The 25 Baubles of Pop Culture! Advent 2022, Day 2

In order to not be biased in the pop culture ventures I celebrate for this advent, I used a pop culture random generator. For days 2-20, with exception of Day 18, fate decided my Advent focuses for me. That's why today's franchise is Buffy the Vampire Slayer because if it wasn't for randomness, I wouldn't be dipping my toe into this pool.

Buffy the Vampire Slayer originally was a comedy horror film. The creation of Joss Whedon, the 1992 film starring Kristy Swanson (The Chase) and Luke Perry (Beverly Hills 90210) was a modest hit. However, it wasn't until Whedon rebooted the series as a gritty TV series starring Sarah Michelle Gellar (Cruel Intentions) that Buffy became a cultural phenomenon. 

I had seen the film. But I never watched the TV show. What little bit I know comes from Free Comic Book Day releases a couple of Halloween themed Buffy comic books and clips of the show highlighted on E!'s The Soup. 

When it comes to holiday ornaments starring Buffy and her gang of friends known as 'The Scoobies' you'll have to go the homemade route. Both Amazon and Etsy have a few things related to the horror franchise. My favorite offerings is a picture image of actress Gellar with the holiday pun 'I Sleigh', a glass ball that declares that '2021 Sucks', and a sparkly bauble devoted to Buffy's high school, Sunnyvale High.

I also have seen evidence of a set of mini-bust ornaments that feature 11 characters from the TV show, including the vampires Spike and Angel. Created by Moore Creations, these are some professional grade looking pieces. But I don't think that they are officially licensed nor were they originally intended to be hung on a tree. I've seen these mini busts sold as both something you place on your display shelf and your tree. The only difference is that the ornaments have a screw with a ribbon protruding from the top of each busts' noggin. 

Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Season 10 #8

This was another bargain bid find. 

No, I'm not a Scooby or whatever it is that Buffy fans call themselves. I've never seen the show. The original movie starring Kristy Swanson, I have seen several times. I liked it. Wouldn't say that I am obsessed or anything with it.

Nevertheless, the main reason I got this issue was that it was a Halloween themed comic. It also helps that the cover says that this is a good starting point for new readers. So I wasn't so very lost. But some requirement in knowing what had happened in the previous 8 issues or so were greatly needed, especially in understanding who the villain was and his motives.

In terms of a story, it was pretty good. There were some very funny moments which I am told Buffy was known for. The artwork which was a collaboration between regular artist Rebekah Isaacs and guest Richard Corben (Batman: Black & White) was quite good too. I really dug the 1940s style cover by Steve Morris. I think that's what really persuaded me to want to get this book.

So am I Buffy fan now? Not really. Though if I found these books at my local library or something free like that, I would consider giving it further examination. But for now, I have a ton more stuff on my 'to-read' list that I want to get into first.

Worth Consuming.

Rating: 7 out of 10 stars.

A Madman's Halloween 2017 Reading List... (Part 1)

It's that time of year again. The days get shorter. The nights get longer. A chill is in the air and soon, the Witching Hour of October 31st will soon be upon us.
And with that I have crafted my 2017 Halloween reading list to help get more in that spooky spirit of All Hallow's Eve. I spent all last night combing my vast collection of over 9,000 books to conger up a few scares. I've grouped my reads into different categories in order to help those of you be inspired to find the right spooky comic book for your countdown to terror. So read on if you dare...

For the Kiddies...

All of these books were selections from the 2016 Comic Book Halloween Fest held in comic shops nationwide. The next such event is scheduled for October 28th. For an look at those titles click here...

Disney's Great Parodies: Mickey's Inferno (Mini-comic)

This is a Disney-fied version of Dante's Inferno. Reprinted and translated from it's original Italian, the book is a parody of Dante's Inferno, about a young man's trip to Hell. Only the opening chapter to the Papercutz graphic novel, the book is recommended for ages 6-11! I'm not kidding, that's what Amazon says. Well, might as well get the kids started on the classics early in life.

Grumpy Cat and Pokey (Mini-comic)

The world-famous cat behind a 1,000 memes has his own series of comics with his brother Pokey. Despite the Friday the 13th cover, this book is geared for readers of all-ages and the series is a million times funnier than anything Garfield.

Grimmiss Island (Mini-comic)

From the Art Baltazar and Franco, the minds behind such titles as Tiny Titans and Itty Bitty Hell Boy comes Grimmiss Island. The star of the book is a sort of tiki god golem that protects his creators from the evil volcano gods. For readers 8-12.

Archie's Mad House (Mini-comic)

Archie has been a mainstay of the Halloween Comic Fest since it's inception. Tons of collections devoted to Archie and all of his Halloween and other holiday stories can be found online and comic shops the world over.

The Three Stooges Halloween Hullabaloo

You'd think that this generation of young readers wouldn't be open to the Stooges. Yet, it's been a successful series for several years now. Who would've thought? It's great to see that some classics don't die away. Suggested readership is 8-12 years of age.

For Teens and Up...

Yes, the comics offered at Comic Book Halloween Fest aren't just for kids- there's books for teens and adults given away for free.  Here's a look at some selections from last year's event.

The Haunted Mansion #1

Part of Marvel's Disney Kingdoms series, this is a reprint of the 2015-16's miniseries devoted to the 999 spooks of the Haunted Mansion. For ages 12 and up.

You Choose the Story When You're the Unbeatable Squirrel Girl #1

I'm pretty sure that this isn't a Halloween themed story. Every once and a while, one of these gets added to the Halloween Fest mix. I don't particularly like it when this happens, but it's a Choose Your Own Adventure type comic and when I saw this last year, it literally was crying out for me to take it home. 12 and up.

John Carpenter's Tales For a Halloween Night, Volume 2

If you don't know why John Carpenter and All Hallow's Eve are as synonymous as peanut butter and jelly, google the words 'Michael Myers' right now! (I'll wait...) This selection of stories is from his award winning anthology series featuring the talents of Stephen King, Steve Niles, and many more. Recommended for ages 14 and up.

Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Season 10 #8

Not an offering from Comic Fest. But this continuation of the Joss Whedon series is perfect for this category. It seems that Buffy becomes a sort of cultural touchstone for people once they become teenagers. I bought this in a bargain bin for a buck just because of the Halloween cover. We shall see if it's a holiday themed story...

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And that will wrap up part one of my list. In part two, I take on the adult books as well as some classic scares.
Over the month of October, check out my personal blog Madman With a Book where I will be posting my reviews of these books as well as many other titles,
I hope this list will inspire you to seek out some comic and graphic novel frights in time for Halloween. If you have any suggestions of you own for what makes the perfect Halloween reading list, please post theme in the comments section below...

Buffy the Vampire Slayer & The Guild FCBD 2012

For some reason, Buffy and Spike venture into outer space to track an interstellar vampire. Only this blood-sucker is the- oh, I can’t give away the spoiler. But, I loved the cameo of the non-Buffy property baddie! It was awesome!

Then, there’s the Guild. It’s a web-comic in print form about a group of online gamers who meet up in person once a week and have oddball adventures. This time around, there meeting moves from the usual meeting place of Shoney’s to the beach! The blending of reality and cyberspace is a clever plot device that lead’s to some crazy antics. I’ve never seen this series before, but I am on the hunt!

Very well written. Very Smart. If you like The Big Band Theory, you’re gonna love this!

Worth Consuming.

Rating: 9 out of 10 stars