...I had an epiphany in my coffee

I’m at work, taking a break from what it is I do (web design wage slave), and getting my daily dose of “what’s going on in comics, film, and video games”. I do this everyday, to renew my inspiration and enthusiasm, which normally happens while I’m at work...

important aside: I’ll tell you about the significance of that statement later, for now, let’s get back to the epiphany.

...So, as I was saying, I’m at work, projecting my mind to the day when the work I do on a daily basis, will be the work I love to do now, in my spare-time - Comics, Films, and Videogames.

That’s when it hits me...

There are literally MILLIONS of people, energetically, and oft times frantically, working towards the same goals as I. They engage in the same rituals, recite the same mantras, seek out the same inspirational tidbits, and dream of the same same, ambrosia filled grail.

Then I wonder. What makes me different? How is my dream any more or less golden, what is it about me, that makes me shine brighter than the rest? What gives me a luster, that few others have, or will ever hope to have?

Now in the private moments of our own minds, we do one of two things, and I firmly believe this. One, we’re brutally honest, and have thoughts unmarred with past regret or issue. And two, we have thoughts based on learned behavior, past triumphs, and failures, consciously ignoring past regret and issue.

And that was the birth of my epiphany for today, and it is as follows....

It doesn’t matter what makes me different, I bought the ticket, I’m taking the ride, I’m having fun, and I’m not getting off until I’m good and ready.

End Epiphany.

It's just so damned exciting.

On October 10, 2010, I attended my second day of the New York Comic-Con. It was the last day of the con, and I was determined to not have that day end, without accomplishing a few goals.

Goal #1 - Meet Mark Waid, and Sean Gordon Murphy

Goal #2 - Meet a comic artist legend (or two).

Goal #3 - Talk with C.B. Cebulski.

Goal #1: Meet Mark Waid, and Sean Gordon Murphy

The connecting theme in meeting with both Mark Waid, and man who's writing I've followed, but never thought I'd get a chance to meet. And Sean Gordon Murphy, an artist who I had no knowledge of until very recent. His work makes me redefine what I want to accomplish as an artist. I dig people who challenge me, and his work is the first time in a long time, where I feel challenged. And meeting Mark Waid, an icon, and a real down to earth guy. Apart from sputtering like a leaky radiator, I gave him my card, and I will stalk him forever, because he challenges me as well.

Goal #2: Meet a comic artist legend (or two)

I met Joe Kubert. Those are simple words to type, and in that simplicity, lies greatness. Let me type it again...I MET JOE KUBERT!! Icon of icons, a living, breathing working, legend in the comic industry. This man has done it (literally) all! From superheroes, to true life tales, he draws, inks, writes, instructs, inspires, and puts to shame many in the industry today. I can't say enough about him. I spoke with him briefly, and his answers were short, concise, and perfect. He's the man. And I also met Bob "Freakin" Layton, the man who truly defined the look of "The Invincible IRON-MAN". You cannot look back over the course of IRON-MAN, and not see the genius of this man's work, in the evolution of the character, in both look, and the stylized nature, of his signature armor. He's down to earth, really funny, and still a very vital force in the industry, who is now venturing into feature films.

Goal #3: Talk with C.B. Cebulski


This was the one that I was the most anxious about. i wouldn't say nervous, because there wasn't any fear involved, but anxious because of who the man is, and who/what he represents. Now, i do not want to give the impression, that he's anything more than a man. From meeting him, and following his Eataku and Chesterfest blogs, he's the kind of guy you could hang out, grab beer, a spicy Szechuan fish taco, and talk endlessly about comics with...he also just happens to be Marvel Comics premier talent scout. That, and the fact that drawing for Marvel has been a long postponed dream of mine, for as long as I could remember. It was the very reason (that and starting a blues/rock group) was the reason I moved to NYC.

So, I met the guy, talked to him, shared a laugh, and he gave me his card, told me when I've got something to show him, he'd be happy to see it. Now when I say, that when I left that venue, you could not touch me... I mean you could not TOUCH me! I was ordained, I was made of celestial stuff, I was like a herald of Galactus, and no one could tell me different. Now, its not so much because of the man, who was gracious, jovial, friendly and patient. But because it touched the heart of a 10 yr old kid, who made paper cutouts of Iron-Man, Captain America, The Black Panther, and concocted fantastic adventures in the quiet of his room.

The kid who used to do that, who is still alive and kick-flipping inside of me, striving to not only be a good writer, but a better artist. That kid, will one day say "I draw comic books for Marvel"!

Nuff said.

OOooooooo weeeeeee!!!

Working for a living is for SUCKERS!! Not saying that I'm NOT one, I'm just stating a natural fact.

REJOICE, ALL YE THAT TOIL, FOR A GREATER REWARD AWAIT THEE IN THY LAZ-E-BOY RECLINER, AND PORTABLE FRIDGE...HA-ZAH!!.. HA-ZAH!!

Whew... now that's out of my system, just a wee bit of background. I was just handed a herculean load of work, that will keep me fused to this well-used, grey flannel office chair, for the better part of 12hrs.

My initial response was to find the nearest clock tower, yet, I demurred and slunked off to my cube, in silent defiance (knowing I would take a few moments to twiddle in me blog), and hunkered down.

I will fortify myself with copious and obscene amounts of caffeine and sugar, and staving off the effects of scurvy with a few pieces of daily recommended fruit. All in an attempt to power through this blockage of paper and pixels.

Well, now that I've sated my creative crack craving, with a few truly overwritten paragraphs, I'll return to the job for which I'm salaried, and dream of the job for which I desire...

Marvel.. I'm coming to join ya, honey...wait up for me.

PEACE!

The Decision has been made!

The bite of eight shots of espresso is like getting hit in the mouth by a truly sexy girl, and having her kiss you afterwards... I digress, instantly. 

I'm sitting in a Starbucks in my neighborhood, in NYC, and I'm sipping on an eight shot, venti, caramel macciwhozits, and it occurred to me that or a blog to have and relevance, it must be updated frequently... and thus we update!

With the largest comic book event on the east coast, looming in the very near future, the beast of bright colors, The New York Comic Book Convention! And all that heralds its arrival, is the buzz in comic book stores and on the message boards, and I'm actually very excited for two distinct, yet connected reasons.

The first and foremost, my mother, who should be credited for every creative career decision I've ever made. Not from her influence pushing me, but for her love and enthusiasm inspiring me. A couple of years ago, my mother asked me to go with her to the Motor City Comic Book convention, my first...ever!

Now I'd read comics all my life and had a significant collection, until one faithfully stupid day, when upon my moving in with my mother or a few years, I'd left my boxes unattended in the hallway, mere feet from her door. Yet it appears a few feet, is nothing to a greedy thief, and possible collector himself, why else take comic books. May he be plagued with deep throbbing paper cuts to the webbing of his hands and fingers...ahh, the digressinator appears again.

The second reason, is my valorous quest, to gain ear to ear grin inducing employment with Marvel Comics as a writer and artist. A goal I initially gave up once moving to NYC in favor of a less competitive job as a graphic artist. I needed work on my skills, and needed a job right away. Food is a good thing to have, and a roof over head ain't too bad either. I needed both, in quick succession, and at the time, the trade was worth it.

Now, some 15 yrs later, I've gotten it, I'm there, I'm the guy that can do what the undying thirteen year old has always wanted to do, and its like having a sugar addicted, jacked up on sugar boombooms, bouncing around in your bloodstream just crazed to get started drawing his favorite superheros.

So the decision has been made, I've concentrated my focus on 3 samples, of 3-6 pages, original ideas, all to show at the portfolio review at NYCC.  

Ok... I'm in a public place, dozens of people around me, not to mention busy baristas, and small children... and I'm sat with a goofy grin, bouncing up and down in my seat...

VISUAL IMAGE: I'M A 6'4", 290LB AFRICAN AMERICAN MALE WITH A BALD HEAD, BIKER STACHE, BLACK MIAMI INK TEE, CAMO CARGO SHORTS, AND BLACK BASEBALL CAP....

Mother's are shielding their child's eyes, so, with that said, I'll contain my excitement for the nonce, bucket down and get to scripting, and return with more textual delights, and progress updates, til then dear non-existent reader, enjoy your day.

I'm back...but it's not like I went anywhere

There have been, fits and false-starts in this endeavor. It's a learning process, and I'm digging getting a bigger brain along the way.


I started this to make movies for Marvel comics, the books i grew up reading, and characters as dear to me as childhood friends. Closer in fact, as I am in contact more with The X-Men, than I am Oscar Williamson (no reason that name should seem familiar to anyone other than myself). 


But when I started, I had more bravado than brains. I figured my storytelling prowess was unparalled, and there was nothing more for me to learn. If ever there were more cause, to get a "slap upside the head", I don't think I know it exists. 


In short, I was a melon-headed, overly confident boob. I knew nothing, and was summarily told as much (a story for another time), and the words from that critic, still ring in my head. For one who'd thought so very highly of his own ability, it was an ego anniliating blow. And I will bless that day for a long time to come.


It showed me what I didn't know, and opened up a world of learning that I'd alway knew existed, yet neglected to use, Comic Books.


Comic book are where I learned to use my imagination, comics helped me see that heroism isn't only in the square-jawed, teutonic alien from another planet, but could be in an rocky oranged skin roughneck from the LES (lower east side). And that gave me hope, and Marvel comics embraced me like an old friend, each time I opened a glossy floppy gold nugget.


So, I'm taking a break from writing screenplays, and I'm going back to "school", I'm going to hone my skills, at the feet of the masters (comic book writers, past and present), and will emerge...a freakin superhero!