Black Snow Comics

Merry Christmas from Black Snow and Friends

For all of you that celebrate, Merry Christmas.  And if you celebrate something else, like Hanukkah or Kwanzaa or the Winter Solstice or some other thing I don’t even know about, Merry Whatever You Believe in!   And a Happy New Year! Except to the Chinese traditionalist, who think the New Year starts on Valentines Day.  Only in America, or more specifically California!

Or should I say “Happy Holidays”, like the general populace seems to be dictating in recent years.  For the most part I don’t have a major problem with political correctness, as it generally serves its purpose by curbing the the injustices perpetuated by the intolerant and the ignorant, but it does tend to go overboard quite often.  The attempt to outlaw Christmas is one of those times when I really start to question the whole PC thing.  You see, the whole argument against Christmas is the holiday’s foundation in religion, Christianity to be specific.  Of course we are supposed to be separating church and state, so case closed right there, right?  Government can’t endorse Christmas.  Well, I’ll challenge that.  I’ll just throw out there that the country was quite obviously founded by religious men who clearly based our laws and entire system of government on Western religion.  Just something to consider.  I won’t say anything crazy like a super conservative and try to convince you that religion should be officially adopted by our government, because I don’t believe it should be.  I will say that you have to be realistic when you’re examining the issue and know that our politicians’ religions are going to have a real impact on how our country runs.  How many different religions have are elected Presidents been?

But that is not my real point.  My actual issue with all this anti-Christmas focus is that the holiday, as we celebrate it in current society, has nothing to do with religion anymore.  This is something we all know and except on some level, but don’t really state openly.  The Christians of course hate this fact, as they’ve bemoaned the over commercialization of Christmas for years, and will often complain of people losing sight of what the holiday is all about.   What they fail to realize is that the meaning and spirit of Christmas has changed.  Yeah, I’d be pissed too if my big holiday got co-opted and secularized by the mass public, but it’s done people.  It’s not about the birth of Jesus anymore, it’s about Santa, gifts, family, charity and the general spreading of good will.  Lets take a look at this Christmas classic, widely excepted as one of the hallmarks of the holiday.

BTW, I’ve never really been a fan of peanuts.  So this classic staple about the search for the source for the meaning of Christmas appears to support the religious argument on the surface.  But when you actually watch it there’s something more.  First off, how weird and out of place does all that religious talk feel when you watch it.  Oh, and you were probably surprised how much there was and didn’t remember that being a part of the cartoon.  Why is that?  Because even though the try to give the impression of emphasizing the religious roots of the holiday, they actually truly glorify the secular aspects.  What do people remember most from this holiday classic?  Charlie Brown picking the little Christmas tree.  You still hear people calling smaller Christmas trees “Charlie Brown Trees” .  This originally aired in 1965 and people still refer to it.  Despite all the religion forced into the special and talk of over commercialization and true meaning, they actually glorify the Christmas tree.  Remember that part in the bible where Jesus teaches his followers how to decorate the all important Christmas tree?  No, you don’t.  They also push the more general good will message, not of any particular religion, just being nice basically.  Oh, and lots of talk about Santa.  What do people actually take away from this special?  Be nice and tolerant, appreciate things for what they are, celebrate Christmas with in traditional ways (gift giving, trees, Santa) with friends and similar such messages.  Not to celebrate the birth of the savior.  And what about that second, more modern Christmas cartoon they tacked on after in this ABC presentation.  Even Charles Schultz saw the need to further downplay the religious aspects.  Society had changed, the holiday had change, and you can see the reflection of that in this more modern follow up.  You can see this further in the other follow up, “I Want A Dog For Christmas, Charlie Brown.”

Santariffic, eh?  So am I saying Charlie Brown dictates how Christmas is celebrated?  No, you ignorant pig!  As I’ve already stated, it’s a reflection of a larger trend of our culture.  So what’s the point of all this.  Simply for people to chill out.  No need to be so uptight.  Yeah, not everyone in America celebrates Christmas, but most people do.  If you don’t, please try not take take the cashier who half heartedly mutter “Merry Christmas” as she hands you your receipt as a personal affront on your beliefs.  A tree decorated at your children’s school or a paper Santa hanging at the library are not an attack on your religion or an attempt to force beliefs on your children.  And Christians, don’t push your religious zealot ideals on people who just want to celebrate the secular aspects of the holiday.  Celebrate it how you want, but do not dictate to others.  Save your nativity scenes and biblical plays for the church.  You need to come to terms with the fact that the holiday has grown beyond it’s origins, steeped within the annals of Biblical history.  It has transcended into popular culture.  Except this and we’ll all be the better for it.

On that note I’m going to go open presents with my family now.  I’ll leave you with this other Christmas classic, my favorite, which feels especially appropriate now.  Oh, and if you agree or disagree with what I’ve said here, feel free to offer a response.

Sadly or somewhat ironically I couldn’t find “The Grinch that Stole Christmas” online to play for you. So here’s a fan made music video. Enjoy!

So you may be wonder “What have you been up too lately Michael?”  Well sir (and madam, like any girls read this), I’ll tell you.  Not drawing, though we have many more Day Camps waiting in the queue.  After I finished “Miles” I saw we were missing an opportunity for a couple more good ones if I just moved on to the next one as written.  I pointed it out to Alex and he agreed, but has yet to write these new ones.  I haven’t pressed the issue too much as I’ve been very busy with other things, and didn’t mind a little break.

What other things?  Work, for one.  Work has become very busy, and has started taking up my time after hours when I get home.  Hopefully this is something that won’t continue too long, as it isn’t the most fun way to spend a weekend completing things you just can’t find time for in the office.  Side jobs have also continued to come my way, and being the hard working man that I am I never turn it down.  What can I say, I’ve got a strong work ethic and I like money.  You’ve got to work hard to prosper in these depressing economic times.

I haven’t forgotten Black Snow, though.  As always I’ve worked valiantly to promote both comics all over the net, adding them to directories and featuring them on more websites like Drunk Duck.  I tried to get them on Comic Genesis again, but that site just seems broken and flawed, so I won’t waste anymore effort with them.  I also sent out another small round of submissions to publishers, including Day Camp in the proposal this time.  While doing this I realized that I had already approached many of them back in May, but it never hurts to try again and be persistent.  I have no expectations of even getting a reply from any of them at this point, so part of me began to question the futility of my actions, and I just stopped about halfway through my list.  I’m sure I’ll get back to it soon, but I really just don’t feel like it now.  You hear all these stories about guys like Steven King getting rejected 30 times before someone picked up Carrie and he went on to become the world’s most prolific and published writer, but honestly those stories kind of give the impression of fairy tales created to inspire strong morals and endurance at this point in my life.  Oh well, perhaps my time to shine will come some day.  I’m sure many of you have gone through similar situations where you don’t quite know how to achieve your aspirations and your work is rejected by the authorities in that field.  If so, tell me about your experiences and if you ever overcame them.

What else have I been doing?  Well, I saw Avatar with my cousin, so that took up about 5 days there.  I kid of course, but it was long.  Why does every movie need to run 2 1/2 hours now?  If you are going to make them so long please bring back the intermission, as I have to go to the bathroom every time.  The sodas they sell are huge, how can they not foresee that my bladder will be full in that lengthy time span?  Anyway, the movie was good.  I didn’t have any real expectations and wasn’t eagerly anticipating it like so many nerds on the net seemed to be.  It was pretty straight forward, nothing I couldn’t tell from the lengthy previews, but it was a good story none the less.  The effects were really good and the way they created this alien environment was pretty amazing.  In a lot of ways I’d compare it to District 9, which I thought was an awesome movie.  If you’ve seen either what did you think?

Lastly, in a fairly surprising move I woke up the other morning with a children’s book in my head.  This is always something I thought would be fun but never really tried.  I’ve been asked to do concept art for other people’s children books in the past, and it never really went anywhere.  In my opinion those stories weren’t that good anyway.  I’m very excited for this project though, as it will be done entirely by me.  A few people have been saying I should try writing and drawing something myself, including Alex, so now I am.  I feel that I could easily take over writing Black Snow or Day Camp, as they are both strong and established in my mind and I know I’m a decent writer.  My problem has always been coming up with the initial idea and fleshing it out until it reaches that established point.  Not this time.  I’ve got the outline done and I’m working on the text for each page.  I don’t know what inspired this story, but it just came to me like a bolt of lightning and I had to jot it all down.  I’ll reveal more about it in the near future as work progresses, but for now I’ll just say that it stars a new duck character that I anticipate having multiple adventures in books.

I thought this was an interesting little  story to add to the collection of the internet making success more attainable for the common man.

Author: Fahad Alhamed
Published: December 18, 2009 at 8:44 am

The story began on Nov 2009, when Fede Alvarez an Uruguayan director, uploaded a 4 minute video to YouTube about robots attacking Montevideo City, Uruguay.

With more than 1.5 million hits, the video attracted big Hollywood producers which offered Fede a $30 million contract to make a Hollywood film.

The video called, Ataque de Panico!, which means Panic Attack!, was made with a $300 budget.

When I read about this deal I went to YouTube and watched the video, and I can honestly say the video really warrants the attention.

From the first few seconds of the video, I thought I was watching a movie trailer for a new Steven Spielberg movie.

Sure the idea is not new, but the visual effects and the way this video was directed, blew my mind. In 4 minutes the city was attacked, buildings destroyed, people killed and at the end, a huge bomb made of many robots detonated and destroyed the rest of the city, possibly as much as the the country, or worse, even the whole world. You couldn’t be sure, which adds to the illusion.

I really see big potential for Fede Alvarez and his team, and hopefully we will get to watch his new Hollywood film soon.

Hundreds anxiously awaited the chance to be first in their peer group to own the new device.

DECEMBER 3, 2009 | ISSUE 45•49

SEATTLE—With the holiday shopping season officially under way, millions of consumers proceeded to their nearest commercial centers this week in hopes of acquiring the latest, and therefore most desirable, personal device.

“The new device is an improvement over the old device, making it more attractive for purchase by all Americans,” said Thomas Wakefield, a spokesperson for the large conglomerate that manufactures the new device. “The old device is no longer sufficient. Consumers should no longer have any use or longing for the old device.”

Added Wakefield, “The new device will retail for $395.”

Able to remain operational for longer periods of time and occupy a demonstrably smaller three-dimensional space, the new device is so advanced when compared to the old device that it makes the old device appear much older than it actually is. However, the new device is reportedly not so radically different as to cause confusion or unwanted anxiety among those familiar with the feel of the old device.

“Its higher price indicates to me that it is superior, and that not everyone will be able to afford it, which only makes me want to possess it more,” said Tim Sturges, owner of the old device, which he obtained 18 months ago when it was still the new device. “I feel a strong urge to purchase the new device. Owning the new device will please me and improve my daily life.”

“It’s difficult to remember how I ever found enjoyment in my old device,” Sturges continued. “It is no longer appealing to the eye.”

In addition to aesthetic and technological enhancements, manufacturers claim the new device comes equipped with a wide range of desirable features, including fewer buttons for pressing down and holding; a new wire for connecting to larger, less-portable devices; and fewer device-related errors and frustrations.

The new device will also be available in blue.

“Not only will I be able to perform tasks faster than before, but my new device will also inform those around me that I am a successful individual who is up on the latest trends,” said Rebecca Hodge, whose executive job allowed her to line up for several hours in the middle of the day in order to obtain the previously unavailable item. “Its attractiveness and considerable value are, by extension, my attractiveness and considerable value.”

Consumer Robert Larson agreed.

“I’m going to take my new device wherever I go,” said Larson, holding the expensive item directly in the eyeline of several reporters. “That way no one on the street, inside the elevator, or at my place of business will ever mistake me for the sort of individual who does not own the new device.”

Added Larson, “The new device brings me satisfaction.”

Despite the visible excitement among most consumers, some claimed to be exercising caution, choosing instead to sit back and wait for a newer version of the new device to be released before making a purchase.

“True, it appeals to my most basic insecurities, but this new device will ultimately be replaced by a newer device, rendering it completely undesirable and utterly repellent to my personal tastes,” device-enthusiast Ryan Janosch said. “Also, I should start saving my money for the next latest device, which will replace the newer new device a couple months after that.”

We’re back up and running! This last week or so has seen a lot of enhancements to the website, 3 new Day Camps, updates to both comics Smack Jeeves’ sites and Black Snow Comics debut on The Funny Cartoon.com, so we’ve been busy! Take a little time to see all the improvements we’ve been working on. Now that the blog is back expect a lot of fun things to come in the near future.