Tuesday, December 21, 2010
"Dead On Arrival" sneak peek...
The story will pick up right where #1 left off, of course, but really I don't want to say too much else about it because there are still a few people out there who haven't had a chance to read it yet.
I'm certainly proud of how it's come together, and can't wait to share it with you. Zeu did some great artwork and really captured some amazing moments that I think will both surprise and delight you.
And then before you know it, we'll be ready for issue #3 (for now, titled "Feels Like the First Time"). And if DOA takes things up a notch, FLtFT really kickes things into overdrive storywise.
I hope you all enjoy the tale I'm spinning and keep checking back here for more updates. Don't forget you can also find me on Twitter and Facebook.
Sunday, December 5, 2010
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Store update
Monday, November 22, 2010
Step by step, day by day...
In other news, progress on Issue #2 is coming along nicely. I should have the pencils back from Zeu by this weekend. Work on the cover should be underway by then, as well. (I hope to have the cover ready by Dec 4th, so I can preview it for anyone who comes to see me at Rock and Comic Con.)
In the meantime, does anyone have a better theme song to insert into my brain? Something less...Alan Thickey?
Friday, November 19, 2010
Issue #2 Update
Are there more pages? Yes.
Is there more humor? Yes!
Are there more ZOMBIES? Yes, yes, a thousand times YES!
The 20-page follow-up to the newest zombie-themed starcrossed lovers comic book hits stands in January. Stay tuned...
Monday, November 15, 2010
Correction...
You know, sometimes when you're trying to get something done under a deadline little things tend to slip through the cracks. I have to issue a minor correction for 'Auld Lang Zombie' for just that reason.
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Where to buy?
Monday, November 8, 2010
The story continues...
Thanks to the overwhelming positive feedback I've gotten so far, not to mention the death threats from people demanding a follow-up, I'm pround to announce that issue #2 will be dropping sometime in early January of next year.
That's not as far off as it sounds, trust me.
The issue doesn't have a title yet. I'll update you when that changes.
Thanks for reading!
A Big, Fat Helping of Thank You
I have to thank a few people for making it a possibility:
- The Straight Ups, Kansas City's awesomest, rockingest, face-melting-est rock band. If you missed their fantastic show Friday night, be sure to check them out this coming Friday at the Brick!
- The Dead Girl Derby, the area's hottest new league of fast-moving, hard-hitting dames. Get more info on their Facebook page; and if you're interested in helping out, either on skates or off, drop a comment or send a message. They're having a recruit night November 16th!
- Jeff Mullikin, owner of one3studios, the amazing venue that hosted the party. Jeff is a terrific, friendly, easy-going guy who also happens to be an excellent photographer. You can check out his work on his website.
- Takes the Cake Bakery, provider of the delicious cupcakes mentioned in the "cupcakes & braaains" of the party's title. If you didn't arrive early enough to grab one -- and they went fast -- keep your eyes and ears peeled for her next appearance. You can find her online at TakesTheCakeKC.com.
- DJ Kreations, otherwise known as Kenneth "KC" Hamm, who spun some fantastic tunes all night long. Punctual, professional, and pretty damn sexy, I would recommend Mr. Kreations to all my friends. He doesn't just do kick-ass comic book debut parties; get in touch with him for your next Wedding, too!
- Everyone else: So many other people came through for me that night. Too many to even list. But they know who they are, and hopefully they know how much their help was appreciated. It truly couldn't have happened how it did without everyone's assistance. I only wish I could've experienced it all from in front of the merchandise table instead of behind it!
Speaking of merchandise, if any of you have breezed through your copy of Yellow #1, "Auld Lang Zombie," and are looking forward to the next installment... stay tuned. I've been asked a lot since Friday night about when the next issue drops, and I'm going to make a post about that shortly. I promise. I'd like to first get in touch with my artists and let them know how much everyone liked their work...and then drop the bombshell that they need to start getting ramped up for #2.
Follow me on Twitter or friend me on Facebook if you want to make sure you get the latest.
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Is this real life?
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Coming Through Your TV...
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Friday, October 15, 2010
Come for the comic, stay for the cupcakes.
Friday, November 5th, 2010, you’re invited to 419 E. 18th Street in the Crossroads District (next to Grinders) to celebrate First Friday and the launch of a new comic book, Yellow. (“Just another post-zompocalyptic comedy adventure love story.”)
Come on down from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. to pick up a special, full-color, fully-awesome preview edition of the first issue, “Auld Lang Zombie.”
Unless you’re undead, you’ll also enjoy the live music (KC’s own The Straight Ups, hitting the stage at 7:30 and again at 9); libations (cash bar hosted by Grinders); and luxurious cupcakes (Takes the Cake mobile bakery).
There will also be posters, t-shirts, and even free temporary tattoos (just to show the world you still support Zombietowne). We'll even be giving away a movie poster signed by famed horror director Eli Roth, just because.
Best of all, get your picture taken with a real live dead girl. Members of the metro’s newest roller derby league, the Dead Girl Derby, will be hanging out all night.
Limited copies of the original 4-issue run of Yellow as written and drawn by writer Bobby Bierley will also be for sale for anyone into the whole “nostalgia” thing.
(*Guest appearances are subject to change.)
---------------
Yellow tells the story of Quinn Quigley, a lonely high school outcast who falls in love with the most beautiful zombie at Zombietowne, the world’s first zombie zoo. When Quinn takes it upon himself to “rescue” the living dead girl from a life behind bars…well, you’ll just have to read to find out.
Yellow features art by ‘Zeu’ Gouveia, colors by Giuseppe Pica, letters by Ed Brisson, and an amazing cover by Ralph Abou Raad. All based on script by Bobby Bierley.
Thursday, October 14, 2010
****IMPORTANT UPDATE! LOCATION CHANGE****
Friday, October 1, 2010
Getting closer...
Don't believe me? Here's a tiny sample:
Still don't believe me? Come to the release party and find out for yourself. If you don't like it, I'll even buy you a cupcake. A cupcake, you say? That's right.
Check it:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Local Comic Book Tells the Story of Love in a Time of People Who Eat Brains.
KANSAS CITY, Missouri — Save the date for cupcakes & braaains!
Friday, November 5th, 2010, you’re invited to 419 E. 18th Street in the Crossroads District (next to Grinders) to celebrate First Friday and the launch of a new comic book, Yellow. (“Just another post-zompocalyptic comedy adventure love story.”)
Come on down from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. to pick up a special, full-color, fully-awesome preview edition of the first issue, “Auld Lang Zombie.”
Unless you’re undead, you’ll also enjoy the live music (KC’s own The Straight Ups, hitting the stage at 7:30 and again at 9); libations (cash bar hosted by Grinders); and luxurious cupcakes (Takes the Cake mobile bakery).
There will also be posters, t-shirts, and even free temporary tattoos (just to show the world you still support Zombietowne). We'll even be giving away a movie poster signed by famed horror director Eli Roth, just because.
Best of all, get your picture taken with a real live dead girl. Members of the metro’s newest roller derby league, the Dead Girl Derby, will be hanging out all night.
Limited copies of the original 4-issue run of Yellow as written and drawn by writer Bobby Bierley will also be for sale for anyone into the whole “nostalgia” thing.
(*Guest appearances are subject to change.)
---------------
Yellow tells the story of Quinn Quigley, a lonely high school outcast who falls in love with the most beautiful zombie at Zombietowne, the world’s first zombie zoo. When Quinn takes it upon himself to “rescue” the living dead girl from a life behind bars…well, you’ll just have to read to find out.
Yellow features art by ‘Zeu’ Gouveia, colors by Giuseppe Pica, letters by Ed Brisson, and an amazing cover by Ralph Abou Raad. All based on script by Bobby Bierley.
So, there you go. Be there, or be cupcakeless.
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
A First Look... For Me, Anyways
Awesome.
Not only is he a talented guy, but I can't tell you how amazing it feels to see your words come to life. There are a few things Zeu did that I didn't expect, but like. And several things he did exactly as I pictured it.
Once we get a little closer to a finished product I'll post a page or two, just to whet you're appetite, dear reader. Until then, Zeu and I will continue to work behind the scenes to make this the kick-ass-enest debut comic of 2010.
Speaking of debuts...
Nothing is finalized just yet, but it's looking like the release party is going to be happening in midtown Kansas City at a little venue to TBA. The more important, and exciting news, is that it may very well be happening on First Friday in November. Any of you who don't live in KC might not realize this: That's kind of a big deal.
Hopefully it will vicariously make my comic kind of a big deal.
Invites will be sent out soon.
Monday, August 30, 2010
Movies That Don't Suck
I watched Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen this weekend. Took a couple of days. That is one long movie. I started it at around 3:30 in the morning on Sunday. I was wide awake (an unfortunate hazard of working this overnight shift), and it was available for free on HBO. I thought, "Why not? I want to finally see what a turd this movie really is."
After watching it--and actually enjoying it, but more on that in a minute--I reached what I was pretty sure was the beginning of the final act. I was getting pretty sleepy, and it was around 5 a.m. at this point and I figured it might behoove me to actually go to sleep for a little bit. So I decided to check and see just how much of the movie was left, in case it was worth just staying up to finish.
A frickin' hour and a half still left to go.
Wow.
It was at this point that I started to wonder if maybe I had been giving this movie too much credit.
One of my biggest pet peeves with the first one was the terrible pacing. The first third of Transformers was fun, engaging, a little silly, but mostly clipped along nicely. But it was the scene where Sam brings home the Transformers and they have to hide in his backyard that things felt like they hit a brick wall. Specifically when he and his parents stopped the movie in its tracks to have a long, "hilarious" conversation about masturbation. So gratuitous, and completely appropos of nothing (not to sound like too much of a tool). It was like Michael Bay had this great scene his kid had written for a Judd Apatow movie, and he just had to find a place to work it into the script. Well I remember watching the film in the theater and having the very noticeable sensation that the film was completely unraveling right before my eyes.
So when, an hour and ten minutes into Revenge of the Fallen and reaching a point that felt distinctly like the beginning of the end, I found out I wasn't even halfway done...well, my heart sank a bit. Up to that point I had actually been pleasantly surprised by how much I was enjoying the movie.
And as I got ready for bed, I was contemplating why this one actually seemed to be a better movie. There are a few reasons, but one of the ones I kept returning to was: No Jon Turturro! He was a pain in the butt in the first movie, and his presence to me marked the complete breakdown of the whole story. He was just such a ridiculous character, and totally out of place. Good thing he wasn't in the sequel.
Those of you who have seen the movie know what I'm about to say.
I spoke too soon.
I sat down to watch the rest of the movie on Sunday and not three minutes after I hit play, whom did I see fill the screen? Turturro himself, reprising the same silly role from the first film.
However, I must say...he didn't annoy me quite as much. I still think he was unnecessary, but then again much of Revenge of the Fallen was unnecessary. Heck, the whole movie was unnecessary. And yet I think the fact that I didn't find Turturro quite so grating is less a credit to any restrained acting on his part, but actually a byproduct of what made the whole movie, for me, more palatable than the first. That is, the silliness was more evenly distributed throughout.
What didn't work for me in the first one was how it couldn't seem to decide if it was trying to make a goofy subject into something serious, or just trying to add some serious elements to an unabashedly goofy story. It had elements of both, and really it could've been OK, but the inredients just weren't mixed properly. I think with Fallen, they got a lot closer to the correct proportions.
But I'm pleased to say that even after watching the remaining 90 minutes (split up over another two sessions) I still enjoyed the movie on the whole. All the things that people said made the movie terrible, like the shuck-n-jive Autobot twins, I didn't actually mind. So Devastator had testicles? Is that really surprising given we saw a robot pee on a man's head in the first film?
When I think back on Fallen, in fact, I can't really think of that may things I truly had a problem with. Even the relationship between Sam and Michaela, for some reason, felt genuine. In the first movie, it felt like she just couldn't wait to get away from this nerd. By the end, I really expected her to break up with him. And even at the beginning of Fallen, it felt strained. In fact, the very first thing out of her mouth is that she's breaking up with Sam. Of course, she's kidding (or is she?), and the relationship continues. But I think that acknowledging the tenuous nature of the relationship actually served to make it more believable. I kind of found myself rooting for Sam, and hoping that Michaela would give him a chance.
Actually, that reminds me of probably the biggest problem I did have with the movie: the terminator transformer. I think the filmmakers were perhaps trying to bank on last summer's other big film, Terminator Salvation, and they brought in a Terminatrix of their own. (Yes, I know that's a reference to T3, but go with me here.) Since when can Transformers mimic people? And if they can, then why the hell wouldn't they just do that ALL THE TIME? Hello? It seems like if you're trying to infiltrate the human race, hide in plain sight, and gain access to their biggest secrets, a good place to start would be to LOOK LIKE A HUMAN.
When stuff happens in movies and books that seems out of place, unrealstic, or just plain stupid, I often stop and ask myself if it really mattered in the grand scheme. And thankfully, all the stuff with Transformadam didn't really have a big impact on the story.
I still hate the design of the Decepticons. In fact, I hate the way the robots all look in general. Way too over designed. I mean, as much as those things move around, they really should've been made with more simple, large pieces. Like Duplo.
But that's part of where I think the first movie failed, when it was trying to make the Transformers more "realistic." Obviously the way they looked in the cartoon was, well, cartoony. It wouldn't work in real life. But I'm sorry, when you have a fight between robots and you can't tell where one ends and the other begins...or how many there even are in the fight...except by flashes of blue or silver here and there...that's a bad design. But that's something that's never going to change, I suppose. And frankly, that's the same problem that plagues most CG creatures and vehicles these days. But that's a whole other blog post I could write, so I'll stop there.
But my experience watching and enjoying Fallen reminded me that my taste in movies is often counter to popular opinion. I started thinking of all the movies I like that I really have no reason to. Movies that everyone hates but me. And maybe it's the fact that they are so hated that endears me to them, to some degree. Everyone likes to root for the underdog. But there's more to it than that. There's usually an earnestness in movies that everyone hates. There's an honesty in their storytelling, and that's what I appreciate. And I think it's that honesty that turns people off, like a girl who only dates assholes. The average viewer wants a film that hates them, that is doing them a favor by even letting them watch it. They want a movie that smacks them around and says "I'm too good for you!", and then goes out drinking with its friends all night long and doesn't even come back home until the next afternoon with the smell of cheap whiskey and even cheaper perfume on its clothes.
I like the movies that wear their heart on their sleeves. I like the movies that try to impress by just putting it all out there in front and saying "Am I good enough now?", with an added whisper, "I love you."
I like the movies that maybe aren't the best looking movies in the theater. They might not wear the fanciest clothes or play sports. But they will stay up until 3 in the morning with you on the phone just because you've had a bad day. They will drive over to your house to bring you soup when you're not feeling good. And they'll take you to the prom when your big, pretentious movie bails on you at the last minute. They already havea tux and everything.
Movies like:
Super Mario Bros.
Lost in Space
Robot Jox
Mortal Kombat
Batman Forever
Speed Racer
Twister
Jurassic Park
Rocketeer
Josie and the Pussycats
Happy Feet
(more to come)
(And what of art films? Basically the same as the other kind, expect more passive agressive than abusive. They make you feel bad about yourself through words instead actions. They're the intellectual asshole.)
So that's my take on movies. Some of my favorite movies are pretty widely panned. There are some exceptions in that list, of course, namely Jurassic Park and Twister. Hey, sometimes the underdog just gets lucky.
Like Sam and Michaela.
(Wow, I actually managed to bring that full-circle. Well, at least 3/4 circle. That's good enough.)
Friday, August 20, 2010
The New Face(s) of Yellow
Well, the day is come at long last.
I'm very excited to announce the creative team of professionals helping me put together Yellow the way it should be done. You know, professionally.
Art: Eliseu "Zeu" Gouveia.
This guy's good, y'all. So good, he makes me break into southern colloquialisms. Zeu is onboard to do all the pencils and inks, and he's very enthusiastic about making sure Yellow has just the right look. The sketches I posted here are just a taste of what you can expect. Head over to his DeviantArt gallery to see more.
Colors: Giuseppe Pica.
I'm also proud to have this guy on the team. He's got a real passion for zombies, and I think he's go the range of skills that a comic as complex as Yellow needs. If the title didn't give it away, Yellow is a comic where color plays a very important role. It was vital to me that I find someone who I felt could color well in general, and also have the finesse to handle the challenges that I'm going to hit him with. You can see some of his other work here.
Letters: Ed Brisson
Ed's an excellent letterer with quite a bit of experience. Lettering is no easy feat in itself, but Ed goes the extra mile and preps the artwork for the printer--something that was a major cause of headaches for me when I was one-man-banding the whole thing. For that reason alone I'm glad he agreed to sign on, but he's also talented and that just makes things even better. Here's his page.
And I'm mostly going to be relegated to writing now. I say mostly because I plan to still be heavily involved in the designs and layouts, and I might even be creating some of my own artwork to sneak into the comic here and there.
Again, I can't tell you how excited I am to have this team together. I'm in the process of setting up a preview party to celebrate in late Oct/early Nov with live music, a silent auction (and an extra loud auction, for the seniors in my fan club), prizes, maybe some games, food, uh, a live gorilla why not, a go-kart track... The possibilities are endless.
Anyway, look for an announcement about that party coming soon. Still trying to secure a venue and find out who all will be coming.
And expect the new first issue of Yellow (or at least the first half of it) coming this fall!
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Worth the wait...
Soon I will be announcing to you, the World At Large, a new creative team to help make "Yellow" the not-sucky comic it was always destined to be. I've got an artist lined up, but am waiting to secure a colorist. Then I will make the big announcement.
I've already seen some of the sketches and I am practicaly giddy with anticipation.
I hope you are, too.
Monday, June 21, 2010
What's this? NEWS!
Also...
Follow me on Twitter @Zombietowne. (Formerly KSHBbob) Do it! I say funny stuff sometimes!
In other news(?)...
Work has commenced once more on Issue #5, "Feels Like the First Time." I've started over for the third (and final?) time. Look for it to release sometime later this summer. Or early fall. I'll let you know.
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
New Website!
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Commentary is Go!
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
New Middles
Saturday, April 3, 2010
Will Eisner, Thanks for the inspiration.
Just got done reading the Contract With God trilogy. Eisner is better than I expected. Much better. His stories seem to be very much grounded in reality, but he really does capture emotion and character excellently. I was under the impression for some reason that his comics were very quaint and G-rated. Not so! I don't know why I thought that, exactly, but it probably has something to do with the time period in which they were made. I guess the 40's and 50's just seems like a much more innocent time, and I think of comics like Peanuts and Archie and stuff.
Anyway, I was pleasantly surprised. Moreover, I decided I need to model my drawing style after Eisner's. I know that saying I want to draw like Eisner is like when I said I want to write like Alan Moore. It's obvious, really. But it gives me some direction. I realized after looking at Eisner's stuff that I had been trying to draw my black and white comic as if it were in color, rather than playing to the strengths of the black/white contrast. I don't even need gray tones, frankly. Just pen and paper.
Anyway, it's given me new hope that I can continue to draw this myself. However, it's also a bit depressing because I might have to start my new issue over completely. But I haven't gotten very far anyway. Just finished my first page the other day, and technically it's not even finished. I think I just feel like after so long I should have more to show for myself than...nothing.
Eh. In the long run it won't be a big deal, and it will be worth it if it means I can create a more consistent and respectable style.
So, next step: Ditch the digital and start over!Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Tweet THIS!
Monday, March 29, 2010
The Big Con
It was around this time last year that I was wandering around the booths at the Overland Park convention center, wearing my bright yellow "Zombietowne" t-shirt and trying to impress people with my spiral-bound, floppy "Shrinking Universe" trade. I had only a few to give out, and I had to strategically choose my best bets. To other people, I sold t-shirts (or gave them away).
One year later, and so much has changed. Not as much as I'd like, but a little.
I hit up many of the same people I spoke to last year: B. Clay Moore, Daniel Spottswood, Holly Messinger, some tall guy who owns a comic book shop and bought a t-shirt from me to be supportive.
What was great was that most of them remembered me. It helps that I was wearing that same bright yellow t-shirt, so even if they didn't remember me by name they at least knew who I was. It was nice to approach a booth and have the person immediately ask me how my book was coming. I felt almost like one of the gang.
What was even better was that I could show them I had moved up a little in the world. I reached into my bag and pulled out my shiny, professionally printed books and handed them over. I felt much more legitimate, and it was a great ego boost--something I needed at this point in my fledgling career, uncertain if I really had the fortitude to keep going.
As a fan, it was also a very good con.
Actress Mira Furlan was there. She played Danielle Rousseau on my favorite TV show of all time, LOST. (I say "played" because I'm pretty sure she's not going to be in the final season, but we'll see...)
She was a great sport, especially when I asked her for what must've been one of the most unusual autograph requests of her career.
Being the huge LOST fan that I am, it didn't take long into my first issue of "Yellow" that I dropped my first reference to the show. During the introduction to the main character, Quinn Buckley, we hear his high school teacher say
"Continuing our discussion of Enlightenment thinkers, today we'll talk about Jean-Jaques Rousseau. Contrary to what you might think, he was not a crazy woman lost on an island."
Of course, I was referring to Miss Furlan's character (who herself was a reference to the philosopher). I was already excited that she was at the convention, although I had only considered having her sign my copy of the first season of LOST. When I remembered that reference, I became ecstatic.
At the second day of the convention, I approached her with the original page I drew that had that line on it, and asked her to sign it. She understandably wasn't really sure what I was talking about, or what was going on.
"Who is this for?" she said.
"Me. Just me," I replied.
"What are you going to do with it?" she asked.
"Uh, frame it and hang it on my wall for all time," I said back. She laughed and then asked where exactly I wanted it signed. The coolest part was when she stopped as she was starting to write her autograph and looked up and said, "This is really cool." Made my day.
Here's the page with her 'graph:
As a gift, I gave her a t-shirt, which she graciously accepted. And in return, she asked if she could give me a photo of her. I of course said yes, and picked out the coolest one of her as Danielle Rousseau, all dirty and jungle-fied. She signed it and handed it over and that was that. For a while.
Later, when I was getting ready to start thinking about leaving, I came by her table again and held up a copy of my comic.
"Do you have any kids?" I asked.
"Yes," she said.
"Like...over thirteen?"
"Well, eleven."
"My comic is sort of PG-13, with the language."
"Oh, my son is so ready for that. Yeah, he's so ready for that."
So I handed over a copy of "Shrinking Universe" and "Spares." I started to tell her it's about zombies but not really (my usual, awkward, I-Don't-Really-Know-How-To-Summarize pitch). She took one look at the cover of "Spares" and said "Oh, he's going to love this." Then she read the description on the brain jar, and said it again with more emphasis. I think she really meant it. I started to walk away, grinning ear to ear, when I heard her say "This is great." I turned back and she was flipping through the book. "Great use of color," she said. I talked to her about it a little more, briefly, and then left again. I came back a moment later just to let her know that if her son does like it, my contact info was in the back and I'll send him whatever he'd like. I really hope he enjoys it that much. It'd be awesome to have Son-of-Rousseau as a fan!
Also at the con I picked up some LOST action figures, which I'd wanted for a long time. These were all new in the box, and quite reasonably-priced. First it was Charlie, which I got for Emily because that's her favorite character. He was $30, even though Amazon had him listed for $75. After that I went back and bought the other two, Jack and Locke, which were $75 together. (Locke alone, meanwhile, is worth at least $100 in some circles.) All of these figures are from McFarlane Toys, which went bankrupt years ago. They printed two series of LOST figures, and had a third planned. Now, however, no one is making any figures. The guy I bought them from said another company picked up the rights to make toys and has a line of 6-inch figures planned, but as for the McFarlane diorama-style figures I bought--they're already collector's items. I don't know if I'll ever sell them, but I can imagine someday they'll be worth quite a bit of money.
And that's my report from Planet Comicon 2010. Like I said: successful overall. Both as a fan, and as a creator. I don't think I made any new industry contacts per se, but it was a great way to re-energize me and remind me of where I want to be.
My goal for next year is to have my own booth at the con, and to have at least finished my second trade. That only means I have to finish two more issues, including the one I'm currently working on. Two issues in 12 months should be very doable. If I can be partway done with a third by next year's Planet Con, I will be a very happy guy.
Hope to see you there in 2011!
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Robot Rights
After all, many so-called lower organisms, like insects, bacteria--even viruses, for crying out loud--are alive. A virus is barely even complex enough to be called an organism, yet it can apparently think and act of its own accord (or at least according to some internal, pre-programmed drive).
Even people, as apparently complex and sentient as we are, can be boiled down to layer after layer of biological processes. Evolutionist and author Richard Dawkins says we're essentially nothing more than transportation for our genes.
So the next time you turn on your Roomba--full of complex wires and programming--think about it a little bit. Is that little machine, all plastic and metal, really more like a giant, albeit "simple", carpet-cleaning animal? And if so, is it really all that absurd to imagine that at some point someone is going to demand that you treat that animal with respect? After all, there was a time when animals themselves were mistreated regularly, and the thought of "animal rights" was just as absurd as rights for your Roomba.
Think about it.
In the meantime, have a laugh at this paragraph I found in an article on the subject of Robot Rights written in 1985:
By 2010, most new homes will offer a low-cost domestic robot option. ThisFunny, right? After your done laughing, become sad, because it only means that in 25 years we'll be looking back at the plans we had today and laughing at how optimistic and naive we were.
“homebot” will be a remote-controlled peripheral of a computer brain buried
somewhere in the house. Homebot software will include: (1) applications programs
to make your robot behave as a butler, maid, cook, teacher, sexual companion, or
whatever; and (2) acquired data such as family names, vital statistics and
preferences, a floor map of the house, food and beverage recipes, past family
events, and desired robot personality traits. If a family moves, it would take
its software with it to load into the domestic system at the new house. The new
homebot’s previous mind would be erased and overwritten with the personality of
the family’s old machine.
For your own unique AI experience, check out Jabberwacky.com. Try to hold a conversation with their resident "chatterbot" and then see if you don't question just what "sentience" really means.
(This post was inspired in part by the guys over at HowStuffWorks.com, who posted an interesting podcast on the subject. Look them up on iTunes and download all the knowledgey goodness.)
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Comicon Is Nigh
Spoiler Alert! I won't have a table there!
Here's a breakdown of the reasons:
1) 50%, I dropped the ball. I could've checked a long time ago and verified exactly when it was, and then been prepared.
2) 50%, I wasn't prepared. I've made hardly any headway in Issue 5 of "Yellow" in the past six months (which incidentally is very depressing). Even if I had a table at the Con this year, I wouldn't have anything new to show off or sell. I suppose I could be working on #5 while I'm there, which might actually be more productive than my usual 1 or 2 hours a month.
Either way, I'm still planning to attend and have a good time. I'll probably be wearing a "Yellow" shirt again, as last year, and hawking copies of the comic to anyone who will listen. (I may even just give them away free this time...)
So come on down, see if you can find me, and support your local comic shop. Buy some junk you don't need why not.
Friday, March 12, 2010
For a Friend
Monday, March 1, 2010
And now for something...
Well here are a few others you might not have noticed, courtesy of yours truly. I'm pretty proud of them, I must say.
These two should work together...
moar funny pictures
I honestly thought they were the same person for the longest time.
moar funny pictures
These, too. It was only after Sydney Pollack showed up in an episode of "The Cleaner" a couple of years after his death that I began to suspect something was amiss.
moar funny pictures
What's sad is that the Olympic skier is still probably the better actor.
moar funny pictures
Proof that we really are descended from Adamas and Starbuckses? Hmm...
moar funny pictures
UPDATE! See below for more look-alike joy:
moar funny pictures
moar funny pictures
moar funny pictures
moar funny pictures
Well now that that's out of my system, maybe I can finally get back to working on the comic. For more, check out TotallyLooksLike. (For another of my favorites, try Comixed.)
Monday, January 25, 2010
The Tablet Has Landed
I drew the above chicken yesterday for my wife, Emily. She's responsible for the clever title, as after I told her I was done with the chicken she exclaimed, "Chicken accomplished!" After I finished LOLing, I drew the words in. I know it's not a perfect drawing by any means, but I didn't intend it to be. It was just an exercise, and if I had spent more than a few minutes on it I'm sure I could make it look more professional. (I'm sure!)
As for the answer to the inevitable question, "Why a chicken?": Well, it's a character I've been drawing for years now. A lot of times I'll put the chicken in a specific pose or costume or scenario, and add some pseudo-clever title, like "2001: A Space Chicken" behind a chicken in a space suit, or "Congratu-chicken!" behind a baby chicken in a crib (For a new baby, you see? Never mind.) Anyway, if any of you loyal readers would like to commission a chicken from me, let me know. Aside from doing the comic, I'd like to someday launch a line of Chicken-themed products, like t-shirts and postcards, etc. If you have any suggestions, I'm 95% ears. (The other 5% is trans-fat.)
Monday, January 11, 2010
Here Goes Nothing
Monday, January 4, 2010
Happy Future
No, not two-thousand-ten. What are you, lame? It's twenty-ten. Not only does it sound cooler, but that's how we've been saying the date for, like, a thousand years. Remember when it was 1997? We didn't say it was one-thousand nine-hundred ninety-seven, did we? Well, maybe you.
Personally, I'm glad it's 2010. In sci-fi stories, the cool stuff always happens in twenty-something, not two-thousand something. Okay, unless you count Kubrick and Clarke. Okay, Orwell, too. And that classic TV show, Space: 1999. But other than that! I fully expect to see flying cars and teleportation devices in the next few months.
Anyway, this post wasn't meant to be a rant about how to properly say the date. It was originally meant to be a friendly hello, and an update to let you know that more comics are around the bend. In the next week or so I hope to acquire the necessary technology to allow me to draw Yellow completely digitally, which should speed up the drawing/publishing process significantly.
For all you naysayers who say nay--that making comics digitally is tantamount to cheating at life--well, I say...maybe. Who cares? I'm not looking to hang my stuff in the Louvre; I'm telling a story. If technology helps me tell the story in the most efficient, clear way possible then why wouldn't I use it?
Besides, there are many ways in which drawing digitally still requires talent and skill. Sure, it may be a slightly different skillset than traditional drawing, but it's not like you can push a button and have a program draw your art for you. OK, well, there sort of is that button...but you can only use it after you've drawn it yourself once.
Anyway, I believe that if I can get adept at using the computer to make Yellow from start to finish, the final product will be far better for it. Not only will I be able to complete issues in a more timely fashion, but the artwork will be clearer, crisper, and all-around better-looking. I think you, the reader, will benefit, and I think that the comic will be more marketable for it.
Yes, that's right. I said marketable. Am I doing it for the money? Hardly. Printing is ungoldy expensive, and I've given away more copies than I've sold, by far. All-in-all, the comics industry is not a money-making enterprise. Unless your Marvel or DC, and even then...
But I would like to at least not go broke doing this comic, because if I go broke I can't do it anymore. And then nobody wins. So if that means I have to make my book appealing to comic book stores, and more importantly comic book store customers, then so be it. I apologize for nothing.
Except for that one thing I did back in the third grade. I definitely want to apologize for that. That frog didn't deserve what happened to it, and neither did you, Mrs. Postlewaite.