DC Supergirl The Complete Series

Supergirl (Kara Zor-El) has always been one of my favorite characters of DC Comics.

The older cousin of Superman (Kal-El) Supergirl rocketed to earth the same time Kal-El was sent in a rocket ship by his parents to earth. She was tasked to look after her younger cousin.

Kal-El arrived first on the earth and grew up to be Clark Kent (Superman). Kara Zor-El’s spaceship was knocked off course into The Phantom Zone where she remained for 24 years where time stands still. 

Eventually she arrived after Kal-El was grown-up and had been Superman for a number of years.

Technically Supergirl is older than Superman. When she arrived on earth Superman took her under his wing and instructed her on how to use her super powers. He also helped her come up with an earth secret identity-that of Kara Danvers.

When the Supergirl series premiered on the CW Network I was anxious to see what they did with the character.

I was not disappointed. It closely followed her origin and developed her character over the six years the series was on the air.

She is recruited by her sister Alex, (whose family adopted her) to join the Department Of Extranormal Operations, headed by Hank Henshaw (The Martian Manhunter).

Over the course of the series Supergirl, her friends and associates encountered various alien beings (both good and bad) ultimately culminating in the Crisis On Infinite Earths mega-series crossover with other CW DC shows: Arrow, Batwoman, Flash and Legends Of Tomorrow where Superman is introduced along with the Monitor and other important DC characters.

During the run of the series Supergirl transforms from a naive young woman into a hardened and tough superheroine whom many believe is more powerful than Superman.

The Supergirl The Complete Series Blu-ray Collection includes all of the episodes from the series’ six-year run along with all five episodes of Crisis On Infinite Earth mega-series courtesy of Warner Bros./Discovery.

Colossians 3:20 (NKJV) “Children, obey your parents in all things, for this is well pleasing to the Lord.”

Penguins Huddle Up

Penguins-everyone loves penguins. Especially a bunch of them.  

There’s something adorable about the short, squat, tuxedo garbed, flightless birds that tugs at your heartstrings.

Waddling around, bumping into each other, slipping and sliding into the water-what’s not to love?

Get ready for some serious penguin fun, frivolity and challenge with Smart Games Penguins Huddle Up.

More than just a game Huddle Up challenges and educates players six years old and up with games made for two to four players.

Kids and adults alike can improve their spacial insight, planning, problem solving, concentration and visual perception skills.

Fun and learning combined-imagine that!

The sturdy game box comes with a Smart Games catalog, game instructions and rules (with two different difficulty levels), four penguin families (each with three large and three small penguins), six ice blocks (four straight and two curved) and a folding game board.

Save your penguins by moving them together for warmth Get your groups together, (while blocking other groups) and you win the game!

Junior Level players scatter the penguins across the board, move penguins closer together by jumping other penguins or diving under the ice and win when by getting their penguins together first.

Expert Level players must use the ice blocks so that all of a penguin groups members are at the same height and together.

A typical game lass 20 minutes. The action is fast, challenging and more fun than sliding on the ice.

Can you get your penguin family together first and stop the other families from getting the best warm spot?

Above or below the ice, jumping or moving the choice is yours. Your penguins are depending on you!

The game is beautifully designed with bright colors, heavy and durable construction of the board, ice and penguins, easy to understand and guaranteed to both challenge and delight players.

Psalm 1:1 (KJV) “Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.”

The Silver Surfer Limited Series #1 and #2

French fantasy artist extraordinaire Moebius and writer Stan Lee tell the tale of The Silver Surfer and his one-time master Galactus.

Galactus has once more returned to earth. The Silver Surfer is not far behind.

The Surfer confronts Galactus reminding him that he vowed never to bother the earth again.

Galactus tells him and the people of earth that he has returned to earth to save mankind.

He sets himself up as god and promises the people of the world that he will free them and bring about peace and prosperity to all.

Soon he has a legion of followers. The Surfer is not one of them and he sets out to prove that Galactus is lying.

As the story unfolds the Surfer and Galactus eventually fight each other and during the heat of the battle Galactus reveals his true plan-a plan the Surfer must make sure never reaches fruition.

Moebius turns in some of the best work of his career.  Stan Lee tells a tale quite unlike anything he has done before.

Over the Marvel Comics 2-issue Silver Surfer mini-series Lee expounds on the weaknesses and strengths of mankind and weaves a story much more in-depth and complicated than any tale he has written over the years.  It’s some of his best work.

Complex, intriguing and enlightening are but a few words that best describe this epic.

Proverbs 18:21 (KJV) “Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.”

Peanuts The Snoopy Collection

Way, way back in the early and mid-1960s the Peanuts comic strip, by Charles M. Schulz, was at the height of its popularity-as far as daily and Sunday comic strips were concerned.

It saw print in hundreds, if not thousands, of daily newspaper comics pages, both domestically and internationally.

The strip was so popular that a series of oversize Peanuts softbound books containing reprints of the strips were produced. All sold incredibly well and to this day are prized additions to any Peanuts fan’s collection.

The Peanuts strip would go to blossom into a merchandising empire and several TV specials. Peanuts fever swept across the world.

Titan Comics presents Peanuts The Snoopy Collection that includes three facsimile editions of those much sought-after books.

Included in the hard-case slipcover are Snoopy, Come Home, Snoopy and Sunday’s Fun Day, Charlie Brown.

Snoopy, Come Home contains the best daily strips from 1955 to 1962, Snoopy spotlights the best daily strips from 1955 to 1958 and Sunday’s Fun Day, Charlie Brown the best Sunday strips from 1962 to 1965.

All the strips are reproduced in black and white and the facsimile covers recreate the original run’s covers. Also included are three art cards reproducing the three book covers.

I had all of the original run of the 1960’s series. I only wish I still had them.

But, thanks to Titan Comics I can enjoy them once again.

Romans 12:2 (NKJV) “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”

Pioneers Of “B” Television

In the 1950s television was in its infancy. 

At first TV programs were broadcast on somewhat erratic schedules, with low production values and budgets and were mostly confined to small studios. Many were broadcast live.

As the popularity of TV grew more and more people bought TVs and soon families gathered around small TV screens to watch the next episode of their favorite TV series.

The first TV my family had was an RCA 9 inch.  The TV was inset in the cabinet and below it were speakers and small shelf hidden by two swinging doors. 

Often described as “The Golden Age Of TV” the 1950s witnessed a phenomenal growth.

Movie actors and actresses (along with directors and production personnel), who at first shunned TV, soon realized that TV audiences numbered in the millions.

They, along with vaudevillian and radio comedians, clamored to work on their own TV programs.

In Pioneers Of “B” Television, author Richard Irvin and publisher McFarland & Company, Inc. Publishers, take a serious and fascinating look at the independent producers, series and pilots of the 1950s.

Each producer, along with their TV series and pilots, have individual chapters dedicated to them.

Readers learn about how TV series were conceived and produced and the inner workings of TV networks and studios.

Every conceivable type of TV program is examined from Westerns to Crime Dramas. Along with each show description comes a list of the cast of characters, a synopsis of the program and much more.

Find out who was behind such it shows as The Lone Ranger, Sea Hunt, Highway Patrol and dozens more.

For an captivating and fascinating examination of early TV this book delivers on all counts.

Ephesians 3:20-21 (KJV) “Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.”

Gerrard Rivals Gods & Machines

Have you ever wondered who came up with the art for the creatures and character designs for such films as Hellboy, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Dungeon & Dragons and other fantasy and science fiction films?

 Here Gerrard has the uncanny talent and ability to combine organic and mechanical in his creature and character designs and make them totally believable.

From monsters, futuristic soldiers, demons, aliens to other frightening creations-all are given full page coverage.

The illustrations and paintings are steeped in shadows, rendered with palettes of flesh, steel and organic colors and are beautiful but disturbing.  

Also look for some original and never seen before creations.

Along with each painting/illustration are notes about them describing who or what they are and what they do.

The lush and beautiful hardbound Gerrard Rivals Gods & Machines book comes courtesy of Schiffer Publishing.

Printed on high gloss paper the enclosed paintings and illustrations colors are perfectly reproduced in all of their disturbing beauty.

Also included are a few prosthetic photos and a Q & A section. 

Romans 12:2 (NKJV) “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”

General Nathan Bedford Forrest

The Civil War Comes Alive!

Say what you will about America’s Civil War but there were some great men and leaders who fought for the Confederacy.

One of the all-time greats was General Nathan Bedford Forrest.   Known to be quiet and introspective, General Forrest had little time for cowards or bureaucracy.

His approach was direct, to the point and well thought out.  Both his men and fellow officers regarded him as a hard but fair leader.

Sideshow Collectibles created a General Forrest figure back in the early 2000s as part of its American Civil Brotherhood Of Arms Legendary Icons 12” Collection.

The 12-inch, fully articulated figure comes packaged in a flip lid box with bust archival photos of the general on its front and sides, color photos of the general figure on the back and informative and historical text on the back ad the inside back of the flap.

The figure and accessories are secure in a plastic form-fitting cocoon wit an additional plastic strap holding the figure in place.

A clear plastic sheet and a piece of tissue paper protect both the figure and accessories.

A circular base with a wire support comes with the figure for easy posing.  Articulation of the figure is varied to allow the figure to be posed in various stances wit no slippage or drooping.

Accessories include:

• 1860’s Light Calvary Saber & Scabbard: (The golden tip, leather grip sword slides easily in and out of the scabbard.)
• CS Saber Belt (Has a period piece gold buckle with CS engraved initials.)
• CS Officer’s Frock Coat (Twin rows of brass buttons, gold officer sleeve stripes and a high collar)
• Sky Blue Trousers
• Civilian Slouch Hat (Fits snug on the figure’s head.)
• Small Dark Brown Leather Bag With Tie
• Mounted Boots (Extend up to the knees with a creased flap so the legs can bend.)
• Binoculars & Binocular Case (Black binoculars fit into brown leather case that has a small buckle belt and leather shoulder strap.)
• 1851 Colt Navy Pistol & Holster (Silver revolver with wooden grip and holster with flap and snap.)
  

The figure and accessories are displayed in front of a Confederate flag.  I know that might offend some people but history is history and it’s best to learn from the past and not shun it.

The figure’s face is striking with its reflective brown eyes, heavy brow and eyebrows, dark brown hair that partially covers its ears and it predominate, slightly bulbous nose.

A full thick mustache and goatee frame the face and the varied flesh tone paint application makes the figure’s features look real despite their diminutive size.

The hands, although pre-positioned, easily hold the weapons and accessories with not slippage.

The clothing hangs realistically on the body with natural creases, folds and layers and does not bunch or bind when the figure is posed.

The figure and accessories are realistic as they come with careful attention to historical accuracy.  Overall it is an excellent figure complemented by  highly detailed weapons and accessories.

Job 19:25 (NKJV) “For I know that my Redeemer lives, And He shall stand at last on the earth;”

The Last Days Of MASH

 

The Most Watched TV Episode In History!

It had to happen.  The cast and crew wanted to go our while the show was still on top.  The decision was made that the 11th Season would be the show’s last.

When CBS aired the finale of M.A.S.H. (Goodbye/Farewell and Amen) is was (and is) the highest watched TV show in history (only recently beat by a Super Bowl several years back).

It is has been reported that when M.A.S.H. ended its final show that New York City experienced the highest use of water ever recorded.  The reason? Everyone used the bathroom at once having held his or her bladder until the show was over.

An interesting fact, the last showed filmed was not the finale.

The last episode saw the characters burying a time capsule commemorating their time in Korea.

Loretta Swit had the honor of saying the last line uttered in the series amidst hundreds of reported and visitors on the set of the show.

It was a huge event.  It’s hard to believe it occurred almost 40 years ago.

In The Last Days Of MASH, from The Unicorn Publishing House, Arlene and Alan Alda chronicle the event in word and photos.

The book provides an up close and personal recollection of the final days of the series.

Included are hand written notes, a final script breakdown and storyboard, behind the scene photos of the cast and crew, tributes and more.

If you love M.A.S.H. as much as I do then this book is a godsend and will be a cherished item.

Deuteronomy 31:6 (NIV) “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”

Iron Man #191 and #192

The original Iron Man is back, gray suit and all and this time its him against the new Iron Man.  What’s going on?  Find out in Marvel Comics Iron Man issues #191 and #192.

A lot happens in these issues.  Tony Stark has lost Stark Enterprises to Stane Industries, he’s just come off a binge of alcoholism and he’s given up being Iron Man.

James Rhodes has taken Tony’s place as the Golden Avenger and he’s acting very strange.

He’s reckless, rude, paranoid, self-absorbed and determined to stay Iron Man whatever the cost.

When the super villain Vibro returns to California and regains his powers he escapes his captors and sets out to destroy Iron Man.

Rhodes blasts off to take down Vibe and in the process his recklessness destroys private property and endangers civilians.

Tony Stark has no choice but to put on the Iron Man amour to stop him.
 
Tony may have stopped being Iron Man but he hasn’t stopped designing and creating armor.  His latest armor is a cobbled together piece of technology very similar to his first set of gray armor.

Tony manages to stop Vibe, which infuriated Rhodes who then attacks Tony.  The battle is epic to say the least and the outcome is questionable.

I’m surprised these two issues aren’t key issues.  Tony and James battling it out in Iron Man armor is no minor event.

Matthew 19:14 (KJV) “But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.”

Fantastic Four The First 60 Years: Comics, Creators, Characters, Culture

Sixty years ago I was a young boy. My mother and I were walking down a city street in Pontiac, Michigan. We were on our way to the Salvation Army store.

About a block away from the store was a sidewalk magazine and newspaper vendor.

Hanging from one side of his booth was wire comic book rack. I was at the ripe old age of nine and had been reading comic books (mostly DC and Harvey) since I was five years old.

While mom looked at the magazines I spotted a comic book that look completely different that the other titles.

On its cover was a quartet of people fighting a huge green monster breaking though a city street. Besides the monster there was a humanoid shaped, rocky, orange smaller monster. Upon looking closer I realized he was also a superhero. What!?

I asked my mom for a dime and purchased Fantastic Four #1, rolled it up and stuck it in my back pocket to read later.

I can hear the collective groan from comic book collectors everywhere. If I had known then what I know now I never would have mishandled the comic book.

Titan Magazines has just released Fantastic Four The First 60 Years: Comics, Creators, Characters, Culture, both as a softback and hardback magazine.

The publication traces the FF from the title’s genesis and the launch of the Marvel Comics Universe all through the decades up to the present time.

As a kid and young teenager my favorite FF stories took place in the 1960s with the introduction of such characters as Doctor Doom, Galactus, The Silver Surfer, The Black Panther, Moleman, The Inhumans and other incredible characters that helped form the fledgling Marvel Universe.

I marveled at the FF adventures into the Microverse, The Negative Zone, outer space, time travel and other incredible locations.

What made the titles so special was the interplay of the characters one to another. They often squabbled, broke up, disagreed, had personal problems, were emotional and most of all acted like real human beings not just cookie cutter superheroes.

Writer Stan Lee and artist Jack Kirby let their imaginations run wild as they created some of the most incredible stories ever devised for comic books.

From the FF Lee and Kirby, along with other Marvel artists and writers, would expand the Marvel Universe to include hundreds of characters, locations, storylines and more.

The magazine follows The Fantastic Four through the decades. Interesting and informative text filled with fascinating facts is accompanied by cover and interior art both in color and in black and white.

Key stories, events, character and story crossovers and special artist and writers spotlights fill out the issue.

If you are a Fantastic Four fan then this is the magazine for you. More than just containing pretty pictures the magazine elves into what makes the FF so special and its importance in the Marvel Universe and the history of comic books. 

Job 19:25 (NKJV) “For I know that my Redeemer lives, And He shall stand at last on the earth;”

Simon & Simon Season One

One Of The Best Classic TV Shows From The 1980s!

Back in the 1980s Thursday was TV night for my wife and I.

At 8:00 PM on Thursday nights Tom Selleck starred as super hunk Magnum. P.I.

At 9:00 PM, after Magnum, Simon & Simon ran.

It featured brother A.J. and Rick Simon who ran their own private detective agency in San Diego, California.  They were joined by their mother, A.J.‘s girlfriend, her father and Rick’s dog.  A.J. drove a classic 50s car and Rick a beat-up old pick-up truck.

The two brothers were polar opposites.

A.J. preferred suits, gourmet food and high-class living.  Rick was a Vietnam veteran, who wore a cowboy hat and boots, dressed mostly in denim and loved wine, women and song.

Though opposites, their combined talents proved an asset when solving cases.

Gerald McRaney played Rick and Jameson Parker portrayed A.J.  They clicked perfectly and you believed they were brothers.

The first season saw the series starting to define its theme music and opening and closing sequences.

It also witnessed the characters Rick and A.J.’s personalities and quirks being established and defined by the actors as well as that of the supporting cast.

It’s interesting watching the evolution of the characters, how their conflicting yet complementary personalities mesh and how the premise of the show was cemented.

Included with the Simon & Simon Season One DVD collection from Universal Studios is a special about the 1980s TV programs.

Joshua 1:9 (NIV) “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

The Silver Surfer #10

The Silver Surfer, Galactus, Nova, Eternity, The Celestials, The Fantastic Four, the Kree and Death-it doesn’t get much more epic or exciting than this!

In this issue Galactus requests that The Silver Surfer train his new herald Nova.

Reluctantly Nova agrees to go along, as does The Surfer.  After all The Silver Surfer and Galactus have never been on the best of terms.  The only reason The Silver Surfer agrees to the task is because Galactus freed him from his servitude.

As The Surfer and Nova prepare to depart Galactus assures Nova that he will be fine until she returns.

The Surfer bids Nova to pause, hide and to follow Galactus.  The Surfer wishes to show Nova what and who Galactus really is.

Galactus departs unaware he is being followed.  Shortly he meets up with Eternity and when he does so he sheds his human appearance and appears in his true form-a being of pure energy.  Nova is amazed and completely surprised by the revelation.

Meanwhile a Skrull masquerading as Nebula has taken the throne as Supreme Leader of the Kree.  It’s a subtle subterfuge and deadly to ‘his’ lover.

Elsewhere Galactus has changed into his human form and ponders the Eternity he must endure as he feeds.

Only one force has no fear of Galactus and that is Death itself.

WOW!  Marvel Comics The Silver Surfer #10 really expands on the persona of Galactus.  To me this issue contains one of the most important tales as it pertains to Galactus, The Silver Surfer and Galactus' other heralds.

2 Chronicles 7:14 (NKJV) “if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.”

Fantasy & Science Fiction #764, November/December 2022

 

We Baby Bears The Magical Box

Three Bears And A Box!

They’re cute, cuddly, adorable and adventurous.

Join Grizz, Panda and Ice Bear, the three We Baby Bears brothers as they seek adventure in their magical box.

The We Baby Bears The Magical Box DVD from Warner Bros/Discovery/CN follows the bear brothers as they seek to find their perfect home using their magical box.

Using the box the bears are transported to far away imaginary worlds such as the land of pinatas, deep under the sea or high above the earth via a giant beanstalk.

Twenty episodes follow the bears as they make new friends and foes, have incredible adventures and travel wherever their imaginations and the magical box will take them.

They:

• Discover fairies via a secret tunnel
• Build an igloo
• Meet an egg-loving giant
• Become pirates
• Find a house of meat
• ..and many more outrageous and amazing adventures

The animation is reminiscent of Anime, the characters are simple but distinct in their personalities, the voice talent is perfect and the stories are fun to watch-even for adults.

Don’t you wish you had a magical box?

22 – Proverbs 18:22 (NKJV) “He who finds a wife finds a good thing, And obtains favor from the Lord.”

Cut From Stone

The World Is In Peril!

The not too distant future...the world is split between the East and the West.

The BlankZone rules the East and the Federation the West.

Chaos ruled the BlankZone for years and then suddenly things change. Somehow, someway they assembled a huge military force-a force determined to take over the west.

The Federation reinstates the draft for 17 years old and up and prepares for war.

High school student James suddenly finds himself in the military and being trained as a part of an elite group of highly specialized, elite human weapons.

After weeks of strenuous and intense training the group finds themselves stationed in an peaceful city. But why?

As James and his fellow soldiers begin to piece the puzzle together they discover a shocking truth.

Cut From Stone, by author Brendan O-Meara and self-published, follows James from his initial days as a raw recruit to his final transformation as a lethal killer, commando and leader.

He and a small band of fellow teens who survived and excelled in their training must take up the gauntlet to save the Federation.

But, can their training save them despite their lingering questions and concerns?

Cut From Stone delves into what happens to a person indoctrinated into the military and transformed into part of a unit where every action can mean life or death to their fellow soldiers and to civilians alike.

Luke 6:45 (NKJV) “A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.”