A Quick Reminder...

...for those of you who prefer getting your comic books in a shop: Inspector Gadget's first issue from Viper Comics hits U.S. shelves TODAY according to what editor Jessie Garza told me twelve days ago. Look for Inspector Gadget: Gadget on the Orient Express in every book store/comic shop you're in.

Personally, I bought the book just a few days after online ordering became possible, so it's kinda ironic that I'm still waiting for my copy by this point. But I guess shipping to Europe does take its time. When I do get to read the book, my plan is to post an in-depth review of it right here. But that's not all... I have several other plans for this blog, including:

- A walk-through of Inspector Gadget's history in comic strips, from the 80s up until today. (That's right, Viper's effort is far from the first one to translate the Inspector into comic strip form!)
- A presentation of an original UK Annual starring Inspector Gadget, published in the 1980s.
- Gadget's ugliest cover art ever

   ...and, to quote the special features section of a DVD cover, MUCH MORE!!!

In other words, stay tuned. My studies are keeping me pretty occupied right now, so it's hard to tell exactly when I get the time to blog about all this cool stuff. Hopefully before too long. In the meantime, buy/read the comic and don't hesitate to comment here if you've got any viewpoints/opinions about it. Did you like it? Didn't you like it? If so, why? In a little while, you'll certainly be getting a lot of my opinions about it;)

How to Pay More for the Comic Book

My, how time flies. At least it felt like it must have when I suddenly came across the first issue of Inspector Gadget's comic book on Ebay - merely a week after its publisher, Viper Comics, first made it available to online customers. And the Ebay pricing is even four cents more expensive than it would be to buy the book directly from the publisher. I must say it's amazing how quickly the collector's value for comic books is rising these days.

Inspector Gadget's Theme Song Played 700% Slower

Yes, you have always wanted to hear this. Really. Do not miss this experience.

(Thanks, youtube user DCookStaVideo.)

Buy The Comic Book NOW from Viper's Online Store (or Amazon)!

Yep, just checked!... Inspector Gadget is officially listed for sale at Viper Comics' online Book Store! Click here to buy the 48-page book for $5.95! (Or alternatively, buy it on Amazon if you prefer that. It seems to be in stock at a lot of online places right now, which is probably the best confirmation we can get for the fact that the comic book you see right below these words is FINALLY OUT! :)

Oh, and before I forget: Viper's store is also offering two other versions of the Gadget comic. One, the Free Comic Book Day Issue with the first 15 pages (for $0.99); and two, the San Diego Comic Con Issue, which is just like the regular 48-page issue except for a specially drawn cover which makes it more expensive ($7.95). There, now you know. Happy purchasing! 

Great Inspector Gadget Cel For the Hard Core Fan

If you're willing to pay $194.71 or more for an animation cel, here's your chance to throw yourself into the bidding competition over this beautiful, original Inspector Gadget cel currently listed on Ebay (but only for a day or so more, so don't hesitate if you want to join in on the fun!). Taken from the second regular series episode, Down on the Farm, it shows Penny and Brain in action (or rather, after action) blowing up the door to M.A.D.'s secret rocket base.

It's an extremely steep price for one cel (too steep for me), but this particular offer is pretty interesting as you get the full background for the original frame in separate layers.

This gives you a chance to study the background without the characters on top of it...

...and you can even reconstruct the blown-up tower by removing the layers with the smoke and the hole and adding a layer with the door! Great behind-the-scenes-look at the process of shooting animation!

Below are the matching screen shots from the official DVD edition. Man, just look how faded and ugly these screen shots become when compared to the beautiful original cel (below bottom). I wonder if we'll ever see the Inspector Gadget series in a properly restored, CLEAR version.

I'd seriously re-watch every episode of the show right now if I had the chance to see them in the strong, fresh colors and clean lines which the above cel offers. Maybe one magical day in the future, we'll see such a restoration of the episodes happen...

Edit: The Comic Book is In Stores August 31, Available from Viper's Online Store This Weekend

A small correction on the status of the comic book: I recently posted a comment on Viper Comics' web site asking about Gadget's exact release date, and editor Jessie Garza responded:

Posted by Jessie on 19 August 11 at 6:36am

Sorry for the confusion. The book will be in stores on the last Wednesday of this month. Inspector Gadget book can also be purchased from the Amazon.com and also will be live for orders on the Viper Store ( http://www.viperbookstore.com/ ) as of this Weekend.

Jessie

In other words, the book is not out in stores right now - but will be in 12 days, as of Wednesday, August 31. Those not wishing to wait that long can order it online from Viper (and probably other retailers as well, though Amazon still hasn't got the book in stock) as of this weekend! (A quick check reveals that the book hasn't been listed at Viper's Book Store just yet, but the weekend is still young...)

And yes, the Viper Comics Book Store does ship overseas. I asked about that, too;).

Which Inspector Gadget Character are YOU Most Like?

You know you've always wanted to know...