Talking Batman

Posted by Bob Greenberger on October 31, 2008

The residual publicity surrounding The Essential Batman Encyclopedia chugs along. A few weeks back I was interviewed for The Batman Universe’s podcast, which I’m told has not gone live.

If you go to their website, scroll down to episode 20.

Meantime, a British grad student named Sukhraj Singh is making a mini-documentary about Gotham City and came to America this week to film interviews. His first stop was Manhattan so I headed into the Big Apple. We used a spare room above Jim Hanley’s Universe, opposite the Empire state Building, and chatted on camera for about 75 minutes about all things Gotham.

I appreciated the time and effort Sukhraj took to make this painless for me. He found a job board at NYU and found a freshman willing to play camera/sound technician and they were set up and waiting as I arrived. His questions were thoughtful and he wisely gave us both a break about halfway through so he could check the playback and we could both rest. He even brought me a thank you gift which was a nice touch.

He’ll be interviewing Denny O’Neil before jetting west to speak with Steve Englehart and one of the animators at Warner Bros.

I certainly look forward to checking out the finished product.

Getting Started

Posted by Bob Greenberger on October 28, 2008

Some times I overload my day and then stress when it all doesn’t come together.

Take Monday. I needed to see Deb off on her business trip and then get started on the painting so I could do my ComicMix work and then, as planned, begin writing the Iron Man novel.

As a result, I got up at 6:30, kissed Deb goodbye and then got dressed and headed to the office. I did a coat of paint and went upstairs to work. 45 minutes or so later, I returned to the basement for another coat. At this stage, I am working on walls and cut shelving which Jeff will install tomorrow.

This goes on all day. The ComicMix stuff went fine for the daily work, then there was planning ahead, writing up a review to run on Sunday and the like. I also did some work in my role as consultant to Reed Exhibitions for February’s NY Comic-Con. And between coats, I finally took time to read the paper and eat something.

Suddenly, it was after 1 p.m. and I hadn’t started the novel. I finished a coat and ran out the door to handle the errands that were required including buying more primer for the balance of the wood to be cut.

Got home, ate some lunch, and put away the now dry wood. I struggled with my new desktop and finally got it on the saw horses and applied the first coat of polyurethane. As I finished with all that, it was now 3:50 and had received a phone call that obligated me to help do some Democratic stuff. I waited for a pickup that never materialized so finally at 5 I called it a day and read for a bit.

In the evening, rather than write, I presided over the RTM and felt the pressure. Nothing like starting the book a day late and 3000 words behind.

The good news is that today, with Jeff’s arrival put off by a day, I had no painting so managed to do all the ComicMix work and finally begin. As I sign off for the day, I have managed to get 3900 words drafted putting me only 2100 words off the pace. Having begun, I feel much better for it and hope to keep chugging along now that I have a few words under my belt.

Cooperstown

Posted by Bob Greenberger on October 26, 2008

I’ve always talked about going to Cooperstown and for whatever reason, when Deb has agreed to a trip; I’m the one who’s put it off. Until now.

This weekend we went to Cooperstown, NY, erroneously believed to be the birthplace of baseball. We were joined by Bob & Laurie Rozakis and this marked our first trip away as a group and of course, it worked out wonderfully.

It all started Friday as we rendezvoused in Albany, en route to Cooperstown. On a recent cruise, they befriended a woman named Carmella, who runs Sam’s, a neighborhood Italian restaurant. We of course, had to go and try the food which was terrific. Carmella, Bob, and Laurie played catch up while we enjoyed the food and friendly atmosphere.

Saturday, we were up and at the Baseball Hall of Fame, where, I found to my delight, members of the press and a guest get free admission. Since Laurie loudly proclaimed me to be a journalist, Deb and I scooted past the gate.

They say you can do the place in half a day or for diehard fans, it really could take two days. We did it in just under one and were very satisfied. Seven separate structures have been nicely interwoven into one massive, three story complex which was well designed, well lit and had all the right little touches without being ostentatious. I was thrilled.

I’ve read plenty of baseball history so could skim some of the plaques or descriptions of various eras. But to study the evolution of uniforms, equipment, scorecards, games, etc. was a delight. Nothing went unrecognized from the concessions to the noteworthy fans. Off in a corner, a video loop plays Abbott & Costello doing their classic “Who’s on First?” routine (taken from their film The Naughty Nineties). In between showings of the bit, which remains hilarious, they had sketches from other comedians including Bob Newhart and George Carlin so it was a nice break from wandering.

Thanks to a hand stamp, any of us could roam in and out of the place all day which meant we could meander down the rainy street and have a nice pizza lunch. Then back to the building where we gawked at the Hall of Fame itself, to see the plaques and watch professional baseball begin to correct its mistakes by admitting Negro League players and several overlooked players from the past.

We were done around 4, very satisfied. We headed a few miles away to Fly Creek where they had an Apple Stand, store, press, etc. We browsed, sampled and bought too much food product. In fact, Bob and Laurie were so sated, they skipped going out to dinner. Deb and I had salad and appetizers which was just enough and then back to the motel where we joined them to watch the much-delayed World Series. After 3.5 innings, we had had enough.

As we prepared to leave, they gave us a gift. They had ordered a memorial brick in Robbie’s honor to be laid at Citi Field, the Mets’ new home. Accompanying their order was a home version of the brick for display which they gave to us. In fact, it was a two-brick order so this large, heavy item names Robbie and extols his devotion to the team. We were very touched by the moving gesture.

Today was checking out (the motel’s final day of the season) and a nice breakfast followed by an even nice drive home. We took the scenic route and even with stops (including one so Deb could buy shoes), we did the trip in a hair under 4.5 hours which was just fine by us.

All in all, a nice weekend with great friends. I finally got to see the Hall of Fame and am very glad I went.

Construction Update

Posted by Bob Greenberger on October 23, 2008

The renovation work is proceeding apace and I’m enjoying seeing the results. On Monday, Jeff ripped out the ceiling tiles and dismantled the too-deep shelving then put all the refuse, including my old desk, into the minivan. He then collected all the new materials and was able to measure out the kind of new shelving I wanted and the depth of the new desk and the like.

On Tuesday, I went to the dump and Deb went out for paint. While Jeff finished a different job, we resumed our normal routines as I adjusted to working out of Robbie’s room. It’s weird but manageable.

Yesterday, Jeff put in the ceiling frame, high hat lights, and cut much of the shelving. He and Deb did all the rewiring which was one of the main reasons we needed to do this. I had wires coming out of the ceiling tile for the network router and cable modem and it was sloppy looking. Now, all of that wiring and hardware sits nicely in the junction box along with the circuit breakers. Once the door is restored, they will be neatly out of sight. Last night, I primed the new work space and some of the shelving.

This morning I went downstairs first thing and finished priming the boards and the old desk wall while putting the first coat of paint on the new work space. By the time Jeff arrived, everything had dried and I was busy putting up news at ComicMix. He cut out the new desktop, installed smaller high hats over the desk and popped in the ceiling tiles which gave that small space a finished look.

He’s off for the next few days so I have time to go back in for more wood priming and painting as well as painting the new back wall. We agreed it’ll be a lot easier to do the shelves before they go into place so I need to do as much as I can before he returns Tuesday. Of course, we’ve got weekend plans so I really have Friday and Monday for this but fortunately this stuff does dry quickly so I can get coats done every few hours.

On top of all this, of course, there’re also the normal obligations. I had the Standing Committee on Public Works & Planning meeting Monday night and Tuesday night District 8’s RTM members held a public meeting to hear from the constituents. We had five people out of the district turn up but they seemed pleased to have us all to themselves. Later today, I head into the city for a meeting about some consulting work I’m doing and have been trying to clear the decks so first thing Monday (after a coat of paint), I can begin the Iron Man novel.

It’s all very time consuming and busy but I admit things are getting done and we’re pleased with the results.

A Good Weekend

Posted by Bob Greenberger on October 20, 2008

The weekend came and went far too quickly.

Kate came late Thursday, in time for dinner and then off to Choir practice. On Friday, we did bunches of odds and ends, including a trip to the movies to see The Duchess, something I knew they both wanted to see. Keira Knightley was quite good and the movie was a fine outing.

Saturday, our anniversary, we went to Rhinebeck for the annual sheep and wool festival. We’d been before but it was a first for Kate who wanted to be there as the gates opened at nine. We got there, with my brother-in-law Jim and his wife Jennifer, at 10, and she was unleashed. Of the quartet, I was the only one who did not knit but enjoyed the company. It wore us all out but we had a great time. The day ended as we met up with Deb’s brother Jeff for dinner.

On Sunday, Jim, Jen and I reconvened at church to hear the choir. They performed a number that they had started rehearsing last spring but it wasn’t ready before the season ended. Instead, they postponed it until the fall and then picked this weekend so Kate could participate. Not only that, she soloed so we couldn’t miss it. The number was rousing and they sounded terrific with Kate belting it out despite a sore throat. It was one of the few times the people burst into spontaneous applause for a single number.

After Sunday dinner, Kate left and Deb and I turned our attentions to readying my office for reconstruction. After a year-plus, I’ve come to realize I need more desk space. The desk I’ve been using was bought around 1990 and was great for a Macintosh but not the current laptop along with additional screen, keyboard and mouse. There was little room to actually do writing by hand or spreading documents. I also needed more shelving for books.

Jeff is a contractor and we waited until he had a hole in his schedule to do the work. We set it for today so for the last few weeks, I’ve been emptying shelves and the desk, preparing to relocate my bare essentials to Robbie’s room until the work finishes. Today he arrived and we walked through the particulars from wiring to shelf size. He did the demo, bought the supplies and we got started. Once Jeff finishes, then I’ll go in to paint the shelves and wall then polyurethane the desktop.

Ideally, we’d have gutted and redone the entire space but better than half the office will be transformed for today’s needs. I’m looking forward to watching this transform.

It was 28 Years Ago Today

Posted by Bob Greenberger on October 18, 2008

As you know, this hasn’t been a great year for celebrating the good stuff.

Today, though, we’ll make an exception. After all, it was 28 years ago, on a (literally) dark and stormy night Deb and I got married.

We very wisely built a foundation for our marriage before we added complications like a house or children. Since then, we’ve used that foundation to carry us through the bad times – the layoffs, thefts, injuries, and the like. And of course, without that bedrock beneath us, this year could well have crippled us all.

Instead, we’ve managed to support one another during the months and the sad aftermath. As we adjust to our new life, we find we continue to enjoy one another’s company, planning to do things together, and supporting one another’s goals, dreams, and aspirations.

I really cannot imagine life today without Deb by my side. She provides me with strength and encouragement. Indulges my fannishness and helps me where my expertise runs dry. She’s pushed me to test my boundaries, to try new things or get out of the house.

I’m very fortunate to have found someone so early in my adult life so I can treasure each year we have together and watch the number grow. 28. Wow.

Work Update

Posted by Bob Greenberger on October 17, 2008

I haven’t done one of these since the spring it seems so it’s time to take stock.

The frustrating thing is that several promising projects seem really likely then suddenly something happens and the project vanishes. In several recent cases, it had to do with licensee issues and that’s part of dealing with other people’s creations. On the other hand, the original fantasy project was given to an interested editor in March who went radio silent around May without having read the outline. A second editor asked to see it, and she went silent. A third editor is looking at it and maybe this time I can get a response.

Anyway, here’s where I am:

About to be Published

Write Now! #18 where I not only served as managing editor but also wrote about The Essential Batman Encyclopedia but did an extensive interview with Max Allan Collins.

Delivered

Biomes: Deserts
Bataan Death March
Early Peoples — project reassigned
How to Lose a War: three essays.
Back Issue #32: Interview with Len Wein and Marv Wolfman about Who’s Who
The Brave & Bold Companion: Dick Giordano interview, Murray Boltinoff profile – book postponed to 2010 at the earliest.
Story for Captain Midnight collection
Haunting Museums – The Strange and Uncanny Stories Behind the Most Mysterious Exhibits — to be published in May.
Media Tie-in Non-Fiction Book – Licensor had issues, co-writer brought in, book in copy editing.
Ndia Tie-in Fiction Book – Delivered in August.
Wonder Woman: Essay for BenBella; awaiting edits and publication date.
“Steel & Chrome” in Age of War: A Classic BattleTech Anthology: manuscript turned in to editor on December 1, 2005; on indefinite hold.

On Going

News Editor at ComicMix where I write an awful lot of news, reviews, and interviews.

Editorial Work

Avalanche Comics Entertainment graphic novel 1: Book almost all drawn, lettered, being colored.
Avalanche Comics Entertainment graphic novel 2: Book finally completed, seeking publisher.

Next

Iron Man novel – awaiting comments on revised outline

Proposed Projects

Original fantasy duology cowritten with Aaron Rosenberg – being reviewed by editor
Original urban fantasy – begging me to finish promise
Media Tie-In novel – pitched December 2006, finally got editor’s interest, outline delivered
Media Tie-In comic book miniseries – Licensee likely to reject
Media Tie-In comic book miniseries – Deal may fall through for the license
Media tie-in non-fiction book: Pitch to editor September 13, 2007 no response as yet.
Media tie-in book series: pitch due to editor November 3.
Media tie-in book non-fiction 2: Pitch to editor October 2, 2007 no response as yet.
”Things That Aren’t” sequel: Co-writer Michael A. Burstein is at work on the first draft.
Actionopolis book: Started writing, awaiting revised deal memo; likely dead.

Pleasant Deliveries

Posted by Bob Greenberger on October 14, 2008

The overnight delivery trucks have been stopping by the house a lot more often these days, largely with stuff aimed for review or consideration at ComicMix but every so often something arrives that is a pleasant surprise.

Today’s delivery included a copy of The DC Vault, written by my pal Martin Pasko. The Vault concept is about a year old and essentially includes an illustrated history and strewn throughout the book are plastic sleeves with replicas of key memorabilia. You’d think that given my tenures at DC, I’d have seen most everything that could be included in such a book, but no, I was surprised. There’s the facsimile of Double Action Comics #1, an ashcan quickly produced to secure trademark to the title.

The real thrill is that two of the replicas came from my files. One is my handwritten notes regarding the plotting behind Crisis on Infinite Earths while the other is my typed memo (ostensibly from Marv Wolfman, Len Wein and myself), to the editors regarding the same project. And finally, I had thought to save Dick Giordano’s note to Jenette Kahn getting here final approval to kill Supergirl. It’s a very cool thrill to be a part of this “museum in a book” and a part of the company legacy.

Late last week, I was also pleasantly surprised to receive from Marvel contributor copies to The Eternals Volume 2 and the Iron Manual. The former reprints, yet again, one of the two pieces I wrote about the original Eternals which the company has successfully reused in multiple places. The latter is a compilation of various Iron Man one-shots released prior to the film’s release. Now the collection is timed to the DVD release and my article from Marvel Spotlight about the early issues of Iron Man’s run in Tales of Suspense is reprinted. No additional compensation but that’s to be expected. At least the comp copies are appreciated.

These are little thrills, and nice additions to the bookcase (which is rather stuffed these days).

Talking Television

Posted by Bob Greenberger on October 13, 2008

Our routine usually involves us sitting down and watching shows on our DVR several nights per week. We record far more shows than a sane person should be watching but we can easily get through four hours of prime time programming in as little as two hours, forty-five minutes once you zap through commercials and credits. As a result, we hit a rhythm and mange to keep up with shows that entertain us.

We had quite the backlog as the summer waned and we’ve worked through that and are finally getting caught up with the new season. We find ourselves sampling very few of the new series because word of mouth and reviews warn us away. As a result, much as I like Selma Blair, I know to avoid Kath & Kim along with The Ex-List and tonight’s My Own Worst Enemy (which sounds like a rip-off of the far superior BBC series Jekyll).

Instead, we’re about to dive in and try Life on Mars and that may be the only new show. We’re back with our returning favorites and I have to say, most are off to their entertaining best. Chuck remains a wonderfully inventive spin on the spy genre with great performances from a winning ensemble. Similarly, Dirty Sexy Money is over the top fun and I can see Lucy Liu is going to keep things interesting although I think after two episodes we see Trip sinning his web around Nick just a little too often.

On the disappointing side, Heroes is suffering from rerun syndrome by doing another change-the-future-to-save-the-world story. They also are missing a bet by not having more of the powerful people interact, which was one of the best things about the end of the first season. They found one another, banded together to save the world and should have kept in touch. If anything, the series is also suffering from characters not really talking to one another so information doesn’t get shared in anything resembling a timely fashion. The introduction of Daphne the speedster is refreshing and seeing her in the future married to Parkman is intriguing.

Desperate Housewife’s jump five years ahead was nicely handled because stirring the pot shows that even though they change, the sense of desperation remains. Marc Cherry’s biggest issue seems to be that everyone is fairly miserable at the same time without anyone really sustaining any happiness to contrast the misery. The same with Brothers & Sisters which keeps building up the dramatic complications without the little victories that give us the reason to keep going. The latter series, arguably, is better acted and has more potential given the sprawling family.

We’re enjoying True Blood without having read the novels and come to it without preconceived notions. It’s a nice spin on the vampire lore and setting it in the south also keeps things interesting. We’re certainly interested to see where the relationships are headed and if our guess as to who the killer is is correct.

The only complication is the DVR itself. We recently exchanged the previous one for a new one from Cablevision. And sure enough, this one has a different problem that makes watching a frustrating experience. That’s four DVRs in almost as many years which means there has to be a hardware issue that you would think Cablevision would have resolved by now.

Last Night’s Debate

Posted by Bob Greenberger on October 8, 2008

I remain the eternal optimist. I really had thought that since the first debate, Obama and McCain would each recognize the media has reality-checked their more outrageous claims about the other and would revise their rhetoric for the second debate.

That was not to be the case which was a shame. I had hoped to see some personal growth and adjustments so the second debate sounded differently than the first.

The town hall format, we were told, was to McCain’s advantage but in watching, I didn’t see that. He walked about stiffly, looking ill at ease, and kept saying “my friends” far too often. Unlike the first debate, he tried for some humor and spoke to the people asking questions, recalling most of their names.

Still, I was visibly agitated listening to both men avoid the actual question so they could hit their prepared talking points. While Tom Brokaw gets credit for trying to make the men abide by the rules, not once did he call either on the egregious avoidance of the topic asked about.

Brokaw did ask good, tough follow-up questions although I think asking both to name their Treasury Secretary was unfair.

I really wanted to hear how either man would ask for genuine sacrifices and heard nothing. I wanted to know if they thought it possible to rally Congress on the environment with the same speed as the bailout and heard nothing.

Heck, these guys were given a direct yes or no question and both took paragraphs to answer.

McCain’s mortgage scheme sounded interesting but we heard too little about it. Instead, we now know he has a secret plan to get Bin Laden so should he miraculously make it to the Oval Office that should be asked about repeatedly.

What astonishes me is that none of the coverage I’ve read or heard, picked up on McCain’s astonishing comment that some of the $700 million in bailout money will wind up in the hands of terrorists. It was a non-sequitor at the end of one of his rambling comments and has gone without examination. Deb heard the same thing I did so I’m not making this one up.

Sure, neither one outshone the other, which raises the stakes for McCain in the final debate next week. One hopes both men come up with some new material or some answers that actually reflect the harsh economic changes every American is experiencing.