TONIGHT! Pak and Van Lente talk “Hercules” in NYC!

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Last minute reminder — tonight, “Incredible Hercules” writers Greg Pak and Fred Van Lente will be guests at the Comic Book Club, a live talk show hosted by Justin Tyler, Pete LePage, and Alex Zalben in New York City. The deets:
8 pm on Tuesday, January 29
Tickets: $5
Online: ThePIT-NYC.com
Phone: 1-800-838-3006
Questions? 212-563-7488
The Peoples Improv Theater
154 West 29th Street, 2nd Floor
Between 6th and 7th Aves.
UPDATE: Greg Pak will bring a stack of signed copies of his comics to give out to audience members. Dontcha dare miss i!
And here’s ComicsBulletin.com on “Incredible Hercules” #113, which hit comic book stores on January 16:

…this is well worth the time and money. It’s a step up in quality from the already high quality Incredible Hulk run Pak has been responsible for and the art is very nice. The mythological elements of Hercules character are playing a central part and are serving to make him a much more nuanced and interesting character than he’s ever been. Amadeus Cho continues to be entertaining with his determination and grit. And even Ares is being utilized much more effectively than he has been over in Mighty Avengers. I recommend this highly. It is, without a doubt, one of the best books Marvel is putting out at the moment.

Hercules makes IGN’s Power Rankings

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For the first time, Hercules has cracked the Power Rankings list at IGN Comics, clocking in at number 21. Here’s an excerpt from the blurb:

Greg Pak, Fred Van Lente and Khoi Pham are really making this series work. In fact it is one of the better books Marvel is putting out in the moment. Don’t let the lack of hype keep you from this gem, and if you love it, tell your friends.

Click here to see the whole list.

Jaded Expressions posts a new interview with Greg Pak

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The fine folks at Jaded Expressions Magazine have interviewed Greg Pak again — this time about “Incredible Hercules,” Amadeus Cho, and the Warbound. An excerpt:

JXM: Speaking of another jolly giant – Hercules – what are your plans for him? Will he undergo a massive makeover like the Hulk?
Greg: Hercules is one of Marvel’s niftiest characters because he’s not just some strong dude who calls himself Hercules. He’s actually Hercules, the Lion of Olympus, son of Zeus, slayer of the Hydra, scourer of the Augean stables, etcetera etcetera. The character doesn’t need a makeover – he’s been one of the most popular heroes of myth and legend for thousands of years. But Fred and I are getting back to the roots of the character by tapping into insane, thrilling, and sometimes deeply disturbing myths that make up his history. He’s a hero of enormous good humour and fundamentally decent impulses – who’s nonetheless lost himself to rage and madness and committed some of the most horrific atrocities imaginable. That combination of fun, heroism, and dark danger makes for great drama and great comics.

Click here for the full interview.

Well done, Marvel

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From the AP:

Lionsgate and Marvel studios have signed interim deals with the striking Writers Guild of America, the union said.
The deals announced Thursday followed separate guild pacts with other independent production companies such as United Artists, The Weinstein Co. and David Letterman’s Worldwide Pants.
The guild said such agreements confirm it is possible for writers to be compensated fairly and for companies to operate profitably.

Greg Pak named “Next Big Thing” by Comixtreme “2 in 1 Showcase”

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The Comixtreme.com “2 in 1 Showcase” crew has named Greg Pak the “Next Big Thing” in their Best of 2007 episode. Click here to listen to the mp3 of the show — the “Next Big Thing” category is discussed about two thirds of the way through.
Meanwhile, in his “Everything but Imaginary” column, Blake Petit of Comixtreme has named “Incredible Hercules” #113, written by Pak and Fred Van Lente, as his “Favorite of the Week.” Click here to read the column.

Pak Talks Comics: Soto discusses “Planet Hulk” coloring

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The latest “Pak Talks Comics” column is up at BrokenFrontier.com — an interview with “Planet Hulk” colorist Chris Sotomayor. Here’s an excerpt:

Greg Pak: I loved the way you brought ideas to “Planet Hulk” for ways to bring out the themes of the big story through color. Tell us about some of the techniques you developed for the story and what ideas or emotions they were designed to convey.
Chris Sotomayor: We had some really great conversations on the phone initially, as far as storytelling. My favorite storytelling points that came out of “Planet Hulk” had to be conveying the themes of bigotry and alienation. A lot of consideration and planning was taken in trying to help get those themes across to the reader. Specifically in dealing with Hulk, and wanting him to truly be the alien on that world. Readers will notice that for almost the entire “Planet Hulk” arc, Hulk was the only green thing on the planet. That is, until he starts to have a profound affect on it, in both the vegetation and the ultimate destruction of his new homeland.

Click here to read the full interview. And click here to submit questions for next week’s Reader Q&A!