Dan Henk's Blog, page 56

The Guest Brigades

Not a huge fan of this second installment in the “Old Man’s War” series by John Scalzi.
That first book, the appropriately titled “Old Man’s War”, was great. One of the best recent science fiction books I’ve read.
This one, felt like that slightly stiffer, less important sequel.
It wasn’t bad, just a slow read that, and this is the stark difference, felt like an all too common retread of themes and actions that have surfaced before.
There wasn’t that entertaining, can’t put the book down drive to it.
Sure, not a bad story, and it gets a little better towards the end, but if this was the first book I’d read by John Scalzi, I’d think far less of him as an author.
Great John Harris cover, but that can’t save the book.

Interviews for Days…

I put up a slew of interviews that were posted to social media-
check them out!
https://danhenk.com/interviews/

Star Wars

I saw the latest Star Wars, the end of this 3rd trilogy, and was seriously underwhelmed.
Two of the biggest strengths of Star Wars are the aliens, their worlds, and the futuristic technology, and the were in the movie often enough, and unique enough, that I felt the viewing wasn’t wasted.
But that old Star Wars feel is definitely gone. The sharp edges, sense of suspense, and

New Artist Interview!

Just did an interview for Tattmag with the talented Jesse Levitt
https://tattmag.com/jesse-levitt/

Artists interviewing Artists

Episode 2 of the “Artists interviewing Artists” series that Tattoo Media picked up from an idea started by Brian Murphy’s Third Dimension Podcast.
Every episode features me interviewing an artist I like, and in this I have a chat with the legendary Guy Aitchison
https://youtu.be/tHOcfFHydqE

Finally it’s live!

Starting as the Third Dimension Podcast, I stacked up a few of these video interviews. Brian Murphy’s plan was to release them around every two weeks, but he grew busy, they took months to reach youtube, and Tattoo Media agreed to step in, rebrand, and keep the tradition going. So in that spirit, here’s the first episode, and interview I did with Ronda Xanthos.
She’s been all around the world, began tattooing in the underground early ’90s of NYC tattooing, and marked up many a celebrity. Check it out

Dr Sleep

Skin Art 173!

I did an interview with the very talented Vincent Castiglia in this issue. Hie artwork has been in the Giger museum, on album covers for Slayer, and Triptycon, and purchased by a wide variety of musicians.
One of my horror tattoos is also featured, and I’ll start writing a column for them again.

Awesome new stand up Banner

By the talented Al Liptak.
He designed my previous free-standing convention banner, but with a new novel out, I decided to update.

The Joker

I’m going to go out on a limb here with an unpopular opinion. I didn’t think The Joker was that good.
As a movie about mental illness? Sure, it works. I mean, it’s no “One Flew Over the Cuckoo”s Nest”, but it’s pretty good.
But as a Joker movie?
Aside from the gaping logical inconsistencies, like that Joker is in his 40s when the future Batman is only a child, or that Howard Wayne is a plump, obnoxious politician, the real issue I have is that hollywood feels the need to re-invent characters that already had a great backstory, and this job is a pale shadow of Alan Moore’s brilliant Killing Joke.