Street Fighter: The Legend of Chin Li

You read right, that is what the marquee said for the new Kristen Kreuk movie Street Fighter: The Legend of CHUN Li. That right there should have been a omen of things to come in the horrible, horrible movie. It's so bad that it makes the original an oscar contender by comparison!

As with all my movie reviews, spoliers may be mentioned.


For those of you that don't know, Street Fighter is an arcade game which was super popular in the late 80's. So much so that Street Fighter 4 was just released a few days ago. This movie focuses on one of (if not the first) female playable character in a fighting game. Chun Li is Chinese and (even if she doesn't look it, Kristen is also of Chinese decent)








Wait a second! Those last two pics arent of Kristen, but of Ming-Na Wen (she played Chun Li in the original). Which one looks more authentic? now to be fair, I didn't post a shot from the actual movie, but there are no costumes (well, maybe except for Vega)


Now I'm not going to get into the whole "Hey this wasn't in the game!". Instead, I'm going to take a look at it strictly from a "stand alone movie" view. In an interview, the Director stated that he wanted to "ground this movie in reality, like the X-men movies (referring to the lack of colorful/original costumes as seen in the comics/video games/cartoons)". That's fine, but except for the fact there there was no costumes, the "reality" was not real at all. The dialog, motivations, even just plain simple actions left me wondering, "What are these people thinking?". For example, the evil scheme (which really was just something to fill up time in the movie) was this: Bison (played by Neal McDonough Blackmails (I believe) some important people in the Chinese govenment to sign over some public property to a company so that he can buy it back for a profit? Or for no reason at all (well, after recieving a mysterious scroll and talking to some random lady) Chun Li has to leave all her possesions behind and live on the streets so she can meet Gen, a Kung-fu master (played by Mortal Kombat's Robin Shou). Or even when Bison decides to destroy Gen's home (where Chun Li is now training/staying at). He send in a (for lack of a better term) a SWAT team, THEN has the place blown up with a rocket, THEN hires his Assassin to go and Kill them? Shouldn't that be the other way around? Finally, to learn more about the evil corporation run by Bison (after looking him up on the internet), Chun Li goes into a club where she does what can only be described as a pseduo-lesbian dance-invite/lure (you just have to trust me on this) so she can get Bison's right hand woman away from her bodyguards to interrogate her.

"What about the fighting?" you may ask. The Jackie Chan/Jet Li movie The Forbidden Kingdom was a below average movie. However the fight between the two aformentioned actors made everything bad about that movie go away. Sadly this is not the case. Now just about everyone cast in the movie is not a fighter so I didn't expect much. But I know fake fighting can be just as good (IE: Charlie's Angels). The fighting was sub par and the slow motion effects didnt help maters any.

So Story/acting/casting-nope
Action scenes-sub par
Costumes-not here

So is there anything good about this movie?

Maya. (Played by Moon Bloodgood)



At least, she was smoking hot (even if she really didn't have much to say/do that made any sense)....

Power Rangers vs Buffy

OK, ok. Everyone (well, not everyone) has been talking about the new Joss Whedon show Dollhouse starring executive producer Eliza Dushku (Faith From Buffy (as if I had to tell you!)). I had to give it a second showing before I could make my decision.

First let me say that I know all about the Joss vs FOX feud (for those of you that don't know, Fox has been all over this show making Joss re-write and re-shoot the pilot to make it more of a "stand alone series with a looming story arc" (such as
The X-Files or more recently Fringe) as opposed to an on-going full on story arc (such as 24 or Lost). Also, I have to say that (as most of you know (or should know by now) I am a HUGE fan of Power Rangers.

As mentioned in a previous post, the original Pink Power Ranger is starring in a new CBS show called Flashpoint. Dollhouse happens to air opposite said show. That said, Dollhouse has to be pretty good to tear me away from watching Kimmy. It really isn't. After two episodes, I still have no reason to watch this show other than Eliza herself (and I have watched shows just because of a certain actor,/actress is in it). I really don't care for the characters or even the story behind this dollhouse. I am left to wonder if the original pilot was any better and would have hooked me. So far each week we learn alittle more about the cast and we see Eliza stretch her acting chops as she "becomes" a completely different person with the knowledge and the skills needed for the particular episode. It was brought up in another blogger's entry about the show, but why go to the Dollhouse in the first place? If you have that much money and need a negotiator/date/target practice, why not just pay for one? They gotta be cheaper than the dolls in the show.

If has been said that after 6 episodes, the show will shift in a new direction. I can give it till then. If it will make it that long is another story....

Even 3 pairs of boobs couldn't save.....

Yes, I said it. Despite the fact that there was a generous amount of nudity, blood, and gore, the "re-imagined" version of Friday The 13th was a (pardon the pun) a horrible movie.

As with all my movie reviews, Spoilers may be mentioned.....


First of all, This new movie is actually re-telling the first 4 Friday the 13th movies. Starting with the mom killing the camp counselors (part 1) to Jason with a bag over his head killing people (part 2) to the Hockey mask (part 3-D), to finally killing Jason (part 4). For those of you that don't know, part 5 had a fake Jason, part 6 made him a zombie, part 7 had him fight a psychic, part 8 had him in Manhattan, part 9 took him to hell, he fought Freddy in Freddy Vs Jason, and (even tho this was released prior) went into space.

They took the original timestamp from the release of the original movie (1980) and using "real time" Jason is now up and about in 2009 as an adult killer. That leads me to my first problem. It's 2009 people. Why are the people in the movie as stupid (or stupider) than they were 20 years ago? The only "real" indication that they are in present day is the Technology the victims are using (G.P.S., cell phones, etc).

Through out the movie I kept on wondering a few things:

1) Why were people doing what they were doing.
2) Why are the people living there still alive (since there really is no motivation for Jason killing people except that they are near the camp)
3) Why was this movie even being made.

Unlike the new Halloween which enhanced the original film, this one, just rehashed what was already done. There was nothing special, nothing different, nothing...just nothing to say about this movie except that it was a huge waste of time.

When I was in the SDCC, I actually sat in on the Friday the 13th panel where the cast and writer/director was present. Even at that time, I wasn't feeling it despite the good intentions I felt the panel had.

One quick note, (for those of you who actually saw this movie) when they finally killed Jason at the end of the movie, I was left wondering why he wasn't fully destroyed as opposed to just his brain being chopped up. And why would they dump him into the lake (which led to the oh-so-obvious ending)?

"This will probably be..." or "the good the not so good and Fringe", or "Rejuvinated"

OK, While I am undecided on my title, my review of the New York Comic-con will be as complete as possible, which may make this my longest post to date.

I live about 2 hours away from the con (and I drove each day!) so I got to the con around 2:30pm on Friday. I just had a late start and planned to be there around noon. As soon as I got there, I went right to the press room got my badge (Thanks Lance!) and headed into the con. They did say that the show was to be bigger, but to me it felt somehow smaller (I didn't realize that there was a third floor till around 4:30pm on Sunday). I made sure to hit up my buddies Sam Vera from Crazee Comics, Rich Bernatovech from Sentinels, Brian Kong, Brian and Jess Ferrera from Terminal Press (who also have been co-hosts to my radio show), Christian and Antonio Montalvo from Alpha Godz, the Lazerman guys, and all my buddies from The Comic Artists Guild (C.A.G.) as well as James Seetal and Mark Mazz (more on him later).

Once that was done, I walked around the con and tried to take it all in. After all these years (and finally making it to the SDCC), I feel it's just more of the same (not that that is a bad thing). I attended a C.A.G. panel (if you are into comics as a craft, you should join them!) and then the C.A.G. awards (hosted by Samuel Vera.)

The Categories and winners are:

(I'll try to upload the images as time goes on)

Best Story Writing: Shawnti Therrien for Meth: A Reason to live




Best Story Art: Hector Rodriguez for Hell's Blood



Best Single Story created by a team: Hector Rodriguez, Keith Murphey and Scott
Murphey for Hell's Blood

Best Writer: Everett Soares



Best Penciler: Hector Rodriguez

Best Inker: Alex Rivera



Best Colorist: Liz Ortiz



Best Letterer: Ed Traquino



Best Cartoonist: Matt Ryan



Best New Talent: James Rodriguez



Production Excellence: Ed Traquino

Best Workshop/Panel: Matt Ryan for "Sales Techniques"

Best Web Comic Creator: ZMAN



and C.A.G. MVP: Keith Murphey


Afterwards, I hung out with Arlen Schumer (after his fine lecture on "The Twilight Zone" original TV series). He was kind enough to treat me to dinner at The Empire Diner. Never been there before, and as promised it had one of the best burgers I have ever had. Special shout out to Brigador Stamback


Saturday:

I had a plan for Saturday. 1) meet Seth Green. Now the thought had occurred to me during the SDCC as Seth had walked right past me (I originally thought that he was a guy who looked like Seth, and then realized that it was him!). I thought, "Hey maybe If I gave him some copies of our best of CD, it might lead somewhere.". Alas, I wasn't ready back then. So today was the day. I went to the Robot Chicken panel, and it was a blast! I managed to get a good seat b/c I actually went into the earlier Cup O' Joe panel. it was basically a "what is coming up in Marvel Comics" panel with an interesting Q&A. I say interesting, because some fans questions were more like complaints. The Marvel guys took a page from the Obama book and was like "I'm sorry" and "it won't happen again". I was impressed with that. Getting back to the Robot Chicken panel...They brought a couple guys from the show most notably Seth Green and Breckin Meyer. All of them were funny and I had a feel that they really wanted to be there and generally are fans of comics and the like. During the panel it was announced that they all would be signing stuff for free on a first com first serve basis but only for an hour right after the panel in a completely different room. So with about 5 minutes to go I took off left the panel to get in line for the signing. Met them (asked Breckin about Rat Race 2, "Never gonna happen he replied."), and gave Seth all of the Cd's.



I honestly believe that he'll listen to them. He also liked the artwork so Kudos to Brian Kong! Once my mission was over, I went around the show floor s'more and then headed out to the Indy After party. It was a great party. Free (great Mark friendly) food, (cash bar tho, but since I don't drink, it's all good) great company, and a performance by a Tool Fist cover band (well, the band didn't actually show, but the Lead singer rocked on, so Kudos to him!).

Sunday:

Sunday I got a super late start. Got to the con around 12:30pm. today was all about Fringe. I had always planned to see the Fringe panel, but because of the special signing area for Seth the day before, I decided to check that area first to gauge the line. At 1pm (the panel was at 2pm) there were about 5 people on the signing line. I was informed that there was going to be a (non-ticket) signing at 3pm. First come, first serve, and they were only signing for an hour. Which was fine. I decided to go to the panel and leave early as I had done the day before. First off, I have to say how impressed I was to see the entire cast from the show. Best thing was that it wasn't announced, so it was a pleasant surprise. Around 2:50pm, I ran out of the room to the signing area. When I got there, the line was longer (about 25-30 people, which wasn't so bad). While on line I met a group of people that were waiting on the line since 1:30 and they were just in front of me. They had no idea there was a fringe panel and had just read the autograph sign upstairs and headed down to the signing area. we talked for a while and then a staffer came along and said (this was a little after 3pm) "there are already 150 people inside the waiting area for signatures there is no guarantee that you will get an autograph." Seems that the original group of and anyone who got there before 1:30 got to go inside while everyone else was waiting outside. So the panel ends late (I know this b/c a huge rush of people came out and get on line (around 3:20pm)) and another announcement was made, "there are 150 people inside already and you may not get an autograph.". Once again fine, I was near the front of the line so I'll take my chances. 4:10pm rolls around and there are now about 10-15 people in front of me (and this is just to the door). Seems alot of people gave up and left the line. During this time information was very light. they should have had someone go to the back of the line and tell them there was no way they would get anything signed, or at very least tell everyone on the line that the chances were slim, or even that we were on the "stand by line". I even tried to use the power of the press pass to just get a photo of them signing other people's stuff (which wouldn't hold up the line or anything) and I was told that FOX said "no press." Now that sucked (but I know it had nothing to do with the NYCC). So at 4:20pm, (keep in mind that no one on the line had been let in the door which led to the actual signing area since I got there, nor the group who was there since 1:30) the guy came out and said, "Not gonna happen." A lot of people were upset. My thoughts is this: once the 150 people were inside, there should have been better communication with the people outside, or just make it a ticketed event (since the entire cast was there).

Oh, Special shout out to Lindsay from C.A.G.!

Uninvited Movie review

It's not the same as doing a show on a movie, but why not tell you what I thought about it. as with all my movie reviews, spoilers may be mentioned.

Overall, it was a slow movie. and while things "happened" it really didn't have that "horror movie" feel. The main girl of the movie comes home after a 10 month stay at a looney bin due to the PTS of seeing her mom die in an explosion. And we are led to believe that the mom's home health aid (who happens to be sharing a bed with the father now) that she killed the mom. During this time the girl accompanied by her sister is being (for lack of a better term) haunted by ghosts of people the aid had killed.

Now here is the thing. If this movie was a straight suspense movie i think it would have been fine. but it is billed as a horror movie. Now with a pg-13 raiting you can't expect mmuch (altho The Ring was pg-13). This remminds me of M. Night Shyamalan's The Village. If it would have been billed as a straight drama, i think i would have enjoyed it better.

I saw this movie with some frined's of mine and one of them turns to me and says "there is supposed to be a big twist in this movie". That set off all kinds of alarms, so now I'm looking for anything that could be clues so I can figure out the ending. I was half right. My friend was (the other) half right also. But he figured it out from the very beginning.

Once the twist was revealed, alot of things make more sense, but it raises some big questions, like why the hell was she being haunted at all....

So if you keep in mind that this is no horror movie you might this movie. If you are looking for a good horror movie, go watch My Bloody Valentine instead

"Smash, SMASH?"

In the world of entertainment, people... "borrow" ideas from each other all the time. I mean how many shows or movies have the same concept? I recall somewhere that there are only 7 original stories. So it's understandable that alot of stuff is similar.

Some things go too far. Any one remember Go-bots? At the time, many people thought that it was a rip-off of Transformers (actually, Go-bots came to the USA first).

It's the same for comics (since they are also part of the entertainment world). How many Batman (Night thrasher), Superman (Supreme), and Hulk (Pitt) clones are there out there? Even stories are used more than once. Really, how many nefarious plans can one guy have? There was an episode of South Park called "The Simpson's did it". In it, the mentioned that since Simpson's have been on the air for so long, there was no more new ideas out there. Many comic characters have been around for decades, so it is understandable that a story may repeat (or recycle) here and there.

Let's take a look at the Spider-Man/Obama comic. Image co-founder Eric Larsen was quoted as being upset that Marvel comics "stole" his idea from a Savage Dragon comic where his main character saves a president in an (almost) similar way. Ironically, he was also accused of doing the same thing with a Hulk comic (issue #420), where the main character (both Hulk, and Savage Dragon, in their own titles of course) had to face the dilemma of giving a friend a blood transfusion in the hopes that it would cure him of AIDS.

This one however takes the cake. According to Comic Mix, (another) Image co-founder, Rob Liefeld is going to have a massive multi-part inter-company crossover where his character "SMASH" declares war on his entire World. Just for the record, the pencils are supposedly unused pages from his Heroes Reborn work. I bet if World War Hulk wasn't successful, SMASH would not have been seen again....

Got any change for me?

It still amazes me on just how many "important Tuesdays" there have been since I started writing this blog.

So today is the day. President Obama.....

I have to say, I never thought this day would come.

Now, lets see what will happen. Since everyone is all about "change" now. Maybe things will change for me and the book (well, the rest of the book) will be published, and the show (in what ever form) will go live once again. A better economy means more sponsors for me! Everybody wins!

But, I look around and nothing has "changed" for me yet!

But to quote Ed O' Neil as Al Bundy "As the man in the stall said to the man waiting, "Give it time."."

Still Morphenomenal after all these years

As I have mentioned many times in the past, I was (and still am) a HUGE Power Rangers fan. Because of which I have watched a few movies or TV shows because they have a former cast member in it. Out of everyone, there has been two that have done the most work Cerina Vincent from Lost Galaxy and Amy Jo Johnson the original Pink Ranger.

Cerina has done quite a few direct-to-dvd movies and has had two Feature films.

But I wanted to talk about Amy in this paticular post. She was a main character in the J.J. Abrams' (yes, that one) show Felicity and now she is on a new show (which got picked up for a second season, airing now) Flashpoint. The show isn't so bad, but because Amy is in it, I'll watch it (of course it doesnt hurt that she is still kinda hot).

"As with all of my movie reviews, this will be a free flowing discussion so spoilers may be mentioned"

I remember when I used to say that 3 times per show when we had a movie review show. Anyways...here is my

Spirit Movie Review

A lot (and I mean ALOT) of people is trashing this movie. I saw it Sunday night and I thought it was OK. Yes, just OK. I cam see what Frank Miller was going for, and I think it was hit or miss at times. Now I have never read, (nor even really heard of) The Spirit, so I went in with no expectations at all. Well, almost, I knew that the "style" of the movie was supposed to be like Sin City.

The movie started off on a down note but it tried to work its way back to to an OK movie (I mean Having the Hero and main villain fight in the first few minutes of the movie is never a good thing, cause where do you go from there?). We did have a bump or two along the way, such as the use of a cell phone in what appeared to be a period movie and the oh-so-bad-over-the-top acting that if you take it seriously for one second, you will not be able to enjoy this movie. By the time we got to the end of the movie was all set for whatever they decided to throw at me, but I was so wrong....

Here we are at the climax of the movie. we are led to believe that The Octopus has killed The Spirit for good this time, the Femme Fatale and the Octopus' side kick (played by the oh-so-hot Eva Mendes and Scarlett Johansson respectively) are facing off and the place is surrounded by cops. Now for no reason at all, the Commissioner (played by the guy who was the dad in the "Wonder Years") decided to call in an all out assault on the Octopus (aren't they supposed to arrest people?). When I say "all out" I mean ALL OUT! every cop starts shooting, and they bring in the helicopters to shoot at one man just to make sure they got him! I was like what the hell? I'm still shocked about that 3 days later!

Like I said, it was an OK movie, something that probably will get alot of airtime on network TV/basic cable in the years to come.

The Cat Purrs No More

Not a good way to end out the year. Another legend dies.....Eartha Kitt, who rose from South Carolina cotton fields to become an international symbol of elegance and sensuality, has died at the age of 81 of colon cancer on Christmas day.

a self-proclaimed "sex kitten" famous for her catlike purr, was one of America's most versatile performers, winning two Emmys and nabbing a third nomination. She also was nominated for several Tonys and two Grammys.

Her career spanned six decades, from her start as a dancer with the famed Katherine Dunham troupe to cabarets and acting and singing on stage, in movies and on television.

When her book "Rejuvenate," a guide to staying physically fit, was published in 2001, Kitt was featured on the cover in a long, curve-hugging black dress with a figure that some 20-year-old women would envy. Kitt also wrote three autobiographies.

Once dubbed the "most exciting woman in the world" by Orson Welles, she spent much of her life single, though brief romances with the rich and famous peppered her younger years.

Her first album, "RCA Victor Presents Eartha Kitt," came out in 1954, featuring such songs as "I Want to Be Evil," "C'est Si Bon" and the saucy gold digger's theme song "Santa Baby," which is revived on radio each Christmas.

In 1996, she was nominated for a Grammy in the category of traditional pop vocal performance for her album "Back in Business." She also had been nominated in the children's recording category for the 1969 record "Folk Tales of the Tribes of Africa."

Kitt also acted in movies, playing the lead female role opposite Nat King Cole in "St. Louis Blues" in 1958 and more recently appearing in "Boomerang" and "Harriet the Spy" in the 1990s.

To me, she was Catwoman on "Batman", the '60's series starring Adam West, replacing Julie Newmar who originated the role.

She was once quoted as saying "Generally the whole entertainment business now is bland," in a 1996 Associated Press interview. "It depends so much on gadgetry and flash now. You don't have to have talent to be in the business today."

Kitt was plainspoken about causes she believed in. "You send the best of this country off to be shot and maimed," she told the group of about 50 women. "They rebel in the street. They don't want to go to school because they're going to be snatched off from their mothers to be shot in Vietnam."

In 2000, Kitt earned another Tony nod for "The Wild Party." She played the fairy godmother in Rodgers and Hammerstein's "Cinderella" in 2002.

As recently as October 2003, she was on Broadway after replacing Chita Rivera in a revival of "Nine."

She also gained new fans as the voice of Yzma in the 2000 Disney animated feature "The Emperor's New Groove.'"

Kitt was born in North, S.C., and her road to fame was the stuff of storybooks. In her autobiography, she wrote that her mother was black and Cherokee while her father was white, and she was left to live with relatives after her mother's new husband objected to taking in a mixed-race girl.

An aunt eventually brought her to live in New York, where she attended the High School of Performing Arts, later dropping out to take various odd jobs.

By chance, she dropped by an audition for the dance group run by Dunham, a pioneering African-American dancer. In 1946, Kitt was one of the Sans-Souci Singers in Dunham's Broadway production "Bal Negre."

Kitt's travels with the Dunham troupe landed her a gig in a Paris nightclub in the early 1950s. Kitt was spotted by Welles, who cast her in his Paris stage production of "Faust."

That led to a role in "New Faces of 1952," which featured such other stars-to-be as Carol Lawrence, Paul Lynde and, as a writer, Mel Brooks.

While traveling the world as a dancer and singer in the 1950s, Kitt learned to perform in nearly a dozen languages and, over time, added songs in French, Spanish and even Turkish to her repertoire.

"Usku Dara," a song Kitt said was taught to her by the wife of a Turkish admiral, was one of her first hits, though Kitt says her record company feared it too remote for American audiences to appreciate.

Song titles such as "I Want to be Evil" and "Just an Old Fashioned Girl" seem to reflect the paradoxes in Kitt's private life.

Over the years, Kitt had liaisons with wealthy men, including Revlon founder Charles Revson, who showered her with lavish gifts.

In 1960, she married Bill McDonald but divorced him after the birth of their daughter, Kitt.

For years, Kitt was unsure of her birthplace or birth date. In 1997, a group of students at historically black Benedict College in Columbia, S.C., located her birth certificate, which verified her birth date as Jan. 17, 1927. Kitt had previously celebrated on Jan. 26.

The research into her background also showed Kitt was the daughter of a white man, a poor cotton farmer.

"I'm an orphan. But the public has adopted me and that has been my only family," she told the Post online. "The biggest family in the world is my fans."

Another Death

Majel Barrett Roddenberry, wife of Star Trek creator Gene Rodenberry, passed away early morning on December 18th after a short battle with Leukemia in her Bel-Air home, surrounded by family and friends. Roddenberry was 76 years old. She began her acting career in the 1950's with roles in such popular shows as "Leave it to Beaver," "Bonanza" and "The Lucy Show; but it was her numerous roles in the legendary Star Trek franchise that fans came to know and love her. Roddenberry had featured roles in almost every Star Trek television and film entity and became an iconic figure within the fan community.

Her roles included Nurse Chapel in Star Trek: The Original Series, Lt. M'ress in Star Trek: The Animated Series, Lwaxana Troi in Star Trek: The Next Generation and Deep Space Nine, and the voice of the USS Enterprise computer in almost every incarnation of the series. However, it was the love affair between her and the late Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry that earned her the title "The First Lady of Star Trek." Over the course of their more then quarter-century love affair, she became not only Gene's partner, but also his creative muse. Majel helped Gene expand the Star Trek universe and was an integral part of its continued legacy after his death, working on Earth: Final Conflict and Andromeda.

I also found out that she is going to be the voice of the computer one last time in the new Star Trek movie out next year.

It is reported that she passed away peacefully, surrounded by her son Rod Roddenberry and family friends.

While I never had the pleasure of meeting her, I did meet their son (did an interview with him at the SDCC) and my condolences go out to him as the only surviving member of the Rodenberry family.

You shall be Punished!

Only if you don't go and see the new Punisher movie. I liked it. I really liked it. That says alot seeing as how I was going into the movie expecting not to like it. Thomas Jane (who was born to play The Punisher was quoted as saying that he was "waiting for a good script" to make the sequel) which tells me that this movie didn't have a good script. So this movie had to work twice as hard to win me over. It did.

Now yes the story was pretty basic. Punisher kills some guys, he makes a mistake and then kills more guys to make up for that mistake. They throw in Julie Benz just so they can have a woman (IE: Heart) in the movie.

Even tho I loved it, most people passed on it. One of the 50 worst openings of all time (well, since they kept track of this sort of thing).

The two main problems I had for this movie is 1) the Actor was just not suited for the role. Even tho he only did one out of the three movies, Thomas Jane will always be Frank Castle to me (much like Linda Carter and Christopher Reeve.) and 2) it had a '90's feel. So much so that The Punisher could just walk up and down New York City in full Punisher Gear and no one would bat an eye. It's something that would fit right in a movie made 10+ years ago, but not here.

So overall, if you like humor, violence and a 90's feel, you'll like this movie. I give it an 8.

The Spirit

No, not this Spirit. I'm talking about the Christmas Spirit.

As most of you know, I am a HUGE Power Rangers fan. But before Amy Jo Johnson donned her pink tights, there was a guy called Pee Wee.


















Speaking of Power Rangers....








Happy Holidays!!!

what is on my mind

"Don't rest on your Laurels", most entertainers say. "Keep it fresh", I have also heard. So how can I do those things when I need sponsors to bring back the radio show? I am still looking into the podcast and (as long as the website is fully updated by then) I plan to try to get some funds at the NYCC.

I never have been a salesman (which isnt that good of a thing when selling myself is important to get some sponsor $$) but I have to really up my game if I want to continue on my little adventure. I set out to get my book published, and it is out. I set out to go to the SDCC, and I went. So now I have to be as equally set to get some bocu bucks in order to bring the show back and keep the momentum going. Any thoughts/suggestions?

NYCC vs Big Apple

When I was in High school, I used to frequent a comic shop in Flushing Queens. Back then it was a big deal going to one of those places. Normally I got my comics at the newsstand by my school. Cut to a few (well, many) years later and we had Michael Carbanaro (head of the Big Apple Con) as a guest on my radio show. Turns out that he was the owner of the very same comic book store I had gone to as a kid! During that show, I found out that b/c of the great convention debacle of (I believe) '96 he founded the Big Apple cons. The aforementioned debacle was a convention at the Javits center (in NYC) that was closed down by the Fire Marshal. Mike took it upon himself to get everyone there (seeing as how he had everything he needed to start a con, people, vendors, "celebs") to go to a Church and start his own convention company that very same day. For years it was a monthly con which was out of a church (actually the basement) near Columbus Circle. Once every year he held the "National" convention which was in November at a bigger location. I got to "know" Mike and we have a business relationship. As time went on, he moved to a bigger and better venue (across the street from Madison Square Garden) which is where all of his cons are held to this very day. He has had big cons, little cons and all types in between. If you may remember I have had tables at some of those conventions. It's where I have met quite a few contacts from the comic book industry.

Then along came the NYCC. Reed Exhibitions who did Book conventions said "Hey, Comics are books. Hell, part of the word comic book is book! Let's do a convention just on that." Of course at the time, they were unsure how things would go. The city was un-cooperative "Comics are for kids, there is no money the be had" and since the other "big name" in comics never held a con there (Wizard) they rented a small portion of the Javits center out. They only had two headliners (the Wrestler Kane and Milla Jovovich) but they promoted the hell out of it.

It sold out. Not only did it sell out, people who already had tickets to get in couldn't. It was a huge disaster and a huge success at the same time. The second year, the show was double the size and it still sold out. Same for the third. It keeps getting bigger and better each year. This year is to be the biggest yet, and it is being predicted that it will surpass the SDCC (which will celebrate 40 years in 2009) in just a few more years. The con has gotten so big that they are asking for $65.00 for a 3 day pass at the door (cheaper if you buy it online).

I "know" the Head of the NYCC (Lance Fensterman) too. He also has been a guest on our show. Once again, we have a professional relationship going. So I have no "sides".

But it seems that while Mike has been puttering along and getting headliners like George Lazenby (for his most recent con). Lance gets Stephen King, Neil Patrick Harris, Grace Park and Brenden Frasier just to name a few. Now yes, Lance only has one show a year, and Mike Still has many, but Lazenby?

I think there is place for both cons in NYC. but Mike has to set up to the plate, and Lance has to remember the roots of comic book conventions.

Sing along!

Now that I have figured out how to upload video, you just gotta listen to this:




I know this one has been on my Myspace for the longest, but here is a new one!





even tho these aren't my favorites, since this is a comic book blog I just have to put this one here:





and...since Bond just came out.....





of course you can see all his stuff on his you youtube channel by clicking the title of this post!

Catching up

OK, from the looks of things, EVERYTHING should from the website will be up in time for the NYCC. I just spoke to my good buddy Lance Fensterman (who was a guest on the show and just happens to be the head of the NYCC) and I can get my press pass. The third webmaster turned out to be all talk and no action so I have to go back to my second webmaster. He had gotten backed up because of a campaign that he was running, but now that that is over, he has s'more free time.

If I get really lucky, I might be able to give away one pair of free passes to the NYCC if everything is updated in time.

Also, (for those of you who bought my comic and want to see the rest) I will be getting on top of my publisher so that all the issues and the trade will be out next year.

Wish me luck!

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!