Adventures in Advent: Advent 2024, Day 21

If you follow my Advents annually, you'll know that I devote one of my days to the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah. My wife is half Jewish and we celebrate the festival of lights by putting up a fire safe menorah (because we have cats) and decorate one of the trees in our yard with blue and white lights and decorations.

But 2024 is a bit of an anomaly. Hanukkah begins on December 25th and I always make sure to focus on the birth of Christ on my Christmas Day Advents. I also partially plan out my Advents weeks in advance and I've got my next 4 days set. Thankfully I didn't have a calendar selected for today and I'm able to continue my annual look at Hanukkah.

You might think that they don't make Hanukkah Advent calendars. Well, you'd be wrong. Instead of being 12, 24 or 25 days long, Hanukkah Advent calendars are only 8 nights- NOT DAYS- long. That's because of the miracle of the Temple in which God stretched out the oil for the lamps to last slightly over a week. Plus as with all Jewish days, they start a new at sundown- not midnight.

#1- Astor Chocolate sells a Hanukkah Chocolate Calendar. Filled with chocolate coins, called gelts,  made of dark chocolate and milk chocolate which is the currency of choice for the most serious of dreidel players. 

#2 on Etsy, seller Ohhappydayconfection offers a Hanukkah Countdown comprised of cookies and gummy candy. 

3. With seller Cubinizer on Amazon, you can make your own Hanukkah Countdown. You receive 8 small linen sacks that are numbered and bear classic Hanukkah images. Fill them with treats and goodies. Reuse yearly. 

4. Poshmark and other online sellers has felt  and fabric calendars similar to the one I had as a kid and reviewed for Day 1. It's a multicolored felt countdown equipped with 8 numbered candles. Each night you add a flame until you have the whole octet blazing.

5. Why should the humans have all the fun? Middle sells a Chanukah Countdown Calendar for cats! This countdown features 8 boxes being Hanukkah images filled with an assortment of balls, stuffed mice and more. Made of sturdy material, the boxes can be refilled and reused every year.

6. Make all 8 nights of Hanukkah a movie night (or TV marathon) with the Pop 'N Dulge Movie Night Popcorn Set. You receive 5 bags of corn for popping including a blue and ruby variety as well as 5 seasoning packs. I know that this adds up to 10. But 3 bags of popcorn are of the classic golden variety, so I think for 2 nights you're supposed to highlight the flavor packs and not the popcorn. Anyone for an Adam Sandler film festival?

7. Knitting your thing? Teeny Button Studio from Louisiana has an Advent where for 7 nights, you get a mini skein (length of yarn) of certain colors and for night #8 you receive a full sized speckled skein for a festive project.

8. Celebrate Hanukkah in luxury with Budhagirl's Hanukkah Advent calendar. Over the course of 8 days, you receive a variety of metallic all weather bangles from the noted French jewelry maker. A combined value of $350, the Advent is a bargain at $250 retail.

And there you have 8 Hanukkah Advent calendars. With 4 days until the double holiday, there's still time to get in on the action if you act now. And just so you know, I'm not a paid endorser for any of these companies. I just happened to be looking for Hanukkah gifts for my bride and this is what I came across. Best of luck and Shalom!

Adventures in Advent: Advent 2024, Day 20

Some Advent calendars like yesterday's offering are a feast for the eyes. Today's Advent calendar is music to my ears. Manufactured by Coppernrath, the standard cardboard poster board or display box is replaced with plastic and vinyl in the form of a gramophone, which is an old school record player.  (Kids, a record player was a device used to play music on large thin black discs.)

Since this is a miniaturization, the discs are about the size of a drink coaster. Select the corresponding day's disc, which are numbered from 1-24, insert into the center depression of the gramophone, place the needle over the disc and hit play. 

I haven't heard of most of the songs selected. Since this is a German made Advent calendar (Germany, by the way is the birthplace of the Advent calendar), I suspect those carols are from the Old Country. But there are some songs that should be familiar to American audiences such as Jingle Bells and Joy to the World. 

Throughout this Advent, I've been disappointed in the packaging spoiling the surprise of the Advent gifts. However, considering how many of these songs are ones I suspect not many have even heard of, the playlist on the back of the display box might actually be necessary in order to fully enjoy this unique Advent.

Adventures in Advent: Advent 2024, Day 19

Today's Advent features a location that is very near and dear to my heart. I've never visited it. But one year in high school (sophomore year, I think), I spent 31 class periods drawing an intricate landscape of this legendary locale: Neuschwanstein Castle.

Built from 1869-1886, the castle is located in the Alps of Southern Bavaria. This was intended to be the most ornate palace of King Ludwig II of Bavaria. He never officially lived at Neuschwanstein dying shortly before it's completion, drowning in a nearby lake. Ruled a suicide, there's debate that he might have been murdered by enemies, due to bruises on the body or if he died suddenly of a heart attack brought about by the frigid conditions of the water.

If Neuschwanstein Castle looks familiar, that's probably because you've seen it in movies. Spaceballs and Chitty Chitty, Bang Bang are among some of the films to have used the location as a set. The castle also served as inspiration for Sleeping Beauty's Castle at Disneyland and was recently an inspiration for a palace in a Pokemon animated feature.

When I drew Neuschwanstein, the scene was set during the spring or summer. In the Advent calendar I found, the setting is Christmas. Based on a famous image from a set of Bavarian beer steins of all things, the painting is of a snowy landscape at Christmas time with a sleigh arriving presumably for the beginning of a great feast. It's evening and the hundreds of windows of the royal residence is illuminated by candlelight.

The calendar is made of double thick cardboard. On each corresponding day, you open a tiny door to reveal images of the interior of Neuschwanstein and the surrounding area. There's also a portrait of King Ludwig II to discover. Speaking of discoveries, let's see what I got from my Batman Advent today...

Bruce Wayne: Not Super (Family Comic Friday)

I know of a lot of comic book fans that would not enjoy this book because it's not canon: true to the comic books. But I really thought Bruce Wayne: Not Super was a delight. 

In Gotham City, there is a special academy for students with special powers. Called Gotham Preparatory School for the Really, Really Gifted, the student body is composed of heroes and villains. But NO VIGILANTES! And that's a really hard rule for young Bruce Wayne to follow as he's the only student at Gotham Prep without powers and being a vigilante is what the teen put as his career goal. 

Typically, if you do not have powers, you're not allowed to attend Gotham Prep. However, because Bruce's parents basically put up all the money to build the school, the heir to the Wayne family fortune was given an exception. Yet, if you ask me, I really think Stuart Gibbs got it wrong with this plot point. 

Dick Grayson, Oliver Queen, and other regular Joe (non-powered) characters from the DC Universe are students at Gotham Prep. Being an acrobat isn't a super power. Neither is being a crack shot with a bow & arrow. They're skills. Not super powers. So, in my opinion, Bruce Wayne isn't the only pupil who is not 'really, really gifted.' 

Bruce Wayne: Not Super was a fun book with lots of funny moments. Seeing Bruce working with his faithful butler Alfred to design an animal costume that strikes fear in the hearts of villains was very funny. Once Bruce decides to become a Bat-Man, his Wile E. Coyote-like misadventures with his array of bat-themed gadgets was hilarious. And seeing Bruce forge relationships with Dick Grayson, Selina Kyle and other characters was rather heartwarming. I just wish that Stuart Gibbs hadn't made Clark Kent such an unlikable character. 

I guess in high school, as Clark develops his powers, he'd be rather smug about it. He'd want to try and use his abilities to get the upper hand at things, especially sports. But I don't think Clark Kent would ever be a bully. Ma and Pa Kent just won't stand for that!

Okay, I realize that I've pointed out a couple of problems I had with this book. But I like to think that I've overlooked enough to really have enjoyed what I read. Everything is set up for a sequel and I couldn't have been more thrilled with that prospect. 

I think young readers of the recommended age of 8-12 years will not mind at all seeing their favorite heroes and villains as classmates. Parents may not like seeing some future icons of truth and justice acting the opposite of those innate ideals. But I think the real message behind this story is growth. Whether it be in growing more confidence in yourself to seeing your flaws and improving on them; failing at things but learning to get better from those times of disappointment is an important lesson both children and adults seem to have not been taught anymore. 

Life is hard. It can get better. Bruce Wayne learns this through help from his father figure Alfred, good buddy Dick and most importantly, himself!

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.

Arkhamaniacs (Family Comic Friday)

This is a toughie to explain. Mostly, because this Batman universe story is just so un-Batman. But I loved it!

This graphic novel by the dynamic duo of Art Baltazar and Franco is set when Bruce Wayne's parents are still alive. One day Bruce goes with the Waynes' butler Alfred on an errand to Arkham Apartments, a Gotham City property owned by his parents. During his brief visit, Bruce runs into some of the eclectic clientele of the complex, including a manic clown wearing the biggest grin you've ever seen.

The visit intrigues Bruce, whose life at Wayne Manor is pretty dull and boring. Seeing a different view of the people of his city, the young Master Wayne decides one night to sneak out and visit Arkham Apartments to understand just why the property is so unusual and well, fun. Once at the tenement, Bruce will meet all of the residents of Arkham, folks with special powers, fun costumes and unusual pets, such as a crocodile in the swimming pool!

Arkhamaniacs reminded me a little bit of the FOX Batman prequel series, Gotham. That show was set when Bruce Wayne is a child; years before he'll even dream up the idea of becoming the Dark Knight and I feel like that very mature TV series was an inspiration to this DC graphic novel for kiddies. 

See in Gotham, Bruce Wayne meets the Joker (well, Jokers, as there are 2 in the series- at least), when the budding criminal is also in his very early years. In fact, Bruce becomes really good friends with one of the Jokers before that character is tragically turned into a raving lunatic thanks to some nerve gas. To me, I get the feeling that Art Baltazar and Franco were looking to expound on what that friendship could be like before things got real with the advent of Bruce becoming an adult. So there were elements of JM Barrie's Peter Pan at hand as well. 

This graphic novel was a fun read. It was just weird seeing the Joker being friends with young Brucie. The Joker is almost like a guide towards opening Bruce's mind up to the world of play and imagination. So, there were elements of Roald Dahl's Charlie and the Chocolate Factory as well.

I think the most difficult thing about this book was knowing that all the joy and bliss between Bruce Wayne and the residents of Arkham Apartments is going to one day come to an end. Joker not only does horrible things to Bruce Wayne and his Batman Family, the Clown Prince of Crime goes on to betray and manipulate a whole bunch of his so-called friends. It's rather unsettling no matter how bright and cheery the creators of this book make things seem.

Art Baltazar and Franco have another masterpiece on their hands. This is another fun-filled romp full of DC Comics nostalgia that readers young and old will like. I just hate that uneasy feeling my knowledge of the adult Batman world gives me when I'm trying to read that paints an extremely rosy picture of things between Bruce Wayne and the Joker. 

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.

Batman: Overdrive (Family Comic Friday)

Batman has almost always had his Batmobile. Now you can learn the origins of the world’s most iconic superhero sportster in the pages of the new graphic novel Batman: Overdrive!

Batman: Overdrive
Written by Shea Fontana
Illustrated by Marcelo DiChiara
Published by DC Comics
Pages: 136
Retail: $9.99

If you are familiar with Batman, then his origin story should be old hat. As a youngster, Bruce Wayne watches as a robbery gone wrong takes the lives of his parents. Now an orphan, Bruce channels his rage into one day finding the killer. Through intense physical and mental training, Bruce becomes The Batman, the world’s greatest detective. 

But how did Batman get his Batmobile?

That question is answered in this all-new graphic novel by Shea Fontana (DC Superhero Girls) and Marcelo DiChiara (Smallville). Batman: Overdrive is framed similarly to the Fox TV series, Gotham. Both have a teenaged Bruce Wayne becoming acquainted with many of the characters years before he would when he becomes Batman. Yet like Gotham, as much as such a plot makes my brain itch. Shea Fontana makes it work. 

We don’t see Bruce Wayne being directly involved in the origins of villains such as Two-Face, Mister Freeze or The Joker. Instead, Bruce engages in characters that for the most part could be in Gotham City pre-Batman. Of course, there’s Selina Kyle as an orphaned cat burglar roaming the streets of Gotham City. Pamela Isley and Harleen Quinzel are here too. The only character I objected to was in the inclusion of a teen version of Lady Shiva. I think it would have made more sense having that character be Katana instead.

Overdrive introduces fans to an all-new character in Mateo Diaz. An expert mechanic, it’s him that inspires Bruce to soup up his Batmobile into a fearsome automobile fortress. Whereas Lucius Fox is the real character who did this in the comics, Fox is also too old for a 15-year old Bruce to be going out in the middle of the night to fight crime with. Plus, Mateo was a very well written character that I would like to see pop up in the pages of the adult Batman books. 

The main focus of this book is the relationship between Bruce and Alfred. It’s uneasy as Bruce doubts his butler’s sincerity as a caregiver. A real mystery is uncovered when Bruce discovers evidence that Alfred used to work for crime boss Carmine Falcone at one point! Could Batman’s faithful butler actually be behind the death of Thomas and Martha Wayne?

If you love cars, you will love this book. There’s dozens of great automobiles and several Bullit-level car chases in this graphic novel. In fact, I think I like Marcelo DiChiara’s illustrations of the machinery way more than I did of the characters. They looked a little too generic for me. But those cars! Even the Mateo’s hunk o’ junk VW Beetle looks pretty sweet. 

Batman: Overdrive gives small little nods to the rich 80-year plus history of the Dark Knight. But there’s several Easter egg nods to the 1966 Batman TV show that I enjoyed the most. This graphic novel doesn’t seek to rewrite the history of Batman. But it does modify it just as Bruce and Mateo do with the ‘66 Crusader that is destined to become The Caped Crusader’s most trusted ally!

An entertaining book that builds on decades of comic book lore while not being stale. This is a graphic novel that Batman fans of all generations will love!

Batman: Overdrive debuted in print and digital formats on March 3, 2020.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.

Superman #358

This 1981 issue of Superman is a gem from my childhood. While the issue I just recently read is not the one I had as a kid; it is one that when I was able to find again, I quickly snatched it up without a second thought. 

There two adventures in this issue. Let's talk about the back-up feature first. It's an imaginary tale in which instead of landing in Metropolis, baby Kal-El's rocket ship crashes on the outskirts of Gotham City. The babe is found by officer Jim Gordon and delivered to the Wayne's where they raised the boy as Bruce Wayne. 

In a reality where the Waynes were never killed by Joe Chill, this Bruce Wayne isn't ruled by vengeance. This Bruce is a mild-mannered rare book dealer by day. At night, Wayne assists a now Commissioner Gordon in a war against law and order as Superman: The Last Son of Krypton!

This back-up feature lasted for a few issues. But it didn't really take-off. However, the concept was explored deeper in the Elseworlds title, Superman: Speeding Bullets.

Now let's look at the main feature. Clark Kent visits a classroom of Metropolis students where he tells them of an adventure of the Man of Steel. Superman encounters a powerful being that resembles a giant sunflower. This being is the male equal of Mother Nature and is unhappy with how his mate allows life to evolve on planet Earth! Father Nature plans to do something drastic about it. But he'll have to get rid of Superman, who stands in his way, first!

This was an odd tale by Cary Bates and Curt Swan. I loved the artwork. It was as vivid and exciting as I remember as a kid. But I now find it odd that Clark Kent would tell a bunch of fifth graders that they are the product of alien experimentation on our planet millions of years ago. I also find it unusual that the kiddies don't find Clark's revelation all that faith-shattering. Is there a missing Superman #358.5 in which Clark Kent has to explain his actions to an angry group of PTA parents? 

One thing really cool about this story is the kids themselves. There's a blond haired boy named Alec and a pig-tailed girl named Alanna. If the names and descriptions sound familiar, that's because the pair starred in a series of Radio Shack comics as the TRS-80 Computer Whiz Kids (AKA the Tandy Computer Whiz Kids)

Clark Kent mentions to himself of having met Alec and Alanna before as Superman. So this is one of the first appearances of the Whiz Kids. More than likely, it's probably their second ever appearance and first canon appearance in the DC Universe as the Radio Shack stories have never really been considered 'official DC tales.'

This was a nostalgic look at my comic book filled childhood. It featured an interesting take on the Superman/Batman mythos. Plus there were unexpected guest stars from another comic series of my youth. Maybe not the best Superman comic book of all-time but it is definitely one of my favs!

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 7 out of 10 stars.

The Secret Hero Society, Book 3: The Detention of Doom (Family Comic Friday)

For today's Family Comic Friday, I want you to imagine that all of the members of the Justice League got their powers as kids. It's not that hard to believe since over 60 years of DC Comics history is filled with tales of Superman and Wonder Woman saving the day as little kids. It's occurring in the present as well with a teenage Bruce Wayne becoming the Dark Knight on Gotham.

Today's book selection is 'The Detention of Doom.' It's the third book in the DC’s young readers series, The Secret Hero Society. Written by Derek Fridolfs, this series follows a young Bruce Wayne, Clark Kent, Diana Prince and friends as they try to save their middle school from Lex Luthor and his band of bullies.

The Secret Hero Society books are one part graphic novel and one part chapter book. The prose parts of the book are written up as parts of the SHS’s dossier on the events of their most recent mission. Those parts are drafted up by Derek Fridolfs. On art is Fridolfs’ Lil’ Gotham partner Dustin Nguyen.

I'm a big fan of the seasonally themed Li'l Gotham. It's one of the main reasons I choose this book. 'The Detention of Doom' is also a pretty new release by DC Comics; bearing a copyright of 2018.

The book has Clark Kent mysteriously disappearing after winning an award for being a top student in the Gotham City school district. The Luthor Corp sponsored the event. Thus Bruce and the rest of the SHS are on high alert suspecting that Lex Luthor has something to do with Clark's vanishing.

While tinkering with the award, the pint-sized superheroes find themselves transported to another dimension. Filled with sand, a run down school and soul-sucking phantoms, the team think that they have found Clark! Well, he looks like Clark. Only this kid is paler than young Kent and a lot more bizarre.

I thought Dustin Nguyen's art was just great. He's never disappointed me before and he didn't here. Nguyen is supposedly working on a sequel to Li'l Gotham and I can't wait for it.

The writing was pretty good too. Great characterization of your favorite DC heroes as kids. But I thought that the plotting was a little confused at times. On more than one occasion, it's mentioned that a character or two have wandered off from the group. But a couple of pages later, they're back without any explanation.

I know that Fridolfs and Nguyen were splitting the writing duties based on what format the book switched over to. I'm wondering if when Derek Fridolfs wrote out a character he forgot to tell Dustin Nguyen and vice versa.

Plus, there's one scene where Bruce plays very fast and loose with the timeline. Yes, time travel is a big element in the DC Universe. But this instance felt like a cheat for the writers to get themselves out of very deep plot hole.

The Secret Hero Society books are recommended for readers 8-12 years old. There's nothing objectionable for younger readers if they'd like to give the series a shoot. But some of the terms are a little more advance. So younger readers may need an adult's help defining those words.

A very enjoyable blend of novel and comic book. It had a few kinks in the formula to work out. But it was a fun read. Now with DC recently announcing the formation of two new young reader imprints, I am more excited that ever to see what DC Comics has in store.

Who knows? Maybe one of those books will be my selection for an upcoming Family Comic Friday! Until next week- read more comics!

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.

Batman, Volume 9: Bloom (The New 52!)

   

There's a terrifying new villain in Gotham City. Calling himself Mister Bloom, this new enemy is supplying the gangs of Gotham with bio-engineered 'seeds.' In reality, these seeds are a sort of nanobot steroid that are turning the criminal element into superhuman powerhouses. Claiming to be the Joker to Jim Gordon's Batman, Mister Bloom just might have what it takes to destroy the Bat and his city forever.
    Meanwhile, the fate of Bruce Wayne is revealed. But what about the Joker? Did he too survive Endgame?
    Bloom is a brutal character and I quite like him. Despite being Gordon's Joker, he's the direct opposite, if anything. Mister Bloom seeks order in the face of chaos where as the Clown Prince of Crime is quite the opposite. Refreshing- though I wish Bloom's identity would have been revealed- or was it I missed all the clues?
    As for the return of Bruce Wayne- I like how he's basically got a new lease on life. Of course, you know he's eventually going to return to the mantle of the Bat, but for right now having a completely reborn Bruce Wayne without the scars and wounds of years as a vigilante hero, is pretty awesome. Plus, the theory of how a Bruce Wayne Batman can continue on for decades to come is perhaps the most unique twist on the future of the Dark Knight mythos since the introduction of Terry McGinnis in Batman Beyond.

   Worth Consuming

   Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.

Time Masters: Vanishing Point

If you read Bruce Wayne: The Road Home, you'll see Booster Gold, Superman, Green Lantern, and the lesser known Rip Hunter, Time Master following the Caped Crusader as he is displaced through time. You might think that’s the extent of their journey, but you’d be very wrong.

Time Masters: Vanishing Point is the other side of the story. Along with trying to find Batman, this volume gives us Rip Hunter’s origin, plus Booster Gold’s ancestor in guise as Supernova must prevent several time distorted villains from claiming mastery over time itself.

The Road Home isn't the only storyline that will make you want to read this story. Many of the events of this miniseries lead directly into Flashpoint and Issues 40-45 of Booster Gold. I had actually read this story a while back but I've been sitting on this review until it came time to read Flashpoint. Since I am almost done with Flashpoint, this seemed as good a time as any to post it.

A fantastic story that’s a little confusing, but mostly because of the twists and turns and rules of time travel. Thankfully, just about every plot loop is completed by journeys end and it makes for an enjoyable read.

Worth Consuming.

Rating: 9 out of 10 stars

Batman Forever: Official Comic Book Adaptation (3rd Printing)

   Yesterday marked the 20th anniversary of the movie Batman Forever opening in theaters. That means I was 16 when I took my then 5-year old sister to see the movie. God, I am officially old...

    In honor of that milestone (of the film's release not my being old), members of the Facebook group 'Unite Fans of the DCU Project' decided to either watch the movie again or read/ reread the official comic book adaptation of the film. I hadn't read my copy before, so I went with reading the comic book.

   So how different was the comic from the movie? It was mostly faithful to the movie, but the scenes sequences were skewed. In terms of the beginning of the film, it doesn't start with Batman stopping Two-Face from robbing the Second National Bank of Gotham. Instead, it starts at Arkham with guards discovering that the criminal has escaped the asylum and then it goes to Wayne Enterprises with Bruce Wayne meeting Edward Nygma for the first time. After Wayne refuses to conduct further research on Nygma's sonic brainwave transference device, the action goes to Gotham Bank where the movie original started off.

  After that slight change in plot, the book follows the film's plotting pretty much without any new scenes. There was some extra dialogue thrown in. For example,  Two-Face and Riddler getting high off of Nygma's brain drain machine after the two antagonists first meet. 

  The only other major change in this book is the appearance of Batman. Until the third act, Batman is drawn in the same costume that Michael Keaton wore in Batman and Batman Returns. I'm pretty sure Val Kilmer's Batman did not wear that costume at any point in the film.

    So why the change? It's not like they thought Keaton was going to be playing Batman in the third film. He had made it clear that if Tim Burton didn't direct, he wouldn't wear the cowl. The art team did a very good job of rendering the characters to look like the actors that played them and it's clearly Val Kilmer as Bruce Wayne in the first two acts of this book. So again I ask, why did the artists draw this Batman in the wrong costume?

   For a comic book adaptation, it was actually pretty good. The story was faithful to the source material. The art was near photorealistic and the colors were vibrant just like in the movie. I consider this a dollar well spent and worthy to be a part of my collection forever.
  
   Worth Consuming

    Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.