Johnny Saturn

Hi, Folks!

“The Museum of Forgotten Art Supplies” is an eye opener, because I own most of the equipment on this site, and I still use much of it daily.  Have computers changed everything that much?  Well, yes, as a matter of fact, they have.

I am surprised by how few people my age are online.  It seems like a good 90% of the people I grew up with have no web presence to speak of.  (I’m a spry 45, for those who don’t know.)  I was on the web as soon as it became widely available, and I’ve had a site of some sort since 1996, and I’m not sure how many sites I’m involved with or at least participate in.  Probably 20 or 30, maybe more.

I’m looking for an ultrasonic pen cleaner, so I can continue to use my apparently antiquated pens.  I found this, and this, and this.  I’m not really sure when I’m going to be able to afford said cleaner, but I can be patient.  I used to have one some years back, and used it till it burned out, and I really miss the danged thing.

So, I’m reading several books.  First up, there is Whitley Streiber’s “Confirmation.”  Then, there is Alvin Schwarts “An Unlikely Prophet.”  Throw into the mix Jim Marr’s “The Alien Agenda.”  I love to read, and I juggle books I’m reading based on my mood at any given time.  I’m also re-reading Frank Miller’s and John Romita Jr’s “Daredevil: The Man Without Fear” hardcover.

The Alvin Schwartz book is quite interesting so far, because he wrote the Batman and Superman comic strips for seventeen years in the 1940’s and 1950’s.  He has had some mystical encounters in his life, and some odd synchronicities, and the 1990’s he apparently met a tulpa, or being composed of pure thought, a “dreamed up” man.  I’m about a third of the way into this one, and I’ve had trouble putting it down, to be honest.

“Daredevil: The Man Without Fear” is outstanding, as those of you who have read probably already know, and it’s created by two masters at the height of their creative power.  This is vintage Frank Miller in the days prior to “The Dark Knight Strikes Again,” back when Frank created compelling stories that still affect the way I see comics.  John Romita Jr.’s work is a joy to behold: Like Eric Clapton’s Guitar playing, it gives me great happiness.  JrJr’s art is not about being polished, or delicate rendering, or the excesses that plagued most other comic artists in 90’s.  Romita Jr’s work is about power and force, and about spot-on storytelling.  In my book, he handles cartooning like no one since Jack Kirby.

Scott.