It's a Wonderful Jimmy Aquino

Truth, Justice and the American Way. That has been Superman’s motto since his inception. However, in the recent Action Comics #900, he renounced his U.S. citizenship. His reasoning is that he is an alien himself (from another planet, of course) and that his actions should be viewed more worldly and not that of the United States. Pal Laura Hudson of Comics Alliance covered this a few days ago and the internet exploded. It has made international news and people are going crazy over this so called issue. Staunch Americans are pissed off that their icon is turning traitor and are starting petitions to boycott Warner Brothers. Others are saying it’s about time he became a global symbol. Me? I’m on the side of HE’S A COMIC BOOK CHARACTER side. 

If the media digs deep, boy howdy will they be disturbed by this Superman tale.

What’s that you say? That doesn’t count because it was part of DC Comics “Elseworlds” line where they take iconic characters and change their established histories so it’s an imaginary story?” Unlike the “regular” Superman stories that are based on real life. Gotcha. 

Or what about this? Superman if he was born in England! 

And English actor Henry Cavill has been cast to play Superman in Zack Snyder’s upcoming film, The Man of Steel. Coincidence? I don’t think so! 

Just remember, kids. While Superman is awesome, he isn’t a real being. Now Batman on the other hand…

Is there a way to allow people who aren’t on Tumblr to reply to posts on here? 

My secret is out. All thanks to my friend Emily who had this prophetic and revealing dream about me the other night. In her words:

“So I totally had this dream last night where you came and saw the Vampire Cowboys show (Agent G) then had to go to work afterwards. Except your work was replaced by this cozy little one room bar that had cafe tables, lit only by candles with walls made of large tiles and one wall was just a huge window. And everyone (being myself, Cass, Paul Pope, and some skinny guy I didn’t recognize) went to visit you and say hi and have a few drinks. We sat around the booth in back, chatting and being chill. Then the next day some men show up asking questions about you and it turns out that you are actually a Russian spy and have been for years. They show us how there were actually secret hiding spots and passageways in the bar Your escape route was through a crawlspace that was found by pushing on the top row of tiles above the booth in back that opened to reveal a passageway to your tiny bedroom behind the wall, which had been cleaned out as you had obviously took off in a hurry. We all felt really bad and told the Feds nothing about you, because even if you were a spy, it had to be with a good reason. Then, like 2 days later, this random guy shows up. Me and I think Bonnie are walking to the theater. He looks like a hairier version of Judah Freidlander minus the baseball cap and glasses. I realize it’s you and try to talk to you. You just shook your head, didn’t say anything, motioned for us to follow you, and led us to a super fancy and well equipped building way on the East side next to the river. But just as we are about to go in, we are surrounded by the Feds who have been following us. Fortunately you manage to escape into the building and they run after you. Obviously we’re really upset that they used us to find you, but somehow you manage to evade them just long enough to come running out, say goodbye forever in your actual voice, which was with a thick Russian accent, and apologize for not telling us your secret sooner, then disappear into the night.”

Daz vidanya, comrades. Mother Russia calls me back home. I’ll drink some vodka in your honor. Na Zdrovia! At least my dear Olga is happily awaiting my return. 

 
Comic News Insider: Episode 327 is now available for free download! Click on the link or get it through iTunes! Sponsored by Dynamic Forces.

Reviews:  Danger Girl and The Army of Darkness #1, Dark Horse Presents #1, Super Dinosaur #1, Doctor Who Season 6, Episode 1: The Impossible Astronaut

Jon Hoche jumps in to the co-host seat again. Jimmy remembers his dear friend Kirk Torigoe and shares some stories about him. News includes: Hero Initiative to benefit Josh Medors, Greg Rucka/Rick Burchett’s new comic, Sony Playstation Network crashes, Batman: Year One animated and a Game of Thrones fight. Also, is Jimmy a Russian spy? As always, the Top 3, listener feedback and more! Leave your iTunes comments! 5 stars and nothing but love!

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As you know, I have a podcast called Comic News Insider. But what you may not know, is that I listen to a ridiculous amount of them. Before CNI started in April 2005, I was already listening to a few tech ones like This Week in Tech and DiggNation. Now, it’s just silly how many I listen to. Many are podcasts that friends do. I may not necessarily always love what they chat about, but I do love supporting them and hearing their voices. Especially if they don’t live here. It’s like we’re hanging out! Here is a list of podcasts that I listen to regularly:

• Adam and Joe (from their Saturday morning BBC Radio 6 show)
• The Arts Show with Claudia Winkleman (from her Saturday evening BBC Radio 2 show)
• Best of Chris Moyles (weekly collection from his daily BBC Radio 1 morning show)
• Chris Evans Breakfast - The Best Bits (weekly collection from his daily BBC Radio 2 morning show)
• Comedy of the Week (weekly BBC Radio 4 comedy show)
• Daily Bacon (from his daily afternoon Radio 5 show)
• Diggnation (Kevin Rose/Alex Albrecht host best bits from Digg.com)
• Everything Comes Back to 2000AD (pals Richard McAuliffe/Flint Lockjaw host this breakdown/review show of the 2000AD weekly comic)
• Fresh Ink (comic reviews from pal Blair Butler on G4TV)
• Friday Night Comedy from BBC Radio 4 (rotating comedy shows on BBC Radio 4 including News Quiz and The Now Show)
• Front Row Highlights (interviews/news from various arts genres on BBC Radio 4)
• Geek Syndicate (nerdy goodness as hosted by pals David Monteith/Barry Nugent.)
• Good Morning Geekdom (positive nerdiness as hosted by pals Iz McAuliffe/Barry Nugent)
• Jay and Silent Bob Get Old (Kevin Smith/Jason Mewes wax about the past, present and future)
• Loaded (tech news as hosted by pal Natali Morris nee Del Conte)
• Make Believers (my new favorite podcast about everything from pals Ming Doyle/Alexa Rose
• The Megacast (about the Judge Dredd Megazine as hosted by pals Iz McAuliffe/Stacey Whittle)
• The Nerdist (Chris Hardwick hosts with pals Jonah and Matt covering nerdy things and great interviews)
• Rhod Gilbert’s Best Bits (best of his Saturday morning BBC Radio Wales show)
• Scott Mills Daily (best of Scott’s BBC Radio 1 afternoon show)
• Small Press Big Mouth (indie comic scene news/reviews as hosted by pal Stacey Whittle and Lee Grice)
• SModcast (Kevin Smith/Scott Mosier talk about anything)
• The Social Hour (social networking news/interviews as hosted by pal Amber MacArthur and Sarah Lane)
• Sweatdrop Podcast (the creators from Sweatdrop Studios in the UK get together monthly to chat their work and other things….here’s hoping they start podcasting again soon)
• The Trending Show (discussing trending topics on various social networks as hosted by hubby/wife Clayton and Natali Morris)
• This Week in Tech (Leo Laporte’s flagship podcast about tech)

Yes, I know. I listen to a lot of BBC podcasts. Cor blimey! And there are others out there that I listen to occasionally depending on their guest. Podcasts like The Adam Carolla show, Kevin Pollak’s Chat Show, WTF with Marc Maron and others. There were some great podcasts based on TV shows that are now gone since the show is over. Like the Battlestar Galactica one hosted by series creator Ronald Moore, The Official Lost podcast with showrunners Damon Lindeloff/Carlton Cuse and the Doctor Who official podcast. If you’re catching up on those shows, then check out the podcasts too!

Go check out a few if you’re so inclined. Of course, after you’ve finished listening to the latest episode of Comic News Insider! 

p.s. I’m sure I’ve upset a few friends that I don’t listen to their podcasts. Sorry, but as you see…I listen to a ton! And I do check in on various podcasts from time to time and give a listen. So there!

Royal Wedding fever has hit the world! Well, except for in the UK. It seems a lot of my friends over there absolutely HATE any mention of it. Speaking for myself and fellow Americans (yes, I speak for America), I think we like it for the novelty of it. Sure, we fought against and left royalty behind us back in the late 1700’s but that was ages ago! I think we just find it fascinating. That being said, my UK brethren do not.

I get that it’s costing you in taxes to pay for the wedding. That sucks royal arse. But I see lots of piss and vinegar about the event on Twitter, Facebook, Tumblr, etc. All from friends in the UK. Literally posts wishing ill will upon the soon to be wedded couple. I don’t understand this. And don’t dare bring up the late Princess Di. She’s more hated than any royal, it seems. I remember a friend explaining it to me but I don’t remember exactly what was said. 

Can my UK pals explain the hate? That is, in a civil and adult manner? Not with just, “Because they’re c*nts”. While funny, I (and many fellow Yanks) are curious. Thanks. 

Oh, and send me some dark chocolate HobNobs while you’re at it. 

Any time Ben Templesmith and I get in a conversation, often it quickly spirals downward into body parts, etc. Particularly balls. As we chatted, he said he wanted to make a website dedicated to mine. I decided to type in “Jimmy’s Balls” and got sent to this site. Don’t worry, it’s safe for work! 

If you go to “products” you can purchase things like in the picture above along with “Licky Things” and “Pecker Recker”. Seriously. 

The phrase “hung like a horse” entered my mind too many times when viewing this site. Go enjoy some hangin’ balls!

I’ll be attending the Boston Comic Con on Sunday, May 1st. You can find me running around the floor and perhaps getting a few interviews. Come say hello! 

I’ll be staying the night with an old friend and checking out the city on Monday as I’ve never been. Any “must see” spots I should hit? 

Also, I’ll possibly be recording a special show with 2 of my favorite new podcast ladies. 

Constantly putting down TV shows, movies, books, etc. doesn’t make you come across like you are the be all and end all of the universe. No one thinks, “Hey, this person doesn’t find that funny, so I must be stupid for liking it.” Or, “Wow. This person is hating on a movie and refuses to see it, so I shouldn’t either even if I want to.” No, it makes you come across like a smug asshole. A wannabe know-it-all who thinks they are better than the rest of us and if we DARE to like something you don’t deem worthy of your attention, then we are idiots. 

Get over yourself, Smuggy! 

Shots w/ Cass and Gretchen. In your honor, Kirk.

 

I found out last night that an old friend, Kirk Torigoe, had died. No details that we know of yet except that he passed away earlier in the week. I hadn’t seen or talked to Kirk in a couple of years but I always remember him fondly. Please indulge me as I share some fun rememberances from when we did a show together and how he possibly saved my life.

 
I first met Kirk in 1999. We both got cast in The King and I at the Carousel Dinner Theater in Akron, Ohio. (All pictures are from that time period). The production company put the cast up in local housing while we were performing for 3-4 months. Kirk and Pio were my roomies. Since Kirk and I were both non-union at the time, we got paired into sharing a room. 

 
It was one of those rare casts where almost everyone got along. Probably having so many of us Asians in the cast helped! Kirk and I immediately hit it off. Pio and I were a bit older (maybe 7 years?) than he but I adopted him like a little brother. I used to tease him for always being on the phone. I have so many pictures of him doing that! See?

 

Of course, it was just a good natured ribbing and he always took it that way. That was the thing about Kirk. He always just rolled with it. I honestly don’t ever remember him getting upset about anything or arguing with anyone. Sure, there may have been a few times here and there but nothing monumental. Always the voice of reason. And he was funny! Now, you know I think I’m hilarious but Kirk had some zingers in him as well. We both loved our roomie, Pio. But we would tease him for magically finding the “All Golden Girls, All the time” channel. Seriously, it seemed like any time we walked in the door, it was on!

One of the funniest moments was opening night. We all partied at the theater and then came back to the apartment complex to drink and party. We all kept going from apartment to apartment. Some of us ended up in our unit. I had the lights down, candles lit and music blasting. It was a dance party! At one point, I was dancing with a few of the girls in the living room and I looked over and saw a shadowy figure sitting in the kitchen. It was Kirk. He was just sitting there. Eating cereal. And enjoying the fact that we were all having fun. We locked eyes and started cracking up. That was one of our running jokes for a long time. Me dancing and him eating cereal in the dark! 

The above picture is a sexy photo shoot some of the cast did for a charity event for Equity Fights AIDS. It was a variety show and we all contributed. Kirk choreographed one of the numbers and was in most of them. We used to laugh at how serious and sexy we were trying to be in that picture!

And, the boy flat out saved my life. If you know me, then you know I’m sociable and like to go out. The cast did often to stave off the boredom. And, you know I can get my drink on and hold my liquor. On very rare occasions, I go overboard and my body reminds me. I don’t remember what I drank one night but I do know that I was shattered. Completely drunk. Smashed. I’m sure it was Kirk who put me in my bed and I promptly passed out. 

Next day, I wake up and notice an odor. Yep. I got sick in the night as I slept. Instead of waking me up, Kirk got out of bed, turned me on my side so I wouldn’t choke and cleaned me up. I slept right through it. And to show just what a humble guy he was, he didn’t even tell me. Someone else in the cast did. When I saw him later, I had to ask him what happened and then he told me. I apologized profusely and he just smiled and we laughed about what a drunken idiot I was that night. He never got upset about it even though he had every right. Amazing friend. I’ve never forgotten that.

 

As mentioned, I haven’t spoken to or seen him in a couple of years. Lives in New York City move around so much and I’ve been out of the acting biz for some time. We were just doing different things. But any time his name was brought up, it was always a happy memory. Still, even though we hadn’t spoken in awhile, this has really affected me. That happens when a good person is taken out of your life. I’m just…terribly saddened. He was a young guy in his 30’s with a beautiful young daughter named Meana. My heart goes out to her and his family. 

We are saddened when a celebrity we admire passes away. Some people find that silly, but people touch our lives in different ways. And when a person you know in real life is gone, the heart sinks that much more. So much more. It makes your own mortality real. We always say we wish we could have spent more time with someone after they’re gone. But it’s true. I wish we had stayed in touch over the past couple of years. Even though we didn’t, I’ll still miss him.

Farewell, my friend. We’ll dance together again in that “Small House of Uncle Thomas” in the sky. I’ll bring the cereal. 

I can’t wait to get home later and watch some hot Amy Pond action! 

Oh yeah, and some Doctor dude or something. 

That’s me as “Jesus” in Godspell back in 1996 at an Off-Off Broadway house. Channeling me as your savior for Good Friday. 

“PREPARE YE THE WAY OF THE JIMMY! Go forth and eat fine meats. Drink sumptuous bourbon. Rejoice with dancing ladies in your lap. AND BRING ME THE HEAD OF C. THOMAS HOWELL!

So sayeth the Jimmy.”

This is one of my best pals Ben Templesmith & I. If you don’t know who he is, he’s a rockin’ comic book artist who got famous from doing the art (and co-creating) on the original 30 Days of Night comic. (The look of the vampires in the movie was based on his art). He’s done so much more amazing work like Wormwood: Gentleman Corpse, Welcome to Hoxford, Choker, Fell, Groom Lake among others.  

Often when we chat online, the conversation becomes debaucherous frat boy style humor. Which is not my norm, but the Aussie chap brings it out in me. We just got done talking on Skype and the conversation started with balls. And ended with balls. The question being: Be you man or woman, when you are with your male companion, do you cup both or just one? Or, if you are the male companion, do you want one or both cupped? I say both. He says just the one. I leave it up to you internet. Ball or Balls?!!!