Myth Conceptions

As promised, click the title link!

This time I talk about where the comic industry is, was and will be.

Enjoy!

B-Out

Been a Busy Weekend!

Well, with Comic-Con being this past weekend I had a LOT to post on the SBC site. Not as much as I had expected, but a lot regardless. Plus I had to do some lettering stuff, which proved to be pretty time intensive.

Aside from that, it was a decent weekend. Nothing special or anything though.

The ten finalists were announced for Platinum's Comic Book Challenge, and unfortunately the project I was lettering didn't make it. But I hear some publishers are interested in it, so we'll see what happens.

On the contrary, the project I'm lettering in the Small Press Idol contest (I was brought on a couple of weeks ago when they're letterer disappeared) actually won the contest, so that was cool.

Some good things are on the horizon for me and for Wannabez, so stay tuned!

Getting back to SBC, click the title link for news on the future of the company. In short, the physical store closed down and the store is now completely an online operation, and all the focus and resources will be put towards growing both the site and the online store. Orders should no longer be a problem once this all takes effect.

And I guess that's about it for now. Thanks for continuing to read.

Oh, and there WILL be a new Myth Conceptions tomorrow, so check here then for a link!

B-Out

Mini Fridges Rule!

So, I spend most of my time at home in the loft upstairs, which is where the computer is. Well, we just got a mini fridge for upstairs and that is awesome! It was on sale and a great buy. So now no more going all the way downstairs into the kitchen to get a snack or something to drink. Yay! Gotta love convenience and laziness, eh?

B-Out

MMMBop

So I was trying to think of something clever to title this post and was coming up blank. I was looking through the thesaurus, looking up quotes and nothing came to me. Then I go to yahoo.com and there's a feature story about the musical group Hanson all grown up. Seems they have a new single (hit the title link if you dare). So I figured the title to their one hit song was out there enough to pretend to be profound... or nonsensical, take your pick.

Anyway, the song's not bad. It's not great, but it's decent. And oddly enough, it appears the youngest brother (the drummer) is now the lead singer, or at least he is on this single. The middle brother always did the lead vocals when they were big.

Moving on...

So I made some corrections on Abiding Perditions: Dawn of the Spider #1 tonight, so that should be just about squared away. I'm actually getting pretty caught up, which is cool. It's been a long time!

I also accepted a part-time job as a publishing assistant yesterday for a book called The Young Explorers. The book will be presented at Wizard World Chicago, so look for the booth! I won't be there, sadly, but the rest of the crew will.

This weekend is Comic-Con, as I mentioned, and I'll be right here receiving articles from our writers that do get to go to post up on SBC. Them's the breaks.

Ghost Rider was... well, you all know. The best part about that movie, no question, was Eva Mendes. But aside from that, the effects were ok, and it was cool seeing Ghost Rider come to life. I thought the way he came buy the jacket and chain were done well, but the acting, oh the acting! And the dialogue! And the pacing, the plot... yeah. Visually, much better than Daredevil, but I actually liked Daredevil better.

Not much else to talk about right now. I've not eaten all day, and I've just finished working for now at 11:40pm! So I'm gonna take a shower, grab some food, and sit down and watch some TV before doing this all over again!

B-Out

Decisions

Well, I've heard from the other opportunity and they want me too! Now add to that two more opportunities that have arisen, and I have some decisions to make. So I'll be doing some heavy thinking (and some praying, 'cause that's how I do it) to make the right decision(s). I'm just waiting on some more info from one so I can go into the decision making process fully informed.

As for Abiding Perdition, everything's going smoothly. I said I'd have the first issue lettered by this weekend, so today will be finishing up that.

I received the final Harry Potter book in the mail today and managed to find time to read the first chapter (12 pages I think). What's that you say? I'm claiming to pray, but I'm reading Harry Potter? Look, I'm an adult and I know the difference between fiction and reality. And, like it or not, HP has some great universal themes that relate to people of all ages at the very core. It also has a ton of subtle moral lessons throughout the entire series. Plus it's just fun. My brother got into them I think when the second book had come out. He was younger then, so I would read it to him. And I got hooked. Now I've read all the first six and he's only read 4. lol.

The San Diego Comic-Con is this coming weekend, and I so wish I could go. There are all kinds of cool panels there this year, about breaking into various related industries (film, animation, comics, etc.) not to mention the big panels from Marvel and DC, and the many movie and TV panels that will be there. It would just be really exciting experience I think. Plus I've never been to Cali, yet that's where I plan to live one day. Ah well.

Ok, I've been up for a really long time, and I need to get a few hours before finishing AP up. So until next post...

B-Out

Abiding Perdition

Well, one of the aforementioned items is official. I got offered to letter a new Abiding Perdition mini-series, which I accepted of course. I just wanted to wait until I got the go ahead before I claimed it. So I'm stoked about that. The book is a lot of fun in the art style, so I'll have fun lettering it. I always seem to have a funner and easier time lettering if the style is something I dig or if it's a style that has a lot of energy and life to it. This is one of those.

I finished a couple of logos today, both were company logos. One was comic related (Dub Comics) and the other non-comic (Carlyle Investigations). I'll have them both up on my website probably this weekend. I also messed around with the Mojo Smith logo, but I'm still not satisfied with it. Next up is the Nine Unknown Men logo, which I'm shooting for this weekend.

My cousin and mother came across a used copy of Superman Returns at a pawn shop (my cousin goes there all the time looking for DVDs, video games and whatnot - they have a lot). I've seen it, but it was only $4, so I said pick it up. It's gotta tell you something, though, that it was only $4. I mean it hasn't been out THAT long. Even used, that's pretty cheap. But I liked it for what it was. Could have been much better, but ya know.

I still haven't seen Transformers, though my cousin tells me the special effects were awesome. I was a fan of the original cartoon, but I'm not one of these that has to have it mirror that completely. I realize that would be impossible and it still look realistic. So I don't think I'll be jaded when I do see it.

I still haven't even seen Fantastic Four 2. Or Ghost Rider! (though the latter is on its way - gotta love Netflix!).

I did manage to catch Elektra on cable last week, and it wasn't nearly as bad as the reviews I read. I actually kind of liked it to be honest. It certainly wasn't near Spider-Man or X-Men, or even Fantastic Four, but I thought it was a pretty decent flick. Of course I've only read about one, maybe two story arcs involving Elektra in my life, so I wasn't jaded there either.

I also saw Rocky Balboa finally. I think it did capture the spirit of the originals, but it had a lot of flaws to be sure. The main flaw for me was that the opponent was not built up nearly enough. Rocky V wasn't great either (1, 2 and 4 were the best, 4 being my favorite) but at least they spent some time developing Tommy Gunn and his story plot. In this one there are a few mentions of the guy, but not enough to either feel sorry for him, relate to him, or even hate him. I just didn't care about him, which made the fight a complete joke. Oh well.

Anyway, I'm about to crash so I can get up tomorrow and hit it all over again! Til then...

B-Out

Rollin', Rollin', Rollin'...

For those of you keeping tabs, here are the latest lettering updates:

Last week (I think) I did a 10 pager for Noble from Dial R Studios (was supposed to do 8 more pages, but I never heard back from him on those).

I just finished up The Applicants #1 Sunday (though I have a few corrections to make tonight).

I did a variation of a logo for Blood & Devotion for FE Comics yesterday as well.

I also finished up Fracture #1 for FE Comics today (pending approval).

I have to design a logo for an indy company today or tomorrow.

I made some progress on the Mojo Smith logo, but sadly not much. That one is slightly stumping me for some reason.

Finishing up Redshift #3 will be the next project, and a logo for a submission.

After that I've still got to do a Nine Unknown Men logo redux (the writer (Troy Bowen) didn't like the first incarnation).

Then Project Menagerie for Matthew McClean (it's an 8 pager I believe).

On the back burner when I get the time or the pages depending I've got Lightning Squirrel #3 and AOH #2, as well as a story for Hard Way Studios, and upcoming I have Channels from FE Comics.

As I find the time I am working on a Journeymen logo for Scott.

Then of course there's Wannabez #0 when all the pages are done, and the Totem GN is coming up.

There are a couple of other things that would jump ahead of some of the latter items in that list, but they're not confirmed yet. As soon as they are I'll let you all know.

I think that's it right now. If I've missed you, please let me know. Chances are I just missed it while listing these.

So that's what's going on in the world of lettering.


Writing is practically non-existent as I catch up on lettering and do my regular job. Thankfully, though the above list does sound like a lot, I made a huge dent this past weekend, so things are going good now.

As for work, I'm about to start my posting for the day. I'm getting a late start today, which is usually the case on Mondays. But it'll all get done in time for wrestling tonight!


I'm still waiting to hear back on that opportunity I mentioned a few posts ago, so I'll keep you posted on developments there.

I guess that's it for now. Just wanted to give some progress reports!

B-Out

National Ice Cream Day

Yep, today, July 15th, is National Ice Cream Day. Just thought you'd like to know. And July is National Ice Cream Month! So go enjoy yourself some Baskin-Robbins, Graeters, Cold Stone Creamery, Dairy Queen, Ben & Jerry's, Edys, or whatever your pleasure may be!

B-Out

Happy Birthday, Carissa!

I know she doesn't read this blog, and I haven't even seen her for over two years. But I thought I'd just throw it out into the ether as I will always count her as one of my dearest friends in life.

In the off chance you do come across this post, Carissa, I hope you have an absolutely wonderful birthday and many, many more wonderful ones to come.

B-Out

I Survived!

Well, despite the perceived "unlucky"-ness of Friday the 13th, not much went wrong for us. On the contrary, a couple of good things actually happened. My mom received her late birthday present I ordered in the mail, and I got a phone call that could lead to a cool opportunity.

The only negative thing to happen on the day was not really unlucky as much as happenstance. The day before my mom had come across this drafting table for sale for $65! After checking with me to see if that's good, she went back to reserve it for me. Unfortunately there were a couple of problems with it. First, the slide rule thing was missing. I could have lived with that though. The second thing, though, caused us not to be able to purchase it. It turned out it was an electronic one, meaning that the table top lifted and tilted electronically. I priced this particular model and it normally runs for around $200! So if it had worked it would have been a steal, and I would have finally gotten the art table I have wanted for over a decade. Sadly, that part didn't work, and there was no way to manually adjust the table. And it was set too low for me, so there would have been no point.

Oh well, easy come, easy go. One of these days...

So bah on the superstition. I'll walk under a ladder and cross a black cat (I've done both many times, and I've broken my share of mirrors).

Now watch it come back to bite me when the day comes back around!

B-Out

Happy 13th

Friday the 13th! Good thing I'm not superstitious or I might be worried.

You know what I can't stand, though? Construction workers! Specifically, construction workers beside my house building another house at 6am! For the past couple of weeks I've been woke up by banging hammers, drills and whatever else they use. But I understand they're doing their jobs, and I don't have as much a problem with that. But when they have a radio out there and turn it up as loud as it could possibly go and face it towards my house then it really ticks me off! Not to mention there's a newborn baby in the house on the other side of us. Sigh.

Anyway, thanks to A. David Lewis for pointing out that his blog address has changed. It's now updated in my sidebar.

I've been working on a lettering project this week that has had a lot of stumblingblocks, but I'm hoping to put it to bed today finally, much to the pleasure of my client! Then this weekend I'll be working on other lettering that I have yet to complete.

My brother had a decent birthday. He got a couple of pairs of jeans, about three band t-shirts, a necklace with skulls on it (he's into rock) and we snagged him a new 30gb ipod off ebay for less than we'd pay in the store, and I even got a three year warranty. So that was a blessed find! That was our big gift to him since we weren't able to get the dog yet. We still will get him a dog because I believe every boy should have a dog. I never had a pet, ever in my life, and always wanted a dog. My brother had goldfish when he was little, and he had a cat and a HUGE dog, but they stay over at his grandmother's so he never gets to see them. He needs a small dog here (even though my uncle, who owns the house, doesn't really want pets here). It's just a matter of finding one and saving the money for it (or finding one to adopt as I'm told some local places don't "support or encourage the sales of animals").

San Diego Comic-Con is nearly upon us, and I won't be able to go. Then after that we have Wizard World Chicago. A couple of my friends are going, but alas, I will not be able to be there either. So have fun, guys!

Nothing else to really update you with right now. I'm just working hard to get things done, and I get a new request for lettering and logo work almost every day! I'll be glad when I can take those on, which should be soon.

I'm expecting an important phone call tonight, so if things go well with that I'll let you all know when I can. I'm excited about the opportunity, so we'll see what happens.

Until then...

B-Out

Really Tired!

And yet I have no reason to be! I went to bed around 11:30 last night and didn't get up until 9 this morning. Yet here it is just after 10pm and I am exhausted! I don't know what the deal is.

I hope everyone stateside had a wonderful 4th of July. I didn't actually, but the day after I made up for it. See, I ended up spending the day alone (long story) and decided to order a movie. The movie I ordered was Pan's Labyrinth, which, stupid me, I didn't know was a foreign film with English subtitles! So that alone made me regret the purchase. Then the movie turned out to be a lot more violent and depressing than I thought, and so I absolutely hated the movie and really regretted paying for it!

On top of that, I heated up some leftovers (chicken, potatoes and carrots cooked in a roast bag marinated in A1 steak sauce) and I guess I was sick of it because I hated that too. So I just went to bed. lol.

The next day I mostly took the day off and just relaxed and had a pleasant day, so that made up for it.

In the world of lettering, I finally uploaded the Pozers #2 pages, and I did a rough logo design or two, and got a good start on another full issue. So things are steadily flowing there.

Just a heads up to anyone out there who will be at the Mid-Ohio con this November, I am going to try to go. I know Scott (artist on Wannabez) is going and we may go together. And some other people from Dimestore are gonna be there. So we'll see. I wish I could go to WW Chicago and meet up with Chuck and Cary, but that's not gonna happen.

Speaking of Dimestore, I did a two and a half hour chat interview with the guys from the Small Press Idol finalist project Ruthless Friday night, so look for that to be posted on the site soon. And Itai conducted an interview with the third judge, so that'll post soon as well.

For the rest of the weekend I'll be working on Applicants and Fracture, and getting the SBC newsletter out, as well as doing some relaxing. :) Then Monday it's back to the grind.

I am waiting to hear back from some people about an opportunity that I hope I get, but wires keep getting crossed.

Tuesday is my Mom's and brother's birthday, so we've been doing a bit of shopping via ebay this weekend. :) I bought mom some Bare Minerals stuff (powder, foundation...) and we snagged Zach something he really wanted tonight. They'll come in a little late, but at least they'll love them.

Speaking of Zach, he's been wanting a Schnauzer lately and so that's something we're looking into. Those can be expensive though!

I guess that's it for now. Enjoy the rest of your weekend, everyone.

B-out

Myth Conceptions

That's right! Finally, a new Myth Conceptions! Check it out by clicking the title of this post!

Also, the new SBC Reel is up.

And one more new review, this time of Nexus: Space Opera #1!

B-Out

Took a Break

Well, sort of anyway. I spent this past weekend mostly away from the computer, and boy did that feel good for a change. Usually on the weekends I'm lettering and working just like any other day. While I did do some lettering and just a little bit of work I largely stayed away from the machine.

Instead I relaxed, watched a few movies, read, enjoyed the time away, and ultimately geared up for another full week.

But, this week is a holiday week, and it's the week Transformers comes out! I'm hoping I get to go see it this week, which is up in the air. I usually don't have big 4th of July plans, so who knows what will happen. Regardless, I do intend on taking at least that day off to rest and enjoy myself even more!

As you can see, I am trying to return to regular blogging. It's been difficult with as busy as I've been lately, but I'm putting my best foot forward. Hopefully some of you readers I seem to have lost according to my hits will come back. :)

More soon.

B-Out