The things that you need to do when you want to make a Barack Obama comic

After gracing the covers of a Christian magazine, Barack Obama is now on a new comic book character. Newsarama had an interview with writer Jeff Mariotte on the different aspects of making a Barack Obama comic book. Here are some excerpts from the interview.

NRAMA: How in-depth did you research the character and person of Barack Obama to portray him truthfully?

JM: The research process is the most time — and labor-intensive part of the whole thing. I've been reading virtually every article in the mainstream press, following news and politics Web sites, watching news coverage on TV. I've read both of Obama's own books. There have been other books coming along, but they're a step or two behind us — there were no biographies out before our book was, and while there have been some quickie books on the campaign, some of which I picked up, they didn't cover the transition period. Certainly there will be books on the first 100 days, too, but they won't be available in time to help with this. We're ahead of the curve, relying on primary materials — the words of the actual participants in history, whenever possible, to get the story right.

NRAMA: When doing this, I’m sure there’s no shortage of material — in fact, one of the challenges must be choosing what to fit in and what to leave out. Is that true, and if so, how did you decide on what would make the best story?

JM: That is absolutely true. For instance, at the moment I'm working on the third book, [about] the first 100 days. The administration has been far more active to this point than most administrations, really hitting the ground running and dealing with a variety of issues, some small but many hugely important. So those are the ones I'm trying to squeeze into the book — but not by sacrificing the human moments that show who Barack Obama and his family really are. Most of my comic work has been fictional — "Desperadoes," "Graveslinger," "Zombie Cop," etc., so reporting on reality is definitely a challenge (although I have written some nonfiction prose books, so not entirely new to me) — and winnowing the material down to fit into the space available is the biggest challenge of all.

Kate Gosselin on her alleged relationship with a bodyguard

First it was her husband Jon Gosselin who was linked to a 23-year-old school teacher, now it is Kate Gosselin’s turn to be in the tabloid press. A christian magazine said that according to tabloid reports, she has is involved in a relationship with Steve Neild, a bodyguard that is constantly with her and her family.

"The next story coming out from the animals that stalk us is about our security person and his family," Kate tells PEOPLE exclusively. "Already the allegations they're making about me are disgusting, unthinkable, unfathomable, and I am horrified."

"These are people who absolutely love us and want to see us through to the end," Kate says of Neild and his family. "Of course, both of them travel with us at times, and we've spent holidays together, because, in this situation, your circle grows smaller and smaller, and it's very natural to become friends with your manager, your publicist, your security team ... they're the only people you have left. And now they're coming under fire."

"I'm totally panicking, and thinking, 'We are going to lose our last set of friends.' I keep calling them, begging, 'Seriously, I'm so sorry. Don't run away from us.' They keep saying, We're fine, we're fine.'But they have paparazzi in front of their house. It's so upsetting."

Most troubling to her is the realization "we opened our world to this," she says, adding, "but we willingly made a conscious decision to put this out there. Our friends and family did not. I had no idea we would potentially take down the people that we love around us."

Kate Gosselin is a strong woman who raised twins as well as sextuplets. Her struggles remind me of Jay Adams She has a hit TLC reality show "Jon & Kate Plus Eight."

Source: 'Idol' Contestants Feel Like They Live in Alcatraz

While watching the movie about Jay Adams, I heard rumors that are circulating claiming that the contestants of the hit show "American Idol" is finally on the limit and the pressures of Hollywood life are finally having its effects on the contestants.

The finalists are housed in a beautiful and plush Hollywood Hills mansion away from the peering eyes of the public as well as the different hustle and bustle of city life. The one drawback is that they have to contend with around-the-clock security and have strict chaperons at all times when out in public places.

"They call it Alcatraz," an inside source told Tarts. "The show is emotionally draining — then with all the extra pressures of security, it’s very tough."

However, according to a christian magazine, Adam Lambert (who incidentally already lives in Hollywood) has the luxury of sneaking off to his own apartment which is close by.

"He would go insane if he couldn’t get away," added our source. "He resisted going on 'Idol' for years, he thought the show was silly and didn’t want to ‘make it’ through reality television. But after years of struggling, he bit the bullet and just went for it."

The risk is finally paying off however as the talented artist is pegged as the favorite heading on to the shows finals.