Last week, friend of WORLD OF HURT, raconteur, entrepreneur, podcaster, talent wrangler, noted satirist, and fellow Blaxploitation fan, Chris Sims ran a series entitled “Dracula Week” on his hilarious and always informative blog, The Invincible Super-Blog (The “The” is mandatory). I was traveling late last week, so I missed his review of the Blaxploitation film, Scream, Blacula, Scream. I’m passing this along to you, so you don’t make the same mistake. Enjoy!
- JEP
Yesterday was a HUGE day for me, A) because it was my birthday and my fiancee, among other wonderful gifts, gave me Al Williamson’s Flash Gordon: A Livelong Vision Of The Heroic, and B) WORLD OF HURT received a mention on CNN.com. I spoke with CNN journalist, Lisa France, on Wednesday about the new movie, Black Dynamite and its potential to spark renewed interest in the Blaxploitation film movement. [My conversation with her also underscored why I think journalists are so freakin' cool. (Heck, I'm marrying one!) The first thing Ms. France did was apologize for calling a few minutes past our appointed time, because she had to take a call from Hulk Hogan. Yes, the Immortal, Say-Your-Prayers-And-Eat-Your-Vitamins Hulk Hogan. And she said it in the same matter-of-fact manner you reserve for asking a co-worker if they want a cup of coffee.]
Ms. France quoted me in her article, “‘Black Dynamite’ pays homage to blaxploitation films”, which included a hotlink to WORLD OF HURT. As a result, I enjoyed the highest daily traffic this site has ever seen. I’ve been really rooting for the success of Black Dynamite, and I was a little disappointed that the initial release of the film was not as widespread as I had hoped. I’ve enjoyed riding on the double-knit polyester coattails of Black Dynamite’s $100 suits, and I definitely think it can, and already is, doing a lot to bring new fans to the movement. Search out some of the interviews with Michael Jai White or director Scott Sanders and you can hear the passion in their voices for this film and the movement that became known as “Blaxploitation,” particularly when you hear them lament the absence of any Fred Williamsons, Jim Browns or Pam Griers in films today.
If you don’t have the luxury of living in some progressive, major urban center with a vibrant arts community (I ain’t namin’ no names, Columbia, South Carolina, but you know who you are), then do your part to bring Black Dynamite to your town and click on the fancy, color coordinated widget below:
Have a great weekend, everyone!
- JEP
GhettoManga’s post today reminded me that pre-orders are due soon for Jim Rugg and Brian Maruca’s Afrodisiac graphic novel. I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: If you’re a Blaxploitation fan, this is a MUST! If you have a Blaxploitation fan in your life, I can’t think of a better Christmas gift.
Click here for a twelve page preview of the inimitable Afrodisiac in action.
To learn more about him, check out my previous post on the genius that is Afrodisiac.
- JEP
in reply to dirtyjobcomics #Powered by Twitter Tools.
WORLD OF HURT received a fantastic review yesterday from Coyote Trax’s Webcomics Critique. He e-mailed me beforehand and let me know it was coming, but I was floored by the glowing praise and the analysis of my work. This is all a very new experience for me, and although I’m familiar with the concept of art criticism, it’s really weird when someone gets inside your head and does such a good job of sussing out your creative intent.
- JEP
On Wednesday, I promised a major announcement for WORLD OF HURT, and today, I plan to deliver. I am extremely proud to announce that The Internet’s #1 Blaxploitation Webcomic will find its second home on Newsarama.com, the Internet’s premier home for comic book news, reviews, and information.
Don’t worry, of course, new episodes of WORLD OF HURT will continue to be posted every Wednesday, right here at www.worldofhurtonline.com, but starting next week, “re-runs” of WORLD OF HURT,beginning with the very first episode of “The Thrill-Seekers,” will run every Tuesday and Thursday at Blog @ Newsarama. Think of it in the same way as a syndicated TV show like The Office. Every Thursday, NBC airs new episodes, but you can also find previous episodes in syndication on your local TV station. It is a tremendous promotional opportunity to reach new readers and spread the “gospel” of Pastor to fans of comic fans who may not have found the site otherwise.
I am very proud to be part of the Blog @ Newsarama family. Troy Brownfield and David Pepose of Newsarama.com have been extremely accommodating and helpful. In order to introduce WORLD OF HURT to the Newsarama.com audience, David conducted an interview with me this past week. I was honest and candid as possible, and hopefully it gives you some insight into how WORLD OF HURT came to be, what I’ve learned along the way, and what more I want to accomplish. The interview was posted last night and can be found HERE.
I can’t believe how far this little strip has come in the past six months. Everyone has been so receptive and positive about the strip thus far. I’d like to thank everyone who has discovered this site for sticking around for the ride, and I’d like to welcome all the new “WORLD” Travelers who have just joined us in progress. I urge you all to buckle up and hunker down, ’cause it only gets more fun from here.
On another note, in three days, the ever-popular feature, Off-Topic Mondays, returns to WORLDOFHURTONLINE.
- JEP
