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Now Available: Star Chosen sci-fi novel

Posted by Joe Chiappetta on April 2, 2010 at 5:06am
Big news. My sci-fi novel is now available on Amazon. Here is my latest press release:

Silly Daddy Blasts Into Space with Star Chosen Sci-Fi Novel

April 2, 2010
North Riverside, IL, USA

The latest major work from Silly Daddy cartoonist and Xeric Award winner, Joe Chiappetta, is not a comic book. It's a 67,000 word science fiction novel called "Star Chosen." The book took over five years to write and is a cross between Battlestar Galactica, Narnia, and of course, Silly Daddy.

Star Chosen, the 126 page, perfect bound softcover book retails for $10 US and is available now through Amazon at

The book's back cover description follows:

"Deleting history was just the beginning. Blast off with STAR CHOSEN, a space opera of post-biblical proportions! After war, heartbreak, and the erasure of all history and culture, whose side will you fight on: the Proud... or the Chosen? In a time yet to come, the high-tech Faith War threatens to destroy all religions across the universe. One small yet bold group, known as 'the Chosen,' survives, but will they rebuild, or be torn to space dust across a cold universe?"

While the printed book is available through Amazon, the novel is also selling on Chiappetta's website as an e-Book in all the major e-Reader formats: ePub, Mobi, PDF and even as a TXT file. Star Chosen, the e-Book, sells for $5, and is DRM-free. The book can be loaded onto multiple devices, and can be read on the Kindle, Sony E-Reader, iPhone, iPad, any computer, and any smartphone.

Chiappetta is not new to the sci-fi genre. His 1998 Xeric Award winning Silly Daddy graphic novel was also a major work of science fiction. Ironically, the imaginary gadgets depicted in that 1998 story resemble the devices that Chiappetta used in real life to create the 2010 Star Chosen novel. A Pocket PC was used to write the new story, and a Tablet PC was used to prepare the Star Chosen files for print production.

Going from the comics format to an all-text novel wasn't part of the original plan. Chiappetta started out on the project with the intent to tell the story as a weekly television series. Nevertheless, five years and 71 chapters later, Chicago area author, Joe Chiappetta, launches Star Chosen, a science fiction novel for all ages.

About:
Best known for his ground-breaking and typically off-beat coverage of family relationships, Joe Chiappetta is a husband and father of three. Residing just outside of Chicago, Joe has written and published over 20 Silly Daddy comic books, numerous zines, an ongoing webcomics blog, and now, a science fiction novel.

For more information: www.joechiappetta.blogspot.com
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Schauungtown Chronicles, Part 4: The Primate’s Pilgrimage

Posted by Frederick Meekins on April 1, 2010 at 12:24pm
“I want to thank you all for coming to this special Overseer’s Coven. I have some very special news,” the speaker smiled at the announcement.“What is it, Cecelia?” one of the overseers gathered asked.“Director Joshua informs me that the Primate will be coming here to Schauungtown as part of his annual pilgrimage this year.The overseers in the circle all smiled.“That is good news, Sibling Cecelia."“Yes, Schauungtown is being honored for its efforts in implementing the Covenant of Universal Community. As part of the celebration, the Primate will be coming before our branch of the Toleration Fellowship.”“Will Director Joshua be accompanying the Primate?”“Probably not.” However, Sibling Cecelia assured her fellow Overseers, “Having the Primate visit our branch of the Toleration Fellowship will be quite an occasion to remember and no doubt be an herstoric day for our Community.”The other Overseers gathered in the coven had to agree. Though they would have been more thrilled to be paid a visit by Director Joshua, each of them was aware of what an honor it would be for the Primate to visit their Residential Association. For as the holder of the holder of the highest office in the Toleration Fellowship, apart from Director Joshua, the Primate was seen as the foremost embodiment of the principles expressed in the Covenant of Universal Community.Though the Primate symbolized everything the Toleration Fellowship stood for, he was somewhat idiosyncratic and only left his sanctum several times a year to grace with his presence a number of select Residential Associations. The Overseers wanted everything to meet the regulations promulgated for the visit of a dignitary of the Primate’s status.Sibling Cecelia basked in the power that flowed to her as the one charged with the responsibility of arranging the accommodations of a dignitary more powerful still. “I want things to go smoothly and to impress the Primate that this Community and those in it know their place in the All.”One of the other Overseers spoke up. “What about the incident a while back when subversive literature was found on one of the pews. A Bible or something the other I think it was called.”Another Overseer clarified, “The Bible Peddler incident, you mean?”“Correct.”The piercing above Cecelia’s eyebrow began to jingle as she recalled her outburst upon finding the text in question defiling the tranquility of her sanctuary. Though her response was understandable in light of what she knew that seemingly innocent publication represented, her little fit betrayed to those gathered how far she really was deep down from achieving the detached neutrality of contemplative nondifferentiation available to those embracing the unity of All. It seemed the Sibling’s appearance blurring the distinctions between male and female was about as far as Cecelia had gotten along the path to cosmic harmony.Cecelia centered her energies by momentarily mediating on the Paradoxical Nothingness of the All, of how the All was Everything yet how to even classify it as such was to also diminish it since the All was so much more than the term used to describe what feeble minds could comprehend of the concept yet infinitely less tangible and ephemeral.Cecelia replied, “Despite the divisive incident undermining Community unity, no more subversive literature was been found within the walls of the Toleration Fellowship; and the individual though responsible, though we have not yet identified him, has not returned since his initial visit.”Catherine interjected, “But I have seen him sauntering about the Community at least twice since then.”Cecelia bit her tongue. It would not have been in the interest of Community harmony for her to quarrel in the Overseer’s Coven with her own domestic partner.Sometimes Cecelia wished Catherine was not so involved with the activities of the Toleration Fellowship. For even though she was attracted to Catherine as her life companion, there was just too much competition between them, as use to be said in Before when such connubial arrangements were gender based in their foundation, for any one of them to “wear the pants” in their domestic collective.Things would be so much more pleasant between them, Cecelia thought, if Catherine just let Cecelia run the Schauungtown branch of the Toleration Fellowship and Catherine confine herself to the affairs of the Community Association as one of its highest ranking officials. But as the highest ranking member of the Social Cohesion Office of the residential board, as stipulated by the Covenant of Universal Community, Catherine was granted a seat on the Overseer’s Coven as the Toleration Fellowship’s liaison with the residential association’s governing committee.“Where did you see this ’peddler’ character?” asked one of the few males permitted a seat on the coven. Cecilia thought it was wise their number had been limited. She has read that in Before it had been the tendency of many of them to assert leadership and control beyond their number, often with the price being an individuality that undermined the process of consensus so essential to the smooth administration of the Community. Thus the Unity Covenant stipulated that females or others of a nonmasculine biological configuration or perceptual awareness were to constitute the majority of any coven charged with overseeing the affairs of a branch the Toleration Fellowship.Cecelia didn’t really have anything against men. It was just that the Sibling didn’t really have much use for them either. Sure, they still had a few uses if properly conditioned and kept in line such as providing the genetic material necessary to engineer the next generation of human stock to take its place in the Community in predetermined numbers. But even then men were not as absolutely necessary to the replication of the species as they once were in the Before.Eventually, Cecelia was sure, the All through the wisdom of the Cosmic Mother would mercifully bring about an end to the male division of the species as life in all its forms drew ever onward to its ultimate unification. At some point along the actualization of the All, those existing in human form would be neither male nor female but rather a glorious blending of each as an expression of universal balance and harmony. Beyond that, only the cognitively limited could see no reason why the human form could not merge with its fellow organisms and sentient intellects in an ontological amalgamation; and at some point there would be no need for the limitations of a material body.Cecelia longed to be free from the burdens of individuality. That was one of the primary reasons why Cecelia had taken the Androgynyte Vow Of The Order Of The Monistic Sibling within the Toleration Fellowship whereby Cecilia would strive to configure her perceptions as if fundamental gender classifications did not enter into her personal identity. Even if Cecilia’s body was female, such trivialities did not matter. The Toleration Fellowship held that since the All created it’s own reality, the first step in making something so was to visualize it in the mind.Catherine answered the inquiry, which to Cecilia seemed to have been asked in ages past as the Sibling’s thoughts dwelt in the infinitudes between seconds. “The diverseophobe was spotted perambulating down Paradigm Lane after I completed a domicile inspection for a preliminary parental license renewal. The second time was outside the Food Distribution Center when on routine call to that location.”“Oh, yes.” a womyn with graying hair (a sign that she would soon have to relinquish her seat on the coven because, despite the fact that she was female, as with males of influence, womyn of advancing chronology had to be guarded against to protect the Community from unprogressive notions carried over from Before) interjected. “Jeremy, my son...”Cecilia cringed at the word, thinking that someone with the privilege of having a seat on the Overseer’s Coven should not be so possessive of those having emerged from their loins. The young belonged to the entire Community and were only allowed to remain with progenitors of good standing as a matter of efficiency.“...who works at the Food Distribution Center told me that the Individualist he contacted the Social Cohesion Office ceased cellular respiration right there on the spot.” Cecilia was surprised that someone using a questionable term such as “son” didn’t end up blurting out the word “died”.One of the few males on the coven questioned, “If this Bible Peddler and the deceased Individualist were seen in the same vicinity, is there the possibility that there was some kind of acquaintanceship between them?”Catherine tried to assuage any concerns of the Coven about the potential threat of counter-community that might be festering at the heart of the residential association. “There is always a slight possibility, but it is not very likely. So far, little can be confirmed about the ’Peddler’.Catherine left the name at that, not wanting to utter the vile qualifier any more than was necessary. For some reason, though she just couldn’t put her finger on it, the word she did not want to utter in front of the ’Peddler’ designation caused her energies to feel out of tune with cosmic oneness and affirmation. “As to the senectitudian individualist, since his holdings are in the process of reallocation, further investigation indicates that he and his domestic partner were not noted for a high degree of social interaction or any tendencies of giving back to the Community. They were rated as satisfactorily communicative on their last evaluation by their neighbors but it was also noted they had a marked tendency of staying to themselves.”A round of gasps cascaded across the Overseer’s Coven. “Congenital recluses?” Scandalous. Those were the worst kind as they not only failed in their most sacred obligation of concealing nothing from the Community but they also seldom exhibited any of the external clues as to what was percolating in their likely subversive minds focused too much on individual concerns rather than meditating on the priorities of the group.Sibling Cecilia altered the focus of the discussion. “Thank you for that update. However, the focus of this convocation of the Overseer’s Coven is to make preparations for the Primate’s visit.”“Of course, dear,” Catherine relented to her domestic partner. This branch of the Toleration Fellowship was her’s to administer after all.“Now,’ Cecilia intoned as she reasserted control over the coven’s agenda. “Let’s return to the arrangements pertaining to the Primate’s visit....”.......The day finally arrived. Cecelia and a number of Schauungtown’s foremost residents gathered in anticipation at the local skyport. The Primate’s craft slowly descended onto the tarmac.More of a floating airship than one of those jetliners popular in Before when the insufficiently communal went to and fro irrespective as to whether or not such excursions were deemed in accord with social necessity or authorized by those qualified to make such determinations, such vehicles were capable of staying aloft months on end as befitting a dignitary of the Primate’s status. The aerial citadel made its way slowly overhead reminding all catching a glimpse of it of their place as determined by the All (and confirmed of course by one’s residential association in compliance with the Covenant of Universal Community).Giant metal columns extended upward from underneath the tarmac to greet the floating cathedral, guiding it safely to the ground.Cecelia, Catherine, and several of Schauungtown’s most equal of residents eagerly waited as the antigravity vessel finished the docking procedure. The hatch on the side opened and a retractable staircase extended to the ground.The party gathered at the bottom looked on with anticipation as the three dignitaries emerged and proceeded towards them.“Welcome to Schauungtown. I’m Catherine from the residential oversight committee. This is my domestic partner Cecelia , the Sibling in charge of the local Toleration Fellowship.Cecelia was mildly irritated at Catherine’s presumption of making the introductions. This visit was, after all, under the auspices and sponsorship of the Toleration Fellowship.One of the dignitaries caught Cecelia’s eye. “Minister Joshua?”“No, I am not. I am Seer Jeremiah. But the Minister send his regards,”Cecelia was taken aback. Both the Seer and the Primate gracing Schauungtown with their presence was quite an honor. Cecelia continued, “We are humbled by your presence, Seer. My apologies for confusing you with Minister Joshua.”“Think nothing of it, Sibling. When you see me, you see him.”Catherine interrupted. “The resemblance between the two of you is remarkable. Are you and the Minister related?”The Seer responded, “We are, yet we are not. It is the desire of Minister Joshua that each of us would move beyond the relational limitations of Before to embrace the commonality of All."Cecelia was content to bask in the words of the Seer for in them was found what those beneath his status were deemed worthy of knowing. Catherine, on the other hand, wanted to press the issue. "So, are you and the Minister related?"The Seer responded, "We are, but not as you understand such limitations."As unease difficult to describe settled over Catherine that for some reason she knew to say no more about the matter.The Seer turned to the second party of his entourage. "I'd like to introduce Nathaniel Prescott, special assistant to Minister Joshua for Residential Association Affairs."Both Catherine and Cecelia nodded politely towards Special Assistant Prescott. From what Catherine had read of Prescott, he was one Minister Joshua's closest advisors but one whose role was not quite as public as the Seer's. It was believed Prescott's primary concern was overseeing the overall compliance of the residential associations with the Covenant of Universal Community and persuading, with all that would entail, the remaining unincorporated free areas into ratifying the covenant.Cecelia gestured toward the lengthy hoverzine. "Shall we head towards the Toleration Hall?"The dignitaries headed towards the hoverzine, with the Primate following closely behind the Seer. Even Cecelia felt uncomfortable riding in the hoverzine. As with their wheeled counterparts in the Before, these lengthy modes of transport were an energy-intensive mode of conveyance.Certainly, the Unity Covenant stipulated that those assigned to fulfilling the needs of the Community were entitled to the use of resources and technologies to which average residents were not authorized to utilize. But, in light of the incident in the food distribution center, would those still acculturated to the paradigms of Before and more individiocentric in their orientation put up with having their movements restricted indefinitely?The hoverzine lifted several feet off the ground and proceeded beyond the outskirts of the airstation. The Seer gazed out the window as the primate sat contentedly.The Seer observed, “I see the airstation is surrounded by the Laborer Sector.”“Yes, Seer. The Residential Committee thought it would be best to locate the facility in the Laborer Sector since that would preserve existing green space. The only thing here previously were single family homes, “ the words rolled off Cecelia’s tongue in disgust, “built during Before. Cooperative residents were transferred to barrack units. Those thinking they had a say in the matter beyond agreeing to the propriety of the decision made for their well-being were dealt with appropriately.”The Seer nodded. “A most efficient operation.”The hoverzine floated past the barracks where the common laborers of limited community loyalty and social utility were assigned until the Residential Committee was satisfied they had been sufficiently communalized. At least that was the incentive held out to those warehoused there.Of course, some within that particular patch of human capital would be reallocated to different domiciles as there remained a vested interest in maintaining a veneer of compliance that would earn reward. For despite all the efforts to move beyond the mindsets of Before, it seemed that either not enough time had elapsed or that somethings just couldn’t be engineered out of the human psyche, even despite tampering on the molecular-genetic level.It had already been predetermined by the foremost community planners that the vast majority of those residing in the barracks would never be granted permission to abide elsewhere. They were exactly where the Community needed them to be and they could at least derive a sense of satisfaction knowing they had fulfilled their role in the all. And if that was not enough, they could keep it to themselves or...Well, there was no need to dwell on that as there were other matters to attend to as the Primate and his entourage proceeded towards the Schauungtown Toleration Fellowship.The vehicle floated past the laborer barracks into what looked more like what had been a traditional configuration of domiciles in Before known as a “neighborhood”. Utter confusion was what both Cecelia and Catherine thought it was.Unlike the laborers that could be conditioned by manipulating instinctual appetites and contrived incentives that went largely unfulfilled, those assigned to the Intermediary Sector were overall an unpredictable lot. A number gladly accepted their place in the All as part of the Community and embraced their obligations to comply with the directive promulgated for them by those recognized by the various levels of the system of residential associations established under the provisions of the Unity Covenant for their superior evolutionary attainments in approaching cosmic oneness. Another element residing in the Intermediary Sector were more puzzling,Unlike those that exhibited a proper sense of gratitude for the place they had been assigned and did not ask for too much, those insisting upon retaining their individuality in the Intermediary Sector possessed the kind of discontent that could disrupt everything the Covenant of Universal Community stood for and could plunge the habitated regimes back into the ways of Before. The oddest thing was, and perhaps what made them most dangerous was that, even though many of the independently inclined residing in the Intermediary Sector did not approve of the power of the residential associations, the Unity Covenant and high level confederation matters, they knew nearly as much about such things (including the most arcane matters regarding Seer Jeremiah and Minister Joshua) as the most advanced level of administrators, most never did all that much with what they did know.It was this knowledge of power with an aversion to using it that unsettled the Social Cohesion Office the most. For if those with such knowledge had intentions of using it, they could be properly directed like any other group. But the thing was, they did not think of themselves as members of a group first and foremost.In all likelihood, the old fool that merged with the All right there in the Food Distribution Center and the Bible Peddler could be ranked among such subversives, Catherine thought. The Social Cohesion Office was making headway on the Food Distribution Center incident and it would only be a matter of time before all remnants of the perpetrator could be removed from the Community. Sure, the whiny coot might no longer be a corporeal entity on this plane of reality, but from his own confession, he had a domestic partner and she could not be permitted remain in the Residential Association. Catherine did not care how old the hag might be.What was it about the chronologically advanced that it was not enough for them to gratefully accept the privilege of continued existence but compeled them to spout all that nonsense about Before, how much better things were back then, and how such reactionary conditions should be allowed to prevail once more. Fortunately for the most part, they could be controlled within reason or removed entirely as a last resort without creating too much of a scene.The Bible Peddler, on the other hand, was a whole other matter. Thus far, there was very little known about him.Unlike the expired coot, almost no headway was being made on the Bible Peddler file. Thus far, there had only been a number of sightings and most of those only in passing.Strangely, no one knew who the Bible Peddler was, and it was the duty of the Social Cohesion Office to know who everyone was on behalf of the Residential Association. Attitudinal Assessment Technicians would need to more thoroughly infiltrate the various spiritual and metaphysical centers located around the periphery of the Community not part of the Toleration Fellowship that had been permitted to remain open slightly after the ending of Before. These experts could determine just how far this contamination might have spread and recommend what steps would be necessary to correct the situation.The retinue finally arrived at the Schauungtown Toleration Fellowship. Both the Primate and Seer glanced out the window at the structure dedicated to oneness and equality. Throngs of those not deemed essential enough to be allowed inside the hall gathered around the perimeter in hopes of catching a glimpse of the dignitaries.Cecelia and Catherine were the first to disembark from the vehicle to minor applause. As the Seer and Primate got out, the crowds became more jubilant. Surrounded by the burliest Social Cohesion Officers, they party made their way into the Toleration Hall..........Sibling Cecelia ascended the lectern shaped like a round peace sign. Cecelia began her remarks.“Assembled sentients.” Cecelia was careful to address all beings (seen and unseen, biological, fabricated, and all combinations thereof) that had gathered for the auspicious occasion. “This is certainly a day of foremost equalitude. For among all the signatory residential associations to the Covenant on Universal Community, it has been decided that the Primate of the Toleration Fellowship would grace Mother World with his presence this year in our gathering of inclusion. I present, to this assembly, the Primate."Possessed of below average stature, the Primate held the Seer's hand as he ascended the podium. With a contemplative expression, the Primate looked out over the gathered.Cecelia intoned towards the congregation, "Let us now render homage to the Primate." Cecelia bowed slightly, hands folded. Sometimes even gestures held over from Before were still useful if they elicited the desired cognitive response in a group context.“O Primate. We come before you now. We beseech you as the symbol of the We from which We came that We might look within Ourselves to reembrace the unreflective All of both the Cosmos and the Community. May We look to We so that We might diminish the I. In the name of the Community, Minister Joshua, and Seer Jeremiah, Ahumyn.”Cecelia gazed up at the primate. As she did, something dark, gooey, and smelly struck the exalted Sibling in her androgynous countenance.The Primate looked down at her and began to clap his hands, grinned with considerable satisfaction, and started to jump in place. The congregation looked on with considerable curiosity.Most merely sat there nervously, twiddling their fingers. A number mumbled among themselves. One broke out laughing hysterically.“THAT PRIMATE OF YOURS IS NOTHING BUT A MONKEY!” One by one, others assembled there in the Schauungtown Toleration Fellowship joined in the laughter as well.by Frederick Meekins
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Modern Christians chapter 3 and beyond

Posted by David Duarte on March 28, 2010 at 5:15pm

It's been a while since I wrote a blog here!

I am almost done with the 2nd story of Modern Christians. I hope people will read the rest of what I put up, since I was supposed to have finished it about a month ago.

So anyways, the 3rd story is being planned out. It's the first story that involves some of the psychology that I want to use to make Modern Christians stand out. And you'll get your first taste to see why Johnny calls himself a savior and feels God is on his side, if you remember him from the first story! If not, please read it!

In the 3rd story I am going to start using a paint program to type in the word balloons instead of hand writing in them, to make them more professional looking. And I'll put in a wide variety of fonts to equal different emotions depending on the situation. Though I do plan to still hand draw some font. And I am also trying to sketch out different poses for the characters, basing them off a model sheet. Because in Modern Christians chapter 2, sometimes I think Mike looks like a different person in some panels. Sometimes he seems to look younger or older in one panel to another. Maybe it's just me. But theres a certain look I want to keep with him for now.

A couple of friends have already seen my work and say I gotta publish it. I do feel the need to but also feel I got a lot to work on first. I have even wondered if they are just saying that because they don't know better or don't know what makes a good book?

Heres something very interesting that happened last week. I talked with one of the pastors for the young adults/college & career group at my church, which is Harvest Christian Fellowship. I showed him some of my work. He was impressed and wanted to set up a meeting to show my work to the "BIG" pastor of Harvest Christian Fellowship Greg Laurie himself! And possibly get it published.

Can you believe that?! Isn't that an awesome opportunity? Others have told me to show Greg my work but I was nervous. I knew he used to want to become a Christian cartoonist back in the day, but I was nervous because it's Greg Laurie! One of the most famous pastors in America! What would he think of my work? I am reminded of the story in his book "Lost Boy" when he shows pastor Chuck Smith a tract he drew up and Chuck said he loved that tract and it's exactly the kind of tract people needed. The kind that they wouldn't throw away. A bunch of copies of that tract were then printed. I guess it's because I am nervous of what a "celeberity" christian would think.

It would be awesome if I got Modern Christians to be published soon and I make some money with it. The money would go towards improving the appearance of the comic especially with art supplies, buying books to help me understand everything about Christanity better that I didn't know. And of course, thank God by giving 10% of my earnings in tithes back to church!

I really pray that God can help me get through this.

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New venues to show your work this summer?

Posted by Bob Luedke on March 28, 2010 at 6:20am
As I'm preparing to embark on what will be my fourth promotional campaign since I started producing Eye Witness, I made the decision that to figure out how to maximize my time on the road to sell the most book directly, verses wholesale...since natch, I make more revenue this way and get a chance to personally promote the books to more people.So this summer I'm adding a new component into my travel mix, which for me, will be replacing many of the book signings I've did in the past (re: Borders and Barnes and Noble etc...*). I'm referring to Christian summer music festivals!There are many of these events which begin taking place in May and run right into the early fall months. Doing my homework on these events, most are fairly reasonably priced for vendors ($300-$600) for the weekend. Most run 3-4 days. And most importantly, most garner anywhere from 40 to 100,000 attendees....the large percentage of which will fall squarely in the demographic most of us here target (teen to 20-somethings---who enjoy reading comics, manga and graphic novels and are Christian or seekers).Let that sink in for a moment. 40-100,000 young people, or approximately the number of people drawn to an event like Comic Con, but the large majority of which are Christian young people! Sounds like a match made in heaven for us, heh?Well, I'll be adding a handful of these events to my schedule this years, spinkled around comic conventions I'll be doing. The only negatives I can see for these events at this point are: A. the setups are in tents outside for the most part, so one never knows what the weather will do (re: 4 days in a humid 95 degree temp. could be interesting); and B. the vendor areas for these events are open on average 12+ hours a day (ex: from 10am to 12midnight), so for someone like me who operates many of my appearances lone wolf, this will be a test of endurance.But, right now I'm excited about the potential of these events.If you'd have an interest in following my lead on this, shoot me a return message and I'll let you know the events I've researched and their websites for you to see if you'd like to join my on this epic quest.bob-www.headpress.info
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Statement of Purpose for My ECA Application

Posted by Sky on March 26, 2010 at 7:22pm

The following is one crazy night's worth of writing, the night before the deadline, of course. go me. I haven't posted any blogs before, but I thought perhaps this would help my friends to get to know me on a more literary level, and share in my back-to-art-school-?-adventure. I have yet to send ECA a portfolio. =/ That will be the hard part. Open to suggestions. Also, open to comments on my writing. =)

I used to write the greatest Purpose Statements. Full of unbridled passion and untested mettle, I would unabashedly weave together captivating tales of my history, experience and purpose. Pages of drama and danger they were—one swish short of a swordfight—climaxing with a not-so-subtle suggestion that I would single-handedly change the world. After ten years, my college education, professional development, and living experience forced me to finally relinquish such romantic ideals. I no longer believe that I can single-handedly change the world. But I do believe that we, as a global community, can. “We don't accomplish anything in this world alone ... and whatever happens is the result of the whole tapestry of one's life and all the weavings of individual threads from one to another that creates something”. These words, which Sandra Day O’Connor was so inspired to articulate, speak to this shift in perspective. Art, communication, relationship, beauty, truth, goodness, life, love, us: concepts I once sought out separately now seem to synonymously weave together, like a Celtic knot so intricately designed that you cannot see where one cord ends and the next begins. Indeed, it seems as if none of the cords end at all.

In the tapestry of my life there is woven magic and poetry; saturated colors spun from a dancing imagination, indications that I can best serve my community not with anything I would initially assume to be practical, or necessary, but with ideas; ideas strengthened in their sharing, caught up into the universal language of picture and word, divided simply into character, setting, plot, and conflict: stories. Not the stories that tempt us to escape our humanity, that merely distract, or divert, but the ones that help us explore deep within it; portals to the great questions of human existence, cleverly disguised from, “Once upon a time…”

As an essential way for us to understand ourselves and the world around us, narratives have been given a crucial commission in our global community. In a postmodern era obsessed with questions of identity—from sexual, to cultural, spiritual to digital—stories offer avenues of exploration. In a diverse and fragmented society, stories help us see connections. In a fluctuating economy, stories help us adapt quickly. In a conflicted environment, stories offer perspective, reveal commonality, and show us how to envision peace. Stories help re-enchant a world sterilized by a fact-or-fiction dichotomy. Stories heal, nurture, and empower.

It is in the telling of such stories, through illustration and through literary works that I intend to both find and create my place within the global community; and through your school that I intend to further develop and refine my story-telling skills. It is my desire to be accepted into your Illustration program on the third year level, utilizing my experience in art school, the general education credits from my Bachelor's degree, and my professional understanding to complete your Bachelor's of Art in Illustration degree in two years time. It is my hope that by merging visual and literary art, through the demands of a degree program and the inspiration of a diverse artistic community, that I will emerge as a storyteller of prolific hand and prophetic nature, capable of enriching and challenging our global community through narratives both personal and universal.

When I initially attended art school, it was for simple, selfish reasons: I enjoyed it, and I was good at it. Ten years later, the cord of romantic idealism frayed, I am ready to reengage my creativity, weaving together visual and literary art forms while honoring the vital position of illustration and narrative as a means of both expression and communication, understanding that I must both suffer for, and delight in, my work as a storyteller as I endeavor to engage a global community.

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Hoshen - A Webcomic / Graphic Novel

Posted by Scot Halbach on March 19, 2010 at 6:43pm
It just occurred to me today that I'm missing what could be a great way to connect with other Christians who might be interested in what I'm doing.

I've started a webcomic / graphic novel WIP, called Hoshen. I upload a new page every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 7pm EST. You can read them on the comic's website under the "COMIC" link.

I plan to self-publish them in 20-page issues and sell them locally and online to anybody interested - however, I am not interested in making a living off of these; my profits from hard copies of Hoshen will go toward printing copies to give away free at events. I suppose you could call it a "non-profit" indie comic. My vision is to have a total of at least 300 copies of the first few issues to give away at Otakon 2010 (a personal favorite venue). I want this comic to be free, with revenue only coming from those who wish to support my vision of getting hard copies to people who might otherwise never read it.

To be honest, I know precious little about the real world of creating comics. I've been a mildly active reader of comic strips and comic books since I was very young, but an avid artist for as long as I can remember. I also came to know Jesus at a very young age, and my art and my faith are inseparable; I desire to glorify God with everything that I do, but I have a special place in my heart for my creative expression. All I know is this: I seek to use Hoshen as a heavily evangelistic tool. I'm tired of people with creative ability not doing anything with it. I want to say something. And what I really want to say is Jesus.

The story is about non-Christian people being confronted with the supernatural, experiencing events similar to the miraculous ministries of the prophets of the Old Testament, while taking cues from the events of the Gospels and Acts. My question is this: how would people respond to bold, personal miracles like what we see in Scripture? Combined with the age-old battle between good and evil, and grappling with the questions that the miraculous things in this world raise, I hope to craft a story that will leave people seeking the truth of what the Bible really says about this "one true God", instead of settling for quick Sunday school answers and watered-down secular philosophy.

So. If you like the sound of this and want to learn more / show your support, you can hit up the Facebook fan page, the blog, or the Twitter to plug in and get news on where this is going. The comic is still pretty new, but once I hit that 20-page mark, trust me, things are really going to take off. If you have any suggestions, ways you'd like to help, would like to share links, whatever it is that good webcomics do that I'm not doing, drop me a line through the social network of your choosing or at arctoon@gmail.com, I'd love to chat with you.

Thanks for reading. Peace be with you.
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He works in Mysterious ways...

Posted by Bob Luedke on March 15, 2010 at 6:00pm

Anyone else notice how mysteriously God will work in our lives sometimes. Right when you need something the most he'll deliver you a blessing, but not the kind you'd ask for or expect.

When I've been at the point I am now on the previous Eye Witness books , getting so close the finish line that I can begin to see it, I tend to begin to wear down and feel the stress and strain of the last 13 months (like a runner when he rounds that last turn and see the tape). It's at this point I always pray for strength, inspiration and perseverance.

Today God answered my prayers and provided me all three, in the form of a simple message through facebook. A quite well known and well regarded writer/editor who's worked for many of the industries largest publishers and responsible for creating (or co-creating) some of the best comic material in the last 10 years, thanked me today for befriending him, because "he was a fan of mine"! Huh...what?

He told me had purchased the first Eye Witness book years ago and admired what I was doing, because it's something he's always wanted to do in the industry but "stuff" always seemed to get in the way of his doing it. Further more he offered his services to help me in any way he could.

Wow...talk about a jolt of energy without drinking a Monster! And to think, all I did was friend request this person when I ran across his icon on someone elses posting.

That Unknown God...He doth work in mysterious ways, my friends!

bob-

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CrossStar is in Production!

Posted by Wayne Gardiner on March 15, 2010 at 5:08pm

Yes, that's right everyone. I'm producing my own comic book. The story concept came to mein 2002, and I've been slowly working on it since then. Now the first 7issue mini-series has been written, and I've contracted with some greatartists to bring it to life. Go to www.crossstar.com to seesome amazing artwork and to read more about the story.

Remember, God is faithful to complete that which he has started.


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Our Messiah's blood trickled thru the earth onto the ark of covenant

Posted by William Wilbur on March 14, 2010 at 12:11pm
Our Messiah's blood, trickled thru the earth onto the ark of covenant

which has finally been found buried 20 feet below
the spot where Yahushuah was impaled upon a stake

WHY....is this so...?

The blood of the animal sacrifices
had to be sprinkled on the Ark to wash away
all the sins of the children of Israel for one year

The blood of the Messiah had to also be sprinkled
on the Ark to wash away ALL sin for ALL times

DNA can be taken from dried dead blood
but not chromosone counts....

But not surprising at all-
The Messiah's blood was indeed still alive!!!!

Upon testing this blood-

It was found that unlike the 46 chromosones
we have because of having two parents...

This sample had only 23 from Miriam
and 1 from the Father. ...totaling 24!!!!

This is Elohims final witness and Testimony
that he did indeed send his Son to Save the WORLD

Also this is the same spot Abraham offered his son
and the same spot of Jacobs ladder

It is the gateway to heaven
and just as the Messiah is the only way
his BLOOD is upon the ARK at this very location

Watch the following video-
it will send shivers down your spine

http: / / www. youtube. com/ v/ bYIwjYN4JVo& border= 1& color1= 0xb1b1b1& color2= 0xcfcfcf& hl= en_ US& feature= player_ embedded&fs=1">
if you enjoyed this... come visit my site at:
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The Significance of Samson (thoughts for my comic)

Posted by RMK on March 9, 2010 at 10:00pm
When it comes to God's work or intervention in the mortal world, there are typically three things involved (or at least two out of three when something new is presented): purpose, precedence and significance. Any writer proposing a Christian story with supernatural events should consider these key points and also how they are grounded within certain limits God self-imposes. God uses purpose, precedence and significance throughout the Bible to build upon his body of work throughout history, and also give authority and credibility to the ones He truly sends. This, of course, was fully realized in the person of Christ, whom all that was building up to. Is that to say that there are no miracles after Christ's ascencion? The New Testament epistles would say certainly not. But there is purpose, precedence and significance there.

One of the influences for my story was the account of Samson. Samson is a unique person in the Bible, as he is the only man given consistent supernatural power by God. This was despite his most ungodly nature. He was one of Israel's judges during a time of no king, overt lawlessness, and national oppression by the Philistines.

In considering the story of Samson, one can't help but wonder about God's choice and faithfulness to the man. Samson was reckless, rebellious, vengeful and mostly amoral. He broke every clause in his Nazarite vow (the binding agreement in his power), save for the cutting of his hair. Yet he still acknowledged God as God, and oddly, despite Samson's behavior, God responded to him with added assistance. Admittedly, when your every waking moment is divinely supercharged, it would be hard not to acknowledge the source.

The key in understanding why God would respond in such a way is really in understanding God's purpose for Samson. Samson's sole purpose was to destroy Israel's oppressors of the day (although this is seemingly unknown to Samson himself- more on that in a moment). Samson's moral conduct was really secondary to God's purpose for him. However, a contract is a contract and God binds Himself by his word. When Samson cut his hair, the deal could no longer be upheld. God's mercy and purpose shows up later as Samson's hair grows back and God renews the contract.

This brings up a few questions. First, would Samson have been anywhere near as effective in exacting God's retribution had he been a godly man? Samson's vengeance toward the Philistines and his ultimate tragic demise caused the fulfillment of God's purpose to free his people. Was Samson chosen because of his potential destructive character, or was his character merely circumstantial? The only real answer here is God is sovereign and always has a plan. He accomplishes his purpose despite us, not because of us. (This is a lesson I've learned many times in my life.)

Second, God never actually told Samson what to do with his power. His parents were visited by an angel and told he would be given power, but he's not actually given any instructions. Samson's life shows this in behavior as well: he seems to casually float through life and rough up people as the situation dictates. It is interesting to note that, despite Samson's conduct, he is still listed in Hebrews 11, under what's known colloquially as the “Faith Hall of Fame”. To sum it up, he believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness. God really doesn't like being called a liar when He says something.

These two questions are the influence for my story. I thought, what would it be like if the tables were turned? What if you had a man trying to be godly, but still had no instructions? And furthermore, how much differently than Samson's day would our modern society respond to someone supernaturally empowered in such a way? Not to mention if the claim was that it was divinely sourced. And one would have to ask, what would God's purpose be in empowering a man in such a way in our modern society now that the Messiah has come and the Gospel is the key mission for Believers? These are all things I have pondered heavily for my writing.

And of course, I keep in mind purpose, precedence and significance.
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new favorite author

Posted by Ancient Of Otters on March 6, 2010 at 11:54pm

I recently discovered the works of Katherine Farrer, who was a friend of Tolkien, CS Lewis, et al. plus Dorothy Sayers. - Like them, she was an ardent Christian. As for her work, I can not praise it high enough.

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2012 Movie Review

Posted by Greg Bollinger on March 6, 2010 at 7:22pm
Thursday night I watched the newly released movie 2012 with my parents and I found it to be rather spectacular with plenty of moment that will keep you on the edge of your seat with it's incredible special effects and the plot itself was also great. While it was exciting and thrilling it also had many scenes that were quite disturbing: entire cities being swallowed up by earthquakes, causing many deaths, a scene where Yellowstone State Park blows up sending fire balls, lava and destructive ash clouds everywhere[1], the state of Hawaii literally covered in lava and finally gigantic tsunamis cover the entire world in a global flood. As I watched the movie I sorta had an impression as to the possible mechanisms that could've caused the global flood that wiped out the people of Noahs day. The mechanism that caused this global flood had some similarities with the Catastrophic Plate Tectonics (CPT) model, of John Baumgardner and others, as a mechanism for the Genesis Flood.

SYNOPSIS
The film’s premise relies upon a massive ejection of solar neutrinos from the sun which interact with the earth’s core, which in turn increase its temperature-a scenario of doubtful scientific validity, if not scientifically impossible. The increase in temperature causes the earth’s crust to expand and initiates a massive crack which propagates across the earth (similar to the CPT model!). This causes massive earthquakes around the world and horrendous disasters as the entire crust of the earth begins to become unstable and rotate around the poles(with Wisconsin being at the south pole). This in turn starts massive global tsunamis which spread across the earth. Along the earthquakes, volcanic activity is also taking place. In one scene the supervolcano under Yellowstone National Park becomes active; causing geisers to erupt all over the park before the whole landscape itself start to swell up like a giant bubble then finally blows up as the supervolcano erupts, spewing lava, fireballs and pyroclastic flows and ashes for miles around. A devastating cloud of ash from the eruption goes as far as Washington D.C. blackening the sky and rains ash all around like snow. Another scene shows a jet flowing over the Hawaiian islands only to find it literally engulfed in lava as the earthquakes have obviously triggered the volcanoes on the islands(I might actually use a scene like this in my manga comic The Last Days)

During this entire process viewers can easily become emotionally involved through the lives of the characters of the plot and their families. It’s a race for survival as they track down four massive (would you believe it) arks, of biblical proportions being built in secret somewhere in China. During one scene where our heroes have crash landed in a newly-located Himalayan continent, there is a fleet of helicopters transporting giraffes, (the archetypal animal for an ark!), elephants and other animals to the ark docking site. Thousands of other people also flock to the arks, mostly comprising the world’s richest people who have purchased tickets with their entire livelihoods in order to escape the coming disaster and re-populate the earth; leaving everyone else to die.

There was one very powerful scene, during the film, where the door to one of the arks remained shut, while outside, thousands clamoured to be let on board. This was followed by an intensely emotional dialogue inside the ark among world leaders as to whether to let them board, but luckily mercy won the day. The door was opened and the people surged on board. One touching scene showed a father (who was a selfish Russian billionaire) sacrificed his life to get his two sons on board the ark. Then the tsunami breaks over the Himalayas and after further drama and tension, involving selfless actions to save lives and avoid crashing into the peak of Mt. Everest, the arks float into the sunset to await the retreat of the waters, from an emerging new world!

During the course of the film I noticed many religious themes running throughout; mainly the Mayan Calender[2] which foretold this cataclysmic event which this movie,and most other films of the apocalyptic genre, is largely based upon. Another is the End of Days foretold in Scripture, though I found these disasters in the film to be a bit inconsistant with the disasters that the Bible foretold would occure; namely the global flood that appears at the end of the film. Several scenes involve many people around the world, including the President of the United States, praying before the destruction came. One scene included the President of America praying in his private chapel; he then decided to stay behind with his people and not take ‘Air Force One’ to the arks. Sadly in the end he dies as one of the massive tsunamis sweeps into the nations capitol. I thought faith in God was given a respectful and fair treatment throughout the film(which is unusual in the movie industry) and was often contrasted with people’s selfish attitudes and a desire for the survival of the fittest (or the richest!).

BIBLICAL PARALLELS
Even though the film is mostly based on the alledged doomsday prophecy of Mayan Calender, many of the disasters in 2012 were actually consistant in many ways with the calamities that the Bible predicts will happen before the Second Coming of Jesus Christ to reign on Earth for 1,000 years and then for eternity. In the film earthquakes are common throughout and Catastrophic Plate Movements are the source of them; this is fairly consistant with the earthquake activity predicted to take place during the Tribulation period. Revelation 6:12-17 tells of a great earthquake so powerful it will move islands and mountains out of their places and the people of the earth will actually ask the mountains to fall on them in order to escape the wrath of Lamb. Accompanying this earthquake will be possible volcanic activity and meteor showers. In the film, volcanic activity follows the earthquakes in a scene that shows the supervolcano under Yellowstone erupts causing devastation across North America; along with the Hawaiian islands covered completely in lava. Possible scenarios during the Tribulation period. Revelation also speaks of another earthquake that will occur at the end of the Tribulation just before Christ's return that will be the most powerful earthquake the world will ever see. This earthquake will level all the world's mountains flat and sink all the worlds islands.(Revelation 16:18-20)

Interestly, Jesus told His disciples that one of the signs of the last days would be earthquake activity that would be increase in frequency and intensity; which He discribed as birth pangs. In light of the recent 8. earthquake that hit Chile a few weeks ago[3], the earthquake that devastated Haiti and other seismic disasters, the end may be very close.

The film also featured the tectonic plates actually shifting and moving around on the Earth's mantle; causing the state of Wisconsin to end up at the south pole. This could've been a possible mechanism that caused the cataclysmic Genesis Flood(Genesis 7:10-11) as the foundations of the deep breaking open would've caused the landmasses to shift in catastrophic ways causing massive earthquakes, tsunamis and volcanic eruptions worldwide[4]. This cataclysm would've rearranged the entire planets' surface.

One disaster in the film, however, was inconsistant with the Bible. As the continents shift they cause monstrous tsunamis all over the world so great it causes a global flood. We read in Genesis that after God destroyed the earth in the Flood, leaving only Noah, his family and the animals on the Ark alive and caused the waters to recede He promised Noah He would never destroy the earth again with water(Genesis 9:11 and Genesis 8:21-22). But later we read that there will be another worldwide judgement on the earth like it, but this time with fire; after the Millenial Kingdom has run its course(2 Peter 3:5-7). While we know the world will come to an end someday, we don't have to worry about any global floods.

At the end of the film the survivors onboard the arks wait for the waters to abate and set foot back on dryland. When the water finally recede a new world emerges with the worlds highest mountains now in the new African continent in what used to be South Africa. The Bible also predicts a new world that will soon come, a new heavens and a new earth infact. The last chapters of Revelation(Revelation 21-22) shows the creation being restored to the perfect conditions of the pre fall world God had originally created in Genesis 1-2. But this time it will be even better as the curse that marred the previous creation is permenantly removed.

CONCLUSION
In my opinion, there is enough powerful Christian imagery running through the film to enable someone to present the gospel. One could spend a great deal of time having discussions with family and friends, saved or unsaved, on creation/evolution issues including Catastrophic Plate Tectonics, accelerated nuclear decay and the connection between the Flood, fossils and rock layers, and how it all relates to the gospel. What a great film, and if you don't have a week stomach or a sensative disposition I would recommend seeing the film with friends and using it as a conversation starter to share the message of salvation through Christ!

REFERENCES
1. Yellowstone National Park is actually sitting on top of a dormant supervolcano, the scientists predict will erupt sometime in the future and it will cause devastation for hundreds of miles and cover almost all of North America in ash.

2. Despite all the media hype over the alledged 2012 doomsday scenario predicted in the Mayan Calender, the Mayans themselves didn't even believe the earth would end on Dec. 21 2012. The Calender mentions nothing of a doomsday scenario but rather the end of an age, not the world.

3. I recently heard a report on the radio that the earthquake that hit Chile actually caused the Earth to move off it's axis, causing the rotation of the Earth to be slowed down by a milisecond. And another earthquake has recently struck Taiwan.

4. According to the movie, the Catastrophic Plate Tectonics that caused the disasters occurs every 600,000 years. According to the biblical timeline, however, CPT would've occured more recently(perhaps around 4,000 years ago) about the time of Noah.
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MARCH 6, 2010

Posted by Melchizedek Todd on March 6, 2010 at 12:52pm
Praise God! Thanks to everyone who bought a pre-sale copy of Volume 1. We're about halfway to our goal to raise money for marketing. But my publisher and I are going to begin marketing now. One way we're marketing is through a video a friend made for me for my site. It's on youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zpgLwvHJML4. Check it out. I'll place it here too.
Anyway, since my comic been out and after some blessings from God , my family and I have been through some spiritual warfare. Satan been going after us through a Credit Fraud incident, a car accident and other financial issues. But I don't fret, because that means I'm on the right track and my wife and I pray against the darkness and believe in the promises God has sent to us. I've been speaking in tounges also to wage war against the enemy. If you don't know, speaking in tounges is for todays believer and just ask God to give you the gift and He will. But also, if there is a hindrance in your answered prayers and you believe Satan is holding it back, praying in tounges is effective to allow the Holy Spirit to
speak to God more directly and not let Satan know what is being said. We're at war fellow soldiers, but we are the
victors since Christ has already won the war for us.
So I got a facebook page too and I'm going to use Twitter to market and advertise and other stuff. I'm very excited to have the ball rolling. THe future is bright. And I do have a pre-announcement about a web-comic I'm developing that will be weekly and tie into my graphic novels. God loves you and I love you. Take care.
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It's our Birthday, but you are getting the presents!!!!!

Posted by Peter Gonzalez on March 1, 2010 at 3:56pm
We just turned 1 over this weekend and to celebrate we will be givingaway 10 copies of Priscilla #1 Tower of Babel with a promo of ourupcoming trading card set. How do you qualify? Glad you asked simplyemail us your favorite bible verse to crownjrcomics@gmail.com we willrandomly select 10 winners and announce them this Friday. This giveawayis open to everyone living in the United States, and Canada. Multiplewinners can come from the same household. Artists who have done workfor are also eligible and encouraged to take part! Wishing you the bestof luck!

-Peter Gonzalez-
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Proverbs 27:17

Posted by Mike Bullock on February 28, 2010 at 5:09am
Just wanted to invite everyone to check out my new, Christ centered blog. I don't update it on any set schedule, but as inspiration strikes. It also links to another Christian blog I post on more regularly.

Check it out and feel free to comment.

Proverbs 27:17

See you there.

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