United 93 comes out today and I desperately wanted to address it. Not so much in the comic because there’s really nothing funny about the subject matter. But I at least wanted to give it a passing mention so that it might open the door into some commentary for the blog.

I won’t lie. There’s part of me that doesn’t want to see United 93 at all. There’s part of me that finds the idea of a movie stitching together dramatized events from 9/11 and spitting them out for entertainment purposes repellant. There’s a part of me that doesn’t want to touch this film with a ten-foot pole largely because I’m afraid of it. I don’t want to revisit the uncertainty of that day. "Too soon" has been the rallying cry of like-minded individuals.

But then I step back and think about it. All of the reasons I don’t want to see United 93 are exactly the reasons why I should.

So rarely are we offered art that challenges us in a mainstream environment. We cry and complain about the lack of good movies in the theater. Then when a director like Paul Greengrass takes an artistic leap, we all shy away and fail to catch him. Less and less movies like these are made and eventually all we’re left with is Deuce Bigaloo: European Gigolo. I think we owe it to ourselves not to approach United 93 with our hearts but with our minds. Some of that horror is good to revisit. It reminds us of how far we’ve come in 5 years and what needs to be changed.

Reviews for United 93 have been strong. Critics are not calling the film exploitive be almost a version of cinema verite in then sense that everything unspools from minute to minute. All of the actors are anonymous, so we’re not distracted. We literally become a passenger along side the others. The film doesn’t make judgements through hindsight. It doesn’t editorialize events with what we know today. The film literally does not know anything more than those people did as things transpired. I have to give credit to Greengrass. That was exactly the right way to handle it.

Maybe this is all a little much to dive into first thing in the morning. But I’m addressing it because I think it’s important. Even though it will be difficult to watch, I think United 93 is the kind of art that is good for the soul and I hope to see it soon.

That aside, I hope you enjoyed today’s comic. It was a real treat to draw. The whole "angel on one shoulder, devil on the other" thing has been done a million different ways. But I felt kind of proud of myself for drawing Pac-Man into the mix. I think his expression in the 3rd panel is one of the most favorite things I’ve drawn. I’d slap it on a shirt if Namco wouldn’t slap me with a lawsuit!

Regarding the pre-sale of "Theater Hopper: Year One," I want to give a quick word of thanks to everyone who responded so quickly to my personal appeal in Wednesday’s blog. Literally no sooner than 15 minutes after I posted it, a few more orders came across my inbox. That you guys understand how important this project is to me personal speaks volumes and I appreciate it.

I’ve gotten e-mails from people saying, "I don’t have the money right now, but I’m getting paid in two weeks and I’m totally there!" I think that’s amazing and I applaude those who are keeping the book in the back of their minds.

I know what it’s like – the whole money thing (or lack thereof). I’m living it right alongside you. So I understand not having the cash to buy my book. But for me it’s the launching point  for 3 and a half years of catalogued work (and growing). I want to keep producing books and it’s vital that this one makes a strong showing out of the gate. Otherwise, the whole thing is in danger of  disintegrating.

That sounds a little dramatic, I know. But I take it seriously and appreciate anyone else willing to support Theater Hopper who sees things the same way. You guys are aces in my book!

Best wishes to all of you this weekend. I’ll catch up with you soon.