Special cartridges: plastic blank with metal case; Finland: red, Germany: black, Egypt: white.

Interviewed by Terry Rodgers for the San Diego Union-Tribune about the Comic-Con in San Diego. My pals David Glanzer and Chip Zdarsky are also quoted, but I don't think either of them would begrudge me a small bit of pride were I to quote you this bit from the article: "Graphic novels are increasingly popular because they are quick and compelling reads similar to the story boards used by movie directors, said Young, 40, who is regarded as an industry guru."

Haven't even made a dent in my reading since returning from the show, so I'm sure I've missed a few mentions of our work. I know that Kirsten Baldock had an excellent interview about Smoke and Guns on CBR, because it was blogged all over the damn place, including Joan Jett's blog and The Sopranos official fansite, as well as www.tobacco.org. Dan Curtis Johnson also talked a bit about Moonshine, probably mere moments before he pitched me his next year's book. San Diego is getting to be quite the good luck charm for us both.

Very nice to finally meet Tom McLean of Variety at Preview Night. I know some publishers bemoan setting up a day early for a mere three hours of show, but Preview Night really is the way to go, if you ask me. Every single person there is jazzed to start the show, and we do as well in those three hours as we do all Thursday. That is to say: very well.

Laura Gjovaag had such a powerful reaction to Demo #8, she's disinclined to share it. I can't speak for Brian and Becky, but I love it when a story is so strongly, emotionally, received. Adore it or despise it, the Bs made you feel.

Ursula, on the other hand, engendered a reaction Laura was inclined to share: "Anyone with a bit of romance in the heart will enjoy it, whether they are a child or an adult. As for the artwork... WOW. This is fantastic! Clean art, very strong storytelling, good design. Everything I like in my art. So go snag a copy and take a look. Right now, if you have the time. Once you've read it, come back here and tell me what you think. This is one of those instant classics, in my opinion." And, if I'm not mistaken, that four-and-a-half starfish is the highest rating Laura's given any of our books so far.

This article, from Tim O'Neil, is a little on the long side, but if ever there was a spot-on analysis of our company free of my marketing spin or the writer's own bias, this is the one.

"At the end of the day it comes down to this: if you want to find the New Mainstream in comic book publishing, look to wherever Larry Young is. He publishes a lot of crap but he also publishes some real gems, with an entire spectrum of quality in between. He publishes something for everyone, and that is something I cannot say for anyone else in our entire industry. If there is any justice in this amoral business of ours, he will die a rich, rich man and it is not without a small smattering of professional jealousy that I say that."

Obviously, that one's my fave.