"Where the hell is John Byrne?"

In the March 6th edition of his Unfortunate Confluence of Words column, Keith Giffen asks:

WHERE THE HELL IS JOHN BYRNE?: Love him or hate him, you cannot deny the guy's talent. John is one of the very few –along with Perez – comicbook creators (and yes, he has created stuff so I'm quite comfortable using the term) that I'd actually drop a project to work with. It's all about what's on the page and John puts it there like few before or since. C'mon, I can't be alone in this.

Since there's no contact info for Keith, or even a CBR Forum for him...I just decided to answer here. He'll never see it and never know it's here, but -- Oh well!!

an open letter to keith giffen:

Dear Keith: What? You don't read comics?

I kid, I kid. Basically, John's been busy. It's just that instead of Marvel or DC, he's been spending his time over at IDW.

During 2008 he did STAR TREK: ALIEN SPOTLIGHT #6, the 6-issue mini-series FX, 5 issues of STAR TREK: ASSIGNMENT EARTH, and the 2-part STAR TREK: ROMULANS - THE HOLLOW CROWN.

This month IDW begins two more Byrne minis: ANGEL: BLOOD & TRENCHES and STAR TREK: CREW. It's not like he ain't been working!! :)

As for you and John working together? I'd LOVE to see that. You're both incredible writers and awesome artists. I'd die to see what you could come up with together. Somehow, though -- I have a feeling that with you working on DOOM PATROL and Byrne's history with the same...it might be a sticking point...

But I'd hope not!!

Okay bye!

"First Lady of Star Trek" Passes Away

"FIRST LADY OF STAR TREK"
MAJEL BARRETT RODDENBERRY
PASSES AWAY AT THE AGE OF 76

LOS ANGELES, CA (December 18, 2008) – Actress Majel Barrett Roddenberry, beloved star of sci-fi phenomenon Star Trek passed away early this morning surrounded by family and friends. Roddenberry was 76 years old. She began her acting career in the 1950's with roles in such popular shows as "Leave it to Beaver," "Bonanza" and "The Lucy Show; but it was her numerous roles in the legendary Star Trek franchise that fans came to know and love her. Roddenberry had featured roles in almost every Star Trek television and film entity and became an iconic figure within the fan community. Her roles included Nurse Chapel in Star Trek: The Original Series, Lwaxana Troi in Star Trek: The Next Generation and the voice of the USS Enterprise computer in almost every incarnation of the series. However, it was the love affair between her and the late Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry that earned her the title "The First Lady of Star Trek." Over the course of their more then quarter-century love affair, she became not only Gene's partner, but also his creative muse. Roddenberry helped Gene expand the Star Trek universe and was an integral part of its continued legacy after his death. Majel recently completed reprising her role as the voice of the USS Enterprise for J.J. Abrams' new Star Trek film.

Roddenberry succumbed to a short battle with Leukemia at 12:27 AM on December 18 in her Bel-Air home. She passed away peacefully, surrounded by her son Rod Roddenberry and family friends. She is survived by her only son Eugene "Rod" Roddenberry Jr. The family has asked that in lieu of flowers, donations be made in her name to the CARE Organization or Precious Paws both of which share Roddenberry's love for animals and dedication to animal rescue.

Precious Paws
18034 Ventura Blvd., #430
Encino, CA 91316
www.preciouspaws.org
(818) 304-5595

C.A.R.E.
P.O. Box 56631
Sherman Oaks, CA 91403
www.care4pets.org
(818) 685-9980

Funeral details are pending and a public memorial will be scheduled sometime after Christmas or in early 2009.

www.roddenberry.com