Super Pig

“Faster than a speeding snail! Able to leap tall anthills in a single bound! More powerful than a plate of food! Look, down on the ground! It’s Super Pig!"

The artist and writer team of Copons & Fortuny and publisher Schiffer Kids present the ultimate superhero: Super Pig!

The only problem is-he has no super powers-but tell him that.

Bitmax & Co Super Pig is a delightful new small, hardbound book that proves that it doesn’t take super powers to be a superhero, only a big heart and determination.

Things are usually pretty quiet in the Blue Forest but Super Pig somehow not only manages to cause trouble he usually makes things even worse when he tries to solve the problems he caused.

Still, his friends try to help him live his dream of being a superhero. Nothing works.

That is until a certain baddie gives him a super suit-it also gives him a super bad attitude-an attitude that almost costs him his friends and his own health and well-being.

What a fun story!

The art is amazing and the text is easy to understand and funny.

What a great bunch of delightful Blue Forest characters. It’s no wonder the Bitmax & Co books are so popular.

Romans 12:18 - If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.

Superman Red, Superman Blue, Red Tornado and The Penguin

From Mattel Toys' Wave 1 DC Universe line of action figures comes The Penguin and Red Tornado.

From Wave 2 Superman Red and Superman Blue.

Back in the 1990s when comic book sales were through the roof the various publishers (including DC comics) were constantly looking for gimmicks to sell their comic books.

With Superman, since the character had been around since the 1930s, it was getting more and more difficult to come up with original stories.

In an attempt to bring in more readers and satisfy its fanbase DC Comics decided to split Superman in two: one blue and one red.

Mattel Toys recreated both versions for its second wave of DC Comics Universe Superman Classic Collect & Connect series of 6-inch fully articulated action figures.

Both figures are identical save for their colors.  Both feature Superman in a one-piece outfit with a fitted headpiece, a white ‘S’ chest symbol, white lightning bolt arm and leg decorations and translucent energy crackles emanating from his wrists and shoulders.

The red figure has its mouth open, the blue does not.

Both are nicely sculpted with clever points of articulation in the waist, limbs, torso, head, feet and hands. A piece of a Collect & Connect Gorilla Grodd figure is included with both figures.

The portly Penguin figure features the avian villain decked out in his finest.

He wears a black tuxedo coat with tails, a white shirt with a black bowtie, an orange vest with black buttons, purple pants with black stripes, white gloves, black shoes with white spats, a monocle in his right eye and a black top hat with a blue hat ban.

The rotund figure is posed with his right hand raised and his left hand holding his trademark black and silver umbrella with its five jet boosters and sharp spins.

The Penguin’s face has a turned down grimace, a long pointed nose and double chins.

The android Red Tornado figure is primarily red with vertical yellow strips along his arms and legs and mid torso along with a horizontal yellow belt, a yellow chest symbol, yellow gloves, yellow and red boots and a yellow collar trim on his red and blue cape. 

A yellow stripe runs from his brow to the back of his head with a pointed arrow facing down from his forehead.

A translucent orange tornado swirl is attached to his right hand.

Both The Penguin and Red Tornado come from the Wave 1 set and contain pieces of the Metamorpho Collect & Connect figure.

All of the reviewed figures feature excellent articulation with cleverly hidden pivot, swivel, hinge and bend points.

Paint application is clean, distinct for each area and has no bleed over or sloppy edges.

The packaging displays each figure to its fullest advantage and the figures are held in place by transparent plastic cocoons.

Photos of the additional figures from both sets are on the back of the packages.

Proverbs 30:5 - Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him.

Captain America The First Avenger The Art Of The Marvel Studios Infinity Saga

Of all of Marvel Studios Marvel Comics Phase 1’s movies I have to say that Captain America The First Avenger is my favorite.

The movie stayed true to the comic book Captain America origin story right down to almost every detail.

Chris Evans made the perfect Steve Rogers/Captain America and the entire cast that portrayed Bucky, The Red Skull, The Howling Commandos and others looked and acted like their comic book counterparts.

 In Titan Books’ Captain America The First Avenger The Art Of The Marvel Studios Infinity Saga book, written by Matthew K. Manning and designed by Mike Zagari, readers get to see just what it took to make such a great iconic film.

The oversize, hardbound book, with dust cover, features a heavy-binding cover, high-gloss paper stock for interior pages that really makes the art and photos pop.

Chapters are broke down by The American Dream, The Sentinel Of Justice, The Red Menace, Allied Forces, The Battle Lines, Heavy Artillery, Seeing Action, The Art Of War and includes a foreword by Rick Heinrichs.

The Joe Johnson directed film harkens back to the days of World War II and successfully captures the look, feel and ambiance of that era.

Costumes, weapons, transportation vehicles, war machines and military complexes look like they were constructed with the available technology and manufacturing techniques of that time period.

The introduction presents Captain America to readers complete with his back story, comic book art and much of U.S.A.’s propaganda art of the time.

Artwork, concept sketches, paintings, black and white and color photos illustrate the incredible amount of work that it took to pull off such a period movie.

Costumes and wardrobes look authentic, settings and vehicles reflect the WWII era and weapon designs along with sets capture the feel of war years.

Marvel at the concept art, miniatures, set pieces, weapons and accessories, wardrobes, set dressings and even the color palette and lighting used in the film capture the look of the mid-1900s.

It’s an incredibly well-designed book brimming with photos, filled with fascinating text, commentaries and movie technical jargon.

I absolutely love the photos of the costumes, weapons, aircraft, heavy artillery, mechanized transports and amazing sets.

A storyboard sequence is also included.

This is a jam-packed book contains highly-detailed images and text.

I felt as if I were reading a Captain America comic book only with real images-it’s that good.

Hebrews 4:12 - For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

South Pacific Air War

World War II. America was fighting on two fronts against the Axis powers.

The Nazi were advancing across Europe destroying towns and villages and killing thousands of soldiers and civilians and attempting to wipe out the Jewish population in its lethal concentration camps.

In the Pacific the Imperial armed forces of The Rising Sun (Japan) was entrenched on island after island putting up ferocious resistance to the Allied troops.

The Pacific Theater was bloody, brutal and fought tooth and nail.

In author Richard L. Dunn’s South Pacific Air War readers are given a blow-by-blow description of the fierce fighting and “The Role Of Air Power In The New Guinea And Solomon Island Campaigns, January 1943 To February 1944”.

Schiffer Military History has published the massive new book that goes into minute detail as chronicled in both U.S. and Japanese reports.

Discover how pivotal the Pacific Campaign was as the U.S. military sought to squelch the Japanese supply lines, fight bloody battles in the jungles and on the beaches and deployed the now legendary PT boats.

It’s some pretty serious and heavy reading that is both exhaustive and captivating.

Over 80 years ago the fate of the entire civilized world was at stake when the forces of evil battled for world dominion.

Only the combined land, sea and air military forces of the Allied troops managed to extinguish the threat.

World War II historians and history buffs in general will absolutely devour this book. Even if you are not a history buff this book is well worth reading.

As the saying goes, “Those who ignore the pitfalls and mistakes of history are doomed to repeat them.

I plan on passing this book on to many of my friends who are military, ex-military and military history buffs.

Isaiah 40:28 - Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding.

Legacy Of Destruction

When you get to my age you start to think and plan about your legacy. What will you leave behind? What will you be remembered for? What will your family and friends think?

In Konami’s Shonen Jump Yu-Gi-Oh! Trading Card Game Legacy Of Destruction nothing but devastation, death and a dreadful final solution is all that Yugi Muto, Atem with new versions of Silent Magician and Silent Swordsman have left.

Duelists can expect to find adventure, danger and a little bit of chaos in nine Cards per Foil Pack and 24 Packs per Box with one Foil Card in each Pack.

The Silents Strike and this is what you get:

• A new monster with artwork that features all three of the original Gadget trio.
• New Cards like Card of Sanctity and Ties of the Brethren.
• A brand-new version of Gandora the Dragon of Destruction.
• A Special Summon a monster from your Deck: Trident Dragion.
• A new FIRE Dragon theme inspired by this titanic Synchro Monster
• Perform Synchro Summons during the Battle Phase.
• Summon gigantic Dragon Synchro Monsters from the Graveyard.
• Brand-new Melodious cards!
• New Pendulum Monsters.
• A brand-new Fusion Spell.
• 2 new Fusion Monsters.
• A new awe-inspiring version of the Ritual Monster Saffira: Queen of Dragons.
• A brand-new Continuous Spell Card.

The Legacy of Destruction Booster Set contains 100 new Cards:

• 10 Secret Rares
• 14 Ultra Rares
• 26 Super Rares
• 50 Commons

24 of these Cards are available as Quarter Century Secret Rares.

1 special Card is ONLY available as a Quarter Century Secret Rare!

John 16:33 - These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

Furby Galaxy Edition

This is not your parent’s Furby. The new multi-color lime green, violet, purple and blue) Furby Galaxy Edition is an electronic, interactive toy that's out of this world courtesy of Hasbro Toys. Such a chatterbox!

Let’s start with the package. The colorful heavy cardboard box is sealed shut. A large graphic of a close-up of Furby’s face is on the front with highlights what Furby can do on one side and on the back.

On the other side is a long key graphic.

Tug at the top of the key and presto!, the perforated cardboard box easily opens revealing the interior of the box.

Tucked inside is Furby snug as a bug it its cardboard stand firmly held in place by the two screws that open the battery compartment (four batteries are needed-not included).

Unscrew the plate and Furby is free to chat away! The sleeve that surrounds Furby in the box also unfolds to reveal a four-panel background with colorful bedroom scene including a bed, furniture and all sorts of fun stuff.

Sit Furby on the stand in front of the bedroom scene and you have the perfect display piece!

Furby is adorable. Watch it talk, move its cute little green feet, open and close its big eyes (with yellow stars and real purple eyelashes) and wiggle its ears that light up in multiple colors.

Push the purple heart on its forehead and you can command it to do all sorts of things. Furby also responds to your conversations.

Five commands include:

• Dance Party: with songs and dance moves.
• Light Show: Changing color light and Furby reacts to your touch.
• Copycat: Furby repeats whatever you say in all sorts of crazy voices.
• Tell My Fortune: Ask questions and hear hilarious fortunes.
• Let’s Chill: Join Furby with breathing exercises and positive expressions.

It’s a snap to set Furby up. Press the heart button to change modes, unlock even more surprises-Furby will let you know. Speak clearly and only one command at a time.

• Furby loves to be petted and brushed-he responds.
• Furby’s ears react to music and speech with lights.
• You can feed Furby with your finger or pizza charm.
• Watch what happens when you rub or tickle Furby’s stomach.
• Furby’s feet are always ready to dance.
• Furby has its own language chart, goes to sleep when laying down and turns off with three quick pushes on its forehead heart.
• Furbys can even talk to each other Just follow the instructions.

An accessory pack is included. Inside are a necklace, snap together jewels, stars and other assorted shapes, a pizza slice and a comb.

Best of all, Furby lights up when its dark! Check out the glowing iridescent colors!

Furby is for ages 6 years old and up and can by found on Amazon.

It's an extremely well-crafted toy with realistic fur which is securely fastened to the body.

Lights and sounds are bright and clear and the overall assembly of the Furby is nicely detailed and durable for young children.

It's a sturdy toy that will last a long time.

What a great toy! I may be over 71 years old but Furby is going right on my shelf to brighten up my studio. My grand-kids are sure to love the lovable fur ball.

Ephesians 4:29 - Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.

The Calvin and Hobbes Portable Compendium Volume 1

Little boys (and girls) and their imaginary friends. They’re inseparable. 

I should know. I used to be a little boy and I had lots of imaginary friends. My son did. My grandson and granddaughter do too.

That’s the magic behind Bill Watterson’s Calvin and Hobbes daily and Sunday comic strip.

Sold as a set, Andrew McMeels’ The Calvin and Hobbes Portable Compendium Voume 1 slipcase contains two softbound books with images printed horizontal inside.

Bill Watterson only produced Calvin and Hobbes for 10 years. Once that time was up, so was the strip.

Interestingly enough Watterson never allowed his creation to be commercialized with toys and other collectibles. Any images featuring the characters people may see round and about (including a rather rude image of Calvin) are not sanctioned by Watterson.

If you love Calvin and Hobbes as much as I do having portable collections of black and white daily strips and Sunday color strips make enjoying the unique and hilarious cast of characters even more fun.

You can take them anywhere!

The Compendium also makes for a great gift.

Who wouldn’t love a little Calvin and Hobbes as a birthday present or as a surprise under their Christmas tree!?

Every time I read the strips (trust me, I’ve reread them a lot of times) I still manage to find something funny, poignant and relevant.

So what are you waiting for? Get your Calvin and Hobbes fix! After all, isn’t there a little bit of both in all of us!

The slip cased Compendium is shrink-wrapped and printed on high-quality paper stock that really makes the images clear and perfectly presented.

Psalms 55:22 - Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.

Diamond Previews, May 2024

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

Peppa’s Muddy Puddles Party Singing and Dancing Doll

One does not usually associate cute, cheeky, adorable and lovable characteristics to a pig. That is, unless that pig is Peppa Pig.

Kids love Peppa and her family: little brother George, Mummy Pig and Daddy Pig.

Hasbro Toys' new Peppa’s Muddy Puddles Party Singing and Dancing Doll makes 55+ sounds and reactions.

She sings, talks, dances, holds a conversation when spoken to and is adorable in her bright red, real fabric dress with white stars.

Press the yellow and white daisy on her chest and watch her go!

Peppa loves playing games, dressing up, days out and jumping in mud puddles.

Measuring 12 inches tall Peppa comes in a special, colorful, heavy paper-stock box revealing Peppa in all her piggy glory. Put on her yellow galoshes (willies) and she does even more things.

Her arms and legs move as she dances, prances and has a glorious time splashing in mud puddles. Watch her head move back and forth!

Made of heavy-ply plastic Peppa is tough, durable and is made to last for a long time.

Battery-powered, electronic Peppa never seems to runs out of energy! Batteries are included!

Boots off and she is in party mode with party-themed sounds and phrases: the Peppa Pig theme and a Follow-Along game.

Boots on (they slip on easily) and she’s in Muddy Puddles Mode with themed sound effects and phrases, the Muddy Puddles song, and the Muddy Musical Statues game.

Peppa reacts to sounds like clapping or talking. Kids 3-years and older are sure to love her antics.

This is an adorable doll with its bright colors, wonderful sounds, music and voice capabilities and durable enough to withstand some rough and tumble play.

The torso hold the sound and movement mechanism that are barely noticeable and child proof.

Arms, legs and head move smoothly and the figure keeps its balance even when in motion such as dancing, etc.

Color application is smooth, clearly defined and duplicates the animated character's color scheme.

The voice (just like in the cartoon), sounds and music are crystal clear.

It's an extremely well-crafted toy secured in its box with straps and brace.

I have several young nieces and nephews that will want to play with Peppa and watch her dance, sing, talk, play games and interact.

Hasbro has done a bang-up job of taking a favorite animated character and translating it to a toy.

Just look at that face--big eyes and smile, rosy cheeks, adorable ears and movable legs and arms.

Available at Amazon and Walmart.com. Batteries are included.

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

If I Were The Moon

What if you were the moon? What would you do?

Writer Jesse Terry and illustrator Jacqueline East present If I Were The Moon, published by Schiffer Kids.

A little girl imagines what it would be like to be the moon.

She sees herself as a kind and gentle heavenly body who lights the way at night, guides boaters on gentle waves, gentle pulls people to her with caressing gravity and so much more.

The small hardbound book contains short, easy-to-understand text accompanied by fanciful, magical illustrations in soft pastels and shimmering silhouetted characters and landscapes as if lit by the moon’s light.

Imaginative, enthralling and whimsical If I Were The Moon is a modern fairy tale kids are sure to love.

Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. Psalm 23:4

Space Ghost #1

Jan and Jace, along with their father Doctor Jarrod Keplar, are suddenly taken by surprise when space pirates arrive with blasters firing at Space Colony Omicron.

The twins’ father is a scientist working on a secret project involving their pet monkey Blip.

The pirates want the monkey and the research material.

But, before they can obtain either Jan and Jace’s father wipes the project off his computers and gives Blip to his children to keep safe.

Their plan is to split up and meet later to escape.

Unfortunately their father is killed and the twins are forced to fend for themselves.

All seems lost. That is, until a mysterious costumed individual defeats the pirates and saves the twins.

You guessed it. The mysterious figure is Space Ghost.

Space Ghost was one of my favorite Hanna Barbera cartoons from the 1960s.

I’m delighted that writer David Pepose, artist Jonathan Lau and Dynamite Entertainment has brought the hero back.

Space Ghost #1 captures the fun, adventure and danger of the animated series with a captivating story, great art and spectacular coloring. Don’t miss it!

Fans of the original animated Space Ghost series will spot some familiar alien bad guys and immediately know just who Jan, Jace and Blip are.

"Space Ghost!"

Mark 11:24 - Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.

On The Road

Traveling in Europe can be an adventure. Instead of staying at hotels, taking guided tours or having a preset itinerary you hit the road and travel by campervan!

Call it crazy. Call it wild. Call it whatever you want but authors Stephanie Rickenbacher and Lui Eigenmann got the itch to travel Europe (all of Europe) and explore.

They started with a van, modified to suite their needs and off they went!

What better way to see the back road, small villages, seldom visited, non-touristy locations and visit the famous sights at their own pace?

No longer a slave to time, schedules, expensive hotels and fancy meals the couple cooked their own meals, traveled the back roads and got to know the people, places and heart of 42 European countries.

In the book On The Road: Traveling Europe In A Campervan, published by Schiffer Books, they share their experiences, offer traveling tips and delve into the history of each and every country they visited.

Learn about local customs, cuisine, celebrations, city sights, natural wonders and so much more.

The softback book is chockful of color photos and fascinating text broken down by country.

What a delightful visual excursion of Europe! The personal recollections the authors provide takes the mystery out of traveling abroad and proved that people are the same no matter where they live.

Isaiah 26:3 - Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.

Fantasy & Science Fiction #771, Winter 2024

Hebrews 4:12 - For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

Picard

When CBS/Paramount decided it was launching a new Picard streaming series I had one question, “Would the new series be a continuation of the original Star Trek: The Next Generation?”

Yes, sort of.

Picard takes place approximately 20>25 years after the crew of the Enterprise went their separate ways.

Picard is now an old man, living at his vineyard with his Romulan housekeepers-seemingly content.

That is until he meets a certain young woman.

From there it’s full steam ahead as he encounter the heirs of Data, the Borg Queen, travels back in time, shifts to an alternate timeline, meets Seven Of Nine, reunites with Q and yes, teams up with his old crew. There is so much more.

I like it, it’s different and still familiar enough to jump right in where The Next Generation left off. I hope they do more.

Titan Books and author Joe Fordham delve into the three season, streamed series and its new cast of characters and reintroduction of classic characters including the Borg Queen, Hugh, Q, Lore, Seven Of Nine and others.

Each season was distinctly different from each other with their own unique adversaries and conflicts.

Star Trek Picard The Art And Making Of The Series examines how the series came about and the logistics of reintroducing the original Enterprise crew under Picard’s command.

Each character has changed over the years-look for some surprises.

The book covers the sets construction, character designs, ship and transportation concepts-including bringing back the original Enterprise D.

Delve into how the impressive visual, computer and practical effects were pulled off, and costume designs, ship interiors, weapons, technology construction.

Look for concept sketches, computer-generated 3D images, in-depth text, commentaries, insider info and other areas of expertise that it took to pull off such a complicated and technically challenging series.

I really like the dull-coat paper stock and high-gloss spot varnish text and photos dust cover.

John 16:33 - These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

Oz

What better companion for a vampire hunter and vampires than a werewolf by the name of Oz?

The Oz 12-inch fully articulated figure comes in a Sideshow Collectibles flip-lid box with information about the TV show on the inside of the flap.

Inside the 12-inch figure is snug (along with its accessories) in a form-fitted, clear-plastic cocoon and plastic straps seen through a clear plastic viewing panel.

Talk about one weird Wolfman!  From dweeb to dangerous canine-what a transformation!

The Oz figure has tousled red hair, a cherub face with small eyebrows and nose and wide friendly lips.  The features match those of the character as seen in the Buffy TV show.

Facial flesh tones are slightly varied giving the figure's face a more realistic look.

The preset hands are nicely sculpted where even the veins and tendons can be seen beneath the plastic skin.  The hands easily grasp and hold the accessories.

Articulation is tight, easy to move and allows the fabric of the cloths to move easily over the figure without bunching or unnatural folds or wrinkles.

Oz wears a deep maroon light jacket, a black t-shirt with a Sunnydale NA Champions logo and text on its front in white and red trim and name tag.

He also wears brown slacks and black, low-top tennis shoes with faux laces.

Accompanying the Oz figure is a black circular Buffy base and wire support.

A large black bat and an orange pumpkin with a brown stem make up the assemble.

When the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you from the Father—the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father—he will testify about me. John 15:26

The Magic Box

Imagine finding a magic box that can be opposites.

One day Panda found a colorful box. She played with it for a while.

Suddenly the box talked. It was a box of opposites.

It could be big or small, left or right, near or far and new or old. It could be any type of opposite at all!

Writer Charles Ghigna and illustrator Jacqueline East, along with publisher Schiffer Kids, present a delightful and colorful tale of a cute, cuddly Panda and her mysterious decorated box: The Magic Box: A Book Of Opposites.

The small hardbound book is easy to read and understand by little kids.

The illustrations remind my of Japanese color prints with soft pastels and wispy soft edged drawings and colors.

What a great tool for teaching kids about opposites.

Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. Matthew 10:29-31

The Art Of Marvel Studios Thor

When Marvel Comics created its own movie franchise under the Marvel Studios banner it was taking a huge risk.

Its first film: Iron Man, proved to be a huge hit and so set in motion the new Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Other characters from Marvel Comics soon had their own films. Thor being one of them.

Casting for The God of Thunder was challenging but Chris Hemsworth proved the perfect choice along with the other cast members who played other Norse Gods and Thor’s human companions.

Amazing sets, costumes and special visual effects made Thor a hugely successful film.

In Titan Books’ Marvel Studios The Infinity Saga The Art Of Marvel Studios Thor readers are shown just what it took to translate Thor’s Asgardian adventures to the Silver Screen.

The name Jack Kirby is well-known by comic book collectors. He, along with writer Stan Lee created the world of Thor.

Stan’s over-the-top writing and Jack’s incredible costume and character designs, epic battles, sinister creatures, characters and villains and breath-taking settings proved to be a real challenge to translate to a movie.

But Marvel Studios accomplished it magnificently!

In the book complete character, set and costume designs are showcased along with spotlights of the key characters and their transition from comics to movie screens, impressive special effects and a killer soundtrack are given their well-deserved spotlights.

The deluxe hardback book, complete with a dust cover in full color with spot varnish, showcases the full color art, photos, sketches and fascinating text wrapped up in the book.

Discover how movie magic is made courtesy of writer Matthew K. Manning and book designer Mike Zagari. Walter Simonson provides the foreword while dust jacket artist Charlie Wen dazzles the eyes.

Jeremiah 29:11 - For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.

Cocoa The Tour Dog

Scott, a young and upcoming musician, decided to visit a local animal shelter for a pet.

Immediately he spotted a chocolate brown bundle of energy and adopted Cocoa the dog.

She went with him to his modest home and soon made herself comfortable.

When Scott went on tour with his band Cocoa came along. Pretty soon the crowds loved Cocoa and she became famous. So famous that wherever she went-even the restaurant with the grumpy owner, she drew crowds of fans.

Soon Scott added to their family with a new dog that looked just like Cocoa. Over time the family grew even more and so did Cocoa’s fame.

Authors reggae artist Stick Figure and Adam Mansback and illustrator Juan Manuel Orozco, along with Akashic Books, present Cocoa The Tour Dog.

It’s a delightful and uplifting tale of an adopted dog, her happy family, friends, the creative community and most of all love.

Bright vibrant colors complement the superb illustrations.

In these troubling times it’s nice to read a positive tale of companionship and compassion.

Proverbs 30:5 - Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him.

Give Me Liberty An America Dream 1: Homes & Gardens #1

Two of the 1980’s top illustrators and writers: Frank Miller (The Dark Knight Returns) and Dave Gibbons (Watchmen) teamed up to bring the adventures of Martha Washington to comic books.

In a future fictional world a black woman gives birth to a girl by the name of Martha Washington.

In this particular world the poor and most minorities are housed in complexes safely guarded and patrolled.

Martha longs to be on her own and free. She is kidnapped by a gang member {he mistakes her for a boy because of her attire) for his boss’s amusement her life is sparred because of her gender.

As she grows up she attends public education that seeks to control her every moment through propaganda.

She rebels, kills her tutor, escapes, hunts down the former gang boss and kills him and joins a ‘peace keeping force’ that promises her better life.

As a soldier she takes part in one of the bloodiest battles imaginable and manages to survive-eventually being recognized as a hero.

But her newfound notoriety also brings her to attention to the corrupt government. She is warned to tow the line and not cause any ripples. At first she complies.

The Give Me Liberty An America Dream 1: Homes & Gardens mini-series by Miller and Gibbons and published by Dark Horse Comics, offers a frightening look at a dystopian society that is not too far-fetched.

Given the current state of politics, power grabs and the widening gap developing between classes Give Me Liberty’s An American Dream is not too far off the mark.

John 16:33 - These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

M48 Patton

George Patton. Ask any World War II historian and they can tell you all about the notorious, cranky, opinionated and stubborn General George Patton.

It’s only fitting that he would have a touch-as-nails, fast, heavily armored and armed, bulldog of a tank named after him.

Put into production in 1952 the Patton Tank is still used today proving its worth on the battlefield.

In Schiffer Books’ Legends Of Warfare Ground M48 Patton: America’s First “Main Battle Tank” by author David Doyle informative and historical text accompanied by archival black and white and color photos follow the development of the M48 Patton Tank through the decades.

Ever since first rolled off the assembly line the Patton tank has proven itself to be reliable, rugged, fast, deadly and versatile.

The hardback book is filled with photos of the tank when first introduced, factory assembly, testing, on the battlefield, in various climates and terrain, on display in various museums and military facilities and in both full vehicle and closeup detail photos.

Military buffs are sure to enjoy the history of the vehicles, technical details and the hundreds of photos.

As a kid I loved putting together tank model kits. The M48 Patton was one of my favorites.

After reading through the book and examining the photos I appreciate and marvel at the tank even more.

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