January 18, 2005
In Production...
In late 2004, the Wizards II comic book went into production and is slowly taking shape. A group of comic artists is currently putting together the book in an anthology format. The stories are from the Wizards "universe" and each created by a different artist.
The entire project is being produced by Ralph Bakshi and Victoria Yudis and the book is being edited by Chris McD.
Artists currently include:
Brandon Graham
Cause B
James Jean
Thomas Herpich
Chris McD
If you are familiar with Meathaus, then these names might also be familiar. And of course the book will feature Ralph Bakshi's own work. Besides the original comics, behind the scenes production art from the movie Wizards and more is being looked at for inclusion in this first issue.
Now, in 2005 the book is coming together... but slowly. Check back here for updates on the status throughout the next few months. Thanks for all the interest in the book!
-Chris McD
Posted by Chris at January 18, 2005 11:51 PM
I have been waiting for some info about this amazing Wizards II production. I will definitely be back often.
And anyone who reads this, Chris McD is working on Tom Goes to the Mayor with www.timanderic.com for Cartoon Network's Adult Swim animation block. Check that out too.
Chris, keep up the great work!
Sincerely,
Brother Rabbit
well
what can i do iwas all the time fascinated by the original works of ralph bakshi
and it's agreat moment for me to write to you
said amine cartoonist from MOROCCO
I'm really glad to see something happening here at the website and this Wizards II might make me go back to the comic shops once again to put in some orders.
I'm no animator myself but Bakshi's films and innovations through them have had a profound effect on me since I was a kid. This commotion is really, really pleasing to see! Thank you Mr. Bakshi!
Sincerely,
Craig Weinstein, currently film student
Bakshi. Fan of your work, even your low-budget Terrytoons cartoons.
Question - can you describe how you became a director, first with Sad Cat cartoon "Gadmouse the Apprentice Fairy"? and James Hound sometime in your blog?
Thanks
I know it's a long shot but I gotta ask.
I've been a huge fan of Wizards since I first saw it as a child and it really influenced my art and storytelling, is there any way for an unknown independant comic artist to get involved in this project?
I'm a professional published artist working out of Chicago and I am positive my artistic style and temperment would fit the world of Wizards.
Visit my website: www.roughbeasts.com
Thanks for making a great film, and for taking the time to read this.
-b
When I was still studying in a university about two years ago, I used to watched animated movies with some of my mates and my lecturer (in reality, a former Disney/Dreamwork animator). In fact, he owned the tapes, in which one of them happened to be Wizards. I asked him if he would play it for us. He was happy to do so. Basically, that's the first time I watched Wizards in full glory!
Sure it seems a bit edgy and rough (sorry, but that's what I think of the overall quality) but it was still pretty impressive, with bizarre amalgamation of rotoscope and fluid animation! I also enjoyed some parts of the sequences that were truly odd (the final climax is perhaps the funniest and also the most ironic scene in animation history, I guess. However, I can't tell much about it so it's best that readers should watch from the beginning to the end!). Some of my pals concluded that the movie itself doesn't make any sense but according to my lecturer, it was basically Ralph Bakshi's style. Everything he made was his trademark and so I abided by it. Anyway, I did learn much from the movie in terms of its concept, principles and controversial techniques.
Truthfully, I'm quite curious to see what Wizards II is all about. Hopefully, its release would be as worthy as the original!
- Glen!
Is Ralph ever going to do another 2d animated project? Worked on Two of his projects, "Nine Lives of Fritz the Cat" and "Cool World". R.
