Wizard World Chicago

Well, it's official. I will be at Wizard World Chicago.  I'll be there Friday night as well as Saturday and Sunday.  Right now I'm in Cincinnati with Scott (Wannabez artist) and we'll be driving up tomorrow.

It was a chore and a half getting this to work out.  I had originally wanted to rent a car, but ran into some problems.  When they finally got worked out the car ended up being more expensive than I had thought (and than they had told me), and it was so late by the time they had a car available that it was just better (and cheaper!) to ride up with Scott and miss a day and a half of the con.

I'll still have a lot of fun and get to meet a bunch of people I want to meet and hang out with.  So I'm really looking forward to it.

So, I'll probably be away from the internet for the remainder of the weekend.  If you need me just email me and don't expect to get a reply until Monday or, most likely, Tuesday.  And if you're in Chicago maybe I'll run into you!

B-Out

Reflections

Man, it's been a bit, hasn't it? Sorry, I've just been really, really busy with some small jobs I picked up the past couple of weeks. And when I'm done I just don't have the energy to keep up with blogs or anything and just want to get off the computer.

Well, before I get into the topic of this post, let me say that I will be at Wizard World Chicago this weekend, most likely all four days. I won't have a table or anything like that, I'm just going for the fun of it, to hang out with some people I've been wanting to meet in person, and maybe to network a little. This will be my first convention, so I'm looking forward to it.

I will be doing a write up of it for www.comicrelated.com though, so keep an eye out for that.

Now, there has to be a reason I used the word "reflections" as the title of this post right? You know me, I typically don't use meaningful titles like that unless I intend them to mean something at the moment. So yes, I have been reflecting on things lately, namely this morning. lol. So here's the deal.

The jobs I've picked up lately have been writing jobs primarily. Not fiction writing or anything like that, but SEO articles, blog postings and the like. I'm actually pretty decent at it to, or so I'm told. I haven't really had any complaints yet, so I must be doing something right. So that's been a lot of fun. A lot of work (writing can be very time consuming, especially when research is involved if you happen to be writing about topics you know nothing about, like, say, horse racing), but a lot of fun. In fact, it has made me realize, once again, why I fell in love with writing in college, and it's made me wonder why I don't write that often anymore. I realize I'm usually busy with lettering, logo design or life, but writing is such a part of me that I don't understand where that fire to write went. With the Platinum contest and these small jobs, it's becoming clear to me one of the things I need to do.

Another reflection is upon music. Ironically, one of the gigs I have right now is writing short descriptions of music artists, predominately hip-hop and R&B acts, with some pop and country artists thrown in here and there. And that has got me listening to more music than I have been for a while, and I found myself wondering why in the world I never turned on the radio or CD player anymore. I love music, and singing. They are my first love in the creative arts. So what's the deal, right?

Then there's art, which is still hard for me to get into. I've got some kind of mental block or something that just won't let me get into it. I used to love to draw, day and night, nonstop, but I still find myself forcing myself to draw every so often, but most times I just... don't.

And finally there's acting. I had an opportunity to go audition for a couple of roles this past Saturday in a local film with national distribution. I did honestly have some transportation issues, but I had one option that would have had me stranded there all day, but I still would have made it. And yet I chose not to go. Not because I was scared or anything though. Honestly, I don't know what my problem was. It just felt like too much of a hassle trying to work it out and I felt a bit stressed out over the whole ordeal because of the hassle. So I skipped it and immediately regretted it.

I realize that every so often I get on here and make a post about finding the passion for this or that again and getting back into it, so you're probably all tired of hearing it. The truth is, though, when I make those posts I do actually believe them, but then reality sets in and I get busy again, and everything gets put on hold again. And I continually wrestle with it all.

So as I was listening to songs on YouTube while I wrote music artist descriptions this morning I began to just stare out the window and start asking myself what I really want. And if what I know I want is really what I want then why am I not working harder towards it all? And that's where the "reflections" title of this post comes from.

I've not completely been sitting on my laurels, mind you, but I haven't exactly been grabbing the bull by the horns either. Sure, I've had legitimate reasons for some of my hesitancy and lack of action, which I won't discuss here, but trust me, there were things I could not overcome at certain times. But now that things are starting to smooth out I should be paying more attention to my dreams.

I think part of it is that there is so much I want to do and so many interests I have that I'm not entirely clear on what I should focus on, or what exact steps I should take to achieve these goals. Do I focus on writing or music? Art or acting? All, one, or what? If music, do I learn an instrument so I can write my own melodies? If art, do I take some art classes? I mean, there are just so many questions, and only I can answer them, I know. I'm just an indecisive sort when it comes to big decisions as I tend to over analyze things at times. And then I begin to feel overwhelmed and torn.

I remember a quote from Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit where Whoopi Goldberg's character was quoting some book about being a writer. She was using it as an analogy for inspiring a girl to sing. In the quote she said it said something to the effect of when you wake up in the morning if all you want to do is write then you're a writer. Then she told the girl that if all she thinks about in the morning is singing then she's a singer.

The problem is, there are some mornings I think about singing, others I think about writing, and so on and so forth. I say music and singing is my first love, but I truly do love writing. And drawing used to be my passion, and acting is something I've always been interested in and greatly respected. Watching movies at the movie theater is one of my favorite pastimes, and being part of something like that has always been a dream. Not for the fame, glory or riches (though the latter I wouldn't mind), but for the creativity and the imagination.

So honestly, I love all four equally I think, and my passion lies with all four. I just haven't figured out how to pursue all four without becoming overwhelmed and frustrated, you know?

I don't know, I don't think I'm explaining it right. I know what I want to say, but I can't seem to find the words to properly express it (some writer, huh?).

Basically, I'm just reflecting on my life as a whole; where I'm at and where I want to be, and trying to figure out what I need to do to get there and still have time to do everything else I have to and need to do (like work, which is enjoyable in the creative fields of course).

And that's about as deep as I have the energy to get at the moment as I've been up all night and my eyes are starting to cross. Time to take a short break before getting back to it for a while more.

B-Out

Doors and Windows

Well, I finally heard back from that potential employer I've been hinting at for a while now. They are putting the new proposal I mentioned on hold right now. Apparently, con season is slamming them, understandably, and they are restructuring a bit. So they'll contact me who knows when about the new job, but I gathered it wouldn't be anytime soon.

The company is Tales of Wonder, and they are an online graphic novel and statue retailer. They're one of Marvel's top 10 online sellers, and they offered me a pretty good starting salary with some perks to be their marketing and con guy. There were some issues with the con stuff, an aspect I wasn't particularly crazy about, but more than willing to do, but they decided ultimately that I was a better fit for another position they had in mind.

Unfortunately, I have no idea when I'll actually hear about that new position, and thus I have to move on for now. I will certainly entertain it when it does come across my virtual desk, but for now I have to entertain and seek out other offers and opportunities.

Lately I have been picking up some small freelance writing gigs though. Mostly SEO keyword articles and blog posts and the like. I'm decent at it, and it's fun, and the pay's a nice side income. So that's working well so far.

I also did sell all those comics I listed over a couple of posts recently. Every last one of them and a few more are gone, gone, gone, in the mail today. So that was a welcome surprise!

Wizard World Chicago is looking better as a possibility. There are still just a couple of things I need to work out before I can commit to it, but I'm hoping I'll be able to make a decision by early next week if things pan out. I'd love to go as I know (in the online sense) a LOT of people who will be there, and it will be really cool to meet them all.

I had to go to the dentist twice this week due to some complications, but it's all good now. On a bad note, though, it did set me behind schedule on some things, so tonight and tomorrow, and throughout the weekend is going to be pret-ty busy indeed.

Incredible Hulk comes out tomorrow! TOMORROW! Yeah, I know, the first one was a borefest, but what I hear from people who saw an advanced screening is that this one is SO much better. And Tony Stark from Iron Man (Robert Downey, Jr.) makes an appearance, and it's rumored that Captain America does as well. We saw Cap's shield in Iron Man, so it'll be fun to see where the pop in the Cap appearance. And if I can make it to the theater in any way this weekend I am definitely going to go see this. Have my soda and junior mints waiting for me, usher!

B-Out

Updated List of Books for Sale

Here is the list I posted two posts ago updated with a bunch more books. And don't forget the 116 in the store as well! Best offer will snag these, and I'll give you a bulk discount if 10 or more books are purchased. I do have to charge shipping and handling, but only like $3.00 per order of 10 or more. (New entries are indicated by blue text color)

MARVEL
1602 #1-8 (Neil Gaiman - Marvel)
Amazing Spider-Man #252 (no bar code - came with a toy I think - fair)
Amazing Spider-Man #326 (no bar code - fair)
Amazing Spider-Man #366 (no bar code - fair)
Amazing Spider-Man #367 (no bar code - a little worn)
Amazing Spider-Man #437 (no bar code - came with a toy I think)
Avengers #269 (worn)
Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes #2 (first series)
Avengers Log #1
Avengers Strikefile #1
Beyond #3, 5
Deathlok #5 (fair)
Daredevil #236 (no bar code - fair)
Daredevil #290
Daredevil #293-294, 296-297, 299
Daredevil Annual #8 (1999 - The System Bytes Part 2)
Darkhawk #27
Dr. Strange #41 (featuring Wolverine - no bar code)
Docter Strange & Ghost Rider #1
Excalibur #42, 45
Fantastic Four #298 (worn)
Fantastic Four #374
Gambit #4
Generation X #5
Ghost Rider #16-17
Guardians of the Galaxy #20, 27
Guardians of the Galaxy Annual #1 (1991 - The Korvac Quest Part 4)
Iceman #1 (of 4)
Iron Fist #3 (2004)
Iron Man #288 (embossed cover - 48 page anniversary issue)
Marvel Adventures: Spider-Man #19
Power Pachyderms #1 (fair)
Samurai Cat #3 (Epic - fair)
$ell$ #1 (Marvel - Fred Hembeck)
Slapstick #2
What The?! #1, 6, 11 (fair)
Paradise X (Wizard sketchbook)
X-Men the Ultra Collection #4 (pinups)
The A-Team #1 (worn)
Bill & Ted's Excellent Comics #1
Conan the Barbarian #85 (worn)
Pirates of Dark Water #2-3
Double Dragon #1-4, 6
G. I. Joe #73, 94, 97, 106, 113-114, 118 (Marvel)
G.I. Joe: Special Missions #16 (Marvel)
Groo #23 (worn)
Madrox #1
Marvel Comics Presents #83-84, 91-93, 95-97, 109 (Wolverine mostly)
Marvel Tales #219, 235, 253, 256
Marvel Team-Up #24 (Kirkman)
Moon Knight #12
New X-Men #114, 118
Nick Fury, Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. #30
Nightwatch #2
Peter Parker: Spider-Man #80
Police Academy #6 (worn)
Pulse #6
Punisher #53, 58, 60-62
Ren & Stimpy #6 (w/Spider-Man)
Robocop #3-4
Rogue #2 (2001)
Spectacular Spider-Man #181, 228
Spider-Man #12, 15-16, 24, 35
Spider-Man: Black & Blue & Read All Over
Spider-Man/Doctor Octopus: Negative Exposure #1-2
Spider-Man: The Lost Years #3
Super-Pro #1 (2 copies, plus 1 copy of Special Edition)
Tales of G. I. Joe #9 (Marvel)
Tarzan #10 (worn)
The Mighty Thor #430, 439 (2)
The Toxic Avenger #1-3
Toxic Crusaders #1
Ultimate Six #6
Uncanny X-Men #219, 224, 265, 294, 296 (bagged w/card), 397-398, 427-433
Uncanny X-Men Annual 2000
War Machine #1-6, 8 (Max)
Weapon X #1 (Age of Apocalypse)
Web of Spider-Man #63
Wolverine #48-49, 54, 57, 60, 62-63, 69
Wonder Man #2 (1991)
X-Factor #84 (2), 85 (2), 86 (all bagged w/card)
X-Force #1 (3 - bagged w/card)
X-Force #4, 6, 16-17 (bagged w/card)
X-Men #1 (Cyclops/Wolverine/Iceman cover)
X-Men #14-16 (all bagged w/card)
X-Men #33
X-Men Alpha
X-Men Unlimited #1 (first series), 1, 3 (second series)
Zorro #1-8 (Marvel)

DC
Adventures of Superman #489, 501, 505, 520, 628
Armageddon: Alien Agenda (2)
Armageddon: Inferno
Batman #445, 469-472, 500, 620-623
Batman Annual #14
Brave and the Bold #1 (1991)
Detective Comics #636-639, 671, 682
Detective Comics Annual #5
Green Lantern: Emerald Dawn II #1-2
Hawk & Dove Annual #1
JLA Classified #26
Manbat #5 (of 5)
New Teen Titans #22 (1986), 79-81 (1991)
Robin II: The Joker's Wild #2 (3 covers, two with hologram cards), #3 (2 covers, both with hologram covers)
Robin III #1-2 (both bagged w/poster)
Shadow of the Bat #22
Superman: Birthright #3
Wonder Woman #7 (1987 - fair)

If someone made me an offer of, say, $300 or more for everything you see here plus everything currently in the store I would probably take it. That's about 346 comics, 2 books and 1 DVD for $300 or more, which is less than $1 per item! Just saying. =D

B-Out

Weekend Work

For anyone who cares to know, below is what I'll be (attempting to) work on this weekend:

Lettering -

Ellium
Modern Myth Press

Logos -

Mayden
Tainted
War's Chosen
Will Work for Film

Writing -

Comic Book Keyword Articles


I may (probably will) work on other stuff too, or in between, but these are the ones I'm focusing on.

B-Out

Books for Sale

I have been trying since before the holidays to set up an online store to get rid of some of my old, unwanted comics, but time just hasn't been on my side. You can see the store, which contains 116 comics, 2 books and 1 DVD, by clicking the title of this post.

If you are interested in any of those books you can try ordering through the store, but it has NOT been tested yet, so you may be better off contacting me directly.

You'll notice that store still has a holiday theme and holiday sale message, neither of which are very accurate anymore, save the "Everything Must Go" part because I simply need to get rid of them.

Another reason I'm selling all this stuff is to help with recent dental bills and with making it to Wizard World Chicago. So if you want to help me out in that regard then cool

I prefer Paypal as a payment method, and I am Paypal verified. My Paypal email is brant_fowler@yahoo.com.,

In addition to the items listed in the store I am listing a bunch of others below. I'll be adding more to that as soon as I can sort them out. I have a whole other long box set to go I think.

Also, Mysterious Visions #5 featuring Wannabez #0 is still on sale, and if you want a copy contact me at wannabez@brantfowler.com and I'll hook you up! We're selling those for $3.95 apiece.

Now, onto the additional list (all books in near mint unless otherwise noted):

1602 #1-8 (Neil Gaiman - Marvel)
Amazing Spider-Man #252 (no bar code - came with a toy I think - fair)
Amazing Spider-Man #326 (no bar code - fair)
Amazing Spider-Man #366 (no bar code - fair)
Amazing Spider-Man #367 (no bar code - a little worn)
Amazing Spider-Man #437 (no bar code - came with a toy I think)
Avengers #269 (worn)
Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes #2 (first series)
Avengers Log #1
Avengers Strikefile #1
Beyond #3, 5
Deathlok #5 (fair)
Daredevil #236 (no bar code - fair)
Daredevil #290
Daredevil #293-294, 296-297, 299
Daredevil Annual #8 (1999 - The System Bytes Part 2)
Darkhawk #27
Dr. Strange #41 (featuring Wolverine - no bar code)
Docter Strange & Ghost Rider #1
Excalibur #42, 45
Fantastic Four #298 (worn)
Fantastic Four #374
Gambit #4
Generation X #5
Ghost Rider #16-17
Guardians of the Galaxy #20, 27
Guardians of the Galaxy Annual #1 (1991 - The Korvac Quest Part 4)
Iceman #1 (of 4)
Iron Fist #3 (2004)
Iron Man #288 (embossed cover - 48 page anniversary issue)
Marvel Adventures: Spider-Man #19
Power Pachyderms #1 (fair)
Samurai Cat #3 (Epic - fair)
$ell$ #1 (Marvel - Fred Hembeck)
Slapstick #2
What The?! #1, 6, 11 (fair)
Paradise X (Wizard sketchbook)
X-Men the Ultra Collection #4 (pinups)
The A-Team #1 (worn)
Bill & Ted's Excellent Comics #1
Conan the Barbarian #85 (worn)
Pirates of Dark Water #2-3
Double Dragon #1-4, 6
G. I. Joe #73, 94, 97, 106, 113-114, 118 (Marvel)
G.I. Joe: Special Missions #16 (Marvel)
Groo #23 (worn)
Police Academy #6 (worn)
Ren & Stimpy #6 (w/Spider-Man)
Robocop #3-4
Tales of G. I. Joe #9 (Marvel)
Tarzan #10 (worn)
The Toxic Avenger #1-3
Toxic Crusaders #1
Ultimate Six #6
Zorro #1-8 (Marvel)

Email me an offer for anything here or in the store at brant@brantfowler.com. I prefer a minimum of $10 per order to save on shipping costs.

I know there aren't any big exclusive goodies here, but maybe there will be a few you like or need to complete your collection or whatever.

Thanks!

B-Out

Today in the Life Of...

My cable was cut off early today thanks to some lack of communication and stuff. We obviously got it back on, or I wouldn't be typing this right now. But it put me behind in contacting everyone today, though I still managed to get some correspondence out.

Michael Kasinger, one of the artists I was going to work with for the CBC had to drop out due to his workload. But that's cool because the story I came up with for him is a really good one, I think, and without that push I might have never come up with it.

I haven't heard back from Jason Moser yet, so at this late stage (with just over a week to go) I doubt that one will happen either.

On the other hand, the one Scott and I are working on may just happen. And even if it doesn't we are still going to work on it as I mentioned before I believe.

Still waiting to hear about that potential job. I thought for certain I would have heard something by now, but nada. I've got a couple of other leads, so I hope they hurry up before I take something else!

One venture I was very excited about is now not going to happen. My partner had some doubts due to recent events, and her points were valid. I'm saddened by it, honestly, but I understand and all is good. It just wasn't meant to happen I suppose.

I finished up a small writing gig today and got another one, slightly larger, so that was cool.

I was adding up numbers for Wizard World Chicago, and it's going to take some doing for me to be able to make it this year. I have two options, one going for the whole four days, and one going just on the weekend. The latter is the cheaper of the two options, but it's a bit more of a hassle with all the logistics. So we'll just have to see how things go. I might not be able to do either.

I found - or rather they found me - a local music group that sounds pretty cool. It's hip-hop/r&b, but it's two white boys from Kentucky! Needless to say, I was surprised how good they sounded. I'll get a link and give them their own post here soon.

I reconnected with a friend last night via telephone and chatted for about 30 minutes, which was cool. We used to hang out all the time, but haven't for three or four years now.

The past two or three days I've not felt well, and I've just been sluggish and not very motivated. I've pushed through it and made quite the progress on things by and large, but I just haven't felt myself. I don't know what it is. Well, the not feeling good I know what it is, but not the other. I'm just frustrated with a lot of things this week, and the unknown in a lot of areas is probably the biggest culprit. So all of that has just got me out of sorts I guess. I'll bounce back, though. I always do, glory be to God.

And I suppose that's it. It's almost 2am, I'm tired but not sleepy, and though I have a ton to do, I'm bored and restless out of my mind! lol. So I think I'll try to lay down and watch a bit of TV and try to doze off if I can. More soon.

B-Out

Newsarama Got a Facelift!

Oddly enough, it's almost identical to another very popular comic new site.

Anyway... I have to say... IT'S ABOUT TIME! Newsarama's old site has always gotten on my nerves. No offense to Matt Brady or anyone else involved, but that site always looked so tacky to me. I'm glad to see them updating themselves and achieving a look that matches the quality of their content.

That said, it will definitely take some getting used to. It seems they've changed their stories to a blog format, leaving the forum as a separate entity now. And that's the one thing I wish they hadn't changed. I rather enjoyed the uniqueness of Newsarama's articles being integrated into their forums. But change can be a good thing, and this is definitely change all the way around.

So, good for you, Newsarama.

Comic Book Challenge

As I mentioned before, I am still heavily considering entering the contest, but it depends on a number of factors. One very important one being my artists having time to work on the projects, and me being able to compensate them in some way, shape or form that works for them.

That said, there are three possibly concepts I may enter. Scott (Simmons) and I are working on a project that is fleshing out quite nicely as of today. But Scott has some other important work in front of that, so we'll see.

I'm also working on a fantasy project with Michael Kasinger (Tiki's Phayrie) that I've revived from three or four years ago. My brother actually came up with the concept for it, roughly, and I just fleshed it out and made it into a story. It was going to be a part of the universe of a comic company I edited for back then, but they've since gone out of business, and I've removed references to it in the script. (NIX THAT! As I was typing this, Michael emailed me and said the story was cool, but wasn't for him, even though he dug the plot initially. So... I think we're going to try to come up with something new).

And third, I have a horror project in the works with Jason Moser (Ellium), but most likely his schedule isn't going to allow time to work on it before the deadline.

With at least two of these we are definitely continuing on whether we enter the contest or not, and whether we place in the contest or not. The other I'm not sure as I haven't talked with the artist beyond the contest.

Now, added to the hesitancy about rights that I mentioned a few posts ago, something else came to my attention yesterday that makes me a little wary as well. DJ Coffman, the winner of the first CBC with his book, Hero By Night, blogged recently about Platinum canceling his book due to some financial issues. DJ still praised Platinum in the post, but one still has to wonder if the same couldn't happen to the winner of this year's contest. Granted, Platinum did put out the first mini series, and three issues (I think) of the ongoing before canceling, but still...

Providing the art is completed in time, I'll still enter, and I'll cross those bridges if one of them makes it into the top 50, which is when you have to start signing stuff.

I'll keep you posted.

B-Out