My Little CrockPot of News and Thoughts

REVIEWS, REVIEWS, REVIEWS: Sidekicks by Dan Danko and Tom Mason Dan Danko and Tom Mason, the successful writing team responsible for a multitude of books and television scripts, have been busy in the lab, conjuring up a new series of tasty literary vitals. Sidekicks is a series written for kids from a kids whimsical point of view. Guy Martin is a fast kid. A 92.7 mph child, to be exact. He's also a sidekick, a member of the elite "right hand men" (and gals) to the Superheros that defend the safety of the human race everyday. Not only does he have full time work load as sidekick to Pumpkin Pete (a king of all cucurbits superheros), but also has to maintain all the responsibilities that come with being a kid. Though the target audience is older kids (9-12), the series if a fun read for people of all ages. Danko and Mason have a knack for forging and sculpting the written word into believable, whole hearted characters, with all the quirks and ticks that make each and every one of us unique. Summer is fast approaching. It's the perfect time to pick up a book and start reading. I recommend you pick up this one. ... A couple of other things I picked up: The Complete Peanuts: 1950- 1952 by Charles M. Schulz My prayers have been answered. Several months ago Fantagraphics Books announced that they would republished each and every Peanuts strip that ran throughout the history of the series. This huge undertaking, covering fifty years worth of charming art, is to be broken down into 25 books... two books over the coarse of twelve and a half years. I'm a huge Peanuts fan. The charm of these characters for me in indescribable. They are perfect, in each and every way. The first book of the series is more than I could have ever have dreamed. It's fun to see the gang the way they started out and how they evolved into the icons we know today. If you love Peanuts... or art... or anything simple and pure, pick up a copy of this book. You'll love it. I also recommend Peanuts: The Art of Charles M. Schulz. See they way the Master worked and thought. ... Dracula by Bram Stoker I didn't buy this book because it's a classic. The reason I bought this book was because of the illustrator. Edward Gorey is a jewel. His heavy inked, almost woodcarved style conveys an appealingly dark and gothic world full of wonder. If you have never experienced his art, you're missing out. Gorey's illustrations in the book, though few, are full of atmosphere and charm. He draws you in with his craft, revealing and solidifying the way we've always imagined Dracula lived. Even if you don't like the novel itself, this edition, from Barnes & Noble Books, is well worth the money... just for the illustrations.

Ahh... Friday. It's been too long my friend. ... Here are a few links to some pretty cool portfolio websites. I hope you enjoy. Dennis Jones- Illustrator Brian Wood- Designer/ Illustrator Derek Hess- Designer/ Illustrator

Day dreams and other such Nonsense: "Birthed from the Womb of My Insomnia" ... Cartoonbrew has a link for the new Shark Tale trailer. I ate crow after watching it. It looks better than I thought it would be. Dreamworks has won the battle today... we'll see if they win the war after the film comes out. Isn't talking in military metaphors fun? ... Here are a couple links for some fun design companies I found tonight. I really like their posters: F2 Design Factor Twenty Seven ... I love Morrissey's new album You are the Quarry. It makes me smile on the inside. ... It's Friday... I'm in love.

Wow. It's been quite a while since I last posted. My apologies for my weeklong hiatus. I'm not sure what has stolen my attention away from this blog, but I'm certain it involved something shiny. ... Stephen Silver is not of this earth. He's a self taught character designer, storyboard artist, C caricature artist, teacher, and I'm pretty sure he could move cars with his mind if he tried. His work has been used on a number of TV series for Disney, Warner Brothers, and Nickelodeon. He has a book out now. If you're smart, you'll buy it. ... Watch the first five minutes of Shrek 2... if you're into that kinda stuff... ... Reel FX, just up the road on I-35, has a completed a cinematic for the upcoming Red Star video game. Red Star is a cool comic. I haven't read it in a while though... again, the reason probably involves something shiny. ... Check out these great new trailers online: The Incredibles Napoleon Dynamite ... Lately I've spoken with several of my friends from school. Since I've got them on my mind, I thought I'd post the links to their online homes. Stop by and tell them that Jared sent you... remember to wipe your feet off at the door and please don't break anything. Adam Fox Josh Burton Jonathan Beistline

Today at the Newsstand: "Soft Drinks of the World Unite!" ... DVD Toons has an interview with Walt Disney's daughter Diane. ... Here's an article from Toon Zone about Don Hertzfeldt and Mike Judge's The Animation Show. ... Here's an article from VFX World called "Hoodwinked: Anatomy of an Independent Animated Feature". It's an interview with the makers of the Philippines' first indy produced CG film, Hoodwinked.

Ronnie del Carmen has posted several good links to his blog recently. The Diburros blog was one of my favorites that he posted. The blog, which is in Portuguese, is run by several fellows from a studio in Brazil. They basically use it as a forum to burn each other (in a fun loving way, I'm sure)... tons of great drawings here. They give me the smile of smiles... that kinda sounded gross. ... AWN reports that voice actor Greg Burson has had a scary run in with the law. Read more here... will this be featured on COPS? ... Andre 3000, of Outkast fame, is in the process of creating an animated series. I will sleep peacefully tonight for finally all is well in the world. ... Sylvain Tardiveau is an animator in Paris with some nice work. Visit his site and be sure to check out the "Pilot" short. It's in French (which I can't speak), but the acting carries it all the way. ... Gay porn and sushi have had a love child. His name is Kikkoman.

VFX World has a nice little interview with animation legend Ray Harryhausen. ... Jerry @ CartoonBrew has a nice article about Disney's new animated short Lorenzo. ... Bunnies, Horror and Crude Music. A match made in Heaven. Be sure to check this one out as well.

Snacks for Tuesday: "You look good Frank, real good" ... There hasn't been much going on down here in Austin... I guess I have a few blurps of news... lemme check... ... The museum of Comics and Cartoon Arthas a nice home on the web. I really enjoyed the Duck Gallery. Quack. ... Here's a site that Mike (of "Weird Things from Mike's Desk" fame) introduced me to today. It's an educational website. I like certain parts of it... other aspects are lacking, IMO. Here's the front door if you'd rather enter that way. Wipe your feet off on the way in. ... The Triplets of Belleville came out on DVD today. I forgot to go get. GRRRR! On a happier note, I'm looking forward to this VeggieTale collection. ... Here's Paul Dini's website. I'm going to go put on my pajamas and wait on the stairs for Santa.

It came in a parcel that came in the mail: "The crudely fashioned man wasn't very good at sports" ... Check out a clip from the new Hayao Miyazaki's film, Howl's Moving Castle. I can't wait to see this one. His films are moving illustrations... they make me smile on the outside and the inside. ... Animated-News has reported that Klasky Csupo, the studio that has created such animated TV hits as the Rugrats and Rocket Power, has launched a new adult oriented animation site [Insert off colored Rugrat joke here]. If you're brave, check it out... ... ToonZone has dedicated a new site to the animated films of Columbia Pictures (including the Screen Gems and UPA toons). Cool! ... Happy Birthday Softimage! I've never met you, but I hear you are a nice, well mannered software package, from a good family. Your present is in the mail.