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1/31/06 ~ The Harveyville Project
Kelly Sue DeConnick (wife o' Matt Fraction), her college roommate recently bought some old schools in rural Kansas, and is in the process of turning them into artist and writer retreats.
http://harveyvilleproject.com/This project could be very cool. I'd be interested in organizing a get-together or comic book creator's workshop/retreat, if other people wanted to join in. The wheels are turning. Hmmm...
Cal Slayton added an Adobe Illustrator tutorial to his website, an interesting step-by-step look at his own process. I'm becoming a huge fan of Illustrator. Brock Rizy is using the CS2 version on Emily Edison with some great results. You'll see. It's an amazing achievement in coloring. Not to mention, Cal's own artwork has moved in an exciting (and just cool-as-funk) direction with his use of Illustrator.
I'm attracted to artists who take risks with their approach to comics. The word people throw around is "stylized", but it's more than that. There's an attitude, like jazz, where it's playful, experimental, and flexible. Working with Brock and Tom, especially, I've come to appreciate that.
Jim Mahfood will be making his debut appearance on G4's "Attack of the Show" tonight, Wednesday evening, January 25. G4 is the video game cable channel that specializes in all things cool in pop culture! Check local cable listings for the specific time in your area and set your DVR.
It's time to talk about what you should be adding to your sublist. For those people who are supportive of independent and small press comics, you know how important it is to pre-order. Don't worry about Marvel and DC. If you show up on Wednesday, they'll have 50+ copies of All-Star Superman (which is incredible). But how do you know if your store will have Scott Pilgrim, Vol. 3 when it comes in? Or if they only order one stickin' copy and someone grabs it before you. As one who's experienced that, it sucks! Pre-ordering is easy, depending on the retailer. Just go to an employee and tell them what you want... they'll write down the information and you're set. You may need the order code and stuff, but they'll find it.
Here's my list of stuff to order (which if I missed anything, drop me an e-mail and I'll add it): Villains (order code: FEB063371) Viper Comics ~ The highly anticipated comic book by Adam Cogan and Ryan Cody, do not miss this one. Horrorwood (order code: FEB062846) APE ~ From Brandon Terrell and Brent Schoonover, a wonderfully crafted and unique murder mystery. Digital Webbing Presents #27 and #28 Digital Webbing ~ You've gotta check out Aaron Thomas Nelson's Bob Zombie. Middleman 2.1 (NOV053249) Viper Comics ~ Without much delay, Javier Grillo-Marxuach and Les McClaine move into their next Middleman series. A very entertaining book. The first issue is only 99 cents. Middleman Trade Paperback Imperative Viper Comics ~ The first four issues collected, a good price for $9.95. Introduction by Paul Dini and pin-art by my buds Ryan Cody, Nicc Balce, and the unstoppable Tom Kurzanski. The Cisco Kid : Gunfire & Brimstone Moonstone ~ One mean and gritty western written by Len Kody. I love this series. Black Harvest Devil's Due ~ From Josh Howard, this book is the first one I read when my new comics comes in. Dead@17: The Protectorate Viper Comics ~ Story by Alex Hambry, art by Benjamin Hall, and colors by Marlena Hall, every issue surprises the hell out of me... in a good way. Okay, infomercial is over. Get these books, so we can talk about 'em.
For the past few days, my blogposts have referenced Brock's livejournal, while Brock has been referencing my blog, back and forth. It's like our blog and livejournal are dating. If you can't tell, we've been busy finishing Emily Edison--lots of little details in our effort to get people reading this book. If it's any indication, we're inching closer to making some official announcements. From Brock's livejournal, here's a panel from issue two.
 "Yes, that's Emily's half-sister, Koo, taking a brick to the face. It won't be so long before I post a panel from issue three." I'm on the verge of a manifesto here. Recently, I've been thinking about how some writers will speak in terms of "buying" instead of "reading". (Yes, I do it too.) We undertake this huge artistic and personal endevour and then uncut our integrity, reducing ourselves to: buy my book! buy my book! buy my book! As if that were the only point. Obviously, in order to read the book, you'll have to buy it. (And if you steal it, you're not my friend anymore. Seriously. It's a jackass thing to do, particularly to small press/indie creators and publishers.) Let the good publisher and the good retailer worry about selling the book, that's what they do best. The creator's role in the economics of it is to help them by making the book GOOD, and making yourself available to promote it. If you are a writer, your primary desire should be communicated in terms of "readership" and not "consumers". The dilemma with most indie folk--the writer is the publisher and sometimes the retailer as well. Even still, do not confuse your roles. Getting a paycheck for what you love feels incredible, but having someone else enjoy what you wrote--that's why we wanted to publish in the first place, isn't it? I want people to read Emily Edison, because Brock and I did something good. People will have fun reading our book. I laughed out loud when I first saw that panel of Koo getting hit in the head with the brick. Sure, a larger readership means more money, more money means more opportunities to create more books. I'm aware how it all works, but if the love of money displaces the love of our art, we've sold out. And in comics, that's really sad.
Yesterday, I said we had some excited news, but we'd wait to share it. 24 hours later, here it is: Josh Howard posted on his website some details about this year's Free Comic Book Day (Saturday, May 6th). Viper is releasing their first official free comic for the event. Emily Edison will be one of the stories featured, along with Museum of Terror, A Bit Haywire, and a brand new Dead@17 story.
 Ta-da! Free Comic Book Day will be a great opportunity to get the word out about Emily Edison and Viper Comics. Check with your local retailer to make sure they're participating and that they intend to order the Viper Comics showcase.
No official press release yet, but soon Brock and I will be able to share some details about the upcoming Emily Edison book. Show off the cover and maybe a few finished pages. We'll update you on pre-order and release dates.
 A few things I can mention: 1. Brock is working his ass off right now, and producing some great work. 2. Brock and I will be at STAPLE on March 4th and CAPE on May 6th to promote Emily Edison. There's some excited news, but let's wait. 3. We're looking into A-Kon and of course the San Diego Comic Con.
Javi answers that pesky question... or at least, attempts to answer it.
(click here)
Watching TV today, decided to check out "Rollergirls" on A&E (news article about the show). The documentary/reality drama is set in Austin, and it was cool to watch a show featuring Texas as I know it. The Texas I'm proud of. To my surprise, hey, I know that person! Ashley Aretakis-Fredo also known as "Sister Mary-Jane". We were on the debate team together in high school. Now she's the toughest rollergirl on this show. Weird. (Yes, I was on the debate team. For one freakin' year, shut up.)
Kick their asses, Ashley!
Melissa had her wisdom teeth removed. She's been drugged up and out-of-it for most of the day. We did manage to watch "Bye, Bye Birdie" and an episode of Freaks and Geeks. The teeth had been causing her a lot of pain for several months (if not a few years). Thankfully, they are gone and Melissa shouldn't be having as much chronic pain.
During Christmas, I spent a lot of time with my family, who made the pilgrimage to Texas. My sister's coming again in a few weeks to visit a college, where she recently applied. I'm taking her there to check out the campus. I hope she moves back to Texas. I feel so disconnected from my family. It'd be nice to hang out with her more. (I look tired in this photo.)
 Random quote of the day (during a lockdown drill): "If I can see you, I can shoot you."
The Independent Film Channel has scheduled more screenings of the COMIC FOUNDRY feature, "IFC News Special: Comic-Con Chronicles," for those who want to see it again or need to see it for the first time.
Thursday, January 12 12:30 AM Thursday, January 19 8:00 AM Wednesday, January 25 6:45 PM
I love teaching Creative Writing. It's such an interesting mix of students. Since last semester, my class size has doubled. Primarily, my students come from three different groups. (1) AP Honors students who take the class to further suppliment their academic domination. (2) Sensitive outcasts who hang in the courtyard and tend to have an overwhelming amount of creative energy in need of an outlet. (3) High-risk students in need of an "easy A". They struggle in school, but give them an opportunity and they can be the strongest writers. Creative Writing is one of the few classes available with students on both fringes--the over achiever and the under achiever, the priviledged and the marginalized.
I've intentionally strayed from teaching the class as literary group therapy. This class is not for spewing mood poems and keeping a dream journal. I teach writing as a craft. I teach my students how to tell a story. We talk about structure, plot, character arcs, and the practical aspects of developing an idea. I continually emphasize there are no tricks or shortcuts to being a good writer. You have to become comfortable with the process. You have to write. I enjoy teaching an elective where the students choose to be part of the class. They want to learn. It's a real charge to see them take notes and ask questions. The class is a continual challenge for me to maintain my own writing and not be a hypocrite. It feels good to stay up late, to crawl into bed after Melissa has already been asleep for hours. To wake up next morning, tired beyond words, and realize I could've gone to sleep earlier. But instead, I chose to write.
I spent most of the morning moving stuff out of the office (left) and then, later that night, the semi-finished product (right). I still need to hang my art.
  The new desk.  The bookshelf. 
We went to Ikea on Friday to buy bookshelves and a desk for the office. For two years, the office has been a mess--stacks of books, random paperwork and unpacked boxes scattered throughout. The time had come to paint and decorate. Melissa has a good sense of design, and so we already knew what we wanted before we got there. I had never been to Ikea before. I was duly impressed, and slightly unsettled. At the entrance, there's an elaborate childcare and playground area. Kennedy wasn't old enough, but I don't know if I wouldn't been comfortable entrusting my daughter to Ikea. An escalator takes you to the second floor. The arrows along the floor tell you which way to go. So in order to get to the office furniture, you can't go straight there. You have to walk past everything else first. Part furniture store, part theme park. Disny Land. My favorite part of Ikea was the restaurant. I'd probably shop more often, if more stores came with their own dining area. Swedish meatballs. Hell yes.
The bottom floor is all the random crap like lamps and plastic plants. We only had a couple minutes before closing, so we couldn't stay longer. Otherwise, I'm sure we could've occupied another hour looking for the perfect waste basket or picture frame. The random crap area opens to the warehouse area where you find the item you selected on the second floor. My biggest complaint is the cart they give you doesn't have a foot break. The shelves are heavy! And when I tried to put them on the cart, the cart kept moving backwards. The other customers were more helpful than the employees. On two different occasions, I had customers offer to help me load and unload my cart. The employees avoided eye contact and tried to look busy. Thanks. The next day, we cleared the office. Painted it. And into the evening, I put together the desk and the two bookshelves. Looks good. I'll post photos soon. It's a little weird being in such a nice office. The old office has the crazed clutter of an aimless hack, but this new incarnation looks like the workspace of a professional. Not a room, it's an affirmation.
Thanks Brock. This weekend, I'm going to use this lovely bit of art, replacing the blue circle on the right. Of course, when I start messing around with my website, you never know where it's going to lead.
http://antiherocomics.com/images/eedhopblankbg.gif
The Ultimate Showdown
(art & animation by Altf4, music & lyrics by Lemon Demon) http://www.compfused.com/directlink/1118/ Forget all that crap about becoming a better essayist and losing weight. My new New Year's resolution is to learn all the lyrics to this song. Also from Lemon Demon, I've got some falling to do.
Brandon Terrell and Brent Schoonover's Horrorwood is mentioned on Broken Frontier. This four issue comic book series from APE Entertainment will be available in the February Previews. Make sure to pre-order your copy. Brandon and Brent are both so talented. I'm anxious to read this book.
(Other news: I updated the other projects section on my website, adding a new work-in-progress.)
I have $40 store credit at Movie Trading Company. And I've been to almost every area store in search of the Freaks and Geeks DVD, but cannot find it. Alas.
I have much more important things to share (lots of exciting news and stuff I'm working on), but I decided to keep the blog post rather mundane today. Save the Bluths
I'm at school right now, getting my room and my curriculum ready for tomorrow's start of the Spring semester. I spent most of the morning logging grades to be exported. Mindless labor, but a good way to refresh myself on all my students' names.
This next weekend, Melissa and I will buy some new bookshelves and a new desk for the office. We're painting the office, hanging some art, and completely overhauling the mess that it currently is. I'll make sure to take a picture for everyone to see. It'll be nice to finish another room in the house, and especially one I spend so much time in. Yesterday, I sent my essay to the Smart Pop editor. I've been agonizing over it for the past week. It's amazing how a 4,000 word essay on Superman can completely shatter all self-confidence I may have possessed. I'm looking forward to the notes for my re-write, because I will have to re-write. I hope there's something worth salvaging. I need to get better at my prose/essay writing. There's simply no excuse for me to struggle as much as I do. So there you go, New Year's resolution #1: As a first step, I'd like to have something available, a short collection, in time for Staple. However, that may not be enough time. I just haven't spent enough time writing, probably more than most, but that's still not enough. I have other New Year's resolutions, but none of them are all that surprising or orginal. I'd like to lose some weight. I'm only slightly overweight for my size, but there's just no excuse to not be in better health. I'd like to spend less money. Proud to say I don't do as much impulse buying as I did a few years ago, but I could still do better. And as always, I'd like to get more comics on the shelf.
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