Scalped. See Amazon Review

An illustrated novel detailing life on the Prairie Rose Reservation (Fictitious) and of a native man whose return to the reservation he grew up on is mired in political and social upheaval created by a tribal chairman’s greed, lust for more power, and with alcohol, sex and drugs being the lynch pin for this suffering “third world nation” inside America, the return of “Bad Horse” brings an onslaught of violence and repentance for the tribe.

This title is fiction, I repeat, it is Fiction, but is based in some aspects of native people on ‘Indian’ reservations. The glimmering Casino, the drugs, alcohol and violence. Yes, these are part of Native Culture today, but it’s not just our culture, it’s a national and social epidemic, and Las Vegas is sure to be the inspiration rather than the “Rez” for the crime, prostitution and drugs.

While the story and art is dark, gritty and reminds me of “The Departed” movie, it has some historical view points from the people on the reservation. And the author plans to reveal more of that historical and proud culture we have. Or, at least that is what he says.

The problem I see in this title, is the average reader may pick this title up and get the impression that this is life as a native person or life on the reservation.

This title does not give a positive portrayal on any front for native culture.

I could tell the author was going for realism, but it’s taken to the extreme in violence, alcoholism and sex. The people in the book are portrayed as animals, with no sense but to kill everything that stands in their way. The “Chief” is an immoral murderer with his own drug, prostitution and gambling ring with killer henchmen.

I like Robert Schmidt’s take on the title. See Rob’s Review on Bluecorncomics.com

You can read the replies, reviews and what the Author had to say about the critical reviews.

I’ve read the first volume of titles from issue one to issue 6, and I was pleased with the story telling and violence. The Native American aspect not withstanding, I found the characters, though, to be a bit bland in emotion, they all seem angry and hateful.

If you’re into the Soprano’s, or Scarface, this title is for you. But, don’t take it too realistically as a contemporary view and lifestyle of Native Americans.

I for one, plan on reading the entire story arc, because there is a little bit of realism, and some things I have seen or experienced on the “Rez”.

If I were to give it a grade, I’d give this title a B-.

- DWF

Examples:

Images were placed from various internet sites.

Fellow Deviant Art poster and Comic Artist, Mike Wieringo has passed on this past Sunday

Mike Wieringo Deviant Art page

Our deepest sympathy and condolences to Mike and his family. His talent will surely be missed.

Click here for more on the passing of comic great, Mike Wieringo.

-Mirror.

It’s come, and now it’s gone.

The Comic Con.

What the show, and in our most humble opinion is; a convergence model for a saturated entertainment industry.

You read me correctly.

It has been that for the past 4-5 years shortly after the fall of the Comic Industry in the mid to late 90s, and only recently (2002) has been re-invigorated by the “Hollywood” infiltration and the advancement in digital technologies. Mostly the internet, and also the opening of the new sections and expanded room at the Convention Center in Downtown San Diego.

While it’s a big ‘freak’ show to the majority of people amongst the general population whom don’t attend, it’s become a “fan service” show.

What I mean is that the fans and consumers of certain intellectual properties or concepts from major companies and networks, are the driving force of the show.

To take advantage and utilizing this venue for marketing purposes (more of a mega focus group), larger companies and corporations out of Hollywood have pushed it to another level.

In 2003 and 2004 it was evident that the best marketing was bringing the ’stars’ and producers of major motion pictures and Television programs to the show, which of course is that ‘fan service’ in a marketing stand point.

Not to waste too much time on the logic of the business and marketing side, I will move on to the show itself, and the venues available to the public.

By the way, the show was completely sold out Saturday for a couple of months.

The sell out was also instrumental in considering the direction and progression of the entire event for next year, as has been the case over 20 and some odd years.

I am sure to see even bigger announcements, advancements and marketing strategies from this past show into the ‘08 show.

There were subtle differences this year from the previous year, and there were additional changes.

G4 Network, formally “Tech TV” was on hand to cover all the major announcements, plus interview major directors, actors and producers.

They are what some would call, ‘Geek television’.

They are more of a Pop Culture News Network, but have started to add exclusive material, like the shows “Code Monkeys” and soon “Spaceballs” the animated series.

But, they tend to re-run old ‘crap’ shows like, “Cheaters” and “Cops” from late night Fox programming.

For some reason, they love the movie “The Big Labowski”, which is a great and funny flick, though.

Obviously the producers, hosts and every writer is smoking a lot of weed.

If you like that type of programming, god bless you… But, on to more of the show…

Navigating through the floor can be like walking through the amazon rain forest… Hot, sticky, rough on the legs and filled with exotic and carnivorous creatures in a wall to wall environment with plenty of stink and potential for disease or illness.

The King still lives… or was he cloned and added into the 501st Infantry Unit of the Imperial Army under command of Darth Vader?

I’m sure Darth would shake his head every time he saw this stormtrooper.

But, you have to give him credit, he’s become a convention celebrity.

Speaking of the 501st…

They were recruiting.

Yeah, I don’t think Levi’s Jeans would have a case in this copyright issue of the ‘501′, it’s just me trying to be funny…

Oh, speaking of Copyrights and legalities;

… I sat in this panel with Brett Booth (former and returning comic artist), and a couple of other notable producers in Video Games and Comics… they had a copyright lawyer on hand too, which I felt was beneficial until they cut me off from asking too many important and critical questions.

Only 38 people attended this informative panel… which is a shame, there was a lot of information that would benefit budding talent and producers.

They (except the lawyer) were all in agreement with me and understood very little of my questions, since most were directed at the lawyer not some artist or mail room guy…

Anyways… Moving on…

If you were here, you were either getting your badge holders, or walking through to either side of the upper level of the Convention Center, which is also next to the main Autograph areas.

Main Autograph area… but my attention is/was on the woman with the mini skirt and long legs… and if you notice is the only “female” in the whole picture.

“Who wants to be a super hero?” I know I don’t, because that’s not my cup of tainted tea.

But, the “winner” of last season from the Sci Fi Channel series, Who Wants to Be a Superhero?, created by Stan Lee.

And…

The highlights of the show you may probably not even be thinking about or ask? But probably not…

The Marvel Comics Iron Man movie trailer.

It looks great… Robert Downey Jr. has Tony Stark down, and adding Gweneth Paltrow in there is awesome.

She and Robert attended for the first time here at the Con.

No recordings were allowed of any of these trailers… so I have no photos or video.

The other main event was for the T.V. Show “Heroes”.

The cast and producers were on hand, and I couldn’t get in! It was packed. This show is definitely going to be around a while, and Kevin Smith (Clerks and Jay and Silent Bob) is slated to direct an episode…

Kevin attended his own panel for the third year this year and I did not attend, mostly due to the line you have to wait in… next year I am getting a press pass so I don’t have to worry about it, but, the line was formed outside in 97+ degrees outside of the shade.

I did, however, attend his first time panel in 2005 I believe, in which I stood by him at the security entrance and thought he was one big fat bastard in a leather trench coat. Not that it’s a bad thing… wearing a long leather trench coat.

How he got in was through the front entrance, and no one was around to notice…

I am sure he was happy that time by not getting too much notice. Now he gets mobbed like Michael Jackson at the Venetian in Las Vegas… except the people aren’t all Japanese.

That’s a side joke and real thing that happened, because I was there at the time, and thought… “Hey, there goes Michael Jackson with a ring of security around him holding hands!”

You had to be there, or you may have seen it on all the tabloid shows back in 2003.

And, when I say ring of security holding hands, it was security guards making this kind of AA Meeting group hand hold around him. What happened after was kind of creepy, but you can email me about that situation.

NO, it was not some sexual or pedophile situation!

Moving along…

I believe the best one and most entertaining panel, was the Family Guy panel.

The creators, voice actors and producers were all on hand.

Unfortunately, I chose to sit at the back, which was a big mistake… but trust me, they were on the panel chumpin’ it up nicely.

I couldn’t help but laugh, and yes, they were strict on not filming the clips for this Fall seasons episodes, which they only showed one…

***Spoiler Alert!***

(insert @$$hole laughter here)

(lights go dim, and the screen is black… text scrolls up into screen)

“A long, long, long time ago, yet somehow in the future…”

…

“Episode IV”

“A New Hope”

Ok, so if you don’t know what that first line means… then you’re an idiot, and if you don’t know what the second and third lines mean, you should be castrated or kicked in your pregnant stomach for 9 months.

So, you might as well stop reading this… sheesh!

The rest of the floating text is the most classic writing and wording you’ll read in a long time… trust me!

Well, next to my old comic strip from the early millennium… I believe in 2002, I created a Spoof, but the problem with it is it never finished and everyone does a Star Wars spoof…

Anyways…

They have a “Star Wars” episode of Family Guy.

That’s right…

And here’s how it goes… well, I’ll just give off the cast at least.

Quagmire plays C3PO, and it runs like the original Star Wars film mind you, but, with the Family Guy twist…

R2-D2 is played by Cleveland Brown, and his fro is on top of it…

Lois plays Princess Leia, and the scene with R2 at the beginning is hilarious.

Stewey plays Darth Vader, and remarkably looks like the Dark Helmet from Spaceballs cartoon on G4.

Peter plays Han Solo… nuff said. Well, ok… some can be said. It’s too funny!

Brian plays Chewy… he doesn’t have too much to say in this episode, ‘cept some barking.

And, Luke Skywalker is played by Chris, Peters fat son.

When they go and rescue Leia, she says, “Aren’t you a little fat to be Stormtrooper?” mimicking that classic line with the exception of the ‘fat’ part.

Meg plays the creature in the garbage pile they fall into… not sure why they did that… watch the episode!

Well,

To tell the truth, the entire episode has a lot of sexual reference in it… I won’t give it all away, and the other stuff they plan, because they are expanding the show with new recurring characters…

One of which is a baker from the Eastern Block of Europe… although they had no images of the character, the voice actor for it did his voice… Funny stuff!

It was the most enjoyable panel, as the creators and writers did the voices here and there, and Seth McFarlane is a good improv comic. He should do stand up some time.

The end of the show left me feeling… well… tired.

So, I must end this lengthy Blog (too damned lengthy for my writing procedure).

Any questions, you know what to do.

By the way, Google some of this, because I am not getting any links for you…

Usually I would.

But, stop being lazy for once

Bye.

Well,

It’s that time of year, when we pack all our essentials, portfolios, schedules and make the trek to Comicon International.

An annual event that marks the rise and watched the fall of the Comic Book industry, and saw the rise of the hybrid that SDCCI has become, a Pop Culture event that puts all our favorite entertainment media in one show.

Bright Lights, Camera’s, Thousands of People packed into a large hall filled with booths from your favorite companies, characters and creators… It’s a huge festival for pop culture.

Even your favorite movie stars are here with a panel display that previews and converses with the fans.

Oh, did we mention people in costumes??

What fun…

I will see you there.

What to expect?

Check out their website to see who’s who this year at the Con.

A spectacle now, if San Diego was not on the Map, Comicon was the main catalyst for tourism in July

Cheers!

(Check out Comic Con 07 Photos and News)