The Scott Pilgrim Revolution

"Scott Pilgrim is the best book ever. It is the chronicle of our time. With Kung Fu, so yeah: perfect."

—Joss Whedon

Scott Pilgrim vs. the World: the must see movie of the moment, and quite possibly the best movie ever based of and independently produced, non-superhero comic book series.



"Huhbuhduwha?!?!? There are comic books that aren't manga that aren't about superheroes?!!??!?" Yes, and they're becoming more and more popular.

The fact is, the way Marvel and DC are set up, they cater to a very small but devoted fanbase that is stagnant because the comics they read are. With very few exceptions, most comic book storylines in recent years have been formulaic and uncreative (Batman RIP being one of the rare, good examples, One More Day being one of the less rare yet terrible examples). Marvel and DC rarely try anything new to attract new readers because they're afraid of losing the one's they've got. Not that there's anything wrong with that, but if you try to find something new and groundbreaking from the superhero giants, you most likely won't get it. As someone who grew up with the Spiderman and Batman animated TV shows, this saddens me deeply. However, this is a unique and exciting time for comic lovers.

"Wait, what?!? That sounds TERRIBLE for comic-lovers!!"

Actually it's not, because Marvel and DC have an audience that is roughly 3% of their potential audience (cannot get exact figure sorry). Because they're audience has dwindled so low, there is an incredible power vacuum in the field of comic books and graphic novels. Whoever can attract the raw power of the untapped  97% of potential comic book readers will rule the industry. The overwhelming success of manga in the U.S. proves this. But the West has an answer to the power of manga: independently produced, creator controlled comic books, or "indie comics".

The success of the Canadian indie graphic novel series Scott Pilgrim is the precursor to great creator revolution looming on the horizon. Personally, I'm looking forward to great new stories and incredible, dynamic characters. And I have this guy to thank for it:

Storytelling

I have always loved stories.

I developed a love for reading when I was very little, loving to crawl up next to my parents and have them read to me. When I learned how to read on my own, I would curl up in a chair and read to myself for hours on end. My favorite spot to read was under the branches of an old oak tree in the front yard of my house. I found myself drawn into stories very easily, laughing and crying along with the characters, cheering on the hero every step of the way.

When I wasn't reading, I was inventing tales of my own, using action figures and Lego creations for the different characters. Every game with my little sister turned in to a quest of epic proportions. As I got older and my interest in action figures decreased, the stories did not go away. I experimented with comics, but I discovered that I had little to no artistic ability. I have tried to write short stories before, yet I never liked the results for some reason, even if others were impressed. This lead to my habit of daydreaming.

I have continued daydreaming into my young adult life. I am constantly thinking of new story ideas, constantly reworking them, constantly running them over and over in my head. I am currently attempting to find a medium with which to express these stories. I am going take another crack at writing, maybe even return to comics or experiment with film. There are epic tales unfolding within my head, and I desire to share them with the world.

Perhaps you, too, have a story to tell. Try and find a creative outlet, a medium with which to communicate your epic. Even if you do not become a storyteller in profession, you may find out something about yourself that you never knew.

The Beginning

"Oh, a blog. That's SO original. No one's EVER done THAT before."
If that was the first thing you thought when you saw this site, please leave. No one likes haters. However, if you are willing to listen to some random guy on the internet, by all means, pull up a chair. That's what I'm here for, after all.

Now, I know what you're thinking. So stop it, you sicko. Get a girlfriend (or boyfriend or whatever. I don't judge. Usually.).

In all serious though, if you're wondering what this blog is about, well then I'm forced to confess that it really isn't about anything other than what I feel that I want to post every now and then. It would be more interesting if you asked what this blog really IS.

This blog is a journey. It's a journey of self-discovery, friendship and the occasional musings of a young man just starting on his journey through life. This will be the medium through which I explore life's mysteries and struggle to find my place in this world. I'd like to share this journey, this important piece of myself, with the world if at all possible. If you'd like to come along, by all means do so. If not, that's fine, but you're welcome to change your mind anytime. We'll be going to a place that's familiar, yet new. Somewhere where the past meets the future, and anything is possible.

Welcome to The Other End of the Block.