Focused No More ...

I think it's time to sling my duffel over my shoulder and walk away.

It's obvious to anyone reading that the quality and frequency here has declined in a steady slope since this past summer. A lot has to do with general workload here at Casa Fossen, but that's not the real reason I'm closing up shop.

My original intent was to have an outlet for honing my writing. However, as I resumed my theatre career after a near decade-long retirement I realized that my creative passion lies there. Writing was a good substitute, but at the end of the day, it's just that: a substitute. It's not the real thing ... at least not my real thing.

This isn't an angry farewell to the WeboComicsBlogoNet or to the artform. I just need to be "focusing" my energies elsewhere. I've come to thoroughly enjoy this community, and hope that I have contributed something to it. I'll still be lurking around, reading and commenting when and where I can. I'll also be making infrequent contributions to the excellent gaming blog 5WG.

T.G.I.F.: February 23, 2007

Busiek wins.

Again.

I can't even find a specific image from this wonderful issue, so I simply give you the stunning cover. Want to see superheroes being super? This is the title you want to add after you cull that pull list, as per Mr. Church's suggestions.

From Superman #659 by Busiek, Nicieza, Vale, and Pacheco.

T.G.I.F.: Making Fridays Slightly More Tolerable since August 26, 2005.

52 on 52 #42

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Again, plotlines slowly built over the course of the series suddenly get resolved in a few pages.

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It's a bit of slumming, a bit of fulfilling the contract, a bit of "leave your hamster jokes at home, smartboy" ... but Darick Robertson absolutely nails Ralph's look.

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How well does a longbow float?

*What is this? Each week, I write exactly 52 words on that week's 52. The word count is according to the Word Count Firefox Extension. A picture is not worth a thousand words. For many more words (and excellent ones at that), check out Douglas Wolk's 52 Pickup.

T.G.I.F.: February 16, 2007

Excuse the lateness - this Friday was more Friday-ish than most. At least it's basically over. I imagine that were I a nattily attired evolutionary standout, the day would have gone much better.

From Nextwave #12 by Ellis and Immonen.

T.G.I.F.: Making Fridays Slightly More Tolerable since August 26, 2005.

52 on 52 #41

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"What the hell was Wacker letting you people do? We've got 12 issues left! Start wrapping this shit up pronto!"

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Why so surprised, Adam? It's a deux ex machina. Surely you've seen one before?

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Wouldn't the Valentine's Day issue have been a good time to touch base with the weird-on-many-levels Nightwing/Batwoman relationship?

*What is this? Each week, I write exactly 52 words on that week's 52. The word count is according to the Word Count Firefox Extension. A picture is not worth a thousand words. For many more words (and excellent ones at that), check out Douglas Wolk's 52 Pickup.

This Week's Releases: February 14, 2007

Goodbye, Nextwave. Thanks for all the T.G.I.F.s.

When I hit 2005 Will Eisner Spirit of Comics Retailer Award Winning Night Flight Comics, I'll be sad to see this delicious brew of Ellis-Immonen madness come to a close.

Casanova, Godland, Manhunter, Astonishing X-Men and Thunderbolts should take off some of the sting, I figure.

52 #41
Batman #663
Gen 13 #5
JLA Classified #34
Justice Society Of America #3
Manhunter #28
Stormwatch: PHD #4
Casanova #7
Godland #16
Astonishing X-Men #20
Nextwave: Agents Of HATE #12
Thunderbolts #111

Focused Linkblogging

• Hey! Look! It's a bus! Let's throw Adam Kubert under it! I'm all for informing the readers, but pointing fingers to appease forum denizens seems .... unseemly.


• Elk's Run will be finished soon, so where can one go to find creepy tales of gnawing suburban dread? One could go to Three Rivers, the new story from Joshua Hale Fialkov and Noel Tuazon. The prospect of more from the Elk's Run team warms the cockles of my cold, cold heart and may be the tipping point that pushes me into reading webcomics. Josh says it's a secret ... so don't tell him I told you, OK?


• I really feel a Focused Linkblogging post needs at least three items, but I can't find a third.

Focused Linkblogging

• You read the last 52. You were told by wise and knowledgeable men that the title was an allusion to a song. You wanted to hear that very song. I provide.


• "Mark," you ask, "tell me: what is the fine line between wit and bile? Between snark and spew? Between mocking and ranting?"
  
  "Grasshopper," I answer, "direct your gaze here, and learn."


• ComicMix has actually opened now, but quickly becomes another site I won't read unless someone links me there. Why? Three simple letters: RSS. There's no feed I can find, and the FAQ makes it pretty clear that none's in the works: "How can I find out when there's something new on ComicMix? You can check in regularly. We have new content every day, several times a day -- new comics, new columns, new blogs, and new news." I like the idea behind the site, and want to see Elayne writing about comics again ... but not enough to check in every day.