Oh boy, I can hardly wait

I'm knee-deep in comic book work right now -- the penultimate issue of CATWOMAN and another single-issue gig I can't reveal at the moment -- but as soon as I get some free time, I'm diving headfirst into this volume of vintage 1930s violence, tension and desperation...


Like I've said before, DICK TRACY is my all-time favorite comic strip, and this fourth volume in IDW's series collects strips from 1936-38, when things really start to get good. It ends with the storyline involving The Blank, which I still remember reading as a kid in the CELEBRATED CASES collection. (And no, DICK TRACY movie fans, The Blank does not turn out to be Madonna.)

Earlier in the book, we meet the ruthless Purple Cross Gang, shown on the cover, which thankfully has abandoned the COMPLETE PEANUTS-inspired cover theme of single characters' head shots. I think this image -- yanked without context or explanation from a long storyline -- works much, much better at conveying the crazy, anything-goes spirit of the strip. The back cover includes a panel blow-up of some poor guy with the Purple Cross tattooed -- on his tongue! Yowza! (It also includes a bit of copy claiming this is the third volume in the series, which is obviously proven wrong by the giant VOLUME FOUR on the cover, not five inches away.)

There are bound to be some other mind-blowing images in this fat little book, just like in previous collections, so I'll post a few here when I get the chance. In the meantime, I gotta get back to work -- so I can find out what the hell's up with that tattoo!

Speaking of the Replacements...

This line from FINALS #1 (the first professional comic on my resume)...

Was inspired by this album...

Which had a cover inspired by this album...

But you probably already knew that. What you might not know is that FINALS has finally (hardee har har) been collected across the pond in Spain. My friend and co-creator Jill Thompson (who drew that panel atop this post) picked up a copy during a recent trip to Europe, and I should have copies in hand soon, thanks to David Lopez, the artist extraordinaire on CATWOMAN. Here's the cover, in case you happen to be in Spain and you're looking for something to read...

I keep hoping it'll get collected here in the states, but given the recent spate of campus shootings and such, that seems unlikely any time soon. That's not really what the comic is about, of course, but there's enough dark humor (and it's plenty dark) to make it a gamble, I suppose. It's still a miracle it came out just a few months after Columbine, though not without a few telling alterations.

Still, if that AMERICAN FLAGG hardcover can finally be headed to a comic book shop near you, then I guess anything can happen.

You know, there's a reason I called that Catwoman arc "The Replacements"

Can it be? Are the (remaining) Replacements really considering a reunion? That's what Billboard is claiming...

"Stinson tells Billboard the group has received lucrative offers to perform at Coachella and other major festivals, and that he and Westerberg were close to accepting this year. The group would have been rounded out by session drummer Josh Freese (replacing original drummer Chris Mars, who has retired from music to focus on painting), and an unnamed lead guitarist (replacing Stinson's late half-brother Bob, who died in 1995)."

More Tommy, as quoted in Billboard: "We actually talked about it again this year, and I think there was a consensus that, you know, maybe it wasn't the right time (to reunite), or maybe it is the right time," Stinson says. ... But I think Paul and I have something to offer each other still. I think that's pretty obvious when we get together."

Paul, naturally, is less thrilled with the idea:

"I'm very hesitant about dragging the name out there and what damage we could do to the legend. Whatever we did, someone would want something else. If I went up there straight, they'd want us wasted. If we were f--ked up, they'd want us to be this or that."

But, he adds, with the big re-issue of the first four records from Rhino that happens today, it seems like the time might be right.

As a longtime 'Mats fan, I'm naturally torn by this news in the way only a true music nerd can be. On the one hand, I'd love to see the boys back on stage, banging away, even if Bob's dead and Chris is retired. But, on the other hand, there's a sad little part of me that wants to keep my memories of the three Replacements concerts I saw (Kent State in 1987, Chicago and Milwaukee Summerfest in 1991) perfect and untouched by any current experiences. Pathetic, eh? And hell, who am I kidding? If they tour, I'll be there, fighting for space with kids half my age, just like the rest of the aging hipsters in the crowd.

And now, for your listening (and viewing) pleasure, the Mats cover one of my favorite songs, The Only Ones' classic "Another Girl, Another Planet." Enjoy!

Buy my comics, make me rich: CATWOMAN #78

In all the news and confusion about the impending end of CATWOMAN, I almost forgot that a new issue hits the stands this week. It's issue 78, featuring a battle royale between Selina and Cheetah, plus lots of other crazy goings on. Here's Adam Hughes' striking cover...


Check it out at your local funnybook emporium, won't you? CATWOMAN may be coming to an end, but I promise there's plenty of good stuff on the way before we get there.

Well, heh heh... this is a little embarrassing...

But I've just been reminded by my on-top-of-things editor that CATWOMAN is not, in fact, ending with issue #81. It's actually ending with issue #82 -- so you get an entire month's worth -- yes, 22 pages -- more of Catwoman-y goodness.

Now, of course, I couldn't told you this myself since, like I said, I'm working on the next-to-last issue and, right at the top of my file, it says CATWOMAN #81. But, obviously, I'm not very bright.

So, to sum up:

1. CATWOMAN ends with #82, not #81.
2. I really appreciate all the kind words from people who'll miss the book. Believe me, I'll miss writing it.
3. I'm not very bright.

Sad news from the East End...

As the official solicits confirm, CATWOMAN #81 (in stores at the end of July) is indeed the last issue of the book. I've had a hell of a time writing it, but what can I say? The sales just weren't there. It sucks, but it happens.

In the meantime, the CATWOMAN crew and I have have some wild stuff planned for the last few issues. No crossovers, no alien worlds, no attacking Amazons. Just Selina in Gotham, doing what she does best -- fighting, stealing and generally having a grand ol' time. So weep not for Catwoman, comic readers, weep for the characters who are going to have the rug pulled out from under them in this final storyline.

In the meantime, here's Adam Hughes' cover for that last issue. He's done some great stuff since in the past few dozens issues, but this might be the tops. I think it really captures the mood of the book...

What TV was meant to be

In what must be his bid for the Noble Prize in Arts (and hell, he's got my vote), Mark Evanier has posted a complete episode of Jerry Lewis' infamous fiasco of a TV show that ran for a mere 11 episodes in 1963. There's a fascinating account of the show in Shawn Levy's essential book, KING OF COMEDY: THE LIFE AND ART OF JERRY LEWIS, but nothing quite compares to actually seeing the thing with your own eyes.

Not a picture from the show. On the program itself, Jerry insisted everyone -- even the audience -- dress up.

This isn't the legendary first episode, unfortunately. By all accounts, that was a disaster on the scale of THE CHEVY CHASE SHOW, times a million. But this episode is still pretty choice, with appearances by Muhammed Ali (still going by Cassius Clay) and, of course, Senor Wences. And it all begins with Jerry singing. Click on this link and experience it for yourself, won't you?

Two years? Already?

Hard to believe this little girl...

is now this little girl...

But it was exactly two years ago today that Amy and I flew from Hong Kong to China, checked into our hotel, rode a van to a nondescript office building and, after what was apparently a long car ride on her part, were handed our daughter.

What a day. What a couple of years.