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Working on Something New

Posted on March 29, 2009

If you’ve followed this blog for any length of time you know I tend to do a lot of different things and have done a lot of different things over the years. Film, TV, writing, photography, consulting and working with a non-profit are just some of the ways I like to spend my time and make a living.

Lately, I’ve been thinking of starting a new venture. It occurred to me that as I’ve worked for various organizations and written about and interviewed various people in the worlds of entertainment, technology and comics, I’ve met a lot of great people who do amazing and interesting things.

I also have come to realize that working for other people isn’t always the best way to go about it. Certainly, I’ve worked with and for some great people over the years but if I’ve learned one thing working in “the business” its that ownership, in the end, is where its at.

If you create something and own it you stand a much better chance of realizing the full benefit from it both creatively and financially. If you’re just a hired hand you’ll never care about it as much as you will if it’s your “baby.”

I’m a professional and I work very hard to do the best job possible — but at the end of the day its just a job. I don’t have the personal stake in the work so consequently I’m not going to care as much as someone who conceived the idea in the first place.

So, that brings me to the latest project I’ve been working on. A project that I created and will have an ownership stake in. Its called The Flickcast and it covers the things I know and love: movies, TV, comic books, tech and all-things geek. It’s a weekly podcast featuring myself and my co-hosts Matt Raub and Christina Warren.

We will also feature guests and other people dropping by periodically to talk about various projects, movies, tv shows or other geek things that they feel passionate about. I’m really looking forward to doing this and it looks to be a lot of fun. Plus, you’ll get to hear my terrific voice on a weekly basis which I know many of you have been clamoring for.

Be sure to check out The Flickcast website and follow us on Twitter for the latest updates. We’ll also have a Facebook page soon as well so you can friend us there too. Also, feel free to throw out comments, suggestions, questions or words of encouragement as we fine tune the show over the weeks.

Greatness often takes time so we hope you’ll give us a listen and follow along as we strive to achieve it.

The Start of Something Good

Posted on January 20, 2009

Today is a great day for America. A new President, a new chance to show the world we are a country worthy of the title “world leader” and the start of something good.

Here’s to Barack Obama, the 44th President of the United States. Good luck Mr. President. With the state of the country after the Bush years, I think you’ll need it.

Video Friday – RIP Bettie Page

Posted on December 12, 2008

In case you don’t know who I’m talking about, here’s some video that points out the true phenomenon that was Bettie Page — who, sadly, passed away yesterday at the age of 85. Time Magazine also has some great photos and a tribute over here, so take a look. Enjoy.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j0Ynlp7sxZs&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0]

Vote

Posted on November 4, 2008

I’m not going to tell you who to vote for, (Barack Obama) but no matter what (Barack Obama) you should get out and vote today (Barack Obama). Its a historic day of change for this country and hopefully, after the dust settles (Barack Obama), we’ll be on a new path that will bring this country back to where it belongs (Barack Obama).

No matter the outcome of the election, (Barack Obama) I’m just proud to live in a country that has free elections and be part of this great Democracy. So, go out and vote your conscience (Barack Obama) and be glad you can be part of this historic time in our country’s history. Is this a great country or what?

As always, we remember

Posted on September 11, 2008

I’m very lucky to live in a country where I’ve had the opportunity to pursue pretty much whatever dream I saw fit. To those who can no longer follow their dreams, we will not forget you.

National_Park_Service_9-11_Statue_of_Liberty_and_WTC_fire.jpg

Megan Fox – ‘Star Wars’ Nerd

Posted on July 20, 2008

So, it appears my blog has turned into one run by a fifteen-year old boy who likes to look at pretty girls. Ah well, who can blame me really? Especially when the girl in question is Megan Fox and she’s sporting a rather cool t-shirt from one of my favorite movies of all time. I mean, come on?

Also, as if Megan wasn’t enough, I’m also doing some things as well. Although, I won’t look nearly as good as Megan does while I do them. But yes, its Comic-Con time again in San Diego and I’ll be there representing with the crew from ComicMix. We even have a booth this year so if you happen to be at the show, be sure to come by booth #2308 and bring me cookies. Or, just say hello. But did I mention I like cookies? Okay, just wanted to make sure. Chocolate chip, btw. In case you were wondering. Okay, that’s it for the cookies. Thanks.

And, to talk about how great I am just a bit more, I’ve got a couple new interviews up. Last week the first part of my interview with writer, actor and Internet giant Wil Wheaton hit at ComicMix. Part two drops on Monday (I believe) and part three (Yes, I spoke with Wil a long time and he was nice enough to do it) will hit the following week.

I’ve also got an interview with Buffy, Angel and Battlestar writer/producer Jane Espenson coming out this week as well. She was super-cool and a pleasure to interview. Plus, I’m sure there will be one or two things from me as Comic-Con gets into full swing later this week. In fact, I know there will because I know who and what I’ll be doing already.

Not that I’ll be “doing” anyone at Comic-Con. Although, I do have a thing for girls in “Slave Leia” costumes. And Wonder-Woman too. Also Emma Frost and Poison Ivy. But that’s a story for another time.

Anyway, be sure to check ComicMix early and often for all the latest from me and the rest of the gang of very talented and extremely cool people who work there. And now, here’s Megan (Yes, in addition to the Star Wars t-shirt that appears to be an iPhone in her hand. What a girl.):

So Long Bozo

Posted on July 4, 2008

Even though I didn’t always like clowns as a kid, Bozo was still funny and made my laugh. That’s all you really need to say about a clown, isn’t it?

Rest in piece Bozo.

Me, Me, Me

Posted on June 6, 2008

Yes, its all about me. But seriously folks, this has been a very interesting week. I’ve met a lot of great people, been told my work both sucks and is brilliant and found a great artist I’m going to work with. So, as I said, a very interesting week indeed.

I also went to Book Expo America last weekend here in LA and I just have to say, I was a bit disappointed. Maybe I didn’t look around enough or spend enough time there, but it seemed like it wasn’t really the show for me. If I was a guy who owned a book store and was looking to buy books to fill it up, then it would have been a great show for me.

As I was just a lowly writer looking to meet some people (particularly in comics and graphic novel publishing) I was sorta out of luck. The few places that were there had booths staffed by people I already knew or featured companies where I already knew someone higher up the chain than the guy in the booth. So, from a practical “networking” standpoint, not much incentive to chat them up.

I did talk to a few people and they were cool. Still, I got the sense from some of them that even they were not exactly sure why they were there. Really, I think most people in comics and graphic novel publishing are just looking ahead to San Diego Comic-Con anyway. I know I am. That’s going to be a blast as usual.

In other Con news, I will most-likely be in Chicago for Wizard World later this month with ComicMix Managing Editor Rick Marshall, Editor-In-Chief Mike Gold and some of the other gang. That should be fun, especially as I’ve never been to Chicago before (I know) and am going to stay a few extra days to check out the city, eat the food and generally get into some trouble.

I’m really looking forward to that trip. If you happen to be in Chicago during that time, be sure to say “hello.”

Oh, before I forget, what would a post about me be without some links to my recent work? Here you go:

The latest BSG Weekly at ComicMix

My latest interview with Dark Horse Comics Editor/Writer Scott Allie at ComicMix

And, here’s a photo I took last year that I still really like — which isn’t always the case. Happy weekend.

The potential real cost of Marvel’s “Secret Invasion”

Posted on April 3, 2008

Not that Marvel really needs any more hype about this but I was thinking about doing a review of my own about the new Secret Invasion story that started yesterday. However, I decided not to offer much in the way of a review because in several ways, my review would be very similar to what others around the Internets are saying.

Basically, I’m a big fan of Brian Bendis and glad he’s writing Secret Invasion. I liked the first issue of it so far, have a couple of concerns, but hope it will get even better as subsequent issues hit the stands. However, even though I mostly enjoyed Issue #1, regardless of its problems, the whole Secret Invasion story does have to contend with an even bigger problem I’m having with Marvel and DC of late: big “event” stories both publishers seem determined to do.

I know, you gotta do something to keep people reading and sell comics, but I sometimes wish that they wouldn’t make such a big deal about it. Every one of these “Universe Shattering” events like World War Hulk, Messiah Complex, House of M, Final Crisis and Civil War has a dramatic effect on the Marvel and DC Universes and a dramatic effect on how much the reader is willing to put up with.

Really, how many times can the Marvel and DC U survive all these events? It seems that the pieces are barely being put back together and then another major “event” comes along and takes it all down. Plus, how much can the reader be expected to follow this story when its spread across so many different comic titles and characters? And, with comics getting more and more expensive, how many times can you ask the reader to keep buying all these tie-in issues so you can tell a big “event” story like Secret Invasion?

I counted and so far, according to the list in Secret invasion #1, there are going to be 33 comics that tie-in or tell some part of the Secret Invasion story. And that only gets us through July! If each one has a cover price of $3.99 like Secret Invasion #1 does, that’s $131.67 to get you through July and Secret Invasion #4, X-Factor #33, She-Hulk #31 and the rest of the tie-in and one-shot issues.

To me, that seems like a rather large commitment that Marvel expects the reader to make. Although, I probably spend that much on comics in a month already, so I suppose its relative. Maybe that isn’t much money to you. However, I don’t think its just a cost in terms of dollars and sense, I think its potentially a cost in terms of readership.

At some point, and I’ve already heard some of the grumbling at recent conventions and elsewhere, readers are going to get weary of these kind of “events” and just want their favorite characters to have their own stories again so they can enjoy them. At a recent Con, for example, one fan even asked this directly during a Marvel panel, saying: “Can’t you just leave them alone for a bit?”

As someone who still prefers the feeling of printed paper in his hands and reads his comics that way, instead of online (and I’m even a Marvel Digital Comics subscriber and write for ComicMix, a site that publishes digital comics) I don’t want printed comics to go away any time soon. I also want Marvel and DC to be as successful as they can be so they can keep printing comics and bringing readers more and more great stories.

I feel for Marvel and DC (and all publishers who print comics), I really do. In a world where consumers are turning more and more to the Internets for entertainment, reading far fewer printed publications and where a comic book that sells 60 or 70 thousand copies is considered a major hit, they have to be a bit nervous.

I just hope this nervousness and desire to boost sales by pushing more “event” stories doesn’t drive readers away more than it brings them in. That would truly be a shame.

For actual reviews of Secret Invasion #1, check out the ones at Comic Book Resources and ComicMix.

RIP: E. Gary Gygax 1938-2008

Posted on March 4, 2008

Sad news today. E. Gary Gygax, the man widely considered the “Father of Role-Playing-Games,” has died. He was 69 years old. I already wrote a piece about Gygax and his death over at ComicMix. What I didn’t mention in that piece was that, like ComicMix’s Glen Hauman, I also had a personal connection to the man.

I was fortunate to meet Gary Gygax after some friends of mine and I decided to have a D&D marathon at my house one Summer weekend in the late ’70s. We decided to invite Mr. Gygax to join us by writing him a personal letter. We even enclosed an article from the local paper (the Coast Dispatch in case you’re curious) featuring our upcoming marathon in order to try and entice his participation a bit more.

Sadly, he wasn’t able to attend, but he did write me a personal letter with his regrets and also graciously included several D&D adventure modules, as yet unpublished, for us to use during the game. We used them and had a great time, all the while praising Gygax for being cool enough to not only respond to us, but for caring enough to send us stuff to help make our marathon D&D session a success.

Several years later, I was able to actually meet Gygax in person at GenCon after I had convinced my parents it was a good idea to drive me across country so I could play D&D with a bunch of other kids in Wisconsin. My parents were cool like that and did it not only once, but twice.

When I met him the first time at GenCon we spoke for several minutes and he even remembered me from when I had invited him to our game. He was a great guy to talk to. Over the years I would run into him again at various events and each time he would, somehow, remember me and we would have another very nice conversation. At each and every meeting he was gracious and generous with his time.

The magnitude of Gygax’s influence on gaming and pop culture, both directly and indirectly, isn’t something that can easily be measured. He was extremely popular among those who played his games, of course, but his creations, particularly D&D, also had a profound effect on kids of my and later generations.

D&D helped us learn to think logically, to solve problems, to work as a team and, more importantly, to use our imaginations. As someone who has the privilege of using his imagination on a daily basis and gets paid for it, I , for one, have a debt to Gary Gygax that can never be repaid.

I feel confident there are others out there working away creating the current and next generations of games, comic books, movies and TV shows that feel the same way I do.

Thanks for the help and inspiration Gary. We need more people around like you. You will be missed.

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