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Couldn't remember the fella's name until Richard mentioned it. Jason Issacs is my guess

In Progs 711 and 715 (i think) I got a letter and a picture printed, not sure which appeared in which issue , both asking for the return of Sam Slade. Tharg replied saying don't worry they're on their way. I was so excited... and well look what happened then!

So while I do defo want the return of the other Sam Slade the terrible memories my letters are associated with mean I surely can't get involved in another letter to Tharg on the same(ish) subject for fear of who might handle that return!

Just finished Paul Auster's New York Trilogy.



What the f**k was that all about, then?

I'm a big Paul Auster fan and while I have no doubt at all I don't get all the meanings etc I always find him an enjoyable read. Typically his books deal with indentity and effects chance and random events have on life... well that's my take but I'm certainly no expert!

Have these fella's been around for ages or is the Telegraphs claim that they are the first Muslim superheroes just lazy journalism?

Can I echo the hearty pat on the back Grant. That's sterling work fella.

Well I've read Book 1 again and have to say its exhilurating. Re-read in this improved format I'm once again reminded that its a story aimed perfectly to thrill and shock its audience. If I think its good now I can't imagine as a dinosaur obsessed child how fantastic and even radical I'd have found this.

The art on the whole is energtic and expressive and the story is paced almost immaculately when read in one go. The slow build of the siege is superb. I say almost as I've always wished that the the human headed dinosaur, too brillant an idea to leave out had been written in earlier as it kinda drags out the end and if they'd have had the conviction to kill [spoiler]Earl Reagan[/spoiler] the story really should end on the line [spoiler]"In her tiny brain was only the thought VICTORY!"[/spoiler]. With the wonderful epilogue episode left where it is. These are minor complaints however and it really does stand up well as a fine example of how to entertain children.

I read Book 2 not long again in the progs and while its fun I personally don't think its in the league of the first truely epic story

And as Ive just been reminded--Jonathan  Richman

I used to have loads of stuff on tape...all lost ..

must do something about this

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n4smOSAkkz4

That Summer Feeling is one of the great songs

Bugger couldn't find the new Yo La Tengo album OR any Cud records in town this afternoon (I admit I didn't have very long and only looked in two shops). Sheffield lack of diversity in its town centre record shops is lamentable (and I avoid Jack's a lot of the time which I'm might have to stop even though its always been very pricey)

http://titanbooks.com/chat/uk/garth-ennis/

I'm drawing a three part strip for Garth's Battlefields series "Happy Valley" - I'm just over the halfway mark - and I'll let you all know when you can pick it up - it's some good stuff (even ignoring the artwork, scripts are excellent!)

-pj

That'll be worth checking out looking forward to it but really Tharg needs to be reining you driods in and getting you to concentration on the Galaxy's Greatest. I mean you'd think he was advocating artist freedom rather than cracking the whip (or threatening the Mekquake however its phrased?)

Do you really feel that way, Colin YNWA?  For me it's far MORE interesting.  Isn't that odd how the same thing can have such different results with differfent people.

They're not trying to fool you and say "aha" in a mystic way, they KNOW you know it's a trick.  They are daring you to figure it out.  Which is just a bit more honest than the old hocus pocus approach.  It is for me at least.  Knowing it's all a huge deception is just more honest.

Yeah I know what you mean but we know its all a deception away so its all about the showmanship (and I'm not advocating the David Cooperfield school of magic here!). Just leaving it unexplained leaves you a degree of mystery still and allows you to delight in not knowing... if that makes any sense????

I'm not sure how to read Stewart's Twitter page, but he apparently said yesterday that Irving is doing 10-12.  So either Quitely's not coming back or the run has been extended.

Oh if the run has been extended that will be a great bit of news. I await with interest.

Well with Tharg's missive I think its time to start keeping him on his toes by being a little more critical of the Prog. The trouble is its such a damned fine read at the minute.

That said this week the Dredd was good rather than great. After four weeks of more layered tales this one felt a little more typical. Not bad by any stretch of the imagination just not as brillant as the last few. Mind it was asking a bit much to keep that level up all the way through the current storyline.

Strontium Dog is still fine just starting to drag a little.

The other three strips however are on fire still and this week I found Dante particularly compelling.

Good prog boundering on great. Maybe my expectations are getting higher mind???

http://dcu.blog.dccomics.com/2009/09/11/whos-handling-art-on-batman-and-robin-after-philip-tan/

Not sure where that leaves the previously mentioned story Frasier Irving was meant to be doing. May still be happening but not sure if it will fit in now?

Marc Riley played a Cud session this week on his show, I'd forgetten they were so much more than a fun bouncy band. With that and the new Yo La Tengo album out I think a trip to the record shop is in order...

Its interesting these days that there is such a prevalence and indeed demand for magic shows that are about revealing how a tricks done. When Penn and Teller where doing it it felt revolutionary and exciting now its just...well... taking away the magic really!