The second issue of my comic book series, Dark Matter, hits the shelves soon (February 8th last I heard). If you haven't picked up the first issue yet, I strongly urge you to do so as reports have it selling out. This, of course, means it is a sought-after collectible no doubt destined to be…
January 31, 2012: Tokyo Day #4! I discover the world’s greatest pizza, check out some ukiyo-e, partake in more desserts than most eat in an entire week, do some sushi, then cap the night off Star Bars style!
I woke up from my previous night's sleep well-rested, with ten hours of uninterrupted snoozing under my zzzzz belt, ready for a big day. The great thing about traveling to Asia is that jet lag actually works to your benefit provided you're not a night owl looking to party. By the time 10:00 p.m. rolls…
January 30, 2012: Tokyo Day #3! Testing my cranial limits, pizza over pasta, and feeling the burn!
Well, after being up for twenty-four hours straight, traveling halfway across the world, suffering two sleepless nights and two early wake-ups, and experiencing the most splendiferous sugar-high, I came crashing down last night halfway between the Pierre Herme pistachio macaroni and the Margherita pizza. But I get ahead of myself. I'm not much of a…
January 29, 2012: Tokyo Day #2! Chocolate, Tonkatsu, Le Bourguignon, and a visit to The Master!
With my first full day in Tokyo behind me, I have a lot to cover here on the blog - and a lot to look forward to in the coming days. The change of pace and location has provided a much-needed, greatly appreciated distraction. Still, I think of Maximus often and wonder how the other…
January 28, 2012: Tokyo Day #1! Earthquakes, interviews, and chicken butts!
When I woke up this morning, my eyeballs felt like desiccated husks swarming with fire ants. Compounding the issue was the fact that "morning", in this case, was 3:37 a.m. Following a series of travel-related delays, we didn't end up checking into our hotel until 9:00 p.m. local time. After grabbing a quick meal, showering,…
January 27, 2012: The Longest Day
The night before my departure, I started my next day's blog, figuring I could get a head start on a short travel day. The photo of Bubba sitting in my suitcase seemed an appropriate intro, and the final page preview of Dark Matter #2 a perfect ending. I would have a couple of hours before…
January 26, 2012: Maximus
When Maximus was first diagnosed back in July, the vet warned me it was a very aggressive form of cancer and that his chances of survival were small. Still, when I discovered that I was only a 90 minute drive away from one of the country's best animal oncology clinics, I didn't hesitate to make…
January 25, 2012: Awww %&^#! Maximus! Dark Matter #2 Preview!
So, about twelve years ago, I had an idea for a horror movie - an idea, in retrospect, well ahead of its time. Instead of writing the script, I sat on the idea. A couple of years later, a movie came out that was, in its unique direction, very similar. And so, the idea ended…
January 24, 2012: Writer Bryan Q. Miller answers your questions! Dark Matter #2 preview! Mailbag!
Today, it gives me great pleasure to hand off this blog to Bryan Q. Miller, Executive Story Editor and staff writer on Smallville, and writer of DC's Batgirl. As most of you know, the first volume of Bryan's run, Batgirl Rising, was our January Book of the Month Club selection. In support of his book,…
January 23, 2012: The SuperMovie of the Week Club! Cookie Monster Reviews Superman: The Movie (1978)! Our continuing preview of Dark Matter #2!
When time for Monster to sit down and watch Superman movie, he select Speshul Edition because, letz face it, me very speshul. But monster not realize dat "speshul edition" over two and a half hours long! When Monster realize, he run back to video store to exchange. But too late. Already closed. And it only…
January 22, 2012: Taco-Off! Continuing our preview of Dark Matter #2!
Today, we gathered at my place (the only home in our circle of friends with a functional theater room since Rob's gave up the ghost last weekend) for a final weekend of football prior to my departure for Tokyo. Fortunately, the Patriot's win (or, more appropriately, the Ravens' loss) ensured I won't have to go…
January 21, 2012: I can be counted upon in MOST situations… Dark Matter #2 preview! Identify my mystery guest!
I can be counted upon in most situations. If you need a letter of reference or require a lift or even, in some circumstances, someone to back you up in a fight. I cannot, however, be counted upon to lend anyone any sort of shopping support. I hate lingering whether it be over a post-meal…
January 20, 2012: Dark Matter goodies! Mailbag!
"They're not my taste. The eyes are too small and don't contain very much gelatin." - Akemi on why brill fish eyeballs are inferior to snapper eyeballs. A productive writing day! I hit the 38 page mark of my creepy horror script. I'm figuring the first draft should come in at a little over 90…
January 19, 2012: Pizzeria Barbarella! And such!
Last night, I had dinner at Pizzeria Barbarella, a new restaurant down on East Broadway owned by a friend (of a friend). The place hasn't been open long and still has a few bugs to work out - chiefly, on this night, a lack of dessert. And heat. To be honest, I missed the dessert…
January 18, 2012: What? Are you screening this blog now? Only skimming the title to see if I’ll be writing about anything interesting? Just read the damn entry!
I had to convince Akemi that the lyrics to that H&M commercial campaign weren't "You're so thin!" but "Girls on film!". I informed it's a cover version of a 1980's hit by a group called Duran Duran. My explanation seemed plausible but, upon closer scrutiny, came up short. After all, given the product and the…