Out of Touch - The Attack of the Eyes Part 2

I've all but disappeared the past few days because I broke my glasses.  Yes, like the quintessential Burgess Meredith, I've been rendered obsolete (you thought I was zigging, and instead I went zag.) The new glasses will be here in a week or two, and in the meantime I have a 9 year old pair of wrong perscription glasses, and my reading glasses, which are good for reading only, and only for about twenty or thirty minutes at a time.   So, my communicating time is pretty limited, as every free minute is being spent trying to stay on top of deadlines (which, suprisingly, I still seem to be doing.)

Just another adventure stemming from 4 years without health insurance.

About My Eyes

A bunch of people e-mailed me about the eye thing mentioned in the Newsarama interview, so first off, thanks for all the concern.  That interview was actually done nearly three months ago, and although I'd like to say there's been some progress on that front, there hasn't been.  It seems I've developed some sort of opathamalogical neurological problem that gives me persistent double or triple vision and chronic incapacitating migraines.  I'm actually typing this through cloudy eyes with one of the worst migraines I've ever had, so please forgive the typos (although,I think I'm pretty good). As some of you know, I'm also Diabetic, and eye problems for diabeticscan be severely dangerous, so, despite the lack of insurance (until recently), I've been extremely diligent about seeing doctors and treating the problem.  Interestingly, my mom had a disease known as kerakatonis in her twenties which struck her temporarily blind, until she could have a cornea transplant.  The doctors have ruled kerakatonis out as a possibility for my problems.  They had also diagnosed it as Serous Retinopathy, but that also turned out to be wrong.

I've managed to stay more than on top of my freelance, thankfully, and wit the TV movie's first draft wrapping up and about to be turned in, it looks like we'll be okay financially for a little while.  I have some fancy brand new health insurance, finally, as well, and that has started me back with a general practitioner, who's going to aggressively help get to the bottom of the problem.

So, in other words, it sucks, but I'm okay.  I have good and bad days, but, it's being treated, and I'm still able to work as needed, so everything is on schedule.

Except for Three Rivers.  And again, this is why.  It'll be back on track soon, I swear.

Sick Again

It's been a while since I've been ill. Christina was suffering from a long lasting flu that managed to avoid infecting me, only to have her be mostly well, and me get slammed in the face by it.  Well, hopefully it won't last too too much longer. Early reviews for Postcards have been coming in, and they're VERY good.  I'm really looking forward to you guys checking it out.  I also got comps of Princess Ressurrection Book #1 in, that's in stores pretty soon, and is also lots of fun, despite my marginal involvment, I'm still quite proud of it.

Also, my return to the genre bending western has just been cemented.  Got a new book in the works with an established publisher that's going to be a blast.  I'll keep y'all updated as it goes.

Now, If you'll excuse me, I'm going to lay down.

Round Robin

Alright, so, it's been a whirlwind couple of weeks, and I apologize for being off the radar.  Highlight and lowlights below.

• Punks is in Previews, and we're doing all kinds of press and stuff for that.  Keep your eyes open for it.
• Free Comic Book Day was a blast at The Comic Bug, and yet again I forgot to take pictures.  The Punks FCBD issue of Digital Webbing was gone before I could even grab a copy for myself.  It looks GOOOOOD tho.
• Just got hired on a couple of very cool jobs I can't really talk about, one is a big licensed property comic thing, one is a TV movie.  I just sent in an outline for Vampirella 4-6, so, here's hoping that the sales keep up, and that gets to come to fruition.  There's at least one other book that hasn't been announced, but it will be relatively soon, I think.
• Got engaged to the most wonderful girl in the world.
• Been wrestling with some major occular problems, leaving me semi-blind for days at a time.  It's still problematic (I try not to drive unless it's dire circumstances), but it seems to be improving considerably.
• Thanks to that, Three Rivers the webcomic has sort of fallen off schedule.  Yes, I've been having these problems for THAT long.   Noel's about two months ahead of what's posted, so once I get the next script turned into him, I'll probably begin to post them.  The actual submission was sent off to prospective publishers this week, so, here's hoping.
• Got two other creator owned books being developed right now.  Pages are in on the first one, and the second one is being completed as we speak.   One's a 50's Cops and Monsters book, the other is my tribute to gangsters and the 70's.  Hopefully have more on those shortly.  I'm also developing a bunch of comics with Screenwriting partner Mark Wheaton (he of The Messengers, Friday the 13th, etc. fame.) It looks like one of those might see publication relatively soon. We shall see though.

End of update.

Duelin’ Fireman

Found on Metafilter

I remember hearing about this when I was a teenager. My two alt-type friends Dave and Neil and I were all about all of the crap this represents. Mostly Sub-Genius and Leary and the sheer absuirdism. Although, it was oftentimes only a theoretical interest, as we'd get a chance to actually experience the stuff and were always left feeling remarkably uncool. Like the first time I saw John Zorn play, and I was 13 and didn't get it.

In retrospect, I owe a lot of my personality and interests to that culture. I wonder what happened to those two guys, too.

Vampirella Quarterly #1 In Stores and…

Hey Gang,Vampirella Quarterly #1 is out in stores tomorrow, so please, stop by your local shop and grab a copy. It's got a new story by me plus a classic Archie Goodwin story. I'll paste all of the order info etc below.

In other news, it's been an eventful few months, obviously, but I finally have something to top it all.

About a week ago, I asked Christina to marry me, and, foolish though it may sound, she said yes. The sweetest, sexiest, smartest history librarian of them all and I will be tying the knot later this year. I've never met anyone like her, and my life has never been better than with her. Who knew that happiness was just down at the Central Library filed under History?

Alright, enough warm and fuzzies. Here's the Vampi Ordering Info:

New York (March 20, 2007) - It's not too late to order Vampirella's return! Get your fix of the hottest, sexiest horror in comics right here, starting this April in Vampirella Quartlery: Spring 2007 #1! Final order cut-off is March 30. Each issue of the ongoing Vampirella Quarterly series comes jam packed with at least two Vampirella tales.

Seven page preview here: http://vampirella.com/issues/spring07banner/index.html

First up: Part 1 of "Vengeance of Vampirella." Vampi's new quest has her following the bidding of an unwelcome master: The Blood Red Queen! Why is she in the thrall of her arch-nemesis? Has she turned to the dark side or is something even more sinister and shocking going on? Written by Joshua Hale Fialkov, Harvey Award nominated writer of Elk's Run, with spectacular art by rising star Stephen Segovia (Witchblade: Shades of Gray).

PLUS: Archie Goodwin's and Jose Gonzalez's classic Vampi tale "And Be a Bride of Chaos" is newly recolored and remastered by Glass House Graphics. Read one of the greatest Vampirella tales of all time as you've never seen it!

The issue sports two stunning regular covers by Joe Jusko, his first featuring the Blood Red Queen, and Stephen Segovia, re-imagining a classic Vampi cover by Sanjulian!

Deluxe Virgin Editions of the Jusko and a Black and White Edition of the Segovia covers limited to just 500 copies are also available. A signed and numbered version of the Jusko Virgin Edition, limited to 200, also available!

Each issue is 40 pages, full color and goes on sale April 25.

To order please use the following Diamond codes, also found on page 87 of the February 2007 Previews Order Form (V17#2): *Vampirella Quarterly SPR 07 Segovia Reg #1 FEB3130 $4.95 *Vampirella Quarterly SPR 07 Jusko Reg #1 FEB3131 $4.95 *Vampirella Quarterly SPR 07 Segovia B&W Cvr #1 FEB3132 $19.95 *Vampirella Quarterly SPR 07 Virgin Jusko Cvr #1 FEB3133 $19.95 *Vampirella Quarterly SPR 07 Virgin Jusko S&N #1 FEB3134 $29.95

And that's all she wrote, thanks for reading gang.

j.

Checking In

Yesterday's signing was a blast, and was well worth the trip down to Manhattan Beach (especially because Tony drove me.) We met a lot of fans, and sold a slew of books, and were then thoroughly entertained by Vaudeville, the band not the defunct theatercraft. I don't have their website anywhere, but if they read this, please send over a link, and I'll happily post it. Updated, I added their Myspace as a link up there. In other news, I've been having some interesting health problems of late that have been greatly limiting my work time. Luckily they seem to be resolving themselves somewhat, and I managed to get some writing done today.

And, of course, the passing of Kurt Vonnegut. Vonnegut was one of the guys I remember reading in like fifth or sixth grade and getting scolded by my teachers. "That's not for you," they'd say, and I'd just smile and keep reading. He managed to write sci-fi that wasn't, comedy that was, drama that had, and adventure that was full of the stuff. There was nobody better who did what he did. Although, to be fair, there was just plain nobody who did what he did.

And the guy has by far the best author cameo ever in Back to School.

So, thank you, Kurt for your inspiration and dedication. You'll be missed.

Time Flies

Sorry.  We've been looking for a new apartment, and I've been racing through some work for hire and wrapping up the first draft of the new spec by Wheaton and I. Harumpha.

Happy New Year

On a side note, Cereal is great.

I broke my finger

In the middle of a string of deadlines, that saw me write more than i have in months, I broke my finger in the middle of the night on Saturday/Sunday. I have a stupid little splint on, and can only hunt and peck. It's pretty lame. Announcements coming on Punks, Three Rivers, and a third untitled project that's coming along nicely.

UPDATE: After going to the doctor from the pain, it looks like I actually just sprained my finger, but managed to give myself whiplash in the process.  GO TEAM!

Woof

It's been a hellaciously busy couple of weeks, apologies for the lack of communication. Thanksgiving was great, nice and relaxing, and I've been working my balls off between day job and creative stuff.  Judging by where things stand now, the creative works going to continue to be a big demand, and there should be some announcements fairly soon on that front.

The Hoarse and Buggy site's been down for a while now, and my programmer is completely incommunicado, so I'm not sure when it'll return, or in what form.  I've been too busy trying to meet deadlines to actually sit down with Chris and figure it all out.

So, apologies for the short update.  I'll have pictures of Christina and I at Hearst Castle in the next day or so uploaded, so keep 'em peeled.

FallCon

Was great. Most fun I've had at a show in a long time.  Been running around playing catch up since the show, so I'll post photos and stuff when I get home tonight.  Cheers mateys.

Still Alive…

Just busier than hell. Work is pretty all consuming, with a couple of deadlines fast approaching. Got some cool stuff going on, most of which I can't really talk about. Also, I'll be attending Fall Con this weekend in Minnesota. I no longer own a coat, so I don't know how that's going to all go, but come by if you're going to be there and say "Howdy."

I’m an Absentee

Sorry for not being around.  Past few weeks have been incredibly busy.  Nothing really worthy of announcing yet, but, y'know, everything in due time.  I've been banging through a few WFH pitches, that would be incredibly cool to see come to light, but we'll see, I guess. More excitingly, I've been banging through the first draft of Tumor, and Noel's doing some sample art from the WIP script we have.  I think we've found a worthy successor to Elk's Run. It's some seriously fucked up shit and I think y'all will enjoy it.  I'm trying my best to keep it under my hat for now, aside from that sample art we put up next week, in hopes of having our publishing plans squared up before we spill any beans (or tumor addled brains.)

I spent the day with my new lady love at her awesome job at the Los Angeles Public Library, working on scripts and generally being away from telephones and tv's.  It's nice to just get some work done, and be able to look up and see someone I really and truly love just a few feet away.

Also, i got a terrible haircut.  That's all the shit thats fit to print.

Almost there…

Got most of my stuff out of the apartment and into the new place yesterday.  Didn't actually y'know... sleep much from Friday to Sunday, but, I finally got a chance to lay down last night.  So, that's good.  Now I have to clean the shit hole of an old apartment, and get the cats settled in to their new life of confinement. Woofa.

It’s My Birthday

And I'm moving this weekend. So, thank you for all the birthday wishes, I've received them, I just don't have time to reply.

And anyone LA who wants to give me a birthday present is welcome to join us Saturday and Sunday for "Movingfest 2006".

My e-mail is down…

as is the H&B site. Not sure why. Anyone needs me should send to me via my Gmail account.

Sorry for the radio silence

Things are INSANE right now.  Trying to get work done, got the move this weekend, and, I'm literally running as fast as possible to try and keep up. These are the days we tell stories about forever.

Hopefully be 'round more next week.

Today was a good day…

I didn't use my AK. Had more good stuff then a guy should ever expect happen today to both me and my friends, so, it's time to rock out.

With or without your cock out.  I'll make that individual's last free choice.

Things I Bought in a Sleepless Stupor

\ Full size, rollable keyboard.  I end up dragging my giant ass keyboard with me wherever I go if I'm away for more than a few days.  This, in theory, will help with that (although for longer trips, I'll probably still take my trusty ergonomic).  It's dirt ass cheap, tho, so I suppose it's worth a try.