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I need to mention Aaron Thomas Nelson has a fascinating graphic interpretation of his poem "Lesser Men Rule Over the Middle Lands." Illustrated by Alberto Pessoa (click here).
Also, I started reading my first right-to-left manga. Case Closed by Gosho Aoyama. So far, I'm really enjoying it. Leaving Friday for Austin. I'll be at the Austin Books pre-Staple party that evening. Thank you Rob for letting me crash at your house. And then Saturday, it's Staple. They've posted the exhibit hall layout (click here). Brock and I are at table #8 next to Viper.
Yesterday, I finished an article, which I wrote for this particular magazine. It will be featured in their May issue. The editor said he liked my piece, thought I was good writer, and invited me to contribute more. Not a bad gig. This whole freelance thing may be worth pursuing.
Do you hear that comic book industry?! Start ordering and buying my comics, or I'm dumping you to be a freelance magazine writer guy. Whatever-the-hell they call you people. Don't think I won't hurt you.
Diana sent me some character designs. I know she's a good artist, but... dang. You have no idea. I wish I could post the sketches, but it's too early to start teasing. Bolivar's a big project, and it's gonna take awhile.
Time to post some links.
The official website for Douglas Coupland's movie Everything's Gone Green has been updated, including a list of showings in North America. The US Premiere is at SXSW. Hmmm... will Coupland be there? Unfortunately, I'll have to sit this one out. Last year, I got into the dEUS show without a badge. It might be infinitely more difficult to sneak into a premiere at SXSW. Even if he was there, I'd rather meet Coupland at a book signing anyways. Speaking of, Douglas Coupland posted the cover to his next novel, The Gum Thief. Unfortunately, it features (as you might imagine) a big fat wad of pink chewing gum. Melissa's not going to want that anywhere near her. The novel is set to release Fall 2007. Here's a great Publisher's Weekly interview with Aimee Friedman and Christine Norrie about their graphic novel Breaking Up, published by Graphix. I highly recommend this book. New York Comic Con is this weekend. Congrats to Tim Leong for being named the official NYCC video podcaster. Here's his winning entry. Notice the brief "me" cameo at the Eisner Awards. The CAPE 3 site is now online (click here). Looks great. Kudos to master designer Chris. The Triple-J Web Comic Line-Up Monday belongs to Jeff Elden: The Middle Child Thursday belongs to Jim Lujan: The Dog Hostage Friday belongs to Justin Stewart: Popped Culture Check out Cal Slayton's Space Tank.
Speeding Bullet Comics posted their top sellers for 2006. Emily Edison is #3 on the list! (click here) Take that Frank Miller and Scott Pilgrim! In your face, Kirkman and all your zombies! Norman Oklahoma loves us more than they love you. Our killer book signing didn't hurt. However, that was just one day. You guys had all year to catch up. Emily triumphs.
Is it possible for a news anchor to do a story about comics without referencing Superman? Apparentally not, even when the subject is mini-comics. (click here) All the same, it's a story about one of my favorite comic book stores. The pop gods of middle America: Astrokitty (on MySpace).
Unrelated: J.K. Rowling talks about finishing the Harry Potter series (click here).
Watched Little Miss Sunshine. Stephanie Zacharek from Salon.com sums it up best: "Little Miss Sunshine isn't the kind of movie you want to beat up on. It's sweet-tempered at its core, and even when it's trying too hard to reinforce its own quirks, the charms of its actors filter through effortlessly." Admittedly, I'm a sucker for these bittersweet family satires. It's a genre I easily enjoy
I need to write more.
You choo-choo-choose me? Happy V-Day everyone, a day later. Yesterday was quite busy. I had two meetings in Dallas. Can't give any details right now, but good stuff. Afterwards, I met Melissa and Kennedy at the skating ring.
The La Reunion Workshop was mentioned in Johanna Draper Carlson's popular blog Comics Worth Reading. (click here)
Bookmark this site: CORAL CITY AERONAUTS. It's a new webcomic by Ryan Cody, and colored by Marlena Hall.
Ivy writes about last night's signing at Zeus in the McCloud travel blog. We had a great time. Melissa and Kennedy were able to be there also, so it was nice having the whole family. Dinner was great. I always get a little anxious when we have a crowded restaurant and a large party to be seated, but no problem there. Talked with Sky about Veronica Mars and the curse of reality television. I shared with Scott Kurtz and Mark Walters my idea for a hit new reality show, "Skydiving with the Stars" -- statistically speaking, if the series aired long enough, one of the episodes would be very interesting. Other topics: Movie soundtracks, playing "We Are The Champions" at my funeral... just because, trailers, pop music equivalency in comics, carpal tunnel syndrome, and the Cintiq. Apparently, Kurtz has a biographer who follows him around everywhere. Some reporter guy.
 Lost track of time, but not as badly as Kristian did. He thought it was 9 PM. It was 11. Afterwards, I drove down to Exclesior for the art show. I knew I was going to be late, but not as late as I was. Sorry. Everything was wrapping up by the time I got there. Brock had been there too. He did a few pieces, and I missed him. I did hang out for a bit with Paul, Aaron, Dana, Chris, and the two owners of Exclesior, which was fun. Although, as a general rule, alcoholic beverages should be kept far, far away from the store owners.
Scott McCloud will be at Zeus this Saturday from 5 PM to 7 PM, signing copies of his latest book Making Comics. Then, next Monday at 6 PM, McCloud will be giving a lecture at the University of Texas Arlington in Nedderman Hall. Map.
I'll be there at both events. If you're able to come, please do. Also on Saturday at 8 PM (you can go straight from the McCloud signing), make sure to visit the Excelsior Comic Gallery for a live art show, presented by my friends at Stumblebum Studios.  I've been busy planning La Reunion Workshop: Scriptwriting for Graphic Novels. It's an all day event, and to my knowledge there haven't been opportunities such as this -- not directly associated with a comic book convention. Thank you Paul Milligan for designing the logo and promotional art. Tonight, I'm putting together sponsorship packets for DFW-area comic book retailers. We've confirmed our morning and afternoon group leaders -- thanks to Lisa Taylor. And Sarah Jane is organizing our evening event. Luke Hawkins is filming it. You'll be able to pre-order a DVD of the La Reunion Workshop. All in all, pretty frickin' cool.
We went to the mall last night. Kennedy and I were looking for Melissa's birthday present. (It's tomorrow.)
All this month, my Pop Syndicate column will feature a series of interviews with artists attending Austin's Independent Media Expo, STAPLE! Appropriately titled, the STAPLE! Interviews. As a result, my column will post twice a week, every Tuesday and Thursday. Read the first interview with cartoonist David DeGrand.
I've added a new short story to this site: "Siren Song." A father searches for his daughter on the beach. Out from the ocean comes the sound of her voice crying for help. Click here to read all six pages. Illustrated by ZeeS. Originally featured in Arcana's Dark Horrors Anthology.
 For some reason, I have David Bowie's song "Life On Mars?" stuck in my head.
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