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!

Oh, Lord, was it ever!

As I write this at the end of an eight-hour shift of self- and other-promotion, I am mentally and physically drained. I teach for a living, so when I’m in front of a class, I’m “on” – engaging, friendly, funny, trying to make a point whatever way works best to make it – but STAPLE took a different set of mental muscles that I’m not used to flexing. Honestly, I don’t know how people in the PR business do it. But the trade was brink all day and I sold more of my comics than I think I ever have in a single sitting. Uhm, maybe just “ever” full stop. I know I ran out of issue #2 of Frater Mine. Take that as you will.

The real sadness of STAPLE for me was not being able to walk around more. I was tethered to my table because it was just me and my wares. The woman sharing my table, Cristina Benavides, was swell and all, but it wasn’t her responsibility to conduct business for me (though, Gods love her, she kept an eye on my stuff when I went to the loo). However, the people I met at the table more than made up for not checking out the other vendors. (Note: Anyone want to be my partner-in-geekdom next year?)

• The guys from Fanboy Video gave me a few of my fifteen minutes of fame early on at the expo. They hit everyone so that people who didn’t attend STAPLE could see what they were missing. I’ll post more when they go live. These guys are also highly involved in Heroes 4 Heroes, a non-profit designed to keep the soldiers overseas in-tune with what’s new and hip and happening stateside. No matter what your take on the Iraq Occupation, the soldiers need to feel that people back home remember them. They’d probably also like to know what the hell is gong on over here. Consider making a donation to the people who are far from home.
• Dave and Lauren, Kate, and James (with his friend Dan) all said hi. It’s nice when known faces swim up out of the crowd. I probably wasn’t as attentive as I could have been, but I’m sure they understood. I hope. Uh, if not, I hereby apologize.
• Brad of Outrageous Outfits (and AlphaGraphics) and his partner stopped by for a copy of Prism Comics: Your LGBT Guide to Comics 2007 and told me all about the fun costumes they make. They’re also planning to go to San Francisco for their anniversary if anyone wants to give them some touring hints!
• Alex of UT’s University Comics Enthusiasts talked with Cristina and I for a while and lamented he was the only one from his club at STAPLE. Apparently, enthusiasm for comics wanes after a Saturday night of hard partying. Those college scamps!
• I did manage to buy an Owli plush toy and a copy of “A Time to be Brave” (brain children of Andy Runton) for my nephew. Shh!!!! They’re a surprise!
• Because STAPLE celebrates all exhibitionists in all forms of media, some chick (caller? manager? audio editor?) from Dial-a-Stranger gave me her card and told me to call. I’m not sure I have problems big enough to garner public opinion on. Maybe that’s my problem.
• One of the guys from SpaceSquid told me to tell you that they are always looking for submissions of all kinds for their publication. He also gave me a copy of SpaceSquid’s Slacker Map of Austin which I’m hoping he’ll send me an image of; it was a hoot!
• Finally, Shane Patrick Boyle, whom I haven’t seen in ages, made a last minute appearance. He’s gained weight since last I saw him, which is a good thing. Before, if he stuck his tongue out, he’d look like a zipper.

Surprisingly, the eight hours passed quickly because of all the traffic, but even so, at 7, I packed up what was left and went home to fall asleep on the couch with the dog. No after-party for me. Assuming I’m still here next year (which is a stretch at this point), I’ll be back. STAPLE was an event not to be missed (even if I missed everything)!

On a related note: a guy from Monkey Wrench Books and I were talking about the sad state of comics and how they’re becoming more cookie-cutter and interchangeable than ever. For the most part, I think this is true, though there are obviously some exceptions to the rule. Then I caught myself in a contradiction: I lamented that writers take forever to get their issues out and “monthly” mags are.. well, what comes after “quad-monthly”? Like Joss Whedon’s Runaways; when was the last time a new issue came out? I even told my friend Brian, “Seriously, what can’t these guys pull their crap together?”

Wait. Let’s look at that: I want monthly issues and fantastic writing? Is it even possible to get both?

So, let me qualify what I mean: I wish that writers were given humane deadlines to do their work in so that there could be more quality work out there. Many stories do seem interchangeable sometimes. I’m sure Marvel and DC give their writers a headstart on their runs, but, man, sometimes it seems like a superhuman effort to write three issues a year (well, aiming for three. more like 2 1/2), but then again, i have a full-time job, too. People like Neil Gaiman must never sleep, or are driven by their stories to get them on paper before they’re allowed to sleep. Maybe these guys who are late with their work are better writers.

Except Heinberg and his run on Wonder Woman. There was no excuse for that suckage.

Which is a GREAT segue into Justice League: A New Frontier. Did you see it? Wasn’t it AWESOME?!?!? It managed to capture the Silver Age/Golden Age characters and the emotions of their relationships with each other and still tell a good story; no angst, just saving-the-world fun. That scene between Iris and Barry towards the end? Broke my heart. I loved Barry and Iris. Why did they have to die? Why did iris have to be from the future? Why did impulse have to be killed? Really, people should be MAD about New Frontier. It’s like they said on the Daily Show about Bush being in Africa: they think he’s a hero for everything he does for them while we can only stare in wonder and think, “You mean you COULD do good, but just chose not to??? What the f—?!??!” (I paraphrase here, of course).

I digress, but am I wrong? Let me know.

Bed now.

Come see me and buy my and Brian Andersen’s books! Sadly, Brian himself will not be there, but I’ll try to be just as fun and entertaining all by myself. Brian also does reviews at Shotgun Reviews and Newsarama (under “Best Shots”). He’s a great, witty writer and always a hoot! I highly recommend his “So Super Duper!”