Think Biblically

The Bible states that what a man believes himself to be, he is. It is only through the grace, guidance and patience of God that any man can be truly transformed.

Imperfect as we are, God helps us transform bit by bit into the image and person he created us to be. It is a long process and on this mortal plan we will never fully achieve it. Still, God is with us and changes us-if we let Him.

The old saying goes, “I might not be perfect but at least I’m better than I was yesterday!”

What is the Christian life? What does it mean to be a Christian? Are the scriptures accurate? Are they inspired? Are they literal?

In Think Biblical Second Edition, from Crossway Books, several biblical scholars provide essays about the foundation of the Christian faith. I learned a lot-all of which strengthened my faith. John MaCarthur and Abner Chou edit the essays.

In the essays the foundations of the Christian faith are examined, how they pertain to today’s society and are to be applied to a Christian’s life.

Essays also look at how the world perceives the scriptures, how its truths have been distorted, changed and ignored and unfortunately how many churches have strayed from the Bible’s truths.

The various authors offer guidance as how to recover a Christian worldview.

As Christians we are part of the body of Christ. Christ being the head. In order for a body to function properly it must have proper nourishment, care and its various parts cooperating and working toward a common goal.

We all are given spiritual gifts to use toward the furtherance of the gospel. As each part of a physical body suffers pain when one part hurts we too must support one another, heal and work together to honor God and always, always give him the glory.

Just a few of the many subjects covered in the book include hermeneutics, creation sin, masculinity, femininity, music, mental illness, science, education, economics and so many more.

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.

Cathy’s Flower House

Several months ago I accompanied my wife to a strip mall. While she visited several clothing stores I spotted a Michael’s and decided to look around.

I’d been to Michael’s before. One of my favorite things to do is to immediately go to the model kit isle and then to the miniatures isle.

In the miniatures isle are small packs of plastic animals along with slightly larger, unwrapped creatures that are sold separately.

I also like looking at the small bags of miniatures used to furnish doll houses. Furniture, accessories, wall-hangings, appliances and such fill the entire side of the isle on a large pegboard.

As I was leaving the miniature isle I spotted something I had never seen before.

A large, clear-plastic acetate box divided into six sections contained an array of fully-furnished (in miniature) themed rooms and small store fronts.

Intrigued I took a closer look and was amazed at the amount of detail of the small objects in each of the small kits. Superbly crafted and painted small appliances, books, plants, furniture, windows and lights all combined to make scaled down versions of fully decked out rooms and stores.

Wow! I love miniatures. Ever since I was a kid I marveled at plastic model sets, toy soldiers with full military equipment, die-cast cars and vehicles and the like amazed me with their intricacies and details.

Who made these small rooms and business miniatures? I spotted the name Rolife and immediately wrote the name down on a piece a paper I keep in my wallet.

I decided to contact the company in the hopes that I might review some its products.

Fortunately for me I was contacted and several of the kits were provided for review.

The first kit I want to review is Cathy’s Flower House.

Both my wife and I come come from a long line of farmers. Our ancestors came from Tennessee and Kentucky. Both my wife’s parents and mine were born and raised on working farms.

While neither my wife and I are farmers our daughter is an avid plant lover and grows her own edible and decoration plants in her small greenhouse, back yard and inside on a multi-shelf plant display.

She provides us with a lot of vegetables and small decorative plants.

Rolife’s Cathy’s Flower House DIY Miniature is an amazing miniature greenhouse loaded with all sorts of cool plants and objects.

Since our daughter loves plants so much I decided to split the Flower House build with her. She agreed.

Here are few observations. Since our daughter’s hands are so much smaller than mine she had no difficulty putting pieces together. I, on the other hand, was able to put the larger pieces together but when it came to smaller pieces I used the tweezers supplied with the Flower House kit. A small screw driver was also provided. They were really helpful.

When it came to using the small adhesive strips, again I had a little difficulty using them, my daughter did not. Instead I decided to use liquid glue used for model kits. It worked perfectly-no problem.

Opening the slip-covered, flip-lid box I was immediately impressed as to how organized the contents were. Bags were labeled for certain parts-mostly the molded pieces and all the wood cut-out part sheets had their own letter and number with numbered pieces on each sheet.

Using the directions it was easy to identify the pieces, follow the construction instructions, use adhesive, combine fabric and various accessory attachments and build using the clear Flower House windows, etc.

A small flat-head screwdriver was useful for poking out parts and scissors and a Xacto knife came in handy.

Think of the Flower House kit as a model kit on steroids with pre-painted pieces and super-realistic in a small scale.

Furniture, containers, plant pots, wiring, lighting and building construction were a breeze.

A few suggestions: take your time, don’t rush, follow the instructions carefully, pay attention to details in each piece-constructed or complete-and above all-enjoy the process. There’s no need to hurry-patience is the key.

It’s alright to goof up like dropping pieces, accidentally fudging a part or forgetting to use a part. It’s all a part of the learning process.

After a few goofs you’ll get the hang of it. Trust me-I did and I’m very pleased with the results.

Above everything else look at what you’ve accomplished and the incredible miniature Flower House you’ve constructed.

Check out the random-sized pieces of tile base, the wooden slat entryway, two-frame wooden door with windows and lattice work that actually opens and closes, the garden door sign, the large potted palm on the left of the door, the bucket and wooden grate containing a plant and flower, two stacked flower pots, a shovel, a wooden wagon wheel and an old, shaggy broom.

Inside the Flower House is a cornucopia of plants in various colored and shaped vases, a birdhouse, several shelves, a small single drawer dresser of blue, several art easels with paintings, art supplies, walls decorated with plants and art, a large blue rear door with a window, a variated wooden slat floor, dozens of books-both open and closed, fabric boxes, hanging plants, shipping boxes, a bench and upper roof beams.

Don’t forget the garden tools, small rugs, water can, a small blue basket, packing bags, a wall hook and a water spigot with a hose.

Back outside on the side of the building is a plant-in a pot, hanging roof vines and in the rear a cleverly hidden wooden compartment for the battery box.

Did I mention the Flower House has lights? Wow!

Marvel at the colors, textures, attention to detail, the perfect scaling and the sheer joy of looking at and enjoying this marvelous miniature masterpiece.

My daughter loves it and plans to place it among her plants.

1 John 4:18 - There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.

So You’re Living In A Fantasy World

I’m a big fan of fantasy, science fiction, comic books and all things make-believe.

It’s very easy for me to slip into another world, time and place in my mind. Ask my wife, she knows.

What if you could travel to a fantasy world? How would you survive? What dangers would there be? How would you fit in? Would you be there for an epic quest? Will lives be at stake-including your own?

Just because it’s a fantasy world doesn’t mean all your troubles and tribulations will cease. There’s no guarantee you’ll succeed and be a hero. But, what if you could?

In So You’re Living In a Fantasy World-How To Survive And Thrive, author Josiah Lebowitz and McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers offer some sage advice when it comes to acclimating yourself to a fantasy world.

By analyzing the accounts of heroes who have traveled to fantasy worlds and somehow managed to survive and return, the book teaches how to survive, supply, train, prepare and succeed in your new environment.

Are you ready? Using So You’re Living In A Fantasy World as your guide your chances of survival increases by a large percentage.

Deuteronomy 31:6 - Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.

Gallery Bookstore

I love books. I love their smell, feel and look. I am a voracious reader-I have been as long as I can recall.

I read books and magazines of all genres: fiction and non-fiction. Take a look at my Blog’s Book section and you’ll see what I mean.

My man-cave is packed with books. Our walk-in library closet is filled with books. Closets are jammed full. We have a bookcase filled with kids’ books for our grand-kids, Shoot, I even have books in our garage! Books, books, books!

Needless to say I frequent a lot of bookstores, libraries and yard sales and estate sales looking for books.

If I hadn’t chosen to make graphic design my career I truly believe I would have opened my own bookstore. Shelves would have be filled with musty and old books, books would be stacked on the floor and both the basement and attic would contain books.

When I saw that Cutebee makes a miniature Gallery Bookstore DIY Miniature House I immediately contacted the company in hopes of getting a review sample. And I did! Here’s what I have to say about this incredible bookstore miniature.

The box the bookstore comes in features a full-color photo of the completed bookstore on its cover. The slip-cover covers a box with flaps containing all of the pieces.

Several flats of pop-out, pre-cut (I’m assuming they were cut by laser) pressed-wood pieces-all of which are numbered for easy assembly, are in the box.

Also included in the box is a sheet of clear-plastic cutouts for the windows, a battery box with two attachments of lights, instruction and stickers.

My advice is to remove the items so you can examine the various cut-out sheets and their number designations.

If you’re a klutz like myself and all thumbs I suggest you have a pair of tweezers and a small flathead screwdriver on hand. A little glue wouldn’t hurt.

The tweezers are for handling the small pieces and it’s best to use the small flat-head screwdriver so you can gently pop-out the pieces.

All of pieces are numbered and are just as colorful and detailed as depicted on the front of the box.

I had a little problem putting the pieces together. A couple of the pieces presented a bit of a problem simply because my hands are large. Klutz that I am I managed to slightly damage a few fastener tabs but a little glue and the problem was fixed. No fault of pieces-it’s just that my fingers are large and the pieces are small.

My best of advice is to take your time. Follow the instructions and carefully put the pieces together. Some may take a little persuading but they snap together tightly-again the tweezers come in handy.

It’s exciting seeing the various pieces come together to form larger objects. Patience pays off. I especially like the various shelves, books, art and plants that fill the store’s interior space.

The small cube buiding is a light green color on the exterior with ornate window treaments on all the windows and door.

The foundation looks like stone and mason and the flat it sits on appears to look like variated gray tile with grout.

Window treatments have elaborate green scrolling around them.

The left, full-glass pane window has various objects displayed in it such as paintings, books, a globe and clock all sitting on small wooden shelves.

The store front window has a full-pane with five small curved windows at its top.  A small sign decoration hangs from the upper left.  Above the window is a large Gallery Bookstore sign with side and top decorations.

It has curved top door with five upper small window panels and a larger nine panel window section, large ornate hinges and a door latch that works. 

The right of the store has a large nine-panel window with eight upper window panes also with a curved top.

The back of the store is plain with a large pot, paintbrush, pen, scroll and book painting in its center.  A cleverly designed paint pallette rear hatch opens an accordian cut panel for easy access to the battery pack.

Inside the store is an abundance of books, bric-a-brac, small plants, books on table tops and easels, a clock, a bookshelf, a large, spindle-leg desk with a lamp, clock, an art pot with brushes and various writing utensils.

A large vertical display spindle with hanging bags, a painting slated container, a set of stairs with railings with books all set against a rear wall decorated with paintings, a left side wall hanging and hanging lights and art make up the entire contents. Twin lights illuminate the interior.

The entire building sits on the tiled platform. In front, on the tile, are plants, paintings on easels, a Roman bust and in a slated paint display case and a large multi-pane period street lamp.

Take a moment to look at the details, coloring and layout design-all are amazing! 

Putting it together was a challenge, although a welcome one. I caught myself having to go back and correct a few things-mainly because of missing a step or rushing through. Most of my mistakes were just plain silly: forgetting to put on some stickers, not securely parts properly or completely screwing up.

Again no fault of the bookstore itself or the quality or pieces -just my own goof-ups. Fortunately fixing things was easy and the finale product looks awesome!

The instructions were extremely well designed and corresponding numbers on the parts and instructions made finding and identifying pieces a breeze.

The lighting really spotlights the bookstore giving it a warm ambiance one associates with quaint, cozy bookstores. You can almost see the book dust and smell the books. I love it!

It was a fun build with satisfying results. If you like model kits, puzzles or any hobby that challenges your concentration, dexterity and motor skills I recommend you get any of Cutebee’s miniature storefronts.

Assembly required.  Fourteen years old and up.

I took my time-not rushing and it paid off. The bookstore is a small masterpiece displayed on a bookshelf along with my books-lots of books!

James 1:4

But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.

The Raven Dark Hero From White Knight To Villain 1

Super powers come at a price. That’s what Kouki Suou discovered when something fierce awakens inside of him.

He soon realizes that often that those who are sworn to protect others may be a threat themselves. Kouki finds himself becoming the very thing he fears.

Time to put on my reading right to left, back to front Manga glasses as I look through Titan Comics’ The Raven Dark Hero From White Knight To Villain 1.

Printed in black and white, the digest-size Manga packs a big punch with lots of action sequences, plenty of angst, lots on introspective thoughts and a fascinating story that delves deeply on what it means to be a hero tight-roping the line between good and evil.

Desiring and acquiring special powers is not all it’s cracked up to be as Kouki discovers you might not like what you ask for.

Only when he is attacked and ‘killed’ do his ‘gifts’ manifest themselves-starting with fast-healing and blinding speed.

He decides he doesn’t wish to be a member of the heroes (Specialists) organization and to fight crime on his own. The problem is the ‘good’ guys won’t take no for an answer and the bad guys (Firz) want him for their side.

As his powers multiply each time he ‘dies’, his personality begins to alter-but will it be for the good or the bad?

Created by Tonkye, illustrated by Akira Mitsuya with characters created by Sinsora, The Raven Dark Hero Form White Night To Villain 1 is a hold-your-breath, what-happens-next Manga that is sure please both Manga and Comic book fans.

Deuteronomy 20:4 - For the LORD your God is he that goeth with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you.

Ultimate Anime

Anime--Japanese animation, has practically taken over the field of animation. Incredible and intricate sequences of images, amazing vistas, highly-detailed machinery, haunting images and impressive effects have made Anime a favorite all over the world.

While Anime can be simple and less detailed like many TV animation shows, there are incredible Anime classics that have revolutionized animation and garnered fans across the globe. 

In Ultimate Anime author Joe O’Connell and Thames & Hudson have compiled the 100 Essential Anime Films And Series in a beautiful, oversize, hardbound book brimming with color images.

I’m guilty. I was one of those American animation snobs that poo-pooed Japanese Anime. At one time I considered it a low form of animation and not worthy of my time.

I always associated Anime with the low-budget limited animation TV shows like Speed Racer, Simba, etc.

It wasn’t until I watched such Anime classics like Akira, Ghost In The Shell, Howell’s Moving Castle, My Friend Totoro and other amazing Anime films that I finally had my eyes opened.

What a revelation! I was blown away with the attention to detail, incredible story-telling and the imagination behind each film. Soon I found myself watching Anime TV shows, more films and even delving into Anime’s printed counterpart: Manga.

In Ultimate Anime 100 Essential Films And Series are spotlighted. and here’s what’s amazing. Did you know that there are Anime for practically ever subject you can imagine?

Sports, Romance, Mystery, Horror, Cooking, Science Fiction-there are limitless genre’s explored. Sure some are a little crude, but many are brilliant and even when sub-titled are excellent views.

Do yourself a favor, take a chance and watch Anime. I guarantee you will not be disappointed.

I highly recommend Ultimate Anime, a stellar guide to the world of Japanese animation. Each selected film or series is examined fully accompanied by full-color photos of key scenes and characters.

It’s a huge deluxe, hardbound book that any Anime fan will be proud to have in their collection.

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

Solomon Kane The Serpent Ring

Conan-that’s the Cimmerian barbarian author Robert E. Howard is most famous for creating.

But, Howard is also responsible for one of the most unique, conflicted and mysterious heroes ever to grace the printed page.

His name is Solomon Kane, a devout Puritan who vanquishes evil by whatever means possible. He is ruthless in his fervor viewing the world as only black and white with no gray areas.

He is conflicted, haunted by his own frailties and failings, yet doggedly determined to whip out evil by any mean necessary using his abilities and expertise with a wide array of weapons.

Dressed in black, possessing a strict code of honor and loyal to the church and country Solomon Kane is a complicated man-both

He's ruthless and gentle, kind and cruel, sympathetic and condemning and deadly to any who embrace evil.

Serving in the Queen’s navy, Solomon takes part in the plunder of goods from other nation’s ships. (Some call it piracy.) On one such ship he reluctantly kills a man whom makes him promise to deliver an artifact to his family.

Being a man of honor Solomon does so and soon finds himself entrenched in a quest to find a mystical ring, fight a legion of serpent worshipers and shape-shifters and struggle to come out alive.

Writer and artist Patrick Zircher tuns in a spectacular piece of work that really captures the essence of Solomon Kane. An intriguing story, stellar art and beautiful coloring all combine to make this Titan Comics’ trade paper back compilation of the four-issues of The Serpent Ring a winner!

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.

Electronics For Dummies 3rd Edition

When it comes to anything remotely related to electronics I am a novice and completely lost.

Sure, I can turn on a TV, use a record player, manage to open a refrigerator door, change a light-bulb and even replace a wall switch.

But, if you’re talking about actually understanding wiring, watts, voltage, circuit boards and the like I am totally in the dark.

I want to learn about electronics. It sounds fascinating and useful. But, I could never find a single resource that breaks it all down so I can understand it-until now.

Wiley Brand’s Electronics For Dummies 3^rd Edition written by Cathleen Shamieh, simplifies electronics so even an old dude like myself with no electronics training or knowledge can understand electronics.

More than just a bunch of terms, diagrams and technical jargon this book also includes lessons on how to make different electronics projects with a fairly simple selection of tools.

I learned all about resistors, capacitors, semiconductors, currents and how to read and understand electronic symbols and diagrams and safety tips.

Simple to understand instructions and information makes it easy to grasp what electronics are all about. I’ll never look at a circuit board, light switch, electronic component and home appliances the same way ever again.

Matthew 21:22 - And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.

Daredevil The First 60 Years

I’m giving away my age but when I was 11 years old in 1964 Daredevil premiered. Being a Marvel Zombie I (of course) bought the first issue.

I read it and wasn’t really sure what I thought of it. A blind superhero? How? Why? Would it work?

As I continued buying the series I came to realize just how special Daredevil was/is.

This is a guy who as a young man saved a pedestrian from a runaway delivery truck. Inside the truck were barrels of radioactive waste. 

Struck by the truck young Matt Murdock was bathed in the liquid from the barrels and goes blind. Later he discovered that although blind that all of his other senses had been magnified to unbelievable levels.

He developed a radar sense-his senses were so attuned that he could even hear heartbeats. Smell, taste, touch and hearing were all heightened.

As an adult he became a lawyer and decided to use his abilities to fight crime as Daredevil. Donning a black, red and yellow outfit (later all red) Matt fought crime on the street level and back alleys. He honed his physical body and using his athletic and acrobatic skills and along with his heightened senses fights crime.

At first he came off as second tier Spider-Man complete with quips and gyrating gymnastics. But, as the character matured I began to see a more complicated character-one with a unique set of problems, abilities and interesting cast of characters.

Titan Comics/Magazines presents the ultimate guide to the history of Daredevil complete with character bios, key events, comics, creators, allies, enemies and culture in its Daredevil: TheFirst 60 Years hardback book/magazine.

Brimming with incredible art, a chronological time line and all sorts of Daredevil trivia and facts it is a must-have for any comic book fan.

Artwork from different decades are spotlighted from the likes of Gene Colan, Frank Miller and many more. Don’t miss it!

Deuteronomy 31:6 - Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.

Ygor, Dracula and The Invisible Man

When Sideshow Collectibles, then Sideshow Toys, first began producing collectible figures it was of the 9-inch fully articulated type.

The first wave of figures were toys fashioned after the classic Universal Studios movie monsters made famous in the 1930s, 1940s and 1950s.

Three of the figures: Ygor, Dracula and The Invisible Man are the subjects of my review in this article.

As with all of Sideshow’s 9-inch figures the details are incredible.

Actor Bela Lugosi is primarily associated with the ficitonal character he created for the Silver Screen: Dracula.

But, he also played several other Universal Monsters movie characters, one which was Ygor in the film Son Of Frankenstein.

Lugosi was barely recognizable as the character and Sideshow Toys (Collectibles) captured his altered likeness to perfection.

The Ygor figure wears a long sleeve, green, loose fitting shirt with laces instead of buttons down the front.

Over it he wears a full body brown apron with two shoulder straps.

His twisted, contorted body prods the shirt around the shoulders and right arm.

Under the apron he wears a pair of dark brown pants.  He also wears a pair of dark brown wingtip shoes.

Around his waist is a wide brown belt with an oversize buckle and riveted hardback piece of leather to hold his tools that includes large pincher/pliers and straight handle scissors.

Also included is a rope wrapped wooden torch and a special stone pedestal to stand the figure on.

Ygor's face is slightly puffy with a heavy brow and small beady eyes, a misshapen mouth with oversize incisors and dark brown hair than covers most of his ears and a full brown beard.

His hands look gnarled with their long fingers and are positioned to hold any of his accessories.

His apron is made of real cloth, wrinkle and fold sculpt work looks realistic and color separation and variation is clean and lifelike.

Of the three figures The Invisible Man is the most detailed and elaborate, especially where it concerns the sculpt and coloring.

The Invisible Man’s head is wrapped in bandages and he wears a pair of wraparound shades.

His neck is covered by a large white scarf that tucks into a burgundy with deep yellow and blue checkered lapel, cuffs and waist belt, black tipped twin pockets, a chest pocket housecoat with a white handkerchief.

He wears a pair of light blue pajamas with cuffs that have wide blue and red vertical strips.

A pair of black loafers and white gloves makes up the rest of his wardrobe.

Included with the figure are three notebooks: two brown and on a deep green, a clear plastic pop-on head and a base that emulates a wood and marble floor.  A small tab sticks out that the figure’s foot can pop on to for stability.

The coloring application is amazing on the figure especially its wardrobe a subtle variation of pigments on the bandages and clothing folds.

The Dracula figure is the spitting image of Bela Lugosi, albeit in miniature.

Dracula’s slicked back black hair, dead white skin, heavy black eyebrows, deep and dark eyes, line face and sinister grin are all present.

The figure wears a white shirt with a button down collar, a white bowtie, a red cloth hanging silver medallion, a white with light gray strip vest, a formal two-tone black evening coat, loose black trousers and laced, black leather shoes.  

In is coat pocket is a white handkerchief.

Dracula’s aged hands are posed much like the movie version: one slightly closed, the other with finger pointing.

Included with the figure is a stone base with stand assist tab, a Dracula nameplate, a real cloth black cape with gray interior and a cape drawstring.

A large black bat with its wings open and clear plastic stick for holding it completes the set.

All of the figure come in standalone/hanging display container with clear plastic figure and accessory cocoons and full view clear plastic fronts. 

Romans 8:15 - For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.

World Religions All-In-One For Dummies

I’m a Christian. I make no apologies for or bones about it.

That being said I realize that there are other religions in the world-despite the fact that I don’t believe in any of them save for Judaism.

I have respect for people of all faiths. Each individual has to make up their own mind about what they believe and accept the consequences. That’s called personal responsibility. 

I am curious as to what other religions are all about. What is their history? What are their traditions, practices and the like?

Do they all believe in God? What god or gods? What is required to be a member of a particular religion? That’s just a few of the questions I have.

In World Religions All-In-One For Dummies, written by the experts at Wiley Brand, the seven main religions in the world are examined. Consider the book as seven books in one!

The histories, practices, traditions, practices and much more is explained of Hinduism, Taoism, Buddhism, Judaism, Christianity, Islam and Mormonism are explained in simple terms.

Discover how some of aspects of each religion are similar, their differences, do’s and don’ts, the afterlife, how long each religion has been around and other aspects.

Whatever your religious persuasion it doesn’t hurt to know and try to understand what people of different religions believe in and practice.

I developed a better understanding, comprehension and knowledge of each religion.

Too often people of a particular religion, whatever it is, don’t take the time to gain knowledge about other religions.

While I have my own personal belief the book has opened my eyes to what others perceive as truth so that I can better empathize and appreciate their point of view.

Knowledge is a good thing and this book provides a great resource for learning.

Luke 1:37 - For with God nothing shall be impossible.

Hagar The Horrible The First 50 Years

One of my all-time favorite comic strip characters is Hagar The Horrible-the overweight, bumbling and totally clueless Viking created and drawn by Dik Browne.

Sadly Dik Brown passed away in 1989 but his son Christopher Browne took up the mantle until his passing in 2024.

Since then Hagar’s adventures have been chronicled by whole new set of talented individuals who manage to keep Hagar’s spark alive.

Titan Comics/Magazines’ Hagar The Horrible The First 50 Years oversize hardbound book contains many of Hagar’s black and white daily comic strips chronicling the first fifty years of marauding mayhem, merriment and mirth.

Dik Browne was already known as the award-winning comic strip artist on Hi And Lois created by cartoonist Mort Walker.

Dik wanted to produce his own comic strip so he created Hagar and fashioned the character after himself and Hagar’s supporting cast after his own family and friends.

The comic strip was an instant success. After his death in 1989 the strip continued first via his family and later by a dedicated cache of writers and artists.

Even 50 years later the strips are just as funny and as relevant as the day they were first published.

Hagar-the everyday man as a Viking barbarian successfully reflects day-to-day living in modern times with the same challenges, situations and mishaps all families experience.

It’s an absolute wonderful collection and a hilarious read. Why is it so funny? The answer is simple. There is a little bit of Hagar in all of us.

Psalms 31:24 - Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the LORD.

Alive

The times they are a changing-especially when it comes to what we as the human species envision life as.

With the advent and advance of synthetic cells, feral robots, rebellious AI and the design of radical life, life is taking on all new forms, functions and possibilities.

What constitutes life? Movement, thought, action sequences, programmed tasks, rejuvenation, bio-mechanical organisms, art that moves, imitations of microscopic life and anything that vaguely duplicates thought, movement and purpose?

In author Madeline Schwartzman’s and Thames & Hudson’s new book: Alive, the very nature of what it means to be a living, breathing and functioning life-form is challenged.

Dozens of photos complemented by in-depth text and observation explore the many forms of life-both biological and synthetic.

The future is now and science, art, and nature combine and cooperate to create life the likes that have never been seen before.

Get ready for a fascinating read filled with mind-blowing facts and speculation in this oversize, hardbound book.

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.

Disenchantment Untold Tales

From the creative mind who brought you the longest running comedy and animation TV series comes a mystical, magical and wigged out series of tales set during the time of sorcerers, knights, kings, kingdoms, demons, dwarves and other monsters and mythical creatures set in Medieval times.

Matt Groening, the mind behind The Simpsons, brings the tales of Princess Bean and her adventures in Disenchantment Untold Tales Complete Treasury. Accompanied by Party Horse, Luci (the demon) and Elfo (an elf, hybrid?), Princess Bean explores the magical lands of imagination.

The twist is while it has all the trappings of a Dungeons and Dragons set of adventures Disenchantment is filled with wacky, weird, hilarious and off-the-wall, misfit characters with an overdose of humor.

In this 3-volume set of hardbound comic books, encased in a cleverly and heavy square-bound box, follow the hedonistic adventures of Princess Bean as she and her partners in crime manage to out-drink, somehow outwit, out-run, out-maneuver and attempt to stay out of trouble in some of the wildness adventures ever imagined.

Illustrated in the style of Matt Goering (similar to The Simpsons) the 3-volumes of bound slipcase wackiness also includes fun puzzles, character profiles, recipes, helpful schematics, instructional material, history snippets and much, much more.

I absolutely love the artwork, the hilarious dialogue, the off-the-wall humor, the coloring and the packaging: the whole shebang!

Titan Comics and Bapper Books have really outdone themselves with this funny, eye-pleasing, brain-teasing boxed set of lunacy.

Did I mention it comes with three, postage-card size pieces of colorful art?

Ephesians 4:32 - And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.

Creature Feature Creators

So you think you know everything there is to know about monster, horror, scary movies and TV shows from the 1940s to the 1970s?

Think again! In Creature Feature Creators by author Tom Weaver and published by McFarland & Company Inc., Publishers, contains conversations with the genre greats of the 1940s-1970s.

Learn all the classic films' and TV shows'  inside goodies, behind-the-scenes mayhem, actors, directors and production people gossip and so much more about classic horror films and TV shows guaranteed to scare your pants off.

From spoofs to bloody scream-fests get ready to discover the who, what, where, when, how and why of drive-in flicks, full-screen horror films and classic TV shows.

If you love to be scared be sure to pick up this book. It’s not easy to scare. Learn how it is done from the pros behind the shows and films accompanied by vintage black and white photos.

Proverbs 19:23 - The fear of the LORD tendeth to life: and he that hath it shall abide satisfied; he shall not be visited with evil.

Wolverine The First 50 Years

It all started with The Incredible Hulk #180 culminating in issue #182 during the Bronze Age of comic books.

Artist Herb Trimpe and writer Len Wein turned out what was just another Incredible Hulk tale for Marvel Comics.

When the Hulk and Wendigo come face-to-face in Canada the Canadian government sent in one of its’ most fierce agents to take them down. That agent, part of the Weapon X program, was Wolverine.

Originally Wolverine was a young man with razor sharp claws in his gloves. He was basically a throw away character with a costume designed by John Romita.

It wasn’t until Wolverine became part of The New X-Men team some time later that his popularity began to take off. When artist John Byrne took over the art chores for the X-Men Wolverine’s popularity exploded-due in part because, like Wolverine, John Byrne was Canadian.

As the decades passed Wolverine became the most popular member of The New X-Men, earned his own mini-series, then series and guest-star spots in almost (if not all) of Marvel Comics other comic book titles.

When The X-Men movie premiered in the year 2000 Wolverine emerged as the top draw and would go on to star in several solo films.

The feisty, 5 foot, 4 inch tall, with adamantium bones and claws, fast-healing ability and berzerker rage Wolverine continues to be one of Marvel Comics’ top characters going head-to-head with Spider-Man as #1,

In Titan Comics/Magazines’ Wolverine The First 50 Years book/magazine everyone’s favorite canucklehead’s comics, creators, allies, enemies and culture are examined accompanied by gorgeous full-color artwork by many of the comic book industry’s top talent such as Dave Cockrum, John Byrne, Jim Lee and many others.

Lots of facts and information about Wolverine are included along with comic book covers and interior art and so much more broken down by the decades.

Wolverine is by far my favorite Marvel Comics’ character. The only complaint I have is that I wish Marvel had never revealed his origin. I preferred not knowing. A little mystery makes the character even more interesting.

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.

Fashion Source Book

I like to draw the human figure. But, like with a lot of artists properly clothing figures can be challenging.

 

Research, photo reference, drawing from life and my imagination can be time-consuming, frustrating and taxing.

It’s a lot of work! So many clothing items, period costumes and traditional ethnic outfits to choose from.

If only someone would create a fashion book containing lots of clothing reference for a quick and convenient reference.

That’s exactly what author and artist Kathryn McKelvey and Wiley and Blackwell Publishing have accomplished with their Fashion Source Book Second Edition.

Clothing of all types for all ages, ethnic types, historical, contemporary and more are included in this large softback book.

Also included is a gallery of posed figures dressed in various outfits, sections on proportions by age, construction, accessories and a full glossary.

What an invaluable reference! What perfect timing! I just started a series of drawings and this book will be a big help.

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.

Adventure Into Fear With The Man-Thing #12

It’s hard not to giggle when anyone mentions Marvel Comics’ Man-Thing.  Eyebrows rise and the more prudent tend to shake their heads in disbelief.

It’s an honest reaction, but totally inappropriate.  Man-Thing refers to Marvels’ lumbering, barely intelligent muck monster with the touch that burns at the sign of fear. 

Writer Steve Gerber and artist Jim Starlin turn in a tale of racism and bigotry with a supernatural twist.

A black man is being ruthlessly hunted by a white sheriff.

His crime?  The sheriff resents the fact that black man is trying to make something of himself and worst of all dares to be friends with a white girl.

The chase is on in the nearby swamp.  The black man escapes into the swamp only to meet the Man-Thing.

Surprisingly the Man-Thing does nothing but follows the man through the swamp, even saving his life when a giant snake attacks him.

Things go from bad to worse when the sheriff shows up and kills the black man.  You can imagine what the Man-Thing does to the sheriff.

Adventure Into Fear With The Man-Thing #12 is definitely a comic book reflecting the times it was published in the 1970s.  Racism and prejudice still were very powerful in many parts of the United States.

While the story was over the top it did make a statement.

Sadly racism has become a hot topic in today's news.  Much of it is true but there are those that are using the subject to further their own agenda under the guise of protesting racism.

Looting, rioting, property destruction and dismantling police departments are not the answer.

If Martin Luther King, Jr. were alive today he would be shocked, dismayed and totally against some of the tactics used by today’s ‘protestors’.

Violence and hatred beget violence and hatred.  It’s time for cooler minds to prevail. Dialogues must be set up and realistic, practical, logical and permanent solutions must be established.

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