Thursday, October 31, 2013

Comics, Halloween and the Fear

     Hi everyone, hope all is well on this Halloween holiday.  Today I want to talk about something besides the spooky comics of this time of year, and believe me there are plenty.  House of Mystery, Chamber of Chills, Tower of Shadows, Tomb of Dracula and of course one of my favorites...The Witching Hour.  But these scary and spooky comics are indeed just the tip of the iceberg.

     But while many of us enjoy researching, reading and collecting these types of comics, there is a different kind of fear that all of us feel that has nothing to do with the four-color heroes fighting goblins and ghouls within the pages of my favorite hobby.  No, this fear is the fear we all feel upon awakening every morning from our nightly sleep.  It is the fear that our jobs may not be there when we arrive at work nor even the buildings and factories that house those same jobs.

     The fear continues beyond just the trick or treat intrusion on our doorsteps this holiday.  The fear goes beyond just the passing of candy on to our neighbors, but the passing on of our loved ones and the fear that we may not be able to care for them with the loss of income or even without that problem, as our loved ones begin to age beyond our ability to help.

     My point is, it's life that's scary, not little Sammy from down the street wearing a sheet over his head as his little sister, the six year old zombie Suzy, walks beside him, holding the bag of tooth-decaying bounty derived from almost every house on the block.

     But maybe that's why I think my hobby of comics is so important, because it's entertaining and it distracts us from all of our petty problems and for just a little while, makes us forget...the fear.
 

Monday, October 28, 2013

Halloween Invite

     Hi everyone, hope all is well.  I'm inviting all within the Lake County area to come to my presentation of Orson Welles' "War of the Worlds" radio broadcast from1938 that scared the nation.  I'll dress like Orson and approximate his mannerisms, while explaining behind the scene reasons and the hows and whys about how the nation fell for this unintended hoax.  Admission is free but a can of food for the food bank would be appreciated.  This will be held at Church of the Epiphany, on the corner of E. 210th st. and Lakeshore Blvd in Euclid  The show is from 7pm to 8pm and will include time for Q and A afterwards.

     Well take care all, and tomorrow we'll be back to talking comics and Halloween

Friday, October 25, 2013

Orson Welles and Comics

     Hi everyone, hope all is well, or in this case, hope all is Welles.  Yes, Orson has appeared in the comics before, most notably appearing in connection with his Martian radio hoax. 

     But on a related subject, I will be appearing as Orson Welles Tuesday, Oct. 29th at 7pm at the Church of the Epiphany at East 211th and Lakeshore Blvd.  I'll be talking about behind the scenes incidents concerning the program and re-creating some scenes as well as his career and the Shadow.  The show will go from 7pm to around 8pm including Q & A. It is free but one can of food would be appreciated for the food pantry for the needy.

     Take care and hope to see you next week and don't forget to adopt a comic today.

Tuesday, October 22, 2013

Nightime Comics

     Hi everyone, hope all is well.  I've been resting a lot lately, taking day time naps and such due to some more health glitches.  But when it comes time to go to sleep at night, I look for a good comic to help me approach the realm of Morpheus.

     And that's where the problems arise.  You see, all of my favorite comics I've already read a million times while some of my least favorite comics are my least favorite for a good reason.  So therein lies the rub.  What's a fella to do when he needs that perfect comic to enjoy right before bedtime.  I don't know about all of you out there, but I'm going to have to come up with some sort of system, dividing Marvel from DC, superhero from war and finally exciting from sleep inducing.  The things this hobby does to me, yikes!

     Take care and adopt a comic (that will help you sleep) book today.

Monday, October 14, 2013

Little Comics, Lotta Money

     Hi everyone, hope all is well.  Today's title has a double meaning really.  First off, I only had a few comics come in for me last week which usually means Yahoo, my pocketbook is intact this week.  And that can be great with all the specialty reprint books I order.  So my checkbook was quite happy this past week.

     The second meaning behind the title is a little frustrating because even though there were very few comics out this week, it still cost me a bundle.  Why?  Well one of the culprits was the wonderful current issue of Batman and his "year one" storyline.  It is indeed one of the best comics I've read in quite a few months, BUT...the darn comic cost SEVEN dollars (alright, actually 6.99, but you get the idea) and that really altered the curve on my spending habit this week.  So I guess what I'm saying is, concerning the cost of my favorite hobby...Comics: Don't Get Me Started!

     Take care and adopt (a reasonably priced) comic today.

Monday, October 7, 2013

Signing Fun

     Hi everyone, hope all is well.  Over the weekend, I signed some autographs at the Mayfield branch of the Cuyahoga County library.  Met a bunch of wonderful people that I will be talking about over the next few days, including my sixth grade English teacher from the signing I did earlier at the Willoughby Hill library a few weeks back.

     I met Erin and Colleen Garlock, enthusiastic editors of Gothic City Press (What's your Darkness?) find out more at info@gothiccitypress.com.  I also found a very cute book, "The Great American Cereal Book (How Breakfast got its Crunch)"  Call author Marty Gitlin at (440) 734-3270 for info and copies.

     Well, more over the next few days.  Take care and adopt a comic book today!

Wednesday, October 2, 2013

Another Book Signing

     Hi everyone, hope all is well.  I want to alert all of you out there following this blogsite, that I'll be appearing at the Cuyahoga County Library (brand new Mayfield branch) on Som Center road right over the Lake County line.

     Come on down between Noon-4pm this Saturday, October 5th and talk comics and books, Browns, Indians and anything else on your mind.

     Take care and adopt a comic book today.

Tuesday, October 1, 2013

More Badfinger Breaking Bad

     Hi everyone, hope all is well.  For anyone reading my last blog concerning the Breaking Bad finale containing the Badfinger song, "Baby Blue," I'm here today to tell you the connection that the English/Welsh pop/rock band from the early to mid 1970's that recorded on the Beatles' Apple Records label has with comics.

     It seems that Michael Chabon, the prize winning author who wrote about comics  (and now writes comics) in his novel, "The Adventures of Kavalier and Clay" is a huge Badfinger fan and I've seen him wearing one of their shirts recently.  Also, Alex Ross, the painter supreme of comic covers is also a big fan, even painting Badfinger's "No Dice" and "Straight Up" album in the pages of the ground breaking comic series, "Marvels."  In that comic series, Alex also painted band members, Pete Ham, Tommy Evans, Joey Molland and Mike Gibbons just walking down the street.  Now that's a fan...and a great band that will mow forever be linked with the television series..."Breaking Bad."

     Take care and adopt a comic book today.