March 31, 2008
OUT THIS WEEK: SHE-HULK #27, FALLEN ANGEL #25, NEW FRONTIER #1
Rough week financially if you're a completist for my work. Sorry. Whad'ja think?
PAD
March 26, 2008
Free "Fallen Angel" Artwork
Yes, free Fallen Angel artwork from J. K. Woodward. As reported on ComicMix, you can get free comic art:
With the upcoming release of Fallen Angel #25, Peter David's series featuring a mysterious, celestial heroine becomes the longest-running title in IDW Publishing history. To celebrate hitting this mark, IDW is giving away original pages of J.K. Woodward's series artwork at a pair of events.Wed. March 26, from 5-8pm: The Comic Bug 1807 Manhattan Beach Blvd Manhattan Beach, 90266 www.thecomicbug.com
Wed. April 2, from 7-9pm: Golden Apple Comics 7018 Melrose Ave, LA 90038 www.goldenapplecomics.com
Artist J.K. Woodward will be on hand to sign his pages, copies of the comic or pretty much anything the fans want to stick under his sharpie. Pages will be given away in order, so the first person at Comic Bug will get the splash page, etc.
Yes, that's tonight for Comic Bug. Pictures of all of the pages of art being given away today can be found at ComicMix.
Madeline Kara Neumann
Remember that name. I suspect you'll be hearing it a lot as possible court proceedings ensue.
She was an 11 year old girl who was diabetic. And as she spent the last month of her life writhing in agony, vomiting, her body shutting down, her parents did not obtain the treatment that could have saved her life. Instead they prayed for God to save her.
It reminds one of the story of the man who ignored a radio report that flood waters were rising, refusing to leave his house because he was convinced that God would save him. As the waters rose, two guys in a boat came by and said, "Climb in!" And he said, "No. God will save me." As he clambered onto his roof, a helicopter flew past and said, "We'll throw you down a rope ladder! Climb up!" And he said, "No, God will save me." And the man drowned. And when he found himself before God, he said, "I've spent my life being devout and singing your praises, and you didn't save me!" And God said, "I sent you a radio report, a boat and a helicopter. What are you DOING here?"
I wonder what He will say to Madeline Kara Neumann. "Sorry your parents were such fools?"
The truly infuriating thing is that even the Bible--or at least the New American Bible, in the Book of Sirach (Ecclesiasticus 38:1-15)--addresses this very notion:
“Hold the physician in honor, for he is essential to you, and God it was who established his profession. From God the doctor has his wisdom, and the king provides for his sustenance. His knowledge makes the doctor distinguished, and gives him access to those in authority.
God makes the earth yield healing herbs which the prudent man should not neglect; was not the water sweetened by a twig that men might learn his power?
He endows men with the knowledge to glory in his mighty works, through which the doctor eases pain and the druggist prepares his medicines; thus God's creative work continues without cease in its efficacy on the surface of the earth.
My son, when you are ill, delay not, but pray to God, who will heal you: flee wickedness; let your hands be just, cleanse your heart of every sin; offer your sweet-smelling oblation and petition, a rich offering according to your means.
Then give the doctor his place lest he leave; for you need him too. There are times that give him an advantage, and he too beseeches God that his diagnosis may be correct and his treatment bring about a cure.
He who is a sinner toward his Maker will be defiant toward the doctor.”
Damn straight. There is far more to the notion of divine intervention than unexplained miracles. Giving doctors the skill to cure patients is miraculous. Life itself is miraculous. It is tragic that there are those who are so blinded by fervor that they cannot see the divinity of what is right in front of them, and even more tragic when those depending upon them lose their lives because of that blindness.
PAD
March 23, 2008
PBA Bowling this afternoon
I'll be attending the ESPN TV broadcast today at 1 PM, so see if you can spot me in the crowd. I'll be wearing a red PBA shirt.
Less said about the Pro-Am in which Ariel and I bowled yesterday, the better. Ariel did okay, but I couldn't get pin carry if my life depended on it. That's the last time I bowl in the final squad when all the oil is gone.
PAD
March 21, 2008
Happy Birthday, War
Michael Ken Nielsen brought the following video to my attention. (Don't worry, it's work safe...unless your boss is a Bush supporter, I suppose.)
So is it STILL too early to call it a Vietnam-like quagmire? Especially after McCain asserted that we might well be there for the next hundred years?
ttp://www.youtube.com/v/h5Vf4VbLfv8&hl=en">
March 19, 2008
The Monolith has gone dark
Arthur C. Clarke, a true giant in the industry, has reportedly passed away at the age of 90.
While many associate him most strongly with "2001," the work of his that had the most impact on me was "Childhood's End." If you haven't read it, you really should; I think I'll go reread it this week, as a matter of fact.
Ask Kathleen on her blog to share with you the story of the guy in the "Childhood's End" costume at an Atlanta convention.
PAD
March 18, 2008
First major "Tigerheart" review
Ran in the School Library Journal. Pretty enthusiastic, I'd say.
DAVID, Peter. Tigerheart: A Tale of the Anyplace. 304p. Del Rey. June 2008. Tr $22. ISBN 978-0-345-50159-2. LC number unavailable.
Adult/High School–With its infusion of originality, David’s admirable pastiche of James Barrie’s Peter Pan will have readers of all ages clamoring for a copy. London-dweller Paul Dear is a sensitive boy who relishes his father’s stories of Anyplace and its inhabitants–pirates, pixies, “wild Indians,” and, of course, “The Boy,” whom Paul encounters one night via the mirror in his bedroom. After a family tragedy, Paul is unnerved by his mother’s sorrow and seeks a resolution in Anyplace, where he meets incarnations of many of Barrie’s characters, such as Fiddlefix (Tinkerbelle) and Captain Hack (Hook). The one exception is the marvelous snow tiger that practically steals the limelight and gives the book its title. David provides everything readers could possibly desire: suspense, swashbuckling adventure, tenderness, anguish, a dash of wit and sarcasm, and a perfect ending. Adults will see Tigerheart as an excellent choice for a book discussion group and/or as a useful tool in enhancing cultural literacy, and will appreciate its superior writing, appealing characters, depiction of familial love, and accomplished themes. Teens may view it as an exciting story about a courageous boy who rode a great white tiger, consorted with Indians, and battled pirates. They will all be right. This is a worthy purchase for both school and public libraries.–Dori DeSpain, Fairfax County Public Library, VA
Del Rey will be giving out a limited number of the advance reader galleys at the April New York Comic Con on Saturday and I'll be there to sign them. So check at the Del Rey booth for times when you get there.
PAD
March 14, 2008
For those of you who wonder when Peter is going to be on the left coast
He is currently in LA attending the Wizard World convention this weekend.
Tell him that his wife said 'Hi' if you see him. *grin*
March 12, 2008
This just in...(tasteless joke warning)
New York governor Eliot Spitzer has tendered his resignation due to his involvement in a prostitution ring. David Paterson, the lieutenant governor, will assume office.
When Paterson, who is legally blind, was asked how he felt being the first Black governor of New York, Paterson was quoted as saying, "Wait...I'm Black? Seriously? Are you putting me on?" Paterson professed to be completely surprised by the revelation, and when reporters expressed incredulity that he was unaware of his skin color, Paterson said, "What part of 'legally blind' is unclear?"
PAD
March 11, 2008
Dave Stevens
It has been announced that Dave Stevens of "Rocketeer" fame has passed away of leukemia at the age of 53.
Unbelievable.
PAD
March 10, 2008
X-Factor week on Marvel.com
Travis Clark pointed out to me that Marvel.com has declared this to be X-Factor week, with a variety of features and such about stuff that's going to be happening in the book. You'd think I'd have realized this considering I did an interview for it; shows how much attention I'm paying to the world.
Anyway, feel free to check it out.
PAD
Of course Bush vetoed the ban on waterboarding
He had to. There was no choice.
Why?
Because if he had signed the ban, then he would have been tacitly admitting that the practice was wrong. And Bush is psychologically incapable of admitting that anything he does, or that he endorses, is wrong.
The bottom line is that if the United States is going to preach high morality and ethics at other countries, then we must have clean hands. And as long as this country supports torture for any reason, then our hands are filthy.
I have no doubt that if, a year from now, a similar bill lands on Clinton or Obama's presidential desk, they'd sign it. What I'd be curious to know is if John McCain, who knows a thing or two about torture himself, would veto it. See, on the one hand, he talks a good game about deploring torture...but on the other hand, he voted against the bill. It's a duplicity that his opponents should be trying to highlight.
PAD
March 09, 2008
Frawley is shrouded
Since Jeffrey Frawley has chosen to spread his continued harassment of me to Kathleen's blog, I have decided enough is enough. He is henceforth shrouded on this blog. What that means is that, to me, he is a non-person. I will not respond to him or acknowledge any of his postings. Others may do what they wish, although they are invited to do likewise.
I am leaving no room for response on this since Frawley thrives on attention and the purpose of this is to explain his new status on this board as far as I'm concerned, not encourage discussion.
PAD
March 08, 2008
The Other Bowlin' Girl
So Ariel asked me to take her to this movie called "The Other Bowlin' Girl, " and how could I resist a film with that title?
Well, I have to say, this film was NOTHING like what I was expecting. It was some sort of lengthy historical thing with Natalie Portman playing a queen, and you can probably guess the ending because it never goes well for Natalie Portman when she plays a queen.
I haven't been this disappointed in a film that I thought was about bowling since I saw "300."
PAD
March 07, 2008
Tigerheart at the NYCC
As part of their promotional endeavors for "Tigerheart," Del Rey has taken out advertising on 3-Day Membership badges at the New York Comic Con. Anyone buying a 3-Day membership badge, either on line or at participating comic shops, will receive a badge that looks like this:
Also Del Rey will be giving out a limited number of advance galley proofs on one of the days of the con and I'll be there to sign it. More specifics on that to come.
PAD
Stephen King on NPR next week
I don't typically run Marvel press releases here, but I thought it relevant since King will be discussing Dark Tower 2 on NPR next Wednesday from 2:30 to 3 PM.
Details below:
Legendary author Stephen King will
give a live interview to discuss the state of comics tied to the release
of Marvel Comics' Dark Tower: The Long Road Home, the second story arc
in his ground-breaking epic series Dark Tower on NPR's esteemed program
Talk of The Nation this Wednesday, March 12th from 2:30-3:00 PM EST.
"Marvel Publishing is grateful to Stephen for taking the time out of his
busy schedule to talk about The Dark Tower comic series and comic books
as a whole," says Ruwan Jayatilleke, Marvel Entertainment Vice President
of Development. "We're excited that this will offer a chance to
introduce this phenomenal epic---and medium of entertainment--- to NPR's
listeners as well as reward loyal Dark Tower fans with some highly
entertaining radio!"
The second installment of the best-selling, critically acclaimed comic
book series hit stores on March 5th with the continuing saga of the last
Gunslinger in Dark Tower: The Long Road Home. The series reunites the
all-star creative team of Dark Tower expert Robin Furth, The New York
Times best-selling author Peter David, Eisner Award-winning artist Jae
Lee and fan favorite illustrator Richard Isanove, who turned the first
series Dark Tower: The Gunslinger Born into the comic book event of 2007
-- making it one of the year's top selling series.
Exploring a chapter in Roland's life that is only hinted at in the
novels, Dark Tower: The Long Road Home is the must-have that no comic
book or Dark Tower fan can miss, and no fan of comics can afford to miss
King's live interview on NPR!
March 06, 2008
Hey! Oprah Winfrey!
Tired of pushing so-called memoirs that turn out to be fantasies?
May I recommend my book, "Tigerheart," coming out in June. It doesn't purport to be anything else but a fantasy, and it's uplifting to young and old alike. Check out the comments on www.tigerheartbook.com and then have your people contact the publishers.
PAD
March 05, 2008
Peter interviewed on ComicMix TV for Dark Tower launch
I would be remiss in not pointing out to you that Peter David and Jae Lee are interviewed at ComicMix TV for the midnight launch of Stephen King'sThe Dark Tower at Midtown Comics.
Go. Watch. Enjoy.
MSNBC apparently just noticed this
MSNBC had a piece today in which they observed that, gee, the current campaign is playing out like the last season of West Wing.
January 30th, guys. I noted on January 30th something MSNBC just now picked up on.
That's why I'm surprised anyone thought that Clinton would be knocked out in yesterday's election. To fulfill the West Wing scenario, this is going to have to go all the way to the convention in August, at which point--after much struggle--Obama is made the candidate (although don't rule out the notion that, after the first ballot is cast, someone else suddenly throws his hat into the ring just to make things REALLY interesting. It could be anyone from Al Gore to John Edwards who, to the best of my knowledge, has yet to endorse either Obama or Clinton.)
At which point Obama will then choose an unexpected political old hand to be his vice presidential candidate.
A word of advice to anyone whom Obama taps for VP--don't take the offer. Because Obama wins, but only because you die unexpectedly.
PAD
March 04, 2008
Hillary's Phone ad
The one with the announcer intoning "Who do you want picking up the phone in the event of an emergency?" while children are shown sleeping.
It screams to have grafted on a clip of Adam West as Bruce Wayne picking up the phone and saying, "Yes, commissioner," and then he and Burt Ward run to the Batpoles.
Because...really. Wouldn't YOU really Batman be the one answering the call?
PAD
March 02, 2008
How far is too far?
Luigi brought the following to my attention:
Jeremy Jaynes of Raleigh, N.C., considered among the world's top 10 spammers in 2003, was convicted of massive distribution of junk e-mail and sentenced to nine years in prison.
Almost all 50 states have anti-spamming laws. In the 4-3 ruling, the court rejected Jaynes' claim that the state law violates both the First Amendment and the interstate commerce clause of the U.S. Constitution.
This is one of those strange situations where I find myself agreeing with both sides. For instance, one of the dissenting justices in the case wrote:
the law is "unconstitutionally overbroad on its face because it prohibits the anonymous transmission of all unsolicited bulk e-mail including those containing political, religious or other speech protected by the First Amendment to the United States Constitution."
Since I haven't read the law, I will simply take her word for it. That being the case, the law is out of line and should be overturned. Unfortunately, this case wasn't the one to overturn it.
Jaynes allegedly used aliases and false Internet addresses to bombard Web users with junk e-mails peddling sham products and services. The court's majority said misleading commercial speech is not entitled to First Amendment protection.
Well...yeah. I don't see how it possibly could be. If a store is charged with false advertising with the intention of bilking its customers, how can the store owner possibly seek defense behind the First Amendment? Just as the First Amendment doesn't protect things you say about another person knowing that they're falsehoods, I do not see how it can protect attempts to bilk people over the internet. To say nothing of slamming e-mail boxes with thousands of spams. It's no different than a neighbor blasting his stereo at ear-splitting decibel levels at 2 in the morning in violation of local ordnances and then claiming he has a First Amendment right to do so.
There may well be grounds for challenges to anti-spamming laws, but I don't see this case as offering them.
PAD