SHORT STORY FOR JULY 2012

The Short Story of the Month Club continues. We have 125 subscribers. You're welcome to join them. Here's a preview of this month's story:

"The Lucky Buck Poetry Club" by David Hopkins Don was not disappointed; he was devastated. The roof of their bar, the Lucky Buck, caved in by the weight of last night’s snow. Don sat in his pickup truck, staring at the wreckage. The snow on the roof, which melted and re-froze into a heavier block of ice, exploited a weakness in the tired structure, broke through and everything gave way. The hole was massive. More snow drifted in.

Don kept his truck running, and stepped outside. The cold left him breathless. He gasped and zipped his coat to his chin. Don took a step towards the bar and then slipped on a patch of the icy sidewalk. The salt did little to melt anything. Don regained his balance and made it to the door. It was locked. There was a note posted inside the small window: BAR CLOSED. CAN YOU GUESS WHY? No doubt written by Sally who arrived earlier that morning. Don rested his head against the entrance. He could hear the creaking of the Pabst Blue Ribbon sign above him.

Don and his friends loved the Lucky Buck. They would meet almost every day after work, for every Packers game, for birthdays, for any special occasion, after his niece's first communion. The Lucky Buck was the worst insulated building in town. The heater was always cranked to fight a losing battle against the cold. Neon signs advertised Miller High Life and Milwaukee's Best. They hung on the wood paneled interior. A large mirror behind the counter bore the name of Jacob Leinenkugel. (Don and his wife Rheba toured the Leinenkugel brewery last summer. He bought t-shirts for Charlie, Nick, and Arnold. On the car ride home, Rheba was mad at him for not buying her anything. She received Charlie’s shirt as consolation.) The Lucky Buck had a row of dashboard hula-dancers around the cash register. A Packers flag draped near the restroom doors. A magnificent 20-point buck, the centerpiece of the establishment, was mounted high on the far wall. They named the deer "Lucky," of course. Don and the guys always claimed the table nearest Lucky whenever possible.

"Well. That’s a shame."

Don lifted his head from the door and turned to see Arnold standing behind him. Arnold had walked from his house across the street.

"We could always go to Last Shot in Remington," Don said.

"Nah," replied Arnold. "Thirty miles away. It might as well be on the surface of the moon."

Don and Arnold paused. The conversation wasn’t over. They just preferred these extended moments of reflection before continuing. Even if they were both freezing, they wouldn’t rush and show weakness.

"How about we get some beer at Pick 'n Save and go to your house?" Don pointed past Arnold to indicate the obvious. "It's right there."

"Yah. That’ll do."

Don got into his truck. Arnold turned around and walked back.

Would you like to read the rest of the story? You should subscribe. I’ll send you this short story (available in pdf, epub, and mobi formats), last month's short story, and a new story every month for the next eight months. All artwork by April Hopkins.

SMART POP AT SAN DIEGO COMIC CON

From the wonderful people at Smart Pop:

We're excited to share that Smart Pop is exhibiting at San Diego Comic-Con again this year—we’ll be front and audience-left-of-center in the exhibit hall at booth #4300 (we’re also listed as either #J5 or #J7 in the guide, but the table there will just direct you to #4300). If you’ll be at the con yourself, please come by, say hello, and get a free Smart Pop pin!

We also wanted to fill you in on everything we have going on. You can check out the more extensive rundown over on our blog (http://www.smartpopbooks.com/san-diego-comic-con-2012/), but here are a few highlights:

• Free copies of our preview volume, featuring essays and excerpts from our 2012 titles (and info on backlist titles) • 2012 title giveaways, including Ender's World and Shadowhunters and Downworlders galleys • Signings with Claudia Christian (Babylon Confidential); Harrison Cheung and Nicola Pittam (Christian Bale); and James Lowder, Myke Cole, and Caroline Spector (Beyond the Wall)

If you're at San Diego Comic Con, you should visit the Smart Pop booth. Say hi for me. They publish great books for all varieties of geeks.

"We use words not just to speak but also to think. If the right words aren't there, the right ideas can't get through." -- Princeton Review, Word Smart 1993

STORE SIGNING AT ZEUS

Zeus and I have a special relationship. They keep my comics and graphic novels in stock and available through their online store (sales be damned). I do signings at their store whenever ANYTHING of mine is available. I put shameless self-promoting postcards and fliers on their counter. And in exchange... well, I haven't quite figured out what they get out of this friendship. But they seem to like me, so we'll go with that. They like me.

And on Wednesday, July 11th, I will be at Zeus signing copies of the recently released, complete, and not available in any stores (that I know of) ASTRONAUT DAD. Also, for anyone too jaded to click the "Buy Now" button on the right-side margin of this website, I'll charm you into a subscription for SHORT STORY OF THE MONTH CLUB.

Mark your calendar: Signing at ZEUS COMICS 4411 Lemmon Ave, Dallas TX Wednesday, July 11th, 11 AM to 6 PM

Thank you, Zeus. I'm sure someday I'll be worthy of your love.

THE GOOD FORTUNE OF BAD KIDS

D Magazine has another issue available. (Amazing how that happens every month...) This one includes my story The Good Fortune of Bad Kids Go to Hell:How two Dallas boys moved to Los Angeles and made a movie the hard way. If not for the story itself, you must check it out because of the amazing photo by Elizabeth Lavin. I love it.

Next to the Angelika in Mockingbird Station, a secret side door leads to a nightclub used for special events. A red carpet unrolled at its doorstep in March after the new horror comedy Bad Kids Go to Hell had a private screening. Inside, the room pulsed with music, but no one danced—save for one guy. He was all over the place. A few girls in tight dresses swayed to the beat, which was all their attire would allow. The DJ performed his task in an animated fashion to disguise the simplicity of his job. Everyone else shifted through the dark room, moving from one conversation cluster to another on a seven-minute rotation. Speaking over the noise, they talked politely about the movie they had just seen. “I think it’s going to be a huge hit. I really do.” “I just loved it.”

At the entrance, filmmakers Matthew Spradlin and Barry Wernick stood on the red carpet, framed by a Bad Kids backdrop. It was their movie and their night. Both had their arms around a star from the film while the cameras flashed. (One actor had been in Degrassi and White Oleander; the other was a pretty girl who had played bit parts in a smattering of lesser-known films.) Spradlin and Wernick each wore a mischievous smile—as if they had planned everything to go precisely this way.

Continue Reading…

MY PAST AS A PASTOR

Yesterday, as I was trying my best to be productive with my procrastination, I realized I didn't have any of my Next-Wave (UPDATE 11/16/12: Links removed due to Malware... what happened Next-Wave?) articles saved anywhere. Yes, over thirteen years ago, when the Internet was young, I wrote for this website. I contributed 24 essays on issues related to faith and culture (read more about that here). I was even editor-in-chief for a short time. I offered decent editorial direction. I had ideas that were somewhat original at the time--made sure each essay was also available as a downloadable pdf, tried to keep submissions under 1000 words, attempted that "blog thing" with the editor/publisher section, and added a message board. I found some great contributors. My web design skills were terrible at the time, and I didn't have Wordpress to lean on. But hey, the site looks nicer now.

So, I went through Next-Wave's archives and copy-pasted everything I wrote into a Word document. It amounted to 35,104 words. Not too shabby for a young writer. In 2008, I contributed one last essay about my own "loss of faith." From that essay:

"Recently, I took time to read what I had written previously, expecting to be completely horrified by it. And you know? Not too shabby. A few of my essays had some ideas that still hold up--a little bit of wit, sloppy reasoning here and there, and a whole lot of enthusiasm. I remember the more I wrote, the more anxious I got to make Next-Wave subversive. I wanted to shake things up in a positive way. At a certain point, that anxiety probably got the best of me."

It's clear NOW that I was using those essays to work out my own issues. Occasionally, I was straight-up trying to start shit.

"If I think this way, will you still accept me? If I believe this, will you still call me one of your own? If I act different, will you still trust me? How far will the community stretch to include those who don’t fit the mold--without any pretense to conform them?"

These are not good qualities for someone wanting to be a pastor. You'll drive yourself nuts. And it's a good thing I didn't go that route. However, I wonder if it'd be interesting to go back through those essays and have a polite discussion with the younger version of me. Would anyone else be interested in reading it? Would anyone publish it?

THE WRITER'S BLOCK QUESTION

Email from someone today:"I was wondering if you could help how to deal with writer's block."

My response: It really depends. Writer's block can have several causes. The most important thing to keep in mind is that "writer's block" is not an issue of quality, but production. If you are writing and not happy with it, that's not writer's block--that's being critical of your own work (which isn't always a bad thing). Writer's block is about not being able to put any words on the screen (or paper). Often, the solution is a re-commitment to writing bad first drafts and being okay with that. Defer your greatness to the second draft.

If you've never been able to write, that's not writer's block either. That's a case where you haven't become comfortable with the creative process. You need to return to the basics.

Writer's block is: I could write, now I can't.

I'd recommend the book IF YOU WANT TO WRITE by Brenda Ueland. She is friendly and encouraging, perfect for the frustrated scribe.

Be leery of expensive writing conferences. They can feed on desperation.

If you need more personal help, I offer consultation and coaching at $50 an hour. However, I'd recommend you first honestly assess where the block is coming from (fear of failure? of judgment?) before you start throwing money at the problem.

I hope this helps. Good luck.

SHOWING SUPPORT FOR CHAMPION OF CHILDREN

Thanks to Samax for this great caricature of me and for the kind words on his website (click here). Caricatures and kind words are always appreciated. I'm a proud backer of Ghostwerks Champion of Children, Vol. 1 project on Kickstarter (which includes Samax). The project has reached its funding goal with 22 days left. So if you pledge, you will see the comic come together, and your reward is a done deal. Not too bad.

Corance, Samax, Mike, and Khalid -- these guys represent the very best of our Dallas art and comics scene. They've been producing for years, and it's a thrill to see them at work.

Go here to show your support: http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/815577875/return-of-the-champ-champion-of-children-vol-1

ASTRONAUT DAD ON AMAZON

The past few weeks, I've been busy finishing out the school year and getting my classroom cleared. We also had a family road trip. In all the rush, I haven't had a chance to make an important announcement. Brent beat me to it. ASTRONAUT DAD: THE COLLECTED EDITION is now available on Amazon. See for yourself.

This paperback graphic novel includes volume 1 and (previously unreleased) volume 2. All 162 pages. If you've read my blog, you have followed the ups and downs of getting this story published. Brent and I decided to publish it ourselves through a print-on-demand company and sell it online. We're very proud of what we created.

To order: http://www.amazon.com/Astronaut-Dad-David-Hopkins/dp/1105542491/

If you live in the Dallas Fort Worth area, I'm planning a store signing at Zeus within the next few weeks. I'll have copies of ASTRONAUT DAD available. More information coming soon.

WE'VE RETURNED

One week on the road: * in Lawrence to visit Astrokitty and eat at Rudy's Pizzeria * in Iowa for a brief stay at one nasty hotel (and then relocating to a more respectable establishment) * in Madison to visit Scott and Mandy, eat at The Old Fashioned, visit the Children's Museum, hang out at Memorial Union Terrace on the University of Wisconsin campus--listening to a bluegrass band, and then dine at the famed Great Dane * in Marshfield to visit April's family, attend Nicole and Andrew's wedding (at the reception Kennedy danced for hours), and enjoy a cook-out at the Wenzel house * in way-north Wisconsin to visit April's grandmother and search for chipmunks * in Iowa (again) to stay at Adventureland Inn for swimming fun and a good night's rest * in Lawrence (again) to eat lunch at Free State Brewing Company * in Oklahoma at Smokey Pokey BBQ for a quick stop and jumping jacks

And now we're home. It was a great time with family, and I also enjoyed the drive. The wide plains were able to clear my head after a chaotic month. It was a whole lot of nothing, and there's a definite beauty to the uncluttered expanse.

photo by April (via Instagram)

SHORT STORY FOR JUNE 2012

The Short Story of the Month Club has begun! We have 123 subscribers, and we're always happy for more people join. Here's a preview of this month's story:

"If You Could Be" by David Hopkins

Angela and I dated five years ago. I can’t remember who stopped calling. Probably me. Fantasy Football and my post-college career demanded more time than I would ever admit. Commuting left me useless at the end of the day, and the responsibility of a career created this counter balancing force of sloth. I had enough energy to watch Sportscenter and drift through the Internet on my laptop. That was it. Discarded pizza boxes, DVDs, fast food wrappers, and unopened junk mail spiraled across my living room, originating from my couch like the Fibonacci sequence. Yeah, I flaked on dates.

In time, I acclimated to my job. I cleaned my apartment. I learned to cook meals for one. I sold my futon and bought real furniture. Life became a manageable process, not as daunting as people had always warned. If Angela and I had started dating in the summer, it would have been different.

I ran into Angela, much later at a 7-11, and the encounter appeared amiable. She smiled, gave me a hug, and asked about my life with genuine interest. We talked for a polite duration. She bought her coffee and left. Angela was beautiful and nice. I don’t know why we never got serious. I should have called her more.

We dated during Valentine’s with the unspecified rule of “keeping it casual” during this incommodious holiday. But I bought roses, yellow ones that she preferred to red. We went to this hippy restaurant I read about in a magazine. We dated on and off for a month. Eventually, we lost touch.

On those dates, I remember talking a lot about myself--my job, my life and my interests, my future. She nodded with the patience of an introvert who was happy for me to dominate the conversation. I rambled like an idiot at the slightest provocation, and she maintained eye contact encouraging me to say more.

I wish I had learned more about her. I wish I had more photos of Angela. Her face escapes me, and I can’t easily recall specific features. I remember she was slightly shorter than me and had thick brown hair, almost black. I wish I had some anecdote that spoke volumes about who she was. (“That’s so Angela.”) Something I could now share with her son. When he starts asking, I feel so damned empty handed.

Would you like to read the rest of the story? I know, nobody likes a tease. You should subscribe. I'll send you this short story (available in pdf and epub formats), and a new story every month for the next nine months. All artwork by April Hopkins.

YOU GAVE 110%

Today was my last day teaching at Martin. It was also the last day of the pledge drive for SHORT STORY OF THE MONTH CLUB--and officially my first day as a full-time freelancer. I'm happy to say that the Kickstarter project was successfully funded. It also means I made $5,545 (minus Kickstarter fees, minus Amazon fees, minus taxes, minus expenses for printing and shipping the books) on my first day as a full-timer. Not bad, right? I want to thank all 120 of you who pledged. You literally gave 110%. I also want to thank everyone who spread the word about it. Over this busy month of fundraising, the project accumulated 236 "likes" on Facebook. That's a lot of buzz! And I want to thank everyone who didn't pledge who patiently waited through all the Kickstarter-related postings on Twitter and Facebook... thank you for remaining my friend, even if I came across as a huckster.

Yes, it's about the money. And no, it's not about the money. It's possible for both statements to be true.

Yes, the money will absolutely help me and my family as I transition to this new full-time endeavor. I'm fortunate. I have some things going for me. I have experience and a few contacts. I've read plenty of books on freelancing, and I have friends who are freelancers, ready to share their wisdom. (April, skip the next two sentences.) But I still have no clue how this is supposed to work. I'm confident I'll figure it out, and this project bought me some time to get it together. (Hi April!) I know how to write stories, how to put one word in front of another. So, that I can do. And you've allowed me to do that without worrying I should devote my time elsewhere. Thank you.

No, it's not about the money. Even if this Kickstarter project failed, I would still be on the freelance path. April and I made our decision last summer, and we've been working towards this goal for a long time. This Kickstarter project is about a creative outlet. It's about doing something I love and getting it to you, for your enjoyment. Why not give it away for free? I truly believe (even in this new digital marketplace) that putting a price on something adds value. If you commit to a subscription and if it's well presented, I think you'll get more out of it. I've given stuff away for free before, and it's scary to see how people disregard it. These stories will be worth your time, and they are worth my effort. I want to be a better writer, and what better way than this? You should be mad if I deliver something that's no good. And I should work in fear of your disapproval. On the other hand, there's no greater feeling than connecting with a reader. I love the risk/reward aspect of creative pursuits. You take a chance, and it's exciting. Once again, thank you.

What's next?

If you pledged to Kickstarter, you will get the first short story on June 5th. You'll receive an email with a link to download the pdf version and/or epub version. (Make sure you add my email address to your contacts list, so the email doesn't get tagged as spam. That would stink.) Please don't share the links. You'll spoil the fun, and I'll have to find another way to deliver the goods. The story is titled "If You Could Be." In its current state, it's 3,163 words long.

What if you weren't able to subscribe before the fundraiser ended? On my website, check the right margin. I have a PayPal button to purchase a digital subscription ($10 for 10 months). However, I won't do any pre-orders for softcover and hardcover books on my site right now. My friends and family who pledged via Kickstarter get first dibs at the lowest price, plus any other rewards offered. I might also offer individual stories for sale at $2. It's always cheaper to subscribe.

That's the plan. Let me know if you have any opinions on the matter. Since you're part of the club, you certainly have a say.

April and I are working hard on all facets of this project: the story, the art, the design, and even how to best deliver everything. I hope you enjoy your subscription. It should be a good year.

WHY DOWNTOWN ARLINGTON

Since I so greatly dislike Downtown Arlington's new signature logo and felt the need to vent yesterday, today, I would like to say what I love about Downtown Arlington. Hopefully, the clown-like horror show of a logo won't scare away people, because there's a lot to enjoy and so much potential. 1. Potager: Local Organic Cafe -- The best food in Arlington is located on 315 S. Mesquite Street. It's a cool place, fresh food with a constantly changing menu. The people who work there are friendly and clearly love what they do.

2. J.R. Bentley's -- It's a cozy pub with great hamburgers. And with their delicious corned beef, they've become a St. Patrick's Day tradition for my family. They have free Wi-Fi, so it also makes for a nice working lunch break. It's my favorite Arlington bar, and the first place where I take visitors.

3. George W. Hawkes Central Library -- Yeah, I went from bar to library. That's how I roll. It's a great library, always busy and full of life. Beautiful layout. I could spend hours browsing the books or writing in a nice quiet corner. Plus, it was bike-friendly before bike-friendly was cool.

4. Levitt Pavilion -- Right across from City Hall, Levitt is the official/unofficial heart of Downtown Arlington. The Levitt hosts free live music and other events throughout the year. It's very well designed. Add two or three concrete chess tables (like what you have in New York's Washington Square Park), and the place would be perfect.

5. J. Gilligan's -- This bar and J.R. Bentley's seem to be direct competitors. But to me, they reflect two completely different bar/pub/restaurant philosophies. I love J.R. Bentley's because it's warm and relatively subdued. J. Gilligan's is larger, louder, and more ready for a party. They make regular use of their parking lot, converting it to an outdoor music venue. Plus, they have the Irish nachos. To be an official Downtowner, you must try the Irish nachos.

6. Main Post Office on East South Street -- It's my post office, and I like it. So there.

7. Old School Pizza and Suds -- It's my favorite pizza in Arlington. Plus, they have a pretty good beer selection. The layout is still a little awkward, but I'm okay with it.

8. Arlington Museum of Art -- The facility itself is great. The exhibits are hit or miss. When you just wander in and no one's there, it can feel a little awkward. Maybe I've been spoiled by art museums in Dallas and Fort Worth? I am excited about the Rembrandt etchings show. With a concerted effort from the city of Arlington, this museum could be a real treasure.

9. Hooligan's Pub -- Ask me again in a year, but I think this pub could be a nice "second option" if I'm wanting to bar hop. They have a great draught selection, and the place looks nice. It's still too new to tell if it'll be a cool hangout.

10. Babe's Chicken Dinner House -- All the new restaurants are "a little unconventional, just slightly below the label of novelty restaurant." (Yes, I'm quoting my own D Magazine story.) I like all of them, but Babe's is still the establishment getting the most attention.

11. Arlington Music Hall -- I'm embarrassed to say I haven't attended a show here, but I've been inside the venue and it's beautiful.

DOWNTOWN ARLINGTON, WHY?

I realize it wasn't too long ago that I railed against the Dallas Maverick's hideous website (click here), but I must say a few words about the new signature logo for Downtown Arlington. I found out about this monstrosity on D Magazine's Frontburner blog.

Cringe.

Why do I keep complaining about bad design? I will answer this question with an even more important question: Why must things be ugly? I'm not kidding. Why? We have plenty of graphic artists capable of making the world a little more beautiful, more thoughtful, and more balanced. Instead, Arlington has dumped untold amounts of money (UPDATE: According to Star-Telelgram: "the corporation spent about $30,000 on the logo and branding campaign") to revive the downtown--and they blew the most basic component. Get an appealing logo. Great logos are hard, but good logos aren't. I would be happy with "good."

Instead, we have something that looks like it was designed by a City Council member's teenage son. (That was April's assessment.) I don't know who the designer is, but they are merciful to keep the name(s) a secret.

The logo is not "fun." It's goofy. It's embarrassing and, yes, contrived.

I wrote about Downtown Arlington earlier this year in D Magazine (click here). My main point was that Arlington is trying really, really hard to be cool, and the city isn't quite there yet. When I saw this logo, I think Arlington took a few more steps back. And that's unfortunate, because there's a lot to brag about in downtown.

It's even more unfortunate when you consider that Advertising Age magazine honored (?) Arlington on its "Worst of Tourism Marketing" list for the slogan, "And the crowd goes wild." Arlington just cannot catch a break.

Arlington should heed the words of Cameron from the TV show MODERN FAMILY when he said, "You're not making the compelling case you think you are." So true.

Anyone else want to heap insults onto this logo? Feel free to post in the comments section.

A MESSAGE FROM MY WIFE

Originally posted here. Hello Friends,

My husband of just one year has decided to take a leap into the unknown. Having taught high school English and Creative Writing for 12 years, he has decided to leave the classroom and become a full-time writer. I am fully supportive of this decision, one that we made together, as I recognize his amazing talent and discipline as a writer and creative person. This decision is not a complete blind leap, as he has been working towards this goal for a few years now. He has had a successful run with D Magazine, winner of this year's "Best in Nation" award from City Magazine Awards. (You can read one my favorite pieces by David here: Six Flags Mall Is Still Open)

To "kickstart" his work, so to speak, he is devising a SHORT STORY OF THE MONTH CLUB to give him a creative boost during this first year. If you subscribe, you will receive one short story a month (hence the project name). The stories will be coupled with an illustration by me, the supportive and equally project-hungry wife. I'm very excited to see his stories come to life, but also I am excited to embark on my own creative opportunity as his illustrator side-kick.

All the information: http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/davidhopkins/short-story-of-the-month-club

If you pledge $10, you will receive a full-year subscription (10 short stories). If you pledge more, you can get a softcover or hardcover print edition. You can get original artwork, book dedications, or ad space for whatever. No money will be collected unless he reaches his pledge goal.

It all starts here. To pledge: http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/davidhopkins/short-story-of-the-month-club

Thanks y'all, and I'll be in touch. I hope you are doing well!

Best, April (Wenzel) Hopkins

DALLAS COMIC CON RECAP

Success brings its own challenges. Now that Dallas Comic Con has moved to the Irving Convention Center and has expanded its guest list to include heavy hitters like Patrick Stewart and Stan Lee, the organizers have to figure out what to do with people who swarmed the two-day event. I once referred to Dallas Comic Con as "a small convention that feels big or a big convention that feels small." Those days are over. The exhibit hall was crowded, and the lines were long. No one seemed to mind too much. Everyone was in good spirits. These problems are typical for large conventions, and Dallas Comic Con has graduated to elite status. From Dallas Comic Con's website:

A sincere thank you to all that came out to the biggest Dallas Comic Con in history. The turnout was almost twice last year’s attendance, which filled the Irving Convention Center well beyond our hopeful goal of 15,000 attendees.

And also:

As you might imagine, we will also be looking for alternative locations that can better handle larger gatherings, adding day(s), and other ways to help service more fans. North Texas deserves its own Comic Con, we hope that if you left with less than a perfect experience, you realize we are aware of it and we will do everything possible to address these issues.

None of Dallas Comic Con's "problems" were all that epic or unusual, and I'm sure they'll solve them for the next show. The organizers are proactive, and Dallas Comic Con will get better. At the same time, some "problems" are here to stay, because they are simply part of hosting a large event. The regulars will get accustomed to it, and all is well.

I was among the small press guests located on the fourth floor. There was some concern if we would get any of the heavy traffic from the exhibit hall. However, we had a steady flow of people and all the artists I talked with were satisfied with what they earned over the weekend. In all the years I've set up at Dallas Comic Con, I had my best convention thus far. Of course, it didn't hurt that I had a new book to sell. I sold out of ASTRONAUT DAD and will need to order more copies.

Kennedy had a great time at Dallas Comic Con. (Convention tip #1: Sundays are for kids. It's not as crowded, and they will enjoy it more.) She was able to occupy her time and didn't get bored. Thank you to Chad Thomas, Jake Ekiss, Paul Milligan, and Josh Howard for drawing in Kennedy's sketchbook. She loves the art. Kennedy found some X-Men toys. I found Fantastic Four #21 and #27. We also had a Matrix-style light saber duel (click here).

Thank you Pat Bussey for the monster sticker. Thank you Cal Slayton and Erik Reeves for being my weekend neighbors. Thank you Kristian Donaldson for bringing the beer to Fratelli's.

Being at my booth, I was somewhat sheltered from the Saturday chaos: Taffeta Darling gives her thoughts. It's definitely worth a listen.

MY DAUGHTER, X-MEN FAN

Kennedy has recently announced that she is "obsessed with X-Men." As a geek/nerd, I'm familiar with obsessions, tracking and analyzing them in the wild. I know the tug of sci-fi stories, the allure of fantasy, the power of a good narrative. Kennedy's interests have moved from Blue's Clues to Dora the Explorer to Disney princesses to Shake It Up to Wild Kratts to X-Men. I may have missed a few properties, but that's more or less the trajectory. Her interest came when she started watching X-MEN EVOLUTION on Netflix. She devoured the four seasons and is now watching the series a second time. She's read a few of the X-Men comics I have available. Her favorite character is Kitty Pryde aka Shadowcat.

This is the first time that one of her obsessions is one of my obsessions. I love comic books and super heroes, but I'd like to think my tastes are more varied and nuanced. I used to just read X-books. Now, I dabble in a little bit of everything.

I understand the appeal of X-Men, of course. It's not too odd to think that a sweet and intelligent girl would appreciate X-Men. It's a melodrama. And as kids mature, they begin to crave more diversity with their narratives. They don't just want talking cartoon animals on harmless journeys. They begin to understand evil and danger in the world, and melodramas allow them to experience such perilous worlds.

My dad came to visit on Tuesday. During dinner, she was adamant to be part of the conversation. She looked at my dad and asked, "Who's your favorite X-Man?" Geeks have a tendency to turn every conversation back to their own area of interest. A day later, she asked April. "Who's your favorite X-Man?" Yesterday, she wanted to know which "X-Man" April would be. I suggested Jean Grey. Kennedy agreed, then said she'd be Shadowcat. I could be Beast.

Kennedy is very much looking forward to Dallas Comic-Con. I'm taking her on Sunday. I promised her one X-Men related t-shirt, toy, or statue. We'll walk the exhibitor floor and see what's available. (Exhibitors take note. I'm an easy target.) She'll also take her sketchbook to the show and buy a few commissions. Probably X-Men.

A FIRST TOAST TO LAKEWOOD BREWING COMPANY

Lakewood Brewing Company is close, so close. (Click here to read their latest update.) A few months ago, I wrote a story for D Magazine about the three Dallas-area breweries. And now, Lakewood has its equipment. All the paperwork has been filed. They have TABC approval. The plumbers and electricians are doing what they do. So close, you can almost taste it. Literally. It's beer. I don't know where you'll be when you have your first Lakewood beer. However, in honor of this new start, I'd like to give a toast to my friends Wim and Trevor. Raise your glass. I'll raise mine.

"No life is wasted in the appreciation of simple pleasures. Some pleasures are the product of long days and loving artistry. I'm talking about the beer here. It may sound silly to be inspired by a beer company, but Lakewood Brewing has inspired me. Wim talks about his company--and I hear a person not disheartened by hard work, not daunted by the dedication required, and not embarrassed by his own enthusiasm. The end result of such focus is never wasted. I have unwavering respect for Wim and Trevor, for what will be an incredible adventure over the next few years. For me, beer never tasted so good. Cheers."

For more about Lakewood Brewing, go here.

DALLAS COMIC CON

May 19th and 20th, Dallas Comic Con returns with a ridiculously impressive line-up of comics and media guests. I'm also on the guest list. Visit the official site and scroll down, way down. I'll still be here when you return. See! I'm there.

In addition to my usual stash of comics and graphic novels, I plan to sell copies of the newly released COMPLETE ASTRONAUT DAD and promote my Kickstarter project (big surprise). I'll try to have some other nifty surprises available.

Ever since the Dallas Comic Con moved to the Irving Convention Center, the two-day event has reached even greater levels of awesomeness. If you live within 200 miles, make the drive and thank me later.