Critical visual essay for my Graphic Novel Literature class. This was really fun to do and I really like that character.
There needs to be more comics theory work like this.
Lately I’ve been having trouble getting the motivation to start a couple projects (namely, my comics blog and a comic book project). Even though I know I can do both projects, there’s something holding me back from actually starting. While I don’t think it’s a lack of passion, I think it’s a little bit of fear what’ll happen if I succeed, or (perhaps more) if I fail.
Today was the first time I listened to this song in earnest, and I was amazed at how it pretty much summarized what tons of pages of self-help books have already told me.
If you’ve ever been scared of starting something new because of the prospects of failure, click “read more” for the lyrics and give the song a listen.
New School Leaders by Shad, off of “When This is Over” (2005)
I’m staring at the world’s blankest page
White with all the angst and rage
I can’t convey
Just feeling so distraught and depressed
as I imagine these lines filled
with all the sick rhyme skill
I thought I possessed
It’s a pressure to produce, it’s my process it’s slow
I got no mic presence and no progress to show
It’s this project it’s so ambitious
It makes me wish that I could just
sit and talk to a professional musician
Cause maybe he could tell me if I got the talent
I just wanna shoot the gift
All I wanna do is spit so bad and it’s sad
Cause all I wanna do is quit when the pressure hits
Harbouring the prospect of failin’ y’all
I get left with this sick deep feelin’
most definite, I should sleep this off
Man you can’t be this soft.
Man where’d you come from?
Listen son take those bedsheets from off your body
No time for rest, don’t just resign to stress
I’m the real MC that you wanted to find
and test your rhymes again
all the thoughts in your mind address em
Sit up a second let me answer your questions
[Original Rap, with new school leaders]
Young bro, open your eyes you’re gonna make great music
Just open your soul and cats will relate to it
If you open your heart at least you’ll escape through it
Yeah I’m scared that I will but still no one will take to it
I guess that’s why I’m stuck before this opening line
Cause when my demo drops it’s gotta be blowin’ some minds
To make some dough with these rhymes I must be showin’ them I’m…
What, deaf? Cause only the deaf need to go and get signed
Just to express themselves, you can get your wealth in other ways
I ain’t tryin to scam millions, or get your love and praise
Cause god gave man brilliance
Yeah but why plan buildin’ if the most I’ll ever do
is rhyme for my grandchildren
Respect! You love to get but you hate to earn
This time can be a blessing if you wait your turn,
and simply stay concerned with making sure you state what you feel
when you’re lacin’ your reels and always elevatin’ your skills
See I’ve learned this thing determines what it takes to get ill
And real patience doesn’t mean you sit and wait for a deal
Build with local cats, do the open mic thing
There ain’t none!
Then make some, you wanna be an all time great son?
Cool, do your thing, but just recognize this
success won’t make you happy
at best it make you rich
at worst it make you paranoid bitter and afraid
and either way there’s no use for cash in the grave
Problems and platinum plaques,
so don’t let your raps detract from the bigger things in life
cause that’s a trap, for real!
[Original rap, with new school leaders]
Yo, tell me exactly how you got your props?
One day I started working hard and just forgot to stop
If you don’t stay on your rhymes you’ll probably rock the spot
Around the time pigs fly like some cops with hops
But man, I’ll never match
That’s true, who in the world can?
Most of these cats can’t even flow, like Pearl Jam
Man I’m just playin’, but you gotta have confidence
Well what about humility?
Well I’m not sayin’ be pompous kid, just recognize your ability
Cause a real MC knows if he’s competent, you feelin me?
Well are you feelin’ me, do I got what it takes?
Well do you got a vision, a purpose, a mic, and some breaks?
I know you got the passion cause I can see it in your face
And that’s already more than half of these cats making tapes
I’m trying to be making paid though, school ain’t my thing
all I think about is rappin’ and makin’ this happen and…
Man I been there, matter of fact I’m still here
Let me get some cats on the mic to explain this to you real clear
Fellows who can speak with authority
Listen:
While real MC’s and DJ’s are a minority [Gang Starr - You Know my Steez]
A dope MC is a dope MC with or without a record deal, all can see [KRS One - Step Into a World]
See no need for boozy crowds clappin’ their hands
I never let a statue tell me how nice I am [Tribe Called Quest - Award Tour]
Stay far from timid only make moves when your hearts in it [Notorious B.I.G - Sky’s the Limit ]
It ain’t hard to tell [Nas - It Ain’t Hard to Tell]
I part mimics market it for target and charts with smart gimmicks
from the fresh soul for sharp witted and artistic (?)
[Original rap, with new school leaders]
This art…….
Pretty much why I don’t like Quitely’s art in a nutshell:
- Jean and Emma’s face are pretty much the same, apart from Jean’s huge red lips
- I’m not sure pecs work like that, Wolvie. Arm seems to be much too small and jutting out at a reverse angle
- Cyclops’ chin and feet make him look like some kind of ill-proportioned cave man
- COMBAT PLATFORM SHOES
Station ID: February 19, 2012
Name: Matt Demers
Age: 22
Height: 6’3
Weight: 210
Always looks for work, ideas, collaboration and new readers. Give me a follow, reblog and show the love.
Recent Stuff:
- Featured on a podcast
- Launched Toronto Type
- Hit 27 live viewers on 8 hours’ notice for Smite Club VI
School: One month to go at Ryerson. Bachelor of Journalism, here I come.
Work: Intern at ScribbleLive. Video games for Financial Post. Campus blogger for Ryerson Student Life. Comic books (formerly) for ComicVine.
Portfolio: See the sidebar, dorkus.
Side Projects: League of Legends play-by-play for Smite Club. Architecture/signage photoblog at Toronto Type. Nerd columns for Nerd Girl Pin Ups.
Ideas: Comic book titled “NTO”. Comic blog/vlog series called “ComicsMatt.com”
NTO: Heavily influenced by Brian Wood’s DMZ, NTO takes part in the near future, where cities have become densely-packed, apartment-heavy skyscrapers. Telling the story of one man’s climb from the depth of the city’s Bowels to the upper echelons of Halla, it chronicles ambition, loss, sacrifice and an attachment to humanity. Pseudo-sci-fi without delving into Cyberpunk. Inspiration for art style can be found here.
Status: Looking for an artist and finishing a concrete pitch. Will pay. Serious about this turning into a webcomic/print combo.
ComicsMatt: Partly inspired by Heidi MacDonald’s The Beat, DC Women Kicking Ass and my own recent departure from ComicVine, ComicsMatt is an idea for a comics/nerd blog and personal brand site based on my interests and passion. Columns, vlogs, reviews and interviews.
Status: Tumblr seized, but not fully conceptualized.
Interests: Comic books, hip-hop, making music on my iPad and Ableton. League of Legends, Mass Effect, web comics and journalism. Podcasts. Pro wrestling. Sleep, stir fry and shadowboxing. Cartoons and kung-fu movies.
Twitter: MattDemers
Photos: MattDemers on 500px and Instagram.
YouTube: AtMattDemers
Tunes: Last.fm and SoundCloud (empty for now)
Steam: DemersMR
Gear: iPhone 4s, Nikon D40, iPad 2, FlipCamera HD
Any questions? Send them my way.
[Flash 9 is required to listen to audio.]
Recorded a podcast with Anand Ram this past week about comics, comics journalism and ambition. I open up a little bit about my own struggles with finding my passion with work, and my insecurities when it comes to my writing.
Please, give it a listen!
These are some photos I’ve labelled “comic book research”. This is the Pinterest for them.
You should ask me some questions about my world for World Building Wednesday.
The brand new trailer for The Amazing Spider-Man, which hits theaters on July 3.
A couple thoughts:
- The costume looks pretty damned bad, and I don’t think I’ll ever be able to get over it. Too much blue, too much over-design, too much “Oh, the mask got removed so the actor can have more face-time.”
- They still have that whole “trying to quip with a mask muffling your voice” problem that the Raimi films had, and it really hurts how these lines are delivered.
- I like how they touch on Pete being a genius - or at least approaching one - but it’s not clear if that’s a “him” or the Spider powers.
- This “untold story” thing makes me really nervous. I’m not sure why, but I just have a really bad feeling about them adding something to Spider-Man’s origin that’ll taint the whole thing.
- I like Gwen’s interaction in this film, as she actually seems to have a point.
- Dennis Leary is going to be the JK Simmons of these movies.
Probably will skip this when it comes out, but catch it on Netflix/DVD.
