Haggis Cart, by Harris Grabber at flickr

We’ll be posting this around the net in a bit, but as our loyal RSS-fed fanbase, you deserve to see it here first — We’re having a contest!!! Woo Hoo! And all you have to do to enter is… well, buy our friggin’ comic!

More details below:

Original Pages From Silent Devil’s Division 18 Can Be Yours at NYCC!
 
Silent Devil, Inc., and the creators of Division 18: The Union of Novelty Costumed Performers are doing some spring cleaning at the New York Comic Con. Each day of the show, Jeremy Donelson will raffle off one original inked page from either Division 18 #1: Five Hunnies or the soon-to-be-released follow-up, Division 18 #2: White Collar Crooks.  
Entering is easy — every issue of Division 18: The Union of Novelty Costumed Performers #1 purchased at the Silent Devil table in Artist’s Alley Booth #2353 (on the main show floor) will come with a raffle ticket. One winner will be announced on Saturday, April 19th, and another on Sunday, April 20th.
Visit the Silent Devil table in Artist’s Alley Booth #2353 at any time during the New York Comic Con to learn more about Division 18, to enter the contest, or to get your comics signed by Matt Bergin and Jeremy Donelson. And remember to ask your local comic retailers to order up plenty of Division 18: The Union of Novelty Costumed Performers!

An occasional Division 18 collaborator (you’ll see his back-cover pin-up on #2, and a few interior pages in #3) is making his webcomic debut just in time for next week’s New York Comic Con. He’ll be there. We’ll be there. Heck, maybe you’ll catch us there together!

Anyway, here’s the wunderkind’s PR:

A Second-Generation Adams Takes On Muhammad Ali 30 Years Later!

In his webcomic debut, The Greatest, Josh Adams tackles the boxing icon that his iconic artist father, Neal Adams, drew into comic book history three decades ago. 

It was 1978, when legend-in-the-making Neal Adams illustrated the giant-sized extravaganza, Superman vs Muhammad Ali, in which the greatest super hero in comics teamed up with the greatest athlete of the 20^th century. In 2008, Neal’s youngest son, Josh Adams, makes his comics debut with a more reality-based, but no-less-sequential, take on Ali. His historical story about the legendary fighter, aptly titled The Greatest, will debut on April 16, 2008 – the Wednesday prior to the New York Comic Con – at Adams’ official website, http://www.whatwouldjoshdo.com.   

“I knew my debut had to be about something I was passionate about, and I also wanted it to be grounded in reality,” said Adams, “So what better subject for my comics debut than a real man who, in the comic book world, has beaten up Superman?”

Since the announcement of Josh Adams’ entry into the comics field earlier this year in Rich Johnston’s column, Lying in the Gutters, fans have been clamoring to see the 20-year-old second-generation artist’s first works. Adams, who is also currently working on his printed debut, chose to make his initial offering to the industry via the webcomic revolution. His choice of subject for this debut was inspired by something deeper:

“I’m a competitive guy,” said Adams, “and having a father who has been praised for everything from defining Batman’s image to bringing the concept of ‘dynamic reality’ to comics really makes me feel like I have something to prove. So taking on Muhammad Ali, a subject my father has already famously illustrated, is my way of paying homage to my father’s legacy, while, at the same time, stepping out from his shadow.”

For more information about The Greatest, or to contact Josh Adams personally, visit http://www.whatwouldjoshdo.com or e-mail Josh directly at Josh@WhatWouldJoshDo.com.

Bio:  At just 20 years of age, Josh Adams has led the life many established artists dream of. Being the son of a bonafide comic book legend, Josh has worked his whole life to be the best he can at his chosen field. And he hasn’t learned his trade from only one master — as a student at the School of Visual Arts, in New York, Josh has learned from mainstream greats like Phil Jimenez, Klaus Janson and Joey Cavalieri, indie talents Jessica Abel and Matt Madden, and countless “friends of the family” whom he’s met over the years. At just 18 years of age, Josh was doing poster design and storyboarding commercials for the Sci Fi Channel, earning his first professional credits as an artist before even finishing high school.

Caught a movie on the Netflix this weekend — a documentary called Confessions of a Superhero. It’s about a handful of costumed scabs making a living begging for dollars in front of Mann’s Chinese Theater in Los Angeles. The motley gathering of scabs confessing to this quirky lifestyle includes a half-assed Wonder Woman who doesn’t even bother wearing her regulation tiara half the time, a sociopathic George Clooney stunt double from Batman & Robin, a Christopher Reeves lookalike so obsessed with all things Kryptonian that he decorates his hole-in-the-wall apartment from floor to ceiling with Superman crap, and an occasionally homeless dude dressed as the Hulk.

The filmmaker, Matt Ogens, does a really good job of humanizing these copyright-infringing pan-handlers who pass their days loitering outside a Hollywood landmark harassing tourists. There’s obvious comedic value in the premise (grown adults walking around in goofy costumes), but there’s also some serious pathos.  

The star of the documentary is Superman Chris. Superman Chris is so comfortable in his costumed skin that you never really have to worry about him. He’s portrayed as the old guard of these scabs — the guy who trains newbies on how to work the crowd, how to not get arrested, and how to respect the of what they do. He shows great wisdom for the illusion of novelty costumed performance, especially in the scene when he’s training fat Ghost Rider. (Their exchange, in a nutshell: “Ghost Rider doesn’t smoke”/”But he’s made of fire…”/”Well, he doesn’t smoke cigarettes.”) But most importantly, Superman Chris has love. There are plenty of uber-geeks walking around all day in their superhero tights and decorating their walls with action figures… but not all of them find that special someone who will accept them for who they are, most likely be willing to have intimate relations with them, and even be willing to sit in the other room while they bring a chick dressed up like Wonder Woman back to the apartment for a mid-afternoon shower. Superman Chris has that special someone and you know he’s better off because of it.

On the other hand, the fact that wanna-be Wonder Woman accepted the invite from Superman Chris to go back to his creepy Superman-infested apartment for a mid-afternoon shower is one of the reasons I’m pretty sure her story is headed for a tragic — or at least porny – end. Her little-girl-lost storyline doesn’t quite make it to any of the expected rock-bottom scenarios within the film’s duration, but you can’t help but assume the star-spangled hot pants are just a transitional step on her inevitable road to ruin.

The one who does self-destruct during the film is psycho Batman. We take a trip with him to the gun range. We get to see footage of him being arrested for an altercation that involves the illegal use of a port-o-potty and Chewbacca coming to his aid (in the fight, not the toilet). And we sit in on a therapy session where, in full costume (cowl included), he confesses to murder!!!

The one cat who makes it through the film with most of his dignity still intact is homeless Hulk. Here’s a guy who was living on the streets for 4+ years, had the vision and foresight to save up his pennies and buy a full-body Incredible Hulk costume, almost dies from heat stroke on the same steamy day Superman and Wonder Woman are off showering together, and then, by the end of the film, gets a call from his agent telling him he’s actually scored a lead role in a legit movie. And, while homeless Hulk loses points for not paying dues to the UNCP, he does at least let slip that he’s a card-holding, dues-paying member of SAG — so he respects unions, just not ours.

Confessions of a Superhero is a nice little movie worth checking out — especially if you’re a fan of the novelty costumed way of life.

Addendum from Boss Tony: What is dis crap?! Everybody knows dere’s only one movie worth yer time, an dats The Godfather, parts I ta III. But you can guarantee dis flick will be yer last chance to see any a deez these goofs on Hollywood Boulevard before I send a crew out to L.A. to knee-cap the lot of ‘em. “Waaa Waaa, it’s so hard trying to get by like this” – SHADDAP! If ya wanted steady woik, you’d a taken the Greyhound to River City, instead, sweetheart! But I’ll tell ya what — if dat Batman fella is really as crazy as I’ve heard, we could use a man of his moral caliber in Division 18.

The 2008 Eisner Awards nominations were just announced. Shockingly, Division 18 wasn’t nominated (pick yourself up off the floor). However, a friend of ours, Jason Rodriguez, worked extremely hard last year conceiving of and editing the anthology Postcards. His hard work has been recognized with an Eisner nomination for best anthology. I’m obviously biased, but I can personally attest to Jason’s love of the comics medium and dedication to making the best product he could possibly deliver. That was a book that went beyond fandom’s typically limiting genre classifications and got to the heart of what it means to make comics in the modern era: come up with a fantastic concept, convene a group of top creative talent, and then sell the book to a a publisher who can take it not just to the direct market but to the bookstores and the general public. Jason and the creators who contributed to this book deserve this recognition, and they have our wholehearted congratulations.

Don’t forget — your favorite comic-creating duo will be at the New York Comic Con this weekend.

No, not them. No — not them either!

Us, you friggin’ dope!

…Matt Bergin and Jeremy Donelson.

We’ll be at the Silent Devil/Little Foot booth (#2353) signing copies of Division 18: The Union of Novelty Costumed Performers #1, raffling off some of Jeremy’s original art from the book, and enjoying our first major show on the other side of the tables.

For our first show behind the table, and with product to sell, the 3rd annual NYCC was a great success! Division 18: The Union of Novelty Costumed Performers was one of the key attractions at the Silent Devil Litte Foot booth #2353. Jeremy and I shared the space with fellow Silent Devil-ite and 2nd Assistant Frat Master General of Super Frat, Tony DiGerolamo, as well as the creative couple behind Little Foot’s latest kiddie title, Crumb Snatchers, artist Evan Keeling and writer Stephanie Butto. Silent Devil and Little Foot shared space at the show the same way they share space in the heart and mind of creator, publisher, wheeler and dealer, Christian Beranek, who was also on hand all weekend, signing copies of the collected Dracula vs King Arthur.

Here are a few photos from the weekend’s festivities:

Me and Tony DiGerolamo were worried during a slow patch on Saturday.

Luckily, things soon picked up… with a vengeance!

Here’s me again, this time with Team Crumb Snatchers at the Americans UK show on Saturday night. Drunk? Check. Tired? Check. Jam-sketching pics of Fat Colossus, our favorite costume of the weekend? Check. 

Jeff Burandt — lead singer of Americans UK.. or just another costumed scab? You decide!

Now THESE are definitely scabs. These Jedi jokers even solicited themselves for children’s birthday parties! Makes us want to slap the midichlorians out of them with a hockey stick!

Me again (that’s what Jeremy gets for bringing his camera!), signing D18 issue 1.

Here I am with issue 3 contributor and friend of the Union, Josh Adams. And what’s that in my hands? Some sweet, sweet art from the in-progress third part of the D18 saga. (More on that at a later date.)

One of the ways we conned enticed people to buy our book was by entering them into a raffle for some of Jeremy’s original art from issue 1. Congratulations to Saturday’s winner, Mark Kick, and Sunday’s winners (pictured above with Jeremy [finally in the shot] and Matt), John Kalafatis and Jackie Smith. (Save that art, kids — it’s gonna be worth dozens someday!)

That’s all for now. Look for more pics and memories from the show as they come, and other news on what’s to come for D18 for the rest of 2008 and beyond. We’re just getting started, people!

Brett Edwards has the story over at FanHouse. All we can say here is that we could use a guy like Benny in River City!

(Division 18 publisher) Christian Beranek’s Willow Creek collaborator, artist Josh Medors, could use a little help from the greater comic book community, and the folks at Image Comics and Frazetta Comics are going to see that he gets that help at this year’s Emerald City Comic Con.

Full details below:

PRESS RELEASE

Unknown to the general public, FRANK FRAZETTA’S SWAMP DEMON, RUNES OF RAGNAN, WILLOW CREEK, GI JOE and 30 DAYS OF NIGHT artist Josh Medors has been fighting cancer for the past several months. In his time of need, Image Comics and Frazetta Comics have stepped in organize an auction with all proceeds going straight to Josh.

“Josh is a good friend, father and artist. With the support from the comic industry that he loves so dearly, we can all help with costly medical bills and ease his pain just a little would be most appreciated,” said Frazetta Comics Editor/Artist Jay Fotos. “We are under a crunch, for the show is just a few weeks away, so anyone that would like to donate please contact me as soon as you can so we can get your donations there for the auction in time, we are also taking PayPal donations as well that go directly to Josh.”

Many of the industry’s finest are donating items to auction, including Frank Frazetta himself. Any other creators interested in donating are encouraged to contact Jay Fotos at jayfotos@cox.net.

The Josh Medors Benefit Auction will take place Saturday, May 10th at the Emerald City Comic Con. If you would like to make a PayPal donation, please do so to jmedors1@insight.rr.com.

Contributors thus far:

Frank Frazetta
Jerry Beck
Brian Haberlin
Tom Beland
Mark Kidwell
Todd McFarlane
Nat Jones
Tony Moore
Peter Bergting
Richard Starkings
Steve Niles
Kody Chamberlin
Jay Fotos
Rick Remender
Christian Beranek
Ahmet Zappa
Image Comics
IDW Publishing
Zenescope Entertainment

On the heels of his webcomic debut, The Greatest, the release of his very first sketchbook ever at the recent New York Comic Con, and a few appearances in the virtual pages of this very website, second-generation comic artist Josh Adams is about to appear on TV with the cast of Iron Man! Josh has been invited to serve as one of two guest illustrators on an upcoming episode of MTV’s TRL, shooting on Monday, April 28 – his 21st birthday! According to the show’s website, the episode is currently scheduled to air Thursday, May 1st.  

So, can we chalk this up to the D18 Bump?*

Not only is this a chance for Josh to show off his talent to a mainstream audience on nationwide television, it’s an opportunity for him to sneak in a plug for Division 18!

RETAILERS: Get ready for that swarm of squealing 12-year-old girls demanding the adventures of the mascot mafia by stocking up today!

TRL airs at 3:30 pm ET/PT on MTV. Check your listings for air dates for the ”Iron Man” episode of TRL.

        *Probably not, since the kid’s got comic greatness in his blood.