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I don't post here anymore.

Go to Http://www.RedMages.net and get caught up!
Web comic that's updated several times a week, and more...

5 Characters Meme

Kalinara gave me the letter J, and here's the rules:

5 Characters Meme
1. Comment on this post.
2. I will give you a letter.
3. Think of 5 fictional characters and post their names and your comments on these characters in your LJ.

1. Joker
I'll go with the easiest one to think of, because for me J was out of left field. Joker, to me, is a fantastic villain when used sporatically. I think he's been used a little too much recently, but I do like the way Morrison has used him. Heath Ledger knocked the character out of the park with his performance.

I think I like Joker best when he is trapped behind the glass wall acting like Hannibal Lector from Silence of the Lambs. He knows why you're there. He's happy to see you. He's wondering what color you are inside, and if you like bats.

I don't like clowns. They freak me out a bit. To quote the older Barbara Gordon from Batman Beyond: "In Gotham, clowns are never funny."

2. Jonah Hex
To be honest, I know very little about Jonah Hex. I have a soft spot for Sergio Lione westerns. Jonah, on the surface at least, reminds me of Blondie (Clint Eastwood) if he wasn't so chipper. The only Hex comic I've actually bought was the recent one with Cooke drawing Hex's adventure in Canada. That was one great issue.

I probably am also pulled to Hex with the subconcious pull from his visual similarity to Two-Face. He's scarred on the face, marking him for all to see and know who he is and stay out of his way. He also has the connections to the whole wierd western theme, which I find fun to think about.

3. Jonny Quest
Jonny Quest was always one of those characters you either love or hate for me. As a kid I would catch bits of random episodes and become fascinated by what I saw. Moments later I wouldn't care a bit and change the channel hoping to find a show I really loved.

I remember they made an updated version of the cartoon, which was fairly well done. They added 3D effects and such, beacuse that was the hip thing to do back then. I don't remember the Indian kid - I think he was replaced with the girl. I remember the names, but it just sounds worse when you say it like that. I'm also probably wrong about that.

As much as I tend to bash on Jonny Quest in the last two paragraphs, I do have to give it credit. Without Jonny Quest there would be no Venture Bros. to really capture my interest. That show is unbelievable.

4. John Henry Irons
That movie was amazing, wasn't it? Shaq is such a great actor and needs more roles. Black Adam, anyone? Kidding, of course. I'm sure he's a great guy in person, but he's no Oscar winner.

Concerning the 'Real' Steel, the one in comics, The most I've honestly read has been in the Justice League comics and a handful of random Superman related issues. It's odd though, because most of the stuff I've read has him working more with Batman than Superman. That work, however, has always been important.

If Batman allows you to work with him, that has to say something about the character's worth and potential. Despite always appearing like a 2nd tier hero he has always displayed significant contribution to whatever end result that saves the day.

5. James Ford
With that I bet most people will scratch their collective heads and wonder "who?" I'll throw out another name. John Locke. Now you're getting a better idea, right?

I may be cheating by using two names for one entry, but those are two of the most interesting characters from Lost in my opinion. James Ford you know as Sawyer, and Locke is, well, Locke. Sawyer is absolutely devoted to self-preservation, changing sides to which ever appears to be best suited for his own interests. John Locke is obsessed with the notion that he is there for a much bigger role to play, a self designated messiah with the island as his throne.

Jack Sheppard is interesting, but is kind of bland to me. Jin is fun to watch as he stumbles about making friends, but I don't know whats going on with him (no spoilers).

Wait-that's four in one entry... Sorry, Kal!

Off next week

There is a distinct possibility I may become nearly finished with art duties on the comic by the end of next week. You see, I'm on call for work next week - I may as well spend it like a normal work week.

In fact, I plan to do just that.

It's getting close to the deadline, and this week was mostly bust. Last few days I've suffered from slight exhaustion (pushing myself too hard?). Yesterday and today especially I've felt sickish and got nothing done. Time to make up for lost time.

Fell asleep today on the couch...

Fell asleep today on the couch after getting home from work. Something about this week, and today especially, left me completely drained. I'm typing this with a sleeping pill in my system, so heads up for any incoherentness. Relax, it's an herbal pill, not medical.

I'm probably getting burnt out working on the comic. Personal deadline is the 20th of this month, because that's the best chance to get it out on the market. Local convention offers good audience.

Issue 1 status: Fully inked, scanned. All pages have color, but only 5 or 6 are actually finished.
15 days left...

Still Alive

Just very busy.

Comic has 4 or 5 pages left to ink, for those keeping count.
Probably won't update till it's available, or at least until I'll take preorders.

Comicing, part 2

I'm through sketching about 11 pages now, though these are very rough pages based on thumbnails. Nothing worth posting yet. Once they all get sketched and i'm happy with the panels I'll seriously pencil with all the needed detail, and then to inking. I had hoped to finish before tonight, but other stuff was a higher priority, and now the comic itself is going back to a low priority for BLET.

Nothing major to report, but hang in there.

On Comicing

Yes, I have decided to go full force into turning my novel into a comic. It's going to be a rough road for a good couple of months, but I'm sitting on rough pencils for the third page out of a set 5 page intro of the first 'issue' and am juggling around the script to the issue as I type this.

I have a general idea how this issue, and the next few will flow. It's just a matter of breaking down the novel's chapters into a nicely presented retake of the adventures.

Again, as I mentioned before, BLET is coming up soon and that will destroy any concept of freetime I may have. I would like to have the first issue in the can and have copies available to buy by May, but that may simply not be possible.

In the meantime - I need to fix my website.

Wish me luck as slowly work my way through this monster...

Updates on Life and Novel

With BLET coming up fast, I've been slowly pulling away from things I do in my free time. First to go was gaming. I'm no longer attached to any local games held on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, or Saturdays (though I rarely came to the Sat games).

I've been trying to lay other ideas I've had in my head to text for "safe keeping" and such. Among these are smaller art projects and story ideas.

The kicker to all of this is the fact that over the last few days I have been giving new thought to my novel (series) and the format of its publication. As some may know, I am an artist first and a writer second, so writing a novel has been troublesome when I have such a visual take on the story.

My novel (series) began as a series of sketched jokes taken from my friends and I over tabletop gaming - and took the form of a comic strip. I continued to redraw the same scenes over and over as the story built and more background was developed until I basically said "screw it" and stopped drawing it. In that way, the novel was born. Text is a lot easier to change than inked art.

Several years later and over 300 pages of single spaced text, I came to the startling realization that the story really would probably work better as a comic. A lot better, actually, the more I think about it. The concepts are a lot better developed now, and I'm talking with other people for help on this if it comes together.

Then again, BLET is coming up and I won't have much, if any, free time to do anything I want. In the next few weeks I'll probably update again on this topic and my progress. I won't know what I can do until BLET actually starts.

Hang in there. This isn't dead. It's been alive for I think almost 10 years with life interfering.

Batman musings

You know what I think would be hilarious?

Retelling All Star Batman and Robin with action figures or dolls.

Been a while...now with comics!

Been a while since I last posted anything. So here's a few random thoughts.

Marvel kills Captain America after throwing good guy against good guy in an attempt to shake of a share of fans, and DC brings back Mr. America. Marvel responds by turning the Hulk red and more zombies covers.

Northlanders was okay. I've been waiting for a Norse/Viking comic for a long time. Thor doesn't count, because my god of thunder and rain doesn't sew dinner plates to his chest. I was excited when I first heard about this comic, but something didn't quite sit well with me after I read the issue. The art is fine, but I think it's the fact that it reads like a modern story (modern cursing included) that just pulls you out of the atmosphere.

Countdown is actually becoming decent now that it isn't mired in all the crossovers it once was. About time DC realized it wasn't working, and it only took them....6 monthes? I really do want Jimmy Olsen to die, and I'm still confused about the rest of the cast.

Arena was interesting, but plese tell me that wasn't our Nightshade from Shadowpact that was disarmed. I liked her as a character in the book, so maybe that's why the book has felt a little off for a while. Interesting abilities and an old school looking costume. It's like they changed outfits to update the characters, but she was one of only 2 or 3 that kept their old outfit (hate Enchantress' current outfit - older one was much better, and Detective Chimp does not need spandex). Figured Red Rain Batman would win since he is, after all, undead. I still don't get Monarch - is he supposed to be written like a mary sue character?

I think Supergirl is finally on the right track. I think that is also a scary thought.

Still Alive

It's been over a month since I last posted anything. Time just slips by, you know? Here's the quick updates:

1) Turned down by the police. Doesn't surprise me, even though I made the first cut. I didn't make the second cut, however, so I'm back to trying to get BLET and the general job search.

2) Comics have been slowly becoming decent it seems.

-The Flash hasn't been nearly as entertaining as I had hoped, and as much as I'm not real fond of Acuna's art he should at least be allowed to finish his story arch. Maybe deadlines were rushed or something, but I don't like style jumps that drastic. Nice jab at Batman.

-Countdown has been pretty crappy since it began, but I honestly feel like the stakes are actually appearing and growing....finally....it's only taken maybe 6 monthes? It's not poorly written, but it hasn't read like it is important. I also don't really care about the characters as much as I felt like the characters in 52 (and I didn't really know the characters in either story very well, so that's not the issue).

-Teen Titans feels like it is just treading on old stories now. And, like with Countdown, I'm sure something important is happeneing, but I don't feel like it is. Maybe the art is too light for the story it's trying to tell or something. It just doesn't have a kick.

- Action's recent Bizarro trilogy has been probably one of the best stories I've read in the DCU in a long time, except for maybe the Sinestro Corps arch in Green Lantern.

- Sinestro Corps has been absolutely solid and the first thing I grab out of my comics to purchase. It has been awesome since it began, until the recent Corps issue. Jumping around with the artists having different styles is a bad idea - and the plot didn't advance much at all. it felt like a classic 'we need to tie all the strings together, and this book isn't as important so we'll use it' script. When the Corps issues are collected together it will probably work if they are seperating the titles for the TPBs, but whatever.

- Conan still is a core title for me and it is absolutely amazing. Best hard fantasy title on the market.

- IDW still is pretty solid with their Transformer title, but I just with they didn't feel the need to mark their books a dollar higher than standard price. Nicer cover, sure, but there's no justification.

3) On my writing front I've slowly grinded back into writing, but due to sheer lack of time I haven't been able to make any real progress on any book. Maybe once some things work out I can give a better update solely on that topic...

Notes on Robin

Ok, I have a pretty strong feeling who this wierd assassin character in Robin right now really is.

Look at the clues.

Body size - though that really doesn't add up to much in comics
Skills
She's wearing a full face mask.
add apparent knowledge from the most recent issue and something just clicks in my mind.

This is Cassandra Cain.

I hate the fact that if this really is her that she is still being used as generic ninjagirl assassin villain. Then again, I may be way off.

Wonder Woman casting possibility.

Katie Holmes as Wonder Woman.

I have two words:

NO THANKS.

It's not that I dislike her, even if I didn't like her in Batman Begins. It's that her acting ability is kind of...I don't know...flat I guess. She doesn't have enough on screen power to pull off a strong role in my mind, and this is the freaking most powerful female in DC we're talking about.

I know I'm being premptive in my ranting and I admit I haven't seen but the one movie with her in it, but this is just bad casting in my mind.

Still alive!

Yes, I'm still alive. I've been sitting back reading other weblogs, but have not really taken the time to update my own. It's been well over a month and a lot has been going on. So much so I'll do what Kalinara does every one and a while and post things as bullet points.

Comics:

• Supergirl may finally be enjoayble for the quality rather than horidity. She is not fat. We are not being punished. Say hello to anatomy.
• Sinestro Corps is very enjoyable, much more so than Countdown is right now. I wish this to be the actual story of Kyle Rayner when it comes to continuity.
• I hope Countdown picks up speed soon.
• I am starting to really dislike Jimmy Olsen.
• I could care less right now about Donna Troy, Kyle Rayner, Jason Todd, and the Atom.
• I think the Atom is just tagging along for the ride, since he's only there to shrink the group.
• Monitors can't monitor every Monitor?
• Guess that's good and bad, since he's the one Monitor actually doing something. Sadly since they can't watch him none of the others can be inspired to leave the recap at the end of Countdown to act as well.
• Where are the rest of the Anti-Monitors?
• I do however get a kick out of the Trickster and Piper storyline. It's the only one I look forward to.
• Grant Morrison writes good Batman.
• Paul Dini writes great Detective.
• Filler writers are no where near either's quality.
• I'm sad that Conan is ending at 50.
• I'm happy it isn't cancelled. (just a name change/reboot)
• I am envious of Kalinara (and Ragnell) for attending Wizards in Chicago. I almost made it but had to pull out.

Life:

• Greatest Story Ever Told is not dead as was previously stated.
• I had a moment of genius, reworked it, and it does finally work.
• I have nearly 5 pages inked. Takes a while, but I feel good about it.
• My novels are sitting at about 140 pages, I think, splashed across 3 books.
• They are on hold, obviously, but will be finished eventually.
• Book 1 is nearly halfway finished.
• I have yet to hear back on job applications.
• I'm starting to shop around again for employment options.
• I'm not sure who to send my resume to when trying to apply for "Batman"

Tick-Tock.

Been thinking about Unbreakable...

So I just finished watching Unbreakable a short while ago. Been a long time since I saw it all the way through, and I still enjoy it. It feels a little long now, but I blame knowing all the twists.

I was thinking...out of all the movies M. Night has made this one deserved more treatment than the others. He really touched on something that has a lot of elements that could be tapped into for a solid series.

I remember reading a long time ago when this movie was going into production and stuff that they were planning on making this a trilogy. It was also right as things were building in hollywood where trilogies were 'in,' so I don't know how likeable the idea would have been to the public.

After watching the movie again, I was thinking about where the series could have gone.

Unbreakable is of course the origin story. Not just the origin of Sentryman or whatever you want to call Bruce Willis' character, but also the origin of his first (and most important) villain.

The second movie, if it were to follow traditional trilogy style, would have had to be about the fall of Sentryman. He would encounter some obstacle he didn't know how to face, even after building his courage as a hero.

I think it's pretty obvious from the first movie and stereotypes the movie plays with that the hero did not grow up reading comics. He has no understanding of comic myth and types, so he would have to have a point of reference to help him undertsand what is going on about him. He would have to keep in contact with Mr. Glass.

Their relationship is not very good after the grand reveal at the end of the movie, which would cause a lot of good tension, and it would be some of the more memorable moments as Willis would make his way to visit him in the insane asylum. I get visions of Batman going to visit Hannibal Lector.

Being about the fall of the hero, there would have to be something in the way to defeat the hero. Batman had Bane, Superman had Doomsday, ect. Since the movie is about real life, and how a hero might be in real life I can only suggest one thing - he is caught and charged as a criminal himself. His face would be everywhere in the media. People would take stands against him for his reckless and unlawful behavior, and others will rise up to defend him for being the hero he was. His wife would find out, their relationship would reach the breaking point, and their son would suffer from their breakage and being singled out in school for who his father is.

In the end he would have to face the end of his career as a hero, in one form or another - the classic comic book 'death' scene. Not literal death, but the metaphorical death.

This of course leads into the Third movie, in which Willis would face different paths he could choose. Ultimately, he would choose to return as a hero. He couldn't return to being the hero he was as it was a secret identity issue, but he could take on the mantle of a hero in some other form. He has his "powers" still, but he would have to win the public trust - this is the path to glory. His rise in fame, and redemption of any percieved injustice he may have produced.

I'm honestly not real sure how the 3rd film would play out, or at least how I would think it could play out. The trilogy never went into planning as far as I know, and I do not think they ever will be made. Still, I am glad M. Night was able to make Unbreakable - it's one of my favorite comic book related movies.

HeroesCon 2007, summery of sorts

Well, I was really fatigued after the con - imagine that. Anyway, I'll post the highlights.

During the DC Nation panel I asked if there was a point to Amazons Attack. I asked bluntly, for two reasons. First of all I couldn't think of a better way to ask, and nerves were a little fuzzy from actually being called on. Second, I thought Didio could dig into the question with his usual snarky replies. It worked, and he continued to point in my direction when talking about possible upcoming titles and explaining how they will be good to read. I wasn't frustrated/angry about being the butt of his banter - I was laughing and smiles the whole time.

Afterwards I came up and explained my take on it, and he acknowledged that the delays with Wonder Woman messed the timing up, and it didn't have nearly the impact it should have had with other big events going on. I then asked if there was a point to the series, asking if there was a worthwhile reward at the end. He said yes, and mentioned a bit about Wonder Girl, but that fits in with what we all now know about the new miniseries with her. I then went fanboy on him and got my photo with him, just like last year.

The next day at the Countdown and Beyond panel I waited till the lightning round Didio does - quick questions and answers near the end of the panel for those who have yet to attend something he hosts. I asked another sharp question - "Where's Azrael?" Didio paused a moment as voices rose up from the crowd and then responded with "He's Dead! He's the one hero who stays dead!" It was another fun moment I thought.

On the final day I had my photo taken with Rosario Dawson, and I can honestly say she is a truely lovely person. I could have been starstruck by her, but she also felt genuinely enthusiastic about being there and among the comic crowd. She was digging into an Unmasked Joker figure while I was chatting with her briefly with my quarter-minute of fame.

I also arrived with 400 NCGA fliers, and all but maybe 30 vanished by the end of the convention. Here's hoping quite a few emails are sent to the guy on the flier...

If anyone has questions about the con, ask me in the comments section - You'll help jog my memory and I can answer them to the best I'm able...

Heroes Con 2007

This weekend I'll be at Heores Con down in Charlotte, NC!

Afterwards I'll post a write up summerizing the more interesting parts, or as the case may be, what I happen to remember over the weekend.

If anyone out there is going, and perchance wants to hunt me down, I can be found with the Klingons there, as well as wondering around the floor. Saturday I'll be wearing my grey NC Gamers Alliance shirt - it has dice on it and stuff. Good luck finding me...

Oh - and just so you know, don't do anything stupid - the Klingons like me better than you.

^_^

Kalinara Interview/meme

1. If you could see/make one superhero settle briefly in your hometown who would it be?

Easy, and unexpected answer I think: RoboCop. I just want to see him partolling downtown and around the city limits. And of all the heroes I know, he's the most realistic and most reasuring to those that see him.

2. What comics figure would you least trust to take care of goldfish?

Aquaman, because he would talk to the fish. The fish would then see the world is much bigger, and thus grow to fit its new world. We'd have to call the JLA then, and Aquaman would be too busy to clean his mess up being king of the ocean. Batman would show up and punch the fish though, so I guess it isn't such a big problem. Still, it could all be avoided by keeping Aquaman away from goldfish.

3. Alfred or Jarvis?

Jarvis would be fun as a butler, but you'd never get your hat back from him. Alfred gives better advice anyway. Wait...the Mad Hatter is Jervis Tetch, right? Answer stays the same I guess - Alfred wins. He's immune to Batman's punches and kicks.

4. Robots or Aliens?

Klaatu barada nikto, baby.

5. If you could make one change to the bat titles, what would it be?

Make Paul Dini the sole writerof all Batman related titles, and make it impossible to become fatigued and impossible to rehash old stories as long as they unoriginal.

Thanks Kali!

Countdown issues

Is it just me, or does it feel like the writers of Countdown are not communicating with the other writing teams?

Personally, I find it annoying that the monitors are showing up everywhere with conflicting agendas. Maybe that's on purpose, but it isn't very smooth in any case. Nevermind the obviously inconsistancies with Black Adam.

Personally I would have taken him off the radar for several years, only to make a brief appearance during this new crisis - and then only after his upcoming miniseries. I mean, come on, I would have saved the return of his powerword to be the surprise twist ending of the mini. Here we are, spoiled as a silly plot device. I think it would have been better to bring out Eclipse, rather than have Mary joyride with Black Adam's lightning...

With 52 universes to watch over, the Monitors seem to be overly concerned with this earth. Why are they so worried about this Earth? Is Earth1 the hotspot for the multiverse's spring break and we need additional law enforcement or something?

Still, I can't be totally annoyed with DC over Countdown. I'm just annoyed that they seem to be in perpetual balance over what is good and bad. They let promising titles slide indo mediocrity, while the titles we like to laugh about actually gain promise - and the cycle repeats usually.

Justice League is actually decent now that it is crossing over with an already great title (Justice Society). 52 gave way to Countdown and lacks power, even with the awesome Dini driving it. Donner's Superman has practically vanished, while all-star batman is actually seen a new issue appear. Simone is moving from Birds of Prey to Wonder Woman, to bring that title out of a horrible slump - and hopefully BoP won't fall in quality...

At least I'm happy to say I'm through with Marvel. Only one thing could have tempted me back, but after hearing that DC maybe starting a norse comic I feel safe in saying Thor will not bring me back.

Norse Gods should not wear dinner plates as armor, nor should they be well groomed.

Something to note about the new Hulk movie

First of all, as many who know me would know, I loved the Hulk movie directed by Ang Lee. I have no clue how accurate it is to the comics, but I love the way the movie plays out the character drama.

As many people on the internet would know by now I'm sure, there is a new Hulk movie in the works with Edward Norton and Liv Tyler. I fear for this movie, firstly, because the director is the same guy who directed The Transporter. I didn't particularly care for this movie, but it did have style. Before people get too hyped, however, know that he also directed Dead or Alive.

Behold, Dead or Alive:


Also: Poor Devon Aoki. She just can't seem to break out of being typecasted.