The Pulse did a piece on Bart A. Thompson of Approbation Comics that went up today. In it are several pages I lettered for Approbation months ago. I thought that was pretty cool. Every page on there is mine. It's pretty simple lettering, but still.
Alex (what the A. stands for) gave me a lot of work when I was starting out and still would be except I had to cut back on the back-end stuff. But he really helped me out when I wasn't getting a lot of opportunities. So it's cool to see him getting his props.
You can click the title post to read the interview. Also, towards the end of the interview is a link to Indy Planet, which has Amour for sale, a book I lettered several short stories in. So buy that! :)
At the Comixpress they have Vampires Unlimited: SOTTC. I lettered either issue 2 or 4, both are there. I can't remember which one, but as soon as I find out I'll let you all know.
B-Out
Tuesday, October 31, 2006
Monday, October 30, 2006
Myth Conceptions
The Halloween edition of Myth Conceptions is now up.This week I went all out giving a bit of information about the holiday, then giving history on the horror genre, which then led into a discussion of various horror titles old and new.
I did a LOT of research for this one, spent nearly an entire day on it! So I hope you all enjoy. :)
Click the post title to read the column of course.
B-Out
Sunday, October 29, 2006
Indy-Pendant #71
The Halloween edition of Indy-Pendant is now live!
This week I take a look at several monster themed titles ranging from funny to grotesque.
Click the post title to read the column.
I also make an announcement about the future of the column for the remainder of the year in the Gonzogoose Roost section, so be sure to check that out.
Thanks and enjoy!
B-Out
This week I take a look at several monster themed titles ranging from funny to grotesque.
Click the post title to read the column.
I also make an announcement about the future of the column for the remainder of the year in the Gonzogoose Roost section, so be sure to check that out.
Thanks and enjoy!
B-Out
Friday, October 27, 2006
It's Friday!
Not that it matters since I pretty much do some kind of work all through the weekend, but I'll throw it out for all you out there that love Fridays. :)
I sadly have to start with a slight bit of bad news so I don't end with it mainly. It's nothing big, I've just been feeling really crappy. I've mentioned my stomach problems, and they seem to be getting worse. I'm in pain every day and it's got me a little concerned now.
I'm also still having problems with my teeth and toe, but those are par for the course. I'm far from happy about them, but right now there's not much I can do about them.
Oh, and it's raining like crazy here. Cold rain on a cold day is not cool. Well, technically it is, but you get the point...
Anyway, now that all that's out of the way, tonight I finally get to catch the latest episode of Heroes. I miss it on Mondays because of wrestling, but thankfully the Sci-Fi channel replays it. I'm really excited to see what happens and have avoided all conversation about it since Monday. Whew.
Well, the McDonalds monopoly game is winding down (ends at the end of the month) and I came oh so close! I have multiples of three of the four railroads that wins 5 million dollars, and I have about 15 Park Places and no Boardwalks that would win 1 million dollars. I also have 2 of every property always missing that elusive third piece to complete them. We didn't go out of our way or anything, but ended up with like 60 or more game pieces. I don't eat there at all except for an occasional order of fries, which I got twice this month. My mom eats there every day for lunch because it's across the street, and my brother eats there twice every weekend when he hangs out with his friends. So it was nothing above and beyond, just normal buying habits. Sure would have been nice to win though. Any large amount of money would take care of a lot of things right now. But hey, there's still four days!
Speaking of my mother, she's been back to work for I'd say about 5-6 weeks now up until today. She went to see her doctor yesterday and when he found out she was having to bend over in her chair to reach files for filing he put a stop to it. He told her if she continued doing so she could end up paralyzed. They don't know what all exactly is wrong with her beyond her knee injury, but she's got something wrong with her back and has arthritis. So long story short, they sent her home and they have nothing else for her. So now she's in limbo again without a paycheck. Workman's Comp didn't pay her for the last two weeks she was off work before going back and we're afraid they won't again. Her attorney says they have to, so we'll see.
I finished up Ezra #2 yesterday and after 4 attempts I finally got the files sent off. That book was a lot of fun to do, I hope I get to do more.
I got some feedback from the Zeroes 2 Heroes crew that ran that contest I entered a while back. They've gone through two of my entries and given me some valuable feedback, so I'm thankful for that. Overall both critiques were fairly positive. There was nothing bad with either Eliminator or Wannabez according to them.
They graded several factors on a scale of Excellent, Good, Fair and Poor. Eliminator's concept and characters got a Fair, but all the other factors scored a Good. They told me the characters were kind of flat and predictable more or less, which I can see. Thank goodness I don't have any art on that one yet (that I'm using anyway) so I can rethink a bit of it. They liked my pacing and dialogue mostly, and they were really kind about it adding humor and such. It was a great critique.
WBZ's critique was generally positive with a little negative ending. The concept got an Excellent and everything else got a Good, so I can live with that. They really liked the characters, the story and the flow of the script, but they noted some problems as well. Their concerns were that the gag of the book would run dry fast, and I can see that to a point. Of course I have a way to counter that, which I probably didn't state clear enough in the premise unfortunately. While they liked it and thought it was a great idea on the surface they didn't feel it would work because of that concern. I disagree for the reason I just mentioned, but still, for professionals to praise my work that much means I must be doing something right. So I'll just keep plugging away.
I'm really interested in seeing what they think of Snow, which is my final, last minute entry that they told me they'd get to. We shall see.
And on that note, I think I'll close the post with the positive in mind. 'Til next time.
B-Out
I sadly have to start with a slight bit of bad news so I don't end with it mainly. It's nothing big, I've just been feeling really crappy. I've mentioned my stomach problems, and they seem to be getting worse. I'm in pain every day and it's got me a little concerned now.
I'm also still having problems with my teeth and toe, but those are par for the course. I'm far from happy about them, but right now there's not much I can do about them.
Oh, and it's raining like crazy here. Cold rain on a cold day is not cool. Well, technically it is, but you get the point...
Anyway, now that all that's out of the way, tonight I finally get to catch the latest episode of Heroes. I miss it on Mondays because of wrestling, but thankfully the Sci-Fi channel replays it. I'm really excited to see what happens and have avoided all conversation about it since Monday. Whew.
Well, the McDonalds monopoly game is winding down (ends at the end of the month) and I came oh so close! I have multiples of three of the four railroads that wins 5 million dollars, and I have about 15 Park Places and no Boardwalks that would win 1 million dollars. I also have 2 of every property always missing that elusive third piece to complete them. We didn't go out of our way or anything, but ended up with like 60 or more game pieces. I don't eat there at all except for an occasional order of fries, which I got twice this month. My mom eats there every day for lunch because it's across the street, and my brother eats there twice every weekend when he hangs out with his friends. So it was nothing above and beyond, just normal buying habits. Sure would have been nice to win though. Any large amount of money would take care of a lot of things right now. But hey, there's still four days!
Speaking of my mother, she's been back to work for I'd say about 5-6 weeks now up until today. She went to see her doctor yesterday and when he found out she was having to bend over in her chair to reach files for filing he put a stop to it. He told her if she continued doing so she could end up paralyzed. They don't know what all exactly is wrong with her beyond her knee injury, but she's got something wrong with her back and has arthritis. So long story short, they sent her home and they have nothing else for her. So now she's in limbo again without a paycheck. Workman's Comp didn't pay her for the last two weeks she was off work before going back and we're afraid they won't again. Her attorney says they have to, so we'll see.
I finished up Ezra #2 yesterday and after 4 attempts I finally got the files sent off. That book was a lot of fun to do, I hope I get to do more.
I got some feedback from the Zeroes 2 Heroes crew that ran that contest I entered a while back. They've gone through two of my entries and given me some valuable feedback, so I'm thankful for that. Overall both critiques were fairly positive. There was nothing bad with either Eliminator or Wannabez according to them.
They graded several factors on a scale of Excellent, Good, Fair and Poor. Eliminator's concept and characters got a Fair, but all the other factors scored a Good. They told me the characters were kind of flat and predictable more or less, which I can see. Thank goodness I don't have any art on that one yet (that I'm using anyway) so I can rethink a bit of it. They liked my pacing and dialogue mostly, and they were really kind about it adding humor and such. It was a great critique.
WBZ's critique was generally positive with a little negative ending. The concept got an Excellent and everything else got a Good, so I can live with that. They really liked the characters, the story and the flow of the script, but they noted some problems as well. Their concerns were that the gag of the book would run dry fast, and I can see that to a point. Of course I have a way to counter that, which I probably didn't state clear enough in the premise unfortunately. While they liked it and thought it was a great idea on the surface they didn't feel it would work because of that concern. I disagree for the reason I just mentioned, but still, for professionals to praise my work that much means I must be doing something right. So I'll just keep plugging away.
I'm really interested in seeing what they think of Snow, which is my final, last minute entry that they told me they'd get to. We shall see.
And on that note, I think I'll close the post with the positive in mind. 'Til next time.
B-Out
Thursday, October 26, 2006
More Lettering News
I figured I'd drop a note on here since unfortunately it's been another few days since my last post. Ugh!
Anyway, this isn't the lettering gig I spoke of in my last post that I wasn't ready to divulge yet as I'm still saving that one. This one I've been holding off on because of a confidentiality agreement, but since I've seen it posted on forums and since it's going to be in the Comic Shop News I figure it's okay.
It's pretty common knowledge now, I think, in the comics community that Alias is focusing on Christian titles now. Well, Mike S. Miller, one of the co-owners of Alias started up another company called Abacus where he'll be publishing his titles Lullaby, The Imaginaries and Sixgun Samurai as reported here.
Abacus will also be publishing Mortal World Entertainment titles Kord and Harley and Soulless. I will be lettering these two titles! I was approached by Matthew Adams of MWE, who I have spoken with on several occasions to letter the titles and of course I jumped. It's a great opportunity and the art is beautiful. I haven't read the whole scripts yet, but I'm sure they are fantastic as well.
You can click the post title to go to Abacus' site and read about the titles where you will now see my name plastered on Kord and Harley. It's currently spelled completely wrong, but that will be fixed soon... I hope!
More news coming soon!
B-Out
Anyway, this isn't the lettering gig I spoke of in my last post that I wasn't ready to divulge yet as I'm still saving that one. This one I've been holding off on because of a confidentiality agreement, but since I've seen it posted on forums and since it's going to be in the Comic Shop News I figure it's okay.
It's pretty common knowledge now, I think, in the comics community that Alias is focusing on Christian titles now. Well, Mike S. Miller, one of the co-owners of Alias started up another company called Abacus where he'll be publishing his titles Lullaby, The Imaginaries and Sixgun Samurai as reported here.
Abacus will also be publishing Mortal World Entertainment titles Kord and Harley and Soulless. I will be lettering these two titles! I was approached by Matthew Adams of MWE, who I have spoken with on several occasions to letter the titles and of course I jumped. It's a great opportunity and the art is beautiful. I haven't read the whole scripts yet, but I'm sure they are fantastic as well.
You can click the post title to go to Abacus' site and read about the titles where you will now see my name plastered on Kord and Harley. It's currently spelled completely wrong, but that will be fixed soon... I hope!
More news coming soon!
B-Out
Tuesday, October 24, 2006
What A Way To Start Off The Day
This has been a rough past couple of weeks to say the least. I've been really busy, which I guess is a good thing, but it's taking a toll on me.
My lettering is really starting to get out there, so hopefully that will keep happening. Most recently I got two great gigs. One is lettering issue 2 of Ezra: Evoked Emotions for Arcana. The other I'm not quite ready to talk about, but it's even cooler for me.
I've also had a lot of small jobs, and I'm always looking for more paid ones, so give me a shout if you've got something.
Today I've got a whole lot to do as usual, but I look to be caught up by the end of the week if all goes well.
Last week could have resulted in some news about whether our home is getting sold out from under us. I haven't heard the verdict yet, but last we talked it didn't look good. So just keep us in your thoughts and prayers. We really don't have anywhere else to go or the money to take us there right now.
Things have been really stressful around here lately. I won't go into details, but tempers have flared and things have been said. It's just... really... strained right now I guess is the word. I don't want to be a downer anymore, so I'll just leave it at that. We really need some things to happen in a number of areas, so if you could just send some good vibes our way. :)
Enough about all that crap though.
I was thinking the past few days how much a year can change a person. It's truly amazing what can occur in as little time as a year. One year ago I was a completely different person than I am now. Those of you who speak to me online may not see the difference, but had you known me in person a year ago and now you would see the difference. Some of the change is for the better, some for the worse. It's just strange how much can truly change.
For instance, a year ago the way I thought about things was completely different from how I do now. While I am more cynical I think, and that probably just comes with age, it's more than that. A year ago I guess you could see I was ever so slightly more naive, yet oddly less open minded. Now I'm definitely not naive in the slightest, if anything the opposite, and I'm more open minded to certain things.
Again, no details, just an observation. A year ago there were people in my life I trusted for 20 years. Now those people are no longer in my life. Not complaining or being down about it, just noting one of the changes.
It's just odd how much can change in so little time. When I was a kid a year seemed like an eternity, but now it seems like a blink of an eye, and yet the things that happen in that momentary wink can change one's life significantly.
I lived my life for years for one goal, and I always put others above myself even to my detriment many times. That goal, while at the core hasn't changed, the methods by which to reach that goal have been altered. And while I'll still go out of my way to help people I won't hurt myself and my family to do it because that's just not wise. You'd have to know exactly what level of help I'm talking about to understand that.
But I'm not complaining, what is, is. What's in the past can stay there. I used to be concerned about the past, and sometimes it still haunts me and reminds me of things. But by and large I just want to move on. That's easier said than done many times, but that's what you've got to do.
I hope this post doesn't sound like the old whining I got into for a bit a while back. If it does someone please let me know and I'll not do it again. I'm trying to leave that momentarily weak aspect of myself far behind. It wasn't a part of me before, and I don't want it to be a part of me now. Sometimes when so much occurs at once you can't help but go into that phase for a short time, but it's definitely not a place I want to stay or even be reminded of.
Well, maybe it's because I just woke up after a stressful night and had all this on my mind, and maybe I'm still half asleep because I didn't intend on making some large post at this time. Whatever the case may be here it is. I find that this blog allows me to be open and honest with words I could never say, yet I still tend to hold back a lot. I'm not one to talk about my problems or even my dreams in idle conversation. It's just not who I am. I'm a very private person, but for some reason I find some solace in putting my words onto this program that could potentially broadcast them to millions of people. Go figure. lol.
Anyway, I think that's about all I have in me today. I need to go get some tea and wake my butt up. It's going to be a long day!
B-Out
My lettering is really starting to get out there, so hopefully that will keep happening. Most recently I got two great gigs. One is lettering issue 2 of Ezra: Evoked Emotions for Arcana. The other I'm not quite ready to talk about, but it's even cooler for me.
I've also had a lot of small jobs, and I'm always looking for more paid ones, so give me a shout if you've got something.
Today I've got a whole lot to do as usual, but I look to be caught up by the end of the week if all goes well.
Last week could have resulted in some news about whether our home is getting sold out from under us. I haven't heard the verdict yet, but last we talked it didn't look good. So just keep us in your thoughts and prayers. We really don't have anywhere else to go or the money to take us there right now.
Things have been really stressful around here lately. I won't go into details, but tempers have flared and things have been said. It's just... really... strained right now I guess is the word. I don't want to be a downer anymore, so I'll just leave it at that. We really need some things to happen in a number of areas, so if you could just send some good vibes our way. :)
Enough about all that crap though.
I was thinking the past few days how much a year can change a person. It's truly amazing what can occur in as little time as a year. One year ago I was a completely different person than I am now. Those of you who speak to me online may not see the difference, but had you known me in person a year ago and now you would see the difference. Some of the change is for the better, some for the worse. It's just strange how much can truly change.
For instance, a year ago the way I thought about things was completely different from how I do now. While I am more cynical I think, and that probably just comes with age, it's more than that. A year ago I guess you could see I was ever so slightly more naive, yet oddly less open minded. Now I'm definitely not naive in the slightest, if anything the opposite, and I'm more open minded to certain things.
Again, no details, just an observation. A year ago there were people in my life I trusted for 20 years. Now those people are no longer in my life. Not complaining or being down about it, just noting one of the changes.
It's just odd how much can change in so little time. When I was a kid a year seemed like an eternity, but now it seems like a blink of an eye, and yet the things that happen in that momentary wink can change one's life significantly.
I lived my life for years for one goal, and I always put others above myself even to my detriment many times. That goal, while at the core hasn't changed, the methods by which to reach that goal have been altered. And while I'll still go out of my way to help people I won't hurt myself and my family to do it because that's just not wise. You'd have to know exactly what level of help I'm talking about to understand that.
But I'm not complaining, what is, is. What's in the past can stay there. I used to be concerned about the past, and sometimes it still haunts me and reminds me of things. But by and large I just want to move on. That's easier said than done many times, but that's what you've got to do.
I hope this post doesn't sound like the old whining I got into for a bit a while back. If it does someone please let me know and I'll not do it again. I'm trying to leave that momentarily weak aspect of myself far behind. It wasn't a part of me before, and I don't want it to be a part of me now. Sometimes when so much occurs at once you can't help but go into that phase for a short time, but it's definitely not a place I want to stay or even be reminded of.
Well, maybe it's because I just woke up after a stressful night and had all this on my mind, and maybe I'm still half asleep because I didn't intend on making some large post at this time. Whatever the case may be here it is. I find that this blog allows me to be open and honest with words I could never say, yet I still tend to hold back a lot. I'm not one to talk about my problems or even my dreams in idle conversation. It's just not who I am. I'm a very private person, but for some reason I find some solace in putting my words onto this program that could potentially broadcast them to millions of people. Go figure. lol.
Anyway, I think that's about all I have in me today. I need to go get some tea and wake my butt up. It's going to be a long day!
B-Out
Myth Conceptions
The latest column is up! This week I talk about Western comics with a twist.
Check it out by clicking the title post.
B-Out
Check it out by clicking the title post.
B-Out
Sunday, October 22, 2006
Indy-Pendant #70
Man, I can't believe I keep letting so many days pass before I post lately. I've just been swamped.
Anyway, this week I review Dead@17 #1, the new ongoing series for the property.
Now this is the first issue of the title in all its versions that I've ever read, and I have to say I was impressed. I'll leave it at that so you can read the review. :)
Next week the focus goes on all things appropriate for the holiday as it were, so check that out too!
As always, click the post title to read the column. Thanks!
B-Out
Anyway, this week I review Dead@17 #1, the new ongoing series for the property.
Now this is the first issue of the title in all its versions that I've ever read, and I have to say I was impressed. I'll leave it at that so you can read the review. :)
Next week the focus goes on all things appropriate for the holiday as it were, so check that out too!
As always, click the post title to read the column. Thanks!
B-Out
Tuesday, October 17, 2006
More Lettering News
Anyone heard of RabidFrog? They're a comic publisher, and it just so turns out I'm doing some lettering work coming out through them.
On their news page right now (click the post title) in the fourth paragraph down they mention THREE titles that I am lettering all coming out next year! Those three titles are The Pozers (which I also designed the logo for), Academy of Heroes (which I am designing the logo for right now) and Lightning Squirrel. They also mention Bureau 13, which I lettered 10 pages of. So needless to say I'm pretty excited. And so far these books all look great too!
So I thought I'd share that little piece of news with you. I have some more exciting lettering news yet to come.
B-Out
On their news page right now (click the post title) in the fourth paragraph down they mention THREE titles that I am lettering all coming out next year! Those three titles are The Pozers (which I also designed the logo for), Academy of Heroes (which I am designing the logo for right now) and Lightning Squirrel. They also mention Bureau 13, which I lettered 10 pages of. So needless to say I'm pretty excited. And so far these books all look great too!
So I thought I'd share that little piece of news with you. I have some more exciting lettering news yet to come.
B-Out
Monday, October 16, 2006
Myth Conceptions
The latest column is up! This week I continue the journey with a look at Sci-Fi titles.
Click the title post to read the column.
B-Out
Click the title post to read the column.
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Saturday, October 14, 2006
Indy-Pendant #69
I put the column up a little early this week. Click the post title to read it.
This week I talked about several web comics I read or am starting to read.
If there are others I neglected to mention please let me know and I'll take a look at them for future columns.
Thanks and enjoy!
B-Out
This week I talked about several web comics I read or am starting to read.
If there are others I neglected to mention please let me know and I'll take a look at them for future columns.
Thanks and enjoy!
B-Out
Thursday, October 12, 2006
Slipping
Wow, I'm really slipping with my posts! I hadn't realized I hadn't posted since Monday. My bad.
This will be a short one, or at least I think it will.
Lost was another good episode this week. They spread out and showed Sayid, Sun and Jin and some more of Sun and Jin's past, which was cool. Next week we see what happened to Locke, Charlie, Eko and the English guy after the blast.
The third and final Tito Ortiz/Ken Shamrock fight was nearly as short as the last. It lasted around two-two and a half minutes I think and ended with Shamrock getting Ground and Pounded out. Shamrock then announced his retirement and the two shook hands and buried the hatchet, which was really cool to see.
I got into Ghost Hunters on Sci-Fi for the first time the past couple of days. I'm a spiritual person and believe in demons and angels, but not so much in ghosts, as in the spirits of people who once lived walking around. But this show is really cool and the stuff they experience and catch on film is intriguing. I don't know how real it is, or if it is real if the spirits are ghosts or demons or whatever, but it's still fun to watch.
Tonight is Smallville, Supernatural, Ultimate Fighter and TNA Wrestling for me. I may also flip over to ER occasionally. Yep, it's a big TV night!
Been doing a lot of lettering this week, hope to have some more jobs come through and hope to have some announcements soon.
All I bought this week was 52 #23 so far, though I would have bought:
Uncanny X-Men 479
Thunderbolts #107
G.I. Joe America's Elite #16
I'm so far behind on G.I. Joe it's not funny. Uncanny I'll probably still pick up in a few days.
Next week if the funds are there I'd like to get:
52 #24
Wildcats #1
Noble Causes #24
Runaways #21
X-Factor #12
G.I. Joe Declassified #3
Most likely it will be 1-3 of those, namely 52, Runaways and Noble Causes.
And that's about it. Not real short, but not nearly as long-winded as I can be.
B-Out
This will be a short one, or at least I think it will.
Lost was another good episode this week. They spread out and showed Sayid, Sun and Jin and some more of Sun and Jin's past, which was cool. Next week we see what happened to Locke, Charlie, Eko and the English guy after the blast.
The third and final Tito Ortiz/Ken Shamrock fight was nearly as short as the last. It lasted around two-two and a half minutes I think and ended with Shamrock getting Ground and Pounded out. Shamrock then announced his retirement and the two shook hands and buried the hatchet, which was really cool to see.
I got into Ghost Hunters on Sci-Fi for the first time the past couple of days. I'm a spiritual person and believe in demons and angels, but not so much in ghosts, as in the spirits of people who once lived walking around. But this show is really cool and the stuff they experience and catch on film is intriguing. I don't know how real it is, or if it is real if the spirits are ghosts or demons or whatever, but it's still fun to watch.
Tonight is Smallville, Supernatural, Ultimate Fighter and TNA Wrestling for me. I may also flip over to ER occasionally. Yep, it's a big TV night!
Been doing a lot of lettering this week, hope to have some more jobs come through and hope to have some announcements soon.
All I bought this week was 52 #23 so far, though I would have bought:
Uncanny X-Men 479
Thunderbolts #107
G.I. Joe America's Elite #16
I'm so far behind on G.I. Joe it's not funny. Uncanny I'll probably still pick up in a few days.
Next week if the funds are there I'd like to get:
52 #24
Wildcats #1
Noble Causes #24
Runaways #21
X-Factor #12
G.I. Joe Declassified #3
Most likely it will be 1-3 of those, namely 52, Runaways and Noble Causes.
And that's about it. Not real short, but not nearly as long-winded as I can be.
B-Out
Monday, October 09, 2006
Myth Conceptions
The latest column is up.
This week I start a series of columns on mixed-genre titles. This week it's Noir with a twist.
Check it out by clicking the post title.
B-Out
This week I start a series of columns on mixed-genre titles. This week it's Noir with a twist.
Check it out by clicking the post title.
B-Out
Sunday, October 08, 2006
In Need of PAID Lettering Work ASAP!
I've had an unexpected expense hit me and need to make a quick $50 or more to cover it. I have one job paying $50 that will cover the rest. I'm willing to take on anything from 5 page shorts to full issues for $5 a page. The catch is I need to get paid this week. I will deliver fast, quality work and can provide references from those I've dealt with that will back that up.
Click Lettering up top in the navigation to see my samples.
If you have or know someone who has any lettering work please contact me at gonzogoose@brantfowler.com. Thank you.
Brant W. Fowler
Click Lettering up top in the navigation to see my samples.
If you have or know someone who has any lettering work please contact me at gonzogoose@brantfowler.com. Thank you.
Brant W. Fowler
Sketch Blog
I made a post at the ol' sketch blog, by the way. I know they haven't been as frequent as I would have liked, and I'm considering killing the blog, but thought I'd throw one more up anyway. Click the post title to visit.
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Indy-Pendant #68
The latest column is up! This week I review three #1 issues from Virgin Comics. Click the post title to check it out.
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B-Out
The Road Less Traveled
There are times in life when one considers what brought them to where they are. This could be brought on by great joy, great sadness, great anger or great fear. It could be brought on by circumstances or by actions or people in their lives.
Wherever the thought comes from it often makes an impact in their lives either enforcing action or inaction. Some may accept things as they are and never reach for anything greater. They may allow circumstances to dictate what becomes of them. If the place they are in is a good place then that may be fine and well. But if it's a bad place they may in fact be writing their lives off by refusing to experience anything greater.
Others consider where they are, and upon realizing it's not where they want to be, they make changes. Sometimes those changes aren't easy or even possible. So they strive and strive to find a way to make them possible not wanting to live life with regrets or by looking at their dreams from afar. Unfortunately for many it doesn't work out and they end up right back where they started.
The few that embrace a greater existence and take action beyond understanding, comprehension and average complacency are the ones that achieve their goals and live their dreams. These are few and far between because many times to achieve greatness you have to sacrifice much. Whether that be family and friends, or pride and security, or ways of life you thought were right for you, there are things that must be lost to gain what you seek. They may not be big losses, but they are losses nonetheless.
Risk is also a factor. You step out from what you know, or for a not so sure of a thing and hope to make the best of it. If you fail there are consequences that could land you in a worse place than you were before. The ones that achieve take those risks and don't look back. But in doing so they risk alienating themselves.
The key destination is to reach a place where the sacrifices made make way for new and greater experiences and relationships, whether with the same people or new. That destination also includes living dreams and seeing things change for the better.
But when you sit on the cusp of stepping out and taking the risks, and you fully want to take those risks, but something holds you back that you can't overcome then it becomes very disheartening. Sometimes there are... circumstances that prevent you from moving forward - things you don't have the power or ability, or finances, or opportunity to change. No matter what you do and how hard you try things just don't work out.
What does one do in a situation such as this? Do they simply accept that their life is not one meant for greatness? Do they give up hope that things can change, that dreams can be achieved?
The way those questions are answered within one's self will make all the difference. Insurmountable odds may be ahead of you, but if your determination and desire is strong enough you can overcome any obstacle. It may take years of heartache and bad experiences, but as long as there is a will, to quote a cliche, there is a way. It may seem bleak... very bleak... but there is hope. Hope that someday, somehow a way will present itself to make the changes necessary to enable one to follow their dreams and be able to push with everything within them. There has to be that hope or living as things are becomes that much harder, and at times unbearable.
Hope is all we have at times to pull us through, and it is something I cling to on a daily basis. No matter what the odds are against me, or what obstacles I may face I will not die. I will not concede. I will not fail. I will become. And all the nay-sayers will eat their words, but I will not offer them the cruelty they have shown me. I will be as I always am and treat them with kindness and love. For that is who I am and what I'm about, always putting others above myself. But over time I have hurt myself because of that. No more.
Taking an alternate route from the average path is what separates those that move and those that stand still. Stepping out on faith knowing that something greater is in store as opposed to the mundane existence that threatens us all is what separates the dreamers from the doers.
I am a dreamer. I will be a doer.
Wherever the thought comes from it often makes an impact in their lives either enforcing action or inaction. Some may accept things as they are and never reach for anything greater. They may allow circumstances to dictate what becomes of them. If the place they are in is a good place then that may be fine and well. But if it's a bad place they may in fact be writing their lives off by refusing to experience anything greater.
Others consider where they are, and upon realizing it's not where they want to be, they make changes. Sometimes those changes aren't easy or even possible. So they strive and strive to find a way to make them possible not wanting to live life with regrets or by looking at their dreams from afar. Unfortunately for many it doesn't work out and they end up right back where they started.
The few that embrace a greater existence and take action beyond understanding, comprehension and average complacency are the ones that achieve their goals and live their dreams. These are few and far between because many times to achieve greatness you have to sacrifice much. Whether that be family and friends, or pride and security, or ways of life you thought were right for you, there are things that must be lost to gain what you seek. They may not be big losses, but they are losses nonetheless.
Risk is also a factor. You step out from what you know, or for a not so sure of a thing and hope to make the best of it. If you fail there are consequences that could land you in a worse place than you were before. The ones that achieve take those risks and don't look back. But in doing so they risk alienating themselves.
The key destination is to reach a place where the sacrifices made make way for new and greater experiences and relationships, whether with the same people or new. That destination also includes living dreams and seeing things change for the better.
But when you sit on the cusp of stepping out and taking the risks, and you fully want to take those risks, but something holds you back that you can't overcome then it becomes very disheartening. Sometimes there are... circumstances that prevent you from moving forward - things you don't have the power or ability, or finances, or opportunity to change. No matter what you do and how hard you try things just don't work out.
What does one do in a situation such as this? Do they simply accept that their life is not one meant for greatness? Do they give up hope that things can change, that dreams can be achieved?
The way those questions are answered within one's self will make all the difference. Insurmountable odds may be ahead of you, but if your determination and desire is strong enough you can overcome any obstacle. It may take years of heartache and bad experiences, but as long as there is a will, to quote a cliche, there is a way. It may seem bleak... very bleak... but there is hope. Hope that someday, somehow a way will present itself to make the changes necessary to enable one to follow their dreams and be able to push with everything within them. There has to be that hope or living as things are becomes that much harder, and at times unbearable.
Hope is all we have at times to pull us through, and it is something I cling to on a daily basis. No matter what the odds are against me, or what obstacles I may face I will not die. I will not concede. I will not fail. I will become. And all the nay-sayers will eat their words, but I will not offer them the cruelty they have shown me. I will be as I always am and treat them with kindness and love. For that is who I am and what I'm about, always putting others above myself. But over time I have hurt myself because of that. No more.
Taking an alternate route from the average path is what separates those that move and those that stand still. Stepping out on faith knowing that something greater is in store as opposed to the mundane existence that threatens us all is what separates the dreamers from the doers.
I am a dreamer. I will be a doer.
Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;
Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,
And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.
I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I--
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.
~Robert Frost - The Road Not Taken
(This is my 400th post, by the way)
B-Out
Friday, October 06, 2006
TV Tonight, Beyond and Before
The second episode of Heroes replays tonight on Sci-Fi at 7pm for anyone who missed it. I missed it due to wrestling, so I'll definitely be tuning in.
Also tonight is the two-hour third season premiere of Battlestar Galactica. Now I've never watched an entire episode as I could never get into it. I tried a couple of times, but it just didn't appeal to me. Out of boredom the other night I watched the Battlestar Galactica: So Far special recapping all the events up to this point. It looked interested enough actually so I will probably at least watch this season premiere and make my judgements then.
Today there's a mini marathon of episodes, but of course I won't be able to check those out. Maybe one of them, I don't know, we'll see.
And of course tonight is another wrestling night with Smackdown, the last one before the next pay-per-view.
Speaking of wrestling, the season premiere of Raw is three hours long Monday, so that'll be cool. Normally I'd be ticked about Prison Break's hiatus, but at least now I can watch the first hour of Raw without missing Prison Break.
And with that nice little segue, Prison Break this past Monday was again off the chain. Just when you thought all the twists and turns that could be have happened we get three more! This is absolutely one of my favorite shows ever.
Last night's Smallville featured the debut of Ollie Queen, AKA, Green Arrow. He wasn't in costume or anything, but it was cool to see. The last scene he was standing on a rooftop and said the name of a country then shot his arrow in the air. We follow the arrow as it lands in the country he named on the Daily Planet globe. Very cool.
Lost debuted this week also with a decent first episode of the season. I hate that there will only be six episodes before it goes on hiatus for 13 weeks, but at least we get to see some of the episodes. We got to see some more info on the Others, but everything is still pretty subtle and mysterious. It was a nice teaser episode.
I caught Friday Night Lights online and let me tell you that was a good show. I'm not big into football, and I didn't think this show would appeal to me at all, but it had a very real feel to it and was very emotional and intense at points. It was definitely enough to get me to check out the next episode.
The Nine also debuted this week after Lost, and it was decent. It's about a bank robbery and how it affected all the people held hostage. It showed the beginning when the robbers first came in, then it fast forwarded 52 hours to when it was all over. Evidently something very traumatic happened in those 52 hours that connected these total strangers forever. Throughout the episode there were little flashbacks and hints, but nothing was really revealed. It was intriguing enough to give the second episode a shot.
And that's all I can think of for now. I'm sure I watched something else that I can't remember at the moment. Oh well. I'll save that for another post.
B-Out
Also tonight is the two-hour third season premiere of Battlestar Galactica. Now I've never watched an entire episode as I could never get into it. I tried a couple of times, but it just didn't appeal to me. Out of boredom the other night I watched the Battlestar Galactica: So Far special recapping all the events up to this point. It looked interested enough actually so I will probably at least watch this season premiere and make my judgements then.
Today there's a mini marathon of episodes, but of course I won't be able to check those out. Maybe one of them, I don't know, we'll see.
And of course tonight is another wrestling night with Smackdown, the last one before the next pay-per-view.
Speaking of wrestling, the season premiere of Raw is three hours long Monday, so that'll be cool. Normally I'd be ticked about Prison Break's hiatus, but at least now I can watch the first hour of Raw without missing Prison Break.
And with that nice little segue, Prison Break this past Monday was again off the chain. Just when you thought all the twists and turns that could be have happened we get three more! This is absolutely one of my favorite shows ever.
Last night's Smallville featured the debut of Ollie Queen, AKA, Green Arrow. He wasn't in costume or anything, but it was cool to see. The last scene he was standing on a rooftop and said the name of a country then shot his arrow in the air. We follow the arrow as it lands in the country he named on the Daily Planet globe. Very cool.
Lost debuted this week also with a decent first episode of the season. I hate that there will only be six episodes before it goes on hiatus for 13 weeks, but at least we get to see some of the episodes. We got to see some more info on the Others, but everything is still pretty subtle and mysterious. It was a nice teaser episode.
I caught Friday Night Lights online and let me tell you that was a good show. I'm not big into football, and I didn't think this show would appeal to me at all, but it had a very real feel to it and was very emotional and intense at points. It was definitely enough to get me to check out the next episode.
The Nine also debuted this week after Lost, and it was decent. It's about a bank robbery and how it affected all the people held hostage. It showed the beginning when the robbers first came in, then it fast forwarded 52 hours to when it was all over. Evidently something very traumatic happened in those 52 hours that connected these total strangers forever. Throughout the episode there were little flashbacks and hints, but nothing was really revealed. It was intriguing enough to give the second episode a shot.
And that's all I can think of for now. I'm sure I watched something else that I can't remember at the moment. Oh well. I'll save that for another post.
B-Out
Thursday, October 05, 2006
More Published Lettering!
I know it's been a couple of days, but I've just been busy. I apologize to all the faithful.
I just got word that two short stories I lettered are now published in issue #1 of Dimestore's Mysterious Visions: After Hours anthology. I lettered Guess Who and Hope Eternal, so if you have the extra cash click the post title and pick up a copy!
I've got some more lettering news I can't talk about just yet, but stay tuned.
B-Out
I just got word that two short stories I lettered are now published in issue #1 of Dimestore's Mysterious Visions: After Hours anthology. I lettered Guess Who and Hope Eternal, so if you have the extra cash click the post title and pick up a copy!
I've got some more lettering news I can't talk about just yet, but stay tuned.
B-Out
Tuesday, October 03, 2006
I Write for the Military?
Apparently I am now writing for Military Times Magazine according to the latest press release from IDW Publishing (click the post title)! Yeah, came as a shock to me as well.
So, let me clear the air once and for all in case someone who's heard of me comes across this. I don't now, nor have I ever written for any military magazine. Not that I view this as anything negative, but I just don't want to be misrepresented or to be perceived as a low level Micah Wright or anything.
The actual writer of the article was Bryant Jordan, and I understand that a correction is being sent out.
So there you have it. It was a misprint as I did talk with Waltz several months ago about doing a feature for www.silverbulletcomics.com. Evidently the writer of the press release just got facts confused.
B-Out
So, let me clear the air once and for all in case someone who's heard of me comes across this. I don't now, nor have I ever written for any military magazine. Not that I view this as anything negative, but I just don't want to be misrepresented or to be perceived as a low level Micah Wright or anything.
The actual writer of the article was Bryant Jordan, and I understand that a correction is being sent out.
So there you have it. It was a misprint as I did talk with Waltz several months ago about doing a feature for www.silverbulletcomics.com. Evidently the writer of the press release just got facts confused.
B-Out
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