Joseph Mallozzi's Blog, page 247

My Top 10 Favorite George Perez Covers!

Revered comic book artist George Perez announced his retirement yesterday.  Looking back over his voluminous body of work, I realize how his art was such an inspiration to me growing up as a young creator of fiction.

George Perez illustrated a lot of fantastic comic book covers over the course of his illustrious career.  These were my favorites…

#10. Crisis on Multiple Earths, vol. 5

Solemn and foreboding.

#9. The New Teen Titans, vol. 1, #71

I love this one because it looks like a hungover Nightwing is left to clean up after a particularly raucous party.

#8. The New Teen Titans, vol. 1, #39

Sure, the abandoned foreground costumes have become a bit of a chestnut, but back then it was shocking and new.  Love the little touch of having some of the pieces hanging off the Titans logo.

#7. Final Crisis: Legion of 3 Worlds, vol. 1

This team-up with Dave McCaig featuring one of comicdom’s most woefully under-appreciated members of a woefully under-appreciated team.

#6. The New Teen Titans, vol. 1, #13

Shockingly eerie.

#5. Avengers, vol. 1, #166

THE run that first introduced me to the wonder of comic books.

#4. The New Teen Titans, vol. 1, #36

For a series that centered on teenagers, Titans could get incredibly dark – and this cover does a great job of reflecting the title’s more adult tone.

#3. The Infinity Gauntlet #1

Thanos has never looked so formidable.

#2. The Korvac Saga

When ten year old me first read this arc, it blew my mind.

#1. Crisis on Infinite Earths, vol. 1, #7

Boy, no comic book cover has ever equaled the emotional impact of seeing a weeping Superman holding a lifeless Supergirl in his arms.

Hey, George, thanks for the memories!

January 20, 2019: Suji Sunday!

Ready to roll!

Off to her jazzercise class!

Winter-ready!

Rockin’ the party hat.

The girls love their apple slices…

January 19, 2019: The Saturday Edition1

A few more from the Stargate vault…

Lulu does the 10 Year Challenge –

Hasn’t aged a bit!

Current mood –

 

Recommended Read: Recursion by Blake Crouch

The king of high-concept sci-fi returns with a mind-bending thriller that questions the very notion of reality – or what we perceive as such. Across the globe, individuals are falling victim to a terrifying virus called FMS, False Memory Syndrome. Those afflicted claim to possess impossibly detailed memories of alternate lives lived – experiences and relationships that do not exist yet feel real and, in some cases, preferable to their present existence. Many bemoan the loss of loved ones, wives, even children they once had that have seemingly disappeared in a blink.

For Detective Barry Sutton who investigates one such case, it’s the opposite. He has never gotten over the loss of his young daughter, killed by a hit and run driver so many years ago. So when he is struck by FMS and seemingly returns to that tragic night, can he change what happened and craft a new reality? And what would be the results?

Meanwhile, we are offered insight into the origins of FMS through flashbacks focused on neuroscientist Helena Smith who takes up an offer from a mysterious benefactor to pursue research that could help those afflicted with dementia (including her long-suffering mother).

The timelines – two at first, then multifarious – cross and converge, dissipate and reform, stutter, stop, and restart in a challenging, occasionally convoluted, story about humanity’s ability to shape its reality. The plot may seem fantastic and far-fetched, but its theoretical grounding makes Recursion truly thought-provoking. And, yes, while it does get damned confusing at times, the pacing never flags and the book is a rewarding read.

Release date: June 11, 2019

January 17, 2019: Blog Entry 4470! Feels like 1253!

Pizza Party!  Pizza Party!  Today, Akemi and I met up with our friends Mean Jean and Rowena for a pizza throw down to end all pizza throw downs.  Between the four of us, we sampled not one, or two, or three, or four, or five, but SIX – no, wait!  SEVEN!  SEVEN different pizzas at General Assembly Pizza in downtown Toronto.  The ladies loved the Margherita and the King Shroom ( mozzarella, gorgonzola, grans, cremini, garlic, white balsamic and black pepper) while I favored the sole meat option we ordered: Sweet Heat (tomato, mozzarella, hot salami, chili, honey, and basil).

Once we were absolutely stuffed and could eat no more, we headed over to Soma Chocolates for (what else?) chocolates – and a hot chocolate.

Looking forward to reuniting with Mean Jean on my next production which should kick off anywhere between this Monday and July!

Came across these behind the scenes from our last day on the set of Stargate: Atlantis.  Looking back now, I’m amazed at scope of the production.  All those stages!

Also, found this twitter thread chock full o’ awkwardness:

Literally everyone in this stupid business has an A+ "crazy guy at the junket/Q&A" horror story and I want to hear everybody's right fucking now. https://t.co/qZNMfZDI6L

— Scott Wampler (@ScottWamplerBMD) January 17, 2019

People list anecdotes from past Q&A’s that have resulted in some pretty memorable moments.  Like, say, this one –

I haven’t attended enough cons to have experienced any truly weird incidents, but perhaps one or two of you may have some interesting anecdotes to share…

Rejoice!  Poop emoji soft serve is finally a thing!

Finally, a serious question for those in the knows.  What is Nashville hot chicken?  And what makes it so special?

January 16, 2019: This Week’s Best Comic Book Covers!

These were my favorites…

Agent 47: Birth of the Hitman vol. 1 (cover art by Jonathan Lau)

Fantastic Four #6 (cover art by Esad Ribic)

Gideon Falls #6 (cover art by Andrea Sorrentino)

Penny Dreadful: The Awaking: Artist’s Edition (cover art by Jesus Hervas)

Transformers: Historia (cover art by Sara Pitre-Durocher)

So, which were your favorites?

January 15, 2019: About to have that wafer thin mint…

 

The following gifs neatly encapsulate how I’ve been feeling over the past couple of days…

And –

And finally –

Still, I did find the time to slow down and really enjoy the good things in life – like, for instance, today’s dentist appointment.  While in for my bi-annual scraping, I was informed I grind my teeth at night and would benefit from a mouth guard.  Although hesitant at first – and put off by the expense – the dentist eventually convinced me that it was money well-spent for the sake of my teeth.  And so, I went ahead and purchased one.  Still –

112k feels pretty steep for a glorified retainer.

Not enough Mysterio.

January 14, 2019: Flashback Monday!

Lunch date today with Zoie Palmer (aka Dark Matter‘s Android).  You wouldn’t believe how much she ordered.  I mean, I could barely keep up!

Great to hear she had a crazy-busy 2018 – and is looking ahead to an even crazier and busier 2019!

Came across some behind the scenes pics from the Dark Matter days…

Early call times and low blood sugar often resulted in lunchtime chaos.

Director/Sunt Coordinator John Stead demonstrates proper braining technique.

That episode where Android ate all the churros!

Director Peter DeLuise has a vision for this Anthony Lemke scene.

Also, from back in the Stargate days…

Finally… 

Warning!  This strange individual has been spotted in the building.  If seen, do not approach!  Immediately alert the authorities!

January 13, 2019: Suji Sunday!

Snow Camo engaged!

Snuggling with sis.

The look she gives you when you tell her “No more treats!”.

Is it 9:30 p.m. already?

She’s a maniac…

 

 

 

January 12, 2019: Acquire your super persona with this personalized quiz!

Just answer each of the following questions and leave your responses in the comments section.  I’ll tell you which super persona you’ll be.

1 – Good Guy, Bad Guy, or Free Agent?

2 – Past, Present, or Future?

3 – Cape or not?

4 – Would you like to accessorize?

5 – Tragic past or happy upbringing?

6 – Powers: genetic, science-based, supernatural, tech-assisted, or other?

7 – Sidekick: Yes, No?

8 – Colorful costume?

I, for instance, chose Bad Guy from the Future with a happy upbringing but no cape, accessories or sidekick yet a colorful costume.  My powers are genetically-based.  Thus, I am….

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NEMESIS KID!