We celebrated New Years Eve here last night in the traditional Japanese manner with Mutsumi's family. It was a lot food and fun... until I got violently ill from possible food poisoning at around 2:30AM. Me, Mutsumi and her brother all got sick. When my leg muscles started cramping up, I was convinced we were dying from fugu poisoning! Uggh!! We're all doing OK now as the worst has passed, but are trying to figure out what caused it as Mutsumi's mom and sister-in-law didn't get sick even though we all ate the same foods.
Not sure how much of the New Years meal her mom prepared we'll be able to enjoy now though. :(
Sunday, December 31, 2006
Countdown
Well, here we are. December 31st. New Years Eve. The last day of the year.
I'm usually not one to look back and get all reflective and emotional on the past 12 months, but 2006 was a pretty damn good year for me. X-Men Fairy Tales came out to critical acclaim and beat sales expectations. Ultimate Alliance became one of the best selling and best-reviewed video games of the year. My first creator-owned comic, DRAIN with Sana Takeda, was released. I got the chance to work with good friends like David Finch, Skottie Young, Paul Azaceta, Jon Luna, Tommy Ohtsuka and Kei Kobayashi, to name a few, on projects we couldn't be happier with. And I lined up a hell of a lot of new projects for 2007, which promises to be an even better year as I look ahead to the future.
So thank you to everyone who believed in me and supported me this past year. I couldn't have done it without the help of all my friends, family, fans, editors and everyone else who was there for me! I owe you all more than you could imagine for helping me make so many of my dreams a reality!
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!
I'm usually not one to look back and get all reflective and emotional on the past 12 months, but 2006 was a pretty damn good year for me. X-Men Fairy Tales came out to critical acclaim and beat sales expectations. Ultimate Alliance became one of the best selling and best-reviewed video games of the year. My first creator-owned comic, DRAIN with Sana Takeda, was released. I got the chance to work with good friends like David Finch, Skottie Young, Paul Azaceta, Jon Luna, Tommy Ohtsuka and Kei Kobayashi, to name a few, on projects we couldn't be happier with. And I lined up a hell of a lot of new projects for 2007, which promises to be an even better year as I look ahead to the future.
So thank you to everyone who believed in me and supported me this past year. I couldn't have done it without the help of all my friends, family, fans, editors and everyone else who was there for me! I owe you all more than you could imagine for helping me make so many of my dreams a reality!
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!
Saturday, December 30, 2006
Since a number of people e-mailed over...
...asking for a picture of the cover of the Hiroaki Samura artbook, here you go...
Pop Culture Crossover
I love it when different parts of popular culture cross over, and here's the latest example... Gundam Pocky.
Basically, it's just a Gundam model packed with a box of Pocky in a custom box, which isn't all that exciting, but there's a special variant version that has a different hand that can hold a Pocky, and it comes with original stickers that combine the Gundam and Pocky brand logos. Sorry for the blurry picture but this camera blows...
I opened up this one I bought and it's the special version!
And yes, it's for you, Tom.
Basically, it's just a Gundam model packed with a box of Pocky in a custom box, which isn't all that exciting, but there's a special variant version that has a different hand that can hold a Pocky, and it comes with original stickers that combine the Gundam and Pocky brand logos. Sorry for the blurry picture but this camera blows...
I opened up this one I bought and it's the special version!
And yes, it's for you, Tom.
My Morning Ritual
As most people who know me know, I'm a creature of habit, even when I come here to Japan. I fall back into patterns and rituals I've been following for years. Every monring when I get up, it's the same thing...
I drag my ass out of bed, pop on the computer and TV, then check e-mail and the net while catching up on the Japanese news. Then I get dressed and head out for my morning walk. I hit the local train station where they sell English newspapers and pick up the Japan Times and the Daily Yomiuri, which offer differing perspectives on the news. The Japan Times tends to be a more international paper, catering to English speakers from all over the world, while I find the Yomiuri to focus more on Japan and the States. I then hit one of the local convenience stores and buy a bottle or two of iced cafe au lait before heading over to my favorite bakery, L'Ours Blanc. There, I usally buy two things, one is a pretzel-like roll with pieces of spicy sausage in it, seen on the left in the picture, and the other is a longer bun stuffed with potato salad and peppered bacon. Both are out of this world!
I've been doing this same thing for about five years now which I was reminded of yesterday when I walked into the bakery for the first time since last year and this girl shouted, "I remember you!" in English. I quickly realized she wasn't singing along with Skid Row when she started pointing at me. "You come when big building in New York fall.", she continued. And then it hit me that she was talking about the time I started frequenting the bakery, right after it opened, shortly after 9/11. Mutsumi and I came to Japan about a week after the Twin Towers fell and this girl was working there back then. I guess her and I used to speak on a daily basis when she sold me my breakfast as she even remembered I worked in comics. She explained she's been studying English for the last three years but doesn't get the chance to speak with too many foreigners, so I ended up helping her practice for about 20 minutes yesterday. Turns out she's a big movie fan and can't wait for the release of Spider-Man 3 next year.
I got a free cake out of the deal.
I drag my ass out of bed, pop on the computer and TV, then check e-mail and the net while catching up on the Japanese news. Then I get dressed and head out for my morning walk. I hit the local train station where they sell English newspapers and pick up the Japan Times and the Daily Yomiuri, which offer differing perspectives on the news. The Japan Times tends to be a more international paper, catering to English speakers from all over the world, while I find the Yomiuri to focus more on Japan and the States. I then hit one of the local convenience stores and buy a bottle or two of iced cafe au lait before heading over to my favorite bakery, L'Ours Blanc. There, I usally buy two things, one is a pretzel-like roll with pieces of spicy sausage in it, seen on the left in the picture, and the other is a longer bun stuffed with potato salad and peppered bacon. Both are out of this world!
I've been doing this same thing for about five years now which I was reminded of yesterday when I walked into the bakery for the first time since last year and this girl shouted, "I remember you!" in English. I quickly realized she wasn't singing along with Skid Row when she started pointing at me. "You come when big building in New York fall.", she continued. And then it hit me that she was talking about the time I started frequenting the bakery, right after it opened, shortly after 9/11. Mutsumi and I came to Japan about a week after the Twin Towers fell and this girl was working there back then. I guess her and I used to speak on a daily basis when she sold me my breakfast as she even remembered I worked in comics. She explained she's been studying English for the last three years but doesn't get the chance to speak with too many foreigners, so I ended up helping her practice for about 20 minutes yesterday. Turns out she's a big movie fan and can't wait for the release of Spider-Man 3 next year.
I got a free cake out of the deal.
Fishy
It's 7:30 AM and the apartment already reeks of fish. My mother-in-law got up early to get a jump on all the New Years cooking and decided to start with the "bodara" fish. Not that I don't like fish, but it's not the greatest scent to have flood your senses when you open your eyes...
Go Gaijin
Seems like my bud Takeshi Miyazawa is also having some luck breaking into the Japanese manga market!
http://www.takeshimiyazawa.com/
He notes an increasing awareness for international creators here in Japan as well.
http://www.takeshimiyazawa.com/
He notes an increasing awareness for international creators here in Japan as well.
Hardcore
Two people have already e-mailed over that they're surprised I've been here a day and haven't been to a comic shop yet. Well, so as not to disappoint anyone, I went manga shopping today. However, I was having my glasses fixed and couldn't see too well, so I ended up just popping in for a quick look around. I did buy one thing though, Hiroaki Samura's new artbook, Hito De Nashi No Koi, or The Love of the Brute, which is its given English title.
Now Hiroaki Samura is probably one of my top three favorite artists in the world. Blade of the Immortal and Ohikoshi are manga masterpieces in my book. So needless to say, I was psyched as hell to find this artbook. However, when I opened it up and started reading it, my jaw dropped. It's a collection of hardcore bondage and S&M art. And when I say "hardcore", I mean HARD. I like to think I have a pretty high tolerance for sex and violence, but the imagery in this book is pretty freaking distrubing. It's downright sick and twisted, to be honest, taking things to the point I worry about the mind that came up with this stuff. The look of shock on my face must have been pretty apparent as Mutsumi asked what I was reading and I didn't want to show her.
Usually I would be the first person to push Samura's work on anyone, but while the art in this collection is quite beautiful, the subject matter makes me hesitate recommending this to anyone. Purchase at your own risk.
Now Hiroaki Samura is probably one of my top three favorite artists in the world. Blade of the Immortal and Ohikoshi are manga masterpieces in my book. So needless to say, I was psyched as hell to find this artbook. However, when I opened it up and started reading it, my jaw dropped. It's a collection of hardcore bondage and S&M art. And when I say "hardcore", I mean HARD. I like to think I have a pretty high tolerance for sex and violence, but the imagery in this book is pretty freaking distrubing. It's downright sick and twisted, to be honest, taking things to the point I worry about the mind that came up with this stuff. The look of shock on my face must have been pretty apparent as Mutsumi asked what I was reading and I didn't want to show her.
Usually I would be the first person to push Samura's work on anyone, but while the art in this collection is quite beautiful, the subject matter makes me hesitate recommending this to anyone. Purchase at your own risk.
Back from some holiday shopping
Kobe Beef... Check out the marblization of that fat!
Fugu... Choose carefully or it may kill you!
O-Toro... Top of the line tuna!
As my mother-in-law says, I have expensive taste! :)
Fugu... Choose carefully or it may kill you!
O-Toro... Top of the line tuna!
As my mother-in-law says, I have expensive taste! :)
Friday, December 29, 2006
Pic of the Day
Found this at the local convenience store yesterday, "In Case of Emergency" water...
I guess the fact that it comes in a can wasn't a topic of discussion at the design and marketing meetings.
I guess the fact that it comes in a can wasn't a topic of discussion at the design and marketing meetings.
Since folks have been asking...
The cats are fine. I dropped Lotto and Clyde off in CT at my parents place before I took off. They're starting to like it there and can finally relax a little in the oudoors...
Willie's gotta keep his guard up though...
Willie's gotta keep his guard up though...
Back In Action!
I made it. 25 hours door-to-door. Uggh!
The flight was uneventful. I got moved to an exit row so I had leg room the whole time, which is key on a 14 hour flight. I was offered a standby upgrade which I almost took. The deal was I had to give up my economy seat on the flight I was booked on in exchange for the chance to fly first class that day. However, if the plane ended up filling up I would have to wait a day in Detroit and fly out he next day, guaranteed a seat in first class. I thought about it, but really just wanted to get Japan. Then a friend also reminded me that Detroit is a bitch of an airport to get out of to begin with and that a killer snowstorm was about to hit the Midwest, so I ended up declining.
I slept most of the flight. They showed five movies, but I had no interest in Lassie, The Lake House, Super Ex-Girlfriend or whatever other two winners they showed. Only had one meal, chicken in BBQ cream sauce, which wasn’t worth waking up for.
Immigration, baggage claim and customs in Osaka were a breeze this year. I didn't get asked one single question, they just waved me through. Took a bus from the airport to Kobe where Mutsumi met me. Reunited and it feels so good!
My mother-in-law seemed happy to see me. She always makes the same joke about me looking like I’ve lost weight, where Mutsumi then chimes in that she should stop being nice to me and my fat ass. She liked the chocolates and Zabars’s coffee I brought for her.
I was starving, so after a quick shower, we headed out to my favorite restaurant, Aidoru, which is where I’d have my last meal before I died if I had a choice. I’ve been going to this place for the last 15 years and know the mother and daughter that run it very well. They were excited to see me as it’d been about a year since my last visit. They love the fact that they can tell other customers that they’re so popular they have customers who come all the way from New York just to eat at their shop. It’s a small okonomiyaki place, which some people call Japanese pancakes, but basically it’s a big open grill where they cook up meats and noodles and all kinds of different foods. Only about 10 people can fit in the joint and you all sit around the counter and talk as you eat. I ordered my usual favorites: grilled octopus and squid legs in garlic and oil, peppered chicken wings, pork with kimchi, fried chicken gizzards, a sinew omelette, beef ribs in spicy sauce, yakisoba, grilled sliced garlic in butter, and of course, three ice cold Kirin drafts in these huge frosted mugs. Pics soon…
My brother and sister-in-law stopped by to say hello and it was nice to see them. My brother-in-law just got promoted and transferred, so he’s up in Ibaragi near Tokyo now but home for the holidays. He bought a nice, new BMW SUV which he was proud to show off. Then we went home, unpacked, checked my e-mail and crashed. It’s now 5:15AM and I can't sleep.
So that’s my first update. Could I be any more boring?
The flight was uneventful. I got moved to an exit row so I had leg room the whole time, which is key on a 14 hour flight. I was offered a standby upgrade which I almost took. The deal was I had to give up my economy seat on the flight I was booked on in exchange for the chance to fly first class that day. However, if the plane ended up filling up I would have to wait a day in Detroit and fly out he next day, guaranteed a seat in first class. I thought about it, but really just wanted to get Japan. Then a friend also reminded me that Detroit is a bitch of an airport to get out of to begin with and that a killer snowstorm was about to hit the Midwest, so I ended up declining.
I slept most of the flight. They showed five movies, but I had no interest in Lassie, The Lake House, Super Ex-Girlfriend or whatever other two winners they showed. Only had one meal, chicken in BBQ cream sauce, which wasn’t worth waking up for.
Immigration, baggage claim and customs in Osaka were a breeze this year. I didn't get asked one single question, they just waved me through. Took a bus from the airport to Kobe where Mutsumi met me. Reunited and it feels so good!
My mother-in-law seemed happy to see me. She always makes the same joke about me looking like I’ve lost weight, where Mutsumi then chimes in that she should stop being nice to me and my fat ass. She liked the chocolates and Zabars’s coffee I brought for her.
I was starving, so after a quick shower, we headed out to my favorite restaurant, Aidoru, which is where I’d have my last meal before I died if I had a choice. I’ve been going to this place for the last 15 years and know the mother and daughter that run it very well. They were excited to see me as it’d been about a year since my last visit. They love the fact that they can tell other customers that they’re so popular they have customers who come all the way from New York just to eat at their shop. It’s a small okonomiyaki place, which some people call Japanese pancakes, but basically it’s a big open grill where they cook up meats and noodles and all kinds of different foods. Only about 10 people can fit in the joint and you all sit around the counter and talk as you eat. I ordered my usual favorites: grilled octopus and squid legs in garlic and oil, peppered chicken wings, pork with kimchi, fried chicken gizzards, a sinew omelette, beef ribs in spicy sauce, yakisoba, grilled sliced garlic in butter, and of course, three ice cold Kirin drafts in these huge frosted mugs. Pics soon…
My brother and sister-in-law stopped by to say hello and it was nice to see them. My brother-in-law just got promoted and transferred, so he’s up in Ibaragi near Tokyo now but home for the holidays. He bought a nice, new BMW SUV which he was proud to show off. Then we went home, unpacked, checked my e-mail and crashed. It’s now 5:15AM and I can't sleep.
So that’s my first update. Could I be any more boring?
Thursday, December 28, 2006
Detroit Rock City
So here I am in Detroit. I'm halfway through a six hour layover on my way to Osaka. Yes, it's that time of year again... I'm making my annual pilgrimage to Japan. It sucks I can only really find the time to go once a year these days. I used to love going 4 or 5 times a year. You get used to the flights and it's always a good time over there.
This time around, I'll be visiting family over the New Years holiday for the first week, hitting a spa with Mutsumi for a few days after that, then it's off to Tokyo for business. But when you work in comics, business is really pleasure.
I'm actually really excited for the Tokyo part of the trip this time as there are some very interesting opportunities afoot. A recently approved project for a major U.S. publisher has put me in contact with some big name manga-ka and I'm going to meet with these artists whose work I've admired for years! The list would surprise even the most jaded manga fan! And maybe even more exciting is the fact that I've been asked to visit one of the biggest Japanese manga publishers to actually pitch a few series!! An extremely globally-minded editor recently reached out and is actively looking to bring more internartional creators into the manga market in Japan, similar to some of the attempts that were made in the 90s. At first I thought he might be kidding, or maybe just humoring me, but after a few initial spitballing sessions, I've been asked to come in and present my ideas to the entire editorial group at one of the main monthly mags. I'm not sure what will come of it, but even being let through the doors to meet with these folks is an honor for me.
From what I understand, the Japanese editors have been keeping more of an eye on the whole "global manga" movement happening here and in Europe these days. It seems they're not really interested in licensing titles that have already been published elsewhere for reprint in Japanese, but are up for taking a shot at it on their own by teaming foreign creators with Japanese artists for more of a "fusion manga" program. I know one other non-Japanese writer who's already had his story outline approved and is in the layout stages with his Japanese artist now. Fingers crossed that maybe I'll be one of the next ones...
I'll also be throwing my third annual Chesterfest Tokyo bash in the beginning of January, so e-mail me if you'll be in town and would like to attend.
And much like last year, I'll be doing my best to blog daily while I'm there, to give you a glimpse into my time in Japan as I go about my days. Expect goofy pictures and personal updates, as well as manga and anime news and gossip.
There's much more to come from me...
This time around, I'll be visiting family over the New Years holiday for the first week, hitting a spa with Mutsumi for a few days after that, then it's off to Tokyo for business. But when you work in comics, business is really pleasure.
I'm actually really excited for the Tokyo part of the trip this time as there are some very interesting opportunities afoot. A recently approved project for a major U.S. publisher has put me in contact with some big name manga-ka and I'm going to meet with these artists whose work I've admired for years! The list would surprise even the most jaded manga fan! And maybe even more exciting is the fact that I've been asked to visit one of the biggest Japanese manga publishers to actually pitch a few series!! An extremely globally-minded editor recently reached out and is actively looking to bring more internartional creators into the manga market in Japan, similar to some of the attempts that were made in the 90s. At first I thought he might be kidding, or maybe just humoring me, but after a few initial spitballing sessions, I've been asked to come in and present my ideas to the entire editorial group at one of the main monthly mags. I'm not sure what will come of it, but even being let through the doors to meet with these folks is an honor for me.
From what I understand, the Japanese editors have been keeping more of an eye on the whole "global manga" movement happening here and in Europe these days. It seems they're not really interested in licensing titles that have already been published elsewhere for reprint in Japanese, but are up for taking a shot at it on their own by teaming foreign creators with Japanese artists for more of a "fusion manga" program. I know one other non-Japanese writer who's already had his story outline approved and is in the layout stages with his Japanese artist now. Fingers crossed that maybe I'll be one of the next ones...
I'll also be throwing my third annual Chesterfest Tokyo bash in the beginning of January, so e-mail me if you'll be in town and would like to attend.
And much like last year, I'll be doing my best to blog daily while I'm there, to give you a glimpse into my time in Japan as I go about my days. Expect goofy pictures and personal updates, as well as manga and anime news and gossip.
There's much more to come from me...
Friday, December 08, 2006
More Marvel Fairy Tales Coming...
I wasn't expecting Marvel to announce one, much less both of these new series this early, but Editor Molly Lazer talks about two new projects she's working on with yours truly, Spider-Man Fairy Tales, launching in May 2007, and Avengers Fairy Tales, coming after that next fall. You can read all about them and check out some preview art here...
http://www.marvel.com/blogs//entry/592
This time around we'll be working to adapt a few more modern fairy tales with the Marvel twist, like Peter Pan, Alice in Wonderland, Wizard fo Oz, Cinderella, Pincocchio, and a few more. The artistic line-up is incredible, but you'll have to wait for more details on that, I'm afraid. Sorry.
However, I'd like to post a clean version of the incredible cover to the first Avengers Fairy Tales issue that Claire Wendling did here, so you can see it without all the cover guidelines pasted on it. Her work is simply breathtaking...
Interior art will be done by the equally amazing Joao Lemos. Check out his Lost Boys...
International sensation Ricardo Tercio will be providing the art for the first issue of Spider-Man Fairy Tales...
Enjoy,
C.B.
http://www.marvel.com/blogs//entry/592
This time around we'll be working to adapt a few more modern fairy tales with the Marvel twist, like Peter Pan, Alice in Wonderland, Wizard fo Oz, Cinderella, Pincocchio, and a few more. The artistic line-up is incredible, but you'll have to wait for more details on that, I'm afraid. Sorry.
However, I'd like to post a clean version of the incredible cover to the first Avengers Fairy Tales issue that Claire Wendling did here, so you can see it without all the cover guidelines pasted on it. Her work is simply breathtaking...
Interior art will be done by the equally amazing Joao Lemos. Check out his Lost Boys...
International sensation Ricardo Tercio will be providing the art for the first issue of Spider-Man Fairy Tales...
Enjoy,
C.B.
Friday, November 17, 2006
Wonderlost Preview
Hey, all-
I'll be running three weekly previews of my new autobiographical Image comic WONDERLOST on Newsarama starting today. The first one just went up at http://forum.newsarama.com/showthread.php?t=91424
Orders are starting to come in on the book, but are still open, and I would really like to boost them a bit. Pre-ordering greatly helps, so of you could reserve a copy with your local retailer today, I would greatly appreciate it. The Diamond Order Code is OCT061848
To all the retailers reading this, thank you so much for your continued support!! Anything I can do to help you sell this book, from driving in for signings to autographing books though the mail for you, please feel free to drop me a line with any suggestions or ideas you may have. You guys all rock! Thanks.
Please feel free to drop by my Image message board at http://www.imagecomics.com/messageboard/viewforum.php?f=32 to discuss anything.
Take care,
C.B.
I'll be running three weekly previews of my new autobiographical Image comic WONDERLOST on Newsarama starting today. The first one just went up at http://forum.newsarama.com/showthread.php?t=91424
Orders are starting to come in on the book, but are still open, and I would really like to boost them a bit. Pre-ordering greatly helps, so of you could reserve a copy with your local retailer today, I would greatly appreciate it. The Diamond Order Code is OCT061848
To all the retailers reading this, thank you so much for your continued support!! Anything I can do to help you sell this book, from driving in for signings to autographing books though the mail for you, please feel free to drop me a line with any suggestions or ideas you may have. You guys all rock! Thanks.
Please feel free to drop by my Image message board at http://www.imagecomics.com/messageboard/viewforum.php?f=32 to discuss anything.
Take care,
C.B.
Thursday, November 09, 2006
Going Down to Texas
I just wanted to let you know I'll be at Wizard World Texas this weekend, November 10-12th. I'll be a guest speaker on Activision's Marvel: Ulitmate Alliance panel on Saturday from 11-12PM in the Christopher Reeve Theatre. After that, you'll be able to find me on the show floor, most likely in Artist Alley.
I hope to you some of you there!
I hope to you some of you there!
Tuesday, October 10, 2006
The Daily Grind
Needless to say, the transition from working freelance to going back to Marvel has taken some getting used to. Certain life adjustments have to be made. There are good changes, like the fact that I get to see all my friends on a daily basis again; and bad changes, like having to get up early, which does indeed suck. I'm working across three departments up there now and it has been rather time-consuming trying to get up to speed, to say the least. Tack on to that all the freelance writing I still have to do in the evenings and I don't find myself with much free time these days. But once I get in the groove, things will calm down and I'm have a life again. Hopefully...
I've got plenty of pics and some funny stories to share, but that's all going to have to wait until I knock out this next LONERS script, which should be on my editor's desk tomorrow. I mean, it WILL be on your desk, sir!
In the meantime, I recently opened up an e-mail from my buddy Joe Spicer who surprised me with a cute little Chibi C.B. that he drew up. So instead of cat pictures today to hold you over, you get mini me!
I've got plenty of pics and some funny stories to share, but that's all going to have to wait until I knock out this next LONERS script, which should be on my editor's desk tomorrow. I mean, it WILL be on your desk, sir!
In the meantime, I recently opened up an e-mail from my buddy Joe Spicer who surprised me with a cute little Chibi C.B. that he drew up. So instead of cat pictures today to hold you over, you get mini me!
Tuesday, October 03, 2006
Monday, October 02, 2006
September 29th
We headed up north to Millbrook, NY in the Hudson Valley for a wedding this past weekend. Fresh air, changing leaves and starry nights... I snapped this one evening as we were headed out for dinner.
September 27th
The corner of 82nd and Broadway...
You could do a whole book about water towers and rooftop gardens in New York!
Monday, September 25, 2006
And peace lights up the night... (Sept. 25th)
I have a script here that's still kicking my ass, so I spent all day indoors slaing over it nd ended up not going out until late. Just wanted to take a walk to clear my head and get my thoughts on this script in order. So I'm walking along and at one point I look uup at this dark building and there's a peace sign lit up on the side of it...
It's a shitty picture, I know, but you can kind of make out the windows there at the bottom, and then just hanging there in the dark is the peace sign strung up from Christmas lights. It didn't serve as any kind of inspiration unfortunately, but it looked cool...
It's a shitty picture, I know, but you can kind of make out the windows there at the bottom, and then just hanging there in the dark is the peace sign strung up from Christmas lights. It didn't serve as any kind of inspiration unfortunately, but it looked cool...
Sunday, September 24, 2006
Chester Senior Shoots Willie
My dad's been doing a little photogrpahy of his own recently and took this picture of Willie one evening as he climbed across the new arbor they built for my brother's wedding. It's pretty impressive, if you ask me...
September 24th
We were going to try and get out to Ralph Macchio's house this weekend for an end-of-summer pool party, but it rained for most of it and that plan fell apart. I spent most of Saturday and Sunday indoors anyway so the shitty weather didn't bother me much, but it finally cleared this afternoon so I was able to get out and do some shopping and practice my photography skills. I walked around looking for cool fire escapes to take pictures of as you can usually find people leaving random things on theirs, but there wasn't much to see this time around in my area. But here's one that gives you a choice should your building be burning; climb down the ladders floor by floor, or swing down on the vines...
September 23rd
I took a break Saturday to head out to see Jackass Number Two and thought it was one of the funniest movies I have ever seen. Maybe I'm juvenile and immature but I laughed so hard I was crying through a lot of the movie. Johnny Knoxville, Bam, Steve-O, Wee Man... these guys are comedic geniuses! They're out of their fucking minds and beat their bodies to shit, but it's absolutely brilliant!
Anyway, after I got out of the movie, my budddy Nick left me a message that he, Shannon and Andy were down at the Old Town Tavern so I went down to join them for dinner. I'd never been before and they recommended I try the burger and/or the chili... so I did. I ordered the chili burger and it was freakin' AMAZING!!! One of the best meals I've had in the city in a long time. The chili was homemade and nice and spicy with the perfect mix of meat and beans, and the burger was fantastic! I would highly recommend you head down for the food as well as the ambiance as the bar itself is a quiet and quaint place to hang out with friends. It's on 18th between Park and Broadway, right behind the Union Square Barnes and Noble.
September 22nd
This was also taken at Otto's but was shot after midnight when Smutzie's band was rocking out, so it was technically the next day...
September 21st
My sister Erika came into the city Thursday and dragged me downtown to see our friend Smutz's band play at Otto's Shrunken Head Tiki Bar. It's an extremely cool bar and I would highly recommend making a pit stop down there if you're ever looking for a cool watering hole. It's on 14th between Avenues A and B. And be sure to get one of their funky drinks in the tiki head glasses!
Just because...
...I don't post the pictures daily doesn't mean I'm not taking them. :)
I've been under some deadline pressure these past few days and have to finish my next Loners script. (It's coming, Molly and Tom!) I have managed to get out a bit each day so I don't go stir crazy and snapped a bunch of pics so I'll post them now.
Sorry for the delay.
I've been under some deadline pressure these past few days and have to finish my next Loners script. (It's coming, Molly and Tom!) I have managed to get out a bit each day so I don't go stir crazy and snapped a bunch of pics so I'll post them now.
Sorry for the delay.
Wednesday, September 20, 2006
September 20th
This is from the window of Staples on Broadway...
Aren't they supposed to be selling office supplies? And isn't Halloween six weeks away?!
Tuesday, September 19, 2006
September 19th
It was cloudy and overcast today and I went out after a small rain shower passed through the area. I wandered over to the park behind the Museum of Natural History as I really dig the museum and its surrounding area. A lot of nannies take their kids there to play and there are also usually plenty of people walking their dogs, but it was pretty quiet today given the weather. However I was able to find this drawn on the sidewalk in chalk amidst games of hopscotch and tic-tac-toe...
Starbucks Follow-Up
At least I can take solace in the fact that I never use the words Venti, Frappe or anything ending in -cino...
Sorkin Does It Again
I was rooting for Tina Fey.
When I first saw NBC was launching two new shows about the behind-the-scenes antics at sketch comedy shows modeled after Saturday Night Live, I was convinced only one could survive. Since 30 Rock stars Tina Fey, who I love, and Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip features Matthew Perry, who I am not a fan, I made up my mind that I'd be pulling for 30 Rock. However, one thing, or more specifically one person, had me second guesssing myself, and that was Aaron Sorkin, who was writing and running Studio 60. And I adore Aaron Sorkin. I've not been a fan of everything he's done, the West Wing was never for me, but Sports Night is still one of my favorite shows. When Sorkin is on, greatness ensues. I deceided I'd give him one episode to convince me I should be watching Studio 60.
I watched Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip last night. And Sorkin was on. Big time!!
That was one of the best shows I have seen on television in a long time! It really just blew me away. The writing was incredible. The dialogue was spot on. It made me want to cry. Aaron Sorkin is still a genius. It's much more serious than I expected though. The ads seemed to make it out to be a comedy, which it's not. It's a great character driven show, with emotion, heart and drama that I did not expect.
Maybe there is room for both these shows. Aaron just set the bar pretty high, Tina Fey. Now show us what you got!
When I first saw NBC was launching two new shows about the behind-the-scenes antics at sketch comedy shows modeled after Saturday Night Live, I was convinced only one could survive. Since 30 Rock stars Tina Fey, who I love, and Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip features Matthew Perry, who I am not a fan, I made up my mind that I'd be pulling for 30 Rock. However, one thing, or more specifically one person, had me second guesssing myself, and that was Aaron Sorkin, who was writing and running Studio 60. And I adore Aaron Sorkin. I've not been a fan of everything he's done, the West Wing was never for me, but Sports Night is still one of my favorite shows. When Sorkin is on, greatness ensues. I deceided I'd give him one episode to convince me I should be watching Studio 60.
I watched Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip last night. And Sorkin was on. Big time!!
That was one of the best shows I have seen on television in a long time! It really just blew me away. The writing was incredible. The dialogue was spot on. It made me want to cry. Aaron Sorkin is still a genius. It's much more serious than I expected though. The ads seemed to make it out to be a comedy, which it's not. It's a great character driven show, with emotion, heart and drama that I did not expect.
Maybe there is room for both these shows. Aaron just set the bar pretty high, Tina Fey. Now show us what you got!
Monday, September 18, 2006
365 Days of Photos?
I'll just come out and say it... living in New York City makes you lazy! I'll be the first to admit it. You never have to leave your apartment. You can make a phone call and have anything and everything delivered to your door. Food, pizzas, groceries, books, DVDs, whatever... It's so bad that I can calll my buddy Mike at the local bodega at 3AM and have him deliver me a Snickers bar if I feel like it. Not that I ever have, but I could. I'm just sayin'...
And my current freelancer lifestyle, where I don't have to go to an office or even step foot outside my living room to go to work, doesn't help matters much. There've been times where I haven't gone outside at all. I think my longest stretch was five days. There was no need to leave, especially when Mutsumi will do the laundry and throw out the garbage. It's great when it's rainy or snowing or you're sick, but I've gotten too used to it. And I'll be the first to admit that's not a healthy lifestyle to lead, both physically and/or mentally, so I'm making a move to change that.
Mutsumi just bought a beautiful new camera. Her new pride and joy! If I knew anything about cameras, I could tell you all about it, but all I know is that it's the kind of camera that I see professionals use on TV photographing models and wild animals and weddings. But that means I inherited her old point-and-click Sony Cybershot. And all I know now is that I want to take pictures!
So what I've decided to do, in order to get my ass in gear and out of the house, is to go out into the city to take pictures. Every day, I'm going to explore a bit and take pictures of New York. And in order to stay motivated and keep me on the straight and narrow with this, I'll be posting one of these pictures here daily. A buddy of mine who recently started a blog wrote to tell me how much he likes it because giving something a public forum, where people expect updates, keeps you working at it. It's totally true and that's what I hope to do here.
A quick warning though... I usually suck at taking pictures and have no experience at it whatsoever. I have no idea what I'll find on the streets everyday to take shots of, but I'm gonna try it out and see how it goes. I'm sure somedays will be more interesting than others, but I'm just looking forward to the experiment. So here we go...
This struck as me as a good first post as it seems very New York to me for several reasons. I walked out of my building and it was sunny and 80 with not a cloud in the sky. I turned the corner only to find the sidewalk covered in scaffolding and it sounded like it had started pouring rain all of a sudden. Turns out they were power-washing the building above and all the dirty water was running down off the building, over the scaffolding and onto the street, as you can see here. The fact that it was falling over a BODIES exhibit poster which was on display next to a dumpster struck me as funny. The other New York elements in the shot, like the phone booth, the fire hydrant, the mailbox, the ladder and the one-way street sign all really add to the big city feel, if you ask me. And yes, we even have yellow school buses here as you can see!
And my current freelancer lifestyle, where I don't have to go to an office or even step foot outside my living room to go to work, doesn't help matters much. There've been times where I haven't gone outside at all. I think my longest stretch was five days. There was no need to leave, especially when Mutsumi will do the laundry and throw out the garbage. It's great when it's rainy or snowing or you're sick, but I've gotten too used to it. And I'll be the first to admit that's not a healthy lifestyle to lead, both physically and/or mentally, so I'm making a move to change that.
Mutsumi just bought a beautiful new camera. Her new pride and joy! If I knew anything about cameras, I could tell you all about it, but all I know is that it's the kind of camera that I see professionals use on TV photographing models and wild animals and weddings. But that means I inherited her old point-and-click Sony Cybershot. And all I know now is that I want to take pictures!
So what I've decided to do, in order to get my ass in gear and out of the house, is to go out into the city to take pictures. Every day, I'm going to explore a bit and take pictures of New York. And in order to stay motivated and keep me on the straight and narrow with this, I'll be posting one of these pictures here daily. A buddy of mine who recently started a blog wrote to tell me how much he likes it because giving something a public forum, where people expect updates, keeps you working at it. It's totally true and that's what I hope to do here.
A quick warning though... I usually suck at taking pictures and have no experience at it whatsoever. I have no idea what I'll find on the streets everyday to take shots of, but I'm gonna try it out and see how it goes. I'm sure somedays will be more interesting than others, but I'm just looking forward to the experiment. So here we go...
This struck as me as a good first post as it seems very New York to me for several reasons. I walked out of my building and it was sunny and 80 with not a cloud in the sky. I turned the corner only to find the sidewalk covered in scaffolding and it sounded like it had started pouring rain all of a sudden. Turns out they were power-washing the building above and all the dirty water was running down off the building, over the scaffolding and onto the street, as you can see here. The fact that it was falling over a BODIES exhibit poster which was on display next to a dumpster struck me as funny. The other New York elements in the shot, like the phone booth, the fire hydrant, the mailbox, the ladder and the one-way street sign all really add to the big city feel, if you ask me. And yes, we even have yellow school buses here as you can see!
Sometimes...
...these blogs have to be used to make random, pointless observations. So with that in mind, today I wanted to comment on how tacky I think it is to have professional football teams playing a big televised game in a multi-million dollar, state-of-the-art arean on a football field that doubles as a baseball field! What the..?! It just looks so damn cheap when you can see the baseball diamond cutting through the 50 yard line! I expected it in high school, sure, but when I was watching the Dolphins game and the line of scrmimmage was on clearly on second base, I lost all respect for the NFL. That's no place to hike a ball from! Culpepper's the quarterback, not an infielder! What about what the dirt could do to his grip on teh ball? And what about being tackled or hit on that dirt instead of astro-turf? The players don't complain about this? For all the money these teams have, they can't shell out to get that covered up every other Sunday and at least make football look like the professional sport it bills itself as?
Yuppified?
I'm starting to get pissed at myself. After all the rants and raves I've had about Starbucks and their taking over of every street corner here in NYC, I find myself going into their shops more and more. And it's all for that damn iced green tea lemonade. "Yes, sweetened, please." I'm addicted to the drink, which I can accept, but I used to go in to order it and give drty looks to the people ordering their $5 coffees and sneer at the people working on their laptops. It's an over-priced coffee house, not an office fer chrissakes! But now I find myself becoming more accepting of it all. I'm even looking at their cookies and cakes; browsing the tracks on their CDs while I wait! What's wrong with me?! Am I becoming yuppified? Am I bowing to corporate culture? All my friends like Starbucks... am I giving into peer pressure? Part of the reason might lie in the fact I watched that 60 Minutes report where the CEO talked about his belief in giving great health benefits given to even part-time employees, which I thought was pretty cool. But that would just make me yet another converted pawn in their global multi-media plan to brainwash the masses with positive spin through mind-bending marketing and promotional campaigns!! Arrrggghhhh!!!!
Friday, September 15, 2006
Dissecting Last Night's Dream
So here's what I can determine about the dream I had last night...
I was with Tyra Banks (who I saw on TV before I went to bed)
who was fully clothed (Damn!)
riding in a black Navigator (Blink 182 guys showed up in one at Hanley's)
shopping for my friend MacKenzie. (who I spoke with yesterday about her upcoming wedding)
I believe Patton Oswalt was also in the car (read his interview with Bendis recently)
and we stopped at this trendy pancake place. (no idea as I don't really like pancakes)
We ordered a blueberry pancake a cherry pancake and a nut muffin (muffin was probably for me)
and the bill came to $15.52. (No idea what that number means)
I commented that was a little pricey for breakfast food (I thought the same thing about dinner I had last night)
but paid with a crisp twenty dollar bill. (I got a bunch of those from the ATM yesterday)
I always find it interesting trying to make these connections between the waking and dreaming worlds.
I was with Tyra Banks (who I saw on TV before I went to bed)
who was fully clothed (Damn!)
riding in a black Navigator (Blink 182 guys showed up in one at Hanley's)
shopping for my friend MacKenzie. (who I spoke with yesterday about her upcoming wedding)
I believe Patton Oswalt was also in the car (read his interview with Bendis recently)
and we stopped at this trendy pancake place. (no idea as I don't really like pancakes)
We ordered a blueberry pancake a cherry pancake and a nut muffin (muffin was probably for me)
and the bill came to $15.52. (No idea what that number means)
I commented that was a little pricey for breakfast food (I thought the same thing about dinner I had last night)
but paid with a crisp twenty dollar bill. (I got a bunch of those from the ATM yesterday)
I always find it interesting trying to make these connections between the waking and dreaming worlds.
Thursday, September 14, 2006
Silent City
Sometimes you read a line of dialogue that just hits home. Every sentence can mean something different to different people. In the new DMZ, Brian Wood wrote, "There's something completely terrifying about a silent city. It's hard to explain." But I completely understood what he meant.
Without getting into too much detail, I was in living in Kobe, Japan in 1995 when the Great Hanshin Earthquake struck. It's the first and only time I can ever remember hearing myself scream in terror as I was thrown from my bed and the contents of my room came crashing down on top of me. I thought the whole building was collapsing with me still inside. When the rumbling stopped, still panic stricken, I knew only one thing; I had to get out. I had to make my way to ground level. I scrambled around in the mess that was once my apartment and made it to the door. I opened it up, stepped out and was greeted with nothing but silence. I clearly remember that there was no noise whatsoever as I emerged. All the familar sounds of the city were gone. No horns honking. No trains rumbling. No dogs barking. No babies crying. No sirens. No screams. Nothing. It was as if the city had been shaken silent. Dead silent. For a split second, as I stood there in this soundless scene, I thought I might be the only person left alive. It was one of the most terrifying feelings I've ever had in my life.
As I read that line in DMZ last night, it sent a chill up my spine as I knew exactly what he was talking about.
Without getting into too much detail, I was in living in Kobe, Japan in 1995 when the Great Hanshin Earthquake struck. It's the first and only time I can ever remember hearing myself scream in terror as I was thrown from my bed and the contents of my room came crashing down on top of me. I thought the whole building was collapsing with me still inside. When the rumbling stopped, still panic stricken, I knew only one thing; I had to get out. I had to make my way to ground level. I scrambled around in the mess that was once my apartment and made it to the door. I opened it up, stepped out and was greeted with nothing but silence. I clearly remember that there was no noise whatsoever as I emerged. All the familar sounds of the city were gone. No horns honking. No trains rumbling. No dogs barking. No babies crying. No sirens. No screams. Nothing. It was as if the city had been shaken silent. Dead silent. For a split second, as I stood there in this soundless scene, I thought I might be the only person left alive. It was one of the most terrifying feelings I've ever had in my life.
As I read that line in DMZ last night, it sent a chill up my spine as I knew exactly what he was talking about.
Just because...
...I'm back to personal postings, it doesn't mean I can't mix in a little business. :)
I recently did an interview with Adam Volk at Silver Bullet Comic Books that's now up online:
http://www.silverbulletcomicbooks.com/features/115815780996572.htm
And there's another DRAIN article with new art up at Newsarama:
http://forum.newsarama.com/showthread.php?t=83864
I recently did an interview with Adam Volk at Silver Bullet Comic Books that's now up online:
http://www.silverbulletcomicbooks.com/features/115815780996572.htm
And there's another DRAIN article with new art up at Newsarama:
http://forum.newsarama.com/showthread.php?t=83864
Wednesday, September 13, 2006
When I was 11...
It's been a while since I posted anything personal on this blog. A lot of you have been giving me shit about it, which I rightfully deserve, but my summer was filled with travel and cons and work and all kinds of other time-consuming activities, a.k.a. excuses. I've devoted most of the space here over these past few months to posting pics and links that relate mostly to my job. But it's time to get back to the heart of the matter. I'm going to try and return to the more story-like nature of my pre-summer posts and let you back into my world... if you really care, that is.
I've made no secret of the fact that I'm a very active dreamer. Rarely a night goes by that I don't dream something that I remember. I sleep with a pad and pen by my bed in order to write down all the crazy stuff my mind manufactures as I sleep. Some nights are more vivid than other, and last night was a doozy. I dreamt of the first girl I thought I'd fallen in love with.... when I was 11.
I don't think I've thought of this girl, BY, once over the past 18 years. Some first love, eh? But last night, there she was, looking like she did the last time I saw her in high school, and it was so fucking real! The dream started out as some surreal reenactment of my brother's bachelor party from a few months ago. We were all on a school bus partying it up, but we got lost and ended up at this enormous mansion by some seaside. We went inside and there was BY, welcoming me in with open arms. Everyone else had disappeared, like they often do in dreams. She and I sat down and caught up, telling each other about all we'd gone through in life since we'd last seen each other. (Even though I now can't remember when was the last time we met.) We kissed, stated our regrets for not being together, professed our eternal love for each other, kissed again... and I woke up. But I didn't need my pad and pen for this one. This dream stayed with me.
I spent today thinking about what sparked this memory of BY, and why it was so clear and so real. It could be the fact that I'm working on Wonderlost, but she's not in any of the stories and I haven't really thought about her since we weren't close in high school. It could be that I've been looking through a lot of old yearbooks for photo reference for artists and maybe unconsciously glanced over old pictures of her. It could be that I recently got an updated Class of 89 high school contact list and looked it over with an eye for which girls were married and which weren't. I just rechecked and she's on it and now married. Whatever the case may be, it was kinda nice to see BY again. It got me thinking about the past...
In fifth grade, I was the fastest kid in the entire class. (And stayed the fastest all through high school actually.) BY just happened to be the fastest girl in the grade and I remember that that was the first time I noticed her. We could run fast together, my young mind thought. Over the course of time, I developed a crush on her that I kept to myself. I thought the fact that you could write CB + BY and it would read the same vertically and horizontally was pretty cool. But we were in different classes, ran in different cliques even back then, and our paths never really crossed, although we did ride the same bus. Early kisses and fumblings came and went with other girls I had easier access to. But BY was always there to catch my eye.
We left elementary school and moved onto junior high. We were growing up and all that... but it wasn't until 7th grade that I got my nerve up. One day our eyes met in the hallway (and I still remember the exact place) and BY smiled at me! I was thrilled! Oh, my god, she noticed me! Was I supposed to say something? I thought I should, so I turned around and there she was... but she was not looking back. She was walking away giggling with her friend DT. But that was enough for me. Her smile was a call to action. I knew what I had to do. I was going to ask her out! It's what all the cool kids were doing after all.
So I waited a few days, deciding on a plan, figuring out what to say, making sure I looked OK, picking out the right clothes... and then I did it. One day after lunch I simply walked up to BY and asked her out. She looked at me (I guess for what seemed like an eternity, as the cliche goes), smiled and said yes! Just like that, I had a girlfriend. My first steady girlfriend! BY and I were dating! But I quickly realized I had no clue what to do next, so I just said something like "Cool. Thanks. I'll see you later then." and walked away. She smiled and nodded and waved.
That was the first and last time I saw BY as my girlfriend though. At the end of the day, as I waited for her to ride the bus home together, her friend DT came up to me and told me BY felt she rushed into things and was breaking up with me. And right there and then, I learned a lot about life and love and what my future held in dealing with women.
I walked home and cried and suffered through my first heart break. My memories of the days following this first fumbled attempt at dating are fuzzy now, but I'm sure I sulked, hid and avoided BY as best I could. Another precursor to my future of dealing with women.
We finished junior high and spent four years in high school together, but BY and I never really talked or hung out as we got older. We were never the best of friends. Never really friends even. Sure, we had mutual acquaintances and saw each other in different classes and at parties and things, but I don't think we ever really spoke much. I think she may have yelled at me once or twice because I was drunk or a dick to her friend or both, but that's about it. Which is why the dream last night is all the more baffling. Where the hell did that clarity of nocturnal vision come from?!
This morning I pulled out our high school yearbook and looked her up. There was BY smiling out at me.
My 11 year old self smiled back.
I've made no secret of the fact that I'm a very active dreamer. Rarely a night goes by that I don't dream something that I remember. I sleep with a pad and pen by my bed in order to write down all the crazy stuff my mind manufactures as I sleep. Some nights are more vivid than other, and last night was a doozy. I dreamt of the first girl I thought I'd fallen in love with.... when I was 11.
I don't think I've thought of this girl, BY, once over the past 18 years. Some first love, eh? But last night, there she was, looking like she did the last time I saw her in high school, and it was so fucking real! The dream started out as some surreal reenactment of my brother's bachelor party from a few months ago. We were all on a school bus partying it up, but we got lost and ended up at this enormous mansion by some seaside. We went inside and there was BY, welcoming me in with open arms. Everyone else had disappeared, like they often do in dreams. She and I sat down and caught up, telling each other about all we'd gone through in life since we'd last seen each other. (Even though I now can't remember when was the last time we met.) We kissed, stated our regrets for not being together, professed our eternal love for each other, kissed again... and I woke up. But I didn't need my pad and pen for this one. This dream stayed with me.
I spent today thinking about what sparked this memory of BY, and why it was so clear and so real. It could be the fact that I'm working on Wonderlost, but she's not in any of the stories and I haven't really thought about her since we weren't close in high school. It could be that I've been looking through a lot of old yearbooks for photo reference for artists and maybe unconsciously glanced over old pictures of her. It could be that I recently got an updated Class of 89 high school contact list and looked it over with an eye for which girls were married and which weren't. I just rechecked and she's on it and now married. Whatever the case may be, it was kinda nice to see BY again. It got me thinking about the past...
In fifth grade, I was the fastest kid in the entire class. (And stayed the fastest all through high school actually.) BY just happened to be the fastest girl in the grade and I remember that that was the first time I noticed her. We could run fast together, my young mind thought. Over the course of time, I developed a crush on her that I kept to myself. I thought the fact that you could write CB + BY and it would read the same vertically and horizontally was pretty cool. But we were in different classes, ran in different cliques even back then, and our paths never really crossed, although we did ride the same bus. Early kisses and fumblings came and went with other girls I had easier access to. But BY was always there to catch my eye.
We left elementary school and moved onto junior high. We were growing up and all that... but it wasn't until 7th grade that I got my nerve up. One day our eyes met in the hallway (and I still remember the exact place) and BY smiled at me! I was thrilled! Oh, my god, she noticed me! Was I supposed to say something? I thought I should, so I turned around and there she was... but she was not looking back. She was walking away giggling with her friend DT. But that was enough for me. Her smile was a call to action. I knew what I had to do. I was going to ask her out! It's what all the cool kids were doing after all.
So I waited a few days, deciding on a plan, figuring out what to say, making sure I looked OK, picking out the right clothes... and then I did it. One day after lunch I simply walked up to BY and asked her out. She looked at me (I guess for what seemed like an eternity, as the cliche goes), smiled and said yes! Just like that, I had a girlfriend. My first steady girlfriend! BY and I were dating! But I quickly realized I had no clue what to do next, so I just said something like "Cool. Thanks. I'll see you later then." and walked away. She smiled and nodded and waved.
That was the first and last time I saw BY as my girlfriend though. At the end of the day, as I waited for her to ride the bus home together, her friend DT came up to me and told me BY felt she rushed into things and was breaking up with me. And right there and then, I learned a lot about life and love and what my future held in dealing with women.
I walked home and cried and suffered through my first heart break. My memories of the days following this first fumbled attempt at dating are fuzzy now, but I'm sure I sulked, hid and avoided BY as best I could. Another precursor to my future of dealing with women.
We finished junior high and spent four years in high school together, but BY and I never really talked or hung out as we got older. We were never the best of friends. Never really friends even. Sure, we had mutual acquaintances and saw each other in different classes and at parties and things, but I don't think we ever really spoke much. I think she may have yelled at me once or twice because I was drunk or a dick to her friend or both, but that's about it. Which is why the dream last night is all the more baffling. Where the hell did that clarity of nocturnal vision come from?!
This morning I pulled out our high school yearbook and looked her up. There was BY smiling out at me.
My 11 year old self smiled back.
Tuesday, September 12, 2006
More Shameless Self-Promotion
An interview I did about the upcoming Marvel: Ultimate Alliance video game just hit the net...
http://www.marvel.com/news/vgstories.619
Take care,
C.B.
http://www.marvel.com/news/vgstories.619
Take care,
C.B.
Monday, September 11, 2006
CBC to Write Loners for Marvel
So I guess I've just become the industry's newest three initialed writer...
As announced in Baltimore at the Diamond Retailer Summit this evening, I will indeed be writing the new series Loners for Marvel, which was originally the Excelsior team concept you saw featured in Runaways.
I did comics press tour in support of the announcement, so you can read all about it...
http://www.comicbookresources.com/news/newsitem.cgi?id=8337
http://forum.newsarama.com/showthread.php?t=83668
And with art...
http://www.wizarduniverse.com/magazine/wizard/001594288.cfm
I'm really loving writing the book and I hope you'll all dig reading it!
As announced in Baltimore at the Diamond Retailer Summit this evening, I will indeed be writing the new series Loners for Marvel, which was originally the Excelsior team concept you saw featured in Runaways.
I did comics press tour in support of the announcement, so you can read all about it...
http://www.comicbookresources.com/news/newsitem.cgi?id=8337
http://forum.newsarama.com/showthread.php?t=83668
And with art...
http://www.wizarduniverse.com/magazine/wizard/001594288.cfm
I'm really loving writing the book and I hope you'll all dig reading it!
Tuesday, September 05, 2006
New Mangaverse Digest on Sale 9/7!!!
The New Mangaverse digest, collecting all five issues of the Marvel mini-series written by me with art by the incomparable Tommy Ohtsuka, goes on sale this Thursday, Septmber 7th, in comic shops and book stores nationwide! Please be sure to check it out and let me know what you think! We appreciate your support!!
Visit http://csls.diamondcomics.com/ to find the shop nearest you.
Visit http://csls.diamondcomics.com/ to find the shop nearest you.
Spider-Clan Page One
The amazing Skottie Young has a new blog up and has posted the first page from our upcoming Spider-Clan collaboration. The 38 page story will be appearing in the new issue of Spider-Family this Novemberm so pre-order it today! Here's a sneak peek at the page...
And be sure to check out Skottie's blog for more info and kick ass artwork at http://skottieyoung.blogspot.com.
And be sure to check out Skottie's blog for more info and kick ass artwork at http://skottieyoung.blogspot.com.
Signing at Jim Hanley's Universe NYC
Just wanted to give a head's up to all Tri-State area folk... Tom DeFalco, Mike Oeming, Bryan Glass and I will be doing a signing for the ACTOR Presents Anthology next Wednesday, September 13th at Jim Hanley's Universe in New York City from 4-6PM. We'll have copies of the anthology on hand, as well as all our other books, and look forward to seeing you there. Come on down and support a wonderful cause and a great comic shop!
You can check out their site at http://www.jhuniverse.com for more details and directions. I hope to see you there!
You can check out their site at http://www.jhuniverse.com for more details and directions. I hope to see you there!
Monday, September 04, 2006
Preview of S.A.S.E. with Rob Guillory
For those who haven't seen it, Newarama has posted a six-page preview of my story S.A.S.E. with Rob Guillory from the upcoming ACTOR Presents anthology. You can check it out at:
http://forum.newsarama.com/showthread.php?t=82611
The anthology debuts this coming weekend at the Baltimore Comic Con and goes on sale nationally the following Wednesday, September 13th.
Take care,
C.B.
http://forum.newsarama.com/showthread.php?t=82611
The anthology debuts this coming weekend at the Baltimore Comic Con and goes on sale nationally the following Wednesday, September 13th.
Take care,
C.B.
Tuesday, August 29, 2006
X-Men Fairy Tales 4 - On Sale August 30th
X-Men Fairy Tales #4, the last issue of my mini-series, goes on sale tomorrow, August 30th. Starring Gambit and Rogue in a Southern ghost story, it's beautifully illustrated by the amazing Kei Kobayashi, lushly colored by Guru eFX, and features a breathtaking Claire Wendling cover! I hope those of you that pick it up really do enjoy it and I look forward to discussing it with you here.
Thanks for your suport!
Take care,
C.B.
Thanks for your suport!
Take care,
C.B.
Monday, August 21, 2006
White Men Can't Dance
Even at the risk of much personal embarrassment, I promised a friend I would post the following picture taken at my brother's wedding this past weekend. So here's photographic proof that I should never ever be allowed on a dance floor. This was snapped as I was doing my impression of Beyonce from her "Crazy" video. Uh-Oh, Uh-Oh, Uh-Oh-Oh-Oh-Oh! Luckily for you all, shots of my ass-shaking, manboob-grabbing rendition of Britney Spears' "Toxic" have yet to surface...
Monday, August 14, 2006
CBC Sneak Peeks
For those of you who haven't been checking out my new message boards, you may want to cruise over there as I've been posting a few sneaks peeks to some other projects I'm in the early stages of developing these days.
http://www.imagecomics.com/messageboard/viewforum.php?f=32
Enjoy!
http://www.imagecomics.com/messageboard/viewforum.php?f=32
Enjoy!
Monday, August 07, 2006
News Out of Wizard World Chicago
As announced at Wizard World Chicago last week, I'll have the honor of teaming up with Skottie Young on a new Spider-Man: Legend of the Spider-Clan special, Elemental Evil. Spider-Clan will be the lead story in the new Spider-Man Family Special this November.
More details to come, but here's a taste of the cover...
More details to come, but here's a taste of the cover...
Tuesday, August 01, 2006
Talk About a Writers Workshop!
Tonight I had the pleasure of being part of something special as I got to see three of the most popular authors in the world gather together under one roof to talk about their work. Stephen King, J.K Rowling and John Iriving joined forces and spoke at Radio City Music Hall in a charity event called And Evening With Harry, Carrie and Garp. And boy, was it amazing! To be in the presence of such greatness...
Whoopi Goldberg was the guest MC and welcomed everyone while lightening the mood with some ad-libbed jokes and quick wit. Each of the three authors were then introduced by a celebrity fan and read a passage from one of their books.
Kathy Bates spoke for a while and welcomed Stephen King to the stage, and he proceeded to read the story of Lardass Hogan and the Pie-Eating Contest from Stand By Me. "The hardcore version.", as he put it.
Andre Brauer reflected on the life of John Irving who then came out to read the Christmas pageant segment of A Prayer for Owen Meaney, doing Owen's falsetto voice as if in character.
Finally, an incredibly hilarious Jon Stewart emerged and got the audience rolling in laughter before he introduced J.K Rowling. And when she emerged, the place simply erupted as the screams of thousands of teen girls echoed through the joint. It was a bit surreal when you thought about it; they weren't screaming and chanting for a rock star or actor... but for an author!! Long live reading! Rowling read a passage from Half-Blood Prince, the part where Dumbledore goes and finds Tom Riddel in the orphanage. And you gotta love her accent!
Stewart had the line of the night in my opinion though. After he pronounced her name "Raw-ling", the fans started screaming "It's Roll-ing!" to correct him. He quipped back that J.K had told him to do that so that they'd all start screaming "Rolling". Then as the crowd quieted down, he added, "And she also told me to tell you you're all wrong!!", and the place cracked up again. But then, just when you thought it was over and a hush fell over the crowd as if she was about to appear, Stewart adds "And I bet you didn't know the J was silent, did you?", which went over most of people's heads for a second, but then got everyone "rolling" in laughter all over again.
This was all followed by a Q&A, most questions being Potter related and directed to Rowling, but with a few good ones tossed in by some adults that opened up interesting observations, insights and comments on inspiration, the method of writing and revisions.
I had a blast and would love to go back tomorrow night for more. But alas, it's sold out. Even Stephen King commented on that in closing, noting incredulously that three authors, who sit alone in their rooms and type to their inner voices, are now selling out Radio City Music Hall!
Whoopi Goldberg was the guest MC and welcomed everyone while lightening the mood with some ad-libbed jokes and quick wit. Each of the three authors were then introduced by a celebrity fan and read a passage from one of their books.
Kathy Bates spoke for a while and welcomed Stephen King to the stage, and he proceeded to read the story of Lardass Hogan and the Pie-Eating Contest from Stand By Me. "The hardcore version.", as he put it.
Andre Brauer reflected on the life of John Irving who then came out to read the Christmas pageant segment of A Prayer for Owen Meaney, doing Owen's falsetto voice as if in character.
Finally, an incredibly hilarious Jon Stewart emerged and got the audience rolling in laughter before he introduced J.K Rowling. And when she emerged, the place simply erupted as the screams of thousands of teen girls echoed through the joint. It was a bit surreal when you thought about it; they weren't screaming and chanting for a rock star or actor... but for an author!! Long live reading! Rowling read a passage from Half-Blood Prince, the part where Dumbledore goes and finds Tom Riddel in the orphanage. And you gotta love her accent!
Stewart had the line of the night in my opinion though. After he pronounced her name "Raw-ling", the fans started screaming "It's Roll-ing!" to correct him. He quipped back that J.K had told him to do that so that they'd all start screaming "Rolling". Then as the crowd quieted down, he added, "And she also told me to tell you you're all wrong!!", and the place cracked up again. But then, just when you thought it was over and a hush fell over the crowd as if she was about to appear, Stewart adds "And I bet you didn't know the J was silent, did you?", which went over most of people's heads for a second, but then got everyone "rolling" in laughter all over again.
This was all followed by a Q&A, most questions being Potter related and directed to Rowling, but with a few good ones tossed in by some adults that opened up interesting observations, insights and comments on inspiration, the method of writing and revisions.
I had a blast and would love to go back tomorrow night for more. But alas, it's sold out. Even Stephen King commented on that in closing, noting incredulously that three authors, who sit alone in their rooms and type to their inner voices, are now selling out Radio City Music Hall!
Sunday, July 30, 2006
Two New "Must See" Movies
Two of my favorite directors have new movies coming out this fall and the trailers for both look fantastic!!
Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu guides Brad Pitt and Koji Yakusho in BABEL:
http://www.apple.com/trailers/paramount_vantage/babel/
And Alfonso Cuaron's CHILDREN OF MEN stars Clive Owen and Julianne Moore:
http://www.apple.com/trailers/universal/childrenofmen/
Plus, Ryan Murphy directing Augusten Burrough's RUNNING WITH SCISSORS looks pretty awesome as well:
http://www.apple.com/trailers/universal/childrenofmen/
Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu guides Brad Pitt and Koji Yakusho in BABEL:
http://www.apple.com/trailers/paramount_vantage/babel/
And Alfonso Cuaron's CHILDREN OF MEN stars Clive Owen and Julianne Moore:
http://www.apple.com/trailers/universal/childrenofmen/
Plus, Ryan Murphy directing Augusten Burrough's RUNNING WITH SCISSORS looks pretty awesome as well:
http://www.apple.com/trailers/universal/childrenofmen/
Saturday, July 29, 2006
Friday, July 28, 2006
Hard At Work At SDCC
Panels and signings can be draining...
I thought I closed my eyes for all of five seconds, but I guess I was out for over half an hour. Thanks to Mike Pascuillo for snapping this pic.
Image Officially Announces My Projects
Coverage and interviews from SDCC...
http://www.comicbookresources.com/news/newsitem.cgi?id=7937
http://forum.newsarama.com/showthread.php?t=78072
http://www.comicscontinuum.com/stories/0607/22/cbcebulski.htm
http://www.comicbookresources.com/news/newsitem.cgi?id=7937
http://forum.newsarama.com/showthread.php?t=78072
http://www.comicscontinuum.com/stories/0607/22/cbcebulski.htm
New Message Boards
Image Comics has kindly allowed me to become a part of their online community and I now have my very own C.B. Cebulski message boards at their site. Come on over and check out the new digs...
http://www.imagecomics.com/messageboard/viewforum.php?f=32
http://www.imagecomics.com/messageboard/viewforum.php?f=32
Thursday, July 27, 2006
Hot Cheese
This is going to be one the most pointless posts ever...
I'm not a big snack guy. I like beef jerky and dry roasted peanuts. That's about it.
About five years ago, someone turned me onto this cheese popcorn made by Tabasco. It was an amazing, spicy cheese blend or something... and it was awesome! I loved it! But then, as soon as I discovered it, it was gone. Never to be seen again here on the East Coast or anywhere else I travelled. I would ask but no one knew (or had heard of) what happened to this tasty delicacy.
Enter Brian Bendis... who was a like-minded cheese popcorn fan in a similar deprived situation, and he told me you could still get our hook-up from the Tabasco website. So I ordered it there for a while, at a hefty price no less... but eventually the time came where I just kinda quit. Or they quit. It was too much of a hassle for a simple snack food.
Until tonight.
I was out with Mike Oeming and Jen Grunwald and we stumbled into the West 82nd St. Deli (still run by two of my favorite people in NYC, Mike and Bob) and I discovered Wise has introduced Hot Cheese Popcorn... and basically stolen Tabasco's old recipe!?! They're putting out the same amazing spicy popcorn!! Same great taste, five years later!!
It's delicious. It's 99 cents a bag. And it rocks!!!
Go forth and eat!
I'm not a big snack guy. I like beef jerky and dry roasted peanuts. That's about it.
About five years ago, someone turned me onto this cheese popcorn made by Tabasco. It was an amazing, spicy cheese blend or something... and it was awesome! I loved it! But then, as soon as I discovered it, it was gone. Never to be seen again here on the East Coast or anywhere else I travelled. I would ask but no one knew (or had heard of) what happened to this tasty delicacy.
Enter Brian Bendis... who was a like-minded cheese popcorn fan in a similar deprived situation, and he told me you could still get our hook-up from the Tabasco website. So I ordered it there for a while, at a hefty price no less... but eventually the time came where I just kinda quit. Or they quit. It was too much of a hassle for a simple snack food.
Until tonight.
I was out with Mike Oeming and Jen Grunwald and we stumbled into the West 82nd St. Deli (still run by two of my favorite people in NYC, Mike and Bob) and I discovered Wise has introduced Hot Cheese Popcorn... and basically stolen Tabasco's old recipe!?! They're putting out the same amazing spicy popcorn!! Same great taste, five years later!!
It's delicious. It's 99 cents a bag. And it rocks!!!
Go forth and eat!
Saturday, July 22, 2006
While the cat's away...
...the cats will sleep.
Mutsumi has been updating me with daily Lotto and Clyde pics while I'm out here in California.
Mutsumi has been updating me with daily Lotto and Clyde pics while I'm out here in California.
San Diego Pics
I bring my camera to every show I go to but never really use it, so I made a point of trying to take some pics out in San Diego this year...
The Activision/Marvrel booth where they're promoting the Marvel: Ultimate Allinace game I worked on. I cannot tell you how amazing this game looks!! It blows me away every time I see what Raven, Blur and Activision have developed!
Our Thursday signing... me with Power Pack writer Marck Sumerak and PP artists Chifiyu Sasaki and Naoko Kawano of Gurihiru.
"Can you please sign 100 postcards for us, Mr. Cebulski?!" Which I happily did...
We had a wonderfull Runaways Reunion yesterday, where we got as many people who worked on the book together for drinks. From the left, that's inker Craig Yeung, ex-editor MacKenzie Cadenhead, colorist Christina Strain, penciler Takeshi Miyazawa, me and writer Brian K. Vaughan. Adrian Alphona and Jo Chen were sorely missed!
Snales On A Plane... and on the con floor!
And who's that lurking on the left, watching Marvel kick DC's ass 23-10 in softball?!
The Activision/Marvrel booth where they're promoting the Marvel: Ultimate Allinace game I worked on. I cannot tell you how amazing this game looks!! It blows me away every time I see what Raven, Blur and Activision have developed!
Our Thursday signing... me with Power Pack writer Marck Sumerak and PP artists Chifiyu Sasaki and Naoko Kawano of Gurihiru.
"Can you please sign 100 postcards for us, Mr. Cebulski?!" Which I happily did...
We had a wonderfull Runaways Reunion yesterday, where we got as many people who worked on the book together for drinks. From the left, that's inker Craig Yeung, ex-editor MacKenzie Cadenhead, colorist Christina Strain, penciler Takeshi Miyazawa, me and writer Brian K. Vaughan. Adrian Alphona and Jo Chen were sorely missed!
Snales On A Plane... and on the con floor!
And who's that lurking on the left, watching Marvel kick DC's ass 23-10 in softball?!
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