Just wishing a healthy new year to all. Big butterfly kisses to you and yours -- especially to all the moms you guys have given Book of Fate and Identity Crisis to. Still startles me.
And in this new year, try something you're scared of. For me, it was admittedly the head shave. Terrified me. But mattered so much to leap off the plank.
Much leaping to you.
Been very quiet lately. It's not because of vacation. Hunkering down here and trying hard to finish a draft of the new novel. Still a ways to go, but chugging along. More news for sure soon.
Also, just spoke to people from DC and Marvel about news plans, upcoming books, gossip, etc -- comics will have a great next year. Some truly cool things are on their way.
Also finally saw No Country for Old Men. The Coens are back. Boy, I missed them.
Just swelling with some pent up love and thanks for you all. I get mushy this time of year. I'm soft. I'm okay with it. And this morning, I got an email from a younger writer friend who's still trying to break into the novel world. His first novel is being rejected in lots of places. Just like mine. But he's still starting the next one. I can't tell you how much I hope you do the same in your own life. Never never never never let anyone tell you no. It's the only reason I'm so lucky to sit here today typing this instead of still scooping ice cream. So dream big. And love what you love. And thanks for checking in.
Also, early present: got this image from the Italian publisher of an Alan Moore tribute book I contributed to.
Gabriele Dell'Otto did it over Dave Gibbons's pencils.
You can see the credits of the book here: (all profits donated/to be donated to AIMA, Italian Alzheimer org. Just a print run of 1,000 copies for the Italian market.)
And something about the Dell'Otto illo creation here:
I promise, this is true: for a moment about two weeks ago, I told my wife I wanted to buy the Magna Carta. Now, let's not let the fact that I couldn't possibly come up with the expected $30 million for it get in the way of a good story. So I even mention this thought to my wife. She tells me I'm a schmuck. But let's examine: you know, just KNOW this thing is gonna go up in value. This isn't comic art. It's the MAGNA CARTA!
And now, I see how right I was. Note to self: next time, buy Magna Carta.
Magna Carta sells for $21.3M in New York
From Tahoo NewsNEW YORK - A 710-year-old copy of the declaration of human rights known as the Magna Carta — the version that became part of English law — was auctioned Tuesday for $21.3 million, a Sotheby's spokeswoman said.
The document, which had been expected to draw bids of $30 million or higher, was bought by David Rubenstein of The Carlyle Group, a private equity firm, the spokeswoman said.
Been waiting for so long to reveal this. I still think the cover to issue 7 is my favorite piece of art Ed did, and now, you get to own it for yourself. I begged them to do this. Of course, I wanted the whole team too, but the financials and tiny details are so hard. Anyway, I think it's a knockout and next to my Dark Knight statue (the first one, duh) and a Charlie Brown one, will be the only one I'll put in my office.
JLA BUILD-A-SCENE STATUE: PART 1
Based on the art of Ed Benes
Sculpted by Alterton Bizarre(click on image to enlarge)
Ed Benes' legendary image from the cover of JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #7 stands tall as it becomes a multi-part statue! Sold in three parts, each features two of the world's greatest superheroes and includes a piece of a bonus Red Tornado figure. (To fully assemble Red Tornado, all three Build-a-Scene statues are needed.) All of the pieces slide together to make a complete cover scene in striking 3-D!
- The first part of the statue includes Batman, Wonder Woman, and the base and tornado portion of Red Tornado.
- Part two will include Superman, Black Canary, and the torso of Red Tornado.
- Part three will include Green Lantern, The Flash, and the head and cape of Red Tornado.
The JLA BUILD-A-SCENE STATUE is a limited-edition, hand-painted, cold-cast porcelain statue measuring approximately 8" tall x 14" wide x 10" deep when fully assembled. (Each piece measures approximately 8" tall x 5" wide x 5" deep, except for Red Tornado, which measures approximately 10.375" tall x 8.5" wide x 5.5" deep.) It includes a certificate of authenticity and is packaged in a 4-color box. This limited edition statue is manufactured to order.
Advance-solicited; on sale August 13, 2007 * Statue * $150 US
Minor assembly is required.
When the war started, I got an email from a soldier on a submarine saying how small their library was there and how much he liked reading The First Counsel. I love that guy. Within a month, we'd gotten a bunch of publishers to donate 40,000 thrillers to the troops (not just mine...we got everyone). The USO helped distribute and fun for all.
All these years later, people aren't nearly sending what they used to. So please take a look at this. Plus, we love Whitney and trust her with anything.
Shipping culture across the globe
via Pop Candy by Whitney Matheson on 12/12/07I believe no one should be deprived of comics -- when I'm having a rough day, a good book almost always puts a smile on my face.
The non-profit group Heroes4Heroes also appreciates the power of pop culture, and they send comics and other goodies to the troops overseas. Visitors to their website can donate money, send them items, submit a soldier's address and learn more about the organization. The main page includes video from a recent live-art fundraising event, where artists drew amazing portraits of Captain America and other superheroes.
Cheers to the Dallas-based group for "keeping our soldiers culturally tuned in." Next time you head to the comic-book shop, consider picking up two issues of Angel instead of one.
Saw the movie Juno last night and just was won over by it. For fifteen minutes, you worry it's a Wes Anderson or Heathers or something-else rip off, but no need to worry at all. It's so darn fun and good. Plus, anything the studios send me free to screen I automatically love even more (that's my psych disclaimer). Plus, Michael Cera and Jason Bateman? Was Arrested Development the best show after Freaks & Geeks? Yes, Santa, yes it was.
And on that theme, the voice of KITT for the new Knight Rider movie? Will Arnett. I hate when they market to our geek love. And I hate it even more when it works.
Dinner with Gene Ha was a like a rock and roll tour bus, but without all the blow and women and well, everything. But we had corn bread! Anyway, love the guy -- and loved every waiter and waitress who stopped at the table as I was oogling his art.
Otherwise, much love to this blog post from (postmodernbarney):
Thursday, December 06, 2007
What Nerds Need To Remember"Made lots of money" is not the same thing as "was good."
"I liked it more than X" is not the same thing as "it was better than X."
"They" don't owe "the fans" anything.
"The fans" did not save it.
"The people who only like it now that it's popular" are not inferior to "the longterm fans."
"Enjoyable" is not the same as "good."
The creators are not beholden to your "personal canon" or fan-fiction.
"They" are not out to personally ruin your enjoyment.
Someone who likes it for a different reason than you do is not wrong.
Someone who doesn't like it is not wrong.
Saw a great documentary last night -- Sharkwater, which was done by Rob Stewart. I never thought I'd hug a shark, but you have to love this kid's passion. Plus, there's a great interview moment with one of the renegades of the environmental movement. He's talking about how most people don't care what happens in the world. Most people don't want to make a change. Then he looks right at the camera and says, But you only need a few.
Ohh, I feel like I'm in college again discussing theories of the universe. Anyway, trailer is here
Also, after 25 comics pages, and two covers together, tonight I finally get to meet Gene Ha face-to-face. This is the benefit of living where there's warm weather: people come down to get away from the cold. And go to comic conventions.
Now to figure out if there's more work we can do together...
I am so obsessed with this story...it just keeps getting better.
Sons of 'Dead' British Man Lash Out at Parents
Thursday , December 06, 2007Panama City — The sons of "back-from-the-dead" canoeist John Darwin have declared they are the victims of a scam after their mother admitted knowing her husband was alive.
Anthony and Mark Darwin have now turned their backs on their parents.
In a joint statement the sons said: "Having seen the recent media speculation surrounding our parents ever since our dad was arrested, we are very much in an angry and confused state of mind.
"If the papers' allegations of a confession from our mom are true then we very much feel that we have been the victims in a large scam.
"How could our mom continue to let us believe our dad had died when he was very much alive?
"We have not spoken to either of our parents since our dad's arrest and at this present time we want no further contact with them."
Anne Darwin is said to have come clean after a picture was discovered showing the couple in Panama in 2006 - three years after he was declared dead.
"My sons will never forgive me. They knew nothing," the 55-year-old told reporters. "They thought John was dead. Now they are going to hate me."
John Darwin's father Ronnie, 90, was shocked at the news.
"I can't believe his wife lived down the road from me and said nothing if she knew he was alive," he said.
Anne Darwin, who moved to Panama just weeks ago, also admitted cashing in a life insurance policy - but says she got the money in good faith.
And she is now preparing to return to England to face questioning by detectives after Sky sources revealed the couple were involved in a "plot."
John Darwin disappeared in 2002 in a suspected North Sea canoeing accident.
The 57-year-old appeared as if out of the blue on Saturday, when he walked into a London police station and announced: "I think I am a missing person."
He has since been arrested on suspicion of fraud and has been passed fit to be questioned by Cleveland police.
When I was in Disney a few weeks back, I saw this and almost fell over. Sad part is, they used one of our jokes: What's the mountain's brother's name? Cliff.
Now the bastards own it forever. There goes the toy line and the Macy's parade balloon I envisioned.
Disney lawyers enstupidize ride with dumb legal disclaimer
Posted by Cory Doctorow, November 20, 2007 10:13 AM | permalinkLouis sez, "The Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor in Walt Disney World lets you text in jokes to be used in the ride, a comedy club where CGI characters voiced and choreographed by castmembers backstage do standup and interact with the audience. Disney's lawyers shoehorned this lengthy, decidedly Un-Magic disclaimer into all the signage in the ride, letting you know that Mike Wyzowski, Monsters Inc and, now, your jokes are owned by Disney. Now go have fun, kids!" Link (Thanks, Louis!)
Just got the proofs for the JLA hardcover of Lightning Saga. It's just packed with comics -- not just the JSA crossover, but issue 11 with Gene Ha, 12 with Benes and Wight, and issue 0 with everyone. Plus Patton Oswalt doing the intro. And the interesting part is the cover. This weekend, I saw two comics on the main octagons in Barnes & Noble: Dark Tower and Shooting War. Comics are competing for that mainstream eye. So expect a Mr. Alex Ross making a great appearance.
And for those who aren't watching, the next step in the story is taking place in Action Comics right now with Geoff writing. Superman and the Legion of Superheroes. Just check it out. Worth every penny.
