"In a stunning decision, the heirs of Jerry Siegel, co-creator of Superman, have been granted the copyright to Action Comics Vol. 1."

And, here's more from uncivilsociety.org

Q: If there are so many unresolved questions, why does this ruling matter?

A: This is a formal declaration by a U.S. court that the Siegels have regained copyright interest in Superman. However limited, it is a historic ruling, in itself a vindication of the family's and fellow creators' decades-long struggle to receive legal recognition of Siegel and Shuster's role in creating the character. Even if the Siegels settle with DC & co., they will do so with the satisfaction of knowing that a court had finally recognized Jerry's work.

The outcome strikes a chord with our fundamental sense of justice--as Journalista posted as I was writing this paragraph, "[s]ometimes the good guys do in fact win." That people feel this way is not surprising. Siegel and Shuster's creation generated an immense amount of wealth; it only seems fair that for them to benefit. Although some may object that it's too late--Siegel and Shuster have passed on--we should note that many creators work in part to provide a legacy for their families.

Last but not least, in a world where people all too often feel like cogs in a corporate machine, this ruling serves as a potent affirmation of the human spirit.

a truly impressive awareness test:http://www.dothetest.co.uk/

this was made in england, but the message is just as applicable here, especially in light of a recent local tragedy

via wanderingaengus

My friend Rina used to do a couple of great comic strips for the University of Michigan Business School. Since biz school is kind of an exotic world to me, it's fun to gain some insight via these strips and the accompanying annotations. Rina and her collaborators do a nice job in guiding you through the students' collective experience with a fine sense of humor about the whole thing.






I'd love to see more comics like these that focus on people's schooling, like this and Art School Confidential by Dan Clowes, but with medical schools, law schools, culinary academy, etc.

When I tell people about last month's jury duty experience at Superior Court in San Jose, they're surprised at how entertaining and inspiring it was. Isn't jury duty rather boring? Didn't it waste your time? Well, yeah, some of the testimony was incredibly dull, since the questions have to be asked in that precise, lawful, fact-by-fact manner. More boring is the actual jury selection process, which takes a while. During the trial itself, some particular witnesses' testimony was absolute nonsense, and some details they gave directly contradicted previous statements made to the police. This was quite frustrating.

But overall, I'm really happy I was in that particular courtroom at that time. It didn't hurt that the whole thing didn't take more than a few days out of our lives, instead of an inconveniently longer trial.

In order to try to convey some of the surrealism of the super-official proceedings (this is a courtroom after all!) contrasted with certain moments of sheer amusement, I will write about the experience using the Seven Deadly Sins as my rubric. This is not to make light of the case itself at all, which again, was a serious matter with strong allegations. From my and at least a few other jurors' perspectives, however, we gained a lot of knowledge and delight from the whole thing, and I mean to concentrate on that and keep you engaged with the Deadly Sins gimmick.

( Read More )

"VICTIMS" a solo exhibit by Barron Storey opens at Gallery AD this Friday.
366 So. First Street
San Jose, CA 95113



Artist's Reception: First Friday, February 1, 2008
8 p.m. 'til late • free and open to the public
Music by Nate Nothing
Exhibit ends: March 15th, 2008


If you've been lurking on my journal, -- and I think there's a few of you although I don't get many comments except from people I know -- so it was touching to get a comment by one new person I didn't know when Kiki passed away -- anyway, if you know me, you may have heard me sing Barron Storey's praises before. But on the occasion of his newest show, I just wanted to share a few words about him.



Barron is one of the most focused, wisest, and most interesting human beings and teachers I've met. He's one of the main reasons I went back to school at SJSU, where I'd heard he was going to be teaching. As a longtime comics fan, his reputation for teaching some of my favorite comics artists preceded him. And he didn't disappoint.

His class was extremely challenging, and deeply memorable. I loved that he brought his journals to class for us to check out. I loved that leaving his class you were armed with new techniques and knowledge. His teaching wove such topics as Shakespeare, motorcycle-riding, and Amazon animal skull graveyards.

Even if I were feeling a little sluggish before the 6:30 to 9:30 classes, Tuesdays and Thursdays, his booming, dramatic voice and incredible storytelling always woke me right up, like a tonic.

So, Barron, you're the raddest, and congratulations on the new show, which I know will be stunning.

Listen to the InkStuds interview with Barron

Also see Jeff Avila's fine web tribute to Barron

VIA Barron Storey's mentioning her in this Artiscopic interview I found (First I'd ever heard of her)

VIA a mass email from Gallery AD and Barron about Barron's New Show Opening this Friday. "VICTIMS."

I'm on a jury until the end of next week. Can't discuss the case until it's over. This is the second time I've been selected; the first time was a scant year-and-a-half ago, so everything -- lining up to get inside the Hall of Justice to the so-so cafeteria food -- seems really familiar.

The other case I was a part of was neither a civil or criminal trial. We had to decide whether or not a convicted pedophile was ready to finish treatment for his mental illness outside of the state-run facility at Atascadero. We decided that he wasn't ready, especially after the star witness on his behalf, a doctor at the hospital, testified that although he was a model resident, he wasn't ready. That was really easy.

I also just got back from a terrific weekend in LA with a bunch of friends: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=26812&l=84577&id=523356936

Shopping + Eating + Hanging out with good friends + Rock Banding = Awesomeness!!! This is my new motto.

Two of my favorite songs mashed together. I prefer the originals on their own, but if this played at a club like Medjool, I'd probably lose my s***