COMIXOLOGY, ART CON, MISCELLANY

Brent and I were interviewed on Comixology's podcast. The link also includes some brand new preview pages of ASTRONAUT DAD. Comixology is a great website, lots of useful content and a clean design. I may be biased. They also made our book the featured item of the week.

Art Conspiracy was this past weekend. April and I went to Deep Ellum on Saturday afternoon to work on my art piece (shown below, photo by Sarah Jane Semrad). I'm happy with how it came together as a straightforward presentation of my work as a writer.


I was unable to make the actual event on Sunday night, but I received a voice message from Wim during my auction. I don't know what artist etiquette is... do I tell you how much it went for? I will say it sold for much more than I thought it would. All for charity, which is cool. Check out photos from the event on Sarah Jane's Flickr account, the event | the installation.

Other stuff: Jim Mahfood has a new blog. Also, Kazu Kibuishi's Amulet is now available in bookstores. I purchased my copy, and it exceeded all expectations. (And my expectations were ridiculously high!) This graphic novel might be the best thing I've read all year. Amulet has the scope of Jeff Smith's Bone with the imagination of Hayao Miyazaki. But in the end, it is uniquely Kazu.

INTERVIEW ON FANBOY VIDEO

ASTRONAUT DAD, VOL.1 is available in comic book stores today. Go pick up your copy. Here's an interview Brent and I did for Fanboy Video --

Also, the infamous sword fight from Wizard World Texas, click here and see me get my ass kicked. Quote: "Next time, we're using guns."

KLEIN PRINT

Oh happy day. I just purchased a Christmas gift for myself. A clear faux pas, but who hasn't done it? I couldn't resist. Todd Klein is offering this beautiful print, signed by himself and Alan Moore. Limited to 500. April is going to help me with the matte and frame.

Speaking of Christmas gifts, I would strongly recommend picking up PopGun Vol. 1. An incredible multi-genre anthology with some of my favorite people -- Mike Allred, Dave Crosland, Nick Derington, Dan Hipp, Derek Hunter, Joelle Jones, Jim Mahfood, Paul Maybury, Chris Moreno, Leah Moore, Rick Remender, Jamie S. Rich, and Mark Andrew Smith -- it's as though Image Comics asked the question, "What would make David most happy?" And then, they published it.

GONZO JOURNALISM FOR COMICS

The December issue of D Magazine is available, with "Souvenir of Dallas" featured on page 26, written by me and illustrated by Paul Milligan.

"Our intrepid cartoonists go undercover at the Mavs' preseason opener."

Apologies to Mark Cuban, JJ Barea, and Sue Raagas, security representative. I'd post a link to the comic, but it isn't available on the D Magazine site. You'll have to pick up a copy at any local bookstore or grocery store. The magazine is all over the place. In fact, you might as well get a subscription. "Souvenir of Dallas" will be in the Pulse section every other month. We've got the best gig -- gonzo journalism in a comic format.

Other news: A few friends noticed I was in Thursday's Quick making NFL/College football game picks. (click here) Let's be thankful the Cowboys won.

ADVANCE REVIEW OF ASTRONAUT DAD

Our first advance review for Astronaut Dad, from Chris Murman of Silver Bullet Comics. (click here to read)

"For being relatively young in the comics world, these two unassuming creators have definitely set the bar pretty high for what is possible in their careers."

According to our publisher, Astronaut Dad should be in stores next week.

KARMA UPDATES

Thank you to my friend Will Rodriguez of Mangled Stare for this sketch of Karma Incorporated's Marsha Elliot.

Of everything I've written, she's my favorite character. I can't think of hardly any comic book protagonists who are women in their mid-40s. She has a classic look, like a lead actress in an Alfred Hitchcock film or Anjelica Huston from The Grifters. Yet she definitely stands apart with her own history and motivations. Marsha is a lot of fun to write.


Good news: After some delays beyond anyone's control, Tom is back working on Karma Incorporated Vol. 2: Vice & Virtue. It should be available later next year. We thought it would be ready sooner, but this stuff happens in publishing, and it's not limited to small press. The second volume will happen, and it's a great continuation of the Karma Incorporated series. I'm happy with the script, and love working with Tom.

For anyone who hasn't purchased the first volume, Poor Mr. Wilson, it's available at your local comic book store (if not, they can order it) and also on Amazon.

PHOTOS FROM WIZARD WORLD

I've posted photos from Wizard World Texas. The convention was good. I heard some grumbling about the media guests being rather weak this year. Although, the small press/artist alley section was the strongest I've ever seen. Traffic was steady in that area throughout the weekend. Apparently, Friday's Heroes4Heroes live art show and fund raiser went very well -- a good crowd of 300+ at the Diamond Club, and it raised more money than anticipated. I had to stay home with Kennedy, and couldn't make it.


Also from this weekend, Karma Incorporated was included in the Art Conspiracy's Periodic Table of Dallas -- element "KI" and listed as "Karma Inc." This mural is on the side of the former Gypsy Tea Room in Deep Ellum, where we had our release party a few years ago. Click for photos.

Great timing. Karma Incorporated Vol.1 "Poor Mr. Wilson" is scheduled to arrive in comic book stores on Wednesday.

UMBRELLA ACADEMY, I LOVE YOU

I haven't been impressed with many new comics this year. For whatever reason, nothing has really excited me. Not that I haven't read anything good -- Super Spy, The Spirit, and Madman have been amazing. There's plenty of "good" stuff. However, that inner-geek has remained dormant, sleeping soundly. Although, that's changed now that I've read The Umbrella Academy. This series by Gerard Way and Gabriel Ba is very cool and moving in all the right directions. It'll get some appropriate comparisons to BPRD and the League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, but it's not derivative in any negative sense. More just a good concept built on super hero nouveau. Two issues, and I'm a huge fan.

Issue One | Issue Two

This weekend, I'll be at Wizard World Texas (booth #207). Astronaut Dad arrived at my door, literally two hours ago. You can buy your copy this weekend. The printing looks even better than how we thought it would look.

NORMAN LOVES ME. I LOVE NORMAN.

Brent Schoonover and I drove to Norman, Oklahoma for our signing at Speeding Bullet Comics. We raised $70.69 for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Wish we could've stayed longer.


Astronaut Dad hasn't shipped yet. It should arrive on my doorstep via FedEx, Friday morning, so we'll have them available for Wizard World Texas.

Speaking of, B.Clay Moore, writer of Hawaiian Dick and The Leading Man, said some nice things about our book: "Astronaut Dad is a loving reminder of America's investment in the space race, and how real people were at the heart of our quest for the stars. Well worth taking a look, and bound to hook you once you do."

Also, for people in the Dallas/Fort Worth area, Kevin O'Neill (the artist for League of Extraordinary Gentleman) will be at Titan Comics tomorrow from 5 PM to 7 PM.

SNOW WHITE IS TWISTED

This morning, Kennedy and I watched Snow White. Here are some things I noticed in the third act:

The Queen laughs about Snow White being buried alive. I don't think Disney has ever gone this dark since. The Queen, after her transformation, marvels that the apple will put Snow White into a death-like sleep. She amuses herself with the idea that the dwarves will bury the sweet princess alive, and she yells it several times just to make sure the kids at home understand.

Snow White is an idiot. Doc warns Snow White about strangers, and how the Queen wields powerful magic. And then, not much later, along comes a strange old woman with a "magic apple." Put two and two together! Geez, was Belle the first intelligent Disney princess? How many decades did it take?

Snow White wants Grumpy. Before she goes to bed, Snow White prays to God that Grumpy will like her. Then the next day, she makes a pie with his name on it while singing a reprise of "Someday My Prince Will Come." When she talks to the strange old lady about her so-called prince, the scene suspiciously cuts back to the dwarves before we get any specifics.

God kills The Queen. Oh hell yes. Don't dabble in the Dark Arts kids. You'll piss off God. Case in point. Snow White bites the magic apple, and immediately it starts raining on an otherwise clear day. The Queen climbs to the top of the rock ledge, and lightning strikes -- knocking her off the side. Then God uses his invention "gravity" to cause a large rock to fall on her. The only more satisfying Disney villain death is when Prince Eric stabs Ursula the Sea Witch with a boat.

THANKS CROSLAND

Miscellany:

(1) New artwork added to the site, courtesy of my friend Dave Crosland. (2) Tonight, I went to Good Records, in store with The Tah-Dahs and The Physics of Meaning. Good stuff. (3) Dad's birthday. He's on a plane to Portugal right now. (4) Tomorrow, I'm getting Brent from the airport. We've got a signing at Speeding Bullet in Norman, OK on Wednesday. (5) Kennedy is sick with a wicked cough. I'm staying home from work until she gets to feeling better.

HERO INITIATIVE FUND RAISER

CBG Extra, the online version of Comic Buyer's Guide, is donating 10 cents to Hero Initiative for every time you click on the Hero Initiative banner (scroll down, center of the page). It costs you nothing. Simply a few seconds to click, and you're done. No forms to fill out, no mailing list requests. Nothing. One click per computer, per day.

Hero Initiative is a great organization, the only federally chartered 501c3 charity that helps older comic creators in medical or financial need. Visit CBG Extra now.

Update on the Writer's Strike (via Newsarama): Brian K. Vaughan on what it all means to him.

Plus, Vaughan responds to the question: Will comic writers ever unionize?

I certainly hope so, though I’m sure that makes many of my beloved employers cringe.

I talked about this when Whedon interviewed me over at CBR a few months back, but I think it’s worth repeating here...

When I used the great Cloak and Dagger in Runaways, Bill Mantlo, the man who helped create them, didn’t get anything, to the best of my knowledge. Not even a credit. And I’m not blaming my friends at Marvel (or DC, for that matter), all of whom are good people who’ve always been beyond fair with me. It’s just indicative of the broken system, one that I’m very much a part of.

For the record, Bill Mantlo was struck by a hit-and-run driver a few years ago, and now requires expensive daily care that’s way beyond what modest means he was left with after dedicating much of his life to our industry. And while things like The Hero Initiative, an absolutely worthwhile cause that I totally support, exist to help comic creators in financial need, THOSE CREATORS SHOULD NOT BE IN FINANCIAL NEED.

I know the Writers Guild of America isn’t a perfect union, but I was afforded more benefits and protections in my first few months with the WGA as a work-for-hire screenwriter than I was ever given in a decade of working in comics. And again, I’ve been treated pretty honorably throughout my career, and have made more money than I ever deserved doing this “job,” but that doesn’t mean that I can’t still be concerned about the generations of writers and artists before and after me.

Anyway, I know that smarter people than I have tried and failed to unionize in the past, so for now, we’ll have to help creators like Bill Mantlo by donating directly to organizations like The Mantlo Project, or to the aforementioned The Hero Initiative. But it would be nice to see the day when they weren’t necessary.

And one more update. Zeus Comics has partnered with Project Rooftop for a contest. Details below:

CONTEST ANNOUNCEMENT: WONDER WOMAN WARDROBE WAR!
Tuesday November 06th 2007, 1:59 pm

Break out your golden lassos, kids! Project: Rooftop is teaming up with Zeus Comicsof Dallas, TX for a costume contest event in honor of fan-favorite creator Gail Simone’supcoming run writing for the world’s greatest and most recognizable superheroine,Wonder Woman! Starting today, we are accepting entries for the Wonder Woman Wardrobe War, with Zeus Comics providing cool prizes for the top redesigns!

Grand Prize (1) - This classic Linda Carter Wonder Woman statue, a signed WonderWoman issue from Gail Simone, a DC Direct Wonder Woman action figure, and $25 gift certificate good at the Zeus Comics Online Store!

First Prize (2) - A signed Wonder Woman issue from Gail Simone, a DC DirectWonder Woman action figure, and a $15 gift certificate good at the Zeus Comics Online Store!

Second Prize (3) - A signed Wonder Woman issue from Gail Simone and a DC Direct Wonder Woman action figure!

Additional Prizes - P:R and ZC may provide a few extra goodies for the other striking entries, if we see something that really knocks our socks off!

Send in your Wonder Woman redesigns to editors@projectrooftop.com, with the subject line, “Wonder Woman Wardrobe War!” Please include your full name, age, website, and mailing address for prize shipment.

All entries must be received by November 20th, 2007!

More Info:

press release

http://www.zeuscomics.com

http://projectrooftop.com

WGA STRIKE, NOW WITH UPDATES

If you haven't heard, the Writer's Guild of America is on strike. And good for them. I register my scripts through the WGA, but I am not a member.

Thus, I'm available for hire. Yes?

To the producers of Battlestar Galactica, Bionic Woman, CSI, Friday Night Lights, Grey's Anatomy, Heroes, House, How I Met Your Mother, It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia (please if there's a God...), King of the Hill, Lost, My Name Is Earl, The Office, The Riches, The Sarah Silverman Program, The Simpsons, The Wire, and anyone else on this list -- let's do lunch. I'm not cheap, but I'm your's if you want me. Sorry WGA. I have bills to pay.

The irony is, once I get my screen credit, I'd be eligible for the WGA. Obviously, I would want to sign up. And thereby be obligated to join the strike.

Or better yet, if someone wants to option KARMA INCORPORATED as a television series, we can get to work on that after the strike is over. (Do you like how I assume the whole world is reading my blog?)

**UPDATE** If you read the comments section, I've decided to join the strike in solidarity even though I'm not a credited screenwriter. So to all those producers I mentioned above, screw you guys.

**UPDATE TO THE UPDATE** Just kidding with the whole "screw you guys" comment. I'm sure you're all nice people. To the producers of It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia, call me...

**UPDATE TO THE UPDATE OF THE UPDATE** I should clarify. Since the WGA doesn't include comic book writers, I will not stop from writing comics. I will only cease from writing any screenplays for film and TV, which I don't do anyways. But now, I'm "not doing it" as a statement.

**UPDATE TO THAT LAST UPDATE** Don't take any of this seriously.

In other news, we've been racing to get ASTRONAUT DAD printed and shipped before Wizard World Texas. That's next week. I counted, and today I've received no less than 37 e-mails on all the little details concerning the printing. It's been hectic.

WHAT IS GOOD

Things that are good:
(1) I'm on page 122 of Strangers in Paradise, Pocket Book 6 by Terry Moore.
(2) I'm on page 33 of No One Belongs Here More Than You by Miranda July.
(3) I'm on track 4 ("Intervention") of Neon Bible by The Arcade Fire.
(4) I'm on www.threadless.com
(5) I'm also on www.comicfoundry.com

THE SELLING OF ME

I've been writing comics for four years now, closer to five. With two graphic novels coming out within a few weeks of each other (and two more for next year), things are good. Although, I don't know if I've done a decent job finding an audience. Wim and April, on separate occasions, both talked to me about how I should do more to market, brand, sell myself. Being that Wim works in advertising and April is a designer, they should know. It's not as if I haven't tried. I'm just not a fan of shameless self-promotion. It makes me uneasy. I've seen too many of my peers get pegged with the "shameless" distinction -- black listed for their enthusiasm. You let the work speak for itself. I believe that. But if no one knows you're out there, what then? Hard to let anything speak, if it isn't heard, especially anything independent or small press.

The website is in middle of a re-design. Artwork coming around November 12th. Business cards to follow. Beyond this? Post more MySpace and Facebook bulletins? Go on a frenzied "friending" spree? A weekly newsletter? A promotional mailer? Purchase web banners? Go back to writing a column for a comics website? Find an agent? Crime spree? Do more to woo my favorite publishers? Attend more conventions? More store signings? Enlist my friends to the cause? Or simply wait and see?

Things are good right now. And considering my gig at D Magazine: things are really good. (By the end of next year, Paul Milligan and I will be local gods.) However, I'm still looking for my audience... if you exist.

Posted on Drawn!, a commencement speech by Bill Watterson:

"Selling out is usually more a matter of buying in. Sell out, and you're really buying into someone else's system of values, rules and rewards. The so-called 'opportunity' I faced would have meant giving up my individual voice for that of a money-grubbing corporation. It would have meant my purpose in writing was to sell things, not say things. My pride in craft would be sacrificed to the efficiency of mass production and the work of assistants. Authorship would become committee decision. Creativity would become work for pay. Art would turn into commerce. In short, money was supposed to supply all the meaning I'd need."

In a somewhat related post about "selling out" by Steven Grant (click here).

BOOK TOUR CONTINUES

Last Saturday, April, Kennedy, and I went to Denton for Pub Fest. We arrived at Dan's Silverleaf (nice venue, by the way) an hour late. We would've been there sooner, but a parade cut off our route. So instead, we parked the car and watched the parade briefly. We then asked for directions at some fancy fragrance soap and lotion type store. Apparently, the scent "grass" comes from combining "dirt" and "lettuce." Learn something new. At Pub Fest, we set up outside. Perfect warm weather. Rob King organized the event, and it's a cool idea, gathering together independent and small press writers working in a variety of media -- poetry, novels, short stories, comics, etc. -- and hosting the whole thing at a club with live bands performing later in the day. In hindsight, it would've been ideal for my friend A.C. Hall (sorry bud, next year?). Not so much with comics, but in the larger literary field, independent writers don't get much respect -- labeled as "vanity press" and such. Must be terribly discouraging to someone trying to find their voice outside of corporate publishing. If there's a way to encourage independent writers, it's probably with something like this.


It could've been a much bigger event with more guests, a calendar listing in the Observer, FW Weekly, Pegasus News, and KERA's community page, a website, and maybe some larger bands. Charge cover, etc. Maybe some other twist? I'm not on the inside planning, but I know they want to do this again next year. It was a decent start with a friendly vibe, but Pub Fest should grow from here.

My friend Tony showed, and it was good to talk with him. Met a guy named Marcus Blake. His book Sex Game is apparently being protested by the Parents for Christ organization, the Christian Coalition, American Family Association, Focus on the Family, and ironically, the Free Market Association. I had him autograph one of the fliers urging his book to be banned. It's pretty hip to be that disliked. I don't think any of my books would ever receive that kind of heat. Maybe I could submit my work to Parents for Christ for ban consideration? Also, met a guy publishing a quarterly journal, Farrago's Wainscot. "Articles on anything from wormholes to haberdashery!" Kennedy was in a good mood throughout, giving hi-fives to people, and reading her own books. We decided to leave early before that mood changed, and not surprisingly she fell asleep on the drive home.

SIGNING AT ZEUS AND PROFILE ON GOODREADS

The signing at Zeus went well. We raised $166.35 for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

On Saturday (tomorrow), I'll be at Pub Fest in Denton. I'm not really sure what to expect, but I will have my books with me, looking forward to meeting some new people. Pub Fest starts at 1 PM, Dan's Silverleaf (103 Industrial). Later in the day, they'll have some bands performing. Anytime you combine local music with local writers and artists, in my opinion, you've got a worthwhile event.

I just set up an author profile on Goodreads (click here). If you have an account, make sure to add me. So far, I like the site. It is well-suited for the kinds of things I need to feature. I also like how it interfaces with Facebook.