If there’s one thing I want you to get out of this entry, it’s that I absolutely positively love Joss Whedon and John Cassaday’s run on Astonishing X-men. Seriously, I just read the tpb, Unstoppable, and was frickin’ blown away by…everything! I won’t spoil it, but let’s just say I’m a bit sad that the creative team can’t stay on there forever. I’m a guy who’s been out of the X-loop for years, so it was nice getting some familiarity back in my system. At the same time, Whedon added different things in it, which kept me on the edge of my seat. The main thing I love about Astonishing X-men, besides the awesome art, is the dialogue between the characters. I’d love to read that stuff forever if I could get away with it. Secondly, I wasn’t happy with Beast’s most recent transformation, but combined with John Cassaday’s art and Joss Whedon’s writing style, I think it’s safe that say that this is my favorite version of the character. Overall, it was a very exciting run. The new creative team should bring the title to new heights, but I could use another run with Whedon and Cassaday.

The Gotham Knight DVD was what I expected it to be---awesome. Its only flaw was that it was too damn short. I honestly would not mind seeing more, especially with the director of the “Dead Shot” segment. If they could commit to doing a television series, that would make me the happiest Bat-fan ever.

Speaking of Batman, I like those Comcast “Gotham Tonight” nightly news segments. I think it’s really cool and a nice tease and back-story to keep fans occupied before the Dark Knight hits theatres.

I’m working at an internship for Marvel. I’m a bit pissed off that I have to rely on my school for providing what I need to get in, but a beggar can’t be picky. The only thing that might mess me up is that the place is in New York. Getting there is not a problem, staying there is. I do have family out there, but it’s the kind of family that doesn’t want to have anything to do with me. You know the kind, right? I’ll have to look into a few things before I can make the move, especially with living arrangements. Seriously, getting my foot in the door at Marvel would be a dream come true. As far as the other dreams are concerned...ah…I won’t get into that.

Going back to the gym was a huge mistake. Not really, but working out like normal put a major strain on my body, particularly the triceps and shoulders. Taking a shower, sleeping, brushing my teeth and several other daily activities are fucking painful thanks to my recent trip to the gym. I hope the pain goes away soon.

It’s been a long time since I dove into the dating market. My last attempts went up in smoke, but I’ve been curious lately. I need new clothes badly. It’s really hard to shop for myself because I’m “Big and Tall”. Most of the places I go to are complete crap. It’s not too much of a problem, but I just don’t want to go out on a date with jeans and a t-shirt. Besides, my shoes look like they’ve been through World War III.

Y’know, my family finally mustered up enough money to get the porch fixed and you wouldn’t believe how many people are against it. We finally get something nice and we wake up to cigarette ash, bubble gum, and candy wrappers on the carpet. I usually don’t like to use this term, but “they some haters.” Seriously, I’d love to install security cameras just to catch the bastards in the act, not that’ll ever happen, but I can dream. I want to get an electric porch that will shock people unmerciful and steroid injected monkeys to shit on their unconscious bodies, but I may one day make the mistake of leaving the keys in the house. I’d settle for a house---not a row-house that’s sandwiched in with other people, but a real house. The kind that forces you to walk several yards, if not clicks, to reach your neighbor. You figure since we’re sandwiched together, we would find a way to get along. No such luck. Other than the occasional “hello”, we really don’t speak to each other. In fact, I’m lucky to even get that most of the time. What ever happened to the good ol’ howdy neighbor shit? You know the kind of neighbors you lend your tools to or invite to a friggin’ barbeque. You really don’t see that around these parts. What you’ll get around here is a bunch of folk who would love to put their cigarette out on your new rug when you’re not looking. Let’s just hope they won’t resort to that…for their sake.

This seems to be a horrible year and one of the things that really convinced me was waking up to news of Michael Turner’s death. Mike was one of my favorite artist. I considered him a superstar over at Top Cow. He was the driving force behind most of my purchases of Top Cow comics, including Witch Blade and Fathom. Fathom was a book that really inspired me artistically. Mike’s endless pursuit of details really helped me spend more time on a picture. Prior to that, I was a “speed artist,” as if I was on a tight deadline and producing sloppy work. Mike and other artist during that time, showed me the way without even talking to me. Fathom was also the book that filled everybody in on Mike’s illness. I was upset hearing the news then and I’m really upset finding out that it took him away.

Despite my disappointments at Wizard World conventions, Mike attended the few that I went to and that brightened the place up. To this day, I extremely regret not standing in line to talk to him---at least shake the man’s hand. His attention to detail was an inspiration to my art and me; the least I could have done was thank him in person. At the time, I wasn’t thinking. I guess most of us don’t really appreciate someone until they are no longer with us.

Michael Turner accomplished many things despite having cancer. I think the biggest thing he did, besides working for both Marvel and DC, is that he started his own comic book company, Aspen Comics (named after the main character in Fathom, Aspen Matthews). Fathom was even optioned for a movie with big name directors like James Cameron attached to it. He didn’t let his illness ruin his life.

To close this out, I think it's so fuckin' unfair. How come bad things happen to good people?

You will be missed, my friend. Rest in peace.

LINKS:::

http://www.aspencomics.com/community/forum

www.comicbookresources.com

Some of Michael's Art

Finally...

As a belated birthday gift, my dad brought me a draft table from Utrecht. I've always wanted one of those, but could never afford one back then. Man, we were so broke, finding a quarter in between the sofa cushions was like finding gold. Then there was the issue of space, my parents settled for one of those portable tables when I was a kid. After that got trashed, I pretty much had to use a clipboard and prop that sucker up. When I was working at Prudential, I could have easily got one, but it never crossed my mind (ain't that a bitch). The sad part is that I have to wait until Thursday, but I've waited this long, a few more days won't hurt.

When I arrived, I was a bit shocked that the place was empty. No one was at the arcade, which was rare, but I didn't complain. In fact, I preferred it that way. At the time, I wasn't ready to take on all challengers. I just wanted to go as far as I could with that one quarter mom coughed up. I fought one match and I can't even remember who I picked (most likely Chun Li since I had a made crush on her back then). The only that I remember is some guy walking in the store, making a b-line to the arcade machine. My heart stopped and I was thinking, "No! NO! NOOO!!!" To no surprise, he stood next to me and shoved his quarter in the player 2 slot. I was fucking pissed, but I didn't say anything. I just stood there, trying to keep my cool, thinking of some kind of strategy. I remember the bastard being taller than me, too. The round started, I was nervous as shit. Before I knew it, I was slaughtered. "Game over, man. Game over." I remember getting very mad, looking up at the tall bastard only to find a smirk. I yelled  something. Can't remember what it was, but I do remember storming out of the place trying not to cry. Shit, it looked like I just got out of a real fight or something. It was somewhat funny because I used to get fucked up a lot back then with scrapes and bruises and not a single tear would show. The guy tookmy only quarter... Anyhoo, I went in the house and told my mom, hoping that a miracle would occur and she would pull out another magic quarter. Didn't happen. Now I know why nobody was at the store to begin with. I'm sure the tall bastard probably kicked ass and took a little break before I arrived.

What is the point of this story...? I don't have a clue. Just thought I'd share my first ass-kicking at an arcade. Not too many people can remember their first beating. Don’t worry, something good happened shortly after. Maybe it was a month or two later, during Christmas, my dad brought home a Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES). One of the games he brought along with it was Street Fighter II. At the time, the only thing I was thinking was, "Thank God he didn’t bring home Mario World." It took a while to realize the most beautiful thing just happened: No more fucking quarters!

Long live game consoles.