Methage in a bottle

A dozen years ago, Matt Schwartz reviewed Perverts, Pedophiles & Other Theologians for BarnesandNoble.com calling me “one of dark fiction’s best-kept secrets.” Twelve years later, I still get notes from secret admirers:

“I first found one of your books in Chile (of all places) where I was living at the time,” writes Gonzalo Baeza who just bought MethO.D. “I've acquired all of your other books in the last 3-4 years but I was missing this one. I can't believe the ‘big’ publishing houses haven't decided to publish an anthology of your stories. Then again, it's not as if they know what they're doing and you'd probably not have the freedom to say what you say in your stories…”

MethO.D. was my last offering from Aardwolf Publishing. My next anthology, One Small Voice, was published by IDW Publishing—not exactly a “big publishing house,” but certainly not small press. TOR and others have asked for my first novel, but that assumes I’ll write one. For the nonce, short-fiction still wets my whistle.

Fiction in the works:

• Billboards, a novelette illustrated by Dave Gutierrez with an introduction by Robert Silverberg (IDW Publishing)
• Meth, Colan & Other Theologians -- reprints Perverts with two additional stories and new forewords from Marv Wolfman, Mark Evanier, and Gail Simone (Aardwolf Publishing)
• god’s 15 minutes: deluxe edition – new French, Hebrew, and English language editions of my 2003 collection with additional stories and an afterword by Harlan Ellison (Mahrwood Press)
  

Mark Evanier's KIRBY: Best in Breed

Once in an indicolite moon, a comics publication reminds me why I misspent my youth on the porch reading comics while the cool kids on my block were tossing firecrackers at helpless cats. And it just happened again: Mark Evanier's KIRBY (Harry N Abrams Inc.) is 223 pages of the coolest book I've ever seen. The layouts are smart, the writing is inviting, you hold it in your hand and feel the sunshine in your face. I can't say enough about this hidden treasure other than if you have any sense left, you'll buy two copies because someone (probably one of the assholes from my block) may borrow yours and never return it.

More on Nazi "Rights"

I’ve had a bit of mail today regarding my previous post--among it, a note from a savy, highly intelligent, reasonable man of the Hebrew pursuasion I respect very much who writes, “Do you want to live in a country governed by the rule of law, or by the weight of a gun in someone's pocket? When the constitutional rights of a hate group are confirmed and upheld, all of America wins.”

Let's not confuse my own adoration and wholesale gratitude for a country governed by law with the question: How does a Jew, of all people, volunteer to defend a Nazi's 'right' to hurt Jews? It wasn't the government who provided Collin with a public defender in '78; it was the ACLU, which was under no obligation to offer those shitballs aid. And if they were, if I've misread their charter, if the ACLU's raison d'être mandates that every sick fuck no matter what their intentions must be defended by their donations-supported organization whenever so-called civil rights are in question, then the Jew who was offered the pulpit should have STEPPED DOWN, claiming conflict of interest.

But it wasn't a conflict of interest for that lawyer. Which begs the question, "If I am not for myself, than who shall be for me?"

Even in the U.S.--the greatest country in the world, the solar system, the whole universe--even here, a Jew need not feel obligated to put a lightbulb in his mouth when someone comes to turn his head into a lampshade.

The Nazis in Skokie: 30 Years Later

When I caught the date on the calendar, an alarm went off in my memory. It was 30 years ago this week that we demonstrated the meaning of Meir Kahane’s slogan "Never Again."

The Nazi-Skokie story opens in late 1977 when Frank Collin, head of the National Socialist Party of America (Nazis) in Chicago, applied to the Skokie Park District for a permit to hold a rally in a Skokie park. The Chicago suburb’s population at that time was 66,000, about half of them Jews; many, survivors of Nazi Germany. The park district required Collin to secure a huge liability insurance policy to cover possible damages. So Collin responded by saying his followers would march, in uniform, in front of the village hall on May 1, but the village's lawyer obtained an injunction to block the demonstration. The village board also enacted three ordinances: Requiring insurance for demonstrations, banning persons from parading in "military-style" uniforms or displaying offensive symbols, and banning distribution of hate literature.

A lengthy series of court battles ensued after Collin obtained Jewish counsel from the Illinois Division of ACLU. Both the injunction and the ordinances were declared unconstitutional. Here’s Federal Judge Bernard M. Decker expressing the principle in striking down the Skokie ordinances: "It is better to allow those who preach racial hatred to expend their venom in rhetoric rather than to be panicked into embarking on the dangerous course of permitting the government to decide what its citizens may say and hear…The ability of American society to tolerate the advocacy of even hateful doctrines…is perhaps the best protection we have against the establishment of any Nazi-type regime in this country."

When Collin’s court victory was announced, thousands of Jews were mobilized by Rabbi Meir Kahane, z"tl. I was among them, a 17-year-old street fighter bussed in from Rockaway, New Jersey. The Nazis might march in Skokie, but we’d be there to meet them. The slogan Never Again has often been misinterpreted as meaning never again will there be a Holocaust. That’s a mistake. The slogan meant never again would we stand idle while Jewish lives were threatened. The slogan meant that our generation—the post Irgun Jew—understood with the greatest simplicity that there are causes worthy of the ultimate sacrifice. Especially when the enemy is making it.

Was Collin victorious? No. There were too many of us. The band of several dozen brown-shirt goons were no match for what we'd brought to Chicago. Hell, they'd have been no match for my friends in Rockaway. Forced to change the site of their march from Skokie to Chicago's Marquette Park, these Nazis were clandestinely transported in U.S. mail trucks then protected by nearly five hundred police—mostly mounted, in full riot gear—who had been imported from multiple Chicago suburbs to protect these thugs. Protect them from thousands of men who had come to twist them into swastikas.

One sad note: If the ACLU had not agreed to represent Collin, he would have lost in court. "Skokie would have prevailed," said David Hamlin, the director of the Illinois ACLU in a later interview. "There's no question about it. The Nazis couldn't afford to hire a lawyer, and even if they could have, I don't think there is a lawyer who would have taken the case."

Palestinian Gunmen Ignore Ceasefire

Reports on Friday "Israelis Attacked by Gunmen" neglected to mention that these were just students on a hike. My friend Moshe Goldsmith, a rabbi in Itamar who knows the boys, just emailed me the details. "A group of boys that learn at our Yeshiva on Itamar were hiking near a community in Shomron called Neveh Tzuf. While enjoying the beautiful hills of Shomron they were ambushed by terrorist gunfire. Three of them were injured, one of them seriously who I happened to have taught for four years and am personally very close to… right now he is undergoing surgery! Please pray for the Refuah Shelema [speedy recover] of Avraham Meir ben Malkah Chaya."

The shooting occurred 12 hours after the official ceasefire in the Gaza.

Gene Colan Update, Marvel Steps Up & Man Struck by Lightning in Rockaway

Not only has Marvel Entertainment awarded Gene Colan a generous retirement bonus, but also plans are underway for an impressive tribute book for early 2009. While the project has not been officially approved, it appears that I will soon be editing THE INVINCIBLE GENE COLAN for Marvel. I'll share more details as they emerge.

On the home front, Gene is feeling better but is certainly not out of the woods. Medical tests are inconclusive and a biopsy is forthcoming while my friend is functioning on only 10% of his liver. Nevertheless, he reported a healthy appetite yesterday and got out to enjoy the weather now that the heatwave has blown by. Gene attributes his "improving health" to the love and devotion fans and peers have shown him these last six weeks. What a guy!

In an unrelated story, a minister from Pequannock, NJ, was reportedly struck by lightning yesterday in my town and lived to tell the story. "The lightning burned a hole in my hat, entered through my head, exited through my left ankle, and blew off my sneaker," the 47-year-old Rev. told reporters. My son Jesse and I heard the report on 1010 WINS this morning. "I don't believe it," said Jesse. "You think the radio's full of crap?" I asked. "No," said Jesse, "but I don't believe that man." Now that I think about it, I'm not sure it's fair dinkum either. Hard to imagine a man my age who can't tie his sneakers well enough to keep them on, rain or shine.

Don't forget to order Meth, Colan & Other Theologians: Click here for details.

You can still get The Gene Colan Treasury signed/numbered by Gene - only a few remain - click here.

Finally, if you're looking for some great Silver Age comics at reasonable prices, click here

Gene Colan: Medical Update

The news has been encouraging in the Colan home with the addition of a new doctor.

Adrienne Colan, Gene's wife, shares her recent letter to Dr. Nancy Bach at Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York:

I'm generally so focused on and attending to what is wrong with Gene that it just occured to me I can share one thing positive for sure with you tonight: There is no question since under your care that Gene has made a 1000% return to better stamina than I've seen on him for a very, very long time. Even a year ago, he was falling asleep in the middle of conversations, in the middle of dinner, even if it was at a restaurant. We didn't know what was wrong. This week, it is so evident that he is awake and alert and even back to drawing his beloved comic books (he's currently drawing Captain America). So tonight, Dr. Bach, you are the superhero. I can't thank you enough for your remarkable devotion to trying the best you can to restore quality to Gene's life.

Gene Colan Benefit Auction Continues

My friend, the artist Dave Gutierrez, has stepped in to help with the Gene Colan Benefit Auction. Nearly 40 new items have been posted to Ebay. Please have a look by clicking here.

And don't forget to order Gene's new book: Click here for details.

You can still get The Gene Colan Treasury signed/numbered by Gene - only a few remain - click here.

Finally, if you're looking for some great Silver Age comics at reasonable prices, click here.

Marv Wolfman On Meth

Marv Wolfman--who dreamed up the character Blade and gave us decades of terrific comics scripting--offers some wonderful memories of Gene Colan in his introduction to Meth, Colan & Other Theologians (the reincarnation of Perverts, Pedophiles & Other Theologians that Aardwolf Publishing will be reissuing in September). Marv even has a few nice words about the author:

[Meth's] writing is dark, relentless and always in your face. It doesn’t make for easy reading, but it is highly emotional and makes you pay attention, which is the best thing a writer can do… You might even turn away from some of his twistier concepts, but I don’t think Clifford expects otherwise. He writes from a place others won’t walk [and] forces you into some queasy speculations that make everything you just read even creepier. Clifford’s strength is that he makes your imagination work overtime, again one of the best things a writer can
do.

You can order the signed/numbered limited edition NOW; send $20 plus $3 shipping via PayPal to: sales@aardwolfpublishing.com

Meth in Hebrew, French, and Goth

Mahrwood Press will soon announce an expanded edition of my book god's 15 minutes, which was first published by Aardwolf Publishing in 2003. The new volume will include Harlan Ellison's delightful afterword "Ellison on Meth" as well as several new stories. Mahrwood will simultaneously release Hebrew and (l'havdil) French language editions.

We're also just weeks away from Septumus Orion's debut CD Caged, which was inspired by my story “Queers". The CD's cover art (pictured) is by Dave Cockrum and Christian Krank. Band members include ex-Celtic Frost drummer Reed St. Mark and J.R., former front man for the hardcore horror-metal band Rosemary’s Babies. In addition to the trippy, musical experience around my reading of "Queers," there's a half-dozen other tracks by this extraordinary ensemble.

The Triumphant Return of Bill Messner-Loebs

I only hear from certain people when they’re looking for a place to hide. Speaking of Bill Messner-Loebs, IDW Publishing is getting set to release the complete Journey: The Adventures of Wolverine MacAlistaire by the luminous, erudite, and terminally good-natured writer-cartoonist. Thank me, if you buy it (and you should); I reeled in this big fish like an olde whaler. Call me Ishmael.

Bill writes me this morning with, “I see everyone has a quote on your page except me.” Then he proceeds with what people in Buttfuck, Michigan apparantly regard as high praise:

“In public, Clifford Meth is the ‘anti’ Bill Messner-Loebs. He is opiniated [sic], swaggers, glories in grudges, sneers at his enemies and takes no prisoners. His work is about the dark side of life, as if he were sculpting beautifully realistic statues while working exclusively in blood and excrement. And then setting them on fire. But the real Clifford Meth has saved my life a couple of times, so I am probably biased… and I’m also a huge fan. I read him mouth open and giggling, stunned, amused and aroused. Clifford Meth is my pornography.”

Opiniated? As in full of opin? No—that can’t be right. Messner-Loebs is an educated man. He knows his diphthongs from his dipsticks. It must be a typo, I thought all atremble, before I swaggered on to the next subject.

BEA Wrap-up

Just back from the BookExpo... Had a grand meeting with my producer and his exec, a jolly time with the IDW folks, and bought Harlan a birthday present ("For Chrisakes Clifford, I specifically told you not to buy me anything! I have six of everything!" "I got you an Alexander Dumos bookmark." "Okay. I didn't have that.") Other highlights included running into Cheech Marin and Slash (from Guns 'N Roses), lunch at Jeff's Gourmet Sausage on Pico Blvd. (yes, it's kosher, you silly, silly people), then spending my last hour before heading back to LAX at the Santa Monica pier where an overage hippie accosted me with anti-Israel propaganda. All in a week's work.

And there's an interview with me at Westfield comics.

And the Gene Colan Benefit Auction continues with new items.

Places to go; people to thank

First, if you're trying to reach me via email, note that I'll be in Los Angeles at BEA from May 29 through June 2 and will only read and return vital email during that time. This blog won't be updated until I return Monday night. In fact, I'm taking a personal day today to be with family, so I won't be around much. Emails regarding the Gene Colan Benefit Auction won't be looked at nor responded to until Monday.

Second (should really be first) sincere thanks to my friend, artist Michael Netzer for the gift of this blog's logo. I always wanted a logo I could call my very own.

Third (should be a fifth, but I'll drink one on the plane) thanks to each of you--artists, writers, collectors, friends--for supporting the Gene Colan Benefit. Gene and Adrienne would like to thank each of you personally but can't--however contributors to the auction should expect some form of communication from them in the future.

Last, please support my new projects: The Snaked trade paperback (IDW Publishing) is due out in June (intro by Gene Colan, art by Rufus Dayglo and Dave Cockrum, coloring by Christian Krank). Then there's Meth, Colan & Other Theologians from Aardwolf Publishing (intros by Marv Wolfman, Mark Evanier, Gail Simone, and the late Steve Gerber). And you can still find my recent One Small Voice (also from IDW, cover painting by Neal Adams; art by Gene Colan, Alex Toth and many others) discounted from numerous booksellers on the web. Or if you want it signed or personalized, get it from me (email cliffmeth@aol.com).

Gene Colan Benefit Auction Begins

Check back regularly -- this post is frequently updated with new items and increasing bids... And bidding may close at any time on any item. Last update: June 14 - 11:30 pm

Most items were donated by the writer or artist - sold items are deleted once paid for
------

Now on Ebay:

top two items were just added:

Tomb of Dracula page by Gene (just added!)

V for Vendetta page from David Lloyd!

SNAKED original art from Rufus Dayglo

Metal Gear Solid art

Cliff Robinson - color art from Judge Dread (sold)

Walter Simonson Iron Man and Thor (sold)

Iron Man cover (sold - but not paid for!!! still awaiting pmnt)

2000 A.D. Original Art (sold)

Justice League original art (sold)

Superman art by Ernie Chan (sold)

Sandman Sketch by Dave Gutierrez (sold)

You can also bid on the following items by sending your bid directly to: Cliffmeth@aol.com - note that you will also pay shipping:

1. The Puppet, The Professior and the Prophet (third book in the ABADAZAD series from J. M. DeMatteis and Mike Ploog) - beautiful hardcover signed by DeMatteis (only released in the U.K.) - CURRENT BID: sold
3. The Pro comic - signed by Garth Ennis - CURRENT BID: sold
4. The Boys #16, 17 and 18 (3 comics) - signed by Garth Ennis - CURRENT BID: sold
7. Dan Dare #1 - signed by Garth Ennis - CURRENT BID: sold
8. Wormwood tbp - signed by Garth Ennis - CURRENT BID: $20.00
9. The Uncanny Dave Cockrum hardcover (signed/numbered $40 value) - CURRENT BID: another one just added
18. BAMF! The Art of Dave Cockrum - signed by editor Clifford Meth - CURRENT BID: $10.00
19. Hawkman #0 signed by Wm. Messner-Loebs - CURRENT BID: no bids yet
20. god's 15 minutes - hardcover - signed by Clifford Meth - CURRENT BID: another one just added
21. Balm in Gilead - signed/lettered hardcover (signed by Clifford Meth and Joe Kubert; $50 value) - CURRENT BID: $25.00
23. Of Bitter Souls - tpb - signed by Norm Breyfogle - CURRENT BID: sold
24. Norm Breyfogle Art Portfolio (B&W) - signed by Norm Breyfogle - CURRENT BID: sold
24-a. Three-item package, all signed by Norm Breyfogle: Neophyte, Danger's Dozen and Danger's Dozen poster - CURRENT BID: sold
25. Two-item package, both signed by Bill Gavlin: The Scrapyard Detectives & Daredevil original sketch - CURRENT BID: $20.00
28. Hulk: World War Hulk tpb - signed by Greg Pak - CURRENT BID: sold
29. Hulk: Planet Hulk tpb - signed by Greg Pak - CURRENT BID: $25.00
31. Daredevil limited-edition bust (yellow costume) from Bowen Designs - CURRENT BID: $100.00
34. Avengers: The Ultimate Guide (coffee-table size hardcover)- signed by Tom DeFalco - CURRENT BID: $15.00
38. Manuscript to the novel Emissaries From the Dead-- This will be personalized by author Adam-Troy Castro and sent to the winning bidder - CURRENT BID: just added
45. FLARE #29 (Heroic Publishing) signed and donated by Frank Brunner - CURRENT BID: no bids yet
49. From NY ComicCon, an Ultimate Experience package for the 2009 event. The Ultimate Experience package includes 2 passes to the con as well 2 Ultimate Experience passes. These passes will allow you to meet one of the Guests of Honor at the 2009 event during a private reception with 50 other VIP guests. The reception typically lasts one hour and allows you to have items signed by the guest. Since the 2009 Guest of Honors have not been announced, additional details are TBD at this time, but 2008 Guests of Honor included Grant Morrison, Neil Gaiman, Mike Mignola and Bryan Hitch. The package is worth about $300. - (one sold, one still left) CURRENT BID: no bids yet

53. World War Hulk: X-Men - graphic novel signed by writer Christos Gage - CURRENT BID: just added
54. Wildstorm Armageddon - graphic novel signed by writer Christos Gage - CURRENT BID: no bids yet
55. StormWatch (Post Human Division) Book Two - graphic novel and The Man With No Name (comic) #1 - both signed by writer Christos Gage - CURRENT BID: just added
57. Bloodstained 02 by Christopher Golden and James A. Moore, hardcover, U.S. Signed/Ltd Edition (value $175+) donated by Christopher Golden - CURRENT BID: $90.00
58. Amazing Spiderman #230 signed by John Romita Jr. and Amazing Spiderman (Free Comic Book Day issue) signed by Dan Slot and Phil Jimenez - CURRENT BID: sold
59. DC Universe #0 signed by Grant Morrison and Marvel Knights Spiderman #1 signed by Terry Dodson - CURRENT BID: just added
60. Marvel Adventures: Spiderman #29 signed by Peter David and Chris Giarroso, and Marvel Zombies vs. Army of Darkness signed by Art Suydam and John Layman - CURRENT BID: just added
61. Spider-Man Chapter One #2 - Dynamic Forces Exclusive Alternate Cover #12077 and Spiderman House of M #1 (of 5) WizardWorld / ComicCon Exclusive cover - CURRENT BID: just added
62. Marvel Knights: Wolverine #20 signed by John Romita Jr. - CURRENT BID: just added
63. A lot of twenty-five (25) comics from the personal collection of Dave Cockrum... includes two X-Men comics. All books sealed "Dave Cockrum Estate" (minimum bid is $25) - CURRENT BID: just added
64. Transformers Animated (IDW Publishing) - Vol I and Vol. II - both signed by animators Marty Isenberg, Irineo Maramba, Derrick Wyatt, and Matt Youngberg - CURRENT BID: just added

66. The New Fantastic Four - hardcover - signed by Dwayne McDuffie - CURRENT BID: just added
67. Fantastic Four: The Beginning of the End - graphic novel - signed by Dwayne McDuffie - CURRENT BID: just added
68. Animation Magazine - signed by animators Michael Cornacchia, Shawn Harrison, Rob Hoegee, Yuri Lowenthal, Andy Milder, James Tucker, Kari Wahlgren - CURRENT BID: just added
69. Cory Doctorow's Futuristic Tales (IDW Publishing) hardcover -signed by Cory Doctorow - CURRENT BID: just added

70. Four different Marvel cards - signed by Stan Lee, Don Heck, Mike Ploog, and Dave Cockrum, respectively (from Clifford Meth's boyhood collection) - CURRENT BID: just added

71. X-Men Essentials (Dave Cockrum's personal copy; signed by Dave on a pasted-in sticker... cover pulled away from binding... also marked "Dave Cockrum Estate") - CURRENT BID: just added - CURRENT BID: just added

72. Legends of the Dark Crystal - signed by author Barbara Randall Kesel - CURRENT BID: just added

73. Alan Moore's Another Suburban Romance - hardcover - CURRENT BID: just added

74. A collection of TwoMorrows publications, including Alter Ego #65 (Nick Cardy issue), Comic Book Artist #13 (Gene Colan cover and special), #14 (Wally Wood special), #11, #12 (Charlton special), #7 (Paul Gulacy cover), #10 (Severin/Fradon/Robbins), and #9 (another Charlton special) - CURRENT BID: just added

75. Death: The High Cost of Living #1 (signed by Neil Gaiman and Chris Bachalo) - CURRENT BID: just added

76. Complete set of Watchmen comics (all 12 original issues) - CURRENT BID: just added

77. Set of Clifford Meth books (all signed): Crib Death & Other Bedtime Stories, This Bastard Planet, Crawling from the Wreckage, Wearing the Horns - CURRENT BID: just added

78. Andru & Esposito: Partners for Life - hardcover - signed/numbered edition (#211/300) signed by Mike Esposito and co-author Daniel Best - CURRENT BID: just added

79. Batman sketch by Norm Breyfogle (pictured) - CURRENT BID: sold

80. Batman art by Dick Giordano (pictured) - CURRENT BID: sold

And don't forget to order Gene's new book: Click here for details.

Also: You can still get The Gene Colan Treasury signed/numbered by Gene - only a few remain - click here.

A Note from Adrienne Colan...

To Gene's fans and colleagues:

I'm on my fourth attempt to find the words to express my gratitude to you. Our gratitude. Our current challenges are dwarfed by your generousity, love and respect for Gene. It means even more to be coming from men and women of great accomplishment in their own right. You've all enriched our life throughout Gene's six decades in Comics. Thank you all dear friends.

Adrienne for Gene