Billy Wamsley's Posts

Priceless and Cheap.

Posted by Billy Wamsley on January 21, 2008 at 4:07pm

I have been fascinated with the work of Michelangelo for much of my adult life. In fact, if I had to pick a favorite artist of the Renaissance, he would be the one.

I suppose my interest started when I learned how many times his efforts to produce various pieces of art were thwarted by the demands of those funding him for other works.

I mean, Michelangelo was an amazing sculptor, and yet, time and again, he was called on to paint. Mind you, he was amazing at that as well (after all, he painted the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel), but there had to be such frustration at not being able to do what he truly felt he had a gift for.

I think every artist and aspiring artist that is NOT independently wealthy can understand.

Anyway, when I read The Agony and the Ecstasy, (yes, read - it is more than just a movie, friends), there is one quote that hit me like a 2x4. It is a line that Bertoldo says to Michelangelo:

Talent is cheap; dedication is expensive.

I knew a guy a while back. I would have to say that I was terribly jealous of him. How's that for honesty? He had this amazing drawing ability. When I say amazing, I mean AMAZING. He was drawing at a level as a teenager that I don't know if I'll ever reach in my life. Worse yet, it came so easy for him.

Isn't that always the way?

(See? Told you I was jealous... or used to be, anyway.)

It would hard to be jealous of his talent now because he has done absolutely nothing with it. NOTHING.

Yes, its a waste, but I suppose that is a person's choice. Some people just don't want to put any of the needed effort behind their talents.

Talent is one of those things that some people are just born with. Sure, I fully believe that anyone can learn just about anything with enough effort, but to have such a knack for something, to be born with that kind of talent, it is priceless.

Priceless and, yet, cheap. Priceless in value, but because it comes without effort, those who hold those talents can take them for granted, even toss them aside.

Talent costs nothing, and some people treat it like that's exactly what it is worth.

The key is dedication. You take what you have, and you focus, put the work and time in, and move forward. Talent is nice, certainly gives a healthy head start, but if you don't do anything with it, what good is it?

In the dictionary, to be dedicated means to be wholly committed. Quite simply, to be dedicated to something means to put everything you are and have into it.

Everything.

Dedication *is* expensive.

As a matter of fact, going back to the Agony and the Ecstasy, the very next line after the quote I've mentioned is this:

It will cost you your life.

This is where the rubber meets the road, though. You can take whatever level of talent you have for something, be it math, computers, teaching, speaking, art, or whatever, and you can choose to put your full effort behind it to turn it into something... or you can choose not to.

Don't worry if you choose to not cultivate your talent. You certainly won't be alone.

Like Blaise Pascal once said:

Nothing is as approved as mediocrity, the majority has established it and it fixes its fangs on whatever gets beyond it either way.

Type at you later.

I really should be more excited over this.

Posted by Billy Wamsley on January 20, 2008 at 10:08am

*Sigh*

The first images from the new Star Trek film are surfacing. Well, actually, there were some images of Zachary Quinto (Sylar on Heroes) as Spock that made the rounds earlier, but these are the official type of images, going along with the first teaser trailer for the new film.

Most importantly, its a look at the new version of the classic Enterprise.

It looks... fine.

Oh, who am I kidding? Try as I might, I cannot get excited over this.

Why?

The film is being made by J.J. Abrams.

For those of you that don't know, J.J. Abrams is a highly successful writer, director, and producer. He has been responsible for some majorly successful productions...

... that I don't like.

You know that super-successful juggernaut called Lost? Yeah, he did that. You remember Alias? Yeah, he did that. You remember Mission: Impossible III? No? Well, can't blame you there. But, yeah, he did that, too.

He's also done this big Cloverfield thing that came out this weekend. Yep, people have been talking about that for a while, but me? No interest at all.

Why do I dislike what Abrams makes? It all goes back to Alias. See, I started watching Alias right at the start. I thought I was watching a show about spies.

Who doesn't like a good spy thriller, right?

Unfortunately, it wasn't long until the spy-centric show was caught up in ancient prophecies and magical devices and Rambaldi-this and Rambaldi-that, and me? I was stuck. I was stuck in this horrible show.

You know, that is where I have to give credit to Lost. I watched the very first episode, and they at least threw an invisible dinosaur right into the pilot in order to warn me, hey, you don't wanna watch this show.

And, so, I watched Alias, and each episode connected to the last, and I could never get off. Finally, after three seasons of watching this show I didn't even like, I looked at my family and said, "I hate this show, and I'm not going to watch it anymore!"

Oh, sweet freedom! Glorious freedom from the bondage of this lodestone!

I'm not kidding. It was such a relief to be free of this show, despite the constant cliffhangers and mysteries that I'll never have answers about.

(But, I was tricked... and I saw Mission: Impossible III... which was just a horribly rehashed episode of Alias with a higher caliber of actor.)

Thus, it was with no small amount of horror that I heard that J.J. Abrams was taking over the Star Trek movie franchise, and re-birthing it.

I don't think I can handle a Star Trek with mysterious polar bears, invisible dinosaurs, ancient transporters designed by DiVinci knock-offs, and prophecies of Ensign Chekov as the key to it all.

Ugh.

Type at you later.

(Another request - Nightcrawler.)

All those who chose to oppose his shield must yield!

Posted by Billy Wamsley on January 19, 2008 at 12:07pm

Captain America is about to return. Sorta.

That's right, folks, after ten months without the Star Spangled Avenger, Captain America is set to make his debut on January 30, 2008, in Captain America 34.

His debut?!?

Yeah, this ain't the Cap we all knew and loved. It is another person (I won't say who, so as not to spoil it) in the... well, disturbing yet familiar costume.

The modified (rather liberally dubbed a "redesign") costume is the product of Alex Ross and what looks to be a black marker. Or, for the most part anyway. There are other subtle differences (no ear holes, modified gloves), and, of course, the costume is very, very shiny.

It is a horrible, horrible look. This costume design makes the baby Jesus cry.

(A joke probably lost on many of you that did not grow up in a predominantly Catholic town where children were constantly told that would occur if their behavior was bad.)

Still, after nearly a year of NOT having a Captain America in a comic book titled Captain America, I'm looking forward to this. The writer on the series, Ed Brubaker, should be applauded for managing to keep a comic going without the title character for this long.

(Of course, if you ask some of my friends, you will find out that my patience was wearing thin here, and I was about to drop the book. Having a Cap back, even if it isn't Steve Rogers, has held that off... for the moment.)

But, this isn't the only time that Captain America will be returning this year.

In another project slated for this year, there will be a 12-part series titled Avengers/Invaders in which the Invaders from World War II will somehow be plucked out of the 40's and transported to the modern day Marvel Universe. The Invaders were a team of heroes that included an android Human Torch, Namor the Submariner, and, of course, Captain America.

It will be interesting to see how the original Captain America, fresh from the 1940's, will react to the guy in the teflon suit.

I'm looking forward to that... a lot.

Type at you later.

I Watch Too Much TV.

Posted by Billy Wamsley on January 18, 2008 at 2:23pm

With the current writer's strike, and the lack of good TV on the horizon, I've been thinking a lot about what I would consider to be my favorite TV shows, both currently running and sadly departed.

I formed what some would call a list. A list? Yes, a list... of four.

Four?

Hmm. Yeah, that was a problem, because today is Friday, and that means four just won't cut it!

The first four just instantly popped into my head, but the fifth eluded me. There were shows I thought of... but I don't know if they ranked high enough to be included in a list of five.

Finally, I figured I could solve the problem by expanding the list to ten. If I could come up with ten shows that I would consider favorites, then I could weed out the favorites of that list and come up with the five I needed.

It worked.

Before we get to this list, though, please remember a few things I considered when drafting this.

First, these are my favorites. In no way should that be misconstrued as being the "best" TV shows ever. I know there are better shows out there, but these are the ones that I like best.

Second, the choice of the shows is based on my overall enjoyment of them throughout their run. All shows can have a lackluster season. That doesn't put them out of the running unless those lackluster seasons overwhelm the good.

Third, I didn't toss in shows that ran for a single season or less. A show can be brilliant for a season and just stink in the overall. If the show wasn't around long enough to get a good sampling, I eliminated it.

Fourth, absence makes the heart grow fonder. I realize that there are some shows that were on my list of ten that may have qualified to be in the top five, but they are are still being run on a constant basis. As a result, I don't have that "I wish this was still on" feeling about them that I do other shows that are not being run currently. That definitely affected the ranking of these, in at least two cases.

Now that you have been prepared, on with the show!

My Five Favorite TV Shows

Show the First - Quantum Leap

Without a doubt, this is my favorite show of all time. Following Dr. Samuel Beckett as he traveled through time, putting things right that once went wrong, was the television highlight of my high school years. I followed this show through various schedule changes, participated in the letter writing campaign to save it, and have even considered attending the Quantum Leap Convention (in L.A. in 2009!). I even get excited about every rumor of a revival of this show, and I've watched the entire first season of Journeyman on NBC because it reminds me of Quantum Leap. I miss this show a lot.

Show the Second - Star Trek: Deep Space Nine

I'm a huge Star Trek fan, and I will argue with anyone that this is the best of the Treks. The storylines of this show are epic, and connected throughout the run. The caliber of acting on this series is fantastic, and Avery Brooks, in particular, is amazing as Captain Benjamin Sisko. This show ran for seven seasons, but could have gone longer. It went out on a high note, which I'm thankful for, but I still wish it had stuck around for a couple of more seasons.

Show the Third - Mystery Science Theater 3000

I remember the first time I ever saw this show. It was at a friend's house. The show was on Comedy Central, a channel that our cable system didn't have, but his did. The very next day, I harrassed my father until he called our cable company to request that it be added. It only took about a year before they finally did. Just in time for the annual Turkey Day Marathon. I even remember the song used in the commercials promoting it:

We gather together
To watch cheesy movies
On Comedy Central
On Thanksgiving Day
At Mystery Science
(deep breath)
Theatre 3000,
Its 30 straight hours
And its called Turkey Day!

It is one thing to remember a theme song (which I also know, each of the versions!), but the song from a commercial? Now, that's impact.

The show was great. A guy and his robots, making fun of horrible films inflicted on them by a mad scientist and his henchman. If that doesn't scream "Must See TV," I don't know what does.

Show the Fourth - Wild West Tech

Hey, here's something you probably don't know about me - I love the Old West. I love Westerns, I've read most of the books written by Louis L'Amour, and if there is a documentary on the Old West, I'm likely to watch it.

And, that is what I love about this show. It is like a really fascinating documentary, broken up into bite sized pieces. Each episode focuses on a topic, like gamblers or gunslingers, and then proceeds to tell about the technology used, enrobed in the most interesting tales from the time. I could watch these shows for hours and never get bored.

Show the Fifth - Law & Order

I've watched this show since it premiered 18 years ago. I like procedural dramas, and this has to be my favorite of all of them.

The show is divided into the two aspects of a case - the investigation and the prosecution. It is like two half hour shows that interact. I think it helps the show to not drag as most hour long procedurals seem to do.

With the focus on a single case, from beginning to end, you get the whole story, and can really get in depth. And, I like that the focus is on the work and not the characters. Sure, over the years, we've learned about the cops and the attorneys on the show, but almost always in an offhand sort of way.

And, since it has been on 18 years, I have to figure I'm not the only one out there that likes it.

Oh, and as a bonus, here is a list of the other five, without order or comment:

Star Trek
Angel
Voltron: Defender of the Universe
The Dick Van Dyke Show
M*A*S*H

Type at you later.

Songs to Sob to...

Posted by Billy Wamsley on January 17, 2008 at 6:33am

Dick Clark once said that music is the soundtrack of our lives.

I need a personal soundtrack.

I mean, why can't I have one? If we are supposed to be the hero of our own story, it seems to me everyone needs a soundtrack.

I've actually had times in my life where music played such a strong role that I could easily assemble the soundtrack for it. For example, there was a time back in college where I could easily map out exactly what the soundtrack would be if they made a movie of that moment of my life. I believe that the order was something along this line:

My Girl - The Temptations

Lady in Red - Chris De Burgh

Can't Fight This Feeling - REO Speedwagon

The Glory of Love - Peter Cetera

When a Man Loves a Woman - Percy Sledge

Breakfast at Tiffanys - Deep Blue Something

At This Moment - Billy Vera and the Beaters

She - The Monkees

Love Stinks - J. Geils Band

It Must Have Been Love - Roxette

I Wish It Would Rain - The Temptations

Tainted Love - Soft Cell

Red Rubber Ball - The Cyrkle

Yep. Thanks to YouTube, there it is, the chronicle of a college heartbreak, laid out in song and video. Man, I am so a child of the 80's.

But I need a more general type of soundtrack. I want music that I can hear in my head for sequences in my life... not tied to particular events. I need an openning credits song, an action song, a comedic moment song, a touching/heartfelt moment song, a rise-to-the-occasion/overcoming song, a victory song, etc., etc., etc.

More than any of those, though, I want a theme song. A song that, if it played while I walked into a room, people would say, yep, that fits him.

It would not be without precedent. I mean, who can doubt Darth Vader is on his way when you hear THAT music (you know what I'm talking about)? And pro wrestlers have had this forever! As a kid, I can remember Another One Bites the Dust blaring as the Junk Yard Dog made his way to the ring, or knowing I was about to see Hulk Hogan when I Am A Real American started playing.

The one I've claimed thus far has been You've Got The Touch by Stan Bush, but I'm thinking there may be a better one out there for me. It could be I'm like one of those TV shows that changes its theme each season. Maybe it is time for a change.

Any suggestions?

Type at you later.

(Original character - Eagle Red)

Friends are Friends Forever...

Posted by Billy Wamsley on January 16, 2008 at 6:26am

I'm going to quote a Matthew Perry film in this blog.

Yeah, I was surprised, too. Nevertheless, it'll happen.

Not that I have anything against Matthew Perry. I just wouldn't think that I'd be quoting one of his movies.

Anyway, one of my favorite Bible verses is Psalm 37:4 -

Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart.

There are verses in the Word of God that we cling to in hard times, and this is a big one for me. I would imagine this is true of anyone that isn't quite in the place in their life that they want to be. It is a verse that gives hope. It is a verse that can keep dreams alive.

Of course, there are those that would like to think that this means God will get them a new Escalade, or a fancy mansion, or a million dollars and a barrel of spending money.

Sorry, folks. God isn't a giant slot machine in the sky. If you are looking for prizes, try game shows.

The problem is the that people tend to focus on the wrong part of this verse - the "what do I get" part. Or, at least, the *obvious* "what do I get" part.

Because, folks, don't miss it - there are two things you get in this verse.
The verse starts out "Delight yourself in the Lord." It is a command, but also a precious invitation. Delight yourself in the Lord, take full joy in Him, celebrate Him.

We are talking the key to happiness, here, folks.

And, once you delight yourself in Him, you are gonna find out that your priorities change. Sorry to tell you that, but it is true. Trust me, though, once you start delighting in God, you won't mind so much that your previous "desire" for the riches of this world suddenly don't seem so strong.

(Here it comes.)

There is a line in the movie Fools Rush In that I think of when I think about what happens when our desires start lining up with God's as we delight in Him. In the movie, two people from wildly different worlds marry, and these differences threaten to tear them apart. Matthew Perry's character, though, realizes that he is truly in love, and in a girl-swooning moment of cinema says this line:

You are everything I never knew I always wanted.

When we delight in God, when we truly start to find joy in Him, our hearts and minds adjust. Our desires change. Things we didn't care about before are now very important, while other things that we obsessed over previously recede into the background.

When we delight in Him, He will give us the desires of our heart... even if we don't know what they are just yet.

Type at you later.

Petra - Double Take

Posted by Billy Wamsley on January 15, 2008 at 7:20am

Double Take, which came out in 2000, is the 19th release from Petra. The album features 10 acoustic rearrangements of previously released Petra songs and two new songs.

So, I loaded the album into my computer and downloaded it to my Sansa Express. I placed the earphones in my ears and hit play...

... and immediately remembered why I didn't spend much time on this album.

Nevertheless, I was committed for the week. Otherwise, I probably would have replayed my kneejerk reaction from a few years ago, when I listened to the CD (maybe) once, hated it, and put it away, never to be played again.

Until this past week.

Since I was stuck with the album, I tried to make the best of it. The problem is that I'm a HUGE Petra fan. I love so many of their songs, and it was almost a personal affront to me to hear these rearranged versions.

I decided to think of this album very much as an "unplugged" album. I tried not to focus too much on how different the songs were from the original versions, but, instead, to focus on the aspects of each of the songs that I enjoyed in this form.

First off, let me just say, once I got past my "that's not right!" feelings, I really was amazed at aspects of this album.

Most obviously, the acoustic factor that was so jarring when I first started listening, soon became the aspect that I warmed to fastest. As I listened during my Bible study one day, I was shocked to find how much these softer versions of great songs added to my personal worship experience.

Along that same line, I realized that, while I love the traditional sound of Petra, these arrangements allowed the music to be far more accessible to the general populous. I could very much see these arrangements being used in any church, during any service.

As the week progressed, I also became more and more aware of the background orchestration, which added depth and strength to these arrangements. To hear such a variety of instruments on a Petra album became a real treat for me.

Generally speaking, I came to appreciate many of the new arrangements on their own merits. While I still prefer the originals on some of these, I was genuinely shocked as I began to realize that I was actually enjoying some of the songs on this album more than the originals.

The version of Judas Kiss on this album is one of those. I appreciated the use of the harmonica (HARMONICA! ON A PETRA ALBUM!) as well as the orchestra.

The most successful remake on this album, in my eyes, in terms of an updated "voice" to the the song has to be Beat the System. The original, while a classic, is very dated sounding. This update is a very strong way to usher the song to a new generation.

Far and away, though, my favorite new arrangement has to be for Praying Man. I love the original, but I have to say, I love this version even more. It is a very blue-sy version, and, yes, it has the harmonica that I'm enamored with on this album.

There are stumbling points on the album, though. Most of the songs are not improvements on the originals. I found myself often thinking, even after repeated plays, yeah, it is okay, but the original is still better.

The worst offender on the entire album, though, is The Coloring Song. The update is nowhere near as amazing as the original. It is a darker, plodding version of that great original. This is the one song on the entire album that I'm thankful that I don't have to listen to again.

On the original song front, there is The Longing and Breathe In. The Longing is a decent song, with a good message, but nothing spectacular. On the other hand, Breathe In is a fantastic song, with only one problem - it isn't a Petra song.

It is great, don't get me wrong, but it isn't a Petra tune at all. As a result, it seems an odd inclusion on this album (especially when you factor in that John Schlitt doesn't sing lead on this song - unlike every other song on the album). I could very much imagine it being done by one of the former members of DC Talk, or the Newsboys.

Overall, I've really come to enjoy the album and its different take on some classics. By giving the album a chance, I learned that my initial reaction was merely an over reaction to a new way of looking at things. Yeah, there was some stumbling, but there was also a homerun or two. On a scale from 1 to 10, I'd give the album about a 7.5.

And what is being loading into my Sansa for this next week? It is the Jars of Clay album, Who We Are Instead.

As always, if you have a suggestion of something you think I should be listening to, let me know.

Type at you later!

(Another request - Magneto.)

There is a Riddle...

Posted by Billy Wamsley on January 14, 2008 at 9:38am

A locomotive engine pulls into a train yard to pick up some boxcars. It backs into a long line of boxcars, is hooked up, and pulls out.

As the train pulls away, a horrible screeching noise resounds throughout the area and the train moves sluggishly forward for the first mile. Finally, the engineer can take no more and stops the train and gets out to inspect the boxcars stretched out behind him. He discovers that the brakes on the last boxcar are locked.

Unable to fix the brakes, the engineer unhooks the last boxcar from the line, and calls it in. Once the problem is called in he tries to continue on his trip, only to find that the train, despite the locomotive engine straining at full power, doesn't move. The engineer knows that everything is working now, and there is even one less boxcar's worth of weight to pull since he unhooked the faulty car.

Here is where the question comes - what's the problem?

You know, when I started this blog, it was a step toward a goal for me. It wasn't the first step, and it isn't the last. Just one of many I have to take. I wanted to get used to three things.

First, I wanted to get used to writing everyday. I wanted to force myself to write whether I had a strong desire to do it or not. I know that with my upcoming webcomic, I'll have to write everyday, and I need to push through blocks, both mental and life-wise, that I'll have to write whether I feel like it or not, and I'll have to write even when I don't think I have anything to say.

Second, I wanted to draw something everyday. My drawing time was terribly inconsistent. Some days I'd spend three or four hours drawing, and then I'd go a week without picking up a pencil. No good. Making myself put in the time each day is helping to establish a set schedule. I'll need that, for the webcomic, but also for my chalk art.

Third, I wanted to put myself out there by publishing, via the intertube, those drawings. You know why? Because it pains me, everyday, to do it.

Everyday?

Yes.

Every.

Day.

Why? Because I usually only show people the things I've put huge amounts of time and effort into, things that are decent. Cranking these out in a limited amount of time on a daily basis doesn't allow me to do that. As a result, I have to be okay with what I can do. There is an effort to improve, and hopefully it will slowly start to show, but the purpose of this exercise is to force myself to put the product out.

Again, this is for the webcomic. I may start out publishing only three days a week with it, but eventually I'd like to make it daily through the week. There are going to be days I'm just not happy with it, but I'm going to have to put it out there anyway. I guess the daily picture exercise is just to help de-sensitize me to the dread and regret of putting out something that isn't up to unachievable standards.

The blog isn't the only thing I'm doing to make myself better. There are a whole lot of things I won't bother going into right now. What they all have in common, though, is if you just look at them, they don't seem like much, but they are small steps toward building the momentum that I need to accomplish the big stuff later on. I start out slowly, adding a little more, and a little more, until I've got that momentum I need to handle the entire load.

Which, by the way, is the answer to the riddle. The reason the engine can't pull the boxcars, even though there is one less, is because it can't build the momentum it needs to do the job. When it backed into the train yard to pick up the boxcars, they were pushed together. When the engine pulled away, it wasn't pulling the entire line, just the first boxcar, until the hook up between the first and second car was taut. And, then, it wasn't just the engine pulling the two boxcars, it was the engine and the momentum from the first car already moving that pulled the second car forward. And, so on and so forth, all the way down the line.

When the brakes on the last car were locked, it pulled back on all the cars. When the engine stopped, the boxcars were all pulled taut thanks to the last car being dragged along. Even though he disconnected the last car, the rest of the cars were all stretched out, so when he tried to move forward, he was trying to move all of the cars at the same time, not pulling one at a time and building up the momentum needed before then next car was added.

All he needs to do is back up, pushing the cars together again, before getting on his way again.

Hmm... there is probably a lesson in that, too... but not for today.

I'll type at you later.

(Another request - Daredevil.)

Giving an Explanation.

Posted by Billy Wamsley on January 13, 2008 at 5:03pm

Sometimes things go over like a lead balloon. Sometimes you know they will, and yet you are compelled to do them anyway.

Thus went my Christmas card for 2007.

You see, I had an idea for a Christmas card for 2006, but I didn't come up with it until about the week before Christmas that year. Which meant there was zero chance that the cards would get to anyone remotely near Christmas. I mean, there was the design, the drawing, the coloring, the printing, and the sending to think about.

So, I simply dropped it.

But not really.

Over the next year, the idea would continue to wander around my head, reminding me of its existence.

After that long of simmering in my brain, I could not escape it. I knew I would have to make the Christmas card.

The problem is, I knew it was going to basically be an inside kinda joke. A very geek-oriented inside joke that, at best, 20% of the recipients would "get."

Yet, at that point, I really had no choice.

I made the card, and I sent it out. And people really seemed to appreciate it.

And I figure I overestimated my 20% "get it" projection by 10-15%.

If you are one of the 90-95% of the people that didn't "get it," or you didn't recieve a card from me, here is what I sent:

On the inside, it said:

Many Happy Returns for a Wonderful Christmas Knight!

Well, the image on the Christmas card is based on a famous image from comics. Specifically, an image from The Dark Knight Returns by Frank Miller:

Get it?

Yeah.

This next year, I'll try for something a that doesn't require an explanation.

Type at you later.

(Another request - the Joker.)

Unrealized Potential

Posted by Billy Wamsley on January 12, 2008 at 10:30pm

Despite being a big fan of comics, and getting ready to publish my own webcomic, I've never really dreamed to work on existing comic characters.

You know, your Supermans, Batman, Hulks, Spideys, etc.? Yeah, I've never ever really dreamed of writing or drawing any of those.

Not that I'd turn that opportunity down. I mean, art-wise, I know my limitations, and sequential art is something I am not comfortable with. But writing? Yeah, if they came to me tomorrow and said, "We want you to write the next Firestorm comic," I'd do it in a flash.

That said, I had a discussion with someone a while back about which characters we would actually want to write for if given the opportunity. I talked about how I'd love to have the opportunity to write a comic starring Booster Gold and Blue Beetle, kind of a buddy-cop sorta comic. I also mentioned that, though that is the comic I would like to write, it is probably not the comic I feel I would be able to write the best.

I love the two characters, but I'm not sure I could live up to the quality of writing that they have had in the past. Worse yet, I'm not sure I could bring anything really new and unique to the assignment.

So, what character do I feel I could really bring something to?

Wonder Woman.

I know. I was shocked, too.

When I was younger, I actually read a lot of Wonder Woman comics. They were always in the cheap bins (25 cents each, five for a dollar sorta deals), and so I picked up a lot of them. I just wanted comics to read, I didn't really care what they were. At the library (at that time), there was only one comic book related book - the Encyclopedia of Comic Book Heroes Volume 2 - Wonder Woman. It was filled with... well, everything about Wonder Woman you would ever want to know. I must have checked that book out a dozen times, simply because it was there. (By the way, the three volumes of this "set" of encylopedias has been reissued - Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman - if you are interested. Check for them at any online book vendor.)

I'll also admit that as a kid I watched every episode of Wonder Woman starring Lynda Carter. But, didn't everyone? (Please note: If you are too young to have done this, don't bring it up to me. I feel old enough already.)

Without even realizing it, I have a good feel for what Wonder Woman should be. When the new series premiered, I was legitimately excited about it. Then, when there was a three month delay between the first and the second issue, I dropped it.

The fact is, though, I know exactly how I would write Wonder Woman. She doesn't have to be the generic female version of Superman. She should be her own person completely. I was never into her as the damsel in distress or the diplomat or the Amazon Warrior.

In fact, Wonder Woman is one of those rare characters that not only can, but should be written very tongue in cheek. The best aspect of the Lynda Carter was the feeling that Wonder Woman was in on the joke, not humorless or unaware of the situations.

In my mind, Wonder Woman needs to be written like that for the comics. There are even more current examples of Wonder Woman, though not in her titles. The TV show Xena: Warrior Princess followed that Wonder Woman tradition, as well as Buffy The Vampire Slayer. The formula still works, and is incredibly successful.

But they aren't using it on the one character that inspired these others!

Its a bit frustrating. Wonder Woman is arguably the most recognizable female superhero, and is touted as being one of the "Big Three" for DC Comics, but the character simply isn't being utilized the way she should be. Superman and Batman both appear in anywhere between two and five comics a month. Wonder Woman didn't have any book for a while, and then, when the book did start, it suffered from delays that killed any momentum that could truly have lifted the character to the potential she had.

So, yeah, if given the chance? I'd write Wonder Woman. She's the one character I really feel I could do something great with.

Type at you later.

They Make Me Happy.

Posted by Billy Wamsley on January 11, 2008 at 10:40am

I don't normally get enamored with the previews of comic book covers. Oh, sure, some stand out, but generally only one or two. The online service I order comics from takes the orders about three months before the books come out, and I've been looking over the selections, trying to figure out what I can justify spending on my monthly fix for March.

Imagine my delight when I found not one, not two, but five covers that just made me very, very happy.

What was that? Did I say FIVE? Well, then, I guess I know what I'm going to be posting today, huh?

Five Comic Book Covers that Made Me Very Happy!

Cover the First:

Booster Gold 7

First, just let me say, I love the Booster Gold comic. I love it so much I want to marry it, have kids with it, and sit on a porch growing old with it. I have publicly admitted this before, and feel no shame in it (despite the fact I maybe should). But, on this cover I not only get Booster Gold, but Blue Beetle as well! And not that current kid with the bad complexion, but the "real" Blue Beetle, Ted Kord.

If you can't figure out why this would thrill me, I can only assume one thing. You have never read the Giffen/DeMatteis run on Justice League (or the two follow ups, Formerly Known as the Justice League, and I Can't Believe It's Not the Justice League). It is truly fantastic stuff, very fun reading.

This image is currently serving as my wallpaper on my desktop. It is there for me to get amped for the upcoming joy I will experience when the issue arrives. Love it. Love. It.

Cover the Second:

Justice League Unlimited 43

What?!? Another cover with these two fantastic characters?!? Is it Christmas?

It must be, because not only are there two covers of Booster and Beetle for this month, but this particular issue of the comic based on the fantastic (and, sadly, gone) cartoon series is written by Keith Giffen! And, yeah, in case you were wondering, that is the same Giffen in the above mentioned Giffen/DeMatteis run.

If I had just gotten to see these two covers, that would have been enough... but there was more!

Cover the Third:

Brave and the Bold 11

I love stories that use the multiple universes of DC Comics. I particularly love when they visit the "evil" version of Earth, where the doppelgangers of the Justice League terrorize their world. So, when I get to see Superman and Ultraman (evil Superman) on the same cover, I know I'm in for a treat. And, what's more, with this being Brave and the Bold, I know that these two will actually have to team up within the book (which is what it does - bizarre team-ups)! This book is regularly a fun book, but this issue looks amazing!

Cover the Fourth:

Super Friends 1

Okay, give me a moment and I'll tell you why this cover ranked here. This is the new all ages comic based on the recent toy line. On the cover you have the big heroes - Green Lantern, Superman, and Wonder Woman flying above (yeah, Wonder Woman flies - yeah, she still has the invisible jet - no, I don't know why). Below, you have the Flash, Batman, and Aquaman.

Now, here it comes - look closely. The blue curve they are above - I'm guessing it is water, since Aquaman is bursting out of it. Now, G.L., Supes, and Wonder Woman are flying above, and Aquaman is bursting out of the water, and I can go with the Flash running so fast that he is skimming on top of the water... but, um, what's up with Batman?

Since when can Batman fly?

And, grinning like that, I'm just wondering, is he somehow providing his own propulsion? I mean, Batman did star in some Taco Bell commercials a while back, and I know Taco Bell can do a number on the digestive system. Plus, all the other heroes appear to be scattering away from him.

I'm just saying.

Cover the Fifth:

Cable 1

Words cannot express the joy that this cover brings to me. I have never read any of the previous Cable-centric comics, and I have no idea what is going on in this issue, but you can't tell me that cover doesn't make you smile.

I love the fact that not only does the big burly guy with the massive gun have a baby, but he's brought it into whatever battle he is in and even had the time to have a custom holder made for it, with a big "X" emblazened on it. Almost as if to say, "Yeah, you can shoot at me, but you're going to have to go through the baby first."

Plus... the baby is kinda freaky looking.

Good stuff, I tell you.

Type at you later.

I Don't Have Kids and I Don't Want Yours.

Posted by Billy Wamsley on January 10, 2008 at 6:45am

I see a lot of bad parenting.

A lot.

I don't know what it is about a hotel, but parents seem to be under the mistaken impression that it frees them from responsibility.

I can't tell you how many times I find kids wandering the halls after 1 a.m. in the morning.

Or worse.

It wasn't that long ago that there were a group of parents that were supposed to be chaperones for a large group of kids - only they left the hotel. All of the parents. To go bar hopping.

Wanna guess where the kids were?

It is just dumbfounding to me. In my entire life, I can't ever remember my parents letting me wander a hotel at ANY time by myself, and I know they never just left my sister and I at a hotel, by ourselves, for any reason.

I mean, beyond the trouble that kids can get in trouble by themselves, what about other dangers? Think about it - anyone with an I.D. and a credit card can get a room at a hotel.

Anyone.

Believe it or not, at the front desk of a hotel, there is no "bad person" detector. I've checked. Wish we had one. Most of the time, the employees at the front desk don't know the person they are checking in. That means the first indication we get that a person is not a fine, upstanding individual is usually after they have demonstrated it in some way.

Parents have to do their jobs when it comes to their kids.

Anyway, getting back to what I was saying, I see a lot of bad parenting... which is why I tend to notice good parenting.

Evidently, so does the media.

Just this morning, I came across this article this article, about a woman who sold her son's car after finding alcohol in it. When she bought the car for her son, she only had two rules - no alcohol and keep it locked. Evidently, these were too difficult for her son to keep! The woman, with an obviously great sense of humor, wrote this ad for the paper:

OLDS 1999 Intrigue. Totally uncool parents who obviously don't love teenage son, selling his car. Only driven for three weeks before snoopy mom who needs to get a life found booze under front seat. $3,700/offer. Call meanest mom on the planet.

And, that isn't the only moment of good parenting that got publicity.

You might remember, back before Christmas, there was this article about a man who had been on the hunt for an elusive game for the Nintendo Wii, Guitar Hero III, for his son for Christmas. After two weeks of looking, he was able to get the game in an online auction. Christmas was all set.

Then, one day, the man comes home to find his son and two friends smoking pot in the backyard.

The man decided to teach his son a lesson he would not soon forget - by selling the much sought after game on eBay.

If you follow the link to the article, there is a link to the actual eBay listing (which I can't directly link to for some reason). The link is the highlighted words "being debated online." Check it out - the listing is really, really great. My favorite part is where he mentions his son doesn't know he was getting the game, but once the auction is up, he will tell him and they can watch the auction end together, as a father/son bonding experience.

The man paid $90.00 for the game, and was able to get $9100.01 for it.

Sometimes, I guess, good parenting is rewarded really, really well!

Type at you later!

Dirt Pushing Dirt

Posted by Billy Wamsley on January 9, 2008 at 7:55am

"I'm just dirt pushing dirt."

As I sat in the seminar, I was so struck by this statement that I've co-opted it for myself.

It was a chalk art seminar being taught by Ding Teuling. For those not familiar with what I'm talking about when I say "chalk art," basically, a minister will give a short sermon, and follow it up by drawing a related image to further the impact of the message, often while particular music is being played. Sometimes they are referred to as chalk talks.

Ding has probably done more with this type of ministry than anyone else. He's been doing it for over 60 years. Instead of being content with just ministering to others with his gift, he has been teaching others how to do it for most of that time.

As he has expressed before, it only makes sense to teach others how to do these works as opposed to trying to keep the glory to himself. He describes it like a single soldier, facing a mighty enemy. At the soldiers feet are hundreds of weapons, but he can only handle one at a time. If someone comes along, wanting to help, it is only in the soldier's best interest to show them how to fire that weapon. Same if 10 or even 20 others come to help. We are in a battle for the lost, facing a mighty enemy in the devil and his minions. It is in our best interenst to equip as many to win the lost for Christ as possible.

Back to what I was saying. Ding has been at this for over 60 years, and he is effective and very, very good at it. It was in that seminar that we sat in no small amount of awe watching this man deftly display his abilities.

Someone commented on how amazing Ding was. His response?

"Me? I'm just dirt pushing dirt."

At that moment, we were all brought back to the real point of it all. Ding could have soaked up the glory, but it wasn't his. God deserved the glory, and Ding had found a very simple way to remind himself of that, and in turn, to remind us all of that same lesson. We were formed from dirt by the True Artist, and the chalks, while pretty, were basically just colored dirt formed into sticks.

Dirt pushing dirt.

Anything that came out of something like that? Had to be God. Plain and simple. The knowledge and skill picked up by Ding over the years was a gift of God.

That week, I knew that God wanted me to also enter that same ministry. And, though it has not been an easy path, I'm on my way to that. Of all the lessons I learned that week, though, the most valuable will be the wonderful lesson of true humility I learned from Ding - I'm just dirt pushing dirt.

Type at you later.

(Another Request - Hal Jordan, the Green Lantern)

By The Tree - Hold You High

Posted by Billy Wamsley on January 8, 2008 at 7:52am

By The Tree returns to their worship music roots with Hold You High, an album that came out in 2004.

It is a little difficult reviewing a worship album.

What makes it difficult is that worship albums don't tend to have a whole lot of original content. In fact, there are songs on this album that go as far back as the early 90's.

Nevertheless, I shall endeavor to do my best.

Listening to the album repeatedly over the last week, one thing struck me about it over and over, as a whole - it is out of order. Now, understand, this is pure personal opinion here. I have always thought that worship albums out to be sorted in a way that they could be played straight through as a worship experience by the individual. I've found that the order of the songs should start with nice medium/fast tunes, moving into the faster paced music, then back into medium, flowing into the contemplative slower paced music, and finishing up with a medium/fast tune as a celebration of the worship journey one has been on.

This album tends to jump around, though. For the most part, it didn't hinder my enjoyment of the album. The biggest problem I had, though, was the use of Hold You High as the very first song. The song is a solid pop worship song, but as it is the only song on the album I would label as such, it didn't really represent the rest of the album as an opening song maybe should.

As for the covers on the album, Throne of Grace is a particular favorite of mine, and this was a very well done version. Another good cover was Lord Let Your Glory Fall.

An almost prerequisite cover of God of Wonders was also on the album, and it was fine, but I've heard a lot of other groups that I've preferred when it comes to this song.

There is a cover of It Is Well on the album, and I tried - really tried - to give it a chance. It is an almost ethereal arrangement, but I guess I'm just too much of a fan of the traditional song that I was put off. Others may find it fantastic, but I'll stick with the traditional.

Of the original songs (beyond the title track), I only found Jesus Washed to be ill-fitting for the album. The song may be fine, but I don't think it meshed with the rest of the album.

My favorite song on the entire album is also an original - Miraculous. This is the gem on the album, a song which I enjoyed more and more with each playing. It has a wonderful, quirky sort of feel that I would compare to the sound of PFR (or, if you are unfamiliar with them, think the Beatles). Just a great song.

Overall, I enjoyed the album. The weaknesses to me seemed more in line with my personal preferences, for the most part, rather than any shortcomings from the album. On a scale from 1 to 10, I think I'd give the album a solid 7.

Now, for the next week, per the input I've recieved, I'm going to be focusing on the single Petra album that I never gave much time to - Double Take.

As always, if you have a suggestion of something you think I should be listening to, let me know.

I'll type at you later!

You Have the Ability to Overcome Great Fear...

Posted by Billy Wamsley on January 7, 2008 at 4:03pm

I can't tell you how nice it is to come to this, the last "new" day of the week for the year. I'm sick and tired of writing these little introductions to my blogs. After today, I don't have to do that anymore!

Woo hoo!

I'm not past this last hurdle yet, though. It is Monday. I figured that for a lot of us, Monday is the first day back to work after a weekend. This, generally, can be a pretty rough day. What we need is a little uplifting for the day, say a little motivation? Hmm?

It is Motivational Monday, in which I will talk about things that will help get us through the day and pumped for a good week.

I particularly thrilled to blog today, because I get to talk about comics again. It doesn't take much to amuse me! Anyway, I want to talk about fairly recent changes that have occurred in the world of the Green Lanterns.

As most of you know, be it from reading comics or just watching cartoons, the Green Lantern is a guy that got a power ring and can create things with it (such as, traditionally, giant green boxing gloves) using his imagination, to fight against evil. You might also remember that the ring is powerless against the color yellow.

That's right - if you have a couple of bunches of bananas, you can continuously pelt the Green Lantern, and he's powerless to stop it.

Or that's the way it used to be, anyway.

Time marches on, and things change.

Without getting into the minutiae of the whole thing, Green Lanterns (because there are many - they are like intergalactic cops) can get past the limits of the ring against the color yellow. The idea is that the weakness against yellow has to do with an impurity within the rings. The yellow impurity is due to fear - as, the color yellow represents fear in the world of the Green Lantern. Green Lanterns can overcome this impurity through willpower (which, coincidently, is represented by the color green).

Previously, Green Lanterns were chosen because they had no fear. Now, the candidates are chosen for their ability to overcome great fear.

This makes the characters much more relatable, in my opinion. Born fearless? Not me. Able to overcome fear? I've done that.

But, there is more to this. I find the whole thing very deep. I mean, here are these heroes with, arguably, the most powerful weapon in the universe at their disposal, and yet their own fears hinder it, making it powerless.

I can't help but make the jump to how this correlates to us, and how very often, in pursuit of our own goals and dreams, we are left paralyzed by our own fears, making us powerless in the pursuit.

We face a daunting task when pursuing our dreams. Often, there is a lack of support. Sometimes, there are those around us that are downright detrimental to our task. And, of course, there are the doubts about the future, wondering if we are doing the right thing, wondering if we are doing it the right way, wondering if we are truly capable of doing what is needed to be done. Slowly, the whole thing seems huge and difficult and like something we are going to fail at. As that creeps into us, grips our heart, we are immobilized. Fear has us. It torments us. We are powerless.

And, thus ends Motivational Monday. Good luck!

Just kidding.

No, that's not the end of the story. See, the Green Lanterns must overcome the fear, and so do we. Here is where we have the advantage, though.
While the Green Lanterns must depend on their own inner strength to overcome this fear, we can lean on the very source of strength to help us - God.

2 Timothy 1:7 tells us, "For God hath not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind." Fear can make us powerless, fill us with doubt, and trouble our minds. God, though, gives the spirit of power, of love, and of a sound mind. If we are scared, God is there for us.

Moreover, 1 John 4:18 reminds us that there is no fear in love, and that perfect love drives out fear. I only know one who is perfect, and He demonstrated to us His perfect love when He sent His Son to die for our sins... just so that we could be with Him.

God doesn't want us to live in fear. He wants us to lean on Him, to seek Him for the strength to get past our fears and to move forward in His will.

And when it comes to power, a fancy ring has nothing on the Creator of the Universe.

So, next time you start thinking that the task ahead is too big, or that you aren't good enough or strong enough or smart enough to manage it, and fear starts to grip your heart, remember - you aren't in it alone. Believe this - God really, really wants to be a part of your life, and He wants to help you. All you have to do is ask.

I'll type at you later.

You Know, I Prefer Scrambled Omelletes to Traditional.

Posted by Billy Wamsley on January 6, 2008 at 11:53am

Sunday is a pretty busy day for me, what with church and trying to squeeze in some sleep before having to return to my life energy-sucking job of working midnights at a hotel.

So, I have made this "The Sunday Scramble."

This is the one day of complete "anything goes" when it comes to the blog.

Do you realize there are FOUR major comic-based films coming out this summer? In May, we have the one I'm looking forward to the most - Iron Man. In June, we have the sequel to Hellboy and the rebooting of the Hulk franchise with The Incredible Hulk. In July, we have the juggernaut of a sequel to Batman Begins, The Dark Knight.

It just hit me this last week that they all come out this summer.

Honestly, I can give or take Hellboy... the first film was fine, nothing I was overly thrilled with, but I'll probably see the sequel eventually.

As much publicity as the Batman film is getting, I have a hard time getting excited about it.

I won't deny it looks like it will be good, and I know I'll see it while it is in the theaters, but I can't help having a feeling of "been there, done that" with the film. It all revolves around the use of the Joker as the main villain. Yes, I know it is a completely different take on the role than Jack Nicholson had back in the first modern Batman film, but Batman has a huge rogues gallery, and I would've liked to have seen someone we haven't seen before. Just my personal opinion.

With Iron Man, I gotta say, I haven't been this excited about a movie in a long, long time. Thus, I'm ensuring my disappointment as it fails to live up to the standards of the pedestal on which I have placed it. Still, I can't help it. If I see no other film this year, I will see Iron Man.

I hated the first Hulk film. A lot. So, when they announced that the new Hulk film was basically going to ignore that one, I was thrilled. I like the cast choices for this film (Ed Norton as Bruce Banner, Tim Roth as Emil Blonsky), and I also like the direction toward more action and less mind-numbing plodding (as seen in the previous film).

I think, if I were ranking these four releases, that I'd actually be looking forward to seeing the Hulk film second only to Iron Man. And, it isn't just for the reasons I've already talked about. There is another reason.

I'm very interested in how this Hulk film works out for what it will mean to Superman. Let me explain.

The Hulk film from a few years back was badly panned, and deservedly so. When they decided to make another film, instead of trying to build on that mistake, they opted to go with a completely new sorta film, not contradicting the other, but also not dependent on it. It is a risky kinda move, so soon after the other film (only four years later - the Batman franchise cooled for eight between the horrible Batman and Robin and Batman Begins), and it will be interesting to see if people are willing to overlook that other film when it comes to this one.

Rumors have been flying about the future of the Superman franchise after the mistake (yeah, I'm saying it) of Superman Returns. In just the last couple of weeks, there have been reports that both the director (Brian Singer) and the star (Brandon Routh) are unlikely to be a part of any sequel. Rumors, all, but given the less that expected success of the most recent film, I wouldn't be surprised if these turned out to be true.

Now, if Warner Bros. sees that the new Hulk film does well, it might give them the confidence they need to follow that example, and reboot the Superman franchise, not with an origin film (we all know where Superman came from) and not a continuation of the previous films, but a new film using the known characters that doesn't carry all the baggage from the previous mistakes. Just a good film, action packed, with Superman battling someone else besides Lex Luthor. (Hey, how about a good Brainiac or Bizarro movie?)

Sure, I want to see an awesome Hulk film... but I also wouldn't mind if it led to a revival of the Superman films as well. Why can't I have both?

Type at you later.

How They’ve Messed Up the Character That Got Me Into Comics.

Posted by Billy Wamsley on January 5, 2008 at 8:02am

It is Saturday, January 5, 2008. You know what that means?

It means I say, "Happy Birthday" to my mother. (Seriously. It's my mother's birthday.)

You know what else it means? It means it is Super Saturday!

Super Saturday means I get to talk about comic books. Get it? "Super"? Like "Superman," only with a more broad, general sorta feel? Yeah... I know, it's a stretch. I really wish there was a day of the week that started with "C." Maybe I can call it "Comic Caturday," only I pronounce the "C" like I would in the word "center." Or not.

Super Saturday it is.

And what can I talk about today? Well, I DON'T want to talk about "One More Day," a storyline in the Spider-Man comics.I don't want to. But I will.

Oh, yeah, better do this:

WARNING!!! SPOILERS AHEAD!!! DO NOT READ IF YOU HAVEN'T READ AMAZING SPIDER-MAN 545 (AND ANYTHING ELSE IN THE SPIDER-MAN BOOKS IN THE LAST YEAR AND A HALF) AND PLAN TO!!! BUT, IF YOU HAVEN'T, THEN DON'T. IT WILL ONLY IRRITATE YOU. SERIOUSLY. I MEAN IT. BUT, IF YOU WANT TO GET ANNOYED AND ANGRY, GO AHEAD AND READ IT, BUT DON'T READ THIS, BECAUSE I'M GOING TO SPOIL THIS TERRIBLE, TERRIBLE DECISION HELMED BY THE EDITORIAL DEPARTMENT OF MARVEL COMICS. CONSIDER YOURSELF WARNED.

For those of you out of the loop, here is the scoop. Way back in the lackluster Civil War crossover event in Marvel Comics, Spider-Man unmasked to the media. You probably heard about this, since it made national news.

I wasn't keen on it, but I was willing to give it a chance, since I was assured by various interviews with people at Marvel that this would allow a whole lot of brand new story avenues for Spidey in the comics. It wouldn't be a constant focus of him trying to maintain his secret identity while battling evil.

Then, Marvel proceeded to publish essentially the same story over and over during the year and a half since that time - basically, now that Peter Parker's identity is known, every villain he's ever battled has come after him through his personal life. They've gone after him in public, at the school he teaches at, through his Aunt May and his wife Mary Jane, etc., etc., etc.

Eventually, Peter realizes that, perhaps, it was a huge, massive, galactically stupid move to reveal his identity to the public. Oh, and that the side he took in Civil War was wrong.

Uh, yeah. Just as a general rule, here is a good piece of advice - if you are on a side in a battle, and Captain America is NOT on your side, you've probably picked the wrong horse, skippy.

So, anyway, now that he's taken this stand, he's on the run from the authorities as well as the criminals that now know his secret identity.

While on the run, an assassin manages to shoot Aunt May, putting her into a coma she may never recover from.

You know, like the ones she's had about every five or so years since Spidey premiered?

Anyway, Spidey is ticked and goes on the hunt for the shooter while promoting Spider-Man 3, released by Sony. Whoops. What I meant to say is, Spidey puts on the old black and white costume that he wore for a while, which just happened to coincide with the promotional push for Spider-Man 3 which also had Spidey in a black costume.

Anyway, he finds the shooter, learns that the Kingpin was behind it all, breaks into the prison where the Kingpin is being held, and puts the hurt on him real good.

We are then treated to One More Day. Wait, I meant to say "subjected," not "treated."

During One More Day, we watch as Peter Parker scrambles around the Marvel Universe trying to get someone to make Aunt May all better. Shockingly, nobody can do it, despite their many powers and abilities. This is probably due to the natural order of things, the delicate balance within the Marvel Universe... or simply editorial mandate.

Of course, when faced with this kinda trouble, Howie Mandel appears to ask, "Deal...(insanely long pregnant pause)... or No Deal?". Wait... not Howie Mandel. It was Mephisto, the Devil.

Mephisto looks at Peter and Mary Jane and says that he can save Aunt May's life, but in return, they would have never been married. Mephisto goes on and on about how great and pure their love is, and how seeing them not together, always feeling they missed out on the one meant for them, would just curl his toes with glee.

Peter, being sane, says, "Are you nuts?!? Give up my wife, the love of my life, the rock of support that has kept me tethered to sanity, to save my Aunt? Aunt May would kill me if I chose to save her by giving up my true love and chance at happiness! Get out of here, demon!"

Oh... no. That's not what happens. That is what should have happened.

Instead, Peter and Mary Jane decide to go through with the deal.

Mephisto goes all "Bippity Boppity Boo" and Peter wakes up, greets his Aunt, who is in the kitchen making wheatcakes, and goes off to a party. MJ is at the party, but they are uncomfortable around each other. The party has a bunch of the supporting cast from when Peter was in high school, including Harry Osborn, son of Norman Osborn... who is looking good for a guy that has been dead for a couple of decades.

The end.

Yep. Remember kids, follow the example of your heroes, like Spidey. Make a deal with the devil!

Marvel editorial has felt, for some time, that the big problem with the Spider-Man comics was that Peter was married. They insisted this limited the stories they could tell.

It wasn't the inconsistent writing and art, or the overexposure of a hero that appears in no less than eight different comics each and every month. Nope. He was married.

They set in motion the way to undo this horrible lodestone about the neck of their flagship character. The culmination was this story, which even the writer didn't like, and publicly announced.

Now, we have a Spider-Man who again has a secret identiy (part of the deal with the devil - guess that unmasking didn't have all that many story avenues after all, huh?), and one which has cherry picked different continuity elements from the last 20 or so years of stories to change. Like Peter's dead best friend now being alive.

When the writer questioned the logic of this whole thing, the editors reportedly gave this response:

"It's magic. We don't have to explain it."

Brilliant.

Oh, well. I think this will save me some money. With this grand step, it seems like a nice way to jump off of the Spider-Man books. Maybe I'll switch over to Ultimate Spider-Man or Marvel Adventures Spider-Man instead.

Type at you later.

(Another request - Spider-Woman)

The Loot I Raked In...

Posted by Billy Wamsley on January 4, 2008 at 8:36am

Still chuggin' along, here we are, Friday, January 4, 2008. Woo hoo!

And, what, pray tell, is today's topic? The Friday Five.

The Friday Five is a grouping of five (duh) things that I put together. The grouping could be favorites, least favorites, a list, things with commonalities, or just about anything that I come up with. (I'm sure you will be amazed at just how far I can push the limits of how things are linked in the future!)

Why five? Well, I've already mentioned my affection for alliteration, but fifteen would be ridiculous and four just isn't quite enough. So, five it is.

What is this particular Friday's five? Hmm... good question.

How about "Five Things I got for Christmas"? Yep, sounds good to me, too.

Present the First: The Wacom Bamboo Fun Tablet

Ooh, I can hear the crickets now. Actually, this was very cool. See, Wacom makes tablets for computers, which you can use to draw directly into the computer (instead of drawing, then scanning in). Sure, you can sorta do this same thing with a mouse, but it is so much more difficult. I've actually wanted to buy a tablet for a while, but the cost was prohibitive. This one is small, and wasn't super expensive. I'm still figuring it out, but I'm really hoping, once I get the hang of it, that it will make my future webcomic production a little easier. If it does, I'll look into maybe upgrading down the line.

Present the Second: Spenser - The Movie Collection

I'm a big fan of the Robert Parker Spenser books, and I was a big fan of the Spenser: For Hire TV show (starring Robert Urich) from the 80's. I have little hope that the TV show ever makes it to DVD, but there were four movies made after the show was cancelled, and those are collected in this DVD pack. I've only watched one of the movies so far, and I'll admit that it is a little dated, and the book it is based on is much better than the movie. Nevertheless, for a bit of nostalgia, it wasn't bad. I'm looking forward to watching the other three films, especially since they are based one books that I thought were better than the one used for this first film.

Present the Third: Socks/Underwear

Technically, two things, but generally in the same drawer in the dresser, right? So, can anyone tell me when recieving socks and underwear not only became okay, but actually thrilled me? Seriously, if I was 10, I would've hated openning these, but, now, at 32? Why, I was tickled pink! Actually, I think I know the reason behind this. These are nuisance items - items you need, but never seem to have enough of, and things you would never really make a trip out to get by themselves. You just pick them up when you need other things. As a result, you sometimes (admit it, guys) get to the point where the elastic is shot in both these items, and the holes have begun to appear. And you look on them with irritation, like it is somehow their fault that they've gone as far as they can go. So, getting them as a gift? Why, its like a "get out of shopping free card" for me! Very much appreciated.

Present the Fourth: Scene It? Deluxe Marvel Edition

Pure geek joy with this one. It is the Scene It? DVD Boardgame, based around Marvel Comics and Movies. I didn't even know it existed, but my family found it. And, an even bigger gift - they actually played it with me twice! Actually, the nice thing about the game is that, even for the comic book challenged, the game is playable. In fact, the games were much closer than I thought they would be. I mean, yeah, I won, but it wasn't a complete blow out. My advantage definitely came in the comic book knowledge. My first victory was directly related to knowing that the Mad Titan who had a plan of stellar genocide to impress Death was Thanos. That and the fact that I knew who Omega Red was. And, again, I hear the crickets. Oh, well. Moving on.

Present the Fifth: The Word of Promise New Testament Audio Bible

Okay, this is pretty cool. I had mentioned this in passing months ago, and forgot about it. It is the entire New Testament, in dramatic form, voiced by a bunch of different actors and actresses. Jim Caviezel, who played Jesus in The Passion of the Christ actually voices Jesus on the CD's. Other familiar names include Richard Dreyfuss, Louis Gossett Jr., Terence Stamp (Zod from Superman II, the voice of God in this production), and many, many others. The production values are very good, with subtle background music throughout. I've really enjoyed listening to this so far. Hearing the words read by such a competent cast really pulls you in as you listen. I think this will be a gift I use for a long, long time.

There you have it. The Friday Five. Until next time, I'll type at you later.

(Another request - Renee Montoya as The Question)

Oh, the Weather Outside is Frightful...

Posted by Billy Wamsley on January 3, 2008 at 3:26pm

I have decided that the daily topic idea was definitely the way to go with a blog. The topics are general enough so I have plenty of wiggle room, but just narrow enough that I don't drive myself crazy trying to come up with something to write about.

Speaking of crazy, that leads us into the topic of the day! (What a segueway, I tell ya!) Welcome, friends and countrymen, to Therapeutic Thursday!

Man, I tell you, I wish I had a trumpet sound that would automatically blow when I come to announcing these daily themes. Of course, it would have to be able to sense when you came to the right moment in your reading. Oh well.

Anyway, where was I? Oh, yes, Therapeutic Thursday. What is it? Basically, it is a day I can talk about anything pertaining to me or my life, to help keep me sane. Some weeks it might be deep and meaningful, talking about a near forgotten memory, and other weeks it will be as deep as a frisbee.

Like today.

Oh, sure, I could've busted out with some childhood emotional scarring for today, but I figured I'd talk about what is really affecting me right now. What's that?

The cold.

I have a horrible confession. As I sit here, born and raised in Michigan, it is January 3, 2008, and the temperature sits in the single digits, and I AM MISERABLE.

That's right. No fronting, no posturing about being used to this cursed weather due to my north central upbringing - I hate it. I hate the cold weather. I hate it, I hate it, I hate it.

I used to bear the weather better. I used to not be bothered by it so much. I don't know what happened. Perhaps it was four and a half years of living in Kentucky, where winter didn't stretch from October until May and storms don't tend to drop 15 inches of snow in 36 hours.

(Yeah, that's right, I'm sick of the snow, too. I wouldn't mind a couple of inches that would stick around for a while, but we don't get that. We get these stinking "bring the world to a standstill" storms that only make driving a terrifying adventure. I'm reminded of the wisdom of a line said by Alex P. Keaton on Family Ties, "How is it we can put a man on the moon, but we can't stop this white slop from falling out of the sky?!?")

I know some of you don't understand. You live in warmer climates and have done so all your lives. You think of the snow and cold with wishful thoughts of snowmobiling and skiing and snowboarding and fireplaces and wooly sweaters.

That is all propoganda.

The governments of the frozen tundra states are trying to fool you into thinking that vacationing in these places is a good idea.Don't buy into the hype. Go somewhere nice and warm where the sun comes out.

This is a public service announcement from the Anti-Tourism Board of Michigan.

I'll type at you later.

(My first request - Red Sonja. Sorta.)

The Overflow of Personal Devotion

Posted by Billy Wamsley on January 2, 2008 at 1:05pm

Welcome to Wednesday, the second day of the new year. Two blogs in a row, and it feels like I'm on a roll! And, with this new day, we have a new topic... er, topics. I was searching for one word that would be perfect for what I wanted to talk about today, but there wasn't a single word that would do it. Actually, I take that back. There may very well be a word, but, as a minister, I do love my alliteration, so for Wednesday, it had to be a "W" word. Failing to find a single word that would encompass the idea for the day, I went with three.

Welcome to Wisdom, Worship, and Wonderment Wednesday!

A very wise preacher once told me that ministry is the overflow of personal devotion. It is a simple enough statement, but one that has vexed me.

Vexed me?!? Yep. See, it is possible to serve in a ministry without being right spiritually. When that is done, it becomes very much a chore, an earthly job... but it can be done. Is it effective? In as much as it does for others, it can be.

The person doing the work can convince themselves that that is enough... for a while.

But, ministry isn't designed to just be work. It is supposed to be a sacred duty that, when performed, helps others, but also renews the spirit of the individual in service. Without both aspects, it becomes an increasingly stressful task that can cause the one attempting to do it to become bitter and resentful.

That's the dangerous part. I've known a lot of people that have burned out in ministry because they were focused so much on the work that they neglected their own spiritual wellbeing. To those around them, it looks as if they are doing what God wants them to do. In truth, the strain of service coupled with their own spiritual struggle is crushing their spirit.

And, in case you didn't know it, folks, God has no interest in crushing your spirit.I mean, c'mon, this is the same God that promises that if we wait on Him, we will run and not get weary, that we will soar on wings like eagles (Isaiah 40:31)! That is not spirit crushing, that is uplifting.

We sometimes want our ministry to be successful, and we'll work toward that, pushing and shoving our way through... neglecting the most important aspect as we do. And, then, when we burn out for lack of spiritual renewal, where is the ministry left? Without a leader, it dwindles and fades.

The ministries we are involved in depend on us, but not merely for those things that we do. Remember that before you get busy and skip you daily devotional time with God.

Type at you later.