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October
30, 2004
A
Few More Thoughts on Bill Liebowitz
 When
I started my publishing career in 1998, Golden Apple
was one of the first stores to carry my books. In
the following years, Bill invited me to sign at
his store regularly. I was a guest at the Golden
Apple booth at various con. Bill was instrumental
in helping me establish myself as an independent
creator. He went out of his way to call his friend
retailers all over the country to promote my work.
I remember getting a call from Jim Henley in New
York who said that Bill had called him praising
my work!
The
last time I saw Bill was last summer after the San
Diego Comicon. I went to LA on a business trip and
stopped by Golden Apple to do some shopping. Bill
was very busy with customers, so I said a few words
to him and was on my way out. He immediately got
someone to replace him behind the counter, and shouted,
"Hey Michel, don't go now. Come and sit outside
with me". There were two chairs outside in
front of the store. We sat down and chatted for
over half an hour. I showed him some of the stuff
I was currently working on. He particularly loved
one piece I was doing for Image and told me "When
that comes out, we'll have to do a signing. This
is going to do very well for you". He then
added, "When ever you want to do a signing
or be a guest at our booth, let me know. You're
always welcome. You're family."
I'll
miss him.
October
27, 2004
Bill
Liebowitz (1941-2004)
I
just learned the sad news about Bill's passing.
I'm shocked. I received an email from him yesterday
and didn't realize he was sick.
Bill
has helped me tremendously in the past by promoting
my work to fans and other retailers. He was a good
friend and will be missed.
Bill's
bio from the GoldenAppleComics.com site:
 Golden
Apple opened its first 400 square foot store in
July of 1979. It was opened as an extension of a
hobby and a chance to learn more about the comic
industry. Bill Liebowitz, the owner and founder,
cites his early heroes and influences: Flash Gordon,
Conan the Barbarian, the Sub-Mariner, Jack Kirby,
and P.T. Barnum. Bill was originally a CPA with
twelve years experience with the international accounting
firm of Deloite & Touche. He left accounting
in 1974 and became Vice-President of US Operations
for Trizec Corporation, the largest developer and
operator of commercial real estate in North America.
In 1984, he was director of Entertainment for the
athletes at the Olympics. After the Olympics he
decided to pursue comic book retailing full time.
After
fifteen years in business, Golden Apple operates
a two store chain in Los Angeles, including the
Melrose Avenue mega-store, which is arguably the
best known comic book specialty store in the country.
Golden
Apple, Liebowitz, and the entire comic book industry
have changed and grown significantly during the
last sixteen years. Golden Apple is now a multimillion
dollar business that offers a wide, eclectic mix
of products. Liebowitz has become a "point
man" for the industry, appearing in virtually
every electronic and print media outlet available.
He has been seen by millions, extolling the virtues
of comic books as an entertainment media. Golden
Apple has staged promotions with attendance in the
thousands, generating international news coverage.
Liebowitz is currently spokesperson for the Direct
Line Group (DLG), an organization of the most influential
comic book retailers in the country.
"My
goal," said Bill, "was to develop Golden
Apple as the world's greatest comic book store...
and more. Our expansion has been fueled in large
measure by promotion and merchandising geared toward
attracting new customers from outside the hobby.
At the same time, we have also worked hard to accommodate
both the traditional comic collector and the newly
attracted customer. We have promoted mainstream
comics, but not to the exclusion of alternative
product. We are constantly changing and experimenting
with new ideas, and we don't intend to stop. We're
very proud of what we've achieved, and where we
are today."
Liebwotiz was also a pioneer of the model for comic
book “events” and perfecting working
with the local media to bring people into his stores
– something which, before Liebowitz was fairly
small scale, but under Liebowitz became media events,
with lines of fans stretching for blocks in the
heyday of Image. Hand in glove with the events,
Liebowitz also led the way for showing how comics
could be marketed properly, and seen as media that
is on equal footing to virtually any other entertainment
medium.
As
one of the established stores in the early days
of the direct market that still opeartes today,
Liebowitz also was among the first retailers to
adopt the direct market to a multiple store chain,
and had earned him a place of respect among retailers
nationwide.
Liebowitz's
stores, in recent years, had turned into havens
for actors, producers, directors, and many other
Hollywood types to get their comic fix, or collect
research materials for an upcoming role, or find
a property to pitch to a studio. The stores are
also the occasional hangouts for comic creators
in the LA area.
Bill
is survived by his wife and business partner Sharon,
their children Damon, Ryan and his wife Kendra.
He was 63.
October
27, 2004
Press
Release from Golden Apple Comics
IRON
GIANT DVD SPECIAL EDITION CELEBRATION AND CREATIVE
TEAM REUNION
 Los
Angeles - On Sat. Nov. 20, 3-6PM, Golden Apple (7711
Melrose Ave., Los Angeles) will host A celebration
of the release of the special edition DVD of “The
Iron Giant”.
“We’ve
assembled over two dozen members of the creative
team responsible for this much loved Animation Feature”
said Bill Liebowitz of Golden Apple. “These
are designers, animators, artists and special guests
who haven’t seen each other in years. They
are coming from all over, New York, Hawaii and Northern
California just for this Event. They’ll be
bringing rare production drawings, tests, models
and all sorts of treasures for the fans to see.”
The
afternoon will feature autographs, photo ops, lively
Q&A and presentations. Ramin Zahed, Editor of
Animation Magazine will moderate. This may be the
ONLY chance to get this many of the Creative Team
together to interact with fans.
The
Iron Giant is a highly regarded, award winning animation
feature that never quite found it’s audience
when it was released theatrically in 1999. It has
since become a favorite of animation fans world-wide.
It was written and directed by Brad Bird who is
the Director on “The Incredibles”. Voice
actors include Vin Diesel, Jennifer Aniston and
Harry Connick, Jr. The Special Edition DVD release
(available Nov. 16, 2004) gives the fans much requested
insights, deleted scenes, outtakes, commentaries,
extras and entertainment features they have waited
for.
Admission
to the Event is FREE with the purchase of the Special
Edition DVD at any Golden Apple location. Pre orders
and guaranteed admission will be available Oct.
15, 2004. All attendees will receive FREE with purchase
an Iron Giant Commemorative mini-figurine.
IRON
GIANT REUNION GUESTS:
Here's
a list of Participants so far ( in no particular
order):
-Jim Van der Key
-Adam Dotson
-Grace Blanco (Dotson)
-Kevin O'Brien
-Kevin O'Neil
-Matthew Maners
-Michel Gagné
-Mike Nguyen
-Ryan Woodward
-Carla L. Fallberg
-Holger Leihe
-Scott T. Peterson
-Tom Knott
-Alan Bosner
-Darren Holmes
-Mike Murphy
-Mark Whiting
-John MacFarlane
-Victor Haboush
-JD Kenney
-Jennifer Cardon Klein
-Mike Tracy
-James Austin (Music consultant and producer of
Rhino soundtrack album)
Moderator:
Ramin Zahed, Editor Animation Magazine
Special Guest: Jerry Beck ( additional Q&A)
For
more information please contact:
Golden
Apple: Bill
Liebowitz, (323) 658-6047
Warner
Home Video:
Ronnee
Sass, (818) 977-6439
Karen Penhale,
Carl Samrock PR, (818) 260-0777
October
26, 2004
A
Sneak Peek at my Upcoming Book
 This
is it! I just sent the digital files and mock-up
of ODD
NUMBERS to our printer.
Take
a peek inside the book. |
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Despite
the fact that the new book will be hardcover
and full-color, it will retail
for a mere $9. To do this, we've
had to increase our print run by quite a bit over
our previous releases. We're confident that this
new price point will have a positive effect all
around.
Since
the book won't be available until the end of April
2005, I though I'd give you a peek at the first
11 pages. Enjoy!
October
18, 2004
Sideshow/Gagné
Statues Reviewed on AzogsCollection.com
Our
Website Gets Animated
Here's
an animated banner I just added to our Banner
Page. The animation is actually from a project
I did way back in 1986 at Sheridan College.
Now
that I finally figured out how to do animated GIFs,
I intend to start spiffing up the site with bits
of animation here and there. Just have a look at
the home page with
the animated atom.
October
7, 2004
Visit
to Vancouver's Prince of Wales High School
A
few months ago, I was contacted by Brigitte
Patenaude from Vancouver's Prince
of Wales High School. She asked me if I'd
be interested in participating in an interactive
Q&A with her students. The only catch was that
all the questions would be asked and answered in
French! Well, since French is my first language
and I'm in great need of practice, I thought it
would be fun and agreed to do it.
The
visit took place last Friday, October 1st, and it
was loads of fun. Each of the 23 students asked
one question and I tried answering the best I could.
Since this was a "Core French" class,
I was not allowed to say a word of English! Fortunately,
Brigitte helped me out whenever I got stuck and
the whole event went just great. I brought lots
of visual material for the students to look at and
they seemed very interested. The Insanely
Twisted Rabbits sculptures were a huge hit!
Here
are a few pictures.
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