Paul’s Thanksgiving Gobble-Gobble Gratitudinal

Funny thing, yams.

We all know the story. Several thousand years ago, Christopher Columbus set out from the port of London in the Spirit of St. Louis to find out what might happen if fish were buried with corn. Like many Bothans, he died to bring us this information, and I don’t think we even bury fish any more because we have things like possums and raccoons now. It also has something to do with England and whether or not shoes ought to have buckles. Which also isn’t a thing any more. Buckles, not England. But mostly it has to do with Pillsbury crescent roles and the flesh of a very special, very dimwitted bird known as the turkey. Which I’m telling you here and now can do anything a pig can do, only better. Deal with that. Benjamin Franklin knew it. We all know it. The proof is in the pepperoni.

For a while it was also about my uncle asking me why a tall person like myself doesn’t play basketball and me asking permission of my parents to lie and say I’m epileptic so he’ll stop talking to me. We’re grateful because they snickered and said yes. My uncle stopped bothering me about basketball and only really addresses me when he thinks there might be too many candles in a given place-setting. Along with his right-wing chain emails, he continues to send me stories about famous epileptics who made something of themselves. Gratitude can only extend so far.

I think Aaron Sorkin puts it more succinctly.

That was Thanksgiving, and the spirit yet pervades. We go around the table and each list those things we’re most thankful for. Today, I share my own answers.

Comics. My bread and my butter. The most fun you can have at a job. 

Earlier this year, Ron, Josh, Conor and the great people at Graphicly took a chance on me. I’ve been writing for iFanboy for a few years now, but my role increased significantly in 2011. That means less of a scramble for freelance gigs and assignments elsewhere. Now I can focus on writing about things that genuinely interest me, about storytelling and storytellers. It also means I get to collaborate with some truly talented individuals and generate content for the most well-rounded comic site on the internet. This is my family and I’m particularly proud of what we do. That’s such a gift, I could probably cry if I reflect on it too much longer.

iFanboy is bigger and better.

Three of my favorite people–Josh Christie, Jeff Reid and Timmy Wood–have joined the team in recent weeks. It was because of iFanboy that I met them in the first place, and it is because of this team that I get to work with them. Each of them brings something unique to the table. If you don’t know them yet, you will soon. You’ll trust what they have to say and I think they’ll make you laugh. I’ll let you decide which is the Danny, Jesse and Joey (I’m Comet).

My friends get to do what they love and use this medium to tell great stories. 

Digital publishing and services like Kickstarter mean that two of my best friends, Josh and David, get to make comics which I then have the pleasure of reading. Through Josh, I got to know and admire the work of artist Doug Hills. Their book Dixon’s Notch is a terrific project, and there’s no need to feign interest. It’s genuinely great work. Josh isn’t an excitable guy, so I’ll be elated for him. Talent and discipline has resulted in a great book, and what I hope is just the start of a long and fruitful career in storytelling.

Through your generosity, Dave’s Sparrow & Crowe: The Demoniac of Los Angeles mini series will see a wonderful launch in 2012. This community in particular helped Dave, Jeremy and Jared meet and surpass their $4,000 goal. For that, I am extremely grateful and impressed by your kindness.

Movies to talk about with my dad

I love my dad, but we don’t always agree on entertainment. Then there’s the Marvel Studios movies. We never miss them. After years of his helping me build or fix things, I’m grateful that there’s a segment of knowledge where the roles are reversed and I can answer his questions. Not because it gives me any kind of upper hand, but because he seems to take pride in my having found a niche. He’ll freeze the frame on a scene from the Big Bang Theory and ask me to identify a prop from their comic shop set, or to verify if a certain geeky argument holds water. It’s something like his ability to identify a car’s make, model and year from the sound of its backfiring. It’s also a reminder that I’m blessed with the kind of parents who take interest in my passions and have always supported my pursuits. That’s no small thing.

The Creators and their Comics

Frankly, it’s an exciting time to be reading comics.

Scott Snyder, Jeff Lemire, Josh Fialkov, Cullen Bunn and many more have taken thoughtful and gripping horror from the fringes to the mainstream. Books like Animal Man are much more than critical successes. That kind of news offers a genre fan plenty to smile about.

I still wake up in cold sweats marveling at how entertaining O.M.A.C. is. It’s like walking into a room for an audit and finding a tray of snickerdoodles spelling out “Just kidding!”

There’s not one but two sensational Planet of the Apes books. That’s nuts. That’s a dream.

In the past year I’ve even found my little crevice in Marvel, thrilling not to the Architects, but the builders. To Jeff Parker’s Hulk and Thunderbolts. To Remender’s Venom and Uncanny X-Force. And now to the gulp of fresh water that is Waid’s Daredevil.

The art. Goodness grapefruits, the art! Francesco Francavilla and Jock on Detective! Foreman on Animal Man! Rodriguez on Locke & Key! Moritat on All-Star Western! Sean Murphy on Hellblazer and American Vampire! Hardman on Hulk and Apes! Declan Shalvey and Kev Walker on Thunderbolts! Capullo on Batman! I got to flip through Tom Fowler’s portfolio and glimpse monsters you would not believe. Ryan Sook on covers again! With Zatanna and Deadman in them! There’s a radiant image of Supergirl from Amy Reeder on my wall and it’s projecting more light than the window next to it. And it’s sunny out!

Why is this turkey not ready yet!?