<h3>Protection Racket</h3>

Daredevil: Protection Racket was the first of the cybercomics I would pitch to then "cyber-editor" Suzanne Gaffney. As I relate in the overview in that section, I'd actually gone in looking for some coding work on Marvel's Web biz, and she quite kindly re-directed me to taking a pass at things as a writer. (This was a far more important gesture than she probably ever realized. I had unconsciously shut my own door on that possibility due to rejection-weariness, born out of of shifts in the then unreceptive marketplace.)

Suzanne was positive about the idea, but was non-commital about a start for some time. We kept in touch, but I'd about given up on actually getting a green light on the gig, or any of the additional stories I'd pitched. Then I ran into her at a comic book types party one night, and amidst the noise and the music and the beer, she let on that she was actually leaving Marvel. I figured I'd give it one last go, and asked about the cyber-stories. "What the hell," she shouted over the din. And like that gave the go-ahead for both the Daredevil tale, and a Nick Fury/SHIELD story that was to follow. Whether it was "Toss 'em a bone!" or "I'm outta here, what do I care?" it worked out well for me. (An especially important point in the narcissistic nineties!)

Circumstance forces hornhead to become bodyguard for his arch-nemesis, Wilson Fisk, the heavyset Kingpin of NYC. I'll be releasing one chapter a week between now and Xmas. Check back directly in the cybercomics section. (You'll need to click on Daredevil in the scrolling menu up top, and then choose a chapter from the chapters page that appears below.) or look for a note in this very same blog-space.

<h3>Welcome to the Web, Cybercomics...Hope You Survive</h3>

Near as I can tell (and being nearsighted, it's not like I see very far, anyway) the idea of Web Comics has mostly resolved to focus on various forms of comic page readers. Some simple and fast — "just gimme the damn jpeg!" Some quite elegant, with the ability to change panel focus, and zoom in on word balloons (not bubbles, kids) for readability. Some almost hysterically elaborate, with animated page turns and other homages to the "real world."

I'm sure there are exceptions. But the idea of "interactive comics" was one I was pitching back in the early nineties, and I'd have thought there would have been more advancement to the idea. (Hmm, note to self: "Get on it.") Of course, the question was always, "What does that mean, exactly?" The phrase was a great door opener. "Oh, interactive comics! Sounds good. Let's talk some more..." It *sounds* like something you can almost get your head around and grok. But where it takes you is probably some strange hybrid of interactive fiction and comic narrative that no one's quite cracked yet. Or maybe someone did, and the reaction was a collective, "Eh."

Long preamble to some projects I was involved with back in the later nineties. Marvel Comic's first trip onto the Interwebs involved a series of "cybercomics." Mostly linear, but with a mild case of interactivity in the sense you had to click-to-advance. And the panels/page would reconfigure to reveal the next part of the story. In retrospect, they were most like those stilted Marvel animations of the late sixties. ("Doctor Bruce Banner, belted by gamma rays, turns into the Hulk...") They were a big push for a short time, and then ceased production and vanished from the Web.

Point being, I've cleaned 'em up some and re-present 'em for clicks-and-giggles.

First up is Blade, a one-shot tie in to the first Wesley Snipes "Look, I've got a career again — oops, no I don't!" vampire rave. Multi-part adventures featuring Daredevil, Iron Man, Captain America, Spider-Man and the X-Men to follow.

<h3>The Sounds of Evil</h3>

I set this loose about Halloween, close enough to almost be on top of the game for a change. My very own Harvest of Evil stories.

As in I wrote 'em, I voiced 'em. In service to a self-serving goal, natch. A set of spooky comics I was involved with from back in the eighties got an interesting promotional push. This was in the form of a haunted cassette tape distributed to comic book stores and fans. For free, no less. Of course, many store owners and readers may have thought that was the extent of the whole thing — a free tape they could use for a party remix. And completely miss the point that it was tied in to a set of freaky funny books. Oh well, too late to worry about it now.

I was always a fan of the fearfully overdramatic scary stories on the ol' Disney Chilling, Thrilling Sounds of the Haunted House LP. So here was my chance to pretend I was right down there with the Thing in the Basement. You get your kicks where you can, right?

Originally posted 11/30/2008 at 2:17 AM

<h3>SCTV Is On The Air</h3>

Seriously, where is Johnny LaRue when you need him?

Oh, I had such plans. There was going to be this grand statement out on the Web. Way back before there were whole sections devoted to the Internets in brick and mortar Barnes and Noble. Back when the only Amazon was some tiny river down South. I'd showcase my early experiments in "multimedia." I'd put up a whole catalog of my comic book authorship. Descriptions and insight on every issue. Such the trailblazer I'd be.

Sadly, I missed the 15 minutes during which anyone might have cared about that exercise in navel gazing.

Procrastination and detours may have saved me from myself. This saner, seasoned, but no more reason-for-being version will serve as a way-station showcasing professional work, and a Internets shoebox for some old oddities digitally revived.

Or just a place to post links to Youtube clips of Monster Chiller Horror Theater...

Originally posted 11/29/2008 at 7:59 PM