Antihero Comics now has a store with Cafe Press. Today, I've been scanning photos and designing logos for the Cafe Press store. Check back often in the next month as I will keep adding more unique products. After the base price, I put the price as low as possible. Reason? I want to get the merchandise out there to the folks who support me and my writing. Make sure to tell others. I especially like the "young american comic book writer" poster-- photograph by my wife Melissa. What? Doesn't everyone want a poster of me?!

Justin from Crap Rares gives Antihero Comics a little love with his friendly photoshop work.

My friend Roxanne Bielskis has a comic book called Poverty. As far as independent autobiographical comics go, this one is my favorite. It's profound without being pretenious, critical without being cynical. It's funny. It's honest. It communicates on several levels. Some of the small press people really need to check her work out. She's not listed through Previews, so you'd have to contact her personally for information about distribution and such.

I think I may create an Antihero Comics store through Cafe Press. Not that I think the masses are begging for antihero merchandise, but heck, I'd like t-shirt. I'll have to start working through some ideas. All suggestions are encouraged.

I'm currently scripting a one shot mini-comic. So far, so good. Maybe I could create two versions? One I will print myself and sell to the stores and local conventions. The other version could be with Cafe Press's print-on-demand section. I don't know yet-- just stuff I'm thinking about.

My friend Dan sent this link to me--
www.triggerstreet.com
This site is for screenplays, but it does looks interesting.

The remarkable Sean Clement started a website called Diverging Comics. The site looks really good. I highly recommend it. Some of my buds at the fanboy radio forum have written reviews for Diverging Comics. Lots of websites promote the "big two" (Marvel and DC). We need more people looking out for the little guy. Thanks Sean!

Currently reading: Kill Bill (script by Quentin Tarantino)

I'm tempted to attend the Day of Storytelling workshop at the Bath House Cultural Center. It's hosted by the Dallas Storytelling Guild. I don't know yet. Call it internet snobbery-- but I don't always trust organizations on geocities. Not to mention, the people on the site look fairly old and flakey (no offense intended towards old or flakey people). While the workshop is not for comic book creators, the experience might develop my storytelling abilities as a writer. Or it could be a colossal waste of time and money when I could've spent that Saturday writing.

What do you think? Post your thoughts on the tag board. Should I go?

I wish more filmmakers would write comic books.
(particularly these eight visual storytellers) Sofia Coppola, Spike Jonze, Charlie Kaufman, Wes Anderson, Cameron Crowe, Quentin Tarantino, Paul Thomas Anderson, Darren Aronofsky

Novelist/designer Douglas Coupland also needs to script a comic book. Am I being too unrealistic? I guess so.

Josh reviews My Uncle Jeff by Damon Hurd. I met Damon in San Diego, really nice guy. I bought the first issue of A Sort of Homecoming-- it's really good. Make sure to ask about it at your local comic book store.

Comix Activism Flash Ring
a "smart mob" organized by Six Shooter Comix for the purpose of spreading the word of independent/small press comic books

Today, I started my 4th year teaching high school English. First days are a weird ritual in American schools. Most every student wears a brand new outfit. They all appear spotless and unwrinkled-- nervously quiet. (That won't last.) Twenty-five strange faces all staring at me, quietly wondering, "Will I like this teacher?" The first day is important. Students choose whether or not they will want to learn in your class.

Summers are great, because I can devote myself full-time to writing. When the school year comes around, I have to divide my interests. I write at the same pace, but my opportunites to be lazy disappear.

I read an interview with one of my favorite writers Charlie Kaufmann. It's available on the WGA site here. If you are a writer, you need to pay your respects to the Writer's Guild of America. Comic book writers need something.

The Insight is moving along nicely with the new artist. I've seen some of his panel layouts, rough drawings, and character sketches. It all looks amazing. I feel confident about the script, but the art alone will sell this comic. I'm so fortunate to be working with such talented people.

Speaking of talented people, Brian Childers has begun some conceptual drawings for a possible sci-fi comic we'll collaborate on. He's creating the world. I'm writing the story within this world. This project will really challenge me. Sci-fi seems like such a difficult genre to do well, because all the primary motifs and settings have been done over and over again. I mean, how many times can you re-tell Bladerunner?

Astronaut Dad. Right now, an artist is looking at the script to see if he's interested. I can't tell you who it is yet. But I will say this, he's one of my favorite comic book artists. And he's done some stuff you might be familiar with.

I'm also working through some ideas for a children's mini-comic. Plus, research for my Jack Ruby graphic novel has begun. Jim Lujan, you can't stop holding your breath now.

Still coming off my high from the San Diego Comic-Con. I have photos posted here.

Upcoming conventions:
October 24-26, 2003 --- Dallas Comic Con
November 21-23, 2003 --- Wizard World Arlington
April 3-4, 2004 --- Dallas Comic Con
July 9-11, 2004 --- Sci-Fi Expo
July 22-25, 2004 --- San Diego Comic Con

For those interested, we have several mini-CDROMs leftover from the Comic Con. They contain the complete scripts for The Insight (an earlier draft) and Astronaut Dad. Send me an e-mail and I'll mail one to you.