I have this problem. I have encountered others who experience a similar issue in their lives, but they seem fortunate enough to have not had to deal with as severe a case as I. It revolves around my interests.
I enjoy a great many things. The range of my interests spans across the mediums of literature, film, sequential storytelling, and several others. Where I find that many are capable of applying their attention to several of their interests at once, I on the other hand can only feel an attraction to one at a time. I can't recall a period where I held an equal devotion to two distinct interests simultaneously. This grieves me terribly.
Every once in a while, for there hasn't been a seasonal or calendarial pattern to any of this, I will become wholly obsessed with, for example, a television series or a certain genre of literature. The moment that obsession takes hold I neglect all else, feeling for all of my other interests a supreme apathy which exists at no other time. If I'm reading Robert E. Howard I'm cold to the desire to read a superhero comic book. When I'm working on and reading comics I find that I can't be bothered with gaming. It's maddening how this works within me, and I sit inside myself taking notice and feeling the increasing pressure of frustration and genuine confusion at my self-made system.
Am I alone in this? What are the best ways to break free from this wretched habit? I hope I figure it out one day.
If you're reading this and you experience a similar issue in your life please post your response to the comments section of this post.
Wednesday, April 17, 2013
Saturday, April 13, 2013
Solomon Kane - The Film
I had first heard of a Solomon Kane film some time in 2011 or so. Being a fan of the writings of Robert E. Howard, I was incredibly giddy for the chance to see yet another Howard character adapted for the cinema.
I was fortunate to find a copy of the film through YouTube, though I am still distraught at the delay of a US DVD release. It has been available since 2010, from what I gather, and if there's to be any attention for the piece, or any hope of a sequel, the production folk will naturally need to place their focus on distribution and advertisement. So far, regarding the film audience within the United States, they've failed to be effective with both.
While primarily being a fan of Conan, I eventually first discovered the character of Kane through the horror works of Howard. Having only read two stories featuring the character ("The Rattle of Bones" and "Hills of the Dead"), I must admit that I don't have the strongest feel for his center or what would comprise an ideal Kane tale. So, when approaching this movie I viewed it first as one who is familiar with the writing style of Howard, second as a fan of fantasy film, and third as someone who knows next to nothing about the titular character.
Viewing the film was a more than enjoyable experience, to say the least. I cannot say that it was the best film that I've ever seen, and I'll certainly hold the newest Conan film above it, but it has a heart based in Howard, a great central story, and a fantastic lead in James Purefoy. The design, the special effects, and the acting were all surprisingly astounding, to be honest. The movie featured an exceptional cast beyond its star. Thespians such as the late Pete Postlethwaite, Alice Krige, and Max von Sydow accompanied Purefoy along his character's journey, enriching the film with their contributions.
In regard to the story, it is foremost a tale of redemption, as a scoundrel of a man, a murderer and a dishonorable sort, is forced to come to terms with the intention of Satan to claim his soul. The fear of this realization drives him into a life of uncomfortable peace as he seeks a way to save himself from everlasting damnation. He's again forced into conflict, though, when goodly Puritan folk who've offered him their care are torn apart by the evil forces of a dreaded figure known as Malachi. The plot then transitions into a quest to save an innocent, and in so doing the surrounding lands, so that Kane might be free from the evils of Hell and damnation.
There are many "Howardian" elements which litter the plot of this film. Aside from a rugged, heroic character who's quick to the blade but yet still contemplative, there are the hyper-violent fiends with whom the hero must contend, a wicked sorcerer skilled in an ancient and dark craft, and a seemingly insurmountable challenge from beyond the common understanding of man (something typically associated with H.P. Lovecraft, who was an influence and peer of Howard). Throughout the character's journey you feel as if you're experiencing a Howard tale, for the most part. By the story's end you discover that while this wasn't based on any one Kane tale, it is pretty much a definitive "Year one" story. From the events of this movie, the Solomon Kane which fans will recognize marches forth to combat the darkness with which readers are more familiar. Only in the sequels (if any are produced) will we finally get to see Kane in familiar circumstances.
I highly recommend this to anyone who can obtain a copy. It's an entertaining ride, and well worth the time spent watching it. If you're a Howard fan, it will feel familiar. If you're a Howard purist, you might take issue with the character progression, but never fear, as I've stated it's an origin story more than anything. Basically, watch it if you enjoy pure adventure and grand stories involving the somewhat common struggle of semi-good versus ultimate evil.
I was fortunate to find a copy of the film through YouTube, though I am still distraught at the delay of a US DVD release. It has been available since 2010, from what I gather, and if there's to be any attention for the piece, or any hope of a sequel, the production folk will naturally need to place their focus on distribution and advertisement. So far, regarding the film audience within the United States, they've failed to be effective with both.
While primarily being a fan of Conan, I eventually first discovered the character of Kane through the horror works of Howard. Having only read two stories featuring the character ("The Rattle of Bones" and "Hills of the Dead"), I must admit that I don't have the strongest feel for his center or what would comprise an ideal Kane tale. So, when approaching this movie I viewed it first as one who is familiar with the writing style of Howard, second as a fan of fantasy film, and third as someone who knows next to nothing about the titular character.
Viewing the film was a more than enjoyable experience, to say the least. I cannot say that it was the best film that I've ever seen, and I'll certainly hold the newest Conan film above it, but it has a heart based in Howard, a great central story, and a fantastic lead in James Purefoy. The design, the special effects, and the acting were all surprisingly astounding, to be honest. The movie featured an exceptional cast beyond its star. Thespians such as the late Pete Postlethwaite, Alice Krige, and Max von Sydow accompanied Purefoy along his character's journey, enriching the film with their contributions.
In regard to the story, it is foremost a tale of redemption, as a scoundrel of a man, a murderer and a dishonorable sort, is forced to come to terms with the intention of Satan to claim his soul. The fear of this realization drives him into a life of uncomfortable peace as he seeks a way to save himself from everlasting damnation. He's again forced into conflict, though, when goodly Puritan folk who've offered him their care are torn apart by the evil forces of a dreaded figure known as Malachi. The plot then transitions into a quest to save an innocent, and in so doing the surrounding lands, so that Kane might be free from the evils of Hell and damnation.
There are many "Howardian" elements which litter the plot of this film. Aside from a rugged, heroic character who's quick to the blade but yet still contemplative, there are the hyper-violent fiends with whom the hero must contend, a wicked sorcerer skilled in an ancient and dark craft, and a seemingly insurmountable challenge from beyond the common understanding of man (something typically associated with H.P. Lovecraft, who was an influence and peer of Howard). Throughout the character's journey you feel as if you're experiencing a Howard tale, for the most part. By the story's end you discover that while this wasn't based on any one Kane tale, it is pretty much a definitive "Year one" story. From the events of this movie, the Solomon Kane which fans will recognize marches forth to combat the darkness with which readers are more familiar. Only in the sequels (if any are produced) will we finally get to see Kane in familiar circumstances.
I highly recommend this to anyone who can obtain a copy. It's an entertaining ride, and well worth the time spent watching it. If you're a Howard fan, it will feel familiar. If you're a Howard purist, you might take issue with the character progression, but never fear, as I've stated it's an origin story more than anything. Basically, watch it if you enjoy pure adventure and grand stories involving the somewhat common struggle of semi-good versus ultimate evil.
Tuesday, April 9, 2013
The Dark Knight Returns - Jim Gordon's Analogy
I wanted to write on something I noticed while revisiting The Dark Knight Returns graphic novel. I immediately recognized a certain analogy which was being expressed through the words of Jim Gordon. Perhaps I'm not the first to call attention to this. Perhaps I'm mistaken. Here it goes anyway.
In the Dark Knight Returns graphic novel, in the first few pages, there is a sequence in which Bruce Wayne and Commissioner Gordon are holding a discussion over drinks. During that discussion Gordon comments on Wayne's transition from playing the "Playboy routine" of sneakily drinking ginger ale instead of champagne to actually imbibing heavily in his later years. Gordon makes mention that it fooled some but not all, implying that he was in the know.
During this sequence the reader is aware of Gordon's knowledge of Wayne's past as the Batman. The nature of Gordon's enlightenment was not made clear, but one has to wonder whether or not the commissioner put everything together himself with his own skills of detection. Perhaps the reference to his knowledge of Bruce's charade was a way of calling attention to the fact that he's always been capable of seeing through Bruce's secrets all along. This can be supported by several instances in the comics and in the animated series, especially in the episode titled "Over the Edge."
Just a thought I had to express somewhere. If you read this and would like to discuss, please leave comments on this post. Thanks for reading.
In the Dark Knight Returns graphic novel, in the first few pages, there is a sequence in which Bruce Wayne and Commissioner Gordon are holding a discussion over drinks. During that discussion Gordon comments on Wayne's transition from playing the "Playboy routine" of sneakily drinking ginger ale instead of champagne to actually imbibing heavily in his later years. Gordon makes mention that it fooled some but not all, implying that he was in the know.
During this sequence the reader is aware of Gordon's knowledge of Wayne's past as the Batman. The nature of Gordon's enlightenment was not made clear, but one has to wonder whether or not the commissioner put everything together himself with his own skills of detection. Perhaps the reference to his knowledge of Bruce's charade was a way of calling attention to the fact that he's always been capable of seeing through Bruce's secrets all along. This can be supported by several instances in the comics and in the animated series, especially in the episode titled "Over the Edge."
Just a thought I had to express somewhere. If you read this and would like to discuss, please leave comments on this post. Thanks for reading.
Monday, April 8, 2013
The Dark Knight Returns Animated Film Part 1 - A Fan's Reaction
I was born in the mid-80s. I was fortunate, in that period of colorful and varied culture, to grow up watching Tim Burton's Batman. I was spared the camp and the failings of past writers and creators, those who dared to show anything but respect for what I perceived to be the true heart of the Batman mythos. Instead I was baptized in a cinematic font of dark, gritty vigilante justice. I witnessed a Titan-like hero's mad, hopeful efforts clash with the insanity of one of the ultimate villains of all time in a fantasy realm with its roots embedded firmly in a past age of grandiose pulp plots. It was a massive influence upon my childhood (one which I will address in a post at a later time).
That Batman, my Batman, sprung to the screen through a grid work of studio mechanisms and Hollywood processes from inspiration rooted in a specific piece of comic book art. That comic book, or series of books, was Frank Miller's The Dark Knight Returns, a seminal work which redefined the character and provided him with a new flavor for a growing world of evolving palates.
I didn't encounter the story until later in my life, around my mid-teens, when I was perusing around the shelves of a used book store. When I first read it I knew that I was reading something wildly different and yet so sound and acceptable in the universe of the Caped Crusader. It fit, and it blew everything away while doing so. To be honest, though, I didn't think that it was the greatest Bat-story ever told after the first reading. I was just really, really entertained. I couldn't put it down, and I revisited it again soon after I finished it. That says enough, I feel.
Last year folks like myself, and those more intensely dedicated to the graphic work that was Miller's opus, were gifted with a direct-to-DVD release of the first part of an animated adaptation of DKR. I was initially turned off at the thought of having to buy two separate discs for one story, so I didn't pick up a copy. It wasn't until a few days ago, actually, that I got an itch to purchase it. It helped that I had been recently writing for the character for my own purposes, and I'd seen both parts sitting around at a local store for a while now, taunting me. When I broke I decided to grab just the first half in order to give it a spin. I'm kicking myself now for not being more wholly invested in the completion of the tale.
I viewed it this evening, and I'm still anxiously recalling moments that blew me away. I've not been this affected by an animated feature since I first watched a Miyazaki film. My eyes widened, they winced, and they wept. It was a beautiful hour and then some of emotion and appreciation from a fan who has spent most of his life watching, reading, and role playing (on various playgrounds and with action figures) a character which has been so significant.
It's not my intent to review it. I just want to mention a few points of interest, avoid spoilers if I can, and thrill in some geek-out writing, if you'll permit me.
From the beginning I was planning to keep an eye out for similarities or differences, but I had unfortunately forgotten quite a few of the specifics from the graphic novel. Instead, after a few minutes, I resigned myself to letting this adaptation take me on its journey and to just enjoy the ride. I was excited to see that the designers stayed true to the meaty hunk of a human being that was Bruce Wayne/Batman. The character, voiced wonderfully by Peter Weller (though, I was sad to not hear Kevin Conroy's voice), was one which hooked me immediately. It's difficult to not care about this Bruce Wayne from the moment go, in my opinion, or any version of Bruce Wayne at all, for that matter.
As the story progressed I found myself immediately reacting to the obvious 3D animation, something for which I tend to cringe. Aside from that, the story was familiar, the changes weren't incredibly obvious, especially not to a guy who hasn't read the source material in a while (though, I missed Batman's voice over at points when it would have best served the story), and the design was faithful to the vision. My most powerful reactions occurred at moments when the audience was given a glimpse inside the mind and heart of an aged Dark Knight. Perhaps the lack of voice over worked because it played like the silence before a piano solo or explosion of percussion. It's lack heightened the clarity of the emotional windows into the soul of the protagonist, our beloved hero.
If you haven't seen this film, you should. If you haven't read the source material and you call yourself a comic book fan then you've missed something along the way. Even if capes and tights are a turn off for you, you're still denying yourself exposure to a brilliant example of the power of the medium.So, readers, find this and view/read it. Soon!
I'm excited to return to the store for part two. I can barely contain my excitement. Soon I shall have it. Soon I shall see how this animated adaptation ends. I can't wait!
That Batman, my Batman, sprung to the screen through a grid work of studio mechanisms and Hollywood processes from inspiration rooted in a specific piece of comic book art. That comic book, or series of books, was Frank Miller's The Dark Knight Returns, a seminal work which redefined the character and provided him with a new flavor for a growing world of evolving palates.
I didn't encounter the story until later in my life, around my mid-teens, when I was perusing around the shelves of a used book store. When I first read it I knew that I was reading something wildly different and yet so sound and acceptable in the universe of the Caped Crusader. It fit, and it blew everything away while doing so. To be honest, though, I didn't think that it was the greatest Bat-story ever told after the first reading. I was just really, really entertained. I couldn't put it down, and I revisited it again soon after I finished it. That says enough, I feel.
Last year folks like myself, and those more intensely dedicated to the graphic work that was Miller's opus, were gifted with a direct-to-DVD release of the first part of an animated adaptation of DKR. I was initially turned off at the thought of having to buy two separate discs for one story, so I didn't pick up a copy. It wasn't until a few days ago, actually, that I got an itch to purchase it. It helped that I had been recently writing for the character for my own purposes, and I'd seen both parts sitting around at a local store for a while now, taunting me. When I broke I decided to grab just the first half in order to give it a spin. I'm kicking myself now for not being more wholly invested in the completion of the tale.
I viewed it this evening, and I'm still anxiously recalling moments that blew me away. I've not been this affected by an animated feature since I first watched a Miyazaki film. My eyes widened, they winced, and they wept. It was a beautiful hour and then some of emotion and appreciation from a fan who has spent most of his life watching, reading, and role playing (on various playgrounds and with action figures) a character which has been so significant.
It's not my intent to review it. I just want to mention a few points of interest, avoid spoilers if I can, and thrill in some geek-out writing, if you'll permit me.
From the beginning I was planning to keep an eye out for similarities or differences, but I had unfortunately forgotten quite a few of the specifics from the graphic novel. Instead, after a few minutes, I resigned myself to letting this adaptation take me on its journey and to just enjoy the ride. I was excited to see that the designers stayed true to the meaty hunk of a human being that was Bruce Wayne/Batman. The character, voiced wonderfully by Peter Weller (though, I was sad to not hear Kevin Conroy's voice), was one which hooked me immediately. It's difficult to not care about this Bruce Wayne from the moment go, in my opinion, or any version of Bruce Wayne at all, for that matter.
As the story progressed I found myself immediately reacting to the obvious 3D animation, something for which I tend to cringe. Aside from that, the story was familiar, the changes weren't incredibly obvious, especially not to a guy who hasn't read the source material in a while (though, I missed Batman's voice over at points when it would have best served the story), and the design was faithful to the vision. My most powerful reactions occurred at moments when the audience was given a glimpse inside the mind and heart of an aged Dark Knight. Perhaps the lack of voice over worked because it played like the silence before a piano solo or explosion of percussion. It's lack heightened the clarity of the emotional windows into the soul of the protagonist, our beloved hero.
If you haven't seen this film, you should. If you haven't read the source material and you call yourself a comic book fan then you've missed something along the way. Even if capes and tights are a turn off for you, you're still denying yourself exposure to a brilliant example of the power of the medium.So, readers, find this and view/read it. Soon!
I'm excited to return to the store for part two. I can barely contain my excitement. Soon I shall have it. Soon I shall see how this animated adaptation ends. I can't wait!
Sunday, March 31, 2013
A Nerdy Saturday Morning at the Grand Rapids Toy and Comic Expo
Usually March 30 is a day which passes without any more recognition or notice than any other day, at least for me. This particular 3/30, though, was one for which I had been waiting and hoping and fostering a rising excitement. It was the day of the Grand Rapids Toy and Comic Expo, an event which has been operating for many, many years, and an event at which I premiered my first self-published comic book. So, the thirtieth day of the March of the year 2013 became something kind of special for this wordy nerdy fellow.
I started the day early, far earlier than usual. Running about in the morning, I prepared to attend the expo and to spend this Saturday reveling in the joy and majesty of comic book fandom and childhood remembrance. My "Issues Needed" list was prepped, my drawing bag was ready just in case, and my mind was furiously guessing throughout the AM rituals at what I might encounter this time around.
The Grand Rapids Toy and Comic Expo, formerly just the Grand Rapids Toy Expo, is a show which has been in existence since long before I moved to Grand Rapids (and I've been here easily over fifteen years!). Back in the late 90s my uncle took my cousins and me to the event where we geeked out over all the Star Wars toys, comic character figures, and items of the childhoods of others long past. It was great, and it even ended in me getting a free toy collector magazine. What a time!
For some reason we never made it a regular trip, even though it continued annually. I forgot about the expo and went on with growing up and doing whatever it was I was doing. Then, in my adulthood I was reminded of the show when I spotted a flyer for it at one of my local comic peddling haunts. I went, naturally, and had a great time finding deals and acquiring new and fascinating collector's items of special importance to me and my specific interests. I made a point of going back afterward, returning to the event whenever it was scheduled until it officially became the Grand Rapids Toy and Comic Expo.
The addition of comics to the event stood out for me in a loud, wild way, as I'm sure it did for many other local fans of the medium. It meant that we were perhaps one step closer to having a comic con for our town. I'd been toying with the notion of organizing one myself before, something I'm sure many have also turned over in their hyper-hopeful fan-person (how P.C.!) minds. I had been attending smaller pseudo-comic conventions throughout town in the years prior, each diminishing in awesomeness and increasing in disappointment, and so my hopes were high for this event which possessed an apparent longevity and an established following.
In my excitement for the addition of comics to the event I set my sights on self-publishing specifically for release at the expo. I figured, why not commemorate an important personal effort by introducing it to the public at a show which had historically meant something, especially when that show was finally honoring my favorite medium? So, I set in on my comic work, paid for my space at the show, published my book on my home printer, and rushed to take up my place, late and literally last minute, amongst the other vendors and artists of Grand Rapids and its surrounding areas.
It was a hectic experience, mostly because of my inability to adequately prepare, but there were some aspects of the show, its operation, and how I was treated (more accurately, ignored) which left a bad taste in my mouth. I left that December day in 2011 feeling like I never wanted to go back. I did, though, in March of 2012, and I found that the folks and issues which had disappointed me were still present and weighing down the once light and bright spirit of the expo. I didn't bother with the December show in 2012, even though I would have previously been ecstatic over the idea of two such shows in a year's time.
Today, though, this March 30, I chose to forget about the negatives and make my way there as a nerdly consumer, hoping to find neat finds and have a great day. I chose to think back on the positive memories and to hope to make new ones in spite of any possible dimness. I arrived at the 9am opening, paid to enter the event, and began marching the aisles, surveying the wares. The poorer elements behind the show's operation were apparently gone, something for which I was greatly relieved, and it immediately began to feel like the expo I encountered years before. There was a healthy flow of fan-types wandering about, and the merchants seemed to have more and better offerings this time around. I was excited, even though there was to be a moment of conflict during an interaction with a certain peddler of geekery.
One fellow, let's refer to him as the "U-Haul Comic Box Guy," seemed like he didn't want to be present, event though he'd apparently lugged quite a store of comic books to the show. I approached his booth after spotting a flimsy poster, with familiar inkjet imagery and word processor-generated signage, which boasted, "Comics!" He was accompanied by his wife - a kind, though not too personable woman who was the only positive in his nebula of negative - who greeted me as I approached. She asked if she could be of any assistance, and I responded with a request for anything which might feature the work of the artist Moebius. Her husband, whose common name hung limply in large lettering from the cheap signage littering the tables upon which his poorly kept collection rested, turned to me with a squinting glare, hand clutching a can of some beverage in a foam rubber cozy. "Moebius WHAT?!" he grunted.
I locked eyes with the man - a mistake of the short-tempered novice who should always, instead, remain detached during interactions with the simple minded, or so I hear - and clearly restated that I hoped to find some books which featured the artwork of Moebius. I even added a brief explanation of who Moebius was since I was getting the impression that neither he nor his wife knew of whom I was referring. He responded by treating me like I was an idiot who believed him to organize his poorly arranged books by artist. I told him that I understood that that wouldn't be the case, but I assumed that he had a familiarity with his stock. This worsened his attitude. His response essentially told me that he didn't care about the specifics of his stock since he had an impressive collection of a whole 4,500 books. Knowing comic shop owners who had many times more in their stock and a close to intimate knowledge of their books, I just said never mind and thank you. He wouldn't let me escape without a final rudeness, though. As I walked away he shouted at me, "Well, we have other artists here which are just as good, you know!" I continued walking.
After that crude encounter I'm happy to report that the rest of the event went well. I met up with some familiar local dealers who were happy to see me. The gentleman in charge of one booth (one I was anxiously hoping to encounter at the event) even offered me a chance to bring my comic work to his store for the upcoming 2013 Free Comic Book Day. As a way of displaying my gratitude toward his unexpected kindness, and because I had an "Issues Needed" list which required some attention, I bought up a bunch of Captain America and The Falcon books from his stock along with a few issues from my standby title, The Amazing Spider-Man.
I also had the opportunity to have a great discussion with the show's guest artist, Uko Smith. We talked about the portfolio review process for comic artists, the current trends in the visual style of comics, and what it takes to make it into the industry. Top that off with a couple of surprise comic book finds from various merchants soon after and I'd call the entire venture a success.
The show I knew and enjoyed was back! So what if a few people were less than decent? Overall, looking back on the day now, I'm glad that I chose to attend.
To smooth over any minor lumps left by the less than decent attitudes of a few disgruntled comic book hustlers, my wife and I finished the afternoon with a drive out toward the lake, a visit to a beloved comic book store (one owned by the great fellow who offered me the FCBD opportunity, in fact), and lunch at the region's best Chinese restaurant (no exaggerating).
Saturdays, even the golden ones which stand out clearly whenever I gaze back with my mind's eye on my youth, don't get much better than today. Comics, good people, comics, time with my wife, delicious Chinese food, and more comics make for an incredible time. It's not the filling of the ever-present consumer void, a grim aspect of being a nerd/geek of any kind, which makes it for me. It's the connections made unintentionally with the younger me as I do things and interact with items from times long past which seem now like the best times of my life. Being a nerd and celebrating it with the events of a day like today are the closest I have to a religious-like rite to appropriately honor and appease the specter of my eternal inner-child. I hope he's as happy about today as I am.
I started the day early, far earlier than usual. Running about in the morning, I prepared to attend the expo and to spend this Saturday reveling in the joy and majesty of comic book fandom and childhood remembrance. My "Issues Needed" list was prepped, my drawing bag was ready just in case, and my mind was furiously guessing throughout the AM rituals at what I might encounter this time around.
The Grand Rapids Toy and Comic Expo, formerly just the Grand Rapids Toy Expo, is a show which has been in existence since long before I moved to Grand Rapids (and I've been here easily over fifteen years!). Back in the late 90s my uncle took my cousins and me to the event where we geeked out over all the Star Wars toys, comic character figures, and items of the childhoods of others long past. It was great, and it even ended in me getting a free toy collector magazine. What a time!
For some reason we never made it a regular trip, even though it continued annually. I forgot about the expo and went on with growing up and doing whatever it was I was doing. Then, in my adulthood I was reminded of the show when I spotted a flyer for it at one of my local comic peddling haunts. I went, naturally, and had a great time finding deals and acquiring new and fascinating collector's items of special importance to me and my specific interests. I made a point of going back afterward, returning to the event whenever it was scheduled until it officially became the Grand Rapids Toy and Comic Expo.
The addition of comics to the event stood out for me in a loud, wild way, as I'm sure it did for many other local fans of the medium. It meant that we were perhaps one step closer to having a comic con for our town. I'd been toying with the notion of organizing one myself before, something I'm sure many have also turned over in their hyper-hopeful fan-person (how P.C.!) minds. I had been attending smaller pseudo-comic conventions throughout town in the years prior, each diminishing in awesomeness and increasing in disappointment, and so my hopes were high for this event which possessed an apparent longevity and an established following.
In my excitement for the addition of comics to the event I set my sights on self-publishing specifically for release at the expo. I figured, why not commemorate an important personal effort by introducing it to the public at a show which had historically meant something, especially when that show was finally honoring my favorite medium? So, I set in on my comic work, paid for my space at the show, published my book on my home printer, and rushed to take up my place, late and literally last minute, amongst the other vendors and artists of Grand Rapids and its surrounding areas.
It was a hectic experience, mostly because of my inability to adequately prepare, but there were some aspects of the show, its operation, and how I was treated (more accurately, ignored) which left a bad taste in my mouth. I left that December day in 2011 feeling like I never wanted to go back. I did, though, in March of 2012, and I found that the folks and issues which had disappointed me were still present and weighing down the once light and bright spirit of the expo. I didn't bother with the December show in 2012, even though I would have previously been ecstatic over the idea of two such shows in a year's time.
Today, though, this March 30, I chose to forget about the negatives and make my way there as a nerdly consumer, hoping to find neat finds and have a great day. I chose to think back on the positive memories and to hope to make new ones in spite of any possible dimness. I arrived at the 9am opening, paid to enter the event, and began marching the aisles, surveying the wares. The poorer elements behind the show's operation were apparently gone, something for which I was greatly relieved, and it immediately began to feel like the expo I encountered years before. There was a healthy flow of fan-types wandering about, and the merchants seemed to have more and better offerings this time around. I was excited, even though there was to be a moment of conflict during an interaction with a certain peddler of geekery.
One fellow, let's refer to him as the "U-Haul Comic Box Guy," seemed like he didn't want to be present, event though he'd apparently lugged quite a store of comic books to the show. I approached his booth after spotting a flimsy poster, with familiar inkjet imagery and word processor-generated signage, which boasted, "Comics!" He was accompanied by his wife - a kind, though not too personable woman who was the only positive in his nebula of negative - who greeted me as I approached. She asked if she could be of any assistance, and I responded with a request for anything which might feature the work of the artist Moebius. Her husband, whose common name hung limply in large lettering from the cheap signage littering the tables upon which his poorly kept collection rested, turned to me with a squinting glare, hand clutching a can of some beverage in a foam rubber cozy. "Moebius WHAT?!" he grunted.
I locked eyes with the man - a mistake of the short-tempered novice who should always, instead, remain detached during interactions with the simple minded, or so I hear - and clearly restated that I hoped to find some books which featured the artwork of Moebius. I even added a brief explanation of who Moebius was since I was getting the impression that neither he nor his wife knew of whom I was referring. He responded by treating me like I was an idiot who believed him to organize his poorly arranged books by artist. I told him that I understood that that wouldn't be the case, but I assumed that he had a familiarity with his stock. This worsened his attitude. His response essentially told me that he didn't care about the specifics of his stock since he had an impressive collection of a whole 4,500 books. Knowing comic shop owners who had many times more in their stock and a close to intimate knowledge of their books, I just said never mind and thank you. He wouldn't let me escape without a final rudeness, though. As I walked away he shouted at me, "Well, we have other artists here which are just as good, you know!" I continued walking.
After that crude encounter I'm happy to report that the rest of the event went well. I met up with some familiar local dealers who were happy to see me. The gentleman in charge of one booth (one I was anxiously hoping to encounter at the event) even offered me a chance to bring my comic work to his store for the upcoming 2013 Free Comic Book Day. As a way of displaying my gratitude toward his unexpected kindness, and because I had an "Issues Needed" list which required some attention, I bought up a bunch of Captain America and The Falcon books from his stock along with a few issues from my standby title, The Amazing Spider-Man.
I also had the opportunity to have a great discussion with the show's guest artist, Uko Smith. We talked about the portfolio review process for comic artists, the current trends in the visual style of comics, and what it takes to make it into the industry. Top that off with a couple of surprise comic book finds from various merchants soon after and I'd call the entire venture a success.
The show I knew and enjoyed was back! So what if a few people were less than decent? Overall, looking back on the day now, I'm glad that I chose to attend.
To smooth over any minor lumps left by the less than decent attitudes of a few disgruntled comic book hustlers, my wife and I finished the afternoon with a drive out toward the lake, a visit to a beloved comic book store (one owned by the great fellow who offered me the FCBD opportunity, in fact), and lunch at the region's best Chinese restaurant (no exaggerating).
Saturdays, even the golden ones which stand out clearly whenever I gaze back with my mind's eye on my youth, don't get much better than today. Comics, good people, comics, time with my wife, delicious Chinese food, and more comics make for an incredible time. It's not the filling of the ever-present consumer void, a grim aspect of being a nerd/geek of any kind, which makes it for me. It's the connections made unintentionally with the younger me as I do things and interact with items from times long past which seem now like the best times of my life. Being a nerd and celebrating it with the events of a day like today are the closest I have to a religious-like rite to appropriately honor and appease the specter of my eternal inner-child. I hope he's as happy about today as I am.
Saturday, March 9, 2013
Kevin Smith - A Star to Sail By
Sometimes random words trickle in through one's ears, seemingly common and unassuming like all others until a moment of contact occurs and the brain is lit with a potent combination of emotion and inspiration. Those words, the words you didn't seek out, the words which strike you the hardest, those are the words to which you find yourself committing. They are the eye opening trinkets of speech, jewels of wisdom you sport proudly in your life ever after.
I encountered words like those once. Writer, director, and artist Kevin Smith uttered them. He once said, "Stop being entertained and be entertaining." It was like some magnificent herald's cry or a grand commandment delivered from on high. His words shook me out of a stupor which had me dog paddling in place amidst the turbulent sea of life. They gave me the clarity to asses my situation, the motivation to choose a direction, and the drive to keep going until I discovered something. They have set me on a journey to test my creative abilities and my will to make something of myself by being creatively active.
Kevin Smith, whether he's aware of it or not, has been directing others toward the path to creative fulfillment for years by imparting the lessons he's learned from his successes and failures. He's been preaching the positive word of "Go ye therefore and do" to creative types since he first found success. Through his actions, his work, and his reflections (available through his discussions and explanations on the various podcasts of his SModCo network) he has given those who will listen and hear the guidance and proper mentality with which to approach the great task of becoming entertaining. It is this great service which he generously performs which often goes neglected by his outspoken, myopic critics. It is this great service for which I am eternally grateful.
Maybe one day I'll be able to tell Mr. Smith what he's done for me, face-to-face, or maybe he'll find this post and read of the effect he's had and of my appreciation for the guidance he's given. Even if this is never read by Mr. Smith I still want to post this as an expression of my thanks to him for everything. May I one day find success through my creative efforts because of the spark Kevin Smith ignited within me. May I have the wisdom to share my experiences with others and do my part to direct folks toward the path to their own personal greatness. Here's hoping.
I encountered words like those once. Writer, director, and artist Kevin Smith uttered them. He once said, "Stop being entertained and be entertaining." It was like some magnificent herald's cry or a grand commandment delivered from on high. His words shook me out of a stupor which had me dog paddling in place amidst the turbulent sea of life. They gave me the clarity to asses my situation, the motivation to choose a direction, and the drive to keep going until I discovered something. They have set me on a journey to test my creative abilities and my will to make something of myself by being creatively active.
Kevin Smith, whether he's aware of it or not, has been directing others toward the path to creative fulfillment for years by imparting the lessons he's learned from his successes and failures. He's been preaching the positive word of "Go ye therefore and do" to creative types since he first found success. Through his actions, his work, and his reflections (available through his discussions and explanations on the various podcasts of his SModCo network) he has given those who will listen and hear the guidance and proper mentality with which to approach the great task of becoming entertaining. It is this great service which he generously performs which often goes neglected by his outspoken, myopic critics. It is this great service for which I am eternally grateful.
Maybe one day I'll be able to tell Mr. Smith what he's done for me, face-to-face, or maybe he'll find this post and read of the effect he's had and of my appreciation for the guidance he's given. Even if this is never read by Mr. Smith I still want to post this as an expression of my thanks to him for everything. May I one day find success through my creative efforts because of the spark Kevin Smith ignited within me. May I have the wisdom to share my experiences with others and do my part to direct folks toward the path to their own personal greatness. Here's hoping.
Thursday, March 7, 2013
Justice League: Doom - A Review
Imagine that we inhabit a world where two types of people exist. There are the mighty, the "Supers," which some might say are "Godlike." Then there exists the average person, you and me. In such a reality there is much which demands concern, for the weak are subject to the strong unless a balance can be maintained. In that world, maintaining that balance, defending us from those of the powerful who might take advantage of their superiority over the common individual, we know our protectors, our heroes to be an organization named "Justice League." That elite group of the best of the finest of the most powerful, in mind, body, and in drive, safeguard us from the destructive, shadowy elements who seethe in their egoistic delusions of personal greatness and complete superiority.
A natural question arises, though, as to who might check these potent checkers of the rest of the world's Übermenschen. Quis custodiet ipsos custodes, or who watches the watchmen? In this world, standing amongst the glorious titans is one who takes upon himself such a task, unbeknownst to his heroic associates. The Batman of Gotham City has cataloged the abilities of his peers so that he might be prepared for anything, even a potential corruption of the sacred, altruistic League. It is this clandestine preparation which proves to be the Justice League's undoing in the 2011 Warner Brothers' animated feature "Justice League: Doom."
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| A sinister plot sends the Man of Steel plummeting. |
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| Vandal Savage, the mastermind and would-be ruler of a blighted world. |
I recommend a viewing for any and all fans of comics and exceptional hero-based animation. Out of five I give "Justice League: Doom" a five.
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| The Justice League, minus Cyborg - (right to left) The Flash, Wonder Woman, Martian Manhunter, Batman, and Superman. |
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