Today's Video Link

Oh, before I get back to work, I'm going to post this and maybe another Keaton photo. At one of our Cartoon Voice panels at Comic-Con last week — was it only last week? — we had the wonderful Chuck McCann on the dais. At the end, I thought we needed to go out on a laugh so I got Chuck to tell one of my favorite stories…and no, it doesn't have anything to do with voicing animation but it's about kids' TV and Soupy Sales so I figured that was close enough.

So here I am, cuing Chuck into the anecdote. The lady on the right side of your screen is the also-wonderful Laraine Newman…

Sunday Evening

Nice to see that Obama and the leaders in Congress have hammered out a bill to raise the debt ceiling…an exercise which is kinda like me deciding I'm actually going to pay my American Express bill for all that stuff I already bought.

It's also nice that the deal was structured such that both sides will be able to simultaneously claim that they scored an enormous victory and that they got screwed. I love it when politicians play the victory card with one hand and the victim card with the other.

Of course, there's still the minor technicality of two chambers of Congress actually voting to pass the damned bill but I'm sure that's just a formality. I can't imagine any Congressperson or Senator trying to score cheap political points by getting up and vowing to block passage if the terms aren't substantially improved for their side.

One-time Speaker of the House Tip O'Neill used to say there were two kinds of opposition voiced when a crucial bill had to be voted upon. One was the genuine belief that the bill was bad and that it had to be blocked for the good of America…and there was a chance, albeit slim, of actually doing that. Then there was the kind where the rep knows it's going to pass and probably wants it to…but can't resist the opportunity to grab attention and impress certain constituents that he was in there, swinging and fighting for them 'til the bitter end. I'm sure we won't see any opposition of either kind tomorrow…he said, sarcastically.

Back to my own deadline…

Vinyl Victimization

Remember Record Clubs like Columbia House? For that matter, remember Records?

Anyway, here's how operations like Columbia House made money.

My Latest Tweet

So, lemme guess: Obama gives Republicans about 90% of what they want and they call him intractable and dangerous because of the 10%. — [Follow me on TWITTER]

Public Appeal

brentandersonart01

One of my favorite folks in the comic book field is the fine illustrator Brent Anderson. He just sent me this and it's obviously important enough to pull me away from deadlines to post it here…

You've probably heard, but I wanted to ask your help.

My car was broken into at the San Diego Zoo on Monday July 25th, 2011 and about 190 pages of original art in four 11×17 display portfolios were stolen. About 50 random pages from Astro City Vols. 1 & 2 & Local Heroes and about 50 random pages from Astro City: The Dark Age Books 1 (#s 1-4), 2 (#s 1-4) & 3 (#s 1-4).

Also stolen: Green Lantern: Legacy pp. 3, 6, 7, 9, 11, 18, 20, 21, 24, 30-36, 38-40, 42-46, 48, 51-57, 60 & 67-70; Green Lantern Silver Age Special (approx. 4 pages); Green Lantern/Plastic Man Team-Up Special (approx. 8 pages); and approx. 48 random pages from Rising Stars #s 15-24.

I don't believe it was anyone from the convention who stole my artwork. I believe it was an opportunistic smash-and-grab by someone looking for money or jewelry, not comics art. (They stole all of our dirty clothes and toiletries! Probably for the luggage.) They actually left behind three of the 11×17 Itoya Portfolios which were right next to the slipcase. If they'd wanted the art, they would have taken those, too. The thieves didn't know what was in the zippered slip case containing the four they took. I think they just wanted the case and a secure place to see what was in it.

The more light we shed on the stolen art the more unsellable it becomes to the thieves. Unfortunately, the more unsellable, the more likely it is to be disposed of. An anonymous drop-off of the art in some place it might be discovered by a knowledgeable person is the best outcome, or in finding it at a flea market where the thief made a quick, cheap sale just to get rid of it. I've asked of anyone living in the greater San Diego area who enjoys frequenting flea markets, garage and rummage sales, to visit as many of them as they can this coming weekend and on into the end of summer. The sooner people search the better. All the art was in mylar sleeves and each book holds 48 pages.

Spread the word to all your contacts, particularly to comic art sellers and those who shop on eBay and Craigslist. If you see any of these pages surface, call Christopher Tews (619-744-9521) or the San Diego Police Department Central Division (619-744-9500) and tell them you have a lead on case #11-029140. Then send me a FB message or email me.

Thank you, friend. Together we may just get the art back!

That sucks…but I guess all we can do is spread the word. I've omitted Brent's e-mail address because posting it on a weblog is a great way to get tons of Nigerian scam messages…but if you need it, drop me a line and I'll send it to you. No one deserves to have this kind of thing happen to him but especially not one of comics' nicest guys and greatest talents.

It's That Time Again!

mushroomsoup133

I'm posting the can of Campbell's Cream of Mushroom Soup partly to let you know that I'm too busy to post much here the next few days but really to address those of you who are e-mailing me with questions to which you expect a reply. I'll get to them when I can but it may be a while as the volume is quite formidable. I'm sorry but I have this silly thing in my life called Paying Work and it occasionally, dagnab it, gets in the way of the important stuff like blogging.

I'd also add that for some reason, I'm getting an awful lot of mail lately from folks who are asking questions without bothering to take the two minutes it would take them to search this blog first. If they did, they'd realize I already wrote about whatever it is they're asking me to write directly to them about.

I will be back here at full strength around Tuesday and there will be but bits 'n' pieces posted the next few days. I just won't be at my usual pace and I won't be getting back to you on that e-mail you sent me, quite as fast as you might like. Thank you for your understanding…that is, assuming you understand.

My Latest Tweet

The Senate rejected Boehner's bill in record time. It topped the previous record held by the first girl I ever asked on a date. — [Follow me on TWITTER]

Jerry News

Here's what Jerry Lewis is up to, these days. He doesn't sound too thrilled with his reduced/retired role in the upcoming Muscular Dystrophy telethon and makes it sound like he's not going quietly, if at all. No mention of the Broadway musical of The Nutty Professor. Thanks to Craig Robin for the link.

Today's Video Link

Here's one of those moments in baseball that you just have to see…

Go Read It!

Kliph Nesteroff writes an interesting history of Dino's Lodge, a famous restaurant up on the Sunset Strip which bore Dean Martin's branding though he actually had little to do with the place. Even more interesting is Kliph's account of how Jerry Lewis tried to compete with his own restaurant a few blocks away.

My Latest Tweet

The Republicans in Congress are getting carried away. Now, they're even obstructing themselves. — [Follow me on TWITTER]

The Penn is Mightier…

The Writers Bloc, which holds wondrous author events in Beverly Hills, has an intriguing one set for the evening of Thursday, August 18. Penn Jillette, the larger 'n' louder partner in Penn & Teller, has a new book coming out entitled God, No! Signs You May Already Be An Atheist And Other Magical Tales. He will be signing copies there but first, he'll be interviewed by top comedian Kevin Pollak. So there's two guys who are always entertaining and a controversial topic. How could that not be fun?

If you want to be there, you can get a reservation (you don't have to pay in advance) at the Writers Bloc website. I think I have a conflict for that date but if I can get there, I will. Those conversations are always enlightening.