Happy Halloween

Happy Halloween from two monstrous butchers!

War of the Worlds Radio

I was reminded by Dean Wormer that today is the anniversary of Orson Welles' radio broadcast of The War of the Worlds.

Go here to listen.

30 Days of Night

Getting into the sprit of the Halloween season I decided to see a horror movie. The film I chose was 30 Days of Night. It’s adapted from the graphic novel of the same name (which I have not read). The premise is quite fresh and breaths some new life into the tired Vampire genre. In Barrow, the most northern town of Alaska, 30 days of each winter is spent in total darkness. A group of vampires has decided that this is the perfect opportunity to feast endlessly for whole month bringing utter destruction and terror to the town.

The short of it is basically this picture is an invasion/survival scenario with many evocative ideas but sadly, its less then the sum of it’s parts. It’s got all the correct elements and the movie can be entertaining but I think the writer and the director chose to emphasize the wrong aspects of the story. One of the problems is how the vampires are handled. We never learn anything about them or their origins. It’s mentioned that they have kept their identity secret for many centuries but why now have they decided to go completely crazy, wipe out a whole town and risk exposure? We never see where they are staying or how they organize themselves beyond the actions of their human agent in the beginning of the film. In addition, I strangely found that I both liked and disliked the depiction of the vampires. In 30 Days, the vampires tend to be inhuman monsters. Now I usually enjoy this type of vampire as I dislike the nancy boy goth versions, but this time the prototypical romantic bloodsucker might have been a nice touch, a fish out of water type of deal.

The other area that 30 Days fails somewhat is that there should have been much more of an invasion and survival feeling. We are in a remote area occupied by very hardy folks. I just don’t see them rolling over so quickly. There should have been some sort of organized resistance to the vampires early in the film despite the fact it would be doomed to failure. After a failed counterattack then the realization that hiding and evading is the only way for the characters would make more sense. The "must have" love story should have been down played in favor of more hard-nosed survival. The terror of being alone and cut off for days on end never really hits home because it doesn’t really feel like 30 Days but rather a weekend. I suspect that the comic is better in this regard.

30 Days of Night is a mixed bag. Often the production values are good and there certainly are some very gruesome scenes. But a survival story should have been the main focus after and an initial battle. So while the premise is fresh the plotting is not. If you like vampires seeing it on DVD or cable is enough.

Here is what I liked in no particular order (spoilers):

It’s a great premise

The vampires were gross

The vampire’s human agent character was scary cool.

The tension before the vampires invade is good.

I like the plan the vampires had to cover their tracks.

Most folks don’t survive

Liked much of the music

Here is what I disliked in no particular order (spoilers):

The sheriff should have done a better job warning the town.

The vampires would know how to speak English to their victims.

The vampires use the same tactics over and over again. You don’t get to have an unlife of hundreds of years by being dumb.

The all out attack by the vampires in the beginning zips by too fast. Then a lot of time is spent with the human waiting around doing nothing.

The direction and plot are weak

Could be much more scary

Missed Opportunities (spoilers):

Shouldn’t there be more native Alaskans there?

More info on and more characterization of the vampires

The characters should have been much more broken down after so many days in hiding with little food and heat.

The trailer:



-Swinebread

Jack O' Lanterns

Some friends came by and we celebrated the season by carving up pumpkins into Jack O' Lanterns. I did a traditional design, its the one on the right. I've been trying every year to get it just right and I think I nailed this time from choosing the correct the shape of the pumpkin to the carving. Next year I can finally move on to something else.

Everybody was really happy with how they all turned out. The one on the left end was actually voted the best and one a prize. My SO's is the pirate ship in the middle. All and all a good time.

More Halloween goodness.

-Swinebread

Halloween Party Slasher

I went to a great Halloween party on Saturday. I had a lot of fun. If you wanted to know what I look like that’s me in the background. As you can tell from this picture I’m searching for damsels in distress… Mu-Ha Ha Ha haaaaa!

I can just hear everybody yelling "Turn Around!"

-Swinebread

Arkonbey and 24 hour comics

It was 24-hour comic day last Saturday. I wasn’t participating so I didn’t mention it but Arkonbey has a great post about his attempt at a 24 page comic in 24 hours over at obscurum. What’s even better is that a local weekly in his hometown sent a reporter over to do a video blog about the event. Pretty cool, check it out:


-Swinebread

Bands I Missed - THE AQUABATS!

The Aquabats! YES, these guys dress up as superheroes, fight Supervillains, and have an infectious sound. This is my kinda band! So how come I didn’t get into them? Well, the band formed in 1994, the year after I graduated from college. By then I was outta touch with all things musical (musical to me that is) as much of my time was spent away from the west coast. Lets just say I was forced to listen to country music and Oompa bands… so I just wasn’t aware. *sniff* Anyway, I know about the Aquabats now and love their music and their shtick. To be honest, I discovered them back in February but I thought this video was a great Halloween tune. So I waited until October. It’s called Fashion Zombies. It’s my hope that this song gets included in the Halloween rotation from now on.




Incidentally, The Aquabats will be in Portland on Nov 27. At the Wonder Café See here I marking my calendar.

Here is a demo the band produced in 1999 to get the networks interested in funding a series. it’s called "The Aquabats in COLOR!" Too bad it wasn’t picked up. Even a pilot would have been great! Ah what could have been…


-Swinebread

My New Comics

This week’s best cover is Uncle Sam and the Freedom Fighters #2. My SO helped me out this time.

Fall of Cthulhu #7, Boom Studios.

Criminal Macabre: My Demon Baby #2, Dark Horse Comics.

Streets of Glory #2, Avatar. I also picked up issues 0 & 1 as well. It’s a western by Garth Ennis.

Uncle Sam and the Freedom Fighters #2, DC Comics.

The Walking Dead #43, Image.

Marvel Spotlight: Marvel Zombies #1, Marvel Comics.

All-New Official Handbook to the Marvel Universe: A-Z Update #4, Marvel Comics. It’s a pretty ridiculous title.

Savage Tales #4, Dynamite Entertainment.

Trade Paperback:
The Chronicles of Conan Vol. 13 Dark Horse Comics. Reprints the Marvel Comics’ Conan the Barbarian series issues #92, 101-107.

-Swinebread.

Cappy get your gun

Marvel's bringing Captain America back in a big way. Somebody’s wearing the new redesigned cap suit. Who could it be? Nothing is known (yet) about his identity other than the fact that he has an incredibly small penis… I mean he has to carry a pistol now right?

From here

“We definitely wanted a Captain America that still screamed, ‘This is Captain America,’ but this isn’t the same Cap you’ve been reading about,” says Ed Brubaker, the comic book’s writer. “This isn’t Steve Rogers.”

Brubaker, who has been writing the comic book for nearly three years, says he has always tried to emphasize Captain America’s military background. And the truth is, he adds, this isn’t the first time that the Captain has been armed.
“I’ve leaned on the ‘soldier’ part of supersoldier,” Brubaker says. “If you look at Cap in the 1940s, they have him with a shield in one hand and a machine gun in the other, and Bucky (the Captain’s World War II teen sidekick) has a flamethrower.
“In the ’80s they started changing his history, saying he’d never killed anyone.”

Are these guys out of ideas or what? First they kill off Cap because they don’t know what to do with him and then they have another assume the role with the big contribution of packing heat? I’m not outraged… I’m bored… ZZZZzzzzzZZZZzzzzzZZZZZ

Now this would be much more controversial and interesting right?



-Swinebread

Big Lizard on Campus

This is a video I made several years ago for a class project. It was the process that was important not the final product. It turned out as a nice moody piece though. The end is kinda abrupt because I cut the credits off. Check it out. ☺



-Swinebread

Portland Comic Book Show coming

I received an email about the up coming Portland Comic Book Show. Now I have some misgivings about the space as you can read about here, but I think I'm still going to check it out.

The next Portland Comic Book Show is on Sunday, November 11th at the Memorial Moliseum in the Exhibit Hall. The Memorial Coliseum is right next door to the Rose Garden Arena where the Portland Trailblazers play their home games. Directions to the Memorial Coliseum are available on our website www.portlandcomicbookshow.com

The Portland Comic Book Show will feature the creative talents of:

Brian Michael Bendis: Civil War, Ultimate Spider-Man, New Avengers, Powers
Writer

Howard Chaykin: Blade, Wolverine, Hawkgirl, Blackhawk, American Flagg
Writer/Artist

Clayton Crain: Sensational Spider-Man & Ghost Rider Artist
Steve Leialoha: Fables & Jack Frost Artist

Kurt Busiek: Astro City Creator, Conan,JLA/Avengers Writer

Randy Emberlin: Long-time Amazing Spider-Man Artist

Anne Timmons: Go Girl Artist

Brent Anderson: Rising Stars, Astro City Artist

Scott Allie: Dark Horse Writer/Editor

Brandon Jerwa: Battlestar Galactica & Highlander Writer

Jamie S. Rich: Love the Way You Love Writer

Trina Robbins: Comic Book Writer/Artist/Historian; GoGirl! Writer

Jason Martin: Super Real Writer/Artist/Creator

Jim Smith: Boris the Bear Writer/Artist/Creator

James Taylor: Writer/Artist/Publisher, Rorshach Entertainment

Richard Scott: Illustrator, Research Assistant/Writer

Joelle Jones: 12 Reasons Why I Love Her GN artist

Dealer & Artist tables are now on sale! Call Second Genesis at 503-788-1031 for a table packet. We're extending the $90. Dealer price until October 31. SmallPress/Artist tables are $45. until October 31.

At the show:
All day & time permitting: Scott Allie will be doing Portfolio Reviews. A rare chance for local artists to show their portfolios to a Dark Horse Editor.

At noon: "When Women Flew: Flying Women in the Comics of World War II and in
Real Life" a Slide Show/Discussion by Trina Robbins

At 2:30pm: "Ask The Writers Panel Discussion" attendees are invited to ask the comic book writers questions. Likely candidates for the Panel Discussion will be Brian Michael Bendis, Howard Chaykin, Scott Allie, Kurt Busiek, Brandon Jerwa, Jamie S. Rich and Trina Robbins. Paul Guinan (Heartbreakers) will moderate. Questions must be submitted by November 5 via email to portlandcomicbookshow@comcast.net
Please put "questions for writers" in the subject field.

Dealers Room:
There will be 165 tables of dealers and collectors with hundreds of thousands of comic books, we estimate that there will be 250,000 comic books at the show on Sunday! Plus Toys & Action Figures, non-sports cards, Anime merchandise, Star Wars & Star Trek material, videos/DVD's, Original art, posters, prints, Disney, TV & Film Memorabilia. Admission is $7. for ages 8 & up, 7 & under are free.
Hours are 10am to 5pm. We will put up a list of attending dealers the week of
the show.

Veterans:
Our show is on Veteran's Day this year, November 11th. We want to thank the Veterans who have served or Military Personal that are currently serving with free admission to this show. Just bring your Military Card AND Photo ID for free admission. If you have other people in your family or group they will need to pay regular admission.

That’s pretty cool about Veterans getting in free. I’m most interested in the woman fliers by Trina Robbins. Of course she will have to talk about Valkyrie so I’m excited about that. It’s nice to see a few events at the show rather than simply being a comic flea market. They still need to move to a better space though… grumble, grumble…

-swinebread

Red Wendy

Living in Oregon and being a little too young at the time, I missed all the great 1970s comic book conventions. One of the things that really gets me down is that I’ll never be being able to see Wendy Pini dressed up as Red Sonja in the flesh… so to speak. It’s common comic book knowledge that she performed as Red Sonja along with artist Frank Thorne in the RED SONJA SHOW. Too bad some sort of footage hasn’t shown up on youtube. Incidentally, Wendy performed as Red Sonja before she created and rose to fame with Elfquest. To honor the Halloween season and the return of Red Sonja to comic book prominence I thought I’d post a few pictures of Wendy Pini that have been floating around the net.


This great picture is from Mark Evanier’s site. Here in 1977, Wendy shows up as a surprise guest along with comic fan/retaliator Phil Seuling on the Mike Douglas Show. Mark has a nice story behind this pic check out the link.

Red Sonja and Hyborian Players have resurrected the show but they certainly haven’t forgotten their origins. The troop has a nice page here with lots of images of Wendy, Frank and other Sonjas from way back when. Here are a few of them:




The first picture includes Linda Berhle with Frank and Wendy, she’s a great Sonja in her own right! The last photo includes Red Sonja’s creator Roy Thomas in the middle. Wendy is in the upper left.

Comic Book Resources 53rd installment of Comic Book Urban Legends Revealed has short blurb on Wendy’s Red Sonja Convention appearances (here). The article has one of the most seen images:


Here are some other random pics from the web. Many of these Wendy shots are on so many different sites, I not sure who should get the credit for ‘em, I'll link if it's pointed out. These shots, I believe, are circa 1977.








If only I could have been there. Eat your heart out Xena fans, Red Sonja was first.

-Swinebread

My New Comics

This week’s best cover is Jungle Girl #2.


Shadowpact #18, DC Comics.

Jungle Girl #2, Marvel Comics/Dynamite Entertainment. Nice lost world adventure without lots of boring exposition.

Marvel Zombies 2 #1, Marvel Comics. They’re back, and there’re hungry.

Star Trek: Year Four #1, IDW. Looks like we might have a comedy issue.

Red Sonja #26, Dynamite Entertainment.

Trade Paperback:
Red Sonja Volume III Dynamite Entertainment. Reprints the Marvel Comics’ Red Sonja series issues #8-15 from 1977-78

The Savage Brothers Boom Studios. Two good old boys making a living during the apocalypse.

Usgai Yojimbo Volume III Fanatagraphics. A reissue of the trade that collects Usagi Yojimbo 1-7 from 1987.


-Swinebread

News you can use...

-Swinebread

Who Really Sucks, Woman or Robinov...?

I’m way late on this but I have to mention a story that’s spread like wildfire on the net just incase you haven’t heard about it. Jeff Robinov, Warner Brothers president of production, has brought the hammer down on female actors with his new order that only movies with males leads will get made and he doesn’t even want to see scripts with women. From Nikki Finke who broke the story here.

You can check out this page for links to just a small sample of the outrage.

Well I guess now we know why DC hates women so much. Part of its parent company (Time/Warner) hates ‘em to. Get a clue Mr. Robinov and Warner. Men made most if not all of the decisions on shitty films like Catwoman. Stop putting women in films that suck instead of blaming them for YOUR management mistakes.

-Swinebread

Caveman

My work schedule doesn’t allow for certain shows and that includes Caveman. Well, due to a temporary change, I was able to catch the third episode of the GEICO commercial inspired show. The Verdict… It’s bad, but not as bad as the critics would have you think. It’s lame and rightfully deserves to be cancelled but I can’t help thinking that most, if not all network sitcoms suck and this show simply exposes this. The last sitcom that I that I thought was actually funny was ah… News Radio. OK and maybe the first few episodes of Dharma and Greg and That 70s Show. It’s been awhile for me.

One of the reasons I feel most folks don’t like Caveman is because it actually shows how stupid and insipid American sitcoms are. My SO said this is just like any other comedy except they are cavemen, what’s the point. Exactly, what is the point? By making the main characters cavemen ABC has nicely uncovered how primitive and silly these types of programs are …at least on network television. The situations and plot are no different than any other show but it’s less funny when they have false foreheads? Please. People don’t like realizing something they like is dumb. That’s the problem with Caveman plain and simple.

Sitcoms are so dumb a Caveman can do it …and now they have.


-Swinebread

P.S. ABC really should have used they guys from the commercials, it would have been better.

Star Wars TV show on the way

The LA Time is reporting that George Lucas is making a live action TV show set in the Star Wars Universe. The news comes from the LA times here.

There is a caveat, though: The proposed series doesn't have anyone named Luke or Anakin in it, a story path that Lucas concedes is "taking chances" as far as connecting with an audience expecting the familiar mythology.

"The Skywalkers aren't in it, and it's about minor characters," Lucas said in an interview. "It has nothing to do with Luke Skywalker or Darth Vader or any of those people. It's completely different. But it's a good idea, and it's going to be a lot of fun to do."

I always wondered why he didn't do this sooner. I mean, Star Trek ran out of steam so there was a big gaping hole just primed for a Star Wars TV show. It only has to be better than the prequels and Flash Gordon. Man, we sure have set the bar pretty low haven't we.

-Swinebread

My New Comics

This week’s best cover is Captain Carrot and the Final Ark #1. Of Course. Duh!

Black Summer #3, Avatar.

Star Trek: Alien Spot Light: The Gorn #1, IDW.

The Amazing Spider-girl #13, Marvel Comics. Looks like a I gotta’ read a Spider-Girl comic to get a decent Spider-man-like story.

Captain Carrot and the Final Ark #1, DC Comics. Wow, they sure packed a lot into this one issue: reintroducing all of the characters, explaining the anthropomorphic world of the zoo crew, lots of in-jokes about the comic industry, overcoming the grim and gritty Zoo Crew that appeared in Teen Titans vol.3, #30-31, and starting a coherent story with many plot points, not to mention using lots of puns. Yeah, there is lot of exposition, but its fun the way they do it. Plus, Scott Shaw is drawing it so that just multiplies the Captain Carrot goodness.

Deadlander #1, Dark Horse Comics. Looks to be a Western with a Zombie Gunfighter.

Suicide Squad #2, DC Comics.

The Un-Men #3, DC Comics.

Living with the Dead #1, Dark Horse Comics. Portland’s own finally offers their own zombie horror comic.

Spiderman/Red Sonja #3, Marvel Comics/Dynamite Entertainment.

Sword of Red Sonja: Doom of the Gods #1, Dynamite Entertainment.

Trade Paperback:
X-men: Days of Future Past Marvel Comics. Reprints X-men #138-143 and X-men Annual #4. This trade has been out for several years but I noticed it on a reorder for the store. I read the Days of Future Past storyline long ago. Heck, I went out and bought issues 141 and 142 as expensive back issues when I was a kid just so I could read ‘em, but the other stories contained in this collection… I never have. Although, I do own that X-men annual in German… This book nicely fills in the gaps at the end of the Dark Phoenix Saga and Kitty joining the team. Plus it’s, I believe, John Byrne’s last artwork on the X-men title. Ah, the good old days…


-Swinebread

Basic Roleplaying Almost Here... Finally

This December we should see the publication of Basic Roleplaying (BRP). It’s a universal RPG system that uses the same rules set as the original Runequest, Stormbringer and Call of Cthulhu games. I’ve been waiting a long time for this. Chaosium really has the best rules system but they haven’t capitalized on it by publishing a generic set of rules until now. Finally, all those worlds I’ve dreamed of will much easier to bring to life. The only caveat: will they get it out in time…? Meeting public deadlines is not something they’re famous for.

From Chaosium’s web site here:

This book represents a first for BASIC ROLEPLAYING—a system complete in one book, without a defined setting. Previously, BASIC ROLEPLAYING has been an integral part of standalone games, usually with rich and deep world settings. Due to differences in these settings, BASIC ROLEPLAYING has had many different incarnations. Variant and sometimes contradictory rules have emerged between versions, to better support one particular setting over another. 



Chaosium’s BASIC ROLEPLAYING system reconciles these different flavors of the system and brings many variant rules together into the covers of one book, something that has never been done before. Some of these rules are provided as optional extensions, some as alternate systems, and others have been integrated into the core system. By design this work is not a reinvention of Basic Roleplaying or a significant evolution of the system, but instead a collected and complete version, without setting, provided as a guide to players and gamemasters everywhere and compatible with most Basic Roleplaying games. It also allows the gamemaster the ability to create his or her own game world (or worlds), to adapt others from fiction, films, or even translate settings from other roleplaying games into Basic Roleplaying.

Additionally, Chaosium has announced their first officially licensed setting, Deadword. See here

The DEADWORLD RPG is based upon Gary Reed's DEADWORLD comic, previously published by Caliber Comics and Image Comics, and soon to be released through Desperado Publishing. One of the forerunners of the zombie comic, DEADWORLD was an early work of artist Vincent Locke who went on to work on DC/Vertigo's SANDMAN and A HISTORY OF VIOLENCE, recently made into a major motion picture.
Seraphim Guard plans to release the DEADWORLD RPG in fall 2008, at the Wizard World Chicago comic convention.

Obviously that’s a ways off but it looks promising…

I really want this RPG, Chaosium don’t let me down!

-Swinebread

CAPTAIN CARROT AND THE FINAL ARK Preview

It’s the last few days until the release of the new Captain Carrot mini-series. It’s finally coming out this Wednesday. DC has released a 5 page preview on Newsarama.com here. After more than 20 years, it’s about time. Needless to say, picking up the mini series has become more important than ever since DC recently cancelled the Showcase Presents that collected the original Captain Carrot and His Amazing Zoo Crew. If this mini-series sells enough issues, I’m sure the DC guys will put the collected adventures back on the schedule for 2008. So, grab your copy of Captain Carrot and help revive the best funny animal superheroes ever… If the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles can have movies than the Zoo Crew can surely have a least a few more comics published.

-Swinebread

Dexter

I just signed up for Showtime... I've been watching Dexter...


-Swinebread

My New Comics

This week’s best cover is Omega The Unknown #1. I’m groovin’ on the Indy art of Farel Dalrymple.

The Phantom #19, Moonstone.

Star Trek: Year Four #3, IDW.

Howard the Duck #1, Marvel Comics. Hmmm… Maybe Marvel is releasing this to compete with Captain Carrot?

Omega The Unknown #1, Marvel Comics.

Jonah Hex #24, DC Comics.


Magazine:
Backissue #24, Twomorrows Publishing. The Magic Issue.


-Swinebread

Stumptown Comics Fest 2007

The Stumptown Comics Fest finally arrived this past weekend for it’s 5th annual two-day event. The Fest has really come into it’s own this year with expanded panels, comic awards and more creators. The location switch to the Double Tree Hotel was good choice as there were plenty of food and transportation choices nearby plus the park across the street added that green Oregon feel. The weather fully cooperated by giving us the gift of liquid sunshine especially on Sunday. Unfortunately, I was feeling a little ill the first day and wasn’t able to attend some of the later panels but I was back full force for second day.


The first creator I talked with was artist Steve Lieber. One of the works he’s famous for is Whiteout. He graciously signed my copy of the book and since the movie was coming out next year, I asked him if he was involved in the production at all. He told me he wasn’t but he visited the set while they were shooting and had many fascinating things to say about the project.

Steve was very happy with many aspects of the film; in fact they had taken panels directly from the comic to set up some shots but he insisted that the designer of the film was a genius and needed no help from him to bring the story to the screen. He remembered one set that had a huge block of ice but since the room was about 70 degrees it obviously had to be fake but it looked very real. He also was impressed with Kate Beckinsale the star of the movie. An interesting observation Steve had was that while shooting she had a loud all American tough-gal voice but off camera her natural British accent and soft voice immediately came back.


Steve noted with approval that several parts of the original comic story have been greatly expanded for the film and the Whiteout movie will be about 80% Whiteout and 20% Whiteout: Melt (the second graphic novel). He also noted that while he didn’t have any direct involvement, the writer of Whiteout, Greg Rucka actually assisted in smoothing out the script and plot of the film. In the new post Sin City and 300 moviemaking era the studios have realized that involvement by the original writer can be a very helpful. Duh, who would -a- thunk it… All and all Steve was inspired by what he saw on the set and he and Greg are working on getting another Whiteout volume out, as there will be a huge multi-million dollar commercial for the graphic novel hitting the screens soon.


Next up, I had artist Christopher Mitten sign my copy of the Wasteland trade paperback. He’s a very bright talkative guy and I complemented him on his work. He spoke about how working with Oni Press had really been a great experience and that Wasteland was that breakthrough project (my words) he’d been seeking. When I told him I wasn’t buying the individual comics and that I preferred the trades he laughed and mentioned volume 2 is out in December. Being from Chicago, this was his first trip to Portland and he really liked it. I urged him to try out some of our fine brewpubs while he was here.


I swung by Nicole Georges table to say hi. She produces the much talked about zine-comic Invincible Summer. She was looking as 60’s as ever and had cupcakes to sell in addition to her illustrated wares. I picked up the latest issue and noticed that she’s doing a split comic with Clutch. Is that who was sitting next to her? We were both focused on Nicole and didn’t introduce ourselves to each other.


A creator that looks like he’s on his way is Matt Silady. He recently published his graphic novel The Homeless Channel. Portland was the last stop on a 4-con tour to promote his comic. He had an interesting story about how AIT/Planet Lar picked up his book to be published. Apparently he was tired of working at home in isolation so he started drawing at a buddy’s comic shop in the bay area. It worked out well for both because customers could come in and see a real artist working on comic book and Matt was much less lonely. He had published two mini-comics at that point and was working on the third when the publisher that had offices across the way casually mentioned that he would publish the Homeless Channel. At the urging of his fiancée he followed up and sure enough, the offer was real. Well the whole title was collected and published in one book and has received many good reviews. I guess you still can get discovered these days huh!


Near Steve Lieber was Sara Ryan’s table. She’s another up and coming writer. She was nominated for an Eisner for Me and Edith Head. I bought a copy of Click, her short story comic about high school. I asked her about her writing process, and she usually likes using a full script but if she knows the writer really well then she may talk through many details with the artist rather than script them out.


A guy who has fully embraced computer technology is John Worsley. Not only is he fully digital nowadays when it comes to creating his comics (he uses a combination of Painter and Photoshop) but he along with his programmer are developing a Sci-Fi MMORPG. They had a demo running which they will use to entice funding in the coming months. I try to stay away from computer games as they’re like crack to me but I think the guys are on to something. The premise is that it’s based on skill, intelligence and luck rather than simply time to advance characters, I mean really who has time to spend billions of hours for on-line gamming to get a powerful character. I don’t. I also picked up the second issue of John’s Distopian thriller Painkillers. I can’t wait to read it!


I had a chance to talk to Mike Allred and had him sign the first issue of his new Mad Man title. I kinda’ checked out of Mike's stuff for a while, but man, this comic published by Image was gorgeous and his wife’s coloring was better than ever. I was surprised to see the Atomics in Mad Man so I asked Mike about it. Apparently, the plan was to have Mad Man lead the Atomics for a time and have lots of crossovers but Dark Horse didn’t think the Atomics were mainstream enough and wanted Mike to stick with Mad Man exclusively. Well, Mike felt that the Atomics were much more commercial than Mad Man and that’s why he walked away from Dark Horse. Now I know why AAA Pop comics published the Atomics… and not DH.



This is just a small sample of what was going on. I really had a great time and enjoyed the panel discussions and workshops, especially the ones put on by the Pacific Northwest College of Art. They had some nice tips for staying creative and focused on your goals. I had a nice chitchat with Carol Lay too. I didn’t go to any of the after parties, like the one that included the Comic Art Battle, but maybe I’ll catch those next year. The Stumptown Comics Fest is a small and intimate convention and its’ definitely been worth it. The show has great creator focused feel that’s been lost at other venues, plus it is in Portland were I live so that make extra special right?



-Swinebread