The Art of Being Super, Friends.

L to R: Superman (AKA Logan), The Flash (AKA Daddy) & Batman (AKA Owen)

Due to their recent fascination w/ all things Super, I got the boys some of the JLA:Unlimited action figures a week or so. Logan won't go anywhere w/out Superman...they eat, sleep, play, even watch TV together. Owen isn't as fixated on Batman (a Spider-Man guy, he prefers Marvel to DC), but still has a lot of fun w/ it. Much less speedy in real life, I ended up w/ The Flash.

In fact, just yesterday, the three of us stopped the evil, gigantic Dr. Lucifer Von Giraffenstein from destroying the Fisher Price Little People garage and airport. The evil 'Doctor' is actually a giraffe from a set of big plastic zoo animals...Wonder-Mom thought that the trio of The Joker/Gorilla Grodd/Lex Luthor also included in the set were a little too Evil for prime-time. Until then, they are scheming away upstairs in my toy collection. Yikes!

Do I REALLY Need to See This?

I mean, Oliver Stone's 'W' looks deliciously wacked out and all...but wasn't suffering through the past 8 years enough? Great use of that Talking Heads tune, I don't think those lyrics have ever made more sense to me than in this context. God. Bless. America.

WFH (Working From Home) Today...

My car, the 2000 Honda CRV w/ the KISS 'Rock and Roll Over' air-freshener, is in the shop getting some much-needed work done. Not sure if my mechanics are going to be able to replicate all the features found on the Mach 5 steering wheel...but when all is said and done i'll have a new exhaust clamp, 4 new tires, fresh wiper-blades and an oil change. Gentlemen, start your engines.

AMBFAD (Comic) Book Club

'500 Essential Graphic Novels: The Ultimate Guide'

Picked up a great book/tool for the comic luddite and aficionado alike over the weekend. '500 Essential Graphic Novels' provides a list of...well, 500 graphic novels that no self-respecting geek should be without. 350 authors and 400 artists are represented in this study of the genre.

The book is neatly divided into ten alphabetically organized chapter themes, each defining a graphic novel genre: from adventure through fiction and humor to war. Each chapter contains a thoughtful introduction, ten essential reads and nearly 40 other genre-defining works from 1987 onward. Each 1/2 page entry offers a plot synopsis and a qualitative review while showing the novel cover and (space permitting) a page excerpt. Even better, each entry also includes recommendations to other books of similar ilk.

This guide really runs the gambit, where you find Alan Moore and Frank Miller comfortably hobnobbing w/ Daniel Clowes and Charles Burns...allowing you to expand your parameters into some great new stuff or give you hours of fodder to argue over what was/wasn't included. As author Gene Kannenberg Jr. explains in the introduction, this is in no way definitive...there is just too much stuff out there to include it all.

That said, he's done a fantastic job in showing you where to start. Getting back into the whole world of comics myself, this is a great 'field guide' to help me continue to get up to speed. It came out in August and i've seen it at most of the major book sellers, so it should be easy to find. Could either save you some money spent on something bad or make you drain your savings on all the stuff you never knew about. Either way, good times!

BAT VS. HORNET...

Just for Bat-Shits & Giggles...TV's Masked Vigilante/Asian Manservant meets TV's Masked Vigilante/Boy Wonder.

Wonder who would win in a drag race between the Batmobile and the Black Beauty? CALL YOUR TV STATION TODAY AND DEMAND THEY HELP YOU FIND OUT...

Chow Time for 'The Green Hornet'!

Holy. Balls. When I initially read that Seth Rogen was looking at doing a new 'Green Hornet' flick, as funny/talented as I think he is...I was pretty underwhelmed. That all changed when I finally caught word that it was announced a couple of Fridays ago that none other than the legendary Stephen Chow will both direct AND star as Kato opposite Rogen's Green Hornet.

I'm such a massive fan of both 'Kung Fu Hustle' and 'Shaolin Soccer' that I can't even begin to tell you how freaking excited I am. If you've never seen either, shame on you! Chow melds incredible action/martial arts w/ a sense of humor for a trademark experience that is a feast for both the eyes and the brain. Not only is he a great writer/director, but in a script written by Rogen/Evan Goldberg...he's the perfect choice to fill Bruce Lee's shoes in the role of Kato.

Hopefully, i'm not building this up too much in my head...but I do know that Rogen is a comic fanboy himself, so I think this could end up being mega-fun. Guess we'll find out in June 2010!

The Passing of a Natural Born World-Shaker...

R.I.P. Paul Newman

'Dyin'? Boy, he can have this little life any time he wants to. Do ya hear that? Are ya hearin' it? Come on. You're welcome to it, ol' timer. Let me know you're up there. Come on. Love me, hate me, kill me, anything. Just let me know it.'

SAVE FAMOUS.

I'm feeling a little bit better, but i'll be damned if this hasn't been a long week of mucus and quasi-sleepless nights. I freaking HATE being sick, especially when the weather is especially nice. Get out and enjoy the weekend, true-believers!

IT'S (BACK) ON!

Here we go. McCain finally agreed to attend the first presidential debate tonight even though Congress doesn't have a bailout deal locked up. I thought it was funny yesterday, every time I heard them say on the radio that they weren't sure the debate would go on if he didn't show. How the hell do you have a debate w/ one Dude?!

An Associated Press poll released just before McCain's announcement showed the public overwhelmingly wanted the candidates to debate, 60% to 22%, with the rest undecided (AKA watching Ultimate Fighting on Spike). Should be interesting...hopefully, further opportunity for my man B to close the gap.

After seeing the recent media performances of both Palin and Biden this week, the VP debate should be a real hoot. Fundamental difference being that while Joe may shoot his mouth off, he actually knows his shit. 'The Barracuda'...comes off like a dead fish.

After the debate tonight, there are two more presidential on 7-Oct and 15-Oct...the Veeps bring it next Thursday, 2-Oct. Tune in and get informed.

BEND IT!

Spent a couple of minutes meeting David Beckham prior to a presentation he made here at work (he's one of our 'brand ambassadors'). Very nice guy and a lot smaller than I expected. He's always been in my peripheral since his early days at Man U and I kind of lost sight on just how big of an icon he's become within and outside of the sport. Way cool to meet such a huge star, photo to follow as soon as I get it.

'You're Our Only HOPE.'

I know, enough w/ the politics. Had to post up w/ this awesome poster from Ironic Sans. Too bad they aren't selling anything in fear of a Death Star-sized legal handslap from Lucasfilms or you'd see these window decals on X-wings and Tie-Fighters everywhere...

Red Planet or Blue Planet...c'mon gang, we're all one universe!

Now More Than EVER...

Why? The latest Entertainment Weekly cover is worth a thousand points of light...

Classic.

Whoops. Almost Forgot...

I know I shouldn't be enjoying the series in Minnesota...but I totally am.

When Sarah Met Katie...

Is it just me or did anybody else watching that interview w/ Katie Couric...when pressed for further examples of how McCain, a 26-year congressional veteran, had led the charge for more oversight of the financial community...expected 'The Barracuda' to respond:

'Oh, he's very popular Katie. The sportos, the motorheads, geeks, sluts, bloods, waistoids, dweebies, dickheads - they all adore him. They think he's a righteous dude.'

Seriously, since Palin was selected as McCain’s running mate in late August, she’s appeared at 21 rallies (most of which were at McCain’s side), has yet to hold a press conference, has conducted less than a handful of national media interviews, has pulled out of several fundraising appearances AND comes off sounding like a younger, more attractive Edie McClurg...

One heartbeat away, folks...One Heartbeat. I'd rather vote for Abe Froman.

'Look! There Goes Our Convention Bump!'

John McCain stated yesterday he would 'suspend' campaign events, advertising and fundraising to return to Capitol Hill to work on the financial crisis until an agreement on legislation was reached.

Even better, he called for Friday's debate to be postponed — and for Obama to curtail campaign activities as well. To which the response was something along the lines of go fuck yourself, should either of us become President we'll have to be able to 'deal with more than one thing at once.'

Even better than that, the McCain camp has floated the possibility that, regardless of the fact that she can't participate in the high-level federal government deliberations on the economy that McCain gave as his reason for suspending his campaign...wait for it...wait for it...Sarah Palin may also suspend her campaign.

My second favorite response to this transparent move, rooted either in campaign grandstanding or a smokescreen for lagging poll numbers came from Rep. Barney Frank, chairman of the Financial Services Committee, during a break in Wednesday's critical hearing on the bailout: 'It's the longest 'Hail Mary' in the history of either football or Marys.'

My FIRST favorite response? That's easy...

SKATE OR DUH!

I'm cleaning some old files off the laptop and realized I never posted up w/ these awesome decks from THINK Skateboards. Granted, they've all kind of toned things down outside of LiLo officially confirming she digs chicks (really though, who doesn't?), but they still make me laugh.

Seems she's in as much of a PR renaissance as a talentless pop star w/ fading looks can be as well, but the Good Brit/Bad Brit was equally as funny...

I realize I still read comic books, watch cartoons and play w/ toys, but my skateboarding days are WAY behind me. If I was a couple decades younger, i'd totally rock one of these. Kick, Push.

*BLANK* THROAT!

Ugh. Not sure if it's allergies, sinus problems or the onset of Strep...but my freaking throat is all closed up and feels like crap. I HATE getting sick.

Hats Off To Ya!

In celebration of the not just the clinching the NL Central Division Championship, but clinching home field advantage for the first two rounds of the playoffs...I bought myself a new Cooperstown 1914 Road Cap. I have a different one I got for Father's Day two years back that is on it's last leg. It's time.

If I didn't have too many damn hats already, this Drew Pearson Distressed Superman Cap is pretty freaking sweet as well. It's 'superfaded black' with a distressed screen printed image of Supes saving Lois in front of the Daily Planet from Action Comics #23...

On a Brighter Note...

...still VERY enthused about 'The Spirit' coming in December. I revisited that 'Sin City' flick a week or two ago that Frank Miller did w/ Rodriguez and forgot just how cool it was (both visually and screenplay-wise).

Granted, Miller's take on Will Eisner looks to have a little more camp ala the Batman TV show...but still looks to have that 'comic-book come to life' aesthetic 'Sin City' perfected. Besides, any time you can hear 'on your knees then' from the lips of Scarjo...you have my full attention.

Hmmmm. From THIS...

...to THIS:

Not really too sure which way i'm leaning. The original had a bonus Sandahl Bergman, but (via her outfit a while back at the VMA's) Rose McGowan has shown she can pull off looking pretty good in chain-mail.

That said, Robert Rodriguez, how about some focus on Allred's 'Madman' flick, eh?

'Like Jimmy Walker I'm...'

Believe THAT, Thelma!

Speaking of Heroes (Again)...

Finally, after geeking out about it over a month ago ...'Heroes' season premiere tonight! Clip show recapping Season 2 at 7PM CST and then the two-hour opener to Season 3. I can't freaking wait.

I Am (I Am) I Am Superman...

...and I know what's happening. Yes I Do.

The Dynamic Duo Does their Daddy Proud!

I was watching the boys yesterday and in the midst of goofing around, Logan and Owen picked up one of my Wizard magazines and started flipping through it while naming various superheroes. The Hulk...Batman...Captain America...you name it.

Eventually, this evolved into Lo referring to himself as 'SuperGuy'...O venturing a guess that Spider-Man could take care of 'scary dinosaurs'...all of us running around the house to both the original 'Spider-Man' TV and 'Superman' movie themes...they truly are their father's sons. 'Teach them well and let them lead they way' indeed.

THE MAGIC # IS...

ZERO. ZILCH. NADA. CUBBIES CLINCH THE DIVISION! WHOO!

As if being on edge about the election ain't enough, another post-season of baseball to contend with. Picked a bad time to quit sniffin' glue I guess. Doh!

Ha! Totally Missed This...

...but it seems like the perfect opportunity to post it. Who'da thunk you'd ever see Bob and Len discussing the finer points of Nudie suits w/ (Cardinals-fan?) Jeff Tweedy?

Yikes. Speaking of the Cards, they're already up 7 on the Cubs in the 2nd?! WTF, Big Z?!

Ok. Excited Again.

Wow. Four runs w/ two outs in the bottom of the ninth and a D. Lee single in extra innings to put the Cubbies in postion to clinch the division this weekend...against the flipping Cardinals nonetheless!

Oh, in less important news, the government is erasing billions of debt to pull Wall Street out of it's recent nose dive or something too. GO CUBS!

I KNEW I Shouldn't Have Gotten Too Excited BUT...

HOOOOLLLLYYY...shit.

Cubbies caught w/ their pants down by the Brew Crew. C'mon boys, let's get some runs and move the needle just little bit further.

I Know I Shouldn't Get TOO Excited, BUT...

I mean c'mon, it's been a crappy couple of weeks in the 'good news' department. GO CUBBIES!

AND Speaking of HEROES...

We've all seen/heard the duet on 'Little Drummer Boy', but enjoy some appropriate solo Bowie from the same 1977 Bing Crosby X-Mas Special.

Speaking of Tim Sale/Heroes...

'Heroes' season premiere is next Monday, 22-September! As mentioned before, Tim Sale has done some cool artwork that played a major role on the show. Me, being the merchandise whore that I am, thought i'd showcase some of the ginchy 'Heroes'/Tim stuff for all the fanboys and fangirls to drool over availble at the NBC.com store. I know some of this is going on MY X-mas list...

9th Wonders/Hiro T-Shirts

9th Wonders/Hiro Tumbler

9th Wonders Lunchbox

Heroes Postage Stamps

Heroes Collectors Pins (1 of 3 Sets)

...and while not a Tim Sale-related item, this 50 Year Pocket Calendar, as featured on the set of Heroes, references the years 2006 thru 2055. So, should you ever develop the ability to bend space and time ala Hiro, you'll have something handy to know where/when you're at.

AND Just Because...

...it's been way too long.

Whats Your Favorite Colour (Baby)?

I briefly touched upon the 'Dynamic Duo' of Jeph Loeb and Tim Sale in my most recent posts about NBC's 'Heroes'. Upon mention of their names, a good majority of the comic book Illuminati would probably direct you to their work together on 'Batman: The Long Halloween/Dark Victory'...'Catwoman: When In Rome'...'Superman For All Seasons'.

As their aforementioned work for DC is nothing short of amazing, i'm sure i'll end blogging about it as I slowly continue to catch up w/ so much of the great work i've missed. That said, today, i'd like to talk about their color-themed work for Marvel...very different than the Batman stuff, but no less fantastic.

Each released as a limited series between 2001-2004 and eventual HB/TPB collected form, 'Daredevil: Yellow', 'Spider-Man: Blue' and 'Hulk: Gray' all chronicle their respective Marvel characters in their most formative years. Each story also balances hard fought battles w/ some of their most classic antagonists w/ the internal struggle over lost loves that still haunt them years later.

'Daredevil: Yellow' is an epistolary take on the origin story, using letters written to Karen Page after her death. One has to question if there is only a Karen/Matt Murdock/Foggy Nelson triangle to contend w/ or a much more complex Karen/Matt/Daredevil we see taking place as well. Along the way, we are also treated to run-ins w/ vintage Marvel baddies in Electro, The Owl and The Purple Man as Matt moves beyond vengeance over his father's death into something more heroic.

Where 'Yellow' was strung together by a narrative of letters that will never be read by the women they were meant for, in 'Spider-Man: Blue' recounts the webslinger's early career via posthumous messages into a tape recorder from Peter Parker to long-departed love Gwen Stacy. We bear witness to the quasi-love triangle between Peter/Gwen and the spicy M.J. Watson, plus the much more dangerous liaisons w/ classic Spidey foes in The Green Goblin, The Rhino, The Lizard, Two Vultures and Kraven the Hunter.

In 'Hulk:Gray' the authors have a present-day Bruce Banner narrates the story of the 48 hours after he first became the Hulk, in a session with psychiatrist/friend Leonard 'Doc' Samson. Again, the story also delves into the love triangle of sorts between Banner/The Hulk/and a now departed Betty Ross...interrupted by some run-ins w/ arch-enemy General 'Thunderbolt' Ross and a Mach I Iron Man.

Finally, after almost 4 years, the duo reunite to give us 'Captain America: White'. The series will actually start later this year, but a preview/prequel Issue #0 just started hitting the racks w/ a story explaining the origin of his original side kick Bucky. For those aware of Cap's storied past, you can see the huge potential for some interesting parity to the other books tales of relationship/loss. Exciting stuff.

The storytelling and art blend together perfectly on all counts in all three books. Never heavy-handed but extremely powerful and engaging. They are all good, but if you've seen Tim's kick ass work on the cavalcade of Batman baddies...you are in for a treat w/ 'Spiderman: Blue'. I know for sure that 'Hulk:Gray' is out of print, but all of these are worth looking for. Enjoy.

Word of the Day...

Seriously, 500 Points?! Mind your dollars and cents, true believers...it's going to be a rough couple of years.

I Know you're Probably Sick of All the Bat-Shit...

...but heard about this on the radio this morning and it sounded too funny to pass up. Seems there was a DC Comics recall last week of ALL-STAR BATMAN #10. Writer Frank Miller had requested all the issue’s profanity be lettered in and then covered with a black bar. However, although it looked fine in the proof stage, when it was printed...the black bars were transparent enough to read the offensive language.

As you can see from one of the panels posted above, the results are pretty hilarious. 'THIS HERE ARCADE BELONGS TO THE FU**ING BATGIRL!'

Happy Monday!

Sonofabitch. I spent the entire weekend bailing out water from my garage/utility room, have a mega-busy week at work to look forward to and the market looks like it's going into a death spiral...but at least that Tina Fey as Sarah Palin thing from SNL is still putting a smile on my face. Dead on and funnier than hell.

Like I said, busy week ahead and it may be slim pickins for regular helpings of the goofy on here. I do have some good stuff to throw your way, though...so i'll do my best. Yup.

Well, It's Been Bat-Fun...

...but that's my Bat-que to get outta' here and enjoy the Bat-weekend. Please, do the Bat-same!