Where's the line?

One of the new songs I've recorded is called "Hot Mess".  It's a funky-rock song all about... well... how can I put this delicately... cunningulus.

There I said it.  Cunningulus.  Just say it out loud and it'll be okay.  Just make sure your mom isn't in the same room.  Chances are, she knows that word and you don't.

For those of you who aren't familiar with the term, loosely translated it means "going down on a girl".

Are you blushing yet?

So here's the thing.  There's a few ways to go about this kind of subject matter, right?  There are lyrics like, "...I'll love you all through the night because I eat _______ oh so right..."  

What's the first word that comes to your mind?

Would I insert the word "pussy" into that lyric?  Or would I simply use "cherry pie" and let YOUR dirty mind illustrate what everyone else is already thinking?

Complicated, isn't it?  So, where do we draw the line on good taste? And who is the judge of good taste?  Your parents?  MY parents?  The government?  The Church?  Madonna?  Or do we simply slap a Parental Advisory sticker all over everything.  Those stickers pretty much paraphrase, "hey kid, this album has lots of swearing and sex and your mom doesn't want you to hear it."

Artists have been pushing the boundaries since the day those boundaries were established. 

Now, I'm not the type to delve too far into the "vulgar" territory.  At least not anymore... I think I'm all done with songs called "Fart In Your Mouth, Baby".  I'd rather sing a wink with a smile and let you read between the lines.  I mean, we all have those thoughts, but not broadcasting them bluntly is what makes them so inappropriate when we do.  And it makes us all feel like a little bit of a bad-ass on the inside for having those thoughts.

You.  Are.  Not.  Alone.

So enjoy this song when it comes out.  Don't worry... it won't be much longer now.

- Ryan

Superman Family Adventures

That right there might be the greatest first page I've seen in a comic book in a very, very long time.

I've been saying for a few years now that DC Comics needs to make a Superman that's strictly for kids. It's no secret that The Man of Steel hasn't been popular or cool for a very long time.  The only outlet that even almost made Kal-El relevant again was Smallville, but many die-hard fanboys found the show wasn't enough like the comics.

*sigh*

And yet, people just don't buy Superman comics anymore.  It's like a catch 22.

"He wears his underwear on the outside of his pants"
"He's too powerful to be taken realistically"
"He's boring"

The problem with Superman comics isn't the character, but the medium itself.  Sometime over the last 25 years or so, comics grew up with their audience.  You couldn't have a successful funny book unless the main character faced problems that readers could relate to.  But, six-year-old kids still think it's cool to see a guy in a cape throw a meteor into space.  How could DC Comics ignore this target market for so long?

I've been asking for a Superman who breaks the fourth wall, winks at the readers, and hurls stuff into space.  I've been wanting a Lois Lane who can break any story but can't seem to prove that Superman is really Clark Kent.  I've been itching for some good ol' "Great Caesar's Ghost!".

In Issue #1, Superman has to stop some "mysterious" robots from attacking Metropolis.  Turns out this is a big ploy for Lex Luthor to steal Superman's super-powers!  GASP!  What a simple, exciting, fun premise for a Superman story. 

I'll be reading this one for a long time to come.  Awwww yeah Krypto!