Author: Martha Thomases

If I Had a Hammer, by Martha Thomases

If I Had a Hammer, by Martha Thomases

 
If you’re reading this, we’ve survived February, my least favorite month. If we’re going to have Leap Years (and we are), I don’t see why we can’t have the extra day in May, or June, when there are flowers and it’s not too hot yet, but the days are long and full of promise. Instead, we stretch out February.
 
Cranky? Moi?
 
It’s really horrible for me to complain. I’m blessed with a family that’s only mildly neurotic, a roof over my head, a full refrigerator and work I enjoy. These facts only make me more apt to gripe, because these things should be adequate. Adequate is not enough.
 
So here are some things I would smash, if I were the Hulk:
 
• The city of New York, particularly the construction parts of it. I know Manhattan is the Center of the Intelligent Universe™, but there is no reason to drill through the surface of West Houston Street at one o’clock in the morning on the weekends. Because of this work, half of Houston Street is closed, so buses that pick up students on our block now do so on my street. For some reason, they think it’s appropriate to get here at least half an hour early, and idle their engines for the entire time. This is a violation of noise and environmental laws. Where’s my costumed vigilante?
 
• Talk shows. During the writers’ strike, progressives with principles refused to cross the picket lines of those programs – The Daily Show, The Colbert Report, Real Time with Bill Maher – that counted on opinionated conversation. Faced with empty seats, the producers hired those willing to cross a picket line. For the most part, these people were right-wingers, apathetic to the issue, Joe Quesada, or some combination of the above. And that’s fine. It’s their choice. The show must go on. Baby needs a new pair of shoes. However, it made for rather boring talk. Now that the strike is over, there could once again be more, funnier talk, but there’s not. Bill Kristol has never been right about anything. P. J. O’Rourke isn’t funny and makes me miss Michael O’Donohue. Get them off my television!

 

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EZ Street: Baltimore — the New San Diego?

EZ Street: Baltimore — the New San Diego?

In today’s brand-new episode of EZ Street, by Mark Wheatley and Robert Tinnell, the adventure continues at the Baltimore Comics Convention.

Scott and Danny get scouted by Fox, and Scott has to face an uncomfortable truth about Chuck.

Credits: Mark Wheatley (Artist), Mark Wheatley (Colorist), Mark Wheatley (Letterer), Mark Wheatley (Writer), Mike Gold (Editor), Robert Tinnell (Writer)

More: EZ Street

 

Jon Sable, Freelance: Tortured!

Jon Sable, Freelance: Tortured!

In today’s brand-new episode of Jon Sable, Freelance: Ashes of Eden, Mike Grell’s hero remains tied to a chair, naked, tortured, and still with the smart mouth.  

There’s bleeding. There’s spitting. There are leprechauns.

Will anyone get out of this alive?

 

 

Credits: Glenn Hauman (Colorist), Glenn Hauman (Assistant Editor), John Workman (Letterer), Mike Gold (Editor), Mike Grell (Artist), Mike Grell (Writer), Shannon Weaver (Colorist)

More: Jon Sable Freelance: Ashes of Eden

The Sweet Smell of Rot, by Martha Thomases

The Sweet Smell of Rot, by Martha Thomases

 

This is my least favorite time of year.  It’s not that I mind the cold – in fact, this winter’s unnatural warmth has me creeped out – but the darkness.  The days are more dark than light since the middle of September, and it’s more than a month until that changes.  Every day is a bit brighter, but not enough.
 
The wait is excruciating.  
 
Every day, the buds on the trees are a little bit larger, a little bit more plump.  The first tentative shoots of crocus slip through the dirt in the tree pits.  The sparrows fight for twigs to build their nests, or maybe they fight because they’re in gangs, but they are noisy in a way that would be annoying if they were teenagers from the local high school, but charming when we can’t tell what it’s about.
 
It’s not enough.  
 
In just a few weeks, the calorie pear trees will be in bloom, and the chestnut trees, too.  They’ll be covered with white petals, like snow, and the first little leaves will be starting to burst.  The daffodils and tulips will splash color across the public gardens.  The soil will have the sweet smell of rot that comes with spring rain and spring thaw.
 

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GrimJack: The Manx Cat – Past Lives

In today’s brand new episode of GrimJack: The Manx Cat, by John Ostrander and Timothy Truman, John finds himself in a stranger’s body.

Not only that, but he meets a sorcerer who should be dead. And the Chaotic Gods are on the loose.

A warning? Or a curse?

 

 

Webbed Comics

Simone & Ajax: Head Juice!

Simone & Ajax: Head Juice!

 In today’s full-color, brand new episode of Simone & Ajax, our heroes try to protect the jungle village from monstrous dinosaurs.  

Will they fight?  Will they run?  Will they find allies in the giant Tiki heads?  

Andrew Pepoy is your party planner, and Jason Millet chooses the theme colors.

 

It’s Hammer Time on EZ Street

It’s Hammer Time on EZ Street

Scott and Danny continue their adventures at the Baltimore Con in today’s all-new episode of EZ Street, by Mark Wheatley and Robert Tinnell.  

Scott discovers his inner fanboy geek, and the fate of the vampire movie option is revealed.  Can you spot the industry guest-stars?

Also, be sure to check out FEARnet’s coverage of this week’s episode of EZ Street!

And now, a special message from EZ Street‘s Robert Tinnell about this week’s episode:

Given that today’s episode of EZ Street touches upon the legendary Hammer Films, once-upon-a-time horror powerhouse from the ’50s through the ’70s, it seems like a good time to point out another connection between the company and comics.  Since the early seventies a devoted fellow by the name of Richard Klemensen has periodically published the ultimate Hammer Film magazine – LITTLE SHOPPE OF HORRORS.

The most recent issue, #19, features an in-depth look at the career of Hammer’s greatest director, Terence Fisher – the man responsible for many classics of the genre, including HORROR OF DRACULA and FRANKENSTEIN MUST BE DESTROYED.   There has always been a natural crossover between comic and film fans, particularly horror films, but if that isn’t reason enough to attract ComicMix readers consider this: for several years now Klemensen has featured covers and interior artwork by several notable comic artists, including one who may well surprise you.

Neil Vokes knows a thing or two about horror (THE BLACK FOREST won a Rondo Award for Best Horror Comic – thanks, Neil) – in comics and film – and he’s been contributing marvelous black-and-white interpretations of Hammer stars and scenes from films for years. Adrian Salmon is a British artist whose work appears often in DR. WHO comics(and who co-created, with me, the character of Terry Sharp – a film director who battles supernatural forces while working at a studio much like Hammer in the ’60s).  And then there’s a guy named Bruce Timm whom you may have heard of.  Timm is a major Hammer fan and has been contributing some marvelous work to LITTLE SHOPPE OF HORRORS for years – including a few covers. 

Great articles and interviews, rare photos and stunning artwork – LITTLE SHOPPE OF HORRORS is a tremendous magazine worthy of picking up.  Visit www.LittleShoppeOfHorrors.com to see examples and for ordering information.

Jon Sable: Tuesday!

Jon Sable: Tuesday!

When last we saw Jon Sable, he was captured next to the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree.

In today’s brand new episode of Jon Sable: Freelance, by Mike Grell, Jon is tied to a chair, naked, and being tortured. Will he be strong enough? Will he talk?

And will they ever ask him a question?