An e-mail from my friend Greg:

You bastard!!!

I've been loyally buying comics from Lone Star for the last 4-5 years and have yet to win that damn back issue contest. So, guess who's name I saw today as the SW Arlington store winner...

DAVID HOPKINS!!!

So unfair.

I will be volunteering at the ACTOR booth during Wizard World Texas.

ACTOR, A COMMITMENT TO OUR ROOTS, is the first-ever federally chartered not-for-profit organization dedicated strictly to helping comic book industry veterans.

Through ACTOR, a safety net is created. Financial aid is available for comic creators who may need emergency operations, necessities of life, or sometimes, a helping hand back into active work in the comics industry. It's a chance for us all to give back something to the people who have given us so much enjoyment.

Here's my schedule...
FRIDAY 4 pm - 7 pm
SATURDAY 10 am - 2 pm
SUNDAY 11 am - 2 pm

Scott (left) and me (right) at the KTCU studio for Fanboy Radio

My friend Jim Lujan on newmoanyeah.com
[read the interview]

JLu: I'm going to work on a project with Rerun, from What's Happening. Oh its going to be a big project. I can't wait.
NMY: Dude. He's dead.
JLu: ... now crossing out one goal.

There's a new addition to the scrapbook:
At the Dallas Comic Con, October 2003

a comic strip by Brian Kelly for the Minneapolis Citypages

Satire (n) A literary work in which human vice or folly is attacked through irony, derision, or wit.

I think about the literature that, for me, was truly formative back in high school. 90% of it was satire-- Catch-22, Matt Groening's Life in Hell, the work of Kurt Vonnegut and Douglas Coupland.

I really have not written enough satire. In fact, I discovered last night that Melissa is quite the master of satire herself (as if I had any doubt... anybody who can wield sarcasm so skillfully-- must have a good dose of satirical wit to them).

Some Other Day is satire in the purest sense, but I need to write more.

The REAL Clark Kent

From Sean Clement of Diverging Comics:
I was going through one of the books that I got from the Library and this photo (link posted above) struck my eye. It features a man who was apparently, or might of been, the basis for Superman's alter ego. I thought it was extremely interesting and had to share it with you guys. The book I got "Superman: The Complete History" is very fascinating. If you get a chance to read it then do so.

Introducing...
Poorly Drawn Animals
by Joshua Hale Fialkov

This evening, I will be guest co-host for Fanboy Radio. It's an all G.I. Joe episode! Interviews with Larry Hama, Josh Blaylock, and some folks from Reel FX Creative Studios who produced and created G. I. Joe: SPYTROOPS, a Cartoon Network feature-length G.I.Joe movie. [listen to the show]

Ironically, Larry Hama wrote the first comic book I ever read-- Marvel's G.I. Joe #59. How cool.

The paperback version of Baghdad Express will be released on October 28, 2003. Baghdad Express illustrator Brian Kelly is working with me on the comic book Some Other Day. Check out his work.

Usually I buy the monthly comics, instead of the trade paper backs. In part, it's for nostaglia purposes and also because I can't wait to read the stories. When a comic hits the shelf, I have to buy it. There are a few exceptions. With the CSI books, I buy the monthly comics, but I wait until I have the whole story arc before I read. And I buy the hardcover trades of Queen & Country. The hardcovers look so nice on my shelf.

I also decided to wait for the trade on Love Fights. I haven't read a single story of this comic book yet, but I'm so anxious to get my hands on it.

Marjane Satrapi tells the story of her life in Tehran from ages six to fourteen, years that saw the overthrow of the Shah's regime, the triumph of the Islamic Revolution, and the devastating effects of war with Iraq. The intelligent and outspoken only child of committed Marxists and the great-granddaughter of one of Iran's last emperors, Marjane bears witness to a childhood uniquely entwined with the history of her country.

Purchased my advanced 3-day pass to Wizard World Texas. Melissa and I will be there for the mega-convention. If you're planning to attend, let me know on the tag board or send me an e-mail.

Guests so-far:
Noah Hathaway (Battlestar Galactica and The Neverending Story), Allison Mack (Smallville), Peter Mayhew (Chewbacca - "Star Wars"), Jason Mewes (Jay and Silent Bob Strikes Back, Clerks), Kevin Smith (Actor/Director Clerks, Mallrats, Jay and Silent Bob Strikes Back, upcoming Jersey Girl), Kurt Busiek (JLA/Avengers, Arrowsmith, Astro City writer), Talent Caldwell (Fathom artist), Paul Dini ("Batman Animated" creator), Paul Jenkins (Darkness, Spectacular Spider-Man writer), Michael Lark (Batman: Gotham Central artist), Jim Lee (Batman, Superman artist), David Mack (Daredevil, Kabuki, upcoming Ultimate X-Men), Joe Quesada (Marvel Editor In Chief), Darick Robertson (Born and Wolverine artist), Marc Silvestri (Top Cow founder), Peter Steigerwald (Fathom, Ekos, Soulfire colorist), Mike Turner (Fathom writer/artist), Skottie Young (Human Torch artist)

I've loaded some new photos to the menu of random images. You may have to refresh the index page a few times, but eventually (if the laws of probability hold true) you will see them. The photos include: waif icon Twiggy, former President LBJ being sworn into office, outlaw couple Bonnie and Clyde, the Chinese student standing before the tanks at Tianamen Square, and angry peaceniks.