I’m just saying…

(13 Seconds, by Peter A. Venables)

As a part of my new plan for writing this thing, if I can’t think of anything to say about something I’ve read from The Plate, I’ll go ahead and read through something on The Slate. And today is one I’ve been promising the guy I’d read for a while, and I’m pretty glad I have.

The thing I want to say about 13 Seconds above all else as a starting point is that it has a ton of potential. Peter is clearly a talented cartoonist, as is evident from his sketchbook section and by progressing through his archives. Again we get the fun of seeing someone develop their skills over time. And it’s an anthropomorphic comic (or a Furry comic, I think it could qualify as either). I’ve mentioned before my personal distastes for anthro/furry as a genre, but Peter doesn’t use it as a genre. The fact that they are animals is rarely, if ever, brought up and that’s what I like.

The site design and structure is very well done. I like the colors and the layout and all that good stuff, and I think it works well. Only thing I can say is that I’ve noticed he does own 13Seconds.com, so why doesn’t he convert his stuff over to it? If it’s a preference thing, that’s fine. Just not what I would do.

Peter is a very decent writer, but I think he’s fallen into the trappings of common personality stereotypes as a vehicle. I think he knows this as well, because he admitted their animal types are made to be an index to their characteristics (i.e., the Poodle is Prissy). It’s amusing, and entertaining enough to keep me reading, but what the comic needs right now is it’s own voice. What I’d like to see is more development of the characters as individuals. What’s Wally’s job? Or Marsha’s? What does Sheila do in her own time? What kind of TV shows do Wally and Basil watch? Peter’s shown us that he can handle grander plots of betrayal, sexual identity, etc. But I’d like to see more average life stuff. Things like this one and this one are indicators of what I’m talking about. I’d like to see more of that. Average life stuff that aren’t about the romantic relationships in between all the big story arcs that are.

But hey, that’s one constructive critic’s opinion. The art and site design are fine and don’t need to be worked over, but I hope Peter hears what I have to say about the writing. Whatever happens, I’m reading it anyway.

Normally I don’t post entertainment news and stuff, as that’s not what this blog really is. But since it’s about X-Men 3, and I’m a well registered and documented X-Whore, I feel compelled to share the information I have with you.

Most the major players are returning to the cast. So far confirmed are Hugh Jackman (Wolverine), Famke Jensen (Jean), and Alan Cummings (Nightcrawler).

According to Access Hollywood, Patrick Stewart (Professor X) is unconfirmed, but IMDB says he is, along with Ian MacKellen (Magneto).

Halle Berry is still unconfirmed. Quote: “I don’t know… I wish I could tell you more… Sorry!”

New cast members are the big news, as we have the addition of Juggernaut as a villain. Played by Vinnie Jones, Bullet Tooth Tony from Snatch! Cool, cool stuff.

But even bigger than that is the addition of possibly my favorite X-Man, The Beast. Played by Kelsey Grammer. Kelsey fucking Grammer. Dude! That is a perfect choice.

The director is Matthew Vaughn, who produced both Snatch and Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels. And I proudly say that Snatch is one of my favorite movies of all ever, so I’m pretty happy.

But one of the writers… makes me weary. Simon Kinberg. He’s responsible for such things as Charlie’s Angels II, Mr. and Mrs. Smith (2005), xXx: State of the Union, Elektra… ugh. At least Zak Penn is returning, as he had worked on X2.

My prediction? It’s not going to be the same kind of movie as the last. Then again, X2 wasn’t the same kind of movie as X-Men. I can’t say good or bad just yet, it’s still really early in the game. The losses of Bryan Singer and David Hayter are a major bummer. But I’m hopeful. Maybe Simon just had to do some shitty movies in order to get into the business. That’s my hope. But with a cast like that, the movie has a good chance of being great. I mean, Kelsey Grammer! Dude!

(Sources include Access Hollywood and IMDB.com)

Last of my E3 reports. This one’s about all the other stuff I saw that I can write a few sentences on. But for the non-gamers, it’ll go under a cut.

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No real webcomic thing to say today. I was too busy getting a job. Yes folks, I finally have an income, but that’s not what I’m announcing.

I’m announcing that I’ll be taking part of a Workshop/Panel at this year’s Otakon entitled, “Webcomics 101.”

How fucking cool is that? I feel… legitimate.

We’ll be talking mainly about how to get your own webcomic started in the state of the “industry” today, what are the essential tools, the general do’s and don’ts, in-depth discussion on Intellectual Property Law, and all that good stuff.

I plan on contacting a lot of you critics and creators for your input, because I want to get a lot of perspectives into this. So yes, expect e-mails from me if we have spoken before on any sort of basis.

Oh, and you guys should go to Otakon at least for one day. Not only for my panel, but for the oodles of other webcomic types that will definitely be there. So far the Little Gamers guys will be there, and Piro will as well (I’m almost willing to bet he bails again… then again I don’t really care to see him anyway)

I wish I thought of this first.

Phil. You’re a filmmaker and a webcartoonist. What’s wrong with you?!

More E3 coverage, since that’s what’s on my mind these days. If you’re not wanting to read about games you can go on and skip this one, I won’t blame you. It’s another high-detailed bit like the Kingdom Hearts II post, and I can understand if you simply don’t care. This is primarily a webcomic critblog, but yeah I’m gonna talk about games here and there. But for the non-game inclined, I’ll keep this one behind a cut.

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(From Dominic Deegan, by Michael “Mookie” Terracciano)

I mean… Ow! Helexia deserves every nanosecond of that pain but Jesus, Mommy Deegan! That was fucking hard core of you.

22 Awesome Points™ for Mookie… God damn.

OK, I was about to launch a tirade against Keenspot, full of malice and ill will… But I don’t feel right doing it.

Keenspot is a lot of things. And while many of us don’t like it, it is what it is, and is one of the most important things in the webcomic “industry.” I used Keenspace to get my start, and while it was good for that part, I decided I needed to branch out on my own. Much like those six fellers are. It’s not fair to defame Keenspot as the greatest evil in the universe, or get on about how it are “teh sux.” That would just be me being a dick, and honestly I don’t feel like getting caught up in any drama. I’ve not the energy.

So I say congratulations to Blank Label Comics. You guys are great webcomickers and I wish you the best.

So yes, I was at E3. I got to meet Annie (who is awesome and nice and oh so very fun), the Real Life cast (sans Greg & Liz, but that was fine because they’re all awesome people and very kind and generous), Gabe & Tycho (which was great fun, because they’re great guys), bumped into Tim and Brian briefly (right as Brian got accosted by a group of fans), demo’d some cool stuff, grabbed some bitchin’ swag, and had what was basically an amazing time. There’s a lot of things I’d do differently if I get the chance to go next year (maybe I’ll be considered Press by then… HA!), but I still had lots and lots of fun. And learned a lot about L.A., namely how everything is different over there and how much that sucks. I mean come on: What the fuck is a Carl’s, Jr.? It’s HARDEE’S goddammit!

Anyway, my first of a few E3 reports I have is on Kingdom Hearts II. And since most of my readers probably aren’t gamers, I’ll put it behind a cut. So yes, if you don’t want to hear a very detailed report on Kingdom Hearts II, then don’t click “More” below. On the other hand, if you’re like me and you squee at the very mention of a Keyblade, then enjoy!

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Maybe I didn’t make myself clear before, in case anyone’s been wondering where I’ve been. I’ve been traveling for about a week and a half. First to move back into my house after the conclusion of the semester, then to Virginia to see my love, then to LA for E3. I’ll do bits about the stuff I saw at E3, and perhaps the experience itself, but first things first: My WCCA Noms, perhaps too late (my votes are in of course, but the relevance of my nomination picks may be past due is what I’m saying).

I didn’t nominate in all categories. Some categories I simply didn’t feel that strongly about. For a few, I didn’t nominate the full three. In those categories, only so many struck me at the point where I deliberated over these. And my picks aren’t necessarily what I think will win, or what I think is truly the best or most outstanding, but they’re my picks nonetheless. Some are ones I think definitely could win the award, and some are ones I think deserve the chance. I had a lot of fun with this, and I suppose that’s all that really matters.

So, without further ado, my picks for WCCAs (with commentary for the major award, if you have questions about the others, feel free to comment)…

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