Mathematics An Illustrated History Of Numbers

Mathematics has never been a strength of mine.  I barely made it through Algebra in high school.  Today if I can stumble my way through addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, fractions and percentages I consider myself fortunate.

On the other hand my wife is a mathematics whiz.  She has the ability to figure things out in her head with numbers that is amazing.  Needless to say she does the books in our household.

Shelter Harbor Press have just released the first its new series of Ponderables books: Mathematics An Illustrated History Of Numbers, edited by Tom Jackson.

The oversize hard bound book contains a history of mathematics chronicling the 100 Breakthroughs That Changed History and Who Did What When. Colorful graphs, art, photos and charts trace mathematics back to its earliest sources and follow the progression of what many consider more an art than a science.

Numbers have always blurred the line between imagination and fact.  If you ever meet a high level mathematician you’ll soon realize that they possess endless imagination, a talent for looking past the obvious and for thinking literally ‘outside the box.’

Even though I am mathematically challenged I can’t help but be fascinated by the history of math and those who pioneered its many facets.

Included in the book are bios of great mathematicians along with a large fold-out poster of the Timeline History Of Mathematics.  

The Ponderables series of books looks promising, educational and enlightening.

Batman The Dark Knight Returns Part 1

Back in the mid-1980s writer/artist Frank Miller was just coming off a successful run of Marvel Comics' Daredevil series and the Ronin mini-series from DC Comics.

DC Comics handed the keys to its Batman character to Frank who then created the critically acclaimed Batman The Dark Knight Returns mini-series.

In the series Miller introduced readers to an aged Bruce Wayne who had hung up his Batman cowl ten years previously.  Now in his 50s Bruce has watched his beloved Gotham City plunge into despair as a new criminal group, the Mutants, run rampant in the city, leaving mayhem, murder and destruction in its wake.

Lead by their bear-like Mutant Leader, the Mutants have brought Gotham City to its knees.
No longer able to subdue his Batman persona. Bruce once again dons a cowl and cape and tackles the new 'rehabilitated Two-Face and then the Mutants.

Along the way his return inspires a young girl to take up the mantle of Robin.  When Batman is nearly killed by the leader of the Mutants, Robin rescues him and in return is brought to the Batcave and made Batman's new ward.

Together they hatch a plan to take on the Mutant's leader and to humiliate him in front of his followers.  Their plan works, but, the comatose Joker revives and sets up the second part of the Blu-ray/DVD/Ultraviolet series from Warner Bros.

I was a little skeptical about the series being translated to an animated film but I need not have worried. While a few necessary changes were made to the story to accommodate its new format, the soul of the story survives and the art is a fine visual tribute to Miller's style.

Included in the set are some killer extras such as: a Digital Comic of the ground-breaking comic, featurettes on the new Robin and Bob Kane (the creator of Batman), a preview of part 2, and two bonus cartoons.   

Think Like A Shark

It's a real pity that my local newspaper doesn't carry Sherman's Lagoon.  It is one of my favorite comic strips and just when I feel like I need a Sherman hit, Andrews McMeel Publishing comes out with a new collection of Sherman's Lagoon daily and Sunday comic strips.

Sherman's Lagoon's creator/writer/artist Jim Toomey is a genius when it comes to visual and verbal gags. Who would ever of thought that a comic strip about a shark, his wife and aquatic friends would make a funny strip? But it does-and how! 

This time around Sherman the shark and his co-characters tackle mayoral politics, reality TV, interior design, paintball and all sorts of other ridiculous and outrageous situations and shenanigans.

For a good belly-laugh be sure to pick up the latest Sherman's Lagoon collection: Think Like A Shark: Avoiding A Porpoise-Driven Life.

Paul Simon Live In New York City

In 2011 Paul Simon performed a memorable concert in New York City that featured both old and new hits from the famous singer/songwriter.

Concord Music Group proudly presents Paul Simon Live In New York City on one DVD, two CD combination package that lets music lovers both watch and listen to Paul's concert anytime they want.

I've been a fan of Paul Simon's music ever since his early days singing with his best friend Art Garfunkel as Simon and Garfunkel.

The DVD/CD combo shows Paul at his best and proves that he still has what it takes to perform a killer concert.  With his backup musicians and singers Paul delivers a strong concert with lots of music style variations and clean, crisp vocals.

No longer a young man he still maintains his energy and presence on stage.  His hair is almost all white and he's a little more wrinkled in the face but he still looks remarkably the same as he did nearly 50 years ago when he first started his career.

It's a great concert album that proves that yesterday's superstars of music still have a lot to offer and can show the younger generation what making music is all about.

Fangoria #317, October

Fangoria presents its Giant Halloween Issue, meet the Class of 1982 with 30 years of shock and Barbara Crampton explores the macabre mind of Stuart Gordon.

One hundred pages of printed horror await readers with lots of new movies in Monster Invasion, a DVD Chopping List and the Video-ed Dead.

Visit the House At the End Of The Street, chill out with Hypothermia, witness the Child Of Fright and beware of Sinister Urges.  Don't play with Dolls, check out the free posters, The Lady Of The House is in and The Devil (and Dino) Made Him Do It!

The Mask Factor plays out, stand up Alone Against The Maniacs and Class is Dismembered.

Iron Man Armored adventures Season 2 Volume 2.

Join the Armored Avenger as teenagers Tony Stark, Pepper Potts and James Rhodes take on the bad guys in the all-new Iron Man Armored adventures.

This time around Iron Man faces Doctor Doom, Titanium Man, Iron Monger and other dastardly armored adversaries.

S.H.I.E.L.D. makes an appearance along with Black Widow and Hawkeye while Tony continues his fight to insure that the Iron Man technology does not fall into criminal hands.

Featuring the best in computer animation, the new Iron Man Armored Adventure series is a big hit with Shell Head fans.

Included on the DVD set are an art Gallery and more from Vivendi Entertainment.

Hawaii Five-O The Second Season

When the new Hawaii Five-O series premiered on CBS I wasn’t sure how I would react.  After all I was raised watching the original series starring Jack Lord as Steve McGarrett.

I decided to take a chance and watch the new show and after the first episode I was hooked. 

The new series maintains the essence and spirit of the old show but with a new modern twist.  

  

McGarrett is as tough and wily as ever and his fellow officers just as dedicated and rough.  The scenery is even more gorgeous especially since it is broadcast in HD and the stories all are edge-of-you-seat thrillers guaranteed to set your heart pounding.

This contemporary reinvention of a classic TV series is packed with incredible stunts, fast car chases, lots of gunplay and fights and best of all interesting interactions between the characters and bad guys.

The Second Season ramps up the excitement introduced by the First Season and it’s easy to see that the actors have got comfortable in their roles.

A clever use of Hawaiian names for each episode pulls viewers in.  Translated, some of the episodes are Treasure, Sacred Bones, Gone Forever, Out of the Past and many more.  Look for a few surprises this season and some cool extras in the Blu-ray set including the story of Hawaii Five-O, a look at Season 2, a crossover episode with NCIS: Los Angeles, a Gag Reel, what it takes to be a Navy Seal and deleted scenes courtesy of Paramount.

Steed And Mrs. Peel #0

I am so excited!  After the success of Boom! Studio’s Steed And Mrs. Peel mini-series Boom! has continued the quirky British spy series adaptation as a regular monthly series.

The Avengers starred dapper John Steed and the dynamic Mrs. Emma Peel as two-British Secret Service agents during the 1960s.  The show was known for its unusual and often outrageous plots and memorable sets and costumes.

With its dry sense of humor, intriguing plots and over the top situations (all performed tongue-in-cheek) the series was a big international hit.

One of the stories involved the Hellfire Club (the inspiration for the club by the same name in Marvel Comics’ X-Men series).

In issue #0 of the new comic book series a newly revived and revised Hellfire Club is back and this time it has its mission firmly placed in the future.  When Steed and Peel go to investigate they encounter robotic women, advanced technology and the new head of the organization.

When Steed gets a face full of aging dust, Mrs. Peel doffs a robotic disguise and both discover the secret behind the new Hellfire Club.  What fun!

Writer Mark Waid (a big Avengers fan) and artist Steve Bryant bring back the Avengers in style.  Be sure to check out the Hellfire Club cover fashioned after the famous X-Men cover.  A tribute of a tribute!