Category: golf

We’re bracing for some crazy weather tonight in Michigan; up to 12 inches of snow with bitter cold temps and lots of wind. There is already talk of school getting canceled on Friday. I hope that isn’t the case because I am slated to accompany my daughter Erin, to the Daddy-Daughter Dance Friday night.

I went by Detroit Comics today and had a good talk with my friend and owner, Brian. First and foremost he his a film guy and is eagerly awaiting new legislation to pass in the Michigan House and Senate that will allow more movies to be filmed in Michigan, thus giving him more work for him to do. Our Governor, Jennifer Granholm even mentioned the subject in her State of the State speech Tuesday night. I’m not sure on the details, or how it will all pan out, but from the sounds of it a lot of good will come about if these measures are passed. On with today’s links:

• Boom! Studios blogs about a review of Salem: Queen of Thorns by Indie Comic Book Noise (Congrats to Bruce and Derek!)
• More digital goodness. Chapter One of Criminal Volume One is available for free at MySpace
• The Arts Show on RTE 1 - a public service broadcaster, essentially Ireland’s equivalent to the BBC - has an episode dedicated to discussing graphic novels and comics. Thanks to my friend Joe, FPI Blog
• Alan Gardner, Daily Cartoonist, reports that a new book published about first African American woman cartoonist. Turns out it is Jackie Ormes who created Torchy Brown in 1937. I mention this because not only does this sound like a neat retrospective, but the folks at University of Michigan Press are publishing it. Perhaps to coincide with the release of the book, there will be some sort of celebration or acknowledgment in the Ann Arbor area later in the year. I’ll keep you posted.
• Check out the final cover art for Eddie Campbell’s upcoming new book The Amazing Remarkable Monsieur Leotard. You may recall that Campbell did the book The Black Diamond Detective Agency and has won numerous awards including an Eisner, an Ignatz, and a Harvey
• I love comics and I love sports. Throughout the years there have been many attempts to combine the two into a successful and profitable relationship. This has failed time and time again, except for Tank McNamara (1974) and another comic strip that has prevailed since 1958: Gil Thorpe. Alan Gardner, Daily Cartoonist, reports that a new Gil Thorp character will be named after fan of the strip. It should be noted that Neal Rubin, from our local paper The Detroit News is the current writer. I read (or at least I try to read) Gil Thorpe everyday, and so should you.
• Review: Collected Editions Blog on 52: The Companion. Whether or not you like 52, this is a book that should be in you collection. (and the CCL is even mentioned, hooray!)

Occasionally, when I get e-mail, besides all the comic talk that goes on, I get inquiries as to my golf game and why I don’t talk about it on the Podcast much anymore. The truth is, this past season was the least I played since I took up the game over 15 years ago. Reasons being family and cash. It is an expensive game and although I can golf for free at the Country Club (that I used to work at) we moved further away, so it’s not that easy of a drive. I did manage to get out with Patrick on the par-3, 9-hole course that is there and Patrick, who is 7 actually made a birdie on a 95-yard hole. I shot a 4. I still watch the Golf Channel whenever I can (which is almost every night) and I keep up on the industry. Now it’s November and I feel that I really missed out, but on the flip side my son is getting older and better and I soon will have a true partner. While it is fun to golf alone and you can really work on your game, golf is first and foremost a social activity and should be shared.

Speaking of Country Clubs, I can across funny, but all too true article on the increase of seniors and the lack of income that they contribute to their own club due to discounts. Take it for what it is worth. Also, If you are like me you hear a song or see a visual that sticks with you forever. In my case this comes across in the long running Lexus commercial, “Roadtrip”. In it a dedicated golfer searches for the greatest challenge he can find as he tours some of Scotland’s legendary courses, including Ross Priory Golf Club, Longniddry Golf
Course, The Glen Golf Club and Bamburgh Castle Golf Course. The beautiful and haunting music “Yellows and Blues” is by Jimmy Haun. I can only hope that Patrick and I will take a similar walk together someday, drink a pint and go read some old comics.

…And if you play golf, you’re my friend - Harvey Penick
Now on to my other passion:

• Tom Brevoort, Marvel Comics, on the good and the really bad of collected editions
• Sad, but true: Scott King, Executive Editor of Th3rd World Studios vs TSA. I’m going to keep this story in mind when I fly next.
• Even the Associated Press picked up Marvel: Digital Comics Unlimited whirlwind. I’ll have more on this and my experience on next weeks Podcast, but my very first impressions is this: what a crappy title. Marvel: DCU. Seriously, this is uncalled for
• PW Comics Week talked to IDW’s Chris Ryall. Don’t fret, Chris is slated to be on my show soon
• Take a look at the new Queen & Country Definitive Editions. Queen & Country is already available in Hardcover and softcover form. so I have no idea what is “Definitive” about them, but I do know that these are a bit smaller, think Dark Horse Omnibus size. There are four volumes, $19.95 and will be available December 12, 2007
• Review: Troy Brownfield, Newsarama The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen: Black Dossier
• Review: Allan Holtz, Stripper’s Guide on Blondie - The Bumstead Family History
• Review: Mark Allen, Comic Book Bin on The Spirit: The Origin Years