Hey! Benito wrote a comic! It was called Tales from the Bully Pulpit, and it came out in the late summer of 2004 from Image Comics. The art was not by Nate! No, indeed, the art in this book was by Graeme MacDonald, with colors by Ron Riley, and letters by Chad Manion, who is, in fact, wholly fictional. You may have heard of this book. There are some facts about it on Wikipedia. And like most entries on Wikipedia, this one is kind of mostly right. Some people totally liked the book! It's true! Publisher's Weekly called it "exceedingly smart and funny." That quote's not even out of context! The Washington Times liked it too! I'm cool with that, even if they aren't the Washington Post. Don MacPherson of the now defunct Fourth Rail said the book was like something Warren Ellis would come up with if he had had a stroke. His reviewing partner Randy Lander gave the book a rocking 10/10. There are tons of other positive reviews, but why should I rob you of quality Google time? Some people didn't like it, though. Cinescape, for example, didn't like it at all. They called it stupid and boring and not worth your time. This is totally true. Take that, Publisher's Weekly! Take your "smart and funny" and shove it! That woman at Comics Worth Reading didn't like it either, but I can't seem to find that review right now. Suffice it to say, she didn't find it worth reading. Here is some more information: no one bought it except for, like, those reviewers. Most of them probably also got it for free. But here is the paradox that is the Life of Benito: no one bought the book, yet it is totally sold out. You will note that the cheapest version available at that Amazon link up there costs $80. True story. Most people who have read the book stole it from me via internets. Here is an example of some of those people. This will also give you an idea of what the book is like, and it is totally full of spoilers all up ons. If you would like to have a copy of this book that you can read in the bathroom, you should send a strongly but politely worded letter to ericstephenson [at] imagecomics [dot] com indicating that a second printing would be a good idea. Maybe if six thousand people do that, we can get something going. There are sequels planned, but it's going to take some time. Graeme is a busy guy with kids and wives and stuff. He has to have a job that people can't steal via internets. Here are the names of some of these sequels: Legend of the Black Maria In the Hall of the Faerie Queene The Underground Journey of Theodore Roosevelt Pope Fiction 30 Days of Harrison There is also a crossover planned. I won't spoil that, but some of you may already know. FACT: special fans of TftBP are called "Burgeoning Lads of Science," regardless of gender. If you feel you are one of these, you should e-mail Benito. Agendum'st scientiae gratia!           --Benito, 10/06