Back From Emerald City!

Jim and I just made it back to town, both thrilled and exhausted. What a wonderful, perfect, extraordinary weekend we had! I can hardly find the words to express it, we had such an incredible time.

I will file reports during the rest of the week, giving some insights and probably just generally gushing, so strap yourselves in!

I wanted to give a special thank you to Polite Scott and his sweet wife Robin for the great conversation last night. It was a pure pleasure! I hope your trip home was stress free.

I also wanted to thank Kirk and Pamela Jarvinen for dinner(s). What a class act you are! Pamela, you are a true friend in every sense of the word, and I look forward to seeing you again!

Other special thank you's go out to our booth neighbors Joe St. Pierre and Shon Bury. Jim and I were absurdly lucky to be placed next to you- I still can't wipe the smile off my face.

Mike Bullock and Brian- thank you as well! Mike, I can hardly wait to meet Angie, and hope your trip went well. Brian, you are the ultimate ACTOR fundraiser, and an all around trooper- I couldn't have had more fun for a good cause! Next time I promise to drink real beer!!

Ben and Mina- thank you for the ride around Seattle and great conversation! Nachos rule!

Jonnie Allan- you are a trooper to trust two strangers to give you a ride! Hopefully we provided comedic relief! We will be keeping our eyes on you and your book Stykman!

Laura, it was a thrill to meet you! That sketchbook of yours is amazing! You were a prime example of how to make a con fun, with your energy and enthusiasm. Hopefully I won't look like too big of a dork with the troll.

Jim D.- you are the man! Thank you for putting on a comicon that exceeds my expectations every time. You worked so hard, and were so sweet to everyone, that it was an inspiration to the people around you. Take care of yourself, okay?

To all the other people I met- thank you for taking the time to share yourself with me. It was an incredible experience!

In my slightly hungover fog I hope I haven't forgotten anyone! The sheer nirvana of being in the lounge last night at midnight and getting a sketch done by Adam Hughes as a surprise from my husband still hasn't worn off yet.

I will be back with more later- it is unfortunately time to hit the treadmill and try to reverse the effects of the beer I consumed, as well as the uneven way I ate. Thank you again!

Tomorrow is the DAY!

eccclogo4
Originally uploaded by Heidi Meeley.

Emerald City Comicon starts tomorrow! It is being held at Qwest Center by Seahawks Stadium in Seattle. If you have a chance, stop by!

I will be in the exhibitor's section talking about this lovely blog and hanging out. Come by and introduce yourself! Jim will be there with me selling some original art and meeting up with old friends. We are very excited!

If you have to make a journey, be safe. We will see you there!

Get In Shape: Week 10

My two hour workouts paid off this week and I am very relieved. With the Emerald City Comicon tomorrow, I definitely needed to step it up. Of course, I am so sore that I think I added ten years to my body, but that is beside the point.

This week's loss: 2 lbs.

Total weight loss: 16 lbs.

Yay! I am getting closer to the 20 lb. mark, which makes me really happy. Once I get there, it will be time to re-evaluate and see where the next mark is.

Take care!

Checking In

This week has been filled with two hour workouts as I enter the final two weeks of my "Get In Shape" contest. It will continue that way until this weekend when Jim and I go to the Emerald City Comicon. Hopefully while I am there, I won't be too tired at night to get my cardio in. Also, I have to keep on my restricted diet somehow in a place that isn't health food friendly, so I will be bringing a lot of my own food.

I find it ironic that I am going to be at an event where working out is considered geeky. Hee hee.

Take care tonight! I will check in tomorrow or Friday with my week's results, and as a reminder that I am having a booth at the con in the exhibitor's section. Come by and say "hi"!

New Comics for March 29

Invincible 30
Originally uploaded by Heidi Meeley.

It's here- the last week of March 2006! How did that happen? As I get closer to the countdown of turning 40, time just seems to speed up more and more!

Here is my thankfully smaller list of comics for this week.

Action Comics #837
All Star Superman #3
Blue Beetle #1
JLA Classified #19
Superman Batman #24
Invincible #30 (pictured)
Fantastic Four #536
Iron Man #6
New Avengers Illuminati Special
Sentry #7 (of 8)
Thing #5
Ultimate Spider-Man #92
Uncanny X-Men #471
X-Statix Presents Dead Girl #3 (of 5)
Wizard Magazine.... ho hum...
Tarot WOTBR #37

That is it kids! Have a great week! I am off to eat some pineapple and watch The Apprentice.

One Year Later: Weeks Three and Four

Green Arrow 60
Originally uploaded by Heidi Meeley.

I have very mixed feelings about "One Year Later" titles from DC once again. There are definitely some books to watch, and others that failed to walk the fine line between mysterious and compelling. Here then is a rundown of my takes on the latest batch.

Birds of Prey #92: It is good to have the ladies intact for the most part. The addition of "Jade Canary" is puzzling, but is something I already have theories about based on the final issue of Batgirl. The most stand out thing for me is the "journey" that our old school favorite Black Canary seems to be on. Where this goes remains to be seen. Grade: C+

Green Arrow #60: This one had me hooked from page one. With the horrific events leading up to "One Year Later", it is no surprise that things in Star City are at their most dire. Since I am such a diehard original Justice League of America and Green Lantern/Green Arrow fan, I remember the first time Ollie ran for mayor. Seeing it come to fruition here sent a chill down my spine. That keeps me here for the duration. Grade: A.

Superman #650: For whatever reason, I didn't feel any surprise or jolt at the new status quo in Metropolis. Seeing Clark and Lois along with Jimmy and Perry felt like a high school reunion with the popular kids. This one is sure to be a hit out the gate, but for me it was just alright. Grade: B.

Nightwing #118: I know Dick Grayson has always had a bit of a rep as a male 'ho', but this issue left me cold for that reason if no other. The best part is the dueling Nightwings. The worst is Dick being his own cliche. Grade: C-.

Hawkgirl #50: Somewhere in the "One Year Later" Kendra has lost her "balls" and I don't like it. The new premise has promise, but something very bad has obviously happened here that needs to be gotten to the bottom of- STAT. The art made me drool, so the grade here is: B.

Batman #651: This really worked for me. Having been built up to over in Detective's OYL, the follow through is great. I am still so insanely happy that James Robinson is back on a book that I can hardly see straight! Grade: A.

Catwoman #53: Now this book gave me the chills for real. The art was perfection, and the events reminiscent of the Earth 2 family in ways I don't want to spoil. I can hardly wait to see what happens next, and to get to the bottom of what made the blessed event occur! Grade: A.

Manhunter #20: Just when I thought Catwoman would be my favorite OYL title, Manhunter jumped out and surprised me with the best concept so far. This title has really grown on me, so I was really worried about what would happen. I shouldn't have given it a second thought. If you haven't read this book yet, go pick it up! Grade: A.

Supergirl and the Legion of Super Heroes #16: Insubordination and rebellion are still the mainstays here. Though given credibility by the UP, the kids are still alright. What Supergirl's presence will add is beyond me, but it is a fascinating concept. Grade: C+.

That is it for now- what a crazy ride it's been already! Look back here for more after the ECCC.

Get In Shape: Week 9

It was a tough week in workouts, but I think I got myself back on the weight loss track. Now if I can only remember to eat a very pre-planned regimen of food at the comicon next weekend, things will really be firing on all cylinders. My weigh-out in the "Get In Shape" contest is April 13, so it is really looming large.

This week's loss: 1 1/2 lb.s

Total Weight loss: 14 lbs.

For better or worse, that is where I am. I am happy that I am wearing a size smaller shirt, and am about ready to go down a second size in pants. If nothing else, that is something I am very happy about.

Jim and I are busy putting the final touches on some different things for the comicon, so it should be a busy evening. Take care and have a wonderful night!

Emerald City or Bust!

It is almost time for the fourth annual Emerald City Comicon in Seattle. The show is Saturday, April 1 and Sunday, April 2 at the Qwest Events Center by Seahawk Stadium.

The reason I am so thrilled is that Jim and I will be there with an exhibitor's booth. I will be there to talk comics and represent this blog of mine. I will have some goodies there, and will have some printed excerpts of my past posts. Jim will have some art and other stuff there as well.

If you are coming to the show, come find us. We are excited to meet our fellow bloggers and fellow comic book fans. It will be fun to have a booth to get an insider's perspective, and also as a place to store our stuff!!

Are any of you going to attend?

Teen Titans Annual: **SPOILER** Rant

Teen Titans Annual
Originally uploaded by Heidi Meeley.

If you haven't read Teen Titans Annual, come no further, fair readers! I don't want to SPOIL the tale.

If you have, come on in!!

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Did Cassie and Connor do what I think they did? Are they old enough and mature enough to handle it? Did they practice safe super hero sex? What the hell is going on here?

As a mature adult, I am no prude when it comes to comic books. I read Preacher and Invisibles with a lot of love. As an adult, I can draw my own conclusions.

My question is this: What about some unsuspecting teen reading this who is on the fence about giving it up? I know that sounds far fetched, but I am really wondering what kind of message it sends. If I would have read this when I was 16, I might have been horrified, or went back to my room and secretly fantasized- I don't know at this point.

Good for DC for leaving it up to the readers, but bad for DC for taking it as far as they did. Having Connor take off his shirt is one thing, but to have Cassie do the same? Hmmm... They did wake up with pants on, so who knows...

My point here is that I am honestly very surprised at this step in the relationship, though I guess I probably shouldn't be. The ramifications may be the main point. Case in point: Connor dies and Cassie is left with a bun in the oven. Other scenario: Connor and Cassie are weird afterwards and break up. There are hundreds of futures possible, for sure.

LET ME ASK YOU: What did you think? I am very curious about your opinions, and am dying to know them! Any takers?

New Comics for March 22

Hawkgirl 50
Originally uploaded by Heidi Meeley.

Here it is, Monday again, and it is time for this week's list of comics. There are several DC books coming out that will be "One Year Later" so that should be interesting, and give me a lot to praise or cry about this weekend!

Without further ado, here is the list!

Batman #651
Catwoman #53
Hawkgirl #50 (pictured)
JSA Classified #10
Loveless #5
Manhunter #20
Robin #148
Supergirl & The Legion of Super Heroes #16
Noble Causes #18
Amazing Spider-Man #530
Black Panther #14- the beginning of the bride saga
Captain America #16
Daredevil #83
Exiles #78
New Avengers #17
She-Hulk 2 #6
Squadron Supreme #1
Storm #2 (of 6)
Supreme Power Hyperion #5 (of 5) - just in the nick of time!!
Ultimate Fantastic Four #28
Wolverine #40
X-Factor #5
X-Men #184
Fathom #8
Red Sonja #8

That's it, folks! Have a wonderful week!

One Year Later: The First Two Weeks

Detective Comics 817
Originally uploaded by Heidi Meeley.

After the first two weeks of "One Year Later", my feelings are mixed. Some titles are hitting it out of the park, while others leave me cold. Here is a brief summary of my opinions so far on the first two weeks offerings.

Outsiders #34: The first book I read, and the worst in my eyes. The Outsiders are now a political book?? There was a definite chill in the air about the characters that didn't resonate well with me. Nothing gelled here, and maybe it is the fact that I have no idea what transpired in that year that ruins it, but it definitely didn't score here. Grade: D+

Detective Comics #817: It is nice to have James Robinson back on a comic book, and the book has a welcoming feel. The art by Leonard Kirk and Andy Clarke is amazing- I had to look twice to make sure who the art team was, because I was so impressed. Lots of mysteries here to solve, so for now I stay on board. Grade: B+

JSA #83: I didn't notice a great deal of changes on this title, though there seemed to be a new tenseness. The Gentlemen Ghost story kicks off, and since it was referred to in the previous issue, it wasn't "shocking" in any respect. Rags' art was gorgeous, and Paul Levitz knows his way around a story so I look forward to the next issue. Grade: B

Aquaman: Sword of Atlantis #40: Considering the names on the cover (Kurt Busiek and Butch Guice), I was expecting brilliance and greatness. What I got was lukewarm mystery. I just don't think I can go backwards with Aquaman this time- the thought of dealing with the Arthur Curry persona and rebooting it all is too much to bear. Grade: D

Firestorm The Nuclear Man #23: Much to my shock, I really liked this issue. The persons being merged were a bit of a shock, and where the story is heading was intriguing. The book has the advantage of not having a lot of baggage, so this was an easy call. Grade: B

I will have more on this week's One Year Later books coming soon. What are your thoughts on the this new crop?

Get In Shape Weigh In: Week 8

It wasn't exactly another banner week weight loss wise, but I feel like mentally I have my head back in the game better. I did an hour and a half on the tread mill today just to make sure. Both mentally and physically, it was an A+, so I am very pleased.

Weight loss for the week: 1/2 lb

Total Weight loss: 12 1/2 lb.

That's the lame scoop for now. We are off to pick up the rest of our comics.

Take care

Missing A Box...

Infinite Crisis Secret Files 2006
Originally uploaded by Heidi Meeley.

Our local comics shop is missing a box of comics so we got shorted on several items today. Sigh.

Infinite Crisis Secret Files is one of those books. Also we are missing Nightwing, Girls, Generation M, and Ultimate X-Men off the top of my head...

Oh well, at least we got part of them, which is better then last week's late brigade!

Take care and have a great night!

New Comics for March 15

Birds of Prey 92
Originally uploaded by Heidi Meeley.

Well, it is another week already! I am glad to have made it through Monday. My hubby had to have more cavities filled, so I am home early tonight. He is doing well, just still numb.

Here is my list of new comics for the week.

Conan #26
100 Bullets #70
Birds of Prey #92 (pictured at right)
Green Arrow #60
Infinite Crisis Secret Files 2006
JLA Classified #18
Nightwing #118
Seven Soldiers Bulleteer #4 (of 4)
Superman #650
Teen Titans Annual #1
Girls #11
PVP #24
Witchblade #96
Four #28
Generation M #5 (of 5)
Punisher Vs. Bullseye #5 (of 5)
Spider-Woman Origin #4 (of 5)
Ultimate Extinction #3 (of 5)
Ultimate X-Men #68
Fathom #7

It is yet another ugly week, but Jim and I are working to get our comic book orders lower each month, so it should start showing soon.

Take care and have a wonderful week!

Get In Shape Weigh In: Week 7

It was another weird week at the Meeley house. It went too fast, and I was oddly depressed. The highlight was definitely Friday night when we went and saw Ultraviolet at the local movie theatre. Even though the critics panned it, we enjoyed it immensely.

My weekly weigh in was nothing to write home about, but here it is.

This week's loss: 1lb.

Total weight loss: 12 lbs.

Oh well, at least it didn't go the other way. It just seemed that for as hard as I pushed this week, it would have been 2!

We didn't get our comic books until Thursday, so I am behind on those as well. We shall see if I can get caught up this week.

Take care!

A Sad Farewell to Jessica Jones and The Pulse

The Pulse 14
Originally uploaded by Heidi Meeley.

Jessica Jones is my favorite Marvel character and they just pulled the plug again. I faithfully read each issue of Alias, savoring the moment, and have continued being engrossed in the PG world of The Pulse.

Now that Jessica and Luke Cage have had their baby, it is time to say goodbye again. I guess I can console myself knowing that she is making a starring appearance in New Avengers Annual, but it just isn't quite the same.

Marvel, don't forget about Jessica Jones. Keep her in a book so I can continue to enjoy her evolution for years to come.

Sigh.

New Comics for March 8

American Virgin 1
Originally uploaded by Heidi Meeley.

Well it's another Monday! I had a crapper day that I won't bother to go into here, suffice to say. I hope you all weathered the Monday's and are on to bigger, better things!

Here is my list of new books for the week.

American Virgin #1 (pictured)
Fables #47
Seven Soldiers Frankenstein #3 (of 4)
Seven Soldiers Mister Miracle #4 (of 4)
Teen Titans #33
Wildcats Nemesis #7 (of 9)
Invincible #29
VICE #5
New X-Men #24
Powers #17
Pulse #14
Son of M #4 (of 6)
Thunderbolts #100
X-Men The 198 #3 (of 5)

I am glad to report it is a lighter week then last week. Jim and I are working on cutting our comics list way back. The next Previews we turn in is not going to make our local shop happy, but we have to get things back in line!

Take care and have a great week!

Get In Shape Weigh In: Week 6

Well here it is. I am at the half way mark at my gym's "Get In Shape" contest. The event runs 12 weeks and my initial weight loss goal was 2 lbs a week for a total of 24 lbs of weight loss. I also wanted to build muscle mass during this time and decrease my body fat by a minimum of 10%.

Here is where I am in the program.

This week's weight loss: 2 lbs

Total weight loss: 11 lbs

This is a good week in that I lost my goal amount, but it means I am one pound behind my ultimate goal. What this means is that I need to maintain the intensity and keep on track, hoping that my body will compensate before the end.

One thing I know I don't want to do is to resort to fasting or colon cleansing to get the job done. While either of these would help me to make up the weight loss, I really feel they are short term fixes and I am out for a long term health benefit.

Take care today!

Airhead!!

I was going to post my weigh in like usual, but in the endorphin rush of Body Pump, I forgot to go downstairs and weigh myself. I will be back tomorrow with the weekly results.

Jim and I aren't feeling super good, so it is a good excuse to take the night off and try to heal.

Take care all!

Thing #4 is Perfection!

Thing 4
Originally uploaded by Heidi Meeley.

It is official. I have fallen hard for a comic book. Thing #4 was one of the best issues I have read in a long while. A fulfilling life lesson wrapped in fun and pretty paper, this issue had it all. From Franklin's ageless wisdom to Lockjaw's dilemma, there was such a great blend of all the right ingredients that I can only describe the issue as perfect.

If you find a copy, grab it and enjoy. It is fantastic!!

New Comics for March 1

Ms Marvel 1
Originally uploaded by Heidi Meeley.

It's another week already, and it looks like some of my comic book cuts are taking effect. With the price on most books going up to $2.99 I just couldn't afford to keep getting "what I wanted". It is the biggest grumbling at the local comic book shop- we can't afford to read comics anymore!

Oh well, stupid me, I still try.

Here is the list for this week!

Adventures of Superman #649
Aquaman Sword of Atlantis #40
Batman Annual #25
Detective Comics #817
Green Lantern Corps Recharge #5 (of 5)
Infinite Crisis #5 (of 7)
Jonah Hex #5
JSA #83
Outsiders #34
Y The Last Man #43
Ms. Marvel #1 (pictured at right!)
New Excalibur #5
Punisher #31
Ultimates 2 #10
Uncanny X-Men #470
X-Factor #4
Fallen Angel #3 (of 5)
Queen & Country Declassified Vol 2 #3
Red Sonja #7

It looks like a promising week, especially with Infinite Crisis #5 poised to hit stands as well as the start of "One Year Later". Let the games begin!

Good News This Week for Women In Comics!

Rose & Thorn 1
Originally uploaded by Heidi Meeley.

According to Newsarama,

"Renae Geerlings, a 9-year veteran of comic book editorial, has ascended to a position achieved by precious few women: She will soon be the editor-in-chief of a publishing company. Geerlings will take over as editor-in-chief at Top Cow Productions on March 1, 2006."

While I really loved what Jim McLauchlin has done as editor-in-chief at Top Cow, I respect his wishes to move towards success in another aspect of print. The biggest thing he brought to Top Cow was a sense of timeliness and an influx of great "known" creative talent.

Geerlings is poised to continue what McLauchlin has started and I wish her nothing but the best. While I have at times questioned her emphasis on continuity, I really believe that she has a passion for what she does and has made the industry her home. I am crossing my fingers for more changes like this in the future.

Second piece of news via Newsarama:

"Top Cow Productions is adding top-flight female creators to one of comics' longest-running female character books. And in an unprecedented move in mainstream comics, the entire art team of penciler, inker, and colorist will be composed of women.

Adriana Melo (Star Wars: Empire, Birds of Prey) takes over as the new ongoing artist on Witchblade with July's #99. She'll be joined by inker Mariah Benes (Superman) and colorist Sonia Oback (City of Heroes). Melo and crew will work on Witchblade #100 in conjunction with current Witchblade artist Mike Choi, before taking the reins full time with #101. The new team will also handle art chores on a 4-page original Witchblade story for Image Comics' contribution to Free Comic Book Day."

Wow, I am thrilled about this! Melo's art on the Rose & Thorn mini-series blew me away. I have been waiting to see where she would end up, and to have her working with such a talented group is even better. Both Benes and Oback have proven to be at the top of their game.

Let's all get together and be happy for five minutes about these great pieces of news, okay? I have read sniping and complaining about this from WOMEN (!!??!!) and I am just sick about it. Let's unify and get behind these women!

Once again, congratulations to the women mentioned above!

Get In Shape Weigh In: Week 5

It was a hectic week at Casa Meeley, so I didn't get to post as much as I wanted to. In my mind's eye, I had a perfectly good rant about Infinite Crisis being late on tap. I also had a new musing about women in comics that I hope to get put to blog by tomorrow night. Good intentions , but crap follow through. I guess I will just blame work and working out for it all and move right along to the weekly weigh in.

Yesterday I tried two new classes that were different as night and day but compelling as hell. I did Body Combat- a martial arts/tae bo type of class that involved a lot of punching and kicking. Myself and a dozen other pissed off women got our ya-yas out during an hour of hard cardio. I was a little bit behind at times due to my attempt at learning the routines, but I really enjoyed it.

The other class I took was Body Flow, which is essentially Yoga. Holy crap, that was hard! I loved it for the difficulty level and the strength building for sure. The hardest part for me was the end when we had to lay on our mats and relax. I need a great deal of work there!

The end result was that I was so sore today that I had to take 3 ibuprofen in order to be able to sit in my chair without excruciating pain. I also decided to take today off to let my body recover, so I hope that isn't a mistake.

The good news is that I have already lost 6% body fat, so I am thrilled. As for weight loss, here is the week's results.

Week's weight loss 2 lbs

Total weight loss 9 lbs


Yay! I am back on better track, and hope to break the 10 lb. mark by next week. That would be the coolest!

Take care this evening! I will be back tomorrow to talk more about my contest and muse about random things.

About the Rules...

Hmmm. I would definitely agree with the lovely Ragnell that the full body picture is probably a bit much. I am not sure how to go about this fairly otherwise, so I am going to re-think the results "proof". Does anyone have any ideas?

If I were to take a before weight and standard chest, waist, hip measurement would that work better? If I took a solemn vow to only reveal the loss and not the actual stats would that help?

Let me know and we can re-think this. We have one week to get it going!

Take care!

New Comics for February 22

Black Panther 13
Originally uploaded by Heidi Meeley.

Jim and I just went and got cavities filled, so it is quite the sad sight at the Meeley house tonight. To top it off, I made a rookie mistake a work that made me feel like a moron, so it is a banner day that way as well.

At any rate, there is a mystery on the Diamond List this week. I thought Infinite Crisis 5 was coming out, but it isn't on the list anymore. What the heck does that mean??

Otherwise, here is the list for this week:

Batman #650
Catwoman #52
Green Lantern #9
JLA Classified #17
Legion of Super Heroes #15
Supergirl #5
Wonder Woman #226
Wraithborn #5 (of 6)
Freshmen #6 (of 6)
PVP #23
The Gift #14 - where has this book been??
Amazing Spider-Man #529
Astonishing X-Men #13
Black Panther #13 (pictured- very cool Jae Lee cover)
Captain America #15
Exiles #77
New X-Men #23
Sentry #6 (of 8)
Storm #1 (of 4)
Thing #4
Ultimate Spider-Man #90
Ultimate Wolverine Vs. Hulk #2 (of 6)
Wolverine #39
X-Men #183

I hope I didn't make any errors here, as I am still quite numb from my filling and not trusting my brain.

Take care all! Have a great week!

Comics Fairplay Fitness Challenge 2006

work out
Originally uploaded by Heidi Meeley.

Calling all comic book readers! It is time to answer the age old call to duty! I am holding a month long "fitness challenge" during the month of March. My hope is that the end result will be fitter, happier comic book readers! Also, it is a great excuse to get in shape for all the walking and standing that goes on at comic conventions throughout the spring and summer.

Here are the specifics:

Weigh-in is March 1 by midnight. Contestants must take a full body picture in exercise gear- example: t-shirt and shorts or tank top and spandex. No shoes or layers. The picture and beginning stats should be sent in to heididc@aol.com.

Weigh-out is March 31 by midnight. Contestants need to take a full body "after picture" in as close to the original outfit as the before shot. The picture and stats should be sent in to me again at that time.

My husband and teammates in the Get In Shape contest will be the judges. We will print out the pictures and not look at faces when judging. All judging is based on consensus. The winner will be based on weight loss and most physical change.

What does the winner get? An original sketch from the Emerald City Con and a trade paperback to start with. My husband is contemplating also contributing a piece of original art, so call it a "comic lovers" prize package.

Just to be fair, I will post a picture as well for all to see on my blog to show that I am serious. Jim has agreed to take the picture and check my weights. I am not eligible for prizes, of course, but will be there with you all sweating and training.

One month of your life is all it takes. If I can convince any of you to make a change towards being more healthy I will be happy. Also SMOKERS out there- I challenge you to kick for a month.

Any takers?

Get In Shape Weigh In: Week 4

It has been a hectic but good week for me. I am very happy it is Friday though, as working last weekend made me a bit more tired then normal. Hopefully I can really get back into the swing of things soon and I have an announcement of a contest/challenge that I will post this weekend.

Without further ado, here are my weight loss stats for the week.

Weight lost this week: 2 lbs

Total Weight Loss: 7 lbs

Now we're talking! I still have a long way to go, but feel good about my start. My ideal would have been to lose 8 lbs by this point, but 7 is not too shabby. I am going to try and get a body comp this weekend and figure out how much body fat I have lost- that could be the telling number.

Take care and have a great evening!

Musings About This Week's Comics

I am going to attempt to talk about this week's stash without spoilers.. let's see how that goes!

Action Comics #836- beautiful but jarring. I think that waiting a week to read this would make more sense.

Birds of Prey #91- anti-climactic. I wish that the end of Nightwing would have filtered into this. The Birds are some of my favorite ladies, and the story has a definite filler feel.

Batgirl #73- not at all what I expected, but I really liked it. Great action too.

She-Hulk #5- Excellent. Five stars every time, especially Awesome Andy's reactions.

Spider-Woman Origin #3 (of 5)- this tale is really heating up. I am loving every minute. Great last page.

Noble Causes #17- provocative cover with a focus on a single sex couple. Faerber did a nice job presenting the story at hand.

Manhunter #19- the book you should be reading. My personal favorite this week.

Batman: Gotham Knights #74- hated it!! A crap ending for sure. I hate it when someone tries to be provocative and it fails so miserably.

Girls #10- one of the best HORROR comics out there. I loves me the Luna Brothers!

Daredevil #82- full of holy crap moments, not in the least the end. Ed Brubaker takes the reins from Bendis seamlessly.

X-Statix Presents: Dead Girl #2 (of 5)- surprise hit of the week in my stack. A must read now.

Those are some short takes, and I have a few more books I haven't gotten a good look at yet, but I must say I really am pleased and excited by this week's comics. I am crossing my fingers for another great week with Infinite Crisis #5 hitting shelves Wednesday.

Cheers!

Belated Valentine's Greetings!

Sorry to be a day late with the Happy Valentine's Day wishes! I hope you all had a wonderful day filled with love and laughter! I was a very lucky girl. My husband took me out to dinner and we had a wonderful time. He is a sweetheart; in fact he is my Valentine for life. (Sorry Honey, you are stuck with me)

I also looked at New Avengers tonight, and am really hating the first few pages of full page art. Yikes. I would much rather have had more story. We shall see how it works after another read through.

Not much else to tell. I am working and working out like crazy. Hopefully after this week things will settle down.

Take care!

New Comics for February 15

Manhunter 19
Originally uploaded by Heidi Meeley.

Well, it is Monday again and I am absolutely exhausted from my company's annual trade show. It was a lot of fun and hard work at the same time! As purchaser, I am working on ordering all the products people wanted, so it is still hectic.

Otherwise, things are going well, and I am still riding the old diet train as hard as possible. The list of comics coming out is quite exciting and spectacular, so without further ado, here we go.

Conan #25
Action Comics #836
Batgirl #73 FINAL ISSUE
Batman Gotham Knights #74 FINAL ISSUE
Birds of Prey #91
JSA Classified #9
Justice #4 (of 12)
Loveless #4
Manhunter #19 (pictured)
Girls #10
Noble Causes #17
Witchblade #95
Daredevil #82
Generation M #4 (of 5)
New Avengers #16
Punisher Vs. Bullseye #4 (of 5)
Runaways #13
She-Hulk 2 #5
Spider-Woman Origin #3 (of 5)
Ultimate Fantastic Four #27
Red Sonja #6

Not too bad this week dollar wise, I am hoping.

Take care and have a great week!

Random Musings and Weigh in

I am doing my weekly weigh in today because I have three busy days coming up at work starting tomorrow but want to keep on task.

Week 3 weight loss: 2 lbs.

Total weight loss: 5 lbs.

It was much bettter so far this week, and I think part of it has to do with being very disciplined all weekend and concentrating on only eating carbs for breakfast and lunch. Hopefully I can keep this up. I know I won't work out the next couple of days, so I put in an hour and a half to two hours at a time the last three days.

Random Musing:
The Wonder Woman mini-bust is much smaller then anticipated. I thought it would be the same size as the Silver Age series of busts that DC did, but it is tiny. The overall look of the mini-bust is excellent, so I give it props for that.

I am going to try and look at my weekly haul of comic books tonight as I won't have time the rest of the week. Top of the pile: 100 Bullets #69 and a slew of DC books!

Take care! I will be checking back in soon!

New Comics For February 8

Sensational Spider-Man 23
Originally uploaded by Heidi Meeley.

It's another big week for comic books as we continue the countdown to One Year Later from DC, and check out Marvel's latest offerings.

Here is the large list for this week!

100 Bullets #69
Captain Atom Armageddon #5 (of 9)
Fables #46
Green Arrow #59
Hawkman #49
JLA #125 -FINAL ISSUE
Jonah Hex #4
JSA #82
Nightwing #117
Robin #147
Supergirl #4 - Late, late, late!
Superman #226
Wildcats Nemesis #6 (of 9)
Invincible #28
Ghost Rider #6 (of 6)
Marvel Knights 4 #27
New Thunderbolts #18
Punisher Bloody Valentine
Sensational Spider-Man #23 - see cover at right!
Son of M #3 (of 6)
Ultimate Extinction #2 (of 5)
Ultimate X-Men #67
X-Men #182
X-Men The 198 #2 (of 5)
Young Avengers #10

Whew! Makes my head spin just thinking about this list!

Take care and have a great week!

Fantastic Four 534 Fails To Impress

FF 534
Originally uploaded by Heidi Meeley.

I just got done reading Fantastic Four #534, and what keeps running through my mind is that this story is not a Fantastic Four tale. Though the cover would have you think differently, once you open it and turn inside, nowhere to be found are Reed and Sue. The focus of the story is The Hulk. Bruce Banner has been hit with a second dose of gamma radiation and it is up to Ben and Johnny to stop him.

While the art by Mike McKone is incredible, the thrust of the tale misses the mark. This is the second part of a tale that should have been told as a Hulk mini-series, not a FF issue.

I am sorely disappointed so far with J. Michael Straczynski's work on Fantastic Four, and this issue only seeks to reaffirm my feelings. If only the creative team could get the focus back on the Fantastic Four and not try to reinvent the wheel Byrne-style, I would give it another shot. At this rate though, I don't have the extra cash to wait around for improvement.

After attaining a complete run on this third telling of the Fantastic Four, it is time to say goodbye and spend my money elsewhere.

Weekly Weigh In!!

bodypump
Originally uploaded by Heidi Meeley.

It has been yet another week already and working out has really eaten up a great deal of my quality blogging time. I am not complaining, mind you, but it is a complete bummer to not be able to keep both rolling. Hopefully after my company's big trade show next weekend I will be better able to manage my time as I won't be working and exercising so much. I am sure my husband wouldn't mind seeing more of me either!

Workout for the week:
Monday: 45 minutes treadmill going to an incline of 10 at 3.4. 30 minutes of weight lifting (arms and back. Finish with crunches.
Tuesday: 1 hour of Body Pump class. 15 minutes on treadmill at incline of 10 at 3.4. 10 minutes of abs.
Wednesday: 45 minutes treadmill going to an incline of 10 at 3.4. 45 minutes of weight lifting- two complete sets on the machines. 10 minutes of abs.
Thursday: 45 minutes treadmill going to an incline of 10 at 3.4. 35 minutes of weight lifting (legs and side of abs). 10 minutes of abs.
Friday: 1 hour of body pump. 10 minutes of abs and cool down.

Average calories consumed daily: 1200

Weigh in!

Loss this week: 1 crappy pound
Total weight loss: 3 pounds

The light at the end of the tunnel so far is that I have lost two inches off my waist in two weeks. This means that hopefully I am successfully converting my fat to lean mass.

Enough about weight loss and working out. Yawn. It is the end of week two so there are ten weeks left to go!

New Comics for February 1

Rann/Thanagar War Infinite Crisis Special #1
Originally uploaded by Heidi Meeley.

It's getting close to Valentine's Day and I am feeling the comic book love this week. It is once again quite a list, so we will be eating low priced chow the rest of the week.

Here is the list:

Aquaman #39
Detective Comics #816
Gotham Central #40 - FINAL ISSUE!
Green Lantern #8
JSA Classified #8
Legion of Super Heroes #14
Outsiders #33
Rann Thanagar War Infinite Crisis Special #1 (pictured at right)
Seven Soldiers Bulleteer #3 (of 4)
Swamp Thing #24
Y The Last Man #42
Necromancer #4
PVP #22
Captain America #14
Doc Samson #2 (of 5)
Fantastic Four #534
New Excalibur #4
Powers #16
Punisher #30
Sentry #5 (of 8)
Supreme Power Nighthawk #6 (of 6)
Uncanny X-Men #469
X-Factor #3
X-Men The End #2 (of 6)
Red Sonja #5

What a haul, and at mostly $2.99 each, it makes me a nervous girl!

Take care!

Women: The Deadlier of The Species Part Three

This leads me back to fanboys versus fangirls. The majority of the male sites I visit are happy to see more women online that are interested in comics. They want the female opinion and like the interaction. It is mostly a very happy family here. I think that female bloggers for the most part are practical and understand the nature of the comic books they read. As Tegan so correctly pointed out, (http://www.eskimo.com/~tegan/blog/20060108-20060114.html) we read about scantily clad men too. It is with innocent intent, knowing that we enjoy the character and their personalities. How the character deals with conflict and turmoil, and the life they ultimately lead, means more then their outer shell. We are so used to the “look” of super heroes, that it is an after thought of sorts.

I think the evolution of the industry has shown that many more women are reading comics today then ten years ago, and that this trend is not showing signs of slowing. I don’t know if it is because more of us women are “out of the closet” in letting the world know we read comic books too, but the advent of the internet and more specifically the blogosphere makes it clear that females are here to stay.

I love my blog, and I can’t imagine not having it. I like to focus on the positive, and that will always continue to be the whole point of having an active site. I just can’t resist the need to try and feel out both sides of the story and try and find solutions, rather then just saying my peace and letting the chips fall where they may. Maybe this is part of my female nature or maybe my parents just did a great job of teaming up to raise me, but I think that taking control of a situation and finding solutions is way more important then dwelling in the boiling pot.

Women are the more deadly of the species by nature. Maybe it is the fact that it is harder to read our true intentions, but that is where the great potential for dialogue comes in. We analyze things to our core, and keep them deep within ourselves. That is our way. The fact that so many women are out here expressing themselves is fantastic. It means we aren’t secretly planning to put poison ink in your books. It means we want to talk and evolve.

Men, we appreciate you in so many ways. We like the way you tell a funny story, and care when we cry. Your beautiful smile and hopeful eyes entrance us. We like that you have an opinion and that you listen to us as well. I can’t imagine life without both sexes, as shown in Vertigo Comics' Y The Last Man. What a sad place this would be without both.

We all have our roles in life to play. Let’s do our best and enjoy the emotions that come with our differences. It all comes down to respect in the end. Respect.

Women: The Deadlier of the Species Part Two

Back to females being the deadlier of the species, I think we definitely are. Women are the mothers and the nurturers, and our capacity to love is boundless, but piss us off and Hell yes, you better run the other way. It is our nature, partly because we were originally the hearth tenders and home keepers. We are protective of what we have, and prideful of our own. I won’t apologize for that. I take excellent care of my husband out of love and instinct. I don’t think I could step back and let him go without clean clothes and clean sheets. It wouldn’t happen.

Men, on the other hand, were the gatherers and providers, so it is in their nature to guard their job territorially. With the advent of women in the work force, it has taken some getting used to for both sexes. As someone who has worked full time for over 17 years, I understand the push and pull of this. I also understand that having both sexes in the work force has diminished some of the higher paychecks while equalizing responsibilities and rewards.

I know that my father has always taken his job as the man of the house very seriously. He once told me “If I can’t get it done, it’s not going to happen. The buck stops here”. I believe that and follow that rule to this day. My dad knew then that he was ultimately responsible for making me into the fruitful adult I am today, and he cared for my sister and I like no other. When he farmed, we were there with him and we learned responsibility and caring. If our animals weren’t fed, they would die. If they didn’t have clean bedding and nutritious food, they would get sick. The buck definitely stopped there.

My mother, on the other hand, worked outside the home from the time I was five to the present. She is a very successful woman, and she still found the time to come home and cook dinner and make sure the hearth was tended so to speak. I didn’t appreciate it then, but understand completely now. She was given a role reversal and ran with it. Though my dad has farmed successfully his entire life, and worked very hard, she also felt responsible for our ultimate care. To achieve this, she worked a lot of long days, and has just recently throttled back a bit.

The bottom line is that man and woman together worked to raise their family the best they could. The way they went about it was different but the ultimate result is the same. To this day, I respect my mother and father equally and thank God each day for their love and care, but I know that if it came down to it, my mother would kill for me and not regret it for a minute. It is the nature of a female.

Women: The Deadlier of the Species Part One

Food for thought of the day: Is it true that women are the deadlier of the species? Are women more obsessive? How does this apply to fanboys versus fangirls?

Let me take a moment to explain.

In the aftermath of the blog explosion of women, including myself, expressing their opinion about sexism in comics, there has been an after thought pointing to women themselves having issues to work through. Michael from “Tales to Mildly Astonish” has an interesting and controversial blog entry where he states his peace.

http://talestomildlyastonish.blogspot.com/2006/01/understanding-fanboys-deadlier-of.html

I found the link over at When Fangirls Attack (http://womenincomics.blogspot.com/), the coolest new blog sight on the internet. Presented by Kalinara and Ragnell, the blog stays neutral, but makes sure to keep current on issues that reflect the topic of said site. It has been a revelation to say the least, and I am hoping to jump on the bandwagon sooner then later.

But I regress.

Men and women have always approached life in general differently, so it is no surprise that there are areas where there will always be disagreement. Author John Gray put in perspective in his best- selling book “Men are From Mars, Women are From Venus”. He condensed it by putting us on different planets on thought and showing where to meet in the middle to attain a level of relationship success otherwise thought to be unattainable. The guy gets it, and it made him wealthy and successful. Now we just need to take what he knows and apply common sense to the fanboy versus fangirl scenario.

Let me start by painting a picture. Fifteen years ago, long before I met my husband, I would go solo to my local comic book shop. I had just started collecting again after not being able to afford it during college and getting started in my career. My mission was to find the Wonder Woman and Justice League issues I had missed during that period and I was pretty relentless. The town has three comic shops owned by the same gentleman, so I knew I had to pick through each inventory.

The employees at the shop were for the most part great about helping me attain my list of books. I have built relationships with the owner and employees that last to this day and feel very comfortable in any of the stores there. The problem I had was with my fellow collectors.

One day I was looking through the Justice League back issues while a couple of guys were checking out the “D” and “E” section. Being lonely and desperate for conversation, I asked them what they were looking for. I got a one word answer “Detective Comics”. Okay. I asked them if they were regular collectors. Again I got a one word answer “yes”. In one last ditch attempt at human contact, I asked them if they knew any other good places to look for the books I was searching for. “No”, I was told. Well, at this point I gave up on these two fellas and went back to looking.

The sad fact is that this wasn’t an isolated incident. I can’t tell you how many times I tried to make polite conversation only to be rebuffed. I tried this several more times with other collectors, including a woman who told me she was just putting up with her boyfriend’s habit, but wished he would spend the money on something practical- like a speed boat. Heh.

Until I met my husband and he moved to my town nine years ago, I was completely unable to bond with the comic book collecting community. The minute I showed up with him, I was roundly accepted and my inquiries were answered with full sentences. To top it off, these guys told me that they didn’t remember ever seeing me around, because if they would have seen a “pretty girl” like me they would have remembered. Argghhh!

Today, I know the local collectors pretty well. I still haunt the same shop, and have the weekly routine down like clockwork. My husband is well respected as a “comic demi-god” of sorts for his knowledge and contacts. I am very proud of him, and my heart swells when he is acknowledged. I just wonder why I never got the same chance from the locals that he did. Theories, anyone?

Checking In

Well, it's been another week of hardly any blogging. My workouts have been taking longer then I anticipated. Hopefully I can get some quality time this weekend and catch back up.

I haven't read my comics, but I paged them, and it looks like a great reading week. I am especially interested to see what happens in Wonder Woman and New Avengers. I also look forward to seeing how Bendis wraps up Daredevil.

Weigh in for the week:

Loss for the week: 2 lbs.
Total Loss 2 lbs.

Well, at least I am in the ball game!!

Take care and have a great night!

New Comics for January 25

New Avengers 15
Originally uploaded by Heidi Meeley.

Once again, another month passes by way too quickly for comfort! It is already time for the last comic book shipping week of the month! What that means to me is that several DC titles will be ending next month, and March will bring all the "One Year Later" stuff that should shed light on the Infinite Crisis at hand. Too cool.

At any rate, here is my list of good stuff for the week!

Revelations #6 (of 6)
Adventures of Superman #648
Batman #649
Catwoman #51
Green Lantern Crops Recharge #4 (of 6) - (Hey Ladies- it's Kyle time!!)
JLA Classified #16
Robin #146
Wonder Woman #225
Pact #4 (of 4)- super, duper late- can't even remember what is going on here!!
Witchblade #94- Sadowski art!
Amazing Spider-Man #528
Black Panther #12
Daredevil #81- Bendis and Maleev's last issue
Defenders #5 (of 5)- another late one
Exiles #76
New Avengers #15- see right for pic.
Pulse #13- the birth of Luke and Jessica's baby!
Thing #3
Ultimate Fantastic Four X-Men Special
Ultimate Spider-Man #89
Wolverine #38
X-Men #181
Cannon Hawke #5
Fallen Angel (IDW!!) #2
Red Sonja Vs. Thulsa Doom #1 (of 4)

I am running late tonight because I went and worked out tonight. I am dragging butt for sure after that!

Take care all!

The Boob Grab Seen Round The World: 2006 Golden Globes

Isaac Mizrahi
Originally uploaded by Heidi Meeley.

This is a little bit late, and I apologise, but I wanted to muse for a moment about something I saw Monday night while watching the Golden Globes pre-show on E!.

Isaac Mizrahi, a well-known and respected fashion designer was interviewing celebrities on the red carpet for the E! entertainment network. He knows several female actresses and has a "best gay friend" vibe that puts them at ease. What wasn't expected is how he talked to these ladies when he interviewed them.

Isaac asked Teri Hatcher is she was wearing underwear, and it ran from there. After that, he asked other ladies if they had said underwear on, and the answers were varied, if a bit uncomfortable. He also asked Eva Longoria what she had going on for a shave in her pubic area, which was a bit hard to watch. Eva handled it like a pro and got the subject changed after a few awkward pauses.

The main event came when Isaac interviewed Scarlett Johansen. When he asked her about who made her dress, it was going okay, but then he grabbed the bottom of her breast and told her he was checking for how the dress was constructed for future reference. Scarlett laughed and played it off, but God only knows what was going on in her head! E! played it the next night at the end of their news broadcast, as well as the other snippets mentioned and called it Isaac's great moments.

My question is this: Since when is it okay to grope a woman's breast in that scenario? I have heard the "oh it's okay because he is gay" reaction more then I can admit. I honestly don't know if Isaac is gay, and if so, what does it matter? Does that mean that his intent was pure so he should make a habit of it?

Scarlett looked very shell-shocked, and her reaction was to play it off. I commend her for her calm response. I think I would have slapped him at the very least. What would he have done if Scarlett would have grabbed his "package" and said it was for the fabric?

At any rate, the situation is said and done, but in my mind it is another example of how things that aren't neccesarily right are accepted so easily in modern society. Isaac obviously didn't think it through, and his hand wasn't slapped afterwards, so why change that behavior?

Also, why weren't male interviewees subjected to the same once-over that the females were? What would, say, Harrison Ford, have done if Isaac touched him inappropriately or asked him if he was wearing underwear? Food for thought.

What are your thoughts on this?

Random Musings- Working Out and Watching My Hubby Blog!

It's been a few days since I have been here and I apologise for that. My hubby has had a lot to say over at his blog and we share a computer so I have been content to sit back and let him take the driver's seat. Also, I have been working on my fitness and health, so that has been quite time consuming.

Last year I entered and won the Gold's Gym "Get In Shape" contest in my age category. I did very well keeping fit and keeping the weight on until August 2005, when I started having excruciating abdominal and back pain that wouldn't go away. I had to cut back my workouts, and eventually gained back five pounds. Cut to October when I found out I had several large fibroids that were the source of the problem. I gained another 10 pounds from stress eating and not working out at all since then.

My hysterectomy was December 2, and it has been tougher to bounce back then I want to admit. Because they had to go in abdominally, the recovery has been longer then I had wanted. The good news is that this last week I feel like I turned the corner health wise, meaning that I finally felt pretty good. My biggest problem is just being worn out easily and having a bit of tenderness and swelling in my stomach area.

Bottom line: It is time to start working out, and what better way to do it then join a team of four people and participate in the club's team competition version of Get In Shape? The great news is that I kept off 20 of the pounds I lost last year, so I didn't go too far backwards, putting me in good shape to be on a team and look decent in the after pictures if I do the work and dieting required. The bad news is that my doctor hasn't cleared me for the kind of resistance training I need to gain back lean mass so I am relying on mid range cardio and light weights for my exercise.

What is exciting about my team in this competition is that my co-worker Rick is a past winner like me, and is captaining our team. His beautiful daughter Kristen and his friend George round out the team. I like being in a group situation in a fitness scenario because it means we can all rely on each other for motivation and fellowship. It should be great, and I will bore you by keeping you aware of our status.

Thursday was the weigh in so I will be checking in weekly to let you know my weight loss and progress. I'm not going to spill my starting weight yet, but will fess up eventually.

The bad news in this is that I haven't read my comics yet other then Infinite Crisis #4, which I loved! I have just glanced at the others, so I am hoping to spend tonight doing some reading. I would love to do a review or two, and get back into the swing of things, so that is my goal.

Take care and have a wonderful Saturday!

Extreme Sadness! Strangers in Paradise is Finite!

SIP 81
Originally uploaded by Heidi Meeley.

In the letters page of issue 77, Strangers in Paradise creator Terry Moore announced "Okay, no joke: SIP will end with issue 89 or 90 in May 2007". For fans of all tenures and ages, this is sad news.

Moore has given readers a solid, female friendly read. The lead characters Francine and Katchoo are three dimensional and accessible. They have been through the best and the worst, with the readers safely on the other side of the page, but not far from their hearts.

When I talk to other women about great comic books, Strangers in Paradise is always the first out of my mouth. The male characters are important, but not the focal point. Moore has made the book a mirror for our lives, and as a reader I have become very attached to these characters.

It will be a sad day when I go to the comic book shop knowing that the issue will be ending the series. Hopefully Moore has lots of goodies up his sleeve to keep readers entranced for many years to come.

At least he is giving us time to prepare both emotionally and spiritually!

New Comics for January 18

SIP 79
Originally uploaded by Heidi Meeley.

Hey there! Happy Monday! After letting the hubby have possesion of the computer for most of the day yesterday and today, it is my turn to list the comic books I will be picking up this week. It is a long and scary list, but a good one! Here we go!

Action Comics #835
All Star Superman #2
Batgirl #72
Batman Gotham Knights #73
Birds of Prey #90
Firestorm #21
Flash #230
Green Lantern #7
Hellblazer #216
Infinite Crisis #4 (of 7)
JSA Classified #7
Legion of Super Heroes #13
Manhunter #18
Nightwing #116
Seven Soldiers Mister Miracle #3 (of 4)
Freshmen #5 (of 6)
Girls #9
Noble Causes #16
VICE #4
Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man #4
Generation M #3 (of 5)
Marvel Knights 4 #26
Marvel Knignts Spider-Man #22
Punisher Vs. Bullseye #3 (of 5)
Runaways #12
Spider-Woman Origin #2 (of 5)
Uncanny X-Men #468
X-Statix Presents Dead Girl #1 (of 5)
Red Sonja #4
Strangers in Paradise #79 (pictured!)

Lots of comics, but lots of good ones too!

I hope you all have a wonderful week. I will be back tomorrow with more thoughts.

Comic Show Musings Redux: When Fanboys Go Wrong!

I was going through some old blog posts when I rediscovered one called "When Fanboys Go Wrong" from September 14, 2004. Bear with me as I recycle, and then add any newly enlightened thoughts I have gleaned since then in color!

"Since I am fresh off of a comicon experience, I thought I would note a few fanboy behaviors that I find hinder my ability to enjoy the conventions I attend. Basically, this is a convention "Don't" list.

1. Having a creator sign more then 20 comics at one setting is tacky and reprehensible to the other fans behind you in line. I know you are a fan and want to have quality face time with your favorite pro, and if having several comics to sign helps you not be so nervous that is great, but more then 20 is completely uncalled for. A good rule of thumb is that more then five minutes is too much, unless the pro in question is sketching for you. I will never forget the guy in front of me with two short boxes- his 8 months pregnant wife was forced to stand in every line so he could get all his comics signed. Every time I see him at cons I want to kick his ass. Everything in moderation, Man!
This hasn't changed for me one bit. I still find my head feeling like it is going to burst when I see someone make a creator sign more then 20 books. This is pretty universal, I would imagine.

2. Digging through one long box while your bag is piled on another one at a retailer booth is big sin #2. Get a back pack or shoulder bag at Target so you don't need a short box or paper bag. When I want to look at a booth and I can't get to the boxes, I will leave. I may even tell you to move your ass if you being rude enough.
Can't add anything there. Still too true!

3. Body Odor. I know this is going to get me into trouble, but please don't perpetuate the myth that comic fans all live in their parent's basement and don't get dates by being one of the unwashed masses that file through. I have actually been made to gag by some of the people surrounding me, simply because they didn't think enough of others or themselves to wash up before coming to a public event. Be hygienic, which includes brushing your teeth, and you may find you have a better time as well.
Okay, this is one we have been over time and time again. I am begging now for some soap and water! My hubby and I have a friend that comes over from time to time. He doesn't shower regularly and when he leaves, we have to "febreze" spray over the section of the couch he sits on. Topping it off, we have been blunt with him about his odor, and he still doesn't care. What gives?

4. Pushing and shoving. I am a 5'5" female who has been shoved out of the way by fanboys to get to a retailer booth. For God's sake, all you have to do is say "Excuse me" or "Could I get to that box please", and I would move so fast it would make your head spin. Pushing me out of the way just pisses me off and makes me want to go get my hubby, who, trust me, you don't want to see angry.
I got shoved at a con in Portland last Fall and I am still upset about it. Manners please!

5. Quit bragging for five minutes! I like to talk about meeting creators with other fans as we are waiting in line. It is fun to compare notes and usually leads to talk about their titles and what we enjoy about them. But... Please refrain from bragging to me that you are such a unique person that the pro in question just had to spend time with you, cuz I won't buy it. I am thrilled you know someone, and think it is cool, but the minute it turns to bragging, I start to wonder if you are overcompensating for something (if you know what I mean).
Oy vay. I won't add to this, as it speaks for itself.

6. Rubbing up against me. It only happened once, but I knew exactly why you did it, you pervert! You don't want me to go get my hot-tempered Irish husband!
Next time, I am going to kick your ass in front of all your friends and not feel remorseful. There is no excuse for this EVER.

7. Not really a fanboy complaint, but: Creators that show up late, even though I know they had a hotel in town the night before. Learn to handle your alcohol, and get to bed for a few hours if you know there are fans that are coming to see you. It is common courtesy.
As I have already ranted about: too much alcohol equals unproffesional, offensive behavior. Monitor it.

Anyone else had any Comicon drama they would like to add? I have had great con experiences for the most part, but there is always that one bad egg who has to ruin for the rest of us!"

I never attended a comic show until I went to the Fall Portland Con with my husband in 1997, so I have always had a partner in crime so to speak. The first show we went to, we met Alex Ross, Kurt Busiek, Brett Anderson, and Marv Wolfman, so the bar has been set high from show one. I am rarely let down by a creator experience or in finding a comic book I have been looking for. I am a lucky lady, I think.

Comic Book Groupies??

Motley Crue circa Girls, Girls, Girls
Originally uploaded by Heidi Meeley.

After spending the last week and a half mulling sexism in the comic book industry and trying to come up with solutions in general to salvage what we have, I want to dramatically change gears for a moment. I know from being a long time heavy metal fan that bands like Motley Crue, Def Leppard, and even Ratt have always had their share of groupies.

How does this apply to the comic book industry, you may ask? I am very curious about something. If there are creators out there that have a rock star mentality, does that mean that lurking out there are comic book groupies? Also, are they just women, or are there men as well? What drives these people, and what is the prime point of satisfaction therein?

I have been at cons where there were two really gorgeous guys in line for Phil Jimenez. They weren't conventional readers, but had specifically attended to meet Phil. I was listening to some of their comments, and one included a mention of Phil's posterior that I won't repeat here. Also, I was in a line for Michael Turner and overheard a couple of ladies talking about how "hot" he was, and how shy he seemed. They were hoping to talk him into dinner afterwards. Those are examples of overhearing innocent conversations.

What I want to know is if there is such a thing as a comic book groupie and if so, I want examples, as I am very curious about this phenomenon.

I know the question is controversial, but after making musician-like comparisons, it is only fair to give any potential "super fans" their day.

Any takers?

Friday the 13th and A Special Day!

Well, it's Friday the 13th and all is well. I was able to work 7 hours today and be okay, just a tad swollen and tender from surgery still. Next Thursday a coworker and two other friends are going to be on a team with me for the Gold's Gym "Get In Shape" contest. I won the women's division last year, so this year is going to be a focus on more weight loss and toning, and recovering from my surgery through healthy eating and exercise. Cross your fingers for me!

Also, today is special because it is my husband Jim's birthday. He isn't too thrilled, as it goes as a person gets over the 30 mark, but I still want to make the day special for him. Happy Birthday Jim!

Take care all! I will be back with a thought provoking question later.

A Good Day To Read!

Opus!
Originally uploaded by Heidi Meeley.

After a busy week or so of ranting, I have decided to take today off to relax and read. I have my comic books from today and want to read Memoirs of A Geisha - a Christmas present of sorts.

Enjoy the day! I will be back tomorrow with some strange, but hopefully thought provoking entry.

P.S. Ragnell has a cool thread over at her blog Written World. http://ragnell.blogspot.com Go check it out and let the lurking be undone!

Take care!

The Rock Star Mentality in Comics??

As I have been strolling the blogoverse for posts about sexism in comics, I have noticed at times that there has been a reference to a small percentage of creators being treated and/or having a rock star mentality. That is an interesting symptom of a much bigger problem to me.

I have witnessed first hand a creator at a small con who definitely was treated like a rock star by both the show coordinators and his handlers. He was extremely polite and professional to the fans, and that was all good and well, but he could afford to be. At his right was his right hand man making deals and shooting down fan boys a little low on cash. At his left was another business partner, who was the “controversial one”. Also, I found out that this creator stayed at a different hotel then normal, even though it was quite a bit more expensive. He also requested a rental car and his posse had to make the trip as well. The hands-down topper was that he received a different lunch then the usual “make your own sandwich”. Okay…

I understand that if your asking price is higher, and your level of fame is greater, it is within your realm to do these things. You have made yourself into a commodity rather then an individual and that is good business sense. I applaud that by all means.

I just don’t understand one thing. Each month when I look at the Wizard “Hot 10 Artists list” I get completely pissed. At least half of the people on the list can’t make a deadline to save their ass and it feels like we are rewarding them for that bad behavior. Why is that?

Also, why does the comic industry seem to always pick from the same small pool of creators over and over? Why is it so hard to break in? Why does it help so much to “know people in the industry”? Who is making those decisions?

As fans we can dictate our favorites by our pocket books. I know that I will be voting that way when The Ultimates Volume 3 comes out. In my humble opinion, Joe Madureira doesn’t deserve it. He very publicly left the industry without finishing his “Battle Chasers” project and expects to be welcomed back with open arms? Why did we go with Mad and not find some new talent? I believe it is the rock star mentality at work.

Another creator in question to me is Rob Liefeld. This guy has more lives then a cat. He is infamous for never finishing what he starts yet we keep inviting him back? What does that tell the artists of tomorrow? What kind of standard does that set?

Let’s use our dollars to dictate to the companies what direction to go. I know it sounds cliché, but it is true. If we don’t buy the book being produced, we can send a message. I understand that when a person has a run on a book, it is hard to drop it. I have over 350 issues of Uncanny X-Men in a run, and it is damn difficult for me to stop collecting, so I can empathize.

I also wonder what Editorial can do or chooses not to do in working with these creators. If you know the writer or artist can’t make a deadline and you still want to hire them, wait to solicit the book or make the book bi-monthly. Managing the deadlines and production at a comic book company is one of the most important jobs there is. Support that person, and work with them to keep things on schedule. Let there be “fill-in” artists. God knows there are plenty of good people looking for work.

One case I appreciate is that All Star Superman is being solicited on a bi-monthly basis. We like Frank Quitely’s art, but we are also aware that he can’t make a monthly book work. To be more upfront about it is very important to me. Also, DC appears to be trying hard to make Infinite Crisis and its tie-ins stay on schedule. Not only is this crucial to the schedule, but it will maintain fans in the long run. The ultimate test I see is keeping “52” on a weekly schedule. That will speak volumes to me as a fan.

To the creators out there: I appreciate what it is you do. I am not downplaying your job at all. I just want to improve things for all of us so that we can prosper and keep the industry going for years to come. When I read that you treat your job with a disciplined approach, it makes me want to support you even more. On the other hand, I don’t want to read about how the new Play station Portable kicks ass if you are behind on your book.

Fans: I think it is wonderful to be excited to meet creators at shows. I also know that it is fun to interact with them online. It is a great validation of sorts. I understand perfectly- I almost wept with joy when I met Joe Staton. We need to be careful not to put our creators on a pedestal that lets them break the rules and not give us the product we so enjoy.

The bottom line is this: creators who have worked hard should enjoy the perks, but like any other industry out there, they need to remember where they came from. As fans, it is our job to encourage them or correct them, and the best way to do that is with the almighty dollar. Without creators, we would have nothing to read, but without readers, there would be no reason to make comics in the first place.

Marvel Hunk of the Month?

Marvel Hunk of the Month?
Originally uploaded by Heidi Meeley.

Dateline: January 1985. Article: Marvel Bullpen. Experiment: Marvel Hunk of the Month.

I was reminded of this one time only "Marvel Hunk of the Month?" while having a brief conversation with my husband last night. John Romita Jr. was the lucky/unlucky winner of said satirical award much to his chagrin.

I wonder what would have happened if this would have been turned into a regular feature or if the male readers would have been outraged? Food for thought.

New Comics for January 11

Ultimate Extinction 1
Originally uploaded by Heidi Meeley.

Hey there! I just got back from my doctor's office and was told to not work so much and relax more, so I will keep this short. Here is my pulls for the week.

100 Bullets #68
Desolation Jones #5
Fables #45
Green Arrow #58
Hawkman #48
JLA #124
Wildcats Nemesis #5 (0f 9)
Exiles #75
Ghost Rider #5 (of 6)
New Thunderbolts #17
New X-Men #22
She-Hulk 2 #4
Son of M #2 (of 6)
Ultimate Extinction #1 (of 5) pictured!
Ultimate X-Men #66
X-Men The 198 #1 (of 5)

It is a super hero and vertigo filled week for me it seems. Thank you to everyone that read my four part diatribe, I really appreciate the comments. I will be back with more rants in a few after I feel a bit better.

Take care!

Solutions and Theories: How To Change The Comic Book Industry Part Four

Here we are- finally at the end. Shall we finish it now?

5. “Invite and deal quickly with complaints. Word travels quickly, especially over the electronic networks such as Internet. Have people monitor the on-line services and response to any complaints or problems quickly. “

We have gone over this before, but it holds very true. Respond to complaints and learn from them. Don’t just pass readers off as rabid fan boys and get a big chuckle. Be very afraid, comic book companies. If you don’t watch your butt now, the future is bleak. The internet is a hurtful, harmful entity if used for wrong. Take control of things and turn lemons into lemonade.

That wraps up the secrets of business success portion of things. Thanks to Steppingstones.ca for the use of their secrets. Now for my final thoughts.

One thing I didn’t address well is a very good point that has been brought up on other blogs. Don’t act like there aren’t problems in the industry. Also, don’t act like you are marketing to all audiences because that is a flat out lie. Super heroes of both sexes wear tight, revealing outfits for a reason. We can take that any way we want, but we need to acknowledge the sexuality of it all Using codes is a help, if they are understandable. Can we find a universal one? I don’t know, but we need to try. I am not talking about censorship; I am talking about being helpful to kids and their parents when looking for a book to buy. Vertigo and Max are a step in the right direction. Retailers understanding the rating or the type of book is crucial as well.

Another subject is sexual harassment and favoritism towards males. I hate the thought and fact that the comic book industry is treated as a casting couch of sorts. It doesn’t matter where you work- it isn’t cool to grope or verbally abuse anyone for any reason. You know if you are guilty and my message is SHAME ON YOU. Get your sh*t together and be a responsible adult. I know that it is harder to do the right thing sometimes, but try.

The use of alcohol and partying at comicons is glamorized and touted as cool. As a social drinker, I am not condemning it, but I don’t want to make it seem like it is required either. As someone who has been in awkward encounters with a drunken person, I can’t accept it is right. I can’t count how many times I have read about situations that have ended badly or embarrassingly that didn’t have to. Monitor yourselves, and if you see a friend getting out of hand, speak up.

Last message: if you are in a position of power, use it for good not evil. Don’t make people do unethical or uncomfortable things to get a job. Hire people based on talent and dependability. Also, check your conscience- it is the most powerful thing you have.

It is time for comic book companies to use the wisdom given by successful people in the business section at the book store. Entertainment is the name of the game, but it needs to be treated like a business and customers need to be valued. Take it from someone in business with qualified experience- you will die out without these tools.

Solutions and Theories: How To Change The Comic Book Industry Part Three

Here is the next installment in my long winded diatribe!

3. “ Install a no-hassle program. Examine every aspect of your business, and remove all barriers and obstacles, e.g.
Remove all negative signs – no credit, cash only, etc.
Build a sincerely friendly, caring atmosphere
Make it easy for others to do business with you.”

This might not seem to fit the comic book industry at first reading, but it makes a great point. My favorite line is ” Examine every aspect of your business, and remove all barriers and obstacles, e.g”. How true is that? In business, we have to remember that the customer is our boss. Flat out, if the industry wants to cater to a certain demographic, let customers know. As a blatant example, Hustler doesn’t want to interest small children and women. It wants men of a certain age and a smaller percentage of women to buy its products, from the magazine to the adult store extras. I really think that if comic books focus is men of a certain age, the industry should be more open about it. Hey, we put big boobies on the cover to get GUYS to read the book! The old cloak and dagger doesn’t cut it in this day and age. You would think that with the introduction of Vertigo and Max it is already known that there is a certain market being targeted. Why not is that way with other books?

“Make it easy for others to do business with you.” We are missing that boat in the comic book industry for sure. It is a pain in the ass to buy product. If my store decides not to order something I want and I miss the deadline on my Previews, I am out of luck. What kind of comfort level is that going to give me? If I want to read a new book from a certain author, I can likely walk into Borders and buy it. If they don’t have it, they try and special order it. If I miss a comic book for whatever reason, chances are I can’t find it or have to scour the internet looking for it. That just plain sucks, folks. Why if it is so hard for us, do we expect casual fans to do the same thing? It just isn’t logical.

4. “Nobody talks about “good” service. You need to exceed customers’ expectations. Here are the five main things customers are looking for when it comes to service:
Reliability – the ability to provide what was promised, dependably and accurately.
Assurance – the knowledge and courtesy of employees, and their ability to convey trust and confidence.
Empathy – the degree of caring and individual attention provided to customers.
Responsiveness – the willingness to help customers and provide prompt service.
Tangibles – the physical facilities and equipment and the appearance of staff.”

Wow, that’s a concept. “You need to exceed customer’s expectations”. I have to do it at my job, why is the comic book industry any different? Let’s take it a step at a time, okay?

“RELIABILITY- the ability to provide what was promised, dependably and accurately.” Because comic book creators are considered “artists” they are allowed to miss deadlines. We all know who is chronic about it and instead of kicking their asses out of the industry and hiring people who can deliver, we cater to their bullshit posturing. What kind of crap is that? At my job, if I can’t perform the tasks assigned, I will get fired. It is plain and simple. If my name is Joe Blow and I know that it takes me six weeks to draw a book, I need to be upfront with my editor and have him solicit that way or else have my work done prior to solicitation. Quit coddling the “rock stars” and get performers. It will get Mr. Hot Crap’s attention or he is gone.

“ASSURANCE- the knowledge and courtesy of employees and their ability to convey trust and confidence.” Get someone who is good at public relations and marketing and make them the public face of your company. Keep Sally Crabby out of the forefront, and for God’s sake, don’t let the company’s biggest PSP addict give the big interview. It isn’t sincere and it alienates big time. More importantly, give your employees the knowledge and courtesy tools. Don’t assume they have them.

“EMPATHY- the degree of caring and individual attention provided to customers.” I don’t see it, folks. To me, it is "buy my stuff if you want, I don’t care". Some comic book shops fight this and do a great job, like Excalibur Comics in Portland, Oregon for example. It is one of the best examples of how to market comic books that I have ever seen. These folks care and take care of their loyal customers.

RESPONSIVENESS- the willingness to help customers and provide prompt service.” I don’t know if I can even go here. This is more comic book shop related, so it is a gray area. I do know that shops are the first line of defense. Can we have training devoted to making these places more mainstream friendly? My mother is afraid that every comic shop she has been in is a fire hazard. Why not hire regional representatives to do training and work with owners and employees? This is what my industry does, and it really helps on every level.

"Tangibles – the physical facilities and equipment and the appearance of staff.” Man, talk about VITAL to the industry. If you are involved in comic books at any level this is the most important commandment in general. You are the first line of defense, and if you are not professional and clean, it helps perpetuate our hauntingly horrendous myth of stinkiness and sloth. Get some new clothes, keep them clean, bathe, and wear deoderant. Also brush your teeth for good measure. I can't stress it enough.

Solutions and Theories: How To Change The Comic Book Industry Part Two

Here we go with number two!

2.” Foster a positive image and concept among your employees regarding the company and its products and services. Train your people to say the right things. Teach your employees never to say anything negative about your company, even among themselves, and not to badmouth the competition either. This factor is becoming more important as staff respond to comments and questions in electronic networks. “

Holy crap, we really don’t get it do we? The comic book industry thrives on controversy, plain and simple. Bill Jemas and Joe Quesada gleefully tore down the “Distinguished Competition” in their quest for comic book domination. It alienated the hell out of me, and I quit reading most of their titles. I get enough controversy at work and in my personal life. I don’t need it to trickle into my valuable free time.

Let’s take this one a sentence at a time and break it down, shall we?

“Foster a positive image and concept among your employees regarding the company and its products and services”. Well, since most comic book employees are not in the office, this one is tough. I have seen Marvel and DC editorial circle their wagons, but outside staff are on their own. I am sure that policy is dictated to them in the effect of “don’t reveal the story and art, and pump up the book and our company”, but beyond that I don’t know. At my company, we sign confidentiality contracts that stipulate that there are things that remain trade secrets and tricks of the trade. Also we are encouraged to keep mum or be very positive about our organization. Why would a comic book company be any different?

“Train your people to say the right things. Teach your employees never to say anything negative about your company, even among themselves, and not to badmouth the competition either.” See Jemas and Quesada above. They were/are the boss and they are leading the charge. I know that one thing I have always admired about Paul Levitz at DC is his discretion. He seems like a good businessman to me. Quesada has taken a more positive approach since Jemas’ exit and I appreciate that as well. One thing I know from experience is that behavior starts from the top. Employees will take what they see and mimic it as correct. Training is important and crucial in today’s competitive market.

“This factor is becoming more important as staff respond to comments and questions in electronic networks.” There is more drama drummed up on the internet in regards to comic books then anywhere else. I would like to see the comic book companies take a more direct approach in both damage control and public relations. The occasional press release and free copy of a comic book are all good and well, but get in there and sell. If you are a disgruntled employee, take the high road and look like a class act when possible. If you are in management, take the lead.

A step further is that as fans, we need to remember the lurkers who are not comic book readers who may be checking out what we are saying. What kind of image do we want to project?