BUZZBOY nominated for six Harvey Awards!

Above: Artwork to the cover of BUZZBOY: SIDEKICKS RULE #3 by Frank Cho.

I have some great news! The nominees to the 2009 Harvey Awards have been announced. My buddy, John Gallagher and his comic, BUZZBOY: SIDEKICKS RULE, have been nominated for six awards. The categories include Best Writer, Best Cartoonist, Best Inker, Best Letterer, Best Cover Artist, and Special Award for Humor in Comics.



Above: Cover to BUZZBOY: SIDEKICKS RULE #3 by Frank Cho.

Here’s what John Gallagher had to say:

Please let me say personally, this is a great honor, and quite humbling, to be nominated in the same categories as some really, really, talented creators-- people whom I deem as far superior as writers, cartoonists, etc. I am positive that many across the internet will offer up a collective "What Th--?" about us getting the recognition we are getting, and I join them in that-- but I really do appreciate those that may have thrown their support our way.

Congratulations go out to Rich Faber (Best Inker), Thom Zahler (Best Letterer), Frank Cho (Best Cover Artist), and John Gallagher (Best Writer, Best Cartoonist, Special Award for Humor in Comics).



Above: Artwork to the cover of BUZZBOY: SIDEKICKS RULE #2 by Howard Porter.

If you’re a comic book professional, don’t forget to vote in this year’s Harvey Awards!

For more on John and Buzzboy, check out Sky Dog Comics.



Above: Artwork from BUZZBOY: SIDEKICKS RULE #2 by John Gallagher and Rich Faber.



Above: Buzzboy joins Lethargic Lad, Him, Hunter, and Nihilist-Man in CROSSOVER CLASSICS. Artwork by Greg Hyland.

Nihilist-Man TM and © 2009 Albert Gordon Nickerson Jr.. Hunter TM and © 2009 Michael Kornstein. Lethargic Lad TM and © 2009 Greg Hyland. Him TM and © 2009 Steve Remen. Buzzboy and related characters TM and © 2009 John Gallagher and Sky Dog Press.

Pull my finger...

On a couple of occasions, I came across an altered photo of Stan Lee. See above. On the left, is the original photo of Stan, and on the right is the altered version. What sort of devil would do such a thing?

Got Comics?

I don’t often give comic book reviews, but I do like to mention comics that I enjoy reading, and I do like to point out stupid things that I see in comics, as well. Today, it’s a little bit of both, and Spoiler Free…



INVINCIBLE may very well be the greatest comic book ever made. I know, that’s quite a claim, but with each new issue, I feel this could definitely be the truth. Robert Kirkman is an amazing writer. He constantly keeps the reader guessing. I’ve always loved Ryan Ottley’s artwork. The coloring by FCO Plascencia is the best coloring in comics (I've admired his work since GEMINI). Some major stuff happens in INVINCIBLE #63. Be warned, though, this new issue is quite bloody. As I always say, if you enjoy fun super-hero comics, then you should be reading INVINCIBLE.

I give INVINCIBLE #63 four and a half out of five NM’s.



Above: Artwork from INVINCIBLE #63. What a bloody mess!



A few years back, I read, and enjoyed, the Powergirl issues that appeared in JSA CLASSIFIED #1-4. So, I figured I’d check out the new ongoing POWERGIRL series, as well. I’m not quite sure what to make of POWERGIRL #2. Amanda Conner’s artwork is as solid as ever. Adam Hughes’ cover is amazing (I wish I could draw like that guy). However, I wasn’t crazy about the bestiality reference in the story. Whenever I think that we’ve made some strides in comics, some big publisher does something that bugs me. Bestiality at DC? Could be. C’mon… we’re better than that.

I give POWERGIRL #2 two out of five NM’s.



Above: Artwork from POWERGIRL #2. Powergirl beats down a "crazy monkey guy."

Martin!!!

The P.I.C. interviews continue with Martin…



P.I.C. News: Where are you?
Martin: Brooklyn, NY. Near Prospect Park.

P.I.C. News: What are you doing?
Martin: Designer at Sock Company in NYC.

P.I.C. News: What’s new?
Martin: Recently took up Oil Painting.

P.I.C. News: What book(s) are you reading now-a-days?
Martin: Just finished "Blind Willow Sleeping Woman" by Haruki Murakami. Starting "Rant" by Chuck Palahniuk.

P.I.C. News: What comics are you reading now-a-days?
Martin: Fantastic Four, Batman Year 100, Love & Rockets.

P.I.C. News: What music are you listening to?
Martin: WFMU & my itunes collection.

P.I.C. News: What was the last good movie that you saw?
Martin: Star Trek.

P.I.C. News: What movie do you never get tired of watching?
Martin: Dr. Strangelove.

P.I.C. News: Who is your favorite hero?
Martin: Batman.

P.I.C. News: Who is your favorite villain?
Martin: The Joker.

P.I.C. News: Who would win in a fight between Batman and Captain Kirk?
Martin: Batman.

P.I.C. News: What is your favorite Sloane House and/or SVA memory?
Martin: Painting Class with Burt Hasen.

P.I.C. News: Where do you want to be in ten years?
Martin: Drawing / Painting full time.



Above photo (left to right): Scan, Joey B, and Martin having a good time with fellow P.I.C. members in Manhattan last December.

Yo, Pro!

The P.I.C. interviews continue with Pro…



P.I.C. News: Where are you?
Pro: Los Angeles and Madison, WI.

P.I.C. News: What are you doing?
Pro: Making headway Acting and Graphic Designs. New Graphic work at www.coroflot.com/stephenprovenzano and putting proposal packages together for my Children's book to send to agents.

P.I.C. News:What’s new?
Pro: Shooting a scene in studio. Originally, the scene was performed live (video of the live performance is up on my Stephen Gerard Facebook page). New illustrations as stated above.

P.I.C. News:What book(s) are you reading now-a-days?
Pro: "How To Stop Acting" by Harold Guskin, "Joker" By Brian Azzarello art by Lee Bermejo and currently perusing my Frank Frazetta: Book Two. Good stuff!

P.I.C. News:What comics are you reading now-a-days?
Pro: See above book entry. :-)

P.I.C. News:What music are you listening to?
Pro: Abba. Don't judge me!!! Also loving my Serius XM music (usually "The Pulse" or "Coffee House" stations).

P.I.C. News:What was the last good movie that you saw?
Pro: "Star Trek."

P.I.C. News:What movie do you never get tired of watching?
Pro: Well, only because I just watched it again the other night, I'll say "The Dark Knight"; Oh, and Pixar's "The Incredibles" yeaaah.

P.I.C. News:Who is your favorite hero?
Pro: I'm gonna say Captain Sully. With recent air disasters, It brings to mind what expertise can truly do.

P.I.C. News:Who is your favorite villain?
Pro: Sarah Palin. She's just so darn funny. (wink)

P.I.C. News:Who would win in a fight between Batman and Captain Kirk?
Pro: Without certain details such as where the fight takes place/environment, my gut says Batman.



Above photo: Pro in his dorm room at Sloane House. 1985.

P.I.C. News:What is your favorite Sloane House and/or SVA memory?
Pro: Various meetings of the Scan's corner gang and climbing from my window to Miguel's window, so I could change his furniture around.

P.I.C. News:Where do you want to be in ten years?
Pro: Writing more children's books accepting an Academy award :-) or on a tropical island.

P.I.C. News:Is there any other news that you would like to share with the rest of us?
Pro: Peace and Love, peace and love.



Above photo (left to right): Miguel and Pro hanging with fellow P.I.C. members in Manhattan last December.

Troubles for Diamond???

Cartoonist D.J. Coffman has written an eye-opening article on possible new problems with Diamond Comic Distributors…

Three of the stories of creators not being paid by KNOWN publishers leads back to the excuse given that DIAMOND COMICS owes the publisher money. The first time I heard this excuse I thought it was bogus... but the second and third time I heard it from totally different creators who don't even know each other, it made me start to worry something was up with Diamond.

Diamond Comic Distributors is THE only distributor of comic books to retailers in the Direct Market. I had no idea that Diamond MIGHT be in such financial trouble. It’s certainly bad news for retailers. Publishers will find a way to get their books out there if anything bad should happen to Diamond. I like the Amazon suggestion. There’s also the option of the non-returnable bookstore market. Still, if Diamond should fall, it’s comics’ own fault. The Direct Market is broken. We need other viable options for distribution. But, there’s very little change being done. If Diamond Comic Distributors should fold, what would that mean for the comic book market?

You can call me Al…

The P.I.C. interviews continue with Al…



P.I.C. News: Where are you?
Al Nickerson: New York.

P.I.C. News: What are you doing?
Al Nickerson: I’m drawing comics and writing about comics.

P.I.C. News: What’s new?
Al Nickerson: Not much. Still drawing comics and writing about comics.

P.I.C. News: What book(s) are you reading now-a-days?
Al Nickerson: "Prince of Stories: The Many Worlds of Neil Gaiman" by Hank Wagner, Christopher Golden, and Stephen R. Bissette.

P.I.C. News: What comics are you reading now-a-days?
Al Nickerson: INVINCIBLE, JACK STAFF, ATOMIC ROBO, and BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER: SEASON EIGHT. Many comics stink of poo, but these books are very much worth reading. There are still some great comics out there.

P.I.C. News: What music are you listening to?
Al Nickerson: Delirious?, BarlowGirl, and Rebecca St. James. Nothing new there.

P.I.C. News: What was the last good movie that you saw?
Joel Adams: STAR TREK was entertaining.

P.I.C. News: What movie do you never get tired of watching?
Al Nickerson: BLADE RUNNER. BLADE RUNNER: THE FINAL CUT is absolutely amazing! Oh, and THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST, too!

P.I.C. News: Who is your favorite hero?
Al Nickerson: Captain Marvel! The original… ya know, the "Big Red Cheese."

P.I.C. News: Who is your favorite villain?
Al Nickerson: That would be Magneto. Magneto isn’t just a one-dimensional villain. Yeah, he’s bad. Yeah, he believes that Homo sapiens superior (mutants) should run things, and that he should be the one to rule the mutants. Magneto is motivated by his politics… warped as they may be.

P.I.C. News: Who would win in a fight between Batman and Captain Kirk?
Al Nickerson: I would go with Batman. Although, if Kirk were commanding the USS Enterprise, he might have a chance.



Above photo: Al hanging out in Bucky’s dorm room at Sloane house. School Year 1987-1988.

P.I.C. News: What is your favorite Sloane House and/or SVA memory?
Al Nickerson: The School of Visual Arts college days were tremendous fun. I don’t know if I have any one particular fond memory of those times. But, many moments do come to mind… Will Eisner’s ‘Sequential Art’ class, (the great) Sal Amendola’s ‘Cartoon Workshop’ class, the Ghost’s Free Pizza Party, drinking at Twin’s Pub, Pro chasing Korn with a fire-extinguisher, trying to put a drunken Sean into the elevator, the P.I.C. gang dressing up like Korn, using white tape to divide my half of the dorm studio from Pro’s half, reading comics in Scan’s Corner, "borrowing" from Pro’s bucket of pennies during a game of poker…

P.I.C. News: Where do you want to be in ten years?
Al Nickerson: Well, if I’m not in Heaven by then, I’d like to still be making comics.

P.I.C. News: Is there any other news that you would like to share with the rest of us?
Al Nickerson: Keep reading P.I.C. News!



Above photo: Moments before Al’s baptism on April 1, 2007. Al is the handsome fellow on the right.

Fiiiive Bucks…

The P.I.C. interviews race on with "Five Bucks" Bill…



P.I.C. News: Where are you?
Bill: Still in Norman, OK.

P.I.C. News: What are you doing?
Bill: Same job, Kids are 19 months and 6- tons of fun!



Above photo (Left to right): The adorable Freeman and Sarah.

P.I.C. News: What’s new?
Bill: Finally building my next house on a couple of acres.

P.I.C. News: What book(s) are you reading now-a-days?
Bill: WWII histories, Harry Potter with my daughter.

P.I.C. News: What comics are you reading now-a-days?
Bill: Need to get one.

P.I.C. News: What music are you listening to?
Bill: Country, Jazz, "Alternative."

P.I.C. News: What was the last good movie that you saw?
Bill: Star Trek was pretty good.

P.I.C. News: What movie do you never get tired of watching?
Bill: Rio Bravo, Die Hard, In Harm's Way.

P.I.C. News: Who is your favorite hero?
Bill: Very tough: John Wayne always works, Jim Kirk's pretty good. Tim Burton's first Batman was interesting because he was just as twisted as the villain.

P.I.C. News: Who is your favorite villain?
Bill: The Terminator, because he goes through the reverse process of movie machines- his veneer of humanity is stripped away completely during the film while every other movie tries to personify the machine characters.

P.I.C. News: Who would win in a fight between Batman and Captain Kirk?
Bill: Batman would be out maneuvered by Kirk's supporting cast.



Above photo (Left to right): Al and Bill at Sloane House. 1986.

P.I.C. News: What is your favorite Sloane House and/or SVA memory?
Bill: Bringing my future wife to visit at the end of the first year.

P.I.C. News: Where do you want to be in ten years?
Bill: Alive, in my new house, watching my kids, and having written one of my many story ideas.

P.I.C. News: Is there any other news that you would like to share with the rest of us?
Bill: I'm into SCCA racing- I'll share a pic-

P.I.C. West...

Be warned! Some of the following correspondence with Joel is of an adult nature. Put the children in the other room.

The P.I.C. interviews keep on rockin’ with Joel…



P.I.C. News: Where are you?
Joel Adams: Los Angeles.

P.I.C. News: What are you doing?
Joel Adams: Managing Continuity Studios West and working on my own License "Lilz." If I get a breather between the two, I do a double page spread for Carrie Leigh’s "NUDE Magazine" every issue.

P.I.C. News: What’s new?
Joel Adams: I have a store set up for Lilz T-shirts. Not much else… same ol' same ol'... Need a life… maybe a kid one day.

P.I.C. News: What book(s) are you reading now-a-days?
Joel Adams: Don’t have a lot of time for reading. I mostly listen to audio books. Most recently, the entire Harry Potter series and the Winter King series by Cornwall.

P.I.C. News: What comics are you reading now-a-days?
Joel Adams: Gave up on comics years ago... too much crap for too much money.

P.I.C. News: What music are you listening to?
Joel Adams: Disturbed, Metallica, Korn... plus I pick up a couple Club DJ mixes every now and then on easynews.

P.I.C. News: What was the last good movie that you saw?
Joel Adams: Star Trek.

P.I.C. News: What movie do you never get tired of watching?
Joel Adams: Brave Heart.

P.I.C. News: Who is your favorite hero?
Joel Adams: King Arthur.

P.I.C. News: Who is your favorite villain?
Joel Adams: Darth Vader... the original one.

P.I.C. News: Who would win in a fight between Batman and Captain Kirk?
Joel Adams: If you don't have super powers, Batman is gonna kick your ass. If you have super powers, he will find a way to kick your ass. He is like Chuck Norris in that way.



Above photo (Left to right): Miguel, Joel, Al, Bucky, and Joey B during Mr. Cullum’s bachelor party in April of 1993.

P.I.C. News: What is your favorite Sloane House and/or SVA memory?
Joel Adams: Getting piss drunk with everyone on 28th St. (i Believe) and playing executive Quarters with everyone, but Miguel and I got sick. Apparently, right after I left, Miguel got sick; and I lost it at home in bed. Man, I miss those times. :) I think that was the night I punched out the window on the Yugo. LOL.

P.I.C. News: Is there any other news that you would like to share with the rest of us?
Joel Adams: I hope everyone is well. For those that knew Pres Romanillos at SVA, He had been diagnosed with leukemia last year, but after lots of Chemo and bone marrow transplants, he seems to be on the mend.

John Byrne vs. Erik Larsen vs. Neil Gaiman vs. Todd McFarlane...

Above: The cover to SPAWN #9 which introduced Angela, Cagliostro, and Medieval Spawn.

Full disclosure: I am a fan of the works of both John Byrne and Erik Larsen. At least twice, I interviewed John for BACK ISSUE. I met Erik twice.

Initially, I wasn’t going to blog again about the whole Neil Gaiman versus Todd McFarlane feud, but things just became very interesting when Erik Larsen started posting on John Byrne’s message board…

Erik Larsen: "Neil got a far better deal than he would have elsewhere (as promised) and Neil decided that wasn’t enough and the issue has still not been resolved. The other three writers all took the same deal and were perfectly happy with it. You don’t hear people talking about how Dave Sim was ‘screwed’ because Todd McFarlane ‘only’ paid him $100,000 to write a single comic book… Todd has spent millions defending himself against a guy who, at best, co-created a couple characters."

John Byrne: "Imagine how much he would have had to spend if he weren’t a champion of ‘creator’s rights’!!!"

Mr. Steve Bissette clarifies the whole mess and, also, contributes his own insights on the latest rumblings…

Steve Bissette: "The Kings of their respective and venerable fiefdoms have no idea what it’s like for those less fortunate and well-heeled than they (including those freelancers who make every one of their deadlines without fail), but it’s sure bleakly entertaining to hear them talk it up."

Steve Bissette is correct. The difference between Neil Gaiman and the other creators who wrote for SPAWN is that Gaiman created new characters in his story for SPAWN #9. And, I’m sure that Dave Sim would certainly have a problem if Todd McFarlane started saying he owned a piece of Cerebus because the character appeared in SPAWN #10.

As I’ve said before, I don’t think money is the issue here. Unless agreed upon, being given a very large amount of money doesn’t mean that you automatically loss any ownership of your intellectual property.

I did, finally, read through the thread on John Byrne’s message board. It’s mostly a bunch of nonsense. Erik Larsen is defending his defenseless friend. Byrne is being King of his message board, as usual (which is fine, really). But, the main problem with Byrne and Larsen is that they are the type(s) of comic book professionals who have been treated quite nicely by comic book publishers. Yeah, Larsen left Marvel to work on his own creator-owned comic (which was/is great). Byrne was one of (if not "the") hottest creators in the 1980’s. However, until creators, especially those of privilege (as much as that is), talk amongst each other and band together, I don’t see much more improvement for Creator’s Rights in comics. If the big name creators feel like they are treated well by publishers, they aren’t going to be too concerned about anyone else. There’s not going to be much motivation for them to commit to change.

Anyway, as it stands now, the courts have ruled that both Neil Gaiman and Todd McFarlane share equal ownership to the characters that were first introduced in SPAWN #9 which include Angela, Cagliostro, and Medieval Spawn.

Here's Beth...

The P.I.C. interviews continue with Beth…



P.I.C. News: Where are you?
Beth: Bloomfield, NJ along with my hubby and two kids.

P.I.C. News: What are you doing?
Beth: I'm still a fundraiser. I work for Montclair State University in Montclair, NJ.

P.I.C. News: What’s new?
Beth: I have two young kids, so there's something new with that every day. Life is good.

P.I.C. News: What book(s) are you reading now-a-days?
Beth: I'm in the middle of a book called "Feather Crowns" by Bobbie Ann Mason, an author from Kentucky.

P.I.C. News: What comics are you reading now-a-days?
Beth: None.

P.I.C. News: What music are you listening to?
Beth: Whatever happens to be on WBGO or whatever my kids tell me to.

P.I.C. News: What was the last good movie that you saw?
Beth: Just saw Star Trek and loved it (THAT should start some conversations . . .)

P.I.C. News: What movie do you never get tired of watching?
Beth: Anything by the Shawn of the Dead guys.

P.I.C. News: Who is your favorite hero?
Beth: My dad.

P.I.C. News: Who is your favorite villain?
Beth: Ben from "Lost."

P.I.C. News: Who would win in a fight between Batman and Captain Kirk?
Beth: Batman, hands down.



Above photo: The happy couple, Michael and Beth, on their wedding day October 18, 1997.

P.I.C. News: What is your favorite Sloane House and/or SVA memory?
Beth: Michael with hair.

P.I.C. News: Where do you want to be in ten years?
Beth: Alive is fine with me.

P.I.C. News: Is there any other news that you would like to share with the rest of us?
Beth: That's about it from here.



Above photo: Beth with the kids, Hope and Sam.

P.I.C. talks back…

In an attempt to keep everyone more connected, P.I.C. News has sent out a questionnaire to P.I.C. members around the world. Now, P.I.C. speaks out in response! P.I.C. News will be posting each P.I.C. member’s responses on a semi-daily basis.

First up is Sean…



P.I.C. News: Where are you?
Sean: Still in Montclair, NJ.

P.I.C. News: What are you doing?
Sean: Contract Project Manager at CommonHealth online agency.

P.I.C. News: What’s new?
P.I.C. News: Contract Project Manager at CommonHealth online agency.

P.I.C. News: What book(s) are you reading now-a-days?
Sean: "Scat" by Carl Hiaasen

P.I.C. News: What comics are you reading now-a-days?
Sean: None to speak of, last one I bought was Kyle Baker's self-published The Bakers.

P.I.C. News: What music are you listening to?
Sean: Rocket Man from One-Day Band from NPR.

P.I.C. News: What was the last good movie that you saw?
Sean: Let the Right One In.

P.I.C. News: What movie do you never get tired of watching?
Sean: Citizen Kane.

P.I.C. News: Who is your favorite hero?
Sean: Malcolm X (oh - did you mean comic book? er, DareDevil).

P.I.C. News: Who is your favorite villain?
Sean: Dick Cheney (in comic books: The Vulture).

P.I.C. News: Who would win in a fight between Batman and Captain Kirk?
Sean: Batman.

P.I.C. News: What is your favorite Sloane House and/or SVA memory?
Sean: All of them.



Above photo: Sean having a smoke in a classroom at the School of Visual Arts. School year 1986-1987.

P.I.C. News: Where do you want to be in ten years?
Sean: Retired in Boca/Arizona or Victoria in Canada.

P.I.C. News: Is there any other news that you would like to share with the rest of us?
Sean: We have 2 new cats, Jonesy and Stu/Grady. I still haven't seen the Watchmen movie, X-Men Origins: Wolverine, nor Terminator: Salvation, though Wolverine looks shitty from the promos, and I hear bad things about Terminator. UP! is another winner! (Can we PLEASE give an animated movie a best picture nomination now.)



Above photo (Left to right): Sean, Scan, and Miguel during Miguel’s 2008 New Year’s Eve festivity.

Christmas in June!

Above: Artwork from "The Holidaze" by (penciler) Fernando Ruiz and (inker) myself.

I’ve been busy making comics. I just inked a Jughead story, "The Holidaze", for Archie Comic Publications (see above). I’m writing my Forbush-Man article for BACK ISSUE magazine. And I’m working on my graphic novel (hopefully, my agent can find us a publisher).

I know… not a whole lot of specifics, but I felt like blogging anyway.