Some of you may remember me posting not too long ago that I didn't get an editing job I wanted and needed. Well, an opening became available and I got one after all!
I am the PR editor for silverbulletcomics.com, and it is a paying position, though freelance. It's something I enjoy doing and it's right up my alley.
So with all the bad stuff going on something good came out of it!
I'll post another update on my brother later tonight or tomorrow morning.
B-Out
Monday, July 31, 2006
CBRunway Round 3 Vote
The voting thread is open. If you like my design then please vote.
Click the post title to be taken to the voting thread.
Thanks!
B-Out
Click the post title to be taken to the voting thread.
Thanks!
B-Out
My Brother's Progress
We had a ton of visitors come over today. Tomorrow is Zach's best friend Tony's birthday, who had his party today. Well, several of the kids left the party to come visit Zach, and they brought him a burger and cake. It was really cool and it made Zach feel a lot better. His new girlfriend of two weeks, Courtney (a knock-out...I'm so proud. :) ) even gave him a kiss on the cheek. :)
He ate pretty good last night and today, so that was good. He also finally took a bath and washed his hair, which still stunk of vomit. Turns out there were dead ants in it too! For five days! Yuck! But all is good now, and he's feeling a bit better. He can also hear out of his ear a little bit, so things are looking good all around.
His head of course is still in a lot of pain, and it will be for at least two weeks. It's still hard to see him go through all that pain and suffering, but he did learn his lesson I believe. He keeps telling his friends it will be a long while before he skates again.
His aunt works in the school where he will be attending, and she was able to pull his schedule early to make sure he didn't have PE the first 9 weeks. Luckily he doesn't have it until the third 9 weeks, so that works out really well and gives him more time to recover. He also found out he has a lot of classes with his best friend Tony, which was cool, and one class with our cousin.
God has truly blessed and continues to bless in this situation. I'll keep you all updated as things move along.
Brant
He ate pretty good last night and today, so that was good. He also finally took a bath and washed his hair, which still stunk of vomit. Turns out there were dead ants in it too! For five days! Yuck! But all is good now, and he's feeling a bit better. He can also hear out of his ear a little bit, so things are looking good all around.
His head of course is still in a lot of pain, and it will be for at least two weeks. It's still hard to see him go through all that pain and suffering, but he did learn his lesson I believe. He keeps telling his friends it will be a long while before he skates again.
His aunt works in the school where he will be attending, and she was able to pull his schedule early to make sure he didn't have PE the first 9 weeks. Luckily he doesn't have it until the third 9 weeks, so that works out really well and gives him more time to recover. He also found out he has a lot of classes with his best friend Tony, which was cool, and one class with our cousin.
God has truly blessed and continues to bless in this situation. I'll keep you all updated as things move along.
Brant
CBRunway Round 3 Entry
When the accident happened I dropped out of this contest, but the moderator left it open in case I could make the deadline. Tonight I managed to get about 45 minutes to draw, and I made the deadline with 3 minutes to spare!
The art isn't that great due to the time factor, but I'm confident in the concept. This round we had to redesign Lady Death for an all ages/mainstream audience, so I went with this:
This was quite a challenge for me, because I had never read Lady Death ever, and I had only seen the character's skimpy outfits and knew nothing about her. So I had to use some of that 45 minutes to do a bit of research. Given the outfit and the thought of changing her for a broader audience, I had to make some changes to her origin and story.
Conceptually I started thinking about Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Charmed for points of reference on how to make Lady Death more mainstream. But of course not everything could change to keep it true to the character.
In this updated version, Hope is the daughter of an angel (her mother) and a demon (fallen angel - Matthias), both disguised as humans prior to the conception of Hope. Hope lives with her mother into her teens until her mother dies. She then goes to live with her father, who has deceived the church, but the people see through him.
As the people hunt him down he disappears, but they corner his daughter, who casts a spell her father taught her, and it conjurs a demon. The demon tricks Hope into giving up her soul in exchange for saving her life. (Here's where the story changes some).
Hope overthrows the demon lord that tricked her, but Lucifer is aware of her existence. Such a union between angel and demon that was between her parents is forbidden, but it also makes Hope an anomaly. She is powerful beyond imagination. She is the key to the war between Heaven and Hell. Lucifer wishes to exploit that, so he charges her to become the angel of death and destroy all human life to regain her eternal soul.
Hope is on a quest to overthrow Lucifer, and so she targets the scum of the earth, evil doers, sorcerors, and those that are deep into witchcraft, or possessed to keep up appearances for Lucifer. But she is secretly killing off demons to get to the head honcho to take him out.
In her civilian life, Hope is a college student who has befriended a clan of students who happen to know a lot about religious practices, so she enlists their help in her war on Hell.
As for the costume, I wanted to stay true to the concept with the leather jacket and skulls, but still make it more realistic and believable. I made it kind of a rocker chick/bad girl outfit with the jacket and boots, and the skull choker and belt buckle. And the shirt I made a deep red with a heart skull to further compliment the motif. Of course she wears normal clothes during her classes and such.
So that's my take on it, and with a little more development I think it could actually be a really cool new take on the character that Mr. Pulido might want to consider! :)
B-Out
The art isn't that great due to the time factor, but I'm confident in the concept. This round we had to redesign Lady Death for an all ages/mainstream audience, so I went with this:
This was quite a challenge for me, because I had never read Lady Death ever, and I had only seen the character's skimpy outfits and knew nothing about her. So I had to use some of that 45 minutes to do a bit of research. Given the outfit and the thought of changing her for a broader audience, I had to make some changes to her origin and story.
Conceptually I started thinking about Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Charmed for points of reference on how to make Lady Death more mainstream. But of course not everything could change to keep it true to the character.
In this updated version, Hope is the daughter of an angel (her mother) and a demon (fallen angel - Matthias), both disguised as humans prior to the conception of Hope. Hope lives with her mother into her teens until her mother dies. She then goes to live with her father, who has deceived the church, but the people see through him.
As the people hunt him down he disappears, but they corner his daughter, who casts a spell her father taught her, and it conjurs a demon. The demon tricks Hope into giving up her soul in exchange for saving her life. (Here's where the story changes some).
Hope overthrows the demon lord that tricked her, but Lucifer is aware of her existence. Such a union between angel and demon that was between her parents is forbidden, but it also makes Hope an anomaly. She is powerful beyond imagination. She is the key to the war between Heaven and Hell. Lucifer wishes to exploit that, so he charges her to become the angel of death and destroy all human life to regain her eternal soul.
Hope is on a quest to overthrow Lucifer, and so she targets the scum of the earth, evil doers, sorcerors, and those that are deep into witchcraft, or possessed to keep up appearances for Lucifer. But she is secretly killing off demons to get to the head honcho to take him out.
In her civilian life, Hope is a college student who has befriended a clan of students who happen to know a lot about religious practices, so she enlists their help in her war on Hell.
As for the costume, I wanted to stay true to the concept with the leather jacket and skulls, but still make it more realistic and believable. I made it kind of a rocker chick/bad girl outfit with the jacket and boots, and the skull choker and belt buckle. And the shirt I made a deep red with a heart skull to further compliment the motif. Of course she wears normal clothes during her classes and such.
So that's my take on it, and with a little more development I think it could actually be a really cool new take on the character that Mr. Pulido might want to consider! :)
B-Out
Sunday, July 30, 2006
Kansas Hit Withdraws from Idol Contest
Not only due to my situation, but also due to other situations within the lives of other team members, we were forced to withdraw from the Small Press Idol contest.
But our team has such a chemistry and synergy that we have decided to stay together and see this project through 'til the end. It just won't come as fast as we would have liked.
Keep checking the Kansas Hit blog for updates on the property and where you will be able to purchase it when it does come out.
Thank you for all the support you all have given us throughout the competition, it means so much to us.
Cary, you have been a friend for a few years now, and working with you has been a great pleasure, and I am thrilled we will continue working together throughout the life of this project.
Jerry, you are a machine, my friend, and your contributions and personality meshed so well with us. You added a lot to this team.
Doug, you and Jerry combined to make beautiful imagery and you also just fit so well with the rest of us.
We are an awesome team together, and whether it be KH or some other project, it is an honor to work with each of you.
In the words of Stan Lee, Excelsior!
B-Out
But our team has such a chemistry and synergy that we have decided to stay together and see this project through 'til the end. It just won't come as fast as we would have liked.
Keep checking the Kansas Hit blog for updates on the property and where you will be able to purchase it when it does come out.
Thank you for all the support you all have given us throughout the competition, it means so much to us.
Cary, you have been a friend for a few years now, and working with you has been a great pleasure, and I am thrilled we will continue working together throughout the life of this project.
Jerry, you are a machine, my friend, and your contributions and personality meshed so well with us. You added a lot to this team.
Doug, you and Jerry combined to make beautiful imagery and you also just fit so well with the rest of us.
We are an awesome team together, and whether it be KH or some other project, it is an honor to work with each of you.
In the words of Stan Lee, Excelsior!
B-Out
The Latest on my Brother
There's not much to report today.
The day he came home he was supposed to be released early in the day, but he started throwing up again. They wouldn't let him go as long as he was throwing up. By afternoon it seemed like he was finally well enough to go, so that's when we got to take him home.
The night he got home from the hospital he ate a soft taco from Taco Bell, because that's what he wanted. Yesterday though he wasn't hungry at all. He ate a couple of graham crackers and a couple of animal crackers all day. Some family stopped by, and after they left around 8 pm he finally got hungry and ate his other soft taco from the day before.
About 30 minutes later he got hungry again and we went out and got him two more soft tacos, and he ate them both! So far everything has stayed down, so that's a really good sign.
However, evidently after I had gone to bed (and I guess I was in a deep, deep sleep because Mom couldn't wake me up) his head started hurting really bad, so he had a pretty rough night.
For the most part he's doing well, but just continue to uplift him in your thoughts and prayers please.
Today some of his friends are coming by, and I'm sure family will be in and out. So that's where I'll be. Tomorrow things may get back to normal a little bit, then again they may not. Regardless, I'll keep you all updated here. Thanks.
Brant
The day he came home he was supposed to be released early in the day, but he started throwing up again. They wouldn't let him go as long as he was throwing up. By afternoon it seemed like he was finally well enough to go, so that's when we got to take him home.
The night he got home from the hospital he ate a soft taco from Taco Bell, because that's what he wanted. Yesterday though he wasn't hungry at all. He ate a couple of graham crackers and a couple of animal crackers all day. Some family stopped by, and after they left around 8 pm he finally got hungry and ate his other soft taco from the day before.
About 30 minutes later he got hungry again and we went out and got him two more soft tacos, and he ate them both! So far everything has stayed down, so that's a really good sign.
However, evidently after I had gone to bed (and I guess I was in a deep, deep sleep because Mom couldn't wake me up) his head started hurting really bad, so he had a pretty rough night.
For the most part he's doing well, but just continue to uplift him in your thoughts and prayers please.
Today some of his friends are coming by, and I'm sure family will be in and out. So that's where I'll be. Tomorrow things may get back to normal a little bit, then again they may not. Regardless, I'll keep you all updated here. Thanks.
Brant
Indy-Pendant #58
Thanks to Chuck Kennedy for filling in for me again this week due to the situation that occurred with my brother.
This week he covers The Escapists, Shark-Man and Highlander.
Click the post title to check it out.
B-Out
This week he covers The Escapists, Shark-Man and Highlander.
Click the post title to check it out.
B-Out
Saturday, July 29, 2006
Yet Another Update on my Brother
Zach is home now, but we have to watch him for a couple of weeks to make sure he acts normal. The fracture to his skull, as it turns out, was a hairline fracture, but it was at the base of the brain. The gash on the back of his head turned out not to be as bad as they thought and didn't require stitches, Praise God. He still can't hear out of his left ear, and there is a possibility he has nerve damage in it. If he still can't hear out of it in two weeks we have to take him to see a neurosurgeon.
Zach told us last night that God told him his ear would be better today. He's still sleeping, but we're believing that. And as delirious as that may sound to some, we believe strongly in God's healing, and have experienced it, so that was a good thing.
He can't be active for a month and a half, and we have to watch him to make sure spinal fluid doesn't come out of his ear and nose, and that the place on the back of his head doesn't start bleeding profusely.
So far he's kept all his food down, and even ate a whole soft taco from Taco Bell, which is the most he's eaten at one time. Everything is looking good so far, and we do feel prayers were answered!
Two of my cousins went to the mall last night and bought Zach the same exact clothes that got ruined and cut off in the aftermath of the accident. It was really sweet, and Zach was really touched. They also got him a new shirt, which is really cool and he loved. They had also told the guy in Cosmic, the name of the store in the mall, what had happened, and as they were leaving the guy chased them down and gave them a free shirt to give him. We decided to have all of his friends that came over to see him to sign the shirt as they would have a cast, so that was also really cool.
For pain he's only allowed to have ibuprofen, and his head is still very senstive. We have to keep it dark and quiet for him, but aside from that everything is looking good so far. Of course it will be trying the next couple of weeks at least, but we are hoping, praying and believing for a full speedy recovery.
This of course was very hard on all of us, and we appreciate the continue prayers and support. Thank you to everyone who has commented on the blog or emailed me, you have no idea how much it means to me and my family.
Brant
Zach told us last night that God told him his ear would be better today. He's still sleeping, but we're believing that. And as delirious as that may sound to some, we believe strongly in God's healing, and have experienced it, so that was a good thing.
He can't be active for a month and a half, and we have to watch him to make sure spinal fluid doesn't come out of his ear and nose, and that the place on the back of his head doesn't start bleeding profusely.
So far he's kept all his food down, and even ate a whole soft taco from Taco Bell, which is the most he's eaten at one time. Everything is looking good so far, and we do feel prayers were answered!
Two of my cousins went to the mall last night and bought Zach the same exact clothes that got ruined and cut off in the aftermath of the accident. It was really sweet, and Zach was really touched. They also got him a new shirt, which is really cool and he loved. They had also told the guy in Cosmic, the name of the store in the mall, what had happened, and as they were leaving the guy chased them down and gave them a free shirt to give him. We decided to have all of his friends that came over to see him to sign the shirt as they would have a cast, so that was also really cool.
For pain he's only allowed to have ibuprofen, and his head is still very senstive. We have to keep it dark and quiet for him, but aside from that everything is looking good so far. Of course it will be trying the next couple of weeks at least, but we are hoping, praying and believing for a full speedy recovery.
This of course was very hard on all of us, and we appreciate the continue prayers and support. Thank you to everyone who has commented on the blog or emailed me, you have no idea how much it means to me and my family.
Brant
Friday, July 28, 2006
Another Update on my Brother
I am just now coming home from being at the hospital for roughly 17 hours straight, and I have been up without sleep for nearly 41 hours straight! I have only come home to crash so I can be refreshed for tomorrow.
Speaking of which, tomorrow my brother MAY be able to come home! Some prayers have been answered as the gash on the back of his head turned out to not be so bad, and will most likely not require stitches. This also means my brother gets to keep all his poofy hair!
Today when I arrived Zach was answering all kinds of questions, and adding more of his own and answering them, so he seemed very coherent. He's understandably been grumpy and short with everyone including the nurses, which they get a kick out of. But he has been completely cooperative. At one point they told him to roll over on his side, the next he was administered tylenol anally without warning! He didn't too much care for that.
Overall, he was pretty coherent and he knew where he was, why he was there, and he spoke to everyone. He was even cracking jokes and being his goofy self. It was great to see. He did still sleep a lot and drifted in and out all day, so he's getting plenty of rest. And most of his food and drink stayed down today, so all was looking well.
They moved him from the ER to a trauma room between the time I left last night and the time I got there this morning. They quickly (within about three hours) moved him again to a private room on the children's ICU because he had so many visitors coming in and out.
But so far things are looking good. He even stood up and walked just a little bit today, which is what they wanted him to do. He still feels dizzy and his head hurts really bad, which is all to be expected. He won't be allowed to do anything physical for 4-6 weeks, which means he gets excused from Gym if he has it first semester. I think they're going to shift it around.
It's still very unclear what exactly happened as we have been told several conflicting stories, and the fact is only 4 boys were present: My brother, his best friend Tony, and two other friends, one a skater, one not. We don't know if Zach just fell or if one of the other boys accidentally caused the fall, or what.
Several of his friends stayed all night and most of the day, and others, along with family members, popped in and out throughout the day. My Mom has been awake nearly as long as I have, maybe shy 3 hours give or take. She has one person staying with her tonight, so hopefully she'll get a little bit of rest. I figured one of us needed to get some decent sleep just in case Zach does come home, and since she doesn't want to leave his side, here I am.
Thank you all so much for all your prayers and support, you have no idea how much it means to us. God bless you all.
Brant
Speaking of which, tomorrow my brother MAY be able to come home! Some prayers have been answered as the gash on the back of his head turned out to not be so bad, and will most likely not require stitches. This also means my brother gets to keep all his poofy hair!
Today when I arrived Zach was answering all kinds of questions, and adding more of his own and answering them, so he seemed very coherent. He's understandably been grumpy and short with everyone including the nurses, which they get a kick out of. But he has been completely cooperative. At one point they told him to roll over on his side, the next he was administered tylenol anally without warning! He didn't too much care for that.
Overall, he was pretty coherent and he knew where he was, why he was there, and he spoke to everyone. He was even cracking jokes and being his goofy self. It was great to see. He did still sleep a lot and drifted in and out all day, so he's getting plenty of rest. And most of his food and drink stayed down today, so all was looking well.
They moved him from the ER to a trauma room between the time I left last night and the time I got there this morning. They quickly (within about three hours) moved him again to a private room on the children's ICU because he had so many visitors coming in and out.
But so far things are looking good. He even stood up and walked just a little bit today, which is what they wanted him to do. He still feels dizzy and his head hurts really bad, which is all to be expected. He won't be allowed to do anything physical for 4-6 weeks, which means he gets excused from Gym if he has it first semester. I think they're going to shift it around.
It's still very unclear what exactly happened as we have been told several conflicting stories, and the fact is only 4 boys were present: My brother, his best friend Tony, and two other friends, one a skater, one not. We don't know if Zach just fell or if one of the other boys accidentally caused the fall, or what.
Several of his friends stayed all night and most of the day, and others, along with family members, popped in and out throughout the day. My Mom has been awake nearly as long as I have, maybe shy 3 hours give or take. She has one person staying with her tonight, so hopefully she'll get a little bit of rest. I figured one of us needed to get some decent sleep just in case Zach does come home, and since she doesn't want to leave his side, here I am.
Thank you all so much for all your prayers and support, you have no idea how much it means to us. God bless you all.
Brant
Thursday, July 27, 2006
Update on my Brother
Well, I wish my 300th post could be on a more upbeat note, but such is not the case.
My brother was taken by helicopter from our rinky dink hospital to UK in Lexington because they have a trauma center. He has a huge gash in the back of his head that will require stitches. He also has a skull fracture over his left ear.
My entire family (aunts, uncles, cousins...) that live here were at the hospital. He's not really awake, and he doesn't remember much of anything. He knows he fell and he knows he's in the hospital. He also recognized us all, so that's good. So far things look okay, but there's always that chance there could be damage to the brain. We are praying against that.
Needless to say, I am really torn up about this as this is my little brother, and seeing him lie there in a hospital bed helpless is tearing me up inside. I've had to keep a straight face and stay strong for my mom and the rest of the family, but now that I'm alone for a second I'm gonna have a big cry to get it out of my system.
I am only home for a minute to eat something and take a shower, then I'm going back to Lexington to be with my brother. I love him so much.
And so does everyone else. Several of his friends came all the way from Winchester to see him, and one of them's even staying all night. All his friend's parents love him to death and think the world of him. It's really encouraging to see how much attention he gets.
Luckily just about everyone has been able to go back and see him even though he's not in a private room. He's still in the emergency room, and they still haven't made a big fuss. At first they wouldn't even let me back, which upset me some. But now it's all good.
We keep joking that what's going to tick Zach off the most is having his hair cut to put in the stitches. He has really long curly hair, kind of a white-boy skater fro, and everybody loves his hair. They call him Poofy. He gets mad if you even mention getting the dead ends cut off. And right before school starts in less than two weeks they have to cut it off. He's going to be ticked. Not to mention they had to cut his brand new clothes off he just bought at the mall with his birthday money. I'm talked $60 jeans and a $20 shirt, and the entire front of his $60 shoes tore open. But I'd rather he be bald and nude than be hurt any worse than he already is.
What happened as I understand it from the only kid I've talked to who was there, and is Zach's best friend, a good kid, is that all Zach was doing was riding down a hill when his board started wobbling. He lost his balance and tried to spin to land on his side, but spun around too far and smacked the back and side of his head on the pavement.
You all can imagine how hard it is to see him lying there. I was 15 when he was born and then his father passed away three months later. Mom then had to go back to work, and I had to help raise him. I was with him more than anybody for the first several years of his life. We have a bond that goes stronger than your average siblings, and it is killing me inside to see this happen. I'm trying my hardest to stay positive, it's just so hard.
Please continue to keep Zach in your prayers and thoughts. Thank you very much and God bless!
Brant
My brother was taken by helicopter from our rinky dink hospital to UK in Lexington because they have a trauma center. He has a huge gash in the back of his head that will require stitches. He also has a skull fracture over his left ear.
My entire family (aunts, uncles, cousins...) that live here were at the hospital. He's not really awake, and he doesn't remember much of anything. He knows he fell and he knows he's in the hospital. He also recognized us all, so that's good. So far things look okay, but there's always that chance there could be damage to the brain. We are praying against that.
Needless to say, I am really torn up about this as this is my little brother, and seeing him lie there in a hospital bed helpless is tearing me up inside. I've had to keep a straight face and stay strong for my mom and the rest of the family, but now that I'm alone for a second I'm gonna have a big cry to get it out of my system.
I am only home for a minute to eat something and take a shower, then I'm going back to Lexington to be with my brother. I love him so much.
And so does everyone else. Several of his friends came all the way from Winchester to see him, and one of them's even staying all night. All his friend's parents love him to death and think the world of him. It's really encouraging to see how much attention he gets.
Luckily just about everyone has been able to go back and see him even though he's not in a private room. He's still in the emergency room, and they still haven't made a big fuss. At first they wouldn't even let me back, which upset me some. But now it's all good.
We keep joking that what's going to tick Zach off the most is having his hair cut to put in the stitches. He has really long curly hair, kind of a white-boy skater fro, and everybody loves his hair. They call him Poofy. He gets mad if you even mention getting the dead ends cut off. And right before school starts in less than two weeks they have to cut it off. He's going to be ticked. Not to mention they had to cut his brand new clothes off he just bought at the mall with his birthday money. I'm talked $60 jeans and a $20 shirt, and the entire front of his $60 shoes tore open. But I'd rather he be bald and nude than be hurt any worse than he already is.
What happened as I understand it from the only kid I've talked to who was there, and is Zach's best friend, a good kid, is that all Zach was doing was riding down a hill when his board started wobbling. He lost his balance and tried to spin to land on his side, but spun around too far and smacked the back and side of his head on the pavement.
You all can imagine how hard it is to see him lying there. I was 15 when he was born and then his father passed away three months later. Mom then had to go back to work, and I had to help raise him. I was with him more than anybody for the first several years of his life. We have a bond that goes stronger than your average siblings, and it is killing me inside to see this happen. I'm trying my hardest to stay positive, it's just so hard.
Please continue to keep Zach in your prayers and thoughts. Thank you very much and God bless!
Brant
Wednesday, July 26, 2006
Skateboarding Accident
We were just informed by a police officer who came to our door that my brother hit his head while skateboarding. Evidently he busted it open a little and will need stitches. Beyond that I don't know how serious it is. Please keep him in your prayers. I'll update here as soon as I know more. Thanks.
B-Out
B-Out
Myth Conceptions
The column is finally up thanks to Matthew Summo, and it looks great!
This week is my six month anniversary of doing the column, so I wanted to do something special. So what I did was go through as much SDCC stuff as I could and pulled out quite a few highlights and gave my thoughts on some of them.
Click the title post to read the column, and if you feel so inclined, comment on the forums in this thread: Myth Conceptions Forum.
Thanks and Enjoy!
B-Out
Tuesday, July 25, 2006
Myth Conceptions Late
This week's Myth Conceptions column won't go up until tomorrow afternoon. I got it in on time, it's just being used to train a new editor at the site, who ironically is now holding one of the positions I didn't get that I mentioned yesterday. :(
So that's what's up with that. Just thought you all would like to know.
B-Out
So that's what's up with that. Just thought you all would like to know.
B-Out
Monday, July 24, 2006
Ups & Downs
Figured I'd take a minute to sum up some highs and lows of the day. There aren't many, so this should be a short post. Of course we all know how wordy I can get. So here we go.
Up
I finally got a chance to read Archenemies #4, and it was quite a good issue with a quite a great cliffhanger going into the next mini. Kudos, Drew!
Down
I didn't get this side editing position I really, really wanted and needed, and I'm really bummed about it.
Up
I finished two lettering projects last night/this morning.
Down
Both need corrections, and they're my fault. Sigh.
Up
I wrote some more of my first fanfic that I hope to debut when my site goes live.
Down
I have a ton of other stuff I should be writing instead, but I just can't seem to get in the groove.
Up
I moved some stuff to disk today to clear up some space.
Down
I still don't have enough space and I'm running out of disks.
Up
I hear Booker T won the world title on the PPV last night.
Down
I hear Rey Mysterio lost the world title on the PPV last night.
Up
I ate some A-1 steak sauce on grilled chicken today. YUMMY!
Down
It's all gone. :(
Up
I wrote a very long column on the SDCC that should post sometime today, but hasn't yet.
Down
Did I mention that editing position I didn't get? Yeah, I'm really bummed about that one. :(
An another note, I am really contemplating doing the sequentials I keep promising will debut with the website. I have started them, but my heart's just not in them. I got to thinking about the sequentials I've drawn in the past, and it dawned on me that aside from one issue I did of a new G.I. Joe team I made up with existing characters, and the cameos of Spider-Man, Green Goblin, Doc Ock and Darkhawk I put in stories with my own characters, I've never drawn any full sequentials of anything but my own characters!
Now this isn't to say I couldn't or wouldn't, it just hasn't happened yet. This also means with the exception of one single sequential page, I have never drawn from someone else's script! I've learned in trying to do these Noble Causes pages that it's quite different working on someone else's stuff.
It just bums me out because I used to be so into my art. At one point, about ten years ago, I actually drew 19 pages in one day, with backgrounds. One page was an intense metropolitan city skyview shot even. Drawing was my life! Now it feels like every time I sit down to draw it's a chore and it takes the joy away from it.
If anyone has any advice for me please shout it out to me as I need it. Not that I will ever pursue drawing comics as a living anymore, because I'm afraid it will take me years to get that good, but I still do at least hope to draw my own series someday. And more than that I just want to find the love for it again.
See, told ya I was wordy. I'll spare you anymore though...for now.
B-Out
Up
I finally got a chance to read Archenemies #4, and it was quite a good issue with a quite a great cliffhanger going into the next mini. Kudos, Drew!
Down
I didn't get this side editing position I really, really wanted and needed, and I'm really bummed about it.
Up
I finished two lettering projects last night/this morning.
Down
Both need corrections, and they're my fault. Sigh.
Up
I wrote some more of my first fanfic that I hope to debut when my site goes live.
Down
I have a ton of other stuff I should be writing instead, but I just can't seem to get in the groove.
Up
I moved some stuff to disk today to clear up some space.
Down
I still don't have enough space and I'm running out of disks.
Up
I hear Booker T won the world title on the PPV last night.
Down
I hear Rey Mysterio lost the world title on the PPV last night.
Up
I ate some A-1 steak sauce on grilled chicken today. YUMMY!
Down
It's all gone. :(
Up
I wrote a very long column on the SDCC that should post sometime today, but hasn't yet.
Down
Did I mention that editing position I didn't get? Yeah, I'm really bummed about that one. :(
An another note, I am really contemplating doing the sequentials I keep promising will debut with the website. I have started them, but my heart's just not in them. I got to thinking about the sequentials I've drawn in the past, and it dawned on me that aside from one issue I did of a new G.I. Joe team I made up with existing characters, and the cameos of Spider-Man, Green Goblin, Doc Ock and Darkhawk I put in stories with my own characters, I've never drawn any full sequentials of anything but my own characters!
Now this isn't to say I couldn't or wouldn't, it just hasn't happened yet. This also means with the exception of one single sequential page, I have never drawn from someone else's script! I've learned in trying to do these Noble Causes pages that it's quite different working on someone else's stuff.
It just bums me out because I used to be so into my art. At one point, about ten years ago, I actually drew 19 pages in one day, with backgrounds. One page was an intense metropolitan city skyview shot even. Drawing was my life! Now it feels like every time I sit down to draw it's a chore and it takes the joy away from it.
If anyone has any advice for me please shout it out to me as I need it. Not that I will ever pursue drawing comics as a living anymore, because I'm afraid it will take me years to get that good, but I still do at least hope to draw my own series someday. And more than that I just want to find the love for it again.
See, told ya I was wordy. I'll spare you anymore though...for now.
B-Out
Sunday, July 23, 2006
Indy-Pendant #57
This is Chuck's last week filling in, and he once again delivered with a review of a book talked about in all the convention news, Rosario Dawson's OCT!
Go check it out by clicking the post title. Then make sure you come back next week for the return of the beloved Gonzogoose!
B-Out
Saturday, July 22, 2006
Movies and Boredom
Over the past week or two I've gotten a chance to catch up on some movies and figured since I'm bored out of my mind right now I'd talk about them for lack of a better topic.
I could have talked about all the SDCC stuff, but seeing as how I've read maybe one news item amdist the hundreds out there now I'm not yet qualified. Maybe Monday....
Anyway, the movies I got to see were When a Stranger Calls, Dark Water, Underworld Evolution, Starsky and Hutch, Anacondas: Hunt for the Blood Orchid, Something New, Just Like Heaven, Monster In Law and Chronicles of Narnia. There may have been one or two others, I don't remember. Oh yeah, I also saw The Skeleton Key and Volcano High. Oh, and Crash. Sheesh, and The Secret Window.
Yes, that's a LOT of movies for two weeks, but my mother, brother and I kind of went on a splurge. Since none of us have had a vacation this summer, and the chances of one now are slim with my brother starting school in two weeks, we deserved this little pleasure.
So, here are my thoughts on each of them.
When a Stranger Calls
The concept is great, but the delivery not so much. It was decent throughout most of it, but the girl suddenly went from nonchalant to petrified with no in between. And the reveal of the stalker being in the house felt completely forced. The ending was just as sparce and really ruined the decency of the rest of the movie. I give it a C-
Dark Water
This was actually a pretty good movie if a little slow. But the momentum picked up at the right spots, and the suspense was pretty much maintained. The ending, however, was just a let down. It could have been handled a lot better and played out without sucking, but it didn't. Again, the ending ruined it for me. B-
Underworld Evolution
Great movie. Not quite as good as the first for me, but I loved seeing Marcus with his wings and all. Great fight scenes, but the plot could have been a bit fuller. I give it an A-
Starsky and Hutch
Had some funny parts, but wasn't nearly as funny as it could have been. Not one of Stiller's and Wilson's better efforts. C+
Anacondas: Hunt for the Blood Orchid
Not nearly as good as the first, which I really enjoyed. The snakes weren't the main attraction this time, but rather just a sideshow basically. It really defeated the purpose of a sequel all together. And because of seeing the first one the suspense was dead in the water to use an expression. C-
Something New
Huge social commentary, and a look at racism from the opposite angle. Yes, it's a chick flick, but it was a pretty good one. It had its moments of laughter, sadness and anger. B-
Just Like Heaven
Yep, another chick flick, and an even better one. It helps that I think Reese Witherspoon is an excellent actress and fine human being. I have enjoyed everything I've seen her in so far. This was no exception. A-
Monster In Law
Now this was a chick flick. Normally I love Lopez in anything, even Gigli. But this movie was a borefest for guys. My mom liked it, but I would have been happier never seeing it. And I liked Wedding Planner! D
Chronicles of Narnia
Pretty faithful to the original, but everything in the entire film felt very rushed. I don't agree with most that the religious overtones overshadowed the film though. They were obviously there, but they didn't turn it into a religious commentary from my point of view at all. This was nowhere near a Lord of The Rings, but it was decent. Could have been a lot better, but it was okay. C+
The Skeleton Key
Pretty decent thriller with a chilling ending and reveal. The clues became apparent at all the right spots, the pacing flowed as it should have. It left me with an eerie feeling I couldn't shake for a couple of days and still gives me chills when I think about it. A-
Volcano High
This movie was...unique. It was the dubbed version where hip-hop stars did the voice overs, which was interesting. The fight scenes were kind of lackluster though, and the plot was kind of thin and twisted. It seemed to promote rebelling against authority in a bad way, which I didn't care for. And the hero of the film didn't even fight until the end, and that was a very short fight, so it was kind of a waste of a build up. And the stupid disc kept freezing on me! I have no alternative but to give this sad film a big fat F.
Crash
This was a really good movie that covered a lot of social issues and stereotypes, and showed how the smallest things connect us as a whole. But the ending was incredibly sad, and the movie left me kind of depressed. Had it not been for that fact I might have given it a higher score. This one's a borderline B+ to A-.
The Secret Window
Chilling, suspenseful, intelligent, all around enjoyable. A-
And that's this week's edition of Gonzogoose Theatre. :)
B-Out
I could have talked about all the SDCC stuff, but seeing as how I've read maybe one news item amdist the hundreds out there now I'm not yet qualified. Maybe Monday....
Anyway, the movies I got to see were When a Stranger Calls, Dark Water, Underworld Evolution, Starsky and Hutch, Anacondas: Hunt for the Blood Orchid, Something New, Just Like Heaven, Monster In Law and Chronicles of Narnia. There may have been one or two others, I don't remember. Oh yeah, I also saw The Skeleton Key and Volcano High. Oh, and Crash. Sheesh, and The Secret Window.
Yes, that's a LOT of movies for two weeks, but my mother, brother and I kind of went on a splurge. Since none of us have had a vacation this summer, and the chances of one now are slim with my brother starting school in two weeks, we deserved this little pleasure.
So, here are my thoughts on each of them.
When a Stranger Calls
The concept is great, but the delivery not so much. It was decent throughout most of it, but the girl suddenly went from nonchalant to petrified with no in between. And the reveal of the stalker being in the house felt completely forced. The ending was just as sparce and really ruined the decency of the rest of the movie. I give it a C-
Dark Water
This was actually a pretty good movie if a little slow. But the momentum picked up at the right spots, and the suspense was pretty much maintained. The ending, however, was just a let down. It could have been handled a lot better and played out without sucking, but it didn't. Again, the ending ruined it for me. B-
Underworld Evolution
Great movie. Not quite as good as the first for me, but I loved seeing Marcus with his wings and all. Great fight scenes, but the plot could have been a bit fuller. I give it an A-
Starsky and Hutch
Had some funny parts, but wasn't nearly as funny as it could have been. Not one of Stiller's and Wilson's better efforts. C+
Anacondas: Hunt for the Blood Orchid
Not nearly as good as the first, which I really enjoyed. The snakes weren't the main attraction this time, but rather just a sideshow basically. It really defeated the purpose of a sequel all together. And because of seeing the first one the suspense was dead in the water to use an expression. C-
Something New
Huge social commentary, and a look at racism from the opposite angle. Yes, it's a chick flick, but it was a pretty good one. It had its moments of laughter, sadness and anger. B-
Just Like Heaven
Yep, another chick flick, and an even better one. It helps that I think Reese Witherspoon is an excellent actress and fine human being. I have enjoyed everything I've seen her in so far. This was no exception. A-
Monster In Law
Now this was a chick flick. Normally I love Lopez in anything, even Gigli. But this movie was a borefest for guys. My mom liked it, but I would have been happier never seeing it. And I liked Wedding Planner! D
Chronicles of Narnia
Pretty faithful to the original, but everything in the entire film felt very rushed. I don't agree with most that the religious overtones overshadowed the film though. They were obviously there, but they didn't turn it into a religious commentary from my point of view at all. This was nowhere near a Lord of The Rings, but it was decent. Could have been a lot better, but it was okay. C+
The Skeleton Key
Pretty decent thriller with a chilling ending and reveal. The clues became apparent at all the right spots, the pacing flowed as it should have. It left me with an eerie feeling I couldn't shake for a couple of days and still gives me chills when I think about it. A-
Volcano High
This movie was...unique. It was the dubbed version where hip-hop stars did the voice overs, which was interesting. The fight scenes were kind of lackluster though, and the plot was kind of thin and twisted. It seemed to promote rebelling against authority in a bad way, which I didn't care for. And the hero of the film didn't even fight until the end, and that was a very short fight, so it was kind of a waste of a build up. And the stupid disc kept freezing on me! I have no alternative but to give this sad film a big fat F.
Crash
This was a really good movie that covered a lot of social issues and stereotypes, and showed how the smallest things connect us as a whole. But the ending was incredibly sad, and the movie left me kind of depressed. Had it not been for that fact I might have given it a higher score. This one's a borderline B+ to A-.
The Secret Window
Chilling, suspenseful, intelligent, all around enjoyable. A-
And that's this week's edition of Gonzogoose Theatre. :)
B-Out
Friday, July 21, 2006
I'm on Newsarama!
Two books I'm lettering and one I'm writing and lettering are in the final SDCC Non-Panel Panel Report on Newsarama.com!
They only used one of the promo pics I sent, the one for The Kansas Hit, but at least Warbreed and DLS: White got mentions.
Click the post title to read about them!
The Kansas Hit is under Paper Dragonz along with Cary's other title, 48.
Warbreed is under Dimestore Productions.
And DLS: White - Solomon's Temple is under Midnight Studio Comics.
Check them out!
B-Out
Thursday, July 20, 2006
Ronin Studios' New Site
Well, the new Ronin Studios site has officially launched now. Click the post title to check it out!
B-Out
B-Out
Time Flies...
Not really while I'm having fun since I'm not so much. lol. It just flies. Wow, I can't believe it's been three days since I posted!
I deeply apologize for my lack of posts, I've just been really busy. Now a lot of you are probably at SDCC, and I'm very, very jealous! But have a great time and get some cool swag! I'll live vicariously through each and every one of you! :)
Hopefully today some of the titles I'm working on will be featured in the last installment of Newsarama.com's SDCC Non-Panel Panel. If so I'll post here with a link!
Another book that should also make the list is 48 from Cary Kelley/Paper Dragonz! This book also received a nice review from SBC, which you can read by clicking the title post (Cover pictured to the left).
Also, Ronin Studios will have a press release out today or soon on comic news sites that the new website has finally launched. They are still putting the final touches on the home page, but if you go to the main url and go into the forums and choose v2 style at the bottom there will be links to the actual site at the top. Sometime today the whole site will go live at the main url though. Check it out! www.ronin-studios.com.
I still have a lot to do today, so this was just a notice to let you all know I'm still here!
Also, if anyone out there reading this is in small press comics and is going to SDCC email me your experiences and any news on releases you had at the con and I'll compile them all and feature them in one of my columns. Now, when I usually ask for feedback I get nothing, so please give me something if you can. Thanks!
B-Out
I deeply apologize for my lack of posts, I've just been really busy. Now a lot of you are probably at SDCC, and I'm very, very jealous! But have a great time and get some cool swag! I'll live vicariously through each and every one of you! :)
Hopefully today some of the titles I'm working on will be featured in the last installment of Newsarama.com's SDCC Non-Panel Panel. If so I'll post here with a link!
Another book that should also make the list is 48 from Cary Kelley/Paper Dragonz! This book also received a nice review from SBC, which you can read by clicking the title post (Cover pictured to the left).Also, Ronin Studios will have a press release out today or soon on comic news sites that the new website has finally launched. They are still putting the final touches on the home page, but if you go to the main url and go into the forums and choose v2 style at the bottom there will be links to the actual site at the top. Sometime today the whole site will go live at the main url though. Check it out! www.ronin-studios.com.
I still have a lot to do today, so this was just a notice to let you all know I'm still here!
Also, if anyone out there reading this is in small press comics and is going to SDCC email me your experiences and any news on releases you had at the con and I'll compile them all and feature them in one of my columns. Now, when I usually ask for feedback I get nothing, so please give me something if you can. Thanks!
B-Out
Monday, July 17, 2006
Myth Conceptions
The latest column is up. This week I talk about the conception of sequential art from panel to panel.
Artwork to accompany the piece will be added in later (hopefully today sometime). I chose to use pieces from Jack Kirby, Adam Kubert, Butch Guice and Jim Lee (left) to illustrate the point.
Check it out by clicking the post title.
Thanks!
B-Out
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)