In less than two hours I will be on the road with Chuck Moore to head north about 70 miles to record an interview for an upcoming podcast with Scott about Wannabez and a host of other things.
I've mentioned this upcoming interview before on here, but I'm really excited to do this. First, I'm excited to discuss all sorts of things with Chuck on the ride there and back, like about ComicRelated.com's relaunch in ONE WEEK, and much more. Should be fun. I just hope we don't run out of things to talk about before the interview! Not likely.
And as much as Chuck raves about this store, I'm eager to check it out. I know we'll have plenty of time to browse and check the place out.
I'm also looking forward to meeting some people while there, and hopefully turning them onto Wannabez! That would be nice.
We're making a whole day of it, doing lunch and just hanging out. I know Chuck's got to meet with his web designers for a bit as well. It will be a productive trip indeed, and not a bad way to spend a Saturday considering I'm usually stuck right here working.
I'll check back in either tonight or tomorrow with how everything went. Until then...
B-Out
Saturday, November 08, 2008
DaNaNaNa... Batmobile!
Finally, here are the pictures of me and Zach inside the cockpit of the famed TV Batmobile!
The red mark on my forehead is from a hat I was wearing in case anyone cares. :)
Here's me with a cheesy grin
Zach behind the wheel. Quick, get off the road!
Mr. Smooth here cruisin' down the convention alleyway.
We had these taken at Mid-Ohio-Con back in October and this was the first chance I had to put them up. I just had to let my inner fanboy out to pose for these pictures no matter how dorky (and unbelievably pale!) I looked. It was fun!
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Thursday, November 06, 2008
Gonzogoose Roost
By the way, for all you Comic Related readers, you can now access my blog straight from that site! Just go to the blogs section (linked to the title of this post) and scroll down to see the external link to this blog. So if you're on Comic Related reading up on the latest news, columns or reviews and feel like heading over you you've got a simple, quick way to do so! :)
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B-Out
League of Extraodinary Gentlemen
As you know, if you've been reading the blog, the other day I picked up the first trade of Alan Moore's League of Extraordinary Gentlemen since I had never read it before. Well, now I've read the first chapter (or issue as it were) and I have to say I'm loving it.One reason I had never checked it out was because the art style didn't appeal to me, but I've come to actually enjoy it. It's quirky and old school, and it works nicely with the story.
I have not read a lot of Moore's stuff, but gradually I intend to read more and more of it. I really liked Watchmen when I read it for the first time earlier this year, and I like this so far as well.
After having read only one chapter of this book, though, I can now understand why fans of the comic where sorely disappointed in the movie. Now, I really enjoyed the movie and have watched it several times, but I had nothing to compare it to. As a stand alone movie with no ties to anything I think it's a pretty enjoyable popcorn flick. Great action, great drama, and great acting. But even after reading just the small amount of the book that I have, it is nothing like the comic.
Now, had Moore gotten involved in the films instead of washing his hands of them, like Frank Miller, maybe they would have been more faithful, who knows? But as it is, the characters are completely different and the story, from the very beginning, is much different. Quartermain is a much more complex character in the book and has more appeal to me personally.
So I do understand the chagrin of Moore fans who watched the movie hoping for an adaptation, but I also understand the merits of the movie by itself.
As for the book, I am finding myself to be a Moore fan. He's not my favorite writer, and I don't think he's the god people make him out to be. But he is very talented and has a unique style all his own that certainly stands out. He also has unique ideas and a sensibility that is in tune with what readers want.
Hopefully I still feel that way after I've read the entire trade...
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ArUUgGHH!
You know that thing they say about speaking too soon...?
Well, no sooner had I posted the last post then I get emails about both Zombie Cop and Spud. Turns out there are some edits needed, and a couple of things I totally goofed on. I guess that's what I get for working early in the morning.
Oh well, it looks like that's what I'll be working on today.
B-Out
Well, no sooner had I posted the last post then I get emails about both Zombie Cop and Spud. Turns out there are some edits needed, and a couple of things I totally goofed on. I guess that's what I get for working early in the morning.
Oh well, it looks like that's what I'll be working on today.
B-Out
Winding Down... Or Not
While the week may be reaching its end, my schedule is not. However, I have made tremendous headway in the past 24 hours.
Barring any coming edits, I've wrapped the lettering on two projects this morning - one a small one, one a large one.
The first is Spud, a Small Press Idol contender #0 issue I was asked to do recently. It was a very text-heavy 12 pages, though, so it took me longer than normal. But I just sent in the final three pages, so that's one more to add to the completed list.
The second is one of the funnest projects I've worked on, and that is Jeff Mariotte's Zombie Cop for Shadowline (Image)! 96 pages of sequentials followed by 124 pages of prose, all laid out by yours truly. And it was so much fun! They all seemed rather pleased with my work as well, which means the world to me. This is the first book I've worked on for a top four publisher, and the experience was amazing.
Zombie Cop was the biggest current project I've been working on. I have a couple more graphic novels coming up soon, and one 100 pager I'm about half way through, but the rest have been single issues and short stories for the most part lately.
I still have plenty to do, of course. Yesterday I updated my MySpace page with the current list of projects I'm working on, so you can see (if you head over there) what all I've got on my plate. In fact, I may just add that list to the sidebar of this blog as well...
Today I haven't decided what I'll focus on. I know I've GOT to get some work done on these logos I have (about four of them I haven't started on). I also need to do a postcard up for Wannabez to send to retailers through Haven. Aside from that, I'll probably work on Corrective Measures #8 and some more pages that came in that I'm filling in on for a friend, then go from there.
Tomorrow, more of the same, as well as some cleaning house and menial chores like that. Then Saturday it's off to our interview, of course, which should be a lot of fun.
Saturday is also my cousin's birthday, so Happy B-Day, Jay! For the next four and a half months I can make fun of you being older than me! :)
I was watching a bit of some news channel last night where they had relatively young representatives of each party (Republican, Democrat and Independent), and the three were going back and forth arguing with each other about who was doing what right and wrong. The funniest part was the Republican rep. passed McCain's losing off as him and many other "stars" of the party not being true conservatives, and thus not properly representing the GOP. He just made a fool of the entire Republican party with his comments, and the other two were pretty much constantly laughing at him while making points for unity among the parties. Probably the most eloquent and well informed of the three was the Independent rep.
I'll be honest, I am technically registered as a Republican, and I voted for Bush, both times, and his father before that. I don't regret voting for Bush the first term, and I feel he handled that term extremely well with what was put upon his shoulders. The second term, I still think he was a better choice than John Kerry ever would have been, but I'm not happy with his actions in that term.
I also was against Clinton and Dukakis, and I stand by my decisions on those.
However, I don't consider myself a Republican or Democrat, and really wish I was registered as an Independent. I do think the Democratic Party does represent themselves better and as for ALL people where the Republican Party, like many of the religious folk they strongly represent, are very separatist regardless of what they claim. At least that's how they come across, and truly that is why they are losing support.
One fact was noted in this news panel, and that was that Lincoln was Republican, BUT it was at a time when the Republican Party was the liberal side, NOT the conservative side. I thought that was a very interesting note indeed.
Anyway, the buzz this week, naturally, is all about Obama's win and what it means for our country. I'm eager to see what changes he brings, and how fast he brings them. Our economy needs dire help, and needs it fast. If he addresses that in earnest I'll be happy.
The weather here has been great this week! Sunny and warm, but not too hot. It's a nice change from the weeks of cold we've been getting, though I know it won't last. Me, I wish it would stay nice up until Christmas week, then have snowfall for through New Years, then return to that comfortable weather. If only...
Oh! I finished five installments of my new column now, so soon it will be ready to go live! I'll keep you informed.
B-Out
Barring any coming edits, I've wrapped the lettering on two projects this morning - one a small one, one a large one.
The first is Spud, a Small Press Idol contender #0 issue I was asked to do recently. It was a very text-heavy 12 pages, though, so it took me longer than normal. But I just sent in the final three pages, so that's one more to add to the completed list.
The second is one of the funnest projects I've worked on, and that is Jeff Mariotte's Zombie Cop for Shadowline (Image)! 96 pages of sequentials followed by 124 pages of prose, all laid out by yours truly. And it was so much fun! They all seemed rather pleased with my work as well, which means the world to me. This is the first book I've worked on for a top four publisher, and the experience was amazing.
Zombie Cop was the biggest current project I've been working on. I have a couple more graphic novels coming up soon, and one 100 pager I'm about half way through, but the rest have been single issues and short stories for the most part lately.
I still have plenty to do, of course. Yesterday I updated my MySpace page with the current list of projects I'm working on, so you can see (if you head over there) what all I've got on my plate. In fact, I may just add that list to the sidebar of this blog as well...
Today I haven't decided what I'll focus on. I know I've GOT to get some work done on these logos I have (about four of them I haven't started on). I also need to do a postcard up for Wannabez to send to retailers through Haven. Aside from that, I'll probably work on Corrective Measures #8 and some more pages that came in that I'm filling in on for a friend, then go from there.
Tomorrow, more of the same, as well as some cleaning house and menial chores like that. Then Saturday it's off to our interview, of course, which should be a lot of fun.
Saturday is also my cousin's birthday, so Happy B-Day, Jay! For the next four and a half months I can make fun of you being older than me! :)
I was watching a bit of some news channel last night where they had relatively young representatives of each party (Republican, Democrat and Independent), and the three were going back and forth arguing with each other about who was doing what right and wrong. The funniest part was the Republican rep. passed McCain's losing off as him and many other "stars" of the party not being true conservatives, and thus not properly representing the GOP. He just made a fool of the entire Republican party with his comments, and the other two were pretty much constantly laughing at him while making points for unity among the parties. Probably the most eloquent and well informed of the three was the Independent rep.
I'll be honest, I am technically registered as a Republican, and I voted for Bush, both times, and his father before that. I don't regret voting for Bush the first term, and I feel he handled that term extremely well with what was put upon his shoulders. The second term, I still think he was a better choice than John Kerry ever would have been, but I'm not happy with his actions in that term.
I also was against Clinton and Dukakis, and I stand by my decisions on those.
However, I don't consider myself a Republican or Democrat, and really wish I was registered as an Independent. I do think the Democratic Party does represent themselves better and as for ALL people where the Republican Party, like many of the religious folk they strongly represent, are very separatist regardless of what they claim. At least that's how they come across, and truly that is why they are losing support.
One fact was noted in this news panel, and that was that Lincoln was Republican, BUT it was at a time when the Republican Party was the liberal side, NOT the conservative side. I thought that was a very interesting note indeed.
Anyway, the buzz this week, naturally, is all about Obama's win and what it means for our country. I'm eager to see what changes he brings, and how fast he brings them. Our economy needs dire help, and needs it fast. If he addresses that in earnest I'll be happy.
The weather here has been great this week! Sunny and warm, but not too hot. It's a nice change from the weeks of cold we've been getting, though I know it won't last. Me, I wish it would stay nice up until Christmas week, then have snowfall for through New Years, then return to that comfortable weather. If only...
Oh! I finished five installments of my new column now, so soon it will be ready to go live! I'll keep you informed.
B-Out
Wednesday, November 05, 2008
Half Price Books
Yesterday at lunch with RD, I forgot to mention that we hit this bookstore called "Half Price Books" that I didn't even know was there. I really need to get out more!
It's full of books, graphic novels, CDs, DVDs and all kinds of cool stuff. I found the first volume of Alan Moore's League of Extraordinary Gentlemen for half price, and since I had been meaning to check that out sometime I snatched it up.
This weekend they're having a sale where everything in your tote is 20% off what it's already marked down to. I just may have to check that out.
I don't get to buy books very often these days, but that's a deal I may not be able to pass up.
And by the way, Tony of Collectibles, Etc., if by chance you come to read this, I do still pop in there from time to time, you're just never there when I do. :) I'll try to make it a more regular stop though.
B-Out
It's full of books, graphic novels, CDs, DVDs and all kinds of cool stuff. I found the first volume of Alan Moore's League of Extraordinary Gentlemen for half price, and since I had been meaning to check that out sometime I snatched it up.
This weekend they're having a sale where everything in your tote is 20% off what it's already marked down to. I just may have to check that out.
I don't get to buy books very often these days, but that's a deal I may not be able to pass up.
And by the way, Tony of Collectibles, Etc., if by chance you come to read this, I do still pop in there from time to time, you're just never there when I do. :) I'll try to make it a more regular stop though.
B-Out
It Has All Changed
Well, love it or hate it, embrace it or resist it, change has come and Barack Obama is the president of the United States - the first African-American president at that. History has been made, and change is upon us.At least, that's what we've been told for two years now, that "it's time for a change" and "yes we can". Whether or not that change will come, and whether or not that change will be a good thing or what we actually need remains to be seen.
The next four years (at least) will be something to watch intently. There are issues and stances in Obama's platform that I agree with, and there are issues and stances in his platform I disagree with. We oppose each other on certain morals, principles and values, and unite in other areas.
I also agreed and disagreed with a lot of things John McCain stood for, and my voting decision was not made lightly, nor was it an easy one. I wrestled up to the very time I hit the button locking in my vote, as I have mentioned before. I made all my other selections saving the presidential candidate for last. My finger hovered over the buttons for what seemed an eternity in the span of a minute. I wasn't sure which was the lesser of two evils, and which would represent me and what I stand for the best.
In the end I'm still not sure if I made the right choice, but I stand by my decision. What the choice was I won't discuss here. Sometimes there's a time to stand on a soap box, for me that time is not now. I didn't and still don't feel strongly enough about either candidate over the other to take such a permanent stance.
I considered not voting, and I couldn't even remember if I had registered this year. Fortunately, yesterday afternoon I remembered that I had registered when I renewed my license earlier this year. And then I realized that I did not want the most historical election in our nation's history to pass by without me having my voice in the matter, however small.
If I voted for McCain, it did little to sway the vote. Though Kentucky predominately voted McCain, he was not the victor.
If I voted for Obama, it also did little as Kentucky's electoral votes went for McCain.
In the grand scheme of things, my one vote changed nothing in this particular instance. But, also in the grand scheme of things, all of us together, as a people and not as individuals, did choose our president by knowing that collectively our votes do count.
I am proud to live in a democracy where our voices, however small they may be individually, can be heard and counted in the matters of this nation. I'm not completely sold on the government actually supporting its people and is working towards our betterment, but I hold out hope for that to be the case nevertheless.
I hope you went out and voted yesterday and made your voice be heard whoever your affiliation or choice. And let's all pray that regardless of who holds that esteemed office that whatever changes they bring will be for the betterment of the people of the United States of America. We can only pray and hope that is the case.
B-Out
Tuesday, November 04, 2008
Home At Last
Well, today turned out to be a very nice day. Sunny with a light breeze, so it was warm but not muggy. Lunch went well. And I got to vote.
I finally met RD Hall after all this time and I think we hit it off pretty well. He's a very down to earth, friendly guy, and we never ran out of things to talk about. We broke the cardinal rules and spoke about religion and politics, along with TV, movies, novels, comics, and life in general. It was a great meeting with pretty good food and I hope to do it again soon sometime.
I also swung by the local polling place on my way home and luckily the line was really small, so I got in and out in five minutes with a sticker on my shirt and a good feeling about having my small say in how this election pans out.
I was torn on who to vote for all the way until I hit the button locking in my vote. I'm still not sure I made the right choice, but we'll see. If who I voted for gets elected we'll see how well he does and hopefully I made the right decision.
So now I'm back home, exhausted since I've been up since about 8:30pm last night, and with a ton of work on my plate I need to get to before I pass out early yet again.
B-Out
I finally met RD Hall after all this time and I think we hit it off pretty well. He's a very down to earth, friendly guy, and we never ran out of things to talk about. We broke the cardinal rules and spoke about religion and politics, along with TV, movies, novels, comics, and life in general. It was a great meeting with pretty good food and I hope to do it again soon sometime.
I also swung by the local polling place on my way home and luckily the line was really small, so I got in and out in five minutes with a sticker on my shirt and a good feeling about having my small say in how this election pans out.
I was torn on who to vote for all the way until I hit the button locking in my vote. I'm still not sure I made the right choice, but we'll see. If who I voted for gets elected we'll see how well he does and hopefully I made the right decision.
So now I'm back home, exhausted since I've been up since about 8:30pm last night, and with a ton of work on my plate I need to get to before I pass out early yet again.
B-Out
The Journey
I finished a third installment of my upcoming column this morning. This one felt a little like it was going all over the place, but I think I reigned it in enough.
I wasn't able to get back to sleep last night, so I'm a little tired, but wide awake if that makes sense.
It's supposed to be 75 degrees here today. Man, Kentucky weather. It was in the 30s just a few days ago.
This morning I also laid out the Site Map for ComicJobz.com, trying to further detail how the site will be laid out. I also thought of a few more ideas for it, and I can't wait until I'm able to bring this thing to life. There is no set date on it as of right now, just 2009. I'm hoping for sooner than later, but that also depends on the moolah involved! I ain't rich after all.
There will be features similar to those former users of the site were familiar with, but there will also be new things. And I'm hoping it's a much friendlier interface with a lot of user customization ability for whatever your needs are.
But more about all that when there's more definite things to discuss.
There's not a whole lot to talk about this morning that I haven't already said in this or previous posts. I'll be heading off to lunch in a couple of hours or so, and other than that it's pretty much business as usual. I'm really hungry though as I haven't eaten since about 9pm last night. And when you've been up all night that's a long time with no food! But given that I'm eating pizza this afternoon I didn't really want to chance eating too much so I don't cause myself some pain.
Speaking of, I looked up Old Chicago Pizza and it seems to be a pretty classy joint. Definitely not your typical Pizza Hut type dine in, but it has a huge menu with some pretty unique things to choose from. Should be fun.
And so, maybe I'll check in after lunch if I have a chance, and if I have anything to talk about. Right now I'm pretty much dry.
B-Out
I wasn't able to get back to sleep last night, so I'm a little tired, but wide awake if that makes sense.
It's supposed to be 75 degrees here today. Man, Kentucky weather. It was in the 30s just a few days ago.
This morning I also laid out the Site Map for ComicJobz.com, trying to further detail how the site will be laid out. I also thought of a few more ideas for it, and I can't wait until I'm able to bring this thing to life. There is no set date on it as of right now, just 2009. I'm hoping for sooner than later, but that also depends on the moolah involved! I ain't rich after all.
There will be features similar to those former users of the site were familiar with, but there will also be new things. And I'm hoping it's a much friendlier interface with a lot of user customization ability for whatever your needs are.
But more about all that when there's more definite things to discuss.
There's not a whole lot to talk about this morning that I haven't already said in this or previous posts. I'll be heading off to lunch in a couple of hours or so, and other than that it's pretty much business as usual. I'm really hungry though as I haven't eaten since about 9pm last night. And when you've been up all night that's a long time with no food! But given that I'm eating pizza this afternoon I didn't really want to chance eating too much so I don't cause myself some pain.
Speaking of, I looked up Old Chicago Pizza and it seems to be a pretty classy joint. Definitely not your typical Pizza Hut type dine in, but it has a huge menu with some pretty unique things to choose from. Should be fun.
And so, maybe I'll check in after lunch if I have a chance, and if I have anything to talk about. Right now I'm pretty much dry.
B-Out
Happy Voting, America!
Well, the day is finally upon us. The most talked about election in a long time is finally here and everyone is or should be down at their polling stations casting their votes. I read somewhere about 188 million people are registered to vote this year.
Whether you like the candidates or not, one thing is for sure - this election will make history. Either we have our first African-American president, or our first ever female Vice President. Either way it's a milestone.
I honestly still have no idea how I'll vote, though I know which way I'm leaning. As I mentioned before, I don't really care particularly for either candidate, and I agree and disagree with certain issues from both campaigns. So it will come down to choosing the lesser of two evils for me. Not to say either of them is evil, but you get the point.
I never really talk about who I vote for, and I'm not starting now. Some people get on a pedestal, but I prefer to keep my choice to myself. If I felt really strongly about a certain candidate I probably would speak up, but sadly, that hasn't happened this year.
I don't really consider myself either a Republican or Democrat. I vote on the issues and the candidates. I am conservative in some things and liberal in others, and I absolutely hate labels. To each their own.
So, this election is finally here and hopefully all the crap that goes along with it will cease! I'm tired of paid programming, 2 hour preempts, smear commercials, and all the other stuff we all loathe about election years. The sad thing is that they work! Sheep, I tell ya, sheep!
Ok, I'm done, and I'm just giving you a hard time. Go vote, let your voice be heard, and hopefully whatever happens something good will come of it.
B-Out
Gearing Up
This looks to be a busy week indeed. Tomorrow I'm having lunch with a local creator, RD Hall at Old Chicago Pizza, and it should be fun. I'm looking forward to it. Yeah, I know it's not going to help me in the least bit in losing weight or with the gall stones, but it'll be okay. It's a one time thing, the pizza that is.
Tomorrow is also Election Day, though I'm honestly not crazy about either candidate, and, like my friend Chuck Kennedy, I'm sick of all the mud-slinging and smear campaigns and am ready for the stench of the political season to be over.
Saturday we have the interview with Chuck Moore, and that will most definitely be a blast.
And of course, throughout the week I'll be fast at work on all these lettering, logo, web design and Haven projects I have in the works.
Today I all but finished up Spud (the lettering at the link is not mine - re-lettered the pages) for Jeff Fox for his Dimestore #0 issue from being in the final round of the last Idol contest. It's a fun, comical story and was a lot of fun to letter.
I also managed to write the first two installments of my upcoming column at Comic Related. Only three more to go before I'm ready to launch it with a store of columns in the bag. So far I'm having a lot of fun with it, taking a completely different writing approach than you've seen in my previous columns, or even here on the blog I think. It's kind of a mesh between prose and blogging with a little self-deprecating humor just to add a nice twist. It's all in good fun though.
On the topic of Comic Related, only 12 more days before it all changes!
Tonight I've been working on Haven stuff for a little bit, and I hope to get pretty far into the Zombie Cop prose section of the GN as well. I had like 7 pages of it done, but I had forgotten I needed to add some illustrations into the text, so I have to rework those now.
Speaking of Zombie Cop, a preview went up at Literate Machine today. The PDF is a little blurry if enlarged, so I recommend reading it at 75%. I'm not sure what happened there, but I assure you the book with be crystal clear.
I've not felt good the past couple of days to be honest, and I've been really fatigued. I did actually get quite a bit of sleep tonight, though totally by accident. I slept yesterday as well, but I didn't feel rested at all. Tonight I did, I just wish I hadn't fallen asleep so early (4pm).
I've not drank pop in like 3-4 days, nor have I eaten anything sweet save a few pieces of candy, and yet I've GAINED weight! Go figure. You know, they say to lose weight you have to eat because otherwise your body has nothing to burn. Well burn, baby, burn, because I have been eating small healthy snacks throughout the day (not ALL day, but you get the picture). I don't know. Maybe I should do that liquid cleansing thing Peter Rios over at Comic Geek Speak sent me the info on after all...
I've finally read quite a bit of the Secret Invasion stuff, and while it's somewhat entertaining, I wish I hadn't missed the lead up to it because everything I read nothing's a secret anymore. There are just skrulls popping up everywhere, almost to the point of overkill. The writing just isn't as smart as I had hoped. In the Avengers titles they keep flashing back spelling out the events, but then it's a completely different story the next issue, then back to the one before that the next, and so on. It's just a mess. I love the IDEA of the Skrull Invasion and how they've been hiding for years. And I commend them for laying down the seeds to this over the past few years (even if it does scream cop out and a way to bring people back to life - the Skrulls were even responsible for M-Day? What?). But I just think it could have played out better from what I've read so far.
I haven't read any DC titles except Trinity in quite some time, so I'm totally out of the loop there. I'm also several weeks behind on Trinity.
Speaking of comics, someone should inform ANYONE who EVER mails a comic that mail carriers do not care if you put "Do Not Bend" on it. If it can bend, that puppy's being folded and crammed into the mailbox. I can't tell you how many books have arrived damaged because of poor packaging and poor care by our mail carriers.
I had a weird dream last night, but I can't remember what it was.
And that's all.
B-Out
Tomorrow is also Election Day, though I'm honestly not crazy about either candidate, and, like my friend Chuck Kennedy, I'm sick of all the mud-slinging and smear campaigns and am ready for the stench of the political season to be over.
Saturday we have the interview with Chuck Moore, and that will most definitely be a blast.
And of course, throughout the week I'll be fast at work on all these lettering, logo, web design and Haven projects I have in the works.
Today I all but finished up Spud (the lettering at the link is not mine - re-lettered the pages) for Jeff Fox for his Dimestore #0 issue from being in the final round of the last Idol contest. It's a fun, comical story and was a lot of fun to letter.
I also managed to write the first two installments of my upcoming column at Comic Related. Only three more to go before I'm ready to launch it with a store of columns in the bag. So far I'm having a lot of fun with it, taking a completely different writing approach than you've seen in my previous columns, or even here on the blog I think. It's kind of a mesh between prose and blogging with a little self-deprecating humor just to add a nice twist. It's all in good fun though.
On the topic of Comic Related, only 12 more days before it all changes!
Tonight I've been working on Haven stuff for a little bit, and I hope to get pretty far into the Zombie Cop prose section of the GN as well. I had like 7 pages of it done, but I had forgotten I needed to add some illustrations into the text, so I have to rework those now.
Speaking of Zombie Cop, a preview went up at Literate Machine today. The PDF is a little blurry if enlarged, so I recommend reading it at 75%. I'm not sure what happened there, but I assure you the book with be crystal clear.
I've not felt good the past couple of days to be honest, and I've been really fatigued. I did actually get quite a bit of sleep tonight, though totally by accident. I slept yesterday as well, but I didn't feel rested at all. Tonight I did, I just wish I hadn't fallen asleep so early (4pm).
I've not drank pop in like 3-4 days, nor have I eaten anything sweet save a few pieces of candy, and yet I've GAINED weight! Go figure. You know, they say to lose weight you have to eat because otherwise your body has nothing to burn. Well burn, baby, burn, because I have been eating small healthy snacks throughout the day (not ALL day, but you get the picture). I don't know. Maybe I should do that liquid cleansing thing Peter Rios over at Comic Geek Speak sent me the info on after all...
I've finally read quite a bit of the Secret Invasion stuff, and while it's somewhat entertaining, I wish I hadn't missed the lead up to it because everything I read nothing's a secret anymore. There are just skrulls popping up everywhere, almost to the point of overkill. The writing just isn't as smart as I had hoped. In the Avengers titles they keep flashing back spelling out the events, but then it's a completely different story the next issue, then back to the one before that the next, and so on. It's just a mess. I love the IDEA of the Skrull Invasion and how they've been hiding for years. And I commend them for laying down the seeds to this over the past few years (even if it does scream cop out and a way to bring people back to life - the Skrulls were even responsible for M-Day? What?). But I just think it could have played out better from what I've read so far.
I haven't read any DC titles except Trinity in quite some time, so I'm totally out of the loop there. I'm also several weeks behind on Trinity.
Speaking of comics, someone should inform ANYONE who EVER mails a comic that mail carriers do not care if you put "Do Not Bend" on it. If it can bend, that puppy's being folded and crammed into the mailbox. I can't tell you how many books have arrived damaged because of poor packaging and poor care by our mail carriers.
I had a weird dream last night, but I can't remember what it was.
And that's all.
B-Out
Saturday, November 01, 2008
It's November!
You know, I forgot to mention last month, but October of this year marked two years I've been posting to this blog! So I've now passed the two-year mark, and I've loved every minute of it.
Turkey Day is only a few short weeks away, which is my cousin's favorite holiday. Not just for the food, but because my whole family gets together and it's a very special bonding time. We do at Christmas too, but it's a different vibe. Christmas is my favorite time of year, but the holidays in general bring us all closer, which is always a good thing.
Well, I didn't feel too well last night, but I'm recovering. I still got plenty of work done yesterday, so it's all good. Today I'll be working on a submission package for Victor Carungi (Pencilneck), and more Zombie Cop. If I have time after that I'll be working on some logos, maybe, and Corrective Measures #8. So much to do...
Yesterday I caught up on Haven work, and was given some more responsibilities, so that should be fun. I've got to remind Lance to get me the info for the newsletter, though, as it needs to go out soon!
Election Day is in a couple of days, but I'm not going into it here and now. Just thought I'd mention it for the sake of it.
Last night I watched Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events. It was okay. What prompted me to watch it was my little cousin sent over the series of books, which I'd never read. Then I realized we had the DVD for a while, but I had never watched it (picked it up at a flea market for like $5). I didn't hate it, but I didn't love it either. It had potential, but I don't think it was realized.
And because of Jim Carey being in that movie, it made me think of something. Remember when he played the Grinch? Remember the little girl that played Cindy Lou Who? Well, I just recently found out she's on this show called Gossip Girl these days all grown up. Man I feel old. I wasn't that young when that movie came out! I think I was like 24. Man.
I started to watch this movie on G4 called The Host, which is a creature feature movie, but the subtitles got on my nerves. It looked decent though for that type of movie. I wanted to try to watch something scary, but I couldn't find anything to get into. Oh well.
Oh, in one week...
I have yet to write the first installment of this new column I mentioned a few posts back. Don't worry, though, I'm planning on having five installments written before it goes live just to be safe.
Don't forget to set your clocks back tonight!
What would you do-oo-oo for a Klondike Bar? Me, nothing, I hate the things. I don't know, just because...
I have too much junk, and not enough stuff. Ever feel like that? I wish I could just throw everything out and start over. All my furniture, accessories, most of my clothing... everything. I'm just bored with it all. Most of my clothes don't currently fit, and they're just not me anymore anyway. Sigh, one of these days.
Speaking of, we're about to paint in the house. We've been dealing with drab white walls for over four years now. It's time for a change. We're going with a pale green in the kitchen, which looks better than it sounds. And in the loft upstairs it'll be a tan with a thick black stripe (yep, I'm gettin' creative). My room is going to be black and silver, though I'm not sure how I'll do it up yet. I used to paint houses and apartments, so I know what I'm doing somewhat. I hate cutting in and doing baseboards though - don't have the patience for it anymore. So I'll be doing the rolling and letting someone else do the tedious stuff.
You know what sucks? I have an HD cable box and no HDTV. My brother has an HDTV in his room (got it off my uncle), hence the boxes, but I get HD channels (what handful my sad cable company offers) but they do me no good. Sigh.
I may be having lunch with a local creator sometime next week, but I haven't heard back from him on when, so we'll see. He had asked me to lunch a looong time ago, but at the time I couldn't, then I forgot about it. I remembered recently and contacted him and he seemed game. It'll be cool because aside from Chuck Moore I don't know many locals into comics.
So, a lot to talk about, yet I haven't said much at all really. Ponder that.
B-Out
Turkey Day is only a few short weeks away, which is my cousin's favorite holiday. Not just for the food, but because my whole family gets together and it's a very special bonding time. We do at Christmas too, but it's a different vibe. Christmas is my favorite time of year, but the holidays in general bring us all closer, which is always a good thing.
Well, I didn't feel too well last night, but I'm recovering. I still got plenty of work done yesterday, so it's all good. Today I'll be working on a submission package for Victor Carungi (Pencilneck), and more Zombie Cop. If I have time after that I'll be working on some logos, maybe, and Corrective Measures #8. So much to do...
Yesterday I caught up on Haven work, and was given some more responsibilities, so that should be fun. I've got to remind Lance to get me the info for the newsletter, though, as it needs to go out soon!
Election Day is in a couple of days, but I'm not going into it here and now. Just thought I'd mention it for the sake of it.
Last night I watched Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events. It was okay. What prompted me to watch it was my little cousin sent over the series of books, which I'd never read. Then I realized we had the DVD for a while, but I had never watched it (picked it up at a flea market for like $5). I didn't hate it, but I didn't love it either. It had potential, but I don't think it was realized.
And because of Jim Carey being in that movie, it made me think of something. Remember when he played the Grinch? Remember the little girl that played Cindy Lou Who? Well, I just recently found out she's on this show called Gossip Girl these days all grown up. Man I feel old. I wasn't that young when that movie came out! I think I was like 24. Man.
I started to watch this movie on G4 called The Host, which is a creature feature movie, but the subtitles got on my nerves. It looked decent though for that type of movie. I wanted to try to watch something scary, but I couldn't find anything to get into. Oh well.
Oh, in one week...
I have yet to write the first installment of this new column I mentioned a few posts back. Don't worry, though, I'm planning on having five installments written before it goes live just to be safe.
Don't forget to set your clocks back tonight!
What would you do-oo-oo for a Klondike Bar? Me, nothing, I hate the things. I don't know, just because...
I have too much junk, and not enough stuff. Ever feel like that? I wish I could just throw everything out and start over. All my furniture, accessories, most of my clothing... everything. I'm just bored with it all. Most of my clothes don't currently fit, and they're just not me anymore anyway. Sigh, one of these days.
Speaking of, we're about to paint in the house. We've been dealing with drab white walls for over four years now. It's time for a change. We're going with a pale green in the kitchen, which looks better than it sounds. And in the loft upstairs it'll be a tan with a thick black stripe (yep, I'm gettin' creative). My room is going to be black and silver, though I'm not sure how I'll do it up yet. I used to paint houses and apartments, so I know what I'm doing somewhat. I hate cutting in and doing baseboards though - don't have the patience for it anymore. So I'll be doing the rolling and letting someone else do the tedious stuff.
You know what sucks? I have an HD cable box and no HDTV. My brother has an HDTV in his room (got it off my uncle), hence the boxes, but I get HD channels (what handful my sad cable company offers) but they do me no good. Sigh.
I may be having lunch with a local creator sometime next week, but I haven't heard back from him on when, so we'll see. He had asked me to lunch a looong time ago, but at the time I couldn't, then I forgot about it. I remembered recently and contacted him and he seemed game. It'll be cool because aside from Chuck Moore I don't know many locals into comics.
So, a lot to talk about, yet I haven't said much at all really. Ponder that.
B-Out
Friday, October 31, 2008
Happy Halloween!
I've said it before on this blog, but Halloween is not really my holiday. But I hope all of you who dig it go out and have some safe fun tonight!Check out this cool interview over at CR about a town that's Halloween all year round!
I went and got my hair cut this morning, and man, do I feel better... and worse. I feel better because it looks better shorter, and it was getting on my nerves how it kept falling in my face. But it's also getting thinner, which is no fun.
I have been up all night again, mostly working, though I did take a little time to read and watch TV. Had to watch Supernatural, and I caught up on some comics. Mostly I worked though.
I'm completely caught up on Genotype Prime and Tainted (pages kept spilling in throughout the week). Zombie Cop is also on schedule, and I've started on the prose section of the book now, which is fun.
I've still got plenty to work on though, and still have stuff coming soon as well. I just hope I can stay awake to do it today! I took a nap yesterday afternoon, so I've been up since about 7:30 last night, so about 16 hours as I type this, and I'm starting to get tired.
Tonight I'm not doing anything special. My brother may or may not have plans with his friends, and some of the family is getting together at my aunt's to have chili. I'll probably be here working a little and catching some scary flicks on TV for the fun of it. Why not, right? I can't eat chili anyway. And I'm trying to stay away from the candy!
Why are Comicraft fonts so expensive?! I get that they're famous and popular and really good and all that, but I find Blambot's prices much more reasonable! And they're fonts are just as good. Just sayin'. I do love a lot of CC's fonts though. But who has $100-200 for a font these days?
Today, if I can stay awake, I'll be working more on Zombie Cop, as well as a fill-in for a friend, and then a submission packet. I'm hoping to work on logos this weekend, and I've still got an issue of Corrective Measures I need to finish over the next few days. Then more Ellium, and a few other things.
So, I guess I better get to it before I start snoozing!
B-Out
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Halloween Man Art Contest Reminder
I told Scott I'd post this, so here goes:
RUSSELL HILLMAN, editor of Hackoween, writes the following:
A quick reminder about the Hack/Slash vs Halloween man art contest. We want you to design a cover/poster/pin-up for us, featuring characters from Hack/Slash and Halloween Man. It has to be a tribute to a classic horror movie poster or video/DVD cover.
We gave you a deadline of 28th October, but folks, we want to get in as many entries as possible so we're extending the deadline to Halloween. Midnight on Halloween, Las Vegas time. Send your entries to hmartwork (at) gmail (dot) com
If you haven't yet done so, check out Hack/Slash vs Halloween Man: Hackoween over at www.halloweenman.com.
Scott D.M. Simmons
http://www.scottdmsimmons.com
B-Out
RUSSELL HILLMAN, editor of Hackoween, writes the following:
A quick reminder about the Hack/Slash vs Halloween man art contest. We want you to design a cover/poster/pin-up for us, featuring characters from Hack/Slash and Halloween Man. It has to be a tribute to a classic horror movie poster or video/DVD cover.
We gave you a deadline of 28th October, but folks, we want to get in as many entries as possible so we're extending the deadline to Halloween. Midnight on Halloween, Las Vegas time. Send your entries to hmartwork (at) gmail (dot) com
If you haven't yet done so, check out Hack/Slash vs Halloween Man: Hackoween over at www.halloweenman.com.
Scott D.M. Simmons
http://www.scottdmsimmons.com
B-Out
WBZ Grayscales
Have you been keeping up with the Wannabez blog? If you haven't, head on over there (click the title of this post) for a peek at issue 1 grayscales!
B-Out
B-Out
Movie (Short) Reviews
Hittin' 'em quick, just 'cause I can!
3:10 to Yuma
I'm not a big Western guy, and there are very few I actually like, but I thought I'd give this one a shot. I wasn't disappointed. It wasn't the greatest movie I had ever seen (or even the greatest Western), but it was entertaining, if a little slow and drawn out at times. I don't regret watching it though.
Speed Racer
I think I may have already talked about this one on here. Maybe not, I can't remember. Anyway, it was a fun flick. I'm glad I didn't pay money to go see it, but it was still pretty entertaining for me. Having only seen the cartoon a couple of times I didn't really have anything to compare it to, but it seemed to get all the references and homages to it correct.
The Heartbreak Kid
All of Ben Stiller's movies feel like the same movie to me anymore. I loved Meet the Parents, but all the rest just seem like lame attempts to recapture that particular magic. This one does not. Moving on...
The Happening
M. Night Shyamalan is notorious for making novels/films with deep, underlying themes and "lessons" in them, and this one is no different. Unfortunately, from the first mention of plants it becomes apparent what this movie is really about and it comes off overly preachy. Furthermore, while I really liked what The Village represented, all of his movies feel the same. They have the same type of dialogue, the same pacing, and the same, well, dumbness intertwined in them all. And finally, whoever told Mark Wahlburg to portray his character in the manner he did issued him no favors. He was so unbelievable in that role.
The Forbidden Kingdom
Not exactly what I expected, but it was a fun, family friendly martial arts flick, surprisingly with the kid from Sky High as the lead. Jet Li was phenomenal as the Monkey King, and Chan, of course, was a natural as a drunken master again. And the girl that played Sparrow was not only a talented actress and martial artist, she was stunning as well. Overall, I enjoyed it enough.
Definitely, Maybe
Cheesy at times, but romantic to be sure. Decent date movie, and it made me feel lonely. It was good for what it was to be sure.
I know there are a couple more I watched recently, but I still can't think of what they were. Must not have left a lasting impression...
B-Out
3:10 to Yuma
I'm not a big Western guy, and there are very few I actually like, but I thought I'd give this one a shot. I wasn't disappointed. It wasn't the greatest movie I had ever seen (or even the greatest Western), but it was entertaining, if a little slow and drawn out at times. I don't regret watching it though.
Speed Racer
I think I may have already talked about this one on here. Maybe not, I can't remember. Anyway, it was a fun flick. I'm glad I didn't pay money to go see it, but it was still pretty entertaining for me. Having only seen the cartoon a couple of times I didn't really have anything to compare it to, but it seemed to get all the references and homages to it correct.
The Heartbreak Kid
All of Ben Stiller's movies feel like the same movie to me anymore. I loved Meet the Parents, but all the rest just seem like lame attempts to recapture that particular magic. This one does not. Moving on...
The Happening
M. Night Shyamalan is notorious for making novels/films with deep, underlying themes and "lessons" in them, and this one is no different. Unfortunately, from the first mention of plants it becomes apparent what this movie is really about and it comes off overly preachy. Furthermore, while I really liked what The Village represented, all of his movies feel the same. They have the same type of dialogue, the same pacing, and the same, well, dumbness intertwined in them all. And finally, whoever told Mark Wahlburg to portray his character in the manner he did issued him no favors. He was so unbelievable in that role.
The Forbidden Kingdom
Not exactly what I expected, but it was a fun, family friendly martial arts flick, surprisingly with the kid from Sky High as the lead. Jet Li was phenomenal as the Monkey King, and Chan, of course, was a natural as a drunken master again. And the girl that played Sparrow was not only a talented actress and martial artist, she was stunning as well. Overall, I enjoyed it enough.
Definitely, Maybe
Cheesy at times, but romantic to be sure. Decent date movie, and it made me feel lonely. It was good for what it was to be sure.
I know there are a couple more I watched recently, but I still can't think of what they were. Must not have left a lasting impression...
B-Out
Sojourn
The last book in the Dark Elf Trilogy, Sojourn, was better than Exile, but still not quite as good as Homeland. But it was still an enjoyable read, and the adventures of Drizzt and his friends are fast becoming one of my favorite epics of all time.
In this volume Drizzt makes his way to the surface, forever leaving the Underdark, his natural home, in his past. But his trials are in trying to discover, learn and live in this unknown world with the elements he has never known. He has to unlearn everything he was taught by his people and find out for himself what the surface dwellers are truly like.
As soon as Drizzt makes his way out in the world he finds himself in a world of trouble, and once again on the run. He resigns in himself that he'll never be able to fit in because of the reputation of his people. But later he meets Mooshie, who fast becomes a friend and mentor, and inspires hope in the Dark Elf. Unfortunately, his recent past catches up with him again and again, and after a couple of years on the surface it still haunts him.
Toward the end of the book, Drizzt finally meets some of the characters in The Crystal Shard, namely the dwarf leader Breunor and his adopted human daughter Cattie-Brie. And after facing off against a deadly foe, the three become friends after some early hesitancy.
Homeland was all about Drizzt's upbringing and his people, and we learn why he fled them in the first place. Exile showed Drizzt trying to escape his past, but being surrounded by it. But Sojourn finally connects the dots between the Dark Elf Trilogy and the Icewind Dale Trilogy as the course of Drizzt's life changes forever.
This book was filled with all the themes you'd expect to find, and they are all well placed and utilized. Drizzt grows in this book from a young, unlearned forager to an even more skilled warrior knowing the ways of the realms. He finds friends in unusual places, and enemies in unexpected ones. He's still every bit the warrior, but throughout most of the book he tried to leave those ways behind him, but he wasn't permitted that luxury.
It's a fine send off into the next chapter of Drizzt's travels, and a wonderful ending to the trilogy.
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Still Up and Going
Well, aside from a two-hour power nap yesterday afternoon, I have been up since 2:30am yesterday morning! I got really tired around 4 yesterday and laid down, then got up at 6:30 or so and worked a little bit before Heroes came on. Then I worked through the night, and I'm still up and at 'em.
I made a dent in both Tainted and Genotype Prime yesterday, as well as did some more work on the project I worked on over the weekend, so I feel good about my progress.
Today I'm mainly focusing on Corrective Measures and Zombie Cop, but Tainted and Genotype Prime are in there as well.
I've also got Ellium and a couple of other lettering projects I'm working on as I can get to them. So everything's on schedule.
Logos are a different story. Still haven't made any headway there yet, but I will!
While I won't say I'm motivated to start exercising today with everything I have to do and what little sleep I've gotten, I am motivated to start this week, and I will. I'm just going to make my mind up to do it and to get back to my healthier eating habits I had picked up and just go with that. I'd really like to drop at least ten pounds by Thanksgiving, being realistic. Then I'll tackle the other ten, or at least try to between the holidays.
Just as an asides, keep an eye on www.comicrelated.com. If you've never visited the site before, you definitely need to start checking it out. And in just 18 days the entire site is metamorphosing into something very dynamic. I've seen a peek and it's going to be great!
And that's all I have in me at the moment.
B-Out
I made a dent in both Tainted and Genotype Prime yesterday, as well as did some more work on the project I worked on over the weekend, so I feel good about my progress.
Today I'm mainly focusing on Corrective Measures and Zombie Cop, but Tainted and Genotype Prime are in there as well.
I've also got Ellium and a couple of other lettering projects I'm working on as I can get to them. So everything's on schedule.
Logos are a different story. Still haven't made any headway there yet, but I will!
While I won't say I'm motivated to start exercising today with everything I have to do and what little sleep I've gotten, I am motivated to start this week, and I will. I'm just going to make my mind up to do it and to get back to my healthier eating habits I had picked up and just go with that. I'd really like to drop at least ten pounds by Thanksgiving, being realistic. Then I'll tackle the other ten, or at least try to between the holidays.
Just as an asides, keep an eye on www.comicrelated.com. If you've never visited the site before, you definitely need to start checking it out. And in just 18 days the entire site is metamorphosing into something very dynamic. I've seen a peek and it's going to be great!
And that's all I have in me at the moment.
B-Out
Monday, October 27, 2008
Starting the Day
Well, I finally got to sleep yesterday... at 10am! Then I wound up sleeping the entire day until about 5:30. Got up and worked a bit, ate and watched a program, then went back to sleep around 11:30, got up at 2:30 this morning and here I am at 5am still up and will most likely be staying up.
I'm still exhausted and sluggish, but nothing else seems to be wrong, at least not right now. Hopefully that will continue through the day, and I'll be energized enough to get done what I need to get done!
Today I'll be working on Tainted and Genotype Prime mainly. I hope to fit in a few other things, but we'll see how it goes.
Things are in the home stretch with Zombie Cop. The team works really well together and we're cranking it out fast. The artist. Szymon Kudranski, is super fast and super talented, and I letter them as fast as he sends them over. I've loved working on this particular project immensely.
I was considering going with some of the family up to Illinois this weekend to visit my aunt, but it doesn't really look like that's going to happen, at least not for me. Whether the rest of the family will make it or not I don't know. It's all up in the air right now. Gas prices, though down from what they were, don't really help the situation either. If they take my aunt's car my mom has to pay for the gas, and it's a guzzler. Mom's car won't make the trip, and the cost of renting a car may be too much right now. So who knows?
I need to lose weight. I'm so disgusted with myself. People who have seen me would probably argue that I don't, but the truth is I do carry my weight well - which just means it's well hidden! I know what I look like and, more importantly, what I feel like. I really want to drop 20 pounds. I could live with that, even though that's still 10-15 above my normal weight. I keep wanting to go to this gym with my cousin, but we have yet to work it out. I don't like going alone, and I won't stay properly motivated like that, at least not at first. And I can't afford equipment for the home, nor would I have any place to put it. I would use it (I used to have a weight bench when I was 13-15 and I used it every day), but that's not an option. Oh well, it'll work out I'm sure. I really do want to lose as much as I can before the holidays hit though. Even if that means gaining it back during!
B-Out
I'm still exhausted and sluggish, but nothing else seems to be wrong, at least not right now. Hopefully that will continue through the day, and I'll be energized enough to get done what I need to get done!
Today I'll be working on Tainted and Genotype Prime mainly. I hope to fit in a few other things, but we'll see how it goes.
Things are in the home stretch with Zombie Cop. The team works really well together and we're cranking it out fast. The artist. Szymon Kudranski, is super fast and super talented, and I letter them as fast as he sends them over. I've loved working on this particular project immensely.
I was considering going with some of the family up to Illinois this weekend to visit my aunt, but it doesn't really look like that's going to happen, at least not for me. Whether the rest of the family will make it or not I don't know. It's all up in the air right now. Gas prices, though down from what they were, don't really help the situation either. If they take my aunt's car my mom has to pay for the gas, and it's a guzzler. Mom's car won't make the trip, and the cost of renting a car may be too much right now. So who knows?
I need to lose weight. I'm so disgusted with myself. People who have seen me would probably argue that I don't, but the truth is I do carry my weight well - which just means it's well hidden! I know what I look like and, more importantly, what I feel like. I really want to drop 20 pounds. I could live with that, even though that's still 10-15 above my normal weight. I keep wanting to go to this gym with my cousin, but we have yet to work it out. I don't like going alone, and I won't stay properly motivated like that, at least not at first. And I can't afford equipment for the home, nor would I have any place to put it. I would use it (I used to have a weight bench when I was 13-15 and I used it every day), but that's not an option. Oh well, it'll work out I'm sure. I really do want to lose as much as I can before the holidays hit though. Even if that means gaining it back during!
B-Out
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