Peter David, writer of stuff and host of this site, suffered a stroke on December 29. Here’s how you can help.
San Diego Schedule
StandardI know I’m wasting my time. I’m putting this up on my website, Twitter feed and Facebook and there will STILL be people declaring they couldn’t find me at the convention. But the hell with it; I’ll put up my schedule anyway.
THURSDAY
11-12, Marvel signing
7:30 PM, Multiple Man gathering 7:30 PM Manchester Grand Hyatt lobb
FRIDAY
3-4, Marvel signing
6-7, International Association of Media & Tie-in Writers Awards, Room: 23ABC
SATURDAY
11-11:45, “Young Justice” gathering behind con center
5-6, Marvel signing
SUNDAY
12:30-1:30, Marvel X-panel, Room 6DE
Where to find the Davids at Phoenix Comic Con
StandardKath here. I thought I would post our schedule and where Peter’s table is this weekend.
The table is at 2416. We are right across from the Mysterious Galaxy booth.
Caroline is selling her artwork at a 1.00 a drawing. I have a couple of Phluzzies for sale. Peter has a lot of books including Pulling Up Stakes and the Camelot Papers.
Peter’s Schedule is as follows
Friday
12:00-1:00pm
In Defense of Bruce Banner (presented by Drawn to Comics)
RM 126AB
3:00-4:00pm
Spotlight: Peter David
RM 124A
6:00-7:00om
A Day in The Strife: The Making of Babylon 5
RM 128
9:00-?
Phoenix Con Puppet-slam
RM 122
(We are doing Lord of Time again so if you missed it at DragonCon, here’s your chance to see it)
Saturday
We are at the table all Day
Sunday
1:30-2:30
Creating with Someone Else’s Sandbox
RM 104B
So come on by and say Hi.
Comics and Ageism
Standard
Originally published September 11, 1998, in Comics Buyer’s Guide #1295
Harlan Ellison told me an interesting anecdote, in relation to the Writers Guild of America’s committee on ageism. The head of the committee, a writer well into middle age, was complaining of rampant ageism in the industry: a very pronounced prejudice against older writers. Another writer, upon hearing this, said, “I know exactly what you’re talking about. I’ve had to deal with that kind of thing, too.” The committee head was skeptical that the relatively young man could have experience with prejudice on the basis of age.
The young writer then related the tale of an appointment he had with the producers of Spin City. He was going to pitch story possibilities, perhaps even be in line for a staff position. He called the day before the meeting to confirm. He was told, yes, by all means, they were looking forward to meeting with him. Then he was asked, “By the way, how old are you?” He was, he told them, thirty-one.
“Oh,” the person on the other end informed him, “Then you don’t have to bother coming in. We’re only looking for people in their twenties.” Keep in mind that the series was created by Gary David Goldberg, who hasn’t seen twenty in several decades.
Talent didn’t matter, experience didn’t matter, knowledge didn’t matter. Old is bad, young is good, and anything which has the slightest taint of “not now” is tossed aside.
Four Months Later
StandardThings continue to improve for Peter slowly.
He can now touch the thumb of his right finger to his pinkie with pretty much normal effort. He has started to type again for limited amount of time. Between that and Dragon Dictate, he is able to get work done. It might not be as fast for him as his pre-stroke speed but he is getting a lot done for various projects.
His gait is returning to normal. He is only using a cane for very long distances. His stamina is returning slowly.
He is bowling again and starting to get his game back in order. He is throwing closer to his average these days.
Each normal activity that he can do is a victory.
And like any recovery we have our good days and our bad days and our OK days.
Next month is a busy one for us. Ariel is graduating from college. We have Phoenix Comic Con at the end of the month and a lot to do the rest of the month.
Caroline is doing fine in school. She is happy to have her ELA and Math tests behind her. She has her math and social studies left. Her flute practice is continuing. She is learning the flute part of the Star Wars theme.
My neck is doing fine, thank you. I am adjusting to things as they happen. I had my annual wellness visit and, after I take some other tests, I will find out if I am “well”.
You, dear reader, can still help us by spreading the word about Peter’s books and other works. We do still have some pretty steep medical bills coming in. The insurance company keeps deciding how much they are going to pay and how much we are going to pay. Just when I think we might be pretty much caught up on things, we get hit with another charge that was sorted out by all the other parties. It does wear one down but with your help I can say that I am not as worn down as I might have been.
Oh, in other forms of excitement, the brakes went on my truck and I managed to get to the service station before they were totally gone but it was pretty scary there. I was the only one in the truck at the time.
I am going to open this up to questions. So ask and I shall answer the best I can. If I can’t answer, I will tell you that I can’t and I ask that you respect that. Yes, you can post again.
Thank you to everyone who has helped us. We would not be here if it weren’t for your help and know that we are very grateful.
Comics Then and Now
StandardOriginally published September 4, 1998, in Comics Buyer’s Guide #1294
The past couple of columns, we’ve discussed aspects of, and moments in, comic history. I rattled off about a dozen or so examples of what I perceive as some of comics’ most “memorable moments,” all of which occurred—as will come as a great shock, it seems, to many modern readers—at a time that pre-existed not only their interest in comics, but their birth.
What we’re seeing, when we witness the sort of shortsighted displays as Wizard‘s 25 most memorable moments in comics history, almost none of which occurred earlier than 1979, is the sort of massive blind spot which is rampant throughout not only comics readership, but throughout much of the country. It is the belief that history doesn’t matter. More—that it’s boring. Irrelevant. That whatever happened before, it can’t possibly compare in quality, style or importance with what’s happening now.
Memorable Moments in Comics History, Part 2
StandardOriginally published August 28,1998, in Comics Buyer’s Guide #1293
Before we continue with the thread of last week’s column, I have a bit of business to attend to, so bear with me.
It has come to my attention that there was a guy running around on message boards and DC Comics websites masquerading as me. He has been discussing upcoming events in books of mine (meaning he reads Previews, I suppose) and has also been badmouthing the work of pros such as Grant Morrison. This is not grief I need.
Administrivia: Comments shutdown
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