Have you ever met someone and taken an instant liking to them? My girlfriend and I had that experience last weekend when we finally met the illustrious Bill Mulligan in person.

I “met” Bill over at Peter David’s blog (Peter being one of the finest writers of super-heroic, science-fiction, and fantasy stories, bar none). Bill was and is a frequent poster there. I noticed right off the bat that Bill’s approach to arguing politics consists of assessing the facts and applying logic to form rational viewpoints. Moreover, Bill can disagree without making an enemy of you. Frankly, it was Bill who got me interested in arguing politics online, something I had steadfastly avoided because of just how vitriolic and personal those exchanges often become. Discussing politics with Bill is fun, and I always learn something from him.

After realizing what genuinely good guy he is, I began corresponding with him by e-mail. He was kind enough to read the script to The Victory Streak #1, and his kind words were instrumental in giving me the courage to stick with a project that I had become convinced was doomed to failure before it even really began.

He was in Watertown last weekend to see his niece compete in the Miss New York pageant, so Jeannie and I took the opportunity to meet Mr. Mulligan in person. He is as intelligent, engaging, warm, and friendly in person as he is online. We also met his parents, and his sister, Caren, all of whom were about as nice as people can be without being sickening. In fact, Bill’s parents asked us to consider visiting them if we’re ever in their neck of the woods. I hope they meant it, because Jeannie and I would love to do just that if the opportunity arises.

In case you’re wondering, Bill’s niece didn’t win. She’s probably disappointed, which is understandable. I hope, however, that in her heart of hearts she understands that it’s far better to try and fail than to not try at all. Ultimately, the only true failure in life is never taking a shot at the brass ring.

Bill was nice enough to give us a DVD copy of Second Death, a 15-minute horror movie he and his friends produced. He warned me that it would be bad. His warnings were unjustified.

Yeah, he was correct that the problems shooting the film, which forced a post-production decision to turn a color movie into a grainy black-and-white product, obscured the special effects that Bill had so painstakingly created. And you can’t really develop much of a story in 15 minutes. But the acting and the direction were impressive. Yes, Bill, that includes you. You had very few lines (actually, no one had that many lines — it was a short film) but you sounded and acted like a real human being in a life-or-death situation.

They’re producing a feature-length film that expands on the story that had to be crammed into 15 minutes in Second Death, and I can’t wait to get my hands on the DVD. Click on the link I’ve provided and check out their Web site. And while you’re at it, order the movie. It’s well worth it.

Bill has also told me he’s working on a screenplay, and has an idea for a 10-issue comic-book series. I hope he’ll be generous enough to allow me to read both when they’re finished. Bill has the kind of keen and quirky mind that leads me to believe he’d be a good fiction writer.

Bill, Jeannie and I look forward to the next opportunity to get together. You’re a good friend and I’m glad I’ve had a chance to get to know you.

Oh, and thanks for lunch. You really didn’t have to do that.