Rasl #2 finally arrived, and was devoured again and again and again.  What else is a reader to do until the next issue arrives?

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Comics on Comics had a chance to interview Bone creator, Jeff Smith at the Book Expo America a couple of weeks ago, and have finally gotten around to posting the video on the Interwebs.

Online Videos by Veoh.com

via Comics on Comics

If you were wetting yourself in anticipation of Jeff Smith’s RASL #2 arriving next week, your bladder is in luck as the book arrives a week early - hitting stores today.

Don’t forget that RASL is for mature readers. I’m actually printing that on the book this time because at the last few events I’ve attended (BONE & BEYOND at the Wexner Center, and Book Expo America) a lot of parents and librarians were picking up copies of RASL for their kids. I thought I’d done enough interviews over the last year to spread the word about the more grown-up noir aspects of this title, but maybe not.

Take the jump for a three page preview.

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Ohio State University has a new Jeff Smith exhibit going on that features Jeff’s work for the college newspaper.  The strips, called Thorn, is being collected into a tome that has been signed by Jeff.

If you want all things Smith, you better hurry; the collection is limited to 500 signed copies, and with a $25 cover price, will go fast.  If you want your Jeff Smith: Before Bone collection, head over to the Cartoon Research Library before they are all gone.

via Boneville

Jeff Smith announced that all 24,000 copies of RASL #1 have sold out, prompting him to send the issue back to press. The second printing will feature a new color logo and back cover design. You can expect to see solicitations for the new issue in Diamond soon.

via Boneville

Stealing art and dimension jumping for fun and profit

When I first saw Jeff Smith’s cover for RASL #1, I must say I was less than impressed with what was coming from the Bone creator. Then slowly but surely I began to hear rumors that this was going to be a great series. Then low and behold, the first issue arrived at my doorstep a few weeks ago and I got to find out what all the hullabaloo was for myself. They say you can’t judge a book by its cover, and I’m going to have to agree.

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According to the Hollywood Reporter, Warner Bros. has picked up the rights to produce a Bone movie based on Jeff Smith’s indie title.

Smith will executive produce the movie, but the big question is what format the flick will take.

An animated version was in development at Nickelodeon Films but fell through, partly because Smith was displeased that the studio was aiming it for kids and wanted the film to include pop songs.

I say get PIXAR to do it, make it a stunning 3D movie and make millions.  The big drawback is PIXAR is owned by Disney/Apple and Warner Bros. wouldn’t go that far to jump in those waters.

via Hollywood Reporter 

It’s a once in a lifetime chance to get your hands on an original page from Jeff Smith. Smith and others are donating art to the Comic Book Legal Defense fund to help pay for the growing court costs in the Gordon Lee Case.

In case you aren’t familiar with the case, Lee is a comic shop owner in Georgia who could go to jail for selling a comic that has a scene of Picasso walking around in the nude to a minor. Gordon claims he didn’t know the scene was in the book and has appologized, but that hasn’t stopped the sue happy family and the crazy state of Georgia from taking him to court.

The CBLDF has already spent $80,000 defending Gordon and expect to need another $20,000.

I don’t sell my original art, and I’ve never donated an interior story page to anything before, but this case against comics must not succeed. No one should go to jail for selling art.

Take the jump for the black and white image up for sale from Smith, as well as the open letter from Jim Lee who is calling for your help.

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Jeff Smith has an interesting argument for why Mr. Talky Tawny works in Shazam!, and even gives readers a glimpse of said talking tiger over at his blog page. Of even greater interest is Smith’s breakdown of the creation of a panel; from blue pencil to inks to completion.

I can’t say it enough, I am totally digging what is going on with MSE. While it is a modern retelling of the original story, I’m going to guess Smith is going to slam dunk this mini-series.

via Boneville (link)

Jeff Smith has updated his blog to include sketches and images of the very young Mary Marvel from the upcoming DC Comics Shazam! Monster Society of Evil mini-series.

This is one series I can’t wait to pick up. Smith’s artwork rocks, and I’m becoming more and more of a Shazam fan each day.

Shazam! Monster Society of Evil #1 hits stands February 7, 2007.

via Jeff Smith (link)

If you were blown away by the preview of Shazam! Monster Society of Evil as I was, then you will really dig Jeff Smith’s comparrison of the Golden Age panels that inspired Smith’s version.

Take the jump for the side by side.

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DC Comics has made available a five page preview of the upcoming Shazam: The Monster society of Evil #1. I really like the art style in this four issue miniseries, and why wouldn’t I? It’s by Bone creator Jeff Smith!

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