Classics Illustrated #108 (2026 Comic Book & Graphic Novel Reading Challenge)

Cover to 1953 First Edition.

Classics Illustrated examined the many Arthurian legends in this issue. While some of the collected works of Howard Pyle were used in an uncredited basis, the original authors of these 13th century, or earlier, tales have been lost over time. Many historians believe that there was a king, named Arthur. If that's true, he obviously was very successful on the battlefield and in jousting tournaments, hence the lasting appeal of Arthur's name over the past 800 or so years. The more victorious King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table were, the more fantastic their legends grew.

The story of the sword in the stone (and apparently also in an anvil) and how Arthur removed the sword unawares that such action made him the true monarch of England begins this issue. Arthur's reception of a better sword, Excalibur, from the Lady in the Lake, along with a magical scabbard that made him invincible when worn. His marriage to Guinevere and the reception of a massive round table that could seat 250 men. Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, ...and the Red Knight, ...and the Yellow Knight, ...and finally the Black Knight. Those stories are all detailed in the first half of the issue. It's the establishment of Camelot, but I don't recall anybody calling it that in this book. 

The second half sees the eventual downfall of Arthur's Kingdom. But it's pretty PG.  Nowhere does Guinevere and Sir Lancelot hook up behind Arthur's back. Arthur's own incestuous liaison with Morgan La Fey producing an heir destined to destroy Camelot is absent too. Mordred does play his part in the death of King Arthur. But he's viewed more of an opportunist seeking the throne during a lengthy absence by Arthur. Nowhere is he revealed to be the bastard son of King Arthur.

Sir Lancelot does play his part in the downfall of Arthur's Kingdom. One of the lesser known legends tells of Lancelot coming to the defense of some men being attacked by robbers. Two of the men Lancelot kills are Knights of the Round Table! Their brother wants revenge. Lancelot refuses to apologize. Arthur is unable to take a side. Yet nobody points out that the supposedly noble knights were participating in activities that were less than chivalrous!

This issue was originally published in 1953; right in the middle of the Comic Book Scare. No way was Gilberton going to put all the adultery surrounding the legend of King Arthur. I'm surprised that they included Merlin the Magician. Though by the halfway point, he's a distant memory. 

My copy has a publication date of 1969; right as new owner Twin Circle was seeing the writing on the wall that the popular educational comic series' could no longer compete against DC and Marvel. Usually, older copies have an article in the back about the author. Perhaps because the story of King Arthur was more the product of centuries of folklore and epic poets there wasn't even a prose column about who wrote what and when. If ever an issue of Classics Illustrated needed such a piece, this was the one! Instead, you get a one-pager about the Lost Colony, another on the history of the Liberty Bell and an feature on  how baseball bounced back from the 1919 Black Sox Scandal.

You might think that those 3 articles were rather random. However, I learned that the original Roanoke colony was established on July 4th, 1585! The Liberty Bell has been an symbol of American independence from England, which we Americans celebrate every 4th of July. Lastly, baseball is America's past time. So, that all seems like a plausible game of 6 degrees of Kevin Bacon. Add to the fact that England was behind the settling of the Roanoke Colony and King Arthur is a figure of British myth and legend, you actually have an issue of Classics Illustrated that seems to at least make some connections throughout the book for once. You just have to really squint hard to see them!

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 8 out of 10 stars. 

Completing this review completes Task #27 (An issue of Classics Illustrated) of the 2026 Comic Book and Graphic Novel Reading Challenge.

Letters From Father Christmas- J.R.R. Tolkien

For over 20 years, J.R.R. Tolkien would bring magic to his children's holidays by sending them letters from Father Christmas; the name children bestow Santa Claus in England. But these just weren't any old letters from St. Nick. These missives were epic adventures filled with interesting characters, weather reports from the North Pole, and battles with goblins who are obsessed with Santa's inventory of toy trains of all things.

The first letter was sent to eldest son John in 1920. According to a recent graphic novel biography I read about the friendship of Tolkien and C.S. Lewis, this was a fallow period for the eventual creator of The Lord of the Rings series of books. Experts say that Tolkien expressed frustration at not being able to write a great mythos for the United Kingdom. But I would have to disagree with this assessment. In my opinion, these letters were the author exercising through the creative process to create what would eventually become 1937's The Hobbit, laying the foundations of Middle Earth. 

The maps, the elvish language and the willowy font Tolkien created for his works involving Middle Earth all take shape here. There's even a very large message written in the alphabet of the goblins, along with a cipher. I'm making it one of my holiday goals to decode it. 

So much reads like a Christmas version of The Lord of the Rings. The runes ans carvings of past humans described in those caverns. The underground lairs of the goblins. The different races of elves that help Santa and how to distinguish among them. The battles between Father Christmas and goblins. The weapons. The gigantic horn that you blow to summon defenders of the North Pole from great distances. The only thing missing is one ring to rule them all...

And we've got the war. The Lord of the Rings was a way that Tolkien would process his way through his trauma that he experienced as an officer during the first World War. The last few years of letters reflect those horrible memories returning with Hitler's constant aerial bombardments of the United Kingdom. Father Christmas bemoans the upheaval of families and the difficulty in securing certain gifts for the Tolkien children. In reality it's the voice of an earthly father worried about his sons who have gone to war and not being able to adequately provide for those who still live at home. 

This is a must for any Tolkien fan who not only loves Christmas but wants to witness the formation of Middle Earth. I think you even see some of the Inspiration for The Chronicles of Narnia, because isn't Father Christmas a character in those? Not sure. But I know that talking animals sure play a part in those works and this collection of yule tide correspondence sure has plenty of those.

Collected and published posthumously, this was a brilliant read that fittingly ends; albeit with a very bittersweet goodbye from Father Christmas. So you might shed a tear or two towards the end. But not before being taken to a magical world of myth, merriment and laughs.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 9 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.

Marvel Classics Comics #23: The Moonstone (2023 Comic Book & Graphic Novel Reading Challenge)

A staple of the comic book industry went defunct in 1971 when Classics Illustrated ceased publication. Frawley Corporation had purchased the rights to the educational reading tools from Gilberton in 1967. While 1969 was the last year the publisher released new material, Frawley kept issuing reprinted material both at home and abroad before abandoning the comic line for nearly 2 decades.

The void for comics based on works of classic fiction wouldn't be a very lengthy one. In 1973, Pendulum Press began a run of over 70 volumes of black and white adaptations of famous works. Artists and writers such as Otto Binder, Alex Nino, and Gerry Talaoc brought such beloved stories such as The Red Badge of Courage and Gulliver's Travels to life in a line called Pendulum Illustrated Classics. New material was produced under this line through 1980 with Shakespeare's Hamlet as the last original work.  

In 1976, the powers that be at Marvel Comics decided to take advantage of the vacuum brought about from Classics Illustrated's demise. Working with Pendulum Press, Marvel released Marvel Classics Comics, with the first 12 issues of the new series colorized reprints of Pendulum works. Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, adapted by Kin Platt and Nestor Redondo and Otto Binder and Alex Niño's The Time Machine were the subjects of the first two issues.  

Each issue was 52 pages long - with no ads! Except for a post on the back cover advertising next month's upcoming releases. Marvel would release 2 new issues every month. The series ended in 1978 with adaptations of Alice in Wonderland and Dickens' A Christmas Carol published as issues #35 and #36.

Issue #23 was an adaptation of The Moonstone. Written by British author Wilkie Collins in 1868, it tells of a cursed gem stone and it's mysterious theft. One part gothic romance, as well as a complex whodunnit, The Moonstone is groundbreaking as it delves into the literal destruction of India's culture by British colonialists.

The story opens with the theft of the Moonstone, a sacred Hindu gem that rests in the forehead of a giant idol. During a skirmish called the 'Siege of Seringapatam', most of the attendants of the temple are killed by British forces. In the attack, a British soldier steals the Moonstone smuggling it back home in England. Thumbing his nose at the curse which follows the Moonstone, along with guardians of the Moonstone who will stop at nothing less than murder to retrieve it, the thief dies of mysterious circumstances; willing the jewel to his estranged niece.

The niece is gifted the heirloom on the night of her birthday. But her ownership of the jewel is short-lived, as the Moonstone is stolen later that night as she sleeps. A detective from a local constabulary is called in and an investigation begins. Fingers are pointed. Relationships are dashed. And the body count piles up as everyone is considered a suspect.

The author of the 'about the author' article on the inside cover of this issue lists Charles Dickens as a direct influence on Wilkie Collins. However true that may be, this story with it's gothic imagery and use of the scientific method to solve the crime, a lot of inspiration needs to be pointed at the works of Edgar Allan Poe. Clearly without works like this, we'd probably have a very different Sherlock Holmes. Who knows. It's quite possible that without the theft of the Moonstone, the world of criminal science might have never evolved to the level of sophistication that it has in today's policing methods.

This issue was adapted by Don McGregor. Art was by Dino Castrillo. Cover by Ernie Chan.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 7 out of 10 stars.

Completing this review completes Task #25 (Set in a Foreign Country) of the 2023 Comic Book and Graphic Novel Reading Challenge.

Christmas Comic Posters

I could have bought and read this book 2 years ago. It sat on the graphic novel book shelf of my favorite comic book store all this time. The title threw me. I thought a poster book was just that- a collection of posters to hang on your wall. I certainly judged a book by it's cover!

What Christmas Comic Posters actually is is a collection of front page of select British Christmas comics offered to the public from roughly 1884 to 1941 Back when newsprint was the dominant source of news and entertainment, a variety of newspapers would offer weekly inserts of comics. Yearly, those inserts would get the yule tide treatment and be offered as a separate purchase to readers young and old. 

The papers used in this book are from the collection of Denis Gifford, who in 1991 was one of the leading authorities in British comics. Gifford also writes the little blurbs about the comics on the following page. And that's where we get the poster book name from. 

See in the UK, art books are designed with the attributing info on the back so that if someone really liked the image, they could remove the picture from the book without damaging information about the remaining images. I'm kinda okay with this idea. Only if you were intending for the pages to be removed, I would've opt with perforated paper!

The majority of the characters are relatively unknown to non-British citizens. There is a cameo of Charlie Chaplin. Beano and Dandy, which some American comic fans might know of, have entries in this book. But the addition I was most excited about was the inclusion of Mickey, Donald, Goofy and friends from a comic called Mickey Mouse Weekly. 

Now to talk about the elephant in the room. No- I am not talking about the actual elephant on this book's cover. But the cover does offer a hint to what I am going to discuss. Readers should keep in mind that this book is about humor and art from the pre-Civil rights era. During this time, a very popular toy in England was a doll called a Golliwog. Generally a black male with white rimmed eyes, giant red lips, frizzy hair and vintage clothing; the Golliwog was a kind of minstrel Ken doll. 

Today, the Golly as it is sometimes referred, is considered a very racist character. Even the name is offensive. Up until just a couple of minutes ago, I didn't even know that these toys had a name. So, I am not reporting on this information to be offensive. As with many of my reviews, I like to teach about the history of comics and pop culture along with give my opinion. And that's what I am doing here. 

If you wish to own a copy of this book, you should note that a image of the doll appears in roughly 80% of these holiday comics. It's not front and center mind you. You kinda have to do a 'Where's Waldo?' that search for them. But they are just one of several things considered out of date or 'cancellable' found in this book.

I thought the overall book was beautiful. The intricate detail on everything. They just don't make art like that these days. If you love the artwork of Richard Scarry, George Perez and Frank Quietly, you should enjoy this book. I only wish that Mr. Gifford would have focused a little more on the characters that star on the previous page instead of the publication history. Maybe even discuss that troubling history of some of the imagery included. Other than that, I enjoyed this book.

Yes, I know that there's a lot of outdated concepts here. Some sexist. Some racist. A few are topical to the day and jokes that just don't make sense to a 21st century Yank. And if you are wondering who that Father Christmas bloke is- that's Santa Claus, silly!

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.

Rivers of London: Detective Stories #1

The men and women of the London Police are assigned with investigating the ritualistic murder of a goat. Normally Police Constable Peter Grant wouldn’t be called to investigate this assignment. The dead animal is probably the result of some punk kids trying to recreate something they saw in a movie. Steal a goat from a petting zoo. Douse the poor animal with petrol. Watch it burn. Only, there’s no evidence of any try of accelerant- well at least any that isn’t magical…

Law & Magic

    Rivers of London: Detective Stories is the latest miniseries from Titan Books based on the Rivers of London novels. Written by former Classic Doctor Who screenwriter, Ben Aaronovitch, Rivers of London follows PC Peter Grant as he solves supernatural related crime throughout the capital city of the British Crown.  Along with being a detective in training, PC Grant also happens to be an apprentice wizard. Due to his multiple talents, Grant is recruited into the Folly.

    The Folly is a branch of the British law enforcement that takes on the cases that keep the toughest of coppers awake at night. In this opening chapter, Grant is just about to undergo his exams. But first, he must pass a performance review with a tough as nails assessor named Detective Inspector Chopra.

Under The Influence

    Rivers of London was a magical book that draws it’s inspiration from many sources. The idea of the Folly is like the BPRD only without hellish creatures doing the investigating. The police procedurals and the very British use of slang reminds you of shows like Broadchurch or Luther. Plus, there’s a whimsical charm that harkens back to Pratchett’s Discworld series. There’s actual proof of that as this book has a reference to Lord Vetinari! What other series do that?

Only Nixon Can Go to China

   This book is co-written by series creator Ben Aaronvitch.  By having the mastermind behind the Rivers of London books crafting this tale was a smart idea on Titan Books part. Nobody’s going to do justice to your franchise than yourself! Plus, it helps when you co-writer is a kindred spirit. Assisting Aaronvitch is fellow Doctor Who screenwriting alum Andrew Cartmel.

   There’s at least 2 other minis based on the series of novels, which currently numbers in the half dozen. You don’t have to have read any them to understand or enjoy this book. That’s a very good thing as the art, while good, is also quite generic.

WHOoooooo Are You?

       Lee Sullivan (Transformers Time Wars) is on duty as the Rivers of London sketch artist. Sullivan’s vision of the scenery of London is quite stunning. Yet, as Rivers has never been done as a TV series or movie (YET!) So if you are not familiar with the other comics, with Sullivan’s style there is no way to  know who was who. Thankfully, Aaronvitch and Cartmel make the right decision to include back story and character introductions for many of the key players. This helps the uninitiated reader to have no problem following the story at all since most of the characters look very one note in comics form.

      Though this is the first of a new miniseries, the story has an acceptable enough ending. There is no true cliffhangers at issue’s end. So if the readers only wanted to go as far the first issue and go no further without a sense of completion, they could. By why would you stop with a series that is an intriguing and magical as this? Detective Stories is a book that deserves further investigation!

     Worth Consuming!

     Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.

1977: A Madman Turns 40: 2017- Day 142

       After what happened last night in Manchester, it's really hard to want to be nostalgic today. The great Roger Moore of the Saint and James Bond fame passed away today at 89 and it just doesn't feel right to post on Facebook some sort of tribute to him today. 
   
      Sadly, terrorism isn't anything new these days. It seems like we just wait by our phones and computers for news of the latest terror attack. I turn to CNN regularly wondering to myself 'what horrible thing has happened now..."- not because I'm secretly hoping for tragedy or anything like that. With my social anxiety, it's more like being unemployed and going to the mail in fear of yet another mounting bill.

      Terror is sadly a way of life in 2017. But even for 1977 standards, terrorism wasn't a new concept. Nor is the use of juveniles as a way to get your message of hate across, as this supposed suicide bomber did last night in the name of Islam.* In fact, 40 years ago today, Moluccan nationalists held a train and an elementary school hostage for almost 3 weeks in the Netherlands. The dozen or so terrorists held 105 students and 50 adults as prisoner.

      Thankfully, the siege at the school ended without any loss of life. The children were allowed to leave a couple of days earlier as they all came down with a mystery virus. (It's believed that authorities spiked the kids food with laxatives to get things moving in the hostage negotiation process, so to speak.) Sadly, one hostage died in the onslaught of a Dutch anti-terrorist unit in ending the crisis on the train.

      The Moluccan community has never apologized for this incident. Though decades later, a couple of the former terrorists gave their lives to Christ and meet in person with the now adult hostages and made amends. 

     As I have learn over the years, healing takes time. A really long amount of time. It drives me nuts when I have to process something over with therapy. But the breakthroughs come. And sometimes, like right now, you learn something and it sets you back a bit. 

    What I'm getting at is that there are going to be a lot of children, teens, and family members who experienced last night's bombing, that will need therapy, healing, and support. As someone who works security for events part-time, I understand that the venue workers, road crew, and even the performer of the show, Ariana Grande will need support too. But it bothers me that I see more people on social media offering their prayers and encouragement to the headliner (who was nowhere near the blast) than the dozens of lives that were either killed or severely injured. 

     Where have our priorities gone?...

      I think that's all that I have to heart or spirit to put into today's post. 

      Until next time...

* ISIS claimed responsibility for the attacks moments before this post went live.

1977: A Madman Turns 40: 2017- Day 77

 

  Today’s look at my year of origin gets political and punk. Who knew that the two could go hand-in-hand? British Punk band the Clash released their first single, White Riot.

A year prior during the Notting Hill Carnival, the local police force (some 1,600 strong) went overboard and literally started a riot themselves. Band members Joe Strummer and Paul Simonon were first hand viewers of the carnage and decided to write a protest song about!

This photo was taken during the 76 riot. The guy wearing the hat in the foreground
is Clash mentor Don Letts of Jamaica and this image was used on the back of Clash's debut album.

   Many incorrectly believe that the song is racist calling for a race when it fact it’s calling out racism in England’s Notting Hill district and asking for white teens to join the cause!

       See Notting Hill is a sort of upscale area and the residents at the time didn’t want the Carnival celebration to occur in the first place. Despite not getting a permit to celebrate, organizers of the celebration went ahead and did it anyway. Looking for an excuse to shut it down, when officers began getting reports of pick-pocketing, they quickly went into action. As a result over 60 people were arrested and countless more injured. By the way, the group targeted most by the Notting Hill police force was blacks, mostly of Caribbean descent.

 

A Carnival attender arrested during the '76 riot.

    As I said, White Riot was the Clash’s answer to the violence. It wouldn’t be for another 10 years before public opinion and public policy changed allowing the parade to be performed with legal permission. But the Nottinghill Carnival has continued to be marred with violence from both police and gangs over the last 30 years to the point of festivities being cancelled at least twice.

   As for the Clash, they became punk rock legends. Their 1978 single London Calling became a standard for 70s rock and they had continued success in the 80s. But the band itself kinda distances themselves from White Riot- not because they no longer feel strongly for the call of social justice but because they see their music style as amateurish compared to later works like London Calling.

    Before I leave, I thought it would be interesting to note that the B-side of White Riot is a song titled 1977. (Talk about irony or bizarre coincidence as today is the 77th day of the year 1977!) That song is a call out to entertainers such as the Beatles, Rolling Stones, and Elvis being no longer culturally relevant! Wow- that takes cajones! Take a listen for yourself and decide.

    Enjoy...

   

1977: A Madman Turns 40: 2017- Day 49

 

First edition of 2000 AD

   Though the cover was dated for February 26th, today marks the 40th anniversary of the British sci-fi comic magazine 2000 AD. Growing up I was allowed to read any comic book I wanted except for this one, Heavy Metal, and anything listed in the adults only box at the local comics shop Tales Resold. But over the past decade, I've gotten my hands on some issues and I must say I enjoyed them. 

    2000 AD was where many great British comic book writers and artists got their start. Talents like Alan Moore, Neil Gaiman, Brian Bolland, and Grant Morrison gained international fame working on the publication. But if 2000 AD is known for anything, it's this- Judge Dredd.

Alan Moore- Acclaimed Writer
of Rasputin cosplayer... you decide.

    Judge Dredd appeared in the title's second issue or Prog (which is short for Program.) The authoritarian look at life in an overcrowded metropolis won over fans, appalled critics, and soon became English slang for a police state. 

2000 AD's most famous character, Judge Joseph Dredd.

     2000 AD was edgy, violent, and just want the punk movement needed. Published weekly, it quickly became a sort of manifesto for the anti-establishment crowd which is ironic because Judge Dredd is the ESTABLISHMENT! But the die was cast as the alienated tone of punk rock was embraced by many of the writers of this series well into the late 80s, especially the work of Morrison and Moore. 
  

My favorite 2000 AD alum, Neil Gaiman.

     When 2000 AD was first published it was owned by IPC Magazines. Over the next two decades, the title was purchased by Robert Maxwell and Edmont UK. When the book first came out, it was in black and white and published like an over-sized tabloid magazine. Nowadays, the book is a mere shell of itself. Published in stark color and reduced to the size of a general comic book to save cost and appeal to readers. Fans liken these changes to when National Lampoon stopped publishing nude women and foul language in their pages after being bought out by a subsidiary in the late 80s. It was like a neutered dog- still feisty but missing a real passion to it's bite. 

A 2016 issue of 2000 AD.
It doesn't seem quite so grim and gritty anymore...

    Time (and sales) will only tell if 2000 AD will make it another 40 years or become another classic sci-fi comic title relegated to bargain bins worldwide and otherwise forgotten. 

    Until tomorrow...

     

1977: A Madman Turns 40: 2017- Day 9

    Today is Kate Middleton's birthday. Now officially known as Duchess Catherine, the wife of Prince William and mother of a future ruler of the UK, turns 34 today. 
   
  The Royal family as always been a big deal across the pond. But for Americans, we didn't really become obsessed with their shenanigans until a young school teacher from Althrop married a big-eared prince from London. From that moment in the summer of 1981, it was all the tabloids, People Magazine, and the public defender on Night Court could focus on. Some even say it's the marriage of Chuck and Di that lead to the 24-hour need for celebrity sleaze that gave birth to outlets like Entertainment Tonight, E!, and TMZ. 

  So in honor of Kate's birthday today, lets take a look at the British royal family in 1977...

The Official Royal Family snapshot, taken in January '77.
Postcard.

     My favorite year was actually a pretty good one for Queen Elizabeth II. The year marked her 25th year on the throne and a gigantic Silver Jubilee was thrown in her honor. (Wow- that means this year with be her 65th year as the monarch of Great Britain!)

A trio of children decked out to celebrate
Queen Elizabeth II's Silver Jubilee.

      The past 40 years has seen quite a few changes to the United Kingdom. In 1977, it was a daily occurrence of some sort of terrorism and violence in relation to the occupation of Northern Ireland. Known as the troubles, the conflict in Northern Ireland was basically a Hold War between the native Catholics and the Protestants of England. The desire for self rule and religious freedom resulted in the death of thousands. Thankfully, the early 90s saw a ceasefire and eventual peace accord. 
  

British troops after an attack by the IRA, May 1977.

      England also possessed a very lucrative colony in Hong Kong. But in the Summer of 1997, the UK decided to not renew it's claim over the territory and it returned to Chinese rule. This act is considered by many to be the official end of the British Empire.

Hong Kong Harbor, Summer 1977.

     I think I'm at a good stopping point for today. While I'm not what you would say a devotee of the Royal family, I am a huge Anglophile. Besides, you can't explore things you love without a little background info. See, whether by direct impact or not, the British Monarchy influences everything in Great Britain. The British music (see my article from Day 6), the British comedy and sci-fi, and the British lit I love so are so impacted by the Kings and Queens of England. I'm sure there are some important anniversaries from my favorite year involving my love of England coming up this year. So don't worry, I'll will be returning to Merry Old England again in the future as A Madman Turns 40.
      

Flashpoint: Lois Lane and the Resistance #2

 Continuing from the pages of Flashpoint: Canterbury Cricket, the supernaturally powered members of the Resistance finally meet up with Lois Lane. But more of Wonder Woman's Furies have also discovered Cyborg's only spy behind the enemy lines of New Themyscira. Which side will prevail resulting in Lois Lane revealing the whereabouts of Resistance leader Penny Black? And even more important, who will discover the location of Penny's enchanted suit which has the power to finally turn the tide of the Atlantis/ Themyscira war in the favor of the human race!

   Where the stand alone issue of Canterbury Cricket was confusing as all get out, this issue of Lois Lane and the Resistance answered all sorts of questions. it even made me appreciate the Canterbury Cricket story that much more.

    Lots of twists- lots of turns abound in this issue, including a shocking cliffhanger that I really should have saw coming a mile away. But I didn't! Kudos to writer Andy Lanning for penning enough centrifuge that I wasn't able to put my finger what was going to happen until too late!
 
   Worth Consuming

   Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.

Flashpoint: The Canterbury Cricket #1

 The last surviving Ambush Bug, the Canterbury Cricket, has been appointed a protector of the realm of England. But without a team, he's got quite the task ahead of him. Luckily, he meets up with a group of heroes with supernatural abilities, who might be able to help the Canterbury Cricket achieve his task and liberate The United Kingdom from the Amazons.

    Whether this Flashpoint version of the Ambush Bug can pull it off will have to wait as his story continues in the pages of Flashpoint: Lois Lane and the Resistance. This one-shot only does two things- establishes the completely unique character and tells his origin story. There's also the mystery of a supporting character but I doubt her secrets will be revealed as she dies pretty suddenly.

    This was an okay tale by Mike Carlin (Captain America.) But between the Canterbury Cricket’s talk in riddles and Etrigan the Demon speaking in rhyme, I didn't have a clue what the hell these guys were talking about half the time. The art by First Wave's Rags Morales was pretty good but it didn't seem as gritty as the assortment of dark magic heroes that makes up the cast of players in this morality tale.

   I can see visions of the New 52’s Justice League Dark but this group is a pale imitation.

 Rating: 6 out of 10 stars.

Robin Hood (Family Comic Friday)

   This graphic novel retelling of the legend of Robin Hood is unlike any I've ever encountered. These stories are similar to those retold in numerous films and TV shows I seen over the years. But since this book is retold and researched by historians, professors, and librarians I am inclined to believe that these adventures are the true stories behind the legend of the famous British outlaw. 

   In this graphic novel, learn why Robin Hood had to flee to Sherwood Forest and came to form his band of Merry Men. Then marvel as he outwits wealthy noblemen, corrupt clergy, and the dastardly Sheriff of Nottingham. Along with the tried and true stories of how Robin came to befriend Little John and become entranced by the beautiful Maid Marian, there are adventures in this book that I had never heard of before such as how Robin Hood tricked a bishop into marrying a duchess to a commoner and Robin's feast with the Sheriff as guest of honor! 

   Plus, there's a certain episode involving an archery tournament with more twists than ever before! Oddly enough, while I felt like I was getting the real story of England's most famous outlaw, Robin's main protagonist, Prince John is nowhere to be found in this book. Was he just overlooked? Or maybe he really didn't play a role in any of the original legends of Robin Hood!

   This book was written by the husband and wife team of Aaron Shepard and Anne L. Watson. These folklorists made Robin Hood seem a lot more animated than Disney's take and it was far superior to that dud starring Kevin Costner! The art's pretty good too.

      This book is just one of several graphic novels published by Stone Arch Books based on famous legends and classic novels. If they are anything like this volume, I would be happy to add them to my collection. Each book comes with additions in the back of the book such as study questions, history lesson about life in medieval England during the times of when Robin Hood may have lived in real life, as well as writing exercises and a glossary of terms.

    Teachers and homeschooling parents, I highly recommend this book as a way to get kids reading and learning about history. Kids these days are turning away from books in droves and you've got to start making reading fun again somewhere. 

   A great educational read that was thrilling and tons of fun.

   Worth Consuming

   Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.