The Mast Blogs: Welcome to the Mast's 100th Post!

Greetings!

I really didn't mean to skip out without doing a post yesterday. The problem is that I didn't want my 100th post to go to waste, so I couldn't post anything until I had done my 100th post.

I decided that I wouldn't do anything too elaborate, but I'd say what honestly needs to be said.

The reason I started this blog was because I love comics. Pure and simply, I love comics. I love reading them, reading about them and talking about them. They've been a monumental part of my life since I was six years old. Unfortunately, I hate feeling like I'm talking to myself, as good a conversationalist as I am. On my first few posts, for a long time, I was getting NO commments or any feedback. It's hard enough getting my blog out there NOW, much less back then.

Welcome to the Mast began in November as, I suppose, part service and part vanity project. I love the knowledge I have and as arrogant as it may seem, I love reading my own posts. I guess it's like George Lucas said about Star Wars; his main aim was to make a movie everyone would copy, so that he could relax and watch the copies. It wasn't all arrogance, though, because I also started this site so that I could educate people on what I like and what comics are about.

With the current wave of comic book movies, people are gaining more and more interest in these characters, however fleeting it may be. Seemingly people lose interest once they leave the cinema, but this blog is here for the opposite reason. If people wish to know what is going on and how to get into comics, I like to think that I can provide all that info, as a fan.

The very fact that I've introduced at least a few people to comics is enough for me to know what I'm doing is good. The comments are coming in on a way more frequent basis, and I'm starting to feel as though people really are getting to know my blog (If you read this and have a blog yourself, please, shout mine out).

On top of that, Welcome to the Mast has afforded me the opportunity to promote something. It was due to me promoting my site that I met Iyare of Direct Edition fame, and as a result, I am on the regular broadcasting team for that show now.

Not only that, but I've done interviews with comic creators such as Fred Van Lente, Kieron Gillen, Bryan Lee O'Malley. I also got the opportunity to interview one of my favourite hip hop MCs of all time, and huge comics fan, Vast Aire. None of this would've occured if I didn't just make the leap of faith and start this blog.

I don't want to act like this whole situation is bigger than it is, but in November I was starting a comic blog with no idea if I'd even be continuing it into the next few months. Now, I'm sitting here having done in-person, filmed comics journalism with real comic creators. It's a big deal to ME.

To be honest, I never imagined this would be happening and I hope that it can only get bigger. Iyare and I have some legitimately large, progressive plans for both our individual and collective selves, and I will reveal them if and when they materialise. It feels like it's going somewhere, and if it doesn't, I had a blast at least.

Sometimes, due to keeping myself fairly rigid on time, I know my posts may seem rushed or phoned-in. I guess I can't help that. Sometimes you're having a bad or tiring day, busy days even, and I just can't find the time or effort to post something on time AND have it come across as totally enthusiastic. Thanks for being understanding about that, though.

All in all, that's what I've got. I don't have anything super special, just a tremendous, immense and heartfelt thank you to every single person who has viewed this blog, left a comment or commented to me elsewhere.

I really, really cannot thank any of you enough. I never expected 100 posts, but here we are.

Stick around, because I hope things will only get better.

Until next time, peace.

-The Mast