Things that I am thankful for

Early Happy Thanksgiving everyone! (at least people who live in America. To all those that live outside of the U.S.,  Happy Thursday then!)


Tomorrow here in the United States is known as Thanksgiving. Many people have many different views on this holiday due to history, but to me, regardless of whatever the interpretations may be, it is a day that I take the extra time to remind myself how thankful I truly am with all the wonderful "little things" that are often over looked and taken for granted. 




Other than being thankful to be working, having a warm home with people who care and love me, I have come to realize that the biggest thing that I take for granted everyday is reading comics. 




Reading. Comics. Those two words together sound a bit ridiculous for this grand gesture that I'm making. But given some time and thought it's not just about reading comics. 


I have the ability and eyesight (although I wear glasses) to see the pages. I can see color. I live in a country where certain comics genre and plotlines can be published. This same country also belongs in a world where illteracy is a huge problem and I blessed enough to have free public education where being able to read at least at a highschool level is enforced. 


It is not just about what I can see and understand but also what I can feel. There is nothing like holding a comic book in my hand and feeling the soft wind ripple through my hair at each turn of the page. There is a certain disease out there (whose compliated scientific name escapes me at the moment) where select people cannot feel. It is sad that they cannot experience a touch from a loved one, the warmth of holding a cuddly animal that loves you, or the gentle roughness of a page in your favorite book. 


Many publishers have found ways around people with disabilities such as audio-comic books. But even with that, there is nothing like experiencing another world with all the intended senses hard working comic book companies originally wanted for us. 




Reading comics seems like such an simple thing that I do everyday that it has completely slipped my mind of what the bigger picture it represents. All that I should be thankful for. 




I know that with our busy schedules and the bustle of everyday life, it hardly occurs to us to stop and remember all the wonderful things in our lives however big or small.  When one stops to really count all the small things even, they really do add up!


So to make up for all those lost times that slipped by, take some time tomorrow (or right now) and make a mental (or even written list) of all that is good in our lives, review it in our brain and go about the rest of your week with a smile. 


Feel free to leave a comment below of some of things that you guys are thankful for! Let's share!


Cheers! And Happy Thanksgiving! (For those that live in the U.S.!) 

Studio-407 and EPICNESS

With nearly a day left (or less) until the midnight release of Harry Potter Deathly Hallows Part  it got me thinking of epics (in the film industry. Not poems.) 

The Harry Potter movie franchise is coming to an end with this new movie being part 1 of the last book. Harry Potter will be known as not only an award winning billion dollar novel franchise but also an epic story divided into 8 movies. 

One of dictionary.com's definitions of the word epic is : heroic; majestic; impressively great. 

Usually when someone says " oh it was an epic movie" or " The entire series of movies made an great epic" the first couple of film titles that come to mind would be the Lord of the Ring trilogy, Star Wars, Harry Potter, or even for a single film not in a series: Lawrence of Arabia. 

A great as Inception was, it was amazing film but it is not as an "epic". Many films have epic moments, but few can really call themselves epics. 

Everyone's favorite reliable source is wikipedia. When looking up the article of Epic Film, we find that 

"An epic is a genre of film that emphasizes human drama on a grand scale. Epics are more ambitious in scope than other film genres, and their ambitious nature helps to differentiate them from similar genres such as the period piece or adventure film. They typically entail high production values, a sweeping musical score (often by an acclaimed film composer), and an ensemble of bankable stars placing them among the most expensive of films to produce."  

I look forward to seeing an Studio-407 film in theater sometime in the near future and  know that we have it takes to make an epic film, or even, a series of films that becomes one epic. But what title exactly? 

Upon further inspection, I find that Heroes Unlimited would be amazing as a series of films.  To further convince myself, I was taken to the Heroes Unlimited online comic preview and went to page 13 where instantly. I could picture this live action movie to feature this scene on an IMAX screen shown internationally around the world.

What do you guys think? And if not, what kind of films do you want to see Studio-407 produce? Leave you comments below! I want to read them! =) 

Alright, off to get a good nights rest, after all, I dunno about you, but I'll be at the midnight showing of Harry Potter Deathly Hallows Part 1 and experience film history as this series come to a close. 

Digital Comics and CBD!

It's Wednesday aka Comic Book Day! 

What titles did you guys pick up after eagerly rushing off of work to your friendly local comic book retailer? Leave comments below because I want to know!


Everywhere I go, I see billboard ads for the iPad. And it gets me thinking about digital comics. Or at least, comics being read digitally. 

Whether you torrent them or purchase them online to be read, how do you feel about the move that all comic book publishers are making towards making them digital? The move is initiated by several factors such as price, all the space that comic books take up and the simplicity of being able to download them and carry them wherever you go. (plus, it is the age of technology afterall)


I breath comics, so I take them in any form that they come, yes, even audio book style. However, there is nothing like walking into a comic bookstore, breathing in the new book smell, picking up a 32 page issue in my hand, and flipping through them. The sensation of being able to hold something material in my hand is devoided when iIm scrolling up and down, pushing keyboard buttons, and zooming in and out on my monitor. Of course I can look at 2 page spreads and flip back to an earlier scene on my computer or iPad/iPhone, but I miss having an actual book in my hand. Plus, I'm super worried if I were to drop my iPad or the battery runs out. Won't have that problem when I have the "real" thing.






Whether you are old school or embracing the modern age of technology, I'm just grateful that comics are still around. The move towards the digital medium is inevitable, but do you guys think that paper comics will still be around 10 years from now? Let me know what you think! 


Studio-407 is no stranger to publishing comics in the hard copy format and having them online all ready for you! 

So pull out your iPad/iTouch/iPhone and get ready to download and read!

LBCC and Halloween!

So how was your weekend guys? Please comment below and let me know! 

So this weekend for us here at Studio-407 was crazy due to all that would be happening. The Long Beach Comic Con (next to the gorgeous ocean) took place at the same time as a ZomBcon (sadly, we have no time-turner and could only be at one place at once). But if you guys can go the next year, please do!  A shout out to Brian Walton and Jonathan London of Geekscape who started the first real big ZomBcon. 

There was also a fundraiser for Hero Initiative (a non-profit organization that supports comic book artists and writers.) and also Sunday night (Halloween!) was the highly anticipated Walking Dead series premiere on AMC. (Support comic book turns films and tv shows!) 

Zombies and vampires are extremely popular with obvious reasons. Zombies (not just for their gore and horrific faces) can symbolize any sort of negative element in our life. While vampires, long before their sparkly days,  was the reflection of the human soul, the part of us that was fascinated with darkness, lust, mystery, immortality, and mythology. 




You can find zombie and vampire themed books, t shirts, mugs, merchandise anywhere, including here, at the lovely Studio-407 website! 

The main problem that many of us find is that any sort of vampire or zombie story has already "been done before". But Studio-407 was commended by various readers and review sites as having to have written a vampire and zombie story that is unique and not been touched upon by other publishers. 

Check them out for yourself and tell us what you think! 



Night Projectionist 

Night & Fog 

 Like what you guys have seen so far? 


Night Projectionist is available by asking your friendly local retailer or going to comixology


Night & Fog is available at your local comic shop, comixology, and Amazon!
 

Comixology dreaming

Yes, I know that the title of today's post is a play of a famous Mamas and Papas oldies song. =) 


I just woke up from  the most curious dream to type this. Earlier in the afternoon, I was having a migraine. I don't deal well with migraines and have absolutely no idea/admiration for those who can work through an entire day (amongst the busy office, ringing of phones, loud talking of people) and still manage to get their work done without stabbing a person in the eye with a pencil. (thanks SDCC of 2010!)


As someone who rarely suffers from headaches, this was a setback. Drinking plenty of water and napping  usually cures me so that's exactly what I did. Most of the time, I just sleep, wake up and then go about my business, or sometimes I have a dream then wake up and totally forget about it a few minutes later. 


But this one, was totally different. 




I was stuck IN comixology. Much like.....Kevin Flynn in TRON.  I had the same suit (but female version) of Sam Flynn's but instead of holding an identity disc, I had a round shaped comic in my hand. All around me, large (Phantom Zone-like) shaped comics were flying around my head.  


There was no way out of this virtual world other than through "games" to survive. So basically, picture TRON, but with a comic book theme. 




I was completely terrified and confused and then I startled awake about 20 minutes earlier than the alarm time I had set. 


 I got up to to go sit on my couch (where I'm typing now) to think about my dream, I realized two things of why my subconscious /dream world decided to mess with me: 


1) Today is Wednesday! Therefore: Comic Book Day.  And earlier in the the week, I had received an email message about when Studio-407's titles will be released on comixology.


2) Tomorrow night I will be going to a special preview screening (invited by a friend) to California Adventureland's elecTRONica. Basically, it's Disneyland and California Adventure all TRON themed out. There are preview pictures of it on google already and I am very excited. This is a limited time engagement only and will be for promotion of the new TRON: Legacy movie that comes out this December 17th! I think for a few months.  I have been waiting for tomorrow night for weeks! 






Now, it makes total sense to me about my dream, which I also hope will never, never, never happen. I don't know if I could survive that virtual world. But I do know that I can survive in the real world long enough because I love my comics, and Studio-407 will be releasing new comics every week!!! ( Some are already out) Go HERE!

10/20

Night Projectionist #1

10/27

Night Projectionist #2

11/3

Smuggling Spirits #2

11/10

Smuggling Spirits #3

11/17

Smuggling Spirits #4

11/24

Havoc Brigade #1

What is your passion?

This weekend was a great reminder of what brings joy in my life and what my passion is. I had great plans to do alot of work (which of course involves movies and comics, therefore making me very happy). But on Friday I had a family related incident which involved an entire weekend sacrificed at the ER following a frantic 911 call.


I barely slept 2 hours a day for 5 days straight. With that, included barely eating. As I saw my immediate family member in such a fragile and critical state, I felt great sadness. And of course, it is a cliche that we hear that during moments of great trauma, we come to realize what important things in life  are or even, have them reinforced. 

To pass the time and to get my mind off of the current situation, I turned to my new smartphone for such distraction. Like muscle memory, I started checking up on comic book news, graphic novel sites.  fansites with updates on Smallville, and wanting to see something familiar, I went to Studio-407's website. 


As I took a quick vision break (I don't want to stare at an electronic device too long, my eyesight is bad enough!) I realized that I felt happier and a bit better, even if it would be for a short amount of time. I knew that my calming center in my life are comic books. 


Obviously, if you are reading this, following us on twitter, being our Facebook friend and/or coming to see us at conventions, you already are a fan of comics. Like me, comics is a passion in our life, whether it is a career or simply a hobby,  it is the interest in it it that brings a beam of shining light into our lives and a smile to our face.

I once tried everything I could to stop a friend from ending his life, when nothing could talk him out of it, I said the only thing that was left in my brain. Out of desperation I blurted: "If you end your life now, how will you know what happens in the Spiderman One More Day arc next Wednesday?" 


Although trivial to some, this was a defining moment for him. And to this day, he keeps reading. Literally, Wednesday is Comic Book Day and it "saves" us in different ways. 


Whether it is just an interest or a deep love, pop culture is something that resonates in us, and people of all ages, gender and race will and have experienced it. 


Coca Cola is one of those examples and I fully believe Studio-407 will also be another one day.

As we gear up to bring you guys more of our wonderful books and products, keep in mind that comics is something that unites us to go to conventions and call ourselves nerds, but also a passion in our life that fuels us. 



Other than comics, what else is your passion that fuels you? Leave your comments below! I want to read them. 


And with that, I end this post with some of our great titles that are here/will be coming. May they fuel that love for pop-culture in all of you! Have a great and safe night! 

 Night & Fog ( November 17, 2010 TPB Volume 1) Amazon, Comixology and your friendly neighborhood comic book store!

Golem

The Spark

Hybrid

Night Projectionist

Smuggling Spirits

Forgotten 22

Change is coming!

As we all know the key to survival or success  is accepting change or at least, adapting to it. I'm not saying to sell out and just go with the flow or stubbornly believing that staying the same which "worked fine before" will make one's life or concept better. The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.  Unique business plans have always been a recurring key element in success in Fortune 500 companies.

Take myself for example, I lived with a regular non-smart phone for the past 5 years. Before, that was great, but now, as my life becomes more busy and I depend on the internet for day to day needs, I've come to realize that I cannot survive without a smartphone much longer. 

So after saving up some money and doing many months of careful research, I finally got the Droid X yesterday! In less than a day, I have noticed an increase of my efficiency. However with that, comes the fact that I am a total slop when typing on that virtual keyboard. I have  skinny little fingers but for whatever reason, I always end up typing a sentence that could be an alien language. But to accept change,  I have to learn to adapt by spending 30 minutes of my day typing notes to myself as practice in order to get to know my Droid X. I see this as a life long "skillset" that will help me in both my personal life and my business life.  Ah, I have embraced change. 

Basically, change is inevitable. Which leads to two exciting news for all you who read this blog. Blogging about Studio-407 every week from now on can only lead to so many topics such as our new products, our signings, what conventions that we'll be hitting up and etc. After awhile, I know that you readers will want to see something new. 

I was thinking about putting up interviews with authors, artists, up and coming founders of new companies etc.   Videos and podcasts are other ideas that have been floating around in my head. Please, comment below with suggestions! ( I know you guys read this and rarely comment! So step up and don't be shy!) 

The other change is what Studio-407 is bringing to the world of comics. When saying the word comic books, most people will think of superheroes.  But lately, with the success with Walking Dead ( which is now an AMC show that I'm very stoked about), Chew, 100 Bullets, Y the Last Man, Scott Pilgrim ( still sad that movie made so little) etc, people are beginning to see a change on their personal bookshelves at home. I see it myself actually. I grew up collecting all kinds of comics, but let's be honest here, mostly superheroes. But with an increase interest in Archaia's Mouseguard and aforementioned titles, people are in urge to try something new. And for those who are not down with change will eventually find themselves checking out several titles of non-superhero comics after hearing everyone talk about it. 

NIght & Fog is hitting shelves November 17th and will bring a change to not only your local comic book stores shelves but also on your own shelves. As stated in way earlier posts, it has been adapted to a movie and also combines four of the Gothic classic elements: Frankenstein, Dracula, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, and Invisible Man. Many publishers have done graphic novel versions of each individual title and/or did retelling of the story set in various eras, but only Studio-407 to date, have combined all four of the elements and made a graphic novel that is completely new. 

The Night & Fog trade paperback can be yours by bugging your friendly local comic book store, ordering through Amazon or comixology! 

Keep on collecting those superhero comics and expanding your shelves with many other non-superhero titles. Studio-407 will be expanding on comic book shelves soon everywhere. Don't say that you weren't notified! 

Thursday comes comics!

Hey ya'll!

How was your Labor Day weekend? Now that we've all re-cooperated from it, our heads are now clear enough to remember that Thursday is Comic Book Day!

I don't know what's on your pull list but mines include a something from each comic book company out there,  including Studio-407. But I know that alot of you guys have iPhones and iPads and so many of you guys are familiar with Comixology. If you guys aren't,  you can create pull lists on there of the comics that you want and then be able to bring it with you everywhere you go on your tech! Pull one of our comics and I guarantee that you won't be disappointed!


Along with not only giving you guys the simplicity of Comixology, here is also the FREEBIE of the day! Remember, these are exclusive and many of the wallpapers are already taken down, so right and click and save while you can!

I freaking LOVE this one, the color scheme and design is amazing. And not your average wallpaper.



www.studio-407.com/downloads.php



Come and be a friend with us on twitter and facebook! And tell all of your friends too! And while you are pull-listing our titles on comixology,  let us know what you guys think of our titles!!!

It's Labor Day Weekend!

Wow! It's already Friday and that means that the long weekend has begun! I want to hear what you guys plan on doing this weekend!


What am I doing you ask? Before, I would be spending my Friday nights with John (Connor) and/or Clark Kent (via Smallville) but lately, I would be at a show called Comics and Comics where comedians talk about pop culture. And as a geek, my Friday night is complete because I feel surrounded by people that understand my nerdiness.

What about my friends?  Many of my friends have the gift of gaming. and are spending their Friday nights with friends decapitating zombies, being a female elf, or shooting prostitutes. I wish I had that skill of gaming, I love videogames but I'm not really good at it. But I do understand for those that play their games on their PC and every once in a while they will take a break and then just stare vacantly at their computer screens.

They wouldn't be staring vacantly if they had more vivid wallpapers and screensavers! Studio-407 is here to save them from staring vacantly. For we have FREE exclusive wallpapers that will bring more color to your screen! And for all of you guys who are so devoted and reading this blog on a Friday night,  this wallpaper is a reward for you too!


www.studio-407.com   Scroll down to DOWNLOADS, click, and select Studio 407 from the drop down menu

So here you guys go!


Well, I'm off to start my long weekend and celebrate Labor Day!

One month away from the movie Let Me In

Vampires are THE trend right now. Well,  zombies first and now vampires. Although vampires have always been part of literature,  it wasn't until Twilight that really got the world in a tizzy. Now, no matter what form of entertainment I'm sucked into at the moment, I see something about vampires ( and werewolves!). Turning on the t.v., I happen to watch a few moments of Vampire Diaries. And in England, they are watching Being Human, a show about a ghost, a vampire and a werewolf that try to be normal citizens in Bristol. Recently,  SyFy has gotten the rights to make our American version of that show.

Then there is the new summer hit,  The Gates, about a suburban community, much like Wisteria Lane, whose residents aren't who they seem. From witches,  to werewolves to vampires,  this show is quite the talk of this summer. 

Then there's Tru Blood. Enough said. 

And vampires in film? You already know that answer to that. 

In books, more and more female authors are churning out stories about star-crossed lovers,  a vampire always being involved and somehow an innocent human and among a few other supernatural beings. Females of all ages are buying those books up like kids at a candy festival. 

But I hear the outcry of people who have loved vampire folklore and mythology years before Stephanie Meyer wrote the Twilight Saga. They miss how vampires used to be portrayed. Or rather, should be portrayed. 

For those of you out there who love vampires and are the people that I just described, fear not! Studio-407 understands how vampires should be written. So we put together an awesome graphic novel that all of you guys should read: The Night Projectionist. 

I won't spoil what it's about (also because you can scroll down and read my earlier blog entries), but Fangoria and Aint it Cool News gave the most amazing reviews. So if they took the time to check it out, you should too!

And here along with the link to the site, is our exclusive FREEBIE of the day! 

Night Projectionist wallpaper!

You guys know the drill: Click, right click to save and then set as wallpaper!


800 x 600 

1024 x 768 
1280 x 1024

1600 x 1200

Let me know what you guys think about The Night Projectionist! Leave comments below!! =D