Spooky Town The House Of Shadows

Each year about a month or so before Halloween I like to visit my local Michael's store to check out the various Halloween decorations they have for sale.

The first place I go is to the front of the store where Lemax has its Halloween themed display of spooky houses, characters and the like.

The Lemax display is easy to spot. Lots of small lights, animated figures and the like can't help but draw my attention. I love watching the various actions and movements of each piece. The superb sculpture work, clean and bright colors and comical and spooky characters are so much fun to watch.  

No matter how many times I return to Michael's during the Halloween holiday I can always spot something new on the Lemax spooky scenes.

This year Lemax added my blog to their reviewer's list and provided me with three of their Halloween products for review. I am excited to share my review of the first one of them.

First up is Lemax's Spooky Town The House Of Shadows and boy is it spooky. It certainly lives up to its name.

Before I get into the House Of Shadows itself I'd like to talk about the packaging it comes in.

As a former graphic designer, Vice President of Marketing and high school teacher of commercial art, graphic design and drawing I can’t help but be impressed by Lemax’s incredible packaging not only for The House Of Shadows but all of its holiday products.

As I mentioned earlier I am privileged enough to be on Lemax’s reviewers’ list and they were kind enough to send many of their holiday sets.

As to the shipping box itself. It is completely sealed with tape. The box is made of heavy cardboard. Inside the product box is snug in place courtesy of packing peanuts and bubble packing. There is no way the product box or its contents are going to be damaged.

The product box itself has a large, flip-lid with three sides.  The cardboard box is all in black save for a full-color illustration of The House Of Shadows setup.

The Lemax and Spooky Town logos decorate the side of the flaps and a built-in plastic handle makes carrying then entire package easy and safe.

Side flaps slide into the main body of the box while two top tabs secure the lid.

Inside the house itself is packed in a Styrofoam box in two pieces which are held together with a Velcro strap. The house is wrapped in tissue paper as are all the separate set pieces, including the power cord and expansion cable.

Small boxes contain all the smaller components of the set. Each box has black line drawing of the components in their individual boxes. Additional clear plastic wrap and paper stuffing are also used to pad out boxes providing additional protection.

A full instruction sheet comes in several languages along with a special postage card insert. Nicely done.

It’s obvious Lemax takes special pride in its products and extra care when it comes to shipping and packaging.

Let’s talk about the house.

Standing approximately 10-inches tall the house features some the nicest miniature sculpting I’ve ever seen. That goes along with its superb paint application.

The house appears to be an old two-story Victorian mansion with a steeply pitched roof, library/bell tower with a five-side bell-shaped roof covered in brown wood shingles. Large windows encircle the tower. Each window has the silhouette of a ghost in it. The ghostly figures show up when the display is lit as do other window figures all over the house. The inner light ebbs and flows giving the house an eerie pulsating glow.

The first story of the tower also has a wraparound wooden shingle roof with only one window. Below that are upper base panels in gray, white and black accents.

The entire house rests on a cobble stone base of light brown. The house consists mostly of dirty gray and white horizontal wooden slats. Black metal lights extend out from the first story of the tower and on the opposite side of the house gabble.

Sections of the house are also sheathed with off-brown bricks, wood and stone trim and decorated gabble and roof pitch wooden carvings reminiscent of Norwegian homes.

The back of the house is mostly plain with wood, stone and wooden roof shingles. The power cord plug-in to the house is just below the eight-panel window on the right rear. A single switch turns on the house lights.

The entire house rests on a base painted to look like grass and soil. On the left side of the house is a craggy gray tree with no leaves, a stone planter with a green leafy plant, an orange scooter with black handles and a stone birdbath with water and a black bird.

The entire house looks slightly dilapidated with wood patches, faded colors and some holes in the stone-ridged roof with its crows nest (with crows) and intermittent sides and extrusions.

The roof has several holes in it. The overall look of the house is shabby and creepy.

The front of the house has a wooden pole with metal mailbox, two steps and porch with two-gray posts and handrails with a large black metal canon ball on the lower step. The door is blood red with a BEWARE! sign on it.

The right of the front has a room extension with a large picture window. Above it is another large window with a small multi-colored porch wrapped in front of it. A gray stone bench with a blackbird and craggy tree to the left of it sets in front of the lower bay window.

The right side of the hose has a boarded up window in the extended room addition, A boarded up window in the lower main building with a bare tree in front of it and an upper window that is open with white sheet blowing out from it as does a sheet on the left side of the house through its upper four-pane window.

Included with the house are several figures. All are stagnant on squared-off bases in different colors.

A woman with blond hair carrying a black purse steps back from a creepy ghost in all white advancing toward her. the woman’s cloths consist of a red skirt, light blue blouse and brown knee boots. The woman’s expression of fear is easy to see.

Another white ghost attacks a man dressed in gray trousers, black belt with silver belt buckle, dark brown shoes, a white shirt and dark brown jacket.

A white ghost in a blue jacket looks to be attempting to scare a black cat. On the ground is a silver chain and a red book entitled How To Scare.

A wooden sign with the words KEEP OUT! is surrounded by four creepy orange pumpkins and a human skull and bones on a grass and dirt base. On the top of the sign a large black and white vulture waits for its next victim.

Two large black craggy trees are also included, A large black succulent tree with lights and a pole stand with a full moon that lights up are also included.

Additional figures and props can be purchased separately.

A master switch turns the house, tree and moon lights. Separate switches allow each to be turned off independently. It’s an easy set-up.

The house and its accessories looks especially spooky when you turn out the lights What a delightful display to show-off when the Halloween season comes around. Well done Lemax!

I know my family (especially my grandkids) are sure to get a kick out of this spooky display.

2 Timothy 1:7 - For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

Hollywood Handbook

There is a place in Hollywood, California that holds decades of secrets and titillating and tantalizing tales of movies, TV, sports and other pop culture celebrities.

It is the Chateau Marmont Hotel that for nearly a century has hosted some the most recognizable celebrities in the world.  Whether visiting or residents, those that frequent the hotel indulge themselves in many ways.

Author Andre Balazs and Rizzoli present Hollywood Handbook, that explores the colorful past of the infamous Chateau Marmont Hotel.

Celebrity scandal sheets and publications, stories by famous authors centered on the Chateau and other documents, accompanied by vintage photos, both posed and candid, the book investigates every room, hallway and hidden nook to ferret out some fascinating and often shocking stories, facts and fiction associated with hotel.

Hollywood celebrity fans and those interested in the inner workings of the City of Dreams are sure to find this book packed with engrossing tales and scandals. 

The Lord bless thee, and keep thee: Lord make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: The Lord lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.

Numbers 6:24-26

The Greatest Westerns

There was a time in American cinema and television when Westerns ruled.

Movie theaters showcased classic Westerns with such stars as John Wayne, Clint Eastwood, Henry Fonda, Jimmy Stewart and dozens of other actors and actresses.

The same could be said of TV with Westerns like Bat Masterson, The Rifleman, Bonanza and many, many more.

The heydays of the movie Westerns began in the 1930s and stayed pretty consistent as far as the volume of films were concerned through the 1980s and early 1990s.

Westerns were still made but in a much smaller quantity. A new crop of actors and actresses, along with the sidekicks and supporting casts brought a freshness and vitality to Westerns.

Stars like Tom Selleck, Kevin Costner, Sharon Stone and other well-known movie stars acted in Westerns.

TV too still produced Westerns like Longmire, Lonesome Dove and Monte Walsh. Westerns are making a comeback and I couldn’t be more pleased.

Henry C. Parke and True West Magazine, along with publisher TwoDot Books, with an introduction by Western alumni Bruce Boxleitner, present the oversize softbound book: The Great Westerns Ever Made And The People Who Made Them.

Inside this fascinating book is all the scoop on classic movie and TV Westerns, their casts, crews, directors, good guys, bad guys, femme fatale, the wide scope of Westerns and much, much more.

Any true fan of film and TV Westerns will want this book that is chockful of in-front-of camera and behind-the-scenes tidbits, interviews, comments and a look at Westerns from a Native American point of view.

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

Han Solo As a Stormtrooper

Way back in 1995 Kellogg Cereals offered to Star Wars fans the chance to get a Han Solo as a Stormtrooper action figure by mailing in cereal coupons.

The promotion coincided with Lucasfilms' reissue of the original Star Wars Trilogy in theaters upgraded with digital effects and extra scenes.

The partially articulated figure came in a small white box with the figure contained within a plastic bag.  

The helmet removed from the head revealing Han Solo’s familiar mug.

I sent away for one for each of my kids-I still have them here at home (the toys not the kids-they’re both grown up and have a kid each of their own).

Both of our kids were thrilled when they received their Han Solo as a Stormtrooper figures.  I have them tucked away in a box and someday when my wife and I have passed on, maybe, just maybe, our kids will look back fondly and remember what a simple act of kindness meant to them.  

Perhaps they’ll pass the figures on to their kids along with a few other mementos of their childhood items.

Better still they’ll talk of my wife and I and know just how much we loved them.

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

Digital Art

Over 30 years ago when graphic design switched from drawing boards to computers I was in the early stages of my career. Having to learn a whole new way to design was daunting and intimidating.

But, somehow I succeeded. They say that threat of hunger and poverty are great motivators and they’re right. It was either sink or swim. Either I learned the new technology or I would have been left behind and my career in graphic deign would have been over.

Over the last few decades digital publishing and art has exploded. So much has changed as it pertains to advertising, digital effects, streaming, computer generated animation and the like.

For 11 years I taught high school graphic deign and commercial art. One of the most exciting products I challenged students to do was to create a scenario or themed digital piece of art of my choosing. The results were often mind-blowing and that was nearly a decade ago!

Digital art has continued to advance and like with any other form of art or creative endeavor there are those individuals who excel in their own particular area of expertise.

In Digital Art, 20 digital art pioneers from all over the globe share their work that have redefined the boundaries of digital art.

Amazing, complex, mind-boggling and original pieces of art fill the pages of the Schiffer Publication’s Digital Art hardbound book by Alessandra Mattanza.

Careful examinations, commentaries and production notes and information are included with the full-color digital art examples.

Also included are QR Codes allowing the reader to access each artist’s digital art creations online.

Interviews, philosophies and diverse techniques are included in this deluxe hardbound book.

As advanced as digital art is now just imagine what it will be when AI and other computer programs, both present and future, are incorporated. I can’t wait to see what’s next!

1 Corinthians 16:13 - Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.

The Uncanny X-Men #282

Marvel Comics' X-Men will have their hands full when they encounter a deadly criminal mutant hunter from the future: Bishop!

You mean the same Bishop who is a member of the current roster of X-Men?  One and the same.  

In issue #282 of The Uncanny X-Men written by Chris Claremont and drawn by Whilce Portacio, a new menace: Fitzroy-a mutant from the future gives the X-Men a real battle.

Bishop followed Fitzroy from approximately 80 years in the future.  Fitzroy and his gang of mutant criminals escaped through a portal to the present.  Bishop and his fellow mutant lawmen followed suite.

After a ‘misunderstanding’ with the X-Men, Bishop gets his man but finds himself trapped in the past.

Bishop would go on to prove himself a valuable asset to the X-Men eventually becoming a member of the mutant team.

At first Bishop and Cable would have a rocky relationship considering Bishop once hunted Cable.  But, things worked out and they have worked together over the years.

Bishop’s mutant ability is to absorb power, channel it and discharge it.

2 Timothy 1:7 - For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

The Lost Diaries Of Nigel Molesworth

Do you remember that one kid (or kids) that were a little odd while you were in school? Kinda creepy? Unusual? Mischievous? Slightly macabre?

We all have. In The Lost Diaries Of Nigel Molesworth, written by Geoffrey Willans with illustrations by Uli Meyer (After Ronald Searle) and published by Korero Press, readers are introduced to one of the creepiest, sardonic, brilliant and cynical kids imaginable.

The diaries, originally published in the British magazine Punch between August 1939 and December 1942, delve into the mind, motivation and mirthful mayhem maker not seen in Nigel’s four books.

Get ready for the bizarre, insightful, slightly disturbing and (dare I say it) hilarious hi-jinks of one of the strangest school boys you’ll ever meet.

Written in the style of a schoolboy (misspellings and bad grammar and all) and accompanied by quirky black and white ink drawings with wash, the book is spooky, kooky, creepy and a whole lot of fun! CHIZ!

Psalms 126:5 - They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.

Alliance Insight

One can never be too careful when one forms alliances. It takes patience, persistence, research and most of all insight.

Just because someone or something seems to be on your side it may not always be the case. Especially when it comes to playing Konami’s Shonen Jump Yu-Gi-Oh! Trading Card Game Alliance Insight.

Who do you trust? Are they for you or against you? Do they side with your opponents? Duelist beware, take care and be aware that alliances don’t always go they way you might think they will.

In Alliance Insight here’s what you can expect:

• Booster Boxes contains 24 Packs of 9 random Cards per Pack.
• A 101-Card Core Booster Set.
• The last appearances of the popular Quarter Century Secret Rare Card rarity.
• New “@Ignister” Cards.
• New Link Monster.
• New Cards for the age-old Skull Servant Deck.
• New “Dragon Ruler” monsters.

Alliance Insight contains:

• 10 Secret Rares
• 14 Ultra Rares
• 26 Super Rares
• 50 Commons
• 24 of these Cards are also available as Quarter Century Secret Rare
• 1 special card is ONLY available as a Quarter Century Secret Rare!

Psalms 34:4 - I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.

The Life And Times Of Betty Boop

When I was younger I had no idea or inkling that Fleischer Studios' animated heroine Betty Boop was a revolutionary and trend-setter.

Betty Boop originally started out as a completely different character and after a short period transformed into the “boop-oop-a-doop!” animated cartoon fans have adored for 100 years!

Remarkable isn’t it? Imagine a feminist character in the 1920s! Betty Boop challenged the preconceived and traditional female standards. She was feisty, head-strong, determined, a fighter and she let nothing stop her when she made up her mind to do something.

Oh sure, there were a few times when she reverted to a damsel in distress, but mostly she was true to herself and eventually became a role model for women all over the world.

In writer Perter Benjaminson’s The Life And Times OF Betty Boop The 100-Year History Of An Animated Icon softbound book, published by Applause Theatre & Cinema Books, readers follow the long and illustrious career and legendary status of animations first liberated woman. 

Learn about her creation, copyright battles, traditional female roll rebellion and the spawning of her international, multi-million dollar mechanizing empire.

Betty Boop has evolved over the years and she’s changed with the times. But, she still remains one of the strongest (if not the strongest) female animated characters of all time.

Proverbs 12:20 - Deceit is in the heart of them that imagine evil: but to the counsellors of peace is joy.

Dune: Prophecy: The Complete First Season

Many, many years ago when I was a young man I picked up the novel Dune by author Frank Herbert.

It literally was unlike any science fiction novel I had read up to that point-and I had read a lot.

I was immediately captivated by Dune, it’s setting, characters and story line. Sequels came out and I read most of them.

But, have you ever asked yourself, “What was Dune like before the timeline first established by the books?”

In Dune: Prophecy the HBO original series, the pre-history of the Dune Saga is explored. It introduces a whole new cast of characters and delves into the eventually formation of Dune as depicted in the original Dune novels and much more.

Spectacular sets, amazing costumes, eye-popping special effects, a powerful soundtrack and stellar acting all combine to make a science fiction series that is a classic.

Political intrigue, social and personal conflicts, the threat of conquest and the struggle to survive permeate this series about people trying to cope with change, harsh conditions and conflicting beliefs. 

Dune: Prophecy has been released on 4K UltraHD/Blu-Ray/DVD/Digital courtesy of the collaboration between Warner Bros. Discovery Home Entertainment, HBO and Legendary Television.

All six episodes are included as well as a featurette on Building Worlds and five featurettes about Behind The Veil.

2 Timothy 1:7 - For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

Alex Trevelyan in Goldeneye

Who would make the ultimate nemesis for James Bond 007?

What better choice for a villain than a fellow 00 secret agent who has gone bad?

That’s what Pierce Brosnan as James Bond in Goldeneye gets when he faces of against Sean Bean as Alex Trevelyan: secret agent 006.

It seems Alex joined the British Secret Service as a means by which he could obtain government secrets--specifically Goldeneye.

After supposedly dying at the hands of the Russians on a joint mission with James Bond Trevelyan reappears as the head of a rogue group of Russian military types bent on destroying both the British and Russian government’s finances and securing unimaginable wealth for themselves.

The final fight scene between Trevelyn and Bond is a classic and its the first time we see how ruthless and cold Bond is as portrayed by Pierce Brosnan.

Sideshow Collectibles acquired the rights to produce 12-inch James Bond film figures and Alex Trevelyan was one of them.

The figure is housed in a flip-lid box decorated with photos from the film along with text about the film and film stars.

Inside the figure is snug in its form-fitted, clear, plastic cocoon held in place with plastic covered wires.  Accessories, along with its circular base and support wire, are also held in place in the cocoon.

The figure comes dressed all in black: a cuffed pocket shirt, a black belt with a silver buckle in the shape of a triangle, trousers with pockets and shoes.

He wears a standard issue ‘00’ wristwatch with a laser.  His hair is brown, eyes are blue and his chin is strong with high cheeks and a straight nose.

The fully-articulated figure has preset hands for holding the handgun, small explosive magnetic mine and stockless rifle with twin barrels and a clip.

The Goldeneye computer-targeting module is silver with translucent orange panels and eye.

Details (especially on the weapons and Goldeneye) are extremely well done and the figure’s clothing is loose enough to shrift with the character when posed with no binding or unnatural bundling.

Paint application is clean on the figure with minimal tonal changes and the stitching, creases and folds on the real cloth outfit are in scale and match actual sized clothing.

The figure can stand (with limitations) on its own or posed with its weapon and Goldeneye module with the help of the enclosed stand.

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.

The Art Of Ralph McQuarrie Star Wars

Meet the man who is responsible for the visual world of Star Wars.  I recall seeing McQuarrie’s first production illustration in the pages of Starlog magazine in the 1970s.  It was a back view of an Empire Tie Fighter pilot.

It’s important to note that before Star Wars most science fiction space movies, no matter how realistic or serious, looked pretty stock and similar.  Not that they were bad movies it’s just that movie studios had a hard time breaking out of a mold.

In the case of Star Wars creator George Lucas wanted something completely different.  He wanted his universe to look live in-not pristine and clean, but used, slightly dingy and used-just like real life.

While McQuarrie’s art was certainly cutting edge and massive in scale it looked utilitarian.  Things looked like they would work-including the droids.

The Art Of Ralph McQuarrie Star Wars, from Chronicle Books, comes self-contained in a heavy paper stock box decorated images of McQuarrie’s art and schematics on all sides.

The flip-open box contains Star Wars postage stamps, a collection of postcards and a small softbound booklet discussing McQuarrie’s art and creative process.  

The booklet is held in place by a sleeve while the stamps (in their translucent paper envelope) and postcards are held in place by a black tie string.

The box itself is held shut by a larger circular sticker.  Think of the whole assemblage as a miniature treasure box full of surprises and goodies. 

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

X-Men Wizard Special Edition

Wizard magazine celebrated Marvel’s misfit mutants with a very X-Men Wizard Special Edition dedicated to them.

At one time Wizard Magazine was part of a huge Wizard publishing empire.  Everywhere you looked Wizard Publications published pop culture/collectible magazines, special comic books, sponsored toys, trading card inserts and the like.  

It seems it had its toes dipped into every conceivable collectible outlet.

But, with the popularity and growth of the Internet Wizard magazine sales began to dwindle until it was no longer profitable to publish.  Ad revenue dried up and collectors surfed the Web obtaining up to the minute collectible news instead of waiting month to month for magazine publication releases.

When Wizard was at its height of popularity it published a number of ‘special’ issues dedicated to certain comic book characters-the X-Men being one of them.

In the Wizard X-Men Turn Thirty Collector’s Edition Wizard provided a guide to the comics up until that point in time.  This would have been 1993 in the burgeoning comic book speculation period. 

The book delves heavily into the origin and past of the X-Men and proceeds to follow the decades since spotlighting key events and character premieres. 

The magazine also spotlights and speculates on the future of mutantkind in Marvel Comics and delves into each character's origin and background.

A special poster insert is included along with a timeline, X-Men movie and TV appearances and a creator gallery.

For some real ‘X’citement and an ‘X’cellent X-Men resource be sure to search for a copy.

Psalms 37:4 - Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.

World Of Art Graphic Design In The Twentieth Century

Graphic design-ask most people what it entails and they usually stammer and stutter and don’t give a good answer.

Mention art and nearly everyone can give an answer.

Did you know that graphic design has been around since the dawn of mankind? Really, it has.

Ever hear of advertising? Even in ancient time merchants used symbols or objects to represent what goods they sold. A wooden fish! The seller sold fish. A stone carving of food? A restaurant. You get the picture.

I am a professional graphic designer. I have my degree and I was in advertising for 30-plus years and taught it for 11. I can tell you a lot about graphic design.

However there is a book: World Of Art Graphic Design In The Twentieth Century, written by Richard Hollis and published by Thames & Hudson, that does a much better job than I can.

When I was teaching Graphic Design and Commercial Art at a local high school I wish I had this book for my classes.

It does an incredible job of explaining the history of graphic design, the different schools in various countries and important people along with hundreds of examples of graphic design.

For a slightly, oversize softback book it is crammed with information-all of it fascinating, informative and eye-opening.

Graphic images, types, printing processes and more are all covered in intricate detail.

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.

H-16 Transporter with Collectible Trading Card

Imagine a massive transporter helicopter undergoing testing by the United States Air Force and Army with the aim to put it into full production.

There was only one problem-the second test of the prototype resulted in a crash.

If successful the H-16 Transporter Helicopter would have had the distinction of being the world’s largest aircraft of its type.

It weighted twice as much as any helicopter in service and if produced would have been a long-range rescue helicopter with a huge load capacity.

It would have carried 40 troops, 32 patients or 3 Jeeps. The fuselage measured close to 78 feet long with a combined rotor span of a 134 feet and gross weight of 15 tons.

The second test aircraft crashed killing two passengers-the project was canceled.

The H-16 had a faster cruising speed than any other helicopter in service. It had a gross weight in excess of 15 tons.

Measuring 1/96 Scale the Atlantis Model Co.’s H-16 Transporter Helicopter model kit recreates the legendary helicopter in perfect detail.

Seven part trees come in the set with an additional pivoting swivel display base. Parts are gun-metal gray and clear.

At 9.75 inches long the H-16 model kit is ideal for a Level 2 model kit maker.

Made in U.S.A. the kit comes in a sturdy slip-lid box decorated with a H-16 painting on its top and three sides.

Model pieces are easily identified using the numbers on the part trees that correspond to the easy-to-understand assembly instructions sheet.

All parts are sharp and crisp with no rough edges or gaps and with very little flashing to trim the model kits fits together easily and snugly with no gaps.

I recommend using tweezers or a stand pup multi-clamp stand to glue pieces together.  Carefully apply glue until it is slightly tacky and then carefully press pieces together.

Don't use too much glue to avoid oozing and clean-up.  Take you time, never rush when making a model kit.

Included with the model kit are pilots, movable double rotors, a cargo bay that opens and the box art is perfect for framing.

A full sheet of decals is included as is a special trading card.

Both novice model kit makers and those with more advanced model-making skills are sure to enjoy assembling this model.

A short history of H-16 is included on one of the box’s side panels as well as in the instructions sheet. A side panel paint guide is also included.

Search on the internet for color reference photos for correct paint application.  The model's box painting is also a perfect color reference.

With a bit of patience, some glue, paint and decals the H-16 Transporter model kit is sure to be a welcome addition to any model-maker’s collection.

Atlantis Models Co. is preserving the past while building for the future.

Philippians 4:6-7 - Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

The Brainiac's Book Of Robots And AI

You hear and see a lot about robots and AI nowadays. That’s because they are everywhere.

Robots of one sort of another have been around for centuries. No way! Yes way.

Any mechanism that performs a preset ‘program’ to do a simple or complex task can be considered a robot.

A toaster is a robot. It makes perfect toast by the push of a lever or button, cooks the bread for a specified length of time and ejects the toast when the time is up. Other than initially pushing a lever or button the toaster does all the work.

AI has also been around for some time. Early computers had a primitive form of AI (artificial intelligence).

In The Brainiac’s Book Of Robots And AI, by author Paul Virr and illustrator Harriet Russell and publisher Thames & Hudson, young readers learn all about robots and AI of all types from social interactive to factory assemblers.

Art and photos combine to explore the futuristic world of AI and the implication of artificial intelligence now and in the future.

How far will it go? Will man and robots with intelligence coexist? Where is the line drawn between human and artificial life? There’s even a glossary of terms included.

For a hands-on, easy-to-understand look at robots and AI this book clarifies the myths, concerns and the future of both.

Also included are simple-to-follow instructions for making all sorts of robot and AI projects.

Hebrews 10:25 - Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

Batgirl Annual #1

It’s the bat, the cat and the owl!  All sorts of trouble happens when Catwoman is hired to free a young woman who is a Talon for The Court Of The Owls.

She manages to do so just as Batgril shows up and other Talons of The Court Of the Owls.

A female Talon is being held in custody by the police.  Catwoman is hired to break her out.  She does so.

But, when Catwoman finds out that Talon’s benefactor wants her to join in killing citizens of Gotham in order to put the blame on Bruce Wayne, Catwoman refuses to help the benefactor.

He then sets Talon against her.  Batgirl arrives and a battle royal occurs between Talon and her companions.

Catwoman convinces Talon that her bloody trail of violence will not bring her parents back.  Vengeance never satisfies.

Talon relents and the tide turns.

This is a really good Catwoman/Batgirl/Talon tale.  Writer Gail Simone delves deeply into the personalities of each female character and fleshes them out.

The art on Batgirl Annual #1 by Admira Wijaya and Daniel Sampere is a real eye catcher.

It’s one of the best DC Comics New 52 Annuals produced.

Psalms 34:4 - I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.

Vinyl . Album . Cover . Art

Recently I acquired a portable record player. The first thing I did was break out my old record albums and began to play them. I am a child of the 60s and 70s so the music I love is also from that period.

Those years were famous for their record album designs. Besides the records themselves, I loved the art, photos, lyrics and special insert the albums contained.

The Hipgnosis Design Group was responsible for many of those album’s covers. In the new Thames & Hudson book: Vinyl . Album . Cover . Art The Complete Hipgnosis Catalogue by Aubrey Powell, with a foreword by Peter Gabriel, their entire catalogue of album covers 1967 to 1984 is showcased.

Wow! Talk about bringing back some great memories! So many of the albums shown I owned and listened to. To be honest many of the albums I bought simply because I liked their covers. While many of the albums were by acts I knew there were others I did not and taking a chance based on their cover art or photos I bought them.

This deluxe hardbound book showcases an era when album cover designs ruled the world of music. If an album did not have a striking or unusual cover it could very well tank the sales of said album.

The book is a fun and fascinating to look at. I learned a lot about what it takes to make a successful album cover, the music groups and individuals whose albums were showcased and especially about the design group that created the album covers.

Interesting facts, behind-the-scenes tidbits and statistical information about each album represented are included.

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.