JakeBlack.com -- The Online Home of Writer Jake Black

New TV I Wrote This Week: Generator Rex "Guy vs. Guy"

2012-01-03T11:14:00.002-07:00

UPDATE JAN 6: I will be live tweeting this episode during its east coast airing tonight. Follow me at twitter.com/jakeboyslim

This Friday, January 6, at 8:30 PM E/P, the episode of "Generator Rex" I wrote premieres on Cartoon Network. It's called "Guy vs. Guy" (an intentional riff on "Spy vs. Spy" of Mad Magazine--the content of the episode explains why...). Here's the official description from Cartoon Network:

"Guy vs. Guy"

Season 3, Episode 6

Episode Synopsis: Rex plans a prank on Noah and ropes Bobo into his scheming. Original Air Date: Jan 6, 2012

Worst New Year's Date Ever

2011-12-31T15:54:00.000-07:00

This is a story I've put up on the blog in the past, but am reposting because tonight marks the 10th anniversary of this awesome event. Enjoy!

The Horror of it All!

By Jake Black

“I would really like to go out again!” I said as we pulled up to Tami’s home. It was sincere, too. I, for the first time in a very long time had had a great time on a first date with a girl.

With a smile, she said, “I would too! It was fun!”

I was relatively new at the first-date gig. Since my return from my missionary service, I had been involved in a pretty serious relationship that had ended quite badly. This date with Tami was technically my third first date in a year. Consequently, my inexperience combined with my enthusiasm got the better of me: I asked her out right then…

“I have two tickets to the New Year’s Eve play at the Hale Center Theatre next week. I would love to go with you,” I said eagerly.

She got the look on her face that my previous girlfriend got whenever I’d do something stupid. I am convinced that they teach that look in Young Women’s right after they stand and repeat the Young Women’s Values. In Borg-like unison: “We are daughters of a loving Heavenly Father…and when boys do something stupid we will look at them like this,” followed by a half-glare, half-pity “I’m so sorry you’re so clueless” expression.

“Well, I’ll call you. I’m not sure what’s going on New Year’s Eve. I’ll let you know,” She said before making her escape to the sanctuary of her house. But I didn’t care! It wasn’t a “No!” And so, I thought I had a chance.

Now lest you think that was the bad date, fear not, little flock. It was merely the catalyst for what was destined to become the worst date that any man had embarked on, except perhaps for that dinner Adam and Eve scheduled where Eve brought the fruit.

The days passed, and I, as though I were awaiting news from the moon, patiently waited by my phone, anticipating Tami’s call. Ok, that’s a lie. There was nothing patient about it, and I wasn’t by the phone, the phone was by me. I carried my cell phone everywhere. Waiting.

One day: no call.

Two days: no call.

Three days: no call.

Four days: no call.

Five days: no call.

New Year’s Eve: still no call.

The hours passed. The evening was drawing closer with each tick of the clock. Certainly she would call soon! The show was tonight! But it was not to be.

At around 5:00, I realized that my glimmer of hope was not to come to pass. But I still had two tickets. Not to mention that I had talked up the date to my many friends who also would be attending the play that night. I’d had such a good time with Tami that I KNEW she was to be the one! And I’d made that clear to my friends.

“Just you wait,” I told them. “Jake’s back on top of the mountain!”

Because of my background in local theatre, I knew that the 400-seat Hale Center Theatre would be full of people I knew. And since theatre people are notorious for gossip – well, I knew that they knew that I was bringing someone I thought was pretty special. Someone who didn’t call me back.

It was time to act. I started calling every girl I could think of, inviting them to spend New Year’s Eve at the theatre with me! It should’ve been obvious to me. 5:00 on the biggest party day of the year. Who wouldn’t have plans?

Apparently no one I knew. I made 15 phone calls. EVERYONE had plans. Most of them were going to the show already. Some were out of town. Who to take? Who to take?

Suddenly, the light switched on. Christy. I’d never really even talked to her. But, my bishop told me she’d expressed an interest in going out with me. Now, I tend to avoid the “Ward Incest” concept at all costs, but I’d spent good money on these tickets, and darn it, I was going to use them! Plus, if I could fulfill her wildest dream by asking her out, well, that was a service I was happy to perform!

I made the call.

“Yes! That sounds so fun! But you need to pick me up a bit early, b/c you need to pass an interview with my family before I can go out with you,” she said with as much enthusiasm as I’d displayed with Tami a week earlier.

Relieved that I finally had a date, I missed the warning: “You have to pass an interview with my family.”

At 9:00, I arrived at Christy’s house. Like I said before, Christy wasn’t really someone I’d though of asking out before. In pioneer times, she probably would have been referred to as a “Plain Jane.” She never really cared about making herself look good. Ratty hair, no makeup, and very little fashion sense. But, in the times that I’d seen her (mostly at church) I saw that she could be very pretty if she took the time to make herself that way. I was sure that a dream date with her dream guy would cause her to take that time.

She answered the door. No dice. Same old Plain Christy. But, that was ok. It was only one date, and she seemed nice enough, which is much more important that how she looks anyway. She invited me into the family room at her home, so I could have my interview. Expecting Mom and Dad, and perhaps a sibling or something, I approached this meeting with cool confidence. She obviously wants me, so her family will automatically love me.

She opened the sliding door into the family room. To my shock, even horror, there were thirty people waiting, staring at me with anticipation. Aunts, uncles, grandparents, nieces, nephews, siblings. It was a full-blown family reunion. And they wanted to play Congressional Inquisition with me.

The rapid-fire questions began: “How old are you?” “Where do you work?” “How much money do you make?” “Are you Republican?” “Where did you serve your mission?” and so on. I tried to answer as many as I could hear, but their overlapping speed made it nearly impossible to answer them all satisfactorily.

“When was the last time you got a speeding ticket?” One uncle asked, drowning out all the other family members.

“On my mission. But it was a photo cop, so it was, like, entrapment,” I said, confident that my clear understanding of Constitutional law would impress the family. They all went silent. Grandma gasped. An older sibling smirked.

“Steve, Christy’s older brother, is the number one lobbyist for photo cop in California,” Christy said.

Steve stood up from the couch, walked over to me, and said, “It’s not entrapment.”

Christy shot him a look, and he retracted his claws, and sat back down next to his wife. Christy’s mother stood up.

“Well, Jake, you seem nice enough. We just have a couple of questions left,” she said. I inwardly rolled my eyes in a way that would make teenagers around the world proud.

“Do you have a cell phone?” She asked.

“Yes,” I replied, thinking that a mother wanted reassurance that if I tried to rape her daughter or something, Christy could for help.

“We need the number before you walk out that door,” she said matter of factly.

You have GOT to be kidding me! I thought as I scribbled my number down on a piece of paper.

“Before you go, please bear your testimony,” Christy’s father said. It was not a request.

I shared a brief statement of belief, in shock at the audacious thoroughness of this interview.

As Christy and I turned to go, her mother told us that Christy’s curfew was to be at Midnight. On New Year’s Eve. Midnight. I expressed my concern that the play was starting late so as to include some midnight celebrations, ringing in the New Year, and would not have ended by 12:00. Her mother saw the logic in this, and granted an extension. 12:30. Not a minute later.

Finally, this torturous event was over. I opened the door to leave with Christy, but as I did so, her mother had one more thing to say….

“Jake, you need to know that the men in our family got new firearms for Christmas, and are not afraid to use them to defend Christy’s virtue. No kissing, or anything!” She said with a coldness outside that made my winters in Canada as a missionary seem like a tropical paradise.

“Duly warned,” I said.

A few short minutes later, we arrived at the theatre. In all of the chaos of the interview, I had forgotten that my friends were waiting with baited breath at the theatre to see the special girl I was bringing. We were greeted by Sarah and Joseph, who, when they saw Christy were nice, but clearly unimpressed. The usher took out tickets, and we entered the theatre.

The Hale Center Theatre is a small black box theatre. That means that the stage is surrounded on all sides by audience seats. It is kind of like a tiny football stadium in its seating arrangements. For New Year’s Eve, the Hales go all out. There was a great buffet spread out on the stage, sandwiches, drinks, cookies, etc. Plus every audience member had been given serpentine ribbons, and a noisemaker to use at midnight. We still had several minutes before the show was to start, and I wanted to visit with my friends. Christy had no interest in this, and requested to sit in her seat until the show started. So, she did. Leaving me to visit with my friends alone. I told them about the interview, and explained how she wasn’t my first choice of date. Had to safe face in front of my friends at all cost. But, I soon felt the pang of guilt for letting Christy sit by herself. So, I joined her.

She, apparently, had gotten a sandwich on her way to her seat, and was finishing it as I sat down next to her. She looked at me, smiling from ear to ear.

Looks like she’s having fun! I thought.

After asking me the usual question about if I had fun, etc. She said, with a deadpanned seriousness that reminded me of Wednesday Adams, “I was eating my sandwich, and bit into the toothpick that holds it together. I swallowed it.”

I was speechless. All I could think of was how this kept becoming a better story. Just as she’d said that, we were joined on the row behind us by Meagan and Rachel, my dear friends. Meagan, at one point, was more than a friend. We’d ended the relationship very amicably, but it was still a little surreal to have her there. I hoped Meagan and Rachel hadn’t heard the toothpick comment. But I didn’t have to wait long to find out. Christy excused herself to use the ladies’ room before the show started.

While Christy was gone, Meagan reached her hand from behind me, handing me a toothpick.

“Just in case,” she said.

“Ha ha,” was all I had time to say. Christy was back.

The theatre was full at this point, and we were ready for the show to start any minute. Christy looked at me. Same big smile.

“Don’t you hate it when you go to the bathroom, and your sitting on the toilet,” she said, moving her hands into a model of a person seated to take care of business, “And the wall of the stall rubs against your thigh?”

What do you say to that?!?! For one thing, the rest room stalls at the Hale Center Theatre are HUGE. The mechanics alone of what she described would require a Yoga master! But what was most shocking about the experience was the fact that she said it at all! Whos says that on a date? Who says that ever?!?! Fortunately I didn’t need to come up with anything to say in response, because the lights faded, and the play began. All I could feel was Meagan and Rachel kicking the back of my chair in a mocking pity for the date I’d found myself trapped in.

All was well for the first fifteen minutes of the play. Christy was well mannered, and seemed to be enjoying the show. Way more than I was, certainly. But, as nothing on this night was in any way predictable, another socially mortifying experience was about to take place. A certain twist in the play occurred. The audience giggled a bit, as it was an entertaining little twist. The laughter and applause died down, and there was relative silence in the theatre, when Christy said, full-voice, “Ahhh. So, the plot thickens!”

Full-voice. In a silent theatre. Full-voice. I knew at that moment that all 800 eyes were fixed on us. I slumped down as far down in my chair as I possibly could.

We are always told to have a prayer in the heart. Mine at that moment was one of repentance. I promised God that I would do nothing wrong for the rest of my life, because my personal hell, I knew, would be to relive this date over and over again.

Mercifully, God must’ve heard my prayer. Things were fine – that is uneventful – until intermission. But little did I know that more craziness waited!

Just as before the show, a buffet was set up on the stage during intermission, though this time it was only desserts. Christy said she didn’t want anything, except a drink. Being the loyal, dutiful date I was, I left her side to fetch her a glass of water.

The theatre staff was filling water in cups from a punch bowl with floating lemons. I took a cup back to her, which she immediately emptied.

“Wow! This is really good! What is it?” She said.

“Uhhh….water!?!” I said, in a bit of disbelief.

Was she serious?!? I thought.

Apparently so, because she said, “Oh. I just thought it was really watered-down lemonade.”

More kicks on the back of my chair from Meagan and Rachel. And the lights faded for Act II.

In the middle of Act II, the show stopped suddenly. It was two minutes to midnight, and we had to do the traditional countdown. The clocked ticked off its seconds, and my heart began to grow more and more concerned. It was traditional to kiss your date at midnight. Was she expecting that? Her mother’s warnings of death and destruction in defense of virtue echoed through my head.

10….

We got our noisemakers ready….

9….

Serpentine ready to throw….

8….

Meagan patted me on the back with an understanding tap….

7….

Across the theatre Joseph had his camera fixed on me and Christy….

6….

I hate you Joseph…

5….

Why didn’t you call me, Tami?…

4….

Christy doesn’t look like she’s expecting a kiss…

3….

All the men in our house got new firearms…

2….

FLASH…. Joseph’s camera….

1….

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!

The melodious strains of Auld Lang Sine rang through the theatre amidst the noisemakers, yelling, and jovial celebrations! HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!

Suddenly I felt a pair of hands on my head. Only they were coming from behind.

All the men in our family got new firearms…

A sweet, fast kiss. Someone kissed me! At midnight! Someone kissed me!

Meagan.

Fortunately Christy hadn’t seen that I’d been kissed by another girl while we were on a date! Dang, I love Meagan! Only she could understand how difficult this night had been.

As the midnight festivities were winding down, and the play about to continue, I wanted to throw out my serpentine ribbon, but because Chinese scientists designed serpentine as a follow-up to the finger trap, I couldn’t get it to unravel. So, like any guy would do in that situation, I tore it to pieces and threw each piece after piece at the people around me.

Christy would have none of that. Grabbing my hands, she look me square in the eye, and said very sternly, “Be gentle!”

Yup. I would never sin again, because an eternity of this date would be true hell. The play continued. And it ended. I’m not sure if Christy did anything else. I was so shut off from paying any kind of attention to her. In some ways, in hindsight, I was acting like a toddler who’d been scolded. But this was my money we were spending! I was supposed to be out with the beautiful Tami! Not this crazy girl! But I digress.

The show ended – at 12:25. I had five minutes to get this girl home, because her parents were NOT going to call my cell phone. We raced out of the theatre, and I pushed my 1989 Honda Accord to its limits on the icy roads. As I pulled in front of her house, I was nervous. It was 12:31.

“Thank you soooooo much, Jake,” she said, flashing that same smile she’d smiled all night. “I really had a GREAT time!”

Crap.

She’d had a good time.

She wants to go out again.

Christy ripped off her seat belt, and dived on top of me. She gave me a huge hug that never ended. Ever. Ok, maybe it did. But she kept telling me that she’d had such a good time. I felt a little guilty because I’d been so miserable on the date, and she’d had fun!

“Are you sure that you don’t want to come inside and light fireworks with my family?” She asked.

“Yeah, I’m pretty tired,” I lied. I just didn’t want to have to face Steve and his fascist photo cop agenda.

“Well, I had the best night ever! Thank you!” She said. And she left.

I moved out of the ward a week later to pursue a job opportunity in California. This was good, because it allowed me to avoid the awkwardness of seeing her at Church. But, the postscript to this adventure is that upon my return to the ward, Christy was engaged. She was engaged! She was going to get married before I was! I blame the Bishop. But, you know, sometimes he does know best. Just not this time. Maybe I’ll give Tami a call….

The Year That Was 2011

2011-12-28T15:03:00.000-07:00

This won’t be the most comprehensive year in review, because I can’t remember everything that happened. But there were some pretty amazing things that went down, and those are what I’ll focus on.

FAMILY
The big things on the family front all revolved around the boy. He turned three, was potty trained, started preschool, and is reading picture books by himself. Michelle spent time in Washington DC taking care of our niece while my brother and his wife took a getaway.

We lost my uncle in New Zealand, and donated to causes to help with rebuilding that nation (and the city of Christchurch) after its earthquakes. Every time there’s more shaking in NZ, we get concerned for our family there. We never stop praying and pulling for them as they continue to recover time and again.

We redecorated a few rooms in our home, notably the dining room, where our friend Ryan and I put up a chair rail. Michelle painted, and made new drapes for the windows. It turned out great.

Dressed as Mario, Luigi, and Princess Peach for Halloween because the boy LOVES Mario these days!

We celebrated Christmas by hosting two of my sisters (one of whom got engaged on Christmas Eve!) My folks visited my siblings on the east coast. It was a lot of fun having the girls here with us.

HEALTH
This year marked two years since completing cancer treatment. We had a minor scare in September, but everything turned out normal. Thanks to the love and support of many people, we made progress on the $40,000 debt that was left from cancer treatment, its subsequent costs, and living expenses that piled up because money went to paying the aforementioned bills.

I sold my comic book collection (thousands of issues) for a few hundred dollars, and had some success on ebay selling other collectibles. Writer Brad Meltzer tweeted about these auctions, and that got the notice of GiveForward.com who hosted a fundraiser for us. In total, we were able to knock out about $23,000 of the $40,000. So many people donated money, posted about the fundraiser on social media sites. Other friends donated prizes that we gave to donors. It was a tremendous experience. We still owe tens of thousands, but there is, for the first time since diagnosis, we’re seeing a light at the end of the tunnel.

I was misdiagnosed with a hernia this summer, thanks to participating in 23 moves in/out of our neighborhood. The diagnosis was changed to herniated discs in my lower back. They are painful, but there’s not really risk of putting off surgery (since we can’t really afford it…) The discs may, according to the doctor, heal on their own, but it will take a long time.

Michelle continued learning to manage her bipolar disorder, and part of that has been to be very open about it. We’ve seen a lot of progress, and we’re all excited about the future on the health front, both cancer and bipolar!

PROFESSIONAL
This was a pretty amazing year professionally. I had several comics published—mostly in the UK version of WWE Kids magazine. I liked doing those a lot. One of those comics got the attention of the Hart family, my favorites of all time. It’s been nice talking with them, getting to know them a little bit via online communication.

The big news was USAToday covering my digital comic Five Senses, which debuted in print at the San Diego Comic Con. The book itself, a horror story, is probably the best-reviewed thing I’ve ever done.

I continued writing issues of the DC Comics Super-Hero Collection, which we refer to as the “lead figure magazines.” I also had a new story in Star Trek Magazine, after a four year absence.

Several books I wrote also came out this year. I’m super proud of my Ultimate Guide to WWE and the Green Lantern book I did (based on the movie.) The Authorized Ender Companion was also rereleased in paperback in December.

I was interviews by the Deseret News in Utah, and for sportswriter Jeff Pearlman’s QUAZ feature, as well as by Journalism student Jess McKenna (that interview is currently unpublished, but may be in early 2012).

Toured the Blizzard Entertainment campus this summer, and spent time at the now-closed DC Comics office in La Jolla. Also visited my friend RVD and his wife (and fellow cancer survivor Sonya) on that trip to Cali. It was awesome!

Saw the end of three of my favorite projects: Smallville, Batman: The Brave and the Bold, and Supergirl comics. Worked on the DVD features for the final Smallville DVD set, and said goodbye to that show which will forever have an amazing place in my heart because my entire career is a direct result of it.

Didn’t work on Batman or Supergirl this year, but when I did last year, they were among my favorite projects of all time. My Batman episode was listed as one of the ten best of the entire series (#9).

Was said to see them end. (There are new Supergirl comics being published, but they are a different interpretation of the character…)

Went to Comic Con, and signed copies of Five Senses. Also attended parties sponsored by Nickelodeon (promoting the new Nick-owned version of Ninja Turtles) and Impact Wrestling. Super fun!

Looking ahead to next year, there are some fun things on the horizon, including a possible fulltime editorial job I’ve interviewed for (and hope to get/start in January…)

I have a Ben 10 comicbook story I wrote hitting comic shops next week, and an episode of Generator Rex I wrote premiering on Cartoon Network on Friday, January 6.

CHURCH
Michelle and I both continued the lay assignments we received in 2010—she as compassionate service coordinator and my as elders quorum president. We have both learned a lot and appreciate the opportunities to serve these callings have presented. Both counselors and the secretary (from the originally called presidency) were changed, leaving me as the last man standing of the original presidency after the first 18 months of being called/organized.

I was made a temple ordinance worker for the Timpanogos temple this summer, and have greatly enjoyed that experience thus far. I serve every Thursday afternoon.

We hosted Elder Joe J. Christensen in our home when he came for a fireside in the spring. Michelle and I visited with President Hafen of the St. George Temple this November, and he shared with us a copy of the biography of Elder Neal A. Maxwell, which he’d written. President Hafen said our experience with cancer reminded him of Elder Maxwell’s and that we might enjoy reading the biography. It is a treasured gift, and spending the time we did in the St. George temple was a big high point of this year.

OTHER STUFF
Other fun stuff from this year included going to the Provo airport with my friend Nate to welcome the BYU basketball team back from their victory in the NCAA’s round of 32. Saw Jimmer and company on a rainy Saturday night/Sunday morning. Visited briefly with Pres. Samuelson and AD Tom Holmoe at the airport, too.

Went to Jimmer’s final game in the Marriot Center as BYU Cougar.

I read 35 books (grown up books), countless comics, magazines, kids books, and scripts.

Got our furnace fixed in the early spring after it went out on a freezing morning.

Mostly gave up reading comics, though I still collect the new Star Trek comics. Star Trek comics were the first I collected as a kid, and I love reading them now. Especially since they are retelling stories from the original TV series, set in the universe of the 2009 movie. (Also, my sisters gave me a CD-ROM containing all the Star Trek comics published 1967-2006. Awesome!)

Saw an advance screening of 50/50, which was my favorite movie of the year. Had a lot of personal connection/resonance with Michelle and me.

All in all this was a really special year. Really looking forward to 2012, even if the world will end! (At least our cancer debt would be wiped out for good!)

Merry Christmas 2011

2011-12-25T12:38:00.000-07:00

Merry Christmas, everyone! This is the reading that I wrote and read as part of our church Christmas program this morning. (As you can perhaps imagine, it contains LDS/Mormon beliefs pertaining to the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ, in a manger in Bethlehem):

(Song: "O Come All Ye Faithful" sung by the choir)

Two thousand and eleven years ago, an event occurred that had been anticipated by every one of our Heavenly Father’s children since the beginning of time—the Savior Christ the Lord was born. From our premortal places in the presence of our Heavenly Father, each of us watched with great wonder as our Elder Brother, who we’d known as Jehovah, was born into the world!

What a glorious occasion that must have been! We’d known Jesus in the pre-Earth life. From Him, and our Father, we learned the Plan of Salvation. Every single one of us would someday go to Earth, receive a body, and learn the way to return to our Father’s presence.

No one knows how long we’d awaited Christ’s departure for Earth. But we can, with certainty, say that we looked forward with great faith and hope to His mission on Earth.

This was it! Our gratitude and humility for what he was to do could not have been deeper. As we watched His birth from our eternal vantage point, we celebrated the beginning of His life. We understood that His sojourn through mortality was the defining part of our Heavenly Father’s plan. His ministry would change the course of human events. His great Atonement would open the door of salvation to all people. His resurrection would prove the love God has for all mankind.

So wondrous was the moment of His birth that the angels themselves trumpeted it, announcing these good tidings of great joy to all people. A new star shone bright. Light overhelmed darkness the New World. Perhaps we, in premortality, joined with the angels in saying “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.”

(SONG: Joy to the World sung by the congregation)

Indeed, the birth and life, the Atonement and Resurrection, of our Savior call upon each of us to “Ever worship God.” Like the Lord, we left the presence of the Father, accepting the great Plan of Happiness and Christ’s role therein. In this life, we endeavor to rise above our challenges and circumstances, looking forward to Christ’s eventual return; living in such a way that we too may join a new choir of angels that will sing in exultation, heralding His great and majestic Second Coming. In the words of Elder Neal A. Maxwell, “When Christ comes again, it will not be to the meekness of the manger; it will be as the recognized Redeemer and the Lord of the universe! Then, in a great solar display, stars will fall from their places in a witnessing way, with much more drama than at His birth, when ‘the stars in the heavens looked down where he lay.’”

That each of us may continue to remember Him this Christmas Day, and always, is our prayer collectively and individually, in His Holy Name. Amen.

_________
NOTE: The phrases "Two thousand and eleven years ago," "What a glorious occasion that must have been," "This was it! Our gratitude and humility for what he was to do do could not have been deeper," and "rise above our circumstances," as well as some thematic elements were based on/taken from a Christmas program script created previously by Joy Ward of Monument, CO.

New, Unpublished Interview

2011-12-09T20:19:00.000-07:00

Following one of the interviews I did last month, the interviewer, Jeff Pearlman, assigned one of the students in the college journalism class he teaches to do a feature on my life and me. It is below, and discusses my family, faith, career, cancer, and my desire to build a fence around my house!

Jake Black: A Legend in the Making

By Jessica McKenna

Jonas is three years old, and at the moment, his entertainment is blowing spit bubbles. He pushes all the saliva he can make against his lips and blows, until he creates a wet, wavering thing about to pop.

Jake is 32. He’s happy that he and his family settled down in this suburban neighborhood called Eagle Mountain, Utah, half an hour from the noise of Salt Lake. He’s glad that the worst crime his son has to grow up with is teenage vandalism, or people running stop signs. But to his adult sensibilities, bubbles made of spit are, well, disgusting.

“Ew, gross!” he says, dragging out both words as the saliva dries on his son’s lips.

And Jonas laughs. He laughs so hard, Jake decides to say it again: “Eeewwww, grosssss!”

“Jake would just keep saying it,” his wife, Michelle, explained. “Because he knew it would make Jonas laugh, just to make him happy.”

This simple love forms the daily life of Jake Black: father, husband, Mormon, comic book writer, and cancer survivor. But in the big picture, his story comes far closer to fantasy than nonfiction.

A Promising Beginning

At 10 years old, Jake Black was a nerd. He’d been introduced to Archie, and after that it only took a few trips to Provo, Utah’s main comic shops (Dragon’s Keep and Captain Salamander’s) to get him hooked.

Now he was wearing Star Trek shirts to school every day and hanging out with Trekkies who played Magic. “We went to Star Trek conventions in uniforms,” he admitted. His was Worf’s yellow suit. “I don’t know much beyond full geek than that.”

But Jake was a determined geek. It wasn’t enough to simply read about Klingons and Starfleet; he had to write about them too. And it wasn’t enough to simply write, either; he had to know whether his story was good.

So he mailed it to DC Comics.

“I just wanted some feedback and some instruction,” he said. He was in fifth grade – a proper creative writing class was still several long years out of reach. “I thought that they would write back and say that I had talent, and that it was all awesome. I was pretty ballsy in those days.”

They didn’t say that it was awesome. But they did write back. On DC letterhead, Jake received advice that would reflect his entire career: If you want to improve, write every day.

If you ask Paul Levitz, president of DC from 2002-2009, he’ll say that comics are the “sweet spot” for today’s writer. Poetry means artistic freedom without the cash reward. Film will make you those big bucks, but it won’t let your mind explore. With comics, you get a reasonable amount of both.

But the industry isn’t easy to get into. “You have to knock very energetically for a long while on doors, to convince people to let you in,” Levitz said.

Jake did just that. From sending the guys behind the desks his Next Generation fanfiction to calling up Smallville’s production offices for an internship the afternoon before it premiered, Jake never let anything stop him from doing what he loved.

“I’m a pretty driven person,” he said. “If I want to write something I’m going to be knocking on that person’s door until they let me write it.”

Fifteen years after that first submission, Jake had already spent a semester with Smallville, writing viral marketing, making copies of scripts, organizing master videotapes, filing, and answering phones while renting a friend’s guest apartment in Los Angeles. He’d started writing comics, some Smallville for DC and Dead@17 for Viper.

He was already well versed in the role of superheroes. It was time to try the role of a prince.

A Fairytale Romance

The love story of Jake’s life began with his mother. Cathy Black taught dance at Brigham Young University, and every once in a while a dancer would catch her eye as perfect dating material for her son.

It never worked out. By July 2004, Jake didn’t want anything to do with her recommendations. But when he ignored her request for Michelle Douglass, fate had other ideas.

“I met him by accident a week later,” Michelle said. “I had an appointment with his mom, and he just showed up at her office wanting to take her out to lunch. His mom had just been to lunch, but I hadn’t. And so he took me out instead.”

Right away, Michelle knew Jake was different. In an Italian restaurant near BYU, they talked about her ex-boyfriend’s stalker-like tendencies. But instead of trying to impress her by saying the guy was an idiot, he tried to understand her ex-boyfriend’s perspective.

“I was like, okay, this is new,” Michelle said.

And new was good. So good, in fact, that the date lasted twelve hours.

“We kept coming up with excuses to keep talking and keep hanging out,” Michelle laughed. “Even by the end of the twelve hours I was like, I’m not done with you yet.”

For the next two months, Jake was all Michelle could think about. She tried to date other men, but afterward she always found herself calling up the guy she’d spent a full day with.

It came as no surprise when Jake went down on one knee that September night. The only surprise was the way it happened.

There were three girls in Michelle’s family, and each of them had chosen a Disney persona while growing up. Michelle was Cinderella. So when Michelle woke up that morning, she found pumpkins on the table with a note. It rhymed, and ended with, Today your wish will come true.

“He had told me the day before that I should wear my hair like a princess,” she added. “And I hadn’t thought anything of it, like hello. That would have given it away, right? But I was like, ‘All right. Whatever.’”

There were many ‘All right, whatever’ moments for her that day. Jake didn’t show up to give her a ride to BYU; his brother did, and on the seat of the car was a Prince Charming Ken doll and another note.

In her ballroom dance class, she got a Cinderella Barbie from a friend. During class with Jake’s mother, she received a Cinderella book called “The Wedding Day.”

“So by this time I’m getting really anxious,” Michelle laughed. “I actually had to sit through all my classes wondering when Jake is gonna show up.”

Some classes she wondered while dancing. Like in dance technique, where she had to do it in her newest gift: a tiara and wand. “All the other dancers are asking, ‘What is it? What’s going on?’” she remembered. “And I say, ‘Jake is – I’m being proposed to and he’s not showing up!’”

At the Missionary Training Center in Provo, where she taught Spanish to out-going missionaries, her roommate gave her a pack of Cinderella stickers. And when it was time for Jake to pick her up, it wasn’t him in the car; it was his friend Jolene, with a framed print of Cinderella and her prince.

Jolene drove Michelle to a park. There was a bridge. Jake had lined it with candles, and he was standing at the other end, nicely dressed. They met in the middle, where he pulled out not a ring, but a clear plastic high heel. It was a close fit, but Michelle wore her very own “glass slipper” while Jake proposed.

“After all day you’d think I’d be jumping up and screaming, but I couldn’t. I couldn’t. All I said was, ‘Yes, please.’”

Jake and Michelle were married on Jan 8, 2005 in the Mount Timpanogos Utah Temple. “Growing up, you always think, ‘I’m going to marry a lawyer or a doctor, a firefighter...’ Never in a million years did I imagine a comic book writer,” Michelle admitted. But she loved his passion, regardless of what it was about. “I got a good one,” she said.

Four years later, they were watching Jonas grow through his first months. Jake was freelancing for DC from the new Eagle Mountain house, and going to church every Sunday with his family. It was the happy ending every Disney fairytale promises.

But then, as in any real story, a dark conflict appeared.

The Hidden Enemy

In 2009, Jake was diagnosed with stage II Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. “It was funny,” he said, “it wasn’t ever a big dramatic moment like I don’t know how to tell you this or anything.” It was only a phone call, but it began the lowest point of his life.

“My son was six months old, and I wanted to be around for him. So the idea of not being was horrifying. My wife and I had been married just over four years. And you know, that’s not long enough.”

Jake had a lump the size of a ping-pong ball in his neck, and two more in his chest. He couldn’t put on weight and he was constantly tired. That was before treatment, before chemo.

“It just attacks your body,” he said. “It was scary to watch my hair fall out. Scary to get down to 130 lbs and look like a concentration camp victim.”

“Jake and I had to make some adjustments at home,” Michelle said. “He slept in the basement rather than in our bedroom, because he was closer to a bathroom down there. The chemo would make him throw up a lot.”

Jake’s chemotherapy treatments took place at Utah Valley Regional Medical Center, a hospital the size of a city block right next to BYU. It’s part of Inter-Mountain Health Care, a system that President Barack Obama often praised. There were posters in the elevators bragging about it.

In a room with 7-12 other patients, Jake received a cocktail of four different drugs, dripped through an IV for six to seven hours at a time. While he sat in a chair and waited, often playing Tetras on his phone, Michelle would take Jonas for a drive.

“We just put him in the car when I’d take Jake to chemo,” she said, “and I would just drive around. Because that’s the only way Jonas would sleep, is if we put him in the car.”

Michelle often worried on those drives. “At the time, cancer meant death. I didn’t know any better,” she said. She had to prepare herself for the impossible, to wonder what she would do if she had to support Jonas as a single mom. She wasn’t working, and she knew that life insurance could only hold out for so long. How could she afford to do it on her own?

“I thought I was going to lose my husband.”

In June that year, Jake began to struggle with breathing. At first the doctors thought it was pneumonia, but they quickly learned otherwise: it was one of the chemotherapy drugs damaging his lungs. At two o’clock in the morning, he was hospitalized.

On June 25, the night Michael Jackson overdosed, Jake almost died. He wasn’t able to breathe, and while the nurses quickly put him on oxygen and stabilized him, the situation was serious enough for the hospital to call his wife.

“She says I said, ‘I don’t want to die alone,’” said Jake. “I don’t remember saying that. I remember saying I didn’t want her to get a phone call that I was dead.”

Michelle called one of her sisters to take care of Jonas, so she could go to her husband. She sat with him and held his hand for six hours.

“While she was coming, I kept saying to the nurses and the doctors, ‘My wife’s coming, my wife’s coming,’ – I was holding on so much for her to get there. As melodramatic as that may be, it was very real.”

Jake survived the night. They removed the damaging drug from his chemo routine, and he continued the last 3-4 months with only three bags per session. But the scare couldn’t be erased so easily.

“We would cry together, because we didn’t know what the future would hold,” Michelle said, trailing off into silence.

But for Jake and Michelle, surrender was not an option.

Fighting Back

The strongest part of Jake’s life had always been his faith. His faith in God, his faith in people, and his faith in the future.

When he was 19, Jake traveled to Alberta, Canada as a Mormon missionary. He spent two years there, playing bingo with senior citizens and teaching unmarried 18-30 year olds at the Edmonton Youth Shelter about God and Jesus Christ.

In the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, it is not required for any member to complete a mission. Jake’s parents, having both been introduced to Mormonism in their adult years, had not done so, and he had no legacy of it. But he chose to apply anyway.

“I believe that much in the message that my church has to offer, and I wanted to share it with the world,” he explained.

Cancer could do nothing against such powerful conviction. If anything, it increased it.

“I didn’t doubt my faith ever during cancer,” he said. “We all come to a point where we do question our faith, and we do look at evidences in our lives, and we do go in prayer to God and ask, ‘Is this real? Is this really real?’ And I’ve done that throughout my life. But having cancer, and just seeing what I believe to be God’s hand in my life, it has to be real. It has to be true.”

“During the cancer experience, it was hell,” Michelle said. But she feels it has only changed herself and her husband for the better. “He has had even that much more faith in God and faith in people. It’s refined him.”

Even during cancer, despite their close call, Jake and Michelle found ways to keep fighting. Jake kept freelancing, despite the damage chemotherapy was causing him. “He was able to choose the hours he worked, so if he felt tired he could go sleep. But if he was up to it, he could come in his office and work,” Michelle explained.

She herself found strength in the community, in the neighbors whose own faith called them to help by making dinners for the couple on days Jake had his chemo appointments, cleaning their house, and doing their laundry. “I think that definitely helped to pull me through,” she said.

Cancer also gave each of them something far more valuable than a paycheck with Superman on it, or even the gift of a meal. It gave them memories.

For Jake, it’s his fondest memory yet of his son:

“I’d been in the hospital for a week, and my wife and son came to get me. My room was at the end of a hall, facing the hall where the elevators were. And he walked out…He had a little breathing mask on…He stepped out of the elevator, and he looked and saw me lying in my hospital bed, and started a full run down to see me.

He loved me so much, he wanted to run through the hospital wearing his little mask.”

For Michelle, it’s her most powerful memory of her husband:

“During the cancer experience, we went out on the porch and just spent some normal time together, sitting on our bench on the porch. And laughing. He was pale, he was skinny, his eyes were sunken in and he had no hair. No eyebrows. But we were laughing.”

Jake’s bout with cancer is something neither of them will ever forget. It is, as Michelle put it, “a permanent part of our lives.” But all of its horrors have only increased their appreciation for life, and strengthened their sense of hope.

Hope for Tomorrow

As we reach the end of 2011, Jake is still writing comics and superhero television shows. Online reviews praise his recent comic Five Senses, and he finally knocked his way into the writing house of Batman: Brave and the Bold with episode 22 of its second season. His next project is a non-fiction book, a collection of 15 stories from Mormons who have experienced cancer as a patient, a loved one, or a doctor. His own story will be the introduction.

“I think it’s really important to put my experience out there,” he said. “If the details of my experience can help someone else, then that far outweighs any discomfort I might have in talking about it.”

At this point, Jake is content. He’s the Elders Quorum President of his congregation, with the responsibility of visiting 75 returned missionaries (elders), a couple each week, to talk them through any troubles they might be experiencing. It’s helping people, something Jake says is, “so important to me. So significant.”

When asked to mention one career-related ambition, he said, “I want to be an editor for a magazine my church publishes.”

When asked to mention one dream unrelated to his career, he said: “I want to build a fence around my house.”

So, he has no burning desire to improve much of anything in his life. But he does have a passion for what he considers the best part of it: his family.

“I love hanging out with my wife,” he said. “I love dating her still. I love wrestling with my son, dressing up like Mario, Luigi, and the princess for Halloween.”

“He bends over backwards for me,” Michelle said. Even the little things mean so much to her, like when he brings home her favorite no-bake cookies with oatmeal, chocolate, and peanut butter on days she feels stressed. “He’ll just show up. ‘Oh I just bought these for you, cause I know you need a pick-me-up,’” she explained. “I couldn’t have asked for a better husband.”

But life still isn’t fairytale perfect. Cancer treatment has left its mark, and as Michelle has said, “It’s still a struggle.”

Chemotherapy ravages a person’s body in more ways than weight and hair loss. Jake, like many others, suffers from a side effect called “chemo brain”: diminished clarity in thinking and memory. It is also possible that Jonas will be the only child he ever has.

And then, there’s the remaining debt. Fundraisers, both within the local Utah community of writers and online, have helped tremendously, paying off $30,000 of the initial $40,000 Michelle and Jake owed. But that $10,000 still remains.

“I’m always asking Jake, ‘What can I do, what can I do to help? I could go to work,’” Michelle said. She’s made about $1,000 by selling small crafts at local boutiques, a hobby she adores, but she feels as though it isn’t enough.

Jake does. “He always says, ‘The biggest, most important thing that you can do is be a mom to Jonas. Just be there for Jonas. I’ll take care of it. The Lord will take care of it.’

“It’s just faith,” she said. “Believing so much that everything will work out.”

In a few weeks, Jake and his family will celebrate Christmas. He already can’t wait. “I’m excited to give,” he said. “I love giving.” They will eat Chinese food on Christmas Eve, and unwrap new pajamas to sleep in that night. The next morning he and his father and brother will watch A Christmas Story on TBS before the family dinner, and for those few days, their only concern will be to celebrate love.

For Jake, that’s what’s most important. In fact, it’s the only thing he wants to be remembered for.

“I just want people to say that I was a kind person,” he said, “and that they knew I cared. That I cared about them, individually and collectively.”

"Ender Companion" in Paperback Today!

2011-12-06T09:03:00.000-07:00

"The Authorized Ender Companion" written by me a couple years ago, is being released in paperback today. Makes a GREAT Christmas gift for sci-fi fans! Go buy it here:

My Batman Episode on DVD March 20

2011-12-02T09:54:00.001-07:00

My episode of Batman: Brave & Bold is coming out on DVD on March 20: Learn more here.

You can preorder it here:

Final Smallville DVDs Out Today! (My Final Smallville Project)

2011-11-29T09:49:00.000-07:00

Today, the final season (season 10) of Smallville hits DVD and Blu-Ray. There is also a complete series DVD set. I worked on the main special features, especially "The Son Becomes the Father" about the father/son relationships on the show. You can buy the sets by clicking the links below. Perfect Christmas gifts for the Smallville/Superman fan in your life!

One of the Best Batman: Brave and Bold Episodes!

2011-11-22T09:17:00.000-07:00

Newsarama, one of the most reputable news sites in the comic book industry, listed their Top Ten Episodes of "Batman: The Brave and the Bold." The episode I wrote with Todd Casey, "Knights of Tomorrow," is #9 on the list! So proud of that episode! You can check out the entire list here.

Another New Interview--Deseret News

2011-11-10T23:09:00.000-07:00

And here's the 2nd interview. It focuses on "Five Senses," cancer, and an upcoming project. It was done by Utah's Deseret News.

New Interview: The QUAZ With Jeff Pearlman

2011-11-10T10:41:00.000-07:00

Go here to read the first of two interviews hitting this week. This one is really personal, and delves into my career, my LDS faith, my cancer fight, and more. (The first pic is a comic con picture taken with TMNT fan extraordinaire Rosemary Reeve!) The interview was conducted by noted sports writer Jeff Pearlman.

New DC Comic Announced

2011-10-18T11:57:00.002-06:00

DC Comics has announced my next comic project from them:

CARTOON NETWORK ACTION PACK #66

Written by CHARLES SKAGGS and JAKE BLACK; Art by ADAM ARCHER and LUCIANO VECCHIO; Cover by MIKE CAVALLARO
Desperate for help with last-minute holiday shopping, Rex heads to the mall with a caffeine-deprived Dr. Holiday. Is doing a little shopping and flirting with cute girls too much to ask? Maybe you should ask the ginormous EVO.

Cartoon Network
32pg.
Color
$2.99 US

On Sale January 11, 2012

"Five Senses" Reviews -- UPDATED OCT 15

2011-09-26T08:25:00.003-06:00

Here are several reviews of the comic I wrote, "Five Senses":

The PullBox: This extremely original supernatural crime story sells itself beautifully. The writing rocks!... The writing is very solid and the art supports the atmosphere of possible delusion and paranoia that is growing within the main character.

Comixology: "The book, honestly, blew me away."

The Lost Man: Jake Black does a wonderful job bringing me into the story very quickly.

The Event Magazine: Finally, the writing, I dang near fell into this book because it draws you in. This was a solid effort. The story flowed through every frame and hit the points you would want it to hit. They leave just enough out to have you want more.

Comic Book Bin: With a creative story idea, clean writing style, and crisp modern illustrations, Five Senses, has something for everyone. The storyline is super creative as the writer weaves in and out of a kind of Twilight Zone meets M Knight Shyamlan plot. If you’re a fan of thrillers or horror comics you will love this comic that feels almost like a more realistic version of a Saw movie.

More Horror: The story brought to us by writer Jake Black and artist Justin Wayne is so well presented that I could see it as a movie...This is as close to a good Twilight Zone comic as we’re going to get.

Sequential Review: The writing is lean, tight, and leaves the reader genuinely intrigued as to who could possibly be taunting Bowman...Five Senses has the eeriness of a Stephen King novel and the same cosmic justice that classic fairy tales are famous for.

Strange Kids Club: I’m definitely interested in seeing how the seed planted in this teaser issue plays out over the course of the series.

Wired: I’m ready for the rest of the series.

CXPULP: A solid teaser.

New Ben 10 Comic Collection Announced

2011-08-16T10:23:00.000-06:00

DC Comics announced a new trade paperback collection of my Ben 10 comics, hitting comic shops on December 21, just in time to give it to your favorite Ben 10/Generator Rex fan for Christmas! Hit your local comic book shop, and order it soon. :-)

Here's the info:

CARTOON NETWORK 2-IN-1: BEN 10 ULTIMATE ALIEN / GENERATOR REX TP
Written by AMY WOLFRAM, JAKE BLACK and others • Art by ETHEN BEAVERS, MIN S. KU, MIKE BOWDEN and others • Cover by MIN S. KU
On sale DECEMBER 21 • 144 pg, FC, $12.99 US
Don’t miss this new title collecting the best of BEN 10: ULTIMATE ALIEN and GENERATOR REX in stories from CARTOON NETWORK ACTION PACK #48-51, 54, 56, 57 and 59!

USA Today Love

2011-08-02T09:07:00.000-06:00

It's a couple weeks old, now, but in their Comic Con preview, USA Today called my "Five Senses" one of the comics that would generate buzz at the show. Viper Comic published 100 copies of the comic for Comic Con exclusively. Signed a lot.

The rest of Comic Con went well. Hope it went well for you, too.

COMIC CON!!!

2011-07-19T11:38:00.000-06:00

It's that time of year again: San Diego Comic Con.

I'll be signing at Viper Comics Friday and Saturday at 1:00, to promote "Five Senses" a new comic I wrote. Comic Con will be the ONLY place to get the print edition (it will be online after that). You can preview the comic here. There's also a fan-made trailer for it here:

Thank You!!!

2011-07-12T23:47:00.000-06:00

$14,408. That's the amount we raised for our family cancer bills. To everyone who donated, spread the word, or did anything to help us out, thank you. Truly, from the bottom of our hearts, thank you.

Final Day!

2011-07-11T13:38:00.000-06:00

Yes, it's been a month since I posted anything. Sorry. But, I've not had to much to report. Just logging in today to say our cancer fundraiser ends tomorrow night, July 12. If you have some time, please visit http://BlackFamilyCancerFund.org.

Also, please help us finish strong by posting the link on your various social media sites, etc. It will go a LONG way in making this happen!

THANKS!!

Supergirl Interview

2011-06-13T09:56:00.000-06:00

Here is an interview I did with a Supergirl fansite. I talk about the Girl of Steel, my projects, and http://BlackFamilyCancerFund.org

Ultimate Guide to WWE

2011-06-10T22:23:00.000-06:00

My latest book, "The Ultimate Guide to WWE" is in stores now. If you are a wrestling fan, pick it! It's got lots of profiles on wrestlers, past events, titles, etc. And it more than 200 pages long!

Hart Family Comic

2011-05-30T19:41:00.003-06:00

UPDATE: Response to this comic has been huge from all around the world! Thanks to the Hart Family for linking to it on Twitter. Thanks to you for visiting, too. If you have some time and are able to donate, please visit http://BlackFamilyCancerFund.org. That is a fundraiser that is helping me pay my cancer treatment bills....if you can't donate, visit the site anyway, and leave a "hug" and share the link your Facebook, Twitter, etc. THANKS, and enjoy the comic!

This is a two page comic I wrote for the UK version of WWE-Kids Magazine. It features the Hart Family, truly the best there is, the best there was, the best there ever will be! (You can click on each page to read it bigger.) Art by my pal Diego Jourdan and Diego Tapie. PLUS be on the lookout for my "Ultimate Guide to the WWE" book, hitting bookstores next week!

New DC Figurine Auction Up

2011-05-25T11:10:00.003-06:00

Go here to bid on the latest one-of-a-kind DC Comics figurine cast, the ANTI-MONITOR to help pay our cancer bills!

DISNEY PRINCESS PRIZE

2011-05-13T14:32:00.001-06:00

Know a little girl (size 4-6) who loves to dress up as a Disney Princess? Donate to http://BlackFamilyCancerFund.com/ and win a Disney Princess Sparkle dress!

TMNT Cancer Fundraiser Prize

2011-05-09T13:12:00.002-06:00

UPDATE: We have a winner. SUMMER donated $50 to http://BlackFamilyCancerFund.com and won this poster! Keep checking back here on jakeblack.com and on http://BlackFamilyCancerFund.com for more prizes in the days/weeks ahead!

New prize for our cancer bills. It's this poster, signed by Peter Laird and me. This poster is a montage of the covers of the 5 TMNT movie prequel comics published by Mirage. I wrote two of the issues, and Peter Laird co-created the TMNT. It's available to the first person who donates $50 to http://BlackFamilyCancerFund.com, and marks #TMNT in their comment. You'll have to leave your name, too, so we can contact you to ship the prize. Rock on! (NOTE: Picture is representative of the poster, and not the actual poster itself...)

Cancer Fundraiser Prize

2011-04-24T20:28:00.003-06:00

This is the first prize we are giving out on http://blackfamilycancerfund.com.

FIRST WEEKLY PRIZE ANNOUNCEMENT. This week's prize is a copy of DC Comics' "Supergirl #50" featuring a story cowritten by me along with SMALLVILLE and SUPERGIRL actress HELEN SLATER!! (Helen played Supergirl in the 1984 film.)

HOW TO WIN: The comic will go to the person who makes the highest donation between 12:01 AM mountain time April 25, 2011 and 11:59 PM mountain time on Saturday the 30th. Winners must post a comment that includes a #Supergirl hashtag, and include their name as the donor. In the event that their is more than one donor with the highest amount, the first donor to contribute that amount and include the required name and hasthag will be the winner.
So, spread the word to comic book fans, Sueprgirl fans, anyone you know who might be interested. And best of luck!

New Cancer Fundraising Website

2011-04-15T07:41:00.002-06:00

Thanks to the good people at GiveForward we now have a fundraiser page for our cancer/medical bills and related costs. Please go HERE to check it out and donate. Every little bit helps. (It's http://www.giveforward.com/blackfamilycancerfund) It will run until JULY 12, 2011, my birthday.

Supergirl Collection On Ebay

2011-04-13T15:31:00.000-06:00

Here are a bunch more (hopefully) fundraising auctions...including a lot of Supergirl stuff. All proceeds go to my cancer bills.

Yet More Auctions

2011-03-07T18:10:00.002-07:00

Here are some more auctions for our med bills. Please bid, and tell your friends.

In Comics Shops This Wednesday, March 9, 2011

2011-03-07T14:50:00.001-07:00

A pair of projects I wrote will debut in comic book shops this Wednesday, March 9.

Hope: The Hero Initiative is a trade paperback anthology of comics with the proceeds going to the Hero Initiative. The Hero Initiative is a charity that provides for the needs of golden and silver age comic creators. SRP $19.95

DC Super-Hero Collection Magazine #75 "Steel" also hits stores. It's a biography of one of the "replacement" supermen from the Man of Steel's death in the early 90s. SRP $14.99

New Interview

2011-03-04T15:44:00.000-07:00

Here is a link to an interview I did with Utah Valley Magazine. Just a short profile, really. Each issue they spotlight someone who lives in one of the smaller communities in Utah Valley, and this month it was Eagle Mountain. The town's PR person called me, asking if I'd be interested/willing to be the rep for the town for this feature this month. It was a fun, quick little experience. Hope you enjoy it. (Not really any new info in it, but kinda fun...)

My Tribute to my Uncle Graham

2011-02-26T10:01:00.002-07:00

This is a tribute to my Uncle Graham who passed away earlier this week:

When I think of my Uncle Graham, my mind immediately turns to my little family’s 2010 trip from America to New Zealand. As he took us on a tour of Awapiri, I recognized the genuine “salt-of-the-Earth” nature of his character. His quiet dignity and a decorum that was so clearly in touch with the land and animals he’d made his life’s work. (With, perhaps, the exception of the period in which we watched a handball game—he was a little less quiet!) I admired him. As we stayed up late one night, discussing our experiences in South Africa, I witnessed how much love he had for his family, and particularly Aunt Bev. He asked me questions about my career as a writer, and wanted to see one of the Batman children’s books I’d written. He wanted to see my name in print. As he looked at the name—I think primarily at our own shared last name—I told him he could keep the book, if he wanted. The already familiar, almost-mischievous smile passed across his lips. “I think I may be a little young for this,” he said, handing the book written for nine year olds back to me.

A couple weeks later, Graham visited my dad in the US. I wish you could have all seen the pure glee that and joyous anticipation that covered my father as he eagerly anticipated his brother’s arrival. The two weeks Graham and my dad were together seemed to be some of the happiest times I’d ever seen my dad have. It was rewarding for me to see these two Black brothers together, their relationship reflective of another generation of Black brothers—mine and my brother Jon’s. Outside of my wife, Jon is the closet friend I have, and there is no one (save my wife and son) I love more than him. To witness that same love between my dad and Graham—a love built on shared experiences good and bad, unwavering through the challenges of life, death, and growing age—was, and will always be, the model for me and how I want to continue my relationship with my brother for the next 30-40 years.
Uncle Graham was indeed a gentleman’s gentleman.

A giant in the New Zealand sheep breeding industry, but more importantly a hero and example to his family. The world lost a dignified titan last week. And though we can’t be there in person, please know that our great love, thoughts, and prayers go out to Averil, Dorothy and my dad on the loss of their brother. More significantly, we send our love to Bev, Duncan, Sally, and Nicola who lost a man that defined to them husband, father, and hero.

Egypt

2011-02-11T09:41:00.001-07:00

I'm fairly certain that when they make a commemorative DVD of Mubarak's resignation, they'll add the celebrations on Naboo and Tatooine

World Cancer Day 2011

2011-02-04T15:13:00.000-07:00

Pause and give a thought to the cancer patients, survivors, a fallen fighters you know today.

One Convenient Location

2011-01-31T12:56:00.001-07:00

Here are all the ebay auctions.

Additional Ebay Auction(s)

2011-01-31T11:49:00.001-07:00

This may be a recurring theme for awhile, unless I magically get 30 grand in my wallet...

New ebay auction here. http://bit.ly/fYUrL6

It's a copy of a super rare Smallville parody comic book I wrote in 2005.

Eaglemoss Cancer Auction

2011-01-29T20:08:00.000-07:00

Here is another auction for a rare/one-of-a-kind cast/prototype from the Eaglemoss Marvel Super-hero Collection. It's Viper. Proceeds go to my cancer bills.

Lots of TMNT Stuff on Ebay for My Cancer Bills

2011-01-29T12:18:00.000-07:00

I've put a ton of TMNT Comics and stuff on ebay in an effort to once again pay my cancer bills a little more quickly. We've got:

NECA NYCC TMNT Figure Box Set signed by TMNT Creators Eastman and Laird

Complete TMNT "City at War" Comic Story line (13 Issues)

Near complete Tales of the TMNT Vol 2, issues signed by Tristan Jones and Me

And a LOT more. Check it, bid on it, and help support our victorious fight against cancer (and the remaining, ever-looming medical bills that remain...)

Ebay Auctions for My Bills

2011-01-17T10:51:00.001-07:00

I've put four items up on ebay for my cancer bills. A couple of them are very rare, cool items:

The Art of Ralph McQuarrie -- a 2007 coffee table book featuring art from Star Wars conceptual artist Ralph McQuarrie. It sells on Amazon for $2500.00!

DC Comics Sketchbook -- a brand new, never opened moleskin sketchbook embossed with the DC Comics logo.

TMNT Collected Book Volume 1: graphic novel from 1990 collecting some of the original TMNT comics. 2nd printing.

There are a couple of toys and stuff, too. Check 'em out. Tell your friends. Especially Star Wars fans!

My Green Lantern Movie Tie-In Book Available for Pre-Order

2011-01-07T09:32:00.002-07:00

COVER IMAGE REMOVED BY REQUEST

One of the biggest movies of 2011 is going to be "Green Lantern" starring Ryan Reynolds as Hal Jordan/Green Lantern. I recently wrote a kids book based on the film. It will be in stores in May, timed to coincide with the movie's theatrical release. You can preorder it by clicking the link below.
Hal Jordan: Defender of Earth

Happy 2011!

2010-12-31T09:32:00.000-07:00

Here's wishing everyone a wonderful 2011! I will be glad to have 2010 behind me. There were some tough challenges in 2010, and some tremendous high points--trip to New Zealand, free BNL and WWE tickets, Batman episode premiere, and especially no cancer!

In any case, 2011 is going to be amazing! Let's move forward! Happy 2011!

(Picture from impactlab.net)

Merry Christmas

2010-12-24T19:12:00.000-07:00

Here's to a beautiful Christmas holiday, and a prosperous and happy 2011 from me to you.

New Ben 10 Toy Comics

2010-12-21T14:16:00.000-07:00

This past summer, a couple of Ben 10: Ultimate Alien figures were released, featuring in-pack comics written by your truly. They were very popular, apparently as Bandai, the toy company, hired me to do another set for spring/summer 2011. The pics here are those comics. Look for them in toy stores soon-ish.

And if you'd like to buy the original ones...

In Comics Shops This Wednesday, December 22

2010-12-20T13:08:00.002-07:00

DC Comics Super-Hero Figurine Collection: Power Girl. I wrote this one. Should find it for about $15 at your local comics shop.

No Real News

2010-12-20T12:22:00.001-07:00

No real news these days. Working on some scripts for some licensed UK-published comics, and an indie horror thing. Will post more once they're published.

Charity Comic Interview

2010-12-06T10:04:00.000-07:00

Here's a little interview I did promoting "Hope: The Hero Initiative" comic book anthology that is going to raise money for the Hero Inititative, a charity organization.

Awesome Ben 10 Contest

2010-12-04T14:53:00.000-07:00

If you're a Ben 10 or Generator Rex fan, you need to head over to http://dwaynemcduffie.com.lamphost.net/forums/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=2595&start=0 to learn about an awesome contest where you can win the pictured signed Ben 10/Generator Rex comic signed by a ton of creator, including voice talent, writers, and more! Hurry! Go!

Brad Meltzer's "Decoded"

2010-12-02T09:54:00.000-07:00

Not a project I worked on, but schilling for a dear friend. TONIGHT: "Brad Meltzer's Decoded" debuts on the Histroy Channel at 10 e/p. Check it out. Set your DVR. Watch it faithfully. C'mon. Brad Meltzer! Mysteries! You CANNOT go wrong!!

Give My Books/DVDs as Christmas Presents!

2010-11-26T09:53:00.000-07:00

Looking for thatperfect gift for someone? Here are a bunch of items I wrote. If you want to get them signed, email me.

New Hero Initiative Comic Available for Pre-Order--UPDATED with Trailer

2010-11-24T09:21:00.002-07:00

Available for preorder at your local comic shop is "Hope: The Hero Initiative," a comics anthology I was invited to contribute to, published by Ronin Studios. It raises funds for a great cause. It's $19.95. You should get it.

Hope Hero Initiative Tp (W/A Various) Ronin Studios continues its acclaimed line of charity anthologies with HOPE: The Hero Initiative. With over 180 pages and over 40 of today's hottest up-and-coming creators and established professionals, the stories in this anthology range from dramatic to humorous, from the super-heroic to the super-normal, all with the same theme: hope. All profits benefit The Hero Initiative, which provides a financial safety net for comic creators who many need emergency medical aid, financial support for life's necessities, and an avenue back to paying work.

New Cancer Fundraising Auction Is Up

2010-11-22T17:05:00.000-07:00

The fine folks at Eaglemoss in the UK have put another figurine cast online as an auction for my cancer bills. This one is Marvel character Enchantress. You can bid by clicking here.

Book Signing Today--November 20, 2010

2010-11-20T11:04:00.000-07:00

Hope you'll come see me at Dragons Books and Games in Eagle Mountain, Utah today 5-7 PM.

3535 E Ranches Parkway Suite A
Eagle Mountain, UT 84005

There are a bunch of SF/F authors signing there then. Come see! They'll have a few of my books (including Ender and Batman), but I'll sign comics, books, Smallville DVDs, whatever you bring.

Hope you can make it!

Interview with Salt Lake Tribune about "Batman: Brave and Bold"

2010-11-18T16:48:00.001-07:00

I did an interview with the Salt Lake Tribune discussing my episode of Batman: Brave and Bold, cancer, etc. You can read it by clicking here. (Picture here from that interview--credit available at Tribune site.)

Signing This Saturday, Nov 20

2010-11-18T09:42:00.001-07:00

I'll be signing books, comics, and whatever you might bring at Dragons and Fiary Tales Books in Eagle Mountain, Utah, this Saturday the 20th 5-7 PM.

3535 E Ranches Parkway Suite A
Eagle Mountain, UT 84005

Hope to see you there!

New Animated Series I'm Writing

2010-11-17T10:01:00.002-07:00

Cyboars is a new CG children's (age 6-9) animated series set to begin airing around the world early next year. There are several TV networks in Europe, Asia, and North America who will air the initial five-episode mini-series, followed by a regular series later in 2011. I'm one of the staff writers for the show, and it's promotional website, Cyboars.com, just went live. There are promotional videos, pictures, episode summaries, creative team bios, and more. Check it out by clicking here.

New YA Novella (written by me) For Nook

2010-11-16T16:39:00.000-07:00

"Winged Victory" is a new YA novella series I'm writing, published by Actionopolis/Komikwerks, available exclusively for Barnes and Noble's Nook. It's 2.99 and available for download by clicking here.

This is the summary: "For thousands of years the world has awaited the arrival of the Harbinger. When a young man named Sam Han discovers that he's growing wings, he faces a whole new world of possibilities. But the forces of evil know he represents something bigger, and want him dead. Can Sam master his new powers and survive long enough to fulfill his destiny as the Harbinger?"

"Brave and Bold" Episode Preview Clips/Pics

2010-11-12T09:56:00.000-07:00

Comic Book Resources has released pics and clips of the Batman: Brave and Bold episode I wrote with Todd Casey, "Knights of Tomorrow." It airs (confirmed) on Nov 19 on Cartoon Network. Go here to see the previews. (Scroll down to the second set...)

"Brave and Bold" Episode Description Released--UPDATED

2010-11-04T10:00:00.003-06:00

UPDATE: Cartoon Network and Zap2It are both reporting that the episode will air on November 19, as originally announced.

Cartoon Network has released the official description of the episode of "Batman: The Brave and the Bold" I scripted (originally announced as airing the 19th, looks like it's been moved to the 26th):

Friday, November 26th, 2010 at 7:00pm (ET) - "Knights of Tomorrow!"
A glimpse into the future reveals Dick Grayson has assumed the Batman mantle after the Caped Crusader retired and fathered a son, Damian, with Catwoman. Despite his parents' wishes, Damian does not want to follow their legacy, but when Joker returns, he may have no choice!

Surprise! New (kinda) Comic in Stores Today

2010-11-03T16:05:00.002-06:00

I didn't know this was happening, but I had a comic I wrote hit stores today. It's "Cartoon Network Action Pack #53." It reprints a story I wrote for the Ben 10 toys that came out last spring. I wasn't listed in the solicits, but my story appears at the end of the book. I believe this means I will not have a story appearing in next month's #54, for which I *was* listed in the solicit. Ah well. New comic in stores now.

Happy Halloween 2010

2010-10-29T21:50:00.000-06:00

In Comic Book Stores Wednesday, October 27, 2010

2010-10-25T18:09:00.000-06:00

Hitting your local comic book shop this Wednesday is "Toy Story: Some Assembly Required," the trade paperback version of my issue of Boom Studio's "Toy Story" comic series. Yes, it's out three weeks after the original issue hit. I'm very impressed!

It should be in regular bookstores November 9. You can preorder it on Amazon, but don't search for my name as it's only listed under the main author's name, Jesse Blaze Snider.

New Eaglemoss Cancer Auction--Spider-man

2010-10-18T14:18:00.002-06:00

The fine folks at Eaglemoss have put another lead figurine on ebay for our cancer bills. This one's Spider-man. Go here to bid.

Cover of new WWE Book Released

2010-10-12T09:24:00.000-06:00

This is the cover art to a WWE kids book I recently wrote. The book doesn't come out until March, but this is pretty fun. You can preorder it at the link below.

In Comic Shops Wednesday, October 6, 2010: Toy Story #7

2010-10-03T20:57:00.000-06:00

In comic shops this Wednesday, October 6, 2010:

Toy Story #7
Written by: Jake Black
Art by: Diego Jourdan

I wrote this story--the toys try to scare each other with ghost stories while Andy is away. The art is by my sometime-TMNT comics artist Diego Jourdan. You can see a preview of the comic here.

Relisting Super Powers on Ebay for my Med Bills

2010-10-01T22:51:00.000-06:00

Had to relist the Super Powers figures on ebay b/c my original buyer flaked on payment. After 10 days of fighting him, I canceled the auction, and relisted it. Spread the word. Bid by clicking here.

Eaglemoss/DC Comics Collection Cancer Auction #4

2010-09-28T17:41:00.002-06:00

Here is a link to the newest auction publisher Eaglemoss is doing for cancer bills. This time it's an original Lex Luthor model scult figurine. I like this one, having written that issue of the series. You can bid here.

Appearance on Geek Show Podcast (NSFW)

2010-09-28T08:44:00.000-06:00

Go here and download my latest appearance on the Geek Show Podcast. Note: it is NOT SAFE FOR WORK.

In Stores Tuesday, September 28, 2010

2010-09-27T16:56:00.000-06:00

Superman/Batman: Apocalypse is the new direct-to-DVD movie set in the DCU. I cannot wait as it is a story about my favorite character in comics (Supergirl), and is an adaptation of the story that made me fall in love with her. So excited.

More importantly, to me anyway, is that one of the special features is "Supergirl: Last Daughter of Krypton" which I wrote originally for Smallville's season 7 DVD. I'm really proud of this one, and so excited that it's being included as a special feature on this movie.

In Bookstores Today: Ultimate Guide to Chaotic

2010-09-16T11:29:00.002-06:00

Available in bookstores today is the "Ultimate Guide to All Things Chaotic" written by me. I wrote 14 episodes of the show of the same name. This book is a guide to the show and the card game upon which it is based. Check it.

"Packed with never-before-seen art and exclusive content, this guidebook to the entire Chaotic universe includes sections on the internationally successful trading card game, the 4Kids animated television series, and the popular online game. There's something for every fan within this 192-page full-color book that also includes the history of Chaotic and an exclusive poster."

Lot of Kenner Super Powers Figures on ebay for my Medical Debt

2010-09-15T11:42:00.000-06:00

I'm auctioning a lot of 17 Kenner Super Powers figures from the 80s on ebay as part of my never-ending quest to pay off my cancer debt. There are some great figs here, including a pristine, beautiful Shazam. Go here to bid!

In Comic Shops Wednesday, September 15, 2010

2010-09-13T14:33:00.000-06:00

Products I wrote available in comic book specialty shops this Wednesday, September 15, 2010.

Supergirl: Death and the Family TPB
Written by STERLING GATES, HELEN SLATER & JAKE BLACK Art by JAMAL IGLE, CLIFF CHIANG and others Cover by RENATO GUEDES The Silver Banshee returns in this new title collecting SUPERGIRL #48-50 and SUPERGIRL ANNUAL #1, and this time she's after an artifact that could break her family's curse. Meanwhile, Lana Lang's mysterious condition gets worse. Can Supergirl save her?

Also available for preorder from Amazon:

$17.00

In Comics Shops Thursday, September 9, 2010

2010-09-07T22:06:00.000-06:00

Projects I worked on, available in comic book specaility shops this Thursday, September 9.

DC Comics Super-hero Collection #62: Red Arrow (biographical magazine and lead figurine). I wrote this issue.

Ender in Exile #4, written by the fantastic Aaron Johnston. I was the story consultant.

Smallville Season 9 DVD in Stores Tuesday

2010-09-06T11:01:00.001-06:00

Smallville: The Complete 9th Season hits DVD and Blu-ray this Tuesday, September 7. I worked on a couple of the extra features, primarily on "Kneel Before Zod." Go pick it up! (Best Buy is selling it with a "Blur" Superman T-shirt.) You can also get it by clicking the links below.

Ben 10 Episode on DVD Today

2010-08-24T03:36:00.000-06:00

My Ben 10: Alien Force episode "Busy Box" comes out on DVD today. You can find it on "Ben 10: Alien Force Volume 8" at your local big box store, or by clicking the link below.

Upcoming Smallville DVD Feature Preview

2010-08-23T22:35:00.000-06:00

I worked on a couple of the Smallville season 9 DVD features. Here's a short preview of one of the ones I worked on: the History of Zod. Enjoy.

New Comic from DC Comics Solicited

2010-08-16T20:16:00.000-06:00

My next comic from DC Comics was announced today. There are no details about my story in the blurb (mine's a Ben 10...) Order it from your local comic shop.

CARTOON NETWORK ACTION PACK #54
Written by SCOTT BEATTY and JAKE BLACK
Art by ETHEN BEAVERS and MIN S. KU
Cover by MIN S. KU
What happens when Van Kleiss meets a beautiful EVO who is every bit his intellectual match? When this love connection comes together, it could mean the end of the world as we know it! Hopefully Rex and Bobo can stop their diabolical plan before it’s too late!
On sale NOVEMBER 24 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US

Eaglemoss Cancer Fundraiser #3: Marvel's Madrox

2010-08-14T11:31:00.000-06:00

The next lead figure prototype Eaglemoss is selling to help with my bills is Marvel's Madrox. You can bid here, and help us out. (There will be a bunch of new releases from me in the days/weeks ahead. I promise these auctions won't be the only things I post about...)

Second One of a Kind DC Comics/Eaglemoss Cancer Auction

2010-07-29T11:19:00.000-06:00

Here is the link for the second of ten one-of-a-kind figurines based on DC Comics characters being auctioned for my cancer bills. Go and bid. :-) (It's LOBO!)

Comic Con, Ebay, etc.

2010-07-26T14:36:00.002-06:00

Not a lot of posts, lately. Been at Comic Con in San Diego. Lots of future things to discuss, but just not quite yet. Keep watching this space for news on comics, animation, etc.

The first ebay auction of the Eaglemoss lead figurines (raising money for my cancer bills) has ended. It brought in over 86 GBP. The next one is set to start in the next couple of days. Will post a link when it's time.

DC Comics Super-Heroes Collection Prototype Auction for Cancer Bills

2010-07-15T11:52:00.000-06:00

Eaglemoss publishing, the people who publish the magazines I write about DC Comics characters that are packaged with a lead figurine of the featured character, are auctioning off prototypes of the figurines to help with my cancer bills. The first one is Donna Troy. You can check it out here, and bid. They'll ship anywhere.

"Chaotic" Book Out Today

2010-07-08T10:40:00.003-06:00

The first (and shorter) of two kids books I wrote based on the "Chaotic" television series hits stores today. This one was particularly fun as I wrote the episode upon it was based, too.

New Supergirl DVD Includes Reuse of Feature I wrote

2010-07-07T16:35:00.000-06:00

In September, a new DC Comics direct-to-DVD movie will be released, featuring a reuse of the History of Supergirl featurette I wrote for Smallville Season 7 on DVD. Here's the info:

SUPERMAN/BATMAN: APOCALYPSE

Studio: Warner Bros.
Special Features:
A first look at the next installment of the DC Universe movie.
DC Showcase Short Film: Green Arrow
The New Gods Featurette - chronicles the tale of Darkseid and why he reigns supreme as one of the most brilliant, and
toughest challengers the Super Heroes must face, and what his threat for tomorrow could bring.

New Gods: Mr. Miracle pod
New Gods: Orion pod
Supergirl: The Last Daughter of Krypton Vintage Featurette
Bonus Episodes Handpicked by Bruce Timm
Superman The Animated Series -"Little Girl Lost Part 1"
Superman The Animated Series -"Little Girl Lost Part 2"
Superman The Animated Series -"Apokalips Now! Part1"
Superman The Animated Series -"Apokalips Now! Part 2"
Packaging Type: Eco Amaray Case
Genre: Animation

Synopsis:

When a spaceship splashes down in Gotham Harbor, Batman and Superman encounter a mysterious Kryptonian with powers as great as Superman’s. When Darkseid gets wind of this, he has the Kryptonian abducted and brought under his control on Apokolips. It’s up to Batman and Superman to retrieve the Kryptonian, forcing them to infiltrate Darkseid’s hostile world where superpowerful threats lurk around every corner. This story is based on Jeff Loeb’s popular mini-series from the Superman/Batman comic books.

New (And Final) Cancer From My Collection -- Signed Michael Turner

2010-07-05T09:28:00.000-06:00

The fine folks at Dr. Volts comics are doing one more auction for my cancer bills. The two signed comics and the framed comics are the pieces (there are other non-cancer auctions the store is doing...) Check 'em out, bid, and have a loveley day! Go here.

Ender Companion Now Only Seven Dollars!

2010-07-02T08:36:00.003-06:00

If you've not yet picked it up, do so now! For only seven bucks!? Seriously! You can't afford not to! (Link might still say 10.61, but click on it...should be 7 or so...)

Supergirl T-Shirt Available At Amazon

2010-06-28T14:50:00.000-06:00

You can now buy the Supergirl t-shirt, featuring the cover to Supergirl #50 which I co-wrote, at Amazon. Click here to order.

Another Fun Amazon Email -- Chaotic Book Related

2010-06-28T14:29:00.002-06:00

"Dear Amazon.com Customer,

As someone who has purchased or rated books by Jake Black, you might like to know that UnderWorld Ambush (Chaotic) will be released on July 8, 2010. You can pre-order yours by following the link below."

Ender Companion on Sale Again for Ten Buck

2010-06-25T09:24:00.000-06:00

The Ender Companion I wrote is once again on sale for ten bucks at Amazon today. Click here to get it.

In Comic Shops Wednesday, June 23, 2010

2010-06-21T15:41:00.000-06:00

In comic book specialty shops this Wednesday, June 23, 2010:

Two "DC Comics Super-Hero Collection" magazines I wrote: Black Canary and Golden Age Flash. Each magazine comes packaged with a small lead statue featuring the profiled character, and SRP is $14.00.

Smallville Season 9 Special Features Announced

2010-06-17T10:14:00.000-06:00

The special features for the ninth season of Smallville on DVD/Blu-ray have been announced. I worked on both of these, though a lot more on the Zod one. The DVD is set to come out September 7.

- Kneel Before Zod Featurette - Since the Silver Age, the House of El has been plagued by the disreputable deeds of the Kryptonian villain, Zod. Now Smallville brings this infamous foe face-to-face with earth’s greatest hero, Clark Kent. Over the course of the season, Smallville promises to show us the rise of Zod’s venomous side, key betrayals with our beloved characters, and his rising from Major to General Zod. In this docu-featurette, we’ll create an in-depth look at this dynamic criminal from Krypton, his origins in DC’s Silver Age, and his various appearances in more recent film, animation, and live-action television.

- Justice for All Featurette - In the early 1940s, DC Comics formed the first team of superheroes in comic book history, with the Justice Society of America (JSA), pushing some of DC’s lesser known heroes to the forefront; Dr. Fate, Hawkman, Starman and Stargirl to name a few. Season nine of Smallville will see these characters in the “fantastical flesh” for the first time. In this script-to-screen featurette, we’ll meet with Smallville Creatives as they bring one of comic books’ iconic team of superheroes to television for the first time.

Smallville Season 9 DVD and Blu-ray Art Released

2010-06-11T12:53:00.000-06:00

Thanks to the folks at tvshowsondvd.com, I have the art for the DVD and Blu-ray releases of Smallville season nine. I worked on a couple of the extra features on the set. It's tentatively set to hit stores on September 14.

In Comic Shops Wednesday, June 9, 2010

2010-06-08T11:17:00.001-06:00

No new comics in shops this week, but this AWESOME bit of merchandise is. It's the cover to Supergirl #50, which I co-wrote with Helen Slater, on a t-shirt. I love it. Gonna buy two, I think! Order yours from your local comic shop. It's called "Supergirl Clouds by Turner."

Ben 10 Action Figure/Comic Set Out Now

2010-06-08T10:53:00.000-06:00

The "Ben 10: Ultimate Alien" toys, for which I wrote exclusive comics, are now available at your local toy store. Buying these figures are the only way to get the comics. So, check 'em out!

In Comic Shops Wednesday, June 2, 2010

2010-05-29T08:55:00.000-06:00

Two big projects hitting this week. Visit your local comic book store to pick them up.

CARTOON NETWORK ACTION PACK #50
Written by Eugene Son, Rob Hoegee, and Jake Black • Art by Min S. Ku and Ethen Beavers
Two huge stories in one comic! First, it's time to introduce the world to Generator Rex! Who is this new hero? What is Providence? And maybe more importantly, who is Bobo Haha? Then, in our second story, it's Ben 10 Ultimate Alien! Ben, Gwen, and Kevin find themselves in a very dangerous situation that can only be solved with an Ultimate solution! Don't miss it!

Cartoon Network
32pg.
Color
$2.50

ENDER'S GAME: WAR OF GIFTS (HARDCOVER)
DESCRIPTION:

Written by Jake Black & Aaron Johnston; Art by Timothy Green II, Pop Mahn & Janice Parker 120 pages, hard cover, full color
Collects four exciting stories in the Ender's Game universe! First up is a tale starring Ender's two younger siblings. Valentine learns of an injustice in her school, she wants to fight it. Enter Peter who guides his sister through the process of nonviolent influence, and sets the ball rolling for his plans to one day rule the world. Next, in WAR OF GIFTS, Zeck Morgan causes an uproar when he sees another student celebrating Christmas--seemingly violating Battle School's rules against religious practice. Then, Mazer Rackham, the only man ever to defeat the Formics, takes on a new enemy…the International Fleet itself! All this and more! Collecting ENDER'S GAME: RECRUITING VALENTINE, WAR OF GIFTS, MAZER IN PRISON and THE LEAGUE WAR. Original Cover Price $24.99

Auctions Closed

2010-05-28T09:27:00.000-06:00

Thanks to everyone who bid on the items in the auctions to help pay my med bills. I really appreciate it!

Comics Signing in Christchurch, New Zealand on Tuesday, June 1

2010-05-26T19:27:00.002-06:00

On Tuesday, June 1, I will be signing comics at Comics Compulsion in Christchurch, New Zealand. I believe the time will 3-5, but that's still a little tenative. Visit http://www.comicscompulsion.co.nz/ for info on the story, its hours, etc.

Alex Ross Sketch & More Up For Auction For My Med Bills

2010-05-21T10:39:00.000-06:00

You can now bid on the Alex Ross sketch, and other rare collectibles (Ric Flair, Triple H, Mick Foley, Kane, and James Marsden signed figures, Hush Catwoman figure, etc.). Proceeds go to my med bills. Click here to bid.

Selling Alex Ross Sketch and DC Comics Action Figures for my Cancer Bills

2010-05-19T19:51:00.000-06:00

Thanks to the supportive selling help of Dr. Volt's comics in Salt Lake City, I am selling around 40 DC Comics action figures to raise money for my ongoing cancer bills. The toys are available in store at Dr. Volts, and a few will be sold on ebay in the coming weeks.

Also, there will be an original, authentic Alex Ross pencil sketch auctioned for this purpose. Will keep you posted.

Supergirl Trade Officially Solicited

2010-05-17T18:42:00.000-06:00

It's been available on Amazon for a couple months, now, but the trade paperback reprint of my Supergirl story was officially solicited to comic book shops today. You can preorder it from Amazon here.

SUPERGIRL: DEATH AND THE FAMILY TP
Written by STERLING GATES, HELEN SLATER & JAKE BLACK
Art by JAMAL IGLE, CLIFF CHIANG and others
Cover by RENATO GUEDES
The Silver Banshee returns in this new title collecting SUPERGIRL #48-50 and SUPERGIRL ANNUAL #1, and this time she’s after an artifact that could break her family’s curse. Meanwhile, Lana Lang’s mysterious condition gets worse. Can Supergirl save her?
On sale SEPTEMBER 15 • 144 pg, FC, $17.99 US

My Ben 10 Episode Coming on DVD in August

2010-05-14T10:17:00.000-06:00

The good folks at TVShowsOnDVD.com have revealed the information and cover images for "Ben 10: Alien Force" DVD Volume 8. The last episode on the set is "Busy Box," written by yours truly! It'll be in stores August 24. Check out the art, courtesy TVShowsOnDVD.com.

New Batman Book Released

2010-05-14T10:12:00.000-06:00

My latest Batman kids book, "Eyes of Despero," is available now. You can order it through Amazon, but for some reason they are charging 12 bucks for it, when it's cover price is only $4. You can order it from Barnes and Noble here.

I Love Email Like This

2010-05-04T09:17:00.003-06:00

Dear Amazon.com Customer,

As someone who has purchased or rated books by Jake Black, you might like to know that The Eyes of Despero! (Batman: The Brave and the Bold) will be released on May 13, 2010. You can pre-order yours by following the link below.

The Eyes of Despero! (Batman: The Brave and the Bold)
Jake Black
Price: $11.69
Release Date: May 13, 2010