Sunday, July 10, 2016

SILENCE DAY 2016

A very happy Silence Day to my Meher Baba family around the world.

"You have had enough of words, I have had enough of words.  It is not through words that I give what I have to give.  In the silence of your perfect surrender, my love which is always silent can flow to you—to be yours always to keep and to share with those who seek Me.  When the Word of my Love breaks out of its silence and speaks in your hearts, telling you who I really am, you will know that that is the Real Word you have been always longing to hear."

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42 comments:

  1. Okay Dematteis, marvel says there done with you, but offer you a chance to do a farewell collaboration.

    You can right one story with each of the classic Marvel characters. If you do one you have to do all of them. What are those stories, and they don't have to be in any sort of continuity.

    The list is...


    Silver Surfer
    Doctor Stranger
    Spider-Man
    Fantastic Four
    Captain America
    Thor
    X-Men
    Daredevil
    A Falcon solo story
    Iron Man
    Nick Fury(Sgt. and SHIELD)
    Ant Man
    Two-Gun Kid
    Namor
    Hulk
    Black panther
    and oh, what the Hell? Patsy Walker.

    Now Go!

    Jack

    PS, go watch Civil war.

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  2. Oh and just to really make it weird, DC makes a similar statement with
    bAtman,. Superman, Wonder woman, Green Lantern (Hal Alan and John), Flash (Wally, barry, and Jay) Sandman (GA), Green Arrow, elongated Man, Aquaman, Martian Manhunter,Lois LAne The Spectre, Black Canary, and lets go with... Challener of the Unknown OR 9you have a choice at this part) Adam Strange.

    Jack

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    1. That's a BIG question, Jack—and, honestly, I don't want to share story ideas (that I might actually use someday) in a public venue. That said,
      I'll adjust your question and pick one character from each company that I'd love to write for the first time and one I'd like to revisit.

      From Marvel: I'd vote for FANTASTIC FOUR and I'd do it with Giffen and Maguire. I've always thought our brand of humor +adventure would fir the FF perfectly. The character I'd like to revisit? It's a tie between Doc Strange and the Silver Surfer.

      From DC: Challengers of the Unknown. I think it's the greatest title (not the greatest series, but the greatest title) ever and I'd love to milk that title for all its worth. In a perfect world, I'd write it and Giffen would co-plot and pencil. Revisit? An ongoing series with J'onn would be a blast.

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    2. Fair enough about not wanting to share story ideas. But only Adam Strange vs. Challengers of the Unknown were a choice. The rest was an all or nothing scenario.

      adjusting questions... typical. You must be real fun to interview.

      And i don't by that for a minute anyway. What you most want to write is... Two-Gun Kid. Don't deny, just grab a six-shooter, a cow looking vest, and a stetson, and have at it.

      At DC it is clearly the Golden Age Sandman that you most desire to write.

      When it come to the title of Challengers of the Unknown... Hey, how many comic titles are used by New New Pornographers, and sang by Neko Case?

      A quick reminder... which will surely get you working on a proposal. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b8KuHQs858Y

      Now... I believe there was talk of you watching
      Civil War.

      Jack

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    3. Nice song!

      By the tine I was ready to see CIVIL WAR in a theater, it was gone, so I have to wait for the DVD. I'll get there eventually.

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    4. That's why you shouldn't drag your heels. I'm surprised it isn't playing at some dollar theater near you. Once it left the big theaters around here, it went to the cheaper ones... like the Civic. Of course that name means nothing to you.

      But, did you ever think that I meant the Ken Burns documentary?


      JAck

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    5. Is that because your head is so rotted by working in comics that you can't imagine a conversation without it as the epicenter, or is it because you know if I were to recommend a Ken Burns documentary it would be either "Dust Bowl" or "Prohibition?" Did Burns do Prohibition?


      Jack

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    6. Pretty sure it's Burns. It's in my Netflix queue!

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    7. One day, when I have the time, I would like to watch Prohibition, Dust Bowl, then The War, in that order. Get a sense of how history unfolded.

      Jack

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  3. Conway is back to writing Spidey in October, the comic is about a reality where Spidey is still married to MJ. It will sell well, and with Conway I'm sure it will be at worst a solid read. Not a bad low point for a writer.

    If you had listened to me Dematteis, this could have been you gig Dematteis. you missed out on a sure fire hit Dematteis. Cap and Bernie.. as soon... as...possible.... it could...b...e..too..la...te.

    Also Superman:SIlvr, Spider-man Exile, and whatever other stupid idea I had. Something about a collaboration and Brother Power I think.

    Jack

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    1. I'm sure Conway will do a great job, he's a wonderful writer. And he certainly knows Spider-Man!

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    2. I'm sure it will be good too. As I said, the worst case possible is that it will be solid and enjoyable.

      The point is that more people should listen to me.

      changing gears slightly, here is one example I use as to why I like the marriage, and why the 90s weren't an awful mess in totality for the web-spinner.

      http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v302/darkyugioh85/WebofSpider-Man090-39.jpg

      Its by one of your contemporaries, bonus points if you can guess who, in less than three.


      Jack

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    3. Conway is great, no doubt. But why stop at ONE writer of Spider-man lore with this concept?

      Jack

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    4. I'm guessing that page is by...Terry Kavanaugh and Alex Saviuk?
      (What do I win if I'm right?)

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    5. It doesn't matter what you would win, your wrong.

      Well, half wrong. Right artist, wrong writer. It was Howard Mackie.

      A consultation prize you can have a grilled cheese sandwich, made by you, with materials you paid for. I know... I know, I'm too good.

      I don't remember if I bought that issue off the rack, but it was definitely within a year or two of its release. Which was... well, lets not get into how long ago it was, but I was that much younger. In that time, I never forgot those panels.

      That is why the idea of undoing the marriage because younger male readers wouldn't like it, (especially because the Mr...well lets just say Mr. Man... said it, it was a tad insulting to readers)since I liked it when I was a younger male reader.

      I'm not a big fan of companies telling me what I like.

      I know it hurts you to compliment other comic creators, but you can't deny that is a touching end.

      Jack

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    6. Wait, what's sweet? The prize or the page?


      Jack

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  4. Contrary to many people say, superheroes are not a modern mythology. Though it would be an interesting debate.

    Comics do have their own behind the scenes mythology. Stories, legends, and assumptions that define the world. However, it seems to me like one assumption overshadows a great story that defines what is great about the characters and the medium.

    It has often been said that superheroes early entrance into WWII was because the large number of Jews that worked in comics wanted to make a stand against Nazis. It makes sense given that even though the ultimate horror of teh Nazis had just started and the world at large didn't know, things like the Nuremberg Laws WERE widely known.

    To some extent I am sure this is true. Forget some extent, it was. Personalty though, I think there was also a deep rooted belief in the American ideology vs. the Nazi's. Makes sense given the high number of them that were children of immigrants.

    Interestingly though, the earliest appearance of a superhero fighting the Nazis is Sub-Mariner in Marvel Mystery Comics #4. A story written and drawn by creator Bill Everett, a WASP from old New England money.

    With a cover dated February 1940, the comic came out most likely in November or December 1939...a full TWO years before America entered the war.

    Why is this story so important? Because one of the earliest foes he thought to give him was a a true to life evil... and one that had no actual problem with him, but others.

    It shows an often forgotten truth, that many... if not most... Americans didn't trust or like the Nazis. Actually, one of the largest voices to seek action in various ways against Nazis was German Americans. Yet for some reason all we ever see in media are Bundists.

    The real importance is that is solidifies a sense of overall well being in the goals of superheroes. And there is something beautiful about the golden age character who says that he hates all of humanity, understanding and targeting the real threat.

    The other reason is that it interesting is how it acts as a symbolic act of America as a whole.

    Integration of other ethnicities and races into more established American societies was done mostly by working and middle class people as they met and interacted more with them. This is why the Great Depression, a boom in well paying factory work, and the desegregation of the military are the forgotten great heroes of Civil Rights in America.

    Bill Everett may have come from a wealthy family, but he took up the working class version of art, one which had many Jewish Americans working in it.

    Its proof that... s much as you and your hippie pals hate it... America works. Maybe not always all parts of it, we falter at times there is no denying that, but the dream and idea do. Deal with it.


    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pf29IIQuqYk

    Jack

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    1. Seems like you're exploring enough interesting ideas to become a entire book, Jack. Maybe it's time for you to write it!

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  5. Dematteis, Bad news. I picked up the New issue of Scooby Doo Apocalypse, and I enjoyed it. I plan on continuing to by it, and searching out the previous issues that came out.

    Now, top three hour long TX episodes. Hurry.


    Jack

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    1. That's terrible news, Jack! In fact, I—

      Oh. Wait. That's GOOD news!

      Glad you enjoyed it, Jack. We're having fun with this book.

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    2. Well, I'm sure it is good news to you Dematteis, but I'm out an extra 4 bucks a month. not to mention, we aren't in the strongest economy, so what happens when I have to choose between your book and another. Some other creator may not get their book purchased, I drop it, then they have one less read.. and who knows what happens after a certain point.

      Then there is the 8 bucks top buy the previous 2 issues, and the time I have to spend searching them out.

      Now... I believe you have a top 5 hour long Twilight Zones episodes to name.


      Jack

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    3. In no particular order: "Death Ship," "The Incredible World of Horace Ford," "On Thursday We Leave For Home," "Miniature" and... Well, I know there were other good ones, but I'd have to re-watch to come up with my fifth choice.

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    4. Could the last two be...

      -Printer's Devil or
      -Valley of the Shadow or
      -Death Ship or
      -He's alive or
      - The parallel?

      Also, this is what's coming to your hometown

      http://marvel.com/news/live_events/26479/salute_captain_americas_75th_anniversary_tribute_statue

      I'm 80% glad to see it, 17% annoyed they didn't include the wings, and 3% irritated that they went with the movie statement of him being from Brooklyn, and not as Roger Stern said in the comic... The Lower East Side.

      That is the rough life of being a nerd... not the faux-nerd that people claim to be... even when your happy, your still a little annoyed.

      Jack

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    5. "Death Ship" was on my list, Jack. I watched "Printer's Devil" yesterday while I was sick in bed. Hadn't seen it in many, many year (so long that it almost seemed like a brand-new episode to me). Enjoyed it, especially the great Burgess Meredith, but I don't know if it's a "season best." "The Parallel" is NOT a favorite. I remember liking "He's Alive," but I'd have to give it a re-watch. I only have vague memories of "Valley of the Shadow," so that should get a re-watch, too.

      Re: the Cap statue. The idea that there even IS a statue is amazing to me!

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    6. I sent a post apologizing for including "Death Ship." I just went back and forth from list to typing. I forgot to double check, I apologize. Thant's on me.

      Just consider this my top 5 list, then. And Printer's Devil may be my favorite of the season. Maybe Valley of the Shadow. On a bit of a tangent, I don't know if you ever saw the show Eureka, but I always suspected it was inspired by Valley of the shadow.

      So... go watch those episodes Dematteis. Refresh the memory.

      As for the statue... yes it is amazing Cap gets his statue. Can Spidey be that far behind now? Maybe a park in New York will eventually look like Alicia Masters show room. And it looks like I'll have a reason to go back to that city... other than any other ones. I mean its a city.

      I just wish I knew why Marvel (or whoever) keeps fighting the head wings. Its iconic. i sort of get why the aren't in the movie. Sort of, but not really. It is what keeps cap from looking like some generic superhero.

      Like I said, mostly happy, little annoyed. Its just over nerd nit picks though.

      There si another level that makes me uncomfortable though.

      Wait a minute. I think I watched that same airing of "Printer's Devil." It was on at like, 4 in the morning.


      Jack

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    7. I watched it on Hulu. Netflix has all the episodes EXCEPT the hour longs; Hulu has them all. I, of course, own them on DVD but was too lazy to get out of bed.

      I'm with you: head wings!

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    8. Typical.

      As for the statue. Its funny. They didn't change the costume to exclude the wings until 2012. The end of 2012, after over 70 years of teh classic. Most likely to mirror the movie, which is what the statue really looks like. And lets be honest, he will return to the classic look at some point, probably sooner rather than later.

      The celebration of this iconic character will represent a very small blip in his history. That's kind of funny, isn't it?

      Jack

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    9. I suspect Cap will be around (with head wings!) long after all of us are gone.

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  6. Also, do you know if this attempt to modernize Hanna Barbara was inspired by Archie's similar attempt? They just seem like a similar feel to me.

    Thank you for your time

    Jack

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    1. I think Dan Didio is on record saying he took some inspiration from what Archie did with their zombie book.

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    2. I have not read Afterlife with Archie, but I have started reading the new Sabrina. That is pretty good.

      People say that Superman is unrealistic, but Archie has Betty and Veronica vying for his attention for over 60 years. Ridiculous. I can buy a lot in comics, or at least suspend disbelief, but that? No. No. Does not compute.

      Not to mention, everyone know when you have a choice between a blonde and a brunette, you always go with the brunette.


      Jack

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    3. We will now pause while thousands of blondes rise up in protest.

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    4. Thousands, eh? Quite the ego.

      But, its not like I said they WEREN'T attractive, or that they aren't good people (despite WWII), I just said that when there's a choice.. there is a clear choice.

      And if they are going to rise up and get angry over that, then, well...I guess that makes perfect sense. Everyone regardless of political, economic, or whatever station you land in, seems to get angry all the time.

      In a world where both sides of every argument seem to claim to be the oppressed one whether it is over rolling back the Bill of Rights or a restaurant runs our of cherry soda... I'll take that anger. It's unavoidable, it will happen somehow. Might as well face it.

      Jack

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  7. I'm with Jack on the brunette issue.

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    1. Hey, my wife is a brunette, so you'll get no argument from me! : )

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  8. Spider-man and Captain America. Two classic characters. Also, two characters you wrote and said that your appreciation for and affection grew for when you wrote them. So... How? The why is obvious, but how? What was the effect? How much of an increase? What were teh new ideas and feelings you discovered? Did it... okay, whatever, you get it.


    Jack

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  9. It's like this, Jack: reading about a character is one thing. WRITING them, you find yourself immersed in their personalities and psyches, in their world, in a unique way. You have to really become them, in some way, to write them. Writing Peter and Steve, they became more than characters on the page: they became real, they became friends that I admired and respected and felt for. As a reader, I felt these things, too; but not in the way I did writing them.

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