I talked with my dad about the Speed Gibson manga a few weeks ago, and he gave me a bit of input on it:

*Secret Police should use luger pistols. So, I need to figure out wtf they look like.

*Watch video serials from late 30s/early 40s for ideas on visuals. I already watched most of the 1943 Batman serial, which provided crap tons of inspiration. And the Robin in that serial is possibly the coolest character ever. Something... I can't imagine I'm actually saying. But man, that kid is awesome.

He also recommended Don Winslow of the Navy. And we have the DVDs of Flash Gordon.

*Today, he saw I had my Cherry Project manga book sitting out on the table. I was looking at it just for a little bit of visual reference for actual manga style. It's the only manga I have left. (Which sounds like the rest of my manga books died in a horrific accident or something. It's ALMOST true.

See, last year when I was getting rid of a bunch of crap, I decided to sell all my manga because it had a habit of making me super emo in the past.)

He said that my cartooning style is strong enough on its own that I shouldn't worry TOO much about making it look like professional manga. And what he meant by that was not to be derivative. Not to be all "OH MY GOD I CAN'T DO THIS ON MY OWN QUICK! GRAB A BOOK SO I CAN JUST COPY DIRECTLY OUT OF IT".

He also suggested that I leave out the giant robots. Which, oh, man, come on! It wouldn't be Speed Gibson without giant robots!

But, seriously, I was planning on having the Octopus's wheelchair be all super powered mecha armored craziness. But, you know, whatever. As if I could even draw something like that.

Well, I'm going to try and start it tonight.

Animal rescue commercials on cable/satellite. We all see them. We'll be sitting around, watching a shitty docudrama on VH1 Classic, or some random movie on Sleuth, or whatever. Random commercials for pine-sol, or Quiznos. It's all good. No bad feelings, and then suddenly, horrific video of abused animals with heartwrenching text superimposed. Sad music.

THANKS A FUCKING LOT. Good mood? Officially ruined.

I understand all too well that animal abuse and neglect is a serious problem. I understand that animal abuse is horrible. I UNDERSTAND THIS SHIT ALREADY. I give money to animal charities whenever I can afford to. I put out cat food for strays every damn day. Every cat I have now started out as a poor homeless stray, and I love them more than I love myself. So do I really need to be bombarded with these fucking images when I just want to have some random movie on in the background?!

It's just... it hasn't even been a month now since my favorite cat, Mr. Zamir, died. And every time I see those commercials, I think of him, and how much pain he was in before he died. The one cat in the commercial looks exactly like him, except white. And then we have the one cat with the text, "Will I die today?". GEE, THAT DOESN'T BRING UP PAINFUL MEMORIES OR ANYTHING.

So, thanks, you guys. I wasn't already upset. I wasn't already reminded of him constantly. So, good thing you came along with your damn commercial.


(This is mostly an emotional rant. Obviously these commercials do a lot of good, and it's an important message. But it pisses me off just the same.)

I don't actually have anything to say, except that I've been with dA 5 years.

Proving once again that I can't seem to form an obsession with a normal adult fandom (which may or may not be an oxymoron, I don't know) if my life depends on it, I'm currently in the process of getting all stupid over the daggone Penguins of Madagascar.

"Currently in the process" meaning, I've been trying, with varying degrees of success, to distract myself with work, other movies/videos/games, and other stuff so as not to completely lose my mind and go 100% looney over the show.

I should just let go and run with it, except... that wouldn't be a good financial decision at this point.

Okay, going to go try and play some Sims 2 Castaway for the DS. Wow. By the way, I have a DS now. I haven't updated this thing since December.