Month: March 2008

Rough week financially if you’re a completist for my work. Sorry. Whad’ja think?
PAD

Yes, free Fallen Angel artwork from J. K. Woodward. As reported on ComicMix, you can get free comic art:

With the upcoming release of Fallen Angel #25, Peter David’s series featuring a mysterious, celestial heroine becomes the longest-running title in IDW Publishing history. To celebrate hitting this mark, IDW is giving away original pages of J.K. Woodward’s series artwork at a pair of events.
Wed. March 26, from 5-8pm: The Comic Bug 1807 Manhattan Beach Blvd Manhattan Beach, 90266 www.thecomicbug.com
Wed. April 2, from 7-9pm: Golden Apple Comics 7018 Melrose Ave, LA 90038 www.goldenapplecomics.com
Artist J.K. Woodward will be on hand to sign his pages, copies of the comic or pretty much anything the fans want to stick under his sharpie. Pages will be given away in order, so the first person at Comic Bug will get the splash page, etc.

Yes, that’s tonight for Comic Bug. Pictures of all of the pages of art being given away today can be found at ComicMix.

Remember that name. I suspect you’ll be hearing it a lot as possible court proceedings ensue.
She was an 11 year old girl who was diabetic. And as she spent the last month of her life writhing in agony, vomiting, her body shutting down, her parents did not obtain the treatment that could have saved her life. Instead they prayed for God to save her.
It reminds one of the story of the man who ignored a radio report that flood waters were rising, refusing to leave his house because he was convinced that God would save him. As the waters rose, two guys in a boat came by and said, “Climb in!” And he said, “No. God will save me.” As he clambered onto his roof, a helicopter flew past and said, “We’ll throw you down a rope ladder! Climb up!” And he said, “No, God will save me.” And the man drowned. And when he found himself before God, he said, “I’ve spent my life being devout and singing your praises, and you didn’t save me!” And God said, “I sent you a radio report, a boat and a helicopter. What are you DOING here?”
I wonder what He will say to Madeline Kara Neumann. “Sorry your parents were such fools?”
The truly infuriating thing is that even the Bible–or at least the New American Bible, in the Book of Sirach (Ecclesiasticus 38:1-15)–addresses this very notion:
“Hold the physician in honor, for he is essential to you, and God it was who established his profession. From God the doctor has his wisdom, and the king provides for his sustenance. His knowledge makes the doctor distinguished, and gives him access to those in authority.
God makes the earth yield healing herbs which the prudent man should not neglect; was not the water sweetened by a twig that men might learn his power?
He endows men with the knowledge to glory in his mighty works, through which the doctor eases pain and the druggist prepares his medicines; thus God’s creative work continues without cease in its efficacy on the surface of the earth.
My son, when you are ill, delay not, but pray to God, who will heal you: flee wickedness; let your hands be just, cleanse your heart of every sin; offer your sweet-smelling oblation and petition, a rich offering according to your means.
Then give the doctor his place lest he leave; for you need him too. There are times that give him an advantage, and he too beseeches God that his diagnosis may be correct and his treatment bring about a cure.
He who is a sinner toward his Maker will be defiant toward the doctor.”
Ðámņ straight. There is far more to the notion of divine intervention than unexplained miracles. Giving doctors the skill to cure patients is miraculous. Life itself is miraculous. It is tragic that there are those who are so blinded by fervor that they cannot see the divinity of what is right in front of them, and even more tragic when those depending upon them lose their lives because of that blindness.
PAD

I’ll be attending the ESPN TV broadcast today at 1 PM, so see if you can spot me in the crowd. I’ll be wearing a red PBA shirt.

Less said about the Pro-Am in which Ariel and I bowled yesterday, the better. Ariel did okay, but I couldn’t get pin carry if my life depended on it. That’s the last time I bowl in the final squad when all the oil is gone.

PAD

Michael Ken Nielsen brought the following video to my attention. (Don’t worry, it’s work safe…unless your boss is a Bush supporter, I suppose.)

So is it STILL too early to call it a Vietnam-like quagmire? Especially after McCain asserted that we might well be there for the next hundred years?

Continue Reading “Happy Birthday, War” →

Arthur C. Clarke, a true giant in the industry, has reportedly passed away at the age of 90.

While many associate him most strongly with “2001,” the work of his that had the most impact on me was “Childhood’s End.” If you haven’t read it, you really should; I think I’ll go reread it this week, as a matter of fact.

Ask Kathleen on her blog to share with you the story of the guy in the “Childhood’s End” costume at an Atlanta convention.

PAD

Ran in the School Library Journal. Pretty enthusiastic, I’d say.

DAVID, Peter. Tigerheart: A Tale of the Anyplace. 304p. Del Rey. June 2008. Tr $22. ISBN 978-0-345-50159-2. LC number unavailable.

Adult/High School–With its infusion of originality, David’s admirable pastiche of James Barrie’s Peter Pan will have readers of all ages clamoring for a copy. London-dweller Paul Dear is a sensitive boy who relishes his father’s stories of Anyplace and its inhabitants–pirates, pixies, “wild Indians,” and, of course, “The Boy,” whom Paul encounters one night via the mirror in his bedroom. After a family tragedy, Paul is unnerved by his mother’s sorrow and seeks a resolution in Anyplace, where he meets incarnations of many of Barrie’s characters, such as Fiddlefix (Tinkerbelle) and Captain Hack (Hook). The one exception is the marvelous snow tiger that practically steals the limelight and gives the book its title. David provides everything readers could possibly desire: suspense, swashbuckling adventure, tenderness, anguish, a dash of wit and sarcasm, and a perfect ending. Adults will see Tigerheart as an excellent choice for a book discussion group and/or as a useful tool in enhancing cultural literacy, and will appreciate its superior writing, appealing characters, depiction of familial love, and accomplished themes. Teens may view it as an exciting story about a courageous boy who rode a great white tiger, consorted with Indians, and battled pirates. They will all be right. This is a worthy purchase for both school and public libraries.–Dori DeSpain, Fairfax County Public Library, VA

Del Rey will be giving out a limited number of the advance reader galleys at the April New York Comic Con on Saturday and I’ll be there to sign them. So check at the Del Rey booth for times when you get there.

PAD