Happy 84th Birthday, Marie Severin!
I spent some hours with Marie in July. She was her usual hilarious self. Marie is someone who knows how to be happy.
I Still Love You, Daddy
Today is Father’s Day, a day we never celebrated in our family because my parents both thought it was a commercial construct and not a legitimate holiday. I have to thank them yet again for raising me without creating these unnecessary situations that so many people find filled with angst,…
What’s Inside a Telephone
It’s not a smartphone, so it must be a dumbphone, right? But look at all the charming little bits and pieces, each of them rather smart, that make up a conventional landline phone: Inside this phone is an entire factory. It could be Gary, Indiana, in its heyday (but without…
Why Marie Severin is My Friend
From our days of working at Marvel Comics.
Is Sharon Moody a Copyright/Trademark Infringer?
When I was in charge of rights and permissions at DC Comics, in the 1980s, we tracked down any infringements we became aware of, and told the infringers in no uncertain terms (often as a letter directly from our lawyers) to cease and desist. This meant telling people to stop…
My Interest in Hoarding
I’ve discovered another reason why I like to watch television shows about hoarders. It’s not what you think, not schadenfreude. To my surprise, it’s not what I thought either. The fascinating insight I’ve just gained is how close my own feelings are to those of hoarders. I have reached the…
How to Become an American
Some immigrants to America expect American culture to bend and change for them. Others embrace American culture, even if there are elements in it they may not like. If they do not, they tend to remain secreted away in ethnic enclaves where they don’t have to speak or write English…
The DC Comics Reboot: “Not Your Father’s Oldsmobile”
“Not your father’s Oldsmobile” was an ad campaign that was supposed to help make Oldsmobiles attractive to a younger crowd. Instead, it merely insulted the people who usually bought Oldsmobiles, and that was the kiss of death. Such a line stings when you realize you’re the father in the ad,…
Absolutely Not a Review of Wolf at the Door by MaryJanice Davidson
MaryJanice Davidson writes goofy blather that contains thoughts smart geeky people have about the world, which is fun, and awesome nuggets of truth, which is sobering. She wraps these pearls in silly romantic stories of vampires, werewolves, and other paranormal creatures. She got her start in publishing with an ebook…
Kirby Heirs vs. Marvel Comics: We Need New Laws
Once again, the big corporation has crushed the little guy. I don’t think we should be proud of laws that allow corporations to live forever, but don’t force them to give ownership rights to the creative talents that are the source of their profits. When I worked in comics, in…
