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Brainiac On Banjo: Under The Influence

Brainiac On Banjo: Under The Influence

Posted on by Mike Gold

“Might be a rock’n’ roll addict prancing on the stage, might have money and drugs at your commands, women in a cage. You may be a business man or some high degree thief. They may call you Doctor or they may call you Chief. But you’re gonna have to serve somebody, yes indeed, you’re gonna have to serve somebody.” From Gotta Serve Somebody, written by Bob Dylan.

— special bonus! —

“Well you may believe in devils and you may believe in lords, but Christ, you’re gonna have to serve yourself and that’s all there is to it. So get right back here, it’s in the bloody fridge. God, when I was a kid, didn’t have stuff like this, TV fuckin’ dinners and all that crap. You fuckin’ kids are all the fuckin’ same. Want a fuckin’ car now! Lucky to have a pair of shoes!” From the response song Serve Yourself, written by John Lennon.

And now for today’s unanswerable question: are we a nation of sheep?

Or, to pose it another unanswerable way: What the fuck are influencers? Why do people pay attention to them? How do they pay their rent? What do they put under “occupation” on their 1040s?

More important, in my humblest opinion: why do people follow influencers? Isn’t simply believing in Trump enough? As Bob Dylan said, “you’ve gotta serve somebody.” Or, perhaps as John Lennon suggests, maybe you should consider taking responsibility for your own actions and desires.

Then again, I have long been proud of being a freelance black sheep. The work ain’t bad, and there’s plenty of job security.

So, why can’t we make up our own minds? I get it; making up your mind requires thought, and thought is hard work. It’s a lot easier to have others do our thinking for us.

Maybe we never adjusted to the absence of our parents, our teachers, and other thought-provokers. Our media has become nauseatingly lame, even more so since Donny and His MAGAts put the Christian Nationalists in charge. If everybody’s got to serve somebody, it may be the devil, it may be the lord, but they want it to be Trump. Continue reading “Brainiac On Banjo: Under The Influence” →

With Further Ado #417: Promotional Phantom

With Further Ado #417: Promotional Phantom

Posted on by Ed Catto

One of the cool things about working in Metro NY in marketing & advertising in the ‘90s was being sent all the promotional materials. Back in my days at Nabisco, and  later on the agency side, companies, brands, and properties would always be reaching out to see if the brands I was working on would be interested in a partnership.  Many times they did that by sending us everything from movie scripts to promotional folders.

Some of the partnerships we embarked upon were no brainers. For example, Nabisco’s Honey Graham crackers would always partner with a chocolate brand, like Hershey, and a marshmallow brand for a S’mores initiative.

Once I started collaborating with companies like Disney and the NFL on programs for my brands, new possibilities opened up.  Putting the programs together was enjoyable, and usually rewarding, but being able to see the early stages of new movies, new shows, and new events was really fun!

The Ghost Who Walks

The other day, I found this promotional booklet that was originally sent to me from Paramount. It was  for The Phantom film that would ultimately be released in 1996 and would star Billy Zane and Kristy Swanson.  As a I recall, the movie didn’t set the world on fire. That was a shame as The Phantom was my dad’s favorite comic character.  I liked the character and the strip too.

The folks in charge of it all launched toys, merchandise, and even a Got Milk partnership. But the film never clicked as much as fans wished it had. Continue reading “With Further Ado #417: Promotional Phantom” →

So Long and Thank For The Fish, Man 127: An Indictment of Roman Reigns

So Long and Thank For The Fish, Man 127: An Indictment of Roman Reigns

Posted on by Marc Alan Fishman

On November 18, 2012, a Samoan warrior flanked by his partners-in-crime—decked out in all black tactical clothing— accosted Ryback in an effort to ensure CM Punk remained WWE champion. The warrior? Roman Reigns. Alongside Seth Rollins and Dean Ambrose, Reigns was the powerhouse of The Shield. This trio terrorized the good guys of the WWE for months on end. From the get-go, it was clear: Roman was being protected. Anytime the Shield got bested? He wasn’t the one looking up at the lights. In the span of 2 years, he never submitted, and only was pinned four times. Two out of the four were dirty; with interference and shenanigans such that Roman couldn’t even be at fault for the loss. 

When The Shield broke up, Roman was immediately thrust into singles stardom. He feuded with all the top stars, and eventually won his first world championship in about a year and a half. He lost that belt five minutes later to a Money in the Bank cash-in. And he won the title back a month later, cementing his top dog status. 

I’ll spare everyone any more of Roman’s Wikipedia page; if you’re that curious, read it. With rampant tribalism now en vogue among the pro-wrestling fandom, I figured I’d indulge a bit and join the fray. 

Roman Reigns sucks. He’s always sucked. He will never not suck.

Before I go any further, let me be extra clear: I personally have nothing against Joseph Anoaʻi, the man. I have no doubt he is a humble, respectful, marvelous man. He’s a husband and father. A cancer survivor. A true mensch of whom I’ve never read a single bad word about in the dirt sheets concerning any backstage politicking, or similar antics. OK?  Continue reading “So Long and Thank For The Fish, Man 127: An Indictment of Roman Reigns” →

Brainiac On Banjo: Gail’s Storm

Brainiac On Banjo: Gail’s Storm

Posted on by Mike Gold

“I want a world without gravity. It could be just what I need. I’d watch the stars move close. I’d watch the Earth recede.” From Wicked Gravity, written by Jim Carroll.

There can be poetry in violence. Pete Hamill understood that. So does Gail Simone.

It turns out I’ve been a fan of Gail’s since Day One. Well, Gail Simone’s Day One. Gail wrote the first weekly Simpsons Sunday newspaper strip of its second series; it was, according to legend, her first comics work. I did not know who she was at the time. I assumed she was, and evidently she remains, a woman, and that was still a bit unusual. It was even unusualler to find a woman behind the word processor on anything Simpsons related — of approximately 150 writers on the teevee show, less than ten percent have been female.

These stats won’t surprise any woman in Hollywood or in comics. Or most men.

Gail was “discovered” by then-Bongo Comics editor-in-chief and renown writer, artist, and swell fellah Bill Morrison. This new newspaper strip was to other comic strips what their teevee show was to sitcoms: revolutionary, and far more edgy than other newspaper comics fare. It wasn’t picked up by all that many papers — very few strips in the past three decades have broken that dottering brick-glass ceiling. Continue reading “Brainiac On Banjo: Gail’s Storm” →

With Further Ado #416: Two Favorite Authors

With Further Ado #416: Two Favorite Authors

Posted on by Ed Catto

On the socials the other day, Ross Richie asked people to post their favorite comic book writer. Pick just one? I thought that was really hard.  My pal and fellow PopCultureSquad columnist, Mike Gold, was also having trouble picking only one. He chose Jimi Hendrix and wrote, “He worked for DC, didn’t he?”

Seemed like a good answer to me.

It IS hard to pick just one favorite comic writer. And I was elated this week when I snagged copies of two new #1 comics by two of my favorite writers.

Chris Condon

Continue reading “With Further Ado #416: Two Favorite Authors” →

Brainiac On Banjo: Halloween’s Other Princess

Brainiac On Banjo: Halloween’s Other Princess

Posted on by Mike Gold

“I could be the catalyst that sparks the revolution. I could be an inmate at a long-term institution. I could dream to wild extremes, I could do or die, I could yawn and be withdrawn and watch the world go by.” From What A Waste, written by Ian Dury and Rod Melvin.

If you’ve been to the supermarket lately — perhaps you just won the state lottery — you’ve probably noticed Halloween is upon us. Big bags of tiny candy bars marked “fun” abound, many containing ersatz pumpkin poo. We should acknowledge the likelihood that without Halloween, we might not have Wonder Woman around.

Like much of what I write this might seem idiosyncratic, but even if I’m overanalyzing history a bit, this claim has merit. In the 1940s, Wonder Woman was one of the most visible comics characters in America. She had her own comic book, was cover-featured in the monthly Sensation Comics anthology title, shared covers on Comic Cavalcade with Green Lantern and The Flash, was a member of the Justice Society of America — although, of course, she spent the war years as the JSA’s secretary. She even had her own daily newspaper comic strip for a couple years.

Then World War II ended. Before long the paper shortage ended and, slowly, rationing was retired. The returning generation of family members sold their daddy’s companies to mammoth, soulless, money-grubbing conglomerates. Those outlets that had been selling comic books — candy shops, drug stores, newsstands, railroad stations — were being replaced by shopping strips and malls where the profit from ten-cent comic books wouldn’t mean shit to a tree. Continue reading “Brainiac On Banjo: Halloween’s Other Princess” →

So Long and Thank For The Fish, Man #126: Trust Me

So Long and Thank For The Fish, Man #126: Trust Me

Posted on by Marc Alan Fishman

I’m going to side step pop culture for the week, in a way, and take an oddly specific deep dive into… politics. (note to the editors: if you could maybe cue up a flash of lightning and a crack of thunder here that would be great! -M)

A point of order first: I actually believe politics goes hand in hand with pop culture. So much of what is created for entertainment is not made in a vacuum. It is, in fact, generated through the lens of the author — and their perspective absolutely is shaped (among other things) by the political landscape in which they live. I could pelt you with a 1000 examples, but instead, I’ll give you one. Look at the most recognizable symbol of our dear comic books, Superman. He is the creation of the sons of Jewish immigrants, literally celebrating the American Way—truth, justice, and defending the people living, toiling, and loving one another. Immigrants included. Funny, that. 

With that said? I think I’ve earned my supper. Let’s eat. Continue reading “So Long and Thank For The Fish, Man #126: Trust Me” →

With Further Ado #415: To Boldly Go

With Further Ado #415: To Boldly Go

Posted on by Ed Catto

I admit it; I tried to play it cool. I tried not to go all fanboy. But after about, oh, one-and-half minutes I was as a giddy as a seven-year-old feasting on birthday cake and ice cream.

But, like I told my wife,  it was a work thing. And yeah, she just rolled her eyes too.

As a part of my day job as an Assistant Professor at Ithaca College, I teach the Practicum Class for the MBA candidates. It’s a unique program focusing on entertainment, media and live events.  So for this program, unlike, say, Wharton’s or even Cornell’s, we graduate fewer Investment Bankers and more brilliant/innovative creatives who work for entertainment or sports companies.  I wish this type of MBA program existed for me back in the day.

And one of the annual trips in this program is a trip to the Adirondacks, where the students meet a plethora of entrepreneurial start-ups and volunteer at a live event. It’s a fantastic way to get some hands on learning, a hallmark of the Ithaca College School of Business.

This year, while in Ticonderoga, NY we participated in The Star Trek Original Series Set Tour.  It was arranged by our friends at ANCA (the Adirondack North Country Alliance) and TACC (The Ticonderoga Area Chamber of Commerce). Continue reading “With Further Ado #415: To Boldly Go” →

Brainiac On Banjo: Another Brightest Day

Brainiac On Banjo: Another Brightest Day

Posted on by Mike Gold

You put your whole self in. You put your whole self out. You put your whole self in and you shake it all about. You do the Hokey Pokey and you turn around. That’s what it’s all about! From The Hokey Pokey, written by Charles P. Macak, Larry Laprise and Taft Baker.

Now that the first season of Lanterns is reaching end times, I think it’s time for me to put in my two cents on the most important controversy of the day, the “this is not MY Hal Jordan” issue.

First of all, to quote William Shatner’s most famous utterance, get a life. Your childhood remains unaltered. Nobody is shitting on those thrilling days of yesteryear you remember so vividly. Given that I’m not in a position to carbon date all the whiners, I am compelled to ask which Hal Jordan are you talking about? Continue reading “Brainiac On Banjo: Another Brightest Day” →

With Further Ado #414: Supercharged with Climate Optimism

With Further Ado #414: Supercharged with Climate Optimism

Posted on by Ed Catto

At San Diego Comic-Con this past July, I noticed an indie booth with two covers by one of my favorite artists: Mark Schultz.

(He’s also one of my favorite writers, and I read his Prince Valiant every Sunday, where art is provided by the phenomenal Thomas Yeates.)

I was fascinated and wandered up to this curious booth. And it was there I started to learn about the term Climate Optimism.

Here’s how the booth’s owners described this concept on their site:

What Climate Optimism Actually Means

Climate optimism contradicts both doom-paralysis and naive positivity: it is specifically optimism anchored to known solutions and ongoing action, not a belief that outcomes will simply work out. As Anne Therese Gennari writes: “Climate optimism is not about taking a step back and hoping for the best to happen. It’s about meeting these times with an unwavering curiosity for change and choosing a path of resilience, action, and hope!”

Climate optimism is:

• A belief the outcome is still possible
• Grounded in measurable results
• Paired with Urgency
• A Reason to Act

Climate optimism is NOT:

• A belief that everything turns out fine
• Grounded in mood
• A Reason to Relax
• A Reason to Wait

Still with me? Sounds like a smart approach, doesn’t it? Continue reading “With Further Ado #414: Supercharged with Climate Optimism” →