In honor of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, Keith Chow recently interviewed Greg Pak and several other Asian American comic book creators for the Diamond Bookmark Newsletter. Parts of Chow’s interview with Pak can be seen at the Diamond website. But the full text of the interview has never been seen — until today! Below is the entire Chow/Pak interview, courtesy of Keith Chow and Diamond.
KC: Like any other literary genre, there’s a lot of diversity in comics that might fly right beneath the radar in most mainstream circles. So my first question is how does being Asian American inform your work?
GP: I grew up at a time when the most prominent Asian American character in mainstream media was a dude in a teen flick who’d fall out of trees to the sound of a gong. So I’ve been annoyed by stereotypical imagery in mainstream media almost as long as I can remember. At the same time, I’ve always been hugely impressed by the way films speak a universal emotional language and have the power make us fall in love with anyone. I always paraphrase Spike Lee, who once wrote something along the lines of “the more specific something is, the more universal it becomes.†The idea is that if you actually depict a character fully, with all of his or her background taken into account, the audience will get it, even if the character is completely different from the audience. In fact, it’s precisely because you’ve depicted the character so specifically that the audience gets it — something that’s true in your character’s life, if it’s presented in the right way, will resonate with something true in every viewer’s life.
Comics
“Incredible Hulk” moves up the sales charts
Newsarama has just released the list of the top 100 selling comic books for April 2006, and “Incredible Hulk,” written by Greg Pak, is moving up the charts. In March, “Incredible Hulk” #93 was ranked 48th on the chart. In April, “Incredible Hulk” #94 has risen to the 43rd slot.
“Incredible Hulk” #95, featuring a climactic battle between the Hulk and the Silver Surfer, hits comic book stores on May 31 (June 1 in the US due to the Memorial Day holiday). Contact your local comic book store to reserve your copy and add “Incredible Hulk” to your pull list. Click here to find a comic book store near you or call 1-888-COMIC-BOOK.
Dynamite releases “Battlestar Galactica” #1 cover
Dynamite Entertainment has released the Billy Tan cover for “Battlestar Galactica” #1, written by Greg Pak, with interior art by Nigel Raynor, which hits comic book stores in July.
An excerpt from the press release:
“First off, we would like to thank retailers and fans for their support! Issue #0 exceeded our wildest expectations, and we have high hopes for the equally strong debut of issue #1,†commented Dynamite Spokesperson J. Allen. “Greg Pak and Nigel Raynor have knocked it out of this Galaxy and with the end of Issue #0 leading right into the opening of Issue #1, fans will not want to miss out of the first issue!â€
Concerning the integration of the comic and the show, comic writer Greg Pak explained: “We’re 100 percent tied into the continuity of the television show — our storyline takes place in the middle of the second season, right after the return from Kobol and before the arrival of the Pegasus.â€
“Battlestar Galactica” #0 hits comic book stores on May 31 (June 1 in the US due to the Memorial Day holiday). Contact your local comic book store to reserve your copy and preorder “Battlestar Galactica” #1. To find a comic book store near you, click here or call 1-888-COMICBOOK.
To read the entire Dynamite press release, visit Newsarama.
Marvel releases “Incredible Hulk” #97 cover
Marvel has released the cover for “Incredible Hulk” #97, written by Greg Pak. The cover was drawn by Ladronn; the interior pencils are by Aaron Lopresti. Here’s the solicitation copy:
PLANET HULK, ANARCHY PART 2
Leading his army of gladiators and refugees, the Hulk smashes his way towards the Steppes — and freedom. But what of the millions still enslaved by the Red King? What of the rebels and slaves dying in the streets and fields? Who is the Sakaarson, and when will he come? The answers threaten to rip the Hulk and his allies apart—and precipitate a shocking transformation that could shake Planet Hulk to the core!
The comic book goes on sale August 8 — tell your local comic book store to order a copy for you today! To find a comic book store near you, click here or call 1-888-COMICBOOK.
TV Guide to preview “Battlestar Galactica” #0
Newsarama reports that this week’s TV Guide will feature an exclusive preview of interior pages from “Battlestar Galactica” #0, written by Greg Pak with art by Nigel Raynor. Here’s an excerpt from the article:
Ileane Rudolph, Staff Writer for TV GUIDE added: “For those who can’t wait until TV’s smartest SCI FI show returns in October, the new, instantly involving comic Battlestar Galactica will satisfy any fan’s hunger. It’s a brand-new story that should appeal to both BSG veterans and comic book fans not yet acquainted with the show. In the first of 13 issues, writer Greg Pak quickly sets the pulse racing with the appearance of a ship under attack whose passengers appear to be Galactica crew members’ long dead loved ones. Or are they really humanity’s arch-enemies, the robotic Cylons? With just enough explanation for newcomers to the mythology, but not enough to slow down the action, I say thank “the Gods” for Dynamite Entertainment’s Battlestar Galactica.â€
Initial orders for “Battlestar Galactica” #0 top 175,000
Dynamite Entertainment has reported that the initial orders for “Battlestar Galactica” #0, written by Greg Pak with interior art by Nigel Raynor, have topped 175,000 copies. The specially-priced 25 cent book goes on sale on May 31 (June 1 in the US due to the Memorial Day holiday). The regular series, starting with issue #1, begins in July. Click here to read the press release at Newsarama.com
Five more preview pages from “Incredible Hulk” #95!
ComicBookResources.com has posted five preview pages from “Incredible Hulk” #95, written by Greg Pak with pencils by Carlo Pagulayan and Marshall Rogers and cover by Ladronn. The issue features a showdown with the Silver Surfer in the Great Arena and the climactic conclusion to “Exile,” the first story arc in the “Planet Hulk” epic. The book goes on sale May 31 (June 1 in the US due to the Memorial Day holiday).
Click here to view the pages.
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InfuzeMag.com digs “Planet Hulk”
Dana Lucas Timmerman at InfuzeMag.com has reviewed the first three issues of “Planet Hulk” — here’s an excerpt:
This is Hulk at his finest. No puny Banner. No holding back… Great action scenes mixed with a good story, nice artwork, and plenty of surprises.
Greg Pak interviewed for Diamond Bookmark newsletter
In recognition of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, the Diamond Bookmark newsletter has run an interview with several Asian American comic book creators, including Greg Pak. Read the whole interview online.
Preview art from “Giant Sized Hulk” #1
Marvel editor Mark Paniccia has provided PakBuzz.com with two sweet pieces of preview art from the upcoming “Giant Sized Hulk” #1, written by Greg Pak with pencils by Aaron Lopresti. Click on the images to view the larger versions.
“Giant Sized Hulk” #1 hits comic book stores on June 21. Contact your local comic book shop today to pre-order your copy!
Here’s the solicitation copy for this issue, courtesy of Marvel.com:
What is the untold story of the battle between one of the strangest superhero teams in the Marvel Universe and the engine of destruction known as the Incredible Hulk? See ol’ Purple Pants go toe-to-toe with Angel, Ice-Man, Ghost Rider, The Black Widow and Hercules in a story that holds a key to Post-PLANET HULK events! By legendary Hulk scribe Peter David and Juan Santacruz.
PLUS! A PLANET HULK INTERLUDE! Bruce Banner makes his first appearance on Planet Sakaar — and battles the Hulk for his body and soul! What secret is the Hulk hiding? What terrible truth does Banner reveal? And who will triumph in this ultimate showdown? By Greg Pak and Aaron Lopresti.
Also: Re-presenting the outstanding INCREDIBLE HULK: THE END by Peter David and Dale Keown.
