ABC's of Cool: 'T'

"T" is for "Tonight I Can Write the Saddest Lines"
Argentian poet, Pablo Neruda, wrote some of the best poetry of the 20th century. I write this as a person who typically associates the "poetry" with "bad" and "13 year old overweight Goth girls."
But this one's different.
Judge for yourself and read along with Andy Garcia as he recites the poem.



"Tonight I Can Write the Saddest Lines"
Tonight I can write the saddest lines.
Write, for example,'The night is shattered
and the blue stars shiver in the distance.'

The night wind revolves in the sky and sings.

Tonight I can write the saddest lines.
I loved her, and sometimes she loved me too.
Through nights like this one I held her in my arms
I kissed her again and again under the endless sky.

She loved me sometimes, and I loved her too.
How could one not have loved her great still eyes.

Tonight I can write the saddest lines.
To think that I do not have her. To feel that I have lost her.
To hear the immense night, still more immense without her.
And the verse falls to the soul like dew to the pasture.

What does it matter that my love could not keep her.
The night is shattered and she is not with me.

This is all. In the distance someone is singing. In the distance.
My soul is not satisfied that it has lost her.
My sight searches for her as though to go to her.
My heart looks for her, and she is not with me.

The same night whitening the same trees.
We, of that time, are no longer the same.

I no longer love her, that's certain, but how I loved her.
My voice tried to find the wind to touch her hearing.

Another's. She will be another's. Like my kisses before.
Her voide. Her bright body. Her inifinite eyes.

I no longer love her, that's certain, but maybe I love her.
Love is so short, forgetting is so long.
Because through nights like this one I held her in my arms
my sould is not satisfied that it has lost her.

Though this be the last pain that she makes me suffer
and these the last verses that I write for her.

The Smithereens Strike Back!

Look at that. The Smithereens are doing a second all-Beatles cover album.

While they're last album, "Meet The Smithereens" certainly didn't sound like Beatles, it had the right feel.
Covers are tricky. While a band or performer wants to put their own stamp on a song, they certainly shouldn't mimic. The Smithereens were smart enough to invoke the feel of the Fab Four and retain their own distinct Smithereens sound. Here. Give a listen and have a look:



I have high hopes for this one. See you Sept. 2, "B-Sides the Beatles."

And while I'm on the topic of great covers by the Smithereens, here's a gem from the past -- "Time Won't Let Me" from "Timecop." I reckon their manager broke the news like this: "Good news, bad news, boys. Good news, your song's going to be in a movie. Bad news, you're shooting the video with a coked up Jean-Claude Van Damme."

ABC's of Cool: 'B'

'B' is for 'British Spy Movies and TV Shows of the 60's'
Kind of a long one, I know.
But who couldn't love all the creative and cool swinging spyware of the 60's? From "The Avengers" to "Danger Man" (AKA "Secret Agent Man") to "The Saint" to James Bond, Britain exported an unrivaled world of intrigue, wonder and excitement. Eventually, it died down, but not before influencing how the world perceived the intelligence community. And yes, it's partially to blame for "Austin Powers."

Check out the color intro to "The Avengers," starring Patrick MacNee as John Steed and Diana Rigg as Mrs. Emma Peel:

The ABC's of Cool: "A"

'A' is for 'All Things Must Pass'

The triple-LP from George Harrison was his first work after leaving the Beatles. I don't know what sort of creative plug he felt or was imposed upon him while in the Beatles, but whatever it was, his music was poured in to this album. Produced by Phil Spector, the original version of "AMTP" featured the famous title track, "My Sweet Lord", a song co-written by Bob Dylan, and a backing band including Eric Clapton, Jim Keltner, Ringo Starr, Alan White, and members of Yes and Badfinger.

Nothing's left to say about this album except it will change your life, show you what music's about and give you glimpse in the wonderful mind of George Harrison.

Over thirty years later, and we're still talking about this one.

'A' is for 'Awesome'

I think I'll start posting my 'ABC's of Cool.' Essentially, a collection of 26 things I really like. You know, stuff like this:



Yeah, I'm pretty vain sometimes.

Dave Bullock's BATMAN

You may not think you've heard of Dave Bullock, but you know his work. He directed "Justice League: The New Frontier," -- a great damn flick, upcoming episodes of "Star Wars: The Clone Wars" and has storyboarded shows from "Superman" to "Kim Possible" to "Teen Titans."

Here's an illustration he did that I purchased through an auction for the HERO Initiative.



Enjoy. I think it's the bee's knees. And while your at it, look for his book. It's incredible.

My Own Take

Here's my own really Batgirl.

This was done for some charity, I forget which, sponsored by the Comics Artists Guild. I scripted "The Three Bears" for one of their anthologies, ultimately drawn by Rikki Niehaus.

I make no excuses, but it was done in about 3 minutes -- and it shows.

FLASH Animation

People who know me know I love very few things. But the things I love, I LOVE.
I love the Flash.
Hell, I made a short career off writing/podcasting about the 1991 TV Show -- but that's a post for another day.

Here's a purchase I made super-cheep off eBay from the old Filmation DC Heroes animated shorts.

I have no idea what episode it's from, but there you have it, an original layout drawing of my favorite speedster and his sidekick, the Kid Flash. Check out an episode of from the series below:



Ride the lightening, kids, and join the jet set.

Dare I Dream?

HIGHLANDER: THE GAME. Please let this be good.

It's the best movie of all time. Even Ron Burgandy in ANCHORMAN agrees.



And if it has my precious Queen anthems, this may be the greatest thing ever made.

March of the WHITE QUEEN

Here's an Emma "The White Queen" Frost commission from John Paul Leon. Enjoy.

Live in Guhwha?

Holy September, a new David Gilmour album is coming out -- a live album to be exact.

Who knew? Nice to see some Pink Floyd alumni jamming out.

And who knows how to properly pronounce "Gdansk?"

Space Race

You know whose work I love? This guy, Daniel Simon.

Damn incredible. His concept cars make me ache for a future that will never come. Simon has created a possible world of high speed concept. The models are real; the cars, sadly, aren't. It's amazing what this guy can do with a few pixels and loads of imagination.

Check out his site here.

And while you're at it, buy his book, COSMIC MOTORS. In-car-edible.

Goin' Def

Remember when the word "Def" meant something was about to rock and didn't refer to a comedy jam?
I sure as hell do.
Def Leppard has been a bit of a not-so-guilty pleasure for a while now. Revisit "Euphoria" or "Hysteria" to find out why. When they're not bringing on the heartache or telling you why all they've got is a photograph, the best band with 9 arms and 10 legs shows you how they can they can rock for ages.

And for the best version of "No Matter What" EVER, check out their version off their "Yeah!" album.

*No iTunes playlist for these guys since iTunes only carries two of their albums. That's a travesty.

SUPERGIRL sketches

Here are a pair of Supergirl commissions I've received over the last few years.
"Supergirl" by Todd Nauck

I think this one is from a Wizard World LA from a years back. This is the Linda Danvers version made popular by Peter David, but using a Bruce Timm design from "Superman: The Animated Series."

"'Elseworld's Finest' Supergirl" by Matt Haley
This one was from Comic-Con three years ago, which led to me commissioning Haley for a Batgirl.

This version of Supergirl is from the "Elseworld's Finest" one-shot.

Solo Beatles Week: By George

I think George Harrison has always been my favorite Beatle. He wasn't the strongest vocalist in the world. While a great guitarist, he's still ranked below Clapton and Hendrix.

I like George because he didn't give a damn. He made the music he wanted to make. He was surly, he didn't like attention, he was funny and he still inspires after his passing. And he made one the best albums of all time, "All Things Must Pass."

Here's my list of music by George. Hope you love it like I do.

Thus concludes "Beyond the Beatles" week. Hope you all enjoyed it.

Post-Beatles Week: John Lennon

Since Lennon made music from 1970 to 1975, then took a five year break until completing a pair of albums before his death in 1980, his musical output wasn't as great as Paul McCartney or George Harrison's. Still, Lennon had a pair of near-perfect albums in "Imagine" and "John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band."

Here's my list of songs, some better known than others, that made my final cut. Hope you enjoy them.*

*I also included some demos and other posthumous releases.

Please, please rock.

Saw the DEATH RACE trailer while in the theater to see X-FILES: I WANT TO BELIEVE.

I can say in good faith that this might be one of the greatest remakes of all time. Jason Statham. Cars. The explodo.

I can only dream it rivals the Roger Corman classic of yore.

Please be good, DEATH RACE. Please exceed my expectations and give the world another glorious B-Movie.

Solo Beatles Week: Ringo Time

This one was tough not because I had a hard time choosing which songs would make the cut -- I just don't have the same familiarity with Ringo's catalog as I do with the other ex-Beatles. Ringo does have some gems, though; some real classics. Hope you dig these, too.

As with the previous post, I only used his original compositions - a bit stretched, though, since Ringo isn't as prolific a songwriter as the others. So, really, songs written for or by Ringo Starr, excluding covers.

Solo Beatles Week: Paul

Does this guy need any real introduction? C'mon.

My next few entries are devoted the solo adventures of the former members of the Beatles.

I start with Paul first because my review of his album, "Memory Almost Full," was published on his web site. Greatest day of my life as writer.

So here goes. Here's my top picks for the best post-Beatles McCartney songs (originals only).*

*It was a personal requirement that these songs be available on iTunes. Otherwise, I would have included "Yvonne," the amazing song he co-wrote with Eric Stewart, and the demo of "The Lovers That Never Were," a great duet with Elvis Costello.

Home Movies: Walter and Perry

It's not often I write about young boys who have found happiness in each other, but then it's not often I write about HOME MOVIES' Walter & Perry.

Voiced by H. Ryan Benjamin and Brendan Smalls, Walter & Perry are comedy gold. Best in small doses -- and funny out of context -- this pair of youngsters are the happiest (and in some cases darkest) members of the HOME MOVIES family.

Watch Walter & Perry defend Brendan Small from a bully.


"I got the bloodlust, Perry!"

I got the love for the HOME MOVIES, Walter.

You've Heard of Sloan, Right?

To know Sloan is to love Sloan.

These guys hail from Canada and have been keeping the music alive for over 10 years. I've heard them called "Canada's answer to the Beatles." That's some pressure, but Sloan is definitely up there with the Fabs in term of harmony and talent.

You can definitely see a lot of the Liverpool four in the songs of Sloan, but you can also recognize the metal and punk influence.

Curious, but looking to start? Give their second album, TWICE REMOVED a try. But save ONE CHORD TO ANOTHER for last. It's their third album and remains their finest, though BETWEEN THE BRIDGES and NEVER HEAR THE END OF IT come pretty damn close.

Sloan. Give 'em a spin. Check 'em at their homepage, www.sloanmusic.com, or the home of my favorite label, Yep Roc Records.

I reckon you'll dig them, too.

All photos property of Yep Roc Records and are not intended for commercial use.

My Teacher, Karl Gnass

My current art teacher is Karl Gnass.



Karl teaches professionals how to get better at Disney, Dreamworks and Sony. He also teaches his students that no matter how far along they might think they are, there's farther yet to go.



You know, the words "genius" and "master" get tossed around quite a bit. I don't know how Karl would feel about this, but I think he's the closest thing I've ever met.



He'll talk about things most art teachers don't talk about -- like how every sketch or pose tells a story.

Now that's novel.

That's Karl.

Check out his site and his book, THE SPIRIT OF THE POSE.

He keeps promising a couple more volumes.

Let's get on that, Gnass.

Bakshi

For years, I've been a fan of the films of New York animator/rogue Ralph Bakshi. Maybe it's their raw integrity. Maybe it's their grace in the grotesque. Maybe it's because there was something different about them I just can't quantify.

Whatever it was, something about STREET FIGHT (aka COONSKIN) caught my eye.
And then it was WIZARDS. Kooky, rotoscoped and dark, it became the film nobody wanted to see but me.

There's a great art book out with tons of movie illustrations and some Baskshi anecdotes.

Not everyone's going to love it, but I think it's worth checking out.

BATGIRL Commission

A couple of years ago at Comic-Con, I commissioned a piece from Matt Haley. It took almost 2 years but it finally arrived in Feb of this year.

Here it is.

I'll get around to posting a previous sketch I commissioned from him of Supergirl and the other stuff I've gotten from artists over the years.

Maybe one day I'll post those Beatles layout pages from YELLOW SUBMARINE I spent a small fortune on one of these days.

Check out the Matt Haley blog here.

In Celebration

Since it's been a while since I've written a review of anything, I figure this is as good a place as any to do so.

So instead of the usual "Why's the world so crappy?" or "You know what I hate..." rants I used to write to about, I figure it's time to share the things I actually like.

Must be age.

So, let's begin. I'll aim for one every other day or so.

WORTH READING:

Who doesn't love the 60s? If you don't, something's seriously wrong with you.

Take all that's amazing about the Silver Age of comic books and the wonder and awe of the early 60s and you've got something.

Darwyn Cooke knew this.

And he gave us this:



THE NEW FRONTIER isn't THE DARK KNIGHT RETURNS. It isn't THE WATCHMEN.

Instead, it's the beginning of things. It shows everything we love about heroes and comics and why. NEW FRONTIER gives us back our "Wow!"

Hell, it even made me like Green Lantern.

And it celebrates the Flash! And anyone who knows me knows I loves me some Flash.

NEW FRONTIER. It'll give you your cape back. I promise.