Yes, while all the eyes of the comicverse watch San Diego for the latest news on… movies and celebrities, a selection of us fine indie comicker-folk are gathering in Michigan for party of sorts. It’s sort of like a conference. A creativity conference, if you will. Or, an arts and creativity conference. In southern Michigan. Oh, hey, it’s a “S”outhern “M”ichigan “A”rts & “C”reativity “C”onference! It’s as if it SMACCed me in the face.

But, in all seriousness, it should be a fun time. So, for anyone who couldn’t find a flight, or a hotel, or tickets for Comic Con (or simply can’t afford it), consider S.M.A.C.C. There will be a lot to do there including comics and their creators (of course), and two full days of performers and events.

I’ll be there with my usual LACKLUSTER WORLD goods, and this is my first appearance in Michigan in a couple years. So… go, enjoy.

Complete details at the S.M.A.C.C. website: http://smacc2010.us/

Also, I recommend this audio interview with S.M.A.C.C. organizer and Hamtramck Idea Man, Michael Marcus, for the full scoop:
http://comicrelated.com/news/7078/the-related-recap-210

Go, read.

Details here. Special thanks to Jeff Harper for offering me the space!

It’s a terrible 62-foot-high eyesore that cost the local cult/mega-church, the Solid Rock Church about $500,000 to construct.

Last night, a major storm blew through the area. Lightning struck Jumbo Jesus, setting him aflame.

One lucky passer-by filmed it:

And here’s a photo of the metal framework aftermath:

Words cannot express the hilarity of this and I am tickled to see Jumbo Jesus reduced to Stick Figure Jesus. Yet, I am also sad… Sad because my dreams of vandalizing Jumbo Jesus as part of a promotional campaign for LACKLUSTER WORLD are gone forever.

Or are they?

The Solid Rock Church vows to rebuild him (and probably out of something less flammable than styrofoam, fiberglass and wood this time). It’s terrible that this mega-church already wasted a half-mil on the statue and is willing to waste it again, but such is the way of religion.

When it returns, I can’t help but think that it will be a tantalizing target for every vandal in the region. With all of the big press coverage about the statue’s hilarious demise, some people are bound to get it into their head that this is something that exists solely for the purpose of being destroyed. It’s just too visible a target to ignore, and the precedent of high entertainment value has been set.

So… maybe I’ll get my promotional campaign after all. And maybe I won’t even have to do the work. And, more importantly, maybe I won’t even have to do the time.

Regardless…

April 24-25, THAT’S THIS WEEKEND!
SPACE in Columbus, OH
I will be receiving a (third place) SPACE Prize for REFLECTION on Saturday afternoon. On Sunday, I will be on the comics writing panel (the actually title of which I am uncertain) from Noon to 1:00. Also, check out an interview with me in regards to S.P.A.C.E.

May 1, Free Comic Book Day!
Packrat Comics in Columbus, OH
I’ll be selling/signing books, and celebrating the magic of comics.

May 28-30
Phoenix Comicon
Yes, that Phoneix. The one in the desert. In May. And I will die from melting.

Take a listen

I’ll start shipping books the day I get them from the printer — in early to mid-December.

Read the first 13 pages:

Here’s a plot description:

“While institutionalized, Kelvin embarks on an existential adventure with Jesus! Meanwhile, Celsius is alone for the first time and, desperate for normalcy, she employs Fahrenheit to play Kelvin’s role in her life. Fahrenheit tries to sort things out between her, Herman’s developing affection towards her, and the still-growing crowd of fanatics he’s unintentionally inspired.”

Link to pre-order:

http://lacklusterworld.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=37

Apologies to all of those whom placed pre-orders with me at conventions over the past few months and expected to get LW#6 sooner. I’ve had to bump LW back a number of times because of bigger and, frankly, more important things.

For the first time in my history, I’ll be there on Thursday for preview night! So, I’ll be there for all four days. Long… excruciating… endless days. Fill them for me with purchases of my fine goods. Or, commission me to draw you a sketch. I’ll have my shiny new markers with me and with them I would be happy to output something not-so-shiny. Lackluster, if you will.

I will have the still somewhat new JESUS & TALKING BEAR SHIRTS, the one-shot 16-pager REFLECTION, and of course all the usual LW wares.

Sadly, LACKLUSTER WORLD #6 will NOT be available at Chicago Comic Con this weekend. I know I’ve told some that it would be printed and ready for consumption by this time and since I have no idea how far that word of mouth has spread, I thought it prudent to be clear. LW6 is NOT yet complete.

So, when will it be complete? In just a few weeks. I just couldn’t get it finished and printed in time for the show. I’ll be at Pittsburgh Comicon next month and while I’m not promising I’ll have it ready in time for that con, it does look likely that I will. Details, of course, forthcoming.

For anyone attending Chicago, I’ll be accepting pre-orders for LW6 and to make it worth your while, I’ll pay the shipping expense.

If you’ve not seen it already, here’s the Lackluster World #6 cover art.

So. Headcount?