JLA Insanity

Yes, issue 5 is out. But the real news?

This is why I love being a comic fan.

Starro cookies!

Happy new year to all!

Love,

B

Meltzer Loves Rocky Balboa

I loved the first Rocky. I loved Rocky II. I even loved Rocky III. (Mr. T AND Hulk Hogan? And Apollo trains him? And Eye of the Tiger? And a superhero ending with a fight that never was? I'm IN!).

And yes, Rockys IV and V were piles of crap on the levels of Superman III and IV.

But the new Rocky VI? Rocky Balboa? It. Is. Amazing.

I said it, I'm not afraid to say it, and I'm not even couching it with, "It's good for a Rocky movie."

It's a great movie. Stallone (I still barely believe I type these words) is writing from a personal place here. He's not writing about Rocky. He's writing about himself. About anyone getting older, and worrying that they peaked, and terrified they'll never see success come again. Plus, I'm a sap for father/son stuff.

So there. Rather than be all high and mighty and tell you how wonderful some art house is, I'm siding with what's actually good. Rocky Balboa. No joke.

I can't wear your colors, Apollo.

B

Happy Whatever You Celebrate

Happy Holidays to all here -- especially those of you who are part of the true family we've built here. This year wouldn't have been possible without you (and if you're reading this here, I mean you. Yes, you), and I hope you know how lucky Cori and I feel to have you in our lives. Some of you I know for a long time now. And it really does matter. It always has.

Communities are way underrated, and coming here every day to see you, or a comment, or a news story, or even those who sent me http://www.blacksheep-themovie.com/, all of it makes a difference. Yes, I get to write the stories. But you're the ones whose feedback I listen to most. Again, always have, always will.

So have a happy and healthy and safe new year.

Sending lots of love your way.

Brad

Mini Me

Nothing more needs to be said. I love this so so much in such a sad way. Thanks to Andrew aka Lt. Commander Gancsos who built them -- especially the headless and multi-colored robots. My hero.



(click on the image to view it at full size)

And don't forget, another issue of JLA comes out in a week -- that's 2 this month. Ed and the crew killed themselves for it. Plus, we'll put the real cover to issue 5 up soon. Amazo? Please...

B

Holiday Crap Worth Buying

Whether we like it or not, 'tis the season to buy crap for people. So, in the name of good cheer, here's something that I think is actually cool to give people -- and you won't see these in the mall or at Abercrombie or on that guy you hate who bothers you and smells like white-out.

And I don't say it for the self-promotion. The JLA shirts don't even have my name anywhere on them. I say it because ALL the profits go to The Hero Initiative (formerly "ACTOR").

We don't make a dollar -- but your favorite older creators get the funds instead. And that's cool by me. And that's how we really support the industry.

So go to: www.cafepress.com/bradmeltzer and shop away.

Btw, Paul Dini helped design the front-and-back Zatanna one.

Enjoy.

Brad

Audio Me

Scott Brick has been my "voice" for the past four novels. He's the guy you hear when you buy the audio versions. It's an odd thing, hearing someone else do you. I never felt the first two people we had sounded very me (imagine the ego to think that). But Scott just...it's right. Like seeing someone else do an imitation of you that just nails you so perfectly, flaws and all.

Regardless, just found out that The Book of Fate got an Earphones Award. The Award is all Scott. So let's clap-clap-clap for him. And a bag of Milano cookies for him as well.

Listen. He's cool. And makes me sound tough.

B