BLOGSTORM!

JUNE 2009: SHOTS. New ones. Old ones. Something for everyone, at last. And still one more year to go for MG's Illustration masters degree, so more imagery to surface. But two years -- or whatever it's been -- was too long for the update, true. "What happened to 'Monthly', Garrett?" Heh. Yeah. I plead guilty. But I hope these new offerings redeem me. If the next update takes another two years... I'll get my name changed to MUD (all caps). Now, howzat for a bet? DECEMBER 2008: The BEEF N' BRAINS ON ICE TOUR was a blast. Thanks for making the journey with us. Unfortunately, we lost money, so the tour's name sticks; back to the cryo-chamber they go, until time and energy, and money, permits us to get issue 2 and beyond rolling. Making comics ain't easy, so stay tuned while MG returns to Illustration, finishing that Masters degree; the Advertising pursuits ran their course, with Garrett recognizing the benefit of seeing where his passions truly reside, preferring to become a master illustrator and not just an Illustration burn-out who thought jumping ship for advertising was the ticket; after much soul-searching, and seeing the benefits of either major, he had to come to grips with the fact that even modest talent in copywriting after 6 months did not, could not possibly trump 17 years of passionate illustration. He's back at the drawing board. End of story. Although, it should be noted that he can draw a mean ad campaign; just ask his professors and fellow students. Drawing comics for money would be nice, but he finally, truly, totally has options for survival outside of superheroes. We all thank you for understanding. Oh, and storyboard work is now on the horizon, thanks to new connections thanks to his getting to take one great editing class, working with Final Cut Pro. Some amazing students in there, and a great teacher; learning how to edit with such cool peeps around has been the highlight of Fall semester, '08. Final thought: the future's brighter with more options and restored confidence when it comes to illustration. Happy 2009! OCTOBER 2008: At last, the BEEF N' BRAIN ON ICE TOUR makes its final stop -- shortly -- on 11/1 and 11/2 at the Alternative Press Expo, in San Francisco, at the Concourse Center. We still have some T-shirts left -- and the comics, too (plus whatever Matt Walker's bringing -- we still don't know!) -- so bring your pennies! And depending on sales, BNB may very well get thawed out for a second issue (the possibility's certainly been thought out); hundreds more wacky adventures with the guys are still aching to be told -- no fib! 'Course, being a shoestring operation, it's one thing at a time -- a slow, grueling and gradual process. So...we'll be seeing you there! Riiight...? Without YOU and our gracious sponsors (see above) who've put their reputations on the line, we would be sunk. Struth (Australian for "true dat")! Anyhow, it has been a blast seeing you all on this lengthy and very epic tour across the Californias. Lots of...interesting cities, to say the least. Thanks for the support! SEPTEMBER 2008: Editor Benjamin Szumskyj's AMERICAN EXORCIST is available now at... Whoa, Nelly...! www.AMAZON.com?! Spread the news, and the links! MG's essay appears in it along with a dozen other fine essays on The Man's (Blatty) work, by other Exorcist and Blatty fans. Praise God. FEBRUARY 2008: Meet BEEF N' BRAINS. Nick Skiziks and Chuck Grayzer, junior college chums straight outta da fictional city of Plankton. Issue 1 is just $2.95 (plus shipping). Quite AFFORDABLE these days, yeah...? Order your copy from the BLASTORE. Or buy it in person to dodge shipping. Created in 1992 by Sean "New York Street Tough" Zimmerman whilst in 6th grade, and at last successfully interpreted by Michael G for the modern day, to show people what comics used to be, and ought to be all about, before the monotonous glut of the grimey, grimmed-up 1990s set a sub-standard, with the input of Sean Z and the rad penciling skillz of BLASTORM vet Laz Novak (of NEUTRON CRUSH fame). ZIMMERMAN AND GARRETT'S BEEF N' BRAINS - Book One has something for just about everyone: -Hair metal band Tuff Guyz (not to be confused with Tuff Luvv) on the wraparound cover and on the inside for you aging and balding metalheads? CHECK! -Heroes with great power AND responsibility, something parents can salute? CHECK! -A comic book that is in fact a "comic" book? CHECK! - Something that "Demented" Don Chin, auteur of the ADOLESCENT RADIOACTIVE BLACK BELT HAMSTERS (now back courtesy Dynamite Entertainment.) may have endorsed prematurely? CHECK! -By all accounts an instant classic? CHECK! Available NOW? YEP! Get 'em while they're hot! Issue 2 is on the fast track for the Fall. And the next umpteen issues or so are quite literally writing themselves. They're good sports like that! See you at whatever conventions and funnybook shops let us in! BEEF N' BRAINS is here to stay. The FUTURE of comic books has one foot in the PAST, if we can be so lucky. And you can help! Even if you're a vegetarian or maybe not the brightest bulb in the lamp, BNB is an epic comic book saga for your times. ROCK N' ROLL! MG PS. BLASTORM is in hibernation. Far from dead. Thanks for asking. His fabled third book by the various talented scribes and Yours Truly will be the trilogy-capper, that will launch the character into a brand-new direction. Incidentally, look for a prelude story in a future issue of BNB which will segue right in nicely to that third book. Man, I can't wait!

For older news, check out the Blastorm Back. -Mike Garrett, ENGOVE COMICS SIC (Shmuck In Charge)