kurtbusiek

[kurtbusiek]

"Don't use Libby because it costs libraries too much, pirate instead" is such a weird, anti-patron, anti-author take that somehow manages to also be anti-library, in my professional librarian-ass opinion.

It's well documented that pirating books negatively affects authors directly* in a way that pirating movies or TV shows doesn't affect actors or writers, so I will likely always be anti-book piracy unless there's absolutely, positively no other option (i.e. the book simply doesn't exist outside of online archives at all, or in a particular language).

Also, yeah, Libby and Hoopla licenses are really expensive, but libraries buy them SO THAT PATRONS CAN USE THEM. If you're gonna be pissed at anybody about this shitty state of affairs, be pissed at publishing companies and continue to use Libby or Hoopla at your library so we can continue to justify having it to our funding bodies.

One of the best ways to support your library having services you like is to USE THOSE SERVICES. Yes, even if they are expensive.

*Yes, this is a blog post, but it's a blog post filled with links to news articles. If you can click one link, you can click another.

[kurtbusiek]

(As of 2001, anyway…)

[kurtbusiek]

Well here’s some news! Dark Horse's official description for my new graphic novel, BACKFLASH.

Presented by acclaimed and award-winning creators, writer Mat Johnson (Incognegro, Pym) and artist Steve Lieber (Superman’s Pal Jimmy Olsen, Whiteout), Backflash tells the story of Devin, whose life is spiraling out of control, until he discovers the impossible: by touching an article of family memorabilia, he can travel back in time, mentally reliving the best moments of his past while escaping his problems of the present. But the more Devin "backflashes" he finds himself on a trail of family mystery and betrayal. On this hunt for a truth that was never supposed to come to light, Devin must come to terms with his past if he wants any chance at a future.

“It’s been a thrill working with Mat again, and Steve for the first time--two masterful storytellers at the top of their game,” said Berger in a statement. “Together they deliver a delightfully strange and fresh take on time travel, full of emotional power and sly wit. It’s a hell of a ride!”

Backflash is 104 pages long and is priced at $22.99. The book will be released in bookstores on November 12 and comic shops on November 13.

https://www.ign.com/articles/backflash-graphic-novel-dark-horse-berger-books-imprint

Backflash is by Mat Johnson, Steve Lieber, Lee Loughridge, and Clem Robins. Special thanks to Tom Rogers!

Published by Dark Horse Comics.

[kurtbusiek]

Also: Why would anyone in "Shoggoth's Old Peculiar" be speaking in a New England accent, good or bad, when the story's set in regular old Old England? In a Lovecraftian town, perhaps, but not a New England one.

if you give “stupid” characters rural/southern accents i don’t like you and if you give “smart” characters rural/southern accents but it’s a punchline i don’t like you even more

[kurtbusiek]

It kinda looks like you get the dinner, Neil, and the rest can show up after for the games session.

[kurtbusiek]

The passing of absolute legend Trina Robbins just hit me in the chest like a punch when I learned it this morning.

She was such a force, an exceptional human being, witty, quick-witted, brilliant and talented, always crusading for women’s rights in and out of the industry.

I met her and worked with her only a few times, but each time she was an absolute delight and her exceptionality just poured from her. We will miss you a lot Trina.

All my condolences to her family and friends.

NY TIMES obituary (if you don't know her please read): https://web.archive.org/.../10/arts/trina-robbins-dead.html

#trinarobbins

[kurtbusiek]

btw the thing she couldn’t ignore was someone calling her out for saying anti-depressants/hormone therapy are only perscribed by lazy doctors

[kurtbusiek]

Here they are all together! 💍✨ I have also officialy decided to make an artbook (or two) with all the characters! Hopefully it'll be printed and ready in summer!

Big thank you to all of you who reserved some of the originals. I'll send you the info and ship the drawings during next two weeks 💖

If there is someone still interested in getting some of the original drawings please let me know. These characters are left - Goldberry, Warg, Bard, Thorin, Ghan-burin-Ghan, Beorn, Roäc, Shelob, Wormtongue.

The prices are from 50 to 80USD (shipping included). All the earnings will be sent to charities.

Thank you! 🌿

[kurtbusiek]

[kurtbusiek]

My latest Guardian Books cartoon.

[kurtbusiek]

[kurtbusiek]

Anecdote: It was late 1998 or early 1999. I was working as an Assistant Direct Sales Manager at Marvel Comics. There was work that needed doing that had me in the office on a Saturday, but on the weekend, when there wasn't a full staff there, we could play music, if we wanted. I was playing LINCOLN, by They Might Be Giants. The rest of Direct Sales was there, dealing with whatever it was we were dealing with. At one point, someone -- I thought it was Lou Bank, but he says no, so maybe it was someone from another department -- walked by, paused, listened for a moment and asked, "Is this R.E.M.?" A little later Paul Curtis, secretary to our boss Carol Kalish, walked by. Paused, listened. "Is that...the Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band?" A little later. Carol herself walks by. Stops. Listens. "What the hell is this, the Muppets?!" What I love about the story is that none of them were all that far off-base.

what is the best tmbg album in your opinion?

I don't know what the best is, but Lincoln was the one that Terry Pratchett and I bonded over and this was the last song we sang together, shortly before he died:

#hedoesntgetnervous #shesnotreallythere

[kurtbusiek]

Yes, this. Trains, please.

“Nobody’s going to want to sit on high-speed rail for fifteen hours to get from New York City to LA.”

Me. I will sit on high-speed rail for fifteen hours. I’ll sit on it for days. I’ll write and read and nap and eat and then do it all over again. I’ll stare out the windows and see America from ground level and not have to drive. I’ll see the Rockies and the deserts and cornfields and the Mississippi River and your house and yours and yours too. I’ll make up stories in my head about the small towns I see as we go along. I’ll see the states I’ve yet to see because driving or flying there is a fucking slog and expensive to boot. I’ll enjoy the ride as much as the destination. And then I’ll do it all over again to come the fuck home.

[kurtbusiek]

Author unknown:

[kurtbusiek]

Last Week Tonight, March 16, 2022

[kurtbusiek]

Solar energy has so many benefits. Raising salaries for teachers is such a needed narrative.

[kurtbusiek]

:)

"At one point, the Animal Welfare debate segued into a discussion of the soap opera Coronation Street, with Labour MP for Chester Samantha Dixon saying: 'Is my hon. Friend aware of a recent Coronation Street storyline on precisely this issue? It involved the indomitable Evelyn, who is, of course, played by Maureen Lipman, and covered the issues around puppy farming. It was a strong, educational storyline.'"