That's right, bitches. I'm coming back to the hometown of Jacksonville, Florida. I'll be there 'til Sunday. If you got my digits, then holla. I expect many drinks and much debauchery. Word.
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January 14, 2009
January 13, 2009
CNI 174 - Danielle Corsetto Live!
Comic News Insider: Episode 174 is now available for free download! Click on the link or get it through iTunes! Sponsored by Dynamic Forces.
Reviews: Faces of Evil: Solomon Grundy One-Shot, Punisher #1, Black Lightning: Year One #1
The awesomely talented Danielle Corsetto (Girls With Slingshots webcomic) joins us in studio on a break from her mini-signing tour! We catch up with Danielle to see what she's been up to since our last chat back at Heroes Con in June. Jimmy falls in love with his new iPhone and looks forward to his quick jaunt to his hometown in Florida. Joe expresses his joy over the big Wall-E win at the Golden Globes. News includes Pushing Daisies unaired episodes, Juan Valdez suing Mother Goose, Bill Willingham's desire to return to wholesome comics, Elfman on Terminator: Salvation, DC Comics movies on hold and more.
New York Comic-Con is around the corner and we chat about our confirmed guests and planned events in the Podcast Arena. Once again, CNI will be doing a charity raffle and this year it will benefit The Comic Book Legal Defense Fund! Feedback, Top 3 and plugs galore. Leave your iTunes comments! 5 stars and nothing but love! Also, get a hold of us!
212 501 6246
www.myspace.com/comicnewsinsider
www.comicspace.com/comicnewsinsider
Thanks for listening!
January 12, 2009
New York Comic-Con Tease Part 2
Yes, that's my co-host Joe and I with the creators (Jackson Publick, Doc Hammer) and voice talent behind the hit Cartoon Network series, The Venture Bros. They were 2 of several guests we had to interview and or do a signing with us at last year's New York Comic-Con.
This year we've gotten a few confirmations so far:
- Molly Crabapple will sit with us all 3 days showing off her Victorian style art. She may do a sketch. She may sell you a book. She may allow you to take a picture with her. But, be nice or I'll have to Hulk smash you!
- Greg Pak joins us for the 3rd year in a row. The nicest guy in comics who just happens to write one of my favorite titles right now, The Incredible Hercules.
- Jonathan Hickman has been a friend of our show since his fantastic debut comic book, The Nightly News. I've gotten to hang with him at many a convention last year as well. Come meet the new genius writer in comics!
- Carrie Tucker is the author of I Love Geeks. We've pimped out the book on the podcast several times. If you were there last year, you'll remember that she was a booth assistant. Come purchase her book and learn how to channel your inner nerd.
- Tony Lee is my convention nemesis. So why am I letting him sit with us? Oh yeah, because he's awesome and writes the shit out of comics.
Other creators in the comic world are tentative and I will announce them as confirmations come in. Of course, we expect our long lost CNI guest host, Blair Butler (G4TV) to find time to sit with us. Her schedule is so busy and pretty tight, so no promises.
No set times yet for the confirmed signings, but keep checking back as that schedule will happen the week of the convention. See? Great line up so far! Go get your tickets to NYCC and come by the CNI table for all of this comic goodness!
January 11, 2009
CNI Charity Raffle for CBLDF at NYCC!
That's a lot of acronyms! CNI = Comic News Insider, CBLDF = Comic Book Legal Defense Fund and NYCC = New York Comic-Con. Got it? Good. Now keep up!
Each year, my podcast, the aforementioned CNI, holds a raffle for charity at NYCC. Comic creators donate signed comics, art, etc. Toy companies donate toys, friends in the movie/TV biz donate paraphenelia from their respective projects, etc. Tickets are $1 or 6 for $5. If you're at the show, swing on by and purchase a whole bunch! We'll do a couple of raffles a day and your tickets are good for every drawing.
The past years we've raised money for Get Caught Reading, Comics in the Classroom and Locks of Love. This year we've decided to keep the comic book theme and go with the CBLDF. I've always been a big supporter of this organization and have several friends involved. What's CBLDF? Let me do a little cut/paste from their website.
The Comic Book Legal Defense Fund was officially incorporated as a
non-profit charitable organization in January of 1990 from the money
left over from donations raised to defend Friendly Frank's arrest for
selling "obscene comics" in Lansing, IL in 1986. Since then, the CBLDF
has helped over a dozen comic book retailers and professionals fend off
the censors, some successfully, some not.
The CBLDF exists to
fight censorship and defend the first amendment rights of comic book
professionals throughout the United States. In the past five years, the
CBLDF has raised over $200,000 to pay expenses related to defending
freedom of speech and expression, and the battle continues. As new
waves of conservatism flood the publishing industry and the country,
the CBLDF continues to raise the money and awareness needed to fight
the censors every step of the way.
In recent years, police and
prosecutors around the country have decided to crack down on comics.
For cartoonists and their readers, it's a dire threat. The work accused
of being allegedly "harmful to adults" includes comics by the best
cartoonists of our time: Robert Crumb, Frank Thorne, Jaime &
Gilbert Hernandez, Reed Waller, and many others.
Is there really
a need for the CBLDF? The answer, unfortunately, is yes. 1996 and 1997
were busy years at the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund. The Planet Comics
Case in Oklahoma City saw many tribulations between the bust in
September of 1995 and the unfortunate end as the defendants accepted a
plea to end their ordeal. Michael Diana lost his appeal to have his
conviction as an "distribution of obscenity" overturned. Joe Lansdale,
Tim Truman and Sam Glanzman found themselves having to defend against a
suit by the Winter brothers for defamation and invasion of privacy .
The
CBLDF's guiding principle is that comics should be accorded the same
constitutional rights as literature, film, or any other form of
expression.
Authorities around the country are increasingly
taking the opposite view. The censors and the "politically correct"
tend to pick on the comic industry because they regard comics as
products for kids and thus view adult/mature comics as inappropriate,
or even illegal.
The CBLDF intends to fight these attacks and
we hope you will help. We ask everyone who cares about comics and free
speech to support us.
There you have it! Come support CBLDF and win some great prizes! See you at NYCC on February 6th-8th!
January 10, 2009
New York Comic-Con Tease
The New York Comic-Con is fast approaching! February 6th-8th. Once again, my podcast, Comic News Insider, will be representing in the Podcast Arena. The Arena is much smaller this year with only about 8 shows present as opposed to 12 or so the previous years. Again, we have much planned with signings, interviews, the charity raffle (charity TBA), and more! Go get your tickets and swing by and say "Hi!"
No big haircut this year. Though we may be snipping something else. L'chaim!
January 09, 2009
My Best of 2008 in Nerd-dom
We just recorded out "Best of 2008" show on my podcast, Comic News Insider. For those that don't listen, and really...why don't you? I thought I'd be nice and give you my picks. Our categories are a mix of general to just some random ones. Obviously, I'm mostly talking about comic books and nerdy movies and TV. Go buy them all. Read them. Watch the shows and movies. And thank me later. Enjoy.
Best Graphic Novel: The Joker (Azzarello/Bermejo), Chumble Spuzz (Ethan Nicolle), Freddie & Me (Mike Dawson)
Best Mini-Series:
Magneto: Last Testament (Greg Pak/Carmine Di Giandomenico), Locke &
Key (Joe Hill/Gabriel Rodriguez), Ubu Bubu (Jamie Smart), Secret Six
(Gail Simone/Nicola Scott)
Best New Series: Flash Gordon, Kick-Ass
Best TV Show: Pushing Daisies, BSG, Gavin & Stacey, The Middleman
Best Movie: The Dark Knight, Iron Man, Tropic Thunder, Wall-E, Zombie Strippers
Best Collection/Trade Paperback: Local by Brian Wood/Ryan Kelly, Fishtown (Kevin Colden)
Best Web Comic: Freak Angels by Warren Ellis/Paul Duffield, Backstage webcomic (Molly Crabapple/John Leavitt), Whubble (Jamie Smart)
Best Train Wreck: Rock of Love
Best Name Drop: Me trying to get into Lizzie Caplan's pants during MSD and Carrie Preston interviews
Best Interview: K. Cho (All 3!), Notorious MSG, Nathan Fillion, John McCrea
Best Forum Poster/Emailer: Jesse Jackson, Raph
Story that you enjoy but everyone else hates: The Spirit, Zack & Miri Make A Porno, ASBAR
Title that I like, but isn't getting enough buzz or attention that I think it should: Comic Book Comics
Best Cover of 2008: AXM covers (Cass), Y: The Last Man #60 (Massimo Carnevale), Superman title (Alex Ross)
Favorite OnGoing series: Incredible Hercules, JSA
Favorite All Ages title: Tiny Titans
Biggest series let down: Countdown, Trinity
Consistently Awesome Title: Buffy Season 8, The Walking Dead
Favorite title for 2008: The Sword
Best book from our Sponsor so they dont get mad at us for not mentioning them: The Boys, Lone Ranger, Zorro
Best Slow Going Title: All Star Superman
Best "Off to a Good Start" Title: The Wonderful Wizard of Oz (Eric Shanower/Skottie Young)
Best Appearance of CNI in a comic: Giant Size AXM, Chumble Spuzz 2, Big Hero 6
Favorite Podcast: SModcast, Fresh Ink
Favorite Convention: Bristol Con
Creator to Watch: Do Not Disturb My Waking Dream by Laura Park
Con Crushes: Emma Vieceli, Nikki Cook, Molly Crabapple, K. Cho, Julia Wertz
Top 3 of Top 3:
The Fart Party by Julia Wertz
Sold Out: A Threevening with Kevin Smith DVD
Space Raoul by Jamie Smart
Honorable Mentions
Essex County Vol. 3: The Country Nurse by Jeff Lemire
Too Cool To Be Forgotten by Alex Robinson
The Alcoholic by Jonathan Ames/Dean Haspiel
January 07, 2009
CNI 173 - Best of 2008
Comic News Insider: Episode 173 is now available for free download! Click on the link or get it through iTunes! Sponsored by Dynamic Forces.
Reviews: War Machine #1, Incognito #1
It's 2009, so prepare yourselves for another great year of CNI! Good friend and fellow nerd Jon Hoche joins us in studio to discuss our "Best of 2008". Jimmy crows over his acknowledgment in the finally released I Love Geeks by Carrie Tucker. Go buy it! News includes a new Doctor Who, TinTin movie, James Jean, Thor smiting a burglar, Secret Stash closing and more. We have our "Best of..." segment where we pick our favorite comics/movies/TV shows, etc. Not just your everyday categories, kids! Best Train Wreck, Story that you enjoy but everyone else hates and other interesting stuff! Feedback, Top 3 and plugs galore. Leave your iTunes comments! 5 stars and nothing but love! Also, get a hold of us!
212 501 6246
www.myspace.com/comicnewsinsider
www.comicspace.com/comicnewsinsider
Thanks for listening!
January 02, 2009
New Year's Resolutions
I'm not doing resolutions. They're crap and no one ever sticks to them. However, I've got some for all of you out there. Consider it my new year gift to you.I'm sure I left some out, but this will help get your year started. You're welcome.
- Return texts, calls, emails, etc. in a timely manner.
- Be honest with friends.
- If you like someone, tell them. If you don't, tell them. Stop the wishy-washy bullshit.
- Don't drink yourself to oblivion on more than a regular occasion.
- Don't come into my bar intoxicated.
- Tip 20% or more at restaurants/bars.
- Buy more comic books.
- Listen to Comic News Insider.
- Give money to a charity.
- Support your friends. Especially if they do it for you all of the time.
- Try not to take everything too seriously.
- Follow me on Twitter.
- Don't say something you don't mean. People might actually take your word for it.
- If you fuck up, apologize. And actually have some remorse. Don't turn it around and deflect it back on the person that YOU upset or screwed over, etc.
- Tell someone that you love them.
- Make someone in your life feel like they are important and matter. You never know. They might need a boost that day.
- Go to a comic book convention. Bonus: You might see me there!
- Go somewhere you've never been before.
- Stay in touch with friends in other states and countries.
- Watch It's A Wonderful Life at another time besides Christmas.
- Don't be so fucking opinionated on something that it's one extreme or the other. Find some common ground without compromising your beliefs. It's possible.
- Be aware of your surroundings and don't be so selfish when walking, talking, standing, sitting, etc.
- Buy me things.
- Don't be mean and outright rude.
- Be nice.
- Be generous.
- Be thoughtful.
- To quote the great Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventures, "Be excellent to each other. And...PARTY ON DUDES!"
January 01, 2009
Happy New Year!
It's 2009 and so much excitement has already happened! Like...
uh...
well...
let's see...
I got it! I woke up and watched TV. See? Exciting! Here's hoping 2009 brings more awesomeness into my life. 2008 was pretty awesome (year in review is coming!) with all of the convention traveling, birth of my nephew Maximus, amazing interviews, reconnecting with old friends, the girls, the bourbon, the strippers, etc. I've a feeling 2009 will be more of the same. Well, minus another new nephew. Unless sis has something to tell me. Or who knows? Maybe my greatest fear/hope will happen. Some kid will show up at my work. "My mommy says you're my daddy."
It could happen. Happy New Year, bitches!