Textless “Vision Machine” now available for remixers!

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By Greg Pak
My graphic novel “Vision Machine,” pencilled by the brilliant RB Silva, was funded by the Ford Foundation and is distributed for FREE under a Creative Commons license that allows anyone to reuse and remix it non-commercially, as long as they credit Pak Man Productions.
Now we’re making it much easier for any would-be remixers out there by releasing the unlettered colored pages of “Vision Machine” for download!
Click here to download the pdf of the unlettered “Vision Machine” graphic novel.
Click here to download the lettered “Vision Machine” graphic novel.
And be sure to ping me via Twitter if you create a remix or derivative work!
Enjoy!

“Robot Stories” makes io9’s list of “10 Science Fiction Films for People Who Think They Don’t Like Science Fiction”

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Charlie Jane Anders says some incredibly nice things about my film “Robot Stories” at io9. An excerpt:

…it’s one of the human, moving films we’ve seen in a long time. Your friends who love Sundance Channel indy films about small personal experiences will eat this movie up…. If at least some of the stories in this film don’t make you cry — and think about robots in a new way — then you’re dead inside.

Click here to read the whole thing.
Buy it today!

“Astonishing X-Men” #44 in stores now – check out the raves!

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“Astonishing X-Men” #44, the first installment of a storyline written by yours truly with art by Mike McKone and colors by Rachelle Rosenberg, hit stores on Wednesday. Ask your local comic shop to hold a copy for you — or buy the digital version online now at Comixology!
And check out the reviews:

“…this is the perfect jumping on point. What Pak and McKone present here is a minimal-knowledge-required, action-packed issue that shows all the trademarks of Pak’s best work: high action without sacrificing good characterization.”
— Joey Esposito, IGN
“Pak gets in a fantastic one-two punch by reminding us of how great a character Storm can be before throwing a curve-ball that would make Lucy (the gold standard of football yankers) herself cry tears of prideful joy. Seeing as the man has a knack for turning out consistently entertaining comics that are willing to swing for the bleachers with every crazy idea that comes his way, I for one cannot wait to see what Pak has up his sleeve for this title.”
— Dad’s Big Plan
“Astonishing X-Men #44 is the perfect jumping on point for new readers…”
— Peter Lin, Here Be Geeks
“I loved the Whedon/Cassaday run… and came back for Pak and McKone. I’m glad I did. As enjoyable as it is to see the X-Men carve out a sovreign nation, this is harkening back to the Claremont/Byrne era of straight up science fiction fun.”
Bureau42

And a few interviews, including sneak preview images from “Astonishing X-Men” #45:

“There’s a significant emotional story for every character in the book, so I’m doing my best to raise the stakes with every scene,” [Pak] says. “Sometimes the characters are deflecting with humor; other times the drama breaks through in much more searing ways. There’s a moment in issue #45 involving a Spider-Man lunchbox that sort of crept up on me. And there are some key interactions between Cyclops and the guy on the cover of issue #46 that felt pretty great.”
Marvel.com interview
“[X-Men editor Nick] Lowe promises “action, drama, romance, a ton of insanity and a conflict that will really make you think” in Pak’s run, and the writer is taking inspiration from his favorite X-Men writers — from Whedon to Chris Claremont to Grant Morrison— who all emphasized character and relationships.”
USA Today interview

Read about Bill Mantlo’s tragedy; donate to his ongoing care

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By Greg Pak
LifeHealthPro’s Bill Coffin has written a tremendously moving article about the great comic book writer Bill Mantlo, who was struck by a hit-and-run driver in 1992 and suffered traumatic brain injury. Please, go read the article, then click the button below to send your donation to Bill’s brother Mike for Bill’s ongoing care.

Bill Mantlo has had a huge influence on me as a writer and reader. His “Micronauts” stories blew my mind as a kid and his “Incredible Hulk” run laid the groundwork for the themes I explored my five-and-a-half year run with the character. In the afterward to “Incredible Hulk” #635, I dedicated my run to Mantlo, and a couple of months ago devoted my Newsarama column to singing his praises and letting folks know how to donate to his ongoing care.
Thank you so much, Bill Coffin and LifeHealthPro, for shining a light on someone who brought so much joy to so many people.
And here’s a note from Bill’s brother Mike, reprinted from that Newsarama column:

First off, I send out a big THANK YOU to everyone that has helped support Bill over these past 19 years (!). Every donation, no matter how big or small, and every card or letter is greatly appreciated. Bill’s condition remains the same (he suffers severe cognitive impairments, anger, and depression), and these factors keep him very much isolated from “the outside world.” Aside from my visits, and the kindness of my beautiful wife and some of the attendants at the nursing home/rehabilitation facility he resides in, his contact with other human beings is virtually non-existent. But the support and encouragement of fans, and industry professionals like yourself, helps to bring a little ray of sunlight into his dark and dreary days. When I (or my wife) engage Bill in conversation, his spirit emerges and is as strong and pure as it ever was! So, once again, I can’t thank ALL of you enough!! I strongly believe in the power of practicing random acts of kindness, and with that belief I hope that ALL of your kindnesses will be returned to you many, many times over!
Cards, letters or donations to Bill Mantlo can be sent to:
Mike Mantlo
26364 East Pintail Road
Long Neck, DE 19966
Please make out any checks to “Michael Mantlo” — Bill’s legal guardian.