Fabtastic interview - Google Translate

I've been busy with tons of things so blogging wasn't a priority recently. To keep things alive I'll cut and paste the google translate version of my interview to an Israeli news website. My translation is at the previous post. Mine is more accurate, but the Google Translate one is more amusing...

Two and a Half Men: the comic series proud

Internet comics "overwhelming" number of families which have two fathers. An exclusive interview with comic creator says, Miki Blumenthal: "The most important message of 'stunning' is that the families of gay - lesbian is not so different from families Regulators

Honeysuckle Robinson | 03/03/2011 14:55

Has been a good few years we all know the nuclear family is not only father, mother, boy and girl. Enough to watch TV and see series like "modern family" to understand this. Today you can also put a "V" on the phenomenon of alternative comics families with the rise of a new Web site to air. " Fabtastic "the Israeli version of English," stunning ", is an online comic tells the story of Daddy and Papa and their two children. Comic itself is a proud mother and an illustrator named Sally Ann Hickman Father writes the name of Mickey Blumenthal answered some of our questions. Mickey is an Israeli living in London for 14 years with the British partner. Sally is a good friend also donated his own personal angle to the story. 

How was the idea of ​​comics? "My husband and I talked about kids occasionally, but it was not all that different from making plans for winning the lottery. Not really thought it would happen to us. Then one day when the subject came to our good friend just offered us her eggs. Suddenly we were on the way to become parents and we began to discover material interest in young children. Probably all the books, films and television series for children presented normative families of Western white mother and father. to find children's book with gay parents - lesbianism is not possible in most bookstores, but also in web search I found only five such books . as the creator you are always looking for inspiration and it immediately gave me a desire to create something that my son can enjoy it when a little older. Meanwhile, Sally's brother and his partner have adopted a few years ago so that she was motivated to create something similar and immediately went about it. "

How did you meet Sally? "I met Sally in 1999 when we both learned animation university degree in England. She was a cute blonde with pink cookies seemed a veteran of the Spiderman comic herself as a character. Soon we had a click. Prior to graduation, we began to collaborate as a writer painter, and another student group we have established 'Cheese comics. originally printed brochures ourselves and sold them at conferences across the UK but it was expensive, exhausting and frustrating. We decided to bring all the material online and since then we concentrate on the Internet. one day we have more readers online than buying all the pamphlets printed so far . We are of course happy to print the 'stunning' as a pamphlet or book, in English or Hebrew, but not self-published. has been a full decade has a very special connection between us symbiosis that exists only between people who have worked a lot of time together. When I write a script for Sally's a completely different process than when I write something more general like a movie script. I can see the result at the top and try to set the directions in which Sally is strong. It's great that despite all this, she still manages to surprise me. " 

Not really thought it would happen to us. Miki Blumenthal and his partner with their son Charles Units''

What audience are you designating the "stunning"? "'Overwhelming' turns kids, but still contains jokes older readers can appreciate, maybe even younger. Big time I want to see the site's 'overwhelming' becomes a kind of portal in which parents are proud of their children (as well as parents and children 'normal') can find all sorts of stories, comics, games and activities from a variety of different artists depict the reality of gay families - lesbian. but you can harness the cart before the horse, so now we Focus on one comics.The most important message of 'stunning' is that the families of gay - lesbian is not so different so many ordinary families the following stories did not touch at all on the subject will engage much more mundane issues that every family deals with them. My personal motivation is to offer children and families of gay - lesbian fictitious world that reflects the reality that sells them. At the same time I also want children to ordinary families will read the comics and learn about the different families of their own. " 

Having manifestations of homophobia toward comics? "Thankfully not. But mostly because of the chance that important to me comic turn to everyone. It's not surprising that the Middle-age children tend to homophobia because for the first time they are exposed to the concept of 'gay' are in the middle of puberty and very sensitive topic. There would argue that it is not proper to show a pair of young children and that gay brainwashing. then argue. "stunning" is a comic quite conservative in terms of violence and sexuality. there's blood or sex, compared with other series that kids also see like The Simpsons. In addition, I also want to show gays and lesbians of all ages are not should give up the dream to start a family. " 

So that's why the decision to translate it into Hebrew? "Yes. That comics have some very important messages I reach a wide audience as possible. As an Israeli boy who was a closet gay enough I gave up on the idea ever have children. I want to show gay Cairim young and less so in that they actually can be parents if they really want. It also has lots of gay families - lesbians in the country. As someone who grew up in Israel is very important for me to reach this audience. In retrospect, I do not see why not translated all of my comics so far into Hebrew. "stunning" is my first comic book in Hebrew, if We do not consider all my crap childhood notebooks. If I was going to read comics like 'amazing' when I was buried deep in the closet, it would do me the period of youth is much more optimistic. " 

"Overwhelming", the first gay Israeli comics, can be read here:
http://fabtasticcomics.com/h 

Fabtastic Interview

NRG, one of Israel's biggest news websites and publishers, has uploaded a new interview with me to their website. It's regarding my new webcomic Fabtastic.

Here's the long overdue translation...

--Mickey

http://www.nrg.co.il/online/47/ART2/218/246.html?hp=47&cat=310

Two and a Half Men : About a Proud Webcomic

The webcomic "Fabtastic" follows a family with two fathers.  In an exclusive interview, comics creator Mickey Blumental says: "Fabtastic's most important message is that gay families aren't that different from regular families".

Yaara Robinson  3/3/2011   14:55

For several years we have all known that the nuclear family is no longer just dad, mom, a boy and a girl. It's enough to see TV shows like "Modern Family" to understand that. Today we can also tick the box for the appearance of alternative families in comics with the debut of a new internet website. "Fabtastic" in English and its Hebrew version, "Mehamem", is a webcomic that tells the story of Daddy, Papa and their two children.  The webcomic itself is the proud son of an illustrator mommy named Sally-Anne Hickman and a writer daddy named Mickey Blumental who answered a few of our questions. Mickey is an Israeli who lives in London for 14 years with his British partner. Sally is a good friend of his who also has a personal angle to contribute to the story.

How did the idea for the comic come up?

My husband and I talked about children every now and then, but it wasn't very different to making plans for winning the lottery. We didn't really think it will ever happen to us. And then one day when the subject came up a very good friend of us simply offered us her eggs. Suddenly we were on the way to becoming parents and started showing great interest in material for young children. As it happens it was impossible to find books about gay parented families in most bookstores and even when looking on the internet I could only find five books. As a creator you always look for inspiration and it right away gave me the urge to create something that my son could enjoy when he is a little older. In paralel, Sally's brother and his partner adopted a child a few years ago so she also had the motivation to create similar material and we just went for it.

How did you meet Sally?

I met Sally in 1999 when the two of us were animation students in an English university. She was a cute blonde with pink ponytails and a Spider-Man bag and looked like a comicbook character herself. We clicked immediately. Near the end of our degree we started working together as an artist and writer and with another student we formed "Cheese Comics". Initially we printed our own comics and sold them in comics conventions across Britain, but it was expensive, exhausting and frustrating. We decided to upload all the material on-line and since then we've concentrated on the Internet. In one day we have more readers than with all the printed issues we sold. We're obviously going to be very happy to see Fabtastic get printed in magazine or book form, but not by self-publishing. For a decade now we have this special symbiotic connection that exists only between people who worked together for a long time. When I'm writing a script for Sally it's an entirely different process to when I'm writing something more general, like a movie script. I can imagine the result in my head and I try to aim into areas where Sally excels. It's great that even then she still manages to surprise me.

We didn't really think it will ever happen to us. Mickey Blumental with his husband and son.

What's Fabtastic's taget audience?

Fabtastic is aimed at children, but still contains many jokes that more mature readers can appreciate, even more so than the younger ones. I'd like to see Fabtastic turned to some sort of web portal where gay parents and their children (as well as "normal" parents and children) can find all kinds of stories, comics, games and activities from a variety of creators which portray the reality of a gay parented family. But you can't put the cart before the horse and for now we're concentrating on one comics series. Fabtastic's most important message is that gay parented families aren't that different from regular families so many future stories won't even touch that subject and will deal with far more common issues every family has to deal with it. My personal motivation is to offer children from gay parented families a fictional world that reflects a reality they are familiar with. At the same time I want children from regular families to read the comics and learn about families different from their own.

Have you encountered any homophobia towards the comics?

Fortunately not, but precisely because of that possibility it's important to me that the comics will target everyone. It's not surprising that kids in high school have homophobic tendencies since the first time they are exposed to the term "homosexual" they are in the midst of reaching puberty and are very sensitive to the subject. There are some who will argue that it's inappropriate to show gay couples to small children and that it's brainwashing. So let them.  Fabtastic is actually a fairly conservative comics series in terms of violence and sexuality. It has no blood or sex, unlike other series that children do see like the Simpsons. Also, I want to show gays and lesbians of all ages that they don't need to give up on the dream of starting their own family.

Is that why you decided to translate it to Hebrew as well?

Yes. There are some messages from this comics that it is very important to me that they reach as wide an audience as possible. As an Israeli teenager in the closet I pretty much gave up on the idea that I will ever have children. I want to show young homosexuals and not so young ones in Israel that they actually can become parents if they really want to. Also, there are many gay parented families there. As someone who grew up in Israel it's very important to me to reach that audience. In hindsight I don't understand why I didn't translate all my comics to Hebrew. Fabtastic is my first comics in Hebrew if we discount scribbles in notebooks from my childhood. If I got to read comics like Fabtastic when I was buried deep in the closet, it would have filled my teenage years with much more optimism.

Gay Hotels Are So Gay

I've written here in the past about the English hotel that was found guilty of discrimination against a gay couple. Now the Equality and Human Rights Commission is investigating gay-only hotels to see if they are also guilty of discrimination against straight people.

Oh, my goodness. 

To me it's a bit like shutting down a racist white pride group and then going after a few black groups just to be fair. Here's the thing: there are some things that minority groups, especially ones who suffer from constant discrimination and hostility, can get away with. 

Miron and I stay at regular hotels. If it's a small one we ensure to make it clear that we're a gay couple when booking to prevent any problems at check-in. But I can see why some gay couples would rather go to a gay-only hotel, a place where they can relax and be themselves without worrying what the people around them might think or say if they happened to hold hands or, God forbid, kiss in public.

I don't think barring straight people is necessary. In 2006 we went on a gay cruise to Alaska and while the majority of the passengers were gay men, there were also some lesbians and a very small group of straight friends and family members of other passengers. It was quite refreshing to be on this little bubble where gays were suddenly not the minority. I think just stating that a place is gay-friendly or gay-targeted is enough to repel homophobes.

Little secret: gay clubs and bars are full of hot straight women who go there to have fun without being constantly hit on by guys who just want a quick roll in the sack.

Alaska Cruise 2006 - I'm such a handsome devil

I think gay hotels will go out of business once discrimination and hostility towards gay people will be a thing of the past. Since that's not going to happen anytime soon, perhaps the watchdog can leave them alone for now? Especially since they admitted there's not even one single complaint about discrimination made against gay hotels in Britain EVER.

--Mickey

Introducing: Fabtastic!

One of the things that kept me busy and away from this blog is finally ready to be revealed:

Fabtastic, a kid-friendly comics series about a gay parented family. The first story is on-line for your reading pleasure. Please let me know what you think and feel free to spread the word if you like it!

--Mickey

Two Years Without Kato

Kato & Baby Blake

Today two years ago Kato died, our first Great Dane. By us I mean Miron and me. Any other dogs in my life before Kato were my mother's responsibility. I wrote a big post about Kato and it just kept inflating to the point that I had to break it into chapters with lots of pictures. It would've been nice to have it ready for the second anniversary, but with the trip to Canada in the middle and other responsibilities I didn't really get the time to focus on it properly. Hopefully it'll be ready to share soon.

I haven't written about losing Kato until now because it was quite hard for me. The first few months without him were particularly brutal.

I still miss you dearly, Kato. Always will. Big doggie cuddles and kisses wherever you are.

--Mickey

I'm Back (again).

We came back from our Toronto-Winnipeg trip on Tuesday, but we're all still jetf***ed, pardon my french. Poor Blakey wakes up late, goes to bed on time, but then wakes up in the middle of the night from his "nap". You can see the sheer confusion on his face. The grownups are doing slightly better, but only slightly. I might write a bit about our trip later on.

During the trip Blake has developed an obsession with what is possibly the gayest song in the history of the known universe: Part of Your World from the Disney's The Little Mermaid. I sang it to Blake from memory; he fell in love with it without ever hearing the original! It's so nice that when they are so young they have such low standards for quality. I'm not a terrible singer, but I suspect that if I sang it on American Idol Randy Jackson would make a face and say "Aaaaah... I don't know, dawg, that was a bit pitchy" (mostly because that what he says half of the time). Simon Cowell, if he was still around, would say "what a peculiar song choice, it was like hearing a zebra eating a cactus".

It used to be one of my favourite songs ever, but after singing it (what seems like) hundreds of times over the last couple of weeks it's dropping down the charts quickly.

Regardless, it's quite fun for me to interrogate Blake for his song choice. All the old favourites are refused with a playful "no" nod of the head.

"Wheels on the Bus?" No. "Itsy Bitsy Spider?" No. "I'm the Music Man?" No. "Old McDonald"? Hesitation... No.

"Look at This Stuff?" (the first line from the song). Blake slaps his wrist in approval and grins.

As I start singing his eyes open up in amazement and a warm smile spreads across his face. It is unbelievable for me that my singing will have that effect on anyone, but there it is: he is utterly captivated and hangs on to every word, melting .

I showed Blake the original song on YouTube and he liked it quite a bit. It was a relief because I was getting tired of singing it 3-4 times in a row by request. He still likes my version better, though! Suck on that, Jodi Benson!

Don't know how long it will last, but I'm enjoying my short singing career.

Here's the song in question. It's Jodi Benson's original from the Disney movie. I'd upload my own version, but I don't want to break the internet.

--Mickey

Working Nine to Five...

What a way to make a living!

Actually only the song title applies to me because I actually like my new job unlike that whiner Dolly Parton. That's why I didn't write over the last few days, I was busier than usual.

Well, actually I just got addicted to CityVille on Facebook. I jest, not really. But it is pretty good for a Facebook game. 

Where was I? Oh yes, the new job. Since last friday I've gone out to work in central London going back to being a full-time game designer since Blake was born. Yes, I did some part-time teaching over the last two years and worked from home as freelance and on my own projects, but it's not the same as going out every day for the entire day. Also, in this job I don't get the plentiful holidays that come with teaching or working freelance. So it's a big change for all of us, but now that Blake is two and a half and all grown up (well, almost), I feel ready for this.

The worst part is undoubtedly being away from Blake for most of the day, especially since he's usually still asleep when I leave the house, but at the same time it makes coming back home to him (and that other guy, the one I married) all the more exciting. It already became a routine: As soon as I put the key in the door the dogs go crazy and rush to me and then I have to make my way through them to get to Blake who's grinning with sheer joy. I pick him up and have to hold him for at least fifteen minutes. I don't even get to take off my warm coat or bag. I remember as a kid being so excited when I'd hear the jingle of my dad's keys when he got home in the evening and how my brother and I would rush to hug him (and claim the snacks he always brought us). Now I'm the father on the other side of the door and it's so unreal to me.

It's a big change for Blake who's used to spend most of his time with me, but he's taking it like a champ. He gets to spend more time with Miron and I think it's great for both of them. In a couple of months he probably won't even remember me. 

I gladly take over Blake duties as soon as I get home, giving him dinner, playing with him and giving him a bath. These aren't chores, they are treats awaiting me at home.

Another great aspect of going out to work full time every day is that weekends once again feel truly special. I kinda missed that special friday feeling and since my job is pretty darn cool I don't get the monday blues.

Another down side is that now I have much less time to work on my own personal projects, but it just means they'll just take a little longer. I hope to have lots of exciting things to reveal here on this blog both from my new job and my own projects. It's better to be too busy than not busy enough. That's how serial killers start out. They're like, hey, there's nothing good on TV, maybe I should go kill some half-naked campers. 

Not that there's anything wrong with that, it's just not my thing.

--Mickey

Itsy Bitsy Spider : Exclusive Web Premiere!

Blake has really got into Itsy Bitsy Spider recently. We have to do it several times a day whenever the mood strikes, and that's almost always. During breakfast, during bath time, during, well... Everything.

Blake's new iPod can record video so I found out he actually recorded himself practicing the routine! Yes, he's a two and a half year old who records himself. I bet he'll have his own video podcast by the time he's four. Writing blogs with words is so 2010.

Anyway, here's the video:

Note the artistic lighting and camera angle. I have a lot to learn from the maestro.

And here's the full performance. You've seen it here first. When me and Blake will tour the world you'll be like "hey, I was a fan before they were famous". You don't have to comment about my singing voice. I already know it's amazing. Hopefully with this video out there in the open I'll finally get discovered by a talent scout.

We do birthdays, bar-mitzvahs, weddings and bachelorette parties. We accept all major chocolate bars and tummy rubs.

--Mickey

Three Down, Three Hundred and Sixty Two To Go.

OK, 2011 hasn't been too awesome so far. That's good. I would much rather the year wouldn't peak too soon. By all means let it burn slowly.

The thing is, Blake woke up with a high temperature on Christmas morning and has recovered since, but his illness has passed to me via Miron. As a result, with the exception of one night walk with the doggies last night, I haven't left the house at all this year.

It's not all bad. In fact, it's a lot of not bad.  While I feel a bit groggy the medicine takes away most of the symptoms and I get to have big naps with Blake in the middle of the day, play videogames (Blake demands at least once a day that I'd play Forza Motorsport 3 on the X-Box 360 and I must oblige) and watch lots of TV shows on my computer. I watched so much CSI over the last few days Blake must think I've been Skyping a lot with his Uncle Horatio from Miami.

There's actually a lot on my plate for 2011, so much that it's a bit overwhelming when I try to think about all of it in one sitting, so this lull is actually quite welcome. The calm before the storm or some nonsense like that.

The highlight of 2011 so far? The Chinese food we ordered in today.

Before I wrap up this post, here's a picture of a lettuce I got from google image search:

I'm sick, give me a break. It's the best I could do for now.

--Mickey

Don't Let The Door Hit You On The Way out, 2010!

Another year comes to an end. While 2010 wasn't all bad (how could it be when I got to spend every single day of it with my miracle baby boy?) it was certainly not the easiest year we've had.

The dogs alone kept us busy most of the year: Dexter's behavioral problems, Leo's leg operation, Dexter's eye injury, the scary occasional fighting between the two of them. At least it seems like they're both healing now (though Dexter squints a lot with his recovering eye and earned the nickname "Popeye") and since their training and Dexter's neutering they behave much better. Dexter isn't only less crazy, he's also much more interested in cuddling and hugging.

Popeye

Popeye yawns

At the beginning of the year we were quite concerned about Blake's communication skills, but he's now saying a few words and can read around 150 words, even when I use handwriting. Blake has blossomed this year and I look forward to see what 2011 has in store for him, but also dread losing this current version of Blake as he grows out of it.

Christmas is exciting!

There were other issues I won't discuss on this blog for personal reasons, issues which kept me from writing regularly here and there, but I'm glad to say that as 2010 neared its end each one of those issues was addressed with a potential solution, so on all fronts 2010 ends on a note of optimistic hope. It's not happily ever after yet, but there's light at the end of the tunnel. There's also a nest of killer bees and a group of evil ninjas in that tunnel, but I'm sure we'll pass them with minimal damage. I hope!

Best wishes for 2011! 

To end the year with style, here's a cute follow up video to show Blake's reading skills. I used a marker so it'll be more visible on video, but he can also read thiner lines made by a regular pen.

--Mickey

Best Worst Christmas

On Christmas eve we had delicious duck with bucket-loads of trimmings. Blake ate a little and the rest was obliterated by the two of us. Well, there were left overs, but by now they are also almost completely gone. We all hung around the living room and Blake suddenly rediscovered the big inflatable soft ball that was lying around the living room for the last nineteen months - it was Blake's first ever birthday present for his first ever birthday. We played happily, but we were all unusually tired and turned in at ten.

Blake is encouraged to go to sleep in his own bed, but most nights he'd prefer to go to our bed. It's something we're still working on ever since he got his own real bed instead of the cot and now can get out whenever he wants. But it was Christmas so we let him join us (he's got us wrapped around his little finger, yes). 

Turned out Blake wasn't as sleepy as us and he kept bouncing around in the dark all over the bed happily. Miron managed to fall asleep somehow. I decided that I can just as well go down and do the dishes if I'm being kept up. Blake followed me down, but by the time I was done he was gone. When I went up I saw that he already went back to our bed and was fast asleep. I was wide awake at that point so I played some games on my iPhone and then went to bed as well.

Christmas morning arrived. We took Blake down to the presents and started we opening them, but Blake was uninterested. He was being a bit miserable. I tried giving him breakfast, but he ate very little. He was also very warm. We checked his temperature and it was over 39 degrees. Poor puppy woke up sick on Christmas morning!

A bit of Calpol and Blake was almost back to his old self and he managed to enjoy the numerous additions to his Thomas the Tank Engine collection. He also got three books, two of them about Thomas, a magic drawing board, two miniature animals for his collection (it's getting difficult to get ones he doesn't have yet!), some posh candy and a big fluffy Tigger.

Thomas loot

New bestest cuddly friend

We didn't go crazy with presents this year. I'm hard to shop for because I usually get the stuff I really want right away as soon as it is available and if we can afford it. I told Miron I don't want an iPad, Kindle or X-Box Kinect. I did jokingly mention I need underwear so I expected one box as a joke. Instead I got three boxes of underwear and a Chinese cookbook. Hooray! Miron got two books, toffee sweets and crappy massage blobby thingie. It didn't matter. It was all about seeing Blake reactions to his presents. The dogs also got bones, pig ears and toys and were very excited and happy.

Our turkey was delicious, but Blake ate very little. Regardless, we all had a great time doing a whole lot of nothing and just hanging around with each other.

Blake had a very rough night and since he slept with us, so did we. His temperature reached 40 at one point and he was utterly miserable. He kept waking up crying which not only disturbed our sleep, but was also heartbreaking.

Today Blake was getting better. He ate some cereal for breakfast and lots of chips for lunch. His temperature was gradually getting better, but in the afternoon he got cranky again. I put him down for a nap from which he woke up screaming. I tried singing to him, tell him stories, sooth him and even show him some videos. Nothing helped, not even CSI: Miami. I took him to our bed and I realized that all he really wanted was for me to shut the hell up. With silence and darkness he fell asleep again.

Blake woke up since and ate some sweet corn and now wanders around being his old self. So there you go. Blake's first proper Christmas was actually not that awesome, but that's OK. Because it means it can only get better. For example he'll get two Tiggers next year, not just one! Bring on Christmas 2011! 

--Mickey