Posts Tagged "Hellboy"

The Theme of 2019: A Continuation of “The End of 2018”

(if you have not yet, read the first part here)

What can I say about the year to come? Over the past few months the projects which have developed and come together for next year have unwittingly and almost completely developed into a theme for 2019. Because of the pattern and potential I saw, and the number of projects that have come together all at once, I laid out a plan—a fairly specific one—for next year. Included in that plan are Chadhiyana, Gentleman Cthulhu, Dark Fire Press and some very valuable and exciting changes to my Patreon.

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Early Thoughts on NetFlix’s Castlevania Series

J. M. DeSantis's Thoughts on Netflix's Castlevania trailer

Back in February, a number of websites began publishing information about a new Netflix series based on the Castlevania franchise. Then, just yesterday, the first trailer was released. It’s no secret that the Castlevania series has been a major influence on my work. It’s the first video game series that I felt was “mine”, in that I discovered it for myself; I started with the very first Castlevania in 1986–though it probably wasn’t until 1987 or 88 that I played it (games had a longer shelf-life back then)–and it featured all of the things I loved best: horror elements, a massive castle, spooky music (I love that word) and Dracula! So with all of that, you’d think I’d be excited to know a screen adaptation of the games is finally happening. Read more… ›

Initial Thoughts on the Recent Hellboy Movie Announcement

J. M. DeSantis Blog: New Hellboy Movie

Mike Mignola is on the short list of creators whose work inspired me to get back into comics. After years of being sick of Marvel and DC (especially after Marvel’s Onslaught thing and the whole Amalgam deal in the 1990s), I stopped reading comics for a long time, and I make no secret of my complete lack of interest in the “mythology” of superheroes (can I write that word?). Then, in college, I was introduced to Mignola and other creators (such as Alan Moore) who offered an alternative to what comics could be about. And though it took a bit to get used to Mignola’s style, once I read Hellboy I was instantly hooked. It was equal turns dark and humourous and was inspired by much of the same source material which I myself enjoy. So when Mike Mignola announced through his social media networks that a new Hellboy film was in the works, you figured I’d be ecstatic.  Read more… ›

Beginning, Middle and…

J. M. DeSantis Blog Post

Recently, two of my favourite modern creators announced an end to their beloved series. In video games, Hidetaka Miyazaki has (somewhat ambiguously) stated that “there’s absolutely no plan right now for any sequels, spin-offs or tie-ins” to Dark Souls or Bloodborne (forbes.com/sites/olliebarder/2016/04/27/hidetaka-miyazaki-puts-the-souls-series-on-hold-wants-to-do-more-mecha-games/#180de5cb1845). And in comics, Mike Mignola has ended the Hellboy series to pursue a new direction as a watercolourist (albeit new works from other creators may come out featuring the character). Yet as devastating as these announcements seemingly are–and one coming after the other, no less–more than anything these two men have earned a great deal of respect from me for making these decisions. After all, I believe firmly in the old adage that all stories have a beginning, a middle and an end. Read more… ›

Thank You, Inbeon Con!

J. M. DeSantis Spiderman sketch coverIt’s been a summer of conventions (compared to what I’m used to): three in a row, in three different states. With Inbeon Con: Summer Edition this past weekend, my public appearances have ended until the New York Comic Con in October (though I am debating adding another show or two onto my schedule, before the end of the year). That said, Inbeon Con was a spectacular event, and I’m very glad my friend Eric Hutchison (owner of Inbeon Studios and host of the event) convinced me to do it.

Like a lot of shows I’ve been doing this year, Inbeon Con was much smaller than shows like New York Comic Con (well, really, what show isn’t smaller than NYCC?) or even Boston Comic Con. Though, I’m finding sometimes the smaller shows turn out to be a bigger success than the larger ones, especially one day shows as they tend to be the most intimate between the attendees and the exhibitors and there’s less competition at the show. Read more… ›