2010 Was All The Rage

Most of my digital friends have written some sort of summary on how 2010 ended up. I always enjoy reading these and thought I'd add my own this year. At the very least I would be updating my blog.

2010 was a great year for me as far as comics are concerned. I attended ECCC back in March and had the chance to meet Dave West and Collin Mathieson in person. The con was extremely successful for us and I had a great time with everyone on the crew and some old pals I hadn't seen in years in Sea-Town. I'm looking forward to a con or two this year (hopefully MOCCA), but I doubt anything will ever compare to the blast that I had in Seattle.

We talked to quite a few creators this year on the show as well. Skottie Young was awesome, but I'm still extremely heartbroken that we lost the Ben Templesmith interview. Ben is one of the nicest guys you'll ever meet. He talks fast, has an accent, and is very quick witted. All of this added up to total bedlam during the interview. It was the funniest interview I've ever sat in on and I was devastated when the damn PC dumped it. Luckily, we were able to meet with Ben a few months ago in Salt Lake City and chat a bit. He'll be on the show again very soon, I am certain. ;)

All of these things made for a great 2010, but I have to admit that my favorite thing about the podcast is being able to step away from the daily grind for a bit each week and act like a kid again. Every Monday we talk superheroes and comics like we're in elementary school. It's a nice break. As far as creator interviews and contacts, I enjoy the people that I've met who are on the same level as us - struggling to do what they love while holding a day job to pay the bills. There are some amazing people and talents in independent comics and I am going to focus a lot of my energy on their work in 2011.

2010 ended busier than years past for me. The Christmas peak season at work began during the week of Thanksgiving and didn't stop until Christmas day. I was trying to tie up the loose ends of my old job while preparing for a new one (I start tomorrow. Only 5 minutes from my home), and on top of that, I was hit with pneumonia about a week ago for not taking care of myself properly. Not enough whiskey I suppose.

2011 is going to be a great year. 8AM will be completed soon, I've got a bit more help with the reviews now that Owen is around, and maybe, just maybe, I'll be lucky enough to get a story published.

Happy New Year, everyone. I hope you have a great one.

MUSIC SHUFFLE 11/10/2010

Here's what the iPod cranked out today while I was working:

Origin-The Aftermath

ISIS-Red Sea

High on Fire-Frost Hammer

ISIS-Deconstructing Towers

Converge-In Her Shadow

Cannibal Corpse-They Deserve To Die

Death Breath-Twisted In Distaste

Impaled-Masters Of Ordure

Immolation-In Human Form

Metallica-Damage Inc.

The Bronx-Heart Attack American

Black Tusk-Red Eyes, Black Skies

Howl-Oma

Judge-Like You

Old Man Gloom-Branch Breaker

Pixies-Where Is My Mind?

Dethklok-The Gears

Deadbolt-Channel 5

Iron Maiden-Children Of The Damned

Fugazi-Close Captioned (Demo)

Cannibal Corpse-Severed Head Stoning

Karate-Remain Relaxed

Converge-In Her Blood

Shelter-Knowledge Of The Absolute

Rival Schools-My Echo

Converge-When Forever Comes Crashing

Pink Floyd-The Great Gig In The Sky

Helmet-Speechless

Integrity-Nothing Left

Job For A Cowboy-Lords Of Chaos

Refused-Deadly Rhythm

Nile-Dusk Falls Upon The Temple Of The Serpent On The Mount Of Sunrise

Pixies-Vamos

Into Another-Actual Size

Lair Of The Minotaur-The Ultimate Destroyer

Aesop Rock-Forest Crunk

Sunny Day Real Estate-The Blankets Were The Stairs

The Dillinger Escape Plan-The Perfect Design

Misery Index-American Idolatry

Keelhaul-Tuco

Van Halen-Poundcake

Old Man Gloom-Three Ring Ocean Shideshow

Decrepit Birth-Ignite The Tesla Coil (A Departure Of The Sun)

Insect Warfare-Manipulator

Fugazi-Steady Diet

Fugazi-Close Captioned (Demo) (Again)

Threat-Jay-Z

Trap Them-Citizenihilist

Darkthrone- Underdogs And Overlords

Dead Kennedys-Funland At The Beach

Dead Congregation-Subjugation

Mastodon-Iron Tusk

Karate-This Day Next Year

Converge-Phoenix In Flight

Soundgarden-Somewhere

Horna-Vihanlietsoja

Morbid Angel-Ascent Through The Spheres



BEN TEMPLESMITH

Saturday morning I woke up and checked email and Twitter while I was feeding the little ones breakfast. Ben Templesmith had tweeted (I hate using that term) something about being at Black Cat Comics. There is a shop named Black Cat in Salt Lake City, so I checked to see if Ben happened to be here. Yep, he was!

I called Spence and Ryan right away to see if they wanted to make the 40 minute drive to SLC. Sadly, Ryan couldn't make it, but Spence could, so we were off!

We've spoken with Ben before and he is a pure joy to talk to. If you ever get the chance to meet up with him at a con or a shop, make sure you take the time to chat. He's incredibly witty, funny, and just an all around nice person.

Spence & Ben

 Me & Ben

                                

 

WHAT A DOWNER

I just had my first experience with a creator being a total asshole. I was not abrasive, nor was I pestering him. I asked one simple question and the guy fired off a rude answer. I was totally taken aback. He must not be fond of our reviews or something. Regardless, there was no reason to act so childish and rude.

No more buying his books. Not that it matters...this guy makes enough money without me buying them.

HARLEM TAINT TREADERS

No interviews this week. Just good old fashioned TPB comic talk with the crew. My favorite part is Spence's history lesson on mailbags. You'll see...

Here's the write up and Spence's awesome cover with Daredevil's feelings about Cally's rambling:

Cally is back!!!! After completely infecting the internet, and alienating some great creators forever, Cally is back with gang dishing the dirt about comics and insulting minority groups. We talk about Wildstorm closing (apparently because DC has to move to California, according to the aforementioned Cally), Captain America photos – now with Capri pants! – a Twitter mixup with us and Jeff Parker, Gabriel Hardman giving us free AWESOME sketches (oh yeah!!!), our old alumni Jake Black, how awesome Batman: Brave and the Bold is, DC animated movies, and – what’s this?! – a very brief discussion about someone from the world of SPORTS!?!?!?!?! (We promise this will never happen again)

Cally and Spence throw “insolent twat” at each other, we talk about another comic podcast that gave us a kind review, Mark physically can’t admit his love of fantasy, and we have the return of two beloved segments – Cold Storage and Spence’s Sack! Plus, stay tuned for a great interview with an up-and-coming comic book writer and artist – and friend of the show – at the end of this episode!

Reviews for this week: Stuff Of Legend: The Jungle #2 and Skullkickers #1
Musical Selection: “Jungle Love” by Morris Day and The Time Direct download: TPB Issue #71

TAGGING ALONG

As you all know, I'm part of a small press crew. The Basement is fun for us. Spence, Cally, Mark, & Nate started this thing almost two years ago. Ryan started on as a guest and then became a regular, and then he invited me to tag along with him during a few episodes. One thing led to another and I was lucky enough to be added to the crew. My roll with the crew is to deal with the PR. Chances are if you've had something reviewed or we've talked to you on the show, you heard from me. That's not to say that the other dudes haven't done their fair share of the work. Everyone has put forth the effort to contact someone or get us set up at a con, or whatever. I'm just explaining that my MAIN focus for TPB is PR stuff.

And I love it.

I mean, who doesn't want to speak with someone that they admire? I've been lucky enough to talk with some of the biggest names in comics today and it has been an absolute blast. What's even cooler about this whole thing is that every single artist and writer that I have talked to have been nothing but polite and accommodating. I have yet to run into a rude creator. That goes the same for publishers. Yessir, there are good people in comics.

I was listening to a bunch of different podcasts today while I was at work. There are some pretty professional podcasts out there. The best of them are lucky enough to be sponsored. Maybe we'll get there someday. Who knows?

Anyway, while I was listening to a few of these podcasts, I noticed that most of them had something in common; they are all groupies for comic book creators. What I mean by that is podcasters & "critics" seem to want so badly to fit in with those who have a genuine talent in comics that they've created their own medium just to try and tag along. They want the tightly intertwined crew of comic creators to accept them because they think they have something to offer the creators' community.

Don't get me wrong, I've made some friends in comics from doing this. Some genuine friends whom I look forward to seeing again very soon. With these people, I've connected on a different level. A level well outside of comics, though we all share the hobby. Perhaps other podcasters have these kind of friendships too, but you won't hear me brag about it like I've heard these groupies do.

Like other members of the comic podcast community, we attend cons, meet people, and try to get to know a few folks in the industry. We need to in order to be successful and gain listeners. Unlike some other interview podcasts, we are under no illusions of who we are. We are not comic artists, writers, or colorists. We are not publishers or editors and we will not pretend to be. We're not here to ride anyone's coat tails or get a free ride on someone else's hard work in the industry. When we record and conduct interviews, it's just a bunch of fan-boys sitting around in a room, lucky enough to chat with folks who've created something we like.

That's what I hope you get from listening to us.

TWITTER

Devotees,

If you have a Twitter account, please follow TPB. We need the support on Twitter. I promise amusing and funny updates. I may even throw up some Cally quotes from the podcast!

EPISODE #67 IS UP

Once again, the TPB gang is forced to leave the basement! Squinting at the sunlight, screaming in fear at flies and bugs, vainly trying to keep a fire going – it’s back to the great outdoors! In our second annual camping episode we – minus the sadly absent Cally – broadcast from next to the fire as we talk about HORROR comics! As if being outdoors talking about scary stuff wasn’t spooky enough, it was Friday the 13th when we recorded! We were even by a large-ish body of water – not quite Crystal Lake, but it was enough for us. (And mutant creatures were even reported to be in there by Spence’s wife! Yiiiiiiikes!)

Once again Ryan waxes nostalgic for old comics, Spence provides fine historical background info, and Jim loves X-Files/ 30 Days Of Night! We talk about all the horror out there for you, the discerning reader/listener. Whatever kind of horror you are into, we talk about it!

Thanks for our fine pals at Darkhorse, we were able to review two new awesome titles – B.P.R.D. : Hell On Earth – New World #1 and Buzzard #3. (Cally, you missed out!) After that, Ryan (with some help from Spence) does a very rushed Cold Storage – with a few new intros! Then, something awful happens. It is a true horror story. Listen to see if the boys make it out alive.

We had a wonderful time, despite being outdoors. Sadly, we didn’t get yelled at by Santa Claus this year, and there was no “Boner Anus” like last time – but we did at least have an offensive hot dog/marshmallow roaster! We hope you enjoy it, cuz we ain’t leaving the house till next year!

Reviews for this week: B.P.R.D. : Hell On Earth – New World #1 and Buzzard #3
Cold Storage Review: Creepy #1
Musical Selection:  “Where did you sleep last night” by Lead Belly

CLICK HERE!

VOODOO

Got me an iPad.

Awesome.

Comics are amazing on this thing.

I JUST THOUGHT OF THIS.

I never posted these interviews! Well, they're on the TPB review website, but I never mentioned them on my blog.

Interviews with John Arcudi (B.P.R.D., A GOD SOMEWHERE) and Boris Savic (BANIMON).

Check 'em out.

Infinity Gauntlet #1 Preview

We were all really excited when we heard Brian Churilla was going to draw Thanos and company for the new Infinity Gauntlet series. Marvel finally has a preview posted and it looks wonderful.

Nice work, Brian! I Can't wait to get this in my hands!

Check out the preview for Infinity Gauntlet #1 here.

Episode 66 Is Up!

Wonderful writer/artist/gentleman Martin Flink drops by the basement for a quiet chat in this episode! (Good thing our basement is so close to Denmark….) We talked/gushed about Martin’s new book “The Man Of Glass” – from our wonderful pals at Accent UK – a few issues back, and the gushing continues as we talk to Martin about “Man Of Glass” as well as his past work including Utopia, The Troll and much more! We also get soft and sentimental as we discuss children and how they affect you, and how this plays into “Man Of Glass”. We are then treated to a small description of Martin’s upcoming work “Lizard”, which promises to be awesome.

We’ve said it before, and we’ll say it again: Do yourself a favor and go to your local comic shop and demand that they order “The Man Of Glass”. It’s a simple story, but it is beautiful, heart-breaking, and it will haunt you – not in a bad, creepy way, but in a way soul-searching kind of way. You won’t regret it.

Thanks Martin! We appreciate it!

After the interview, Cally, Ryan, and Spence power-trio it out, old-school style. First of all we talk about comic news…… depressing comic news. More Bendis rage from Ryan (Ryan, shut up already!), Red Hulk, Kevin Smith hate, Thunderstrike returns and more! The news picks up with some goodness about our pal/TPB alumni Francis Manapul! Hooray!

After that, we get a Comic-Con recap from Spence, our man-on-the-scene! He talks costumes, being crop-dusted by fat nerds, the Boom party, our boy Dan Fraga, and our other boy Brian Churilla! (Give him $5, you stupid nerds!) Spence met tons of folks, and then talks about a few! Ryan does a Cold Storage review of Oni Press’s great book “Love Buzz” because he’s a big fat softie, and then Spence does Nate’s Corner! What the?!?!?!?! It’s true! (Somebody has to do it…..) Luckily, the Nate’s Corner segment gives us a chance to gush about Joelle Jones, which you know we love to do.

We hope you enjoy!

Cold Storage Review: Love Buzz (from Oni Press)

Nate’s Corner Review (by Spence!): Trouble Maker

Music Selection: Happy Trails by Van Halen

Finished

I've finally finished my script for my contribution to Accent UK's Zombies 2 (2ombies) Anthology. I've sent it off to Dave and a few other friends to look at before I sit down with Dan and figure out the art.

As an aspiring writer, I'm always a bit nervous to send off a script and get feedback. I need the feedback, of course--how else would I better my writing? The thing I'm always scared of is, "HA! You think I could publish this sh*&?!? Write a better one or we'll find someone else." It hasn't happened yet, but it's always in the back of my mind.

Fingers crossed.

"What Swells in Wells, Stays in Wells"

My job takes me to some interesting places.

Most people travel to big cities like New York or Los Angeles. I travel to Wells, Nevada and Rock Springs, Wyoming.

Honestly, it doesn't bother me much. I get to see things that you don't see in a huge city. Things like these:

Yep, brothels are still legal in some places in the states. Here's the sign for another one: 

I still can't believe it. The next message to come up was "What swells in Wells, stays in Wells!" There were some others, but I can't remember them. It's probably a blessing.

I took all of these pictures in Wells, Nevada. Look it up on Google earth. This picture below is my favorite. I took it in a casino/gas station in Wells. The artist of this painting is asking $225. Let me know if you want me to pick it up for you.

It's titled "Freedom Isn't Free".

I almost had a stroke when I discovered all of this. Spencer suggested a live blog next time I travel.

Hmmm...not a bad idea.

HELLO KOREA!!

The latest episode is up on the TPB site. Go take a listen. I really think Spence has outdone himself with the cover. It's my favorite so far.

It’s back to basics, basementators! No fancy, wonderful or insightful interviews this time – just our regular douchebaggery, tomfoolery, and jackassery! Enjoy!

Ryan starts things off with some apologies – always a good time! Then we talk about our loyal Korean fans (email us!), our iPhone app, get more Bendis bashing from Ryan, and then get down to some news: including Harvey Pekar (R.I.P.), Mark Waid hatin’ on super-hero comics, and Hastings finally getting comic books – after about 20 years of having them already…

The gang also gets into an interesting discussion about writers who just want to make “their mark” on the character instead of just serving the character and writing a good story – for crying out loud, stop it!

After our regular reviews, we are treated to a review by Spence of the gorgeous “Blacksad”, and then he does a Cold Storage review that doesn’t have any rhyming?!?! What the? (You’ll see what I’m talking about)
Thanks for joining us again! We really do appreciate it.

Reviews for this week: Northlanders #29 and Stuff Of Legend Vol. 2 – The Jungle #1

Cold Storage Review: The Demon #1

Music Selection: Am I Demon by Danzig

LIVE FROM SDCC!

Our beloved Dic(k)tator, Spencer, will be blogging live from San Diego Comic Con this weekend. Head to the main site to check it out. Show him some love and post some comments or ask some questions. He'll be rubbing elbows with some of your favorites!

BANIMON!

I got some crazy comic stuff in the mail today.

There is a creator somewhere in Massachusetts named Boris Savic who's made some of the funnest & hippest comics that I've seen. I'm still doing a bit of research, but it looks like Banimon is much more than just a comic & Rocket North is much more than just a publisher.

We'll be talking about them very soon on the podcast and I'll have a review up for all of you on the Astonishing Reviews site soon. In the meantime, check Boris, Rocket North, & Banimon out HERE.

I'm Not Really a Hip-Hop Kinda Guy...

...In fact, Hip-Hop music makes me down-right uncomfortable to listen to. I always feel like I'm breaking some type of  unspoken lifestyle agreement if I ever listen to Hip-Hop or Rap. Honestly, who drives a Toyota 4-runner through the desert highways of Utah and bumps Ice Cube? I've got a real problem seeing kids that grew up in white suburbia neighborhoods drive tricked out Hondas and blast Dr. Dre at a deafening volume. I'm a metal guy and always have been. It fits my style, my tastes, and more importantly, it challenges me to listen to it.

Then Rob came along with up a bunch of Hip-Hop for me to try. Swollen Members? Bah! The name alone makes me uncomfortable (but I don't have a problem with the name Dying Fetus for some reason, and it's much worse....hmmm). Eminem? No thanks. Aesop Rock? Holy smokes....I...love it.

I can't get enough of Aesop Rock. His lyrics aren't about killing people or selling women off for money. He's got a strange tone and rhythm to his music that captivates me, and I just can't stop listening to it. It's been over a month now and I bet I've listened to the album "Labor" 50 times.

So, go ahead and make fun of me, but I'm pretty sure I won't be buying a tricked-out civic any time soon or trading in my Necrophagist for 50 Cent.

Check out Aesop Rock here.

BUZZARD #1

Review for Buzzard is up on the site.

It's twisted goodness.

ZOMBIES 2

I've been invited to write a story for Accent UK's 2011 Zombie 2 anthology. I'm pretty damn excited about it. I've got my outline finished and my artist is going to be another local from SLC; Dan Christofferson. Check out his stuff at http://www.beeteeth.com/. 

Dan's got a gnarly hardcore kind of style. by "hardcore", I mean hardcore music & culture. Hopefully between the two of us we'll be able to bring a bit of flavor from the scene we grew up in into this story. I think it'll be unique and fun as hell to work on.