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Ten Things for the Weekend #2
Okay, so I'm going to blog about my now near-fanatical love of Being Human at length once this season's over. It's the only way to do it properly. And Dollhouse just returned in the UK, to tremendous effect. Choosing an episode for Hugo nomination is difficult, because I want to represent the series proper, and not the different style featured in 'Epitaph One'. Choosing that would be to say the show itself has failed, which it really hasn't.
1: Heroes 4 Haiti is a group of comics artists auctioning off their work to help with disaster relief in Haiti. Do pop along and help them out.
I'm typing this surrounded by boxes, because we've sold this place and bought a house, and now things will start to happen very quickly. So my Richard E. Grant Shalka stand up scares me every time I walk into the lounge, and I'm finding perverse enjoyment in finding stuff under the bed and in cupboards that I have no idea why I kept. It's time to say goodbye to the last few things on vinyl and VHS. (But not unreleased Doctor Who on VHS, because it has to take its place in the cabinet that's slowly changing from VHS to DVD, and... okay, by now you'll either be nodding or screaming.)
Anyway, today's Ten Things:
1: Heroes 4 Haiti is a group of comics artists auctioning off their work to help with disaster relief in Haiti. Do pop along and help them out. 2: Similarly, here's a Star Trek fan community doing the same thing. Great stuff. If there's a Doctor Who or SF fan group doing this too, I'd be happy to blog your links midweek.
3: Yesterday, I had a chat with two of the chaps behind Graphic.ly, a digital comics platform that's going to be right at the cutting edge of how the game changes in the next year or so. They aim to build a community around selling digital comics, with the cooperation of all the publishers, online and on loads of different platforms. I like the sound of their approach, their non-exclusivity, and their price point (no, I can't say). Quite soon, I'll be able to say on here that I've got a new comic out, and link to where you can immediately download it, legally, with loads of extras and reader/creator interaction. I think, particularly when a new superhero movie comes out, this is one of the ways we'll start getting 'passing trade' interested in comics again. Right now, they're asking fans to sign up to beta test their system. I'll pimp them again when they launch full on, but I get the feeling that then everyone will have heard about them.
3: Yesterday, I had a chat with two of the chaps behind Graphic.ly, a digital comics platform that's going to be right at the cutting edge of how the game changes in the next year or so. They aim to build a community around selling digital comics, with the cooperation of all the publishers, online and on loads of different platforms. I like the sound of their approach, their non-exclusivity, and their price point (no, I can't say). Quite soon, I'll be able to say on here that I've got a new comic out, and link to where you can immediately download it, legally, with loads of extras and reader/creator interaction. I think, particularly when a new superhero movie comes out, this is one of the ways we'll start getting 'passing trade' interested in comics again. Right now, they're asking fans to sign up to beta test their system. I'll pimp them again when they launch full on, but I get the feeling that then everyone will have heard about them.
4: I've been asked to point out to British Science Fiction Association members (of which I am one) that the deadline for their awards nominations is a minute to midnight tonight (Saturday). I have a personal interest in this one (not a nomination, as far as I know, though 'One of Our Bastards is Missing' could always make a rush for the finishing line), about which I shall tell you when the time comes.
5: Blowing my own trumpet, I heard this week that the forthcoming Black Widow: Deadly Origin Premiere Hardcover, out in March, will actually have a bunch of extras, including some documents of mine. It should make a really nice package, all in all.
6: And staying on the subject of comics, my friend Alan J. Porter wants to tell the world that his Cars (as in the Pixar movie) comic from Boom! Studios is now an ongoing. The initial miniseries was a big hit with Small God-Daughter, who has been known to take several different versions of Lightning McQueen to bed with her at the same time. Isn't it good to hear about new quality comics for kids?
7: Whotopia is a well-designed, if slightly slow to download (at this time of day at least) free Canadian online Doctor Who fanzine, with a lot of solid content (James Moran interviewed, and a guy who makes action scenes with Who figures). The file would make a nice printout, if you want to kill trees for the hell of it.
8: The Pack is a forthcoming web series (I guess that means online filmed drama?) written by Teresa Jusino of this parish (who's been part of our whole 'everyone here gets media outreach' explosion in the last couple of months). Teresa says: 'Girl meets boy. Boy accidentally bites girl during sex and turns her into a werewolf. Wackiness ensues.' It's set to go out this summer.
9: I've mentioned a couple of times that I'm a great fan of the Comic Book Queers Podcast. It's just four or five friends, chatting about comics, but in the 'get to the point, let's not forget there's an audience out there' way of only the best podcasts. It's Very Not Safe For Work, in that the language used would shock your Granny, everyone she ever met and even that chap she once met in Clacton who regarded himself as a bit of a sexual adventurer. But what shines through is the Queers' unabashed enthusiasm, which breaks through their cynical facade every time, for the world of superhero comics. Everything that happens to their favourite characters is breathlessly delivered and received, the most exciting news. They love and they hate, they don't often go 'meh'. Their kind words about Captain Britain and MI-13 (particularly their love for Spitfire and Faiza) warms my heart. Their regular impersonations of Emma Frost (I don't think she's ever said 'quite so' in the comics, but it's her catchphrase here) and their bitchy, publicity-hungry Dazzler have to be heard by a wider audience. I've started to adore Evil Jeff (who, I just found out, is so called because they also know a Good Jeff) and appreciate the friendship and care this lot show to each other, and to the comics they enjoy. It's the absolute opposite of cliched, self-hating internet comics fans, and you really should give it a go.
10: And finally, last but certainly not least, hearty congratulations to Neil Gaiman and Amanda Palmer on announcing their engagement. I think everyone should get married, irrespective of what gender they want to get married to, or in what way they want to tie the knot. You, are you married? Well, why not? Go on, get married!
Later today, we're off to talk mortgages (the wife's coming along, so I can safely sit there thinking about Batman), and then Caroline's going to get her hair done in a beehive, to play a private party with Jon Lane and Boogie Me, the rhythm and blues orchestra she sings with. Hopefully at some point there may be cricket, and I can watch it while packing more boxes. Until next time, Cheerio!
Labels:
Black Widow,
Boogie Me,
BSFA,
Cars,
Comic Book Queers,
Doctor Who,
Graphic.ly,
Heroes 4 Haiti,
Neil Gaiman,
Small God-Daughter,
Star Trek,
The Pack,
Whotopia
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There are several reasons why I'm not married, the most significant of which would currently be that nobody actually wants to marry me.
Not sure about a Whovian-only effort, but there's a multi-fandom effort over at LiveJournal: http://community.livejournal.com/help_haiti/
Ah, good to see Neil and Amanda have finally made the announcement. Roz Kaveney told me about them just after New Year when Neil phoned her with the big news and she guessed what it was before he told her. And I couldn't agree more with you about marriage - this year will see my 25th anniversary - everyone should indeed do it, regardless of the genders of the people involved.
- Rob Hansen
I'm not sure, but I think Paul Cornell just proposed to the planet Earth in a blog post.
Livejournal fandom is also raising money via help Haiti where fans are putting up goods and services for auction.
And I've been trying to keep people in the loop re: Timkatec, a school in Petion-Ville founded by a retired priest, which gives street children training in a trade, rudimentary medical care, and meals. Their 50 boarded students are safe, but they still have no word on the over 400 day students, or the other staff. father Simon was in Miami when the quake hit, recovering from eye surgery, and he will not be able to return to Haiti until next week.
I will never again be able to think about my mortgage without thinking of Batman (or xkcd).
Paul, I'll take that Richard E. Grant standee off your hands if it's creeping you out that badly...
Amen, Brackers! :) Getting married is easy, it's the finding someone who wants to marry you that's hard! I can only hope (and sneakily suspect) that it's taking so long, because the Universe is determined to send me someone Of Quality, and so we're forgoing the Quantity business to that end.
That sounds like it could be right, right?
In any case, I've just subscribed to Whotopia. It looks awesome!
And lastly, thank you for linking to "The Pack"! Yes, it's a web-only show (not sure if I'd call it a drama, though it's not quite as much of a comedy as I was expecting). Like "The Guild", Felicia Day's awesomeness, which if you haven't watched it, you should! (www.watchtheguild.com) I'm working on the scripts for the first season now, and if anyone would like to keep up with my progress or keep up-to-date with how we're proceeding, best thing is to follow us on Twitter: @thepackseries
/pimpage
Paul: My weekend plan for Saturday has been botched. Good luck with the move when it happens. It's always a combination of fun, stress and any number of other emotions.
I'm not sure how you feel about me blowing a trumpet or playing a tuba here. But if its bad form just don't post this bit:)
Fans of Damian Kindlers Sanctuary, which is my favourite Canadian show of the moment maybe interested to learn that I'll be featuring an interview with showrunner Damian Kindler on the scifipulse radio show.
You can get all the details of times and so forth at: www.blogtalkradio.com/scifipulse
And if you miss it. No worries. We're on iTunes and absolutely FREE by tapping in SciFiPulse into your search and subbing to our feed.
The show was nominated in two categories of the 2009 Parsec Awards. We sadly didn't get to the finals, but the nominations were a huge surprise and a great honour. Because I didn't think we had to many people listening.
I'm sure we can find someone to, Erykah. Don't give up! Thanks, C.A., and Tara, glad to feature that here. You big boaster, Rob! Keith: you're right. It'll take a while, but I'll get through them all. (That takes me back. That was my manifesto when I was in my Twenties.) Tara: it's good to hear about a real connection there. And yes, that was what I had in mind. Eric: this gets auctioned for charity in about forty years, when nobody... knows what it is. And would you like to marry Brackers? Teresa: actually, would *you* like to marry Brackers? She's someone of quality. And excellent, cross pollination! (I meant about you subscribing to Whotopia.) And thanks for filling us in about the Pack. And such plugs are part of what we're for, Ian. Cheers, all.
HA! Brackers, it seems as though Paul is trying to hook us up! Sadly, I'm not looking to marry a person of the female variety. Though you're totally cute, and you're playing w/a Dalek in your photo, which is totes awesome. We should at LEAST meet up for a pint if you're ever in NYC. :)
WHY AM I STILL UP?? Oh right, it's because I've just gotten home from a party and I'm tipsy as all hell and can't lie down because that's when the room starts spinning. Right...(that's way more than any of you needed to know about me, I'm sure, but there you are)
You big boaster, Rob!
It happens almost without you noticing. You look up and somehow 25 years have passed. You'll see, Paul.
- Rob Hansen
The lazy (and seemingly ubiquitous these days) identification of 'evil' with 'Christian' in last week's Being Human doesn't bother you then, Paul?
(Interesting to see you recommending marriage, when your namesake gives pretty much the opposite advice).
Teresa: judging by why you're still up, you and Brackers would get on. Rob: arrgh! It just did! What year is this?! Who's the President?! SK: ah, but this is Toby, who gave us that lovely vicar at the end of last season, who'll be back to balance the debate. Which was always the old deal before Dawkins came along. My namesake? Who's that?
Re: Marriage/Your Namesake
I assume they're referring to the Apostle Paul, who said "Better to marry than to burn". However, he did go on to add, "with vain desire" which qualifies it somewhat, and many scholars believe the entire comment should be taken in the context of his general belief that we were in the Last Days at the time.
Also, your advice didn't work out for the Tenth Doctor (see EOT Part 1), did it? There's a canonical ship that should be spawning a lot more fiction than it is doing right now.
Which reminds me, looking for something to hold a door open when you carry boxes in and out? Try "The Writers Tale Mark II"
Paul: thanks for allowing the plug.
Also can’t wait to read what you have to say about Being Human. Its one of several UK shows am really enjoying at the moment. Enjoyed last nights episode.
Poor Annie, and poor George. They don’t have it easy these guys.
St. Paul, yes, who recommended avoiding the 'worldly trouble' of marriage unless you are unable to resist the temptation of fornication (and there's a word you don't see much these days!). The best he has to say about marriage is that it isn't actually a sin (it always seems odd to me to read I Corinthians 13 at weddings, and I hope some day to hear the reader accidentally start five chapters early).
I can't remember the 'lovely vicar', but I do hope that he or she is actually a vicar who, you know, believes in Christianity, rather than a secular liberal humanist in a cassock -- which seems to be the only way vicars are allowed to be not-evil these days (yes, I'm looking at you, Mr Curtis). Well, unless Joe Aherne is involved. Now he really writes good clergy.
Has the remake of the TV show "V" aired in the UK at all?
I was SO upset by one of the main characters, who's a Catholic priest. He starts OFF w/a crisis of faith even before the aliens get there, and once the aliens arrive, suddenly he "can't reconcile" their existence w/that of God. I knew it would only be a matter of time before they got him out of the priest outfit entirely, and I'm counting down until the sexual tension comes to a boil with the female lead and they make out. That is, if the show lasts, which I don't think it will. It's not great.
But just ONCE, I'd like to see a member of the clergy be the one who challenges (both the other characters AND the audience) as opposed to being the one who is challenged ALL THE TIME.
*steps off soapbox*
It hasn't yet, and even when it does it's unlikely to be on free-to-air TV so I doubt I'll see it -- though while that disappointed me to start off with, everything I hear about it makes me a little less so.
Even if it does have the pretty girl from Smallville in it.
It's not the girl from Smallville - though I know who you're talking about, and they do look alike. It's actually Morena Baccarin, whom you might know from Joss Whedon's "Firefly!" She played Inara on that.
And yeah, you're not missing much. I really wanted to like "V", but it's not convincing me to stick around...
No, it's Supergirl.
@SK - OH, THAT GIRL! Yes, she is on "V." And she does indeed look very pretty. Not pretty enough to make you watch the show, though.
Sorry, I haven't watched Smallville since its first season. Had no idea who you were talking about! And Kristen Kreuk and Morena Baccarin DO look a lot alike...
Paul,
If it helps, for what it's worth, I think "Belonging" was my favorite Dollhouse episode. It just hit real hard. Not sure if that falls within the period or not what being a season 2 one.
Oh, right, that Paul. SK: the lovely vicar showed up in the last episode of season one, and he was exactly what you're after. I understand your baggage, but don't haul it to Toby's door. Teresa: oh no, another one of those. The recent movie King Arthur was kind of a neurotic template of Hollywood bigotry, including, despite the fact that the plot really had to stretch to include it, that Christians *must* be evil. I always say, one of our folk appears onscreen in a British crime show: they did it. Matt: yes, 'Belonging' was 2009, and excellent, as was the episode after. Some hard choices to make there.
Not being on first-name terms with Toby all I have to go on is the general rule, which (as you have noticed) isn't promising and rather leads to an attitude of assuming the worst until proven wrong. But I shall wait and watch and I am proven wrong I shall be the first to admit that.
And no, I don't watch Smallville. The very thought!
SK: As a rule when I watch something new. I tend to try and not assume anything, especially with original shows.
With remakes I'm naturally more judgmental, and more so when its a remake of a property that I grew up with and have an attachment too.
So guess what am trying to say is with Being Human, its probably best to sit back and enjoy the ride. Because the show works in such a way that pretty much anything can happen and likely will. Because its one of those shows designed to give us different points of view and get us talking. Like all good genre fare should.
Last Sundays episode. Wow, though I was concerned that there were to many chess pieces in play on that second episode because there was about four story threads running in tandem. But I got it:)
Paul: Just wondering what your thoughts are on the American version of Torchwood, which is being planned by Fox? I know its early days. But am wondering if it may well work like CSI or NCIS where you sort of link the shows together.
I should think it'll be a continuation, not a remake, but who knows? Good to see Russell getting to do that out there.
Russell and the team writing and producing kind of makes me feel a little more upbeat about it.
Though my bigger concern is the UK version, and I'm really hoping that this American version doesn't wind up being at the expense of the original. I also hope they are able to link them up. Have a bit of cross pollination going on between the USA and UK.
I mean right away you have potential dramatic conflict between how the Americans do things and how the Cardiff Torchwood does things.
Just a few things I'm pondering anyhow.
Perhaps with the amount of death we see in Torchwood. Maybe a priest would be a good addition to the Torchwood teams.
You know why i'm excited about the idea of a american Torchwood? Captain Jack Harkness on FOX. I want to see 'the slash who walks', pointing his phallic space gun at the mainstream american nerd brain.
Not sure if I agree that Epitaph One should be dismissed because it is unrepresentative - surely the Hugos were created to recognise the exceptional? And Epitaph One now shadows the rest of the show, giving it greater moral dimensions.
Juast as an aside - does anyone know if the 'first' story like Epitaph One was the Days of Future Past storyline from X-Men?
'The Slash Who Walks!' I like that. I know what you mean, 'Epitaph One' has been kind of integrated now, but at the time of broadcast, liking that one was kind of an alternative to liking the show in general. 'Days of Future Past' has been hugely influential, but surely it itself owes a debt to The Terminator?
Not to get too geeky (oh, forgot where I was for a second) from memory Future Past preceded Terminator by a couple of years, so influence may have been the other way around...but I doubt it, as they're both quite dissimilarly similar.
You're right. X-Men 1981, Terminator 1984.
Brilliant list, hope the Haiti auction goes well, and I agree, the Comic Book Queers podcast is a hoot.
Indeed!