The First Marvel Comic Written By…Me?

That’s right True Believers! A Marvel comic written by Arune Singh! Read on at this link…

SPIDER-MAN: ONE MORE DAY SKETCHBOOK #1

COVER BY: JOE QUESADA
WRITER: ARUNE SINGH
PENCILS: JOE QUESADA

THE STORY:
The hottest, most controversial storyline to hit Spider-Man is coming next month. Are you ready? Get into the mind of One More Day editor Axel Alonso for hints as to what lies in store for Peter, a look at what makes Spider-Man’s world so unique and a sneak peek at this groundbreaking storyline. This is a book no Spider-Man fan, Marvel fan, or anyone with a pulse can afford to miss!
32 pgs./Rated T+ …$2.99

IN STORES: August 29, 2007

Now bear in mind, there isn’t a story inside– I simply interviewed Executive Editor (and all around cool guy) Axel Alonso about the upcoming Spider-Man: One More Day event and, along with fellow Marvel-ite Michael Short, put it together into a cool look behind the scenes (including all new Spidey art). It’s definitely worth checking out and I’m really proud to have contributed to it all.

Aruna-Matata (updated)

One of the fun things about working with a diverse group of people is all the odd conversations that you have and the interesting nicknames & sayings that develop. Now, thanks to one co-worker, the term “Aruna-Matata” has been developed. Much like the phrase made popular by The Lion King, it means “no worries.” I have no idea why the nickname was developed beyond it working with my name and perhaps because I’m usually pretty laissez faire about most things– but it’s sort of catchy. I highlight this because I think it’s my first real work nickname in over a decade of work– it sure took long enough!

Now you know! And we all know that’s half the battle.

Updated: I am now able to credit Mark Annunziato with this clever name and Justin Gabrie with explaining to me why it works– because it seems I just roll with the punches and don’t let life keep me down.

The Challenge Of Charity

New York City is an amazing place. It’s full of some of the world’s greatest wonders, some of the greatest accomplishments and some of the greatest people. After all, I’m here, eh? Ha. Jokes aside, there is something else you see here—a lot of people in need. NYC takes no prisoners and it’s not an easy place to survive if you trip & fall along the way. Naturally, I feel bad for the many homeless people I see in the city every day and wish I could do something to help. Something to give them the chance to get back on their feet and feel some kind of hope. This may sound clichéd, but all it takes is giving a dollar to someone in need. Maybe just a quarter. But that’s where it becomes difficult.

We’ve all been ripped off by people in need to whom we’ve donated money. Maybe we’ll see them buy liquor or smokes. Maybe we’ll realize they were lying. Does that mean we distrust everyone in need? No, of course not, that’d be stupid. But, as stupid and wholly illogical as it is, I admit that sometimes I’m torn about whom to give cash and who I think is conning me. Those who’ve traveled the subways here will surely be familiar with people who’ll walk through the subways asking for money, explaining they’re on their last dollar and are on the verge of getting their job, but just need money to feed their kids. It’s heartbreaking to hear these stories, but you’ll find that most people don’t donate to them. I can’t speak as to why, but I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s because they’ve been conned so much that they don’t know who to trust anymore.

That’s the challenge of charity. We all want to give, and to be honest I try to give away $50.00 per month over four weeks, but it’s hard to know who to give money too and it’s hard for me. I want to give money to everyone I see in need. I gotta ask: who am I to judge who needs it more? Who am I to turn away someone asking me for help? Surely if I ordered one less wrestling pay per view a month then I could give away $30 than I normally donate. If I didn’t order HD channels, I’d be able to donate another twenty bucks. At what point am I being selfish and not giving enough away? At one what point is one allowed to spend on their own happiness when they could be helping people truly in need?