2016 is here and the reading carries on.

First post of 2016, as as I commute into work for the first time in almost two weeks, I'm getting back in the groove and have a trusty book nearby. I had started reading William Gibson's NEUROMANCER (I know, finally) in December, but hadn't finished and after a week plus of vegging out, I'm on the bus and back in the thick of it. 

Only half way through and amazed that this book was written in 1984. It is clear that NEUROMANCER influenced an entire genre within science fiction and I'm humbled as I glide through the story. Sure my eleven year old self would not have likely picked this up when first published, it would have been way over my head, but it also somehow elluded me while I was working at the SFBC like so many other master works. Although I like to look at it as every new year presents the opportunity to read something old as well as find new works to enjoy. So here is to 2016, may it be filled with great reading adventures in this world and beyond.

Packed house at MoCCA for European Comics Event

Last night’s event at the Museum of Comics and Cartoon Art (MoCCA) was terrific. It was a packed house, all in attendance to listen to the gifted European comics creators talk very personally about the books they’ve brought to life.

I was volunteering, working at the bar providing refreshments after the conclusion of all of the speeches, and even from my vantage point, you could see that all eyes and ears were tuned into the art of comics creation being spoken about. MoCCA also had large monitors spread out for those of us who weren’t in the main seating area, making it easy to see and listen to the slide shows the creators had prepared.

There were enlightening presentations from all of the creators. Check out Heidi MacDonald’s Publishers Weekly comics culture blog, The Beat, for the expert write up (and a much better photograph than mine of the signing afterwards). She also posts a link to one of the comic book trailers shown by German cartoonist, Isabel Kreitz, promoting her WW II Russian spy illustrated book, DIE SACHE MIT SORGE.

I had a brief chance to meet Isabel while doling out refreshments and told her how much I liked the look of her ambitious spy comic. She was humble, friendly and appreciative. That was the feeling overall at MoCCA last night. There was an air of appreciation of wonderful work from around the globe. The world felt a bit closer and maybe I’m just being sentimental but I really enjoyed it.

I also got a chance to reacquaint myself with some publishing industry professionals, as well as talk comics & film with the trusty other volunteers. Overall it was a great night and another reason why I think it’s important to donate time to a cause – and for me one of the passions of my life has been comics and that is why I was there.

Keep an eye on the MoCCA website as they have many upcoming events soon to be announced.

Attended Cory Doctorow MEETS DJ Spooky: A CBLDF Benefit Mashup

What can I say about the two creators who met last night to talk about things WAY over my head? It was mind-blowing. Both Cory Doctorow and Sir DJ Spooky were two of the most-learned men I’ve ever listened to, throwing around references on just about everything from the German music scene circa 1920 to governmental initiatives that I didn't even know existed. I was quite-literally blown away by their collective creative output and their top-notch computer-savvy knowledge.

Attending with good friend and co-creator of the small press comic DIVISION 18, Matt Bergin was my co-pilot for this strange trip. We were in awe of the accomplishments of these two seemingly young men: Doctorow being the former European director of the Electronic Frontier Foundation and DJ Spooky able to negotiate with the Greek government to be allowed to play a remixed version of a controversial film at the Parthenon - amply modified with speakers to his liking of course.

How do they do it?

All of this was worth it of course, as ticket sales went to support the CBLDF (Comic Book Legal Defense Fund) which is an organization very much worth it. It was very cool of these two esteemed gentlemen to come together for this event, supporting the CBLDF, and talking directly to their fans.

Also, the very slick DJ Spooky treated the crowd to sample cds of his mixes which were handed out and encouraged to be shared. I’ve already loaned them to my friend Nancy who wanted to check them out. It’s all about sharing people…a theme of the evening.


Also, on the way out I picked up Cory Doctorow’s novel Little Brother, which I’d been meaning to read for a while now. I was planning on getting him to sign it, which would have been totally cool, but he seemed quite swamped by the crowd and it may have been a long while before he got to me. Not a problem, I enjoyed listening to him talk about computer freedoms and I can’t wait to read the book in its pure unsigned state.

A good time was had by all and I was sad to have missed the after party where the aforementioned DJ did his business.

If there is one song that amplifies all the lessons I learned at this event, it's Corey Hart from the 1980s hit, Never Surrender:

Just a little more time is all we're asking for

Cause just a little more time could open closing doors

Just a little uncertainty can bring you down

And nobody wants to know you now

And nobody wants to show you how

So if you're lost and on your own

You can never surrender...

Currently reading...

This lazy Sunday afternoon, LOBSTER JOHNSON: The Iron Prometheus by Mike Mignola and Jason Armstrong (Dark Horse Comics). Should be finished shortly. Mini-review to follow.