A Very Refreshing and Fun What If...

One of my favorite all-time reads (in this decade or any other) are the "What If..." comics from Marvel. Just imagine being a kid and seeing Spider-Man become part of the Fantastic Four on a cover or reading Frank Miller warm up his Dark Knight Returns series by doing the same thing to Daredevil and Elektra. Or if Power Man and Iron Fist had their genders changed? Those things messed with my mind just by turning the status quo on its ear.

So, believe me when I say that there was something that made me feel the same way in last Sunday's Boston Globe. Charles Pierce crafted a thing of beauty by mixing his interview with the 1988 Democratic Nominee for President with a look of what might have been. I heartily recommend reading it if only for the way he weaves the newsmakers of today into this hilarious and thought-provoking tale of What If, which only hammers home the fact that the roads diverged lead to some strange but wonderful tales.

Click my very sad attempt at a homemade image to read more...

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"The Wire" Exit Interview with David Simon

"The Wire" has been probably the most critically applauded TV series (Pay, Cable, or Network) since I don't know when. But unlike most Network series, they left when they were on top; though not without much speculation as to why the early exit from members of the media and fans themselves. Simon himself tried to appease thos people when he had his farewell letter posted on HBO's website.

But for those seeking a more behind the scenes view of the series and its creator, I highly recommend this great interview of Simon by Charm City's own City Paper. While there are some spoilers in the piece, there are some great points on how the final season was made to be shorter and why Simon appears to be everywhere talking about the show and giving more interview than he had in the previous four seasons. Take the time, print out the page, sit back and digest this definitive look at "The Wire". Plus, there's a great screengrab of Simon behind the computer with a "Save Our Sun" plaque on his cubicle shelf.

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What If...my questions for Ken Jennings

Around this time last year, I tried to swing an interview for my column at Quick Stop Entertainment with Mr. Ken Jennings of Jeopardy fame. I read that his new book was going to be called Brainiac and he did mention that he was a fan of the comic book medium. So, I thought that getting an interview would have been a match made in 4-color heaven, or at the very least, a "no-brainer".

I wrote a few sample questions and sent an email to his domain address. Within a couple of days, I received word from his agent stating that he would be taking interview requests closer to his book release date. I acknowledged her email with a couple jokes and waited for my turn in line.


The release date came and went with no word. A week also ran past me like Tomlinson does the Raiders D. And you can see where I'm going with this (especially if you read the post title). After a few weeks, I began to realize that I was given the email equivalent of a blowoff.

I was going to trash the question since they were no longer relevant and no question likes to go unanswered. But I thought better about it. They're not naked light bulb, sweat your ass off questions. But they're not lame one either, at least in my opinion.

So, I will let you decide. Please let me know what you think. I'm not Ed Bradley. Hell, I'm not even James Lipton but I would like to think that I could carry a conversation with anyone.

Why write a book?

Other than the obvious, why pick Brainiac as the title?

Your blog gained some unnecessary flack about your revelation about the existence of the Trebeck 3000 humanoid. Were you surprised about how devoted the cult of Jeopardy are to its cybernetic leader?

Do you feel that your intelligence has been devalued at all due to the normal dumbing down that has become a part of the world's culture of celebrity?

I watched most of your historic run on Jeopardy and your knowledge of comics (both in strip and book form) came in pretty handy. What role do you think that reading comic books as a kid in the 70's in helping develop your intellect? (Follow-up question) For point of reference purposes, what was the last comic book that you read?

What were some of the perks that you never even thought that you'd get just from being on Jeopardy?

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FoodOne Interview at NewsAskew

One of my fav artists period is Jim Mahfood (pictured above; otherwise known as FoodOne). His style of art kinda like classic thick-lined animation mashed up with "indy" sensibilities. I've been a big fan since his work on the Clerks comic from Oni Press, which is why is a subject of the Chris Graves' View Askew interview series, Click here to read more about the man who is, without a doubt, one of the best multi-media artist (by that I mean murals, comic books, book illustrations, tattoos, skateboard, you name it) around and who also sold me the classic CD, Uneasy Listening Volume 1.

Mahfood Website: 40 oz Comics

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