Note the Lack of Corner

Photobucket Pictures, Images and Photos

Yes, that’s Jennifer Grey and me at the “Disney Epic Mickey” launch. She is not seated in the corner. Just sayin’.

In case you’re wondering, I’m holding up a print-out of my blog entry from September 12 in which I asserted that she was the main story for DWtS and was being largely ignored by the media. She particularly liked being referred to as “Jennifer Freakin’ Grey.”

We also had a lengthy conversation about spinal surgery, since she’s going in for the exact same procedure I had. I felt kind of badly, because the Disney store employees kept trying to shoo me along since they (justifiably) felt I was monopolizing her time, while Grey kept asking me about pain management and recovery time. Meanwhile Caroline was spending time running around with Grey’s daughter, looking at the array of princess stuff, while Kathleen chatted with Grey’s husband about his wife’s time on DWtS, and later with Kyle Massey, sharing notes about where they respectively grew up in Atlanta.

The launch itself was a blast, with game creator Warren Spector being deluged by press and fans alike while the much-anticipated game was set up at the far end of the store. I tried my luck with it. After a few misfires, and realizing that I needed to switch the targeting remote to my dominant hand, I made my way through the Clock Tower sequence that was the main demo, so I felt pretty good about that. Heads-up to fellow lefties: The game set up actually has a left-handed setting you can utilize so you don’t get your wires crossed.

And it was great to see various denizens of this very board taking the time to come by and contribute to the game launch. And remember, I’ll be back in the city tomorrow for the signing at the Borders at 34th Street.

PAD

Epic Mickey Launch Tomorrow

Yes, I will be attending the big launch party for “Epic Mickey” tomorrow morning at the Disney Store in Times Square. Since I wrote the Digicomics and the graphic novel adaptation, naturally I have a vested interest.

Major guests include game creator Warren Spector and–since Disney owns ABC–“Dancing With the Stars” Kyle Massey and…yes…Jennifer Grey. I assume “Good Morning America” will be there since it starts at 7 AM. Be sure to tune in.

PAD

The Mutantmaniacs

digresssmlOriginally published May 13, 1994, in Comics Buyer’s Guide #1069

The strange things that come about on computer nets.

On Usenet, speculation was rife that Marvel’s mutant books would reveal the existence of a third Summers brother, to join Scott (Cyclops) and Alex (Havok) Summers. A joke was subsequently made that perhaps the new sibling might actually be a Summers sister and that, in a bizarre twist, the Summers sister was Rogue. This, in turn, led an individual called “The Vodkinator” to suggest an opening a la Steven Spielberg’s Animaniacs, with Cyclops, Havok and Rogue taking the place of Wakko, Yakko, and Dot (the Warner brothers and Warner sister, the series’ protagonists.)

This, in turn, led net frequenter Tom Galloway to write an entire take-off on the theme of Animaniacs. He then showed it to me, and once I picked myself off the floor, I cajoled Arne Starr into doing an appropriate illustration. And here we go:

Press release about upcoming appearance

COMIC LEGEND PETER DAVID ALLIES WITH BORDERS ON WORLD AIDS DAY

Special Penn Plaza Store Appearance Benefits Lifebeat – Music Fights HIV

New York, NY – Legendary comic book author Peter David will be signing copies of graphic novels and trade paperback comics on Wednesday, December 1, at 7:30 PM at Borders in Midtown (2 Penn Plaza). The signing is part of December One at Borders, a series of special events at stores nationwide to commemorate World AIDS Day.

Borders will donate 25% of the proceeds from the sale of these creator’s works to Lifebeat – Music Fights HIV. Lifebeat is a nonprofit that uses the power of music and the music industry to help educate young people about HIV/AIDS prevention. For more than seventeen years, Lifebeat has helped to mobilize the talents and resources of the music industry to raise awareness and funds, and to provide support to the HIV-positive community. For more information on Lifebeat, visit www.Lifebeat.org.

Eisner Award winning writer Peter Allen David (PAD) is one of the comic industries most talented authors. As a “Writer of Stuff” David is most famous for his 12 year run on The Incredible Hulk, as well as notable runs on Aquaman, Young Justice, Fallen Angel and Supergirl. David is the co-creator of the New Frontier, Star Wars series and has been a contributing writer to television programs, including Babylon 5, Ben 10: Alien Force and Space Cases. In 2005 David’s popular MadroX mini-series was turned into tan ongoing X-Factor series. More recently, PAD has worked on the comic version of Stephen King’s The Dark Tower series, She-Hulk, The Little Mermaid for The Fractured Fables series, and Tron: Legacy inspired by the 1982 cult film.

As a novelist Peter David has been incredibly successful in the fantasy genre. He is best known for his Star Trek novels, including Q-in-Law; I, Q; Vendetta; Q-Squared; and Imzadi, one of the best-selling Star Trek novels of all time. David also is known for his work writing book adaptations of super hero movies. David is most proud of his novel Tigreheart, a re-imagining of the Peter Pan story. He is also well known for his Sir Apropos and The Hidden Earth books. In 2010 David has released Year of the Black Rainbow and The Balverine Order, for the Fable novel series.

Borders has been a longtime supporter of Lifebeat – Music Fights HIV. In addition to developing the innovative national fundraising program December One at Borders, the chain sponsors Lifebeat’s annual Bid 2 Beat AIDS online auction. The fifth annual Bid 2 Beat AIDS auction kicks off on eBay on December 1 as well, with hundreds of celebrity items and experiences from Lady Gaga, Madonna, Stevie Nicks, and more.

Since You Guys Like to Get a Heads-Up About Things…

Tonight on “60 Minutes” they’re doing a piece about the upcoming much-discussed, much-maligned, and possibly hazardous Broadway musical, “Spider-Man: Turn On the Funk,” or whatever it’s called. I don’t have anything to do with the show, and apparently director Julie Taymor states that they released info about Swiss Miss just to mess with the fans (so, y’know, mission accomplished if that’s the case). So we’ll all find out together just what’s up.

PAD

Self Help

digresssmlOriginally published May 6, 1994, in Comics Buyer’s Guide #1068

Time to kill two birds with one stone, as they say (although I should emphasize that no animals have actually been injured in the making of this column.)

Several readers called to my attention, with some alarm, the April issue of Self magazine, a so-called women’s magazine that does big business in supermarket racks.