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Ellen gets the comic book treatment

Posted by
jamie murnane
 on December 11, 2009

After being on the cover of O Magazine, there's only one next natural step for Ellen. Essence, as she joked with Steve Harvey on her show yesterday? Maybe someday. But, even sooner — as in early next year — the "world's most famous lesbian" will have her own comic book.

Bluewater Productions' Female Force line of biography comics has already featured Michelle Obama, Oprah, J.K. Rowling and Stephenie Meyer. And now, Female Force: Ellen Degeneres will hit the shelves in March. (So long Buffy comics? Nah, it's only one extra special gay issue.)

Written by Sandra C. Ruckdeschel with art by Pedro Ponzo, the Ellen bio-com will follow the new American Idol judge from her Louisiana childhood to her stand-up days in the comedy clubs, her sitcom, coming out (and the subsequent cancellation of the sitcom) to her current multi-Emmy-winning talk show and enormous mainstream success, and of course, her marriage to Portia de Rossi.

In an official press release about the comic, Bluewater president Darren Davis said:

People forget what a groundbreaking talent she is and that fame did not come overnight. But through all her highs and lows, she managed to stay true to herself and prove that she is a female force.

While a lot of people tend to think Ellen isn't very gay on her show (I would totally disagree — she makes constant references / jokes), the comic's author stressed the importance of including Ellen's gay rights advocacy and totally gay personal life.

In the press release, Ruckdeschel said:

It is part of who she is and any telling of her story without acknowledging the importance she places on her identity would be disrespectful to her accomplishments.

So, I'm sure there's a panel devoted solely to dancing, too, right?

In all seriousness, this comic is pretty exciting, not just for hardcore fans and comic aficionados. The whole idea behind the Female Force bio-coms is to offer a "broad examination of strong and influential women who are shaping modern history and culture." Gays for the win!

Will you be picking up an issue of Female Force: Ellen Degeneres in March? I bet you comic fans are totally geeking out right now.

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gobuckeyes's picture

I am so there!   "It

Posted by
gobuckeyes (324 posts)
on December 11, 2009 at 12:55pm

I am so there!

 

"It is just an illusion we have here on Earth that one moment follows another one, like beads on a string, and that once a moment is gone it is gone forever"
-Slaughterhouse Five by Kurt Vonnegut

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Renee's picture

I don't know if I've ever

Posted by
Renee (268 posts)
on December 11, 2009 at 12:58pm

I don't know if I've ever bought a comic in my life...but I will defintiely be getting this one! Wicked!

 

~Renée

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polkadotwings's picture

haha same here. I'm

Posted by
polkadotwings (113 posts)
on December 11, 2009 at 01:43pm
haha same here. I'm definitely not into comics, but I would buy anything Ellen related.
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Just_Elaine's picture

...and another here

Posted by
Just_Elaine (22 posts)
on December 11, 2009 at 02:29pm

I'm just not "comic book people".  But I really, really like the look of this.  Plus, Ellen makes a really cute cartoon. 

But then, I always have had a thing for Aisha Clanclan from "Outlaw Star" too.  

 

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videopinball's picture

Ummm...

Posted by
videopinball (11 posts)
on December 11, 2009 at 01:14pm
The subject is all well and good but does anyone else notice how AWFUL it looks? It looks like a bunch of vector drawings with zero depth. sjd;lkajs;dflkja;sdfj;al gross
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wild_horses's picture

yes! i thought the same

Posted by
wild_horses (48 posts)
on December 11, 2009 at 02:37pm
yes! i thought the same thing. i can't believe they can't come up with better drawings...and 'ellen' looks different in each frame.
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Michie87's picture

mhm

Posted by
Michie87 (659 posts)
on December 11, 2009 at 02:56pm

Word...that might just be the preview images though. I am sure they wouldnt pass a comic with such bad quality?

--------------------------------------------------------------

 

Let it Rock,Let it roll

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Suzzie's picture

Hmmmmm

Posted by
Suzzie (312 posts)
on December 11, 2009 at 05:55pm
I really hope your right, as the drawing really isn't all that, and there is no depth or anything (as someone above me said) It looks like someone has got a 'how to draw comics' book and has tracered over the images just changing the hair or face every now and then.....I really hope these are only preliminary images, and that it will be both coloured and touched up *crosses fingers*
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katemc39's picture

Yes!

Posted by
katemc39 (219 posts)
on December 11, 2009 at 01:55pm

I've passed on all the other female force issues.  But, I'm sold on this one.  Can't wait!

Now where's there special Rachel Maddow double issue?

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loquatious_meg's picture

Rachel Maddow Double Issue

Posted by
loquatious_meg (1 post)
on December 14, 2009 at 04:21pm

I totally agree. I'd be all over that, and buy about 5-10 extras. Mmmmm Rachel!

 

Unless you love someone, nothing else makes any sense. --e. e. cummings
Te amo bastante luchar para usted, y mí luchará para usted hasta mi día de muerte. (I love you enough to fight for you, and I will fight for you until my dying day.)

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Cassidy's picture

=D

Posted by
Cassidy (630 posts)
on December 11, 2009 at 04:56pm
I'm must have this!
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Suzzie's picture

Oooooh! Yay!

Posted by
Suzzie (312 posts)
on December 11, 2009 at 05:56pm
So long as the drawing is improved, I will definatly be getting this ASAP! I love graphic novels, and would love to add this to my collection, but seriously, the artwork is nothing special!
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Nothing's picture

Where can we buy it?

Posted by
Nothing (520 posts)
on December 11, 2009 at 06:03pm

I definitely want to buy one, but have no idea where they would be sold.

Also, I have to agree that the illustrations aren't great.  It looks more like a coloring book that is expected to be colored in then a comic book.  But, it's a piece about history so it's worth purchasing.

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katemc39's picture

Check your local comic shop

Posted by
katemc39 (219 posts)
on December 12, 2009 at 02:48pm

...do you have a comic shop near you?  If you ask, they should be able to order it for you OR hold a copy for you if they already have copies coming in.

Failing that...check out my fave online (and real life comic store)  www.midtowncomics.com

They ship!

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Linda's picture

ellen is taking over the

Posted by
Linda (238 posts)
on December 11, 2009 at 06:59pm
ellen is taking over the world xD and i like it!!! xD

but if they somehow sell this is in australia or online ill def be getting a copy :)
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Ktbarnes's picture

The Female Force Comics

Posted by
Ktbarnes (67 posts)
on December 11, 2009 at 07:20pm
are just awful. Bad art, weak narrative. Has anyone seen panels from the Oprah comic? Just horrible. I'll be excited when Ellen has her own comic, where she is obviously a superhero.
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FOJOLICIOUS's picture

Oprah, Ellen et al in "Female Force"

Posted by
FOJOLICIOUS (146 posts)
on December 13, 2009 at 02:28am

Oy, I just googled Oprah and the others featured in their own "Female Force" editions -- you weren't kidding, that looks nothing like Lady O.

I think the only one that actually resembles the person is Stephenie Meyer (author of the "Twighlight" books), but only on the cover.  JK Rowling mostly looks like herself, just a little too "glammed up", like she could be on the cover of a trashy romance novel.  As for Michelle Obama -- um, so-so...

I'm a life long comic lover (sorry, graphic novel enthusiast, lol) and while I realize that different artists have different styles and interpretations, Ellen and Oprah are very off the mark -- it's not flattering at all :(

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Sweet_Marie's picture

waaaa

Posted by
Sweet_Marie (162 posts)
on December 11, 2009 at 11:33pm
 I'm so glad this happened! but the comic doesn't seem very.... good in general.
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Discoveries's picture

Oh wow, wow, wow, wow...

Posted by
Discoveries (325 posts)
on December 12, 2009 at 04:48am
...this is one comic book I'm going to have. I agree that the art isn't very attractive, but I still want it!
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Bluewater Comics's picture

Ellen comic book from the publishers

Posted by
Bluewater Comics (1 post)
on December 12, 2009 at 03:22pm
We are the publishers of the Female Force comic books.  I noticed everyone commenting on the artwork.  We leaked some pages out that are not finished at all. Once they get inked and colored up, the pages will look amazing.  We wanted to show an exclusive to AFTER ELLEN of the process we are at so far.  So please do not take the pages as they are.  They will be so much more polished and lettered too!  We are excited to bring Ellen to Female Force.  The comic series is about female empowerment.  We love her a lot.  We also heard that Ellen is excited about this book.  We are donating some money from the proceeds of this book to the Humane Society.  She picked that non-profit for the comic.  I will gibe you more updates as I have them...but remember the book is not even close to being done :) 
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videopinball's picture

This is good to hear. You

Posted by
videopinball (11 posts)
on December 18, 2009 at 10:22pm
This is good to hear. You might have asked for AE to mention that in the article though. I don't mean to sound like a negative-nancy I'm just a comic/graphic novel junkie and I would hate to see such an awesome project not get the full treatment and reach its potential.  
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FOJOLICIOUS's picture

Pix from other "Female Force" issues

Posted by
FOJOLICIOUS (146 posts)
on December 13, 2009 at 02:27am

Oprah, Femal Forces cover Michelle Obama Meyer, Female Forces Rowling, Female Forces

 

 

 

Links to full stories/more artwork:

Oprah: www.comicbookresources.com/?page=preview&id=3461

Michelle Obama: comicbookresources.com/?page=preview&id=2497&disp=table

Stephenie Meyer & JK Rowling: www.newmoonmovie.org/2009/09/new-preview-of-stephenie-meyer-female-force-comic-book/

 

One rule of thumb I've always used as an artist/photographer, but especially with art (specifically portraits) -- I don't show the work-in-progress, I present the finished product to the person it's for.  I might show the work-in-progress to one or two trusted friends for some constructive criticism and feedback in order to improve on the piece, but I shy away from giving "previews".  You get quite a bit of "what the hell is that??" or "that looks NOTHING like me" & so on.  Kinda like the above comments about the Ellen issue of "Female Force" (and the others).

I appreciate the "teaser" images displayed on AE, but most times an unfinished piece of work isn't the best thing to publish.  Maybe the artists/folks involved in the Ellen issue (and others to follow) will take our comments as feedback -- nothing more, nothing less, definitely nothing personal -- and change things a bit if, as they said, "the book is not even close to being done".  Lots of time for improvements :)

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Potarded's picture

I don't give

Posted by
Potarded (66 posts)
on December 13, 2009 at 06:01am
a monkey's on how it looks--it could be drawn by chimps with arthritis as far as I am concerned, I am totally getting it!  And a J.K. Rowling one?!  ::swoons::
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