May 4th was Free ComicBook Day. On “FCBD”, comicbook retailers give out a free comicbook to anyone who walks into their stores. This is an initiative that’s been going on since 2002 to excite current readers and to bring in new readers. I’ve been reading comic-books since I was in grade-school, and for many years, planned to make my living as a comic-book creator. As many people know, I never got into the professional realm of comics, but my passion for good sequential art and powerful writing has continued through the years.
A few years ago, I had the idea to put on an event in conjunction with Free ComicBook Day – my own personal “hurrah” for FCBD. It would be an exhibit of the original comic-book art that I’ve collected. The idea seemed great…and then I never did anything with it. Time passed, the idea never left me, but I never acted any further on it either…until this year…this year, I decided it was time for this art exhibit. This year, I got the idea to have a “live reading” to accompany the art exhibit – this way I could have an event that drew attention to the fantastic artwork of comics, and also gave credit to the dynamic writing that inspired and directed that artwork. So, “Spoilers MKE” was brought to Milwaukee’s attention.
The “live reading” was brought to life by TEN amazing friends of mine. Most of these people hadn’t acted before and were nervous about performing in front of an audience. I promoted the event, hung the show, and talked up the show as much as possible, but the whole dang thing could not have happened without Kari Couture, Derek Freund, Lisa Walker-England, Jaime Jastrab, Kat Hustedde, Lisa Moldenhauer-Rasmussen, Jony Helmers, Jason Krukowski, Terry Donohue, and Scott Radtke.
-Derek, who tends to the theatrical, was a great “rookie cop” in Batman and a defensive “Rictor” in X-Factor.
-Lisa, who shared her novel with us, and Brad Krause‘s artwork, impressed with the fullness of her imagination.
-Kari, in her role of the “Norse epic poet” in the Thor scene, delivered her lines with aplomb.
-Jaime gave solemnity to “Shaman”, in Alpha Flight and was a great inner-mind in Dardevil.
-Lisa M. was evasive as “Layla” in X-Factor, and secretively supportive as “Woman” in Daredevil.
-Kat was impressively somber as “The End of the World” in Swamp-Thing, and all-knowing as “Snowbird” in Alpha Flight.
-Jony, delivered lines fiercely and passionately as “Jean Grey” in The Death of Phoenix, and as “Jorumungard” in Thor.
-Jason was a natural in his performances of “Cyclops” in the X-men scenes, and so compassionate and empathetic as “Reed Richards” in the Fantastic Four scene.
-Terry was so believable as “experienced cop” in Batman, and as the timid, scared “Martin” in Fantastic Four.
-Scott delivered the lines of “Thor” with MUCH authority and the lines of “Geo”, in Soldier X, with frustration and hilarity.
These people did not just “bring life” to the characters in the scripts, they BECAME those characters. They did so great and made this event all it could be. Really, these people gave up many hours to help me actualize an idea. They are good people and generous friends, and I am SO thankful to have them in my life.
If you’d like to see their performances, check out the playlist at YouTube – every scene is well worth your time!
(Below are cel-phone snapshots from Duane Drzadinski and me)
