October 31 - This has been a DAY. There was so much packed into today that the fact that it was Halloween was virtually a footnote. I was so busy with just about every aspect of my life that I'm surprised that I have the time to type this...and that it's only a bit after midnight as I do. All of it, though, from wrapping up Fallfire 3, to setting up the book signing event, to all of the other odds and ends of the day, completely pales in comparison to the sad, shocking news that a co-worker's adult daughter suddenly, without any warning whatsoever, died in her home. She was about 30 years old, and apparently suffered some sort of catastrophic arterial blockage or aneurysm (that information coming to me fifth-hand at best). All I know for sure is that someone whom I've come to respect and love has lost her child, and is hurting terribly. After that, whatever I did earlier is barely worth note. I'm sorry to bring such a sad note to the end of the month. I had planned on writing about Halloween, and Fall, and the mystery of inspiration, but things don't always work out the way we plan...and very seldom the way I plan. Tomorrow, a new day, a new month, and some perspective may help put things back on track, but, for now, I will give in to the exhausting, emotional events of the day and wrap this up. Until then, maybe we can all take a little inspiration and comfort from the last Comic Book Quote (and Source) Of The Day - Things need not to have happened to be true. Tales and dreams are the shadow-truths that will endure when mere facts are dust and ashes, and forgot. (The Sandman #19)!

October 30 - Heya. Everything's good here, in the calm before the storm. Fallfire 3 ends tomorrow, so I've just been lining everything up for that. Thankfully, the pain and swelling of my smashed finger has subsided, so it was not a distraction as I made my rounds. Also, I've finalized plans for a signing event for The Collected Short Stories of L. Frank Baum and the last two Ozianas. Here, below, is the press release for that -

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

PRAIRIE DU CHIEN ILLUSTRATOR TO SIGN L. FRANK BAUM BOOK

October 31, 2006/Prairie du Chien - Cartoonist John Mundt, of Prairie du Chien, will be signing copies of the just released book, The Collected Short Stories of L. Frank Baum, at Rivertown Fine Books in McGregor, Iowa, this November. Mundt is one of only two artists to contribute illustrations specially for the definitive collection of short works by the author of The Wizard of Oz.

The book, edited and with an introduction by Baum scholar Katharine M. Rogers, with an afterword by Joel A. Harris of the International Wizard of Oz Club, collects for the first time the great variety of short stories penned by Baum, ranging from obscure magazine stories to Mother Goose In Prose, and includes original vintage artwork as well as newly produced art. John Mundt illustrated several stories, including Baum’s first published work, They Played a New Hamlet, an 1895 story from The Chicago Times-Herald. “When I was asked to be a part of this project, I couldn‘t believe it“ says Mundt. He became involved after first providing artwork for stories in two issues of Oziana, the annual publication which continues to tell “official” tales from the Land of Oz. The artist added “From drawing The Scarecrow, to working on the seldom seen short stories…for a small town artist like me, it’s all pretty awesome!”

On Saturday, November 18, Rivertown Fine Books owners John and Diane Malcom are hosting the artist with the first public event for the release of The Collected Short Stories of L. Frank Baum. From 1:00 to 3:00pm, Mundt will be in the antiquarian bookstore at 148 Main Street in McGregor, Iowa, signing a limited number of the 580 page hardcover books, as well as 2004 and 2005 editions of Oziana. Some of Mundt‘s original drawings will also be on display. “I’m flattered,” he offered, “to be promoting my work alongside the rare books and classic first editions lining the shelves at Rivertown. Just the thought that my name is now linked with the creator of The Wizard of Oz is a dream come true!”

Well, again, this press release is filled with a bit more braggadocio than I am comfortable with, but I think that I successfully conveyed that the book is the star, and I'll be just the schlump defacing it with my stylized "X." Part of that came from finding out that there has not yet been a public "unveiling" for the LFB book, making my November 18th signing it's first. That's pretty cool in itself! Oh, and the book is pretty expensive, so I wanted to prepare potential purchasers for that possibility without crassly listing its exact price (which is, I understand, sort of a "no-no" for press releases, unless the price is the story). Well, it's late (VERY late), so I guess I'll wrap this up for now with your Uncle Scrooge McDuck Comic Book Quote (and Source) Of The Day - Wouldn't you know it! Somebody owes you a billion dollars, and they skip town every time! (Four Color #456)!

October 29 - Oops! I've smashed my finger with a hammer! It's not too bad, but, as of right now, it's keeping me from holding a pen with any authority. Oh, and it hurts. Hopefully, the pain and swelling will go down by tomorrow, but, in the mean time, it's a bit of a chore to type as well. This is one of my only remaining, constant fears - that I will somehow mess up my hands. That, and it's natural extension into a fear of being debilitatingly maimed, are among the only things (over which I have little control) that still worry me on a daily basis. Not that my hands are like those of a surgeon (or artist, for that matter), but, like my eyes, everything I do, and everything I am, depends on keeping them in working order for as long as possible. So, when I stupidly smash my finger with a hammer - something which should never have happened anyway, since I NEVER use my left hand to hammer...until tonight - well, it scares me. I guess I have to be thankful that it's as good as it is. One thing I've learned in my 115 years is that things can always be worse than they are. And they usually will be. Here, then, is your smashing Comic Book Quote (and Source) Of The Day - Looks like somebody has to smash Hydra!! So, it might as well be me! (Strange Tales #135)!

October 28 - Hi-ho, WOMPerinos. Well, it was another day of nothing but work, work, work. From when I woke up until about 4:00AM on the 29th (or was it then 3:00AM...or had the clocks been "leaped" already, and it was basically like 5:00AM...?), I took only a lunch break to take The WOMP Staff out to eat. Most of the day was eaten up by the devourous "real" job, but that came with an unexpected couple of highlights. The first pleasant surprise was a quick visit from Founder of The Official Friends of WOMP, Eric Gillitzer! He was accompanied by his beautiful wife, Deborah, and their cute-as-a-bug son, Eli. Because I was technically working at the time, all I could do was exchange a few pleasantries, wish them well, and say "See ya later," but it was still great to do at least that. Eric is doing well, and, although I have been sworn to secrecy, I just have to tell you that he is working on a "sooper sekrit" project with a mysterious collaborator. I've witnessed a sneak preview of this project, and all I can add at this time is that it is (if completed) going to be VERY COOL! Speaking of collaborations, the second unexpectedly positive development from my time at the dumb "real" job was my first serious talk of being part of a co-created project in years. I talked to O.F.O.WOMP and co-worker, Cary Kann, as we worked elbow-to-elbow all day, about actively trying to do some sort of art project together. Right now, the exact nature of such a project is still up in the air, but we've decided to make a couple of stabs at it. Who knows what will come of that, but I thought I should mention it. Now, it's definitely time to run off to do other stuff, so I want to remind you that Fallfire ends at midnight on October 31, so get cracking! Here's your Comic Book Quote (and Source) Of The Day - All day the rain poured down on The Bronx without mercy. The sewers overflowed and the waters rose over the curbs of the street. (A Contract With God graphic novel)!

October 27 - Ugh. I'm in even worse shape tonight...er, this morning (it's 7:00AM on the 28th as I type this) than I was yesterday. I'm so tired that I can't even think straight, and I have another full day of work ahead of me, starting in about three hours. So, if I have any hope of getting any sleep at all, I'd better wrap this up by posting your Comic Book Quote (and Source) Of The Day - Look - - th' Red Tornado was just in here a minute ago! See? I drew his pitcher! He posed fer me! (All-American Comics #22)!

October 26 - Work, work, work! I've been working on one art project or another, from 10:30AM on Thursday to now, 7:30AM on Friday! As you might imagine, I am now VERY tired, and my mind is already going into hibernation mode. I noticed this condition when drawing a little figure of a golfer (don't ask). Momentarily, I thought to myself "Should he have one leg or two?" YIKES-A-ROOTIE! So, before I pass out, I wanted to thank you for checking in on me, and post your Gambitastic Comic Book Quote (and Source) Of The Day - Just a wandering, working stiff is all, same as any other, plying my trade, hustling up the big score! (The Uncanny X-Men #266)!

October 25 - Today was like the "good twin" of Tuesday...not that Tuesday was "evil," per se...just not as productive as Wednesday. Let's tally up the many things that happened today, each seemingly in direct response to my laments from last night;

1) I found out that Speaker Hastert did indeed see, and enjoy, my little cartoon! That this was the morning before he had to testify before the House Ethics Committee probably made the humor of the drawing a refreshing reprieve...but, that he had a famous wrestling coach along with him as his guest made it seem like I was some sort of psychic! On Thursday, I will get a copy of the photo taken of The Speaker with the cartoon! No matter how you slice it, that's just weirdly cool.

2) And I got paid for it! Yippee! We can eat this week!

3) I got all of my eBay stuff to the Post Office, only dropping a single box as I tried to open the door (which shouldn't be a problem, because I pack stuff like it's Tutankhamen). That's not too bad, especially considering that the combined weight of these exceeded forty pounds! Yowza!

4) To the best of my knowledge, the machines at my dopey "real" job were finally ready for normal operation just as I was checking out last night. I had today off, so I'll take the lack of frantic phone calls as indication that everything's OK.

5) Holy smokes...the Fallfire entries are starting to pour in! WOMP H.Q. was flooded with them today! Well, there are only about ten right now, but that seems like a lot to me, especially considering that the deadline is still a week away (or less than six days now as I type this).

6) I drew lots of stuff today. Honestly, most of it may have been in the "warming up" category, but I did draw it.

7) Hooray! The Wonderful People of Oz have replied to my e-messages! I'll actually have books to sign at the book signing next month! Now, I have to get cracking on promoting THAT! UGH!

8) Speaking of "promoting," I have to, once again, profusely thank Official Friend of WOMP, and Vice-Principal of the venerated Comics Buyer's Guide, Brent Frankenhoff, for linking to another WOMP page from CBGXtra.com! If you'd like to see his post about my FallCon photo report, click HERE. If you'd like to see the report itself, now with the complete original three part written report from this month's WOMP-Blog entries, check out the Recent Event page. Oh, and the reason I haven't written back to you yet, Brent, is that I'm a lazy jerk, remember? Sheesh...some guys just never learn.

Yep, it was a pretty good day. Thursday is already shaping up to be a good one, too; both The WOMP Staff and I have the day off from work! Now, though, it's time for your trippy Comic Book Quote (and Source) Of The Day - The pills! It - - must be - - the pills - - - they're driving me - - out of my mind! (Amazing Spider-Man #97)!

October 24 - Everything's sorta on hold tonight. I don't know anything more about my Hastert cartoon. I didn't draw anything at all today. I couldn't get to the Post Office to mail eBay stuff out. The machines at the dread "real" job were down, so there was nothing going on there. I haven't heard a blasted thing from the Oz people about getting books for my signing event in November. I wasn't paid for anything. I really didn't accomplish much of anything all day. I did update the Recent Event page with photos from FallCon, so I guess that's something (check it out...it's chock-full of new links). Over all, though, the only thing that redeemed my Tuesday at all was receiving three different Fallfire entries! One was from O.F.O.WOMP Brian Payne, whose Professor Ink artwork is featured on the WOMP-Site Main Page right now. Beyond the Fallfire submissions, I probably could have skipped from Monday directly to Wednesday without much notice. Sigh. Well, here's your super-cheery Comic Book Quote (and Source) Of The Day - Now there's darkness in my soul. I want to die...again. (Spawn #1)!

October 23 - Happy Mole Day! I must say that I had an unexpectedly busy day Monday. I did check in on the hotel in which Speaker Hastert stayed, but I learned nothing more about the fate of my cartoon (and have not yet gotten paid for it, but that's mostly because I ran out of time to ask for payment). It is gone, so he might have it by now. I'll find out someday. Most of what occupied my Mole Day, though, was a sudden up-tick in the number of small commissions that I have agreed to draw. Some are "follow-up" caricatures, a residual effect of the caricature drawing fundraiser at the PdC Museum at Fort Crawford. Some are just "this and that" jobs, like the 2007 Mole Day art. Whatever the source, the number of these snuck up on me. I'd probably be in better shape if I didn't also have a dreadfully dull stint at the dumb "real" job as well. Oh, and it was SO dull...and dreadful...and dumb. Ugh. Now, even though it is now in the early hours of the 24th, I'll leave you with a special Mole Day edition of your Comic Book Quote (and Source) Of The Day - So, you have never before heard of The Moleman, eh? Well, soon the world shall hear of me!! (Fantastic Four #1)!

October 22 - So, what was "the BIG secret" that I couldn't talk about? Well, for reasons unknown, WOMP's hometown of Prairie du Chien was paid a visit by The Speaker of The U.S. House of Representatives, Rep. Dennis Hastert! Why? I have no idea. Mr. Hastert represents a district in Illinois which is somewhat nearby, but, other than that, I don't know what would bring him to our area....well, except for the regular stuff that brings anyone to PdC (for example, this was the last weekend to get a Pete's Hamburger before they close for the season...and, yes, I had three Pete's burgers to commemorate the event). I was informed that Mr. Hastert was coming by someone (who shall remain anonymous for now) who commissioned me to draw a little cartoon welcome. Her thinking was that, in the face of the current pressures and troubles faced by The Speaker, he might appreciate a little humor. Never one to turn down money, especially from Republicans (the only ones who have it), I agreed to take up the challenge. Knowing that Rep. Hastert was once a wrestler and wrestling coach (and is even in the collegiate wrestling Hall of Fame, I believe), I drew a cartoon of him dressed like Randy "Macho Man" Savage. He's shown yelling into a microphone "This Sunday, the ring's gonna be humming....'cuz Denny, The Hastler, is coming!" Beneath this is the caption "If Rep. Dennis Hastert's career had taken a different path..." I was pretty happy with it, but, since delivery, I have no idea what he, or anyone else, thought of it. During a break from drawing caricatures at the Fort Crawford Museum on Saturday, I ran the cartoon to the hotel where he was going to later stay, but had to just leave it with the slightly befuddled desk clerk. Whether Rep. Hastert, or the woman who hired me, or anyone beyond the desk clerk and I ever even saw the cartoon, I don't know. I hope to follow up on that on Monday (at which time I may also collect my fee), so I'll update you all when I know more. For now, I'll leave you with your Ghost Rideriffic Comic Book Quote (and Source) Of The Day - Will I ever be...free?! Or am I doomed to a dual life...man by day...and monster by night?! (Marvel Spotlight #5)!

October 21 - Yo. Thanks for checking in on me. I can't post much because it is actually Sunday morning (the 22nd) as I write this...just a few minutes before I head back to the PdC Museum to draw more caricatures. Apparently, not every bug was worked out of the system on the site which hosts the WOMP-Site, because I had trouble logging on again last night. Oh, well. I'll give you a full report later, but I must go now. Be sure to check in on me then because I will reveal "the BIG secret!" Now (and I can sure relate to this one), here's your Comic Book Quote (and Source) Of The Day - And trapped upon this world of madness - - - stand I! (The Silver Surfer #1)!

October 20 - Hmm. The site which hosts the WOMP-Site, Homestead, seems to be at about 50% of normal operation. For example, I was able to "publish" the entry below this one, but, immediately thereafter, I couldn't work on the Fallfire page. So, I don't know whether this will actually post, but I might as well try. Of course, I'm just about done for the day anyway. I will be drawing caricatures as a fundraiser for the Prairie du Chien Museum at Fort Crawford tomorrow and Sunday, so I'm planning to wrap this up a bit earlier than usual (I mean, c'mon...it's only midnight! That's lunch time for me!). I did have a couple of things to mention, though...just little snippets of information that struck my eye. Just for old times' sake, let's put them in the form of a list of...

The Top Ten Things I Was Going To Blog About But Couldn't Because The Site Was Down

10) I see that All Star Superman won the 2006 Eisner Award for Best New Series. I guess I wasn't the only one whose mind was blown by this fantastic, refreshing take on what can be, let's face it, one of the most staid characters and mythologies in all of comics. For example, it took Supes sixty years to reveal his dual identity to Lois Lane in the regular continuity. In All Star, which stands outside current storylines, he did it within the first couple of issues!

9) Vampires beware. As part of the process of winterizing our yard, I dismantled our ersatz vegetable garden from alongside WOMP H.Q.. I say "ersatz" because it sort of became our garden when long dormant seeds from past gardens began to sprout spontaneously this Spring. Without effort, we grew four GIGANTIC tomato plants (two "cherry" plants, and two "beefsteak" plants), a good number of onions, and garlic. Lots, and LOTS, of garlic. Today alone, I collected twelve clumps of garlic cloves. I cleaned them up, and they're ready for...for what? I like garlic, but not that much. I'd give some away, but who would take it? Oh, well...at least we're prepared for Halloween vampire attacks.

8) Comic book creator Erik Larsen is a huge Oz fan! The Savage Dragon writer and artist posted an on-line opinion piece today about his lifelong affection for the traditional tales of Oz. While interesting in itself, this little bit of information struck me as being particularly intriguing because Mr. Larsen is now also the Publisher of Image Comics! In fact, in this position of authority and power, he seems to be very protective of the Land of Oz, having rejected out-of-hand many new title pitches for darker, grittier Oz incarnations, as well as green-lighting Eric Shanower Oz books and other faithful adaptations and continuations. As such, he may be one of the most important people in current Oz history! Oh, and on a barely-related side note; Mr. Larsen and I have the same birthday! Ooh, what a birthday present it would be if I was ever able to do some sort of Oz project through Image! Yes, it's about as likely as also discovering that Oz is a real place, but, you know, if happy little bluebirds fly beyond the rainbow...

7) It's a "go" for more Dorksters comic strips! O.F.O.WOMP Jim Main has given me a deadline of mid-January for a second episode. It will be a two-page strip this time around, so I hope to pen more of a story. The first episode merely, and barely, introduced the characters and premise. I have some story outlines from whenever I drew that first strip (2003?), but I may start again from scratch. I guess I have a few months to work on that.

6) Oh, and speaking of "working on that," I should be inking the 2007 Mole Day moles right now. The kind folks at The National Mole Day Foundation graciously paid me for my efforts in advance, just so that I'd have some spending money at FallCon this year. Since Mole Day 2006 is this Monday, I hope to have at least one of the four completed by then!

5) OK. As I write this, I am sitting on top of a BIG secret. And I mean BIG!!! This isn't some namby-pamby "about me" secret, either. It's really BIG!! And I'm dying to tell you...but, it is literally so big that there is an outside possibility that I WOULD die if I told you! OK, that's a bit of a stretch, but not by much. No, I'd better not reveal the BIG secret that I've been made privy to...at least not yet. I think that it will be safe (legal?) to tell you after this weekend. Until then, all I can say is that the secret involves a person who.....hmm. You know what? I had better just shut up about this for now. Soon, you'll know why I had to keep silent. Until then, I have just one word for you; BIG!

4) As if my dumb "real" job weren't bad enough, they actually shorted me a day on my last paycheck! I caught it, and the wheels are in motion to properly compensate me for the time I worked, but that really hurt me this week as I'm stretched to the limit with Fallfire costs. Thankfully, the co-sponsors came through with their financial support, or I'd be in negative territory! As it is, WOMP Central is operating on a $7.00 budget for a week! Oh, well...at least we have that.

3) Speaking of Fallfire, I have another big favor to ask of you. And it's not what you're thinking. Although I again encourage you to enter the contest, the favor I'd like to ask is that you tell someone about it. Please? Now that I have co-sponsors, I feel obligated to try to get as many artists involved as possible...but now I'm running late on that, due, in part, to dealing with the extra work that comes with having co-sponsors. If you know an artist, young or old, please mention Fallfire to him or her. And don't worry about remembering all of the details. Just direct them to fallfire.org and tell them that there is a $100.00 top prize. That should do it.

2) And, might I add this question; what the heck happened to Fall itself this year? We went from late Summer to early Winter so quickly this year that "Autumn" took place over the course of a single week. Of course, there is a beauty to be found in the muted gray-brown colors and near-freezing temperatures of this Wintumn season (or is it Fallter?), but I must admit that I was looking forward to a few more days of Crayola-colored hills and sun-drenched flea markets.

1) It didn't stop The WOMP Staff and I from taking a walk in the woods today anyway. Yes, it was cold, especially as the day got closer to twilight, but I discovered a new (to us) hiking trail, and we just felt compelled to check it out. For any of you who are familiar with Prairie du Chien, you know that Highway 18 leaves town toward Iowa by crossing the mighty Mississippi along a sort of hop, skip, and jump series of spans (colloquially referred to as "the bridge," in spite of being composed of four individual bridges and some man-enhanced islands). On the center island upon which "the bridge" sits, there is also a large, mostly abandoned parking lot. In one corner of this lot, there is the entrance to a wonderful, secluded trail that winds along the ridgebacks of the interconnected overgrown sandbars and tree-snags, toward the center of the river, ultimately finding one of the remnants of the 1930's bridge that preceded the current crossing. It's a bit like a scene out of Planet of The Apes, as the half-mile-long asphalt road is barely recognizable beneath the lush growth that has been slowly consuming it since the 1970's. Along with what is easily the largest tree I've ever seen in our area (it's redwood sized, and at least 200 years old...but dead!), there are protruding, twisted, and tortured remnants of the Depression Era steel and cement construction that once was considered the most beautiful bridge on the Upper Mississippi. It's not a long trail (about two miles?), but it is pretty cool. The next time you are in the area, you should check it out!

Well, that's it for tonight. I've got those caricatures in just a few hours, so I'll leave you with your Comic Book Quote (and Source) Of The Day - What is this - - "Be Nice To Gargoyles" Week, or somethin'? (Fantastic Four #51)!

October "18" and "19" - It's not my fault!! Honestly, I've been trying to post an entry, or otherwise work on the WOMP-Site for days now, but, until right now, at 4:45PM on the 20th, the hosting site has been down! Really! Here's their apology -

Login to your account has been temporarily disabled.

We are currently experiencing technical difficulties which prevent access to your account. Please rest assured that your website is still available for viewing, all of your data is preserved, and that we are working to restore account access as quickly as possible. We apologize for any inconvenience.

See?! It's not my fault! When I last tried to log in, they'd even posted phone numbers to accept complaints. Now, for no reason other than curiosity, I checked on them again, and, YIPPEE, they're back! I hope to post more tonight, but here are two days' worth of your Comic Book Quote (and Source) Of The Day - October 18 - The name's Daredevil - - - remember it! You'll be hearing it again - - - I promise! (Daredevil #1)! - and October 19 - STUPID, STUPID RAT CREATURES!! (Bone #2)!

October 17 - Sorta big news is brewin' here at WOMP Central. It's not even a secret anymore; I'll be having a book signing for some of the Oz related stuff I've done. It's going to be on November 18th, at Rivertown Fine Books in McGregor, Iowa. Most details are still to be worked out (like just what, if anything, I will actually be signing), but I'll keep you in the loop as things develop further. However it proceeds, I want to encourage any of you from this area to check out Rivertown Fine Books, owned and operated by John Malcom. It's pretty awesome. Even if you aren't a "book freak" (and I'm just this side of being one myself), it will knock your socks off just to see so many rare, and interesting, books. And they're not all of the musty, thick historical volume sort. John is also selling rare collected comic strip books, classic kids' books, and recent best sellers as well. To promote Oz and other L. Frank Baum stuff there is a perfectly natural fit. I hope everything works out. Ooh, that reminds me (for no reason I can imagine) to tell you that I've finally updated The WOMP Character of The Week! Check out Brian Payne's artwork, and my mini-biography, of the twisted Professor Ink! Tonight, I've still got a handful of press releases and such to type up before I head to bed, so I think I'll leave you with your patriotic Comic Book Quote (and Source) Of The Day - We shall call you Captain America, son! Because, like you - - America shall gain the strength and the will to safeguard our shores! (Captain America #1)!

October 16 - Hi, my friends! Sorry for the no-show last night...and the "late-show" of this entry. I guess the phrase "better late than never" might apply. I spent most of Monday either recuperating from Sunday, or working on Fallfire. I still have one co-sponsor to find, but I think I'll just see who may approach me about it...or sponsor it myself. Redundant? Yes, but the idea would be that someone may claim that spot next year. While I am thinking about it, I will, AGAIN, cajole you about entering this year's contest. Please think about it. There is still plenty of time before Fallfire ends on the 31st. Don't worry about making it "perfect," because spontaneity is the main focus of the judging. That, and the whole point of Fallfire is to encourage artists to do something. So, give it a try. Even if you start a project which you do not finish, I would call that a Fallfire success! Now, just for you, here's your appropriately inspirational Comic Book Quote (and Source) Of The Day - How satisfying it is to leave a mark on a blank surface. To make a map of my movement - - no matter how temporary. (Blankets graphic novel)!

October "15" - Yes, I suck. I had a very long day on the 15th, so I went right to sleep after returning from the dread "real" job. Had I posted anything, I would have concluded it with the 15th's Comic Book Quote (and Source) Of The Day - I am from the fourth planet from the Sun! I am a scientist on my world! And I am known as J'onn J'onzz! Now - - you explain how I came here. (Detective Comics #225)!

October 14 - Let's get right to it, shall we? Here's...

FallCon 2006; A Long, Boring Report

Part Three - Get Your Geek On

Plenty of fanboy frenzy at this year's con. I didn't get to thoroughly sift through every booth or display, but both The WOMP Staff and I found time to sample a bit of what FallCon 2006 had to offer. As I told you, we fell in love with the artwork of cartoonist Katie Cook, and, had we discovered her table on Saturday instead of Sunday, we would have given her a hefty amount of our earnings just to get our hands on her fantastic art. Someday, I will find the guts to talk to strangers, but, unfortunately, that time has not yet come, so we must love Katie from afar for now. And I do mean afar, as she said that FallCon was a ten hour drive from wherever she lives! That makes our three and a half hour drive seem like a joy. Also, as you may recall, the WOMP booth was directly across the aisle from a table with Ernie Chan, Alex Nino, and Tony DeZuniga. We watched them for two days, and I can report that they, and their wives, were wonderful, kind, and patient with anyone who stopped by...including me. I couldn't stand it. I just had to go look at their stuff. Mr. DeZuniga even had a wall of art prints behind him...a wall that tempted me to spend, spend, spend! Well, again, I was too chicken to talk to any of these legends, so I merely stopped by, smiled politely, then slunk back to my pathetic booth. But, in the moments I was there, my eyes nearly bugged out of my stupid head! Mr. DeZuniga had drawn GIGANTIC (2' x 3') fully-inked studies of some of the characters with which he is most associated, including an absolutely gorgeous full figure piece featuring Jonah Hex (if I had that drawing today, I could die happy tonight). Mr. Chan had brought REAMS of his vintage professional work, including many original comics cover illustrations. One, from a 1970's issue of Claw, The Unconquered, looked like a museum piece...and, I guess, it should be! Mr. Nino had many unpublished fantasy illustrations with him (which were, presumably, for sale). With no offense meant to Mr. DeZuniga or to Mr. Chan, I have to say that Alex Nino has always been one of my favorite artists, so I was particularly interested in what he had on display. Awesome. Back at the WOMP table, I tried to explain the artistic merits and characteristics of the work of these three artists. As I did, The Staff exclaimed "I was wondering when you'd finally get your geek on!" And I was just starting! I also geeked and gawked at the actual, 1960's TV show Batmobile and Batcycle! They're so iconic, beautiful, and imbued with nostalgia from my own childhood, that I felt compelled to give to the owner a copy of The Adventures of Monkey #3, the back cover of which features a photo that includes my toy version of the Batcycle. He seemed really happy to have it. Late on Sunday, I added some more toys to my collection, buying action figures of Pedro, Kip, and Napoleon Dynamite (Sweet!). I also had a handful of geek-on-getting moments at the WOMP table, including being asked to draw in a few sketchbooks, the most interesting of which was being compiled by O.F.O.WOMP Ivan Martin. It featured characters drawn in alphabetical order! I had the honor of providing a drawing of Monkey for "M." Isn't that a cool idea? Also, the table was visited by several costumed folks, including Superman and Batman. The photo I took of The WOMP Staff hugging Superman is probably worth the trip alone! All in all, from the logistics of attending, to the sales at the WOMP booth, to the friends we saw or made, to the cool stuff we saw or did, I'd have to conclude that this was a pretty good show! I don't know whether or not I will attend FallCon, or any con, next year, but, if not, I do know that this was a good one to go out on! Now, here's your extra-geeky Comic Book Quote (and Source) Of The Day - Thor! The legendary god of thunder!! The mightiest warrior of all mythology!! This is his hammer!! And I - - I am THOR!!! (Journey Into Mystery #83)!

October 13 - Friday, The Thirteenth - I don't even remember anymore whether I'm superstitious or not. On some days, I purposely walk under ladders, spill salt, cross paths with black cats, and break mirrors (that feat accomplished by merely looking at them). On those days, I openly laugh at superstitions. Ha ha! Then, there are days like today...er, like yesterday (it's deep into the 14th as I type this). Although the day started like any other, it degenerated into bizarre spats of misfortune, punctuated by irony and exacerbation. To try to describe these events, and, thereby be forced to relive them, would be nearly impossible. I can characterize these events, though, as being a continuous series of interlocking and escalating miscommunications, malfunctions, and mishaps, the sum total of which was my decision to cut my losses and just go to bed early. Later today, the 14th, I will post the final "chapter" of my FallCon report, but now I'm off to recoup my many losses from the very unlucky 13th. Here, however, is the Comic Book Quote (and Source) Of The Day - Life and Death are unquantifiable abstracts. Why should I be concerned? (Watchmen #1)!

October 12 - ACK! Time is flying! I'm still getting all of my Fallfire ducks in a row, and there's already SNOW on the ground! Worse, the contest ends in just a little over two weeks! I did fulfill several Fallfire promotional goals today, at least, including securing another associate sponsor, AmericInn Lodge and Suites. I've updated the Fallfire site to reflect some of the most recent additions, too, if you want to check that out. Tonight, though, it's back to...

FallCon 2006; A Long, Boring Report

Part Two - Another Funny Subtitle

The show was packed this year, from number of guests to the gathered throngs of "goers." There were great geeks and fabulous fanboys of all sorts, from Trek weirdies to comics nerds. Every face, and I mean EVERY one that passed the WOMP table, was like a beautiful caricature, glowing with individuality and personality. I told The Staff that I had a vision of photographing everyone, then recreating the entire convention hall as a huge drawing. That, of course, will never happen, but the thought crossed my mind. Some of the faces were of Official Friends of WOMP. We saw just about everyone we'd hoped to see, including magical malcontent Mike Toft, jovial Jeff Rose, and Why-Can't-I-Remember-His-Last-Name Sam C. (former lead singer of the folk/rock band, My Cousin Dallas). As I mentioned, we also saw Old School O.F.O.WOMP George Barth. A longer visit with him later on Saturday provided the shocking news that George is not only married, but is actually someone's DAD! YOW! Past Fallfire entrants also stopped by, including Dan "Amongst The Leaves" Dittmer, 2005 Grand Prize Winner David B. "Autumn Is Burning" Crady, and long-standing O.F.O.WOMP, and 2005 Second Prize winner, Derek J. Anderson! Derek, in fact, came with his entire young family, including six-month-old son Ezra (who hit on The Staff the entire time). As it was Ezra's first comic book convention, we gave him a Kitty Boy T-shirt to commemorate the event. He, however, was more interested in our shiny name badges. Oh, well. We also were happy to have really great "table buddies" this year. On one side was a large display for Aspirations Media, publishers of wonderful books of fantasy and adventure. The author of most of these books, Chad Corrie, is a very nice, somewhat reserved guy who was a great conversationalist and a wonderful neighbor. On our other side, we shared a table with Maxxximum Madcap, colorful cartoonist of the syndicated comic strip FUD4THOT. Maxxx actually lives very near WOMP H.Q., so we hope to get together again soon (on a side-note, he is also friends with O.F.O.WOMP Mike Toft, who actually attended Maxxx's wedding!). We both had all sorts of fun with the unconventional Maxxx, who really "made" this FallCon for us. Right behind Maxxx, around the corner, was Kurt Wood, artist of the all-ages comic Brandon's Little Problem. Because we were essentially back-to-back, we didn't have the chance to talk very much, but I did commission Kurt to draw WOMP character Ferrex just for fun. He hit that ball out of the park, even fully inking and then shading the piece with gray markers. The Staff and I also became fans of artist Katie Cook, a fantastic cartoonist, from one aisle over, who has done artwork for such iconic properties as Star Wars and The Lord of The Rings. We bought two of her colorful prints; one of cutesy-kid versions of Spider-Man and Dr. Octopus (The Staff got that one), the other of the sweetest little Yoda I've ever seen (that's the one I purchased). Her portfolio is chock full of such great, sweet art, that we wanted to buy it all...and we might have, too, if she hadn't completely sold out by mid-Sunday! Other than gawking at Katie's stuff, we didn't have much time to look around, but we did do a bit of fanboying (or geekgirling, in The Staff's case). More on that tomorrow. Now, it's time for your Comic Book Quote (and Source) Of The Day - Call me - - The Monitor! And very soon I shall be ruler over all who live! (Crisis On Infinite Earths #5)!

October 11 - I'm still running on a very odd schedule, so it is, again, late in the morning of the "next day" as I write this entry for the "11th." Even at that, it will be VERY short, as I have a quickly approaching appointment to be interviewed by Official Friend of WOMP Norb Aschom for our local radio station. This will be a three-in-one, as we'll tape separate interviews for the caricature drawing event at the Fort Crawford Museum, Fallfire, and a book signing that I will be at in November...which is still in the planning stage. TONIGHT (or, you know...tomorrow morning...or whatever), I will continue my report on last weekend's FallCon. Now, here's your Comic Book Quote (and Source) Of The Day - I'm sorry, Superboy, but we can not admit you into our super-hero club! Your low score on the tests we gave you proves your powers are too ordinary! (Adventure Comics #247)!

October 10 - My "internal clock" is still off a bit from this last weekend, so I'm actually typing this entry in the late morning of the 11th. I only mention this because I've recently discovered that the majority of WOMP-Blog reading takes place between 6:00AM and 10:00AM, so you may have already assumed that there is no entry for the 10th. Sorry! Anyhoo, here's the first part of my indeterminately-numbered part series...

FallCon 2006; A Long, Boring Report

Part One - A Garage Sale That Had Blown Up

Somehow, miraculously, our drive to and from FallCon was efficient, quick, and without incident. That's a first. Usually, the trip is marked by at least one unexpected sidetrip into the wrong end of Minneapolis, a couple of half-hour long road construction delays, and any number of impassioned finger-pointing map-reading arguments ("Is it exit 2A, 2B, or what?" "Just look at the map!"). The WOMP Staff and I hit the Minnesota State Fairgrounds, most recent home of FallCon, at 9:00AM. Even though this was an hour before the show was to start, we were still cutting it pretty close if we hoped to set up before the crowds starting rolling in. As we rolled our little carts of assorted Monkey items and display stuff past the line of gathering fans waiting to get in, my eye caught a familiar face...which, in turn, looked back at me with the same puzzled look of growing recognition. There, just a week after hearing from Old School O.F.O.WOMP Kyle J. Bertelsen after almost ten years, was another member of Splash Page, Ink; George Barth! George is a multitalented artist, who provided much of the dynamism for our little group. As The Staff and I passed him in our rush to set up, we exchanged quick pleasantries ("Mundt!" "Hey, I know you!"), and promised to talk more later. Inside, we found that our spot this year was right in the front row, fifty feet or so from the entrance, and directly across the aisle from Bronze Age comics greats Ernie Chan, Alex Nino, and Tony DeZuniga! The only downside was that, due to the great placement, we had just half of an eight-foot table...and about three tables' worth of stuff (once set, I said that the WOMP spot looked like a garage sale that had blown up). We found a way to squeeze just about everything in, but there was no room for Fallfire stuff. No big deal, I guess. Also, as promised, I dropped prices on our stuff to "clearance sale" prices. T-shirts and sweatshirts were $4.00, hats were $3.00, and some stuff was FREE! I had printed two-hundred copies of the second issue of Tales From The WOMP-Blog, this one featuring the story "Those Kind of Guys" (from September of 2004). Those, along with Dan bookmarks and omnipresent Smarties, were handed out to whoever got close to the table...until I started running out! That, in itself, is a sign of some success, which added to our overall sense that this may have been one of our best shows ever. Oh, and we had great "table buddies" again this year, so that also helped. "Table buddies" is the term I apply to fellow guests on either side of us, and, because our table was also on a corner, we had many more of those than usual. More on that tomorrow. Here, then, is tonight's Comic Book Quote (and Source) Of The Day - Great guns!! I'm stretchin' like a rubber band!! (Police Comics #1)!

October 9 - Hey there! Howzit going? I'm back from FallCon with more stories than time or energy. Overall, we had a great time (yes, even The WOMP Staff said that it was not just the most tolerable comics convention she'd attended, but the most fun as well!). We met new people (literally - many babies), saw friends, laughed, learned, ate, sold, bought, drew, and experienced so much positive feedback that...drumroll please....we both decided to consider attending again next year. So, I'm not saying that we will make the trip to FallCon in 2007 (in fact, chances are pretty good that we won't), just that we had such a good time that we decided to play it by ear next time around. I want to give you a full accounting of our FallCon adventures, but I've learned from past con-reporting experience that I have to spread it out over several nights. Tonight, I want to work a little on the Fallfire site, so I'll start the convention reporting tomorrow. I can give you a little more Fallfire news, though; I have the first two entries already! Yippee! Also, after talking to folks at Orion Computers, they've decided to sponsor a prize for the Best Entry From an Artist Over 30 Years Old (leaving an obvious open spot for an award for the best from someone under thirty). The wording that Blackhawk Junction has settled upon for their local artist award is Best Entry From The Tri-County Area. So far, I am striking out on finding business support for other awards, but I'm not worried. Thanks to the generosity of the three current sponsors, the contest is in good shape...and, MAYBE...just maybe...the Prize Fund is growing! If you haven't read the "rules," I'll simply say that the Prize Fund is an over-flow account for money potentially not spent on the actual costs of the contest. Should this happen, the overflow amount will be divvied up amongst the First and Second place winners, even possibly filtering down to the Special Recognition Award winners. As of right now, that looks very likely! More on that as time goes on. For now, here's your Comic Book Quote (and Source) Of The Day - We suffer as we choose. Nothing's amiss. All torments are deserved - - - none more than this. (Swamp Thing Annual #2)!

October "7" and "8" - OK, so it's actually late on the 9th as I type this. The actual 7th and 8th were the dates of the annual MCBA FallCon in St. Paul, Minnesota, so I was unable to post anything while we attended. Yes, yes...I could have posted an entry on Sunday night, especially since we were home at 9:00PM, but my body decided to collapse in deep, recuperative sleep instead. Oh, well. HAD I posted anything either evening, they would have concluded with their Comic Book Quote (and Source) Of The Day - October 7th - In his laboratory, Dr. Occult binds the imprisoned werewolf with chains, then seats himself and patiently waits for dawn - - (More Fun Comics #12); - and October 8th - Man, I tell it like it is now! The sound is groovey! It blows my mind! (Brother Power, The Geek #1)!

October 6 - I'm about 50% packed for tomorrow's FallCon. Hopefully, I will finish packing in time to get an hour or two of sleep before we take off. Maybe. It's not looking good. In fact, I'd better wrap this up so I can get back to it (which reminds me to tell you that I won't be able to post anything Saturday night). Here's your Comic Book Quote (and Source) Of The Day - I'm a man of my word, mutants. I swore I would destroy you, and I shall! (X-Men #112)!

October 5 - Big Fallfire news - I secured two more associate sponsors for Special Recognition prizes today. One is Orion Computers, who is sponsoring the award for best computer generated art. The other is Blackhawk Junction, our local mall. They are sponsoring the prize for the best entry from our area (exact wording and radius of "our area" to be determined soon). Blackhawk Junction is also on board to host a showing of the entries next month. Those plans are still just in the "let's do it" stage, so I don't have any details as to when, exactly where, or even how. There are some other exciting mini-developments (along the lines of hearing from potential entrants, discovering a new media outlet, etc.), but I'll have to wait to tell you about them. Tonight, I'm trying desperately to complete preparations for FallCon, which includes an appointment to make photocopies at 5:30AM...just three hours from now. Suffice to say that I'll be right down to the wire to keep that deadline. Wish me luck! Here is tonight's Comic Book Quote (and Source) Of The Day - And a lean, silent figure slowly fades into the gathering darkness, aware at last that in this world, with great power there must also come - - great responsibility! (Amazing Fantasy #15)!

October 4 - Again, I've had a super-charged day, so full of news bits that I have to ignore them all in favor of getting to sleep sometime in the next few years...especially since I have that big Fallfire meeting tomorrow AM. Instead, for absolutely no reason whatsoever, I offer you a spontaneous poem about the events of my day, entitled -

October Four

rain

breaks the heat's grip

wakes the day

fresh, clean, new

sun

on its quickening trip

illuminates cooly

clear, quick, true

wind

finds the loosening leaves

plays quietly

sudden, warm, cold

fire

with tradition weaves

Homecoming and prehistory

glowing, growing, old

Yes, yes...it stinks. Like, a lot. But, as I said, it was spontaneous. In fact, in many ways, it's just the kind of thing that I hope entrants will submit to the Fallfire contest! We'll see, I guess. Now, here's your Comic Book Quote (and Source) Of The Day - The Fantastic Four!! Hah! Little do they dream they are naught but pawns in the hands of Doctor Doom! (The Fantastic Four #5)!

October 3 - OK, here's the deal. It's already well after 3:00AM on the 4th, and I am out of steam. I have just about enough juice left in me to post a standard, regulation-size WOMP-Blog entry. The problem is that I have had SEVERAL big events occur today (or very recently), about each of which I should write something. So, what do I do? Hmm. Well, in true slacker style, I've decided to blow it all off, in favor of a quick little synopsis of each topic. Maybe I'll expand upon some of this later (in fact, I am planning on it), but, for now, here is my list of...

The Top Ten Things I Would Blog About Tonight If I Weren't So Blasted Tired

10) I've got stuff on eBay ending soon, including a copy of Continuity Crisis, my 24 Hour Comic of last year. I've been toying with plans to attempt another cartooning marathon this year, in spite of missing the "official" 24 Hour Comic Day this weekend.

9) WOMP's hometown, Prairie du Chien, was officially the hottest place in Wisconsin today. The temp hit 87 degrees!

8) I've got a big Fallfire meeting coming up, which promises to bring a lot of exposure (and prize money) to the contest.

7) I saw Heroes on TV. Oh...I just have to find some time to write about that soon!

6) Since this weekend's FallCon may be my last comics convention for a while, I've cooked up some special deals and nifty new promo items to give away. Hey...that reminds me; I should do something special for the MCBA folks, too!

5) Did you know that U.S. National Parks and Monuments are, once a year, open to the public for FREE? I didn't. Did you know that that day was September 30th? UGH! Neither did I until today. Effigy Mounds National Monument, which is directly across the Mississippi from Prairie du Chien, even offered a program through which, for some extremely rudimentary volunteer work, people could earn yet ANOTHER free pass to ANY site in the National Park System!

4) Twenty years ago TODAY (October 3, 1986), my first (and only) art show opened. The display consisted of about twenty mounted originals, arranged on easels around a large fireplace in The Barn Restaurant. While Monkey was not present in any of the artwork (still a couple of years away from his creative resurrection), there was a concept drawing of The King of The Flying Monkeys of Oz! There were other WOMP characters represented, though, including Vladic, John Woe, and (ohlordhelpme) Captain Stretcho!

3) I got an e-mail today, appropriately labeled "Blast From The Past" in the subject line. It was from Old School Official Friend of WOMP, Mr. Kyle J. Bertelsen! Kyle was one of the most influential people in my life. He organized Splash Page, Ink., an EXTREMELY loose confederation of area cartoonists. How and why I ever decided to drive all the way to La Crosse to be a part of SPI, I'll never know, but the experience has shaped much of my life, even pushing me over the edge into self-publishing. Kyle and I were about as close as artists living 60 miles and several years apart can be, but, soon after we each found the gals who later became our wives, we began to lose touch. The last time we spoke, it was in a phone conversation...that was two days before my Mom's first, and most debilitating, stroke. The next year and a half was pretty much all about helping Mom, so I never had time to follow up on Kyle's last attempt to remain in contact. Tonight, while I am thrilled to hear from him, I still haven't responded! I hope to do so right after this entry is completed!

2) Speaking of the gal who became my wife, it was our ninth anniversary today! We didn't do anything exciting, but we're kind of thinking of FallCon weekend as our "celebration."

1) Last, but not least, I want to post your Comic Book Quote (and Source) Of The Day - Fainted!! Bah! Just like all weak, helpless creatures! (The Incredible Hulk #1)!

October 2 - Heya. Not much going on here. I've been trying to work on stuff for the FallCon (coming this weekend), but it has been fairly unbearable as temperatures reached 80 stifling degrees in the sweaty halls of WOMP Central. Even now, at 3:00AM, it's a balmy 70. And where is the hottest spot in all of The Land of WOMP? Why, right in front of the WOMPuter, of course! GASP! Needless to say, between the volume of work ahead of me, my discomfort from the radiant waves of heat coming off of this blasted WOMPuter/furnace, and the fact that tomorrow (well...today, the 3rd) is my anniversary, I suppose I should wrap this up. Before I go, I wanted to point out that there is a new WOMP Character Of The Day on the Main Page, if you are interested. Otherwise, here's your Comic Book Quote (and Source) Of The Day - The Bat-Man reads the paper he snatched from the killers and a grim smile comes to his lips! (Detective Comics #27)!

October 1 - It's finally October 1st. Yippee! I don't know why, but there is something about this month that makes me feel like my problems will be lessened, my senses will be invigorated, and the illusive spark of creativity will zap me in the rear end. All of that artsy-fartsy stuff I blather on about on the Fallfire 3 site is absolutely true for me. The 1st also marks the anniversary of my Grandma Mundt's birthday (she's been gone for a few years now), as well as the birthday of my mother-in-law. Obsessed with Octobering-it-up today, The WOMP Staff and I went for a great hike in the woods, then visited my in-laws, then my own folks. We had a (final?) grilled meal of Oktoberfest brats and "steaks" of zucchini, watched a thrilling NASCAR race from Kansas (which Tony Stewart won after he'd run out of gas and coasted for almost an entire lap), and even saw most of the St. Louis/Detroit football game (a rare scorefest in this era of dominating defenses). We even picked rustic wildflowers and sprigs of fallen tree leaves to make an Octobery floral arrangement. It was like a freakin' Octobergasm! Er...well, maybe that's a bit too far, but once I heard the word in my head, I just had to share it! Besides, it's basically correct. I can't know what the rest of October may bring, but at least it's off to a great start. Oh, and speaking of "off to a great start," I think I've got a winner for the "...Of The Day" feature for October. Here's tonight's entry, the first Comic Book Quote (and Source) Of The Day - What th' - ? This is the sixth hypodermic needle I've broken on your skin! (Action Comics #1)!