marvel

Calendars

General Geekiness

I sometimes think of years in terms of calendars, of the pictures and themes that each holds. As a child, these calendars would fall into themes of endless similarity. For years, I had American Girl calendars, and I really can’t distinguish most of my elementary school years. The puppies and wolves of middle school gave way to more variety come high school (most memorable being Disney characters and Pirates of the Caribbean).

In 2008, my calendar was Edward Hopper paintings, full of pale light, fanciful images and good times with friends.

2009 was the year of Marvel Superheroes.  When things got stressful, I’d look to my calendar for moments of crystal clear right-and-wrong, primary colors and childlike wonder.

For the upcoming year, my calendar is The Beatles, with simply black and white photography and minimalist design. There are moments of tranquility among madness captured in black and white photos, and I know I will find these moments in my day to day life, no matter how hectic and stressful life becomes.

A happy, safe and prosperous New Year to you all!

Blogger’s block

General Geekiness, The Twirl and Swirl of Letters

Ironically, I just posted an entry on writer’s block. Never thought I’d get blogger’s block so quickly afterwards.

So what am I doing? Looking for info on the Highlander remake penned by the Iron Man writers. Not coming up with anything new. Also reading bad fan fiction. Maybe I’ll go and write bad fan fiction.

On a happier note, I found my copy of How to Draw Comics the Marvel Way.  I forgot how much I loved that book. Now I’m drawing random characters who may or may not make an appearance in Nerds Have More Fun. Which I drew the first story of today. So sometime next week it will be posted (no scanner).

I forgot how out of practice I am with drawing action poses.

On Webcomics

General Geekiness

I love webcomics. I like looking at other people’s artwork and reading stories that they’ve come up with. There’s a certain thrill that comes when realizing that, yes, today is Wednesday and that means there’s a new xkcd (and also LOST, but not this week alas).

There’s something special about webcomics. They don’t exist in the tangible realm, and yet they are so vibrant. Growing up, I didn’t have access to comic books. Batman wasn’t a part of my Saturday morning cartoons. I discovered comics in high school, devouring old school Marvel, the Alan Moore DC comics, Sandman, and so forth.

Then I figured out that there were people writing these for the web, and that was was the end.

Some of the first comics I discovered were xkcd and Fey Winds. They still endure as ones I go back to again and again.

But my favorite is probably Skin Deep. It’s got everything I could want–fantasy, adventure, mythological beings. I’ve been reading it almost since the day it debuted.

And the newest one I’ve found? Dead Heaven. This one is only in the prologue, but I really like the art.