Site Happenings: April 1, 2012

Something just occurred to me, it's now been two years since I acquired this blog space and began contemplating when, how, and why I was tackling this thing. And quite frankly, I'm still not sure. Initially I intended to feature original art and graphic design. Having not really done much with my talents in a while I've found inspiration and motivation to be infrequent. I've also been highly critical of my design work, being only self-taught in Photoshop, Illustrator, and such.

Basically, its going to be a while until there's any real artistic content.

In the meantime I've been bouncing back and forth between promoting comics and music that I find unique and interesting. I think there's been too little music and too much and the wrong kind of focus on comics. THIS WEEK IN PANELS is getting out of hand as I find myself reading more and more titles each week in effort to lengthen the post, leading only to delays in the actual posting. Quality over quantity.

This brings me to some upcoming projects:

• THIS WEEK IN PANELS will become PULL LISTED as I focus on selected titles (TBA) and feature full reviews. I'm still debating whether PULL LISTED will be a single post on Thursdays or spread over two or three days. I'll do a test run this week and last week's delayed TWIP will see publication later today.


• The Hunger Games movie review has been pushed back until I get a chance to see it once more to solidify my opinions. They're a little jaded at the moment, having been somewhat a fan of the novels. Expect it sometime next weekend or the following Monday (April 9.)


• Paul Pope's Batman: Year 100 comic review is coming soon. SPOILER ALERT: Its awesome.


• And expect much more music to come. I'm going to try and hook up some interviews with independent (and possibly local) musicians. Album reviews should be more frequent, too, with Melvins and Quakers reviews coming shortly.

I hope those of you following are still entertained as I try and figure out exactly what I'm doing here. I'll try to figure it out as soon as possible. Drop me a line with encouragement, criticism, and comments.

- J

Sponsored!

almost colossus is proud to announce a sponsorship with former harbinger of the Spirit of Vengeance, the once Ghost Rider, Johnny Blaze.

My name is jamius and I approve this message.

This image will be available as a button on the lower right-hand column shortly should you wish to link to almost colossus from your own blog or page.

Listenings: Gonjasufi, MU.ZZ.LE | Grimes, Visions

The Year of Colossus

We're coming up on 1,000 views shortly, which is both exciting and surprising given our rather lax update schedule. There has been a number of features that didn't play out quite as soon as promised, and although there's a number of reasons for this, both legit and just excuses (Grant Morrison's run on New X-Men pretty much ran my life for about a week there), they're coming. Trust me.

My wife and I have had somewhat of a time dealing with the impact of 2011. It's been a heavy year for us, filled with emotions good and bad, and we've made few efforts to keep our resolutions for 2012 and beyond.

So, join us in celebrating The Year of Colossus this February 1st, 2012! Leading up to the AC New Year, I'll be finally be posting the 11 Albums of 2011 feature as well as a number of 2011 leftovers including some design work from our October wedding.

Look forward to more music reviews this new year, because writing seems to be where I'm at right now. I'm also adding the final touches to a logo I can be excited about.

Thanks for hanging in there, guys, and to AC 2012: Get healthy, get wealthy, and get lost!

Soundtrack: Grimes, Visions | Lana Del Ray, "Born to Die (Clams Casino remix)" | Mos Def, The Ecstatic

Stop SOPA!

Almost Colossus is joining with over 7,000 websites today in "going on strike" to raise awareness of the Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) and PROTECT-IP Act (PIPA) currently awaiting decision in the U.S. House and Senate, respectively. SOPA/PIPA would allow the government and corporations to censor the internet at will without threat of due process, thus crippling freedom of speech and access to information in accordance with our 1st Amendment rights.

To understand the effect of these laws from the perspective of the independent artist (and since I could not have stated it any better), posted below is a petition to Pennsylvania Congressmen from Gavin Robb, friend of Almost Colossus and human avatar/front man of Philly Cyber Art Rock group S.T.A.R.W.O.O.D.

To learn more, visit AmericanCensorship.org and help stop Congress from passing this Orwellian bullshit!

Dear Representatives Toomey, Fatah, & Casey,

The internet has been instrumental to each and every modern artist, rewarding them fairly for their often undervalued sacrifice and the hard work required to make a living (no matter how meager) sharing their talents and passions. In the frighteningly common event that we are unable to sustain ourselves on our art alone, simply being able to share it with others is instrumental to our sense of compensation. S.968, the PROTECT IP Act (PIPA) would cripple that ability, ultimately taking the simple, sincere joy of sharing art for arts sake away from those who cherish it. And for what?

The very industry that has forever shortchanged the artists who have sustained it is comprised of the corporations who support this bill, all in the name of their own infinite greed.

Their self serving interests in ending the golden age of the internet is not worth irrevocably hindering something that has meant so much to so many.

Gavin Robb

Listening to: David Bowie, Low | S.T.A.R.W.O.O.D.

Schedule Schmedule

 Sorry for the recent lack of content, gang. I know, I've only been up and posting for a little over a month now and I've already lulled.

I've been spending every ounce of free time designing invitations, favors, and other such items for my quickly approaching wedding. It's been pretty stressful but exciting to have a practical reason to utilize Photoshop and Illustrator. I'm also designing a logo for a friend's youth activities group as well as a local start-up business, and I'm still tweaking the logo and page design for this very blog. I've been learning a lot and once finished I'm going to have a variety of work to add to my portfolio, which is exciting. Next up, business cards!

I've also settled on a new weekly schedule for Almost Colossus to create some consistency and daily (or near daily) content. This way I can spread my interests out in a practical way rather than a mire of random content from day-to-day. It should look something like this:

Music Monday

Album and concert reviews, industry news, whatever strikes my fancy

Tuesday - TBA

Wednesday Sketch

In high school, my art teacher required a complete sketch to presented and critiqued by the class each Wednesday. At the time, it was totally fascist; structure in the face of an otherwise lax period of artistic freedom, man! But now I understand the benefit of repetition and visualizing one's style develop. You require discipline!

Thursday - Comic News/Opinions/Reviews (Heading TBA)
'Cause new comics arrive on Wednesday. I like comics.

Food Friday
Recipes, restaurant/food critiques. Like Monday, just with food.

Saturday/Sunday - SHOMER SHABBOS!

So that's it, kiddos. I'm going to be breaking routine later this week (hopefully as early as tomorrow) by posting a review of the DC Comics debut relaunch title, Justice League #1, which was just released today. There is obviously an abundance of reviews already floating around the net, some posted as early as midnight last night. I've read quite a few, before and after reading the issue myself, and I've yet to find my opinions accurately reflected so I'm proud to be bringing a unique view to a critique of this flagship title.

Until then,
Peas.

- J

TDKR: Casting Rogue

This past Saturday I was set to take part of the filming of The Dark Knight Rises at Heinz Stadium in Pittsburgh, PA, but due to the inefficient reservation practices of Be In A Movie, the firm staging the casting call, my droogs and I were only able to obtain stand-by tickets. Already facing the hindrances of travel, hotel stay, and looming ill weather we chose to not risk the trip. As it turns out, we missed out on quite a show. With little effort one can find online full details of Saturday's filming including an audio snippet of Bane (Tom Hardy) delivering a speech to the Gotham Rogues hostage audience.

Tom Hardy as Bane

Every spoilery bit of TDKR has been pretty exciting. Although I have been following it closely I have little interest in sharing unofficial photos, reports, and such here. I am more than pleased to share official details, though.

Anne Hathaway as Selina Kyle

Read around at your own risk; there seems to be a lot available, unlike Nolan's previous secretiveness with The Dark Knight. I doubt much is being ruined or disclosed, though, given the enormous cast and rumored plot lines. All of the Pittsburgh details are sure to be a mere few minutes of the film.

Tweet

Special Brewings

I'm working on some new designs, specifically the official AC logo (not the one gracing the Facebook page) and some logos for a good friend's organization. I also have some writings in the works, primarily music, including my Best So Far of 2011 list. After all, what's a blog without a list? And I'm definitely looking forward to jumping in the comic book blogosphere with regular reviews starting on some of DC's New 52 titles.

Batwoman: one to watch

Until then, I'll try and be more frequent with postings of design work past and random cool shit I find lying about the internets.