Looking back over 2014…
As another
year draws to a close, it is time to pause, reflect on the year’s activities
and assess how one measured against the goals set for the year. Looking back at
my retrospective post the last day of 2013, I did not provide a list of goals,
however, there were two items on my mind when I wrote that post. First, I
wanted to finish editing and submit my completed manuscript of my book and
second, to post timely and consistent posts throughout the year. On the former,
I did complete the editing process and submitted a manuscript I could be proud
of, to the publisher at the beginning of May (read the Behind-the-Scenes post).
By November, my book, James Bond and Popular Culture: Essays on the Influence of the Fictionalized Superspy,
was out and available to order from the publisher and a number of online
booksellers. That said, the first printing batch sold out at the publisher
(McFarland & Company) earlier this month, so that was a very exciting
moment. And, in time for Christmas, the book is now back in stock. I haven’t
seen my book in a bookstore yet, but I figure that will happen eventually.
My second
goal of delivering regular posts fell short. In 2013, I averaged just under 2.5
posts per month, but this year that figure slipped to just over 1 post per
month. Part of my shortfall was
due to the amount of time required for the editing process of my book, but I
was also writing more for the online popular culture site, Bleeding Cool
throughout this year (see my list of articles here). And like many, writing and
research is a secondary job to a primary position that finances the other.
Heading into autumn, I experienced a lot of changes at my day job, which cut
into my available free hours. While I could always management my time more
efficiently, I still wish I had more time in the day.
Now, I’m
going to turn to the fun part of the post: revealing my top five posts of the
year. I selected the top five posts based on number of views received for each over the year. So, without further adieu…
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| Interview with Moriarty's Corey was #5 |
I had met
Daniel at the Long Beach Comic Con and Horror Show in late 2013 and he had
kindly provided me with a copy of Moriarty: The Dark Chamber to read because his story included mention of MI5 in
its infancy and had spy elements. I enjoyed the story and nods to the spy
world, flourishing in the years leading up to World War I. Corey masterfully
weaved an intelligent story that many of us are now familiar with, thanks to
BBC’s Sherlock. Corey has been
hard at work the rest of the year: his new series, Red City, in which Corey creates an interplanetary noir
story, was just released in trade paperback from Image.
Number 4
Cue the
music! Oh yeah with Kenny Loggins’ The Danger Zone playing in the background, it was time to open the
trading card set for Archer this
past March. The set spotlighted lots of nudity and sexual innuendoes and
provided many moments in which I groaned and rolled my eyes, yet it was all
with a sense of fun. I seriously need to sit down and watch all the seasons
now…..Lona? Lona?! LONA!!!
Number 3
I led out
with a strong post at the start of 2014 when I reviewed and discussed the first
issue of Taran Killam and Marc Andreyko’s The Illegitimates. While I did finish reading the series, I failed to
post a follow up article to discuss further how Killam and Andreyko played with
established tropes. If you get the chance, pick up the series and check it out.
Number 2
I was
surprised that readers were as interested in my report regarding the annual
conference I attend in Albuquerque, New Mexico, the Southwest Popular/American
Culture Association. In spite of the fact that I was suffering from a severe
cold, the conference provided me the opportunity to reconnect with old friends
and make some new ones too.
And, at the
top of the list for 2014…..
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| Person of Interest was most interesting to my readers in 2014 |
Number 1
This was a
quick post one evening after watching an episode of Person of Interest starring Jim Caviezel as rogue CIA agent John Reese
and off-the-grid billionaire Harold Finch, played by Michael Emerson. The
episode had quite a bit of back-and-forth banter between Reese and Finch, each
kind of trying to one-up the other, resulting in many in humorous moments. It
made it so fun to write my own post and honestly, I’m glad that so many of my
readers enjoyed this one too.
Before
leaving this topic, I do want to mention of one of my posts that particularly
impacted me this year:
Honorable
Mention
What a treat
for me this year at Comikaze when not one but two panels focused on James Bond!
Not only did I get to listen to experts and fans of Bond, but I got to meet and
chat after each panel. The Battle of Bonds, which included the non-Eon
Productions Bonds, was a fun hour to compare which Bond was the best…I don’t
think there was any clear winner and I’m fine with that. And, a headier panel
discussing the qualities that have seen filmic Bond endure for over half a
century! Both panels were hosted by Jessica Tseang and again a huge thank you
to her for putting the panels together!
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| Honorable Mention: Near and dear to my heart, Comikaze panel Battle of the Bonds |
Looking forward to 2015….
Okay, so
what’s on the horizon for Spyfi & Superspies in 2015? Well, I’m going to
keep it simple: MORE posts! One of the ways I’ll be doing that is through daily
posts acknowledging and celebrating the world of James Bond that is inclusive
of his literary roots and filmic franchise. Basically, think of it as a desk
calendar with the theme “Bond 365 Days.” I have been working on this project
for the past couple of months and I’m not done. Hence, I will state now that
this project is organic and evolving, so it may seem that I’ve missed something
along the way. It may be, or more likely, I just haven’t touched upon that
information yet. It is my hope that readers will come forward where I do have
gaps – be it dates and/or photos. I would like this to interactive and
eventually a helpful archive.
Along with
the daily Bond post, I’m planning to post a weekly blog that explores in depth
on the wider spy genre topic from the various popular culture outlets – film,
television, literature, comics, video games, etc. I know there are spy films
scheduled for release next year such as The Man From U.N.C.L.E. and Spectre (of course!), television shows aplenty and it will be interesting to
see what comic book stories Dynamite writers come up with to entertain and sate
our appetites for James Bond now that they an agreement with Ian Fleming
Publications Ltd. There are older books and films out there I would like to
visit and of course, a whole world of espionage and Eurospy out there too! In
addition, I hope to finally read and write about my thoughts regarding the Ian
Fleming books and from revisiting the Bond films. And, I’m sure there will be other
items, yet unknown to report and talk about in the next year.
I hope you
will come along with me in the coming year. Please bookmark my site and
consider following me and see your photo over in the right margin with the
other good folk already congregated there. In advance, I thank you and I want
you to know that I sincerely appreciate your support!
Wishing all
my Spyfi & Superspies readers a fond and joyous New Year! See you January
1!
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