Saturday, July 4, 2009
Danger Mouse unaired pilot - The Mystery of the Lost Chord
I first saw this a few years back, and was happily surprised this morning to find it posted on YouTube. Enjoy it while it's there. I still plan on springing for the box set someday, but I already own so many different sets that theoretically every available evening is lined out for the next handful of years. Life is hard, I know.
Again, Happy 4th, all!
Friday, July 3, 2009
Telepopmusik - Breathe (2003 Version)
A mixture of visual styles to look at in this video. Probably through nothing but coincidence, I see a little Will Vinton, shades of Chris Marker, some Michel Gondry, a moment or two of David Lynch, and throw in some Tim Burton for good measure -- it's all good. Strangely enough, I can't find any info on who did direct this. Anybody know?
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Some links for your dining and dancing pleasure
Soy bacon rocks.
There is no void (at least according to Norman Osborn). Dark matter, another thing altogether.
Drop some patriotic Shakespeare quotes into your next conversation.
Super Mario World & Donkey Kong Country are still awesome. Thank you, Nintendo & Rare!
Have a safe and happy 4th! I plan on enjoying it with a backlog of Green Lantern, Green Lantern Corps, Mighty Avengers, and X-Factor, with a sprinkling of Batman & Robin by Morrison & Quitely, as well as Batman: Streets of Gotham and Gotham City Sirens.
There is no void (at least according to Norman Osborn). Dark matter, another thing altogether.
Drop some patriotic Shakespeare quotes into your next conversation.
Super Mario World & Donkey Kong Country are still awesome. Thank you, Nintendo & Rare!
Have a safe and happy 4th! I plan on enjoying it with a backlog of Green Lantern, Green Lantern Corps, Mighty Avengers, and X-Factor, with a sprinkling of Batman & Robin by Morrison & Quitely, as well as Batman: Streets of Gotham and Gotham City Sirens.
Thursday, June 25, 2009
HeroesCon 2009
The prevailing sentiment I'm left with after my HeroesCon weekend is that I'm pretty lame for not checking it out sooner. Sure, life gets in the way and all that, but I've lived within four hours of Charlotte for nearly 15 years, and I can offer no good excuses for never even making a pass at going until this year. Some mysteries will remain just that, I guess.
So without further ado, here's the rundown of our time at the Con.
Day 1: Within a few minutes of hitting the floor, my eagle-eyed 5-year old found a dealer that had the Sgt. Rock & Blackhawk minimates he'd only just discovered the evening before, and at a great price. While at that booth, he also claimed ownership of the Apollo & Dualla BSG minimates since they fit within the military motif he had in mind. Thanks to Mark and crew @SciFiGenre for bringing the stuff down from Durham!
After that, the enormity of what lay before us quickly sunk in. This was a comic geek's dream made real; you had only to imagine it, then go looking for it... chances were it was probably somewhere on that floor.
So with nothing in mind yet, I browsed pretty randomly while my son got his picture made with a speeder bike stormtrooper, and some G.I. Joe Cobra villains. The smile on his face as he posed with the villains was priceless! My wife was taking it all in and really appreciating it, too.
I happened upon the table where Mr. Nick Cardy was signing books and got him to autograph copies of Action Comics #430, Justice League of America #113, and Superman #278. What a wonderful guy! I was so happy to meet the gentleman who drew those covers that a nine-year old me picked out of a line-up way back when, and it was super-cool to get to chat with him and ask a few questions.
After an hour and a half, my son was ready to go get acquainted with his new minimates, so we marched back to the Westin and had a snack and let him unpack his loot. After a brief rest I went back over on my own, telling myself I wasn't going to turn loose of much cash, if any. Riiiight. Soon I came across a large spread of bargain-priced books laid out flat, and these two caught my eye:
HC - $15
Premiere Ed. HC - $10
After ponying up the dough for these and easing away from the table, I noticed that the same guy had a solitary longbox loaded with $2 back issues. A quick scan revealed five issues of Mighty Avengers I needed, so there went another $10. And suddenly I'm having fun, no longer at a remove. I was part of the pulse.
As I walked to the far end of the room, I spotted the AdHouse Books table and stopped to check it out. A guy was purchasing Johnny Hiro v.1, telling the author, Fred Chao, that he'd heard Kevin Church praise it enough, and just had to break down and check it out. As Fred signed (and put his personal stamp on) the book for the guy, I picked up a copy and skimmed the first few pages. I instantly knew it was something I'd enjoy, and decided to get it. Later that evening, halfway through the book, I realized I was reading a work of genius; it kept surprising me, too, with outrageous developments grounded by real moments of compassion, love, and the funny business of day to day existence for a young couple in the big city.
The next morning when I woke at 6:15, I got my coffee and sat and finished reading Johnny Hiro. For me, that was probably the best moment of HeroesCon -- the simple joy of wallowing in something brand new with so much heart that to this moment, it makes me want to buy copies and shove them into the hands of total strangers. You should, too. But, like, read it first.
Day 2: Said hi to Mr. Nick Cardy again at the Ember Grill on Sunday morning as he walked past our table with a small group of other folks I did not recognize. He commented that my son looked ready to eat everything, and he was right about that. Isn't life great? Nick Cardy smiled at my son.
I had honestly not planned on going back to the Con on Sunday, but since the day before was so great, we all were looking forward to more. The first thing I found within a few minutes was a desperately sought after copy of X-Men Forever #1 from the Heroes Aren't Hard to Find shelves, and at 25% off! I'd only asked about a dozen different dealers the day before if they had it, and at some point I realized how hopeless it was looking for it among a ton of silver and bronze age back issues, so I gave up.
I also spent a good deal of time Sunday pawing through a bunch of $1 Bronze Age longboxes, but ultimately didn't grab any books. Very, very tempted to, but there was just no way to settle on a handful. Then it occurred to me that I could fill out the rest of the Mighty Avengers I was missing, and managed to do just that at the Comic Central table. Great selection!
I went back and talked to Fred Chao again, just to share how much I'd enjoyed the magic of Johnny Hiro, and he was so great to talk to. I told him his work brought to mind E.C. Segar's stuff, and he said that Segar was his favorite, so perhaps I wasn't just imagining it. I can't wait to read more of Fred's work, and I wish him every success. He is awesome. While at the AdHouse Books table again, I picked up Ace-Face: The Mod with the Metal Arms.
I got John Paul Leon to sign my copy of Earth-X, but couldn't think of a single intelligent thing to say to him after that. Oh, and I should mention that I forgot to bring along my copy of the Bone: Omnibus, so there went my chance to get Jeff Smith to sign it. He did stroll right by me in downtown Charlotte on the first night there, and he didn't have an entourage with him, so I suppose I could've accosted him and gotten him to sign my t-shirt or something. But then I would've never gotten to wash it again, so I guess that worked out like it needed to.
I also happened to overhear on Sunday that security was especially tight on Saturday night because Ice Cube was in town. There was a car show on the other side of the convention center, so maybe that's what he was there for. It was drawing quite a crowd of its own, but I missed out since I'm not as heavy into the rap scene as I used to be, ya know what I'm sayin'?
What a weekend! It took me a few days to recover, but it was well worth it, and I can't wait to go back. Charlotte was awesome, and the convention was very memorable.
So without further ado, here's the rundown of our time at the Con.
Day 1: Within a few minutes of hitting the floor, my eagle-eyed 5-year old found a dealer that had the Sgt. Rock & Blackhawk minimates he'd only just discovered the evening before, and at a great price. While at that booth, he also claimed ownership of the Apollo & Dualla BSG minimates since they fit within the military motif he had in mind. Thanks to Mark and crew @SciFiGenre for bringing the stuff down from Durham!
After that, the enormity of what lay before us quickly sunk in. This was a comic geek's dream made real; you had only to imagine it, then go looking for it... chances were it was probably somewhere on that floor.
So with nothing in mind yet, I browsed pretty randomly while my son got his picture made with a speeder bike stormtrooper, and some G.I. Joe Cobra villains. The smile on his face as he posed with the villains was priceless! My wife was taking it all in and really appreciating it, too.
I happened upon the table where Mr. Nick Cardy was signing books and got him to autograph copies of Action Comics #430, Justice League of America #113, and Superman #278. What a wonderful guy! I was so happy to meet the gentleman who drew those covers that a nine-year old me picked out of a line-up way back when, and it was super-cool to get to chat with him and ask a few questions.
After an hour and a half, my son was ready to go get acquainted with his new minimates, so we marched back to the Westin and had a snack and let him unpack his loot. After a brief rest I went back over on my own, telling myself I wasn't going to turn loose of much cash, if any. Riiiight. Soon I came across a large spread of bargain-priced books laid out flat, and these two caught my eye:
After ponying up the dough for these and easing away from the table, I noticed that the same guy had a solitary longbox loaded with $2 back issues. A quick scan revealed five issues of Mighty Avengers I needed, so there went another $10. And suddenly I'm having fun, no longer at a remove. I was part of the pulse.
As I walked to the far end of the room, I spotted the AdHouse Books table and stopped to check it out. A guy was purchasing Johnny Hiro v.1, telling the author, Fred Chao, that he'd heard Kevin Church praise it enough, and just had to break down and check it out. As Fred signed (and put his personal stamp on) the book for the guy, I picked up a copy and skimmed the first few pages. I instantly knew it was something I'd enjoy, and decided to get it. Later that evening, halfway through the book, I realized I was reading a work of genius; it kept surprising me, too, with outrageous developments grounded by real moments of compassion, love, and the funny business of day to day existence for a young couple in the big city.
The next morning when I woke at 6:15, I got my coffee and sat and finished reading Johnny Hiro. For me, that was probably the best moment of HeroesCon -- the simple joy of wallowing in something brand new with so much heart that to this moment, it makes me want to buy copies and shove them into the hands of total strangers. You should, too. But, like, read it first.
Day 2: Said hi to Mr. Nick Cardy again at the Ember Grill on Sunday morning as he walked past our table with a small group of other folks I did not recognize. He commented that my son looked ready to eat everything, and he was right about that. Isn't life great? Nick Cardy smiled at my son.
I had honestly not planned on going back to the Con on Sunday, but since the day before was so great, we all were looking forward to more. The first thing I found within a few minutes was a desperately sought after copy of X-Men Forever #1 from the Heroes Aren't Hard to Find shelves, and at 25% off! I'd only asked about a dozen different dealers the day before if they had it, and at some point I realized how hopeless it was looking for it among a ton of silver and bronze age back issues, so I gave up.
I also spent a good deal of time Sunday pawing through a bunch of $1 Bronze Age longboxes, but ultimately didn't grab any books. Very, very tempted to, but there was just no way to settle on a handful. Then it occurred to me that I could fill out the rest of the Mighty Avengers I was missing, and managed to do just that at the Comic Central table. Great selection!
I went back and talked to Fred Chao again, just to share how much I'd enjoyed the magic of Johnny Hiro, and he was so great to talk to. I told him his work brought to mind E.C. Segar's stuff, and he said that Segar was his favorite, so perhaps I wasn't just imagining it. I can't wait to read more of Fred's work, and I wish him every success. He is awesome. While at the AdHouse Books table again, I picked up Ace-Face: The Mod with the Metal Arms.
I got John Paul Leon to sign my copy of Earth-X, but couldn't think of a single intelligent thing to say to him after that. Oh, and I should mention that I forgot to bring along my copy of the Bone: Omnibus, so there went my chance to get Jeff Smith to sign it. He did stroll right by me in downtown Charlotte on the first night there, and he didn't have an entourage with him, so I suppose I could've accosted him and gotten him to sign my t-shirt or something. But then I would've never gotten to wash it again, so I guess that worked out like it needed to.
I also happened to overhear on Sunday that security was especially tight on Saturday night because Ice Cube was in town. There was a car show on the other side of the convention center, so maybe that's what he was there for. It was drawing quite a crowd of its own, but I missed out since I'm not as heavy into the rap scene as I used to be, ya know what I'm sayin'?
What a weekend! It took me a few days to recover, but it was well worth it, and I can't wait to go back. Charlotte was awesome, and the convention was very memorable.
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Back from HeroesCon
Sgt. Rock insisted I get some R&R for now, which is nice, since I happen to be worn out. A real update will be posted soon, so thanks for staying tuned. Many cool things await!
Friday, June 19, 2009
Friday Spontaneous Poetry
Code Talker
The French student
waiting tables for the summer
at Pawleys Island Tavern
had no idea
what he was in for
as a clutch of customers
began ordering in Gullah.
Bad Daddy
SEE! my invulnerable will
mold and chip the face
of this young mountain
as I plunge head first
down its strong,
rocky wall.
FEEL! the drama
as I quickly draw
multiple battle lines
from the arc of my descent.
Very little thought
is required for this.
LISTEN! as I turn the amp
up to 11, the better
to blast directives
at the stoney little
mass that is now a blur
passing before me.
SEE! me hang my head
when I realize that my lack
of imagination has nuked
another evening with my son,
whose only crime was possessing
the full bloom of 5-year old temerity.
FEEL! the minutes drag
as pride is swallowed
and Bad Daddy inches
toward a new place called
learning, which for strange
reasons recalls sad, wet rides
at an amusement park after
a thunderstorm.
LISTEN! Breathe in. Let it go.
Breathe in. Let it go...
Panacea
I remember the ants
moved crazy fast there,
and the pictures we took
in the parking lot afterwards.
Cones of dirty light
illuminated us while
a few stray cats darted
back and forth between
the pilings, begging
at a distance.
Dinner sitting on the deck
was nice. Next to you I felt
safe, walled off from the life
before, but mixed with that was
the knowledge that we were still
getting to know each other.
Five years is the sound
of the starting gun. Nothing prepared
me for that; not really.
When I think of going back
to that little place with you,
I'm brought up short
because I know we'll never
be able to go back there again;
Hurricane Dennis smashed all chances
of that. But it turns out a brand new
building with the same name
stands there now, so it's all
in how you look at it, perhaps.
Me, I see one beautiful evening
returned to the gulf. Accept no substitutes.
The French student
waiting tables for the summer
at Pawleys Island Tavern
had no idea
what he was in for
as a clutch of customers
began ordering in Gullah.
Bad Daddy
SEE! my invulnerable will
mold and chip the face
of this young mountain
as I plunge head first
down its strong,
rocky wall.
FEEL! the drama
as I quickly draw
multiple battle lines
from the arc of my descent.
Very little thought
is required for this.
LISTEN! as I turn the amp
up to 11, the better
to blast directives
at the stoney little
mass that is now a blur
passing before me.
SEE! me hang my head
when I realize that my lack
of imagination has nuked
another evening with my son,
whose only crime was possessing
the full bloom of 5-year old temerity.
FEEL! the minutes drag
as pride is swallowed
and Bad Daddy inches
toward a new place called
learning, which for strange
reasons recalls sad, wet rides
at an amusement park after
a thunderstorm.
LISTEN! Breathe in. Let it go.
Breathe in. Let it go...
Panacea
I remember the ants
moved crazy fast there,
and the pictures we took
in the parking lot afterwards.
Cones of dirty light
illuminated us while
a few stray cats darted
back and forth between
the pilings, begging
at a distance.
Dinner sitting on the deck
was nice. Next to you I felt
safe, walled off from the life
before, but mixed with that was
the knowledge that we were still
getting to know each other.
Five years is the sound
of the starting gun. Nothing prepared
me for that; not really.
When I think of going back
to that little place with you,
I'm brought up short
because I know we'll never
be able to go back there again;
Hurricane Dennis smashed all chances
of that. But it turns out a brand new
building with the same name
stands there now, so it's all
in how you look at it, perhaps.
Me, I see one beautiful evening
returned to the gulf. Accept no substitutes.
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Seven Soldiers: Zatanna #4 pages by Ryan Sook
My, my -- the week has flown. I really should start digging through longboxes tonight in search of the books I hope to get signed in Charlotte on Saturday, but I'm pretty worn out at the moment. Maybe I'll perk up after sifting through more RS artwork to post tomorrow; and there's also the matter of working more on the few poems I'm hoping to post as well. Ah, the many joys of my leisure time. :/
Oh, it goes without saying that Sook draws my favorite Zatanna ever; I'm tempted to start re-reading Seven Soldiers: Zatanna after browsing through so many of RS's illustrations for it, but alas, I'm up to my eyeballs already in stuff I'm promised to read.
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Sook Sketches
Ryan Sook week continues unabated! unhindered! and largely unnoticed! with the following lovelies, purchasable via the little linky at the bottom of this post:
Preliminati vol. 1 can be ordered directly from Ryan Sook's website.
Preliminati vol. 1 can be ordered directly from Ryan Sook's website.
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Hela by Allred & Allred
From Thor God-Size Special #1, I couldn't help lingering over the Allreds' rendering of Hela. I enjoyed the other artists' contributions as well (Dan Brereton, Doug Braithwaite, Andy Troy, Miguel Angel Sepulveda, Frank Darmata, and Marko Djurdjevic) but the pages by Mike Allred fairly leap off the page. Matt Fraction spins a good tale, and the Simonson reprint is a fun bonus.
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