Nick Davis's Blog, page 69

Selective Outrage in the face of the tragic Benghazi Embassy Attack… Did they forget?

This has been driving me nuts in the last few days… We have seen a resurgence in the outrage propagated by certain media outlets over the Benghazi Embassy attack that resulted in the tragic death of four of its officials. While it is certain there is a huge mix-up of information about who perpetrated the attack, it is certain the only real conclusion is this was a tragedy.

A tragedy that happened over six months ago… That was used by the GOP to attack the Secretary of State Hillary and President Obama in an amazing show of chutzpah as they claimed how dare they let this happen. And while I believe some questions needed to be answered the GOP forgot their own recent history, one being the vote they pushed to cut Embassy security, but I will return to that in a minute.

Fast forward to the last week and we the resurgence of Benghazi attack as we see the GOP dig it back up in the hope to have one scandal that will stick to a President who actually is a lot smarter than they gave him credit for. You see at this point it has turned into selective outrage, poked by outlets like Fox News and stocked into flames by Right Wing Radio hosts to the point you have a lot of people shouting, but not really remember all the facts of the last Presidents and their track record last time they were in power.

First off shall we mention the War in Iraq that was started because of a lie of WMD’s? That little GOP lie has cost thousands of servicemen and civilians lives entering a country that had nothing to do with the 911 Terrorist attacks and totally playing into Iran’s hands of taking away the only counter-weight to them in the Middle East. Where was the GOP outrage then?

That one is still being forgotten and only start of the selective outrage that is pushed by Right Wing Media outlets…

Next up shall we take a look at the Embassy attack record under President Bush, surely such a proactive war-hawk like Bush would have a much better track record of keeping American interests safe abroad? Well… No he didn’t… Where was the outrage when…

In 2002 when the US Consulate in the Karachi, Pakistan, was attacked and 10 were killed?

Or in 2004 when the US embassy in Uzbekistan was attacked and two were killed and another nine injured?

How about in 2004, when the US Consulate in Saudi Arabia was stormed and 8 lost their lives?

There is more: In 2006, armed men attacked the US Embassy in Syria and one was murdered.

Then in 2007 a grenade was thrown at the US Embassy in Athens.

In 2008, the US Embassy in Serbia was set on fire.

In 2008, bombings in the US Embassy in Yemen killed 10.

Notice the dates, all before the Obama administration.

Where was the GOP outrage then?

Under Obama we have had two Embassy attacks.

The Benghazi attack which resulted in 4 deaths and is now a screaming talking point with Fox News.

And the Embassy attack in Turkey.

Bit of a difference there, eh?

So if we look at the numbers there has been under Obama there have been 2 embassy attacks and 4 deaths. Under Bush there were 11 embassy attacks and 52 deaths…

While all deaths are tragic, you can see why I am a little annoyed at the selective outrage being instigated by so-called news stations. Sure there are problems and issues with the Benghazi attack, but stop pretending everything was perfect before Obama and be journalists… Report facts!!! Be objective!!! Don’t push an agenda let the news speak for itself!!!

Okay… I’m done here putting the soapbox away…

Take a look at the new Video for my all-ages @Kickstarter comic Tristan & the Cuddly Defenders

Spent some time today putting together a better video for my latest Kickstarter project the all ages comic Tristan & the Cuddly Defenders, take a moment to check it out and you can pitch in and help this project by clicking here.

NEW Teddy Bear Tales T-shirt ‘Protecting Children from the Monsters under the Bed’ available now

Protecting Children from the Monsters under the Bed since 1902

I got the shirt sample in yesterday while I was at Free Comic Book Day, it looked so cool that I wanted to release this great new Teddy Bear Tales T-shirt for you all to buy. The shirt is snug-fit and is 100% cotton with a clean clear Teddy Bear graphic. Proclaim your love of all things Teddy Bear with this cool new T-shirt this summer.

Anvil Fashion Fit Tee

4.5-ounce, 100% ring spun combed cotton

Modern fit with extra softness

Tubular with shoulder-to-shoulder tape

Features 100% combed ring spun cotton for light, extra-soft comfort

Double-needle stitching on sleeve and bottom hem

You can also pick up this shirt as part of the $30 Backer Package for the Kickstarter Teddy Bear Tales Comic Project – Tristan & the Cuddly Defenders by clicking here.

Color – Pearl White

Size

Men (Unisex) S – XXL

Ladies Fit S – XXL

Please note there is an extra charge on both sizes for XL upwards

Center Chest – Printed Teddy Bear Tales Graphic ‘Protecting Children from the Monsters under the Bed’ in Dark Red

Sizes




Men – Small $19.99 USD
Men – Medium $19.99 USD
Men – Large $19.99 USD
Men – X-Large $22.99 USD
Men – XX – Large $24.99 USD
Ladies – Small $19.99 USD
Ladies – Medium $19.99 USD
Ladies – Large $19.99 USD
Ladies – XL $22.99 USD
Ladies XXL $24.99 USD

Free Comic Book Day fun at Chucks Comics and a day out in the sun…

A man in his kilt… An Adventure in Free Comic Books

For an event the day started later than normal for me, I had the pleasure of being invited by Captain Chuck to attend Chucks Comics Free Comic Book Day as a Creative Guest. Which meant a 10.30 setup time under the canopy at the front of the store next to the HSQ Legend Andre Campbell and his most excellent comic books. By the time I got there the line had already formed and was stretching around the block, lotsa people coming to take advantage of the Free Comic Books and the amazing deals the crew at Chuck’s had setup.

Now as is becoming a tradition on my part I am now attending my events in a kilt, a wonderfully practical piece of comfortable clothing that really makes my day a little easier and fun. Also as is becoming tradition with wearing a kilt it does not matter if there is no wind, I step out the house with one of my kilts on and there is a upraising breeze. And as I was setting up I almost caught one of these breezes at a bad moment, almost showing my ‘wares’ to everyone in line.

Setup was a breeze so to speak, got everything ready with ten minutes to go and Tristan in position to say hello to everyone who came by. Sat down and waited to see what this day would bring me. I have to say I was pleasantly surprised, sold a few sketch cards, sold out completely of my Tether saga books (becoming popular this year) as well as The Wonder Tales and my Teddy Bear Tales having a strong showing. My Deadpool sketch card proved very popular and I got a couple ideas for new Sketch Cards to add to the growing range.

Deadpool

In all it was a great little event for me, I hope it proved really good for the good Captain Chuck and I left happy with how this day went. My free comic book haul was smaller this year I picked up Atomic Robo (always very good) Last Son of Krypton (has nothing to do with the current Superman), Walking Dead (for the wife) and Apheodite IX which I heard good things about (and was not disappointed this is a full first issue folks!). Brought books were a little low with Guardians of the Galaxy #2 (Rocket Raccoon is a blast in this book!) and the latest Judge Dredd titles which don’t even measure up to the 2000AD stories so I will be dropping them now.

Good day… Wish all days at the office were like this Thank you again to Captain Chuck for hosting me and I will see y’all at Annapolis Comic Con on June 29!!!

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Join Tristan and Me for FREE COMIC BOOK DAY at Chucks Comics May 4th

This May 4th for FREE COMIC BOOK DAY I will be at my LCS Chucks Comics celebrating the day and being allowed once again through the kindness of Captain Chuck to sell my wares. So please join me for this fun little event, I will be bringing along all the Cuddly Sketch Cards including my Chucks Comics Exclusive FCBD.

My FCBD Exclusive – Captain Chuck Sketch Card

In addition I will be there with the illustrated Teddy Bear Tales, The Tether Saga paranormal action novels, The Wonder Tales; Once Upon a Time fantasy stories including the fully illustrated Daughter of Frost and Fabula Zero Exposition a graphic novel comic/prose mashup about what happens to a writer who develops writers block. Along with all this story goodness I will be bring original art and prints.

Deadpool

Captain Chucks Good Crew also have a number of amazing deals going on as well…. Over 50 back issues for $10 plus much, much more!!! I am really looking forward to seeing you all there…

Book Review – A Once Crowded Sky by Tom King – superheroic prose in a changing world

A Once Crowded Sky

By Tom King

Art by Tom Fowler

I first met Tom King the Author of a Once Crowded Sky at Annapolis Comic Con, he was just a guy setting up next to me that was selling a prose novel about Superheroes gone missing from the world. I didn’t really pay much attention to it or to Mr King’s impressive resume, who knew I was standing next to some one who was an ex-CIA agent and could no doubt break me in two with his little finger. Impressive Secret Agent feats aside I did get a chance to flick the through book and I was impressed. Promising Tom and myself that the next show I see him at I will pick up the book. 

Then we all rolled into Awesome Con and I found Tom at this event, making a mental note that I should perhaps buy one before he goes all 007 on me and builds a cunning weapon out of his business card and signing pen.  Or I wake up in a dark room somewhere sitting on the blue chair. But… CIA references aside I did want a copy of this book and before I got chance to pick one up Tom sold through on the first day. The second day came around no Tom and I got busy selling and spreading the word about my stories. About half way through the day Tom appeared (probably airdropped by Stealth Copter) and this time I managed to pick up the very, very last book he had…

And that night I started reading it.

First off this book is a blend of prose with some comic strip passages, it even breaks down to comic scripting in places. All of which works well in a story of Superheroes and primarily a story about the game, or the story that the heroes all play there parts in.  I was hooked.

Here is the book blurb that tells you a little more about the story setup ‘The superheroes of Arcadia City fight a wonderful war and play a wonderful game, forever saving yet another day. However, after sacrificing both their powers and Ultimate, the greatest hero of them all, to defeat the latest apocalypse, these comic book characters are transformed from the marvelous into the mundane.

After too many battles won and too many friends lost, The Soldier of Freedom was fine letting all that glory go. But when a new threat blasts through his city, Soldier, as ever, accepts his duty and reenlists in this next war. Without his once amazing abilities, he’s forced to seek the help of the one man who walked away, the sole hero who refused to make the sacrifice – PenUltimate, the sidekick of Ultimate, who through his own rejection of the game has become the most powerful man in the world, the only one left who might still, once again, save the day.‘

The story is written in chapters with titles that are reflections of superhero names and titles, it is cleverly done although at first I found it a little annoying and works towards part of what the story is about. It is hard to say if this is a story about Superheroes, but more of a story about humanity, about finding your way when your lost, about making your own destiny. Certainly the Heroes of Arcadia City are lost without their powers, and the one remaining Hero PenUltimate is lost with them.

I’m unsure what to say about this book that wont give a lot of it away, there are parts of it you do see coming, just like any good Superhero yarn and there is a huge part of this that will swerve you completely. I really like the Solider of Freedom character, even though he I wasn’t too sure how some can get injured that much and still keep going. There is a hard-bitten part of his character a refusal to give into the preordained that makes him the fixture and while not the hero, the necessity that may just keep the world in one piece. Pen, is the little lost kid of the story unsure of what to do and really just wanting to be left alone to live his life. Together like all good Team Up’s Pen and Solider get to the bottom of what is racking Arcadia and learn some dark secrets that lead up to the events of ‘The Blue’

As I was reading this book I could not escape the feeling that this really should have been a graphic novel, its breakdown of the superhero myth is on-par with the Watchman; and while this is a book about Superheroes they are not all that superheroic even Pen who is ultimately and reluctantly forced back into the role of a hero is full of doubt about his role in this new world. The pair of them struggle, win and lose in equal measure all trying to live up to their world view.

If I have one complaint about this story it is maybe the writing style, while at time fluid and dynamic, it dwells significantly on the self-reflection to the point it does I feel distract from the characters motives and I found myself losing my place on a page a couple of times as it felt the character was double guessing then triple guessing himself. This is the first novel out of the chute for Tom, and it is already a very, very good book working on so many levels this is such a minor gripe it will not distract from your enjoyment of this tale.

If you enjoyed Watchmen, if you are looking for a Superhero story that is more about the humanity of the Hero then get this book, you will not be disappointed. Ultimately this is a novel about noble sacrifice the true aspect of any Superhero and the reason why they all play the game…

4 thumbs up out of 5

Learn more about Tom King & A Once Crowded Sky by clicking here

 

Comic Review – Lilith Dark by CDowd… One Little Girl… One Big Adventure…

Title – Lilith Dark

Writer/Artist – CDowd

Publisher – Indie

Website – http://lilithdark.com/

Lilith Dark is an all ages fantasy comic starring a very feisty and hyper-imaginative little girl called Lilith. Together with her Brother, Sister and Kitty the Rottweiler live in an old house in the middle of nowhere right next to a strangely shaped tree that Lilith calls the Beastie Tree (where the beasts hang out). Oddly enough no parents to be seen… Well not yet anyway.

The story revolves around Lilith who looks to be about six years old and in her imagination is on one huge adventure, the story opens with her bravely entering a darkened wood to fight a fearsome Monster, and as she bravely charges it she is called into dinner and its revealed to be Kitty. We next jump to her feeding a T-Rex the family meatloaf… I wont go any further than that other than saying this little girl does indeed have a huge and overpowering imagination. 

I encountered this book at the Annapolis Book Festival when I was sitting next to the Author/Artist CDowd, I picked up this first book with a fun looking cover and flicked through the pages which were beautiful drawn and painted, stopped half way through and burst out laughing. At that point I picked up all three available books; because a book that makes you laugh out loud has to be brought.

Each book is the standard comic book length of approx 24 pages and is illustrated in full color, the story is all ages and Lilith has a six-year old’s lisp and cannot quite pronounce the names of the monsters she fights. The cute names she comes up with are funny. The first three books build up to her first trip into the Beastie Tree were she encounters real Monsters or does she..?

The thing is up this point we’ve been treated to Lilith’s huge imagination, creatures that are really cuddly toys and monsters that are really anything from the family pet to the older brother so we are still not quite sure if she is seeing real monsters.

Do I have any complaints? Not really a couple of odd pages that break up the flow of the story a little bit and I kind of hoped we would be tripping through Lilith’s imagination a little more, but these are minor thoughts. CDowd has produced a good book the art is nice, it glows with Lilith’s enthusiasm then grows dark and moody in the right places. This comic really does appeal to all ages and is a lot of fun to read.

The Lilith Dark books are available in print and as a Webcomic visit the Lilith Dark Website for updates and to read this story online, this is really a book you need to hold so if you encounter CDowd at a convention pick up a copy or all three you wont be disappointed.

4 Thumbs up out of 5

 

Tristan & the Cuddly Defenders Comic Book a NEW Kickstarter project please help us launch!!!

Cuddly Defenders concept art by Nick Davis

A Teddy Bear Tale and A Teddy Bear Tale II were published with the help of crowd sourcing websites Kickstarter and Indiegogo. It is my hope you will help Tristan’s next book Tristan & the Cuddly Defenders Comic Book launch on Kickstarter. You can checkout this new project on Kickstarter by clicking here.

This is a whole new book for Tristan, for this project we are stepping away from the illustrated prose style and giving Tristan the freedom of sequential comic book story telling. By doing this I hope I can introduce our heroic Teddy Bear to a whole new audience. The Cuddly Defenders that join Tristan in these adventures will be Wilma Bunny and a whole new younger character called Archer.

Archer concept art by Nick Davis

I will be joined again by the Teddy Bear Tales Artist Dan Nokes and I will be putting down my pen and picking up a pencil to add to illustrative story telling epic that this Comic Book will be. My plan is to produce a 48 page comic book making it more of a Graphic Novel with a series of 6-8 page comic strips linked by a more traditional prose story throughout. The book will be full color and if we get the funding will be something really special.

Cuddly Defenders concept art by Dan Nokes

This comic book will also serve as the link between Tristan adventures in the World within a World and the final third illustrated book in this series. For Tristan and for the Cuddly Defenders this is going to be a huge important step in their adventures.

Please click the link here to learn more about this Kickstarter project, please let your friends and family know and help Tristan live!!! New Adventures ahead!!!

A little big adventure at @AwesomeCons 2013 with Tristan and Me… One of the best shows ever!!!

Tristan and Me head off to Awesome Con

I will not lie, this has been a long tiring weekend and this post will not be the longest I’ve ever made as I really need to sleep. I’ve just come back from Washington DC and Awesome Convention DC one of the best conventions I have ever attend in my short career of selling my books, art and Teddy Bears. If you missed I am sad that you did, but don’t worry next year will really rock!!!

I was set up mid-room right next to Teddy Bear Tales Artist Dan Nokes, I strapped on my kilt,  brought all my gear, everything I could bring to bear to this event and from the beginning to the end this turned into a pretty Awesome show. Great people, great organization, great attendees, cool cosplay and a general sense of fun. This had to be the most light-hearted and joyful convention I’ve been to for a long time.

Highlights were doing another in show commission this time a Minion Red Hulk and talking to a reader of my Tether books and learning how much she loved them. Running into a fan of my work from my GW years and starting an inter-table sketch war with the Boys from HSQ comics (well-played Sir!). Enough from me though, eh? Below are all the pictures I have from this convention, a cornucopia of pics of Tristan meeting new cosplayers and photos from the event itself. Do not miss this show next year it was totally Awesome!!!

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PS – One quick last adventure from this weekend. Right at the end of the day we get off the Metro at Greenbelt, my entire booth on my hand cart and I make it onto the very last escalator before getting to the Jeep. The lady in front of me gets her luggage caught in the escalator she goes down just before the exit. I’m three steps behind her and start desperately lifting my cart up hoping she gets up before I slam into her (cart is really heavy and I’m one-handed here at a very bad angle for lifting)… She doesn’t… I’m shouting I can’t reach you because my next plan was to grab and throw her… Too late…

I hit her cart first, go down ankle trapped under my cart at this time the escalator was still moving. I hear screaming to hit the stop button thankfully Dana hits the button (fulfilling a life long ambition to press the stop on an escalator). And it shudders to a stop…

It seems according to Jean I was moments away from being hit by a stroller in the back of the head. Quite the eventful end to a very eventful and adventure filled weekend. Pretty certain this lady got a view right up my kilt. Ankle got a nice escalator shred on it and I’m starting to ache… Thankfully no one seems to be hurt seriously. Got lucky, again eh?

See y’all next year at Awesome Con 2014!!!

Find Tristan and Me at Awesome Con DC on April 20 – 21 Artist Alley Booth 326 – See you there!!!

Finally after years… No… Decades of waiting Washington DC will get it first ever Comic Con in the form of Awesome Con and it is arriving on April 20 – 21 at the Washington Convention Center…

Squirrel Girl

And I will be in attendance in the Artist Alley at Booth 236 along with Tristan, the Teddy Bear Tales, the Cuddly Defenders plush toys, over 175 Cuddly Sketch Cards, the Giant sized illustrations such as Squirrel Girl, Rocket Raccoon, Deadpool, Man-Thing and the Avengers.

I will also be bringing along all the Alt-World books; The Tether Saga, the all ages fantasy stories The Wonder Tales and Fabula Zero Exposition the comical prose mashup of what really happens when a comic book writers loses the plot and his characters come to life around him. Along with all the goodness I will be introducing a new product the Geek Charms, pendents and charms based off popular comic book characters and the Teddy Bear Tales.

As you can see your going to find a lot of cool stuff at my booth. Plus for the very first time I will also be taking Cuddly and non-Cuddly art commissions; check out the prices below for approx 8″ x 6″ pieces.

Pencils – $15

Inked – $20

Color – $30

Watercolor – $45

This event is going to totally… well… awesome…

I look forward to seeing you there look for me and Tristan and our Teddy Bear Banner at my Artist Alley Booth 326 and remember Kids under 10 attend for FREE!!!

Find the complete Awesome Con map here