THEMIGHTY LAYMAN.COM

The Bumble Buzz bloggin' "best-of" list.

2010-08-17T12:54:00.006-05:00

Bumble Buzz was not the smartest cat, but she was absolutely loyal and single-minded in her devotion to me, sleeping next to my pillow every night for 15 years. To commemorate her sad passing, let's dig into the ol' blog archives and enjoy some of her adventures, misadventures and foibles.

Bumble Buzz gets cat acne

Bumble Buzz gets a cyst on her tail

Bumble Buzz gets her claw clipped

Bumble Buzz scared of ceiling fan

Bumble Buzz vs. Reggie

Bumble Buzz vs. Reggie Round II

Bumble Buzz as a 9/11 plotter?

RIP BUMBLE BUZZ. 1995-8/18/2010

2010-08-17T12:38:00.001-05:00

Sweetest, most loyal kitty ever.

New Laymans!!!: Ash and Ruby Daffodil Swain

2010-08-11T22:48:00.003-05:00

Holy frak. My comic book won an Eisner.

2010-07-28T14:04:00.003-05:00

The many faces of sad, alcoholic Layman (Venice edition)

2010-05-03T19:55:00.003-05:00

Some pictures of my week in Venice

2010-04-10T10:20:00.001-05:00

Every freaking picture looked like a postcard, I swear.

Chew hits Treviso

2010-03-30T07:12:00.000-05:00

The final stop of CHEW tour Italia saw Layman and Rob heading to Treviso for a presentation and Q&A at a packed house at the Spago Paraggi art gallery, moderated and translated by Michele Foschini of BAO Publishing (publishers of CHEW: MENU DEGUSTAZIONE*). In the background, is the gallery's current exhibition, photographs of deceased 80s Italian porn star Moana Pozzi.

And some shots of lovely Treviso:

*Note: For all you CHEW completist weirdos who live in the U.S., we will be offering details for how to order BAO's Italian edition.

More pictures of Milano di Duomo

2010-03-29T07:11:00.000-05:00

Today Bergamo, tomorrow CHEW TOUR ITALIA goes to Treviso.

Chew in Milan: Day One

2010-03-26T07:10:00.000-05:00

Milano di Duomo cathedral:

Chew Italia vs. Chew Englesia

The BAO Publishing booth:

30 Days of Batty: Day 30.. the End

2010-03-22T13:00:00.001-05:00

Battyfact: You'll notice I sorta fell off at the end here. Not out of laziness (though, when it comes to blogging, I certainly am guilty of that.) No, this got harder and harder to do as I approached the end, because, although this was meant to be a cathartic exercize, getting close to the end of this sorta meant saying goodbye to Batty again, and I didn't really want to do that.

Funny, of all my cats, Batty was always my least favorite. Not that I disliked her by any means, she was just so self-sufficient and strong and confident it did not seem like she needed me, whereas Bumble Buzz, Rufus and Reggie required much more than Batty.

Batty was happy, and loved everybody, and did her own thing, and really seemed to enjoy everything. She loved mischief, and loved to go where she was not supposed to and explore places she had not before. She loved food, loved company, loved other people and animals.

She's been gone for two months now, and the house is empty without her in a way I don't think it would be without the other cats. She was such a dominate force in the house, and she was in many ways the unbridled spirit of our family, if that is not too corny.

She was a really great cat. Sweet and smart and wonderful. I miss you, Batty. We all do.

30 Days of Batty: Day 29

2010-03-05T12:54:00.000-05:00

Battyfact: Batty had a good heart.... just bad kidneys.

30 days of Batty: Day 28

2010-03-04T12:52:00.000-05:00

Battyfact: Nobody could relax like old Batty.

30 Days of Batty: Day 27

2010-03-03T15:05:00.004-05:00

Battyfact: Batty was nobody's fool!

30 Days of Batty: Day 26

2010-03-02T15:03:00.002-05:00

Battyfact: Good old Batty. Always everybody's pal.

30 Days of Batty: Day 25

2010-03-01T15:00:00.000-05:00

30 Days of Batty: Day 24

2010-02-28T14:56:00.000-05:00

30 Days of Batty: Day 23

2010-02-27T14:53:00.000-05:00

30 Days of Batty: Day 22

2010-02-26T05:16:00.000-05:00

Battyfact: Batty would suffer through any number of indignities, and never complain.

30 Days of Batty: Day 21

2010-02-25T06:14:00.004-05:00

Battyfact: Batty and Reggie were a photogenic pair. I think maybe Batty was the only thing that made life tolerable at the Layman household for Reggie, and Carter probably tipped the scales. Reggie lives with my mom now, and is much happier.

We are down to Rufus and Bumble Buzz. Two old grouches.

30 Days of Batty: Day 20

2010-02-24T11:14:00.003-05:00

Battyfact: WTF?!?!? Batty loved corn!

30 Days of Batty: Day 19

2010-02-23T11:54:00.001-05:00

Battyfact: Batty was pretty fat for a while, but by the end her failing kidneys had causes her body to absorb all her fat and muscle and she was just skin and fur and bones.

30 Days of Batty: Day 18

2010-02-22T11:16:00.002-05:00

Battyfact: Batty liked to get all up in yo business.

30 Days of Batty: Day 17

2010-02-21T11:15:00.003-05:00

Battyfact: Batty was indifferent, to Carter while the other cats hid.

30 Days of Batty: Day 16

2010-02-20T11:14:00.003-05:00

Battyfact: Batty's white cat hair got EVERYWHERE.

30 Days of Batty: Day 15

2010-02-19T11:42:00.001-05:00

Battyfact: Batty's fur, where white, was almost blindingly white. She was cottony soft. Not as soft as Rufus, but Rufus has an almost oily slickness to her softness. Bumble Buzz is not all that soft, and Reggie was sorta bristly.

30 Days of Batty: Day 14

2010-02-18T09:56:00.002-05:00

Battyfact: Kim bought Batty from a trailer park in Chula Vista, paying $60 for her because she didn't know much about cats and was hoodwinked into thinking one of Batty's parents was an "Australian Marble Snow Leopard" showcat (no such thing.) She also picked Batty because Batty was the smallest of the litter, and had a cold, so when Batty was brought home, she was sneezy and sickly.

She would recover, of course, but her kidney issues started showing up around 2003-2004.

30 Days of Batty: Day 13

2010-02-17T11:03:00.003-05:00

Battyfact: Batty was the only cat who would let us dress her up for the holidays.

30 Days of Batty: Day 12

2010-02-16T12:31:00.000-05:00

Battyfact: Batty traveled just fine. When we moved from San Diego to Seattle we tried to dope her up (and the other cats) and she did not like. She tried to chew her way out of the vinyl dog carrier we were transporting her to.

The second leg of the trip, from Yuba City to Seattle, went fine, as did long distance moves from Seattle to San Jose and San Jose to Phoenix. Batty would be content, and hardly make a peep.

30 Days of Batty: Day 11

2010-02-15T09:12:00.000-05:00

Battyfact: Back when we had a fish tank, Batty was the only one who noticed we had fish, and would like to stare at them, and bat at the fish tank (no pun intended.)

30 Days of Batty: Day 10

2010-02-14T11:27:00.000-05:00

Battyfact: Batty would always let you pick her up and pet her. ALWAYS. None of the other cats were as remotely and consistently accommodating.

30 Days of Batty: Day 9

2010-02-13T10:43:00.003-05:00

Battyfact: Batty was always the first to come out of hiding and check things out when visitors or strangers came to the house.

30 Days of Batty: Day 8

2010-02-12T08:59:00.003-05:00

Battyfact: Batty liked run outside, but you could always lure her back by shaking a bag of treats. She was a sucker for treats.

30 Days of Batty: Day 7

2010-02-11T07:21:00.003-05:00

Battyfact: Batty loved to sit in laps. She was so graceful and omnipresent you would often look down and see her sitting on your lap and have no recollection of her jumping or climbing upon you.

30 Days of Batty: Day 6

2010-02-10T08:40:00.001-05:00

Battyfact: Batty loved to chew on paper. Netflix envelopes were her favorite, and there's no telling how many comic books she destroyed.

30 Days of Batty: Day 5

2010-02-09T09:05:00.002-05:00

Battyfact: Batty was a mischievous cat. She would love to go places she was not supposed to. Run outside or into rooms we did not want her to. Eat what she was not supposed to. We had to always be on guard against the naughty sneakiness of the Bat.

30 Days of Batty: Day 4

2010-02-08T09:37:00.003-05:00

Battyfact: Batty got along with everybody. She would snuggle with Reggie, she would snuggle with Rufus, she would even sleep near grumpy Bumble Buzz. Plus, she was nice to the feral cats we brought home periodically. And when we occasionally dog-watched, she would be the cat who would the least freaked out, and you just know if we kept the dog around long enough Batty would have made friends with them too.

30 Days of Batty: Day 3

2010-02-07T10:00:00.002-05:00

Battyfact: Was a moochy cat. If you opened the fridge, you would find her underfoot. She would steal shrimp from your plate, or lunchmeat, and if you were pouring yourself a glass of milk she would demand her own tribute, or headbutt you until you gave her some of your own.

30 Days of Batty: Day 2

2010-02-06T02:50:00.002-05:00

Battyfact: Batty loved chicken.

30 Days of Batty: Day 1

2010-02-05T00:01:00.001-05:00

Battyfacts:

Batty died on January 25, 2010. She was born in 1997. She was born in San Diego, moved to Seattle, moved to San Jose, and died in Phoenix.

She lived in Pacific Beach, Rancho Peñasquitos, Hillcrest and Golden Hill in San Diego.

She lived in Upper Queen Anne and Green Lake in Seattle.

She lived in East San Jose and Saratoga in California.

She died in Gilbert, Arizona.

RIP Batty Ray Ruggles

2010-01-25T17:06:00.009-05:00

1997-2010

1997-Jan. 25, 2010

Holy crap, I have a comic that is actually doing well.

2010-01-20T11:57:00.001-05:00

Yessiree, much to the surprise of pretty much everybody on the face of the planet, CHEW: TASTER'S CHOICE, by Ol' Layman and Rob Guillory, hit the #7 spot on the New York Times best seller's list.

Not only that, but it garnered all sorts of end-of-the-year accolades and shout-outs on various best-off lists.

It was named IGN's "Best Indy Comic of 2009."

MTV Splash page picked it as "Best New Series of the Year."

Comic Book Resources named CHEW #4 on their "Top 100 of 2009"

We got shout-outs from places as far-ranging as Fangoria and NPR, and on the "Best of 2009 Meta-List," an aggregate of combined best of lists, we nabbed the #16 slot.

So, uh, things are going well.

Thanks for your support, everybody, and here's a look at what's coming up in the months and weeks ahead:

Chews 8, 9, 10 and 11

And the second TPB, "International Flavor," on sale April 14.

BETTER THAN THE BIBLE!!!

2009-10-12T11:02:00.003-05:00

My latest literary purchase.

Ten. Glorious. Animals.

2009-08-13T22:07:00.001-05:00

New Alice Donut album... IN MY HANDS!

Best News EVER!!!!!: New ALICE DONUT album on the way!!! 10 Glorious Animals

2009-08-08T00:20:00.003-05:00

I kept Alice Donut's last album, "Fuzz," in my car CD player and never changed it and listened to it every day for an entire year. I am not even exaggerating.

Greatest band in the history of the universe!!!

On sale today! (8/5/09) CHEW #3 (and more!)

2009-08-05T00:20:00.000-05:00

Chew #3 is on sale today!

As well as CHEW #2, second printing and CHEW #3 third printing!

The best thing about San Diego Comic Con?

2009-08-02T20:03:00.001-05:00

I almost forgot! I met some dude who worked at Lego and he gave me a limited edition metallic C3PO mini-figure, one of only 10,000 made.

I'm reasonably certain this makes me just about the coolest person on Earth!

Highlights of San Diego Comic Con 09

2009-07-30T00:47:00.004-05:00

We had a great reception to CHEW, and sold a metric crap-ton of comics. Met a lot of cool fans and readers, too.

I bought a copy of Fart Party 2 from Julia Wertz, and the Doc Splatter Omnibus from Paul Horn.

I gave a copy of PUFFED to Jorges Garcia, Hurly from Lost, and told him if PUFFED was a movie, he should play the lead.

I picked up a Rescue Squad Mater for Carter, who was grateful for about 24 entire hours.

Not the most eventful con, true, but, then, I spent most of the con largely sober and working the CHEW booth.

Looks like Our Boy Layman is finally growing up!

Yes, CHEW is coming to Comic-Con! Booth #2729

2009-07-16T11:47:00.002-05:00

Yes indeedy, we will be at San Diego Comic Con, at Image Isle at booth #2729. We've got a table and both Rob Guillory and Ol' Layman will be parked there as often as humanly possible. Be sure and stop by and get your books signed, find out about what's coming up in future issues, see preview pages for Issues #3 and #4, and hear long boring stories about how Layman lost his leg in the war and how kids today aren't as good as when he was young, way back in the early days of the 20th Century. Rob will have some original art, and will be doing sketches and commissions. We should have issues #1 and #2 for sale, unless disamster strikes (but don't hold your breath for any very sold-out first editions-- it's possible, but don't count on it.)

Layman will also be debuting his new hardcover, Stephen Colbert's Tek Jansen, so if you can't find him at the Image Booth, he'll be signing at Oni at

Thur 1:00 – 2:00
Fri 1:00 – 2:00
Sat 4:00 – 5:00
Sun 10:00 – 11:00

And be sure to check out Layman at the Image Panel on how to pitch an indie comic (where Layman will have no advice whatsoever except "If you want a hit comic, hire Rob Guillory," followed by a litany of obscene threats and invective against anybody who actually thinks about trying to hire Rob Guillory.)

Anyway, here's information on the panel:

Thursday, July 23
4:30-5:30 PM Workshop - Creating Creator Owned ComicsThe Image Comics Way
Want to bring your own vision to comics? Learn how from the people who do it best! Join Image Founder Jim Valentino (Shadowhawk) with Image luminaries Joe Kelly (I Kill Giants), John Layman (Chew) , Jimmie Robinson (Bomb Queen) Steven T. Seagle (Soul Kiss), and Richard Starkings (Elephantmen) for a very special, unprecedented workshop with an insider look at the creative process and tips on perfecting your pitch. This will also include a question and answer session giving you the chance to directly talk to many pros who have made their dreams their reality! Room 7AB

Anyway, hope to see you there! And keep an eye out for the special "booth beef" male-model we've hired to help represent CHEW. Prepare to behold the glory of "The Chew Bear," the absolute personification of handsomeness, style, and raw sexual power.

Miss out on CHEW #1? Walking Dead #63/CHEW #1 flip-book on sale today!

2009-07-15T05:03:00.002-05:00

For those of you who missed out on Chew #1, and don't want to get gouged on eBay for an original printing, Robert Kirkman and Image Comics have allowed us to piggy-back with The Walking Dead, to create a B&W flip book special edition at no extra price!

It goes on sale today, so if you are wondering what the CHEW fuss is about, here's a great way to check out the book --and get you monthly dose of Walking Dead survivalist horror mayhem!

This news is almost as exciting as my latest Lego set, the amazing HOTH ECHO BASE!!!!!

Holy Crap! CHEW sells out again! More printings on the way!

2009-07-03T00:42:00.002-05:00

From the Image press release:
CHEW KEEPS BITING ITS WAY THROUGH MULTIPLE SELL OUTS!
John Layman and Rob Guillory's cannibalistic crime thriller, CHEW, faces yet another sell out on its first and second issue!

Immediately upon release John Layman and Rob Guillory's CHEW has experienced an immediate sell out for both issue #2 and the second printing of issue #1.

"I'm shocked, pleased and flabbergasted by the enormous positive response we've gotten from CHEW," Layman said. "I can't put into words how gratified I am for the readers and retailers who have helped spread the word about this strange and unique little book. I'm also grateful to Image for taking speedy action to help get this book into as many readers' hands as possible. Thanks, everybody! The best is yet to come!"

CHEW's star, Detective Tony Chu, is a cop with a secret. As a Cibopath, Detective Chu gets a psychic impression from whatever he eats. While it means he's a hell of a Detective if he can stomach the evidence, once his secret gets out the government makes plans for him, whether he likes it or not. CHEW blends horror, mystery and the strangest ability of them all in an ongoing series of horrific crimes solved in the most horrific way possible. Since its release, the book has been receiving an immense amount of buzz, with many retailers directly contacting Image for as many copies as they can spare in light of the first issue's now multiple sell outs. Even Layman's fellow creators continue to talk up the book.

CRIMINAL writer Ed Brubaker said, "CHEW is one of the most original and intriguing new comics I've seen in years."

Image Comics Publisher Eric Stephenson added, "The last time we saw such a tremendous response to an all-new title was when we launched THE WALKING DEAD. By all indications, CHEW is on its way to becoming the next monster hit from Image Comics."

CHEW #1 Third Printing, #2 Second Printing and #3, all 32-page comic books for $2.99, will see a simultaneous release on August 5th, 2009.

I feel like such a winner!

On Sale July 1st: CHEW #2 and CHEW #1 (second printing.) PLUS: Layman signs at Illusive Comics in Santa Clara

2009-06-26T20:11:00.001-05:00

Live in the Bay Area or near the Silicon Valley? Old Layman will be signing from 6:30-8:30on July 1st at:
Illusive Comics & Games
2725 El Camino Real Suite 105
Santa Clara, CA 95052

The Empire is recruiting!

2009-06-14T19:34:00.001-05:00

CHEW #1 sells out--second print coming!!

2009-06-10T21:20:00.002-05:00

Thanks to everybody who helped make this book such a surprise hit. And if you missed out, never fear... a second print is coming (the green logo, pictured right.)

The cannibalistic crime thriller, CHEW, sells out with a second printing on the way!

CHEW, the all-new crime series with a cannibalistic twist from writer John Layman and illustrator Rob Guillory, debuted to a near immediate distribution-level sell out despite a significant overprint, resulting in a second printing.

"I've been insisting for years that the comic book industry has been clamoring for more books with double page spreads of non-costumed characters eating soup, and it's gratifying to see there indeed is a robust market for such a book," Layman said. "Big thanks to everybody --retailers, readers and reviewers-- who came out in such shocking numbers to check out something new and different, and more than a little bit weird. Rob Guillory's amazing art certainly played a big part in attracting people's attention, so I want to thank him for his great work as well."

CHEW's star, Detective Tony Chu, is a cop with a secret. As a Cibopath, Detective Chu gets a psychic impression from whatever he eats. While it means he's a hell of a Detective if he can stomach the evidence, once his secret gets out the government makes plans for him, whether he likes it or not. CHEW blends horror, mystery and the strangest ability of them all in an ongoing series of horrific crimes solved in the most horrific way possible. Since its release the book has been receiving an immense amount of buzz with many retailers directly contacting Image for as many copies as they can spare. Even Layman's fellow creators have been talking up the book.

CASANOVA and Uncanny X-Men Writer Matt Fraction commented, "Of all the times John Layman has made me want to throw up, this was the best. CHEW is disturbed and disturbing and warped and grotesque and hilarious and horrifying-- in short, exactly the kind of book we were all afraid John Layman had hiding inside of him somewhere. Now when they find the bodies, we can all hold up copies of CHEW and say SEE? WE TOLD YOU THIS WAS COMING. Oh, and Rob Guillory is going to helllllllllll."

CHEW #1 2nd Printing (APR098373) and CHEW #2 (MAY090346), both thirty-two page full color comic books for $2.99, will be in stores July 1st, 2009.

CHEW #1 came out today!!

2009-06-04T01:19:00.009-05:00

"How do I describe Chew? The perfect recipe for your comic book appetite:a healthy helping of police drama, a dash of humor, sprinkle in some action, and throw in some cannibalism for good measures. Chew has it all, just be sure not to read it on an empty stomach."
--COMICS ADDICTION.COM

"Chew is a great comic book – the type that grabs you by the ears, takes a bite out of your nose, spits it in your face and still leaves you laughing and hungry for more. After only one issue, it might be my favorite book on the stands."
--IGN.COM

"The most unsettling, most awesome piece of comic book material that's been published in quite some time."
--COMIC PANTS.COM

"The plot moves in a downhill direction."
--MAJOR SPOILERS.COM

Check out Chewcomic.com for more, especially since I suck so much at updating this site.

Also: even bigger news: BUMBLE BUZZ'S PAWS ARE RECOVERING NICELY!!!!

On Sale last week: Tek Jansen #5

2009-05-27T01:21:00.001-05:00

Remember how excited I was when Tek Jansen started up? Now I'm just glad it's over. It's been a long, winding road, but here we are.

Tek hardcover coming in July!!!

Man, I feel like shit (Bumble Buzz edition)

2009-05-18T23:57:00.003-05:00

Poor old Bumble Buzz. I haven't clipped the cat's claws in a long time, and we finally got around to clipping Batty's, coz she jumps on you and you totally get stabbed by her sharp little claws. Anyway, I looked at Bumble Buzz's claws for the first time in several months and they are all so long and big there were, like, three different claws ingrown into her little paw pads.

I cut the claws, but her little feet were bleeding and now the paw pads are scabbed over. I've been putting ointment on it, but I feel so bad I let this go for so long without her noticing.

POOR OLD KITTY!

"Chew" has its own web site! Plus an order code: APR09 0337 Chew#1

2009-04-09T01:15:00.002-05:00

My upcoming comic book "Chew has it's own web site at http://www.chewcomic.com !

Check it out!

Also, here's the solicitation for it that appeared in Previews. Click on image for the bigger version.

Layman has a new comic book coming in June: It's called Chew

2009-03-09T23:49:00.007-05:00

It's called Chew, with fantastic art from a cat named Rob Guillory. Is coming from Image,

Here's some links talking about it:

NEWSRAMA

I09

THE BEAT

COMIC BOOK RESOURCES

I'm going to be promoting the hell out of this in the comic months, so expect more activity on this blog. If anybody wants to interview me or whatever, drop me a line.

On sale last week: Tek Jansen #4

2009-02-18T00:31:00.004-05:00

Remember when I used to have comic books coming out all the time? Yeah, me too. Those days are coming back, ladies, mark my words.

This is the new shit, yo

2009-02-14T23:38:00.005-05:00

Because you are all sad and pathetic and hang on my every word, and everything I do is the coolest and absolute height of fashion, I thought I would share some of my recent purchases or aquisitions:

Lily Allen: It's Not Me, It's You CD
It's embarrassing how much I like this chick's music. Considering I don't really listen to new music, just the same old crap I've listened to for the past 15 or 20 years, this is about as close to new music as I get. Her stuff is super poppy, but the lyrics are pretty mean and raw, and I get a big kick out of them. I like it even more because Lily Allen does a lot of outrageous stueff in real like, getting wasted in public and cursing and flashing her boobs and being generally obnoxious. This album is a little more hit and miss than her first. About half the songs I just love love love. The other half really do nothing for me. Doesn't really bother me, though, since CDs are cheap these days, and I just load up the music I like on my iPod anyway.

Speed Racer on Blu Ray
I loved this movie so much I bought it on Amazon before I was even halfway through watching the disc of it I had Netflixed. Still unsure if it is the best movie of 2008, but it is damn good, and truly visionary. Remember how the Matrix was the first movie you needed to by a DVD player for? This is the first movie you need a Blu-Ray player and an HD TV to fully appreciate. I could go on, but this probably merits a blog post just itself, under the heading "Best Goddamn Movie (or Movies) of 2008."

Lego Pirates Loot Island, set #6241
Given to me by my life partner for Valentines' day. Awesome, but not quite as awesome as the new Lego farm sets showing up in stores now. I'll be getting those soon. Look for me to resume the Layman Lego Project when I do.

The Fart Party
As I indicated in my NYCC post, this was my big purchase of the con, and my big fanboy moment, since The Fart Party is my favorite web comics (with Paul Horns Cool Jerk being a very close second.) My friend Allen is also a fan, and also purchased a book, and mentioned I was uncharacteristically quiet when I met with the author, Julia Wertz. She is always doing cartoons about wanting to kill people who annoyed her, though, and I just assumed she would want to kill me, too, if I opened my mouth. So I kept my yap shut. This book is funny as hell, and available on Amazon. I recommend it.

08 by Dan Goldman and some other dude
Dan Goldman is a buddy of mine and we spent a very enjoyable evening together at NYCC eating Afghani food and going to a sake bar. I like to buy books to support my friends and needed something to read on the plane flight home, so I picked this one up. Loved it a lot. Of course, it was non-fiction, so a lot of what I loved was the fact, at the end of the story, the shitbag Republicans are sent packing and we finally have a president who isn't a dunce. Anyway, more good stuff.

Aveda Rosemary Mint Shampoo
'Cause I like my hair to smell good, bitches!

Layman '09. Post NYCC. Back from the dead?

2009-02-11T00:59:00.002-05:00

So... I got back from New York Comic Con yesterday, and had the best con in recent memory. Just a damn good time, invigorating, and the polar opposite of a lot of cons I've been in the past, particularly San Diego.

A big difference, certainly, is I'm not hovering around DC and Marvel, there's no expectation or hope of work, so I was just able to enjoy things, getting to the con late, dining with friends, drinking with friends --though not quite to the excess that I have in years passed. I stayed with friends in Brooklyn, which feels decidedly lower key than Manhattan.

I didn't buy much at the show, but I never do. My big fanboy moment was buying 2 copies of Julia Wertz's "The Fart Party," a collection of my favorite web comics.

I did miss out seeing a couple friends, Troy and John C. in particular, which was a bummer, but, overall, it was just a great show, and I really enjoyed seeing everybody I got to see and hang out with. Highlights? Seeing a filming of the Colbert Report; an Afghani dinner with Turkish coffee followed by good conversation in a sake bar with a good friend and one of my all-time favorite colorists; CB Cebulski's all-star party, too goddamned packed but it was nice to see practically every single person in the comics industry in one place; a Southern Mexican meal of really bizarre Mexican food; and then just chilling in the airport playing Warcraft on free wi-fi and running into some other friends and getting a quick drink with them. Even my down-time was good, as Battlestar G and Lost, which I was able to watch on my laptop, were particularly good last week.

I also showed around my upcoming comic book around the show. Yep, I said "upcoming comic book." If for no other reason, I'll probably be blogging more as a result of that.

See you around, suckahs.

Oh... p.s.: Photos by Alan Passallaqua

Oh hell yes!

2008-11-10T00:41:00.004-05:00

Layman political endorsement

2008-10-26T14:04:00.002-05:00

If you are even thinking about voting for John McCain you are an asshole.

Layman in Seattle for Pax

2008-08-28T10:55:00.003-05:00

Things I intend to do:
* Drink at Shortys
* Drink at Lava Lounge
* Drink at Nite Lite
* Eat a cheeseburger at Dicks
* Eat a donut at Top Pot
* Eat bacon at the Mecca
* Visit my townhouse
* Drink coffee at Herkimer's
* See a few friends
* See one enemy

And, between it all, I'll be at the Cryptic booth at Pax, shuffling, smiling, and twirling a cane.

Help me solve the mystery... of the DC Bear!!

2008-08-23T12:28:00.016-05:00

If you're like me, the instant the new Time Warner/DC products catalog is released, you rush out to pick it up and pour over all the fine products you cannot live without over the next year. This catalog, unlike years past, utilized a male model to show off DC's upcoming apparel line. The perhaps unexpected result of this is the sudden popularity on the blogosphere of the handsome young male who has come to be known as "The DC Bear," a phenomena now drawing legions of fans both male and female. I have to admit, I too have been drawn in by the mystery of this unkempt Casanova, this long-haired Lothario, this hirsute hunk, this shaggy sensation.

If anybody has any information on how to contact "The DC Bear," please let me know. Some mysteries are too delicious not to be solved!!!

OMG He looks like a widdle angel!!!

2008-08-19T23:53:00.001-05:00

What a sweet cat. I miss him so much.

LAYMAN VS. LAYMAN DEATHMATCH!!

2008-08-10T18:39:00.002-05:00

My money is on Layman!

Layman at San Diego Con.

2008-07-23T08:49:00.003-05:00

I'll be at San Diego Con, signing at the Oni Booth Thursday through Saturday.

The rest of the time I'll be with the high rollers, power players and beautiful people. Because THAT is where John Layman belongs!!

Man, this little kid gets goofier by the day

2008-07-09T00:03:00.003-05:00

Irrefutable proof I am possibly the coolest person EVER!!!!

2008-07-08T00:38:00.002-05:00

Here is my name written in Elvish!!!

Tek Jansen #2! On sale today!

2008-07-02T00:20:00.002-05:00

Written by me!! (and to a much lesser extent, Tom Peyer and Jim Massey.)

And on sale last week was the second printing of Tek #1, now in its convenient flip-book format.

I came, I saw, I snuggled!!!!!!

2008-06-30T23:50:00.003-05:00

Yes, Saturday I drove home and after months apart, I was reunited with my One Bestest Pal in the entire world, the sweet little snuggley baby man Reginald James Poggles!

It was AWESOME!

I probably gave him about ten billion sweet kisses, and petting him and cried tears of joy while telling him how much I missed him. Reggie purred and snuggled and licked my face (which sounds sweet, but in actuality is kinda gross.)

For docorum's sake, I chose not to include any pictures of our tearful and joyous reunion, but for those of you worried that Reggie has not been thriving within the jungle backyard of Che Layman Vida Yuba, here is photographic proof.

The good news is, he's very happy, and I guess what he needed all along was unlimited access to outside. My mom says he pretty much stay outside all night, and then sleeps all day in a closet on top of some of my stuff.

It was easier seeing him this time than it was, certainly, when I saw him last and had to let him go. He's happy now.

I WISH I COULD SAY THE SAME!!

Just two days left to the greatest joy I have ever known!!!

2008-06-26T09:48:00.001-05:00

It's now at a point I can count the hours. Damn, they are going by slow!

Why isn't it Saturday yet?

2008-06-24T04:41:00.000-05:00

Four days is too damn long to wait! I've gone from counting the days to counting the minutes!!

The greatest day of my life draws even closer:

2008-06-23T09:29:00.000-05:00

As far as I'm concerned, this day can't come fast enough.

Countdown to the greatest day of my life:

2008-06-22T09:27:00.001-05:00

I can't wait!!! Can you?

Tek Jansen nominated for a Harvey

2008-06-19T09:28:00.003-05:00

For "Best Single Issue or Story," 2007.

A John Layman comic nominated for an award? What kind of crazy world is this?!?!?

WTF?!?! Batty LOVES corn!!!

2008-06-09T01:21:00.002-05:00

Batty's new favorite food is corn. I know, I know... bizarre.

She ate the entire thing and then jumped up on the dinner table and begged for more.

Reggie is gone: Life no longer worth living

2008-05-19T09:28:00.006-05:00

Do I seem to be posting less frequently recently?

I'd dropped off of blogging anyway, but the BIG drop-off not coincidentally corresponded with a sad and terrible decision I had to made to get rid of Reggie. He's ongoing peeing-in-the-apartment problems were only getting worse, and then he started getting bladder blockages (at $650 a pop!) The vet said it was do to stress, that he simply hated living in a tiny apartment with three bitchy sisters and a little kid, and the best thing for Reggie would be to find him a new home that could allow him to be an outdoor cat. Literally Dr.'s orders to get rid of him.

And so Reggie left Che Layman to live with my mom.

On the way back from dropping him off, I noticed the sky no longer was blue, even though it was a sunny day. It was this grey color.

Shortly after, food started losses its taste, everything just started tasting kinda ashes. And then everything sorta seemed gray. I cried a lot. I'd call into work sick, and stay home weeping into a pillow. When I did go to work I would stare at a blank computer screen. Pretty soon I stopped getting up in the morning altogether, and I just spent the entire day, all day, every day, asking myself how was I expected to go on without Reggie.

Moreover, how am I supposed to blog without Reggie?

It's a question I still ask myself.

And, friends, there are no easy answers.

Song and Dance Man

2008-02-18T13:27:00.004-05:00

In praise of Spongebob

2008-02-17T19:07:00.008-05:00

Man, the funny thing about having a kid, you realize how much cartoons are like crack for babies. Most of the time, it will settle them down, shut them up, and mezmorize them. At least in Carter's case. So of course, without letting him watch too much, I have to admit, Cartoon Network has become our friend. "Blues Clues" is Carter's absolute favorite, and he'll sit in front of it, slack-jawed, for the entire show. But it's a bit insipid.

I also find "Backyardagins" tolerable. Surprisingly, almost every episode they have a song that I think is pretty catchy (there is nothing worse than finding yourself humming a song for 3 year olds as the day progresses, but with Backyardigans sometimes I do.)

"Fairly Oddparents" is the one cartoon that just sets my nerves on each, as shrill and stupid and ugly and unfunny.

And, SpongeBob SquarePants has become a favorite. I know it's d pretty commercialized, but, goddamn, it has some funny stuff, almost every episode. Carter just likes it because it a cartoon, but I find myself watching it without him, just for laughs, and I have no doubt this is exactly the sort of show that college stoners zone out to every afternoon or morning-- I would have, anyway.

So, uh... point of this blog? SpongeBob Squarepants is way damn funnier than I ever thought it could be. I'm a fan.

So, here's a new addition to The Layman Lego Project. When I saw this in the stores, I had to snap it up. It's a great looking set, but I'm a little baffled about the mini-figure choices. Hitler seems like a bad choice to include in a children's cartoon Lego set. I don't even think he was in that particular episode.

A short week for...

2008-02-13T11:01:00.003-05:00

The Layman Lego Project!!

Reggie got sick and I had to take him to the kitty emergency room, so I did not build a lot of Legos this weekend.

He's doing much better now, thanks for asking, but it cost $650 to unblock his blocked bladder.

RIP Roy Scheider, Steve Gerber

2008-02-12T10:07:00.001-05:00

Man, Jaws scared the crap out of me as a kid. I was 9 years old, and my dad had to take me out of the theater, I was so goddamn terrified.

Comic writer Steve Gerber died too. He was best known for creating Howard the Duck, but my favorite thing he did was a comic called Sludge.

Test your knowledge of the animal kingdom...

2008-02-07T10:07:00.000-05:00

...with this exciting multiple choice question:

Which is the most fearsome of all beasts in the animal kingdom?

A) The proud lion.

B) The graceful whale

C) The deadly shark

D) Reggie!!!

Now, an important follow-up question: Who killed a bird on the balcony the night before last??!?

Layman Richards? Layman Walnuts? WTF?!?!?

2008-02-05T10:02:00.000-05:00

I have a staggering amount of grey hair coming in on the sides, like, all of the sudden. Every day I look in the mirror and I have another few grey hairs, even a little patch the other day, coming in on the sides, and at the rate I'm going I'm going to have wingtips by the end of the year.

God damn! I am old!

An early valentine's present for YOU!!!

2008-02-02T13:08:00.000-05:00

Because I care--A MASSIVE update of The Layman Lego Project!!

Obviously, I'm starting to tackle the vast collection of Star Wars legos, which, in San Diego and Seattle, were built and displayed on several bookcases as a giant Star Wars Lego diorama.

This don't even scratch the surface, chums.

Aw, what the hell... Vikings

2008-02-01T00:17:00.000-05:00

Not much going on, so here's a couple Lego Viking sets, all part of the ever-thrilling Layman Lego Project

Wherefore art Layman? Beset by computer woes and calamity!

2008-01-23T02:14:00.000-05:00

Well, shit, here's another New Year's resolution down the tubes. You know, I meant to blog every day, but with a kid and a job, and trying to play Warcraft and write on the side, this damn blog is just falling through the cracks, and I apologize.

Plus, I had some big computer problems that sidelined me recently. I was all ready to post a bunch of cool pictures on the web, but first I updated to Apple Leopard --not knowing the new MAC OS is ABSOLUTELY incompatible with Photoshop 7. I don't have a spare $700 around for the new Photoshop, and didn't have the connections to steal it, so I reinstalled Panther onto my Mac.... BIG MISTAKE... I ended up losing a ton of stuff, and I had all sorts of headaches. In the end, I got most of it back, except for the music. I have it all on disc, but it's gonna be a pain in the ass to move it all over.

Anyway, that's why I have not blogged recently. As a reward to you, all my breathless fans who check back here every day. Here is a picture of Bumble Buzz. Sometimes I'm so busy adoring Reggie I forget that Bumble Buzz is an big ol' fuzzy sweetie too!

P.S.: I ended up going the legal route, buying Photoshop Elements and installing it on all my computers. It's like Photoshop for dummies, but it pretty much has the same features, at least for my purposes.

My 2007 Xmas present constructed --and MORE!

2008-01-03T00:53:00.000-05:00

A rare mis-step for Lego. I broke my own self imposed rule, that I only buy Star Wars Legos that are A) from the classic original trilogy and B) canon. That is, no made-up bullshit. But the idea of a TIE fighter that doubled as a tank was freaking irresistible to me.

Sadly, this set broke Lego's #1 rule, that building it should be fun. There were simply too damn many of the same parts, and by the end of the first wing/tread thingie, I was bored and dreading building the second. Lego should have used the one-piece plastic tread the use for their digger, and other construction equipment, and it would have made the set a little less cool, but way less tedious to build, and it also would have kept the price point way below the ridiculous asking price of $50. At this price, the only people buying it are Star Wars Lego completists, suckers, and people like me who can't resist the idea of a TIE fighter tank hybrid.

I was a little annoyed at Lego, but today I got the new catalog in the mail, and there are no less than four new sets that I HAVE to have.

So all is forgiven, Lego. Meesa wuv you again!

Also, as long as we are here, check out some new additions to The Layman Lego Project:

2007: The Year in Review

2008-01-01T14:33:00.000-05:00

At the stroke of midnight, 2008, we were consoling Carter, who has a molar coming in, and a cold, and is sick and miserable, when he throws up all over himself and Kim. I sorta wish he would have thrown up on me, too, 'cause that would have pretty much summed up 2007 for me.

2007 was a terrible year.

Know this, when I'm not blogging, it's not because I am too busy, or having too good a time to find the time to blog. I don't blog because I am depressed, and I spent a lot of 2007 being miserably depressed. Sure, I was busy, with a new kid and lack of sleep, and all that goes with it, plus a move and a new job, but, mostly, I was just depressed.

If you emailed me and I did not get back to you, or lagged severely and then wrote something short, that was probably why.

2007 sucked.

2007 saw the release of my biggest selling, most commercial comic, which just so happened to be mired in so much behind-the-scenes bullshit with one of the publishers it completely poisoned the project for me. At the same time, the rest of my comics "career" came to a inexplicable, crashing halt, and the work just simply dried up, and never returned. At the end of 2006 I was juggling five different comics, and I'd been hustling for 5 years to reach that point. When it all just stopped cold, it was absolutely devastating to me. As result, I took a job in the video game industry (funny how the much more lucrative video game industry has been far kinder to me in 3 years than comics ever was in nearly 15.) I moved from my own house, to a tiny apartment, away from a city I loved to a place that is little more than a vast expanse of freeways and stripmalls. I left behind a tight circle of friends, and there's not a day that goes by that I don't miss Seattle, my house and my friends. I got to live closer to my parents, and get a closer look as my Alzheimer's afflicted Dad went from daffy old man, to walking zombie who could not recognize either me or my mother. He had multiple strokes the week before x-mas, and is now in bed, waiting to die, not able to walk, not able to talk, not even able to chew. I went and saw him a couple of days ago, which will surely be the last time I see him alive, and he looked more terrible and wretched then I could ever imagine.

It wasn't completely bad. Carter has turned out to be a pretty fun little kid, and my home life is fine. The cats are in good health, and I finally bought my dream car, a Toyota Matrix. I'm going to start blogging a lot more in 2008. And even though I'm effectively right back where I started as a comic book writer when I went freelance 6 years ago -square one- I'm just going to do my own god damn thing, and get my own book up and running again.

Anyway, come back here often. This blog is back, mother fucker!

The year is 2008, AND THIS IS THE WRATH OF LAYMAN!!!!

Merry Christmas, Suckas

2007-12-25T13:24:00.002-05:00

Have a very Layman Christmas!

OYL: From zero to goofball in 365 days

2007-12-20T12:17:00.002-05:00

Happy birthday to Reggie's little brother, Carter Layman, born 12/20/06!!

Layman state of TV 2007; Network edition

2007-12-04T23:54:00.000-05:00

Last night Heroes came and went, and after half-heartedly watching the season and trying to give a damn, I just could not. I skipped the ending, and did not miss it one bit, and doubt I will ever look back.

But it got me thinking about exactly what I'm watching these days. And, of course, my biggest question of the TV season: WHY DOES THE OFFICE SUCK SO BAD THIS SEASON?

Used to be I LOVED The Office, the American and the British version, and about Tuesday I'd start looking forward to it, and even the quickie previews were usually enough to make it laugh. Usually I'd watch it while it aired, and then watch it again the next day, because there was always something I did not notice the first time around, or something that would make me laugh all over again.

Not this season. Maybe it's because they did that lame super-sizing shit, and stretched out all the jokes, but the opening episodes of the series were not just unfunny, but painfully so. Michael's IQ seemed to drop by twenty points, and he was not just incredibly stupid, but also shrill. It really feels like Michael is a parody of his character, or the writers lost track of what made the character work, while the other characters have descended into near-caricature. Since the super-sized episodes ended, it's gotten marginally better, but the damage has been done, and the show just does not seem to be what it once was.

Like I said, Heroes sucked too, but I expected that. It was overhyped and overblown and it was just a matter of time before it disappointed, Lost-style, and Heroes did exactly that. Good riddance.

So what am I watching?

I'm glad you asked. A couple weeks ago I would have said Pushing Daisies is the best show of the season, and I still think it's damn great, and consistent charmer, with more genuine heart than almost anything else on TV. I love the little touches, like the alliterative names of side characters, and some of their forays into animation, musical numbers, or just plain oddball whimsey. Plus, Mike White and Pee Wee Herman showed up as supporting cast members, and I just love the overall quirkiness.

Still, and I'm surprised to say this, but Chuck has really grown on me. After a great pilot, I thought it was going to settle into a routine, and maybe it has, but I like the characters and the humor and mix of nerd soap with network spyjinx. It's a lot of fun, and after dumping it from my Netflix Season Pass, after a couple of weeks of inadvertently watching it and enjoying it, I added it again, and it's slowly moved into a can't miss for me.

What else?

Monday; Not a damn thing,

Tuesday: My Tivo can't tell the difference between new Episodes of The Office and ones running on TBS, so I was getting repeats of that instead of Law & Order SVU. I like Law & Order, as TV comfort food, at least SVU and the original, but the episodes I've managed to catch this season have been amazingly bad.

Wednesday; Pushing Daisies. Weren't you listening?

Thursday: My roommate watches Ugly Betty, and I don;t object to most of it, though it is clearly sugary trash. I also make sure to watch 30 Rock later on NBC.com, and it never fails to make me laugh. Sorry, Office, 30 ROCK IS WITHOUT A DOUBT THE FUNNIEST SHOW ON TV.

Friday, Saturday, Sunday: I catch the Simpsons, when I remember too, but that's sorta irregular.

And that's pretty much it for network TV. Feel free to recommend shows, but the first person who says Journeyman or anything that is a medical show is going to get a sharpened pencil stabbed into their eye.

Problems? Brother, I got nothing BUT problems!

2007-12-03T10:22:00.001-05:00

First, a little background. Me and Bumble Buzz go way back. Long before there was a roommate, a punk kid, a mortgage, a car payment, and any number of other soul crushing life elements, there was me and Bumble Buzz, living in a little one bedroom in Pacific Beach, San Diego, 8 or so blocks from the ocean, where life was good and dope was plentiful. When Bumble Buzz was a wee kitten, one of the first thing I did was put her next to my pillow went I went to sleep and petted her as I drifted off.

Now, that is her thing. Bumble Buzz isn't much of a cat. She's grouchy, and she doesn't really like other people or cats. She's a scaredy cat. She's the cat that gets gross chin acne and she ones had a big boil on her tail I had to pop. She gets Klingons on her butt and has bad breathe and her fur is sort of mangy. Still, the one single pleasure she gets in life is laying next to my pillow and letting me pet her as she goes to sleep. Clearly, it is her favorite thing in the world. She'll even pace around at night, meowing at me, as if reminding me it is time to go to bed, and as soon as I had to the bedroom, she's on her spot next to the pillow.

Well, as Reggie Hammond said, there's a new sheriff in town.

Lately, I've been waking up in the middle of the night, and REGGIE (the cat, not Eddie Murphy) is laying next to me, by my pillow, nuzzling and snuggling and being a little angel. Usually Bumble Buzz is sitting off to the background, glowering and growling. And now, when I wake up in the middle of the night, Reggie is there instead of Bumble Buzz.

Usually I have to think about it, and convince myself is it not the most wonderful dream I am in. Reggie is soft like pressed Yugoslavian velvet. His breath is like a warm autumn breeze in the countryside, and his purr is like a gentle melody. He's got cute bristly whiskers and a cold wet nose and a scratchy little tongue. I end up staying up for hours on end petting him --AND IT'S THE GREATEST JOY I HAVE EVER KNOWN.

Sometimes, late at night, my roommate is too passed out from drink to rouse to the cry of the baby in the other room, who is clearly very cold, or very hungry, or both. And I know I probably should get up and feed the kid, but petting Reggie is SO AWESOME.

Anyway, dear readers, I pose this question to you... Is it possible to love too much?

This is what I got for my birthday last week

2007-11-21T00:38:00.000-05:00

My three most awesome presents, in order of awesomeness:

I'm still waiting on YOUR present, cheapskate!!!

On sale yesterday: Xena Contest of Pantheons TPB

2007-11-15T11:55:00.000-05:00

It's published by Dynamite, so naturally it has two covers, and it is miserably late. I'll post the other cover when I get the chance.

I'm slowing amassing a pretty decent sized library of trades.

How many are on your bookshelf?

This day in history: November 13th, 1967

2007-11-13T11:28:00.000-05:00

"Celebrating" 40 years of Layman.

Thankfully, there will only be a few more, and then all the misery comes to an end!

I bought this for $100 last week on Amazon

2007-11-06T11:08:00.000-05:00

And did not regret it for a single nanosecond.

The Completely Mad Don Martin. Every single damn thing Don Martin ever did for Mad Magazine.

What a great book!

Freakin' MORE, dude!

2007-10-27T16:59:00.000-05:00

More more more more of The Layman Lego Project!!

More:

Layman returns to his roots: The Projects!

2007-10-23T09:36:00.000-05:00

Specifically, The Layman Lego Project!!

More: