Site upgrade!

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So at long last, I’ve taken the plunge and updated to WordPress from the reliable but increasingly rusty version of Movable Type that had been powering this site for the past eight years. And so far, I really like it!

Some of the bonuses of WordPress:

  1. The site’s automatically optimized for internet-capable mobile phones, which didn’t really exist back in 2005 when I built this thing in Movable Type.
  2. WordPress is living, breathing code that’s regularly updated, which means I’m finally able to take advantage of some pretty common features like getting those sharing and like buttons at the bottom of every post.
  3. Transferring all my old posts over gave me the chance to get rid of category clutter and organize the indexes more simply. And now there’s a search function and a decent archive system that’ll let folks access older posts more easily.
  4. Much better interface for writing posts, with tools for auto-creation of hyperlinks. (I know, I know, y’all have had this for half a decade. But it’s fresh to me!)

I’m going to try enabling comments just on this post, so if you have any thoughts about the site design or discover any bugs or problems, please do chime in!

UPDATE: I think I broke the comments – they’re not working. Urg. So if you have any thoughts about the site, please feel free to let me know on Twitter!

UPDATE 2: I figured out how to enable the comments! Quirky thing — no “Discuss” module on the post page. But when I click the “Quick Edit” button in the list view of the posts, I got the comment control panel. Anyway, please give the comments a try so I can see if they’re working!

Greg Pak’s writing the “Justice League: Darkseid” oneshot!

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“Batman/Superman” writer Greg Pak will write the “Justice League: Darkseid” one shot that’s been announced as part of DC Comics’ September Villains Month. Paulo Siqueira will draw.
Here’s an excerpt from the LA Times Hero Complex interview:

HC: What aspects of Darkseid are you most interested in exploring for this issue?
GP: He’s one of the greatest comic book supervillains of all time. He’s got an epic, mythic, cosmic back story that’s right up my alley. And his exact motivations and mind-set in the New 52 remain mysterious enough to present a huge opportunity for fun, risky storytelling. I’m having a blast.
…
HC: After establishing yourself at Marvel over the last many years, you’re making your DC debut this month with “Batman/Superman” No. 1, and now you’re taking on one of the DCU’s biggest villains with Darkseid. Are these characters you’ve wanted to write, and how are you handling all this?
GP: I’m having a ridiculously fun time working at DC. It is indeed a huge blast tackling such iconic characters — particularly in the New 52, where I’ve been encouraged to think big and take risks while exploring the meaty emotional questions of what really makes these characters tick. It’s my favorite kind of writing and I couldn’t be happier. Superman and Batman were at the top of my list of DC characters I hoped to have a chance to write someday, so my head just about popped off when I was offered the “Batman/Superman” book. These are characters that I’ve been thinking about since I was 5 and it’s been incredibly fun diving into their worlds and minds and hearts and seeing Jae Lee bring them to life. And yes, I definitely have a list of other DC characters I’m itching to get my hands on. Without spoiling too much, I can say that in the last month, I’ve checked off three more names on that list.

2013.05.29 – Greg Pak and Marjorie Liu talk comics, race, gender & sexualities at LaGuardia Community College

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From the official announcement:
Race, Gender & Sexualities in American Comic Books with Marjorie Liu, Greg Pak and Paolo Javier – Room MB-10 –OPEN TO THE PUBLIC–
Date: Wednesday, May 29, 2013
Time: 11:45am-1:00pm
Location: LaGuardia Community College, MB-10
Panelists and Moderators: Greg Pak, Marjorie M. Liu, and Ann Matsuuchi (Library), Paolo Javier (English)
http://www.lagcc.cuny.edu/ahc/events.htm
Description: Join us for an exciting conversation/Q&A with Marvel/DC comic book writers Marjorie Liu (Astonishing X-Men), Greg Pak (Incredible Hulk and next year, Batman/Superman) and Professor Paolo Javier.
At this panel discussion, Marjorie Liu and Greg Pak will take part in a discussion led by Professor Javier. He has assigned Marjorie Liu’s gay marriage issue of Astonishing X-Men (nominated for a 2013 GLAAD Media Award to honor its positive representation of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community) to students in his classes this semester.
Marjorie Liu is the author of two ongoing New York Times bestselling series: the Dirk & Steele paranormal romance novels and the Hunter Kiss urban fantasy series. Marjorie has co-written the bestselling Dark Wolverine series for Marvel, and wrote the beloved X-23 series for several years. She authored Black Widow: The Name of the Rose, NYX: No Way Home, and X-Men: Dark Mirror, and is the ongoing writer for Astonishing X-Men. http://marjoriemliu.com/
Greg Pak is a filmmaker and comic book writer who directed the award-winning feature film Robot Stories, wrote the epic Planet Hulk and World War Hulk comic book storylines, and co-wrote (with Fred Van Lente)the fan favorite Incredible Hercules series for Marvel Comics. Current and recent projects include the Code Monkey Save World graphic novel based on the songs of Jonathan Coulton, the acclaimed sci-fi graphic novel and iPad app Vision Machine, X-Treme X- Men, Doctor Strange Season One, and Dead Man’s Run. This June, he debuts as the writer of the New 52 Batman/Superman title for DC Comics. Pak was described as “a talent with a future” by the New York Times. http://www.gregpak.com/
Paolo Javier teaches in the English department at LaGuardia Community College and the Queens Poet Laureate until 2013. Professor Javier also works with visual poetry – creatively connecting images and words.
For more info: Ann Matsuuchi (amatsuuchi@lagcc.cuny.edu / 646-450-2661)

Give to Oklahoma relief, get “Code Monkey Save World” stickers

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By Greg Pak
I’ve been horrified by the news coming out of Oklahoma. So here’s a little something in hopes of encouraging folks to donate to relief efforts for the people suffering in the wake of the tornadoes.
If you give to the Red Cross or other relief organization of your choosing to help the folks in Oklahoma, I’ll send some “Code Monkey Save World” stickers to your US mailing address. A very easy way to donate is to text REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation.
We’re working on the honor system here, friends. So just make your donation, then send your US mailing address to codemonkey at pakbuzz dot com and I’ll hook you up. If you let me know how much you donated, I’ll keep a running tally that might help inspire others to donate as well.
Many thanks and all the best!

2013.05.14 – Jonathan Coulton and Greg Pak live in NYC – final day for “Code Monkey Save World” Kickstarter

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“Code Monkey Save World” masterminds Greg Pak and Jonathan Coulton will appear live TONIGHT in New York City on the final full day of their graphic novel Kickstarter campaign! The pair will answer questions and give out free stickers and buttons. And Coulton will sing!
Comic Book Club
Tuesday, May 14th – 7pm
Tickets: FREE! (21+)
Fontana’s
105 Eldridge St.
[Btwn. Grand and Broome St.]
Click here for the full details
Click here for the livestream
Click here to pledge to the Kickstarter – don’t delay! It all ends at 9:18 am ET Wednesday morning!