Writer, editor, publisher, and blogger, Clifford Meth, is helping Paty Cockrum sell off Dave's comic collection. As a friend of Dave's since before he turned professional, and a friend of Paty's since the early 1970s Marvel days, if you're interested in picking up a little bit of personal comics history, take a look here.

Labels: Dave Cockrum comics

It's been a great Christmas.

My in-laws are in town and we, along with Noel's brother, had a delicious Christmas Eve dinner as well as a wonderful Christmas day feast. Ever since one of our friends gave us a turkey brining recipe that is simple yet perfect, our turkeys always come out great. As always late on Christmas Eve we head over to a friend's house for the annual gift exchange where it seems nearly everyone gathers to give each other gifts. A couple of favorites this year were of the things to do variety rather than gadgets and gizmos (though I got several of those that are amazing!) I think 5 friends got together to give us all a dinner and Murder Mystery show to be done sometime in March. Another friend gave Noel and me the gift of a dinner with them at the restaurant of our choice. There was some blanching when I said I knew a great restaurant in Venice, Italy, but I think Noel and I will actually pick one a few miles from our house. Some of our best times is going out with friends and talking over the dinner table for a few hours. We also got a number of games to play, which I love, as we have a regular games day here at Wolfmanor every month or so.

We really don't need much at this point and I'd actually like to get rid of much of what I do own, including many of my original comics (aside from the ones I wrote of course). My collection goes back to the year Zero and frankly, what with Archives and Showcases and DVD collections, I no longer need the originals in order to read my favorite stories again or research some story from God knows where in order not to screw up some arcane continuity point. Besides, the collections, either in print or digital, take up much less space than an entire garage. I dunno. Maybe I'm in a divesting mood.

Today everyone went out to see local museums or to shop. I stayed home to work, which I actually love doing. There is a series of articles from writers called "Why I Write" circulating the Net these days and most of the writers actually hate the process of writing but love the finished results. I often bang my head against the computer keyboard when I'm in one of those "Words! I don't Know Any Stinking Words" phases - and they do come often - but I love it when I'm sitting here at the keyboard and the words actually flow, and better yet, they're in English rather than my native language of Gibberish (after all I was born in Brooklyn, NY). There's something wonderful when sentences come together the way you want them to, and then, a few hours later, when you re-read them, you find a way to make them even better, and somehow with fewer words. And when you re-read them again the next day, your new edits improve them yet again. I love the process even if the moment-to-moment work can be painful. I'm one of those who, I think, after eventually retiring - if that ever happens - even after I long stop selling my work because nobody will even think of buying it, will probably continue to write, if only for myself. Usually that's known as delusional, but I like to think it's something I need to do to relax. So I sat here most of the day working on the video game script. I wish I could tell everyone what it is I'm doing, but alas I'm not allowed to. But believe me as soon as I can I will.

Tomorrow is some more work then a big dinner with the entire family. As I say, it's been a great Christmas.

Hoping you all the same.

Labels: Christmas 2007

Nothing much to report. We've set up the house for the holidays. And you just gotta know that with a name like Noel, Christmas is a special occasion here. The entire house is a winter wonderland with our tree is packed to the twigs with hundreds upon hundreds of ornaments and Christmas music being played much of the day. Noel's parents are staying with us so lots of tasty cookies have been made. They have a Chow dog named Molly and she and LD get along great... by not getting along at all. They don't seem to acknowledge the other dog is even there. I think they both probably believe they are people so why should they bother to notice a mere canine nearby. Their total disinterest in each other is keeping things peaceful which is good, considering the alternative if they were claw and fang at each other 24/7.

Everyone else is out of the house doing some last minute Christmas shopping. I'm taking a break from one of the video games I'm writing to pen this. But now I've got to go back so in case I don't blog again before Tuesday...

Labels: Christmas 2007 prep

There's a nice interview with me on Comic Book Resources about my upcoming Raven mini. Take a look.

Labels: Raven 1

It's just been officially announced so...

DC SPECIAL: RAVEN #1 (of 5) On Sale: March 5, 2008
This was written by me, with pencils by Damion Scott and inks by Robert Campanella. The official DC release says: From Marv Wolfman, co-creator of Raven, and maverick penciller Damion Scott (BATGIRL) comes a 5-issue miniseries delving into Raven's past and giving her a new life — but first she must survive the horrors of high school! Can the Titan's empath endure the wave of teen angst at school, especially after someone begins killing students? Emotions are driven sky high thanks to the reappearance of the Psycho Pirate's Medusa mask, and there's no way anyone can contain it once it has fallen into the wrong hands. Titans fans new and old dare not miss this one!

Let me add that Damion's pencils are magnificent and I am extremely pleased with the script. Some of you who might think I'd write the old Raven as we did her in Titans may be disappointed but if you give this new and younger version a chance, I think you'll like it as much as I did. Anyway, I'll tell you more about it as the publishing date nears.

Labels: Raven 1

Rats of Unusual Size (for Princess Bride fans) as well as the cutest weird possum ever have both been recently DISCOVERED according to this BBC article. I dunno 'bout you, but no way you'll catch me anywhere near New Guinea. But there is something way cool about the idea of animals still being discovered at this late date. Who knows, maybe one day we will find that island that has both Godzilla as well as dinosaurs.

I haven't written all that much about the WGA strike although I have walked the picket lines. Primary reason is I do very little WGA work and usually don't feel I know enough to talk about it with any intelligence, not that that's stopped me in the past. So when PUBLISHERS WEEKLY called to ask my opinion, I decided to spread my ignorance beyond this page to the masses. And though they got one part wrong - I didn't complain about Nightwing, or heaven help me, Tim Drake as Drake is a Robin revamp I never expected to see anything additional from (beyond the initial script fees) and in fact I do get some money off of Nightwing as well as almost all my DC creations, but they are right about my Blade and Bullseye comments. But beyond me you'll read (intelligent) comments from lots of other folk, too .

Labels: WGA strike

There are reports that Captain Kidd's 300-year old pirate ship has been found, completely intact, under only ten feet of water and just 70 feet from the Dominican Republic shoreline. Charles Beeker, the archaeologist who found it scuba diving, said: "When I first looked down and saw it, I couldn't believe everybody missed it for 300 years. I've been on thousands of wrecks and this is one of the first where it's been untouched by looters."

A 300 year old intact pirate ship. That would be cool to see. But if they find someone who sort of looks like Bill Nighy with tentacles dripping off his face, I am so outta there.

Labels: Captain Kidd

Have you ever noticed in those annoying HEAD ON commercials they actually never say what Head On is supposed to do or why you should buy it. All it says is "Head On. Apply directly to forehead." But they never say why, never say what it does and never makes any claims at all concerning any health benefits. So I wonder, after you apply it directly to forehead, does it leave a large letter 'L' where you rubbed it?

Labels: Head On

I thought I would hold back my thoughts on a couple of movies Noel and I recently saw, thanks to the WGA, until it was a bit closer to their release, but since reviews have started popping up, including ones from Variety and The Hollywood Reporter, I decided I wouldn't be jumping the gun by putting my mini-reviews here.

I AM LEGEND

I saw a WGA screening of the new Will Smith movie, I Am Legend, based on the Richard Matheson novel. The book has been adapted before, into Last Man On Earth as well as Omega Man.

Although the movie doesn't have a whole lot to do with the novel this is an adaptation so frankly I think it's best to forget the book and just accept it on its own terms. And as I was watching I was going, "Oh, God. This is incredible. This is the best Will Smith performance ever and I've liked him in many films. How did they do THAT? Oh, God. I've never seen anything like this before." I was so there.

For 2/3rds of the movie.

And then something happened. What was so incredible, so mind-numbing, so I-can't-believe-they-can-do-that, suddenly falls apart. The last third of the movie just doesn't work, least not the way the first 2/3rds did. I also feel the movie is missing an entire major beat just before the final scene because the ending seems to be too abrupt.

I don't want to go on because I think what I Am Legend does well it does brilliantly. Really brilliantly, and it deserves to be seen on a big screen where it will do the astounding visuals justice. Unfortunately, ultimately, I think the movie fails. You might love it while you watch it, but without giving away anything, I think you will find yourself having several of those "Refrigerator moments" you hear about. That is when you can enjoy a story while you're watching it but later, when you go to make yourself a sandwich that night or the next afternoon, you open the refrigerator door and you suddenly go, "But that doesn't make sense. How could she...? Wait a second...." That is when the movie will begin to unravel.

What is great about I Am Legend is Francis Lawrence's directing and Will Smith's acting. The movie is so tense you can't turn away from it even during some of the most horrifying scenes. Lawrence, who also directed Constantine, pulled out all the stops here. Will Smith is incredible and there's one scene that's a long close-up of him that will wrench your heart. This may be his best performance ever. The special effects are remarkable. And the scenes of a post apocalyptic New York City are breath-taking. Unfortunately, what is ultimately not great about I Am Legend are the last 30 minutes or so. Refrigerator moments aside, the movie was so good that it hurts that it ends so poorly. Yes, I recommend seeing it, just to be blown away by some of the scenes, but I truly wish this one was better.

It came so close.


SWEENY TODD

This is a pretty simple review. Johnny Depp as Sweeny Todd is great. Helena Bonham-Carter as Mrs. Lovett is great, Alan Rickman as Judge Turpin is great. In fact, the entire cast is wonderful with special kudus to Sacha Baron Cohen as Signor Adolfo Pirelli. So is Tim Burton's directing, the script by John Logan based on the Stephen Sondheim musical and everything else from the almost black and white cinematography to the impeccable set design to the powerful and cinematic choreography. This is not a filmed Broadway stage show but a unique movie that needs to be seen whether or not you have seen the original. The movie is funny, horrifying, shocking and great. No negatives.

Johnny Depp's voice is perfect for the role. His voice is clear and unwavering, and completely in tune, but the strength of his singing is in his acting which makes his singing riveting. Although Bonham-Carter's voice is less assured, the range of her songs is greater than I think she can deliver, once again her acting make them work. This is another well-deserved success for Tim Burton.

Labels: Movies

This month marks an amazing anniversary for me, namely my 40th year as a professional writer. My first sale was for DC's BLACKHAWK #242 and what's amazing is that I still absolutely love what I do. These days, beyond writing comics, I'm also doing novels and video games and I hope to keep exploring new forms and media. That's the way one grows, not only as a writer but as a person.

Labels: 40th Anniversary

Noel and I attended two big Industry screenings recently (I Am Legend and Sweeny Todd) and though I won't review them in depth until just before they come out, let me say that all the questions about whether Johnny Depp can sing or not are over. He is excellent. As is everyone. As is the movie itself. Not typical Christmas fare, but well worth going to.

Last summer while visiting NY I was brought by my friend Stan Landman to his son Joey's apartment where we got a crash course in the Nintendo Wii. Stan and I, significantly older than, umm, 21, nearly gave ourselves heart attacks after going through a few rounds of Wii boxing. As much fun as it was I wasn't sure if I wanted yet another game console in my house - I already have an X-Box 360 and a PS2. But one thing led to another, and it looks like one of the games I'm writing might be ported to a Wii, so yadda yadda yadda, on Friday Noel and I got our Wii.

Another friend of mine (hi, Rob) had already given me a couple of Capcom Wii games -he used to work there - and of course Wii sports comes with the machine. I also picked up Mario Galaxy. So now when I want to give myself a heart attack and I can do it in the confines of my own living room. I love bowling and tennis. baseball less so as it doesn't seem to matter how I pitch. Boxing is huge fun but exhausting. Still haven't mastered golf. Mario is for kids but still fun, more than you'd expect. No wonder it got a 9.7 rating.

Labels: Wii