Mike Luoma Writes Science Fiction, Comic Books, and This Blog...
Saturday, July 31, 2010
Hear 2 Chapters of VATICAN AMBASSADOR on my new podcast!
The regular episodic embedded player from podomatic doesn't seem to be working today, so I'll post the new podcast episode here with their large size player - you can still hear chapters 3 & 4 of my science fiction adventure Vatican Ambassador on today's episode - plus upcoming comic book news and more!
Saturday, July 24, 2010
The Adventure Continues - Chapter 2 of VATICAN AMBASSADOR on this week's show!
Vatican Ambassador continues this week on the podcast. The second book in The Vatican Assassin Trilogy continues with the election of a new Governor of Lunar Prime - will it be incumbent (and friend of BC) Marc Edwards? Or Daniel McEntyre, the grieving widower of the former governor - you know... the one BC assassinated? BC can work with Edwards. McEntyre? Not so much...
There's background extras after the chapter, some talk about the writing and editing and a bit from the original story outline. And because it's comic con weekend, I pimp my comics! Heck, you can read them for free... You can listen to all my books for free: http://glowinthedarkradio.com or http://mikeluoma.com
There's also a promo for JC Hutchins' latest project. Find out more at http://jointhecolony.com
There's background extras after the chapter, some talk about the writing and editing and a bit from the original story outline. And because it's comic con weekend, I pimp my comics! Heck, you can read them for free... You can listen to all my books for free: http://glowinthedarkradio.com or http://mikeluoma.com
There's also a promo for JC Hutchins' latest project. Find out more at http://jointhecolony.com
Friday, July 16, 2010
A New Podcast Episode - and A New Beginning!
A New Beginning... Vatican Assassin ended last week - but the Vatican Assassin Trilogy continues! I'll read you chapter one of book two - Vatican Ambassador - on today's Glow-in-the-Dark Radio podcast!
Saturday, July 10, 2010
The end of VATICAN ASSASSIN on today's Podcast!
Listen to the final two chapters (30 & 31) of my science fiction adventure Vatican Assassin - Remastered on today's podcast. Plus some bonus chatter from me on the history of Vatican Assassin and how many copies have sold & been downloaded, etc. More info at http://glowinthedarkradio.com
Saturday, July 03, 2010
Hear THREE Chapters of VATICAN ASSASSIN Free On the New Podcast!
My new Glow-in-the-Dark Radio Podcast is up - with chapters 27, 28 & 29 of my science fiction adventure Vatican Assassin Remastered - listen in as I read you my book -- it's free!
Saturday, June 26, 2010
Two Chapters of VATICAN ASSASSIN On My New Podcast!
As we near the end of the book the chapters of my science fiction adventure Vatican Assassin come fast and furious! Hear chapters 25 & 26 on this week's podcast:
Saturday, June 19, 2010
For Your Listening Pleasure... Glow-in-the-Dark Radio Podcast Episode 108
My new Glow-in-the-Dark Radio Podcast is up with chapter twenty-four of the Remastered edition of my science fiction adventure Vatican Assassin!
Monday, June 14, 2010
FREE "Alibi Jones" Short Story!
My short story "Alibi Jones: Vacation" - a sort of stand-alone sequel story to the novel Alibi Jones - came out originally as an audio only contribution to the audiobook anthology Podioracket Presents: Visionaries. Now you can get a free pdf copy of the short story when you become a fan of the Alibi Jones facebook page:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Burlington-VT/Alibi-Jones/142797717510
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Burlington-VT/Alibi-Jones/142797717510
Saturday, June 12, 2010
New Glow-in-the-Dark Radio Podcast With BRAND NEW Alibi Jones material from the Upcoming Sequel
Chapters 22 & 23 of my science fiction adventure Vatican Assassin on today's podcast... PLUS I decided to share some of the new Alibi Jones 2 that's in the works - brand new material written into novel form just this week!
Live on Podioracket!
I was on Podioracket's live Blog talk radio Show this week - check out the archived show:
PR-PV Authors descend on the Podioracket
Listen to internet radio with PodioRacket.com on Blog Talk Radio
PR-PV Authors descend on the Podioracket
Saturday, June 05, 2010
PodOmatic | Embed a Podcast Player
My new podcast episodes features both chapters 20 and 21 of the Remastered Vatican Assassin:
Join Me on PodioRacket.com/ Blog Talk Radio Wednesday Night!
Join myself and the other 7 authors from the second half of the short story audiobook anthology Podioracket Presents-Visionaries this coming Wednesday night, June 9th at 9pm EDT on www.blogtalkradio.com/podioracket! Speak with myself, Philippa Ballantine, Basil Sands, Teel McClanahan III, Brian Rathbone, J. Daniel Sawyer, H.E. Roulo, and Phil Rossi. Brian Holtz will be co-hosting with Rhonda Carpenter and, to add even more excitement, there will be book give-aways. Don't miss out! PodioRacket.com on Blog Talk Radio
Saturday, May 29, 2010
Glow-in-the-Dark Radio Podcast Episode 105 Is Live!
You can hear Chapter 19 of my science fiction adventure Vatican Assassin Remastered as well as an "archival" recording of my tune "Don't Look For the Sun" from 2006 on this episode of my podcast:
Saturday, May 22, 2010
Glow-in-the-Dark Radio Podcast Episode 104 now LIVE!
The new episode of my Glow-in-the-Dark Radio Podcast is now up - hear chapter 18 of Vatican Assassin and a song, too - "Let It Fly"!
Saturday, May 15, 2010
New Glow-in-the-Dark Radio Podcast Up!
There's a new episode of my Glow-in-the-Dark Radio Podcast up - listen to chapters sixteen and seventeen of my science fiction adventure Vatican Assassin on the new episode!
Friday, May 07, 2010
Great News AND a New Glow-in-the-Dark Radio Podcast!
On Monday, I start as the new Music Director and Midday host on The Point!
It's great to be back at the station, even better to be back as the station's Music Director. You'll be able to hear me every weekday from 10am to 3pm (Eastern Time), on the air in Vermont and online everywhere at http://pointfm.com.
Aaaaand there's a new Glow-in-the-Dark Radio Podcast:
The podcast will be moving from Fridays to Saturdays as of next week due to my new schedule.
It's great to be back at the station, even better to be back as the station's Music Director. You'll be able to hear me every weekday from 10am to 3pm (Eastern Time), on the air in Vermont and online everywhere at http://pointfm.com.
Aaaaand there's a new Glow-in-the-Dark Radio Podcast:
The podcast will be moving from Fridays to Saturdays as of next week due to my new schedule.
Friday, April 30, 2010
Glow-in-the-Dark Radio Episodes One-Hundred and 101!
The Landmark 100th Episode of the Glow-in-the-Dark Radio Podcast:
AND the 101st Episode - Brand New!
AND the 101st Episode - Brand New!
Friday, April 16, 2010
Cross Promote on the Glow-in-the-Dark Radio Podcast!
Next Friday marks the 100th episode of my Glow-in-the-Dark Radio podcast! I started the podcast back in September of 2006 to get my book VATICAN ASSASSIN out. It faded for a bit in 2008, but came back strong in late 2009, and has now made it up to a hundred. I'm currently presenting the remastered chapters of my science fiction adventure Vatican Assassin.
All that is background for my invitation to cross-promote your podcast, website, book or current project while I shamelessly ask for you to congratulate me on reaching my 100th podcast episode
Interested? Please record a short promo - tell us who you are, promote your latest thing and give a web address. Then wish me, Mike Luoma, congratulations on reaching the 100th episode of the Glow-in-the-Dark Radio podcast. Doesn't need to be too long or elaborate.
By the way, my last name is pronounced Loo-OH-mah. It's Finnish
I'm hoping to run a few of these throughout next Friday's anniversary special. If you'd like to be a part of it, please send me an mp3 of your greeting/promo before next Thursday night at midnight PDT - Send it to: glowinthedarkradio@gmail.com
Would love to have you on the podcast!
Mike Luoma
All that is background for my invitation to cross-promote your podcast, website, book or current project while I shamelessly ask for you to congratulate me on reaching my 100th podcast episode
Interested? Please record a short promo - tell us who you are, promote your latest thing and give a web address. Then wish me, Mike Luoma, congratulations on reaching the 100th episode of the Glow-in-the-Dark Radio podcast. Doesn't need to be too long or elaborate.
By the way, my last name is pronounced Loo-OH-mah. It's Finnish
I'm hoping to run a few of these throughout next Friday's anniversary special. If you'd like to be a part of it, please send me an mp3 of your greeting/promo before next Thursday night at midnight PDT - Send it to: glowinthedarkradio@gmail.com
Would love to have you on the podcast!
Mike Luoma
Sunday, April 11, 2010
Considering "The Source" - Questions about the "Q Gospel" Or Synoptic Sayings Source
Just re-reading and re-considering Burton L Mack's important 1993 book The Lost Gospel: The Book Of Q & Christian Origins.
In the fifteen or so years since I first read the book, I've learned a lot more about modern scholarship on early Christian history and origins, about what we think we know about the formulation of dogma and canon in the early Christian churches. And so my new reading of Mack's book was done with a better educated and thus, perhaps, more critical mind. I certainly have more questions than answers at the end of my reading.
If you're used to my writing about comic books and science fiction this discussion of heavy, esoteric theological and historical deconstruction may strike you as strange - but this stuff fascinates me. Matter of fact, my whole book Neo-Gnosis is dedicated to related exploration, reading and studies. I grew up Roman Catholic, but the more I learned about Christian Origins and the Church the less I wanted to be a part of it.
So I find my own way. And while I'm writing fiction, I have a hard time reading new fiction - just hard to keep so many fictional worlds alive in my mind all at once. So I read a lot of non-fiction, and a lot about early Christianity and the quest for the "historical" Jesus - stripping away the "myth" from the "man" as best we can.
It's not easy to hold discussions about Jesus, who he was, what he did, and how his scattered followers became the Church we know today. The extremists who use his name would like to claim exclusive rights to JESUS CHRIST as a trademark, of sorts, for their brand of religion. The so-called Christianity that calls itself Fundamentalist, or Conservative Evangelical, is actually an anti-Christ system in my opinion - see my "Holy Shit: Or... Pat Robertson is the Anti-Christ" for more. Their fragile "faith" will brook no questioning of the Jesus story they THINK is in their Bibles. Evidently, they don't actually READ their Bibles... or else their supposed "literal" reading of the Book is much more interpretation than they care to admit. 'Cause what they get out of it? I don't see it in there.
These rabid folks on the so-called "Christian" Right and their constant misappropriation of Jesus' name make it hard to talk about him and his legacy in reasonable terms with rational, thinking people. But there are rational, thinking historians, form criticists, and scholars who are looking at the origins of the Jesus movement, and what we can learn from the texts we have and the ones we've found in the last century or so, like the Dead Sea Scrolls and the lost Christian writings dug up in Egypt near Nag Hammadi. Primary source scholars are pouring over the evidence we still have to try to reconstruct what we can know about its evolution, to try to peer back through the veils of history to see what was going on back then, when Jesus was walking around the Palestine and Galilee.
As I cannot read Aramaic, Greek or Latin, I must rely on those who can... I'm more a reading or secondary source scholar, I suppose. The more I read, the less the primary source scholars agree with one another - the nuances of their disunity become more apparent. But reading these various ideas is like mental exercise - like mind candy for me - and so I continue to look for new and different ideas and considerations of the sources.
And speaking of sources... this brings me to my current question about Q.
The briefest background on Q, in case you need it: It is widely accepted that the Gospel in Mark's name was written first, circa 70 AD. Matthew's came next, probably in the 80s, John's and Luke's in the 90's, early 100s. Though the gospel in John's name is very different, when you place Mark, Matthew and Luke side-by-side you see they have similarities and overlapping phrases and stories. It is apparent to many that Matthew and Luke both copied from Mark - the way each borrowed from Mark also showed what each cared to emphasize about Jesus in their versions.
In addition to the material from Mark, Matthew and Luke share other material. Some argue this is because Luke copied from Matthew, end of story. But many more have shown that the "Markan" material copied by both gospel writers came from slightly different source documents, and sometimes Luke's gospel's version of Mark's events or phrasing is of an earlier form than Matthew's, in a more primitive Greek, which is evidence that Matthew and Luke were written independent of one another. That being the case, it appears that Matthew and Luke both used another common source or two, because there is overlapping material in both that doesn't come from Mark. The German theologians who originally figured this out called their hypothetical source "Q" - from the German for "source" - "quelle".
Over the last 100 years or so, scholars using form criticism and other textual redaction techniques have attempted to draw this lost source out of the gospels. They found it was probably not a narrative book, but instead a collection of sayings. The discovery of the lost "Gospel of Thomas" in the mid-twentieth century bolstered this viewpoint - though it was not Q, it was a collection of the sayings of Jesus, and showed that his followers did indeed create such collections. In addition, Thomas also shared some of the previously identified Q material with Matthew and Luke!
Others went further, and argued that textual criticism showed that Q had to be a unified whole of its own, even though an original document has never been found. Still others took that hypothetical whole and broke IT down even further, suggesting that 3 layers of development could be perceived in the the text. The most strident of this group went so far as to then say you could deduce who the earliest followers of Jesus were from what was included in the earliest layer, or strata of Q, which they called Q1. This is Burton Mack's point of view, and he hammers it home in The Lost Gospel: The Book Of Q & Christian Origins.
As I read Mack's confident stratification of Q (advancing his arguments from another scholar's, John Kloppenborg',s stratification), and once again encountered his gleeful stripping away of the apocalyptic overtones from the earliest layer of his Q material, I now understood he's arguing directly against others who cast Jesus as a Jewish Apocalyptic Prophet, from Albert Schweitzer down to modern scholars like Bart Ehrman.
But another question bothered me. Mack suggests - actually, he insists... he doesn't really ever just "suggest" anything - the Hellenization of the Galilee and Q's location in Galilee argue for the possibility - for Mack the "fact" - that Jesus was a Cynic Sage. But when we strip away the apocalyptic overtones of the Q2 strata to get at Mack's sage, we also strip away ALL the references in Q to the places of Galilee. Q1 not only has no apocalyptic phrasing, it also lacks any locations and thus any possible certitude of its locale of origin. No?
Mack argues audaciously not only for the reality of Q, but also for the ability to stratify the work chronologically in order to deduce from the earliest "layer" the character of the group of Jesus' followers who compiled the earliest form of the work. But part of his argument stems from the character of the Galilee at the time of Jesus and his earliest followers - even though the earliest layer is as bereft of references to places as it is apocalyptic proclamations. How can he have it both ways?
I don't have the answer. But it is an interesting question to ponder...
In the fifteen or so years since I first read the book, I've learned a lot more about modern scholarship on early Christian history and origins, about what we think we know about the formulation of dogma and canon in the early Christian churches. And so my new reading of Mack's book was done with a better educated and thus, perhaps, more critical mind. I certainly have more questions than answers at the end of my reading.
If you're used to my writing about comic books and science fiction this discussion of heavy, esoteric theological and historical deconstruction may strike you as strange - but this stuff fascinates me. Matter of fact, my whole book Neo-Gnosis is dedicated to related exploration, reading and studies. I grew up Roman Catholic, but the more I learned about Christian Origins and the Church the less I wanted to be a part of it.
So I find my own way. And while I'm writing fiction, I have a hard time reading new fiction - just hard to keep so many fictional worlds alive in my mind all at once. So I read a lot of non-fiction, and a lot about early Christianity and the quest for the "historical" Jesus - stripping away the "myth" from the "man" as best we can.
It's not easy to hold discussions about Jesus, who he was, what he did, and how his scattered followers became the Church we know today. The extremists who use his name would like to claim exclusive rights to JESUS CHRIST as a trademark, of sorts, for their brand of religion. The so-called Christianity that calls itself Fundamentalist, or Conservative Evangelical, is actually an anti-Christ system in my opinion - see my "Holy Shit: Or... Pat Robertson is the Anti-Christ" for more. Their fragile "faith" will brook no questioning of the Jesus story they THINK is in their Bibles. Evidently, they don't actually READ their Bibles... or else their supposed "literal" reading of the Book is much more interpretation than they care to admit. 'Cause what they get out of it? I don't see it in there.
These rabid folks on the so-called "Christian" Right and their constant misappropriation of Jesus' name make it hard to talk about him and his legacy in reasonable terms with rational, thinking people. But there are rational, thinking historians, form criticists, and scholars who are looking at the origins of the Jesus movement, and what we can learn from the texts we have and the ones we've found in the last century or so, like the Dead Sea Scrolls and the lost Christian writings dug up in Egypt near Nag Hammadi. Primary source scholars are pouring over the evidence we still have to try to reconstruct what we can know about its evolution, to try to peer back through the veils of history to see what was going on back then, when Jesus was walking around the Palestine and Galilee.
As I cannot read Aramaic, Greek or Latin, I must rely on those who can... I'm more a reading or secondary source scholar, I suppose. The more I read, the less the primary source scholars agree with one another - the nuances of their disunity become more apparent. But reading these various ideas is like mental exercise - like mind candy for me - and so I continue to look for new and different ideas and considerations of the sources.
And speaking of sources... this brings me to my current question about Q.
The briefest background on Q, in case you need it: It is widely accepted that the Gospel in Mark's name was written first, circa 70 AD. Matthew's came next, probably in the 80s, John's and Luke's in the 90's, early 100s. Though the gospel in John's name is very different, when you place Mark, Matthew and Luke side-by-side you see they have similarities and overlapping phrases and stories. It is apparent to many that Matthew and Luke both copied from Mark - the way each borrowed from Mark also showed what each cared to emphasize about Jesus in their versions.
In addition to the material from Mark, Matthew and Luke share other material. Some argue this is because Luke copied from Matthew, end of story. But many more have shown that the "Markan" material copied by both gospel writers came from slightly different source documents, and sometimes Luke's gospel's version of Mark's events or phrasing is of an earlier form than Matthew's, in a more primitive Greek, which is evidence that Matthew and Luke were written independent of one another. That being the case, it appears that Matthew and Luke both used another common source or two, because there is overlapping material in both that doesn't come from Mark. The German theologians who originally figured this out called their hypothetical source "Q" - from the German for "source" - "quelle".
Over the last 100 years or so, scholars using form criticism and other textual redaction techniques have attempted to draw this lost source out of the gospels. They found it was probably not a narrative book, but instead a collection of sayings. The discovery of the lost "Gospel of Thomas" in the mid-twentieth century bolstered this viewpoint - though it was not Q, it was a collection of the sayings of Jesus, and showed that his followers did indeed create such collections. In addition, Thomas also shared some of the previously identified Q material with Matthew and Luke!
Others went further, and argued that textual criticism showed that Q had to be a unified whole of its own, even though an original document has never been found. Still others took that hypothetical whole and broke IT down even further, suggesting that 3 layers of development could be perceived in the the text. The most strident of this group went so far as to then say you could deduce who the earliest followers of Jesus were from what was included in the earliest layer, or strata of Q, which they called Q1. This is Burton Mack's point of view, and he hammers it home in The Lost Gospel: The Book Of Q & Christian Origins.
As I read Mack's confident stratification of Q (advancing his arguments from another scholar's, John Kloppenborg',s stratification), and once again encountered his gleeful stripping away of the apocalyptic overtones from the earliest layer of his Q material, I now understood he's arguing directly against others who cast Jesus as a Jewish Apocalyptic Prophet, from Albert Schweitzer down to modern scholars like Bart Ehrman.
But another question bothered me. Mack suggests - actually, he insists... he doesn't really ever just "suggest" anything - the Hellenization of the Galilee and Q's location in Galilee argue for the possibility - for Mack the "fact" - that Jesus was a Cynic Sage. But when we strip away the apocalyptic overtones of the Q2 strata to get at Mack's sage, we also strip away ALL the references in Q to the places of Galilee. Q1 not only has no apocalyptic phrasing, it also lacks any locations and thus any possible certitude of its locale of origin. No?
Mack argues audaciously not only for the reality of Q, but also for the ability to stratify the work chronologically in order to deduce from the earliest "layer" the character of the group of Jesus' followers who compiled the earliest form of the work. But part of his argument stems from the character of the Galilee at the time of Jesus and his earliest followers - even though the earliest layer is as bereft of references to places as it is apocalyptic proclamations. How can he have it both ways?
I don't have the answer. But it is an interesting question to ponder...
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Sketch Cards for Cancer - My 4 Cards
Here's the Event Information:
Here are the 4 Cards I'm contributing to the Sketch Cards for Cancer Auction:
If you're an artist and you want to get involved, you have until April 21st to get your cards in. The details on the auction can be found here over on Bill Nichols' blog: http://comicsmentor.com/?page_id=94
Come May 15th or so, you'll be able to bid for these on eBay, with proceeds going to the American Cancer Society!
Blue Line Pro Sketch Card Event for Cancer 2010
3rd Annual
SKETCH CARD BENEFIT AUCTION
AND GALLERY SHOW
FOR AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY
May 22, 2010
SKETCH CARD BENEFIT AUCTION
AND GALLERY SHOW
FOR AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY
May 22, 2010
The Third Annual Sketch Card Event for Cancer has been announced!
Comics 2 Games is hosting a SKETCH CARD GALLERY SHOW and Benefit Auction for American Cancer Society on May 22, 2010.
Proceeds will go to the AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY.
Location: Comics 2 Games, 8470 US 42., Florence, KY 41042 phone: .
For more information about participating or attending the event email: Sketchcards@bluelinepro.com .
Here are the 4 Cards I'm contributing to the Sketch Cards for Cancer Auction:
If you're an artist and you want to get involved, you have until April 21st to get your cards in. The details on the auction can be found here over on Bill Nichols' blog: http://comicsmentor.com/?page_id=94
Come May 15th or so, you'll be able to bid for these on eBay, with proceeds going to the American Cancer Society!
Monday, March 29, 2010
PodOmatic | Podcast - The Glow-in-the-Dark Radio Podcast - Glow-in-the-Dark Radio Episode Ninety-Six
Just up - a brand new podcast episode! Featuring chapters three and four of the remastered version of Vatican Assassin - plus news and stuff:
Glow-in-the-Dark Radio Podcast - Episode Ninety-Six
Glow-in-the-Dark Radio Podcast - Episode Ninety-Six
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Saturday, March 20, 2010
Guest Blog at Podioracket.com!
Not only do I have a new Alibi Jones story in their anthology, I've also written a guest blog this week for Podioracket on why writers might give their work away free....
PodioRacket - What are you putting in your ears?
PodioRacket - What are you putting in your ears?
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
All About Marvel's Cosmic Warrior Killraven!
Spent a long time putting together this extensive profile on the Marvel Comics' character Killraven. I'm not writing for any website (except my own) right now, but was still itching to share the fruits of my labors. So... I've put it up on my site for your reading pleasure:
Mike Luoma's Cosmic Crackle: Killraven!
Mike Luoma's Cosmic Crackle: Killraven!
Monday, March 08, 2010
My New Story Debuts At MegaCon This Weekend!
I was just posting about this over at http://comicrelated.com and realized I needed to mention it here!
If you're going to MegaCon this weekend, you'll be able to check out a new story from me in a brand new anthology! MegaCon is this weekend, March 12-14, at the Orange County Convention Center Hall D
9899 International Drive in Orlando, Florida.
If you're going to MegaCon this weekend, you'll be able to check out a new story from me in a brand new anthology! MegaCon is this weekend, March 12-14, at the Orange County Convention Center Hall D
9899 International Drive in Orlando, Florida.
Earthbound Comics (http://earthboundcomics.com) is debuting the new issue of the anthology series Lady Fight - Aggression at MegaCon! In the pages of the new issue (check out that stunning cover by Rob Nix!!) you'll find my newest installment in the ongoing saga of SOUVERAIN!
In SOUVERAIN: UNDER GOD, Souverain decides vengeance is HERS! Souverain has gone rogue, leaving the army to wage her own vigilante war for social justice against the warlords and drug traders of Afghanistan!
Ben Ferrari, Earthbound founder and creator of the character, is on art duties once again. The other charter Earthbound man, Matt Grant, lends a hand as well. It's a joy working with these guys!
Earthbound's PR guy, Sebastian Piccione will be at MegaCon with Lady Fight and the other Earthbound titles. Stop by table RED 4 in the Independent Press section, say hello to Sebastian (his cool Cat 5 is in Lady Fight) and take a look at the books. You'll be able to get a copy of Lady Fight: Escalation, too, containing my first Souverain story.
Here's a link to the Earthbound Comics blog with more details:
http://earthboundcomics.com/index.php/2010/02/megacon-details-announced/
AND if you're like me and unable to venture to the con, hope you don't mind if I point out that the issues are also available now at Indy Planet: http://www.indyplanet.com/store/advanced_search_result.php?keywords=earthbound&osCsid=ate0sl1f9agos594m3carf11h4
Ben Ferrari, Earthbound founder and creator of the character, is on art duties once again. The other charter Earthbound man, Matt Grant, lends a hand as well. It's a joy working with these guys!
Earthbound's PR guy, Sebastian Piccione will be at MegaCon with Lady Fight and the other Earthbound titles. Stop by table RED 4 in the Independent Press section, say hello to Sebastian (his cool Cat 5 is in Lady Fight) and take a look at the books. You'll be able to get a copy of Lady Fight: Escalation, too, containing my first Souverain story.
Here's a link to the Earthbound Comics blog with more details:
http://earthboundcomics.com/index.php/2010/02/megacon-details-announced/
AND if you're like me and unable to venture to the con, hope you don't mind if I point out that the issues are also available now at Indy Planet: http://www.indyplanet.com/store/advanced_search_result.php?keywords=earthbound&osCsid=ate0sl1f9agos594m3carf11h4
Friday, February 26, 2010
Ain't It Cool News Comics Reviews Vatican Assassin #1
Pretty Cool Review! Halfway down the page - under "Indie Jones":
VATICAN ASSASSIN #1
Glow in the Dark Radio Comics
A few years back, Mike Luoma sent me a comic called HOLY SHIT OR PAT ROBERTSON IS THE ANTI-CHRIST. In my review, I tried very hard to be constructive, but ended up giving it a pretty negative review. Basically, I panned the book as barely a comic since it basically was a bunch of splash pages with text adorning either side of the page. The subject, as the title would indicate, was religion. And the whole thing left a bad taste in my mouth. After reading VATICAN ASSASSIN, Luoma’s follow-up, it appears that the writer took some time to gain understanding of comics. VA reads in a much clearer way, with a definite plot and a theme that may be appealing to some. In the future, the moon has become a hotbed of political and religious turmoil. The Muslim-dominated Mars colonies constantly pose a threat to the moon’s Catholic Church, forcing them to enlist a man known as BC, the Vatican Assassin. That’s the plot, and as you see, it’s of the religified variety. Religion is often a hard sell in comics, and I have to give it to Luoma for writing what he feels passionately about. The book is still as indie as you can get with capable and oft times nicely angled panels, suffering from the usual stiffness of characters that one often associates with indie books. VATICAN ASSASSIN is a much more digestible read than Luoma’s first book, and I have to commend the author for evolving and showing a lot of growth from his first project to this one.
Parting of the Ways
I'm no longer writing for Cosmic Book News... there was a difference of opinion. All good folk over there, but you won't be finding my writing on their site any more.
For those of you kind enough to ask about my "Shut Up and Put Out Yer Comic Book" article, it's now available here:
http://mikeluoma.com/SUAPOYCB.html
For those of you kind enough to ask about my "Shut Up and Put Out Yer Comic Book" article, it's now available here:
http://mikeluoma.com/SUAPOYCB.html
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