Table of Contents RKYV # 25 {June 2009} RKYV ONLINE LOGO - David Marshall {current} RKYV ONLINE LOGO – R.J. Paré {modified} RKYV COMICS LOGO – Roy G. James {original}
Featured Artist Review Virtual Cover # 25 - Art by Mark Sahagian - Layout by David Marshall
– Mark Sahagian - By R.J. Paré
Short Fiction - “Simspiration”
Interior Art - By Jonathan Biermann, Roger Formidable, Sam van der Wouden, John H. Drew Jr., R.J. Paré, Mark Sahagian.
- By Pauline Paré
Poetry - By Stephen Campbell, R.J. Paré,
Editorial Column - “At the Outset: A Few Thoughts from the Editor” - By RJ Paré
Pop Culture - “Comic Book Review” - By Brad Bellmore
Sports Column - “Rossini’s Ramblings”
- “Raised on Saturday Morning Cartoons”
- By Tom Rossini
- By Pauline Paré
Travel Column – “Tom’s Travel Tips” - By Tom Rossini
Untitled – by Sam van der Wouden
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At the outset A few thoughts from the editor By R.J. Paré
We can share the myths… the dream… the prayer… the notion that we can do better. Change our lives and paths. Create a new world and Start all over. Tracy Chapman
A challenge is before us… a new year of publication. What you are reading now is the first issue of our 3rd year of free digital release. RKYV ONLINE thrives on the participation of its readership. Pick up your pens; clean your brushes; dust off the keyboard or take that digital camera for a test drive. The challenge is for each and every one of us to reach new heights of creativity this year. Have you remodeled your home? Share it with us! Perhaps a photo blog/column taking us through your before and after pictures. Whatever your creative outlet is… from original recordings to woodworking… stand tall and proud and show us yer stuff….:) This issue, returning columnists Tom Rossini, Christina Marchetti, Brad Bellmore & my lovely wife Pauline wax eloquent on Sports, Travel, Food, Comics and TV [respectively]. The Featured Artist of the Month, Mark Sahagian, a Cartoonist I met in April at S.P.A.C.E. CON, shares with us some of his whimsical and irreverent work. His mini comix are affordable gems packed with loads of witty ZING well entrenched in the underground/counter-culture tradition. If you see Mark with a table set up at your local con go ahead and pick a few of his books up… from 50 – 75 cents each - you just can’t go wrong! After much pestering on my part, my patient wife has decided two things: 1. She will not beat me about the head for pestering her so much. 2. She will share a delightful [short] short story with us this month. [Thanks hon.]
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Filling out the rest of this issue will be some new poetry offerings from Stephen Campbell and none other than, yours truly [no, no… really a standing ovation? You’re much too kind…] along with the artistic contributions of our talented and inventive contributors, without whom this mag TRULY would not be.
So… read on, enjoy and keep on sharing with us, the fruits of…
Your Imagination!! R.J. Paré
Batman [© DC Comics] – by John H. Drew Jr.
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Sports Rossini’s ramblings By Tom Rossini This article pains me to my very being but I have to do it… “The Penguins have won the Stanley Cup!!!” There I have said it and I won’t say it again. The aftertaste is nasty. As I mentioned in my last article the Penguins are a team that I knew would be the biggest challenge for the Red Wings and they scared me the most. Coming back from a 2-0 deficit in the series and winning the series 3-4 has only been accomplished 2 other times in history. But it was totally understandable considering how they won. They had the drive, the ambition and the taste for blood in their mouths. After being defeated in game 6 in the ‘Igloo’ last year to the Red Wings and losing the Stanley Cup, there was no sweeter reward than to win the cup this year against those same Red Wings. It was just icing on the cake that it was done in game 7 in Detroit aka Hockeytown. So what happened to my Wings??? I am not going to blame this loss on anyone by the Wings organization and in particular our own coach Mike Babcock. In the first period and through the second period the wings played defensive hockey – just clearing the puck from their zone and dumping it. With only 2 shots on goal for the Wings in the first period, I already knew the game was over. For this reason I feel the coach did not motivate his players, he did not give them the drive and the ambition to win the Cup. It has happened numerous times throughout the year where the wings play killer hockey in the last 10 min of the game in hopes of getting their needed goals and you can’t win by play 10-20 min of hockey ever game. So why do the Wings do this??? Many fans here in Detroit do not admit that but rather blame the poor officiating and the bias of the NHL itself. The talk shows here in town talk about how the NHL wanted their “golden child” Crosby to win the cup - that the games were, somehow, fixed and officials were told to favour the teams opposing the Wings. But in my humble opinion I would like to hope that the NHL is not corrupt and that it is a well oiled institution. The Wings are an older team comprised of veteran players – Chelios who is 47 years old; Lidstrom 39; Draper 38; Holstom and Maltby both 36; and 5 others are 30 years old or over. Many of these players have won more then one Stanley Cup and have played in the final series multiple times. So it is entirely plausible that the Wings did not have the taste of the Cup in their mouths. Others have stated that the Red Wings need younger talented players who are
able to play 60 min of hockey in back to back games. I personally favor this last issue – the Wings are getting old and we need younger talented players like Helm. So what’s left before Summer Training? Yes they are due back on the ice in 8 short weeks, in the middle of August. The NHL Draft and the NHL Awards, is what’s left, and three Red Wing players and one Pittsburgh player are in the hunt for some silver for their mantlepieces.
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In the running Detroit James Norris Memorial Trophy – NHL Top Defenseman – Nilkas Lidstrom Lady Byng Memorial Trophy – Most Gentlemanly Player – Pavel Datsyuk Frank J. Selke Trophy – NHL Top Defensive Forward – Pavel Datsyuk Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy – Perserverance, Sportsmanship and Dedication to Hockey – Chris Chelios Lester B. Pearson Award – NHL Outstanding Player as Voted by NHLPA – Pavel Datsyuk Penguins Hart Memorial Trophy - NHL MVP – Evgeni Malkin Art Ross Trophy – NHL Points Scoring Leader – Evgeni Malkin Lester B. Pearson Award – NHL Outstanding Player as Voted by NHLPA – Evgeni Malkin Lesson Learned: Never Bet Against Pittsburgh Teams There was no joy in Mudville when mighty Casey struck out, and there was even less joy in Southfield when the hometown favorite Detroit Red Wings lost two straight and fell to the Pittsburgh Penguins in the 2009 Stanley Cup finals, 4-3. But the employees, responding to a friendly wager with their colleagues in Pittsburgh, dressed in Penguin colours today, and the mass of black clothing pretty much described the mood in hockey town as well.
[Editor’s Note: Tom, in the back row 3rd from left, even managed to smile!!]
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List of actual winners Hart Memorial Trophy - NHL MVP - Alexander Ovechkin [Washington] Lester B. Pearson Award – NHL Outstanding Player as Voted by NHLPA - Alexander Ovechkin [Washington] Art Ross Trophy – NHL Points Scoring Leader - Evgeni Malkin [Pittsburgh] Maurice Richard Trophy – NHL Goal Scoring Leader - Alexander Ovechkin [Washington] William M. Jennings Trophy – NHL Goalie Tandem Fewest Goals - Tim Thomas and Manny Fernandez [Boston] Vezina Trophy – NHL Top Goaltender - Tim Thomas [Boston] James Norris Memorial Trophy – NHL Top Defenseman - Zdeno Chara [Boston] Calder Memorial Trophy – NHL Top Rookie - Steve Mason [Columbus] Frank J. Selke Trophy – NHL Top Defensive Forward - Pavel Datsyuk [Detroit] Lady Byng Memorial Trophy – Most Gentlemanly Player - Pavel Datsyuk [Detroit] Jack Adams Award – NHL Top Coach - Claude Julien [Boston] King Clancy Trophy – Humanitarian Contribution to Hockey - Ethan Moreau [Edmonton] Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy – Perseverance, Sportsmanship & Dedication to Hockey - Steve Sullivan [Nashville] Lifetime Achievement Award - Jean Beliveau Mark Messier NHL Leadership Award - Jarome Iginla [Calgary]
Next Month – Booking your Winter Vacation
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FBCC ART JAM GSB TRIBUTE TO BATMAN COMICS [© DC Comics] – by Jon Biermann
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Travel Tom’s Travel tips By Tom Rossini
Discover Ontario This Summer… For many of us, summer has arrived. The children are home from school and by the third day of their summer vacation we parents get to hear those 3 words: “Mom (or Dad)… I’m Bored.” But as you look around you see an endless supply of toys collecting dust, a swing set waiting to be played on and bikes ready to be ridden. So what’s a parent to do? The internet is your best friend and should be utilized in order to help deal with your child’s boredom [and to keep them from driving you nuts]. A couple of sites that I recommend for you to explore are: http://familyfun.go.com/ http://singleparents.about.com/od/havingfu1/ss/fun_ten_weeks.htm As an aside… there are things you can do around the house, as well, that can be fun and relatively inexpensive. Have you thought about gathering up your kids and their friends and have a pie eating contest? [Just flatten out some muffin cups and add some ReddiWhip]. Or you could have a water balloon fight, go to the park for a picnic, make playdoh, go fishing… or even catch fireflies. [Editor’s Note: There are plenty of options… be creative! The point is to get off the couch and go have some fun with your kids!!] But if travel is within your budget, there are numerous things you could do within Ontario and my suggestions are just a sample of the things you could do. In the Toronto area visit the CN Tower, Ontario Science Center, catch a Blue Jays game, the Harbour Front or one of the many festivals. Just North of Toronto there is Wonderland Amusement Park. And Orillia has every Sunday night at 7 pm concert at ‘Couchiching Beach Park.’ Also, in Bracebridge, Muskoka, you have ‘Santa’s Village’ and ‘Sportsland’ where you can cool off in a spray-park or play laser tag and ride go-carts. Check out this link for other travel ideas that could be done in 1 day or over a weekend. http://www.ontariotravel.net/TCISSegmentsWeb/main.portal?_nfpb=true&_nfls= false&_pageLabel=pf_package_pg&language=EN But whatever you do this summer make sure you have a fun and safe holiday.
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My Tribute to Whiz Comics # 11 [© DC Comics] – by Jon Biermann
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Featured artist review Mark sahagian By R.J. Paré BIO: Mark Sahagian – aka HACK
CARTOONIST!
draws comix, does animations and
cheezy guitar
plays in Royal Oak MI, and hopes to escape that dying state before too long. Note: Since a, certain, self-titled, ‘Hack Cartoonist’ forgot to send me a pic of himself, LOL, I just went and lifted this one off of his Blog: http://marksahagian.blogspot.com/ I recommend it as a fun read! BTW, this pic was taken during a recording session for his band “MELVIN and the MEL-TONES” laying down tracks on their 1st song: “No Woman, No Money, No Car’ – I can’t wait t hear the .mp3! R.J. Paré: Have you always known that you wanted to be or, rather, were an artist? Mark Sahagian: Yes, as long back as I can remember. RJP: Did you study or major in art while in school? MS: I studied art and design at a number of schools in Michigan, without much success, since I was an undisciplined lout, tee-hee! RJP: Who was you biggest influence or source of encouragement, as a child, in pursuing art? MS: My parents were the biggest influence, they encouraged me without my really noticing it until decades later, for which I am very grateful. They both had some art and music abilities. RJP: What is your favorite media to work with? MS: Although I do work with color, i.e., water-based media and even acrylics and oils, my favorite is ink and brush (a little pen, too)
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Artist: Mark Sahagian Title: Cover to "Bus-Stop Blues" minicomix Media Used: Pencil, Micron pens and brush marker Size: 4 x 6-1/2" RJP: In the tradition Pekar & Crumb, Mark’s ‘shmuck’ character keeps on trucking, despite occasionally getting ‘run-over’ by the fast pace of modern life. I love the delightful ‘Pleasantville / Stepford Wife’ expression on the bus driver’s face. If the bus represents today’s society it can indeed be oblivious to the struggles of the little guy – a metaphor for Social Darwinism at work.
RJP: Do you use any special tools and techniques to create your art? MS: I use standard art supplies you can pick up at any art supply store. RJP: What inspires you to create art? MS: That's a tough one, but I will try! The desire to "get it right" or something resembling that, coupled with a life-long love, if not obsession with cartooning and comix. For a long time, looking back, it seems I was not looking at or using the "love" part. Now, I'm definitely drawing from that, or at least it's my goal/ideal. RJP: How would you categorize your artistic style? MS: Wow, yer making me think! This is an outrage! I guess My style would be a combo of Harvey Kurtzman and his collaborators, the great comic strip artists from Roy Crane to Charles Schultz, and the 1st wave of underground artists' from the 60's, mainly Zap Comix. Hopefully I am turning all that into something of my own. I have also been greatly influenced by the independent cartoonists of the 80's and beyond, especially Peter Bagge, the funniest human on earth in my opinion.
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Artist: Mark Sahagian Title: Cover to "Piss on the President" minicomix Media Used: Pencil, Micron pens and brush marker Size: 4 x 6-1/2"
RJP: Oh GWB, we will miss you so… Political satirists, cartoonists & stand up comics will look back on the BUSH years as a ‘Golden Age’ [as in a time of fond memory and NOT referring in ANY double-entendre manner to ‘Melvin’s’ exercise in civil disobedience – LOL].
RJP: Would you say that there is a "message" or "unifying theme" in your work? MS: Hmm, I think that poking fun at the powers that be would be the best way to describe that. I really feel that humor is the best way for me to "say" whatever it is I have to say as an artist, and I'm not just saying that! RJP: Which famous artists or styles have influenced you? Why? MS: As far as cartooning goes I would have to put Harvey Kurtzman, Jack Kirby, Charles Schultz at the top since I read them since before I can remember. The Marvel comics of the 60's were what I learned to read with, along with Mad magazine, also there were lots of paper back collections of Mad from the Kurtzman days (and more). Although I had no idea who these people were, the Mad mags would come and go but the paperbacks stayed and I read them countless times, to this day when I get into a good comic, I lose all sense of time, which can be a problem when you take the bus! As far as the Kirby stuff goes it was so awe-inspiring, "cosmic" and HUGE-feeling. I could not describe it at the time but when you’re six or something and you read a Thor comic entitled "Now Ends the Universe!", it's, well, it's pretty indescribable!
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Sparky Schultz; we had many paperback collection of "Peanuts", his dialog and line work were so minimal they communicated in ways that I see popping up in my mini-comix a lot, although usually after the fact. Getting back to particulars... Will Eisner, Gilbert Shelton, R. Crumb, Peter Bagge, Iggy Pop, Frank Zappa, John Lennon, Bob Dylan, Goya, Rembrandt, Stanley, Kubrick, Alan Moore ( one of the BIGGEST), Ralph Steadman, Hunter S. Thompson, John Keel, Whitley Strieber, Chuck Jones, Dr. Seuss, Disney, Pixar. I better stop before I get too carried away.
Artist: Mark Sahagian Title: “What a Vibe” ACEO Card Media Used: Ink, Watercolor Pencils, Markers Size: 2-1/2 x 3-1/2"
RJP: Groovy psychedelia is back with this fun art mini trading card. In one short and sweet ‘caption-free’ image we have, an homage to, the nascent beginnings of the counter-culture movement. When mind expansion did not necessarily mean addiction, rehab or overdose and when ‘free-love’ didn’t come with STDs. In retrospect that era had an innocence that belied its surface pretensions to rebellion – revolution – cynicism. They thought there eyes were opened to the devious nature of ‘The Man’ yet, little did they know they would grow up to become ‘him’.
RJP: If you could meet any living or dead artist, who would it be? MS: I was gonna say Goya or perhaps Michelangelo or DaVinci but in all honestly it would be the person or persons who designed the Giza Pyramid/Sphinx Complex. you asked! RJP: What is the one question that you would ask him/her? MS: WHY??? What did you guys have that we have lost?
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Artist: Mark Sahagian Title: Cover to "My Country" mini-comix Media Used: Pencil, Micron pens and brush marker Size: 4 x 6-1/2"
RJP: The Kurtzman / Feldstein influence is very strong in this piece. Not only in the subject matter, but in the design sense that is reminiscent of their work in Mad Magazine. Satire, for cartoonists, is most powerful when it subverts the shared symbology with biting observation and this cover certainly does that. Twisting the familiar imagery found on USA currency, Mark displays an edge to his antiestablishment bent that is more refined than “Piss on the President”.
RJP: What do you think of the term "starving artist"? MS: I think it's a scam! One that I foolishly fell for… for many years. Hopefully that's changing soon and for good. You can find a way to earn at least part of yer income doing art. RJP: Do you feel more a sense of community with other artists or a sense of competition? MS: Community, I met a lot of fine folks at the SPACE shoe and at SPX '06 and the show I did in Detroit. Everybody was supportive of each other. It was beautiful, man! RJP: How do you market yourself? MS: By doing shows like SPACE and SPX, I will be back this year. I will be snail mailing stuff to everybody from Henry Rollins to all the alternative publishers. I will be sending stuff for review to a big list of alternative weeklies throughout N. America.
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I have even gone down to downtown Royal Oak, my hometown, and manually inserted copies of my comix into hundereds of the 2 metro-Detroit weekly alternative papers. Thinking I was being a subversive as I snuck copies into them on early weekend mornings last summer. Of course nobody ever noticed! I should do a strip about that. RJP: Do you find it difficult to stay motivated / inspired? MS: Sometimes, like a lot of folks in MI, I am going through tough times. But even if you have a bad day at yer humble job if you just get up and do SOMETHING at the drawing board or computer, something good can come of it. You gotta fight the fight!
Artist: Mark Sahagian Title: “Kind of Angry” ACEO Card Media Used: Ink, Watercolor Pencils, Markers Size: 2-1/2 x 3-1/2"
RJP: Another in the whimsical series of Mark’s ACEO cards, this collectible gem is certainly a tongue-in-cheek bit of understatement “Kind of...” indeed! LOL The little fella reminds me of Yosemite Sam – just before he explodes!!
RJP: Do you create your art full time or part time? MS: Part-time, I am sorry to say. Hopefully, I will be working in the animation industry by the end of '09, which is close to cartooning. I have done some character / costume design and storyboard work over the years.
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Artist: Mark Sahagian Title: Excerpt from the INFAMOUS “Fuck Your Stupid God” mini-comix Media Used: Pencil, Micron pens and brush marker Size: 4 x 6-1/2"
RJP: The indie / underground satirical cartoonist should not shy away from controversy. And this offering from Mr. Sahagian demonstrates his willingness to tackle thorny subject matter head on. Regardless of one’s personal beliefs perhaps the single greatest freedom we impart to each successive generation is the right to free speech & expression. Beyond the statement though, the piece intrigues me as a work of art. The design elements are of a more interesting and challenging nature than the other pieces presented here for review. Mark ventures into the realms of the surrealist, with dramatic results.
RJP: What other interests do you have, besides art? MS: Music, animation, film, painting etc... I will have a song on my blog by the time this article is published. Music has been a major part of my life since I was an infant listening to the Beatles while my elder siblings babysat me. Also, I have been reading up on unexplained phenomena and such for over 20 years and will be putting that into comix soon. I better get busy!
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Artist: Mark Sahagian Title: Cover to “It’s Just Business” mini-comix Media Used: Pencil, Micron pens and brush marker Size: 4 x 6-1/2"
RJP: Wouldn’t the world be a better place if there weren’t so many ‘crocodile smiles’, Mark seems to ask. Certainly, those pursuing success in business and politics are under enormous pressure to figuratively ‘climb over the bodies’ of their rivals in order to achieve it. If our knives are always sharpened and ready, though, how will things ever change? Questions we routinely ask when we were young, that we tend to ignore as we age – as though they are clothed in far too much naïve sentiment.
RJP: What advice would you have for a young artist starting out today? MS: Conquer the real world or it will conquer you. that includes personal finance (Long and short-term), keeping your room / house clean, taking care of your physical and mental health, helping out in yer family unit etc... Also, keep that-there partying to a minimum. RJP: Do you have any big plans or shows coming up in 2009? MS: I am doing the SPX show in Bethesda MD. In September, I am finishing my long overdue 3D animation studies / demo-reel so I can get a better job. That will enable me to get Shmuck Comix and Animation Inc. off the ground. Soon as I get into the animation I will begin my long-delayed 4-issue mini-series/graphic novel "Fast-Food Funnies".
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Also A noted local video store is selling Shmuck Comix, standing up to a customer who went into a fit seeing one of them before they were on display! Thomas Video in Clawson, MI. I did 2 old strips on their web-site, “Poison Latte',” and “Alien Talk Show Hosts Walk Among Us” at www.thomasvideo.com
Artist: Mark Sahagian Title: “Bummer, man…” ACEO Card Media Used: Ink, Watercolor Pencils, Markers Size: 2-1/2 x 3-1/2"
RJP: This third selection of Mark’s, from his series of ACEO cards really caught my eye. You’ll have noticed it was selected as the cover art for this issue, which the talented David Marshall once again wonderfully adapted in the layout. On a more personal note, the clean lines and poignant expression left me wondering what the poor little fella is so bummed about. I am guessing there is a story coming in the future, from Mark, which will expand on this interesting looking character.
For those of you interested in learning more about ACEO art trading cards, please check out their website: http://www.art-cards.org/
RJP: How would you like your art, and by extension yourself, to be remembered? MS: As someone who, perhaps only through doing the work, made a contribution to the best art form in the world by making people laugh, and maybe even think!
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Obama – by John H. Drew Jr.
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Very Short Short fiction
Simspiration By Pauline Paré
Zac Sims was a science fiction writer who needed a new idea. He hadn’t written a novel since his father had passed away at the ripe old age of 83 days. Zac lived at 211 Sim Lane with his wife of 21 days and their lovely teen daughter in a lovely house that redecorated itself about once every 5 days. Zac sat at the computer and thought while he chatted with a few people from his town. The only people he knew were from his town. “Are there other towns?” Zac thought as he chuckled to himself. Sim-ish Me – by R.J. Paré, dig art & photo-manip He thought about his daughter in school. “I hope she does well so that she gets a good trait” Zac said aloud. Having the insane trait can make you talk to yourself from time to time. Eureka! It came to him. The plot for his next sci fi novel! What if he and everyone he knew were only animated characters in some silly computer game and someone in a supposed “real world’ were controlling him and his family and making them do whatever struck their fancy.
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Zac finished his novel just after lunch that day and named it “The Sims 3”. He was happily surprised that a swimming pool had appeared in his backyard while he was writing. His wife had been wishing for one of those before she left for work. A lovely mature oak tree had appeared as well. Zac made a quick spin so that he was suddenly wearing his swim trunks and headed out for a dip.
F
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Sim-ish Pauline – by R.J. Paré, dig art & photo manip
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Mayan Superhero Color – by Trevor Yarmovich
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Poetry Selected poems By Stephen Campbell Disciple Noble shadow held up my town, And I a stool do hold up high The great, the mighty the dear received, I hold up his embroidered gown, I too gaze upon the sky, I too wish my pen well received. I take up pace upon beaten track, My mind misgives, what subtle tact Shall propel this soul to noble heights, Yet is noble glory the chief of sight? Is this fair glory, vainly made? Far now it fades. I see abroad a noble glade, Where happiness walks and people bade Me come to watch them leap. They dance and sing with lyre and string The harp rang out my soul did ring And wringing out this old desire I wrote my poems and did aspire Never again to rise so high For my place is ready, I will rise to the sky.
Float – by Roger Formidable
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Roots Roots tethered tightly with scorn they show My insecurity of religion, I know You think that I am a man of no faith, It is my old ways, that wretched old wraith That masses inside me determined to wake. It does follow me now as I dare to aspire, And rises above old fate; that arranged pyre, Tripping my footing and daring me home To land of ill boding; love caged alone. Blossoms lay falling yet produce thousand more, Yet mine lie dead and beaten upon old trodden floor, I dare to rise over, water my precious crop, But roots hold me grounded whist my seeds do rot. I'll straighten my roots then and draw from them life, As roots right a tree as mine, i'll stand tall and fight The urge to sway in slumber and die a dead tree. The roots of my old faith will have no hold on me. Roots of my faith do still lie in the mound, Yet I now a new tree, a blossom do grow, A tree that does flower in heavenly grounds, And saves me from the heap on the fires below.
Untitled – by Sam van der Wouden
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Pare’s poetic perspectives By R.J. Paré [* the following is inspired by the ongoing garbage strike in the city of Toronto]
Toronto – The Beautiful “It’s a beautiful morning…” Welcome the middle of June Children are finishing school Parks and pools to play in soon Or would be… If not for Miller, the fool. These times, they say, are so tough We must accede, concession Tightening belts will be rough Except for his cronies… Paid as though no recession. All the essential services Cost of living increases received City councilors as well Whom I guess… Must all be self-deceived? Now those we’ve employed To do jobs, we would not Removing our filth, deployed Yet derided and told… Do more, for less or go rot! The same as all the garbage In mounds, piled, stench begins to rise Such heat, how’ll Miller manage? Is there a plan… Beyond spreading media lies? Trash – by R.J. Paré Toronto, the beautiful The opening line of a joke Tempers flare, so looms trouble It didn’t have to be… Refuse, is not wonderful.
“Hot fun in the summertime!”
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Continuous – by R.J. Paré – I hope you guys like this one, drawn while sitting with [and hopefully amusing] my daughter at Toronto Sick Children’s Hospital – pencil, ink, marker & then some digital effects afterwards.
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Family life Drunken dragon tavern By Christina Marchetti Cheese and Butter – by Cindy Renfrow Medieval / Renaissance Food Clip-Art Collection Hey there folks. Here is a really, tasty, little recipe that is a twist on one of Paula Dean's. I am sure you have seen the Southern Cook on the food network. I don't have any actual measurements for this recipe, so I will wing it as I go along. Feel free to add and subtract what you will to enjoy your flavours. The addition of nutmeg gives it a slightly medieval flavour. Approx 2lbs of boneless, skinless chicken, any cut you like, chopped into bite sized pieces.
Grated Mozzerella cheese, once again, no specific amount, what ever you like.
Approx the same amount of mushrooms cleaned Saute your mushrooms and onions in a frying and cut into pieces. Canned mushrooms will pan until soft and onions transparent. NOT work in this recipe. Remove from pan. In same pan, add some wine 3 good sized shallots chopped. If you like and your chicken and cook until chicken is no shallots add a few more. If you don't have longer pink. shallots a sweet onion like a Vidalia will work. Or even a red onion, however that may give Add mushroom mixture and mix well along your dish a funky colour. with some nutmeg, salt and pepper. Butter for cooking in. Oil won't work in this Place in an oven proof dish along with what recipe because the flavour is needed, but a good ever juices are left over and some grated quality magarine will work. cheese. Mix well. White wine & Nutmeg for flavour
Top with left over cheese and heat until melted.
Serve with crusty bread and your favourite green veggie. A nice ale is good with this dish as well. Tastefully Yours Tina
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GSB Tribute to Superman [© DC Comics] – FBCC Art Jam – by Jon Biermann
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Comic book review unthinkable By Brad Bellmore
Thumb mostly up
Boom! Studios’ website tells the story of ‘Unthinkable’ creator, Mark Sable being detained by TSA officials while trying to fly to a signing event for this comic. The reason? His manuscript of ‘Unthinkable’ was in the bag. This required a trip to www.snopes.com for verification. After all, how could the perfect marketing event happen in real life without planning? Well, Snopes was no help. They had nothing on the event, so I’m going on the word of Boom! And several other news sources that this really happened. The reason this is the perfect marketing event is the premise of this comic. The story is about Alan Ripley, a writer of sensational worst case scenario novels. His standard fare includes attacks by terrorists doing horrible deeds only to be thwarted by the heroism of the U. S. Military. His work is more or less a series of infomercials for Uncle Sam’s recruiting efforts. Then 9/11 happens. The strikes on the Twin Towers in Manhattan are too similar to some of Ripley’s writing. The media immediately jumps on him as inspiring these evil deeds. When the plan that crashes into the Pentagon kills Ripley’s brother, a government employee, Ripley becomes an employee of the United States government himself.
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He is brought in to be part of a think tank of other renowned worst case scenario thinkers to try to imagine the unthinkable; to try to determine what other things terrorists might try in order to prevent them from happening in the future.Eventually the funding for this project runs out and is closed down. Ripley’s world comes crashing around him as all these changes leave him isolated and disenfranchised. That is, until eight years later, in present time, he witnesses the execution of one of the scenarios they dreamed up, sending the world into a financial turmoil and an energy crisis. When a second event they dreamed up occurs, Ripley believes this is all an inside job. Someone from the Think Tank or higher up is using their material to bring about chaos and topple governments. He even approaches the FBI and they blow him off as a loony. Over all, this story is intriguing. I wish it were a movie so I could get the rest of the story now. A good amount of suspense is built throughout the issue. There are times when the pacing seems slow or when it feels choppy as it covers a lot of ground in a short space. All in I all, I was left wanting more and feeling concerned about the characters. Ripley being blown off by the FBI felt cliché. His being locked up for telling his story would have been more cliché. I think the only way to navigate this is if he is being told he is being blown off but secretly being followed. I’m not sure that will happen. This truly felt like the FBI ignoring him had to happen to further the story. Julian Totino Tedesco draws the book. At first look, the pencils bothered me. I like a cleaner look to my comics. However, as I reread the book, I realized that the art added some nice texture to the story. There is a grainy newsreel feel to it, kind of like we’re getting this real, yet disturbing, information in a dressed up and pretty format reminiscent of the old reels included with the classic movies back in the day before back in my day. There is also a darkness and play with shadow that seems subtle but constantly setting tone of the story. Overall, I don’t really like the art, but I can’t imagine this story being told with any other style. This promises to be an intriguing if not entertaining series. I wonder how far the envelope can stretch on the issues being covered without it feeling too much for the reader emotionally or too much to believe in the reality established for us. It’s well worth grabbing an issue. I’m not sure that I’m ready to invest in this long term though.
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Samantha Arken Final – by Trevor Yarmovich
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Raised on Saturday morning cartoons merlin By Pauline Paré “Merlin” premiered on NBC recently to the delight of North American fantasy fans. An entire season has aired in the UK to good reviews and the show has been renewed for a 2nd season. Several reviewers have called this show a version of the Arthurian legend with a “Smallville” twist and after seeing 4 episodes, I have to agree. This show takes liberties with the stories of Merlin and Arthur and is by no means high brow entertainment. It is, however, a fun and family friendly show that has a lot of potential to become a good character piece. The special effects are so-so, the plots are often juvenile and the dialogue can be quite modern. I am also having difficulty seeing how the character of Guinevere will progress as she is a servant to Morgana. There are some great characters such as Merlin himself, the doctor who is his mentor and the Anthony Head of “Buffy” fame as Arthur’s father. As the whole, the show is enjoyable and I like having something the whole family can enjoy together. There are very few shows that can be family friendly anymore. I can certainly see the potential of “Merlin” and I will continue watching it on Sunday nights. I researched comments online and found that the series continues to develop the Arthur/Merlin friendship and the plots begin to mature about midseason. In the summer, when there is little new to watch, it is nice to find a fun and interesting program like BBC’s “Merlin.”
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