Storyboards and DVD commentary

Thanks again to everyone who entered the contest! There were some great and really inspiring answers. Ultimately it was a random drawing that decided it (I’d mentioned this in the original post but some folks may have overlooked it), but it’s really great to see that so many people are still so enthusiastic about this show. 🙂

There have been a couple of things that came up this week…

The coolest, by far, is that Floro Dery, who did concept and storyboard art on the show, has come back from a several-month hiatus and has been posting images from the PoDW storyboards to his comic/illustration art blog all week! (Ten points to you if you can name the episode.) His linework and shading is just so delightful and nuanced. I love it. 🙂 Keep checking in, as this series will continue for a while yet.

You should check out his blog regardless of the PoDW content, though. He’s extremely experienced in working for the animation industry and posts some very informative and insightful entries with regards to technique, theory, composition, and much more.

Another–not “cool” so much as “odd”–is an observation with regards to the DVD cover.

Pirates of Dark Water DVD cover

So this is it. Pretty standard–it’s the same image as the main poster that’s available on occasion on eBay, as well as the cover of The Saga Begins (the 90-minute edited movie version of episodes 1-5). The colors are awfully saturated, which is unfortunate.

But…wait, there’s something else…

???

Is that–is that a fist coming out of Niddler’s head? Holy bad Photoshop job, Batman! How on earth could they let that one slide? Maybe, after oversaturating the image so badly, it was so blinding that they just couldn’t stare at the cover long enough to notice it…

(Thanks to Shwiggie for noticing that!)

And while we’re talking about the DVDs, I may as well post my review, based on what I’ve seen of them so far (episodes 1-3 and 15). I would be remiss if I didn’t direct you all to the great reviews posted by Ericha, Just Some Guy, and Shwiggie a couple of posts down, too–they definitely cover pretty much everything, both good and bad.

But one pretty big and great thing I did notice: the cut scene at the end of episode 2 is included in this DVD release. Frank Welker does the voice throughout, though, which is jarring for me because Roddy McDowall did such an incredible job giving Niddler true depth in episodes 1-5. But if you have the DVD, you can see the scene for yourself!

Also, I am happy to report that according to wbshop.com, PoDW is currently one of their bestselling DVD sets! Awesome work, everyone–keep spreading the word about the DVD release, because it’s through these purchases that they will know how in-demand this show really is, and that will hopefully pave the way for WB to revisit the show in the future.

My review is behind the jump.

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CONTEST: Win a copy of the PoDW DVD set!

The contest is now closed. I will be contacting the winner shortly via e-mail. Thank you to everybody who entered!

 
 

Thanks to a kind offer from Warner Bros., I am happy to announce a contest for you all! The prize: a free copy of the PoDW DVD set.

It’s super-easy: either post a comment here or e-mail me (subject line: PoDW DVD contest) with the following pieces of information:

1. Your name (or a unique alias)
2. Your e-mail address
3. Your location
2. Why you like Pirates of Dark Water

There is no right or “best” answer, just as long as it’s genuine and relates to the show!

This is open to fans anywhere in the world. If you’re located outside the US, WB will mail me the DVD set, and I’ll mail it to you.

The contest is open until next Friday, the 17th of September, at 5:00 PM Eastern US time. At that point, comments will be closed on this thread. The winner will be chosen through a random drawing and contacted via e-mail. (Note that you will have to give me your real name and mailing address if you are selected.)

(PS: for those who weren’t aware: yes, I am female! 😉 )

Post your DVD reviews!

It figures that during the couple of weeks where there is actually REAL SUBSTANTIAL PIRATES OF DARK WATER NEWS, I have to keep going out of town. I’m studiously avoiding asking my roommates in Pittsburgh if the DVDs have come in. 😉

However, if you pre/ordered a DVD set on or before the 31st of August, you probably have received it by now! If you have, what did you think of it? How was the video quality and the DVD packaging/art? Did the show live up to how you remembered it? Post your reviews here. It’d be great to get the scoop from real fans!

PoDW official DVD release: do me a favor…?

Firstly, those of you who’ve been regular visitors know that I rarely ask you guys for anything, and I have never solicited monetary donations (and have no intention of doing so).

If you have not yet purchased the DVD set but have plans to, or if you know anyone planning to, could you (or they) please use this link to do so? (It’s the same as the large link to the upper-right of the main page.)

I just signed up to be an affiliate of WBshop.com. What this means is that if you use the link above to make a purchase (a special one tied directly to me), I’ll get a few dollars as a referral fee.

If you could do this for me, I would be really grateful. 🙂 This is my first-ever attempt at monetizing any aspect of the site. I’ve also considered Google AdSense (and still want to look into it when I have time)…ways I can make a bit of side money without imposing on any of you would be fantastic.

Thanks so much!