Zack Snyder’s Justice League

Finally Hollywood and the film industry did something right!

Several years ago when Warner Bros. released the Justice League movie fans were lukewarm to its release.

It seems Hollywood politics and business interfered with director Zack Snyder’s original vision of the Justice League.

Snyder left the movie under questionable circumstances-supposedly a personal family matter.  Moviegoers suspected it had something to do with a studio conflict.

Regardless, the movie was released under the direction of Joss Whedon.  Unfortunately Whedon’s vision for the movie was to emulate Marvel Comics movies.  

The result was a hodgepodge of edited scenes, re-designed characters, and an odd mixture of dark and light scenes culminating in an unresolved ending.

Several years later it was decided (kudos to Warner Bros.) to let Zack Snyder’s original cut of the film (with additional scenes) be released through streaming.

The result was impressive!  Fans absolutely loved the film.  With its ‘R’ rating and over three hour running time the movie was more of an event.

The resulting popularity of the film helped Warner Bros. decide to do a follow up film and to pursue its own unique take on DC superheroes set in place by Snyder.

Like the first version of the film Darkseid is the main villain-only in this version of the film he has a greater role, his mission is clearly stated and the Justice League are at their mightiest.

The film successfully introduces each member of the team along with their origins.  As the film progresses the various characters pull together to form the Justice League.

Dark, intense, suspenseful, exciting and beautifully filmed and directed the new Zack Snyder’s Justice League film comes on Blu-ray with a very special featurette.

Mortal Kombat Legends Battle Of The Realms

The action continues in the animated film follow-up to Warner Bros.' live action Mortal Kombat movie with the release of Mortal Kombat Legends Battle Of The Realms.

Shao Khan’s Outworld barbarians are determined to pillage, ransack and take over Earthrealm by any means possible.

And that includes taking out Earthrealm’s protectors guided by Raiden.

Too bad for Shao Kahn because they are seriously outgunned and outwitted by Raiden’s forces.

Raiden’s veteran and new member elite fighting force kick rear and take names in an all-out fisticuff and martial arts confrontation that Mortal Kombat fans are sure to love.

But, did you ever get the feeling that things aren’t always what they seem?

Outworld invading Earthrealm is old news-it’s been gong on for centuries.

It’s easy to counter attack enemies you expect.

What’s not expected is when a third party-in this case Shinnok (The Fallen Elder God of Death) of the Netherrealm has his own plans for Earthrealm and all other realms of existence.

More than a plan for conquest, his plans could spell the end for all of reality.

Warner Bros. presents on 4K Ultra HD/Blu-ray/Digital Code, Mortal Kombat Legends Battle Of The Realms-the ultimate fight for existence.  

Look for a commentary, gags and the voices behind Mortal Kombat.

It’s time to get some serious martial arts mayhem started and Battle Of The Realms delivers on all levels.

The Art Of Rogue One

It may come as a surprise but Star Wars Rogue One is my favorite Star Wars film next to The Empire Strikes Back.

The film takes place just before A New Hope and involves the individuals who managed to obtain the plans for the Deathstar at great peril.

Everything clicked with this movie: the story, the action, the acting, the special effects, the sets, the characters and especially the robots.

It’s a tight and taunt science fiction thriller and it delivers on so many levels.  Too bad it ended so badly for the characters.

What I especially liked about the film was the retro look harkening back to the original Star Wars Trilogy.  The Stormtroopers had their classic uniforms, the Deathstar was in its early building stages and all of the Empire and Rebellion ships, uniforms and equipment were identical as seen in the original films.

The characters were interesting, the storyline was taunt and exciting and the special effects were some of the best in the Star Wars films.

Josh Kushins wrote the book The Art Of Rogue One A Star Wars Story published by Abrams.

From its slipcase cover featuring the robot X-2SOto to its sweeping interior conception art vistas the book is a study on the how such a massive film was made.

Every aspect of the film is explored from costume design to robots, spacecraft, locations and even the smallest details from hand-held equipment and creatures big and small.

It’s a beautifully crafted book brimming with art and filled with text that explains in great detail how the film was made.

Look for storyboards, concept art and full color landscapes and environment designs.

1 John 5:3 - For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.

Fantasy & Science Fiction #757, September/October 2021

 

Civil War The Thing

It’s been said that The Fantastic Four’s The Thing was fashioned after the man who created him: Jack Kirby.

It one thing to see The Thing rendered in 2D. It’s quite another we he is sculpted in 3D.

Back in 2007 Diamond Select created and released a Civil War The Thing bust sculpture.

The figure comes in heavy paper stock box with photos of the bust on all sides along with other Marvel character portrait photos.

The flip lid box opens from the top revealing a special certificate of authenticity and the Styrofoam cocoon holding the bust.

The bust nestles in the cocoon and is wrapped in clear plastic.

The base f the bust consists of an explosion of orange and yellow with spikes and billows of smoke.

Be careful, as the spikes are easily broken.

The words ‘CIVIL WAR’ are printed on the front of the explosion base in black letters.

The Thing figure busts out from the explosion with a small portion of his blue pants with its black belt exposed.

The figure holds its right fist back as if ready to strike and its left arm with its fist clenched looks as if it just delivered a blow.

The orange-segmented skin section of The Thing is etched deep into the figure and conforms to its shape.

The Thing’s head with its heavy brow, small nose, deep-set eyes and large mouth that is grimaced showing its white teeth sits upon The Thing's massive shoulders

Pint application is perfect as is the sculpt and the dynamic pose really captures The thing’s unbridled power.

The figure looks as if Jack Kirby’s rendition of the figure busts out of the comics and into the world of 3D.

Titus 3:5 - Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;

Murder, She Wrote The Complete Twelfth Season

Lady sleuths have been popular characters in books for decades.  Nancy Drew and Mrs. Marple come to mind.

Detective stories have involved males predominantly but once in awhile a special female sleuth comes along that captures the imagination of readers and TV show and movie enthusiasts.

One such character involved a widow who wrote mystery novels.  Her research often called upon her to use her observation skills when confronted with real murders and crimes.

I’m talking of course about the TV series Murder, She Wrote starring Angela Lansbury as mystery writer/sleuth Jessica Fletcher.

Originally when the show’s creators canvassed for a female star Jean Stapleton of All In The Family was their choice.  In fact, the show was written with her in mind.

She turned down the role and the producers were forced to look for another lead actress.

It just so happened that Broadway/theater/movie actress Angela Lansbury was looking for an opportunity to expand her notoriety and public image.

She auditioned for the role.  The producers found their Jessica Fletcher.

In an era (the 1980s and early 1990s) when male dominated, action heroes were the norm on TV with such shows as Magnum P.I., Simon and Simon, The A-Team and the like dominated, a series about a elderly widow sleuth seemed doomed for failure.

Just the opposite happened.

Murder, She Wrote out lasted them all clocking in an impressive 12 seasons and several made-for-TV movies.

In the last season of the series Angela Lansbury continued to turn out stellar work.  Combined with her heavy workload and the TV networks unfortunate decision to cancel the series despite its high rating the show ended with its 12th season.

I enjoy Murder She Wrote.  Angela Lansbury, despite some clichés in some of the show’s scripts, always turned out a stellar performance.  She was Jessica Fletcher: smart, witty, kind, compassionate, curious and a keen observer ofhuman nature and all things around her.

Each episode, although formulaic, kept viewers guessing and rooting for Jessica to crack the case.

The intrigue never stopped as Jessica investigated a murder at a hair stylist, encountered black magic, came up against a ghost, reopened an 11-year old case, looked into the death of a soldier and visited Australia.  

Those and 18 other mysteries come on five discs packaged in three disc sleeves and a slip case in the Murder, She Wrote The Complete Twelfth Season DVD collection from Universal Studios.

What a great way to spend the evening watching Jessica solve crimes with none of the foul language, sexual content or sensationalism prevalent in TV shows today.

Romans 10:9 - That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

TV Guide, July 15, 2000

Why in the world would I review a TV Guide?  One reason: Hugh Jackman as Wolverine is on the cover and the very first X-Men movie is reviewed and profiled.

Six X-Men covers were created-each starring a particular member of the team.  There’s also a very special and exclusive X-Men comic book included inside TV Guide, July 15, 2000.

Jackman is all decked out in his black leather Wolverine X-Men uniform and brandishing his adamantium claws.  “You were expecting yellow spandex?’

Each character description (including villains) describes each individual actor or actresses take on their particular character.

The inset comic book contains a story and art never printed anywhere before-it’s a true collector classic!

John 14:6 - Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

Upcoming!! Diamond Previews, September 2021

 

 

John 15:13 - Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

MB-Bus-O302-Pinneberger-Verkehrs-Gesellschaft

As a kid I loved riding on Greyhound buses.  Single or double-decker, it didn’t matter, I had a great time.

I’m sure kids in Europe feel the same way when they road in the MB-Bus-O302-Pinneberger-Verkehrs-Gesellschaft that was similar to America’s Greyhound buses.

Schuco produced a 1:86 Scale miniature of the bus in diecast metal including matching eight windows per side, front and rear windows and three roof skylights.

It’s so real looking that you can practically feel the bumps and hear the noise of the highways.

The bus is about five inches long and just over an inch wide.

Painted a light tan the vehicle has several horizontal red strips running down the length of the bus below the passenger windows. The words Pinneberger-Verkehrs-Gesellschaft in light tan appear on both sides of the bus in the largest red strip.

Front and rear bumper are chrome and large rear view mirrors set high on each side of the bus in the front.  

Interior s\details include passenger seats running the interior length of the bus spelt by a passageway.  
A driver’s seat, instrument panel and partially enclosed drover compartment is also included.  

Four rubber tires with silver hubcaps and complete undercarriage details including engine, exhaust and understructure run the length of the bus. 

John 3:16 - For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

The Avengers #10

The Avengers #10 is generating a lot of interest and collectors are clamoring to find copies.

In this issue readers are introduced to Immortus who also happens to be Kang and Rama Tut and in later years is revealed to be Iron Lad of The Young Avengers.  Talk about multiple personalities!

Jack Kirby provided the cover with Don Heck penciled the interior.  Stan Lee wrote the story.

Things start off with a bang as Captain America is giving the other Avengers a run for their money during a training exercise.

Meanwhile Zemo, The Enchantress and Executioner hatch a plan to take on The Avengers once more after their last attempt to defeat them ended in a fiasco.

Suddenly Immortus from the future pops up in a puff of smoke and energy.

Together they hatch a plan to defeat The Avengers using characters from the past: Goliath, Attila The Hun, Paul Bunyan, Merlin and Hercules (his first appearance).

Of course Marvel Comics' The Avengers rally and defeat each and every one and send Immortus and his cohorts running.

It’s some of the best work Don Heck ever turned in.

There’s lots of action, complicated fight sequences, a surprising amount of detail and a satisfying conclusion.

It’s important to note that it is the first appearances of Immortus and Hercules-two key characters in the Marvel Universe.

Be sure to check out the goof on page 19 where Thor has bare legs.

1 John 4:19 - We love him, because he first loved us.

MAD (Issues # 186 and 196) About Star Trek and Star Wars

I’ve always enjoyed MAD Magazine, especially those published in the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s.  Sadly MAD no longer created new art, only reprints.

MAD’s usual bunch of idiots produced some of the finest film and TV parodies of all time.

And what better movie to make fun of than Star Wars and to poke fun at than TV’s Star Trek?

In the issue # 186 Star Trek parody readers revisit the original Star Trek actors now ten years later.

They’ve all aged, put on weight and came to the realization that they would forever be identified with their TV characters.  Some would never emerge form its shadow and effectively ended their acting career in anything beside star trek.

In issue #196 Star Wars faired little better.  MAD pulled no punches as it pointed out just how simplistic the original film was.

Mort Drucker drew the Star Trek parody-as a musical and Harry North provided the art for the Star Wars humor adaptation.

In my opinion the late Mort Drucker was one of the greatest, if not the greatest, caricature artist to have ever lived.  His ability to capture famous people’s likenesses was astounding.

In MAD #166 Drucker uses his considerable talent to parody the original Star Trek TV series in a delightful musical sendoff.

In the parody the original Star Trek cast has reunited and shows their age and stymied careers.

Other features include MAD artists and writers making fun of a Book of Records, Packager of The Year, Changing Family Attitudes, Infractions and a Mary Tyler Moore TV spin-off jab.

Lest the science fiction community feel slighted MAD also takes a well-intended poke in the ribs to the original Star Wars film. 

To my knowledge this is one of the first illustrated parodies of the film.  Other features include a Three’s Company putdown, a look at Public Services, a visit to Modern High Schools and Recent Best-Seller send up.

Romans 6:14 - For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.

My Little Pony: A New Generation

Are you ready for some equestrian excitement?  How about a little ‘horsing’ around?

It’s time to pony up and hoof it to the corral for some serious My Little Pony: A New Generation fun courtesy of Hasbro Toys.

Hasbro kindly sent me a preview box of My Little Pony: A New Generation figures based on the cool, new My Little Pony animated series with the voice talents of some very special actors and actresses.

The My Little Pony selection comes in a HUGE preview box with a flip lid that spotlights each of the contained Ponies set to star in the Nettle series.  

A cool promo sheet provides information on the upcoming September 24th release of the animated series along with information about the four figures and Playset included in the box.

Talk about colorful box!  It’s a real eye-pleaser and the box makes a perfect toy box for the figures.  Check out Hasbro Toys website for a quick preview of the toys and animated series.  

Plus, there’s a ton of videos previewing the show on Youtube. Let’s start with the biggest package in the box: The My Little Pony: A New Generation Playset.

This colorful castle measures 22 inches tall and has so many extras kids will spend hours discovering and playing with each one.

Just look at what comes in the Playset:

Royal Racing Ziplines for fast fun
Castillo Real that spins Ponies around and around
A Trap Door Escape that flips
A swing made just the right size for the Ponies

There are a gold trim decorated gate, large golden towers with flags, a turquoise platform, a gold platform with a tower that has golden wings and a small scale Princess Petals and Cloudpuff with their cool accessories.

Easy to assemble, scaled perfectly for kids five years old and up, rugged and durable and kid safe the My Little Pony Playset is colorful, loaded with action accessories and scaled to fit all the small My Little Pony figures.

The entire Playset with accessories and figures comes in a large, thick cardboard box with a special inset for the Princess Petals small articulated figure-wings and all!

Two large figures come in the box that includes Sunny Starscout and Princess Petals.

Sunny comes in a hanger/standup container with a special section containing stars, a comb, a purse, wings, stickers and a golden book.

The orange colored Pony has long rainbow hair and a tail that can be fashioned with her barrette with three stars of blue, orange and yellow, and star braiding tools.  

Her head can twist and turn and her big beautiful green eyes and cute little snout make her one adorable Pony.

Kids can scan the code on the back for fashion videos.  The back of the package includes some style examples and instructions.

Princess Petals is fully articulated with light purple coloring.  She has a golden tiara with a green jewel, large pink, fuzzy wings, a special musical note on her leg that plays a song, a golden microphone and stand, a golden leg ring with her photo on it, a realistic purple mane and tail and two barrettes in a golden box.

She comes in a large standup box with a photo of Princess and instructions on how to make her sing.  Kids can even push the button on the Pony’s leg to listen to music and her sing!

Both the Princess Petals and Sunny Starscout small figures come in separate small box/hanger packages with open front panels.

The figures and accessories are sealed behind form-fitted plastic cocoons.

Each figure comes with a large segment jewel to keep their accessories in.

Special leg decorations are included.

Princess Petals comes with wings, a gold medallion collar, stickers, musical notes, a bracelet and much more.  Sun Starscout also comes with some cool accessories with similar objects as in the Princess’s jewel.

Check out her leg warmers and purse and barrette.  Both figures are for kids five years old and older and made of durable plastic that holds up for hours and hours of playing fun.

The My Little Pony: A New Generation Ponies, Playset and other goodies introduce the Ponies to a whole new generation of kids and Pony collectors.

Be sure to check out: @Hasbro, #Free Product.

John 15:13 - Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

The Uncanny X-Men #129

One of the hottest comic book issues going right now is Marvel Comics’ The Uncanny X-Men #129 by Chris Claremont, John Byrne and Terry Austin.

This issue introduced to the world Kitty Pryde, Sebastian Shaw, Emma Frost The White Queen and The Hellfire Club.

It was a part of the infamous Dark Phoenix Saga that ultimately resulted in the death of Jean Grey.

Here's a brief backstory:

It had been almost ten years since I had collected and read comic books.

I met my future wife during that time and we were wed in 1979.

I accepted a job as an illustrator at a publisher in Texas and we moved shortly after we wed.

One day while out and about we stopped at a local used bookstore.  While there I came across a box of old comic books.  Among them were Frank Miller’s Daredevil and John Byrne’s The Uncanny X-Men.

I was immediately hooked and bought the whole batch.

Not long afterward I started a small comic book pull at a local comic book shop.  One of my pulls was The Uncanny X-Men.

Each week I would buy a couple of comic books including back issues of The Uncanny X-Men.

This was before the title became such a big hit.

One day at the shop I went to buy an old X-Men issue and found to my surprise that the entire Cockrum/Byrne pre-death of the Phoenix issues jumped in price.  So began the fan phenomenon of The Uncanny X-Men.

In issue #129 a lot happened.

Kitty Pryde is introduced, as were the other characters I mentioned earlier.

The X-Men are attached by techno-armored Hellfire operatives and Wolverine has a moment when confronted by a store owner about reading magazines.

While that may seem like a small incident it really demonstrated just how feral Wolverine is.  Chalk that moment up to John Byrne.

While Nightcrawler and Colossus were writer Chris Claremont’s favorite characters it was John Byrne who really developed Wolverine’s persona.

Also in this issue Banshee, Polaris and Havok quit the team and Scott reveals his true feelings toward Jean and she toward him.

Is it any wonder that this issue is such a hot collectible?

To me the entire John Byrne/Chris Claremont run on the X-Men is the best of the best. The incidents and multi-layered, multi-issue series set the template by which all X-Men stories that followed would emulate.

Byrne and Claremont set the bar and established the characters for years to come up until present day.

Jeremiah 31:3 - The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.

Dawn Of Majesty

Get ready for some serious star power with Konami’s Yu-Gi-Oh! Trading Card Game‘s Dawn Of Majesty.

Feeling majestic today-a little high and mighty-a king or queen in your own little gaming kingdom, superior to those around you and confident in your gaming abilities?

It’s time to step down from you lofty throne because Dawn Of Majesty is about to give you and other YGO gamers a royal thrashing.

Here’s what you expect:

Stardust Dragon takes flight in the 100-Card Core Booster Set
Yusei’s signature Synchro Monster transforms.
There’s a gathering of Gizmeks.
Anew Insect World Premiere Theme is introduced.
Tuner monsters that can Special Summon themselves.
Spell and Trap Cards for Summoning Stardust Dragon.
Four new “Gizmek” Monsters.
New World Premiere.
Fusion Summon or Ritual Summon.
A new Xyz Summoning .
A new Theme that continues the story of Fallen of Albaz and Dogmatika. New Cards for Themes for Genesis Impact, Blazing Vortex, Ancient Guardians, and Lightning Overdrive!
A Ritual Spell for Ritual Summon.

The Set contains 100 new Cards:
50 Commons
26 Super Rares
14 Ultra Rares
10 Secret Rares

Seven Cards come per Foil Pack.
A Foil Card in each Pack.
Twenty four Packs come in each Box.

Eternal Warrior #1

Straight from his first appearance in Valiant Comics' Solar Man Of The Atom #10 comes Eternal Warrior in his own series beginning with number one.

A personal note: I was one of the few people who started out with the original Valiant Comics headed by Jim Shooter.  This was back in the day when Valiant printed only about 20,000 copies a month for each title.

The company started out originally promoting Mario Bros. and then expanded to old Gold Key properties that Jim had secured the rights to.

The first series was Magnus Robot Fighter and then Solar, Man Of The Atom.  From there it slowly expanded to about another half dozen properties.  

This was all prior to the Unity crossover event.  After Unity (and Jim Shooter’s forced departure) Valiant still produced a few good titles but saturated the market and fell into the speculator ‘special issue’ trap.  

Honestly I lost interest in Valiant titles not long after Unity.  It’s no coincidence that the early Valiant issues are sought after by collectors.  The prices continue to rise-mainly due to the small print numbers.

It’s hard to believe sometimes that the original Valiant Comics Universe was created 30 years ago!

Issue #1 of Eternal Warrior was incorporated into Valiant's first big crossover event: Unity.

Frank Miller provided the dynamic cover, John Dixon the internal art and Jim Shooter the story.

The story elaborates on the Eternal Warrior’s origin beginning back in pre-history and swiftly jumps to present day when he is suddenly transported away to take part in the Unity epic.

Galatians 2:20 - I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

Encyclopedia Of Television Shows, 1925 Through 2010 Volumes 1-3

I love watching TV, much of it anyway.  Forget reality shows daytime soaps and silly situation comedies.

I go for crime, detective, science fiction, fantasy and some comedies.

I gotta tell ya, I am exhausted looking through these three volumes.  But, it’s a good exhaustion.  I enjoyed each and every moment.  

Encyclopedia Of Television Shows, 1925 Through 2010 Volumes 1-3 Second Edition, written by Vincent Terrace and published by McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers, is an incredible compilation of TV shows.

Complete series synopsis, cast and crew listings, air date and network affiliations, network or syndicated and much more information is included with each series listing.

I am blown away by the sheer mass of TV shows listed.  I never realized so many shows were made.

It’s mind-boggling!

Three massive softbound books make up the set, each about one inch thick!  While there are no photos there is so much information contained none are needed.

Look for network, cable, streaming, pilots, every conceivable genre (some taboo, some not) and so much more.

This collection is the ‘ultimate’ resource for any TV fan.

John 13:34 - A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.

The Little Book Of

The phrase, “Big surprises in little packages” certainly applies when it comes to Taschen Books’ ‘The Little Book Of’ series.

Superhero comic books are all the rage.  Many new collectors are unaware of the origins and history of their favorite comic book characters.

Taschen Books has compiled a set of ‘The Little Book Of’ volumes that examine The Fantastic Four, The Incredible Hulk, The Amazing Spider-Man, The Avengers, Batman and Wonder Woman-among others.

The titles I’ve listed are the books I recently acquired at a used bookstore.

All of the books have several things in common.  All start with a short history lesson about each character.  Roy Thomas wrote all of the books.

The genesis of each character, interesting text tidbits with the art and photos, lots of cover art, and interior art and original black and white art are included.

Each book shows the art in chronological order following the long history of each specific character.

Although small the books are jam-packed with art, fun text and are a load of fun to look at and read.

I recommend each book in the series for any serious or novice comic book collector.

1 John 4:10 - Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

Transformers and Back Roads

OK, I am sufficiently amazed!

I had no idea that Transformers toys were so popular and have been around so long.

Also, there are so many of them!  It boggles the mind!

Author J.E. Alvarez and publisher Schiffer Publishing have compiled two impressive oversize, softbound books about Transformers and they are amazing!

Besides being packed with photos of each individual Transformer there are sections on the history of the toys and current collector prices.  

Other tidbits include the rarity of certain models, exclusive models and domestic, international and Japanese Transformers.

Both The Unofficial Guide To Japanese And International Transformers (With Price Guide) and The Unofficial Guide To Vintage Transformers 1980s Through 1990s are must-have books for any Transformer collector and great guides for those interested into collecting them.

So much information is packed into each book it will take hours to scour through each volume.

Whenever my wife and I discuss going on vacation I always bring up that I’d like to take the back roads to whatever destination we choose.

I’m fascinated by the back roads of America the small towns, open country and two-lane roads.  To me, that’s America.

Author David Skernick has a similar view to mine.

Only he put his words to action.

His new book: Back Roads Of The Great Plains: Oklahoma, Kansas, Nebraska, And The Dakotas features full color photographs chronicling his journey to see America.

With only a short text introduction the book is exclusively made up of gorgeous color photos of towns, nature and abandoned buildings and farms.

What a wonderful visual journey that allows the reader to sit back, relax, cast their cares away and enjoy a virtual trip that brings back so many fond memories and a real appreciation of the great country we live in.

The Virginian, 1962-1971 and Television Western Episode Guide

There were certain Western TV shows by which other series of the similar genre are compared to for quality in production, writing and acting.  The Virginian was one such TV Western series.

Adapted from the Western novel by Owen Wister, The Virginian originally was seen in four films.

It quickly moved to TV and over its nine seasons the color TV series saw many changes.

The Virginian, 1962-1971, written by Paul Green and published by McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers, examines both the movie and TV adaptations.

Included in the book are episode guides, cast and crew listings and interviews all accompanied by photos.

Credited with being the first 90-minite TV Western The Virginian was the gold standard of TV Westerns.

Key actors, actresses and production people are given their well-deserved credit and spotlights.

As a kid I loved watching TV Westerns.  I was raised in the era where Westerns ruled both small and large screens.

Growing up many of my favorites included Have Gun, Will Travel, Gunsmoke, Bat Masterson, Wyatt Earp, Cheyenne, Sugarfoot, Maverick-the list goes on and on.

There was nothing more exciting to a young man as the adventures of two-fisted, tough as dirt lawmen and cowboys along with their equally tough gals in TV series that depicted the Wild West.

Some were extremely realistic, some fantasy depictions, some silly and some dramatic-there were Westerns for everyone.

Television Westerns Episode Guide All United States Series, 1949-1996, write by Harris M. Lentz III and published by McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers, is an impressive tome of TV Western shows listed each series complete episode synopsis and credits.

I was delighted to get a copy.  Trying to find episode guides from obscure TV Westerns is a daunting task and this book makes it so easy to look them up.

Look for air dates, histories, cast listings, series premises and a complete index.

Hitch up your wagon, climb aboard and head ‘em up and move ‘em out with this fantastic TV Western resource.

John 3:17-21 - For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.   

Winter Soldier

Ever since his introduction in the pages of the Captain America comic book series one-time Cap partner Bucky Barnes, who was brainwashed as a Russian assassin code-named the Winter Soldier, has remained a big hit with fans.

After replacing Cap, garnering his own mini-series and successfully making his transition to movies and TV the Winter Soldier gains more and more popularity.

Diamond Select produced the figure which is packaged in a form-fitting Styrofoam cocoon that fits in a heavy paper stock flip lid box with color photos of the figure on all sides.

Ever since the Disney + Falcon and Winter Soldier series ran the winter soldier has captivated the viewing audiences minds and imagination.

Since he was first introduced in Marvel Comics and seen in the subsequent Captain America and Avengers films fans have been clamoring for all things Winter Soldier.

Several years ago Diamond Select released a Winter Soldier mini-bust featuring the character in a dynamic pose holding his trademark sniper rile.

The statue duplicates his look perfectly with his long black hair, eye mask, solid black outfit and black bulletproof vest and is cybernetic left arm with its U.S.S.R. red star logo.

The Winter Soldier is slightly slouched as he cradles his rifle pulled back to his left side.

The figure ends at the waist on a rocky pedestal with a large gold star across its front.

Details are amazing, especially the rifle, its shoulder strap and Bucky’s metallic arm.  His hair is tousled and his muscles can be seen through his cloth’s fabric.

Coloration in topnotch as is the sculpt work.  There are no rough edges, paint slopover or flashing.

Currently the figure, in box, runs just under $200.  My figure is 9 out of 1,500.

1 John 4:7 - Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.

Excavating Indiana Jones and Keep Watching The Skies!

The Indiana Jones movie franchise is on the top of my list for all-time favorite movies.

Who can forget the boulder scene in the first film, the ripping out the heart in the second film, the melting faces in the third and the death by ants scene in the fourth film?

It’s interesting that a movie franchise that harkens back to the ‘B’ movie serials would be so popular with modern audiences.

In Excavating Indiana Jones Essays On The Films and Franchise, edited by Randy Laist and published by McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers, all these things and more about the various films are examined.

Various authors delve into the roots of the film franchise, its longevity and popularity and its expanding role in books, video games and the like.

Discover how the films incorporate history, introduce exotic locales and cultures and subtly insert political points of view.

Travel back to the days of adventure, excitement, edge of your seat suspense, where the line between good and evil was clearly defined and strong central characters carried films.

Put on your fedora, break out your whip, don your leather fighter jacket, put on your scruffy cloths and get ready for some rip-roaring action!

Having been raised in the 1950s the threat of nuclear annihilation was very real.

Movies played up the paranoia with some truly frightening movies about alien invaders, giant monsters, gargantuan bugs, bug-eyed creatures, mutants, supernatural threats and more.

No matter how cheesy they are I love them all!

Keep Watching The Skies, a 2-volume set of books written by Bill Warren and published by McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers, examines all of them in this 21st Century Edition.

Accompanying the black and white and color photos are extensive examinations of every film produced during Hollywood’s ‘Cold War’ era.

Learn all about how the films were made, who starred in them, what studio released and distributed them, funny and unknown anecdotes, music and credits.

This book set is massive and contains so much fun and fascinating information you’ll spend hours (days) pouring over each film entry and come away with a new appreciation of the mid-20th Century paranoia filmography.

What an delightful read that is made even more enjoyable by the informative and entertaining way it is presented.

Ephesians 2:8-9 - For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:   

Those Who Wish Me Dead

Angelina Jolie stars as Hannah, a disgraced firefighter/smoke jumper that is relegated to an isolated fire watchtower.

While surveying the land she spots a battered and bloody young boy whom appears to be running from someone or something.

She finds the boy and discovers that he is running from two men who attacked the car his father and he were traveling in.

Before long the two the men appear determined to kill the boy.

Hannah flees with the boy into the deep forest pursued by the killers.

She must all of her skills as a forester to save both the boy and herself.

Together they face the killers, lightning storms, a wildfire and the other dangers of the wild.

Jolie delivers a powerful performance as a woman racked by guilt that finds a new reason to survive.  Resourceful, determined and willing to face up to here own fears she braves the elements and killers to save the young boy.

Those Who Wish Me Dead arrives on Blu-ray/Digital Code from Warner Bros. and includes a making of the film featurette.

Giles

He was/is the brains of the outfit.

As clever and resourceful as the gang on the Buffy The Vampire TV series are/were they could have not done their jobs if it were not for Rupert Giles the Watcher who was assigned to guide Buffy as a Vampire Slayer.

While guiding Buffy ‘The Chosen One’ Giles provided Buffy and her gang important historical and supernatural information.

He was/is also adept at magic himself and would often assist Buffy and her friends in various assignments-sometimes saving their lives.

The Giles Sideshow Exclusive figure from Sideshow Collectibles recreates The Watcher in perfect 12-inch scale.

Like all Sideshow Collectibles figures Giles comes packaged in a flip lid box decorated with photos of the figure on all sides complete with interior and exterior text about the show and character.

Inside both the figure and the accessories are housed in a protective plastic cocoon with ties and viewed through a clear plastic panel covered with tissue paper.

Included with the figure are an extra pair of hands both opened and closed. Weapons and accessories easily fit into the hands with no slippage

A long silver sword with medallion capped handle, his glasses with clear lenses, a small stature, a wooden cross and a circular Buffy base with support wire.

The figure is fully articulated with smooth pivot points, easy to pose and no binding under its clotting.

The figure’s features capture the likeness of Giles including his rather dour expression, serious eyes, hairstyle and facial skin tones.  Sculpt on the figure is well done with clean precise lines and molding.  Coloration is smooth with no slopover pigment areas.

Giles comes dressed in a typical English tweed suit with a gray shirt and black and white striped tie,

A gray vest with buttons, a gray goat with buttons several pockets, gray trousers and black Oxford shoes complete the outfit.

Stitching and details on the clothing are in scale and the entire ensemble fits loosely enough on the figure so there is no binding or bunching when posed.

1 Corinthians 13:13 - And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.

Marvel’s Black Widow and Classics Illustrated

Marvel Comics’ Black Widow character has always been a favorite of mine.  Starting out as a Russian spy, Natasha Romanoff (The Black Widow) reformed, joined the Avengers and became an important member of the team and a strong character in her own right.

In Marvel’s Black Widow From Spy To Superhero, edited by Sherry Ginn and published by McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers, various authors offer essays on Black Widow and her very specific skill set.

Since her introduction as a spy Black Widow has proven to be a formidable foe, an ingenious and resourceful adversary and totally fearless.

Accompanied by black and white illustrations the various essays delve into her past, her origin, her team affiliations and most importantly what drives her.

Black Widow was a key player in many of the Marvel movies and her death and subsequent solo movie demonstrated just how important she was.

Truly one of the most original characters created for comic books she has often been copied but no one matches her skill, cunning and leadership skills that are second to none.

Though no longer published Classics Illustrated comic books were a great way for kids to read the classics while still reading comic books.

I got my first taste of authors Jules Verne and H.G. Wells’s books through Classics Illustrated.

In fact, I remember my English and writing teachers encouraging other students and myself to read the various Classics Illustrated issues as a quick and easy introduction to each classic.

By reading the Classics illustrated it made it easier to delve into the classic themselves.

In Classics Illustrated A Cultural History (Second Edition), by William B. Jones, Jr. and published by McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers, readers are provided a history of the comic book series.

Lavishly illustrated with black and white and color art, along with photos, the book delves into the impressive 70 years of publishing history began by the Kanter family.

Through the decades Classics Illustrated featured the art of some high profile artists, incredible cover painters and popular industry writers.

Interviews, behind-the-scenes secrets revealed and correspondence all combine to give a wide-stroke history of the publisher that introduced classic literature to several generations.

I am impressed by exhaustive history provided, the information on the various titles adapted and the bibliography and appendixes provided.

As a comic book collector one of the most difficult things to do (up to this point) was getting accurate information about Classics Illustrated titles, their dates of publication and when first prints were issued.

With this book comic book fans will have all the information they need at their fingertips.

1 John 4:20 - If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?

Lenore

In 2008 Dark Horse Deluxe releases a series of PVC figures based on Roman Dirge’s Lenore comic book series.

One set from the series includes Lenore, Taxidermy and Spam Witch.

The Lenore figure features the funky pink rabbit decked with her white face, bug eyes, twin silver skull clips, black button nose, twin black belt with knife in sheath and large wooden handle mallet with the word FOO2 emblazoned on its silver hammerhead.

Lenore stands on a circular base of grass and looks read to clobber anyone or anything that gets in her way.

The paint application is what makes the figure with its two-tone pink torso, long pink ears, death mask white face and intricate belts with silver buckles.

Taxidermy sits on a large, ornate Victorian chair with scalloped wooden trim, silver piping down the trim, a white skull decoration and red velvet for the seat and back.  Its short wooden legs stand on the furry hide of an undetermined creature that has long claws and teeth.

The figure itself is dressed in a black suit with white shirt and black tie and wears a large furry animal head cobbled together from different species.  It includes silver stitching down its front, two large white teeth/tusks and a pair of two prong antlers.

The Spam Witch is..uh..Spam.  The two-tone pink hunk of Spam has no hands or feet.  Her speckled body is one chunk of Spam, with large black eyelashes, black eyes, no nose and a large mouth with white teeth.

On the Witch’s head is an atypical witch's black pointed hat with a red head band and silver buckle.

Accompanying the Witch is and oversize scraggly rat that is reaching out for the Witch as she flies by on her broomstick.

The mangy rat has a long tail, white bulging eyes, rows of sharp white teeth and a potbelly.

It stands on a dirty plot of land.

Behind the figures is a recreation of a hallway with three portraits on its walls-one for each character.

I gotta say these are some strangest looking characters I‘ve ever seen. But the attention to detail, paint application, choice of poses, and unique nature of the figures make them a real collector’s item.

The packaging consists of a long horizontal box with a clear viewing panel.  The box is decorated in Lenore graphics and on the back is a full size illustration of the figures as seen posed inside the box.

Romans 5:8 - But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.