tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4193334913733210326.post1224074400525082538..comments2024-03-24T07:53:37.246-04:00Comments on J.M. DeMatteis's CREATION POINT: SUMMER READINGUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger59125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4193334913733210326.post-74824816218942747432010-10-29T09:42:47.168-04:002010-10-29T09:42:47.168-04:00And thank you, Aris, for your heartfelt appreciati...And thank you, Aris, for your heartfelt appreciation of my work. All the best -- JMDJ.M. DeMatteishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04293848326241642685noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4193334913733210326.post-66711263583572209402010-10-29T02:34:28.374-04:002010-10-29T02:34:28.374-04:00Thanks JM. My life begins and as I reflected onthe...Thanks JM. My life begins and as I reflected onthe top writers I admire from the time I started reading up to, you are always on top, my #1. I don't know what magic you have that you manage to write the same story with a different magic everytime, or a different magic ,with a different story everytime.<br /><br />And I guess most of all, now that I think about it, your villains are lovable just like your heroes. You seem to see beyond the exterior and really dwell on the essence of your characters. Your stories on Longshot, Dr.Fate, Spectre comes to mind.<br /><br />Thanks for the greeting. It meas alot.:)<br /><br />ArisAris Limhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01790572040210105264noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4193334913733210326.post-63743319698678449922010-10-27T10:52:50.116-04:002010-10-27T10:52:50.116-04:00Take your time, Aris! Mike Ploog's artwork is...Take your time, Aris! Mike Ploog's artwork is so astonishingly good, I can understand why you'd want to drink in every single panel. The guy is flat-out brilliant, one of the greatest fantasy illustrators on the planet.<br /><br />And HAPPY BIRTHDAY! All the best -- JMDJ.M. DeMatteishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04293848326241642685noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4193334913733210326.post-36836272370646785062010-10-27T05:01:30.637-04:002010-10-27T05:01:30.637-04:00Hi, JM. Been away for awhile and been busy working...Hi, JM. Been away for awhile and been busy working and also celebrated my 40th birthday along the way. I missed reading your entries and reply so now I am back.<br /><br />Unfortunately, I have not finished reading SDK yet. One thing with books with excellent art is I cannot read the words without gushing how beautiful the art is, and on how every leaves are drawn. So far, I like what I have read and will give you my thoughts as soon as I finished reading.<br /><br />My only complaint is the lettering. The font size is small and there's a tendency that h are read as b.<br /><br />Anyway, will post comments soon. It's good to be back and good to see the Star Wars page you posted.<br /><br />ArisAris Limhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01790572040210105264noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4193334913733210326.post-82485337782716031552010-10-07T09:08:44.991-04:002010-10-07T09:08:44.991-04:00I've been afraid to re-read them, for fear of ...I've been afraid to re-read them, for fear of being disappointed. But maybe I'll give it a shot next summer. Sounds like perfect "on the porch by the lake" reading.J.M. DeMatteishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04293848326241642685noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4193334913733210326.post-60029214608080560672010-10-06T22:16:07.909-04:002010-10-06T22:16:07.909-04:00I reread the Lord of the Rings shortly before the ...I reread the Lord of the Rings shortly before the movies were released - and was incredibly moved by them. <br /><br />There is a mature, elegaic quality to them - as if Tolkein is mourning the death of some ancient English myths, just as the factories and wars of the 20th Century cut us off from them forever. <br /><br />Do reread them - you will not be disappointed.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4193334913733210326.post-61744953643866896372010-09-24T15:23:47.671-04:002010-09-24T15:23:47.671-04:00I agree completely. Kindness goes along way, even ...I agree completely. Kindness goes along way, even if it is often not advertised as such.Enrique Treviñohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08421794717794616014noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4193334913733210326.post-17043814073543354512010-09-24T09:32:56.269-04:002010-09-24T09:32:56.269-04:00I agree, Quique. What it says to me is that an ac...I agree, Quique. What it says to me is that an act of simple human kindness, whether physical or energetic, is a powerful thing. There's no big or small when it comes to the heart. The tiniest kindness can change the world.J.M. DeMatteishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04293848326241642685noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4193334913733210326.post-2262278458479588312010-09-24T08:11:17.929-04:002010-09-24T08:11:17.929-04:00One thing I like about Myss's story is the dif...One thing I like about Myss's story is the difference between two people. On the one hand you have one that acts indifferent, completely oblivious to importance of the situation, while another one immediately acts towards making the situation better. I think the story is powerful in the sense that it tells you that it is important to care for others and that it does help.Enrique Treviñohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08421794717794616014noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4193334913733210326.post-9986673715608437552010-09-23T22:03:53.546-04:002010-09-23T22:03:53.546-04:00In the end, Quique, the heart is all that matters....In the end, Quique, the heart is all that matters.J.M. DeMatteishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04293848326241642685noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4193334913733210326.post-2419187966412379882010-09-23T20:15:14.318-04:002010-09-23T20:15:14.318-04:00I am glad you liked my comment JMD. I really liked...I am glad you liked my comment JMD. I really liked the book. I had seen Myss's words before. I am not as moved by them since I don't believe that prayer can impact in such a way. I believe in love and compassion. I believe in human kindness and I believe that deep down there's is something worthwhile in everyone. I think that being positive helps the individual and society and I believe that we should always have hope of a better tomorrow while being grateful for the wonderful things we have now. I guess you could describe as skeptic of mind but loving at heart.Enrique Treviñohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08421794717794616014noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4193334913733210326.post-19738999174637409402010-09-23T10:16:23.829-04:002010-09-23T10:16:23.829-04:00Thanks so much for sharing your reaction to IMAGIN...Thanks so much for sharing your reaction to IMAGINALIS, Quique. Very glad you liked it. Thanks even more for sharing the realities of your life in such an open and honest way. To say that I'm touched by what you've shared is an incredible understatement. <br /><br />There are times, for all of us, when the darkness in the world is just overwhelming. When it seems that the shadows have won and there's just no point in trying to bring a little light into the world. But, time and again in my life, I've seen the power of simple human compassion, of a kind thought, a heartfelt prayer. <br /><br />I'm reminded of a story that spiritual writer Carolyn Myss tells about how the power of a single prayer helped a woman who'd been in a terrible car accident. Here it is in Myss's own words:<br /><br />"As a result of this collision, she had a near death experience in which she found herself suspended over the scene of the accident, viewing her limp and bleeding body held lifeless between the steering wheel and the driver’s seat. Suddenly, instantly, she said, she was aware of what the drivers in the cars lined up behind her smashed vehicle were saying: 'Damn, this is just what I need – a car crash,' and, 'I wonder how long I’m going to be stuck here.'<br /><br />Then, she said, she noticed a bright, illuminated beam of light shooting out of the fifth car stuck behind her crashed automobile. As soon as she wondered, 'What is that beam of light?' she found herself next to the woman in that car, who had instantly gone into prayer for her. And then she instantly became aware that the beam of light that was flowing directly from this woman upward toward the heavens seemed to cause another beam of light to flow directly into her. She wondered who this woman was and in that instant, she noticed the license plate number on this woman’s car and memorized it. Then she heard a voice calling to her, an angelic voice, instructing her to return to her body because the time was not yet right for her to return home. She was still required to remain on the earth. She said it took her months to recover from the accident but when she did, she tracked down this woman who had prayed for her and went to her home with a bouquet of flowers to thank her for praying for her on that night when her body lay shattered on the ground." <br /><br />Amazing, isn't it?<br /><br />Keep bringing that light into the darkness, Quique. The world is truly a better place because of you.<br /><br />All the very best -- JMDJ.M. DeMatteishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04293848326241642685noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4193334913733210326.post-60416614645081151512010-09-23T08:35:22.233-04:002010-09-23T08:35:22.233-04:00Hello J.M.. I finished reading Imaginalis last nig...Hello J.M.. I finished reading Imaginalis last night, so I thought you might like to hear my thoughts. It is full of SPOILERS, so peoplet hat haven't read it, skip it.<br /><br />I liked it very much. The whole story was fun, but I think what I liked the most was the positive energy the book has. There are several things about Mehera that I like quite a bit: 1) She does things she know are not nice to her dad and to her best friend. She wishes she wouldn't do it, but somehow does it anyway. I think this is spot on. For some strange reason, it is easier to be a little mean to close people than to strangers. I like that we see Mehera acknowledge this and eventually work it out. 2) I like her solution in the end against Pralaya. While at first it seemed to be an attack ("I don't believe in you" seems to be kind of a hateful thing), after further thought, I realized it wasn't an attack on Pralaya, but on the things Pralaya represents. She still believes in Pralaya, she just refuses to believe in hate. I liked that touch very much.<br /><br />There were other things I liked about Mehera, but I don't remember right now. For now, I want to mention one thing that Pralaya kept reminding me off. In a way, it is my Pralaya. I grew up in the city of Ciudad Juárez, one of the biggest cities in México. While the city was violent, it was still a great place to live. I played sports every week in the park, my high school was great, I was able to learn more math at the university, I had a blast growing up there. I no longer live there, but my family still does and since 2008 it has been a very dangerous place to live. My mom had her car stolen at gun point, many of my dad's friends have been kidnapped, a close friend was murdered, etc. The violence stems from drug cartels fighting for control of the city, while the government tries to stop them unsuccessfully. It is surreal to drive around what was once a vibrant town, in a place with many abandoned houses, burned down businesses and with a military car always nearby. I often feel like the power of the drug lords is too much to overcome. I often feel powerless with respect to what I can do to change the place. While I think it is a bit naive to just have positive energy, I do think it can be very helpful. The programs to help educate students are still in place and my friends still work hard to help students learn math. I still go a couple of times a year as a volunteer teacher. People move on with their lives, love their families and do hard work in a tough environment. Every day there are many huge victories somewhere in Juárez. Whether it is showing your love to your family, doing something great for a friend, or even refusing to be a criminal. Even in the darkest of places, there is some light and there is hope.<br /><br />I hope this book inspires more people to believe in love and hope.Enrique Treviñohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08421794717794616014noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4193334913733210326.post-434902683571207552010-09-20T08:39:23.369-04:002010-09-20T08:39:23.369-04:00Let me know what you think of SDK, Aris. My story...Let me know what you think of SDK, Aris. My story aside, Mike Ploog's incredible artwork alone makes it a book worth owning.J.M. DeMatteishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04293848326241642685noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4193334913733210326.post-86814219024629561512010-09-20T02:59:14.359-04:002010-09-20T02:59:14.359-04:00Thanks JM, for considering me a kindred spirit. It...Thanks JM, for considering me a kindred spirit. It meant a lot to me.<br /><br />Will get the STARDUST KID today. Can't wait to read it.<br /><br />All the best.<br /><br />ArisAris Limhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01790572040210105264noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4193334913733210326.post-19762672902407058682010-09-16T14:35:48.612-04:002010-09-16T14:35:48.612-04:00You're right, Quique! My apologies to you and...You're right, Quique! My apologies to you and Aris!J.M. DeMatteishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04293848326241642685noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4193334913733210326.post-64217548205634506522010-09-16T14:35:23.857-04:002010-09-16T14:35:23.857-04:00You can't beat Dr. Seuss, Aris! I'm so gla...You can't beat Dr. Seuss, Aris! I'm so glad your son enjoyed the book. And the great thing is, Seuss wrote so many of them. This is just the beginning of a long journey.<br /><br />Anyone who was moved to tears by PETER PAN is definitely a kindred spirit. A fellow believer in magic and miracles, Wonderlands and Neverlands.<br /><br />And let's never stop believing.J.M. DeMatteishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04293848326241642685noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4193334913733210326.post-42643246628153085182010-09-16T13:26:57.371-04:002010-09-16T13:26:57.371-04:00J.M. I think in your last comment you mean "Y...J.M. I think in your last comment you mean "You can't beat Dr. Seuss, Aris!"<br /><br />I don't have a son (or daughter) yet. I'll be sure to read some Dr. Seuss when I have one.Enrique Treviñohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08421794717794616014noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4193334913733210326.post-71134389469584274632010-09-15T21:43:46.588-04:002010-09-15T21:43:46.588-04:00Hi, JM. Will take note of the Dr. Seuss title that...Hi, JM. Will take note of the Dr. Seuss title that you recommended. <br /><br />The day you told me about Dr. Seuss, I immediately went to our room to get a Dr. Seuss book, OH, THE WONDERFUL PLACES. My wife laughed because she knew I did it because of your proposal. It felt like a long lost Uncle of my Son introduced a magical book. My son loved the elephants and the balloons and the colors.<br /><br />Hi, David.<br /><br />I was fortunate enough to buy the book I mentioned about JM Barrie for 15 pesos which is roughly 35 cents if converted to US currency from a previously owned book bookstore. That occured a few days after watching the movie " Peter Pan" wherein there's a scene where Tinker Belle died and all the children were chanting "I Do, I Do, I Do Believe in Fairies...". It moved me deeply that I cried.<br /><br />I am fascinated that JM Barrie noticed how kids are amazed with their shadows. My 2 year old is chasing his own and sometimes trying to outrun it. It's magic.<br /><br />I like the concept of HOOK and I agree with JMD that I was lost when it got to Neverland. Maybe it's worth another try and to look at it in a perspectiveof a parent. "What if Peter Pan Grew Up?" it's very catchy.Aris Limhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01790572040210105264noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4193334913733210326.post-75419695749330345282010-09-14T16:48:27.382-04:002010-09-14T16:48:27.382-04:00Nothing beats being a parent!Nothing beats being a parent!J.M. DeMatteishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04293848326241642685noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4193334913733210326.post-4295151847014893012010-09-14T15:12:06.667-04:002010-09-14T15:12:06.667-04:00That's a beautiful experience, JMD, and it rea...That's a beautiful experience, JMD, and it really goes to show how kids transform our lives and illuminate places in our soul we never knew we had. It's even been known to make a grown man attend a tea party from time to time. So I've heard, anyway. :)David Waltonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12087646905757912129noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4193334913733210326.post-3009523062662925492010-09-14T14:45:13.292-04:002010-09-14T14:45:13.292-04:00Seeing something through a child's eyes really...Seeing something through a child's eyes really changes things, David. I remember when my daughter was little and we took her to Disneyworld for the first time and went on IT'S A SMALL WORLD. Despite my dedication to all things Disney, I'd always hated IASW...I thought it was insipid and annoying...but seeing it through her three year old eyes melted my heart and changed my perception completely. This year, when I was in Anaheim for a convention, I spent a day at Disneyland by myself and you can bet I went on IT'S A SMALL WORLD. And totally enjoyed it.J.M. DeMatteishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04293848326241642685noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4193334913733210326.post-64899361518931099712010-09-14T14:19:15.531-04:002010-09-14T14:19:15.531-04:00I think HOOK is worth another look, JMD, but there...I think HOOK is worth another look, JMD, but there's just something inescapable about the stuff you love when you're around 6 to 12. It's Instant Netflix now. <br /><br />It does help to watch it through a kids' eyes again. Re-visiting some of my old favorites with the kids is one of my favorite parenting experiences. We're currently burning through the GARFIELD AND FRIENDS cartoon. Next up for the kids on the movie front: JUMANJI!<br /><br />Quique, <br /><br />Thanks so much for the kind words. I'm glad you liked the blog. DAREDEVIL VS. THE PUNISHER is available on Marvel Digital Comics (which I think you said you subscribe to before), so enjoy! And by all means, stop by the blog and let me know what you think.David Waltonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12087646905757912129noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4193334913733210326.post-18771931521823298682010-09-14T13:36:48.530-04:002010-09-14T13:36:48.530-04:00David,
I read the post before the one you linked t...David,<br />I read the post before the one you linked to avoid spoilers. While I had read DD #183 and 184 before. I had pretty much forgotten everything about it. After reading your post, I might reread the issues and I am definitely reading Daredevil vs Punisher. I think you did a very good job of not just describing what happens but telling us about the potential of the story. I started remembering the panels, specially the panel where DD talks to Billy about the justice system being all we've got.Enrique Treviñohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08421794717794616014noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4193334913733210326.post-27150981930986454402010-09-14T09:35:31.754-04:002010-09-14T09:35:31.754-04:00Well, I'll have to take another look at it one...Well, I'll have to take another look at it one of these days.J.M. DeMatteishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04293848326241642685noreply@blogger.com