By Jimmy Palmiotti
Just got back from the New York Comic Con [took some days off after] and had a blast. Want to say thanks to everyone that came by and said they read the blog and especially to the awesome fans at the show that made it all interesting for me. Did a few panels, a few hundred interviews and got to enjoy some decent warm weather while there, unlike the usual February weather that I am used to in N.Y.C.
Coming back to Florida was a mixed bag for me because I love seeing all my friends when in N.Y, but at the same time I couldn’t wait to get back to Florida and dig in to my work, especially since a lot of my projects are all hitting deadlines this week. Yes editors, I know you are reading this.
On with the headlines…
MEGACON: I am going to remind you about this show for the next two weeks. If you never went to MegaCon, I will tell you that it is one of the best-run cons in the states by some of the nicest people you ever met. I actually get to host a few of the panels while I am at the show this year. The first being the GIRLS OF HORROR panel … I get to chat up Darcy Demoss and Ami Dolenz in front of an audience. Check them out on imdb.com and I bet you’ve seen at least one or two of their movies. I love hosting these panels because they are a lot of fun and the focus is on someone else for a change. Its funny, its so flattering that people actually want to listen to what you say, but at the same time, and especially at shows, I want to be one of the audience just as bad.
I also get to host the biggest panel of the show, the BATTLESTAR panel that includes past and present actors Dirk Benedict, Melody Anderson, Anne Lockhart, Herbert Jefferson, Lucianna Carro, Jennifer Halley and James Callis. It’s a Battlestar panel that is mostly going to be talk about the show, its differences between old and new and a very fun question and answer period. My brother Tony is especially happy about this one since he is a big fan of the show. That takes place on Saturday and I really think its gonna be the most packed panel of the show.
I am a guest on a panel called comics to screen and along side me will be Tricia Helfer among others. How cool is that? Also there will be Alaina Huffman who played Maureen on the Painkiller Jane show and is currently starring as Black Canary on Smallville. She is one cool lady and I’ve had the pleasure of hanging with her on set and she will charm the pants off you.
Side note: Amanda Conner designed the suit Black Canary wears on Smallville. They based it on the run we worked on with Terry Moore in the Birds of Prey series and since then have used it just about everywhere.
On the comic side of guests, we got George Perez, Brian Pulido, Tim Townsend, Darwyn Cooke, Chuck Dixon, Brandon Peterson, Mark Waid, Ron Marz, Chris Claremont, Ethan van Sciver, Amanda Conner, Tony Bedard, Ken Branch, Bill Stout, Sergio Cariello, Dan Jurgens, Jim Cheung, Frank Cho, Steve McNiven, Humberto Ramos, Mike Perkins, Adam Hughes, Pat Broderic, Dick Giordano, everyone’s favorite editor-in-chief Dan Didio, and a whole bunch more I am not listing because I am sick of typing. All of these people are friends of mine and owe me not only their careers, but also a boatload of cash. Don’t believe me? Well… you shouldn’t.
So, If you were looking for an excuse to take a trip or just get out of the shitty weather and soak yourself in sunshine, come on down. Really. You will have a blast.
DATE DAY: Amanda and I figured we would take a day off before the usual Valentine’s Day came along and take a drive south of Clearwater as far as we could go and crash at a motel wherever it would take us. Well, a half hour in, we got a major blowout on the highway and we crawled off the interstate like a hurt animal and I changed to a spare and went to a Midas shop to get a new tire. The wait was gonna be an hour and a half so we had a wonderful dinner in Saint Pete, then got the new tire attached and headed towards Sarasota and hit a few beaches and such. Little did we know, the entire United States happened to come out for this weekend to Florida and we decided at around 8 pm we should maybe head back north, being a few hours away from home and all that. Well… coming back on route 75, the brand new tire came apart in one of the most desolate areas you could ever find and we couldn’t change the tire there because of an incline and the fact that the speed limit was 70 and it felt like missiles were flying by us. Yes, there were no road lights here either, so we drove a mile to an exit that has a Hess station that also contained a post office, a pizzeria, a doughnut store and probably an operating room if I looked hard enough. Long story short, we stopped back in Sarasota for dinner wielding the spare, had some food, ran into the apocalyptic rock slut on the street and headed home keeping the speed limit under 50 because the tire was not made for regular driving. All in all, we did have fun, I did learn to change a flat in less than 5 minutes and it was still time together, and that’s the most important thing I guess.
MOVIES: During said valentine trip above we stopped and saw a movie called Paul Blart: Mall Cop, which, in my opinion, was one of the worst films of the year. Dull, not funny and a complete waste of time… I wanted to leave the theatre at least 10 times during it. From script to direction, we have seen this movie 100 times before and done better each and every time. The studio owes me 18 bucks for this turd. If you don’t believe me, just ask anyone that saw it and they would tell you the same thing. Did I mention that there isn’t a single minute that is any good in this movie? Get it? Not yet? OK, if you actually liked this film, please don’t talk to me. Ever. Lol…
Also saw CORALINE in 3-D. the animation was amazing, but the movie itself was not engaging to me. I really wanted it to be better… really. I think the world of Neil Gaiman and his work, but this was a story that didn’t connect on any level for me and I honestly felt like I had seen it all before… a number of times. Maybe it’s for kids, but there wasn’t a single person under 20 in the theatre. Again, I am probably not the target audience, so go see it yourself. If you saw it, leave a post and give me your take.
Last, I am late out of the gate to see THE CURIOUS LIFE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON. I tried once before to see it and it was sold out, so this time the theatre was half empty, which always makes my day. Overall I enjoyed the movie and its sentimental observations. It was not boring for a second and what was really nice was I was not getting distracted by the digital renderings at all of Brad Pitt’s character. I felt at times it pushed through certain things and because of its long running time, I understand that… but if I had to pick on one thing, it felt like an alternate reality Forest Gump. That’s not a bad thing, mind you, since I am one of those people that really enjoyed Gump and its globetrotting. Overall, I left very satisfied and a bit sad. If you saw it, you understand why. NOTE: CATE BLANCHETT is simply one of the best actresses out there these days and she is stunning in this movie.
DAVE JOHNSON: You know his art from all those brilliant 100 bullets covers, now go catch him doing some insane stuff at this link. Leave a comment and enjoy the exploits of FLATULENE!
THE RESISTANCE: If you like science fiction, bisexual characters, punks, modern day killer monks and complete and utter madness, please give this book a try. Attached here is the cover that was penciled by Darwyn Cooke, background pencils by Amanda Conner, inks by yours truly and colors by Brandon Peterson. This is the collection of stories Justin and I did for Wildstorm many years ago, and it’s collected for the first time by I.D.W. Best bet is to get your retailer to order it now from the catalog so you can get one. Don’t blame me when your store is sold out.
POWER GIRL: Working on issue 4 right now with Justin, and as I am going along, I was thinking, how would the fans like a book where Power Girl never threw a punch… you know, an issue where she was at work, dealt with co-workers, saw a movie with another superhero, looked at an apartment, went shopping, took the subway, bought cat litter, etc? You think the book would make it past issue 5? I mean, we got Amanda drawing it… lol, its fun to see Powergirl bash someone into space, but how much fun would it be to make an interesting issue where no villain was involved. Ok… maybe one in a tease. Opinions?
- JIMMY P
February 19th, 2009 at 1:13 pm
I have a question regarding your contribution to the Torpedo translation. What is the reasoning behind it? I mean, I’ve seen Tokyopop doing something like that with the Battle Royale manga, putting Keith Giffen in charge of “spicing up” the translation, and I don’t know if the results are really worth it. What is it that you can bring to the table that a simple competent translation wouldn’t?
February 19th, 2009 at 2:09 pm
My favorite superhero books don’t have punches. So, yeah, more character development, less senseless brawling.
February 19th, 2009 at 3:07 pm
Just ordered my Megacon tickets so I’ll see you there.
My wife and I were amazed at the crowds running around on VD, so we’re celebrating Saturday when we spend the day with the Muppet exhibit at the Orlando History Museum.
February 19th, 2009 at 3:08 pm
i can’t speak for jimmy but i’ve done work like this and it’s not about “spicing up”. language isn’t like math… different words have different meanings even from one region of the same country to another. some words in spanish don’t exist at all in english and have to be replaced. the job of a good translation is not to just bring the words over, but to bring the VOICE of the original writer into a new language.
February 19th, 2009 at 3:26 pm
I’d be very curious to read an issue with no punches. And please tell me these’ll be collected in TPB?! I’m overseas and it’s hard to get single issues. Thanks!
February 19th, 2009 at 4:56 pm
“Power Girl: A Day in the Life”? I like it. We’d be getting a whole issue of character building moments that might otherwise be sprinkled amongst 6 issues if not more. What are Kara’s favorite pop culture things? What do she and Huntress do when they hang out? What kinda car does she drive? Does Target even sell a bra that big?
My only reservation is the same I have for the series in general and that is a matter of connection to the DCU. And by connection I mean Kara’s opinions of other heroes/villains and their opinions of her. Stories that feel like they are part of the DCU rather than a corner of it.
Looking forward to it!!
February 19th, 2009 at 4:56 pm
I’d love a Power Girl issue that is of her in her secret identity the whole time.
If you like the beaches in Sarasota, there are some nice ones in Pinellas county as well, passe grille is a real nice one, with lots of nice restaurants and bars right off the beach.
My friends and I will definitely stop by your booth at megacon, Just got done reading your Uncle Sam minis in tpb, great stuff.
February 19th, 2009 at 5:05 pm
I’ll be at Megacon! I hope everyone from DC will be there again, it should be fun.
February 19th, 2009 at 5:30 pm
“lol, its fun to see Powergirl bash someone into space, but how much fun would it be to make an interesting issue where no villain was involved. Ok… maybe one in a tease. Opinions?”
Personally I really enjoy those kinds of situations more than when the superhero is fighting the bad guys. I mean, sure, it’s fun whenever the superhero saves the day, but I’d also really like to read an issue or two of our hero on the “down-low.” Joking around with friends, dating and/or partying (if the character was a teenager), fun stuff like that.
For instance, during the Resurrection of Ras al Ghul storyarc, I’ve enjoyed the scenes more when Tim was having his nervous breakdown than reading about Batman fighting those ninjas. And Nightwing #153 has to be the *best* single Nightwing issue I’ve read in years, and I really enjoyed Peter Tomasi’s run on Nightwing so far. It’s those emotionally-powered character moments that drive me to read more comics because I care about the characters so much.
Hint: Fangirls *really* dig that emo stuff, which is why The Dark Knight did so well last summer. Just don’t let it get too emo, let the character have fun once in a while too.
February 19th, 2009 at 5:38 pm
Hi Jimmy,
A day in the life type of story is always cool one in a while. I f I remember the first time I saw that was in an issue of the Avengers where Perez was drawing Cap walking with Ms. Marvel and kids throw a snow ball at them and Cap just deflects it with thrown shield without missing a beat. Great story, so I’d love to see you do it in Power Girl for a change up in type of story.
Looking forward to the series.
February 19th, 2009 at 6:17 pm
‘m soooooooooo lookin’ forward to the PeeGee series that its not even funny…
…and that laid back ‘no fighting’ issue is an AWWWWESOME idea!!
February 19th, 2009 at 6:30 pm
I can’t wait to see you and Amanda at MegaCon.
See you soon Mayor.
February 19th, 2009 at 6:37 pm
I’m am really looking forward to the Power Girl comic, based on Amanda’s art and the ideas I’ve heard from you and Justin! As for “A day in the life” sort of issue, maybe for one issue, down the road, after it’s established as a series. Any more than that, and superhero series just don’t seem to last.
February 19th, 2009 at 6:52 pm
That said, Power Girl needs that sort of thing in her series on a regular basis, just not as an entire issue. She’s a bit of a different sort than say Superman, who has this perfect life except where the bad guys intrude. A bit each issue about her personal life would be fun, and help draw a more complex picture of a character who has the potential to be a far more interesting character than many others in DC’s stable.
Plus, it can help flesh out all the things we’ve never seen about her. We know pretty much how she responds to the bad guys, but going on a date? Dealing with work? Doing normal things?
We got a bit of that in the last issue of Terra, and it was great! Just keep it up and this series will do well.
February 19th, 2009 at 8:08 pm
Ha ha, those kind of Power Girl issues need to be the norm, not the exception.
February 19th, 2009 at 10:01 pm
Jimmy, I was a big fan of the Highlander TV series that starred Adrian Paul in the 90′s, and I always thought some of the best episodes were those in which MacLeod never even brandished a sword. (There was one in particular in which he broke up a hostage crisis in a courthouse sans katana that was especially memorable.) It’s always refreshing to see a hero in a situation in which they have to play out of position, so to speak, even if that situation tends toward the mundane. I say if you want to have an issue of Power Girl in which she doesn’t throw a punch, go for it! With your writing and Amanda’s pencils, it’ll still be worth the price and then some. By the way, I love the blog. It’s one of the Newsarama features I always look forward to reading. Please keep all the good stuff coming!
February 19th, 2009 at 10:28 pm
I’m glad to see that The Resistance will be collected. It was a shame when Wildstorm cancelled it, as it was one of the last ongoings that I bought in singles. And it also showed me the kind of stories you and Justing do… those being intelligent, fun, and basically, pretty good!
February 19th, 2009 at 11:28 pm
“Aocalyptic Rock Slut” is a great name for a band. Or maybe a new villain for PG or even Terra?
It was such a pleasure meeting/interviewing you at NYCC. The interview isn’t up yet but you can check out a wrap-up of the con on my blog here:
http://www.thenerdybird.com/2009/02/nerds-rule-new-york-city.html
You’ll want to check out a few of the links to my other articles on that page while you’re at it too.
February 20th, 2009 at 1:34 am
Jimmy, your right about MegaCon bro… and Me and my little girl look forward to seeing you there … just try to make sure that Amanda doesn’t oversleep LOL… Been a fan of yours bro ever since the days of Vampirella, and Ash…your an awesome Inker and an even better writer….can’t wait to see ya. Do you and amanda do sketches ?
February 20th, 2009 at 2:04 am
Keep up the great work Jim. You’re one of my favorite writers working in the field of comics these days (as well as of ALL time)!!!
February 20th, 2009 at 8:03 am
Hey, Jimmy–
Your blog is a fun read!
See ya at the con!
Sergio
February 20th, 2009 at 8:08 am
i’d be furious with Midas that the new tire blew apart. you needed to go all ‘painkiller jane’ on those folks. lol.
i met you at the NYCC and was stupid to tell how much i like this blog.
February 20th, 2009 at 10:40 am
As for Power Girl character stories – you are in a unique position because her personal life is a blank slate and readers have a piqued curiosity about it. However, just because she’s not throwing punches doesn’t mean she gives up her ‘dive in head first’ attitude. As long as you keep her voice true to who she is, she could sit on a park bench for 22 pages and it would be interesting.
February 20th, 2009 at 11:24 am
How about a scene or an entire issue devoted to P.G. going to the chriropractor?
Did the Midas touch guys make it up to you and your wife for selling and installing an effed-up tire?
I’ll definitely be on the look out for the newly collected book @ IDW.
Jimmy, I’m surprised you didn’t mention anything about the awesome-ness of John Malkavich joining the Hex cast. I feel like a minority because I’m way way way more interested in seeing a Hex film than Watchman. Granted, I love the Watchmen book (I read it once like over 15 years ago,) but I kind of don’t care about the film coming out.
I find myself thinking more about the Hex film since I recently scanned an image of my wife along-side a very young looking, long haired Josh Brolin when he in Tucson (filming the Young Riders?) at our Old Tucson western-like museum. That would have been a couple years before I met her in the early 90s.
February 20th, 2009 at 3:56 pm
PG ditched the whole secret ID thing a few years back, I thought. Not a bad move, since she’s one of the characters who can get away with a fully public life. Smarts in programming and biz-management enough to stand toe to toe with Gates and Jobs and survive comfortably, after all.
I’ll vote for “Day in the Life”, so long as we’re not bringing back any “Secret ID tradition” nonsense.
February 20th, 2009 at 4:05 pm
Jimmy my Man, POWER GIRL: I would dig for Powergirl to take on Life’s everyday battles such as the physical, emotional & mental aspects, for example once a person experiences “Death” in all of its relations, may it be due to an illness or death in the family or other, their life changes forever. Deep stuff, stuff that makes you think, you the man, cheers.
PS: Power girl looks really sexy, do you think she can get a tan, “maybe one in a tease” (I like this new catch phrase).
February 20th, 2009 at 5:36 pm
Man, an issue where Kara just returns her overdue library book and goes “WTF! YOU SAID THEY WERE DUE IN THREE WEEKS NOT DUE!” for a page, then huffs off all pissy, then comes back and slams down five dollars on the counter and breaks it would be awesome.
Man, you have to bring back her cat. Power Girl’s cat was so awesome.
February 21st, 2009 at 12:13 am
Doing a character issue on PG would be great. We don’t get enough of those anymore and they really add a lot. Those stories remind us why we should care about the heroes as people.
In fact, one of the best scenes in your Terra series was the dinner scene at the end.
Way back, one of my favorite Wolfman-Perez New Teen Titans issues was called A Day in the Life and it largely centered on the characters’ civilian lives.
Awesome.
February 22nd, 2009 at 3:30 pm
hey JUST A LISTENER, what Ivon brandon said , and to at the same time respect what the writer has done. its a delicate balance really, but one i am enjoying because of my love for the book and the creators behind it. as far as the results being “worth it” well, that remains to be seen.
February 22nd, 2009 at 3:33 pm
RICARDO, have to agree with you since i have seen almost every type of fight in comics and the stuff that is a draw to me is character development.
KEN O: See you at the con and say hello to animal, my favorite muppet.
NATE: what book are you talking about…Torpedo or powergirl?
February 23rd, 2009 at 8:44 am
JACOB: midas did indeed give us a brand new tire, so they are golden in my eyes for now.
i am going to talk about hex and its casting next week, so tune in.
Neil: amanda does sketches, but commissions. she used to do them for free, but about more than half would be on e bay the following monday and like all the artists out there, it killed the free sketch thing pretty quickly.
and jill…the pleasure was all min, thanks for the link!!
February 23rd, 2009 at 8:46 am
BATMANSGIRL: totally get what you are saying and don’t worry, fun is the key word in powergirl, especially with amanda conner drawing it.
February 23rd, 2009 at 12:27 pm
Thanks for the link to Dave Johnson’s Youtube video. Now I’m saying “Flatulene” for no reason while having conversations with my staff.
March 8th, 2009 at 8:57 pm
Further backstory clarification: PG went public with her “Karen Starr” ID, sold off the StarrWare operation and started using that money for charitable works in JSA v. 4(?) # 39, I believe. It was a bit of a comedy-relief tale, true…
January 4th, 2013 at 8:29 pm
Awesome Dave Johnson Youtube video and enjoying the the exploits of FLATULENE!