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The guests have been announced. Click here for all the details. Cape will be on Saturday, May 6th, 2006 as part of this year's Free Comic Book Day. The event is sponsored by Zeus Comics, Hero Realm, PVP, and Fanboy Radio.
This Sunday at 7 PM, it's the Dallas Derby Devils season opener at the Arlington Skatium. It's going to be a fun event--the debut of the newest team The Slaughterers. They'll compete against the Suicide Shifters. Afterwards, the High Seas Hotties battle the Wrecking Crew. Two bands: The Feds and The Addictions (featured on the "Rollergirls" soundtrack) to provide live entertainment.
 Advance tickets are just ten bucks ($12 at the door). It's a PG-13 soiree, but kids 12 and under, if you choose to bring them along, are free. BYOB, but no glass containers. Melissa and I will be there. You should be there too.
An e-mail from my friends The Happy Bullets:
It's that fun time of year again, when we all get to cast our votes to those Dallas bands/labels/artists that we feel deserve a little nod from their fans. The best way to say "good job" is to support the music scene and come see the bands you like. For those of you that would like to go the extra mile and take a break from work/school to vote for your faves then please follow the link below.They've been incredibly supportive of me and my work. I'd appreciate it, if you could take a few minutes to show your support of them. If you don't have their album yet, The Vice and Virtue Ministry, you need to get it! Available on iTunes.
I've been working all week on my essay about Craig Thompson. Unfortunately, due to time and page restrictions, I've had to cut a lot of details. I may go back and re-write the essay after my reading for the Paideia College Society to include the items I omitted. Some of it may be a bit too esoteric for my audience. I have an interesting contrasting analysis of Chris Ware and Craig Thompson.
 I've re-read all his work. I've read every single interview I can find on the internet. Here are some quotes I found most interesting. "There's a bitter cynicism, a nihilist attitude, about Spiegelman and Clowes. I think my generation is a bit sweeter, but the sweetness is not ironic; it's sincere. I just think our attitude toward some things is more optimistic." "I want the line to be alive." "I called drawing 'worshipful,' because it has that sort of reverence to it -- this sounds cheesy, but you become like a vessel, you look without judgment. A profound act of observation and appreciation." "Life is always simultaneously beautiful and horrible, so maybe it's sensible to keep a knowledge of suffering while engaging in some pleasurable activity."
On the Coupland website, it's a quicktime video by D J Weir. Put on some music and watch. (click here)
I didn't believe it either, but it looks like I'm really giving a presentation this Saturday at the Paideia College Society. The proof: click here (pdf). Not that it matters, it's more amusing really, but my topic sticks out like a sore thumb. All the other presentations seem so... academish. And me? I make up words like "academish". This can't be good.
I'm scheduled for 1:45 to 2:15 PM in Room 111B. The papers are being presented in the International Student Center (map of the campus). It's building 22 on the map. If you're in the DFW area, come by and watch me talk about Craig Thompson to the students of Dallas Baptist University. Lovely power point included with lots of Raina art. Oh. Wait. I just thought of something. (pause) This can't be good. No, no, no.
dEUS will be playing at SXSW on Thursday, March 16th, 1 AM, at Spiro's Patio. I currently do not have a badge or a braclet for the event. (I've heard people talk about the braclet. But on the registration section of the website, I couldn't see any information. Does anyone know what the braclet does or how much it costs?) Allegedly, if a venue does not fill to capacity after taking all the badge or braclet folk, they will take money at the door from people like... me? I hope so.
The plan is to wait outside Spiro's and hope for the best. Thursday night is all European bands at this particular venue, with the first guy on stage at 8 PM. I'm planning to get there early. 6 PM? And just camp out. The dEUS management has been very helpful about keeping me in the loop.
Holy crap. This is one cool contest. The grand prize winner gets: a 20-inch iMac, 10 60GB iPods, and a $10,000 iTunes Music Card to jumpstart your digital music collection. In addition, Apple will create a full-ride scholarship in your name to a world-renowned music school.
In the "just for you" section of my iTunes music store, it suggests these songs for me: 1. Tame - The Pixies
On Saturday, February 25th, I'm delivering a paper for the Paideia College Society. At least, I think I am. My friend Kevin Neece invited me to participate and has been very helpful in keeping me in the loop. However, I'm still in disbelief they'd trust me to put together a 30 minute presentation, especially since I'm not a student there. Most of the topics focus on Christian scholarship. Kevin said I could write about anything. It didn't have to be "Christian". Anything? Yes, anything.
I'm writing about Craig Thompson. I'm re-reading his books and going over every interview I can possible find on the internet. Fanboy Radio's interview (episode #103) was particularly helpful. If anyone in the Dallas/Fort Worth area is interested in listening to a 20 minute analytical infomercial on Thompson's work, influences, and impact accompanied with a spiffy power point presentation, and followed by 10 minutes of Q&A, feel free to come. I'll see if I can get Melissa to bake cookies.
A few days ago, I post a link on my blog, on myspace, on Viper--and still my brand new exciting forum is sadly, depressingly vacant. Alas. :) Is anybody out there to say hello?
click here
Some mornings, everything falls into place. Lately, Kennedy's been fussy in the morning. She's been sick with a cough. This morning, she felt better, happier. We pulled out of the driveway. Normally, the left turn onto Park Row from my street is a pain since we live at the bottom of a small hill. Today, the street was wide open. I tuned my radio to 88.7. In the mornings, it's usually hit or miss--but still a better alternative to the crap Clear Channel is churning out. On this particular day, the songs were a perfect morning mix.
Fame - David BowieEvery intersection light was green. It was a smooth drive, a coca-cola, and good weather. Dropped my daughter off at day care. I pulled into the school parking lot without any cars trying to run me into the median. No students stepped in front of my car. I walked to my class, and no students were acting up in the hallroom, just chill. Open the door, and then the bell rings for students to come to class.
Melissa and I had a great Valentine's. As of Monday, we had no plans set. But then, Melissa's mom called us and offered take care of Kennedy so we could do something. Cool. We went to a Chinese buffet in Mansfield. The place was packed, but we were seated in no time. The food there was really good!
Most importantly, it felt like a date. We've been so busy taking care of Kennedy, taking care of our jobs, taking care of the house, and all the other "taking care of" stuff that can occupy a lifetime, it was nice to sit down and talk. Afterwards, we went to Forum Bowl in Grand Prairie. This is the best place to go. It's not super crowded, and reasonably priced. No neon colored pins or flashing strobe lights, just bowling. We bowled three games.
How cool is this? Grand Poobah Jamar Nicholas invited me to join his JNN. Yep, I've got my very own forum now.
http://sweatshoppress.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=22 Come by and say hello. I'll try my best to keep you entertained.
Melissa started an account with Flickr.
The digital SLR she ordered should arrive on Wednesday. I know Melissa's excited about it; expect more photos soon.
Broken Frontier offers an early look at the upcoming Villains series, a great interview with some amazing preview pages. (read it here) If you haven't yet, make sure to pre-order your Viper books. Don't assume your local comic store will carry it. Let them know what you want. We need to get people talking about Viper.
In other Viper news, Middleman 2.1 is in stores now, only 99 cents. In the back, check out the ad for Viper's Free Comic Book Day showcase. It's cool to see "Emily Edison" there. Dead@17: Protectorate #3 (a great story!) features a pin-up by Brock Rizy and one by Tom Kurzanski. My two favorite artists! Tom also has a pin-up in the Middleman Vol.1 trade paperback.
Here are the confirmed dates for the dEUS North America tour. Geez, they finally play in the U.S. and nowhere near Texas! I blame Bush. I would consider a roadtrip to Chicago, if it were during Spring Break. There's simply no way I could make a weekday show during the school year.
If you live anywhere near one of these cities, you need to go for me. You lucky ungrateful friend o' mine... sniff, sniff... no, no, I'm okay. Mar 18 8P -- Troubadour -- Los Angeles, CA Mar 20 8P -- tbc -- San Francisco, CA Mar 22 8P -- Chop Sue -- Seattle, WA Mar 23 8P -- Red Room -- Vancouver, BC Mar 25 8P -- Cabaret Music Hall -- Montreal, QC Mar 26 8P -- Lee's Palace -- Toronto, ON Mar 27 8P -- Shelter -- Detroit, MI Mar 28 8P -- Double Door -- Chicago, IL Mar 30 8P -- Bowery Ballroom -- New York, NY Mar 31 8P -- tbc -- Philadelphia, PA Apr 1 9P -- T.T. the Bear's Place -- Boston, MA Check 'em out on MySpace. **Update** (8:53 PM) Daniel Miller sent me an e-mail. It looks like dEUS is playing SXSW in Austin, which happens to be during my Spring Break. Things are looking up... kinda. Unless I'm mistaken, badges are $525. There's no way I can afford that. And even if I had the money, I couldn't spend it to see one band (dEUS or anyone else). It'd actually be cheaper to fly to New York City and see them there. **Update** (9:36 PM) Oh wait. Flying to New York would be cheaper only if I flew one way. Melissa would probably want me to come home. Nevermind. So, anyone know how I can get into SXSW to see dEUS? :)
I've added some more links. There's too many cool sites. I always forget a few. My apologies to the woefully neglected ones.
Thursday nonsense: Potter Potter Potter (remember the badger song?)
Last night while Kennedy was playing with legos, she started babbling in her own specially designed Kennedy-language. I recorded some of it.
mp3 file
From our friend Aaron Thomas Nelson--
The world's most famous zombie hunter goes back to High School and cleans up an outbreak of zombies at Pomegranate High School in the Oakland suburbs. Dario Carrasco's and Aaron Thomas Nelson's satirical horror comic "Joe Doogan: Zombie Hunter" makes its second appearance in the comic book anthology Digital Webbing Presents #28. In the short story "Clique! Yer Dead!" Joe Doogan goes toe-to-toe with some jock and cheerleader zombies who have overrun the school. "Clique! Yer Dead!" is written by Aaron Thomas Nelson, and illustrated by Dario Carrasco. The comic was inked by TG Sangalang, colored by Rich Hiltbrunner and lettered by Matty Ryan. Other Joe Doogan stories are slated to appear in Just A Buck Comics, and an anthology due out in 2006, which will introduce other members of the International Fellowship of Zombie Hunters. Find out more at Digital Webbing and Panday Studio. Digital Webbing Presents #28 (32 pages, full color cover and interiors, $3.99 US) is solicited in January's PREVIEWS (JAN06 3008) for a March release.
Douglas Coupland's newest novel Jpod is available for pre-order on Amazon. The book is listed to ship on May 16th. Although, advance reading copies have been floating around eBay.
Coupland dispels the rumors: "Since 1992 there have been bizarre and persistent rumors that I collect meteorites, live in Scotland, don't own furniture or art, and live in a house designed by someone named 'Ron Thon.' Huh? The weird thing is, after a decade of being falsely told I collect meteorites, I thought about it and realized, 'that's not actually a bad idea.' So now I really do collect meteorites. But I don't live in Scotland - never did. I own a fair amount of furniture and art (I make the stuff) and the house I live in was designed by Canadian modernist master Ron ThoM. I live in Vancouver, and recommend that others do the same."
(via James Malloy) An amazing speech delivered by Bono at the National Prayer Breakfast about our responsibility to help the poorest of the poor. (read here)
Here it is. Brock and I are close to having everything finished, so we felt like we should share a bit more. Emily Edison will be released as a graphic novel--144 pages in full color with an introduction by Dave Crosland. The book will be in stores this June, published by the fine folks at Viper Comics. Expect information in the April Previews catalog. We'll be promoting Emily Edison at Staple (March 4th), Dallas Comic Con (April 29th-30th) and Cape (May 6th). There will be a preview in Viper's showcase for Free Comic Book Day. Here's a look at the wrap-around cover:
 In the next few months, the website and forum will be available, a fully animated flash site designed by Chad Hawks of Flabbergasp studios and Brock Rizy. The site will have an intro theme by Roy Ivy of the Tah-Dahs! For the moment, we've got this spiffy temp page. I've seen Brock's finished pages. And with full sincerity, I promise this book will be unlike anything you've read. It's an insanely action-packed, fun comic book. Keep checking the website--mine, Brock's, Viper's, Emily's for more updates.
Happy birthday Melissa! To my one, my only, my dearest partner-in-crime, I love you.
Talented, quirky, and innovative comic book artist Seth Fisher died last night (as reported by Newsarama).
Initial word came late last night from JH Williams III, who posted the news on the Barbelith Underground messageboard, writing: "i just received some very saddening news this evening. my friend seth fisher has died. he was a great artist and i had the pleasure of calling him my friend. i also had the pleasure of working with him. he had such a great outlook to life and was always willing to think of things from another perspective. his work is some of most unique i have seen. for those who don't know what seth fisher has done in comics do a search for his name. pick up anything he has done and you will be amazed and delighted forever by his imagination. myself and those who knew him personally will miss him enormously. he always had this way to make you laugh and not to take things too seriously. cheers seth."Comic Foundry interview with Seth Newsarama interview with Zeb Wells and Seth Fisher Colorado College interview: [Math] x [Art] = Inspiration I have a tremendous amount of respect for Seth and his artistic approach. Such a terrible loss, my prayers and condolences to Seth's family and friends. 
Looks like someone hijacked my domain. Damn. I'm working with my provider and host to get this crap straighted out. Sorry for the inconvenience. Hopefully, everything will resolve soon enough. If not, I might need a new domain? I hope not.
Update (2/2, 8:48 AM): I talked with one of my web-guru friends, and he says the website wasn't hijacked--my web host messed something up. I need to work things out with them, and it should be fixed. Update (2/2, 11:06 AM): And we're back? I think so. Crisis averted. However, it did make me think... if I were to get a new domain (which I'm not going to anytime soon), any suggestions? I've been hounding the owner of davidhopkins.com, requesting to purchase it from him. He promises if he ever abandons it, I'll be the first person to know. That'd be cool.
From Wired, a great article about Paul Pope. (read it here)
Pope, a 35-year-old graphic novelist, keeps odd hours, working until after midnight and then typically heading out to a local bar. (He suggested I phone him at 2 am to follow up on an interview.) On this brisk December night at Puck Fair, an Irish pub in lower Manhattan, Pope is attracting not-so-fleeting glances from strangers. They don't know him - the comic-book superstar is rarely recognized outside certain circles. But he has a distinct presence. Maybe it's his fashion-forward style and gritty good looks. People see him and scratch their heads. Isn't he the lead singer of that Brit-pop band? Isn't he the guy in that buzzy new indie flick?
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