Eisnershpritz News Archive

Writer James Vance comments on the long-awaited posthumous release of the last educational book by Will Eisner.
Read the article here.
Order Expressive Anatomy from Amazon.

The South Jersey Courier-Post Online has run an exclusive by Kristy Davies:

WOODBURY HEIGHTS -- Everyone looks for treasure, but very few have treasure come to them.

Joe Getsinger, 59, of Woodbury Heights, is one of the few. Two years ago, he took a collection of printing plates from a friend and agreed to do some research and possibly market them.

He had no idea that it would involve the works of a comic book legend.

"I knew I had a diamond in the rough," said Getsinger, an artist and retired arson investigator, who has about 5,000 printing plates that date from the early to mid-20th century. "I was intrigued by the plates since I did have print shop in high school and did print from wood block-mounted plates."

In his studio, Getsinger stood by thin, metal comic strip printing plates stacked neatly in hundreds of rows. The collection's value is unknown, but Getsinger believes the entire collection is worth more than $1 million with printing and publishing possibilities.

Getsinger has two almost-complete collections of Will Eisner's first published comic strips, "Harry Karry" and "Uncle Otto."

"I found these "Harry Karry' plates by a "Willis B. Rensie,' which is Eisner spelled backward," Getsinger said. "I did some research and also learned that these "Life in the Roar' comics by "Kane' were early comics of "Batman' creator Bob Kane.

"It's like discovering the Holy Grail."

Getsinger has more than 80 plates of Kane and 85 plates of comic book legend and "The Spirit" creator Eisner, who died in 2005.

Read the full article and view pictures here.

The 2008 Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards were announced at a gala event at Comic-Con International San Diego last night.

Read the full list of winners here.

A few minutes late (3PM) as the harried Convention Center staff worked on assuaging the fire marshal's fears, the Lionsgate panel kicked off a discussion of Frank Miller's adaptation of "The Spirit."

Moderated by LA Times writer Jeff Bousche, Deborah Del Prete and Frank Miller were on the panel.

Read the full Comic Book Resources article here.

Thursday, July 24, 7:00 - 9:00 PM
Will Eisner: Portrait Of A Sequential Artist
Get a look behind the mask of the creator of "The Spirit" in this feature-length documentary movie. With a triumphant world premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival, the production features the legendary writer/artist Will Eisner with Frank Miller, Stan Lee, Jules Feiffer, Jack Kirby, Kurt Vonnegut, and many others. Following this unique free movie screening, join Director/Producer Andrew D. Cooke and Writer/Producer Jon B. Cooke for a dynamic Q & A Session.
Room 7AB

Friday, July 25, 2:45 - 3:45 PM
Will Eisner's "The Spirit" Panel
World Premiere of The Spirit movie trailer with panel members including Frank Miller (Writer/Director), Deborah Del Prete (Producer), and actors Gabriel Macht, Samuel L. Jackson, and Eva Mendes. First showing of scenes from the movie followed by a panel discussion and Q+A Session.
Hall H

Friday, July 25, 8:00 - 11:00
20th Annual Eisner Awards
Annual Comic Industry Awards presented by The Spirit movie. The "Oscars" of the comics industry will be given out at a gala ceremony. This year's special theme is "The Magic of Comics".
Ballroom 20

Saturday, July 26, 1:00-2:00 PM
Will Eisner Tribute
A tribute to, and panel discussion about, the legendary artist, cartoonist, educator, and entrepreneur, Will Eisner, with panel members who knew him and worked with him. Will Eisner played an important role in the growth of Comics and Sequential Art from the Golden Age of Comics through the acceptance and dynamic growth of the Graphic Novel. Join Michael Uslan (Comics Historian, Movie Producer - Batman, The Spirit), Paul Levitz (Publisher & President, DC Comics), Denis Kitchen (Cartoonist, Publisher, Will Eisner's Agent), Carl Gropper (Manager, Will Eisner Studios, Will Eisner's Nephew), Andrew D. Cooke (Director/Producer of "Will Eisner: Portrait Of A Sequential Artist"), and Panel Moderator, Jon B. Cooke (Editor of Comic Book Artist, Educator) in this unique event to be followed by a dynamic Q+A session.
Room 8

Visit the Comic-Con International website for more scheduling details.

SAN DIEGO - Comic-Con International, the largest comic book and popular arts event in the United States, is delighted to announce that the title sponsor for the 2008 Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards (or The Eisner's as the event is affectionately referred) is The Spirit, the film adaptation of Will Eisner's classic comics series, which will be released in theaters by Lionsgate and Odd Lot Entertainment this Christmas.

The Eisner Awards, considered the "Oscars" of the comics industry, will be presented in a gala awards ceremony on Friday, July 25 at Comic-Con in San Diego. Named for the acclaimed comics writer, artist, and creator, the Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards have been in existence since 1987. "It is obviously fitting that The Spirit be the title sponsor for the Eisner's," said Jackie Estrada, awards administrator. "And the fact that Frank and Will were such good friends makes it even more special."

Continue reading "Lionsgate and Odd Lot Entertainment's THE SPIRIT Sponsors the 2008 Eisner Awards" »

Frank Miller, director of "Will Eisner's The Spirit," shares thoughts about his first time behind the camera. Read the full article here and also listen to a few sound bites by Miller.

On behalf of Lionsgate, we invite you to check out the newly re-vamped official website for Will Eisner's THE SPIRIT! In anticipation of Comic Con San Diego, the site has been updated to include information about the exciting schedule of events and activities at Comic Con for Will Eisner's THE SPIRIT movie - including the panel, talent appearances, and exclusive content!

Additionally, do your part to become an environmental hero - visit MyCityScreams.com to find out how to recycle your old & used mobile phones - simply click on the EMA (Environmental Media Agency) button to learn more!

Remember to keep checking back at MyCityScreams.com and be sure to grab the 'Spidget' for continuous updates about Will Eisner's THE SPIRIT (in theaters Christmas Day 2008)!

Dan Herman at Hermes Press, has informed us that Paul Fitzgerald's book, Will Eisner and PS Magazine, will be released in a soft cover edition and a limited edition numbered hard cover, signed by the author as well as Murphy Anderson and Joe Kubert. Both books are oversize (12 inches by 9 inches, landscape) on heavy, matte-finish, coated stock, and full color throughout. Both editions will be available in September 2008.
Visit the book's website with details, discussion, and plenty of art, now live.

Check out Frank Miller's latest BLOG POST about the role of Computer Generated Images (CGI) in the making of THE SPIRIT - opening CHRISTMAS DAY 2008!

And Stu wouldn't let one damn character turn into a "bendie" or digital in any way. Hence my favorite shot - the Spirit leaps onto a water tower, and stumbles, just for a moment. Pure Eisner.