Here are the thoughts that lack a specific home; they are tossed here.
What a week. Honestly, that is all I can say to describe it. Just so odd. Just so off. That was this week. Not terrible by any means, just odd. I guess that is a pretty vague description, right? Oh well.
This week, or at least something I watched this week, did make me want to move to Portland (Oregon) even more, though. This something would be the short and so appropriately named documentary, Portland Comics.
Moving entirely across the country for a comics scene may seem like a bit much, but to me it would be more than comics…Ok, scratch that, it would be all about comics, but it would be for the community, culture, and lifestyle around the medium rather than actual, physical comic books themselves. At this point in my life, I feel comics are, and forever will be, apart of me. The medium has me at my heart and mind. I feel I know it so well, yet at the same time have many aspects to learn about it. Comics, as corney and possibly messed up as it may sound, have shaped me into the person I am today. Seriously. Without comics, I would never have podcasted, never have choosen a career in journalism, never have taken an interest in writing or storytelling as strongly as I have, and would never be writing this blog. Also, the ways in which I look at the world…those would probably be different too, as well as the group of friends I hold.
To me it makes sense. Portland does. The comics scene, and the people of it, just feel like a setting I need to be surrounded by. It is a setting I need to exist in. It would bring home and strengthen the idea of comics being a piece of me. Granted, I am going completely off a documentary and other word-of-mouth, but I know that I need to at least visit Portland sometime in the near future. From there, well, we will see what happens.
For now though, the land of Portland, Oregon will remain a wishful thought. One that I may possibly work towards.
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Dave Wachter kicks ass. Here is a sweet Galactus piece from him, and it is in color.
Dave’s blog: http://davedrawscomics.blogspot.com/
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A friend of mine discovered this really cool short film called Logorama. It is an animated presentation that depicts a universe of brands.
On the surface, this film works as a cute comedy that provides numerous chuckles, but as expected with the subject matter it does dive into its corner of commentary and subversion. The bit that really impressed me was the use and placement of specific brands, such as the use of Ronald McDonald as the villain in the piece. That, ladies and gentlemen, was no accident. I actually think you could probably spend all day watching this film picking out brands and the comments they make.
It is a visually busy film, and I certianly suggestion taking the sixteen minutes to watch it.
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New Criminal.
I am always in the mood for Brubaker and Phillips’ Criminal because it feels like the most natural work these guys produce. This promotional image is excellent. I love the colors and the way the women’s red dress contrasts with the blue of the background, and I also love the vertical streaks casting down like long rain drops.
I have yet to read the latest arc of Incognito from this creative team, and from what I understand those comics may be weak, but I am certainly looking forward to this project. I will be buying.
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The Mountain Goats’ latest, All Eternals Deck, is very good, and it has been my playlist of choice over the past two days. With luck, I may actually be seeing them live, in Pittsburgh, on April 12th.
Tracks that impress: Damn These Vampires (1), Birth of Serpents (2), Estate Sale Sign (3), The Autospy Garland (5), High Hawk Season (7), For Charles Bronson (11), and Never Quite Free (12).
Get it.
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The name of Jay Diddilo has become legend to the internet in the past week or two. Why? Well, just blame Rob Granito. If you have not had enough of Jay Diddilo (and really, how could you?), then you must check out the man’s actual website.
Your laugh buds will thank you. Oh, they will thank you. http://jaydiddilo.com/index.php
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Last, but not least, Brandon Graham, the artist and creator of King City, has been providing a great daily column over at The Comics Journal all week. This is a must read. The man provides some great artwork along with fun, quirky bits of internet goodness. Plus, a cool peak into his daily life.
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Yep. That’s it. Next week I should post something more substantial. For now, enjoy this post, and if you frequent Twitter follow my ass. I want more followers, so I can feel some higher sense of happiness. You want that, right?
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