I remember the first time I heard "Livin' on a Prayer." I was couch surfing the summer before my senior year of college with two close friends -- one of whom was a theater major (is it theater or theatre? anyways...) Before the fall semester started, my friend decided to invite all her theater homies over for a kickback to start the school year. That was my first 'white' party. As a black kid in the suburbs, you don't really see white people in their natural habitat. You get to play outside, but you don't exactly get to stay for dinner very often. That is to say, this was definitely a fish out of water moment.

I have to assume I felt the way those Safari tourists feel when the lions get really close to their Jeeps (why do they keep buying those tickets?). Nothing could've prepared me for the response to that opening bass line. Tiny girls playing air guitar with one leg raised. Singing back to back, using their cans as pretend microphones. Flailing around the living room, careful not to spill a drop of their Yuenglings and PBRs. Already wide-eyed, you can only imagine my face when they got to the chorus and the room ERUPTED.

Ooooohhhhhh, we're halfway there... WHOOOOOAAA-OAAHHHWW! LIIIVVIN ON A PRAYER!!!

I don't think I've ever seen a group of people that happy. Okay, maybe one other time*. But it made such an impression that anytime I'm halfway done with anything, that song pops up. This was a very long way of saying...

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We've made it to the halfway point in our Equipment Fundraiser! I explain our status in more detail in the video above, but I'm seriously thrilled with this progress! This weekend, I'll be adding a few more perks for sale on the website -- including video calls with me, and original art pieces by Ben Ruzicka! I'm honestly torn between immediately buying a cheaper machine and patiently waiting for more funds to come in to buy what we really need.

Speaking of funds, I have to congratulate Donovan C. and Carlos B. for winning the first two $50 gift cards to Panel Bound Comics! We've got eight more to go. To enter, all you have to do is support the campaign between now and next Monday. Winners are announced each Tuesday on The Pull List.

Kevin Smith is Coming!

If you're in the Raleigh area, you should save October 25th on your calendar. Kevin Smith is coming to town for a signing at my LCS, Fight or Flight Comics! You'll want to get there early, as we're expecting long lines. It's gonna be a great day. To keep the line moving quickly, we're limiting the signing to 3 items per person. I'm bringing my Green Arrow: Archer's Quest omnibus, the new Deadpool/Batman crossover and Batman: The Widening Gyre single issues.

DC Comes to GlobalComix!

A while back, I had the pleasure of announcing DC's arrival on GlobalComix. A rotating selection of backlist titles were made available for Gold Pass members to stream as part of their subscription. Now, DC has opened the floodgates! The entire back catalog of DC Comics is now available for purchase on the platform! If you've been looking for a better experience than the Kindle store has to offer, now's your chance. To celebrate, I'm working on a video showcasing my favorite DC stories for new readers. Be on the lookout for that one next week.

On The Podcast

Despite my computer issues, I've still been recording podcast interviews, and I'm excited you'll get to hear them soon! Up first, a conversation with Stephanie Williams about Street Sharks and her creator owned comics Roots of Madness and Temporal. Also in the tuck are conversations with Soo Lee, John Schell and more! Watch your podcast feeds so you don't miss out when they go live!

One Last Announcement

I'm joining my homies The Comics Pals for their Saturday morning stream this weekend. Sean hasn't given me the topic, but I'm sure it will be a great one. Tune in around 10am to see the shenanigans! Until then...

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Read Something Dope Today,

BJ KICKS

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*Remind me to tell you about the night of the Obama Election the next time you see me on a livestream.