ok. Here we go.
As I rapidly approach 36 it has occurred to me that if I am to publish my own comic book it must be now. So this blog is now going to document the process.
YES, I know this all sounds super nutty, but I must try and see if I can do it. BEAR and CUB were conceived when I lived in Seattle (around 1998)and have gone through various incarnations. I have given myself until March to publish issue #0 (no, not issue #1), I want to be ready for Emerald City Comic Con.
This is sure to be stressful and hopefully full of joy too. I very rarely share my aspirations so this could also open up worms in cans that I may not be able to deal with.
Anyway here goes nothing.

Losing My Keys and My Mind

I admit it, I lost my car keys. I have now become the guy who lost his keys. What does this mean in the grand scheme of thing..it means I have finally begun losing my mind.
Somehow I have become a guy with so much on his mind that I placed my keys in such an odd place that even the cat can't find them. I have two cats, a dog and a husband all of whom are in hiding as I freak out in search of said keys.
To my keys where ever you are, damn you all to the pit of key Hell!!

Forever Farrah

When I was 5 years-old I first laid eyes on Farrah Fawcett in a an episode of "The Six Million Dollar Man", and for the first time I can remember I wasn't drooling over Lee Majors.
Fawcett played Major Kelly Wood, and her smile just melted me, her hair was closing in on her trademark look..but was still untamed. Sitting on a brown shag carpet I asked my mom who the beautiful woman was and my sister interrupted telling me her name was Farrah and she was married to Steve Austin! How dare this woman be married to my future husband!?
About a year later I was introduced to "jiggle TV" and "Charlies Angels", right away all was forgiven. The sight of Jill Munroe skateboarding was all the encouragement I needed to try doing it myself, but I guess feathered hair is needed for good balance!
On the playground I was relegated to the role of Bosley, secretly wishing Trina McNary would get hit in the face with a tetherball and I could rush in and complete the Angelic trio before the end of recess. Alas Trina and her full head of blonde hair remained intact and the best I could manage was the occasional fill-in for Sabrina ( thank you chicken pox, sorry Jodi).
As I grew into my gayness the "Farrah Poster" saved me time and again from worrying my family, they assumed I was lusting after the heavenly figure of a sex symbol ( that's what my Lee Majors poster was for) when in reality I was dreaming of fitting into a red bathing suit and riding Lyle Waggoner like a mechanical bull.
Farrah and I had a falling out when she decided to become a serious actress. When she was burning beds and becoming extreme, she was also hitting a bit too close to home. Even with bruises and movie of the week marquee value I still worshipped the angel.
All was forgiven when Farrah graced "TV Guide" and their Farrah at fifty story. The Angels were getting close again and TNT would air "Charlies Angels" several times a day. Now as a full out and about gay man I could appreciate Farrah in the open.
Over the years living in L.A. I have met all the Angels at one time or another, but after a few close calls I never got to tell Farrah how much she was loved. In an ironic and sad twist Farrah died almost a year after my mother passed away (both from cancer).
In a world full of Pamela Andersons and disposable images Farrah will forever be "that girl" whose smile lit my room in bad times and ushered in so many good times since. If there is a speaker box in heaven then I just want to say "Hello Angel".

Happy 50th Birthday Barbie!!

Wonder Woman animated movie lacks "wonder".

Upon watching the new direct to DVD "Wonder Woman" film I am relieved that DC and WB will never get a live-action version to theatres.
After the success of "Superman/Doomsday" and "New Frontier" I had high hopes for Wonder Woman. But the animation is sloppy and Diana herself looks to be about 17. There is not enough of a stylistic departure from "Justice League" animated to make this look like anything but an unfinished screen test.
The story is a mix of the George Perez origin and Gail Simones' wittier take on the mythos, together they fall flat and are almost insulting to the character. Gone are many of Diana's gifts such as flight and Superman-level strength, in their place are lackluster "skills" and a return of the invisible jet (without any explanation).
I admit I am being harsh because I am a huge Wonder Woman fan, but the entire package just doesn't do justice to Diana and her supporting cast.
"Felicity" herself Keri Russel does an alright job at voicing Diana and "Firefly" alum Nathan Fillion is as good a Steve Trevor as was possible to find. Had these two been given better dialogue, the film would have risen beyond the generic sexist themes. For fans who want to see the "real" animated Wonder Woman, Warner has added 4 bonus "Justice League" Wonder Woman themed episodes that are far superior to the movie itself.

Batman Brings Back the Fun!

It is hard to imagine that in the year that brought us "The Dark Knight" and the death of Heath Ledger that Batman could be the source of so much fun, but watching the new Bat-toon "Brave and the Bold" returns the retro-cool fun of the 60's television series.
The bright pop-culture overload is just what the animation landscape needs, and teaming Batman with under-used DC heroes is the cherry on top. The show seems to take it's cue from the Adam West world of the Batman with a slightly harder edge. You still get the BAM! POW! but with the addition of folks like Green Arrow and Blue Beetle along for the ride.
This is not the serious "Batman: The Animated Series" which launched the modern DCU ani-verse. But this is a nice treat in between the next direct-to-DVD projects that take on more serious stuff.

Long Live the Legion

Geoff Johns seems determined to save the "Legion of Super-Heroes", and with the amazing "Final Crisis:Legion of 3 Worlds" mini-series, Adventure Comics" and his "Legion" episode of "Smallville he just may succeed!
With all the hype and let down of Grant Morrison's "Final Crisis" mini-series the DCU fans still scratch their heads wondering the they just read. But somehow under the radar Geoff and the amazing George Perez released the loose tie-in called "Legion of 3 Worlds". Johns does what he does best...fix continuity and create an epic tale in the process.
At this point the Legion is so confusing that it was almost unreadable, every new relaunch created it's own set of problems. Geoff is now combining all the incarnations together to battle the best new villain in years: Superboy Prime. And NO ONE draws a Crisis like George Perez. Sure, the book is months late but each issue is worth it.
Mr. Johns is also relaunching "Adventure Comics", the book that first gave us the Legion of Superheroes. It will be interesting to see how he juggles the present and future Super-family of heroes. This book will be most welcome on comic shelves.
And "Smallville", a usually bland re-telling of the Superman's early years got a much needed boost from the Johns written episode "Legion". Fans seemed to really love this episode too, and with good reason, unlike the Justice League based eps this one was accurate and full of action.
Warner Brothers should really tap Geoff for more screen projects, but it would be a shame to see him leave comics. Where ever Johns takes the Legion I look forward to the trip.

"Fanboys" is a real Valentine to Star Wars nerds.

Watching the new indie "Star Wars" comedy "Fanboys" is like wearing your old 80's Darth Vader plastic Halloween costume, it is like the coolest thing in the world to you but to everyone else it is just a discount smock.
The cast and crew of the film elevate what could have easily become a very long YouTube video into a nice love letter to George Lucas. It's 1998 and a band of die-hard "Star Wars" friends embark on their own journey of discovery while attempting to break into Skywalker Ranch.
"Fanboys" mixes the mid-90's teen angst with ultra deep "Star Wars" references that only a small percent of viewers will understand. This is where the troubles begin, this film is locked on target to the devoted few who still have "Star Wars" bed sheets. I admit I am harcore "Star Wars", I understood just about every in-joke...but that is the tape holding the entire film together.
Also, the lack of cooperation from Paramount (for the use of "Star Trek" images) and Lucas himself hold the film from breaking past low-budget charm. However, the love it took to make this film is in every frame and surprising appearances of Kristen Bell and Seth Rogen really amp up the geek love.
Oh, and yes there are plenty of "Star Wars" and sci-fi cameos to fill the best genre convention. Carrie Fisher, and Ray Park play good sports for the cast. My only wish is that Mark Hamil and Harrison Ford had worked themselves into the mix, maybe next time.
This is a movie where I look forward to the DVD to see all the behind-the-scenes fun and hear the commentary. I think after I get those extras, this movie will be a force to be reckoned with.

Final Crisis #7 or It had to end sometime!

WTF!!! I can't begin to review this book...I don't even know what happened!! Superman had a wish machine? Batman is a caveman now? Damn! Grant Morrison just ripped the DCU apart and filled it with LSD!!
For the "real" Crisis stay tuned for "Legion of 3 World" # 3!! George Perez knows how to give good Crisis!!

JSA #23

Thank the gods for Black Adam!! Just when JSA was become WAY to over-complex the anti-Marvel returns to bring sexy and action back to comics!
Geoff is leaving the book in a few more issues, so this is his swan song and he seems to have a great arc to end his run. Not only do we get the Marvel Family, but we have Isis back!!
This issue is why I read comics; great pacing, fun heroes, and some impressive villains! Hawkman seems to be freaking out (maybe he read "Final Crisis") and that is when he is most bad ass!
I eagerly await issue #24 and the Black Adam smackdown that has been coming since "52"!! And extreme bonus points to Alex Ross for his simple and fantastic cover!!!

I survived the Super-Bowl and all I got was some great commercials and kick-ass previews of some amazing movies..oh yeah there was also some sort of sports game in between. From what I remember there were some sexy men stealing a ball from other sexy men.
Now back to the previewy-goodness that was seen!! I had several geek out moments when watching some pretty f*^^&5 awesome trailers:

OK ok...G.I. Joe looks so cool it will beat non-believers over the head with it's pure awsomeness!! While I still have my reservations on the awful generic power suits, I will take a wait and see mentality!



Transformers 2 looks like more headache inducing explosions with robots who look nothing like my childhood memories. But no one can say no to giant robots blowing shite up!!



The fun train has officially hit it's stride with "Land of the Lost!" The director clearly knows his audience! And Anna Friel looks so CUTE that I will forgive her for being 10 years too old for the part Holly...but it looks like she may sport some pig tails!!

The troubling thing missing was NO "WATCHMEN" trailer!!! Why WB would choose not to showcase this big budget film only WEEKS before it's release is a true mystery!!

I often wonder why the hell Americans care about the "Super-Bowl". For one weekend out of the year folks pretend like they like football and care about a certain team, this is especially funny in the gay community.
I admit I do like the commercials but that's about it, and I love football! I played football, however I never understand the mass hysteria that surrounds the event. And going to a gay bar to watch the game is hilarious. Men cruising men pretending to be engrossed in the game onscreen when the real action is taking place on the bar patio.
The butch bears all have their jerseys of their favorite team, and even the queens try and get into the spirit in their own campy way. To watch these folks attempt to make sports talk is like watching Paris Hilton answer questions about how to run a hotel.
Listen, we know you're gay! We know you just want to see my dick...I don't need to pretend I like "the big game"...this is why we come out of the closet, so we don't have to deal with these situations!
This is why I love my husband, the man can find something to love about even the most mundane events. His cheers are infectious, and make even a cynic like me smile and get into the mood. I am hoping I at least get to use some good ole fashioned sports cliches like "scoring a touchdown" but of course meaning the sexual version rather than the sports analogy.
And now I must get back to watching "Hells Kitchen", a full-contact sport I can relate to! Stay tuned for my post-Super-Bowl wrap up!

Final Crisis#6

Look kids, Batman is dead!! In what may be the worst kept secret in comics, the Dark Knight was killed in "Final Crisis #6"...and that is about all I understood about the issue.
This mini-series has been a head-scratcher from the get-go! So it looks like Batman had a "magic bullet" and shot Darkseid, but not before the God shot Bats with Omega Beams which killed Bruce Wayne.
While this is happening Superman is returning from the future after helping the Legion of Super-Heroes, and Wonder Woman has been turned into a monster spreading some sort of plague...good times!!!
All the other little heroes are either serving Darkseid or rebelling against them. There is nothing here we really haven't seen before in issues of JLA. But the fun part seems to be that the Earth is pretty much toast, and uber scientists have a back-up Earth to evacuate to....very convenient.
I long for the days of cross-overs I could understand.....you know the kind where Universes merge and you can tell who is dead! I guess I can't even review this since I don't even understand it!
Leave it Grant Morrison to write a mega event as obtuse as a Bergman film!!

What a Week

Ok folks, here's a pickle, which one of these things do you think DID NOT happen to me this week?

-Saw George Clooney
-Drooled over Christian Bale
-Smashed my car into a concrete post
-Went skating with little kids

All these things happened actually! So as I sit here watching my "Superfriends" DVD I realize I am now 35! Now some people don't mind aging, but in the gay world 35 is like 50!
So to celebrate my Bday I rounded up some good friends and went roller skating! It gave me much morbid delight seeing small children fall (but MAN are they resilient!) and disco skate to hits of the 70s!
Oh and yes, I did smash my car into a pole. So now $500 later...my car will be almost good as new...almost! There is nothing as classy as having to drive around with duct tape on your car.
Now if you don't mind I am going back to eating cereal and watching cartoons while forgetting I am getting older.

Family Trauma with guest star Peaches Christ and Elvira!

At some point I realized that my husbands parents would destroy me, I did not think it would be so soon!
Yesterday we all had a family meeting....yes it IS as uncomfortable as it sounds! The pow wow was to discuss the pesky problem of them not paying any bills...ever. You see they live with us...YAY!!
Kevin's mother is Nancy Grace merged with the mom from "Everybody Loves Raymond", she is what the darkness fears. And the minute we sat down to talk it became clear that I was simply chum in the water and she was "Jaws".
What started out as a money issues soon turned into "lets find all of Brad's flaws and use his self-esteem as a bounce house."
As usual, when talking to them I feel like everyone is drinking crazy juice. Even Kevin decided he would turn into a Borg and be assimilated by his mother the Borg Queen.
So after a very non-productive meeting all that was pointed out was how much I have fucked up and how unsuccessful I am. FUN!!!!!!!!
Thank GOD for my friend Michael who rescued me and took me on a day of fun and adventure. We traveled all over the Valley to find more of my precious DC figures, and ended the night with the midnight showing of "Elvira, Mistress of the Dark." Drag Queen Scream Queen Supreme Peaches Christ held a 20th anniversary party for the film and even Elvira herself was in attendance!
It was just the right amount of controlled insanity that helped me remember that I am a fun person who is much more than my relationship. Sometimes I get so tied into family life that I forget that I used to be a real boy!
So thank you to:
Elvira
Peaches Christ
Pee-Wee Herman
RuPaul
for all the love and midnight madness!!!

I think if the Buddha was able to watch "American Idol" his life would have turned out very differently. The show just brings out the worst in me....I just want some of these people to just..go away.
I would love to see a REAL idol show, where the most sexy and empty boys and girls were picked and met with producers who remixed their vocals so they sounded almost good. Hey, the 80s music scene was made from over dubbing mircophones!
All Idol chatter aside my 35th birthday is rapidly approaching like a comet headed towards Earth. I am really not well with this day of birth, but I am going roller skating and what could possibly go wrong with that???

I find that listening to the "Pushing Daisies" soundtrack dozens of times in a day does very little to help me get over the shows cancellation. But dammit "Birdhouse in Your Soul" is just a great song!!
In other random news, I have now gotten into the very unhealthy act of looking up reviews for the Warner Brothers Tour to see if folks are commenting on me....some things should just be left alone!
Construction continues on the "Legally Mad" soundstage and I look forward to Kristin Chenoweth riding her bike on the lot singing with her cute dog. With a producer like David E. Kelly on the show it is at least guaranteed one season!
On the TV front, Joss Whedon's "Dollhouse" is quickly approaching! Everyone please set your DVRs accordingly! Unlike "Legally Mad", this show needs all the viewers it can get! I, like many others do NOT want another tragedy like "Firefly" to get over!

Stupid Sad News

Today I received the wonderful news that my best friend is now moving to New York. Awesome! I am turning 35 and now this! Of course I take this personally....but it really is a better life for him. This the second best buddy I have lost to moving away...was it something I said?
In other news, my search for the new DC toyline is now officially out of control. I find myself going from store to store looking for these damned action figures!!! Soon I believe there will need to be an intervention.

On the Set

Todays adventures at the WB were the first of the new year, and opened literally with a parade! Pepsi Cola was filming a Super-Bowl commercial and re-enacting the victory parade of WWII...there was ticker tape everywhere! With marquees reading "war is over", the cola seemed to be going all out.
The real buzz was over the fact that McG and the cast and crew of "Terminator: Salvation" would be prepping for re-shoots in stage 15! So in the next few days there should be plenty of Christian Bale sightings! But it will be more interesting to see the cast of "Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles" meet the cast of the motion picture. Stay tuned!
Over at "Ellen" the guest we Marisa Tomei and Depak Chopra with musical guests Foreigner, whomever scheduled this line-up needs a raise! And the best part was that the audience got 2 of his books, looking at their faces was priceless!!
Also to my delight, the jungle set was being prepped for the new season of "True Blood". It seems like the red neck vamps will be returning in a few weeks!

Green Lantern: Rage of the Red Lanterns part 2, finds Hal in the middle of a true crisis! It seems as tho red isn't the only new color of jewelry in space! We finally get to see the debut of the "Blue Lanterns"; powered by hope these new corpsmen can feed off the positive energy that hope brings.
This is a nice juxtaposition with the red throw up spewing "Red Lanterns" who are having fun killing everything in sight to torture Sinestro.
Geoff Johns is doing a great job at creating a truly cosmic event (unlike "Final Crisis") with Hal Jordan stuck in the middle. Green, red, blue and a sneak peak at purple! Green Lantern will pushed to his limits in the next few issues, and that is just the way I like it.

I am not a big fan of parties, and last night Kevin and I went to a post-Holiday survival party......yay. I always feel out of place, I am not good with small talk or pretending to be interested in "stuff". A room full of gay men is like a mine field of awkward hellos and creepy hugs. Kevin however maneuvers around a party like a "Tron" light cycle, hitting every corner with a smile, and he actually loves to make small talk.
I have always found it odd that is it expected that we gay folks hang out with each other, I am not a big fan of being forced to relate to people whose only commonality is that we don't like vagina. Everyone acts like pack animals and form their groups with force field like barriers, and leaves me at the snack table wondering if there is an alternate universe where shrimp eat people.
In every party there is that moment when you have a balled up napkin and have no idea where the garbage is, and so unlike most humans I hold onto an ever growing napkin-ball rather than simply ask there the trash bin is.
Then, once the guests get used to their surroundings they break-away from the heard and attempt to relate to others. So with my napkin-ball I bravely smiled and chatted up some folks, but unlike the others I wanted to talk about more than the recent articles in "Entertainment Weekly". No, I have not seen "Benjamin Buttons", and my touche' is to talk about comic books and video games...most of these guys could be extras on "Golden Girls" and the last video game they ever played was "make fire".
Without Kevin I would never go out and meet people, and without me he would never know the difference between Batman and Man-Bat. Today we are going to a beer-bust....so I will try to be the "good cubby".

Wonder Woman #27

"Rise of the Olympian" part 2 finds Wonder Woman laying near death after her beat-down from Genocide. Sadly, this issue seems like filler and a retread of past stories. Genocide, is not very compelling as a character. She is simply a combination of Devastation and Doomsday, created to make Diana look like a power house. But all we find out is that Diana never told the JLA about the true power of her lasso.
As much as I love Gail writing this series, it appears that DC editorial is forcing her to create an "event" to mirror "New Krypton" and "Batman: R.I.P.". And having Genocide take down some third-string JLA members, is almost a rip-off of Doomsday tearing up the JLA in"Death of Superman".
The Olympian Gods have also returned, wearing space suits left over from "Space: 1999". Athena is so over the bad storyline, she is dying. And Zeus seems to be channeling George W, with his "gift" to the Amazons. I really hope Gail is able to salvage this story, but so far it is less than "wonder"-ful.

Happy New Year

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! Wishing everyone everywhere a SUPER-Year!!!!