Lots of updates and news, so here we go!

DINNER MEETING TONIGHT

Sorry to post this so late, but…eh…Don’t forget the next meeting is scheduled for March 4, 2004, at RP Tracks, 3457 Walker Ave next to Tiger Bookstore (off Highland) at 7 pm. Bring along some art, photos, or other stuff to show off. You might want to order off their menu–it’s mm-mm good!

EISNER OUSTED!

Read more about the stockholder meeting during which time Disney Big Whig, Michael Eisner, gets ousted of his position. If you’re interested at all, the contract between Disney and Eisner is online.

Anyways, the stockholders meeting was also live online, and through March 13, 2004, it will be available to listen to should you so desire.

Of course, this has all be in the works for years by Roy Disney and Stephen Gold, both ex-chairmen of the board, and you can see more about their plight, and a hilairous cartoon, at www.savedisney.com.

PIXAR PICS

Of course, Eisner’s last conversation with Larry King less than a week ago had him discussing what all were grand new things Disney has going on, and besides the new musical show about Snow White, there is a movie coming out by Pixar called “The Incredibles.” For those of us who are into the superhero facet of the comic book industry, this should be right up your alley…and guess what? There are already TOYS on the way!

JETTA’S TAIL

Martheus Antone Wade will be making an appearance on a cable access television station today (even “I” was informed late) and on most cable networks it’s channel 17 at 3 pm. He is discussing his book “Jetta: Tales of the Toshigawa, Last Chances” is on sale now, and you can visit his website for more information. Own your own Jetta merchandise here: (.)(.) (If you know Jetta like I do, you’ll get the joke of that link).

GHOSTBUSTERS!

Sebastian Clavet, the owner of 88MPH Studios who is publishing this book has an interview through Dynamic Forces where he discusses his love for the comic book, and he also answers questions about the book at the Ghostbusters Message Boards.

There is also a set of novelizations about these characters that are being produced from ibooks whose editor, Steve Roman, also visits the message boards and answers questions. He states that the author Sholly Fisch is a Ghostbusters fan, has researched the movies, scripts, and prior novelizations of the movies, and is working hard to make sure every detail is true to the original characters.

Now, besides things in print, Randy from NECA notified the fans that we will also see some awsome action figures, who have given us the Nightmare Before Christmas line in the past (70 new Nightmare toys in 2004). These figures are based on the motion picture and look very much like the faces and figures in the film. So far, they have Gozer the Gozerian, Stay Puft Marshmallow Man, and the 2 Terror Dogs and (finally) a great looking Slimer the Green Ghost action figure. They are also producing a sting light featuring Slimer and the No-Ghost Logo, and Slimer and Stay-Puft bobbles, and Dancing Slimer.

Ertl is also releasing a 1:18 version die cast Ecto-1 with a very cheesy Slimer Ghost accessory. Johnny Lightning has also released a “Ghostbusters” diorama, but it contains the GhostbustersII Ecto-1a instead of the original car. Go figure.

PEANUTS

In Print

We already know about the Fantagraphics books chronicling the entire run of all the strips from the classic comic strip that became a stronghold thread in American Culture, ultimately blanketing the world. Now, the Charles M. Schulz Museum has collected and are publishing “Li’l Folks Charles M. Schulz: Li’l Beginnings.” Edited by Derrick Bang, this book is due out on February 21st and will feature the comic strips Sparky worked on prior to Peanuts, published in his hometown newspaper, St. Paul Pioneer Press, between 6/22/1947 and 1/22/1950, followed by Peanuts in October 1950. The 292 page soft-cover book costs $30.00 and has a foreword in it by Jean Schulz. It is available exclusively from the Charles M. Schulz Museum Store online, or call (707) 579-4452.

MAD About Peanuts

The CMS Museum will also feature a new exhibit March 20 – September 27, 2004, featuring MAD™ Magazine parodies of the Charlie Brown gang! MADTM Magazine artist Sergio Aragones will speak at exhibition opening Saturday, March 20th at 1:30 and 3:30pm. Members only opening party Friday March 19, 7-9PM

http://www.schulzmuseum.org/exhibits.html exhibits

http://www.schulzmuseum.org/membership.html members

Get your kicks with a Peanuts fix at Snoopystore.com!!

Don’t forget you need a place to put all those Peanuts: THE BUCKETS!

BAT BEGINNINGS

So, expected around July 2005, we get another Bat Adventure. This time: a PREQUEL! This will be a film Described as an origins story of how billionaire Bruce Wayne becomes the Caped Crusader and faces his first foes in Gotham City. This film is going to star Morgan Freeman, Michael Cane, and the new Bruce: Christian Bale. Liam Neeson will also be in the movie. IGN.com has a lot of great information (and spoilers) to share. Stay ‘tooned for more information.

COMIC BOOK MOVIES

How do you learn more about ‘em? Go here: The Comic Book Movie Website.

TOONS AS TOYS

It’s a fact that if something is a wee-bit popular, it’s likely to become a toy. Palisades Toys, a company that has produced the high-quality The Muppets action figures (with close attention to detail and likenesses), is also making a slew of other great cartoons in 3-D form. Anything from Pink Panther to Ren and Stimpy. Be sure to check out their site for more information and to see these wonderful toys! Oh, and for those fans of GI Joe, Predator and Alien, and Transformers—they aren’t leaving you out, either!

www.rmhmemphis.org

www.picturetrail.com/linworkman