LITG Volume 2 #14

Primal · Aug 23, 2005

Hit the CBR link below to read more.

LYING IN THE GUTTERS VOLUME 2, #14

Green is the most reliable, Amber means there's likely an interest involved or the likelihood isn't set and Red means even I can't quite bring myself to believe it.

DREAM SITE

Dream Engine, the new company started by Roger and Pat Lee, has updated its website significantly. And it's an aural and visual feast, setting out the company's plans and achievements in a very snazzy fashion. Must have cost a small Porsche, this.

It's also totally ripe for taking the piss.

From the start page: "It is often said 'A picture is worth a thousand words'" - Actually it's worth more if you don't have to pay for it.

There's a section for "Principals"... I thought they didn't have any? But under that section are biographies for Pat, Roger and Chairman Of Production Yeon Yi Rhee, in a codename/superpowers fashion. That should be comical enough in itself, but that's not enough for Dreamwave.

Apparently Pat Lee has, "Mastered the venemous brush..." and his unique skill is "Preying." I doubt many of the DreamWave employees would argue with that. Pat may mean "Praying" here - but probably doesn't mean "Paying." He also "Treasures Loyalty, and detests Rats." Rats, being the people who pointed out he wasn't paying them, supposedly. As opposed to repeatedly promising payments that were never delivered in exchange for work that his company profited from, who dropped out of contact with his freelancers instead of simply contacting them to let them know what was really happening - when he previously had no problems in the past calling people at 2 or 3 am, or later, asking for urgent help with pressing business...

As for Roger Lee, his dislikes are, "Dishonesty and Greed." You couldn't make this up, could you?

In their Services section, covers to comics now qualify as "Box And Packaging Art." Some of their "successful properties" in the Identity Package section include "Capsoul," which never came out and is owned by someone else now. In fact, it seems that all or most of those have never been released... Luckily, "Capsoul" still seems on track for its Winter 2003 release.

They also have Takara "Transformers" box art in the packaging section, marked copyright 2005 Dream Engine despite the fact that they were never contracted to do that art. It was actually used for free by Takara as a result of their relationship with Hasbro...Dreamwave actually complained about that situation, which is interesting as they are now promoting it as a proud accomplishment.

And if, as it appears, the "Client" list is largely recycled from DreamWave, it's interesting that they accept credit for that company's work, but no responsibility for its finances, problems or debt.

And did you know that Pat Lee relaunched "X-Men, Batman and more?" Well, now you do!

Any more for any more?
<hr>
CRISIS OF CONVERSATION

The following piece depends on its validity from a single fan source. Nevertheless it sounded intriguing, but if true is a major spoiler to the fate of a character hinted at for "Infinite Crisis" a few columns ago. So more whited out text, just in case.

One Lying In The Gutter reader writes:

<font color=020028>"I was at the crisis panel at Chicago. During the Q and A someone made a comment on the Flash. DiDio had a long reply, and ended with, "Wally's a great Flash for the time being." A few minutes later, someone said, "For the time being?" DiDio replied "Shit!" He then acted like he was joking, but after the panel Greg Rucka was talking to him and kept saying, 'Geoff is going to kill you!'"</font>
<hr>
BYRNE VISION

Previews has made official the LITG report that issue 18 will be the last Doom Patrol. Byrne has confirmed that when editor Eddie Berganza leaves the Superman titles shortly, so will the current "Action Comics" team. And now it's been confirmed to me by a DC source that the gorgeous looking "Blood Of The Demon" will also not continue after issue 18. However, given Byrne's deserved reputation for production, expect a number of new projects to be announced as a result-- as well as trade paperbacks of older work for Marvel and DC, and the more recent "Superman: True Brit."

Though Byrne does seem to be having certain difficulties with DC, reading between the lines. Online posters have made much of the differences between Byrne's pencils on "Action Comics" and the inks by Nelson DeCastro where he seems to redraw much of Byrne's work. These are a few examples prominent online;

Example 1
Example 2
Comparison by Andrew Kneath

Example 3
Comparison by IMWAN.

Byrne has not directly criticized this, though has stated that he hasn't looked at an issue since the second one was published, and refers people to look at his gallery of original pencils for the series.

Aside from a change in facial expressions and physical poses, Byrne seems to draw a younger looking Superman than appears on the page. How much of this is Nelson's doing and how much is editorial is unsure. Fill-in inkers appears to have kept far closer to Byrne's pencils, but Gail Simone states in one case, "In fairness to Nelson, my understanding is that that panel was changed as an editorial decision."

In another example, Byrne's request that a "Doom Patrol" reference be removed for continuity purposes seems to have been overlooked.

Byrne has continued to make other comments here and here, but for a man with a reputation for speaking his mind, these seem remarkably restrained.

Gail Simone has repeatedly expressed her support for the published work, as a team effort by all concerned saying, "I think the end result is that the book looks fabulous. Definitely one of the best-looking books out there right now. And that's all because of John, Nelson and Guy (Major)" and that "It's been a dream of Nelson's to ink JB for years, and I don't think he'd give it up too easily now!"

And although sales haven't been booming, all issues of "Action Comics" so far have sold out at distributor and retail level, which is usually a precursor to a decent rise.
Click to expand...

Source: Comic Book Resources

Wreckgar · Aug 23, 2005

the DreamEngine piece is hilarious because of the truth behind it. Dreamwave art is bing shown as Dream Engine. To bad Takara is now Tomy so Idoubt anything will come of it. Also I enjoy the Dreamwave Batman/Superman pictures as being Dream Engine.

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LITG Volume 2 #14

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Wreckgar Anthony Stark Moderator

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LITG Volume 2 #14

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