Happy B-Day, Jay

Today is my cousin's birthday. Last year you all may remember me posting birthday wishes and some old photos of him. He said he was going to get me back for that. But actually I haven't even talked to him since Christmas last year.

Anyway, I doubt he'll read this, but I wanted to extend it anyway. He's the big 3-0 today! And that reminds me all to painfully that my own 20s will end in less than five months. Sigh.

Oh well, time marches on. I just wish I had taken the time to enjoy my youth a little more, but I guess we all wish that. Looking back I wish I had been a little less tight around the collar. Jay lived it up, probably more than I would have wanted to, but still he had fun, and that's cool.

Anyway, Happy Birthday, man, wherever you are and whatever you're up to these days. I'm still wondering which one of us will get married first. At this rate we may both be 50 year old bachelors. Lol.

On a more solemn note, today was also my brother's father's birthday had he lived. My brother hasn't mentioned it, but I'm sure it was hard on him. He's been talking about and thinking about his dad a lot lately.

B-Out

What's Going Downnnn

Man, I just can't break these stupid illnesses. I don't know if I caught my brother's stomach virus or something else because I've got the whole pounding head, stuffed up head, nose and chest, and fatigue crap going on. Right now my eyes feel like they're about to pop out of my skull and my nose won't stop running. Ugh! I stayed in bed pretty much all day today, and only got up because I had to. Wish I was still there!

Just found out yesterday my barber of 10-15 years is quitting the business. He's the best around here and many, many customers ask for him by name, but he's not making enough money. I believe he's going to be an electrician now.

It sucks because now I have no one to cut my hair. I've tried others, but they all mess it up. It's funny because I wondered what I'd do if I ever moved out of Kentucky (silly, I know) and now I'm faced with it while I'm still here. And the cruel thing is I was going to get it cut this week! Oh well.

Still haven't found anything new out about the house. Right now as it stands the best case scenario is that our rent will go up another $50-100, which is going to hurt. But that's better than having to move with nowhere to go and no money to get there. So that's what I'm hoping for right now.

Thanksgiving's just over two weeks away now and we're not sure what we're going to do. For as long as I can remember our entire local family (5-7 families depending, roughly 20-25 people) have gotten together for the holidays, but this year has been hard on everyone and they're thinking of breaking the tradition and having our own individual Thanksgiving dinners. Last year I missed Thanksgiving due to some personal issues, and now this year it looks like there won't be one. I wonder if Christmas will be the same?

Ah, the advil are finally kicking in on my headache a bit. Man, that's a major relief!

Nothing much on TV tonight. Friday Night Lights comes on (you'd think it would come on Fridays wouldn't you?) and that's a decent show. Aside from that it's a slow night. I have no life. :)

I hate Kentucky weather. It's been really cold the past few days, but then today it got hot. Now tomorrow I'm sure it'll be cold again. And it's not just the winter season either. It's like that all year! The weather here is so unpredictable. It could be rainy and 40 degrees in the middle of summer and 70 degrees in the dead of winter, and then both change the very next day. I hate it!

Well, I've read all the new comics I had on hand and probably won't get anymore for a few weeks. Guess I'm going to have to crack open a novel. Man, I wish SBC hadn't been sold out of the next Dragonlance one.

So that's about all that's going on in my world right now. Not much, I realize, but it is what it is, right? At least that's what I keep telling myself. ;)

B-Out

Myth Conceptions

The latest column is up. This week it's a journey into fantasy, so check it out (by clicking the title of course)!

B-Out

More Marvel Reviews

These are the last of a batch of Marvel reviews I did recently. Check them out when you get a chance!

Irredeemable Ant-Man #2

She-Hulk #13

Spider-Man & Power Pack #1

B-Out

Indy-Pendant #72

This week's column is up!

I had planned to have an interview, but things didn't work out that way. So instead I reviewed Dr. Blink, Superhero Shrink #3!

This was a hilarious read.

Click the post title as usual.

B-Out

Weekend Briefing

I'm not entering the NaNoWriMo this year.

After considering it for the better part of two more days and seeing everything on my plate and everything coming up I decided it would be way too much for me to handle this year. I know me, I would start and then feel pressured to stay on top of it, get overwhelmed, and be really hard on myself for not finishing it.

So, maybe I'll participate next year or better yet just write one at my own pace. I do think it's a really cool project, much like the global jam and 24 hour comics day events are for comics. It's just not feasible right now.

I'd love to hear if any of you are doing it though.


I'm most likely going to kill the sketch blog here real soon. I thought I would have more time to devote to it when I started it, but it's just not something I can do right now. It just sits there week after week and it bothers me. As soon as I have the time to shift those entries to here or the website or something I'll do so. Until then there will most likely be no more updates over there.


I have neglected to get the interview for Sunday's column I promised due to time constraints, so now I'm not sure what I'm going to do. Maybe I can do it on the fly, I don't know. I guess we'll see.


I am slightly behind on my lettering jobs (this week has taken its toll on me in more ways than one). Luckily I'm caught up on all upfront paying jobs except one, which doesn't have a hard deadline. The others I'm working on when I can. I just had a busy and stressful week, not to mention being sick. But I assure you all I am working on all of themand will be done soon. And I have tried to stay in constant contact with everyone except for today while I was offline for a good portion of the day.


Speaking of being sick, my brother came down with a viral stomach infection, which kept him out of school for half the week. I'm thinking maybe I had that on top of whatever else I have. I'm trying some Zantac to see if that helps me. I hope it does because it's gotten to the point that any time I eat anything I immediately have some sort of pain. At times it's a severe burning sensation, other times it's a pretty bad ache, and other times it just feels like, pardon the bluntness, a really bad case of gas. Used to it was mainly tomatoes and milk that affected it, and of course anything with those in it, which is almost everything I eat. But now it's bread, chicken, pop, anything really.


My Mom is thinking about getting into real estate. I mentioned here just recently how her doctor took her off even the minimal stuff she was doing at work. They have nothing for her and she's been sitting home for a week and a half. Well, my Mom has been to college twice and started courses before, but she never got to take them anywhere. Either before I was born or in my very early years she got an Associates Degree in nursing, but because of me she had to put it on hold. That and my Dad was a chauvinist that didn't think work was necessarily a woman's place. Then right before she found out she was pregnant with Zach she had returned to community college, but had to drop out for obvious reasons. Then Zach's dad died and she's been working hard labor ever since sadly.

When I was a teenager she worked several places, like as an administrative person at a hospital and she was a dance instructor, which is something she absolutely loved. I forget why she had to quit.

Well, come to find out, Mom had started to get into real estate many years ago, but again because of me or Dad she had to put it on hold. A few years ago she also tried to get into a prop designing business with her sister, but her sister kept dragging her feet on it. Mom couldn't do it alone. And man, she was good at it. She can still take items bought at a dollar store, put them together and they look like something out of a magazine. She just has an awesome talent and design since.

So anyway, now that physical labor is out of the question she has become interested in real estate for a number of reasons. Aside from the obvious lack of physical lifting and such, one reason is the lucrative possible income potential. Also, my Mom could sell fire to Satan, without lying. She's been in retail before, and she is just good. She's got an awesome way with people and she's very, very likable, which is surprising because she can be very blunt. I guess the honesty with a sincere, non-demeaning smile and tone works wonders for her.

So I'm looking into what she could do to get started. She's not one to sit around doing nothing, and she's much happier doing something fulfilling, as we all are I suppose. She's worked hard (believe it or not, the 5ft 3, then petite woman was a bricklayer in her 20s) all her life and isn't one to sit on her laurels. These injuries and our circumstantial lifestyle have really taken the liveliness out of her. Hopefully this will be something positive for her.

Zach and I have been getting along really well the past few days. Of course he's always nicer when he's sick, but it's something different. I think we're finding our way back to that connection we had that for various reasons, the fault of both of us, got broken for a while.

Well, my nap earlier to revitalize me to be able to catch up on work through the silence of the night hasn't really helped. Now I've got a heaping headache and am still very tired. Luckily so far the Zantac has helped. I ate some cream cheese and crackers before my nap and my stomach isn't hurting yet. That was around 7 hours ago, so hopefully this is working.

Anyway, as I said I have a ton of work to do and daybreak (and the breaking of the silence as people awaken) is fastly approaching. So I'm off.

B-Out

Possibly Absent

I just wanted to let you all know it's possible I won't have internet access today. If that's the case I should be around tomorrow. So if anyone needs to contact me just email me and I'll get back to you as soon as possible. Thanks.

B-Out

NaNoWriMo

So, everyone's talking about National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo), even Yahoo! For those unaware, it's a fun excercise started 7 years ago where writers take one month, the month of November naturally, to crank out a complete 50,000 word novel.

Sounds like a lot, huh? Well it is. To keep on schedule you would roughly have to produce 1,600 words a day, or about six pages. Yet thousands upon thousands of people participate each year. The object is quantity, not quality. It can be any genre and is known for its sense of being a community project. You can set up a blog through the site (linked in the post title) and share your chapters and get feedback, and you can give feedback to others.

The project began yesterday, I just didn't have a chance to post about it. I have not signed up, though I seriously thought about it (am thinking about it?). But for all you other writers out there, you're only one day behind. There's still time to get started. And from my understanding it doesn't really have to be from scratch. It could be something you've already started. I could be wrong though, so check it out for yourselves.

As for me, I really wanted to do this just to get my creative juices flowing and see if I had what it takes to complete a novel. But with taking time off one of the columns and all the lettering work and holidays coming up I just don't know if right now is the best time for me to jump into it.

I'll make a definite decision today at some point as I wouldn't want to get too far behind. Maybe I should do it even if I don't finish. It would give me an excuse to finally start that novel I've somewhat plotted out. I guess you'll all find out whether I do or not soon. The question is will you give it a shot?

B-Out

Undertaker's Daughter

The title of the post is the title of a web comic I lettered recently. This web comic by Eric Palicki has just gone live on his new website (linked in the title post), so if you get a chance check it out!

B-Out

A Couple Of New Reviews

I had a couple more reviews posted up on www.silverbulletcomics.com. I've got some more upcoming as well, but these two are...

X-Men: Phoenix Warsong #3

Uncanny X-Men #480

Both of these come out today.

B-Out

Approbation Comics

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

B-Out

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.

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.

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

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

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 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

Monopoly

Well, the Monopoly game is back at McDonald's this year and this time they added a new element - online play. Now you can collect the property pieces all the same, but they also have a code on them you can enter online and play the actual monopoly game to win more cool prizes!

Now, I have never won anything from this game save food, but it's still fun to try. Monopoly was one of my favorite board games, and I even have a PC version of it. The only problem is I don't really eat there. Occasionally I'll get fries or a pie, but that's usually it.

I had this crazy thought though. What if we collaborated on the thing and split the money if we win?!? Is that even legal? If not, then "these are not the droids you're looking for" (e-mail me!). ;)

Anyway... if you want to check the game out click the title post.

B-Out

Indy-Pendant #67

It's October and my first column of the month is up!

This week I review the Burnt Soul graphic novel from Kieran Murphy, and The Leading Man #1-2 from Oni Press.

It's a pretty short read relatively. Don't know why, it just turned out that way.

Click the post title to check it out.

B-Out

1 Year Anniversary

Yep, that's right. Today is the one year anniversary of this blog (click the post title to read the very first post). I jumped into the blogosphere exactly one year ago today on the last day of September. A lot has changed, a lot has stayed the same.

When I started the blog it was out of curiosity more than anything. Everyone seemed to have one by that time and with my website down I figured I'd give it a shot and see what it was like. I guess for a writer it's like a dream come true because, in case you didn't know, we like to write!

It's actually a very therapeutic tool for me. While I don't go into great detail a lot of times I have found myself sharing things here that I don't even talk to people about. It's just easier to write them than talk about them I suppose.

This blog hasn't just been about my life or the trials I face, but about friendships and connections I've made. While I've known Cary Kelley for a few years now, Jason Berek-Lewis and Chuck "Crazz" Kennedy were new friends that have become great friends over the past year. It just so happened that we all started blogs roughly around the same time and found each other simultaneously. Jason and I met via the Dabel Brothers forums where I believe he announced his new blog. I checked his out, and he mine and we realized we had a lot in common. Chuck, I believe, got the link to my blog from the Devil's Due forums, which I only rarely pop up on, and we hit it off as well. Then of course Cary was in and out, and the four of us just kind of clicked and became fast friends. I go to these three guys with all kinds of stuff both personal and professional before anyone else knows about them, and they do the same. That's the biggest experience this blog has brought me, and the one I'm most thankful for.

I have also used this blog to talk about my projects, my art, and various other things. I've made connections with a lot of people through this thing, and I've gotten work from it. So you can't beat that. But really it's all about the relationships. It still thrills me to no end when I discover someone new reads my blog, like Ray Hickson, who I also hit it off with, or various comic creators, or general writers or just people in general. It just makes me feel good that people find what I have to say interesting, so thank you.

I used to get caught up on significant dates, like this anniversary for instance. I've always found an importance in special dates to commemorate things, and that's all fine and well. But I could take it too far at times, as a good friend pointed out to me. The old me would have killed myself to have something special to announce on a day such as this for example. But I've tried to mellow out on that regard and just enjoy it for what it is.

That said, there's nothing I really have to announce or any special features I have to include at this time. I am content in the celebration of this milestone for what this blog has brought me. It's been a way to express myself and to talk about things I enjoy. At times, maybe many times it's been an outlet to pimp my projects, and most importantly, as I said above, it's been a way to build new friendships. No announcement or special project could really top any of that for me, and to suggest that this anniversary is less because of the lack would degrade and insult all the personal achievements mentioned already.

So, let me say a big THANK YOU to each and every one of you who has taken the time out of your busy lives to read these words, and to those who keep faithfully coming back and giving me your support. You have no idea how much your respect, loyalty, interest and friendships truly mean to me. You all have made this a day to remember.

B-Out

TV and Comics

Wow, the past couple of days have really flown by, and I still have very little to say, or at least I think I do. I guess we'll see at the end of the post what the word count is.

I'm lettering a few projects at the moment, and I signed on with Hard Way Studios to letter some stuff for them in the near future. Click the post title to see my bio at their website, and to see who my five favorite comic characters and letterers are. It may surprise you.

My cousin, whom I used to babysite, had a birthday a few days ago. She's either 24 or 25 now and has been married for a couple of years. She graduated college (I was there) and is now teaching. Man, do I feel old! My other cousin just turned eighteen two weeks ago and that's just weird. I used to babysit him too, and he's really close with my brother. Wow.

I watched the pilot episode of Heroes twice. So far I really like the show. I'm not going to go into it all right now, but I just like the show a lot.

I caught the first couple episodes of Jericho. It's an okay show, but it just doesn't quite have the umph it needs. Though the ending of tonight's episode was pretty cool the way they hinted around.

I was never a fan of shows like Eureka, but when Johanna Stokes (BOOM! Studios), comic writer and one of the writers (or producers, I can't remember which I'm ashamed to admit) emailed me about the first episode she was involved with I tuned in. I've been hooked ever since. It's odd and takes some getting used to, but it's quirkiness is pretty fun to watch.

Smallville and Supernatural begin tomorrow night! Whoo-hoo!

Kurt Angle is coming to TNA. Yep, one of the best amateur and "professional" wrestlers in the world left WWE and is heading for TNA after rumors he would try his hand at MMA or UFC.

I ordered my first comics from the SBC store this week and should receive them in a few days. I'm excited about that because I've only ordered comics online once before, and that was for a single issue of G.I. Joe from www.smalljoes.com (and various indies of course). If all goes well I may stick with this method. Now if I can just figure out a way to stop my stupid mail carrier from folding packages marked fragile in my tiny mailbox I'll be set!

And that's about it tonight. Not too bad, I guess. I'm still long winded. Oh well, you'll get over it. ;)

B-Out

Myth Conceptions

The latest column is up! This week I talk about the merit and flaws of both shared universes and non-shared universes.

Click the post title to read the column.

Thanks and enjoy!

B-Out

My Brother's Split Lip

Well, my brother has been doing very well in post recovery and all, but then today something stupid happened. Zach was at a friend's house with some other friends. The kid's parents ran to the grocery for 15 minutes and during that time one of his friends attempted to steal my brother's shoes and skateboard. My brother went after him and when he reached down to pick up his skateboard his so-called friend popped him in the mouth splitting his lip open.

That's mild enough on the norm, but since he's not supposed to have any head trauma it concerned us, but he seems to be doing fine. What we don't understand is why the kid did it. Mom took Zach and went to the kid's house to confront him and his parents, who knew nothing about it, and the kid said Zach did nothing to provoke it and he didn't know why he did it.

For me something doesn't add up. This is one of the kids that was there when Zach had his accident. Zach doesn't remember what happened, and the other kids that were there, well, I'm not sure I believe them. This same kid also wouldn't leave the hospital when Zach was there for like over a day. This kid doesn't skate at all according to Zach and the others, but today for some reason he decided to steal Zach's shoes and put them on and ride Zach's skateboard down the same hill Zach fell and fractured his skull. That street is down the way from the house they were all at watching TV. So something just smells rotten to me, but I don't know what.

But all seems okay now, it was just a heck of a way to end the weekend.

Brant

Indy-Pendant #66

In this week's column I review several titles from newcomer Type Illy Press, the self-publshing company of M. Torez. It's a rather long column in which I give in depth critiques of each of the issues and Torez's overall writing and artwork since he wrote and illustrated them all.

Click the post title to check the column out.

Go to www.typeillypress.com to check out more about the books.

Thanks and enjoy!

B-Out

Small Press Idol Round 4

Well, round 4 of the Small Press Idol is under way. And even though neither of the books I was lettering are in the running anymore I still wanted to vote and show my support. The contest was a lot of fun, so I gotta show the love.

I was actually torn between two of the competing titles, but ended up going with my first instinct. I won't say what the other one was, but the one I ended up voting for was Wicket & Imp.

Now, this round to vote you have to purchase a copy of the #0 issue, so if you'd like to do so for any of the titles click the title post to go to Dimestore's Idol page.

With an inker coming onto the book I think the final showing of this title will be much stronger than the previous rounds' images, which can be seen on the site. And if the cover (pictured here) is any indication I think I'm right. So best of luck to Jon and Jamal, I'm rooting for ya.

B-Out

Comics and Life

Sorry, I just realized it had been a couple of days since I last posted. I've been really busy and still am, but I wanted to post something here real quick, so here I am.

I finally got a chance to get Wizard #180, which contains a quote from me. Technically it's on an ad for the comic The Sire, but it's still in the book. It's on page #134 the bottom half of the page (you can't miss it). I say "From start to finish, this book is filled with action and characterization" -Brant Fowler (SilverBulletComics.com).

I thought that was pretty cool of Mike to use that quote on a half-page ad in Wizard (those ain't cheap, I've checked!). So I'm still pretty psyched about it, and it gives more publicity to SBC as well.

Speaking of SBC, if you haven't been checking the site out you need to start. We keep current with the comic news, have tons of excellent features, columns and reviews, and we've got some cool stuff upcoming that I can't talk about yet. So keep it locked over there (click the post title).

I also read Civil War #4, the only comic I have time to talk about right now. Let me say that while it's not full of mainstream media newsworthiness as some claimed, it is still very controversial within the events themselves that transpire and should get fans talking. It was a really enjoyable comic and with the Thor issue that should really raise some voices of concern and confusion.

It also looks like some people are questioning what side they're on finally, as we all knew would happen. I find it interesting, though, just who is considering their options and just who isn't. Reed Richards is a bit surprising here too.

And finally (no spoilers, sorry), Steve McNiven's art in this issue is absolutely masterful, no kidding. Absolutely beautiful in every panel. The art alone, for me, was worth the delay.

And that's it for now. Back to work!

B-Out

Heroes

I got a chance to watch the pilot episode of Heroes online and man does that look to be a great show! I mean for me it blows anything like The 4400 out of the water. It does have kind of a Lost feel to it in the mystery of it all, and man is it intriguing, and the end of the episode is very interesting. You can check it out by clicking the title post.

B-Out

Myth Conceptions

The latest column is up!

As I mentioned yesterday, this week I talk about the fantasy world of Baeg Tobar. It's a long one, so settle in for a nice journey through the creation of this world!


Click the post title to read it.

B-OIut

New Writing

I added a new poem to the site. Well, it's fairly new anyway. It's the Myth Conceptions poem I used in my column a few months ago that I forgot all about. So if you haven't read it you can check it out on the site now from the writing page. :)

Also, tomorrow's Myth Conceptions column is a huge one! I was pointed to the site www.baegtobar.com to possibly feature in my column. After becoming familiar with it I couldn't resist. It's a massive fantasy world told in the form of prose and comics, which are both right up my alley. So after speaking with the creator of the world and the writer of the first web comic, Stoneteller, I got a whole bunch of info and images to share. I'll of course make a post when it goes live, but for all you fantasy fans out there you'll want to check this out.

B-Out

Nigeria's First Comic Shop - Interview!

I recently got a chance to talk with one of the co-owners of Nigeria's first official comic shop, Abdulkareem Baba Aminu for www.silverbulletcomics.com. Kareem, Cary and I used to all work together at a previous small publisher online, so it was really good to speak with him again and hear about this exciting piece of news.

We also talked about the second ever comic convention in Nigeria, which is happening right now.

To read the interview click the title post!

B-Out

Indy-Pendant #65

The latest column is up.

Click the post title to read it.

B-Out

Sketch Blog Update

I've made an update to the sketch blog.

Click the post title to check it out.

B-Out

The Big Numbers

Pretty exciting news in the blogosphere today, well, for me at least. This blog has now officially received over 5,000 unique visits and nearly 8,000 page views! I personally think that's pretty cool and thought I'd share. We're about two weeks away from this blog's one year anniversary, so that was a nice present for the occasion.

B-Out

The Fly

There is a fly in the house that is driving me crazy. It came in early this afternoon and acts very strange like it's half dead. It was crawling around on the kitchen floor, but still had enough life in it to escape my every crushing blow.

Evidently it had more life than that, because later on I went into my room upstairs and there it is on the ceiling. It's as still as can be for about ten minutes, even when I get close to it. I figured it had just up and died there. But as soon as I swing for it it disappears again.

So time passes and I'm sitting on the bed sketching and it keeps making passes as if taunting me. Then it goes into hiding again.

I spotted it once more on the ceiling and thought I hit it, knocking it into my art. But I was wrong as it flew by again later.

After this I even tried foolishly laying food out hoping it would land on it and do its whole regurgitating thing so I could swat it. No luck. Haven't seen it since.

The problem is I know it's still there, and I won't be able to sleep as long as I know it's there. I hate bugs with a passion. I just don't like them at all, and if I know there's one alive near me I have to get it out or kill it. I've seen to many discovery channel specials about common bugs crawling in your nose and mouth while you sleep. Ewwww.

So here I am, it's after 2am and I'm starting to get sleepy and I have a stupid fly to contend with that, for all I know, could have crawled off somewhere to die peacefully. Sigh.

Curse that fly!

B-Out

Revisiting

I cracked open a book I have again for about the fourth time. It's been a while since I've read it and for some reason it piqued my interest again. It's not a fiction novel, or a novel of any sort, but rather an instructional book of sorts filled with advice and commentary.

The subject? Cartooning.
The author? Lee Nordling.
The title? Your Career in the Comics.

Yep, it's about comics, but not comic books. It's about comic strips, as in those 3-6 panel strips you see in your weekly papers, or much more prevalent now on the internet. The likes of Peanuts, Garfield and Beetle Bailey come to mind. Or for you net browsers, Yirmummah, Order of the Stick and even Dilbert.

Now, I know I have discussed this before, and I don't want to repeat myself, so I'll keep it brief. Before and after I wanted to be a comic book artist I wanted to be a cartoonist. When I was a kid I would buy the Garfield books and read them over and over again. I loved Charlie Brown, Garfield, For Better or Worse and all of those and still do. Before I decided to try my hand at comics I drew strips for the school paper and just for fun. And then when I gave up comics and drawing for five years I revisited my desire for cartooning and got Mr. Nordling's book.

As I mentioned a few posts ago, I started looking to my former cartooning love for inspiration into my comic style artwork. I guess that rekindled my love for cartooning as well.

I have mentioned a few times about wanting to do a web strip and a syndicated one before, so this is nothing new. And I realize I tend to jump around from one thing to the next seemingly, but I assure you it's not as helter-skelter as it seems. I have many, many goals, most lofty yet achievable. The trick is finding the balance to put them all in motion without getting overwhelmed. And when you're a guy like me who hates monotony with a passion you have to keep revisiting things or you get bored very quickly.

Sometimes I feel like I'm allowing my writing to suffer because I'm involved in so many other things. But truth be told, it's all interrelated and it all works towards the same goal basically. Working in comics journalism, lettering, drawing and writing all lead to the same path in various ways, and that's into the comic industry, which I love. Of course singing and acting are different, but they're still creative arts, so I think they fit... somehow in this grand scheme of things.

But here I am with my lettering really starting to pick up, and with things going steady in the journalism area, and now I'm getting back into my art wanting to hone my skills, and now cartooning again, all while my writing seems to be the last on the list. Well, comic and novel writing that is as I do plenty of other types of writing every day it seems. But I'm enjoying every minute of all the things I'm currently doing.

But ironically, writing is one of the two things I love most, the other being singing. So I haven't forgotten my writing, and I did recently write two full scripts, but I just haven't found the proper flow to do a bit of everything.

Again, the problem with me is as analytical as I am, I still can't do things from a list as much as I try. Now I'm not talking about work. That's different, and when I do that I'm completely focused on the task at hand. But I'm talking about outside of that with writing, art, etc. I have to feel it and be in the mood for it. And right now, since I'm not getting paid for it, I can afford that luxury I guess.

But to get back on topic since I am WAY off, I have once again started thinking towards cartooning. I even drew some simple sketches tonight and they looked decent. I'm still trying to find my distinctive style though, even in that. As I mentioned before, that's one thing (among many others) that I have lacked, and I think it would help me overall to find that first and then work on the basic flaws of things.

I was looking at and thinking about various artists' work both in comics and cartooning and how distinctive and identifiable each were. If you see something drawn by Charles Schulz or painted by Alex Ross you know beyond a shadow of a doubt who illustrated it. The same can be said about the styles of Jim Davis, Lynn Johnson, Mort Walker, Jim Lee, Jack Kirby, John Romita Jr, Humberto Ramos, and the list goes on and on. All the greats in any form of art have truly identifiable and distinct styles, and it's part of what separates them from the multitude of artists out there.

But of course there's a lot more to it than that, and that's just the first step. But it's a step.

As for the cartooning, I've thought about trying to do a web strip for some time now, and I hope it won't be long before I'm able to do it. I do want to seek syndication as well, but that's a long, hard road, and it's an extremely hard field to get into. But who knows?

So anyway, I just thought I'd share that since it kind of fit in with recent posts both here and on the sketch blog.

And speaking of the sketch blog, as I make these new sketches I'll start posting them up there. I hope to update that blog three times a week, but it could be more or less depending on the time I have to actually doodle and draw. But we'll see.

B-Out

The 9

I'm addicted to this show on yahoo called The 9. It's hosted by Maria Sansone and features bizarre web links every day. Today's links, for instance, include a site telling you what kind of dog you'd be, a link to a video of a car that has been reversed so that the back is the front, and link to furniture made out of bicycles.

It's just a quick, fun little video blog I tune into every day. That and Maria Sansone is very attractive. :) She actually looks a bit like a girl I used to date, only prettier.

You can check the show out yourself by clicking the post title. It's new every weekday.

B-Out

Gonzogoose Sketch Blog

There's a new post over at the sketch blog, by the way. I posted my Legacy draw off entry from a few years ago from thumbnails to final pencils.

Click the post title. ;)

B-Out

From Left Field

After working all day I figured I'd just ramble on aimlessly about potentially nothing at all before turning in for the evening. I'm trying to wind down. You know that point where you're too tired to really do anything, but you're not quite tired enough to go to sleep. That's the point I'm at, so I'm hoping reading my own words as I type induces sleep!

Dancing With the Stars started a new season tonight. I haven't watched any of the previous shows except for part of the finale of the last season, and it was pretty good. I didn't watch the premiere tonight either, but I do have a reason for bringing it up. Two child stars are on it this season. Two child stars I watched a lot growing up, and I've got to at least check them out. I'm of course referring to Joe Lawrence and Mario Lopez.

Joe Lawrence, many will remember, and I'm showing my age, got his big break (pun intended) on the TV show Gimme a Break with Nell Carter. Of course you younger ones will mainly remember him from Blossom with his catch phrase, "Whoa!", then on the short lived sitcom with his two brothers Matthew and Andy.

Mario Lopez was actually on a Disney musical program called Kids Incorporated way back when he was a little guy. He played drums. But his most notable role was and is the part of AC Slater on the hit show Saved by the Bell. Since then he's mainly been hosting various shows and has done a couple of TV movies.

I always connected with Joe because we had similar interests (acting and music) and were around the same age. I've seen just about everything he's been in, and I have to admit, as wimpy as it makes me sound, I'm a fan. So I think it would be cool to see him dancing on the show.

I was also a big Saved by the Bell mark, even for the spin-off when they went to colleger. I never really cared for the new class though as I liked the original characters. And while Zach was my favorite, I loved Slater too. And I know he can dance, so I think it would be cool to see him perform as well.

Then there's the eye candy as Vivica A. Fox is also on the show. So needless to say, I might have to check this show out. Incidently, I taped tonight's episode for my mother, so maybe I'll just watch it.

Prison Break is in its third or fourth week of the new season and man is it off to a great start. There have already been two surprising deaths and several wild twists and turns. Next week's previews promise even more twists and turns. Man, I love this show!

I drew some today, mainly working on details on a piece I already had done but wasn't satistfied with. It's still not what I want it to be, but it's good practice. I'll post it somewhere when it's all done.

I'm doing an interview with Abdulkareem Baba Aminu (Kareem), who is a co-owner of a new Nigerian comic shop for www.silverbulletcomics.com. Cary and I actually worked with Kareem for a while at Storrm, and I was excited to find out he was involved in this. We'll also be talking about the second ever comic convention to come to Nigeria, so that will be exciting as well. It should be up by the weekend hopefully.

I've got a couple of other interviews I'm working on as well, but I'm going to hold off announcing those yet.

You know what I had to eat today? Hushpuppies and a bowl of cereal. I believe that's it, and maybe a piece of fudge at some point, I don't remember. Oddly enough I'm pretty full. I only had six hushpuppies around lunch time and cereal around 10pm, 4 hours ago. I actually hope that continues to be my appetite as I feel I need to lose a few pounds.

I have not really had much time at all to post on messageboards. I've made a few posts at a couple of regular boards (DW, DBPRo and SBC) but that's really about it for a while now. I think I pop into Image and CBR and creatorfuze once a week or so with a post or two. I've just been too busy, and when I'm not I just don't have the energy to engage in all the conversations I'd like to.

For some odd reason Zach's school has a Disney costume day tomorrow. Today was superhero costume day, but Zach was home with bronchitis. I didn't know about this until this afternoon or I would have undoubtedly convinced him to go just so I could dress him up in some obscure character's outfit. lol. He's got a friend who has an Eore (Not sure how to spell that - the donkey from Winnie the Pooh) suit he's gonna wear. Zach doesn't have a costume because we didn't know about it until tonight. Oh well. I told him to throw a red t-shirt and baseball cap on and go as Kit Cloudkicker from Tailspin, but he said nobody would know who that is. Yep, I'm old. Then I said to throw a Hawaiian shirt on and go as Dale of Chip and Dale from the Rescue Rangers. Yep, still old. Finally I said just throw on an oversized shirt and toboggan and go as one of the seven dwarves. Surely they'll know who they are, right? Right? Man I'm old.

Speaking of old, all of Zach's friends think our mom looks like she's in her mid to late 30's. That made mom's day. Didn't do a whole lot for mine though. heh.

Ok, I'm about to start getting nonsensical as I feel my eyelids getting heavy, so I think I'll call it a night. Strangely I feel as though I sound more prolific and intelligent now half asleep than I normally do fully awake. I wonder what that says about me?

Final note, Smallville starts back two weeks from tomorrow (Wednesday), and I can't wait!

Goodnight.

B-Out

Baltimore News

Lots of news going down for Marvel at the Retailer Summit tonight. Joss Whedon is taking over Brian K. Vaughan's baby, Runaways, one of my favorite titles; A Runaways spin-off series written by CB Cebulski called Loners is coming soon; Spider-Man's returning to his black costume, or someone like him is; and the Dabel Brother's titles are going to be sold through Marvel carrying both companies' logos on them.

There were plenty of other announcements, but these are the four that stood out to me.

First of all, I have been a fan of Runaways since #2, volume 1. I missed issue one, but I read the script for it (it was one Epic offered as a script example). It's an engaging title with realistic characters set in the middle of the Marvel universe. And to beat that, they are all original characters, which isn't something we see a lot of. BKV and Alphona have done an excellent job on this title, and I'm sad to see them go. However, I love Whedon's run on Astonishing X-Men and look forward to what he has in store for the teen team.

The spin-off title, Loners, features one character I absolutely love, so I'm incredibly psyched about that. I was excited seeing Darkhawk in Runaways and Marvel Team-Up, but I knew it would only be temporary. But now he, along with Turbo (New Warriors), Julie Power (Power Pack), Phil Urich (Green Goblin) and Ricochet (Slingers) will get at least six issues of their own. I'm stoked!

Spider-Man is back in black soon, but is it the real Spider-Man? Joe Q. teased that seeing Peter Parker side by side with a person in the black costume could neatly tie up some things. Could black clad spidey be Ben Reilly back from the dead? Could this be the ploy to get Spidey masked again? Come on, we all knew somehow they'd figure out a way to get Spidey's secret identity secret again. But then people have seen Parker climbing walls in street clothes, so who knows? I'm just excited to see the black costume again!

And finally, the Dabel Brothers have struck a deal with Mighty Marvel, who will now get the DBPro line into more and more hands. I personally think this is great for both parties. Had DBPro sold the company, or lost control of it in some way I would have been less than thrilled, but under the agreement the Brothers keep control of their properties and benefit from the Marvel marketing machine. Can't beat that.

This should be an exciting year coming up for comics. Hopefully Marvel is getting back on track as their overall stories haven't been that great for a while with a few exceptions of course. I hope Civil War and everything coming out of it changes all that. Of course I'm one of the ones enjoying Civil War and what has happened so far. So we'll see.

B-Out

Sketch Blog Goes Live

The sketch blog is now up, and it's linked in the sidebar and in the post title. Right now all that's up there are some old cartooning sketches I did 14 years ago. I thought it'd be cool to share them. So check it out if you get a chance.

B-Out

Myth Conceptions

The latest column is up! This installment is titled "Tightless" as I discuss the many non-superhero books available out there.

Check it out, as always, by clicking the post title.

The site is lagging a little bit this afternoon, so please forgive any slow loading times. It should clear up soon.

B-Out

Artistic Revelations

I entered yet another draw off today, probably the last for a while, and you know what I realized? I mean, I guess it wasn't a realization as I already knew it, but more of an acceptance of it. I accepted the fact that while I can spot and critique flaws in art, even my own, I have a really hard time fixing them.

It's strange. Unlike many wannabe artists, when I draw a piece I can see every single flaw in it, but no matter what I do I just can't fix them. I'm not one of these delusional guys that thinks they've got it down, or needs a million other people to tell them what's wrong (though I still ask to make sure I didn't miss anything myself). I guess sometimes I just wonder if I'm being too hard on myself so I ask others to make sure I'm seeing things correctly. I don't know.

Regardless, I know I have a long way to go, and I know I keep bringing this up. It just frustrates me.

One thing I think I've started to realize is even though I've been drawing for many years I never really had a style of my own. I always emulated, or tried to emulate I guess, favorites of mine. And while I realize little essences of those favorites will always be in my artwork, I never really had my own distinct style.

Furthermore, I always wanted to be one of those really good realistic style artists. Maybe not as good as an Alex Ross, but up there with the likes of Bryan Hitch and Tyler Kirkham and others. But maybe I'm just not cut out for that. Or maybe it's going to take me a long time to get to that level.

So I'm starting to experiment with a much simpler style. I still love intricate detail, and I've always added that to my stuff, and I think that's where my style is going to come from. A simple style with simple lines, but a ton of detail. You don't see a lot of that, it's usually one or the other.

Right before I really started drawing comic material I was drawing a lot of cartoon stuff. I used to watch this show on public access television called Blitz on Cartooning. I had wanted to become a newspaper strip artist (and that's still a goal of mine). So I would watch this show and do everything the guy did. My cartoon sketches were pretty good I think. I'll dig them out and gradually throw them up on the sketch blog when it goes up.

While I don't want to do the over the top cartoony style of art for comics I do think I can use that and infuze it with the comic art and make something new. of course I still have to really bear down on anatomy, proportions, perspective and shadows before I'm any good.

Currently I don't have a real space to draw at, and I think that hinders me. I also don't have the proper supplies, and that hinders me. I don't even have a table I can draw on here. I have a 12x12 shelf I hold in my lap and bend over. It's not the most convenient way to draw, I assure you. Many times I'm kneeling over the thing on the floor. And I wonder why my back and neck always hurt.

I think once I have an art table, the proper supplies and a space dedicated to drawing, and some peace and quiet I'll really be able to get back into it as much as I used to be. For now it's just going to be sketches and pinups and the like to practice.

So that's where I'm at with my art, and I just thought I'd share.

B-Out

More Reviews

Four more reviews for your reading pleasure. This time around it's two Marvel titles, one good, one not so good. And two indy titles, one good, one not so good. Go figure.

Anyway, check them out in the sidebar or right here!

Agents of Atlas #2
Brodie's Law #8
Morbid Myths #1: Overdue Collections
Spider-Man: Black & Blue & Read All Over

B-Out

Indy-Pendant #64

New column's up!

This week I take a look at Menthu #1-4 from Hometown Productions.

As usual, click the post title to check it out.

B-Out

Writers, Contribute to SBC

EXTRA! EXTRA! READ ALL ABOUT IT!

Right now at SBC we are recruiting writers to contribute to features, interviews, reviews and columns. There are benefits associated.

Some leads for interviews and features, and even reviews will be provided.

If you are interested in contributing one or more of the above click the post title to email me with the subject line "SBC Writer Inquiry".

Thanks, and I hope to hear from you soon!

B-Out

I'm Ok, Folks

A few people have commented to me privately about the tone of one of my previous posts. I assure you all that I'm fine. I just had that initial let down about the submission as well as a few other things that hit at the same time. But that's how it goes, when it rains it pours, right? But I've always been a fighter, and I've always bounced back. So in that respect I'm fine, and I appreciate all the support.

We had several mechanical malfunctions in the house today. A sink stopped up, a toilet's seal broke and the dishwasher decided to go all sitcom on us and shoot out suds all over the kitchen floor. But all is well, or as well as it could be at the moment.

Still haven't heard anything else about the house, so we're up in the air about that.

I did get to relax and watch a couple of movies the past couple of days late at night. I got to finally watch Inside Man, which was an excellent film. Can't say I've really seen a bad Denzel film to be honest. The guy's just a great actor and seems to really pick intense roles.

I also watched Last Holiday, which was kind of corny, but cute just the same.

Saw King Kong finally also, though I had to watch it in widescreen format and I don't have a widescreen TV, so that took away from it a little. I actually really liked the movie. There were a few scenes where they just allowed things to drag on too far, like the bug scene, the scene where Watts does Vaudeville for Kong, and a couple of others. But overall I enjoyed it.

And finally I watched Take the Lead. I know, I thought it would be a total chick flick, but it had the hip hop dancing mixed in, and it was based on a true story. I have a love for the musical arts and dance (my mom was a dance teacher), so it was really cool to hear about a ballroom dancer teaching in a public school. I'm also a big supporter of the arts in our schools, so this was good to see.

I found it interesting in the special features that one of the stars, Rob Brown, stumbled into acting to pay a cell phone bill. He walked on and tried out for an extra for Finding Forrestor to get cash to pay his cell phone bill and wound up landing the lead role. Now that's a pretty awesome beginning. And the cool thing is it hasn't tainted him. He is currently in college and is said to be a determined and serious worker, but a lot of fun to be around too. That's really cool.

In closing, I've gotten knocked out of the DW tournament, deservingly so. My entry wasn't all it could be to be perfectly honest. Oh well, no biggie. It was just for fun anyway.

B-Out

More Reviews

I had five more reviews posted on SBC (post title link) today. Four were Marvel books, one was an independent title from Silent Devil. Here are the links:

Beyond! #3
Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man #12
Lil' Hellions: Day at the Zoo
Uncanny X-Men #478
X-Men: Phoenix Warsong #1

Also in a bit of exciting news, I found out I was quoted about some book in Wizard Magazine #180! I don't know what book or what page since I haven't picked that issue up yet, but I thought that was pretty cool. I believe it's in the Wizard Edge section. More info as I know it.

B-Out

Turned Down Again

Yep, another Image rejection, but this time around Erik gave some solid advice and an honest critique. So why I'm incredibly disheartened I am pleased he took the time to give the feedback.

Sigh. So what's next for me? WBZ will be out there again as soon as we can get things rolling in that department. Beyond that I'm trying to hook up with an artist for one of the ideas I entered into the Zeros 2 Heroes contest. I've sent off the first script for Eliminator, which I also entered, to be edited. And I have an artist on Paragons and Night Riders, but they are both tied up right now.

So, for now I'm concentrating on my lettering trying to get samples done and sent out. I'm also still involved with Lab Rats, so I've got that going on. But as for my writing, beyond what I've mentioned I'm not sure exactly what to do or where to go from here. I've got plenty of other ideas I can pursue, but my cash flow is kind of low, so that hinders artistic progress on them. I don't know.

I just don't know...

B-Out

Art Chores

Looks like I'm gonna get eliminated again in the DW tournament, which means I'm out all together. No great loss though, I'm not the least bit delusional about the practice I need. It was fun, so I'm cool with it.

In the meantime I whipped up a quick drawing using reference this time for a little fun draw off over at CBR. The drawing had to have someone with a bow and arrow, but aside from that it didn't matter who it was. I chose an elf from LOTR who may or may not be Legolas. lol.

Anyway, here it is:



And finally, it's not ready yet, but I think I figured out what to do with my gonzoblog. It was between doing this and killing it all together, so I think I'm going to try this and see if it gets any hits.

I'm going to turn it into a sketch blog. Instead of posting all my art stuff here I'll use that one, but it'll mainly be for practice stuff and just random sketches. I'll even throw up some old stuff for the heck of it. I'll let you guys know as soon as it's up and running as such.

I'm hoping by sticking to that and having a place to regularly post stuff like that I will be able to keep my momentum in drawing and find my passion again. I really want to get back into sequential drawing. I'm under no illusions of grandeur thinking I'll ever work for Marvel or DC as an artist, but I would love to be good enough to occasionally illustrate my own mini-series from time to time. I have one in particular I've kept on hold until I'm good enough for it in fact. So we'll see.

And that's about it for me. I'm up later than I have been for a few weeks now and I'm starting to feel it, so I'm gonna call it and take a powder.

B-Out

Myth Conceptions

Latest column is up. This week I talk about copycats. I'll admit this isn't my best column, but it is what it is. :)

Click the post title to check it out.

B-Out

Indy-Pendant #63

I was nearly half a day late, but I just posted my latest column.

It's a rather light one this week all things considered, just one title again, but a good one.

This week I reviewed The Red Line #1 from Ludovico Technique.

Click the post title to check it out!

B-Out

DW Draw Off Round 2

Well, I got my entry in, though I didn't get to finish the background. I was trying to color it also, but I'm not going to have time to finish, so it'll have to go as is.

The subject was Silk Spectre and Comedian from the Watchmen having a drink in a bar.

I changed up my style a little bit going for a more loose and fun style given the events of the image. That and I thought I'd compensate a little for my flaws by making it fun. hehehe.

Anyway, here it is. Maybe I'll finish it one day.



Click the post title to be taken to the thread that will turn into the voting thread sometime after Midnight Est.

B-Out

JLA Classified Review

One more review for the week. This time it's JLA Classified #26.

Check it out by clicking the post title of course.

I have a couple of indy titles that will hopefully go up over the weekend, then I've got some Marvel ones coming up next week. Doing a lot of reviewing lately it seems. :)

B-Out

Zeroes 2 Heroes Winner Announced

I got to snooping around on the Z2H website and though some of the links are now dead I managed to find the winners of the contest. Click the post title to find out who it is.

There were also 5 runner-ups and 5 honorable mentions. I didn't make either list, though Cary Kelley made the honorable mention list, so congrats on that, bro.

Oh well, easy come, easy go.

Honorable Mentions
Runner-Ups

B-Out

My Brother's Check-Up

Well, looks like all systems are go! They didn't look at him for long, but somehow they came to the conclusion that Zach could get back on a skateboard in two weeks. I'm not completely satisfied with this estimation (I'd have preferred some x-rays to see if the skull has healed properly myself), but at least it was good news, which is something my family desperately needed right now.

Needless to say my brother is stoked. Of course he keeps insisting he's still not going to wear a helmet, and we keep insisting that he will. He claims he can't skate with one on. Sigh. Teenagers. I would wonder if I gave my Mom this much trouble, but I know for a fact I did. lol.

So anyway, that's all I've got right now. Good news!

Brant