tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-338418922024-03-05T03:50:15.854-06:00Take the Helm<center><a href="http://takethehelm.blogspot.com"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v132/mrhelm/takethehelm.jpg" border="0" alt="Take the Helm presents Super-Powered Fiction Files!"></a></center>Nicholas Ahlhelmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05651416360488414615noreply@blogger.comBlogger418125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33841892.post-38479652040473743762014-10-31T19:11:00.000-05:002014-10-31T19:11:21.833-05:00The Twitter Story: "The Halloween Job"I am reviving my old blog for one story especially for those in the know and my <a href="http://patreon.com/ahlhelm">Patreon</a> backers. So enjoy this collected version of the Twitter tale "The Halloween Job".
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>It was supposed to be an easy gig. The kind everyone walked away rich from. Jules had it all figured.</p>— Nicholas Ahlhelm (@ahlhelm) <a href="https://twitter.com/ahlhelm/status/528322268124823552">October 31, 2014</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>...1st National had 10 million in bonds coming out on a Brinks truck. We were just going to withdraw it on the way out. Smash, grab, run...</p>— Nicholas Ahlhelm (@ahlhelm) <a href="https://twitter.com/ahlhelm/status/528322355601215488">October 31, 2014</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>...And it wasn’t like I was one of the guys inside. I was the wheels, man. I just had to drive us away. I’m no killer...</p>— Nicholas Ahlhelm (@ahlhelm) <a href="https://twitter.com/ahlhelm/status/528322414808027136">October 31, 2014</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>...It was an evening job. Just after dark. Only a few folks would be at the bank. It was supposed to be easy...</p>— Nicholas Ahlhelm (@ahlhelm) <a href="https://twitter.com/ahlhelm/status/528322471582130176">October 31, 2014</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>...Jules, Marie and Terrence went inside. They didn’t play either. Jules got AKs off some Russian & they were ready to shoot...</p>— Nicholas Ahlhelm (@ahlhelm) <a href="https://twitter.com/ahlhelm/status/528322531543875584">October 31, 2014</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>...I waited in the car. When they came out, it was clear something went really wrong. Terrence wasn’t with Jules & Marie...</p>— Nicholas Ahlhelm (@ahlhelm) <a href="https://twitter.com/ahlhelm/status/528322587705606144">October 31, 2014</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>...Jules & Marie were both covered in blood. They looked like they took a bath in it. It didn’t make sense at all...</p>— Nicholas Ahlhelm (@ahlhelm) <a href="https://twitter.com/ahlhelm/status/528322636212752384">October 31, 2014</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>...They threw themselves in the back of the car. They both yelled, “Drive! Drive!” So I drove. I was up to ninety in seconds...</p>— Nicholas Ahlhelm (@ahlhelm) <a href="https://twitter.com/ahlhelm/status/528322704235978752">October 31, 2014</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>...But that wasn’t the end of it. One look out the rearview and I saw it. Or should I say her...</p>— Nicholas Ahlhelm (@ahlhelm) <a href="https://twitter.com/ahlhelm/status/528322778013786112">October 31, 2014</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>...It was a dark haired girl. She didn’t look like more than a teenager. But she seemed to be floating on some kind of bat wings...</p>— Nicholas Ahlhelm (@ahlhelm) <a href="https://twitter.com/ahlhelm/status/528322836645961728">October 31, 2014</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>...I yelled a dozen curses, but Jules and Marie just kept telling me to drive. The flying woman gained on us though...</p>— Nicholas Ahlhelm (@ahlhelm) <a href="https://twitter.com/ahlhelm/status/528322898042183681">October 31, 2014</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>...A second later, I heard a slam on the hood of the car. I saw her face in the back window just before the glass shattered...</p>— Nicholas Ahlhelm (@ahlhelm) <a href="https://twitter.com/ahlhelm/status/528323001255616513">October 31, 2014</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>...Jules disappeared out the back. I didn’t see him hit the ground. I was already swerving around the road, but she held fast...</p>— Nicholas Ahlhelm (@ahlhelm) <a href="https://twitter.com/ahlhelm/status/528323070751014912">October 31, 2014</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>...Marie jumped from out her window, trying to escape. I heard her body hit the ground. It wasn’t pretty...</p>— Nicholas Ahlhelm (@ahlhelm) <a href="https://twitter.com/ahlhelm/status/528323201990811648">October 31, 2014</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>...The woman was in the car with me. “You shouldn’t have done that,” she said. Then she opened her mouth...</p>— Nicholas Ahlhelm (@ahlhelm) <a href="https://twitter.com/ahlhelm/status/528323259914125312">October 31, 2014</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>...I saw her fangs. Terrible gigantic teeth. I saw her mouth open like a snake’s—too wide. And that was the last thing I saw...</p>— Nicholas Ahlhelm (@ahlhelm) <a href="https://twitter.com/ahlhelm/status/528323312632360960">October 31, 2014</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>...That’s how I got here. What is this place anyway? What’s with all the fire? What are you doing with that pitchfork? Noooo!</p>— Nicholas Ahlhelm (@ahlhelm) <a href="https://twitter.com/ahlhelm/status/528323396883333121">October 31, 2014</a></blockquote>
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</CENTER>Nicholas Ahlhelmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05651416360488414615noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33841892.post-7544246862192732322012-12-21T03:29:00.000-06:002012-12-21T03:29:21.516-06:00Good news and bad newsI am going to start blogging more regularly in the near future. Unfortunate, it is not going to be here.
Starting on the first of January, my former superhero group blog site <a href="http://www.superpoweredfiction.com">SuperPoweredFiction.com</a> becomes my personal site for here until eternity (or at least the next few years.) It will be the home on updates on my projects, discussions on general topics of today and yesterday, commentary on things I enjoy (or sometimes hate) and the like.
Long time SPF readers will also see some of their favorite posts remain with my continued focus on Kickstart the Week, SuperPowerCast (which should start a biweekly schedule in January), Great Art, Wrestling Wednesday and an expanded Cosplay Friday. I hope to see everyone there.
Thanks again and see you in 2013, folks! Nicholas Ahlhelmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05651416360488414615noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33841892.post-34554363429505938522012-11-09T12:46:00.000-06:002012-11-09T12:46:33.972-06:00Music to write by: Bucky Covington & Shooter JenningsCurrently making its way through the queue of country that really doesn't fit what I am writing at all:<br />
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<br />Nicholas Ahlhelmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05651416360488414615noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33841892.post-68723562737311972952012-11-08T11:53:00.001-06:002012-11-08T11:55:47.628-06:00Nanowrimo is on!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLq17v_9xIS-JEWGM6_0ZKvUy9m0QozmSqDBvW2CrKitpJqxNc9o6Ii7Y_RQv81WgxNv5GlH_Sx-A6XOsnp6jdQwGP4zoypekL4e4SeLHceSOsTRqIOO2UThT36pBu5WJg1Rjc/s1600/Nanowrimo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLq17v_9xIS-JEWGM6_0ZKvUy9m0QozmSqDBvW2CrKitpJqxNc9o6Ii7Y_RQv81WgxNv5GlH_Sx-A6XOsnp6jdQwGP4zoypekL4e4SeLHceSOsTRqIOO2UThT36pBu5WJg1Rjc/s1600/Nanowrimo.jpg" /></a></div>
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It's November again and if you are like me that only means one thing: <b>Nanowrimo</b>! (Okay, it also means Thanksgiving and shopping and such, but you know what I mean, right?)<br />
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This year I am battling just about everything to get my new Nano-project off the ground. The story I develop will play a major role in the next year of Metahuman Press publications, but right now my Nano-writing has been slow going. With a new more intensive day job, more responsibilities as an editor of a full line of books <i>and</i> a nasty bout of bronchitis, week one of Nano has not been pretty.<br />
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As I type this, it is Day 8 and I am only 3,766 words into my story. That puts me about 10,000 words behind the eight ball.<br />
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However, I have gained a renewed speed when I do get the time to lay word to page, so hopefully that will translate into a very fruitful weekend of writing for me.<br />
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Wish <a href="http://nanowrimo.org/en/participants/caocao">me</a> luck and let me know what you are Nano-writing!Nicholas Ahlhelmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05651416360488414615noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33841892.post-7105556664575646662012-10-05T07:33:00.001-05:002012-10-05T07:33:53.480-05:00Time and the frustrations of the writer's lifeAt times, the creative energy needed for writing can feel like more of a drain than anything else, especially when the time to actually sit down and put your ideas to paper gets eaten up by things like jobs, family and whatnot.<br />
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These problems only multiply against a deadline. One of the hardest thing for any creative writer to do is not only find the time to put pen to paper, but also to make sure they complete something of quality within the time frame needed.<br />
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I find myself fighting deadlines more now than I ever have in my life and strangely most of them are for projects I am writing for my own Metahuman Press. I have three stories that must be completed before the end of October and almost no time to do so past a 40 hour a week job, hours spent at home with my three year old, the need to edit four other titles all sitting in the MHP pipeline and the occasional need to get some sleep.<br />
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I don’t really have any good solutions for the problems of time management other than find the time where you can find it.<br />
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At times, it seems easier just to say “STOP” and just do something else. But anyone with the itch to create knows that path only leads to more frustration. <br />
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So how do you make time to write and create? Share your thoughts in the comments below.<br />
<br />Nicholas Ahlhelmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05651416360488414615noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33841892.post-30881080690631763662012-09-04T14:38:00.000-05:002012-09-04T14:50:10.653-05:00Freelance EditingAnyone interested, I am willing to edit and proofread any fiction manuscripts for a low price in preparation for publication. For a fee, I will proofread and prepare any size script for publication in print and ebook formats. For an additional fee (contact for rates), I can also assist in book formatting and set up for ebook and print self-publishing.<br />
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I have several years experience working in small press publishing through my own Metahuman Press (and its imprint Pulp Empire) with over a dozen books published and over a dozen more in the pipeline for late 2012 and early 2013.<br />
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For nonfiction material, please contact me about rates and availability. </div>
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Anyone interested should contact me at <b>webmaster {at} metahumanpress {dot} com</b>. </div>
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Rates for proofs and edits are listed below: </div>
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<ul>
<li>For any short stories (7500 words or less), I will edit and proofread for only $10.</li>
<li>Novellette (7501-17,500 words): $25.</li>
<li>Novella (17,501-40000 words): $50. </li>
<li>Short to midrange novels (40,001-100,000 words): $100</li>
<li>Longer novels (100,000 words or more): $100 + $20 for every 25,000 words over 100k.</li>
</ul>
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Nicholas Ahlhelmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05651416360488414615noreply@blogger.comCedar Rapids, IA, USA41.9778795 -91.665623241.7890145 -91.9814802 42.1667445 -91.3497662tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33841892.post-55020162552731813872012-08-02T17:32:00.000-05:002012-08-02T17:32:00.363-05:00One down, many more to goI finished one story today, but of course have about five more to write before I am actually caught up on all my projects. Still it felt good to finish those final 2500 words or so, to let those words flow out across the page.<br />
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One more review to write tonight and after that I move on to some editing and a special secret project tomorrow.Nicholas Ahlhelmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05651416360488414615noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33841892.post-38489886148603532262012-07-26T15:27:00.002-05:002012-07-26T15:27:11.660-05:00Of gods and men<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Modern Gods</i> looks to be shaping into another very solid Pulp Empire anthology. My own story has came together nicely and will serve as the first part of a serial that runs through the continued volumes of the book. I plan for the series to stretch four books (sales warranting) and I hope to form a strong new character over the course of those books. <div>
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I've always had a fondness for mythology, whether it be Greek, Roman, Egyptian, Norse or Celtic. The stories of adventure and sex and violence still often inspire that childhood sense of adventure I had when I first learned of these ancient things that people worshiped hundreds or thousands of years ago. It is so easy to forget that these were once seen as deities, especially when you come across some of the stranger sorts. </div>
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I chose a Greek goddess for my contribution, but her tale will almost certainly reach across the pantheons as the books continue. Her story forms a bit of an epic quest, which can serve as a bit of a challenge when placed in the modern world. It is all too easy to fall too close to Rick Riordan's stupendous work on <i>Percy Jackson & the Olympians. </i>Hopefully, my older and bit edgier take can keep it from being too close to that seminal piece of middle grade fiction. </div>
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The real question right now is whether or not pulp fans will accept new tales of the ancient gods as true New Pulp. That will only come in September when this book sees print.</div>Nicholas Ahlhelmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05651416360488414615noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33841892.post-31818670967540477232012-07-09T08:34:00.000-05:002012-07-09T08:34:03.148-05:00A little bit of peace and quietKids are away to Grandma's house for a few days, so for the first time in a bit I have some quiet time of my own in the house. Hopefully mixed with some Claritin will keep me headache free for a few days. I have a bit of writing to get done this morning, some reviews to post for <a href="http://www.superpoweredfiction.com/">Super Powered Fiction</a> and then more editing to do, so it isn't like I don't have anything to keep me busy.<br />
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Saw <i>Amazing Spider-Man</i> with the oldest daughter last week. I quite enjoyed the film and will probably have a review up sometime later this week at SPF. Garfield makes a solid Spider-Man and a much better Peter than Maguire ever did.<br />
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Anyway, off for a bit of food and some work time.Nicholas Ahlhelmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05651416360488414615noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33841892.post-54993484184343087942012-07-05T15:30:00.002-05:002012-07-05T15:30:24.885-05:00ProjectsI'm currently taking an extended vacation from <a href="http://www.superpoweredfiction.com/">Super Powered Fiction</a> for the Fourth of July holiday, but I am hard at work on writing. I have a story due in just a few days for my own <i>Modern Gods</i> project, a book that should see publication sometime in September. I am quite excited by the new series, and I hope it turns out every bit as good as I think it will.<br />
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I also have a couple stories for Airship 27 in the works. The first is about a sixth of the way complete as I write this. It is coming together well and once done and sent in, I will go to work on the next project of theirs, which features a very good classic pulp favorite of mine.<br />
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Later this month, I should have two more Metahuman Press/Pulp Empire releases for everyone. More information on <i>Aliens Among Us </i>and <i>The Changents</i> should be coming your way soon.Nicholas Ahlhelmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05651416360488414615noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33841892.post-1060495764566249622012-06-27T14:24:00.000-05:002012-06-27T14:24:27.835-05:00In the groove...<br />
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Writing is always a
strange experience. Sometimes it is an incredibly hard experience, but then
there is what I call ‘the groove’. <o:p></o:p></div>
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The groove is a
strange spot that I—and I’m sure a lot of other writers—have where the words
just start to flow. A slow steady novel suddenly becomes something you can
barely type fast enough to get out. It’s an amazing experience and a wondrous
thing, at least if the words that flow out of the groove are good. <o:p></o:p></div>
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I experienced a bit
of that groove today and it was the first time in a good while. I haven’t been
as prolific as I would like to be as of late, but I think I might finally be
turning the corner and getting some words out. And the more time I can spend in
the groove, the more likely that is to happen. <o:p></o:p></div>Nicholas Ahlhelmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05651416360488414615noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33841892.post-35554922407038180172012-06-05T20:49:00.000-05:002012-06-05T20:49:08.178-05:00The Manuscript Rant<br />
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I knew when I started Take the Helm back up
it would only be a matter of time before I wrote this column. This is my
“please don’t do this on manuscripts” column, the one that you will probably
see from every editor in the business today.</div>
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<ul>
<li><span style="text-indent: 0in;">Don’t send me a story in
supposed ‘manuscript’ format. People haven’t used typewriters in two decades,
please start using Times New Roman instead of Courier and for goodness sake, if
you want text to be italicized please do it yourself.</span></li>
<li><span style="text-indent: 0in;">Learn how to insert tabs.
While I prefer inline page indents, I know not every writer has enough computer
savvy to insert them. But I do expect everyone to know how to use a freaking
TAB button. It’s been around since the 1920s, folks. At this point, the next
manuscript I receive with a bunch of spaces to start each paragraph may get
sent back unread.</span></li>
<li><span style="text-indent: 0in;">If your sentence has more
than one action, thought or idea in it, consider revising it in to two
sentences. If it has more than three, it’s unreadable and it needs to be
revised. You would be surprised how many stories that I end up chopping apart
paragraph-long sentences during editing time.</span></li>
<li><span style="text-indent: 0in;">The enter button is your
friend. Go pick up five books from five of your favorite modern authors. Flip
through them now and look at the lengths of the paragraphs. Notice how most of
the authors keep them short? That’s because shorter paragraphs are easier to
consume for modern audiences. If your paragraphs are some sort of three page
diatribe out of Dostoyevsky, you’re doing it wrong.</span></li>
<li><span style="text-indent: 0in;">If you use verbs ending
in “-ing” more than once a page, you probably need to revise some of your
verbs. This is probably the biggest enemy of New Pulp authors, as a lot of
traditional pulp writers loved these kinds of phrases. But modern readers are
more sophisticated </span><i style="text-indent: 0in;">and</i><span style="text-indent: 0in;"> you have time
to proofread, so please leave them out. </span></li>
</ul>
<o:p></o:p><br />
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
<span style="text-indent: 0in;">I’m sure I could go on, but that’s probably
enough for now. Part of this is a rant, I’m sure, but these are all points that
will make writers write better. Obviously none of them (other than the tabs
one) are always 100% true, but fort the most part they will make whatever you
write read better. </span><br />
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<o:p></o:p></div>Nicholas Ahlhelmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05651416360488414615noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33841892.post-28081065241067235892012-05-30T19:50:00.002-05:002012-05-30T19:53:51.655-05:00Extreme close-ups<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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So my three year old
wanted her picture online so I decided to oblige: <o:p></o:p></div>
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This is by no means
the only extremely close shot we have of her either. She loves to mug for the
camera, but doesn’t quite know how to stand to get her picture taken yet. <o:p></o:p></div>
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The Memorial Day
sale on my book <i><span style="color: red;"><a href="http://www.metahumanpress.com/2012/05/30/modern-pulp-heroes-is-on-the-way/">Living Legends</a></span></i><span style="color: red;"> </span>has been extended through
Thursday, May 30 at noon CST, so get your copy while you still have a few hours
to do so. As the year continues, expect several more promotions like this to
crop up on Metahuman Press books. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<i>Aliens Among Us </i>authors: I should have e-mail out to everyone
by this time next week as well with either a yea or nay on the anthology. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Has everyone seen
the <i>Modern Pulp Heroes </i>cover now? If
not, we will end today’s blog with this thing of beauty by John Davies: <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br />Nicholas Ahlhelmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05651416360488414615noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33841892.post-69166678811912200382012-05-29T20:26:00.000-05:002012-05-29T20:26:15.133-05:00This is your life, Nicholas Ahlhelm<br />
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So of course I start
my own personal blog here… and my internet dies. Story of my life, folks. I’m
posting this from the local library right now, where most of these posts will
probably come from for most of the next week. <o:p></o:p></div>
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On the writing and
editing front, I’ve been doing some final proof corrections on <i>Modern Pulp Heroes</i>, reading through the
pile of stories for <i>Aliens Among Us</i>
and working on my next (and final) Pulp Obscura tale for Pro Se Press. So not
doing much at all. <o:p></o:p></div>
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I’ve been watching
way too much television through the power of library rented DVDs in my spare
time. I’m currently ¾ of the way through <i>Smallville</i>
season 6, half way through the <i>Iron Man</i>
anime and finishing up the first season of <i>Leverage</i>.
I have the second series of <i>Luther</i>
waiting in the wings when I finish those. </div>
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Related to all that television watching, I’ve also started
reading Liz Braswell’s <i>Nine Lives of
Chloe King</i>, the inspiration for the rather good ABC Family show of the same
name. In a move surprisingly opposite to my usual preferences, I think I like
the show better. That being said I still have the second two books to finish,
so things could approve. </div>
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Any golden age comic fan should immediately go buy a copy of
<i>Showcase Presents All-Star Squadron</i>
immediately. I’m only four issues in, but it’s already my favorite comic
purchase of the year so far. </div>
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There’s only so much time in the world and that’s about all
I have here. I’ll still try to keep this blog updating every couple days
though, so stay tuned for that. </div>
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If anyone has any questions they want answered by me, your
illustrious author and publisher, please feel free to ask at my <span style="color: red;"><a href="http://www.formspring.me/ahlhelm">Formspring</a></span>.</div>Nicholas Ahlhelmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05651416360488414615noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33841892.post-60545411855638844012012-05-27T20:20:00.000-05:002012-05-27T20:20:29.448-05:00And we're back!<br />
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I’ve decided to
revive this blog. Back in the day I used it as the preliminary version of <a href="http://www.superpoweredfiction.com/">Super Powered Fiction</a>. With that
site up and running for over a year and a half now, I don’t feel a need to post
that kind of thing here. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Instead this page
will serve as something of an author blog. I’ll update it when I have projects
in the work, when I have to vent about deadlines, or when I have something new
and interesting to post about my personal projects or life. <o:p></o:p></div>
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I’m becoming more of
a pointless photo-taker as well, so maybe some of those will seep on to the
site as well. On the other hand, maybe not. I’m not good at promising things. <o:p></o:p></div>
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People who want to
read my reviews should head over to the aforementioned Super Powered Fiction
where you can not only find articles, but also links to all the Examiner pages
I currently run out of my secret control center here in Eastern Iowa. <o:p></o:p></div>
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And, to quote a
great philosopher, that’s all I have to say about that.<o:p></o:p></div>Nicholas Ahlhelmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05651416360488414615noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33841892.post-21887597083687132562010-12-29T09:18:00.001-06:002010-12-29T09:19:08.705-06:00Farewell to 2011... and Blogspot.As we close out 2010, Take the Helm fades to black. Yes, I am closing down this blog (though it will remain as an archive). Don’t worry though, because...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.superpoweredfiction.com/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="86" src="http://superpoweredfiction.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/spffhead.png" width="625" /></a></div>the Super-Powered Fiction Files are far from over! All the articles you know and love will continue along with new content on our new full-fledged website: <a href="http://www.superpoweredfiction.com/">www.superpoweredfiction.com</a>!<br />
<br />
So please follow us over to the new, fully functional site, and thanks for following Take the Helm for all these years!Nicholas Ahlhelmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05651416360488414615noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33841892.post-21919809295685670922010-12-28T08:00:00.007-06:002010-12-28T08:00:02.369-06:00Super-Powered Prose: Virals by Kathy Reichs<iframe align="right" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?lt1=_blank&bc1=000000&IS2=1&bg1=FFFFFF&fc1=000000&lc1=0000FF&t=weiempirecom-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&m=amazon&f=ifr&md=10FE9736YVPPT7A0FBG2&asins=1595143424" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe><br />
Super-powered fiction in prose form has come along way from <i>Weird Heroes</i> and <i>Wild Cards</i> first made the idea work in the seventies and eighties. Many writers have tried their hands at characters with super powers since, but it took even me by surprise when one of those names was Kathy Reichs. <br />
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If you do not recognize the name, you’ve probably not read too many forensic mysteries. Ms. Reichs has a successful series of books focused around the character of Temperance Brennan. Tempe sometimes goes by the nickname of Bones, or in the case of the successful television show based on the series, <i>always</i> goes by the name Bones. I have never really been a fan of the series in either form, but when I heard the concept for her new young adult book I knew I needed to give it a read.<br />
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<i>Virals</i> is the story of Brennan’s grand niece (she’s older in the books by a bit) Tory, a young girl living on a small island off the coast of Reichs’s home city of Charlotte. Tory only recently moved to the city following her mother’s death, but quickly finds herself embroiled in a mystery. <br />
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The story takes two interconnected paths as she finds a dog tag on the island where her father works for a scientific facility. It is while she investigates the tags that she discovers and rescues a captured dog in a remote lab of the facility. That rescue will alter Tory and her three friends Hi, Shelton, and Ben forever. <br />
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The dog has been infected with a lab-created parvovirus, designed to infect not just dogs but humans as well. The virus has unintended consquences for the four teenagers, as they all suddenly end up with powers closely linked to the animal they rescued. <br />
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While they all suffer through the transformation their new power brings to them, the dog tags lead them in to a murder mystery with huge ramifications for them and their city. In the end, only their powers will allow them the freedom and skill needed to uncover the secrets of the crime.<br />
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Ms. Reichs uses her background in forensic science to help shape the continuing story, but unlike the Bones novels never lets it overwhelm the tale. While I could nitpick about a few sudden (if minor) leaps in logic or the skills of the four teenagers being just a bit much to believe, none of that really matters in the end. Ms. Reichs crafts a quick, easy to read story that just flashes by page after page. The tale flows extremely well and makes the entire book hard to put down. I actually read the last two hundred pages in one sitting, an odd occurence for someone so used to reading different things at once. But Tory and friends’ tale is just compelling enough to keep you turning that page.<br />
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This book seems clearly set to be the beginning of a series (and maybe a set up for another TV pilot as I could definitely see it easily turned in to a overly-pretty-cast mix of <i>Gossip Girl</i> and <i>Veronica Mars</i>. Still on its own, <i>Virals</i> is an enjoyable read and that’s why it is <b>Recommended</b>.Nicholas Ahlhelmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05651416360488414615noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33841892.post-54860376502944150582010-12-23T09:00:00.027-06:002010-12-23T09:00:04.018-06:00Pulp Empire closes out 2010 with a special Christmas story!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjECBTNuZtarcVeOPrBei_wqdXSDgqXNMy4UaEsnFy3vvJw2VwudQJ4U_o1bFvABG3S_jLXMHkiQ8ycagVJOXFnT8eOa4kRtt2LVUL3g9xr1XwvoQEclqUj2tKBcKUwfeUwAFsC/s1600/pulplogo.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjECBTNuZtarcVeOPrBei_wqdXSDgqXNMy4UaEsnFy3vvJw2VwudQJ4U_o1bFvABG3S_jLXMHkiQ8ycagVJOXFnT8eOa4kRtt2LVUL3g9xr1XwvoQEclqUj2tKBcKUwfeUwAFsC/s1600/pulplogo.png" /></a></div>Over at <a href="http://www.pulpempire.com/mag">Pulp Empire</a>, Libby Cudmore has written a wonderful little Christmas noir short called “Merry Christmas, Mr. Taylor” just in time for the holidays! PE will be taking next week off so this is your last chance to get some holiday pulp cheer in before the end of the year!<br />
<br />
And remember that all three Pulp Empire books are still available at our <a href="http://stores.lulu.com/store.php?fAcctID=1109928">Lulu Store</a>. Ms. Cudmore's tale is featured in our most recent edition. If you're interested in doing some Christmas shopping a little late or just want a good deal on great books, also remember that Lulu is running all kinds of great holiday sales with their <a href="http://www.lulu.com/holiday_coupons/?cid=eng_dbp1_advent_120110">Daily Deals</a>. So feel free to pick up a copy, won't you?Nicholas Ahlhelmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05651416360488414615noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33841892.post-92203978773250376432010-12-23T06:45:00.018-06:002012-05-27T20:46:20.087-05:00Thor's Day 10: The Wild Hunt<i>Mighty Thor</i> 346 opens with Roger, the old man (the son of Malekith’s victim last issue) as he contemplates his given task. He’s attacked by Malekith’s servants but escapes.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdPKSb5jFEjeV_wrotUV0WJF5JspUUZjQ8UsWPhchNUbeY0csjupr58CmlC3s7xoM1qWnh2dpy83M9CZzYcPW8CSmBdAPBqSO9X1gVI3b_j_S7aKSskg_ks17TO_VeCopZ2On2/s1600/Thor_346-10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdPKSb5jFEjeV_wrotUV0WJF5JspUUZjQ8UsWPhchNUbeY0csjupr58CmlC3s7xoM1qWnh2dpy83M9CZzYcPW8CSmBdAPBqSO9X1gVI3b_j_S7aKSskg_ks17TO_VeCopZ2On2/s200/Thor_346-10.jpg" width="47" /></a></div>
Meanwhile, Thor starts to investigate the fate of Eric Willis (the aforementioned victim). He meets with the police, but learns they are the same servants of Malekith. They try to poison him with the cookies from previous issues, but he uses his hammer to incapacitate them. After all, “Gods are made of sterner stuff”. <br />
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Roger recovers the hidden Casket of Ancient Winters and hides it in a Macy’s back to travel with it. <br />
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Malekith arrives too late to retrieve the Casket, but instead pulls out a great horn and blows it in to the air. The horn cannot be heard by human ears, but Thor can make it out: the sound of the Wild Hunt.<br />
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And they don’t take very long to show up. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Someone should call the Ghostbusters for these Hellhounds</td></tr>
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Roger fights them off with his handgun, but the Master of the Hunt arrives to challenge him more closely. Which is always a good time for a timely hero intervention. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXasXqHX18XnSrLWUDp7taNNNczG7lMzgZCJb4GVHWgS0NRkdGaD1x61QDVt_kQ5Z-0yHfDjRYdcjD7T42HRSksgxukmR8x439V-DrSkJpizAOaQmOHKjcYxxa3_LUmGm9ChD7/s1600/Thor_346-15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="261" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXasXqHX18XnSrLWUDp7taNNNczG7lMzgZCJb4GVHWgS0NRkdGaD1x61QDVt_kQ5Z-0yHfDjRYdcjD7T42HRSksgxukmR8x439V-DrSkJpizAOaQmOHKjcYxxa3_LUmGm9ChD7/s320/Thor_346-15.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Must suck to have a Barroom dropped on you. </td></tr>
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Malekith goes all kill crazy at the site of a god and sends the dogs after Thor.<br />
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Oh, and unless we forget him this guy is hard at work as well. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi969kiN00s6mZZP7dkJvXo5GQAqh9pnVehatmNeAAAucsZvcuUZNViySSNmnNi5kH6sfoIV3bSEGpm1p3xe1hHxEeNkkkK22VzSLmHi8J23nPh8Q72WPMKzhV2WtfbwcsJy9Af/s1600/Thor_346-17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi969kiN00s6mZZP7dkJvXo5GQAqh9pnVehatmNeAAAucsZvcuUZNViySSNmnNi5kH6sfoIV3bSEGpm1p3xe1hHxEeNkkkK22VzSLmHi8J23nPh8Q72WPMKzhV2WtfbwcsJy9Af/s640/Thor_346-17.jpg" width="444" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Build one sword and apparently an entire army shows up.</td></tr>
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The dogs take their toll on the heroes, but Thor knows the weakness of those of the faerie realm (like elves). One well aimed iron girder is enough to seriously injure Malekith and send him and his hunt in to retreat. <br />
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The Casket and Roger are rescued, only for the two men to walk in to another trap at the hands of Melodi (Lorelei) and Malekith!<br />
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But that’s a story for next week as we go “Into the Realm of Faerie!”.Nicholas Ahlhelmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05651416360488414615noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33841892.post-8307697124599277842010-12-22T06:00:00.024-06:002010-12-22T06:00:02.770-06:00New at Metahuman Press!This may be the most story heavy week in Metahuman Press history, and it’s just in time for Christmas. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDOo-ngTPEWCP-PNitTjofDAZU85DeSZ08suCcagx0ePBRTsYC8KsvgPVp5dWNokagDZ0VPiHesAGBq_XXEl5o5747fmrNoPlHVApMFsJaFkyDr6pnwBDEjdbwKoim6QySAnoL/s1600/Genius630250.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="158" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDOo-ngTPEWCP-PNitTjofDAZU85DeSZ08suCcagx0ePBRTsYC8KsvgPVp5dWNokagDZ0VPiHesAGBq_XXEl5o5747fmrNoPlHVApMFsJaFkyDr6pnwBDEjdbwKoim6QySAnoL/s400/Genius630250.png" width="400" /></a></div><br />
David Kachel’s five part weekly story reaches its penultimate chapter with <a href="http://metahumanpress.com/mhp/2010/12/22/diary-of-a-genius-4-saints-and-sinners-by-david-kachel/">“Saints and Sinners”</a>!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-pB9JQqAdGMJl2Q8CVjblFcDmloLTBfEwHf5_E8PGo-dyzbR2rYubIxK06qmZ4uWAA6TkghQesdzx_PkQJvbOThwcdjPeEQV_yziS_KIgiHeNOWoP0Ja-8jXNVco18U3VRRw6/s1600/Pups630250.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="157" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-pB9JQqAdGMJl2Q8CVjblFcDmloLTBfEwHf5_E8PGo-dyzbR2rYubIxK06qmZ4uWAA6TkghQesdzx_PkQJvbOThwcdjPeEQV_yziS_KIgiHeNOWoP0Ja-8jXNVco18U3VRRw6/s400/Pups630250.png" width="400" /></a></div><br />
The bi-weekly tale of our other David, a.k.a. Mister Perlmutter, continues as well with its <a href="http://metahumanpress.com/mhp/2010/12/22/the-pups-5/">fifth chapter</a>. <br />
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Finally, Mark Oldfield’s <i>Invasion</i> continues with <a href="http://metahumanpress.com/mhp/2010/12/22/invasion-15-rescuer/">“Rescuer”</a>.<br />
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As always, the previous chapters are available for new readers! So give yourself a (free) Christmas present and go read some superhero stories!Nicholas Ahlhelmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05651416360488414615noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33841892.post-78651650662702559622010-12-22T03:36:00.000-06:002010-12-22T03:36:22.175-06:00Wrestling Wednesday: WWE Year End Review<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.examiner.com/sites/default/files/styles/image_full_width/hash/Nexus.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="249" src="http://www.examiner.com/sites/default/files/styles/image_full_width/hash/Nexus.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These guys were kinda important.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>I may have missed last week’s installment, but I am back with this week’s, as I take a look at the year in WWE, how it played out, and what it means going in to 2011. <br />
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<a href="http://www.examiner.com/comic-books-in-cedar-rapids/wrestling-year-end-wwe">Head over to the Examiner and give it a read. </a>Nicholas Ahlhelmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05651416360488414615noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33841892.post-2202032195808483122010-12-21T15:00:00.009-06:002010-12-21T15:00:01.579-06:00Tyler Marsh's tale continues in a new installment of Arc!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.arcthecomic.com" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2R_LbaOEjc9gj7F0X2C63wrpDaU6ZBuKaRE9LLznRpGxXPqXSGpDmKdcHhkAgvwiL3nSp0vv3QL_WdSeeT6eNuhUFWnLGN9QkBhOshLy232XeoVg9v8ZBEv8canm7fiA74B84/s320/arc-shirt.png" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<a href="http://www.arcthecomic.com/">Tyler Marsh's prose adventure continues this week over at Arc!</a> Be sure to come check it and the previous forty-five pages of web comics from little ol' me and the amazing Jay Rainford-Nash!Nicholas Ahlhelmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05651416360488414615noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33841892.post-59287989734469661212010-12-19T07:00:00.000-06:002010-12-19T07:00:03.196-06:00Buy This Right Now #2: Lady Mechanika #1 and Black Panther: Man Without Fear #513So I have posted my latest columns on the joys of recent comicdom over on the Examiner, but forgot to link one of them to this blog last week! So everyone gets two for the price of one this week as I bring you two links to two great comics! <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.examiner.com/sites/default/files/styles/image_full_width/hash/LadyMechanika-1a-Benitez.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://www.examiner.com/sites/default/files/styles/image_full_width/hash/LadyMechanika-1a-Benitez.jpg" width="262" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yes, she is a steampunk bad girl!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>First is Joe Benitez’s excellent first issue to <i>Lady Mechanika</i>! Gorgeous art and a great story make this a great debut from the folks at Aspen. <a href="http://www.examiner.com/sites/default/files/styles/image_full_width/hash/coverB.jpg">Check out the full review (with art) here.</a><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.examiner.com/sites/default/files/styles/image_full_width/hash/coverB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://www.examiner.com/sites/default/files/styles/image_full_width/hash/coverB.jpg" width="262" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Black Panther never looks happy.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Next-up is <i>Black Panther: Man Without Fear</i> by David Liss and Francesco Francavilla. I am a long time fan of Francavilla’s art (though not of his name that’s almost as hard to spell as mine!), and Liss comes off well on his second comic scripting assignment. While I am not a huge fan of the regular Simone Bianchi cover (the one above is Francavilla’s variant), the insides of this issue are everything a superhero fan can want from a comic. <a href="http://www.examiner.com/comic-books-in-cedar-rapids/the-new-man-without-fear-shines-review">Check out the full review (with a four page preview) here.</a>Nicholas Ahlhelmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05651416360488414615noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33841892.post-72245765750225395362010-12-19T01:54:00.000-06:002010-12-19T01:54:21.860-06:00A slight apologySorry about the sudden disappearance, blogospherions. It seems that when you’re on the slow progression of carpal tunnel you should be careful about how you chip ice off your windshield. My right wrist has been less than game for most of this week. The pain is finally starting to fade now and with a wrist brace on I can type with most of my regular skill (if not quite my regular speed). <br />
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And now you know why I really think I need to get a headstart on my upcoming columns! Hopefully, Wrestling Wednesdays and Thor’s Day will be back on track next week.Nicholas Ahlhelmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05651416360488414615noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33841892.post-40308355464556451342010-12-11T04:48:00.000-06:002010-12-11T04:48:56.394-06:00The trailer for Thor has hit the webHey, look what came to the web just yesterday! It’s none other than the trailer for Marvel’s next big film: <i>Thor</i>. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzA3vPuUMtclopnivTTJxM30lKMm9tSfDaq5sPiH6otmR0m5PgEJzb2sIsAssITmCYyOpYK55tZjgltUR1oJq-up0jzFC1kP2NXHS9VqBHGfjXOzX1AfLsIzXRRcXU_OFZehSU/s1600/Hemsworth-Thor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzA3vPuUMtclopnivTTJxM30lKMm9tSfDaq5sPiH6otmR0m5PgEJzb2sIsAssITmCYyOpYK55tZjgltUR1oJq-up0jzFC1kP2NXHS9VqBHGfjXOzX1AfLsIzXRRcXU_OFZehSU/s400/Hemsworth-Thor.jpg" width="270" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chris Hemsworth plays Thor</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
First things first: <a href="http://www.examiner.com/comic-books-in-cedar-rapids/thor-trailer-video">go check out the trailer at the Examiner</a>. <br />
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Now... that looks pretty cool, right? Thor, Loki, Odin, Sif, Heimdall, and the Warriors Three... not to mention the Destroyer! It looks like Marvel plans to continue what they started with <i>Iron Man</i> and create an interesting movie universe while still trying hard to play fan service to their fans.<br />
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The movies not out until May 6th, but I am already excited. What did everyone out in blog-land think?Nicholas Ahlhelmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05651416360488414615noreply@blogger.com2