Mr. J has had a family emergency so he and Harley won't come out to play in Flemington until June 13th at the car show! Instead I'll appear solo this Saturday but probably as Firestar.
Change to Saturday's Appearance
Mr. J has had a family emergency so he and Harley won't come out to play in Flemington until June 13th at the car show! Instead I'll appear solo this Saturday but probably as Firestar.
Saturday Appearance
I will be signing "autographs" this Saturday for the opening of the Flemington car shows as Harley Quinn if you feel like coming out to something. It's something like 5-8pm. I'll be at Comic Fusion and should be accompanied by Harley's darling Joker/"Mr. J."
Kids' Day America
Here are a couple of my favorite pictures from today's event. More are in my myspace gallery.
Of course by this point, you'll notice the lack of belt. Yep, I have lost count how many times my red belt has fallen apart. I shall be finding a real belt to alter/paint and then affixing a resin buckle instead. I'm just shocked that epoxy and gorilla glue were not strong enough to hold the silicone buckle piece on.
I got to play with real firemen on the fire truck! Yay!
Of course by this point, you'll notice the lack of belt. Yep, I have lost count how many times my red belt has fallen apart. I shall be finding a real belt to alter/paint and then affixing a resin buckle instead. I'm just shocked that epoxy and gorilla glue were not strong enough to hold the silicone buckle piece on.
I got to play with real firemen on the fire truck! Yay!
Costumed Crime Fighters? I don't think so.
It pains me to think that something which has become a major part of my life, comics and costuming, has gone down a dark road with a lot of potential for people to get hurt. I'm talking about this phenomenon called Real Life Super Heroes (RLSH) where average people dress up in their costumes and patrol the streets of their cities. I have so many problems with this that my head is about to explode thinking about it. You are not the Twilight Guardian, Batman or Captain America. You are a regular human being with limitations.
Is it a noble idea to want to better your community? Sure it is. However, this is not a comic book, People. This is real life where you do not have Batman's superior martial arts skills and intelligence. You do not possess the protection of a rock hard exterior like Thing. You can't phase through a wall like Shadowcat.
Let me express that I do completely support using a superhero identity to help with charity events (I do plenty of this myself), school programs, reading programs at libraries, and all of the options that exist where no one is in harm's way. I come from a family that is very community-minded. I think it is extremely important for everyone to do what they can to make their neighborhoods better.
However, there are professionals in law enforcement that you have to consider and for everyone's sake, I hope you do. Picture a cop coming upon a scene that was only described by Dispatch as being a disturbance or fight. He gets to the scene and sees someone with a covered face and a tactical belt filled with unknown items. That person is going toe to toe with a guy wearing jeans, a tank top and has a bandana on his head. The cop has no idea that Lord Darkity Dark of Justice is "the good guy." If that cop has to deal with the distraction of a costumed "hero" that takes focus of the other individual. Now if you take the worst case scenario, where the cop draws a gun and someone gets shot - well, that will ruin his life in terms of guilt, desk duty, years of therapy, and a possible loss of income not to mention being sued (which happens all the time) for not using his best judgment.
The following is an excerpt taken from the worldwide registry of these so called superheroes who post every bit of media attention on their website:
(http://www.wpix.com/news/local/wpix-super-heroes-help-poor,0,7128849.story
The gang hits the streets of New York to help less fortunate people by Vanessa Tyler, wpix.com Staff reporter - May 14, 2009) The “Dark Guardian” has made it his mission to rid Washington Square Park of drug dealers and some have even confronted him. He says, “We’ve had people flash a gun at us. But I’m not backing down.”
To illustrate my point, these "superheroes" claim that they only tote what they are legally allowed within the law and for some that includes devices like pepper spray. Let me explain something: real criminals don't care about your legal pepper spray when they have illegal firearms and possibly a large gang to back them up. People who are like this Dark Guardian or another called Nyx (NJ) who carries mace, a tazer and a baton, are looking for a thrill and looking to get hurt. They are purposefully endangering themselves and causing problems for law enforcement. There are others in this worldwide registry who are recognize the potential for physical danger and limit their activities to delivering goods to the homeless and helping with fundraising for local charities.
What other problems is this fad causing? There is talk that more anti-mask laws will be passed. Yep, just like the comics. Most schools and plenty of businesses already have rules in place prohibiting the wearing of face coverings and carrying anything that could be considered a weapon. The Metropolitan Museum of Art wouldn't even allow fans to don their costumes during the Superheroes exhibit they had in 2008 because of the security issues of masks and (fake) weaponry. For another example, the Halloween Parade at my nieces' elementary school has so many rules that it's not even fun; family members are not allowed near their children; the children are herded through a fenced area and parade around the baseball field; no fake weapons, ropes or props are allowed. We live in a time where we are surveilled constantly. Security forces need to identify people for the safety of others and the businesses they work for. While I don't agree with this much surveillance, I certainly do not want the government to remove yet another freedom and one as silly as how a person chooses to dress with the passing of anti-mask laws. Many states have anti-mask laws instituted already, though not well known, because of the times during the civil rights movement and the harmful measures of the KKK.
New York has had such a law since 1965 and it has been modified and currently reads:
If you are one of these individuals that claims to be a hero, please take some more time to examine what it is you are doing. If you are helping the homeless, teaching kids to read through the use of comics as a medium, or drawing attention at a charity event, then I applaud you and thank you. If you like helping through first aid, then join a volunteer rescue squad or fire department. If you want to fight criminals, go to the academy, get a badge and kevlar and do the job right. If you just like seeking thrills, then go bungie jumping instead and wear your costume as you jump off the bridge. You'll still make the headlines you so obviously desire.
Is it a noble idea to want to better your community? Sure it is. However, this is not a comic book, People. This is real life where you do not have Batman's superior martial arts skills and intelligence. You do not possess the protection of a rock hard exterior like Thing. You can't phase through a wall like Shadowcat.
Let me express that I do completely support using a superhero identity to help with charity events (I do plenty of this myself), school programs, reading programs at libraries, and all of the options that exist where no one is in harm's way. I come from a family that is very community-minded. I think it is extremely important for everyone to do what they can to make their neighborhoods better.
However, there are professionals in law enforcement that you have to consider and for everyone's sake, I hope you do. Picture a cop coming upon a scene that was only described by Dispatch as being a disturbance or fight. He gets to the scene and sees someone with a covered face and a tactical belt filled with unknown items. That person is going toe to toe with a guy wearing jeans, a tank top and has a bandana on his head. The cop has no idea that Lord Darkity Dark of Justice is "the good guy." If that cop has to deal with the distraction of a costumed "hero" that takes focus of the other individual. Now if you take the worst case scenario, where the cop draws a gun and someone gets shot - well, that will ruin his life in terms of guilt, desk duty, years of therapy, and a possible loss of income not to mention being sued (which happens all the time) for not using his best judgment.
The following is an excerpt taken from the worldwide registry of these so called superheroes who post every bit of media attention on their website:
(http://www.wpix.com/news/local/wpix-super-heroes-help-poor,0,7128849.story
The gang hits the streets of New York to help less fortunate people by Vanessa Tyler, wpix.com Staff reporter - May 14, 2009) The “Dark Guardian” has made it his mission to rid Washington Square Park of drug dealers and some have even confronted him. He says, “We’ve had people flash a gun at us. But I’m not backing down.”
To illustrate my point, these "superheroes" claim that they only tote what they are legally allowed within the law and for some that includes devices like pepper spray. Let me explain something: real criminals don't care about your legal pepper spray when they have illegal firearms and possibly a large gang to back them up. People who are like this Dark Guardian or another called Nyx (NJ) who carries mace, a tazer and a baton, are looking for a thrill and looking to get hurt. They are purposefully endangering themselves and causing problems for law enforcement. There are others in this worldwide registry who are recognize the potential for physical danger and limit their activities to delivering goods to the homeless and helping with fundraising for local charities.
What other problems is this fad causing? There is talk that more anti-mask laws will be passed. Yep, just like the comics. Most schools and plenty of businesses already have rules in place prohibiting the wearing of face coverings and carrying anything that could be considered a weapon. The Metropolitan Museum of Art wouldn't even allow fans to don their costumes during the Superheroes exhibit they had in 2008 because of the security issues of masks and (fake) weaponry. For another example, the Halloween Parade at my nieces' elementary school has so many rules that it's not even fun; family members are not allowed near their children; the children are herded through a fenced area and parade around the baseball field; no fake weapons, ropes or props are allowed. We live in a time where we are surveilled constantly. Security forces need to identify people for the safety of others and the businesses they work for. While I don't agree with this much surveillance, I certainly do not want the government to remove yet another freedom and one as silly as how a person chooses to dress with the passing of anti-mask laws. Many states have anti-mask laws instituted already, though not well known, because of the times during the civil rights movement and the harmful measures of the KKK.
New York has had such a law since 1965 and it has been modified and currently reads:
- An assemblage in public houses or other places of three or more persons disguised by having their faces painted, discolored, colored or concealed, is unlawful, and every individual so disguised, present thereat, is guilty of a misdemeanor; but nothing contained in this section shall be construed as prohibiting any peaceful assemblage for a masquerade or fancy dress ball or entertainment, or any assemblage therefor of persons masked, or as prohibiting the wearing of masks, fancy dresses, or other disguise by persons on their way to or returning from such ball or other entertainment; if, when such masquerade, fancy dress ball or entertainment is held in any of the cities of this state, permission is first obtained from the police authorities in such cities respectively for the holding or giving thereof, under such regulations as may be prescribed by such police authorities.
If you are one of these individuals that claims to be a hero, please take some more time to examine what it is you are doing. If you are helping the homeless, teaching kids to read through the use of comics as a medium, or drawing attention at a charity event, then I applaud you and thank you. If you like helping through first aid, then join a volunteer rescue squad or fire department. If you want to fight criminals, go to the academy, get a badge and kevlar and do the job right. If you just like seeking thrills, then go bungie jumping instead and wear your costume as you jump off the bridge. You'll still make the headlines you so obviously desire.
Great new gear
D30 is described as Spiderman meets Robocop. This futuristic material is flexible and absorbs shock then "intelligently" braces for a rigid protective armor when hit with impact. Squidoo.com has the facts briefly explained. This material is primarily being used in all sorts of sporting gear from goaltender gloves to protective leg padding. The product has been integrated into Spyder sports gear.
Check out d30's site for more details and begin planning those super suit upgrades!
Facebook Costume Contest: X-Men theme
Lisa Hager-Duncan is up to the next challenge in launching her series of Facebook Comic-Con Costume Contests. The current contest is for X-Men characters (either movie, comic or cartoon). Deadline is June 3rd.
Be sure to read all the rules. You have to register that you are "attending" the virtual con and upload your pic. Usually you have to be holding a sign to show that it's you and not an old con photo.
New Costuming Forums are launched
There's a new message board dedicated to assembling costumes found at The Superhero Costume Forum (SCF). This may be seen as somewhat of a spin-off from the successful League of Heroes boards since most of us are registered there also but, the owners & mods are removing some of the LoH restrictions allowing for more mature (while still safe) content.
I'm the mod of the Superheroines Only section - so please come over and join in!
The board just launched and needs some tweaking; all suggestions can be posted in the thread for suggestions and Allen or Brian will be quick to respond.
While we do focus on comic book characters, the principles for assembling any costume are the same. If you're making a HALO suit of armor, it's the same process as for Iron Man.
The SCF also has a YouTube channel solely for managing our "favorite" costuming videos. They can be diy vids or photoshoots highlighting costumes. To get your videos added, you would just need to post the link in the forum thread.
Survived FCBD '09
COMIC FUSIONWe had the best turnout to date for FCBD. We were so lucky that the rain stopped at 11am when we opened the store and the sun was out by noon!
Thank you to everyone who came in to explore our little world of comic books and collectibles. And special thanks to all our guests: Erica Hesse, Rob Kramer and Scott Barnett as well as Gary & Evan who added their costuming talents to join me as Marvel Superheroes.
If you missed it, you also missed The Great Lodge Cafe's Moose who joined us on the sidewalk to greet the good citizens of Flemington, New Jersey.
http://s85.photobucket.com/albums/k54/amberlorien/2009%20FCBD/
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