StrangeBrainParts

Groovin' on Gerber and Ostrander

Lately I've been binging the work of John Ostrander. I've been going between The Spectre, Suicide Squad and have Grimjack and Starslayer loaded and ready to read. So, I might to a video highlighting a good portion of his career. I don't know. Right, I'm just digging the Ostrander vibe and haven't written a thing.

The long gestating script about Steve Gerber in the '80s is officially complete and about a good and informative as I can make it. I literally did a final polish on it before w...

Low: The Early Years Of Strange Brain Parts

This Patreon exclusive video is jam-packed with goodies you cannot see anywhere else. Some of which has not been seen before. What was Strange Brain Parts like before the focus on comics? You’ll see plenty of examples of “lost media” that only exists on my backup drive. And I try to chart the evolution of the channel from bizarre videos, to movie and TV reviews. Finally, I end on the inspiration that led to a comics focused channel.

Stick around at the end for three unedited video...

Righteous Indignation!

This week will be a video covering another classic '80s series: Bucky O'Hare, by Larry Hama and Micheal Golden. It'll cover all the various versions and their differences, briefly mention the video games, cartoon and the toys, and be about 12 minutes long. So, a little shorter than more recent videos. Still, an appropriate length considering it's a pretty short series.

My dive into the '80s is still not complete! Or, I suppose, my dive into topics I've been meaning to cover for years is...

Still Lost In The '80s

Squadron Supreme is probably one of the MOST requested videos from this past year. Again, like a lot of videos in the last few months, it's something I've been meaning to do, but never found the time. Or got distracted with some other shiny, new script. Whatever. If there's any evolving trend you can infer, it's that I'm trying to get through a LOT of topics that I've had sitting around for, literally, years.

Another trend is the videos are getting longer and longer. When scripting, I ...

Late Stage Capitol-ism

This week has not gone as planned.

Originally, I started a script for a look at Capitol Comics, the publisher that existed between one eye blink and the next. But I thought I was padding the narrative to make it hit a certain, ad friendly length. At the same time, I was going through the comic they published, Nexus by Baron and Rude, with the intent that it would follow the Capitol video.

Instead, I folded the two scripts together because all that needs to be said about Capitol is...

"They live inside of my head..."

The next video will be Fish Police. It's another project that sort of got away from me and ended up being a whole lot longer than I thought when I sat down to write the script. That seems to be a trend lately. Especially for comics/topics that, in my opinion, deserve a closer examination. So, that's why it's taking some extra time. Well, that and I'm dealing with material that doesn't have clean, digital copies to work from. I spend a lot of time cleaning up the images to make them look decen...

I'm Gumby, Dammit!

Originally, I thought a video about the history of Comico might be something I get to in a month or so. But on the weekend I went over the research material I had sitting in a folder, made a few notes, made a few more notes and then, suddenly, I had a 2200 word mess of a document sitting in front of me. Then it was 3800 words.

Yesterday it suddenly coalesced into exactly what I wanted. The narrative flow was right there staring at me, but I couldn't see it. Eight or ten hours later I ha...

Coming This Week

This week's video will be an extensive look at Elementals, the comic book series published by Comico that was primarily done by Bill Willingham. My best guess (because I'm still editing it together) is it will be at least 20 minutes long. So, it covers a lot. From the inspiration, to the beginning of the series, right up to and including Willingham's recent announcement that the series is public domain. There's also a few bits of highly obscure trivia that are quite interesting, if true.

Even More Shenanigans

Behind the scenes I've been getting all set-up to stream City Of Heroes a few times a week. The blank spot in the upper left is a webcam pointed at the wall. It would be focused on me when I stream. I think I've fine-tuned it enough to the point where I might be comfortable with the end result. I am notoriously finicky, after all.

I've not resolved the chat problem, though. I've no second monitor and I can't see comments that are typed out. I might just sit in Discord and do an actual ...

What's On My Desk?

I'm pretty sure the majority of you recognized what was sitting on my desk in the final shot of the most current video. But I thought I'd take a screenshot and post a breakdown of it for you anyway. So, here it is.

For the record, that's the actual desk, keyboard and monitor I use to create videos. Although, my desk is usually clear of distractions. I put those figures there just to fill out the shot. I was going to put comics on the wall behind the monitor to give myself more "street c...

What's Next And Stuff

Hello everyone!

I know it's been a few weeks since I've updated what I've been doing behind the scenes, so it's time to fill you in on the details. Let's start with the image above...

For the record, that's the working title of a digital book that began as a compilation of my various Cerebus scripts into one neat, PDF or Epub package. Probably PDF. Anyway, since I'm, umm, details oriented, I couldn't just copy and paste those past scripts into a document, slightly format them for ...

Post it or not?

Should I post the One World Under Doom short to the SBP channel or let it die in silence?

One World Under Doom (Short Version)

After completing the full script to One World Under Doom (and reading I over a few times) I decided I just don't want to do it. It's pretty negative and I'm not in the mood to make a long-form, negative video. Even if the points are valid.

So, I thought I'd make a YouTube short of the basic point I was driving at in the script. I'm not sure if I'm going to upload it to YouTube or not. I'll make a poll and solicit all your fine opinions on the matter after I post this here.

Additio...

And so it begins again...

Today, June 16th, is notable for a few reasons. Not only does it officially mark Strange Brain Parts entering its eighth year, but it is also your humble writer/narrator/editor's birthdate. Yes, I decided many years ago that SBP and I would share that anniversary. Because it would be easy to remember. I mean, I'm getting older. I don't need to tax my memory and try to commit certain dates in my brain.

In celebration I'm...uhh, doing what I always do. Which is editing a video for sometim...

I've Seen The Future...

The thumbnail above is something I whipped up for a video looking at the current event, One World Under Doom. It won't be the next video, though. In fact, it's such a negative, slightly hot take that I'm not sure I'm going to do it. But maybe I should because there may be a few points about events and tackling hot topics that should be brought up and discussed. That might be worthwhile to bring up. I don't know.

Moving on...

What is very likely next is a look at my favourite Reed ...

BTS: Editing Audio

This week I did some recording with the intent of showing my work, so to speak. By that I mean, what I put into each audio recording to make it sound decent and professional. This is real time, with no video edits.

Now, I didn't make a video of myself recording this audio. Because all you'd see is me sitting under a black comforter to muffle the room noise. Not exactly thrilling to view. Heh.

Anyway, here you get to see and hear the multiple takes I do, the editing of those takes ...

I Tried To Make A Title Using Lyrics From Velouria But Failed Miserably

Hello everyone!

This morning I polished off the script for a video dedicated to Valeria Richards and her awkward history. It also includes my interpretation of Doom's importance to the Fantastic Four and the complexity of his relationship with Valeria. Not to mention, a caution to writers what elements NOT to explore when writing about that dynamic. Seriously, for any Marvel writers reading, don't make it creepy and weird. Not just because it's distasteful and gross, but because it woul...

Crisis Of Infinite Projects

Hello everyone!

I'm sure it was hard to miss that a new video didn't appear last week. Unfortunately, your humble narrator suffered a back injury last weekend. It's why I was barely present in Discord or anywhere else all last week. Walking was nearly impossible and sitting was almost as bad. So, I remained hopped up on a few legal drugs and lay in bed trying to heal. Right now I seem to be much, much better and able to get something out this week. Hooray!

While lying in bed (like...

The One About Smiling Stan

Hello everyone!

This week should see the release of a video I titled, The Stan Lee Paradox. It's a piece that outlines my opinion concerning Lee's strengths and weaknesses. It's a response to numerous comments I've seen that defend Lee and state I suggest he was kind of irrelevant to Marvel's success. I don't think that's an accurate assessment, so I thought it best to clear up any misperceptions.

The piece has been recorded and I'm editing the vocals today. It will probably be ou...

What's In The Works

Hello, everyone!

Well, it's that time of the week (well, late in the week) where I fill you in on what's being worked on and what you might be able to expect in the coming weeks. Or, at the very least, what's partially being worked on.

Now that I've assumed control of my channel from those pesky future aliens, I'm likely to do a few quick reviews. One will be about a cute, independent series that I saw mentioned in Discord a few weeks ago. Another will be a small compilation video...

The Debriefing

Hello, everyone!

I think I've finally finished my forensic analysis of the creation of the Fantastic Four. Yes, as previously mentioned, it's a combination of a lot of writing I've done over the years in one, completely rewritten package. I've spent months researching and refining it and it may be time for it to be committed to a video. It is pretty complete and takes into account a lot of details and arguments surrounding the First Family.

Out of this came another editorial that ...

A Pulse-Pounding, Brief Update

Hello everyone!

Above is the title page for this week's video. Which should be pretty long. Like, 20-25 minutes in length. I've not edited all the narration down to its exact length, so that's my estimation based on the length of my script. I literally have 40 minutes of blown and alternate takes to wade through before I have an exact idea of the overall length.

It goes into way too much detail outlining Lee and Ditko's working relationship, how it evolved and how it fell apart. F...

What's In The Works

Hello everyone!

This week's video should be The Reading List: My Personal Favourites. As that oblique title suggests, these would be the comics that I enjoy, have influenced my journey through the medium and are ones I've returned to time and again. It really should have been completed already, but I keep adding to it.

The script looking at the beginning of the Fantastic Four and the conflicting versions about it is basically done and ready to go. I think it's as edited and as tig...

I Still Feel Fantastic

Hello everyone!

As you can tell from the image above, yet another Fantastic Four video is forthcoming. In fact, it's next! Hopefully by Tuesday. It focuses on first appearance of Galactus and Silver Surfer, along with what Jack Kirby intended with both characters and how that played out.

I've also been doing a metric f-ton of research concerning the origin of the Fantastic Four. Yes, I've already produced an old, old video about that topic. That said, I thought it worth revisiting...

I Feel Fantastic

Hello everyone!

First of all, don't Google the title of this post or search for it on YouTube. Believe me, your life is better not knowing. I might even make it the title of the next video and insert into the thumbnail above. Heh.

Secondly, my sincere apologies (once again) for a lack of updates forthcoming concerning projects. The last few weeks I've been trying to get as much work done as possible and that hasn't left me with any free time. But I'm usually around on Discord, so ...

The Nikopol Trilogy by Enki Bilal

Happy New Year!

As a way to welcome in the year, here's a video a full day or so before it goes live on YouTube!

Hopefully, in the future, I can do this more frequently and give you all something extra for that very valuable support you provide. Usually, my production schedule is pretty tight. But this week I was able to get ahead of schedule for the first time in a while.

So...I hope you enjoy!

What's Coming In The New Year

Hello, everyone! I hope you all have had a fantastic holiday season! And, since this is likely my final post for 2024, I'd like to take this opportunity and say that I hope the New Year is even better for all of you.

Coming this week is a look at Carnival Of The Immortals (aka Gods In Chaos and The Immortal's Fete) and a brief look at the sequels, The Woman Trap and Equator Cold. All of which make up Enki Bilal's Nikopol Trilogy. Also briefly mentioned is Bilal's adaptation of the mater...

Tarot: Witch Of The Black Rose (Uncensored)

Hello, everyone!

I know it's been a few weeks without an update but, for the most part, I've been working on stuff I'd already mentioned here. So...it kind of seemed redundant to say I was working on all the stuff I'd already announced.

As you can see, I'm adding the uncensored version of Tarot: Witch Of The Black Rose for all of you to see in its boob-a-licious glory. The narration is exactly as what will appear on YouTube, but I've taken out all the censored images. Except for, ...

Coming Soon!

This past week I've been suffering from an insufferable cold. Every piece of narration was interrupted with sniffling, coughing or my voice cutting out into a not sexy rasp. However, this morning, I think that has finally passed and I can finally get some usable vocals in the can.

During this time, I spent it writing a lot of scripts to get my usual pile back into shape. Many of which are completed and ready to go! This week I will likely do the first video in the Reading List series, f...

What's In The Works

Elements Of A Comic Page is finally coming together after weeks of not being able to mentally piece it together. Hopefully, this will actually be done in a few days. This video acts as a very long introduction in defining the four basic elements (as pictured above). Should this prove to be of general interest, I will have two more videos (already written) to make going into detail about each element. A final video would cover how I analyze/utilize these elements to do reviews and interpretati...