The Fantastic Detective Notebook

I’m a child of the 1960s and 1970s although I was born in the mid-1950s. My mother was a reader-she read everything: Westerns, Crime/Detective, Science Fiction, Fantasy-you name-she read it.

I inherited my mom’s love of books, although I leaned more toward Fantasy, Science Fiction and Detective/Crime. I especially like when genres mixed it up and combined. For example Science Fiction and Crime novels.

It was the best of both worlds. I can’t begin to tell you how many of those types of books I read.

In Stark House Reference’s The Fantastic Detective Notebook, by Gary Lovisi, (originally published in a limited edition 40 years ago) I was able to look back at many of the novels of that mixed genre I read (some I was not familiar with) and get a quick lowdown on the authors of the books, see cover illustrations and paintings, the dates of publication, short story breakdowns and more.

What a delight-I’d forgotten so many of them! It was a real treat to see the covers reproduced in full-color and to recall some great stories.

For those who love a unique mixing of genres this book is a great reference source and visual treat.

Even better, the author has updated the book from is original version and has included more mixed genre books all the way up to present time.

What a great way to enjoy the past and present simultaneously!

Romans 15:13Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.

Luna Knight Volume 1

A young woman tends her sister’s shop after her sister is gone when her shop burns down.

The young woman has a strange type of amnesia. She remembers bits and pieces of her life. Everything is a hodge-podge of jumbled images.

The people responsible for the shop burning down (it gets rebuilt) are part of a notorious gang who want to cash in on the shop’s location and property that are worth a pretty penny.

Almost everyday someone from the gang visits the shop trying to intimidate the young woman to vacate it.

Violence is threatened but never carried out-until one day. Big mistake.

When attacked and about to be killed the young woman jumps into action and quickly kills her assailants. After the melee, she is bewildered and confused as to how she was able to do so. How did she learn to use weapons and martial arts?.

Tensions escalate as the gang repeatedly comes after her only to be severely dealt with.

Desperate the gang leader sends a professional hit man to take care of the young woman but even he was not expecting her skills at killing.

In one last attempt another female ‘assassin’ is hired. Will she get the job done?

Luna Knight’s writer/artist Hiro Morino absolutely dazzles with  his incredible art. So much action, shown from so many angles! Motion lines blur as the young woman springs into action. The blood pours and the fighting action practically flies off the page. Luna Knight Volume 1, the Manga, comes courtesy of Seven Seas Entertainment.

Look for it, buy it, you won’t be disappointed.

2 Timothy 1:7For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

Mouse’s Wood: A Year In Nature

Mouse loves to walk outside, explore and especially visiting his friends.

Join Mouse as he wanders the back roads to visit his many woodland friends.

Beautiful drawn and written in easy-to-understand prose for young children, the book: Mouse’s Wood: A Year In Nature by Alice Melvin and published by Thames & Hudson, follows the adventurous Mouse on his travels.

Each destination reveals the woodland inhabitant’s’ homes using clever pop-out panels. Join Mouse as he travels through all the seasons lushly illustrated in soft pastel color pencils and water colors.

Mouse’s journeys always end at his own home-what better place is there to visit?

Psalms 31:24Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the LORD.

Catherine's Living Room

Have you ever visited someone’s house and instantly felt at home? The decor, furniture and look of the rooms invite you to take a seat, get comfortable, flip through a book or magazine, maybe play a game of chess or checkers and enjoy the company of the home’s owner or fellow guest.

A comfy chair or couch, a small warm fireplace with crackling logs and bookcases stuffed with classics and periodicals give the place a real ‘welcome home’ feel.

Rolife’s Catherine’s Living Room kit looks like everyone’s dream living room.

Before I started building my Rolife Catherine’s Living Room kit I looked over the Instructions, made sure all the parts were in the kit, familiarized myself with how the completed kit would look and read over the specs on the slip cover of the Living Room kit.

The kit consists of paper, Plywood and plastic components best built by those 14 years old and older and has 284 pieces.

Like with all of Rolife’s kits be sure to have tweezers, a pointed tool, a strong light, a magnifying device, liquid glue and a brush, a Flathead screwdriver and an X-Acto knife. Tweezers and a Phillips head screwdriver are included. You have to bring your own patience, skill, eye-to-hand coordination and dexterity.

I looked over the electrical set-up and then tackled the floor and walls. The sections snapped together easily. When it came to putting in the windows and small parts since I had a hard time with the small double-sided tape strip I opted for a tape dispenser and when necessary a spot of Super Glue to affix small parts and windows.

Having large hands and diminishing dexterity I had a little problem assembling fold-in paper objects and stickers. But, with a little perseverance, tweezers, a pointed tool and a little glue all went well.

The furniture and fireplace went together easily, the lighting was much easier than I thought and the wall, floor and decor went together the fastest. The numbered Instructions with color illustrations really are a Godsend.

With its large overstuffed red leather couch, white and ornate fireplace with burning logs, cathedral windows, gold-leaf framed artwork, period clock and lamp with its ornate shade, small table with a chessboard and multiple book cases jammed with books it is the perfect room to kick back, languish under the brass and glass globe overhead light and wrap the black and white blanket over your legs.

A potted plant in a white floor vase, magazine holder, red and brown tile floor, glass-front cabinet with dishes, wall sconce with candle, framed art and photos decorating the wall and cabinets, small statues and vases, papered walls and wood trim windows and walls bring home the feeling of ‘you’re welcome here friend” to full bloom.

It amazes me that Rolife artists, craftsmen and designers are able to downsize in perfect scale their kits to match full-size rooms, homes and other objects.

All of Rolife’s miniatures are perfectly in scale, duplicate colors and textures and design surfaces like wall paper and packaging.

For more photos and a video of the Catherine’s Living Room click here. For other kits by Rolife click here and see Robotime’s other kits by clicking here.

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

The Joy Of Hearing

For hundreds of years Biblical scholars have studied the Book Of Revelation in the New Testament of the Bible.

The book is filled with symbolism, prophecies, a description of the end times and warnings.

As with all scriptures scholars have argued over its context, what it means, when the prophecies will come true and so forth.

In author Thomas R. Schreiner’s classic Book Of Revelation study: The Joy Of Hearing, published by Crossway, he examines Revelation in-depth.

Cross referencing other scripture, revealing its history and examining its meanings, themes and purpose the author sheds light on the final book of the Bible.

The book delves deeply into the theology of the Book Of Revelation and clarifies many of the mysteries and unlocks the truth behind scripture.

Romans 15:13Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.

Space Ghost Annual #1

As a young boy in the 1960s I (like so many other kids my age) glued myself to the TV set on Saturday morning-cartoon day.

Some of my favorite cartoons were produced by Hanna Barbera Studios and one of my absolute favorites from the studios was Space Ghost.

The show had a superhero, a space ship, kid sidekicks, a monkey, futuristic gadgets and bad guys-boy did it have some great bad guys.

Over the last several years Space Ghost has become popular in no small part due to the Space Ghost comic book series produced by Dynamite Entertainment.

And Dynamite has done Space Ghost proud. The series really captures the spirit of the animated series.

Space Ghost has his very own first annual courtesy of writer David Pepose and artist Jonathan Lau.

In Space Ghost Annual #1 Space Ghost must come face-to-face with himself as he struggles with doubt, responsibility and who he is.

When Space Ghost and his team tackle a couple of criminals it all seems cut and dry. But there is more to the criminal duo than Space Ghost realizes-something that reminds him of himself.

The story explores the man behind the Space Ghost mask and his inner struggles.

In a short prelude to an upcoming Space Ghost tale The Herculoids (another childhood favorite of mine) are briefly spotlighted.

This is a really fun story with great art, very insightful text and the colors, lettering and production make the Annual a hit.

Psalms 31:24Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the LORD.

Great American Explorer Stories

I’ve always been an explorer. Even as a young kid I would venture out into the woods and walk for miles or get on my bike and ride the back roads. 

I wasn’t afraid-just curious. I still enjoy getting on my bike and riding for miles. I love to seek out back rooms in buildings, explore alleys and see what’s around the next corner.

In Lyons Press Classics and editor Cheney Gardner’s Great American Explorer Stories follow explorers' exploits during American’s past.

The book really brings the past American explorers alive. Readers learn about their struggles, preparations, triumphs, failures and how they coped with unexpected obstacles and danger.

Learn all about the amazing adventures of Theodore Roosevelt, Harriet Chalmers Adams, Lewis and Clark and many more intrepid explorers as they traveled the world to reveal its secrets, discover lost civilizations, traverse new pathways and make discoveries that would change the world.

Don your fedora, put on your leather jacket, secure your whip and get ready to go on adventures that would give Indiana Jones second thoughts.

Philippians 4:13I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

Cheers Bar & Dining

I’ve never imbibed alcohol or taken any drug for that matter. I suppose it was because my dad was an alcoholic and died at an early age. I think my repulsion toward alcohol was a gift from God to keep me on the straight and narrow.

However, I do like a good meal and although I do not drink I have visited a few bars and grills. Most are family friendly, warm, cozy and intimate.

I can appreciate good food. Others may drink and that is their right.

In America we often associate bars and grills with strictly alcohol consumption. But, in other countries-say England, Ireland and Scotland, bars and grills are very much a family affair. Most restrict smoking and even welcome pets.

The first thing that caught my attention about Rolife’s Cheers Bar & Dining Bar kit was the incredible amount of color, texture and sheer volume of items in the kit.

At 312 pieces the kit takes a good 3 to 4 hours to complete. It’s not for a novice-14 years old and older individuals need to tackle this kit. That’s not to say that kids can’t be helped by adults or an older teen. But supervision is recommended. Made of paper, plywood and plastic the pieces are cut by laser, sculpted in 3D and fit together easily using tabs.

Several small tools are included. I recommend you look over the Instructions, review the contents of the kit before assembling and pay special attention to the lighting assembly. It can be a little daunting if you are unfamiliar with electrical set-ups. Not to worry-it uses batteries.

I like to start with the box itself. First I look at the photos on the slip cover so I can see what the completed kit will look like. I also review the recommendations, specifications and other information on the back of the box.

Contents are packed in plastic bags or shrink-wrapped. Take out only those parts necessary for each step of the kit construction. Save the bags. It’s easy to disassemble the kit, rebuild or share with someone else to build.

I started out first looking at the lighting set-up and then proceeded to got through the Instructions one step at a time. I assembled some small furniture and wouldn’t you know my clumsy old fingers busted a wooden table leg. I’m glad I had some glue on hand. Easy fix!

I used a magnifying glass to help my failing eyesight and tweezers when manipulating small parts as my coordination and eye-to-hand skills are fading.

Like with all of Rolife’s Kits be sure to have tweezers, a pointed tool, strong light, a magnifying device, a flat-head screwdriver, an X-Acto knife, liquid glue and a brush and a lot of patience when assembling the Cheers Bar & Dining.

I moved on to the wall and floor flats once most of the furnishing was done. It went together easily including the windows, doors and other wall decor.

Next the furnishings were arranged and then by adding the small objects that room really came alive. I’ve included photos of the various bottles, glasses, etc. spread out randomly on the kit’s floor.

Just look at the detail! I love the translucent and transparent variety of bottles and glasses.

I haven’t finished the kit yet but it is going together easily. With my schedule I grab a few minutes here and there. It really helps that the Instructions are broken down into sections. I can complete one phase and move onto the next when I have time.

Take your time, carefully place each object and before you know it you have a perfect miniature Cheers Bar & Dining miniature. Display on a bookcase, table, shelf-wherever yo like.

Talk about a lot of hooch! The Cheers Bar & Dining Kit has huge selection of alcoholic beverages, plenty of glassware and mugs, tons of wall decor including signs, small plagues, lighting, a mirror, and overhanging plant and light wood frames, lots of food and drinks on the wooden counter, a single small table with twin chairs, a bust on a pedestal, two entryways with signage and decor, tile and painted walls and even an old-time bicycle.

I love the free-form floor plan with its red and white, checkerboard floor, swing out door frame, upper rough stone wall and overhanging ceiling decor.

So many soothing colors and ambient lighting.

It seems like Rolife constantly adds new kits, puzzles and miniatures to its collection. As a graphic designer and artist I am impressed by the technical and artistic skill that goes into designing each kit.

For more photos of the Cheers Bar & Dining click here. For other kits by Rolife click here and to see Robotime’s other kits click here.

Hebrews 4:12For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged 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.

Portraits From Hollywood’s Golden Age Of Glamour

There was a time when Hollywood fostered glamour.

 

Actresses were groomed, tutored and trained to present themselves as symbols of class. Perfect makeup, stunning wardrobes, stylish hair, jewelry, shoes: everything that would portray them as beautiful, mysterious and alluring.

Their private lives were just that-private. Scandals were kept at a minimum and their personas were carefully crafted by movie studios. It was an illusion-but a glamorous one.

In Portraits From Hollywood’s Golden Age Of Glamour: Colin Slater’s Hollywood Photo Archive with text by Melissa J. Hayes and published by Lyons Press, you will absolutely marvel at the beautiful photos of dozens of Hollywood's leading ladies decked out in all their finest. Accompanying the photos are text pieces about the individual actress, a few interesting tidbits and the years of their careers.

The book is stunning with its full-color slip cover photo of starlets, its square bound binding and semi-gloss paper interior that really sets off each set of photos.

Relive the glamour, glitz and allure of some of Hollywood’s most stunning and beautiful actresses.

1 Corinthians 10:13There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

Chaos Origins

Have you ever wondered where disorder, confusion and trouble all began? In Konami’s Yu-Gi-Oh! Shonen Jump’s Chaos Origins you will witness the birth of Chaos and its ramifications.

But, when playing YGO wouldn’t a little Chaos liven up game play? After all who is prepared for the unexpected and the chaotic?

Smart YGO Duelists know how to follow the rules and bend them just enough to throw opponents off. Are you prepared to be the boss of Chaos?

It’s light against dark in one of most challenging YGO Duelist stand-offs! Are you prepared for some serious Chaos!?

Open the Gates of Chaos and see what you get!

• New versions of the original Ritual Monsters.
• Summoned Skull is back.
• Celtic Guardian new abilities.
• Kuriboh can protect your Life Points.
• New Field Spell.
• Chessboard Field Spells.
• New Level 8 Tuner monster.

Chaos Origins contains:

• 10 Secret Rares
• 14 Ultra Rares
• 26 Super Rares
• 50 Commons
• 5 Cards available as extended art Ultra Rares and Starlight Rares
• 20 additional Cards available as Starlight Rares

100-Card Booster Set, 9 Cards per Pack, 24 Packs per Box, 1 Foil Card in each Pack.

Psalms 37:5Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.

The Art Of Star Trek & Defiant

Try to imagine a comic book series that ran a total of 65 issues. In that series various aspects of a shared universe interwove to create an intricate and epic story.

Various writers/artists and other creative individuals kept the entire series interwoven and consistent.

That series: The Art Of Star Trek & Defiant from IDW Comics & Entertainment  garnered numerous awards and provided a huge homage to the Star Trek Universe.

Now the entire series cover art, character designs and universe are presented in an oversize hardbound book: The Art Of Star Trek & Defiant.

The book is filled to the brim with concept art, page layouts and art, fold-out illustrations and cover art by a huge pool of artistic talent.

Beautifully bound with a wraparound painted cover the book includes artist bios, impressive page layouts and color-so much color.

As a graphic designer I am impressed with the sheer amount of work that went into designing, printing and binding this book.

Production is of the highest quality and the selection of paper stock, fonts, design theme and consistency are first rate.

1 Thessalonians 5:9-11For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,

The Inconvenient Corpse-Murder In Haste

There was time: the 1940s up until the early 1970s, when you could purchase crime novels in bookstores, drug stores and just about every other retailer outlet. Usually the paperback novels were displayed in a large spinning rack.

I vividly remember buying crime novels for around 35 cents. They always offered thrilling tales of crime and punishment, truly memorable characters (both criminal and law-abiding), suggestive cover art and sometimes two novels would be published in one paperback. Such a deal.

In Stark House Press’s and author Elizabeth Fenwick’s The Inconvenient Corpse-Murder In Haste classic reprint softback contains twin tales of murder and mystery.

The Inconvenient Corpse centers around missing actress Anna Rose. Maggy: assistant to columnist Sebastian accompanies her boss to a holiday party where they both meet Anna.

Maggy investigates her disappearance and discovers some unsettling facts

While in Murder In Haste student Gerald Chase comes up missing and his body is discovered at the bottom of a cliff behind the school he attends. As the story unfolds startling truths about his fellow students, the faculty and others are revealed. But who is the killer?

Both cases have similarities but are profoundly different in their context.

Writer Elizabeth Fenwick pulls the reader in, drops subtle clues throughout the stories and creates solid characters. I highly recommend The Inconvenient Corpse-Murder In Haste double novelettes to any murder/mystery fan.

Talk about nostalgia!  The twin stories were definitely products of their time.  No fancy crime-solving technology, vast databases of criminal records or forensic hocus pocus.  Solving murders demanded lots of legwork, extensive and exhaustive research and dogged determination.

Elizabeth Fenwick may not be a familiar name to most mystery novel readers. She began writing mystery novels in the 1940s and continued until the early 1970s. It hasn’t been until recently that her work has begun to be appreciated for their clever plots, solid characters, powerful descriptive quality and the clever way she took a common and formulaic media and twisted it, tweaked it and gave it her own unique style.

Ecclesiastes 12:7Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.

Aladdin #1

Who can forget comedian Robin Williams way-out and wacky depiction of Genie in the Disney animated film Aladdin? He stole the show.

Genie is back in Dynamite Comics' new Disney title Aladdin #1 written and drawn by James III and Agnese Eterno.

Their dialogue and art perfectly capture the adventures of Aladdin and Genie in a brand new tale.

While talking to the Sultan before his marriage to Jasmine Aladdin finds himself longing for his days of adventure before he became betrothed.

Jasmine understands and the two almost decide to run away and be wed and set out on adventure. But, better heads prevail-still Aladdin remembers his days as a backstreet boy making his way through the city and surviving by using his wits and fast fingers.

Genie intervenes and using his magic he does a little time twisting so Aladdin can get a glimpse of the future-a future where Jasmine is being reluctantly courted by someone else.

What will happen? Has Aladdin’s daydreaming and Genie’s interference doomed Aladdin and Jasmine’s nuptials?

What a fun story. I loved the art and the clever dialogue, The comic book mirrors the spirit of the Aladdin animated story-especially the way-out antics of Genie.

Isaiah 41:10Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.

The Gun Owner’s Handbook

There are a lot of books out there that are filled with photos of all sorts of guns. The books tend to look at the design, ammunition and capabilities of each gun but don’t really talk about how to maintain and repair guns.

In author Larry Lyons' and Lyons Press’s The Gun Owner’s Handbook  you’ll discover and learn all about how to maintain and even repair your handgun(s).

Inside that small hardbound book is a plethora of information.

You’ll learn about tool storage, a workshop, equipment, gun maintenance, scopes, sights, slings, holsters, cartridges, how to repair jamming, poor accuracy, how to store and maintain your firearm and dozens of other tips, tricks and sound advice about gun ownership.

Each area carefully and fully examines guns accompanied by photos. The book is a handy and informative reference that I recommend any gun owner has a copy of.

Isaiah 41:10Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.

Love On The Racks

When World War II ended the comic book buying public started to loose interest in the plethora of superhero comic books. Publishers need a new shtick and so was born Romance comic books.

Romance comic books proliferated and were hugely popular. Before Romance comic books most comic books were read by young boys. With the introduction of love and Romance a whole new demographic was drawn to comic books-young girls.

Author Michelle Nolan and McFarland & Company Inc., Publishers, present a history of American Romance Comics in a brand new softbound book: Love On The Racks,  filled with art, information about the various types of Romance comics, the creators, publishers and more.

Romance comic books were at the height of their popularity for about 30 years: 1947 to 1977, but still managed to hold on with fewer titles after that period.

Collectibility of Romance comics has heightened and collectors have finally realized that some of the most innovative Romance comic books were written and drawn by top talent.

Don’t you just ‘love’ it?

1 Corinthians 13:4-8Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,