Quotes of the Day / Timekillers

"He's the kind of guy who checks for gas leaks with a lighter." - Tiina.

"Enthusiasm is a sugar rush. You really feel it when it’s over." - John August, responding to someone who thought they were going somewhere but actually weren't (not me, though it might as well have been.)

" He wants what he wants. He wants it the way he wants it, if he thinks it's not fair. And he stamps his feet and heat visions people if he doesn't get it. He's a psychotic brat wearing blinders." - Geoff Johns, talking about Superboy-Prime - a character who interviewer Vaneta Rogers charitably describes as "loosely represent(ing) the attitude of some readers."

http://johnaugust.com/archives/2008/post-buzz-blues
http://www.newsarama.com/comics/080825-SpoilerSportL3W.html

***

THE FRUITS OF MY LABOUR. WELL, MOSTLY SOMEONE ELSE'S LABOUR, BUT A BIT OF MINE, TOO.

The first two comics I edited for Zeros 2 Heroes, BLACK JACK O'BREEN and KNIGHTCAP: NOVEMBER'S SONG can now be read online, for free, free, free! You owe it to yourself to read one or both books, and you owe it to me to sign up at Z2H and become Official Fans of them.

OK, you don't owe me squat, but it'd be nice if you did become Official Fans (assuming you like the books) (which I AM assuming), because the more Fans a book gets, the more likely it is to continue.

BLACK JACK O'BREEN: Fleeing an English noose, Jack O'Breen left Ireland behind and found a new life packing a gun in the American west. He could run from the English, from the Fenian rebels, even from the girl he loved. But the faeries don't give up so easily. So join us for fantasy, adventure and romance! Face off against pagan magic with six-shooters and cold iron bullets. Come and ride with Black Jack O'Breen.

Written by John Michael Sullivan, painted art by Frank Grau Jr., letters by Ed Brisson. Edited by no one of note.

http://www.zeros2heroes.com/property/black-jack-o-breen

KNIGHTCAP: NOVEMBER'S SONG: "Boy Meets Girl. Boy Loses Girl. Girl Destroys Universe?"

That's a fine hook for a comic, but not really reflective of KC:NS' first issue, which is more a straight-up superheroic comedy in the vein of the DeMatteis/Giffen Justice League. Knowing what the writer has planned for the characters, it'd be really nice to get the chance to see the Girl Destroy the Universe.

Written by Stephen Cmelak, pencils through to letters by The Future of Comics (II) John Keane (which is reason enough to read it on its own, if you ask me.)

http://www.zeros2heroes.com/property/knightcap-november-s-song

***

HARBOR LIFE AND PRINT CULTURE

Once again earning the accolades rightly heaped upon it, on Thursday at 7:00 PM, Happy Harbor Comics (Volume One) is hosting a talk by Writer and Comics Herstorian Trina Robbins. The event is sponsored by the Edmonton Small Press Association, and is free, though donations will be gratefully accepted. I'd be there to watch her myself, but I'll be seeing her speak tomorrow at the Edmonton Pop Print Culture Festival. I'll also be appearing there, on Thursday at noon as part of Comic Wars, and on Friday along with Dark Horse Assistant Editor Rachel Edidin and local artist Bob Prodor as part of the comics festival Pro Panel. Should be interesting, and I believe the comics festival stuff is free, so if you've got the time and inclination, come on down. Here's the more or less complete schedule.

www.happyharborcomics.com
http://www.trinarobbins.com/
http://www.arts.ualberta.ca/popprint/
http://www.arts.ualberta.ca/popprint/festival.html#schedule

***

BRANSON & CHOPRA'S COMIC COMPANY DIED A VIRGIN

I didn't care much for what I saw of Virgin Comics' output (though Jenna Jameson's Shadowhunter was always handy to have around as a prime example of everything that's wrong with the comic industry), but if a lot of individual people don't take a hit from this, the small press comic industry certainly will, as yet ANOTHER non-Big Four comics publisher proves it can't deliver the good long-term - and this one financed by some of the deepest pockets in the world. Which makes it even less likely that a retailer will take a chance on something from a smaller comic publisher, no matter how good it may be. Understandable, but depressing as hell. I hope everyone involved with the company who isn't a multimillionaire comes out of the situation relatively unscathed.

A