Nutbag

this handsome young lad of only 90 years of age managed to swindle hundreds of people out of money donated to him because of his doomsday calculations that determined the end of the world was in May of 2011. When that didn’t happen the conservative Christian radio preacher claimed an “oops”  and cited his calculations were off and that the Rapture would instead be taking place in October 2011. It didn’t. Good ole’ Harry finally decided to call it quits at the tender age of 89 (in October of 2011 , of course) and in a private interview finally decided to admit that its impossible to know when the Rapture will occur. You would think that being a God-fearing man, Harold would return the donations he received from the people he suckered into his doomsday scam, but just like the Rapture, that’s not happening either.

So as the year begins,  lets not forget that magical thinking is dangerous and that common sense should not be cast aside even in moments of panic and fear.  The #1 movie at the beginning of 2012, is  The Devil Inside about exorcism. The main draw to this movie is the plausibility of the existence of demons and their possession of people. That’s right, in 2012, people still worry about demonic possessions. As a matter of fact, as late as 2010 the Catholic Church was training people on how to conduct exorcisms in Baltimore.  Do not  worry though, right down the street you too can get trained on how to get rid of the boogeyman in posh Scottsale, Arizona, by our state’s very own televangelist huckster Bob Larson. He can either help you get rid of imaginary monsters or he can teach you how to do it yourself, for a small fee of course. Never mind the fact that most “exorcisms” are the result of mental illness or seizure disorders, that could easily be explained by a competent mental health professional or neurologist. Unfortunately, for most exorcism patients in the past you can’t pray away a seizure and a little olive oil anointed on your forehead won’t get rid of your Schizophrenia.

The danger in this is not when people go and watch movies about demon possession or go and waste their money getting trained on how to use magic to deal with imaginary problems, but when people try to use magic to deal with real problems. At this point in our human existence we should not be relying on such arcane methods to solve our problems. Moreover, our political leaders should not rely on this method to handle government problems.  Just ask Rick Perry how praying our economic problems worked out.  

Our economy still sucks but I guess God probably won’t bother fixing it since this is our last year here anyway.

Arnie Bermudez

“Kindereggs are the best product ever invented. Toys encased in chocolate, even drugs don’t sell that good.”- Me

The saga concludes!!! The end of the “El Loco”  preview is here!!!

You can also check out the rest of the 5 pager now at your local comic book store here in Tucson.

Heroes and Villains

4533 E Broadway Blvd, Tucson, AZ (520) 321-4376

website: http://www.facebook.com/HeroesandVillainsTucson

Owner: Mike Camp

Charlie’s Comic Books

5470 E. Speedway Boulevard Suite A-107, Tucson, AZ, 85712 (520) 320-0279

website: http://www.popshoponline.com

Owner: Charlie Harris

Fantasy Comics

2595 N. 1st Ave, Tucson, AZ (520) 670-0100

website: http://www.fantasycomics2595.com/

Owner: Tom Struck

Arnie Bermudez

“That dog is a killer. She will corner you and  lick your face off.”- Me

Page five will be up in 2 weeks for the conclusion of the first chapter.  You can also check out the rest of the 5 pager now at your local comic book store here in Tucson.

Heroes and Villains

4533 E Broadway Blvd, Tucson, AZ (520) 321-4376

website: http://www.facebook.com/HeroesandVillainsTucson

Owner: Mike Camp

Charlie’s Comic Books

5470 E. Speedway Boulevard Suite A-107, Tucson, AZ, 85712 (520) 320-0279

website: http://www.popshoponline.com

Owner: Charlie Harris

Fantasy Comics

2595 N. 1st Ave, Tucson, AZ (520) 670-0100

website: http://www.fantasycomics2595.com/

Owner: Tom Struck

Arnie Bermudez

“Divorce, is just one more reason why people shouldn’t get married.”- Me

The saga continues…

Page four will be up on the 29 of December.  You can also check out the rest of the 5 page preview now at your local comic book store here in Tucson.

Heroes and Villains

4533 E Broadway Blvd, Tucson, AZ (520) 321-4376

website: http://www.facebook.com/HeroesandVillainsTucson

Owner: Mike Camp

Charlie’s Comic Books

5470 E. Speedway Boulevard Suite A-107, Tucson, AZ, 85712 (520) 320-0279

website: http://www.popshoponline.com

Owner: Charlie Harris

Fantasy Comics

2595 N. 1st Ave, Tucson, AZ (520) 670-0100

website: http://www.fantasycomics2595.com/

Owner: Tom Struck

Arnie Bermudez

“One of the many similarities between little kids and soda, is that if you shake them they both empty out their contents.”- Me

Page two will be up on the 10 of December.  You can also check out the rest of the 5 page preview now at your local comic book store here in Tucson. 

Heroes and Villains

4533 E Broadway Blvd, Tucson, AZ (520) 321-4376

website: http://www.heroesandvillainsonline.com

Owner: Mike Camp

Charlie’s Comic Books

5470 E. Speedway Boulevard Suite A-107, Tucson, AZ, 85712 (520) 320-0279

website: http://www.popshoponline.com

Owner: Charlie Harris

Fantasy Comics

2595 N. 1st Ave, Tucson, AZ (520) 670-0100

website: http://www.fantasycomics2595.com/

Owner: Tom Struck

Arnie Bermudez

“The best defense is a good laser cannon.”- Me

Page two will be up on the 26 of November.  You can also check out the rest of the 5 page preview now at your local comic book store here in Tucson. 

Heroes and Villains

4533 E Broadway Blvd, Tucson, AZ (520) 321-4376

website: http://www.heroesandvillainsonline.com

Owner: Mike Camp

Charlie’s Comic Books

5470 E. Speedway Boulevard Suite A-107, Tucson, AZ, 85712 (520) 320-0279

website: http://www.popshoponline.com

Owner: Charlie Harris

Fantasy Comics

2595 N. 1st Ave, Tucson, AZ (520) 670-0100

website: http://www.fantasycomics2595.com/

Owner: Tom Struck

Arnie Bermudez

“That guy very much reminds me of myself, back when I was younger and less awesome.”- Me

The next year I was pleased to see Efrain sitting in my social studies class with Mr. Gribble. I also took up wrestling at a paltry 90 lbs. I ended up being a second stringer and saw Efrain get into it as well. He was a heavy weight and did pretty well. In 8th grade I stopped going because I was working under the table cleaning a barbershop and had to be at work at 4p.m. and my parents believed a good work ethic was more important than being a “luchador.”  

Time passed and I ended up in Kofa High School, again, with Efrain. I saw less of him, but found out he joined football and wrestling.  He slimmed down and was wearing a letterman jacket now. He ditched the flannels and Dickies and got himself a pair of Doc Martens and Dockers. I was glad he was on what seemed to be a positive track for his life. My sophomore year, I heard his brother had made it to Kofa High School. I cringed and hoped I wouldn’t have him for any electives. Later on, I heard he also took up wrestling, and was even better than Efrain. I was shocked, seeing as how wrestling took a large amount of discipline and that kid seemed not only to lack it, but to avoid it at all costs. I then attended the Uof A and lost track of Efrain and most of my Yuma friends. I had heard from my good friend, Robert, that Efrain’s brother ended up at ASU on a wrestling scholarship. I was quite pleased, and surprised that he even got to college. But, more so because he could have ended up in the local gang. Then I heard rumblings that he had lost the scholarship due to injury. I figured, oh well, at least he made it out of the bad neighborhood and got an education.  

Fast-forward to today, I haven’t heard from Efrain in over 10 years, but I saw his brother Saturday night. He now has a couple of tattoos, a shaved head, is a whole lot bigger and gets in a lot of fights. What was he doing? Well he was beating the living crap out of this guy:  

Brock Lesnar former UFC Heavy Weight Champ Photo by: Eric Jamison, AP USA Today

Efrain’s little brother is Cain Velasquez the new UFC heavy weight champ.   

Efrain's little brother Cain Velasquez By Neil Davidson, The Canadian Press via AP, USA Today

In what appears to be the most amazing display of mixed martial arts technical skill, the much smaller and lighter Cain demolished the seemingly unstoppable,  hulking behemoth that is Brock Lesnar in the first round. Being at a considerable disadvantage when it came to strength and size, Cain maneuvered and attacked Lesner from every possible angle. Lesner tried to take Velasquez down from the onset of the match, but Cain defended and deflected every attempt. Landing punch after punch and managing to take Lesnar down via a single leg shot. Eventually, the hulking behemoth became the lumbering giant as he wobbled around in the cage and fell on his back and “turtled up.”  Cain was connecting so much that Lesnar turned his back on him right before referee Herb Dean had to step in and stop the fight. The result was a new UFC champion from the state of Arizona. A guy from Yuma that I begrudgingly helped out with his math and went to high school with. The first Mexican-American UFC champ. A poor kid with minimal resources wearing a championship belt from one of the toughest combat sports.  A heavy weight, champion son of a farm working immigrant who came to the U.S. in search of a better life. A guy who did the impossible.  I wish I could have been watching this in Yuma. 

To Cain, thanks for proving me wrong and not becoming a cholo, I doubt the Yuma PD would have the resources to take you on. May you continue to succeed and inspire. 

Arizonans rejoice, something good finally came out of this hostile environment we call a state.

To the people that say immigrants don’t amount to much and don’t contribute, this guy now contributes more to the U.S. economy in income taxes than most of you ever will, you can thank his dad, the immigrant.

Arnie Bermudez  

“The best piece of advice I ever got was to buy a black suit when I became an adult, because I would use it at least once if I ever happened to get married…or die. Either way, it was a good investment.”-Me 

You have probably seen  the billboards all around town. Possibly, when you are driving to work or taking the kids to school. Some may think advertising for a select group of people that share the same beliefs and culture is a little agressive and over the top and maybe even unecessary. But lets be honest, if you are not a part of them you probably have often wondered what they are really like. How many times have you wondered what they do inside their buildings where they gather and worship? Or what’s the deal with their funny clothing? Or whats with their special holidays? Or how about their odd festivities and celebrations? How about the fact they are all about the traditional family? And even the stereotype about having lots of kids? Like any red blooded American who has ever listened to Glenn Beck speak or even been to the Mesa Arizona area you have probably been the least bit curious about this group of people that make up such a significant part of our society. One of these folks even made an attempt to run for President in the last election. Well, wonder no more my fellow Americans for a new movement is underway in order to clear up any curiosities, misunderstandings and stereotypes that you may have about this sect of American society.

New campaign to help people realize Mexicans are just regular folks and not a weird religious cult.

Arnie Bermudez

“I ran for 30 minutes the other day, then I came to the realization that I am old enough to drive now.” – Me

* Before I get hunted down by any Jon Justice fans, Minute Men, Sheriff Babeu, Lou Dobbs, The Republican Party, Russell Pearce, Jan Brewer, The Tea Party or The KKK, this is intended for humor and entertainment and is a total parody of the “I’m a Mormon” ads, and not actually real.

Jan Brewer

Arizona where a good debate tactic is long awkward moments of silence.

Arizona where things CAN get worse.

Arizona where being 49th in education is a good thing.

Arizona where the Governor persecutes people with accents for their lack of English comprehension when she herself has yet to master the English language.

Arizona where Democrats look like Republicans.

Arizona doing what no other state has ever did.

Arizona even our congressman boycotts us.

Arizona the south of the west. They have Blacks we have Mexicans. They have Nathaniel Bedford Forrest we have Joe Arpaio. They have the Klan we have our legislature.

Arizona we won’t speak Spanish because English is hard enough.

Arnie Bermudez

“I don’t sneeze on people, I just baptize them with my essence in aerosol form. Bless me? No, no bless you, my child. BOOYAH!!!

1) Arnie Bermudez: Give me some background, man. Whats the deal with this project?

Daniel Bradford: “I was born and raised in Tucson and studied art at the University of Arizona. I started working on this project with a writer from New Jersey by the name of Tom Hall. He is the easiest and best writer I have ever worked with, because he gives me lots of creative freedom to work with on the page. For example, this project’s format will follow a 4 page main story and a 4 page backup story. He’s awesome when it comes to that sort of thing he is very detail oriented. Ninety percent of his work is research material, he’s hardcore about background. “King!” is our second title and very different from our first, Robot 13. King is absurd humor, it’s the book you can read on the crapper. The character is not Elvis just an undefeated professional wrestler by the name of Jessie King who dresses up like Elvis and gets into ounty hunting monsters.  The first issue can be read as a stand alone issue.”

King! cover drawn by Daniel Bradford

2) How did your old Bedhead strip influence your work here? After all, it was a strip about a boy and his imaginary zombie friend.

“I have always had a strong interest in zombies. Zombies are fun and easy to work with. With “Beadhead” I have a serious history and am very sentimental about it. It mostly taught me how to work with a schedule and taught me things like pacing using panels and frames. King only fights zombies in the first issue, in the second one he fights vampires.”

King! page 14King! page 16

  3) Where can we get a hold of “King!”?

“You can get a copy of it at our website http://www.blackliststudios.com/ . You can also get a copy of Robot 13  #1 for free there and download the rest of the series. I will be having a double signing at Fantasy Comics September 9th 2010, a Thursday. The first is at 11:30-1:00 p.m. and later that day at 4:00-5:30 p.m. Print versions of the comic will be carried by Fantasy Comics as well.”

4) How did you come up with this idea?

“I always had an idea of a character that looked like Elvis. For the record, I have never seen Bubba Ho-tep, eventhough I love Bruce Campbell. I think I was in high school when I first read a review about  Bubba Ho-tep in the Tucson Weekly. I have always had an interest in an action hero that looked like Elvis. During a phone conversation, I told my writer “we should do a book about a guy that looks like Elvis and fights monsters”. There was a long awkward silence on the other end of the line, he then proceeded to change the subject. A couple of years later at a convention I brought it up again, and he said “remind me of that again”. So  I drew a sketch and emailed it, he then called back and said ”oh he looks like Elvis and fights monsters!” ”

King! page 19

5) Will you be at the Tucson Comic Con? What do you think of the local comic scene?  Very different from our old college days, huh?

“I will be there! I am absolutely thrilled with the about the Tucson comic community, it’s absolutely wonderful and I love it. Arizona is full of comic creators like John Layman the creator of Chew, Todd McFarlane and such live in Phoenix. I am excited just to know that the Tucson art scene is growing into comics, a lot of underground comics are coming to light which is helping that growth.”

King! masterminds Tom Hall and Daniel Bradford

Arnie Bermudez

“Contrary to popular belief practice does NOT make perfect, my parents do.” -Me