I just finished the funny, informative book Committed by Mark St. Amant and I have to say I'm jealous as Hell...
Firstly, the guy related the year he spent completely devoted to Fantasy Football. I'd love to do that. He, like so many other players, has a deep passion for the game, but can't seem to find success (in Fantasy Football, success means winning the Championship). He has just one team in just one league (I've read the average player has 2.6 teams) and has never won The Big One, so his lack of success was disturbing him to no end.
So he quit his job and spent an entire year devoted to "Project Kick My League's Ass".
Interspersed with his intention to decimate his opponents, he travelled to a nearby draft party, and met guys really into the whole Fantasy Football draft (they make a weekend of it). He also went to the World Championship of Fantasy Football held in Las Vegas. This high-end tournament has a $200,000 payout for the champion. In an odd coincidence, the winner of the first WCOFF, was an average guy who lives in the city next to mine: a mere 5 minute drive. I didn't even know it. And he visited online football forums and got to learn how other people got into and what their startegies were.
Now the second reason I'm jealous: the book is fantastically well-written. I don't know what credits St. Amant has to his resume (the job he left was one at an ad agency), but his style of writing is one I'd love to adopt one day (being a 2 decade-long aspiring writer who'll never write anything beyond a blog...). The book is informative, but it's all "hidden" in telling his story. The humor is top-notch-- I found myself laughing out loud more than a few times.
St. Amant took me for a ride. The highs and lows of a single Fantasy Football season are all laid out, and while I've only played one season myself, I could completely relate to his experiences. No matter how much preparation you make, you still have no control over the outcome. Any single team can beat any other single team on any given week. I've been there, so has St. Amant.
Beyond that, he gave a very informative (and entertaining) history lesson as well as stories about other people's experiences. He also told the tale of Fantasy Football as it relates to the "outside world". In the past few years, it's gotten mainstream respect (now that over 14 million people play and shell out tons of money to do so), but as little as five years ago, the whole concept was laughed at by most sports reporters, and the players were considered sports-killing geeks. While I don't have to feel shame about playing now since I'm in the middle of it's popularity upswing, I have been a comic book reader for over 25 years, so I know what the early players went through.
Anyway, this book is a great read for anyone who plays the game. It's also a great read for anyone who's in a relationship with someone who plays the game. And, finally, it's a great read for someone looking for a good time. It's got a breezy feeling to it as if a buddy was telling you his stories. And, yes, he gets specific about players and rules, but they're expplained enough that it's not as if he's writing in a foreign language.
The third reason I'm jealous: he's married, and his wife supported his decision to take a year off. They're not wealthy, but they made it work. He gives his wife the proper thanks all throughout the book, but, My God, she actually let him quit his job to play a game. I'm almost tempted to file this book as a work of fiction...
Saturday, August 19, 2006
Friday, August 18, 2006
Quick news from TV GUIDE
tvguide.com had a few interesting tidbits today:
ABC's Men in Trees will now debut on Tues, Sept 12 and then will move to it's normal Friday timeslot on the 15th. Why? Because I spent an hour creating the schedule last night, and the network gods like to f*** with me.
The Ausiello Report informs us that the sixth episode of Scrubs will be a musical episode. Normally, a stunt like that would reek of desperation, but it's Scrubs. Trust it to work just fine.
Rock Star's Dave Navarro, rock journalist Neil Strauss, and Cliff Dorman (a writer on Entourage) will develop a show for FX called The Product. It's a drama about a band that reunites after three years of bad blood.
Normally, I wouldn't report this but, I found it comical (especially since I took the real story and made jokes about it): Haley Joel Osmet was busted for driving with a .16 blood alcohol level and possessing marijuana when a mailbox jumped out on the road and ran into his car. The 18-year-old faces up to six months in jail, where he could see things worse than dead people.
And our favorite nutcase (how the hell did Matt Stone and Trey Parker know this so long ago?) Mel Gibson got three years of probation for his actions that prompted his anti-Semetic tirade (not very Christian of him). I also have to wonder: wasn't Jesus Christ officially a Jew? I'm not up on my Bible, but I thought I read that somewhere.
And I guess the media just won't leave Boy George alone. Dude had to do five days of community service, and those vultures just wouldn't let him sweep in peace. Dicks. [That's not really news in my book, but a guy who dressed like a woman and wore LOADS of makeup suddenly doesn't want attention?]
ABC's Men in Trees will now debut on Tues, Sept 12 and then will move to it's normal Friday timeslot on the 15th. Why? Because I spent an hour creating the schedule last night, and the network gods like to f*** with me.
The Ausiello Report informs us that the sixth episode of Scrubs will be a musical episode. Normally, a stunt like that would reek of desperation, but it's Scrubs. Trust it to work just fine.
Rock Star's Dave Navarro, rock journalist Neil Strauss, and Cliff Dorman (a writer on Entourage) will develop a show for FX called The Product. It's a drama about a band that reunites after three years of bad blood.
Normally, I wouldn't report this but, I found it comical (especially since I took the real story and made jokes about it): Haley Joel Osmet was busted for driving with a .16 blood alcohol level and possessing marijuana when a mailbox jumped out on the road and ran into his car. The 18-year-old faces up to six months in jail, where he could see things worse than dead people.
And our favorite nutcase (how the hell did Matt Stone and Trey Parker know this so long ago?) Mel Gibson got three years of probation for his actions that prompted his anti-Semetic tirade (not very Christian of him). I also have to wonder: wasn't Jesus Christ officially a Jew? I'm not up on my Bible, but I thought I read that somewhere.
And I guess the media just won't leave Boy George alone. Dude had to do five days of community service, and those vultures just wouldn't let him sweep in peace. Dicks. [That's not really news in my book, but a guy who dressed like a woman and wore LOADS of makeup suddenly doesn't want attention?]
Screening FOX
As I mentioned in my last entry, I received some preview copies of pilots for new and season premieres for returning FOX shows. I would expect my exuberance over Prison Break would qualify me to get any subsequent preview copies. I mean, what better cheerleader are you gonna get than me for any show I like that much?
Of course, the Powers That Be probably won't like what I have to say about the other three previews I've watched so far, so maybe I'm gonna blow my chance for more.
But then, who the hell reads this anyway?
First up: the much ballyhooed return of Everybody Loves Raymond's Brad Garrett to television comedy: 'Til Death. He play the husband to former Ellen co-star (and a crush of mine) Joely Fisher as the long-time married couple that imparts its wisdom to their newlywed neighbors played by American Pie's Eddie Kaye Thomas and newcomer (to series TV, anyway) Kat Foster.
The show's got promise, but I really don't think it's gonna take off. I laughed at a number of the gags mainly because after only a few years of marriage under my belt, I "get" the humor in the naivety of the young couple. But, as with most "standard" comedies, everything's hyper-realized with these characters. The older couple is really cynical, and the younger couple is really naive. This will grow tiring quickly-- if you made it through the first episode.
But it is a comedy in a season where very few comedies are even being aired, so it'll probably get a better than usual shot from me.
Happy Hour won't get much more of a chance from me. If I'm not hooked within two more episodes (max), it'll be coming off the DVR schedule. John Sloan plays Henry, a guy who moved to the big city to be with his girlfriend. So, naturally she dumps him and boots him from their apartment. He ends up rooming with Lex Medlin's Larry; one of those lazy, yet very cool-wise guys that only appear on television. And because Larry is such an odd duck himself, he has to surround himself with really overdone friends (the p*ssy-whipped ex-roomate, his ball-busting fiance, and his drunkenly horny boss).
Yeah, it doesn't get better... I should have mentioned this is a comedy-- I just forgot. I think the writers did, too.
[Was that too bitchy? I swear I'm not trying to be one of "those" internet critics-- the show is bad, okay?]
Finally, I watched the FBI hostage negotiators who are lovers show Standoff. Now, I should like this show. It stars the very good Ron Livingston and Gina Torres as well as Michael Cudlitz, who's appeared in most every show ever aired (like last season's Prison Break guard who T-Bag killed after he learned about the escape plot). It's also got a good concept. But the pilot doesn't give me much hope that it'll be on the air long. In fact, TV Guide's Michael Ausiello predicted this show would be the first cancelled for the new season.
A big problem is, like the other two shows I watched, it's so cliched in execution. Livingston and Rosemarie DeWitt are lovers (taboo since they're partners). He's a little aloof about the relationship, and she's mad at him for it (seen it just a few times before). In a role wasting her talents, Torres plays the tough boss, every show like this needs, who knows about the relationship, but doesn't want to split them up because they're the best team she's got. That's about it for her part: acting tough/mean and giving disapproving looks . Cudlitz plays every over-eager a**hole foil to our protagonists that ever been seen on TV (he's the the SWAT-type leader; when the negotiations go South, his team rushes in and eliminates the target-- of course, he always wants to "save the day"). And Raquel Alessi plays the super-smart support person in the hostage situation; the woman who can punch a few keys into her computer and have instant, relevant information to help out.
The pilot had a few nice moments, like when Tom Wopat "loses it" in traffic, and brandishes a gun-- with his young boys in the car-- but it felt like I had seen all the story beats before. That's not always bad, but even the extremely likable Livingston seemed to be walking through his lines. If the dude saying the words doesn't seem to be into the show, how am I supposed to be into it? And the biggest transgression, Livingston and DeWitt have been lovers for three months, and I wasn't buying it for a second.
Okay, those are my thoughts on three new FOX shows. Kinda depressing, I know, but what I saw wasn't worth the time.
Of course, there is always a rule I try to follow with brand new shows: give it two-three episodes. Pilots can sometimes be very poor, only to have the subsequent episodes pull it together to make it a watchable show. I'm hoping at least 'Til Death and Standoff find their voices (at least ones I'd listen to) because they have solid premises and good casts. It's a shame when good/great actors get stuck in garbage.
Well, after my ringing endorsements, you're probably itching for me to reveal the premiere dates, so here goes:
'Til Death and Happy Hour: Sept 7 at 7:oo and 7:30 pm CST
Standoff: Sept 5 at 8:00 pm CST
***Speaking of premiere dates, I made an Excel file of the network shows, their air dates, and their premiere dates (the best that I know, anyway). I'll send it to anyone who requests it.
Send an e-mail to teameckblog@charter.net with the subject line "Fall Schedule".
Of course, the Powers That Be probably won't like what I have to say about the other three previews I've watched so far, so maybe I'm gonna blow my chance for more.
But then, who the hell reads this anyway?
First up: the much ballyhooed return of Everybody Loves Raymond's Brad Garrett to television comedy: 'Til Death. He play the husband to former Ellen co-star (and a crush of mine) Joely Fisher as the long-time married couple that imparts its wisdom to their newlywed neighbors played by American Pie's Eddie Kaye Thomas and newcomer (to series TV, anyway) Kat Foster.
The show's got promise, but I really don't think it's gonna take off. I laughed at a number of the gags mainly because after only a few years of marriage under my belt, I "get" the humor in the naivety of the young couple. But, as with most "standard" comedies, everything's hyper-realized with these characters. The older couple is really cynical, and the younger couple is really naive. This will grow tiring quickly-- if you made it through the first episode.
But it is a comedy in a season where very few comedies are even being aired, so it'll probably get a better than usual shot from me.
Happy Hour won't get much more of a chance from me. If I'm not hooked within two more episodes (max), it'll be coming off the DVR schedule. John Sloan plays Henry, a guy who moved to the big city to be with his girlfriend. So, naturally she dumps him and boots him from their apartment. He ends up rooming with Lex Medlin's Larry; one of those lazy, yet very cool-wise guys that only appear on television. And because Larry is such an odd duck himself, he has to surround himself with really overdone friends (the p*ssy-whipped ex-roomate, his ball-busting fiance, and his drunkenly horny boss).
Yeah, it doesn't get better... I should have mentioned this is a comedy-- I just forgot. I think the writers did, too.
[Was that too bitchy? I swear I'm not trying to be one of "those" internet critics-- the show is bad, okay?]
Finally, I watched the FBI hostage negotiators who are lovers show Standoff. Now, I should like this show. It stars the very good Ron Livingston and Gina Torres as well as Michael Cudlitz, who's appeared in most every show ever aired (like last season's Prison Break guard who T-Bag killed after he learned about the escape plot). It's also got a good concept. But the pilot doesn't give me much hope that it'll be on the air long. In fact, TV Guide's Michael Ausiello predicted this show would be the first cancelled for the new season.
A big problem is, like the other two shows I watched, it's so cliched in execution. Livingston and Rosemarie DeWitt are lovers (taboo since they're partners). He's a little aloof about the relationship, and she's mad at him for it (seen it just a few times before). In a role wasting her talents, Torres plays the tough boss, every show like this needs, who knows about the relationship, but doesn't want to split them up because they're the best team she's got. That's about it for her part: acting tough/mean and giving disapproving looks . Cudlitz plays every over-eager a**hole foil to our protagonists that ever been seen on TV (he's the the SWAT-type leader; when the negotiations go South, his team rushes in and eliminates the target-- of course, he always wants to "save the day"). And Raquel Alessi plays the super-smart support person in the hostage situation; the woman who can punch a few keys into her computer and have instant, relevant information to help out.
The pilot had a few nice moments, like when Tom Wopat "loses it" in traffic, and brandishes a gun-- with his young boys in the car-- but it felt like I had seen all the story beats before. That's not always bad, but even the extremely likable Livingston seemed to be walking through his lines. If the dude saying the words doesn't seem to be into the show, how am I supposed to be into it? And the biggest transgression, Livingston and DeWitt have been lovers for three months, and I wasn't buying it for a second.
Okay, those are my thoughts on three new FOX shows. Kinda depressing, I know, but what I saw wasn't worth the time.
Of course, there is always a rule I try to follow with brand new shows: give it two-three episodes. Pilots can sometimes be very poor, only to have the subsequent episodes pull it together to make it a watchable show. I'm hoping at least 'Til Death and Standoff find their voices (at least ones I'd listen to) because they have solid premises and good casts. It's a shame when good/great actors get stuck in garbage.
Well, after my ringing endorsements, you're probably itching for me to reveal the premiere dates, so here goes:
'Til Death and Happy Hour: Sept 7 at 7:oo and 7:30 pm CST
Standoff: Sept 5 at 8:00 pm CST
***Speaking of premiere dates, I made an Excel file of the network shows, their air dates, and their premiere dates (the best that I know, anyway). I'll send it to anyone who requests it.
Send an e-mail to teameckblog@charter.net with the subject line "Fall Schedule".
Thursday, August 17, 2006
PRISON BREAK premiere
First off, the TV GUIDE Channel is reairing two Prison Break specials from last season in the next few days to get a jump on Monday's premiere. They are: Prison Break Unlocked on Thurs, 8/17 from 8-9 pm CST or Sat, 8/19 from midnight to 1 am CST, and Infanity: Prison Break on Friday, 8/18 from 6-7 pm CST.
They're both typical TV GUIDE Channel fluff, but they do offer a glimpse at the actors as well as the challenges of filming at a real (although "retired") prison. And Robert "T-Bag" Knepper has a great moment in one of those shows when he offers his pocket to Lisa Joyner. It's worth watching both just for that moment.
And, as we all know, the season premiere is on Monday, Aug 21 at 7pm CST, right? Just a few more days...
...Unless you're one of the luckiest S.O.B.s alive like me and have already seen it.
The coolest thing was in my mailbox this afternoon: 8 screeners of FOX fall shows. I've watched four of them already, but the one I was just nuts about getting is, of course: Prison Break.
Now: I will be giving my impressions in non-spoiler form (if you've seen the first season-- or at least the finale). If you don't want any inkling of what's going on, stop reading. But I promise not to ruin anything. Okay, I'll hit "enter" a few times just to give everyone a chance to pull out if they want.
The guys who escaped are still on the run-- duh. But, as always, Schofield's got a plan. The problem is: the Fox River Pen crew led by Bellick is hell-bent on getting them back. The dude is nuts. I fully expect Bellick to resign from the prison as the guys cross the state line, because he's fired up. Not only were there escapees on his watch, but he was beaten by them. It's personal. I'm glad Wade Williams is getting a chance to tear it up. I've been a fan since he played the bad-ass priest on Bernie Mac.
But there's another player in the chase: FBI agent Alexander Mahone (played by William Fichtner), who looks to be nearly as brilliant as Schofield is. He may be behind right now, but it seems inevitable that as soon as the guys cross the state line and the escapees fall under his jurisdiction, he'll pull out all the stops. Schofield had to battle circumstances and luck last season; this season looks like it'll be a battle of brains.
And, while a number of new avenues were explored, there were also a number of "loose ends" left dangling last season that are tied up or redirected in this first episode. And it didn't even touch on a few minor characters (yes, we'll learn the fate of Dr. Sarah in the first ep-- the producers aren't that cruel).
For those who are worried: the tattoos play a large part in the season opener.
And, as can be expected with this show: the last five minutes were intense for two reasons. Neither of which I'll go into here.
I was pumped for the premiere before, but now I'm in a full-on frenzy for this new season to begin. And because I watched a screener, I know what I'll see on Monday will be even better (because the colors and sound will be touched up and the "stock footage" cutaways will be stock footage and not a screen saying "stock footage").
Along with the screener DVD, there was a TV GUIDE article about the new season that was already (mostly) on tvguide.com, but it was fun to revisit. Highlights include:
Wentworth Miller says Schofield will not be the leader out of the pen. The escapees will not have a unified agenda, so they don't feel the need to follow his lead as much as they needed to in the prison. Linc will take over more of the leadership because the street is Lincoln's forte.
Creator/Exec producer Paul Scheuring said 95% of the season will be shot on location, so we can expect lots of outdoor scenes. He also said the gang will split up at times and come together at others (they all know that Westmoreland hid money in Utah, for example).
Okay, your mission is: spread the word that the new season starts on Monday. While the show is now out of the prison, the show's vibe is still intact. And, just like last year, I have no idea what will or could happen this season.
There are not many shows that can surprise me like this one does.
They're both typical TV GUIDE Channel fluff, but they do offer a glimpse at the actors as well as the challenges of filming at a real (although "retired") prison. And Robert "T-Bag" Knepper has a great moment in one of those shows when he offers his pocket to Lisa Joyner. It's worth watching both just for that moment.
And, as we all know, the season premiere is on Monday, Aug 21 at 7pm CST, right? Just a few more days...
...Unless you're one of the luckiest S.O.B.s alive like me and have already seen it.
The coolest thing was in my mailbox this afternoon: 8 screeners of FOX fall shows. I've watched four of them already, but the one I was just nuts about getting is, of course: Prison Break.
Now: I will be giving my impressions in non-spoiler form (if you've seen the first season-- or at least the finale). If you don't want any inkling of what's going on, stop reading. But I promise not to ruin anything. Okay, I'll hit "enter" a few times just to give everyone a chance to pull out if they want.
The guys who escaped are still on the run-- duh. But, as always, Schofield's got a plan. The problem is: the Fox River Pen crew led by Bellick is hell-bent on getting them back. The dude is nuts. I fully expect Bellick to resign from the prison as the guys cross the state line, because he's fired up. Not only were there escapees on his watch, but he was beaten by them. It's personal. I'm glad Wade Williams is getting a chance to tear it up. I've been a fan since he played the bad-ass priest on Bernie Mac.
But there's another player in the chase: FBI agent Alexander Mahone (played by William Fichtner), who looks to be nearly as brilliant as Schofield is. He may be behind right now, but it seems inevitable that as soon as the guys cross the state line and the escapees fall under his jurisdiction, he'll pull out all the stops. Schofield had to battle circumstances and luck last season; this season looks like it'll be a battle of brains.
And, while a number of new avenues were explored, there were also a number of "loose ends" left dangling last season that are tied up or redirected in this first episode. And it didn't even touch on a few minor characters (yes, we'll learn the fate of Dr. Sarah in the first ep-- the producers aren't that cruel).
For those who are worried: the tattoos play a large part in the season opener.
And, as can be expected with this show: the last five minutes were intense for two reasons. Neither of which I'll go into here.
I was pumped for the premiere before, but now I'm in a full-on frenzy for this new season to begin. And because I watched a screener, I know what I'll see on Monday will be even better (because the colors and sound will be touched up and the "stock footage" cutaways will be stock footage and not a screen saying "stock footage").
Along with the screener DVD, there was a TV GUIDE article about the new season that was already (mostly) on tvguide.com, but it was fun to revisit. Highlights include:
Wentworth Miller says Schofield will not be the leader out of the pen. The escapees will not have a unified agenda, so they don't feel the need to follow his lead as much as they needed to in the prison. Linc will take over more of the leadership because the street is Lincoln's forte.
Creator/Exec producer Paul Scheuring said 95% of the season will be shot on location, so we can expect lots of outdoor scenes. He also said the gang will split up at times and come together at others (they all know that Westmoreland hid money in Utah, for example).
Okay, your mission is: spread the word that the new season starts on Monday. While the show is now out of the prison, the show's vibe is still intact. And, just like last year, I have no idea what will or could happen this season.
There are not many shows that can surprise me like this one does.
Monday, August 14, 2006
Venture to [adult swim]
There are a number of things to like about Cartoon Network's [adult swim]. One of the best things to check it out with is Venture Brothers. A take-off of Jonny Quest and comic books, Venture Brothers hits the high notes of hilarity without having to resort to the normal super-vulgarity or violence other [swim] shows seem to thrive on (not that there's anything wrong with that).
And there's almost always a superb line every episode. Last night's episode ("Victor. Echo. November.)" had a few:
"There were two side effects. One: he can mess up a guy just by touching him. And two: he became a humorless dick."
And there's almost always a superb line every episode. Last night's episode ("Victor. Echo. November.)" had a few:
"There were two side effects. One: he can mess up a guy just by touching him. And two: he became a humorless dick."
The Monarch, describing The Phantom Limb's origin.
"Ah, c'mon! Why does that happen? I shook it so hard, I almost hit that pink puck."
Hank, lamenting the fact that he had a"pee stain"
on his pants after using the urinal.
"We need one of these at home, it's better than riding sideways on a swing."
Hank, while using the hot air hand dryer to
dry the aforementioned stain off his pants.
"Dude, stop wailing on my junk!"Hank to Dean, who was trying to put out the
fire on his pants caused by the hand dryer.
As if that weren't enough, we had a naked, blood-covered Brock in full assassin mode, the beautiful (if deep voiced) Dr. Girlfriend, the boys on a date, Dr. Venture using a Christmas Tree stand as as tourniquet...
The only thing that was missing was deadly mercenary Molotov Cocktease.
Check it out Sunday nights. And Season One is on DVD.
{Sorry about the weird way the lines ended up. I tried fixing them four times before I gave up. (Still not used to Blogger, I guess.)}
I Can't Believe I Missed This
A day late! A freakin' DAY! (Well, now two days since it's past midnight).
Two days ago, August 12, was the tenth anniversary of the death of a very important person in my life. I never met him, didn't know his voice, or his family life. But I did know a good deal about his professional life.
I was introduced to Mark Gruenwald after reading Iron Man #215. There was nothing really special about the comic book, but it hooked me. I had read comic books before-- as had most kids before the '90s-- but this one stood out to me, and I consider it one of the three most important issues as it pertains to my enjoying this hobby.
This issue opened up an entire universe for me. It issue prompted me to buy West Coast Avengers, which led to to Avengers and then to the other Avengers-related titles of the time (including Thor and the Gruenwald-written Captain America). And that all led me to try every other Marvel title published at the time.
Anyway, Mark Gruenwald edited most of those early favorites as he was the Avengers-guru at the time. I could never write what he meant for me (or all of comics, really) in this short amount of time, but I did want to pay recognition to him. Saturday was a pretty significant day as it reminded me how I got into this addicting hobby that I've never been able to completely abandon-- no matter how broke I was.
As I noted earlier, Gruenwald was the editor of my favorite line of titles, wrote wrote some of my favorite titles, and he actually spoke to me (okay, the fans) in his letters pages, which I found to be pretty cool.
At the time, I actually took him at his "word" that being a comic book editior was the coolest job in the world because he got to read comics all day. I thought it was so cool, that in a seventh grade speech assignment, I declared I wanted to be an editor because they sat and read comics all day. That was my only rationale. I didn't mention a thing about hiring writiers, pencillers, inkers, colorists, letterers, working with Marketing, making a direction for the books, working to simplify continuity, or any of the myriad of other duites an editor is responsible for. I think the only reason I didn't get an "F" was because one of my classmates declared he wanted to be a lottery winner...
As the years passed, and I grew to be an even more passionate comic book reader, I realized some of the above duties of an editor, and then got to see all of what Mark brought to the table as a creator.
He edited the Avengers titles for years.
He created the Marvel Handbook series, which is pretty remarkable (even convincing his bosses that an encyclopedia for comic book characters must have been a heckuva sales pitch).
He wrote Captain America for ten years (completely unheard of in this day and age-- and ten years in the entire history of comics has not been achieved many times)-- including the amazing "Cap No More" storyline where Steve Rogers stepped down as Cap and the government brought in a borderline psychotic to wear the costume).
He wrote the vastly underrated Squadron Supreme mini-series (thankfully, this title has been getting more and more respect as the concept of super-heroes taking over the world gets addressed more often).
He also co-created and wrote the nearly forgotten about "New Universe" title DP7, which still holds a special place in most people who actually read it's hearts. (yeah, that was a clumsy sentence, forgive me).
And, finally (at least his major works), he also wrote the complete five-year run of Quasar.
Pretty remarkable for a guy who really held Marvel continuity together. [For those of you who don't know, continuity is a concept many larger comics companies use to acknowledge that their various characters live in the same universe/world. People who abide by continuity try not to contradict what came before. Because Gwen Stacy died in an issue of Amazing Spider-Man, she doesn't show up in comics books relating tales of Spider-Man after that event.]
Mark tried to keep everything together for the company as it related to continuity, and he really shaped what Marvel became in the '80s and '90s.
I could write so much more about this man, and maybe I will when I have more time.
I just wanted to acknowledge the anniversary of his passing, and to give a "shout out" to him, if he's out there in Comic Book Heaven with the other greats.
Thanks, Gru. You are missed.
Two days ago, August 12, was the tenth anniversary of the death of a very important person in my life. I never met him, didn't know his voice, or his family life. But I did know a good deal about his professional life.
I was introduced to Mark Gruenwald after reading Iron Man #215. There was nothing really special about the comic book, but it hooked me. I had read comic books before-- as had most kids before the '90s-- but this one stood out to me, and I consider it one of the three most important issues as it pertains to my enjoying this hobby.
This issue opened up an entire universe for me. It issue prompted me to buy West Coast Avengers, which led to to Avengers and then to the other Avengers-related titles of the time (including Thor and the Gruenwald-written Captain America). And that all led me to try every other Marvel title published at the time.
Anyway, Mark Gruenwald edited most of those early favorites as he was the Avengers-guru at the time. I could never write what he meant for me (or all of comics, really) in this short amount of time, but I did want to pay recognition to him. Saturday was a pretty significant day as it reminded me how I got into this addicting hobby that I've never been able to completely abandon-- no matter how broke I was.
As I noted earlier, Gruenwald was the editor of my favorite line of titles, wrote wrote some of my favorite titles, and he actually spoke to me (okay, the fans) in his letters pages, which I found to be pretty cool.
At the time, I actually took him at his "word" that being a comic book editior was the coolest job in the world because he got to read comics all day. I thought it was so cool, that in a seventh grade speech assignment, I declared I wanted to be an editor because they sat and read comics all day. That was my only rationale. I didn't mention a thing about hiring writiers, pencillers, inkers, colorists, letterers, working with Marketing, making a direction for the books, working to simplify continuity, or any of the myriad of other duites an editor is responsible for. I think the only reason I didn't get an "F" was because one of my classmates declared he wanted to be a lottery winner...
As the years passed, and I grew to be an even more passionate comic book reader, I realized some of the above duties of an editor, and then got to see all of what Mark brought to the table as a creator.
He edited the Avengers titles for years.
He created the Marvel Handbook series, which is pretty remarkable (even convincing his bosses that an encyclopedia for comic book characters must have been a heckuva sales pitch).
He wrote Captain America for ten years (completely unheard of in this day and age-- and ten years in the entire history of comics has not been achieved many times)-- including the amazing "Cap No More" storyline where Steve Rogers stepped down as Cap and the government brought in a borderline psychotic to wear the costume).
He wrote the vastly underrated Squadron Supreme mini-series (thankfully, this title has been getting more and more respect as the concept of super-heroes taking over the world gets addressed more often).
He also co-created and wrote the nearly forgotten about "New Universe" title DP7, which still holds a special place in most people who actually read it's hearts. (yeah, that was a clumsy sentence, forgive me).
And, finally (at least his major works), he also wrote the complete five-year run of Quasar.
Pretty remarkable for a guy who really held Marvel continuity together. [For those of you who don't know, continuity is a concept many larger comics companies use to acknowledge that their various characters live in the same universe/world. People who abide by continuity try not to contradict what came before. Because Gwen Stacy died in an issue of Amazing Spider-Man, she doesn't show up in comics books relating tales of Spider-Man after that event.]
Mark tried to keep everything together for the company as it related to continuity, and he really shaped what Marvel became in the '80s and '90s.
I could write so much more about this man, and maybe I will when I have more time.
I just wanted to acknowledge the anniversary of his passing, and to give a "shout out" to him, if he's out there in Comic Book Heaven with the other greats.
Thanks, Gru. You are missed.
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