Sundays with Walt and Skeezix – plus Ben 10 and a Convention!

Having read the first 5 volumes of the Walt and Skeezix reprints, it strikes me that I have never, in any medium, seen childhood captured so minutely and truthfully as Frank King does. Since the volumes cover two years' span of time, and Kind strictly adhered to a one day strip equalled one days' passage in time, it so mirrors real life. Reading them daily you don't really notice the changes in Skeezix, just like when you live with your kids on a daily basis you don't really see the changes, until one day, suddenly, you realize how different they have become, how taller, how more they have learned. 

 

And these comics are so innovative and imaginative, as well. King has page designs in there that help establish the vocabulary of comics. It's so historic in its story-telling and in its humane approach. If you love comics, this is a book to cherish.

 

This excellent, beautiful, over-sized book is gorgeous. The reproduction of Frank King's art and the exquite coloring of the book is profoundly moving. This book is an exquisite treasure, and it's wonderful that all this work from the 1920s and 30s have been so lovingly preserved.

 

You can look at the end of a volume of Walt and Skeezix and then look back and see how much he has changed. I could write at length on this series, alone. And don't get me started on what Dean Mullaney and Bruce Canwell are doing with important comics like Terry & the Pirates and Dick Tracy. And why hasn't Charles Pelto contacted me about writing an intro one of my top 5 comics of all time, On Stage?

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THE SEASON 3 FINALE OF JUSTIFIED: THE GUNS ARE DRAWN IN NOBLE'S HOLLER, SHOTS FIRED, BLOOD SPILLED…OH, WAITAMINNIT, MY MISTAKE, THAT'S NOT NOBLE'S HOLLER, THAT'S WHERE I LIVE.

Now, no one played Russian Roulette as Raylan did with Wynn Duffey, whose "Jesus Christ!" response when Raylan started 
pulling the trigger was so desperately human that it gave that scene such reality.

In the slaughterhouse, the major players squared off with guns drawn and arms extended. How many film makers do you think John Woo has influenced, especially in American cinema?

But when the show was over, and after answering questions from the New York Post about the violence right where I live,
right on the other side of the wall from where I type these words, it was hard to accept the reality that there were more weapons fired, more human beings shot, more blood on linoleum and rugs than there was on a Justified finale.

The subject of guns has become the focal point of this Easter night gun battle in the news, as the dried blood stains in the carpet fade, and the elevator floor is scrubbed clean, but I'll never see it the same again.

 

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MY EPISODE OF BEN 10: NIGHT OF THE LIVING NIGHTMARE IS ON DVD ON TUESDAY.

Well, I know I'm going to be there. If you have an interest in seeing it, it's already here! Along with Dwayne McDuffie's big 2 part finale for the season!

 

And you can find it here.

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I WILL BE ATTENDING THE SUPER WILDPIG SHOW

I believe it is a luau, which I have not been too in years.

 

A luau in New Jersey, which is where the con is, and where I will be on May 5th and May 6th.

 

I think the roasted pig is covered in comic book pages not leaves, but I could be wrong.

 

Anyhow Chris Eberle, who is the man who talked me into this, is really nice.

 

And come on over and see if I get to do a Podcast.

 

I think that's some kind of cyberspace splint, but once again, what do I know.

 

If you can, come on over to the Con.

 

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Don McGregor is the writer of Killraven, Black Panther, Nathaniel Dusk and a slew of other classic comic books. Order a copy of The Variable Syndrome and other comics from his website or his outstanding Detectives, Inc. at Amazon.