Non Sequitur

I find the fact that somebody is doing a Google search for "Lancha Elsechester" right now hilarious.

Let me get a picture of her:


Though, for my money, nobody beats Theodore "Teddy Bear" Parsley Jr. His cereal ads alone are legendary. You know, the ones where he is on the horse, trying to balance the bowl of Cheerios, wearing that Sheriff Lobo jacket.

There is a Faulkner novel somewhere in all this. Or at least Truman Capote.

Okay, non sequitur over.

"Barbie Killing" Photo Essay

This photo essay at JPG Magazine explores different ways to "kill" your Barbie; but of course it's more than that:

"This body of work aims to comment on how accustomed we have become to violence, death and horror in our society. It also talks about the victimisation of women and how the `perfect´ body image has been warped into an unrealistic ideal that most people have no chance of attaining."

That said, this leads in perfectly to how I found a couple of stomped Barbies in the middle of the street Saturday. One had been stripped and was apparently ground into the sidewalk face-first with a shoe. I of course took them home and made sure their hair was properly brushed and conditioned. And you might think I'm kidding, but they are actually sitting my house with coconut conditioner in their hair, reading miniature copies of "In Style" and drinking mojitos.

Anyway, my favorite pic in that photo essay:

I'm sure this picture will be used again.

Superhero Roller Coasters Of Death

Call me Funless McFunnery, but I can't fathom why people would willingly go on roller coasters. I hear these stories like "oh yeah, they drop you and then catch you and suddenly shoot 90 degrees" and I'm like: "why?" Just why. I like my stomach contents in my stomach.

Are these Six Flags superhero rides just a bit more dangerous, or is it merely a coincidence? A teenager just got decapitated on the Batman ride, and last year a girl lost her feet on the Superman ride.

To be fair, in the Batman ride case, the teen allegedly jumped a fence and went in an unauthorized area. To retrieve a hat he lost when he was on the ride earlier.

And that's another thing: hats. What's up with that?

Obadiah Stane T-Shirt

I'm not usually motivated to purchase wacky T-shirts online but this one got my attention:


That was such a key line in the "Iron Man" movie, wasn't it? "You morons, Tony Stark built this friggin' armor in a cave with two paperclips and some saliva, and you can't duplicate it with all my millions?"

Ah, Jeff Bridges. No longer "The Dude," playing "The Man."

Shirt from Neighborhoodies.

My DC Comics/Warner Bros. "Golden Carrot Award"

Just to have on record. Received it about 6-7 months before I left, after three-and-a-half years of service. Personally signed by Paul Levitz. When you receive this, you are invited in Paul's office and he thanks you in person for good service to the company. You also receive a cash prize. Usually everybody (in the entire company) gets called in to the 7th floor conference room and they announce the awards. I don't remember if that happened in my case or not. But, I got it.

Just to have on record. I'll be permanently including this as a link on the sidebar to my blog.

/stuff you find when cleaning your closets.

//yeah, I believe the "carrot" refers to Bugs Bunny.

///also carrot in front of the horse to pull the buggy, I guess.

////at Acclaim Comics I won a free SNES and the Turok videogame cartridge, but that was the result of a game of chance.

Ten Reasons Why I Like Steve Ditko Just A Little More Than Jack Kirby

After reading the fascinating "Strange And Stranger: The World Of Steve Ditko" by Blake Bell this past weekend, I have decided that I like Ditko just a little bit more than his fellow Marvel Comics legend Jack Kirby. And I'll tell you why.

10. I Love The Slightly More Kooky Types






















They are always more interesting.


9. I Met Ditko


















Granted, he only opened the door a sliver to take the envelope I was delivering to him. But, now I too am part of the legend.


8. He Shamelessly Let His Personal Philosophy Send His Book Off The Rails



















The story in Bell's book of how Ditko let his Ayn Randian viewpoint virtually hijack Spider-Man is a must-read. See point #10.


7. He Did His Time Doing Soft-Core Fetish Art






















Kirby might have had to do romance comics, but Ditko had him beat.


6. His Acid-Trip Imagery Was Better Than Kirby's




















Yes Kirby had those trippy collages. But, Ditko's Dr. Strange backgrounds were hardcore.


5. He Created That Iconic Peter Parker "Spidey Half-Face" Shot






















For that alone he deserves an Eisner, as well as a full pension.


4. He Refuses To Do Work That Goes Against His Ideals






















Which allowed him to turn down a Batman assignment for having "supernatural elements," for example, while drawing "Chuck Norris And His Karate Kommandos" was perfectly ok.


3. Hands

















I'll take Ditko's impossibly-jointed, flexible fingers over Kirby's squared-off hands any day.


2. Shade The Changing Man, The Creeper, Blue Beetle, Captain Atom, and The Question






















No, they're not The Hulk, Thor, and the rest. They're just f**king awesome.


1. Speedball And Squirrel Girl

































'Nuff said.

"Strange And Stranger: The World Of Steve Ditko" is currently available from Fantagraphics Press

Vote for RED ICE

Last chance to for for Scott Brown's RED ICE on Zuda!

We have a modest goal here; currently it's in 9th place, let's try and make it at least 5th by tomorrow!

If we all work together, this can be a better world.

(goes back to watch YouTube clips of the opening to Family Ties being dubbed with the theme song to Who's The Boss)

Barbie in Alfred Hitchcock's The Birds

Totally gets bought immediately and put on my desk. Right next to that Johnny Rotten 12-inch doll I want.

Thursday Afternoon Joy

First, a classic scene in an otherwise forgettable movie adaptation of Batman (okay, the opening credits sequence was pretty nice too, but that's about it).

Note the music the Salvation Army band plays -- that was stuck in my head all day for some reason, and I just had to dig the clip up.



Okay, and just for good measure:


And...


Okay, back to work.

Guide To Val's Blogs

Wanted to check in and explain a little further what I'm currently doing with the blogs.

Guide to Val's blogs:

Cool Aggregator: I made a bet with a co-worker that I could create a Boing Boing type blog, with content, within a half-an-hour. Certainly, I wish I had time to take a catchier name, or that "Awesome Sauce" was available. But here we are.


Good ol' Wordpress Cutline template. Everybody's using it, but it never ever ever gets old.

Cool Aggregator is a mix of cool s**t, in the vein of Boing Boing, Neatorama, etc, only a bit crankier. So if you're looking for weird news, outraged news, useless news, bizarre gadgets, and hipster T-shirts, you've come to the right place. Updated regularly.

Occasional Superheroine: What you are reading here. This will basically become my LiveJournal. Updates about me (because it's so thrilling), little personal things you might enjoy, pictures of my cat, etc. The place you go to read profundity. Really. Updated more or less regularly, but with more "LiveJournally" type content.


Comics Spirit: This new blog will be a place where I can feature comics and creators who I think are important. I wouldn't exactly call it a news site or a review site. It's more like a classical fanzine; at least, that is the way I want it to be. Because I want to present more quality posts, this blog will be updated only two or three times a week maximum, maybe more if I have a guest blogger or two. I will announce on this blog when I'm launching it (which I hope to be in the next two weeks).

Review copies: if you want to send review copies, assume it will be for the Comics Spirit blog. Comics Spirit will have more of an emphasis on indie/classic comics -- though not exclusively. (I will also cover webcomics.) Also, since Comics Spirit is not really a review site, I will only feature books that really "speak" to me. It won't be a catch-all, or a situation where I am "compelled" to review because you sent the book to me. That said, if you would still like to send review copies, please inquire here.


I will occasionally feature a comic on Cool Aggregator, but those will be books that I think might appeal to a larger non-comic reading audience.

And so that's it. A guide to Val's blogs. Val usually finds blogging an enjoyable experience.

Comics Spirit

Hi,

I'm putting this blog on hiatus for a week (or so) in protest of the apathy, inferior product, corruption, bureaucratic nightmares, dysfunction, soul-killing, greed, bad contracts, bounced checks, lingering discrimination among selected dinosaurs (sexism, racism, homophobia, ageism), and spineless ass-kissery in certain afflicted sectors of the comic book industry. My apologies to those sectors not afflicted; I still think you're tops.

You can still check out my other blog for some light and frothy pap, or read my narrative Goodbye To Comics. I am currently being filmed for a TV news-magazine type segment, and it's my hope that perhaps this will help both get extra funding for Friends of Lulu and facilitate interest in the adaptation in some medium of my memoir.

As for my future plans for this blog, and comics blogging in general, I would like to launch something along the lines of this (and you can let me know what you think of the idea):

Comics Spirit:
Why We Read
Why We Write
Why We Draw

It would focus on the quality product that is being out out now, as well as individual creators who go above and beyond to create comics of merit. I figure there are enough press-junket coverage out there now, and they do it much better than I do and with better websites.

I've been re-reading those old Marvel Age issues recently, and they are actually (especially the very early ones) very good -- well-researched, with insightful interviews. The format of the classic comics fanzine -- such as Mark Gruenwald championed -- really appeals to me. Certainly, this is not stuff that can be dashed off four times a day. It would require a more careful preparation. But I think it would be rewarding. And maybe it could partially focus on those who work outside the system, who have challenged the system - either in the business itself or just in terms of their groundbreaking comics work.

The biggest comics and the most high-ranking people have their own mouthpieces and publicity machines. I should know, because I have both worked for one monolithic company and I've done PR for others. But, I feel that what is really going to really change this world and this medium are the unique voices. Life is change and diversity. Death is stagnation and uniformity. It's not new age mumbo-jumbo. It's biology and evolution. And, ultimately, it is also business.

RIP

My hope and remaining shreds of optimism for the DCU:

Tombstone Generator

I doubted here last week that Didio would be forced to leave. Say what you will about that department -- they take care of their own. Really, you would have to do something like walk into the executive boardroom and take a dump on the table in front of witnesses in order to be in danger of losing your job. And even then, you could just have everyone agree to never mention it again and just wipe down the damn table. And serve donuts on it the next day.

I have nothing against the rest of the company, but seriously -- outside of a few people I've mentioned before on this blog -- I want nothing to do with that particular department or their books until things actually really change for the better. Not a promised change. Not a "this book coming six months from now will really knock your socks off" type of change. But a real f**king change.

That's my right, that's my peaceful protest. Don't worry about me, that I might miss out on crucial books that enrich my comic-reading life. I've purchased enough of these suckers over the last two years to review, literally the majority of which are currently in boxes in my hallway for donation. I'll save up for next season's offerings from Fantagraphics and call it a day. They have a new book with art from old sleazy VHS boxes coming up. I'm not kidding. And I really, really want it.

And any way I can bring my memoirs to print within the bounds of legality, I will do. I will do it my way, I won't soft-pedal it. I will start looking at the multiple drafts again tonight.

I'm not as talented as George Carlin, but I agree with him that it's important that certain things are heard. Because if they aren't heard, everything slides back to the same old s**t. When Didio arrived at DC, he kicked ass. Four long-time editors were either fired or demoted there within a short period of time. That was UNHEARD OF. The office was shaken to its very core. The sight of big metal dumpsters full of the contents of people's offices was a common sight. And his view on it was -- they needed to stay optimistic. They needed to stay on the same page. They needed to stay focused. And anybody who didn't follow that was holding them back. And they had to go. Because it was a new era.

But it's 5 years later, and everything has slid back to the same old s**t. That's the circularity of corporate office culture -- how, if you don't pay attention, it can suck away all your stated goals and ideals. I don't know what it is. Perhaps it's the coffee.

It's like I've watched this government over the last eight years -- the same old s**t. Things are committed that you can't even believe -- and nobody gets blamed. Nobody gets canned. But, worst of all -- nothing changes. It just gets worse. And here we find ourselves, with a f**ked economy. And why are we here? We are here because some prick behind the same desk for the last 30 years wanted desperately to keep his comfortable way of life and his goddamn swimming pool. We're talking thousands of these pricks. In all types of jobs, all over the country. And whenever they see change -- doesn't matter if it's for the good -- they have to kill it. And whenever they hear talk of change -- they have to kill it.

I think Dirk Deppey hit the nail on the head when he referred to DC as being like the Kremlin. There are an awful lot of nice people at DC. But there are a few pricks, too. Not sure where I was going with that metaphor. I just wanted to get the word "prick" in there again, I guess. That damn post-traumatic stress thing again. Figured I say it before another pundit does.

Sorry folks, but I'm closing comments on this one post. I don't want relive this post, or my last year at DC. Unless it will make a kick-ass graphic novel and it's for reals this time.

I've been listening to George Carlin allllllll day. And it's put me in a great mood.

Godammit.

George Carlin RIP, telling it like it is

Portal's "Still Alive" and Jonathan Coulton

I'm going to be very busy at work Monday, so unless any real breaking news happens, I'm taking a break from blogging on the OS until Tuesday.

But I thought I'd introduce you to this cool new song & performer I'm getting into -- "Still Alive" and Jonathan Coulton.

The song is featured on the game Portal, and you can see and hear the song from the end credits here:


Now here is Jonathan Coulton singing it:


Now here it is in Japanese:


And here is a little girl dancing to it:


Here is a creepy CGI girl singing it:


Now here is Coulton singing it on Rockband:


Now here is Coulton singing it at the concert I was just at on Saturday:


Now here it is backwards:


Now here is a chipmunk singing it:


And here's Luigi from Super Mario Bros singing it:


And I'll leave you with Coulton singing "Sweet Caroline":


Enjoy your Monday, everyone!

Whispers of a DC Shake-Up @ Heroes Con

According to Tom Spurgeon:

"Heroes Con Opens With Whispered Rumors...

... of a major shake-up at DC Comics. I have no idea if they're true..."

significant only because I think Spurgeon doesn't post these things lightly.

Further, he advises us to keep watching CBR and Blog@Newsarama for updates.

Must Have: Villain Chair

Plot your domination of the world in style with a 100% genuine Villain Chair made by the good folks at SuckUK. Made with tasteful "evil" leather, this perch from which you might scheme will only set you back a little over $7,000 American.

(via Geekologie)

Comics Schadenfreude, Day 5

"It's simple, under his editorship, DC Comics has consistently been outperformed by the competition. You can't blame him for less that stellar results in other mediums with DC properties. It's the fact that he isn't getting the results that Warner Brothers should be demanding from one of it's subsidiaries.

It's worse than that. He is damaging a lot DC intellectual properties (thats characters and continuity). He should be fired. "

--from the 19-page (and counting) "Fire Dan DiDio Immediately" thread on the DC Message Boards

"It was roughly two, two and half years ago that I opined to Marvel’s David Gabriel that I thought they’d be able to get a ten point lead on DC if they worked a little harder.

That’s now grown to a 20 point lead, or, to put it another way, Marvel is about 50% larger than DC these days.

That’s just ugly.

At the end of the day, that’s down to editorial content " Marvel’s comics are simply more compelling for the audience right now than DC’s."

--Brian Hibbs

"Ouch"

--Kevin Melrose, Blog@Newsarama

"I think it's worth considering that something as simple as an Invasion of the Body Snatchers rehash might seem somewhat appealing compared to what DC has been dishing out over the last year or so. In fact, it's probably time to consider the damage done by the Countdown miniseries and its related spinoffs."

--Dick Hyacinth

"Sometimes your boss is wrong. Yup, as amazing as it sounds, Dan DiDio, architect of today's DC Universe, the man who gets up in front of a million fans at conventions across the globe, my boss, was wrong."

--Mark Chiarello, from this week's unintentionally poorly-timed DC Nation

From The Sublime To The Cheap Shot...

UK billboard for "Hancock" misses a few letters and the Sun is there!

Ten Questions

(The inspiration for this post came to me after talking to a couple who don't have cable and rarely watch TV.)

Here are ten questions (some with related sub-questions). If you thought these were good questions, send them to people you know and see how they answer them.

1. What if you no longer had cable television in your house? Could you do that?

2. What if instead of e-mailing certain family members or friends, you called them up on the phone or just wrote them letters? Could you do that? Do you think a person who completely stopped using e-mail could function in our society?

3. What if you wrote and mailed a physical letter to a dear friend you haven't talked to in a while, instead of e-mailing him or her? Could you do that?

4. Could you go two weeks without communicating by e-mail? (outside of work-related stuff)

5. What if, in response to a long period of time with high gas prices, families decided to live closer to each other? Or friends made a conscious effort to live within walking distance of each other? Could you see yourself doing that? Is that a good idea?

6. Could you stop buying new clothes -- except for those out of sheer necessity -- for a year? Six months?

7. Could you live without the Internet? Are there any websites you positively couldn't live without? What would be more meaningful to you -- a self-published newsletter sent to your house or the same information presented in digital format?

8. Would you enjoy your hamburger as much if you had to slaughter the cow yourself and prepare it? Would you keep buying certain brand name clothes and other high-ticket items if you had to meet the person who put the items together overseas? And see how they live, and how much money they make, and watch their fingers dance around that sneaker or pair of cargo pants and put it together? And spend a few hours in that factory, listening to the hum of a hundred machines?

9. Think back on the last subway ride you had or trip to the mall. Remember the crowd of people -- mostly people you don't know. What if suddenly you had to work with and depend on them in some capacity; these total strangers becoming your necessary friends. Would you see this as an opportunity to meet new people and as a challenge? Or would this horrify you?

10. How long would you work in a job you hated or that bored you? If they paid you very, very well? And gave you dental insurance? Would you take a pay cut to work at something that was dear to your heart? Would you stop eating out and buying as many new clothes and accessories, if it meant working reduced hours at a job and having more time to either work on creative pursuits or spend with your family? And do you think you will ever be able to achieve a living by doing things you love?

Bonus question: Do these questions a) intrigue you, b) annoy you, c) anger you, or d) give you anxiety?

Warren Ellis On The Current State of DC & more...

Apparently someone on the Comic Forums posted a message Warren Ellis sent to his mailing list regarding Morrison, Dixon, DC, etc.. (I obviously have no direct link to the mailing list email, so if this is an inaccurate posting of the contents of the message, please let me know).

In the message, Ellis gives praise to the DC leadership while at the same time expressing disbelief at what he views as a series of current debacles. The only seeming blame he has is directed at "some lifers at DC editorial":

"People like talking shit about Dan Didio online. The truth is that he's actually a smart guy who, on entering the company, had to make some tough decisions fairly quickly. It's also true that some lifers at DC editorial are very resistant to any kind of change. Are some of them just plain nasty and dumb enough to say, "screw Morrison, we'll do our own story, and if it blows his big reveals, well, fuck ím''? I would hope not, but it does seem to have happened anyway."

Personally, after reading a number of posts in the last couple of days, including the fairly extensive io9 one by Graeme McMillan -- and just having time to think about it -- my intuition is telling me that all our speculation, pros, cons, guesses, defenses, offenses, parsing, analyzing, etc. is moot at this point.

The tipping point has been reached.

***************

I used to be fairly good at intuiting stuff. I still am, but choose not to focus on this faculty as much as I used to, as it just got in the way and made life appear as one big Happy Days rerun.

The night before Acclaim Comics shut the doors of its NYC location and laid off about 75% of the company, I had a dream that we were all sitting around the conference room table, looking at a cake. Suddenly, everybody cut a slice of the cake, pulled it up close to themselves, and ran away. Then, in the dream, I saw strange people walk through our offices pulling down posters, unplugging computers, and repainting. I even saw one of my coworkers -- one of the few who were kept -- crying and walking the halls aimlessly.

So then I wake up from that, go to work, and get laid off. And it was still a shock, but then I thought back to the night before, and I was like "huh."

The night before one of my bosses at DC got fired, I began work on a short story about a person who worked in the industry for a long time and was suddenly fired and felt disillusioned. I wrote this long, uncomfortable scene where he gets called into the boss's office and let go. I completely didn't know my boss was going to get fired, but maybe I intuited it; picked up on subtle cues in the office that other people missed. Maybe writing that story was my subconscious way to cope.

The morning before another boss got fired, there had been weird rumors going around the office that something to the effect was about to happen. Being a practical, rational soul, I did the only thing I could do -- consult my online tarot cards. When I asked if my boss was really going to get canned, the Death card immediately popped up -- one question, one card. And so I was like, "huh." And when he was let go later that day, I had to fake surprise. Because I had already experienced all the emotions already.

This is all to say, I think I care far too much what happens in the comics industry. I'm supposed to have intuitive flashes about global warming and world wars. Five years from now, the current line-ups at the companies will be largely different, anyway. In some fundamental ways, the medium will be different, too. So what is going to happen in the industry one week from now, one month from now, or one year from now are not really that key. But it might be good for some general online discussion, and a few good books might come out of it.

Even with a complete regime change, it would take nearly a year to get DCU's output back on track, or to have changes really show in the books themselves.

***************

I find Grant Morrison & Alan Moore's esoteric views regarding comic book narratives and how they can reflect reality very interesting. Grant has already admitted to putting "sigils" into some of his comic book narratives in order to create change in the world. In an issue of Promethea, Moore has Hermes/Mercury turn to the reader and wonder about where the boundaries lie between the narrative/reader and fantasy/reality. Crazy stuff, to be sure. But speculated about by two of the most high-profile writers in comic books. Thank God for the sober world of Frank Miller, no?

Over the last five years or so we've seen DC go through an Identity Crisis, an Infinite Crisis, and a year-long Countdown to their Final Crisis.

In the mid-80s, the original Crisis in DC Comics launched a period of, in my opinion, really great comic books by the company. Crisis was the bridge DC crossed to finally leave the camp and "old way" behind, and to embrace a far more adult and literate approach to producing comics. Sure, there were good and smart books that had come out before Crisis, but it was in the aftermath of the event where all the great stuff really burst forth.

I really see Final Crisis as being at the other end of the continuum of that great original series. Crisis launched a period of great expansion and growth for the company. The 1989 Batman movie was like its zenith, coupled with the output of the entity that would soon be Vertigo. Then things began to very slowly devolve. Change stopped in favor of a status quo where people thought they would and should stay in their jobs forever. And yet, there were still great books being put out. But still, there was this slow, steady decay.

DiDio's arrival at DC WAS their new "Crisis." Seen through the eyes of a Morrison or Moore mindset, the events that followed reflected the panic and upheaval in the offices as DiDio applied, to paraphrase a line from the Batman movie, an "enema" to Gotham City. So we had Identity Crisis: "who were we going to be as a company?" And, like in that mini-series, several people were sacrificed in the midst of that period of confusion. But, this happens in every company. Only in comics, we've got the colorful costumes.

I deeply believe that every great period of history and art is proceeded by a devolution to complete and utter chaos. And I firmly believe that the last several years were the DCU's birth pains into a new and better comic book line. Of course, that will not happen as the result of "business as usual." And it won't.

*******************************

But what do I know? I wanted to see "The Love Guru" in the theaters.



(Final Crisis image found via Comic By Comic)

Best Worst Review Ever...

Over at Ain't It Cool News, Harry writes the negative review of the year, for The Love Guru. He starts with the title,

"If Sh*t Got The Love Guru Over It, Sh*t Would Wipe It Off!"

then:

"Unf**kingbelievably unspeakably awful."

then:

"...Myers puts a shotgun in the mouth of comedy and kills it."

then:

"...in the realm of film going experiences -- it's a third trimester abortion."

And so on, and so on.

I've always sort of felt that Harry at Ain't It Cool might softball his reviews a bit, considering how many free screenings etc. he receives from the movie studios. So if he unequivocally hates this film, that's saying something.

As for me? I sort of was interested in seeing it. Not so much as "Don't Mess With The Zohan," but up there.

Anyway...

The Wizard Of Oz got panned too, when it first came out. And look what happened with that.

Good Soldier

My comments on the "should comic book creators talk publicly" post just got me thinkin'...

Is this how you "make it" in life, or in comics:



No, in my heart I think I'm really more like this:

Secret Invasion #2 Outsells Final Crisis #1...

...by around 40,000 copies.

(via Journalista)

Should Comic Creators Speak Publically About Conflicts?

The comic book industry schadenfreude (my current $10 word) that began with Grant Morrison's comments about Final Crisis and continued with Chuck Dixon's commentary regarding his departure from DC has brought up an interesting point:

Should comic book creators go public in their conflicts with their publishers, if only to clarify points that might have been misunderstood by the media?

Dixon, while having many supporters, has also caught some criticism over his remarks. His side of the story is:

"I simply stated that I was off my titles and that I did not quit. This was to get out in front of the rumors. I have a career and a reputation to maintain and I’ve had it maligned before in situations juts like this where I took the high road and the other party used it as an occasion to smear me."

Well, honestly, part of the reason I wrote "Goodbye To Comics" was to clarify/explain points that were misunderstood by some of my acquaintances in the industry based on things they heard that were not accurate. Whether the inaccurate things were purposely spread or simply inferred because of lack of information, I completely do not know. But, I had the desire to set the record straight. Because you bust your ass for years in an organization, you get the "golden carrot" award (literally, a f**king award based on Bugs Bunny's carrot), you get combat pay for dealing with crazy people, you get tons of praise, you get books in on time, and then in the end you watch your reputation go in the toilet. And so what do you do?

Dixon busted his ass for decades in comics, and now he's going to just sit back and be silent while people report that he was suddenly yanked from his books? Honestly, if I had read that news and heard nothing from Dixon, I would have assumed he had f**ked up somehow. Was he late? Did his "political views" get him canned? Maybe he just wasn't a good writer anymore. Who knows? You don't know. You assume. It's a bad habit to assume, but you do. At least now I have some perspective. It's not a full story to be sure. But, it's a start.

There are two central tenets to public relations that I've learned from both study and practice in my jobs:
1. Be transparent.
2. Assume that every skeleton in your closet will eventually be brought to the light of day, and develop a strategy now on how to deal with it when that day inevitably comes.

My boss at at PR firm I worked at when I was 21 told me the latter. A former PR person for (I think) George W. Bush or another Republican wrote about the former in a book. And she admitted that it had become harder and harder for her to put that philosophy in practice, but she still stood by it. She said you need to "own" the publicity before the publicity "owns" you.

Which is what Dixon did.

New Comic Book Day New Comic Book Day

So I've made some initial observations upon reading this handy-dandy comic book shipping list for 6/18/08:

It seems like the major comic book companies are still getting mileage off of their backlist and older comics that have stood the test of time. This is why continuing to create the classics of tomorrow today is so important. Also as important: knowing that to a large extent, those sort of classics can't be planned.

Also, I really don't know the nitty-gritty about TOKYOPOP, but I was surprised to see that they put out more than twice the monthly output of books that Viz, another major manga company, does. Now, Viz has been around since the time of the flood, and I'm willing to bet that they know what they are doing.

I think Steven Grant touched upon the topic recently of smaller companies whose "eyes are bigger than their stomachs," so to speak, and put out way too much product. I agree: I think this is the kiss of death for an independent publisher. Better you stick with 3-4 really great books a month than 15 of varying quality.

As for me this month, I just might stick with picking up Incredible Hercules #118 and the soft-cover edition of Hope Larson's Chiggers.

Chiggers, which is not put out by that really big comic book company Simon & Schuster.

Now, Chiggers is apparently (according to the list) being released in both hardcover and softcover editions at the same time.

Seriously, who, if given the choice, buys the hardcover? Unless it's like your favorite book ever?

There was a recent book in the bargain bin of my local comic shop from an independent publisher -- this very thin hardcover printed on crappy paper that came out like two months ago and had the price slashed 75%. And I looked at the original price tag on that sucker and I was like: are you f**king kidding me? Seriously, who would buy this?

Preview of Chiggers in New York Magazine.

Anywho, those are my picks.

What are you all buying? Post below!

Words To Live By

"The thing is to not become continuity’s bitch."
--Chuck Dixon

Video: Wonder Woman on Skateboard

They will never, ever, ever make TV shows like this again without the irony. Even the kid's shows nowadays have to show that they're too hip and know it's bulls**t. Yeah, Spongebob -- I'm looking at you. And that bastardized hipster Scooby Doo revamp that wanted so much to be Venture Bros.

I miss dose halcyon days of yore when I could just enjoy stupid programming and believe it.

Dan, Come Back!

The staff of the Occasional Superheroine blog was saddened to hear that Danbizzle, a regular contributor to our comments section since the seminal Countdown To Change post about a year ago, has decided to call it quits from the OS community. Citing my negativity over Final Crisis and the general direction of the DCU, Danbizzle had to regretfully leave the blog -- destination unknown.

We at the OS feel terrible about the loss of one of our own, and want to extend this teddy bear with flowers to Mr. Bizzle with our sincere apologies if we had offended him. Like Dan, we only want what's best for the DCU.

Tuesday Morning Reflections

Post Trail Mix Crunch is NOT granola. It's not granola. It's like granola/nut dust from the bottom of the packing plant stuck together in little granola-sized bits. It's the particle-board of granola.

Thank you.

DCU Fix

This, in my estimation, is how you fix the DCU:

EIC: DiDio. Concentrates on Hollywood stuff and general big picture. He's been working hard the last five years or so, so it's cool if he just wants to coast and let new managing editor handle a lot of the details.

Managing Editor: Ron Perazza, and I'll tell you why: a) former Marvel editor, b) tons of experience running DC's custom publishing line, c) very well-liked by workers and freelance talent, d) great cultivator of new talent, e) extensive marketing experience.

Superman Editor (aka "Geoff Johns Editor"): Covers all Superman and Green Lantern titles.

Batman Editor (aka "Marts"): Handles all Bat-books.

Quirky Editor (aka "That Indie Guy/Gal"): In charge of aggressively pursuing new talent that can revision classic DC characters (a la "Starman"). This is an important role, because in theory a lot of that is R&D for eventual Time Warner movies/TV. Oh yeah, also -- talented people with unique things to say get work.

Team Books Editor: Justice League/Society, Legion, and Titans books.

Etc Editor: Handles a potpourri of assorted solo books. Give this to an associate editor who looks like s/he has the chops.

Johnny DC Editor: this goes to another Associate Editor.

Now --

It is of tantamount importance that all these editors get along and share information.

Incentives should be given to editors to pull in new talent, retain happy older talent, and create cutting-edge new titles. $incentives$ should be given.

And if any editor is caught saying they are tired of being there, are jaded, are just going through the motions, etc., go find another editor. You can't afford jadedness.

On the topic of assistant editors: an assistant editor should be the next generation of editor for your company. Hire and reward accordingly. They are not glorified administrative assistants.

Now --

All the books that have been f**ked by extreme creative changes, etc -- axe them and start clean.

As for the continuity between Final Crisis and the build-up -- that's completely f**ked, so don't even worry about it at this point. Just move past that.

And the most critical element: Making DC's books accessible - top to bottom - increasing their casual and ongoing reader base.

And Now For Some Levity --

/levity

Countdown To Change: Final Crisis

Look, personally, I have no problem with like 85% of DC Comics.

That said, I think their "DC Universe" output is, outside certain pockets of material, a massive train-wreck. Rather, the fabric of the DC Universe is a train-wreck, it has no spinal cord, and there are just some selected good things floating around aimlessly around it.

The case regarding this breakdown has been laid out here far better than anything I could have possibly written. So read that and then come back here (if you wish).

In good times, even if you f**k up a bit, you can coast in a place like DC. But, we are virtually in a recession. It will not stand.

Only one of three things can happen now -- and happen soonish.

1. DiDio leaves
2. Certain editors leave
3. DiDio and certain editors leave

This is not "maybe this will happen one day." This is now. Because you need to just slash and burn what is not working there and start planting seeds now.

Honestly? I would be very surprised if DiDio suddenly left or was forced out. I don't think it is going to happen right now.

Further -- While I thought that DiDio made decisions regarding Identity Crisis, etc, that were short-sighted and misguided -- he never made me feel personally uncomfortable as a woman. Shallow of me I know, to count that as a plus for the old man, but yeah, that's part of how I gauge things. Sorry. He never invited me to a strip club after work with freelancers and then publicly told me I was a "prude" for not coming along, he never suggested that I flirt with and date my superiors in order to get management "off all of our backs," and he never made references to my boobage. So bully for Mr. DiDio, he gets a gold star (or at least a silver one).

Now, do I think DC as a whole, after all these years of under one regime, could benefit from starting over again and getting a true comic book veteran -- maybe someone with some previous experience from another successful company -- in the EIC or at least managing editor seat? Sure. Absolutely. Maybe they wouldn't even have to look that far.

But at least -- DC, get in some new editors. Look at your house and go get some new editors. Look at the scorecard, book-by-book, and get a few new editors, and give some others the chance to do everything they wanted to do had they not clung so tenaciously to their jobs thinking it was the best thing they could ever achieve. And it's not an age thing -- God knows, when Andy Helfer was working there he was more in touch with what the youth culture was really reading than we were, and had he been listened to more DC could have gotten a bigger jump on the manga market. It's a jadedness thing. Jadedness is the kiss of death.

Yeah, it's going to be challenging working with DiDio, but go get some fresh new editors, give them some sort of incentive, and see what happens. I once got a bonus expressly for working with a "difficult editor." That's awesome. Do more of that. Lay the groundwork now. Even if you lay the groundwork now, it's going to take at least a year to heal things, but start now.

Now, DiDio has to trust those editors. He has to. He has to get more fresh go-getters like Marts -- and maybe not even from comics, maybe even from standard publishing or other places in DC -- and he has to trust them. Trust them, nurture them, let them shine -- then take some of the credit. It's the easiest goddamn way to run a division. Get great talent, stay out of their way. Get great talent, stay out of their way. Get great talent, stay out of their way.

Until DC addresses certain things I think they didn't handle effectively, I will always have some sort of a chip on my shoulder about them. I'll be honest with you. I would be lying if I said otherwise. There are certain things that...really, I'm disappointed in. Sometimes angry. Usually just disappointed and resigned about. I think those ineffectively handled things -- I think it plain ol' produced bad karma. And there was bad karma from before that, before I was even there. Seriously. And they have to clean the bad karma out of that department. I'm serious -- to the point where they light candles and hire that midget from Poltergeist. It's that bad.

"Step into the light...all are welcome."

Short Story: "The Fortune Teller"

I announced a couple of weeks ago that I was going to write and draw a mini-comic for MoCCA Art Fest entitled "My Freaky-Ass Psychic Abilities" (or something to that effect), but it is clear that with my current schedule that would be impossible. So I figured I'd just write it up instead, as to not be completely inconsistent.

"The Fortune Teller"

Several years ago, I had a boyfriend who didn't think I was "exciting" enough. Apparently, almost bleeding to death as the result of an intimate encounter with him gone awry was not enough to bump up my "extreme" cred to a point that might be Howard Stern-worthy.

So, with his blessing, I began to go out into the world -- also known as Craigslist -- and meet people who were exciting as to have life experiences and thus be exciting enough. Not unlike the hero's journey set forth in the movie "Pee Wee's Big Adventure."

These adventures included a hot date with a young woman at a fast food joint that ended with me giving her a platonic little "buddy punch" on her arm with the parting line "take care, Sport" (which she took really well the next morning when she wrote to tell me I was a jackass), a man who tried to convince me over the phone that ingesting urine was "just like drinking vitamin water," and a trip to a rave that ended when one of my companions had his wife or girlfriend dance topless on the bar, inviting other men to touch her boobies.

Undaunted, I contacted a transvestite named Cleopatra (or he contacted me), and we decided to have coffee. He was a very affable older fellow, with a lot of living under his belt. He brought me a corset he had bought recently that didn't quite fit him, and it was a nice gesture. He told me Native American folktales and the best stores in the city to buy nylon stockings. We ended the day by going to a costume shop, and while I was there I spotted a deck of tarot cards on sale.

I had thrown out the last several decks of tarot cards in my possession for various reasons over the years, many of them having to do with my several attempts to become a born-again Christian. Actually, one time I threw out the cards because a New Agey therapist I went to said they were "bad karma." Long story short, I've wasted a lot of money over the years.

So I said goodbye to Cleopatra and headed to the park, where I sat on the steps and began shuffling the cards. Not soon after I started this, the requests came in for readings.

I started doing readings, and, after the first one, I began to charge a nominal fee. Most of the people who requested readings were tourists, and the most common topics were love and work. I must have done about 12 readings that day, and there was very little down-time between readings.

In the middle of this, two Orthodox Jews came up to me with some sort of gourd and a stalk of grass and asked me if I was Jewish. I gave my standard answer, "well, my great-grandmother on my mother's side was Jewish," and they gave the standard answer: "you, ma'am, are Jewish." They asked if I would conduct with them some sort of ritual there on the steps, where I repeat a bunch of words they said. God only knows what I said, what bargains I made to God on those steps.

After the ritual, I went back to my readings. There were a bunch of teenagers in from Chicago, and I read their fortunes. The one boy got a card depicting a man lying in a pool of his own blood with a bunch of swords through his body. Obviously, he wanted to know what that one was about. I thought for a second, and then said, "you will be a detective when you grow up, and you will investigate crimes." Coincidentally, he was actually thinking of entering the FBI or something like that. Then I read the other guy's cards, and I said that he would take some time after school to find himself, "like traveling the United States in a Winnebago." One of his female friends gulped, and said he was just saying that exact phrase, with the word "Winnebago," earlier that day. I felt pretty full of myself and skillworthy, but then I wondered later if they were just shitting me.

Before they left, the first boy whose cards I read said he wanted to take a picture of me. He said it was because if these things really came to pass, he wanted to document it. I thought that was kind of neat, but then I wondered if he would take the photo to the police or something -- "the notorious gypsy card reader."

When my little card-reading expedition was nearing completion, I called my then-boyfriend up and proudly told him what I did. I figured he would think it was "exciting" enough. But instead, he said expending all that psychic energy like that would make me sick.

And it did; I came down with a flu almost as soon as I came home that ended up lasting two weeks. That was when I decided I should really charge more.

The End Of The Unlimited Internet?

Relevant links:

New York Times: "Charging By The Byte To Curb Internet Traffic"

"Some people use the Internet simply to check e-mail and look up phone numbers. Others are online all day, downloading big video and music files.

For years, both kinds of Web surfers have paid the same price for access. But now three of the country’s largest Internet service providers are threatening to clamp down on their most active subscribers by placing monthly limits on their online activity."

"If my internet is metered, I don't want ads wasting my bandwith."

"Time Warner Metering"

The impact on the relatively young video streaming industry will be huge if customers are charged by the amount of bandwith used. From the NYT article:

"Casual Internet users who merely send e-mail messages, check movie times and read the news are not likely to exceed the caps. But people who watch television shows on Hulu.com, rent movies on iTunes or play the multiplayer game Halo on Xbox may start to exceed the limits — and millions of people are already doing those things."

This will have an added benefit to old-model media, because people will be less likely to download books, TV shows, music, and movies -- legally or illegally.

Then there is the idea that metered usage will bring us back full-circle to the early days of AOL & dial-up. Is this a step backward?

Finally, people who have their wi-fi leeched from other people will be charged for bandwith they didn't use.

But, for me the larger issue is that if the internet providers succeed in getting the metering established, we will be one step closer to having to pay for "packages" of Internet content the same way we pay for cable channel packages.

Should Comics Only Be Reviewed After The Story Is Completed?

Ok, this question popped in my mind as I was reading Batman RIP --

Is it fair to review any story arc before it's over?

Say, you have a three-issue arc. Should you wait until you collect all three issue before making a judgment call?

I mean, I can't watch 25 minutes of a movie like Iron Man and then review it, can I? And then watch another section the next month and review that?

This is become more and more an issue for me with floppies, this reluctance to review them until I've either finished the mini-series or the arc.

A lot of these comics are written with an eye towards the eventual trade collection anyhow; decompressed storytelling chopped up in arbitrary 22-page sections.

So, what do you think?

Because, I want to be timely and all, but I have very little desire to review Batman RIP until it's over.

Or reviewing the new Eternals series: "well, from what little I read, it seems good!"

The rub comes in when you've got a monthly or a mini and it needs to be promoted somehow and get good initial sales. So the reviews come in handy for promotional purposes. But again -- how valid are these reviews when they are on incomplete stories?

I mean, Final Crisis might be great, read in a trade next year & isolated from the current hubbub. But if you give me issue one now and say: review. What can I say? Nice art? Grant Morrison books tend to suffer the most from breaking them up and reviewing them this way.

I guess all you can really say about these single issues is your first impressions and how you *feel* the series might go.

Oh Yes, There Will Be Reviews...

What's up for this round:
X-Force #4: "No, Rahne, what are you--AGGGGGHHHHHH!!!!!"
The Goon #25: "Happiness Is For Pussies"
Coptopus #1: "Nemesquid is part mollusk part machine. He's the perfect synthesis of technology and squid..."


The books that have called "X-Force" have been such a strange damned lot. I guess the philosophy with the title has always been: "this is more than just an X-Men book! this is an X-Men book plus plus plus!"


The latest incarnation, written by Craig Kyle and Christopher Yost, is like a horror movie within an X-Men context, with plenty of blood and chopping. The premise -- what if you put the most slicey mutants together on one team -- almost sounds like something out of an earlier, more gimmick-laden era. What prevents the execution of said concept from being somewhat on the ludicrous side is the surreality of Clayton Crain's painted art.

Spoilers.


The way they brought back Archangel seems a little too pat, but it doesn't seem like what really matters. What really matters is that Warren Worthington is back with the slicey things. I always thought he was far more interesting -- and heck, marketable -- as Archangel than the plain old vanilla version. The BF vigorously disagrees with me, but there you go.


One of my first X-Men figures was that Toy Biz Archangel with the two little bulls**t "missiles" (which are like the first thing you lose, like within a week of purchase); it was awesome.



The Goon #25 continues a story arc in which the title character is out to avenge the death of a friend, and heads towards the showdown with the famed Labrazio. This arc has revisited so many plot points since the series began, that I almost feel like writer/artist Eric Powell is trying to wrap this book up and give the famed bruiser a rest. Here's hoping that, like Goon on the outskirts of town, he decides to drive back and continue the battle.


In some ways I've always felt like The Goon is a more accessible version of the Hellboy universe, at least to me; less Lovecraft, and more stinky sewer. God bless The Goon's stinky sewers, and all the horribly mutated things they find in there. I still feel lucky that I can get a monthly book with this consistent level of quality and artistic merit.


Coptopus #1, by Brian Rubin and Collin David, features an octopus that is a cop, and if this isn't a concept begging for its own T-shirt, I don't know what is. The book is a Jhonen Vasquez-esque take on Lethal Weapon, with a trenchcoat-wearing cephalopod teamed up with a clueless human detective. Alas, while this book might seem like the perfect opportunity to engage in some tentacle porn, there is none to be found.

My advice to creators Rubin and David: get this property over to Adult Swim.

If you would like to purchase a copy of Coptopus #1, please head over to Rubin's site and inquire.

The Future Of The Internet And You

enjoy this while you can

First off, please do not beat me over the head with the Internet equivalent of a cricket bat for bringing this topic/article up -- I don't agree with all of it, but I do think it raises some timely questions.

The writer of this post makes the point that "geeks" (techies, early-adopters, the Internet savvy, etc) have created a culture of "free" where anyone can get anything online for free. In the process, the creators get nothing, get swindled, etc:

"The “free” Internet costs Americans around $10,000, give or take depending on quality, by the time you add up the computer, the software, the monitor, the laptop, the cell phone, and a year’s worth of connection services. But “free culture” demands that we will not pay one penny for a piece of digital art.

The Internet has become the new weapon of imperialists. Today’s imperialists, also known as “The Geeks” have been very successful at securing their economic domination of the world by making non-technical talent and skills, like the ability to draw, worth nothing on the Internet (and even beyond), even when the finished product is far from worthless."

The conversation quickly turns to webcomics, the example being used African webcomics creators. The poster writes:

"There. I’ve just helped myself to African comics. It was fast and easy thanks (sincerely) to the geeks who created the technology, and also free thanks (sarcastically) to geeks who created the free movement and who continue to labor overtime on blogs, Twitter, FriendFeed and so on, to proselytize an Internet culture that will not tolerate the creation of an economic channel that could pay these creators for the use of their art here on my blog, even though I want to pay."

And this all dovetails into an issue very much on the minds of the Web 2.0 social media field in which I work -- in the future, will we have to pay for all this? Will we have to pay for a subscription to Twitter, will we have to pay for access to Internet "portals" based on Google (now Google/Yahoo), MSN, etc?

Is This The Future Of The Internet?

And will we have to pay for webcomics?

I think the day they completely crack down on the illegal downloading and stop making these social media sites and online newspapers/etc. free, the day they make you pay for Internet access the way you do for cable and make it a federal crime to download unauthorized material -- people are going to f**king riot. Literally.

And then several days after that, we are going to settle into our daily routines and pay the fees. Sure, a permanent underground of "geek" rebels will be formed, handing out flyers at public meeting places and throwing pies at Bill Gates. Perhaps the Rebellion will be far more real and serious than that. But --


The day will come when we will have to pay for all this stuff. It is coming anyway. I don't know how much we will have to pay for these Internet services, and I don't know how extensive it will be. And I'm not saying it's right. And I don't agree with all of the points made in the referenced article.

But, I read a heavy volume of industry news every day for my job, and I'm telling you -- this day is coming. I attended a function of the top media movers and shakers about three months ago (not cuz I'm awesome, but because somebody cancelled), and that was the top topic. "How do we monetize this?" This wasn't a bunch of pundits, or what have you. These were the heads of media companies.

How will this specifically effect webcomics creators? The cream will rise to the top. Today's hot webcomics creators will be tomorrow's mainstream darlings, pulling in far more money than they have ever dreamed. And they will either be savvy enough to maintain competitive websites, or they (more likely) will be "attached" to one large company or another. 'Cause when a lot of this pay-for-Internet-portal-access stuff comes down, when the gates begin to close, their expenses will rise to the point where they will have to have some big company back them up -- or at least create a big company of their own.

DC wasn't stupid in creating Zuda. Nor were they being "nefarious." They understood the concept that creators -- regardless of the medium -- had to get paid. They also (and this is purely conjecture) understood that the models for media distribution both in print and online are changing. We can argue about the finer points of contracts, rights, etc., all day. And I'm not suggesting independent webcomics creators need or even should go to Zuda.

But, I am saying that the free content that we enjoy now -- and the free services -- will not stay that way forever. Right now is, in many ways, a renaissance. A time to experiment. And if you depend on the Internet for your income -- whether you're a webcomicker, an Internet marketer, a blogger, an e-commerce businessperson, a writer for an online publication -- you need to trend these things out. You need to do your research, keep up with things, and learn to anticipate. You absolutely have to.

Always happy to be your little ray of sunshine

Friday the 13th Survey

Happy Friday The 13th!

Question:

What's the weirdest experience you have ever had?

It doesn't have to be on Friday the 13th, but just in your life in general.

I'll start.

As some of you might remember in "Goodbye To Comics," there was an incident where I was asked by a supervisor to yell at a freelancer until he cried.

Well, I did that -- and I cried, too! The whole incident must have taken like 15 minutes of yelling and carrying on. It was just awful. Some of the worst advice I've ever received on how to edit, complete and total bullsh*t.

And almost to the minute after it was all over, my computer started to whine, and the lights started blinking, and then we had a major blackout all across New York City.

And that freelancer had all the time he needed to finish that comic book story.

Of course, I realize that the incident with the freelancer had nothing to do with the actual blackout. But it was funny.* Until the water dried up in the apartment in the City I was staying at, and the toilet couldn't be flushed, and then Gristedes started rationing food. That's when I walked straight from 33rd and 3rd in Manhattan to Brooklyn.

*Of course, the power outage itself wasn't funny; that was apocalyptic-feeling and horrible (though they were giving out free ice-cream). But there was a considerable amount of irony wrapped up in the situation. It was like the universe was telling me: "take it f**king easy, will you?"

Fangirl Fridays: The Proust Questionnaire

(Read about the Proust Questionnaire here)

1. What do you regard as the lowest depth of misery?
Being overqualified for a task and yet still feeling like a complete moron.

2. Where would you like to live?
In my mom's beach house in Cape Cod with no worries.

3. What is your idea of earthly happiness?
A stack of old Peanuts paperbacks.


4. To which faults do you feel most indulgent?
Procrastination.

5. Who is/are your favorite hero/heroes of fiction?
Those girls at the end of Deathproof who kicked that guy's ass.

6. Who are your favorite characters in history?
Hunter S. Thompson, Helen Keller, and John the Baptist. Keller wrote nastier op/ed pieces than I do. And John because I think he had a totally different religion going, and history just shoe-horned him into the standard Christian narrative (in the process completely undermining him); which just shows you the power of the press, and why you need a good publicist.

7. Who are your favorite heroines in real life?
The women from Friends of Lulu.

8. Who is/are your favorite heroine/heroines of fiction?
I always liked Tippi Hedren's character in The Birds. I want to run down the street with fake birds glued to my hair (though actually I think Hitchcock attached at least some real birds to Hedren, because he was a freak).

9. Your favorite painters?
Mark Ryden and Eric Powell.

10. Your favorite composers or musicians?
The Monkees and the Sex Pistols. And the Foo Fighters. Yeah I'm banal, but happy.


11. Which qualities do you most value in a man?
Sensitivity, a sense of humor, and brainnnnnnnssssss.

12. Which qualities do you most value in a woman?
The ability to be nurturing.

13. Your favorite virtue?
Following through with one's bright ideas.

14. Your favorite occupation?
Meditation.

15. Who would you have liked to be?
A teenager in the 1960s so I could watch Batman & The Monkees first-run.

16. Your most marked characteristic?
Me and my big mouth.

17. What do you most value in your friends?
That they know the real me and are cool with it.

18. What is your principle defect?
God, didn't we cover this already?

19. What is your favorite color?
Red.

20. What is your favorite flower?
Real ones.

21. What is your favorite bird?
Chicken at Cosi <-----insensitive

22. Who are your favorite prose writers?
Kurt Vonnegut Jr., Philip K. Dick, Charles M. Schulz.

23. Who are your favorite poets?
I could tell you, but you're gonna laugh at me and call me a nerd.

24. What are your favorite names?
Two words: Chachi Arcola. And Potsie.


25. What is it you most dislike?
Assholes.

26. What historical figures do you most despise?
George W. Bush. Because I gave him another chance, and he blew it.

27. What event in military history do you most admire?
The one where the Nazis were beaten.

28. What reform do you most admire?
I admire the reform that led to substantially less dogshit on my sidewalk than ten years ago.

29. What natural gift would you most like to possess?
Ninja skills.

30. How would you like to die?
Of natural causes, in a thick jungle or forest undisturbed by humankind. Like one of those explorers with the funny hats. I would like to just fall over in a thicket or unruly pile of grass and just be allowed to slowly return to the ecology, with Disney squirrels and deer demurely stepping out of the green to take a look.

31. What is your present state of mind?
My present state of mind is that I think I seriously need to have a party to get rid of all the Rolling Rock and Bud Light in the fridge leftover from the last party.

32. What is your motto?
"You can't make an omelet without breaking a few eggs."

Boy, Do I Have The Book For Them...

Karen Berger on Vertigo's new hunt for original graphic novels:

"Creators might not realize that Vertigo would be in the market for something that’s maybe more of an intimate story or a memoir or even a story that has no genre aspect."

Well, if they're looking for an intimate memoir with no genre aspect...

(whistles)

Guess What Story Is On The "Front Page" Of Newsarama?

http://www.newsarama.com/comics/080612-DixonNoDC.html

Good article.

Gothic Tweety Bird

In a New York Times article about character revamps, as pointed out in The Beat:

“You want a dark, Goth version of Tweety Bird? Have at it,” said Lisa Gregorian, executive vice president for worldwide marketing at Warner Brothers Television.

It really seems that all bets are off and these companies will do anything it takes to sell the lunchboxes.

I remember working on Disney licensed comics in the mid 1990s. A writer submitted a springboard about a story in which Dopey temporarily becomes smart. And the story was rejected by the Disney rep because, in her words, "Dopey is sacred here." You can't f**k with Dopey. The Dopey concept is pure.

But you can f**k with Tweety. You can even give him black eyeliner.

Superheroes Who Can't Get Laid

Whether you're a human brain trapped in a robotic body or have super-spunk o' doom, being a superhero can really put a cramp in your sex life.

SPOILERS

...
...
...

so according to io9, both the Hancock and The Incredible Hulk movies feature superheroes who have bad things happen when they have sex. While the blog says Hancock stole the idea of a super-powered dingus from a Warren Ellis comic, I believe it appeared in the short story "Man of Steel, Woman of Kleenex" first. Meanwhile in the Hulk movie, Banner can't be sexually aroused without turning into the green-skinned behemoth. I don't know, was this ever the status quo in the comic? At any rate, it makes sense to me.


Isn't a lot about classic superheroes really sexual metaphor? Or am I way off base and a cigar just really a cigar? I mean, I don't think issues of sex were ever really divorced from the Wonder Woman character, from its inception in the Golden Age. The idea of secret identities can be a symbol of the face we present to the world and the sometimes very different one we present in the bedroom. And the idea of sex turning mild-mannered men like Mr. Banner into rampaging beasts has been around for awhile. Aren't all the werewolf movies some variation on that?

And if Superman can't really nail Lois without causing her significant internal organ damage (not status quo ever as far as I'm aware, but is the case in "Man of Steel, Woman of Kleenex") and Batman is too emotionally f**ked-up to have sex (often implied, but, as we have seen with Damian, not always the case), and the Thing really can't have actual sex and Robotman from the Doom Patrol can't really have sex, and the Hulk can only have sex with wild women warriors from alien planets (producing cute little Hulk babies), then maybe as non-powered readers we can feel superior to the heroes in some way...or at least relate.

***

From Larry Niven's "Man of Steel, Woman of Kleenex"

"Consider the driving urge between a man and a woman, the monomaniacal urge to achieve greater and greater penetration. Remember also that we are dealing with kryptonian muscles.

Superman would literally crush LL's body in his arms, while simultaneously ripping her open from crotch to sternum, gutting her like a trout.

Lastly, he'd blow off the top of her head.

Ejaculation of semen is entirely involuntary in the human male, and in all other forms of terrestrial life. It would be unreasonable to assume otherwise for a kryptonian. But with kryptonian muscles behind it, Kal-El's semen would emerge with the muzzle velocity of a machine gun bullet. (*One can imagine that the Kent home in Smallville was riddled with holes during Superboy's puberty. And why did Lana Lang never notice that?*)

In view of the foregoing, normal sex is impossible between LL and Superman."

Quick thought on the new Newsarama

I think the problem with the new Newsarama is that when a story breaks like Chuck Dixon suddenly not at DC anymore, they should have that on their front page. I should be able to go right now to their site and see it as a link. And even if there isn't a lot of solid news surrounding the story at the moment besides his terse statement on the forum, there should be something -- a recap of all he's done, of his current projects -- and yes, even speculation. Not "hard-journalism" enough for you? CNN speculates all the time. They can fill out whole hours based on one line and tons of speculation.

Yeah, Newsarama has their blog covering Dixon -- that little box you have to scroll all the way back down to the bottom of the page to access.

Everything else is like: press junket, press junket, link bait, press junket. And when they have something like about how DC should learn from Marvel in the movie biz, they have to slap a big "OP/ED" on it.

News doesn't have to be this bloodless.

To me, news is: "here is the shit, can you believe this shit, here is shit we are speculating about the shit, here are these people we brought in who are going to give their own views of the shit, and here are the viewer comments on the shit. holy shit!"

CNN does this all the time. Take a look at their website sometime. But, you know, CNN is supposed to be "legit."

If I want hard news on comics, I'll go pick up Comics Journal. Seriously. Entertain me, Newsarama. Inform me but entertain me too. Or at least give your blog a more prominent place on the site. That tiny generic button on the top navigation is not doing it.

Hm, methinks this was more than just a quick thought.

If You Buy One Comic Today, Buy "Skaar Son Of Hulk"

If you're not going to buy it for the great Greg Pak writing -- basically bringing the same epic narrative to this work as he did for World War Hulk -- then for God's sake do it for Ron Garney's art.

Garney's art in this book is like a cross between Joe Kubert and Gil Kane. Together with great, understated color by Paul Mounts, Skaar Son Of Hulk is absolutely freakin' gorgeous. If you want a hint about what that classic, epic comic book art from the 60s and 70s looked like -- the type of stuff that, for the most part, you can only find covered in magazines -- pick this book up. You will not be disappointed.

It's just $2.99. Try something new.

Titans = "Breasticles"

One comic store (which will remain nameless) had an unique idea as to how to promote Titans #3 on their racks...

Racks. I said "racks." Get it?

What Comics Are You All Buying Today???

Though seriously, after all the coin I dropped at MoCCA Art Fest I shouldn't be buying anything.

You may follow along with this handy-dandy new comics list posted at the Friends Of Lulu blog...

And now my picks --

The Goon #25 -- really, one of the best and most consistent monthly comics out there

Penny Arcade trade paperback collection -- possibly

Trinity #2 -- possibly

Young Liars #3 & 4 -- possibly

Complete Little Orphan Annie HC -- OMG!!!!!!! Over 1,000 strips! Holy Crap!*

* that said, the chances of me purchasing a $39.95 Annie volume at this juncture w/my budget not so good

Captain Britain and MI 13 #2

Eternals #1 -- possibly

Skaar Son of Hulk #1 -- okay, how can I pass this up? it's like a mid-70s flashback.

Okay, so what are you all buying????

Any books you want to shamelessly promote?

Would You Wipe Your Butt With A Bad Comic?

Bad Comic

No seriously -- what's the most you would do to a comic book you hated?

The gentleman at this link hated the old Uncanny X-Men comics so much, he set the omnibus on fire. Or rather, did after many dangerous attempts. I think it's the slick ultra-white archival paper that was the problem.

Then there is the matter of the actual butt-wiping. I've heard many an angry fanboy state their intention to do the deed with this or that comic he disliked, but never have seen much in the way of follow-through.

You could always send the book back to the publisher and ask for your money back. This has actually happened before. It's not too extreme. It might actually get you your money back. If you tear it up into little pieces first, you might not be as successful in getting the money back.

Then there are books that I didn't want to tear up, but I felt uncomfortable about keeping physically in my house. Such was the case with Titans East Special. Maybe it was the guilt over paying money for it, I'm not sure. But, I also felt that way about Dave Sim's Glamourpuss #1. There was nothing in the book that offended me in the least; it just had this...aura around it. I can't explain it. It bothered me. It bothered me to keep it physically in my house.

I'm also shy sometimes about keeping books I myself have edited, because I look back on them and get all perfectionistic (not an actual word, but apropos) about them. I see little flaws. And some books give me bad memories and I've thrown all my comps in the garbage; I don't even keep a "file" copy. I must believe that these things happen with some editors regarding their books. Space is also a factor. You feel you must hold on to every book, in multiple copies, that you have worked on. That can add up. I mean, do I really need 15 copies of Arkham Asylum: Living Hell #3 on my bookshelf?


Yes. Yes, I do.

Chuck Dixon No Longer @ DC

From the Dixonverse forums yesterday:

" I am no longer employed by DC Comics in any capacity."

I'm sort of shocked...

Didn't they just bring him in?

What up? What the bloody hell is going on in that editorial department?

(with thanks to Kansasjin for the tip!)

The DCU's Fortunes Aren't Riding On Grant Right Now...

...they are riding on Geoff Johns. In my opinion. No dig on Grant. I loved Animal Man and Doom Patrol. And I think his Batman is very good. But, Final Crisis is not the crucial book for DC right now, though it has been positioned as it is. It's Geoff's work; it's the only thing solid holding everything together. I think Geoff is really a Monitor.

Just a thought or two before I run a brush through my hair and scoot off to work.

Ambush Bug Invented Dan DiDio...

He also invented ska. And pants.


Do you see why I started a second blog? I have a surfeit of riches here. The Smurf movies, banana phones, and car battery recycling tips are just going to have to go on the other site. That's it. I'm not even apologizing for it.

No seriously, let me get this straight --

Countdown and Death Of The New Gods were sort of out-of-continuity and/or pointless?

???

"Again, bear in mind thatCountdown only finished last month so Final Crisis was already well underway long before Countdown and although I’ve tried to avoid contradicting much of the twists and turns of that book as I can with the current Final Crisis scripts, the truth is, we were too far down the road of our own book to reflect everything that went on in Countdown, hence the disconnects that online commentators, sadly, seem to find more fascinating than the stories themselves."

"Orion’s appearance on the docks and the Guardians’ response in Final Crisis #1 was written and drawn first. Jim Starlin then created Orion’s death scene in Death Of The New Gods to lead into the War God’s appearance in Final Crisis #1, so we refer back to Jim’s scene in Final Crisis #3. When I wrote that scene, Orion’s terminal injuries were a result of the mysterious bolt of light which Jim hit him with in Death Of The New Gods #6. By the time Countdown #1 came out, I was working on Final Crisis #4 and #5 and JG was drawing #3, so we were already well into our own story and unable to change it to match Countdown."

"What mattered to me was what had already been written, drawn or plotted in Final Crisis. The Guardians didn’t call 1011 when Lightray and the other gods died in Countdown because, again, Final Crisis was already underway before Countdown came out.

"Why didn’t Superman recount his experiences from DOTNG ? Because those experiences hadn’t been thought up or written when I completed Final Crisis #1. If there was only me involved, Orion would have been the first dead New God we saw in a DC comic, starting off the chain of events that we see in Final Crisis. As it is, the best I can do is suggest that the somewhat contradictory depictions of Orion and Darkseid’s last-last-last battle that we witnessed in Countdown and DOTNG recently were apocryphal attempts to describe an indescribable cosmic event."

I'm getting lunch.

My final question --

How soon does Grant Morrison pull a Straczynski in the face of this criticism and blame DCU editorial directly? How soon? I mean, he's already sort of doing it in this Newsarama article, but in a really nice roundabout way...

Titans: Should Be/Is

What Titans should be:
What Titans is:
Now please don't get me wrong. Books like Bloodstrike -- what, about FIFTEEN YEARS AGO -- had a sort of trashy charm that even today I can appreciate.

But, is that what DC wants from a franchise they are trying to build up to the level of Superman and the JLA?

I read issue #2 of Titans in the store, and -- it's bad. It's really, really bad. I mean, the art style might have been interesting in a different type of project. But, I'm totally turned off by this book. One of the first pages features a splash of a female character captured or tied up with her huge heaving breasts dead center between her bonds. You know, if I want to see that done right, I'll go buy a Milo Manara collection.

Then there are other panels with Starfire where it's like: ass, Bill Ward-sized breasts, gigantic head, empty expression, impossibly arched back. Or Nightwing just standing there in the middle of a panel saying "I don't know what the hell is going on. Duh."

Isn't Titans supposed to be anywhere near a more mature level than Teen Titans? Isn't that how it works?

This book is destined to be another one of those "quick, let's retool this sucker" aborted relaunches. Trust me. Titans takes all the good that the Teen Titans cartoon did and drags the franchise back 15 years.

And if my choice of Milligan/Allred's X-Force seems too hipster to you, then at least look at Marvel's Runaways. That book is and will continue to be a consistent seller in backlist long after this latest incarnation of the adult Titans is a memory.

MoCCA Art Fest & Lulu Awards In Photos

Wind beneath our wings Marion Vitus
taking memberships at the MoCCA Art Fest Friends of Lulu booth

Cliff Chiang draws some lucky person a Batman pinup;
Cliff donated his time and skills to help out Friends of Lulu

Alitha Martinez presents her new comic
Yumi and Ever at the Friends of Lulu booth

Elayne Riggs is not only a Comic Mix reporter,
she's also a Lulu member and volunteer

Brian Wood would be happy to know
that I purchased the floppies, not trades...

If you were Jamal Igle, you'd be smiling too.
Helping us out at the Lulu booth & sketching...

Proud Friends of Lulu member Dan Slott
donates some time for the cause...

High Moon's David Gallaher at the Zuda booth

Cecil Castellucci signs copies of the Minx book "Young Janes In Love."
The Minx booth was giving away galley editions of all of their new titles.

Comic creators Shaenon K. Garrity, Steve Ellis,
and David Gallaher all volunteer at the Friends of Lulu table

A good party, NYC Friends of Lulu Chapter President
Danielle O'Brien assures us, starts with dishes...

...and ends with napkins

Danielle is not only a great chapter president --
she also pours a mean glass of wine.

The Lulu Awards were attended by a full house;
people eventually had to be turned away at the door
because we had reached capacity.

The Night Owls' Peter Timony and some dude

Friends of Lulu Chapter Vice-President Marc Wilkofsky
gives the refreshments a thumbs-up

Rachel Nabors announces the Kim Yale Award

Kim Yale Award winner Martina Fugazzotto

Lulu Awards emcee Emily Flake

Heidi MacDonald

Vertigo's Angela Rufino accepts the Woman Of Distinction
Award on Shelly Bond's behalf

Marion Vitus

Abby Denson

After 6+ Lulu board meetings over Yahoo Chat,
I finally get to see what Leigh Dragoon looks like!

Dennis Calero sketches for a good cause and
becomes honorary "Friend of Sluggo"

By the end of the show, Miss Danielle O'Brien
could be found throwing my camera into moving traffic

Girls With Slingshots artist Danielle Corsetto
draws a Secret Invasion cover as Elayne Riggs looks on

How many comics professionals can you spot in this evacuation photo?

Things I Think About

Color me a little late to the party, but so Jean Grey makes this heroic sacrifice in X-Men 2 only to go bugf**k in X-Men 3 and kill everybody?

What a way to end a trilogy...

And what about this guy?


This is one scary f**ker. Every time I see this dude on Lost I'm like: this is a little twisted scary f**ker. I don't even follow Lost that much, so I'm not completely sure of what he does. I all know is that he's a bad man. A very bad man.

The there's this:

Why was this made? This movie was like Evan Almighty without Steve Carell and Wanda Sykes. I sat through about 45 minutes of this film because I was too damn hot and lazy to move.

Finally, I'm all for saving the planet, but organic underarm deodorant just does not work. I'm sorry. It doesn't. Yes, I rub it thoroughly for maximum coverage. Still does not work very well. And I tend to pool up in one pit more than the other. I've offended everybody for about two months with my organic underarm deodorant and helped reduce my carbon footprint. Do I get a prize? Can it be $5 organic trash bags? Please?

Well, that's all the randomess I have right now. I made a bargain and traded ice-cream for sock laundering. So now I gotta wash the socks.

MoCCA Art Fest 2008: Webcomics

You would have to be Indiana Jones to get through the bottleneck
at the webcomic section of the convention

There was a strong webcomics presence at MoCCA Art Fest this year -- resulting in a bottleneck in the space where a number of the more well-known webcomics creators were situated. It was so crazy you literally could not get through.

The loyal fanbase and broad appeal of webcomics such as XKCD, Diesel Sweeties, Octopus Pie, and Girls With Slingshots -- all represented at the show -- cannot be overstated. Anybody who tells me that these digital comics do not present any sort of real competition to their print counterparts is full of crap. Seriously.


That said, I think it helps any webcomic creator to have some sort of print edition to sell/give away at show. Nay, it not only helps -- I think it is required. Take the case of Danielle Corsetto, sketching for charity at the Friends Of Lulu table and also selling a print collection of her webcomic Girls With Slingshots. Sales on the book -- that she had done on print-on-demand -- were brisk. The old argument has been: "they won't pay for comics they can get for free." I disagree.

But, the content has to be good, and your fanbase loyal. It's like those "pay-as-you-wish" downloads of that Radiohead album. No, I don't think it's a big moneymaker for them -- but they are still cleaning up on concerts and assorted merchandise. And some people will buy the "legit" collection regardless. Similarly, I think the money in webcomics are not to be made by those "micropayments" Scott McCloud refers to in Reinventing Comics, but in everything else that surrounds the daily or weekly online strip -- ads, merch, con appearances, print editions.


Further, if a mainstream publisher is racking its brains to find comic content with an appeal far beyond the comic book fan market, this is the way to go. One would assume that was part of the reason for Zuda's creation. Visiting their booth that was situated next to Minx & Vertigo, I wondered if they might have been better served in the webcomic section downstairs. But, then the question becomes -- is Zuda following the established webcomics model, or are they really trying to invent their own model?

Are they a "DC," or its own webcomics animal?

I would say, based on my personal observation, that the Minx/Vertigo/Zuda triumvirate is/is becoming as open, openminded, and creatively supportive as anything you could possibly find coming out of a large comics publisher. I think this is driven by the realization that the creation of truly creative content should lie with the creators. You can't just add water, heat and stir. Comics are not ramen noodles or Nestle Quik or instant oatmeal. You need innovative voices behind it, a pulse; you need to take a f**king chance.


It almost feels as if presently two DCs exist -- and the question is, which one will win out five years from now? The innovation, or the obsession with the past?

It's like McCain versus Obama. You know, I really don't dislike John McCain. In a lot of ways, I really respect the guy. But, if he becomes president and not Barack Obama, it's going to be depressing. Because, while I think McCain means well, it's going to be the same old s**t. And it can't be the same old s**t. Some people are so damn attached to the same old shit, but it's an unhealthy and unnatural attachment, and eventually it withers and rots on the vine.

Whatever the case, in five years a regularly updated webcomics feature will be a standard component of every comics publisher. If Zuda is a testing ground for new talent, the imprint itself seems to be a testing ground for the eventual future of the company.

(Oh, and for those who whine that I have a "conflict of interest" in even mentioning Zuda -- you know, I thought so too. That's why I held back from promoting them too much on the blog. And then I thought -- I'm getting slammed for even what little I do promote them. And that's when I realized: "You know f**k it. I'll promote them as much as I f**king want." Yes, I do have a vested interest in Zuda -- in making sure that it's legit, fair and treats its creators with dignity and respect. And it does. So if anybody would be in a position to know, it would be me. Zuda is biggest halo on DC's blessed corporate head. They treat their talent so well it blows my f**king mind. They've created a family environment between their creators and fans that has been absent in comics since around the time of Ask The Answer Man. I think this is a testament to Paul Levitz and his drive to legitimize graphic literature across genres. So unless you are in a position to really know what's going on...)

MoCCA Art Fest 2008: Introduction

Paping

Note: This is the first of several posts on MoCCA Art Fest and the Lulu Awards that I will be writing over the next few days.

MoCCA Art Fest 2008 began with an ambulance and ended with fire trucks; I don't position that as a criticism of the event, but as symptomatic of the intense energy an unique convention like this generates. And the f**king heat in NYC that weekend, let's not forget that.

The sheer number of wildly talented people at this function -- most unstamped by the Machine that can be mainstream comics production -- was absolutely staggering. At a regular comic book convention, you figure that a number of the tables are going to be comic book dealers, toy companies, movie promotions, etc. At MoCCA Art Fest, it's wall-to-wall talent.

My question: how do we sufficiently get the works from these talents into the hands of people who will appreciate them? In many cases this is not the audience who frequents mainstream comic book stores. Should these ultra-small press books -- many created by hand, stitched, block prints, etc -- even be distributed by Diamond? Is that the wrong model for this sort of work, anyway?


A lot of the DIY comics on display at MoCCA Art Fest should really be sold in gallery-type settings. We're talking one-of-a-kind and/or low print run. These are, for lack of a better term, "boutique" comics. Now, some artists might balk at that description because they think of their work as far more universal than that; I understand that. But, it's like saying oranges and bananas are both fruits. Yeah, they are. But they are not the same. Shifting gears from the mainstream event-of-the-week to a hand-stitched and -printed comic using an actual subway map as paper is quite a shift.

That said, there really needs to be mechanisms in place to focus on just these small-press books -- getting them properly distributed, helping some of these artists to promote and sell their work. But, that system also has to be set up so these artists get to keep as much as those profits as possible. These artists have to make a comfortable(ish) at least part-time living off their work so they can focus on producing more. We can't let these artists fall through the cracks and give up after putting out an issue or two because it's just too damn difficult to make ends meet, and that administrative 9-to-5 job behind the desk in Midtown Manhattan looks so alluring.

There has to be a bridge put in place for these people before they make it to Fantagraphics or Top Shelf or Vertigo or wherever -- so they can actually get there. And I know some of those bridges are already put in place, but there needs to be more.

I mean, my God -- it wasn't like there were a few diamonds-in-the-rough in a sea of self-published comics at this convention. Any talent-hunter, editor, etc would have their pick of at least 25-50 solid new talents minimum at MoCCA Art Fest.

***
Towards the end of the convention, a fire broke out in the basement of the building (something about the boiler). I of course found out about it on the seventh floor, as I was waiting in line to talk to Greg Pak, watching him sketch the Hulk. The MoCCA staff handled it really well, but it was still a bit worrisome. We picked up our bags, and the bags of friends we knew who weren't there at the moment, and evacuated the building.


A thought kept running through my head: a fire at a comic book convention would be most unfortunate and unlucky. Packed rooms full of paper.

Also -- here is our talent, a good portion of the future of comics, all in a building that's on fire.

***

I have to create something to help these artists market and promote their stuff.

12% Of Women Say Husband Reminds Them Of Homer Simpson

A poll on Parenting.com revealed that 12% of the women polled thought their husband reminded them of Homer Simpson.

However, a whopping 50% thought their hubby resembled Alan Harper -- played by Jon Cryer -- on the TV show Two and A Half Men.

Now, I don't know if you've ever seen Jon Cryer recently (say, post-1985) with his shirt off, but the guy is ripped. I don't know what it was with Brat Pack dudes like him and Anthony Michael Hall -- but I think the "nerd" thing totally made them work out.


In fact, I would go so far to say that if I had to pick between Jon Cryer and Charlie Sheen on Two And A Half Men, I'd go for Cryer.

Sheen is cute, but he has that look of a middle-aged guy trying to still look 25; and to me, Cryer's natural appearance is more winning. Sheen looks almost fragile on the show.

Oh, and 38% of women polled said that their husband reminded them of Ray Romano. Now, that is depressing.

Hot sitcom dad:

What Type Of Comic News Site Do You Prefer?

After looking at the new Newsarama, which is great but looks like the new CBR and the old Wizard, a question popped into my head: what type of comic book news website do you all prefer to read your comic news at?

Factors:

* lots of graphics, or less graphics and faster load time?

* only comic book coverage or more general pop-culture coverage?

* more columns, or more hard news stories?

* do you want more opinionated, edgy investigative reporting?

* do you fancy gossip columns, rumors, and spoilers?

* more interviews? more spontaneous/less scripted interviews?

* would you like to have the comic creators/editors speak directly to you in opinion pieces?

* do you crave more objectivity or subjectivity in the reporting?

* do you want more of a spread in terms of genres, or are you mostly interested in superheroes?

* what do you think of columnists/reporters who work for free as opposed to those paid on staff? do you think the fact of being paid encourages the writer in question to do better work?

* do Google ads pee on your parade?

* would you be interested in having regular readers give their own opinions in column of their own? should there be more opportunities for reader participation in general?

* what is your favorite comics or pop-culture news site? what site do you go to to get all your breaking comics news? or is it a mix?

* what do you dislike most in a comics news site?

* more cowbell? less cowbell?

Happy Birthday Sweetie!

Happy Birthday, DG!
Love,
V

The Stars Come Out To Support Lulu At MoCCA Art Fest

Big Apple Con won't be the only New York venue this weekend to feature big-name comic creators from your favorite Marvel & DC titles.

The Friends of Lulu table at MoCCA Art Fest will feature a number of talented artists and writers who are generously lending their support:

Saturday
Cliff Chiang: Green Arrow/Black Canary, Dr. Thirteen, Beware The Creeper
David Gallaher & Steve Ellis: High Moon
Jamal Igle: Tangent: Superman's Reign, Nightwing, Firestorm, Teen Titans
Alitha E. Martinez: Iron Man, Marvel Age's Fantastic Four, Yume and Ever
Dan Slott: Amazing Spiderman, Avengers: The Initiative, She-Hulk

Sunday:
Dennis Calero: Legion Of The Superheroes, X-Factor

Plus, Danielle Corsetto, creator of the very popular webcomic Girls With Slingshots, will be at the Lulu booth both days. She does amazing sketches and commissions, and you should really check her work out!


Really, this is an unique opportunity to meet these comic creators in a very creative, more intimate setting than a standard comic book convention. And MoCCA Art Fest is chock full of other great artists, signers, panels, and so much more.

MoCCA Art Fest is being held this weekend, June 7 & 8, at the Puck Building in Manhattan. Admission is $10 a day or $15 for a weekend pass. Please click here for more information.


And my thanks again to all these talented artists and writers who are taking the time out of their busy schedules to show their support!

Blogger Calls Joss Whedon's Firefly "Rapist's View Of The World"

As busy as I am, couldn't pass this one up.

LiveJournal user allecto claims that Joss Whedon's TV show Firefly is a "rapist's view of the world":

"I find much of Joss Whedon’s work to be heavily influenced by pornography, and pornographic humour. While I would argue that there are some aspects of Buffy: The Vampire Slayer that are feminist and progressive, there is much that isn’t and I find it highly problematic that there are many very woman-hating messages contained within a show that purports itself as feminism. But Firefly takes misogyny to a new level of terrifying. I am really, really worried that women can call the man who made this show a feminist."

Granted, I've only seen a handful of Firefly episodes. But what do all of you out there familiar with the series think of allecto's analysis? Are there anti-feminist themes in Firefly, or in the Buffyverse?

Bueller...Bueller...Bueller

Hey all, sorry I've been tardy/absent with my blogging today --

I'm up to my butt in planning for both MoCCA Art Fest and the Lulu Awards this weekend -- plus work -- and plus work that is sort of fun but in the end is also work. Lots of work. Workworkwork.

Somewhere in all of this, I have to find time to buy kitty litter. Or else...well, you don't want to know "or else." It involves lots of foul-smelling pee and my clothes. Or the couch. Or a nook with some comics in it that for some reason resembles a cat box.

A few "bullet points" on issues that have come up, as always love your two cents & feedback

• I am truly in awe of the brass pair of ovaries Hillary Clinton has. I mean really. Ruthless campaign, holds the nomination up until the very last vote, then says: "I should be Vice-President." Best part -- it's all politics all-around. Now Obama & Hillary are all smiles, are going to do joint appearances together, etc. Gotta love politics.

• Meanwhile, Erica Jong on Huffington Post writes, "...losing my last chance to see a woman in the White House feels like shit." And, "...it's clear that the faults we tolerate and even overlook in men, we see as glaring in women." I think the latter is true. But I really don't feel like shit. I really like Obama. So does George Lucas. Which reminds me of the cover of Rolling Stone a month or so ago, entitled "A New Hope." It all goes back to the realm of the fanboy, folks. Circle of life.
  

• So now Newsarama looks like every other big comics news site out there. Yay.....But seriously, it's a nice design, though one I fear the individual columns are going to get lost in. The rudimentary multi-link extravaganza of the good old days gave all these columns a lot more equal weight. Now you've got either somebody's weekly column or some big comic book movie to promote in those boxes on the "front page." What is going to get more space in this picture-dominated layout? Edward Norton in green contact lenses. Easy.

• So Howard Stern has made up with Rosie O'Donnell? This is like Armageddon.

• I know the winners of the Lulu Awards, I know the winners of the Lulu Awards...

• Dick Giordano's White Viper is debuting at Comic Mix this week and you should all check it out and show your support for this living legend...

• Ebay looks like it's unofficially phasing out their auctions in favor of buy-it-nows. This sort of sucks balls. I live for those auctions where for three bucks I can get 10 pounds of crap.
  

• Was going to see the Hulk movie today in one of those free preview things, but I'm really too bogged down with work. Always up to hearing some advance reviews, tho.

• OMG, it's New Comic Book Day already????

• Finally: buy official Ferris Bueller sneakers...
  

Minx Provides "Do Your Own Mini Comic" On Revamped Site

Just a quick bit --

DC's imprint Minx has revamped their website and now offers a mini-comic layout in PDF form so you can, in their words, "Tell Your Life In Pictures."

This is very exciting for me, as I now have a modest but structured template with which to put my modest but not incredibly awful comic drawing skills to use.

I figure that perhaps I can finish one 4-page mini-comic in time for the MoCCA Art Fest this weekend and either sell it or if that's sort of illegal because it's not my template at least give it away for good will.

Here are the topics I have been kicking around:

1) "My Friggin' Cat" -- about how my cat vomited in not one but both of my new shoes from Aerosoles, and my BF said he didn't mean to do it but he totally did because he was bitter about the salmon cat food.

2) "My Freaky-Ass Psychic Abilities" -- how I used to read tarot in Union Square park and these tourists from Chicago were totally freaked out because I was so accurate and then one of them took a photo of me because if the stuff came true he wanted to remember it but I was totally afraid this was just to get me arrested.

3) "Teenage Angst" -- like about when this friend from high-school explained to me all the basics regarding sex on a 15-minute bus ride and I was so freaked out because I was like "how could I have missed all this shit?" but you know how I could have missed it because I was reading @%##@% New Mutants and Peter Porker Spiderham that's how. And then later we almost got beaten up by this crazy woman.

4) "Oprah -- She's Wonderful" -- she really is wonderful. A biographical comic about real life.

So these are some thoughts. Please let me know if you have a preference.

Valiant/Acclaim's James Perham Passes Away

You know, being part of the comic book community is a funny thing...

2008 marks the ten year anniversary of Acclaim Comics' Manhattan office closing. I was going to originally write, "the ten year anniversary of Acclaim Comics closing," but that would not be accurate. The company went on for two years after that, based in Acclaim Entertainment's Long Island headquarters. But, in my mind, Acclaim Comics -- also known as Valiant Comics -- had effectively ended in 1998.

James Perham was literally the last Valiant/Acclaim person to remain at Acclaim Comics, trying to hold the fort and relaunch that comic book universe one last time with Unity 2000. It was fitting that James would stick to the very end, as he was, in many was, the heart and soul of Valiant/Acclaim. He was the the glue that held things together there, not only as its operations manager, but just as a dear friend and fellow comic book fan.

I had problems sleeping early this morning, and at 4:30 I woke up and checked my Blackberry. That's when I read that James had passed away this weekend.

I mulled this over in my head, letting it sink in. It had been a long time since I saw James. My mind flipped through the pages, remembering a dozen separate instances -- funny things James had said (he was very funny), kind things he had done. A person's life can be made up by these countless instances of performing such kindnesses -- even seemingly small ones -- to others.

Given the time that has passed, I didn't think it would really have an impact -- not like it would have been with people I am in touch with now, not like a family member. But, by 5:30, when I walked in a daze into my kitchen to start the coffee, I could almost watch myself turn away from the coffeemaker, crouch to the floor, and begin to cry.

As I said, being part of the comic book community is a funny thing...

Accessibility

From a Publisher's Weekly interview with Dan DiDio:

PWCW: The recent 50-cent special DC Universe 0 has taken some heat for being fairly inaccessible to people who weren’t hardcore DCU customers already. How did that issue end up being presented as a jumping-on point?

DD: My opinion is that DCU 0 was accessible to the people who understand and read comics and understand the stories and characters and world.

No, but seriously --

If the income generated from monthly floppies are not the bread-and-butter of a company like Time Warner -- if it's the intellectual property generated from the floppies that is the prize -- and DC fanboys and fangirls provide steady numbers and dollars for the floppies, how would it benefit the current regime to deviate from that?

I mean, seriously, if the comics themselves were selling millions of copies, and DC said -- "no, we don't want your millions, we want Kamandi!" -- then I could see how they were willfully screwing themselves.

But they are selling to people who in some instances buy $300 replica "museum quality" DC Direct items. They buy $100 absolute editions and $50 omnibuses and they go to Midtown Comics on a Wednesday and just pick these comics off the rack like they were grapes, a stack of new comics to devour the size of two phonebooks.

And they will buy anything. As long as it has the characters they love -- in the versions they loved as younger collectors -- in the comic.

That sort of readership feeds not only the DCU monthly floppy machine, it feeds the DC Direct machine and the DC Backlist machine.

Now, do I think lighting a fire under the DCU's ass on the level of what happened in 1999, 2000, 2001 at Marvel -- with Axel Alonso and Marvel Knights and making Captain America strong again and all that great new talent -- would benefit the company? It very well might.

But --

It's not necessary. I know it may seem, from where we sit, necessary that DC beat Marvel in sales. But, that is not what is really important to The Powers That Be. What is more important is that Marvel is kicking DC's ass in movies. That's what the Powers That Be care about.

Now, the movies are the macrocosm. Let's go back to the microcosm, the comics industry.

Is DC going to risk that nice, steady income from their monthly floppies by doing anything that might alienate the fans? Are they going to take that chance? Are they going to go with the "devil" they know, or the "devil" they don't?

It's like the Buffy The Vampire Slayer universe. It's not for everybody. And the comic is very successful -- but I don't find it that new-reader friendly either. You really have to be familiar with that mythos to understand and appreciate and, frankly, stomach it (it can be sooo emo!). But, how to make Buffy more new-reader friendly? Explain every issue, either explicitly or implicitly, all the bits and pieces of that tortured story? You alienate the hardcore fans this way. The hardcore fans just want to dive into the story like a mosh pit and get their rocks off.

That's what books like Final Crisis appeals to. It is a sticky yummy mosh pit of continuity and story for hardcore DC fans. It will have its ups and its downs, but it will be purchased.

As for courting new readers, that's what the other imprints are for -- far easier to experiment with webcomics and manga than it is with that Justice League comic that brings in the steady numbers every month.

But don't get me started on how they offered a second printing of DC Universe 0 for $1.00. That's where, for me, the sidewalk ends and I get cranky.

Movie & TV Clip IM App Seeks Beta Testers!

I'm totally obsessed with movie & TV video clips and have been trying to figure out how to use them in online conversation for some time now. The closest thing I've ever gotten was to put YouTube embeds in a blog post, but that has been kind of clunky and it's been hard to get the short video clips I've been looking for.

PopTok has a new IM application that makes it easy -- you just drag and drop the little video clip you need. So instead of typing in "LOL" I might drop in Bugs Bunny asking "ain't I a stinker?" in my IM message -- an animated clip from the actual classic "Duck Amuck" cartoon. And then I can sign off with "That's All, Folks!"

In addition to Looney Tunes, PopTok features clips from 40-Year-Old Virgin, Basic Instinct, Hot Fuzz, Comic Book Villains, and a bunch more. And all clips are officially licensed by the movie studios.

PopTok is currently taking in a limited number of beta testers to try it out before their big launch. If anybody is interested, and has a PC and uses either AIM or Windows Live Messenger, please email me here for more info.

I figure the next step would be that if enough of us signed up & downloaded the IM application, we can all touch base and choose a time to send each other messages to try this out. I'm such a big nerd about these movie clip things that I think it would be a lot of fun.

Postscript: That scene in "Duck Amuck" where the camera pulls back from Daffy to reveal Bugs at the drawing table is probably one of my all-time favorites in cartoon history. That was like a M. Night Shyamalan ending before they ever existed. Wasn't there a cartoon after that where the tables were turned on Bugs and Elmer was at the drawing table? Or am I just imagining that?

Nirvana Has Been Reached --

Everything I have worked toward has been achieved. My head asplodes.

Cult Movie Songs: The Original Music Videos

This was inspired by my search for the original song for the crash scene in Death Proof on YouTube. Here is a selection of original "music videos" for songs from cult movies:

Death Proof: "Hold Tight," Dave Dee, Dosy, Beaky, Mick & Tich


Blow: "Black Betty," Ram Jam


The Craft/Charmed The TV Series: "How Soon Is Now?," The Smiths


Donnie Darko: "Never Tear Us Apart," INXS


Reservoir Dogs: "Stuck In The Middle With You," Stealer's Wheel


The Big Lebowski: "Condition," Kenny Rogers And The First Edition


American Psycho: "Hip To Be Square," Huey Lewis And The News


Boogie Nights: "It's A Living Thing," ELO


Trainspotting: "Lust For Life," Iggy Pop


Say Anything: "In Your Eyes," Peter Gabriel

Hillary: The Terminator

I spent a good portion of the day yesterday watching the Democratic National Committee try to sort this whole Florida/Michigan voting mess out, a spectacle that made me want to flush my eyes with lye and put yarn needles in my ears.

And one thing that has become increasingly clear to me: I am both in awe and in horror of Hillary Rodham Clinton.

Hillary: The Agony
The horror is obvious. After two Republican terms that nearly gutted this country, the fact that she would rather risk another by eating into the Democrats' campaigning time and splitting the vote is unforgivable. Related to this is that she has done more (purposely or not) to highlight race and polarize the voters accordingly than anything that the Republicans would dare to do.

Another horror, at least to me, is that this is our most viable female candidate for President to date. Great. And she's trying to make this about "women's suffrage" (when she isn't trying to make it about those "hardworking people, white people").


Hillary: The Ecstasy
But honestly, I'm totally in awe of her as well. Not even in a sarcastic way.

She is so over-the-top in focus, so seemingly bulletproof to the massive amounts of criticism thrown her way, so singlemindedly determined to become president...that it is, all the damage to the rest of the country aside, kind of impressive. It's like Terminator.


I mean, she is going after her dream -- NO MATTER WHAT!

It seems hopeless for her -- but she's moving forward to the bitter end, unwilling to accept defeat.


"Never say die, honey."
Isn't she simply doing what those self-help books and common parental wisdom everywhere have extolled for just about forever?


"Don't quit."
"Don't give up on your dreams."
"Just do the best you can and don't give up."
"If you can dream it, you can be it."
"It's always darkest before the dawn."
"Nothing's impossible."
"Little train that could; choochoochoochoo..."



Hillary: Escape From The Death Star
But, wouldn't we want a president that fights so passionately and without yield? If we were in a war, would we want the president that considers both sides of the argument and concedes that we might lose, or the one that megalomaniacally pursues our nation's victory at all costs and by any and all means at our disposal?


Or would she, in the heat of battle, jet like Darth Vader at the end of Episode Four, pull out from the Death Star as the credits rolled?


Great Women (and Men) In Popular Culture
Whatever the case, I would not count Hillary out until not only the official Democratic candidate has been selected, but she has ceased her legal appeals as well. It's like Michael Myers at the end of those "Halloween" movies, how you think he's dead but then he comes back, jumps out, reappears, revives.


And yeah, in spite of everything, I still think if Hillary was a man she wouldn't be as hated. I mean, pop-culture seems to think people like Donald Trump are adorable. Who are our female Donald Trumps? Martha Stewart? We know what happened to her.


Oprah? If Oprah didn't have her warm-and-fuzzy approach (and a helpful monthly magazine chock full of tips on how I can love myself more), would she be as hated as Hillary? And she still has been attacked in the media as of late, amid speculation that her "empire is over."

That is why I would like to opt-out of the gender thing and be hated solely based on my own merit.


Postscript: I love Donna Brazile: can she run for something?
Brazile on the Colbert Report:
"Look, I'm a woman, so I like Hillary. I'm black; I like Obama. But I'm also grumpy, so I like John McCain."

And more recently:
"I have pissed off just about every state in my career."

And yesterday:
"My momma taught me to play by the rules."