The Butler Doesn’t Always Do It

Posted on April 3, 2012 by Random

I wonder what it would be like if I tried my hand at a mini-mystery. I’ve done supernatural horror, superhero, and fantasy, I’m sure I could plot out a whodunit. Perhaps I’ll try during my off time between classes. See, I once again have a schedule that is all over the place, plenty of time in between classes. However, I haven’t had my Senior Project class yet, so depending on what is required, I may or may not have the time to do so. I figure if I can devote an hour a day to working out, I could probably devote another hour to writing depending on if I have school assignments or not.  Continue reading →

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New Short Story

Posted on December 23, 2011 by Random

My short story, Alcoholic Anonymous: Inebriated Superhero, is now up. You can find it under Writings, or click HERE.

This story was entered into a contest over at Worth1000.com. I ended the contest with a 4.822. There were some voters that liked it, and those who had some just criticisms. Initially, I wasn’t a fan of the criticisms but I took a second look at the comments and realized that there were also compliments joining the criticisms. Sometimes its hard to see the positive stuff when you are given negative stuff.

Anyway, hope you enjoy it.

 

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Alcoholic Anonymous on Friday

Posted on December 20, 2011 by Random

My most recent short story will be released on Friday, when the contest I put it in ends. Currently that contest is open for voting and I have a fairly decent score over there, which makes me happy. I don’t really enter these contests to win… well, I do…. but my main reason is that I like to receive comments and criticism outside of my usual audience, that being family and friends. I’ve received some good constructive criticism a few times from these contests. Other times, I get something vague along the lines of “you suck,” which doesn’t help me.

Back on subject, the short will be released on Friday morning. Hope you like it.

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REVIEW: Carnage USA #1 (of 5)

Posted on December 16, 2011 by Random

Carnage USA starts off with scenes from the small meatpacking town of Doverton, CO, and then starts the terror immediately. Cletus Kasady wastes no time terrorizing the towns residents. Word gets to the Avengers and they head out to stop the madman, but Carnage is ready for a fight.

The writing in this comic is top notch. Zeb Wells doesn’t hold back and makes Carnage as nasty as possible. Needless to say, this comic isn’t kid-friendly. Wells also did a brilliant thing by taking one page to show the quiet nature of Doverton. Doing so only amplifies the terror that the towns folk must be feeling. And that terror must be great because Carnage goes after everyone: The workers, the cops, the children, and he even abducts a baby. Wells has definitely nailed the creep factor in tight.
Continue reading →

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PREVIEW: Alcoholic Anonymous — Inebriated Super Hero

Posted on December 11, 2011 by Random

So I went ahead and wrote something for a contest over at Worth1000.com (no cash prizes, just something to do.) Enjoy the preview. I’ll release the full story after the contest ends and voting is complete, which may be 2-3 weeks from now. Enjoy the preview!

The Black Lightning affected us all, I’m sure no one will forget. It vaporized most of the people it touched and destroyed half the city. I was stuck in the factory, along with a few coworkers. Some of them panicked and ran out into the storm. One by one, we watched as they turned into clouds of dust. Some were blasted at the door, others lasted much longer, some as far as 10 blocks. Only one guy made it home. The rest of us decided to wait it out.

3 days had passed when I saw her. A little girl had run into the street. She was screaming for her mommy. I don’t know what pushed me to do what I did. Maybe I felt a need for redemption, or maybe it was the right thing to do. The moment she walked out into the street, I bolted for her. I ran as fast as my legs could take me. I got to her, picked her up, and raced  back to the building. The moment I put her down, the lightning struck me.

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Let There Be Spam!

Posted on December 10, 2011 by Random

Argh. Had to lock-down my paper on Biometrics. It kept getting spam comments and I kept getting emailed about those comments needing approval. So for that particular page, spam comments have been disabled. I know how much that breaks all your hearts, sorry.

Meanwhile, I continue to study for my A+ exam. Also continuing the planning process for the short story I mentioned earlier. Winter break = free time to do stuff.

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REVIEW: Xenoholics #1 and #2

Posted on December 2, 2011 by Random

(This review will cover elements from both #1 and #2)
Xenoholics is a prime example of what happens when you have a great idea, but fall short on the execution of that idea. The story revolves around a group of supposed alien abductees who find themselves tied to a deeper conspiracy. The first issue opens with a full page showing aliens coming out of their ship, being recorded by a bystander… the issue then tells us “to be continued in issue #5!” I can’t really say if this is a lame attempt to keep you reading until issue 5, or if the author enjoys being a mean tease. The remainder of issue #1 introduces the main character, former police officer Bob, and his supporting cast, each one with their own little quirks. Suzie homemaker, a war veteran, a drugged-up rockstar chick, a champoinship boxer (who reminds me of Ving Rhames in Mars Attacks), and Kyle (who is actually a journalist, not an abductee, writing a story on the group).
Continue reading →

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REVIEW: Ghostbusters #3

Posted on November 18, 2011 by Random

This series is amazing. It’s well written, well drawn, and has a ton of positive energy. You can tell that the team involved in bringing this series from concept to print is pouring everything they have into it. If you haven’t picked up the series, and you are indeed a Ghostbusters fan, then you are truly missing out.

Like the previous two installments, this issue deals with many subplots while linking them to the major arching plot. Not only that, but there are a few extra plot devices thrown in that don’t directly tie to the subplots, but are likely to pop up later on. This really adds a high level of believability to the series. Real life isn’t set up in a tidy set of plot-lines, so why should a fictional story be any different? Erik Burnham throws a lot of information out there, but doesn’t overwhelm the reader. Fantastic organization and storytelling skills. Continue reading →

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REVIEW: Suicide Squad #3

Posted on November 16, 2011 by Random

The story here continues from the last issue. The Squad tries to lay low while waiting for their ride and protecting the package. Too bad there’s a bounty on their heads and Mad Dog is trying to collect. The issue presents some nice twists, some that may impact the team in later issues.

One gripe I have with the series as a whole is the “member loss of the month” motif. If this turns out to be a recurring thing in the series, I feel that it will get old after a while. However, it currently works for the series.

The story is presented in non-chronological order, which is one way to keep things interesting. One event is the near-sex scene between Deadshot and Harley Quinn. This might be seen as an unnecessary addition by some, but it really shows Harley’s character and how she really doesn’t take the situation too seriously. Or maybe she is taking it seriously and she’s playing a card of some sort. Or maybe she was just horny. Either way, it reveals more about her than hammers and mayhem. Deadshot, on the other hand, is the opposite. He takes a lot of stake in the teams success and tries to ward off Harley’s advances. His giving in shows that, as hard as he tries to be, he too is only human.  Continue reading →

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REVIEW: 30 Days of Night #2 (ongoing)

Posted on November 11, 2011 by Random

I bought this issue not expecting very much. I really wasn’t impressed with the last issue: Bad writing, bad characterization, and poorly done art. I felt the book hadn’t been thought out and was hastily brought to press. I can honestly say I was relatively surprised when I found myself enjoying this issue.

The issue picks up where we last left off, with Alice Blood (terrible name… just terrible) confronting her first vampire. Before the fight kicks off, Alice flashes back to her training in Quantico. Seems that she isn’t some rogue FBI agent out to find vampires. Turns out, she was trained to fight them from the get go. Something big has been building.

We also learn that Alice Blood is only an alias. Relief. I swear, that name alone wouldn’t let me take the comic seriously.
Continue reading →

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