The full eight page preivew of Drain, including some comments from me, has been posted on the All The Rage column over at Silver Bullet Comics Books. You can check it out here: http://www.silverbulletcomicbooks.com/rage/index1.htm
Also, just to set the record straight, I know how to spell Erik Larsen and Eric Stephenson. The interview was done over the phone so I'm not taking the blame for the spelling mistakes.
Monday, October 31, 2005
Happy Halloween!
Almost forgot today's Halloween!
Unfortunately, no costumes, partying or trick-or-treating for me this year. :(
However, for your viewing pleasure, as I assume many of you haven't seen this, here's my Axl Rose costume from a few years back.
Unfortunately, no costumes, partying or trick-or-treating for me this year. :(
However, for your viewing pleasure, as I assume many of you haven't seen this, here's my Axl Rose costume from a few years back.
Catching Up
Has it really been one week of blogging silence?!?! Damn, times flies... Forgive me. It's been a busy week.
I finally finished that 11 page story that was kicking my ass. And thankfully, my editor seemed to like it. He gave me some great comments back and I revised it. He still wants to go over some of the dialogue, so we'll probably do that over beers in the next few weeks. The script is in the artist's hands now though, and as a fan of his work, I'm excited to see what he does with it.
I know some people hate the editorial process, but I actually enjoy it. Not sure if that has anything to do with me having been and editor myself, but I enjoy having a sounding board to bounce my ideas and scripts off of. Sometimes I get so close to a project that it becomes hard to look at it objectively, and I always welcome the input of outside parties. I do the same thing with my independent projects; I show them to friends and trusted colleagues for their comments and critique. The work often turns out stronger because of it as they can point out things I may have missed, like wonky transitions, bad dialogue, an overabundance of panels and/or missed opportunities. I think it also helps to show scripts to artists as well, as they can point out storytelling aspects I never would have noticed.
Some of my time this past week has been devoted to playing X-Men Legends II. Or I should say Mutsumi has been playing with me directing. She works the controller and I offer advice and guidance. Given my rather intimate knowledge of the X-Men, I can tell her who can fly, teleport, shoot beams from his eyes, or freeze things when she needs characters with those powers. I want my turn on the control soon though.
Met with a few of my Japanese editors who were in town on business this week as well. Both secret Japanese projects go well. The release date has been set for one - February 18th, 2006, the day after my birthday. Looks like there'll even be a release party in Tokyo that day and once all the details are set, I'll let you know.
I watched The Interpreter over the weekend. I thought it was pretty good. The chemistry between Nicole Kidman and Sean Penn kinda bothered me though. I didn't think it came off naturally and felt almost too forced in places. The extras were cool though. I thought the alternate ending was the better ending, and the documentary with Sydney Pollack gave me newfound respect for the man. He had some great things to say about the creative process.
More soon...
I finally finished that 11 page story that was kicking my ass. And thankfully, my editor seemed to like it. He gave me some great comments back and I revised it. He still wants to go over some of the dialogue, so we'll probably do that over beers in the next few weeks. The script is in the artist's hands now though, and as a fan of his work, I'm excited to see what he does with it.
I know some people hate the editorial process, but I actually enjoy it. Not sure if that has anything to do with me having been and editor myself, but I enjoy having a sounding board to bounce my ideas and scripts off of. Sometimes I get so close to a project that it becomes hard to look at it objectively, and I always welcome the input of outside parties. I do the same thing with my independent projects; I show them to friends and trusted colleagues for their comments and critique. The work often turns out stronger because of it as they can point out things I may have missed, like wonky transitions, bad dialogue, an overabundance of panels and/or missed opportunities. I think it also helps to show scripts to artists as well, as they can point out storytelling aspects I never would have noticed.
Some of my time this past week has been devoted to playing X-Men Legends II. Or I should say Mutsumi has been playing with me directing. She works the controller and I offer advice and guidance. Given my rather intimate knowledge of the X-Men, I can tell her who can fly, teleport, shoot beams from his eyes, or freeze things when she needs characters with those powers. I want my turn on the control soon though.
Met with a few of my Japanese editors who were in town on business this week as well. Both secret Japanese projects go well. The release date has been set for one - February 18th, 2006, the day after my birthday. Looks like there'll even be a release party in Tokyo that day and once all the details are set, I'll let you know.
I watched The Interpreter over the weekend. I thought it was pretty good. The chemistry between Nicole Kidman and Sean Penn kinda bothered me though. I didn't think it came off naturally and felt almost too forced in places. The extras were cool though. I thought the alternate ending was the better ending, and the documentary with Sydney Pollack gave me newfound respect for the man. He had some great things to say about the creative process.
More soon...
Monday, October 24, 2005
Back from Chicago
I had a blast hanging out with friends and talking comics, art and writing all weekend. It's wonderful being able to sit with like-minded people for hours and hours just discussing this medium we all work in. I'll be posting a full report soon.
For now I recommend you check out www.takeshimiyazawa.com. Takeshi has a great site and he posts a new sketch everytime he updates his blog. Enjoy!
For now I recommend you check out www.takeshimiyazawa.com. Takeshi has a great site and he posts a new sketch everytime he updates his blog. Enjoy!
Friday, October 21, 2005
This sounds disgusting...
...but tastes surprisingly good.
Butterscotch Whiskey was the drink of the evening here in Chi-Town; Canadian Club mixed with Butterscotch Schnapps.
I would have never tried it unless I was already half in the bag, but it actually goes down pretty smooth.
Ask you friendly neighborhood bartender for one this weekend!
Butterscotch Whiskey was the drink of the evening here in Chi-Town; Canadian Club mixed with Butterscotch Schnapps.
I would have never tried it unless I was already half in the bag, but it actually goes down pretty smooth.
Ask you friendly neighborhood bartender for one this weekend!
Wednesday, October 19, 2005
But if you're sick of cats...
How about some Incredible Hunks?
I picked this up as a joke at a flea market recently and thought I'd share. B.J., Poncherello, and one of the real Duke boys... now that's a cover!
And check out these high-tech 80s home entertainment systems inside!
I picked this up as a joke at a flea market recently and thought I'd share. B.J., Poncherello, and one of the real Duke boys... now that's a cover!
And check out these high-tech 80s home entertainment systems inside!
Don't Blame Me
I've been trying to finish a script for the past two days that's just been kicking my ass. I must've rewritten it three times already. It's only 11 pages, but it's the short ones that can be the biggest bitch sometimes. All my attention has been focused there so I forgot to blog. Sorry. I'm gonna just drop you a few quick pics now and hopefully I can finish this script before morning or my editor is gonna kill me. More soon...
Tuesday, October 18, 2005
New Mangaverse: Rings of Fate
My first Marvel project was officially announced today, New Mangaverse: The Rings of Fate, a five issue mini-series with Tommy Ohtsuka starting in January 2006!
You can read a brief article about it here: http://www.marvel.com/company/showarticle.htm?id=141
Marvel's full January solcitiations can be found here: http://www.newsarama.com/marvelnew/Jan06/Jan05solicits.html
You can read a brief article about it here: http://www.marvel.com/company/showarticle.htm?id=141
Marvel's full January solcitiations can be found here: http://www.newsarama.com/marvelnew/Jan06/Jan05solicits.html
Chicago Bound
I'll be heading to Chicago later this week for The Reactor convention, which is a great show that tries to blend Japanese and Western pop culture into a wonderful weekend event. You can check out their site at www.thereactor.org. It's being held at this place called "the purple hotel", and whenever they mentioned it to me I thought was a nickname for it... but it actually is The Purple Hotel! Me, Takeshi Miyazawa, Rivkah, Felipe Smith, Skottie Young, Mark Robinson and a lot lot of other cool folk will be hanging out, so for anyone in the Chicago area, please feel free to stop by. I don't have a confirmed schedule yet, but it looks like I'll be doing at least two panels:
SATURDAY: 3 PM -> Future of Manga in America
A guest round-table panel with C.B Cebulski, Takeshi Miyazawa, Melly Curphy, Rivkah and Felipe Smith discussing the future of Manga in America. Q & A with opinions and comments exchanged between guests and con-goers.
SUNDAY: 10 AM -> Comics World With Takeshi and C.B.
A colloboration panel with long-time friends and colleagues C.B. and Takeshi, discussing anything anyone would like to talk about.
Also, on Thursday night, I hear we'll be at a place called Hogs and Honeys downtown where they'll be buying me shots trying to get me to ride the mechanical bull. I held out last year, but will I be able to do it again this year?!
SATURDAY: 3 PM -> Future of Manga in America
A guest round-table panel with C.B Cebulski, Takeshi Miyazawa, Melly Curphy, Rivkah and Felipe Smith discussing the future of Manga in America. Q & A with opinions and comments exchanged between guests and con-goers.
SUNDAY: 10 AM -> Comics World With Takeshi and C.B.
A colloboration panel with long-time friends and colleagues C.B. and Takeshi, discussing anything anyone would like to talk about.
Also, on Thursday night, I hear we'll be at a place called Hogs and Honeys downtown where they'll be buying me shots trying to get me to ride the mechanical bull. I held out last year, but will I be able to do it again this year?!
Monday, October 17, 2005
TV Thoughts
I read this this morning and it kinda shocked me: "NBC giving a full-season pickup to its fantasy-mystery drama series Surface."
I was sure this show was getting the axe. I stopped watching 10 minutes in to episode 2 and never looked back. I had high hopes for it but was utterly disappointed. So while I'm at it, here's some other musing on the current TV slate...
New Shows
Invasion - I went to a panel and saw the first episode in San Diego. It was some of the worst writing and acting I'd ever seen. I do not know how this show get by. I continue to laugh at the ads.
Threshold - Gave up after two episodes.
My Name Is Earl - A new favorite. Hillbilly humor with heart.
Prison Break - I'm a loyal viewer. You have to suspend reality a bit while you watch it but it keeps you on the edge of your seat.
How I Met Your Mother - Fun stuff. Doogie rocks!
Rome - Really enjoying this. It just keeps getting better ever week.
Extras - Wasn't too into it but kept watching as Ricky Gervais cracks me up. This last ep with Sam Jackson was hilarious though. I'll keep watching.
Returning Shows
Medium - This is Mutsumi's show and Patricia Arquette should not have won the Emmy, but season two has actually been a vast improvement over season one.
Law and Order - I miss Jerry Orbach, but Dennis Farina's doing a good job. My least favorite of the three L&O series, but it's the original and still solid so it continues to be a must watch for me.
L&O: Criminal Intent - Detective Goran is one of my favorite TV characters ever, so when D'Onoforio went on break I didn't think I'd keep watching, but Chris Noth and Annabelle Sciorra are doing a great job.
L&O: SVU - Moving a bit away from the actual crimes and focusing more of the characters these last few eps, but the acting is just so damn good!
Desperate Housewives - Still enjoying the twists and turns on this one. I continue to hate Edie and Bree is better than ever.
Grey's Anatomy - Fell in love with this the first season and it just gets better IMO.
Curb Your Enthusiasm - This season's episodes have been some of the funniest yet. Larry David kills.
CSI - Haven't watched CSI since season one (except for the QT ep) but I've enjoyed what I've seen so far.
Boston Legal - I miss some of the old cast members but David E, Kelley still keeps this fun.
And then there are my MTV/VH1 addictions, Breaking Bonaduce, Laguna Beach, Sweet Sixteen and Best Week Ever. You can laugh but you know you're watching too!
I was sure this show was getting the axe. I stopped watching 10 minutes in to episode 2 and never looked back. I had high hopes for it but was utterly disappointed. So while I'm at it, here's some other musing on the current TV slate...
New Shows
Invasion - I went to a panel and saw the first episode in San Diego. It was some of the worst writing and acting I'd ever seen. I do not know how this show get by. I continue to laugh at the ads.
Threshold - Gave up after two episodes.
My Name Is Earl - A new favorite. Hillbilly humor with heart.
Prison Break - I'm a loyal viewer. You have to suspend reality a bit while you watch it but it keeps you on the edge of your seat.
How I Met Your Mother - Fun stuff. Doogie rocks!
Rome - Really enjoying this. It just keeps getting better ever week.
Extras - Wasn't too into it but kept watching as Ricky Gervais cracks me up. This last ep with Sam Jackson was hilarious though. I'll keep watching.
Returning Shows
Medium - This is Mutsumi's show and Patricia Arquette should not have won the Emmy, but season two has actually been a vast improvement over season one.
Law and Order - I miss Jerry Orbach, but Dennis Farina's doing a good job. My least favorite of the three L&O series, but it's the original and still solid so it continues to be a must watch for me.
L&O: Criminal Intent - Detective Goran is one of my favorite TV characters ever, so when D'Onoforio went on break I didn't think I'd keep watching, but Chris Noth and Annabelle Sciorra are doing a great job.
L&O: SVU - Moving a bit away from the actual crimes and focusing more of the characters these last few eps, but the acting is just so damn good!
Desperate Housewives - Still enjoying the twists and turns on this one. I continue to hate Edie and Bree is better than ever.
Grey's Anatomy - Fell in love with this the first season and it just gets better IMO.
Curb Your Enthusiasm - This season's episodes have been some of the funniest yet. Larry David kills.
CSI - Haven't watched CSI since season one (except for the QT ep) but I've enjoyed what I've seen so far.
Boston Legal - I miss some of the old cast members but David E, Kelley still keeps this fun.
And then there are my MTV/VH1 addictions, Breaking Bonaduce, Laguna Beach, Sweet Sixteen and Best Week Ever. You can laugh but you know you're watching too!
Sunday, October 16, 2005
Sunday Night Lotto
As Mutsumi says I'm neglecting Lotto on the blog again, here's a new pic of the eternal sleeper...
I Can't Believe I'm Admiting This
We watched A Lot Like Love last night... and I actually enjoyed it.
I can't stand Ashton Kutcher. And my brother has a huge thing for Amanda Peet that I just don't get. So you think I'd hate this one, right? But they actually had some decent chemistry between them! Trust me, I'm as surprised as anyone. Now I wouldn't recommend it as a 'Must See DVD', but given some of the other cheesy, romantic crap we've seen flooding theaters recently (Reese Witherspoon as a ghost?!), this was definitely a cut above the rest. I have to say, even the writing wasn't that bad.
Predictable, yes, but more witty and original than it had any right to be. ALLL becomes another of my guilty pleasures.
Now stop laughing at me!
I can't stand Ashton Kutcher. And my brother has a huge thing for Amanda Peet that I just don't get. So you think I'd hate this one, right? But they actually had some decent chemistry between them! Trust me, I'm as surprised as anyone. Now I wouldn't recommend it as a 'Must See DVD', but given some of the other cheesy, romantic crap we've seen flooding theaters recently (Reese Witherspoon as a ghost?!), this was definitely a cut above the rest. I have to say, even the writing wasn't that bad.
Predictable, yes, but more witty and original than it had any right to be. ALLL becomes another of my guilty pleasures.
Now stop laughing at me!
Under The Influence
Over on The Engine, Warren Ellis recently asked who readers felt were the five biggest influences on them as creators. I took this to mean the people who influenced me to want to BECOME a creator; the talents whose work actually set me on the path to wanting to pursue a career as a writer. So after spending too much time thinking about it, below are the five people I posted as my response to the question.
George Lucas - who set my imagination alight
Jim Morrison - who taught me the power of words
Chris Claremont - who started my comic book addiction
John Hughes - who brought "my reality" into ficiton
Haruki Murakami - who made me love reading again
George Lucas - who set my imagination alight
Jim Morrison - who taught me the power of words
Chris Claremont - who started my comic book addiction
John Hughes - who brought "my reality" into ficiton
Haruki Murakami - who made me love reading again
Wednesday, October 12, 2005
Ah, Albuquerque
I just downloaded a blast from the past, the classic New Order album Substance. Yes, a lot of these songs have become much more popular over time thanks to Adam Sandler movie soundtracks and bad punk remakes, but this is a truly amazing collection of music. Takes me back to my teens when I spent a little time in New Mexico and had the time of my life. Ah, the good old days... but for anyone who hasn't listened to this album in a while, I highly recommend you pop it into your player of choice and enjoy the electonica of old!
Tuesday, October 11, 2005
20 Years in the Making?!
I'd heard somewhere that Final Fantasy: Advent Children had finally come out here on DVD here, so I went to Amazon to check it out and hopefully order a copy. Here's what it said:
Final Fantasy VII - Advent Children (2005)
Availability: This item will be released on December 31, 2025. You may order it now and we will ship it to you when it arrives.
Will I still want to see this when I'm 54?
Final Fantasy VII - Advent Children (2005)
Availability: This item will be released on December 31, 2025. You may order it now and we will ship it to you when it arrives.
Will I still want to see this when I'm 54?
Marvel Tease Two
As traffic here seems to be way up thanks to the Newsarama article, I think it's time for a second tease of my upcoming Marvel project...
"Just When I Think I'm Out..."
An interview about my "return to comics" is now up over at Newarama...
http://www.newsarama.com/cebulski/Return/CebulskiReturn.htm
http://www.newsarama.com/cebulski/Return/CebulskiReturn.htm
Sunday, October 09, 2005
Friday, October 07, 2005
Thursday, October 06, 2005
Empty Theaters
One thing I love about working freelance and setting my own hours is that I can go to the movies whenever I want. I usually go to the first showings of the day during the week, around noon here in NYC, when most normal people are in work and all the kids are in school. The theaters are usually empty with only a handful of people at these shows. It's quiet, no one talks, no cell phones go off, no laser pointers, no screaming babies. I love the fact that I can get a row all to myself anywhere I want and sit there and take in the cinemeatic experience with no distractions. It's the only way to fly!
I saw SERENITY yesterday and I loved it. It had some very surprising moments, but I won't spoil anything. There were a few things I didn't like, but when 95% of the movie was excellent, why bitch about little, nitpicky things, right? Please go see this film, support Joss, and spend your $10 in support of this amazing but underrated sci-fi gem.
I saw SERENITY yesterday and I loved it. It had some very surprising moments, but I won't spoil anything. There were a few things I didn't like, but when 95% of the movie was excellent, why bitch about little, nitpicky things, right? Please go see this film, support Joss, and spend your $10 in support of this amazing but underrated sci-fi gem.
Wednesday, October 05, 2005
Back in Blogging Action!
It starts today. Daily updates are back! I promise. I'll try and keep this blog as interesting and informative as I can (which I guess all depends on how interesting and informative you find the crap I post here) but it may just be a dumb link or picture from time to time. But there'll be something here for you to see and read on a regular basis.
Wizard World Boston was fun. The show itself was kind of slow which was just fine with me as it meant I had more time to hang out and chat with friends and do some long overdue back issue shopping. I picked up a bunch of old Marvel Fanfare issues for a buck a piece which are just awesome. Issues 34-37, featuring a Charles Vess Warriors Three story, are just amazing. Issue 34 also has a Mignola Marvel villains pin-up section in the back that kicks ass. I'm still not having any luck finding Power pack 46 though.
The con was held at the Bayside Expo Center which is outside of Boston and where there's really not much to do. So one night, instead of going into Boston, we went over to an all-night bowling alley and bowled our asses off. The evening got off to kind of a funny start though as I ripped my jeans wide open on my first toss. Took a little convincing when I got home to make Mutsumi believe it really happened at a bowling alley.
I was also able to get a lot of thinking done on the bus rides up and back and jotted down a lot of good ideas, all of which I hope will bear fruit someday. So all in all, the weekend trip, while uneventful compared to other cons, was a friendly, low-key, creative excursion that was well worth taking.
Oh, and I got to meet Elisa Dushku, the new love of my life, but I'll be posting more about that later!
Wizard World Boston was fun. The show itself was kind of slow which was just fine with me as it meant I had more time to hang out and chat with friends and do some long overdue back issue shopping. I picked up a bunch of old Marvel Fanfare issues for a buck a piece which are just awesome. Issues 34-37, featuring a Charles Vess Warriors Three story, are just amazing. Issue 34 also has a Mignola Marvel villains pin-up section in the back that kicks ass. I'm still not having any luck finding Power pack 46 though.
The con was held at the Bayside Expo Center which is outside of Boston and where there's really not much to do. So one night, instead of going into Boston, we went over to an all-night bowling alley and bowled our asses off. The evening got off to kind of a funny start though as I ripped my jeans wide open on my first toss. Took a little convincing when I got home to make Mutsumi believe it really happened at a bowling alley.
I was also able to get a lot of thinking done on the bus rides up and back and jotted down a lot of good ideas, all of which I hope will bear fruit someday. So all in all, the weekend trip, while uneventful compared to other cons, was a friendly, low-key, creative excursion that was well worth taking.
Oh, and I got to meet Elisa Dushku, the new love of my life, but I'll be posting more about that later!
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