Wish I could say I was there.
However, the music remains forever in my memories.
Friday, August 16, 2019
Wednesday, August 14, 2019
Hotel Information For BALTIMORE COMIC CON 2019
| BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - August 14, 2019 - The Baltimore Comic-Con takes place October 18-20, 2019 at the Inner Harbor's Baltimore Convention Center in downtown Baltimore. |
| The Baltimore Comic-Con has made arrangements with a number of downtown hotels in close proximity to the Baltimore Convention Center. Click the link below to access the weblink for special pricing direct from the Baltimore Comic Con webpage. |
Participating hotels include:
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| TICKETS General Admission and VIP Package tickets for Weekend, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday are now on sale! Visit http://baltimorecomiccon.com/tickets/ for more information and to purchase your advanced tickets now, and as always, kids 10 and under get into the show free with a paid adult General Admission! |
| In addition to on-site CGC grading, this year's confirmed guests for the show include: Joel Adams (Savage Eve), Neal Adams (Detective Comics), Zeea Adams (Neal Adams Monsters), Art Way Alliance, Brian Azzarello (Batman: Damned), Jeremy Bastian (Jim Henson's Labyrinth: Under The Spell), Marty Baumann (Disney/Pixar), Carolyn Belefski (Curls), Ziggy Blumenthal (Operation Pajama Pants), Harold Buchholz (MST3K), Mark Buckingham (Justice League Dark), Cullen Bunn (Harrow County, courtesy of AfterShock Comics), Greg Burnham (Tuskegee Heirs), Buzz (Superman: Coming of the Supermen), Jim Calafiore (The Mike Wieringo Tellos Tribute), Chris Campana (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles), Joe Carabeo (The Legettes), Richard Case (Doom Patrol), Christa Cassano (Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and the Freshman Force), Castillo Studios, Jacob Chabot (Ziggy Pig - Silly Seal Comics), Howard Chaykin (Hey Kids! Comics!), Frank Cho (Harley Quinn), Amy Chu (KISS: The End), Matthew oClark (Injustice: Ground Zero), Steve Conley (The Middle Age), Steve Conte (Action Figure Kingdom), Katie Cook (My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic), Jamie Cosley (Star Wars Insider), Clayton Crain (Absolute Carnage: Miles Morales, courtesy of Frankie's Comics), Kristina Deak-Linsner (Vampirella: Roses for the Dead), The Deans Family (La Moo Du Chocolat: A Shakes Adventure), Vito Delsante (Midnight Tiger: Stronger), Steve Ellis (The Only Living Girl), Tod Emko and Piggy (A Piggy's Tale), Steve Englehart (Doctor Strange, courtesy of Hero Initiative), Garth Ennis (The Boys, Friday and Saturday only), G.D. Falksen (Mine!), Rob Feldman (Cyko KO), Chris Flick (Capes & Babes), LJ and Kayla Fowlkes (The Adventures of CHIBIWONGTONG), Shea Fontana (DC SuperHero Girls), Francesco Francavilla (Red Sonja and Vampirella Meet Betty and Veronica), Franco (Superman of Smallville), Julie Fujii Sakai (Usagi Yojimbo: The Hidden), John Gallagher (Max Meow), David Gallaher (The Only Living Girl), SL Gallant (Magic: The Gathering: Chandra - Tales of Alara), Jose Luis Garcia-Lopez (DC Nation), Mitch Gerads (Mr. Miracle), Gerhard (Cerberus the Aardvark), Chris Giarrusso (Hashtag: Danger), Mike Gold (The Whisper Campaign), Jimmy Gownley (Disney Zootopia: School Days), Garth Graham (Star Power), John Patrick Green (Kim Possible Adventures), Dawn Griffin (Zorphbert & Fred), Juanjo Guarnido (Blacksad), Laura Lee Gulledge (Will & Whit), Bob Hall (West Coast Avengers), Cully Hamner (Batman Beyond), N. Steven Harris (Michael Cray), Dean Haspiel (Bloodshot Rising Spirit), Glenn Hauman (Mine!), Mark Hempel (Sandman), Greg Hildebrandt (Old Man Logan), Clinton Hobart (Disney fine artist), Javon and Tarik Holmes (The Adventuers of Waffle Boy), Adam Hughes (Superman), Jamal Igle (Wrong Earth), Chris Ivy (Venom: Tooth and Claw, courtesy of Hero Initiative), Klaus Janson (New Challengers), Justin Jordan (Reaver), Kata Kane (G.F.F.s Ghost Friends Forever), Chris Kemple (The Mike Wieringo Tellos Tribute), Matt Kindt (X-O Manowar), Sharlene Kindt (Dept. H), Tom King (Batman), Evelyn Kriete (Hullabaloo), Greg Land (Hulkverines, courtesy of Hero Initiative), Jeehyung Lee (The Batman's Grave, courtesy of Frankie's Comics), Jim Lee (Batman: Hush, Saturday only), Jeff Lemire (Black Hammer), Joseph Michael Linsner (Red Sonja), Howard Mackie (Ghost Rider), Mike Manley (Mystery Science Theater 3000: The Comic), Chris Mariano (Claire Lost Her Bear at the World's Fair), Mark Mariano (Puddleton Farm: Ewing! What Are You Doing?), Ron Marz (Turok), Xavier McLaren (The Bubbler), John McCrea (Hitman, courtesy of Hero Initiative), Bob McLeod (New Mutants), Carla Speed McNeil (Twisted Romance), Pop Mhan (Raven, Daughter of Darkness), David Michelinie (Amazing Spider-Man, Saturday and Sunday only, courtesy of The Living Corpse), Edgardo Miranda-Rodriguez (Ricanstruction: Reminiscing & Rebuilding Puerto Rico), Mark Morales (Justice League), Jamar Nicholas (Leon: Protector of the Playground), Kevin Nowlan (Black Widow, courtesy of Hero Initiative), Jerry Ordway (Archie Meets Batman '66), Rachel Ordway (FTL, Y'all!), Greg Pak (Star Wars), Dan Parent (Archie: The Married Life - 10th Anniversary), Paul Pelletier (Aquaman/Jabberjaw Special), Andrew Pepoy (Archie: The Married Life - 10th Anniversary), Mike Perkins (Swamp Thing), David Petersen (Mouse Guard), Mark Poulton (Koni Waves), Andy Price (My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic), Dave Proch (Mango Lizard), Livio Ramondelli (Transformers), Ron Randall (Trekker), Tom Raney (Dog Days of Summer), Mark Redfield (Vampire Hunters Incorporated), Afua Richardson (Run), Rafer Roberts (Grumble), Don Rosa (The Life and Times of Scrooge McDuck), Peter Rostovsky (Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and the Freshman Force), Jennifer Rouse (The Death of Poe), Craig Rousseau (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Dimension X), Mike Royer (New Gods), Arsia Rozegar (Man Plus), Stan Sakai (Usagi Yojimbo), Stuart Sayger (KISS: The End), Bob Schreck (Batman: Hush), Greg Schigiel (Pix: One Weirdest Weekend), Erica Schultz (Xena: Warrior Princess), Bart Sears (Turok), Jeff Shultz (Archie Jumbo Comics Digest), Louise Simonson (Death of Superman), Walter Simonson (Ragnarok), Andy Smith (Demi-God), Brian "Smitty" Smith (The Stuff of Legend), John K. Snyder III (Killers), Allison Sohn (The Art of Red Sonja, Volume 2), Charles Soule (Curse Words), Brian Stelfreeze (Rise of the Black Panther), Jim Steranko (Nick Fury, Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D.), Paul D. Storrie (The Viking Queen), Karl Story (Star Wars: Age of Rebellion - Han Solo), William Stout (Fantastic Worlds - The Art of William Stout), Ty Templeton (Marvel Super-Hero Adventures, courtesy of Hero Initiative), Michael Terracciano (Star Power), David and Sarah Trustman (The Memory Arts), Billy Tucci (Shi), Mike Vasquez (Rick & Morty, courtesy of Frankie's Comics), Brian K. Vaughan (Paper Girls), Gus Vazquez (Big Hero 6), Emilio Velez Jr. (The Dodgeball Teens), Robert Venditti (Hawkman), Doug Wagner (The Hard Place), Mark Waid (Avengers: No Road Home), Adam Wallenta (Punk Taco), Adam Warren (Empowered And Sistah Spooky's High School Hell), Todd Webb (Mr. Toast Comics), Lee Weeks (Batman), Mark Wheatley (Songs of Giants: The Poetry of Pulp), Bob Wiacek (Iron Man), Marcus Williams (Tuskegee Heirs), Javier Cruz Winnik (Puerto Rico Strong), Marv Wolfman (Raven: Daughter of Darkness, courtesy of Hero Initiative), Rich Woodall (Electric Black), John Workman (Riverdale), Kelly Yates (Torchwood), and Thom Zahler (Star Trek: Waypoint Special 2019). |
SETH MYERS Podcast Interview With BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS
INFORMATION PROVIDED COURTESY OF DC ENTERTAINMENT . . . . .
Earlier this summer, Brian Michael Bendis went on "Late Night with Seth Meyers" to talk all things DC - from Legion, Superman, and his past work in the industry. In addition to the video interview, Brian sat down with Seth and Mike Shoemaker for an extended chat which was released on the Late Night with Seth Meyers Podcast. You can listen to this conversation now by following the link or your podcast listening app of choice.
GO TO THIS LINK TO LISTEN TO THE PODCAST: https://art19.com/shows/late-night-with-seth-meyers-podcast/episodes/82873cfd-8ba3-4038-993e-e872310b3bfe
Tuesday, August 13, 2019
Sneak Preview: Some Stunning Art for RAI by Abnett & Ryp
RAI's Fight Begins this November
Promo art by Juan José Ryp and Andrew Dalhouse
New York, NY (August 13th, 2019) – New York Times bestselling and award-winning writer Dan Abnett (Guardians of the Galaxy) and breathtaking artist Juan José Ryp (X-O MANOWAR) welcome you to the 41st century in RAI, the must-read sci-fi epic of 2019! The cyborg samurai, Rai, embarks on a thrilling quest to save the future in a journey that will introduce new worlds, new characters, and gripping adventures.
Feast your eyes on artwork from issues one, two, three, four...and FIVE below, and check out what's to come in the next half a year of RAI with the creative team and editor!
RAI #5 interior art by Juan José Ryp and Andrew Dalhouse
"It's got a blend of action, sci-fi, a little horror and a lot of character. I think it's a very distinctive book that has its own special feel."
-Dan
RAI #3 interior art by Juan José Ryp and Andrew Dalhouse
"Everything is part of a great puzzle! The story surprises me by its crazy coherence. It is magnificent!"
-Juan
RAI #2 interior art by Juan José Ryp and Andrew Dalhouse
"Quite honestly, I feel like we hit the jackpot. I challenge anyone to read this book and tell me differently."
-Lysa Hawkins, Editor
RAI #4 interior art by Juan José Ryp and Andrew Dalhouse
"The perfect place to join in if you're a new reader and you want to find out why people are raving about Valiant books."
-Dan
RAI #1 interior art by Juan José Ryp and Andrew Dalhouse
RAI #1, the first chapter of the enthralling sci-fi ongoing series, goes on sale November 20th, 2019, featuring colors by Andrew Dalhouse (The Flash), letters by Dave Sharpe (X-O MANOWAR), and covers by Juan, Adam Pollina (FALLEN WORLD), and José Ladrönn (Planet Hulk)!
Testimonial: Indie Comics Creators Are Extremely Busy
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Book Review: Z: ZOMBIE STORIES edited by J M Lassen
Z: ZOMBIE STORIES edited by J. M. Lassen, with Kelly Link, Jonathan Maberry, Thomas S. Roche, Nina Kiriki Hoffman, Catherynne M. Valente, Scott Edleman, Darrell Schweitzer, Christine Morgan, Marie Atkins, David Barr Kirtley and Scott Nicholson. (Night Shade Books, September 2011) Paperback, 416 pages.
Summary from the Goodreads website . . . . .
When the zombie apocalypse comes, it's not just those crusty old folks who will struggle against the undead, it's young people. What happens when you come of age during the zombie apocalypse?
Zombie Stories has the answer to that question.
Zombie Stories gathers together some of the hottest zombie fiction of the last two decades, from authors including Kelly Link, Jonathan Maberry, and Catherynne M. Valente. These stories focus on those who will inherit a world overrun with the living dead: a young man who takes up the family business of dealing with the undead, a girl dealing with her abusive father... who has become a zombie, a poet who digs up the wrong grave, and a Viking maiden imprisoned with the living dead...
My review on the Goodreads website . . . .
This 2011 collection reprints 10 zombie-themed short stories that appeared in various publications from 1993-2010 plus one original story. There's enough variation here to avoid being bored by reading one zombie story after another. The Maberry, Schweitzer and Edelman stories are especially good. Z:Zombie Stories is an above average collection with only two of ten stories that fail to leave a mark.
The collection opens with "Family Business" by Jonathan Maberry, a good choice for starters. I've never been bored by anything from Maberry. "Family Business" is set in his Rot and Ruin universe. Benny doesn't want to go into the family business of killing zombies. However, in this post-catastrophic world almost every job opportunity is zombie-related in one way or another. Benny takes an internship with his brother and learns that all is not what it seems like. This was an extremely engaging story told with great flow and rhythm. It's also the first zombie tale I've read that I would call "heart-warming and touching"! Five stars.
Kelly Link pens an amusing story in "The Wrong Grave" wherein a third-rate poet seemingly deposits his best verses within the casket of a recently deceased girlfriend as a parting tribute to her. Later he needs to dig up the grave to retrieve his poems and gets a surprise. More of an 'undead' story versus true 'zombie' tale, but I'll gladly allow that. Four stars.
In "The Days Of Flaming Motorcycles" Catherynne M. Valente seems to be using zombies to symbolize the devastation of aging (senility, lethargy, Alzheimers, dementia, strokes, etc) and the effect on a daughter living and coping with an elderly father. Zombies in this story, set in the sleepy town of Augusta Maine, are essentially harmless and go about their days in a state of confusion, unable to form words beyond guttural moans. The narrator gives enough detail to share her anxiety and anguish but there's a kind of complacency that fails to earn my empathy. The story just ends with more symbolism that serves to blunt the original message. Two stars.
"The Barrow Maid" by Christine Morgan is an epic Viking tale of revenge from beyond the grave. You just can't keep a good Viking warrior down. Written in vivid epic descriptions. Four stars.
A young man and his father hole up inside a church during a zombie invasion in "You'll Never Walk Alone" by Scott Nicholson. It's engaging reading until the end when it falls apart a bit and gets confusing. Two stars.
An undead emaciated boy is kept for entertainment and abusive purposes and hidden in a wooded hideaway by a gang of young thugs in "The Dead Kid" by Darrell Schweitzer. The first person narration by the now adult (who was eleven when these events occurred) is a warm coming-of-age tale of a troubled youth who tries to blend in with the wrong gang. Five stars.
"Seven Brains, Ten Minutes" by Marie Atkins is grisly amusing at the same time the depiction of human cruelty in the name of entertainment during tragic times is a disturbing commentary. If you can't beat 'em, join 'em. Four stars.
I was expecting a satisfactory revenge tale in "The Third Dead Body" by Nina Kiriki Hoffman and the ending surprised me. A prostitute is resurrected during the night of the living dead and goes out in search of the john who murdered her. Four stars.
"The Skull Faced Boy" by David Barr Kirtley puts a different spin on the living dead. If you died during the zombie infestation but were not killed by a zombie bite, then you are returned with a functioning brain. Two friends killed together take two separate directions in their second chance at life. Four stars.
In "The Human Race" Scott Edelman tells of a grieving daughter mourning the death of her family, and contemplating her own suicide just as the zombie event occurs and the dead return. She seeks to revive her father and has to make some difficult choices. Five stars.
The most entertaining story in the anthology is the original by Thomas S. Roche. "Deepwater Miracle" is all action as it centers on the efforts of two brothers to survive the zombie event while stranded in the ocean. Four stars.
Summary from the Goodreads website . . . . .
When the zombie apocalypse comes, it's not just those crusty old folks who will struggle against the undead, it's young people. What happens when you come of age during the zombie apocalypse?
Zombie Stories has the answer to that question.
Zombie Stories gathers together some of the hottest zombie fiction of the last two decades, from authors including Kelly Link, Jonathan Maberry, and Catherynne M. Valente. These stories focus on those who will inherit a world overrun with the living dead: a young man who takes up the family business of dealing with the undead, a girl dealing with her abusive father... who has become a zombie, a poet who digs up the wrong grave, and a Viking maiden imprisoned with the living dead...
This 2011 collection reprints 10 zombie-themed short stories that appeared in various publications from 1993-2010 plus one original story. There's enough variation here to avoid being bored by reading one zombie story after another. The Maberry, Schweitzer and Edelman stories are especially good. Z:Zombie Stories is an above average collection with only two of ten stories that fail to leave a mark.
The collection opens with "Family Business" by Jonathan Maberry, a good choice for starters. I've never been bored by anything from Maberry. "Family Business" is set in his Rot and Ruin universe. Benny doesn't want to go into the family business of killing zombies. However, in this post-catastrophic world almost every job opportunity is zombie-related in one way or another. Benny takes an internship with his brother and learns that all is not what it seems like. This was an extremely engaging story told with great flow and rhythm. It's also the first zombie tale I've read that I would call "heart-warming and touching"! Five stars.
Kelly Link pens an amusing story in "The Wrong Grave" wherein a third-rate poet seemingly deposits his best verses within the casket of a recently deceased girlfriend as a parting tribute to her. Later he needs to dig up the grave to retrieve his poems and gets a surprise. More of an 'undead' story versus true 'zombie' tale, but I'll gladly allow that. Four stars.
In "The Days Of Flaming Motorcycles" Catherynne M. Valente seems to be using zombies to symbolize the devastation of aging (senility, lethargy, Alzheimers, dementia, strokes, etc) and the effect on a daughter living and coping with an elderly father. Zombies in this story, set in the sleepy town of Augusta Maine, are essentially harmless and go about their days in a state of confusion, unable to form words beyond guttural moans. The narrator gives enough detail to share her anxiety and anguish but there's a kind of complacency that fails to earn my empathy. The story just ends with more symbolism that serves to blunt the original message. Two stars.
"The Barrow Maid" by Christine Morgan is an epic Viking tale of revenge from beyond the grave. You just can't keep a good Viking warrior down. Written in vivid epic descriptions. Four stars.
A young man and his father hole up inside a church during a zombie invasion in "You'll Never Walk Alone" by Scott Nicholson. It's engaging reading until the end when it falls apart a bit and gets confusing. Two stars.
An undead emaciated boy is kept for entertainment and abusive purposes and hidden in a wooded hideaway by a gang of young thugs in "The Dead Kid" by Darrell Schweitzer. The first person narration by the now adult (who was eleven when these events occurred) is a warm coming-of-age tale of a troubled youth who tries to blend in with the wrong gang. Five stars.
"Seven Brains, Ten Minutes" by Marie Atkins is grisly amusing at the same time the depiction of human cruelty in the name of entertainment during tragic times is a disturbing commentary. If you can't beat 'em, join 'em. Four stars.
I was expecting a satisfactory revenge tale in "The Third Dead Body" by Nina Kiriki Hoffman and the ending surprised me. A prostitute is resurrected during the night of the living dead and goes out in search of the john who murdered her. Four stars.
"The Skull Faced Boy" by David Barr Kirtley puts a different spin on the living dead. If you died during the zombie infestation but were not killed by a zombie bite, then you are returned with a functioning brain. Two friends killed together take two separate directions in their second chance at life. Four stars.
In "The Human Race" Scott Edelman tells of a grieving daughter mourning the death of her family, and contemplating her own suicide just as the zombie event occurs and the dead return. She seeks to revive her father and has to make some difficult choices. Five stars.
The most entertaining story in the anthology is the original by Thomas S. Roche. "Deepwater Miracle" is all action as it centers on the efforts of two brothers to survive the zombie event while stranded in the ocean. Four stars.
Wednesday, August 7, 2019
Book Review: WE SOLD OUR SOULS by Grady Hendrix
WE SOLD OUR SOULS by Grady Hendrix (Quirk Books, September 2018) Hardcover, 336 pages. ISBN #1683690125 / 9781683690122 Locus 2019 Award Nominee for Horror Novel, Shirley Jackson 2018 Award Nominee for Novel, Goodreads 2018 Choice Award Nominee for Horror
Summary from the Goodreads website . . . . .
A new novel of supernatural horror (and pop culture) from the author of Horrorstor, My Best Friend's Exorcism, and Paperbacks from Hell.
In the 1990s, heavy metal band Dürt Würk was poised for breakout success -- but then lead singer Terry Hunt embarked on a solo career and rocketed to stardom as Koffin, leaving his fellow bandmates to rot in rural Pennsylvania.
Two decades later, former guitarist Kris Pulaski works as the night manager of a Best Western - she's tired, broke, and unhappy. Everything changes when she discovers a shocking secret from her heavy metal past: Turns out that Terry's meteoric rise to success may have come at the price of Kris's very soul.
This revelation prompts Kris to hit the road, reunite with the rest of her bandmates, and confront the man who ruined her life. It's a journey that will take her from the Pennsylvania rust belt to a Satanic rehab center and finally to a Las Vegas music festival that's darker than any Mordor Tolkien could imagine. A furious power ballad about never giving up, even in the face of overwhelming odds, We Sold Our Souls is an epic journey into the heart of a conspiracy-crazed, paranoid country that seems to have lost its very soul...where only a girl with a guitar can save us all.
My review from the Goodreads website . . . . .
Grady Hendrix is an inventive writer, and proves it again with We Sold Our Souls. He takes an oft-used horror trope (musicians selling their souls to the devil in exchange for fame) and spins it for a fresh take. You don't need to be familiar with heavy metal music to appreciate this story, although if you do you will be rewarded with some of the inside references and chapter titles.
What kept me reading this epic journey of rock redemption was not so much the music references (Hendrix seems to know his way around a guitar, like his namesake) but the two strong female characters that are distinctive and unique. That's what pulled me through the pages, and this novel is a big step forward from what Hendrix did with Horrostor (liked it, but not as much as this).
Kris Pulaski, the main character, is someone any aspiring musician who ever toyed with recognition and mass popularity (if even for a brief moment) will surely empathize with and understand exactly how the way things played out in her brief career are tearing her up inside. Her former band, Durt Wurk, broke up over a contract dispute 35 years ago. Only one member, vocalist Terry Hunt, went on to enormous fame with his nu-metal band Koffin. Things become difficult for Kris when Koffin announces a series of farewell concerts of sinister purpose of which only she seems aware.
Melanie, the waitress living in a nowhere town with a slacker boyfriend, is an equally compelling character as she seeks to change her fortunes by simply attending a concert by her favorite band and moving to that town to start again.
I don't want to spoil the fun for anyone by revealing too much here, just a few things to mention that make this different from the standard musician contract with a devil. The soul-suckers in We Sold Our Souls may have different origins (recalling to mind some of Lovecraft's creations). Whose soul or souls were sold? It's not necessarily the one person who has the most to gain.
There are gaps in Kris' memory that she wants to fill in, and the novel is her journey of recovery past the obstacles in her path. Conspiracy theories abound.
There is a lengthy section in the novel where Kris discovers the true nature of Terry Hunt's benefactors that contain some very descriptive and horrific passages. The details of her escape from a rehab center are extremely claustrophobic and suspenseful, also chock-full of grim details.
The ending was not what I was anticipating, although it's very satisfying and a nice break from the typical epic endings these tales seem to contain. Recommended.
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