January 21, 2012: I can be counted upon in MOST situations… Dark Matter #2 preview! Identify my mystery guest!

I can be counted upon in most situations.  If you need a letter of reference or require a lift or even, in some circumstances, someone to back you up in a fight.  I cannot, however, be counted upon to lend anyone any sort of shopping support.  I hate lingering whether it be over a post-meal coffee at a fine restaurant, as a party is winding down or, say, in the oral care aisle of my local drugstore debating over the perfect toothpaste.  In all of the aforementioned situations, I am NOT your man.  Nor am I your man if you want someone to weigh in on the merits of shampoos, soaps, and skin care products.  And if you need someone to help you choose a new pair of shoes…well I am DEFINITELY not your guy!

The reason for this – and I'll happily admit it – is because I am incredibly impatient.  When I go shopping, it's usually because I need something.  I go in knowing exactly what I'm going to buy and waste little time in buying it.  Sure, I'll try on the shirt or read the book jacket or even spray the aftershave on one of those little strips of paper you wave around and sniff and pretend it smells all that different from the other aftershaves, but you won't catch me vacillating over a purchase and then leaving and going to check the same product at some other place and vacillating over there and then, on the home, loudly lamenting my indecision and vowing to go back the next day to pick it up after all only to return the next day and discover it's been sold out.  Or – even worse! – change my mind and decide not to buy it after all.

Knowing this, if you still insist on my accompanying you shopping, then stand forewarned that when I get bored, I get very embarrassing.  For instance, if we're at the Sephora and a salesperson approaches to ask "Do you have any questions?", there's a good possibility I may respond: "Yeah!"  Holding a bottle of facial cleanser aloft.  "Why does this have such a weird aftertaste?", or at the women's section of any major retailer: "Sure.  Does this sundress come in a men's medium?".  Just roll with it.  Don't get upset because next to visiting The Home Depot (which elicits a response from me akin to what a vampire would undoubtedly experience walking into a church), there's nothing I dislike more than accompanying someone on a shopping trip.

Okie-doke.  With that out of the way, let's move on to the second issue of my comic book series, Dark Matter.  "But wait!"you're no doubt saying.  "I just picked up and read (and, by the way, thoroughly enjoyed) Dark Matter #1.  Dark Matter #2 isn't due to hit the shelves until February 8th!"  True but, if you're curious, I can give you a sneak peek at what lies ahead.  The fine folk at Comic Book Resources (Comic Book Resources – Daily Comic Book News, Previews …) have posted the first six glorious pages of the next issue so I thought I'd give you a page a day leading up to my Tokyo departure next week.

Those of you asking if and when Dark Matter will be coming to your neighborhood…in the words of Scooby Doo: "Rye ron't row."  I DO know, however, that you can order yourself a copy (or two) here:TFAW.com, or get yourself a digital version of the comic book here: digital.darkhorse.com.

Oh, yeah.  That preview…

Finally: Sparrow_hawk – Yes, meeting up several of my foodie buddies while in Tokyo (Moro, Tomomi, Keiko) while Akemi visits with her mom; pmagent2013 – I'm cautiously optimistic on Dark Matter's chances of being a television series but am still a long way from considering any casting choices; Birdy – welcome back and, yes, would love to visit Germany.  After all, if I'm ever in Berlin, I can look forward to spending time with this colorful character:

Identify my mystery guest!