Check out the Fanboy Radio newsletter for October. I wrote two articles-- "A Mediocre Conclusion for the Extraordinary Gentlemen" and "Blankets-- It is just good." [read the newsletter]

Scott invited me back to co-host Fanboy Radio. It was a crazy show (#107) with David Jay Gabriel, Executive Director of the New York City Comic Book Museum and Dave Crosland, the artist for Puffed. [listen to the show]

Another column for comixtreme is online. I write about the benefits of a "do-it-yourself" approach to comic book creation. [read the column]

Goin' to Cali
My friend and frequent editor Clay Harrison has his own blog. I fully support his five year plan to become a writer and move his wife and pets out to California.

Tonight, I was the guest co-host for Fanboy Radio. I drove to the KTCU studio in Fort Worth to help Scott Hinze with episode #106. The show featured Eric Powell (creator, writer and artist of The Goon) and also short story author Clifford Meth. Afterwards, Scott and I hung out at the Boom Room. Good hamburgers. We played some chess (I won) and some pinball (he won). [listen to the show]

2ND ANNUAL ISOTOPE AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN MINI-COMICS NOW OPEN FOR SUBMISSIONS

My Friday column for comixtreme is online. I write about the distinction between comic books as an art form and as an industry. [read the column]

I finished reading Jimmy Corrigan. My friend Greg loaned me his copy. What an amazing book. I've really been spoiled reading Blankets and Jimmy Corrigan within two weeks of each other. (And having read Maus a month earlier) I'm trying to think of anything else significant I have yet to read. For the most part, I've hit all the touchstones of our beloved medium.

Jimmy Corrigan takes all the possibilities for the comic book medium and pushes it to its maximum potential. I believe the highest compliment you could give a comic book creator is to say their work could only be told within this medium. Jimmy Corrigan is so perfectly set within the world of text and image, to attempt it in any other narrative medium would only diminish it's scope.

I added more stuff to the site, mostly e-mail forms and such. There's a reply form on the support page and a comments section on the contact page. Let me know what you think. Interactive overkill?

BAGHDAD EXPRESS: a gulf war memoir. written by Joel Turnipseed. illustrated by Brian Kelly. Borealis Book. April, 2003. 207 pgs. This innovative memoir, simultaneously terrifying and hilarious, equal parts Catch-22 and Catcher in the Rye, along with innovative use of graphic novel chapters, explores both the absurdities of war and the necessity of accepting our flawed world of shadows.

New columnist for CBR-- James Sime, THE COMIC PIMP
"They need us, and it's obvious to anyone who is paying attention that the entertainment conglomerate is our bitch." [read the column]

Friday column for comixtreme is online. I continue my observations about the San Diego Comic Con. [read the column]

I wrote a review of Lord Takeyama for Diverging Comics. For the most part, I enjoyed the comic book. It's a good experience, especially as a writer, to evaluate other people's work-- to get an idea for how they were effective in their storytelling. Usually, I only read a comic book once through. But when I read Lord Takeyama a second and third time, I can't believe how much I was able to take from it. I even made a reference to Andrei Tarkovsky in my review. How did that happen?! [read the article]

I posted an ad on digital webbing looking for a penciler.

"Need a penciler (who inks & letters) for a self published one-shot mini-comic. Unique style is a must! You will be paid. It won't take care of rent, but maybe a car payment? Mini-comic will be sold at local stores and conventions, including San Diego."

Read Blankets.
[The Critics Agree on Craig Thompson's BLANKETS!]

My Friday column with comixtreme has returned. This week, I ramble about my experiences at the San Diego Comic Con and offer a writer's guide to making the most out of the big conventions. [read the column]

I mailed my second EPIC submission to Marvel. This script would be my third Marvel submission total. I think this script is better than the previous one, but I'm not expecting a whole lot from this process. I think EPIC has the potential to be really good (with or without me). However, all it takes is one person to have a better script than me on whatever title I'm proposing-- and I'm out. EPIC is not the way to "break in." The tried and true do-it-yourself method of self publishing is still the better way to get your work out there. Simply too many people sending stuff to Marvel. I'm one of them. Damn.

My mini-comic Some Other Day is more or less completely scripted. I decided to put the full script online. Any feeback would be appreciated.