Shut Up And Listen 44
Blowing Smoke Up Our Asses
The anti-smokers have gone too far this time. I’ve always been a supporter of trying to educate and make aware the effects smoking, and hell, other things can have on a person’s health. It’s really just going along with my whole knowing shit to make a good choice thing. But once again, a group that I liked stepped beyond that line and just became another one of my targets (can you hear their knees knocking together as they shake with fear? Heh.).
See, here in my nice hometown of London, a by-law just came into effect that prohibits smoking in any eateries, excluding bars. It is illegal for restaurants to allow people to smoke in them. That’s not all, the by-law came into effect only a few weeks ago and already the anti-smokers are trying to get smoking out of bars.
So, if they succeed, the only places people can slowly kill themselves will be outside or in their own homes, but I have a feeling that they’ll soon go after those places, too.
“But, Chad, if you don’t like smoking, why aren’t you happy about this?”
Please. I’m all for education. But let’s face facts: anyone who has begun smoking within the last ten or twelve years knows the effects of smoking. I’ve been learning about it in school as long as I remember, and I’ve been in school for almost 15 years. Anyone who started after that, gets what they get and have only themselves to blame.
Granted, before that, education of the subject sucked, so for any sickness or death caused before that, I say blame the tobacco industry, but none after.
See, my problem is that this move is only going to hurt the businesses that are being affected. It’s not going to decrease smoking anymore than no smoking in government buildings and some offices has. What you’ll see though, is more sad-looking (and not emotionally sad, just sad-looking), pathetic losers outside in the bad weather getting their fix. Hell, it may just cause people to stay home or order take-out rather than going to a restaurant.
And it would kill bars if there was no smoking. You ever been to a bar? You see how many people there smoke? Get rid of smoking and I guarantee you that at least 30% of those people aren’t there. A loss in customers that great could cause a few businesses to under.
“But, Chad, what about the people who hate smokers?”
Ever hear of the non-smoking section? I thought that section was there for a reason and all. And really, it should be the owner’s decision. It is their business and their right to decide what people do in it.
I know smokers. They are sad and pathetic junkies who will do anything to get their fix. And if it means making food themselves rather than going out, they’ll do it. Hell, they do it most the time already, what’s one or two more nights a week?
Alienate The Foreigners!
In an effort to satisfy my own tastes and alienate anyone who isn’t Canadian, I’m going to start writing about politics more. Canadian politics. I’ll try to make it as accessible as possible as I don’t want to alienate anyone so far as they stop reading, but if you don’t care all together, I can’t help you.
This week, I’ll try to do a nice introduction to it and try to do it as briefly as possible. When I can, I’ll make comparisons to other systems and such.
Firstly, in Canada there is more than one party. This may come as a shock to you Americans, but it’s true. There are five main parties that I can think of and several secondary parties.
There is the Liberal party. It is essentially the party for fence sitters. It’s the middle of politics. They are also in control of the federal government and have been for about nine or ten years.
Okay, I’ll have to break for a minute to explain our electoral system. Our country is divided up into ridings. Ontario has the most, as it is the province with the largest population. In your riding, there are candidates to be your Minister of Parliament (MP). They represent your riding’s interest in parliament and such. Whichever party gets the most MPs elected is the head of the government. The leader of that party gets to be Prime Minister. The second place party is the Official Opposition party. Elections are also called whenever during their term, the party in power wants or by five years after getting into power.
The Liberals are led by Jean Chretien, who has so far won three federal elections (no term limits here!). You may know him as Jean Poutine, as Bush once called him.
Then there are the Canadian Alliance party. They used to be known as the Reform party. They are as right as you get in Canada (about twelve steps to the left of the Democrats—just kidding, they are just as hateful as Democrats when it comes to everything). They are currently in the process of electing a new leader for their party as their former leader, Stockwell Day was, and still is, a total fuckwad. I believe I’ve compared him to Nixon in the past, and still do. They are the Official Opposition.
Next up is the Parti Quebecquois. They are the Quebec for Quebec party. They want Quebec to separate from Canada in an effort to preserve the French culture from us English-speakers. To sum them up: they are fucking nuts. They are non-existent outside of Quebec and will never get anything done because of it. They are doomed to failure right from the get-go.
The other rightwing party is the Progressive Conservatives (PC). On a federal level, they are the only party with a leader that I respect in Joe Clark (former Prime Minister, actually way back in the day). On the provincial level, I hate the cocksuckers and want to castrate and then kill anyone who supports them. Under the rein of Mike Harris they shat on everything: education, healthcare, roads, the economy, water, the Natives. It has been has been almost seven years of pure and utter shit. They are currently in the process of electing a new leader for their Ontario faction, who will become Premiere to replace Harris who resigned because if he didn’t, his party would be doomed come election time and they most likely still are.
And finally, the party of choice for me: the New Democratic Party (NDP). They are the leftwing party of Canada’s mainstream. I almost joined them, but couldn’t get past their campaigning for the Ontario elections (whenever they happen), which was really just “vote for us because the PC party sucks ass!” While I agree with that, it isn’t the best way to do things as there are other parties (now, in the US you could run a campaign like that—hint, hint, Democrats for 2004). On a Federal level, they are dying and will need a serious shot in the arm to get anywhere.
Next week, I’ll begin talking about current events and whatever interests me. I would start now, but I think that’s enough for this week.
Interview With . . . John Layman!
When the whole thing was going on with The Authority, people were talking shit about anyone and everyone at DC and Wildstorm. Well, everyone except for writer Mark Millar and this man, the title’s editor, John Layman. Okay, some people tried to talk shit about Layman, but they were quickly silenced. Layman, from what I’m told, has fought for the book harder than anyone. He is a fan first, and an editor/employee second. I respect this guy for that. And for the fact that I look at many of my favourite books and see his name attached. That must mean something. I don’t know how much input he has, but whatever is his must be great.
And without further ramblings by me, here is my interview with John Layman.
Me: Tell us a little about yourself.
Layman: I was born and raised in Marysville, California, a little town 40 miles above Sacramento. Went to college at CSU Long Beach and graduated with an English degree from Chico State, emphasis on creative writing and Victorian literature.
Me: How did you get interested in writing?
Layman: When you're an only child living on the outskirts of a small town, prior to the advent of cable TV and video games, you read a lot, and after I while you try to write. I'd wanted to write comic books for as long as I can remember. Did little mini-comics before I could even write in cursive. All have since been destroyed, thank God.
Me: How did you become an editor?
Layman: Before coming on at WildStorm, I worked at the San Diego Union-Tribune. On the side I wrote freelance stories, and I would always pitch comic-book and sci-fi related stories. After covering the San Diego Con for a few years, I got to know some of the people from WildStorm. I jumped at the chance to be an assistant editor for Jonathan Peterson. After a few months, the paper lured me back with an offer of a monthly comic book column, and a year later Scott Dunbier called me up, this time with an offer of a full-editorship. Kinda a long, weird, story, but the bottom line is there is no ONE way to become an editor.
Me: What titles do you edit right now?
Layman: Astro City, The Authority, The Monarchy, Planetary, Steampunk. A LOT of upcoming projects, including: Batman/Deathblow, Wildcats version 3.0, Matador, a few top secret Warren Ellis projects, a “revamp” that some people have speculated about lately and a few other goodies and one-shots. I'm also quite involved with the Left Behind books for Tyndale House Publishers.
Me: What have you written?
Layman: I've written probably more than a 100 reviews, op-ed, features and interviews for the San Diego Union-Tribune and various web sites (most of the web sites have since imploded.) I've had fiction published a of couple magazines, Into the Darkness and Hot Lava. Most recently, I shared a by-line with my girlfriend, who is a reporter, writing on article on “TV Girls Who Kick Ass” for a magazine called Strong. I've also have three novels and a fantastic screenplay sitting in a drawer, but I'm kinda lazy when it comes to sending stuff out.
As far as comics go, my first published work was a DV8 short story in the WildStorm Thunderbook one-shot a couple summers ago. I did some Gen13 scripting and fill-in work. Of course, my favourite creative project was last year's Bay City Jive. It didn't get a lot of readership, presumably because of the oddball subject matter, but writing and lettering that was certainly the high point of many high points here at WildStorm.
Since then, I've adapted Left Behind for Tyndale House. Got a few things cooking on the distant horizon, but editing takes a pretty decent chunk of time, so creative projects are few and far between.
Me: Ever had to hunt down a creator and use physical force to get their work?
Layman: No, only because I'm a wuss. I have carried art literally across continents, and have driven more than 50 miles in the middle of the night to pick up or drop off stuff.
Me: Boxers or briefs?
Layman: Humility prevents me from answering this question, so I can only point you to the following link: http://hometown.aol.com/themightylayman/erotic.htm
Me: Cats or dogs?
Layman: For more than you ever really wanted to know on that subject you can go here, "http://hometown.aol.com/themightylayman/killthebat.htm"here, and here.
Me: Summer or winter?
Layman: Both! Once per year.
Me: Got any cool stories involving you and a chick?
Layman: Again, propriety prevents me from answering that, and yet still I will refer you to this link: http://hometown.aol.com/themightylayman/erotic.htm.
Me: I just handed you a gun and a case full of 100 untraceable bullets. Who or what do you use them on?
Layman: Probably nothing. Unless I'd hire a hit man to do my dirty work.
Me: What are some of the comics you are currently digging?
Layman: Stray Bullets is my absolute favourite comic, 100 Bullets is my favourite things coming out of DC/Vertigo, The Establishment is my favourite WildStorm title which I don't edit. I'm reading more Marvel stuff than I have in the past; a couple years ago I'd scoff at the idea of picking up an X-Men title. I'm nuts over anything by Kyle Baker, and I've credit Cerebus for bringing me into comic book stores, month-in, month-out, for more than almost 240 months.
Me: Any cool titles coming up that you can share any info on?
Layman: Just that Batman/Deathblow is going to be phenomenal. And some of the Warren Ellis stuff we got cookin’.
Me: What creator has been the worst with deadlines in your experience?
Layman: A piece of advice I got when I first came on board here is: “All artists are liars.” I wouldn't go that far, but I would say many are clearly delusional and many of them are insane. However, some of the craziest ones I count among my best friends, so there is nobody I could clearly point out as “the worst.” Cracking the whip is part of my job.
Me: Do you know how Planetary's going to end?
Layman: No, and neither does John Cassaday. Part of the fun for us is getting the script, and finding out what Warren has up his sleeve. John and I go back and forth about it. I mean, I should clarify: we have a rough idea, but both like to be surprised to we try not to know more than we need to. However, I will say this, and with considerable relish: I KNOW MORE THAN YOU!
Me: What has been your favourite moment in comics?
Layman: It has to be when I get an advanced copy of a truly beautiful book, when a Planetary hardcover is hot of the presses and delivered into my hands. Or an issue of The Authority or Astro City. Moments like that make all the BS and frustrations melt away, and is the euphoric moments that really propel you in this job.
Me: What do you think of Bob Harras coming into Wildstorm and Chris Claremont doing Gen13?
Layman: I think Bob has a good track record, and I think while other editors are concentrating on other lines, like Cliffhanger, Homage and ABC, or new lines like Eye of the Storm, it's reassuring to have somebody to shore up the core WildStorm Universe. I look forward to seeing what he's got planned.
Me: The Authority . . . whatever you feel like saying on the subject.
Layman: The Authority was (and is) a phenomenal ride. I took over for departing editor Rachelle Brissenden as of issue #14, and while each and every issue was a challenge, I'm proud of the end result of all of it. I think Authority was groundbreaking, and in the years to come people will remember the “Authority era” like I look back on my senior year of high school, when Watchman and Dark Knight Returns were coming out. It's nice to be a part of something like that. I always compare making Authority to trying to create a gourmet meal with an ever-shifting assortment of ingredients. Still, I believe the end result was pretty tasty, which is what matters the most.
Me: Who do you love?
Layman: ebay, Alice Donut, Homer Simpson, Lego, designers the makers of Grand Theft Auto 3 for PS2, mrcranky.com
Me: Any final words?
Layman: John McCrea threatened to punch me in the face because I kept insisting he, John Cassaday and myself ride the Stratosphere roller coaster at 8 in the morning. I don't remember much about that night, but I do remember John wanting to kill me by the time it was over. It was also one of the two wildest nights of the last decade for me. Oddly enough, Cassaday was involved in my other wild night. Mental note to self: Stay away from John Cassaday.