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Goodbye year of the Dog. Hello Pig.
It's been a good year, if not a little chaotic at times. Yesterday may have offered the perfect metaphor. The tornado siren sounded, so Melissa, Kennedy, and I squeezed into the hallway closet. It's a tiny closet. There we were among the coats, illuminated by the light of our cell phones. I was happy to have us all together, hiding from the natural disaster that never hit. This "best of" blog post is a tradition of sorts. Previous years: 2004 | 2005 Memorable events for 2006: * Melissa's surprise party. * dEUS at SXSW. Met Tom Barman. * Book Tour for Emily Edison. * Taking Kennedy to the kiddie water park. * Lizz goes to the Emergency Room. * San Diego. Brock, Tom, Jim, me, and a bottle of rum. * Melissa's first roller derby bout. * Kennedy opening her Christmas presents Favorite comic books in 2006: * Buddha (softcover) vols.1-4 * Scott Pilgrim and the Infinite Sadness * Wasteland * Flight, vol. 3 * Next Wave: Agents of H.A.T.E. * Fun Home * Sunset City Favorite TV Shows in 2006: * Lost * Dead Wood * Heroes * Studio 60 * The Office * Rollergirls on A&E Favorite movies I watched in 2006: * Brick * Thank You for Smoking * Brokeback Mountain * Marie Antoinette * The Squid and the Whale * Thumbsucker * In the Realms of the Unreal Favorite food for 2006: * Pineapple Chicken Curry from Bangkok City. I may have to retire this category. Favorite music for 2006: * Salim Nourallah, Beautiful Noise * Pulp, Different Class * Astor Piazzolla, The Lausanne Concert * Gnarls Barkley, St. Elsewhere * Paper Jones, Paper Jones It's late. I've got some actual writing to do before I can go to sleep.
Emily Edison is #6 on The Oklahoman's list of top graphic novels for 2006. A list which also includes Fun Home, Pride of Baghdad, Gray Horses, Iron West, Scott Pilgrim, and American Born Chinese.
Writer David Hopkins ("Karma Incorporated") and artist Brock Rizy create a sugar-rush, Saturday-morning cartoon of a graphic novel. Emily Edison is a teen superhero whose mom and dad have divorced. But unlike many children of divorced parents, visiting her mom means traveling to her mother's alien dimension. Her grandfather decides the best way to get Emily full time is to destroy the Earth -- and it's up to Emily to stop him. http://www.newsok.com/article/2991766/
Our crazy next-door neighbor, the one who leaves her trash on the curb unbagged several days before the trash man comes, the one who has a mammoth oak rosary eight feet tall hanging in her living room, the one with crazy white hair and a thick Jersey accent (sorry NJ) who has occupied that house since the late '50s, she rang our doorbell last night at 2:58 AM. Melissa (10 PM), Kennedy (8 PM), and I (12 midnight) had been asleep for some time. Apparently, she had locked herself out of her house. What are you going to do? She's nice enough in her own way, a little abrassive (rang the doorbell four times in half a minute), but certainly apologetic about the late night visit. Called her friend who had a key, and then left.
This makes me very happy. Rian Johnson, writer and director of Brick, has made the script and novella available online (all in pdf format). Such a wonderful movie. I'm always looking for an excuse to watch it.
An introduction The shooting script, annotated with footnotes The original novella, including new illustrations  "No dice, soldier."
Nunzio DeFilippis and Christina Weir have been helping with my ASTRONAUT DAD script. Their mentorship has made a difference. It's been great getting feedback from such a talented writing team. Yesterday, I received a lengthy e-mail with detailed notes on ASTRONAUT DAD. I couldn't ask for a better situation.
Writers are all so anxious. However, there's merit to learning from those who can teach. Most artists can't instinctively learn things like perspective and anatomy just by drawing objects over and over again. They need some sort of instruction. Likewise, writers need to learn a craft, beyond typing words on a screen. (Some stand by the myth of the self-made untrained artist, but most of them are on the easy road to mediocrity.) I have several hundred pages of unpublished and unread material. I'm simply trying to do my best work.
My last post was the 666th one for this blog, on the day before Christmas, featuring a large "golden calf" (a baby giraffe is called a "calf"). Oops. Ironically, I'm also in the middle of reading From Hell by Alan Moore and Eddie Campbell. However, the most disturbing event: For the Christmas Eve Candle Light Service, we used glo-sticks instead of candles. That must be some sort of abomination, yes? My apologies to Baby Jesus.
In other less blasphemous news, here's my convention schedule for 2007. I'll be at Staple (March 3rd in Austin, TX), Dallas Comic Con "Fan Day" (March 17th-18th in Dallas, TX), Cape (May 5th in Dallas, TX), MoCCA (June 23rd-24th in New York City), and Wizard World Texas (November 16th-18th in Arlington, TX). I'd like to plan another book tour through Norman, Oklahoma and Lawrence, Kansas to St. Louis, Missouri. But I should probably wait until I have some new books out. Via ComicSpace, I found this project "The Wings of Juano Dioz" (sample page) by Stacey Garratt and Nikki Cook. Check out Nikki's site for more artwork. Looks very interesting.
Interesting facts about Dallas (click here). I realize it has nothing to do with Christmas Eve, but I've been busy writing today. I found this while doing some research, so I thought I'd share.
Move over Chuck Norris. Apparently, I'm a badass. (click here for the proof)
My Pop Syndicate column for this week is: The Cover Price, Part One of Two This is the time of year, when our President tells the American people to keep shopping in order to help boost our economy. Yep, going to the mall is patriotic. All the while, every year, people sink deeper and deeper into debt, because they spend beyond their means.Congratulations to Alison Bechdel. Her amazing graphic novel FUN HOME was selected by Time Magazine as the top BOOK of the year. (read more) Trying to get a copy of Antigone? Check out Silent Devil's online store. Other titles include: In My Lifetime, Empty Chamber, Death Comes to Dillinger, The Last Sin of Mark Grimm, The Devil's Panties, Dracula vs. Capone, Dracula vs. King Arthur, Furious Fist of the Drunken Monkey, Runes of Ragnan, Lil' Hellions Day at the Zoo, Super Frat Rush Week Collection, Amerikan Freak, and Jim Reaper.
I dropped Kennedy off at daycare, and spent most of the morning writing and doing laundry. It's the most relaxed I've been in a long time. Feels good to be writing. I scripted a lovely scene for Karma Incorporated: Vice & Virtue between Marsha and an old friend. It's a lot of exposition, but I'm happy with how I handled it.
Also, I've been working on that writer's workshop for April, putting together a proposal. I'm betting I can get some Dallas-area colleges to promote the event, maybe offer a student discount? Lots of ideas are floating around. I haven't written this week's Pop Syndicate column yet. I'll work on it this afternoon, and have it post tomorrow morning.
As part of our Antihero Christmas, it's December 20th, which marks the annual posting of O Holy Night (trainwreck version).
Bring the whole family, sit around the computer, and listen to this tender song about the night of Christ's birth. Share the song with others, friend or foe. The result will be the same. Also, streaming live on Fanboy Radio at 1 PM Central Standard Day... return of the Indie Show. It's back. The monthly show which I proudly produce and host with Scott Hinze; we spotlight the best in independent and small press comic book creators. Past episodes are available in the Fanboy Radio archives.  And finally, some more good news: my friend Roxanne Bielskis has a weekly comic strip posted on the Torontoist blog. It's featured every Tuesday. Check it out.
According to the Diamond Shipping List, Arcana's Dark Horrors Graphic Novel should be available in stores this Wednesday. ZeeS and I have a short story in that anthology. If you get a chance, pick it up and let me know what you think.
 Almost a year ago, my wife Melissa started training for the Dallas Derby Devils flat track roller derby league. The try-outs were going on, and this was something she really wanted to do. After months of practicing every single day, she and her friend Aimee were picked to join the Death Row Rumblers. By the way, that's Melissa's official derby photo. Derby name: Blue Monday. Doesn't she look awesome? (photo by Carley Blackman) Melissa's been supporting my work as a comic book writer, but she's never had much opportunity to pursue her own interests and goals. And it gets even more difficult when you become a mother and everyone expects you to live the next 18+ years vicariously through the accomplishments of your child. (Regrettably, an obligation they don't seem to place on fathers. I get a pat on the back for simply being here.) With derby, I'm happy to cheer her on. To hold up the sign, and be Melissa's fan and supporter. I'd rather be married to someone who is their own person, than be with someone solely defined by her role to other's. I count myself fortunate: It's hard to find women more fiercely independent than rollergirls. I'm proud of Melissa. She's worked harder than most to get where she is. At 5 feet tall, she's not physically imposing, which may be to her benefit. Deceptively tough and persistent. During her first bout in November, Melissa was stuck behind a wall of three large blockers from the opposing team. No teammates to help her. With a burst of clever manuveuring, she passed them -- sending those blockers to the ground. I jumped out of my seat, along with everyone else there. SIDE NOTE: The league, her team, and individual players (such as Blue Monday) are always looking for sponsors and fundraising events. Record stores, tattoo parlors, comic book retailers, bars, clubs, restaurants, and clothing stores are all welcome. The Derby Devils will take good care of you. The 2007 season starts in March. I'll be at every bout. And for all our friends who said they'd be there? I'm expecting you to be there.
Kennedy has been taking one massive afternoon nap. I don't know what to do. Should I wake her up? I mean, I'm bored. If she was awake, we could play or something.
In other randomness: Congratulations to Warren Ellis: novelist. An interesting article (via The Beat): The 10 most dangerous play things of all time.
Hey everyone. FYI: Daniel Miller has "content issues". I don't know what that means, but it sounds funny. Actually, he refreshed his site to be more seasonal. The bunny is kinda cool. (check it out)
Yesterday, I confirmed with Richard at Zeus. We're doing a signing on March 7th to celebrate the release of Webslinger from the Smart Pop Book Series. Cool link: Kitchen Dog Theater Also, I've been talking with Sarah Jane Semrad. Nothing is official, but we might organize a writer's workshop event for April. Can't really talk about specifics. However, you can be sure it's going to be different. Stay posted. Announcement coming in January. Finally, even though the whole series has already been plotted for quite some time, I started scripting chapter two of Karma Incorporated: Vice & Virtue. It's been awhile. I wrote the chapter one almost immediately after the original series came out. Felt good coming back to these characters. I've grown rather fond of them. *sigh* If you only knew...
Highlight of the day: Brent Schoonover sent me character designs for the cast of ASTRONAUT DAD. The 1st trade paperback (of a two volume series) will be available Fall 2007.
   My Pop Syndicate column Beneath the Underdog posts every Thursday morning. Today's column: Internet Killed the Comic Book Star. Speaking of, I'm now on ComicSpace.
MISCELLANY:
* Apparently, ComicSpace has been busy lately. If you haven't been there yet, it's essentially a streamlined MySpace with a focus on the comic book community. When I signed up, I mistyped my e-mail address, reversing two of the letters. Now, I can't get the activation e-mail. I sent a help request, but it might be awhile before I'm set up. I'd like to keep my "davidhopkins" username. Help me Josh. * Some great photos of the Art Conspiracy by Allison V. Smith. * I've been following Kazu Kibuishi's progress on Amulet (with a scheduled release for Spring 2008 from Scholastic). Here's an interesting blog entry on the demands of creating a graphic novel: The Slowest Typewriter. "I've already drawn well over 300 pages (penciled, some inked) to produce a book that will be about 200 pages in length, and I'm about to draw at least 70 more. One thing that I am realizing is that I am not naturally a good writer. I have to work hard at it. But I do know good writing when I see it, so I just have to keep throwing stuff at the wall and hope I see something that sticks."* Last night, I watched a fascinating documentary In The Realms of the Unreal: The Mystery of Henry Darger. Henry Darger is a disturbing and uncomfortably appealing individual -- a reclusive writer who left behind an unpublished 15,143 page fantasy manuscript. Looking at his Wikipedia entry you can't help but laugh at lines like this: "It was in this year that he wrote The History of My Life, a book that spends 206 pages detailing his early life before veering off into 4,672 pages of fiction about a huge twister called Sweetie Pie." His mental state is disputed, but undeniably, he was a writer. So I feel a bit of sympathy for his obsessive need to tell a story. The documentary is sympathetic too, and offers excerpts of the more exciting moments in Darger's narrative with dramatic readings from Larry Pine and Dakota Fanning. Personally, I'd like to look at the boring parts, the space filler and redundancies. That's where we'd get the best insight into his writing disorder.  I decided to take the Political Compass test. I wasn't too surprised with the results. I am, for the most part, a left-leaning Libertarian and a fairly moderate one. Here's my chart. I share the same section as Gandhi, the Dalai Lama, and Nelson Mandela. Hmmmm. I don't view Conservatives as The Enemy. I've voted for Republicans, and I've voted for Democrats. However, I am especially uneasy about most Authoritarian ideals. Anarchy is alluring. Anarchism is not. I'm tricky like that -- and easily manipulated by good ideas.Oh, who am I kidding? Let's all go set fire to the local Starbucks. It'll be fun.
I received the pdf file for Webslinger to proofread. It's always cool to see a book in its near completed form. My essay is farther back (pages 189-204) than with Man from Krypton. But admittedly, there are some really good Spider-Man essays. Webslinger should be available March 1, 2007. You can pre-order it on Amazon. My essay analyzes Spider-Man's secret identity as a guilt-driven psychosis. It's fairly thorough and leads all the way up to discuss Civil War #2.
 I can't remember if I announced this or not, but I am working on another Smart Pop Book. Next one's for Wonder Woman.
A new Emily Edison review from Guy LeCharles Gonzalez at Comic Book Commentary:
"The back cover blurb bills the story as 'the ultimate interdimensional custody battle', and it's pretty spot on as more than half of the story is comprised of extended fight scenes. Emily battling the badbots, her half-sister, the monstrous Stefah'nee, and finally, her grandfather himself. David Hopkins (who wrote the similarly off-kilter Karma, Incorporated) does a solid job of balancing the fighting with some character development, doing a particularly good job of grounding Emily's character as a believable teenage girl with believable teenage issues. Kudos also go to artist Brock Rizy for depicting Emily as a normal-looking girl, freckles and all. His distinctive overall style won't appeal to everyone, but it gives this story a unique look and feel that lives up to Viper's reputation for signature, quirky publications." Read the entire review.I'm rather proud of the off-kilter label. I try. Sleep deprivation plays a huge factor. Guy LeCharles Gonzalez also mentions our recent nomination to YALSA's inaugural Great Graphic Novels for Teens list. Here's a complete list of those titles nominated.
THE BILL MANTLO PROJECT, click here.
It wasn't the first comic book I ever read (I started off on some G.I. Joe's purchased at 7-11, and various comics found on the floorboard of my friend's family van), but my parents bought me Cloak & Dagger: Predator & Prey while we were staying with my grandparents one summer. I was completely engrossed with these tormented outcasts, sworn to project the helpless against the worst possible scum, the dark religious imagery, the hunger for light. Cloak and Dagger was intense. It blew my little adolescent mind. And I kid you not, as soon as I was finished, Mom and Dad gave me the Cloak & Dagger limited series, all four issues. Once I was finished, the big haul: all eleven issues of the first Cloak & Daggger series.  All written by Bill Mantlo. His Cloak and Dagger stories were amazing. I re-read them a few months ago, and after all this time, they still hold up. Unfortunately, the editorial staff mismanaged the Cloak and Dagger property after Mantlo. They strayed from the point. They partnered the children of light and darkness with Dr. Strange in Strange Tales (Mantlo wrote the only first seven issues), and the stories moved from hard crime to mystical battles against demons and magical forces. Even worse, the Mutant Misadventures of Cloak & Dagger series recast Tandy and Tyrone as being mutants. Any passing association the X-Men might sell more books. Later, Cloak and Dagger joined the Marvel Knights team where their power changed, so that they didn't need each other to co-exist. This utter dependency was the whole dramatic tension, and the characters lost any remaining pathos as a result.Lately with my blog posts, there's been a theme of what's inspired me and what would I love to write. If given the opportunity, any choice of characters, I could write a damn fine Cloak and Dagger series. Not because I'm some Cloak and Dagger geek, seriously, I've moved past that. Instead, I'm a true admirer of Bill Mantlo's work, and I would love to honor him with a fitting continuation of this series. No, I'm not campaigning, even though it certainly sounds like that. Let's just say the proposal is ready should Marvel ever want to hear it. A few months ago, I thought about getting in touch with Mantlo and writing him a thank you letter. However, I had no clue where he was now or what he was doing. After a bit of googled investigation, I discovered some tragic news (wikipedia) "In 1992, Mantlo was struck by a car while rollerblading. He suffered severe head trauma and spent over a year in a coma. He has since been institutionalized and is not expected to fully recover." Fortunately, Bill has the caring support of his brother Mike. Also, writer/illustrator David Yurkovich has started THE BILL MANTLO PROJECT, a 72-page, magazine-size book planned for a late spring 2007 release. All proceeds from the book are being donated to help ensure Bill Mantlo's daily needs can be met. Melissa and I will be supporting this project and the fund.
THE LAST BABYSITTER, my project with artist Cal Slayton, a story about robots taking over the world. Caroline Parker tries to reunite the neighborhood kids with their estranged parents, admist the chaos of the fall of civilization. Bummer. Because you know, nothing says "all-ages comic book" like the apocalypse.
No official word on the publisher or release date, but here's the first five pages. Expect the remaining seventy five pages sometime much later.     
My Pop Syndicate column Beneath the Underdog posts every Thursday morning. Today's column: Joining a Fan Club. The title is a lame reference to one of my favorite Jellyfish songs.
"As a kid, I was a joiner. Always starting one club after another, I had a bike club, a tree climbing club, a G.I. Joe club, an X-Men fight club. (We used to pretend we were X-Men characters and beat each other up. The club ended abruptly one day, when Wolverine kicked me in the head.) In high school, there was never a moment where I wasn't in a band or doing something with the literature club we started. Yeah, I was in the literature club. Big surprise? I was the editor of our 'zine, the Ten-Six. Joined the environmentalist club, because of a girl. In college, I joined the NAACP. That joiner mentality is still hard wired into me. I simply like being part of something." read moreI'm starting a graphic novel discussion group through Pop Syndicate. Every month, a new book.
I've sworn off writing about Christmas until the 20th. It's ridiculous to get "in the Christmas spirit" weeks or even months in advance. I only need five days, thank you very much. As part of my annual holiday tradition, I'll post the mp3 for that lovable train-wreck version of "O Holy Night" on December 20th. Be ready. Bring the family. Sit around the computer. Turn the volume up, and enjoy.
And yes, while it is only the first full week of December, I couldn't resist sharing this photo. Cleary, my daughter's a huge fan of Santa.  At The Engine, in the Creator's Conference, there's an interesting thread (click here) started by the venerable Matt Fraction: "So the other day instead of writing i had very important stacking and arranging to do in my office. You know how i do. And so on the shelf nearest to me (well, not nearest-nearest, as that's full of lincoln and civil war books, but nevermind) I figured I'd put the books most responsible for me wanting to make comics. Not necessarily my favorite books, or the only books I loved, but the books that, for whatever reason, made me ache to make the goddamn things."It was fun looking through everyone's list of books, and seeing what got them excited about comics. Here's my list: STRANGERS IN PARADISE, Terry Moore. There's something about Terry's enthusiasm for these characters and for this story that is infectious. Spend only a few minutes talking with him, and you can't help being inspired to do great things. I don't care how cheesy this sounds -- I really look up to him. THE ROCKETEER, Dave Stevens. Such a cool concept with unlimited potential. The Rocketeer's the kind of pulp action hero I would love to write. It's a shame all we've got is the Eclipse graphic novel and the Disney film. Dave, come back. ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN VOL. 1 HARDCOVER, Brian Bendis & Mark Bagley. When I first read volume one, it made me excited about comics all over again. I was completely hypnotized by the story. BERLIN, Jason Lutes. Probably the most intelligent and literarily dense comic book that I've ever read. The issues only ship once a year, but well worth it. Lutes' writing continually reassures me I haven't even scratched the surface of what's possible with a comic book story. DAISY KUTTER, Kazu Kibuishi. Pretty cowgirl with a huge rifle fights robots. What's not to love? A New West Tank Girl without the lewd posturing. File this under the category of "geez-I-wish-I-had-something-to-do-with-this". No, it's all Kazu, and we're all better off for it.
YALSA NOMINATES EMILY EDISON: This year the Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA), part of the American Library Association, has created a new committee dedicated to produce a list of great graphic novels for teenagers. Emily Edison has been nominated to that list. Click here.
 OTHER NEWS: This past weekend, Melissa and I participated in the 2nd annual Art Conspiracy. The event brings together Dallas artists and musicians to raise money for a chosen benefit. This year, all proceeds went to La Reunion, an artist residency program. The Art Conspiracy was a smashing success with 1,100 guests this year and around $12,000 raised. Thank you to Sarah Jane Semrad and the rest of the event co-ordinators for their hard work. Look for photos and video (?) to be available on the site soon. KRISTIAN DONALDSON interviewed by Wizard Magazine Online. Click here. After I put my daughter in bed, read her a story, and say good night, I go to my office only a few steps from her room, sit in front of the Mac and start writing. Usually, I write for a few hours before Melissa gets home from work. After she goes to bed, I write for awhile longer. This has been my routine. Every night, I try my best to put words on the damn screen. Some of it gets deleted. Some of it is saved for another day. Other things I write actually get printed and published, and occasionally, people read it. I try to encourage my Creative Writing students by saying: To be a writer, all it requires is that you write. Too simplistic to be encouraging, isn't it? Analogous to suggesting anyone who puts a band-aid on a cut is a doctor, or anyone who cooks is a chef. On the other hand, I'd hate to entertain that true requirement rests with a college degree and a paycheck. A doctor doesn't always heal, the chef spits in the food, and some nights, I just rock back and forth in my swivel chair staring at a glowing screen. Nothing happens. And I'm feeling beat down when I surrender for the night. A Tom Waits kind of sour mood. When I write stories, I'm a mix of contradictions. I don't write to be validated, and yet I'm continually posturing for someone to care about what's there. Woefully transparent and a complete liar. Egotistical and self-loathing. Bitter and hopeful. Rum and coke. A bottle of Advil. A stack of spiral notebooks filled with unreadable ramblings, character notes, and half-finished plot ideas. Being fascinated with the craft. Trying to forget everything I've learned. It's the midnight disease. It's the 3 AM disease. Sometimes it's laying down for the night and then getting back up five minutes later, because I know I won't remember in the morning those thoughts I'm having at night. The continual search for finding my voice as a writer. Being comfortable with the process. Making myself uncomfortable with the process. Nit-picking and careless. I just want to tell good stories. No, I'm not ashamed of my enthusiasm.  Admittedly, the whole what-is-a-writer quandary is such a contrived topic, reserved for people who use words like "quandary". So how about I get to the point? A plea Melissa's been making since the day I met her. I usually counter with: Stories aren't about points. Lines or circles, maybe, but no points. I'm pointless. Even still... Welcome to my website. On this site, I've included 121 pages worth of previews available in the published work and other projects sections. These previews include never-before-seen excerpts from The Last Babysitter (illustrated by Shades of Blue artist Cal Slayton) and the nonfiction graphic novel Jack Ruby. All the scripts for everything I've published are available in pdf format. The site also hints at what's to come, such as a writing collaboration with Detective Boogaloo creator Jamar Nicholas and a two volume graphic novel series called Astronaut Dad -- with some gorgeous character designs. The links section has a ton of recommended sites, all worth checking out. I've added more photos to my scrapbook. As propaganda, I've posted excerpts from my reviews, and every interview I've done here. It's the proverbial report card posted on the refrigerator door. A big thank you goes to comic book and graffiti artist ZeeS. He did artwork for this website, and it looks great. To celebrate the new site and to entice you to actually post comments (talk to me!), I'm giving away some comics: two signed copies of Emily Edison, eight signed copies of Antigone, and one San Diego exclusive "Red Cover" edition of Karma Incorporated #1, signed by all three creators. Here's what you need to do. Post a comment to this blog entry, include an e-mail address or website where I can contact you. Eleven winners will be selected randomly. I'll get Melissa to pick numbers out from the total number of posts. All comics will be mailed in time for Christmas. I update my blog fairly regularly, once a day. Check out my forum. Thanks for visiting. 2007 is going to be an interesting year.
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