This weekend I was assaulted by a kite. What more can I say?
Sunday, July 30, 2006
Tuesday, July 18, 2006
Tasteful Reading
Ugh. So, I’m only halfway through reading Fast Food Nation by Eric Schlosser, but I can already recommend it. That is, if you have the stomach! Yes, my friends, that is a dare.
This book was suggested to me a couple of years ago by Marie Javins. I only recently picked it up after watching the documentary film, Super Size Me, directed by and starring Morgan Spurlock. In the film, Spurlock uses himself as a guinea pig to see what would happen if he only ate at McDonalds, three meals a day for one month. The results are terrifying even as he keeps you laughing, cracking wise, tongue firmly in cheek. That is, until he becomes morbidly depressed and his doctors plead with him to give up the diet after only 3 weeks. The sicko science experiment is inter-cut with interesting factoids, history and interviews. One of the interviews that was filmed after the film was released, is with Eric Schlosser--It appears as an extra on the DVD. The interesting chat, along with other nifty extras, makes the DVD a worthwhile rental, even if you’ve seen the film in the theater. Thank Lord Jesus for my Netflix cue. Next up: The Matador! Huzzah!
Needless to say, Schlosser’s book is much more in-depth and detailed than the Spurlock film. It is also extremely readable. In fact, it’s difficult to put down. Hard to look away from. Like a good train wreck. Luckily, I’m speaking metaphorically and I’ve never been close to a train wreck. I’m sure that if I were to witness one, like the wreck in The Fugitive, it would leave an indelible image in my memory. Just as The Fugitive did. But, that’s another story. What was my point? Oh yeah. The “indelible memory” thing. I was going to say that Fast Food Nation has forever changed the way I look at food. At least, that’s how I feel right now.
Food is very important to me. I’m one of those “foodies” you may have heard about. So’s my wife. We are really into food. We love trying great restaurants and we cook more than anyone I know. And my wife bakes. A lot. It’s pretty cool. I really need to get to the gym. Anyway, I love food, but I’m also not a snob about it. I have a real soft spot for he comfort foods of my youth (since I grew up in Queens, feel free to read “youth” pronounced ad “yewt”). Therefore, I freely confess to the occasional Big Mac attack.
The book is compelling for many reasons. First, it serves up a fascinating history lesson as Schlosser introduces the founders of the fast food industry. Men like Carl N. Karcher, Dave Thomas and the McDonalds brothers, whose stories are as American as a hot, fried apple pie. These pioneers were almost all men with little education, who started with nothing but some innovative ideas and the drive to make their dreams come true. The story turns darker as their little companies become huge corporate entities that utterly changed way food is grown, collected, sold, distributed, marketed, prepared and eaten. These changes were made possible because through a combination of technological advances, the culture of the automobile and the creation of a national highway system, corporate and political corruption at all levels, the exploitation of workers, and a great big dose of greed.
The results that Fast Food Nation suggests are no less than the “mall-ization” of the American landscape as the business practices of the fast food industry were mimicked by other retail suppliers and abominable conditions in the meat-producing industries that must lead to the spread of disease. I swear again, I don’t believe that I’ll be able to look at fast food the same way again. Or any processed food, really. I’m seriously considering buying a meat-grinder for my home. I want to make my own sausage like they do in the Old Country—ammàzza!!!
But what really warms my heart is the knowledge that all of this is currently being exported to the world at large. Will there even be an “Old Country” fifty years from now? Will it really be one big McPlanet? How can we turn back the clock and go back to eating “real” food. Without spending an ungodly fortune at Whole Foods, at any rate?
Dude, it’s a good book. Read it, already. If you can’t be bothered to educate yourself, what can I say? Have it your way. (heh heh) I’m going to try and finish it this week.
And, speaking of delicious tasty treats, you ought to check out Marie’s blog entry for today.
Bon appetit!
This book was suggested to me a couple of years ago by Marie Javins. I only recently picked it up after watching the documentary film, Super Size Me, directed by and starring Morgan Spurlock. In the film, Spurlock uses himself as a guinea pig to see what would happen if he only ate at McDonalds, three meals a day for one month. The results are terrifying even as he keeps you laughing, cracking wise, tongue firmly in cheek. That is, until he becomes morbidly depressed and his doctors plead with him to give up the diet after only 3 weeks. The sicko science experiment is inter-cut with interesting factoids, history and interviews. One of the interviews that was filmed after the film was released, is with Eric Schlosser--It appears as an extra on the DVD. The interesting chat, along with other nifty extras, makes the DVD a worthwhile rental, even if you’ve seen the film in the theater. Thank Lord Jesus for my Netflix cue. Next up: The Matador! Huzzah!
Needless to say, Schlosser’s book is much more in-depth and detailed than the Spurlock film. It is also extremely readable. In fact, it’s difficult to put down. Hard to look away from. Like a good train wreck. Luckily, I’m speaking metaphorically and I’ve never been close to a train wreck. I’m sure that if I were to witness one, like the wreck in The Fugitive, it would leave an indelible image in my memory. Just as The Fugitive did. But, that’s another story. What was my point? Oh yeah. The “indelible memory” thing. I was going to say that Fast Food Nation has forever changed the way I look at food. At least, that’s how I feel right now.
Food is very important to me. I’m one of those “foodies” you may have heard about. So’s my wife. We are really into food. We love trying great restaurants and we cook more than anyone I know. And my wife bakes. A lot. It’s pretty cool. I really need to get to the gym. Anyway, I love food, but I’m also not a snob about it. I have a real soft spot for he comfort foods of my youth (since I grew up in Queens, feel free to read “youth” pronounced ad “yewt”). Therefore, I freely confess to the occasional Big Mac attack.
The book is compelling for many reasons. First, it serves up a fascinating history lesson as Schlosser introduces the founders of the fast food industry. Men like Carl N. Karcher, Dave Thomas and the McDonalds brothers, whose stories are as American as a hot, fried apple pie. These pioneers were almost all men with little education, who started with nothing but some innovative ideas and the drive to make their dreams come true. The story turns darker as their little companies become huge corporate entities that utterly changed way food is grown, collected, sold, distributed, marketed, prepared and eaten. These changes were made possible because through a combination of technological advances, the culture of the automobile and the creation of a national highway system, corporate and political corruption at all levels, the exploitation of workers, and a great big dose of greed.
The results that Fast Food Nation suggests are no less than the “mall-ization” of the American landscape as the business practices of the fast food industry were mimicked by other retail suppliers and abominable conditions in the meat-producing industries that must lead to the spread of disease. I swear again, I don’t believe that I’ll be able to look at fast food the same way again. Or any processed food, really. I’m seriously considering buying a meat-grinder for my home. I want to make my own sausage like they do in the Old Country—ammàzza!!!
But what really warms my heart is the knowledge that all of this is currently being exported to the world at large. Will there even be an “Old Country” fifty years from now? Will it really be one big McPlanet? How can we turn back the clock and go back to eating “real” food. Without spending an ungodly fortune at Whole Foods, at any rate?
Dude, it’s a good book. Read it, already. If you can’t be bothered to educate yourself, what can I say? Have it your way. (heh heh) I’m going to try and finish it this week.
And, speaking of delicious tasty treats, you ought to check out Marie’s blog entry for today.
Bon appetit!
Wednesday, July 12, 2006
Am I a Big Sell-Out?!?
Today I was surfing around some comics blogs and stuff. Yes, I should have been working, but there you have it. It’s not like I spent all day at it…
Anywho, I was looking at Becky Cloonan’s website. I don’t know Becky personally (I met her briefly once), but I’m a HUGE fan of her work. On her page is a link to her blog. She posts about as rarely as I do, but one of her posts immediately got my attention. Alas, it seems she really hates a certain book that, as it happens, is a major influence on one of my projects.
For the record, I believe that her reasons are sound. I may even agree with her, personally! Still, I’m creating something designed to appeal to a specific audience.
Is that so wrong???
I guess I feel bad in the knowledge that I am currently working on something that I know Becky will not like. Even though I don’t even know her. It’s just because I admire her work so much, I wish there could be some reciprocal feelings.
At the same time, closer to home, I also know that my book will have little appeal to my wife, some of my friends and my parents! It will also be unsuitable for my kid--at least for another 10-12 years!
But they aren’t the target audience! Neither am I for that matter! I am just trying to do the best work I can on a project that will appeal to a certain niche.
Does this make me a big sell-out???
I don’t think it does. But maybe I’m just delusional. You’ll have to let me know.
Sorry Becky. Maybe you’ll like my next project, whatever that will be (wonder which “target audience” she falls into?)
Anywho, I was looking at Becky Cloonan’s website. I don’t know Becky personally (I met her briefly once), but I’m a HUGE fan of her work. On her page is a link to her blog. She posts about as rarely as I do, but one of her posts immediately got my attention. Alas, it seems she really hates a certain book that, as it happens, is a major influence on one of my projects.
For the record, I believe that her reasons are sound. I may even agree with her, personally! Still, I’m creating something designed to appeal to a specific audience.
Is that so wrong???
I guess I feel bad in the knowledge that I am currently working on something that I know Becky will not like. Even though I don’t even know her. It’s just because I admire her work so much, I wish there could be some reciprocal feelings.
At the same time, closer to home, I also know that my book will have little appeal to my wife, some of my friends and my parents! It will also be unsuitable for my kid--at least for another 10-12 years!
But they aren’t the target audience! Neither am I for that matter! I am just trying to do the best work I can on a project that will appeal to a certain niche.
Does this make me a big sell-out???
I don’t think it does. But maybe I’m just delusional. You’ll have to let me know.
Sorry Becky. Maybe you’ll like my next project, whatever that will be (wonder which “target audience” she falls into?)
Friday, June 30, 2006
"All That Stuff"
I haven’t seen Superman Returns yet, and I’m not sure when I will, but I really want to. The trailers look great and I have great faith in Bryan Singer’s vision when it comes to these comic book movies.But I gotta tell you about something that’s been bugging me since I first saw the trailer a couple of months ago.
That is, a sound-bite where Daily Planet chief, Perry White says, “Does he (Superman) still stand for Truth? Justice? All that stuff…?”
Now, unless you’ve lived without any access to the media or pop-culture for your entire life (if so--how on earth did you even find my blog?), you know that Superman stands for “Truth, Justice and The American Way.”
This has been bothering me for a while, but I didn’t know if it was worth mentioning since I hadn’t yet seen the movie. But today I heard someone talking about it on talk radio, and so, I guess it really is an issue.
The omission of “The American Way” says much about the filmmakers. It seems they were not comfortable stating the “American Way” is an ideal worth fighting for. As we begin the 4th of July weekend, I think this is a sad commentary for many reasons.
In a Washington Post article about the topic, screenwriters Michael Dougherty and ,Dan Harris are quoted as saying they were hesitant to use the phrase “American Way” because “when people say 'American way,' they're actually talking about what the 'American way' meant back in the '40s and '50s, which was something more noble and idealistic."
Really? Do they really believe that? I thought the Hollywood elite despised the values of the 40’s and 50’s. I guess these guys are an exception. They must long for those good ol’ days back when women stayed in the kitchen and before civil rights laws! (Maybe they should rethink that position, eh?)
Politics aside, they also claim that because Superman is an alien, he’s a citizen of the world. In my view, this shows a lack of understanding of the character.
Yes, Superman is an alien: Kal-El from planet Krypton. But, more importantly, he is also Clark Kent, raised by Martha and Jonathan on a Kansas farm. This was a deliberate choice by Superman’s creators, Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster. They could have had Kal-El land in New York City or San Francisco and grow up as a progressive, urbane hipster. But they did not. Superman’s entire worldview and value system were forged by his adoptive parents, in America’s heartland.
In an attempt to create a Superman film they believe will be relevant to today’s audience, the screenwriters have removed a crucial part of the hero’s character. Because they don’t believe America has any particular value in the world, they’ve decided that Superman also feels this way. I understand that the writers may lack the ability to judge that one society’s values may be better than another’s. But I don’t really get the idea of a Superman who is unable to make those moral distinctions.
As I stated before—I haven’t seen the film yet. I will. I want to. In spite of this rant, I have high expectations for the film. I only hope that Superman’s character has not been watered down, as suggested above. I saw an interview with Bryan Singer who claims that his Superman is “deeper.” Maybe it’s true, and the action in the film depicts a hero that people can still look up to. They say that actions speak louder than words. Still, words are extremely important. That’s what thoughts are made of. I wish they hadn’t changed those particular words.
Happy Birthday America!
Sunday, June 25, 2006
An Advertiser's Dream
I readily admit it.
I am extremely susceptible to suggestion. Especially when suggested in the form of some delicious foodstuff. Hence my search for Haagen-Daz Mayan Chocolate ice cream. I saw an ad for it a couple of weeks ago.
Dark chocolate and cinnamon. How could that be a bad thing?
Since then, I’ve looked in every grocery store around me to no avail. Until today! They have it at my local Gelsons. If any representatives from Vons, Ralphs or Bristol Farms are reading this, you’d do well to order some of this stuff quickly.
It’s delightful. Sigh. Look at this...
Yummy.
But then, if you ask my wife, this is the book on me. I’m the guy who always has to try the latest flavor, the new-fangled pasta or wacky soft drink.
Yes, I have a bottle of Coke Blak in my fridge. Haven’t tried it yet, so I’ll have to let you know.
I’m an advertiser’s dream. Show me a pretty picture and I’ll try your product. Luckily for our bank account, I watch ZERO television these days. That’s a subject for another blog, but I’ve been TV-free for about five years now. I keep up with the pop culture courtesy of Netflix. God bless them.
Part of the reason I don’t watch TV is because I become very weak in the cool glow of the cathode ray. Or whatever it is. My brain shuts off and I seem to loose motor functions when presented with television. I…can’t…move…! I’ll watch almost anything. Or nothing! Just flip them channels. Commercials are often more entertaining than the regular programming, in any case. Anyway, I just can’t seem to help trying new things. What a good consumer my mother raised!
Not all advertising works on me. I truly hate email spam and those annoying “pop up” ads that appear over many websites. Even worse, in the non-digital arena, is the mountain of trash that appears in my mailbox every day. What a waste of paper. Also, I don’t know what it’s like where you live, but in my neighborhood, a deluge of flyers are strewn on my front porch daily. I ignore these ads on principal.
But the absolute WORST thing you can do for your product (or cause) is to ring my doorbell. I don’t know why, but solicitors are truly my pet peeve. I hate them. I don’t care if you’re a kid looking for a sponsor for a school trip, a Jehovah’s Witness, the police collecting for the department’s fund drive, or a global-warming fanatic looking for a signature. If I don’t know you personally, stay away from my door. Pretty please. I would tell these people to write up their request and put it in a letter, but I already told you that I ignore junk mail. Now if they’d take out a nice, glossy, full-page magazine ad, maybe they’d get my attention.
As long as it looks delicious!
P.S. Here’s a link. Try that “flavor finder!”
I am extremely susceptible to suggestion. Especially when suggested in the form of some delicious foodstuff. Hence my search for Haagen-Daz Mayan Chocolate ice cream. I saw an ad for it a couple of weeks ago.
Dark chocolate and cinnamon. How could that be a bad thing?
Since then, I’ve looked in every grocery store around me to no avail. Until today! They have it at my local Gelsons. If any representatives from Vons, Ralphs or Bristol Farms are reading this, you’d do well to order some of this stuff quickly.
It’s delightful. Sigh. Look at this...
Yummy.
But then, if you ask my wife, this is the book on me. I’m the guy who always has to try the latest flavor, the new-fangled pasta or wacky soft drink.
Yes, I have a bottle of Coke Blak in my fridge. Haven’t tried it yet, so I’ll have to let you know.
I’m an advertiser’s dream. Show me a pretty picture and I’ll try your product. Luckily for our bank account, I watch ZERO television these days. That’s a subject for another blog, but I’ve been TV-free for about five years now. I keep up with the pop culture courtesy of Netflix. God bless them.
Part of the reason I don’t watch TV is because I become very weak in the cool glow of the cathode ray. Or whatever it is. My brain shuts off and I seem to loose motor functions when presented with television. I…can’t…move…! I’ll watch almost anything. Or nothing! Just flip them channels. Commercials are often more entertaining than the regular programming, in any case. Anyway, I just can’t seem to help trying new things. What a good consumer my mother raised!
Not all advertising works on me. I truly hate email spam and those annoying “pop up” ads that appear over many websites. Even worse, in the non-digital arena, is the mountain of trash that appears in my mailbox every day. What a waste of paper. Also, I don’t know what it’s like where you live, but in my neighborhood, a deluge of flyers are strewn on my front porch daily. I ignore these ads on principal.
But the absolute WORST thing you can do for your product (or cause) is to ring my doorbell. I don’t know why, but solicitors are truly my pet peeve. I hate them. I don’t care if you’re a kid looking for a sponsor for a school trip, a Jehovah’s Witness, the police collecting for the department’s fund drive, or a global-warming fanatic looking for a signature. If I don’t know you personally, stay away from my door. Pretty please. I would tell these people to write up their request and put it in a letter, but I already told you that I ignore junk mail. Now if they’d take out a nice, glossy, full-page magazine ad, maybe they’d get my attention.
As long as it looks delicious!
P.S. Here’s a link. Try that “flavor finder!”
Tuesday, May 23, 2006
Sunday, May 07, 2006
Scooby News
Today my four-and-a-half year old boy asked, "what if Velma Dinkley was naked?"
We aren't sure what he was getting at, but he seemed to think it was a good idea,
JINKIES!
We aren't sure what he was getting at, but he seemed to think it was a good idea,
JINKIES!
Saturday, May 06, 2006
What's Happening?
Yes, I have not really posted much here in the ol’ blogosphere lately. The last two entries don’t really count, especially since I previously stated that I would only write blogs of some substance. I guess I haven’t had anything substantive to say lately.
And that is still true today.
I’ve been a busy guy, lately. Work on the Reagan book is going well, if slowly. Here’s a random page…
This is one of the ‘easy’ pages that did not require huge amounts of research & reference. Most of the book has been quite challenging because there are not too many ‘easy’ pages. This is a tough job.
My other tough job for Tokyopop is going along pretty well. They have not yet announced the book, so I can’t really share my progress at this time. I’ll just leave you hanging!
When I have more to show, I will. Thanks for droppin’ by!
And that is still true today.
I’ve been a busy guy, lately. Work on the Reagan book is going well, if slowly. Here’s a random page…
This is one of the ‘easy’ pages that did not require huge amounts of research & reference. Most of the book has been quite challenging because there are not too many ‘easy’ pages. This is a tough job.
My other tough job for Tokyopop is going along pretty well. They have not yet announced the book, so I can’t really share my progress at this time. I’ll just leave you hanging!
When I have more to show, I will. Thanks for droppin’ by!
Thursday, April 20, 2006
Is it just me...
...or does Brandon Routh look like a cross between Christopher Reeve and Bryan Singer?
Thursday, March 02, 2006
Illustration Job
Today I received a copy of a magazine that I did a bunch of illustrations for last month. It's called Training Treasures and it's written as a guide for business training. This issue's main feature is about storytelling and how to use stories ro motivate and sell. The publisher wanted comic book style illustrations to go with the theme and somehow found me! It was a fun job.
Happily, the magazine looks GREAT! It's printed on really nice paper--heavy stock, glossy finish. I turned in artwork at a higher resolution than some of the comics publishers typically use and I think it paid off. I'm quite pleased!
The End of the World
As stated in a previous blog entry, I’m juggling a couple of big projects right now. This is good news, but I have to tell y’all that it is not easy! My biggest problem is that the projects are very different and it’s hard to make the mental ‘jump’ back and forth. Today I’m coping with a little thing they call “Writer’s block.” In fact, this is one of the reasons I am writing this blog entry--to get the creative juices flowing, so to speak.
I’ve blocked out the entire day for uninterrupted work on my Top-Secret Manga script. Therefore, I got my errands all done early. I often spend part of my workday running around to the bank, post office, dry-cleaners and such. Today I was shocked to find the post office closed. One of the employees was hanging around the lobby, helping people buy stamps from the machines and explaining that there is some “nationwide problem” with the postal system. Sounds scary, but I’ve found no mention of the problem in the news. Maybe it’s nothing. Maybe we’ll learn more as the day progresses!
After that, I stopped next door at the local Starbucks (sorry, Kieron) and was dismayed that they were only taking to-go orders for the “tall” sized coffees (that’s the smallest), because the store was out of lids for the “grande” and “venti” sizes.
Clearly, there is something amiss in the world. Let’s just say that I feel uneasy. And it bodes ill that writing this lame story is how I’ve chosen to start my workday.
Wish me luck (and don’t tell my editor)…
I’ve blocked out the entire day for uninterrupted work on my Top-Secret Manga script. Therefore, I got my errands all done early. I often spend part of my workday running around to the bank, post office, dry-cleaners and such. Today I was shocked to find the post office closed. One of the employees was hanging around the lobby, helping people buy stamps from the machines and explaining that there is some “nationwide problem” with the postal system. Sounds scary, but I’ve found no mention of the problem in the news. Maybe it’s nothing. Maybe we’ll learn more as the day progresses!
After that, I stopped next door at the local Starbucks (sorry, Kieron) and was dismayed that they were only taking to-go orders for the “tall” sized coffees (that’s the smallest), because the store was out of lids for the “grande” and “venti” sizes.
Clearly, there is something amiss in the world. Let’s just say that I feel uneasy. And it bodes ill that writing this lame story is how I’ve chosen to start my workday.
Wish me luck (and don’t tell my editor)…
Friday, February 24, 2006
Hey Kids: Comics!
Yesterday I was over at The Comic Bug and had an interesting chat with Mike Wellman. I confessed that I’ve recently come to realize that the whole superhero thing is officially out of my system.
What I mean is that as a READER, I seem to have lost interest in all of the beloved tight-wearing heroes of my youth. Finally.
The last mainstream superhero title that I’ve followed was Daredevil. Sometime in 2005—I think nearly a year ago—I missed a couple of issues of the book, and never went back. I was a big fan of the Bendis/Maleev run on Daredevil, but once I broke the “habit” of reading those monthly issues, I just did not miss them. To be fair, I also know that these issues will be collected into trade-paperbacks, and I probably will read them someday.
I made this break without really thinking about it. I still purchase comics fairly often, but no superheroes. Only recently have I given it any thought. What’s the deal?
I guess they just aren’t relevant to me anymore--at least, not as a READER. As a CREATOR, I have plenty of ideas in the genre that I would like to pursue. The difference is that I would not be writing for ME, but for kids. Too many creators working in comics today write for themselves instead of for the audience. I don’t know if that is appropriate for Spider-Man.
I guess I’m sick of all the “adult” superhero books. I wish those standards like Spider-Man,Supermanand Batman were really geared towards kids. Of course I loved Watchmen and Dark-Knight when they came out, but I was a teenager then. I think the post-modern, deconstruction of the superhero genre has been officially done to death. Like, ten years ago.
Besides, there are so many REALLY GOOD comics available today that are maturely written for an adult audience. What do I read? Well, on a monthly basis, I still read only ONE regular, monthly book. I still read 100 Bullets, by Brian Azzarello and Eduardo Risso. That book continues to be the “monthly fix” that took the place of Preacher, when that book ended.
I’ve also been enjoying the work of Brian Wood lately. DMZ, by Wood and Riccardo Burchielli has been awesome. Wood’s work on Local with Ryan Kelly and Demo with Becky Cloonan are both well worth picking up.
My old pal, Mark Chiarello, who I know from back in the glory days of at Epic Comics has been producing an awesome book over at DC. If you are unfamiliar with Solo, you really are missing a wonderful series. Each issue spotlights a different comic book creator with all-original short stories. My personal favorites (so far) are the issues by Jordi Bernet, Paul Pope, Darwyn Cooke and Tim Sale. Mark is getting some of the industry’s best talents involved with this book. Quite a feather in DC’s cap.
I adore Paris, by Andi Watson and Simon Gane. Please buy it.
There are a few monthly comics that I don’t read on a monthly basis, but instead choose to wait until they are collected in trade-paperbacks. The Walking Dead, by Robert Kirkman, Tony Moore, Charlie Adlard and Cliff Rathburn is a wonderful, dramatic take on the whole “zombie” craze. I also prefer to read Usagi Yojimbo by Stan Sakai in the collected format. I also like them on my shelf!
There are many more worthwhile books out there that I read and recommend. Top Shelf had been publishing many of them (have you read Blankets yet?). I wish that people like Dan Clowes, Frank Miller and Adrian Tomine produced more. I wish European Albums were easier to come by here in the US. What can you do?
I’m rambling now, and getting away from my point about superheroes. In fact, today I’m not sure what the point is! I just found out that Paul Pope has a new Batman book out. I may have “regress” for a minute and pick that up…!
Recommended Reading:
I can keep going, but I won't! Happy reading!
What I mean is that as a READER, I seem to have lost interest in all of the beloved tight-wearing heroes of my youth. Finally.
The last mainstream superhero title that I’ve followed was Daredevil. Sometime in 2005—I think nearly a year ago—I missed a couple of issues of the book, and never went back. I was a big fan of the Bendis/Maleev run on Daredevil, but once I broke the “habit” of reading those monthly issues, I just did not miss them. To be fair, I also know that these issues will be collected into trade-paperbacks, and I probably will read them someday.
I made this break without really thinking about it. I still purchase comics fairly often, but no superheroes. Only recently have I given it any thought. What’s the deal?
I guess they just aren’t relevant to me anymore--at least, not as a READER. As a CREATOR, I have plenty of ideas in the genre that I would like to pursue. The difference is that I would not be writing for ME, but for kids. Too many creators working in comics today write for themselves instead of for the audience. I don’t know if that is appropriate for Spider-Man.
I guess I’m sick of all the “adult” superhero books. I wish those standards like Spider-Man,Supermanand Batman were really geared towards kids. Of course I loved Watchmen and Dark-Knight when they came out, but I was a teenager then. I think the post-modern, deconstruction of the superhero genre has been officially done to death. Like, ten years ago.
Besides, there are so many REALLY GOOD comics available today that are maturely written for an adult audience. What do I read? Well, on a monthly basis, I still read only ONE regular, monthly book. I still read 100 Bullets, by Brian Azzarello and Eduardo Risso. That book continues to be the “monthly fix” that took the place of Preacher, when that book ended.
I’ve also been enjoying the work of Brian Wood lately. DMZ, by Wood and Riccardo Burchielli has been awesome. Wood’s work on Local with Ryan Kelly and Demo with Becky Cloonan are both well worth picking up.
My old pal, Mark Chiarello, who I know from back in the glory days of at Epic Comics has been producing an awesome book over at DC. If you are unfamiliar with Solo, you really are missing a wonderful series. Each issue spotlights a different comic book creator with all-original short stories. My personal favorites (so far) are the issues by Jordi Bernet, Paul Pope, Darwyn Cooke and Tim Sale. Mark is getting some of the industry’s best talents involved with this book. Quite a feather in DC’s cap.
I adore Paris, by Andi Watson and Simon Gane. Please buy it.
There are a few monthly comics that I don’t read on a monthly basis, but instead choose to wait until they are collected in trade-paperbacks. The Walking Dead, by Robert Kirkman, Tony Moore, Charlie Adlard and Cliff Rathburn is a wonderful, dramatic take on the whole “zombie” craze. I also prefer to read Usagi Yojimbo by Stan Sakai in the collected format. I also like them on my shelf!
There are many more worthwhile books out there that I read and recommend. Top Shelf had been publishing many of them (have you read Blankets yet?). I wish that people like Dan Clowes, Frank Miller and Adrian Tomine produced more. I wish European Albums were easier to come by here in the US. What can you do?
I’m rambling now, and getting away from my point about superheroes. In fact, today I’m not sure what the point is! I just found out that Paul Pope has a new Batman book out. I may have “regress” for a minute and pick that up…!
Recommended Reading:
I can keep going, but I won't! Happy reading!
News Blues
Ugh. The world news is just more and more depressing. This is not a political blog, though, so I will leave it alone here. Still, in the subject of “recommended Reading,” I’d like to point people to a very illuminating article from last week’s Washington Post. Have you seen this? It’s an editorial by Flemming Rose, the editor of that Danish newspaper that started the ruckus with those infamous Mohammed cartoons.
Regardless of your position on the subject, this is a thoughtful and articulate article that really clarifies the issues and offers much-needed back-story on how and why the cartoons came to be published.
Regardless of your position on the subject, this is a thoughtful and articulate article that really clarifies the issues and offers much-needed back-story on how and why the cartoons came to be published.
Friday, February 17, 2006
What To Read????
What to Read???
Holy Crow! After months of inactivity: two blogs in one day. I ought to pace myself.
I was just sitting here procrastinating and contemplating the piles of crap around my desk. I’ve been reading some good stuff lately, and I thought I share my good fortune with the population of the Internet.
I just started reading Devil in the White City, by Erik Larson. I haven’t read much, but I can tell it’s gonna be DAMN GOOD. It’s one of those great non-fiction books that reads like a good novel. The setting is the 1893 World’s Fair in Chicago and the two main characters are the Fair’s chief architect and a serial killer. How bad can that be? The amazing thing is that the author claims NOTHING in the book has been invented for dramatic purposes. Even all the dialogue has been drawn from historical documents.
That kind of authenticity is impressive, but I’m a sucker for good “historical fiction,” anyway. Books like Caleb Carr’s, The Alienist seem to have been written just for my taste. I love the mixing of true historical fact with compelling fictional characters. A good example I’ve read recently is Forever, by Pete Hamill. Hamill is a reporter and a Historian of New York City. His novel Forever tells the story of an Irish immigrant who, in 1741, comes to New York and becomes gifted with immortality—so long as he never leaves Manhattan island. This is a great story, and Hamill weaves the personal tale of Cormac O’Connor with the history of New York City up until 9/11. Great stuff. Hamill’s other books are also well worth a look. I loved his memoir, A Drinking Life even more.
I think I mentioned in a previous blog that I’ve been on a “New York” kick lately. The Pete Hamill books were part of that, so I should also mention that his recent book, Downtown: My Manhattan was also quite good. In a way, it picks up where A Drinking Life left off; telling Hamill’s life story along with that of the streets he walked.
Still, the best “New York” book I’ve read has to be The Power Broker, by Robert Carro. This book is really an epic tale about the amazing life of Robert Moses and the awesome power and influence he wielded over the landscape of the city. Really amazing, but a huge commitment; this sucker is 1100+ pages, not including notes. For an abbreviated look at Robert Moses’ life, I recommend that you watch the PBS Series New York, Directed by Ric Burns. It’s a great documentary available on DVD, and Moses figures prominently in the last couple of episodes. It was this documentary that made me want to read The Power Broker.
Before I jumped into the Chicago book (last night), I was reading about yet another metropolis: Bombay. Maximum City is another fascinating read by author, Suketu Mehta. I bought this book on a whim, knowing nothing about it. I just picked it off of a shelf at random in the bookstore and read a couple of pages. I was hooked instantly. Mehta is a Bombay native who, after living much of his life abroad, returned to write this portrait of a complex and shadowy city. He tells the story from different perspectives; befriending criminals in the city’s underworld and the police that hunt them, becoming a player in the “Bollywood” film scene and entering the secret world of “bar dancers.” It’s an inside look at a world I never new existed, but one I’d like o know more about.
SO, I guess I’ve been reading about cities. Maybe my next blog will be about the comics I recommend. Unfortunately, there aren’t too many. Guess that will be an easy one to write! ;)
Here are some handy links if you wanna buy any of these. Let me know what you think!
Holy Crow! After months of inactivity: two blogs in one day. I ought to pace myself.
I was just sitting here procrastinating and contemplating the piles of crap around my desk. I’ve been reading some good stuff lately, and I thought I share my good fortune with the population of the Internet.
I just started reading Devil in the White City, by Erik Larson. I haven’t read much, but I can tell it’s gonna be DAMN GOOD. It’s one of those great non-fiction books that reads like a good novel. The setting is the 1893 World’s Fair in Chicago and the two main characters are the Fair’s chief architect and a serial killer. How bad can that be? The amazing thing is that the author claims NOTHING in the book has been invented for dramatic purposes. Even all the dialogue has been drawn from historical documents.
That kind of authenticity is impressive, but I’m a sucker for good “historical fiction,” anyway. Books like Caleb Carr’s, The Alienist seem to have been written just for my taste. I love the mixing of true historical fact with compelling fictional characters. A good example I’ve read recently is Forever, by Pete Hamill. Hamill is a reporter and a Historian of New York City. His novel Forever tells the story of an Irish immigrant who, in 1741, comes to New York and becomes gifted with immortality—so long as he never leaves Manhattan island. This is a great story, and Hamill weaves the personal tale of Cormac O’Connor with the history of New York City up until 9/11. Great stuff. Hamill’s other books are also well worth a look. I loved his memoir, A Drinking Life even more.
I think I mentioned in a previous blog that I’ve been on a “New York” kick lately. The Pete Hamill books were part of that, so I should also mention that his recent book, Downtown: My Manhattan was also quite good. In a way, it picks up where A Drinking Life left off; telling Hamill’s life story along with that of the streets he walked.
Still, the best “New York” book I’ve read has to be The Power Broker, by Robert Carro. This book is really an epic tale about the amazing life of Robert Moses and the awesome power and influence he wielded over the landscape of the city. Really amazing, but a huge commitment; this sucker is 1100+ pages, not including notes. For an abbreviated look at Robert Moses’ life, I recommend that you watch the PBS Series New York, Directed by Ric Burns. It’s a great documentary available on DVD, and Moses figures prominently in the last couple of episodes. It was this documentary that made me want to read The Power Broker.
Before I jumped into the Chicago book (last night), I was reading about yet another metropolis: Bombay. Maximum City is another fascinating read by author, Suketu Mehta. I bought this book on a whim, knowing nothing about it. I just picked it off of a shelf at random in the bookstore and read a couple of pages. I was hooked instantly. Mehta is a Bombay native who, after living much of his life abroad, returned to write this portrait of a complex and shadowy city. He tells the story from different perspectives; befriending criminals in the city’s underworld and the police that hunt them, becoming a player in the “Bollywood” film scene and entering the secret world of “bar dancers.” It’s an inside look at a world I never new existed, but one I’d like o know more about.
SO, I guess I’ve been reading about cities. Maybe my next blog will be about the comics I recommend. Unfortunately, there aren’t too many. Guess that will be an easy one to write! ;)
Here are some handy links if you wanna buy any of these. Let me know what you think!
What To Blog????
Hey, it’s February already and this is my first blog entry of 2006. What gives?
Methinks I cursed myself back in September when I promised to only post blogs of “substance!” I have just been unable to decide what to write about.
Not that there isn’t plenty going on in the world. I could wax intellectual/political on the “Cartoon Riots” like everyone else. Except that everyone else IS doing that and I don’t really have much to add on the subject. Yes, I’m full of opinions on the subject but, frankly, I’m tired of hearing half-baked ideas and rhetoric from all sides of the political spectrum. Maybe I’ll just link to one of the best articles I’ve read on the subject. Leave it at that. Much easier than writing something myself!
Yes, the news is depressing. Almost as depressing as the way it is covered in the media. At least we have an abundance of Dick Cheney jokes to keep us amused (now there's an important issue...groan!).
So, it’s 2006! The macro may suck, but the micro isn’t so bad from where I sit. The holidays were quite nice this year and except for some issues with our son’s babysitter, things have been okay.
I am pleased to report that I’ve been really busy lately. Besides the usual coloring for DC Comics and my regular J-14 Magazine gig, I’ve recently started two BIG projects that will keep me exhausted for most of this year! Unfortunately, I have been unable to talk about them in detail, but one of them was just announced, so here’s where I start the “buzz!”
The first of these big projects is a Graphic Novel Biography of Ronald Reagan, written by Andy Helfer and drawn by yours truly. Here’s a link to a Publishers Weekly article about this new line of books by Hill & Wang. This is one HARD job. I never imagined I would be drawing the life story of Reagan, but I guess you never know what opportunities will arise. This 100-page book is really dense. Much research & reference to be done. It’s a real challenge.
The second book is even bigger, and I can’t really say anything about it yet. But here’s a one-word hint: MANGA.
Never thought I’d be doing Manga either. Go figure. I’m learning a lot these days! More on that soon.
Happy Presidents Day! Speaking of which, here's a mock-up of the cover to the Reagan book...
Image ©2006 Serious Comics. All rights reserved
Methinks I cursed myself back in September when I promised to only post blogs of “substance!” I have just been unable to decide what to write about.
Not that there isn’t plenty going on in the world. I could wax intellectual/political on the “Cartoon Riots” like everyone else. Except that everyone else IS doing that and I don’t really have much to add on the subject. Yes, I’m full of opinions on the subject but, frankly, I’m tired of hearing half-baked ideas and rhetoric from all sides of the political spectrum. Maybe I’ll just link to one of the best articles I’ve read on the subject. Leave it at that. Much easier than writing something myself!
Yes, the news is depressing. Almost as depressing as the way it is covered in the media. At least we have an abundance of Dick Cheney jokes to keep us amused (now there's an important issue...groan!).
So, it’s 2006! The macro may suck, but the micro isn’t so bad from where I sit. The holidays were quite nice this year and except for some issues with our son’s babysitter, things have been okay.
I am pleased to report that I’ve been really busy lately. Besides the usual coloring for DC Comics and my regular J-14 Magazine gig, I’ve recently started two BIG projects that will keep me exhausted for most of this year! Unfortunately, I have been unable to talk about them in detail, but one of them was just announced, so here’s where I start the “buzz!”
The first of these big projects is a Graphic Novel Biography of Ronald Reagan, written by Andy Helfer and drawn by yours truly. Here’s a link to a Publishers Weekly article about this new line of books by Hill & Wang. This is one HARD job. I never imagined I would be drawing the life story of Reagan, but I guess you never know what opportunities will arise. This 100-page book is really dense. Much research & reference to be done. It’s a real challenge.
The second book is even bigger, and I can’t really say anything about it yet. But here’s a one-word hint: MANGA.
Never thought I’d be doing Manga either. Go figure. I’m learning a lot these days! More on that soon.
Happy Presidents Day! Speaking of which, here's a mock-up of the cover to the Reagan book...
Image ©2006 Serious Comics. All rights reserved
Monday, November 21, 2005
Culture & Comics...
...a combination I can appreciate, for obvious reasons!
Last week, I was lucky to be invited to the openings of the new Masters of American Comics exhibitions, that opened yesterday at both the Hammer Museum and the Museum of Contemporary Art here in Los Angeles.
It's basically one big exhibit that has been split in two. And they're both great.
On Friday night, my wife and I attended the opening at the Hammer. Chronologically, this is the "first" half of the exhibit. It includes an impressive (and huge!) collection of art from the very beginning of American comics a century ago. Represented are works of Winsor McKay (Little Nemo in Slumberland), Lyonel Feininger (The Kin-der-Kids), George Herriman (Krazy Kat), E.C. Segar (Popeye), Chester Gould (Dick Tracy), Milton Caniff (Terry and the Pirates), and Charles Schulz (Peanuts).
For those youngsters out there without an historical perspective (and some of you older fanboys), this half of the Exhibit demonstrates how the rise of the great newspapers (and the innovations in color printing) gave birth to the popular comics medium. What impressed me, looking at all of the work in one place, is just how experimental the early comics artists were. The page & panel layouts and designs are shockingly varied, not only when comparing different artists, but comparing the strips drawn by any individual artist. I think they probably tried EVERY possible method of laying out a page before the end of the first quarter of the 20th Century. Leaving nothing more to innovate--except for improving storyines and creating compelling character! The later strips featured at the Hammer Museum show how the great storytellers, like Caniff, began to do just that. Personally, I would have also liked to see some work by Alex Raymond, Hal Foster and Burne Hogarth, to name a few, but the collection assembled at the Hammer, is mighty impressive as-is.
A hilight of the Hammer exhibit is one huge room devoted alomst entirely to the Peanuts strips. It is quite impressive to see just how long Charles Schulz devoted to his creation. The room contains several original strips from each decade that Peanuts ran. Check it out and you'll see just how much Charlie Brown and Snoopy change over the years, as well as the quality of Schulz's ink line.
On Saturday, Don Hudson and I took in the sister exhibit over at MOCA. This part of the exhibit picks up the comics timeline in the late 40's and 50's, with the medium branching out in different directions. The world of superheroes is largely represented by the works of Jack (King!) Kirby (Captain America).
The twisted projects of EC and Mad Magazine are displayed in the art of Harvey Kurtzman and his peers. The innovative (and creator-owned) work of Will Eisner (The Spirit) paved the way for the creation of "Graphic Novels" and the long, slow journey toward respectability (still in progress!). There's a large collection from the "Underground" pioneer, R. Crumb (Zap!) that is fascinating. The innovative (and Pulitzer Prize-winning) work of Art Spiegelman (Maus) again will change the way the layman will look at comics and their contribution to the art world. The amazingly detailed work of Chris Ware (Jimmy Corrigan) will just make you go blind!
When you see all this amazing artwork in one place (or TWO places, as it were) It's hard to understand why comics continue to occupy such a marginal place in our society. The origins of the medium may have been commercial--a nifty color insert to help sell newspapers--but the illustrators who created them were serious, talented and innovative artists. Perhaps a museum exhibit like this skews my perspective; I'm sure the talentless hacks outnumbered the McKays and Feningers. That's the way it is today, not only in comics, but in all media. Still, whenever I see something like this show, it gives me hope that someday, comics will get their share of respect!
Whatever--go see it! ZAP! POW! Comics are cool!
"Nuff Said (sigh).
Last week, I was lucky to be invited to the openings of the new Masters of American Comics exhibitions, that opened yesterday at both the Hammer Museum and the Museum of Contemporary Art here in Los Angeles.
It's basically one big exhibit that has been split in two. And they're both great.
On Friday night, my wife and I attended the opening at the Hammer. Chronologically, this is the "first" half of the exhibit. It includes an impressive (and huge!) collection of art from the very beginning of American comics a century ago. Represented are works of Winsor McKay (Little Nemo in Slumberland), Lyonel Feininger (The Kin-der-Kids), George Herriman (Krazy Kat), E.C. Segar (Popeye), Chester Gould (Dick Tracy), Milton Caniff (Terry and the Pirates), and Charles Schulz (Peanuts).
For those youngsters out there without an historical perspective (and some of you older fanboys), this half of the Exhibit demonstrates how the rise of the great newspapers (and the innovations in color printing) gave birth to the popular comics medium. What impressed me, looking at all of the work in one place, is just how experimental the early comics artists were. The page & panel layouts and designs are shockingly varied, not only when comparing different artists, but comparing the strips drawn by any individual artist. I think they probably tried EVERY possible method of laying out a page before the end of the first quarter of the 20th Century. Leaving nothing more to innovate--except for improving storyines and creating compelling character! The later strips featured at the Hammer Museum show how the great storytellers, like Caniff, began to do just that. Personally, I would have also liked to see some work by Alex Raymond, Hal Foster and Burne Hogarth, to name a few, but the collection assembled at the Hammer, is mighty impressive as-is.
A hilight of the Hammer exhibit is one huge room devoted alomst entirely to the Peanuts strips. It is quite impressive to see just how long Charles Schulz devoted to his creation. The room contains several original strips from each decade that Peanuts ran. Check it out and you'll see just how much Charlie Brown and Snoopy change over the years, as well as the quality of Schulz's ink line.
On Saturday, Don Hudson and I took in the sister exhibit over at MOCA. This part of the exhibit picks up the comics timeline in the late 40's and 50's, with the medium branching out in different directions. The world of superheroes is largely represented by the works of Jack (King!) Kirby (Captain America).
The twisted projects of EC and Mad Magazine are displayed in the art of Harvey Kurtzman and his peers. The innovative (and creator-owned) work of Will Eisner (The Spirit) paved the way for the creation of "Graphic Novels" and the long, slow journey toward respectability (still in progress!). There's a large collection from the "Underground" pioneer, R. Crumb (Zap!) that is fascinating. The innovative (and Pulitzer Prize-winning) work of Art Spiegelman (Maus) again will change the way the layman will look at comics and their contribution to the art world. The amazingly detailed work of Chris Ware (Jimmy Corrigan) will just make you go blind!
When you see all this amazing artwork in one place (or TWO places, as it were) It's hard to understand why comics continue to occupy such a marginal place in our society. The origins of the medium may have been commercial--a nifty color insert to help sell newspapers--but the illustrators who created them were serious, talented and innovative artists. Perhaps a museum exhibit like this skews my perspective; I'm sure the talentless hacks outnumbered the McKays and Feningers. That's the way it is today, not only in comics, but in all media. Still, whenever I see something like this show, it gives me hope that someday, comics will get their share of respect!
Whatever--go see it! ZAP! POW! Comics are cool!
"Nuff Said (sigh).
Thursday, November 17, 2005
Boycott: The Aftermath...
So, just to follow up on the subject of my last 2 posts...
I'm happy to report that The Comic Bug DID get me the comic that I ordered very quickly. They are my new best friends.
On the subject of cool comic shops, I have been made aware of a new shop on Sunset Blvd. in Silverlake called Secret Headquarters. The photos on their website look pretty cool and I look forward to checking out the store in person. Unfortunately, Silverlake isn't really convenient for me to visit regularly (it's even farther away than Meltdown), but I WILL go by for a look in the near future. Until then...
...Rock on!
I'm happy to report that The Comic Bug DID get me the comic that I ordered very quickly. They are my new best friends.
On the subject of cool comic shops, I have been made aware of a new shop on Sunset Blvd. in Silverlake called Secret Headquarters. The photos on their website look pretty cool and I look forward to checking out the store in person. Unfortunately, Silverlake isn't really convenient for me to visit regularly (it's even farther away than Meltdown), but I WILL go by for a look in the near future. Until then...
...Rock on!
Thursday, October 27, 2005
Boycott: The Sequel!
So, I bet you're all wondering how it went yesterday. Did I try out a different comic shop? How was it?? Do they ALL suck???
The short answer is that I DID try out the new place, it went well and of course they don't all suck.
The new place in question is called The Comic Bug (1015 Aviation Blvd. in Manhattan Beach) and I will be making that my "regular" spot for buying comics in the future. I say "regular" because I'll probably still visit HiDeHo, Golden Apple and Meltdown if I happen to be in their neighborhoods. Actually, I've always been a big fan of Meltdown Comics because of their large variety of foreign & indie titles. Unfortunately, these places are a hassle for me to get to in the regular course of my work week.
The Comic Bug has a few good things going for it. First, only the Marvel & DC books are organized by publisher. The rest are grouped on an other wall alphabetically by title. This seems more reasonable to me and, it seems, it isn't a hard & fast rule. Mike Wellman is the manager of The Comic Bug and I know him from his work as a writer on Mac Afro and Gone South. I put him to the test and asked him where HE'D rack a book called Weasel Guy/Witchblade, and he answered, "by Witchblade, of course." Good for him.
Secondly, they're trying to make The Comic Bug a cool place to hang out. They're still working on it. They have a couch by the window that encourages people to relax (as opposed to the "Dis ain't a liberry!" cliche). They have a drawing table set up for "guest artists" to work and/or publicize their comics. Mike showed me a new comics rack in one area--they plan to redo the whole "wall" of books with the same shelves. Should look sharp. Not that I plan to hang out there necessarily, but it shows that they're trying to fix the place up & make it customer-friendly.
One of the best shops I've ever been to (if not THE best) is called "Isotope," in San Francisco. They call it the "Comic Book Lounge." It's not a huge place, but they have a slightly "mod" atmosphere with seats & benches for customers. They also have an artists' station and plenty of art displayed. They've created a nice, user-friendly shop with a good "vibe." It isn't one of those dark holes that seem to be designed to scare away regular folk. Or women. I think The Comic Bug is working on building a similar image. I've been there only once, but I'm rooting for them to pull it off. I guess I have "Isotope-Envy;" I wish it were in LA instead of SF. James Sime, the owner of Isotope, looks a bit eccentric, but he's also very hospitable. Me like.
So, what about the selection of titles? It's probably about the same as my unnamed local shop. Lots of the "big two" and a decent assortment of indies. Not as good as HiDeHo, Golden Apple and Meltdown, but the store IS smaller. They also have the usual toys and back-issues, which I did not really look at.
The Comic Bug did NOT have the new book I was all jazzed to pick up (Paris, by Andi Watson and Simon Gane, Slave Labor Graphics). That WAS a disappointment. But Mike WAS immediately helpful and said he'd order it for me. My Local shop has NEVER offered to order a book they did not carry or were sold out of. Maybe it's because I know Mike, who knows. The other shop may very well have ordered Paris and may have it in stock, but I will wait to see if The Comic Bug comes through. I have plenty of other stuff to read in the meantime.
Thanks for your comments yesterday, I look forward to hearing from you again on this...
The short answer is that I DID try out the new place, it went well and of course they don't all suck.
The new place in question is called The Comic Bug (1015 Aviation Blvd. in Manhattan Beach) and I will be making that my "regular" spot for buying comics in the future. I say "regular" because I'll probably still visit HiDeHo, Golden Apple and Meltdown if I happen to be in their neighborhoods. Actually, I've always been a big fan of Meltdown Comics because of their large variety of foreign & indie titles. Unfortunately, these places are a hassle for me to get to in the regular course of my work week.
The Comic Bug has a few good things going for it. First, only the Marvel & DC books are organized by publisher. The rest are grouped on an other wall alphabetically by title. This seems more reasonable to me and, it seems, it isn't a hard & fast rule. Mike Wellman is the manager of The Comic Bug and I know him from his work as a writer on Mac Afro and Gone South. I put him to the test and asked him where HE'D rack a book called Weasel Guy/Witchblade, and he answered, "by Witchblade, of course." Good for him.
Secondly, they're trying to make The Comic Bug a cool place to hang out. They're still working on it. They have a couch by the window that encourages people to relax (as opposed to the "Dis ain't a liberry!" cliche). They have a drawing table set up for "guest artists" to work and/or publicize their comics. Mike showed me a new comics rack in one area--they plan to redo the whole "wall" of books with the same shelves. Should look sharp. Not that I plan to hang out there necessarily, but it shows that they're trying to fix the place up & make it customer-friendly.
One of the best shops I've ever been to (if not THE best) is called "Isotope," in San Francisco. They call it the "Comic Book Lounge." It's not a huge place, but they have a slightly "mod" atmosphere with seats & benches for customers. They also have an artists' station and plenty of art displayed. They've created a nice, user-friendly shop with a good "vibe." It isn't one of those dark holes that seem to be designed to scare away regular folk. Or women. I think The Comic Bug is working on building a similar image. I've been there only once, but I'm rooting for them to pull it off. I guess I have "Isotope-Envy;" I wish it were in LA instead of SF. James Sime, the owner of Isotope, looks a bit eccentric, but he's also very hospitable. Me like.
So, what about the selection of titles? It's probably about the same as my unnamed local shop. Lots of the "big two" and a decent assortment of indies. Not as good as HiDeHo, Golden Apple and Meltdown, but the store IS smaller. They also have the usual toys and back-issues, which I did not really look at.
The Comic Bug did NOT have the new book I was all jazzed to pick up (Paris, by Andi Watson and Simon Gane, Slave Labor Graphics). That WAS a disappointment. But Mike WAS immediately helpful and said he'd order it for me. My Local shop has NEVER offered to order a book they did not carry or were sold out of. Maybe it's because I know Mike, who knows. The other shop may very well have ordered Paris and may have it in stock, but I will wait to see if The Comic Bug comes through. I have plenty of other stuff to read in the meantime.
Thanks for your comments yesterday, I look forward to hearing from you again on this...
Wednesday, October 26, 2005
My Own Private Boycott
So, without naming names (should I name names?) I have decided today to boycott my local comic shop.
It's a personal choice and my reasons may not apply to anyone but me. Over the past few years I have spent a couple of THOUSAND dollars there, twelve to twenty bucks at a time. I went to the store in question because it is close to my house and they seem like nice enough guys. I don't hang out there and I don't mention my "pro" status to try and get a discount. It's just a convenient place to drop by to get my latest 100 Bullets or Hellboy fix. Maybe I'm lazy.
They carry a reasonable assortment of indie comics along with the mainstream stuff, but when it comes to the books I've personally worked on, they never cease to IRK me.
I first noticed this back when my Weasel Guy/Witchblade comic was published. You see, my local comic shop organizes their comics by publisher. I know everyone has a system but, call me crazy, don't comic shops want to SELL their books??? Weasel Guy/Witchblade was published by Hyperwerks before they fell under the Image imprint. Therefore, the shop did NOT display the comic near the Witchblade comics, but on a foot-level shelf far away from them. Just because that's where they hid the other Hyperwerks titles. Does anyone out there think that's a good way to sell a book called Weasel Guy/Witchblade?
Maybe the store is a non-profit organization.
A couple of years later, when we were putting out our Comiculture anthology magazine, Rob Tokar and I went to several local shops, introduced ourselves and dropped off preview copies to the owners. We told them that we were local artists and wanted to do whatever was necessary to sell the book. Two comic shops in LA that I don't mind mentioning are HiDeHo and Golden Apple Comics. Both of those stores greeted us with enthusiasm and set up in-store signings so that we could help push our new product. But my local shop barely greeted us with lip-service. The owner recognized me as a regular customer, but that didn't really help matters. Maybe we got him on a bad day. He ordered 3 or 4 copies of each issue and naturally hid them in a hard-to-find space. Not near other anthologies, but near some magazines ABOUT comics. That tells me that he didn't listen to our pitch or open the magazine to see what was inside.
Today is Wednesday and there is a new book coming out that I'm eager to get my hands on from Slave Labor. I don't know if it will be available at my local shop, but I really can't bring myself to go there because I know they did not order a single copy of my latest book, Belle Starr: Queen of Bandits, published by Moonstone Books.
Am I a moron, or what? Why have I continued to give these people money? LOTS of money?!
Today I "Mapquested" a comic shop that is a few miles farther away. I've never been there, but I know the manager a little bit. He deserves my money much more that these other guys. I don't know if HE ordered Belle Starr either, but that isn't the point. Even if the trip is less convenient, I feel like I should stop rewarding the other place for running a shop that infuriates me.
What do you think?
It's a personal choice and my reasons may not apply to anyone but me. Over the past few years I have spent a couple of THOUSAND dollars there, twelve to twenty bucks at a time. I went to the store in question because it is close to my house and they seem like nice enough guys. I don't hang out there and I don't mention my "pro" status to try and get a discount. It's just a convenient place to drop by to get my latest 100 Bullets or Hellboy fix. Maybe I'm lazy.
They carry a reasonable assortment of indie comics along with the mainstream stuff, but when it comes to the books I've personally worked on, they never cease to IRK me.
I first noticed this back when my Weasel Guy/Witchblade comic was published. You see, my local comic shop organizes their comics by publisher. I know everyone has a system but, call me crazy, don't comic shops want to SELL their books??? Weasel Guy/Witchblade was published by Hyperwerks before they fell under the Image imprint. Therefore, the shop did NOT display the comic near the Witchblade comics, but on a foot-level shelf far away from them. Just because that's where they hid the other Hyperwerks titles. Does anyone out there think that's a good way to sell a book called Weasel Guy/Witchblade?
Maybe the store is a non-profit organization.
A couple of years later, when we were putting out our Comiculture anthology magazine, Rob Tokar and I went to several local shops, introduced ourselves and dropped off preview copies to the owners. We told them that we were local artists and wanted to do whatever was necessary to sell the book. Two comic shops in LA that I don't mind mentioning are HiDeHo and Golden Apple Comics. Both of those stores greeted us with enthusiasm and set up in-store signings so that we could help push our new product. But my local shop barely greeted us with lip-service. The owner recognized me as a regular customer, but that didn't really help matters. Maybe we got him on a bad day. He ordered 3 or 4 copies of each issue and naturally hid them in a hard-to-find space. Not near other anthologies, but near some magazines ABOUT comics. That tells me that he didn't listen to our pitch or open the magazine to see what was inside.
Today is Wednesday and there is a new book coming out that I'm eager to get my hands on from Slave Labor. I don't know if it will be available at my local shop, but I really can't bring myself to go there because I know they did not order a single copy of my latest book, Belle Starr: Queen of Bandits, published by Moonstone Books.
Am I a moron, or what? Why have I continued to give these people money? LOTS of money?!
Today I "Mapquested" a comic shop that is a few miles farther away. I've never been there, but I know the manager a little bit. He deserves my money much more that these other guys. I don't know if HE ordered Belle Starr either, but that isn't the point. Even if the trip is less convenient, I feel like I should stop rewarding the other place for running a shop that infuriates me.
What do you think?
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