Jimmy's Juke Joint

CNI 38

Comic News Insider: Episode 38 is up and ready at 9 a.m.! Go download it at our site or through iTunes. It's free, ya cheapskates! Nothing but entertaining comic book related fun!

We review comics sent to us by Digital Webbing. And get to our X-Men: The Last Stand review. As I mentioned in my "review", I didn't love it. And I mention that in the show. However, I saw it again with some friends in the biz, (guess who), and liked it much better. Still didn't love it. But, certainly liked it. So, you'll hear me contradict myself in next week's episode.

Lotsa news! A great Batwoman article in The New York Times, Clerks 2 gets an 8 minute standing O, Joss Whedon calls John Cassaday a no talent hack, I'm called the Godfather of Comic Books in Scotland's Sunday Herald, Ghost Rider trailer, Wizard World Philly, etc.

A quick MySpace update. Over 130 friends, but are they listening?! A listener gives us an inside scoop of her days as an extra on the Spider-Man 3 set. And, I get a hold of Patton Oswalt who agrees to an interview next week!

Top 3 rounds out the show and my love of Rollergirls shines through.

An auction update, in case you forgot. Still collecting donations. Go to this site for info. Check out the "Shindig 2006 Auction" thread in the message board for more info.

Don't forget! Due to the holiday, comics will be delayed one day! As always, get a hold of us at:

[email protected]

212 501 6246

www.myspace.com/comicnewsinsider

Thanks for listening!

Even More Sister Story Stuff

I have been getting inundated with kudos for my recent 8 part saga, How I Found My Sister. Thank you all! I thought I'd make it easy for those recent converts getting sent to this here site. Here are the proper dates for each post.

1. May 12th- Part 1
2. May 13th- Part 2
3. May 15th- Part 3
4. May 16th- Part 4
5. May 18th- Part 5
6. May 19th- Part 6
7. May 20th- Part 7
8. May 21st- Part 8

Go back. Start from the beginning. Lather, rinse, repeat.

I know what you're thinking. I just couldn't think of anything to write today, so I'm pimping past posts. Say that 3 times fast. You may be right. I may be crazy. But it just may be a lunatic you're looking for. Sorry, channelled Billy Joel there for a second. As I was saying, maybe I am dumbfounded at the moment and can think of nothing to say. Or I just love bathing in my own brilliance and particularly so about the story of my sister. Either way, just go read it again. It makes a great bed time story for the kids!

Don't be stealing it for yourself! I've got copyrights, bitches!

Fleet Week

It's Fleet Week here in New York City. The city is full of seaman! I always get fearful when I see a bunch of people walking around in white. Well, at least they aren't wearing hoods. The guys and gals of our naval forces are all over the city. Especially in midtown, since the ships are docked there. It's both annoying and funny at the same time. Everywhere you go, there they are. Now, don't get me wrong. They certainly deserve to whoop it up and have a good time. And that they do.

With the sailors on land, the women who love men in uniform come out in droves. Once again, good for the sailors. They deserve any port in a storm. But, some of those ports.....yikes! And, some of the girls have started a tradition. Kind of shady if you ask me. They see how many hats or ties or whatever they can collect. Just leading the guys on then bouncing. I saw this happen recently and wanted to snatch the hat back from the girl. She was flirting and dancing with the sailor for awhile. Got his hat and tie. He got the tie back, but then she went and hid behind some bouncer she knew. What a bitch! Like moms used to say, "Don't be teasin', 'less you plan on pleasin'!"

Here's to all of the men and women enjoying their week off in NYC. Drink up, have sex and get into all sorts of trouble! Just be back on the ship by 6 am or you'll be swabbing the decks!

And, take a moment to remember them all today on Memorial Day.

Okay, now get back to the drinking, sex and trouble! Enjoy!

Things Overheard At the Bar

As a bartender in New York City, I hear some funny and strange and horrific things at the bar. I have those bartender ears. I can literally hear things all over the bar whether I'm close to the person or not. This is a handy little skill that helps keep me at the advantage. Or just makes me laugh. Or cringe. Or laugh while cringing. Some examples:

"Women are stupid." - female bartender after female customer orders from her

"Look at all the seamen!" - woman at bar looking outside during Fleet Week

"What's your new Jewish boyfriend's name? L'Chaim or something?"- man asking woman friend

"What are penises?"- female customer inquiring about menu item spelled 'panisses'

"I know I get my jobs because of my rack." - well endowed girl explaining her job hunting luck

"What's a lamb skank?" - girl misreading lamb shank

"I got this drink that was blue. But it wasn't girly!" - guy trying to prove his manhood when explaining his girly drink

"Good thing I'm hung like a mule." - guy desperately trying to prove his manhood when it's probably clear he's hung like an ant

"I hate fags." - gay co-worker expressing his distaste for a flamboyant queen

"I love tossed salads." - guy claiming his love for...I'm guessing...foliage?

These are just a few of what I hear on a nightly basis. Any more gems? You betcha. Maybe I'll drop more on you in the future. I'll leave you with this. No matter what you say or how you act, just tip your bartenders!

FREEEEEEDOOOMMM!!!!!!

No, this isn't an old review of Braveheart. Though I have seen that movie billions of times. And sometimes wear a kilt around the apartment. Gets a bit drafty. Anyway, this is about my recent Scottish friend, Edd McCracken. Go ahead. Say it aloud. Edd McCracken! Great name. He is a journalist/editor for Fresh magazine, part of the award winning independent paper, The Sunday Herald. He was here a couple of weeks ago researching a piece on comic book creators and their world and where it was all started. I hooked him up with some friends to interview and he came by the bar a couple of times.

His article ran in the paper a week ago and he just sent me copies. Yep, that's the cover! The article should be available on line some time soon. He got some great interviews with my buds, John Cassaday and Paul Pope. As well as many others at Marvel and DC comics. But, that's not my proudest moment. Sure, I helped a good Scotsman out. And in return, he gave me and the podcast, Comic News Insider, a nice shout out in his foreward of the magazine.

Here it is! And in case you can't read it or it doesn't open in your browser or something. Allow me to quote. "A special thank you must go out to Jimmy Aquino. By day he is an unassuming bartender, but by night he is the comic book godfather. Check out his excellent podcast, Comic News Insider, on all things superhero at http://cni.libsyn.com"

Hells yeah! I'm the Godfather of comic books! Kiss my ring, bitches! Glad I was able to help Edd out and a big thanks for the shout out in the paper!

Maybe I'll be a big celebrity if I ever make it over the pond. I'll start putting my kilt on now. Just in case.

X-Men: The Last Stand

X-Men: The Last Stand. I saw it last night.

That's right. Spoilers, bitches! Stop reading. Go see the movie and then come back. It opens today! I went to all of the trouble to see it last night at midnight. Sheeeesh.

Well, to start off, a couple of disclaimers. I had 4 hours of sleep and then worked for 11 hours. Needless to say, I was very tired. Still, excited about seeing the flick. I bring the girl with me to see. She, not being a big comic book fan,but a good sport and all about it. I have a couple of beers since we are way early to meet some friends. I told her to look out for my friend, Mike. "Just look for an Asian dude with glasses." At that point, we looked up and saw a gaggle of Asian folk gathered in front of the theater. Must have been  2 for 1 at the laundromat. Hey, I'm Asian. I can get away with that! We get in the theater and right away, I was uncomfortable. It was so damn hot in there. Seriously. Isn't it normally freezing in a theater? It was that type of hot where it makes you doze off. And, already being tired.....

You see where I'm going. I don't know if I can give this a fair review. What with all of the other circumstances happening. We had some annoying people sitting behind us. Things just weren't looking good.

The movie starts off and immediately feels like it was dragging. And, due to the tiredness and heat, I started dozing a bit. The girl had to poke me and get me alerted as if to say, "If I have to sit through this, so do you!". All in good fun, of course! She made a good point as well. A lot of the actors just seemed bored. The dragginess of it made the semi-stolen plot line fall flat a bit. I say semi-stolen because it's widely  known that they took a major idea about curing the mutants from Whedon/Cassaday's run on Astonishing X-Men. The action sequences were cool. As expected. Hugh Jackman as Wolverine was his normal brooding and engaging self. I really like Famke Janssen as Dark Phoenix. Gave her a chance to show her dark side. Yes, Halle got more screen time. But, is that necessarily a good thing? A couple of new editions: Kelsey Grammer as The Beast was basically Frasier in blue fur. Ellen Page as Kitty Pryde (the 3rd girl to play that role in the franchise) was intriguing and fun to watch.

What else? Random and seemingly shock value type deaths. A big fight scene or 2. Cool effects. Not a bad story line. Fun new characters. Yet, it seemed to just take it real slow. One friend also made a good point as well. It seemed a bit sillier than the previous ones. I feel like I need to see it again when I am more awake and comfortable. Until then, I just have to say it was.....

okay.

Nothing spectacular. We'll see what the critics and fans say. Most were worried when Brett Ratner took over. He's basically a hired gun. I wasn't the big Brett hater like everyone else. That is, until I read the recent article in Entertainment Weekly. He came across as a whiny little bitch!

I encourage you all to go see it. It's a comic book movie after all! I'm going to see it again, so I can assess it with a better mind and well being over all. Make sure you stay until after the credits. There's a little bit that might suggest this isn't "The Last Stand" after all. If it isn't, maybe Bryan Singer will come back from his world of Krypton and put the franchise back on track.

I give it a thumbs sideways for now. Maybe after I see it again, I'll have a more definite opinion. Until then, go check it.

My First Stalker, Pt. 2

"I'LL NOT BE IGNORED!"

Yes, that's a quote from the ultimate stalker film, Fatal Attraction. Stacey didn't get that bad. Still...

As I mentioned, she would call constantly and leave messages on my answering machine. Or just call and hang up. Often, she would just show up at my apartment and knock for about 5 or 10 minutes. One good thing about not having a car, she never knew if I was actually home or not. When she did stay outside and knock, I would just sit still and be quiet until she left. Yeah, I know. I'm a coward. Shut it. I really had never experienced anything like that, so I didn't know how to handle it.

This went on for a couple of weeks and finally slowed down a bit. Not stopping completely though. One night at work, she shows up. As per usual, just kind of hung out waiting for me. Watching me the whole time. Really weird. Sure, most guys think they would love having some girl stare at them all night. When they're crazy, it's a different story.

I did the mature and brave thing and approached her like she initially came up to me. Through her friend. I saw her friend and pulled her aside.

"Listen. I feel really bad, but I just don't dig Stacey all that much any more. She's a cool chick and all, but it's just not working out. I don't know how to tell her, so maybe you could say something?"

Her friend was disappointed, but seemed to realize it was pretty much over already. She gave me a look that suggested I was wise to run. Almost as if she knew her friend was a bit "off." Just then, Stacey walks up. Awkward.

"Why haven't you called me back? Is everything okay? Are we still girlfriend and boyfriend?"

I was astonished. We were never girlfriend and boyfriend. We never talked about it. It had only been a month or so. I didn't know what to say back to her. I did my best to be nice.

"Uh...well, Stacey. It's like this....um...I just don't think....well, I mean....you're a great girl. Lotsa fun and all. I mean, we had fun, right? Well, I am so busy lately and just don't have time to be with anyone. I just need....uh...space. Ya know?"

She looked at me with that deer in the headlights look. Like she really didn't understand or possibly didn't hear me. I knew this by her terse response.

"Huh?"

This was gonna be harder than I thought.

"Stacey. I don't know what to tell you. I just don't think it's working out. Ya know? Don't be upset. It's cool. I'll see you here and maybe we can hang out some time. It's just...now..is...well...I just can't right now."

And with that. I walked away. Yeah, go ahead. Say it. I'm a dick. I was 22! And she was a little crazy!

She still called here and there. And even stopped by. I didn't answer my phone for a month. She would be at the club and I'd do my best to avoid her. Try to get her friend to influence her to leave. She would just stand by the bar. Staring at me.

About a month later, I was performing in a production of City of Angels. Rehearsals had been going on and the show was to run for 3 weekends. All of the sudden, on opening night, I get some flowers and a book. The book was a script version of City of Angels. The show I was doing. What? The person who gave me this didn't think they gave us scripts? I opened up the book. Front page had an inscription.

"To Jimmy Aquino

Much success and fame to you.

Love, Stacey"

Holy shit! She's here? Wow. Well, hopefully, I'm safe up on stage. I sift through the flowers and find a card.

"Jimmy

Here's wishing you a great opening night. I hope you find love and happiness in the future whether it's with or without me.

Love, Stacey"

Suddenly she's U2. With or without me? I hadn't talked to her in over a month or so. She was still living under the delusion that there might be an "us"? I ducked her after the show, but heard through friends that she hung out in the lobby for quite some time waiting to see me. Hey, she could have had a gun! You never know!

After that, I didn't hear from her again. I kept thinking I saw her appear in different spots. At the mall. At the movies. At the grocery store. At church. Okay, not church. Like I was there. After some time, the feeling eventually passed.

Though I did think I saw her just the other day lurking around a corner.....

My advice to you if you feel this might happen with someone you meet.

RUN!

I got off lucky. Will you?

CNI 37

Comic News Insider: Episode 37 is now available for download! Click on the link or get it through iTunes, bitches!

We had some special guests with us in the studio today. Brothers, Derrick and Phillip, join us to discuss their love of anime and manga including series Sgt. Frog! Nice to hear the perspective of teenagers. And Derrick has the biggest afro for a white kid this side of Dr. J!

We review my good buddy Paul Pope's last issue of Batman: Year 100 #4 and the Frank Miller/Jim Lee run of All Star Batman & Robin #4.  One rocked, one sucked. See if you can figure which.

News bits cover the recent cancellation of the upcoming Aquaman series, Joss Whedon, Skywalker wine, Fantastic 4 sequel rumors and the final Superman Returns poster.

A MySpace page update as well! We're up to over 100 friends! Woo hoo! Hopefully that will translate to more listeners. One myspacer/listener is even putting together a costume to be our very first CNI Girl! Rock it!

As always, end with the Top 3! And, you have more ways of getting in touch with us! Email us at: [email protected]. Call us at: 212 501 6246. Check us out at our various sites!

Thanks for listening!

My First Stalker, Pt. 1

I remember my first stalker like it was yesterday. Wait...it was yesterday. No, not yesterday. Actually some time in 1992. Let's call her Stacey. Could be her real name. Could not be. I haven't talked to her since then, so I don't suppose it really matters now, does it!

I was working as Entertainment Director at Baha Beach Club in Jacksonville Beach, Florida. It was one of the hottest clubs in the city. Always busy. As E.D., I provided...well...entertainment! Little skits or lip synching bits or promos or dances,etc. I choreographed dances to certain songs that staff got up to do. Yeah, that's right. You got served!

Part of my duties was to get the crowd going. I was often found on the dance floor smacking it up, flipping it and rubbing it down. And, not to toot my own horn...(hey, if I could, I'd never leave home)....I know how to get my swerve on. To give you an idea: I always danced as a kid. I only started taking dance classes when I was 16 or 17. Every single one of my dance teachers would yell at me.

"Jimmy! Your pelvis is not your center!"

Yeah, I know. You're not surprised.  That's how I move! Anyway, one night at the club, I was dancing away and a girl approached me.

"My friend wants to meet you."

Now, back in the day, I had girls approaching me quite often. Maybe it was the hair. Maybe it was the dance moves. Maybe it was the fact that I was a big wig in the club. Whichever it was, I was pimpin'! I, of course, agree to meet this friend. I figure if she turns out to be Elephant Girl, then I can just say I have to go to the office and disappear. I walk over and see this petite and pretty girl. Smoking bod. As we say in the business, "boobalicious." (Don't ask what business.) Naturally, I react like a cartoon character when they see something they love. My eyes pop out of my sockets, I do back flips, steam comes out of my ears and I start yelling things like, "AAAAAAAWWOOOOOOGGGAAAAAAA!!!!"  I walk over and smoothly introduce myself.

"Wattup. I'm Jimmy."

See? Smooth. Scratch that. Smoooove. She replies.

"I'm Stacey!"

She had a really high pitched voice. I thought it just sounded that way because she was trying to scream over the music. I ask if she wants to dance and she agrees. She seemed a bit shy, but I got her moving. A bit. She didn't really talk much,but the music was loud and you couldn't hear much anyway. I got her digits and told her I'd call or just to come by the club tomorrow. We do the trashy public make out session and part ways.

Next night, she shows up on cue. Oh, hells yeah. I gots my mojo rising! We hang out off and on throughout the night. Yep, the high pitched voice was the normal one. Ouch. Maybe I can buy her a voice modulator. I quickly got over it. Duh, she was hot! At the end of the night, she offers to give me a ride home. (At that time, I was sans a car and had to rely on everyone else for rides.) And by that, I mean come home with her. You know. To have tea and watch TV. We get out to the parking lot and walk over to her car. A little bright yellow Geo Metro. I was not surprised at all. It seemed to fit her personality. If that was always true then I would have had a Jaguar. Yeah, I said it.

After much "tea and TV" at her apartment, we lay there chilling. In her squeeky voice, she asks.

"Could you tell my boobs are fake?"

My initial thought.

"Well, considering when you were on your back, they stood up so far that I could probably tee off of them..."

But, I thought I'd be nice.

"Well, I wasn't sure. They did seem quite uh...firm."

She giggled. Which she did a lot. I mean A LOT.

"I'm thinking of getting them bigger!"

Whoa. Now this girl was barely 5' and already a 36D. I guess she had a career in porn ahead that I didn't know about. What did I care. She's hot.

Next day she drops me off. Within hours, she calls me.

"Whatcha doing?"

I had barely awoken, but thought I'd chat for a bit.

"Well, just got up. Not doing much. Gotta work at the club tonight."

Before I could finish, she interrupts.

"Oh! You're working tonight?! Well, I'll be there for sure."

I thought that was cool. I could have a steady after work girl to party with. I know. Crass and immature. Give me a break. I was 22.

"Sounds great. I'll see you later then."

This "relationship" went on for a couple of weeks. Me only going home with her after the club or her coming home with me. Always in that damn little yellow Geo Metro. We never really talked much. Which, at the time...being 22...not a big deal. Still, I thought she was cool and wanted to see what she was like outside of the club. Our phone conversations always seemed one sided. Me talking. Once again, if you know me, not a big surprise. She was quiet and shy. Even though we had been intimate many times. I kept thinking she wasn't that bright, but I wanted to give her a fair shake. One night, I mentioned about going to see Malcolm X in the movie theaters. She seemed interested. Okay, maybe she's got something going on after all! We made plans to see the flick and she picked me up. We got to the theater a bit early and got our seats. She leans into me and whispers.

"So, what's this movie about?"

I was a bit stunned because she seemed to want to see the movie. Then I thought, well, Malcolm X wasn't really taught in school. I explained it to her and then inquired if she wondered why everyone was wearing all of those shirts and caps with an X on them.

"I thought it was just a new trend or name brand."

In a sense, she was half right. With the upcoming release of the movie, those shirts and caps were everywhere! I told her we could have went to some other movie, but she said she just wanted to be with me. Well, that's sweet. But, I got the weird feeling we could have sat in the lobby watching the popcorn pop and she would have liked it.

Over the next few days, her vapidness really shined through. Like I said, at the time, I wasn't all that worried about conversation with a girl. But, I really had nothing to talk to her about. Our "tea time" was kind of uneventful and not too exciting as well. So, I started to get bored. A few nights later, I even tried to tell her I was too tired for "tea." I eventually gave in so as not to arouse any suspicions. Now, I suck at breaking up or making people feel bad. She was a nice girl, but I just had really lost interest. She was calling me many times a day and we would say nothing. I kept finding excuses to get off of the phone. And eventually not answering. She left several messages.

Then, she started just showing up during the day and night. Okay. Not big on the uninvited guests back then.  And, she would always be there at the end of work to take me home. Even if I had another ride. I felt bad, because I didn't have the guts to tell her I didn't want to see her any more. Yes, I know. I wasn't helping the situation. And neither was she. She really seemed happy when I was around. Even if I was aloof or cavalier. It was a bit...awkward.

Then, I came home to something boiling in a pot on my stove.

No, wait. That's that movie. Or was it?

...to be continued.

The Sister Story Aftermath

So, that was the story of how I found my sister. Didja dig it? Well, didja? Seems many of you did. Thanks for all of the kudos. Some of you asked about whether I had other ambitions for this story. Screenplay or whatnot. That was the original idea. But, possibly going to go the graphic novel/comic book route. As suggested by friends in the comic biz. Any artists out there interested in being a part of history? Because you know it's gonna sell gajillions! Then be made into a movie starring Jake and Maggie Gyllenhaal. Or Joaquin and Rain Phoenix. No? How about Donny and Marie Osmond? Maybe Luke and Leia Skywalker? No? Bart and Lisa Simpson? Hmmmm....I'll just have to leave that up to central casting.

Stay tuned. This story is not over!