BET.com Interviews Terry McFly About The Jordan Concords

I was interviewed yesterday evening by BET.com's Tony Anderson. BET wanted to hear my views about the Jordan Concord 11's, so I invited them to the Kith store with me in Soho to have this interview. Shoutout to Ronnie Fieg & Adam Zee for allowing me to use their venue and also hookin me up with that dope Kith jacket I was wearing during the interview. I would also like to give a few off camera shoutouts too Turcois Minek & my homeboy Dannie Fresh for all of their help during the filming process. Watch the full interview below:

BET Exclusive: DC Comics Announces Marc Bernardin as Static Shock Writer

Earlier this week, I was contacted by DC Comics with the offer to write an exclusive for BET before it was announced at Comic Con. Initially I was excited because it would be my first ever exclusive editorial. Once I found out which comic it was, I became ecstatic! Static Shock has been my favorite super hero since I was a teenager. Check out the interview below in it's original form and head over to BET.com to view it after it was edited.

 

BET EXCLUSIVE: DC Comics Announces Marc Bernardin As Static Shock Writer

By Terry Mcfly

New York-based writer Marc Bernardin will be announced as the new ongoing writer for STATIC SHOCK, the Harlem-based superhero in DC COMICS-THE NEW 52.

Bernardin is also known for his work on THE HIGHWAYMEN and THE AUTHORITY comic books and as a former writer for Entertainment Weekly. Bernardin’s debut as the writer of STATIC SHOCK will be issue #7, with Scott McDaniel remaining on the title as illustrator.

Marc Bernardin met with BET.com before Comic Con NYC for a brief interview about the upcoming series and what we should expect.

Terry Mcfly: When did you first discover Static Shock?

Bernardin: I’ve been familiar with Static as a character since the mid 90’s, when it was part of the Milestone line of comics that DC was publishing. It was run by Dwayne Mcduffie, who is a bit of a hero of mine. I followed Static through the Milestone books and I also followed him through the animated show that was on the WB for a couple of years. I was really intrigued to hear that Static was going to be a part of this rebranding New 52 initiative. When these new books started to come out, I picked up a few and I was actually pleasantly surprised by them.

Terry Mcfly: What does it mean to you, when you write about a character such as Static Shock?

Bernardin: As a black comic book fan and as a father of black children, it’s really important that people see themselves reflected in a media they like. I remember growing up and looking at the Cosby show for the first time and getting to look at people who were like me and doing things like I did, people who were my age going to college and studying for exams. I think for a long time, a black kid picking up a comic book never got the chance to see himself, so I think that characters like Static are incredibly important.

Terry Mcfly: Do you see any traits of yourself within Virgil Hawkins aka Static Shock?

Bernardin: I’m not nearly as heroic as Virgil Hawkins is, I’m just not the dude who’s gonna run into a burning building and pull people out of it. I’m not the dude who’s going to put his life on the line for strangers. There’s a sort of wide eye to do the right thing that I think is very aspirational, I’d like to think I’m a smart guy like Virgil. I relate to his love for family, his sort of passion for science and technology.  I like his selflessness when it comes to the people of his city, I can’t say that I can see myself in all of his traits but I think everyone can find a shade in there that they can relate to.

Terry Mcfly: How does Static Shock differ from your previous projects?

Bernardin: Most of the work I’ve done in comics so far hasn’t been overly heroic, most of the stuff I’ve done has been straight up action adventure and a lil bit of science fiction. I’m also a TV writer, I wrote for Syfy’s Alpha’s this year, which was about grown up people doing grown up things. I’ve never been able to really write about a kid like this before, Static  is 16 years old. It gives me the chance to tap into the stuff I enjoyed reading as a kid like Spider-Man and the X-Men, also gives me the chance to give it a sort of contemporary urban flare. Static is definitely a departure from the work I’ve done before but it gives me a chance to work with the stuff that I like.

Terry Mcfly: Where do you get inspiration from when you write for a character like Static Shock?

Bernardin: My inspiration comes from books like Spiderman and Invincible, books about teen heroes. Harry Potter to a large extent as well, which is sort of a mixture of children and teenage writing. Also things that I remember from watching movies, like the idea that heroes are all about choice, a hero is somebody that chooses to do the right thing when it’s not the easiest thing to do.

Terry Mcfly: How does it feel knowing that the characters you develop will be looked up to and portrayed by people as if they’re actual people?

Bernardin: It’s humbling, the work that we do comes with a great responsibility. Every comic book is somebody’s first comic book, every story is somebody’s first story. I think also when you’re dealing with a character that is a minority, it’s a rarity in today’s market so there’s  a huge responsibility that I feel I have to the characters, to the books, to the legacy that Dwayne Mcduffie left behind. I want to do this as well as I can do a thing, I want to make this the best book as I can possibly make it so that a parent will feel comfortable giving it to a kid and a kid will feel comfortable passing it off to another friend. I want to create something that has a sense of longevity to it.

Terry Mcfly: When can we expect to see an issue of Static Shock written by you at the local comic store?

Bernardin: That’s an excellent question! I believe the second issue is on stands this month and I start on issue number 7. I’m guessing it will be available sometime in April.

Terry Mcfly: Do you have any advice to share with future African American writers looking to write comics like you one day?

Bernardin: Write as much as you can and start writing as early as you can. Also read as much as you can, it’s all about learning how to do it. There’s a talent involved but there is also a craft to it. The more you read and write, the more you take in and start to find your voice. I am a black writer but I do not only want to be viewed as a black writer, I want to be a viewed as a writer who happens to be black. Do the best that you can and the world will do its own to pitch and hold you as much as it can.

Terry Mcfly: Where can we find more information about you and also where can we find more information about Static Shock?

Bernardin: DCComics.com will be the one-stop warehouse for all static shock information. As for me, I can be found on twitter @MarcBernardin. Twitter and Facebook are the places I spend most of my online life.

Contact or share your thoughts about this article with Terry Mcfly on twitter @Terry_Mcfly

Rip The Runway 2011 Interview: Wiz Khalifa

Moments before his performance at BET’s Rip the Runway, rapper Wiz Khalifa sat down backstage with style maven Terry Mcfly to discuss his style. During the interview Wiz also subtly tells us why his upcoming album is titled “Rolling Papers”.

Terry: How would you best describe your style?

Wiz: Versatile, I switch it up a lot, simple though, basic

Terry: Do you consider yourself a trendsetter?

Wiz: No, well yea, people say I am so I guess I gotta go off what they say, but I just wear whatever I want

Terry: Do you wear prescription glasses or are those glasses just a fashion statement?

Wiz: These are totally prescription, yea I’m blind

Terry: What would be your go-to sneaker or shoe?

Wiz: Chuck Taylors

Terry: Name 3 must-have items that you would pack into your backpack

Wiz: A hoody, a pair of 501s, and….. does it have to be just clothes?

Terry: No, it can be whatever items you want

Wiz: Oh, then it would be some papers and a grinder, that’s 4

Terry: Describe the Pittsburgh style

Wiz: It varies, you know what I’m sayin, it switches up….you got people that are into the skater fashion, you got the urban crowd as well…then you got the preppy crowd too. It switches up, everybody’s doin their own thing.

Terry: Which fashion items do you love to see on a woman and why?

Wiz: I like how a chick’s shoes look, I like a chick with pretty feet. The shoes make their feet look awesome or maybe their legs may look awesome because of their shoes. Even though the shoes may not feel good to them, they always look good on them.

Terry:  Do you prefer sneakers or heels on a woman?

Wiz: I don’t have a preference, you know its whatever. There could be sneaker days and heel days.

Terry: One last question for you Wiz, Have you got any new tattoos lately and if so where?

Wiz: Yea, I have! I’m always getting new tattoos but I totally stopped explaining and talking about my tattoos. Mainly because it’s become such a fad that I don’t even explain em no more. If people see them when they pop up then they can catch a glimpse, just know that I’m always gonna be gettin em.

Terry: Thank you for your time and Nice to Meet you!

Wiz: Thank you sir, Great Meeting you too Pimp!

Check out Wiz Khalifa's performance on BET's Rip The Runway on March 21 at 10PM!

Rip The Runway 2011 Interview: Miguel

During BET’s Rip The Runway, R&B recording artist, Miguel had a brief discussion with style maven Terry Mcfly about fashion. Miguel gave us a full breakdown of his style and fashion influences. Miguel explains in detail why he likes particular pieces and what he loves most about a woman’s style. As expected, Miguel is very interesting person when it comes to fashion.

Terry: You have a very unique futuristic sense of style. Who or what inspires your style?

Miguel: My style is inspired by light, my style is inspired by movies like the Fifth Element, Blade Runner, and like-minded individuals that I got to connect and build with along the way. Musicians of course, all of this comes together to help me define what it is that aesthetically represents Miguel.

Terry: Do you ever have any custom pieces specifically crafted for you?

Miguel: I always have custom pieces crafted for me

Terry: Do you have anything in particular that you get crafted?

Miguel: A lot of my jackets are custom made, I have a few pairs of pants that are custom made, I’m actually working on custom accessories, collaborating for that as well as shoes

Terry: Do you consider yourself a trendsetter?

Miguel: I absolutely do consider myself a trendsetter, I think it’s just the mentality of being a leader as oppose to following trends, although I do like to incorporate trends that resonate with my vision, so I’m not completely rogue or ignorant to what is here now. It’s just about finding the pieces that represent me the best.

Terry: Who do you think is the best dressed R&B singer in the industry?

Miguel: The best dressed R&B singer in the industry, hmm… well aside from myself, just kidding… A friend of mine, Usher, happens to have a really fashion forward eye to be honest with you, I think his travels have really rounded out his perspective on fashion. I definitely shoot a peace sign to my man Usher, he’s definitely on point.

Terry: We know you wear a lot of sunglasses, What is your go-to pair of sunglasses.

Miguel: Wayfarer, it’s always Wayfarers. Anything with a bold and strong frame because I happen to have a wide face. I like the frames kinda square, I think that shape happens to compliment my face.

Terry: Do you have a lot of shoes and sneakers?

Miguel: Absolutely!

Terry: What is your go-to shoe or sneaker?

Miguel: Android Homme, anything Android Homme does it for me.

Terry: Which city is your favorite city to shop in and why?

Miguel: I grew up in Los Angeles so it’s kind of a toss-up between Los Angeles and New York. I haven’t been to Tokyo, London or anywhere like that yet so it might change.

Terry: Could you tell me a little bit about Cali Swag?

Miguel: California Swag, well I think the appeal is the sense of being relaxed and effortless in everything you do.

Terry: Which fashion item do you love the most on a woman and why?

Miguel: The legging, because they’re so form fitting, it really accentuates some of my favorite pieces on a woman’s physique.

Terry: On a woman, Do you prefer sneakers or heels?

Miguel: It depends, I like both but there’s nothing sexier than a woman in heels

Terry: well that’s all the questions I have today regarding style , It was great meeting you

Miguel: Thank you, nice meeting you as well

Check out Miguel performing his new song “Pay Me” during BET’s Rip The Runway on March 21^st 10p/9c.