Supernaturally

Okay, maybe not a hundred verses, and definitely not in ragtime -- but I do have a few utterly random things I want to note:

1. Bad Elements: A Show of Hands
As I mentioned on Thursday, I'm making headway on the one-shot, which at this point I'm planning as a 48-page book: 36 pages of new story, plus a reprint of the first "Bad Elements" story that appeared in Digital Webbing Presents #11. A Show of Hands picks up a month or so after the events of that original story, so it makes sense to package them together. Of course, that could change if the new piece ends up running a little long.

Yesterday I worked out most of the rough plot, which for me means breaking down the story, scene by scene, in my notebook -- just a few words detailing who's involved, what happens, what needs to be revealed, and occasional fragments of dialogue. That helps me to figure out whether the sequence of events makes sense, or if I need to shuffle, delete or add scenes. From there, I'll take a similar approach, but breaking down everything page by page.

At this rate, I'll be starting the actual script on Monday or Tuesday (knock wood).

2. DC Comics, post-Crisis
I continue to be fascinated, and even a little excited, by DC Comics' ability to re-energize its line through Infinite Crisis and its infinite tie-ins, the rather ingenious "One Year Later," and calculated creator shifts.

X-Factor and Nextwave aside, the most I can muster for Marvel's spring schedule is a resounding meh. (In fairness, I'm at least curious about Brubaker and Carey on the flagship X-books.)

But DC has been able to build on the shaky foundations of 2004's Identity Crisis, generating enthusiasm among fans and creating a feeling that something is happening. Even the announcements coming out of this weekend's WonderCon -- major scheduling "news" is usually reserved for Comic-Con or various Wizard Worlds -- seem noteworthy and Important: official word that Grant Morrison will take on Batman, and details about Checkmate (which, unlike the 1988 series of the same name, actually sounds good).

Then there was the Vertigo panel, which while relatively uneventful, gave a sense that the imprint is finally ready to put a period at the end of The Sandman. With the last of that series' spin-offs, Lucifer, coming to a close, it seems like the perfect time.

Maybe Fables will be the new tentpole, supported by books like Loveless, 100 Bullets, DMZ, American Virgin and that old workhorse, Hellblazer.

3. Links to the outside world
For those who keep track of such things, I've added several new links to the sidebar, including one to Book Covers, a site dedicated to book cover design. I was all over that one.

I've also added Tim Bradstreet, Jock, Michael Avon Oeming and Paul Pope. I'm sure I'm forgetting some of them, so just slide over to your right and click on all of them.