I awoke this morning to find that all the staff at STARTREK.COM were beamed into unemployed space yesterday.  From the website:

Goodbye from the STARTREK.COM Team

Sadly, we must report that CBS Interactive organization is being restructured, and the production team that brings you the STARTREK.COM site has been eliminated. Effective immediately.

We don't know the ultimate fate of this site, which has served millions of Star Trek fans for the last thirteen years.

If you have comments, please send them to editor @ startrek.com - we hope someone at CBS will read them.

Thank you for your loyal fandom over the years. It has been a pleasure to serve you.

Posted by Aron Head at 3:41 PM CST

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This just in from the Onion News Network:

Fat Kid Successfully Avoids Ridicule By Swimming With Shirt On

What a hero!

Aron Head
www.EvilBastard.net

Posted by Aron Head at 11:16 AM CST

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I was chatting with that guy Gary from IT today...

ARON: ...By the way, I got a comment on the blog from that guy who
included my blog under an "anti-gay" header on his blog.  Turns out that
I'm not a hater.  Rather, he listed me there as someone ridiculing the
haters.

GARY:  That's good...I know that you, the card-carrying liberal that you
are, would be mortified to  find that you offended "teh gays".

ARON:  It's one thing to offend, it's a whole 'nother thing to be
singled out as anti-gay.  I think you know me well enough to understand
that I hate ALL people irrespective of race, color, creed, sex, or
gender preference.  I  won't be put in a box!  I reserve the right to
view humanity in its entirety with equal parts disdain and disgust.

GARY:  And that, my friend, is what I love about you most...

ARON:  LOve?!?  Dude, I'm not looking for anything serious.  'Just lookin' to
have a good time.

Aron Head
www.EvilBastard.net
 

Posted by Aron Head at 5:11 PM CST

Updated: Friday, 14 December 2007 5:15 PM CST

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ARON: So... World War Hulk Aftersmash?  You read this dog, yet?

PAUL:  I have not!  I'm not even sure I want to.

ARON:  Smart fella.

PAUL:  That bad?

ARON:  You know, it's not awful... it just seemed tacked on, serving no real point.

PAUL:  Kinda like World War Hulk in general?

ARON:  Yeah.

PAUL:  I'm beginning to think Marvel events are only important because they TELL US they're important.

ARON:  Well, didja see that I'm a hater?

PAUL:  I noticed.  Damned homophobe.

ARON: I suppose it all goes back several years ago... when gay ninjas killed my father.

PAUL:  I'm kind of surprised they were able to sneak up on him with their pink costumes.

ARON:  Pink ninja attire is a stereotype, Paul, and you should know better.  Everyone knows that gay ninjas wear belly-shirts.

PAUL:  I know, I know.  >hanging head in shame<  Still... not very stealthy. 

ARON:  Man, those six pack abs!  Who wouldn't show those off?  And really, why waste that stuff on chicks?

Aron Head
www.EvilBastard.net

Posted by Aron Head at 9:42 PM CST

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Last week's entry concerning my suggestion for WORLD'S GAYEST COMIC MAGAZINE got this blog listed under an ANTI-GAY label over at Comic Gays.  On the site, Comic Gays lists "Links regarding gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender topics in comic books, science fiction and fantasy."

I take issue with how this blog has been listed.

Clearly the blogger at Comic Gays failed to actually read the article I posted, just assuming that WORLD'S GAYEST COMIC  MAGAZINE had a negative implication.  Either that or the blogger is absent some basic reading comprehension skills.

Card carrying liberal that I am, I have to say this really cheeses me. 

Aron Head
www.EvilBastard.net 

Posted by Aron Head at 9:57 PM CST

Updated: Tuesday, 11 December 2007 10:05 PM CST

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Though the game has been out for over a year-and-a-half, I just picked up Marvel Ultimate Alliance this weekend.  I don't play a lot of console games, but every now and again...

I'm currently on the low end of the learning curve in this game, but even so... how is it Thor can be killed by a punk like Bullseye?!?  Sure, Bullseye is a harsh baddy for the likes of Daredevil and Spider-Man, but Thor?!

He's the freakin' Norse God of Thunder, bitch!

Odin's boychild should be able to just stand there under whatever Bullseye dishes out without enduring a scratch.  But not in Ultimate Alliance.  No, no... Under my able leadership, I managed to Mjolnir's master killed in nothing flat.  

"Is that Midgard Serpent?!" I demanded.  "Is this Ragnarok!?!?  Get off your ass!" 

Then I lost Captain America, too.

Let me tell you, after having buried Captain America earlier this year, it was particularly harsh to lose him in-game as well.  That really stung.

I cried at the console.

Spider-Man and Wolverine finally took Bullseye out. 

The game's a bit hard on heroes, but I sure do like it.

Aron Head
www.EvilBastard.net 

Posted by Aron Head at 12:01 AM CST

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Lately, I've been giving a lot of thought to the dual nature of writing as art,  writing as business and the roads between.  I started wandering down this avenue of thought when I attended the Web Comics forum at Wizard World Texas last month.  While discussing how he works, DJ Coffman related that he takes reader feedback into account on storylines, adjusting them mid-stream based on what the fans suspect.  This way he ensures surprise twists.

I was horrified.

Truly.

I could not imagine an artist adjusting his work to appease the crowd. 

An artist must remain true to his vision, steadfast to himself, and faithful to the work.  Now even though it's been a long time since I received my own art degree, I marvel that I had forgotten the most important truth...

An artist must eat.

I think brother Coffman would be the first to tell you that he is a business man first, a creator of art second.  His goal is to entertain, and by entertaining his readership, he generates revenue that supports House Coffman. 

So I ask, can an artist be guided by his audience and still create art?  Can he still be called an artist?  Or is he better referred to as a craftsman?

Just this week, J. Michael Straczynski said of his recent work on Spider-Man that  "there’s a lot that I don’t agree with."  My buddy Paul and I chewed on the JMS situation earlier, both of us incredulous that someone of his stature and success would attach his name to a project with which he has such strong disagreement.  Why not walk away?  Why not Alan Smithee the thing?

Fella's gotta eat.

It would be naive to suggest that art cannot exist in the presence of commerce.  After all, Vincent Van Gogh tried to sell paintings.  He just wasn't good at it. 

I think the question has to be, can art be born in a corporate environment? 

I think so.  I point to such works as Frank Miller's THE DARK KNIGHT RETURNS and Alan Moore's WATCHMEN.  Those books are not merely art, they are masterpieces.  Both were written and drawn at DC Comics, a subsidiary of Warner Bros. Entertainment.  

The difference, I think, is that these books were not written by committee.  The writers and pencillers were able to bring their work to the market, their vision fully realized through the support of a nurturing editorial team.

Perhaps that's the answer.  The corporation itself cannot make art, but managment can create an environment where art can happen.  At the end of the day, Marvel and DC provide work-for-hire.  The ability to create a masterwork is defined not just by the artist, but the directive from the company's editorial department.

Given JMS' comments this week, Marvel ain't doin' such a hot job at fostering such an environment.  Judging by Countdown, DC's not having much more success, either. 

Aron Head
www.EvilBastard.net 

Posted by Aron Head at 12:01 AM CST

Updated: Sunday, 9 December 2007 8:25 PM CST

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Earlier this week, StarTrek.com announced they were taking the show on the road.  Similar to Vegas' Star Trek: The Experience, ST: The Tour will feature props, starship models, simulators and a lot of other cool things.

Highlights of STAR TREK THE TOUR include:

• The chance to take a ride through a Star Trek adventure in four full-motion, show-based flight simulators.
• An all-new multimedia Encounter Theater, built like a theater in the round with 360 degree video screens. Computer-generated sequences put visitors in the middle of the Star Trek action.
• The opportunity for exhibit-goers to sit on a full-size Enterprise bridge from the original TV series and have their photo taken and superimposed with an image of the original cast – including Spock, McCoy and Scotty – to look as if the Enterprise crew is standing right next to them.
• Detailed recreations of original sets from Star Trek: The Next Generation®, including Captain Picard's quarters, Dr. Crusher's sick bay and the majestic NCC-1701-D Bridge.
• The ability for guests to star with the original cast in an episode of their choice and watch themselves interact with Star Trek icons such as Spock and Scotty. Guests can take home a DVD of their cameo to share with family and friends.

The 50,000 square foot exhibition is equal in size to nearly two football fields filled with 250 tons of priceless Star Trek sets, original props, costumes and creations. STAR TREK THE TOUR brings together some of Hollywood's finest craftsmen and artists who created and shaped the signature look and image of Star Trek over the years, including production designer Herman Zimmerman, costume designer Robert Blackman, make-up artist Michael Westmore and visual effects creator Dan Curry. All of these original Star Trek artists lent their talents to STAR TREK THE TOUR to provide visitors with an authentic, behind-the-scenes view. Star Trekcreator Gene Roddenberry's son, Eugene "Rod” Roddenberry, provides a rare insider's look at what it took to make his father's vision into reality as he narrates a tribute to the man who started it all. A complete audio tour is also available.

Seriously, this is gonna be hella-cool. 

The first stop on the tour is Long Beach, California.  The Tour will also be visiting the following cities:

No other dates have been posted other than the Long Beach show.

Ticket prices range from $30-$35 for adults and $16-$17.50 for kids.   

When I was touring the Star Wars exhibit that was at the FW Museum of Science and History last summer,  I remarked to my buddies that I wished Trek would do something similar.  CRAP!  If I'd only wished for decent writing in the new Trek movie and a new Deep Space Nine TV series and an end to the writer's strike, too!

Can't wait for this one.

Aron Head
www.EvilBastard.net
 

Posted by Aron Head at 3:35 PM CST

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My good friend Paul and I talk about comics. 

A lot.   

No, really.

A whole lot.

This morning - among other things - we shared our thoughts on Robin #169, which is part 5 of the 7 part "Resurrection of Ra's Al Ghul" crossover occuring within the pages of the Batman books... 

ARON: ...And speaking of sucking, yesterday's JSA (Justice Society of America #11) stunk up the place.  It started strong and ended moderately well, but there was an awful lot of what felt like filler in the middle.  Really, the big fight between the JSA, Judomaster, and the Ketsueki Senshi was pointless.  I've yet to determine what part in the over-arching story that it served. 

I love the Kingdom-Come-Superman storyline.  I mean if gray hair makes a man look distinguished, then gray hair on a Superman makes him look Superdistinguished!  I'm much more interested in watching the KC Supes getting settled into the DCU than I am in the fight with the Angry Asians. 

Power Girl's pity party's gettin' a bit old, but at least it appears we've turned that corner.

The book ain't movin' near fast enough.

PAUL:  Hmmm... I did pick it up, but I still haven't read issue 10, so I'll get there.  Did you ever pick up ANGEL Season 6 #1? 

ARON:  D'oh!  I knew there was something I was forgetting!  No, I have not picked up ANGEL.

PAUL: It’s not bad.  Definitely worth picking up.  I like the story, but the art…yech! 

ARON:  I hate to hear that... I started reading this week's Ra's Al Ghul story over in ROBIN.  Meh.  Didn't finish it last night.  I got too irritated with it.  Will try again this evening.

PAUL: Yeah…I’m not big on this week’s installment.  They have Robin acting out of character just to further the story.  Still, it might be cool to have the big Nightwing/Robin fight next week.  I do have to admit…the cover for this week’s Robin may be my favorite comic cover this year.

ARON: Tim is way out-of-character.    And Talia's awfully immature.

PAUL:  That entire issue was just bad, right down to the art, honestly.  Weakest part of an otherwise pretty good storyline. 

You know the one thing that bugs me about this storyline?  It’s such a small thing.  They go through the trouble of making the trade dress similar on all of them, but they have different cover artists.  It doesn’t work for me.  Sure, the covers have been pretty sweet (especially Robin), but it would be nice to have some consistency. 

ARON: Agreed! 

Aron Head
www.EvilBastard.net 

Posted by Aron Head at 9:27 PM CST

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Last week Lee posted an article on his blog titled "I'm Not Gay and Frenchie shouldn't be either" in which he rails at a comics industry that, according to him, is bent on sneaking gay characters into mainstream books.  This started a whole stream of blogging including an entry yesterday by Val and Newsarama today among others.

In his blog Lee declares: "You want to make a gay superhero? Great, go write about, draw about it, and sell it like everyone else but don't make me buy it..."

Damn you gay mafia, your gay agenda, and your secret gay mind powers that make Lee buy comics with gay characters!

If only he had free will... if only. 

It sounds to me though like what Lee really wants is some kind of disclaimer on the book indicating the presence of homosexual characters.  Y'know something like the mature reader advisories currently branding many titles?

That got me to thinking... what sort of branding would be good enough for Lee so that he wouldn't be exposed to "teh gay," as Valerie refers to it?

Perhaps something like...

World's Gayest Comics Magazine 

And what would that comic look like...?

A comic featuring Rawhide Kid, Quasar, Ultimate Colossus, Northstar, Pied Piper, and Mallah and the Brain?  That's not just gay, that's super gay!

If this sells - and how could it not with all the opportunities for hot, gay monkey lovin (cause, y'know Mallah's a gorilla) - then clearly we need to roll out other books, such as QUEER AS SUPER FOLK.

Now, don't worry, Lee.  Reading World's Gayest or Queer As Super Folk won't make you gay.  If Boy Scout camp didn't do it, nothing will.

Aron Head
www.EvilBastard.net 

Posted by Aron Head at 9:11 PM CST

Updated: Tuesday, 4 December 2007 9:39 PM CST

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