However, on the plus side, I’ve gotten a little bit more reading done.  Batman: Under The Hood (volumes one and two), the 20th Anniversary Edition of Batman: The Killing Joke, and The Seven Soldiers of Victory (read volumes one and two, almost done with three, and can’t wait to get into four).  Also, sitting next to me is X-Men: Supernovas, the oversize hardcover that is just beautiful to look at.

But reading isn’t all I’ve been doing.  There have also been a couple podcasts with my name attached to them.  After taking a week off, Marvel Noise is back with episode 41.  Of course, 11 O’Clock Comics released its eleventh episode last week.  I’ve taken Derek Coward up on his offer and there is a new addition to The ReaderFeed with episode 19 – Mage: The Hero Discussed recently had the introductory show published.  And something that’s near and dear to me – and seems to be recieving positive comments – is the first episode debuting under the Comic Book Noise Presents… banner, Driving With The Prices, which is just that: me and Renee in the car having a conversation.

How’d that happen?  Well, we were in the car and I had my recorder.  She had just finished reading The Killing Joke and wanted to talk about it.  Who am I to argue?  If my wife wants to chat comics, you best believe that’s what we’re gonna do.

I hope to update soon, but you know what they say about hope…

Marvel Noise 41 (direct download)

11 O’Clock Comics 11 (direct download)

Mage: The Hero Discussed (direct download)

Driving With The Prices (direct download)

I was lucky enough to meet Mr. Colan last year at the New York Comic Con. I received a Howard the Duck sketch, he signed a copy of Daredevil #54 that I purchased earlier, and – and most importantly – I got to shake his hand and say “thank you”.

Action has been taken and plans are being put into place to offer Gene and his wife Adrienne assistance during this time.

Information and the address to send cards and letters to can be found here. Clifford Meth is organizing an auction. If you have items you’d like to donate or want information on bidding, click here. Mark Evanier writes about the Colans here. The Beat.

My thoghts are with the Colans, their family, and friends.

There are no words.  I’m speechless.  There are others that can express what they feel better than I.

The Beat.  Mark Evanier.  Wednesday’s Haul.

Rest in peace, Dave.  You will be missed.

But getting back to the question I was asked: it really is hard for me to answer.  Maybe because I moved around a lot, I was able to meet different adults with different jobs, thereby making each ‘this is what I want to do’ different than the last.  Hell, my dad’s been a teacher, a car salesman, an appliance salesman, a coach, an umpire, a referee, a bartender, that each brought with them a slew of options…  But, I guess as I got older, I wanted a career in comic books.  It’s the first career I remember trying out for.  After a feeble attempt at trying to be a penciller, I focused on inking.  I felt that I was better suited to give depth to a pencilled page.  Nevermind the fact that I didn’t think my layouts were strong enough.  I made a few submission packets and heard back from just about everyone.  Of course 99% of the rejections were form letters, but one publisher actually critiqued my work and offered suggestions.

Due to my finances (or lack of them), pursuing this wasn’t feasible for the long term.  So I put the rapidographs down and left it to the pros.  And this is probably a good thing, because I’ve found that I really enjoy writing.  And I can get my ideas down a lot faster than I could sketch a page.  Not that I’ve made any submissions, but it’s an idea…

Maybe I’ll ramble on about how comic books have been a big part of my life, why I still read them, and what’s changed about them.  Including my tastes in titles and creators.

Thanks Lucy, and I hope this answers your question in some form or another.