Sureshot Presents - Reviewed

Johnny Boy, Italian lad living in Japan reviews Sureshot Presents.

The Cellar, seriously

Pretty much every friday, for the past 2 years whenever i was asked what am i doing on the weekend, i replied "Working on the cellar". Last month i finished it.

When we bought the house there was a door that went to a small cavity under the house. It was about 3 feet high, 6 feet wide and 10 feet deep. We used it as garden tool storage. I don't have any 'before photos', ok I do but they involve me in my PJs finding xmas presents.

I had my wine stored at my mums' place, but with her retiring i didn't trust her with my collection. So I started digging. Or chipping. The "soil" was essentially clay and rock and the area was so confined that i couldn't swing an pick. I started with a hammer and chisel and then slowly progressed to get a pick happening. I'd chisel and pick the dirt lose and scoop it in to buckets left over from grouting the bathroom and make a pile in the backyard.

18 months into the dig, The Big D visited and had a look and said "Marko, a hammer drill would make easier". So after a $50 hammer drill purchase i discovered in 4 weekends i could dig about the same as it took 9 months.
1) The floor to dining room, which i swear is still perfectly level, I don't care what the spirit level says.
2)Em had an awesome idea of using perspex/pvc sheet to show how much got dug and the cool dirt. All the supports were welded by me.
3)I removed a brickwall that was supporting the dining room floor and replaced it with a big heavy beam and posts. Also where i taught myself welding.
4)The height of the original dirt floor. I pretty much dug about 5 tonnes of dirt.
5)Paved floor courtesy of Emma because I had a dummyspit due to her not being able to decide on the paver pattern.

All in all the space is about 3x4 metres with 40% shelving. The wine is all databased and its location is documented.

1) The crappy chinese lanterns were not my idea. I have to fix the lighting and electrical (get rid of the cord wrapped around the beam and so forth) but electrical and car stuff bore me to tears and i just can't make the effort to learn. Plus its hard to kill yourself welding, plumbing, tiling, sheet metaling, etc but having been shocked 3 times working in construction, i'd rather leave it to others.
2)Cheap MDF + left over timber floor stain = sweet finish
3)The ethnic artifacts were my idea
What you don't see is i had to mix and pour 350 kilos of cement to act as a step from the small door to the floor. You can't see the bull horns above the door either.

So what do you do with five tonnes of dirt? Apparently landscape the backyard (my idea was have a big pile of dirt).

Here's me getting rid of one bucket, it was followed by another 150 or so. The tree in the foreground got chopped down - it was only 3 metres from the house and over 10 metres high. So it had to go any way, it also meant that i spent 3 weekends chopping wood.

This is the "after" picture. Em's comment is "The after shot is supposed to look better than the before shot". 5 Tonnes wasn't enough to fill the space so i had to dig another 1-2 tonne from the bottom of the block and carry it up (our block drops 11 metres from the front to the back).
1)Where the tree was, now replaced by a wonky clothesline that doesn't matter how much cement or welding i do to still wonks.
2)It took 3 months (12 weekends) to build all this. The timber sleepers have pins through them that hold it all together. Each hole for the pin took about 45 minutes to drill. To save time i didn't bother putting pins right in the corner. When i put in all the dirt the corner subsequently split. So in an effort to save 3 hours of work, i had to spend 3 days digging the sides out, rebracing it with crappy looking strap and refilling it all.

And that's that project done.
Next the Deck. Or stairs from the road to the house. Or amphitheater and firepit/lamb spit.

Rosa rose parla amore - Nonna (1994)

Unfortunately a death in the family can bring the worst of people, but positively, the very best as well.

Killeroo commits Homicide in the City

I don't know why but i "found" screen captures of Killeroo #2 appearance in last monday's (8/10/07) episode of City Homicide (all of 1.5 seconds worth).





Whilst I swear I didn't watch the episode, from what i scanned the presence of the comic makes no sense - its owned by a 50 year old cripple/serial killer. Actually maybe it does make sense.

Didn't Killeroo also appear in Water Rats or Stingers? Or was that The Watch?

This should go in my facebook question thing, but all the same

If i wanted to buy cool tshirts online from Australian sources i would look where?
(Please don't say google)

Red J's Horoscope says Gemini

Lying in the Gutters' reports that local artist Jon "Red J" Sommariva is working with Jay Faeber on a book for Image called Gemini.

And it does look nice

Eating Steve with an Egg; New Australian Graphic Novel released

Marc J Schmidt, a New South Wales resident, who previously released the cute Egg Story in 2004 through SLG is releasing a new GN this October titled Eating Steve.

For some reason i thought it was about lesbians but its about zombies. Here's a preview.

Your comic shop probably didn't order it so go ask for it, then wait a couple of weeks.

Grants do happen to comic folk

Congratulations to Liz/Azuhru for getting grant cash money to fly to the San Diego ComicCon. Once there she'll have to do stuff like schmooze editors and most likely carouse with other creator, I look forward to reading her articles on Ozcomics.com.

AEIOU should go to the VOWELS launch

Gestalt Publishing will be having a launch party for their second book Vowels by Skye Odgen on friday 27th of September.

Taking place at Planet Books, 642-648 Beaufort St Mount Lawley WA, it will be presided by Ben Templesmith (or Brian) and there will be beer and nibbles. They'll also be music.


More info at the Gestalt Site

Great Gatsby was Great

I've finished Nicky Greenberg's adaption of The Great Gatsby and was thoroughly impressed. It is a beautiful book, and it is incredibly apparent how much love and care went into its creation. I haven't read the original, nor seen the movie Redford movie - quite honestly I only knew the book by title and little else so i can't compare it with the source material. But it is quite the mesmerizing read, and i did almost get teary at the end.

I'd recommend it to anyone, comic fan or not.

One nigglying aspect that I can't answer without reading the source material is how does this differ to the book. In regards to the hypertextuality what is the point of the 'graphic novel' adaption. It is obviously a work of love, the creator spending many years working on the art (5-7 years apparently) and creators should be able to create what they like (and not be dictated to by dickheads like myself) but i ask myself, what does this add to the 'great gatsby' mythos?

When Van Sant redid Pyscho, it added a little to the story (wanking Norman) and it also showed that good movies and film techniques don't date. The ending Fincher's adaption of Fight Club differs to Palahniuk's book but provides a different subtext.

Its possible I think too much and i should just accept a great book for what it is and stop looking for bigger pictures.

anyway, highly recommended

supageddon

In one month's time Armageddon is happening in Melbourne and Supanova is happening in Sydney.

But did you know that next year Supanova's in Melbourne - March 28-30, Brisbane - April 4-6, Sydney - June 20-22, Perth - June 27-29? Well they are so competition is good.

Next year, Armageddon is in Sydney in April and Melbourne in October (or the other way round, actually i think its the other way around)

I have no affiliation with either cons, I've pretty much declared I'm not going to Supanova again (but i was grumpy at the time - and i'm fickle) and I had a rant about Bill's (the main dude at Armageddon's) actions on the web (essentially churlish passive aggressiveness).

With that out of the way

Artist Alley
Snova - 1 x 1.8m table + 3 chairs = $220
geddon - 1 x 1m table + 1 chair = $100

If you share a table (split costs) or have heaps of gear, snova wins.
(numbers may be wrong but close enough)

Comic Guests
Early on Armageddon had this one won, but Ed Brubaker pulled out and his replacement Greg Rucka pulled out too. They now have Gail Simone as their big guest, with Jimmy Palmiotti another great guest. Amanda Connor and David Wohl round out the international Guests. Nicola Scott is the only Australian creator, though a very good one at that.

Supanova went to bat with Dan Didio and Ben Templesmith a very big score; Dan would appeal to DC fans and creators. Templesmith has a movie opening that month as well (30 Days of Night) which would be a boon for media coverage. But they both pulled out (Didio for family reasons - which must be massive because of the 2 months notice) and Templesmith is in Hollywood walking the red carpet. There were rumours of a Marvel creator and editor showing up, but that didn't eventuate. The biggest guest now is Stan Lee, who is doing a video link up 9am Saturday morning, the early time is because Stan doesn't work past 5pm LA time, I assume its happy hour for seniors at the local Flashdancers. Actual people coming include Marv Wolfman, Whilce Portacio (which does makes my inner fanboy squeal) and Brandon Peterson. Someone called Nate Butler is also coming, he's done kids books (muppets, looney tunes, etc) (and appears to be a Born Again). Besides Portacio, not terribly exciting, none of them are releasing anything curently. On the local guests front, there is some good representation David Yardin, Queenie Chan and Madeline Rosca, Stewart McKenny, Chewie Chan, and Chris Sequeria. Only Yardin, Chan and Rosca are working consistently on international comics (at the moment).

So interms of international comic guests, its Armageddon with a win. In terms of Australian creators its Supanova's show.
All up, Snova by a nose.

International guests
I usually don't care, I'm not into the majority of pop culture, so bgrade actors and general has beens don't impress. Though i do recognise its these guests that get punters buying tickets. So in those terms Armageddon wins, the animation guests are fantastic (just Bruce Tim and Billy West alone would be awesome) and while I have no idea besides sweaty 40 year olds would be interested in Adam West and Julie Newmar, i do recognise they are quite the get. Supanova do have way better anime/manga representation which is, you know, what the kids want. Snova probably has the 'best' guest, the dude who plays Xander in Buffy, which is still like a/kind of current show. Also getting the director of Wolf Creek is pretty cool. But 'Geddon does have porn actress Jasmine st Claire which will get them through the door. They also have WRESTLERS! and Australian Idol contestant Bobby Flynn! i'm hoping for a match up!

Miscellaneous
Snova has a better local track record with more visibility but you have to travel too far to get to the cons. Since his telling off a couple years a go, Daniel has made sure that Australia Creators get highlighted. Armageddon only have one and looking through the New Zealand guest lists of the past, there doesn't seem to be many local creators listed (though i may be wrong). The Snova forum is much more interesting, but it is fun giving Kongster bad Karma points on the Armageddon boards.

Armageddon is in the city and the actual variety, quantity and quality of guests is much better; i just think it needs more anime/manga and local representation to make me happy (and that's important!)

If it was a boxing match, Armageddon wins by points. Though it is very very apparent that Armageddon's appearance to the scene has made Supanova pull up there socks.

Shit, if it's gonna be that kind of party, I'm just going to stick my dick in the mashed potatoes!

Just once it would be nice if i caught up with comic people interstate and wasn't drunk and or exhausted.

Brisbane Writers Festival

If you are in Brisbane go to CYA Conference
and at 1:35 listen to the award winning Shaun Tan (The Arrival which ships soon to comic shops).

Ask him "Being an award winning graphic novelist, do you get like hot groupies and stuff?"

Unfortunately Nicki Greenberg (The Great Gatsby) is doing a talk at the same time, i would just wonder in between the two.

Ask her "Can you sign my copy of Great Gatsby and help me fill out my will?"

at 2.05 LF Weber (Crab Allan) reveals the paradise, THE PARADISE, that is game making! Mr Weber is nervous about the presentation, so help him out and turn up in your underwear.

Ask him "Platinum Studios is entering the share market, do you plan on buying any shares of the publishing company?"

Then straightafter, at 2:50 Mr Campbell (Uncanny Xmen #400 and From Hell) enters the ring. Whilst i have to admit that i prefer when he works with other writers (daren white, alan moore) his theories and general nattering about the sequential arts is top notch. (though, i rarely understand a word that comes out of his mouth).

Ask him "In regards to graphic novels, in particular the graphic novels you have worked on, both those graphic novels you've written and produced art for and those graphic novels you have only provided art for, do you prefer your graphic novels to be graphic or do you prefer your graphic novels to be novel, and if i may follow that up with, are graphic novels too good to read in the dunny?"

Then at 3:50 minicomics maestro Leigh Rigozzi (Tales of Hobartian life) talks about comic books.

Ask Him "If William Shatner had the powers of the Thor and Adam West had the powers of Superman, and they fought, who would win?"

I skipped myspace

I'm on Facebook, I have no idea what i do there, but there I am.

Blogs for your eyes

When Mandy Ord posts pictures i do a little Snoopy dance in my head


When LFW posts pictures i do a little school girl squeal (especially when he turns off the bikini filter).

Two artists who couldn't be more different in style but who demonstrate the beauty of local comics.

The Mount

Em, had a lunch meeting down in Mt Gambier today, usually see drives down and stays over night but because of other factors she had to drive there and back in the same day. So i took the day off work and joined her for the trip.

In essence, 9 hours of driving + tasting a dozen wines + purchasing 7 bottles of wine, buying 6 comics from a 2nd hand store + eating 2 burgers (one nice pub burger for lunch, one road house burger for dinner) + 1 Dean Martin CD + Spring = A Great day

Good business and the business of being good

Apec this, Apec that. The media is full of stories of protesting APEC and hijacking APEC, but nothing about what APEC is actually doing. Its a shame, because if the media did report the truth it would pretty much establish why people are protesting it and hijacking it. Its pretty much so rich countries (which Australia truthfully only marginally fits into) and their businesses can get richer.

Now, I'm for business, as a means to support a family and community it can be an awe inspiring and satisfying activity.

So www.kiva.org is probably the most beautiful antidote to the going ons of Sydney.

I try and only watch good films now

Would it be that bad if there was a short exchange in the 4th Die Hard movie that
went along the lines of

"I'm leaving you John! I can't take it anymore. Its not worth it!"
"Not worth it? Not worth it!! I saved your life! I killed for you!"
"Not for me John, for you. You did all that for you."
"For me? Yeah, i wanted to get shot at!"
"You wanted to win, that's why you got shot at. That's why you do everything! That's why you're fighting now, not to save this marriage but because if I leave then that means you lose. Well I'm leaving and there's no winning me back"

but even so it would have been a shit movie.

I liked the first 2 Die Hards - i need to watch the 3rd one again to see if its any good. but the first couple were released at a time when the action stars were brutes like Arnie, Stallone, Chuck Norris, and Steven Seagal. But in Die Hard, Bruce Willis is really just a normal guy barely getting by, he's a brawler who just doesn't give up, who gets by more by determination and street smarts than firepower and skill. In Die Hard 4, though
HE DRIVES A CAR INTO A HELICOPTER!!!!
HE JUMPS ONTO A HARRIER JET!!
AND THEN JUMPS OFF IT!!!!
for fuck sake.


Gah, where's my copy of Rashomon!

The Great Great Gatsby

I picked up my copy of Nicki Greenberg's adaption of The Great Gatsby today. It is truly a beautiful looking book. Even Em was slightly intrigued by the book - except for the 'funny looking characters' >sigh<.

I felt slightly disappointed that at my local Borders's it wasn't displayed in the new releases section, nor was it in the Fiction section under "G" but in the Graphic Novel section racked between Tomb Raider and Showcase Presents. And it was the only copy.

The cashier was incredibly excited by the book while she rang it up, especially at the inside goss i knew; it took 5 years to draw, Nicki is from Melbourne and the Fitzgerald family heartily approved the book when they saw it. I'm so smooth.

Also spotted in Dymocks (where I asked about The Great Gatsby last week, to be told they are getting 5 sometime in September) Kevin Patrick and Doug Holgates' Prehistoric Australia.

Trauma of the week #629 - Adventures in babysitting

Standing in a supermarket aisle, drunk, completely mesmerised by the variety of nappy and nappy related products and ringing Em asking "How much does whatserface weigh? They don't sell by age, but by weight". A scale weigh later and some subtraction, she replies "10 kilos". I believe i spent 10 minutes deciding between the packet for 6-11kg or 10-15kg. All during which i thought, I'd rather be buying tampons and tubes of hemorrhoid cream.