Rest In Peace: Patrick Swayze

What an awful day in this world. Actor Patrick Swayze has succumbed to pancreatic cancer at the age of 57. He leaves behind a beautiful wife, Lisa, and a legion of fans that span the generations.

Swayze first entered my radar in The Outsiders. In a cast of teen idols, he came off as the paternal one. Good looking and emotional, Swayze looked to have a bright future. Then there was Red Dawn. What a moment in time that was! Anyone have a favorite moment from those two movies?

"No one puts Baby in a corner" was burned into our collective brains in Dirty Dancing. My sister and I couldn't believe how sexy and sensitive he was. Sigh. Not gonna lie about that one now. The movie had it's hokey moments, but it continues to delight audiences.

Then there was Road House. Whew! Playing Dalton, the tough but tender bouncer, this is where I truly learned to love the Swayze. When it comes on television to this day, the hubby and I may stop to watch. This film is one of my favorite old school gems.

I know a lot of folks are fans of Ghost, but I prefer Swayze's macho turn in Point Break. Between Keanu Reeves and him, it was quite a treat for both the ladies and the action fan in general. I absolutely love this movie and I know my husband has a soft spot for it as well.

Rather then going through the rest of his filmography, I would like to take a moment and cheris the Saturday Night Live skit Swayze did with Chris Farley. You know what I am talking about! The Chippendales tryout skit that solidified Farley's comedic genius was also a triumph for our man. It took a lot of guts to let it all hang out and be the straight man to Farley.

I will remember Patrick Swayze as a remarkable dancer, a devoted husband, and a guilty pleasure of sorts. He was one of the good guys, despite a few road bumps along the way. God Speed to you, Mr. Swayze. You have earned your rest.

Marvel and DC Shake Things Up... Another Opinion

So Disney bought Marvel, huh? DC is now DC Entertainment and has a female chief? Interesting. Am I supposed to go into a cold sweat and panic now? That's just not going to happen.

God knows that sometimes things need a good shakeup. The fans and pundits have certainly said so numerous times. Here is the golden opportunity on a platter, right?

I work in animal health, and in the last 15 years there have been several shake ups and mergers. These changes affect the employees and some lose their jobs. It also makes things seem uncertain and gives the end user cause for pause. What inevitably happens is that the top sellers go along like clockwork while the slow selling products and antiquated thinkers take a hike.

For better or for worse.

These companies aren't always right. There are inevitably speed bumps. Some folks don't like the new status quo. It is always full of changes and adjustments. Getting used to having new management and ideas that aren't what fit with our own ideals can be the hardest part. Embracing change isn't easy.

That being said, do I think that comics will change? Not really. From everything I have read and seen, there is an awareness that people are in place that can handle the paper portion of the proceedings.

What fascinates me is the changes that will be visible to the non-comic book reader. Will we walk the aisles of our local stores and see even more merchandise? Will there be more presence on our smart phones? Will video games be a bigger factor? I say yes to all the above.

At this point as an old school fan, I want to embrace change and take the ride. I challenge the new powers involved in these endeavors to give me a reason to be excited and joyful. It would be a nice feeling.

Randomly Weird Moment of the Day

Today during lunch, I went to the bank, whick is located in a Safeway grocery store. To my great surprise, I found that I couldn't get through to park my car.

Why, you may ask?

Two elderly gentlemen were parked in the middle of the driveway in a large Impala. One was sitting in the car while the second was standing behind a Cadillac Escalade that was parked in a handicapped spot.

I put my car in park, noting that there were at least SIX cars behind me. I called to the man outside the car and asked if he thought he could move so that traffic could filter through.

His reply: "Nope. We are busy turning in this car that is illegally parked in a handicapped spot".

I asked "do you think you could park next to it so that traffic can get through?"

His crabby reply: "No. We are doing important citizen's business here today."

My (still calm) answer: "You need to move. You are blocking traffic and causing a serious potential for accidents."

Him: "Nope. You all have to wait."

Me (hysterically): "There are cars backed up to the road now. It is dangerous. Move now."

Him: glares at me and doesn't move.

Me: "I am calling 911. You are causing a hazard."

Him: "To hell with you all. I am almost finished."

In the meantime, the guy behind me has gotten out of his car and is swearing at the two old guys. There is lots of honking. A store employee has come out and is observing the scene. It is chaos.

The senior citizens pull into the next spot. I hear this:

"Just wait until this happens to you. You kids don't appreciate a damn thing we have done for you!"

We all are able to proceed to parking spots and go about our business. I count 18 cars behind mine. Yikes.

As I walk in, the store employee is still getting an earful from the old guy about his rights as a senior citizen...

Moral of the story: Two wrongs don't make a right.

For the record, my grandma is in a wheel chair, and I have been very upset at seeing non-handicapped (lazy) types use those spots. I just don't see how blocking traffic and making a scene is going to fix things.

Awesomely Bad 1980's Hair: Vixen

While I am picking on the Detroit Justice League of America, I might as well confess my extreme hatred of Vixen's hair. I know that to some it was a creative, awesome look, but to me it just looked... weird.

Vixen is sporting a mullet of sorts, with beautiful braids in the back, but a strange, scary, faux ears thing going on in front. It was hard for me to see a character that was supposed to be a model looking so funny.

What did you think of her look?

Pictured: Cover to Justice League of America Vol. 1 #234.

Awesomely Bad 1980's Costumes: Vibe

When the Justice League of America broke up it was sad. Then Aquaman, Martian Manhunter, and Zatanna moved things to Detroit and picked up four new members. The one I would like to focus on tonight is Vibe.

Dressed in stylish yellow pants with black and orange on the pockets, this 1980's dreamboat was a sight to behold. His v-neck black and yellow top only served to accent this. Top off the outfit with a red bandana, green shades and gloves, and a what appears to be a fabulous mullet, Vibe is definitely on my list of "awesomely bad" costumes.

I defy any artist in comics today to make this character cool.

There- the gauntlet has been thrown. Heh.

What did you think of Vibe?

Life and Stuff...

Well, once again my good intentions are for nothing. First I went on vacation to the county fair to watch the nephews. Then it was back out of town again. Then I got sick.

Crap.

The good news is that I am feeling better today. The bad news is that my comics have pretty much gone unread.

Hopefully today is the day!!

I hope life is treating you all well. I am trying to get caught up on my blog reading as well, so I hope to catch up on that as well.

Comics still rule though!

Comics Fairplay: 5 Years of Blog-foolery and More!

For the last year, I have not been very active on my blog. I have meant to, and have actually had things brewing in my head that I really wanted to write about. It is always good intentions lately. My husband and I talked about the fact that I am not doing a very good job blogging. In a nice way, he asked me if I thought I ought to retire the blog.

For a month I thought about it. Hard. I just can't do it.

Today is the 5 year anniversary of the creation of Comics Fairplay and I carry mixed emotions. Without CF, I wouldn't have met so many wonderful people. The list is so long, and the folks are so precious to me, that I hardly dare to list them. CF gave me an entry way to vent my feelings and frustrations about an industry that continues to confound me in every possible way. It also gave me a chance to give my opinions about feminism and comics. I like to think that in a blogosphere that was ready to rumble, I was a voice of sanity.

So it is down to this: until I am ready to sit down and declare myself content with all things comics, this place can't go away. Though I only post once or twice a week, I still feel a sense of passion about the industry. What I encounter as a stumbling block is TIME. My life has been through so many changes in the last five years! I have lost family, have had a roller coaster ride of changes at work, I lost and gained many pounds, and I faced the most horrific challenge a person can face.

The good news is I am still standing. I still believe that there is a place for women to read and create comics. It happens every day, Folks. I think that the industry is more powerful then ever with the avalanche of success of several comic book movies. I do cringe at the San Diego Comicon though- it has become celebrity central, and its own size threatens to swallow it whole. Give me Emerald City Comicon any day of the week!

Five years. Joy. Pain. Terror. Anger, Happiness. Friendship. Hate. Love.

It has all been here. Let's continue the ride a little bit longer, shall we?

This Year's Birthday Present...

So today is my 43rd birthday. Arrgggghhh! Yikes.

At any rate, my husband conspired with artist extraordinaire Jason Metcalf to do a commission for my birthday. It turned out fantastic! Jim wanted to do a warrior look with an action pose, and like normal, Jason came through with a major upgrade.

Pretty sweet, huh? I am a lucky girl. Thank you to Jason and to the hubby for this beautiful piece.

Last Weekend: Comic Evolution and Pat Benatar??!!

The hubby and I had a busy weekend. First we got up early on Saturday and headed to Puyallup, WA for the Comic Evolution benefit "Be A Superhero for Babies" fundraiser. Our friends Randy Kintz and Jason Metcalf were going to be there sketching and there was a huge silent auction that all benefitted the March of Dimes.

Jim and I were blown away at how awesome Comic Evolution is! It is the neatest, best arranged shop I have seen in a long time. Owner Chuck Messinger has a vision that has become one of the coolest realities ever brought to life in comic retailer format. There is amazing original art and prints on the walls, tons of back issues, a great wall of new books, and an amazing amount of trades and graphic novels. He also has a wall of action figures and numerous busts and statues. It is the kind of store a reader WANTS to go to. Needless to say, I wish I lived closer.

We were lucky that day to see Clayton Crain and meet Paul Gulacy. I was a bit taken aback and flattered when Gulacy thought I was part of the "talent". LOL. Nice guy with great stories and a larger then life presence, he did a wonderful Green Lantern sketch for Jim. The lucky hubby also got a Spider-Girl sketch from Crain.

I bid on a piece of original art from Alias by Michael Gaydos and won it! We are currently trying to figure out how to get it here as I had to leave early. Jim bid on a few pieces but was outbid at the end.

On Sunday we went and saw Pat Benatar at Legends Casino. We didn't know what to expect, but we both knew we really wanted to see her in concert. Benatar didn't disappoint! She sounds remarkable and has a sweet sense of humor. Her husband Neil Giraldo is the guitarist of the band, and they really seemed to be happy to be performing together.

The concert lasted about an hour and a half, but it could have gone on all night as far as I was concerned. Benatar played many of her hits and the crowd really warmed up. Speaking of warm, did I mention the concert was outdoors and that it was in the high 80's when we got there. Lots of sunscreen and care to cover up saved us sunburns!

It isn't often that I get to have such an action packed weekend, so this was a real treat. Normally I am working or we have some kind of project going on here at home! I wish every weekend could be this much fun, but with unlimited money and time all week to recover!

Happy almost Wednesday to you!

Awesome Store- Awesome Cause!

There are tons of pieces of original art to bid on! Clayton Crain, Randy Kintz, and Travis Bundy are sketching!

Also, Bumpy's has the best pizza! Thank you to Chuck for the tip!!


-- Post From My iPhone

Head to Comic Evolution!

Today in Puyallup, Comic Evolution is having a silent auction and artists sketching to raise money for the March of Dimes. If you can, head down there and bid or get a sketch!

Photos to come... Comic Evolution is an amazing store!!!



-- Post From My iPhone

Limited Series Versus Ongoing Series: The Questions

A couple of days I was reading The Boys #31. It was vicious and brutal, with a character taking a permanent dirt nap before the last page unfolded. The impact was swift and meaningful, charging the series with an "anything can happen" vibe.

Why is this? Could it be that creator Garth Ennis has expressed that the series is finite, ending with issue #70?

I think that has a lot to do with it.

In a series like Y The Last Man, Preacher, or 100 Bullets, where there is a limited series mentality, no character is sacred. Anyone can be killed at any time, and the status quo can change without warning.

Characters like Wonder Woman, Superman, Spider-Man, Batman, and even Captain America all suffer from the forever ongoing issue. Creators and Editors can make dictates that shake things up, and often do. There just isn't the same impact allowed though, because through decades of history, these things have been done before. Sure Bruce Wayne is MIA right now, presumed dead in continuity, but how long will that logically last? Last time DC did this, Azrael took over the cowl and grew increasingly nuts until Bruce Wayne stepped back in. This time with Dick Grayson in charge, it could be much longer, but in my gut I know Bruce Wayne will be back.

The closest to a complete reboot I have seen in an "A-list" character is back in the 1980's when DC sent the Wonder Woman of pre-Crisis to Olympus after having her fall in battle. The new (and current) Wonder Woman was completely overhauled. Diana was back on Paradise Island with a few new twists and a complete opportunity for a new lease on life. After 20 years, she still hasn't had a truly steady boyfriend, though she has dabbled. Evidently Wonder Woman's kryptonite is a long term relationship!

Dizzy from 100 Bullets didn't have that hanging over her head. Though she swiftly became one of my favorite characters, and though her series has ended, I felt she was allowed to live without a net in 4 color drama. There were no expectations after all. I didn't grow up with Dizzy, and though I had an attachment to the character, it wasn't the same as how I feel about Wonder Woman- the first female character I learned about and wanted to emulate.

That is a heavy duty responsibility for the comic creators in an ongoing series, especially when said character has been in existence over 60 years. The fanbase gets upset, and it is hard to deal with. Kill a character in a finite series, and we get over it because it is artistic license in a product meant to entertain, rather then entrap.

It feel odd to me knowing that before I would be done with The Boys, most of these characters would be dead. It also felt strange to know that as much as I would like Hughie and Starlight to make it to the end, their relationship will most likely end in heartbreak, unless Ennis takes the Preacher approach and lets them ride off into the sunset, so to speak.

I guess that is why comics are entertainment, right?

Thought on Michael Jackson Services

Though I was at work, I endeavored to watch pieces of the service tonight to see how it all went. I was immensely surprised and pleased to see the classy, sober way the event was conducted. Michael Jackson was celebrated and eulogised by those that knew and loved him best.

What really struck me is this: little Paris Jackson did in 20 seconds what millions of dollars of publicity and a huge comeback tour could not do. She gave him back his humanity. For that moment in time, all that mattered was that a little girl really misses her daddy.

It darn near broke my heart to think about how much she has lost. Ironically, it also lifted my heart to see the poise and sense of normalcy this lovely young girl seems to possess. Too bad Michael couldn't be here to embrace the moment.

Say what you will tomorrow, but tonight in a show of respect, I say: R.I.P. King of Pop.

Happy Independence Day!

Hey there! To all you folks who live in the USA or are American citizens, Happy 4th of July! To the rest of you, Happy Saturday! Heh.

If you do live in the United States, please do not be a jackass and light off fireworks all night. It is not cool to keep your neighbors up and potentially start fires in your own neighborhood. Sure lighting a fire cracker gives a bit of a rush, but remember how much it might hurt when the cops pull up and give you an expensive ticket.

As a girl who grew up lighting off the most dangerous and awkward fireworks known to man, I know what I speak of. Every 4th of July, my family would take over an airport (seriously) and light 'em up. My dad and uncles were volunteer firemen so we would have lot of organization behind the chaos.

My point it this- have fun but be responsible. Captain America seconds that motion!

Total Disgust: Bluewater to Publish Jackson Comic

I feel physically ill right now. I just found out that Bluewater Productions is going to do a Michael Jackson biography comic. When are these money hungry jackasses going to get an original thought instead of trying to make money off other people's lives? The "Female Force" line of books is ridiculous to begin with and now we are adding this dreck?

Darren G. Davis can put a spin on it by saying "he initially waffled at producing a tribute comic, but after receiving dozens of emails and phone calls he knew it was the proper way to show respect and give fans a lasting remembrance." I still feel like it is all just posturing in an attempt to make money.

As someone who is familiar with creative types that Davis has worked with in the past, I would hope that the people working on the book are getting paid upfront. I also wonder if Bluewater has done the work with rights and clearances yet? Are the Jacksons going to get paid a pretty penny or is it going to the comic book company?

It was bad enough this morning, finding out that the Jackson family are staking their claim to Michael's questionable estate. On top of that Joseph Jackson was on CNN trying to talk about his new record company while he should have been home with his grandkids instead. Going to the BET Awards and sitting upfront really shows you're in mourning, doesn't it?

You know, maybe the Jacksons and Bluewater deserve each other. Vote with your pocket book, okay?

A New Look: Wonder Woman by Ben Hansen

Since starting to attend comic conventions 12 years ago, some really cool things have happened. I have met my idols, had way too much fun with friends, and met and befriended some of the best new talent out there.

That is the case with Ben Hansen, who also uses the moniker 1314. He is an amazing artist whose work continues to grow and amaze me. I first met him a couple of years ago through the classy Quenton Shaw of QEW Publishing. Ben was working on a project for Q, and his art was extremely promising. Each time I saw Ben again, his work continue to improve, and he absolutely blew me away.

Which leads me to the Spokane Comicon. Ben was there with his lovely fiance Jolene, and he was sitting next to his inking buddy Levi Skeen. We got to talking and he showed me his newest sketch of his vision of Wonder Woman. I took one look and fell in absolute love. Ben is a genius! He made Diana look like a true warrior while retaining an alluring edge.

Lucky for me, Ben let me buy the piece. It is on my "will absolutely NEVER sell" list but I wanted to share it with you. Isn't it gorgeous? I will try and post it with colors tomorrow, since Ben also colored the piece and put in finished backgrounds.

Just wanted to share this awesome piece of art today and spread some love. Have a wonderful Saturday!

Pop Culture Loses Two of it's Icons

What a strange day in pop culture history. Two of the icons of the last thirty years died today. Farrah Fawcett, the queen of jiggle later turned feminist-actress-icon, finally lost her battle with cancer. "King of Pop" Michael Jackson made his way into the Neverland in the sky, dying of an apparent massive cardiac failure.

And the world hiccupped. Poor Ed McMahon, eternal sidekick and funny man will forever be kicked off the cover of next week's magazines. In better news though, so will the awful, horrendous, and irritating Jon and Kate. That is the silver lining in the cloud that has descended on the world today.

Sure none of these deaths is going to contribute towards world peace... not that I am aware of... but they are losses just the same. I remember watching Charlie's Angels in the 1970's and equating it to Wonder Woman and Police Woman. Though perpetually bra-less, the Angels always kicked butt in the end. To top it off, Farrah was married to the Six Million Dollar Man. How cool was that?

Though in later years, Farrah was riddled with bad press- the Letterman appearance, the Playboy body paint, the troubles with her son, and her tumultous relationship with Ryan O'Neil, she always remained the original Angel to me. I was very sorry to see her struggle with cancer at the end of her life. I can only hope now that she is at peace.

Michael Jackson is a whole 'nother story. As an older type gal, I remember sitting in my cousin Julie's bedroom listening to "Off the Wall" and marveling at the beauty of the album. To this day, whenever I hear the music from that LP, I always get a smile on my face. From that album, he kinda went on and did bigger things ::cough:: Thriller ::cough:: and changed the face of pop music forever.

There will always be the molestation allegations and the amazing level of weirdness that earned Jackson the nickname "Wacko Jacko", but I prefer to remember the incredible level of God-given talent. Sitting in front of my television, watching the Motown Anniversary special, I was on my feet hollering and whooping for Michael and his new fangled "moon walk". It was one of those moments that will always resonate.

What a day this has been. I feel sad and old right now. I feel like I have lost something special from my childhood, and it is a strange and unhappy feeling. There are no tears, but there is pain of loss all the same.

Rest in Peace, my pop culture phenomenons. Know that your place in history is secure, whether it be for fame on infamy.

Comic Convention Hook Ups

I know I am behind on this, but I had to make a comment or two after reading the Penthouse article about comic conventions being a hotbed of romantic and sexy hook ups. (The article is NSFW.)

Because I have never attended a comic convention while I was single, I never really thought about hooking up at a show. I was pretty sure it happened, but I never gave it much consideration until now. When combining alcohol, a fun atmosphere, and a kind of vacation all in one, most folks let their guard down. Whether this means a booty call or finding love, it obviously is something that happens.

Another contributing factor that makes hook ups at shows more prevalent is that folks are meeting online first, and that helps with the comfort level. I can just now picture it- talking to someone online and knowing they are going to be at a show, it would raise the ante of a real possibility of finding love, lust, or a bit of both. God knows I have made some of my current best platonic friends through an awareness on the 'net, so why not take it a step further and find love?

As more women continue to attend these shows, both as creators and as fans, there is a more equal ratio of the sexes then there was 10 years ago. Twelve years ago when I attended the Portland Comic Show, I was more of a rarity. Now I am the norm- comic book t-shirt on, looking for a great buy, and holding forth about the latest issue of Incredible Hercules with other true believers. This creates an environment of mutual interest, which can lead to romantic attraction.

The thing that worries me about this article is that non-comic fans will attend shows looking for an easy hook up. The other thing that concerns me is a reemergence of the "Open Source Boob Project". It is one thing to acknowledge that one can meet and love another during a comic book show; it quite another to suggest that comic fans are "easy" and simply looking for love. I still know quite a few folks that are there for the bargains. :-)

It is fascinating to see mainstream culture talk about a subject like this. For so long myself and other women have been talking about equality in comic books, and while the hot flames of disagreement have died down a bit, it is still a hotbed issue that can be quickly stoked into a roaring fire. I am hoping this isn't the case with this, and that the story can be taken for what it is- a pop culture piece in a hardcore men's magazine.

Since I met my husband in a Wonder Woman comic book chat room twelve years ago, the story resonates for me in a personal way. I have also read about a few other folks who have met and found love in a comic book setting. What do you think?

Catching Up on Comics

The other day we got our DCBS shipment in, which is good. I read my books and then tried looking around the internet to see what is going on. The biggest thing I can tell you is this: I am really lost when it comes to the big picture in Marvel and DC.

For example, Marvel is focusing on "Dark Reign". As I understand, this is the aftermath of the whole Skrulls storyline. What I don't catch is exactly what the story is other then the fact that Norman Osbourne is now in charge of a non-SHIELD peace keeping organization. It also appears that several of his "Dark Avengers" are not the original heroes they are dressed as.

I looked at Ms. Marvel and it doesn't seem to be Carol Danvers. There is a completely different character under the mask. Also, I checked out Uncanny X-Men annual and something major is cooking with Emma Frost.

My big thing is this: having major cutbacks and not following the Marvel universe as a whole has completely made my ability to figure out the "big picture" impossible. No clues here anymore. To make it worse, Marvel is advertising a big crossover event with Dark Avengers and X-Men, and there is another "Secret" event that will be underway this fall. Crap.

DC has the Black Lantern "Blackest Night" saga coming up. I understand that to follow it, I will need to get the special Black Lantern Book, Green Lantern, Green Lantern Corps, and a series of special books. Also, there will be a larger portion of the DCU that is affected. I already know I can't spend that kind of dough and I am bummed. I have been really looking forward to this event.

Let me ask you this- how are you able to follow "Events" in the big two? I am gravitating being pissed and being relieved. A few books mean there is no need to follow, but the completist in me feels like I am missing the big picture.

Suggestions?

Seattle Comicard Show Today

Today from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Seattle Center, the gang will be participating in the Seattle Comicard show. Come by if you are in town and say "hi". The hubby is here with his original art sales.

Special guest of honor is Mike Grell and a cast of artists on the verge!



-- Post From My iPhone

Amazing... Drag Me to Hell

Just got back from seeing the new Sam Raimi horror flick "Drag Me to Hell". What an amazingly beautiful and well crafted movie! I can't believe I am saying this about a scary film, but I can't help it. Having Raimi back in the genre from whence he came is a godsend.

The movie starts with a loan officer named Christine Brown going about her everyday job. She refuses to give a gypsy woman (played very well by Lorna Raver) an extension on her mortgage, and said woman curses her. Mayhem ensues as Christine (Alison Lohman) attempts to navigate and rid herself of the horror that has descended upon her.

The cinemotography is vintage Raimi with skillfully cut shots and original camera angles. I also need to mention the fantastic score. It fits the movie like a glove, enhancing the scenes being shown. I just can't say enough, in fact, about how well put-together this movie was. It is absolute perfection and it is just PG-13.

Since I don't want to spoil the movie, let me just say that I highly recommend this movie to horror fans, or simply just folks looking for a great show. You won't regret it.

In the Thick of It All

Outside there is medieval jousting. In the next room there is a Magic tournament. In the hall, folks are selling everything from rainbow t-shirts to plain hot dogs.

In the convention room, it is wall-to-wall people. Our friend Randy is sketching (see picture). Jason is on Jim's left sketching as well. There are costumes and there are t-shirts. Either way, it is quite the scene.

Fans in Spokane are out in full force. It is a small convention at it's finest. My biggest complaint is that there isn't any room behind the table for me to sit. I am an outcast, which is an odd feeling.

Oh well... I'll get over it.

What a fascinating mix of activities!



-- Post From My iPhone

Dumbfounded

Why at a comic book show are used DVD's the hot ticket item??

The horror!




-- Post From My iPhone

Spokane Comicon Today

If you are in the Spokane area today, head over to the Spokane Falls Community College Student Union. Spokane Comicon is today and Jim is there with a booth. We would love to see you!


-- Post From My iPhone

What Comics Taught Me

Ever been hanging out, talking with folks about random subjects and have the subject of comic book geekery come up? Since I have been so blatantly a fan for so long, it is usually inevitable. Much like a creature nearing extinction, I am an object of fascination and horror for the uninitiated.

That being said, in a recent conversation, I was pointing out how reading comic books influenced my life, and my friends just couldn't believe it. I figured that maybe if I shared it here, you could share your thoughts as well.

Without further ado, here is how comic book shaped my life.

1. I learned to read with comic books. At the age of 4, my uncle brought a couple of comic books over while baby sitting. In a short period of time, I was avidly reading them. In his disbelief, he had me read out loud some of the balloons on the page. I didn't get all the words, but he marveled at how it seemed to help me. Using the words and pictures in sync with each other, I was able to piece together what was occurring and use the basic "sounding out" principles. Needless to say, when I was in kindergarten, I brought books to school and read them in front of the class.

2. My vocabulary went from 50 cent words to $10 ones. I learned new words, and usually was fascinated enough to go look the ones I didn't understand up in the dictionary. My grasp of the English language was so always superior to those of my classmates, and it was due to the fact that I read comic books that used descriptive, multi-syllable words for exposition.

3. I enjoyed creative writing. Reading comic books opened up my imagination to possibilities that were previously unimagined. After reading a Wonder Woman comic book, creative writing seemed fun instead of scary. I have always been a strangely pragmatic daydreamer and comics served me well in this aspect.

4. I always believe in fairplay. Reading comic books made me realize that we need to treat our fellow man fairly. Even though we may not have super powers, we can use the gifts we have to help others and treat them with a basic kindness. When Superman showed mercy, and stopped to do a bit extra to make sure that everyone was treated equally, I was touched. As I have gone through horrible adversity in my life, I have always been able to rise above the pettiness that is so rampant these days. I put part of that on having great parents and part of it on my comic book adventures.

5. It is better to be the good guy. Let's face it- the villains just didn't get it and they always lost. The heroes in the comic books were able to use positivity and tenacity to win the day. They may have had incredible abilities, but they used them for good.

6. Heroes get the better clothes.. mostly. How many of you dressed as super heroes while growing up? I dressed up in a more modest version of Wonder Woman when I was young. After seeing some of the heinous villain outfits, it was a no-brainer to want to be a good guy. Punch and Judy, Clockwork King, Harlequin (old school), Wizard, and the list goes on..

7. Having moral fiber may be tougher, but it is worth it. Sometimes making the hard choice to be good seems hopeless, but the super heroes did it time after time. It always seemed worth it when Black Canary had to suffer for her values, but ended up punching the bad guy with her canary cry.

8. Teamwork wins the day. I LOVED reading Justice League of America and I think it taught me a thing or too about teamwork. When the heroes went off on their own, they would lose, but together, they could defeat the scariest villains ever. Using each person's strengths and checking their egos at the door made the difference.

I know that I have learned much more then this, but these are the things that I try and describe to friends. What about you?

Missing Wieringo: Fantastic Four Run is a Masterpiece

Last week at FCBD, I was lucky enough to pick up the three hardcover trades of the Mark Waid-Mike Wieringo-Karl Kesel+guests run on Fanastic Four. It took me a week, since my schedule is so hectic, but I re-read those three trades and felt something I hadn't felt in awhile reading a book- joy.

Mike Wieringo was born to draw the Fantastic Four. His early death a couple of years ago is one of the industry's greatest losses. I would go so far as to boldly say that his version of the Thing is the best since Kirby. Many artists have aped Wieringo's take on Ben Grimm, and that is a tribute in itself.

Waid's collaboration with Wieringo was one of the best in recent memory. There was an easy flow to the tales being told, and it all looked so flawless. Waid and Wieringo made it look effortless. From the first issue #60 that was sold for 9 cents to comic fans everywhere, to the last issue #524 (damn Marvel and their wacky renumbering), it felt like the Fantastic Four were relevant again.

I can't say enough about the addition of Karl Kesel to this magic machine. His inks compliment Wieringo's work beautifully, and his love of the FF is felt everywhere in the pages. Look far and wide, and it is difficult to find a bigger fan of Sue, Ben, Johnny, and Reed than Kesel. His spiritual and literal touch to the pages was the icing on the cake here. One of my favorite issues of the FF is in fact the annual that Kesel wrote and Stuart Immonen penciled. In it, Franklin and Ben explore what makes a family. It is delightful tale that adds to the beauty of the run.

Waid explored the ugly side of human nature along with the beauty of being a family. I remember him being reticent to tell FF stories until he was gifted with Wieringo and Kesel. With their presence, the book could work. That was a wise decision on Waid's part, as the stories had that extra something special.

Even if you aren't a Fantastic Four fan, this is a run worth reading. There is so much more than a tale being told. The books explore hardship, triumph, loyalty, spirit, magic, love, and family. It just doesn't get better than this.

Free Comic Book Day- Report

It is FCBD 2009 and we decided to make a day of it. After going to see X-Men Origins: Wolverine last night and receiving a free comic on the way out, my curiosity was piqued.

We started the day in Yakima, heading to Ron's Coin and Collectibles. The owner Joe was there as was our good friend Corey. The great news is that there were a lot of kids there and the parents seemed supportive. It warmed my heart.

Next stop was Ellensburg, which is about a half hour drive. We wandered into Central City Comics and it was packed! Our friend Jason Metcalf was there sketching and signing as you can see in the picture. He brought all his prints, which are just gorgeous!

So here I am. It is time to shop and catch up. I hope you are having a nice FCBD!



-- Post From My iPhone

Free Comic Book Day in Ellensburg

Evidently we are world travelers.




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Free Comic Book Day 2009

It's here!




-- Post From My iPhone

Letting the Memories In...

As I mentioned in my earlier post, I found out that my grandpa passed away as I was walking into ECCC. Let me preface things by saying that I knew my grandpa was ill, and that he had limited time. I had been to visit my grandpa and grandma the Saturday before he passed away and had spent the afternoon caring for him and talking to her about the past, present, and future.

While it wasn't a shock to get the phone call from my dad, it was still a sad moment. Jim and I had just walked off the freight elevator at the Seattle Convention Center with our good friend Brian and when I got the news. As I talked to my dad, Jim and Brian proceeded to the Hero Initiative booth in front of me. As they greeted Brian Pulido, who had the booth next door, I smacked Jim on the back to get his attention. "What??", he said a tad annoyed. "My grandpa just died" was my reply. As his facial expression changed into one of concern, I told him I needed a moment. I didn't want to get in the middle of the conversation that was underway, and I sure didn't want to share what I had just learned.

I walked out of the room to the hallway and cried for a few moments. Then I composed myself and called my dad. He was heading to the care center to be with my mom and grandma, as they needed all the love they could get at that moment. We decided that since Grandpa was gone, it wouldn't make any difference if I made the trip there- I had just been there, and my mom and grandma would need some time. I assured my dad I was just a phone call away, and wandered back in.

Brian gave me a nice hug and we decided to proceed with normal events. I helped with the booth set up and then we went to dinner. A beer had never tasted so good! It was strange to think that while I was feeling such great emptiness, the world was still turning as it always does. I thought to myself- is that how it is for everyone? I had lost my uncle to cancer a year ago, and while I was devastated, I was working a lot of hours and didn't have time to properly mourn until his funeral service. This time, I was away from home and felt at a loss for words or deeds.

Luckily while I was at the show, I was able to share with some good friends, and I was able to go on. Thank you to those of you that I talked to. I know that it was probably a bit awkward, but I really felt okay, knowing I was with you.

My poor husband really didn't know what to do, so he got Frank Cho to do a very special sketch for me. Thank you to both Frank and Jim. It isn't something Frank normally does, and I feel very lucky that he knew me enough to know that it was something I will never part with. A special word to Jim- you did just fine. You knew all about how sad I was and how important it was for me to make the trips to see my grandparents every time I visited home. You mostly just let me do what I needed to do and feel the way I needed to feel, and that is what mattered.

As I sit here, my grandpa has been in heaven for just over three weeks. I miss him, and I worry about my grandma. My grandparents were married for almost 65 years and they experienced the worst trials and tribulations that a couple can deal with, combined with the great joys of a longterm marriage filled with love and family. They always set a good Christian example to me, and I will always be grateful to them for that. I feel that my sense of morality and dignity is very much a gift that they gave me.

I have cried a moment or two, here and there, at random times since Grandpa died. Mostly it was because I was remembering something special that my grandpa had said or done. I was extraordinarily lucky in life- I had a full set of grandparents for over 42 years, and I always knew with a great certainty how much they loved me. I mostly cry because I know how privileged I was to have the relationship I did with my grandpa.

Let me pause for a moment and say a few things from the heart. If a family member gets ill, and it is hard to deal with- DON'T RUN AWAY. Suck it up and be there- even if it is horrible and painful. Also, don't be afraid to comfort those that need it. Don't let them live in a fantasy land, but use tact and be honest and true to your heart.

I say these things because I am lucky. I was able to see my grandpa in sickness and in health. I have beautiful, joyous memories of him that will long outlive the ones that are in my short term memory. He was terribly ill, and it is hard to bring dignity into a situation like that, but I am so glad I didn't run away.

Thank you to my friends and family that were so wonderful to me. I miss my grandpa, and will continue to do so the rest of my life. We had silly, fun private jokes that make me smile as I am typing this. We also had wonderful, serious talks, and moments of intense feeling. My grandpa loved me and I knew it, but I also know he went to heaven knowing how much I loved him back and that is all I can ask for.

Freaking Sweet!

From Comic Book Resources:

WONDER WOMAN #34

Written by Gail Simone

Art by Aaron Lopresti & Matt Ryan

Cover by Aaron Lopresti

“Birds of Paradise” part 1 of 2! After the status-shattering events of WONDER WOMAN #33, the world's most sensational team reunites, as Wonder Woman and Black Canary go undercover among some of the worst villains of the DC universe! It's gonna be a bad day for some bad men when the two toughest women in comics join forces!

On sale July 29 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US

Catching Up

Hey Gang.. umm, if anyone still actually comes here...

I love my blog. You wouldn't know it recently, but I really do. It has been a wonderful tool for me to communicate with, and to share my love of the comic book medium. I have made the best friends on earth here, and I really miss it. I would really like to get back to normal again soon.

The only problem is that life has been hectic.

I haven't said a bunch, mostly because I love my job and don't want to misconstrue talk of it as negative in any way, but I have been very busy there. It has been exciting and fascinating to work for another company after being at my old one for almost twenty years. I feel like a butterfly coming out of my coccoon. I have enjoyed the challenge of learning a new computer system and figuring out the way to do things there. It has been a lot of hours, primarily because I am a bit of a workaholic, and secondarily because I hate not knowing how to do something correctly. I want to learn fast, so that has taken a great deal of time.

Also, as you know, I also cut WAY back on my comic book purchases. I only receive a DCBS order once a month, so I am really out of the loop. The lack of comic books also made me cut back on my blog reading, lest I find spoilers. I went from over 100 titles a month to 6. It is MAJOR culture shock. I still don't like it but it is a fact of life. It also means I have a lot less to talk about because I don't have the knowledge of the books in a timely manner, or follow the books at all.

Finally but most importantly in my life, my beloved grandpa's health deteriorated and he passed away recently. I have a story that I would like to make as a separate blog entry, because I found out as I was walking into ECCC. My grandpa and grandma have always been close to me, and I miss my grandpa very much. Luckily for me, my grandma is still alive, though deeply mourning her husband. She and Grandpa were married almost 65 years. I want to be there for her as much as I can, even though distance separates us.

There is so much I want to say, but I just can't find the time. I refuse to close my blog, or retire it. I feel like things are going to normalize eventually, and I feel that I will revive my comic book roots sooner than later. It just hasn't been something I have been able to do in the past six months especially.

I miss talking about "is this gratuitous". I miss the excitement of the weekly Diamond list, knowing that I would have good stuff on the list each week. I miss reading all my favorite blogs and sites and keeping up on comic book news. Most of all, I miss the people that I used to interact with in the comics.

I vow to make a triumphant return..... :-)

It Is Snowing!!

Isn't it supposed to be Spring?? Snowflakes the size of silver dollars are just plain odd.


-- Post From My iPhone

Typing

Why is it that when I learned to type on high school I couldn't look at the keyboard because points were taken off but now I find I have to look to type on my iPhone?

I know in school it was not allowed because we were to look at the material we were typing in but I am forever messed up now. I never look at the keyboard when I type but now must do so to send messages.

No wonder I am so slow!

Discuss.


-- Post From My iPhone

Home from ECCC

It is with sadness mixed with extreme exhaustion that I sit here today. The Emerald City Comicon was amazing fun, and all my friends were wonderful. I had bad news Friday night and they all pitched in to make me comfortable and happy.

The crowds were insane this year, as you can see in this picture! I will have a more full report later this week.

In the meantime, thank you to my friends. You are why I look so forward to attending!



-- Post From My iPhone

Live from ECCC

It's all over except for the post-show cocktails. A wonderful time was had by all!


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Live from ECCC

The shirt that all the creators signed. It is going to end up in San Diego so keep your eyes peeled!


-- Post From My iPhone

Live from ECCC

Spider-Man and a ghostbuster team up to fight evil!


-- Post From My iPhone

Live from ECCC

Jim works the booth while Brian Denham sketches.



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Live from ECCC

Mark Waid is signing at the Hero Initiative booth from 10:30 to noon. Very cool!


-- Post From My iPhone

Live from ECCC

A nice day.



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Live from ECCC

Gene Ha was amazing! He gave the Hero Initiative crew warm hugs and sketched for an hour at the booth.




-- Post From My iPhone

Live from ECCC

Martini and Rantz rock the house!


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Live from ECCC

Lisa and Laura- two of my favorite people! Laura is my friend from Bloggity-Blog-Blog and Lisa is her wonderful sister! That is Laura on the right.
(Thank you to Eric for the help)




-- Post From My iPhone

Live from ECCC

This lady dressed as Leia is very popular!



-- Post From My iPhone

Live from ECCC

Hero Initiative insanity!


-- Post From My iPhone

New Comics for April 1

Happy April Fool's Day! In my town, we started the morning with light snow and wind. I guess the groundhog was right, huh? Hopefully the weather is getting better for you, and not following the trend here of cold and cold.

I had a few new comics this week! They are:

Justice Society of America #25- cover pictured

Boys #29

My hubby ran by the local comic book shop today and bought me a couple of comics as a treat. He got me Flash Rebirth #1 and Black Panther 2 #3. That was very nice of him, and I hope to get to read them tonight.

My interest in comics has been almost non-existent lately. With the bad economy and so much going on at my job and with family, it has been hard to fit it in. I am hoping to rekindle some of that interest at the Emerald City Comicon this weekend.

My goal is to do some live blogging from the show. I have an iPhone, so I am going to take pictures and post them if nothing else. I also am going to help at the Hero Initiative booth, God willing my family member's health remains unchanged.

Anyone else attending? Have a happy Thursday!

Quick Notes!

My "get in shape" contest ends Thursday so I am in a super panic. This means yet another week of crappy blogging. Go figure.

In other news, I will be attempting to blog photos from ECCC this weekend. We shall see how that goes. I have a loved one who is very ill and only the good lord can predict the outcome there, so I may be there instead of ECCC. It is a long story, and one I have been keeping quiet, so bear with me. My hubby will for sure be attending, so head over to the Hero Initiative booth where Jim will be helping our buddy Brian. Buy something or at least say "hi".

Tomorrow I hope to be back with the list of this week's new comics. In the meantime, take care!

New Comics for March 25

Holy Crap! It is new comic book day and I am just now posting about my comics for the week. What a slacker. LOL. Actually, once again work and family are taking priority over blogging, so my track record still sucks. Someday I hope to get my stress levels back to normal and get the blog back on a normal schedule. There are days I want to blog about something, but by the time I get home it is after 8 p.m. and I have to dash around and get stuff ready for the next day. My life is insane right now.

I have two new comics for this week, so I am pretty excited! They are:

Wonder Woman #30

Incredible Hercules #127 (pictured)

I am really excited about both of them! I also found out that my DCBS order shipped today, so that was icing on the cake. I will see the last month's books next Tuesday.

Comics I would get if I wasn't on such a tight budget are:

Justice League Of America #31- for mostly sentimental reasons.

Oracle #1 (of 3) - which I may still pick up off the rack.

Top 10 Special #1

Darkness #76- on the fence about this one.

Captain America #48- which I hope to afford again someday.

Daredevil #117- ditto.

On a side note, Jim is going for sure to be at the Emerald City Comicon next weekend. We are helping our friend Brian at the Hero Initiative booth, so please be sure to stop by and help out by purchasing some cool stuff. My presence there is up in the air because of family health concerns. I will keep you posted.

Have a wonderful evening! I hope to get a chance to tell you about my take on the new DVD release- Punisher War Zone. Awesome stuff!

Random Thoughts and Musings

What a sad day. The amazing actress Natasha Richardson has passed away. Her skills in acting always amazed me, particularly in Nell, with her husband Liam Neeson, and in the remake of The Parent Trap, as odd as that may seem. She was also stunningly real in the movie Patty Hearst. My heart goes out to her husband and two sons. What an awful thing. She was just 45 and died after a skiing accident. Horrible.

I have had loved ones that are ill lately, and it has been tough, but losing a healthy person suddenly is the worst. The fact that Richardson leaves two teenage boys makes it even sadder. As a member of the Redgrave/Richardson movie dynasty, her absence will be felt onscreen and more importantly, off.

On that note, I will take my leave. I was going to talk about other things, but I just don't feel like it now. Take care!

New Comics for March 18

Tomorrow is Saint Patricks Day, so an early "woo hoo" to all you Irish types (and big drinkers) out there. I have my green shirt in my bag so that I don't have to deal with the pretense of being completely inappropriately pinched at work. LOL. What about you?

I am quite excited as I have a new comic on Wednesday. It is Wolverine #71, which is either the next to last or last part of the "Old Man Wolverine" storyline. The cover is very cool, so enjoy.

I would also like to pick up the following if money permits down the road.

Green Lantern Corps #33

Witchblade #125

Ultimatum #3 (of 5)

What about you? Anything really fun out there that I am missing?

I know it has been quiet around here, and I apologise. I hope that in the next month I can bring my stress and my life back to a more manageable level. I miss keeping up here, and it has been torture to have to let this slide.

Have a wonderful week!

Random Thoughts and Musings

I just read at Newsarama that The Boys: Herogasm will be starting in May. This should be good fun for fans of the core book. Aping the crossovers of the 1990's, Herogasm will show what occurs during and after big team ups of the Voight teams. I am looking forward to this and plan to hold a spot in my comic book pull list for it.

One thing I appreciate about the "Boys" saga is that I already know it is 60 issues and will have some random mini-series. As a reader, it helps me plan a little better financially, and tricks me into buying everything as I already know the series is finite. Anyone else planning to pick this up?

We haven't been to see Watchmen yet. I have been tired from running around working and working out, so we will probably wait another week. Part of my friends that have seen the movie report being disturbed by the naked blue guy. LOL. It is funny to me, as someone who has read the series many times, to hear about the movie from someone that has never done so. I can't tell if it is going to taint my perspective or not.

The fangirls are looking for new blood to run the site. I have to just stop here and remember trying to volunteer when the site first opened. I think that the folks that ran it then were looking for new ground and didn't need help. Now when the site is up for grabs, I just don't have time and interest. Ironic, huh? Much luck to the new team, whoever they may be.

I bought season two of Heroes on DVD. Borders had a 40% off coupon, so I decided to spend a tiny bit of tax refund and get both it and season two of The Tudors on DVD. I tried to pick up season one, and it was not there.

Hero Initiative outreach commercial here. I wholeheatedly support Hero Initiative, and think Jim McLauchlin has done a wonderful job running the show.

I hope you have a wonderful evening! I am tired from weeks of running so I plan to take more naps and sleep!

(NO) New Comics for March 11

It finally happened. I have no new comics this week. Strange. Another first is that Jim actually has more titles in a week then me with his two books- Green Lantern Corps and Far West.

Weird.

I never thought I would go a week with no books, but here I am. In the spirit of picking up a title, if I was to get one it would be:

Top Ten #4 (of 4)- pictured

I have the first three issues, and had cut this off my list due to finances. If I get the chance, I would like to pick this up and finish the mini-series.

Other books I would have picked up are:

Batman: Battle for the Cowl #1 (of 3)

Fables #82- which may come back on my pull list soon

Punisher Max #68

No wonder I feel so disconnected from comics right now. My cutbacks are severe and have really taken effect in a major way. I don't know how I feel about this.

What are you getting?

Wonder Woman DVD... Random Comments

I just got done watching the new animated Wonder Woman DVD adventure. I have been so excited to watch it for so long, that my anxiety and expectation was very high. Here are some random comments without major spoilers.

1. The story veers from continuity but it really didn't bother me. Why is that? I guess it is because the tale being told was well done.

2. The animation was gorgeous. I was in heaven watching it on my television.

3. The guest voices did a great job. I really bought Kerri Russell as Diana, and I dug the fact that Rosario Dawson pitched in to bring Artemis to life.

4. Ares was a good choice for villain. I hope for a new adventure next year that will feature Cheetah or Dr. Psycho.

5. I didn't realize that it was rated PG-13 until I brought it home. That was good for me, but bad for my 4 year old niece.

Those are my first impressions of the DVD. I look forward to viewing it again soon. What did you think?

Already Missing Comic Foundry

Last night I got home to an unexpected treat- the final issue of Comic Foundry. It came with my DCBS order, and that made my night. I have really enjoyed this magazine and am sad that this was the last issue. Comic Foundry combines independent goodness with the big names, and manages to keep from being gratuitous on the T&A art. (It felt good to say gratuitous after such a long dry spell!)

As someone who gave up Wizard a long time ago, I found Comic Foundry to be a breath of fresh air. I appreciated the insights into creators that would never have found a voice in Wizard. I also liked the helpful hints and opinion pieces. This magazine was never afraid to tell it like it is, and the great thing about it being in print was that it wasn't tainted with internet comments that tended to ruin a great deal of my enjoyment here in the web zone.

It is my fondest wish that someday Comic Foundry comes back. I already miss it, and it wasn't around that long. The magazine fills a void for the more mature reader in me. I never felt like there was excessive fluff, and I never felt pandered to. This was the real thing.

Thanks for the quality entertainment, and come back soon!

New Comics for March 4

Holy Crap- it is March! This year is going even faster than the last! I don't know what to think, other than to realize that as I get older, time gets out of hand. Before I know it, my nephew will be 16- it is in October, so it will be no time before I am in the passenger's seat with him.

I am pretty excited- I have two comics this week! Woo hoo! They are:

Secret Six #7- cover pictured

Boys #28

Those are two favorites of mine, so waiting until the end of the month for my shipment will be tough. At least I know I will be getting them, so that is good news.

If I had a bigger budget I would possibly add a few more titles. They are:

Black Panther #2- yes I am sucked in and want to know who the female BP is.

Daredevil #116- cuz Brubaker rules!

Surprisingly, that is it. Jim and I went to our local shop this weekend and I did pick up the final issue of She-Hulk. Sob. Mope. It was fun to get something "off the rack" without spending every last penny. I was happy to have a positive buying experience!

Tomorrow is the release of the Wonder Woman DVD, as I was babbling about in the earlier post. I am so excited! I have been saving my money, and will be able to pick it up. Do you know if any of the national chains are having any sales? Just curious.

Have a wonderful evening! I am off to get some dinner and relax before the merry go round starts up again.

I Can't Wait For...

The Wonder Woman animated DVD! I had almost forgotten about it until the last week when a friend reminded me. It is out March 3 which is this coming week! Amazing.

Anyone else planning to pick it up?

On that note, I am going to go work. I have been doing as much extra as I can in this extra economy, which accounts for most of my absence here. Have a great weekend!

Where Has the Fun Gone?

Lately with how the economy has been sputtering and faltering, I have been dead serious about life. Between working hard at a job that I like and trying to get as far ahead on payments as possible, I have pretty much forgotten how to have fun. Sad, huh?

I read comics and enjoy them, but it is a momentary situation. It allows me to put everything in the back of my mind. It also allows me to suspend disbelief, which is always a good thing. The bad news is that I have cut so far back, my joy has lessened significantly. I am hoping to try and change that down the road.

The reality though is that our economy isn't just going to bounce back. I don't care who is in office at this point- things are very scary. In our home county, unemployment has soared over 11%. It just isn't possible to find a job. I am so blessed with my career that I can't say enough about it.

The bottom line though is that I haven't just sat back and tried to do something just for me. I want to do something just for fun. Going to see Watchmen next week is a possibility. I would also like to see my nephews again. That would be fun. I have even gone so far as to consider going bowling sometime. I am looking to have FUN.

How are you having fun these days? I know that several of you have cut back of completely quit reading comics. What have you found to fill the void? I am really curious, and I would like to have some fun too!

Have a wonderful evening! I miss you guys, and I have been remiss in my blogging!

New Comics for February 25

Good news in my little world- my luggage showed up! I had to go to a hotel that is a stop for the airporter shuttle to pick it up, but I didn't care. I was just so happy that it wasn't lost forever, that I didn't argue. My laundry is done, my supplies put away, and all is right with the world!

In other news, my comic book order for the month should ship on Wednesday. This is very exciting because we are down to only getting one monthly shipment. I have two comics this week that will be added to my pile. They are:

Justice Society of America #24- pictured

Wonder Woman #29

There are a few comics I dropped that I would pick up if I had the extra cash. They are as follows.

Green Lantern #38

Superman #685

Captain America #47

Ms. Marvel #36

She-Hulk 2 #38- which may be the final issue.

Otherwise I am pretty happy with my cutbacks. I am shocked how much I have gotten used to the idea of getting a lot less comics one time a month. Neccesity can be a magical thing that way.

I know you will be shocked, but I have a busy week in store for me. Hopefully I will glide through it with grace and assurance. LOL. In the meantime, take care and I will check back in!

Back Home Again

Yay! I am home again! After spending the last three and a half days in Reno at a trade show, it feels good to be here. My bed felt comfy and it was nice to be in my familiar environment. Now if my luggage will ever show up, life will be perfect!

Yep. My luggage got lost. My coworker and I made the drive from Seattle home last night with just my purse. That was stressful. I got home at 1 a.m. and showered and went to bed. I just got a call an hour ago telling me that my luggage is found and is on a shuttle of sorts to my house. That is a huge relief!

We stayed at the Peppermill in Reno and it was pretty decent. I was fortunate enough to have my own room, and it had a view at night. My only complaint it the usual one- as a non-smoker, it was annoying to have every bit of my body smelling like cigarette smoke. I will have to wash every article of clothing I took, even if I didn't wear it. Sorry smokers, but it just frustrates me!

On that note, I am going to go try and catch up with stuff around the house. Laundry, more laundry, paying bills, cleaning, and the usual tomfoolery! Have a good day!

New Comics for February 18

Well, it is another week and I actually have a comic I am picking up... or two! It is a banner week. LOL. Two books are ending, and those are the books I am getting. They are:

Birds of Prey #127

Noble Causes #39 - cover pictured.

Crazy, huh? Both books are on their final issues and they are the ones on my list. I don't know if that is good or bad. I am happy to have a couple this week.

Here are the books I would have gotten:

Justice League of America #30

Supergirl #38- the new Superwoman story looks intriguing.

Punisher Max #67

Uncanny X-Men #506

That is it! On that note, I am off to Reno for my company trade show and I won't be back until Saturday. I will have no computer, so my usual excuses for not blogging are out the window and I have just cause. LOL! I will be having serious withdrawals for the next week, and maybe that will put the wind back in my sails. In the meantime, have a wonderful week!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Instead of my usual grumbling about having to cut back on comics or how busy I am, I just wanted to take a moment to wish you a Happy Valentine's Day! After a hectic Friday the 13th, it is just the breath of fresh air we all needed!

NO New Comics for February 11

Yesterday was a milestone in my comic book collecting career. I had no books to pick up. Zero. Nada. Zip. For the first time in over 15 years, a week has come and gone with nothing new on the pull list. I feel pretty numb about it. It is both awful and satisfying at the same time. It is awful because one of my favorite things has been put on the back burner but it is good because it really does show that I am saving money.

I feel like I am at a crossroads of sorts. I really wish I could go back to the old days, but it just isn't possible. Maybe down the road. In the meantime, here is my wishlist of books to pick up someday... maybe.

Action Comics #874
Batman #686
Fables #81- I really miss this book
Nightwing #153- the series is almost ended.
Darkness #75

That is it. I would have only had five books if I hadn't changed my pull list. Maybe some of the titles I buy are ending and maybe some have changed in quality so much that I simply don't pick them up anymore.

Sorry to be on a downer here. I wish things were different. Did any of you pick up anything you enjoyed that I should consider getting in the future?

Coming Up For Air...

I am at the end of a weight loss contest so when I am not at work, I am at the gym. Part of my team weighs out Thursday night and the other weighs out Friday. Needless to say, I am exhausted. My other contest goes until April, so I will not have to live at the gym so much. Also, my work continues to keep me busy, so that is another challenge.

In comic book news, I am on pins and needles for the end of 100 Bullets. I am also becoming very interested in the new Wonder Woman arc - it seems destined to really shake up the status quo there. I also enjoyed the end of the JSA "Gog" storyline after being really underwhelmed by it in the beginning.

When I went to the concert the other night, I realized that my ears can't handle full-on, distorted, loud music anymore. My ears weren't right again until 48 hours later. It sucks to realize how sensitive my ears have gotten. The Heidi that went to see Motley Crue in 1985 could never pull it off again without some kind of ear protection, and that is extremely humbling.

Have a good one and I will check back in with the new comics for the week tomorrow!

Random Thoughts and Musings: Rocker Edition

Thursday night I went and saw a concert with four popular rock bands- Saving Abel, Papa Roach, Avenged Sevenfold, and Buckcherry. It was fantastic to have these groups come to our town rather than having to make the sojourn over the mountains to Seattle or Portland. Needless to say, my city was very excited and it showed as the concert was virtually sold out.

I took my friend Kerry and headed over to the Sundome. We actually had awesome "seats" as we were on the floor in the front quarter of the audience. In the new school fashion of concerts, there were no chairs on the floor- just concrete. That made Kerry very nervous, as he had never attended a rock show before. I figured it was going to be okay as I am a solid girl who isn't afraid to shove a bit to keep my place. LOL.

Saving Abel opened the show, and I was very impressed. Their big radio song was "Addicted", but they also had a few good rockers. The lead singer had an incredible voice, and the band played with conviction. I appreciated the crowd to band interaction and Kerry really enjoyed it. We had an excellent view since we were so close to the front. No one moshed during their performance, but there was a lot of jumping up and down. My favorite song was "New Tattoo".

Papa Roach came on next and just killed it. The audience went nuts as lead singer Jacoby Shaddox came into the crowd and sang "Getting Away with Murder". I hadn't seen that kind of fan interaction and symbiosis since taking in a Motley Crue show a decade ago. It was insane, but it was also wonderful. My favorite moment was when the band performed "Forever" and everyone jumped up and down in unison.

The crowd that night was definitely there to see Avenged Sevenfold. When the band hit the state, there was absolute chaos. I moved my friend back a bit so that we were about halfway back on the floor. He didn't want to be in the middle of the moshing, and it was probably a good thing as it got pretty nuts. The lead singer was a bit detached at times, but he really delivered the vocals. Synyter Gates, the lead guitarist, really did a nice job on his three part solo. The entire crowd really vibed when he was in his groove. My favorite song was "Scream".

I felt kinda bad for Buckcherry. The crowd was tired and I noticed folks leaving before they hit the stage. Prior to the concert, they were my main reason for getting tickets. Josh Todd didn't disappoint, doing his Axl Rose moves and keeping the ladies entranced with his lean, tattooed torso. I really enjoyed the performance, but was very upset at the low energy of the crowd. After the band did "Crazy Bitch", people left in droves. I was pissed and embarrassed for my city.

What did I learn at the show? Papa Roach rocks, Saving Abel is a new favorite, Avenged Sevenfold is loud, Josh Todd has a lot of tattoos, and my friend doesn't like to stand for six straight hours! LOL. I really enjoyed myself and wish that more shows like this would come to town. We mostly get country shows, which is all good and well, but I don't go to those. We need to get more rock shows here!

On that note, my tired butt has to get to the gym. I am really back into working out, so bear with me. Since I figured out that my high school reunion is coming up, and since I have felt so out of shape, it is a requirement.

I hope you all have a wonderful rest of the weekend!

Random Thoughts and Musings: Final Crisis Edition

Yesterday we got our DCBS order, and in it was Final Crisis #7. Without giving away any spoilers, I would like to make some general statements.

1. It was indeed a bit of a trippy Grant Morrison affair. The man is unique, and his writing style has a certain sophistication wrapped in a acid trip that no other writer has duplicated. Morrison writes with a confidence that allows no room for conjecture. I never cease to be amazed by this. From The Invisibles to X-Men, the man has no peer in this department. I sometimes question the fact that he has remained so true to the floppy format when I can easily visualize his work in hardback or movie script format.

2. Doug Mahnke made me a believer with his artwork. His style is also unique, and though he was inked by no less than seven inkers, I still appreciated that the man can come through in a crunch. No offense to J.G. Jones, whose work I enjoy, but Mahnke owned it in the end. There is a double page spread towards the middle that ties things together for me.

3. I am glad the whole affair is over. I am burned out on crossovers and big events. I want to find the characters again and focus on their single titles. It irritates me to no end that there is this whole villains month in January that is being followed by an "origins and omens" month at DC. Let the characters get back to their own threads and spend time with their supporting casts, for God's sake!

Those were the three points that were stuck in my head last night. What did you think?

I am off to see Buckcherry, Avenged Sevenfold, Papa Roach, and Saving Abel tomorrow night so I will see you back here Friday! Have a great one!