unmasking the midnight detective - A2A Safaris
The articles in this section were originally published in ROGUE magazine. The views and opinions expressed or implied herein are those of the authors and ROGUE magazine and do not necessarily reflect those of Business Mirror.
WEEKLY DISPATCHES FROM ROGUE MAGAZINE
WEEK OF JUNE 10, 2012
NATURE CALLS
Joy’s Camp, a luxury ‘glamping’ site in the fabled wilds of Shaba, Kenya (where Survivor: Africa was once filmed), offers intrepid travelers a chance to experience an authentic safari with modern comforts
AN ELEGANT OASIS in the parched savannahs of Samburu, Joy’s Camp is regarded as one of the best safari properties in East Africa, and was recently included in the annual “Hot List” of Condé Nast Traveller magazine. The luxury camp was built on the site where the late wildlife conservationist Joy Adamson (author of the book Born Free, which was later turned into a hit film in the 1960s) once lived in the Shaba National Reserve. The site was also home to Penny the leopard, the heroine of Adamson’s last book. Located in the eastern corner of the Samburu eco-system, Shaba is a secluded idyll, an arid landscape dotted with lush springs and rocky river gorges. The camp overlooks a large natural spring where elephants and lions jostle for watering rights with herds of buffalo and the rare desert species of Beisa Oryx, reticulated giraffe, and Grevy’s zebra. Each of their 10 luxury tents is uniquely decorated with handmade glass and the vibrant fabrics of the local nomadic tribes creating a chic, sophisticated, and stylish camp. The tents have breathtaking views of the surrounding hills, with its own private veranda—ideal for game viewing as well as relaxing, reading, and soaking up the truly wild environs offered by Shaba, which was also the filming location of the TV show Survivor: Africa in 2001. Fresh homemade breads and pastas, traditional Italian risottos, and fresh organic salads await khaki-clad guests at this sumptuous boutique camp. During lunchtime, you can gaze over the camp’s neighboring lush springs—teaming with elephant, buffalo and other game. After nightfall, while enjoying dinner, you can look out over the same floodlit
The camp overlooks a large natural spring where elephants and lions jostle for watering rights with herds of buffalo
springs, where lion and other predators now appear, seeking refreshment after a long hot day. At Joy’s Camp, guests dine individually, unlike other tented camps, where dining is communal. Joy’s Camp is the perfect choice for discerning guests interested in a glimpse of Kenyan history, as well as those looking for an authentic wildlife experience combined with the comfort of a luxury-tented camp. HOW TO GET THERE: Asia to Africa Safaris (3/F, Lapanday Center, 2263 Pasong Tamo Extension, Makati, 812-2728; www.atoasafaris.com) specializes in organizing high-quality safaris to Africa. Since 2002, they have been creating tailor-made and customized trips to suit every client’s interests and budget.
UNMASKING THE MIDNIGHT DETECTIVE The latest man behind the Bat, David Finch, draws Rogue into the world of perpetual night (and comic cons), the epic DC versus Marvel showdown, and the insanity of superhero continuity BY MIXKAELA VILLALON / PORTRAIT BY MARK NICDAO T H E DA R K K N I G H T has risen countless times over. Illustrated by a long line of highly talented artists who have given their own take on the Caped Crusader—from Bob Kane, Neal Adams, to Jim Lee, and Frank Miller—each of them has moulded and honed Batman’s look and characteristics through time. Now, Finch takes the helm with the gargantuan twin tasks of writing and drawing for DC’s new on-going series, Batman: The Dark Knight.
How did you get into the industry? I went to comic conventions with my artwork. I showed editors and artists, whoever I could get to look. If anybody gave criticism, I would write it down, go home, and [try to] improve my art. I did this for two years before I started in Top Cow Productions. I felt very lucky to get in, because the studio had a lot of young artists all working in the same room. We bounced ideas off each other naturally. I would see someone working on something cool, and then I’d pick it up and draw. It was pretty competitive [. . . ] like school, and my boss was my favorite artist. There’s no place I know of with that type of supportive environment.
You worked for Marvel for a long, long time before transferring to DC last year. How different are the Big Two of the comics industry? You know, they’re much more similar than people think. Both are in New York and made up of comic book fans. Everybody at DC is a Marvel fan and vice versa. The biggest difference for me is that I worked for Marvel for a very long time and I got very close with a lot of people there, so it was difficult to leave. But I’m starting to build those ties in DC now, too. Is this your first time both writing and illustrating a comic? It’s actually not my first time, so I would have thought I’d learned my lesson the first time! [laughs] The first time was in '97, a long time ago, but Batman is definitely more challenging. There’s just so much history. There are also four different Batman books at any time and somehow they all have to tie together and not contradict each other. So what’s your dream project? Batman is really what I've always wanted
to do! But besides Batman, I suppose my dream project is to create my own book. It’s been such a long time since I’ve done one so it’s definitely in my mind. I’ve drawn a couple little things for it and I’m really hoping I could get to a point where I can get to do it. Maybe in two years— DC and drawing Batman are kind of my whole life right now. Why should people read comics? Comics have so much of what a book has to offer, [and yet] an artist can get so much across with a simple visual gesture that’s almost impossible to relate in a book. On the other hand, comics can give you more insight into characters’ motivations and thoughts than what a movie can do. Comics are really their own thing, and when they’re really well done, I think it’s an entertainment medium that you can’t match anywhere else. People who look at comics as only for kids, or think that comics are limiting: there are comics out there for them too. Right on, David Finch, old chum.* *1960s’ Adam West Batman used to throw the phrase “old chum” around a lot. �
This Week’s Events
GOTSOUL M U S E U M C A F E ,10 P M A bli ssful j our ney of musi c from pulsati ng d eep house to ec lec ti c tunes to k eep you groov i n. Low slung bass and analog ue sound s bounc i ng ni cely off eac h other, c r i spy Perc ussi on r hythms and soulful voc als blended i nto a new for m of dancefloor musi c by D j s Ms Badk i ss (G er / P H) & K r i sti an Her nand ez (UK ). G et your free musi c mi x , fast, easy & free! Broug ht to you by M S essi ons & R og ue M ag az i ne
On Aug ust 9, 2012 R epubli q wi ll be hav i ng yet another bi g event as they br i ng i n one of the wor ld ’s top D J ’s, Grammy Award wi nni ng D J, R emi xer and Prod ucer, BENNY BENA S S I, who has scored many hi ts wor ldwi de suc h as “S ati sfac ti on “ (2003) so as hi t collaborati ons wi th G ar r y G o “ C i nema “ and C hr i s Brown “ B eauti ful People “ G ra b of Rog ue M a g a zine’s J une a nd J uly issue gives yo u a c ha nce to w in 2 comp limenta r y tic kets.
WEEKLY DISPATCHES FROM ROGUE MAGAZINE
WEEK OF JUNE 10, 2012
NATURE CALLS
Joy’s Camp, a luxury ‘glamping’ site in the fabled wilds of Shaba, Kenya (where Survivor: Africa was once filmed), offers intrepid travelers a chance to experience an authentic safari with modern comforts
AN ELEGANT OASIS in the parched savannahs of Samburu, Joy’s Camp is regarded as one of the best safari properties in East Africa, and was recently included in the annual “Hot List” of Condé Nast Traveller magazine. The luxury camp was built on the site where the late wildlife conservationist Joy Adamson (author of the book Born Free, which was later turned into a hit film in the 1960s) once lived in the Shaba National Reserve. The site was also home to Penny the leopard, the heroine of Adamson’s last book. Located in the eastern corner of the Samburu eco-system, Shaba is a secluded idyll, an arid landscape dotted with lush springs and rocky river gorges. The camp overlooks a large natural spring where elephants and lions jostle for watering rights with herds of buffalo and the rare desert species of Beisa Oryx, reticulated giraffe, and Grevy’s zebra. Each of their 10 luxury tents is uniquely decorated with handmade glass and the vibrant fabrics of the local nomadic tribes creating a chic, sophisticated, and stylish camp. The tents have breathtaking views of the surrounding hills, with its own private veranda—ideal for game viewing as well as relaxing, reading, and soaking up the truly wild environs offered by Shaba, which was also the filming location of the TV show Survivor: Africa in 2001. Fresh homemade breads and pastas, traditional Italian risottos, and fresh organic salads await khaki-clad guests at this sumptuous boutique camp. During lunchtime, you can gaze over the camp’s neighboring lush springs—teaming with elephant, buffalo and other game. After nightfall, while enjoying dinner, you can look out over the same floodlit
The camp overlooks a large natural spring where elephants and lions jostle for watering rights with herds of buffalo
springs, where lion and other predators now appear, seeking refreshment after a long hot day. At Joy’s Camp, guests dine individually, unlike other tented camps, where dining is communal. Joy’s Camp is the perfect choice for discerning guests interested in a glimpse of Kenyan history, as well as those looking for an authentic wildlife experience combined with the comfort of a luxury-tented camp. HOW TO GET THERE: Asia to Africa Safaris (3/F, Lapanday Center, 2263 Pasong Tamo Extension, Makati, 812-2728; www.atoasafaris.com) specializes in organizing high-quality safaris to Africa. Since 2002, they have been creating tailor-made and customized trips to suit every client’s interests and budget.
UNMASKING THE MIDNIGHT DETECTIVE The latest man behind the Bat, David Finch, draws Rogue into the world of perpetual night (and comic cons), the epic DC versus Marvel showdown, and the insanity of superhero continuity BY MIXKAELA VILLALON / PORTRAIT BY MARK NICDAO T H E DA R K K N I G H T has risen countless times over. Illustrated by a long line of highly talented artists who have given their own take on the Caped Crusader—from Bob Kane, Neal Adams, to Jim Lee, and Frank Miller—each of them has moulded and honed Batman’s look and characteristics through time. Now, Finch takes the helm with the gargantuan twin tasks of writing and drawing for DC’s new on-going series, Batman: The Dark Knight.
How did you get into the industry? I went to comic conventions with my artwork. I showed editors and artists, whoever I could get to look. If anybody gave criticism, I would write it down, go home, and [try to] improve my art. I did this for two years before I started in Top Cow Productions. I felt very lucky to get in, because the studio had a lot of young artists all working in the same room. We bounced ideas off each other naturally. I would see someone working on something cool, and then I’d pick it up and draw. It was pretty competitive [. . . ] like school, and my boss was my favorite artist. There’s no place I know of with that type of supportive environment.
You worked for Marvel for a long, long time before transferring to DC last year. How different are the Big Two of the comics industry? You know, they’re much more similar than people think. Both are in New York and made up of comic book fans. Everybody at DC is a Marvel fan and vice versa. The biggest difference for me is that I worked for Marvel for a very long time and I got very close with a lot of people there, so it was difficult to leave. But I’m starting to build those ties in DC now, too. Is this your first time both writing and illustrating a comic? It’s actually not my first time, so I would have thought I’d learned my lesson the first time! [laughs] The first time was in '97, a long time ago, but Batman is definitely more challenging. There’s just so much history. There are also four different Batman books at any time and somehow they all have to tie together and not contradict each other. So what’s your dream project? Batman is really what I've always wanted
to do! But besides Batman, I suppose my dream project is to create my own book. It’s been such a long time since I’ve done one so it’s definitely in my mind. I’ve drawn a couple little things for it and I’m really hoping I could get to a point where I can get to do it. Maybe in two years— DC and drawing Batman are kind of my whole life right now. Why should people read comics? Comics have so much of what a book has to offer, [and yet] an artist can get so much across with a simple visual gesture that’s almost impossible to relate in a book. On the other hand, comics can give you more insight into characters’ motivations and thoughts than what a movie can do. Comics are really their own thing, and when they’re really well done, I think it’s an entertainment medium that you can’t match anywhere else. People who look at comics as only for kids, or think that comics are limiting: there are comics out there for them too. Right on, David Finch, old chum.* *1960s’ Adam West Batman used to throw the phrase “old chum” around a lot. �
This Week’s Events
GOTSOUL M U S E U M C A F E ,10 P M A bli ssful j our ney of musi c from pulsati ng d eep house to ec lec ti c tunes to k eep you groov i n. Low slung bass and analog ue sound s bounc i ng ni cely off eac h other, c r i spy Perc ussi on r hythms and soulful voc als blended i nto a new for m of dancefloor musi c by D j s Ms Badk i ss (G er / P H) & K r i sti an Her nand ez (UK ). G et your free musi c mi x , fast, easy & free! Broug ht to you by M S essi ons & R og ue M ag az i ne
On Aug ust 9, 2012 R epubli q wi ll be hav i ng yet another bi g event as they br i ng i n one of the wor ld ’s top D J ’s, Grammy Award wi nni ng D J, R emi xer and Prod ucer, BENNY BENA S S I, who has scored many hi ts wor ldwi de suc h as “S ati sfac ti on “ (2003) so as hi t collaborati ons wi th G ar r y G o “ C i nema “ and C hr i s Brown “ B eauti ful People “ G ra b of Rog ue M a g a zine’s J une a nd J uly issue gives yo u a c ha nce to w in 2 comp limenta r y tic kets.
