Month: August 2014

Originally published May 11, 2001, in Comics Buyer’s Guide #1434

According to Bob Zmuda, long-time confidant and co-conspirator of Andy Kaufman (a performance artist before anyone knew what a performance artist was), Kaufman told him how he had always aspired to be a wrestling villain. He wanted to be one of those guys who swayed arrogantly around the ring while everyone booed. Zmuda pointed out the obvious drawback to this aspiration: Kaufman, from a physical point of view, would make as credible a wrestling cad as Don Knotts. Even those who nursed the belief that wrestling wasn’t scripted wouldn’t buy the notion of scrawny Kaufman lasting more than five seconds with the monsters of the mat. To Kaufman, however, that was merely a stumbling block, an obstacle to be overcome. He wanted the publicity; he wanted to be noticed; he wanted to be booed. And as we all know, he found a way: He started wrestling women. No one could comprehend why he was doing it, and he pìššëd øff a lot of people, and it wasn’t especially funny, and it dámņëd near killed his career—probably would have if he hadn’t died (or… did he?)—but you know what? While it was all going on, he put on a hëll of a show.

Keep that in your mind for a minute…

Continue Reading “Dave Sim on a “Tangent”” →

Originally published May 4, 2001, in Comics Buyer’s Guide #1433

There are certain rules that govern readers of superhero comics and the comics themselves. Certain things that are simply “understood” as not being something one discusses in polite company. A sort of “Extraordinary Gentlemen’s Agreement,” if you will. However, I do not now, nor have I ever claimed, to be a gentleman, so I figured I’d mention the top ten topics which we generally gloss over when reading comics:

Continue Reading “The “Rules” of Superheroes” →

Originally published April 27, 2001, in Comics Buyer’s Guide #1432

So we’re talking about the CBLDF this week.

Now of course, it’s not as if I’ve never discussed it before. Indeed, the last time I did, it prompted J. Lyle of North Carolina to wonder in “Oh, So,” in part:

I’m very glad that someone brought up this particular point about CBLDF. It certainly seems to me that CBLDF mostly defends the right of retailers to carry pornographic comics. I know that is not always the case, but it is a strong impression that CBLDF gives to the public.

Continue Reading “The CBLDF: Perception vs. reality” →

Originally published April 20, 2001, in Comics Buyer’s Guide #1431

Well, this has been interesting. Since my earlier column talking about net thievery and Harlan Ellison’s fight against same, I’m pleased to say that the majority of feedback I’ve received on it has been quite positive. At the very least, folks seem to be understanding why the current electronic assault on copyright is A Bad Thing. Some of the emails, however, have gone in some interesting directions. The first is from S. Drescher in Austin, Texas:

Continue Reading “Online Shoplifting, continued” →

Originally published April 13, 2001, in Comics Buyer’s Guide #1430

Continuing fun and frolic at the Florida MegaCon in March…

Bill Mumy brought the convention program book over to me as I sat at my table and, looking perturbed, said, “According to your biography, you and I co-created Crusade.”

I blinked at him, giving my best deer-in-the-headlights impression. “What?” I said, displaying my customary ability to cut past subtlety and go straight for the obvious.

“That’s what your bio says,” he said—and handed it to me.

Continue Reading “Florida MegaCon 2001, continued and continued…” →

Originally published April 6, 2001, in Comics Buyer’s Guide #1429

Fun and frolic at this year’s Florida Megacon, which turned—rather unexpectedly—into my personal convention that simply would not end.

Continue Reading “Florida MegaCon 2001” →