Book Look: Ad Boy

Here's a great book I came across recently."Ad Boy: Vintage Advertising with Character" is a collection of various ad characters that graced many consumer goods' packages during the 1950's, 60's and 70's. The vintage illustrations and designs are indeed a great resource for any illustrator, graphic designer, advertising enthusiast and/or nostalgia buff.The book was put together by Warren Dotz: a pop culture historian, collector, designer and author of eight advertising art books, and Masud Husain: a graphic designer, branding specialist and avid collector of American advertising ephemera.For more great vintage illustration by these creative people, visit their blog here:
http://adboyworld.blogspot.com/
Here's another nice review of Ad Boy at Illustration Mundo.com :
http://www.illustrationmundo.com/wp/1294
If you are interested in retro illustration and nostalgia artwork, you can pick up a copy at a local book retailer or visit this link to order online:
http://www.randomhouse.com/catalog/display.pperl?isbn=9781580089845

King of Pop (1958 - 2009)

The sudden death of Michael Jackson has shocked the music industry as well as the world. The man who brought us Thriller and the moonwalk is gone. But his memory will live on.
Back in 1990, Jackson was a fan of The Simpsons and offered to write a number one single for Bart and to do a guest spot on the show.

The "Do The Bartman" video is directed by Brad Bird who went on to direct such animated features as "The Iron Giant", "The Incredibles" and "Ratatouille".

Happy Father's Day

I hope all you Dad's out there are having a great Father's Day today!
In celebration, here is an Augie Doggie & Doggie Daddy story from Marvel Comics' Yogi Bear #8 (1978).

DVD Look: Saturday Morning Cartoons 1960s Vol 1

This past May saw two new releases from Warner Home Video, Saturday Morning Cartoons: 1970s Vol 1 & Saturday Morning Cartoons: 1960s Vol 1.In an attempt to capture the retro feel and shows of the classic Saturday Morning cartoons, Warner Bros has released these new DVD collections for people who grew up watching these cartoons and to introduce them to a new generation."Saturday Morning Cartoons: The 60's" contains quite a bit of classic Hanna-Barbera shows, many which are making their DVD debut, plus an episode of The Porky Pig Show complete with bumpers along with an episode of an early Anime series called Marine Boy, which is presented with a crisp picture and sound which makes me wonder if Warners is planning on releasing a season set?Along with an extra episode of The Quick Draw McGraw Show, there are 3 featurettes explaining the histories behind Quick Draw McGraw, The Herculoids, and Frankenstein Jr. & The Impossibles.Golden Age Cartoons has a great review of the set by Jon Cooke which includes a listing of the complete contents of the 60's set:
http://reviews.goldenagecartoons.com/2009/1960s/Add this great classic cartoon set to your animation DVD collection today! Perhaps Vol 2 is in the works?

Another S-H Back Up Story

From the pages of Peter Porker The Spectacular Spider-Ham #8 (1986), comes the tale that introduces one with the power cosmic, The Silver Squirrel.
The Watchdog tries to lead the cosmic being down the right path, but the 'screwy' squirrel doesn't want to listen. Written by Mike Mellor with artwork by Steve Mellor.

Can't Keep a Good Series Down

It seems that the Futurama cast did not completely vanish "Into the Wild Green Yonder" which was their fourth and final direct-to-DVD film.
Rumors of the series being picked up for 13 new episodes can be read here:
http://www.animationmagazine.net/article/10138#
Oh, and it seems that Pixar has a Monsters Inc. sequel in the works...?

New Looney Tunes in the Works?

Though most of the suggested are simply rumors and speculation, it seems that Warner Bros Animation is in the process of developing a brand-new television series featuring the Looney Tunes.I first spotted the news over at Golden Age Cartoons on this thread:
http://forums.goldenagecartoons.com/showthread.php?t=13202
By following the link above, you can follow it too the original Daffy Duck layout drawing that's posted on cartoonist/animator Jim Smith's blog.
http://jimsmithcartoons.blogspot.com/
According to one member who happens to be a professional animation writer, the series is being written by an improv group called the Groundlings. I'm not sure if that's a good idea if it's true. Comedians writing cartoons? Sure they might know jokes, but can they time an animation gag with printed words?

Lou's Art of Up

Check out Lou Romano's blog for a great in-depth look at the development & production work he did for the recent Pixar hit film, Up.
http://louromano.blogspot.com/2009/05/art-of-up_3697.html
The great illustrator/ art director shares many images he created to inspire the look of the final film. But beware, if you haven't seen the awesome movie yet, the post does contain spoilers (of sorts).

Residents Evil

Here's a fun article that was printed in a 1999 issue of Toons: The Animation Magazine which was published by the same folks who handle Wizard Magazine.
The article picks the top-10 best animated villains of the time, see if you agree with the list.