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Museum Presents Marvel Knights Movie Director Kevin Smith Visits Northampton to Benefit Comic Art Museum
ON EXHIBIT: Words & Pictures Museum, Northampton Massachusetts In the few years since his entry into the indie film community, Kevin Smith has seen it all from critical and commercial success (Clerks) to disappointing critical and commercial drubbing (Mallrats). He's collected career-making awards at Film Festivals as varied as Sundance and Cannes. In 1997, Smith released his third film, "Chasing Amy" to critical acclaim, winning the Independent Spirit Award for Best Original Screenplay, scripted "Superman Lives" for Warner Brothers and published the oft-requested screenplays for "Clerks" and "Chasing Amy". He co-executive produced the Academy Award winning film, "Good Will Hunting" and while working on his upcoming fourth movie, "Dogma" has found the time to write and help relaunch the classic Marvel comic title, Daredevil. Unleashed on the Museum September 18, Daredevil is joined by other classic Marvel titles including Black Panther, The Punisher and The Inhumans. Collectively the book line is called Marvel Knights. Words & Pictures Museum is dedicated exclusively to contemporary comic book artwork and fantasy illustration, its exhibition, preservation and study. Event Comics, the publishing house founded by Joe Quesada and Jimmy Palmiotti, both recognized stars has teamed up with the biggest of them all, Marvel Comics to create the Marvel Knights partnership. "This is a chance to take a set of characters and give them a fresh and unique spin without changing the formula that Stan Lee gave the world, " Quesada noted recently. He added "we will take that classic formula of super heros with human frailties and bring it into a new millennium." Stan Lee writes about Marvel Knights "You think you know comicbook storytelling? Forget it! You're about to be riveted by a new style of writing that pushes the envelope of drama and gut wrenching realism!". Saturday October 17 the Words & Pictures Museum will present an unprecedented line up of creative talent for book signings, a Q&A session and a Gala Evening Reception, including:
Words & Pictures is delighted to unveil this terrific assembly of work and guests. The exhibit showcases work from each of the four titles including covers, interior work and scripts. Additionally we'll showcase work exclusively in the Event Comics lineup, including Ash and Painkiller Jane. In a special appearance artist Amanda Connor and Editor Nanci Dakesian will be on hand October 17 too.
Saturday October 17
1:30 - 4:30 - creator book signing
7 - 9 PM - Gala Gallery Reception In conjunction with these events Northampton's Pleasant Street Theater will present a Kevin Smith Film Festival. Late night showings on October 9,10,16 & 17 will benefit the Museum Endowment fund. Tickets are available at Pleasant Street Theater (413-586-0935) or in the Museum Store. Wizard, The Comics Magazine and Graphitti Design are donating related books, clothing and collectibles to the Museum store for the duration of the exhibit. The limited edition Museum Exhibit Guide/Tour Book, available for $2.99 at the Museum Store makes a perfect event souvenir. Designed to provide an overview and images from the Marvel Knights books it includes interviews with the creators and spots for VIP signatures. The four Marvel Knights titles are garnering enormous critical and commercial applause and the inclusion of Hollywood film maker Kevin Smith spotlights the unique ongoing partnership that comics and the movies share. For more information and directions, visit the Words and Pictures Museum Website |
