FROM THE MIND OF TOM BELAND

FROM THE "YOU GOTS A BE SHITTIN' ME" DEPARTMENT...

2009-01-18T22:29:00.000-08:00

All the art to TSSTG #12 is finished and now it's a matter of getting the lettering done. I did half the lettering in this book by hand and looking at it now, you can't really read those pages. So I'm going to have to go in there and computer letter the entire book. I'm praying I can get this done in time.

This issue features the wedding of me and the lovely Lily. We took Disneyworld's offer to marry us there for free and, well, this is what happened on that trip.

My main problem, at this point, is, I bought my new mac laptop and THIS one doesn't seem to like Photoshop 7... which means I have to buy the new CS4 version and it might as well be a billion dollars, since I'm low on funds.

Anyhoo... I thought you all might be interested in seeing the cover! Enjoy!

SO MY BROTHER GOT DRUNK OVER THE HOLIDAYS AND SENT ME....

2009-01-04T09:27:00.001-08:00

... this.

I gotta admit... he's one sexy beast. I'd bet a thousand bucks he got a little captain in him that night.

Happy New Years bro!!!!

AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #579...

2008-12-04T11:41:00.001-08:00

... is the greatest issue of any comic this year. Really, it's that great.

I'll tell you something. It's no secret what a boner I've had for this character my entire life. There's a reason. He was a character I was instantly drawn to because he had such a great personality to him and the stories took me away, to this awesome place of fun and action.

This is the first book in over twenty years that pulled me back to those exact same emotions and feelings I got from back in those early days. Every page of this book is a time machine for me. Mark Waid's story has everything... the great humor, the put-downs that made me do spit takes and what happens on page 21 is a fucking complete classic. And I mean CLASSIC.

And there's no doubt about it. Marcos Martin is the greatest Spidey artist since the days of Ditko and Romita. His Jonah J. is perfect. Spidey in a ruined costume, page 21... fuck man... it has to be a dream to work with this guy.

Anyhoo... really check this book out. And for guys my age... pour yourself a big bowl of Cocoa Puffs, put on your old baseball cap and enjoy a wonderful comics glow that you haven't felt in years.

Awesome time.

AFTER MUCH THOUGHT, I HAVE DECIDED THAT RICK SANCHEZ OF CNN...

2008-10-20T12:32:00.001-07:00

... is the Sarah Palin of television journalism.

He's SO fucking over-the-top in his reactions and his "golly jeeze" personality, that it's impossible to take in anything the man says. Nobody is that naive and I really hope to God it's an act.

The other night, he was talking to someone who worked on Wall Street and he asked if people there did drugs. The guy said "sure we did, we did cocaine, uppers, you name it" to which Sanchez looks stunned, puts his chin on his hand and replies, "COCAINE..? REALLY..??? That is eye-opening."

Quit the "golly gee" act and treat the news with some maturity.

DODGERS BLUE... MY WORLD IS GOLDEN

2008-10-16T10:03:00.000-07:00

You have to understand my long-standing hatred for the Los Angeles Dodgers to appreciate how great it was to see them get so close to the Word Series... only to fail. MMMMmmmmMMmm.... it was like homemade cookies in the oven, I tell ya.

I've always been a San Francisco sports fan. Love the Giants, even though they're currently hopeless. Love the Niners, even though they're currently hopeless. Love the Warriors, even though they own the rights to looking hopeless. And when you're a fan of the SF teams, LA is your worst enemy. And if we can't win something... then they DEFINITELY can't win it..

Felt pretty damned good.

But I'll say this. For Los Angles not to have an NFL team is a crime and a farce. Washing and Dallas have their rivalries. So does New York and Boston. You cannot be serious that Seattle-San Francisco is a good rivalry. Or Arizona-San Francisco. Nope. Wont' do. We need LA and we need it soon.

CLOSE, BUT NOT ENOUGH

2008-10-16T09:59:00.000-07:00

For anyone worried about Hurricane Omar hitting the island, it was close, but it missed us. We're all safe and life is good.

This means my record of consecutive years we've never had a hurricane with me on the island continues to 11!! That's something else we can celebrate!!

PHOTOS OF MY BIRTHDAY!! I FORGOT TO POST THESE!!

2008-10-07T07:12:00.000-07:00

Eh. Better late than never. It was held at our favorite restaurant, Al Dente. This place is like our second kitchen and we so love it.

Sitting down with "Clan Boricua": That's Tony and his wife, Margie sitting next to me. My niece, Tiana, behind them. Gigi, Lily's sister, is on my left, followed by Papi and Mami.

I love holding the camera and taking my own photo. Me and the Princess.

If there's a waitress I love more than Alejandra... I've yet to meet her. She's awesome, gorgeous and a bit bohemian. Gotta love that combination. And she keeps me from drinking more than two cokes at dinner. Seriously. She'll absolutely refuse and bring me a mojito instead. She also makes these outrageously delicious shots that taste exactly like chocolate cake.

Tiana is so outstanding and she doesn't even realize her own level of awesomeness. I can hang with this chick all day and have a great time.

Back in the kitchen with the crew. I so love watching people cook. It's like watching a magician in action and there's so much movement in their actions that they're great to draw. If I wasn't doing this, I'm sure I'd love to be a chef. Chef Mariano is from Argentina, a place world-known for meat and he told me that for my birthday he was going to make me churrassco... a long skirt steak. It was ten levels above delicious.

See that cake? Well, you're right. It was huge. It was solid chocolate. And it was mind-blowing.

WHY I LOVE COLLEEN DORAN...

2008-10-07T07:03:00.001-07:00

I mean, other than the fact that she's an amazing talent. She offering this, as well as other items on her blog and I thought it was great. You can see the other items at Colleen's website. The link is on the right. I'm trying to get the softball shirt, but she doesn't ship to Puerto Rico. WHY MUST YOU BREAK MY HEART SO, COLLEEN DORAN???

Here's the softball shirt:

Jon Stewart is a GOD.

2008-09-30T20:09:00.001-07:00

Just had to say it.

REALLY...? ISN'T THIS LIKE... Y'KNOW...

2008-09-30T19:49:00.000-07:00

So there's this financial Ragnarok heading our way... and it's crucial to get a plan agreed to as soon as humanly possible or else every nickel we own will turn to dust by Saturday and....

and...

and... they're OFF today..?

Listen, I'm all for religion. I'm all for how important it is and all. But I'm hearing from every person that the world is going to end Saturday and... well... I can't help but go WTF??? And yeah, yeah, I know that it's a sacred day... but it doesn't change my mind. There is a huge BORG ship heading towards Earth and we are truly fucked if we don't act now.

And they took today off.

I used to work for Holiday Inn. When I worked for Holiday Inn, you were told right away that you would be working on Christmas and Easter. No questions asked. People need to have someone at the front desk. So when something like Christmas came around, I'd have to tell my family that I'll have to be working and that I'd catch up with them.

Holiday Inn, people.

Are you telling me that someone like me can be expected to work at Holiday Inn on a religious holiday... one I used to observe... because Steve-O in room 323 may want to get some change for the snack machine... I can be expected to work that day because Steve is important. And when the senators, with the fate of the Nation's economy at stake... THAT job... they get to take holidays off..?

How many fucking Jewish senators DO we have???

Shouldn't the leaders of our country take a moment and call their families that something huge came up, in the form of Galactus with a stolen ATM card. I'd hope that they'd tell them that, even though it's a religious holiday... we have to get this work done. Tell everyone I'm sorry, but they'll understand.

And instead, we lost a day and they have no idea how to solve it. They all waved fists of anger, telling the cameras how insulting it was to hear who did what and that professionalism and sanity have left the stage. Lots of fist-waving. Lots of freaked-out senators worried about them not knowing how to fix it and how huge the situation could get. Everyone is shitting buckshot-style and heads are tweaking out on the television and the bald finance dude was ON HIS FUCKING KNEES, begging the senate to get this done.

And instead, they shut their briefcases and left for home..? Really?

Wow.

And here we are laughing at Palin.

WANT AN IDEA HOW TO PAY BACK THAT BAILOUT..?

2008-09-29T12:52:00.001-07:00

Marijuana.

Legalize it. Tax it. All that tax money goes towards the bailout.

Hey, it's something and it's more thinking outside the box than Obama and McCain combined.

And hell... you think Palin's family does NOT smoke weed..?? C'mon. Seriously.

IT'S MAH BIRFDAY!

2008-09-25T13:48:00.001-07:00

Yep. That's right.

I hit the big 4-oh-6 today and I gotta say, I don't think I ever matured over the years.

Oh yeah, the hair's gone, the grey has settled in and found a home in my beard and I'm taking medicine that I once labeled as "old folks" medicine.

But mentally...? I'm still that 23-year old dude who loved to go out at night and get crazy. I'm still in love with comics. I still love a good groove playing while I draw. I still love Saturday morning cartoons and I still love a good Coke from the freezer, just before it explodes.

I still love the feeling I get on new comics day. I love how each book is another wrapped gift and I'm always shocked at what my co-creators are doing in the field. And hey... I get my comics for FREE on my birthday!! The owner never charges me on my birthday.

So what did the wifey get me? Well, for one, she got me one of those CHILL PILLOWS... the ones that never lose their cold side. I've been flipping my pillow over and over at night since I moved to Puerto Rico and when we heard about this, I nearly exploded all over the screen. So, most people would say "a pillow...?" I say "YESSSS!!" She also got me a very cool razor for my head and beard.

My niece, Tiana, is getting me a back scratcher. Trust me... this is also an epic gift. I loooooove a good back scratching. I must've been an old hound dog in another life.

And tonight, we're going to our friends' restaurant for dinner and we'll have a ton of family and friends joining us. There'll be food, conversation, laughter and we'll probably embarrass somebody during the night. It's my favorite part of the day.

I love birthdays. I love celebrating another year on this crazy globe. I love getting birthday wishes on Facebook and MySpace and I love having that inner child still in me. After what I've gone through the past couple of months, you'd better have some sort of childlike optimistic approach to life.

But best of all... my wife continues to give me the greatest gift of all. Her company. Even when she's driving me crazy with how it takes her ten minutes to set-up the stories she tells me while I'm trying to watch the game. Even after ten years of hearing that she's starving, but doesn't know what she wants to eat. And even when I'm watching something and she puts on the channel guide and flips through the listings one at a time... I love her company.

Because she's awesome.

Ugh.... HEY REPUBLICANS

2008-09-23T15:20:00.000-07:00

Sarah Palin claims she's ready to "take on Washington" and "take on terrorism" and "take on Wall Street" and yet she refuses to take on the media. It's more than ridiculous, it's become embarrassing to watch.

Until this woman is ready to sit her ass down and take on the questions by reporters, she's nothing but talk. She's the beautiful woman they use in advertising to get you from looking at the tiny print that tells you that your milage may vary.

But if she's going to be as tough as she, and the party, claim she is, then it's time to get her ass out of the bunker and face some tough questions... as well as answer them. Otherwise, get the fuck out and let someone who actually WANTS to face the media do their job.

RIP YANKEE STADIUM

2008-09-21T21:08:00.000-07:00

Yankee Stadium came to and end today.

The game itself was a great one, the Yankees winning 7-3 and the emotions were high all night. You could feel the energy in the air as the fans gave it their all as they bid their stadium adieu.

I'm just not sure why.

Because I'm not sure the stadium itself would cheer this day. I wondered if Yankee Stadium was happy with the outpouring of love its fans... or if it had that feeling that Old Yeller had when he saw little Travis holding his shotgun as he took Yeller out to the back yard. And I get the feeling that Yankee Stadium felt the latter. I mean, how would YOU handle it? What if you were Yankee Stadium today?

Yeah, you've heard for decades how you're one of the "crowned jewels" in sports. You'd think that if they call you one of those, you were good to be around forever. A historical landmark, for hell's sake. Your biggest moments in sports history happened right where you are.

But then you get the news. Maybe it's just a rumor at first... some of the other buildings begin talking shit about how the city was going to be losing one of it's jewels. Who... you? Hah. Laughable at best. And if it's ANYONE... it's that old Empire State guy who'll probably go. I mean... the last great thing that happened there was that fucking big ape movie. Right?

But then the rumors get a bit more focused. You hear the public tennis courts crying with the community baseball field. And when you make eye contact, they give you this look that suggests you should brace yourself. And the wind gets a slight bit chillier.

The next day you wake up and... that public park is gone. Everything. The trees, the track, the tennis courts... all of them. All torn up and reduced to dirt. And none of those people were there. It was just... empty. Gone.

And you remember the look the tennis court gave you and you freak-out just a bit. You check yourself out, mentally. You're still in solid shape. Yeah. And you have all those moments and memories that created such a bond between you and the city. I mean... c'mon.. those people-thingies go absolutely ape-shit gah-gah over you for crying out loud. They say that Ruth-guy built you... and you know how they all feel about RUTH!!

Yeah, it's gotta be that Empire guy.

You wake up again and there's a buzz in the air. Usually you don't hear those people thingies talking out there. But for some reason, you're hearing your name over and over. There's a tension in the air. You get that feeling that maybe you should make a call and just see how everything is and see if anything is brought up and....

There's a knock on your door.

You look down and it's those owner-people. All dressed up in suits and looking official. Whoahhh... look at all the media vans pull up!! Wow!! Look at the reporter people run into me!! That kinda tickles!! HAH!!

And then you listen in.

And your elevator drops to the ground floor in a thump.

No. Fucking. Way.

It's not the Empire State guy. It's not even that weird-ass Carnegie Deli fucker near the theaters.

No. It's you.

What the fuck..?? Are they shitting you?? You're absolutely posifuckingtively speechless as they all exit you. Total silence as you hear the cars drive off into the void. Even if you could speak, there's simple no question in the history of asking that could specifically depict your utter loss. Not even CHEMO is an option. And the governor ain't gonna be calling.

And it's not for the fans, those people that you see day or night, sunny or raining, championship runs and the times you were never even in the mix... naw. It wasn't for the those people who believe in keeping history there when you can't improve on it. No. It wasn't for that seat that's been in the family for generations. And that's what's so insulting. The reason those owners are leaving you was for the disastrous of reasons. One that you can't defend in a million years.

It was because they wanted someone younger.

Someone hotter. Someone that doesn't have all that milage you have. Jesus, would it have killed you to polish those plaques once in a while?? We have sponsors out there!! Trim that infield some time and maybe they'd care about you more.

When the air finally returns to your body, you almost laugh, because the reality is so damned impossible. There's no FUCKING way it's you. I mean... you could've SWORN they loved you. That person who was dying... it felt like he meant it... and all the baseball... the football... those events where two guys beat the shit out of each other... they went NUTS over those moments. That's what you were designed for and you gave it back to them a hundred times over. You did your job... and you SEEM to be great at it... but now..?

There she is. The new girl.

Sighh... yeah, she'd young. She's got that virginal look to her. Untouched. You remember being like that. It's so easy to be loved because you're new. They'll go crazy over her... not matter what they see when they get there. She'll have that "new-girl" smell to her and they love that. But then things will change. Those people... there'll be fewer of them around when she doesn't perform. One, two losing seasons and she'll become... normal. And don't forget, she's only got baseball. A one-trick pony.

And then the night comes when they officially end it all... and THIS is how they say goodbye??? The ORIOLES? Are they fucking JOKING HERE?? NO BOSTON?? REALLY??? Wow... okay... whatever. You'd just think that they'd have some respect when they made this schedule. That's all. Wow.

Wait.

No, it's NOT fucking okay. They new FOREVER that this day was going to come. And they could've shown you some real love and let you go out the way it should be done. But not like this. This is... a bit... embarrassing. You should tell them how cheap you feel. But I guess you won't. You'll go out classy and forgive them the way you always do. And at least your friends... the ones you're CLOSE to... at least they won't have to watch you go out this way.

What the fuck? Is that Paul..? Why did they have to ask him to... noooo. Is that Bernie..? Paul AND Bernie?? They didn't think this would be awkward? Why don't they just invite LARSEN for crying out... OHMYGODIT'SDONLARSEN. And YOGI. TELL me they did NOT invite Don fucking Larsen and Yogi goddamn Berra tonight's game. Is that Chambliss? Jackson..?? And the family members..?

You look at Babe's daughter and quietly mumble that you don't KNOW why they're doing this. You don't know who you pissed off or who you disappointed... you don't know. No one's asked why. RUDI... the 911 guy... HE knows what you are... he's wearing your hat!! Surely HE'LL do something to save you!

But he doesn't. And in a fleeting moment, the game is over... and you can hear them play Sinatra one final time and then the lights go out. It's officially over. I guess everyone goes sooner or later.

You just never thought you'd go out like this. For something called "luxury boxes," whatever the hell those are. You wonder if they'll miss you, or move on. They moved on after the World Trade twins were murdered. And you're not the World Trade twins. You're just a stadium. And you know how they feel about stadiums.

I bet it'd be cold that night.

Couldn't have said it better, Tim

2008-09-20T12:39:00.000-07:00

This is Your Nation on White Privilege
By Tim Wise
9/13/08

For those who still can’t grasp the concept of white privilege, or who are constantly looking for some easy-to-understand examples of it, perhaps this list will help.

• White privilege is when you can get pregnant at seventeen like Bristol Palin and everyone is quick to insist that your life and that of your family is a personal matter, and that no one has a right to judge you or your parents, because “every family has challenges,” even as black and Latino families with similar “challenges” are regularly typified as irresponsible, pathological and arbiters of social decay.

• White privilege is when you can call yourself a “fuckin’ redneck,” like Bristol Palin’s boyfriend does, and talk about how if anyone messes with you, you’ll “kick their fuckin’ ass,” and talk about how you like to “shoot shit” for fun, and still be viewed as a responsible, all-American boy (and a great son-in-law to be) rather than a thug.

• White privilege is when you can attend four different colleges in six years like Sarah Palin did (one of which you basically failed out of, then returned to after making up some coursework at a community college), and no one questions your intelligence or commitment to achievement, whereas a person of color who did this would be viewed as unfit for college, and probably someone who only got in in the first place because of affirmative action.

• White privilege is when you can claim that being mayor of a town smaller than most medium-sized colleges, and then Governor of a state with about the same number of people as the lower fifth of the island of Manhattan, makes you ready to potentially be president, and people don’t all piss on themselves with laughter, while being a black U.S. Senator, two-term state Senator, and constitutional law scholar, means you’re “untested.”

• White privilege is being able to say that you support the words “under God” in the pledge of allegiance because “if it was good enough for the founding fathers, it’s good enough for me,” and not be immediately disqualified from holding office—since, after all, the pledge was written in the late 1800s and the “under God” part wasn’t added until the 1950s—while believing that reading accused criminals and terrorists their rights (because, ya know, the Constitution, which you used to teach at a prestigious law school requires it), is a dangerous and silly idea only supported by mushy liberals.

• White privilege is being able to be a gun enthusiast and not make people immediately scared of you. White privilege is being able to have a husband who was a member of an extremist political party that wants your state to secede from the Union, and whose motto was “Alaska first,” and no one questions your patriotism or that of your family, while if you’re black and your spouse merely fails to come to a 9/11 memorial so she can be home with her kids on the first day of school, people immediately think she’s being disrespectful.

• White privilege is being able to make fun of community organizers and the work they do—like, among other things, fight for the right of women to vote, or for civil rights, or the 8-hour workday, or an end to child labor—and people think you’re being pithy and tough, but if you merely question the experience of a small town mayor and 18-month governor with no foreign policy expertise beyond a class she took in college—you’re somehow being mean, or even sexist.

• White privilege is being able to convince white women who don’t even agree with you on any substantive issue to vote for you and your running mate anyway, because all of a sudden your presence on the ticket has inspired confidence in these same white women, and made them give your party a “second look.”

• White privilege is being able to fire people who didn’t support your political campaigns and not be accused of abusing your power or being a typical politician who engages in favoritism, while being black and merely knowing some folks from the old-line political machines in Chicago means you must be corrupt.

• White privilege is being able to attend churches over the years whose pastors say that people who voted for John Kerry or merely criticize George W. Bush are going to hell, and that the U.S. is an explicitly Christian nation and the job of Christians is to bring Christian theological principles into government, and who bring in speakers who say the conflict in the Middle East is God’s punishment on Jews for rejecting Jesus, and everyone can still think you’re just a good church-going Christian, but if you’re black and friends with a black pastor who has noted (as have Colin Powell and the U.S. Department of Defense) that terrorist attacks are often the result of U.S. foreign policy and who talks about the history of racism and its effect on black people, you’re an extremist who probably hates America.

• White privilege is not knowing what the Bush Doctrine is when asked by a reporter, and then people get angry at the reporter for asking you such a “trick question,” while being black and merely refusing to give one-word answers to the queries of Bill O’Reilly means you’re dodging the question, or trying to seem overly intellectual and nuanced.

• White privilege is being able to claim your experience as a POW has anything at all to do with your fitness for president, while being black and experiencing racism is, as Sarah Palin has referred to it a “light” burden.

• And finally, white privilege is the only thing that could possibly allow someone to become president when he has voted with George W. Bush 90 percent of the time, even as unemployment is skyrocketing, people are losing their homes, inflation is rising, and the U.S. is increasingly isolated from world opinion, just because white voters aren’t sure about that whole “change” thing. Ya know, it’s just too vague and ill-defined, unlike, say, four more years of the same, which is very concrete and certain.

White privilege is, in short, the problem.

Tim Wise is the author of White Like Me (Soft Skull, 2005, revised 2008), and of Speaking Treason Fluently, publishing this month, also by Soft Skull. For review copies or interview requests, please reply to publicity@softskull.com

AND THEN CAME HOPE

2008-09-14T10:12:00.001-07:00

I've been seeing this chiropractor for the past few weeks and I'm now able to sit down in the chair without discomfort.

I'm also able to draw a little better, so long as I slow down. Wayyyy down. It takes me about four days to get a page done and I can't get too crazy with background details, but if I really take my time and don't freak out when the line jumps a bit, I can actually get a page finished.

The chiropractor also believes that I injured the wrist in my fall. He says that I may still have some swelling there, so we can't do x-rays yet, since the swelling would block the view. He's gotten me this far, I'm going to stick with his plan.

All of you folks have been amazing to me during this and I really want to say thanks.

I'm working on the book again. It should be ready in '09. I hope you all dig it.

Same ol', same ol'

2008-09-04T09:04:00.000-07:00

What to do.

I try to get past those three words and I can't help but cry. I've been trying so hard to do what the doctors say... what friends recommend... what the internet explain... but in the end, I pick up my brush and its as it's been.

A jittery line.

Everyone tells me to hang in there. To be strong. That this will pass.

So far, it hasn't happened.

And each time I try and it doesn't happen... it kills a tiny bit more. The hand knows what the brain is telling it to do, but it can't seem to execute those lines that I could do in my sleep at one time.

I feel as if I'm letting so many people down. My readers, Image, comics shop owners, my wife, my characters. Each time I try to draw Lily, there's this feeling of loss that hits me. As though I'm losing that character. Each time I try, it seems a little worse. I just tried to draw that familiar look, where she's looking at the reader, with her shoulder up a bit. Jesus... I can't execute that image and it fucking kills me.

I'm getting emails from readers who want to know when the next issue is coming out and I can only explain it so many times to where I just ignore the emails. It hurts too much to give the run-down over and over. I want to yell, "IT'LL COME OUT WHEN I CAN FUCKING DRAW AGAIN" but I know that's not the right thing to do.

I just miss my art.

It's hard to be strong when you're losing something that has gotten you through so much in life. No matter what happened to me in my life, I've been able to express it on paper. This is the first time in my life where I'm afraid to touch a pencil and pen. When the jittery lines appear, it's like throwing a brick through a stain glass window.

Lily will tell me things like "I don't really notice it" to lift my spirits, but it doesn't help. It's there. Because I can feel it as I draw and see it in my line. It's not about what the reader can see. It's about what I see. This isn't a bad back or a sprained knee... this is my art. I can't put work out there in hope that people won't notice the messed-up line work.

My art has been my entire world since I was five years old. And now I can't do it.

I'm taking pills I wouldn't take in a million years. I'm wearing a magnet bracelet. I'm seeing two doctors. I'm emotionally fucked up and the one thing I would do to ease my mind is the one thing I cannot fucking do. Each time I try something, I sit down and nothing has changed.

My cartooning is more than art. It's my sanctuary. It's my Hundred Acre Woods.

It's that place I can turn to when the rest of the world is hitting on my skull. My cartooning is what got me through mom and dad dying. It got me through my first divorce. It got me through the times where I truly didn't know how I was going to buy food, or pay rent. It's what I did to meet people in school. It's how I got girls to notice me. And it's what I did... for me.

It's what I did to show the world how I met such an exceptional woman who's changed my universe.

It's what I did to spread my wings and soar.

I could be sitting in Starbucks at a table, drinking a coffee and sketching in one of my books. But what nobody can see is how utterly breathtaking it is to create even the simplest doodle. To draw the egg-shaped circle that is the head. To divide it up so the eyes rest on the horizontal line... so they even up. To then fill out the face... the eyes, the nose, the smile. The hair. To then breathe some life into that simple drawing.

I miss it more than I miss my parents.

If it came back to me, I'm confident I could take having cancer. I could hear the news and say to the doctor, "I can deal with this... I once lost my art." If you're an artist, you can understand that.

If you don't draw, you cannot imagine how that is so much a part of my life. When I see people, anyone, the first thing that comes to mind is how I could draw them. What makes them unique, artistically. Do they have a round or thin face? Their eyes. Their smile. Their hair. Their bodies. How could I translate that to the page. And in every case, I could sit down and do it.

And now... forget it.

I'm not going to give up. But even as I say that, it kills me that I even HAVE to say it. But the pain of trying hurst that much more each time. I'm terrified. I'm emotional. I'm irrational.

I just want to draw again.

I miss it so.

WHAT THE FU###????

2008-08-16T20:08:00.000-07:00

It's true, Belanders... I'VE BEEN BANNED FROM THE BENDIS BOARDS!!!

See... I read earlier that Gail Simone announced that she now ran the Bendis boards and not Brian.

But what the fuck did Gail do to make such a claim? You don't just announce... "excuse me... but I'm in charge now.."

No. You go out and you fucking take it. Run that land on a wild stallion and lay claim to all of it.

So... I went on every thread and announced that I had laid claim to each thread, which to them, is spamming. HOWEVER.. I DO have to say that, in my defense, I added a line or two after each post that tied IN with each thread. So... since each post was unique and different... it cannot be technically dubbed "spamming."

I told this to Brian in a confidential email.

Ummm..... Brian shut me down.

Sad. Not even a trial. From a man who once penned the voice of Matt Murdock.

Murdock would've won this. Pro bono.

Now, I'm going to accept my banishment. I'll sit here in the desert and stare at the oasis from afar. Eating a scorpion every now and then... and you know what..?

Each time a scorpion stings my tongue, it'll just make me stronger. And when I return Bendisboard... ohhhh WHEN I RETURN... I WILL BRING A BOUNTY OF SCORPION-INDUCED HUMOR THAT WILL MAKE THE ANCIENTS HEED NOTICE!!!

... I SHALL RETURN.

okay, time for ravioli.

Okay, update time...

2008-08-15T13:52:00.001-07:00

The back, to my shock, has gotten better. The lower back is still tight, but the upper part and my neck seem to be back to normal. I'm at least able to move around now and not confined to the sofa. As much as I love television, I could only watch so many episodes of THROWDOWN WITH BOBBY FLAY and PARDON THE INTERRUPTION before going insane.

Which brings me to this freakin' hand problem. We went to our neurologist the other day and he told me, "I want you to try this."

"This" is called Primidone. It's a harmless looking pill, don't it look cute..?

"Primidone.." I say as I look at the prescription. "I never heard of it."

"I want you to take this every morning," he tells me. "This should help with the hand jittering.

"Are there any side-effects..?" I asked. Hey, they always tell you to ask about the side effects on tv, right..? So long as there's no painful diarrea and rectal vomiting or my eyeballs exploding or disappearance of my nads, I should be okay, right?

"You might feel a little groggy, but other than that, nothing." he tells me.

So, I got the pills and, the next day, I woke up and took the pill that will let me draw again. And in a fucking hour I felt like this:

And not just for an hour... oh, nooooOOOooo... I felt like this the entire day and through the night. There was a storm hitting Puerto Rico last night with lots of thunder and, at one point, I heard an airplane coming in for a landing and, well, you can only imagine what images were going through my head being that high.

And when I say I was high... I mean... I was FUCKING. HIGH.

This was the worst drug I've ever taken in my life. And I've had bad acid while hiking up that trail on Browns Valley Road. I've had mushrooms with a guy who couldn't shut the hell up. And I've smoked some truly, truly bad weed.

Primidone makes all those others its bitch.

I don't remember one minute of yesterday, save for me standing naked in the bathroom holding the bottle in my hand, pointing at it and muttering "NOOOO PRIMIDONE... BADDD PRIMIDONE..."

I gave my wife the bottle and said "never again." Did it help my hand..? How he fuck do I know, I was HIGH. I DID find a page that I inked last night and, though the inking looked a little better, I was insanely stoned when I did it. How am I supposed to do a 24-page book like that?? I'll choose marijuana over Primidone.

Marijuana at least makes the high a fun time. Some giggling, some artwork, eight chocolate shakes and a pizza with a side order of chinese food and the day is done! Primidone kicks the door in with Hydra agents and clobbers you on the head and knocks you out until you wake up on the side of the street tied to a lamppost in your underwear. No fun.

I DID, however, have a dream that Giada de Laurentiis came onto me during a Food Network shoot.

I'm as amazed as you are... but I can truly say that she was determined. Maybe it's the way I pronounce "mazzarella." Awwwww Giada... I always knew you were a saucy wench.

So, around noon, when the fog lifted and it was time to go meet with my editor about the "Fantastic Four: Isla de la Muerta" sequel, I at last had my wits about me and came out of that freakin' fog. Then he cancelled. DAMNED YOU ALEJANDRO AND YOUR BUSY SCHEDULE!!!!!!

To say that I'm touched by all the nice words of encouragement is an understatement. Gail Simone never wrote, but hey, what can you expect from someone who hates kittens? Really? You didn't know that?

Really, I've been so moved by the emails and Facebook notes (and for the record, I never use the FunWall, so please stop) that I can never properly put it into words. I may have a tiny readership, but damned if it ain't a loyal one. You guys are Amazing, Spectacular, Sensational and... ummmm... TEAM-UP!!!

Naw, really people... you're the greatest. I'm just going to be patient on this. Humor has always got me through a lot of things, it'll get me through this.

And, fortunately, the FF script is going to fucking rock.

I really need a hug.

2008-08-11T09:38:00.000-07:00

Well, the back is still killing me and that jitter in my drawing hand is still there. It's been two weeks since I've been off caffeine and I still shake as much as I have before. Simply put... I cannot draw.

For anyone who knows me in any way whatsoever, you know how I feel about it.

I've done all I can do and I've done all the swearing, brush and paper throwing and crying I can do. I'm pretty much empty inside. I've been drawing since I was a kid and now it's just not there anymore. Not the way I'm happy with at least.

I've had support from my wife and friends, but I don't think they understand truly what I'm going through. This is such a loss to me on an emotional and spiritual level. I just don't see it improving. Every time I pick up a pencil or brush, that shake is right there. Lily will tell me it looks fine, but it doesn't help.

I called my sister to tell her what was going on and she doesn't get it either. She's going through a divorce and every time I tried to talk to her about it, the conversation went to what an asshole her husband is. Yeah, I get it. I hung up and wished I could've had some support there. But my own family doesn't look for my book. That has always hurt, but I really feel like I'm going through this alone. I don't want to hear it's going to get better, I want to SEE it getting better.

The fact is, I see that shaky line everywhere on the page. I feel it as I make the line itself and it kills me when I look at my page.

And then I got the numbers on my TSSTG ARCHIVE COLLECTION:

Image has lost two grand on it. I guess the public has officially spoken.

This was the book I was hoping Image would make money on. Every issue they've published has lost money for them. Add this to my health issues and I'm ready to tie myself to a boulder and push it off a bridge.

BRING ON THE COMMISSIONS!

2008-08-01T11:21:00.000-07:00

I'm going to be accepting commissions for the time being. If there's something you're interested in me drawing, you can email me at tom@tombeland.com. All pieces are on 8.5" x 11" and are created with colored pencil. I use PayPal. $40 per commission, depending on difficulty.

Here are some examples:

LOOK FOR US IN CHICAGO IN 09!!

2008-08-01T11:01:00.000-07:00

So here's the thing. I have a shitload of relatives in Chicago who I haven't seen in decades. And I haven't been to Wrigley Field... or an actual White Castle stand, or even eaten a deep-freaking-dish pizza. I haven't been to the Museum of Art in ages and I need to see if they still have my favorite painting of all time there:

All that said... I need to go and hang out at the Loop and try to figure out that Picasso statue. Anyhoo... if you're there next year, look us up!

And, of course THIS happens

2008-07-30T20:16:00.001-07:00

Two emails came to me tonight:

Hello there.....my name is Kevin and I was in Chicago over the weekend and saw your book in a Borders Bookstore and bought it. I'm not much of a reader.....actually I hate reading. I am 18 years old and have probably never completely read a book cover to cover. Your book is just so addicting to read because I can relate to a lot of the feelings that you had.........I just wanted to say thank you for giving me a new outlook on reading!! — civicman022

and:

"On july 23rd, I had my youngest brother give my Mom, the bday present, I couldn't give her, because I was on my way to San Diego. It was a graphic novel about something she was familiar with, thanks to local TV, and she LOVED it! TSSTG vol. 1 by Tom Beland. Congrats U have a brand new fan.Get well soon."
— Victor Rosario, Facebook

Yeah. This is why I make my books. Awesome.

So where the hell have I been?

2008-07-30T06:48:00.000-07:00

I've been MIA the past month from this blog. I'd love to say that it's because I've been talking with studio executives or I'm putting together a toy line or something... but it's nothing that good.

I've been dealing with health issues and it's been a roller coaster, emotionally.

First of all... there's the ADD situation. I've been battling this problem my entire life and it seems the older I get, the harder it is to get a handle on it. If you don't have ADD, it's probably tough to understand what it does to you. Basically, it makes it impossible to focus on the job at hand. There's always something else on my mind and I get very scattered.

The medication I take works pretty good, however, like most medicines that do any good, the price is insane. Our insurance won't cover the cost of the medication and there are times I feel terribly guilty about the hit our budget takes. The side effects are insomnia and lack of appetite.

Another problem is one that has scared the fuck out of me, as an artist. A few months ago, I began to develop a slight twitch in my drawing hand. The twitch would prevent me from drawing a clean curve, the curves I use primarily in faces and bodies. If you've seen the later works of Charles Schulz, that's the jittery line I'm talking about.

We've seen our doctor and he assured me yesterday that it's not Parkinson's. I have to tell you, this has been worse for me than the ADD thing. It's killed many a page that I've tried to work on and it's been so frustrating and I've had a feeling that I'm not able to draw as well as I used to... which is absolutely heartbreaking to me.

Drawing, to me, is more than just something to do and enjoy. It's a direct link to my father... who taught me most of what I know about cartooning. Not being able to draw would kill me. Now the doctor thinks he knows what the problem is...

Coke.

If there's one addiction I have in this world, it's soda. I drink a TON of it. So, when he mentioned soda being the issue, I totally listened. It makes sense. I drink it in the morning, pretty much non-stop throughout the day. And this year, it's been more than usual.

So, as of two days ago, I'm off soft drinks. I'm hoping this works.

I also had an accident a couple of months ago. I was walking towards our staircase and I tripped over a shoe that was left there and literally fell down the six-step staircase to the hard floor. I messed up my back something fierce, along with my neck. I'm getting treatment for it, but I can only sit in an artist's chair for a half-hour before it tightens up on me. I hate it. Drives me fucking nuts.

My lettering has also gone to shit over the years. Even I can't read it anymore. It, too, has killed my work. This isn't a Coke issue, it's just becoming harder for me to focus that hard and my vision ain't the greatest, so the letters have become sloppy.

Fortunately, the wonderful Chris Eliopoulos, the man behind the wonderful FRANKLIN RICHARDS books and letterer for about a ZILLION comics, has offered me a computer font, based on my handwriting. My GOOD handwriting. So, TSSTG will switch to computer lettering from here on out. It's a bit of a downer for me, since I really do love seeing everything on the page, but I need to have the reader enjoy my work without having to strain to read it.

All these issues have led to a huge drop-off in production. The last issue was #11 and I'm still working on the wedding issue, with about ten pages to go. After that, I'm not sure what the future of TSSTG will be, to be honest. Image has been very patient, but I wonder just how patient they'll be.

This book has never been a huge money maker. I think the highest total I've seen was around 1,300 orders or so. That doesn't make a publisher's mouth water. After twenty-eight issues and six Einser nominations, my numbers have never really grown to where the book makes money for whomever is publishing it. And the reason is simple:

No titties. No fight scenes. No buildings falling and no bloodshed.

And I can't use those vital parts in TSSTG. It's autobio and, for the comic book buyers out there, autobio may as well be the carrot sticks appetizers you see sitting next to the huge bowl of Fritos and onion dip. And let's face it... everyone prefers the dip and Fritos over the carrot sticks. You can try to tell them how great and nutritious the carrot sticks are... but nobody will listen to it.

Image Comics, who publishes TSSTG, has been nothing but remarkable to me. I get my invoices and see the same numbers and I also see my percentage which has averaged to about -$400 per book and it breaks my heart. I feel guilty that they continue to keep me on while I lose money for them. They've recently asked me what to do with the inventory of my books, since the sales haven't been enough to pay for the storage costs.

The end may be near and if it happened tomorrow, I'd not only shake hands with them, I'd hug them too. I'd make them dinner. I'd probably name my first child "Image." That's how great they've been for me. And there's no "but" there. You can only take so many chances before you realize it ain't selling. And just because nobody is watching. it doesn't mean it's a bad product... ie ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT, FIREFLY or DEAD LIKE ME for example. But you have to bring in money to at least pay for the work.

And you DO pay for the work. A lot of folks out there assume that when you hook up with a publisher, the expenses are gone away. Wrong. When the book has shipped, you then pay the publisher for printing, distribution, storage, the cool advertising in the front of PREVIEWS and the coffee for the staff. You never get to do a book for free. Never. Unless you're a comics god.

I'll be honest here, because, well... it's what I'm known for. It kills me to see the Diamond Top 300 and see some of the titles on it. Titles that get horrible reviews and are just bad products. But you look at the numbers and they're selling 100,000 copies a shot. Or even 50,000. For nothing more than titties and blood. Yeah, it kills me. It kills me that I can earn three grand on a script that took me no time to write, but the story I slave and sweat over time after time nets me a negative dollar amount.

I've heard people say that I should get this book out on a monthly basis to build a readership and, yes, that makes sense. But most of those people are either writers or artists, not both. TSSTG is literally on one-man crew. I do the writing, the roughs, the pencils, the lettering, the inking and covers. That's a lot of work and when something like this happens to me, the entire production stops. I can't just give the script to the penciller and move on to the next issue.

Not only that... it's also auto-bio. It's the story of my relationship with this person who has changed my life in ways you cannot imagine. It's real. All of it. And in all of that, it has to be entertaining. It's not an easy thing to do. You don't buy this book for the action and adventure... you buy this book because it moves you somehow and you have a connection with the characters. It's emotional. And emotional ain't easy to do in comics.

If I were doing a super hero book, that'd be different. When you're writing fiction, you can take all types of liberties that you cannot in non-fiction. You can always created a villain and a big fight scene and pepper some big breasts from issue to issue. It's not that difficult and I know this. I've written super hero stories. It's a basic formula. And it's also a team effort. You write issue #1's script and then it's off to issue #2's script while the artist handles the visuals for issue #1.

But when you're doing a book as personal as TSSTG is for me, it all has to be perfect before it ships. I have to be able to say that I'd pay the money myself before I'd ask someone else to invest their cash.

I DO plan to keep TSSTG going. I have so many stories left to tell and I'm going to figure out how to deal with the medical problems and get a production schedule that makes more sense.

This isn't a rant in any way. I just felt that a lot of time has gone by since my last issue and my last post and I just wanted to update everyone. I just ask that everyone be patient during this very troubling time in my life.

And to say thanks for the unbelievable support you've given me over the years.

MY BUDDY PETER AVANZINO DIRECTED.....

2008-06-29T09:26:00.000-07:00

... this:

That's right, mother-fuckers, my good friend from high school (GO NAPA INDIANS!) directed the latest FUTURAMA movie!! I'm getting my copy this week (because he NEVER sends me free swag, cheap bastard that he is) and I'm going to enjoy every animated minute of it.

It's been a long road from the days where Peter would address the Napa High student body, while wearing a diaper. Or the days we'd make up super-hero costumes (Captain Sumo and the Arachnoid). But here he is making movies for the world to enjoy. Or that killer Spider-Man costume he had (in which he actually LOOKED like Spidey) I'm hoping he's on the commentary.

What's awesome about this is... Pete and I are doing exactly what we said we wanted to be doing as kids. Is that insane or what? I was going to make comics and he was going to make cartoon. I think that's so cool, I smile when I saw it.

Although, even though he attends bbq's at Matt Groening's house... Ihave actually writtenSpider-Man books and that's his favorite character of all time.

But, for now, I will watch, with envy, my friend's latest work. This week, of course... since I don't have my free copy. Y'know... those copies you send to family and life-long friends..?

Cheap bastard.

MICHAEL TURNER FALLS TO CANCER

2008-06-29T09:16:00.001-07:00

This is getting ridiculous now. We're not supposed to lose people at 35.

We lose them at 70, or 90 or sometimes 114 years old. But not 35.

His work was either loved or hated. I sort of jumped back and forth, but given the amount of work Mike did, it's understandable that some pieces here may outshine pieces there.

But after reading what Mike has gone through over the years, while fighting cancer... you cannot help but admire him for working during that time. He gave us all art while he was fighting for his life.

Understand..?

He didn't have a Bucket List. He didn't jump on a plane and fly around the world to see what he was missing out on. He didn't go skydiving or eat at the greatest restaurants in the country. He didn't do anything but make comics.

Because making comics WAS his bucket list.

I'm embarrassed at how I work. I take so much time off from comics because I'm pulled every which way by my ADD crap. And here's a guy who had poison injected into him and still made it to the drawing table. I don't understand it. Why don't I have that drive in me..? Why do I take the day off when I have allergies because my fucking nose is running?

I may not have been the biggest fan of Michael Turner's art... but as a creator and a professional..? I'm a huge fan.

I'm hoping he influences me as a pro.

ARRRRGGGGHHH!!

2008-06-10T13:30:00.000-07:00

I've been having HORRIBLE connection problems since arriving in Napa.

My other computer issue is my touchpad on my ibook G4 dying on me. I have to connect my Wacom tablet to use my laptop. When I use the touchpad.. nothing happens.

I look like Tony Stark creating a makeshift armor here in Starbucks.

I hate it when computers take the day off. Ugh.

Anyone know how to fix the touchpad...? Help me....

KEITH KNIGHT'S TRIBUTE TO RORY ROOT.

2008-05-27T11:50:00.000-07:00

This comic says it all. Great job, Keith!

INDIANA JONES AND THE TEMPLE OF A.A.R.P.

2008-05-26T16:52:00.001-07:00

Yeeesh. I thought this movie blew.

Indiana Jones is 65 years old and he's knocking out groups of Russian soldiers half his age. The movie ground to a halt in every scene he was in. Even when he's using the whip, he looks tired.

I could see Shia surviving those three waterfalls... but every other grandparent in that boat is dead. I mean DEAD.

Two things I'd rather not see from this point on. The greedy fucker character who can't run for safety because he's too busy stuffing his fucking pockets and gets killed. And the building falling apart and everybody out-racing the disaster.

It felt old.

The days of Harrison Ford taking on brutes twice his size and absorbing twenty punches in a row are long gone. I was laughing more than cheering him during those slugfests. I just didn't buy any of it. Ugh.

Lily, however, loved it.

SHIPPING THURSDAY, MAY 29... TSSTG OMNIBUS!!

2008-05-26T11:45:00.001-07:00

It started back in 1997 as a comic strip in the local newspaper. Then it morphed into a 17-issue comic book series that I self-published under CLIB'S BOY COMICS. Now the series is with Image Comics.

In all, I've been doing this comic for ten years. I'm still amazed that I've made all those books. I never thought I had it in me.

Well, this Thursday, you can read every issue of my self-published run. The TRUE STORY, SWEAR TO GOD archives collects all seventeen issues of that run in one book.

It's a fucking huge book. Every issue. How I met Lily at that bus stop in Disneyworld. Visiting Napa and Puerto Rico. The cat-5 hurricane that swept the island. Comics shops in Berkeley. The decision to move. The Vieques incident and the joys of making comics and attending Wonder-Con!

I truly hope you have as much fun reading our story as we had living it.

And yep, it's all true... swear to God.

WHY TOM BELAND IS A THOUSAND YEARS OLD...

2008-05-25T10:30:00.000-07:00

I attended my niece, Tiana's, high school graduation last week and this week, she went to her senior prom. This is Tiana as she appears in TRUE STORY, SWEAR TO GOD, above.

These are the moments when you see how time has flown by. In TSSTG, Tiana is still a little kid, doing kid stuff, barely able to handle a conversation with me in English.

Now, however, Tiana is a young woman, gorgeous and interested in the political system and now when we talk, they're great conversations about finding ourselves in this world and being our own person. She also has a deep love for Bob Marley. That's her in the middle in the that "how did you get that hot" I DREAM OF JEANNIE dress.

I also have a niece, Celine, back in Napa. This was her as she appears in my book:

Celine is also graduating in June and will be attending Sonoma State in the fall. This is her now:

Sonoma State.

Celine. My little Celine.

Two hours ago, Celine was a year old, shoving birthday cake all over her face and hair. Now she's also a young woman, dealing with life, work and relationships. We spoke recently about dealing with an ex and, for a moment, I was overwhelmed by the thought of her actually BEING in a relationship with a guy.

Time never seemed to go by this quickly for me. I remember when the days seemed like years to pass by. Summer vacation was like a decade and it was frustrating to find ways to fill the day. Nowadays, the sun never gives us enough time to do what has to be done that day. Years now feel like days as they pass me by.

I'm so proud of these two women. Not only are they gorgeous females on the outside, but they also have integrity and are empowered with a strong sense of self-worth. They radiate when they enter the room and I could talk with them all day without being bored. I'm sure it's obvious at this point how proud I am of these two.

I just wish they'd quit growing up so fast.

OKAY.. IT'S TIME TO GET SERIOUS HERE. FANBOY SERIOUS.

2008-05-23T16:41:00.000-07:00

This is the cover of my self-published issue of TRUE STORY, SWEAR TO GOD #17. It was the final issue of my run before I took the title to Image Comics.

Have you read it..? Did you like it..? Good. Because you're the person this is aimed at.

Artist Josh Medors is fighting a rare form of cancer in his back, and The Hero Initiative, the first-ever federally chartered not-for-profit corporation dedicated strictly to helping comic book creators in need, is aiding in that fight.

Hero is currently running three eBay auctions with net proceeds benefiting Josh, the artist of Frank Frazetta’s Swamp Demon. One of them is one of my sketchbooks I use when I write TSSTG. This is the sketchbook from issue #17. There are over 60 pages of fully-rendered pencils and it represents months of work. If you've always wanted to know how I write this book, this is a great item to bid on. I don't do scripts when I work on my book. I go right to thumbnails in my sketchbooks.

And here's the final art of the above page. From the sketchbook, you can see what I've changed for the final product and see the creative process. I treasure these books and I'd never let this one go, except it's for such a great cause.

And here's where you come in.

I want you to bid the fuck out of this item. I want you to bid often and win this item. I don't want to see a small amount for the winning bid. I want dollars. I want bucks so big, it's do the good that needs to get done.

I'm not taking a cent. Not a fucking penny. It's all for Josh.

It's cancer. On his back.

If that thought doesn't get you off your ass and bid some cabbage, I don't know what would... and I'd be afraid to ask.

I've lost a mother and father to cancer. I hate this shit. I couldn't do something for them then... but I can do something now.

And so can you.

I don't want to hear anything about how you need money for next week's comics. Bullfuckingshit. While you're looking forward to next week's comics, Josh is simply looking for the next week. Imagine that.

I'm serious on this. If you have the money to donate... and have a computer... and don't feel like being a part of something that will make you feel great and help someone in the process.... do me a favor.

Don't buy my books anymore.

Really.

Because the whole point of the TSSTG series is realizing dreams. Be it a dream of love. Or a dream of living somewhere new and different. Or the dream of helping your fellow human.

And if I haven't influenced you in twenty-eight issues... I never will. And I don't have the time in my life to deal with someone who wouldn't do what I would in this situation.

If you do... I'll be forever proud to call you a fan. I want this to be spectacular, amazing and sensational. I want Josh to see what you folks are going to give him and I want him to say "No. Fucking. Way."

Do it. Make me proud.

These auctions can be found at:

http://search.ebay.com/_W0QQsassZheroinitiative

And further auctions benefiting Josh can be found by searching “Josh Medors benefit auction.”

In addition to these auctions, The Hero Initiative will be taking additional measures to help Josh in his convalescence.

"Having an organization like the Hero initiative is a blessing,” said Josh Medors. “Even when things are going great, trying to make it as a freelance comic illustrator can be tough. The support the comics community has shown has been amazing. Now having the Hero initiative involved has made it possible for me to focus on what is important, getting better. They are a wonderful, caring organization, and their help has given me a hope and made it possible for me to focus on something I love very much—creating comics."

SIGNING BOOKS TODAY AT METRO COMICS!!

2008-05-22T11:49:00.001-07:00

I'll be signing books today (Thursday) from 5pm-7 at Metro Comics at the San Patricia Plaza! I'll be signing TSSTG books, as well as the FANTASTIC FOUR: ISLA DE LA MUERTA!

If you're in the area, stop on by!

RORY ROOT 1958-2008

2008-05-19T19:52:00.000-07:00

He was the owner of one of the best comics shops in the country, in my opinion. He was honest, he was strict and he was passionate about comics in a way that made him a walking comics encyclopedia. He also looked like the lead singer of Blues Traveler.

And he was the second person in my life to invest in my work.

Rory Root, the owner of Comic Relief, in Berkeley, California, passed away today, after dealing with several health issues. I got the news today from Andrew Farago, who runs the Cartoon Art Museum in San Francisco.

This really hit me hard. Rory was someone I always looked forward to seeing whenever I strolled into town. He was someone who always bought whatever I had to sell. He was one of those people who believed in me when I had zero faith in what I do. And he's one of the reasons I've been able to do what I've done in this business.

He never minced words with me. When I attended my first San Diego Con, he set-up a signing event right there. But when I asked him if he needed any books to take back to his store, he told me that he would be getting a 50% discount on them. He wasn't in my face about it... but he was very direct, in his smiling fashion, that this was how it was done.

I remember doing a scene in TSSTG where I took Lily to his store. It was her first time in a comics shop and it was a very fun scene with her looking at all the books. A year later, at one of the conventions, he stopped me as I was walking by and told me that he appreciated the scene. But not just because it was his store being featured in my book.

In the scene, I put in the black cat that used to live in the store. It could always be seen sleeping on top of the comics in the back issue bins. The cat had recently passed away and Rory was very moved to see it in my book. I happened to have that page in my portfolio bag and I signed it and brought it to him.

Rory thought I was there to sell him some books, but when he saw me slip the page out and hand it to him, he got very emotional. It was the only time I'd ever seen this side of Rory. He was moved to tears and gave me a hug.

Whenever I had a question about Diamond, or dealing with a publisher, I went to Rory. He always gave me great advice and he was one of my obi-wans. When I got my dream gig of writing for Marvel, Rory congratulated me and promptly told me that it was nothing compared to what I was doing in my own book. Rory always had a way of letting me know that I had worth in this business.

He was like an uncle to me and I'm so very sad about this. I'll be crying tonight for the loss of my friend.

You were exceptional, Rory. Say hello to Jack Kirby... and that little black cat.

You are missed.

DIGGIN' THE DUFF

2008-05-18T10:44:00.001-07:00

Her name is Duffy and her CD is called ROCKFERRY and I've been loving it. Has a Dusty Springfield feel to her work and it's great stuff.

NEW BELAND INTERVIEW AT "FORCES OF GOOD!"

2008-05-15T14:02:00.000-07:00

Stefan Blitz asked me to participate in his column "5 QUESTIONS" and who am I to refuse? Okay, he was holding my drawing tools hostage, but even if he didn't, I'd have done the interview.
Click the linky-poo and enjoy href="http://forcesofgood.com/2008/05/15/5-questions-tom-beland/">

Sigggghhh... this fucking Blogger system won't show the fucking link. And after trying to fix it, it won't connect the link. Does anyone know how to get this to work??

CANDLELIGHTERS COMIC ART AUCTION FOR KIDS WITH CANCER.

2008-05-05T08:48:00.000-07:00

From Thomas Denton... regarding a very special auction:

"My name's Thomas, and I was hoping I could get your help with something. I'm organizing a charity fund raiser to benefit the Candlielighters. They're an organization that helps the families of kids with cancer. They recently did quite a lot to help my family get through a tough time, and I was hoping I could try give something back.

What I'm doing is gathering artists to donate work to be auctioned off, 100% of the proceeds going to the Candlelighters.

It's been mentioned at a few major comic sites and a couple of pros have signed on, and I was hoping you wouldn't mind helping out a bit. Just you starting a thread at MW mentioning it would bring a lot of attention to it, and it'd really mean a lot.

You can read all about it here-

Thanks for your time."

When I was asked to donate something for the cause, I knew immediately what to send. In issue #2 of TSSTG, there's a scene where Lily shaves her head and unknowingly becomes an inspiration for two women with cancer to get rid of their wigs. This was such an emotional experience for Lily and it remains one of my favorite scenes in the series.

So this is the page where she meets them. It's on 11x14" bristol and there are blue pencil not shown on this image. It's one of my favorite pages and I'm giving it for the cause.

FREE COMIC BOOK DAY SATURDAY!! COME SAY HELLO!

2008-05-02T11:00:00.001-07:00

Free Comic Book Day is Saturday and I'll be signing books and even sketching for the fans!

Come see me at METRO COMICS, in the SAN PATRICIA PLAZA 9am-11am! Looking forward to seeing you there. FCBD has really blossomed into something wonderful over the years and if you're into comics, or your kid is into comics or your significant other is into comics... you should come experience it.

See ya!

CAN YOU BELIEVE IT..? TEN YEARS

2008-04-22T07:44:00.000-07:00

It was exactly, to this day, ten years since I met the love of my life at a bus stop in Disneyworld. I remember being so tired from walking the park all day long and not wanting to go see Stevie Wonder so I could get some sleep. But it was Stevie Wonder and how often do you get the chance to see someone of that magnitude live? For free?

So that's when I met her. When I walked to the bus stop to go see the concert. I go through about billion scenarios where I don't go to the concert and never meet her. Each version means I'm not the person I am today and that saddens me. It was such a rare instance where you meet someone who becomes life-changing. I was very fortunate.

Happy Anniversary babe. Here's to many many more.

AVENGERS CLASSIC #11 ON SALE NOW!

2008-04-16T23:20:00.000-07:00

I wrote the back story, with artwork by Kano! It was fun to do and I hope you enjoy it.

I'm just saying...

2008-04-07T19:18:00.000-07:00

When someone like Matt Groening holds your book up and poses with it... you HAVE TO USE IT.

Even if this doesn't result in massive sales, it's just the coolest fucking thing in the world to show people. So... there.

YES... I ONCE HAD HAIR.

2008-04-01T22:57:00.000-07:00

This is a photo from my prom night in 1980. I'm standing next to my sister, Susan... and, no, she wasn't my date. Stacie Henderson was my date. She kept telling her friends how great Tom was. Then, as I stood on her porch step to pick her up for the big night, she told me that Tom was cool if we stayed out late.

It turned out that "Tom" was her boyfriend. A fact she never shared with me. And... yep... it sucked. The theme was "Don't Stop Believing" by Journey. I stopped believing in Stacy before we walked from her porch to the car. Dropped her off at home at 11pm. On the nose.

Sighhh.... so many years ago. Check out that hair. I wasn't a jock, but I can tell you this... I was, without a doubt, the greatest dancer in Napa High. Patti Wilson liked to dance with me... and if you knew Patti Wilson, you'd be impressed.

Anyhoo... just thought I'd post this. The old photos have been fun to look at.

TSSTG #11... AND AVENGERS CLASSIC #11... FINISHED!

2008-03-28T14:00:00.000-07:00

TRUE STORY, SWEAR TO GOD #11 is now finished and I'm currently scanning the pages to send to Image. Thanks everyone for being patient.

The new TSSTG OMNIBUS is 99.99% finished. Should be out soon.

AVENGERS CLASSIC #11 features a story by me with outstanding art by KANO!! This was a whirlwind of an issue and I really enjoyed how it all came out. Hope you enjoy it too! Ships in April.

FOR THOSE OF YOU EMAILING ME....

2008-03-23T22:23:00.001-07:00

There's something wrong with the email server. If I haven't responded to you email... this is why. :(

OUR FRIENDLY NEIGHBORHOOD MASTERPIECE

2008-03-21T16:48:00.000-07:00

A print we found in Paris.

We just left Sacred Heart and were walking the narrow streets of Paris at night (yep, you're right... it was awesome) when we passed this tiny little gallery. We found this piece and it was perfect for our living room. My favorite character is Spidey and Lily's favorite character is Wonder Woman.

FLAME ON

2008-03-21T10:09:00.000-07:00

So, my brother-in-law, Tino, told me that he had two passes to the Puerto Rico Open golf event and wanted to know if I wanted to go. We headed Donald Trump's new golf complex and we followed Tom Lehman and Dan Curtis around for nine holes and it was a great time.

Until we got to the clubhouse.

"Man.. you're really red." Tino tells me, pointing at my neck and legs.

I was scorched and never realized it. My legs, arms and neck had become something akin to tandoori chicken. Trust me, you don't want to see the photos.

By the time I got home, I couldn't move my legs or turn my neck. Lily applied some aloe vera on my skin, but, as of today, I'm pretty much confined to sitting on couch with my legs up.

If I stand, the blood rushes to my feet and that comes with a throbbing pain. It makes it impossible to stand. It sucks.

So, it's NCAA tournament viewing and Lily just slipped in a copy of Disney's ENCHANTED.

Man, I really do miss hand-drawn animation.

Siggghhh..

2008-03-19T13:58:00.000-07:00

Nobody comments on my posts.

I wonder if the comments are working, but if I find out they are, then.... sigggghhh.... it proves nobody posts comments on my blog. Depressing. lol.

Sketches and photos!

2008-03-17T09:57:00.000-07:00

A few more pics from the past. I can't believe I was ever that small. These were very good times and this is how I remember my dad when I visualize him.

Cover concept that never came to being. I'm not sure which issue this was for, but from the date of this sketchbook I'd say it was for my first visit to the island in issue #4. I like the flag interacting with the characters, but I decided to go with something that showed one of the many statues here. Still like this image though.

When I'm faced with two characters having a conversation, I like to have them doing something, to give them a sense of movement. This scene with the snow-dome is one of my favorites. We were in one of the souvenir shops at Disneyworld and I remember her playing with them. It lets the eye enjoy some movement, instead of just two heads speaking back and forth.

And I do a LOT of pages filled with talking heads. I can't rely on having Galactus appearing to give my book action... so those little movements during dialogue are essential for my stories.

On the right page, top panel, right side... those are my parents walking past us. It's one of my favorite sketches of my folks. They would've loved a day at Disney, in my opinion.

Leaving the concert and heading back to our rooms. It really was an amazing night and I remember feeling sad that it had come to an end. We were both counting down the minutes in our heads.

Since I never thought I'd ever have a series from this sketchbook, the heads have sort of a lava-lamp feeling to them. I never worried about working out the proportions and making them look more together, structure-wise. I mean, who knows what the future of a sketch holds. Those little doodles you have in your sketchbook..? Revisit them. Give birth to new ideas, even if you have little faith that there will be an interest in it.

I still can't believe that all this sketching on the plane ride home would lead me to where I am now.

More pics and sketches!

2008-03-15T14:01:00.000-07:00

Hello and hola to everyone! More pics and sketches from yesterday!!
The top photo has always been a weird photo to look at. It's me and my lil' brother, Joe in 1967. It's a cute photo and all, but why in the hell am I wearing a DODGER'S shirt?? I've been a Giants fan my entire life and somehow I got photographed wearing the logo of my most hated enemy!!

The middle photo is my dad, along with my brother Jim (to the left), sister Sue (middle) and Joe (front). I look like the tiny host of Match Game '68. I mean, look at that JACKET!! One of my favorite photos.

Below are my mom and dad in a photo booth. As it says there, my father loved photo booths. He loved a lot of goofy things and I really feel I absorbed his taste in bizarre humor.

Here are a bunch of sketches, some of the first ones of TSSTG. I was reliving the night right there on that page. So many fun moments and personal joy. This stuff just drew itself. Lily has an absolutely zero waist... much to Lily's delight.

Notice the typo in Lily's name there above her head. That very typo stuck in my head the entire time I did the first issue, which she pointed out as she read the pages upon her visit to Napa later. She wouldn't let me change the mistake. When issue three came out, I thought it was fun for the reader to see us talking about that mistake and I could imagine readers taking the first issue out to see if we were kidding. That mistake is kind of endearing and shows how we men pay very little attention to details.

Me in my hotel room. I didn't sleep much that night. It's really amazing how a person can have such an impact on you and that's what Lily did. I had some problems early on in this series with the profiles of the characters. The noses are wayyy off. But there's really an indie look to that art that I love to revisit now and then.

The page on the right never made it to the book. I had problems with all those caption bubbles. There are many times when you dummy a book up, where you're off a page or two. It's really the toughest part of the gig. You have to look over your designs or pages and decide which ones get thrown overboard for the sake of the story. You have to be absolutely critical.

You can't just say "I'll take the ugliest page out" because some of those ugly pages have some of the greatest text in the book. So, the decision is critical. I'll mull over it for days before I decide.

So, this is probably the first moment I pull in the Puerto Rican culture into my series. Lily and I go to the concert and she recognizes one of the musicians, conga master Giovanni Hidalgo. She runs up to him and hugs her. It was one of the first moments I could see what a fierce pride Puerto Ricans have for their culture.

The page on the right contains one of my favorite lines in the book. "well, THIS sucks." It never fails to happen to me at concerts where some huge person will sit directly in front of me. When it happened here, I laughed.

Below: Giovanni Hidalgo.

Mom and Dad... and more sketches!

2008-03-14T11:33:00.000-07:00

Well, there they are when the were much younger. Dad was still in the navy and mom was just... wow, she was pretty gorgeous. These were the two greatest people in my life. I draw cartoons because of my father, and I cook because of my mother.

I'm so happy I can look at these photos without falling apart. There was that period of my life where I couldn't look at photos of my parents without breaking down. It still happens now and then, but for the most part, I so love seeing these again.

This was a sketch I did shortly after some salsa lessons Lily and I took. I remember she went shopping in Old San Juan and I was sitting in a coffee shop with my sketchbook, trying to capture it for later use. Coffee shops are like daycare for us. lol. I can sit in a coffee shop for hours on end, so long as I have my sketchbook.

I had fun with this. I love drawing dancers, chefs, musicians and performers in general. Anyone who can't stop doing what they're doing long enough to be self-conscious about being drawn... that's my favorite model. I love to draw movement.

See that panel on the far lower right? That became one of my favorite poses for Lily. Shoulder up, eyes, closed, smiling. That really captures her personality. I use that pose in nearly every issue.

There are moments during a series, when you really nail what's in your head. That panel of us dancing is one of those panels. I smile every time I look at it. I was so worried that I wouldn't be able to transfer that look to the final page, since I tend to tighten-up a bit when I go to the bigger boards. But it came out nice in the book.

I remember seeing an X-Men splash page by Paul Smith, featuring Scott Summers slow dancing in a cabin with Madelyne Pryor and I fell in love with that page. I'd love to someday own it. It was a big influence on who I did this page. So nice.

Which makes up for my fat Stevie Wonder. Oy.

More sketches and kiddie me!

2008-03-12T21:17:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone... check this kid out!
Yep. That dumbo-eared heartthrob is none-other than yours truly... me. This was my first-grade class pic and mannnn... are those huge fucking ears or WHAAT?

And I still wear my shirt buttoned to the chin. You wouldn't believe how hot the girls would get from that look. Let me tell you, a nice blue shirt buttoned to the chin... a big-wave, full can of Brek hairspray hairdo... and the hottest smile in town often led to girls' panties exploding as I walked by. I'm talking squirters.

Anyhoo... just thought I'd give the internet even MORE ammo to kill me with, lol.

From TSSTG #1.

We just returned to the hotel and we kiss goodnight. Notice the balloons around the kissing panel all have Mickey ears. The were removed when I drew the page... fearing a phone call from the Disney lawyers. I'm bummed that I took them off when I look back at this.

I had to do lengthly conversations of me and Lily. Long conversations of us sitting in a room.

I needed to make this interesting enough where people would slow down and read the dialogue, otherwise, it's gone to shits. So, one thing I do when I speak is I look here and there. I never just stare at a person during a conversation. Lily can do it... it baffles me.

So, usually what I'll do is, I'll have my characters do the same thing. You can keep the same type of tight shot and, by just having the eyes glance elsewhere, it allows enough movement to keep the reader (especially any reader like me) from flipping the page.

It's also weird to see how much my style has evolved over the years. I always tell new cartoonists to keep their old work and put it in a box and put it away until a year later. Then compare how you are presently to how you were last year. Then you do it again, year after year. You can actually see the progression. I do this every year. It helps me immensely.

TSSTG ANNIVERSARY!! SOME SKETCHES FROM ISSUE #1

2008-03-11T08:57:00.000-07:00

I can't believe it's now been ten years since I began TRUE STORY, SWEAR TO GOD. I met Keith Knight and I created a weekly comic strip that was based on my life. Years later, I'd be on a writing assignment/fucking around time at Disneyworld, to celebrate the opening to their Animal Kingdom park... when I met her. From that moment on, the strips became stories about me and this Puerto Rican woman. The strip became a comic book, which was storyboarded the night I was flying back from the night I met Lily. So this week, I'm going to share some of the pages from that sketcbook. Enjoy.

When I decided to make an actual comic book out of the TSSTG strips, I was worried that too many people would see the title and assume it was a religious series. I was a big fan of Paulo Cohelo's THE ALCHEMIST and in that book, he tells you that everyone has their own journey... their own personal legend to experience. So, from that I considered naming my series, PERSONAL LEGENDS.

But I just liked TSSTG better and decided to go ahead and trust my judgement. I'm glad I trusted myself. A comic is such a personal thing. You think that every tiny decision is going to be catastrophic if wrong. Naming the series was the first major decision I made. It may not seem like much, but it is.

Opening title pages... and one of the many times Terry Moore beat me to the punch. I had some music on in my headphones and the song "Stranger in Paradise" came on and I thought "THAT is my title!!"

Then someone pointed out Terry's book to me. I was BUMMMMMMMED. He later beat me out of SPIDER-MAN LOVES MARY JANE. I have a great Terry Moore story planned for TSSTG in the near future where he was trapped in a car with me from Santa Cruz to San Francisco. I sort of fan gushed gawed at him.

As I was flying home from that night in Orlando, I took my sketch pad out and drew this page. The entire first issue of TRUE STORY, SWEAR TO GOD was sketched out during that plane ride. That's how inspired I was. Every page was designed high about the ground. Fitting, since that's how she made me feel.

Note that at the bottom of that page, there's the misspelling of Lily's name that worked its way through the entire first issue. In the second issue, Lily points out the fact that I spelled her name wrong. She would not let me fix the typo and it's kind of fun to go back to the first issue and notice this error.

More to come.

LOOKIE WHAT I FOUND! FF SKETCH PAGES!

2008-03-10T21:53:00.000-07:00

So I'm downloading a SHITLOAD of sketch pages and photos to Jonathan over at Image Comics... for that mega-huge collection of my entire self-published run of TSSTG.... when I come across something fun!

I found the sketch pages I used when I wrote the FANTASTIC FOUR: ISLA DE LA MUERTA! I was trying to find these pages ages ago, to send to Juan, to show him how close he came to my own vision of the story. I think he was dead-on. So, for anyone who wants to know my writing process is: here are some pages and some notes.

My take on the FF. Very animated style, way too cartoony for Marvel, but they've let me draw these guys in TSSTG and that was enough coolness for me.

The way I write is, I'll lay out the the pages in sketch form and put the dialogue in some spots and then, I'll go onto my laptop and use the sketch as a springboard. It allows me to just set set the scene and describe everything on the page.

I'll also begin in the middle of the story, then work sideways from there. Weird, I guess. Works for me.

I always figured, if I could create force fields, like Sue Storm, the first thing I'd use them for would be shutting up my younger brother, Joe. I've had that thought for DECADES... and it was AWESOME to live out that fantasy!

The search is on for the El Chupacabra as the FF head into the El Yunque rain forest. I don't think people utilize Reed's ability to alter he face by stretching his skin. John Bynre did it and I loved that about Reed. I love how board Johnny is in the Fantasticar. I also cannot draw mechanical anythings.

I wanted to make these people have the same problems we all do. The way Sue is ignoring Reed was taken directly from the way Lily does that with me.

One of the first pages I sketched. The minute they asked me to write an FF book, this was the first scene that came out. Sue has very few deep friendships in her life. Ben is perhaps the strongest friendship she has, maybe more so than Reed.

Because he's normal. He's just a guy from New York. And he had every reason to become a Doctor Doom or a Hulk or a Namor... but he stayed the same normal guy he'd always been. I love this scene. Juan killed that scene.

They find El Chupacabra, as Johnny comes crashing to the ground. I have to admit, these characters are fun to draw. I like Ben. I felt like this story read like both Johnny Quest and the Incredibles.

Lots of fun stuff on this page. First, we were originally going to have Sue rolling her eyes as Reed "saves" quite possibly the strongest member of the FF. How many times has she had to deal with Reed's overprotectiveness??

Middle panel. Johnny not being able to pronounce "CHUPACABRA" added so much fun to the story. And I've always dug how the FF would bitch at each other in the heat of battle. Very family like.

BOOM. Ben gets handed by the beast.

Ben nails the Chupacabra square as Johnny burns the rain forest down, against Reed's wishes.

Ben saves the day as he rushes the Chupacabra. I wanted to give them a cool factor without explaining it. Chupacabra can squeeze through Sue's force fields. Never had to tell anyone how it happens... it was just THUMP. There you go!

Anyway, hope you enjoy the pages. I'll be posting more sketch pages on here on a regular basis. I'll be posting the sketch pages of the very first issue of TSSTG. A few at a time. It was a blast to revisit those sketchbook.

I've always been self-conscience about explaining how I write. Because I've always thought of writers as brainy, college educated people with a vast and diverse vocabulary at hand. I barely graduated high school and so I've never thought that much of my abilities as a professional writer. I still do, but I'm getting more comfortable.

PHOTOS OF OUR PARIS TRIP!

2008-03-03T21:46:00.000-08:00

Well, it was a hell of a week. One of the best trips ever! Here's some photos of what we did, besides pose for pictures:

This is me and Jacob Goddard, one of my readers and banished Bendis boarder. We hooked up with Jacob during our 8-hour stop in Philadelphia and Jacob was our tour guide of the city. He even got me my very own Philly cheesesteak! Unfortunately, I could only manage one bite of it, since we'd just had lunch and it was a tasty bite.

This was the view of Paris from our room at the Marriott Hotel! Pretty snazzy, eh..? You should have seen it in the evening, the whole city is lit up. The only downside to this hotel..? For a wireless connection, they charged us 124 EUROS per week... and... get this... PER LAPTOP. It was a ridiculous price and we had to share a laptop, which, if you know me, can be a stressful experience.

Everyone in Paris is a sex fiend. I've witnessed it, folks. They make out everywhere... in the park, at the museum and, most popular... the Metro train. Perverts... all of 'em. God bless 'em all.

Lily's drug of choice was the tasty crepes. And this was one of her many pushers, eager to feed her habit. This dude was cranking crepes out like a freakin' piston.

Here we are on a nighttime cruise on the Seine River. What an incredible night.

We called this shot "The Loneliest Goalie." Everyone was kicking the ball and laughing while this poor kid sat on his ass, waiting for the ball to come to his end. Sad, yet funny.

Across the street from the Moulin Rouge amongst the sea of strip joints and porno shops. Took me back to Broadway in San Francisco during the 80's. We also took in the Erotic Museum and saw porn through the ages. Mankind has been sexually warped forEVAH, folks. What a relief to discover!

THE EPIC GREATNESS OF STEPHEN DESTEFANO

2008-02-29T14:16:00.000-08:00

Stephen Destefano is a brilliant cartoonist who works on the uber-fabo VENTURE BROTHERS. Check out his blog (click to the link of the right side of the page) and get swept-up in his greatness.

Here are some samples. Thanks to Peter Avanzino for pointing this blog out to me!

SIMPSONS MADNESS THIS WEEK!

2008-02-28T18:06:00.000-08:00

My Bart Simpson story hits the shelves this coming week!

BART SIMPSON #40: Bart finds himself living the dream after landing a gig as the new Radioactive Man comic book writer; alas Comic Book Guy finds himself living his worst nightmare.

Look for it this week! Enjoy!

photos from Paris

2008-02-22T10:41:00.000-08:00

These may be too big for this blog, but let me try:

Finding my FANTASTIC FOUR: ISLA DE LA MUERTA at Album Comics in Paris!

An American and Puerto Rican in Paris DAY ONE

2008-02-17T19:37:00.002-08:00

It's late Sunday night and we're all packed for Lily's birthday trip to Paris, beginning Monday morning.

I'm very excited about this. Mostly because it's her dream come true and, well, let's face it... this woman has made more dreams come true than any other person I know. This is great to return the favor.

The other reason is our itinerary. We don't have one.

Other than our hotel reservations, the only other thing we have reserved is a segue tour through the streets of Paris. Yep. You heard me, folks, we are going to be those tourist nerds that the French will laugh at and ridicule.

Don't care. This is going to be great fun.

But before we hit the City of Lights, we're going to make a quick, eight-hour stop at the SECOND most romantic city in the world:
PHILADELPHIA, BABY!!!

I've never been to Philly and it's only logical that we visit this city before baseball season begins, before that bile begins to form in the stomachs of the citizens. I've also told myself long ago that I would NEVER eat a Philly cheesesteak until I was officially standing in this city.

So, I'm going to finally have my first cheesesteak sandwich. My cherry is going to be popped.

My good friend from the Bendis message boards, Jacob Goddard, is going to be our tour guide. He promises good food and a trip to his favorite comics shop... oh, and something about a famous bell. Whatever. I want my fucking cheesesteak.

More to come!

LIAR LIAR, PINSTRIPE PANTS ON FIRE

2008-02-16T14:57:00.001-08:00

What an asshole.

I have to say, I've seen some people saying that Barry Bonds must be happy that someone else is being dragged through the mud in this steroid crapola.

But the fact is, what Clemens is going through these days is hardly what I'd consider the same level as Bonds. Clemens never faced 25,000 fans holding signs and chanting "sterrrrroids" every time he hit the mound. Clemens got cheers his entire career... his. Entire. Career.

I'm not saying Bonds was innocent, but c'mon already. What Clemens has faced is NOTHING compared to Barry's jury.

And look at how many people Roger throws under the bus during his testimony. Everyone else has "misremembered" everything. And then he puts his wife in the mix of everything.

You're an ass, Roger Clemens. You were an ass when you were bitching out the umpire under your glove. You were an ass when you threw half that bat at Mike Piazza. And you were the biggest ass when you were trashing every friend and loved one you had in life. The sad thing is, the more you deny and lie, the more ridiculous you look.

Baseball will go on without you. Pitchers and catchers report this week. We already couldn't care less about you OR Barry.

A REALLY GREAT FILM

2008-02-14T18:41:00.001-08:00

Wanna see a great film? Go see LARS AND THE REAL GIRL.

I'm not going to tell you about it, because I'll probably ruin it for you. Suffice it to say, when you see it, you'll want to move to this town and live there forever.

Great characters, wonderful script and plenty of emotions.

Happy Valentine's Day, Lily

2008-02-14T08:23:00.000-08:00

I met her at a bus stop ten years ago.

She smiled at me, spoke with me... and didn't pepper-spray me.

It's amazing what the right person can do to your life. Since the day I met Lily, my world has only gotten better with each day.

Yep. We have arguments... I'm not saying it's always easy. I'm not an easy person to live with. She had to live with someone who's had to adjust to an entire new world and way of life. And when that person is impatient, as I can be, sainthood should seriously be considered.

She's only made me a better person than I was before I met her.

She took a guy who had settled for a nowhere job, who didn't think too highly of himself and who certainly didn't see the potential in himself that she saw.

Ten years later... wow. Look at what I've done.

I made mini comics. I took them to conventions. I made friends in the business.

I made actual comic books. To date, I've made 27 issues of TRUE STORY, SWEAR TO GOD. She's been there through every page. Every panel.

And then there was Marvel. And Spider-Man.

My Lily understood what an impossible dream it was to put words into the mouth of my favorite character of all time. Same with Reed, Sue, Ben and Johnny. And Captain America. And, yes, Dragon Man.

After she gave me the emotional support to write comics, I gave her the support to write her own books. Her new one is now a best-seller here on the island.

When I was in spending my "lost year" in Napa after our divorce, we spoke on the phone every day. Great conversations, laughs and support... from an ex-wife. It didn't take long for us to realize we made a huge mistake and I moved back here to stay. With her.

To show my love for Lily, I cook, do laundry and do the shopping. I'm there with a shoulder to cry on when needed. I tape all her shows on our TIVO, even the shows I'm not all that into.

When I go to conventions, I always try to find something that has Wonder Woman (her favorite) or Astro Boy (her nickname in high school... they thought she had legs like Astro Boy).

I know this is Valentine's Day, where guys out there are trying to prove their love to their women... and the women are waiting to see if their men will come through with something great.

That's not us.

Because love isn't about cards, chocolate and flowers. That smells of desperation to me.

Love is making a meat loaf our of turkey meat, because she doesn't eat meat. Even though you've been craving a beef, pork and veal meat loaf all week.

Love is sitting through Entertainment Tonight AND Access Hollywood because it's her guilty pleasure.

Love is washing her hair when we shower together.

Love is knowing that she'll order Ceasar Salad sin pollo. She loves mojitos.

But I'll tell you what love is to me.

When it's 10pm... we're on the couch watching television. She's curled up next to me, her head on my shoulder. There's a gentle breeze coming in from the patio doors as the coqui frogs are chirping their song in the distance.

At that moment, I can feel the weight of her head sink into my shoulder, telling me that she's passed out. Every time I feel this, it makes me feel special. It's amazing to me how someone can feel so safe with you that they can fall asleep on you.

Love is work. And the reward for this work is the love you get.

Not just one day.

Of course, I'll still make her a card. :)

GOOD GRIEF! THE BEAGLE WINS!

2008-02-12T20:18:00.000-08:00

Awww, C'MON already... HOW could you have NOT cheered for this lil' guy Tuesday night? He's freakin' ADORABLE, for cryin' out loud.

And his name.... is.... Uno. Y'know... like number one?

Bruno pushed some pansy-ass poodle aside, to the cheers of an entire stadium, to win the Westminster Dog Show. And I gotta tell you... the world is just so much nicer for the time being.

Ain't it a great thing to put aside all our drugged athletes, bitching politicians and reality television that plague our time and just take in the goodness that these dogs give us? I mean, really. I feel good that the beagle won.

I can't really explain it. But thanks, Uno!

This. Book. Rocks.

2008-02-06T22:07:00.000-08:00

Yeah, yeah, I'm a huge Marvel guy. Never been much of a DC dude, just could never get into the characters. They seemed to lack the personality of the Marvel characters. The last time I was into DC, hardcore, was during the Marv Wolfman/George Perez TEEN TITANS run. In fact, their story "WHO IS DONNA TROY?" would be on the top five list of favorite super books, Marvel or DC.

But nothing else has made me put a DC book on my saver. Or go nuts with excitement when a new issue comes out. There are some really good books there... but nothing to make me yell "YES!!!"

Until TEEN TITANS: YEAR ONE.

I am so unbelievably hooked on this series. The characters are so perfect and the art...? I'm as deeply in love with Karl Kerschl's artwork as I am with Juan Doe's. I mean... this is just gorgeous fucking work.

And then, along with that great art, you get this KILLER story written by Amy Wolfram, who, incidentally, writes for that kick-ass animated series TEEN TITANS GO! Love she writes Aqualad. Give these two a series.

If you're not getting this joy of a book, you're really missing out.

NEW ISSUE TODAY!! THE ENGAGEMENT ISSUE!

2008-02-06T09:32:00.000-08:00

What says romance better than pages of 9/11, a huge argument and me sitting on a curb... having a conversation with a dog?

Why.... that would be TRUE STORY, SWEAR TO GOD #10 where I ask Lily to marry me in the midst of tragedy.

Man, this was a tough book to do. There are moments in this series where I've had to revisit events and arguments I'd rather soon forget. This issue is loaded with those moments. It was tough to get those feelings off me when I'd complete a page and I have to admit, I was very often in a horrible mood during the making of this issue.

In many ways, this issue literally pushed me away from the drawing table for quite a long time. It took so much out of me and, yeah, that sounds totally pussy to admit. But when you take the worst day of your life and write it, pencil it, ink it, letter it and print it... over and over... page by page... well, it can do things to your frame of mind. I'd walk around grumpy for hours after doing a page.

The next issue will be very light... what a blessing. If you take away the intense feelings of "oh man... we're gonna get sued by Disney," it's been a great book to work on.

TWIN SONS OF DIFFERENT MOTHERS

2008-02-06T09:12:00.001-08:00

So I'm attending Wondercon one year and I'm sitting back with my brother Joe and good buddy, Keith Knight. Our tables were side-by-side and we were discussing the greatness of the Falcon, when this guy walks up to me and asks me to sign a comic.

Hey, cool! Always happy to sign a copy for the admiring puuuuuwwwhhhaaaaHUH?? I look at the comic he wants me to sign and it's a Fantastic Four book by Art Adams. I tell the guy that I can't sign a book I didn't make and the guy walks away.

"That's the FOURTH person to ask me to sign that book," I tell Keith. "What's THAT all about?"

"I thought Art Adams did that issue," says Keith.

Then this guy walks past my table and my brother goes all "WHOAHHHH.... look at THAT guy."

"Which guy?" I ask.

"The one who looks like you!" he tells me as he points to Art Adams. Sonofabitch we DO look a lot alike. No WONDER I was getting people asking me to sign that book!

ART:

ME:

ART:

ME:

I walked over to him and struck up a conversation and after a few minutes of discussion, Art pauses, looks at me and says "eeewwww.... you look like me." I reminded him that, since I'm a year older, it is HE who looks like ME.

The other weird connection..? Art grew up in Fairfield, California... twenty minutes down the highway from Napa Valley, were I grew up.

I STILL to this day get Art's readers at my table, handing me books to sign. I find it hilarious. Jesus, I wish my ART was like Art's. He's one of the greats.

Feel free to discuss.

2008-02-05T21:39:00.001-08:00

MARVEL

DC

I'm just saying.

We're celebrating Lily's birthday in....

2008-01-31T21:58:00.001-08:00

PARIS.

She'd only been there once and even then, it was for only an hour.

She's turning 50 this month. She's not an ageaphobe. She's very proud of her age and what she's done in those years. I'm glad I'm with somebody who embraces birthdays.

So we were going to go to Rincon and do something quiet and then, today, she walked into the living room and asked how I felt about celebrating her birthday in Paris. She was very excited about the possibilities, but when I told her it was a great idea... she got this look to her. It was as if she was asking me if she was worthy of having a birthday like that.

I told her we weren't going to debate it. It's a huge thing to celebrate! Why not do it in the style it deserves?

So, off we are to realize one of her dreams. It's going to be magic.

HOLY COW.. I just discovered this tidbit...

2008-01-25T21:36:00.000-08:00

FANTASTIC FOUR: ISLA DE LA MUERTA, that lil' book I worked on with Juan Doe and Alejandro Arbona (below with me in the photo)..? Turns out it did pretty damned well, sales-wise. Better numbers than I've had in my career.

Here's what the numbers were:

• The issue ranked 110 on the Diamond Comics Top 300 chart. Just missed the top 100!

• Total sales were 20,780

mmmMMMMmmmm... that many people enjoying something that fun should revisited. Don't you agree..? ;)

Not only that, but I had ANOTHER Marvel book in December that did pretty well! SPIDER-MAN: FAMILY #6, which I shared with the embarrassingly-talented Chris Eliopoulos came in at #179, with 9,404 sold!

THANKS TO EVERYONE WHO SUPPORTED THESE PROJECTS!

DANA JACOBSON... REALLY? THIS IS THE DEVIL..?

2008-01-24T10:20:00.001-08:00

Y'know something..? Sometimes this world gets more fucking nuts with each rotation around the sun.

Dana Jacobson got fucked over by something bigger than Jesus. She got reamed by Disney, ESPN, Notre Dame and the Catholic Church itself.

Dana is the co-host of the morning show on ESPN called "First Take." It's a show where there's a lot of debate over the current topic of the day. It's nothing great, nothing earth-shattering to say the least. But, since there's nothing else on the tube when I'm drawing or writing in the morning, what the hell.

Jacobson is a very likable person. Nice delivery, she gets into the debates and she's cute. What I like about her, as a viewer... and as a sports fan in particular, is that she doesn't hold back on who she roots for in sports. She's a loyal Michigan Wolverine fan and often tells her co-host, who's an Ohio State guy, where to put his Buckeye.

And this is important to me, if she's going to be on an opinion show based on sports. Bring it. And she often does.

Soooo.... what's the big deal about Dana Jacobson..?

The big deal, according to Disney, ESPN, Notre Dame and the Catholic Church, is that Dana Jacobson is not a stand-up comedian. She's never been on Def Comedy Jam, or seen in an episode of Who's Line is it Anyway? She's not Robin Williams, or Dave Chappelle, or Will Farrell.

And I've never heard Dana reminisce on end about opening for Don Rickles at the Punchline in San Francisco. I've never seen her humor mistaken with that of, say Patton Oswalt.

So, who was the incredibly stoned dumb-fuck who asked Jacobson to be a part of a celebrity roast for the guys over at Mike & MIke in the Morning? Whoever it was who signed off on this roast, while inviting religious people to attend, is a bigger idiot than Chris Webber when he called that infamous time-out in the NCAA Finals.

I'm sure this is how it all went down:

ESPN: Hey Dana! You're popular... doing anything next week?

Jacobson: Ummm.... no. Just going to cheer the Packers when they play the Giants. Why do you ask?

ESPN: We're going to do something nutty for Mike & Mike's 10-year anniversary. We're going to roast them in front of an audience. Wanna be a part of this?

Jacobson: Hmmm... I'm afraid I'm not sure what a roast is, Mr. ESPN.

ESPN: Oh yeah, that's right... you're not a professional comedian, I forgot. Well, what happens is, we get a lot of their friends together, serve a SHITLOAD of free alcohol and then you get to insult them in front of everyone. It's always a fun time and you can tear them apart. It's a hoot!

Jacobson: I'm not sure, Mr. ESPN... I'm a talk show host... not a comedian. What am I allowed to say?

ESPN: Whatever you want! That's the beauty of it! The raunchier you are the funnier it is! C'mon, Dana, join in on the fun!!

Jacobson: Mmmmm.... okay! Sounds like fun!! You sure I can say whatever I want..?

ESPN: Dana, we love you. You're a part of the ESPN family and we'd never ask you to do something that would hurt your career.

Jacobson: I've been meaning to ask you... whatever happened to Harold Reynolds..?
ESPN: Who..?

So Dana shows up to the party, has a ton of drinks, like EVERYBODY ELSE on the stage and is called upon to do her bit at the mic. And THAT'S where the magic begins. THAT'S why putting a microphone in an amateur's hand is like putting a loaded gun into the hand of a 5-year old.

A drunken 5-year old.

Jacobson found her inner Chris Rock and began a profanity-driven tirade, which included her screaming in a loud blotto'd voice:

"FUCK NOTRE DAME...! FUCK TOUCHDOWN JESUS...! AND FUCK JESUS!!"

Hey sports fans... guess who failed to notify Jacobson that there'd be someone from the church sitting in the audience..? And guess who blew up like a volcano and now wants Jacobson fired?

That's right... it's THOSE WACKY, NUTTY CATHOLICS!!!! YAYYY!!!
You know those people, right..? Those are the ones who are okay paying out victims of sexual abuse to protect their priests, but cannot and WILL NOT accept the apology of a drunken who-the-hell-is-that-anchorwoman doing what every comedian is allowed to do at a roast.

And, trust me, I know of this situation. There was a priest at the church I attended, St. Thomas Aquinus in Napa Valley back in the late '70's. He appeared to be a great person, he loved opera, gardening and he was always welcome in our family home. He joined us for dinner on many a night and he gave the service at my father's funeral. And this is the priest who sexually assaulted a member of my own family was transferred to the east coast the very night they were confronted with the charges.

Where was the Catholic League when we were trying to get over not only the death of a parent, while the other parent was ill, but had to now face the nightmare of a trusted church leader doing something this horrible.

This is why I dropped out of organized religion, entirely. Because it didn't matter that I went to church every week, that I served mass as an altar boy for years and then became a youth minister... it didn't prevent something as despicable as sexual assault to hit our family. And it was from our priest. And nothing... and I mean NOTHING happened to him, other than a transfer to another unsuspecting congregation.
If these are the people who are responsible for interpret the Bible... then I prefer to walk this world on my own, thank you. When we get a letter in the mail from the Pope, asking me for my forgiveness for doing nothing about the man who shattered our world back then, then maybe I'll rethink my views of the Catholic church.

And kudos to ESPN for fumbling the ball on the one-yard line. This was someone who wasn't on the air, who was at a function where alcohol was chugged left and right and, yeah, she said something shocking to some. But she did apologize, which the Catholic League wouldn't accept. And yet... isn't forgiveness the thing Jesus preached the most?

Wouldn't it have been more inspiring for the Catholic Leaders to go on the air and say, "hey, she was drunk and it was a frat-house mentality at that party." Wouldn't it have been amazing to see those leaders forgive her without asking for a reprimand..? Man, I would've been impressed.

If the church isn't going to follow the examples of Jesus Christ, then who the hell SHOULD? But ESPN, in their infinite lack of wisdom canned Jacobson for two weeks. Wow. Thanks boss.

Why not suspend the guy who thought up this brilliant roast idea? Why not suspend the bartender, who was getting everyone so sloshed? Why not suspend Mike and Mike for being in the business for ten years?

It's just so fucking ridiculous. Go after the real criminals and quit wasting your time on alcohol-driven rants.

Sorry for the rant. I'm passionate about this.

WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH iTUNES???

2008-01-17T15:11:00.000-08:00

I hate buying CD's, but the iTunes website won't let me update my credit card information (a problem that seems to be growing, according to the message boards I've read)... so I'm just not buying music these days.

When I contacted iTunes billing department, they said it was because my bank refuses to verify my information. When I call them, they tell me that the opposite.

This is the same credit card I use for Amazon and every other online store I use. So how is it that I only have this problem with iTunes? And why don't they have a customer service number, instead of only an email address??

Ugh. I hate companies that don't give customer service. I really do.

I've tried for over a year to solve the iTunes dilemma, but to no avail. Anyone else been having this problem? If you have... and was able to solve it, can you let me know how you did it?

okay... so there were a lot of drinks...

2008-01-17T11:36:00.001-08:00

Me, Lily, Joe and Monica spent the past two days at the beach apartment in Rincon.

If you've seen Rincon, it's quiet, lots of great beaches and it's where some of the best surfing can be found. Our place is right there on the beach, fourth floor up, facing the ocean.

Yeah... it's our pride and joy.

Little known fact about Rincon..? They have booze there.

Ohhhhh manomanomanomannnnn do they have booze there.

We went out to dinner to the Lazy Parrot. They had a reggae band, great food and some seriously powerful drinks. When I say "powerful" trust me... good lord they're strong. Lily just had a glass of wine, since she was driving.

This didn't stop my brother and I from downing mango margaritas, beer and somethings called "Death by Iced Tea" to which I can honestly tell you... are nuclear fucking Long Island Iced Teas.

So when you have two of those huge monsters... what can be a better than walking down to the pool area bar and actually ordering a long island iced tea? That also melted many, many brain cells.

Lily rolls her eyes as three stupid-ass-wasted people stumble out of the bar with her to the car. Lots of "I LUV YEW MAN" and bringing up embarrassing romances.

We rolled out of the car, stumbled up to our apartment where Joe crashed instantly. Monica and I were trying to get a photo of my unconscious bro, who kept swatting the burst of flash, like King Kong trying to swat at those biplanes.

I then put Monica's hair clasp and put it in my mouth, which gave me vampire fangs and then I put on some sunglasses and what resulted in the funniest fucking photo I've taken in some time. You just have to realize how completely PLOWED we were during this instant in time.

I don't have the photo from Monica yet, but I will post it. Trust me, it's more ridiculous than my San Diego Comic Nerd With Male Camel-Toe. In case you're forgotten THAT jewel:

MY BROTHER JOE HAS ARRIVED... I'M SIX FUCKING YEARS OLD AGAIN

2008-01-13T21:32:00.000-08:00

So my little brother, my Kemo Sabe, my Jimeny Crickett, my Chewbecca, my... well.. my everything has arrived in Puerto Rico, with his girlfriend, Monica.

They're here for ten days, without children, so on this, his first night, we made the most of it and got shit-ass drunk.

Yep. And let me tell you all something... wanna know a cheap way to get your best friend wasted on little money, or alcohol...? Simple. You have them fly eleven fucking hours in a plane, without sleeping, let them have a short three-hour nap and then wake them up and stuff them with rum, red wine and tequila shots (which I'm SURE is going to fuck me over in the morning).

We visited our friends' home down the street for a small get-together and, sure enough, Frankie had a fully-stocked bar waiting for us.

Glass of red wine to start things off..? Sure. Let's do this.

Hey Monica...! Join me in a rum and coke..? Yeah..? Great! Let's have four more.

TEQUILLA SHOTS??? YOU HAVE TO ASK???!!! LET'S DO THREE BIG ONES!!!

Somehow we all staggered home, Lily passed out upstairs and my brother passed out with his gal in air-conditioned bliss. That's how we ended the evening. It's now 1:42am and I'm awake still and talking to you all.

I love my brother. Seriously, he's the greatest.

We both got through mom and dad together. By the time mom was gone, our three older brothers were out of the house and far from home. Joe and I had to live there all the way to the end. It was horrific and I wouldn't wish that time on my worst enemy.

We were goofballs. To this day, we love to make poo jokes or titty comments.

We're the two musketeers. When we lived together, I was working at the local newspaper in Napa and one of the editors had showed a horrible lapse of judgement by giving me two passes to a tequilla tasting event. I could take anyone with me and all I had to do was write a small blurb about it for the paper.

So, in an even WORSE lapse of judgement, I invited Joe to go with me. I told him that he had to be cool and remember we were representing the newspaper and had to be professional.

TWELVE tequilla shots later, we were both fucking SMASHED and we kept telling the expert "I still can't taste the boisenberries in this" to get him to refill our glasses. We were laughing something stupid and I think I may have sang "Somewhere in the Night" by Barry Manilow.

We took a cab home and were fucking LAUGHING our asses off and then went to our rooms and passed out. No hangover whatsoever the next day. That's what partying with my brother is like.

So, after gallons of alcohol, I'm downstairs with Iron Chef in the background, as I relish this time with my brother. He's the coolest guy in the world and we're together for the next ten days.

Man, life is good.

GOT MY FIRST ROYALTY CHECK AS A PROFESSIONAL, MUTHAFUCKAHS!!!

2008-01-08T12:53:00.000-08:00

Everybody sing together now.... THIRTY FOUR DOLLAHS AND FIFY-SIX CENT!!!!!

Okay... wanna know something..? I am not fucking joking when I tell you I'm so cool here! I am VERY excited about this check.

First of all, the check has Spidey on it, so, I mean... right there, know what I mean..?? Secondly, it's my first royalty check, man!! After what is now, ten years of working in comics... I've got a fucking royalty check!! From Marvel Comics, no less.

Yeah, yeah... I understand it's $34.56, but it's the greatest $34.56 check I've had the experience to hold. It's could've been TWENTY-four dollah and fify-six cent... and I'd still be this rad over it.

Because it means... y'know... the work had something to it. I just really dig it.

And the cool thing was... LILY TOTALLY GOT INTO IT!! I was freaking out, feeling all awesome and SHE dug those thirty-four dollahs and fify-six cent at the exact same level I was digging it. And that's when it's cool being married. Because someone's there at a moment when a check for thirty-four dollahs and fify-six cent comes your way with a big Spidey on it and it has the word "royalty" on it. Trust me.

It's a fucking fun moment.

LET MY BROTHER PAINT YOUR BALLS...

2008-01-07T16:57:00.000-08:00

My brother, Joe... readers know him as the guy who threw the Filet O' Fish sandwich at the menu board at McDonald's in an early issue of TSSTG... has created a new business, based on his uncanny mutant ability to create some gorgeous hand-lettered merchandise. Case in point... footballs.

He decided it would be cool if a player got a game ball, with his name on it and all the stats for that player. So he did one for a player at Cal-Berkeley. He used the school colors, the logo, his name and all his stats.

The dude, LOVED this. So much so that he showed another person the ball. This guy then called Joe and ordered 77 footballs for the boys on his team. These are the footballs from that order. Pretty cool, eh?

If you dig it and you know a coach who'd dig it... go to Joe's website to learn how they can order them for their team. Or for an individual player. Great for parents who don't know what to get their kid who plays. You can also check out more of Joe's work.

Go to the link on the right side of the page and check out his site.

Tell him Tom sent you!

Tom, Lily and Alejandro in Fantastic Four

2008-01-02T13:06:00.001-08:00

Did you see us..? We were all in the crowd scene, when Reed, Sue and Johnny are walking through Old San Juan.

Here's where we are:

THE BIGGEST SIGNING EVENT OF MY LIFE. AWESOME.

2007-12-29T18:57:00.001-08:00

(special thanks to Emilio Torres Garcia for taking these photos!)

Saturday afternoon, FANTASTIC FOUR: ISLE DE LA MUERTA hit the shelves here in Puerto Rico and I have to say, it was mind-blowing how many people showed up for the signing event. This was the line that awaited us before the doors even opened. There were people stretching out down the mall and it seemed to go on forever.

Meanwhile, upstairs, artist Juan Doe (left) and editor Alejandro Arbona (right) joined me for a quick cup of coffee before the store opened for business. We've waited a long time for this day and it has finally arrived.

As the doors opened, people began the journey into the store. I cannot tell you how patient these people were today. The lines were long and it's a small store. There wasn't a bad word from anyone in line the entire day. And this line never seemed to go down.

Univision sent a camera crew to cover the event. You can see the cameraman in this shot. It was incredible how the media jumped on this story. We didn't know until today that this is the first time in comics history that a bilingual book had been published and released on the same day. The fact that me, Juan and Alenjandro really love this little book made that historic moment all the more special.

We've had coverage from El Nuevo Dia, El Vocero, Metro Magazine, Hoy Magazine, Caras Magazine, USA Today, New York Times, New York Post, Orlando Sentinel, MSNBC, Associated Press and San Juan Star. We did a slew of interviews for internet sites such as Comic Book Resources, Newsarama and many, many more. Thanks to everyone who was interested in this project!

Me, Juan and Alejandro share a quick laugh during the mayhem. We sold a shitload of comics today. Every customer who came in bought six issues of each version each. We signed so many books that I couldn't tell you what time it was. The greatest thing was hearing folks say "thanks for making the island proud." We signed comics non-stop (we took a half-hour lunch break upstairs) from 10am until 7pm. The line never stopped and the register never stopped ringing.

It was such a great experience making this book. Really. It was a goofy idea, one I thought Marvel would never go for in a billion years. It was an artist who's never made a comic book in his life. And it was an editor who steered me clear of repeating myself and helping me add as much about Puerto Rico as possible, without hurting the story. And it snowballed into this fantastic experience. I feel so blessed to have worked with these two guys.

FANTASTIC FOUR SIGNING IN PUERTO RICO DEC. 29TH!

2007-12-20T10:49:00.000-08:00

On Saturday, December 29, for the entire day, Metro Comics at the San Patricia Plaza will be holding a huge signing party for the big FANTASTIC FOUR: ISLA DE LA MUERTA special!

You can meet me, artist Juan Doe and editor Alejandro Arbona and we'll be signing books throughout the day. I'll be bringing my sketch tools and I'll be doing some sketches! We'll talk about how the book came together and just share in the love of this very special book.

To say that Juan, Alejandro and I are proud of this book is quite possibly the greatest understatement of all time. We feel that we made a book that we'd personally buy ourselves. As a matter of fact, part of what I love the most about writing for Marvel is walking into the store and buying the book right there at the store.

I haven't seen the comic yet, the comps haven't arrived.... but I know some retailers that got advanced copies who love the issue. Really man.... I cannot say enough of what Juan brought to the page. Infuckingcredible.

Anyhoo... come on by Saturday and meet the crew and pick up a great book. And remember... there's an English version and a Puerto Rican Espanol version as well. This is the first time Marvel has released two languages of a book the same day.

HOLY... I GOT A BOOK OUT THIS WEEK!

2007-12-17T20:13:00.000-08:00

Jeeze, I completely forgot that I have a Spidey story out this week!

SPIDER-MAN: FAMILY #6... has an incredibly adorable story by the uber-talented Chris Eliopoulos and there's a story I wrote featuring Spidey and Kazar's pet tiger ZABU!! David Hahn handled the art chores and it was a blast to write! Enjoy!

I.... AM... IRON CHEF!!!

2007-12-17T20:01:00.000-08:00

I’m a cooking junkie.

I love cooking over a stove, over a range and over charcoal briquettes… I love cooking. I love the sound of meat hitting a hot surface, that wondrous hisssss is music to my ears.

I love slicing and dicing veggies on the cutting board. There’s an almost Zen-like trance I fall into as I take a group of carrots, peel them, slice them into sticks and then to a fine dice. The same with the celery and the onions.

The other night we had a huge party for our cousin Mario and his wife, Sila… who are moving to Tampa in a few days. Close to thirty people, all under one roof gathered to bid these two adieus. Mario is one of my closest friends I have, even though we don’t get together much. He’s a brilliant lawyer and he’s one of the smartest people I know.

He also has a huge comic book collection that I was going to pry away from him… until my wife cut me off at the pass and told Sila to ship the books out before I could wrangle them away from Mario.

Cousin Paul and I held court in the kitchen, getting the huge salad ready to be served with the various meat, chicken and vegetarian lasagnas. I had loaves of fabulous chabatta bread to be grilled and slathered in garlic butter and Parmesan cheese.

My nephew Jeanpi (short for Jean Paul) was with us, hoping for the chance to cook with the big boys. We regulated the poor boy to such mundane duties as peeling the skins off the onions and trash monitoring. He did his duty, with a sad little smile on his face.

As the Patriots were date-raping the Pittsburgh Steelers, I was slicing celery on the cutting board with great speed. I’m not going to deny the fact that I’m very good with a knife. I got Martin Yan speed-skills, motherfucker, and I’m very confident. As my machine-gun dicing reduced the stalks to even slices, I could hear some of the women talking about how good my abilities were with a knife. One of them owns an Italian restaurant and this woman loves to watch me work a blade.

I took Jeanpi out to the patio where my grill is. I opened the lid, cranked-up the burners and slammed it shut with one of those Bobby Flay “grill… you are my bitch” moves. I then took young Jeanpi back to the kitchen and handed.

I sliced the loaves in half and then… to his surprise, handed the loaves to Jeanpi.

“You’re the bread man tonight.” I told him. He got his wish this evening. He was now a member of the kitchen brigade. A sly smile came over the young lad’s face. This was the big leagues… this was a crucial part of the menu and I warned him.

“You fuck this up… you’re on your own.”

He followed me out to the grill and we slammed the loaves facedown onto the grates. I took the first two, he took rest. I then slammed the lid down and told they boy that if he left this spot, for any reason, this grill will destroy his bread. And if he destroyed the bread, he would have to face the wrath of demons from the seventh level of Hades, formerly known as the family.

Don’t ever fuck up the bread. Nothing is more unforgivable than burning the bread and seeing empty bread baskets, never to see a crumb. You don’t want to be the cause of that nightmare. I’ll be the first to kill you.

I get back to the kitchen and begin smashing the garlic and ginger for the dressing, when I look to my side and see Jeanpi standing there, watching me work. Apparently, he didn’t understand the importance of his post.

“GET BACK THERE AND WATCH THE FUCKING BREAD!!”

Then he came back to the kitchen and told us that everyone thinks the bread is burning because they can smell it. What they smelled, I told him, was the bread being charred, which gives it that crunch. I told him he was in charge and to not pussy out to the Gangs of New York eaters, waiting to chow-down.

We went back to the grill, popped it open and flipped over the first loaf.

Beautiful, baby. Absolutely beautiful.

Golden brown with the slightest char sprinkled across the surface. The other three were just as gorgeous. Now we just turn down the heat and roast the backsides to add to the crunch. I then gave Jeanpi a brush and a huge jug of garlic butter and told him to slather them down like a Kentucky Derby racehorse in the winner’s circle.

It was a magical feeling passing the bread duties to Jeanpi. The boy-who-would-be-Bourdain was one of us now. Holiday cooks, bitching about all the people walking through the kitchen, kids letting us know that they’re not going to touch the cherry tomatoes and hungry partiers begging us to serve our culinary concoctions.

The kitchen is where the action is, where ingredients are flying from cutting board to mixing bowl at a furious pace. It’s me yelling to my wife to get that buffet table ready, because I’m serving it when it’s ready and I’m not going to be waiting for someone to find the fucking table draping. It’s high-stress and it’s a frantic energy and it’s the greatest place in the house to be during the holidays.

Paul and I rarely eat at the table. Not when we’ve been tasting everything and slamming down wine and Smirnoff lemon-thingamabobs while we were preparing the feast. We always serve the food, retreat back to the kitchen, pour two full glasses of wine and listen to the sounds of everyone diggin’ our food. It’s a great feeling. It’s quite a shit-eating grin when you cause that type of reaction.

And now… there’s a new musketeer. Jean Paul has officially joined the ranks of the Kitchen Brigade. The Warriors Three, covered in water, oil and vinegar, our shirts dotted with carrots, celery, onion, garlic, ginger and lettuce. We wear every scrap with pride.

And we don’t do the dishes.

Ahhhhh… it's good to be the cook.

TUESDAY NIGHT, I'LL BE SEEING...

2007-12-10T07:51:00.001-08:00

THE POLICE!!!!

Lily got us ticets about two months ago and this is my Christmas gift. Cannot WAIT to see this show. I've never seen them live and they've been on my concert wish list forever.

Envy me. Now.

FANTASTIC FOUR SKETCHES FROM JUAN DOE!

2007-12-03T18:37:00.000-08:00

Marvel Comics is running a fun, four-day event on their website celebrating FANTASTIC FOUR: ISLA DE LA MUERTE, shipping Christmas week. Go to their website and check out our takes on the characters in the book. Today's feature was Ben Grimm, the ever lovin' blue-eyed THING!

MARVEL.COM

I've gotta say... I'm a bit bummed that all the work is over on this. It was such a fun project to work on and Juan really did an incredible job on the art. Alejandro was one of the nicest people I've worked with in comics and I hope to do more work with him in the future.

Somewhere in my office are MY sketch pages I used while I was writing the script. I'm going to find them and post them and you can see how close Juan's vision was with mine.

VALENTINE'S DAY GIFTS 2008!!

2007-11-09T08:02:00.000-08:00

Lordy, Lordy, LORDAYYY... THIS is the book I've been waiting to see in PREVIEWS and it's going to be in the December Previews. It's big, it's affordable and it's a LOT of fun and romance.

This is the big TSSTG Omnibus from Image Comics. It's titled "YOU CAN'T LOVE TOO MUCH ONE PART OF IT" (from a great John Mayer tune called "Wheel") and it collects ALL SEVENTEEN ISSUES of my self-published Clib's Boy Comics run. It's 560+ pages that tells the entire story from how Lily and I met at the bus stop in Disneyworld, to me moving to Puerto Rico, to my first convention and so on.

Many people out there have the TSSTG trades from AiT/PlanetLar and, while they were great books, were never able to print a trade that featured the final six issues of my self-published run. This Image book will catch readers up on those mysterious final six issues before I moved to Image.

I cannot begin to tell you how excited I am about this book. Some of the fun things we're going to feature as a bonus inside will be:

• A yearbook-style photo section, featuring all the characters real-life photos and small quotes about being in a comic book.

• Recipes! I talk a lot about how much I love to cook and I'm going to add some of my favorite recipes.

• Lots of love... lots of laughs... lots of emotion.

If you have a partner who's not too much into comics, or if you have someone who's read the trades but hasn't read those lost six issues... this book will make a GREAT VALENTINE'S DAY GIFT!!

This is the other biggie issue. It's been twenty-six issues in the making and now it's time for the long-awaited ENGAGEMENT ISSUE.

Everyone has been telling me that this issue is going to be a lovely read, since it's such a romantic story. But I can assure you... this was one of the most difficult periods of my life. This issue centers around 911 and the struggle of living in a place where the stars and stripes aren't always the most popular thing to hang outside your home. It was our biggest fight, I was a HUGE ass.... but we still managed to get engaged.

This will also be solicited in the Decembers PREVIEWS for February shipping.

When I signed on with Image, they wanted me to go monthly and, although I really wanted to be able to do this... it's been a tough learning experience. I fell wayyyy behind on the deadlines and I felt we needed some space to catch up on everything.

The main feeling on this was I didn't want to get a book out every month just to meet a deadline. This particular book is more than a comic to me and Lily and I didn't want to compromise on level of writing I want for this book. So, I'm now caught up and I needed some space to get more books in the can before submitting.

Anyhoo... I hope you're as excited about these books as I am and I know you'll enjoy them as much as I enjoyed making them.

SPIDER-MAN/ZABU STORY FOR MARVEL ADVENTURES!

2007-11-09T07:49:00.001-08:00

A couple of DAVID HAHN pages today from our upcoming MARVEL ADVENTURES: SPIDER-MAN story for Marvel. Spidey's asked to babysit KAZAR's pet sabertooth tiger, ZABU for the night. The only problem is... Zabu has been in a grumpy mood, not the type of thing you want to hear when you're babysitting a giant sabertooth.

I'll be writing a few more stories for MASM in 2008. It's been a great book to write for, taking me back to those LEE/DITKO feelings where you take some goofy stuff here and add some fun art there and you end up with a fun time for all.

The best fucking blog on the internet.

2007-11-05T15:57:00.000-08:00

It's called "Occassional Superheroine and it's one of the greatest, funniest blogs in the universe.

Here's the link or use the one listed on the side.
http://occasionalsuperheroine.blogspot.com/

NEW YORK GROOVE

2007-10-25T16:41:00.001-07:00

Lily and I got tickets to see the new Mel Brooks musical, YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN and I wasn't sure what to expect from this 20 milliion dollar event.

First of all... I'm a HUGE fan of the film, as is everyone who walks into the theatre, so to say this show has a LOT to live up to is no small statement.

It lived up to it.

It was fun, the songs were fantastic and Andrea Martin... good lord, this woman is just so fucking good. Her creepy housekeeper, Frau Blucher, steals every scene and her big number "He Vas My Boyfriend" will have you screaming.

Megan Mullaly got top billing for this show, but she's not IN that much of the musical. She's in one scene in the opening act and then disappears until the end of the first half. But in that second half, she's hilarious.

Sutton Foster as Inga, Shuler Hensley as the Monster and Christopher Fitzgerald as Igor all do wonderful justice to the monumental performances in the movie by Terri Garr, Peter Boyle and Marty Feldman.

Fun time. REALLY fun time.

START SPREADING THE NEWS...

2007-10-21T13:12:00.000-07:00

Lily and I will be in New York this week to attend a friend's wedding and enjoy the big city.

I'm ALSO going to be doing a signing party at JIM HANLEY'S UNIVERSE in Manhattan store, Friday, October 26th from 6-7pm. The address is:

JHU- MANHATTAN
4 WEST 33RD STREET
NEW YORK
(off 5th Avenue... opposite the Empire State Building)
tel: 212-268-7088

I'll be signing books and I'll do as many sketches as I can during that hour. Looking forward to meeting you all!

WELL, WHADDYA KNOW...?

2007-10-17T17:00:00.000-07:00

I get a phone call today from a microsoft person to tell me that my xbox360 has already been fixed and shipped back to me. Not only that... when I checked the tracking number on the ups site, I discovered that my little xbox was being shipped to me 2 day air.

Now, it's a shame that Supervisor Amy couldn't have said "let me see what I can do" instead of "I can't do anything." That would've made this all the more nicer to discover this morning. But I couldn't believe how hard I had to fight to get someone to do a job that should've only taken two weeks to fix.

Anyhoo... it's on its way home where it belongs. I'm hoping to be online by the end of the week and I'm praying this will work like it should.

Gamertag is tombelandtsstg. Look me up.

MY XBOX 360 EXPERIENCE

2007-10-15T16:43:00.001-07:00

Never owned an Xbox.

I've always been a PS2 gamer. But, since I've heard how great XBOX 360 is... and since there aren't too many games for PS3 for me to invest in, I thought I'd try a 360.

Paid for the system (it was actually a $460 birthday gift from Lily) and a day after the in-store warrantee expires and after, say four days of gaming, the machine quits working. It kept taking me to the Xbox Live menu and wouldn't read discs anymore. FOUR days of gameplay.

So my in-store quarantee was gone and I couldn't just replace the system. I, instead, have to mail my system in for repairs... but it shouldn't take longer than two weeks to fix. They (microsoft) even sends in a repair request to get a jump on the work. I still have a warrantee with Microsoft for the machine, I'm told... so it'll be free to have this done.

Except... guess what..? They don't ship from Puerto Rico for free. I had to pay, which was about $50.

I call after ten days and, yep, my system has arrived, I'm told. Not to worry, all will be well and my machine will be sent back to me and I'll get an email with a tracking number for it. Great.

Except when I contact them ten days later, for an update and y'know what..? Nobody seems to be able to find my little xbox anywhere. I'm on hold for 20 minutes and I'm told "Ahhhh here it is. It hasn't been repaired yet, but we'll put a rush on it for you."

Except when I contacted them again, a week later, darned if these people couldn't AGAIN find my xbox 360. I'm on hold for 45 minutes and told "thank you for your patience" about eighty times while I'm on hold.

"Oh, here it is... it seems that it hasn't been repaired yet," Mary tells me. "I'll send an email to the service center and make sure they get right to it. I'll tell you what, I'll make sure they add some stuff to it to balance everything out for your inconvenience."

I sigh.... "yeah, okay, whatever. Look... WHEN will I be holding this Xbox in my hands..?"

"Should be about five days and then shipped out." She replies.

Which brings us to tonight. Because tonight I contacted them for an update and SON OF A FUCKING BITCH they cannot find my system... AGAIN. I'm on hold for 35 minutes and then I hear... wait, everyone say it together:

"Okay, not to worry... here it is. It's waiting to be fixed at the service center."

So I'm obviously not happy at this point. I ask for a supervisor and Amy tells me now that she's PERSONALLY sending an email to the service center, so there won't be a delay." When I told Supervisor Amy that I've been told three times my problem would be fixed right away, she tells me not to worry. I'd only have to wait a bit for it.

I then asked how long this would take. Five to eight days, according to Amy. So then I ask her, how will this be sent to me? UPS ground.

UPS ground.

So, I tell her... "so that'll take up to ten working days to get here.."

"Yes."

"After hoping the service center does what's been guaranteed to do three times now... which will take five to eight days."

"Ummmm.." she says.

"Which now means I'll be waiting EIGHTEEN working days, which is three weeks. After having my system for over a month."

"I'm very sorry about the inconvenience, Mr. Beland" I hear her say as she tries to get back on the corporate unicycle.

"So then why not have the system sent to me via air mail?" I ask her. I mean, I already had to pay for the shipping there, which should've been covered in my warrantee.

"I... can't do that." she says.

"Couple of free games..?" I ask.

"I.... can't do that either."

"ahhhh..." I say. "So what you'd really appreciate here is me just saying 'thank you' and hanging up. Because, other than that... I really don't feel much appreciation coming from you guys."

I can see why everyone loves Xbox. Fuck.

NEXT ISSUE GOING TO PRINT!!!

2007-10-12T18:08:00.000-07:00

It comes out later this month and it was one of THE hardest issues I've ever worked on. Writing on the events in this issue, combined with the loss of Mike Wieringo made this a very difficult issue to finish. I hope enjoy the results.

IT'S CRUDE, LEWD AND SOOOO DELICIOUS

2007-10-11T15:07:00.000-07:00

I'm talking, of course, about the insanely-hilarious DRAWN TOGETHER. And there's one more reason to love this series....

My good friend since, what... JUNIOR high school, Peter Avanzino, is a director on this show. Peter's worked on other great shows like, FUTURAMA, THE SIMPSONS, DUCKMAN and REN & STIMPY.

Am I JEALOUS of Pete's famed career in animation? Of his being able to call Matt Groening a personal buddy?

Nope.

I'm not jealous, because I ALSO know that Pete's a HUGE Spider-Man fan... and I've had the chance to WRITE one of the Spidey books!!! BWAH-HA-HA-HA-HAAAAAAA!!!

I AM a little jealous of that fat paycheck he collects though.

FROM THE SKETCH FILES...

2007-10-11T14:55:00.000-07:00

One of the things I do for my readers is this. When someone buys a trade paperback at a convention, or book signing, I'll include a free sketch in the book. I'll be honest... I've done so many of these sketches, I've forgotten most of them in my time.

In this case, however, I did a bit more. A reader named Bill was getting married to his financee, Erin. They loved the TSSTG series and wanted to give their wedding party copies of CHANCES ARE, my first trade... as gifts. They asked me if I'd sign the copies and I thought, "Damned... if they're giving them away as WEDDING gifts, that's pretty special."

So I busted out the colored pencils and did a colored sketch in every book.... and included one for the bride and groom. This took a lot time, but it was worth it.

Bill recently featured the sketch I did for them on his blog and it was nice to see it again. It's sort of like getting a photo of one of your kids in a way. Thanks Bill!

MY FAVORITE SHOW IS BACK ON THE AIR

2007-10-09T21:28:00.000-07:00

Funniest, most immature show on the air and I. Love. It.

It's also the greatest theme song. Evah.

THE SKETCHES ARE BACK!!

2007-10-07T09:29:00.001-07:00

The commissions are back and ready for business. If you'd like a sketch, let me know who you'd like drawn, black n white or color and an theme, if you have one in mind.

My sketches are on bristol board 8.5" x 11" and the colors are PRISMACOLOR pencils. These were very popular last year and the list filled up quickly, so be sure to act quickly if you're interested.

You can see more of the sketches at my website, tombeland.com. Go to the SKETCHES category (duh) and see what there is there.

Now... I also do caricatures, but I'm not the greatest at that. Also, I'm going to need at least four photos... one front view, two side views and a good three-quarter view. Also... spell their name for me. You have NO IDEA how many men spell "TOM", T-H-O-M nowadays. Nothing worse than getting a portrait with the person's name spelled wrong.

Pricing varies, depending on number of characters and difficulty of the piece. Minimum charge is $40 + shipping/handling and I use PAYPAL.

IMPORTANT!!: USE MY EMAIL TO PLACE AN ORDER (tom@tombeland.com)... it'll let me know who was first and keep better track of orders.

My kind of people (long post, sorry)

2007-10-07T08:18:00.001-07:00

Retailers. For as many friends I've made in readers and editors of comic books, I keep finding myself emotionally invested in the retailers.

I think it's because it takes me back to my mini-comics days and having to take my books to Christine, owner of Metro Comics here in Puerto Rico. A store owner is not only the person who decides what gets sold in the store, but they're also the person who's job I've wished to have, if only for a day. She was the first to take anything printed by me and to this day remains my biggest supporter.

Yeah, there's no money, or little money in owning a comics shop. There's the nightmare of dealing with Diamond and shipping freight costs and returns and all that hell. I've even learned recently that some customers actually pee on the floor (I've seen video clips of the event... it's happened!!).

But with all of that, there's something very magical about the job to me. There's the coolness of being in the middle of the comics storm every Wednesday afteroon. There's opening those boxes and seeing the books for the first time. And there's the fact that you don't have to wear a tie to work and say "yes sir" and you get to enjoy an art form that takes everyone back to a golden time in their lives.

My good friend, Frankie, is a saxophonist for some very prominent singers and musicians here on the island, was visiting here last night to watch the baseball playoff games. Me, Lily, her cousing Marian and Frankie are going to be in New York to attend our nephew's wedding. While we're there, we have some time to go off on our own and Frankie and I were talking about what to do in New York during that week.

Frankie mentioned hitting some retro clothing stores and a music store to look at some saxaphones. Then he also mentioned hitting some of the old record stores. Ahhhhh record stores. Man, I LOVES me an old-time record store. Gotta be old, somewhat dirty and be playing nothing older than 1979. Record covers, big and artsy, I could stare at them for hours.

I then told him that I had to go to some comic shops and Frankie's eyes lit up. Give me two hours in a comic shop and I'll go clothes shopping with Lily anywhere. With a big smile and a "take your time, dear" at ever place we visit.

When I was a kid, my mother worked at a drug store named LEVINSON'S on Freeway Drive. This was in the early 70's and this drug store had a HEY KIDS, COMICS! rack filled with books. There was an old woman there named Ruth, who was in charge of changing the magazines and this woman HATED dealing with the comics.

So, one day I was watching Ruth cut the plastic strap on the comics bundle and I said "Man.. you have the GREATEST job on earth." Ruth looked at me, rolled her eyes and in her smoky-raspy voice said "Y'think THIS is great??? Honey, you can have this job ANY time." I looked at her in shock and said "REALLY?? I'LL DO IT!!!"

She said, "okay kid.." and told me how it worked. I had to go to the comics rack and take down all the blue-tipped books. Back then, comic books would have a swab of ink on the top of the pages, so if you looked at the top of the book, you'd see a strip of blue, magenta, yellow or green. This showed what week the book came out. So, I'd take out all the blue tips and replace them with the magenta tips. It took me maybe an hour to do this and Ruth was thrilled to not have to deal with the comics.

When I was finished, she told me "hey, I'll tell you what. For doing this for me, you can have five dollars worth of comics." That's right FIVE. FUCKING. DOLLARS.

Now, before you call Ruth a cheapscape, understand that comics back then were 12¢ per book. This meant I could have 40 comics and some candy for my work and I was freaking OUT while picking out my books. I walked home with this HUGE paper bag of books and when my dad saw them, he asked where I got the comics and when I told him, he wasn't too cool with it. "Don't take advantage of Ruth... take those books back" I was in tears as my father drove me back to the store.

But Ruth refused to take the books back. She told my father that it was her idea and her's alone and that I was really helping her out. My dad stared at my red-stained little eyes and said "You promise to do this every week?"

PROMISE?? This was my life's mission!!! He agreed and took me back with my bag... so long as I promised to bring home the new Mad Magazine.

When I had to bring my mini-comics to Comic Relief, I was terrified. Tyler was working the counter and he had spikey bleach-blonde hair, tattoos and a nose-ring. The ULTIMATE cool comics shop employee. I brought my book to the counter and said "ummm these are my mini comics, take a look." And as he read them, I ran over to my brothers Joe and Bob (yeah, we don't have the most colorful names in my family) and I was a nervous wreck as Tyler looked at my work.

"You've got a great line in your art," he said and I nervously stammered a "thanks" and then he asked me how many copies I had with me. I told him I had twenty of each book (there were four at the time) and Tyler said "Yeah, okay... we'll take 'em all."

Get the fuck out of town, I thought. Comic Relief.... the place I considered Comic Mecca in the coolest city in the free world, was taking MY mini comics!!!??? I nearly peed myself. They were put on the racks and I took a photo of Bob trying to steal a copy by sliding it in his jacket. I was so fucking high that day and they knew it. Whenver I see Rory at a convention, I want to hug the man. Every. Time.

There's Joe Ferrara, the man who is in issue #16 of TSSTG... the WonderCon issue. He never had to invite a mini-comic dude to come hang-out with his group of proffessional friends, but he did. And in doing so, he gave me my very first moment where I felt like I was one of the big guys. Joe and my father would've hit if off so damned good. At times, when I'm haning with Joe, I have the urge to cry a bit. Because I know my father would spend all day with him.

There's Joe Fields who is just plain good. He's a good guy and I sometimes think it would be impossible to be that good and have that good of a wife and that great of kids. When I need a pick-me-up fix, I visit Flying Colors. Joe, to me, is that big brother who loved comics and he gives me a great feeling whenever I see him. And... look, I have to say this about Joe. His daughter, Jenny, is hot. I don't mean "she's so cute" hot. I mean she is fire-warning hot. And she loves my book. And she PUSHES my book. Sooooo... there is an incredibly awesome moment where I'll walk in the store, unannounced and see this uber-hot girl wearing my TSSTG t-shirt and she's talking some fanboy, who's deeply in love with Jenny as she's speaking... and she's talking him into buying my book. This has happened three times and every time it has made me feel like a rock star. BONO U2 rock star.

There's Jim Hanley's Universe, where I did a signing for TSSTG and this guy walked in, telling me he liked the way I wrote couples. I said thanks and signed an issue for him and he gave me his business card and told me "You should write a Mary Jane/Peter Parker story sometime." As he left, I looked at the card and there was his name... TOM BREEVORT alongside a big Spider-Man in color with MARVEL COMICS written there. I stared at this card for what seemed like an eternity and showed it to Lily and I nearly cried right there in the store. Jim Hanley's reminds me of dreams coming true. It's why I love to sign there.

There was Bill Liebowitz, the owner of Golden Apple in Los Angeles. I first met Bill at the annual San Diego dinner Joe Ferrara holds every year at the con. It was my first dinner and I was a nervous wreck and it all became wonderful when Bill, a giant lumberjack of a man, mentioned to me that he knew my work and loved the series. He also told me that, while getting TSSTG out on a monthy rate would mean more money for me, I shouldn't let the book out unless it was something I truly felt good about. I've always felt this way, but when it came from Bill's lips, it solidified that rule in my book. When he passed away, I was at a loss to explain my sorrow. I only hung with Bill only a few times, but damned if he didn't always know who I was and tell me that the book was great. His wife, Sharon, is a joy to sit with for those dinners since. My only regret with Bill is that I never got to see him YO.

I remember meeting John Carter, owner of Waterfront Comics in Suisun, California when he opened his store. It was part of a hair salon, half hair salon/half comics shop. He had this little space and put his books on the wall by the counter. I gave him a sketch page to sell to help the cause. The hair salon went out of business and John took the entire space and now he's got a kick-ass store, with old brick interior walls that are bitching. John is such a great guy and we both love talking about our start in the comics biz.

I had my first rock-star feeling when I did a signing at James Sime's Isotope Comics Lounge. James set up a drawing table for me to work on in front of the window and then I got to sign one of his toilet seats he has on display! My toilet set hangs alonside some of the biggest names in comics and it was a very fun experience.

My newest retailer is John Munn, owner of the uber-cool COMIC BOOK INK in Tacoma. Not only is his store great looking (I've only seen photos), but he's also very good to indie-creators, which is huge. But the COOLEST thing about Munn's store are those BITCHING, RIGHTOUS BLACK BOWLING SHIRTS he gives to creators who sign at his store. I cannot tell you how bad I want one of those shirts (XX Large, John ;)) and if John was a dickhead in person, I'd STILL want one of those shirts. However, when you add to the fact that he's one of the nicest guys in comics, the shirt is just the hot fudge topping on the John Munn sundae of goodness.

Every year there's a new retailer I meet who I feel a kinship to in some way. It's a deeper bond than the readers or the publishers, because these are the people who invest their money in their stock and I've never met a bad retailer. Never. I know that sounds like bullshit, but it's just a fact. And, thankfully, if I ever DO meet up with one, the number of good ones will always outweigh the bad.

A FANTASTIC SWELL OF EXCITEMENT BEGINS

2007-10-01T17:34:00.000-07:00

Check out the great coverage the largest newspaper in Puerto Rico, EL NUEVO DIA gave the Fantastic Four story on Sunday!!

They gave us the cover to their arts section, "FLASH" and a two-page color spread featuring the artwork and interviews with me, Juan Doe and editor Alejandro Arbona. They were great to us and I've been receiving emails all day about this book.

TOMBELAND.COM is open for business!!!

2007-09-26T15:54:00.000-07:00

After what seems like FOREVER... my website, tombeland.com is up and running.

You'll find a number of things on this site including:

BACK ISSUES!! We've installed a cover gallery covering the entire CLIB'S BOY COMICS self-published line... but another page displaying the Image series too! There's also back-ordering information for both series.

PAPERBACK BOOKS! Anthologies and trade paperback books that are currently available at comic shops everywhere.

SKETCH PAGES! The commission sketches I've done over the past two years. Commissions are now available by emailing me... depending on schedules.

EVENTS PAGE! These are photos taken at conventions and vacation visits.

WRITING GIGS!! These are comics I've written for Marvel, Bongo and others.

Soooooo... take a looksee, enjoy the view and link me!

Huge thanks for Luis Salichs for his untiring help with the design of the site and creating it for me!!!

AND A BIG THANKS TO BENDIS BOARD BUDDY TIM DANIEL FOR MAKING THOSE KILLER WEB BANNERS!!!

ARE YOU KIDDING ME?? 45???

2007-09-24T08:35:00.000-07:00

Tonight at midnight, I will turn 45 years old.

I know, I know... I don't look a day over 57. I mean, LOOK at that photo!!

I've always looked older than I was. I was getting into dance clubs at the age of 17, when the age was 21. I also got hit on by a lot of older women (good looking older women, I'm proud to say). It may have been the thinning hairline or who knows whaaaaat.

Y'know what? I'm so diggin' my forties. My 20's were spent on chasing women, drinking, smoking weed, dropping acid, taking mushrooms and, well... chasing women. I also had one loser of a marriage that lasted six months. It was truly my brainless era of my life.

My thirties... that's when the light began to go off in my head. I was working at a bank (one of the MANY jobs I had) and all us tellers had to decorate our stations because the fair was in town. Some tellers put hay near their window, some dressed in overalls... me? I created some stand-up paper dolls that were based on the freak show. I had the stretching lady, the bearded woman, the vampire boy and the strong man.

A guy came by my station to deposit his paycheck and he chuckled at my artwork and asked where I got them. I told them I made them and he said they were cool and he left. Not what I'd call a monumental moment. But an hour later, I got a call at the bank and it turned out that guy was the sales manager for the local newspaper. He wanted to know if I'd like a job as an ad builder for the paper.

As much as I hated working at a bank, I freakin' LOVED my boss. Kathy was a great woman to work for and she was someone I could always talk to about my life and what I wanted to do. She also read whatever comics I recommended. But I was also a HORRIBLE bank teller. She only had me there because I kept moral up and I made her laugh.

So, when I told her about the offer, she told me to go for it. Not after an hour, or a couple of minutes... she said it the moment I finished my sentence. "You're a horrible bank teller, Tom." she laughed. "This could be the start of something big." So, I went to work for the paper, building ads and adding cartoon elements when needed.

From there, I moved to the editorial department and from there to another newspaper and from there to Puerto Rico and from there... well... here. My thirties were a time of self-discovery... in myself and in my abilities as an artist.

My forties have been a time where the wheels have left the runway and I'm airborne. It's not always the most comfortable feeling, because now I'm no longer a fanboy who can blast anything on the message boards. My name is known or somewhat known, so when I say one thing... it gets spread over the net. Weird.

One thing I did when I turned 40, was build bridges I personally napalmed on online message boards. I looked at the stupid, stupid things I wrote out of jealousy, or stress caused by something outside the issue, or just plain stupidity of wanting to be part of the mob. I then wrote emails to every person affected by those online postings and I apologized. I told them how stupid it was to do that shit and that I was embarrassed by my actions. Because, although I don't think I'm an old man... I HAVE grown up.

Things still cause me to react online. A bad review that seems more personal than objectionable... a decision to change a character I'm passionate about... someone who might see me as I was back in my 30's, rather than the person I am now. I can't hold back my opinions.

But I have learned to take a step back... breathe deep and think before I type. I also always use my real name, rather than some made-up name. That helps a ton.

Don't be afraid of getting older. Be afraid of that number holding you back on what you really want to do. Never say "I can't do that now... I'm 35, 39 or 45 for God's sake." I didn't begin my career in comics until I was 34.

And I didn't find true love until I was 36. There's no timeline for life acheivements. They happen when they happen.

And they DO happen.

So... 45 at midnight. It's one of those numbers that cause you to look back and reflect on your life. I did it today.

BELAND. DOE. FANTASTIC FOUR IN DECEMBER

2007-09-18T09:35:00.000-07:00

There's a 38-page FANTASTIC FOUR special hitting stores in December and in this story, they travel to PUERTO RICO to battle the Chupacabras and a mystery villain. This was a very special issue to write, because I think it really shows off the island in a great way. Juan Doe is the artist and... man... the dude just plain BROUGHT IT to the page.

If you live on the island, or are from the island, you're sooo going to dig this book. There are scenes of Old San Juan, El Morro, El Yunque, the Camuy caves and other things you'll instantly recognize. Alejandro Arbona is the editor and he was a HUGE help. This book is so Puerto Rican... it should smell like rice and beans when you open it up.

GOREiffic

2007-09-16T15:23:00.000-07:00

Frank Gore and my beloved San Francisco 49ers are 2-0 this year. They've been tough games so far, but a win's a win.

Diggin' the Atkins, Lovin' the Cap

2007-09-15T16:11:00.000-07:00

My latest musical fave, Nicole Atkins. Great voice, great music.

"The Party's Over" is such a great song. Had it on my iPod for the past few days and I'm loving it.

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I did some artwork for a friend of mine who once owned a comic shop. As part of the payment, he agreed to let me go through his collection... one box at a time.

First box is his collection of Captain America. From Jack Kirby, to Gene Colan, to my favorite Jazzy John Romita, to Sal Buscema. It's a huge box and they're all in great condition.

There's something about the smell of an old comic that makes it a time machine to me. I can remember where I was when each book came out and, well, it's been a great day of reading. When comics were fun.

I miss those days.