Rebecca (1940) - The First Hitchcock Masterpiece?

Director: Alfred Hitchcock

Main Cast:

• Laurence Olivier - 'Maxim' de Winter
• Joan Fontaine - The Second Mrs. de Winter
• Judith Anderson - Mrs. Danvers

3 Sentence Simple Synopsis: The wealthy Maxim de Winter gets remarried after his wife Rebecca, loved by everyone who lays eyes on her, drowns at sea. When he returns home with his new bride, the new Mrs. de Winter is tormented by the head house maid who is still infatuated with Rebecca. As the plot thickens, it appears the spirit of Rebecca never left the house as deadly secrets try to separate the newly weds.

Why is this film in my Blockbuster Queue: Other than the fact that I'm on a quest to watch all of Hitchcock's films, the thing that intrigued me most was the film shares the same name as my little sister.

Some Quick thoughts: So, how could a movie with a common girl's name be such a masterpiece of suspense? In my opinion, the most suspenseful sequence was when the Second Mrs. de Winter comes down the stairs dressed up for the costume ball. We all knew the Evil Mrs. Danvers tricked the poor girl into dressing like Rebecca. The sight of anything resembling Rebecca angrily upsets Maxim, so you can feel the tension even before Maxim turns around to see his beautiful wife.

This movie doesn't have any bombs, guns, or chase scenes, but the memories of Rebecca create enough suspense to make Hitchcock's first Hollywood film a thrill. In the end, the newly weds live happily ever after, even though Mrs. Danvers dies in a blazing fire and Maxim gets away with hiding the true reason for Rebecca's death (don't worry, he didn't kill her, she just fell and hit her head while they were arguing. However, he did make her death look like suicide by sending her body out to sea.). Regardless of any moral ground broken, the audience is pleased with the outcome because we know Rebecca was actually cruel and unfaithful.

Oh, and even though this film is old and in Black & White, I think Joan Fontaine was kinda hot.

Tarantino Comics - Issues 6 & 7

Tarantino Comics #'s 6 & 7 were also drawn at the CGS Super Show. Issue 6 was drawn by Dan Capitumini, inspired from Inglourious Basterds. Dan was a lot of fun to talk to, discussing the whole GrindHouse project and Eli Roth. He did a great job drawing the Bear Jew. Be sure to check him out at http://www.capitumini.com/

Issue 7 was drawn by Shawn Wagner, inspired from Pulp Fiction. Shawn was the first to add colors to the Tarantino Comic covers and he did a great job. His color scheme works well for Jules and Vincent. Check out Shawn's work at http://www.leadslingerstudios.com/

Tarantino Comics - Issues 4 & 5

Last weekend I went to the Comic Geek Speak Super Show in Reading, PA. The guys who put on this show are a group of great guys who have an awesome comics community and podcast. Be sure to check them out at: http://comicgeekspeak.com/

My first sketch of the weekend, Tarantino Comics #4, was done by Adam Withers of The Uniques Comic. This piece was inspired from Kill Bill Volume 1. I've met Adam at previous shows before, so he had to draw in this book because he previously drew a "Reservoir Muppets" scene in my Muppet Show vs. Sesame Street sketchbook (The Swedish Chef as Mr. Blonde cutting off Bert's Ear). Be sure to check out Adam and Comfort Love at http://www.uniquescomic.com/

Tarantino Comics #5 was drawn by William Blankenship. This was inspired from the infamous torture scene in Reservoir Dogs. Will was a great guy, so be sure to check him out at http://www.bohemian-zen.com/

Tarantino Comics - Issues 2 & 3

The covers to issues 2 and 3 were drawn by Amanda Rachels at Megacon 2010. Amanda being a huge Tarantino Fan as well, I am glad she did the next two pages. My biggest fear was that this sketchbook was going to become a pinup book, but instead, she was able to transform Tarantino's films into classic comic book covers.

Issue #2 was inspired from Inglourious Basterds. I love how she put the tagline said by the "Giant Face."

Issue #3 was inspired from Death Proof. This is a personal favorite thus so far because: 1) I believe this is an under appreciated movie and 2) I love how she put the "Zoe Bell Posse" screenshot at the bottom of the cover.

Amanda is a great artist so be sure to check her webcomic at http://blindeyecomic.com/

Tarantino Comics - First Issue!

I had to start off the sketchbook with a bang, so I was lucky enough to have the great Phil Noto draw the first cover to Tarantino Comics Issue #1. Inspired from the classic Pulp Fiction movie poster, this was drawn at Megacon 2010.

Welcome to Tarantino Comics

Welcome to my new blog! This is purely meant as a fansite, displaying my love for comics and film (especially Quentin Tarantino films). When I go to comic book conventions, you have the ability to meet different artists and commission them to draw anything you want. Some people get the artwork on individual pieces of paper, but in my case, I have hardbound sketchbooks, each with a common theme. Based on the sketchbook's theme, the various artists draw their interpretation of the theme on each consecutive page. My sketchbooks include: Pulp Characters, Stargirl (character from DC Comics), The Immortal Iron Fist (Character from Marvel Comics), Batman & Daredevil, and The Muppet Show vs. Sesame Street.

On this blog, I will display my themed sketchbook of "Tarantino Comics." Providing references I've gathered from various Tarantino films (such as plots, screenshots, character lists, quotes, ect.), the artists create a comic book cover in the style of the old EC comics. The purpose of this sketchbook is to create an imaginary comic universe based on Tarantino Films. Each page of the book represents a comic cover with 5 requirements:

1. Publisher Logo: A Band Apart
2. Issue Number: Each page will be issued consecutively
3. Issue Price: 10 cents
4. Title Name: Tarantino Comics
5. Tarantino Movie Inspired Comic Cover

I go to about 3 -5 comic conventions a year, so I will only have a few Tarantino Comic sketches posted through out the year. However, since I love both comics and film, to keep this blog fresh, I will post my thoughts on some of the things I am currently reading and watching. I hope you all enjoy this blog, and I hope you especially enjoy the Tarantino Comics Sketchbook because all of the artists drawing in this book are fantastic and deserve the recognition.