Jimmy's Juke Joint

Jubilation June: Grace Helbig!

I've decided that I'm going to celebrate June by celebrating friends. Each day I will tell you a bit about a friend that I love and why they are so awesome. It could be that they are awesome just because they are awesome. I think you'll think the same. No rhyme or reason to which friends I pick. No order. Just random picks. If I leave someone out, it means we broke up and I'd like my pants back.

Daily Jimmy is gonna tell you...all about...Gracie! It's time to say your Daily Grace. Grace Helbig that is! That's us earlier in the year getting our drink on. I first stumbled upon Grace a few years back when I was interviewed by Stated Magazine. They were just starting out and I wanted to check out whom else they had gotten to. There were a lot of great interviews with many people in various forms of the arts and I read most of them. I got to Grace's interview and laughed out loud several times. And her story intrigued me. I decided to check out her videos on and often found myself wetting my pants. Not because of her. It's just a problem I have. But, yes, her funny had me laughing lots. I was impressed with her 10-15,000 subscribers on her Daily Grace YouTube channel. About the same that I had for my podcast COMIC NEWS INSIDER. I wanted to see if she would be interested in co-hosting the podcast so I contacted her. She agreed! As I started exploring her videos, I found that she was still doing videos with her comedy partner Michelle Vargas. So I had them both come do the show. It was awesome, as you can imagine. And a friendship was started! I'd go see her do improv, she'd come co-host, stop by my bar for a drink or 2 and we had many drinks out ourselves. In these short few years we've known one another, I've watched her star rise and continue to do so. Millions online know she is awesome, but if you don't...check it.

• She's one of those people when you meet her that you just know she's going to be successful at what she does. Not by luck. She's talented, smart, clever and works her ass off. As you read, when we met, she had around 10-15,000 subscribers. Now? About 1.5 MILLION! Her meteoric rise is all due to her just being her. It's been fun watching her soar and continue to just take over the world. Well deserved. I honestly feel like I'm watching a young Tina Fey rising. 
• While I sincerely love her like a sister, I'm not blind to her beauty. Most will be attracted to her upon just seeing her and then fall in love when they see her whole persona. Every single friend I've introduced her to immediately tells me how beautiful she is and if she's single, etc. She could have taken another path in the beauty world as she was a semi-finalist in the Miss New Jersey pageant when she was in college. Luckily, the comedy bug bit her hard and we can enjoy it all! 
• Her work ethic is unlike anyone I've seen in awhile. Actually reminds me of my younger self when I was a hungry actor. She is constantly working on her craft, shoots 5 videos a week (and edits them), works with other people in their shows, has done some national commercials, various web series, improv, classes, auditions, comedy shows, etc. She has created her own success from all of that hard work. Impressive and inspirational!
• I still haven't quite figured out why, but she's always been so sweet to me. If she couldn't meet up with me or do the podcast or stop by the bar...she always got back to me at least. She's been super supportive of the podcast and as I mentioned, has co-hosted several times. Be it a special Christmas episode or the big epic live Episode 400 last year that she co-hosted. 
• She believes in the basic improv rule of "yes and...". I will write silly little sketches for us when she's on and she just jumps right in and plays along. Even if it's not the best sketch I've written. Of course, she finds a way to make my sometimes bad writing funny. And from what I've seen, she does this with everyone. Which only makes everyone better in the process. 
• She always does her best to include her friends when out. I've been out for drinks with her and she was sometimes the only one I knew. She introduced me to others and made sure I was part of the crowd. 
• She is fantastic with her fans. And yes, she has a lot of fans. If they came to see her at an improv show or something, she will hang out after and talk to them for quite some time. It's really sweet to see how happy they are to meet her and even sweeter to see how gracious she is with them. 
• Earlier this year, a bunch of us were out and we had many a beverage. It was super late and we hit the diner. Another friend was busy on her phone so Grace and I just sat at the counter and ordered food. And then started the most adorable tough love speech I've ever gotten. Through cursing, tears, maybe even a punch in the arm, etc...she encouraged me to get back into acting and reignite my creative juices. While we had drinks in us, I know she genuinely meant it. And it's gotten me thinking ever since. She is such an inspiration even for this old fossil. If I do get back into acting, you can bet she'll be one of the main ones I thank during my Oscar acceptance speech for being so encouraging and supportive of me. I'm not going to share all that she told me, but I hope she realizes how much it meant and that I'll never forget it. 
• People often like to think that someone wants to be friends with someone because they are successful. That's not the case at all with Grace. Not that I'd ever do that with someone else either. She's just a kind and generous person that you want to be around. Full of happy and positive energy that is infectious. Heck, if she worked at K-Mart I'd still want to hang out with her. But only if she could get me those sweet Blue Light specials. (Do they still do those?)

Grace moved out west last fall and I've no doubt she will just keep on getting bigger and bigger and more successful. She pops in town on occasion and I'll be out that way next month. Rest assured, a drink or 5 will be had. By no means are we the best of friends and I'm sure she'll soon forget about little ol' me. Actually, no she wont. She has never struck me as the type to do that to people. Nevertheless, I cherish her as a friend and continue to be inspired by her. She's one of those rare talents that everyone will soon know and continue to remember long after she is gone in about 100 years. (I think she's immortal). Who knows? Maybe we'll work together in something one day. Probably Shakespeare or something. Til then, we'll just have to do with shots of whiskey. I'll bring the bottle next month, Gracie. 

My first official meeting with Grace and Michelle when they came to do the podcast a few years back. 

Doing the epic 400th episode of Comic News Insider live at a bar. Love this shot.

We did lots of shots after this with many friends. Allegedly. 

Co-hosting the podcast again at a bar.

At New York Comic Con last year. 

Drinks were involved at some point here. 

With her lovely Mama who is perhaps the sweetest woman in the world. 

Also at CNI 400. This picture just makes me laugh as I feel she's thinking, "What did I agree to?"

We ate it all. 

Surprised that someone was taking our photo. 

 

Comic News Insider Episode 480 - Heroes Con Panel: Covering with Amanda Connor/Jenny Frison/Phil Noto!

Comic News Insider: Episode 480 is now available for free download! Click on the link or get it through iTunes! Sponsored by Dynamic Forces.

It's the second of three panels that Jimmy moderated at Heroes Con a few weeks ago. This one was with the awesome cover artists Amanda Connor, Jenny Frison and Phil Noto! It's a fun discussion about their cover work, covers vs. interiors, inspirations, and more! Leave your iTunes comments! 5 stars and nothing but love!

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Jubilation June: Barry Nugent!

I've decided that I'm going to celebrate June by celebrating friends. Each day I will tell you a bit about a friend that I love and why they are so awesome. It could be that they are awesome just because they are awesome. I think you'll think the same. No rhyme or reason to which friends I pick. No order. Just random picks. If I leave someone out, it means we broke up and I'd like my pants back.

Time for a little hot Nuge action! Wait...that's not how I wanted to start this one. Let's try that again. Time to give props to my good pal Barry Nugent! That's better. That's us up there in London last May. Another UK pal of mine. I seem to have a lot of those. You'd think I'm an Anglophile who's been there several times and wants to live there or something. Anyway, Barry and I meeting is very similar to another previous Jubilation June honoree Dave Monteith. They are partners on the podcast Geek Syndicate and we all met on those comic forums back in 2006. While Dave and I are like brothers because we are eerily similar, Barry and I are brothers because we have a lot in common and have a similar outlook on things. Not everything, but quite a bit. That first trip to the UK in 2008 at Bristol Comic Expo was a blast. Everyone took me in and showed me a great time. Barry was right there as well. He's not as extroverted as I am but that didn't stop us from throwing back many whiskeys and talking til the wee hours. We've since become fast friends and he's even visited NYC. Just a great guy in so many ways. Continue on to find out more! 

• That first night at Bristol Expo in 2008, only a few of us stayed up til the wee hours. (Even though my UK pals kept bragging about their drinking prowess, mind.) At one point, some non-convention going jackasses in the hotel were picking on a friend of ours. Barry and Dave immediately jumped to his defense. I was on the other side of the room and heard shouting and ran over to get their back. Calmer heads prevailed and we continued drinking. And, it was a nice bonding experience for the 3 of us. They knew I always had their back and something told me, they'd always have mine. 
• He and Dave started up their Geek Syndicate podcast back in 2006. And since then, it grew into this huge network for geeky news, reviews, interviews and the like and have several different podcasts under the GS banner. I like to kid that they are the UK version of my podcast Comic News Insider. But in reality, they have grown into this awesome network of geeky goodness! 
• Upon my trip over in 2010, I was trying to squeeze in as much as I could. One of my favorite UK comedians was playing in a town called Milton Keynes. I looked at a map of the UK to see whom I might know that lived near there and saw that Barry was the closest by little over a 1/2 hour. I asked if it would be possible to stay with him that night after the concert and if there was a late bus I could take to him. Instead, he offered to have him and his partner Sue come pick me up and take me back to stay for the night. And I got a great brekkie the next morning too! 
• He's been a writer most of his life. His first book Paladin was published in 1999. And he then went the self-publishing route with his next work, Fallen Heroes, back in 2004. A great pulp adventure tale! It eventually got stocked in Waterstones (the UK's biggest bookstore chain). In 2011, the Kindle version was released and soon became a #1 bestseller on Amazon. 
• After the success of Fallen Heroes, a comic book adaptation was a natural next step. Barry let his baby out of his hands and supervised it all with other writers/artists adapting his work. The comic has been very successful as well with more to come. 
• Once, I caught him at a bad moment and caused a regretful knee jerk reaction with an email I sent. Within minutes, he sent another email profusely apologizing. Just shows you what a stand up guy he is and goes out of his way to reassure you his true intentions. Which are always honorable. He is always pleasant when we chat or communicate because he's just that darn nice of a guy. 
• For awhile, we had gotten into the habit of instant messaging a few times a week. Either Skype or Facebook. Usually early in the morning for me as I'm still up from the night before. They were great talks about comics, movies, TV and other nerdy things. Or often, just personal talks about our lives and what was happening at the moment. The man has given me some great advice in the past and is always someone I look forward to chatting with especially if I need some of his sage-like wisdom. He's really smart, sensible and honest and doesn't just tell me what I want to hear. Sometimes I need a little tough love and he's that good of a pal that he'll tell it to me straight. We don't IM as often but still do on occasion. Always look forward to it! 
• He has a great sense of humor. While Dave and I were alike in many ways, I think Barry and I are alike when it comes to the silly side of podcasting. I like to sing songs, play characters, do voices and such on my podcast. He does the same. From Santa (a perennial favorite) to Aquaman to just being "The Nuge"...it's all entertaining and funny stuff! 
• He's a big whiskey drinker like I am. And we've definitely thrown quite a few back together. Always nice to drink with someone who can appreciate the good stuff. 
• In 2011, he made a quick jaunt over to NYC for a few days. And it just so happened to coincide with my birthday. I was so excited that he was able to attend. Not just for me, but for him as well. He knows I have a lot of friends in the comic book business and he got to finally meet a couple that he's wanted to for some time now. While that trip was all about he and Sue having a blast, I was happy he made time to come meet up with me a few times for drinks, coffee and eats. 

Alas, as you read, we live across the pond from one another and have only been in the same place about 5 or 6 times since 2008. And every time we hang, it's awesome. He's just a solid person whom I consider a great friend. I know we'd definitely hang more if we were in the same city. Late nights of discussing the latest X-Men comics or sci-fi shows over whiskey would be a normal thing, I bet. I know we'll definitely do that soon one day. Even if it's only for a night. I'll have the whiskey ready, bud. 

After many whiskeys at Bristol Expo in 2008.

Post-Kapow Con in London last May with mutual pals Dave Monteith and Jonathan Ross. 

At my birthday party here in NYC back in December 2011. 

At Bristol Comic Expo in 2008 with Dave. 

Also at my birthday in December 2011 with my other pal John Cassaday that Barry finally got to meet. 

Comic News Insider Episode 479 - Heroes Con Panel: Amanda Connor/Jimmy Palmiotti/Frank Tieri

Comic News Insider: Episode 479 is now available for free download! Click on the link or get it through iTunes! Sponsored by Dynamic Forces.

Reviews: Astro City #1, Ehmm Theory #1, Liberator #1, Wild Blue Yonder #1, Under the Dome, World War Z

Due to a last minute emergency, Jimmy's co-host had to back out so he flies solo this week. (Hope things get better, Robert Downey, Jr). And in this episode, you'll hear the first of three Heroes Con panels that Jimmy moderated. This one with Amanda Connor, Jimmy Palmiotti and Frank Tieri. It's full of hilarity and comic book goodness! He briefly chats about the new Shezow on The Hub, Jeff Robinov quitting at Warner Bros. and Charles Soule on the new Superman/Wonder Woman. News includes:  Boom! Studios merges with Archaia Entertainment, Joe Hill's Locke & Key gets picked up by Universal for movie development, William Fichtner is Shredder, and 70's Zod makes them kneel before him in the bathroom. As always, listener feedback, Top 3 and more! Leave your iTunes comments! 5 stars and nothing but love!

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Jubilation June: Deirdre Lorenz!

I've decided that I'm going to celebrate June by celebrating friends. Each day I will tell you a bit about a friend that I love and why they are so awesome. It could be that they are awesome just because they are awesome. I think you'll think the same. No rhyme or reason to which friends I pick. No order. Just random picks. If I leave someone out, it means we broke up and I'd like my pants back.

Deirdre Lorenz came into my life like a Christmas Angel. (That's us last year at the epic 400th live recording of my podcast COMIC NEWS INSIDER at Hourglass Tavern). It was Christmas time in 2009 and I was working the bar. In she came with a Santa hat on and a jingle bell around her neck. If you know me, you know what a Christmas nerd I am. When she settled in at the bar, I just had to tell her how much I appreciated that she was fearlessly dressed in her Christmas splendor. And we immediately became good pals because of it! She started popping in more often and we would have the best chats. She's such a positive ray of light and always has the nicest things to say. Often cheering me up even when she didn't realize I needed it. She's a pretty amazing person. I already know that but you probably don't. So check it. 

• Okay. You got me. Maybe I didn't at first notice the Santa hat and jingle bell. She's ridiculously stunning. I thought then (and still do) that she resembled the strikingly beautiful Yvonne Strahovski (from one of my fave recent TV shows Chuck). Sooooooooooooo purty. SO PURTY! 
• If you haven't guessed it. Yes, she's a model. And has done some amazing shoots including magazine covers and all sorts! 
• Not just a pretty face and pin up body...she's a fine actress as well! She's worked on shows like The Sopranos and Law & Order. But her pride and joy is a film she wrote, produced and starred in called Santorini Blue. It has been on the film festival circuit for some time and is finally available to purchase. It also stars her friends Richard Belzer and Ice T! 
• She's been a big supporter of the podcast and even came on to co-host one time. We loved her so much that she is the voice you hear in many of the segment intros! 
• I've established that we both are Christmas nerds. What solidified me knowing we'd be friends for life was the following. She came up to record the podcast back in 2010. It was back when we recorded at Producer Joe's place (he was still co-hosting then). I had walked to the kitchen to grab drinks and came back in the room. We were randomly chatting and I asked what was her favorite movie. She replied, "It's A Wonderful Life". I fell out of my chair at first, then figured I had been set up. I thought Joe had told her that was my fave movie as well. They all insisted it wasn't the case and I believed her when we started nerding out over the film. Seneca Falls, the town that the film was based on, is upstate in New York and they hold a festival every December where they turn the town into Bedford Falls like in the movie. We keep talking of going one year and it's gonna happen one day! We should do an It's A Wonderful Life photoshoot some time as well. Heck, maybe we'll put on the radio play version of it. Any backers interested? 
• She knows how important birthdays are to me and attends each year. I knew how gutted she was last year when she had a family emergency that prevented her from attending. Of course, she let me know right away about how sorry she was for missing. Even though she had more important things to worry about. Just shows you how she always thinks of others. 
• That's just it. She's one of the kindest people I've ever met. While we aren't besties by any means, we have had occasion to hang and chat often. She's never...NEVER...had a bad word to say. Always so positive and happy and full of light. Ties in with that whole being my Christmas Angel hypothesis. 
• She's an avid runner and has run a few marathons. I get winded just typing that but she's an inspiration. She even went to Tanzania in Africa to run a race there. While visiting, she visited a child care center and made some great donations. An active and caring spirit! 
• Recently, I have been thinking of getting back into acting. I hadn't talked to her about it yet but suddenly got a text from her last month saying she had a role for me in her new web series. She must have felt a disturbance in the force. 

Even though we live in the same city, I don't hang out with Deirdre that much. Our lives are both quite busy and schedules opposite. But when we see each other, it's always a fun catch up. She genuinely cares about my life and I've a feeling she's always rooting for me. The fact that she asked me to be a part of one of her projects really means a lot. She always said that she'd put me in something if she could and she's true to her word. Not many people follow through like that. I look forward to working with her and have a few acting ideas for us to do as well. (No, not just kissing scenes, ya pervs!) She's a special person and I'm so glad that she was my Christmas miracle. Just be careful when you're around her. If you hear a bell ring, that means she's getting her wings. And she's got SOOOOOOOOOOOO many wings now. Atta boy, Clarence. 

Around Christmas 2010 with a friend of hers. 

Pretending we're taking a prom picture at the CNI 400th live recording. 

Recording the podcast with me and Joe. 

At my birthday party in 2011. 

Another birthday, I believe. 

Another shot at the CNI 400th recording with my pals Melissa and Katelan along with one of her friends.

Enjoying some fine champagne! 

 

Jubilation June: Brea Grant!

I've decided that I'm going to celebrate June by celebrating friends. Each day I will tell you a bit about a friend that I love and why they are so awesome. It could be that they are awesome just because they are awesome. I think you'll think the same. No rhyme or reason to which friends I pick. No order. Just random picks. If I leave someone out, it means we broke up and I'd like my pants back.

Even though she played a speedster on the hit NBC show Heroes, she wasn't fast enough to escape becoming a Jubilation June honoree! Yup, that's Brea Grant I'm talking about. That's us up there a few months back when she took time out of her extremely busy schedule to co-host the podcast while she was in town. I first got to know Brea by contacting her for an interview for my podcast COMIC NEWS INSIDER. She graciously agreed and we chatted on the phone for quite awhile back in 2008. It wasn't until the following year at San Diego Comic Con that we finally got to meet in person after staying in touch post-interview. We got along swimmingly and stayed in touch over the years. Usually only hanging out at a various convention or two each year as we are on opposite coasts. She has come on the podcast several times and it's always great to see her and hang! If you know her acting work, then you know she's amazing. Well, I've got a few more reasons. 

• When I contacted her via her old Facebook page back in 2008 (it's gone now, so don't bother, ya mooks), she graciously responded. Even though she was starring in a hit NBC show at the time (Heroes...duh) and directed me toward her management team to set up the interview. 
• She has a great blog! And stays pretty accessible to fans and friends alike online. Updating frequently about whatever project she may be working on at the present. Or posting new headshots or articles or interviews. Great stuff! 
• Oh yeah. I should have gotten the obvious out of her way. She's a super beauteous looker. Easy on the eyes. Just striking. I'm sayin' she's durn purty, ya crackheads. She manages to walk that line between beautiful and adorable. When you see her you are taken by her beauty and at the same time just want to run up and give her a big ol' hug. (Please don't do that though). 
• She's a fantastic actress. I've seen her in quite a few things from Heroes to Friday Night Lights to Dexter. Not to mention the many independent films/web series/shorts she has worked on. I've had a chance to see a few of them and she always stands out. 
• Speaking of independent films. She recently wrote/directed and starred in a film called Best Friends Forever. I've yet to see it but can't wait for it! I have a lot of friends in the business and know from them that this is a huge thing to accomplish. It's available through VOD in July on multiple platforms and you can pre-order on iTunes right now! 
• She writes comic books. SHE WRITES COMIC BOOKS! She and her brother Zane have co-written a few and I have enjoyed them all. She likes to explore things in the horror/supernatural realm. Which, as you may know, is a favorite of mine. I know she has some more comic book goodness on the way and I look forward to it. 
• I mentioned her love of horror. She knows it well. Zombies, vampires, monsters, werewolves and more. Ask her about an old classic horror film and she's probably seen it. Twice. She puts my monster knowledge to shame! 
• Recently, I have been thinking of getting back into acting. (Remember when I did that?) I've reached out to many of my friends in the business whom are doing well. Some gave a short reply, some said they'd get back to me and some didn't reply at all. Hey, people are busy. I get it. But Brea took the time to write me a lengthy and informative email explaining her ideas and suggestions of what I should do if I was indeed serious. 
• I go to L.A. after San Diego Comic Con each year. A few years back, a mutual friend of ours was supposed to pick me and a friend up at the train station but got delayed at work. Brea to the rescue! She came and picked us up and took us back to her place to chill until the friend could come get me. 
• Last year at SDCC, she invites me to a small hotel room party. And with whom has she been hanging? Oh, just The Doctor and Rory from DOCTOR WHO! Yup, I got to party with Matt Smith and Arthur Darville for a bit. I don't tend to nerd out on famous people when I meet them but it was an unexpected pleasure all due to Brea! 
• Besides being on the podcast as a guest and co-host, Brea even did some interviewing for us at SDCC one year! I thought it would be fun for her to interview a friend for a project she was working on and it came out great! She's a natural! I'd actually love to hear her do more interviews with other creative types as she knows just what to ask and keeps it engaging.

While we live on separate coasts and certainly aren't BFFs by any means, I appreciate her in my life. She's an inspiration with her acting and writing and someone whose advice I've heeded several times. She always tries to find time for her friends and I'm humbled that she includes me when she can. Last year when I was in L.A. for a few days, she called me to see if our tight schedules could coincide for a hang. Alas, they couuldn't but the fact that she made the effort really meant a lot. I've a feeling that if we lived in the same city that we'd be going to nerdy movies and hitting the comic book stores. Heck, I'd even have a vegan meal for her. I'll probably be seeing her next month at SDCC and/or in L.A where I'm pretty sure she'll be wanting me to star in her next film. Ah, whom am I kidding? I'd cater her film if she asked. Here's to you, B Money! 

Our first official meeting in person. That's her brother Zane with us at San Diego Comic Con 2009.

At the Pop Cult party at SDCC 2009 along with her bro Zane & our mutual pal Jen Grunwald.

At the Marvel Party after NYCC. 2011, I think. 

Same night much later in a diner. My favorite picture of us. 

At my NYCC Dead Dog party. 

Last year at SDCC. Matt and Arthur are feet away! 

Shopping around SDCC 2011. 

Jubilation June: Richard & Iz McAuliffe!

I've decided that I'm going to celebrate June by celebrating friends. Each day I will tell you a bit about a friend that I love and why they are so awesome. It could be that they are awesome just because they are awesome. I think you'll think the same. No rhyme or reason to which friends I pick. No order. Just random picks. If I leave someone out, it means we broke up and I'd like my pants back.

Back across the pond, but not to England. To Wales! Pontypridd to be exact. Home of Tom Jones. I'm talking about my awesome friends Richard and Iz McAuliffe. Yes, I'm doing 2 people at once because they are married and I love them both equally. So there. Anyway, I first met them online. Not like that though! Rich was part of the comic book forums that a lot of us interacted on. I loved his posts because he clearly didn't care what people thought of his opinion and had no time to argue about it. He just gave it and that was that. Often with a snarky sense of humor which immediately drew me in. We started interacting on there and became "friends". Soon, his wife Iz slowly joined the boards and I was interacting with both. They did some bits on my podcast Comic News Insider and we chatted or left messages often. We even started a weekly Skype session with some other folks that was super fun. We didn't actually meet in person until 2007 when they visited NYC. And it was love at first beer. And then we became friends without parentheses. Such mad love for them both. 

• When we meet in 2007 in NYC, they came straight to my restaurant and had dinner. We went out for drinks after and really hit it off. Always a worry about people you meet online. Things are very different in person. But we always cut through the bullshit online and it was no different in person. Fast friends indeed! There were there for about a week and even co-hosted the podcast with us. So fun!
• In 2008, it was my turn to visit the UK. I planned on attending the Bristol Comic Expo and wanted to figure out how to see some of the UK. When I landed in London, I stayed with my buddy Dave Monteith (a previous Jubilation June honoree). Also, Iz came into the city that night to stay with her sister so we could meet the next morning for a quick jaunt around London. She used to live there and knew it well. We started early morning and saw most of London in about 7 hours! Buckingham Palace, The Globe Theatre, Big Ben, etc. I loved this day. And then, we took the bus (sorry, they call it coach) to Wales. When we arrived, we went straight to their local pub where hubby Rich was waiting on us. It was so nice to sit in their local and have a few beers with them. 
• Post convention, Iz took me to Cardiff, the capital of Wales. There was a Doctor Who exhibit there and we went around the city for quite a bit. As we approached the area where they shoot Torchwood, a Doctor Who spin-off, I joked, "Wouldn't it be great if they were shooting something while we're here?" Sure enough, we saw a crowd gathered and cameras. Alas it wasn't anything Doctor Who related. But, it was Charlotte Church doing a photoshoot! She's all growed up and beautiful and I kind of had a crush on her. I went straight up to her and got some pictures. Even one with her. All thanks to Iz! 
• Rich has always been a huge comic nerd. And he's really funny. He used to do these great spoofs of those old snack cake ads that appeared in the back of comics. He just deleted the words in the word balloons and changed them with his own brand of saucy comedy. Often, saucy ADULT comedy and it was hilarious. 
• He had toyed with writing some comics and eventually started getting work. And not just the adult humor stuff. One of his best that should have made him millions (had it perhaps been marketed better) was something called Baby Boomers. Think Spy vs Spy with babies. Amazing stuff. He's even gotten to write some of his childhood favorite characters from the Judge Dredd world! And he's got more up his sleeve! He's a really good writer and I'd love to see him tackle some characters I know he loves like Batman. Pay attention, DC Comics!
• I've been over to the UK and Wales 3 times now. And I love it. If you know me, you know I'm a huge Anglophile. Every trip, I plan to stay with them after the Bristol Expo and it's always a highlight as it's just us chillin'. Iz always takes me to Cardiff to hang and we even did the big castle tour last time. I'm into all that history shit too. The fact that they take me into their home is a really big deal and I hope I've never overstayed my welcome. Always so welcoming and lovely to me. 
• I like to kid Rich about his grumpy online persona but don't let it fool you. He's a big ol' teddy bear. Well, unless you're a c**t and then he lets you know it. Another thing I love about him. 
• I don't Skype a lot with people but I do like to with a few. And they are top of the list. One of the most fun times was Christmas Eve a couple of years ago. They were up late, as was I, and even though they were 5 hours ahead, we chatted and drank beer until we heard Santa stumbling down the chimney. The drunk old bastard. 
• Iz, like me, is a recovering actor. She channelled that entertainment gene into the world of podcasting by first appearing on numerous different ones (including CNI) and eventually starting some of her own. She's entertaining as all get out and has made me care about comics that I may have only had a mild interest in. 
• Rich, too, got in on the podcasting game. And like Iz, he got me to want to check out comics that I wasn't all that familiar. And the sarcastic bugger makes me crack up every time he's on. Especially when he makes fun of me. He love me long time! 
• Iz has also combined her event planning experience with her comic book expertise and has been organizing the new Cardiff Expo. I know people that do it and what a daunting task it is. Heck, I organize the Podcast Arena at NYCC and that's tough! I can't imagine doing a whole convention. I've not attended yet but hope to one day but all I hear is how it's so great! 
• Any time I visited, Rich would make me a huge collection of DVDs of UK movies and TV series that he thinks I'd like. It's how I got hooked on Gavin & Stacey and so many other shows! He knows how to feed my Anglophilia. 
• If I'm a guest in someone's home, I like to at least make them dinner or take them out to show my appreciation. However, Iz made sure I had a nice home cooked meal more than once. They know how to take care of a guest! 
• THEY TOOK ME TO MY FIRST NANDO'S! 'Nuff said. 

They really are 2 of my favorite people in the world. Since we met in 2007, we've only seen one another about once a year or so either from me visiting or them doing the same. We try to do some video Skype on occasion to catch up. Always great to chat whether it's about something serious or just making fun of each other or just about nerdy things. I know if we lived in the same city that we'd be big drinking buddies for sure. And I really wish we lived closer to one another so we could hang more. They'd probably get tired of me pretty quickly but I would wear them down with my charm kindness cuteness money. Hope to see them soon. We'll meet at Nando's and then hit The Maltsters after. 

First meeting in 2007 at my bar. Look at the love. 

At Bristol Comic Expo in 2008 with their friend Welshy. 

Rich and I at his local pub.

Iz and I in our period costumes at the Cardiff Castle. 

Rich and I with our mutual pal Flint drinking after NYCC 2010.

Iz and I at NYCC 2009. 

Rich and I at Bristol Comic Expo 2010. 

Me and Iz at some convention or other. Bristol 2012?

Jubilation June: John Cassaday!

I've decided that I'm going to celebrate June by celebrating friends. Each day I will tell you a bit about a friend that I love and why they are so awesome. It could be that they are awesome just because they are awesome. I think you'll think the same. No rhyme or reason to which friends I pick. No order. Just random picks. If I leave someone out, it means we broke up and I'd like my pants back.

You knew this one was coming, didn't you? My old best pal John Cassaday! That's us up there with our mutual pal John McCrea in the middle a couple of months back. I first met John back at the very end of the 90's. He was dating a good friend of mine. It was her birthday but through a big mixup with the date/invites/last minute changes or something...the few people she invited out didn't make it. I walked right past her and John at the bar and it was only because she saw me and called out my name that I stayed. She had been waiting to introduce me to him since she knew I was a comic book nerd. Of course, I knew of him as I was reading Planetary (the comic he was drawing that was written by Warren Ellis) and it was still in the early issues. We hit it off right away and he told me to "shoot him an email". Which I did. And we've been pals since. A lot of you have met him and know him so you know he's such an awesome person. For those that don't...prepare ye! 

• Not many people I could contact during an extremely bad time that would drop everything and say, "Let's meet to chat over a drink". I've had a few tragedies (as we all have) over the years. Deaths, gravely ill niece, financial woes, etc. And each time I contacted him he was right there. Immediately. That's a real friend. 
• He's one of most humble people I know. He is arguably...no, fuck that...he IS one of the best cartoonists alive and always in high demand. Yet is still so dedicated to the craft. Whether he's working on a series or covers or other special projects. I've invited him out to some cool stuff and he has had to stay in to finish something or even leave early if we are out so he can go home to finish. 
• He went to school for TV/Film and worked in it for quite a bit before getting into comics. He's had many leads to work in that arena and even directed an episode of Dollhouse for his pal Joss Whedon. As widely reported back in 2006, he was even supposed to direct the movie version of a comic he did called I Am Legion until it got stuck in development hell. 
• I know I'm silly about my birthday party and expect everyone to drop everything. He's been at every one whether there were 5 people or 75 because he knows it's important to me. His birthday is a few days after mine but he always makes time for mine.
• Speaking of birthdays. One year, our pal Nick, invited John to spend his birthday in Philly. Since ours are so close, he suggested we spend ours together there. We were sent out a limo and everything. John paid for my hotel as my bday present (The effin Waldorf Astoria). It was one of the most fun weekends I ever had. 
• He's been a huge supporter of my podcast COMIC NEWS INSIDER since back in the beginning. Not just coming on when he could but introducing me to TONS of people in the industry. It was mainly because of him that I've met/interviewed/sometimes befriended the likes of Joss Whedon, Jim Lee, Nathan Fillion, Darwyn Cooke, and so many others in the comic book and entertainment industry. He still does to this day. 
• He's just a big supporter of me as well. When I was doing sketch comedy, he came to every show. When I was toying with the idea of turning the story of finding/meeting my sister into a graphic novel, he said he'd do the cover. So much more. Though he's not a sycophant. If he thinks I need some tough love, he'll give it. And he's usually right. 
• He's one of those people that everyone wants to know. And when they meet him, they just like him all the more. It's not a disappointment like when you meet some people you admire. Especially to comic book fans, he'll sit and chat with them for quite a bit. 
• I can say, secure in my heterosexuality, that he's a pretty motherfucker. Ladies LOVE him and I witness it often. Once, some super hot yet drunk girl was hitting on him relentlessly. When she wasn't getting anywhere, she started to verbally attack me as if I was the reason she was failing. He immediately defended me and asked her to move along and leave us alone. He'd rather spend quality time with his friends than worry about having his ego stroked. 
• Like me, he's fiercely loyal to his friends. If someone is being a jerk to me (as in the example above), he'll stick up for me. I've seen him do it for several friends. And he just goes out of his way to help friends when they need it. Heck, he'll go out of his way to help strangers!
• He's a really generous person and believes in taking care of his friends. I've always appreciated it and reciprocate as well. 
• He once asked me to be part of a special project with only a few others. While the plan fell through, it always meant a lot to me that he even considered me and wanted me along for the ride. 

John and I used to hang out about 4-5 days a week. No exaggeration. We lived closer to one another at the time and our hangouts were in my neighborhood. We could often convince each other to come out at 1 or 2am because of our proximity. Alas, I moved to East Harlem 6 years ago and then Washington Heights 2 years ago, so I tend to want to get home more. Plus I'm old now. We still hang when we can and are pretty inseparable at San Diego Comic Con. While we don't do the multiple times a week hang, I know I can still count on him if I really need him. Total bro's. I hate that I just typed that. It was either that are Total BFF's. Which I hate even more. But you get the picture. Wait...no, I got it. TOTAL BRO FF'S! 

New Year's Eve 2005 at The Slipper Room.

SDCC 2006. We first met Jason Lewis whom introduced us to his then girlfriend Rosario Dawson whom we've become pals with both since. 

SDCC with our friend Jenny in the back of a pedicab (do NOT ever do this). The guy was crazy and all over the place and then tried to charge us $60 for traveling about 10 blocks. It was a fun ride thought!

Another SDCC. Not sure what year either. That's our mutual pal Brett Matthews on the left. And some guy named Joss Whedon on the right. He may have a future in TV/Film. 

At one of my many birthday parties. 

Doing one of our anniversary podcasts live at a bar. That's mutual pal Paul Pope on the left and Producer/old co-host Joe on the far right. 

Comic News Insider Episode 478 - More Heroes Con w/ Kevin Mellon (Suicide Sisters, Archer), Mike Maihack (Cleopatra In Space), Rachel Pandich/Ashely Lanni (Aspire)

  

Comic News Insider: Episode 478 is now available for free download! Click on the link or get it through iTunes! Sponsored by Dynamic Forces.

Reviews: Crow Curare #1, Joe Hills Thumbprint #1, Superman Unchained #1, True Lives Of The Fabulous Killjoys #1, Man of Steel

Jimmy is joined in studio by his new nerdy pal Taylor Katz and they give a looooong review of the new Man of Steel film. More Heroes Con interviews with Kevin Mellon (Suicide Sisters, Archer), Mike Maihack (Cleopatra In Space), Rachel Pandich/Ashely Lanni (Aspire). Jimmy talks about how he almost screwed up his SDCC plans, briefly mentions new SyFy shows Primeval: New World(skip it) and Sinbad (not terrible) and gives love to his girls Alie &  Georgia regarding their new show on The Cooking Channel (Tripping Out with Alie & Georgia). News includes: Superman and Wonder Woman get romantical, Spider-man finds his sister, Dynamite Teams up Flash Gordon/The Phantom/Mandrake the Magician, Star Wars Land coming to Orlando and IDW gets animated...sort of! As always, listener feedback, Top 3 and more! Leave your iTunes comments! 5 stars and nothing but love!

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Jimmy Aquino: Man of Steel (SPOILERS!)

What? I can't be a steel man? Okay, fine. Anyway, I saw Man of Steel last night. Oh yeah, I did. Here are some SPOILERS filled highlights. You can also tune in to my podcast COMIC NEWS INSIDER to hear my pal Taylor and I review the movie. Episode 478 will be available Wednesday. 

• Let me get it out of the way. I loved it. I know it's split the fandom a bit (which I'll get to) but I still really enjoyed it. 
• Great cast. Henry Cavill as Superman is excellent. Russell Crowe as Jor-El is awesome. Kevin Costner and Diane Lane as Pa and Ma Kent are great. Amy Adams as Lois Lane is fantastic (though a small part of me wanted someone else...not sure whom. Still, she was superb). Michael Shannon as Zod was menacing and fun. German actress Antje Traue as Faora-Ul (Zod's right hand) stole many a scene with her badassery. 
• The romance between Lois and Clark was rushed but it made sense. I didn't feel they connected completely though there were some nice subtle moments. I'm sure they'll expand on it in the end. 
• Well directed by Zack Snyder. Great storytelling via flashbacks and present day. 
• The story was a retelling of the origin. Slightly different. Clark Kent still grew up in Smallville, Kansas. But when he got old enough, he didn't move to Metropolis and work for the Daily Planet right away. He traveled the world leaving no paper trail. Getting odd jobs here and there all the while secretly helping people. And if he was seen using his extraordinary gifts, he moved on to the next place. Really like this idea. 
• Some more changes in other characters. In the flashbacks, Clark is shown using his gifts to help others. Pa Kent emphasizes that he needs to keep them secret or he'll become a government experiment, etc. Even suggesting for a second that maybe Clark should let people perish if it means keeping the secret hidden. We're used to the always positive/do the right thing advice from Pa Kent. This shocker still worked as it just shows how concerned and how much love he has for Clark. I don't think it suggests Jonathan Kent is a bad person for thinking it. Parents will do anything for their children and this shows that strong bond between them. 
• Jonathan's death scene was very moving. The hand up stopping Clark. A little bit of mist may have entered my eyeball then. 
• Did I mention Antje Traue stealing scenes? Oh yeah. Her fight scenes were so bad ass. And the lines she delivered came out both menacing and even a bit flirty. Just perfect. Not gonna lie...I think she was the crush of the movie for me. 
• While there wasn't that classic John Williams theme we're so used to, I liked the music in it. Good stuff from Hans Zimmer. 
• Fun to see some Battlestar Galactica alums in the cast. Tahmoh Penikett ("Helo" on BSG) had a brief appearance and a few lines. And Allesandra Juiliani ("Gaeta" on BSG) had a very slightly bigger role. Surprised they used Juliani as he was also in the Smallville TV show playing "Dr. Emil Hamilton". Figured they'd want to stay away from any actors that were in previous iterations especially since another actor was playing the character of Hamilton in Man of Steel. Maybe they swapped notes. 
• No Jimmy Olsen in it. Perhaps the sequel. 
• Nice shots of other DC Universe things like a LexCorp tanker. And a WayneTech satellite. I hear there are other bits strewn in but I missed them. 
• Bit of a Matrix-y feel to Krypton with how they have their offspring. But still different enough and cool. 
• Great CGI. So great. Just moments of Superman hovering were incredible. Him learning to fly was really fun to watch as well. 
• Minor quibble I was thinking of while watching the climactic battle between Superman and Zod is all of the destruction they caused. SO MUCH. Buildings destroyed left and right. I thought, "Couldn't Supes have tried to lead him out of Metropolis?" But, heat of the battle and all that. 
• Which leads us to THE climactic scene. Now you read in the beginning how I'm SPOILING things so here it is again. SPOILERS! YOU'VE BEEN WARNED!!! Superman breaks Zod's neck. I audibly gasped (as did many around me). It is a complete break from the character as written in the comic book. But, yet...I understood it. I still wish he had found a way not to do it but at the moment there seemed to be no choice. Save humanity (or in this case just 4 or 5 people) from Zod's raging heat vision or take him out permanently. People are outraged by this and I understand why. Yet, I think it's another dimension to add to the character. So much is set up with the Jesus metaphors that this shows that he ISN'T that. He is flawed. And Cavill's reactions really sold it as you know he immediately regretted it and it will haunt him forever. Something they'll probably harp on in future movies. 
• I'm probably way off on this one. But during the scene where Superman's trying to shut down the "World Machine", these metal tentacles/arms attack him. Could this be Brainiac or an iteration there of? It would kind of make sense as Brainiac is an alien entity that has been altered a lot over the years. Still, he has a history with Krypton, Superman's home planet. 
• At the end, when Clark moves to Metropolis, he gets his job at The Daily Planet and dons the glasses. Great moment between he and Lois as he's introduced to her. It's made obvious that she was in on this and she knows he's really Superman. Which, while the glasses making him completely impossible to recognize has always been a stretch, works a bit better here because as an adult Clark Kent he was a drifter. So no one really knows him. 

Overall, I just really loved this film. Action packed with a great story. Not just a great superhero film, but a really great sci-fi adventure film! Go see it! And listen to us rave on about it in this week's Comic News Insider available tomorrow on the website and iTunes.