MISCELLANY

Karma Incorporated pin-up (below) by Cal Slayton. Make sure to visit Cal's blog, and check out the super cool Spookytown art.


New headshot of me, taken by Carissa Byers, for the La Reunion website:
photo 1 | photo 2

This Friday, I'm going to The Door in Dallas. My friend Heather Daniel released a new CD. Congrats Heather. We were friends in high school, and I think she may have been one of the few, rare, precious fans of my ill-fated band Cosmo Monkhaus -- and a spiffy person in general.

Then on Saturday, I'm going to Lee Harvey's to see The Happy Bullets (1807 Gould Street, Dallas TX 75215, music from 8:30 PM to 12 AM). It's going to be their last show for awhile, as they are about to start work on recording a new album.

DIET COKE

Plans for the weekend: Tonight, I'm celebrating my birthday at St. Pete's Dancing Marlin, live art show. Tomorrow, it's Free Comic Book Day. I'll be at Zeus Comics all day for CAPE. Then on Sunday, I'm going to the Big Gay Brunch at Ciudad.

Right now, I'm at home working on a new script, listening to Danger Doom's The Mouse and the Mask. I won't allow myself to leave the office until I get to page twenty. (I'm on page eight.) Kinda hungry. Still drinking Diet Coke.

BRADLEY BOYS ADVENTURE MAGAZINE

Free Comic Book Day is next Friday. For those fortunate souls living in the Dallas/Fort Worth area, Stumblebum Studios will be selling THE BRADLEY BOYS ADVENTURE MAGAZINE at various local stores. The anthology hosts a great selection of talent -- Katie Cook, A.C. Hall, Aaron Wilson, Chris Medellin, Dave DeGrand, Dave Sherrill, Dana Place, Sam Milligan, Paul Milligan, and me. All new stories for the growing world of pulp hero Dash Bradley!


Click here to purchase Mars 1938 and Round Two, which feature earlier Dash adventures. Remember Tank Girl, Rocketeer, and the Crow? These indie comic book characters seemingly came out of nowhere and became huge hits. You need to pick up Dash Bradley before the major motion picture.

Speaking of pulp action heroes, I love this new web comic RIP HAYWIRE from Viper Comics.

ARE YOU TOUGH ENOUGH?

That's my wife. Roller derby advocate and honored spokesperson for tough women everywhere.

If you haven't been to a bout this season, you need to go. Check the schedule and plan ahead. FYI: The Deathrow Rumblers, Melissa's team isn't playing in May.

Also, my 30th birthday is next Tuesday, May 1st. We're celebrating this wonderful occasion on Friday, May 4th at St. Pete's Dancing Marlin in Deep Ellum (2730 Commerce Street). 9 PM. Why St. Pete's, you ask? It's *also* CAPE's Live Art Show. See? Aren't I horribly efficient?

DJ Aki. Art by David Mack, Jim Mahfood, Dave Crosland, Kristian Donaldson, James O'Barr, Lea Hernandez, Joelle Jones... I couldn't think of a cooler event. And all proceeds go to benefit Child's Play and the Children's Medical Center. Come for the art. Wish me a happy birthday, then stay for the art. You'll love it.

FANBOY TV AND LA REUNION

My interview with Fanboy TV is available here, plus a lovely round of sub or flub.

Me, Neeki Bey, and Catherine Cuellar at a recent La Reunion gathering. Photo by Sarah Jane.


The same shirt as I wore for Fanboy TV. This must be my I-think-I-look-good-in-this-shirt shirt. Or I just don't have much in my closet.

DEATHROW VS SLAUGHTERERS

Tonight, Melissa's team THE DEATHROW RUMBLERS faces off against THE SLAUGHTERERS. It should be one helluva game. Tickets are $15 at the door.

PRETTY BABY

Monday, and I can already tell it's going to be a busy week. I've got a meeting or teacher workshop to attend every night, except for Friday.

Fortunately during Spring Break, I got a lot of writing done. I also indulged in some good literature -- Marjane Satrapi's Chicken with Plums, On Writing by Stephen King, Lost Girls by Alan Moore and Melinda Gebbie, and I'm currently listening to the audiobook for Neil Gaiman's American Gods. Enjoying it greatly while driving in the car. Makes me want to cruise randomly around the neighborhood to burn through those fifteen cassettes. Of course, I could get a tape player and listen to it in the living room. I'll do that after I finish this post.


My other recreational indulgence over Spring Break was the Pretty Baby exhibit at the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth. Probably the best exhibit I've seen at the Modern. If you live in the area, you need to go, and if you don't... well, that's just sad. I'm planning to go again before it all ends on June 24. For writing Bolivar (chapter one is finished), which deals with many similar themes, Pretty Baby was a revelation. Highlights included this sculpture by Yoshitomo Nara and the work of Makiko Kudo and Loretta Lux.

UPDATES:

La Reunion Workshop isn't too far away. I still have a lot of work to do. If you haven't signed up, by all means, sign up! Even if you don't consider yourself a comic book writer, this workshop is going to be a lot of fun. Plus, an after party at the impressive Belmont Hotel? You can't miss it.

Brock Rizy has an original Emily Edison pencil and ink drawing available on eBay (click here). Someone outbid me. The proceeds go to benefit Dave Sherrill who really did almost die.

Two days ago, Paul Milligan showed me the pencil layouts for our story. It's part of a Dash Bradley Stumblebum Studios anthology -- available locally on Free Comic Book Day. The pencils look great. I'm glad I got to work with Paul on this one.

Speaking of artists I want to work with, I sent Stephen Buell a one-page script for his Populus Ink webcomic. He liked it. And I'm rather fond of it too.

MCCLOUD AT ZEUS

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.

WHO CARES ABOUT PROUST, WHEN YOU'VE GOT YARIS

To promote their new Yaris 2007, Toyota is touring across the country sponsoring community art events. Brock Rizy, Kristian Donaldson, and I are doing a live art show at the Avenue Arts Venue next Friday (August 25th) as part of this tour.

There will be a live DJ and free food catered by the Meridian Room. Here's the details and location: www.yarisworks.com/events.php?id=33


If you are able to make it, that would be awesome. Tell others, post it on your respective blogs, MySpace, forums, etc. Thanks!

YARIS WORKS

Coming Friday, August 25th, a live art show hosted by Toyota -- featuring me, Brock Rizy, and Kristian Donaldson. More information coming soon. (CLICK HERE)

MELISSA ON THE RIGHT

Heidi MacDonald posted about Cape on her super cool blog. It's particularly amusing because there's a photo of Melissa and Aimee in their roller derby gear. In the report, Heidi was a bit skeptical of the numbers (6,000 in attendance) based on the photos. Although, I'd say that's a safe estimate since it was steady come-and-go traffic from 10 AM to 6 PM.

Also, if someone has Heidi's e-mail address (I don't), can you let her know she doesn't have Viper Comics listed on her publishers links? We need some love from The Beat.

Luke posted this amusing and slightly melancoly comic strip about Free Comic Book Day. Geek Like Me by Mark Hay and Aaron Wilson -- highly recommend this comic. I sympathize with Dylan. I wish Cape didn't detract from local events at other area stores, because I love all the DFW retailers. I've spent money in every single comic shop with 100 miles of my house... uh, you can decide for yourself if that's something to be proud of. At the same time, I'm happy for the success Zeus Comics has had. They've gone above and beyond the call of duty (and rational thought) in supporting my own work. I greatly appreciate it. Not to say other stores haven't, they have, but... you get the idea.

CAPE RECAP, NEW WEBSITE

I have survived Cape, and it was awesome. I'm still a little buzzed from the past two weekends of both Dallas Comic Con and Cape with Free Comic Book Day. Christian Beranek, Jeff Elden and Justin Stewart came in from out of state to stay at our house for the weekend, which was a lot of fun. Jim Lujan made the trip from California, and crashed with the Hinzes.

On Friday, we had a cook-out at the lovely Bower residence. Greg and Marcie were very hospitable. Afterwards, a few of us went to the Caves Lounge for a few drinks.

Saturday morning started early, and off to Dallas. Cape was well organized, and a pretty easy set up. Under a tent, at our table, Brock and I handed out copies of Viper Comics Presents with the five page Emily Edison sneak peek. I sold a few copies of Man from Krypton (now available). Brock did some sketches. I got an Andy Lee painting of Emily Edison. I'll scan and post it soon. It rained later in the day, and I scrambled to protect my stuff since we were close to the tent's opening. If anything, the rain made for a more memorable experience -- a nice friendly vibe. Got a cool mini-comic preview of Ian Shaughnessy's Shannigans. Stumblebum Studio's Mars 1938. Jeff Elden's The Middle Child Do Better. Jim Lujan's Paraphernalia, featuring one page I wrote: Exile from Stepford. (Geez, I need another blog post just to talk about all this stuff. I haven't even mentioned Devil's Panties and Death Comes to Dillinger... okay, now I have.) The biggest challenge of the day was organizing a massive group dinner at the ever-so popular Chuy's on a Saturday night. Clay and Lori Harrison got there early to reserve our spot. Final count: over 20 people! From Chuy's, it was walking distance to the Metro Bar for the live art show. Highlight of my weekend. Mostly because of Brock. I feel very proud, obsessively so, of the artists I work with. Seeing him in control of his craft, up there doing his art, to hear people gush over how good it is. Well? Makes me feel fortunate to work with him. I'm a fan. I can't help it.

Sunday. Slept in. Then Scott and Britta took us to lunch at Razzoo's in downtown Fort Worth. A nice final meal together before everyone went their separate ways. Also Christian and I signed a contract (more about that later). After dropping Christian off at the airport, listened to Fanboy Radio's 300th episode, the Fannie Awards (more about that later).

Ninety-Five Design

I've hired Dai Balawejder and Ninety-Five Design to build my new website for Antihero. Yep, a new website. I chose them because they do great work. Plus Dai likes comics and she's much cooler than I am. With all my new projects and Emily Edison coming soon, I figured the time was right. Hopefully move to the "next level". That sounds contrived, but I want to get more people reading my work. If a little bit of online marketing helps, score.

I also want to improve my blog. I don't know if it's been all that interesting lately. I'd like to do something more like what Wes does with his blog. Marlena also has a good blog. I want to do more than simple updates, more of a "daily column" approach. I'm still working it out. I'm open to anyone's suggestions and ideas.

THE MOST UNCOOLEST POST

Between Thursday and Friday, I went from SXSW in Austin to All-Con in Dallas. This drive was more than simple geography. It marked the greatest pressure shift ever from the obscenely hip to the shamelessly geeked-out. At SXSW, everyone is a rock star, even the ugly people are pretty. At All-Con, intelligent people capable of curing cancer have invested their efforts into Star Wars and Lord of the Rings trivia.


We choose our friends and enemies based around a subculture of shared interests. Your likes and dislikes are more than a matter of taste. Personal taste and style now represents a life statement, a guiding philosophy.

SXSW and All-Con exist as the ying and yang of personal taste. What is profound? What is superficial? I have no idea.

AMERICAN SPLENDOR

Today, I had the privilege to speak with Harvey Pekar. Scott, Oliver, and I interviewed him for Fanboy Radio Episode #258, the September Indie Show. This episode will air on Wednesday. It came as a last minute opportunity, as I was desperately searching for a third guest and figured "what the hell?" Lo and behold, I found his number and gave him a call. Not only that, we had a great interview with two of the most talented people in alternative comics-- Jessica Abel and Matt Madden. Definitely, a do-not-miss hour of Fanboy Radio.

Also, congratulations to Javi for Lost's Emmy win. I was very happy to see you so happy on that stage. Awesome!

And finally, check out Derek Ash's review of Karma Incorporated #2 (click here). He gave it a rating of 3.5 of 5. The first issue got a 2.5. So... I'm thinking for the next issue... a 4.5? I certainly appreciate anyone who takes the time to read our work and offer thoughtful review.

By the way, audio commentary for issue two coming soon.

CAPE AND STUFF

Yesterday was Cape!, sponsored by Zeus Comics, Hero Realm, and PvP. It was a great success. We had a steady crowd in attendance from 10 AM until 6 PM. Everyone seemed to have a good time. I was able to sell a few comics and talk about Karma Incorporated.

Random thoughts:

* It was cool to meet Robert Kirkman. I got my Invincible trade signed. It's the best superhero series on the shelves right now.

* Kazu Kibuishi and Jake Parker are both very nice and talented individuals.

* Lea Hernandez was handing out self-made buttons, which stated: "I'm hurting comics".

* I apologize for all the name-dropping. I can't help it. I go to meet people. I meet them, and I blog about it here. What else am I going to write about? Sitting at my booth? More name-dropping ahead...

* Said "hi" to Roberto Aquirre-Sacasa, the current writer for Marvel Knights 4. I told him I really didn't like issue one of his series, but after I read more I thought it was actually quite good. Hopefully, I didn't come across like an asshole saying that. He's one of those writers I'd love to sit down with and just pick his brain.

* I thought I was almost completely sold out of my mini-comic, but the night before I found a hidden stash of about twenty-five copies. I sold quite a few the next day. Pretty soon I'll be on my third printing.

* The dynamic duo Rhody and Lisa were in attendance. I always enjoy talking with them. It just doesn't feel like a Con without them.

* Luke Hawkins brought his camera to shoot some footage for a film he's putting together, which I'm co-producing. I'll post some more details about this later, but it's going to be cool-- and hopefully ready for either Dallas Comicon in the Fall or Wizard World Texas.

* This one guy asked if I do sketches. I told him I'm a writer, and while I could do a sketch, it wouldn't be very pretty. He said he wanted one anyways. Okay, what do you want? A zombie. Sure. And so, I drew a zombie for him.

* Jessie Garza wins the "my-publisher-is-cooler-than-your-publisher" award. He went to Kinko's early, early that morning to pick up last minute postcards, which he made to help us promote Karma Incorporated. Thank you so much!

* I got an early copy of Oddly Normal #2 and Random Encounter #2. Both look amazing. Also, there's a full page ad for Karma Incorporated in the upcoming Oddly Normal.

* Brock showed up in time for afternoon pizza (thanks Richard!) and stayed for the remainder of the event. I enjoyed sharing the table with him. This, in addition to the 24 hour comic, we've had some quality writer-artist bonding time! He did some sketches for a few of the attendees-- a zombie, Emily Edison, Robin, Wonder Woman, and a character from another project he's working on. Brock also contributed a beautiful Emily Edison sketch for the Cape! raffle.

* Fanboy Radio was present throughout, acting as a defacto fourth sponsor of the event. Scott did a great job as MC-- conducting hourly live interviews and frequent raffle drawings. Scott and Britta brought their cute puppy... Gizmo. Cute. Cute. Cute.

* The wind was the only problem with event. We were in a huge tent,which was kinda cool, but there was strong breeze throughout most of the day. Comics and fliers were being blown everywhere.

* My Free Comic Book Day stash consists of: The Adventures of Paul (D&Q), Roninhood of the Samurai (Beckett), Funny Book (Fantagraphics), Superior Showcase (AdHouse), Johnny Raygun (Jetpack Press), Owly Splashin' Around (Top Shelf), and Flight (Image)

* Hero Camp #1 (Greg Thompson and Robbie Rodriguez) will be in stores May 18th. Make sure to get a copy.

* My table was right next to the Luna Brothers. While we didn't talk much during the day, I had a chance to sit with them during party at Sons of Hermann afterwards. Really nice guys.

* And on the other side of my table was Benjamin and Marlena Hall. Ben was doing sketches and selling copies of his new art book.

* At the after party, I ate way too many buffalo wings and carrot sticks.

* Robert Kirkman's cell phone is a modern technological marvel. It does video. Quality video! And it's an mp3 player.

* Didn't stay too long at the party. I was tired. And honestly, I always feel a little out of place at these things.

* I posted new photos on my 12 fluid ounces page.

HOW LOCAL ARE YOU?

STAPLE was great. I knew it was going to be good, but it was actually even better than I anticipated. Here are some pics from the event.


This year's STAPLE was held at the Elks Lodge in Austin. While it may be a little small for next year (maybe not), it was a perfect location-- unique.


And they had a pool! This is the view from the front window of the exhibitor's area.


The front entrance of the Elks Lodge. I love that stone brick.


My table. Everything sold really well, especially the mini-comic.


With Mr. Staplehead, Chris Nicholas


Setting up for the event


By the afternoon, everyone had woken up and arrived.


While I'm not the most photogenic person, I certainly love having my picture taken. It's true. I need to work on my at-the-booth pose.


Viper. Big thank you to Jessie for driving us down to Austin! Enjoyed spending the day with Josh, Jessie, and of course Caitlin.


It just doesn't feel like a con without Kyle and Lisa. You guys rock! :)


Scott Hinze, sporting the hoodie


During a panel on webcomics

A NEW LOOK FOR ANTIHERO AND OTHER UPDATES

This past week, I re-designed the website. The content is basically the same, but I thought a new look was in order. Antihero Comics, i.e. my work as a comic book writer, is entering into a new stage.

When I began to focus on my writing, I spent much of my time learning the craft, studying the pros, reading some helpful books, and basically searching for a clue. A year and a half later (after 300+ pages of script), some of my material is ready for mass consumption-- to be independently produced and sold. The "new look" signifies an increased set of expectations for myself. I want to improve as a writer and get people interested in my stories.

This weekend is Wizard World TX. I will be volunteering a good ten hours at the ACTOR booth. It will nice to hang out, meet with some cool artists and writers, and possibly snag a t-shirt. ACTOR is a good and necessary organization for comic book professionals. If you are at the convention, stop by to say "hi".
FRIDAY 4 pm - 7 pm
SATURDAY 10 am - 2 pm
SUNDAY 11 am - 2 pm

An upcoming episode of Fanboy Radio will feature a roundtable discussion with my friends Roxanne Bielskis, creator of *Poverty*, and Jeff Elden and Matt Leong of Exit 126. Our conversation will focus on the "do-it-yourself" approach to independent comics. I will be the guest co-host for this episode.

Speaking of Fanboy Radio, Scott Hinze opened an online store. I'm one of the featured t-shirts. And yes, I really did start a Comic Book Club when I was younger. Ask my friend Wim. We even created an annual awards event to recognize our favorite books.

The antihero cafepress store is still in existence. However, I will be making changes to it. I would like to partner with a particular local clothing company to create and sell cool antihero t-shirts. No use in doing it, unless it's done well.

On January 3rd, Dallas Comic Con will present a Fan Appreciation Day. Admission is free. So if you live in the DFW area, you won't want to blow this one off. Antihero Comics will have a booth at the event. More information soon.

On a personal note, Melissa finished her first trimester of the pregnancy. Our baby is due around May 29th. We're so incredibly excited; words fall short. In a few months, we'll know if it's a boy or a girl. We have a few names in mind, but we're keeping it hush-hush until the birth.

Other good news, Melissa and I will be buying a house. Yep, we're heading the way of home ownership. We received our loan approval letter and have a realtor. Now we're looking around.

Lastly and (possibly) most important of all, Melissa got me a really cool jacket.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!