Dark Horse Present - A Dragonfly Flipz book Tribute

Here's a Dragonfly Flipz Book tribute to the Dark Horse Comic's re-launch of the "Dark Horse Comics Presents", their anthology comic book.  The original "DHP" series was a true favorite of mine in it's heyday at the height of the independent black and comic craze.  DHP introduce many creator owned properties like Steve Rude's Nexus, Mike Mignola's Hellboy, Paul Chadwick'S Concrete, Fran Miller's Sin City and "300".  I glad they're bring it back.

To celebrate, I've put together this video of Dragonfly Flipz Books based on properties published by Dark Horse.  Some, like the Concrete Comix Flipz™ book have been posted before,  But the Sin City Cinema Flipz™ and Lone Wolf and Cub 2100 Comix Flipz™ are being shown for the first time.  Of course, there is a back story to all these flip books, but let's just said they're still just concept demos, not for sale, and leave it at that.

Enjoy.

 

Kung Fu Panda Dragonfly Flipz Preview

  It been a while since my last new Dragonfly Flipz™ Book.   I've been busy securing gainful employment and  I'm happy to say with I've had some success.  So, I'm hoping to get back to produce more Dragonfly Flipz™ book "Concept Demo" samples (not for sale, as always).


  Here's a preview of the next one, the Kung Fu Panda Cinema Flipz™.   I started this after the release of the film last year.   I wanted to do it as a tribute to my friend Cyrus Voris, who was one of the co-writer of the story, and the artists who worked the film.  But, after a couple of rejections of Dragonfly Flipz proposals for other properties, not Kung Fu Panda, I pulled back from doing Concept Demo books.  Now, I'm ready to give it another try.  I've got a couple of Dragonfly Flipz books started, several other flipz book ideas worth doing.

Click on the picture for an enlarged view of the first ten "comic book layout" pages and the first flip book page, and two art gallery pages.  I plan to finish printing the book this week and have a video posted on youtube by next week end.

Enjoy.

Concrete Motion Comic and Goofy Gold Record Spot

The lazy, hazy, days of summer are over, so it time to post more stuff on youtube and my blog. First up, some old fun videos I find while moving some boxes around the basement.
Concrete Motion Comic


The Concrete Comic book / Video Adaptation (as I called it back then) is something I put together on my old Amiga computer. I figured I'd better dump it to digital file before the tape goes bad.
I pitched this to Paul Chadwick (who has copy of it on VHS) and Dark Horse long before they got into movies. I also used it for one of my Dragonfly Flipz books. I'd like to update and finish it, someday.


Goofy Gold is a old cheesy, novelty record spot I worked on back in the 1970's. Remember 8-Tracks cassettes!! It is funky, but still fun. Basically, I was just created animated scenes, site gags and lame jokes, to match the song clips. These were totally low, low, budget. But, they made tons of money for the record producer, not me. Leave a comment if you remember seeing this, or remember any of the songs.

In both them you see why I never sell myself as a true "animator", but they were fun making. I got other record spots to put up that are just as cheesy. they're good for laugh.

Enjoy

I pick up several DVDs this week. The Wonder Woman animated original movie, Immortal (Limted Edtion), the live action Sci-Fi movie base on the French graphic novel (amazing visuals), and the Watchmen - The Complete Motion Comic, containing all 12 episodes (an added bonus is a movie coupon for $7.50 off the admission price for the theatrial release. That makes it almost free in my area where the theater ticket is $8.00)

(Note - I haven't seen the movie yet and I've only gotten through the first episode of the motion comic)

I'll just write about the Watchmen DVD first. This is the collection of the shorts that were offered online. I only saw one episode, and not all the way through. So, I'm glad they released the this. "Motion Comic" is the "new" format being hyped my several companies. Us, old-timers, recognize them as updated versions of the first funky "Marvel Comic TV animation" from the 1960's. That said, this animatic style works really well for telling the Watchmen story. It's success, in my opinion, has to with the great Dave Gibbons artwork. Also the audio presentation is more like a audio book, one narrator, doing all the voices. I'm enjoying this limited animation version very much. Today's graphic/video editing technology has may the type of animation very appropriate for the right project. It will be interesting to see this "Motion Comic" concept develop.

Another great example of the style, actually pre-dates the Watchmen stuff. (I mentioned this before) It is the Metal Gear Solid - Digital Graphic Novel released for the PSP Playstation Portable in 2006. It adapts IDW Publishing MGS comics with artwork my Ashley Wood but it was only release for UMD, PSP format only. Sony would be wise to dump it to DVD and Blu-Ray. You could probably download it from the Playstation Network, but a hard copy wouldn't hurt.

By the way, this is a format I proposed to Dark Horse and Valiant Comic back in 1990's and I used for my own Warrior in the Mist Comic/Video/flip book project. I called it Comic Book/ Video Adaptations. Okay, that tagline is a little long winded. Magus Robot Hunter Promo, Dr. Solar Valiant Promo, Paul Chadwick's Concrete Comix Flipz, and are all samples of my Comic / Video Adaptation concept. Look like early "Motion Comics" to me.

Looking back, I'm starting to think I'm a neither a f**kin' genius, ahead of his time, or the worse salesman ever. I can only hope my Dragonfly Flipz book format take off, under my stewardship and not ten year down by somebody else, with "new" name. Such is creative life.

The Wonder Woman DVD leaves me with mixed feelings. It's a solid presentation on par with the Superman and Justice League: New Frontier DVDs. I won't go into the full back story here. You can go to DC / Warners Bros. official web site for that. The PG-13 rating not withstanding, it still comes off rather tame for the subject matter. The staging of the battle scenes are good, but missing convincing punch even for animation. There plenty of sword play, but the lack of blood letting is oddly apparent. Looks like they self-censored themselves too, much. The style's TV animation roots are plainly visible, and that may be the root of the problem, for me. I'm a little tire of seeing this super hero styling. In stark contrast, check out HIghlander: The search for Vengeance, directed by Yoshiaki Kawajiri produce by Manga Video (part of Starz Media), Both stories have simuliar elements, flashbacks, big battle scenes, but the action scenes in the Highlander DVD are amazing. So, if I have to rate it, I'd give the Wonder Woman DVD a B-.



The Immortal DVD is another beast, altogether. It is a amazing blend of CGI animtion and live action and total blend. Live actor and CGI characters populate this visually rich adaptation of the graphic novels by director Enki Bilal, "The Carnival of the Immortals and the "The Woman Trap" Les Humanoides Asscies. Here's the story line (From the back cover text) "New York City, year 2095. A floting pyramid has emerged u in the skies above Manhattan, inhabited by ancient Egyptian Gods. The have cast judgement down on upon Horus (a falcon headed god), one of their own. With only seven days to preserve his immortality, he must find a human to inhabit, and search for a mate." That just scratches the surface of this stunning film. I remember seeing his work in the U.S. editions of the Heavy Metal Magazine and hardcover graphic novels. Thisis great stuff, but definitely for a mature audience, in a good way. In checking the imdb.com, Enki Bilal has several other films to his credit. I'll be sure check those out some time.

Dragonfly Flipz Indie Aritst Preview Showcase

Here's several Dragonfly Flipz Preview Showcase of Flip book base on independent artist, creator-owned projects.



These flip books were done very early in the development of my Dragonfly Flipz book concept. I plan, with artists' permission, to make these available as DIY (Do It Yourself) flip book downloads for a small fee. In addition, I plan to revise and expand these into Dragonfly Flipz Mini-books. I just designed and produced the flip books. All the artwork was done creators.
Cyberella, by Don Cameron, is base on a animatic Don did. Cyberella was co-created by comic legend Howard Chaykin. It was a comic series for DC Comics Helix imprint (discontinued). I'm try to get Don to do more with Cyberella. Don latest work as CGI animation backgound art design on the DEAD SPACE Animated DVD.
Yojimbo 4, by Dell Barras, talent artist with ton of experience in the animation field, earning a Emmy nomination for Animation Direction. Yojimbo 4 flip book is a a few scene for flash short Dell sent to me.
Cat Burglar, by artist / animator Steward Lee is base on a animated short. It's actually part 1 of 2. But, the 2nd part is only in pencil test form. Steward is also a great comic book artist.
Velocity, by Creative Logik Universe, Al Lopez and John Bavaresco, CGI EFX guys. Their credits include CGI work with Steven Spielberg's IMAX movies, Titanic and Aliens of the Deep. The y also work on a little know, but great showing show, Nascar Racer (the CGI racing scene are head above the new Speed racer TV series, in my humble opinion. But, I was the producer / director on Nascar Racers, so I may be bias) Velocity is still looking for a creative home. Check their link on my Dragonflyent.net site.

Enjoy.

More Youtube Posts - Empty Morning & Halo Plasma Rifle on Ebay With Free D'Fly Game Flipz Book

Here's two more recent Youtube posts of mine. The first is my 2nd sound sketch. Empty Morning is a original instrumental I wrote, played, and recorded (with over duds) on a nylon string guitar in 1982. The visuals are just to give music something to play to.



The second, is a cheap way of plugging an auction on Ebay. I selling a Halo 3 Plasma Rifle laser tag on Ebay and to sweeten the pot I'm offering a Dragonfly Halo 3 Game Flipz Mini-Book as a FREE EXTRA BONUS. This one of only 4 made, and your only chance to get one. I have included a new HD version of the flip book movie to give you better view than the original movie, such over 59,000 views and many requested to have it. Remember it's FREE with the winning bid. It a true, exclusive, collectible. Don't miss out.



Enjoy.

Paul Chadwick's Concrete - Comix Flipz Book

Here's my Dragonfly Comix Flip Book adaptation of a Paul Chadwick's "Concrete" story, "Watching a Sunset". Paul is one of my favorite comic book creators, really deserving of wider recognition. Concrete is Paul's best known work in a long and very creative career. There was talk of a Concrete live action movie at one time, I hope the success of recent comic book-based features jump-starts that project again.

The Dragonfly Concrete Comix Flipz book is adapted from animation I did many moons ago. The original comic story can be seen at the end of the flip book. The original animation is stored on tape somewhere. I'll have to find it and post it sometime. The Concrete Comix Flipz book project, as a licensed product from Dark Horse Comics, got sided track somehow, but I hope to get it on track this year (with the fans help). Leave comments here, and at Paul's blog site (link at right) and the Dark Horse sites, if you want to see this finished.

This project has a long storied history that I'll relate in a future post. For now just enjoy it.

Metropolis Cinema Flipz Mini-Book

I here the Metropolis Cinema Flipz Mini-Book I posted about a while back. It's a extended version of a earlier Metropolis Flipz book. Unfortunately, it seems the German rights owner (not Kino Video) is uninterested in my modest licensing proposal (after a couple of unanswered emails, and letter, I can take a hint). So, here it is for you pleasure, and here it will remain, for now. But, do check out the Kino Video version of the great silent movie classic. Their version is excellent.

Enjoy

The Terror of the Blank Page

As I mentioned in my New Year's post, I want to get back to drawing and working on long dormant projects. To say the least this year has been year of changes for me as my family and I moved from sunny Los Angeles (Glendale, CA, actually) to cold, snowy Rochester, New York (we love the change of seasons, so it feels great to be here). But any move is very destructive to creative flow. It takes a while to get settled. I'm still not there yet, but working on it.

But to help thing along I picked it Scott McCloud's "Making Comic" book. It's a fun read and especially for me as a way to get back to basics of drawing for fun, again. Comic art was my first creative love and I miss not doing it. So, I brought a new drawing table and was shocked to realize it's the first I've had in over ten years. I done a lot of storyboard work on company art desks, or just leaning a drawing board on a desk at home (a computer desk, of course).

But what really, as I finished setting the new table the last image of the McCloud book struck me, as being all most cosmic.


In comparison, here my art desk.


Now, all that left is to start. That blank page can be terrorizing. I know a lot of artists go through this (creative dry patchs). For me, it's like having a fear of holding a pencil, again. I know I can draw, I have old drawing to prove it. In, fairness, my creative energies were channeled to my flip books stuff. But, now, I feel it's time to get back to drawing and take it to the next level. I definitely want to explore the digital medium. But, first things, first. The blank paper and a pencil.

Wish me luck,I'll keep you posted.

Radio Shack Flip Book Spot

When we saw this new Radio Shack commercial, wife said she thought they got the idea from my Dragonfly Flipz movies. I, of course had nothing to do with the spot. I think it's possible. I've been posting flip book movies for the past year on several sites, so, some agency director may have come across them. But, really I'll never know and that's fine. I like the spot. It's sort of fun that with the camera in phone he didn't just point it at his own face and record the thanks. But, hey, the old school flip book animation made for a better commercial.



What do you think, did I inspire them?

New Yorker Cartoon - RingTales -Dragonfly Web Flipz Book

Here's Dragonfly Web Flipz book inspired by the very funny RingTakes animated versiosn of New Yorker Cartoons I post on youtube. I came across the animated shorts last year and immediately thought they would be great as flip books. It would be like taking the original spot cartoons back to their roots, the printed page, but with a twist. Some of the New Yorker cartoons are very funny in a classic sick, twisted sense of humor.

The youtube movie hasn't gotten many views but, as luck would have, one of the CEOs of RingTales emailed that he like it, so I sent him a copy. I'll keep everyone post on any further developments.

Transformer - the Game - Opening Cinema

Here's the CGI opening for the Transformers game based on the new movie. I have to say this game looks interesting. I don't know who did the CGI work, but it's first rate (I see another Dragonfly Game Flipz book demo in your future). Do yourself a favor a view the HD version on Gametrailer.com, that's the one I'll use for my flip book.

Enjoy.

StarCraft 2 Game Flipz Movie Posted

Finally, I got a chance to finish and post my new StarCraft 2 Game Flipz movie. I really like the way it came out.



Or on Gametrailers.com:
StarCraft 2 Game Flipz - Gametrailers.com

The StarCraft 2 trailer about 4 1.2 minutes long (scroll down to view it from the earlier post). That's over 16,200 video frames (at 30 frs/sec), so getting it down to 641 frames and 172 pages was a real challenge. I did two different covers, the first was a montage of screen shot from the trailer, the second was done using a desktop pic offered on Blizzard Enterainment's StarCraft 2 web site. I added some concept art and character info screens from the Official Blizzard StarCraft 2 site. (click on the image for larger view)



I tried to add some improvements to the video presentation, but I know there're not fully sucessful. My focus is a little soft, sorry (I think the auto focus gets confused by the page flipping. I'll try manual focus next time). I tried cut to tighter shots for the flipping action to give everyone a better look at that. Hope you liked it.

I'm going to send a couple of copies to Blizzard and see if I can produce them for all the StarCraft fans. As usual, your comment and suggestions are welcomed.

I did a second Dragonfly Flipz (Toon Flipz)this past week for another all time fan favorite preview trailer. But, I want to sent it to the creators company first to get their reaction, if possible, before posting it. Keep checking in, it's a knock out.

I'll keep you posted.

Dragonfly Flipz Books - Top Ten

Wow, I just wanted to thank all the people who have watched and commented on my Dragonfly Flipz Book movies online. It really has inspired me to keep at it, making them, and trying to get them mass produced.

Any way, here's the my top ten list of my movies based on your viewings counts from Gametrailers.com (GT), Youtube.com (YT)and Combined (Total)

(Click on Image for Larger View)

1. 300 the Movie Anim. Flip Book - 6881 (GT) - 6099 (YT) - 12980 (Total)
2. Final Fantasy XIII Anim. Flip Book - 4685 (GT) - 7855 (YT) - 12540 (Total)
3. Killzone (2) Animated Flip Book - 5178 (GT) - 3090 (YT) - 8268 (Total)
5. Halo 3 Animated Flip Book - 1357 (GT) - 3301 (YT) - 5262 (Total)
4. Unreal 07 Animated Flip Book - 2417 (GT) - 1357 (YT) - 3774 (Total)
6. Killzone Liberation - Ad Edit GV - 1740 (GT only,not a flip book movie)
7. Star Gladiator Flip Book - 1610 (GT) - 157 (YT) - 1767 (Total)
8. Halo (2) Animated Flip Book - 1348 (GT) - 280 (YT) - 1628 (Total)
9. Marvel Ultimate Alliance Flip Book - 1003 (GT) - 380 (YT) - 1383 (Total)
10. Killzone Liberation Ad Edit - 727 (GT Only - not a flip book movie)

(I resisted the temptation to embed all ten video in this post, so you lazy guys will have to visit my User Movies pages on Gametrailer.com and Youtube.com to view them. Follow the links at the right)

For different reasons, my top three favorites are "Killzone 2", "Unreal 07", and "300 the Movie". The Killzone 2 Flipz book was the first I used my comic page / flip book page format which really opened up all kinds of possibities and uses for my flip books. The Unreal 07 flipz book is just such a cool, dynamic, trailer, the flip book just had to be made. The '300 the Movie" flip was again done because the trailer movie is so cool and I loved the Frank Miller comic (BTW - I keep forgetting to upload my Sin City Cinema Flipz book. I'll have to do that this week). My next favorites are Final Fantasy XIII and Marvel Utimate Alliance. The FFXIII flipz book was the first I introduced the art gallery pages in, which will now be a standard feature of my books. Meet the Robinson and Afro Samurai are my most ambitious as far as page count, 144 and 200 pages respectively.

Many GT viewers have asked about buying my books. Out of respect for creators of all these properties (I'll work in the creative arts (animation)and wouldn't want someone bootlegging my stuff. Plus, I wouldn't want to be sued by some like Sony), I'm not selling these on Ebay or privately ( I was offer $530.00 for Halo 3 Flipz book from a guy who saw it on Youtube, I declined). I'm still hoping to interest the game nad movie companies into letting me make and sell them. I've contacted several and I get some response but things seem to fall by the wayside.

So, I asking for your help. If you'd like to see your favorite game or movie trailers become flip books, write the game companies, Bungie, Square-Enix, Epic, Sony, Microsoft. and others. My Flipz book would be a great item for their online stores. Down the line, I'm open to talk about a royalty arrangement. I'd pay for for production, I just need the permission from the property owners for use of the trailer videos.

Thanks, again, for your support. No matter what, I'll keep making more Dragonfly Flipz books movies, if you keep watching them I promise.

I'll keep you posted.

Bone and Rocketmen Game Flipz™ Book Movies

Finally, I got the chance to post some new Dragonfly Game Flipz Book movies, Rocketmen and Bone. Actually, both of the books were done over a year or so ago.

You can check them out at my Gamepad blog at gametrailers.com

Here's the Rocketmen Game Flipz Book:


Here's the Bone Game Flipz Book:


Enjoy.

Dragonfly 300 Cinema Flipz Book

It seems "300", the movie inspired by the Frank Miller's graphic novel had a great box office opening the weekend. I tried to see it last friday, but all the showing were sold out.

I was very impressed with the first trailer when it came out several months back, so I did a Dragonfly Cinema Flipz Book of it. It's been posted on gametrailers.com and youtube.com and so far has recieved over 9,000 plus views.

Just in case you missed it here it is again.

Dragonfly 300 Cinema Flipz Book.



Enjoy.

Meet the Robinson - Dragonfly Cinema Flipz Book

Disney's Meet the Robinson's animated feature opens later this month. It looks like a lot of fun, I really like the trailer. Back in December, I did this Dragonfly Flipz book from one the movie's trailers. The Flipz book came out really well. A sample of this Flipz book is floating around Disney's marketing department right now, or forgotten in someone's desk. I was told there was interest in doing something with it but there's been no contact since January (I can take a hint). So, I'll try to post a fan movie of it on youtube.com soon. It may be the only chance it has to be seen.

Here the cover: (Note: This is a Concept Demo - Not for Sale)


Meet the Robinsons © Disney Enterprises, Inc

Afro Samurai Anime Flipz Movie

I just posted a movie of my Dragonfly Flipz™ Afro Samurai Anime Flipz book on Gametrailers.com (click on the link to view, the file was too big for Youtube). I really pushed the limits on his one: 200 pages from a video clip that was 4 1/2 minutes. That's about as far as I'll try to go for this small size book 3 1/2" x 5". It gets a little bulky for flipping. Check it out and leave a comment here or on the Gametrailers' comment section.

Here some sample pages: (Click to enlarge image)