Spain, Part Four

Posted by Bob Greenberger on March 20, 2010

Ask the natives, and they will tell you that the people of Seville considering themselves to be the best Spaniards in all of Andalucía. Our host, Alejandro, worked for some time in Seville and looked down his nose at them in what appeared to be a good natured rivalry between towns.

Still, he gifted us with bus tickets to spend Tuesday in Seville. We took the three hour bus ride, getting to see much of the countryside as we headed for the city.

For the first time since we landed in Spain, the sun shone and was quite pleasant. After stepping off the bus, we oriented ourselves with maps and decided to stay in the older part of the city, which made it the tourist section but saw the botanical gardens, the Alcazar, and the Cathedral along with many shops, and lovely homes.

The area included the university so the streets were filled with students and many Americans on Spring Break. Turns out we toured the Alcazar with four UConn students which we thought was pretty funny. It’s a large set of buildings along with gardens so once the tour ended; we spent another two hours wandering around.

In fact, by the time we were done there, we had lunch, leaving us just an hour to see the cathedral. Now, I thought the one in Granada was pretty amazing, but this structure dwarfed it. We were especially impressed with the crypt for some of Christopher Columbus’ remains along with the spectacular view from the bell tower. Thankfully, the law prevents any building from being taller than the cathedral so the view will never be spoiled.

Walked a lot, took many pictures, didn’t eat anywhere near as much as the last week and were better for it.

Tomorrow: The Con itself

Spain, Part Three

Posted by Bob Greenberger on March 18, 2010

Granada is a beautiful city and thankfully, the weather cleared more often than not, allowing us to see the buildings and surrounding mountains in glorious sunshine. But first, the rain had to leave.

Last Monday, it was cloudy and drizzly and thankfully, I had the school talk for the first half of the day. After our lunch, though, we hit the streets and began exploring. We headed for the center of town and the cathedral. En route, we wandered past an interesting looking building and discovered it was an old, somewhat rundown hospital that had three attractive courtyards, old frescoes and other decorative touches. And it was open so we could wander freely around the grounds.

After hitting a plaza, we turned around and Deb happily found one of the city’s many yarn shops.

Let me tell you, Europeans knew how to build houses of worship. We saw many throughout our stay and just about all of them were incredibly decorated. The cathedral here was large and heavily decorated within with nooks, crannies, and corners filled with carvings or paintings. I was overwhelmed by the sheer size and scope of the structure.

Wednesday we got to tour some more and the sun shone brightly. We walked past the cathedral and towards the Plaza Nueva which had the legendary Alhambra overlooking the area. We walked up the hills, through numerous barrios and kept climbing, exploring narrow streets and alleys. We reached the top of one hill and found a flat park that provided us with amazing views of the snowcapped mountains to one side and Alhambra to the other.

Our walking led us to see how the people really lived and worked and it was pretty informative. In time, though, hunger called, and we headed down and settled on an outdoor restaurant in the plaza.

Thursday, before the con really opened, the Americans were taken on a tour of the Alhambra. This structure was rescued from neglect thanks to Washington Irving visiting it and staying to collect stories which he turned into his book Tales of the Alhambra, which reignited interest in the former palace of the Sultan along with Renaissance English structures. Maria, our tour guide, was terrific in explaining things to us and we followed along, gape-jawed with most snapping away with abandon. No wonder this is the most visited site in all of Spain.

Deb took advantage of the convention to wander different parts of the city while I worked until Sunday when we together took one last walk through the city. We went through the plaza again, in new directions and came across a small but nicely filled archaeological museum with artifacts pulled from Granada and the surrounding portions of the Andalucía region. While the placards were in Spanish, the accompanying illustrations were more than sufficient to give me a better idea of what was being described. I, of course, was fascinating and studied everything. That day, we also saw more churches, sampled local baked goods and walked quite a bit.

Tomorrow: Seville

Spain, Part Two

Posted by Bob Greenberger on March 17, 2010

AcademiaC10 is a relatively recent art school headed up by painter Carlos Diez. It has grown to include nine instructors and teaches a variety or related subjects from comic book art to painting, model photography, movie makeup, and so on. They are spread across three buildings, including two store fronts.

When Carlos heard I was spending time in Madrid with Edu, he asked if I’d be willing to speak to his students. I, of course, agreed and we spent a lovely Friday afternoon at the school. Some 15-20 people gathered including Mariano Saura ad Carla Berrocal, two of the instructors. The school’s admin, Eva, was incredibly gracious and despite being on staff a mere month seemed to fit right in.

Once got started, I began talking (with Edu translating) about my background and the role of the comic book editor. I described what editors looked for in talent, how important it is to pick the right people for the right assignment and how vital it is for artists to be professional by staying in communication and making their deadlines.

The questions followed and flowed with people curious about prospects for artists in the States, some of the differences between companies, and who was stronger: The Thing or the Hulk (Jade Jaws wins every time). I then spoke to some of the students and looked at a variety of portfolios and I gather everyone had a good time. I’m told the write up on the site is most complementary but I’ll have to take their word for it.

Overall, I was made to feel welcome and they seemed to hang on my words, soaking it all in.

Carlos has even asked that write up my impressions about the Granada con for the students so I gather I’ll be keeping in touch with him and the school in the future.

Tomorrow: Granada

Spain, Part One

Posted by Bob Greenberger on March 16, 2010

And we’re back.

As most of you know, Deb and I were in Spain for 12 days mainly to attend the Granada Comic Convention otherwise known as the Salon del Comic de Granada. For the last 15 years, the guests have included a mix of Americans and I was lucky to be invited this time around.

For the first time, the con partnered with the University of Granada for an academic program that saw several of us talk to students who signed up. I was invited to speak on the American comics market as a part of this.

But first, we went to Madrid. Edu Alpuente, agent, con organizer and all-around swell guy, invited us to stay with him for a few days so we could see the city before flying south. So, after a red eye on the 3rd, we arrived the morning of the 4th and were whisked by Metro into the city and his home. After getting things settled, he took us from the outskirts into the city to begin wandering about.

He took us to Plaza del Sol to begin seeing the city and we wandered from block to block, taking it all in. After lunch, we went and saw the King’s palace and the cathedral. Both places were quite fascinating to see and hear about.

Afterwards, we returned to the apartment where we met his patient wife Monica and their 3.75 year old daughter Valeria. Monica is a marvelous host and made us feel most welcome while Valeria claimed she was too shy to use the English she was learning so quietly and enthusiastically babbled to us in Spanish, not caring at all that we barely understood her. WAIT! There is more to read… read on »

The Week in Review

Posted by Bob Greenberger on March 7, 2010

OK, you’ve seen plenty of the Superman cover and I appreciate the comments this has garnered both here and at Facebook.

This has been a pretty good week overall with lots of details to follow in the coming week but suffice to say all has been good.

On Tuesday, I had a really good call with Dan DiDio and Bob Harras, as Bob steps up to edit the Who’s Who project. Bob joined DC back when I was still in Collected Editions and he was a good team leader and we got on fine – of course it helped that I’ve known him since he was an assistant editor at Marvel and we’ve both come a long way. Bob is genuinely enthusiastic over the project and he’s coming up to speed quickly while I keep pounding away on entries. It now looks like the series will debut in July, not May as previously mentioned. And no, I have no control over the art assignments. Yes, I will consult and lobby in some cases but it will be handled by Bob and co-publisher Jim Lee.

On Wednesday, the Democratic Town Committee met for its bi-annual organizational meeting. As Mitch Fuchs stepped down as chair after eight strong years, Devon Pfeifer moved up to chair so I was elected Vice Chair. What does this mean? Well, rather than just being a District Leader, I will be a lot more involved in Democratic issues in town and that will force me to think politically, which is going to be new for me. It also will allow me to help recruit and train candidates for town and state elections which will be interesting.

Speaking of which, I’ve also been helping my state rep, Tom Drew, gear up for his re-election campaign and the formal announcement comes tomorrow morning. He’s a good guy who has done a lot after two terms and still has a list of things to accomplish. Best, he’s not in lockstep with the legislature’s clueless tone deaf Democratic leadership, instead he’s taking point on a moderate (saner) caucus that will try to actually get things done.

Finally, some columns I’ve written for a website have gotten good marks from my editor so I’m very encouraged. The site is scheduled to launch March 31 so we’ll talk about it more in a few weeks.

The Cover Revealed

Posted by Bob Greenberger on March 2, 2010

I was shown the final cover to August’s The Essential Superman Encyclopedia a few weeks back and immediately went, “Wow”. I wanted to share it with everyone but was asked to hold off until today.

I’ve been patient but now can proudly show it off. Nice Gary Frank art and a bold design so it’ll attract attention at your local bookstore.

Back to Writing for Pay

Posted by Bob Greenberger on February 26, 2010

After a little more than a week of playing with spec work, it’s been back to the paying work and it’s been an intense week or so.

First of all, I have been asked to write a different Fairfield-based column since Fairfield News Online more or less ceased operation. I gather they’re regrouping but haven’t heard anything but someone else asked me to participate in a new venture, debuting in mid-March and since they were offering cash not fame, I accepted. As a result, I’ve been writing the first four columns, which will appear weekly, getting my bearings, and establishing a tone.

Secondly, work has begun on the next issue of Who’s Who, as I work slightly ahead for a number of reasons, the least of which has to do with the recent executive changes at DC. This way, I’m building a cushion to give them plenty of breathing room as assignments are juggled and people come up to speed. Details to follow.

I’ve also begun work on the second artist retrospective for Dynamic Forces. Obviously, this takes time to do research and since January I’ve spoken with the subject for about four hours . Once I receive the final transcription I can begin the serious writing, but the researching continues along with collection anecdotes and testimonials from peers.

Similarly, I’ve begun work a new article for a future issue of Back Issue, something I haven’t done in a year and it’ll be fun. So far, three of the four interview subjects have agreed to reminisce with me.

I just polished off my two March columns for Westfield Comics, recommending Showcase Presents Suicide Squad and Thor: Warriors Three.

It also appears I have successfully pitched an essay for a forthcoming anthology — details when it becomes a reality.

I do need to circle back to the spec collaboration. After we did the world building, we reworked the outline to reflect the changes and flesh out our protagonists. My partner then eagerly leapt at his sample chapter while I have yet to begin writing, although scenes are conjuring themselves up in my mind. Once I clear the decks and actually begin writing, it should flow nicely. Unless I read my partner’s chapter and want to hide in a closet for fear of disappointing him.

The Answer

Posted by Bob Greenberger on February 21, 2010

A few days back, I opened the floor for questions from you, my friends, family, and fans.

Ed McKeogh was the only one of you to ask and he was passionate enough about it to ask twice.

He wanted to know when the Howard Chaykin Retrospective will be coming out.

Just this week, Ed, I got word from Dynamic Forces that manuscript editing has begun so with luck, I’ll get their feedback shortly, revised, update and deliver so it can be copyedited and designed.

The best I can tell you is that the book has been pencilled in for fourth quarter 2010 release. Exact date, size, shape, page count, and cover price all to be announced in the coming weeks.

And I have already begun working on a second retrospective for Dynamic so this is fun.

Pitchers & Catchers

Posted by Bob Greenberger on February 18, 2010

The temperature in Fairfield may be in the 30s, but Spring is in the air.

Today is one of the most anticipated days of the new year as stop complaining about the cold and snow and begin looking ahead. We take comfort in knowing that further south, in Port St. Lucie to be exact, pitchers and catchers are reporting.

Pitchers and catchers is the first tangible sign of spring (forget the Groundhog) and better times to come.

Pitchers and catchers have started arriving in Arizona and Florida with full squads to follow in about a week. For this household, the arrival of players at the Mets’ spring training complex means we can finally forget about last season.

Did they have a good Winter? No. They let too many potential free agents go elsewhere so Atlanta and Philadelphia are stronger in the Eastern division. Omar Minaya, the Mets’ General Manager, held pat and decided the class of available players wasn’t worth overspending or trading away their meager prospects. He’s got one eye on his team playing healthy, unlike 2009, and one eye on 2010’s free agent class which looks far more interesting.

I think the team will train and play Spring Training games and then see who is healthy and who has lost something. The key to the rotation appears to be Oliver Perez. If he’s really back in 2008 form, we have a stronger chance. If he’s erratic all Spring, you’ll see some panicky moves.

Behind the plate, they’ve decided to give Omir Santos a shot and I applaud that.

Pitchers and catchers. I just love the sound of that.

World Building

Posted by Bob Greenberger on February 17, 2010

Oddly enough, I have not built a world in quite some time.

Since so much of my writing the last year has been non-fiction, I had forgotten how much fun it can be.

My buddy and I conceived a project together when a particular publisher let it be known they were looking for new stories for their franchise. He’d written for them already and while the editor and I kept chatting about my working for her, nothing ever came of it. By teaming up, I figured it would force my way into their lineup and I could then solo.

Way back in 2008, he and I worked up some ideas and crafted a proposal. However, by the time the outline was ready, the editor was told to stop buying. Well, so much for that. But, all we had to do was tweak a few elements and we suddenly had an original fantasy we could shop almost anywhere.

Since then, we have contacted editors and watched months slip by before one or another finally got around to passing.  One wrote, “I quite like what you’ve got here.  I’m not at all surprised given who is cooking up the plot.

“The problem isn’t the concept but the economy.  I wish I could take this project on as it sounds like a lot of fun.  But things are really tight right now as you well know.  I hope this gets sold so I can get to read it.”

Another rejected it on August 5, 2009 and again on September 1 — just to make certain, I guess.

Finally, my partner got himself an agent and he’s been working hard, getting him assignments. He agreed to push this but wanted sample chapters to accompany the outline and we agreed that made sense. I told him I was clearing my schedule for projects like this and two days ago was all set to begin.

However, when I reread the outline, I realized we had a story but no world. In the course of six e-mail exchanges, my buddy and I bandied ideas back and forth. I tried to come up with variations on the traditional tropes and he eagerly glommed on to this and began adding his own notions.

When you build a world that is Earth-like but not Earth, you need to figure out equivalent eras and societies as a starting point and then figure out one or two things that make them different and run with it. For example, let’s say our story is set in the Bronze Age (it isn’t) but on our world, it’s still one super-continent, not seven. Most of the countries would be landlocked, what does that do to society, economy, trade, and war? Once you begin theorizing, your world begins to take shape.

Since we had a story, we needed a world where our story could still be told and as we began building, B and C plots began suggesting themselves. We’re now a lot closer to a world we can use and apply to the outline so the actual sample writing can begin soon.

I can’t wait.