Holy Mule, Comics, Cats, and Toothy Puppets

MULEY HELPS TEACH CHURCH

Sunday, May 1 - First Congregational Church
Memphis, TN - Cooper/Young Area
Muley will help Juan with the childrens' sermon, same as he did on Easter Sunday. If you look closely below, you can see Muley, Kevin, and Juan Salter at the table, and to the left is Angie Freeman and DaMarco Randle, Muley and Kevin's pals.





















The image above I took of me for Facebook shows how much of an attention hog Muley is--even though he's a mule.

COMIC BOOKS THAT I AM READING





















I was so disappointed when DC cancelled Will Eisner's The Spirit, which was given new birth with the art and writing of Darwyn Cooke and then later different artists with the writings of The Spirit fans Sergio Aragones and Mark Evanier of "Groo" fame. When it was cancelled I blamed Frank Miller for his HORRIBLE version of telling the story of The Spirit by creating a sequel to Sin City rather than basing it on his "friend" Will Eisner's story. But, whether that was right or wrong, The Spirit is back in First Wave, a new series of stories featuring one of my favorite heroes. The art is exquisite and the story is tight with a feeling of light-hearted mystery. Do I suggest it? You bet your spirit!

Brave and the Bold (not Batman: Brave and the Bold which is based on the cartoon) is a series that is awesome on its own, and even more so now with an issue featuring Zatana, Wonder Woman and Bat Girl. A prequel to the fate of Barbara Gordon, this story also features a present trend in the suspected relationship of other female characters in the story. It's a very good read.

I've also been reading BOOM! Studios' The Muppet Show series, with good stories and art that I am growing more fond of as I read them. However, Muppets' King Arthur features art by Dave Alvarez, an old pal from a Muppets fansite that I've been visiting for years, which are top-par. Muppets' Peter Pan was also chock full of good story and art. I'm really looking forward to reading the Fraggle Rock comics when they are available, although that is coming from a different company.

Speaking of comics, the UK release of the movie Role Models on DVD features the graphic novel by Martheus Wade, my MAW Productions' boss over the book I edit, Jetta: Tales of the Toshigawa.























CASPER THE CAT

See, some things never change. He still looks at me as if to say, "You call? So?" He was 'fixed' last week and it seems that his personality hasn't changed much--he sleeps more, is more calm, and isn't peeing everywhere.
























SIVAD: The Puppet

There were requests for me to show more images of the puppet. Here are some during the art show on March 26 at Adam Shaw's studio.









































If I get requests to show the puppet in progress, I'll post those also.

For Allergenic Fun

Pollen is a beast to my allergies, attacking me at every corner. Also, Cottonwood trees create the Dander of the Gods and heck on my sinuses!

Jetta Live Action and more.

Jetta: Tales of the Toshigawa - Defiance Production Shots!!!



MAW PRODUCTIONS is pleased to announce that we have sneak preview production shots from the live action version of Jetta: Tales of the Toshigawa - Defiance.


Check out http://www.toshigawa.com/ for the sneak peak.

We are also happy to have Michelle Laurent staring as the lead character, Jetta!
Michelle was born in Langhorn, PA. Growing up in a military family, she had the opportunity to travel the globe and experience other cultures. She studied theatre and European history at Old Dominion University. She also studied Shakespeare in London before graduating.
After graduation, Michelle made the move to Los Angeles where she landed roles in independent features such as “Arc Angels,” “Wasteland,” “Purgatory” and most recently “Is It Just Me?” Television credits include “Sexual Consideration” (CBS), “Detective Series” (Discovery Channel), and a recurring role on “The Bold and the Beautiful” (CBS).

We look forward to seeing Michelle in action as our lead ninja! Drop by her facebook page and show some support.

As well, join our Jetta: Tales of the Toshigawa - Facebook Fan page and let us know what you think.

Produced by LizardBrain Productions and coming soon!

Check it out!





SIVAD STUFF CONTINUES!



We are still editing the Mule on the Street: Sivads of March documentary.



These images are from a 1971 show that my mom went to. Apparently, after searching and searching there are not 1973 - 1975 images from when I would have seen him at 2 or 3 years old. The girl in the picture is a daughter of my mom's friends and I have no clue who she is or where the show was. Would LOVE if other folks out there would post their Sivad images or home movies from these kinds of shows!

As a member of Tyler Perry's mailing list, I got a neat e-mail from him recently that I copied into my forums because I think the message is very important!

Jetta: Last Chances - IN COLOR!

I have this from my pal whose book I edit:

We at MAW Productions have always believed that you know that you are doing something right when your work is copied by multiple sources. Well, it seems that our first graphic novel, Jetta: Tales of the Toshigawa – Last Chances has been pirated and distributed on the web without our permission.

At first, we were pretty upset. However, we decided to get something out of it while rewarding our readers. So, starting in April, we will be releasing Jetta: Last Chances on the web in one page at a time. This time, in full color. For long time readers, this will be a treat to see the book you have in your collection in full color. For new readers, this is your opportunity to read our very first comic. This is the perfect chance to get in on the start of an adventurous ninja ride. For the “Pirates” out there, you’ve now got official competition. So, let the adventure begin.

JETTA: TALES OF THE TOSHIGAWA – LAST CHANCES

The Toshigawa clan has long guarded and ruled Japan from the shadows. Now, one of the clan’s former members has become emperor of Japan and wants to destroy the remaining members of the Toshigawa clan, including his own daughter, Shianndrea! But before she can flee to America, she has to deal with the formidable Desai – and rumors that her sensei is a traitor! Don’t miss this hard to find 80 page first issue of the TOSHIGAWA SAGA. Written by: Martheus Wade Inks by: Janet Wade Illustrations by: Martheus Wade Colors by: Gareth Melvin Editor: Kevin Williams

Sivads of March Recap

Well, friends, here are the Sivads of March images. It's about a week behind but I've been really busy. We're gearing up for Screaming Tiki Con in Niles, OH, and have been budgeted for a new puppet stage sponsored by Gift Baskets and Etc. (owned by Lamar and Susan Williams, my parents).

We're also editing the Mule on the Street episode documenting the Sivads of March which should be up in the next week or so.

There was some video footage shared of the all-too-elusive Sivad from a news article in the 1970's or 1980's about him from WHBQ Channel 13 in Memphis. Click here to view the video.

In the meantime, enjoy images from the Sivads of March!



This isn't the actual horse drawn hearse from the show, but it's very similar.



Sivad's fangs (without which he isn't much of a vampire, eh?).



Sivad's eyebrows.




The back of the Sivad costume and make-up kit showing even the back of his name plate and his appearances on the TV and radio.

The exhibition case showing all the Sivad paraphernalia that could be used in the show, including his hat, wig, cape, cane, and his make-up kit.

Inside the Sivad character suitcase and make-up kit.

Here is the whole list of panelists including Mike McCarthy and John Beifuss (back row left and right).

The voice of WHBQ Channel 13, and the "uncle" in Sivad's tour of WHBQ 13 station for promotional purposes, Jack Parnell.

Here am I with Watson "Sivad" Davis' best friend, Elton Holland, and his nephew Buddy Davis.

Sivad was there in spirit...

Videography and Photography by Kevin L. Williams and DaMarco Randle.