Into The Fairy Hill

The Genesis Of Fairy Tales!

Scotland-my ancestors came from Scotland. In fact, there is a McClain castle situated somewhere in Scotland. 

I few years back I received an invitation to visit the castle and meet some of my faraway relatives.

I’m proud of my Scottish heritage and that’s why I got excited when McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers sent me its new book, Into The Fairy Hill, by author Michael S. Newton. 

Much of the legends and fantasy so popular in American literature, movies and TV had their beginnings in Scottish lore.

In the book classic folktales of the Scottish Highlands are offered in English and in their native language. Pulled from various text and obscure sources they are all classics. 

Discover the world of fierce and determined heroes, heroines and clans, feuds, battles, fairies, trolls and other hidden folk and creatures and more steeped in Scottish culture and lore.

Scotland is a land of mysteries, mysticism and magic. Rugged and beautiful the land challenges its people at every turn.

The Scottish people are a hardy breed: headstrong, passionate and proud of their homeland. 

Perhaps one day I’ll get to visit the home of my ancestors. I can feel their blood coursing through my veins coupled with their indomitable spirit.

Deuteronomy 31:6 (NIV) “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”

The Twilight Zone The Complete Series

Rod Serling's Legacy!

Growing up in the 1950s and 1960s I was a big fan of the original The Twilight Zone TV series. To tell you the truth most of the episodes scared the snot out of me. All twenty episodes of the new The Twilight Zone come in a new collection.

As the years passed a couple other iterations of the series arose-both were good although lacking the series creator Rod Serling as the moderator.

The latest version: The Twilight Zone The Complete Series, from CBS/TV/Paramount Studios pays homage to the original series with some truly creepy episodes made even more so using cutting edge special effects. 

The moderator of the new series was Jordan Peele and he did an excellent job of cranking up the creepiness factor.

Top talent including cast, crew, writers and directors delivered some memorable episodes all guaranteed to get you thinking, send chills up your spin and to cause you to keep the lights on and the windows and doors closed.

Over 2 1/2 hours of exclusive extras allow viewers to peek behind-the-scenes, remember Rod Serling, enjoy some music, hear some commentaries, watch deleted and extended scenes and chuckle at gag reels.

Romans 6:23 (NKJV) “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

DC League Of Super-Pets

Who comes to the rescue of DC Comics Justice League when they are in trouble? 

When the Justice League are kidnapped Superman’s dog Krypto recruits other super-powered animals including a dog, pig, squirrel, kitten and turtle.

Together they form the League Of Super-Pets!

Warner Bros./Discovery presents the DC League Of Super-Pets on Blu-Ray/DVD/Digital Code that features their very first adventure and it’s nothing to bark, oink, squeak or meow at! 

Fur, fangs, claws, tails and shells fly as the League Of Super-Pets prove their worth and put the bad guys into the dog house.

Oh, did I mention the power hungry guinea pig! There’s Lex Luthor too. 

DC League Of Super-Pets is absolutely hilarious. The voice cast delivers with clever banter and the computer animation is superb.  However I believe the 'inclusive' moments should have been left out.  After all, it's a kids' movie.

The interplay between the pets is clever as are the scenes spotlighting each pet. From the super-strong dog, super-speed turtle, rocket-launching kitten, the lightning-bolt squirrel to the expanding pig each and every character is fleshed out, uniquely individual and fun to watch.

The action is fast, furious and comical at the same time. After watching the film it made me wonder, “Who is smarter-the humans or the pets?” My vote goes to the pets.

Kids will love the film for the animals and fun and adults will get a kick out of the banter and subtle innuendos. Either way, the film is very funny and great for the whole family.

2 Corinthians 5:21 (NKJV) “For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.”

Melrose Place The Complete Series

Are you one of the ‘beautiful people’? If so, you should feel right at home at Melrose Place, the high class, high rent and high society apartment complex. 

Join the residents as they scheme, love, cheat, plot and prove that no matter how smart, wealthy, beautiful, handsome you are or if you have the right connections you can be just as messed up as average folks.

Enjoy all seven seasons of the steamy, prime-time soap opera Melrose Place The Complete Series courtesy of CBS TV /Paramount Studios on 54 DVD discs including over two hours of special features. 

Featurettes, commentaries, profiles and much more bring the series front and center for a behind-the-scenes look at how the show was produced, shot, cast and written.

The oversize boxed set includes two snap-shut DVD containers one holding season one through three and the second holding seasons four through seven. 

If you like glam, high-fashion, money, fast cars, money and steamy sex, shenanigans and some sinister undertones then Melrose Place is the location just for you.

Proverbs 18:21 (KJV) “Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.”

The Rough Guide To Superheroes

When you need quick and easy guide to something it’s best cut out all the fluff and stick to the facts.

In the case of this book a little packs in a lot.

While not overly illustrated The Rough Guide To Superheroes from Rough Guides packs in a lot of information in a small softbound book.

Learn all about superheroes and super villains from comic books and TV, movies and the Internet, including their origins and who created them.

Learn how superheroes influenced some great actors, performers and other influential people and discover what graphic novels and novels are the ‘must haves’ for any comic book collection.

Everything you need to know about each hero and villain is provided in short, precise and information packed sections.

For a quick and easy to follow guide to all things superhero and villain related this is the one book to keep with you at all times.  

Its an invaluable guide when out at yard sales, visiting comic book shops or just out and about.

Proverbs 18:10 (NKJV) “The name of the Lord is a strong tower; The righteous run to it and are safe.

The X Files Fox Mulder

The male side of the X-File investigative team is Fox Mulder: Special Agent, F.B.I. Fox was the believer in strange phenomenon.  He was obsessed with the occult, UFOs and other worldly phenomenon ever since his sister was abducted and disappeared.

The Mulder figure comes packaged in a custom X-Files Sideshow Collectibles box.

The box features a separate flip front lid with information about the character and show printed on the inside flap.

In the main body of the box a clear plastic panel allows toy collectors to view the Mulder figure.

Both the figure and the accessories are held in place and snuggly fit into a form-fitted clear plastic cocoon along with plastic straps.

The 12-inch, fully articulated figure’s head sculpt matches the features of Mulder from his short hair, sharp nose, wide chin and deep-set eyes.

Coloration on the face is slightly varied emulating real facial coloring.  The entire body is in flesh tone.

Articulation varies from pivot, ball and socket, twist to hinge.  This allows the figure to pose in many different positions, grasp items with its propositioned hands while standing or posed and with the aid of the solid black circular, white and green X-Files logo base and support wire the figure stays stationary and will not wobble or fall over.

The figure comes dressed in a white long-sleeved cuffed shirt with collar and snaps, a black tie, dark gray trousers, a flax jacket that Velcro’s over the shoulders, a dark gray belt with silver buckle and black dress shoes.

On the figure’s left wrist is a silver watch with a black strap.

Accessories include a walkie talkie with an attached headphone and microphone, a flip cell phone, a black flashlight, a hardball, a handgun and a black holster.

Details on the accessories are extremely accurate and the sculpture work is tight, crisp and sharp.  A newspaper declaring Elvis is dead is also included.

The figure can easily and securely hold the accessories.

Cloths and flax jacket move with the figure with no unnatural folds or creases.  The cloths fit just loosely enough to make them look like natural clothing.  The are made of real cloth.

It’s an impressive figure with character accurate clothing and accessories.

Hebrews 11:6 (NKJV) “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.”

The Complete Second Season Kung Fu

Way back in the early 1970s there was a TV show called Kung Fu. It starred David Carradine as a half-breed Shaolin priest named Caine who was hunted down for killing a nobleman in his homeland of Chiina.

It was a matter of self-defense/protection but nonetheless Caine fled China and came to the United States during the time of the Old West.

It was a great show and one of my favorites.

At the time it was released there was an outpouring of protest from the Asian community that a Chinese person should have been played Caine. Bruce Lee even tried out for the part.

It was a different time and Carradine was give in the part.

Fast forward to the 2020s. A new Kung Fu TV series is on the air this time starring a Chinese woman as a Shaolin Priest who returns to her home in America.

Once there she protects her family and fights crime.

The second season sees the young woman (Nicky) still protecting Chinatown.

She’s still in love and things are looking rosy-until her arch enemy returns.

To add to the excitement her mysterious cousin Mia appears and a villainous billionaire has plans to take over the city using Mia.

There’s plenty of excitement, martial art mayhem, quiet family moments, sinister bad guys and the best of all the cast consists mostly of Chinese and Asian actors and actresses.

Warner Bros./Discovery presents The Complete Second Season Kung Fu on DVD along with a hilarious gag reel.

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

DC Comics 80 Page Giant The Flash Issue No. 4

Growing up one of my favorite comic books titles was The Flash when I first started to read comic books.

There was something amazing about an individual who could move so fast and do the things The Flash could do.

Add that to the fact that the comic book had some awesome villains and snuck in some science and the issue was sure to be a hit.

I loved reading about the Flash’s exploits and battling such baddies as Mirror Master, Captain Cold and the like.

In DC Comics 80 Page Giant The Flash Issue No. 4 not only were several of Flash’s classic tales reprinted but an original Golden Age flash tale was included as well.

Just look what issue contained:  The Flash was pitted against-a giant mosquito, a huge hourglass prison, a sudden catastrophic gain of weight, Black Lightning and a pirate torpedo.

How does he escape?  You’ll just have to pick up a copy for yourself to find out.

It’s a classic Silver Age collection of The Flash tales that originally sold for 25 cents.  Good like finding an issue for that cheap!

Psalm 91:11 (NKJV) ^“For He shall give His angels charge over you, To keep you in all your ways.”

Usagi Yojimbo #1

A samurai rabbit!?  Sounds absurd but Stan Sakai’s Usagi Yojimbo took the comic book by storm and has become a cult classic.

Three’s nothing cartoonish about either the fighting scenes nor the Eastern philosopher incorporated into the series.

In Fantagraphics Books issue #1 readers learn about Usagi’s past.

A great deal of detail is given about how he trained as a samurai, his early associations, his master and the long arduous and difficult path he took to enlightenment.

Beautifully illustrated and written the series successfully introduces readers to the discipline (both physical and mental) that it takes to become a true samurai.

Hints are also dropped about possible future enemies and allies.  The story is told in flashback just after Usagi defeats and old enemy and tells the tale to an arriving friend.

Also included in the book is a short tale of Waddlewalk the platypus pilot in Tinkle Drop.  It’s aviation action courtesy of Dennis Fujitake.

Currently a raw mint copy of Usagi Yojimbo goes for around $75 with a slabbed mint copy fetching $500.

Hebrews 11:1 (KJV) “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”

Aqua Teen Hunger Force: The Baffler Meal Complete Collection

For eleven seasons they fought crime and solved mysteries. They banded together to defend the weak and confront evil-until things got tough or dangerous and then they ran to the hills!

They are the Aqua Teen Hunger Force and they are foodstuffs!

Master Shake, Frylock and Meatwad combine their vegetable, meat and dairy powers to solve unusual cases from the comfort of a neighbor’s swimming pool. 

All of the human sized fast food defenders TV show episodes come on 20 discs along with their own full-length movie in the Aqua Teen Hunger Force: The Baffler Meal Complete Collection on DVD, courtesy of Warner Bros. and Adult Swim.

This ain’t a kids’ cartoon as evident by its ‘R’ rating. 

Aqua Teen Hunger Force delivers 138 episodes of delicious and slightly demented and fermented food foolishness. It’s a veritable feast for anyone who is hungry for some fast food fantasy, fights, frivolity and foods with moods.

Is nothing sacred!? Everything and anyone is a target from obliterating the holidays, taking jabs at the mob, sex, exercise, aliens-you name it Aqua Teen Hunger Force has taken a bite out of each one and swallowed it whole. 

Besides the episodes there is also over 30 hours of extras from behind-the-scenes featurettes and much, more more for you to digest.

So get ready to get your fill of some of the most hilarious and irrelevant vegetable, dairy and meat mayhem served up piping hot. 

Once you get a taste-you’re hooked! It’s like going to a restaurant you’ve never eaten at before-you don’t know what to expect!

Joshua 1:9 (NIV) “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” 

Star Wars The Visual Encyclopedia

Who would ever have thought that a movie franchise would be so detailed and packed with characters, locales, etc that it would require a complete visual library of reference.

DK Books’ Star Wars The Visual Encyclopedia is just such a reference book.

The oversize hardbound book has an embossed cover covered with photos of various items from all of the Star Wars movies-sort of a visual cornucopia.

Inside readers are led through the worlds of Star Wars that includes maps, planets, locations Geography, nature, history, culture, science and technology, and more.

I especially like the sections about Droids, weapons, transport, creatures and characters.

Each page features a wide assortment of photos with short explanations about each item.

For a Star Wars fan or someone new to the franchise this book is the perfect way to learn about particular people, places and things.

It is veritable visual treat with lots of colorful photos to look at and some interesting information tidbits to read.

Ephesians 6:10-11 (NKJV) “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.”

GI Joe Classified

It’s always a little bit exciting and scary to move to a new town and school when you’re a teenager.

When Stan and his mother move to Springfield Stan discovers that his mother’s employer: DeCobray, practically runs and owns the whole place, especially the school.

DeCobray is a cutting edge technology company. One of its products is the Lyre XR Augmented Reality Headset. 

DeCobray provides Stan and his classmates at Springfield Academy headsets as part of a beta test. Seems innocent enough. But is it?

When Stan meets his 10^th grade counselors what started out as a orientation winds up as a violent confrontation. 

He meets some fellow students who also question the true purpose of the Lyre XR Augmented Reality Headsets.

Do the devices violate private space? Do they alter reality without the students’ consent? What is real and what is reality? Can they control emotion and memory?

When Stan and his new friends investigate the disappearance of some fellow classmates what they discover is horrifying. Just how dangerous is DeCobray and its Lyre XR Augmented Reality Headsets? Do they pose a dangerous threat to society as a whole?

Secret organizations, ninjas, high-tech equipment, computer wizardry, covert operations and more all combine to make GI Joe Classified by author Kelley Skovron and Abrams/Amulet Books the perfect thriller for young people and adults.

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.”

Anti-Foreign Imagery In American Pulps and Comic Books

It’s hard to imagine that there was time in the United States when blatant bigotry of foreigners was prevalent in magazines, books and comic books, TV and at the movies.

Such practices are frowned upon today (and rightly so) and most Americans (except for some far left and right radicals) are content living with people of other ethnic and social backgrounds.

Still, like the immigration glut in the early 1900s many people still cast a weary eye toward foreigners today.

From 1920 to 1960 such practices were at their disgusting peak. I’m going on 70 years old and I can remember such prejudices-especially as it pertained to the Japanese and Germans after World War II.

I recall when was a young lad that my mom would stop at the Goodwill and Salvation Army stores the days she had to go to the clinic for shots each week.

Comic books were two for a nickel and she would always pick up a stack totaling about one dollar.

Among the comics would always be some from the Golden Age published during the time World War II was raging.

I used to think it was funny when comic book artists depicted the Japanese as bucktooth yellow demons and the Germans as monstrous, hunchback killers.

It was common practice to do so during the war. It made the enemy less human and therefore easier to hate and kill.

Author Nathan Vernon Madison and McFarland & Company Inc., Publishers look back to 1920 to 1960 in the book Anti-Foreign Imagery In American Pulps and Comic Books to examine and explore the why and how such racial animosity came about.

It’s fascinating to discover why an dhow the government, society and population of the United States as a whole justified such behavior.

This book delves into those responsible for the imagery, how it was circulated and encouraged and how it was justified.

A series of essays filled with historical data and examples examines four decades of hate mongering and animosity.

2 Timothy 2:15 (NKJV) “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”

Magazine: Upcoming!! Diamond Previews, October 2022

 

Proverbs 21:3 (NKJV) ‘To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.”

Marvel Fanfare #15

Johnny Storm (The Human Torch) and Ben Grimm (The Thing) of Marvel Comics’ The Fantastic Four) have always have had a friendly rivalry. The two are constantly trying to one up each other by pulling pranks.  Ben usually gets the worst of it.

In Marvel Fanfare #15 writer/artist Barry Windsor Smith created the ultimate Torch/Thing go around and it is hilarious.

The Torch and The Thing's long tradition of pranking each other gets out of hand when The Thing wakes up one morning to a barrage of practical jokes pulled off by The Human Torch.

From prat falls to an unexpected ride into the face of Dr. Doom The Thing is put through the practical joke ringer only to finally land in a room filled with balloons.

It seems The Human Torch devised the practical joke extravaganza to celebrate April 1st-April Fool’s Day.  The only problem is, The Torch got the date wrong.

Unfortunately for him Ben hasn’t and as it’s said, “Revenge is sweet.”

Artist/writer Barry Windsor Smith is a master of his craft.  From simple scenes of sleep to the most outrageous example of action and mayhem, he pulls each off with style.

It’s a hilarious tale made even more so by Smith’s incredible art.

A follow-up story-starring Daredevil is also included as the Man Without Fear seeks to save a friend from his past.

Isaiah 55:8 (NKJV) “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord.”

Batman The Long Halloween Deluxe Edition

Warner Bros. and DC Comics presents a very special DC Universe Movie Batman The Long Halloween Deluxe Edition 4K Ultra HD/Blu-ray/Digital Code Combo that combines both Part One and Part Two of the previously released Batman The Long Halloween.

Also included is an all-new Documentary along with other features

Follow the links to the Part One and Part Two reviews previously posted.

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.”

Desmond Llewelyn as Q

James Bond should have died ages ago. (In the last film he did). If it were not for the research and development department headed by Q that provided Bond with his many gadgets the 007 moniker would have been reassigned years ago.

While the department head Q holds a begrudging respect for Bond and his spying skills he has little patience for Bond’s blatant regard for his gadgets which often returned damaged or completely destroyed.

Over the years Bond and Q have developed almost a father/son relationship and like any family the different members sometimes come to loggerheads.

Still Q does his job and he does it well despite Bond’s frivolity.

The 12-inch Q figure from The Spy Who Loved Me recreates the lovable, if somewhat grumpy, genius behind the many gadgets and weapons at Bond’s disposal courtesy of Sideshow Collectibles.

In the film (as with the Sideshow figure) Q is a little long in the tooth.  His hair is mostly white and his features more gaunt and sharp as they are with most old men.

A special The Spy Who Loved Me circular base is included along with a wire support stand for posing the figure.

The figure and accessories are housed in Sideshow’s standard flip lid rectangular box with a movie poster reproduction on the cover, side and back panels with photos of the figure with scenes from the movie and short Q and movie descriptions on the back of the box and inside the flap.

Both the figure and accessories are housed in a form fitting clear plastic cocoon and secured with wires and are displayed behind a clear plastic panel.

Clothed in a two-piece tweed suit the Q figure also wears a white shirt with a red tie and brown Oxford shoes.

Remarkably the tie is adjustable and the clothes fit smoothly over the figure.  No bunching or unnatural wrinkles occur when the figure is posed.

All the garments remove with no binding when the figure is posed.

The jacket of the suit has three pockets (one breast and two mid-waist) and fastens closed wit0 buttons.

Stitching and heams on the cloths are in scale and appear just like a full size set of cloths.

The articulated figure has partially closed hands for holding the various accessories.

Harkening back to the days of From Russia With Love a black attache case with a red interior is also included.  The case has working brass hinges and a black leather strap handle.

Inside the briefcase are a string of gold coins and a tear gas canister as seen in the movie.  A small handle knife is included that slips into the briefcase.

Also included is a collapsible rifle with black barrel, firing mechanism and trigger and a wooden stock.

The details on the briefcase and interior equipment and rifle are amazing as they look exactly like their larger counterparts.

Q has always been one of my favorite James Bond characters and I’m pleased Sideshow Collectibles was able to faithfully recreated Desmond Llewelyn as Q.  He is missed.

John 1:1-2 (KJV) “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”

Primetime 1966-1967

The decade of the 1960s is considered by many to be the most inventive, diverse and ground-breaking era in television.

1966 to 1967 saw a huge shift in TV when programming broadcast in full color. Up until that point (with a few exceptions) TV shows were broadcast in black and white. 

In 1966 when I was 13 years old, our landlady, Mrs. Peck, had a color TV console. She would allow my friends in the neighborhood and myself to watch Star Trek (in living color) every Thursday night at 8 PM.

We were in hog heaven! There was nothing like it! 

You have to remember back then that were no video games, no internet, no multi-movie complexes, no social networking, no cable TV or any of the other mass media outlets and entertainment that we take for granted today.

There were books, board games, toys, TV on three networks or maybe four or five if you lived close to Canada or if there was a Public TV Station nearby. 

Kids played outside until dusk. Mom and dad read the newspaper, worked around the house, stores closed at 5 PM on weekdays and were closed on Sunday and everyone went to church on Sunday.

A lot has changed. 

Try to imagine what a treat it was to see a full color TV show!

Thom “Beefstew” Shubilla and McFarland & Company Inc., Publishers look back at the late 1960s with their Primetime 1966-1967 book that covers the full spectrum of Television’s all-color season.

Every genre of series were broadcast from Westerns to Science Fiction.

Some of my favorites were Star Trek, Lost In Space, Batman, The Man From U.N.C.L.E., Bewitched, Hogan’s Heroes and dozens of other series. 

I especially loved Science Fiction and the hard as nails Detective series.

The book examines each genre and provides interesting and fascinating text about the shows, their cast and crews, their genesis and so forth. 

Take a delightful trip down TV Memory Lane and discover some of the best TV series ever produced and all in full color!

Galatians 2:20 (NKJV) “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.”

 

 

 

 

My Favorite Martian

There was time in the mid-1960s when magic was all the rage on TV.

Bewitched started it, and I Dream of Jeannie,

However there was a third entry in the genre: My Favorite Martian.

What made My Favorite Martian so enjoyable was he interplay between Uncle Martin and Tim (played by Bill Bixby).  They really played well off each other and as the show progressed the affection between the two characters was infectious.

The small hardbound book contains several classic My Favorite Martian tales by some of the top comic book artists at the time-including Russ Manning.

My Favorite Martian The Complete Series: Volume One also contains a piece by Ray Walston’s (he played Uncle Martins) daughter and Daniel Herman’s artist retrospective on the series.

Also included are production stills, behind-the-scrnes photos and more.

Hermes Press published the book.  The style is very retro-1960s-right down to the cover and color selection and binding.

Romans 12:14 (KJV) “Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.”

Elemental Hero

It’s that time again! Konami’s Yu-Gi-Oh! Trading Card Game has just released its latest batch of Elemental Hero game related goodies.

This time around they feature Elemental Hero.

Look for the Card Case that can hold over 70 sealed Cards! It’s a great way to keep your deck together and ready for play.

Next up is the metallic 50 Tournament Level Sleeves all wrapped up in a sealed package. Protect your precious Cards with these Sleeves. You won’t be sorry!

What better place to keep you top-tier YGO Cards than in Konami’s 9-Pocket Duelist Portfolio that holds 180 Cards front and back!

It’s sturdy, has anti-slip pockets and is decorated with images from the Elemental hero collection.

And last, but certainly not least, is the Elemental Hero Game Mat that measures 24 inches by 14 inches and features full color reproductions of Elemental Hero Card images.

Why scuff your Cards on a table or hard surface when you can play on a soft Game Mat that is easily to clean and looks cool to boot!?

Get all four today to add to your YGO Trading Card Game collection!

Hebrews 11:1 (KJV) “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”

Jack Kirby’s Fourth World #1

Back in 1970 when Jack Kirby left Marvel Comics to start a new comic book saga at DC Comics the series would be dubbed The Fourth World.

It’s scope was huge and Kirby intermingled The New Gods, Mr. Miracle, The Forever People and Jimmy Olsen Superman’s Pal titles into a multi-tiered epic that still has ramifications felt today in DC Comics.

Back in the late 1990s writer/artist Jon Byrne headlined a new comic book series called Jack Kirby’s Fourth World.  Only Byrne with his fertile imagination and reverence for Jack’s work could have pulled off such a tribute and series.

Walt Simonson provided the cover for the first issue and John Byrne the interior along with the story.

The first issue gave a quick rundown the Fourth World starting with the creation of the universe and the twin worlds of Genesis and Apokolips along with the planet Earth and the other populated worlds in the galaxy.

Reader witnessed the birth and maturity of the god despot Darkseid and the uneasy peace between Genesis and Apokolips made possible by the switching of the two rulers’ sons.

John Byrne faithfully recreated many of the ordinal Jack Kirby illustrations and expounded and expanded on the literary legacy Jack left behind.

The series is a fitting tribute to Jack Kirby and his unparalleled imagination and legacy.

James 1:19 (NIV)”My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry,”

Comic Books And The Cold War

I’m old enough to remember the paranoia surrounding The Cold War Era.

I recall vividly as a young child taking part in the ‘Duck and Cover’ exercises at schools. As if ducking under a desk could save you from an atomic explosion.

It seemed like everyone had a bomb shelter in their backyard. Air Raid Shelter signs, anti-communist propaganda warning of the Red Menace and periodicals, signs and TV and radio broadcasts touted The American Way Of Life.

Kids’ cartoons and even comic books warned of the danger of Communism and nuclear annihilation.

In Comic Books and The Cold War 1946 to 1952, McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers offers essays on the graphic treatment of Communism, the Code and social concerns such as sex, the family and the American way of life.

It seemed like every comic book publisher either had books about the threat of Communism or consistently warned of atomic annihilation, the danger of radiation, alien invasions as allegories of Communist takeover and so forth.

DC, Marvel (Timely), EC Comics were the main propagators of such martial. Other smaller publishers contributed their own hyped up horror stories of the fall of civilization.

If I hadn’t lived through it I wouldn’t have believed it. Yeah, it was that crazy.

Edited by Chris and Rafiel York, the book presents a series of essays examining (in great detail) just how prevalent comic book publishers took the threat of the Cold War.

More than a book just about comic books. It offers an in-depth analysis of society at that time and how if affected everyone and everything around it.

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

Spike

Who would ever would have thought that a Punk Vampire would become such a fan favorite.

That's exactly what happened to the character Spike, the bad boy Vampire, played by James Marsters, seen in the Buffy The Vampire Slayer TV series.

As the show progressed Spike began to abandon his ‘tough as nails, I’m out only for myself’ attitude and began to form a real affection for Buffy and her human friends.

In this version of Spike from Sideshow Collectibles Spike has his mouth open with his sharp Vampire teeth bared and his characteristic large forehead and demonic eyes are showing.

His short-cropped blond hair really emphasizes his heavy brow.

Spike comes in a flip lid box with full color photos of Spike decorating all the sides.

Inside and on the back are some short text pieces about Spike and the Buffy The Vampire show.

Inside Spike and his accessories are protected by a clear sheet of plastic and a piece of tissue paper.  He and his accessories are held in lace a by form fitting plastic cocoon and plastic straps

A special Buffy base is included along with a wire support for posing the figure.

Accessories include a double-barrel shotgun with wooden stock, two shotgun shells filled with holy water, a gold necklace with pendant and a partially decomposed human skull.

The fully articulated Spike figure has preset hands for holding the various accessories.

Skin color is subtle and variated, Spike’s teeth and gums are finely detailed and painted and his facial features look real with flared nostrils, furrowed brow and jaw cheek creases.

Spike comes dressed in a full length, black leather trench coat with large collar, black buttons running halfway down the front and button over cuffs.  He wears black boots, shirt and pants.

The figure moves easily under the multiple layers of cloths with no binding or cinching.

Articulation is easy and the figure stays in place when posed.

Sculpt and paint application are sharp, clean and offer no rough edges or slopovers.  

Accessories are equally finely crafted, painted and detailed and fit easily and firmly into the figure’s hands.

Jude 24-25 (NIV) “To him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy— to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen.”