O.P.C.C. winner, guest post from writer Josh Cook, and more...

Congrats, Monica!!!

Before we get to the guest post from writer, Josh Cook, I'd like to commend comedian Monica Nevi on winning the 4th annual Olympic Peninsula Comedy Contest! Monica is one of the funniest up and coming comics in the Northwest. Shes performed everywhere from the best comedy clubs to prestigious festivals like Bridgetown. I've watched her progress over the last few years into on of my favorite comics, and I'm proud to have my competition be a stepping stone in her blossoming career! Be sure to follow her on Facebook and Twitter to see where she'll be performing next! You can check out her calendar on Monicanevi.com too! Stay funny, Monica!

Here is a first of hopefully many guest posts we will have here at thestevestrout.com. Keep in mind, any opinions are the guests' and don't always reflect that of this site. Our guest is the man behind Zombie A.C.R.E.S. and the author of Alice in Zombieland, my friend, and up and coming writer, Joshua Cook...Take it away Josh.

In a child’s life there are many firsts that a parent gets to look forward to. Unfortunately, many of these firsts were stolen from me through lies and deceit, but now my family and I have a chance to fight for my Baby Bri and still experience a lifetime full of new experiences.

Among these firsts I am looking forward to will be watching some of my favorite childhood shows with my Baby Bri. Say What?! Ok, so it may not be one of the most normal firsts in a child’s life, but pop culture has always been a big part of my life.

Growing up I spent a lot of time by myself and in my own mind, which can usually be a scary and dangerous place for children. As a way out of that place, I would use television as an escape. I am a whopping 35 years old (which is pretty old according to our host Stevie) and I grew up in the 80’s. This was the decade of cable and pop culture.

I watched some of the most amazing television shows during my childhood – Transformers, Punky Brewster, G.I. Joe and so many more shows that are still held high and cherished today. Of these classic pop culture treasures, there are three that I am most excited to introduce Baby Bri to, although it may take some time before she can really appreciate the awesomeness of the 80’s.

The Greatest American Hero

(video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AEiuIyUv7sQ)

The Greatest American Hero is my favorite television show from childhood. As you can tell from watching any part of the complete pilot episode, this 80’s show was both cheesy and entertaining, with a mix of values thrown in. One thing I have appreciated more about The Greatest American Hero as I have gotten older is that the hero is a school teacher. In a world where teachers are so often overlooked and underappreciated, I am happy to be able to show Baby Bri a piece of pop culture history that holds a teacher up high for change.

Reading Rainbow

(video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WfGhfI_NwcA)

Who doesn’t like the classic television show Reading Rainbow? Lucky for children of today, this 80’s show all about the joys of reading is available as an app, so the name and tradition will carry on. Reading was always important to me, which is why I became an author, and I strongly believe that without a love for reading, you are doomed to a life full of struggles and uphill battles. Enjoying Reading Rainbow together will help me show my Baby Bri that there are limitless worlds full of magic and wonder, all just waiting for her to open them.

Scooby-Doo

(video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wqMOvftUtZY)

Do I really have to explain this one? Baby Bri is already a big lover of animals (especially our Sam Dogg), and Scooby-Doo is one of the most loveable animals in the world. Already she enjoys watching Scooby, Shaggy and the rest of the Mystery Gang go crime solving. Scooby-Doo is about fun and enjoying childhood, which is an important life lesson in itself. Never grow up and never take yourself too seriously. Enjoy life and make the most of it.

I wrote this piece to have a little fun and talk about some great television shows, but I also want to bring some awareness to a personal fund raising program that I have started. I said earlier that my family and I are fighting to be in Baby Bri’s life, but without legal representation, we are afraid that this uphill battle may be lost.

These legal costs can run high into the thousands, and that is why a fund raising campaign was created. We are hoping to help lighten some of the burden of this unexpected cost. Please visit GoFundMe.com/HelpBabyBriAndDaddy to read more of Baby Bri’s story and see what you can do to help. If you can’t donate, but still want to help, we are looking for ‘street team’ members to help share links and even post up or hand out campaign flyers.

Hopefully none of these funds will ever have to be used and we can settle outside of court. Any unused funds raised for Baby Bri’s legal fund will be donated to Holly House for Kids. Holly House is a local group that helps needy and low-income children and families during the holidays.

As a way of paying it forward, I have temporarily dropped the price of my Zombie A.C.R.E.S. ebook AiZ: Alice in Zombieland (Complete Saga) to 99 cents and will be donating ALL proceeds to Holly House. Any sales of AiZ: Alice in Zombieland (Complete Saga) between May 1 and August 31 will be donated to Holly House for Kids. Follow the links below to grab a fun read and help out families in need.

Amazon Kindle Store: http://bit.ly/AiZCharity
All Digital Formats at Smashwords: http://bit.ly/AiZSmashwords

For more information on Holly House for Kids, visit them on Facebook or their website.

New TV shows and more...

First of all, I wanna ask that you all keep Boston in our thoughts after the horrific events today...

We are all obviously tore up over the Walking Dead season ending (October can't come fast enough). Thankfully Doctor Who and Game of Thrones is back with new seasons, and off to a Hell of a start, and fun shows like Warehouse 13 are coming back.

Tonight, we might have been introduced to the next big thing in SyFy's new series, Defiance...

I won't share any of the plot in case you haven't seen it yet, but....

Wow...I really enjoyed Defiance! A great mix of humor, drama, action, and fine ladies (human and alien). It was very visually appealing too. Definitely looks like they put a little money and effort into this show, unlike the movies and other stuff they put out. It's also helps that they had Face Off on the air a few seasons before, so we got to see the work that goes in to creating the characters. Let's hope the writing holds up its end of things.  I know its only the pilot, but I think SyFy might have nailed it with this one!

The pilot was written really well due to the fact that the writers not only introduce you to the main characters, but sell them to the point that we can make actual emotion based opinions on the characters.

Defiance was very visually appealing too. The fx looked great and not cheesy and fake. It definitely looks like they put a little money and effort into this show, unlike some of the movies and other stuff they put out. It's also helps that they had Face Off on the air a few seasons before, so we got to see the work that goes in to creating the characters. Let's hope the writing holds up its end of things.  I know its only the pilot, but I think SyFy might have nailed it with this one!

There have been a few other new shows I'm keeping my eyes on too. NBC's Hannibal , History's Vikings, and Bates Motel. Give em a shot and get back at me with your opinions!

Oh...and I went and checked out the new Evil Dead movie! Hands down, one of the best horror films in a while. I'm usually not a fan of remakes, especially of classics, but this film was its own movie. It had all the gore and laughs of the original. The only thing i feel it was missing was bones, in the amputation scenes, and a big group of squeamish friends to laugh at when things got too gory! 

Well, its time to kick back and watch Castle, so I will leave you with a few thoughts...

Convention..I wanna make tis convention idea a reality, so give me suggestions. I'm not trying to make money. I just want there to be something to look forward to for people with similar interest here.

Header for this page..I'm working on ideas for a page header/logo. Give me ideas what would look awesome and attention grabbing on the page, and flyers and the such. You all know what kind of stuff I'm into by now.

I'm also working on some new Q&A's for the page with some cool guests. Can't say who, but some may have appeared on my favorite tv show, and another is a film producer that you might not know yet, but should and will.

That's it for me...join the Comic Book Swap Meet Facebook group and follow me on Twitter: @thestevestrout

Much love, geeks!

Comedy and lots of other cool new stuff..

Heya friends!

Just popping in to mention a few new things.

    First of all, I'm sure I've mentioned the Comic Book Swap Meet a thousand times, right? That is a perodical event we do here in Port Townsend where we have comic lovers, vendors, gamers, and anyone else thats into nerdy stuff get together and have a small convention of sorts. Look back in the archives and get an idea what we do here, click me! ......Pretty cool eh? Well I know you all cant come and hang with us here in the Northwest, so I decided to make a Facebook group for the Comic Book Swap Meet, and it just so happens to be called Comic Book Swap Meet. Come join our group. Lets talk about our favorite comics, games, movies, and whatever other geeky stuff we can come up with. Join the group. Share it. Tweet about it, and use #ComicBookSwapMeet when you do! Let's get that shit trending, haha!!

    I'm also using the Comic Book Swap Meet group as a forum to round up interested parties and get an actual Comic and pop culture convention going here. Yes, it will probably be called the Comic Book Swap Meet! Were not talking San Diego or Emerald City Comicon status. Just a fun, local, fan and creator (hopefully) run event. Get over to the page. Join us. Give us ideas. We want to hear from people with convention experience!!

    Got a comedy event booked here in Port Townsend on April 27th. I run this yearly stand-up competition. It gets bigger and better every year!!!




    Oh!! I'm really excited that Crypticon is almost here. Last weekend in May. I'm working a table for a rock band called the Toxik Idols. I don't know much about them except i dug their music. I came across their page and listened to a few tunes. Pretty rockin stuff, so I liked their facebook page. Well a couple weeks ago, their management emailed me out of the blue, and asked if i wanted to work their booth at Crypticon, which meant they cover my admission. I was already going to go anyways, so FUCK YEAH I will work for you. I got a couple good friends working it with me too! Should be an epic weekend!! It will be interesting working the other side of the table at a con. If you live in the Northwest, and love horror, come hang out at Crypticon with us!

   Be sure to check out my friend Ray Wegner, who's work has been published by Image, and his site: Ray Wegner's page. and  new online store and buy some of his art! I really dig his work.

Who else is looking forward to this Defiance show on SyFy? I miss the Walking Dead already and need to fill the void. Doctor Who helps a little, but October is a long ways away, dammit!!!

Oh well, that's it for me. I'm exhausted! Joing the Comic Book Swap Meet group..Share it..Tweet it..WAtch for me to do more interviews with some cool guests, and even do neat-o prizes for sharing and reading!

Steve!
@thestevestrout



 

Table Top Day and Comic Book Swap Meet...

Whats new...a little of this and that, actually...

Finally set up the long awaited Comic Book Swap Meet Facebook group. If you don't know, the Comic Book Swap Meet is an event we have on the Olympic Peninsula a few times a year to promote, discuss, and share our love of all things geeky. We have vendors, gaming, comic creators and companies, and special comic related guests. It's basically like a mini comic-con, but on a small scale and right in our back yard! JOIN THE GROUP...COMIC BOOK SWAP MEET

The Apothecarium is back open. My good buddy Beau opened his shop back up to feature Antiques and collectables along with their awesome teas and coffees. Yes, we do still hang out there and play Magic at the bar!! If your in Port Townsend, pop in there and tell Beau I sent ya! There's still a $1 box of comics under the counter, so ask!!! We might also do a comic giveaway on free comic book day which is coming fast.

Myself, along with the Water Street Creperie in Port Townsend are hosting an International Tabletop Day event on March 30th at the Creperie! We will play games, and have a good ol time...AND...The Creperie is going to offer food specials!! We will also have members of a Star Wars cosplay group on hand to take photos and donations for local little league. Check out our event listing on Facebook for more info! Tabletop Day at the Creperie. If you aren't close enough to Port Townsend, check out Tabletop Day and find an event closer to you!

Lots of fun stuff to do over the next couple months...and with spring/summer blockbuster movie season coming up I should stay busy...What movies are you looking forward to? Here's a few I'm getting excited about..Talk to me! What are you gonna see?

G.I. Joe 2...mostly for the Snake Eyes fight scenes!

Evil Dead...cuz EVIL DEAD!

Iron Man 3...This will be the best the season!!

Star Trek: Into Darkness...If its anywhere near as good as the first Abrams Trek film, it's gonna be amazing. The trailers look badass!

Superman: Man of Steel...which im hoping is a lead in to an epic Justice League film.

Hangover 3...cuz a mofo needs to laugh too!

There are more including World War Z, After Earth, Red 2, and Wolverine that I'm sure I will discuss later. Sorry I didn't list dates for movie releases,but obviously you have a computer to look it up if youre reading this hahahaha...

I'm going to watch Being Human now and pass out! follow me on Twitter: @thestevestrout

Oh yeah, I also got asked to help run a booth at Crypticon this year. It will be intersting being on the other side of the table at a convention. Come to Crypticon Seattle and say hi!!

Convention Season is upon us.....

FINALLY!!! CON SEASON IS UPON US...

and...

I'M DONE SLACKING OFF AND GOING TO KEEP UP ON THIS BLOG!!! (I KNOW I'VE SAID THAT A MILLION TIMES)

I attended Wizard World Portland Comic-Con and Emerald City Comic-Con in the last two weeks, and spent the majority of the time meeting guests and collecting autographs. Im just going to share some pictures so you can see the good times to be had at these kind of events.

I do have a shitty story about Portland though!


The show took place Feb 22-24th at the Oregon Convention Center in Portland, Oregon. Im not gonna say a lot about this show. It was well ran, had great guests and vendors, but an incident left a bad taste in my mouth.

We stayed in possibly the worst hotel I've ever stayed in. I mean, the place didn't even have towels in our room, and when we asked for them, they said "maybe they could find some"! We went with it because it was right across the street form the Convention center. Anyways, we checked out of our room Sunday morning and locked all of our merch we bought the previous two days, in the car. We went in to the Con, which as I prior mentioned, was directly across the street. Checked out Brent Spiner's panel and took another walk around the con floor. About 2 hours total. When we went out to the car to take our 5 hour trip home, we found a window broken out, and all of our bags stolen. My friend lost his laptop. I lost signed comics, art prints, toys, and photos by Stan Lee, Norman Reedus, Michael Rooker, Lou Ferrigno, Brent Spiner, and Morena Baccarin, as well as half of my wardrobe (which is why you will notice me wearing almost the same gear in every pic..haha). Such a bummer. It happens, but still very upsetting. Oh well, enjoy a few pictures...

Michael Rooker aka Merle Dixon

Lady Punisher by the very lovely Joanie Brosas. Do yourself a favor and follow her on Facebook.. Joanie's Facebook

Chicks dig stormtroopers

Chicks dig me...

The stunning Morena Baccarin interacting with her fans.

So excited to meet her, even though my signed photo got stolen.

Brent Spiner signing for his fans.

Yup he was Data on TNG

Superheroes everywhere, but none to save our car from being broken in to.

Very nice Boba Fett costume

ummmm....Just put down the scissors

Spidey!

Great seat at the Stan Lee panel...This is why I bought the VIP package!

The one and only, Stan Lee! I was star struck. This photo was in my stuff that got jacked. I talked to a guy at the Celeb Photo Ops, the pros who did the shoots for the convention, and they printed me a new copy! That is good business. If your at a Con and Celeb Photo Ops is the official photographer, dont hesitate to kick down a little extra for that photo shoot with your favorite celebrity. This company is a real class act. Like them on Facebook too! Celeb Photo Ops

The Fonz!

Mandalorians everywhere

I wanna be a Mandalorian when I grow up.

My bro John and a Stormtrooper, cuz John digs stormtroopers too!

Dont know this guy? Any help? Cool costume, I must say...

Unfortunately, this is what we came out of the Convention Center to find...Broken glass and no luggage!


The following week....

The following weekend was the Emerald City Comic-Con, where I had a much happier outcome! Enjoy...

Long lines to get in!!!

Still Waiting...

Almost there...

Pretty cool old school Wolverine I must say!!

Nice Cap cosplay...

The Batman

wow...

This might be one of the coolest things ever! Soundwave was fuckin' huge!

Of course R2 was the center of attention!

friggin showoff

I always thought Wonder Woman should have tattoos! This badass chick agreed!

Nicely made Jubilee costume

Hellboy creator Mike Mignola signing for his fans...

Artist on my personal favorite series, The Walking dead, Charlie Adlard! I had to stalk this guy around the convention center because his signing lines kept getting capped off! Being me, I managed to find him and get my books signed!!

My buddy Mark Rahner, writer of another awesome zombie comic series you should read called Rotten! If youre not reading it already, find it!

New 52 Batman writer, Scott Snyder. Definitely one of the best.

Former Mad TV cast member, voice actor extraordinaire, and dude who gets smoked in Pulp Fiction, Mr Phil Lamarr!

One of the funniest motherfuckers in the land..and Brian Posehn

Awesome Zombie print from my friend and Pokeweed creator, Drew Pocza..Check back in my archives for a Q&A and more info on Drew...

Wil Wheaton with a fan made cape...Unfortunately I didnt get to talk to Wil this time. Way too busy chasing Charlie Adlard around ECCC...

The very highlight of the last two weekends, was meeting the wonderful Felicia Day!

Dustin Nguyen doing sketches for fans..Amazing artist, and a really nice guy.

The Toy Hunter himself, Jordan Hemborough! This dude has possibly the coolest job ever. Buying and selling toys!! Him and his crew were on site filming an episode of the show. New season starts in April..