I came across Kim Paffenroth's DYING TO LIVE while browsing Amazon one day.  I've not had much time to read lately, so it's been sitting in a stack of a bunch of other novels I don't have time to read.  Packing for a business trip a week or so ago, I threw it in my bag for airplane reading.  It's less than 200 pages, so I figured I could knock it out in transit.

And I did.

It's not your standard zombie apocalypse fare.

Early on in the book - and without having read anything about the writer - I realized that the author must be a humanities professor.  The questions he was asking were all about the human condition.  What makes a society?  What are the critical rituals?  These subjects were not examined as an anthropologist might in the application of science.

No.

The issue was studied in terms of culture, experience, and visceral meaning.  

I kept hearing my own college Humanities professor's voice while I read Dying to Live: "What is the intrinsic value...?"

And I was right. 

Author Kim Paffenroth is a religion and humanities professor at Iona College in New Rochelle, NY.  He's also quite the zombie nerd maintaining his own zombie apocalyptic blog as well as authoring Gospel of the Living Dead: George Romero's Visions of Hell on Earth.

I had expected a care free romp through the lands of the living dead.  What I got was a book that made me think.  It's insidious how subversive this Paffenroth fellow is.

If you're thinking that Dying to Live is simply a cerebral exploration of human culture amongst the undead, you couldn't be more wrong.  I mean you could try, but you would not be successful.

One of the blurbs on the back of the book states: "This is as bloody, violent and intense as it gets..."

Boy howdy, they ain't kidding.

Building upon one horror after another, a scene in the book literally brought tears to my eyes.  I shuddered and had to close the book for a bit.  Seriously.

I am totally stealing one particularly gruesome image for my game at Fear The Con. 

Dying to Live is a blood-soaked nightmare of a tale provoking questions that we should be asking now before the inevitable zombie apocalypse is upon us.

Aron Head
www.EvilBastard.net 

Posted by Aron Head at 7:15 AM CST

Updated: Sunday, 2 March 2008 7:13 AM CST

Share This Post

Post Comment | View Comments (2) | Permalink

One week from today, I will be experiencing my second day in St. Charles, Missouri and enjoying the first ever Fear The Con.  In addition to running my own All Flesh Must Be Eaten game, I will be playing in two other games.

The first game I play in is Fear The Boot host Dan Repperger's own home brew, Epoch of Rysos.  I've heard Dan describe his science fiction setting many times on his podcast.  It's high SF and space opera with a dash of capital ship broadside combat.  I'm really looking forward to it.

I've never played Burning Wheel before, which is why I am jazzed about the second game I'll be playing in - Jake Moore's "The Sword."  Jake describes it as a Burning Wheel primer.  Burning Wheel is a role playing rule system that can be used in multiple settings.  Can't wait.

My game,  And a Little Child Shall Eat Them, is in the third and final tier of the day's games.  I'm putting my handouts together and tightening up my notes.  I'll probably be working it most of the week to ensure that I'm eating and breathing the zombie apocalypse before game day.

Did I mention that my paid admission to the con gets me all the beer I can drink?

Woot! 

Aron Head
www.EvilBastard.net 

Posted by Aron Head at 1:13 PM CST

Updated: Saturday, 1 March 2008 2:40 PM CST

Share This Post

Post Comment | Permalink

Brian Michael Bendis' Mighty Avengers has been the polar opposite of his New Avengers title in many ways.  The Mighty Avengers fought on behalf of the government's superhuman registration initiative, while the New Avengers rebelled against it.  Mighty Avengers has suffered numerous publishing delays, while New Avengers has been rather punctual.  Mighty Avengers sucks, while New Avengers rocks the hizzouse!

That is until the recently released issue #9.

Wow.

The first three pages of the book are illustrated by Marko Djurdjevic,  a frequent Marvel cover artist.  He did the cover for the recent New Avengers #38.  Opening the book to that first beautifully painted page, I knew we were in for something special.  And we were.

The rest of the book is drawn by frequent Bendis collaborator Mark Bagley.  Bag's not my favorite artist, but he serves the story well.  Lots of action here, with battle hungry Ares leading the charge against Dr. Doom's castle.

Dr. Doom and Iron Man go head-to-head in this issue, the story providing some great contrast between the technology employed by each of these armored men. 

My only complaint with #9 is that there is an over abundance of  splash pages.  There was a lot of action to display in big, vivid pictures - but there was little drama to it.  I mean, the Avengers were only pounding DoomBots.  It's not like they were handing Doom his ass or anything.  Just knocking robots around.  For that, one splash page will suffice.

When I see that many splash pages, I get the feeling that the writer ran out of stuff to say. 

I won't spoil anything for you here, but the end sets up what I expect to be a nice retro-romp for issue ten. 

Pick up Issue 9.  It's a lot of fun. 

Posted by Aron Head at 9:16 AM CST

Updated: Saturday, 1 March 2008 11:43 AM CST

Share This Post

Post Comment | Permalink

Earlier this week, I caught a story on the news about a Houston school teacher whose comments to her class of four and five-year-olds had been recorded without her knowledge.  Many parents were upset at hearing the recorded remarks:

"Nobody are you good for. You're just a bad kid. When are you going to be a good kid? Do you think any other class acts like this? No. You're just mean to your teacher and I'm going to be mean to you, too. Everybody understand that? You're mean to me so I get to be mean to you.

"Ya'll are just stupid kids. I swear to God."

ABC News reports that the teacher's attorney stated that the woman "wishes to apologize to the students and the students' parents. Her actions that day were an aberration … the result of medication that she was taking as a result of a recent hospital visit."

One source reports that the child recording the teacher's remarks had been suspended four times.  Not a teenager, mind you, but a child somewhere between 4 and five years of age.

So... the one question no one seems to be asking is: Are the kids in question indeed stupid?  From what I'm reading, it appears the consensus is that the teacher's remarks are socially innappropriate.  But if the children are dumb-as-stumps, isn't she doing them a favor by telling them the truth?

A five year old getting one suspension is bad.  But four?  That doesn't have the ring of scholar to it, does it? 

And what if these children are under the control of a boy preacher from out-of-town who's inspiring the class to murder their parents - and the mind control gives them the APPEARANCE of stupidity.  Isn't the teacher doing the right thing in telling them they're stupid?

Or, what if they're "stupid" because they have in fact succumbed to a mysterious ailment causing the children to at first seem less than smart while later manifesting a more feral mentality and a taste for human flesh?

What if these children are ground zero in Houston's very own zombie apocalypse? 

Perhaps then the teacher's remarks wouldn't seem quite so harsh.

Posted by Aron Head at 7:47 AM CST

Updated: Saturday, 1 March 2008 8:19 AM CST

Share This Post

Post Comment | Permalink

Back in the day, I listened to the local public radio exclusively.  KERA had this wonderful eclectic music programming schedule book-ended by their news programs Morning Edition and All Things Considered in the morning and evening respectively.  Several years ago, station management decided that the news and information shows drew in more pledge dollars and out went the music.

That was sad, too.

FM radio in DFW is a wasteland of corporate owned content choked with inane commercials, even more inane personalities, and music fit for more for Abu Ghraib than drive time. 

KERA played some of the most wonderful music you've never heard.  It's where I found Moxy Fruvous, Don Walser, and Rumors of the Big Wave, and a number of other artists that I have never, ever heard on any other station.  The format was changed more than ten years ago, but folks still call the noon talk show to bitch about it.

I often grouse on the subject.

So does Rodger.

Both of us stopped pledging.

Don't get me wrong, I loves me some Public Radio.  Fresh Air?  ATC? This American Life?  All these shows are wonderful.

But I miss the music.

I think about how many wonderful artists KERA brought to my attention and now I wonder how I find new ones...

A week or so ago, I was reading Adam's blog.  He mentioned a song by Chumbawamba.  You remember them, right?  They did that "Tub Thumpin" tune back in the 90s?  Honestly, that's the only song of theirs I'd ever heard.  While it was an enjoyable pop song, I had discounted the group as a one-hit-wonder.

But Adam's recommendation made me take a listen, and now their "One By One" is on my iPod.  It's in regular rotation.

A song by Johnny Cash with Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers backing him up was recommended to me: Sea of Heartbreak.  Sweet fancy Moses, this is a great song!  I love the guitar in this... it's strong, assertive.  Plus there is this wonderfully meaningful bass downbeat in the piano.  Excellent song.  It is likewise in heaving rotation on the Nano.

When KERA was playing music, I found great music like this all the time.  That was then.

Today, I scroll through iTunes... surf Pandora... read blogs... and look to you, dear reader, for recommendations.  What's worth listening to?

Aron Head
www.EvilBastard.net 

Posted by Aron Head at 7:30 AM CST

Updated: Wednesday, 27 February 2008 9:13 PM CST

Share This Post

Post Comment | Permalink

Good news!

The guy has insurance!  I reported last night's incident this morning after some difficulty navigating their voice mail system (believe it or not, I hit their out-of-office message for Thanksgiving).  I maneuvered through their marketing department and eventually made a love connection. 

The adjuster is supposed to call me within the next day or so.

This afternoon, I took the car over to my body shop for an estimate.  I was thinking it'd be around $1100.

The estimate came back at $2400.

Ouch!

And speaking of ouch, my back is killing me.  It starts in my ass and runs all the way up to shoulders.  I'm all strung out on Advil.  There is tub soaking in my future.  And beer.  That's gotta help, right?

Aron Head
www.EvilBastard.net
 

Posted by Aron Head at 6:26 PM CST

Share This Post

Post Comment | Permalink

I was on my way to church last night after work.  It was rush hour, which is to say that traffic was creeping.  Crawling along Interstate 30, I slowed to a stop as traffic was more-or-less parked before me.

WHAM!

An American made white van had plowed into me.

I pulled onto the side of the road as did the other driver.  I came flying out of the car all prepared to chew the guy a new one, telling him it was his fault because he wasn't paying attention.

"Man, I'm sorry!" He said emerging from the van.  "That was totally my fault.  I just wasn't paying attention."

Really, he was a very nice guy.  So hard to be mad at someone who's as earnest and apologetic as he was.  He even had insurance.  Or at least a paper that says he has insurance.  I'll be phoning his agency shortly.

Bumper, side-panel, tail light, and trunk are all a bit messed up.  But the car still drives.  And I'm mostly unscathed.  My back hurts.  I'm hoping the fist-full of Advil I've taken will put a dent in that...  

It's a busy week at the office.  I'm not gonna get the car over for an estimate until Friday.

Coulda' been worse.

Aron Head
www.EvilBastard.net 

Posted by Aron Head at 7:30 AM CST

Updated: Tuesday, 26 February 2008 10:10 PM CST

Share This Post

Post Comment | Permalink

I was thinking today about last week's post concerning this summer's movie releases when it occured to me that I left one out - The Incredible Hulk.  How could I have overlooked the gamma irradiated goliath?  This distressed me.  After all the second Hulk feature film is slated for June 13, 2008 release.  It dawned on me that I have not seen a trailer for it. 

In fact, I've seen virtually no promotion for it.

I went to the official site and found very little there.  Just pics and a short description.  No video... no wallpapers... no commentary... nothing at all fostering community or even interest.

Iron Man has had video available online in one form or another since the San Diego Comicon.

They did promote the Incredible Hulk toys at the recent Toy Fair. 

Digging deeper, I found an article posted on Superhero Hype last week reporting that the trailer should be posted in early March.

Early March!?!

Doesn't that seem, I don't know, kind of late.  The movie's just three month's away.  A few years ago, I wouldn't have thought anything about it.  Now though when movies are promoted a full year in advance (e.g. Star Trek)?

I have a sinking feeling.

Somebody, tell me it's gonna be okay. 

Aron Head
www.EvilBastard.net 

Posted by Aron Head at 7:30 AM CST

Updated: Monday, 25 February 2008 6:28 PM CST

Share This Post

Post Comment | Permalink

After finding Jesus several years ago, Anne Rice vowed that she would never again write another chapter in her heavily erotic, deeply hedonistic Vampire Chronicles.  Of course, she probably should have spoken to Sean Connery.

Never say never.

Time Magazine/CNN report that the Got-My-Christ-On Anne Rice is returning to the world of Louis, Lestat, and Akasha for one last undead romp.

I couldn't be less excited.

I used to love her books, truly. 

I read Interview with the Vampire when I was in college.  It was unlike anything I'd read before.  The depth of character and background forever changed my expectation in fiction.  Further, it changed the kind of writer I wanted to be.

The Vampire Lestat was a relevation in detail.

Honestly though?  She went off the rails with Queen of the Damned. 

My favorite of her works also happens to be the most infuriating.  I skipped a day of work to finish the tomish The Witching Hour.  It was somewhere past midnight.  I distinctly remember hurling the book across the room.

At some point along the way, I realized that all of her characters were either beautiful, rich and gay or beautiful, rich and bisexual.  Except the women, that is.  They all seemed to be beautiful, rich and straight

While this was interesting and different in Interview with the Vampire, it just seemed lazy as I progressed through her other books.  I generally like a bit more variety in my characters.  I mean, how about a poor, beautiful bisexual?  Or a gay guy of moderate means with a lazy eye?  Now that's writing!

It has been many, many years since I have read an Anne Rice book.   In that time, she's returned to the Church, given up vampires, and started writing about Jesus.   A more beautiful, wealthy, gay messiah you have never seen - I'm sure.

Aron Head
www.EvilBastard.net

Posted by Aron Head at 8:12 PM CST

Share This Post

Post Comment | View Comments (1) | Permalink

According to the Hollywood Reporter, Titanic's Leonardo DiCaprio will produce a live action film based on the manga and anime classic AKIRA.  Warner Bros. will be releasing the picture and is eye-balling summer 2009.

That's gotta be a soft date.  I cannot imagine putting together such a mammoth film in such a short time.

Now, I am not at all a fan of the anime genre.  I mean, I have had an abiding love for Starblazers since I was a boy (and would love to have the complete series on DVD).  Beyond that, though?  Not a fan.

In 1988, Marvel's creator owned Epic Comics imprint released the American english language version.  Quite simply, it was unlike anything I had ever seen in comics.  Certainly the feel was very much in the vein of Ridley Scott's Bladerunner, but never before had I seen such a large story told in such generous detail.  That's 2000 pages, m'friend.

I remain amazed at the work.

According to reports, the AKIRA live action story will be told in two parts.  This gives me hope that Mr. DiCappuccino plans on producing a great, big story.

Me.  Happy.

Aron Head
www.EvilBastard.net 

Posted by Aron Head at 7:30 AM CST

Updated: Sunday, 24 February 2008 8:18 PM CST

Share This Post

Post Comment | Permalink