You've seen the Roy Thomas' Magazine, Alter Ego, published by Twomorrows, right? In the past, I've given it a try, depending on the subject matter. I keep hoping it'll replace the old Comic Book Artist as my sourse for comic book history. Usually I'm left with a dry taste in my mouth.

   Roy Thomas, who was Stan Lee's first successor at Marvel in the '60's and '70's, has an astounding memory for detail, unlike Stan who's notoriously bad memory causes him to pad his recollections with alliterations and self-effacing humor. My main disappointment about Alter Ego in the past is that Roy tends to get far too clinical in his analysis, as if reading facts to a court stenographer. And don't get him started on the Golden Age JSA... Fifty issues, and he's still not done writing about them. Also, there is an inordinate amount of space devoted to a handful of his old friends and penpals, plus ancillary names that swirled around the beginning of comic book fandom. While it's an admirable nod, writing this information down for those curious about the fandom's genesis, it's almost like Roy's target audience is six pals from the old days. Fair enough, it's his mag. The Fawcett Collector's section uncovers a lot of unknown people associated with The Big Red Cheese, Captain Marvel. While I have a hard time working up any excitement for this section, at least it serves an archival purpose. As time goes on, a lot of uncredited men and women who were the backbone of the industry fade away from history, so it is important to learn from those still with us. I don't read it, mind you, but it serves that purpose.

   You can Imagine my skepticism to find a career retrospective of Roy The Boy himself in #50. To my shock and delight, inker and contributor Jim Amash does a superb job in his interview with Roy! Said skepticism melted away quickly as Amash pried many a previously-untold tale of the 1960's Marvel Bullpen, through Roy's sharp-as-a tack recollections. Some juicy dish-dish-ing goes on, not unlike comedianne Kathy Griffin's stage act. The interview pierces the veil of mystery of exactly how a tattered, threadbare company became an upstart that created a new industry standard, with all the crucial players filling in the key roles. Alter Ego #50 puts all the pieces of the puzzle together beautifully! The interview is lengthy too! Roy gives his first-hand observations of Stan's relationships with Kirby, Ditko and others, plus the hardships of finding suitable writers (remember earlier misfires of R. Burns and H.E. Huntley on Iron Man, Ant Man and others?). Roy even admits that he may have been a hardass, but he was entrusted by Stan to maintain the quality of the ever-expanding line of comics. This issue is strongly recommended!!

   A couple weeks ago, in my remembrence of Jim Aparo, I lamented that comics legends didn't make headlines. Well, I'm glad to have been proven wrong. There've been reports and news scrolls on CNN, Fox and other national media outlets covering his passing. Good to see you've gotten your due, Mr. Aparo! BTW, Twomorrow's Back Issue # 7 has a great Aparo interview, plus analysis on his Brave and The Bold run. You can order it directly from the publisher, like most of their books.

   As I gird myself for my Chicago trip, I'm still recovering from a grueling 30-page issue of Legion of Super-Heroes #10, with Barry Kitson filling every panel with detail on a Perez'-level. Comics can offtimes be a combination of pleasure and pain, and this issue is an example. I've burned the midnight oil a lot more than I've done in recent months, to, not only somehow get ink on everything Barry drew, but to do a good job with textures and subtleties on the faces. The results, to be immodest, look darn good.

   So good, that Barry was kind enough to make a transatlantic phone call from England to say, essentially, 'thanks for the good inks'! Even though it's only a one-issue commitment, we bonded quite well, on a professional and personal level. As we spoke, I was trying to islolate the origins of his english accent. His voice reminded me of a radio interview I'd heard of Mick Taylor, one-time Rolling Stone, who played on their best albums, Sticky Fingers & Exile on Main Street. As we jabbered on, Barry made me feel comfortable enough to ask if any rock stars like Mick Ronson or somebody came from his part of the UK. He no longer lives where he grew up, so he gave me permission to share this info with you.

   Barry: "NO ONE comes from this part of the country as it's about as remote as you can get in the UK!"
"Andy Partridge and XTC were based in Swindon which is about 15 miles from where I grew up. Julian Cope (Teardrop Explodes) currently lives in the town I grew up in. Trivia...and indeed nothing much to do with me as I never met him...but there you go....
also actor David Hemmings (Blow-up, etc) lived there until his death.
I once had a drink in Robert Plant's local...which is nowhere near where I grew up.....but he wasn't there either.... "

   Thanks for indulging me, Barry! Although the USA was the birthplace of Rock n' Roll, the British bands have always been my favorites (I mean, favourites)!

   Well, now that the debris has settled after the Heroes Con/Wizard World Atlanta controversy, we can all go to the WW Chicago show this upcoming weekend without that cloud over our heads. When Wizard does do a show in Atlanta in '07, I plan to be there, as Atlanta desperately needs a comic book show.

   I'll be attending WW Chicago Friday, Saturday and Sunday, timesharing with:
Shooting Star Comics booth (#648) and
Powerful Press in Artist Alley (Table number 9134 A).

   Once I get there, I'll work out the scheduling with both parties, and post where I'll be, to avoid confusion. These folks have shown me a great kindness in letting me crash their areas, and you might want to check out the comics they're peddlin' while you visit!

   Reminder: If you want to pick up some of my comics at Chicago, check out the 'Checklist' section of this site, for a printer-friendly checklist of all my funnybooks.

   See ya there! I'm sure I'll have plenty to dish-dish about next week!