Month: January 2009

Just to keep you guys in the loop on upcoming projects.

I’ve written an episode for “Ben 10: Alien Force.” A few weeks ago they recorded the script; it’ll be on the air sometime next season. Entitled “In Charm’s Way,” it will be the first appearance of the villainess Charmcaster who hasn’t been seen since the original “Ben 10” series. I’ve also scripted a “Ben 10: Alien Force” manga for Del Rey entitled “Ben Folds Four.”

I’ve also turned in the manuscript for a new “But I Digress” collection that will be published this summer by Mad Norwegian Press, with cover by J.K. Woodward and intro by Harlan Ellison.

I’ve been asked to write more issues of “Wolverine: First Class” and I’ve just seen the first pages of an issue guest starring Thor. I’ve also turned in the first issue of a new limited series that’s going to be announced next weekend at the New York Comic Con.

PAD

Someone needs to tell Michelle Obama that her kids are public figures.

Understand, I think it’s somewhat tacky that a toy manufacturer is producing a pair of dolls that share the name of her daughters. And if that’s what she wants to say–that it’s tacky–I’ve no problem with that. If she wants to say it’s mercenary, also fine. If she wants to say that she thinks a sizable percentage of the revenue generated should be donated to charity, that’s great.

The one thing she doesn’t get to say is that her daughters are private citizens. Amy Carter is a private citizen. The Bush twins just became private citizens. The Obama daughters just aren’t. It’s unfair, sure. They didn’t do anything to bring this on themselves. The spotlight is on them because of a decision made by their parents, one of whom is already an action figure and the other of whom will probably be a fashion doll before too long. But her parents DID make that decision, and if they didn’t want their daughters to become public citizens (so to speak) then they should have made a different decision.

I think as much privacy should be reserved for them as possible, particularly considering their age. I think the media circus that their first day in school became was ridiculous. But, well, they ARE the first family, and it’s not like the dolls are ugly. In four to eight years they’ll be private citizens. But now, well…they aren’t. And that was their parents’ call to make, and they made it, and you can’t unring that bell just because people can buy your kids and put them on shelves.

PAD

As I foresaw, people tried to claim that the muddling of the oath meant that Obama wasn’t president. He actually went ahead and redid it in order to quiet them. And they promptly jumped on the fact that he didn’t swear a second time on a Bible.

And now some people are complaining about the following line in his speech: “We are a nation of Christians and Muslims, Jews and Hindus, and nonbelievers.”

According to the AOL news feed, that line is drawing fire from religious quarters: “(The President)
seems to be trying to redefine American culture, which is distinctively Christian,” said’ Bishop E.W. Jackson of the Exodus Faith Ministries in Chesapeake, Va. “The overwhelming majority of Americans identify as Christians, and what disturbs me is that he seems to be trying to redefine who we are.’”

So is he saying we’re NOT a nation of various religions? Would he prefer that Obama had said, “We are a nation of Christians and a handful of other people who are going to hëll when they die.”?

Personally I think the ones who should be complaining are the Wiccans for being left out.

PAD

No, it’s not really the last issue of “Fallen Angel.” We’re relaunching with a new storyline in a few months.

As for X-Factor, my feelings on spoilers for this issue are well known, but I figure I might as well start a comments thread before people start posting in other threads. All I ask is that if you have not yet read X-Factor, for crying out lout, DON’T READ THIS THREAD.

PAD

UPDATE: On Newsarama the week of January 5th, there was some debate as to whether there should be active speculation about the baby. Those who felt they knew what I was up to were worried that accurately guessing would spoil it for others. I didn’t think that it would, but I offered to let people send me guesses and I would post in this space if anyone got it right so they could have bragging rights.

One person did: The fan who posts under the name “Wraith.” He didn’t quite foresee the shocking result, but he got the main beat correct. So he gets to boast that he thinks like Peter David…which, in the final analysis, is a dubious distinction at best.

And so…it begins.

11:23: With wind chill, it’s 14 degrees. This is ridiculous. Enough with tradition. Move elections to March and have the inauguration to May. Everyone has to be freezing their áššëš off because 200 years ago George Washington didn’t feel the cold?

11:26: Shots of the outgoing First family, walking away while trucks load up their stuff. May I say on behalf of everyone: Don’t let the door hit you on the way out.

Rest of comments below the cut line.

Continue Reading “Inauguration day:” →

When we began the Freedom Clock nearly two years ago, it seemed that we would never be rid of Bush. Now the 600+ days have ticked down to a scant few hours.

Tomorrow I will be blogging live as we hit the glorious count of 0 days/hours/minutes/seconds and swear in a new president. Feel free to swing by.

PAD

People seem eager to discuss BSG, so much so that they’re putting spoilers/ruiners on the Larsen thread. This is grossly unfair to people who may be reading along about Larsen and suddenly find themselves staring right at the identity of the final Cylon. The design of this blog makes it impossible for people to refrain from seeing such information if they’re just cruising along on a particular thread. Please refrain from that practice.

If you want to discuss BSG, as a courtesy I’m providing this space. I’m not discussing it yet because, honestly, I’m still processing it.

PAD

UPDATED: Okay. I’ve processed it. Comments below the cut line

Continue Reading “Battlestar Galactica Spoiler thread” →