This Holiday Season is really moving along for me...  

On Sunday night Tina asked me if I wanted to watch SYFY's 'Alice' mini-series, which was an updated 'Alice In Wonderland' film.

Which reminded me that I had read a recent treatment of an updated 'Dorothy in Kansas' story that I had picked up at the 2009 Long Beach Comic Con, but had not yet reviewed here...

I had picked it up at Karl Alstaetter's table and had read it, meaning to at least mention it in this Blog's "Featurette" section.  However I hadn't mentioned it as of Sunday night.

So first, here is a little info on Karl Alstaetter, whose name is probably familar to you:

"Karl Alstaetter began working in comics in the 1990s. He started as an art assistant on Marvel's 'X-Men', and then went on to provide art for Marvel, DC and Image Comics. He had his breakthrough with his run on 'Q:UNIT'. He took a break from comics and went to work as a designer for video games, films theme parks for a while. In 1997, he began his own line of comics through Hyperwerks Entertainment, which includes titles like 'Deity', 'Catseye', 'Saint Angel' and 'Weasel Guy'. Alstaetter was the artist and writer on the company's first comic, 'Deity', himself. He also had a take on the classic German sci-fi hero 'Perry Rhodan'".

So that is probably why his name is familar to you.

I met Thomas Doherty, Editor In Chief of Committed Comics, at the recent Long Beach Comic Con (LBCC)... 

He shared with me a few titles from the publishing company.  I've already shared one title via an earlier blog post, Threads #1 - With a Shadow Rider Cover By Dick Ayers.

Today, I'm going to blog about a different title, 'Java!', of which I only received part 1 of the 3 part mini-series, so my thoughts are based only on the first issue.

However this storyline is almost like combining the film 'Mad Max' with a Starbucks in the future storyline.  Yeah, it is that strange!

Just like the other title I blogged about before, 'Threads', the Committed Comics company published this mini-series of three issues before going on hiatus back in 2005. When I was at the Committed Comics table at the LBCC, I wasn't aware that before their hiatus, Committed Comics had published a total of nine issues of three different titles: three issues each of Java!, Threads, and Neo Dawn.

My understanding after researching this title's history is that Java! is the creative property of Kensuke Okabayashi. Kensuke is the writer and penciler of this title.

His storyline includes the characters: Java and her partner La-Te.  Right, that's pronounced 'latte' the way I figure it.  Oh, and the two are part of the B.E.A.N. Force!

Okay...!!  Interesting concept...so far... here's what the press release says of the storyline:  "The world has a shortage of coffee beans and coffee has become one of the earth's most valuable commodities. Follow the adventures of Java and her crew as she tries to stop the illegal trafficking of 'tainted' coffee beans".

The first pages show Java and La-Te breaking up a bunch of smugglers, so go figure out what they are smuggling!

Later on 'hoverboards' are shown, which I can't figure out is a homage to 'Back To The Future Part II' or what.

The dialogue seems to be including some sort of coffee-house slang.  This is a strange series so far, but the art keeps me reading.  Plus the colors used in this issue are very vivid and keep me interested as well.

Just like a James Bond, this series has to have gadgets.  I've already mentioned the 'hoverboard'.  How about using a 'decaffeinator grenade'?  Yep, there's one of those in this first issue too!

There's more action in this issue, which is set in 'Neo-Seattle' in the Year 2073.  Which helps keep me reading this story.  It is kind of 'far out' after all...

Yeah, 'far out', because the 'bad guy' is tracked down to be 'Dr. Grind', who's company 'Sunrise Coffee' trucks were smuggling the beans.

Oh, and Java and La-Te aren't the only ones in B.E.A.N. Force.  Take a look at the top right panel from this issue for the others in the Force.

You know, this whole story would seem kind of hokey, except that the art by Kensuke with inks by Peter Palmiotti and colors by Lee Stacy make the pages really stand out to me!

The above pictured comic book mini-series was sent to me for a possible review here in this Blog... 

It currently is a three issue mini-series, although Nicholas is looking at possibly running another story arc.

First, a little about Nicholas... He is a Founder of A.N.A. Comics, from where I obtained some bio info on him.

Favorite comics: Past: Spider-Man, Maxx, Savage Dragon, Spawn, Cerebus.   Now: Bone, Atomic Robo Web: PvP Online, Penny-Arcade, XKCD, Perry Bible Fellowship, Freakangels

Creative Influences: Erik Larsen, Sam Keith, Neil Gaeman, Warren Ellis, Todd McFarlane, Dave Sim, Jeff Smith, Scott Kurtz and the list keeps growing as I meet more artists and writers in the industry

Favorite moment in comics: I truly can't nail it down to one event, but I had to describe it in one sentance, it would be when I discovered life outside of Marvel, DC and Image. The world of independants is so full of texture and life. And that feeling extends into webcomics as well.

Role at A.N.A.: My official title is Vice President of Independent Properties, but I write and illustrate The Precarious Adventures of Newton Von Brisby plus various other projects on the back burner. I'm also the official hand wringer and nail biter of the 3 of us.

Current Project/s: The Precarious Adventures of Newton Von Brisby, I'm also working on a continuation of the Harijan Mini-series and will be bringing my graphic novel, Oasis to the web in 2010.

Okay, so you've been 'introduced' to Nicholas.  What about the mini-series?

Here's what the press info says the series is about:

Issue #1 - Harijan follows the exploits of a group of cast-offs that are trying to survive in a world that has moved on without them.

Issue #2 - Virgil, David and Apollo are forced to deal the golem that followed the mysterious girl they brought back to their headquarters. Meanwhile, we also witness some of the aftermath of their confrontation with the monster dog, Prince.

Issue #3 - This issues closes up the mini-series following Virgil, David and the mysterious, bar-coded girl. Family matters creep back into Virgil's life and affect everyone else.

Harijan:  TM and © Nicholas P. Myers and Floating Island Press. All rights reserved.

So what did I think of this series?

Well... I purposely posted the covers to issues #1 & #3 above for a reason. The first issue is very strange and caught my eyes.  It would have caught my attention at a LCBS also.  The front cover to issue #2 is a close-up of one of the main characters, and wouldn't have caught my attention, (and isn't posted above either).  Then the third issue's cover evolved to a family scene and the words 'Family Matters'. If I hadn't seen the transistion from cover #1 to #2 then #3 all at once, I wouldn't realized that it was the same series at the LCBS, and would have probably missed picking up the subsequent issues...

Okay, so I've 'covered' the covers.  What about the interior pages?

Whenever a creator elects to do the writing and illustration of a sequential art publication, they are responsible for the entire contents.  After all, it is 'Their Vision' that they are writing and drawing.

First, the title of the series is 'Harijan'.  Issue #1 presented the following definition of Harijan: “belongs to the lowest social and ritual class in India, untouchable, castaway, outcast, pariah, Ishmael- a person who is rejected (from society or home).  'Harijan' is translated as “son of god”. However it was given as a 'label' to the lower class of the Indian caste system by Ghandi in an effort to create acceptance from the rest of that country. It is now considered as a patronizing term.

The above was written on the splash page of the first issue.  So I was prepared to turn the page and start reading... The storyline was just a little confusing at first, but I picked up on it.

Even though the title was explained in detail as to the word's background, the actual story was of a science-fiction genre. This three part series tells the story of a group of misfits who banded together in the nether regions of the city-state  of Oasis to survive. 

The artwork was a little 'different', but the black and white aspect of the printed format was right for the artwork.  The use of blacks in the black and white format fit well, and emphasized the creatures very well.  The illustrations of the characters were a little 'loose' in the facial features, but that is Nicholas' style throughout the three issues.  The backgrounds of the panels with the characters could have had more detail... but the landscapes and the 'camera angles' of the panels were done very well.  Again, I figure that this is Nicholas' style in illustrating character panels versus landscape panels.

The second issue picked up on the action and moved the storyline along.  The illustrations were right for this part of the 3 part series, but I'm still questioning the use of the illustration on the cover of this issue.

The third issue brought the series to a satisfying end for me as a reader. Plus the interior art meshed with the storyline.  However the use of the illustration on the the cover of this issue would not have made me inclined to pick it up at the LCBS, (Local Comic Book Shop), if I hadn't read the first two issues.  Something about the three covers not meshing for me is what I see as a possible reason for someone not picking up the entire series at the LCBS.  While issue #3's cover is a good one by itself and entices me to pick it up; if issue #1 was directly behind it on the shelf at the LCBS, I would wonder what the heck kind of storyline is this??

All in all, I found the storyline to be an interesting one, the interior artwork to mesh well as the story unfolded.  The dialogue helped define the main characters for me as a reader.  However... If this was to be compiled into a TPB or graphic novel, I would definitely suggest a different cover than the three printed floppy issues' covers.

You can buy this series, (as well as other A.N.A. publications), at:

http://anacomics.blogspot.com/2009/11/you-can-buy-our-comics.html,

or if you have an account at Indy Planet, then click the following for the link directly to these three issues:  Click here.

Since last week's "Black Friday" I have been busy listing and shipping out comics and graphic novels. Plus blogging about the Special Black Friday Event we had at Facebook Comic Con,  and also blogging about "Cyber Monday" and other commercial aspects... Whew! 

Well, today I'm back to blogging about publications that were sent in to me for possible review here in my Blog.

Michele Witchipoo, of WitchesBrewPress, sent me a copy of her "Psycho Bunny" #3 and "Babalon Babes" #4.  I decided to blog about Psycho Bunny because the concept was one that was different to me as well as funny to read.

But first, for those of you that don't know who Michele Witchipoo is... Here is how Michael Netzer, Founder of Facebook Comic Con (FBCC), announced Michele to the FBCC as an exhibitor at her own table:  

Michele Witchipoo is an artist, cartoonist, illustrator and colorist. She self-publishes two titles under her WitchesBrewPress imprint. One is PSYCHO BUNNY, an ongoing story about an unemployed alcoholic rabbit with anger issues. He lives in urban chaos as he deals with a dysfunctional family, crazy neighbors and few friends. The other is BABALON BABES, a sketchbook featuring femme fatales, mixing erotica and occult/spiritual symbols.

In the past, Michele has promoted her comics in various NYC club parties (In 2005, M8 and in 2007 Oi! with DJ Bejay Rose) and comic cons. In addition, Michele has served on three comicbook panels.

In 2008, Michele was nominated by CAG (Comic Artists Guild) as Best Cartoonist.

Here is how Michele talked about herself on her one of her web site pages:

Where does one begin when introducing oneself? I can begin by family background. My background is that of English and Maltese. Mother had grown up during World War Two. In Liverpool she had the chance to see this local band who had called themselves The Beatles. My father, also a child during WWII, was a professional soccer player in Malta. My parents met in New York at the famous Roseland ballroom.As old fashioned as it sounds, it was love at first sight.

Since last week's "Black Friday Event" here at Make It So Marketing's Facebook Comic Con Exhibitor Table, I've been busy listing, selling, and shipping comics and graphic novels to our customers.  This included listing hundreds of more items in time for 'Cyber Monday'... 

That has been taking a toll on my 'free time' in blogging and contributing to the social media and comics forums that I am associated with.  I haven't been able to read and reply fully to the emails and messages that have come in to me.

However, a message sent last night to me made me want to stop and re-publish a series of blog posts that my wife Tina LoSasso had guest blogged two seasons ago.  Those blog posts are no longer visible, because they were in the eBay version of our Blog, which has been discontinued by eBay itself.

So when this eBayer friend of mine asked if I could re-post the blogs here I said yes.  So the following are all Five of the Tips that Tina posted two seasons ago.  I thought it would be timely as well as informative, because on my Facebook Network of Friends alone, there are many self-publishers that are probably wondering what to give to their business network of associates this year.  Plus there are a lot of creators that are holding down day jobs until their own creations are published!

Here is a brief intro and then the 5 tips from Tina LoSasso:

Anyone braving the shopping malls during the holiday season knows that finding the perfect gift for family or friends is not easy. Business gift giving can be even more challenging. "Choosing the right business gift actually requires more time and thoughtfulness," says Tina LoSasso, Managing Editor of SalesDog.com, in one of 80 sales lessons in the new business book, Top Dog Sales Secrets. LoSasso identifies five common business gift-giving gaffes:  

1) Quality trumps quantity. "A small box of exquisite, handmade truffles will be appreciated far more than a big box of run-of-the-mill chocolates," LoSasso advises. "If the head honcho at your biggest account is a wine connoisseur, remember, it's far better to send one bottle of the very best than several ordinary bottles he'll never uncork."

2) Reject run-of-the-mill. Shun the ho hum food baskets and opt for a more memorable gift. "Check your client notes," suggests LoSasso. "What are his hobbies? Does he golf, cook or play sports? If your client, the gourmet cook, is still raving about the meals he enjoyed during his vacation in Tuscany, send him a beautifully illustrated regional cookbook. Your gift, and you, will be remembered far longer than a generic tin of cookies."

3) Don't even think of advertising. "Sending gifts with your company's logo on them make you look stingier than Scrooge," says LoSasso. "Save the logo-imprinted pens, paperweights, mouse pads and calculators for your next trade show. Instead, send a gift from your region of the country: Ghirardelli chocolate from San Francisco, smoked salmon from the Northwest, citrus from Florida or California, or barbecue sauce from Texas."

4) Beware of booze. "Alcoholic beverages are usually risky business," warns LoSasso. "The one exception is when you know someone loves a certain brand of rare Scotch, a particular wine, or a regional microbrew. Never send a bottle of champagne to that key account in Salt Lake City, or for that matter, frozen steaks to your customer who is a vegetarian. Don't laugh -- it happens."

5) The gender trap. Gender differences present their own gift-giving dangers. While it is generally acceptable for a saleswoman to send her stressed-out women clients personal items, like lotions or a spa kit, salesmen should not be so familiar. "Sorry guys," says LoSasso. "You're not in the club."

LoSasso's advice is excerpted from the bestselling book, Top Dog Sales Secrets, authored by 50 renowned sales lecturers, consultants, and corporate trainers. Top Dog Sales Secrets is available from the publisher or from Amazon and other online retailers.

That ends the 5 Tips and the introductory info about Tina's contributions at SalesDog.com. BTW, SalesDog.com features advice from America's leading sales experts. Their free weekly newsletter has over 25,000 subscribers. You are invited to sign up there for that newsletter if advice on Sales can help you bring 2009 to a satisfying close!

My thanks to Tina for allowing me to re-publish those earlier five blog posts into one Blog here today!