Been up since 6am again. Yeehah. Spent about an hour trying to wake up and dealing with itchy eyes that only get itchier when you rub them. Suck. I took an allergy pill which is like rolling the dice to see if I’ll pass out over drowsyness or not, but sometimes it makes you wired. I guess i’m somewhere in between.

You know what kinda sucks? When people are only reading my blog to get updates on Platinum Studios or to see if there’s some sort of drama. I’ve noticed the increase in traffic and return users and IP addresses and where in the country they are (yeah, I know who you are)– I’m kinda sick of thinking about all of it, and seeing things mentioned on news blogs or fucking complete idiots chiming in and speculating on things. I now feel like there are dudes I don’t even know watching my blog to see if I’ve been paid, so they can run and complain and pitch a bitch that they haven’t been paid, but not understanding that many of us have different deals set up. There was even an email sent out from the COO to creators that someone passed on to Rich’s gossip column. I never got that email, probably because my situation was already public, but that was the first time I had really read it. But seriously, it’s probably not a smart move, especially if you’re owed money, to be sending those emails around, no matter how ridiculous you think they are or how you think it was a veiled legal threat or something. UGH. Probably not a good move on anyone’s part.

All that being said, the good news for me is a check finally came in the mail (I’m not saying from where ), and it’s given me some money to catch up on my bills and financial situation here. It didn’t come in time to save the Hero By Night situation, but I’m sure it’ll all work out in some way. I’m going to have to focus on setting up some other things now instead of having all my eggs in one basket. That IS my fault I guess. I’ve had friends warn me of that for awhile and i didn’t listen. I like throwing myself into something 100% like I’ve done with HBN and I think it shows. But yeah, I guess i need to invest my time into some other eggs.

Here’s one of the eggs now.

The other one probably starts with a Y and ends with an H.

This might be a long one… here it goes!

So, I’ve visited a few of the “news” and blog links about the new of me putting Hero By Night on hold. I’ve noticed that quite a few people are pushing their own agendas and grudges and passions in regards to this issue, and painting it with a broad brush as if I’m a creator who’s been screwed over by Platinum Studios, and even that I’ve “separated” with the company– this is just not true.

The DJ from two years ago, would have told someone like Lea Hernandez to go sit on something and spin if I read a post like she wrote this morning. “D.J. Coffman splits with Platinum over non-payment” — which anyone saying non-payment, it’s more like “late payment” which isn’t a crime. What really irks me again is, that crowd, the same crowd of people I fought with back then, still paint this as a creator rights issue, when it certainly is not. If I was out there complaining about that, or saying I was fooled or bamboozled, that would be another story. I knew from DAY ZERO what I signed, what I renegotiated, and again, at least MY contract is a solid deal. In fact, not to spite my face here, but I probably had one of the BEST contracts Platinum has EVER drawn up, and they were happy about it and so am I. Present tense. Can everyone get what I got? Probably not. I’m pretty damn driven and I deliver a TON for anyone I work for. Anyone. Ask anyone I’ve worked for– So I was bringing a lot to the table, handling a lot of things, and doing a lot more than just drawing a book and waiting for a check to come. — People like Lea, who I actually don’t have anything against now– she’s PASSIONATE about these issues of creator ownership and rights and that– but I don’t fall into that category. I willingly, knowingly and ON PURPOSE made my deal with Platinum because it works for my situation, and believe you me, I was more than fairly treated!— I think it’s way unfair for them to whip out that old brush right now and lambaste Platinum over the creator rights and contract issues– How could that even be brought up in my case, whenever I’ll likely still walk away with the rights— and it may shock you to know that it would be my choice with Hero By Night either way, to have Platinum represent it for Film and TV, because the people there working those departments are some of the best people in the world. — Is that cheerleading? No– that’s telling you that behind what people perceive as some evil corporation only worried about the bottom line, there are GOOD people who would go to the ends of the earth for you. Sure it’s not PERFECT— nothing is. — But to paint a broadstroke and say the way she wants it should be for ALL CREATORS, like “I’m Lea Hernandez, this is how you should do stuff, or you’re a big dummy.” — Nah. That’s ridiculous. — The old me would have called her a name, and told her to shut her piehole, then laughed and chuckled at the online drama that would ensue as pageviews inflated across the board, OH, DRAMA, YOU SWEET BITCH!– the NEW and IMPROVED me actually thanks her for being PASSIONATE about this stuff. It is VERY important, and future generations will be reading all we talk about, long after we’re dead and gone. There are totally things I have that I would never sign to anyone, for ANY price. It’s true. Yirmumah is not for sale.

Someone like Scott Kurtz, who I’ve been at odds with in the past as well, can actually see the many sides of this spectrum. Scott, it seems, has learned to not just open his mouth and speak from the heart spontaneously, even like I use to, but to take an issue and disect it and look at all the points. They pointed out on their Webcomics Weekly podcast a while back, that EVERY CONTRACT can be negotiated. You totally shouldn’t just sign something put in front of you without reading it, if you don’t understand the language, have a lawyer explain it to you, and KNOW WHAT YOU WANT. Because of course the other side of a contract wants whats best for them too. That’s why it’s an agreement! — Well, I’m proud of Kurtz and crew for not getting embroiled in DRAMA for the sake of Drama. There’s a certain crowd in webcomics, myself included, that have all GROWN UP, and we all see the much bigger picture… it might shock you to know, that we’re all working together, exchanging ideas, systems— SHARING to make everyone stronger. Even the dudes who are beating all of our asses by drawing stick figure comics.

I still feel a bit painted like I got screwed over here– don’t use me as an example of that with the creator rights issues. It was all a financial decision on my part, and it’s safe to say I’ve made more money with Hero By Night than if I would have been self publishing it, or doing webcomics. And I have a BIG stake in it. Like I said, this was all about timing and the fans, and money. Not non-payment, but “late payment”- - In my situation and budgets here, for MANY creators actually its like this, I have to be paid on time. I’ve always made that clear with everyone throughout time and space. All of that stuff WILL work out.

The only reason I HAD to bring this up publicly was for the fans. There was an “ongoing” series going on, which we have to work well ahead on, readers order well in advance and buzz was building– Behind the scenes I was nervous that issue 4 wasn’t going to make it to deadline, I busted my ass to make sure I beat my deadlines like usual. But with certain circumstances coming up, i just knew no matter what, it wasn’t going to make it to the printer. For too many reasons actually– and I couldn’t leave readers not only hanging, but they’re now ordering issue 5 in Previews— I didn’t turn in the issue 6 cover for the August Previews either– I could have— but I don’t want to be a part of what’s WRONG with the comic industry and that distribution system, late books, and readers never know why— This isn’t ANYTHING news, it happens ALL THE TIME– just this past couple weeks companies like Archaia who have HIT books like Mouseguard are announcing they are RESTRUCTURING (aka broke!)- TokyoPop, same thing thing, maybe even worse.

And behind the scenes at MANY indy comic publishers, things are pretty damn bleak I’ve been told. Sure, it would be easy to blame it on the economy– but that’s a fucking cop-out like non other– this is entertainment dollars, and go look at what INdy Jones, Iron Man and even Sex in the City just made, with higher ticket prices, higher everything prices. — In comics the problem is… drum roll…. the direct market.

TokyoPop’s CEO has a quote, that’s less of a copout - “TOKYOPOP CEO and Chief Creative Officer of the TOKYOPOP Group, Stuart Levy, explained the reasons for the reduction in output. “The time is now for us to focus our publishing business to overcome current market challenges. Few releases will allow for less cannibalization at retail. We must adjust our overhead to properly execute this new business plan. We are doing it with a heavy heart. It involves saying goodbye to 39 of the most talented, creative and compassionate people I’ve ever known.”"

“current market challenges” — are that people will eat comics up for free online, and INSTANT, while in the comic industry you have to rely on preorders and people, REAL people, going into comic shops to ask to preorder a title they weren’t going to carry in the first place. Oh, and current market challenges are also that by my estimation 75% of comic shops out there REALLY FUCKING SUCK when it comes to customer service. I can’t tell you the number of times online (you can go check the site for yourself in the comments alone) that my readers online have told me “we tried to order over at Joe Fuckbrain’s Comicverse, but they treated us like idiots” “They wouldn’t order it for me.”— I actually CALLED a store once after a reader told me this, and I told them the situation and asked why my reader couldn’t preorder the book– they just said “because we don’t carry it.” — but, wait, they have money in hand and ready to pay in advance??— “We just don’t do special orders here.” —- Many shops WILL, but still, even to get a new person through those doors asking for a preorder… they fucking blew it. — So for a title like mine that relies on kind readers to preorder, and only relies on ONE big page in a Previews catalog that ONLY the insiders of this insulated market see— well, for me, and many others, it’s not enough to sustain a title.

WEbcomics are where it’s at of course. You’re going to see, you’ve ALREADY seen, a bunch of print publishers trying to come on this scene and define it, when it’s already been defined. They’re laughed at privately by the real scene. When a company comes on with their exciting idea to have PDF downloads available, or just slap their print comics online– or check out their awesome new WEEKLY update—- webcomic readers don’t care about that. Webcomics is about MUCH more. Comics are about MUCH more. Read McCloud’s Reinventing Comics,page 56 “Negative Land” to understand how complex this “market” is, how many middlemen there are and then page 72.. chapter called CONTACT– that’s the future of comics.

Contact, communication. Transparency. — As far as companies owing creators money, that’s nothing new either, Crossgen, Dabel Bros, just two of the companies that spring to mind who have had headlines about this on major news sites, not to single them out— but it is what it is. The truth is, the money to pay creators WAS there at some point, but it was mismanaged, maybe too many softball games at Crossgen– they had an employee cafeteria there so I heard! Wow, fancy! Big and fancy, Crossgen had a friggin COMPOUND to work from– they blew through money like it was a bad habit on a relapse day. I’ve seen companies have extravagant parties, expensive dinners, really put on a show. Shoot, it even looks to a lot of people like WIZARD MAGAZINE might be going under soon or in some serious trouble currently –

The REAL bottom line is that creators are the LIFE BLOOD of anything, creator owned or not in comics. They need to be paid FIRST and kept happy, or shit will hit the fan– history proves that. Some ignore it. LOTS ignore it, hoping that they’ll get that one big payoff. The companies need to REALLY understand COMICS and creators before stepping into this playing field. The second thing is, you HAVE to respect the audience. So many companies have gone belly up because they didn’t do this ONE thing. They never GOT IT. It’s so fucking simple.— Such a complex thing, because even if you have all that stuff going for you, your stories, concepts, books, movies, webcomics, tv shows, dancing wallpapers– CAN ALL STILL SUCK. And guess who will be the first to tell you that…. the readers. They use to just tell you with their wallet— now they tell you online in news and blogs that they’re unhappy with you– and it’s easy to ignore conversations. I like taking them head on– that’s what makes me such a defender of the folks and things I believe in.

Ok– much actual WORK to get done today– there will be some fun posts this week about Flobots stuff, so tune in. I’ll write later today about my Flobotic Adventure to Cincinnati and how my wife and I drove home against tornadic weather. I think it was the government trying to hit me with a tornado. WEATHER CONTROL, MAN! WEATHER CONTROL!

I do feel like a big weight has been lifted off of me by being transparent here. Thanks for all the nice words and well wishes, both in the comments and via emails. It’s been a really tough time behind the scenes with a lot of things crushing down on us– I can’t say I’m too happy right now.

I’m headed out to Cincinnati until tomorrow night– going to see the Flobots tonight– looking forward to meeting up with them and talking about some exciting things coming down the pipe very soon. Of course, I’ll keep the ol’ blog updated here. Gotta get moving…. I’ll probably be twittering or sending photos to my facebook if you want to check in– http://twitter.com/djcoffman - on Facebook

Dont let it kill you baby, dont let it get to you
Dont let em kill you baby, dont let em get to you
I’ll be your breathin heart, I’ll be your cryin fool
Dont let this go to far, dont let it get to you

I can’t remember a time in my life where I was more energized and excited about the future–but completely nervous as all hell at the same time.

First the nervous part— My finances have been, well, to put it bluntly, completely jacked up the past month. My pay didn’t come on time as expected, not sure when it’s going to come although I’m sure it will at some point– but it’s lead me to make some pretty tough decisions personally and professionally here. My production schedule has pretty much been boned here, and it’s out of my hands now.  I can’t sit living off my savings and watching it dwindle down to nothing. My wife is back out now on job interviews, thank god for that stability, although I’d rather her not work and stay home with the kids– but this isn’t the 1950s I guess. People are often shocked when I say my wife hasn’t been working. Checked the mail… the closest thing to money was one of those “pre approved $5500″ loans offers from CitiFinacial. It was the first time I was actually tempted to call and take it…. but I’m smarter than that.

The exciting part though– I feel like I might have found something that was missing from my life, and a way to channel that inner rebelliousness that’s been there all along. I use to do it through satire– but now I think I might have put the pieces together in a way where, by god, it could actually make a DIFFERENCE out in the world. At least once or twice a week I get emails from people saying how my work has inspired them to go on with their own art and comics work, or peruse their dreams— and that feels pretty great– but now I’m thinking of expanding that to life in general. The idea that someone might read a story I’ve done and just not want to give up on life. To know they aren’t alone in their situation and that others have pulled out of it. TO hang in there! — Channeling my inner “Ben Franklin” as well, with some powerful imagery and counter propaganda. Finding these people of a similar mindset seems like a bit like the fickle finger of fate brought us together in some way. —

I’ll be able to show off some new stuff I’ve been working on real soon. Until then though, it’s back to the drawing board and the waiting games. The waiting is the hardest part.

I’m more and more forgetting to blog daily… I’ve been doing more sketching and having fun experimenting with my time that has opened up.

- Wow– it seems like every bit of conversation I have with the Flobots gets better and better. I can’t get into specifics, but there’s a MUCH bigger picture they have their eye on and they want me to be a part of it– I’m pretty humbled by that. It almost feels like I might have found my calling. We’ll see. It also feels like something like I did with ORIGINS might have been good practice for stories that are brewing in my head that I want to tell. Other people’s stories.

- Saw Indiana Jones with the family on Friday. Yeah, there were some parts that were way corny. But my kids loved it. I guess looking back you could say it was fun… but I’m nostalgic I think for that magic that I remember in Crusade and Raiders. Not so much in Temple. — Still, when Indiana Jones comes out, you HAVE to go see it… it’s like Nerd Church. Same goes for Star Wars or any comic book movies…. although I think I’m skipping the HULK– besides Ed Norton, it’s looking pretty bad. Batman soon though… that’ll rock.

- This is the part I skip, because I’m still not sure how to exactly phrase something or the way I’m feeling right now. I guess I’ve settled on the fact that I’m feeling a bit let down lately though. You can’t sit around and worry about it though, it won’t solve anything. In the end, honesty will be the best policy.

- Off to eat grilled meats at the in-laws. I still wish I could stop eating meat… I’ve tried, but my body and mind end up hating me.

Forgot to blog this morning. Not that it’s required–  it just slipped my mind. I was actually pretty stoked to wake up and jump right into work on some stuff for the Flobots comics, and some conceptual stuff.

Speaking of Flobots, I was officially given the number Flobot-13 by Jonny 5 of the Flobots yesterday. I’m not letting anyone take that from me– you’ll have to fight me for it!

As I’ve worked today, my thoughts have wondered away from thoughts about just drawing comics… but the idea that I might be able to draw comics that can actually educate, inspire… I might have the real opportunity available to get that accomplished now. I’m not sure exactly how I’ll make money doing it, but it’s something i can say I actually want to do. I think a goal of mine is to actually be able to do just that full time.

Someone told me recently that I should think about just going all out and drawing big boobed sexy chick books, but I just can’t bring myself to that. I don’t want that to seem like I’m looking down on that stuff of the people who do those types of books— but for me personally, I think I want to create things and leave things behind that make people think, get great reviews— that’s more important to me than making a quick buck.  Hero By Night might not sell a bajillion copies (no comic does anymore sadly) but there’s an underlying positive message in it, about choices… it’s not JUST a super hero book. — But now I’m getting back to thinking– I don’t have to disguise these stories as other things. I seem to have a knack for just telling these stories straight up…. and that’s an exciting thought for the future.

I’m sort of swimming in the unknown right now.

I seem to be losing track of my days. It feels like Friday. Thank god it’s Thursday… let’s dive into my morning thoughts.

Woke up to my youngest son on the toilet exclaiming he needed help. He’s home sick. First thing this morning I was up running to get some Children’s Immodium and I was also informed to pick up something called Cheetos Cracker Tracks, which I guess is a medicine of some kind to make children feel better. Poor little guy. He’s so tiny for almost 7 years old. We call him the Leprechaun a lot, because not only is he tiny, but he has the flaming red irish hair… and a temper to match. It’s probably with all parents and their kids, but for some reason when he’s sick, he has this power over me where he’ll get his every wish and desire. You know when they’re faking it though.

Political Theater - Last night made for some awesome political theater. There was Clinton, poised to be interviewed on all of the major news anchors simultaneously, probably all about to ask her “Why the hell are you still running???” — and suddenly… BREAKING NEWS. John Edwards has endorsed Barack Obama. I watched the rally– I felt that energy come back into the campaign again. This was the juice he needed after the big loss In West Virginia.

It pained me to hear old bigots like Pat Buchanan on MSNBC denying the fact that the vote there was racially motivated, and accusing the anchors of being biased on their coverage and playing the race card. Chris Matthews broke it down for the old coot, but explaining that they were only reporting facts… the fact is, based on voluntary exit polling, conducted randomly to get to the average of truth– more people in West Virginia than ANY OTHER STATE were willing to say out loud that they wouldn’t vote for Barack Obama because of his race. Pat went on all day, and all night on Tuesday about how Barack doesn’t have the vote of the “blue collar working folks” —- I wanted to throw something at the screen.  But along comes John Edwards making his choice. John is champion of that demographic, and it’s not about race… it’s about poverty. His dropped some truth in his speech. I felt happy about that. We likely saw the Democratic ticket last night. Hillary should buy a clue and drop out today if she wants any real stake in the party. Change is coming in fast and hard.

Working - Still inking here. Almost wrapped up on the latest issue of HBN. I have about 4 pages to ink, and possibly one page to redraw and letter now again.

Heavy Ink- I’ve been informed that we’re currently the #2 sold thing on Heavy Ink right now according to the front page. We’re behind Atomic Robo who is in #1. And that’s fine with me, that’s a damn fine book. So thanks to all the friends out there who have been buying and subscribing through HEavy Ink. You can’t beat it, man. 20% off, Free Shipping? You can’t beat it. Check them out.

Nice words… For anyone who hasn’t met me in person or thinks I’m a giant ego filled ass of some kind, please read the kind words by our old friend, Creepy Carly. See? The things you may have heard are not true.

Still frustrated by things I have no control over and don’t want to speak publicly of. Its probably only a matter of time before my other personality takes over and starts splashing some truth all over the place, which usually leads to meltdown or self destructiveness, losing friends– you know the drill. I’m trying to keep that voice quiet. It’s very hard, but I’m doing it.

Back to the drawing board…

Dog kept me up last night– 2am then 4am… but I can sleep when I’m dead, right? Let’s go through a list of things on my cloudy mind this morning before coffee…

ITEM- If I’m not mistaken, today, entries open for the Comic Book Challenge 3

I don’t see a way to send entries in yet on the site, unless I’m blind or cloudy… but yeah, sharpen those pencils and get to work on your submissions.

ITEM- Flobots - Yeah, there’s a chance you haven’t heard of them yet, but you best seek out their album and start fighting with YOUR tools. I had a nice phonecall with Brer Rabbit from the band yesterday talking comic talk and how i might be able to use some of my tools to get messages out. I’m down for that!- This is a great example how the internet and technology has changed things for the better– it’s only been two weeks since I discovered their music, shot them an email with some ideas, and now we’re talking about 1970s Marvel comics and social messages embedded within comics. I really enjoyed the discussion and can’t wait to take it further. Now is the time.

ITEM- Uncertainty - I don’t like it. But there’s a lot of it bubbling around in different places in my life right now. I will say this though, where others see problems, I see opportunities. It’s hard for people to just jump into the unknown, but I took that leap a long long time ago. I have good friends who get on the edge of things happening, but they never take that next step. And it’s always some SMALL thing in their way. “I can’t afford a car.” - “I can’t do this because…” — You can talk yourself out of things until your blue in the face, but somewhere deep down you know what to do. Don’t hesitate…. jump.

ITEM- Seth Godin has a good thought about self promotion over here.

ITEM- There’s a studio/office tour of IDW publishing on CBR that Chris Ryall just posted about. I was curious when he blacked out some part of his bookshelf pertaining some upcoming projects they haven’t announced yet. This made me go look further at the other photos to see if I could see any posters or clues for something I was looking for– and this one here has a big one in it (on the wall behind guy in the red shirt) : ).

ITEM- Sort of speaking of which…. Have I ever mentioned my desire to draw the crap out of a GI JOE comicbook? My roots in comics and imagination began with GI JOE vs Cobra…. it was through that that I really “discovered” comics by way of the GI JOE comics…. #21 is where it’s at! — Larry Hama– I’ve never met the man, but I’d like to shake his hand, give him a hug and maybe cry on his shoulder and tell him I love him. Just sayin. And I know the the odds of any of that are slim to none. And slim just left town.

ITEM- COLD WEATHER. Not sure if anyone has noticed, but I’ve been trying to curb my language online for a while… that ends right now. FUCK YOU COLD WEATHER! Seriously.

ITEM- I want to run my OWN comic book company and do everything I think is right. Too bad the market wasn’t better.

ITEM- Somedays, I fancy owning my own comic book store, and putting a studio in it where comics are actually being produced. A bullpen inside a comic shop! I’m down! - Too bad the market isn’t getting any better any time soon.

ITEM- Comic Book Vending Machines. Seriously… I’ve droned on and on about this… but I’ve seen the technology, and there’s no reason if they can sell 300 dollar ipods and digital cameras and gear in a big vending machine, they can totally sell comics and graphic novels. Maybe even SIGNED stuff or original artwork inside certain machines…  This could be run out of a centralized distribution office, wherein you get people to lease or run the machines, or a vending company to stock the material– they could send back what didn’t sell and pack it right into the boxes that come with the new shipment. They’d only be billed for what sold, and of course the person tending to the machines make a fine cut. There’s probably an even better way to do it… by my genius mathematical calculations, it would take about 10 million dollars to get a company like that off the ground, and about 2 years of development and planning, engineering… in 5 years a company with 500-1000 machines nationwide could be earning 5-6 million a year in sales if they ran right.

ITEM- I just made up all that shit off the top of my head. It sounds right though. Did you also know that 85% of the public would be willing to buy items from an automated machine like that? What about used video games? Toys? Action Figure vending? - What about teaming with a big chain evil empire like Walmart– actually this is a nice way AROUND their in-store contracts where they make you pay PER INCH of space in their store and everything has to be returnable. It would be perfect because if you worked a deal where it was Walmarts who were stocking the machines and getting a cut of revenue… it would also open up space on their shelves for more toy items, or other materials. Walmarts love to utilize every inch of space.

ITEM- I’m rambling again about innovation and corky ideas. I’ll shut up now. I have comics to go draw.

ITEM- Go read Hero By Night. It’s a story I wanted to make for ALL OF YOU.

This is awesome news. I don’t think there’s a day, maybe an hour that goes by without me thinking about all our friends and family overseas. I always wish and pray that the war will be over and that we can bring them all home…. until then though, we’re sending them tons of comics for Free Comic Book Day! Here’s the release:

Platinum Studios and Operation Troop Aid Band Together to Bring “Free Comic Book Day” To U.S. Troops in Iraq

LOS ANGELES–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Platinum Studios, Inc. (OTCBB:PDOS), an entertainment company that controls an international library of more than 5,600 comic book characters which it adapts, produces and licenses for all forms of media, and Operation Troop Aid (OTA), a 501(c)(3) charity that is the premiere care package provider to US troops stationed abroad, announced today that they jointly are bringing “Free Comic Book Day” to U.S. troops stationed in Iraq.

The 7^th Annual Free Comic Book Day on Saturday, May 3, 2008, organized by Diamond Comic Distributors, is a single day when participating comic book shops across North America and around the world give away comic books absolutely free to anyone who comes into their stores.

“As a silver sponsor to this year’s Free Comic Book Day, Platinum Studios wanted to reach out to our service men and women to bring them a little bit of home,” said Michael Schreibman, Vice President of Operations at Platinum Studios. “Platinum Studios is thrilled to have been able to enlist the help of Operation Troop Aid to accomplish this mission.”

“When Platinum Studios called us, we said yes immediately,” said Mark Woods, founder of OTA. “Comics books are a welcome addition to the care packages we send to the troops in IRAQ. This partnership is a perfect match and it will definitely benefit thousands of deployed troops.”

The companies will bring 27,000 comic books and graphic novels to service men and women stationed in Iraq. The titles from Platinum Studios Comics include: Blood Nation, 2006 Comic Book Challenge winner Hero By Night, KISS 4K Legends Never Die, Unique, The Weapon, Nightfall, Ghosting and Consumed.

About Platinum Studios, Inc. http://www.platinumstudios.com/news/index.php

About Operation Troop Aid (OTA)

The mission of Operation Troop Aid (OTA) is to provide care packages for deployed U.S. Service Members with revenue generated through professional concert promotions and public financial generosity. OTA is a non-profit 501(c)(3) corporation striving to make a positive difference and inspire our Armed Forces by letting them know Americans stand with them.

For more information, please go to www.operationtroopaid.org

Not much sleep last night, and for good reason. I may have gotten what could be a life changing type of job offer that would have us uprooting here- But that’s all I can say about that.

It was just the news I needed after a day of election stuff around Pennsylvania. As regular Coffee readers know, I’m an Obama supporter. And I don’t begrudge anyone else for who they’re voting for. I am the kind where if Clinton were the Nom though, I just wouldn’t vote. I can’t. Look up the myriad of things she and her husband have been involved with and I just can’t rightly cast my vote for her. I’m baffled Pennsylvania went for her, because NAFTA has torn this state apart. It also pains my brain to hear on the news “Clinton gets the high school graduate and uneducated votes, while Obama gets the college graduates and educated workers” — that’s basically saying Pennsylvania is a bunch of uneducated DUMBASSES. Suddenly Clinton was “that girl from Scranton” — wasnt’ she from Arkansas? New York? Saywha…. I call that Chameleon Carpetbaggery.– Anyways, I can’t get too upset. Obama will be the nominee, he will be the next president. It’s in the cards this time.

Pittsburgh Comicon madness– Man, I didn’t get much sleep last night, I’m trying to wrap pencils on my new issue and start inks, I gotta run and get a blow up poster dropped off for printing– busy busy busy day today… Also we’re planning a get together at my house on Friday night after the show. The first time we’ve entertained here really since we moved in. Word got out and 3 people turned into 10. Now I’m hoping they don’t think we have a live DJ here or something, I’m the only live DJ and the only thing I can spin is a pencil.

Wow… my brain is spinning here. I wish I could say more.

Go read Hero By Night!