Beau Smith Of The Flying Fist Ranch Surf Club.

by Beau Smith

The Shadow

** It’s been announced that Dynamite will be doing a new comic book featuring the pulp icon THE SHADOW. My suggestion to Dynamite is this, don’t mess with the history and basic idea of the character. We’ve seen other iconic characters such as Doc Savage, The Avenger, and The Lone Ranger crash and burn quickly because publishers/creative teams messed with the original idea that made the characters icons. Don’t make the mistake that you need to “bring them into today’s world” to make them work. That’s the nail in the coffin. If you think you have to make it so the hip young kids will relate to it today, then you’re dead in the four-color water. I also suspect you’ll find that when the book is solicited Dynamite will attach the names of Alex Ross, John Cassaday and Jae Lee to it, making the readers think these are the issue to issue creators. This has been done at Dynamite before. What it really means is they’ll be doing the many variant covers and not much more. The real writing and art will be done by industry workhorses that will never get enough credit for the work they are doing. I’d love to see THE SHADOW work where others have failed, I just don’t want to see more of the same mistakes.

New Avengers #16

** Mike Deodato’s art is so amazing. Make sure you check out the work he is doing on NEW AVENGERS #16 where DAREDEVIL joins the team. I’ve been a longtime fan of Mike’s work and was so lucky to have him as the artist on my STAR WARS TALES: Boba Fett story for Dark Horse Comics. Mike is a real master craftsman and story teller with an eye-popping style that reaches all generations of comic book readers. The stories in THE NEW AVENGERS has been great so far, but this issue with DAREDEVIL should really be a top notch affair. Check it out.

** Somebody please make me care about The X-Men comics again.

Daredevil

** DAREDEVIL #1 by Mark Waid is the perfect example of what DC Comics needs to do with their relaunch of characters to truly get readers on board and back every month. It’s been many years since I’ve seen such a perfectly performed blood transfusion bring a mainstream character back to life. DAREDEVIL looks to be THE book of the year. Mainstream superhero comics at their best.

** Everyone these days keep whining about lack of a strong female character in comics. Hey, there are plenty. Keep looking and you’ll find them. What writers should be doing is writing a strong character with a compelling story, THEN fill in the gender.

** Twitter has become my Social Media of first choice over taking Facebook. I use both, but Twitter is better suited to my needs. Come follow me @BeauSmithRanch. We’ll have fun there.

G.I. Joe With Chuck Dixon

** Have you read what Chuck Dixon is writing on G.I. Joe The Cobra Civil War and Snake Eyes over at IDW PUBLISHING? I’d say after reading these issues the next G.I. Joe movie has been written for them. This is action/adventure at its best.

The Human Torch

** I told you THE HUMAN TORCH would be back……

Alpha Flight #5

** ALPHA FLIGHT by Fred Van Lente & Dale Eaglesham has been one of the best “just under your radar” books out there. Please check it out and enjoy this book that’s as solid as a brick wall.

The Strange Talent Of Luther Strode

** I’ve been hearing some very good things about the upcoming Image comic book: THE STRANGE TALENT OF LUTHER STRODE by Justin Jordan & Tradd Moore. Really looking forward to it. Make sure you start sniffing around about it. I think we’re all gonna be pleased with what we find.

** Celebrate your love for comics and buy something way out of your regular read list. (Like one of the comics I’ve written. J)

Beauology 101 Front Of The Class

Okay, class is dismissed for this installment of Beauology 101. Remember, these lessons are MY personal opinions and no one else’s. Blame me or praise me, your choice. I hope to see you in class next time. Pretty girls sit in the front.

Your personal Professor X,

Beau Smith

The Flying Fist Ranch

www.flyingfistranch.com

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