Joseph Mallozzi's Blog, page 513

January 3, 2011: Another Dark Matter interview! Superfilm of the Week Club Reminder! Book of the Month Club Reminder! Travel Day!

Another interview for my upcoming comic book series, Dark Matter, that hits the shelves January 11th – this one with Eric Whitman at The Daily BLAM! http://www.dailyblam.com/news/2011/12/30/preview-exclusive-interview-joseph-mallozzi-discusses-his-comic-debut-dark-matter

Wow!  This Supermovie of the Week Club has really sparked a lot of interest.  More, dare I say, than my Book of the Month Club ever garnered.  It would appear as though many of you would rather watch a movie than read a book.  Who'd have thunk?  Well, here's the deal. We're going to do both!

For those of you who missed yesterday's blog entry (No, I don't want to hear your excuses), I'll be kicking off a "Supermovie" of the Week Club starting next Monday.  The goal is to watch every superhero-themed movie out there, starting from the 1951 Superman and the Mole Men to, well, whatever the latest movie to hit the big screen will be by the time we're done (Brother Voodoo?  Aqualad?), then gather and discuss with this blog's resident film critic, Cookie Monster.  Festivities will commence this Monday (January 9th) with – what did I say? – the 1951 Superman and the Mole Men, available on Netflix…and I hear elsewhere on the net.

The following Tuesday (January 16th), we'll gather to chat about the second film in our intellectual little discussion group: the 1966 Batman movie which certainly beats any live action Batman movie produced prior to 2005.  We'll push our little movie group by one day because that Monday, in keeping with the Bat-theme, we have a BIG Book of the Month Club discussion on Batgirl: Batgirl Rising.  It's a trade paperback, a quick though no-less involving read, and should be available at your local comic bookstore.  I'd like you all to take the time to read it and come up with some questions for writer Bryan Q. Miller who is a good friend – once removed (he's married to my good friend Erika Kennair) – and a former writer/executive story editor on the television series Smallville.

Homeward-bound today.  Hopefully yet another change in environment will give Maximus a much-needed boost.

Tagged: Batgirl, Batgirl Rising, Bryan Q. Miller

January 1, 2012: Happy New Year! Sort of. Join my Superhero Movie of the Week Club!

Sigh.  Only a day and a half away from boarding that flight back to Vancouver.  Less than 30 hours away from a visit free and clear of family drama and wholesale awkwardness.  Sooooooooooo close.  But, alas, it was not to be.  Now I'm left to count down the agonizing minutes until we're on our way.

Hey, you know what I was thinking?  Liar!  You can't know what I was thinking.  I was actually thinking about doing a super-film marathon, sitting through every major superhero-themed movie produced, one a week, and then writing up (or having resident film critic, Cookie Monster, write up) a short review.  It would be fun.  Not so much for me but for you, and it would also serve as a warning to those foolhardy enough to follow in my footsteps and screen, say, Daredevil or Catwoman.  I'm thinking I can even keep am easy-to-click-and-link rundown on this blog's right sidebar.

Anyway, my exhaustive research (typing "superhero films" into the wikipedia search bar) turned up the following contendors:

1951
Superman and the Mole Men


1966
Batman


1978
Superman


1980
Superman II


1981
Condorman


1983
Superman III


1984
Supergirl


1987
Superman IV: The Quest for Peace


1989
Batman


1989
The Punisher


1990
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles


1990
Dick Tracy


1990
Darkman


1990
Captain America


1991
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Secret of the Ooze


1991
The Rocketeer


1992
Batman Returns


1993
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles III


1993
The Meteor Man


1994
The Fantastic Four


1994
The Shadow


1994
The Mask


1995
Batman Forever


1995
Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Movie


1995
Darkman II: The Return of Durant


1996
The Phantom


1996
Darkman III: Die, Darkman, Die


1997
Turbo: A Power Rangers Movie


1997
Batman & Robin


1997
Spawn


1997
Steel


1998
Blade


1999
Mystery Men


2000
X-Men


2000
The Specials


2000
Unbreakable


2002
Blade II


2002
Spider-Man


2003
Daredevil


2003
X2: X-Men United


2003
Hulk


2003
The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen


2004
Hellboy


2004
The Punisher


2004
Spider-Man 2


2004
Catwoman

2004

Blade: Trinity


2005
Elektra


2005
Son of the Mask


2005
The Adventures of Sharkboy and Lavagirl in 3-D


2005
Batman Begins


2005
Fantastic Four


2005
Sky High


2006
X-Men: The Last Stand


2006
Superman Returns


2006
My Super Ex-Girlfriend


2006
Lightspeed


2006
Zoom


2007
Ghost Rider


2007
Spider-Man 3


2007
Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer


2007
Underdog


2008
Superhero Movie


2008
Iron Man


2008
The Incredible Hulk


2008
Hancock


2008
Hellboy II: The Golden Army


2008
The Dark Knight


2008
Punisher: War Zone


2008
The Spirit


2009
Watchmen


2009
X-Men Origins: Wolverine


2010
Kick-Ass


2010
Iron Man 2


2010
Jonah Hex


2011
The Green Hornet


2011
Thor


2011
X-Men: First Class


2011
Green Lantern


2011
Captain America: The First Avenger


2012
Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance


2012
The Avengers


2012
The Amazing Spider-Man


2012
The Dark Knight Rises


2013
Man of Steel

With the exception of the campy 1966 Batman, it looks like mighty rough sledding up until 1988′s Blade.  What do you all think?  Maybe you can all watch along with me.  Any favorites in the list?  Any, uh, non-favorites?

Hmmm.  Looks like I might have to do two a week.  Who's up for the Elektra/Son of Mask double feature?

Need a little convincing?   Well how about THIS trailer for Superman and the Mole Men?

Yeah!  I knew that would do it.  Grab it from Netflix and screen it by same time next week (January 8th) to take part in the discussion.

Oh, and while I'm reminding you about things to do, don't forget to read Batgirl: Batgirl Rising by January 16th.  And have your questions ready for writer Bryan Q. Miller!

Mom's dogs sleep off the New Year's Eve cheer.

It's the final day of the NFL regular season.  Teams are battling for their playoff lives and yet it all feels, well, anticlimactic.  After all, the real superbowl – the one that really matters – was played last week.  And my Snow Monkeys finally got their trophy…

Beautiful, aint it?  Anyway, I'm considering getting t-shirts made to commemorate the championship.  Who wants?

December 31, 2011: New Year's Resolutions! And I really mean them this time! More Dark Matter interviews and links!

Tonight we partake in a grand Mallozzi New Year's Eve tradition.  We'll all gather at my sister's place, overeat, chat, possibly play some Italian bingo, grow exhausted waiting for the countdown from Times Square, and turn in for the night well before midnight.  What about you all? I'm sure your plans are nowhere near as exciting, but I want to hear about them anyway.  How are you welcoming in 2012?  What resolutions do you plan to make…and ultimately discard by late February?

Joe's 2012 New Year's Resolutions:

1. Sit down to a marathon viewing of the entire 1967 animated Spiderman series.  I know, I know.  I've been talking about this for ages but this year, I'm really going to do it!

2. Finish that pilot script I've been kicking around, like, forever.  I mean, seriously.  I've been working on this particular pilot, on and off, for two years now – writing, rewriting, shelving, re-rewriting, shelving, re-re-rewriting.  And shelving.  Compare to my buddy Robert Cooper who joined a bunch of us for a dinner back in Toronto where we discussed a fellow friend's unnervingly creepy experience in what some (ie. those two dudes from Ghost Hunters) would consider a haunted house.  "We should write a script based on this story,"Rob said at the time.  Two months later, he had completed the script and was shopping it around. Okay, I know.  Rob Cooper is possessed of superhuman writing abilities.  Still, if he can knock off a feature in two months, I should be able to complete a pilot script in less than two years.  No?

3. Complete research on that grand historical drama and, if all goes well, actually start writing the script.

4. Set up Dark Matter as a television series (or mini-series).  The comic book launches January 11, 2012 (but you knew that already) and, while getting a television series up and running is a daunting challenge, we have the personnel and game plan in place to make it happen.

5. Investigate the deepest, darkest recesses of my crawlspace and clear it out by getting rid of half the stuff that's been sitting there, in boxes, since I moved in six years ago.

6. I make this resolution every December 31st but, after my experience this year, I'm determined to see it through: When it comes to business, stop being so pleasant and accommodating to others and be more of an asshole (before they are).

7. Dramatically improve my Japanese speaking and listening skills.  You know what I hate?   Meeting someone who has only been studying Japanese for mere months yet speaks and understands the language far better than I do.  More language CD's in the car, more grammar reviews, more anime watching and, as a last resort, maybe a second Japanese girlfriend to help me practice conversation.

8. Master the doggy gate at mom's place.

9. Wear my reading glasses in social situations to help cultivate a faux intellectual persona.

10. E-NUN-CI-ATE!

Let's ring in the New Year with a few more Dark Matter links.  For those of you living on the moon or in one of those pressurized undersea domes with no convenient access to a local comic book store, you have a couple of options.  You either order copies here (TFAW.com) or go here (Dark Horse Digital) to order yourself a digital copy.

Interview with Marc Rosenthal at Nerd Trek - Interview with Joseph Mallozzi (Stargate) - in which I discuss both Dark Matter and my time on Stargate.

Follow-up teaser with script pages and some early designs: Teaser! – "Dark Matter" Comic Series by Joseph Mallozzi & Paul Mullie (Stargate)

Interview with Ryan Thomason at WatchPlayRead - http://watchplayread.com/wpr-interview-with-dark-matter-writer-joseph-mallozzi/ - in which I talk about Dark Matter…and touch on Stargate as well!

And a quickie preview from Famous Monsters of Filmland: "STARGATE" Writers Deliver "DARK MATTER #1″

Tagged: New Year's resolutions

December 30, 2011: Another Dark Matter interview! Ugly ornaments! Maximus! News of note!

I've been doing quite a few online interviews in support of my comic book, Dark Matter, that launches January 11, 2011.  The latest here with Ryan Thomason at WatchPlayRead (http://watchplayread.com/wpr-interview-with-dark-matter-writer-joseph-mallozzi/) in which I discuss both Dark Matter and Stargate.

Now onto matters of equal importance…

#9 - Apparently, marinating them is tricky but well worthwhile. They're light and airy.

I am very disappointed with the lack of ugly Christmas ornaments out there.  I was expecting a veritable cavalcade of creepiness to grace this blog.  What I received, instead, was a simple smattering of suspect taste.  My sister, already in the running with one of her entries, one-bettered herself by gifting Akemi the following delicate little monstrosity:

It's all in the side view.  I, meanwhile, received a far more tasteful branch-hanger:

Made Christmas truffles last night.  And what, exactly, makes them "Christmas truffles" besides the obvious fact that I'm making them during the holiday season?  Absolutely nothing.  The cocoa powder-dusted milk chocolate-nutella and gianduja liqueur were the big winners.

So, how are you all recovering from the holiday cheer?  Relaxing? Watching anything?  I should really get around to watching (actually rewatching for the hundredth time) A Christmas Story – the greatest holiday movie of all time (Trains, Planes, and Automobiles comes in a close second)!  I'm presently working my way through the third season of my new fave series, Breaking Bad, and looking forward to season 4 that I downloaded to my Mac from iTunes prior to leaving Vancouver.  I hear the fifth season, premiering this summer, will be its last.  :(

Thanks to everyone who has inquired about my pug, Maximus.  His appetite is back and he seems to have returned to a lower-key version of his old self.  He's been especially needy of late, following Akemi and my mother around the house, but, sadly, has been keeping a wary distance from me since I am the dispenser of medicines (in bitter liquid form squirted into his mouth twice daily).  My immediate concern is his weight.  He was a downright svelte 18 pounds on the way here, just perfect for carry-on status.  I've got to make sure he stays nice and trim – at least until we're back home in Vancouver.

Some news of note…

Forget that new car.  Start saving up for a bomb shelter condo.  Need I remind you that 2012 is almost upon us?  Doomsday, anyone ?

And sticking with the doomsday theme: 10 Real Survival Guides for One Very Fake Apocalypse

And was we wrap up 2011, let's get to those best and worst lists:

Worst films of 2011  Agree?  Disagree?

  Mostly agree, I'm sure.

The Most Epically Awful Videos of 2011: Even Worse Than Rebecca …  Really?  Even worse than Friday?

The 10 Stupidest Crimes of 2011  Consider yourselves forewarned.  Do not make these same mistakes.

11 Of The Stupidest Employees Of 2011 – Careers Articles Also take note – calling in a bomb threat at work is not the best way to secure a day off.

An early blog entry today as I'm off to run some (more) errands and attend a party.  Don't want to keep you up too late waiting for my post as I know a few of you (Das) turn in before nightfall.

December 29, 2011: Buddy time! Au Pied de Cochon! Assuming the cooking duties!

My annual trips back to Montreal are an opportunity to catch up with friends and family.  Usually, these are planned events – lunches, dinners, or occasions to get-together for drinks and/or desserts. Sometimes, they are unplanned encounters in which I'll run into an old friend simply going about my daily activities (ie. running errands for mom, killing time while I'm waiting for mom to run errands, etc). And, strangely enough, when that happens, it's usually my old buddy Bertram I'll run into.  Last year, for instance, I ran into him at a grocery store.  This year, I happened upon him at the Fairview Mall where I found him, standing alone amid the surrounding hubbub, texting his family who had apparently abandoned him in their shopping frenzy.

Bertram. Claim to fame: beating to death an octopus that attacked his sister while they were in St. Lucia visiting relatives.

Bertram was part of the original Movie Nite Crew (made up of the likes of Supa Nige, Sushi Man, Champion, Flipski, Big Daddy and, of course, your truly – Movie Man) that would gather one night once weekly to watch testosterone-fueled films (at the time, Hong Kong movies were the rage).  The tradition has apparently fallen off since I left town, but the gang still gets together every once in a while.  Like, say, this Friday night when Supa Nige hosts a little soiree complete with Caribbean cuisine and an action-themed double feature.  Last time he threw one of these, we screened some Jamaican gangster movie that prompted our excitable host to leap out of his seat at one point – knocking a speaker off the ceiling and bringing it crashing down to the floor. Here's hoping he had the couches outfitted with seat belts for Friday night's screening.

Speaking of catching up with friends, today I had the opportunity to lunch with my good buddy, Lawrence, and his wife (budette) Mel.

Mel and Lawrence. Just moved back to Montreal after three years in London. They claim there's no internet in England and, as a result, haven't been able to follow my blog.

My buddy presented me with this gift - but forgot to include a a handy hiding, I mean carry bag. And it proved too big to hide, I mean "fit" in my pocket so I had to carry it around with me while we went shopping.

Last night, Akemi, Sis and I hit my favorite restaurant in Montreal: Au Pied de Cochon.  We split a half dozen appetizers, two mains, and a couple of desserts – all fantastic.  Rustic Quebec comfort food at its finest.

The guinea hen liver mousse with maple syrup.

The tarragon bison tongue.

Beef tartare temaki with quail egg.

The foie gras stuffed pig's trotters.

The lemon meringue tart.

The pecan pie with vanilla ice cream (not pictured but you'll have to trust me - it was there).

A terrific meal.  My only complaint was that my favorite dessert, the blistering Pouding de Chomeur, wasn't on the menu.  And it was missing the last time I visited as well.  The waiter informs us that the owner only wants to use the restaurant's own maple syrup in the dish but, apparently, needed all the available maple syrup for some cabane a sucre even they were hosting.  Really?  Come on!  You can't have it both ways.  If you only want to use your own maple syrup, then make enough!

Making my port-braised meatacular for dinner tonight (short ribs, ox-tail, beef cheek, and pork cheek) – and two kinds of chocolate truffles for dessert (milk chocolate nutella truffles with gianduja liqueur and sliced almonds, and dark chocolate maple syrup with grand marnier and crushed cashews).  Will report back tomorrow on the results.

December 28, 2011: Welcome to east coast winter! Garde Manger!

Akemi enjoys the east coast weather.

Every time I came back to my home town of Montreal, there's always a moment when I think "Y'know, I could really see myself moving back." And then the temperature drops, the snow falls, the streets and sidewalks transform into skating rinks, and sanity prevails.  No, I won't be moving back anytime soon.

Today, the driving conditions were terrible – which is unfortunate given that I had to spend a good four hours in the car running errands.

The view out my front window.

Fortunately, my winter driving skills are as sharp as ever and I was able to gather the ingredients for tomorrow night's port-braised short rib and ox-tail dinner.  Wonder how my short rib will compare to Chuck's.

"Chuck?  Chuck who?"you may ask.  Why, Montreal's own celebrity chef Chuck Hughes whose comfort food and down home cooking earned him his own show, a spot as one of the participants vying for the position of The Next Iron Chef, and a win in kitchen stadium vs. Bobby Flay.  Last night, we checked out his restaurant, Garde Manger, in Old Montreal.

We take a walk through the old neighborhood while waiting for the restaurant to open. Romantic. And freakin' cold!

We were seated at 6:00, ordered our drinks, perused the menu on the big chalkboard, ordered four appetizers, three mains, and all the desserts.

My sister and Daisy order the big Caesar - with the appendage. I ordered some drink that was described as "tasting like apple pie". And, you know what? It DID taste like apple pie. I ordered two!

Apparently two Andria's had reserved tables for 6:00 and the management couldn't find our reservation (even though they'd phoned my sister to confirm her reservation that afternoon).  Fortunately, my Andria arrived first and we'd been seated and ordered before anyone noticed.

Our three appetizers: a fantastic lobster poutine, a white beet and stilton salad that Akemi really enjoyed, a super spicy yet downright delicious jerk crab with ginger and lime, and -

Veal cheeks and butter biscuits with foie gras. My fave although I thought the biscuit was neither here nor there.

We elected to do only three mains so that we cold tackle the full slate of desserts: the braised short-ribs with cauliflower puree and crispy brussel sprouts, the scallops with bacon gnocchi and carrot butter, and the rock shrimp risotto with with lobster bisque.  Loved the first two – especially the crispy brussel sprouts! – but found the risotto too tangy. Akemi disagreed.  She loves tangy!

As I said, we went all in with the desserts: deep-fried Mars Bar with vanilla ice cream, a home made chocolate brownie a la mode, fried banana with whipped cream, and some sort of white cake and cream with fruit – and, well, you all know how I feel about fruit with my dessert.  Mars Bar = winner!

Sadly, no Chuck.  Akemi was terribly disappointed.

December 27, 2011: Snow Monkeys are World Champions! Finally getting around to unwrapping those gifts!

SNOW MONKEYS WIN!  SNOW MONKEYS WIN!

My Snow Monkeys are this season's RIP Stargate Fantasy Football Champs!  After failing to make the playoffs in their first year in league play, the Snow Monkeys made a better showing this season – but it wasn't easy.  After starting out an impressive 5-2 and knocking off the undefeated I Have No Imagination, the Snow Monkeys went 2-4 to finish the regular season.  Fortunately, their 7-6 record coupled with a crushing victory in a must-win game to end the regular season saw them snap up the last playoff spot.  Clearly, they were a team of destiny.  Their first match-up was in the wildcard round, a return match against I Have No Imagination – and another victory.  Their following playoff game saw them face off against the hottest team in the league, Popular Vote Pentunia – and score yet another victory.  But they faced their toughest match-up yet in the championship game when they faced off against the #1 team in the league, The Pigskin Pirates.  It was close but, thanks to big performances by the likes of Cam Newton, Kevin Smith, Rashard Mendenhall, and CJ Spiller, they captured the 2011 RIP Stargate Fantasy Football League crown!

Snow Monkey dance time!

We were too tired to open gifts Christmas Eve, then still too tired to open them Christmas Day, so we ended up opening our presents Boxing Day.  I ended up snapping about 150 pics.  I'll spare you about 130 of 'em…

Another candidate in our ugliest Christmas ornament contest.

Roxy sleeping off all that eggnog.

My sister's creepy headless nick-nacks.

Felix kicks back and relaxes.

For my sister - two of my favorite recent reads, both by Iron Chef America judge's table regular Jeffrey Steingarten.

Mom is "in the zone".

Sis is thrilled with her Christmas gift = booze!

My sister's "Hey, mom - didn't I get YOU this for Christmas last year?" look.

Aspen gets into the holiday spirit.

Akemi feeling camera shy.

Socks!!!

Now mom can carry her dog Felix around with her wherever she goes.

Caramel checks out Akemi's new slippers.

More Christmas slippers.

Mom

Akemi's new baking ensemble.

I know Carl's gonna want to borrow this.

Inspiration for Akemi.

I'm going to need another drawer for my growing cufflink collection.

Chestnut cream. I used to have this stuff on vanilla ice cream all the time - about fifteen pounds ago.

It's spread made out of those little tea biscuits. Seriously. Needless to say, this one was a hit!

What more could I ask for? A framed picture of my sister that I can display - right between the comic collection and my resin Doctor Octopus statue.

That's a wrap on the unwrapping. Maximus is exhausted.

December 26, 2011: Author Marjorie M. Liu drops by to tell us about the new Hunter Kiss book and Astonishing X-Men! Snow Monkeys al…most…there! Mailbag!

Gratuitous holiday pooch pic!

Over the course of this blog's (recently spotty) Book of the Month Club, I've had the pleasure to discover many wonderfully talented writers – and make a few friends along the way.  One such talented friend is author Marjorie M. Liu who dropped by the blog to discuss her book, The Iron Hunt, back in May of last year (May 14, 2011: Author Marjorie M. Liu Answers Your Questions! Stargate: SG-1 Memories! I Field Your Stargate: Universe Queries and More!) and dropped by the Stargate production studios to visit the set of one of her favorite shows (October 2, 2010: Your Affable Host! Tia Carrere! Marjorie M. Liu!).

Well, it turns out 2012 is going to be a busy year for Marjorie.  The next book in her Hunter Kiss series hits store shelves tomorrow (December 27, 2011) and starting in March, she'll be assuming the writing duties on Marvel's Astonishing X-Men.

I asked her to stop by for a little chat…

What can fans of the Hunter Kiss series look forward to in The Mortal Bone? 

MML: For those unfamiliar with the Hunter Kiss series, the premise is fairly simple — somewhere in the world there is a woman covered in living demonic tattoos that peel off her body at night, and become her own personal army.  

It gets a bit more complicated after that.  And by complicated, I mean that the "demons" are really creatures from another planet.  Also, characters sometimes time travel, manipulate souls, and find themselves the subjects of genetic experimentation from an alien race capable of manipulating DNA with their minds.  

The Mortal Bone is the fourth novel, and cuts right to the heart of the series: Maxine and her bond with Zee and "the boys", who are her demonic warriors.  Their bond was meant to be unbreakable, eternal — as essential to their lives as breathing — but when it's suddenly broken and those demons are ripped from Maxine's body, all of them are left adrift.  Maxine is totally vulnerable to her enemies, and as the boys taste freedom for the first time in ten thousand years, they start to change for the worse.  

If Maxine can't find a way to reunite with them, they might just return to their old ways as Reaper Kings: the devourers of worlds.  

Without giving too much away, how far has Maxine Kiss come since the events of The Iron Hunt?

MML: She's a million miles away from where she started.  

At the beginning of the series, Maxine's purpose was very clear.  Her mission was to kill all demons, without hesitation, because every single one — except those protecting her — were evil and a threat against humanity.  

Those beliefs, however, were completely rattled by her relationship with the only man she's ever loved, Grant Cooperon, who has his own powers — and by the discovery of a threat even greater than the demons: the Aetar, a race of energy-based beings responsible for bringing humanity to this planet thousands of years ago as genetically engineered playthings.  

Everything Maxine thought she knew — even her own identity — has proven untrue, or just a small piece of a larger puzzle.  The Mortal Bone pushes that one step further by questioning her most important relationship: the one she has with those demons who live on her body as tattoos.   

What is it about Maxine that speaks to you as a writer?  Is there a lot of Marjorie in our fearless demon hunter?

MML: I was speaking with a dear friend about this just the other day, and he said that of all my characters Maxine is the most like me.  I was surprised.      I'm not exactly 'demon hunter' material.  I mulled for awhile, though, and realized that while I might not be much of a fighter — neither is Maxine.  Her strength rests in her determination, and stubborn refusal to give up on the people she cares about. Also, despite herself, she's a bit of an optimist.  As much as anyone can be, I suppose, when you know the world is going to be devoured by a demonic army.  I like to imagine I share some of those qualities!

In the same vein, you obviously have an affinity for Zee and the boys, as do many readers.  What is it about them, do you think, that so appeals? 

MML: Their loyalty, I suppose, and all that goofy gentleness and humor — mixed with devastating lethalness.  These little demons are on a journey of redemption, which becomes very clear in The Mortal Bone.  

What else do you have in the works and what can we look forward to in 2012?

MML: I was just named the ongoing writer for Astonishing X-Men, which will be penciled by Mike Perkins.  Our first arc begins with Issue #48 in March.  Also, I have a new novel called WhipStitch coming out this summer.  It's about a young woman who discovers that her Great Aunt was a famous dominatrix during World War Two — and that she and her nursing home friends, also retired dommes, get together once a week for their 'old ladies dominatrix club'.  Oh, and someone is trying to murder them.  

Late 2012 will see the release of my new paranormal romance series.  The first book, A Furious Darkness, takes place on a dystopian world where werewolf gypsy gladiators are forced to fight for their lives, while other monsters — vampires, shape-shifters — are persecuted and murdered by humans who control a vast zombie army.  

Speaking of our humble Book of the Month Club – a gentle reminder to join us as, sticking with the comic book theme, we set our sights on BATGIRL: Batgirl Rising.  Discussion begins the week of January 16th, 2012 with writer Bryan Q. Miller!

The suspense is unbearable!

The entire R.I.P. Stargate fantasy football league season came down to last night's football game.  With my Snow Monkeys up big, my opponent needed 50 points from his players to overtake me.  How's he do?  Would you believe 51 points?!  Fortunately, I had a player in yesterday's game as well – the Green Bay kicker – who put up a modest 5 points for me.  Modest but much appreciated because it put me ahead 3.5 points with only one player active for tonight's final game.  Fortunately, that player is mine and barring a complete catastrophe that sees him fumbling the ball twice AND not gaining a single yard, that championship is mine.  But I'll hold off on the celebration another day (you guys are all invited.  BYOB!).  Don't want to jinx it.

Mailbag:

Deni writes: "…then to the Guatemalan restaurant for tamales…"

Answer: I'm curious.  What sorts of tamales do they serve at Guatemalan restaurants?

Lisa R. writes: "I didn't choose what happened to us this year, but I can see the growth we have all experienced through it."

Answer: Well, here's hoping 2012 is a much better year.  For all of us!

woody woodward writes: "Me. Someone who knows nothing about shooting weddings or people for that matter."

Answer: Oh, I'm sure it's like riding a bike or playing the banjo.  It'll just come naturally.

libkat writes: "That pasta dish in the photo looks fantastic. Baked ziti?"

Answer: More or less.  By mother calls is Pasta al forno.  The secret is the little meatballs!

Elminster writes: "Just left with one daughter at home, and she feels the same as me 'bout Christmas. So, had a very nice, low-key, one with just the 2 of us this year. I liked it."

Answer: To be honest, I tend to prefer the nice and quiet get-togethers as well.  Yesterday, Akemi kept asking why everyone was shouting at each other.  I informed her that no one was angry.  Just Italian.

Dallas Marshall writes: "What is the white bulldog's name?"

Answer: Lola.  The baby was cute but, given the choice, I'd take the dog.

Cherluvya writes: "We will be having a catfish fry at one of the ranches…that one is my favorite."

Answer:  Mine too!  Cornmeal-crusted?  A barbecue joint near my place serves up a mean catfish po'boy.

Mike A. writes: "…heard how the set was dog-friendly to the point where people would bring their dogs to work all the time to Bridge Studios."

Answer: Yes, that was one of the many great things about working on Stargate.  Dogs were always welcome.  In fact, I recall one German fan magazine doing a feature on "The Dogs of Stargate".  I believe it included a pic of me and the pugs in the gate room.

Mike A. also writes: " That leaves me with just 6 points to make up with my Drew Brees versus his Lance Moore tomorrow night. I know typically, this is no contest, but hey, anything is possible in fantasy football and I know full well not to start counting chickens!"

Answer: I feel the same way – cautiously optimistic – but I have a feeling we'll both be celebrating tonight.  Here's hoping for the Brees to Colston connection!

Mike A. also writes: "Is Max continuing to eat better?"

Answer: Yes, the prednisone appears to have worked!  He's actually eating…and hungry!

JeffW writes: "In my family we would open family presents on Christmas eve and presents from outside the family on Christmas day. My wife's family considered it sacrilege to even have presents under the tree until Christmas morning, let alone opening them (the parents would go down first on Christmas morning to "verify that Santa had come"). We compromised by opening one family present Christmas eve and then the rest on Christmas Day."

Answer: Growing up, we always opened our presents Christmas Eve.  In later years, because Christmas Eve's were so exhausting, we tended to open our gifts Christmas morning.  This year, we were exhausted both Christmas Eve AND Christmas Day so we opened our gifts today!  My sister wasn't pleased with the wait and suggested we might as well wait until next week.

JeffW also writes: "My impression of Japanese Christmas traditions (imported as they are) are a bit scattered, so it made me a little curious."

Answer: The Japanese don't really celebrate Christmas in the same way we do in the West.  It's not really about family but more of a romantic holiday for couples.  New Years, on the other hand, is the big family event in Nihon.

PG15 writes: "Hey everybody! Miss me?"

Answer: Heeeeeey, Peter!  Believe it or not, I was just thinking about you yesterday.  I was going to ask the gang to put out an APB on you.  Great to hear you're well.  How are the Beavers doing?  And don't be a stranger!

Thonryrose writes: "Actually went to the movies (War Horse: bit sappy but still a good movie.)"

Answer: And loooong I hear.  I saw one critic refer to it as Bore Horse.  Unwarranted?

Thornyrose also writes: "The holiday is unfortunately marred by the Christmas Eve death of a friend,

Maggiemayday writes: "Baked cranberry sauce (secret ingredient: Chambord)…"

Answer: Hey, that's the secret ingredient in my Fruit Punch (which also includes every other fruit-based liqueur in my liquor cabinet).

dasNdanger writes: "Mr. Das was at the rowdy table playin Yahtzee with the guys."

Answer: Rowdy table?  Yahtzee?

Debra writes: "Hey you going to ask your ex-coworkers to invite her over while she is in France?"

Answer: It looks like my ex co-workers may actually be Berlin-bound!

Tagged: Astonishing X-Men, Hunter Kiss, Marjorie M. Liu

December 25, 2011: Merry Christmas!

Whew!  I'm beat.  Gonna sit back and watch the Sunday night game. If Aaron Rodgers and Ryan Grant fail to put up 50+ fantasy points for my opponent, then my Snow Monkeys win their first fantasy football league championship!  If they do put up those 50+ points, then I'll have to rely on Roddy White to come through for me tomorrow night. But let's hope it doesn't come to that?

How is everyone?  Enjoying time with friends and family?

Today, we celebrated Christmas with the cousins and aunts…

What are you all up to this holiday season?

December 24, 2011: C-c-c-c-c-cold! Home cookin'! Maximus chills! Dark Matter tidings! And my Snow Monkeys on the verge of a championship!

"Why so cold this country?" - Akemi after experiencing a single December day in Montreal

Well, we're finally here.  Finally.  Following a two hour flight delay followed by a half hour delay on the tarmac while the ground crew tended to some emergency on the other side of the airport (aka "This eggnog aint gonna drink itself!")  followed by a twenty minute delay while we waited for our baggage, we finally got into Montreal and sat down for dinner at my mother's house: at 10:30 p.m.  I'm pleased to report that Maximus was his usually quiet, laid back self during the flight and, while nervous, seems to have settled in quite nicely.  The prednisone the vet administered to him before we left Vancouver is apparently taking effect as he started eating again – his first willing meal in two weeks!

Darn. These will have to wait 'til Christmas Eve.

I haven't had these in years and years. I always assumed they were bitter onions but my sister informs me they're hyacinth bulbs!

My mother makes the best rabbit. I don't usually order it when I go out because it's easy to overcook, and I don't make it at home because the last time I picked up a whole rabbit at the butcher it resembled my French Bulldog Lulu - sans head.

A post-bath Maximus just chillin'. Literally.

Ahhhh, better. And warmer!

A couple of more Dark Matter-related links for your perusal…

Another positive review of the comic book's first issue from Ryan Thomason at WatchPlayRead: Dark Matter #1 (of 4) is Pure Sci-Fi

An interview with yours truly over at Nerd World News: INTERVIEW: Joesph Mallozzi Talks About His Upcoming Mini Series …

Why is this Snow Monkey smiling?

Well, it could be because his team is on the verge of capturing their first Fantasy Football Championship in only their second year in fantasy league play.  While it's still very early, things are looking very promising.  My opponent will need a HUGE performance from his players to overcome my Snow Monkeys' hot start.  It'll all come down to tonight's Green Bay/Chicago game (Go Bears!).  Or possibly Roddy White on Monday Night Football.

GO SNOW MONKEYS!!!