Indy-Pendant #60

The new column is up!

This week I go back to focusing on one particular company. This time it's new publisher AK Comics, which introduces Middle Eastern heroes. There are actually some good reads among them.

Click the post title to check the column out.

Enjoy!

B-Out

Need... Sleep...

Man, I've been so busy! Between the new PR thing, lettering jobs, writing, working on my website, drawing, and of course life I've not been getting much sleep. What else is new, right?

Well, that's what I'm going to do today. It's 8:15 am and I haven't been to bed. I tried, but I'm still having trouble sleeping. So here I sit. But I can now barely keep my eyes open, so away I go.

I have to get some rest because my CBRunway entry is due tomorrow. Yep, by luck I made it through to the next round because it was a non-elimination round. Otherwise my butt was royally kicked! I thought I did well, but only two other people agreed out of the nearly 40 people who voted for myself and the other three finalists. Oh well. I'll try, try again...

I've also got to finish tomorrow's column, then write Monday's column, and get to work on three separate lettering projects, and get my website up! Not to mention the PR stuff. Man, I'm going to bed!

B - ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ - Out

The Handsome Devil

Here are a couple of pictures of my brother, Zach, from May, the most recent ones I have. These are from his Middle School Graduation.

His hair's actually longer than this now as he hasn't had it cut since. Yep, this kid's gonna be a heartbreaker.

This pic doesn't really do him justice, but it shows a bit of his personality.

Yep, I'm a proud big bro! :)

Brant

Zach's First Day

Well, things went pretty good yesterday. Zach made it clear he didn't want special treatment, so he didn't get any. He had homework on his first day, though it was pretty easy. He's got mom scared to death because he's taking woodworking, and my brother is notorius for being a little clumsy, or moreso careless.

He was also given a low locker, which my mom doesn't like. She's afraid he could bump his head when raising up should the upper locker be open. So he's supposed to ask for a top locker, but he probably will forget.

He hates the food they serve and says the lines are so long it takes up all but a couple of minutes of their lunch time, so he's vowing not to eat lunch. He hates taking his lunch (I guess he thinks it makes him look uncool or some crap, I don't know), so we're kind of concerned about him not eating, so we're making him eat breakfast, something he normally doesn't do on school days. He's that much like me I guess.

But he seemed to handle the whole day pretty well. He had quite an attitude yesterday as he wants to believe he's better than he is and wants to start doing things again. Of course we can't let him yet. Despite him saying he's okay he had a terrible headache last night, which also concerns us.

Today he was supposed to wait for his cousin and they were to walk down to this restaurant, a nearby hangout, to be picked up. It's the first time they've been in the same school, and she's not as outgoing as Zach, so she feels kind of out of place. Yesterday she got her feelings hurt because she thinks Zach ignored her, which is possible, but it's hard to say. She can be dramatic, but Zach can be like that. So anyway, today he looks everywhere for her and is calling trying to find her, and so he stays at school for like 30 extra minutes. Come to find out she walked to the restaurant by herself and Zach got in trouble for not walking down there until I cleared up the situation and told Mom what really happened.

So it's been a hectic start of the year to say the least. But things are looking good so far, Zach likes all his teachers, and a bunch of his friends are in his classes. Aside from some other problems, which I hope he'll grow out of, things are okay.

Brant

Craziness

I don't know if it's just me Yahoo hates, or if something's wrong with their server, but for the past several hours I've not been able to log into any of my yahoo mail accounts. So let me apologize if anyone has tried to reach me for the past 4 hours or so.

B-Out

Today's the Day

Today (Wednesday) is my brother's first day of school this year, and I'd be lying if I said I wasn't a little nervous. He's doing much better, but he's not fully healed, and it just frightens me a bit. It's also his first day in high school meaning he's a freshman, and I just worry about him getting bumped or, God forbid, pushed or bullied. I don't think that will happen as my brother's pretty tough, much tougher than I was at that age, but he's not supposed to be active at all for several weeks.

He got to hang out with his friends last night for a little bit, so that was good for him. I worried then too, but no drama so far. I guess we'll see how his first day goes. All his teachers know the situation, and his cousin who's the same age will be in at least one of his classes. So I think it will be fine.

Today is also the end of the vote for Round 4 of the CBRunway contest, and seeing as how I am 6 votes behind the lowest vote-getter of my competitors it looks like it's curtains for me. I am very confident with my design this round, and I do feel it is iconic and original, but thems the breaks.

I was just informed that tonight a movie Mat Nastos (www.niftycomics.com) wrote is airing on the Sci-Fi channel at 9pm Est. The movie is called Stinger and is a kind of low budget B horror film about a killer scorpion. Not really my cup of tea, but I'll check it out at least for a little bit. Mat's a cool guy, so I figure I'll give it a shot.

Currently I'm broke, but if I could get my wishlist of comics for the week this is what I'd pick up:

52 WEEK #14
JSA CLASSIFIED #15 
MARTIAN MANHUNTER #1
SECRET SIX #3
SUPERMAN #655
ANNIHILATION #1
CIVIL WAR FRONT LINE #5
MS MARVEL #6
NEW X-MEN #29
SQUADRON SUPREME #6 
WOLVERINE ORIGINS #5 
BLACK COAT CALL TO ARMS #4
DEVI #2
FATHOM #10 
TRANSFORMERS STORMBRINGER #2

Of course, realistically, even if I had the money, I would probably only get a handful of those:

52 WEEK #14
SECRET SIX #3
CIVIL WAR FRONT LINE #5
NEW X-MEN #29

But we all know how that goes.

Today is also the last day to sign up for the Digital Webbing Draw-Off Tournament. Last I checked over 90 people had signed up, so it's going to be quite a tournament! It's a double elimination, double bracket tournament, so there will be a lot of chances to compete and a lot of cool matchups. I have missed all the previous ones and barely found out about this one on time. Since I will most likely get knocked out of the CBR one today it works out perfectly. The actual competition starts on August 13th, and we have one week to complete the assignment, then one week for votes. It should be a lot of fun.

Here are a few fun and/or interesting links related to the topic at hand, and for the ultimate one, click the post title!

http://www.sosuave.com/halloffame/hall156.htm
http://www.ukgameshows.com/page/index.php/Today's_the_Day
http://www.yourdictionary.com/wotd/todays.pl
http://www.hazelden.org/servlet/hazelden/thoughts?cat_id=1904&page_id=25020
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/August_9
http://archives.cnn.com/2002/TECH/space/08/09/stardust.probe/index.html
http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/today/aug09.html
http://www.cfo.doe.gov/me70/manhattan/nagasaki.htm
http://www.wtcmovie.com/

Interesting dates on that Wikipedia link. I found 1944, 1974 and 1994 under Events especially interesting. :)

And that's all I know about that's going down today, so I guess any further comments would make the title of this post not make sense anymore. Besides that, I'm tired. So today... I sleep!

B-Out

Power Girl Designs

Here are some of the preliminary designs I came up with prior to settling on the final version I entered into the CBRunway challenge. Don't mind the sloppy coloring or rough sketches, they were just to get an idea of what they would look like.

There were several other designs as well, but I either haven't uploaded them yet, or they're on sheets with other designs that would be duplicated here. I think it's safe to say I made even more than I thought I had. Yep, this wa a hard one. But I'm still happy with the final version (which is a few posts down).

B-Out

CBRunway Round 4 Vote

Click the post title to go to the thread to vote for my entry if you like it!

B-Out

Myth Conceptions

My latest column is up!

This week it's all about my opinions on some of the big announcements at WWC.

Click the post title to read the column.

B-Out

CBRunway Round 4 Entry

So I made the deadline with 1 minute to spare. Man, this challenge took it out of me!

The goal was to recreate Power Girl's costume making it more iconic. It's funny because a day before the challenge posted I had talked about iconic characters and costumes in my Myth Conceptions column, then I had to put my theories to test.

I spent three days designing new looks for the cousin of Superman from an alternate reality, but most of them looked too much like the original. Since I got points off for lack of originality in my redesign of the Vision a few weeks back I couldn't risk that again. So I just couldn't settle.

I went through 10-12 designs before finally settling on one design. Then I went through 6 variations of that one design and three color schemes! And this was all before I even started drawing the actual pinup!

So once I finally got the costume nailed down (around 11pm Est) I had to start drawing fast with the 12am PDT (3am Est) deadline fastly approaching. I got it drawn, but had trouble with the legs and feet and battled with them for an hour and a half. I'm still not happy with them, but everything else looks pretty good I think.

Then I had to color it. My colored pencil work wouldn't do this one justice, so I had to go the photoshop route with less than two hours until the deadline! That was not pretty.

I thought I was going well until I realized it was 2:45am and I still hadn't colored the cape, boots, face or designed the signia for the back of her cape!

So I colored the cape, boots and part of the face and submitted it at 2:59am. I ended up working on it for another hour and a half and finally gave up. It's okay, but a colorist I'm not.

As for the costume, here's the description and reasoning I submitted with my entry:

"Okay, like everyone else, this was hard for me. I literally went through 12 different designs trying to find one more iconic than the original, but they were all too similar, and I wanted to do something more unique.

On the final design I literally went through 6 variations and three color schemes before settling on this.

Now, I wanted to keep the spirit of the original and the sex appeal, but make her more majestic and, of course, iconic. I look at PG as the rebel/wayward child/black sheep of the Superman family, and so she couldn't have the same appearance as Supes or Supergirl, but I still wanted her to be recognizable as part of that mythos.

The cutout on the chest is an altered design of the Superman symbol, and the blue trim on it separates her from them even further. Had I been able to finish the logo in time, which goes on the back of the cape, It would have kept the yellow face and had a stylistic "PG" in it.

At first I had the red as the dominant color, but I felt the white was both more true to her personality and that it stood out more, so I switched them. It still wasn't bold enough, so I added the blue trim to set it off.

I toyed with gloves, but I felt the wristbands denoted a more powerful and timeless being. The boots are the classic Supes boots more or less, only blue because red just seemed to bland.

The reason the left arm is covered was a stylistic one, nothing more. I wanted to make her hip and modern as well as iconic, and that seemed to almost do it, and the slanted skirt part finished that goal.

The full red cape was overkill, and no other solid color seemed right, so I went with the two-toned look. The red is still there and is strikingly bold, but the white really makes her pop when it's spread out. I kept the hair short, but not quite as short.

I was going for the Kate Beckinsale look in Underworld, but of course here it's blowing in the wind, and the coloring job on it is horrible.

I was a little concerned about the red, white and blue motif, but I really hoped the yellow would break that up. I'm not sure if I pulled that off or not, but ultimately I'm happy with it. She looks iconic, hip, still sexy, but not too cheap. I'm pretty happy with the way it turned out."

Later today I will post some of the early designs and variations of the final design. Throughout, of course, are the pencils, final colors and signia. Let me know what you think!

B-Out

Indy-Pendant #59

The new column is up, and yes I wrote it this time. :)

This week I review Zoom Suit #3, Pariah #2 and Paula Peril #2. These took precedence over what I had originally intended for this week, which is focusing on a single publisher, which I will do next week.

Click the post title to read the column.

Thanks and Enjoy!

B-Out

Catching Up

About Tuesday or Wednesday I started easing back into things as far as lettering, writing, web stuff, etc. I'm almost back to the level I was, but there are a few things I've yet to take back on. Any lettering I have pending I'll most likely pick back up on Monday, so if you're reading this, it'll be soon.

The new PR Editing job is going great and I'm really enjoying it. It's not like work at all for me. Don't get me wrong, it's time consuming and takes some patience, but it's still something I enjoy doing. So all is good there. Ask me again come time for Marvel and DC solicitations, which I'm in charge of posting! :)

I saw V for Vendetta finally tonight. I thought it was a good movie. I haven't read the original, so I didn't really have any expectations or preconceived notions. I thought it was interesting, and there were some things about the message in the story that I agreed with and some I disagreed with. But all in all it was enjoyable. Not one of my favorite movies or anything, but a good flick.

I had some really bad pains late last night and this morning. I thought it was my back because that's where the pain was initially. It was really sore and hard for me to get comfortable. It finally became unbearable, and after trying to get situated until 4 this morning I went and took a hot bath and soaked in epsom salt, and took some advil. After about an hour in there I managed to get to sleep for about two hours before waking up in extreme pain far worse than what I had felt only hours prior. It was now in my chest and back, and was hard to breath. It felt like my ribs were broken. I started walking around rubbing my chest and back continuously for about 2 hours straight and it finally eased up a bit. I also drank some coffee in case it was gas, which I can only assume it was, I'm slightly embarrassed to say. I know they say gas can sometimes give symptoms of a heart attack, but man. If that's what it was I was in a lot of pain. Like near tears pain.

Anyway, I'm better now. I managed to get a couple of hours of sleep this afternoon, which is always good.

Tomorrow (or I guess today being 2am now) the next assignment is due in the CBRunway contest I'm in. This week we have to redesign Power Girl's costume to be more iconic. That's a tough challenge. I've gone through several designs, and now I'm finalizing the one I chose. I haven't even started on the actual drawing, and I only have about 25 hours until the deadline. I'll post the entry here and probably some of the other designs I scrapped as well just for kicks.

I finished my Indy-Pendant column two days ago (first time that's happened in a long time) and so I'll be putting that up here in a minute. I actually forgot about posting it or it would have already gone up. I'll make a new post announcing it.

Some interesting news coming out of Wizard World Chicago so far. Michael Turner is pencilling Ultimate Wolverine, written by Jeph Loeb! Now a lot of people I have found don't care for Turner's style, but I love it. I also have mad respect for the man. Back when he first made his return after his initial battle with cancer I read an article/interview with him and he totally inspired me. I give that man mad props, and I'm really looking forward to that series.

After WWC I may make a post talking about the highlights I found interesting.

I've already said it, but congratulations again to Scott and Shannon for their wedding later today. Wish I could be there!

And that's about it from the Roost for now.

B-Out

DJ Coffman Interview

Recently I got a chance to talk with the winner of the Platinum Studios Comic Book Challenge, DJ Coffman. DJ is a fellow Digital Webbing forum user and a cool guy.

You can read the interview by clicking the post title.

B-Out

My Brother's Doing Well So Far

Today my brother got out of the house for the first time since coming home. He went out to eat and seemed to handle it pretty well. The other day he got it in his head to be stubborn and went storming up the stairs. He didn't want to be babied anymore, so there he went.

His hearing seemed to be getting better, but the past couple of days we've had to repeat everything a couple of times, so that concerns me. But aside from that he's been doing great. No more throwing up, the headaches have lessened to where he can play video games and have lights on... and yell when he's upset about something. :)

There are some things food wise he just doesn't have a taste for anymore oddly enough. But it's understandable since one of those items is what he regurgitated all over his hair during the accident, which wasn't washed out for four days.

Tomorrow the ultimate test. My mom and brother are going with my brother's best friend and his mother school shopping... to the mall! And not just any mall, but the biggest and busiest mall on the busiest side of town in the second largest city in Kentucky. Granted, that's nothing compared to your malls in the larger cities like Chicago, Atlanta, New York or most of California, but it's still a good size and a LOT of people when just days ago he stressed out if more than two people were around at once.

But since he's starting school this coming Wednesday he needs to get used to it.

So that's what's going on. I may give an update tomorrow after the mall experience, then definitely after the first day of school. Then I'll probably stay quiet until the next doctor's appointment if all goes well.

Brant

Pariah

This coming Sunday in my Indy-Pendant column one of the titles I discuss is Pariah #2. I reviewed the first issue back in May in the same column, and was sent the second issue just a few days ago.

You can read the review to find out what I thought of the issue in and of itself, and I assure you it was pretty positive. But this post is to address some things I disagreed with in the issue. I didn't want to litter the review with negativity, nor did I want to express my concerns about how it opposed beliefs I have. The review was on the story, writing and art, which was all good. It wasn't the time or place to discuss beliefs.

Now, the first thing I take issue with is the thought of humans becoming angels. This is a pet peeve of mine, because not only does it not make sense, but it's also not Biblical. Nowhere in the Bible does it mention a human becoming an angel. Sure, the human spirit goes there, but we don't all of a sudden grow wings and start looking out for people.

Biblically, we are actually above the angels in rank with God when we have a relationship with God because we have free will. The angels don't have that, and the Bible says they envy that relationship we have with God.

Secondly, as I mentioned in my review of the first issue, Lucifer is not the only fallen angel, nor is he the only one banished. Yes, Lucifer is the first, and he was cast down, but a third of the angels were cast out with him because they sided with him.

It's also questionable to me that the figure that appears as an angel in this issue would be in heaven at all. Now none of us know for sure who will make it and who won't. Because aside from the guidelines God lays out for us, His love and compassion goes beyond our comprehension or understanding. And He does wish all of us would make it. So anything's possible.

But the character in question isn't the most saintly in the world, or even the most decent of people regardless of the love he instilled in his afterlife in all of his fans.

But that one's a small issue that doesn't bother me that much. I know it was added for the story, and it's actually kind of cool.

I guess I would just like to see more accurate depictions in media than we normally get. The movie City of Angels and the books by Frank Peretti are the closest representations I've seen to date. And City of Angels still got it wrong with an angel becoming human. As far as I know that's just not possible. They can appear as human, but not actually be human. Then again, I'm not an angel and I'm not God, so who knows?

Regardless, Pariah is an interesting story with some cool twists, and it's great entertainment. So for that I give it props!

B-Out

Myth Conceptions

The new column is up!

This week I talk about the Evolution of a Character. I even share a character design of my own showing examples of how it evolved over several years.

Click the post title to read the column.

B-Out

One More Update on my Brother

The day before yesterday he had a really good day. Yesterday that changed a bit.

He had started to get his appetite back, and seemed to be getting back to normal. But yesterday he completely lost his appetite. And the few times he did eat he threw up. The doctor told us to call if he vomited consistently for a 24 hour period. He's thrown up 3-5 times in the past 24 hours, but it's not been anything major, just bile for the most part.

He's up today and he's been taking showers. He threw up a little about an hour ago, but not much. He's able to watch TV with the sound low and is even laughing and talking. His hearing is gradually getting better in his left ear, so things are looking good there so far.

Not much else to report. We've limited visitors for yesterday and today to family only, and sparingly with them so he can get some rest. Yesterday we had family over from around 1pm until 10 at night, so that was a bit much. My aunt and two cousins are coming over again today, but they won't stay as long. I have to use their phone, which is the main reason they're coming over at all.

If anything else noteworthy happens I'll post about it, but things should be getting quiet on the subject as he recovers. I hope that's the case because anything I would report would probably be bad news save a miraculous healing or something.

Again, thanks to everyone who has sent their thoughts, prayers and well wishes our way via cards, balloons, blog posts, emails, or whatever other form or response was given. My family and I thank you. God bless!

Brant

And Comes the Silver Lining

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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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!

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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.

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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.

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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!

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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. :)

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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!

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Ronin Studios' New Site

Well, the new Ronin Studios site has officially launched now. Click the post title to check it out!

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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!

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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!

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Eliminator Sketch

A fellow Ronin Studios member did up this nice pinup of one of my characters, Eliminator, and I wanted to show it off. I just wish this guy did sequentials because this piece rocks!



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CBRunway Round 2 Vote!

The voting thread is open.

Click the post title.

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The WBZ Blog

It's bare bones right now, but the Wannabez blog has just debuted!

Wannabez is a project I've been working on for several years now and it's just about ready for a second go at submissions.

Check the blog out (and BOOKMARK IT!) by clicking the title post.

I wanted it to be WBZ or Wannabez.blogspot, but both were taken, so I had to settle for WNBZ.

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CBRunway Round 2

This round we had to redesign the Vision's costume (from the Avengers) to make it more modern. I chose to go with the classic look and just update it here and there making it more angular, sleek and modern.

We were also supposed to use the theme of "vision" in the design, therefore I decided to keep the same colors and make them pop even more with the cape to give him a kaleidescope (sp?) effect.

Inking and Coloring are not my things, and the overall drawing suffers from them unfortunately, but it turned out decent enough. I messed up on the foreshortening of the right arm, and the hands got messed up in the coloring, but other than that I'm okay with it.

The voting thread will go up tomorrow, but in the meantime check out the link in the title post to see the other entries. Some of them were really creative and will probably kick my butt! :)

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Indy-Pendant #56

New column is up as Chuck Kennedy fills in for me once again.

This week he takes a look at several Moonstone Books, and then I give a small update on myself.

Click the post title to read the column.

Enjoy!

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Hero Sqaured Review

I have a new review up of Hero Squared issues 1-2 at SBC.

Check it out by clicking the post title!

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AFK

For those not schooled on the internet acronymns, the post title "AFK" stands for "Away From Keyboard", which is what I'll be in terms of the internet for the most part this weekend.

I've got several lettering gigs I need to get done, and at least one or two writing gigs. So I'll be checking my email and corresponding as I need to, but not much.

I also have to draw my entry for Round 2 of CBRunway, and I have some other things I need to take care of.

In addition to all that, my cold took a worse turn and now it really hurts to swallow. I also developed yet another toothache last night and need to go get it checked out.

So that's what's up with me if you don't hear from me or see me around. I haven't been that involved online for a couple of weeks now anyway, so it shouldn't be that much of a change.

In other news, today is my friend, Carissa's 21st birthday! She also recently got married (last month), so it's a double congratulations to her!

If you really need to get in touch with me please email me. Best bets are brant@brantfowler.com or Gonzogoose77@yahoo.com. Still use submittogonzo@yahoo.com for PR and submissions and such. Thanks!

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Get Published

Okay, for all you creators out there, I'm here to school you and clue you in on a few ways you can get your stuff out there. Ready?

Visionary Comics Studio has just announced a new contest open to writers and artists alike starting at the San Diego Comic Con. You don't have to have a team in place, they provide that for you! No monetary reward or anything, but you get published, which is cool.

Find out more about the contest here:

http://www.visionarycomics.com/v2/


For just you artists out there, Marvel Comics is looking at portfolio reviews at SDCC! This includes Pencillers, Inkers and Colorists (yep, us writers and letterers get no love from the big boys). Check out all the info here:

http://www.digitalwebbing.com/forums/showthread.php?t=94726


And finally, Warbreed and Kansas Hit, the two Small Press Idol projects I'm lettering, are allotted a few pages for pinups, ads and whatnot, so we may be open to some outside stuff. I know a few people have been approached for Kansas Hit, but if you want to submit or query about an ad or pinup email me at submittogonzo@yahoo.com and I'll pass it along to the respective teams.

Just to clarify, this book WILL see print, no question about it, and will be sold through www.dimestoreproductions.com later this Summer.


So there are a few ways to get published. And by the way, much congrats to the DW boys who made it to the semi-finals of Platinum Studios' Comic Book Challenge. Good Luck!

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Random

Turns out the first round of the CBRunway contest was non-elimination, so I'm in it for another week. This time we have to redesign the Vision's costume.

Finished a couple of small lettering gigs over the past day and a half and managed to pick up another paying one, which I needed. Still not taking the non-paying ones, but this paid one I couldn't pass up. The kicker is I haven't received any of the pages yet and the deadline is in 6 days!

I ate some nasty hashbrowns this morning. Soggy and greasy. I threw half of them out, and now my poor stomach is paying the price for the other half.

I heard from some of my former Sunday School students over the past couple of days. I haven't spoken to them in nearly a year, so it was really good to hear from them. I hope they keep in touch. You stay at a small church for 20 years and everyone's more or less like family. These are all my little brothers and sisters.

Got to checking out my uncle's website last night. He's my dad's twin brother, and he's a Baptist minister now. If you had known him in years past that would seem highly unlikely. But it is so. I also found out recently that his daughter, my cousin, has autism. I don't speak much with my dad's side of the family, so I had no idea. The girl is in her late teens and I never knew. And the sad thing is my uncle lived in the same state as me for many, many years and I only saw him when my dad came into town, which was very, very rare.

If I get any comics this week it'll probably only be 52 #10 and G.I. Joe #13. I'm low on cash, and just not much interests me this week. I definitely won't get them today, but maybe later in the week, I don't know.

My brother went to the mall yesterday to spend his birthday money. He bought a $25 belt with skulls on it, a pair of nice jeans, and three shirts, which I think all represented some skate company.

Mom's at therapy again. They told her she would definitely have to have knee replacement surgery down the line, but she'd have to wait either four or six years, which I can't remember. She wasn't thrilled with the news. She still has trouble bending and walking up and down stairs. She has been put on a restriction to only do sit-down work, but that's not really possible at her workplace, so we don't know what's going to happen at this point.

I've been thinking a lot about God lately and trying to put some things back into perspective in my life. To tell you why would be a long, drawn out story that I don't have the energy to go into, and I wouldn't want to bore you. Suffice it to say that I was really unhappy, got forced into a situation by circumstances I half believe God caused and got happier, but still not happy. Then things got worse and I got angry, sad and unhappy. Now I'm coming to terms with things and trying to get to a place of mild content until circumstances can change and I can finally be happy. :)

Confused yet? I am too if it's any consolation. And you know the odd thing? I'm actually in a good mood right now. lol.

Nothing on TV tonight for me. I hardly watch it anymore anyway, just wrestling mostly. This fall there will be several shows I'll watch, but that's still a ways off.

Don't know if I mentioned it or not, but my Pastor's daughter, Carissa, did get married last month, though I never got an invitation, so I missed it.

And if you're wondering how that makes sense, I've hinted to it for a while, but basically I haven't been going to church for a while. I haven't stopped or "backslidden", it's just one of those circumstances and situations I mentioned above and alluded to in my last post. And it's the source of a post I made a while back about something really hurting me that caused me to go offline for several days. Like I said, long story.

I am really, really tired. I haven't been getting much sleep lately. What else is new, right? I've still got a bit of that cold too, and I still haven't been able to get rid of the headaches.

I wish I had something cool or interesting to talk about, but I just don't. I apologize for the rambling. I just had to take a break from all the stuff I have to do and felt like talking. Since I'm alone at the moment, you are the ones I'm conversing with. Lucky you.

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Nothing

I don't really have anything to say, nor any reason to post. I'm just doing it to do it for once.

I've got plenty to do, and at the moment I'm completely exhausted, but for some reason I'm still up. Couldn't tell you why.

I'm in a very odd mood today. Sort of pensive I guess. Not really sure there is a word that completely defines it. Just strange.

My mom's and brother's birthdays were Monday, and I totally spaced out on posting a happy birthday post. Too late now, and they don't read this blog anyway. Oh well.

That's it, really. I've got a to-do list that I keep having to shift around on a daily basis.

This is very odd. I don't know what else to say. Sorry for boring you all. I'm just in an extremely odd mood tonight. Heh. I'm mildly laughing and I don't even know what about. Now I'm sad. Now I'm laughing again. Now I'm indifferent.

Sigh. You'd think I was drunk or high or something except for the fact I've never once touched either alcohol or drugs in my life. Strange, strange, strange.

I'm done.

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Website Delayed Again

ARGH!

Well, it looks like I'm going to have to delay the website one more time for a very simple reason. My hosting account is up for renewal on August 5th. Since I am probably going to switch to a different provider at this time (not a great hosting plan it turns out) it would be pointless to get the site up and running for less than two weeks (I had estimated July 25th as the go live date).

So it looks like it will be early August at the earliest, but then it will definitely be up. I know I keep saying that, but I sincerely plan to take advantage of my domain from day one this time instead of waiting an entire year again! I can't believe I did that this past year.

I deeply apologize for the constant pushing back of the date, but as you all know, that's the way it goes sometimes.

Speaking of the website, I am once again second-guessing the design. After seeing my blog as it now is I'm beginning to wonder whether I should just do it similar to that rather than have it enclosed as I planned. I'll probably put it to the colleague test and ask a few people what they think after showing them examples.

Aside from all of that drama, I have already typed up a bunch of poems I've never shown before and started writing a couple of fanfics. I'll have updated lettering samples, maybe some writing samples, some new art for projects I'm working on, and yes, updated artwork! The forums are iffy right now, I may just add them later. Kind of pointless until I have some published writing out there I think.

Anyway, it is coming, and I appreciate all of you being patient with me through this whole ordeal.

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Wolverine vs. Batman - In Theatres this October!

Got your attention yet? Good.

Now, it's not actually Wolverine vs. Batman, but it's the characters that play them. Hugh Jackman and Christian Bale will be playing opposing magicians in this October's The Prestige.

Yahoo broke down five movies Jackman's doing this year, and mentioned briefly the upcoming Wolverine movie here: http://et.tv.yahoo.com/movies/15165/

If you click the post title you will see the IMDB (International Movie Database) entry for the movie, directed by Batman Begins director, Christopher Nolan.

I don't know if it'll be a good movie, but it's probably the closest we'll ever come to seeing Wolvie and Bats on the screen at the same time!

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Myth Conceptions

Man, it's a busy night/morning!

The latest Myth Conceptions column is up (click the post title as usual).

This week I talk about how spoilers, especially internet spoilers, affect our comic reading experience.

Check it out!

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CBRunway Round 1 - VOTING IS OPEN!

Again, if you feel so inclined, just drop by the voting thread (click the post title) and vote in the poll if you like my character! :)

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CBRunway Round 1

At post 275 I've got a new character to show off! (Yes, I edited this post because it just wasn't me what I said. Just felt wrong.)

I created a new character named Wood for the CBRunway contest over at (obviously) CBR. Click the post title to see Round 1 entries.

Of course if you don't want to go over there, check mine out right here (below).

This will be open to public voting starting tomorrow (Monday, the 10th), and I'm going up against my artist for Wannabez. So if you feel so inclined, come and vote for me. :)

In the meantime, check my character out, but don't mind the colors. Still need a lot of work there (and everywhere else for that matter).

The first round's assignment was to create a new character whose costume was made of completely natural (as in plants, fruits and vegetables) elements only. We also had to create a backstory and describe the construction and functionality of the costume.

Without further ado, I give you WOOD!

BACKSTORY

Wood is the offspring resulting from a forbidden union between an Elf and a Sprite. The Elven maiden, Lynthalasala ignored the protests of her parents and kinsmen and wed the troublesome Finhoff the Sprite in secret. The two were happy beyond measure for a time until their hidden union was revealed.

In an attempt to escape the wrath of both the Elves and Sprites, Finhoff made a run for it, but ran into a more gruesome threat. A party of Minotaurs were raiding a nearby human village when Finhoff stumbled across their path.

Meanwhile, Lyntha, as she was commonly known, was reprimanded and under house arrest. What her kinsmen didn’t know though was that she was with child. Finhoff was unaware of this also. Lyntha had planned to tell him the night they were discovered by their despisers. Once Lyntha’s pregnancy became apparent though, her parents hid her away for fear their entire family would be banished.

For months Lyntha lay in her room crying herself to sleep every night longing for Finhoff, whom at this point she was sure she would never see again. When the baby was finally born, Lyntha’s parents stole away the child in the night and sent it away with a caravan of mixed races who dealt with this type of thing on occasion. They would have allowed the child to stay for a while, but it had been born with a full head of the trademark Sprite green leafy hair.

Once Lyntha discovered what had happened to her child she ran away from home in search of the young boy. For years she searched, but found no sight of him. In the meantime, she joined up with rebel cadres that challenged the old ways of the world in hopes of changing the world to come for her offspring. It was the least she could do having not known her own son.

The boy was given to a unique family of misfits and outcasts that raised him in the ways of the woods, teaching him how to hunt and defend himself. From early on the boy took a liking to all manner of sticks and twigs and trees and was thusly nicknamed Wood. The name stuck.

Wood grew up with no knowledge of his heritage or his parents until one day he heard word of an Elven woman searching for a child such as he. Upon hearing this news, Wood ventured into the Elven city, but was quickly dismissed with slurs of “half-breed” thrown his way. It was not uncommon for the occasional half-breed to show up, but it was very uncommon for that half-breed to be part elf. In fact, it had never happened before according to the knowledge and history of the Elves.

Wood discovered his true mother all too late as she was taken into custody accused of high treason and collusion with the enemy. Wood learned his father was presumed dead, but there was no proof. Finally aware of who he was, Wood joined up with a troupe to rescue his mother, but the plan was thwarted. Upon her instruction, he turned his efforts to searching for his father while his friends delivered word from his mother from time to time as they could.

Wood has all the tools he needs. He possesses the resolve and elegance of the Elves, yet the mischievousness and spirit of the Sprites. He has been trained to defend and attack, and he finally has a purpose in life. His goal is to reunite his family and challenge the Elven and Sprite kingdoms’ ways.

ABILITIES

Wood is a master of hand-to-hand combat skills. He also possesses the Elven skills of excellent sight, speed and agility, as well as the limited Sprite magic he is still learning.

He has a way with wood and plant to make them bend to his will and become tools or weapons. His chosen forms are that of a whip made of vine that he wraps around his body, and a wooden three-piece rod.

COSTUME

He adorns himself with elements of the forest, using grass and vines to form his wardrobe, and wooden sheaths for knee, shin and arm guards. His shoes are sandals made of wood and strong, woven leaf dried in the sun and solidified by magic.

He also wears an enchanted leaf around his neck that has been with him since birth. It’s unknown what magical properties this leaf possesses, but at opportune times it glows and gives Wood a measure of invincibility.

© Brant W. Fowler, 2006

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Indy-Pendant #55

The 55th edition of Indy-Pendant is now up!

Chuck "Crazz" Kennedy steps away from his newborn triplets to fill in for me one more time with his look at Mouse Guard, Talent and Hack/Slash.

A great column this week, and if you enjoy that, next week Chuck's going to be back with a look at several Moonstone books!

Thanks, Chuck, and thanks to all my regular readers who are sticking in there during my time off!

Click the post title to read the column.

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One Fan's Opinion

Interesting column this week from Erik Larsen in his weekly One Fan's Opinion column at CBR (read it by clicking the post title).

With the San Diego Comic-Con International coming up in a couple of weeks, Erik lays out how fans should approach creators.

I don't agree with everything he says, but a lot of it is humorous and helpful for the average fan. I think I'd be okay as would most people I know, but it's still a good column all in all.

I know I won't be the kind of creator he speaks of once I reach that point where people want me to sign stuff, and that's part of what I don't agree with. Of course I haven't met a lot of creators, and people I know that have are usually left with good impressions.

So take from it what you will, but read it if nothing else to have something to talk about.

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Viruses

I do believe my PC has contracted a virus I am trying hard to remove. UGH!

As for me, I woke up today with the dreaded sore throat and stopped up nose. So far I'm functional, so that's good.

I guess we'll see on both accounts. Sigh.

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Heroes Con Recap

Cary Kelley, a friend and fellow creator and columnist whom I have spoken of several times before in this space, has written up his personal report of the Heroes Con this past weekend in Charlotte, NC.

It's long, but it's interesting and fun all the way through. There's just something personal about his recollections that make it special.

He talks about various panels, sketch lines, getting books signed, meeting up with fellow creators and the SBC staff, and much more.

I was totally bummed I didn't get to go, but after reading his report, well, I'm still bummed, but living vicariously through it kind of helped.

Go check it out by clicking the post title!

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Computeritis

Ugh!

I had gotten a virus sometime either last week or the week before, and after wrestling with it it appeared to be gone. But the past couple of days it has resurfaced causing me all kinds of problems. I think I finally got rid of it for good this time. At least I hope so!

I also haven't had a chance to purchase a new harddrive yet, so my space is once again almost gone especially since I just had to download quite a few high res colored pages. So I'm currently in the process of moving a bunch of stuff to disk so my programs will run properly.

And if my computer being sick wasn't enough, I'm coming down with something also. My mother and brother are also feeling it, so it must be something going around. Oh Joy.

On the upside, I've been playing some video games with my brother in my downtime. Kingdom Hearts 2 is a pretty fun game.

We also watched Secret Window with Johnny Depp, and man was that a freaky movie. Pretty decent and enjoyable though.

Well, back to my ailing PC.

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Lettering Update

I'm going to be taking a month or so off from lettering more or less starting now. This does not include any lettering I'm currently doing or have already agreed to do, but I'm not taking anymore new non-paying lettering jobs for at least a month.

If they're paid jobs we can talk.

The reason for the time off is because since starting lettering I've really let some other things slip, like my writing and art as I just didn't have time for all of them. I kept thinking I would find the balance, but more and more small lettering jobs kept coming in.

Don't get me wrong, I was more than happy to do any and all of them, but I really need to concentrate on some other stuff. I need to get my website done, I need to finish some writing, and I need to get back into my art.

So, there are a few gigs I'm currently lettering, and a couple of upcoming I've already agreed to. Beyond those, as stated above, unless they are paying I'm afraid I'll have to pass.

I am really starting to cut back on things seriously because of a number of reasons. Just suffice it to say I need to get some things in order.

Thanks for understanding. If you have any questions please feel free to email me. Thanks.

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Happy 4th!

Happy Independence Day to all my fellow Americans!

Myth Conceptions

Well, it's technically Monday, and as such, my next column is already up!

This week I talk about the conceiving of comic related movies. I know I touched on that in a previous column, but this one takes it in a different direction.

Check it out, once again, by clicking the post title.

Thanks!

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Cobb: Off The Leash #2 Review

And one more...

This time it's Cobb: Off the Leash #2 from IDW.

Click the post title to read the review.

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Talent #2 Review

Yep, it's another review from me.

This time it's Talent #2 from Boom! Studios.

Click the post title to read the review!

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Changes

Even though it will be going through even more changes soon as it's integrated into my website, I decided to play around with it a bit. I wanted to make it a little more inviting, yet still maintain the same feel. Hopefully I've achieved that.

Let me know if you like the background also. I'm debating using that background for my website, or just going with solid black.

You'll also note I widened the entire window a bit to allow more space for the pictures I normally add to my posts.

And finally, I removed some of the round corners and changed a couple of colors here and there. No major overhauls today really, just a little playing.

Let me know what you think!

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Revere Review

Yet another review by yours truly. This time it's Revere #1 from Alias.

This is obviously another Revolutionary War time period piece, but this one introduces a supernatural element mixed with dynamic art and intelligent writing.

Check it out by clicking the post title!

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Dropping Knowledge

Came across this today via an email and thought I'd post a little ditty about it. What am I talking about? Click the title post to find out.

Basically, it's a link to a site that is ushering in a worldwide discussion of viewpoints and opinions on important topics without involving governments or the media. It's like an exchange of ideas that lets everyone's voices be heard.

Sounds like a neat concept, and no doubt it will spark some pretty good discussions if it catches on. But I'm not sure it will ever serve to make a real difference. Movements like this rarely do, and especially when it's set up on the internet where everybody speaks their minds, but away from the keyboard the majority of them are silent.

I give it a thumbs up for a noble idea, but I have little hope for it overall sadly. I hope they prove me wrong.

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