Not a big fan of AI in a work place, particularly in government. It will make employees more expendable and dumber. Also, I would like less FOIA’s, not all of them.

The thing I see when folks want to upsell AI use, is this weird thing where folks want a product, with no passion, or a creative mind knowing how to do things. I blame this on Americans in general love being basic, but also loathe when folks may be “extra”. Such weird folks.

This week’s musical vibe is Paramore’s Hard Times. I will not be answering questions at this time.

Baltimore Comicon was a lot of fun. I saw some of the best comics talent in the medium. Money was raised for Hero Initiative. I am still recovering. Good time was had.

Thank you Chicago for not burning down while I am out of state. It is mighty good of you.

So, I take it that MiracleMan: the Dark Age is a Chip Zdarsky project now? Yes this is a deep cut comics joke of multiple fronts.

The thing about the comics market is that the issues of today were also issues decades ago. Spent the last 3 days reading some old Amazing Heroes and it helped remind me of my comic fan history, but it provided a lot of context that still plays today.

The hardest part of planning for an out of town comics convention is the selecting of which comics will get packed for defacing based on guest list.

The older I get, the more I am enthralled with Jack Kirby and his work. I am a sucker for 1970’s Kirby. That Fourth World material always brings joy out of me.

I have been playing a new game regarding reading monthly comics out of order to see if the book can be read by anyone off the street. It is a fun endeavor.

Today is a comics reading day. It is a good stack of comics. Lots of exciting and intellectual books have been read. Wish the air quality was better, but not everything can be perfect.

Today in Chicago thoughts: I am glad that Chicago politics is so quaint and calm that folks believe that divorce documents and infidelity would be office disqualification worthy in 2026.

The most bewildering thing about online comics fandom is the expectation of a project being announced at a convention, and folks being upset that the project of desire is not in the catalog the next month. Publishers would be wise to make sure the project is ready to launch at the panel.

Every time I look at the internet, I realize that you lose nothing by minding your business and focusing on your own mind and self. A good night’s sleep will help.

Very rarely do I feel that casting for comic book movies feels like fun. Adam Driver if he gets to engage in all the feels might be an enjoyable Mr. Sinister.

I would like to thank the Chicago Bears for being really flexible on what it means to be a Chicago institution especially if they are going to have games in Indiana. Not a sports person but I am a sticker for folks saying that if they are from Chicago a 606 zip code is required.

Lifelong Chicagoan who works downtown is annoyed with Global Warming.

Sometimes you go to bed after reading something wild and then you wake up the next day and wild shit did happen. If this was the 80’s and I measured the malarkey level by cigar consumption, I fear for a 3 stick day.

Who knew that I needed a Tuesday to just disconnect myself from my life and do things for me?

Meanwhile at Wayne Tower.

I would like to say that @riotfest.bsky.social may have topped themselves today with this. 10/10.

You can tell who is really thin skinned if they have an aversion of talking shit about terrible people.

The last week has felt extra unhinged. Therefore I needed to check Farmer’s Almanac to see if the retrograde is in motion… well it is.

Folks complaining about comics from a character focused lens loses my attention completely. Critique on the style choices and narrative structure and creative flair never get dull. The best thing though is how creatives call back on their predecessors.

I made it out to ALA at McCormick Place this weekend and it was fun, but my back decided to not agree with the adventure. Saw Matt Fraction, Mark Russell, Peter Kuper, Keith Knight, Dan Watters, James Tynion IV, and John Siuntres of WordBalloon and Tucker Stone from TCJ fame. Comics was good here.

I am looking forward to a quiet resolution to the work week. It has been a weird one, but a weekend of shit talk with the men and comics await me.

Since 2026 is close to halfway finished, I have noticed that the state of current reality feels stranger than fiction.

Exquisite Corpses. Very rarely does a comic exist in an ensemble created narrative that is cohesive as a read, it elevates all the talent involved and uses its story as a critique about power and class.

Allegory and metaphor is wasted on humanity. I am seriously convinced that people watched the Matrix films rooted for the machines over the humans.

Hot thought: Freddie Mercury had it right when he sang about who wants to live forever. Who really does? Wouldn’t folks get tired?