Mademoiselle Le Sleuth

Sarah, an American actress in Paris, suddenly finds herself in league with her sister Vicki the reporter and her daughter Miranda the would-be detective, investigating a backstage murder.

It’s not easy to mix humor with mystery and intrigue but that’s just what author Theasa Tuohy does in her novel Mademoiselle Le Sleuth, published by France House Press.

The trio investigate amurder in the shadows of the Parisian theaters, cemeteries and streets.

Curiosity and fearless determination guide the trio as they explore the historic landmarks and uncover secrets best left alone that threaten their lives with each step they take.

Assisted by a detective and their loyal golden retriever the sisters and niece plunge into the seedy underside of Paris in an enchanting and captivating tale deep in The City of Lights.

It’s a spectacular guessing game that will have you glued to your seat until the final page in the latest Paris backstage murders.

Psalms 55:22 - Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.

Blackest Night #8

The shocking conclusion to the Blackest Night maxi-series from DC Comics ends with issue #8!

This is it! The ultimate showdown between the combined Lantern Corps consisting of the various colors of the spectrum, Nekron, the dead Black Lanterns and The Black Hand.

Victory seems assured, as Sinestro (now a White Lantern) appears to strike the killing blow.

Only the power of the Black Lanterns is even more than he can handle and once again the forces of evil rally and nearly defeat all of the Lanterns.

But when the connection to life and the living is breached many of the DC Comics superheroes long believed to be dead choose life and so is born the White Lantern Corps.

Using their power of light and life they attack Nekron and sever his control of the dead heroes he turned into Black Lanterns.

Once again they live, as does the Anti-Monitor whose power Nekron had tapped.

The dead DC heroes now live and are reunited with their friends, families and lovers.  The threat is ended but what of the White Lantern?

Writer Geoff Johns and artist Ivan Reiss knock it out of the park with the final issue of the Blackest Night maxi-series.

To me, Blackest Night maxi-series and crossover events was the best DC limited series ever produced ranking right up there with Crisis On Infinite Earths, Watchmen and The Dark Knight Returns.

It is an incredible series that completely transformed the DC Universe.

Hebrews 4:12 - For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

Epic! Cat Ninja The Heart Of A Hero Volume 6

It’s a bird! It’s a plane! It’s Superman? No...it’s Cat Ninja, the furry feline with the martial arts skills to take out the most nefarious and imaginative villains around.

In Epic! Cat Ninja The Heart Of A Hero Volume 6, illustrated by Chad Thomas and written by a host of authors, Cat Ninja faces his most nefarious challenge-not enough rest and too much to do.

Honestly, how is a crime-fighter supposed to keep up such a busy schedule? Even a ninja needs some rest, time with his family and friends and a little time off.

But, the crime-fighting cat can’t rest as a new plague of crimes threaten Metro City.

Every moment is present fighting crooks with little or no credit or appreciation. Is it it time to put away his nunchucks and let the new guy in town: Octopunch take over?

Disguised as a mild-mannered house cat when danger calls he transforms into Cat Ninja the feline crime-fighter.

In this book see him tackle Fred Wurst the ultimate animal control bad guy, King Crab the crustacean criminal, the Groomer of Evil, the Combat Wombat and the Tomato Twins the vegetable villains.

Get ready for some of the wildest, way-out and amazing adventures any crime-fighter ever experienced and he’s inviting you along for the ride courtesy of Andrews McMeel Publishing.

Check out the cool illustrations, awesome colors and effects and seat-of-your-pants stories!

Proverbs 3:6 - In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

Diamond Previews, January 2025

Psalms 37:4 - Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.

Private i

In the near future artificial intelligence and humanity has become almost inseparable and indistinguishable. So intertwined has mankind come with machines that their interplay is considered normal.

Imagine a world where each person has two internal voices-one human and on A.I. What are the ramifications? Where is the moral line drawn and can morality be applied to a non-human, mechanical mind...and soul?

For too many years Paloma has lived in seclusion. Arriving at her grandfather’s home she finds him beaten and dead.

Somehow someone has discovered her grandfather’s secret. His technological wizardry invented a machine intelligence named Marlowe. The same AI that share’s Paloma’s consciousness.

Both Paloma and Marlowe must flee for their live as unscrupulous individuals seek to exploit the special bond they share.

With Marlowe in their hands these same individuals could control the world. Paloma and Marlowe cannot let that happen.

With Marlowe’s aid Paloma has access to unlimited knowledge, instant instructions to locations, hidden facts and information and most of all a true friend albeit an A.I.

Join Paloma and Marlowe as they navigate, anticipate and ultimately come face-to-face to those who seek to exploit them both.

Private i explores the world of A.I. which even now is growing by leaps and bounds. Is it a godsend or a harbinger of the Apocalypse?

Private i, from authors Ashlei E. Watson, Jill Fain Lehman and Paul Pangaro, is a techno-thriller that begs the question, “Will A.I. benefit mankind or destroy it?”

Ephesians 4:29 - Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.

Gremlins

Whatever you do don’t feed him after midnight or get him wet!

When an inventor comes across and old Chinese curio shop he discovers a small furry creature called a Gremlin.  The shop owner refuses to sell the Gremlin called Gizmo but his grandson insists.

The inventor takes Gizmo home with strict instructions to keep him out of sunshine, which would kill him, not to feed him after midnight and never, ever get him wet.

Of course Gizmo gets wet and is fed after midnight resulting in a whole new batch of evil Gremlins being born.  Chaos ensues.

Joe Dante directed the film that went on to spawn a sequel.

The movie is one of only a few films that successfully combines humor with horror.  While the Mowgli (Gremlins) (as in the case of Gismo) are cute and cuddly, their offspring are anything but.  Add offspring from offspring and you have some of the most horrifying and frightening killer creatures imaginable.

Gremlins proved so popular that it achieved cult status.  Vast amount of Gremlins merchandise was produced and almost countless movie knockoffs.

Warner Bros/Discovery's Gremlins Special Edition DVD includes not just the movie but lots of special features such as extra footage, commentaries, a documentary, a gallery, storyboards, film highlights and more.

It’s a fun, family film with a fear factor built in.

James 4:6 - But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.

Crabbily Ever After

Get ready to visit Sherman’s Lagoon for the 29^th time in the hilarious comic strip’s latest collection by artist/writer Jim Toomey and published by Andrews McMeel Publishing.

It’s a veritable underwater collection of fairy tales as Sherman the shark, his wife, child and a crazy menagerie of underwater friends get into some of the strangest situations above or below the water.

The black and white daily and full-color comic strip collections is sure to bring plenty of laughter and smiles as Sherman and company look at life from an aquatic point of view.

This time around you witness a shark diet, making a dog friend, a gourmet human smorgasbord, a Mexican visitor, a turtle’s memory, a whale of a friend and an assortment of under-the-sea chaos, strange encounters, ridiculous schemes and sea life shenanigans.

“And they all lived, “Crabbily Ever After!”

John 1:16 - And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace.

Conjuring The Spirit World Art, Magic, And Mediums

Back in the 19th and early 20th Centuries both Europeans and Americans were fascinated by seances, magic and spiritualism.

Many believed that by holding seances they could communicate with their deceased loved ones.

Predictably hucksters and con artists managed to fool the gullible and unsuspecting public with their slights of hand, parlor tricks, illusions and staged ‘ghost’ encounters.

Hand-in-hand with the seances was the popularity of magic show and magicians. Harry Houdini is the one most associated with magic at that time period but there were many other magicians who thrilled audiences by their magic, slight of hand and illusions.

Both seances and magic were big business and the public could not seem to get enough of either.

In Conjuring The Spirit World Art, Magic, And Mediums: the new deluxe, oversize hardbound book, written by George H. Schwartz and published by Rizzoli/Universe, (in conjunction with a Museum exhibit) the magic and seance phenomenon of that period are showcased and spotlighted.

Collectors all over the world generously allowed the writer and publisher access to their period promotional items and other ephemera from that time not that long ago.

Detailed text delves into the time period, those who practiced the deceptions and those who believed and partook in seances and much more.

Archival photos and collectible items are reproduced in full-color and black and white.

The publisher printed the interior pages on dull-coat paper giving the overall book the look of an older publication.

The book provides an insightful look at a forgotten time and how even then audiences were fooled by clever visual tricks and slight of hand.

Imagine what it would have been like if the perpetrators of such shenanigans had access to the technology we have today?

Matthew 10:28 - And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.

Speed Duel Battle City Finals

Big cities offer all sorts of things to see, do and visit. Some are good, some bad. Whenever you visit the big city it’s best to be cautious, aware of your surroundings and prepared for anything.

That’s especially true with Konami’s 25th Quarter Century Shonen Jump Yu-Gi-Oh! Trading Card Game Speed Duel Battle City Finals.

The stakes are high, danger and excitement abound and ultimately the goal is to win-and win big. As a duelist it’s up to you to play your cards right, strategize, anticipate and never give up.

Just look at what you can expect and get:

• New dangers await Yugi and Joey at the Quarter-Finals of the Battle City Tournament.
• Old rivals such as Seto Kaiba and Mai Valentine are also attending.
• Yami Bakura and the mysterious Yami Marik are also in the game.
• Prepare to harness the power of your Egyptian God Cards in a showdown in Battle City.
• Recreate memorable Duels from the classic Yu-Gi-Oh! animated series
• Use 8 complete Speed Duel Decks
• 110 Cards are new to Speed Duel.
• Speed Duel: Battle City Finals features:
• Pre-built Decks for Yami Yugi, Seto Kaiba, Joey Wheeler, Mai Valentine, Yami Bakura, Odion, Ishizu Ishtar, and Yami Marik.
• New Skill Cards for new and returning characters.
• Expand your Speed Duel collection.
• Build new Decks and power up ones you already own.
• There’s a Set of Prismatic Secret Rare Slifer the Sky Dragon, Obelisk the Tormentor, and The Winged Dragon of Ra to use for Yami Yugi’s, Seto Kaiba’s, and Yami Marik’s Decks.
• 30 Prismatic Secret Rare cards to add to your collection such as Joker’s Knight, Lava Golem, Mudora the Sword Oracle, Doomcaliber Knight, Injection Fairy Lily, Breakthrough Skill, Swords of Revealing Light, and Maxx “C”!
• 9 random Prismatic Secret Rares included in each Box.
• Play with it on its own.
• Play any other Speed Duel set you already own

Each Speed Duel: Battle City Finals Box contains:

• 200 Common Cards
• 20 Skill Cards
• 3 Prismatic Secret Rare God Cards
• 9 (of 30) Prismatic Secret Rare Cards
• 1 Two-Player Deluxe Game Mat

Have you got the speed, cunning and skills to win? Find out in the Battle City Finals!

Psalms 126:5 - They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.

The Wrong Station

Lorna Raven never expected what was to happen when she accidentally got off at the wrong train station. Talk about starting things off with a bang!

The Wrong Station, (Mystery Chronicles of New York Women) written by Ilona Joy Saari and published by 211th Street Books, begins with one of the most inventive openings of any murder mystery I have ever read.

Things really pick up the pace as Loran Raven falls asleep on her train on the way home and gets off at the wrong station.

After seeking help, discovering two bodies and being pursued by killers she suddenly finds herself waist deep in a frantic-paced thriller where spies, murderers and assorted obstacles and individuals roadblock her attempts to solve a murder mystery, find true love and obtain the perfect cheeseburger.

The Wrong Station grabs you by the short hairs so hold on tight. It has so many twists and turns it will make your head swim.

Get ready for the ride of your life when adventure, intrigue and mystery all collide in a truly inventive novel.

It’s like walking a greasy tightrope with your eyes closed. Your next step could be your last!

Psalms 34:4 - I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.

Battle Board Robin

To me one of the best DC Comics Batman toy adaptation was the series produced in 2003 by Mattel Toys that included the Battle Board Robin.

Robin looks like a buffed, tough and rough guy in his newly redesigned Robin outfit.

The figure comes on a standup/hanger package that is clear on three sides and with a large bat symbol in a spotlight predominant on the package.

This is a modern day Robin.  Gone are the impish small boy features.  Instead a confident young man with short-cropped black hair, a muscular body and the hard chiseled features denotes a warrior.

Dressed in a red leotard/upper armor outfit with a green short sleeve undershirt, a yellow utility belt, green leotards, black-heavy tread knee boots and black gloves that end just below his elbows, the black masked Robin also has a two-tone cape made of real cloth.

The interior is yellow and the exterior black.

His transport is a Battle Board upon which he stands and flies.

It is arrow shaped with a black and brown/copper body and black and silver tipped wings and tail. A large ‘R’ decorates both sides.

Included with the Battle Board is a brown/copper disc that ejects when the rear of the board is depressed.

The fully articulated figure is sharply sculpted, features crisp color application with no slopover edge or flashing and the articulation is well hidden.

The figure attaches to the Battle Board allowing it to stand. Or it can stand without it.

Deuteronomy 20:4 - For the LORD your God is he that goeth with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you

Comics 1964-2024

Up until the year 1964 comic books/comics mostly offered clean, inoffensive and safe stories written mostly for children. American publishers in general stuck with superheroes, funny animals, detective, western, romance, science fiction, horror and similar themes familiar to readers.

There were a few exceptions in the previous decades.

In part, comic books emulated and copied trends in movies, novels and TV. That was all about to change when 1964 came about.

While it’s true comic books and comic strips were also produced in other countries, America was by far the leader of publishing said literature-maybe with one exception being Japan with its Manga series.

When the mid-1960s arrived America found itself in turmoil. Traditions long-held by the American family and society were being questioned. Young people in particular were questioning and rebelling against their parents' values.

The war in Vietnam, Rock and Roll, counter-culture literature, affluence, new trends in clothing, fashion in general and the preponderance of America’s youth and counter-culture movement headed by free-thinking novelists and film makers all contributed to the festering anti-establishment movement.

In Comics 1964-2024, published by Thames & Hudson, the world-wide counter-culture phenomenon that bled over into comics, comic strips and graphic novels is examined in full-detail.

Europe, Asia and America witnessed a plethora of innovative, anti-establishment and creative deluge of publications that dared to go against established norms.

For over six decades the comics community has witnessed underground comics, blatantly sexual and violent themed comics, historical and biographical releases and so much more.

The sky was/is literally the limit with themes and subjects touched upon that no one from pre-1964 would have dreamed possible, let alone successful.

This huge oversize book consists of a highly-detailed and informative historical text along with hundreds of black and white and full-color examples of art from all over the world.

The book is broken down into several different themes-all examined and explained in detail.

If you love comics and are anxious to expand your appreciation from the norm then this book will fulfill your expectations.

Psalms 39:7 - And now, Lord, what wait I for? my hope is in thee.

The Big Books Of Peanuts All The Daily Strips From The 1990s

It’s hard to believe that Peanuts comic strip creator Charles M. Schulz passed away almost 25 years ago.

His comic strip Peanuts ran for 50 years and never ceased to delight and amuse readers for all of that time.

As Schulz matured so too did his strip. The strip grew more profound, often tackled current social norms in an offbeat sort of way and introduced a very diverse group of characters,

It came as no surprise that Snoopy, Charley Brown’s beagle, became the favorite of the strip.

Snoopy's imaginative journeys, wacky family, unique take on life and ability to confound every human around him delighted readers.

Andrews McMeel Publishing’s new oversize, hardbound book collects of all the Peanut daily strips from the 1990s.

The Big Book Of Peanuts, with its flashy red front and back cover with an illustration of Snoopy hugging Charlie Brown follows the mishaps and misadventures of everyone’s favorite bunch of kids.

During the 1990s Schulz broke a long-standing tradition and starting drawing the strip using a variety of panels from a full panel to four. His line work was at its best and his art took on a more sophisticated and polished look.

It was also during this period that time began to catch up to him and as the decade progressed his line work became a little more erratic and not quite as sharp.

Like all creative people Schulz started to slow down as he aged and the daily grind of producing the strip began to wear him down. Sadly when the year 2000 hit he ended the strip much to the dismay of the fans. He passed away not long afterward.

Still the genius of his work shines through in his last full decade of work and it’s all collected in one magnificent tome. Peanuts fans are sure to want to pick up this collection.

Romans 3:24 - Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:

Will Turner Pirates Of The Caribbean

Most moviegoers may disagree but in the original Pirates Of The Caribbean Trilogy of movies starring Johnny Depp as the pirate Jack Sparrow, Sparrow was not the main character.

Nor was it the damsel in distress.  Instead it was Will Turner the son of a pirate who became part of Davy Jones pirate crew. 

The Sideshow Collectibles/Hot Toys 12-inch figure is housed in a flip-lid box decorated with photos from the film.

Inside the figure is snug in its form-fitted clear plastic cocoon held in place with plastic covered wires.  Accessories, along with its circular base and support wire, are also held in place in the cocoon.

The box comes with a slip case, protective side card slats and both a fitted clear cover for the figure and accessories and a flat clear plastic that covers them all.

I was pleased when Sideshow Collectibles became the U.S. distributor of Hot Toys. 

Hot Toys figures upped the quality and details of the Sideshow collection of figures.  I have many in my collection.

While the company started out small it has become a juggernaut turning out figures on a monthly basis.

Figures produced include TV and movie figures and have branched out to include dioramas and vehicles.

Like the Will Turner figure all of Hot Toys figures look exactly like the characters they are fashioned after-right down to coloration, hair style, features and even to the sparkle in their eyes.

The Will Turner figure’s features are sharp, well-defined, expertly sculpted and look identical to the movie character.

The full- articulated figure is astounding in it ability to poses naturally like a human figure. Hands easily grasp weapons and accessories.

Clothing and footwear fit snuggly and are easily removed.

Cloths look natural with no unnatural folds or creases and when the figure is posed the move like natural clothing with no unsightly ceases or bunched up folds.

Cloths hang and drape naturally.

If you’ve watched any of the Pirates movie you know how elaborate the characters’ costumes are and how authentic.

The Will Tuner figure from Hot Toys matches Will’s clothing he wore in At World’s End.

The figure’s head is cradled in a plastic collar that keeps it stationary and protected.

The figure wears a deep purple shirt with ruffled sleeves.  Over that he wears a deep gray leather undercoat with silver button that is secured by a light brown leather belt with a black buckle and a colorful sash with frayed thread ending in deep yellow.  

The leather undercoat ends at his knees.

Over that he wears a deep brown rough fabric coat with large folded back cuffs and wit no collar.

Copper buttons run down the length of the front of the coat and on the cuffs.

His pants are deep gray and baggy and fit into his buccaneer boots that are folded down from the knees and have no latches or laces.

The shoes are heavy with thick soles.

Over his outer coat he wears black belt with pouches and a thick black buckle.

Included with the figure is a second right hand for holding weapons, a flintlock pistol with a wood handle, a solid metal knife (blade and handle), a knife sheath with stitching and a large saber with a bowl pommel and a finger guard and metal handle.  

Clothing details are in scale, leather and various fabric types and the weapons are period correct with accurate details.

Flesh coloring on the figure is subtle and multi-tone and the overall quality of the figure with accessories is first-rate.

A small pamphlet about the movie and character is also included with a base and a support wire.

Luke 1:37 - For with God nothing shall be impossible.

The Art & Making Of Spellbound

Picture this. You’re Ellian the young princess and daughter of the rulers of the Kingdom of Lumbria.

You’re parents are turned into dragons and your kingdom is in peril.

You must go on a dangerous and daring quest to save both your parents and your kingdom. Your transformed parents accompany you on your quest.

Only the magical waters of The Lake Of Light can cure your parents.

Along the way you encounter incredible creatures, traverse strange lands and face danger.

In Titan Books new book: The Art & Making Of Spellbound, by Ramid Zahed, discover the processes by which such a monumental movie is made.

The Skydance Animation film from Netflix uses the latest and greatest 3D animation techniques and technology to visually stun audiences.

Inside the book full-color concept art, 3D models and character and setting designs demonstrate the incredible amount of work and artistic cooperation needed to pull off such a film.

I love looking over the concept sketches, color and lighting studies, costume designs, creatures and monsters concepts, amazing environments visualizations, visual effects, physical objects and architectural details and shading, atmospheric templates and much more.

It’s a fascinating journey through the creative process all captured in a deluxe, hard bound book with interior art and text printed on semi-gloss paper that gives each image a warm inviting look.

You’ll truly be Spellbound.

Proverbs 30:5 - Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him.