Year: 2006

So we’re watching Trek episodes on TVLand to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the launch of “Star Trek.” Fortunately such episodes as “City” and “Tribbles” don’t require me to restrain my “Mystery Trekkie Theater” reflexes. The visual quality of the episodes is quite good, although I was torqued to see that they’ve cut dialogue in order to accommodate the boundless commercials. It’s the 40th Anniversary and they couldn’t run them intact, for crying out loud?

It’s also funny to play “six degrees” with the cast members and writers. I sit there going, “Met him…met him…he was my best man…wrote his autobiography…he came up to our hotel room at Dragon*con for spare ribs and fried chicken…he was the story editor on the first season of “Space Cases,” and so on.

I met both my wives because of Star Trek…the first at a convention, and Kathleen because she was selling a Klingon muppet that I bought for Mystery Trekkie. So four children literally owe their lives (and I, to some degree, my writing career) to Star Trek. Not bad for a TV series that was cancelled after three seasons of less-than-impressive ratings.

PAD

Now available here.

Marvelcomics.com? Hey, I registered that address way back when…

Readers of Harlan Ellison’s webpage–and even some non-readers–are aware that Harlan is launching a legal action against Pocket Books over current and upcoming novels about Edith Keeler.

Quite a few folks have been asking me if this will have any impact on “Imzadi” which, as anyone who has read it knows, is basically an inversion of “City” and features the Guardian of Forever. Although I already suspected the answer, I called Harlan and he personally assured me that “Imzadi” will not be a part of the litigation, for two reasons: First, he’d never cause a close friend that kind of grief, and second, way back in the day when I first came up with the plot, I called him and asked permission. He gave me the okay, I wrote the book, and dedicated it to him.

In terms of the case itself, I know all the parties involved and–for all I know–I might be called for deposition because of “Imzadi.” Plus, y’know…not a lawyer. So I’m not commenting beyond saying that I certainly hope matters are settled quickly and to the satisfaction of all concerned.

PAD

Lea Hernandez is an artist, long-time friend, and occasional collaborator. And in the category of bad things happening to good people, her house burned down.

Gail Simone has generated the following press release. I would be most appreciative if everyone here gave what they could to help her out:

Early this morning, the Texas home of award-winning writer/artist Lea Hernandez, my friend and co-creator of the graphic novel Killer Princesses, caught fire and burned. Half her house is now gone, and the rest is smoke-damaged. In addition, she lost at least six of her family’s beloved pets, two dogs and four cats. If you knew Lea, you’d know how devastating that is.

She’s lost a great deal of her family’s possessions, including irreplaceable art. She doesn’t yet know the full accounting of what’s been lost at this time.

Most know Lea as the brilliant creator of such works as Rumble Girls and Cathedral Child. She drew the Marvel Mangaverse Punisher book, and has drawn for Transmetropolitan, among many other accomplishments. She is also the co-founder and original editor for Girl-A-Matic, one of the most important venues for female-friendly comics created to date.

She’s also my friend, and it’s entirely possible I wouldn’t have a career in comics if she hadn’t asked me to write Killer Princesses for her to draw.

And finally, Lea is one of the last great firebrand hellraisers in comics.

Lea has two (wonderful, amazing) special needs children and right now they need a place to stay and some clothes to wear. More than that, they need
some help, and fast, in the form of donations to her paypal account. Lea’s a proud person so I’m going to ask FOR her. This is important, and a great chance to do a wonderful thing for a creator who has consistently enriched this industry we all love so much. Please, take a moment and send WHATEVER YOU CAN to Lea’s paypal account and help make this time a little bit less painful for someone who would do the same for you if the positions were reversed.

If you’re a retailer, I ask that you set up a donations jar. If you’re a creator, I ask you to think of how devastating this would be to your career and donate what you can. If you’re a reader, I’m asking you to take a moment and hit the paypal link. You’ll be doing something heroic and you’ll feel great about it, I promise.

Read what Lea had to post on a neighbor’s computer while wearing her pajamas at: Livejournal.com/users/divalea

Donate (PLEASE) to her paypal account at: divalea@gmail.com

Finally, if I understand the story correctly (as told to me by Lea’s good friend and current Girl-a-matic editor), it was Lea’s daughter hearing the smoke alarm that allowed the family to get out in time, so for God’s sake, do everyone you love a favor and CHECK YOUR SMOKE ALARMS.

Thank you so much for helping. Really, any amount you can send will make a difference. That’s all I can say.

Sincerely and gratefully,

Gail Simone

Been a good few days at Dragon*Con so far. My table at Artist’s Alley has been pretty busy. I did a reading of the Sir Apropos novella to a packed room (albeit a small one, but hey, if it was a small room and I couldn’t fill it, then I’d be bummed out.) Attended the awards banquet this evening. Tomorrow is gonna be the rough go in terms of programming. I’m scheduled for panels at 10, 11:30, 2:30, and 4, plus George Perez and I will be MC’ing the costume competition.

At the moment Kath and Ariel (who is celebrating her 15th birthday today) are at a party while I, nursing a sore throat, am happily staying in.

PAD

The issue everybody’s talking about. Whad’ja think?

PAD

the perpetually homeless Jon Manzo has come to me yet again saying that I, like Obi-Wan, am his only hope. I pass on the following as a public service:

Dragon*Con Crash Space Needed: Expected roomie had to cancel, so I’m looking for a place to sleep. Arriving Thursday, departing Monday. Non-smoker, will bring own bedroll. May have a room for Thursday night, but still waiting to hear. E-Mail to Voiceodoom@aol.com by Wednesday pm.

All responses should be directed to him.

PAD