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Interviews as well as Columns
by Roger Ash
Recently, my buddies Jeff, Kirsten, as well as I went to see comedian Patton Oswalt right here in Madison, WI. because seating was general admission, we chose to get to the location early (about an hour as well as a half prior to the doors opening) so we might get great seats. This paid off as there were only six people in line in front of us. When the doors opened, I made a beeline to the front row despite Kirsten calling “Are you serious?” in back of me. My viewpoint was if we waited in line that long, we were going for the very best seats possible. We ended up front row center.
Patton Oswalt
The show was great with opener Kyle Kinane as well as Patton both being devastatingly funny. things took an fascinating turn when, after he had completed a story, Patton looked directly at me as well as stated something like, “You look like every animator. as well as I don’t imply anything poor by that.” because I like animation, I understood precisely what he meant. I’ve seen numerous interviews with men like Pixar’s John Lasseter or Disney animator Eric Goldberg, as well as with my beard as well as Hawaiian shirt, I’d in shape best in. That led to him asking me a couple questions, including “What do you do?” “I work for a mail-order comic book retailer,” I replied. He smiled as well as said, “Of program you do.”
Treehouse of Horror
I know, at least in part, why he smiled. In situation you aren’t aware, Patton Oswalt is a huge comics fan. He’s even written some comic stories including the recent Serenity: Float Out (which is excellent), JLA: welcome to the working Week (which DC truly needs to get back in print), as well as a Bart Simpsons’ Treehouse of horror story. He’s likewise written the introduction to the Justice league of America: Lightning Saga collection. I provided him a topic he understood well as well as might work with. as well as he knocked it out of the park. He riffed for around five minutes – with the occasional concern to me – on comics, fandom, as well as nerd culture. He did an upset fanboy rant that was letter ideal as well as absolutely hilarious. The people around me were loving it as well, as well as I was amazed to see that the bit even made it into a evaluation of the show.
Last Christmas
This encounter got me to wondering exactly how numerous of Patton’s fans understand about his work in comics. I’m betting there are a number who don’t, as well as that’s a pity since it’s great stuff. Or to widen the pictures, exactly how numerous people recognize that there are a number of well-known comic fans, a few of whom have written comics, including (deep breath) stand-up comedian Brian Posehn (Last Christmas), actor Thomas Jane (Bad Planet), novelists Stephen King (American Vampire) as well as Alex & Janet Evanovich (Troublemaker), SNL’s Seth Meyers & expense Hader (Spider-Man: The short Halloween), Go-Go Jane Wiedlin (Lady Robotika), Parks as well as Recreations’ Rashida Jones (Frenemy of the State), writer/director Kevin Smith (Batman: Widening Gyre, Daredevil: Guardian Devil), actors Samuel L. Jackson (Cold Space) as well as Rosario Dawson (Occult Crimes Taskforce), musicians Tori Amos (Comic book Tattoo) as well as Gerard method (Umbrella Academy), Buffy the Vampire Slayer developer Joss Whedon (Buffy, Astonishing X-Men), the eco-friendly Bay Packers’ Ahman Green, G4 as well as the everyday Show’s Olivia Munn, wrestler Jerry “The King” Lawler, directors Guillermo Del Toro, Sam Raimi, Bryan Singer, as well as Christopher Nolan, actors Bruce Campbell, Nicolas Cage, mark Hamill, expense Mumy, Lynda Carter, as well as Miguel Ferrer, comedian Jerry Seinfeld, as well as lobbyist Gloria Steinem? Oh yeah, as well as the president of the United States, Barack Obama. as well as that’s just scratching the surface. Wouldn’t it be fantastic if there was some method we might promote the truth that there are well-known people who delight in – as well as in some cases compose – comics to those outside the comics community? perhaps even get fans of these people into comic shops?
Dark equine “I like Comics” ad
I understand I’m not the very first person to suggest this, however wouldn’t it be fantastic if comics had a advertising campaign like the milk moustache ads to promote comics? Dark equine Comics has been doing some “I like Comics” ads in their comics just recently that demonstrate precisely what I’m speaking about. If you’ve never seen one, they are full page ads featuring a black as well as white picture of someone, typically a comics creator, with “I like Comics” written in red across the center of the picture (or “We like Comics” if there’s much more than one person). It’s extremely simple, extremely elegant, as well as extremely effective. Wouldn’t it be awesome to see an ad promoting comics starring Samuel L. Jacksonin the pages of home entertainment Weekly? Or an ad with Tori Amos in Rolling Stone? Or an ad with Jerry Lawler in sports Illustrated? The challenging part in all of this would be to get publishers to set aside their differences as well as do something that wouldn’t promote their own comics however comics in general. It’s no trick that comic sales have fallen over the years. Something such as this might provide comics a much-needed jump start. as well as if you don’t believe this would work, I ask you to think about why stars are frequently utilized in commercials. We want to eat, drink, drive, or checked out what our preferred stars eat, drink, drive as well as read. When a book is chosen as part of Oprah’s book Club, sales skyrocket. Why not utilize a few of this star power to promote comics?
American Vampire
But up until a Comics advertising Board exists, it’s as much as us – the comics fans – to spread the word. understand somebody who likes Stephen King’s novels? Make sure they understand about his work in American Vampire or Marvel’s Dark Tower books. have a buddy who’s infatuated with Rashida Jones? tell them about Frememy of the State. save up a few bucks as well as purchase a comic for a buddy you believe they may enjoy. There are great deals of little things you can do to assist promote comics. It may not seem like much, however we have to begin somewhere. After all, as the old Lao Tzu quote says, “A journey of a thousand miles should begin with a single step.”
Now, go checked out a comic!
Roger would like to point out that Patton Oswalt is performing in San Diego this Friday at the home of Blues. If you’re out that method for Comic Con, this would be a ideal capper for the day.