Django Unchained: The Graphic Novel

Order your copy at www.reggiesworld.com and I’ll autograph it, if that’s what you want.  But you want it.  Christmas is coming, you can gift it AND keep one for yourself.  Don’t take my word for it, read this review:

Review: Django Unchained Hardcover

by Cody "The Thorverine" Ferrell

The seven-issue comics adaptation of the Oscar-winning movie by Quentin Tarantino is now collected in hardcover! Don’t miss this blood-soaked tale of a bounty-hunting dentist and his partner Django, a recently freed slave, as they search the post-Civil War South for Django’s wife!

Today sees the release of the Django Unchained trade paperback. The hardcover book collects all seven issues of the comic adaptation of the Oscar-winning movie from Quentin Tarantino. Of course it’s written by Tarantino since it’s the first draft of his script, but it’s adapted into comic book form by Reginald Hudlin. Issues 1, 2, 4, 7 feature art from R.M. Guera and Jason Latour. Issues 3 and 6 features pencils from Denys Cowan with inks by John Floyd. Issue 5’s art is handled by Danijel Zezelj. Giulia Brussco and Jose Villarubia handle colors while Sal Cipriano and Taylor Esposito provide lettering. The movie was a hit with critics and fans, but how does the adaptation hold up to the source?

The story doesn’t deviate too far from the finished project. Django is “freed” by Dr. King Schultz who then offers Django his freedom in exchange for helping him track down and kill the Brittle brothers. Their time collecting bounties forges a friendship and leads Schultz to train Django and offer to help him find his lost wife, Broomhilda, if he agrees to help him collect bounties over the winter. The duo track Broomhilda down to the villainous Calvin Candie, owner of the notorious Candyland. Django and Schultz will have to orchestra their most brilliant ruse yet if they hope to rescue Django’s love.

Hudlin adapts Tarantino’s first draft well. Things don’t differ too greatly from what we see on the big screen, but there is a large portion devoted to Broomhilda and her trip to Candyland. The final battle between Django and the white inhabitants of Candyland also goes down a little different than it does on film as well. Other than that, this is really just a great director’s cut of the film. The art is top notch all around. R.M. Guera is the prefect artist for this adaptation. He is probably best known for Scalped, and that was a comic series that was a fantastic Quentin Tarantino-ish film. Guera fits right in with the look and feel of Tarantino’s film. Cowan’s art on issues 3 and 6 are a good compliment to Guera. He has his own style, but the change isn’t drastic or jarring. Zezelji’s art on issue 5 is the most noticeable shift. The heavier line work and use of shading does work well with the introduction of Candlyand though.

Bottom Line: Django Unchained is just as good as its movie counterpart. There is enough here to keep it from feeling like a straight movie adaption comic, though most of the story plays out the same way. Like I said above, Django Unchained #1-7 is a stellar director’s cut of the film in comic book form. If you enjoyed Django Unchained, are a cinephile, or just love Tarantino films, this is well worth picking up. Tarantino proves it’s worth a comic book adaptation with his love letter to western comics in the book’s introduction. It’s a well put together trade to boot. 4.5/5

Talk about it on HEF - the Hudlin Entertainment Forum

Miles And Me

Me with Miles Davis’ ex-wife Frances.  My wife met her years ago and she kept her fascinated with great stories from her life.   She danced with the great Kathrine Dunham, who changed our families’ life as well. 

The Davis family hosted a small exhibition of Miles Davis’ art at a gallery in Los Angeles to celebrate the publication of a coffee table book of his work.

The art was cool, with music spun by the son of Stanley Clarke.  I kicked with Vince Wilburn, Miles’ nephew and a bandleader his self; Nas, who calmly told a hear-wrenching story of owning and losing an original piece of Miles’ art; and some folks who know my mom, because everywhere I go in LA I meet people who love my mom.  She has a busier social life than me. 

Nas, Vince Wilburn, Miles’ son Erin Davis.  Vince grew up in East St. Louis too. 

Talk about it on HEF - the Hudlin Entertainment Forum

  THE HUDLIN 100 2013

Ten Best Music And Dance Clips Of 2013

1. Heaven Dancing on Ellen

A cute mom and daughter do their thing on Ellen. A whole lotta cute results.

2. Welcome to Tokyo

Japanese cool with pop locking flavor.

3. Couple On Subway Dancing

The exuberance of youth and love. 

4. Video for Radioactive

One of the biggest records of the year, but man, what a disturbing video!

5. Janelle Monae’s Prime Time & Dance Apocalpyptic

Prime Time is a surprisingly moving short film, and Dance Apocalyptic reminds of when videos were fun!

6. Jimmy Fallon and The Roots

Jimmy Fallon and The Roots keep finding fresh ways to present music.

7. Marvin Gaye accapella – Heard It Through The Grapevine

When isolated, you can really appreciate the power of Marvin’s vocals and the aching beauty of the song.

8. Afro Beatles

Brilliant conceptual mashup!  Imagine this musical forces meeting in Swinging London in the 60s…this might have been the result.

9. Kind of Blue sheet music animated

As simple as it is mesmerizing.

10. Calvin and Hobbes Dancing

This video is so beautiful and sad…too bad we could have a show/movie/special of moments like this.

Talk about it on HEF - the Hudlin Entertainment Forum

I Like Your Smile!

More beautiful smiles on HEF