FWACATA

I was digging through the archives and came across this great conversation from way back in 2021, when I was still running Goblins Heist—and it absolutely holds up.The talk features Rodney Barnes, a veteran, award-winning screenwriter and producer whose work continues to shape modern genre storytelling across comics, television, and film. Barnes dives into what he was working on at the time (and what was coming next), while breaking down craft, survival, and voice in horror, fantasy, and drama with the confidence of someone who’s been in the trenches and earned it.If you know his work on The Boondocks, Killadelphia, Marvel’s Runaways, American Gods, or Wu-Tang: An American Saga, you already know Barnes brings intelligence, bite, and real cultural weight to everything he touches.This panel was part of AARLCC-CON, an event dedicated to providing African-American comic creators and sci-fi writers with a platform to share their work, trade knowledge, and connect with industry professionals. Back then—and still now—it felt less like a convention and more like infrastructure being built in real time.If you’re into comics, genre storytelling, or hearing from creators who actually do the work, this is a solid watch—even years later.I would love to catch up with him again and just get his take on everything that is going on. Find more of his stuff here https://rodneybarnes.com/ Get full access to FWACATA’s Newsletter at www.fwacata.com/subscribe

There’s a moment that hits you out of nowhere.You’re just sitting there, minding your business, sketchbook open, doing your thing—and then someone nearby says something so loud, so confidently wrong, that it snaps you out of your own head.Not just wrong… but performatively wrong.Like they want to be heard. Like they want the reaction.And that’s where this week starts.Because what followed wasn’t just a dumb comment—it was a reminder of something deeper: people don’t always think… they react. They repeat. They perform. They chase attention instead of truth.And sometimes, you have to slow things down and actually look at what’s being said.Take someone like Martin Luther King Jr.—a man who risked his life to speak about equality, fairness, and unity. Not comfort. Not clicks. Not controversy. Real, dangerous, meaningful action. The kind that took time. Eleven months of sacrifice for a single boycott to work. Eleven months of discipline.Now compare that to the kind of noise we hear today—hot takes, loud opinions, people talking at each other instead of thinking things through.And here’s the thing:Not everything that sounds similar is the same.That’s the trap.That’s the lazy thinking.sssThis episode isn’t about politics—it’s about discernment.It’s about realizing that in a world full of noise, you’ve got to actually think.You’ve got to pause and ask:* What is this really saying?* Who does this help?* Is this lifting people up—or tearing them down?Because we live in a comfort culture.A soft, padded, algorithm-fed world where controversy is entertainment, and thinking is optional.And comfort? Comfort is dangerous.Comfort is that big, soft bed you lay in, telling yourself everything’s fine… until you realize you’re stuck. Until you realize you stopped growing. Stopped questioning. Stopped seeing.Here’s a hard truth:People who’ve actually seen struggle—real struggle—don’t glorify chaos.They don’t chase violence.They don’t romanticize conflict.They want peace.Because they understand what the alternative feels like.Sometimes, the harshest lessons—the ones that wake you up the fastest—come from getting knocked down. Not metaphorically. Literally. Life hits you, and suddenly everything is clearer.Food tastes different.Music sounds different.People matter more.You don’t want noise anymore.You want truth. You want peace.So what’s the takeaway this week?It’s simple, but it’s not easy:Don’t be comfortable. Be aware.Be critical of what you hear.Be careful of what you repeat.Be honest about what you believe—and why.Don’t just “be woke”—that word’s been chewed up and spit out.Be awake.Actually awake.Because the world doesn’t need more noise.It needs more people who think.More people who question.More people choose to be good when it’s easier to just go along.So this week, stay sharp.Pay attention.Think for yourself.And most of all—Be good.HERE IS THE FINISHED PIECE:A version of Batman using a symbiotic alien suit called LASOMBRA. I figured if I took over Batman, I would science the fuck out of it. Hmmm, maybe one day. TOMORROW! FUGLY premieres! So stay tuned! If you dug this podcast and want to see more, SUBSCRIBE! You also support this, comics, art, and more with a small contribution every month, or give for the year as a founder, and get original art and comics from me! WHOO Get full access to FWACATA’s Newsletter at www.fwacata.com/subscribe

NOTE: I uploaded the wrong video initially as I had everything in one folder in my effort to clean up and be efficient. This is what I get for being cleaned up and efficient.It’s April.Let that sit for a second.We’re not easing into the year anymore—we’re deep in it. A third of it is gone. Time doesn’t slow down; it just keeps moving, whether you’re ready or not. And if you’ve been feeling like you’re grinding but not really moving forward, this one’s for you.Because something’s been on my mind lately—through conversations with other teachers, artists, and just life in general:We’re all operating at different levels.Like a game. Like D&D. Like anything worth doing.There’s:* The beginner — learning, struggling, figuring it out* The journeyman — practicing, experimenting, pushing forward* The master — skilled, experienced, refinedBut here’s the part people don’t always talk about:Masters don’t just do the work—they teach it.The Growth LoopWhen you teach someone—even someone just starting out—you’re forced to go back to the basics. You have to explain things you normally do on instinct.And that does something powerful.It creates a loop:* You learn* You practice* You teach* You relearnAnd suddenly, things click in a deeper way.So if you feel stuck, if you feel like you’re not leveling up?Go help someone.Show them what you know. Walk them through your process. Even just explaining your thinking can unlock something in your own work.Practice Alone Isn’t EnoughWe hear it all the time: “Just keep practicing.”But here’s the truth—practice without awareness can trap you.If you’re repeating the same mistake over and over, you’re not improving. You’re just reinforcing bad habits.Growth requires:* Reflection* Adjustment* IntentSometimes the best thing you can do is stop and actually look at your work.Lay it out. Study it. Be honest.Ask yourself:* Where did I succeed?* Where did I fall short?* Why did something work?That last one matters the most.Because once you understand why something works, you can do it again—and better.Clarity Over ComplexityEspecially in creative work, there’s a temptation to overdo everything.You think:“This needs to be bigger, more detailed, more impressive.”But sometimes?It just needs to be clear.A simple moment—two figures in shadow, a quiet exchange—can hit harder than the most detailed, overworked scene.Clarity beats complexity.Every time.Growth Feels Like FrictionIf you’re looking back at your old work and thinking:“Damn… this could be better…”That’s a good sign.That means you’ve grown.Yeah, it’s frustrating. It might mean going back and fixing things, redrawing, rewriting, or even scrapping entire ideas.But that voice in your head—the one telling you something isn’t right?That’s not failure. That’s progress.Listen to it.This Week’s FocusSo here’s your push for the week:* If you feel stuck → teach someone* If you’re grinding → check if you’re improving, not repeating* If things feel too complex → simplify* If you’re frustrated → good, that means you’re growingOne Sentence WisdomYou don’t level up by doing more—you level up by doing better.One Small ActionTake one piece of your work today and analyze it—find one thing to improve.One Permission SlipYou’re allowed to outgrow your old work—even if it means changing it.Now get after it.Be sharper. Be better.And most of all—be good.FWACATA’s podcast and comics are a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Get full access to FWACATA’s Newsletter at www.fwacata.com/subscribe

Not the cute “What’s the deal with traffic?” kind of joke or the coffee-mug Instagram quote kind of motivation. I’m talking about the kind of information that feels like the entire internet is screaming at you as you scroll through your phone.Somehow, you’re still expected to go to work, be charming, and be productive despite feeling overwhelmed. We live in a time where we have access to more information than any previous generation, yet it feels like we’re caught in a chaotic storm. Every headline is alarming, every feed is intense, and it’s hard to tell what’s truly important amidst the noise.You can live in one place and feel the impact of events happening across the country, all while carrying the weight of this information in your pocket. It’s disorienting and makes you wonder where the “good guys” are and if anyone will finally say, “Enough.”But beneath this overwhelming noise, people are fighting back—filing lawsuits, speaking up, and organizing in everyday ways. This is the real rebellion, looking like neighbors talking and communities coming together.The temptation now is to feel hopeless or numb, but remember that politics is very much involved in your life. When the world feels unstable, you don’t burn it down; you take care of your home and people, look for helpers, and stay engaged.Don’t let the noise make you feel powerless. There’s more to this than just a rant—a deeper inquiry into purpose, action, and our responsibilities to one another. If you want a deeper take on this, the podcast is waiting. For now, on this Monday: Stay sharp. Stay human. And above all, be good. Get full access to FWACATA’s Newsletter at www.fwacata.com/subscribe

There’s a question I think everyone should ask themselves from time to time:Am I the asshole?If you’ve never asked that question — not once, not even a whisper of it — then odds are, yeah… you probably are.We’ve all met assholes. You’ve probably encountered one today. Hell, in the last 48 hours, you’ve likely seen someone cut in line, ghost a friend, act superior at work, or just let a door slam in your face. And if you can’t think of anyone? Congratulations, it’s you.But here’s the thing: being an asshole isn’t always evil. It’s often a side effect of honesty, frustration, or just being human.The Razor’s Edge of TruthMy father had a saying — “Con la verdad no se juega.”You don’t play around with the truth.It sounds simple, but it’s one of those phrases that sticks with you your whole life — like a pebble in your shoe, reminding you to walk carefully.Because the truth is tricky.The truth doesn’t always make you popular.Sometimes it makes you the asshole in the room.You tell someone, “It’s not the pants that make your ass look big — it’s your ass,” and suddenly you’re the bad guy.But if we’re supposed to be chasing truth, shouldn’t we welcome it?Nah. Most people want comfort, not clarity. They want a version of truth that flatters them.My dad’s point wasn’t about being cruel — it was about being responsible with honesty. The truth isn’t a weapon. It’s a tool.You don’t swing it to hurt people. You use it to build something better.The Door at JV’s PizzaA few days ago, I went to pick up some pizzas from a local joint — JV’s. Great food, not fancy, but solid. I’ve got my hands full, trying to get out the door, and there’s a guy right in front of me. Makes full eye contact — like predator-level eye contact — then lets the door close right in my face.Okay. Fine. I back up, nudge it open with my shoulder, whatever.Then his wife (or girlfriend) comes out behind me.So, me being me, I hold the door open for her.She smiles and says, “Thank you.”And this dude — the same one who let it slam on me — turns around and glares at me like I just insulted his ancestors.Now, I didn’t say anything. I didn’t have to. I knew in that tiny, perfect moment that he’d spend the rest of the car ride home wondering what the hell I meant by that “thank you.”That’s the good kind of assholeness — the surgical strike.Because yeah, sometimes you have to be an asshole to make a point. But do it with purpose, not pettiness.The Asshole SpectrumThere are levels to this.At one end, you’ve got the cruel assholes — the bullies, the trolls, the people who sprinkle shit on everyone’s ice cream just to feel tall.At the other end, you’ve got the honest assholes — the ones who tell you the truth, even when it hurts, because it needs to be said.The goal is to live somewhere in between — the Zen of Assholeness.Right on that razor’s edge between brutal honesty and empathy.Because someone’s gotta say it, but someone’s also gotta care how it lands.The LessonThe truth is messy.Sometimes you’re right but still come off like a jerk.Sometimes you’re wrong and look like a saint.But if you can pause — just for a second — and ask yourself, “Am I the asshole right now?”That’s when you start leveling up.That’s when you stop reacting and start reflecting.We live in a world where everyone’s ready to pile on, to shout, to dunk, to “gotcha.”Being thoughtful, self-aware, and honest without being cruel — that’s rebellion now.So, be brave enough to tell the truth.Be kind enough to own it when it hurts someone.And if you have to be an asshole, at least be one with purpose.Because the truth matters — and as my father said, con la verdad no se juega.You don’t play around with it.And if you hold onto that, even just a little — you might actually make the world one asshole lighter.🧩 TL;DRYou can’t escape being an asshole sometimes. But you can choose why and how you do it.Be the honest one, not the cruel one.And as always — be good. Get full access to FWACATA’s Newsletter at www.fwacata.com/subscribe