Good Choices…Bad Choices.
I’ve said it before– but if you’d like to start from the beginning of this story arc, since we’re 27 page in, go ahead and START HERE.
Deacon, is of course, based on my own Dad. Of course I’m making most of this stuff up, but my Dad is one of my heroes. He’s rittled with regrets, that often a bottle or two would make seap out of him. Especially the problem with his first marriage. He was too young, common story, you know? He has grown daughters, I have grown older sisters that we don’t talk to and I’ve never known. They were probably always told lies about what a bad guy he was, etc. Heck, one of my half sisters lives less than a mile from me, right around the bend my Dad says. One night, not so long ago, we had a conversation and he had fallen back into the bottle a little bit just from being BORED and and 60.– but he pleaded with me to contact these sisters I’ve never talked to and like fix things. Actually, I talked to one of them once when I worked at a local video store when I was 19, I saw the name and told the lady… Hey, you’re so and so… and she said yeah… and I said… “Hey, I’m your little brother, DJ!” and I laughed.. she looked kinda freaked out, and her daughter, my neice… I said, “HEY, I’m Uncle DJ!” — and I gave them their rentals for free– they didn’t come back or I quit before that to go work at a coffee shop. — Now, the reason I bring this up is, I think this was the first time I ever really saw a weakness in my Dad. A REAL regret creeping in. I mean, I always knew he felt bad about it, and there had been some sort of trials of reconciliation but it never worked out. But that half drunken conversation with my dad mad me think about things. LIke, there are things in MY life I have regret over, and keep them quiet… and now seeing him say that.. I thought… wow, these are stories.
I think deep down my Dad thinks he’s a failure, like he hasn’t accomplished anything really in his life but surviving and reproducing. He’s a lot more emotional nowadays, most men do that when they’re in their 60s and up, so I hear. — He doesn’t read the internet, probably never will. He’ll likely never see these words I’m writing about him here, unless I print it out and show it to him. I did surprise him a week or so ago and said:
“Oh, hey Dad, I’m doing a whole story about the DEACON character and the Heck’s Angels and reading the bible at bars…” — He just laughed a proud jolly laugh. “You Crazy kid!”, he was probably thinking. I do plan on showing him this story, because I think he’ll really dig on it. He loves comics. But he loves comics mostly because his son draws comics. And you know, this whole deal now… this ORIGIN thing, tales I’m going to tell you all from now on… it’s more about my DAD than it will be about me. I’m writing about my hero here. After all, I wouldn’t be here now if it wasn’t for him. I don’t mean just HERE physically, being of a biological makeup and DNA structures— there IS that.. but also, Drawing comics! I wouldn’t be here drawing comics if it weren’t for my Dad.
He always stood by me and supported what I wanted to do. Even when teachers at school had the parent teacher conferances and told him “Your son has cartoon tunnel vision, it’s all he thinks about is drawing comics…” — or when people discouraged me for wanting to draw newspaper comics…. he never did. He always had a GO FOR IT attitude.
He should’ve been dead when I was 14.
He had a major heart attack and, well, for all intents and purposes, he was dead for a good time, and they brought him back. His life was much different after that. Now, when I was 14 and 15 I was working at a comic book shop called HEROES 4 HIRE in downtown, Palm Springs, CA. My Dad had a little bit of money from an insurance settlement after his heart attack– turned out the Marriot Hotel didn’t have insurance on it’s laborers, my Dad had gotten into “stagecraft” like helping to build and tear down big sets at this theater or movie sets and crap. So he decided after seeing me spend all my allowance on comics, and all my friends spend their money on allowances that he’d open a COMIC BOOK STORE. And he opened it at a GOOD TIME too. It was the MAD 90s in comic books…. he didn’t really KNOW that, but his store did really well out there… well, until the DEATH OF SUPERMAN aftermath. People came in droves to buy that gimmick up– thinking it would be worth zillons– but then DC fucked up and brought Supes back and there were a TON of angry speculators and people who had gotten INTO comics on the hype– -they werent all speculators, there were NEW people flowing in.. business was booming— but it seemed like the DEATH OF SUPERMAN was the death of the 90s boom. The minute the word got out that it was a gimmick– people stopped buying comics in droves. —- Back then, 1992-1993, I thought i was going to be the NEXT hotshot YOUNG GUN comic book dude. OH YEAH! By happinstance I ended up actually hanging out with famous comic book stars at the time, and WOW, I thought it was all gonna happen baby!— …. it didn’t.
My Dad ended up moving his shop back here to Fayette-NAM, PA. It did well for awhile, this was the POG BOOM times. He made more money on POGS and MAGIC cards then on actual comic book sales. And people would come in around here and say — WHERE’S THE POOL TABLE??? After about the 10,000th time in hearing that, my Dad converted it into a Pool Hall and made more money. The 90s comic boom was DEAD. I never was the hotshot NEW YOUNG GUY! Never was the JOE MAD. And you know what, looking back, I’m glad I wasn’t. Where are any of them now?? Funny how time gives you a whole new perspective. —
But the point of that WHOLE ranting was…. My Dad did all that stuff for ME. He didn’t REALLY care about COMIC BOOKS. He did it specifically for me, to keep interest in COMICS. And it DID help me, SO much. I wish I could repay him in some other way, but I try to be a GOOD DAD like he is, I try my best to use his common sense and patience in public. And now, I want to share what life with the DEACON was like. THrough thick and thin…. that’s what a LOT of ORIGIN will be. My Dad might not feel like he accomplished anything spectacular in his life, but HE DID, and i hope to share it all with you guys and gals.
I remember his tale of regret, the painful look in his eye– asking ME for help. I don’t know if this will ever do any good, but this is what I CAN DO. Maybe someday when one of his daughters googles the name DONALD L. COFFMAN or DONALD LOUIS COFFMAN they’ll find this entry. Or maybe they’ll know that this Donald Coffman was born October 30, 1944.
Or maybe it’ll be one of this grandkids he never knew, searching for info on that side of the family. If so… HELLO. I’m you’re something or other related and I draw comics on the internet. (and in books) — and yeah, I also live not that far from you. And, my Dad is a GOOD MAN. You’re father or your grandfather or great great grandfather, is a GOOD MAN with a kind heart. Don’t believe me? Read his story here. They might not know he was named after his uncle, DONALD McELHANEY, who died storming the beaches on D-Day. (not sure what beach) - Don McElhaney being the brother of THELMA McELHANEY, Don’s mom, who also left this world a couple years ago with the name THELMA COFFMAN.
My Dad and I have never been those FATHERS AND SONS who don’t say “I love you” — we always say that, all the time. I think that’s something he learned from his relationship with his Dad. Remember that flashback scene, ON THIS PAGE? — yeah, I think that sums up the relationships a lot of sons had with their working fathers in the 50s. — But anyway, this whole thing right now is an ode to my Dad. I’ve been wanting to write this part out in the blog for awhile, but held off until we were a good ways into his story and you understood a man of his character a little more.
Thanks for reading. MUCH more to come. We might go into some DARK places soon– but people over the years kept telling me in books and advice and blah blah blah— “write what you know.” — So, I’m gonna do that now and for some time to come.
I hope all of you stick around for the ride.
Recent Topics: Pittsburgh, Self Publishing, Sequential Art, The Bar, Bikers, Beer, The Bible, Jonah, Donald Coffman, Donald Louis Coffman, Donald L. Coffman, Thelma Coffman, Thelma McElhaney, Kelly Addis, Tracy Addis, Coffman Family, Coffman, The Coffmans
August 11th, 2006 at 6:30 am
Dammit, Coffman, you should have taken this dramatic turn a long time ago! This kicks the shit out of pop culture references and potty humor. I actually care about one of your characters for the first time. Maybe “Origin” should have won the Comic Book Challenge!
Anyway, your passion for this story shows through in the writing and artwork. Keep it up, Coffman. If “Hero by Night” is even half as good as this, I’ll be first in line.
August 11th, 2006 at 6:33 am
What an intro ! Just do what you think is right DJ.. A lot of us here really dig what you are doing so whenever you present your dad the book, i know it will make him proud.
(remember who got the idea first lol)
Maybe you should let him sign a few copies of this origin story
Nice what you are doing with the namesdropping of your “distant” close family.. Just remember to pay your hosting bill
And it’s great that you have this relationship with your dad now, a lot of people don’t know anything about the life of their parents.
And now BACK TO WORK you bum !
WaveX
Belgium, probably the best Belgium in the whole world
August 11th, 2006 at 7:37 am
Sounds like you just wrote the introduction for you first Origin published work. seriously. you need to put that in the printed book bro. It will make the story feel that much more emotional and powerful.
August 11th, 2006 at 7:50 am
DJ, I’d buy the rights of Origin to publish it in Spain. Seriously. Send me an email if you’re interested.
August 11th, 2006 at 7:51 am
You’re a good man, DJ. : )
August 11th, 2006 at 8:42 am
Very very touching DJ.
Good work.
August 11th, 2006 at 8:45 am
Thanks people…. And yeah, Paul S., I’ve gotten this bug now for storytelling like this, for some reason– and nothing against the pop culture GAGs, but they just don’t give me juice anymore.
I do have plans to insert “humor” to break up the flows a bit, but it’ll work in conjuntion with the stories– I even found a way to keep the Llama in this stuff in an interesting way. More on that next week!
August 11th, 2006 at 8:58 am
Beautifully written DJ! I, for one, am enjoying the ride. And I agree with Jason, definately print this blog as the “Forward” to the Origin print book. Take care.
August 11th, 2006 at 9:10 am
This is Logan, sticking around as I have been wont to do.
Thanks for sharing with us, DJ.
August 11th, 2006 at 9:30 am
Good work DJ…
That’s all I can really say is good work. And thank you Mr. Coffman.
August 11th, 2006 at 10:46 am
KNOW WHEN YOUR DAD READS THIS HE WILL BE PROUD, GOOD WORK, DJ
August 11th, 2006 at 1:34 pm
McElhaney… McElhaney… that sounds reaaaaal familiar. Any relatives up around the Evans City area? That grow some damn tasty corn?
Awesome awesome entry. I usually don’t read blog posts that are this long, but this held me to it. Your dad’s a lucky guy.
August 11th, 2006 at 2:47 pm
DJ,
Origin is a great story, and the entry today about your father was particulary touching. It hit me right in the heart. My own father has a son he has never seen from a previous marriage, and technically he was my step-dad. He married my mom when I was only two, and I’ve never known the biological father.
It never mattered because my Dad was the only father I ever needed. We never shared a lot of common interests - he always loved cars and motor sports, I was into sci-fi and computers - but the few things we did share have become more precious to me as the years have gone by.
I nearly lost him to a heart attack earlier this year, and I kicked myself for the few years when college, a failed marriage and other things kept me too busy to go to baseball games with him or pack up and go on a fishing trip. I’m his son, he’s my Dad, and I will never let anything come between us again.
Sorry to take up so much space, but you brought a lot of emotion out today. I guess that’s what good storytellers do. Keep up all of the great work, DJ. I’m in for the long haul.
August 11th, 2006 at 5:28 pm
I love the story arc as well but one thing you said struck a cord “I think deep down my Dad thinks he’s a failure, like he hasn’t accomplished anything really in his life but surviving and reproducing.” All life is is filling in the time from when you are born to the day you die. That’s it. At the end of the day if you can say “I had a great family, enjoyed the hell out of my life and spend good time with friends” then you’ve won. I work as an Underwriter for an insurance company and I see first hand how futile life is. 20 somethings buying renters insurance for $40,000. In their 30’s and 40’s they get their $250,000 home, a jewelry policy, nice autos,etc. In their 50’s they get a PLUP and work on life insurance. In their 70’s and 80’s they sell everything move into assisted living and wait to die. Material things mean nothing at that point and all that hard work to obtain them is gone. You can never get time back. Enjoy your life and then you die. That’s the motto to live by and you are doing a good job of it.
August 11th, 2006 at 8:58 pm
Sometimes it’s hard for a man to accept that that’s all there is to it. There is a LEGACY we all live behind– you hope maybe you’re remembered– not as necessarily as a SUPER STAR, but if your story is passed down to the generations in your family– you’ve done good.
I say, go about and do what you love to do. That’s hard though, some people never know what they REALLY want. At least in my studies.
August 12th, 2006 at 12:35 pm
I’m enjoying this storyline OK, and the explanatory notes show just how closely it’s derived from life. Still, I miss the shampoo-fucking jokes that first brought me to this place. It’s too bad you can’t do both, since they’re both worthy items. This storyline feels like the four-issue miniseries to go alongside the main comic.
August 13th, 2006 at 12:34 am
I have to tell you something.
I was wrong about you. I apologize.
I knew you had talent lying in writing and artwork. I knew you were better than the arrogant in-your-face personna that you used (and sometimes still use, let’s be honest!) I accepted it, even though I found it distasteful at times.
What I’m apologizing for is my own belief that you really WERE that nasty person I didn’t like. You’ve done and said some pretty raw things on the Ironman board and in this very comic.
What I just read was an honest attempt to do something positive, while ignoring the very real risks of alienating your audience. It takes a brave man to shift gears like this. To open up like this. It also takes a very generous man to take the time to explain some very personal things like you just did.
I don’t retract anything I have said to you. AT ALL. EVER.
I still think you have gone over the line, on purpose, and laughed cruelly about it. The thing was, you were completely honest about what you were doing and why. It was hard not to respect that.
Even with the very real fact that you invited me to leave your site a short while ago, you can count on the fact that I am a true fan of your work. I’ll be joining Club Yirmuhmah as soon as I finish typing. This is reguardless of whether you reply or even read this message.
I just wanted to say that I underestimated you… and I’m sorry. I’m also glad YOU stopped underestimating you, and your audience, and started making work that shows your true talent.
And don’t worry, I won’t storm off in a huff when the dick jokes start again. I know you can do more, and I’ll be glad to see whatever you feel like making.
Ray K Allen
P.S. Sorry for the drama… it’s a personal glitch.. :-/ eh…
August 13th, 2006 at 5:10 am
nice work DJ I see u came far from your first comic book in ‘98′ keep up the work it’s great
August 13th, 2006 at 5:31 pm
honestly, I don’t like origin so much but I do read it anyway. I preferred the gags but I’ll take anything I can get every weekday without delay, unlike so many other internet comics. Thats the only reason I read questionable content, that and to scoff at the indie rock references and girly styles/submissive traits of the male characters.
Writing what you like is all that matters though. And I’m pleased someone is making a living at something they enjoy.
August 14th, 2006 at 9:41 am
Your one sister is actually living next door to me right now, with her grandmother. I’ve thought many times of mentioning you to them, but I know it’s not my place to get involved. I don’t know your father well, but on the few times I met him, including when my band played in his youth center, he was always incredibly nice, and since he knew who I was, he asked about everyone in my family, and what I knew about his girls and their families. I could tell just by talking to him, how much he missed them.
August 14th, 2006 at 9:45 am
Yeah?? It’s a crazy small world around here! Ironically I probably know exactly how those girls feel on the other side of the family spectrum.
Fate has a way of totally fucking around with you. Maybe when Origin is printed, I’ll have you anonymously drop one in her mailbox. I think I met her once when I was like 10 or something, my Aunt’s had tried to setup some sort of reconciliation that never really worked out.
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