The co-creator of Superman, Jerry Siegel (left), and Warner Bros. cartoon legend, Bob Clampett (at right), at the 1976 San Diego Comic Con. Photo by Alan Light.

Alan Light has posted a bunch of his comics fandom photos on Flickr. These include snapshots of Mel Blanc, Daws Butler, Stan Lee, Chuck Jones and others. My, how times have changed. Here’s Light at his dealers table at the ‘76 con… where are the crowds?

Light was a comics fan who created and published (out of his basement) two important fanzines in the 1970s, The Buyers Guide For Comics Fandom and Film Collectors World (both are still published today, as Comics Buyers Guide and Movie Collectors World, by other publishers). Light’s photos are quite nostalgic to anyone (like me) who remembers going to the conventions, or getting his publications, back in the day.

Tim Petros, a photographer who specializes in QuickTime VR, was hired to transform the Ratatouille backgrounds into VR movies with sound narration. The results are pretty fun and innovative. I’m surprised we don’t see more creative uses of existing CG assets for film promotions. Tim also makes QTVR movies of cartoon maquettes, like these movies of sculptures designed by Ruben Procopio.

Okay, this is slighty OT, but I absolutely love it.

Our cartoon pal Joe Dante (Looney Tunes: Back In Action) and his movie director buddies John Landis (Animal House), Edgar Wright (Shaun of the Dead), Mary Lambert (Pet Sematary) and Mick Garris (Tales From The Crypt) have teamed up to create a website/podcast where they do audio commentary on their favorite exploitation movies—not the films themselves, but the 3-minute trailers.

As they say, “Even a bad movie can have a great trailer.” The initial videos on Trailers From Hell are funny, informative and very entertaining. I already have dibs on doing guest commentary for some animated features from hell (I can think of quite a few trailers that qualify). In the meantime, check out the inaugural offerings. Highly recommended.

New month…new edition of FLIP, animator Steve Moore’s excellent online magazine for animators.

In this edition Steve celebrates independent animation with a round robin interview with fifteen top independent filmmakers including Patrick Smith, Mark Kausler, Nina Paley, Signe Baumane, Xeth Feinberg, John Schnall, and Chansoo Kim. Click for FLIP.

I’ve never understood the thinking of some people who try to create a hit video online so they can get a TV deal. If you’ve already created something popular online and have established a dedicated audience, then why do you even need TV? Of course, saying this is muching easier than actually doing it. TV is proven and established; the online world is still frightening and largely unexplored as a business model.

But even today there are some people who believe strongly enough in online possibilities that they’re bypassing TV deals in favor of developing their online brand. One prominent example is the animation studio and entertainment portal JibJab, run by brothers Gregg and Evan Spiridellis. In this new interview with Gregg Spiridellis, he offers some worthwhile insights into how JibJab is developing its online brand, and doing so without relying on the corporate world of television. It’s a thought-provoking read which makes one realize that there are even bigger and better opportunities awaiting animation creators online than in the once-dominant TV industry.

Eye candy and ear wax.

Tony from Way Out Junk has amassed a treasure trove of obscure, offbeat children’s records, mainly from the 60s and 70s. These include long lost tracks from Woody Woodpecker, Huckleberry Hound, and of course, The Chipmunks (above). Great downloads, cover art, and commentary at Way Out Junk.

Not sure if Max Fleischer would approve.

Bimboim’s Trip to the Western Wall has screened in New York, and film festivals in Belgium and Israel, originally as a silent film accompanied by a live Klezmer orchestra. Directed by SVA/Pratt student Mor Erlich (aka Mornography).

Brewmaster Jerry Beck will be broadcasting again, live on Shokus Internet Radio this Wednesday June 13th from 4pm to 6pm Pacific time (that’s 7pm to 9pm for you in the Eastern Time Zone).

Stu Shostak and I will be discussing cartoon history, animated TV shows, and the upcoming DVD releases of classic animation. If you have a specific question you want answered, call in during the broadcast toll free (888) 746-5875. If you miss the show, it’ll be rerun for the next seven days at the same time. Tune in!