Simpsons One-Shot Wonders: Bart Simpson's Pal Milhouse #1

The second of 18 total Simpsons One-Shot Wonders. I knew that there was a Milhouse comic book. I just didn't know that it was part of a rudimentary series of specials devoted to some of Springfield's otherwise minor residents. Professor Frink, Police Chief Wiggum and Jimbo are among those who I've learned were given the singular starring role treatment beginning in 2012. I just don't think Lisa nor Bartman, who starred in 3 of these one-shots, deserved the honors as both of them had series runs at one time or another during Bongo Comics' impressive 25 year run. 

I found this book at this year's 301 Endless Yard Sale. One of my former students and her friends were doing a sale and I found a couple of Simpsons comics that I didn't have for only a buck apiece. I chose to read Milhouse first because of the interesting cover. I remember someone from the show being chased by that airplane a la Cary Grant in North by Northwest and I thought the image of Milhouse as Conan the Barbarian was pretty rad. Unfortunately, the concept of the book doesn't quite seem to match the way Milhouse acts on the TV show.

The general idea behind the 2 main stories is that poor, awkward, nerdy Milhouse is so desperate for friendship that his best friend is his over active imagination. I've been watching The Simpsons ever since their days as filler on The Tracey Ullman Show and while Milhouse is definitely a dweeb, I've never noticed that he got lost inside his own head. Daydream retreats by Homer? Absolutely! By Milhouse? Not so much. Okay, never...

The second story at least seemed a bit more plausible. Milhouse gets thrown into his locker by Nelson. Trapped, Milhouse imagines that the locker has a secret entrance to a gigantic secret headquarters where he's international super spy 00! 

The three back up stories were more on par with canon Milhouse. Bart learns it's his best friend's birthday and arranges to bribe everyone at Springfield Elementary into making it Van Houten's best one yet. But soft-hearted Bart doesn't last for long as he then sets up Milhouse to prank Mrs. Krabappel and eventually rats him out without conscience. Lastly, Milhouse teaches you how to make the best prank phone call ever without getting in trouble for it with Bart acting out all the steps by ringing up Moe's tavern. 

Finally, one-shots editor, Louis Lane talks about the Springfield specials he has in store. A book about Homer when he was a kid was on tap next at the time. The first special starred Ralph Wiggum and the letters page saw Milhouse answering in his school mate's stead. It was funny. Though I clearly didn't understand that inside joke about someone's made up name. I googled it and I still don't get it. Also as a bonus, there's a 'hot rod' type sticker of Milhouse that looks like it was made by Ed ' Big Daddy' Ross, that after 13 years has lost its adhesive quality and yet remains inside the comic as if by magic.

With the news about our bombing of Iranian nuclear sites last night, I felt like I needed something light to read. I got that last night. A couple of laughs as well as a chance to think about something else other than complete and utter nuclear annihilation. It just seemed more like a Simpsons Treehouse of Horror episode instead of a regular season broadcast.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.

The Book of Unusual Knowledge

I bought this book over the summer during the 301 Endless Yard Sale taking place in Smithfield/Selma, North Carolina. A kid of about 15 was selling it. The mysterious title of The Book of Unusual Knowledge intrigued me. The picture of Stonehenge is was enticed me to pick it up. The factoid about how many endless hours it took to erect the stone monoliths sold me on the book. One portrait of Abe Lincoln and the book was mine. 

This book is massive. Just under 600 pages in length if you remove the index. A hardback, it's 'deceptively lightweight' as my bride described it one night when I asked her to hand it to me. 

Inside are articles on the real names of celebrities, Popes who were murdered in the Vatican, famous UFO sightings and much more. Some of the material isn't what I would consider 'unusual knowledge'. Information on the various sightings of the Virgin Mary is unusual. The history of that raining summer in Geneva which inspired Mary Shelley to write Frankenstein is not. With topics like movies, animals, pop culture and holidays, what is considered unusual knowledge is really up to the reader to decide.

This felt like one of those Uncle John's Bathroom Readers. Only there aren't any stupid puns about having to poop. There are a few quiz type activities like linking the musician name with their real identities. No article is longer than 3 pages. Okay; there might have been one or two that were 4 pages in length. Most were only a page long. So there's a ton of relatively short reads. However, it took me a long time to read because of how huge this book was.

BuzzFeed listed this 2012 fact book as one of the best gift ideas for the 2024 holiday season. The retail price on Amazon is decent and publisher Publications International Ltd. offers over a dozen more similarly bound books including one volume about cats and another about crime. I'm very tempted to buy another book to increase my unusual knowledge over as I did enjoy this book even though some of it seemed like pretty usual stuff 

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.

Andrew Zimmern's Field Guide to Exceptionally Weird, Wild and Wonderful Foods: An Intrepid Eater's Digest

Andrew Zimmern. Host of Bizarre Foods and several spin-offs. Minnesota Chef and writer. Man who will eat just about anything. 

I really like Zimmern. He seems authentic. I don't get the vibe that he's conceited or feels like he's the smartest person in the room compared to a lot of other celebrity and professional chefs that I know and watch. Zimmern has a world view that the things we eat are what can bring us together, despite differences in both opinion and taste. It's something I try to emulate in my culinary classes; especially when we discuss global food cultures. 

Over the past 6 months, I've been trying to increase my culinary knowledge by reading all kinds of works about the food industry. After the recent loss of our oldest cat, Lily, I felt like I needed something light for a while. Thankfully, Andrew Zimmern's Field Guide to Exceptionally Weird, Wild and Wonderful Foods was sitting on my to-read shelf and it helped me during my time for grief and recovery immensely. 

Though there are a few recipes in this book, this is not a cookbook. It's also not 100% culinary related. There are about 3 dozen alphabetical listings of foods that Zimmern finds to be kinda oddball. Some of the things he lists like Bird's Nest Soup and Durian (both of which I have sampled), I wholeheartedly agree with. Twinkies and Hot Dogs (again, things I have consumed), I just don't. I understand Chef's argument that how they are made with a terrifying assortment of parts, bits and chemicals can be looked upon as weird. I would define those foods as troubling. As for things like alligator, (one of my all-time fried favs), I would classify them as exotic. Wonderful, not Weird. But to a non-food professional, I can see those large lizards are being both weird and wild to eat.

Amazon rates this book as being for readers aged 8-12. Zimmern in his opening chapter says his book is for all ages. I know that kids and adults alike love Zimmern's TV travel series that explore foods that the common American kitchen lacks. So this book has a universal appeal to fans. However, with some very advanced terms and a frank but necessary discussion of how feces, urine and blood are often intertwined with some of these foods, I can see where not all readers will be fans of this book. OR that all readers would be ready for the material.

The all-age appeal that I think Zimmern is talking about is some of the additional factoids he includes. For example, under his chapter on bats, he includes facts about some of the greatest baseball hitters of all-time. That appeals to generations of readers. I know his TV shows cover non-culinary aspects of the cultures he visits and if Zimmern had stuck to that as additional information, I would totally be on board. I would have liked more entries of bizarre foods and less about how to defeat a zombie, as discussed in the chapter on brains. The off-the-wall non-culinary segments were fun. Just not what I wanted in a Bizarre Foods related read.

Going back to the bats. This book was written in 2012. Of course, many of us know of the urban legend that somebody in China eating a bat was who started COVID in 2019. I'd be interested to know how if this book was re-issued today how Andrew Zimmern would cover the eating of bats due to the rumors. It would be an opinion that I would definitely be interested in hearing.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.

Mega Man #20 (2023 Comic Book & Graphic Novel Reading Challenge)

The character of Mega Man was created by the Japanese video game company Capcom. Known as 'Rock Man' in his native Japan, the character debuted in the self-titled Mega Man video game in 1987. While the first Mega Man video game was produced for the NES, Nintendo Entertainment Center, the franchise has released over 3 dozen sequels and numerous spin-offs for various gaming systems over the years

Now here's a fact that most don't know about the character. Mega Man is the name of not just one character; but a whole series of robots created by Dr. Thomas Light. Mega Man robots are not just protagonists. They are villains too. The deranged Dr. Wily developed the Mega Man model robot with Dr. Light and eventually Wily showed his true colors, producing his own line of evil Mega Men androids in many attempts to conquer the world. 

Since the inception of Mega Man, a number of manga works have been produced involving the vast cast of franchise characters. Though Udon Entertainment and Viz Media have released a few of those works to American audiences, a large number of Mega Man manga have never been imported from Japan. 

In 2011, Archie Comics obtained the license of the Mega Man franchise. Instead of re-releasing English translated manga works, the publisher went the route of producing a series of all-new art and stories. 2012 marked the 25th anniversary of the very first Mega Man video game and Archie Comics pulled out all the stops. Along with a Sonic the Hedgehog/Mega Man team-up that due to shipping delays, didn't hit shelves until the following year, Archie Comics sought to create 12 months worth of stories that celebrated the extensive history of the Capcom property.

In this issue, Dr. Wily has unlocked the formula for time travel. Just as the scientist and his army of evil robots are about to conquer the future, Rock, the original Mega Man robot arrives on the scene... and is immediately swept through time! Going through various time periods, including his immediate past, the far flung future and even all the way back to prehistoric times, Rock experiences aspects from the first Mega Man game to 2011's Mega Man 10! 

If the reader of this issue is not the biggest of Mega Man fans, the story, while epic, is very overwhelming. If writer Ian Flynn or the editing team could have included an appendix that pointed out which video games were reference during Rock's various jumps through time, not only would this story have read a lot more clearer, but it could have invited new and emerging Mega Man fans into the franchise. Without it, this issue feels very unwelcoming to newcomers. 

Art by Gary Martin.

Cover by Mike Norton. 

Rating: 4 out of 10 stars.

Completing this review completes Task #20 (Based on a Video Game) of the 2023 Comic Book and Graphic Novel Reading Challenge.

Economix: How Our Economy Works (and Doesn't Work) in Words and Pictures (2022 Comic Book and Graphic Novel Reading Challenge)

Prior to releasing his book Economix in 2012, writer Michael Goodwin took a bunch of volumes on the economy, moved to India, settled in and did extensive research on the economy. For over 2 years, Goodwin combs over theories by noted economists such as Adam Smith, Keynes, Friedman, Ricardo. Even less conventional 'experts' like Marx and Engels are explored in this graphic novel exploration of how money makes the world go round. 

Along with the theories, Michael Goodwin examined how those theories impacted the markets and society as a whole in practice in business; both public and private. To do this, the author has a global look at economics. But being an American, Goodwin's focus in this book is the American economy. And boy did the United States make a ton of blunders when it comes to money. 

Goodwin does a fairly decent job just recording the facts. But it's hard for anyone to give a balanced, straight line approach without putting too much of yourself in a book such as this. I could only read this book in small chunks, considering how infuriating a lot those blunders made me. I would say that the author presents 'just the facts' about 70% of the time with about 30% emotions and opinions running the narrative. 

As for the visuals, it's a mix of line graphs, cartoon and caricature. Tasked with all of this is artist Dan E. Burr (Presidential Misadventures). The line graphs went over my head. I'm strictly a bar graph and pie chart man myself. I thought the cartoons had that unifying feel as noted years ago by Scott McCloud. The caricatures, while definitely something you might see on the Jersey Boardwalk, captured the images of 300 years of politicians, dignitaries and economic experts pretty well. 

As I mentioned earlier, this book was not something I could consume in just a couple of days. It took me almost the entire month of July, 2022 to complete it. There was a lot of theory, a ton of history and a gigantic amount of injustice. Economix made me think a lot about the spending of cash; how I spend it; and how changes in the regime shifts our cash flow. Being a school teacher in a specialized subject, I'm scared to death about losing my funding and my job in the wake of the mid-term election and 2024. 

My eyes are also opened quite a bit to the amount of excess being put upon our world. It moved me so much that I'm ready to cut my spending, live more sustainably and stop buying things I don't need. And then I saw the new line of comic book tees available for sale on Facebook...

Guess I've got a long way to go before I change the world. 

Worth Consuming! - But it surely will infuriate you from time to time!

Rating: 7 out of 10 stars.

Completing this review completes Task #11 (About Business) of the 2022 Comic Book and Graphic Novel Reading Challenge. 

Mars Attacks The Holidays

A hilarious look at the holidays with those pesky attackers from planet Mars. Based on the Topps bubblegum cards from 1962, this 2012 over sized one-shot was part of the massive 50th anniversary campaign. 

Mars Attacks The Holidays covers 4 holidays. First up: it's Feisty Fred Hembeck as he explores the exploits of a reconnaissance team during a 1950s All Hallow's Eve. The next holiday was one that you'd think would be the subject of countless specials due to the lengthy legacy of War comics, Veteran's Day. But with the second story of a scout invasion set on the eve of the very first Armistice Day, I now have my first Veteran's Day inclusion to my holiday comics collection. 

Thanksgiving is the setting for the third story. Set during the annual Turkey Day parade, this parody has Mars finally going all out on the earth. This story is done up like a MAD Magazine parody with lots of famous celebs but with skewered names. I found it rather interesting that despite being published in 2012, our current POTUS just happens to be a rather pesky main character in the story. Geez- I didn't realize how hated Trump has been. I only thought it was with him running for Prez in 2016 that folks began to have such venom towards him. I was wrong.

The last story is set at Christmas. And with this story, the yuks stop. Mars hasn't conquered our planet. But they've clearly laid waste to it. Taking inspiration from the legendary Christmas truce of 1914, things end poignantly if not on a little bit of a bummer.

I rather enjoyed this book. I love the Mars Attacks franchise. (Yes, I realize that doggies and kitties get wasted without care when it comes to these globe-domed aliens. But I still love it!) The first three stories were so hilarious. And having a Veteran's Day story was an added treat. While I also liked the Christmas story, having it's tone be a complete 180-turn from the other stories left me feeling a little unfulfilled. 

I've waited 8 years to get this book on the cheap. An $8 cover price was too rich for my blood. And for years, I could never find this book for less than $15; much less in a dollar bin. But I guess with the pandemic, I was at the right place and the right time to find this book online for the right price. 

Definitely, this one-shot was worth the wait. But it surely is a book that will leave you with a gut punch or two.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 8 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.

GCD, Volume 1: God Save The King

This 2012 indy comic collection by 215 ink was an interesting look at the garage rock scene. When the so-called King of Rock n' Roll is killed, his record label holds a contest to crown his successor. To become the next in rock royalty, musicians must compete in regional qualifiers first.

It's young Dylan's goal to get to the nearest arena for his chance. Along the way, he meets a fellow free spirit named Flip. However, that's not going to be easy as Dylan has pissed off some bad dudes and they've made it their mission to become the next in line for the rock crown!

I really enjoyed this book by Adam Wilson. Very well written, quite creative, and essentially captivating, I wanted to know what happens next. Unfortunately, I don't think I ever will. I've done several Google searches on how to find the next volume and I can't find anything. Typing 'GCD' takes me to a comic book grading site and with '215 ink' I keep getting links for ink cartridges. 

Even the cool scanning stamp included in the book that allows you to listen to a suggested soundtrack on Spotify no longer works.

Will Dylan and Flip make it past round 1? Who will become the next King of Rock n' Roll? Will I ever find volume 2? These are all questions that may remain forever unanswered. 

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.

The Three Stooges, Volume 1: Bed-Bugged!

In 2012, the Farrelly Brothers, directors of Dumb and Dumber, released a reboot of The Three Stooges. Starring Sean Hayes, Will Sasso, and Chris Diamantopoulos, the film was expected to be a smash hit. While the movie did bring in about $20 million more than it's production budget, based on expectations, the film was not a major success. (Oddly enough, a sequel is supposed to be in the works. But whether it will be a box office release or go straight to DVD is another matter.)

To cash in on the predicted buzz, Papercutz purchased the rights to not only create all-new Stooges comics, but the reproduction rights of the Dell Comics series from the 1960s. For the publisher, the move was a mixed bag of success. The Best of the Three Stooges Comics Books, Volumes 1 and 2 were critical hits. Fans who grew up watching the Stooges as kids and read the comics, snatched up these collections. They're actually pretty hard to find now. 

On the flip side, Papercutz released 2 volumes of new material to coincide with the Farrelly Brothers film. They didn't do as well as while the comics were marketed to kids, the film was a little too adult for them. As a result, these books have ended up at discount outlets over the years, which is where I found this book.

Bed-Bugged is filled with several short stories of the Stooges either taking on menial jobs and failing miserably or attempting to cash in on get rich schemes. Written by Jim Salicrup and George Gladir, these adventures include training to become sumo wrestlers, guarding a shopping mall from a horde of zombies, creating a haunted house in what very well may be a haunted house. Archie Comics legend Stan Goldberg illustrates all of these stories, such as the title story in which the Stooges are pest control workers. Also included as is a reprinted story from the 1960s written and illustrated by Norman Maurer, who coincidentally was married to Moe's real life daughter, Joan Howard.

The 1960s story was the best. Only instead of starring Larry, Moe, and Curly, this tale featured Shemp. By the time that story was published, Curly had passed away and Shemp was long gone. Instead, by this time new Stooges adventures were being created with someone named Curly Joe. Why wasn't he in this story instead of Shemp?

And why am I complaining? I love Shemp. My Yahoo! handle is a blotched tribute amalgam of my favorites Stooge's name and also my favorite bounty hunter. I guess it's just the comic book historian in me.

Normally with a book like this, the rating I give would not pursuade me to buy volume 2. But volume 2 is holiday themed and since I have a collection holiday comics, whether good or bad, the sequel is on my wish list. 

A okay read that is entertaining but not 100% my Stooges. Well, that last story is, at least.

Rating: 6 out of 10 stars.

Joe Kubert Presents

Celebrate the life and art of DC Comics legend Joe Kubert in this collection of stories. Joe Kubert Presents in a decades old project that Kubert had been pitching for quite some time. It features stories starring some of Kubert's most iconic characters including Hawkman and Sgt. Rock. There's also tales of heroes that Kubert dreamed of doing but never got the chance such as the last boy on Earth, Kamandi and Jack Kirby's rhyming hellion, the Demon. 

Some stories are either all-new material or never before published works. His stories of SPIT, an 18th century waif who takes up on a whaling ship hearkens to Kubert's inspiration of Melville's Moby Dick. Then explore the first few chapters of the Redeemer. This era-spanning adventure tells of a man who is constantly reincarnated in order to prove his worth as the redeemer of humanity. This was originally to be a 12-issue maxi-series in the 80s but for one reason or another, it just never got past the initial product stages.

Not all of these stories are of Joe Kubert's. Hoping to share the spotlight with some unsung friends of his, Kubert highlights fellow war illustrator Sam Glanzman and up-and-comer Brian Buniak.

Sam Glanzman was a Navy seaman in the Pacific theatre during World War II. His adventure's aboard the USS Stevens are chronicled here. The level of detail on the ships and planes is amazing. His stories are powerful and tear-jerking. It's amazing stuff.

Brian Buniak was tasked with writing and drawing a multi-issue episode of the Angel and the Ape. Based on an idea by Joe Kubert, Buniak has the unlikely detectives solving a pair of murder attempts on identical twin restaurateurs and then taking on a mad scientist who has created an evil android version of Ape!

Overall, Joe Kubert Presents was a fantastic read. It's tragically poignant that this was Kubert's last work. It's almost as if the art educator knew that his time was coming to a close. If his Sgt. Rock story was the last story to chronicle the DC Comics war hero, I would be more than okay with that. 

With a slew of Kubert pieces along with the long awaited Redeemer chapters and Sam Glanzman's recounts of WWII, this is an essential read for DC fans and collectors of war comics. Who am I kidding?!  This is a must read for any comics fan!

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 10 out of 10 stars.

Red Skull- Incarnate

   

 Examining the origin of Johann Schmidt: the Red Skull. Being a huge Captain Captain America fan, when I came across this, I had to own it. I can't stand the Red Skull... don't get my wrong he's the perfect foil to the Sentinel of Liberty but I hate the Red Skull and everything he stands for. Still, I had to read it!

     From the economic crisis of World War I Germany up through the rise of the Nazi party and the beginning's of the Holocaust all the way to Hitler wrangling total control of Germany, Schmidt is there somewhere on the edge of history. He's just bidding his time until he can become a major power player in Nazi Germany and nobody will get in the way on his path to glory. Not friends, allies, and especially not those who wrong him.

     With riots, brutal beatings, racism, and terror, this scariest thing about this collected miniseries from 2012 is how much it reminds me of our world today. 

      I had a little bit of trouble with how innocent Schmidt becomes. But now that I've had some time to process this story, I think writer Greg Pak (World War Hulk) did the right thing not making the pre-Red Skull lad entirely evil. Having someone who at first had good intentions turn his back on his beliefs basically signifies that Schmidt sold his soul for power. Another grim aspect of this powerful book that resonates through the headlines of today just as much as it did 70 years ago.

     With an afterword that documents the historical events that pepper this miniseries, this is something that as dark and gritty as it is, should not be missed.
     
    Worth Consuming

     Rating: 9 out of 10 stars. 
     

Avengers Assemble, Volume 2: Science Bros (Marvel NOW!)

A friendly wager between Tony Stark and Bruce Banner takes the heroes on a global race against time to locate and rescue a missing scientist with Captains Marvel and America playing the role of referees. But this competition is no longer fun and games when the Avengers come face to face with a bio- terrorist whose kinda a big deal. Well, at least in HIS mind…

  Then the Black Widow's past comes back to haunt her when she is summoned by the widow of one of her hits requests that she find her missing daughter. Widow's search joined by Hawkeye and Spider-Woman will lead them to a mysterious sewer lair where the laws of nature have been horribly perverted.

  Quests seem to be the theme of this volume as the final story involves a newly reconstructed Vision who is struggling with his role in a world that passed him by after being disassembled by his ex-wife, the Scarlet Witch. His latest mission is to locate a corporate hero who has recently learned that he's outlived his usefulness to the execs at Roxxon. As the Vision sees how discarded this fellow hero is, it causes the Avenger to reevaluate his own position on a team that he no longer recognizes.

   Avengers Assemble starts off with the humor and fun banter that won me over as an Avengers fan. After some pretty heavy plots involving the end of the universe and numerous betrayals, it’s great to finally get some laughs. It just seemed weird to up and forget these horrors that had yet to come to a definite conclusion. It was also a little confusing but I got over it and enjoyed the stories regardless. I figured they'll get back to those crises eventually.

Well…

  See this book is actually a series I haven't gotten into yet. Since Marvel has this unfortunate habit of canceling titles and renumbering them all under the Marvel NOW! Imprint, I accidentally skipped volume 1. Plus, now Marvel has started to carry over different series into the trades instead of issuing them as separate works making for even more confusion. (For example, All-New Hawkeye #1-6 were collected as Hawkeye Volume 5 instead of ANH Volume 1.) So just what exactly did I read?

Avengers Assemble is a series from 2012 meant to reflect the cinematic version of the team. To be a starting point for new readers is all well and good, but Spider- Woman, Captain Marvel, and the Vision don't even appear in the first Avengers movie. But these characters do play heavily into the plots of the 2014 Avengers series that I thought this book was a continuation of. Geez… no wonder I was confused.

  Still, this wasn't a bad read and I'm more than willing to give volume 1 a go. But come on Marvel- get with it. You're giving my wish list fits with your convoluted numbering!

Worth Consuming.

Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.

Fuds: A Complete Encyclofoodia from Tickling Shrimp to Not Dying in a Restaurant by the Mizretti Brothers

   Imagine a restaurant so awful, so insane, and possibly a little on the dangerous side and you've got Fuds: a trendy restaurant in Brooklyn that has taken the hipster foodie crowd by storm. With it's famous offerings of 'Dead Dog co-plated with Yam Clippings and a Leafy Lage Dumping' and ' Roundeye Flank Stringers with a Yankee-Poisoned Marinara and Fuzzy Rice Curds' this is any culinary instructors worst nightmare.

   Thankfully, Fuds is the brainchild of Kelly Hudson, Dan Klein, and Arthur Meyer (the later two are currently Tonight Show With Jimmy Fallon writers.) Originally started as a gag menu for a made up restaurant, Fuds really did take the Brooklyn scene and spin it on its ear. Going viral in 2012, people actually thought Fuds was real and tried to visit it to try these oddities while some tried to get the Health Department to close it down.

   Building from the success of the joke, Hudson, Klein, and Meyer created this book as a tutorial from the fictious restaurant's owners the Mizretti Brothers. Along with some of their most famous recipes, the Brothers included helpful tips on how to audition a new garbage man, knife safety (or lack thereof), how to save someone from choking (so they can pay for their meal) and explore the history of Fud. 

   This book was very funny and as a professional chef, I loved how it didn't take itself serious at all. I've seen so many jokers act like their going to be the next Charlie Trotter and end up figuring out that being in the restaurant business is really hard work and they drop out. So, it was funny to see a couple of goofballs half-ass it in the culinary industry for a change (even if it was all made up.)

   This book is a little vulgar. Lots of F-bombs and other four letter words are peppered throughout. But what surprised me more was the number of sex toys used in making some of the recipes in this book. I strongly advise anyone 18 and older to not try any of these recipes EVER! Especially the one that calls for 24 kilos of uncut cocaine. I'm pretty sure that one would kill you. 

   I found out about this book thanks to a plug from Jimmy Fallon on his show. Otherwise, I would have completely overlooked this book at the library. It's a fun read and it should be taken as such. Again, this is a parody- please don't make any of the recipes in this book! They will make you very sick at the very least.

    Lastly, if any of this book's real writers ever stumble across this review, I just would like you to know you spelled the title of your book wrong. It's a joke in my wife's family to spell Food F-U-D. But you forgot to put those two tiny dots over the U in Fuds. If you ever make a 2nd printing or a sequel, I hope you guys will put the correct accent mark over the U! Otherwise, you just look silly...

   Worth Consuming!

   Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.

Sailor Twain OR The Mermaid in the Hudson

 This graphic novel from 2012 is a Victorian Era mystery set on the Hudson River. Strange occurrences result in a steamboat owner's disappearance. When his body is flushed from the river, authorities declare it a suicide but the owner's brother has other thoughts. He becomes convinced he can bring his beloved brother back. Soon he too begins acting strangely. Eventually, the sibling begins to correspond with a mysterious writer who is an expert in paranormal and mythical creatures, particularly mermaids. 

    The captain of the ship has other thoughts. With his new owner striving to acquire seven lovers and staring off into the mighty river below for hours on in, the mariner believes that his new boss is going off the deep end like his brother did before he went missing. Nearly ready to send his crew off into a mutiny, Captain Twain finds that there just may be a method to the brothers' madness when discovers an injured mermaid the deck of his ship.

    Sailor Twain was engrossing. I was captured from just about the very beginning and I could not put this fantastic book down. The book is 400 pages, but I devoured it in one day. The story along with the mystery of the mermaid on the Hudson was that good.

   The art was also very good. The mermaid was gorgeous and the scenery of 1800s New York was breathtaking. I did think that Capt. Twain and a few of the guests on the steamboat looked a little cartoony. With his triangular nose, Twain looked like Guy Smiley's (from Sesame Street) ancestor and I swear that Dr. Brunson Honeydew from the Muppets Show was a dinner guest in another scene.

   But I thought this book was excellent. I wasn't a huge fan of the ending, but that's because it was ambiguous. I know that the reader is given the chance to decide Capt. Twain's fate at the end of the book with the numerous clues peppered throughout the story as to how those captivated by a mermaid's song met their fates. But I just happen to favor story with concrete endings and that's more of a matter of personal taste opposed to evaluating the quality of this story. 

    One last caveat. There is quite a bit of sex and nudity in this book. Some scenes are downright sensual. If this isn't your cup of tea that I recommend that you choose another beverage. 

  A fantastic work by Mark Siegel. I hope to encounter more of his works in the future. I also wouldn't be opposed to a sequel as I feel that the story for some of the characters in this book was far from over.

  Worth Consuming

   Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.

Voltron Force: Shelter From The Storm, FCBD 2012 Edition (Family Comic Friday)

  There's only one week left until Free Comic Book Day 2015, folks. Next week, I'll be previewing some of the books that will be available. But until then, let's check out a classic from 2012: 

I’ll admit I wasn’t the biggest Voltron fan. While I had the interlocking set of lion robots and their drivers as a kid, I really couldn’t get into the cartoon.

With this Free Comic Book Day issue of an all-new Voltron, I thought I’d be able to glide right in and it’d be all-systems-go. But with a new band of lion pilots, a set of villains that are vaguely familiar, and a story that takes place at least 5-7 years after the original series was set, I was lost. So this would be a great starter for new fans.

The art was good. However, it’s just still a little too Manga for my tastes. Plus, the plot reminded me of Ender’s Game, which is weird because I’ve never read Ender’s Game.

While I enjoyed this title, it didn’t light a fire in me to rush out and buy the complete series. They have the graphic novels of which this comic is based at my local library and that may be the extent to which I am willing to spend any time or money in exploring more of this new take on a classic 80s icon.

Worth Consuming.

Rating: 7 out of 10 stars.

Barnaby and Mr O'Malley FCBD 2012 (Family Comic Friday)

Created by Crockett Johnson of Harold and his Purple Crayon fame, Barnaby and Mr O’Malley is an early work comic strip about a young boy and his cigar chompin’, poker playin’ fairy godfather.

This free comic book offering from 2012 was a preview of a series of treasuries published by Fantagraphic Books. The art is clumsy, the stories ramble, and often a strip ends with a head scratcher instead of a belly laugh.

The book also ends in the middle of a tale about coffee smugglers. I hate a book to end in a cliffhanger, especially if I don’t have part 2. But, this book is aimed at little ones and I am not sure if this was a smart marketing move on the part of the publisher.  

There are two groups that I think the treasuries are aimed at. The first group are kids under the age of 10. Harold and His Purple Crayon is a brilliant series in which a young tyke creates worlds of wonder with his tiny crayon. So, building on the popularity of that series, Fantagraphic took a gamble assuming that if kids liked that Crockett Johnson series then they're going to love Barnaby. But the jokes are outdated and there are references to things like fuel rationing and nazi spies that today's kids probably wouldn't understand.

Group number two is the nostalgia crowd. Series like the Carl Banks' take on Donald Duck and Scrooge McDuck have small but loyal fan bases comprised of older readers who remember those comics from childhood. With cover prices of the Barnaby books ranging from $35-$40, young folk won't be able to afford these collections. But the nostalgia crowd who have more expendable income probably can. Honestly, I really don't know of very many Barnaby fans, so I'm not sure if Fantagraphics' wager behind these books' publication paid off or not.

(Barnaby Volumes I and II are available on Amazon.)

Rating: 5 out of 10 stars.

Star Wars/Serenity/Alabaster Free Comic Book Day 2012 Flipbook

WORTH CONSUMING!

It’s Whedon-o-rama in this issue as brothers Zack and Joss Whedon provide a double dose of entertainment in this Free Comic Book Day offering from 2012. First, the Whedons take on the Star Wars universe with a story featuring Han and Chewies during their pre-Yavin smuggling days. The story’s not bad and it has some really funny moments of banter between the pilot and co-pilot of the Millenium Falcon. However, it’s not familiar Whedon territory and it shows at times. But the art is very well done and it captures Ford’s likeness well.

Then the brothers tackle the crew of Serenity as they make a routine delivery. Now, I am not very familiar with this series and so I can’t really judge if it was great or not. I liked what I read, but a serious Firefly fan would know better than me if this was quality or not.

Worth Consuming.

Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.

New Avengers, Volume 4 (AVX tie-in)

   This volume of New Avengers takes place during the Avengers Vs. X-Men crossover event from 2012. Most books, that are tied into a crossover miniseries such as AVX, are considered filler just to make an extra buck. The theory is that if you slap the name of the crossover on the cover, then fans are going to swoop up and buy everything labelled as such, even if the reader has no interest in the title or characters involved. More often than not, the supposed supplemental crossover title has little to nothing to do the miniseries in question.  For many fans, this is the norm and it's an infuriating waste of time and/ or money!

   

   This volume is actually different from the norm!

    In volume 3, Jessica Jones took her baby and left the New Avengers, fearful for its safety. Now Luke Cage must decide where his allegiances lie- with his team or his wife and child. Meanwhile, Captain America has called upon the New Avengers to assist with the Avengers in the coming crisis- the return of the Phoenix Force! 

    

    The X-Men believe a young girl with fiery red hair is destined to become the next Phoenix and lead the mutant race into an era of prosperity. The Avengers fear that she may go all "Jean Grey" and destroy the earth. Added to the mix, the monks of the Order of the Iron Fist think she could be the next Iron Fist and is meant to defend the Earth from the Phoenix or an entirely different force of evil all together.

     The best thing about this book is that it does a very good job keeping the reader informed of the goings on of the AVX miniseries. After about 4 issues of a chronological progression of the storyline, the time line jumps. In one issue, Captain America summons the Illuminati in hopes of swaying X-Men ally Prince Namor to the Avengers side. Then there's a trippy single issue tale about the captivity of several New Avengers in the throes of the X-Men. The final story takes place days after the climax of AVX. It has an X-Man in custody and the New Avengers having to protect him from the holy rolling, mutant-hating Purifiers. 

 

    That story will culminate with Cage deciding once and for all where his loyalties lie. His decision will impact the future of the team. More importantly, it's going to have me rushing to the library for volume 5. Now if I can only get my hands on the AVX miniseries...

    Worth Consuming

   Rating: 10 out of 10 stars.

   

Cow Boy Hallow’s (2012 Halloween ComicFest Exclusive (Family Comic Friday)

I give this 2012 ComicFest offering an E for Effort. The cover is a cool Halloween themed pic of our hero, Cow Boy. I think this story appeals to those who remember dressing up as a cowboy for Halloween or those today who still do dress the part. This story takes place in a small town in the Old West during Halloween but aside from some establishing shots of towns folk in costume for trick-or-treating, that’s about it for All Hallow’s Eve in this comic.

The story itself in set in a saloon where a friend of Billy the Kid is loudly claiming that nobody can out best his friend the Kid. The noisy rumblings wake up Cow Boy, a child bounty hunter, from his slumber upstairs. Now its dead shot vs. outlaw but does ether party really want to end the witching hour with a gunfight?

Cow Boy was a cute story about a child bounty hunter trying to make amends for his family’s robbing ways. I know that my library has the graphic novel that this story is inspired from. While I wasn’t terribly enthralled by the comic, it does garner enough interest that I wouldn’t mind checking it out. The dialogue was very clever with unique voices for all of the characters. The art is very cartoony but it works since this is a kids comic book.

This leads to my plug for Halloween ComicFest 2014. It’s tomorrow. Comic Book stores nationwide will be giving out free comics for the event. Kids will even get a chance to dress up early for Halloween as many stores will be hosting costume contests. You can even go to the ComicFest website and submit pics for a chance to win a gift card. Stores usually offer up some mighty fine sales and there is usually other chances for people to win prizes at the store for coloring contests, trivia, and lots of other cool activities.

Another thing to consider is buying a mini pack or two, or three of comics to hand out for trick-or-treating instead of candy. Like the packages say, comics last longer than candy and they can make meaningful strides in getting kids excited about comics and reading. (Homeroom parents- imagine how happy your child’s teacher will be when you hand out comic book instead of sugary treats for this year’s Halloween party!) The sets are $4.99 for a pack of 20. There are at least 12 different titles available for this year. Some stores will be selling the packs tomorrow. If you live in Durham, NC, check out my friends at Atomic Empire tomorrow. It’s where I picked up my packs!

Also, as a special treat, Family Comic Friday will be invading the whole week as I review a handful of the titles available for trick-or-treating. Check with me starting Sunday for this 5 day event.

Worth Consuming

Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.

 

 

Johnny Boo & Harold in Tricky Treaters (Family Comics Friday)

Sorry about not posting yesterday folks, but as you may remember, I’ve got a broken foot and spent some time on my back propping up. Also, I got some really good news about a project that I hope to be able to talk more about soon. But, I needed to devote some energy to that and so that’s why we’ve got this special Saturday Edition of Family Comics Friday.

Gone are the days of Casper the Friendly Ghost, Wendy the Good Little Witch, and Hot Stuff. Their publishing rights disappeared when the comics company, Harvey Comics, closed up shop in 1994. But, the spirit of those comics lives on. In the past few years, Dark Horse Comics has been reprinted some of the tales from the Harvey kid’s line. Every once and a while, a character like Richie Rich pops up in a new series by an independent published. And I guarantee you that in every comic convention in America (except for ComiCon in San Diego) you can find tons of Harvey Comics in bargain bins for a $1 or less.

Despite all of this, that is no way means that new kid-friendly comics starring ghosts, vampires, and other spooky characters aren’t available on the market right now.

In this 2012 Halloween Comicsfest Exclusive (BTW next Saturday is this year’s Comicsfest at your local comics shop, so check it out!) we get a short story about a young ghost named Johnny Boo and his pet ghost, Squiggle. Here, Johnny Boo tries to hide all of the ice cream from trick-r-treaters but ends up in a little bit of a mess. Then we meet Harold, a long-necked vampire with 2 bats for friends. The bats don’t quite get things right and when Harold forgets to decorate for Halloween, the bats do the unthinkable and gross out a bloodsucker.

Johnny Boo has at least 6 volumes of comics on the market. A new volume is due out this month. As for Harold, this is the first on only story I can find about him. It’s possible that he stars in the Johnny Boo series in his own mini-feature. The Johnny Boo series is published by top Shelf Productions and run for $9.95 a pop. Johnny has also been featured in Top Shelf’s annual Free Comic Book Day release for at least the past 4 years. Those issues can be found online for a couple a bucks each.

One other thing, the Johnny Boo books are published like a typical comic book is with 2 staples. These volumes are released like a digest with a solid paste paper spine. So, if you go to the kids section of your local comics shop, be sure to look on the collection shelf and not the new release section. Better yet, ask your friendly neighborhood comic book clerk for help finding them.

Johnny Boo is for ages 5-10.

Worth Consuming

Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.