Build-a-Hero Project

I love, love, LOVE Norbert's Build-a-Hero Project.

Banjo versus TV week 114: Commitment

A check-in on the Banjo versus TV project — J.R.'s ongoing plan to spend more time on his banjo than on TV. This post covers 5/2/2010 through 5/8/2010.

That horrible viral sickness continued this week so I didn't do much, banjo-wise.

The only thing I've got to talk about this week from a comic book podcast I listened to. It's related to the banjo only because it reinforces a theme I've previously discussed from a banjo lesson. (Which means it doesn't tie together my banjo and comic interests as neatly as my superhero hoedown did, but I digress.)

The theme is one of commitment and repetition, which you remember, of course, from this snippet of an August 2008 banjo lesson.

We talked a lot about wrong notes. (Go figure!)

• A music prof of Dave's (from his Washington College days) told his singers, "If you hit something wrong, never let your face show it."
• Joe Pass wrote (possibly in a book called The Zen of Guitar) that if you hit a wrong note, hit it again. Hit it again. Hit it again! Make something out of it.

I recalled that advice when listening to War Rocket Ajax podcast, Episode 21 – Megashark & Octopus w/ Greg Pak & Fred Van Lente. In this episode hosts Chris and Euge are interviewing Fred Van Lente and Greg Pak, the authors of Incredible Hercules.

The segment from 1:07:15 to 1:11:58 makes a point (using examples from Margaret Cho and Will Ferrel) about how, when performing, you need to commit to something, don't be afraid to repeat it and never let the audience see your doubt. Go ahead and listen to it, but I should warn you that the segment will make a lot more sense if you've read the "Thorcules" arc of the Incredible Hercules run.

That's all I've got. 'Cause, like I said: sickness.

Cross-posted at J.R.'s Banjo Hangout blog

Help ID these costumes from Chicago Comic-Con 2009

Once again I took a ton of photos of cosplayers at Chicago Comic-Con (formerly Wizard World Chicago) and, geek that I am, I was able to identify most of the costumes and label them in my Flickr set.

All modesty aside, I'm really good at that. I mean, come on. If I can identify Beth Deville...

...who can't I identify?

A lot of costumes, actually. So here's where you all get to help out. Can you help me identify the following?

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Is this Riddler? I mean, she's Riddler-esque, but there are no question marks.


Update 8/16/2009: The Warden from Superjail! Thanks to Money Mike for the ID.

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This guy is really familiar. Death Something? Something Walker?


Update 8/11/2009: Skeletor. I am so embarrassed. Thanks to all the folks at AgileTek's company meeting who set me straight.

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OK, so I don't know my women of GI Joe. Yeah, I know the woman on the left is Baroness, but who's the one on the right?


Update 8/9/2009: Baroness and Scarlett

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Darn it, I know I've seen this costume in a previous year and was eventually able to identify it as a character in a video game. What's her name?

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She definitely wanted to strike this pose for the photo. Should that be a hint as to who she is?

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Yes, she is adorable. But who is she?

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These are characters from Street Fighter, right? But who? (Yeah, I'm weak on post-1986 video games.)

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The Punisher Meets Archie

Thanks to a tip from the indefatigible Chris Sims I have a new addition to J.R.'s wish list:

Archie Meets the Punisher.

Or is that The Punisher Meets Archie?

Either way, I want it.

Update: And I got it for my banjoversary. Thanks, Mom!

Helen Killer

Here's hoping that Helen Killer is everything that Chris Sims says it is. Sounds like a comic for the ages.

Update: Oh no! Everybody's sold out of Helen Killer #1! I've tried three comic shops. Good thing that Wizard World Chicago is coming up next month; I should be able to find a copy there.

Who are you wearing?

Imagine – as I did while watching the Oscars – that you are a collector of comic book T-shirts who has somehow wound up on the red carpet outside the Kodak Theatre before the Academy Awards, being interviewed while wearing one of your shirts. How would you reply to the ubiquitous question, "Who are you wearing?"

"C. C. Beck"	"Mac Raboy"	"Joe Shuster"
"Bill Everett"	"Carmine Infantino"	"Harry Lampert"
"George Papp"	"Gil Kane"	"Martin Nodell"
"Bob Kane"	"Matt Wagner"	"Joe Simon"
"Carmine Infantino"	"Jack Kirby"