Bob Marley Wall Art Building Set

As I’ve grown older I’ve discovered something important. You’re never too old to keep your eye and hand coordination sharp. Also dexterity is a big plus as well as critical thinking skills and color and composition capabilities.

That’s why I am delighted that Brickcraft has introduced its Bob Marley Wall Art Building Set that is gauged for 18+ years and up.

The Bob Marley Wall Art Building Set consists of 2,025 pieces along with six base plates, a signature tile, a color indicator, a brick remover and a brick-crafted frames. Two hanging points allow you to show off your Bob Marley Portraits on a shelf or wall.

You can choose between two classic Bob Marley Portraits that measure 10 inches by 15 inches each.

The Art Building Set is licensed by Bob Marley, king of Reggae music and the Rasta lifestyle.

What a perfect way to chill out, relax, get creative and tune out the rush and roar of modern life.

The easy to follow instructions make creating the Wall Art Building Set a breeze.

I really like the packaging of the Wall Art. As a graphic designer I appreciate the time and effort it took to complete the Set.

Everything comes in a colorful, heavy paper stock, flip-lid box that securely closes and keeps the contents from spilling out.

All of the individual color spots, bases and the like are contained in individual sealed plastic bags. Once removed the plastic color dots can be placed in small containers or even Styrofoam cups allowing for no muss or fuss.

It’s a well crafted, carefully throughout design that is well organized that makes the whole experience of putting the Art Boards together stress-free and fun.

John 14:1-3 (NIV) “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.”

Magazine: Wizard Superman Tribute Edition

The super Boy Scout gets his own special courtesy of Wizard Magazine.

In the First Edition Wizard Special Superman is seen battling it out with Doomsday on the special, metallic foldout cover.

Inside the special tribute magazine begins with Superman's origin and long publishing history.

From there it proceeds to fill first time readers in on Superman’s story, his adventures through the years, a glimpse at different ‘Supermen’, a look back at writer Alan Schwartz Superman scripts and a talk with Elliot S! Maggin.

Superman’s role as a pop icon, his movie rolls, his friends and foes and some of the clunkers premiered in the various Superman titles are also covered.

Discover superman’s lesser powers, the perks of being Superman, a Superman quiz, a price guide to Superman titles, favorite Superman stories and what tit means to be superman are all covered.

Lots of art reproductions both in color and black white, archival photos and more greet readers in this very special issue.

Matthew 19:14 (KJV) “But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.”

12-Inch Star Wars Figure: Mace Windu Jedi Master Order Of The Jedi

Boyce McClain's Consumers' and Collectors' Corner
has been selected as one of the Top 60 Action Figure Blogs on the web by Feedspot.

Check out Feedspot's Top 60 Action Figure Blogs list on:
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It’s been said that actor Samuel L. Jackson petitioned to be in the Star Wars Prequel Trilogy.  He even requested that his character Mace Windu Jedi Master Order Of The Jedi have a purple Lightsaber.

As always he turned in a great performance and the final battle of the Emperor Palpatine and Mace Windu was epic.

Sideshow Collectibles created a 12-inch articulated figure to commemorate Mace Windu.

The Sideshow Exclusive figure comes in Sideshow’s thicker double hinge box with photos of Mace decorating all sides, information panels on the inside flaps and spine and separate sections for the accessories and figure.

A sheet of tissue paper separates the two sections keeping both from getting scuffed or damaged.

Both the accessories and figure are encased in form fitting clear plastic cocoons and covered by single clear sheets of plastic for viewing and protection.

Accessories include a belt with Lightsaber Hook and opening pouches that look like leather, an Episode II and III Lightsaber Hilt and an Episode II and III Lightsaber Hilt with an ignited blade.

Also included is an Episode I Lightsaber with ignited blade, Jedi food capsules, Jedi Holoprojector and Jedi Comlink.

Interchangeable hands include left and right Lightsaber grip, a Forces gesture left hand and a severed hand stump.

The hands are easily removed and replaced-snap on, snap off.  Weapons and accessories stay firmly in hands’ grip and remain in position when the figure is posed using the stand and wire support.

The lit Lightsabers are a translucent purple and the Lightsaber grips are detailed exactly like Mace’s larger versions.

Also included with the Deluxe figure is Jango Fett’s silver and blue helmet with telescoping site.

The Mace figure looks exactly like actor Samuel Jackson including his characteristic scowl, baldhead and intense eyes.  Lips, nose, ears and facial structure are perfect miniature duplicates of Jackson’s features.

The figure is fully articulated and when posed the cloths do not bind or tear.  Wrinkles look natural, as do the folds and overlaps of fabric.

The figure comes dressed in traditional Jedi attire that includes a medium brown overcoat with long sleeves with no cuffs and has shoulder pleats ending at the large waistband.

The overcoat sleeves are wide at the bottom for free movement and a large hood attaches to the overcoat.

The overcoat splits below the waistband and duplicates the upper pleats.

A large brown leather belt with silver buckles and fasteners hold the overcoat in place.

Undergarments include a medium brown ‘vest’ over a light tan shirt with no collar.

Light tan loose fitting pants and brown knee boots with layered leather make up the balance of the outfit.

It is a remarkably done figure with accessories.  Expect to pay upward of $200 for the figure in the box.

Job 19:25 (NKJV) “For I know that my Redeemer lives, And He shall stand at last on the earth;”

Book: All In Color For A Dime

Imagine if you will-a time when kids could travel t0 distant planets, have super powers, fight crime, find romance, visit the Old west and take part in dozens of adventures for a mere dime.

Authors Dick Lupoff and Don Thompson wrote one of the first critical historical books about Golden Age of comic books with their All In Color for A Dime book from Krause Publications.

Periodically updated the book offers the new generation of comic book collectors and readers a quick resource and guide to the Golden Age of comic books.

Composed of interviews and personal testimonies of those artists and writers who produced the books during the Golden age that book hoofers a first hand account of that particular time in comic book publishing was like.

Look for lots of fun facts, inside information including a full color section, and index and more as originally compiled in the early 1960s.

I believe to really understand and hobby or craft it’s best to learn as much about the history of whatever subjects you’re interested in.

That way you get a real appreciation of not only the craft but also those who created it, refined it and pioneered the hobby or craft.

Romans 12:2 (NKJV) “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”

Beware My Power!

Growing up in the 1950s and 1960s I was used to Hal Jordan as earth’s Green Lantern.

In the early 1970s a new Green Lantern appeared: John Stewart, a ex-Marine living in the inner city and coping with the high crime rate and corruption in his neighborhood.

John was brash, full of bravado, intelligent, resourceful and most of all possessed a will of iron. It would be traits that perfectly suited him to become the new Green Lantern.

In Warner Bros. DC Universe Movie Green Lantern Beware My Power 4k Ultra HD/Blu-ray/Digital Code Combo Pack, John’s origin as Green Lantern is recalled and slightly revised.

When ex-Marine sniper John Stewart struggles with delayed stress syndrome he thinks he is hallucinating when he encounters a dying alien with a Green Lantern power ring. When the alien dies the ring selects John to be the next Green Lantern of earth.

From there John is sent to the Justice League headquarters where he faces off against JL members who, at first, fight him only to discover he is a Green Lantern.

The JL members (The Marian Manhunter, Green Arrow, Hawkgirl and Vixen) and John team up to discover what happened to earth’s original Green Lantern Hal Jordan.

Green Lantern and several members of the JL travel to two far away planets that are gripped in war.

While there they finds themselves enmeshed in the war and face off Against Sinestro of the Yellow Lanterns and several other super villains.

Beware My Power has lots of action, some great animation and a compelling story that delivers both the legend of the Green Lanterns and various DC heroes and villains.

Included in the Combo Pack is a John Stewart featurette and two bonus cartoons.

Matthew 6:19-20 (NKJV) “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal;but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.”

12-inch Figure: Reservoir Dogs Mr. Brown

It’s not often a director of a film also costars in their film, especially one of their first films.

That’s exactly what Quentin Tarantino did in his bloody crime film Reservoir Dogs.

Tarantino is known for his over the top violent and bloody films and Reservoir Dogs tops the list.

Reservoir Dogs is a film about a bunch of guys who pull a jewelry heist only to have it blow up in their faces.  Lies, deceit, double crosses, hidden agendas, false identities and lots of blood and violence all combine to make the film a cult classic.

This is the first film by Tarantino which would establish him as one of the most unique movie directors of all time.  Told in a back and forth through time fashion the film breaks many of the film standards of the time.

Ironically Tarantino as Mr. Brown gets killed early in the film.

Palisades Toys released two series of 12-inch fully articulated Reservoir Dogs figures.  Mr. Brown comes from the first series.

The resemblance to Tarantino is remarkable right down to his pale skin, the slightly jutting lower jaw, heavy brow and dark eyebrows, the small intense eyes and the receding hairline match the actor/director to a tee.

The sculpt work on the face is well done.  The figure’s hands are preset to hold the various weapons and accessories that come with the figure.

Paint application is clean, well defined for each area and has subtle shade differences giving the face a more realistic look.

The figure, as well as the accessories, are held in place by a plastic cocoon and straps where necessary.  A special Reservoir Dogs stand is also included.

A clear plastic sheet covers the figure and accessories and when the flip lid of the box is closed only the head and upper chest of the figure can be seen.

Mr. Brown comes dressed in solid black suit with a three-button coat with four pockets, black shoes and tie and white shirt.

The cloths fit loosely enough so the figure can move easily with no binding or bunching of material.

Stitching and buttons are to scale and the quality of the figure and clothing is first rate.

Included with the Mr. Brown figure are a.45 automatic pistol, a .38 Snub Nose, a Shoulder Holster, a Pack of Smokes, a Cigarette, a Lighter, Sunglasses, a CD Case with CD and an Alternate Head with a bullet hole and blood.

Overall it’s an impressive package, nicely sculpted, painted and detailed and a great collector item.


1 Corinthians 13:4 (NIV) “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.”

Trading Card Game: Legendary Duelists Season 3

From Konami comes the latest and greatest Yu-Gi-Oh! Trading Card Game’s best of the best duelists in Legendary Duelists Season 3.

Collect Cards for heroes, villains, and heroes-turned-villains, in the same place!

Legendary Duelist Season 3 features Cards first introduced in Legendary Duelists: Immortal Destiny and Legendary Duelists: Magical Hero

Be on the look out for the Dark Magician, HERO, Synchrons, and more!

Each Box of Legendary Duelists: Season 3 includes:

1 Secret Rare

6 Ultra Rares come in the colors of the 3 Duel Academy dorms: 2 red Ultra Rares for Slifer Red, 2 blue Ultra Rares for Obelisk Blue, and 2 standard Ultra Rares for Ra Yellow.

A special bonus of several collectible Dice featuring famous monsters or symbols associated with Yugi, Jaden, and Yusei.

30 Commons

Do you have what it takes to become a Legendary Duelist?

Proverbs 27:17 (NIV) “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.”

Magazine: Upcoming!! Diamond Previews, August 2022

 

Sideshow Statue: Why Choose Homer Simpson?

For a short period in the early 2000s Sideshow Collectibles produced a number of Limited Edition Polystone Busts of some of The Simpsons characters.

Homer Simpson was the first and Sideshow managed to capture the beer-guzzling, dimwitted Homer in perfect miniature scale.

The Homer Simpson polystone figure stands approximately 8 to 9 inches tall.

The figure ends at the waist and is mounted on a pedestal of white with a tapered base.

Homer has a grumpy look on his face with his eyes looking slightly to his left and his arms crossed.

The figure is cradled in a plastic form-fitting cocoon and is clearly displayed behind a clear oval panel.

The box is rectangular and stands vertically.

The Limited Edition figure is heavily protected with interior Styrofoam in a heavy paper stock box and sealed in a plastic bag.  

Color application and sculpting are clean and crisp with no bleed over paint or rough sculpt edges.

Bart, Lisa and Marge figures are also available.

Get yours quickly as they have become much sought after collectibles. Doh!

John 14:6 (NKJV) “Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”

DVD: The Gilded Age

Human beings have the tendency to assume that human events that occurred decades or centuries ago that things were not as complicated or sophisticated as they are today.

That’s a false assumption. Men and women have always been complicated creatures.

Lust, greed, avarice, social status, haves and have-nots, politics, religion, bigotry, prejudice, hypocrisy and all the other less savory human traits have been around since mankind first walked the earth.

So too were generosity, compassion, charity and the more noble attributes of man and woman.

In Warner Bros. The Gilded Age The Complete First Season DVD collection shown on HBO, all of the aforementioned traits (both good and bad) are on full display.

It was a time when fortunes could be won and lost in an instant.

When a young orphaned woman moves into the home of her two aunts she finds herself caught up the world of the rich where class and wealth meant everything.

She faced a choice. Does she adapt to the ways of rich and powerful or did she choose her own path despite her aunts’ constant bickering.

She learned to mingle with powerful railroad barons, influential publishers, wealthy entrepreneurs and the upper class in their tit for tat war of social status.

Constant bickering, maneuvering and back-stabbing were the norm as well as other backroom bantering.

The series boasts incredible serious sets, classic costumes, impressive interiors and exteriors that capture the sheer exuberance and frivolity of the mid-19^th Century Gilded Age.

The DVD collection contains all of the First Season episodes along with several featurettes about the creation of the series, characters, sets, costumes and more.

It’s a superbly acted period piece that lovers of rich and pompous lifestyles of The Gilded Age.

1 Corinthians 13:4 (NIV) “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.”

Diecast: Is The Fendt 936 Vario The Best Choice For Farmers?

It’s time to bring in the crops!   The Fendt 936 Vario tractor is extremely versatile.  It can used for wood-chopping as well as the usual type of farming tractor work. It comes in a variety of models such as with or without rear power lift, rear PTO, front PTO, reversing driver station and a range of hydraulic, attachment and power lift and it is compatible with all common attachments.

The Schuco 1:87 Scale diecast comes in a small clear plastic container with a black base inside a light cardboard slipcase.

The vehicle is attached to the base to avoid slippage and damage.

It also keeps the vehicle stationary for display.

Painted a solid green with a white roof the vehicle has a clear glass cockpit with a black seat and interior including a steering wheel and instrument panel.

Black highset rearview mirrors, a flashing red roof light, a black extended chassis exhaust, large fenders with rear red lights, a trailer hitch, front grill with lights side ladders and a heavy duty plow and accessory attachment make up the balance of the cab and chassis.

Four large rubber tires with red wheels attach to the fully detailed chassis.

It’s an amazingly accurate miniature of the Fendt 936 Vario with excellent paint application, perfect detailing and movable parts and tires.

Matthew 5:16 (NKJV) “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”

More Doodles

 

Diecast: The P-38J--Lightning of Capt Robin Olds-Did It Work?

Imagine flying a WWII fighter aircraft that had the cockpit suspended between two fuselages.  This unusual design made the aircraft more stable but also more complicated to fly.  With its double fuselage it also had joined rear wings, a single large front wing and two tail wings.

It must have been exciting to test fly such a radically designed aircraft and a little frightening as well.

The P-38J 1:72 diecast aircraft model comes in a lidded box and is held in place with a clear and blue plastic cocoon.  Additional parts are sealed in a small plastic bag and the 3-part stand for displaying the model is snug in the cocoon.

The main fuselage of the aircraft is olive green with black and white stripes decorating the front wings and rear fuselage air intakes.

The rear stabilizer wings are tipped in red

The aircraft has a single cockpit (with pilot) protected behind a segmented windshield.

Various weapons, communication and other devices extend above and below the P-38J.

Each fuselage sports a tri-blade propeller with yellow tips.

The rear wing expansion has an airspeed indicator perched in its middle.

An extra set of wheels is inset on the top of the aircraft-one on each fuselage.

Under the aircraft are open areas where the detachable wheels may be attached.  If posed as in flight detachable plates cover the wheel wells.

Twin extra fuel tanks may also be attached below the fuselages.

It’s a beautifully crafted model-probably one of the best Corgi model diecast created by the company.

Romans 8:28-29 (NIV) “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.”

Captain Marvel #3-Does The Super Skrull Win?

When I first saw the striking green cover to Marvel Comic’s Captain Marvel #3 years ago I wanted the issue.  The fact that The Super Skrull was on the cover convinced me to purchase it.  That was back in the 1960s.

Defeated and captured by The Super Skrull, Captain Mar-vell feigns unconsciousness in the hopes of stopping the Super Skrull.

Unfortunately The Super Skrull removes the Captain’s helmet thus making his vulnerable to a huge explosion should Mar-vell fail to stop it.

Using a mind-sifting machine the Super Skrull reads Mar-vell’s mind and views his memories from the past few days.

After probing Mar-vell’s mind The Super Skrull learns a shocking secret.

Mar-vell manages to escape with The Super Skrull in hot pursuit.  He makes it back to his ship and despite his commander’s interference returns to earth to stop The Super Skrull.

The story ends with a battle and The Super Skrull mesmerized by his own super-hypnosis.

In this issue The Sentry makes an appearance as does Carol Danvers (the future Captain Marvel).

Roy Thomas provides the worlds and artist Gene Colan the art.

Gene was never too keen on drawing superheroes but despite that he turns in some spectacular art.  Later on in his career he would pencil The Avengers, Daredevil, and Howard The Duck and perhaps his most famous Marvel Comics work: Dracula.

Isaiah 53:6 (NKJV) “All we like sheep have gone astray; We have turned, every one, to his own way; And the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.”

A Few Drawings

 I knocked out a few pencil drawings this morning.

I needed the practice. It's been awhile.

 

 

Tales Of Suspense #82-Who Is The Real Captain America?

Captain America takes on the Adaptoid.  In Marvel Comics Tales Of Suspense #82 the shape shifting, power-copying Adaptoid is introduced.  

In the story Captain America is suddenly jumping through time and facing past foes in rapid succession only to have them disappear. Disoriented, dazed and exhausted Cap passes out in the arms of The Avengers’ butler, Jarvis.

Only it’s not Jarvis but an android that had recently escaped from a secret scientific compound operated by A.I.M.

The android, known as an Adaptoid, disguises itself as Jarvis and as Cap sleeps it assumes his form and takes over his identity.

The Adaptoid would later become a deadly foe of The Avengers and assume the identify of The Super-Adaptoid.

In the second part of an Ironman tale, ol’ Shellhead battles The Titanium Man who not only is stronger but faster as well.  All looks lost as The Titanium Man threatens to electrocute Pepper Potts unless Ironman surrenders.

I love these old Silver Age issues.  They always managed to pack a lot of story into each issue.  Not only were the stories and art awesome but the advertisements, letters pages and sneak peeks were just a much fun to read and look at.  Make Mine Marvel!

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NKJV) “Rejoice always,  pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”

Character Montage

 Here's montage sketch of my various
characters I made this morning.

 

Tides

Ada Hughes worked at the docks cleaning fish and as a waitress to make ends meet.

After her mother passed away her fisherman father became despondent.

He began to drink, was unable to find work and became angry, often taking his rage out on his kids: Ada and her two brothers.

One day, after Ada took the blows from her dad meant for her brother, she visited a high school friend. He and his girlfriend offered some comfort.

After his last fit her father stormed out, got drunk and was missing. Coincidentally children were missing in Ada’s sleepy fishing village. Also two strangers appeared in town.

Ada’s friend offered to help her find her dad. They found him. He was at the beach and he was terrified. He claimed he spotted a monster from the sea.

And so it began.

Tides is a short novella but packs quite a punch. After only a few pages I felt like I knew the characters. With only a few phrases author Patricia Morais drew me into the story. I was hooked.

What started out as a story about a troubled family escalated into much more.

Ada found a strength within herself she never knew she possessed. After the horror she experienced she discovered a new purpose for her life.

I’m excited to see where her newfound destiny will take her.

Black Canary #1-Who Is Sin?

She’s been around since the 1940s (or at least a version of her).  Black Canary is a superb fighter and possesses the ability to shatter eardrums and other objects with her sonic scream.

2007's Issue #1 from DC Comics starts out when Black Canary and Green Arrow first started working together as a team while members of The Justice League of America.

The lady in black leather and fishnet stockings was not impressed with Green Arrow’s bravado and blatant sexism.  Things changed over the next 10 years.

Dinah (Black Canary) and Oliver (Green Arrow) are about to be married.

Dinah sits in a cafe with a young girl named Sin whom she rescued from being a trained assassin.

When one of the kids bullies Sin she retaliates.  The restaurant’s play area (and the restaurant for that matter) will never be the same.

Dinah takes Sin to a hotel.  Sin goes to get ice and meets a man who seems overly friendly.  Dinah clobbers him only to realize that he is her ex-husband.

A smooth talker he convinces Dinah to agree to help him with some ‘trouble’ he has gotten into-the taking a loan from bad guys kind of trouble.

Dinah reluctantly shows up and saves him.

Later he arrives at a swanky office of his ‘employer’--someone who has a beef with Green Arrow.  Any guesses as to whom it is?

Things are get interesting and as the 4-part mini-series continues Dinah, Ollie and Sin find themselves in some pretty precarious situations.

What makes this mini-series so important is that it delves into both Dinah’s and Ollie’s pasts and sets up their wedding.

Ecclesiastes 3:1 (NKJV) “To everything there is a season,A time for every purpose under heaven:..”

Adrian Turner On Goldfinger-The Best Bond Film?

Of all the James Bond films Goldfinger is the ‘gold’ standard by which all other Bond films are measured.

Goldfinger firmly established the ‘formula’ for Bond films for decades to come.

Goldfinger is by far my favorite James Bond film with Skyfall close behind it.

Sean Connery will always be the ultimate James Bond.  After all he set the pace and the look of the character.

Goldfinger set the precedent for all Bond movies that followed.  Key elements were introduced or played up from previous films.  They included:

• A separate introductory mission completely separate from the main movie plot.  In this instance Bond destroying a cocaine operation.
• The trademark gun barrel opening graphic leading into a film theme song (Goldfinger by Shirley Easton is still considered one of the best).
• An opening title sequence with lots of scantily clad women.
• Tongue-in-cheek humor.
• Bond’s banter with Q, Moneypenny and M.
• Gadgets of all sorts-including a customized gadget laden car.  The Aston Martin in the film is now the most famous car in the world.
• A maniacal, genius and ego-driven madman villain bent on world domination of one sort of another.
• His formidable head henchmen.  In Goldfinger Oddjob set the tone for all the following bad guy henchmen.
• A car chase.
• A bad girl who goes good after being seduced by James Bond (Pussy Galore).
• A elaborate high-tech villain lair.
• An army of trained killers financed by the villain.
• Lots of explosions and fights.
• The final confrontation between Bond and the villain, who is always killed.
• Bond getting the girl at the end of the film.

In Adrian Turner On Goldfinger Bloomsbury Movie Guide No. 2  the Goldfinger film is examined from head to toe.

Cast, crew, locations, gadget, villains, women, fashion, production, location scouting and other production tidbits fill the book.

Readers learn little known facts about the film from in back and in front of the camera and so much more.

It’s an extremely comprehensive book about what many consider the best James Bond film ever made.  Throw in archival photos and the book deliver like a martini “shaken not stirred”.

Philippians 4:19 (NKJV) “And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”

The First Avenger? Captain America : Avenger-Hero-Icon

He’s known by many names: The First Avenger, The Star-Spangled Super Soldier, The Sentinel of Liberty and Ol’ Shield Slinger.

Regardless of his moniker Captain America is America’s premiere patriot hero and he’s been around since just before World War II.

Joe Simon and Jack Kirby created Cap and his sidekick Bucky. After the war ended both Captain America and Bucky disappeared for awhile.

In the early 1950s they resurfaced as warriors against communism but after too short a time they disappeared once again.

In the mid-1960s Stan Lee and Jack Kirby brought Captain America back and he has been a key character in the Marvel Comics Universe ever since then starring not only in his own titles, but as Avenger and even in his own Marvel movies.

Captain America: Avenger-Hero-Icon, by Rich Johnson and published by Universe, and Marvel examines and chronicles the long and illustrious life of the First Avenger.

There have been books written about Captain America before but this book is unique in its approach.

Starting with Cap’s WWII exploits when he had a posited shield an dis face mask only cover the upper part of his face, the book then jumps a year or so forward depicting the introduction of Bucky Barnes.

Cleverly broken down by military rank the book starts out with private, to corporal to sergeant to captain. Along the way the book chronicles cap’s career over the decades using different Captain America mini-series and storylines as reference.

This is a truly gorgeous book with its striking Captain America throwning his shield cover to the various full color comic book covers and interiors art.

Look for notable artists like Alex Ross, John Byrne, John Romita, Jr. Michael turner, Sal Buscema, Jim Steranko, Jack Kirby and other top talent contributing art.

The deluxe hardbound book is brimming with page-after-page of beautiful full color art, in-depth and informative text and key moments from Cap’s long career.

It is the ultimate Captain America book lovingly compiled and chronicled.

1 Corinthians 13:13 (NIV) ^“And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.“

The Magnificent '60s

The 1960s witnessed big changes in the United States (and the world for that matter). The race riots, assassinations of three key political figures, the war in Vietnam, the counter-culture movement, women’s rights-the list goes on and on.

One of the key proponents of change was the type of movies made. Social and political changes, advances in visual and physical effects, the deterioration of the studio systems and the unrest of the American culture and questioning of societal norms all came into play at the movies.

The 1960s were a time when movie-makers embraced change. No longer did they produce films that were ‘safe’. Often the movies filmed were shocking, revolutionary, daring and controversial.

A new generation of movie stars emerged-all with a revolutionary, anti-establishment slant such as Steve McQueen, Dustin Hoffman, Barbara Streisand, Sean Connery and others.

Subject matters in films tackled previously hush hush subjects and did so openly and with bravado.

The times they were a changing and The Magnificent ’60’s, written by Brian Hannan and published by McFarland & Company Inc., Publishers, goes into great details about the 100 most popular films of a revolutionary decade.

From comedies, to dramas, science fiction and every other genre imaginable the book examines them all and also includes and extensive Notes section.

Isaiah 41:10 (NKJV) “Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’”

Spy Vs Spy The Complete Casebook-Is Cuba Responsible?

What happens when political cartoonist Antonio Prohias flees Cuban when it fell to Fidel Castro and the Communists?  Why he moves to the United States of course and joins MAD Magazine’s usual bunch of idiots.

He created Spy Vs. Spy the hilarious illustrated  hi-jinx of two spies: one dress all n white an done in all black, who were constantly trying to outwit, eliminate and one-up each other.

It was never clear as to what countries they represented-but it really didn’t matter.

I vividly remember the Cuban Missile conflict, The cold War and the imminent threat of nuclear annihilation.

It seemed like spies and international espionage was everywhere.

Practically you heard or read about Russia or foreign agents spies being discovered, covert activities uncovered and the tension between the United states, the U.S.S.R. and Cuba at the breaking point.

It was a scary time to be alive because you never knew when your next day might be your last.

That’s why Spy Vs. Spy was a welcome humorous relief.

The Spy Vs. Spy The Complete Casebook, published by Watson-Guptill,  opens with a lengthy piece about the artist's life and some personal memories from his son.

From there the book introduces readers to Prohias’s pre-MAD artwork and then transitions into his early work for MAD.

The oversize softbound book contains dozens of Spy Vs. Spy black and white strips through the decades.

It also includes the artist’s non-Spy work as well as his color work when MAD magazine began printing in full color.

It’s an impressive collection of work crated by a man who suffered personal loss, witnessed the takeover of his country and still managed to find humor despite his hardships.

With the current tension in politics and the international stage Spy Vs. Spy is as relevant today as it was when it was first introduced.

Spy Vs. Spy was one of my favorite MAD strips as I grew up reading the magazine.  It amazed me then and now how with such a simple premise the artist was about to come up with new and unique scenarios that still seemed fresh and contemporary.

2 Corinthians 10:4 (KJV) “(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)”

Star Trek Lower Decks Season 2-The Best Trek?

Just when you thought it was safe to travel to the stars the crew of the U.S.S. Cerritos is back and the Federation of Planets will never be the same.

The animated series finds it’s lower deck personal and officers in their usual state of confusion, insubordination and trouble.

The animated series looks at the funnier side of Starfleet yet still manages to address some current social ills albeit disguised as sci-fi.

Here’s just a few things to look for in the Star Trek Lower Decks Season 2 Blu-ray ten-episode collection from CBS/Paramount:

• An ancient defense system. 
• A crew member with god-like powered.
• Unexpected cloning.
• Mugatos and Ferengi.
• An out of control duplicating alien.
• A ritual loss of virginity.
• A spacewalk repair mission.
• An emotional Vulcan.
• An unwanted promotion.
• A suspicious cybernetic implant and much more.

Get ready to beam up, put your Phaser on stun, break out your Tricorder and open all hailing frequencies as you explore space with the crew of the U.S.S Cerritos.

Blu-ray extras include of one hour of special features such as featurattes, a Decktionary, Eater Eggs and Animatics.

Matthew 24:42 (NKJV) “Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming.”