Step Aside, Pops: A Hark! A Vagrant Collection

I really enjoyed Kate Beaton's first collection of Hark! A Vagrant cartoons. Her web comic, that tackles everything from feminism to Greek mythology, Victorian era holiday decorations to comic books, is extremely funny. It's also very, very smart. 

You don't have to have a college education to enjoy Hark! A Vagrant. But it sure doesn't hurt. Beaton's sense of humor is on par with that of Dan Piraro's Bizarro. Just add college credits to the mix. There's also a touch of the unexpected, similar to Gary Larson's The Far Side. Only, up the age rating to PG-13. 

This volume added a neat premise in where Beaton took classic images and expounded on what really was going on. Haven't you always wondered just what the heck was Nancy Drew doing on all her covers? You'll finally get your answer in this book.

One thing that I was disappointed in was the quality of some of the artwork. There was a lot of which looked like rough sketches. I'm not sure if Kate Beaton was trying to add some sketchbook extras to the book or if this is how some of her web comics really looked. I know it's been a while since I read the first collection; but I do not remember there being so many these hastily produced-looking pieces in it.

One more thing. It's not really a negative but a suggestion. If there is to ever be a volume 3, either Beaton or her editors should change how some pages are presented. Typically when a new subject comes about, the title is at the top. There's then one or two cartoons in the middle of the page. Then at the very bottom are notes from the cartoonist about her inspiration for the jokes. Sometimes, there is also some very important back story that is lost if you don't go to those notes first. 

Might I suggest for the next book putting those note before the cartoons? It would make for a smoother transition. Plus, reading those notes first help with understanding the punchlines better. As much as I might know of Wuthering Heights and the Fall of Troy, I also haven't read up so much on the life of Doctor Sara Josephine Baker. So some context in the right place is much needed.

I laughed out loud at several of these. I'm still laughing at one of them everytime I think of it. Some of the strips went right over my head. But, that's comedy. Step Aside, Pops was a delight to read and I can't wait until there will be another volume! 

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.

Aquaman (2018)

I closed out 2018 going to see the latest superhero flick, Aquaman. Starring Jason Momoa, it really felt like DC now has a working man's hero to look up to. Momoa's Arthur Curry is rude, crude, brash but he also possesses a deep sense of justice and honor.

Aquaman is the story of the bastard son of Atlantis. The spawn of a human male and Atlantean princess, Arthur Curry learns at a young age that he can communicate with fish. Early in Arthur's life, his family home is threatened by members of the royal guard. To save her half-breed child from execution, Arthur's mother Atlanna, played by Nicole Kidman, returns to Atlantis to submit to her forced role as wife and Queen in an arranged marriage.

Thanks to secret training sessions by a loyal member of Atlanna's, as Arthur matures, he learns to fight and defend himself. But the young man has no desire of becoming king. Instead, Arthur drinks, fights, and saves submarines from underwater pirates. 

Of course, you know that Arthur is going to become motivated to accept his destiny and become the true king of Atlantis. The job currently is held by Aquaman's half-brother Orm (Patrick Wilson). As ruthless as his father, Orm seeks to become the undisputed ruler of the Seven Seas, known as the Ocean Master. Should he obtain the backing of the other realms of the deep, Orm can mount his long-desired war on the surface dwellers. 

To challenge Orm's claim on the throne, Arthur must go on a global quest for a missing trident. Aiding him in this quest is Orm's betrothed Mera (Amber Heard). Along the way, the pair will run afoul of villains, monsters and ancient wonders. There might even be a little romance on tap...

There's basically two movies in this 2 hour and 20 minute picture. The first half of the film, as Arthur learns more of his Atlantean heritage, is a visually stunning masterpiece. The special effects kick the butt of both 2017's Justice League and anything Marvel put out this year. The costumes, which utilize sea life to the literal gills, were also quite stunning. 

Aquaman should receive some Oscar nods for both FX and costume design. It had such a classic and yet futuristic at the same time. That first half set primarily in Atlantis, reminded me of an underwater Blade Runner. If the movie had stopped at the middle mark, I would have no qualms with the overall quality of the film. While the second half was good, it wasn't as great as the beginning. 

The main issue with Aquaman's second half is that what Arthur must do to defeat his brother seems like a deep-sea Indiana Jones movie. Unfortunately, that entire mission is laid out in a speech by one of the characters within the opening half hour of the movie. So much of the last hour or so of film was quite predictable. And with about 30 minutes left in the movie, I actually found myself getting disgusted with the predictable nature of superhero films. I'm also getting tired of the slow-mo action scenes, which DC films can't seem to break away from.

This doesn't mean that Warner Bros. doesn't have a winner in Aquaman. This film surpasses Justice League and one main reason is Jason Momoa. He was the most interesting character in Justice League and he doesn't disappoint in the least. In fact, the character of Arthur is a lot like Mike Myers' ogre, Shrek. You think he's going to be this redneck kind of character. Yet by movie's end, he becomes an onion. His character has layers!!!

Aquaman overthrows Justice League as well in that this movie has much better villains. Along with Orm, fans are also treated to Yahya Abdul-Mateen II's Black Manta. There's an interesting Dread Pirate Robert's spin to Manta, who in my opinion has always been Aquaman's arch-enemy; not Orm! 

Here's my pros and cons with Aquaman. While a large chunk of the film is predictable and set out in front of the audience, it was an enjoyable watch. The acting was great and the villains were tons better than the overly CGI'd Steppenwolf of Justice League. The movie is total eye candy, but if you have vertigo, you'll need to bring a barf bucket with you. Between complete 360 degree chase scenes to the slower than snail pace martial arts, it will make you woozy.

Above all, Aquaman did something that I don't think very many comic book films have ever done: been extremely faithful to the comic books. True, Jason Momoa doesn't look like Mort Wessinger's blonde torpedo. But the costumes look perfect. The storyline is near flawless to the many Aquaman tales I've read. Plus, if you loved Aquaman's sonar ripples when he talked to fish on Super Friends, you will cheer by movie's end! 

Making me hopeful for what Warner Bros. has in store next year with Shazam and Wonder Woman 1984, Aquaman is proof there can still be great films about DC Comics characters getting made in today's Hollywood.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.

Justice League: No Justice

In defeating Barbatos and his Dark Multiverse minions, The Justice League broke the Source Wall. Now whatever the wall was trying to keep out of our universe is invading. First through the wall are four Titans that feed on the energies of Mystery, Wisdom, Wonder and Entropy. The first target of these ancients menaces is Brainiac's home world of Colu. 

Seeking assistance to prevent his world's destruction, Brainiac forms four teams of heroes and villains. To ensure that all will work together, the Superman foe has planted beacons that will make their worlds the next target of the Titans of old. Should these teams fail and Colu is destroyed, Earth designated next on the menu.

When I first read the teaser for this miniseries in the pages of DC Nation #0, I was extremely confused. Why do aliens such as Sinestro, Lobo and Starro even care to save Colu or Earth. Why is Harley Quinn on Team Wisdom? How did the Source Wall get damaged? 

That last one was my fault as I hadn't read Dark Nights: Metal yet. But once I did, that aspect of my confusion was cleared. But I still did not understand why Superman would be on Team Mystery and not Batman. Heck, a lot of things that happened in DC Comics in the last half of 2018 didn't make any sense to me. 

Why is Wonder Woman teaming with Justice League Dark? Why is hypertime dying? And what's with this team of heroes such as Cyborg and Starfire teaming with Darkseid in space? All of these questions are answered thanks to the events of this limited series. There's actually quite a few more surprises, but to expound any further would ruin a bunch of spoilers for fans excited for DC 2019. All I will say is this possible hint: The clock is rushing to midnight.

For a lot of fans, the second act of Metal was the best storyline of 2018 for DC Comics. Yet to me, No Justice is the defining storyline of all 2018 comicdom! While I did feel that a couple of characters contributed absolutely nothing to the storyline, I was in awe of the ubiquitous nature of this book. Plus it was incredibly refreshing to have a CRISIS type story be played out in so few issues and with relatively so few players (for this type of DC tale.)

Featuring an all-star cast of writers and artists including Scott Snyder, James Tynion IV, Marcus To, and Francis Manapul. This collection of the Justice League: No Justice storyline was jammed packed to the gills with the very best the Distinguished Competitor has to offer!

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 10 out of 10 stars.

Spider-Man and the Fantastic Four: Silver Rage

Upon a chance encounter with the Impossible Man, Spider-Man runs afoul a mysterious alien scientist who sets up residence in Central Park. Resulting in the seemingly thought impossible death of the Impossible Man, the alien menace establishes protocols that begin fusing the people of Earth with a never before encountered race of cosmic parasites. 

Needing help, Spider-Man seeks out the Fantastic Four. Having defeated cosmic threat like Galactus and Blastaar, The First Family of the Marvel Universe have experience with this sort of thing. But as the fusion of humans and parasites seem permanent, Mr. Fantastic decides to go on a search of the universe for answers on how to defeat this joining. 

As the FF are now three, Spider-Man finally gets his dream chance of becoming the team's fourth. But something seems to be wrong with the wall-crawler. Is he succumbing to these parasitic beings? Or is there something a little more sinister behind his malady? Help might only be forthcoming in the one person least expected- Doctor Doom!

A chance find on the new shelf at my local library, I had no prior knowledge of this 2007 story. Written by Jeff Parker (Batman '66), this story is rated all-ages. But I didn't feel that the action and adventure was watered down in any way. I never even saw what the rating of this book was until after I finished this book. What I am saying is that Spider-Man and the Fantastic Four: Silver Rage doesn't feel like an all-ages tale. 

Around this time of this limited series original publication, Marvel was publishing a series of all-ages comics under the banner of Marvel Adventures. While I am a huge fan of these books, you can tell that they are written for both young and older readers to enjoy without anything offensive. There's nothing tell-tell about the universal age recommendation to this four chapter book! 

I also adored the artwork. Penciled by the late Mike Wieringo, there's a quirky appeal to this book. 'Ringo, as he liked to refer to himself when signing autographs, had a timeless style that was super-fluid. It works amazingly well as Mr. Fantastic, Spidey and the Impossible Man are all characters that seem the be triple-jointed. A national art treasure, Wieringo is yet another artist who left us too soon!

An exciting Fantastic Four and Spider-Man team-up filled with tons of cameos and levels of drama, excitement and physics! This is an underrated read that needs a second look.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.

Adventures in Cartooning: Christmas Special

This book came out in 2012. I have literally waited 6 years to read this book by James Sturm (The Golem's Mighty Swing). Every year I try to get my hands on my library's copy. Yet it's always checked out and on backlog. By the time it's finally up for grabs, it's the middle of January and I have to wait another holiday season for my chance! Well, 2018 was the year I got lucky. 

I really enjoy the Adventures in Cartooning series. This all-ages read entertains while teaching about the ins and outs of the cartooning and comic book industry. The series is hosted by the Magic Cartooning Elf. Naturally, when you have an elf host, you have to team him up with Santa Claus and do a holiday special. Joining the adventure is Elf's buddy, The Knight. 

In this special, which takes place at the North Pole, everyone is compelled to rhyme. That drives The Knight crazy. But as she and the Magic Cartooning Elf helps Santa create a special comic book to give to all the girls and boys of the world (Not just the good ones!), Knight just can't help but to break out in verse as well. 

Oh, and of course, if you have a Knight, you've got to have a dragon! 

One of my favorite things about the Adventures in Cartooning series is that it has activities that invite readers to create their own comic books. Usually, the volumes are jammed pack with activities. The Christmas edition only has one mission for aspiring cartoonists and comic book writers to do. 

The other books in the series seem a little more educational. Maybe it's because it's Christmas that this book is more 'for fun' that the rest of the Adventures. It's not very surprising if that is the case as other educational franchises tend to entertain instead of educate. Sesame Street is a prime example of this, as it seems every one of their Christmas specials is 'dumbed down' for the holidays.

Despite not following the formula of it's predecessors, The Adventures in Cartooning: Christmas Special was a treat. The lone activity seemed lots of fun to do. The characters were true to themselves. Plus, there were ample amounts of humor peppered throughout. 

Was it was worth the wait? You betcha! Though I would recommend the other books in the series first to a parent with a child expressing interest in getting into the art and comics industries.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.

Marvel Action: Avengers #1 (Family Comic Friday)

Welcome to the very last Family Comic Friday of 2018! We’re going to wrap up the year with a title that has been long awaited for many months and it’s sure to make some of you dear readers heads spin. It’s Marvel Action: Avengers #1 by IDW Publishing!

Marvel Action:  Avengers #1
Written by Matthew K. Manning
Art by Jon Sommariva
Colors by PROTOBUNKER
Published by IDW Publishing

Now, I am sure many of you are wondering: ‘Why is IDW Publishing doing an Avengers series?’ That’s a very good question. There’s the official answer and there’s the answer that many fans are speculating about and feel that Disney doesn’t have the courage to confirm. Officially, Marvel is out-letting a series of all-ages Marvel titles as the publisher is mega-swamped with it’s vast line of teen, teen plus and mature titles. But from fan reports on social media, many believe the reason why Dark Horse and IDW are receiving the rights to do all-ages Marvel, Star Wars and Disney Comics is because the House of Mouse is really unhappy with the quality of comic book being put out by the House of Ideas at the moment.

I like to think that it’s a little of both. Marvel Comics has countless books being produced every month. Plus, 2018 was not a great year for Marvel with a number of titles being cancelled due to poor sales. Also, Disney has a strict code for how they want their family friendly properties to be crafted. Reportedly, Marvel has refused to adopt these standards in many of their all-ages books. As a result, 2017's controversial firing of EIC Axel Alonso, and the equally controversial hiring of C.B. Cebulski have not helped matters much either.

Marvel Comics is really hoping for a great 2019. There’s plans to retool the history of the entire Marvel Universe. Plus, thanks to the upcoming slate of Marvel films and Star Wars IX, the publisher has extensive plans to release a tidal wave of new comics based on heroes and villains such as Captain Marvel and Kylo Ren. Thus outsourcing some material to other publishers should help Marvel refocus and hopefully, re-invigorate, their flagship titles which have seen better days.

Marvel Adventures: Avengers #1 was proof that the all-ages look at the Marvel Universe is in good hands. The story by Matthew K. Manning (Batman/ Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Adventures) was very well crafted. Agents of A.I.M. seek a way to steal Tony Stark’s Iron Man armor while Captain America leads a team against Madame Masque and her henchmen.

But it was the banter between characters that really won me over. Tony Stark sounded so much like Disney XD’s Avengers voice actor Adrian Pasdar. Then there was the over-exuberance of Thor and how he delights in combat.

The only thing missing was Hulk egging the Norse god on. Speaking of which, where is Greenie anyways? He was on the cover and several variants! But he’s noticeably absent here! Maybe Hulk will pop up in issue #2.

The artwork of Jon Sommariva (Star Wars Adventures) was also very good. Each Avenger has his own individual look and style. Okay, those eyes are goofy looking. But those action scenes are so fluid. There’s no cookie-cutter artwork in this book; that is for sure!

I mentioned earlier issue #2. That’s what you are going to have to pick up to find out what happens next as issue #1 ends in a cliffhanger. That aspect right there is pretty much the only thing IDW did wrong with this all-ages title. I’ve said it again and again- if publishers want the next generation of comic book readers, they have got to stop doing multi-part story arcs.

Young readers don’t always have the chance to go to the comic book store every week, much less a regular monthly basis. So, if you release a book that requires 4 weeks of waiting to find out what happens, you are going to lose readers. Some won’t be able to make it in when the next issue drops. And some readers are going to forget and lose interest. At least by having a self-contained story in one issue, you give a young reader a satisfying ending. It will also help to build a rapport with readers that all-in-one excitement awaits them the next time they get to frequent a comics shop.

Another thing that is going to hurt sales with this book is it’s lack of presence on digital platforms. As of press time for this book, I cannot find Marvel Action: Avengers on any digital comics site. That doesn’t mean that it will not show up. But for now, this title is available only in print. So fans will have to either make a trip to their LCS or order a copy online from IDW or another comics website.

A great read with amazing art, Marvel Action: Avengers is sure to thrill just as companion titles Spider-Man and Black Panther (both dropping in January) are sure to do. But in order to fully reach young readers, stories need to be contained to just one issue. And as much as I hate to say it, these titles need to readily be accessed online.

Marvel Action Avengers #1 debuted in print on December 26th, 2018.

Worth Consuming:

Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.

Mickey and Donald Christmas Parade #4 (2018)

An adorable collection of stories starring Mickey, Donald and more of your favorite Disney characters. 

Highlights include:

• While doing some last minute Christmas shopping, Mickey finds a magic coat that starts spitting out tens and twenties.
• Donald challenges his nephews to the ultimate snow ball fight.
• It's Christmas Eve and the Beagle Boys escape from prison once again. Instead of downtown Duckburg, the crooks wind up in Wonderland!

I really, really enjoyed the Wonderland story. I just recently finished reading IDW's Disney's Christmas Classics which is comprised of dozens of rare holiday crossover stories involving Peter Pan, Snow White and many more favorites. Alice and her Wonderland cronies were not a part of that amazing series. So, this was a fun treat, especially as Alice is one of my two all-time favorite Disney films.

Once again all of the stories are taken from Disney comic mags from across the globe. The artwork is classic and very visually stunning. And I think that the translators of these stories from their original language into English are getting better. I saw one awkward misstep but overall, the language barrier and lost in translation factors in previous IDW Disney specials is getting few and far between.

One thing I noticed and if any of my readers can explain this curiosity, I would appreciate it. I've noticed that dogs are the dominant species in these stories. I am not talking Pluto, walking on all fours dogs. I mean Goofy on only two legs pups. I'm going to say that these characters are beagles as the all look like the Beagle Boys. With exception of main characters, like Uncle Scrooge or Daisy, all of the minor characters are dogs. Why is that?

A very fun Christmas special that was a trip back to the classic days of Disney. 

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.

Season's Beatings #1

X-Force, Spider-Men Miles Morales and Peter Parker, Squirrel Girl and the West Coast Avengers join Deadpool in this 2018 holiday comic. While it has elements of Run Lola Run and The Usual Suspects throughout the plot, this was another festive fail on Marvel's part this year.

The Spider-Men story starts great and then gets jumbled when the two Spidey's meet. It has a great ending however. 

The Squirrel Girl yarn was flat out perfect as she deals with Doctor Doom on a Latverian Christmas Eve. 

The West Coast Avengers story was horrid. It's got the Kate Bishop trying to solve the murder of a mall Santa. If she was doing the work on her own, it would be fine. Having Clint Barton on hand would have been ideal. Instead, Katie has some annoying purple haired mutant helping, hindering, and it was the biggest steaming pile of crap.

Then we have the framing story which involves Deadpool and X-Force. Deadpool by himself is very funny as usual. But X-Force are freakin' confusing as all get out. And once Wade Wilson and Cable's squad get together, it's like a very bad rendition of Who's On First?

The entire book is written by Winter Solider and Spider-Gwen's Jason Latour. I think if Latour had focused on characters that he's got experience writing about, this book would have been great. Or if Marvel had a different writer for each story. Instead, the entire book felt very uneven. 

Then there's the art. As I have mentioned in several posts, Marvel has gotten some flak on the lack of quality in the art. This holiday comic is no exception. The Spider-Men tale was a pale imitation of the great Darwyn Cooke at best. And I've never seen Deadpool look worse and that's saying something. At least whomever did the Squirrel Girl art was on point in this special. As I said, that one tale was flawless.

I'm not sure what Marvel was thinking this year. The Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur Christmas themed issue was great. But the two stand-alone holiday specials just weren't all that great. The House of Ideas has fallen into disrepair and the publisher is going to have to do something to fix things quick in 2019. It's no wonder Disney doesn't trust Marvel with it's more family friendly properties; subletting to Dark Horse and IDW instead.

Rating: 5 out of 10 stars.

Armchair Digest: Christmas Unwrapped

It's actually taken me a full scale year to read this book. At 320 pages, you would think that I would have no trouble finishing that collection of short articles about the holiday season in a single holiday season. Well, I actually did pretty well. I got to about page 290 and then I got sick. Really, really sick. 

It was by far the worst flu I had ever gotten in my life. Last year, a terrible bug was floating around my in-laws. Thankfully, I got home from St. Louis before it hit. But when it did, I couldn't eat solid food for over a week. And I sure didn't feel like reading anything, including comic books!

By the time I was back to normal, I was no longer in the Christmas spirit. So I decided to hold off on finishing this book until the 2018 holiday season. Which I finally did last night. 

From reports on how the holidays are celebrated worldwide to reviews of classic Christmas tales to quizzes on customs and tradition, if it's pertaining to the events leading up to December 25th, it more than likely is in this book. Why there's more in this book about Santa Claus that all of the Rankin/Bass specials combined. 

I found this Yule Tide treasury at Ollie's literal pennies on the dollar last year. It was the only copy I saw there but it called out to me. If you are an avid reader of bathroom readers and a fan of Christmas, this is the ultimate collection of facts and trivia for you! A very good read though I felt that the recipes and tips on making arts and crafts needed to be a little more refined in terms of being user friendly.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #89

Things have literally crumbled for Master Splinter. It's Christmas Eve and on what is typically a very festive night, the family is solemn and separate.Though he now has control of the Foot Clan, Splinter's relationship with his sons, The Turtles, has been damaged, possibly beyond repair. April has gone into hiding.  An ally has died and none feel like celebrating. Everything seems to be balanced on the edge of a knife. Enter the ghost of Splinter and three other spirits who show Splinter scenes of the past, present and future in hopes of changing the ninja master's fate. 

I was both greatly intrigued and disappointed by this comic. First of all, the solicitations for this book talk greatly of the Dicken's A Christmas Carol plot device. In 1990-91, during a reissue of the Michelangelo Christmas Special, an all-new story was added. It too was done like A Christmas Carol. So, I was interested to know if that tale was being reprinted in this issue or not. 

It was not!

Thus, my disappointment. It is not that I am unhappy that the story has not been re-released. What I am not pleased with is that a different kind of storyline couldn't have been used. Yes, it has been about 30 years since the original TMNT Christmas Carol story was done. But couldn't co-creator Kevin Eastman and Tom Waltz have borrowed from something else to be original? It's a Wonderful Life would have worked here. Maybe even The Gift of the Magi or even an all-new take on the holidays would have been better than reusing that same old storyline...

This book came out like a week ago or so. I've heard from a couple of fans that they were disappointed in this issue. As I've not really been up-to-date on the current Turtles, I don't really know what I have been missing and such. But I have heard that this story does little to move the action. Since the writers at the end of this book ever say that this Christmas tale was meant to act as a pause in the drama, I would have to agree. 

This issue wasn't awful. There was some festive moments. And since Splinter's previous life as Hamato Yoshi takes place in feudal Japan, in which Christmas was a non-entity at that time, it was refreshing to have a look at a non-Christmas past. The art was also quite good. Godzilla's Dave Wachter has a style very similar to those very earliest of Ninja Turtle comics. 

While this story has a quite classic style to it, I think I prefer my Turtles done more light-heated. I'm going to say it, my Turtles are from the cartoon and TMNT Adventures comics from Archie. Still, if you like the Turtles and you are needing a jolt of holiday cheer that isn't cloying, this is a pretty good 2018 offering!

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 7 out of 10 stars.

They Made A Christmas Album?- Advent 2018: Day 25

Well, we finally made it- It's December 25th! And there's just one band that I could think of to usher in the holiday. It's my favorite of band of all-time Queen!

2018 has been a great year for the band with the release of the bio-pic Bohemian Rhapsody. Plus, Queen + Adam Lambert kicked off an amazing tour. And several albums, long out of print, finally made it to CD. But today's song was never officially released on a album until the band's Greatest Hits III release. 

Released as a single in November, 1984, the song I choose to cap this year's Advent says it all- Thank God It's Christmas!

So without further ado, here's Brian Taylor, Roger May, John Deacon and the incomparable Freddie Mercury!

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

They Made A Christmas Album?- Advent 2018: Day 24

It's Christmas Eve! I heard that some areas of the country (I'm in the US) will be having snow tomorrow. And you know what that means! Rudolph!!!

I thought the best artist to usher in Santa's need for his crimson beaked caribou would be the one and only Captain James T. Kirk- William Shatner!

Upon my research for this Advent, I have come across a lot of hub-bub about Shatner's new Christmas album called Shatner Claus. While Shatner has done several albums, this is his first holiday one. The thing that has surprised many fans has been that it's taken this long for him to finally get holly jolly!

So without further to-do, I gift you tonight with William Shatner's Rudolph, The Red Nosed Reindeer! Enjoy!

They Made A Christmas Album?- Advent 2018: Day 23

Today's feature artists are known for many types of things. But Christmas songs isn't one of them! From comic books to toys, lunch boxes to albums and of course TV, The Partridge Family was a fictional family that sang about love and well, mostly they sang sappy love songs...

The Partridge Family was based somewhat on a real-life Mother and family act known as The Cowsills. But really, the Partridge Family came about because of the Brady Bunch. That fictional TV family was finding some success adding the singing bit to their show and ABC wanted a piece of that pie. 

The Partridge Family only had two real singers on the show. Shirley Jones, who played the Mom, was a noted Broadway singer. But the real star of the show was David Cassidy. The teen heartthrob sang lead vocals and became a star in his own right, not just as Keith Partridge.

In the 1971, during the show's second season, the execs decided it was time for a Christmas album. Quickly a 30 minute long two-sider was released. Of course, the Partridge's did a Christmas episode to tie-in with the album.

Titled A Partridge Family Christmas Card, the album and marketing campaign around it was a smash hit. It was the #1 Christmas recording all four weeks of Billboard's holiday top charts that year. For the most part of the recording, the songs are all holidays standards such as Winter Wonderland, Frosty The Snowman and Jingle Bells. But the title track was an all-new song called My Christmas Card to You. 

For the early 70s, Christmas and the Partridges were a match made in heaven. But by the mid-70s, the shows popularity faded and so did it's connection to the holidays. Plus, unlike the Brady Bunch, despite a nostalgic resurgence in the series, the connection to December 25th never really returned. Maybe the Brady's horrid 1980s Christmas Special has something to do with it. But still, you just don't equate Kieth and Laurie to Christmas as you do Greg and Marcia.

So without further to-do, here's The Partridge Family with My Christmas Card to You. Enjoy...

They Made A Christmas Album?- Advent 2018: Day 22

Today's featured artists were ones that I had scheduled earlier in the month. But I moved them to today because of their presence on tonight's episode of Svengoolie. I am talking about the Three Stooges. 

The Stooges got their start in vaudeville in 1922. The original line-up was of brothers Moe and Shemp Howard with Larry Fine rounding out the trio. They were a sidekick to headlining comedian Ted Healy, going on in 1932 to star in the film Soup to Nuts. Immediately afterwards, Shemp left the group and was replaced by his brother Jerome. Going now as Curly, this was the most famous incarnation of the comedy group. 

A couple of years later saw the Three Stooges breaking on their own. From 1934-46, the trio starred in 90 shorts. Unfortunately in 1946, Curly suffered a terrible stroke and had to be replaced by the brother he replaced, Shemp. 

Shemp was only to temporarily replace Curly until he got better. Sadly, the portly Stooge's health only got worse, passing away in 1952 from another stroke. Shemp stayed on as a Stooge until his death of a heart attack in 1955.

Moe considered disbanding the group. However, with Larry heavily in debt and the Stooges still under contract with Columbia Pictures, Howard had to find a replacement. He found it in Joe Besser, an alum from the Abbott and Costello Show. Besser might have stayed on with the group had his wife not suffered a massive heart attack in late 1957. Moe and Larry were planning a major U.S. tour and Besser wanted to stay home with his wife.

In 1958, we get the last line-up of the Three Stooges with the addition of Joe DeRita. Eventually taking the name of Curly Joe, DeRita would see a renaissance of popularity with the Three Stooges as the classic shorts became syndicated hits. The Stooges would star in a number of films including 1959's Have Rocket, Will Travel; which airs on tonight's episode of Svengoolie on MeTV. In the 60s, the Stooges would star in an animated weekly cartoon called The New Three Stooges, complete with live-action skits in between toons.

But let's come back to 1958. With the popularity of the comedy tour over the Summer, the Three Stooges decided to record a Christmas album. Despite later releases that feature Curly on the cover with Moe and Larry, it was Curly Joe who was the third Stooge on this record.

The original recording, titled Christmas Time With The Three Stooges wasn't really all that Christmasy. First of all is the cover which has Larry inside an ersatz time machine. It looks more like a summer picture and like the guys are trying badly to sell ice cream. 

The album has 9 songs on it. Only 3 of the songs are Christmas themed. I don't know about you, but a pet peeve of mine is a holiday special that isn't really all that much about Christmas. 

Anyways, that's were we get to today's song. It's I Want A Hippopotamus for Christmas. Originally sung and recorded in 1953 by child singer Gayla Peevey, the song was a fad song in the 50s. A child's letter to Santa, requesting the actually quite deadly African mammal, the song faded into obscurity until the late 70s when it was rediscovered by the Doctor Demento Show. But at the time of the Three Stooges record's debut, the hippo song was still fairly well known and goofy enough to be sung by Larry, Moe and Curly Joe.

So, without further to-do, I present to you today's song. Enjoy...

The Merry X-Men Holiday Special #1

I really don't recognize the X-Men anymore. I'm not talking about the Manga-styled variant cover for this 2018 Christmas special. I actually like thise festive and playful work from Rian Gonzales. No, the things I don't comprehend are all inside the book.

The Merry X-Men Holiday Special is set up like an Advent calendar. There are 25 one-page stories; one for each day of December, leading up to Christmas Day. Actually there are 19 stories, as the Jubliee story is told in multiple parts. She and her son are kidnapped and imprisoned in the most strange shopping mall every conceived. Jubliee's story is spread out over several days throughout the book. I my opinion, it was the best story of the book. Really, it should have been the only story in the book. Instead we get a series of confounding capers.

For instance, there's Magneto in Poland, where apparently Warsaw has become a war zone. Or he's gone back in time to World War II Poland. I really don't know which.

Other oddities include Wolverine with fire claws?! Captain Britain and Meghan have a toddler who can speak better than most 30 year olds. Speedball is no longer wearing his torturous costume as penance from the events that lead to Civil War. Then there's Nightcrawler wearing a beard and surrounded by elves? And what's with the girl with antlers on her head and I'm not talking about faux ones either!

I realize that I haven't read an X-Men book since right around when Ice Man came out as gay. I didn't stop reading because of some protest. I just haven't been to my local library in a while to catch up on the adventures of the Marvel mutants. I've had plenty of chances to buy new X-Men books. But I feel why buy the cow when you can get the milk for free? Right?

Anyways, a lot of changes have happened to the X-Men in the year or so since I last caught up with the team. I can't say that I am very happy with all the changes.

I like the Advent idea however. If you are a regular reader of this blog, you know that I am all about the Advent. But I think that the entire Marvel universe would have been better suited for this special instead of just the X-Men. There's so many mutants and so many story lines to follow. Some of these short stories build on that drama and if you don't know everything going on with Xavier's gift students, you will miss something. That omission makes for uneven and disappointing reading. 

Featuring art and stories from a number of artists including Chris Sims, Al Ewing, and Chip Zdarsky, this should have been a home run. But the holiday special barely limps into second base. 

It was bound to happen at some point. This is my first not so great read of the 2018 holiday season. The Advent idea of the book is sound and it should be reused next year. But spread the love to all areas of the Marvel Universe. Or maybe just the villains. Next time, just don't focus on one large and yet very self-contained chunk of Marvel's output.

Rating: 5 out of 10 stars.

They Made A Christmas Album?- Advent 2018: Day 21 (NSFW)

Today I'm featuring another artist who technically shouldn't be on this list. I'm talking about the Gagaloo herself, Lady Gaga. 

Lady Gaga is one of the biggest things to hit music is quite some time. Her string of hits and her recent 2018 acting debut in A Star Is Born has made the pop singer a household name. The artist is known mostly for techno heavy songs. But in 2012, Lady Gaga's dream came true when she got to record a jazz song with her idol, Tony Bennett. 

The song was such a critical success and great fun for the two artists, that over the period of 2013-early 2015, Gaga focused on swing and jazz music, doing a full album with Tony Bennett. At the 2014 Rockerfeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting, the duo performed White Christmas as a promotional tie-in to their album Cheek to Cheek.

 While the Irving Berlin hit was not on the jazz album, Lady Gaga and Bennett's version of the song was released in iTunes and other digital medias and did quite well. So technically, with that song, I shouldn't have Lady Gaga on an Advent featuring artists not known for Christmas music. While she might be known for doing a song with the legendary Tony Bennett, Lady Gaga isn't an artist you think of doing holiday tunes solo--- until now!

(First of all, there was a Lady Gaga Thanksgiving Special on NBC around 2009. Gaga sang White Christmas on the hour long special and it was released on a 'holiday' CD based on the event. However, that was the only true Christmas song on the special and that version of the song has kinda become lost in the shuffle of other more well known versions, such as the artist's duet with Bennett.)

Let's go back to 2007. The social media personality Perez Hilton debuted the recording Christmas Tree exclusively on his website. Soon the song was released on iTunes and Spotify. Recorded with the Parisian DJ, Space Cowboy, Christmas Tree is a new, highly-sexualized update of Deck The Halls. 

The song became a holiday time staple of clubs and stores such as Forever21 and A&F have added the tune to their holiday playlists. The later being a move that has sparked small doses of uproar from shoppers who feel it inappropriate for play in public shopping areas. 

And thus the NSFW tag on today's post. There's no four letter words in the song. But there is tons and I mean tons of innuendo in this song. Definitely not something you should play while at work or in front or younger Gaga fans. 

Let it be said, you've been warned. Enjoy...

Archie Christmas Spectacular #1 (Family Comic Friday)

It's the final Family Comic Friday before Christmas and we've got one last holiday comic to review for the season. The delays from last week's winter storm have ended and the book I was to review finally showed at my LCS. So let's take a long awaited look at the Archie Christmas Spectacular #1

Written by Dan Parent
Art by Dan Golliher, Bill Galvan, Jeff Schultz
Published by Archie Comics
Cover Price: $2.99

The festive front cover by Bob White shows the Archie gang as they looked in the 1950s. From the December solicitations, I wasn't sure if this was a book of reprints or all new material. Thankfully this special is filled with 4 new holiday tales all written by master Archie scribe, Dan Parent!

However, there's a very good reason for the classic looking cover as Parent reintroduces a couple of holiday characters not seen in the Archie universe in at least 3 decades! Noelle Claus, the platinum blonde daughter of Santa and the mischievous elf Jangles return to Riverdale to visit their teenaged pals for Christmas. Their return made me so happy that I couldn't stop smiling. And Dan Parent made the right decision to give both characters their own story instead of cramming them into one caper.

In Noelle's story, she comes to Riverdale to spend Christmas with Betty and Veronica. It's not easy being the only teen at the North Pole. But with the holidays being the busiest time of the year, Santa isn't happy with his daughter's teen angst. So Old Saint Nick gives his daughter an ultimatum: return to the toy shop or Betty and Veronica end up on the naughty list!

In Jangles’ episode, the elf has lost his powers. Embarrassed by the event, there's just no way Jangles can face the other elves at the North Pole. So he decides to spend Christmas with Archie and Jughead and that seems okay with the guys. Only this pint sized house guest has managed to wear out his welcome pretty quick and will only return to Santa’s workshop if his powers are returned.

The other two yarns were also very good. But it was a mixed bag of goodies. In one, Archie and Jughead make some dough selling the discarded items of Veronica’s neighbors. If it wasn’t for the opening and closing panels of this story, you wouldn’t even know it was set during the holidays. The second story has Archie on the hunt for a rare toy train for his father’s Christmas village. It felt like a continuation of the story before but at least it was set during Christmas and had holiday decorations throughout.

I would have liked for this special to have focused entirely on old school Archie characters. If you are going to have half of your book be devoted to forgotten characters, why not just go all the way? Lil Jinx, Archie 3000 or sad sack Ambrose should have had Christmas stories in the book! Why I can’t even remember when there’s been a Sabrina: The Teenage Witch story published in the classic Archie style! Maybe next year, huh guys?

This was a great Christmas comic. Unfortunately, it’s really only about 80% Christmas. If the Archie and Jughead repurposing story was at least set during winter, it would be forgivable. But the guys don’t look the least bit cold! But for a fun holiday themed read, it’s timeless Archie and it was a lot better than some of the other holiday annuals being released this year from Marvel and DC.

Great for the entire family this holiday season! Hurry before issues and time to enjoy it before New Year's runs out!

Archie Christmas Spectacular #1 debuted in print and digital platforms on Wednesday, December 12th, 2018.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.

(Update: The cover is in fact a remastering of the cover to 1955's Archie's Christmas Stocking #2.)

They Made a Christmas Album?- Advent 2018: Day 20

Sometimes when you are researching for these Advent postings, you find some really unusual stuff. Case in point is today's offering. It's by Bryan Adams who has done some Christmas stuff before like Run Rudolph Run and Christmas Time. 

With both of those releases, which have had some semi-regular play on the airwaves, the Canadian rocker should be disqualified from this year's theme of artists not known for putting out holidays hits. And then I came across this 1984 ditty.

It's called Reggae Christmas. That's right, it's a reggae tune. Something Bob Marley or some endless incarnation of the Wailers should have put out. Instead, it's performed by the guy who brought us Summer of 69.

Reggae Christmas was released in 1984 as the B-side to the song Christmas Time. As it's never been re-released on any of Adams' Greatest Hits albums, unless you are a fan of Bryan Adams, odds are you've never heard of this song before. And even that chance is slim seeing that Reggae Christmas has never been issued as a cassette or CD single either.

I had this song being presented to you a few days prior. But I really had doubts as to if this song belonged on this year's Advent. But then I saw the music video and I just couldn't put off sharing this any longer. 

In the early days of MTV, they would host a holiday party. Select artists would comprise Christmas tunes meant only for the televised special. And that's what Bryan Adams did in 1984. All of the original MTV Veejays are in the clip having a gay ole time to the Caribbean carol.

Again, this song probably would not made my list if not for the addition of one fan favorite of mine being added to the video, Mr. Pee Wee Herman! Not only does it have Pee Wee in it; Reggae Christmas has Pee Wee dancing while wearing a Santa hat... with dreadlocks! It's truly bizarre and something you must see!

So for the sake of fairness, I am changing the theme of today's Advent to THEY MADE A REGGAE CHRISTMAS MUSIC VIDEO?

Enjoy!

The Brave and The Bold #184

In this pre-Crisis holiday issue, the Huntress is grieving the deaths of her parents, Bruce and Selina Wayne. So the heroine travels from Earth-2 to Earth-1 to spend Christmas with that world's Batman. But when a crook threatens to reveal the previous alleged misdeeds of Thomas Wayne, Bruce Wayne suffers a crisis of conscience. Will this be the Dark Knight's final Yuletide? 

I was expecting this issue to be a downer. I'm not so very familiar with the Earth-2 Huntress. The one I know is from post-Crisis DC in which Batman isn't very fond of the Huntress' superheroing efforts. Here, the Caped Crusader is 'Uncle Bruce' and there's a very loving relationship between the two crime-fighters. Not what I expected at all.  

This was a very good story from Mike W. Barr with excellent art from Jim Aparo. As I said earlier, this issue was a warmer (and pleasant) surprise full of holiday cheer. If you like those Gothic Christmas tales like A Christmas Carol or The Nightmare Before Christmas you will enjoy this deceptively light tale. 

There's also a back-up story for a character called Nemesis. He's a sort of knock-off of the Human Target in my opinion. The story was okay but I didn't feel much a connection with this character who was completely new to me. 

A very well done holiday offering from 1981. A purchase of less than $2 for me, it was a freakin' steal!

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.