Last Saturday I was finally on air with Mr.K and the Dome at Sci-Fi Saturday Night – AM Radio
930 WGIN out of Manchester, NH. Was a short stint as we had to make way for the broadcast of the Red Sox game. During the twenty-minute chat, co-host
Brian Belenger, a Manchester comic creator himself, asked why the trend in comics today was to portray darker, menacing heroes, ala Spawn and others. My answer was simply the belief that today’s society doesn’t know what to do with real heroes. We’ve become a jaded, much more cynical society and find it impossible to believe in good, old fashion values anymore.
A truly sad commentary. One I hope will eventually change back to a more optimistic world-view. Although it’s hard to believe in these days what with the recent Grim Reaper harvesting.

A couple of logs ago I mentioned the lost of writer Ed McBain, my favorite writer. Since his passing, we’ve also lost Jim Aparo, one of the greatest artist ever to grace the pages of DC Comics. Jim did what lots of fans believe is the finest interpretation of Batman ever. I personally loved his work on the Phantom Stranger title. He will be sorely missed. Along about the same time Byron Preiss, a New York based publisher/innovator, was killed in a car accident. Not much older than yours truly, his death was real shock to all of in the publishing community. Then last week, Star Trek’s own Scotty, actor James Doohan left us. He was certainly part of the charm that made the original Star Trek such a success. In reading his opituary, I also discovered he was a real war hero, having survived the Canadian troop landings at Juno beach on Normandy. Wounded several times by machine gun fire, Doohan, upon recovery in a British Hospital demanded to be sent back to the front. Amazing. And finally, just a few days ago, veteran film and television actor, George Wallace, passed away. His life was full of achievements but us thrill fans will always remember him as Commando Cody, Skymarshal of the Universe (see pix above) from the 1950
Republic Serial RADAR MEN FROM THE MOON. As yet another hero gone. One has to wonder if God has need of these brave men in some kind of cosmic eternity war against evil. If so, he’s getting the best of the best.

And less you think this entire log entry is going to be maudlin, let me introduce you to a new, and very talented artist, Jerry Newingham.
Jerry’s no kid, but rather a mature duffer who long ago, because of life’s demands, put aside his dreams of working in comics. Now, at 54, and thanks to the internet, he’s revived those dreams and created an amazing site called
WORLD FINEST SERIALS. I’ve posted his banner on the links page, so once you’ve read this, go over and check it out. Through a masterful use of flashpoint, Jerry does web comics featuring the golden/silver age versions of Superman and Batman, then peppers the story with famous characters like the familiar private eye in the photo above. His story is gripping and expertly
told. He’s a new friend who truly deserves your support. Tell him Ron sent you.

As for my activities, I will be back on Sci-Fi Saturday Night again this week, as the segments are so short. Still much fun to do, so if you live within broadcast range, its 6 PM. Tune us in. I will also be in Chelmsford, MA once again, for a one day comic show, 14th Aug. I’ll
be sitting with the crew from Digital Webbing and hopefully we will have copies of DWP #24 with the MASK OF THE GARGOYLE story. Mark your calenders and come on down. Would love to meet you and sign a copy for you.

Two new movies hit theaters today. STEALTH, the so-called mega-war-weapons blockbuster about a robot plane that threatens mankind. Sort of TOP GUN on steroids. I’ll pass. Whereas Disney is putting forth SKY HIGH, a sort of cross ala THE INCREDIBLES meet Harry Porter. With Kurt Russell as the Super Dad who wants his son to follow in the family business, I’m there! Looks to be a really fun flick!,

Another week, take care. Ron, over and out.