Joe Palmer of the Gay League and the GLA Yahoo Group interviewed me last week, and I’ve been too unfocused to post about it. Which makes me seem ungrateful, which I’m not. The interview was a lot of fun, and I got to talk at length about things I’ve never said before. So, apologizes, Joe, and thanks again!
I wish I had mentioned a few things that I didn’t: the parallel between gay comics and AIDS dramas of the 80′s and early 90′s (evolve or die (so to speak)), Fun Home by Alison Bechdel as an example of novel coming out stories, not hoping that all my students came to a bad end (so 2005); and also not using “metaphorically speaking” and “nuclear” twice each. And more than anything else, I should have been clear that everything I said applies to me and my writing more than it does anyone else’s.
Next time.
UPDATE the FIRST: Tomorrow after work, I am going to HEB to buy some Ginkgo Bilboa because tonight I remembered two how-could-I-possibly-have-forgotten-them events in my comics’ history: the first is that I did a comics strip for the Colorado Springs LGBTQ newspaper, called “Minds Like Hamburger”; and two, I spoke on Prism’s Up-and-Coming LGBTQ Comics Creators panel at Comic-Con in 2007 (an event that still thrills me when I think about it). Sorry about my faulty memory!
Which obviously means that I’m waaay behind in my bloggery duties. The short of STAPLE is this: it was a fantastic day to see an event center full of talented folks who do what they love doing. The long.. is actually not much longer.
After set-up, my table looked like this:
with the spectacular banner Scott made. What you can’t see is the equally spectacular banner for Weird City Theatre that I didn’t have room to hang, so it became a runner for the half table I reserved. (Sorry, guys! Next year, a whole table!) I was hoping the banner would be enough to draw people in, but I actually started accosting people to give away the $5-off coupons for “Giants in Those Days” admissions and postcards for Scott’s and my websites. That was the most difficult part of the day since I’m not a great salesman, and walking up to strangers who may have no interest in what I’m saying makes my stomach clench. Still, I did it. And I’m happy to say no one told me to shove off.
I didn’t sell much, but I did meet Brandon from Austin Word-Slingers, and got invited to join the group. I’m looking forward to my first meeting with them.
All told for the day, I probably made about $30, which is exactly what I spent on a new comic book series being sold a few tables down. My goodness! Why did no one ever tell me about Atomic Robo? I’m going to say it’s a failing on the part of all my friends who knew about this comics, but for some reason didn’t recognize that this is exactly the kind of book that I LOVE to read. Shame on you. You’re off my Christmas card list. Props to my STAPLE tablemate Jenner Carnelian for letting me read his copy of the first issue, which led to my buying the whole series.
The concept behind Atomic Robo is one so simple that I’ve decided to make it my mission for the next year to pare back my own writing to this level of clear but wonderful wordsmithing. Nikola Tesla, mad inventor and genius, created an atomic-powered robot to safeguard the world from threats no one else could hope to defeat. It’s makes perfect sense for Brian Clevinger to write about Tesla and his inventions, being a genius himself. Robo’s speech is anachronistic at times – having 21st century levels of snark – but it doesn’t kill the mood of the story because it makes the character that much easier to relate to. Of all four volumes out, the third is hands down my favorite because H. P. Lovecraft and his mad gods play a huge role in it, and because the Star Trek levels of sciencespeak give Grant Morrison’s 9th dimensional devisings a run for their money. The fun of the book is in the throw-away lines like “…Edison would never let the likes of you or I near his necrophone.” The uchronology in the book reminds me of Helen Killer. It’s fantastic stuff.
Save yourself some time and postage, and buy all the issues at once. No sense in putting yourself through the torture of waiting for the next installment to arrive.
Sunday was the indy panel discussion at Dragon’s Lair with me, Jason Neulander, Drew Edwards, Chris Garrett, Keith Quinn, Nate Bramble, and Anthony Rezendez. Honestly, we outnumbered the audience members, which was fine because we got to talk amongst ourselves a lot. It was a good afternoon, though I don’t think I sold anything to anyone who didn’t already know me. Thanks Lisa Ann and Steven!
I have to say I was a bit nervous about meeting Jason Neulander. He does a live comic book radio show called “Intergalactic Nemesis” which draws its inspiration from adventure serials of the 30′s and 40′s, but with comic book pages that are brought to life by actors and Foley artists. I only found about this a few weeks ago when his troupe performed at an Alamo Drafthouse event, and when I heard about it, I just about died. “Intergalactic Nemesis” is what Jason does for a living, which is undeniably the coolest job ever. Everyone on the panel spoke about making their comics out of a love the the medium and the passion of telling our own stories, but Jason took it a step further and exhorted us to not wait to be discovered, but to make a business out of ourselves. “Inspiring” really doesn’t do the excitement of his words justice. but back to my near-death experience. His concept for “Intergalactic Nemesis” was exactly what I was thinking for “Giants in Those Days.” Poop. Luckily, I’m not the artistic director for Weird City, so I’m going to stop worrying (…a bit. Maybe…) and let someone else develop the concept.
And speaking of “Giants in Those Days”, four souls who were not busy with the Oscars were at my house Sunday night to do a read-through of the play and to give me feedback on what’s good and what’s not, and what needs to be added and what needs to be changed. It was a productive meeting, and there are several things I need to take care of, but I’m happy for the occupation. Whatever else it may be, “Giants in Those Days” is going to be an unusual night of theatre.
Today is my second day of Spring Break, and I have lots to do in the coming days, not the least of which is avoid the ex-convict who wants to mow my lawn. Maybe I’ll get to a winery or someplace that has a hot tub for a day.
Come see me at table 10A in the Auditorium! It’s going to be a GREAT day of Indy media in all it’s forms. I’ll also have discount coupons for Weird City Theatre’s production of my play Giants in Those Days, debuting this July in Austin, TX! The poster below is by the soon-to-be world famous Benjamin Ruth, who also did all the art for Rise of the Pink Ninjas.
Also, my brother created a banner for the event. I picked it up yesterday and it’s everything I hoped it would be:
Of course, it will look better at my table (well, half table; I’m sharing with GINK Press) than on my floor. I’ll be sure to post pictures after I’m assembled Saturday morning.
AND At 1 PM on March 7th at Dragon’s Lair Comics, I will be part of a panel of local folks – Jason Neulander, Drew Edwards, Chris Garrett, Keith Quinn, Nate Bramble, and Anthony (sorry, no idea on the last name…) – talking about a life of Indy comics. I’m looking forward to it!
Come see me at table 10A in the Auditorium! It’s going to be a GREAT day of Indy media in all it’s forms.
Also, my brother created a banner for the event. It’s being put together by SpeedPro and I’ll have it by Tuesday. I can’t tell you how excited I am to have something so… official. Check out how cool:
AND At 1 PM on March 7th at Dragon’s Lair Comics, I will be part of a panel of local folks – Jason Neulander, Drew Edwards, Chris Garrett, Keith Quinn, Nate Bramble, and Anthony (sorry, no idea on the last name…) – talking about a life of Indy comics. I’m looking forward to it!
Come see me at table 10A in the Auditorium! It’s going to be a GREAT day of Indy media in all it’s forms. AND At 1 PM on March 7th at Dragon’s Lair Comics, I will be part of a panel of local folks – Jason Neulander, Drew Edwards, Chris Garrett, Keith Quinn, Nate Bramble, and Anthony (sorry, no idea on the last name…) – talking about a life of Indy comics. I’m looking forward to it!
A super-rare and very fine issue of Action Comics #1 sold today at auction for $1,000,000, a new record for this kind of collectible. According to the AP, only 100 copies of this comic are still in existence, and none approach this good of condition.
The transaction was conducted by the auction site ComicConnect.com. Stephen Fishler, co-owner of the site and its sister dealership, Metropolis Collectibles, orchestrated the sale.
Fishler said it transpired minutes after the issue was put on sale at around 10:30 a.m. Eastern time (1530 GMT). He said that the seller was a “well known individual” in New York with a pedigree collection, and that the buyer was a known customer who previously bought an Action Comics No. 1 of lesser grade.
The previous comic book record was set last year when John Dolmayan, drummer for the rock band System of a Down, paid $317,000 for an Action Comics No. 1 issue. Attempts to reach him for comment on Monday’s sale were not immediately successful.
For those keeping track, that’s a profit of 10,000,000,000%. And they say we’re in a recession. Tcha.
[via APNewsBreak]
The first toys I remember my parents getting me for Christmas were the Mego Batman, Robin, Superman, Spider-Man, Joker, the Batmobile and the Hall of Justice. And “remember” is far too light a word. These toys are ingrained in me, and still pull and tug at me to this day (they’re also sitting on a shelf in my bedroom, which has a lot to do with that, no doubt).
Now, Mattell (!!!) is coming out with their DC Universe Retro-Action Figures series, which are unaplogetically based on the Mego aesthetic.
In the Set One (the first of many, I hope) only one figure (Superman) was ever produced by Mego; the others (Green Lantern, Lex Luthor, and Sinestro) were rumored to be in production, but never made it to the assembly line before Mego went bankrupt in 1981 (thanks a lot, Kenner!). They look like the real thing and are going to be packaged to look like Megos (along the same lines as Diamond Select’s Star Trek re-issues) , but that $85.00 price tag is enough to give an enthusiast like myself pause.
Looks like I may be selling some less desirable things on eBay to cover the bill. Maybe my Dark Tower…?
Oh, YEAH!!!!
After several years of looking at my first few attempts at getting a comics book out into the public and all the mistakes therein, I’m happy to announce that a new trade paperback available at Indyplanet.com collects Frater Mine issues #1 to #3 – “Family Reunion” – with a new introduction, and corrected text and images. FINALLY!! Now maybe the OCD-induced nightmares will stop.
The interior art is by Juan Romera (the faithful artist whose work just gets better and better) and Andres Barrientos (who was aboard only for issue #2). Re-lettering was done by Ed Brisson, who has been doing all the Frater Mine issues since #4. He’s an amazing talent, and right now is working on issue #8. I intend to keep him around for as long as possible. Cover art was done by my brother Scott with contributions from Austin photographer Dan Machold. This is a great team, and I’m thrilled to know and work with them.
Also, in about a week or so, a new webcomic – “Rise of the Pink Ninjas” – will be available for download. It’s drawn and colored by Benjamin Ruth (whom I’ve conscripted to help with “Unmouldered Vespula”, another new project) and lettered by Christopher Moshier. I’m not going to give everything away, but here’s a sample of page one:
The download will be free. I’ll make an announcement when it’s ready for your reading pleasure.
Today, a friends of mine who works with animal rescue sent me a Craigslist link about a cat named Andy at Town Lake Animal Center. Her email read simply “ADOPT HIM”. When I clicked on the link, the ad read as follows:
This loving orange tabby boy is dependent on humans to help him, but is still responsible for himself. He gets where he wants to go, uses his back legs when he can, and most of all, he wants to connect with people. He gives headbutts, purrs continuously, and is clearly missing his safe home and owner. Even in the scary shelter he shows a lot of independence and the ability to move out of harm’s way.
Andy is a 9-year old orange tabby and white lovecat. Severely injured during a dog attack 8 years ago, he has limited use of his rear legs. His owner left him at TLAC Monday because she hurt her back and can’t keep him.
If you meet Andy, your heart will strengthen, not break. He is loving, trusting, and the shelter staff gave him the highest friendliness ratings. He is easy to pick up and carry around.
Can you save Andy’s life? He was put on the euthanasia list and now has one day to find a home or rescue placement.
And don’t ask me what it was about the words or the picture; I don’t know. But he’s mine. I pick him up tomorrow at 3. He’s adorable, isn’t he?
QUASIMORON – male, indeterminate age – Quasimoron is simple evil. It isn’t so much alive as it just exists. It is fat, hunched and cross-eyed; it dresses like a perverted clown. Its power is to make you exactly like it is – empty and dumb.
Lake Superior State University published its annual list of “Banished Words” that meet the institute’s qualifications of “Mis-use, Over-use and General Uselessness.”
Recipients of the honor of being shuffled out the lexicon door are
- SHOVEL-READY
- TRANSPARENT/TRANSPARENCY
- CZAR
- TWEET
- APP
- SEXTING
- FRIEND (as a verb)
- TEACHABLE MOMENT
- IN THESE ECONOMIC TIMES….
- STIMULUS
- TOXIC ASSETS
- TOO BIG TO FAIL
- BROMANCE
- CHILLAXIN’
- OBAMA-prefix or roots?
Of course, “teachable moment” holds a special place in my heart, by which I mean “stuffed in the Devil’s mouth next to Judas Iscariot”. I do, however, like the recently-promoted-to-verb “friend” as I believe most words could become verbs if we encouragemented it.
