History

I have to say it. I just didn't think that the world was ready for a Black President. I guess "24" had it right all along.

Morgan Freeman being President is no longer Sci-fi.


I am speechless.

Congrats to Obama.

Street Fighter: The Later Years

Just watch. It's 9 parts but totally worth it. As a bonus, I now have figured out how to post videos (at least the ones from youtube).



























I have heard on the rumor mill that they will make more based off of the new Street Fighter IV game (which will be out soon).

A shot in the arm

This past Sunday after watching Saw v (which was awesome BTW), I went to a "meeting" of some comic book guys. One of these guys waas an old High School friend of mine who wanted to make his own comic. He along with a couple of his friends had a weekly gathering that I was invited to. I have to say that it felt good sitting there and talking about comics, my company and their gaols and aspirations.

Now I have to admit, since the radio show went on hiatus, and then the economy went crazy, I haven't been as motivated as I should be regarding future cons that I should attend, pushing my publisher to put out the other books (and then the trade). But just being there, I got a little taste of motivation. Maybe these guys have the heart (and free time) that I have been looking for. Even if it is just me lending my expierence to help these guys out, that helps me get going again. Only time will tell. I plan to go again next Sunday.

Let's do the Time warp

Just for fun, I decided to go back and take a look at my old blogs. I did a quick update so you can see a contrast between then and now. It's taking longer than I had expected. I'm up to my 9/11/07 entry. Take this time to go back and re-read somethings. post some comments while you are at it!

Different format/Different Versions

Now bear with me here. My thoughts are all over the place regarding this subject as I find that I usually am about 10-15 ewords ahead of myself so by the time I type "THIS" word, I'm already thinging about Linda Carter as Wonder Woman...

I was watching the New Spider-man cartoon the other day, and then while changing VHS tapes (Yes I still use thos things to watch my tv shows) I came across an episode of Fox's Spider-man Unlimited.

Seeing that made me think about a conversation I was having about Paul Dini and the various Batman carttons that have come out in the past 10+ years. I was telling him about the new Brave and Bold Batman cartoon that will be coming out soon.

Finally, I saw a commrecial for the new Hulk movie coming out on DVD.

All of these things mad me think that it would be a good subject to talk about on my little blog.

The comic books are the source material. That is where all the tv shows, movies, and yes even radio shows start out from. No Superman comic, no Christopher Reeves meeting Tom Welling. No Hulk comic, no Bill Bixby hitching a ride. But those things never happened in the comic.

In the comics, the Hulk has fallen from outer space to earth without a scratch on him, yet Lou Ferrigno falls (about) 800 feet and the Hulk died. What I am saying is that while all this stuff comes from the comics, some of it doesnt translate to a different format. Look at X-men. the movies ditched the spandex and it worked.

My question (if you still are with me after all that) is how far are we willing to go to accept the changes? At what point do we lose the "core" of the comic in lieu of the masses? I never read League of Extraoidary Gentleman, but I really liked the movie. Alot of fans of the comic HATED that movie.

I'll leave you with this disjointed thought...Just because it's popular, doesn't mean it's good.

The future

While the whole world seems to be going to hell in a handbasket, I sit here trying to figure out how to get my radio show back on the air. Seems Brian wasn't able to get the skype thing going, so I'm back to looking to return to the airwaves. Last time I was in this position was during our first hiatus. That took forever to get past. I was hoping for a swifter return, but now I'm not so sure.

Every time I get just a little headway, something seems to put up a road block. I wonder if all companies went through this when they were starting out. The only good thing is that I can say that I know I can get myself back on the air and get my book in stores. Not sure how long that will take, but it will happen. I got this far, and I keep learning new things everyday to get me a little further.

The one thing that I know is that I have a quaility product, so that is my motivation to keep going.

Not sure what I'm going to do at the next con I go to. Without the radio show to promote, I'm not sure what (or how) to place on my table. Maybe I'll get the site re-launched before then and I'll have some new fliers ready to go....Might have to get my publisher to send me s'more copies of the book to sell.

Speaking of cons, I'm considering going to a con in Michigan (it would be all expenses paid, excluding transportataion to and from there). I'm just not sure if I'm ready for another drive across state lines so soon after SDCC.

September 30!

When I decided to make Tuesdaays "my" day to blog (Thursdays being he show day, and mon, wed, and fri being Hassan's day) I had no idea how many special "events" would fall on this day. Today is no different. It's my birthday! How old am I you ask? well, some say I can pass for 25, and others say that you are as old as you feel.

This Saturday, I felt OLD. I forgot my phone at my house and I needed to make a phone call, so I asked this girl to borrow her cell. She handed me a sidekick. I had no idea how to open it nor how to use it to make a call. I have never been computer savvy, but come on! Am I too old to figure out how to use a phone? So yes, technology got the best of me that day and I had to ask someone else for a real phone to use....

Tree falls

You know the old saying (or is it a question?).... If a tree falls in a forest and no one is there to see it, does it make a sound? There are so many great things out there. and alot of people just don't know it exists. By the same degree, there is a whole lot of crap out there and it seems that alot of people know it's out there. I did a couple of great interviews. I did some pretty good CBN shows. I have tried (and failed) many times to get my own tv show.

They say you should write for yourself first and foremost. They also say know your target audinece. So I made a show that I enjoyed making. 99.9% feedback was positive. I wrote a book that I enjoyed reading. 80% positive (altho most have only read the preview issue).

So, I thought to myself, "let me see who has heard this tree fall.". Post on this thread, or e-mail me at mtorres@thecomicbooknovice.com and just say "Hey I read your book/listened to your show". Let me hear from you.

The 'ol College try

If you click the title of this week's little blog, it will take you to the MFC Forum. As I have mentioned before, I am not really a computer guy, so bear with me as I work on the forum. Hopefully it will become a little focal point for all my.... supporters to come and hang out.

I just started it up two days ago (what better time to have a forum than after the radio show goes off the air) and I think it is coming along nicely.

As with everything else, tell your friends about it and have them sign up. Comments suggestions are always welcome and best of all, it's free!

Third time's the charm?

As some of you may have noticed, The site has been pretty stagnant since i got back from the SDCC. My second webmaster just got too bogged down wih (paying) work, kids and family life. Funny thing is that my first webmaster had the same problems! So now we are going to do another re-launch (hopefully by then the radio show will be bakk up and running) which should have all the interviews that I have done (and they're many still unaired). Also, I plan to (finaly) upload all the episodes from the first run of CBN so you can have (sort of) "new" content to listen to while we get back on track.

So keep checking back and let me know what you think! Also, any comments/suggestions/complaints about the site let me know so I can address them in the newest version of the site.

A writer reads.

So I find myself here once again thinking about what to write about. I thought hey, howsabout a list of the books I am currently reading? So just off of the top of my head....

Incredible Herc
Ms. Marvel
New Warriors
Avengers: Initiative
Mighty Avengers
New Avengers
Iron Fist
Batman and the Outsiders
JLA
Black Canary/Green Arrow
Trinity
Gen 13
Womder Woman
Secret Invasion
Final Crisis

(I'm sure they're more, I'll keep on adding to the list)

What are you reading?
What should I be reading?

The Four Marks

I was at a BBQ this past week and it came up in conversation that I was a fighter when I was little. I used to have a temper. Still do, but I have kept it in check since high school. It occurred to me that the people that I have met through my life only know one (or maybe two) of the four possible Marks that exist.

The first Mark which was from early childhood to around 1989. I had a temper, a clear view of right and wrong good and bad.
The second Mark wich started around 1988. I started to find my leadership role, and my personality.
The third Mark which came around 1999 is very contridicatory. I was depressed and full of life at the same time. Very witty and dedicated.
And the foruth and final Mark is the professional one. The private one.

Which Mark do you know?
How many "Yous" are there?

The Skype is the limit

We are trying to keep the show going (until we get some sponsors to go back live on the air), My co-host Brian Ferrera suggested we try and use skype to record a show online. Once we try that out we may start to update shows again. In the mean time I am looking for the tapes of our first time around of the CBN to upload that to the site.

My webmaster has been back-logged (guess he now understands the position the original webmaster was in) so the site is (very) slowly updating content. Hopefully it will all be up before the end of the year.

So I have been quiet for the past few days (well, week really). The show is on hiatus, but I think we might be able to do just podcasting soon. The coverages from the past two cons are being edited and (very slowly) being uploaded to the site. The book is out, and I have submitted it to Image comics and am looking into a few more places to see if I can get picked up again. The guys at Dark Elf Designs are ok with that based on our conversations (and since one of the heads of the company is inking the book, he will still get some $$).

It's weird haveing another Thursday with no show to do. Hopefully some of the potential sponsors will pick us up and we can go back on the air. Last time it took a couple of years before we were back. This time around I figure only (at most) a couple of months.

"What can I do to help?" you may be asking. Send me an e-mail, let me know if you have been listening to the show and what you think. If you want us back, let people know, spread the word, buy my book. Be active in our shows future.

August 14 show

Tonight (August 14, 2008 ) LIVE on "The Comic Book Novice" radio program Join me, Mark Torres, Hassan Godwin, and Terminal Press' Brian Ferrera as we discuss the role of the independent comic

What are your thoughts? Give us a call (631) 888-8811.

Not in New York? Not a problem, we have live audio streaming online at www.am1240wgbb.com

9pm Eastern Standard Time

Missed a show? Archives @ www.thecomicbooknovice.com

Now in our second consecutive year!

Support us!

Sponsors

Times are tough. While on my many road trips (all of them alot smaller than driving to California) I hear about (on the radio) how we are in a recession. Yet at the same time the Dark Knight is breaking box office records left and right and oil companies are making record profits. So I am puzzled as to if it is a good or bad time to be running a company, looking for sponsors.

Technically, I have been running this company since 2002 but we weren't "official" (or even incorporated) until 2006. Way back then I had a goal. To get my comic book out. Somewhere along the way I got a radio show. Now it's one of those things where I am the producer so It's my show. I pay for everything. To make money, I have to sell ad space.

When I first started, I focused on getting sponsors. That lasted me a little over a year. I had sponsors (a couple of them) but no one really knew about the show. This time around (after our lengthy hiatus) I focused on promotion of the show. I made a lot of contacts, did some really good interviews and gone to places I never thought I would be able to get to. So the word is out, but no sponsors.

I am rapidly approaching a point where we need a sponsor (or a couple of them) to keep the show going. The radio show is a good thing (everyone who has listened to it says they like it and the only complaint is that it is too short (better to be too short than too long). We are reaching an audience worldwide (according to the numbers on the site, people in Australia, and the UK are tuning in).

Now that the book (issue one at least) has been released, if the sales are good from that, I can use that money to keep the show going. So Buy my book, if you want to sponsor us, let me know, Promote your stuff. If you like what you see, support us.

Tonight's show

Tonight (August 7, 2008 ) LIVE(by popular demand) on "The Comic Book Novice" radio program Join me, Mark Torres, our very own Movie Mike and Terminal Press' Brian Ferrera as we discuss the mega movie Dark Knight.

This will be a free flowing conversation so spoilers may be mentioned (but really who hasn't seen this movie?).

What are your thoughts? Give us a call (631) 888-8811.

Not in New York? Not a problem, we have live audio streaming online at www.am1240wgbb.com

9pm Eastern Standard Time

Missed a show? Archives @ www.thecomicbooknovice.com

Now in our second consecutive year!

Support us!

Buy my book!

Altho it says "preview issue" it really is the first issue of the comic. The only difference is that in the Graphic Novel the inside will be in color!

I know everybody and their dog has a comic and (I guess) each one is just as important as any other indy book. So why buy my book? I have been thinking about that question alot. I have read quite a few indy books. Some of them I have even bought. Some are good and some...not so good. I hope my book will turn out to be one of the good ones. I put my best into it and I am proud of it. I would be more proud of the Graphic novel, but I'll take this little victory.

Really haven't answered why you should by my book....

For one thing, it's finished. so the other issues will come out soon. It's $3.00 which is less than your standard fare of books these days. It's for all ages (well, pg-13 depending on how well you know your kid). but overall, the one thing I can say is that it's a fun read. So far the reviews I got were positive. I do plan to send out some issues for review. But since I am not the publisher, that is sort of up to Dark Elf Designs.

So it's my first book ever to see print, after 10 years and (basically) my entire life of waiting, I did it, so show some love and buy a copy. if you don't like it let me know, questions, comments tell me, and if you do like it spread the word!

click on the title for the link!

Just to sum up

Since I took a road trip and drove to the SDCC (NY to CA), I haven't been able to get the previous shows uploaded. Also, you may not have received my message about the show's topics. On the 17th of July, we talked about the Hellboy movie and my co-host Brian Ferrera insisted that we touch upon my book and the SDCC. The following week (live at the SDCC) I phoned in and just talked about My new book "The Chosen Few" that premiered there (I'll post the link where to buy it soon). Tonight (July 31, 2008 ) LIVE on "The Comic Book Novice" radio program Brian and I will be talking more about the SDCC.

If you were there, call in and share your stories.

Not in New York? Not a problem, we have live audio streaming online at www.am1240wgbb.com

9pm Eastern Standard Time

Missed a show? Archives @ www.thecomicbooknovice.com

Now in our second consecutive year!

2 hours

That is the amount of time that I am going to have to sit in the hotel lobby tonight. "Why is that?" you might ask. well, (as I would reply) seems that the Hero Envy guys (which I am sharing a room with) are dead to the world (deep asleep) and the guys who are helping me out are at a club about 90 miles away, which translates to 2 hours waiting.

So in these two hours, I will tell you about my little trip. As many of you know I left from New York right after seeing "Dark Knight" (which was...looks like, my calls to the room got thru. talk more when I get the chance!


EDIT: The story continues.

I am back home now (partially recovered) so let me finish what I was going to say back then (afterwards we go back to our bi-weekly post schedule). "Dark Knight" (which was pretty good). The movie was a little long in the tooth, but over all a good movie. Even me who was not a fan of the first one, (nor of this whole re-boot) can appreciate a well crafted movie. So I left about 2am (if my memory serves me correctly) and headed out on my 11 hour trip to Ohio. not a bad run, no traffic and with Janet (my GPS) along for the ride, it was a breeze getting there. I actually took my time in the drive (stopping at a mall and a few diners) because I was expected on Saturday morning as opposed to Friday evening. Even with all my stops and laxed driving (which set the pace for the entire trip) I got there at 9pm Friday night. Saw my niece and stayed at her dorm. Hanged out the next day with her and her BF, then headed out at 4pm Saturday (which gave me 74 hours to do a 30 hour trip). Keeping with driving only 10 miles above the speed limit and stopping for rests and food. I got to my hotel a whole day early (give or take a few hours). Had I known I was going to get there so early, I would have stopped by the Grand Canyon and Las Vegas (or one of the many casinos I saw along the way). Gas wasn't so bad except for New Mexico where it was $4.50/gal. And there were no tolls except for Oklahoma which had 2 $3.50 ones. I saw Desert (now that's a first), Cacti (another first in nature, I've seen them in stores) and a giant sign for "Howe (photo of a Native American) cars (or maybe it was motors)". When I say "photo of a Native American" that's what was on the sign between the "E" of Howe and the "C" (or "M") of cars (or motors). I thought "Wow that's funny!" (in a non-pc way). But I think they were serious. The only traffic I encountered was in Phoenix AZ and that only took up an hour or so of my trip.
So Monday I was a the hotel and got my room. Not a bad little place. I was hoping to share a room with my co-host Brian, but he wanted "alone time" with his wife (and former co-host) Jess. So A single room for me!
Tuesday I decided to keep the car an extra day, and picked up my friends (one on Wednesday). Then chaos happened. The con was crazy! I think it is too big for it's own good.
Six days later I was on a flight home. We'll talk about the con on this week's show.

just a few mintes

I'm in the hotel lobby right now and I just want to mention (before the cab arrives) that I will be doing a live show from the San Diego con talking about my book which has arrived!

And I'm here!

Made it a whole day early. It wasn't so bad ('cept the sunburn part). But I think that if I ever do it again, more stops and taking in the lay of the land. Now that I have a feel of time/distance I can make adjustments.

A few things to keep in mind for a trip like this: Sleeping bag (just in case you get too tired on the road and there is no motel/hotels near by). Sunblock (for your "drivers' arm"). Cheap styrofoam cooler lined with a plastic bag (for drinks and ice). These were things that I learned along the way.

First stop

Hey! I made it to Ohio. So far I got a nice sunburn on my left arm. The last time I had sunburn (in my adult life) was about 7 years ago when I shaved my head bald and I forgot to wear my hat in the sunduring a parade. The drive wasn't so bad but my phone stopped working so the complete loss of communication was interesting. I managed to stop by my niece's school Central State University in Ohio. I am going to hang out for a while. Then another 30+ hours of driving from here to California.

July 17th show

In a few minutes, we here at "The Comic Book Novice" radio show will be talking about the new Hellboy movie!

9pm est live audio streaming at www.am1240wgbb.com

archives at www.thecomicbooknovice.com

I'm off to see the wizard

Yep, I'm leaving tomorrow. Hopefully I'll be able to find Internet access across the country so I can post where I am and where I will be at. But first, I have to do my show and then see a Dark Knight Screening. Wish me luck!

Tickets? Tickets?

A few things I wanted to say before heading out after the show. What a week I had. I got pulled over twice and got two tickets one for forgetting my insurance at home and the other for having a busted head light. Then, my car's rack and pinion broke (good thing I'm taking a rental) and I have been running around doing last minute things. Such as making sure that we have plenty of stuff to hand out at the con and (fingers crossed) getting that book there!

A nice thing that I discovered was a GPS. Now for those of you who don't know, that is a little device that you plug into your car and it uses satellite technology to tell you where on the globe you are (hence Global Positioning Satellite. It talks (named her Janet) and I can program directions and routes. the best of all is that when I miss a turn., it gives me an alternate route so that I can get back on track. Tested it out a few times (which was on reason I got pulled over in the first place) and it is about 98% accurate as routes go.

To comic or not to comic

I had two conversations with my publisher and it is still up in the air that my book will be printed by the san Diego con. Fingers crossed.

last year

I was talking with one of the guys that are going with me to the SDCC and the conversation came to the plans I had for this con a year ago. I had planned for a table, my 110 page graphic novel to be ready for sale, a bus tour from NY to Cali, and I had a completely different staff on the radio show.

I did plan to drive there and fly back, but beyond that, everything is completely different. I still am going, driving by myself (but flying back), I may or may not have a book ready in time, I have a small space on someone else's table, who just happens to be my new co-host Brian Ferrera from Terminal Press.

As I get closer (and more anxious) I wonder if I should go. I mean I am going, but should I go? I guess as long as I get some sponsors, it will be worth it.

2,900

Yep that is the approximate amount of miles I am going to be driving later this week. It's funny, the car rental is actually cheaper than a plane ticket (and my fear of flying makes it even more so) but the gas is going to kill me. I am flying back tho. That is because my need to get home as soon as possible trumps my fear of flying. All this is based on experience.

A few years ago I had an emergency and I had to drive 12 hours straight to Kentucky. Even tho I stayed there for a week, there was no way I could drive back home. Just wasn't happening...

So drive there, fly back.

It's real now

While I was waiting for the publisher to get back to me about the status of the book (printing wise), I took it upon myself to go to staples and print me out a "demo" copy. Nothing spectacular, just copies of all the pages in regular paper (8 1/2 x 11). That way I can see how it would look in a book format. Not too shabby. I showed it to a couple of people and a few of them said "Wow, now it looks real.". I have to say that yes, it does look like it is actually going to happen. after 10 years (or so) my book will get to be published. Even if I don't have the book for SDCC, which I will be super upset, It will get printed (along with the other four issues). So now this con which was supposed to be all about the book, is not starting to look like the other cons where it is all about the show. Not sure how I feel about that yet.

July 10th show

Tonight (July 10, 2008 ) LIVE on "The Comic Book Novice" radio program Join me, Mark Torres, our very own Movie Mike and Terminal Press' Brian Ferrera as we discuss the movie Hancock.

This will be a free flowing conversation so spoilers may be mentioned.

Have you seen the movie? What are your thoughts? Give us a call.

Not in New York? Not a problem, we have live audio streaming online at www.am1240wgbb.com

9pm Eastern Standard Time

Missed a show? Archives @ www.thecomicbooknovice.com

Now in our second consecutive year!

Check please!

OK, I just made my checklist and got my hotel info all straightened out.

Seems that I am going to be in two different hotels in the 6 days I'm going to be there. The good guys from Hero Envy are splitting a room with us from wed-sun morning. The "Sandwich days" (Tuesday and Sunday nights) are at another hotel equidistant from the convention center, just in the exact opposite direction.

So hotel: check
Car: check
Flight back home: check
book: ?

Have not heard from the publisher that they received my book.....

And they're off!

Yep, the pages have been sent to the publisher. Now it's all up to him...well, him and the post office/mail delivery service... well, him, the post office/mail delivery service and the printer...well, him, the post office/mail delivery service, the printer, and the hotel....

Let's just say that there are many more steps to be had before I hold a printed copy in my hand in California.

Every period counts.

So I was sending the pages to the publisher and I noticed one of the pages was missing a period in one of the balloons "Holy Crap" I thought and I went to check all the other pages There were quite a few that were missing things things that I missed the first time around (then again I did just glaze over it to make sure it matched up what I had done previously) So I went back and went over each and every page with a fine tooth comb so that the finished product would be as professional as possible It is alot of extra work for my (re)letterer to go back in and add a period here and there but it really makes a difference As you can see here I purposely left out all the periods (and a few commas) and you can see just how important a little dot can be

For those who want a side by side comparison:

So I was sending the pages to the publisher, and I noticed one of the pages was missing a period in one of the balloons. "Holy Crap!" I thought and I went to check all the other pages. There were quite a few that were missing things. Things, that I missed the first time around (then again, I did just glaze over it to make sure it matched up what I had done previously). So, I went back and went over each and every page with a fine tooth comb so that the finished product would be as professional as possible. It is alot of extra work for my (re)letterer to go back in and add a period here and there, but it really makes a difference. As you can see here I purposely left out all the periods (and a few commas) and you can see just how important a little dot can be.

First time for everything

With the pages finished, I decided to add the cover for the second issue to the book. I called in a favor from artist Jamie Fay (you can see his work here http://windriderx23.deviantart.com/ and at Drumfish Productions).

There was some mis-communication between he and I and he send me a finished piece without a preliminary sketch first! Well, as it usually happens, I wanted a few changes and Jamie would have to re-draw everything to accommodate me. That's not fair to him since it was a favor to me, so I did it myself. I have to say, I have no idea how anyone can "draw" using a computer and a mouse. It's freaking hard and oh-so time consuming. Using Photoshop, I added/erased a line here and there and it took me about 2 hours to do (and that was without a break). More power to all of you who do it....

At long last!

Finally, I got the last two pages to my book. My (re)letterer is working on it right now. We might just make it to the SDCC after all! If I was computer savvy in any way shape or form, I'd post a few pages here...

I say (re)letterer because I actually lettered the whole book using the Comic Book Creator program. It is right up my alley, however the format isnt really compatable with any other program and when I "publish" the book (meaning that I save it and place it in a file). So I had my former webmaster go back in and letter the book again. As an added bonus, he even improved on it a bit making things fit better, So I am happy.

Tickets please

So now that the car situation is taken care of, let's talk about the tickets. As most of you (should) know, the SDCC is not going to be selling ANY tickets on site. Meaning unless you buy them before, you are not getting in. As of right now, the web site says that they are all sold out.

I had planned to go to the SDCC since last year, and I sent in my application so I could get a table. It took them forever and I got turned down. Once I knew this bit of information, I immediatly bought 3 4 day passes (one for each of my "assistants" and one for myself. It was suggested that I try for a Press Pass. They are free, and they work just as well (if not better) than the 4 day passes. So I did. Just got my request under the deadline and now I had 6 passes! Refund time! Once again (with two of them anyway) I got in just under the wire and got my money back for them. However one person didn't get the info back to the SDCC guys in time so he decided to try and sell his pass on e-bay (which is legal). He got a couple of hundred for the pass where I only got my $75.00 back!

With my luck however, I bet that it wouldn't have worked out that way for me.

July 3 2008 show

Tonight (July 3rd 2008 ) LIVE on "The Comic Book Novice" radio program join Mark Torres and Brian Ferrara (Terminal Press) as they talk about the business end of comics.

want to share your thoughts? Feel free to call in! 1-631-888-8811

Not in New York? Not a problem, we have live audio streaming online at www.am1240wgbb.com

9pm Eastern Standard Time

Missed a show? Archives @ www.thecomicbooknovice.com

Now in our second consecutive year!

2 cars, one guy

So I did go and see that Hancock screening after all. While there I met up with and talked to one of the 2 other guys who are going to go to the SDCC with me. We had to work out the problem of getting my car back to a place where I can pick it up that's near the airport so I can drive home when I get back. See, I am driving cross-country and flying back. So I am going to rent a car to go. I had three places to choose from to get the car rental. 1) the place closest to where I live, 2) somewhere near the airport (which happens to be where a few of my friends live, or 3) near the radio station. Turns out the radio station was cheapest and most convenient. That makes the plan, go to the station, get new car and drive out to Cali. I needed my friend to go to the station and get my car. the problem is that he couldn't find another driver. But that's all worked out now. It's a good thing that I have many friends...

Arrested Development

Every time I write a blog, I try to be witty with my titles. Sometimes it works, sometimes, not so much. and then there are times when I just give up and put up a straight forward title.

Today (now follow me with this) I was thinking about my countdown. A song popped into my head. "The Final Countdown" by Europe. This song was played whenever Gob performed his magic act in the show Arrested Development. So there you go.

Today I am just organizing myself. Getting all the information in one place. If I'm up for it I might go to a free screening of Hancock. The thing is that it would be cheaper (because of gas and tolls) to just pay for the movie. Still no word from my publisher, which is bad. But he tells me that he has a special in with his printer which would give us a turnaround in a week.

Speaking of my publisher, he also happens to be inking the two pages that I need to finish the story. Turns out that he had a lawnmowing accident and sliced his had by sticking it into the blades....

Day one (30, 16 or 22 to go, depends on what you are counting)

So here we are in July. I just got home from my "day job" and I figured since there is no better way to document it (for me anyways). I decided to post each day till I leave for SDCC, when the SDCC starts and my SDCC wrap up show. Since they all are tied together, I figure why not do all three. So yes, you will be getting updates each day this month. Some will be bigger than others.

As of right now, I have two hotels that I am staying at, I have my flight to come back, I have my car rental reserved for the drive out there, and I have my press passes for the con.

Still waiting on two pages from my publisher so they can be lettered and then sent back to the publisher so he can have them for SDCC.

June 26th show

Tonight (June 26th 2008 ) LIVE on "The Comic Book Novice" radio program I will be discussing the 6-issue story arc vs self contained issues.

What are your thoughts? Feel free to call in! 1-631-888-8811

Not in New York? Not a problem, we have live audio streaming online at www.am1240wgbb.com

9pm Eastern Standard Time

Missed a show? Archives @ www.thecomicbooknovice.com

Now in our second consecutive year!

Before they were stars

While I was thinking about what to talk about this week, a little story came to mind from the Wizard Philly con. On Sunday I had a chance to walk around just a little bit and while talking to the Hero Envy guys (they were a guest on our show) I saw a HUGE line to see Katee Sackhoff. To the left of that was another huge line (unconfirmed) that was the second part of the initial line to see Katee. So basically, it was the line to wait on the line...

From where I was standing I could actually see Katee and how different she looked. She looked like "a star". She was surrounded by cameras, Wizard staff & "security". and tons of adoring fans.

Seeing her there reminded me of when I first met her. It was at an I-con (www.iconsf.org) just a few years back. The pilot of Battlestar Galactica had just aired a few weeks prior and she was scheduled to appear at a panel with (if I remember correctly) Dirk Benedict. You know as a "Two Starbucks" panel (although it could have been Richard Hatch). Anyway, Dirk (or Richard) didn't show and it was Katee all by herself. I hadn't seen the pilot but I had nothing better to do, so I stayed for the panel. There was about 20-30 people there (maybe).

She was very very nervous and she said that it was her very first convention. She was nice enough but she really didn't have much to say. I mean it was only a 2 hour pilot and she wasn't even sure that it was going to be picked up for a series. I'll never forget something that she said..."I also was in the latest Halloween (Resurrection) movie.".

Now I am a big Halloween fan and I still have no idea who she was in that movie....

June 19th show

Tonight (June 19th 2008 ) LIVE on "The Comic Book Novice" radio program join Mark Torres, Brian Ferrara (Terminal Press) and Movie Mike as they talk about The newest Hulk Movie.

This will be a free flowing conversation so spoilers may be mentioned.

Have you seen the movie? What are your thoughts? Give us a call. 1-631-888-8811

Not in New York? Not a problem, we have live audio streaming online at www.am1240wgbb.com

9pm Eastern Standard Time

Missed a show? Archives @ www.thecomicbooknovice.com

Now in our second consecutive year!

You never know who is listening

So last week's show I had planned to talk about my experience at the Big Apple con. And I had some (light) dish to tell. Just as I was about to get into the nitty gritty of my story, the guy (nothing bad really) who one of my stories centred on actually called into the station. The show turned into an interview show. He was a good guest had lots of stories to tell. Guess maybe Lou Ferrigno might actually be tuning in!

June 12th 2008 show

Tonight (June 12th 2008 ) LIVE on "The Comic Book Novice" radio program join Mark Torres and Brian Ferrara (Terminal Press) as they talk about this past weekend's Big Apple Convention.

If you were there and want to share your stories, feel free to call in! 1-631-888-8811

Not in New York? Not a problem, we have live audio streaming online at www.am1240wgbb.com

9pm Eastern Standard Time

Missed a show? Archives @ www.thecomicbooknovice.com

Now in our second consecutive year!

Past Two weeks

I'm a little under the weather, so my thoughts might be all over the place.

So I did the Philly con, then the TV interview, then the Big Apple con. Boy am I beat. What didn't help was that right after the TV show, I got a pre-cold. So I was sick during last week's show and the Big Apple con this weekend. If not for circumstances I would have not shown. But I did and I'm glad I did. Despite all the chaos involved with a con, I get to meet my fans and comic book comrades. Also I get to meet some of my comic book heroes and (possibly) a celeb or two. So while both cons were a little on the slow side, I still had a good time.

The TV show...not so much. For some reason I got really nervous. I was fine before and afterwards, but during the taping...I hope it didn't show too much. Here's a little funny fact about the tv show (it went by so fast! I don't know why I would think that I would be longer than the radio show, but I did. I had so much to say and show but it kinda went by fast! And since I was sweating bullets, it didn't help much!

Now I get two days of rest and hopefully I will be all better for the show on Thursday.

June 5 2008 show

Tonight (June 5, 2008 ) LIVE on "The Comic Book Novice" radio program Join me, Mark Torres and Brian Ferrara (from Terminal Press) as talk about the Wizard Philly Con. If you were there and want to share your stories, feel free to call in!

If that's not all, we are giving away passes to the Big Apple Con (www.bigapplecon.com).

Not in New York? Not a problem, we have live audio streaming online at www.am1240wgbb.com

9pm Eastern Standard Time

Missed a show? Archives @ www.thecomicbooknovice.com

Now in our second consecutive year!

I'm (not) ready for my close up!

I'm excited. Tomorrow I am going to be interviewed on TV. Yep finally I get my 15 minutes. Sure, it's only a cable access show, but this will be my first interview that will actually air! As an added bonus, it's going to be a whole 30 minutes dedicated to me! So really, it's not just an interview, I'm the feature! Good thing Brian is going to join me cause he's used to being on camera. As soon as the show airs (we are going to be live on tape) I'll post it here.

May 29th show

Tonight (May 29, 2008 ) LIVE on "The Comic Book Novice" radio program Join me, Mark Torres, Terminal Press's Brian Ferrara, and our own Movie Mike as we discuss the new Indiana Jones movie.

This will be a free flowing conversation so spoilers may be mentioned.

Have you seen the movie? What are your thoughts? Give us a call.

Not in New York? Not a problem, we have live audio streaming online at www.am1240wgbb.com

9pm Eastern Standard Time

Missed a show? Archives @ www.thecomicbooknovice.com

Now in our second consecutive year!

Two two go (and then one more!)

As I type this I am just a few days away from two back to back cons. These two cons are different for me because I will actually have a table there. It really is a different thing to do a big con with and without a table. I find that you lose freedom, the stress level is about the same tho. I am still dealing with my friend in the hospital, so I am way behind schedule (as you can tell by this one day late big). Right now I am washing my "uniform", making my checklist, and burning CD's to sell (still have to cut and label them...). I am a little worried because these cons are going to be a preview for the BIG show of the SDCC. I had planned to have a preview of my book, but it's still being worked on and will be ready for SDCC. So this weekend..Wizard Philly. Next weekend, Big Apple. Wish me luck!

May 22 show

Tonight (May 15, 2008 ) LIVE on "The Comic Book Novice" radio program Join me, Mark Torres and my new co-host, Brian Ferrara (from Terminal Press) as we interview Professor Kent Worcester.

If that's not all, we are giving away passes to the Wizard Philly convention (www.wizardworld.com).

Not in New York? Not a problem, we have live audio streaming online at www.am1240wgbb.com

9pm Eastern Standard Time

Missed a show? Archives @ www.thecomicbooknovice.com

Now in our second consecutive year!

Deal or No Deal

I went to traffic court yesterday (speeding ticket) and before court started, the officer pulled me aside (as he did with everyone else) and wanted me to plea guilty to a lesser charge. Now I had a case, but I wasn't 100% sure I would win it. So at that moment, I thought "So this is what they feel like on that show with Howie Mandel, take the deal, pay a lesser fine, no points, no hassle, or go to trial, risk it all in the hopes that I have a winning case."
I won!

Speaking of winning, we have a Deal of our own. "The Comic Book Novice" is having a "Gimme my Philly tix" contest. We are giving away free passes to the Wizard World Philly con (www.wizardworld.com), which is from 5/30-6/1. Head over to our site for details.

May 15th show

Tonight (May 15, 2008 ) LIVE on "The Comic Book Novice" radio program Join me, Mark Torres and my new co-host, Brian Ferrera (from Terminal Press) as we interview Chugworth Academy co-creator Jamal Joseph (www.chugworth.com).

Not in New York? Not a problem, we have live audio streaming online at www.am1240wgbb.com

9pm Eastern Standard Time

Missed a show? Archives @ www.thecomicbooknovice.com

Now in our second consecutive year!

Sorry

Friend in hospital. No blog this week.

May 08 2008 show

Tonight (May 8, 2008 ) LIVE on "The Comic Book Novice" radio program Join me, Mark Torres, our very own Movie Mike and my new co-host, Brian Ferrera as we discuss the new Iron Man movie.

This will be a free flowing conversation so spoilers may be mentioned.

Have you seen the movie? What are your thoughts? Give us a call.

Not in New York? Not a problem, we have live audio streaming online at www.am1240wgbb.com

9pm Eastern Standard Time

Missed a show? Archives @ www.thecomicbooknovice.com

Now in our second consecutive year!

Todd and the basket of apples

There was this guy who wanted to eat some apples. He got a basket, filled it with apples sat himself under a tree in the park and started to eat them. Based on the size of the basket that he had, he got others (friends, family, even people he met passing by) to help him eat the apples.
As time went by, those other people (for many reasons such as they getting tired of eating apples, them being unable to continue eating apples, moving away, etc.) stopped eating apples with him. Yet others came along and ate apples with him.
some people ate alot of apples, some just had a few. Some even came along and decided to juggle bananas.
The guy thought that was odd. He asked those banana jugglers, "Why are you juggling bananas?"
"We wanted to help you eat the apples" they said.
"You can juggle bananas, but that is not helping me these eat apples." he replied
"Sure it is." they said.
"Well, if you want to sit with me and eat apples you are welcome to do that, but if you want to juggle bananas, please do it somewhere else." he told them.
"We are trying to help you but you are not letting us." they said.
"If you are not eating apples you are not helping. I just want to eat apples." He said.
"So you are saying that you prefer to just eat apples without us as opposed to let us juggle bananas with you?" they asked puzzled.
"Well, you don't want to eat apples, and I don't need banana jugglers....However if you decide to eat apples, then I'll be over there eating apples." he told them as he sadly walked back to his basket.

The guy's name?

It's not Todd!

When I started doing the radio show way back when I had Hassan Godwin, Jennifer Smith, and Todd Wright. Todd Wright had the right mix of old school comic book knowledge and passion for the craft. He was the first to leave the show. Circumstances just prevented him from making the long trek to the radio station each week. If he contacted me today and said "I can make it to the station." I'd put him back on the show in a heartbeat. But he never did.

The show must go on. So now it will be Myself and Terminal Press' Brain Ferrera as the show hosts. Hopefully I can find another female to take Jennifer's spot of the "novice" role.

May 1 radio show

Tonight (May 1, 2008 ) on "The Comic Book Novice" radio program Join me, Mark Torres and Hassan Godwin as we interview Joseph Caramanga (www.modeloperandi.net).

Not in New York? Not a problem, we have live audio streaming online at www.am1240wgbb.com

9pm Eastern Standard Time

Missed a show? Archives @ www.thecomicbooknovice.com

Now in our second consecutive year!

Here's something I didn't realize till half way through this or I can't dance

Ever lost a day? Well, I did. I thought today was Tuesday. I got up and I was like I have so much to write about lets get to it. While writing, I turned on the TV and it said today was Wednesday. Now here is something that (might be) interesting. A little background if you will. My week usually works like this. Thursday-show, Friday-upload show to ftp (then my webmaster gets it) sleep late, Saturday thru Monday-Work at other job, Tuesday-blog, Wednesday-follow up/do stuff I didn't do. For the past few weeks, I have had Monday off. So I got an extra day to be at home. This week, got called in, so it felt like Monday was Sunday, and Tuesday was Monday. Now I didn't see any clues that it was Tuesday, When I watch TV ('cept for Judge Judy and The Price is Right (daytime version)) it's on tape. By sheer coincidence, I was watching shows that normally air on Monday (just a few months ago). So no clues there. Normally I try to catch the news (live, not on tape) but I was doing other things and I missed it, so no help there. So I figure I have to stop typing and go up to put this little note it.

We now return you to the regularly scheduled blog already in progress

Yes, I can't dance (well). I mean EVERYONE can "dance" (just move to the music). But dance like an average person? Not me. There are many things I can't do. yet the things I can do I think I do them quite well. In "Married....with Children" (one of my all time fav TV shows) there was one episode where Al told Kelly "don't try to do everything, find one thing and then do it better than anyone" (not sure if that was the exact quote). At any rate it was good advice. Many years later, I was talking to my favorite comic book writer Peter David and I asked him what was he best known for. He went on an to an extensive list of things that he is known for because he is known to many groups (Kids, Sci-fi guys, Star Trek guys, Comic guys). I said "wow, that's a lot of things" and he said "Jack of all trades, master of none". A few years after that, I was reading one of those books by the "Rich dad, Poor dad" guy (don't remember the name right now) and it said (once again not sure of the exact quote) "don't do everything yourself, if you need to do something you are not an expert on, surround yourself with those who are". So I see it as this. I can't run and maintain a website, get a webmaster. I am shy at times when meeting new people, hang out with those who are very outgoing. I can't do interviews, look good on camera, take photos, look for sponsors, edit video, hand out fliers, run a table all at the same time, but I can manage things, I can lead, I can keep a show moving. Sure it's not easy, and I can always do better, but while I can't dance, We sure as hell can move to the music!

How odd

For those of you that read this (and are privvy to my inner thoughts) you might have noticed that something was missing yesterday. You also may have noticed that I am posting on a Friday! Well, it seems that I goofed. Not the first time and it sure as hell won't be the last. On Thursdays, I have a simple ritual. I hit all the forums and social networking sites and post about the upcoming show. Then I head out to the station (sometimes leaving early to run some errands). At any rate, for some reason I didn't post here. Not that's it's an earth shattering event, nor that those who read this blog don't know I host a live show on Thursdays, but I like things to work a certain way. I could just go back and act like I did post on time, but hey, I thought why not talk about it. After all, that is what a blog is, a web log. So I am logging about my goof. At least I still have a 99.9% success rate on posting on Tuesdays!

The Fight, The Con, and the Pope

So it's Tuesday! That means I get to tell everyone about my "week". For me the week starts on Thursday (because it's the day of the show). Anyway, after the show, I attended a special screening of "The Forbidden Kingdom". For those of you who don't know, that is the Jackie Chan/Jet Li martial arts epic. What can I say but the fight was great! The rest of the movie...not so much. It was..decent, and while 85% of the movie was by the numbers, there was one or two things that made me think that SOMEONE was thinking while making this movie.
During that time (of the show) our very own Belkis was attending the Stan Lee VIP event. As you can see from our main page, she snagged a photo with him. I was hoping for an interview, but he didn't stay that long at the event.
Friday, I went to the NYCC (actually, I went all three days). It was great. I got to meet up with alot of my contacts, made a few new ones and did a slew of audio and (Belkis did) video interviews (which are being uploaded to the site as I type this). I got to meet the head of the NYCC Lance Fensterman (he did the show for those of you who don't remember) and he was the coolest guy. I have to say that He does look VERY young, but handled everything like the pro he is. He said he was stressed, but he sure didn't show it.
The costumes were light (in comparison to the I-con a few weeks back) but were still plenty to see. My fave was these two hot chicks in a scantly clad version of Batman and Robin (never had my camera with me in the 4 times I saw them). I got to see Kal Penn and Neil Patrick Harris (who were cool enough to take a few minutes to sign stuff). I saw Stan Lee in the flesh (walked right by me) and a life-sized Hulk statue (which was awesome). Saturday night was the CAG awards party and I had a great time. I even recorded the entire event (which will be uploaded to the site soon). Oh, and there was the "free area" which was just for press, and professionals. It had free popcorn, soda, water, and (wait for it) air. That's wight they had an oxygen bar!
Now for my gripes (you know they had to come). First off, I was supposed to attend a press only Stan Lee panel which I missed (stupid me read the e-mail wrong). I had planed to meet (previous guest) Bill Baker (who I just couldn't find), and the thing that really got on my nerves were my co-hosts. As I have mentioned in the past these guys are working for free, and are taking time out of their lives for me, so really, who am I to complain? But, I asked both of them to bring and wear the CBN shirt so people can know who they are with. Belkis said that she read my text message wrong (and had planned to bring it until she got that message), and Hassan said that I should have told him before. Now it's not like I just sprung on the fact that the con was last weekend, they knew well in advance what I wanted. Maybe it's true what they say about surrounding yourself with people who will lift you up instead of dragging you down. "What's the big deal? It's just a shirt" you might say. Here's the thing. Yes, it IS just a shirt. So if I ask everyone to wear it, why aren't they? These things aren't free. and it is a sign of "not-caring-ness". Why do the job half-@$$ed? Obviously you are here for me, but also yourselves. When I'm at a job (a paying job) and they want such and such, sometimes I don't give 100% that's because I HAVE to be there. But these guys (supposedly WANT to be here). It's not all bad, they did help out by taking photos and doing the interviews so, it's not like they didn't do any work, and that I am not grateful (cause I am).
Oh, and the Pope was in the city!

April 17 show

Tonight (April 17, 2008) Live! on "The Comic Book Novice" radio program Join me, Mark Torres and Hassan Godwin as we interview Keith Gleason, John Cimino and Michael Hopta
from Hero Envy (www.glintofhope.com)

Not in New York? Not a problem, we have live audio streaming online at www.am1240wgbb.com

9pm Eastern Standard Time

Missed a show? Archives @ www.thecomicbooknovice.com

Now in our second consecutive year!

Good news, bad news and TAXES!

As most Americans (since I know that other countries listen to my show) know, today is the final day to do your taxes in the USA. It's a big deal because (by my guesstimate) 40% of us haven't filed yet (yours truly being one of them!). But that is just the tip of the iceberg!

Cause I have REAL news. The week is the NYCC (duh) and because of which, I am getting a press pass to get in (all common knowledge). Because of said pass, I get to be on the list of press attending the event and because of that, people contact me for interviews!

Now for the bad news, I had to turn down an interview with (Mr. X-Files himself) Chris Carter. Seems they wanted to promote the panel he is doing at the con (on Friday) and wanted us to do an interview before hand. It was just too short of a notice and the fact that we had a guest on for this Thursday (and that it would have had to have been a pre-recorded interview) I had to say sorry, can't help you. It is the biggest interview we never had.

4/10/08 show

Tonight (April 10, 2008) Live! on "The Comic Book Novice" radio program Join me, Mark Torres and Hassan Godwin as we talk about the I-con (www.iconsf.org). If you were there, feel free to call in and share your story.

In addition to that, we are giving away another set of free 3-day passes to the New York Comic-con (www.nycomiccon.com). Tune in for details.

Not in New York? Not a problem, we have live audio streaming online at www.am1240wgbb.com

9pm Eastern Standard Time

Missed a show? Archives @ www.thecomicbooknovice.com

Now in our second consecutive year!

I-conic trip?

While we will be talking about it on this week's show, I wanted to leave my thoughts on the I-con here first.

I have been going to I-con (off and on) for about 10 years. And I can tell that it has changed much over the years. The biggest thing I noticed is the rising price, the expansion of the over all con (after all, it uses the entire Stonybrook campus), the sheer number of costumes, and the decline of the "big" names. What makes up for it is that the "regulars" are always entertaining. Not for nothing some of the regulars are big names, but I find that even if Jim Lee was to come to a con for 10 years straight, it gets kinda dull.

As for content, You got your "new" movies such as "I am legend" and the old/"why am I wasting my time movies" such as "Journey to the Planet of Prehistoric Women". You got your gaming (video, Live-action role play, and card), sci-fi and literature stuff. I'm into the comics gaming (not so much) and the Movie and TV stars. Even tho there was plenty of things to do, there wasn't enough for me to do to warant me to go for the whole weekend, so I only went on Saturday.

For me, it was all about Peter David, Dwayne McDuffie, and Erine Hudson. Altho I didn't see Peter David, I had a great time on two Dwayne McDuffie panels, and I even got to interview him as well as Ghostbuster Ernie Hudson. Both audio interviews are already on the main site.

4/3/08 show

Tonight (4/3/08) Live! on "The Comic Book Novice" radio program Join me, Mark Torres, Hassan Godwin and Belkis as we interview Cory J. Herndon (www.burningsea.com)

In addition to that, we are giving away another set of free 3-day passes to the New York Comic-con (www.nycomiccon.com). Tune in for details.

Also free weekend passes to the I-con (www.iconsf.org). Call in to win.

Not in New York? Not a problem, we have live audio streaming online at www.am1240wgbb.com

9pm Eastern Standard Time

Missed a show? Archives @ www.thecomicbooknovice.com

Now in our second consecutive year!

News!

So it turns out that Marvel Comics has approached me to write a sequel to the What if..? vol 2 #114 Which picks up right after the story left off (for those of you who don't know) the issue tells the tale of what would have happened if the Marvel Superheroes has stayed on the Secret wars world 25 years later.

We just got major funding! DC comics, along with Sony pictures have decided to become lifetime sponsors of "The Comic Book Novice" which means that we will be on every weekday night for one hour shows!

And...Superstar artist Al Rio, has agreed to re-pencil "The Chosen Few" (my comic which is due out in July) for a back end deal (meaning that he does the work for free to get a percentage of the profits).

APRIL FOOLS!!!!
Wait, I think I did that wrong....

Hey look I'm the guest!

It may just be for a few minutes, But I got interviewed for a second time on a podcast! (the honor for my first interview goes to the crazee comics guys)I have been trying to figure out how to put the podcast in my blog, hopefully if you click the top link, it should take you there...

3/20/08 show

Tonight (3/20/08) Live! on "The Comic Book Novice" radio program Join Me, Hassan Godwin, and Belkis as we talk to Lance Fensterman (www.nycomiccon.com)

In addition to that, we are giving away another weekend pass to the New York Comic-con (www.nycomiccon.com). Call in to win.

Not in New York? Not a problem, we have live audio streaming online at www.am1240wgbb.com

9pm Eastern Standard Time

Missed a show? Archives @ www.thecomicbooknovice.com

Now in our second consecutive year!

Just made it!

With all the things going on in my life I forgot today was Tuesday. I know how all of you out there are eagerly awaiting my random thoughts and insights. But hey as long as i get it in before midnight it counts!

So try this one on for size......

Person "A" goes into the future. For this purpose, he goes one hour into the future. The rules state that for the time that he is gone, he didn't exist in that time. Now let's say that when he arrives one hour into the future, he sees himself. The rules state that this means that he must have travelled through time again and arrived after he left but before he arrived within that hour span. So Person "A" figures that he has to travel back in time so he can meet up with his future self (person "B"). He does and waits till he meets himself from the future. Makes sense right?

Here's the kicker...let's say person "A" decides to take person "B" with him and he decided to leave him back in the past and travels back into the future and arrives after he had lef with person "B". The question that is bothering me is how can person "B" exist and not exist at the same time?

See person "B" is there in the future because person "A" left him there in the past. However, person "B" has to age, bceause his life is a continuous loop for that one hour. So if person "B" ages, he as to be all ages at the same time when person "A" gets him....

I just love time travel.

3/13/08 live giveaway ahow

Tonight (3/13/08) Live! on "The Comic Book Novice" radio program Join Belkis, and Your's truly as we have our re-scheduled interview with Author Chris Knowles (www.secretsun.com).

In addition to that, we are giving away another set of free 3-day passes to the Wizardworld LA convention (http://www.wizardworld.com/) and a weekend pass to the New York Comic-con (www.nycomiccon.com). Call in to win.

Not in New York? Not a problem, we have live audio streaming online at www.am1240wgbb.com

9pm Eastern Standard Time

Missed a show? Archives @ www.thecomicbooknovice.com

Now in our second consecutive year!

Walking the line

As the convention season gets closer, I am starting to think about how to work a con (having a table, or doing interviews/networking) and be a fan at the same time. After all, I like going to cons, and I am a fan of many things they have to offer. But I also have a company to run. So I have to balance work and play. It's not as easy as one would think. I mean how do you choose between going to interview (let's say) Joe Quesada, and going to see a (let's say) Harlan Ellison and Peter David panel? When do you go to buy some comics/movies as opposed to handing out fliers? It's a little different when you are by yourself at a con (you stay at the table), but when you can do both, you should. After all, what is the point if going to a con if you are not going to enjoy it?

MFC-Studios is going to be at the I-con, the NYCC, The Big Apple con, the Wizard Philly con, and the SDCC in some way shape or form. And I plan to do as much as I can to promote the radio show, and have the best time going to panels, seeing movies, and meeting my favorite comic guys.

3/6/08 show

Tonight (Live!) on "The Comic Book Novice" radio program Join Hassan, Belkis, and Yours truly as we interview Mike Raub (www.comicmix.com).

In addition to that, we are giving away another set of free 3-day passes to the Wizard World LA convention (http://www.wizardworld.com/). Call in to win.

Not in New York? Not a problem, we have live audio streaming online at www.am1240wgbb.com

9pm Eastern Standard Time

Missed a show? Archives @ www.thecomicbooknovice.com

Now in our second consecutive year!

30 seconds to spam

Just a few weeks ago, one of our sponsors pulled out. Not because of anything we did, just they stopped publishing their book. And for some reason, it seems like the shows after that we have even less time with the extra 30 seconds per show... Weird huh?

Another thing I want to mention is that on some forums, I have been accused of spamming. Of course the admins and mods (in most cases) defend me, I was just denied the ability to post on one forum because they said I would be advertising. How can I be spamming if it's a comic book radio show on a comic book forum and I am not selling anything?

any thoughts or comments?

2/28/08 show

Tonight (LIVE! ) on "The Comic Book Novice" Radio show, Join Belkis, Hassan and yours truly as we interview Artist/letterer/comic book creator Chris Giarrusso (www.chrisgcomics.com) on another giveaway show. In addition to Chris, we have passes to the Wizard LA con (www.wizardworld.com) and tickets to the Sci-fi play "Fight Girl Battle World" from www.vampirecowboys.com for FREE!

9pm EST www.am1240wgbb.com

Archives @ www.thecomicbooknovice.com

Now in our second consecutive year!

On your marks....

We here are in pre-con season and it looks like things are going quite well. We are set to have tables at the Wizard Philly Con, the "Summer Sizzler" at the Big Apple Con, and the SDCC. I (along with the rest of the crew) will be making appearances at the NYCC, the I-Con (www.iconsf.org) and maybe one or two more places.

The Book will be ready for the SDCC and may even have a "preview issue" to be debuted at an earlier con. Although as of right now it looks like I may team with another company and do a 5 issue run and then do the 115 page graphic novel.

Our 2008 Edition of the Best of Cd is on hold till Hassan can get a day off of work so we can record it. But once that is done we are all go to have them ready for the cons also

We are to have our ad in a few places (never hurts to get the word out) such as in Sam Vera's (www.crazeecomics.com) Doodie trade, Free Lunch Comic's (www.freelunchcomics.com) Sky Pirates, Wizard magazine, and in the program guides to the I-Con, and the play "Fight Girl Battle World" from Vampire Cowboys (www.vampirecowboys.com)

And best of all we will have tons of stuff to give away on the radio show. Not only do I have Wizard convention tickets to hand out, we have 3 day passes to the NYCC, I-Con, a free pair of tickets to "Fight Girl Battle World", and I hope to be able to get a few passes to give away for the SDCC and Big Apple Con too.

so let people know!

2/21/08 show

Tonight (LIVE) on "The Comic Book Novice" radio program join Hassan, Belkis, Yours truly and Movie Mike as we talk about the movie Jumper.

As with all of our movie review shows, this will be a free flowing discussion, so spoliers may be mentioned.

In Addition to that, we will be giving away 2 FREE 3-day passes to the Wizard LA convention.

If you have seen the movie we want to hear from you! Listen in and call in!

9pm EST www.am1240wgbb.com

archives @ www.thecomicbooknovice.com


Now in our second consecutive year!

Feedback

This past Thursday I got a package. It was a self addressed stamped envelope containing an original comic and a letter. But it was more than that. It was a hand drawn comic from a kid. It kinda reminded me of my old comics I used to draw for myself. I was flattered. Without giving away too much (don't want him to think that I am giving away his secrets) it was about a superhero who stopped a bank robber. Not only is this the first package I have gotten, but the letter has such sincerity attached to it. I am honored. I wonder if Marvel gets stuff like this...

2/14/08 show

Tonight (LIVE) on "The Comic Book Novice" special giveaway show, Belkis and Yours truly will be talking to Comic creator Brian Ferrara (www.terminalpress.com) as we give away another set of FREE 3-day passes to the Wizard LA Con (www.wizardworld.com)

9pm EST www.am1240wgbb.com

archives @ www.thecomicbooknovice.com

Steve Gerber

Another Death....

Seve Gerber. Best known as co-creator of the Marvel Comics character Howard the Duck.
Some little (well, little to me) known facts about Steve, He created the animated Thundarr the Barbarian cartoon, He was one of the founders of the Malibu Comics Ultraverse, co-creating Exiles, and he worked in television animation, working as story editor on the animated series The Transformers, G.I. Joe, and Dungeons & Dragons. Last year he was diagnosed with an early stage of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis which meant that he needed a lung transplant. while still working on a new DR. Fate comic, he died in a Las Vegas hospital from complications stemming from his condition.

What really hits home for me is that I went to his blog and he was allowed to use his lap top on the hospital. His final thoughts and words are...well, they are something to read. Just thinking about his mindframe during that time. it's just wow.... He was 60.

I can't say I was a "fan" but I enjoyed his run on The Sensational She-Hulk.

2/7/08 giveaway show

Tonight (Live!) on "The Comic Book Novice" radio program Join Hassan, Belkis, and Your's truly as we interview Author/Designer Arlen Schumer (www.arlenschumer.com).

In addition to that, we are giving away 2 free passes to the Wizardworld LA convention (http://www.wizardworld.com/)

9pm EST www.am1240wgbb.com

Archives @ www.thecomicbooknovice.com


Now in our second consecutive year!

Super Duper Tuesday

I may have mentioned this before, but during the course of the week, a lot of things come to mind to talk about, but when Tuesdays come along sometimes I draw a blank. But hey today is another day where I can just comment on the day. It's another one of those "special" days. We have the Giants parade and the media dubbed "Super Duper Tuesday" because of the elections. So I get two things to talk about.

First the Superbowl. Now I am not a "big time" football fan, I watch it occasionally (more when I was younger than I do now) but I know what's going on in the game. Now I was torn on who to root for. Peoople like the underdogs, but because of a past history with the 49'ers I didnt want them to win. However, I never had any love for the Patriots. Ever since '01 that team just didn't sit right with me. All that talk about dynasty. Then this year with all that 19-0 crap. Being undefeated aure makes one cocky. I hate cocky. So really (for me) this game was "a lesser of two evils". But even with all that, it was a good game. Close, could go anyway, last minute moves and plays. So in other words a good show. Go Giants!


Now for the election. Yes, this is just the primary but while no one else is gonna say it (we are just to "PC") but there is just no way the Democrats are going to win this one. I see it like this: what happened last election? Kerry had an early (big) lead. Word got out to the western states that he had a chance and might win. The "rest" of the nation was like "there is no way that is going to happen" and voted for Bush. I just don't think the "average" American is ready for a black man or a woman to be President. There I said it. Maybe I'm wrong, but I don't think so.

1/31/08 show

Tonight (LIVE!) on "The Comic Book Novice" radio show Join Hassan, Belkis, And yours truly as we interview Author Christopher Knowles (http://secretsun.blogspot.com/).

Listen in and call in!

Tonight 9pm EST www.am1240wgbb.com

archives at www.thecomicbooknovice.com

Now in our second consecutive year!

The thing that no one saw...

On last weeks episode of "The Comic Book Novice" radio show we mentioned that the director of the movie "Cloverfield" Matt Reeves was quoted as saying (regarding the final shot in the aforementioned movie) "The thing about that shot is that almost nobody sees the shot, but once you see the shot and the thing in it, you'll never stop seeing it."

So with a little research, I found out what the hell he was talking about. I have yet to actually "see" the thing, but I'm sure to catch it eventually. If you click the title above it will take you to www.cloverfieldendingcredits.com where they explain the whole shebang. Basically at the end of the movie, "something" is shown dropping into the water by Coney Island. According to the site it was a satellite dropped into the ocean by the same company the lead guy was going to be VP of (what a connection!) as a viral marketing campaign (sort of like those "bombs" for the "Aqua Force" movie). Anyway the thing that they are promoting is a drink (slusho!) which made the monster (huh?) This was supposed to all be explained in the beginning of the movie (guess those 20 minutes were important after all!) as background chatter.....

1/24 show

Tonight (LIVE! ) on "The Comic Book Novice" Radio show, Join Hassan, yours truly (Belkis has the night off) as we discuss the movie "Cloverfield". Did you see it? We want to hear from you!

As with all of our movie review shows, this is a free flowing conversation so spoilers may be discussed.

9pm est www,am1240wgbb.com
Archives @ www.thecomicbooknovice.com

well...

I had planned to talk about something else today, but then Heath Ledger was found dead in an apartment owned by one of the Olsen Twins. He was 27. Holy crap! It's not just the fact that he was so young, but it came out of nowhere. It wasn't like he was a party guy or associated with drugs, but there he was (allegedly) naked in the room with pills around him. He was set to play the Joker in the Dark Knight movie. I am curious how this is going to affect the whole thing. The movie is due out this year, so I'm guessing that the principle footage was shot. This reminds me of when Donald Pleasance died during the 6Th Halloween movie. I made an earlier blog about death so I really don't have much more to add. So to his family, I feel your loss.

1/17/08 show

Tonight (LIVE! ) on "The Comic Book Novice" Radio show, Join Belkis, Hassan and yours truly as we talk about Movies from Comics and TV.

9pm est www.am1240wgbb.com

Archives @ www.thecomicbooknovice.com

An important day in history

Another special day (I see a theme here). The is Martin Luther Kings B-day. When I was in school, it really was just another time when I had to write a report that I didn't want to do. But now, as I am older I can appreciate how important the man (and his dream) are. Everyone should take a look back at the man and history for a little inspiration. So thank you Mrs. King for having him!


And....On January 14, 2007 I met up with Jeff Lo (station manager at WGBB). It was then that we re-started our business relationship by me signing up for a years worth of radio shows. This week's Thursday will be our 52ND show back from my hiatus (2003). It's interesting how much has changed, yet after a long break alot stayed the same. With regards to the radio station that is. But hey! Now even they have a new website design.

I was hoping that my new website would be launched around this time (to commemorate the anniversary) but it looks like it will be ready at the end of the month (and that's just as good).

1/10/08 show

Tonight (LIVE!) on "The Comic Book Novice" radio show Join Hassan, Belkis, And yours truly as we discuss realism in comics.

What are your thoughts? Listen in and call in! Tonight 9pm EST www.am1240wgbb.com

archives at www.thecomicbooknovice.com

Vampire Cowboys

This past Saturday I went to a little place in brooklyn. It was a play. Well, more than than. I'd say it was a live performance. Actually 4 of them. The Vampire Cowboys as they call themselves, is a series of performances with a sci-fi fantasy element to it. Each month they show one part of each of the 4 on-going serials. Last week's show was part 4. Next month's will be part 5 (of 5). Once that is done (again according to the website) they will premiere new shows. So really these are one time performances.

So let me tell you a little about each show. I was about 10 minutes late for the first show, but it was still entertaining. It was a cast of 3 and it was set in the future in a college dorm. The leads were each trying to figure how they were going to have sex.

The second one was with a group of characters fighting demons in the south. One of which was a Blind amnesiac county singer and a girl who can only talk without speaking (another actress does her voice off stage)

The third show was about a desolate future out west where the hero refuses to carrry a gun and is searching for a valuable item which (of course everyone else is also)

And the last one was about an odd cast of characters involved in an alien invasion of moth women as they try to achieve immortality by reproducing.

It's good stuff.

1/03/08 show

New year new show! Tonight (LIVE) on "The Comic Book Novice" radio program Hassan, Belkis and Yours truly
will be talking about comic book the new Aliens Vs Predator movie. As with all of our movie review shows, this will be a free flowing discussion, so spoilers may be mentioned. If you have seen the movie share your comments. Call in we want to hear from you!

9pm EST www.am1240wgbb.com

archives @ www.thecomicbooknovice.com

New Year

Once again (not too unexpectedly) I have another special day fall on a Tuesday. New Years day. So I guess my thoughts about the past year and my resolutions for the year to come are in order.

last year was a major overhaul. I moved to a new place. I made a big push with my company, started the radio show back on again, did some cons and used the power of the press pass. Yet sad things happened also. I had a death in my life and have lost many other things.

This year I'm going for broke. Got my book on the way (get a move on Pete!). The website will be up to 100% (I have faith in you John and thanks for your help Jerron). We are going to San Diego, a New best of CD is on it's way (I'm waiting on you Brian)and we are full steam ahead on the Radio show.

As usual, my resolution is this: to make it to the next year!

There will be ups and downs but that is how life is. I wish all of you a happy new year and hope you achieve what you set out for in 2008.

12/27 show

Tonight (LIVE!) on "The Comic Book Novice" Radio show, Join Hassan, Belkis and yours truly as we interview Comic Book Creator Andrea Grant (www.minxcomic.com)
9pm est www.am1240wgbb.com
Archives @ www.thecomicbooknovice.com

Christmas

Once again Tuesday is a special day. So I get to talk about Christmas and holidays in general. I was watching Rudolph the other day and I noticed a few things...First, Santa is a bastard. he's just hanging around the house only caring about Christmas instead of the well being of Rudolph, his family and friends. Also, the snowman telling the story. He knows where Rudolph and Claire are and tells the guys to go after them, yet he doesn't tell Rudolph and makes him go out all on his own...

And why is it that Christmas needs saving? It's a holiday where you give (or get) stuff. why does that need saving? My mom used to say that any day can be Christmas. I'm inclined to agree with her.

Also, what's the deal with all this P.C. Stuff? people are too sensitive and many places can;t (or won't) say Merry Christmas. Soon it will be that radio stations wont play Christmas songs because they don't want to offend anyone.

So, I guess I should make a Christmas wish....('cause you know it can't hurt) and honestly I did have a Christmas miracle last year...But let's do something different. hows about you make a wish for me (that way it will swirl some of that positive energy). I'll make a wish for you. Hope you like what I wished for you!

12/20 giveaway show

Tonight (LIVE) on "The Comic Book Novice" radio program Hassan, Belkis and Yours truly
will be talking about comic book timelines.

Do you care that a character that is 30+ years
old is still in high school or that over 40+ years a character hasn't aged a day?? Share your thoughts by calling in.

Also we will announce the winner of the $25.00 Wizard gift certificate. (Keep sending those e-mails in! You have until 3pm EST today)

9pm EST www.am1240wgbb.com

archives @ www.thecomicbooknovice.com

Live vs....

This past week, I decided to have a little contest. It was (and still is) just an indicator to see how many people listen to the live show and how many download it. See there really is no way for me to tell that. After all, anyone listens live either goes to the radio station's website or just goes on the radio. We can only track how many people visit the site.

So far we haven't recieved that many entries. Which leads me to think that doing a live show isn't as...what's the word I'm looking for....special(?) as one would think. I mean a radio show does have some clout to it, and opens doors that podcasting doesn't, but is that enough? only time will tell.

12/13 show

Tonight (Live!) on "The Comic Book Novice" radio program Hassan, Belkis and I give our

thoughts and opinions as we review the New York Anime Con (www.nyanimefestival.com) .

Did you attend? Call in and voice your opinion. 9pm EST www.am1240wgbb.com

archives @ www.thecomicbooknovice.com

Carryin' on

During the week (which for me is Tuesday to Tuesday) things happen or thoughts occur to me and I think "Hey, this might be a good thing to blog about". Yet when Tuesday comes most times I come to a blank. "Why don't you blog more often?" one might ask. Well, the answer is simple. I like structure. I like things to work a certain way on a consistent basis.

Anyway, This week I'm going to (once again) vent about something that's been bothering me of recent weeks. As you may (or may not, only two choices!) know, 2008 is supposed to be a big year for me and my little company. I did some cons, I did my ad, and I have been trying to figure out how to get my book ready for the SDCC.

Of course the backbone of everything is the radio show (and the relating web-site). I figure once the book comes out things will (well, should) shift. So right now (beyond the talent behind the book) I have to have constant dealings with my webmaster, and the guys from the radio show. Now everyone works for free and I know I can't do everything by myself (unlike my good buddy over at crazee comics) but sometimes it feels like my group doesn't share my passion, vision, my insight on how my company works (or needs to work).

I try to bend over backwards to keep my people happy. Cause really they can leave at any time. Yet I'm thinking that maybe if I don't rely on others so much I may be forced to step up and do more (or fail horribly trying).

Let's take the Comic. It's been about 4 years since I asked my art team to make the book. As of right now (with the 12/31/07 deadline approaching (to assure that the book will be lettered and published well before the SDCC) and there are about 8 pages that still need to be re-drawn, and about 70+ pages left to ink.

With the radio show, I ask that my co-hosts attend conventions, try to "fill the role" assigned by myself (which basically are them being themselves) and help out wherever/whenever they can. Out of the Four I started with (the really old shows (2003) will be uploaded as soon as the website is at 80% or better) Only Hassan and I remain. This past show we spoke about the role of women in the comic book industry. It was a panel show where I throw out questions or examples and let the rest of the group talk about it. Hopefully it promotes a good discussion and gets people to call in. While it doesn't sound like it, on the day of taping, I felt that they were essentially saying to me "hey why don't you find people to talk about this subject, cause we are not experts". If I wanted an expert I would have had him (or her) as a guest (which would have turned that week into a guest show). I just wanted a free flowing talk about the subject that week. Also, notice that my current co-hosts haven't posted on this blog in months. Of course, I really can't fault them, I'm just making note of it.

Last week I mentioned the website so I wont have to go over that again, but at least I know he's working on it and (hopefully) when it's back on track, my new webmaster will be able to keep on top of it. At least the shows are being updated.

Finally, (beyond "outside work", which is really anyone and everyone promoting the show) the last thing I want to cover is conventions. They have a dual purpose (for me anyways). 1) Promote the show and 2) try to sell stuff (to try to make back the cost of doing the con). I can't sell stuff. Even if I am all behind the product, I am not the seller. My job at a con is to "know stuff". Know about the show, about the site, about the company. I sit at the table and hand out fliers, talk to people and try to make new contacts/friends. Women sell stuff. Hot women sell more stuff. That is a fact. I have a hot new co-host, yet she doesn't sell as much as Jennifer used to. Jennifer was (and still is) cute. But she could sell ice to an Eskimo, she could sell Hookers to Hugh Hefner. Yet now product doesn't move. It could be the change of the times, or the economy, but really I think it is something more. On our table we sell CD's. I now have two. a 2003 and 2007 edition of the Best of my radio show. People like clip shows. Other radio shows produce "best of's" so why not me? It's a little something with new content (along with clips of past shows) to let people know what we do on the show and (hopefully) get people to listen in to the live feed (or archives). If the show is good, the best of CD is a good product. I was told in no uncertain terms that the CD is a bad idea and how it would not be an item that would be pushed or even mentioned at the con. This was said by one of my own people! the quote was "I won't sell something that I don't believe in". This is a valid argument. I say that all the time at my "day job". I used to say that at my old "day job". But how can you be on a radio show, promote the radio show and not try to bring in revenue because you don't believe in the product that you are on. To me that says "I Don't believe in the show". If you don't believe in the show, why do it? I know why I have you on the show, because I need you to make a good product. I can't do it all myself. Hell, I don't even think I could carry an entertaining half hour with just me talking. I remember a conversation I had with Hassan just before I decided to do the show. I asked him would he do it and then said that if he didn't want to/couldn't then I wouldn't do it. (obviously) He said yes.

So I need them and if I could I would be paying them (some I have in a way). But (at least once a week) I wonder how good would things be if we were at 100% and how/what can I do to make it that way.....

I can survive, but I want to thrive.

12/6 show

Tonight (LIVE!) on "The Comic Book Novice" radio show Join Hassan, Belkis, And yours truly

as we discuss the role of women in comics. What are your thoughts? Listen in and call in!

Tonight 9pm EST www.am1240wgbb.com

archives at www.thecomicbooknovice.com

50-50

I'm trying to rememebr the saying...6 on one hand, half dozen on the other? Well, what I'm writing about is the fact that I'm never at "full throttle". It seems that when one thing is working, something else isnt.
Now I mentioned the forces before, but this is different. See my web site used to have no problem updating the front page (generally speaking) but the radio shows were taking a while to show up on the download section. Now (with my new webmaster) the radio shows are updated each week, but the front page remains stagnant.
We did a slew of video interviews almost a year ago, yet the editing process is almost non-exestant.
Just trying to get everything up to speed is a job on it's own. But I keep pushing. maybe one day we will be working on all cylinders, which (for me anyway) is having my co-hosts post on this blog on a regular basis, a fully functional (and constantly updated) website, a weekly tv show, and me working on my next book (there should always be a next book!)