Archive for October, 2010
10 items.
Sometimes when talking to fellow creators who do their own art (and some of the ones who don’t), they’re curious about the photo comic process. I like doing the photos because it is distinguishing from other more traditional art forms, and it’s also a lot of fun to work on. Comics can be a collaborative process if you work with another creator (for me as a writer getting to work with an artist, for example), and the photo comics allow it to be collaborative with my friends – both comic and non-comic friends. 
This weekend is Halloween and I don’t really have a costume planned out. Some people have suggested Lex Luthor. Some have suggested Captain Picard (although that means I need to go get a Star Fleet uniform). In the past I’ve even dressed up as Spider Jerusalem from Transmetropolitan (back when I was more fit, and had that six pack all the time).
Any suggestions on costumes?
Have a safe and happy Halloween, everyone!
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I have no idea what kitty style would even involve. But being a cat owner myself, I just can’t seem to stop telling the cat jokes. And if it can fit into a comic setting, then all the better.
Sadly, there will be no surprise visit from the crazy cat lady character in this story arc. Although I hope to work with Erica again.
Everyone remembers Scott, my web host and the guy who (in this comic) set me up with a pantless vet and a crazy cat lady blind date.
So one for three. Not so bad. And the two that are bad are fictional. I created them. 
So Scott’s one of my good buddies stemming back from college, and when he wanted to come for some of the conventions I was attending. So of course I had to get him involved in the comic, because any chance I get to include my friends in this comic is something I want to take advantage of.
Convention season (in real life) is coming to a close, but I’ve gathered so many fun and zany adventures that I just had to tell this story arc. Lots of fun stuff in the works, and I’ll be sharing details on a project soon that’s coming out next year!
Sorry it’s so late notice, but it was just announced that I’ll be a guest at Mid-Ohio Comic Con in Columbus, OH November 6-7. Which, if you’re not aware, is my birthday weekend. So it’s going to be a fun time.
It would be a fun time whether it was my birthday or not. I had a blast last year hanging out with Alan Evans, Lora Innes, Bryan Glass, Paul Storie, Thom Zahler, and many others. This year there will be an even larger guest list, which is going to be awesome.
Details are still coming in, but I’ll be on a panel for Reading with Pictures promoting comics as educational tools in the classroom.
It’s going to be a fun time, so you’ll want to stop by and say hi at the show. I’ll have some great stuff on hand to sell, plus I’m always a pretty fun riot at a show. See you there!
Today’s @$$hole! features a guest appearance by comic writer Russell Lissau (The Batman Strikes, Shrek, The 29).
Russell and I are good friends, and he’s also a big fan of this comic – specifically the photo artwork I’ve included. He and I have exhibited together at many conventions over the years, and he’s been an incredible influence on my writing and drive to create the very best comics I can.
Be sure to check out his stuff the next time you’re in a comic shop.
Movie Review: The Social Network (2010)
Director: David Fincher
Cast: Jesse Eisenberg, Andrew Garfield, Justin Timberlake, Rooney Mara
Plot: In 2003, Harvard student Mark Zuckerberg (Eisenberg) sat down and began coding what would eventually become the modern day social network phenomenon called Facebook. However, you don’t become the youngest billionaire in the world without stepping on a few toes…or stabbing a few people in the back.
His CFO (Garfield) helps fund the project, and along the way Mark meets up with Napster founder Sean Parker (Timberlake). However, it turns out that several Harvard students – including his CFO – are also suing him. It’s a little sloppy in the editing, but eventually you get that the movie is a series of flashbacks to Facebook’s beginnings and the modern situation – where Mark’s a billionaire and and fighting two lawsuits.
Mark’s not a likable character at all, and while I’ve never met Mark Zuckerberg in person, I can’t imagine how someone can be so off-putting and make it through life with any friends. The opening to the movie is very quick and almost difficult to follow, but the point is made quickly when Mark is dumped by his girlfriend (Mara) because of just how much of a jerk ass he can be. The motivation behind facebook’s creation is implied to be inspired by this situation – love can be a powerful motivator. But we only ever see Mara at the beginning, middle, and very end (sort of) of the flick. The story is so disjointed and lacking in flow that it’s almost sloppy.
The Social Network is a sloppy movie with an unlikable main character and poor editing making the movie harder to follow than it needs to be. The purpose of the movie seems to be less about the formation of a cultural movement and more about how little everyone – and therefore, you the audience – likes Mark. But as we learn more about the people who are suing Mark for his intillectual property, we find that these supporting characters are equally unlikable. In fact, the only character I could identify with was the girlfriend – for all of 5 minutes of screen time she has in the movie.
Rooney Mara is shaping up to be an up-and-coming actress, as she’s already been cast to play Lisbeth in the American remake of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. Although, going from the rejector of a super nerd to the goth hacker in that story will be quite the transformation. Personally, I don’t think remakes are really necessary (and am currently not a fan of the trailers for Let Me In making it out to be a horror flick, because the original was a very cute coming-of-age romance. A review for that will be forthcoming).
In summary, The Social Network is totally skippable.