTA)

National Center for Victims of Crime

National Crime Justice Association

National District Attorneys Association

National Domestic Preparedness Coalition

National Football League

National Governors Association, Economic Development and Commerce Committee

National League of Cities

National Narcotics Offers’ Associations’ Coalition

National Sheriffs

Association (NSA)

National Songwriters Association

National Troopers Coalition

News Corporation

Patterson Belknap Webb & Tyler LLP

Pearson Education

Penguin Group (USA), Inc.

Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA)

Phillips Nizer, LLP

Pfizer, Inc.

Proskauer Rose LLP

Provident Music Group

Random House

Raulet Property Partners

Republic Nashville

Revlon

Robins, Kaplan, Miller & Ciresi LLP

Scholastic, Inc.

Screen Actors Guild (SAG)

Shearman & Sterling LLP

Showdog Universal Music

Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP

Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP

Sony/ATV Music Publishing

Sony Music Entertainment

Sony Music Nashville

State International Development Organization (SIDO)

The National Association of Theatre Owners (NATO)

The Perseus Books Groups

The United States Conference of Mayors

Tiffany & Co.

Time Warner

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4 Sci-Fi Movies That Will Rock in 2012 and 4 That Will Suck

by Hef on January 12, 2012 at 12:01 am

1) The Hobbit: (yes I know it’s more Fantasy than Sci-fi but needs to be on here)

In a hole in the ground there lived a Hobbit… Oh man, I am so excited about this movie. Of all of Tolkien’s books about Middle Earth, this was always my favorite. The trailer and the cast are absolutely stunning. Jackson has already delivered us the magic three times so why not a fourth? This movie looks like a surefire hit from beginning to end and is one I have been waiting for since I was a child. I cannot wait to see Smog and here the word, ” my preciousssssssss,” one more time!

0 4 Sci Fi Movies That Will Rock in 2012 and 4 That Will Suck

2) Prometheus:

This trailer is a nerdgasmic plunge into dark, creepy science fiction and I think this may be the best film of 2012. I am coming into the Alien prequal with lofty expectations and I think it will deliver. Ridley Scott has put together a nostalgic piece of sci-fi that should be one hell of a horrific ride. The creatures and the set design and animation look incredibly real and evil. This is the kind of stuff I have been missing from the anus of Hollywood for a long time. There have been too many pieces of crap from Michael Bay’s exploding vagina as of late. “Step aside Butch,” the Aliens are in the house.

3) Batman, The Dark Knight Rises:

Christopher Nolan will deliver. The bits and pieces we’ve seen so far all say so. I love Batman and I love HIS Batman. Though I was never a fan of Bane, I think Nolan’s version will be WAY better than the comic. My only reservations are Anne Hathaway as Catwoman. I’m not a fan of hers and I don’t think she has the sex appeal that Catwoman needs. BUT, Nolan is amazing so I expect this to be her best performance.

4) Snow White and The Huntsman:

Hate on Kristen Stewart all you want but this movie looks like a very dark and evil retelling of the Snow White story. It seems much more exciting than Abe Lincoln hunting vampires. Stewart stars alongside Thor’s Chris Hemsworth in this new version of an old fairy tale. Charlize Theron as the evil queen looks like it could be a deliciously wicked bite of an apple.

(yes I know it’s more Fantasy than Sci-fi but needs to be on here)

4 Movies That Will Suck in 2012

1) The Avengers:

Yeah, yeah, yeah, I know I’m going to take some crap from all of you fan boys out there but this movie feels much more like Iron Man 2 to me than Iron Man 1. From the posters to the trailer, I just see a lack of chemistry between characters and I question Loki as an impressive villain in this one. To me Loki feels better suited for a Los Angeles Rave than the main villain in the Avengers. Maybe it’s just me but I am getting tired of Super Hero movies and this one just looks like an over hyped explosion fest that is waiting to disappoint. One main concern Marvel’s inability to correctly render the Hulk without making him look like a CGI cartoon. Lou Ferrigno is a better choice it might seem. If the Avengers opens up and the reviews are awful, it will crush the comic book to movie landslide that has been happening over the last decade plus. In all honesty though, I will see this film and I hope it will be better than I think it’s going to be. Thor was better than I thought but not by much. Whether anyone wants to admit it or not, there is a lot riding on the Avengers franchise–much more than studio executives or our pals at Marvel-Mouse want to own up to.

2) John Carter of Mars:

The book was awesome. The movie leaves much to be desired from the trailer. From the cast to the decision to change the scale and concepts of some of the book’s most fun characters. One of my friends suggested that it might make a better animated film and with that I don’t disagree. I’m afraid of this movie that it’s one of those that I will walk out of all pissed off of because of my love for the book. This will be the antithesis of Peter Jackson’s Hobbit film.

3) The Lorax:

The book was amazing, but like other Dr. Seuss movies, once they are elongated for the big screen, they lose their magic. This one certainly feels that way too. Very disappointed from what I’ve seen so far from the trailer of the Lorax. Way to go 1%!

4) Men in Black III:

Will Smith plays the same character in every movie and the last Men in Black film sucked worse than the first one. This is a franchise that just should have quit while it was ahead. It’s a pathetic grasp at something that originally sucked ass. If I was you, I’d stay away from this giant piece of crap at all costs.

ONE MOVIE I COULD CARE LESS ABOUT BUT I WISH I DID…

The Amazing Spider Man:

Meh. That’s all I have to say. In the last year or so Marvel has killed him in the comics so I guess I am just not interested in seeing them doing anything else to him. I will not see this movie. I do not care. Spider Man is and will always be one of my favorite super heroes. I know his origin and I know who he is to me. I don’t need more movie masturbation about him. Especially a retelling of his origin again with an actor who I don’t think feels like Peter Parker.

Now remember, opinions are like… You know what I mean. These are just mine. I’m open for debating these so please take your best shot. Especially all you people that love Marvel. Go for it…I dare ya.

Hal Hefner

creator of Gates, the science fiction comic book

halhefner@gmail.com

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Richard Corben’s Den and the Influence on Hal Hefner’s Comic Book Gates

by Hef on December 17, 2011 at 12:02 am

Gates is a an epic science fiction comic book, created by Hal Hefner (me) and currently being presented by Heavy Metal Magazine as an online comic. As of 12/16/2011 there are 52 pages of the comic book posted online and available for free. Although the majority of the book thus far takes place in a dystopian setting, it’s future will eventually expand into a whole other realm of epic science fiction and fantasy proportions.

As the creator of this universe, as both artist and writer, I have several major influences both inside and outside of the Heavy Metal universe. Moebius, HG Wells, Rod Serling, Phillip K. Dick, Aldous Huxley, Ray Bradbury, Frank Herbert, Frank Frazetta and many more. But one inspiration that has been very huge on me creatively is Richard Corben.

For those of you unfamiliar with Richard Corben, he is an ass kicking American illustrator and comic book artist, that is best known for his comics featured in Heavy Metal Magazine.

Corben first became affiliated with Heavy Metal Magazine n 1975, when Moebius, Druillet, and Jean-Pierre Dionnet began publishing the original version of the magazine, Métal Hurlant in France. Corben submitted some of his stories to them and the rest is history. Corben then continued his work for the franchise in America, when it was called Heavy Metal. In 1976 Corben adapted a very cool, short Robert E. Howard story in an early graphic novel, Bloodstar.

BLOODSTAR: THE FIRST GRAPHIC NOVEL
Corben’s Bloodstar was the first graphic novel to call itself a “graphic novel” in print and even labeled itself that in its introduction and dust jacket. It was published by The Morning Star Press in a limited signed and numbered edition and is hailed as the beginning of Graphic Novels.

DEN:
Corben’s most influential story drawn for Heavy Metal was Den, which had begun in the short film Neverwhere as well as short story in the underground publication, Grim Wit #2.

Below is the short film Neverwhere: Parts 1 & 2

0 Richard Corbens Den and the Influence on Hal Hefners Comic Book Gates

The saga of Den is epic in every way and is a fantasy sci-fi series about the adventures of a young nerd, who travels to Neverwhere. Neverwhere is a rich universe that is said to take inspirational nods from Robert E. Howard’s Hyborian Age, H. P. Lovecraft’s horror dimensions as well as Edgar Rice Burroughs’s Barsoom. In Neverwehere the young nerd boy is transformed into an enormously endowed nude muscleman like super hero, who has erotic adventures in an alien world of outrageous dangers, hideous monsters, and sexy nude women.

This story was also adapted into a highly abridged format in the animated film Heavy Metal, in which Den was voiced by none other than Canadian, comedy legend, John Candy.

Corben’s an artist and writer and his work is epic, detailed an inspiration to me on so many levels. Below are some of the images from Den and a few other selected works.

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(Mothman) Return To Point Pleasant Review by Hal Hefner

by Hef on September 8, 2011 at 1:01 am

HAL HEFNER’s REVIEW OF RETURN TO POINT PLEASANT, A VOLUME COMIC COLLECTION WRITTEN BY CHAD LAMBERT AND PUBLISHED BY APE ENTERTAINMENT:

If you’re a fan of science fiction, horror and fantasy, well do I have a tale for you. If you’re a fan of legends and myths, well do I have a tale for you. If you like Loch Ness, Bigfoot and love the tales of the too familiar stories that scared the shit out of you as a kid, well this is right up there.

Return to Point Pleasant is written by a man with a vast knowledge of the subject of what I would say is America’s second most famous Cryptozoic creature next to Bigfoot, (Sasquatch or whatever you want to call that hairy ape man)–THE MOTHMAN!

For those of you that don’t know who or what the Mothman is, then you’ll need a history lesson on the subject, and this si exactly what Chad Lambert gives you in Return to Point Pleasant.

The actual plot of the story is very fun and centers around a group of futuristic time traveling scientists who journey back to Point Pleasant, West Virginia in search of the infamous Mothman! Lambert takes you on a historical trek that begins at the Revolutionary War and focuses on the murder of Chief Cornstalk which many believe begins the chain of events that led to the birth of the Mothman in the form of a curse. Lambert then takes you on a journey all the way up to the 1967 Silver Bridge disaster, chronicling more than 200 years of paranormal folklore that comes to life in fully-painted color comic panels. And the crazy thing is what makes this so devilishly awesome is that it is based on true events!

When one of the greatest authors of our time says, (“Superb and Frightening! Bravo!’ – Ray Bradbury), you know you’ve got something here. And I agree, I think it’s really neat how Lambert weaves the myth and legends into a tale of time travel. Now I’m not one to ruin the plot here by telling too much, so I won’t, but I think either way, if you know the Mothman then you’ll love this. AND if you DON’T…then you will want to learn more. So before or after reading this book, I highly suggest you check out the documentary, Eyes of the Mothman, which is streaming on Netflix right now. Lambert is actually in the book and through his research and writings, I would consider him one of the foremost living experts on this bizarre subject. This is a great documentary and paints the Mothman and the negativity of town of Point Pleasant, West Virginia in a very creepy way.

I have to admit that if I could pick a negative from the book itself it would be some of the art I was not completely sold on, but I really think Lambert’s writing makes up for it. Some of the art was great though the cover in particular. Some of the art I downright despised but hey, I’m an artist too, and there are people out there who hate my art too so who cares really. Art is subjective anyway so my point is moot and I don’t mean to bag on anyone in particular–BECAUSE, again, it’s about the story and the myth of the Mothman that sets this book apart.

Chad Lambert’s compiled a collection of comics actually in , Return To Point Pleasant. Some would say it is probably a niche comic but damn it is some good writing and pacing. And for the most part, it assumes an existing knowledge of West Virginia’s curiosity of the creature known as The Mothman.

Check out the trailer below:

0 (Mothman) Return To Point Pleasant Review by Hal Hefner

Overall I give this book two thumbs up. I liked it so much, I reached out to Chad Lambert and we have began to correspond about comics, art, life and more. I’m looking forward to more of his writing.

Lambert ironically will be appearing at the MOTHMAN FESTIVAL, on September 16th-18th in Point Pleasant, West Virgina. Check it out!

In my next post I will discuss how the Mothman Legend has influenced Gates, my webcomic

THE MOTHMAN AND POP CULTURE:

The Mothman was most famously and originally immortalized in John A Keel‘s classic of journalism journey, The Mothman Prophecies . This was later adapted into a very well done and creepy film of the same name, featuring Richard Gere, Laura Linney and Will Patton.

The late John Keel, tells the modern myth splendidly and recounts The Mothman as the mysterious figure which has supposedly been haunting the residents of Point Pleasant, West Virginia, with prophecies of doom and fore-warnings of disaster. The initial appearance of the Mothman began in the late nineteen sixties when it first appeared to ambush the car of a bunch of teenagers near the notorious TNT polluted areas of the town.

Since the Mothman appeared, the creature has been explained as everything from the American Indian result of Chief Cornstalk’s curse, to UFOs, to Men In Black, to mutated birds, to Dinosaurs, to supernatural phenomena, to an explosion of mass hysteria, to proof of time travel, to straight out bullshit, to oh so much more.

So which is it? That’s for you to decide.

If you’re interested in the Mothman phenomenon, I suggest these 4 different items.

1) The Eyes of the Mothman Documentary

2) The Mothman Prophecies Book by John Keel

3) The Mothman Prophecies Movie based on John Keel’s book

4) Return to Point Pleasant Graphic Novel by Chad Lambert

Honestly, I’ve been fascinated with Mothman – and the potential interpretations and the influence on popular culture – since first seeing the Richard Gere film back in 2002, which led me to read John Keel’s book . In my next post on Saturday September 10th, I’ll discuss how the Mothman has influenced me and my art, for Gates my webcomic.

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Recap Digital LA Comic Panel – @MELTDOWN COMICS in Hollywood 7/18/11

by Hef on July 23, 2011 at 1:00 am

On Monday July 18th, I was part of a really cool panel hosted by DigitalLA at Meltdown Comics in Hollywood.

The room was jam packed with people and the panel was loaded with really awesome people who were on top of their game in the digital space when it comes to comic books.

It was very Marvel, DC and Indie flavored.

The goal was to discuss how comics and comic book characters are part of an overall entertainment franchise, including animation, games, movies, iPad apps, web series, and promotion via social media. We focused on this and all of the aspects of brand awareness and different variations of media platforms companies and independent creators are using to get their ideas to the masses. Just days before comic con in San Diego it was fun to get together and learn form and meet some amazing new peers who share the same passion for this industry as I do.

The Speakers Were:

- Thomas Jane, (and his adorable little daughter), actor (Hung, Punisher), Founder / President of Raw Studios (comics and graphic novels publisher with Tim Bradstreet) @thomasjane

- Todd Stashwick and Dennis Calero, creators of Devil Inside, an asskicking webcomic.

- TQ Jefferson, Marvel Entertainment, VP of Production, Games @Marvel

- David Uslan, Graphicly, VP of Business Development @graphicly; formerly at Branded Entertainment and ICM

- Dan Fraga, Director of Ricky Gervais show, illustrator on MTV’s Hard Times of RJ Berger animated sequences, former comic book artist for Marvel (Wolverine), DC (Superman), Image (Witchblade) @fragaboom

- Joelle Sellner, writer, Marvel Digital Holiday Issue, DC Comics Cartoon Network Action Pack. TV/animation: Avengers, Teen Titans, Jackie Chan Adventures @whereisjoelle

- Caroline Hu, Creative Director, Warner Bros. Consumer Products/Animation

- Bob Wayne, sales, for DC Comics

and last but not least…

- (ME) Hal Hefner, artist, writer and creator of Heavy Metal Magazine’s first online comic, Gates @gatesthecomic @halhefner

The moderator was Kevin Winston of Digital LA @DigitalLA @kevinwinston

It was a great night and I got to be exposed to a lot of great people doing some cool things. So here we go…

1) Devil Inside wecomic rocked. It’s going to be big and the creators, Todd Stashwick and Dennis Calero are doing an amazing job with it. I see this on TV and in my living room with real actors and an awesome new show that doesn’t suck. Fuck Glee, I want me some Devil Inside–which is a story about when the Devil get tired of being the Devil and calls it quits–and goes on the run in human form.

Check it out…I am going to be following these guys for sure!

These guys need and deserve our support.

2) Thomas Jane is a cool dude and Raw Studios is about to kick ass. I was the first introduction and of course dropped an F-Bomb, while Thomas Jane’s daughter was sitting there. She immediately called out, ” $1 – ONE DOLLAR!” It was funny and perfectly timed. And yes I gave her the dollar! I think they are about ready to blow up in a bug way with some new titles and some other fun things. Can’t wait to hear what happens next. My eyes will be on these guys too!

3) Graphic.ly is about to become the leading publisher of digital comics by being super innovative and embracing the fan feedback and transmedia opportunities that await all franchises. They are going to give a hub for the independat creator to compete with and rub elbows with the big dogs like Marvel, DC and more.

The audience was filled with up and coming comic stars and representatives from cool companies like deviantART to Comicbooked.com as well as Disney, Paramount and more. It was a great event and I was honored to be a part of it. David Uslan was an awesome guy and really explained the cool things that graphic.ly was about to do and in the process of doing right now. This company gets it and I’m excited to see where things are heading.

You can watch the panel in parts on TechZulu.com

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COMICS – New Biography Series on Legends of Comedy by Jaymes Reed & Bluewater

by Hef on July 21, 2011 at 1:26 am

COMICS: a word with double meaning. And for a fantastic series I have just stumbled upon, this word is just that.

COMICS is an all new biography series based on the legends of comedy. Issue #1 focused on my favorite comedian of all time–Geroge Carlin. Now for me, this is a real joy to dig into. To me George Carlin was not just a comedian but a philosopher who called it like he saw it and he saw it for what it really was. BULLSHIT!

Carlin hit home with me on a lot of levels and I credit some mind expansion as a young seeker looking for answers, to one of his shows I saw on the first week I went to college at RIT in Rochester New York in 1995. Carlin bagged on all of the things that needed to be bagged on. He called out the assholes who needed to be called out and he let big corporations, the media, religious and political outlets know that not all of us are NOT JUST sheep ready to be led to slaughter by your BULLSHIT!

George Carlin was a genius. And Jaymes Reed has eulogized him in a way no one else has–in a comic about comics. BRILLIANT!

This all-new biography series about stand-up comics, sitcom stars & comedians who have made a huge impact on popular culture is published by Bluewater Productions and was created by a very cool guy named Jaymes Reed. Jaymes is a comic letterer, writer and philosopher himself. Since the launch of Gates I have gotten to become friends with a lot of great folks on Facebook and Twitter and Jaymes is one in particular that I have gotten to know and respect greatly. I see Jaymes see as someone with great ideas and a cool outlook on life and people like that are the creators I want to buy comics from. As you can tell I’m not much of a superhero comic lover anymore. I’m tired of all of the reboots, deaths and other “bullshit” that comes with keeping up with comics these days. I’ve become much more of a horror, sci-fi and intellectually stimulating comic lover. And Jaymes has a great idea here and I want it to succeed.

This series is fantastic and I wanted to share it with you because he is taking a look at some legends of comedy in comic book format–and the first one is amazing! Launching this series is this in-depth narrative of the eventful (and sometimes tragic) life and career of arguably the greatest and most influential comedic genius of all time–George Carlin. If you loved George then you need to buy this comic right now. It’s written by Jaymes Reed and features beautifully painted illustrations by Apriyadi Kusbiantoro. Lucille Ball is the next immortal to be immortalized again in comic format by Reed and other great ones will follow. You can also check his website for more information.

Jaymes has created and owns this series, as opposed to all the others Bluewater does that are owned and operated by them. I am excited to see more marketing done by Bluewater on this series and will be paying close attention to what they are doing at Comic Con this week. I hope they promote this comic there because it’s the BEST series I’ve ever seen come out of Bluewater–and they do some cool stuff.

If you wish to get a copy, then you can check your local comic shops. Or you can easily go buy it now at Jaymes Reed’s secure online store.

I highly suggest it and I suggest you get to know Jaymes Reed. He’s making good work in a sea of crap and I applaud this comic! Cheers Jaymes!

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Apr 23, 2011	HR Giger – Master of “Heavy Metal” Macabre
Nov 19, 2011	Top 5 Best Ronnie James Dio Songs
Feb 12, 2011	Transhumanism and the Origins of the Genement
Feb 24, 2011	Gates Updates: What’s In The Works for Heavy Metal’s First Online Comic

Nov 6, 2010	GATES In The News
Feb 3, 2011	Questioning the Authority of the ConGenement
Dec 9, 2010	Heavy Metal magazine provides a preview of their first digital comic, Gates

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