tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-88664861295274414112024-02-21T02:47:27.186-05:00Westchester Is For LoversIt's like a gun that shoots airplanesRyanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00839037140785331123noreply@blogger.comBlogger138125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8866486129527441411.post-65153022391060394142010-10-18T00:59:00.000-04:002010-10-18T01:03:36.626-04:00Taco Bell, again?Right off the bat, let me state the following. Yes, I realize this is pretty much the 3rd Taco Bell-related post I've made in a row. The difference here is that, while the past two have been shit-slinging tirades about how much new stuff sucks, this one will have significantly less shit-slinging. In fact, I'm mostly going to be saying nice things. Mostly. Won't you please join me in Taco-land?<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >Taco Bell Border Salsas</span><br /><br />Not to be confused with the standard Border Sauces (Mild, Hot and Fire), the new Border Salsas are a slightly 'chunkier' sauce (similar consistency to Fire sauce) available in Salsa Verde and Fire-Roasted Salsa. I will cover them individually, to avoid confusion.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">WARNING:</span> This is going to be a few paragraphs just talking about sauce. I understand that not everyone shares my passion for the concept of sauces. I understand that I'm a big loser for caring this much. If you don't give a crap, feel free to skip to the next section. But don't you even think about skipping that section too, because I'll know man... I'll know.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(51, 204, 0);">Salsa Verde</span> - If there's one thing I love most when it comes to mexican food, it's a really nice Salsa Verde. Unfortunately, this is not one. Don't get me wrong, it's actually pretty good. In fact, by Border Sauce/Salsa standards, it's probably second place as far as taste goes (Fire sauce is still my #1 guy). But salsa verde is pretty tasty too. In fact, I think more fast food places should take up this idea (for things like breakfast burritos and the like).<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">Fire-Roasted Salsa</span> - Sucks out loud. I just want to get that out there from the start. This Salsa sucks. So. Bad. (Just my opinion, of course). The downfall for this alleged salsa (hereafter known as 'sauce') is that it lacks any form of peppers. I understand the desire to make a sauce that would appeal to people who don't like spicier sauces, but this sauce is almost ridiculously tame. It is almost all tomato (Fire Roasted tomato puree, Tomato Paste, and a bit of garlic and onion powder), so it ends up tasting like kind of sweet ketchup or barbecue sauce. Awful, awful stuff. Enough talk about sauces, let's dig into the real food now! (Ooh, did you see that pun I did there "dig in". Man, I'm a natural!)<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Crispy Potato Soft Taco</span> - I don't know if this is actually new or not, but this is the first time I've ever noticed it on the menu. Essentially it is Cheesy Fiesta Potatoes in a taco shell. However instead of nacho cheese and sour cream, the potato chunks are topped with pepper jack sauce (the same as was on the short-lived Black Jack Taco), lettuce, and shredded cheese. It's surprisingly tasty. I love those potatoes, and all the ingredients go well together. I tried a few bites with Fire sauce, but it kind of overpowered everything else. Salsa Verde was not bad on it, either, but I think with something like this, it's best as is. Also, it's filling and super cheap ($0.89). Not something I want to eat all the time, but it's something I'll be going for again when I'm low on cash. The only downside I noticed was that the big chunks of potato make the taco fall apart more easily.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">XXL Chalupa</span> - This is pretty much the perfect Taco Bell chalupa, as far as toppings go. Nacho cheese sauce, Fiesta salsa, even the sour cream (which I'm normally not a fan of) is great on this. It all goes well together and did I mention there's a buttload of beef in there? It's a bit unwieldy to eat without spilling out the other end, but could be tackled with a fork like a taco-salad. The chalupa shell is also very good and crispy. The big downside is that the red tortilla strips get placed between the beef and the nacho cheese, so they end up getting soggy before you even start eating it. They are pretty much undetectable. If they were layered in differently they'd add much more interesting texture.<br /><br />All in all, Taco Bell has really been getting back in the game when it comes to delicious bad-for-you food.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">RATING ROUNDUP!</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Salsa Verde</span> - "it's actually pretty good"<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Fire Roasted Salsa</span> - "This Salsa sucks. So. Bad. (Just my opinion, of course)"<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Crispy Potato Soft Taco</span> - "surprisingly tasty... filling and super cheap"<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">XXL Chalupa</span> - "pretty much the perfect Taco Bell chalupa"Ryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00839037140785331123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8866486129527441411.post-51843454440971909322010-08-15T04:18:00.001-04:002010-08-15T04:20:05.677-04:00Even more taco-related postingNot to beat a dead-horse taco (coming soon from Taco Bell). But I just bought a box of Jose Ole frozen mini-tacos. I microwaved them for 2 minutes, and they have more flavor than a Taco Bell Cantina Taco.<br /><br />I'm just saying.Ryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00839037140785331123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8866486129527441411.post-40328205831497538432010-08-12T05:47:00.002-04:002010-08-12T05:53:58.698-04:00Update time!What? You say I totally lied before about deciding to post to this blog more? You say I haven't updated in months and months? Yeah, so what? I've been busy!<br /><br />But, I've decided that, in an effort to push myself back into the habit of writing more, it's time to expand the focus of this blog. For a long time it was all comics, all the time (with a handful of movie reviews and random food stuff). That said, I've got some new interests in my life that I want to discuss when I feel the need. For starters, I've rediscovered that I like to cook. I went to culinary school for a few years to become a chef, but dropped out because I don't like cooking for mass amounts of other people. Now that me and food have started to smooth things back out, I'll be using this to share random recipes I come up with or enjoy, as well as to talk about anything involving food that I feel the need to share (see the review of Taco Bell's butt tacos below). I am also very involved in pro-wrestling as of late. I'll probably talk about that alot as well. Whether you like it or not. So, in addition to all the noise from before, get ready for more shit you probably don't really care about reading.<br /><br />Also, I still curse alot. So, if you don't want to read dirty wordies, you should probably go somewhere else for your bullshit blog purposes. See everybody again soon. Or not. Really depends on if I actually do another update after tonight.Ryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00839037140785331123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8866486129527441411.post-78552440201380360122010-08-12T05:23:00.003-04:002010-08-12T05:44:44.729-04:00The worst thing Taco Bell ever concieved.So, today I was on my way to a writers meeting for a TV pilot I'm working on (coming soon?), and decided to stop off for a bite to eat at a nearby Taco Bell. The reason being that I had heard about TB's recent addition of "Cantina Tacos" to the menu.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFnxcFMwYNdZo8PnM2EK_-xKe3-xcg6QK0pzxmKY2EO2QHjnvqwA8kzNYS9SFV4ZMGfVqagQ-xYJSJJ8sPIvRMq6bkrxFMAJjWz4-fr2tnQf4-WG02wyT4yL3MfhZNdcZrW-70uWriaTU/s1600/taco_bell_cantina_tacos.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 166px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFnxcFMwYNdZo8PnM2EK_-xKe3-xcg6QK0pzxmKY2EO2QHjnvqwA8kzNYS9SFV4ZMGfVqagQ-xYJSJJ8sPIvRMq6bkrxFMAJjWz4-fr2tnQf4-WG02wyT4yL3MfhZNdcZrW-70uWriaTU/s400/taco_bell_cantina_tacos.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504456736951375938" border="0" /></a><br />You may or may not have seen the commercials for these bad boys, so allow me to explain for those who haven't. Essentially, the Cantina Taco is meant to be the equivalent to what one might find at any locally owned taqueria. They come in 3 varieties of Chicken, Steak, and Carnitas (a.k.a. pork), each served on a soft corn tortilla with onion and cilantro, and a wedge of fresh lime for garnish. Since there was a combo for all three and a large drink (also available individually or as a two-pack with no drink), I went with the combo. And guess what, they are balls nasty. Straight up suck city. Let's break it down piece by piece.<br /><br />Starting with the outside, we have a double layer of soft corn tortillas. Now, I make no secret to the fact that I generally hate them no matter where they are from. Soft corn tortillas have a particular thickness and graininess that I've just never cared for. Not to mention the fact that they tend to get soggy in seconds flat from the various taco juices. I'd say the ones at TB are probably about on-par with any other soft-corn. So, if you like that kind of stuff this probably wouldn't be an issue for you. But, really, that was possibly the best tasting part of the whole taco. And, again, this is coming from someone who would generally rather shoot himself in the ass than eat a corn tortilla that isn't crunchy.<br /><br />Moving inside we get to the meat and onion/cilantro mix. This is where the real problem comes in. Now, as mentioned before, these things come in three varieties. But, honestly, you could have fooled me. I opened the first one up, saw what appeared to be pork inside, and took a bite. Instead of delicious piggy goodness, I found myself with a mouthful of flavorless mush. The onion was there, and the cilantro was there, but the meat itself had absolutely zero flavor to it. I worked my way through it and to the next one. Opening that one up, I saw what I figured to be chicken. Again, no taste what so ever. The third one turned out to actually be the pork one (making the first one actually steak). The pork had a bit of actual flavor to it. Not good flavor, mind you, but enough to the point where you could at least tell it was pork. This is what I just don't understand. I really enjoy Taco Bell's normal steak soft tacos, and their chicken tacos are pretty good as well (though, I'm not a big chicken eater). How did they manage to make both usually tasty meats into this flavorless flesh-paste? It totally baffles me.<br /><br />This brings me to the lime wedge. As I told the guys at the writes meeting that night, I'm pretty sure this is only included to disguise the fact that none of the main ingredients have a real taste. I figure they assume that if customers drown it in lime, they'll assume the lack of other flavors is just from too much citrus.<br /><br />So, why would Taco Bell put such an ungodly selection of shit-filled tacos on their menu? Allow me to pose my conspiracy theory. They put the tacos on the menu and claim that they are of the equivalent to what one would find from a real taco joint. Customers order them, see how shitty they are, and assume that this must mean that real tacos taste like<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 102, 102);"> dick simmered in assjuice</span>, and decide Taco Bell's normal tacos must be the pinnacle of flavor. It's brilliant, really. Until of course you realize that TB is promoting these things as <span style="font-style: italic;">better</span> than their standard taco. So really, they are saying that normal tacos taste worse that ass.<br /><br />Yum fucking yum. Way to go, champ.Ryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00839037140785331123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8866486129527441411.post-16595248969796397202009-12-20T22:11:00.003-05:002010-04-03T04:41:52.768-04:00COMING SOON: Nova City Stories<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijAbnFXPyKqu7vJsZ0XZY0Wd6W87r89fvfTrVjh_Mw6WEW40AlRq5lhsM0CNvKA2AyCzOoVxZkCWXRdqdYaZkD3fH94OwqHNcqHFoJBoF1TZlOK3AuSd5knA5VCX432u8cI7AUySsXIFk/s1600/NC1cover.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 262px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijAbnFXPyKqu7vJsZ0XZY0Wd6W87r89fvfTrVjh_Mw6WEW40AlRq5lhsM0CNvKA2AyCzOoVxZkCWXRdqdYaZkD3fH94OwqHNcqHFoJBoF1TZlOK3AuSd5knA5VCX432u8cI7AUySsXIFk/s400/NC1cover.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5455828558685493954" border="0" /></a>Written by Ryan Eldridge (that's me!) with art provided by Lyle Pollard (pencils), Peter Palmiotti (inks) and Mike Watkins (colors). Coming soon from <a href="http://www.highburn.com/">Highburn Studios.<br /></a>Ryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00839037140785331123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8866486129527441411.post-73760093450004920302009-12-13T13:10:00.002-05:002009-12-13T13:14:43.048-05:00Searching for my lost loveMe:<br />A 23-year-old computer technician who loves to read comics, sleep in the nude, and wear a hat.<br /><br />You:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://houstonist.com/attachments/houston_judy/120507_mcrib.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 291px;" src="http://houstonist.com/attachments/houston_judy/120507_mcrib.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Where are you, McRib? I love you.Ryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00839037140785331123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8866486129527441411.post-71607667429533279232009-12-01T14:31:00.006-05:002010-02-19T04:23:06.522-05:00The day Chris Sims shat himself in awe. That day is today, ladies and gents.Some of you may recall my brief stint as a staff writer over at <a href="http://www.projectfanboy.com/">ProjectFanboy.com</a>. In my time there, I managed to get myself signed up on man mailing lists for publishers, etc when they promote new books. Usually it's stuff that's not of much interest to me, but today was a big exception to that rule. Today I learned about the greatest comic since <a href="http://westchesterisforlovers.blogspot.com/2008/05/so-i-can-get-to-stompin-in-my-ayre.html">Ayre Force</a>.<br /><br />Sucka, you'd better believe I'm talking about:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 0, 0);font-family:lucida grande;"><span style="font-size:180%;">WWE HEROES!<br /></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPMdusn00NlPLnTxi_ky5Dzs7I_-RB7EsKAj-5R4PJ7Dfi9C8w_9WD8_KSiCKJdq4WMEcBr-fjZyJ8uRJhWXiUjRKJBvR2EHYhLg08Kh9Wc9a4qxrseOZbSORoEV8Pv1cWRqdDSAOhaYc/s1600/Newsstand+cover.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 264px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPMdusn00NlPLnTxi_ky5Dzs7I_-RB7EsKAj-5R4PJ7Dfi9C8w_9WD8_KSiCKJdq4WMEcBr-fjZyJ8uRJhWXiUjRKJBvR2EHYhLg08Kh9Wc9a4qxrseOZbSORoEV8Pv1cWRqdDSAOhaYc/s400/Newsstand+cover.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410354642122409554" border="0" /></a><br /><br />That's right, folks. This comic seems to be about Triple-H, Undertaker, and some guy in a hat* (Sorry, I haven't watched wrestling since the 90's. Wolfpac 4-Life) fighting zombies and a bunch of pissed Talky Tawny knock-offs. I assume they're pissed because the best gig they could get was appearing in <span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">WWE HEROES</span>.<br /><br />Anyway, I hear <a href="http://www.the-isb.com/">Mr. Sims</a> is going to be covering this later tonight at <a href="http://www.comicsalliance.com/">Comics Alliance</a>, so I'll let him fill in the real details, but I'll leave you with this <span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">actual description</span> from the press release:<br /><br /><blockquote>Issue #1 reveals an eternal rivalry set against the backdrop of the history of WWE. Why is the ruthless Shadow King so obsessed with WWE? What is the reason for his eternal and supernatural war with the Firstborn? And could his ancient opponent really be a member of the WWE roster?</blockquote><br /><br /><br /><br />*UPDATE 02/19/2010 : Further research has led me to know that this man in a hat is John Cena, and that I still totally like wrestling.Ryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00839037140785331123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8866486129527441411.post-8831961597440356992009-07-25T20:13:00.002-04:002009-07-25T20:16:22.397-04:00Oh right, bacon cake...Ok, one quick one while I'm thinking about it. Back in February, I <a href="http://westchesterisforlovers.blogspot.com/2009/02/i-pose-question.html">posed a question</a>. A question that I did not answer. The question:<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">What happens if you put bacon inside cake?</span><br /><br />The Answer: <span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255); font-weight: bold;">Not such a good idea.</span>Ryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00839037140785331123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8866486129527441411.post-82807263707282140742009-07-25T19:57:00.003-04:002009-07-25T20:13:40.254-04:00Horrific Tales Anthology Issue #2Ok, ok, I know I promised that this post would be a big epic post to fill you in on everything I've been up to lately. But, after realizing how much work that would be, I figure I'll break it down into a bunch of little posts to save time.<br /><br />For starters, here's a quick sneak peek at some sample art from two of my stories in <a href="http://www.midnighthorizon.com/">Midnight Horizon Comics</a>' annual horror anthology, <span style="font-style: italic;">Horrific Tales. </span>The book is being organized by Highburn studiomate Kenny Keen (he's also the publisher), and is slated to come out just prior to Halloween this year. It will feature two separate two-page stories written by yours truly. I won't give too much away about the stories, but be on the look out for <span style="font-style: italic;">The Moth and The Flame</span> and <span style="font-style: italic;">The Young Astronomer</span> coming soon!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwBC495N8zXgSief6mTkbgi5XFb2veA30dRYgWHU5NMTPrKX9fcQnRRiVMzFUL7G1l7NIgjrLhk3Do_P4VghPcJ5tZS42SgItgGHzIsDAapHWiHEZzLWfuZDIgyRGdvG_Zxz-SdmWHQrk/s1600-h/deaths_headmoth.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 291px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwBC495N8zXgSief6mTkbgi5XFb2veA30dRYgWHU5NMTPrKX9fcQnRRiVMzFUL7G1l7NIgjrLhk3Do_P4VghPcJ5tZS42SgItgGHzIsDAapHWiHEZzLWfuZDIgyRGdvG_Zxz-SdmWHQrk/s400/deaths_headmoth.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362554964028140066" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfVXSgjPXVvC3GMPzcXJN1oRIoNwVpy1fl10wQSlHMJ52D_qYPgWf9QKW7TrxFG06Uy0MI40ow-zthjiW_tcK7OVBE4bCwUR_SXGroWBLs5kInk_CtM36OQbwZxACoMaJ586iKFaU9Dic/s1600-h/girldog.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 364px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfVXSgjPXVvC3GMPzcXJN1oRIoNwVpy1fl10wQSlHMJ52D_qYPgWf9QKW7TrxFG06Uy0MI40ow-zthjiW_tcK7OVBE4bCwUR_SXGroWBLs5kInk_CtM36OQbwZxACoMaJ586iKFaU9Dic/s400/girldog.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362555119858055346" border="0" /></a>Ryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00839037140785331123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8866486129527441411.post-2235927817809311482009-07-21T12:51:00.003-04:002009-07-21T13:06:49.696-04:00Been Away For A While, But I'm Back In Town...Baby, I know I've been neglecting you. I know I've been making half-assed posts since, well, since the blog started really. But I'm a changed man, honest!<br /><br />Anyways, sweet, sweet apologies aside, I've been thinking about this blog again lately. I've been neglecting writing here in exchange for writing comic book scripts with my friends over at <a href="http://www.highburn.com">Highburn Studios</a>. But, I think it's about time for some new comics and other such nonsense to be discussed here. No promises or anything, but I'm trying.<br /><br />I'll post again later with a big synopsis of everything that has ever happened.Ryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00839037140785331123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8866486129527441411.post-69909466196024310112009-04-05T02:00:00.002-04:002009-04-05T02:01:22.943-04:00Why would you just eat that?<div style="text-align: center;">Click to enbiggen.<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9JDLYsJIfK7eVnB_5Gv3kwnjywdqDutPYl4OZS6gnSmdABl4laff7M-rJohTO6GhZy4qPtlOCSSut_j41loOghyW6x-doNnnxEYiw_rG3g8wWqG1ft4mJmyhTTZcA0FZ3cjhQJMOKhcA/s1600-h/hostess+pies.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9JDLYsJIfK7eVnB_5Gv3kwnjywdqDutPYl4OZS6gnSmdABl4laff7M-rJohTO6GhZy4qPtlOCSSut_j41loOghyW6x-doNnnxEYiw_rG3g8wWqG1ft4mJmyhTTZcA0FZ3cjhQJMOKhcA/s400/hostess+pies.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5321083271048365698" border="0" /></a>Ryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00839037140785331123noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8866486129527441411.post-41010135231642914302009-03-06T05:27:00.001-05:002009-03-06T05:28:19.261-05:00Well, this is a good one!Alan Moore be damned, I would totally watch this show. And that makes me really sad.<br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/YDDHHrt6l4w&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/YDDHHrt6l4w&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Ryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00839037140785331123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8866486129527441411.post-75425443818707330172009-02-21T00:16:00.002-05:002009-02-21T00:16:49.428-05:00I pose a question...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwfqnU9Rxf-xTOY2IB3B1dDrYqniuIFGZa7eusds_lbFGAHU0cARiNFctBbFG6mUtEOoMD1AfbmR8Wwjs6EqDUl-HIsQ6Xx1tPlx9Xh2EvLBTEBsqsOhLMQYeWwpeeqBJUHOl9u5l4znc/s1600-h/baconcake.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 138px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwfqnU9Rxf-xTOY2IB3B1dDrYqniuIFGZa7eusds_lbFGAHU0cARiNFctBbFG6mUtEOoMD1AfbmR8Wwjs6EqDUl-HIsQ6Xx1tPlx9Xh2EvLBTEBsqsOhLMQYeWwpeeqBJUHOl9u5l4znc/s400/baconcake.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5305115172349271250" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Delicious answers coming soon.</span><br /></div>Ryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00839037140785331123noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8866486129527441411.post-73071191084006503872009-02-19T20:29:00.004-05:002009-02-19T20:36:20.080-05:00There's a new Chuck in townScrew Mr. Norris, there's a brand new Chuck in town. That's right, ladies, I'm talking about game show host extraordinaire Chuck Woolery:<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtaDxM_9_M72us_xboOH1wOY-l-P2lLYs3DZFrWZgWqu6tlwJuKQtq4eCSWzBPaUt3peahQ5JFqhg3XSHnE2Ymm8SYlZ-ruJNIyWEVXnV2bR7yjmEdDTXQrvSQXpY6DwVJJIfmWxVjWU8/s1600-h/Chuck-woolery-naturally-stoned.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 175px; height: 175px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtaDxM_9_M72us_xboOH1wOY-l-P2lLYs3DZFrWZgWqu6tlwJuKQtq4eCSWzBPaUt3peahQ5JFqhg3XSHnE2Ymm8SYlZ-ruJNIyWEVXnV2bR7yjmEdDTXQrvSQXpY6DwVJJIfmWxVjWU8/s400/Chuck-woolery-naturally-stoned.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5304686874328451730" border="0" /></a><br />FACT*: It is speculated that he owns over 400 diamond rings. He is such a fan of diamonds that he owns a diamond-encrusted <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bass_guitar" title="Bass guitar">bass guitar</a>.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153);font-size:78%;" >*Fact is from Wikipedia and might not actually be true, but I kinda hope it is.</span>Ryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00839037140785331123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8866486129527441411.post-64139396315145703152009-02-06T01:21:00.003-05:002009-02-06T01:30:29.503-05:00New Con Sketch!Superbowl Sunday was also the day of the more recent <a href="http://www.atlantacomicconventions.com">Atlanta Comic Convention</a>. As I usually do, I got local artist and buddy <a href="http://www.myspace.com/jasonflowersart%20">Jason Flowers</a> to do a sketch while I was there. I try to keep it pretty interesting, as he's usually willing to draw <a href="http://westchesterisforlovers.blogspot.com/2008/07/pretty-pictures.html">whatever I pay him for</a>. This time his criteria was "Draw Captain America doing the most American thing you can think of" (which is the theme for a new con sketchbook I bought recently). Anyways, have a look at the final results!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZbGx3K43Tjr5sdmXI-eNxIr3UTanaGUTcuCVmsYTHEg1Rk5grEZDMhjF0dAvZCG9t7KASi1jWXBeaMn7ja4-8tL399ZSL2IhI0YtgvusF5Loz6fuv3N_x2b1LYlbkU_j7u5VDV4k5mJQ/s1600-h/101_0993.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 302px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZbGx3K43Tjr5sdmXI-eNxIr3UTanaGUTcuCVmsYTHEg1Rk5grEZDMhjF0dAvZCG9t7KASi1jWXBeaMn7ja4-8tL399ZSL2IhI0YtgvusF5Loz6fuv3N_x2b1LYlbkU_j7u5VDV4k5mJQ/s400/101_0993.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5299567463884932290" border="0" /></a>Ryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00839037140785331123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8866486129527441411.post-79308784931349057412009-01-31T02:46:00.002-05:002009-01-31T02:48:28.501-05:00Why you shouldn't go to 4chan at 2:46 AM after a long night of drinkingIf you've ever wondered why you shouldn't go to 4chan at 2:46 AM after a long night of drinking, the answer is nbecause you will find this funny enough to post on your blog and not talk about comics<br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/HxtH_1rxYNo&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/HxtH_1rxYNo&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Ryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00839037140785331123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8866486129527441411.post-33669857408274630152009-01-23T05:18:00.003-05:002009-01-23T05:20:59.886-05:00Bob Odenkirk wants to photograph your penis<object width="512" height="328" classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000"><param name="movie" value="http://player.ordienetworks.com/flash/fodplayer.swf"><param name="flashvars" value="key=f3a2605847"><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true"><embed width="512" height="328" flashvars="key=f3a2605847" allowfullscreen="true" quality="high" src="http://player.ordienetworks.com/flash/fodplayer.swf" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed></object><div style="text-align:center;width:512px;"><a href="http://www.funnyordie.com/videos/f3a2605847/craigslist-penis-photographer-featuring-bob-odenkirk-from-fod-team" title="from FOD Team and Eric Appel">"Craigslist Penis Photographer" featuring Bob Odenkirk</a> - watch more <a href="http://www.funnyordie.com/" title="on Funny or Die">funny videos</a></div><br /><br />So, here's a question to all of you folks out there who aren't reading this blog anymore. Are you getting tired of all these video posts? Yeah well fuck you. However, if you're reading this. I love you.<br /><br />Seriously. Sheila, if you're reading this, call me back. I miss you terribly. I'm nothing without you.Ryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00839037140785331123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8866486129527441411.post-13505815111491516112009-01-05T05:45:00.003-05:002009-02-06T01:09:44.921-05:00You're Gonna Love My NutsThis isn't really comics related, but this guy is so awesome and nonsensical that I had to share<br /><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/pPKtBM99kAc&hl=en&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/pPKtBM99kAc&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="344" width="425"></embed></object><br /><br />Tacos, Fettucini, Linguini, Martini, Bikini indeed, Sir!Ryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00839037140785331123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8866486129527441411.post-56746966715731521862009-01-02T02:41:00.002-05:002009-01-02T02:43:50.897-05:00So, I saw The Spirit......and I really wish I hadn't.<br /><br />But, the plus side is, it allowed me to develop this new The Spirit Drinking Game! Here's the rules<br /><br /><span class="postbody"> Take 1 shot every time you wish the movie would end<br />Take 2 shots every time you wish your life would end.<br /><br />And remember, folks:</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoMSlcSQNELCrgNeEBwWfkYzRMrvERSeOEj_ecvCmQjO2BZ0ap0pqaaBmDX_LfWT72frTeOAiU5UiE_7aEGh4jRqVyi3XB_8JGZfzOwFjwzaoheWwvvCddajbpUUDUmY-KSLLpLbPdxa4/s1600-h/thespirit.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 285px; height: 392px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoMSlcSQNELCrgNeEBwWfkYzRMrvERSeOEj_ecvCmQjO2BZ0ap0pqaaBmDX_LfWT72frTeOAiU5UiE_7aEGh4jRqVyi3XB_8JGZfzOwFjwzaoheWwvvCddajbpUUDUmY-KSLLpLbPdxa4/s400/thespirit.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5286598757722507170" border="0" /></a><br /><span class="postbody"><br /></span>Ryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00839037140785331123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8866486129527441411.post-8837814748366097352008-11-19T15:14:00.004-05:002009-02-06T01:15:47.842-05:00Hey, Japan!<p><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/YSNmQLXvx8E&hl=" width="425" height="349" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" color2="0xfebd01&border=" fs="1&color1="></embed></p><p>How come you're so weird?</p>Ryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00839037140785331123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8866486129527441411.post-58720197584459320382008-11-06T17:46:00.004-05:002009-02-06T00:51:58.605-05:00New Comics Day - 11/05/2008<div align="center">Well, it's Thursday. That means that yesterday was Wednesday, and new comic book day. And, in a somewhat shocking turn of events, this week has proven to be yet another awesome one for funnybooks. If you've never tried it, I highly recommend you stop reading things you don't like. But, anyways, let's talk about some comics what I bought. </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5265681719228398290" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 316px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYr8xvk-HtP3ENMrjYBJmHjyhKyFKmhO3K45J41dalxYwKymuvV2_8uX5wwVZmuEwQI07u47LhIsnzzDy9H_xT7vI1qQRIIfbX05syrjdStDfSLGY3laX1caITiezEbUmWXE_kYUklkMw/s400/today.PNG" border="0" /></div><p align="center"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:180%;"><strong>THEY WERE ALL VERY GOOD, THANK YOU.</strong></span></p><p align="center"><strong><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;font-size:78%;">(I'm a bit busy at the office, but I might have more to say about a few of these books later)</span></strong></p>Ryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00839037140785331123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8866486129527441411.post-82921625968362439472008-11-03T18:36:00.003-05:002009-02-06T01:10:00.417-05:00Chris Sims is a tool<span style="color:#ff0000;">Communist Liberals</span> like <strong>Chris "<a href="http://www.the-isb.com/?p=754">Baby Killer</a>" Sims</strong> will tell you that Senator Barack Obama is the only logical choice for the President of the United States of America.<br /><br />They'll tell you that John McCain is unfit to run this country.<br /><br />I say bullshit. Because who wouldn't want a president that can do this?<br /><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/wGDQ19kRGkw&hl=" fs="1&color1=" color2="0xfebd01" width="425" height="344" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always"></embed><br /><br />What's that? You say that's John <em>McClane</em>?<br /><br />Oh, nevermind then.<br /><br />(p.s. Vote)Ryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00839037140785331123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8866486129527441411.post-8549219219075179342008-10-30T10:43:00.006-04:002009-02-06T00:52:17.740-05:00New Comics Day 10/29/2008As I get closer to my moving day, I've started to notice that my "cut down to only buying comics that are on my pull list" strategy hasn't worked out very well. Instead, I've been saving money by only eating shitty, cheap food. I'm pretty sure this is my first sign that I have a problem. But, that's ok, because Comics, am I right? This was a good week for pretty good books. And, since I skipped last weeks review due to being sick, I'm going to review every single book I got this week. Let's see the scroll!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinPv11h0kOu39Rm8uuZajUfUBCS8589OnXvedXF615YffLroob4CURe0md23DfZYIJL3l4KCoHhAK2RCz_0I6Ji68RnaGZMusPvaAalFuvitjUrvyvRXkMeL2A0c1x_fhtRmvD_yAJlcc/s1600-h/today.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 489px; height: 455px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinPv11h0kOu39Rm8uuZajUfUBCS8589OnXvedXF615YffLroob4CURe0md23DfZYIJL3l4KCoHhAK2RCz_0I6Ji68RnaGZMusPvaAalFuvitjUrvyvRXkMeL2A0c1x_fhtRmvD_yAJlcc/s400/today.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5262963754505175058" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.marvel.com/comics/onsale/covers/1008/ASM575_cov_sm.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 105px; height: 160px;" src="http://www.marvel.com/comics/onsale/covers/1008/ASM575_cov_sm.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #575</span><br />This is actually a really frustrating book for me. Part of me wants to hate it, because the writing makes Spider-Man look like a total asshole. I mean, I understand that there's a certain level of humor to the whole situation with this nasty "Greta" lady, but beyond that, half this book is Spider-Man making fun of a crazy lady right to her face. On the other hand, Joe Kelly writes a good Aunt May (not a fan of Chris Bachalo's pencils on her, though). That's not even mentioning the fact that the second half of this book makes up for the shittiness of the first half. We not only get a couple pages of surprisingly actually funny spider-bloopers, and a battle with a new-and-improved Hammerhead.<br /><br /><a style="font-weight: bold;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.marvel.com/comics/onsale/covers/1008/AVNINIT018_cov_sm.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 101px; height: 156px;" src="http://www.marvel.com/comics/onsale/covers/1008/AVNINIT018_cov_sm.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">AVENGERS: THE INITIATIVE #18</span><br />This book continues to be one of the most fun of the handful of Secret Invasion tie-ins I still pick up. This issue, especially, is particularly awesome. While journeying around with the Skrull Kill Krew, we get a chance to check in on the new Freedom Force, who I seriously hope get their own series, or at least more face time in this book. Not only does this team have former Initiative trainees Hardball, Komodo and Cloud 9 (who are now really badass, all of a sudden), but it also has a hero who is terribly underused, Gravity. Anyways, lots of fighting and skrulls, as you'd expect, but wait until you meet the original Skrull Kill Krew.<br /><br /><a style="font-weight: bold;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.marvel.com/comics/onsale/covers/1008/CAPSPEC001_cov_sm.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 103px; height: 155px;" src="http://www.marvel.com/comics/onsale/covers/1008/CAPSPEC001_cov_sm.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">CAPTAIN AMERICA THEATER OF WAR: OPERATION ZERO POINT</span><br />This Mitch Breitweiser guy draws an awesome Captain America Riding Atop a Nazi UFO. Oh, by the way, that happens.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a style="font-weight: bold;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.dccomics.com/media/product/1/0/10434_120x180.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 103px; height: 153px;" src="http://www.dccomics.com/media/product/1/0/10434_120x180.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">KILL YOUR BOYFRIEND</span><br />I understand that the internet comics community is largely of the opinion that Grant Morrison can do no wrong. I've yet to reach that level of Morrison fanboydom. So, at risk of alienating myself, can I just say this book was only just ok? It follows a young english schoolgirl who runs away from home into a life of crime and drugs, and is a pretty entertaining book. I really love the concept, but it feels like it rushes along way too quickly. The main character often does these little "monologues" where she breaks the 4th wall, which could be fun, if it were more clearly defined of when she was going to stop talking in story and start talking to the audience. Instead, you can only tell that she's talking to you if she's looking at you, which you always realize after you've tried to read the text into the story. And, honestly, the "twist ending" was just bad.<br /><br /><a style="font-weight: bold;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.marvel.com/comics/onsale/covers/1008/1985006_cov-cat_sm.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 101px; height: 153px;" src="http://www.marvel.com/comics/onsale/covers/1008/1985006_cov-cat_sm.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">MARVEL 1985 #6</span><br />This book, on the other hand, is so damn good. I really like the way Millar and Edwards manage to make this book feel like a movie. This mini series has had such perfect pacing all the way through, and even managed to tie up all the loose ends well. And, well, let's just say the end was enough to bring a tear to your eye. If you were some kind of sissy, I mean.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a style="font-weight: bold;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.marvel.com/comics/onsale/covers/1008/MARADVFF041_COV_sm.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 103px; height: 157px;" src="http://www.marvel.com/comics/onsale/covers/1008/MARADVFF041_COV_sm.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">MARVEL ADVENTURES: FANTASTIC FOUR #41</span><br />I'm pretty sure Chris Sims might have died when he read this book. Because, well, it's got Devil Dinosaur and Moon Boy in it, see? And, as it were, that's pretty awesome.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a style="font-weight: bold;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3218/2978359247_9fb57b0ca0.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 104px; height: 162px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3218/2978359247_9fb57b0ca0.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">NO HERO #2</span><br />Warren Ellis has really managed to put together a storyline that still has me trying to figure out what's going to happen. Normally, when you were 3 issues into a book (that's including issue #0!), and you've still only done a little bit within the books, I start to lose interest. Luckily, this book continues to hook me with the endings. This issue is a good example of that.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a style="font-weight: bold;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://dccomics.com/media/product/1/0/10340_120x180.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 106px; height: 159px;" src="http://dccomics.com/media/product/1/0/10340_120x180.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">SUPERMAN #681</span><br />A bunch of supermen show up in Metropolis. People are worried. The end.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a style="font-weight: bold;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.marvel.com/comics/onsale/covers/1008/XFORCE008_cov_col_sm.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 108px; height: 166px;" src="http://www.marvel.com/comics/onsale/covers/1008/XFORCE008_cov_col_sm.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">X-FORCE #8</span><br />Bringing The Vanisher, one of my favorite classic X-Men villains, back in the mix? Ok. Killing him off at the end? NOT OK!Ryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00839037140785331123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8866486129527441411.post-13369139691024891932008-10-24T13:34:00.002-04:002009-02-06T01:10:16.498-05:00Got this from Church.<div style="border: 2px solid rgb(0, 0, 0); padding: 10px; background: rgb(219, 213, 191) none repeat scroll 0% 0%; width: 450px; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial; font-size: 0.8em; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Your challenge is to write crossover fanfiction combining <b>Step by Step</b> and <b>Teletubbies</b>. <br />The story should use <b>unplanned pregnancies</b> as a plot device!<br /><br />Generated by the <a style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; color: rgb(122, 1, 27); font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;" href="http://kaction.com/badfanfiction">Terrible Crossover Fanfiction Idea Generator</a><br /></div><br />This is such a good idea.<br /><br />I'll have some reviews for the weekly books up once I get over this cold.Ryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00839037140785331123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8866486129527441411.post-14776957444113784762008-10-17T17:47:00.003-04:002008-10-17T17:53:25.962-04:00Project Fanboy Interview with Troy Hickman<a href="http://www.projectfanboy.com/">Project Fanboy</a> just posted up my most recent interview with writer Troy Hickman. Here is a copy of the interview for all of you to enjoy. Don't forget to check out the Reviews section of <a href="http://www.projectfanboy.com/">Project Fanboy</a> for the latest reviews by myself and the rest of the staff!<br /><br />---<br />Eisner-nominated writer Troy Hickman took a few seconds out of his busy schedule to answer some questions surrounding his recent win of Top Cow's Pilot Season contest, and his upcoming series Twilight Guardian (due out in late 2009).<br /><br /><strong>Ryan Eldridge: The Twilight Guardian seems to be the exact opposite of everything one would expect from a super-hero character. What was the inspiration for the character?</strong><br /><br /><strong>Troy Hickman:</strong> Gosh, I hope she's not the exact opposite, or she'll be out there committing crimes! You have a point, though; she doesn't really follow the standard superhero template. Twilight Guardian has some inner urge that drives her to patrol the streets at night, even though she's not necessarily going to encounter Arnim Zola or the Ultra-Humanite (and if she does we'll undoubtedly be getting a cease and desist letter!). The inspiration for her comes from my own sleepless nights walking the streets of suburbia, and from all the quirky but compelling folks I've met along the way.<br /><br /><strong>RE: The character herself actually comes from another series you self-published. Why don't you tell our readers a bit about that book and what lead you to bring the character to Top Cow.</strong><br /><br /><strong>TH:</strong> Twilight Guardian first appeared in my Tales of the Pathetic Club series, which dealt with people suffering from various manifestations of obsessive-compulsive disorders. The series was semi-autobiographical, as I've had some experience with OCD myself. Top Cow was interested in TG some years back when they contacted me about doing my Common Grounds series, but she sat on the shelf for a few years until Pilot Season provided the proper time and opportunity for her to return. The script for the Top Cow version of TG was basically an amalgam of her Pathetic Club appearance and the one-shot spin-off I did with her in 1995, with a bit of new material added, such as the parody comic pages.<br /><br /><strong>RE: One of my favorite characters from the Pathetic Club books was Dr. Stein, any chance we're going to be seeing any of him in this series?</strong><br /><br /><strong>TH:</strong> No, probably not in this series, as the Pathetic Club stuff was not included in the Twilight Guardian deal. I would like to eventually do a recreation of it, though, in the same way I've done with Holey Crullers/Common Grounds and Twilight Guardian. I'm proud to say a lot of folks really dug that series, and I think it holds up today. I'd prefer to do it as a creator-owned series, though (my first), if Top Cow or someone else is interested (obviously Twilight Guardian would not be included in the new version).<br /><br /><strong>RE: Let's talk a bit about the contest itself. Twilight Guardian developed quite a large grassroots support movement. Did you ever expect people to connect so well with the character?</strong><br /><br /><strong>TH:</strong> No, I can't say that I did. I went into this just being happy to have a new book on the shelves. I figured I'd have a nice one-shot that I could be proud of, and that, heck, maybe would manage NOT to come in last if I were lucky. And then the first week of voting came around, and TG was in third position. Since Top Cow was giving the top TWO books a series, I started thinking maybe it wasn't too crazy to believe I might have a slim chance. So I started beating the bushes something fierce, and I guess it worked.<br /><br /><strong>RE: What do you think caused people to relate to her in the way they did?</strong><br /><br /><strong>TH:</strong> I think they possibly see a lot of themselves in her. She's a comic reader herself, and someone who's gone through heartbreak. More than that, though, she's looking for something out there, and I'd guess most of us are doing the same in some way.<br /><br /><strong>RE: Your creative team on this book included artist Reza. Was it difficult collaborating across language barriers?</strong><br /><br /><strong>TH:</strong> Well, it wasn't too different, really, as pretty much all the "pro" comics I've done so far have consisted of me writing a script, giving it to my editor, then waiting to see the finished art. I haven't been able to really collaborate much yet, and that's something I'm looking forward to eventually. In the case of TG, though, I'm guessing there may have been some additional issues with communication, especially since my script was probably not the most conventional thing in the world, but we seem to have worked it out. I'm overjoyed with Reza's art.<br /><br /><strong>RE: Artistically, one of my favorite aspects of this book was the inclusion of the snippets from fake silver age books. Are we going to see more Mantelope?</strong><br /><br /><strong>TH:</strong> We will if I have anything to say about it. Coming up with those pages was one of my favorite parts of doing this version of TG. As I went through the script, I found myself really looking forward to those pages. We'll definitely be looking at more of TG's comic collection in the mini-series, and I've got some other comic-related plans as well. And who knows? Maybe someday I can do a separate series with the likes of Mantelope, Heatnik, the Flaming Flag, and the rest.<br /><br /><strong>RE: Both Twilight Guardian and your Eisner nominated series Common Grounds are based on books you wrote over ten years ago. In the time between, how much have the characters changed for you?</strong><br /><br /><strong>TH:</strong> They've actually changed very little. The scripts for the Common Grounds stories are almost verbatim from the original Holey Crullers versions, and Twilight Guardian is just a more developed version of her mini-comic appearances. The characters in both books have kind of a Silver Age vibe, so perhaps they have something of a timeless quality to them.<br /><br /><strong>RE: Have you ever actually eaten a peanut butter and bologna sandwich?</strong><br /><br /><strong>TH:</strong> It's my favorite sandwich, and I've probably eaten a couple thousand of them (is it any wonder I'm the picture of health that I am?).<br /><br /><strong>RE: Lastly, you've hinted that you were planning to take this series in a direction nobody would expect. Just between you, me, and the entire internet, are you at liberty to spill any secrets?</strong><br /><br /><strong>TH:</strong> Nope! Seriously, though, I think Twilight Guardian is unlike anything else on the stands right now, and I hope to keep it that way. I'll do my best to entertain the readers, and give them something that'll evoke a laugh and maybe a teary eye or two. I think that's the least we should expect out of our comics, and I'll certainly give it my best shot.<br /><br />----<br />Many thanks again to Troy for taking the time to speak with us. The pilot issue of Twilight Guardian is available for free at <a href="http://www.newsarama.com/php/multimedia/album.php?aid=21907" target="_blank">Newsarama</a>.Ryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00839037140785331123noreply@blogger.com2