Guardians of the Galaxy

Guardians of the Galaxy. The Dan Abnett-Andy Lanning era, circa 2009/War of Kings. Full pencils. The roster: Adam Warlock, Groot, Bug, Gamora, Drax, Mantis, Quasar, Moondragon, Major Victory, Jack Flag, Cosmo, Star-Lord, and Rocket Raccoon.

The Doctors Will See Each Other Now

1996. Pencil and ink practice page. Doctors Strange and Fate investigate a mystical disturbance. 

Bedimpled

Profile pic elsewhere. This was taken a couple of weeks ago.

'Suits' star helps in typhoon relief

(March 12, PDI-Entertainment)

By Oliver M. Pulumbarit

“Prior to this show, I wore suits only to funerals and weddings,” said “Suits” actor Gabriel Macht during his Manila visit last weekend. “Now, I try and wear suits for interviews, too,” he told the Inquirer. “[Otherwise] my personal style is basically board shorts, jeans, T-shirts and combat boots!”

Macht granted interviews Sunday morning at Fairmont Makati. He had flown Saturday afternoon to Ormoc, Leyte, to help spread awareness of telecommunications company Globe’s “Project Wonderful,” a relief program for “Yolanda” survivors. 

The actor led the ceremonial rebuilding of small stores, and was shown around recovering communities by Leyte Rep. Lucy Torres-Gomez. Beverly Hills, 90210” and “Sex and the City.” He had some prominent film projects in recent years; he portrayed the titular masked crime fighter in 2008’s “The Spirit,” and UN security agent Robert Pryce in 2009’s “Whiteout.”

He landed the “Suits” gig in 2011, playing the cunning and snappily dressed lawyer Harvey Specter, mentor to the brilliant rookie Mike Ross (Patrick J. Adams).

Excerpts from the Inquirer Entertainment’s one-on-one:

How affecting for you was the visit to Ormoc, and how did the people respond?

It was an incredible experience, very inspiring. I’m humbled that I was able to [help]. We put a sign up for a woman who owns a sari-sari store. Just to see the people smiling and excited, that was very [rewarding] for me. Just going to the sugarcane fields… I feel that rebuilding is in full [swing]. People [will soon] get back on their feet.

Harvey Specter is the character you’ve played the longest; how does periodically returning to it feel?

It’s great. The writing is still solid. We’re going into new areas of his life. In these back six episodes, we deal with Harvey getting into a romantic relationship with Scottie (Abigail Spencer). We’ve seen that he’s sort of a commitment-phobe and it’ll be interesting to see him being her boss as well.

You’ve acted since the 1980s. How has the industry changed?

When I started out as a kid, I was under the impression that wherever you start, it’s where you’re gonna finish—if you’re a film actor, you [stay one]. Now, there’ so much crossover; you can do a bunch of films, then a TV series, then go back to film…

And now, with social media, it doesn’t matter where people get their content. Some find it excellent to watch a show on their phones. It’s exciting to see where all these will lead to.

What projects interest you between seasons of “Suits”?

I work seven months a year… commuting every weekend to see my family. When I’m on a hiatus, I feel that’s really my time to spend with them.

What is the significance of “Suits” now?

It’s super-accessible; it’s one of the most-pirated, most downloaded shows in the whole world! What can I say? It’s a joy to be part of a show that is really connected with audiences all over the world. 

Would directing an episode interest you?

I am going to direct an episode in Season 4; I’m looking forward to that.

How would you describe your relationship with Patrick J. Adams?          

We’re having a great time! Before we started working, we made a commitment to each other that we wouldn’t create a diva-like/big-ego environment. I think that has splintered out to the other [actors]. When you’re working with an ensemble, you become a family, in a way.

Are you comfortable now with lawyer lingo?

Yeah! I’m learning eight to 10 pages a day. The legalese is difficult but there’s a learning curve and it’s getting more natural as we move forward!

(New episodes of “Suits” will air starting March 19, 9 p.m. on Jack TV.) 

Legal Action Figures

Me and the dudes from Suits. Patrick Adams was in Manila last year. Met Gabriel Macht last Sunday.

I Know This Much is True

Cyberdimensional updates.

Feb. 18. Pizza! #thankssender

Feb. 21. Headache at work earlier (coworker said I looked pale and like I had blush-on on), But paracetamol kicked its butt. #betternow

Feb. 22. The other night, my friend and I had a great time talking about nepotism, pseudo-tastemakers, and dreadful divas over drinks and pulutan.

Feb. 24. Sent my friend a link to someone's badly written movie review while on the landline. He read it aloud; we both laughed so hard repeatedly.
Feb. 24. And you wanted to dance. So I asked you to dance. But fear is in your soul. #duranduran

Feb. 26. That feeling when you accidentally bite your inner cheek while eating. #yargh

March 1. Michael Cudlitz (Abraham in TWD) played the zombie jock in the Buffy ep The Zeppo. What!

\March 3. Saw the Looking ep where Jonathan Groff's character is crushing on Ears.

March 4. Blushed when a coworker remembered something I did in a past incarnation. That was cool. Anyway, I wish I could see myself blushing, but I grab my mirror too late every time.

March 4. Allan Heinberg's been writing and producing for Looking. Good. He's in his element.

March 5. One thing you realize when you're older? You may have paid your dues, but you never stop proving your worth. Never.

March 6. I understand how we can come off as vain and utterly self-important. But that's how social networking has changed things. I pick and edit what I post, and speaking only for myself, I'm comfy with sharing "happy" stuff and skipping those that detail personal agonies--usually. It's just a fraction of who I am and what I do, and these days, I'm also appreciating things that don't make it past the keyboard.

March 7. My editor just told me that I bring out the maternal instinct of some people at work. Hehe.

March 7. Also, she congratulated me for becoming regularized, and officially, "a slave." :)

March 7. True Detective, you better have a great season ender/big reveal. Loving your craziness, so far.

March 9. Met and interviewed Gabriel Macht. Tall, charismatic guy. He'd have made a great Captain America. But he was an okay Spirit.

March 12. Pizza! Again! Yum.

March 13. Finally had the gym membership renewed. Worked out longer and did more reps, as I won't be there as often as before. I feel good. Body's gonna ache all over in the next coupl'a days. Gonna hurt so good.

Lucy Meets Van Helsing

Stoker's Dracula book illustration thesis plate, 1993. One of the few things from college that I actually kept. Lucy meets Van Helsing.

Goshdarn Geekboy

Second year college, 1991. It didn't matter that I was a complete and utter failure at basketball in high school (I wouldn't say I was bad at sports, altogether; I discovered that I was good in softball and arnis, eventually). I met good, trustworthy people who were similar to me in ways that matter, who were just as geeky and restless. 

'Korra' mythology expands tremendously with 'Book Two'

(March 12, PDI-Entertainment)

By Oliver M. Pulumbarit

A sequel to Nickelodeon’s hit, acclaimed cartoon series “Avatar: The Legend of Aang,” “The Legend of Korra” boldly continues the saga of an element-controlling being who now lives life anew as a heroic teen girl.

The first season of Korra, “Book One: Air,” introduced the titular teen heroine, who has mastery over three elements but has yet to control air. Korra is the current reincarnation of the powerful Avatar, and must be mentored by the Airbender Tenzin, son of the deceased Avatar Aang. 

Headstrong but noble, Korra found herself getting distracted a lot during training, and ended up joining a sports team that mainly used element-“bending.” The other two members of that trio, brothers Mako and Bolin, became friends and allies against the nonpowered Equalist forces, led by the enigmatic Amon.

The initial season had its share of mystery and tension; it bravely threw its characters into situations that further established this new Avatar’s world. As an expansion of the previous world, it worked very well; it was easy for devotees from way back to get into this equally imaginative sequel series.

But the resolution to the Amon arc was paced too hurriedly, ultimately coming off as rushed and prematurely concluded.

While the first season’s conflicts were too easily resolved—Korra even went messianic for a bit and restored the powers of neutralized Benders—it made one wonder, how else could Korra be challenged, and grow as a character?

“Book Two: Spirits” addresses such apprehensions. Korra is still a teen, the most powerful in existence, but she’s still fallible and quite naive. The new season brings new conflicts from another unexplored place: the spirit world. She and her friends are sorely tested when nonhuman entities cause disturbances in the physical plane, but the chaos is connected somehow to Korra’s past, and will ultimately figure in a war that will challenge the Avatar like never before.

Visually, “Book Two” retains the steampunk-era look, dazzling with a synthesis of classic Asian architecture and blossoming technology. Adding to the new advancements is the “mover,” or movie, the creation of which will impact the people of Republic City significantly. One of the cast members becomes a “mover” star, resulting in some of this season’s funniest, most charming moments. 

As for the main heroine, Korra learns much this season, not only about growing up (she still has boy problems), but her combined heritage as well. The action-packed and surprisingly thought-provoking “Book Two” brings her to heretofore unexplored territories, and insightfully explores not only her checkered family history, but the Avatar’s complicated origins as well.

(“The Legend of Korra: Book Two” airs weekdays, 4:30 p.m. on Nickelodeon.)

Objectifixation, Twelve

Marky Mark, Saturday Night Fever-ish. Tim Burton's Planet of the Apes action figure. Extremely limited articulation, but good likeness. This was before poseability was a big thing.

X-Factor-Fantastic Four crossover, Dec. 1987. Ms. Marvel is now disfigured and Thing-like, but she accepts her latest misfortune after she meets the Beast, who loses his mind every time he uses his super-strength.

Brought Sam Guthrie to my workstation yesterday.

"Ah sure ain't in Kentucky no more!"

Dead Girl and other deceased heroes reappear in the miniseries. I can't remember much about it, except that Doctor Strange, it is revealed in this issue, has hemorrhoids. But he is healed by the end of the series.

Legion! Back when he only had a few personalities and years before he was categorized as an Omega-level mutant. One of his personalities, a pyrokinetic, resembled Jubilee. By Claremont and Sienkiewicz.

Ang sarap mo... #singleentendre #doubleburger #armynavy

Marvel U by Teen Me

1990. I Made my own Marvel posters when I was a teenager.

'Girls' won't be 'Sex and the City'

(Feb. 23, PDI-Entertainment)

By Oliver M. Pulumbarit

LONDON—“We were all in our 20s once and I don’t think we have a shortage of those stories,” said “Girls” executive producer Jenni  Konner, explaining the source of its characters’ unending pratfalls to journalists during a roundtable interview.

Apatow, Konner, and Dunham in a press event last January.

“It see seems to really strike a chord [anywhere],” she said, but  clarified that while many involved in the sex comedy show’s creation were fans of “Sex and the City,” the main characters “don’t grow up to be those girls.”

The grittier and considerably less fancy “Girls,” which recently had its third season launch here, is coexecutive-produced by filmmaker Judd Apatow (“Knocked Up,” “The 40-Year-Old Virgin”).

“Judd is like our Charlie, like in ‘Charlie’s Angels,’” Konner said. “He’s in LA with an incredibly clear perspective that we don’t always have, because we’re right next to it. He reads every script; he watches every cut. He calls us, ‘You have to shoot that again.’ [We’d say,] ‘Come on, we’re so tired.’ ‘No, you know you have to reshoot that.’ And we do.”

On the show’s creator, writer-director-actor Lena Dunham, Konner described her as “really truthful and candid.” Dunham, who plays the beleaguered writer Hannah, is also an executive producer. “Lena learns how to do things…If she spends 10 minutes in this room, she’s gonna know how to be a journalist tomorrow. She’s very quick!”

In a separate interview at the launch, Dunham related that the success of “Girls” could be attributed to the focus on the stories, and staying uncompromised. “These girls behave in ways that [some] people don’t want girls to behave. And so we’re always thinking about that, but at the same time we’ve chosen not to [make changes] because of what a certain audience doesn’t want to see.”

On actress Zosia Mamet, who plays the finicky student Shoshanna, Konner described her as “really different” from her character. “It’s a big, incredible stretch for her and she’s really good. I’ve seen her in ‘Mad Men’ and ‘The Kids are All Right,’ two vastly different parts.  [She’s a] fine, reality-based actor.”

“I think that Shoshanna’s best feature is that she does everything sincerely, without apologizing for it,” said Mamet in another interview. The daughter of playwright-filmmaker David Mamet, however, added that her character has a weakness that she related to. “Her worse feature is, she’s just f—ing anxious all the time. I’m a worrier. I’m from a family of worriers. I’m sure that’s gonna shorten my life,” she said.

Allison Williams plays the oft-unsure but eager Marnie, whose job changes every season. “Allison is a wonderful control freak and I love her,” Konner said. “Her beauty is insane…she seems to get more beautiful by the second.”

“At this point, Marnie and I are very different,” Williams revealed during her turn. “That’s really fun for me to play. The writers thought that I could pull it off; it’s such a compliment. She has no idea why this has befallen her and who couldn’t want her. ‘Why am I working in a coffee shop, like Hannah?’ Her life is so different from what she thought it was going to be.”

Jemima Kirke, who plays the volatile eccentric Jessa, was unable to attend the launch. According to Konner, the actor can be as unpredictable as her character: “I can never anticipate what will come out of her mouth…[but] she’s very different from her character, too. She’s married and has two kids, leads a very different life, but can access that character so brilliantly. Jemima is a complete natural.”

The Brit-American Kirke proved herself a patient person, unlike the irritable Jessa, Konner said. “We have to tell our camera guys, ‘OK, we have enough of those [shots]. Because they just fall in love with her and will do 15 takes of her waking up in the morning. She’s stunning!”

(“Girls” airs Sundays, 10 p.m., on HBO Signature.)