Monday, July 27, 2015

CARTOONS: Archie Creator Tom Moore Passes Away at 86 / Warner Bros. Trademarks Space Jam & Signs LeBron James


Artist Tom Moore, who gave life to the teen angst of Archie and his Riverdale pals from 1953 to the late 1980s, has died of lung cancer in El Paso, Texas.
According to his hometown paper, the El Paso Times, Moore began his cartooning career while serving in the U.S. Navy. Moore got caught drawing a caricature of his captain, but instead of getting in trouble, he got an assignment as staff cartoonist. His talent led him to a decades-long career illustrating for Archie, as well as Under Dog and Mighty Mouse comics.
“He’s a legend, in El Paso and, really, around the United States,” All Star Comics & Games owner Brad Wilson told the paper. “A lot of people don’t realize how much he influenced comic book art.”

Archie Comics’ editor-in-chief, Victor Gorelick, told The Associated Press: “Tom was very funny and had a knack for putting together really great, hilarious gags and special pages when he worked at Archie.” Gorelick says Moore was best known for drawing a reboot of the “Jughead” series in the 1980s, featuring Archie’s best friend and sidekick.
Archie Comics launched in 1941, inspired in part by the Andy Hardy movies of the 1930s. Although many associate Archie and the gang with classic high school drama, the franchise evolved to take on modern topics and add greater diversity to its cast of characters.
Moore kept up with the Archie character even after his retirement, and was pleased when some of his work was displayed at the El Paso Museum of Art in 1996.
“I think it’s such a kick that my stuff is going to be hanging at the museum,” he said at the time. “Who knew Archie would have such universal appeal?”
Source: NPR


Warner Bros. announced on Wednesday that it has signed a content creation partnership with LeBron James’ SpringHill Entertainment with plans for projects in TV, film and original digital programming.
“LeBron James has one of the most powerful, well-known brands in the world, and we are excited to be in business with him and his partner, Maverick Carter, and SpringHill Entertainment,” Warner Bros. President and CEO Kevin Tsujihara said in a statement. “The combination of LeBron’s global media presence and Warner Bros.’ unmatched production and distribution expertise is a big win for fans everywhere.”
SpringHill, which James and Carter founded in 2008, already has produced the television series “Becoming,” which tells the stories of athletes before they made it big; “Uninterrupted,” an online reality show of sorts that allows athletes to take fans along for the ride; “Survivor’s Remorse,” a scripted drama on Starz; and a prime-time game show for NBC in which acquaintances will compete for life-changing amounts of money.
“Connecting with my fans and telling meaningful stories have always been my passion,” James said in a statement. “In everything I’ve done, from Nike commercials to ‘Uninterrupted’ and ‘Survivor’s Remorse,’ it’s always about connecting with people of all ages and providing unique content they can all enjoy. And I’ve always loved movies, which makes Warner Bros. the ultimate partner to help us continue to push the envelope. I can’t wait to see what we come up with.”
Many fans might hope the partnership means James would reprise Michael Jordan’s “Space Jam,” which was made by Warner Bros. in 1996. Warner Bros. spokesman Paul McGuire declined to comment. Warner Bros. filed for three new Space Jam trademarks last month.
Source: ESPN

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