Agreeable Comics at SDCC 2010

Happy Fourth.

Ask me a question!

No prize, no contest, no nothing. I just feel a bit more chatty than usual. Ask questions about stuff, I’ll answer them! (Note: I will not answer personal questions out of respect to the deceased and barely-living that are trapped in my basement.)

My first week with the iPad

Short version, for those of you who want to get to the heart of the matter:
Oh, fuck yes.

Longer version, for those of you who require nuance and such in your commentary:
Oh fuck yes, you guys.

Seriously, such a pleasure to use and while I am halfway in the bag for Apple, I tend to err on the side of wanting platforms that do exactly what I want to do when I want to do them. For the last year or so, I’ve used a Windows XP netbook as my main writing/work/whatever device when not at home, and it’s worked perfectly well for me. The iPad, however, does exactly what I use the Netbook for: email, websurfing, porn, but with better battery life and less of a reliance on the, shall we say “quirks” that Microsoft’s operating systems have. I’ve not been interrupted once this week with a security update or needing to get a driver to do something basic, and everything just works. I’m a big fan of “just working,” particularly when it comes to things like the internet, wireless, etc. It’s what I like about my iMac at home, and it’s actually what I like about the XBox and Zune platforms as well. Others view this as removing choices from your experience, and while I can see their point of view in some sort of “smash the system, rah, open source everything” way, I also simply don’t have the time to fuck around and I want to do what I need to do.

Question One You Might Have: Do I miss Flash?
No, not really. Most of the things Flash is used for are things I don’t really do that much with my portable platforms. I don’t play a lot of Flash games, I don’t spend a lot of time on video sites that aren’t YouTube (which has an app included in the iPad OS.)

Question Two You Might Have: How’s the battery life?
Splendid. I’ve been out with my iPad with Bluetooth running (for the wireless keyboad — more on that in the next bit) and I’ve used 10% of the battery life in an hour and change while using WiFi. 3G does strain it a bit more and I’m sure if I were watching HD video, it’d drop faster, but with consistent general use, I’ve been charging at the end of the day with 30-40% of the battery life still available.

Question Three You Might Have: How’s the keyboard built into the OS?
It’s pretty good for short emails, Tweets, etc. Apple has a bluetooth wireless keyboard that’s about $60 that is lightweight and easy to toss into your bag. I use it and love it, but I presume any Bluetooth keyboard would do.

Question Four You Might Have: Comics?
Putting aside my disdain for some of the interface quirks in the Marvel/Comixology app (and the fact they need to trim the white space of their pages to maximize the art-to-screen-ratio on older material,) they are pretty fucking great. I’m now seriously interested in producing comics for this platform.

If you have more questions, ask!

A YEAR OF GIVEAWAYS: It’s Over, For Now

Derek from Ottawa won the last contest, walking away with some Blade comics and the pride of knowing he’s the last winner of my quasi-weekly contests…for now. What was originally meant to have gone on for a year has been truncated by the fact that I need to get rid of stuff much, much more quickly than the weekly drip allows. Thank you to everyone who participated and I’m pretty sure I’ll come up with something similar in the near future.

No new SHE DIED IN TERREBONNE today.

TJ’s in the middle of multiple deadlines for real-world, actually-paying comics and sometimes, something’s gotta give. You’ll be seeing his work in multiple books for Oni soon, including a backup in Resurrection (which also featured Chris Sims, Chad Bowers and Rusty Shackles in a recent backup) and a short in Jam! Tales From The World Of Roller Derby, and I’m pretty sure you’re going to want to check out his work in those. TJ also did some very stunning work for Sam Costello’s Split Lip horror webcomic (traitor!) that you should be seeing pretty soon.

Also, he drew me a Wolverine at the Boston Comic Con to shut me up, so here it is. I now want to do a Wolverine comic with him that’s literally just eight pages of Wolverine in a bar fight, not popping his claws, just straight up wailing on dudes. Marvel, you have my contact information.

A YEAR OF GIVEAWAYS: Taking the week off.

I want you to think about what you’ve done and apologize to the rest of the class.

REMINDER: Free Comic Book Day, Me, Ming Doyle, Comicopia, Etc.

Another interview with me, this time at Bostonist.

Some of the same territory is covered as in the Battlemouth interview, but Jim has known me for a few years and manages to get me to confess to that triple homicide in Duxbury, among other things.

(Please note that I do not actually confess to any crimes. Thank you.)

I was interviewed by Zak Kaveney on Battlemouth.

I didn’t vomit all over myself or embarrass anyone with stories about what happens at Agreeable Comics Summer Camp, so you can go read it here.

Where I’ll Be For Free Comic Book Day 2010

Agreeable Comics at the Boston Comic-Con!

I’m forgoing MoCCA this year (and it does pain me a bit) to instead helm an Agreeable Comics table at the Boston Comic-Con. To be blunt, last year’s MoCCA experience as an exhibitor cost me money, cost me time, and nearly cost me my sanity thanks to too-hot temperatures and disorganized staff. (Benjamin Birdie was a champ, as was Mike Rosenzweig, but overall, the experience left a pretty bad taste in my mouth, beginning with a table fee that’s almost four times what I’m paying to exhibit at this weekend’s show.)

Anyway, my kvetching about MoCCA aside (and I hope everyone that attends and tables this year has a good time, seriously; the move to April was smart, especially as they’re in a giant non-air-conditioned armory,) I’m really excited to offer up new Agreeable Comics goodies this weekend at the Westin Boston Waterfront.

I’ll have the print edition of The Rack: Year One (Mostly) along with the soon-to-be-sold-online floppies collecting the first batch of strips for She Died In Terrebonne and The Loneliest Astronauts. Ming Doyle and TJ Kirsch will both be present and they’re going to be creating special sketch cards for those who might want to purchase such a thing to show their support for either comic (or both!) and you’ll be able to pick up buttons and postcards if you want to, you know, be cheap about the whole thing. You’ll also have the chance to pick up some of TJ and Ming’s other works as well and maybe, if you’re nice, get a sketch!

If you’re coming already, please swing by and show your support! If you’re undecided, check out the roster of guests.

Ming Doyle drew me being mad.

I’m trying to figure out if I should use it on my blog header or something.  It is a very accurate depiction of me pouting.  (In this case, it was at the labels that came with my new Writersblok notebooks, as they are not very good.

I did the branding/graphic design/whatever for ImprovBoston’s Geek Week 2010.

I assure you, however, that I had nothing to do with the promotional copy on the event’s Facebook page.

NEW SITE: This Is Terrorism

This Is Terrorism is a linkblog focusing on the radical movements inside America and how their activities should be considered outright terrorism, despite the fact that our government and media seem shy about using that particular word. The submission form allows everyone to contribute regardless of their political point-of-view.

AgreeableComics.com is down right now.

The server that Agreeable Comics is hosted on is experiencing difficulty doing its job. Here’s the Dreamhost post about it. With luck, we’ll be up and running again tomorrow, with The Rack and The Loneliest Astronauts.

Service resumes tomorrow. Lock up your daughters.

“Well, maybe not so much,” he wrote at 5:30 in the morning on Tuesday.

This blog is offline until 2010 is well underway.

I’m pretty sure I’ll be Twittering away my assault on my liver tonight at home while watching fine films, so you may want to keep an eye out for that. (And probably unfollow me as the night wears on.)

We’ll be back on Monday.

A Twitter Conversation with Larry Doherty, owner of Larry’s Comics in Lowell, MA

So, a local comics show and indie-friendy crafts festival was held by my local comics shop this weekend.  Also attending this event was Larry Doherty and some of the employees from Larry’s Comics, based in Lowell Massachusetts.  Larry has been the subject of internet controversy recently, and I actually made several posts about his email newsletter without mentioning the business name.  Larry went around offering Drake’s snack cakes to people and it was a nice gesture that I didn’t particularly want to take advantage of because I don’t actually like them and I wasn’t hungry at the time.  I was checking messages on my phone when he came around and I shook my head and mouthed “No” at him.

His response?  To inform me that I’d obviously “had my share of donuts” before, then lifting up his shirt to expose his stomach and chest to me and Ming, whom I was sharing a table with.  I was baffled at his actions and had other people at the table, so I let Larry walk off and continue his deliveries.  After Ming and I had dinner, I came home and made a comment about the incident on twitter.  What follows are my tweets from tonight, along with his comments back, which I’ve put in red for your convenience.

So, @larryscomics insulted me then showed me and @mingdoyle his bare chest and stomach. That was something.
about 8 hours ago from web

(I refused a Drake’s snack cake; he said “C’mon, you’ve had your share of donuts before!” and then said “ME TOO!” and flashed us.)
about 8 hours ago from web

(Yes, @larryscomics, I am fat. You’re a shithead. I win.)
about 8 hours ago from web

@BeaucoupKevin Hey Kevin. Your not much of a “personality” in person BUT your a powerhouse at home on the Internet. Hope you had fun today
about 6 hours ago from Echofon in reply to BeaucoupKevin

@BeaucoupKevin typical. At the show Kevin was a gentleman. At home he has nasty musings to share. Wanted that Twinkie didn’t ya big boy??
about 6 hours ago from Echofon in reply to BeaucoupKevin

Really, @LarrysComics? You interrupt me and insult me when I’m checking my messages and I’m supposed to be a personality for you?
about 6 hours ago from web

And, @LarrysComics? Maybe I reserve my personality for people who don’t represent every worst aspect of comics-fan-as-retailer.
about 6 hours ago from web

.@LarrysComics Larry, I was polite because there were other people there. Unlike you, I have consideration for third parties.
about 6 hours ago from web

And yeah, @larryscomics, I’m a “big boy.” At least people weren’t asking which table was mine so they could avoid it.
about 6 hours ago from web

@BeaucoupKevin I think you were pissed because like most shows I attend I was surrounded by family and friends including the promoters
about 6 hours ago from Echofon in reply to BeaucoupKevin

@BeaucoupKevin your from new England chump. You know damn well how my shop ranks, and what it stands for. Ask YOUR retailer what they think
about 6 hours ago from Echofon in reply to BeaucoupKevin.

.@LarrysComics Really. You really do have the most remarkable powers of self-delusion. If you were doing so well, why’d you leave at 3:30?
about 6 hours ago from web

.@LarrysComics I’m not going to use other people as a reference point. I simply said what you did and how you acted. You insulted me.
about 6 hours ago from web

@BeaucoupKevin sold my stock to Patrick Jamal. Then went to Arlington and bought a warehouse. Confirm THAT with any of the 3 promoters
about 6 hours ago from Echofon in reply to BeaucoupKevin

@BeaucoupKevin Kevin is pissed because I was handing out snacks to small press like I have done for 20 years!? I AM a douchebag
about 6 hours ago from Echofon in reply to BeaucoupKevin

.@LarrysComics Good for your business. You still insulted me and then flashed me and the woman I shared a table with.
about 6 hours ago from web

I don’t know why @LarrysComics keeps thinking I need to ask my friends how well his business was doing at the show.
about 6 hours ago from web

I don’t know why @LarrysComics thinks I care about how well his business is performing. His business has nothing to do with his actions. about 6 hours ago from web

If .@LarrysComics thinks I’m pissed because he was handing out free food and NOT because of how he acted when I refused, boy, I don’t know.
about 6 hours ago from web

@BeaucoupKevin Kevin. YOU commented on my early departure. I told you WHY. You know damn well you were not offedded by me offering you food
about 6 hours ago from Echofon in reply to BeaucoupKevin

.@LarrysComics Wait, you just said this: http://is.gd/5loDX and then you said I wasn’t insulted by that? What?
about 6 hours ago from web

@BeaucoupKevin your just playing up the fact that you met fucking cretin Larry ,bane of the comic book industry.
about 6 hours ago from Echofon in reply to BeaucoupKevin

Seriously, @LarrysComics, best of luck with your business. I’ll just be sure to make sure that people know how you acted.
about 6 hours ago from web

No, @LarrysComics, I didn’t MEET you. You walked up, offered food, I refused, you insulted, flashed your chest and stomach, and left.
about 6 hours ago from web

@BeaucoupKevin I held a box of drakes cakes. You politely pointed to your fat gut to decline. I lifted my shirt showing my gut. All laughed.
about 6 hours ago from Echofon in reply to BeaucoupKevin

.@LarrysComics You’re not telling the truth, Larry. I did not point at my stomach. I shook my head and went back to my messages.
about 6 hours ago from web

@BeaucoupKevin best of luck with your artwork. I’ll be shure to let people know how you acted
about 6 hours ago from Echofon in reply to BeaucoupKevin

.@LarrysComics Be sure to tell people that I refused a snack cake. Go on and do that.
about 6 hours ago from web

@BeaucoupKevin whatever Kevin. You are simply making something out if nothing to draw attention to yourself. Everyone had fun today but you
about 5 hours ago from Echofon in reply to BeaucoupKevin

“Whatever?” You know @LarrysComics, I had a great time today except for our interaction, and I didn’t have to insult anyone!
about 6 hours ago from web

@BeaucoupKevin look in the mirror Kevin. Do you think anyone on the planet will think YOU turned down a fucking Twinkie? That’s a stretch
about 5 hours ago from Echofon in reply to BeaucoupKevin

.@LarrysComics Again with saying that I’m fat. Yes, Larry. We know. I turned down a snack cake from you because I don’t like them or you.
about 5 hours ago from web

@BeaucoupKevin I thought you seemed like a nice guy in person Kevin. Kinda a nasty fellow on the Internet though aintcha??
about 5 hours ago from Echofon in reply to BeaucoupKevin

.@LarrysComics You insult me repeatedly when I say what happened and I’M nasty? OK.
about 5 hours ago from web

Some comments:

• I’m a big guy.  I’m fat.  I know that.  People that have met me know this.  It’s something everyone’s accepted.
• I am a guy who writes things, not an artist.  Some people have paid me to write things.  A significant portion of my day job concerns writing things.
• I was ruder than I should have been with the “shithead” comment.  Poor form, but honestly, the way he acted was beyond rude for someone whom I’d never met before.
• Larry’s Twitter feed shows how he acted to other people when called on his behavior.  Yes, many of them were less-than-polite, following my bad example.

Why make this post?  Well, I think it’s a way to show people who might do business with Larry’s Comics, (whether it be at a comics show or when visiting their business at 66 Lakeview Avenue in Lowell, MA) how he treated someone who refused to eat a fifty-cent snack cake.  You can also do the same with my own behavior and decide you don’t want to read any of the comics I write.

Edited To Add:

Someone sent me screenshots (albeit tiny-ish ones) of Larry’s half of the conversation, just in case it gets deleted.

So, This Is A Thing I’ll Be At.

Come see me and The Loneliest Astronauts artist Ming Doyle, maybe buy that copy of The Rack: Year One (Mostly) for your mom, get some swag!