Rage.

[moveforever]

Выложу вместе статьи о комиксе (о первом выпуске), которые у меня скопились, интервью с Коулипами и несколько интервью с художниками, делавшими первый выпуск.

несколько моментов из статей:

Художников было несколько, это была очень коллективная работа, сценаристы придумали историю, Джон Кент сделал первичные эскизы, Дэвид Донахью написал текст, какова должна быть одежда персонажей и их внешний вид, уже было твердо установлено до того, как Ордвея и Филлипса привлекли к проекту. Джерри Ордвею, рисовавшему обложку (раскрашивал ее Кент) были предоставлены фотографии с фотосета, на основе которых он и должен был делать обложку, выбрав наиболее ему подходящий вариант. (в обычных условиях его порядок работы обратный - он сначала придумывает, рисует сам эскиз, а потом, если необходимо обращается к натуре), ну и тут было еще условие, что персонажи комикса должны быть похожи на персонажей сериала.

Джо Филлипс говорит, что если бы он рисовал в своем собственном стиле, весь проект выглядел бы иначе. Но комикс и должен был выглядеть так, будто он нарисован не Филиппсом, а персонажем сериала.
Еще Филлипс рассказывает, что когда впервые увидел маленькие эскизы Рэйджа, он подумал, что тот совсем не похож на супергероя - его костюм - только прорезь на груди. Где его ботинки? И у него даже нет плаща. Но когда он узнал почему Майкл и Джастин создали Рэйджа, он стал лучше понимать и ценить этого уникального и сексуального супергероя.

На постоянное участие в создании комикса Джерри Ордвей не согласился бы, слишком сексуальное содержание, а он работает дома и у него трое маленьких детей. (и cам сериал вообще для него слишком сексуально откровенный, но он понимает, что он и не является целевой аудиторией сериала)

Коулипы вспоминают, что им пришло на ум, что комиксы играют роль в сексуальном развитие многих геев, и что они видели, что эта концепция совсем не представлена в медиа, и они почувствовали, что могли бы привязать сексуальное пробуждение Майкла к его любви к комиксам, и это обогатило персонаж символически и метафорически. (ну куда же Коулипы без символичности и метафоричности))
Относительно Джастина изначально предполагалось, с первой серии, что он будет художником, (правда, что в итоге он займется живописью, в 2002-году сами Коулипы еще не подозревают), они говорят, что он более заинтересован с искусстве, связанным с технологиями, нежели в классических формах. Начало партнерских рабочих отношений между Майклом и Джастином придало их "треугольнику силы" (Майкл, Брайан и Джастин) сложность.

Итак примерно выходит, что были первоначальные эскизы внутренней части комикса, нарисованные Джо Кентом, и фотосет для обложки. Обложка, в карандашном варианте, была сделана Ордвеем, а обводка и раскраска Джо Кентом. Внутренние панели комикса, хотя вроде и не все, были отрисованы Филиппсом (обводка Джо Кента). Ну и плюс еще там люди какие-то участие принимали, но конкретику я уже не очень поняла (например в подготовке внутренних панелей еще принимал участие Джо Рубинштейн, по инициативе которого и был приглашен Ордвей, но что именно делал Рубинштейн я не знаю)

При предварительном заказе ДВД второго сезона до 15 января (2003), покупатели получали вместе с двд и этот первый выпуск комикса. Так я понимаю, это было удачное маркетинговое решение. Ну и вообще, хорошо, что этот комикс существует не только в кадре сериала.

******

статья с Popimage, интервью с Коулипами, Джо Филиппсом, и Джерри Ордвеем. (февраль 2003)
www.popimage.com/content/viewnews.cgi?newsid104...,

FEATURE: QUEER AS FOLK EXPOSE
Interviews conducted by Ed Mathews

Queer As Folk is an unapologetic celebration of life in all its varied forms. Within the differences, we discover similarities that make us all human. The series focuses on the relationships, careers, loves, and ambitions of a group of gay men and lesbians living in Pittsburgh. Lending strong drama with charm and humour - a compelling, realistic, and graphic depiction of society. In the American version of Queer As Folk, the character of Michael Novotny is the most noble of creatures: a gay comicbook fan. Join us as Co-Editor in Chief Ed Mathews speaks with various creators involved in making this happen on the show and in the Queer As Folk comic book that was given to people who preordered the DVD set of the Second Season.

Season 3 premiers on Showtime in the US on Sunday March 2, 2003 at 10pm EST. More here: www.sho.com/queer/. In Canada, Season 3 will premier on Showcase on Monday, April 7th, 2003 at 10pm EST. More here: www.showcase.ca/queerasfolk/

Ron Cowen & Daniel Lipman Ron Cowen & Daniel Lipman are the executive producers, creators and writers of Showtime's QUEER AS FOLK. Cowen & Lipman began their careers as playwrights at the Eugene O'Neill Playwrights' Conference in Waterford, Connecticut. Prior to QAF the pair was responsible for the Emmy Award-winning drama series Sisters, which ran for six seasons on NBC. The unique series, which was also nominated for a Golden Globe Award for Best Drama Series, starred Swoosie Kurtz, Sela Ward, Patricia Kalember, and Julianne Phillips. Prior to Sisters, Cowen & Lipman received an Emmy Award for outstanding writing for their teleplay An Early Frost, which they also associate produced. The highly acclaimed television drama about the devastation of AIDS on an American family starred Gena Rowlands, Ben Gazzara, Aidan Quinn and Sylvia Sidney. It won the coveted Peabody Award and was nominated for a Golden Globe. Ron and Daniel also served as writers of the RAGE: GAY CRUSADER comic book, which served as a bonus item for those who pre-ordered the Queer as Folk: The Complete Second Season on DVD.

In the British version of Queer as Folk, the analog of Michael Novotny is a Dr. Who fan. What made you decide to change the character to a comic book fan versus, let's say, a diehard fan of Star Trek? Both fan bases have gay fan groups and we were curious as to what tipped it in favor of comics?

In terms of character, we knew it was important for Michael Novotny to retain his British counterpart's diehard fandom. We wanted to choose something American audiences could relate to, and Star Trek, which you've mentioned, was one of our choices. However, we wanted to avoid any difficulties with regards to clearance issues. When you deal with a popular franchise, you end up having to clear every sсript reference to it by the studio that owns it.

It occurred to us that comic books play a seminal role in the sexual development of many gay men. We hadn't seen this concept presented in the media, though we knew it wasn't uncommon. As a young gay man becomes more and more aware of male figure and physique, he is often drawn to its idealized representations in comic books. We felt we could tie Michael's sexual awakening to his love of comics, and thus enrich the character symbolically and metaphorically.

A sсript for a comic book can be very detailed or very open, allowing creative freedom for the artist to fill in the unspoken nuances. Which method did you employ? Do you find this type of writing to be similar to writing a television sсript?

The Rage comic definitely began as a concept - and became more specifically detailed as it evolved. What was originally a story idea to bring the characters of Michael [Played by Hal Sparks] and Justin [Played by Randy Harrison] together (as collaborators on the comic), became a full-fledged promotional item for the Showtime release of the second season on DVD. Having our characters work on a comic together created the need for comic book props. Jerry Ordway was enlisted to create the dynamic cover of Michael and Justin's first comic. For the actual comic pages, Jon Kent came up with some preliminary sketches, and it evolved from there. Michael and Justin have conceived a comic which consciously reflects their lives - the comic book characters are stylized versions of themselves, and their friend Brian [Played by Gale Harold]. Therefore, as the storyboards evolved, and more comic pages were required for production, we knew exactly what we wanted these characters to say, and exactly how they would act. We were far more invested in the comic's storyline than if it had been a casual prop. Later, when a full comic was proposed as a promotional item, we needed to create the first and last pages of the book. These pages had never been seen on camera before, and therefore never fully realized. Again, Jon Kent created the artwork, and David Donohue wrote the dialogue and narration - making them the ghostwriters for Queer As Folk's Michael Novotny and Justin Taylor.

So, the process of creating RAGE: GAY CRUSADER was the opposite of our television sсript-writing process. On each episode, we start with very specific character motivations and story ideas, and the episode grows as other elements of production become involved. For the comic, we knew we needed a prop, but had no idea we were about to start creating a fully detailed comic book. When we started, we didn't know what was involved in creating a comic book. Nevertheless, we're very proud of the end result.

The character of Justin Taylor developed into an artist over the course of the first season. Was this always the intention?

Yes. Even in the pilot, Justin talked of wanting to be a graphic designer or animator. We knew this character would be less interested in classical art, and more into art based on technology. Still, we had to let the character evolve. The comic book collaboration wasn't conceived ahead of time. One day in our story room, the idea was suggested that Michael take his passion for comics to a new level by creating one of his own. It seemed natural that he'd ask the artist on our series to assist - and Justin accepted the offer. It also created a great complication with our "power triangle" of Brian, Michael, and Justin. It gave Michael and Justin a relationship based on something Brian couldn't share in. So Brian had a sexual relationship with Justin, and Michael had a creative one with him.

Can we expect future comics from REDCAPE COMICS? Would they have to be superhero in nature? There are many different genres that can be explored. Why did you choose superheroes for the show and for the book?

Yes, it's possible that we'll see future comics from REDCAPE COMICS. Different ways of merchandising the show are often discussed, and further comic books are a definite possibility. As previously mentioned, the RAGE characters purposefully reflect our series' characters. Michael created the superheroes Rage and Zephyr as stylized, sexualized versions of Brian and himself. In terms of our show, Michael is drawn to superhero comics more than any other genre. When casting his boyfriends, we've sought a "superman" physique. The love of his life, Brian, has always been his hero. Growing up without a father, Michael has always been drawn to heroic, protective characters. Therefore, whatever direction Michael's comic book career takes, we'll always strive to be true to his psychological motivation. For now, superheroes make the most sense.

*****

San Diego native Joe Phillips has worked in the comic industry for 15 years, spanning such titles as BATMAN, BODY DOUBLES, GREEN LANTERN and SUPERMAN but more recently has turned his attention to his own works such as the new BOYS WILL BE BOYS hardcover. Joe provided interior artwork for RAGE.

You've worked on various mainstream superhero titles. What was your reaction to the sсript and plot of this issue?

It was very simple, most comic plots have a lot of history of the characters to continued with and this one was very simple. It didn't have many pages so it relied on information you would know from the show.

Have you seen the final product? Would you have preferred to see your art in color or are there artistic benefits to keeping it in black and white?

If I had done the art in my style the whole project would look differently. As it is it should look like it does to fit with the theme of the show. It should look as the character drew it.

How much photo reference did you need in order to do this story? At what point do you feel you had the look of the characters down that you didn't need to see the photos anymore or were there photos nearby the whole time?

Showtime wanted the characters to be recognizable so it was referenced as much as possible. For likenesses only.

I recall your work on Body Doubles and have to ask if you were comfortable with the content? You've obviously tackled gay and lesbian themes before. Was this one of the reasons you were approached to do the book?

I've never had an issue with gay themes in my work and my editors at DC never had any problems with my style of work either. I think on Body Doubles the Straight writers had fun adding gay elements to the story making it all fun.

I don't think I was approached to do this because I'm Joe Phillips I think it's because I'm fast and was at the right place at the right time. My JoeBoy fans won't even recognize my work in this book.

*******

Cover by Jerry OrdwayBest known for his work on such titles as SUPERMAN and POWER OF SHAZAM or more recently, titles such as PLANETARY/JLA and WONDER WOMAN, Jerry Ordway provided the cover art for RAGE: GAY CRUSADER.

What prompted you to get involved with the QAF show? Did you know anything about QAF before drawing the piece?

I was asked by a fellow artist, Joe Rubenstein, who was preparing
art for the interiors of the comic. Apparently the art director he was working for liked the idea too. I had seen an episode of the show during a free Showtime weekend promotion about a year or so ago. Thought it was well written and acted, but a bit graphic for my tastes.

Did you select the pose of the protagonists for the piece or was the photo shot before you were involved? Do you think the composition is reminiscent of the cover of CRISIS ON INFINITE EARTHS #7 as a matter of coincidence if they shot the photo first, or did you actively choose this pose?

I was given several posed shots of the actors, and basically tried to choose the one that worked best for my style. I like my work to retain some stylized feel to it, so I usually do not work straight from a photo like many artists do. I prefer to draw first, then use the photos to fill in information such as shadows, wrinkles on clothing and the like. In a job such as this where the actor's likenesses were required, good photos are a must!

As for the "Crisis" look, I think the Rage cover's theme is just similar - hero loses partner. I didn't consciously ape it.

If you were offered to do a full-length graphic novel for Showtime based on the QAF properties, would you accept the job?

I think the show's adult content would preclude that, as I'm not comfortable drawing sex scenes in the way the show seems to portray. It's a choice I made years ago, when my wife and I started our family. My studio is in my home, and my children are always in there with me, drawing, reading, whatever. I don't want to have work on my table that I'd feel I had to hide from them. That's certainly not a slam at the show, as it is aimed at adults.

Have you had a chance to see the final comic? What are your thoughts on the prop becoming a bonus feature for the DVD?

I think it's a great idea, and hope it is successful for them. It also helps keep comics out there in the publics' awareness, which is always good.

I would imagine there are plenty of gay comic book fans out there as well. The superhero comics I loved as a kid always preached tolerance and fairness.

и ревью этого же журналиста www.popimage.com/content/viewnews.cgi?newsid103...,

RAGE Gay Crusader
Review by Ed Mathews

Price: Bonus material with Queer as Folk: The Complete Second Season on DVD when preordered between Nov. 15th 2002 and Jan. 15th, 2003.
Publisher: Showtime
Writers: Ron Cowen and Daniel Lipman
Art: Joe Phillips (inked by Jon Kent), various (B&W; 16 pages)
Cover: Jerry Ordway
Cover colors and inks: Jon Kent (Queer as Folk staff artist)
Suggested retail price for Queer as Folk: The Complete Second Season: $119.98 (DVD/VHS)

I have no choice but to review this comic book. Every Sunday night, as if it were gay church, my significant other has the cable box set to Showtime and Queer as Folk comes on. With that, I have learned a few things about the characters on the show and that the young one named Justin Taylor (played by Randy Harrison) is an artist in college on the show and Michael Novotvy (played by former TALK SOUP host Hal Sparks) owns a comic shop and aspires to write a comic book. RAGE Gay Crusader is the comic that they collaborate on in the fictional QAF universe, and Showtime has produced a comic book as a bonus to the people who preorder the DVD set.

Let me first establish that the comic is indeed a superhero comic. It is an adolescent power fantasy for the gay set. The hero in the story, RAGE, is based on the fictional character of Brian from the QAF show. The story revolves around the bashing of a young man and RAGE’s reaction to the bashing. It is similar to the recent storyline in Green Lantern where a young artist teen gets bashed and the hero engages in old school vengeance. Unlike the recent issue of Green Lantern dealing with the same issue, this is very much a story that centers around sex.

RAGE has a sidekick named Zephyr. They live in Gayopolis (no, I didn’t make that up). Each of the characters looks like one of the characters from the show, as it is supposed to reflect a translation of events that took place at the end of season one if they took place in a world with gay superheroes. At the end of the day, it is a decent read for viewers of the program. It is an excellent pastiche of a comic book right down to the name of the comic company (RED CAPE COMICS) and the MATURE READERS logo on the front cover. Ironically, it also has a print run that will make it one of the better-distributed comic books coming out in February 2003.

The cover is actually the most gorgeous part of the book as it is a Jerry Ordway cover and it takes the protagonist and places him in the now classic pose from CRISIS ON INFINITE EARTHS #7, which Jerry Ordway inked. I wish that the book were in full color instead of just black and white. It does include a section devoted to conceptual sketches for the book, and that certainly makes up for some of the lack of hues.

The question of the day: Is this a reason to get the DVD set? The answer is: no. The DVD set is a reason to get the DVD set. Is this a nice bonus for those who are going to preorder the DVD set anyway? Yes. It’s a decent read and a good first attempt by the writers of the book (who happen to be the creators and executive producers on Queer as Folk). If anything, I wish there were more to the book.

RECOMMENDED FOR VIEWERS OF THE SHOW




******

это интервью с Jerry Ordway и Joe Phillips от 2002-го года когда-то было на comicbookshopper.com

This interview appears here with all rights reserved. Contact Tim
O'Shea for permission to reprint or transmit it elsewhere.

Interviews with Jerry Ordway and Joe Phillips
(A CBEM Exclusive)
By Tim O'Shea

Some folks connected to the Showtime original series, QUEER AS FOLK,
recently contacted me. As part of an effort to generate interest in the
release of the popular show's second season on DVD, if you pre- order
before January 15, 2003, you will be rewarded with a limited edition
numbered copy of the RAGE Gay Crusader Comic book (while supplies
last). The book spins out of the 15th episode of the second season,
in which two characters (Michael and Justin) "join forces to create their own comic book."

If you were like me (don't have Showtime) and were not familiar with
the show, here's a brief synopsis (sho.com/queer/about.cfm):
"Based on Britain's controversial series of the same name, Queer As
Folk is about the lives of a group of gay men and women living in
Pittsburgh. Focusing on their relationships, their careers, their loves
and ambitions, the series is a brave, realistic, funny and sometimes
graphic portrayal of society that has never been seen before on U.S.
television.

Brian Kinney (Gale Harold), is a sexual animal, always on the prowl for
his next conquest. Michael Novotny (Hal Sparks) is his best friend.
Justin Taylor (Randy Harrison) is an 18-year-old boy whose life is
changed one night when he experiences sex and what he thinks is love,
for the first time. Emmett Honeycutt (Peter Paige) is the most
flamboyant of his friends and wears it with pride. Ted Schmidt (Scott
Lowell) is an accountant whose fatal flaw is a lust for 20-somethings
who don't return his interest. Debbie Novotny (Sharon Gless) is
Michael's eccentric mother - vehemently proud of her gay son. Lindsay
Peterson (Thea Gill), an art teacher and Melanie Marcus (Michelle
Clunie), a lawyer, are a loving lesbian couple who decide to have a
child sired by Brian (whom Melanie despises), not realizing exactly how
complicated and entwined their lives will become."

So, understandably, the comic and its subject matter is for adults. And
given the nature of the comic book-it is an extremely well done product
closely tied to the show, pulling in elements of several different
episodes and characters-it is a work that is an incredible compliment
to the DVD, but is not a work that could stand on its own merits.
Thereby it is not the typical comic book that I review.

That being said, the comic tie-in to a DVD is a great idea, and I wish
more multimedia developers could think in these terms. Also, the
caliber of talent they got to work on this high-scale product tie in
was impressive. Jerry Ordway was tasked to do the cover, while Joe
Phillips was asked to do the interior art. QAF writers and Executive
Producers Ron Gowan and Daniel Lipman wrote the story itself. The comic
book includes the RAGE Gay Crusader sketchbook, a behind the scenes
look at the evolution of the Rage and Zephyr (his sidekick) characters
from physique to costume, and photos of cast members, which were
referenced by artists during the book's production.

Instead of doing a review of this unique product, I opted to interview
the artists behind the project. My thanks to Sarika Chawla for
facilitating this interview and thanks also to Jerry Ordway and Joe
Phillips for their time, thoughts and efforts. If you are a fan of this
show, or unique comic projects in general, you'd do well to visit the
Showtime related website after reading this interview. Enjoy. And one final thank
you to David LeBlanc, for all he does, including helping to make this
interview possible and providing CBEM as a forum for all sorts of
projects and information.

O'Shea: Had you seen the show before being asked to do the cover?

Ordway: Yes, I had seen it on a free Showtime weekend promotion on my
cable system. While the show is not my cup of tea, I thought it was
well done, and had interesting characters. I'm not interested in the
graphic sex scenes, but understand that I'm not the primary demographic
for the show.

O'Shea: Was it pretty flattering that (according to your website
shazam.imginc.com/jerryordway/television/showti...)
the show's art director, Jack Torrence, had requested (through Joe
Rubenstein) that you draw the cover?

Ordway: I'm always flattered to be sought out for assignments, based on
my body of work. Who wouldn't be?

O'Shea: You worked from a photo reference for this cover, do you
typically work with photo references, or is it in only in certain
situations?

Ordway: I typically draw my layout first, and then, if I need it, will
seek out reference to flesh the drawing out. Sometimes it comes from
looking at a full-length mirror I have next to my drawing table, and
pose myself. In this case, for Rage, they wanted the characters to look
like their live action counterparts.

O'Shea: Would you consider this to be one of your more unique comic
assignments?

Ordway: Not really, aside from the Television connection. In concept,
Rage seems to fit the basic comic book mold. And I wasn't asked to draw
anything overtly sexual. I have three young children, and work at home,
so I won't take on assignments that I have to hide from them.

O'Shea: Is there anything you'd like to discuss about the RAGE
assignment that I may have not asked?

Ordway: All I can add is that this comic seems to be a terrific
marketing tool, and that the Showtime people have all been very
pleasant to deal with.

O'Shea: In researching your career, one description of you I ran across
was as an "internationally acclaimed artist of homoerotica." Was it
your reputation/popularity in that arena that helped win you the RAGE
assignment?

Phillips: I'm not sure. I don't think it did as some of the art was
already drawn and I had to draw similar to what was established. If it
was based on my reputation it would have looked totally different than
it came out.

O'Shea: How much of the character's design was already pre-established
by the show's creators or were you allowed a great deal of input and
creative freedoms?

Phillips: I wasn't allowed any input as it had already been
established. My job was to be blend as seamlessly as possible.

O'Shea: This comic (logically given it's tie to the DVD) would not work
if the reader had never seen the show, wouldn't you agree?

Phillips: Depends on how it was presented and marketed. There are all
sorts of independent comics out there this one would have as much
chance as any of them. If you could get the shop owners to carry it.
Homo theme comics are one thing but guys actually having sex in a comic
totally different.

O'Shea: Would you say this is the most unique multimedia (comic tied to
a TV show) project you've worked on?

Phillips: Not really. I've done all sorts of wacky tie ins from show
and comics from Twinkie ads with super heroes to Got milk campaign to
movie adaptations of B movies. It seems to fit to me.

O'Shea: Do you think the gay and lesbian comic book market is going to
expand through the help of projects like this, that are connected to
high profile cable shows like QUEER AS FOLK?

Phillips: That's a good question. Let's see what happens.

O'Shea: How much fun was it to work on a comic that will more than
likely reach an audience of people who normally don't buy comics?

Phillips: I do it all the time. To me this was a crazy fast deadline.
I had a tight turn around time and it was over. In regards to the comic
work I do for the gay community I think people who don't read comics
will read ones that have something to do with them in it. Basically if
it's accessible to its audience comic art. And stories can be enjoyed
by people who don't normally go in for super Heroes.

O'Shea: Should the comic book industry seek out similar cross product
promotions like these to hopefully attract new consumers?

Phillips: Some companies do and I'm sure something will be done to get
more readers into comics. The main thing to remember the comics
industry is about making money and if they fell there is cash to be had
they will pursue more projects like this.

O'Shea: Would you be interested in doing more RAGE comics, if the other
creative parties expressed interest (and do you think there's any
chance of that)?

Phillips: My schedule is way too packed for something like that. Covers
would be fun or a pin-up but I did comics for 15 years I really don't
want to get back into again.

O'Shea: Is there anything you'd like to discuss about the RAGE comic
that I may have not asked?

Phillips: I hope you enjoyed it as to the future depends on people like
you who show an interest in the project. The more you demand things
like this the more you'll get.

Thanks for your interest.

Страница сайта Ордвея упомянутая в статье выглядела так:




и там была в большом размере обложка в карандаше, выполненная Ордвеем




*********

статья с planetout

GAYWATCH: QAF Comic Book is all the "RAGE"

by Christine Champagne
December 4, 2002

Openly gay comic book artist Joe Phillips -- who has worked for DC Comics and Innovation Comics among others and is the creator of the "Boys Will Be Boys" calendar -- has lent his talent to the production of a "Rage Gay Crusader" comic book, based on the comic book of the same name created by "Queer as Folk" characters Justin (Randy Harrison) and Michael (Hal Sparks). As we've seen on the show, Justin and Michael's comic book finds our handsome hero Rage and his sidekick Zephyr -- both of whom are gay and are modeled on the characters of Brian (Gale Harold) and Michael, respectively -- on a quest to keep the city of Gayopolis safe for one and all.

The new "Rage" comic book features an original Rage and Zephyr adventure -- written by "Queer as Folk" executive producers Ron Cowen and Daniel Lipman -- as well as full-color cover art by legendary comics artist Jerry Ordway ("Superman," "The Power of Shazam!") and panel art by Phillips. The comic book also includes a behind-the-scenes sketchbook that depicts how the characters were created.

Phillips -- who has drawn many famous comic book superheroes, including Spider-Man, Wonder Woman and Silver Surfer, over the course of his career -- was less than enthusiastic the first time he saw the black-masked Rage, whose muscular torso is covered by a skintight, sleeveless, black bodysuit. "The first time I saw him was in a series of little sketches, and being a comic book elitist I was like, 'That's not a comic book superhero. His outfit just has a rip in it,'" Phillips says laughing, referring to the slash across Rage's chest. "'Where are his boots? He doesn't have a cape.'" But Phillips said that as he learned about why Justin and Michael were inspired to create Rage, he began to better understand and appreciate this unique and sexy superhero.

In drawing the panels for "Rage" (Phillips drew five pages of the comic book; the rest -- including major fight and sex scenes, were done by another artist), Phillips wasn't striving for perfection. "We wanted it not to look as slick as, say, a "Superman" issue, because the whole idea is that the characters from the show did it." (In fact, the credits inside the front cover read, "Story By: Michael Novotny, Art By: Justin Taylor.")

Phillips sees "Rage" as a viable property with lots of potential. If "Rage" was made into a regular comic book, "It would have to be a lot different from what this first one was, because this one was very tied to the show. For the book to have a life of its own, you would probably have to get a seasoned comic book writer in there, someone who really knows the market," Phillips says. "It's like when you adapt a movie to TV or if you try to take a comic book and make a movie out of it. You have to change the pacing and how it works."

Would Rage's sexual orientation be much of an issue? Well, certainly, gay characters are becoming more prevalent in comic books, with Terry Berg recently busting out of the closet in "Green Lantern." (Berg is an intern who works for Kyle Rayner, a.k.a. the Green Lantern.)

Phillips has drawn gay and lesbian characters for comic books such as "Body Doubles," and he would like to see more gay characters inhabiting the comic book world. But he doesn't think dropping gay characters into storylines solely for political reasons is a good idea. There has to be a compelling story. "If you have a good story, and the character happens to be gay, that's OK. But if the story is just about being gay, then everybody's like, 'Eh.'"

To view the comic book in its entirety, visit www.rageishere.com. If you're interested in seeing more of Phillips' work, check out his Web site: www.joephillips.com.

rageishere - была официальная шоутаймовская страничка комикса, на которой можно было его посмотреть.
выглядела она так





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и еще скан статьи из PM entertiment, в которой комикс упоминается



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фотосет для Рэйджа все знают galeharold.gallery.ru/watch?a=Al9-fDZT
комикс можно посмотреть например тут gallery.kinnetiks.net/thumbnails.php?album=773

Если кто не в курсе, и кого интересуют всякие закадровые вещи сериала (его создание, съемка серий и тд), то существует интересный фильм о подготовке к съемкам и съемках презентации Рэйджа в Вавилоне в 220 "За кадром: Как создавался "Гнев. Защитник Геев"
rutracker.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=3156544

ЗЫ ну и не совсем в тему Рэйджа, но раз уж о комиксах, пусть будет ссылка на мою старую тему в которой рассказывается (на русском) о том, о чем насколько я знаю не упоминается ни в каких статьях и вообще нигде - что Брайан Кинни связан с миром комиксов не только Рэйджем и любовью Майкла к комиксам, но и благодаря своему происхождению, потому что Брайан Кинни - это герой комикса.
moveforever.diary.ru/p169672575.htm