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11/30/04 ~ Emily Edison update  For those of you who have become early fans of Ms. Edison, artist Brock Rizy and I have been working hard to find a publisher for this series. Hopefully, in the next few months, we can give you an update.
I describe the story as a "super-powered family melodrama." Here's an overview: John Edison, appliance repairman and super genius, never imagined one of his everyday inventions would cause a rift in the fabric of reality. Wherein, John met Lucilliana, who hails from another dimension. The two fell in love, got married, and gave birth to a baby girl, Emily. So what's new? Brock recently designed a proposed cover for the first one-shot (shown above). I hope you like it.
From the Top Shelf newsletter
Top Shelf would like to congratulate Craig Thompson for doing something that's never been done in the history of comics: Sweep the Eisner, Harvey, and Ignatz Awards in a single category -- and he did it twice! BLANKETS not only swept the awards in the "Best Original Graphic Novel" category, but Craig took home all three "Best Cartoonist/Outstanding Artist" awards as well. This is a rare feat indeed! If you haven't read BLANKETS yet, you really need to see what all the fuss is about. You're in for a real treat.
Another column was posted on the Fanboy Radio website. This week, I wrote about the negative impact of Cinderella myth in the "love story" genre. [read it here]
The Cinderella myth is pervasive... Romance becomes the social equivalent to winning the lottery. Poor girl marries rich man. The myth encourages the idea that Prince Charming will make everything better. Love solves everything. "Just Smile and Nod" is a weekly column (posted every Monday) about the art of comics, about comics as literature. Currently, I've undertaken a lengthy series on genres, which should continue through the remainder of 2004.
 This week Melissa and I finished our Buffy-DVD-marathon. It began in May. We watched all of seasons one through six just before the San Diego Con (122 episodes total). Season seven came out recently, and now we've watched all of that (22 episodes). And done.
Joss Whedon has redefined how we tell stories in pop-media. You can add him to a short list of writers who inspire me, challenge me, and make me want to write-- Akira Kurosawa, Douglas Coupland, Charlie Kaufmann, and Joss Whedon. Currently, I'm reading the Buffy script books, starting with season three, volume one. Great stuff.
Nothing profound or all that surprising, just sharing what I'm most thankful for-- a healthy daughter, a loving wife, good friends, and a job I enjoy.
 Comics World News interviewed Hoarse and Buggy publisher Chris Arundel (click here). The article includes an exclusive five page preview for Western Tales of Terror #2. It features the first story in this anthology, which happens to be the one Ben Hall and I worked on-- with glorious shading by Marlena Hall.
You can read "The Stranger Waits For Me" in its entirety. page one | page two | page three | page four | page five Although, you should still go to your local comic book retailer and pre-order the book.
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Douglas Coupland (also here), I concluded, is the still small voice in my head. I've been reading his stories since junior high. During those formative years, he was bumping around in my feeble brain. There's something about his quirky insights that speak to me, that comfort me. And to a large degree, Douglas Coupland's work has been the ideal, which I hope to capture in my own writing.
The Coupland Club is not a book club. Although, I highly recommend reading his work. Instead, it's my opportunity to occassionally spotlight my patron writer. From time to time, I will audioblog some excerpts from his books. Please bear in mind, I'm not a professional reader. I stumble and mispronounce words, but I'll try to get better. Today, for our first meeting, I'm reading a chapter from Douglas Coupland's first novel Generation X. Enjoy. Shopping is not Creating, part 3
Another column was posted on the Fanboy Radio website. This week, I wrote a basic overview of the "love story" genre. [read it here]
Love stories speak to our desire to connect with others in meaningful ways. Our hero starts from a standpoint of isolation, and moves towards understanding another person. Based off the notion that everyone is a puzzle, and love is not easy, the relationship becomes the ultimate prize. "Just Smile and Nod" is a weekly column (posted every Monday) about the art of comics, about comics as literature. Currently, I've undertaken a lengthy series on genres, which should continue through the remainder of 2004.
I've always been a joiner. If there was a club, organization, society, cult, association, alliance, or fellowship, then I wanted to be a part of it. Since Elementary, I was continually forming one club or another. I never grew out of that phase.
In high school, my friends and I formed a literature club, Ecletic S.O.L. (which we informed administrators stood for Society Of Literature, but we all know what it really means). During those four years, I was the editor-of-chief of S.O.L.'s literary magazine, Ten-Six. I was a member of the drama club, but my heart wasn't in it. I liked the comedies, loved directing my own plays, and I enjoyed my friends. However, theatre itself seemed icky, intended for those girls who write bad depressing poetry and at one time owned an airbrushed unicorn-by-the-cosmic-lake trapper keeper. I participated in H.O.P.E. the environmentalist group. Although, I joined because I was in love with every single freak, punk, new-waver, and outcast at school. I was a complete poser. Most tolerated me, since I had a few friends among the coolest of the anticool, the senior ranks. I was "in". Kinda. I got the music right (thank you SPIN magazine), but never seemed to quite pull off the fashion. It's a life-long ailment. Most unfortunately, I didn't drink, smoke, or do drugs; I liked my parents; I made good grades and rarely got caught for anything I did do. Still, my attempts to be cultured served me well. I hung out at Mad Hatter's in Fort Worth, hoping to see people from my high school there. Instead, I ended up making friends with several locals. If I would've transferred to a Fort Worth school, I would've been so "in". And finally, I tried to be part of the Christian student organization, but quickly lost interest. They seemed desperate to manufacture a sort of nutra-sweet cool and then distribute it to EVERYONE. That desperation worried me. In college, I joined the NAACP, newspaper staff, Wesleyan Campus Ministry, and Sigma Tau Delta (an academic fraternity for English majors). All the freaks, punks, and outcasts from high school (the new-wavers went extinct) became art majors. And yet again, they tolerated me. I had gained a bit more respect this time around. The greatest club was one my friend Julian created: Cheese-of-the-Week. I think it's fairly self-explanatory. Now, I sponsor both the chess club and the film club at the high school where I teach. It never ends. For all those hopeless joiners, like me, I've creating three clubs through Antihero Comics-- more in the spirit of Cheese-of-the-Week than the NAACP. After all, the Internet is a joiner's paradise. 1. The Coupland Club ~ more details later, audioblog friendly Oh yeah. Everyone is welcome.
During fourth period, one of my students said to me, "Mr.Hopkins, check this out." He took his wallet folded inside out and then zipped it up backwards. "Now we're all inside the wallet."
I can't make this stuff up.
1. Wave of Mutilation (UK Surf) by The Pixies
2. The Horror Partyjokes by dEUS 3. I Don't Wanna Grow Up by Tom Waits 4. Day In The Life by The Beatles 5. Out The Window by Violent Femmes Honorable mentions (just a few): Where's Your Head At? by Basement Jaxx, God Only Knows by The Beach Boys, The Fletcher Memorial Home by Pink Floyd, Underground by Ben Folds Five, Three Little Birds by Bob Marley, Wig In A Box by Hedwig and the Angry Inch, Slop by Charlie Mingus, Love Will Keep Us Together by Captain & Tennille, Shake It Up by The Cars, Train in Vain by The Clash, Head On by The Jesus and Mary Chain, (What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace, Love, and Understanding by Elvis Costello, What's Left of the Flag by Flogging Molly, The Revolution Will Not Be Televised by Gil Scott Heron, Joining a Fan Club by Jellyfish, Bad Reputation by Joan Jett, Time Has Told Me by Nick Drake, Chelsea Hotel #2 by Leonard Cohen, I Want You to Want Me by Cheap Trick, Lucky Number Nine by The Moldy Peaches, God Is In The House by Nick Cave, Sliver by Nirvana, Let's Spend the Night Together by Rolling Stones, And She Was by Talking Heads, My Generation by The Who
Mom Breastfeeds Puppy to Protect Baby
WELLINGTON (Reuters) - A woman in New Zealand says she is breastfeeding her pet puppy because she wants it to protect her baby daughter as they both grow up.
The November Indie Show for Fanboy Radio is available online. Guests include Christopher Herndon (artist for Fredrick and Ronald:Assassins for Hire) and Melissa Erwin (creator of Doll Parts), also Brian McLachlan (writer for Oni's No Dead Time), and Chris Nicholas from STAPLE: The Independent Media Expo.
* Last night, Ben and Marlena Hall came over for porkchops, which Melissa fixed. They tasted so good. Afterwards, Marlena made margaritas. Strong, but also so good.
* After I finish all my current scripting responsibilities (Emily Edison, Karma Incorporated issues 1-3, and Jack Ruby), I'm taking a break for few months. I've thought about starting one or two short novels based off some material I've scripted. * Surprisingly, the song "Common People" by William Shatner is really, really good. * The Special Edition Iron Giant DVD has been added to my wish list. Writer/Director Brad Bird is officially on my roll call of people who amaze me. Oh yeah, he also did The Incredibles.  (also on Melissa's blog) So strange. Melissa and I were both friends with Danielle. Not until last year, did we discover that we both knew her. Another situation where our lives crossed paths before we actually met. Melissa was best friends with her in Elementary. I was friends with Danielle in High School, and we went to church camp together. I found out about her death when I googled her name-- I thought it'd be fun for Melissa and I to meet up with Danielle again, but she's gone.
Danielle Lee Pio was born Sept. 22, 1979, in Indianapolis, Indiana. She attended Martin and Mansfield high schools. She was an avid writer and had written for the Star-Telegram's Class Acts section. I don't know if it really matters, but I'm curious as to what happened. Danielle was so young, and she left a 2-year-old son behind.  My friend Josh Howard (creator of Dead@17) has his own blog. The new series Dead@17:Revolution is now available in stores.
The Fight has Begun! Join the Resistance! A new chapter in the life of Nara Kilday is about to begin, and it may be the last. A political assassination plot by a mysterious group called Heaven's Militia unravels a gov't. conspiracy with ties to Nara's past and future, setting her on the path towards her destiny. It's the beginning of the end.
Another column was posted on the Fanboy Radio website. This week, I wrote about the "return home" in the hero epic. [read it here]
The concept of "home" is an oxymoron. It is both a point of origin and a destination. Home is where we start from and what we journey towards. The hero leaves home to begin his or her adventure, stepping out from the familiar comfortable settings and pushes towards the unknown. But ultimately, the hero must return. "Just Smile and Nod" is a weekly column (posted every Monday) about the art of comics, about comics as literature. Currently, I've undertaken a lengthy series on genres, which should continue through the remainder of 2004.
I consider myself a disciple of Akira Kurosawa's films. The theme song to *Yojimbo* is incredible. It has the exact same swagger as the protagonist.
Melissa and I took Kennedy to her first movie. The Incredibles. We tried out a different theatre from the one we normally go to. Usually, we opt for the AMC at the Parks. However, after one too many bad experiences there, I've given up on them. Movie theatres at popular malls are the pits. Too crowded and filled with people who talk through the entire film. This time, we went to the Tinsel Town at Six Flags in Grand Prairie. This mall has been dying and dying for (I don't know how many) years now.
Dead malls are really cool in their own way. There's a vacant desperation telling you that time has passed. The hip new stores have moved on, but still there is a remnant of a happier time-- the one or two corny dog and pizza establishments still left in the centralized food court, the random sports jersey/hip hop accessory store, the fake jewelry kiosk, and the nail parlor that still hangs on for dear life. Dead malls remind me that even consumerism has a geographic shelf life. No mall lasts forever. Even such timeless institutions like Dallas' North Park has passed its prime. Early dead-mall warning signs are emerging. My favorite dead mall is what used to be Forum 303, now renamed "Festival Marketplace". It fought with Six Flags Mall to the north and Trader's Village to the south-- a historic three front battle along Hwy 360, in which there were no survivors. The war ended, as the new "super power" Park Malls came into being. Forum 303, as I shall forever know it, has been gutted-- all the open space converted to area booths for low budget vendors. There is a stage in the center of the mall, a children's funzone, and a two screen movie theatre still in operation. When I was in 6th grade, this is where my friend Victor and I hung out, as he lived in the apartment complex across the street. This is where I set foot into my first comic book store. This is where I bought my first comic book. And this is where my mom took me for my first comic book convention. As for The Incredibles, it was a fun movie. I loved it. Kennedy did very well. She didn't make any fuss. Kennedy's eyes got big when she saw the movie screen, and she was hypnotized from there on out. She took a little nap in the middle. The theatre was clean with stadium seating, and not too crowded-- a hidden treasure within this dead mall. My neighbor had informed me we have to keep our ivy trimmed... but I guess these are the kind of things people in the suburbs worry about. I think with most of my writing, or at least the writing I really enjoy, I get to tackle the idea of "suburban hell".  Kennedy loves going on these walks, because she gets a chance to look around.  Cars sound like the ocean waves.
Another column was posted on the Fanboy Radio website. This week, I wrote about the "prize" in the hero epic. [read it here]
Why does the hero even bother? Why risk his or her life for nothing? The prize is what motivates the hero forward, whether it is for love, to save a life, to gain fortune, honor, fame, or correct a wrong. The prize must be of equal or greater value than the struggle. If not, our hero is a fool or the tale is a tragedy. All is in vain. Without the prize, our story isn't a rational one. The characters are without motivation. The story falls flat. "Just Smile and Nod" is a weekly column (posted every Monday) about the art of comics, about comics as literature. Currently, I've undertaken a lengthy series on genres, which should continue through the remainder of 2004.
(via shanna and chris)
I've never had a problem with actual conservatives, because actual conservative thought -- as defined by William F. Buckley, Barry Goldwater, etc. -- is just a way of looking at the role of government. Hell, I've had a lot more trouble with True Believer Liberal Democrats, always telling me what to eat and oh that song is sexist and that's not funny. There just aren't that many actual conservatives. (If there were, Mr. TaxCut-and-Spend wouldn't be reading his Victory Prayer on teevee today.)
You know, I really don't think I'm going to stick with these audio blogs. Radio, yes, but something about the audioblog just feels too much like talking to myself. Now that Wizard World TX is over, I've got to get finished on some writing that I've been putting off.     
Spent most of the day at the ACTOR booth. Skottie Young was there doing sketches. I really like watching this guy work. I dig that graf style. Brock and I spoke with another publisher about Emily Edison. That evening, I went to a party at the Wyndam Hotel. Mostly hung out with my friends from Viper. Right now, I can't think of much else to report. I'm looking forward to tomorrow. I won't have as many hours at the ACTOR booth today, and Melissa and Kennedy will be there. 
The first day was good. I hung out at the Viper booth. Picked up a copy of Dead@17:Revolution #1. I'm excited to read it tonight after I get off the computer. Swung by and said hi to my friends at Silent Devil. Got a chance to meet Chris Moreno. He did a great sketch of "Moleman" for me. Speaking of sketches, Chris Medellin did a sketch of "Mr.Fantastic" that I love. Something about Medellin's style which I really like. And of course, I volunteered at the ACTOR booth from 2 to 6. I felt distracted most of the time. I just wanted to roam from booth to booth meeting people, and I didn't feel like I had the opportunity. Our house party went very well. Here's some pics I took. 
 Afterwards, I swung by Greg Thompson's party. Met up with my friend Nick Derington. It was good to see him again. Am I name-dropping? That's such a bad habit. I'll stop. And just say, it was a good evening. I'll leave it at that. The coolest party of the entire evening was that I heard Kennedy laugh for the first time... like real full-out laughter! At first, I didn't think it was coming from her. It was awesome.
 Like all great modern romances, Tom Kurzanski and I met online. I saw some of his artwork and illustrations; I fell in love. I asked him if he wanted to work on this idea I had-- a retelling of Antigone. I sent him a note. Circle one: Yes or No. The Antigone proposal is on hiatus indefinately. Mostly because, a better project came along which Tom and I are working on. While I can't offer much information about it, this series should be available in stores by July 2005. I'm excited, because I think this is my best writing yet. Last night, Tom sent me pages six through twelve of the first issue. Looks great. Our publisher is overjoyed with what he's produced. It's been a good partnership. Tom and I have similiar sensibilities when it comes to storytelling. In fact, Tom recently sent me a screenplay he wrote. It's really freakin' good. Tom knows narrative. He does more than draw. He tells stories visually, and this is the true difference between a good and a great comic book artist. In particular, characterization is one of his strengths. Each character is distinct. As an example, the noses he draws! Many comic book artists seem to draw every nose the same. Not with Tom, every nose is completely unique. (Of course, now that I've said that, you won't be able to stop looking at his noses.) He is able to capture personalities and a thousand different expressions within a panel. He understands setting and perspective. The characters work within three-dimensions. No flat cartooning. Tom's art has a style that is flexible (able to communicate tones and attitude) and fun to look at.
WESTERN TALES OF TERROR #2 is available for pre-order from Diamond comics from the current issue of Previews, order number NOV042745, on Page 293 of the November Previews.
I went to the comic book store on my lunch break. I bought a copy of Previews, because my name is in it. And well, I like seeing my name in Previews. (It's part of that whole I-write-for-the-masses thing.) The employee behind the cash register noticed I had the catalog. She told me a lot of people picked up this month's Previews. Just so you know, I make an extra effort to be friendly to this particular employee, because three weeks ago I almost made her cry. What did I do that was so offensive? I put a comic book back on the shelf, after I decided I didn't want it. She took this personally. If I could explain it better, I would, but I don't get it either. In the name of friendliness, I commented that I was in this Previews, and well, you know the rest. To which, she inquired: "Are you the artist?" "No, I write the stories." "Oh" (pause) "I guess that's a nice hobby." Suddenly, I don't feel as bad about almost making her cry. Hobby? Okay, I'll admit that I'm not filing any tax forms for my writing. I'm not banking. I haven't published a series... yet. But a hobby? Ouch. Ego-buster. 
Another column was posted on the Fanboy Radio website. This week, I wrote about the role of "mentors" in the hero epic. [read it here]
They are the source of knowledge and wisdom. They train our hero to become who they were destined to be. Often times they function as a father or mother figure to the estranged and misunderstood hero. The mentor offers the invitation to the hero to begin his or her journey. "Just Smile and Nod" is a weekly column (posted every Monday) about the art of comics, about comics as literature. Currently, I've undertaken a lengthy series on genres, which should continue through the remainder of 2004.
This Friday, the first night of Wizard World Texas, Melissa and I are hosting a party. Everyone is welcome to come. I'm grilling hotdogs and hamburgers. Lots of soda. BYOB for anything else. If you'd like to help, send me an e-mail. Right now, it looks like we'll have a nice crowd. **click here for info**
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