Leykis figured the Weinsteins did orchestrate getting the Catholic league enraged so as to use them by having them add free publicity.Seeing as he thinks the Catholic League are idiots, this tickled him to no end. He basically said, without the C.L., Dogma would have been allow budget film that came and went unremarked. But thanks to the league everyone is talking about it (including him). He basically said he would be a booster for the film.

– The fact that Kevin Smith is in fact Catholic and his intent in making the film was missed. Leykis is actually an atheist and not a big fan of organized religion so the fact that uptight Catholics were getting more uptight also tickled him. Being Catholic I sort of resented the way he lumped Catholics in general with the Catholic League but I don’t have nearly the problem with him that I do with the C.L.

– One listener called in to say that she had seen some promotional materials her friend had shown her for the film and that it exposed Satanism. Another caller said that the film and Leykis were both bad because they did not respect other people’s beliefs. Leykis pointed out he only had to respect people’s rights to believe, not to respect the beliefs themselves and that everyone had the right to free speech.Then when he found out Tom Leykis was an atheist Mr. “Respect All Peoples Beliefs” became disgusted with Leykis, was censored for swearing at Leykis and, if I remember correctly, told Leykis he would go to hell (which really isn’t an effective threat to hurl at an atheist). Basically some of the calls served as a reminder of the number of really not-so-sharp people there are out there.

(U-WIRE) MORGANTOWN, W.V. — “First you take a run at LaFours with a sock full of quarters. I’d do it myself, but I threw my back out humping your mom last night. Noontch.”Kevin Smith, writer/director of the cult films Clerks, Mallrats, Chasing Amy and the forthcoming Dogma, has been quoted as saying that he saw movies as a way to break into comic books. Well, he’s done it.Smith is comics’ new golden boy. By using his director’s eye, a unique storytelling style of deep plot combined with comic relief and a fan-boy’s love of the genre, he has taken the medium by storm.One need only watch Smith’s films to see his love of comic books. Mallrats was replete with references to superheroes and even featured a cameo appearance by legendary writer Stan Lee. Chasing Amy showed the bizarre love affair between two comic creators.Smith even owns and operates his own Jersey based comic shop, Jay & Silent Bob’s Secret Stash. Putting out his own books only seems like the next logical step.Oni Double Feature #1 was Kevin Smith’s comics debut. It featured a story of Jay & Silent Bob versus the menace that is Walt Flanagan’s dog. The issue created an immediate buzz and sold out in many stores.

Moving on, he created stories featuring the characters from his films. Clerks: the Comic Book and the Clerks Holiday Special continue the adventures of Dante Hicks and Randal Graves, employees of Quick Stop and RST Video, respectively. The cash-register jockeys encounter Santa Claus, become involved with an underground ring of Star Wars toys distributors and Dante revives comatose ex-girlfriend Kaitlin Bree from her psychosis with a very unusual sexual aid.Jay & Silent Bob chronicles the adventures of Red Banks’ infamous pair of dope dealers/loiterers. The four-issue series bridges the gap between Mallrats and Chasing Amy as the degenerate duo head out on an off-the-wall road trip to Shmermer, Ill., along the way encountering Mr. Rogers, making a porno flick and meeting Suzanne, the orangutan seen during the credits after Mallrats. Issue #3 of the series features a hilarious parody of The Fugitive.Beginning in Oni Double Feature #12, are the serial adventures of Bluntman and Chronic, the comic book heroes featured in Chasing Amy. The story, with art by Mike Allred (of Madman fame) was created under the surnames Banky Edwards and Holden McNeil, characters from the movie. Witness as the somnambulist duo battle the evil that is Rick Derris!

Kevin Smith is no stranger to mainstream comics, either. Marvel Comics recently revamped several of their classic characters under the Marvel Knights imprint. Smith, along with popular artists Joe Quesada and Jimmy Palimiotti, were instrumental in the line’s success with their work on Daredevil: the Man Without Fear.Smith’s work on Daredevil brought the title back to the forefront of the Marvel line. Focusing on the hero’s devilish nature, while weaving an intricate tale of self-introspection and biblical prophecy, Smith challenged the character to the base level. He even went so far as to kill off a supporting role, one which had been around since the title’s inception in the late ’60s.Smith’s run on Daredevil ended with issue #8, but he is rumored to be returning for the character’s anniversary.

Also in the rumor mill, is Smith’s take over of DC Comics’ Green Arrow, bringing back Oliver Queen, the original wisecracking, emerald archer (YES!!). Currently in the planning stages is a Clerks animated series for ABC to begin this fall.Oni Double Feature, Jay & Silent Bob and the Clerks specials are available from Oni Press. Smith’s run on Daredevil is available from Marvel Comics. The first four hard-to-find issues have recently been rereleased as a trade paperback and the later issues should still be available at a reasonable price. For more Kevin Smith info on his movies, comic, merchandise and other goodies visit Smith’s studio, View Askew Productions on the web at www.viewaskew.com.

Until next time, true believers. Snootchie Bootchies!

Garage Sale
Directed by:Jeff Fisher

When down to earth Julia suspects her Euro-model boyfriend, Brent, of infidelity while abroad, she sells his trendy wardrobe at an impromptu garage sale. Soon after Brent comes home and professes his true love, and the screwball chase is on as Julia must now track down his clothes. This romantic romp features an all star cast including Claire Forlani (Meet Joe Black, The Rock, Basquiat), Tim Quill (ER), and Nestor Carbonell (Suddenly Susan), as well as players from Melrose Place, Boys on The Side, and Ned & Stacy. Winner of the Golden Monkey at the British Short Film Festival, and Best Original Comedy at the Atlantic Crossing.

Chris Rock’s on the cover of the new issue of Notorious.

Sweethearts with Janeane Garofalo comes to video June 22nd. According to Entertainment Weekly, she turned down Scream for this movie (it’s from ’96).

School Ties (with Ben & Matt) comes to DVD June 29th.

EW says this about the Clerks dvd: “Bone up on Kevin Smith before Dogma by checking out the director’s debut, CLERKS (1994, Miramax, R, $39.99, June 29), stocked with extra scenes, an alternate ending, and even a music video.”

Finally, whenasked what he was doing over the summer, Ben Affleck said he’s just going to sit around his house in his underwear and order pizza.