Wednesday, January 2, 2008
Thursday, December 13, 2007
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
Masi Oka Q&A
Masi Oka was nice enough to answer some of your fan submitted questions. Check it out at the OWI main site at this LINK.Thanks to Masi and his publicist Sue for getting this done. I hope you enjoy it!
Saturday, November 10, 2007
OWI ON G4 TONIGHT!
TONIGHT ON G4, the OWI will be live via webcam and speaking with Blair Butler and Kevin Pereria at 11pm eastern. Tune in and get all the big headlines from this week's show! Join the live chat on both G4 and the OWI message boards!
Thursday, November 8, 2007
The cover art for HEROES: Saving Charlie has been released. The novel recounts the 6 months that Hiro Spent with Charlie the unforgettable waitress at the Burnt Toast Diner in Midland, Texas. We all know how the story begins and sadly ends...but what happened in the middle? The book is slated for a late December 2007 release date. Check back for the OWI review at that time.
Wednesday, November 7, 2007
Review: DC/ HEROES Graphic Novel Hard Cover
REVIEW: HEROES VOLUME I Graphic Novel Hard Cover11/7/07
© By: David Deas www.the-owi.com
So I get a knock at the door today and I open it to find the DC Hard Cover for
the HEROES graphic novels sitting on my doorstep.
First impressions: make room for this in your collection. You have seen the cover previously with the Alex Ross artwork on the front and Isaac's (Tim Sale's) painting of Peter flying off the rooftop on the reverse. Also if you remove the dust cover the eclipse is embossed into the books cover, that is a classy touch.
Now if you have read the online graphic novels the majority of this book isn't new to you. Even still it is nice to have them in hand on glossy paper. There is a disconnect in reading them online and it is nice to run your fingers across the page.
You can tell that this book was designed by people who live and work in graphic novels. The opening page is a reference to HEROES' comic book origins. It is a full page comic book cover with a familiar painting of a cheerleader running from a shadow. Even the 'Helix Comics' logo puts you into the mindset of a 10 year old who just spent 12 cents on the comic of the week.
If that isn't enough the next few pages follow suit and the titles, writers and artists are contained in old comic book style advertising boxes. They even have the classic X-Ray glasses ad in there. Whoever came up with this idea wins my award for creativity in book design.
Included is a very nice introduction titled 'Jump, Magazine, Sunday.' from Masi Oka (Hiro Nakamura) which speaks about his upbringing and the impact that Manga (Japanese comics) have had on his personal life. In Masi's own words, "A mere television show couldn't contain us. There still are more stories to tell, that we wanted to tell but couldn't..."
As stated earlier the novels are all from Volume I. They start with Mohinder's search for his father's body in 'Monsters' and end with 'The Death of Hana Gitelman'. In between each novel is one of Tim Sale's paintings turned into a 9th Wonders cover. All of Tim Sale's work from Volume I is included throughout the book. It is so great to have Sale's work on paper.
The surprise to me was the interview conducted by Jeph Loeb, Executive Producer of HEROES, with writers Aron Eli Coliete and Joe Pokaski. If you follow the weekly Behind the Eclipse interviews at Comic Book Resources you will recognize their names.
They talk about the process of creating a weekly online graphic novel and the impetus for such a project. It was a nice read and makes one realize how much work goes on to produce not only the TV show but the rest of the HEROES universe.
I would recommend this book to everyone. The novice HEROES fan would get a lot of background out of the novels and the hardcore collector gets a great collection of artwork from many different comic artists with varied styles. I am not sure where you could find a collection of art like this anywhere else. This would even be a great present for anyone who is a comic collector but not necessarily a HEROES fan.
I would like to thank everyone that worked on this book. It took a lot of handwork and boy does it show. I would also like to thank Alex from DC Comics who gave me the opportunity to get my hands on the book and do this review.
HEROES VOLUME I Hard Cover
DC Comics/ NBC
$29.99 US retail
Source EW.com:
By Jeff Jensen
'Heroes' Creator apologizes to fans Tim Kring admits mistakes were made at the beginning of season 2, but promises to get back on track"
On the chilly Monday morning that Hollywood's writers went on strike, Heroes creator Tim Kring called from the streets outside the Hollywood studio where his NBC series is shot. ''Yes, I'm picketing my own show,'' says the 50-year-old writer-producer. ''So surreal.''
But Kring wasn't calling to discuss labor woes — he was calling to explain why Heroes, suffering a creative decline and a 15 percent ratings drop from the same period last year, went from Human Torch hot to Iceman cold.
The good news? A turnaround appears to be under way. After weeks of sluggish storytelling, the Nov. 5 episode recaptured some of last season's fanciful energy. We've also seen the next two episodes — and we like them, too. The cliff-hangers are back. Narrative purpose has been discovered. Old favorites like Peter (Milo Ventimiglia) and Horn-Rimmed Glasses (Jack Coleman) take center stage. Even more encouraging: Kring himself is keenly aware that Heroes is broken. Here's his candid critique:
THE PACE IS TOO SLOW ''We assumed the audience wanted season 1 — a buildup of intrigue about these characters and the discovery of their powers. We taught [them] to expect a certain kind of storytelling. They wanted adrenaline. We made a mistake.''
THE WORLD-SAVING STAKES SHOULD HAVE BEEN ESTABLISHED SOONER The premonition of nuclear apocalypse created a larger context that unified every story line last season. Kring now sees that Volume 2 (the first 11 episodes of season 2) would have been better served if Peter's vision of viral Armageddon had appeared in the season premiere rather than episode 7. ''We took too long to get to the big-picture story,'' he says.
THE ROOKIES DIDN'T GREET THEMSELVES PROPERLY New Heroes Monica (Dana Davis), Maya (Dania Ramirez), and Alejandro (Shalim Ortiz) ''shouldn't have been introduced in separate story lines that felt unattached to the show. The way we introduced Elle (Kristen Bell) — by weaving her in via Peter's story line — is a more logical way to bring new characters into the show.'' (That said, Kring says a few newbies won't make it beyond this second volume, which wraps Dec. 3.)
HIRO WAS IN JAPAN WAY TOO LONG Hiro's (Masi Oka) time-bending adventure in 17th-century Japan — where he mentored samurai hero Takezo Kensei (David Anders) — finally came to an end on Nov. 5. But Kring says it ''should have [lasted] three episodes. We didn't give the audience enough story to justify the time we allotted it.''
YOUNG LOVE STINKS Kring regrets sticking Claire (Hayden Panettiere) with a super-dud boyfriend and forcing Hiro to moon over a cutesy princess. ''I've seen more convincing romances on TV,'' he admits. ''In retrospect, I don't think romance is a natural fit for us.''
Yet while Heroes has finally found some dramatic traction, this second volume is pretty much a wash. The Dec. 3 episode has been retooled to function as a potential season finale — a move inspired by the writers' strike and a desire to give the show ''a clean slate'' when it goes back into production for Volume 3. At that point, Kring wants to craft a rebooted Heroes that can attract new fans and win back those who've tuned out: ''The message is that we've heard the complaints — and we're doing something about it.''
'Heroes' Creator apologizes to fans Tim Kring admits mistakes were made at the beginning of season 2, but promises to get back on track"
On the chilly Monday morning that Hollywood's writers went on strike, Heroes creator Tim Kring called from the streets outside the Hollywood studio where his NBC series is shot. ''Yes, I'm picketing my own show,'' says the 50-year-old writer-producer. ''So surreal.''
But Kring wasn't calling to discuss labor woes — he was calling to explain why Heroes, suffering a creative decline and a 15 percent ratings drop from the same period last year, went from Human Torch hot to Iceman cold.
The good news? A turnaround appears to be under way. After weeks of sluggish storytelling, the Nov. 5 episode recaptured some of last season's fanciful energy. We've also seen the next two episodes — and we like them, too. The cliff-hangers are back. Narrative purpose has been discovered. Old favorites like Peter (Milo Ventimiglia) and Horn-Rimmed Glasses (Jack Coleman) take center stage. Even more encouraging: Kring himself is keenly aware that Heroes is broken. Here's his candid critique:
THE PACE IS TOO SLOW ''We assumed the audience wanted season 1 — a buildup of intrigue about these characters and the discovery of their powers. We taught [them] to expect a certain kind of storytelling. They wanted adrenaline. We made a mistake.''
THE WORLD-SAVING STAKES SHOULD HAVE BEEN ESTABLISHED SOONER The premonition of nuclear apocalypse created a larger context that unified every story line last season. Kring now sees that Volume 2 (the first 11 episodes of season 2) would have been better served if Peter's vision of viral Armageddon had appeared in the season premiere rather than episode 7. ''We took too long to get to the big-picture story,'' he says.
THE ROOKIES DIDN'T GREET THEMSELVES PROPERLY New Heroes Monica (Dana Davis), Maya (Dania Ramirez), and Alejandro (Shalim Ortiz) ''shouldn't have been introduced in separate story lines that felt unattached to the show. The way we introduced Elle (Kristen Bell) — by weaving her in via Peter's story line — is a more logical way to bring new characters into the show.'' (That said, Kring says a few newbies won't make it beyond this second volume, which wraps Dec. 3.)
HIRO WAS IN JAPAN WAY TOO LONG Hiro's (Masi Oka) time-bending adventure in 17th-century Japan — where he mentored samurai hero Takezo Kensei (David Anders) — finally came to an end on Nov. 5. But Kring says it ''should have [lasted] three episodes. We didn't give the audience enough story to justify the time we allotted it.''
YOUNG LOVE STINKS Kring regrets sticking Claire (Hayden Panettiere) with a super-dud boyfriend and forcing Hiro to moon over a cutesy princess. ''I've seen more convincing romances on TV,'' he admits. ''In retrospect, I don't think romance is a natural fit for us.''
Yet while Heroes has finally found some dramatic traction, this second volume is pretty much a wash. The Dec. 3 episode has been retooled to function as a potential season finale — a move inspired by the writers' strike and a desire to give the show ''a clean slate'' when it goes back into production for Volume 3. At that point, Kring wants to craft a rebooted Heroes that can attract new fans and win back those who've tuned out: ''The message is that we've heard the complaints — and we're doing something about it.''
HEROES: The Official Magazine
HEROES THE OFFICIAL MAGAZINE
Holding out for a Hero?The wait is finally over! The all-new Heroes Magazine has arrived!
Titan Publishing Group is proud to announce the release of the brand new Official Heroes Magazine on sale 15th November 2007 in the UK and 20th November 2007 in the US.The magazine will be taking you behind the scenes on TV’s most exciting new show. In this special 100-page first issue we will be speaking to Milo Ventimiglia, Hayden Panettiere, Masi Oka, and well, actually, all of the Heroes cast and crew and getting behind-the-scenes insights into the world of Heroes. We will also be talking to the show’s creator Tim Kring. He will be talking to us exclusively about the exciting first season and the show’s success, and he’ll be providing an exciting sneak peak of what the second season holds! “We are very excited to team with Titan on this magazine. HEROES is proud to be able to provide more access to the creative process and behind the scenes for the fans, and this magazine is the perfect way to include the audience in the HEROES world,” said Tim Kring, creator-executive producer, “Heroes.”Also in this amazing first issue, we will be taking an in-depth look at the Heroes online comic and talking to its writers and artists. We have also been following the cast as they traveled on this year’s Heroes World Tour, so we’ll be sharing the highlights and showing you some cool, exclusive photographs.
Unleash your inner hero and pick up the Official Heroes Magazine on sale 15th November 2007. Check out www.titanmagazines.co.uk/heroes for more infomation.
Holding out for a Hero?The wait is finally over! The all-new Heroes Magazine has arrived!
Titan Publishing Group is proud to announce the release of the brand new Official Heroes Magazine on sale 15th November 2007 in the UK and 20th November 2007 in the US.The magazine will be taking you behind the scenes on TV’s most exciting new show. In this special 100-page first issue we will be speaking to Milo Ventimiglia, Hayden Panettiere, Masi Oka, and well, actually, all of the Heroes cast and crew and getting behind-the-scenes insights into the world of Heroes. We will also be talking to the show’s creator Tim Kring. He will be talking to us exclusively about the exciting first season and the show’s success, and he’ll be providing an exciting sneak peak of what the second season holds! “We are very excited to team with Titan on this magazine. HEROES is proud to be able to provide more access to the creative process and behind the scenes for the fans, and this magazine is the perfect way to include the audience in the HEROES world,” said Tim Kring, creator-executive producer, “Heroes.”Also in this amazing first issue, we will be taking an in-depth look at the Heroes online comic and talking to its writers and artists. We have also been following the cast as they traveled on this year’s Heroes World Tour, so we’ll be sharing the highlights and showing you some cool, exclusive photographs.
Unleash your inner hero and pick up the Official Heroes Magazine on sale 15th November 2007. Check out www.titanmagazines.co.uk/heroes for more infomation.
Four HEROES covers for TV Guide
Check out the lastest covers of TV Guide. Four different covers by four different Comic Artists. Jim Lee, Phil Jimenez, Michael Turner and Tim Sale respectively. Look for these on your local news stands!A Chance In Hell?
by Unlikely Hiro
Out of Time marks the first time in thirty episodes that this show has really disappointed me. The show has for once given us something that actually was exactly what it seemed, missing the opportunity to tell a wonderfully complex story.
I liked Kensei. He was a nice guy, if a bit self-centered, but he had been turned from his path to one of heroism by the aptly named Hiro. His legend was coming true, even as he betrayed everyone around him and sold out to the enemy. He had "cut out his own heart," if you will. As The Line came to an end, I could feel the rug about to be pulled out from under us. Takezo Kensei, I confidently predicted, would return to save the day.
No dice. Kensei is suddenly beyond vengeful, so completely and utterly beyond redemption that Hiro had to leave him to be incinerated. Where did this come from?! Whatever happened to foreshadowing? He showed capacity to be inconsiderate, showed himself to be an alcoholic, and showed less-than-pure motivations, but come on!
I’ve never liked literalism. The best stories have been riddled with metaphor and symbolism, something that, in the past, Heroes excelled in. They had the perfect opportunity, the perfect bait-and-switch, and they blew it!
Furthermore, I am sick of immortals who hate life, the universe, and everything. The lovable goof-off Kensei (LGOK) would have been the perfect person to break this stereotype, a person who would look at an unending life as an unending adventure. Instead, we are given yet another vengeful immortal.
I guess I will have to settle for a good Kensei in my "Years Gone" story, which I shall now shamelessly plug: http://www.the-owi.com/FICTIONYG1.html. Goodbye, LGOK. You shall be sorely missed.
Wait a second.
This did come from nowhere. A suspicious nowhere. I’m not entirely ready to except Kensei the Supervillain (KTSV), though there’s a 99.9% probability he exists. There is, however, a veeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeery slight chance, a chance in hell, if you will, that LGOK is still around in 2007. A chance made up of the old legend, a crazy off-the-wall theory, and a lack of trust.
According to the Legend of Takezo Kensei, once Kensei tore out his heart, the Dragon (Hiro?) breathed "fire-life" back into him. Hiro kinda did this, when he incinerated him. Which brings me to the off-the-wall theory.
It was mentioned on the boards that Kensei’s personality seemed to change after he "died" in Lizards. Thus, the theory states, Kensei is a different person after each "death." Assuming this is true, Kensei could have been "reformed" by the fire.
Which brings me to trust. Why, oh why, are we suddenly trusting Bob Bishop? Why are we believing him when he says that the 11/8 Spectacular was Adam’s idea? Bob is an expert manipulator, albeit a passive-aggressive one. He won Mohinder’s trust by siccing Niki on himself. He will win Nathan and Matt’s trust by making Adam the apocalyptic mastermind. It was Bob who tampered with the virus, creating the Niki Strain; it was Bob who insisted on its, shall we say, tactical use; and it will be Bob who releases it into the world, killing 5.8 billion people. Bob is, pardon the language, covering his ass. Adam and Peter are the ones who are trying to save the world (remember, the Linderman Clan was in charge when Adam was imprisoned).
Admittedly, this is a long shot. But until we see him in Four Months Ago, I still hold out a tiny scrap of hope, that there is a chance in hell that Adam Monroe is indeed out to save the world.
Out of Time marks the first time in thirty episodes that this show has really disappointed me. The show has for once given us something that actually was exactly what it seemed, missing the opportunity to tell a wonderfully complex story.
I liked Kensei. He was a nice guy, if a bit self-centered, but he had been turned from his path to one of heroism by the aptly named Hiro. His legend was coming true, even as he betrayed everyone around him and sold out to the enemy. He had "cut out his own heart," if you will. As The Line came to an end, I could feel the rug about to be pulled out from under us. Takezo Kensei, I confidently predicted, would return to save the day.
No dice. Kensei is suddenly beyond vengeful, so completely and utterly beyond redemption that Hiro had to leave him to be incinerated. Where did this come from?! Whatever happened to foreshadowing? He showed capacity to be inconsiderate, showed himself to be an alcoholic, and showed less-than-pure motivations, but come on!
I’ve never liked literalism. The best stories have been riddled with metaphor and symbolism, something that, in the past, Heroes excelled in. They had the perfect opportunity, the perfect bait-and-switch, and they blew it!
Furthermore, I am sick of immortals who hate life, the universe, and everything. The lovable goof-off Kensei (LGOK) would have been the perfect person to break this stereotype, a person who would look at an unending life as an unending adventure. Instead, we are given yet another vengeful immortal.
I guess I will have to settle for a good Kensei in my "Years Gone" story, which I shall now shamelessly plug: http://www.the-owi.com/FICTIONYG1.html. Goodbye, LGOK. You shall be sorely missed.
Wait a second.
This did come from nowhere. A suspicious nowhere. I’m not entirely ready to except Kensei the Supervillain (KTSV), though there’s a 99.9% probability he exists. There is, however, a veeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeery slight chance, a chance in hell, if you will, that LGOK is still around in 2007. A chance made up of the old legend, a crazy off-the-wall theory, and a lack of trust.
According to the Legend of Takezo Kensei, once Kensei tore out his heart, the Dragon (Hiro?) breathed "fire-life" back into him. Hiro kinda did this, when he incinerated him. Which brings me to the off-the-wall theory.
It was mentioned on the boards that Kensei’s personality seemed to change after he "died" in Lizards. Thus, the theory states, Kensei is a different person after each "death." Assuming this is true, Kensei could have been "reformed" by the fire.
Which brings me to trust. Why, oh why, are we suddenly trusting Bob Bishop? Why are we believing him when he says that the 11/8 Spectacular was Adam’s idea? Bob is an expert manipulator, albeit a passive-aggressive one. He won Mohinder’s trust by siccing Niki on himself. He will win Nathan and Matt’s trust by making Adam the apocalyptic mastermind. It was Bob who tampered with the virus, creating the Niki Strain; it was Bob who insisted on its, shall we say, tactical use; and it will be Bob who releases it into the world, killing 5.8 billion people. Bob is, pardon the language, covering his ass. Adam and Peter are the ones who are trying to save the world (remember, the Linderman Clan was in charge when Adam was imprisoned).
Admittedly, this is a long shot. But until we see him in Four Months Ago, I still hold out a tiny scrap of hope, that there is a chance in hell that Adam Monroe is indeed out to save the world.
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