Fun Day, Monday

Ok, so when is Monday ever fun, right? I'm trying to psyche myself into believing it is, though, so I'll run with it.

The weekend was enjoyable, though I do sincerely regret eating pizza leftovers Saturday. Once in a blue moon it's ok. Two days in a row, not so much. So I won't be trying that again anytime soon.

Thanks to everyone who's been visiting this blog this week. My numbers went up about 40% this week, so I appreciate all of you out there.

This weekend I put to bed the full issues of Mayden #1 and Twilight #1 lettering-wise. Actually, there are two more pages of Mayden, but I'm waiting on script revisions for those.

I've got a decent plate of stuff for this week, but with room to add more if anyone out there is looking to hire a letterer, editor or writer. :)

I'm starting a new script this week as well tentatively called Dowry: The Beginning. It's a horror story and I'll be working with Ellium artist Jason Moser on it. So I'm excited about that one. More details on it in the weeks to come. This is actually the first time I've ever even put it out there to my recollection. So you're hearing it here first.

I'm also doing a bit of PR work for Digital Webbing this week, and some stuff for Haven Distributors, along with some lettering, editing and logo work of course.

I also snagged an occasional typing gig for some extra income, but nothing on the plate as far as that goes presently.

I'm still waiting to hear back from a few people about potential jobs. And I've got some lettering work in the pipeline in the coming months.

Now for some sad news. Wannabez no longer has a publisher, at least for the moment. Unfortunately, we had to part ways with Nifty Comics, our now former publisher. I won't go into the details, but I will say that Mat Nastos was very kind in our parting and offered any help we may need down the road.

As an aside, I will still be editing Nifty Comics books as far as I'm aware. I have edited a few issues of Cadre already and will be editing a Cadre/Dyna Girl crossover this week.

Back to Wannabez, we are actively looking for a publisher again, so ANYONE out there who is interested in the property, please don't hesitate to contact me. My contact info can be found via the "contact" link in the header of this blog.

Over the next couple of days I'll be re-lettering Wannabez #1 as I'm not happy with the lettering as is seeing that I lettered it so long ago and can painfully see the flaws in it. I might also be doing some on the fly revisions of the script while I'm at it. But we'll have a full package to look at of at least 5-10 pages of issue 1 sometime this week. We have a few publishers we haven't tried yet, and one or two we may try again, but we are open to any and all interest at this point.

If you're not familiar with the project, be sure to hit the Wannabez Blog or MySpace page for details!

I still have a couple of things in the works as well. One of which is going smoothly and progressing quite nicely if I do say so myself. I am very excited about the venture and see mad potential in it. I still can't talk about it yet, but keep watching!

And while I'm here, I'd like to give a shout out to a few people who have been really supportive over the past several weeks just because. In random order:

Cary Kelley - Bro, thanks for your support and friendship.
Jason Berek-Lewis - My brother from another mother, I appreciate you, mate.
Chuck Kennedy - Dude, you rock! Thanks for being there, man.
Ray Hickson - Thanks for the emails and constant encouragement, bro.
Jenny Goguen - Your support, help and friendship are greatly appreciated. Words aren't enough.
Chuck Moore - Your site rocks, and so do you, man. Thanks for being supportive of me, indy comics, and much more.
Scott D.M. Simmons - You're my boy, Scott, and I appreciate everything you've contributed both creatively and personally over the past couple of years.
Lance Stahlberg - Though our relationship is just business, you have been understanding and supportive more than most employers would ever be. I appreciate that, man.

I'm sure I left a few out, and I apologize. These are just the people off the top of my head that I have been in the most contact with over the past couple of weeks.

Now, with all that mushy stuff out of the way, there's not much else to say right now except for you to try and go enjoy your Monday!

B-Out

He Rose Again the Third Day

I don't talk much about religion on here, though it's common knowledge that I am a firm believer in God. Nothing anyone could ever say will dissuade me from knowing He exists. I've experienced way too much to ever deny His presence or involvement in my life.

That said, today is one day I wish to honor my Lord and Savior. While this may be a commercial, or pagan holiday in our interpretation of it these days, it's still also the celebration of the resurrection of Jesus Christ after being Crucified for our sins. And I thank Him for his sacrifice for me.

Now, whether this day means to you baskets, bunnies and Easter egg hunts, or celebration of Jesus' triumph over the grave, or nothing at all for that matter, I still wish you a Happy Easter.

For us, we've always done the Easter basket thing. In fact, we'd have egg hunts after church, and my former pastor's family had a tradition of hiding each others' baskets and making them hunt for them in the house. But we also had a huge Easter play every year in which I played Jesus for the last five years I was at the church.

For me, the baskets and so forth, or the tree and gifts at Christmas time, are no huge insult to God. They are by and large harmless fun activities added to the holidays, unless of course taken overboard. As long as you acknowledge what the holidays really mean I have no problem with it.

My friend Cary posted on his blog how someone apologized to him for saying Happy Easter because he's not really religious, and how it was no big deal to him. That's the way I am too. It's no big deal to me to say Happy Easter, or for someone to not say it to me, or whatever. We have become far too politically correct these days. While I don't think we should go out and say offensive stuff, I don't think anyone should ever be ashamed of wishing someone a happy holiday or blessing them when they sneeze. That's just ridiculous and way too uptight in my opinion.

So anyway, whatever your beliefs are, I hope this is an enjoyable day for one and all, and that you get something out of it, even if it's just candy, a relaxing day, or time with the family.

"As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." Joshua 24:15

Happy Easter, and God Bless!

B-Out

Happy Birthday to Me!

Yep, today is the day! And the picture says it all. 31 Flavors, Baby! Not sure what that means, but since B&R was a big part of my youth, I'm runnin' with it. :)

Thanks for all the birthday wishes, everyone.

I won't be eating birthday cake (Chuck), but I will be splurging a little bit (with pain pills nearby just in case). My mom got me this little mini tiramisu (my favorite dessert - if you've never had it, go to a good Italian restaurant and get one today!), with a candle in it, so that's my b-day cake this year.

So tonight I'm gonna eat dinner and watch Evan Almighty, which I've yet to see, and just chillax.

Today, my little brother called me from school and had his whole class sing me happy birthday. That was an unexpected yet welcome and pleasant surprise. He told me not to tell the whole world, but hey, here I am doing just that. Oh well. :)

So today is ok. Hopefully I'll feel the same way tomorrow after whatever I chance eating tonight!

B-Out

The Big B-Day

Yep, my birthday's this Friday! I'll be 31 (ugh). Nothing planned, not gonna make a big deal out of it, but hey, if you wanna buy me a present I won't knock ya for it. :)

B-Out

Brief Health Update

So I'm braving things a little at a time, diet wise. I tried just a little A-1 sauce on my chicken as eating it bland was not doing it for me. I've also tried a cheese sandwich here and there, and even a Boca burger. Some things hurt and I have to not try them again, while other things I find I can get away with in small doses.

I've still not been able to drink a single drink of pop without problems, so for now that's out completely. I'm drinking water, weak white tea and Gatorade and I'm adjusting pretty well. I never drank that much pop anyway, no more than one a day, two maybe if I'm out.

I've been having good days and bad days. The past couple have been bad, today being the worse. I think the pudding pops I dared last night may be the culprit. Either that or the animal crackers (I ran out of graham crackers, which have done me well so far). I also switched out mashed potatoes for yams last night with just a tad bit of butter and brown sugar, so that might be it also. But today I pretty much just laid around for half the day because I was hurting and not up to much of anything else.

I'm still looking into financial assistance and all that jazz. My aunt gave me a flyer about a free clinic, which makes me hesitant, but I'll at least look into it. I still have to consult with a referred surgeon here soon to see exactly when I need to get this thing out and what my options are.

I'm still thankful it's not worse than it is, and I'm getting used to the diet. I mean, since a week ago this past Saturday I've lost 9 pounds and have kept that off. Over the past two years since I've been working from home I had picked up about 30-40 pounds. I had lost about 7 of them through the holidays (go figure), and now another 9, which has motivated me to lose the rest. So I'm not complaining too much. My regular weight from age 18 to 28 was around 185-190, then I gradually went up to 230. Now I'm at 215 (214.5 the other day). I'll be glad if I can reach 200 and keep it off. Then I'll worry about toning and all that, and if I lose a few more after that I won't complain about that either. :)

B-Out

To Read or Not to Read

I have tried four different times now to really get int The Crystal Shard with little success. I want to read that book, and that series, so bad, but for some reason I just can not get into it no matter how hard I try. I'm not ready to give up on it yet, but it's going to have to wait for a bit while I work myself back to it.

In the meantime, I have recently begun reading The Servants of Twilight by Dean R. Koontz, and 6 chapters in, I really like this book. I have a few Koontz books, but I've not read any of them until now. So far, his writing totally captivates me, and I couldn't put it down through the first 6 chapters. So that's a good sign for me.

So finally I'm back to reading, something I have done sparsely over the past few months for various reasons. I am reminded once again just how much reading relaxes me and allows me to unwind. Thankfully I currently have a lot of books yet to be read!

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Progress in Lettering and Logos

Since this whole drama was realized about the gallstones my attempts at keeping to the schedule, as reported previously, kind of went out the window. However, since I've been back from the hospital and getting somewhat back to normal I have put a huge dent in that list. So here's what I've gotten done so far:

LETTERING

Ellium #1 - Complete
Genotype Prime pages 1-3 - Complete
Karma Game #1 Corrections - Waiting for feedback from publisher
Mayden #1 - Half Complete - have had to ask for text reduction in some pages, so it's taking longer
Night of Ninjas Corrections - Complete
Rabverse and Marcus Midnight PDFs - Complete - this included lettering a 6 pager, then resizing, reordering and compiling multiple PDFs and updating credits pages

Still to do:

Alien Passage - 8 pages - Waiting on pages
AOH #3 Pages 8-22
Applicants #2
Merc 43 - Sort of on hold waiting for text revisions
Shelter - 5 pages a week
Twilight #1 - Waiting on script

LOGOS

Got Dealz - Complete
Haven Thumbnail Corrections - Complete
Journeymen - Complete
Night of Ninjas Redesign - Complete
Urban Twist - Complete
Wolalina - Complete

Still to do:

Alien Passage
Golden - in progress

EDITING

Nocturnal Essence #2 Compilation - Complete

Still to do:

Cadre/Dynagirl Crossover
Nocturnal Essence #6 - second wave
The Veil #2

So I've covered quite a bit of ground all things considered, and will continue to beat it down this week.

I'm also possibly designing a website if terms can be agreed upon, and I've got some writing to do as well.

I've also had a couple more reviews posted over at www.comicrelated.com, which I'll post about later sometime.

I'm also now the PR guy for www.digitalwebbing.com, so look for press releases on their upcoming releases soon.

And I'll have a big hand in the newsletters for Rogue Wolf Entertainment and Haven Distributors in the near future.

So busy as usual, but still loving it all.

B-Out

Comic Book Challenge 2008

Platinum Studios' annual Comic Book Challenge is back in '08 according to a press release sent out late yesterday (which I have posted below). The past two years were successful endeavors for the company, first bringing us DJ Coffman's Hero By Night, and debuting this weekend at Wizard World LA is last year's winning entry, Gunplay by Jorge Vega. So this year should be highly competitive as well.

Over the past couple of years, Platinum has really grown. The went from a house of ideas and projects in the works, but no publications to publishing several books including the CBC winners. While they generally look for properties that translate well into other media, it's still a cool way to get your stuff out there if you're willing to let go of any multimedia rights.

This year they've stepped up the rules a bit. In previous years all that was required was a synopsis and a single page of sequential art. This year they are calling for three pages instead (although they still haven't updated the official site to reflect this).

Out of all the entries 50 will be chosen by the judges to present their pitches live at the San Diego Comic Con in July, and from those 10 will be chosen. Fans will watch the pitches of the top 10 and vote online for their favorite.

The contest submission process begins May 1st and ends May 31st.

I haven't entered in previous years because it wasn't feasible for me to make it to San Diego, nor is it at this point this year. However, I think I might just enter and see what happens. It's a pretty cool opportunity, and it might be worth a shot. I'll keep you all posted on that front.

Here's the press release that was sent out:

PLATINUM STUDIOS PRESENTS THE COMIC BOOK CHALLENGE 2008

Artist Hopefuls Can Begin Submitting Their Work May 1st

LOS ANGELES, March 13, 2008 - Platinum Studios, Inc. (OTCBB: PDOS), an entertainment company that controls an international library of more than 3,800 comic book characters which it adapts, produces and licenses for all forms of media, announced today the launch of The Comic Book Challenge™ 2008 at www.ComicBookChallenge.com. The launch of the site will coincide with the release of Jorge Vega's 2007 winning title, Gunplay, at the Wizard World LA convention on March 15, 2008. Submissions for this year's contest officially will open at 12:01am on Thursday, May 1st, 2008 and close at 11:59pm on Saturday, May 31, 2008.

Changes to The Comic Book Challenge™ submission process are detailed on the contest website, but include the submission of three pages of artwork, instead of only the single page required in previous years. Aspiring comic book creators will have one month to submit their entries at www.ComicBookChallenge.com. An internal Platinum Studios committee will select the Top 50 entrants, who then will move on to pitch their ideas to a panel of celebrity and entertainment industry judges on July 24th during the 2008 Comic-Con International in San Diego, CA. The finalists chosen by the judging panel will then have their work voted on by fans across the globe, with the winner receiving a multitude of prizes including the coveted publishing deal.

"We're upping the ante a little bit this year with our three-page requirement because comics are about effective storytelling in a visual medium and not about key art or character designs," said VP of Content Development, Dan Forcey. "We really want to see what your vision for the piece is and that you can really shine in the medium of sequential art."

"We have seen The Comic Book Challenge grow significantly in just a few short years, said Platinum Studios Chairman & CEO, Scott Mitchell Rosenberg. "With last year’s entrants representing nearly two dozen countries -- triple the number of countries from our inaugural contest -- we look forward to continuing to build on the success of The Comic Book Challenge." The Comic Book Challenge 2008 winner will receive a publishing deal with Platinum Studios, which will include print, online, and mobile distribution. In addition, the company will help develop the property for film and television. The Comic Book Challenge past winners include DJ Coffman's "Hero By Night," which sold out through Diamond Comics Distributors during its first print and is now an ongoing series in its second volume, and Jorge Vega's 2007 winning entry, "Gunplay," which will debut at Wizard World LA this March.

For more information on the 2007 Winner of Platinum Studios' Comic Book Challenge, please visit: www.GunplayTheComic.com

For Platinum Studios' Wizard World signing schedule, please visit: http://www.wizardworld.com/platinumboothschedule.html

To learn more about the company and to sign up for our newsletter, visit www.platinumstudios.com.

B-Out

Gall Stones

Yep, got three of 'em. The gallbladder itself doesn't look particularly bad, and nothing else is wrong, but because of those three I'll eventually have to have my gallbladder removed. How quickly depends on how much pain I have, how often I have it, and how long it lasts when I have it.

For several months it was at least once a week or every other week, and was mild and passed after a couple of hours. The other night it didn't stop until I got IVs in me at the hospital, and I still haven't fully recovered from it 4 days later. So I'm thinking I should probably look into it.

The thing is there's no treatment for the stones save removing the gallbladder. Problem is it's an expensive surgery and I don't have insurance. So I'm going to look into assistance, and in the meantime, I have to watch my diet, which means none of my favorite foods for a while, like anything with tomatoes in it. Bummer.

So while I'm glad it's nothing more serious, and nothing to do with my liver, I'm still not crazy about having surgery, even if it is an outpatient procedure. Hopefully, though, finances and assistance will come together and I can get rid of this monkey on my back and go back to some semblance of a normal eating life.

But from what I understand from what little I've read about it, even after having the surgery you have to watch your diet because the gallbladder is what stores the bile. Without it, the bile goes straight into the intestines. I know there are diets online for those just having had the surgery. My question to those of you out there that have had the surgery is what kind of foods do you have to stay away from now, if any?

B-Out

The Stranded #1 Review

Click the post title to read my latest review of the new Virgin Comics title The Stranded #1, which is the first collaboration between Virgin and the Sci Fi Channel.

Chuck Moore of ComicRelated.com has graciously allowed me to post reviews on his site, so I'll have a few more coming soon, so be on the lookout.

Chris Partin of ComicAddiction.com also extended the offer of posting reviews, so some may show up there sometime as well. I'll keep you posted.

B-Out

Ohio Comic Con Logos

I'm feeling a bit better at the moment and can't sleep, so I thought I'd lighten the mood and make a post not related to my gallbladder or any other bodily issues.

That said, when Scott and I first decided to make the trip to the Ohio Comic Con this October I wasn't crazy with their original logo:


So I went about redesigning the logo in hopes they would choose one of mine instead. Unfortunately, I was then informed that they were having a new logo designed, which turned out to be this:

So still not being pleased, I went ahead with my ideas and emailed them anyway. The first is a remake of their original logo, the next two are spins on the Ohio State logos, the fourth is a more comic-inspired logo, and the rest, admittedly, are spins on the New York Comic Con with a little Bengal love in the first, a star in the last.

Sadly, so far they haven't contacted me back about any of these, so it looks like we'll be stuck with the above. But since that is the case I just thought I'd share these with you. B-Out

I Know Nothing

Well, I just got home from the Ultrasound and I'm still clueless. The lady had to come back in and do it like three times because the radiologist kept wanting more pictures of my liver. But then they just sent me home.

I had to call back because I wasn't told whether I could eat now or not. And since I've only had Gatorade and a little jello (which I hate!) the past two days, needless to say, I'm famished.

They said the doctor won't see the results for a couple of days, and that I should be okay to eat now. Though I don't have a clue what to eat, and unfortunately for me, all the food we have in the house at the moment is totally fatty. So I don't have many options as I'm afraid to eat anything heavy, or anything I know causes problems for the gallbladder.

The good news is from the liquid diet they had me on I lost 4 pounds in 2 days! Hey, silver lining and all that, right?

Right now I'm feeling ok. Of course, I haven't eaten anything or drank anything aside from water or Gatorade yet either. So we'll see how I'm feeling once I get brave enough to eat something.

B-Out

More Aches & Pains, and Hospital Visit

Well, this has been one heck of a week. I finally got my tooth settled down enough to actually sleep in my bed last night, but then awoke with stomach pain.

At first, I thought it was like the episodes in the past, but it quickly escalated to something more severe. I can't really explain the pain other than to say it felt like there was something in there pushing out on my rib cage very hard. It was intense pressure to the point it hurt to breathe or talk, and I couldn't get comfortable at all.

After throwing up three times I finally decided to call 911. So at 3am I got to the hospital, where I would stay for the next 6 and 1/2 hours being evaluated. After two sets of X-Rays, a CAT scan, two IVs and throwing up one more time they figure it's probably my gallbladder.

All other vitals looked good. I had no fever, no blockage, just intense pain. But they're still not sure, so I have to go back Monday morning for an Ultra Sound to figure things out, and who knows what from there. I also can't eat any food at all for the next two days, just clear liquids like water and Gatorade.

I was also told to take it easy and get plenty of rest, so if it wasn't before, the schedule for this week is pretty much out the window. I'm in pain right now, though subdued, because I haven't been able to get the prescriptions filled yet (had to take a cab home, and have no way out now). Plus the roads are pretty bad today due to sleeting and snowing all night.

But at least I'm finally taking care of this problem. I just don't have a clue how I'm going to pay for it. I have no insurance and virtually no money.

So anyway, keep me in prayer, guys and gals, I need it.

B-OUt

Aches & Pains

Well, this week's schedule has been shot all to pieces. I've been pretty inoperable due to a severe toothache I contracted late Sunday, and which has yet to let up. Actually, at the moment it's a little calmer, but the bad thing is every time I try to lay down it goes haywire. I've had about 3 hours of sleep in the past three days! I'm literally swaying from exhaustion as I type this, and my eyes are drooping. But it won't let me lay down! And I can't get into the dentist right now, so I have to suffer. Pain meds don't help either as it's infected and I don't have any antibiotics. So I'm just out of luck.

So anyway, while I have gotten some stuff done, and I'm still doing what I can, I'm not staying on schedule and getting done as much as I normally would sadly. Just so you know.

B-Out

Wannabez MySpace

I can't remember if I posted here about this or not, though I don't think I did.

Anyway, Wannabez now has its own MySpace page, which you can find by clicking the title of this post. Check it out if you haven't already, and friend us (become a wannabe!)!

B-Out

Tentative Schedule for 3/3-3/9

Another week, another schedule. Some carry overs, some new ones, but still most are self-imposed deadlines. This is just to show you guys what I'm working on in general throughout the week. I'm also working on other stuff, such as Wannabez and other stuff I still can't talk about. So the schedule is a little misleading in that respect.

Regardless, posting the schedule here for the world to see is helping me stay on task and follow through better, which was my motivation for posting it in the first place.

Without further ado...

EDITING & DESIGN JOBS FOR MARCH 3-MARCH 9
Project Title	Project Deadline
Lettering
AOH #3	March 8, 2008
Applicants #2	March 6, 2008
Ellium #1 (Second Batch)	March 4, 2008
Karma Game #1 Corrections/Finals	March 5, 2008
Mayden #1 (Last Batch)	March 5, 2008
Merc43 #1	March 9, 2008
Night of Ninjas Corrections	COMPLETE
Rabverse & Marcus Midnight PDFs	March 7, 2008
Shelter (Third Batch)	March 8, 2008
Twilight	March 5, 2008
Logos
Praire Fire	March 5, 2008
Haven Corrections and Thumbs	COMPLETE
Journeymen	March 9, 2008
Night of Ninjas Rework	COMPLETE
Banners
Edison Rework	ABORTED
Editing
Nocturnal Essence #6	March 6, 2008
The Veil #2	March 6, 2008

B-Out

Final Schedule Update This Period

Got sick the past few days, but still managed to get a little done. The rest was extended to this coming week. Note that the majority of these are self-imposed deadlines, so there is a little give.

EDITING & DESIGN JOBS FOR FEBRUARY 21-MARCH 2
Project Title	Project Deadline
Lettering
AOH #2 Corrections	ON HOLD BY CLIENT
AOH #3	EXTENDED
Applicants #2	EXTENDED
Ellium #1 (First Batch)	COMPLETE
Final Shadows #1 Page 5	COMPLETE
Final Shadows Corrections 1-5	COMPLETE
Karma Game #1 Corrections/Finals	EXTENDED
Mayden #1 (First Batch)	COMPLETE
Merc43 #1	EXTENDED
Night of Ninjas 8 Pager	COMPLETE
Nocturnal Essence #5	COMPLETE
Rabverse & Marcus Midnight PDFs	ON HOLD BY CLIENT
Shelter (First Batch)	COMPLETE
Teddy & Yeti Page Correction	COMPLETE
The Veil #1 Pages 6-7	COMPLETE
Wannabez #0	COMPLETE
Logos
Absolute Edition	OUTSOURCED
Caggies (contest)	COMPLETE
Epsilon Realm (send)	COMPLETE
Final Shadows	COMPLETE
Haven	COMPLETE
Journeymen	TECHNICAL DELAY
Night of Ninjas	COMPLETE
Banners
Edison	COMPLETE
Editing
Cadre #6-8	COMPLETE
Nocturnal Essence #6	EXTENDED

B-Out