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The Comic Book Radio Novice by Mike Heronime
Last Thursday night I was interviewed by The Comic Book Novice crew during their radio broadcast in New York City. It was 30 minutes of me nervously cramming a thousand thoughts into every statement I made. If you missed my inexperienced turn on the airwaves of the Big Apple, don't cry, Puddin'. Thanks to the kind folks at MFC Studios, makers of the Comic Book Novice radioshow, I have been able to re-broadcast the show here in my podcast. Click here to listen to the 30 minute radio show in its entirety.

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Being on their show was a blast for me. It's fun talking about comic books and even more fun when you think someone's listening. I want to especially thank Peter Palmiotti, writer, artist, and inker extraordinaire, for hooking me up with MFC Studios. Peter is one of the show's hosts who, among other things, is also inking one of our titles here at PositiveBrand, the always action-packed space romp titled "The Arena."

I also want to extend thanks to the entire MFC Studios crew. Here's their bios below — as stolen from their website at www.mfc-studios.com. Visit their site to download past productions of their radio show.

The MFC Studios Team:

Mark Torres: Since childhood, Mark Torres wanted to be a part of comics. Whether it was drawing or writing them, that's all he wanted to do. There was no other job or career in his mind. No fireman, cop, doctor, nothing but being in comics. After graduating from Hillcrest High School in Queens, New York, he set out to be an artist. After attending the New York Academy of Comic Book Art and Fantasy Illustration, he then realized that writing is where it is at. They control the character and his/her destiny. But many rejections later, he decided that he could do it himself. He had the ideas, but he needed money. With his buisness partner, M.F.C Studios was born. Now 7 Years later (and through a unique set of circumstances) Mark is writing his soon-to-be published book "The Chosen Few" and is the host of "The Comic Book Novice" radio show.

Peter Palmiotti: Peter Palmiotti's professional career started way back in 1991 during a few late night jams in the Marvel bullpen! From that moment on he was sold,..although times have not always been easy he has yet to lose his love
for this crazy world of comics!

Growing up with his brother, Jimmy Palmiotti (comic inker, sometimes artist, writer and editor) his love started very young, for art as well as for comics. Drawing from the age of 3 it was always just for the fun of it (even after going to art school, art for him was too personal to do for a living) until he walked into the offices of Marvel. That was when hobbie became career! After starting out inking some unknown independents, he moved on to work at Valiant working under comicbook professional Bob Layton! While there, he worked around a fulltime dayjob his first real studio experience doing background inks and some production work all the while working nights and weekends to refine his craft on a few more obscure indys and then later on Razor. Inking that book was really a defining moment for semi young Peter, working with his good friend Rich Pollard. Long conversations with Rich and many late hours later his work took on a new power and confidence that wasn't there before. Then he got lucky.

"Marvel Comic Presents" was his first major gig,.. just a couple of pages, then some on a Punisher war journal. He was making some progress. But his first real work (and what he still considers his best work as a whole) came to him on Aquaman! His past Relationship with his good buddy Jim Calafiore from his Valiant days payed off. Sure,.. he still had to prove himself good enough,..but after much longer days and more hard work he proved he could pull it off

Hassan Godwin: "I work for Wizard Magazine...." Hassan would say. Then he'd continue "...In accounting."

That pretty much sums up Hassan Godwin. Hassani (as his very close) friends call him has been an intern at Acclaim and Marvel Comics. As "The man on the inside" Hassan has his own unique view of the state of the industry and has no problem voicing that view each and every opportunity he gets. Hassan is now the backbone of "The Comic Book Novice" blog and appears regularly on "The Comic Book Novice" radio show, somtimes speaking out of his arse, other times raising the bar on the level of intelligence that surrounds him. Hassan can debate many topics with class and style not too often heard in the comic book industry.

Jennifer Smith: Jennifer Smith is the backbone behind "The Comic Book Novice" as she is herself a novice when it comes to comic books or the "graphic novel". Despite her lack of knowledge, Jen was thrust into the comic book world and has since contributed many interesting viewpoints to the show. Despite her original reservations, Jen kept an open mind ans is now enjoying a long and lenghty stay in the many universers created by Marvel, DC, and Image to name just a few. Some of her favorite comics are "Squee", "Meridian", "sailor Moon", "Y The Last Man, and "Sandman".

Jennifer is 27 years old and currently attends college. She laughingly describes herself as being on a 5-year plan at a 2-year college. Jen hopes to eventually attain an Associates Degree in Liberal Arts, with an emphasis on the Sciences.

Jen's birthday is Christmas Day and this helps explain her preferences for fall and winter over summer. Regardless of her hostile attitude towards muggy and hot summer days, Jen enjoys swimming. Her phobia of Jellyfish, however prevents her from enjoying the beaches of Long Beach, where she grew up. Jen's favorite color is purple, with green and blue running a close second. She loves reading, and hopes to one day write her own novel.

Belkis: Belkis was born and raised in New Jersey. After high school, she went to Marymount Manhattan College where she studied Theatre and Communications. After receiving her BA, Belkis worked on several short independent films. Afterwards, she landed a job in the print production industry where she's been working for the past three years. Belkis is currently working on a calendar in association with the Comic Artist Guild. During her spare time, Belkis loves reading books , writing and traveling. As the newest member of "The Comic Book Novice" Belkis adds a unique outlook to the show. She is a true novice and brings the "every woman" view to the show.

So, what do you think? Agree? Disagree? Give us your feedback.