Table of Contents

RKYV # 33 {February 2010} Health and Wellness

RKYV LOGO - David Marshall {current} - By C. S. Cartier
RKYV LOGO – r. j. paré {modified}
RKYV LOGO – Roy G. James {original} Featured Artist Review
– Delbert Hewitt, Jr.
Virtual Cover # 31 - By r .j. paré
- Art by James Santiago
- Layout by David Marshall Short Fiction
- Bad Beat, part 5
Interior Art - by r. j. paré
- By De Tourist, C. S. Cartier, r. j. paré,
Yolande Gaspard, Roger Price, Mike Poetry
Grattan, Carl Haynes, James Santiago - By Frances Nichols Vargas, Eric
Lawson, Stephen Campbell, C. S.
Editorial Column Cartier, r. j. paré
- “At the Outset:
A Few Thoughts from the Editor” Pop Culture
- By r. j. paré - “Comic Book Review”
- By Brad Bellmore
World View
- A Canadian Living in the USA - “Raised on Saturday Morning
- By Tom Rossini Cartoons”
- By Pauline Paré

Leaf Jam – by De Tourist

 At The Outset
A Few Thoughts
From the Editor
By r. j. paré

“Gazing from my window to the streets below

on a freshly fallen silent shroud of snow.”

- I am a Rock, Simon and Garfunkel

[February] – According to Wikipedia, that font of fabulous factoids, this

month was named after the Latin word februum, meaning purification and the
corresponding Roman ritual of Februa once celebrated on the 15th of the
month. It certainly is a strange month. February has been the cause of more
than its share of confusion over the centuries. Once considered the last month
of the year, since it was the last month of winter, the Romans bounced this
month all over the calendar. Lasting, in ancient times, anywhere from 23 days
to 29 days it could be rather confusing for record keeping, let alone the
average citizen. Eventually things got standardized with Leap Years at regular
4 year intervals and things began to look up for good ole Feb. That is until…

<ahem>

[Valentine’s Day] – Of all the former pseudo religious and / or pagan

traditions to continue in modern secular times… why oh, why did men get
saddled with this bit of consumer driven nonsense? Advertisers, manufactures
and retailers conspire to manipulate women into unrealistic expectations and
men into emptying their wallets on pricey flowers, baubles and chocolates.
What a ridiculous and contrived holiday. Which is my way of saying, I forgot.
Now, with limited time remains to me [have you ever seen an angry forty year
old woman? Not a pretty sight] I should get on with welcoming you all to RKYV
ONLINE # 33. This month we’ve got a whole lot of goodies to satisfy your
creative sweet-tooth.

C.S. Cartier once again helms this month’s health column navigating the
turbulent waters of life with disability - with a self deprecating wit. From
returning columnist Tom Rossini we have his thoughts on the Vancouver 2010
Winter Olympic Games. Indie comic book Writer/Creator Brad Bellmore
reviews another new title from his pull list. And the lovely and talented
Pauline Paré shares her thoughts on the current TV season while celebrating
her 41st Birthday!! [March 4th just before this issue is released, luv ya, hon ].

It is also my pleasure to introduce many of you to a talented young artist you

may find published on the shelves of your local comic shops in the near
future, James Santiago. James took the time recently to share his thoughts on
his work, influences and future as an illustrator in an interview with RKYV. A
sampling of his graphite sketches, pinups and cover art are available in this
month’s Featured Artist Review for you all to enjoy.

And now, the end is near

I’ve said, what I needed to say.
I’ve intro’d each and every by-line
but more, much more than this
I did it my-y-y way…

r. j. paré, butchering Sinatra

[RKYV ONLINE intern

staffers would like to
comment on the
quality of monsieur
Paré’s singing, but
alas the bleeding
eardrums have them
all ensconced in the
local emergency room
until further notice.]

Lift Off
- by De Tourist
Roy Lichtenstein [style] Pop Art – by Carl Haynes
 Health & Wellness
Disabled, Alive and Kick’n
By C. S. Cartier

Randy [our beloved leader and editor]

continuously hounds and badgers, like any
good editor should, for me to write something
for the new edition of this mag. I have handed in
art this month. I have worked on a new comic
for him. I am busy writing my own damn
novel. Surely this is enough for him? What the
heck does he expect from me? I spend most of
my time sleeping or looking for the energy to
just to keep my eyes open. Surely the art I
handed in gives me some brownie points.

Alas, no!

[Give me a break, I am disabled here. Medication keeps me in a foggy and

dreary state. The words hide somewhere like a memory not quite realized. I
have money problems, family problems, health problems, what more can I
possible give. Surely, I get a walk by.]

Still no. A thought occurred to me. I’m alive. I have the heart and I have the
will [the talent is a completely different column and issue]. The problems I
face are the same as everyone else, perhaps a little more - maybe less. My
burdens are my own. They are not an excuses and certainly not a crutch. I do
not want them to define me.
 < The Caped Crusaders in ink

- by C. S. Cartier

For the last two weeks [I am writing this the day

after the closing ceremonies] the Olympics
have entertained, thrilled, awed, fascinated,
and even inspired. These young people had a
dream and they let nothing stand in their way
from realizing that dream.

What gave them this special push for greatness? Is there a formula for
it? Einstein did not figure it out so surely it does not exist..? [Or did
he!] Greatness is not something you are, it is something that you
achieve through hard work, persistence and a touch of luck. Could it be that
simple?

Yes timing does play a small part, but timing only comes from
persistence. Crosby taught us something during the Gold Medal game. If the
puck does not go in, shoot again. Eventually the goal will be realized if you
keep shooting. Did the American’s play well, hell yes, and they deserved the
gold just as much. The Canadian team wanted it more. They were hungrier,
worked hard, and persistent. We can learn a lot from them. They by
definition are Heroes. Next week begins the Paralympics, like me these
athletes are disabled. “Disabled, alive… and kick’n!” [Figuratively speaking
of course, as some cannot kick. I am not picking on them or joking because I
can’t kick either. Limits are set in your own mind. I do not believe in the
phrase, “I can’t!” The phrase in my mind is, “I can’t YET.”
Congrats to all the Olympians, you earn a
spot in the history books. Special
congratulations to all the medal winners. I
stand and applaud you. To all of the great
Canadian athletes, thank you for reminding
me that if you are going to dream…

…DREAM BIG!!!

It’s my shot at the goal and if I miss I will

simply shoot again. Gold medal winners
don’t believe in the word can’t either.

[Editor’s Note: The following is a short promo / preview for a new series of
articles penned by C. S. Cartier on the topic of 2012 and all its associated
theories, conspiracies, thoughts, fears and paranoia.]

The Last Footsteps to 2012

By C. S. Cartier

It was only yesterday, the last time I heard yet, another, ‘theory’ espousing the
doom that approaches. Just a fortnight since another prophet predicted the
end. Not since the dawn of this new millennium has the ‘end of days’ concept
been thrust at us with such biblical pandemonium.

I am not really surprised by the level of fear and superstition that seems to be
gripping everyone as the calendar marks us one more day and year closer to
that dreaded day when the world will [supposedly] cease. Religion, politics,
science and history seldom talk the same talk or walk the same walk. Yet
somehow, the Maya civilization was able to mesh the four to some degree or
another.
Could the beliefs in these predictions be based on the mathematical genius
this culture seems to have had?

 No one questions how accurate they have been in calculating things

such as astrological events and planetary positions.

Could they have actually known that 2012 would be the end of life on earth?

I will be taking you all on an adventure to explore the different theories about
how this end is supposed to come about. In a series called “The last footsteps
to 2012.” I will try to explain what science there is behind all these theories
and see if we can either debunk or substantiate the evidence. No one should
face the end… uninformed. I will take an impartial look at whether we should
prepare or if our kids may indeed graduate.

2012 is coming one way or another.

The true question is what about the following years. Next issue of RKYV is Part
One of the series which already is production.

‘Til then
Regards,
Cliff Cartier

The Last Footsteps to 2012 – by r. j. paré

Untitled – by Roger Price
 World
A Canadian,
Living in the U.S.A.
By Tom Rossini

OH, CANADA!!! HOW GREAT THOU ART!!!

With the 2010 Vancouver Olympics closing just under 24 hours ago [at the time
of writing], there is still much talk about the Olympics. From the opening ceremony,
where 1 of the 4 cauldrons failed to work properly and thus, could not be lit. To the final
Olympic medals awarded during the closing ceremonies but there are 3 controversial
topics being discussed or shall I say debated heavily here in the USA. Now, I am a
Canadian all the way and so maybe I am a bit more sensitive to the discussions going on
here and am being biased but I am just going to say it the way I see it.

First of all, a big discussion here before the big USA vs Canada Hockey game [to
decide the gold medal] was Russia’s Medvedev demand for resignations over their
country’s flop in these Olympic Games. Russia firmly believed that they were going to
be top 3 contenders in the medal count but ended up in a dismal 11th place overall.
Medvedev has called for the resignation of his countries Sports Minister. Mutko, as well
as others who were in charge and if they did not submit their resignations …

“Those who bear the responsibility for Olympic preparations should carry that
responsibility. It’s totally clear,” he said. “I think that the individuals responsible, or
several of them, who answer for these preparations, should take the courageous decision
to hand in their notice. If we don’t see such decisiveness, we will help them.”

Yahoo Sports DAVID NOWAK, Associated Press Writer

 Secondly, there has been a lot of
complaining – almost what I call a cry baby
attitude since the Men’s Canadian Hockey team
defeated the USA in a game that was watched
by more Canadians then any game previous.

[Editor’s Note: TV Ratings, released

afterwards, have shown that the gold medal
game was seen by more Americans than any
other previous hockey game as well. Even more
than 1980’s ‘Miracle on Ice’. For my money,
Sid the Kid is simply the best player in the
world today. And as the pictures show, he is
passionate about the game.]
Sidney Crosby scoring the winning
Goal in Sudden Death Overtime - AP

Now I am a fan of the Detroit Red

Wings… and coming from Windsor I guess
you can say its understandable with a lot of
fans from Windsor growing up on Detroit Red
Wing Hockey. So, with the recent success of
the Red Wings [and no I don’t see them being
at all successful this year] I have had a bad
taste in my mouth whenever I hear the name
Crosby. He has come across to DRW fans as
a cry baby and a non-gentleman – refusing to
shake hands, for example, the year Detroit
defeated them in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
So, for me, watching the game last night was
it hard to see him play for a team I wanted to
win – especially since I despise him so much.

But I digress, let me just say that the US citizens, in general, have been such cry
babies about Canada’s right to even play for the Gold Medal [since the Canadian squad
had lost a game to them earlier in the week, during round robin]. Well… to this I
answer… Is it not possible in the regular season to defeat another team every time you
play them only to lose against them in the Stanley Cup Finals? Yet we don’t say that they
did not deserve to be in the Stanley Cup so to those US fans I say suck it up. It goes both
ways.
 Lastly, Nodar Kumaritashvili, 21 of BAKURIANI, Georgia died when shot off
the course and slammed into a steel post at a speed of almost 90 mph or approx 145
km/hr. Many have claimed that Canada and the IOC are responsible for this death in that
the course was too technically demanding and that the Canadians were much more adapt
to the course as they had run the course 100’s of times. Kumaritashvili ran the course 26
times. So, the questions surrounding this tragedy are:

1) Should the home country be allowed to practice on Olympic courses and in a

sense have an unfair advantage over others?

2) Should the course have been as demanding as it was?

3) Who is ultimately at fault?

An investigation into the death of Kumaritashvili indicates that he was late coming out of
the previous turn and just did not compensate in time.

[Editor’s Note: All governing bodies – the IOC, North American Olympic officials and
the international governing body for Luge inspected and approved of the track used in
Whistler, prior to the Olympics.]

Memorial – photo manip by r. j. paré

Untitled – by Carl Hynes
 Featured Artist
Review

James Santiago
By r. j. paré

r. j. paré: Have you always known that you wanted to be

or, rather, were an artist?

James Santiago: As a kid I dreamt of being a soccer start ha, ha… I started drawing
when I got my first ever comic (x-men). From then every one that ever saw my pieces
encouraged me to pursue an art career.

r. j. p: Did you study or major in art while in school?

J S: Art wasn't considered a major in high school and I haven’t had any higher education
as of yet so I would have to say I haven’t.

r. j. p: Who was your primary source of encouragement, as a child, in pursuing art?

J S: Mainly my friends. My parents and teachers tried to shy me away from drawing and
focus on academics. The only teachers who gave me any sort of encouragement were my
art teachers.

r. j. p: What is your favorite media to work with?

J S: Pencil, pencil, pencil, did I mention pencil? Ha, ha. People say pencil is one of the
hardest mediums to work with because it has a small surface to work with, but I find it’s
actually one of the easiest, especially for comic art.
r. j. p: Do you use any special
tools and techniques to create your
art?

J S: I try to have a variety in my

work, but I tend to stick with black
and white. Colour is something I
haven’t had much practice with so
I don't really produce any work
with colour.

Artist’s Name:
James Santiago
Title: Michael Jackson
Media Used: Pencil
Size: 8” x 11”
Date Created: June 2009

r. j. p: The self-styled King of Pop

powerfully rendered here as James
captures an image of MJ as he lives
in video memory.

J S: This was a tribute pic after his

death…

r. j. p: What inspires you to create

art?

J S: Work created by other artists is what inspires me to keep creating art. I find infinite
comfort in viewing art. This gives me all the inspiration I need.

r. j. p: How would you categorize your artistic style?

J S: I would say my (comic) style of drawing is a mixture of all the styles I've ever seen.
I'm always finding new techniques by other artists that I think would work well with
mine or improve my work.
r. j. p: Would you say that there is a "message" or "unifying theme" in your work?

J S: LOL Apart from the beauty of graphite, there is no theme I intentionally keep
constant in my work. There is a special feel I find only graphite can create and I try to
create this mood / feel in my works.

r. j. p: Which artists / creators or styles have influenced you? Why?

J S: I would have to say my greatest influences in (comic) art are David Finch, Jim lee,
and Joe Madd. I can stare at any one of their works for hours without getting bored. They
each have unique features in their work that makes their art look exceptional.

r. j. p: Would you rather have an engaged & loyal but, ultimately, small Indie readership
or work on the latest Spidey, Wolverine or X - book? [The old Art vs Commerce
question]

J S: I'm sorry but I could not find an answer to this question LOL...

Artist’s Name:
James Santiago
Title: Nataly
Media Used: Pencil
Size: 8” x 11”
Date Created: Sept 2009

r. j. p: James’ talent with

portraiture approaches photo-
realist. I would like very much to
see him work in gouache with air-
brush high lights. [à la Alex Ross].

J S: Nataly James is a friend of

mine. I was practicing portraits at
the time and I thought I might as
well do it on people I know…
r. j. p: With advancements in
computer graphic tablet technology,
some artists are now creating their
work directly in the digital medium
and releasing it in purely digital
formats... are the days of paper & pulp
doomed to the realm of fading
memories?

J S: I don't think pencils and paper

will ever be replaced as people love
original pencil art. However, as time
goes on, traditional inking may be
completely replaced with digital
methods as it saves a lot of time and is
inexpensive.

Artist’s Name: James Santiago

Title: Spiderman
© Marvel Comics
Media Used: Pencil
Size: 8” x 11”
Date Created: Nov 2009

J S: Spider man was me practicing my rendering technique for comics.

r. j. p: What do you think of the term "starving artist"?

J S: The first thing that comes to mind is an artist that’s lacking the proper tools or
equipment. The other thing I can think of is an artist that has a talent, but can't find any
work.

r. j. p: Do you feel more a sense of community with other artists or a sense of

competition?

J S: Artists can be great people to socialize and relate with. Its not so much a matter of
competing as every has their own styles, but more of learning from each other and
improving ones work from critiques.
r. j. p: How do you market yourself?

J S: I don’t really market my self as much as an artist would or should. I’m still learning
a lot of different techniques and looking for my permanent style. You could say I'm still
in 'school' and when I 'graduate,' Ill do more marketing stuff.

r. j. p: Do you find it difficult to stay motivated / inspired?

J S: I never find my self short of motivation or inspiration. I just need to go to Google

some art work to remind my self why I’m still drawing and how far I still have to go.

r. j. p: While traditional publishing and distribution has become a difficult goal to

achieve for the modern Indie comic creator, what do you think of the impact that social
networks and POD services have had as an alternate means of connecting you, your work
and your audience?

J S: I think they are a great alternative ways to connect the audience to your work. It lets
you to express your personality for your audience while showing your art work. It also
allows for non finished/published work to be shown while still having meaning.

Artist’s Name: James Santiago

Title: Sky
Media Used: Pencil
Size: 8” x 11”
Date Created: Dec 2009

J S: Sky was just me practicing my

rendering technique for comics again, the
characters are made up. I especially
wanted to practice rendering capes.
r. j. p: What other interests do you
have, besides art?

J S: I play several sports with my

first being soccer. I barely watch
T.V. but enjoy shows like Smallville,
Heroes, and Stargate. I also watch
the UFC and boxing when an exiting
fixture is up. Actually I watch them
all on the pc LOL, the only thing I
still use my T.V. for is weather and
xbox.

Artist’s Name: James Santiago

Title: 52
Media Used: Pencil
Size: 8” x 11”
Date Created: Jan 2010

J S: 52 is part of a comic project [intended] to get me familiar with drawing panels /

sequential art. However, I haven’t had a lot of time to work on it because of my portfolio.

r. j. p: What strikes me about James’ development in his comic art is his ability to render
visually interesting, realistic action sequences.

r. j. p: What advice would you have for a young artist starting out today?

J S: I would advise a young artist to draw, draw, draw. You can never do too much
drawing, and the more you draw, the more you learn. Learning as much as you can while
young really helps when one is older and gives way to learn more complicated
techniques. I would also encourage them to use all the negative comments they WILL get
as motivation to keep improving rather than to get discouraged.
r. j. p: Do you have any big plans, shows or Cons coming up?

J S: I plan to get into an illustration course later this year. I am currently in the process of
applying which involves creating a portfolio. This is my main priority at the moment
giving me little time for myself LOL. I don't have any other major things coming up so
I'll be home free after this portfolio is finished.

r. j. p: How would you like your art, and by extension yourself, to be remembered?

J S: I would like it to be remembered for its diversity in subject matter and style. It’s my
dream for future generations to ponder on my art work as I do to other artists like David
Finch.

Artist’s Name:
James Santiago
Title: Rose
Media Used: Pencil
Size: 8” x 11”
Date Created:
March 2009

J S: The rose was me

practicing using negative
space…

r. j. p: Considering
Valentine’s Day, this
beautiful piece seemed a
perfect fit for the cover of
the February Issue. It is
another strong suggestion,
to me, that this developing
young artist would be a
natural at watercolour /
gouache. James has also
drawn some covers for
Speakeasy Primates comic
studio due to be released
later this year.
Leopard Lace-Wing – by De Tourist
 Short Fiction

Bad Beat
By

r. j. paré
[all images by r. j. paré]

The Turn

“When the fourth community card is dealt, face up, by the dealer.”
Croupier
“Represent strength, if your hand is weak and weakness, if your hand is strong.”
Gambler
“By now your either playing the hand you were dealt
or you’re the one being played.”
Recovering Addict

This would be the point in our tale, were it an ‘after school special’
[remember those?], that Mr. Grey would seek out counseling, perhaps a
Gambler’s Anonymous group and turn his life around. There would be a
sappy music score playing as a montage of Mr. Grey learning how to cope
with his addiction, make amends to those he has hurt and find a way to reunite
with his loving family – played across the screen. What a lovely, albeit
saccharine, ending to a family-friendly cautionary tale.
 This is not an ‘after school special’. And family-friendly cautionary tales
are really fables that teach us we can always get another chance… and
another… and another. At what point do we take the kid gloves off and face
the unforgiving truth? That sometimes you just don’t get another chance and
you’d best be prepared to face the consequences of your actions.

* * *
“Stupid cow,” Mr. Grey mutters to himself as he steers the car down the
street. Not the lame-ass minivan she made him use every day while she went
to work in the two-door coupe. The kid, it was supposed to be safer for the
kid. “Ya right,” he thinks “not a chance, that bitch has been keeping me down
all this time. I know damn well why she wanted me to use the mini-fag, ha
ha…” Oh, Mr. Grey believed he was on a roll now. As guilt and shame are
replaced with anger and bitterness – emotions that are so tempting, so
seductively comforting in that they place the blame for failures, mistakes;
everything really, squarely on the shoulders of someone else – in this case
Missy and her doe-eyes simultaneously accusing and sympathetic.

He hung the dumb-ass St. Christopher medallion from the rear-view

mirror. Rapidly shrinking from view, he could still make out Missy standing on
the front porch watching him leave. He laughed at the clichéd warning
stamped in the molded plastic, “Objects in the rear view mirror, are closer
than they appear.”

“To hell with that,” he says aloud “I’m gonna make a pile of dough,
Missy-miss and then we’ll see who needs help… when you start begging for
me to come back.”

On the side of the road, a billboard caught his eye.

“The proud sponsors of Poker Mania Tournaments, invites you to

experience the excitement and thrills of Live Casino Gaming at Pandemonium
Hotel and Casino.

Straight ahead, nine exits.”

 Mr. Grey wonders… she took the credit card but there is no way she’s
had time to call the bank, is there? He parks at the nearest ATM. As night
begins to fall he turns the engine off and passing headlights reflect off the
mirror, right into his eyes. Irritated, he flips the mirror up to the night setting
and heads over to the money machine. Sure enough, their measly savings are
still accessible to him. He stares at them and hesitates…

Is he being too hard on Missy? It’s not her fault, she only knows about
her loser Uncle Nate and his gambling problems. How could she be expected
to appreciate his, Mr. Grey’s, talent at poker? After he makes some serious
cash with this stake they’d be able to afford some of the finer things, for a
change. Feeling happy with this deft bit of self-deception Mr. Grey punches
the necessary buttons, answers “NO – A PAPER RECEIPT IS NOT REQUIRED”
and cleans out their joint savings account.

He drove past the first few exits for the casino; he didn’t want the resort
or any other tourist attractions after all. Mr. Grey then took the fourth exit and
followed the instructions as he was directed down a winding two-lane
blacktop in the woods. He continues this way, down the dark road, for half an
hour as he starts to worry.

“This fucking exit can’t be right,” he barks exasperated “who the hell
puts a casino resort out in the middle bum-fuck Egypt?” He had to laugh, that
was always one of his favourite lines, politically incorrect or not. But still, a
casino out in the middle of nowhere? He was almost certain he must have
chosen the wrong exit. With that decided Mr. Grey was ready to turn back. If
he had, who knows how this story might have ended?

Traffic started to pick up and Mr. Grey doubts vanished. “With this
many folks headed in the same direction, there must be something out here
after all…”

And so what, if the vehicles all seemed to have tinted windows, perhaps
that’s more popular this year than he realized. Even so, things might have
gone differently had Mr. Grey noticed that most of the cars, trucks and vans
were of such late models – of the sort he hadn’t seen in many years and even
then only in old TV programs and movies. But this, like many other possible
turns that could have saved our bitter and pathetic young Mr. Grey, did not
come to pass. His path was set and sometimes all we can do is bear witness.

Just then another irritating glare, from the headlights of vehicles

following him, flashed in his eyes. He glanced at the offending mirror and
noticed it was still on night setting and was not to blame. Nope, dangling from
the rear-view Missy’s St. Christopher medallion was catching the light and
reflecting right back at him.
 “Enough of this superstitious crap,” he growled “what is she trying to
do, get me killed?”

With disgust, Mr. Grey ripped the medallion from off the mirror
throwing it on the floor. “Fuck that, fuck her and fuck that stupid medallion. I
DON’T NEED ANYONE’S HELP!”

Unfortunately, for this sad excuse of a father and husband, the

medallion and chain did not come to rest innocently on the floor mats. The
chain wrapped around his foot and the gas pedal. Within seconds Mr. Grey
could feel that his foot was stuck and made a decision. Well, decision is a bit
of an over-statement. Mr. Grey did what he usually did in most circumstances;
he reacted without thinking. Reaching down for the chain that secured his foot
to the gas pedal he never even considered using his other foot to hit the brake
and at least come to stop before attempting to extricate himself. One could
almost imagine the interior argument.

“Ya know, it would be safer to pull over and come to a complete stop
before doing that.” The less used, more prudent and wise part of the brain
might have said.

“You saying I don’t know how to drive? Fuck that.” The stronger and
more often used, insecure man-child, part of his brain would have responded.

In all fairness he tried to keep his eyes on the road. He did manage to
keep one hand on the steering wheel, which of course was what was making
his task more difficult. Un-wrapping the chain, that had somehow gotten itself
into a knot around his foot and the pedal was hard enough – when you can’t
look. But throw in the added difficulty of doing it one-handed?

“Not sure if that’s an Olympic event Bob,” he chuckled “but this could
net him the gold if he pulls it off!”

Always the wise-guy, this Mr. Grey, I suppose, dear reader, that our
ability to laugh in the face of danger is one of the things that separates us from
the beasts. Of course, it makes no sense from a survival point of view. I mean
really, of what use is a good chuckle to an antelope, when a lion’s jaws are
snapping after its haunches?

Where were we? Oh yes, our intrepid, neglectful and thieving family
man, Mr. Grey.
 If he could just loosen the knot… his eyes glanced down for a second.
The first thing he noticed, while trying to figure out how on earth the chain
managed to get so knotted, was that the front seat was rapidly filling with
light. He felt a cold shiver briefly run down his spine as he sat bolt upright. His
one-handed steering, ‘no eyes Ma, look!’ had led the car squarely into the
oncoming lane. The eighteen-wheeler bearing down on him was the source of
all the light filling the car and now, blinding him with glare.

Mr. Grey wrenched as hard as could on the steering wheel, before

everything went black.

Tune in next month

For the 5th installment
of “Bad Beat”
One that could only be
called
“The River”

< The Edge of Losing

Everything – by r. j.
paré, from the Painted
Aces series.
Scarlet-backed Flower pecker – by De Tourist
 Poetry
Selected Poetry
By Tindersen Blacktree Hoopdriver

Fill

Fill with sounds, ah hole in the ground.

Spin yarns of all those connected.

When frivolity collides with the jinx of goodbyes

it harks back with what's starkly ejected.

To silence the fool with a blood boiling cool,

plant him there on the side to look in

at the soil intertwined with his fearful surmise.

Ah schooling before he goes in.

A collection of some of my work – by Carl Haynes

Selected Poetry
By Frances Nichols Vargas

Puppet

Holding the strings over my head

You make me dance
To the music in your head

Pulling me in the direction you want me to go

Making me jump up and down
At your beck and call

Slamming me to the ground

With an evil smirk
Only to pull me up
With a jerk

You like to see me flounder

You enjoy seeing me fall flat on my face
You only feel like pulling the strings
When it suits your desire and fate

I am the puppet
Tangled in the strings
I no longer own
My story is guided by you
With each string you pull

I am the dancing fool

Waiting for the next string you
choose.

Puppet Strings – by r. j. paré

Selected Poems
By Stephen Campbell

Untitled – by Carl Haynes

Re(li)gion disputes

Protestants and Catholics learn to live together,

They need religion to back up their mighty claims
Of peace with one another now and forever.
Hypocrites must learn to live in Jesus’ name.

For what is in a name that they fought so long

Over something as trivial as war to religion,
That’s a sin. Such would use an explosion
Of the message they utter to shield their delusion.
 Medium

Circled the table the souls where they stood

Compelled by delusion of noble falsehood
In calling lost spirits to the families delight
In spite of the dead souls we dredge up this night

Bob Marley – by Carl Haynes

Beasts

Killed by snakes and slain as kin

The two die and lay as one inherit sin
The slain lay low as men light fiery boughs
And slaughter the sacrificial gold cows.
Paré’s Poetic Perspectives
By r. j. paré

To my wife, on her birthday

Once, Now,
the gal that turned my head deft hands at parenting
fueled my imagination the other side of my coin
with a smile. completes me.

Then, One day,

glances frought with intent our children will be grown
promised desires headlong rush the sunsets we’ll face, my gnarled
discovering. hand in yours.

Tulip – by r. j. paré
Time is Love – by Yolande Gaspard
 Pop Culture
Comic Book Review
By Brad Bellmore
Lucius Hammer

Thumb solidly up

Ravenhammer Comics Group recently

released the first issue of Lucius
Hammer, written by Brian Williams and
illustrated by Christian Colbert. Issue
number two will be released shortly.
This small independent group wowed
me at the Wizard World Comic Con in
Chicago last August. At that point they
only had a rough cut edition of their
book and it still was one of the best
items I picked up.

The tale is about Powerhouse, aka Lucius Hammer, a black youth growing up
in America around prohibition, who has amazing strength, toughness and an
inordinately long life span. Lucius samples a little from all the items on the
menu of life: war, crime, sports, education.

He finally settles into becoming a superhero, using his tremendous talents for
the good of all. Having such a long timeline for the story allows exploration
into the changing dynamics of interracial relations in America. I loved this. In
another venue, I waxed on and on about how I loved this aspect of this title.
Even with the idea of a Nixon administration being scared of a group of black
superheroes working together. The social commentary hits on a wry and
profound level.
The art in this book is a homerun to me. It elicits very fond memories of my
days as a kid, picking up comics for the first time. Everything about the look
reminds my why I fell in love with comics in the first place: the action, the look
of the characters, the setting and the sense of all of this being greater than
real. Under all of that, there is a slightly cartoon-y feel that lends a sense of
innocence to it all. It’s an odd cross between a Saturday morning adventure
cartoon and film noire.

As much as I love the art, the thing that makes this book stand out to me is the
writing. The story here is at a high level, introducing you to the character and
letting you know how he became a superhero so it doesn’t get far into
complexity of plot. It does go far on complexity of character. I love that Lucius
tried being bad before deciding to be good. I enjoy that he deals with the
reality of reconciling his hero status with being on the short end of the racial
spectrum most of his life.

The most brilliant part of it al, though,

is the dialogue. This comic far
outstrips almost everything I’ve ever
read in terms of conversational
rhythm, dialect and voice. The
brilliance of this writing can be seen
in the nuance of word choices to
reflect the characters of different
places and different ages. It is just flat
out masterful writing.

So, after all of this gushing, there is

only one thing I can really complain
about with this book – the price.
Presently, you will have to order this
online and the $7 covers the cost of
the comic and the shipping to you, but
it is still a bit steep for a single issue. I
think it is definitely worth the read. I’ll
leave it up to you about whether you
want to accept the cost.
Raised on Saturday Morning Cartoons
By Pauline Paré

Dramatic Television

I have often professed to be a great fan of

sci-fi and fantasy themed television shows.
However, one of the things that made
Battlestar Gallactica one of my favourite all
time shows was not the space battles but
the major drama that was prevalent
throughout the series. Drama can make
your heart race and increase interest for
next week’s episode. Drama is also the
genre I wish to discuss this month.

This year there are 2 new shows that are

pure dramas and have greatly impressed
me. The Good Wife premiered last fall. It
stars Julianna Margulies and Chris Noth
and it has been a surprise hit for CBS. This
show is just pure drama, succeeding on the
strength of its acting talent and amazing
writing. The premise is a woman dealing
with her politician husband’s very public
infidelity and accusations of criminal
activity.

She is trying to put her life back together and sort out her feelings for him.
This is not normally a show that I would check out, but I became a fan of
Julianna Margulies while watching Canterbury’s Law. I love it when intelligent
series do well and I wish this one a long life.

A Canadian drama premiered recently on TMN in Canada based on the Giller

Prize winning novel, Bloodletting and Miraculous Cures, by Vincent Lam. If
you are not in an area that can see the show, I do hope it will be more widely
available after a time or maybe even offered on DVD. The story centers
around 3 main characters, Fitz (played by Shawn Ashmore of X-Men fame),
Ming and Chen who are all involved in a very complicated love triangle.
The story is told in a very interesting and unique manner. We follow the
characters through 3 different timelines, med school, residency and full
careers at a fictional Mercy Hospital in Toronto. The timelines are never
captioned so you need to pay attention in order to know which timeline you
are viewing. This is never difficult, however, as when you get to know the
characters (and you really get to know the characters!), you find the timeline
transitions to be much easier. Another interesting form of storytelling is in the
various characters’ fantasy sequences. Have you ever imagined telling off a
mean boss? The characters seem to do just that, before the camera pulls back
and pride is swallowed. In one scene, Ming who desperately wants a baby,
finds a new mother of triplets that she just delivered, offering to give her one.
You feel such empathy for her when you realize that this was just a sad longing
fantasy. Wonderfully told and completely engaging, I recommend this show to
drama fans and non-fans alike. For Canadians, this is available on HBO
Canada and on TMN on demand. For all others, I will keep watch and write
about it here in RKYV.