Marc Tyler Nobleman's Blog, page 112
March 8, 2013
“Stellar” - Mr. Schu on “Bill the Boy Wonder”
Librarian and children’s book prophet Mr. Schu (secret identity: John Schumacher) kindly interviewed me about Bill the Boy Wonder: The Secret Co-Creator of Batman, including some of the most fun questions I’ve been asked about the book, including “Mr. Schu, you should have asked me about...”
Oh, Mr. Schu read more books last year than you…and me…and those three other guys…combined. I think he read a complete book just since you have been reading this post.
Oh, Mr. Schu read more books last year than you…and me…and those three other guys…combined. I think he read a complete book just since you have been reading this post.
March 7, 2013
Superman after Shabbat, Batman on the bimah
The fall of 2012, I was in synagogue a lot. I’m talking beyond the High Holy Days.
On 10/21/12, I spoke about Superman at Temple Beth Ami in Rockville, MD.
On 10/28/12 (as the hurricane Sandy approached), I spoke about Superman and Batman at Adas Israel in Washington DC.
On 11/11/12, I returned to Beth El in Bethesda, MD. In the spring, I had spoken there on Superman. This time it was Batman.
© Mitchell Solkowitz
After my Beth Ami talk, a young woman told me she’d recently learned the American Sign Language sign for Superman. It was so cool and something that had never occurred to me. (I also learned that Batman doesn’t have his own.)
My kind host at Adas told me that some of its nursery school kids would wait in front of the electronic bulletin board in the lobby for the Superman/Batman advertisement to come on. Adorkable. (To be clear, I’m the dork. They’re the rest.)
On 10/21/12, I spoke about Superman at Temple Beth Ami in Rockville, MD.
On 10/28/12 (as the hurricane Sandy approached), I spoke about Superman and Batman at Adas Israel in Washington DC.
On 11/11/12, I returned to Beth El in Bethesda, MD. In the spring, I had spoken there on Superman. This time it was Batman.
© Mitchell SolkowitzAfter my Beth Ami talk, a young woman told me she’d recently learned the American Sign Language sign for Superman. It was so cool and something that had never occurred to me. (I also learned that Batman doesn’t have his own.)
My kind host at Adas told me that some of its nursery school kids would wait in front of the electronic bulletin board in the lobby for the Superman/Batman advertisement to come on. Adorkable. (To be clear, I’m the dork. They’re the rest.)
March 6, 2013
Marc into March Into Reading
On 3/1-2/13, I was one of the authors bringing March in like a (literary) lion at the 10th annual March Into Reading, a community event sponsored by Salve Regina University in Newport, RI.
I was so dedicated to the cause that midway through, I changed my name in honor of it:
It was my first book event in a long time at which I had not met any of the other participating authors before. Of course it’s great to see existing friends but also great to make new ones. The gentleman I spoke with the most was David Biedrzycki, with whom I share an editor.
the authors, staff, and volunteers Each author spoke at schools three times on Friday, enjoyed a lovely home-cooked dinner at a private home that night, and signed books for the public on Saturday morning.
My favorite student question of the presentation day was from a sixth grader at Cluny School: “Do you hate Bob Kane or do you think there was anything good about him?” (She worded it better but her exact phrasing escapes me.)
I learned of a mystery that has been a centuries-long challenge to solve: the Newport Tower. Calling Joshua Prager, Brad Ricca, or Chris Barton…
TRAVEL TIP: If you forget your phone charger, no need to buy one or scramble to borrow one from a local friend or stranger. Your hotel probably has a selection to choose from; think how often people forget them there.
Thank you to all who helped organize this event, especially to Kitty Rok, Stacey Lyon, and Laura Backman. Hope to March that way again.
March 5, 2013
National Museum of American History signing
On 11/9/12, author Larry Tye and I got the old band back together for a joint Superman signing at the National Museum of American History in Washington DC.
No presentations, no panels, apparently no publicity—just us setting up outside the gift shop and taking advantage of the nonstop traffic flow the museum gets.
I was especially curious to see a parent buying a copy of Larry’s book (which is aimed at adults) for an elementary-aged son. It is not that the book is inappropriate for someone that age; in fact I applaud parents who encourage challenging reading. Still, I don’t imagine his attention will be held by some of the more sophisticated aspects.
No presentations, no panels, apparently no publicity—just us setting up outside the gift shop and taking advantage of the nonstop traffic flow the museum gets.
I was especially curious to see a parent buying a copy of Larry’s book (which is aimed at adults) for an elementary-aged son. It is not that the book is inappropriate for someone that age; in fact I applaud parents who encourage challenging reading. Still, I don’t imagine his attention will be held by some of the more sophisticated aspects.
March 4, 2013
MTN Cartoons 1999-2013
On 11/3/99, I launched my first website.
MTN Cartoons (mtncartoons.com) was devoted mostly to my single panel cartoons (AKA gag cartoons); the page listing the books I had written did only that—list my books. No descriptions, reviews, background. It was almost an aside.
Around 2007, I set out to overhaul the site to reflect that writing had become the primary focus of my career. I bought the (pricy) design software. I bought the Dummies guide. I mapped out what I wanted.
But then in 2008, I launched this blog.
It soon began to serve my objectives in having an online presence and I decided that, at least for the time being, I didn’t need another site.
I let MTN Cartoons linger only because my primary email was through that URL. But eventually my gmail became more convenient.
So on 1/31/13, I canceled my hosting for MTN Cartoons. In a matter of days, the site was down. One of those depressing “placeholder” sites of useless links was up.
I remember being proud that I was one of the first people (let alone first cartoonists) I knew to have a site. And I’m proud that it lasted as long as it did, though I had not updated it since 2005.
I remember asking someone with web design experience about “framing” the cartoons with the blue border I ultimately used along the left side. He said it’s not the way the web works; because screen resolutions differ from computer to computer, you create a site that flows down (vertical) rather than one hindered by horizontal aesthetics.
I remember being happy with the way I showcased my cartoons, though even then it was not the most functional approach. (Of the hundreds of cartoons I’d done, I included only 30, and there was no thumbnail gallery or “view by category.” You simply clicked from one to the random next, though I did think I presented a clever way to skip ahead—three choices of “1-10,” “11-20,” and “21-30.” Ah, simpler, un-savvy days.)
I will continue to sprinkle cartoons throughout this blog, and there are plenty elsewhere online for the googling.
Here are screenshots of most of the pages, a nostalgic romp through.memorial to my contribution to Web 1.0.
MTN Cartoons (mtncartoons.com) was devoted mostly to my single panel cartoons (AKA gag cartoons); the page listing the books I had written did only that—list my books. No descriptions, reviews, background. It was almost an aside.
Around 2007, I set out to overhaul the site to reflect that writing had become the primary focus of my career. I bought the (pricy) design software. I bought the Dummies guide. I mapped out what I wanted.
But then in 2008, I launched this blog.
It soon began to serve my objectives in having an online presence and I decided that, at least for the time being, I didn’t need another site.
I let MTN Cartoons linger only because my primary email was through that URL. But eventually my gmail became more convenient.
So on 1/31/13, I canceled my hosting for MTN Cartoons. In a matter of days, the site was down. One of those depressing “placeholder” sites of useless links was up.
I remember being proud that I was one of the first people (let alone first cartoonists) I knew to have a site. And I’m proud that it lasted as long as it did, though I had not updated it since 2005.
I remember asking someone with web design experience about “framing” the cartoons with the blue border I ultimately used along the left side. He said it’s not the way the web works; because screen resolutions differ from computer to computer, you create a site that flows down (vertical) rather than one hindered by horizontal aesthetics.
I remember being happy with the way I showcased my cartoons, though even then it was not the most functional approach. (Of the hundreds of cartoons I’d done, I included only 30, and there was no thumbnail gallery or “view by category.” You simply clicked from one to the random next, though I did think I presented a clever way to skip ahead—three choices of “1-10,” “11-20,” and “21-30.” Ah, simpler, un-savvy days.)
I will continue to sprinkle cartoons throughout this blog, and there are plenty elsewhere online for the googling.
Here are screenshots of most of the pages, a nostalgic romp through.memorial to my contribution to Web 1.0.
March 2, 2013
Where Joe Shuster walked (and slept, and drew)
After a talk I gave in Washington DC in November 2011, a woman named Janice Newman came up to me to say that her father had a dental office in the Cleveland building where, in the 1940s, Joe Shuster had his art studio.
I already had a few photos of that building. Naturally I asked if she had more. But who has photos of where his/her dad worked, especially if we’re talking decades ago?
Well, Janice didn’t, but her mom, Renee Siegel (no relation to Jerry) did. Only one (taken in 1984 because the building was going to be razed), and a rather limited view, but still…that could have been the entrance Joe used.
Also, my friend Brad Ricca (author of the upcoming Siegel and Shuster bio Super Boys) dug up another pic of Joe’s apartment building. It made the front page of the newspaper in 1955, and for a reason most unlikely (not to mention tragic).
Who knows how many more photos of these buildings are out there, waiting to be revealed?
In 2009, the city and the fans commemorated the former site of Joe’s apartment building (demolished in 1975) with a fence displaying a blown-up version of the first Superman story.
AP
Though I was not directly involved, I did encourage the decision-makers to incorporate at least one of the two known existing photos of Joe’s apartment building into the memorial. I like what was done, but I must admit (and told them) that I was disappointed they did not take that suggestion. When I make mecca to such a site, I’d prefer to see something rare—something that immerses you in the past—rather than something I can see online. My disappointment lingers but ultimately, I’m thrilled that Joe’s place gets the super treatment.
Jerry’s does, too:
Caped Wonder
I already had a few photos of that building. Naturally I asked if she had more. But who has photos of where his/her dad worked, especially if we’re talking decades ago?
Well, Janice didn’t, but her mom, Renee Siegel (no relation to Jerry) did. Only one (taken in 1984 because the building was going to be razed), and a rather limited view, but still…that could have been the entrance Joe used.
Also, my friend Brad Ricca (author of the upcoming Siegel and Shuster bio Super Boys) dug up another pic of Joe’s apartment building. It made the front page of the newspaper in 1955, and for a reason most unlikely (not to mention tragic).
Who knows how many more photos of these buildings are out there, waiting to be revealed?
In 2009, the city and the fans commemorated the former site of Joe’s apartment building (demolished in 1975) with a fence displaying a blown-up version of the first Superman story.
APThough I was not directly involved, I did encourage the decision-makers to incorporate at least one of the two known existing photos of Joe’s apartment building into the memorial. I like what was done, but I must admit (and told them) that I was disappointed they did not take that suggestion. When I make mecca to such a site, I’d prefer to see something rare—something that immerses you in the past—rather than something I can see online. My disappointment lingers but ultimately, I’m thrilled that Joe’s place gets the super treatment.
Jerry’s does, too:
Caped Wonder
March 1, 2013
Pop-up Batman
On 10/14/12, I had a double fortune:
being one of two authors of books for young people at the West Virginia Book Festivalmeeting the other, Robert Sabuda, the staggeringly gifted creator of elaborate pop-up books
The organizers concocted an ingenious way to thank us: a note that combined a signature element of both of our oeuvres.
being one of two authors of books for young people at the West Virginia Book Festivalmeeting the other, Robert Sabuda, the staggeringly gifted creator of elaborate pop-up books
The organizers concocted an ingenious way to thank us: a note that combined a signature element of both of our oeuvres.
February 28, 2013
Alyssa the Woman Wonder
My editor for Bill the Boy Wonder: The Secret Co-Creator of Batman was the incomparable Alyssa Pusey at Charlesbridge.
Alyssa is like Batman (without the cave). Like Batman, she championed the underdog, which in this case was this project. Like Batman, she was not afraid, which in this case means she stood by the book—and me—even when concerns about fair use arose. Like Batman, she trusted her partner...Robin.
Alyssa (whom I did not know previously) acquired the manuscript in 2010. Funnily, in 2008, I had written an article about the research I did for the book (an article that morphed into the author’s note). At that time, I was not yet ready to reveal the actual name of Bill’s granddaughter Athena, so I referred to her by a pseudonym: “Alyssa.”
Given the countless alternatives (Amanda, Agatha, Alissa, etc.), that has to be taken as an omen, just as Bruce Wayne took that bat flying through his window as an omen.
One of the most impressive examples of Alyssa’s editorial prowess: in this image, she caught the fact that there was one missing line in the Chinese character for virtue.
That’s some well-calibrated sonar.
In 2/13, Alyssa emailed me two photos documenting her work on the book.
The “before” photo shows all the emails, layouts, legal correspondence, etc., collected during her three years of work on the book.
The “after” photo shows the final archive, after she removed all duplicates, “unnecessary” items, etc.
It took her a full work day to put together that archive. “Now,” she concluded, “it will live down in the Charlesbridge basement forever.”
Maybe she does have a cave after all.
Happy birthday, Alyssa.
Alyssa is like Batman (without the cave). Like Batman, she championed the underdog, which in this case was this project. Like Batman, she was not afraid, which in this case means she stood by the book—and me—even when concerns about fair use arose. Like Batman, she trusted her partner...Robin.
Alyssa (whom I did not know previously) acquired the manuscript in 2010. Funnily, in 2008, I had written an article about the research I did for the book (an article that morphed into the author’s note). At that time, I was not yet ready to reveal the actual name of Bill’s granddaughter Athena, so I referred to her by a pseudonym: “Alyssa.”
Given the countless alternatives (Amanda, Agatha, Alissa, etc.), that has to be taken as an omen, just as Bruce Wayne took that bat flying through his window as an omen.
One of the most impressive examples of Alyssa’s editorial prowess: in this image, she caught the fact that there was one missing line in the Chinese character for virtue.
That’s some well-calibrated sonar.
In 2/13, Alyssa emailed me two photos documenting her work on the book.
The “before” photo shows all the emails, layouts, legal correspondence, etc., collected during her three years of work on the book.
The “after” photo shows the final archive, after she removed all duplicates, “unnecessary” items, etc.
It took her a full work day to put together that archive. “Now,” she concluded, “it will live down in the Charlesbridge basement forever.”
Maybe she does have a cave after all.
Happy birthday, Alyssa.
February 26, 2013
Ketchup books
I recently broke the story of how a peppy bunch of Colorado teachers asked a trio of authors—Alan Katz, Gordon Korman, and myself—to sign ketchup bottles one evening at a recent reading conference. Note: none of our books is about ketchup, or any other sauces for that matter.
However, I’m all for originality and, even though I was simply riding coattails of the two authors out of the three whom they’d heard of beforehand, I happily obliged.
It turns out that the ketchup saga did not end there.
One of the teachers brought the (squeezable) ketchup bottle into her classroom at Sandrock Elementary in Craig, CO, which shows how brave she is. We all know how much kids like ketchup. They should make ketchup-flavored toothpaste.
She relayed the following: “The kids…are very excited about the ketchup. We showed them…books that the three of you have written. They have started calling all of them ketchup books. When we did a poem for shared read this week they thought that it was much more exciting because of it. I had a boy in my class ask the librarian if she had any of the ketchup books that he could check out.”
She then sent us this wonderful photo, and gave me permission to post it. It is her class holding up not only the three ketchups but also books by we three authors.
I don’t know where this is headed next, but I do know it’s not the end of this condiment caper.
Same-day addendum: Teacher Allison LeWarne shared this post with the kids. She reported back that they were most preoccupied with the notion of ketchup-flavored toothpaste. This inspired a very interesting conversation which ended with the idea of mint-flavored ketchup. You tasted it here first.
However, I’m all for originality and, even though I was simply riding coattails of the two authors out of the three whom they’d heard of beforehand, I happily obliged.
It turns out that the ketchup saga did not end there.
One of the teachers brought the (squeezable) ketchup bottle into her classroom at Sandrock Elementary in Craig, CO, which shows how brave she is. We all know how much kids like ketchup. They should make ketchup-flavored toothpaste.
She relayed the following: “The kids…are very excited about the ketchup. We showed them…books that the three of you have written. They have started calling all of them ketchup books. When we did a poem for shared read this week they thought that it was much more exciting because of it. I had a boy in my class ask the librarian if she had any of the ketchup books that he could check out.”
She then sent us this wonderful photo, and gave me permission to post it. It is her class holding up not only the three ketchups but also books by we three authors.
I don’t know where this is headed next, but I do know it’s not the end of this condiment caper.
Same-day addendum: Teacher Allison LeWarne shared this post with the kids. She reported back that they were most preoccupied with the notion of ketchup-flavored toothpaste. This inspired a very interesting conversation which ended with the idea of mint-flavored ketchup. You tasted it here first.
February 23, 2013
“Meet the Author,” Fairfax (VA) schools
On 10/4/12, I was interviewed for a TV show called Meet the Author.
From where I sat, it was called Meet the Students. During the half-hour program, I answered questions from the host and from students in the Fairfax, VA, school system. The students were not in the studio, but their questions were posed live, by Skype.
The set was decked out in honor of Jerry, Joe, and Bill.
Here are select clips from my episode. I especially like the one about the scarab.
The show is uplinked via satellite to Fairfax Network members, broadcast via Cox Cable to over 300,000 sites in Northern Virginia, and webcast to school districts/registrants across the country. It has been running for years and boasts a prestigious list of past participants.
Bill the Boy Wonder: The Secret Co-Creator of Batman illustrator Ty Templeton was also on TV, in Canada:
For (free) Meet the Author registration, click that link. For more info or help, contact Faithe Smith at FFXNetwork@fcps.edu.
From where I sat, it was called Meet the Students. During the half-hour program, I answered questions from the host and from students in the Fairfax, VA, school system. The students were not in the studio, but their questions were posed live, by Skype.
The set was decked out in honor of Jerry, Joe, and Bill.
Here are select clips from my episode. I especially like the one about the scarab.
The show is uplinked via satellite to Fairfax Network members, broadcast via Cox Cable to over 300,000 sites in Northern Virginia, and webcast to school districts/registrants across the country. It has been running for years and boasts a prestigious list of past participants.
Bill the Boy Wonder: The Secret Co-Creator of Batman illustrator Ty Templeton was also on TV, in Canada:
For (free) Meet the Author registration, click that link. For more info or help, contact Faithe Smith at FFXNetwork@fcps.edu.
