Spread the Joy: Advent 2025: Day 6

Children who have at least 1 parent that is incarcerated are more likely to experience poverty, struggle with mental health issues, to have difficulty in school, face homelessness and to follow the pathways of the parent and become engaged with gangs, criminal activity and perhaps be incarcerated themselves. Children of parents that are imprisoned struggle with fear and embarrassment surrounding their parents' confinements and are often teased and bullied by their peers.

If you ask me, a child shouldn't have to suffer because of the poor choices of their parents. Especially during the holidays. The Christian ministry Prison Fellowship, seeks ways to help children deal with having one or more parent in prison. Along with helping the family unit continue to engage and interact as much as possible through letters, email, visitation and special events, Prison Fellowship helps provide counseling for minors of convicted parents as well as summer camp experiences in which children can interact with other children whose parents are incarcerated.

But perhaps my favorite annual event is the Angel Tree. You used to be able to go to the local mall and pick an angel ornament off of the Prison Fellowship Christmas tree. On the back of the Angel was a name of a child, their age and wishes for clothes and toys for the holidays.

I remember one year a child wanted a Dr. Drill n' Fill toy. It was only a couple of days before Christmas and the  volunteers didn't know what that toy was. But I remember having one as a kid. It was a dentistry set from Play Doh where you would fill a patient's cavities with silver clay and you could brush the teeth and other things. 

We had already already bought some gifts for some of my wife's DSS kids for Christmas. But I just couldn't let that little guy go without a Dr. Drill n' Fill for Christmas. So I promptly took the ornament off the tree, headed off to the nearest store where I knew I could find it and bought it, wrapped it up in one of my patented gift bags with matching tissue paper and gave the gift to the volunteers. 

I can't remember the child's name and I never got a thank you card or anything like that. But I hope that my wish fulfillment possibly inspired that little fella to grow up and become a dentist. Or at the very least, practice a lifetime of proper dental hygiene.

Not the one I bought for the Angel Tree.

If such a story is inspiring to you, then consider one of two ways to help. First, you can make a financial contribution here. Or if you are wanting to shop for some toys (and who doesn't?!), check with Prison Fellowship for area churches and religious organizations that are Angel Tree partners by emailing them at info@pfm.org.

Teen Titans Go! #10 (family Comic Friday)

Readers of all ages got an early Christmas present this year from DC Comics with a holiday issue of Teen Titans Go!

It's Christmas Eve and the Titans are on their way to Doom Patrol headquarters to spend the holidays with Beast Boy and his former teammates/family. While there, the Titans learn of a very strange Christmas Eve tradition that the Doom Patrol partakes in: the annual holiday attack of the shape shifting villain, Madame Rouge.

I apparently have a serious case of the Mandela Effect here because I was sure that Negative Man was a member of the TTG! version of the Doom Patrol. Yet upon checking things out, Negative GIRL is who's always been a member of this team. 

This was a fun holiday issue, written by J. Torres and illustrated by Dario Brizuela. It had a classic DC whodunnit where you, the reader, were to figure out who or what Madame Rouge was hiding in another form as. (I'm proud to say that I solved it before the Teen Titans did!) Everything felt so festive and fun. Plus with how the Chief's mustache and beard makes him look like Santa Claus, I'm wondering if there might be a sequel holiday story that floats around the possibility that the 2 are related. I'd totally be fine with that!

The only thing that I was unhappy with is something that you can't fault the artistic creative team for. It was the cover. Something is wrong with DC's printing process. The area where my thumb rested as I was reading the book bleached out all the colors. Now that one section of the cover looks like a faded postcard of some Christmastime of long, long ago. Too bad that the rest of the cover lacks this appeal. It kinda makes my brain itch, and sadly this has happened with other current DC book covers as well.

The cover says this read is for ages 8+. That's probably because of the fight scenes and a few gross humor one liners. But if you let a child younger than 8 was the long-running Cartoon Network series, then you will have no problem letting them read this hysterical Christmas read.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.

Spread the Joy: Advent 2025: Day 5

Data, Lily and Eddy.  These 3 babies were products of today's featured charity. All 3 are cats and thanks to the love, care and dedication of the ASPCA, had a loving, warm home and a furever place in the heart of my bride and myself for just a few short years. 

I also cannot forget my dog Lassie whom I owned before I met my wife!

I know that the ASPCA has had some controversy in the past with the culling of animals. But I also know that this is the exception- not the rule. Yes, unfortunately, there are some animals that are so abused, malnourished and mistreated that it's not possible to rehabilitate. But there are now hundreds of charities out there that cater to the fostering of pets that the ASPCA works in cooperation with those organizations to give every possible animal a chance at a happy home. Plus our local shelters will cut adoption fees to nearly $0 to get the animals into a forever home so that when they get overcrowded, they don't have to put them to sleep.

Yes- my family supports the ASPCA- warts and all. We love them so much that we've covered adoption fees for other kitties so that other families can experience the joy of adopting a fur baby of there own! Heck, we'd continue to adopt from the ASPCA if we didn't keep getting strays showing up on our door. But thankfully, that's meant we've been blessed to keep them rather than have to take them to the shelter and add to the shelter's already overflowing levels of capacity.

The Garner, NC shelter where we adopted Lily. AKA- The Donut Shop.

If helping our four legged friends find a furever home, you can do more than just donate here; or check out a huge database of kitties and puppies needing adoption. But don't overlook the shy guys, the veterans who have been there a long time, the re-homes whose owners passed away or gave up on them or those with injuries or illnesses. We've adopted a wide arrange of kitties with special needs and have enjoyed our years with them!

World of Archie Jumbo Comics #84

One of my biggest complaints about the Archie series of digests, both regular, double, jumbo, and giant, is that they are never 100% topical. You would think with over 80 years of stories, gags and fun pages, (not to mention all-new material that's still being churned out) that Archie Comics would have no problem filling a jumbo digest sporting a Christmas cover with nothing but holiday material. Yet, they are always book-ending these digests with the seasonal material, while the majority of the filler is a smorgasbord of random material that has absolutely nothing to do with Christmas.

Now Archie has gotten a little bit better at this.The very recent Halfway to Halloween digest I read at least had the fillers containing spooky characters or mysterious encounters. But with the stories here that weren't holiday related, they could have occurred on September 16th or May 12th. They are that generic looking. 

I would say least been okay if all of the stories occurred while it was snowing. But only a 2-parter in which Archie travels to the Arctic for a report on the habits of wolves, seems to involve really cold weather. Plus I have read this story several times prior! Sure, this collection of Archie works is from 2019. But I remember reading that wolf tale when it was brand new in the late 80s. I even think that I can recall where I got the book: from my childhood dentist who gave away comic books as prizes to the patients. 

The Christmas material that we do manage to get was enjoyable. There was a classic looking story by Joe Edwards where Mr. Weatherbee decides he's had it with playing Santa every Christmas at the Riverdale Orphanage, so Archie tries to recruit someone else which has results on par for when Archie dates both Betty and Veronica at the same time.

Speaking of Veronica, she's the focus of another holiday classic. Bummed out that her folks are making her spend Christmas on a cruise ship, Betty gets the Archies signed up as the on-board entertainment. But when the kids start driving Mr. Lodge bonkers, the millionaire arranges for everyone's parents to join the cruise. It's a delightful tale that may be one of the only times you see and engage with Reggie's parents!

A fun, classic holiday read that needs more Christmas cheer.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.

Spread the Joy: Advent 2025: Day 4

Hear those bells ringing? That might be because today's featured charity is The Salvation Army. They've been using bells to attract attention to passerbys for charitable giving ever since 16-year old volunteer Amelia Kunkle got the idea at a New York red kettle way back in 1900.

I didn't know this but the Salvation Army is not just a charity. It's a church. Formed as a Methodist place of worship in 1865. Originally started as the East London Christian Mission by William Booth and his wife Catherine. Booth changed the name to the Salvation Army in 1878 when one of his son's bristled at being called a member of the church's 'volunteer army'. The word 'salvation' replaced volunteer and Booth began to adopt a more militaristic approach to his church, dressing workers in uniform, creating a flag and appointing himself the Salvation Army's first general. They even have their own anthem and flag!

Perhaps the most well known charitable operation of the Salvation Army is its homeless shelters and 'soup lines' which have become as synonymous with the holidays as well as the Great Depression of the 1930s. They also provide addiction recovery services, financial assistance for rent utilities and transportation, and humanitarian aid worldwide. Last year, an estimated 27 million American men, women and children were helped by the Salvation Army.

If the ringing of a Salvation Army volunteer's bell brings back memories of your parents giving you a quarter when you were a kid to drop in the donation kettles, then perhaps think about making a much larger donation now as an adult. If so, you can donate here to the Salvation Army USA

A Boy and His 'Bot #1

 A holiday comic aficionado, I  personally classify any comic book that has a holiday cover but no such interior filler as a SCROOGE. (To have a generic cover but set during the holidays is what I call a CHRISTMAS MIRACLE. Though I am wondering if I should label those as DIE HARDs...?)

Anyways, I am conflicted with this 1986 special from the short-lived NOW Comics. It is labeled as 'A Holiday Special'. Only there's nothing Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa or any other holiday related to be found inside. And yet, I had that feel good Christmas feeling reading A Boy and His 'Bot. 

Young Rick is outside stargazing when he witnesses a meteor crashing down nearby. Only it's no mere space rock. Instead, Rick discovers a large sentient robot that was knocked off course and into the boy's backyard. 

The mech offers Rick the chance of a lifetime: to become the pilot of the craft which is designed for a crew of one. As Rick travels around the world saving lives, he wishes he could be a hero full time. But he's been gone for several hours. Surely, mom and dad are wondering where the lad is. Maybe there's time for one last trip before dinner.

A Boy and His 'Bot was created, written and illustrated by Gary Thomas Washington. Washington doesn't have a ton of comic book credits. The indie hero comic Megaton seems to be his biggest and most long-term project. The back of this book stated that Washington was then enrolled at a College art program in the Midwest with hopes of a A Boy and His 'Bot monthly series. However, that didn't seem to ever come to pass. I wonder what happened to him. Did he graduate from art school? Did he go the way of many struggling comic artists and enter the field of animation or commercial art? Did Mr. Washington die before achieving his dreams?

I really would have liked to if they had followed this book up with a series. NOW stayed solvent for a few more years. So I don't think that was the reason for there not being a series based on this. And it's not to be confused with the young adult novel of the same name by Daniel H. Wilson It has a similar plot to this one. But I checked and it's very different.

Another work that has similar vibes but is different is The Iron Giant. Though the animated film is from 1999, it's based on The Iron Man, a children's novel from 1968. However with A Boy and His 'Bot, they go on adventures in outer space and becomes a Star Trek for kiddos when Rick and the robot meet a new alien species. But if you are a fan of The Iron Giant, I think you are going to love this book!

A lovely one-shot that I wish kept on. Plus I just can't figure out why this is called a' holiday special.'  So, I will knock off 1 star. But I'll keep it in my holiday comics bin since that's technically what this book is. 

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.

Spread the Joy: Advent 2025: Day 3

Based on some recent comments made by a certain Commander-in-Chief about a sitting governor of Minnesota, I've shifted my Advent features around. Today's featured charity is now Reece's Rainbow and here is my bride to talk about it...

Supergirl #7

This issue of Supergirl was an unexpected surprise! It's Thanksgiving themed! The Danvers family is hosting a Turkey Day feast. But first, Supergirl has to deal with the effects of exposure to turquoise kryptonite: she's been turned into a fish!

I love Supergirl. Huge fan. I'm either trying to collect everything that has ever starred the Maid of Might. Or I'm trying to collect her current runs. Being that I hate cliffhangers, I haven't read any of the previous 6 issues of this latest series so far. And from what I read here, I am not really sure that I want to. 

Have things gotten so bad at DC? The dialogue was so corny. The characters were absurd. Princess Shark? Really? Everyone Kara Danvers knows has the initials LL. If you thought Clark Kent was gravely afflicted by this anomaly, you haven't seen anything yet. 

And speaking of Clark Kent, obviously Lex Luthor knows that he's Superman because the Man of Steel comes to dinner in uniform with Lois Lane in tow. And right in front of Lena Luthor! Who in the comics is the child of Lex; not his sister. It just seems so implausible. And stupid.

Let's talk about the art. I was very on the fence about the work of Sophie Campbell, who also penned It's got a Jack Davis caricature quality, and I am a fan of his. But the art lacks the liveliness of a Jack Davis piece. Everyone and everything seems so dull here!

Maybe I am getting to that age where I don't think that the next generation understands the characters of my childhood. But that's not quite right. I at least enjoyed a good sized chunk of what I read. It just feels so bleak. Even Superman, who is like the most positive and inspiring character in the entire DC Universe, felt devoid of cheer. It just lacked that holiday magic that made me so excited and impatient to own and read this issue. 

Just really disappointed with the end result.

Rating: 4 out of 10 stars. 

Spread the Joy: Advent 2025: Day 2

 My featured charity for today is Toys for Tots. 

It's my sincerest belief that every child deserves a toy for Christmas. And if not something to play with, at least something fun and enjoyable. Like a book or CD or thanks to today's digital age, a gift card for downloads. 

Founded in 1947 by Marines reservist Major Bill Hendricks, Toys for Tots has been a charitable organization that has been near and dear to my father's side of the family for decades. After his tour in the US Army, my grandfather joined the Marines for a couple of years. During that time, he would become involved in the Marine Corps annual holiday efforts to collect new and unwrapped toys for children who were spending the holidays in orphanages and hospitals. 

My father and my uncle both told me that as closed mouth as he was about his experiences in Korea during the Korean Conflict, my grandfather made sure that his family supported Toys for Tots every year with a carload of presents.

Toys for Tots is one of the few charities that I remember my parents ever donating to. Other than the Republican Party, it might have been the only charity that they supported. But I remember the fun of shopping around a toy store to find the perfect gift for a child in need. As I was not allowed to buy anything for myself from the time of my birthday, which was on or around Thanksgiving, to Christmas, it was a treat to go shopping. Often, I would live vicariously through my purchases, buying what I would like for Christmas for the tots. Who knew that I was a pioneer in the field of subliminal advertising???

There are actually 2 ways to donate with Toys for Tots. First is financially, with a monetary donation that goes toward buying toys. Or you can purchase a toy and donate it in person, by utilizing the organization's online local chapter locator. Both can be accessed here.

Spread the Joy: Advent 2025: Day 1

Concern over my students facing hunger because of the loss of SNAP benefits was the main reason for the charitable theme I selected for the 2025 holiday season. Since I don't know that you can make a donation direct to SNAP and considering that it's a government program, so why would you want to, I am selecting Feeding America for my first charity to highlight.

Started in the 1960s, Feeding America was originally known as Second Harvest and America's Second Harvey before undergoing a name change in 2008. The organization assists in stocking food pantries, food banks, soup kitchens and shelters. Plus, their nutritional cooking and eating endeavors in cooperation with the USDA are second to none. While they've faced criticism for their reliance on corporate partners, I see no problem with that as the CTE programs in which my culinary courses are umbrellaed, rely on corporate partnerships all the time. The way I see it, if the fat cats are willing to dole it out, I won't say no to a donation. I don't care how much profit you make annually. 

I wish I had their budgeting skills. According to Feeding America's website, a $1.00 American donation can provide 10 meals! I'm lucky if I can feed my wife and myself for less than $20 a day! With a serving population of over 46 million people a year, that means Feeding America can work miracles for roughly $5 million dollars!

If ensuring that your friends and neighbors in need have food on their table, I encourage you to donate to Feeding America. We throw away so much food on a daily basis that nobody should go hungry. EVER! And I am not just talking about in our country. Millions of pounds of perfectly good food are disposed of every hour around the world, all in the name of freshness and tax write-offs. Feeding America seeks to divert that food waste to those in need while providing a tax ID number and an audience for the repurposed meals. 

To make a donation click here...

Thanksgiving #1

There were very few Thanksgiving themed comics on the market this year. Who am I kidding? I think there was only 2. 3, tops! But I really looked forward to this one. And look forward to it I did; because it took forever for my favorite comic shop to precure a copy. I had almost given up hope, figuring I would have to wait until Thanksgiving, 2026. But at the last minute- holiday miracle!

Thanksgiving is set in a snowy small town on Thanksgiving night. The burg is living in fear as a Turkey Day serial killer has struck again and the police are stymied. For the Grandt family, this Thanksgiving is a chance to rekindle relationships, enjoy some delicious grub and share family secrets. 

Mark Russell penned a thrilling Thanksgiving murder mystery. I'm almost sorry that it was a one-shot. But with it's twist ending that borderlines on the surreal, the ending was warranted. Though with all great horror mysteries, there's always room for a sequel or mo
st definitely in this case, a prequel!

I figured out the killer pretty quick. But the motive was a surprise. So was the revelation of several mysteries; especially the one surrounding the narrator's mother. Besides, it doesn't upset me if I solve the mystery. It makes me feel smart. But it's all a shocking good story that fans of serial killer horror, true crime and holiday comics that are more than just cheery and bright will enjoy!

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.

This Year's Advent Theme...

I had a difficult time coming up with a theme for this year's Advent. I originally wanted to explore holiday song mashups. Only I couldn't find enough for 25 days. ( Maybe next year...)

As the federal government was shut down for a record 44 days, I increasingly became more and more concerned about those receiving SNAP benefits.With  November 1 looming on the calendar, I noticed that a number of restaurants and eateries were doing their part by offering discounted meals and 2-for-1 donations where, for example, if you bought a loaf of bread, the restaurant in question would donate a loaf to a local food bank.

Being in the culinary industry, I was so impressed with the innovation and generosity of my cohorts. At the school where I teach, I provide snacks for students who experience hunger. Though I suspect a number of the kids I take care of probably have enough to sustain them and just want free food. So I have created a reserve of more calorie dense foods that, in coordinating with my school's counseling team, can help students that are in the most dire need.

After 9/11, we saw a rise in charity and goodness to our fellow man. Unfortunately, that brotherhood was way too brief. I really don't want to see the rise in generosity and love towards those in need of help end... EVER. Who knows when the next such crisis will hit? And just because SNAP benefits have returned, that doesn't mean that those needing a helping hand aren't out of the woods of poverty, economic instability and employment insecurity. Thus, this year's Advent: Spread the Joy!

For the first time ever, I will be working with my wife on my annual holiday countdown. With her help, I will be focusing on 25 charitable organizations that need continual help to assist others in need. I will try (primarily) to feature charities and programs that are at least nationwide throughout the United States. Though my wife might be able to help me discover a few with international reach. It might be too late to help some of these organizations with their 2025 Christmas outreaches. But it's never too late to help them plan for next year!

And now before I sign off, here's my bride Jan with a brief message about how being generous is actually beneficial for your health...

Classics Illustrated #92

To find this comic book in the wild on the eve of Thanksgiving seemed like destiny to me. While the cover story doesn't occur during the first Thanksgiving, many of the important figures that sat in on that important event in colonial American history appear and play active roles. Also, the Mayflower as it rests in Provincetown Harbor, bound to return to England, is in this adaptation of the epic Henry Wadsworth Longfellow poem. Though I really take umbrage with it's title.

It's called The Courtship of Miles Standish; the military governor of the Plymouth Colony. Yet, in reality, it should be called 'The Courtship of John Alden' because he's the one that gets the girl. 

When Miles Standish arrived in the new world, he had a wife. Unfortunately, she was one of the many who did not survive that first wicked winter in New England. Now feeling it is time again for a bride, Standish has his eyes on the maiden Priscilla. He sends John Alden to propose marriage in his stead. But it's a rather dick move if you ask me because Alden is in Standish's house, writing a love letter to Priscilla.

Alden, being a loyal friend, does as he asks. But Priscilla is only interested in Alden. She eventually coaxes him to confess his love to the maiden and they become betrothed. 

Some think that Standish knew that his friend loved Priscilla. But that John Alden was too much of a wuss to ever do anything about it. So Standish shows interest in Priscilla in order to prompt Alden to act. I'd be totally okay with this story if that was the case. However, when news comes out that Alden and Priscilla are to be married, instead of acting like some impish matchmaker like those found in many a work of Shakespeare, Standish accused his friend of treachery. Thus instead of bringing Alden and Priscilla closer together, the guilt of the broken friendship almost prompts John to leave the new world altogether on the Mayflower. 

Spoiler; if it wasn't for the reported death of Miles Standish by Indians John Alden would never jumped the broom with fair Priscilla. Then Standish returns after the wedding and all is okay between the two. So are you telling me that Miles Standish goes to war with the Native Americans and fakes his own death in order to get Alden hitched? This really all seems far fetched! An enjoyable read. But really, really far fetched!

Longfellow claimed that this poem was based on family tradition. Apparently, an ancestor of Alden and Priscilla, Longfellow reported that the poem was based on the legend his parents and grandparents would tell of how those two early colonists wed. There's sure to be a lot of conjecture and twisting of narrative in order to make Alden look good, passed down over the years. As for Standish getting all bent out of shape over Alden 'stealing his girl ', that would seem to be more like real life as opposed to the plot of a Hallmark movie. Although the whole back from the dead twist at the end seems like something that would happen in a movie. Only it would convince Priscilla to marry Miles instead of John. So who knows how real and how made up this story really is...

The second story is another retelling of a historical epic by Longfellow. Evangeline, A Tale of Acadie tells the 'you just missed him by 5 minutes' tragic romance of the title heroine and her beloved Gabriel. Set against the backdrop of the British expulsion of the Acadians from Nova Scotia in mid-1800s, Evangeline and Gabriel are to be married. However, the lovers are separated by the British, with Gabriel's family sent ahead to his exile on a ship days before Evangeline is evacuated. 

For the next several decades, Evangeline follows after Gabriel down the Mississippi, through the swamps of Louisiana and the untamed prairies of the West, always missing her beloved by only a few days. Spoiler; old and gray, Evangeline gives up; eventually becoming a nun in the Boston area. There she cares for the sick and infirmed where fate finally allows Evangeline and Gabriel to reunite right before he dies of plague, foretold in passing towards the beginning of this tale 

The second story was in my opinion, a much better read. I did cheat and had to look ahead because I felt like surely, these two lovers aren't going to met at the end just to die?! Alas, that was the case! Still, it was a better read despite the tragically sad ending. 

My like and dislike should not be held against the writers and artists of this adaptation. Alex Blum illustrated Evangeline. Extensive search couldn't pop up any hits for it's writer and I got absolutely bupkis for the Courtship of Miles Standish credits. Extra articles, which have always been a bonus delight to read include a biography of Longfellow, plus the history of Cyrus McCormick's grain reaper, the lesser known New Jersey Tea Party and the history of the Apache. Not sure why those articles were never topical in relation to the main stories. This would have been an appropriate place for the life of Miles Standish, the historical plight of the Acadians and a look at the Wampanoag people from the first Thanksgiving. Regardless of this, Classics Illustrated #92 was an enjoyable read and set the tone for my very small but much looked forward to Thanksgiving reading list for 2025.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 8 out of 10 stars

Duh! The Stupid History Of The Human Race by Bob Fenster

This book is presented in 3 parts. The opener was what I was looking for when I bought it. You get dozens of accounts of people doing stupid things. From politicians to celebrities. From athletes to everyday Joes and Joans. There's are a ton of boo-boos here. It's comforting to know that other people make mistakes and fail just like I do. But who are we kidding? It's also entertaining. 

When author Fenster presents the facts, he's great. You really can visualize the chaotic episodes. But Fenster also likes to add his own personal comments to the accounts. Some exposition is warranted; like the times he crosses the international dateline to tell about how someone from a foreign culture made a big mistake. What might seem normal to us American readers is taboo overseas and it's needed for Fenster to explain why such and such's faux pas was a big deal in Thailand, Egypt or wherever. But sometimes, the author gets really preachy and it's rather annoying.

This occurred ad nauseam in the second section where the author has an invisible interviewer question him about why the human race is so dumb and is it correctable. Fenster really harks on how humanity has developed planes that shoot missiles from miles away at innocent people. I agree, this is not one of humanity's finest moments. Neither was the creation of nuclear bombs and the misuse of the media as crowd control (or bread and circuses- depending on your view) for the populace. The author spent about 60 pages on his manifesto of human stupidity. But he only used the same 4 or 5 examples to prove his thesis. And honestly, I don't think he really proved his point. Fenster tries to answer a question about if followers of religion are dumb or not and he tries so hard to give an answer without upsetting anyone. I wonder if Fenster ever thought about becoming a politician...

The last section, also the smallest, was a decent read. Fenster gives 62 tips on how to be smarter and in a way, more productive. While many of the author's tips seemed a bit far fetched, I liked the examples of noted people who lived in such a way to become successes. Also, I appreciated how he praised those of us who practice a skilled trade as being vital parts of society.

The stupid things were enjoyable. The diatribe about how we're all stupid was  uh, well, stupid. But I liked the listicle on how to be smarter. My advice, skip the middle section.

Rating: 6 out of 10 stars.

Spider-Man: The Secret Story of Marvel's World Famous Wall Crawler

Technically, this 1981 book doesn't come from Marvel. Instead it's a part of Ideals Children's Books Secret Stories collection of hybrid graphic novel/Superheroes encyclopedias. But it's very much a Stan Lee/Steve Ditko/John Romita Sr. work. 

Along with reprints of Spidey's origin in the pages of Amazing Fantasy #15, there's a great mystery action reissue of Amazing Spider-Man #80, guest starring one of the wall-crawlers most dangerous does, the Chameleon. Plus, there are about a dozen or more pin-up pages of Spider-Man facts and members of his Rogues Gallery peppered throughout the book. Definitely the work of Ditko. I'm wondering if they were filler pages in the back of issues of ASM...

I've really got to get back into Spider-Man. He's always been a favorite of mine. As a kid, Superman and he would tussle on a daily basis for the #1 spot on my list of favorite comic book characters. Marrying someone who is deathly afraid of arachnids, Spider-Man has dropped several notches for the sake of love. But every time I read an adventure starring him, I've rarely been disappointed. 

I like how even though this was a book aimed at kids, Roger Stern, the author of the history of Peter Parker and Spider-Man parts, did NOT dumb things down. I feel like a 48 year old could enjoy a brief timeline of important events involving Spidey could learn just as much as an 8-year old could have and not felt like they had read a book for those under the age of 4!

The question for me really is: do I keep this? I didn't hate it. No. In fact, I enjoyed the heck out of it. But it doesn't really fit my collection. I've got limited shelf space and it is too wide to fit in a storage box without spine damage. Plus I don't know how many reprints of Amazing Fantasy #15 that's got a place in my collection already. These books seem to command nice price tags. But that doesn't mean that they sell for those prices either. I have a feeling that if I took this in for trade credit, I would get way less than I should. 

Choices, choices.

If you have The Hulk, Fantastic Four and Captain America Secret Stories and need Spider-Man to finish the collection, you know where you can find one... for now!

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 10 out of 10 stars.

Mendel the Mess-Up (Family Comic Friday)

I was immediately attracted to this 2024 graphic novel from the cover alone! The owner of 2 goats and adopted by a third, I just adore caprines. Seeing the cover image of the main character astride a goat in full gallop, I was extremely intrigued and did not hesitate for a minute to check it out from my local library.

Mendel is a young boy living in a turn of the 20th century Russian village. When his mother was pregnant with him, she incurred a curse from the village witch which proclaimed that Mendel would fail at everything he tried until the day the old woman's missing son was returned to her. All Mendel's mom did was buy the last cabbage available at the market that day. But now, it seems like a self fulfilling prophecy with Mendel accidentally breaking, destroying or losing valuable items in an already financially delicate village.

When a bullying menace is warned to be approaching Mendel's village, the entire community and their herd of goats, vital to the local economy, take to the mountains in retreat. Not allowed to participate in the evacuation because of his ability to mess things up, Mendel decides to run away. But in doing so, he accidentally releases the entire herd who are making a b-line right back into town. Now Mendel must face the fierce hoards of Cossack soldiers in order to save his town's livelihood as well as prevent his convert loved ones from being discovered. And to do so, Mendel will have to turn his greatest weakness, his incredible bad luck, into his own personal strength!

I really loved this book from Holiday House. It was funny. It had some educational moments, as I had heard of the Cossacks, but I didn't really know who they were. There are definite vibes of Fiddler on the Roof with this book and as someone married to someone of European Jewish heritage, I really liked the glimpse into her family ancestry. 

There was one element that I was torn about. I don't like it when animals are abused. Yet, as someone who grew up on farms and around hunters and fisherman, I am okay with killing of animals for food. Deer heads and taxidermied fish occupied the walls of many of my relatives. But from how I was raised, as long as the animal was also used for food, such displays are acceptable. To just kill an animal for the sport of it is forbidden. However, if you've ever kissed a goat, and Yes - I kiss my goaties all the time, I cannot and will not eat goat. Dairy from goats is okay. 

Anyways, that all being said, the beautiful white goats in this book all become dinner for the invading Cossacks. I came very close to not finishing this book because of this turn of events. However, other than a couple of goat skulls and some other bones, you don't see the animals being slaughtered. Plus, the Cossacks do eat them, even though they did it by theft. So, unlike other books where animals are mistreated, I did complete this one because technically, the bad guys do follow rules of eating meat that I myself would adhere to. I figured that they just didn't know of the joy and companionship you can experience when you adopt a goat as a member of your family. 

Mendel the Mess-Up was written and illustrated by Terry LaBan. I loved his cartoonish style. I'm a sucker for thick brushes and his doesn't get any wider! As for the writing style, it felt so real. Maybe because even though it was a work of fiction, it was based on the life and times of his grandparents from their days in the Old Country. Although is Russia the Old Country???

Recommended for readers aged 8-12, there are scenes of violence with the Cossacks destroying Mendel's hometown. The 'witch' in the story is quite intimidating. And of course, the goats get eaten. But it's a story with roots in historical truth as the Cossacks weren't very nice people. Sometimes the past isn't very nice and tidy. That doesn't mean that this isn't a book that the entire family could enjoy!

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.

Star Trek: The Next Generation Special #1

This 1993 special wasn't meant to be a supplemental piece to the already established TNG series from DC Comics. In fact, this deluxe sized issue was meant to give a myriad of writers and artists a chance to craft their very own Star Trek tale. It was like the ultimate fan fiction comic. Only it was crafted by professionals. 

There are 3 stories in this book. First up is a Guinan led story by Tony Isabella, who now identifies as Jenny Blake, and Bob Ingersoll. On special assessment from the Enterprise, Guinan is helping an old friend establish a saloon on a Federation colony. An outbreak of psychosis has plagued the new colony; threatening to shut the entire operation down. With the latest attack, Guinan summons the Enterprise, that provides an away team led by Commander Riker. As members of the Enterprise crew begin to experience episodes of terror, it's identified that each victim is facing their deepest, darkest personal fears. But who or what is invading the minds of the crew and colony? Hopefully, a member of the Enterprise security team with limited psychic ability will be able to uncover the culprit!

Ken Penders pens a story where Worf requests some leave in hopes of training his son Alexander in the ways of the Klingon warrior. Unfortunately, the planet Worf choose for his father/son bonding is about to experience a massive electromagnetic storm. Can the Enterprise make it to the planet in time to make a rescue?

Lastly, Star Trek novel legend Diane Duane provides a glimpse at a day in the life of Data's beloved cat Spot. Having accidentally escaped from his master's quarters, the curious kitty takes an epic trek through the bowels of the Enterprise D.

This special was originally supposed to usher forth a new anthology of quarterly releases, as per the article from editor Alan Gold at the back of the book. But as with many ambitious plans in the comic book industry, it wasn't meant to be. At best, DC managed 6 total specials over the span of 3 years. 3 were devoted to the Original Series and a trio starred the Next Generation. I've got all 3 of the specials starring Kirk and Spock. But I only have the first 2 books starring Data and Picard. In fact, I didn't even know that their was a 3rd book! So I have something to look forward to! 

Actually, I have 2 things as I haven't read the second special yet!

Lots of fun and it felt very authentic to the crew of the world Enterprise D! I just wish that the mystery behind that plague of insanity wasn't given away from the very beginning!

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.

Danger Street, Vol. 2

It probably wasn't that brilliant an idea to go a year before I read the second, and final, volume of the Tom King Black Label maxi-series Danger Street. This tribute to the DC First Issue Specials of the 1970s, is complex; with dozens of plots all merging together into a potential universe shattering event. Add Darkseid and the New Gods into the mix and you can be sure that the conclusion will be anything but simple.

In my defense, waiting this long was entirely all my fault. Volume 2 wasn't available at the time I checked out the first from my local library. Sure, I could have gone and bought the companion piece on Amazon. And I enjoyed the opener. But this wasn't something I wanted to spend my hard-earned cash on. Going into the summer and forgetting about this book didn't help either.

When we last left our players, several characters had died. Metamorpho, a member of the Dingbats of Danger Street, several members of the Green Team and the demigod Atlas had all gone on to their eternal reward. It was Atlas's death that triggered the end of all things. It's a situation so desperate that even Darkseid is working with Highfather to stop the eclipse of the Fourth World.

Before his demise, Atlas bestowed his powers to Good Looks. That event should prevent the end of the universe. It just happens to be that Good Looks is the Dingbat killed accidentally by Warlord and Starman. In other words, we're $(π€#€∆! 

Now the Dingbats, Lady Cop and Warlord among others are rushing to obtain the sole object that could save everything: the helmet of Fate. But on the flip side, the Green Team's surviving leader, the Commodore, is using his nearly endless resources to make sure that the apocalypse comes by sending the Creeper and a nearly unbeatable assassin after those seeking the magical relic. As the scale looks perfectly balanced between good and evil, what will be the ultimate outcome when you add in the unknown factors of the ever determined Manhunter and the freakish Outsiders!

I like Tom King. He has a devotion for DC nostalgia and a real love for the publisher's B and C level characters. But as much as I love his work, Tom King manages to anger me because it seems like he takes delight in killing off all of the oddball characters I adored as a kid. But this time around, King manages to end the story on a somewhat positive note. There's a body count. But I was okay with who lived and who did not.

I really think if I had read volumes 1 and 2 back-to-back or within maybe a month of each other, I would have enjoyed it more. The New Gods were tied into the main plot which brings all of these eclectic characters together. But they play such a diminished role in regards to the ending. It almost felt like they were unnecessary. But you can't have a story combining all of the players from the First Issue Specials without including Darkseid, Orion and Mantis- even if this was a neutered version (at best) of the ruthless leader of Apokolips. Plus, there are so many philosophical diatribes, especially in issue #7, that I found myself wondering what the hell everyone was talking about. Thus weighing in all these factors, I hereby stand with the rating I give without feeling like I was biased.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 7 out of 10 stars.

Archie Halloween Spectacular 2024 #1

I found it! Also, I am not crazy. Scatterbrained because of symptoms from fibromyalgia. But I knew that I had read this before. Apparently, I filed this into my collection before reviewing it. (This is becoming an annoying pattern.) But I had read it before and yes, based on the events in this book going on to the events of the Halloween specials for 2025, I have missed something in the Amber Nightstone Saga featuring Sabrina the Teenage Witch.

In the all-new feature, Sabrina is summoned to Riverdale by Jughead. Juggie apparently is the only member of the Archie gang that knows Sabrina Spellman is a witch. Though, like with Batman, I think a whole lot of people know her true identity but they keep it quiet in order to stay out of trouble.

Anyways, Jughead is aware that his good buddy Archie is going on a date with Amber. Sabrina realizes that Arch has been entranced and along with Jughead, Sabrina seeks to save Archie from her enemy's clutches. Behind all of this is an ancient evil and the promise of more trouble from Nightstone.

Though they appear on the cover, Halloween sprites Trick and Treat don't have anything to do with this issue; even with the reprint stories. So when Archie expressed trepidation over being fooled by those characters again, as with what happened 'the previous Halloween' and Amber Nightstone is revealed to having ensnared Trick and Treat, I knew that I missed something. I still don't know where all that background stuff happened and it's a bit infuriating. Hopefully, Archie will produce a complete Amber Nightstone Saga trade so that I can get the full story. 

Next Halloween, perhaps?

The other reprints are more modern tales. There's a spoof on the M3gan movie where Veronica buys an expensive luxury toy that seemingly comes to life with malicious intents. As for the other stories, I can't really recall them. It has been over a year, ya know...

Obviously, I liked this special enough to have remembered bits from it. I don't think forgetting to review it speaks to it's diminished quality or anything like that. Although I really enjoy the stories from the Archie Madhouse era. People don't seem to realize it, but  Archie Comics was a pioneer, utilizing vampires and other monsters during a period in comics history when monsters and ghouls were verboten! And they managed to still receive the CCA stamp on their covers. I guess it goes to show that humor can trump horror and it's detractors - if it's done as a lampoon. 

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.

The Mythmakers: The Remarkable Fellowship of C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien

I found this 2024 work in the graphic novel new release section of my local library. Though I am not really sure that you could classify this book as a graphic novel. It's more of a hybrid graphic novel/prose non-fiction biography. I'd say a good 50% of this book is prose. Plus the dialogue is very wordy. But I think that's to be expected as the subjects of this book by John Hendrix were both academics and philosophers.

C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien were the 20th century's most distinguished fantasy writers. Lewis wrote dozens of works in many genres, including early science fiction, children's literature and Christian theology. Tolkien was a perfectionist with anxiety and writer's block. But he managed to create an entire universe with his 4 volumes of completed stories set on Middle Earth. 

For a good period of time, the two were the best of friends and if it wasn't for the other encouraging their mates on, we wouldn't have Aslan, Frodo, the White Witch or Gandalf the Grey. They were each other's biggest fans and harshest critics. But as iron sharpens iron, Lewis and Tolkien refined each other into becoming 2 universally beloved authors. Unfortunately, as happens with many friendships, the two men grew apart. Yet, the respect and love the two had for each other was unwavering.

I had a difficult time getting through the first chapter. It wasn't about the history of Lewis or Tolkien. Instead, it was more of an introduction of what made a story either a myth, a legend, or a fairy tale. While I learned how a fairy tale could be as such without the inclusion of a fairy, I was very lost in this opener. Plus, I didn't like how close to calling The Bible a fairy tale or myth the author got and he's supposed to be a Christian author and illustrator!

Our narrators are a Wizard in full garb along with a pointed hat and a Lion dressed in rather a shabby looking blazer. I took me a while to figure out that the Wizard personified Tolkien, who was essentially one of the first cosplayers, and that the Lion in a shabby flannel coat was Lewis, as a lion is the main heroic character in The Chronicles of Narnia, and Lewis wasn't known to be a very flashy dresser 

While the opening chapter was a bit of a chore to get through, the rest of the book was not. It was a fascinating history of the two authors, growing up at the turn of the century, during an industrial boom, experiencing the horror of World War I and then witnessing the sun set on the British Empire after the devastation of the second World War. I even felt that the trio of appendices were really good. They felt more geared for the lay person as opposed to the introductory chapter which was too academic for my tastes.

While I wasn't too keen on John Hendrix in how he kept comparing Jesus to the great stories of myth and legend, I would not mind having him act as my guide through history. I see that Hendrix wrote a graphic novel about Dietrich Bonhoeffer, a pastor who became a spy and potential assassin of Adolf Hitler. I've been wanting to read a biography of this complex figure in World War II history and this seems up my alley.

So as much of an issue I might have had with some parts of this work, I think it speaks volumes that I am willing to give John Hendrix another try. 

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 7 out of 10 stars.

Zombie Fairy Tales #1

I've read a zombie horror/comedy special from Antarctic Press previously. It was pretty funny with lots of quick gags. Based on that positive experience, I was rather stoked to find this fairy tale based horror special from the same company. 

For the most part, I enjoyed this 2011 one-shot. There were some unique takes on Little Red Riding Hood and Goldilocks and the Three Bears that resulted in chuckles. I was disappointed that despite having Peter Pan, Tinkerbell and a zombified Captain Hook on the cover, they don't appear anywhere inside. But like most anthology comedies do, this special made the mistake of having 1 long story that wasn't all that funny and ruins the flow of the work. 

The Kentucky Fried Movie and Amazon Women on the Moon both fell into this trap. They had fantastic, rapid fire skits that left you dying laughing; only to slow everything down with a very long, and nowhere near as hilarious segment that ruins everything! 

That's exactly what happens here. In a parody of the Disney Princesses, Prince Charming is about to break Snow White from her sleeping spell with a kiss when a couple of sidekicks approaches him with alternate options. The Little Mermaid and Jasmine are also in need of smooches. Whomever the Prince awakens will make him a very wealthy and powerful man. But just who will Charming select?

There were a few chuckles. But it was also a story that seemed to cross several lines. Hermaphrodite ( or trans- not sure which) jokes aren't funny. They clearly aren't jokes that would fly today... Or would they? Considering how the pendulum has shifted politically in the last year or so, it's hard to tell. Regardless, when they started mingling in characters from Resident Evil, they really overcrowded the stew and like those longer segments from comedic cinema history, it fell flat. 

Not sure if I wanna keep this one. It started so well. It ended so poorly. Can't win them all I guess.

Rating 5 out of 10 stars.

Grubbs Loves Halloween #1

Every time I think that I have reviewed all of my reads for Halloween 2025, I find a book that I read but never reviewed. I'm finding that vivid dreams are a symptom of my fibromyalgia. I will read a book before bed and as I drift off to sleep, I will have crafted a brilliant review. I dream that I posted it here on my blog and everything, only to find out a couple of days later that no, I really didn't write up a fantastic dissertation on the comic, graphic novel or book that I completed. 

The latest Grubbs Halloween special is just another example of such.

In this 2025 one-shot, Grubbs has drafted plans for the ultimate Halloween. It involves, costumes, candy and pranks. Lots of pranks, of which if Grubbs can pull off before midnight will net him a wager of lots of Halloween candy and treats. First up, Grubbs plans on making some Halloween cookies with a special ingredient. Then Grubbs gets in trouble at school and has to pay off his punishment by being the target in the school carnival's dunk tank. Then it's a chance to win his big bet. Unfortunately, the big kids who Grubbs tricked into stealing a giant bag of doggie doo instead of his candy haul, are after the lad; chasing him deep into the bowels of his school's haunted house. It seems that the chances of winning his Halloween bet are in danger for ol' Grubbs.

Lots of fun. I've enjoyed both Grubbs Halloween specials that I have read. The world of Grubbs is so smart and funny. The level of imagination and the great banter between the siblings reminds me of Bill Amend's Foxtrot. Boy, do I miss Foxtrot. At least I get a little bit of a fix here with Grubbs and company. 

This issue was even better than the last special. Probably because both tales in this issue involved Halloween. That other Grubbs special ( I read) had a backup that could have taken place anytime of the year and with Grubbs wearing a tee-shirt and playing with a water hose, it felt like a springtime affair instead of during a chilly fall day.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.