Wednesday, June 4, 2008

Signs of the Times

Those of you who live in Los Angeles who are yearning for a signed copy of Kirby: King of Comics (signed by me, that is) have two opportunities in the next seven days...

This coming Saturday, I'll be scribbling my name in copies at Meltdown Comics, which is located at 7522 Sunset Blvd. in Hollywood. I'll be there from 2 PM 'til 4 PM, assuming anyone shows up. At some point in there, there will be a Q-and-A hosted by Animation Producer/Director Jon Schnepp.

Then on Wednesday, June 11, I'll be out in Santa Monica at Hi-De-Ho Comics, which is at 525 Santa Monica Boulevard, near Lincoln. I can't find the piece of paper that tells me what time I'm supposed to show up but I think it's around Noon. No formal Q-and-A is planned but if you buy a book, I'll tell you darn near anything you want to know.

Hey, if you don't want my autograph, this might interest you. This Sunday, William Shatner will be signing his new book, Up Till Now, at the Los Angeles Comic Book and Science Fiction Convention, which is that one-day monthly con down at the Shrine Auditorium. Mr. Shatner, they say, will be there at 2 PM and will sign all copies purchased at the show...and nothing else. All proceeds will be donated to William Shatner's Hollywood Charity Horse Show. I might go down and get one if he promises not to sing "Rocket Man." If you come to either of my signings, rest assured I won't.

• Posted at 10:38 PM · LINK

Wednesday Morning

We are pleased to report that the dreaded Proposition 98 went down to defeat in yesterday's election here in California, and that 99 passed. The margin was 60%-40%. I'd be fascinated to know what percentage of those who voted for 98 understood that it pretty much did away with rent control, but I don't imagine anyone did that exit polling.

• Posted at 9:53 AM · LINK

Paul Sills, R.I.P.

I have little to add to obits like this one for Paul Sills, who was kind of the Thomas Edison of comedy improv. He invented much of what is now taught — things that will forver be taught — to actors who work that side of the street...and what he didn't invent, his mother did. Among the practitioners of that art, his name was almost sacred...and probably for a very good reason.

• Posted at 1:21 AM · LINK

Today's Video Link

Hey, let's spend two minutes with Carl Barks, the great comic book writer-artist-legend...

• Posted at 1:08 AM · LINK

Four Thoughts I Had

1. Was Barack Obama's speech last evening really that good? Or did it just seem that way after the dreadful ones by John McCain and Hillary Clinton?

2. It was quite a night. I don't think Obama should get elected to anything because of his race...but isn't it nice that he's not being eliminated because of it?

3. Clinton campaign chairman Terry McAuliffe is starting to sound like Michael Palin in the Dead Parrot sketch. Hillary has not been eliminated. She's just pining for the fjords.

4. Going into this election, McCain has certain advantages and Obama has certain advantages. Obama's biggest one may be that there are no photos of him hugging George Bush.

• Posted at 1:06 AM · LINK

June 5, 2008 • Current • June 3, 2008