Hyperplash

TABLEAUX 1-2 teaser

2011-11-30T19:29:00.000-08:00

Kardashian=$PIG

2011-11-03T08:29:00.000-07:00

Second TEASER for my upcoming comic TABLEAUX #1

2011-09-13T15:50:00.000-07:00

First TEASER of my upcoming comic TABLEAUX #1

2011-09-13T15:38:00.000-07:00

Ode to Alpha Flight

2011-07-21T15:11:00.001-07:00

New York Weekend Part 2 (the Whitney Biennial 2010)

2010-04-25T15:45:00.000-07:00

A stop at the Whitney Biennial 2010

New York Weekend Part 1 (MOCCA 2010)

2010-04-25T15:36:00.000-07:00

A trip to MOCCA 2010 where I picked up lots of great comics, mostly from the CCS camp

Rejection Section: A collection of award losing short stories

2010-03-12T18:40:00.000-08:00

A new book available soon..

CAT STUDY

2010-01-18T20:38:00.000-08:00

The Sphinx..

Interiors and Exteriors

2009-12-02T12:53:00.000-08:00

So much up-keep, in need of renovations...

Amerie In Love & War album review

2009-11-15T16:29:00.000-08:00

Amerie's album In Love & War is a journey through the conflicts one faces in relationships, sometimes bitter, sometimes sweet, or sometimes bitter-sweet. This is a concept album, and every song reinforces the theme of in love and war. It seems each record, has a distinctive, often personal story to tell, one which many people are able to relate to in terms of the human condition.

Starting off..The album artwork. The album artwork really has a very in your face, strong visual impact. The photography (as well as elements of the graphic design) were done by the incomparable Tim Bret-Day , while elements of the illustration were done by the also incomparable David Bray

The Album..
In Love & War starts off with a bang, with Tell me you love me. This song is a declaration to a lover, insisting that in the end, his love must be captured. The song is in itself, high octane, and incorporates elements of Amerie's signature go-go sounds(with hard horns and drums), as well as having aspects of salsa music. Heard Em All is also equally as up-beat, and incorporates a tribal beat. That's part of the beauty of In Love & War; is that it integrates various sounds and genres, into a fairly cohesive whole, to the paint the picture of the story she is trying to tell. This is a R & B album, but is composed of the the sounds of hip-hop, soul, and even rock. Dangerous has a seventies funk vibe, and samples a Lil Eddie tune. The song speaks of an attraction to a lover who may ultimately be wrong, but, hey, we all like a little element of danger, right? Higher is one the album's stand out tracks. It's hard-hitting record with a catchy guitar rift, and influenced by a 70's rock/soul sound. Continuing with the love and war theme, Why R U deals with the conflict in relationships. Amerie's voice is at it's best, with layered levels of harmonies spiraling in and out. This track samples the classic Ultramagnetic MC's Ego trippin. Pretty Brown Eyes is a re envisioned take on Mint 's Condition's Breakin' my heart, which features Trey Songz. More than love, speaks most specifically of the conflicts of love and war, and there's even a fight/conversation, miday through the song with the help of Fabulous. Swag Back is another stand out track, and showcases the versatility in Amerie's voice. The song also is also a survivors tale, and probably many of the ladies can relate to this one. Keep it movin'
The albums second half is filed with more mid-tempo tunes, and a ballad or two. Red Eye is a very sexy record which build a metaphor between love and sex, to a sky-high plane flight. The Flowers is perhaps (or in completion with, her song Paint me over from 2007's Because I Love It)) one of Amerie's most dramatic tracks. It has, almost the vibe of church choir music (or more appropriately, a funeral). This fit's the content of the track perfectly, as it describes the deterioration or death of a relationship. Different People and Dear John, also eloquently close out this album continuing on the love and war theme, but most often focusing on the war aspect.

This is probably the best R&B album I have bought in a few years, and probably Amerie's best album to date. Amerie writes all her own music, and clearly has a hand in the creative process in relation to the overall vision behind the record, and it's content. It's refreshing to see, in a world of over-manufactured or generic R&B darlings, an artist such as a Amerie, who proudly marches to the beat of her own drum...

In the Halloween Spirit Part 6

2009-10-26T20:03:00.000-07:00

Essential Doctor Strange (In The Halloween Spirit Part 5)

2009-10-25T13:15:00.001-07:00

From Essential Doctor Strange Volume 3 by Marvel Comics

This was a really refreshing read, which display some really fantastic artwork, by various writers and artists (including: Steve Englehart, Frank Brunner, Marv Wolfman, etc.) The character Doctor Strange lends itself to a divergence into mysticism. The way dreamscapes, nether-realms, astral planes, and space are depicted are so lush. The creatures (such as Eternity) which occupy these worlds are equally obscure, and interesting. These few pages here, are some examples of the way these particular pages exhibit some innovative panel layout, and page compostion as well. These gems date back to the mid to late Seventies, and are highly recommended reading material.

Generation Narcisus

2009-10-20T21:43:00.000-07:00

For the first time, I posted a picture of myself within this blog. No More! This is apparently a standard, within the blog posting world. Mine was oddly in relation to the content of a month-long resource, focusing on all that which is related to Halloween; horror, magic, etc. Now, I have serious reservations, and must return to the simple, comfortable,black censor bar which covers one's eyes. Anonymity is no more.. If we can pin point it properly..lets go back to the emergence of reality television..Let's say..MTV's the Real World..This planted a seed..However..American Idol, is what really created the spark years later..This desire, for the everyday civilian, to be special, important, talented, and famous..More so, than the next..Picked from the slums of the ghetto, or the back woods of the bijou, or the from the sprawling suburban cookie cutter neighborhood, or from a penthouse in NYC..This is you, this is me, this is what could potentially be.. everybody/anybody..And now, we all have the same capacity to shine. American Idol in many ways created this NEED..Is has become embedded in the collective consciousness, this desire for fame or notoriety. We see it, everyday, in the media, in the tabloids, and so on. We see, in relation to the heroes we choose. Our presidents, our favorite comic creators, our number one singers,whoever, and whatever else. Substance and deeper meaning, is pretty irrelevant at this point. It's just that one thing, that need to be special, important, the one..Welcome to generation Narcissus...And now there are so many tools to aid one in their quest for billboard time. LIGHTS CAMERA ACTION.. The Internet is a valuable tool for vanity..We have your Face books, your Flick rs, your Twitters,your youtube, your xtube, your whatever social networking vehicles or devices, to display---YOU, in all your glory, in your moment, in your shameless self promotion, and in all your vanity.. A picture is all takes.. Granted, the media has been the mother, at which we suck on this velvety breast..It feeds us, nurtures us, shapes us, and breeds us. Look at the vast array of celebrities and public figures it created and destroyed, so effortlessly.. Looks to who we follow, and why, just think about it..beyond what society has deemed culturally acceptable or valid. Society knows, in the grand scheme,so very little..And here, we are presented, an example of real life, with has nothing to do with real life. The balloon boy crisis..In their tiny hearts and brains, all they ever wanted was a desire to shine in the spotlight.. They yearned for it, they dreamt about it, created an extravagant show to ascertain this grand illusion..And, they ultimately, got what they wanted..They're famous now..But maybe not the way they envisioned perhaps..So the moral of the story? Before you post the picture of yourself in cyberspace, be careful..Later on, you may not get what you bargained for.. Welcome to generation Narcissus

In The Halloween Spirit Part 2

2009-10-19T21:16:00.001-07:00

In the Halloween spirit? Well not really..But Amerie's looking a little fashionably Goth here in the fabulous promotional album art.. Album In Love & War available November 3rd..

Amerie album sampler

2009-09-28T22:06:00.000-07:00

Def Jam Recordings has released an album sampler for Amerie's upcoming album
In Love & War. Amerie always provides a unique vision and sound, and the album artwork displays
some fantastic eye-catching images..

Here's a link

Going Green.

2009-09-07T19:11:00.000-07:00

haw.haw..haw

2009-08-31T12:40:00.000-07:00

IN MEMORIAM

Just gathering a timeline

We've had a little work Part 3

2009-08-24T15:37:00.000-07:00

From The Marvyns: Proper Deception by Jeremiah Piersol

We've had a little work Part 2

2009-08-23T14:39:00.001-07:00

We've had a little work

2009-08-22T16:37:00.000-07:00

Bling Teeth and Rap Grillz Part 3

2009-08-19T20:12:00.000-07:00

It was disturbing to see such a sensationalizing of hip-hop or gansta culture in this way. At the same time, it was pretty entertaining to see a young white boy rockin' his blingers on the display ad. One may ask, well, how is this any different than children playing with toy guns? Maybe these kids should wear their bling teeth, while they play with their toy guns. But seriously, grills are a pretty disgusting display of the kind of materialistic culture we sludge through day to day. Not going to get all soap-boxey here, but what suitable parents would buy these for their kids? Probably the same kind that watch Toddlers and Tiaras..Maybe next they should have gum ball plastic surgery prosthetic part for kids! There could be the collagen attachable lips, the attachable check bones, or the sticky stretched brow lifts.
Maybe it's all innocent, or maybe it is about teaching children what is acceptable, and not allowing them to entertain cultural codes which they have little understanding of...And speaking of brow lifts, be sure to check back on the section on plastic surgery!

Bling Teeth and Rap Grillz Part 2

2009-08-19T20:09:00.001-07:00

Bling Teeth and Rap Grillz Part 1

2009-08-19T19:48:00.000-07:00

While checking out the toy vending machines at a local Highway Visitors area, as well as the shelves of a local Dollar Store, I came across these lavish gems..Bling Teeth (which can be found in toy vending machines), and Rap Grillz(which can be found at your local dollar store.) For those who don't know; grills are often decorative, elaborate jewelry worn fully over the upper teeth, lower teeth, or both. Quite often these are adorned with jewels, and most especially diamonds. In hip-hop culture, these are a display of, or a sign of wealth comparable to a Prada bag, or a Range Rover for instance. What struck me as interesting, is that these "toys" where marketed to children....

Our new flag

2009-08-13T19:50:00.000-07:00

And the stew is getting thicker..

Toddlers and Tiaras part 2

2009-08-11T19:39:00.000-07:00

Toddlers and tiaras

2009-08-11T18:25:00.000-07:00

Just when you thought reality television couldn't possibly become anymore transgressive, or bastardize anything else sacred, here comes Toddlers and Tiaras. Ironically, this is brought to you by TLC (or The Learning Channel for fucks sake). The premise of the show is typical; documenting mothers(and sometimes fathers) aggressively pushing and or supporting
their children in becoming pageant stars. A winning title is rewarded from anything to: crowns, trophies, cash, etc. Not to sound discriminatory or judgemental, BUT-- most often these mother tend to be overweight, or unattractive, or insecure (at least in relation to a general cultural perception of what average or attractive is.) Let's just say these mamas probably didn't make cheer leading squad in high school, okay? Which brings us to one of the most disturbing aspects of this show. Are these mothers peddling and exploiting their kids to make up for what they never had, or could never obtain? Are they projecting their own being and issues into that of these unfortunate small children? HELL YES.. Another disturbing aspect to all of this is the polishing for lack of a better word.. It's obvious that children are growing up quick these days..At a very accelerated rate actually. Six year olds, like, know how to use a damn computer. But to push it along, to the point where sexuality is unknowingly used to capitalized on material gain, or fame, is reasonably disgusting. These children looked like they just walked out of a plastic surgery clinic in Beverly Hills, with their wigs, extreme make-up, and lifeless, frozen smiles and corpse-like facial features. We won't get into a discussion about class here..Build your own conclusions on that one .The moral of the story here? Reality television is really fucked up, and some people should not be able to procreate.

Here's a clip

Can you afford to live?

2009-08-11T14:39:00.000-07:00

These decisions may ultimately be left to the goverment to decide...

Here are the specifics