The History Of Sketch Comedy

Everyone needs a good laugh now and again. Humor is infectious and it brings people together.

Comedy allows discussions and observations about life and its many facets across a wide range of demographics.

Good comedy crosses cultural, national, religious and political lines. It manages to entertain without insulting. It laughs at itself, the absurdity of life and the various situations we humans manage to get ourselves entangled in.

In The History Of Sketch Comedy authors Keegan-Michael and Elle Key look back over the history of sketch comedy as far back as the Sumerians.

The book traces the evolution of sketch comedy highlighting some of the giants of the genre.

Classic groups like Abbott and Costello, individuals like Mike Myers and scores of others are spotlighted. Contemporary sketch comedians (along with a few veterans) comment on comedy. Several comedy sketches are also included in print.

American sketch comedians, British comedians and others are examined along with the different venues where they perform their skits at such as TV, movies and online.

Like sketch comedy the book is funny, entertaining, enlightening and, in some instances, eye-opening.

The History Of Sketch Comedy A Journey Through The Art And Craft Of Humor comes courtesy of Chronicle Books. 

"Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" So they said, "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household." — Acts 16:30-31

Pharaoh’s Servant

SSSSSH! Can you keep a secret? Not just any secret, but a secret from deep from Ancient Egyptian times. Even more impressive it’s a Pharaoh’s Secret courtesy of Konami’s Shonen Jump Yu-Gi-Oh! Trading Card Game.

Celebrate the 25^th Anniversary of Yu-Gi-Oh! by walking among the pyramids, ancient tombs and temples. Be sure to invite your ‘Mummy’.

Cruise the Nile, dodge the crocodiles and collect the Pharaoh’s Secret Cards that are part of the Legendary Collection.

Travel through time to when Pharaoh’s Servant first appeared offering the following treasures:

• Debut for Pegasus’ ultimate monster, Thousand-Eyes Restrict.
• Introduced era-defining Cards like Jinzo and Imperial Order.
• Made it easy to revive your monsters with Premature Burial and Call of the Haunted.
• Burned away opponent’s Life Points with Ceasefire.
• Secret Rares from the Set.

Each Pharaoh's Servant Booster Box (25th Anniversary Edition) contains 24 packs of 9 random Cards with one Rare Card in each Pack.

The Set contains 105 Cards:

• 2 Secret Rares
• 10 Ultra Rares
• 10 Super Rares
• 17 Rares
• 66 Commons

"God made Him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God." — 2 Corinthians 5:21
 

 

Mini Honda

When I was younger one of the things I wanted most (but never acquired) was a motorcycle. 

I’m not talking about the big honkin’ belch machines decked out in chrome, myriad dials and buttons and an engine block heavy enough to crush your legs.

No, I’m talking about a small motorcycle-something to dart around town or for short trips in the country. light enough to be easily maneuvered but powerful enough to carry my weight and a few extras. 

A motorcycle that was stylish, sleek, well designed and easy on the wallet when it came to gas.

I may not have ever owned such a motorcycle but at least I can dream. There’s no better way to see my dreams in full color than with author Gerfried Vogt-Mobs Mini Honda The Legendary Little MotorcyclesSuper Cub, Dax and Monkey book published by Schiffer Publishing.

The beautiful, oversize hardbound book features full color photos of a Super Cub, Dax and Monkey Mini Hondas in red white and black. I’d like to have anyone of them.

Filled with full color photos the book explores the genesis of the motorcycles and how their popularity has grown worldwide.

These versatile little runabouts are used in marketplaces, beaches, casual treks, racing-in fact these lightweight motorcycles are so popular they’ve sold in the millions.

A complete history of the vehicles is provided long with vintage ads and what can be expected with new models.

If you love motorcycles and like me, yearn for the open road and two wheel adventures then this book is a great way to get your motor running.

"My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever." — Psalm 73:26

Spell Ruler

Talk about a great way to celebrate the 25^th Anniversary of Konami’s Shonen Jump Yu-Gi-Oh! Trading Card Game!

Spell Jumper joins several other releases to celebrate Yu-Gi-Oh!’s incredible 25^th Anniversary.

With nine Cards per Pack (1 Rare Card in every Pack, and 24 Packs per Box) players 6 years old and up bring a little magic to the game table with Spell Ruler!

Spell Ruler (part of the Legendary Collection) introduced the first appearances of Ritual Spell Cards, Ritual Monsters, and Quick-Play Spell Cards like Mystical Space Typhoon.

Other landmarks include:

• The first appearance of Pegasus’ Toon World and Toon monsters from the Yu-Gi-Oh! animated series,that includes the beloved Blue-Eyes Toon Dragon!
• Powerful Spell Cards like Delinquent Duo, Snatch Steal, and Painful Choice.
• Secret Rares from the Set.

The 25^th Anniversary Edition Spell Ruler Booster Box amps up the mystical, casts a few spells, pits light and dark magic against each other and brings the magical realms into focus.

So put a little magic into your game with Spell Ruler and discover who’s the top wielder of mystical power!

The Set contains 104 Cards:

• 2 Secret Rares
• 10 Ultra Rares
• 10 Super Rares
• 17 Rares
• 65 Commons

"Jesus looked at them and said, 'With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.'" — Mark 10:27

Diamond Previews, August 2023

 

"When I fall, I will arise; when I sit in darkness, the Lord will be a light to me." — Micah 7:8

Ginny Weasley

Ginevra Weasley (known as Ginny by Harry Potter) was an English pure-blood witch and the first female to be born into the Weasley line for several generations. She grew up in The Burrow on the outskirts of Ottery St Catchpole in Devon.

Tonner Dolls created an 18-inch Ginevra Weaseley high quality doll complete with custom made clothing including a cape and hood.

The figure comes in a custom made Harry Potter box and is held in place by silk ribbons, foam rubber and comes with a stand and support wire.

Accessories come packaged in separate small Ziploc bags. Silicon packs come with the figure to absorb moisture and keep the figure and accessories free from damage.

The double shell box also has tissue paper that folds over the figure.

The articulated Ginny figure comes dressed in a white shirt and a black tie with white pinstripes.

Over the shirt she wears a knitted dark gray sweater with a snap down front with white strips on the cuffs.

A matching deep gray skirt and light gray leggings make up the rest of the garments the figure wears.

Included with the figure is the aforementioned cape, black leather shoes with traps. A blue bead necklace with various wood and multi color decorative beads and a wooden wand.

The figure's face features a small straight nose, large blue eyes, small full lips and small ears.

Flesh tone on the face and body is light and almost creamy and her full head of auburn hair is protected by a white hairnet and a clear layer of plastic.

The figure has small delicate hands and small feet.

It’s a beautifully crafted figure with excellent color coverage, realistic clothing and comes with realistic clothing and accessories.

"For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline." — 2 Timothy 1:7

The Eternal Future Of The 1950s

As corny, silly and ridiculous as some of the science fiction movies from the 1950s were (with some notable exceptions) it may surprise some people that their influence on today’s science fiction cinema is huge.

Such classics as When The Earth Stood Still, Forbidden Planet, War Of The Worlds, This Island Earth, Invasion Of The Body Snatchers and others provided the genesis for some of the most ground-breaking science fiction films of modern times

Several authors and McFarland & Company, Inc. Publishers have assembled almost 20 essays on the lasting influence of the decade’s science fiction films., edited by Dennis R. Cutchins and Dennis R. Perry with an afterword by Thomas Leitch in The Eternal Future Of The 1950s.

Monsters, aliens, other worlds and dystopian visions are just a few of the subjects examined.

Careful research went into each essay with special attention given to each film's contribution to modern cinema.

As antiquated 1950s sci-fi cinema may seem to today's audiences their contribution to and inspiration of today's films is undeniable.

Whether it is their story-lines, cutting technology of their time or the subjects or message they conveyed the 1950s sci-fi films set the stage for later films.  

I watched many of the films when they first aired in the cinemas and I was just as awed, excited, frightened and inspired by them just as much as I am by today's films.

 "As water reflects the face, so one’s life reflects the heart." — Proverbs 27:19

 

 

Magnum P.I. The Complete First Season

Actor Tom Selleck will always be remembered as Thomas Magnum private investigator.

The 1980s Magnum P.I. TV series made Selleck a star.

The first season featured a different version of the series theme music and a couple of characters were slightly altered from the following years. 

A good example was Rick who in the first year emulated Humphrey Bogart.  After season one that changed.

During his acting career Tom Selleck filmed about a half dozen TV show pilots-none of them took.  When presented with Magnum P.I. Tom figured, like the other pilots, that the show might, or might not air.

While waiting to hear from Universal Studios that Magnum P.I. had been green-lighted for a regular network show Tom was offered the role of Indiana Jones.  He accepted.

At about that same time he discovered that Magnum P.I. had been accepted as a new TV series and was about to air.  

Being an honorable man, he held to his contract to film the series, loosing his chance to be Indiana Jones.

It so happens in 1980 that the Hollywood writers’ strike occurred and while waiting for Magnum P.I. to begin Tom could have filmed Indiana Jones in Hawaii.

Unfortunately during the interim the part of Indiana Jones had been offered to Harrison Ford who accepted the rile.  The rest, as they say, is history.

While Tom lost out on a movie career he did hit it big with Magnum PI. and to this day it is the role he is most famous for playing.

The first season of the show was a little rocky but eventually got its feet underneath itself and soon established its long-lasting format.

The Thomas Magnum, Jonathan Higgins tit for tat was a huge hit and the camaraderie between Thomas, Rick, T.C. and Higgins cemented the shows’ success.

Each week viewers tuned in to watch the exciting, sometimes humorous and often touching tales presented by the cast.

But mostly people tuned in to watch the camaraderie between the characters.

Watching the show viewers came away with the impression that the characters really cared about each other-almost like brothers.

That was true on the screen and behind the scenes.  All of the remaining main cast were fast friends and remain so to this day.

Unfortunately Roger Mosley who played T.C. and Jonathan Hillerman who portrayed Jonathan Higgins both passed away. 

"Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." — Matthew 11:28

The Amazing Spider-Man Official Index To The Marvel Universe #1

If you love comic book history as much as I do then The Amazing Spider-Man Official Index To The Marvel Universe from Marvel Comics is the perfect way to immerse yourself in the Web Slinger’s past issues.

Back in the 1980s and 1990s with the success of its Marvel Universe, Marvel Saga and Marvel Age publications Marvel Comics decided to go all out when it came to chronicling Marvel’s History.

One such title to do so was its The Official Marvel Index To The Amazing Spider-Man.

The series would go into exhaustive detailed about each and every Amazing Spider-Man issue starting with Amazing Fantasy #15 up until the present day.

Every character appearance, incident, complete storyline, crossover and a list of the creative staff behind each issue would be listed, along with the cover art.

If you are a Spider-Man fan and want to know more about the Web-Slinger this is the series that will provide all the information you will ever need.

Issue #1 begins with Amazing Fantasy #15 (Spider-Man’s first appearance) and follows through from issue #1 of The Amazing Spider-Man through issue #29 and Annuals 1 and 2.

John Byrne provided a Ditko inspired illustration of Spider-Man on the cover.

"I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you with My eye." — Psalm 32:8

Fantasy & Science Fiction #768, July/August, 2023

 

"For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline." — 2 Timothy 1:7

Lights, Lights, Lights!!

One of my all-time favorite stores to visit is Dollar Tree.  Or should I say Dollar and Twenty Five Cents Tree?

Anyway, I love to walk through its aisles and check out the latest inexpensive gadgets and merchandise it offers.

Two of my favorite sections art the Arts and Crafts aisle and the Tool and Lights section.

Dollar Tree's LED Lights section has some interesting items.  I've picked out four that I think are the coolest.

First up is a blue lantern with an adjustable knob to turn op the intensity of the LED light strip.  The lantern also has two side arms that when folded up allow it to be hung from hooks, branches, etc. 

It's surprisingly bright and sturdy.

Second on the list is a multi-color frosted globe that when turned on shifts through a rainbow of colors  It's very soothing and gives a nice ambiance to any room.

The third light is a small handheld flashlight that boasts not only a front bulb but also a large side bulb with reflector that is incredibly bright.  You can light up a whole room with it.

The fourth light is a small tabletop light that emulates a candles flicker.  Simply turn on the light hidden under the black base an viola!, you have a flickering candle. 

It's great for special occasions and the holidays.

All of the items are well made, inexpensive and are battery powered, save for the flickering candle that is solar powered.

I highly recommend each for handy little lights around the house, while camping or on a trip.

"When I fall, I will arise; when I sit in darkness, the Lord will be a light to me." — Micah 7:8

Heavy Metal Presents Alien The Illustrated Story

Long before he became famous for his run on The Mighty Thor for Marvel Comics Walter Simonson illustrated the graphic novel adaptation of the Alien movie.  Archie Goodwin provided the script.
 
When the Alien movie premiered it startled a lot of moviegoers.  Many were expecting a typical sci-fi movie with a standard plot and the usual array of ray guns, damsels in distress, spaceships, etc.

In a way Alien supplied each but in a totally unique way.  The spaceships were worn and grungy, the damsels were anything but helpless (especially Ripley) and the Alien was unlike anything ever seen before,

Back when the movie came out Heavy Metal produced a Alien softbound graphic novel adaptation of the movie.  While the visual violence was toned down the core of the story remained the same.

Archie Goodwin did an excellent job of taking the movie script and translating it to a graphic novel.

Walt Simonson managed to capture the look of the film while still injecting his own unique style into the artwork.

Alien The Illustrated Story is one of the first oversize graphic novels to be published and is much sought after by Alien and comic book fans alike. 

"For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline." — 2 Timothy 1:7

Cho Chang of Hogwarts

Cho Chang is a witch who attended Hogwarts School of Witchcraft which was sorted into Ravenclaw House.

She dated Cedric Diggory one of the first casualties of the Second Wizarding War

His death made her determined to fight against the returned Dark Lord.

Tonner Dolls created an 18-inch Cho Chang high quality doll complete with custom made clothing including a cape and hood.

The figure comes in a custom made Harry Potter box and is held in place by silk ribbons, foam rubber and comes with a stand and support wire.

Accessories come packaged in separate small Ziploc bags. Silicon packs come with the figure to absorb moisture and keep the figure and accessories free from damage.

The double shell box also has tissue paper that folds over the figure.

The articulated Cho Chang figure comes dressed in a white shirt and a black tie with light gray pinstripes.

Over the shirt she wears a knitted dark gray sweater with a snap down front with white strips on the cuffs.

A matching deep gray skirt and light gray leggings make up the rest of the garments the figure wears.

Included with the figure is the aforementioned cape, black leather shoes with traps.

The figure's face features a small pug nose, large brown, slightly slanted eyes, small full lips and small ears.

Flesh tone on the face and body is light and almost creamy and her full head of black hair is protected by a white hairnet and a clear layer of plastic.

The figure has small delicate hands and small feet.

It’s a beautifully crafted figure with excellent color coverage, realistic clothing and comes with realistic clothing and accessories.

"All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work." — 2 Timothy 3:16-17

The 100 Most Important Comics Of All Time

Everyone has their ‘must have’ comic book list. Older collectors tend to go for the classics in the Golden and Silver Ages.  Others prefer Bronze Age comic books while newer collectors tend to go for modern titles.

But all agree that there are certain comic books that make up the golden list of issues beginning in the Golden Age up to the Modern Age.

Published in May, 1994, the HERO Special Edition The 100 Most Important Comics Of All Time magazine from Warrior Publication starts in the Golden Age with Captain America and The Human Torch and traverses up through the decades until the mid-1990s.

Along the way its spotlights key issues from the various Ages of comic books providing information on each pertinent tile.

Special sections look at oddball comics, public service comics, the doofiest comics and Hollywood heroes.

The Special Edition is chock-full of cover and interior page illustration (most of which are in color) interesting historical and little known facts and tidbits about the creative teams and publishers behind each title.

The magazine is a jam-packed, encapsulated history of comic books that makes for a great reference material and quick jaunt through the various decades of comic books.

"Call to Me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know." — Jeremiah 33:3