Marvel Writers’ Retreat 1997 and more

Posted By: Peter DavidPosted On:

digresssmlOriginally published February 28, 1997, in Comics Buyer’s Guide #1215

Assorted fun stuff…

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I’ve just returned from a Marvel “writers’ retreat” in Long Island. At that august gathering, an assortment of editors including Bob Harras, Bobbie Chase, and Tom Breevort, and creators including such luminaries as Chris Claremont, Kurt Busiek, John Romita, Sr., Tom DeFalco, Klaus Janson, Larry Hama, Scott Lobdell, and others who are going to be hacked off with me because I didn’t mention them by name, gathered to try and sort out the “Lee-feld Universe.”

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True Crime

Posted By: Peter DavidPosted On:

digresssmlOriginally published February 21, 1997, in Comics Buyer’s Guide #1214

When one is faced with a pointless death, such as that of Ennis Cosby, one is often seized with the desire to try to do something about it. This is usually not possible. It’s probably not even possible in this case.

But then I read about a rep for the LAPD describing the killing as “a complete whodunit.” Trying to solve mysteries and sort out things that don’t make sense is a natural compulsion (just ask Oliver Stone).

And I also read reports of the actual events surrounding the death of Bill Cosby’s son.

And there’s stuff that’s just bugging the hëll out of me. I have no one else to talk to about it, so I figured I’d talk to you.

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An Old Fashioned Puppet Show

Posted By: Peter DavidPosted On:

That’s what we more or less attended at Carnegie Hall yesterday.

It was a celebration of the music of the Muppets (and by extension of the life of Jim Henson) with puppeteer John Tartaglia as the MC. And the Muppeteers were there, performing in as low-tech an environment as you can imagine: They had black drapes erected on railings on either side of the stage, about five feet high, and the Muppeteers (dressed in black) would enter in a crouch from either wing, put the Muppets on their hands, and then have them appear over the top of the railing. It was on par with what you’d see during a puppet show mounted at your local library. Personally I thought it was marvelous because it really got the Muppets back to their roots, which was perfect for something celebrating the artistry of Henson (whom Kermit referred to as “my right hand man.”) Kermit, Fozzie, Piggy, the whole gang was there. They even had Statler and Woldorf heckling from one of the balconies. And Kath was teary eyed for a good chunk of it, particularly when Paul Williams was performing “The Rainbow Connection” with Kermit.

PAD

Dialing Up

Posted By: Peter DavidPosted On:

digresssmlOriginally published February 7, 1997, in Comics Buyer’s Guide #1212

Picking up from last week:

So there I was, loaded up with software for America Online. Now I was really in need of some sort of method for picking up messages off the Internet, as my former server had collapsed. And also—I blush to disclose—I’d never in my life gone “websurfing,” a term that I must admit completely befuddles me. Who the hëll made it up, anyway? I mean, talk about your mixed metaphors. What sort of image does that bring to mind, surfing a web? It makes no sense. You surf on water; you crawl on a web. How do you surf a web? It’s like saying, “I’m going to mow the linoleum.”

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I’ve been invited to Lima, Peru

Posted By: Peter DavidPosted On:

I received an email from the State Department yesterday that a July book fair in Lima, Peru, asked specifically for me as a guest to come out and talk about comic books and graphic novels. I figure it’s either a great honor or else an incredibly elaborate practical joke or kidnapping plot.

I figure I’ll go. When the State Department says a whole city asked for you to come out, I don’t see how you say no.

PAD