Tragically, Florence actress Marina Malfatti, aka Marina Mulligan, known for several Italian horror films, including The Red Queen Kills Seven Times and The Night Evelyn Came Out Of The Grave, has passed away. The To Watch Pile would like to pass on our condolences to her family.
For those who don’t know her work, Arrow Films recently released this box set, but you better grab it quick as its limited to 3000 copies.
Got a new toy today, see my excitement!
Sadly, the TWP has to report today the death of multi Eisner Award comics writer/artist Darwyn Cooke, who has passed after a fight with an aggressive cancer, aged only 53.
Darwyn Cooke gave us the magical DC: The New Frontier which took the DC universe back to the 50s/ 60s, which his art style, a combination of Archie comics and Fleischer Superman animations, suited perfectly. The story was wonderful and was a who’s who of the DC Universe. The comic won multiple Eisner, Shuster and Harvey awards, and when re-released in the ‘Absolute Edition’ collected format, won another award for Best Graphic Album.
The series was also adapted in DC’s original animation series as Justice League: The New Frontier, which was magnificent: certainly one of the best of the series.
He was also given the task of creating essentially unwanted stories of the Watchmen which were to be prequels to the Alan Moore/ Dave Gibbons tale. I originally had no interest in this idea, but his work on theses series was spectacular.
I am not a convention guy, and don’t live in the US so I never got the chance to meet Mr. Cooke, so my appreciation can only come from his words and pictures. His stories were always an fantastic read, and when mixed with his artwork, they became almost disconcerting as the art always showed an element of fun: I always felt like his characters were having the time of their lives in every single panel, even when looking grim, I still had a feeling they were thinking, like some kind of deranged puppy ‘I’m a superhero, I’m a superhero’.
Of course, these were only two of Mr. Cooke’s works, and I can’t suggest everything he has done, but please, research his name and track done any of his work: you won’t be disappointed.
Sadly, we comics fans will never get to experience that joy again, and the TWP would like to pass on it’s condolences to Mr. Cooke’s family and work colleagues.
Please do two things today: hugs your families and make sure they know they are loved as life is far too short, and please, if you have some spare cash, make a donation to one of the many cancer research charities. Cancer is a scourge, worse than any Lex Luthor or Joker, and the TWP would like to suggest a charity dear to our hearts, Bear Cottage:
http://www.bearcottage.chw.edu.au/
and remember, it’s not how much you give, just that you have given.
For music fans, today is another dark day, just like the many we have had this year, as many great musicians pass, all before their time.
It was with a heavy heart that I woke this morning to read that master of funk and pop legend Prince has passed away.
I have always loved Prince’s music, and he is relevant to us here at The To Watch Pile as not only has his music, according to IMDB, appeared in 166 various movies and video games and TV shows, he also won an Oscar for the soundtrack to the film he also starred in as ‘the Kid’, Purple Rain.
More to the TWP’s scope though, was his music inspired by the best Batman film, Tim Burton’s Batman.
Rest in peace, Prince, and thanks for the music. It’s not only Doves that will be crying today.
Sadly today, Star Wars fans mourn the man who gave voices to the finest of the Rebel fleet, and the worst of the criminal underworld of the Star Wars Universe.
Erik Bauersfield, voice actor and radio dramatist, passed at his home in Berkeley California, aged 93. He is best known for playing the voice roles of Admiral Akbar…
a role he was able to revisit for 2015’s Star Wars: The Force Awakens… and Bib Fortuna…
The thoughts and well wishes of the To Watch PileĀ are with his family, and surely the universe has gone silent.
Rest In Peace, Mr Bauersfield. Everytime I shout ‘It’s a trap’ it will from now on, be tainted with a touch of sadness and respect.
Sadly today, we lost actor Larry Drake, who died of as yet unknown causes (suspected heart attack) and was found at his home by a friend.
Genre fans will know Drake best as Durant from the Darkman films, Bubba in Dark Night of the Scarecrow and of course, chuckling serial killer Dr Giggles.
Rest in Peace, Mr Drake.
Sadly, news has just come to pass that Sylvia Anderson, known best as the voice of Lady Penelope from the cult TV show The Thunderbirds has passed away, aged 88.
We here at the To Watch Pile would like to pass along our condolences to her family, and hope that wherever her spirit flies, that she still feels the love of a gigantic fanbase who were brought up on her and her husband’s work.
Thank you, M’lady.
Digital Retribution 