tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30534608790787963652024-03-12T20:00:24.355-06:00Geek's ElixirGeek's Elixir is a place to just sit back and let your superpowers soar. I am just an average girl who loves marketing, art, comic cons, action figures, gaming, all things comic book...oh - and pearls!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05715601167609463716noreply@blogger.comBlogger27125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3053460879078796365.post-36459908088655249872014-11-17T11:13:00.002-07:002014-11-17T11:23:00.863-07:00Believe in YOUR Passion - the Comic Life<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0VODddV95XE/VGo6UhqFNaI/AAAAAAAABIE/pu0hyRkuI8k/s1600/flash1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0VODddV95XE/VGo6UhqFNaI/AAAAAAAABIE/pu0hyRkuI8k/s1600/flash1.jpg" height="320" width="207" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Is it just me or does it seem like 2014 has taken wings and flew on by! Looking at a calendar is almost scary now. I remember a time when hours seemed like decades and now it is the opposite. We hear all the time that we live in a fast paced world. What is crazier - is when you live in a fast paced industry. Would we want it any different? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> The comic book industry has sprouted its wings and has taken flight as well. It is "cool" to like comics. "GEEK" is a household AND acceptable word. Sister industries are jumping on the comic band wagon, and pop culture is as fruitful as it has ever been. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It is a good time to love art. To love great story telling. It is a good time to WANT to be apart of something bigger. I can not say anything that has not already been said, but it is a good time to have a passion. To believe in a cause -or rather YOUR cause. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1sUkCFhqS5c/VGo6Ut_UEtI/AAAAAAAABII/lH-w7zUXlI0/s1600/green-arrow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1sUkCFhqS5c/VGo6Ut_UEtI/AAAAAAAABII/lH-w7zUXlI0/s1600/green-arrow.jpg" height="320" width="207" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Take a moment and think why you are involved in this industry. Whether you are a creator, a provider, or someone who just love the fruits of comic labors. Translate this into your daily life. Live for something.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Stories have been told, however the best stories are yet to come. Why? Because we live in a daily life that allows us to believe that passion for what we love is "OK"...and that my friends - is a beautiful thing.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So take a bit of advice from those characters we have come to love and allow to be a part of our life:</span><br />
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"It's not who I am underneath, but what I do that defines me."</h2>
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—Batman (<i style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Batman Begins</i>)</div>
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"The future is worth it. All the pain. All the tears. The future is worth the fight." </h2>
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—Martian Manhunter (<i style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Martian Manhunter #1,000,000</i>)</div>
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"The real crime would be not to finish what we started."</h2>
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—Doctor Octopus (<i style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Spider-Man 2</i>)</div>
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"The greatest power on Earth is the magnificent power we all of us possess... the power of the human brain!"</h2>
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—Professor X (<i style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Uncanny X-Men #2</i>)</div>
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"But everyone's story begins once upon a time, and it's up to us to cherish the time we're given to ensure we live happily ever after."</h2>
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—Scarlet Witch (<i style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Avengers Fairy Tales</i>)</div>
<span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 27px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br style="line-height: 1.5em; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /></span></span></span></span></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05715601167609463716noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3053460879078796365.post-25358033701684280892014-10-31T10:00:00.000-06:002014-10-31T10:00:55.833-06:00Marvel Phase 3 Reading <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hFmrH-B7piY/VFOwDF0BAxI/AAAAAAAABHA/IH-YsyhnrYw/s1600/marvel-studios-phase-three.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hFmrH-B7piY/VFOwDF0BAxI/AAAAAAAABHA/IH-YsyhnrYw/s1600/marvel-studios-phase-three.jpg" height="325" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Marvel Phase 3 has just been announced - and that is already old news. It is curious, that in the comic industry we are constantly bombarded with announcements and "New" that we hardly have time to digest any information we get. It all flies by so fast. What is really freaky is that Marvel Phase 3 will be here before we know it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As I was looking at all the movies that were announced, I noticed a social media question that was posed - "What is the reading order for Marvel Phase 3?"</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I am a huge literacy - lets get those kids reading comics - buff, so I immediately posed the question on my social media. Not much response. All in all, it is hard to know what angle the movie industry will take with the iconic story lines, however - a story arc is a story arc. </span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-J6BWWxMHqQU/VFOwTi9jFkI/AAAAAAAABHI/4giJ68gv1xI/s1600/830651-marvel_studios_avengersbg_logo_img.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-J6BWWxMHqQU/VFOwTi9jFkI/AAAAAAAABHI/4giJ68gv1xI/s1600/830651-marvel_studios_avengersbg_logo_img.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I believe this is a fantastic opportunity to get some awareness out there. Get the reading lists in libraries and schools. Market a movie by marketing the story and the fundamental need to read the story first.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">With this being said, I am going to dive into my research. Alas, I would love some input in this endeavor. If you have suggestions, please post here or email me at geekselixir@gmail.com</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Lets make a list! Lets get some comics in some kids hands!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05715601167609463716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3053460879078796365.post-67530856252025710112014-10-21T10:06:00.000-06:002014-10-21T10:06:02.627-06:00Bittersweet Comic Book Love<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QgQvzIPW8CU/VEaBCNcMNRI/AAAAAAAABEo/QC1jx1eiiH4/s1600/Bitter-Sweet-Back.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QgQvzIPW8CU/VEaBCNcMNRI/AAAAAAAABEo/QC1jx1eiiH4/s1600/Bitter-Sweet-Back.jpg" height="191" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Bittersweet: <span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="line-height: 15px;">sweet with a bitter aftertaste.</span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #222222; font-size: x-small;"><span style="line-height: 15px;">This is actually the best word I can think of when I read comic books. I thoroughly love the feeling of getting my hands on a comic that is rich in visual images, flawless in storytelling, and the gutters that pull me even deeper into the story. </span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #222222; font-size: x-small;"><span style="line-height: 15px;">Then - it happens. The last panel, the last image, the last word balloon...and then the three words I hate: TO BE CONTINUED!</span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="line-height: 15px;">I am suddenly jerked back into reality- and if I am reading a current issue - I momentarily spasm with anticipation for the story to continue. Being a research fanatic, I immediately scour for updates and issue news all the while mentally willing the next issue to be available. The feeling of sorrow usually sets in when I realize I have to wait a week, a couple of weeks, or god forbid a MONTH! </span></span></span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ij4aI-PnQCs/VEaBZG-VYNI/AAAAAAAABEw/8b-AfFgha6I/s1600/GFI264-Calendar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ij4aI-PnQCs/VEaBZG-VYNI/AAAAAAAABEw/8b-AfFgha6I/s1600/GFI264-Calendar.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 15px;">The question I want to pose is WHY? Why do we do this to ourself? What is this magical allurement that comic books can have over us? </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="line-height: 15px;">For a while I decided to wait for story arcs to play out and then buy the trades as soon as they were available. Then I would binge read until my eyes were bleary and panels and gutters turned into one full page.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="line-height: 15px;">Although this was satisfying my "everything or nothing", "fight or flight" emotions - I still had the same aftertaste of - really, no more? </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="line-height: 15px;">I have come to finally accept that comic books just do it for me. I love the stories. Especially the background tales of how subjects came into fruition, the interactions between characters, and how the hero may or may not save the day. I love the art and how colors can play an impact on an emotion in the story. I love the idea of lettering and placement of word balloons and how they subtly make or break a comic books flow. In general, I love the world I get pulled into through a comic book.</span></span></span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oK69pXmBRlk/VEaB3_pBNiI/AAAAAAAABE4/iGtbj9B-kB0/s1600/IMG_5897.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oK69pXmBRlk/VEaB3_pBNiI/AAAAAAAABE4/iGtbj9B-kB0/s1600/IMG_5897.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="line-height: 15px;">We have all experienced that magical feeling as a child when we knew Christmas or a birthday was just around the corner. The anticipation was relentless. As an adult, I have like many others, lost that humble innocence of excitement and anticipation during these events. That feeling of waking up everyday and thinking, "YES only X amount of days left." I guess in a way, when I read comic books it taps into these long lost emotions. Because of this, I actually really enjoy the bittersweet words - "to be continued". </span></span></span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0X3WTNeKHIM/VD_Xm4FPKQI/AAAAAAAABB8/cxV30Yzh2fY/s1600/691dd29d0f8a0b1b004befe104541f68.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0X3WTNeKHIM/VD_Xm4FPKQI/AAAAAAAABB8/cxV30Yzh2fY/s1600/691dd29d0f8a0b1b004befe104541f68.jpg" height="320" width="199" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It has officially been (1) year since I posted on this blog. "Holy air tight alibi" - the time has flown by faster than the Flash on coffee. A lot has happened and I have succeeded at incorporating the comic industry into every nook and cranny of my life! Do not get me wrong, I love this, however when I dream of super hero battles (who would win scenarios) and in a fevered sweat think I see the Green Goblin hovering above me...I may need to re-evaluate my saturation level.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Seriously, the comic industry has made me very happy. I do travel at times at "ludicrous speed" (thank you <i>Spaceballs</i> for amazing quotable phrases) at many cons however, I would feel as if a part of me was ripped away if I could not be in the thralls of the excitement.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I get asked a lot of questions while I am at cons regarding "comic conventions" and how to market and advertise. After addressing several questions on a personal level I came to a couple conclusions:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">1. I am no expert, however I have seen first hand what works and does not work.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">2. What seems obvious to me in marketing and production of comic conventions is NOT obvious to everyone.</span></div>
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3. I have a blog I am not using correctly! </div>
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4. I need a doppelganger.</div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">With these thoughts in mind, I have decided to start adding some tips and tricks that I have found really seem to kick the tires and light the fires in the comic industry.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My hope is to eventually bring world peace, alas I will be happy with a smile and a thank you if my meager knowledge seems to help anyone. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Look for upcoming regular updates.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Until then know that I am She-Ra in training.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05715601167609463716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3053460879078796365.post-32609954097532228992013-10-09T14:58:00.001-06:002013-10-09T15:11:43.751-06:00NYCC 2013 - CAPTAIN SHE ZzzZZ<div>
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<a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-KMkHousvfoI/UlXDZjpk8YI/AAAAAAAAAqY/hMAXfLvxxhQ/s640/blogger-image--1626665434.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-KMkHousvfoI/UlXDZjpk8YI/AAAAAAAAAqY/hMAXfLvxxhQ/s640/blogger-image--1626665434.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Another year heading to NYCC and already I have been bombarded with "firsts" and it has only begun with trying the infamous red eye plane ride. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I expect NYCC will be nothing short of spectacular however, a note to self -under all future circumstances I must avoid the "red eye" flights. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">In the wee hours of the night the general public , of ALL nationalities, are awkwardly nosey, grumpy, smell bad, have ridiculously small bladders, and steal blankets. Which according to DELTA rules red coveted paper blankets are "delegated only one per seat and if you 'snooze' you loose"...midnight humor by the overly optimist and cosmetically painted pink flight attendee. (This statement left me stunned and frigid as I hobbled back to my seat in pure amazement.)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">In the beginning of time -my career of being a flying patron-my optimum seat choice was the aisle. Easy come and easy go! Bada Bing...you know the rest. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Not on the red eye. Ohhhh nooooo!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Optimum seat choice my friend is smack dab in the middle of the aisle with a couple of Tylenol PM and a wine spritzer to wash those blue bad boys down apparently!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">(I am strictly speaking from first hand <b><i>observation</i></b> experience ...real time)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Why the middle? Let me paint the picture. Get rid of the arm rests on both sides. Just lift them up. Bring your own oversized fleece blanket. Wrap yourself in it- then sit down. Put down the tray in front of you and squarely place your elbows in a wing span of 30ft on each side. This secures at LEAST 1/2 of each of your seating partners paid seating. You are a true success now, and a bonefide sleeping machine - who ironically the flight attendants feel SORRY for because you must be so tired to sleep through all the traipsing up and down the aisles, the horrid midnight bodily order, and turbulence. This is how I came to know of<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> the villain <b><i>CAPTAIN SHE ZzzZZ</i></b>!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Now, I am a small woman. A size 2. The cute 20 something girl in the window seat, opposite me, maybe a 0. The look of utter dismay justified we were in similar circumstances on both sides of the CAPTAIN. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">At one point, I noticed across the mass of SHE ZzzZZ that this girl was so incredibly smashed up against the window she was practically riding wing side. However, I was jolted back into reality when I lost yet another bit of my shoulder and shin to the beverage cart. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Oh, there was that one time when "wing side" (my pet name for my new comrade) and I started talking for oh, 5 seconds, about how we had actually met at SLComic Con And what a small world it was. When suddenly our conversation was quickly ended by CAPTAIN SHE ZzzZZ as she emerged from the fleece and we were both flashed with a face of a thousand terrors and horrors and then hushed in nothing less than that of a serpent spewing venom on its prey - immediate silence insured. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Wing side" seemed liked a nice girl. All cozy in that tiny window. That was fun to talk. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">As the flight progressed...for days, we finally started our approach for New York. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">SHE ZzzZZ emerged from her cocoon of hell and odorous smells and summoned the flight attendant for regular Tylenol and water. Hey aren't you supposed to wait for at least 4 hours? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">As soon as the seatbelt sign went on, and we started making our 15 minute decent - 25 people stood up to go to the restroom. I was in utter awe! Pinky calmly but quickly was on the intercom - "we are approaching our final descent to New York please sit down." No one moved. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Again. The announcement. I guess she just let them go because the traffic in and out went pretty fast. Until there was a Rabbi, a priest, and what I can only assume at this point HAD TO BE A MORMON BISHOP - all standing in line. I looked back and thought life just does not get any better than this at 4am mountain time/6am eastern.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Not a moment too soon did the holy trinity sit down before the plane was about to touch down - when lo and behold two more people popped up to tinkle. Pinky got on the com quicker than the Tony Stark can create yet another IRON MAN suit, and in her nicest flight attendant <i>don't make me pull this plane over </i>voice , yelled, "SIT DOWN WE ARE LANDING PEOPLE!...thank you for flying delta, and welcome to New York. "</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Note to self:</span></div>
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<li><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Middle seat is where gods sit on red eyes. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Never cross a flight attendant in the middle of the night if your are freezing or you have to pee. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">If flying the red eye - grab the first blanket you see and hold onto it like your life depends on it. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Wasn't there a horror movie at one time named red eye? Yeah...it has nothing on this. </span></li>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">All-in-all, I am excited to be in the big apple to see friends, gather with others who love what I love, and to gorge myself in all things geek. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">NYCC here I come! </span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05715601167609463716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3053460879078796365.post-28599043321402866852013-08-31T22:29:00.000-06:002013-08-31T22:29:42.450-06:00Salt Lake Comic Con is HERE!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hqyQ8mRztN0/UiLCVccnTyI/AAAAAAAAAnI/kSlYIebM844/s1600/slm-so13-alt-covers-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hqyQ8mRztN0/UiLCVccnTyI/AAAAAAAAAnI/kSlYIebM844/s640/slm-so13-alt-covers-1.jpg" width="492" /></a></div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05715601167609463716noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3053460879078796365.post-50223701217761108262013-08-03T14:48:00.000-06:002013-08-03T14:48:42.818-06:00JL Flashpoint Paradox is Spittin' Hot Fire Awesome!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LkSikpCthxY/Uf1XMed4MYI/AAAAAAAAAgk/3saDS-GvvO8/s1600/JusticeLeagueTheFlashpointParadox-finalboxart.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LkSikpCthxY/Uf1XMed4MYI/AAAAAAAAAgk/3saDS-GvvO8/s200/JusticeLeagueTheFlashpointParadox-finalboxart.jpg" width="156" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I just finished watching, <b>Justice League The Flashpoint Paradox</b>,<b> </b>and let me just take a moment to flip into child mode and speak a million miles too fast and say: </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"whattheheckjusthappenedthatwastotallyamazing-</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">andihardlytookabreathandwhendidauquamanhaveit-inhimtoeverbeabadguyandhowdidtheyjustgetaway-</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">withallofthat...andwowohwow!!!!!!"</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Whew...ok now back to adult mode. DC animation is in full form with Flashpoint. With a winning production team of Geoff Johns (who wrote the original story), James Krieg (Screenplay), and Andy Kubert (illustration), along with a whole slew of amazing voice talent who you can check out on <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2820466/fullcredits?ref_=tt_ov_wr#writers" target="_blank">IMBd</a>, it was bound to be a dang good watch anyway; but I was blown out of the water. <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gL5li1yjhs0/Uf1c6T-nt7I/AAAAAAAAAg0/idAYfpp_vs4/s1600/Flashpoint-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gL5li1yjhs0/Uf1c6T-nt7I/AAAAAAAAAg0/idAYfpp_vs4/s320/Flashpoint-3.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nathan Fillion as Green Lantern/Hal Jordan<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;">In other reviews I have read, there have been many negative connotations regarding this animation. The way I feel about it is this - it does stray from the comic story line a bit, and it is a bit more graphic than your average Saturday morning cartoon genre, hence the PG-14 rating, and it is a bit shocking seeing your favorite Super Heroes in a different personality presence. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">But, isn't that what makes a good story?</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Isnt that what constitutes as good art?</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">When something or someone stirs a passion inside of us or challenges something we were accustomed to believing?</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">I find a lot of times that the fans in the comic book industry are are a little too strong or critical on the very people who make the industry possible. It is a <i>very strange </i>catch-22, if you ask me. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">I believe it is 100% ok to have an opinion, to have a voice, and to by all means be an individual...however, I do not believe it is ok to invoke those feelings and beliefs so strongly on others - that it influences the sales or purchases of products within an industry that collectively we are all hoping will thrive. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">With this being said, here is a generic review of Flashpoint Paradox:</span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">WARNING SPOILERS not a lot but some...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">While visiting his mother's grave, lamenting his inability to save her when she was killed in a home invasion when he was a child, Barry Allen (the super-speed superhero known as the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flash_(Barry_Allen)" style="background-image: none; text-decoration: none;" title="Flash (Barry Allen)"><span style="color: black;">Flash</span></a>) is alerted to a break-in at the Flash Museum by <span style="color: black;">Captain Cold, Captain Boomerang, Heat Wave, Mirror Master, and Top. Defeating the Rogues, he disc</span>overs that they have been hired by his arch-enemy Professor Zoom to lure him in as part of a plan to destroy Central City. With the help of his allies in the Justice League of America, Barry foils Zoom's plot. However, Zoom taunts over the death of Barry's mother. Despite Batman's urging not to let Zoom get to him, Barry runs off.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The next day, Barry awakens to discover that the world has radically changed around him: his powers have disappeared, his mother is alive, his wife Iris is married to someone else, and the Justice League does not exist. In this new timeline, Aquaman and his Atlantean forces have sunk most of Western Europe, while Wonder Woman has led the Amazons in conquering Great Britain. The Atlanteans and the Amazons are at war with one another after a failed attempt at peace resulted in Wonder Woman murdering Aquaman's wife Mera. Government agent Cyborg has put together a team to end the war by taking out the two leaders, and approaches Batman to join them, but he refuses, causing the President to abandon the plan. Instead, pilot Hal Jordan is assigned to fly an alienspacecraft in a bombing run on the Atlanteans.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5Vi5FHgM_nk/Uf1iWIgzbsI/AAAAAAAAAhE/mZqGpuEcLMI/s1600/Aquaman-1-1024x576.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5Vi5FHgM_nk/Uf1iWIgzbsI/AAAAAAAAAhE/mZqGpuEcLMI/s320/Aquaman-1-1024x576.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Aquaman is one mean motha!</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Barry visits Wayne Manor, but is attacked by Batman, who he realizes is not Bruce Wayne (who died in this reality) but his father Thomas Wayne. Attempting to explain things to an incredulous Thomas, Barry retrieves his Flash costume from the ring in which it is kept, but Professor Zoom's costumes appears in its place, causing Barry to believe Zoom is responsible for changing history. Convinced to help Barry by the knowledge that Bruce lived in the original timeline, Batman helps him recreate the accident that gave him his Flash powers, only for Barry to wind up being severely burned.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In London, Steve Trevor attempts to exfiltrate undercover reporter Lois Lane, but is discovered by the Amazons and killed. With Trevor's information, the Amazons hunt Lane down, but she is rescued by the local resistance and falls in with them. Meanwhile, amongst the remains of Paris, Deathstroke and Lex Luthor are attacked and killed by Aquaman's forces while tracking the energy trail of Aquaman's new superweapon: a captured and weaponized Captain Atom.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Realizing that his memories of the original timeline are fading, the injured Barry insists Batman recreate the accident again, this time resulting in the successful restoration of his powers. Although he regains his powers back, Barry discovers that he is unable to travel through time himself because there is another super-speedster using Speed Force in this timeline, preventing Flash to gather enough energy to break the time barrier.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SooHJG6FF6s/Uf1pD3PhJ1I/AAAAAAAAAhc/Jrwb4GsOMTE/s1600/00290065-0000-0000-0000-000000000000_bd9e518c-8b9e-4904-b459-4f2b1c196df1_20130730185203_Flashpoint+Paradox+villains.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="215" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SooHJG6FF6s/Uf1pD3PhJ1I/AAAAAAAAAhc/Jrwb4GsOMTE/s320/00290065-0000-0000-0000-000000000000_bd9e518c-8b9e-4904-b459-4f2b1c196df1_20130730185203_Flashpoint+Paradox+villains.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Oh, it is just all good and fun and a mix of EVIL on the side.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Flash seeks to recruit more allies instead, beginning with Superman, who in this world is a prisoner of the government after his ship crashed into Metropolis, rather than Smallville. With the aid of Batman and Cyborg, they break into the bunker in which the withered Superman is held and liberate him. Empowered by the yellow sun, Superman holds off the government agents who confront the group, but then flies off in fear and confusion. Flash collapses as his memories continues to alter, and is taken to the home of Billy Batson and his foster siblings to recover. Learning of Jordan's failed attack and the beginning of the final battle between the Atlanteans and the Amazons, Flash convinces Batman to join them in an attempt to stop the war.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On board Batman's jet en route to Britain, Batman shows Flash a message intercepted from Lois Lane of a super-speedster she captured an image of, who Flash identifies as Zoom. As they wonder why Zoom would let Lois live if she saw him, the jet is shot down by the Atlantean fleet, and the battle begins. Batson and his siblings combine into Captain Thunder (the Captain Marvel of this world) to fight Wonder Woman, while Flash, Cyborg and Batman occupy Aquaman only for Batman to be gravely wounded. At this point, Zoom reveals himself to Barry and explains it was not he, but <i>Barry himself</i> who was responsible for changing the timeline when he went back in time to save his mother and caused the fabric of reality to fracture. The battle continues around them with Wonder Woman using her lasso to force Captain Thunder back into Batson and killing him, and Superman arriving too late to save Cyborg from Aquaman (culminating in a wounded Aquaman giving the order to trigger the Captain Atom bomb). As the explosion tears across the landscape, Zoom mocks the Flash, when he is suddenly shot through the head and killed by the injured Batman, leaving Flash to be the only user of Speed Force in this timeline. Before dying, Batman urges Barry to fix everything, giving him a letter addressed to his son, Bruce. Barry races back in time, and stops his earlier self from preventing his mother's death.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Barry reawakens at his desk, and finds that everything is back to normal (although all the heroes in this timeline have their costumes slightly altered because this is now <i>The New 52</i> timestream). He visits Batman to tell him about everything that occurred and gives him the letter from his father, prompting the tearful Batman to tell him: "You're one helluva messenger."</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6TcOsWX40Og/Uf1i5dln5vI/AAAAAAAAAhM/baoeqxOiSc8/s1600/images.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6TcOsWX40Og/Uf1i5dln5vI/AAAAAAAAAhM/baoeqxOiSc8/s320/images.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Now if you need to read "<b>Flashpoint</b>" again or hhhmmm...for the first time, no fear GEEKSELIXIR is here! and well <a href="http://www.instocktrades.com/" target="_blank">Instocktrades</a>. These people are just fantastic. I purchased the whole flashpoint set ( 6 trade paperbacks) for only $55.59 and the shipping is free because my order was over $50! Yes miracles do happen folks.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To read the Flashpoint series in order you need:</span></div>
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<b style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">* Flashpoint</b><br style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;" /><b style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">* Flashpoint: Batman</b><br style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;" /><b style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">* Flashpoint: Wonder Woman</b><br style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;" /><b style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">* Flashpoint: Superman</b><br style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;" /><b style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">* Flashpoint: Green Lantern</b><br style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;" /><b style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">* Flashpoint: The Flash</b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Source Sans Pro, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 24px;">I will be receiving my order any day now to re-read the series and catch up on the ones I missed. I am giddy with excitement! And check out Flashpoint Paradox, I think you will enjoy it.</span></span></div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05715601167609463716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3053460879078796365.post-88319404807731737382013-07-05T16:53:00.002-06:002013-07-05T18:04:57.999-06:00MMMM, It's the Smell of Comics<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There is nothing quite like the smell of a new comic book. I have actually been told my whole life that this is how ALL new books smell, however, in my mind I have reserved it for ONLY comics. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: center;">When I get my new comic books - single issue, trade paper back, or the beloved hard cover -I feel like I am part of a super secret club. There is something magnificent about ripping off the shrinkable plastic cover and having that "new comic" smell smack you right in the face. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: center;">The kind of comic book smell that I do not like however, is B.O. that can fester at comic cons. Ask any person on the street and they will agree body odor is not the first on their list for whoopee ki aye smells. In the heat of the comic con season - the "con stench" or "comic funk", is written about repeatedly. Almost to the point that it is annoying. The smell subject seems to be a fun topic for non con goers and con goers alike.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What is con stench - well, sexy to the power of NOTHING!<br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Crowds have been stated as pushing the 200,000 mark especially in large scale cons - like San Diego and New York. In fact, the Comic Con has been referenced as <a href="http://knowledgetoday.wharton.upenn.edu/2013/02/comic-con-the-sold-out-super-bowl-of-pop-culture/" target="_blank">"The sold-out Super Bowl of Pop Culture."</a> 2012 broke records across the board for individual cons. Averages were up in attendance, in sales, and for the amount of articles written about Comic Con Goers as smelling to high heaven.</span><br />
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Even Superman has odor!</div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Personally, there have been many comic cons that I have attended where I have NOT noticed any type of odd smell. Granted - there have been those cons where odor is a "punch you in the face" moment of sour oddity. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Reality is, that Comic Cons are insanely crowded. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Reality is, when you smell ---YOU ARE THE LAST to notice it. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Reality is, when you are around individuals that do smell - it will always be rude to make ridiculous comments to the cosmic abyss - like "In Gods name, WHAT is that SMELL?!?"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Reality is, Cosplay is a give and take with re-wearing costumes, ventilation, and body heat. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Reality is, others in the mass of comic clad happy goers may stink; but ultimately you don't have too.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gHmNtcLWxS0/UddJi1beulI/AAAAAAAAAeo/3z1kCEDNnrk/s1600/dman1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="230" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gHmNtcLWxS0/UddJi1beulI/AAAAAAAAAeo/3z1kCEDNnrk/s400/dman1.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Keep your comments to yourself!</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: center;">Whether you are interested in having a positive comic con experience or not, is what is at stake. Basically, every gathering with thousands of people is going to have some kind of smell. The wrap that comic cons have gotten for being the ODOR FEST of culture...is just not fair. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Excuse me, but I am trying to define your BRAND of odor."</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: center;">Personally, when I go to comic cons I find that it is good to focus on two things: Keep your self clean and Just smell the books!</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There is much that is unexplained...However Beast with hygiene is not one of them.</td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05715601167609463716noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3053460879078796365.post-3774390637024472812013-06-29T23:40:00.003-06:002013-06-29T23:44:13.338-06:00Marvel NOW list in PDF <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Of course you should visit Marvel.com...</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">After I wrote the <a href="http://geekselixir.blogspot.com/2013/06/marvel-now-whata-timeline-to-buy-marvel.html" target="_blank">"Marvel Now What?"</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I had several requests for the timeline list in a printable form. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">As requested: <a href="https://docs.google.com/file/d/0By7ekEpIWk5QbTlfZEo5aUVrejA/edit?usp=sharing" target="_blank">PDF</a> of HC and TPB dates. With checkboxes and everything. So happy collecting.</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05715601167609463716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3053460879078796365.post-3000797220721539202013-06-24T19:35:00.001-06:002013-06-24T19:35:56.645-06:00The Awesome Picks Episode Featuring Elaine Atkins Manley!: DARKHAN CITY ...<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="344" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/ojY9SpnjdeA" width="459"></iframe>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05715601167609463716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3053460879078796365.post-64829644973764250532013-06-24T17:41:00.003-06:002013-06-24T19:32:07.985-06:00Marvel Now WHAT?...a timeline to buy Marvel Now Hardcover and Trade Paper Backs<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I do not collect many things, however when I do decide to be the pack rat - it is a perfect blend of enthusiasm and OCD! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I want all of it, I want it in order, and I want to build a shrine. This may be considered a tad shy of "crazy", however I live in denial, and it is a place full of sunshine and rainbows...and comic books.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Because, less is better - in what universe- when it comes to all things comic. I love my comic book collection.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">With <i><b>DC New 52</b></i> I started collecting right away with the buying of single issues -digital and print. My <i>orderly disorder</i> quickly became one convenient ball of chaos. I am still rooting around between long boxes and digital copies trying to figure out what I need next in each series. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> After the DC experience, I quickly decided to wait in my reading binge, and look forward to the <i><b>Marvel NOW</b></i> trades hitting the shelf. In my mind this made sense. But thinking outside the </span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">ordinary, is perfect unless you have no idea what to buy. Little did I know I would use my college degree of researching to accomplish this task. My brother Robert had gifted me my first <b><i>Marvel Now</i> <i>Premiere Hardcover</i></b>. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So beautiful and shiny! </td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> I will admit I was swoon by the powerful force of the new library binding, ultra smooth cover. and to top it off - the digital codes that are available in each book for bonus collections. I knew at this point - I needed all of them. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I want to join, seriously, but where do I start?</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: left;">Rippin' ready to go, I began the journey to find the release dates for the upcoming Marvel NOW books. </span><b style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: left;">Two</b><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> days later, 20 websites, and a couple store fronts researched, </span><b style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: red;">GUH</span></b><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">!, I had comprised a functionable list. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Being the overly generous person I am, I decided to put the list below for your Marvel pleasure... it was this or a wacky mime routine. And as OZ said from Buffy...</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">"Nobody deserves mime, Buffy."</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I listed the books according to Premiere Hardcovers and TPB till the end of 2013.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hopefully I got them all. All dates are subject to change, and approximate times of month.</span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><u><b>Marvel Now Premiere Hardcovers</b></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">All New X-Men..............Vol.1 Yesterday (#1-5).......................................................3/27/13</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Vol.2 Here to Stay (#6-10)................................................6/11/13</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Vol.3 Out of Their Depth (#11-15)...................................10/1/13</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Iron Man........................</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Vol.1 Believe (#1-5)............................................................4/13/13</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Vol.2 Secret Origin of Tony Stark Bk 1(#6-11)...............8/20/13</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Vol.3 Secret Origin of Tony Stark Bk 2 (#12-17)...........12/17/13</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Avengers.......................</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: left;">Vol.1 Avengers World (#1-6).............................................4/17/13</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Vol.2 The Last White Event (#7-11).................................7/23/13</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Vol.3 Prelude to Infinity (#12-?)........................................10/29/13</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Uncanny Avengers......</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: left;">Vol.1 The Red Shadow (#1-5)...........................................4/24/13</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Vol.2 Ragnarok Now (#6-11).............................................11/5/13</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Indestructible Hulk......</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: left;">Vol.1 Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. (#1-5)......................................5/15/13</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Vol.2 Gods and Monsters (#6-10).....................................9/24/13</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thor:God of Thunder...</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: left;">Vol.1 The God Butcher (#1-5)...........................................5/29/13</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Vol.2 God Bomb (#6-11)...................................................10/22/13</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Captain America.........</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: left;">Vol.1 Castaway in Dimension Z Bk1 (#1-5).....................6/12/13</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Vol.2 Castaway in Dimension Z Bk2 (#6-11)..................12/10/13</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">New Avengers..............</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: left;">Vol.1 Everything Dies (#1-6)..............................................7/3/13</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Uncanny X-Men...........</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: left;">Vol.1 Revolution (#1-5)......................................................7/3/13</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Vol.2 Magik (#6-11)...........................................................11/19/13</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Savage Wolverine.......</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: left;">Vol.1 Kill Island (#1-5)........................................................8/7/13</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Guardians of the Galaxy..</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: left;">Vol.1 Cosmic Avengers (#GG1-3,#0.1,GG* </span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: left;">Infinite#1)...8/29/13</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">NOVA............................</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: left;">Vol.1 Origin (#1-5,material MPO*)...................................9/17/13</span><br />
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<u style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: red;"><b>Marvel Now Trade Paperback</b></span></u></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Captain Marvel............</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Vol.1 In Pursuit of Flight (#1-6)........................................1/1/13</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Vol.2 Down (#7-12)...........................................................6/4/13</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thanos Rising..............</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Vol.1 (#1-5).......................................................................10/22/13</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Avengers Arena...........</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Vol.1 Kill or Die (#1-6).......................................................5/21/13</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Vol.2 Game On (#7-12)....................................................9/24/13</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Cable and X-Force.....</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: left;">Vol.1 Wanted Now (#1-5,</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: left;">material MPO*</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: left;">).....................5/14/13</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Vol.2 Dead or Alive (#6-9)...............................................11/12/13</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Journey Into Mystery..</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: left;">Vol.1 Feat. SIF, Stronger Than Monsters (#646-650</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: left;">)...6/11/13</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Vol.2 Seeds of Destruction (#651-655)..........................11/5/13</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Red She Hulk..............</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: left;">Vol.1 Hell Hath No Fury (#58-62</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: left;">)....................................4/16/13</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Vol.2 Route 616 (#63-67).................................................9/17/13</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hawkeye.....................</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: left;">Vol.1 My Life as a Weapon (#1-5,YAP*#6</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: left;">)....................3/19/13</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Vol.2 Little Hits (#6-11)....................................................7/23/13</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Vol.3 L.A. Woman (#12-?)................................................3/25/14</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Fantastic Four...</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: left;">Vol.1 New Departure,New Arrivals (#1-3,FF#1-2,material MPO*</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: left;">)...4/16/13</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Vol.2 Road Trip (#4-8)...........................................................9/13/13</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">X-Men Legacy............</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: left;">Vol.1 Prodigal (#1-6</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: left;">).........................................................5/7/13</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Vol.2 Invasive Exotics (#7-12).........................................9/10/13</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Vol.3 Revenants (#13-18)...............................................11/26/14</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thunderbolts..............</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: left;">Vol.1 No Quarter (#1-6</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: left;">)....................................................5/21/13</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Vol.2 Red Scare (#7-12)................................................. 10/1/13</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Deadpool....................</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: left;">Vol.1 Dead Presidents (#1-6</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: left;">)..........................................6/11/13</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Vol.2 Soul Hunter (#7-12)...............................................9/3/13</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Vol.3 The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly (#13-19).......12/31/13</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A+X.............................</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: left;">Vol.1 = Awesome (#1-6</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: left;">)...................................................6/4/13</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Vol.2 = Amazing (#7-12)..................................................12/3/13</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Morbius Living Vampire: Man Called Morbius</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: left;"> (#1-9, AS* #699.1</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: left;">).................12/3/13</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">X-Men.........................</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: left;">Vol.1 Primer (#1-4, UXM* #244</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: left;">)......................................11/26/13</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Superior Spider-Man...</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: left;">Vol.1 My Worst Enemy (#1-5</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: left;">)...............................6/11/13</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Vol.2 A Troubled Mind (#6-10).............................9/3/13</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Vol.3 No Escape (#11-15).....................................12/3/13</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Secret Avengers........</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: left;">Vol.1 Reverie (#1-5, material MPO*</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: left;">).............................9/10/13</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Uncanny X-Force.......</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: left;">Vol.1 Let it Bleed (#1-6</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: left;">).................................................8/13/13</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Young Avengers.........</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: left;">Vol.1 Style Substance (#1-5, material MYAPO*</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: left;">)........9/10/13</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Fearless Defenders...</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: left;">Vol.1 Doom Maidens (#1-6</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: left;">)............................................8/27/13</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Wolverine....................</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: left;">Vol.1 Hunting Season (#1-6</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: left;">)..........................................9/3/13</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Gambit.........................</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: left;">Vol.1 Once a Thief (#1-7</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: left;">)................................................4/2/13</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Vol.2 Tombstone Blues (#8-12).....................................7/23/13</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">FF.................................</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: left;">Vol.1 Fantastic Faux (#4-8</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: left;">)............................................7/23/13</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Vol.2 Family Freakout (#9-13)........................................12/10/13</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Avengers Assemble...</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: left;"> (#1-8</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: left;">).................................................................................1/29/13</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Science Bros (#9-13,Annual 1).....................................8/27/13</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Avengers: Enemy Within...(#1, AA*#16-17,CM*#13-14,17).............................12/17/13</span></div>
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<u style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: red;"><b>Marvel Now Directly to Book</b></span></u></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Avengers: Endless Wartime (Hardback)..</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: left;">...........................................................10/1/13</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Age of Ultron TPB.... </span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: left;">(#1-10,AA*#14-15, FF*#5,FD*#4,TSS*#6,Ultron #1,UA*#8,WXM*#27,A* #10</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: left;">)............................................................................................................................9/17/13</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: left;"><b><u>*KEY</u></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: left;">MPO - Marvel Point One</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: left;">MYAPO - Marvel Young Avengers Point One</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: left;">A -Avengers</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: left;">AA - Avengers Assemble</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: left;">AS - Amazing Spider-Man</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: left;">CM- Captain Marvel</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">UA -Uncanny Avengers</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">WXM - Wolverine and the X-Men</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">YAP - Young Avengers Presents</span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05715601167609463716noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3053460879078796365.post-51487641170221614632013-06-10T14:58:00.004-06:002013-06-10T15:00:39.761-06:00My Son the Hero<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9zcBk0MI2kU/UbY8mYJjUeI/AAAAAAAAAas/W-5cqsa5G7Q/s1600/IMG_6320.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9zcBk0MI2kU/UbY8mYJjUeI/AAAAAAAAAas/W-5cqsa5G7Q/s320/IMG_6320.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There is something innately disheartening when someone you
care about relocates, for better or for worse.
It is a feeling inside that is tough to explain – especially when the
move is for happiness and greater experience in life. It is just hard to let go. Much like a character in a book we grow
accustomed to, we feel security in knowing that their actions, mannerisms,
speech, and reflexes are something we can just count on. Page by page, or day by day – it is always
there. Until, the time comes to move
on. I believe we ultimately take for
granted that security we feel everyday.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-q-XQciQnwKI/UbY95ivzseI/AAAAAAAAAa4/PgKPuNH8syM/s1600/sigh-of-relief.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-q-XQciQnwKI/UbY95ivzseI/AAAAAAAAAa4/PgKPuNH8syM/s320/sigh-of-relief.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My son, the youngest of my three kids, has just graduated
from high school and has moved out to spend time with his Dad before his
enlistment into the military. Today, I
was wrapping up his many soccer trophies, certificates, and medals and sitting
in his room contemplating how my life has changed from having this 17-year-old
kid in it. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As I wrapped each trophy, it brought back a flood of
memories. Memories that will always be there. My son is very much a charismatic character and one that has beat the odds many
times. A hero – of course – but hey I am his mom.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">He was born premature with a collapsed lung and dealt with
severe asthma from the beginning of his life. We had heard that consistent exercise
could be beneficial for kids like him. Thus, we put him in soccer at 5. Little
did we know that we had created an exercising monster.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">With every asthma attack, my son would get mad, and beg to
be put back on the field. He did not like to have boundaries. Year after year, his goals were to push
himself farther and farther. Using soccer as his way to conquer a physical
ailment.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">He had set backs, but you would not know it. Just like
Robin, he kept coming back and he was stronger, faster, and more stubborn than
before. Eventually earning an MVP during
his High School soccer career.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-F6xKiBF88KQ/UbY6cotH7xI/AAAAAAAAAaM/rEWdgs7FFHQ/s1600/comic-box-the-rotating-roster-of-robins-part-i1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="223" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-F6xKiBF88KQ/UbY6cotH7xI/AAAAAAAAAaM/rEWdgs7FFHQ/s400/comic-box-the-rotating-roster-of-robins-part-i1.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.geekexchange.com/comic-box-the-rotating-roster-of-robins-part-i-46943.html" target="_blank">Comic Box:The Rotating Roster of Robins</a></span></td></tr>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PX-epHF7ig0/UbY7TkGYKHI/AAAAAAAAAaU/kqCZYEMceso/s1600/IMG_6316.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PX-epHF7ig0/UbY7TkGYKHI/AAAAAAAAAaU/kqCZYEMceso/s320/IMG_6316.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Even though my son has never shared the intense love of comics that I
obsess over, but he is proud of me with each of my new endeavors. He even gets excited when I tell him about
new projects I am working on…I am so lucky. We do however share the same tenancity to achieve a goal and for this I could not be any more proud.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Today, I feel like a part of my security blanket is skewed a
little. We create strong kids so they can take off and be something in the
world. However, we forget – in order to take off – they have to leave. I am
proud to be a mom. I am proud to have a son who in all respects is the only
true super hero I know. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Now go conquer the world Jonathan!</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bNXmUii66ag/UbY7xVfPWhI/AAAAAAAAAac/yFFaFGpLdw8/s1600/ca.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bNXmUii66ag/UbY7xVfPWhI/AAAAAAAAAac/yFFaFGpLdw8/s320/ca.jpg" width="211" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Art by Robert Atkins</td></tr>
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<!--EndFragment-->Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05715601167609463716noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3053460879078796365.post-88696934022494262662013-05-17T16:29:00.001-06:002013-05-17T16:38:23.773-06:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I just finished Axe Cop volume 1,2,3, and Hawkeye: My Life as a Weapon volume 1. When you are flying cross country there is a little bit of time on your hands, and I am a fast reader. </span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2KhlD4EaPnM/UZaT9Y8Ut5I/AAAAAAAAAVs/7j5b7BrsjuQ/s1600/axe_cop.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2KhlD4EaPnM/UZaT9Y8Ut5I/AAAAAAAAAVs/7j5b7BrsjuQ/s200/axe_cop.png" width="200" /></span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://axecop.com/" target="_blank">Axe Cop</a> was downright FABULOUS! Freaking bad to the bone!</span></div>
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I loved volume 2 that was in color and told in three part episodic story arc, which veered from volumes 1 and 3 which were web comic style. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Vol. 1 and 3 are also Interjected with the "Ask Axe Cop" question and answers that had me laughing out loud on a full plane. (For those of you that have heard me laugh...it is not a a quiet adventure.) </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The volumes read quick and easy. The story is fun and delightful and definitely makes one yearn for the day when our imaginations would just randomly go wild with no interference of adulthood. I definitely recommend picking up all three volumes.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Axe Cop is also available on the web comic site so you can experience a daily dose of chopping off heads and Axe Cop and his crew hitting the night scene in their cat suits to defeat sleeping bad guys! This stuff is just great! : <a href="http://axecop.com/">axecop.com</a></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_qeo9_dkWyk/UZaT81atiwI/AAAAAAAAAVk/Qde7lyvSNu0/s1600/Axe-Cop-Cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_qeo9_dkWyk/UZaT81atiwI/AAAAAAAAAVk/Qde7lyvSNu0/s320/Axe-Cop-Cover.jpg" width="206" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.darkhorse.com/Books/17-579/Axe-Cop-Volume-1" target="_blank">Volume 1 in print Dark Horse </a></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-k724d_tZlHM/UZaVHqbdIOI/AAAAAAAAAWA/XDtkg6w5VZc/s1600/AXECOPBADGUYCVR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-k724d_tZlHM/UZaVHqbdIOI/AAAAAAAAAWA/XDtkg6w5VZc/s320/AXECOPBADGUYCVR.jpg" width="208" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.darkhorse.com/Books/19-240/Axe-Cop-Bad-Guy-Earth-TPB" target="_blank">Volume 2 in print Dark Horse</a></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Le_JFYbX2Ck/UZaT8D9HwwI/AAAAAAAAAVc/0Z4H53CZzHs/s1600/2251751-19229.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Le_JFYbX2Ck/UZaT8D9HwwI/AAAAAAAAAVc/0Z4H53CZzHs/s320/2251751-19229.jpg" width="207" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.darkhorse.com/Books/19-229/Axe-Cop-Volume-3-TPB" target="_blank">Volume 3 in print Dark Horse</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><u><a href="http://marvel.com/comics/collection/42750/hawkeye_vol_1_my_life_as_a_weapon_trade_paperback" target="_blank">Hawkeye, My life as a Weapon Volume 1</a></u>, (Published by Marvel) was definitely a far cry different from Axe Cop. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> <span style="color: #141823; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">Personally I enjoy different. So this was right up my alley. The art was not your daily average comic book art. With </span><a href="http://blog.davidaja.com/" style="line-height: 18px; text-align: left;" target="_blank">David Aja</a><span style="color: #141823; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"> and </span><a href="http://www.comicvine.com/javier-pulido/4040-4602/" style="line-height: 18px; text-align: left;" target="_blank">Javier Pulido</a><span style="color: #141823; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"> as the artists - it is an adventure just to dive into the artistry. </span><a href="http://www.matthollingsworth.net/" style="line-height: 18px; text-align: left;" target="_blank">Matt Hollingsworth</a><span style="color: #141823; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"> pulls some amazing play with the color art as well. All in all, Hawkeye, is a great example of how all parts of a comic need to work together to tell a story. Not just the story lines, which is told by </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matt_Fraction" style="line-height: 18px; text-align: left;" target="_blank">Matt Fraction</a><span style="color: #141823; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"> and is great, but subtle clues and hints through the flow of drawn lines and corresponding shades of similar color.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The story is raw and gritty. Not what you would expect from Hawkeye. Barton has a dark side, but there is a reason and S.H.I.E.L.D. is willing to use a self made hero who knows no boundaries. I was definitely surprised! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I also enjoyed getting to know the character (ex-Young Avenger) Kate Bishop in a different light, which is more complex.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I will be heading out to the nearest comic book shop to pick up the additional Hawkeye: Little Hits Volume 2</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PBemwYbDju4/UZas7ON6VlI/AAAAAAAAAWQ/BtOCw8_4kG4/s1600/17277800.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PBemwYbDju4/UZas7ON6VlI/AAAAAAAAAWQ/BtOCw8_4kG4/s320/17277800.jpg" width="210" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MqZFLGEtkpc/UZas_qXF6PI/AAAAAAAAAWk/EjYd8uCpFOQ/s1600/hawkeye_best_superhero_header.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="211" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MqZFLGEtkpc/UZas_qXF6PI/AAAAAAAAAWk/EjYd8uCpFOQ/s400/hawkeye_best_superhero_header.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This just goes to show there is humor in all things!</span></td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05715601167609463716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3053460879078796365.post-16159497915062954722013-02-16T19:51:00.000-07:002013-02-16T19:51:22.782-07:00LEGO My Tears of Pain!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rUNR7eYyt3c/USBEjKAdAiI/AAAAAAAAAUk/JQtbyV907jk/s1600/307444_611676415528482_859285137_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="397" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rUNR7eYyt3c/USBEjKAdAiI/AAAAAAAAAUk/JQtbyV907jk/s400/307444_611676415528482_859285137_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">With the recent blog post on February 14th: </span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><a href="http://geekselixir.blogspot.com/2013/02/adults-need-legos-too-give-us-stark.html" target="_blank">Adults Need LEGO's Too: Give us Stark Tower!</a></span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I thought this was an appropriate addition.</span></h2>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05715601167609463716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3053460879078796365.post-21508089294471316492013-02-14T02:01:00.000-07:002013-02-14T12:08:14.657-07:00Adults Need LEGO's Too: Give us Stark Tower!<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-77wy_zQhgJE/URykfG875fI/AAAAAAAAAUA/xaV1Xzvqa7Y/s1600/LEGO-DC-Minifigures-Collection-for-2013-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="253" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-77wy_zQhgJE/URykfG875fI/AAAAAAAAAUA/xaV1Xzvqa7Y/s320/LEGO-DC-Minifigures-Collection-for-2013-4.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">LEGO DC Minifigure Collection for 2013<br />Robin and Aquaman</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Lego's are the addicting source of conflict for most parents. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Said parents have a child, have an excuse to buy and build with Lego's till heart is filled with joy. Then the inevitable happens. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The child grows up and wants a phone. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Lego's are no longer a source of fun. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The child will not realize that this was true entertainment for unfortunately another 10+ years.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The dilemma that is left is either, "How can I get away with squandering my time on Lego's without the child?" or "Where the heck do I store 2 five gallon bins of Lego's?" </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Okay, so maybe this is a little bit of a case in point scenario, meaning <b><i><u>my</u></i></b> case in point. When my son decided Lego's were not cool anymore, I thought he was insane. Seriously. </span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FrWvWOxLpaU/URyieuWiO2I/AAAAAAAAATY/bLm7d_zMHUg/s1600/6612.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FrWvWOxLpaU/URyieuWiO2I/AAAAAAAAATY/bLm7d_zMHUg/s320/6612.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We had put together the Lego Full NBA Basketball Court together and had some rockin games; and we conquered the Lego Full Soccer Stadium and continued to add to it. Then there was HOGWARTS....oh boy, that was crazy. We plowed through helicopters, airplanes, spaceships, trains, towns, and even the jungle - dinosaurs included. Finally, there was of course, Star Wars everything. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Star Wars and Lego's seem to go together like peanut butter and jelly. They just fit. When in doubt - buy Star Wars Legos. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>"Have you put any Lego's together lately?" </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>"Pshhhh, yep just finished the 3,808 piece Death Star. Started it last night."</i></span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4Zj1OPVNu7c/URyi-_jVtoI/AAAAAAAAATs/D3e5XmPrqjQ/s1600/27082008_04-lego-death-star.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="237" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4Zj1OPVNu7c/URyi-_jVtoI/AAAAAAAAATs/D3e5XmPrqjQ/s320/27082008_04-lego-death-star.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Last October, I went to New York Comic Con and was thrilled to see the Lego booth, I had a small surge of excitement when I saw this however:</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">New York Comic Con - October 2012 LEGO booth</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I stood and stared. The concept of LEGO piecing together bricks of Legos was so boggling to my feeble mind. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It was like INCEPTION! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Yet, glorious! It was at this moment I realized - Lego needs to just straight up make Lego's for adults. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Market them to adults, geeks, nerds, or 'parents who have no more excuses.' </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Give us STARK Tower! Give us Justice League Headquarters orbiting satellite! Give us Castle Grayskull! And for the fun of it - throw in Voltron! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I for one, wouldn't mind stepping on Lego's again. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Some pain, is a reminder of creativity!</span><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05715601167609463716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3053460879078796365.post-47269276335569854452013-02-13T19:30:00.000-07:002013-02-14T11:54:08.828-07:00What's Love Got to Do With It?<h2>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> <b> Comic books...</b></span></h2>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zyFOfhJDQu0/URw6iVgSTPI/AAAAAAAAAR8/ZB1ODF9fgrI/s1600/70__s_cage_and_fist_by_dan_panosian600_913.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zyFOfhJDQu0/URw6iVgSTPI/AAAAAAAAAR8/ZB1ODF9fgrI/s320/70__s_cage_and_fist_by_dan_panosian600_913.jpg" width="210" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><a href="http://urban-barbarian.deviantart.com/" target="_blank">Dan Panosian- urban-barbarian</a></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Why do we even read them? Some discover comic books in their childhood, through a friend, or a family member. Some stumble upon them by accident in a store, library, attic, or even the garbage can. And, some do not discover the magic of a comic book till they are in their adult years. So, I pose the question again, <i>why do we even read them? </i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I fight my first instinct, and may I add that I am fighting with every ounce of galactic strength, to go directly to the Internet and research what studies have been previously done, polls that have been taken, and theories have been established per this question.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I would "assume", that nostalgia would be first on the list of reasons for the adults currently reading comics, who started as kids. But what about new readers? Or, readers who have ventured into new story territory? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">According to articles I have read and that have peaked my interest, comic books are doing more than just satisfying the want to relieve the golden memories of yesterday. According to a study done by <i>Kaplan International Colleges</i>, Spiderman is doing his neighborhood duty by teaching people English. Yes, as always proving that, "with great power, comes great responsibility."</span><br />
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<a href="http://comicbook.com/blog/2012/11/16/spider-man-is-top-superhero-in-helping-people-learn-english/" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="153" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9Cet2fpt08s/URwxmN44vuI/AAAAAAAAARc/bCf4Cy8Ce84/s200/spider-man-learn-english-300x232.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://comicbook.com/blog/2012/11/16/spider-man-is-top-superhero-in-helping-people-learn-english/" target="_blank">Spiderman the new ESL teacher</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I would venture to say, with the recent boom in comic publishers and indie titles that are now available - it can be even more confusing than ever to decide what to read. There is definitely a <b>GRRRR</b> factor, if you do not know what you like or if you are new to this reading style. However, it can be done. And new comic books sales are proving that "indie" is here to stay!</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yrLK6dPLTAQ/URw7O9TDGgI/AAAAAAAAASE/Xt5TzMSHJ5E/s1600/InvincibleMain.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yrLK6dPLTAQ/URw7O9TDGgI/AAAAAAAAASE/Xt5TzMSHJ5E/s320/InvincibleMain.jpg" width="208" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Issue #100!</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I find it interesting that our culture is <i><u>finally</u></i> catching on to the idea that comic books are more than just "silly child's stories" with "drawings." The art is intricate, and goes through sequence and processes that are detailed and finite. Story lines can be as simple or as ridiculously difficult as the reader would like them to be. There is most definitely something for everyone. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What I appreciate even more, and have enjoyed myself about recent developments, is that the education system is now beginning to look at graphic novels and comic books as a way to get through to children by using visual connections. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-D29mbGjyQo0/URw7-O8b0PI/AAAAAAAAASU/_-jnMzwfps0/s1600/314394_308616329167586_100000576637484_1195817_1749785299_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-D29mbGjyQo0/URw7-O8b0PI/AAAAAAAAASU/_-jnMzwfps0/s320/314394_308616329167586_100000576637484_1195817_1749785299_n.jpg" width="214" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Art by Robert Atkins</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Whats love got to do with it? Everything when it comes to comic books. For the creators it is obvious - their heart and soul is bled onto each page. Each story writer, penciler, inker, colorist, letterer, editor, and publisher - a comic book is a collaboration of a work of art. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><a href="http://robertatkinsart.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Y_-XSbc2Now/URw8_ZUqYJI/AAAAAAAAASc/wjN9wurf1fc/s320/593215-gijoea_super.jpg" width="210" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://robertatkinsart.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><br /></a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><i>Why do I read comic books? </i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I read them because I like to feel the story. I enjoy using as many senses possible to make that happen. I notice the textures, colors, lines, saturation, hues, word bubbles, fonts, point types, story lines, and every detail that makes the comic book complete. I try to understand why the story was written.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It is only then that the story becomes not just a past time, but an experience. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hsEba-o7mZk/URxH-ma7g1I/AAAAAAAAAS0/shHyfVbNKH4/s1600/581564_422260927837587_521979092_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hsEba-o7mZk/URxH-ma7g1I/AAAAAAAAAS0/shHyfVbNKH4/s320/581564_422260927837587_521979092_n.jpg" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><a href="http://runestonecomic.weebly.com/" target="_blank">"Elders of the Runestone" - Fantastic new story to check out! Story by Quinn Johnson, Art by Robert Atkins</a></span></td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05715601167609463716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3053460879078796365.post-51338600209045726012012-12-28T13:57:00.000-07:002012-12-31T20:46:49.659-07:00Zombies are Goal Driven! Featuring art by Brian Atkins<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tAWLqCGR2Xs/UN3konEmltI/AAAAAAAAANs/ZVYqei9_jRQ/s1600/zombie_readin_by_toddoss-d4s4png.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tAWLqCGR2Xs/UN3konEmltI/AAAAAAAAANs/ZVYqei9_jRQ/s320/zombie_readin_by_toddoss-d4s4png.jpg" title="Zombie Reading by Brian Atkins " width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">Zombie Reading by Brian Atkins</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It has been longer than a fortnight and I have no excuse for the time - except that I have conquered much in the world of comic books, action heroes, and movies. In short - I have been sitting on my behind being extremely happy! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Christmas has now come and gone. I prevailed through yet another birthday! I have discovered some long lost loves: "Big Trouble in Little China", Sean Connery as James Bond, Space Ghost: Coast to Coast, and stickers - yes - real meaty STICKERS! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So now, it is that time again where much of the world is preparing to make goals for the next year, <b>2013</b>. Goals that will never be accomplished. Goals that will sound great once said, but will never make it past the first week of January. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Not necessarily because the intent was never there, but because - we are a progress forced culture. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sometimes our own needs get lost in the mix. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Now Zombies, on the other hand, THEY ARE GOAL DRIVEN! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And I mean 24-7! They have a singular want in site and boom they are determined. Zombies don't care about cultural norms and pressures to: first conform to society before putting their own wants and needs on the table. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">NO! They know exactly what they need. They know what they are lacking in their, ahem, dead existence. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Zombies <b><i>are</i></b> the eternal optimists. The "glass half full" guys! Keeping it simple.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.thinkgeek.com/product/eabe/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">A glass this cool can be purchased!</span></a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Unlike, our goal driven, optimistic, simple life foes - as a society we tend to put our needs and wants on the back shelf. Then, when we are brainless and exhausted from keeping our own needs met - we simply fall apart. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Basically turning into villains and monsters worthy of any comic book plot. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So, how do we become like the </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Walking Dead</i></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> without, you know, dying?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">To get the scoop, I spoke with my good friend, Chris O'Hearn - Life Coach for <a href="http://www.strongwithin.com/" target="_blank">Strong Within</a> (his personally owned coaching business has been featured on the likes of MTV and can be found through the above link...this guy is great!) </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">According to Chris, we need to break it down. (stop dancing) Break it into two steps:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">1. Action</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">2. Maintenance</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Ask yourself what is going to be your actions to make a change for 2013. For me, I need to have visual recognition - and a lot of it. BAM in my face! Using wipe board markers on my bathroom mirror to remind me of my goals, for example, will get the job done. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Actions are the energetic liveliness of the goal or the need that keeps you invigorated. Think zombies...they never quite moving.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Then, it is important to actually recognize how the maintenance will be played out for those actions. What are you personally going to do to remember why you want to change? How are you going to keep moving towards your goal? Do you need to write your accomplishments down? I do. That is the ego in me coming out.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If you want to be more creative - look beyond what <b><i>is</i></b> creative and look <b><i>at</i></b> creativity <i><b>in yourself</b></i>. Remind yourself of past goals or habits you have had that has worked in the past. Reinvent them if you need to.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Chris stated, "Allow yourself to become in a state of mind where you want to be action driven." I felt like I could take over the world at this point.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Finally, a fantastic suggestion by Chris, "Brainstorm 20 things where you want to put yourself first. Think of different ways you can do this during 2013. Whether it is habitual, daily, weekly, monthly, or yearly. It is not being selfish. It is recharging, refueling, and organizing. Sometimes, when we only list a couple of ideas we do not fully </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">analyze what we truly need to be happy, and when we are taking care of everyone else's needs and problems, there is not enough energy or time to take care of ourself."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">For 2013, make it a goal... be a zombie! Go after what you truly want! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Whether you want to be:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Silas the Serpent King</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Carl -The Worlds Best Janitor</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Art by <a href="http://brianatkins.deviantart.com/" target="_blank">Brian Atkins</a></span><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05715601167609463716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3053460879078796365.post-59355958225164336672012-10-21T04:17:00.001-06:002012-12-31T20:49:08.111-07:00Anime: It's a Family Affair and Growing<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Day 2 of Anime Bonsai's three day event is done and anime is on the brain. I am mesmerized and catching the fever that 4000 - yes 4000- people today so brilliantly portrayed at the Layton, UT Davis convention center. The attendance is up, there are more cosplayers, and the atmosphere is fantastic! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Anime Banzai is officially in it's eighth year and is enjoying its most successful event to date. Anime Banzai started as most cons do, as a simple idea for lovers of a hobby to "get together" and bond. The idea blossomed and took off. The convention now reaches not only into the corners of Utah and surrounding states, but boasts of attendees traveling from as far as Florida and California. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Adam Bates, Jose Cruz-Rojas,Aaron Gordon</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Half way into the cons growth spurt it was decided to move from Salt Lake City, UT (SLC Community College Campus) to Layton UT Davis Convention Center to accommodate the growth. Aaron Gordon, Convention Director, stated "[a] major spike in attendance occurred when we moved to the Layton Davis Convention Center. Approximately a 25% increase. Larger than we expected and it has grown every year. We attribute this to an excellent staff here at the Convention Center and of course to the crew that helps us make the con possible. We have volunteers every year who are dedicated. Very dedicated. It is 6 weeks of intense preparation right before the con and then 4 days of no sleep but in the end you know it was all worth it. It just feels great." </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">As I mentioned before, the swag one receives for pre-registering is pretty nifty.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Adam Bates, Graphic Designer for the Con, and one of the founding members of the original con stated: "We treat our guests very good, and we want them to have the best experience. We want to go out of our way for them and make them feel special."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It is the little things that you notice at this con that <i style="font-weight: bold;"> do make a difference!</i> For example, the 3-day event schedule is printed on an impressive fold out and color coded program. The program book is loaded with volunteer art that is beautiful.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I was also introduced to Grant and Jeana Bradbury - The Guest Liaisons. I am currently unaware of another con having such a thing. Basically their job is to help the special guests and make them feel more comfortable in the new environment and around the con. In my opinion, this is fantastic PR! Way to go Anime Banzai! You win the PR award! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I was also impressed with the amount of volunteers. The attitude to help is phenomenal. I have yet to encounter one single person with an attitude that is unwilling to help or explain yet another character to me. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">So exactly who is the other half that makes the con possible? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The loyal following of course. They come for the panels. They come for the exhibits. The interactions with other loyal fans. The cosplay. They come for the game room - a room dedicated purely for gaming! The dances - yes I said dances! Friday and Saturday night there are dances till 12:30 and 1:30 am. This con is serious about entertainment! They come for the chance to buy swag and art. They come to meet special guests. But most of all they come for the chance to interact. Aaron Gordon stated all ages are present at the con every year, however about 60% of attendees are female with the approximate age demographic in whole (male and female) being between 14-21. While we were chatting I laughed and said considering all the comic cons I have been to the higher percentage is male, it sounds as if we need to merge. </span><br />
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<span style="clear: left; float: left; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;">Adam Bates stated: "There is not another con around here so about 1/3 of the <span style="text-align: left;">cosplay </span><span style="text-align: left;">is non </span><span style="text-align: left;">manga </span><span style="text-align: left;">[</span><span style="text-align: left;">anime</span><span style="text-align: left;">]" I was sincerely shocked to see this myself. Especially when a herd of </span>Deadpools came running by! Avengers seemed to also be a popular theme this year as well as Dr. Who and GI JOE. Basically anything goes...I even got a picture of Mary Poppins and she was practically perfect in every way!</span><br />
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<span style="clear: left; float: left; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;">Japanese anime is made for all ages. It is ultimately a family affair. It <i style="font-weight: bold;">is</i> a large part of their culture. Anime Banzai in Utah is treated the same way. It is family friendly. It is volunteer run by loyal fans. For three days from dawn until dusk and into early hours of morning again it is a culture where everyone is accepted and encouraged to give anime and manga a try.</span> <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BrmmJlQAC6Q/UIPNO-DIKQI/AAAAAAAAAM4/WMdN23s9kT4/s1600/IMG_1079.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BrmmJlQAC6Q/UIPNO-DIKQI/AAAAAAAAAM4/WMdN23s9kT4/s320/IMG_1079.jpg" width="240" /></a><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05715601167609463716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3053460879078796365.post-53486199153197279252012-10-20T01:24:00.001-06:002012-12-31T20:47:47.745-07:00I Think i'm Turning Japanese...Anime Banzai<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yGmpoqKvGw0/UII8pMi-YzI/AAAAAAAAAJ4/hyf2BeYUov8/s1600/2012-05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yGmpoqKvGw0/UII8pMi-YzI/AAAAAAAAAJ4/hyf2BeYUov8/s200/2012-05.jpg" width="155" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="title_nm" style="color: #729700; font-weight: bold; letter-spacing: -1px;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">What is Anime Banzai?</span></td></tr>
<tr><td><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Anime Banzai is an educational convention focusing on Japanese anime (animation), manga (comics) and culture. Anime Banzai is sponsored by Utah Anime Promotions, a non-profit educational organization dedicated to bringing the culture, art and fun of Japan to Utah. In 2005, the first Anime Banzai was held and hosted 600 attendees, which was double what we had planned for. In 2011, we had around 3300+ fans join us, and we're looking to have another excellent year in 2012!</span></td></tr>
<tr><td><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">The goal of Anime Banzai is to bring an event to Utah where fans can come together to celebrate Japan and Japanese Culture in a fun, safe, family-friendly atmosphere. To that end, we hold our convention three days each year with panels, events, and contests that will let fans enjoy their favorite aspects of Anime and Japanese popular culture.</span><br />
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<a href="http://www.animebanzai.org/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">www.animebanzai.org</span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Day 1 - Friday </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">I arrived with my stepdaughter who was donned in an amazing Korra cosplay. We were quickly directed to the registration line. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Registration - ahhh yes. That pesky thing you continually forget to do AHEAD of time - hence the name PRE-registration. Not only do you get to go in the shorter line, get to pay LESS cash, but you get EXTRA goodies and a NICE SWAG bag at this ANIME con to boot! After waiting in line for 2 hours and 20 minutes - I would advise all - pre register. <b><i>It is so worth it.</i></b> </span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cvztvxAdZwE/UIJTiOgLRSI/AAAAAAAAAKk/5xdgYRbPvgs/s1600/222511_4753835004131_375243508_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cvztvxAdZwE/UIJTiOgLRSI/AAAAAAAAAKk/5xdgYRbPvgs/s320/222511_4753835004131_375243508_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I would like to give a big round of applause to all Utah Anime Banzai staff and committee. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">As with all Cons the wrath and powers that be - will and always do happen. And the train wreck happens just when all believe that they can smile and breathe.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">The darkest forces and foes begin to dance and party and cause chaos ...in short ...the credit card machines ALWAYS go down and twice as many fans show up! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Personally, I was actually thankful for the 2 hour line wait so I could be slowly introduced into the new worlds, regions, universes, fandoms, dimensions, of these characters that were so foreign to me. Just the colors and amount of time that goes into these costumes, WOW, add the unpronounceable names and tragically heroic yet feisty back stories and let me tell you - I was ready to buy every book in the expo hall!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">After registering and getting our name badges, and coveting the pre-registration swag bags, (mental note PRE-REGISTER FOR EVERYTHING!!!!!!) I was told that last year, 2011 - on the Friday they had a total of <b>600</b> guests, this year 2012 -<b> by noon</b> <b>they had 600 guests!</b> It was 1 pm and their were still three lines out the door and around the building! I was impressed. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">I am excited to go back tomorrow and hear the final numbers for day one.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">The rest of the day was a crazy blur of A LOT of hugging. Probably, one of the biggest differences I noticed from my experiences at my Comic Cons verses my first Anime Con so far. Comic Cons there is more hand shaking. This hugging is called glomping. For a more intense description of what exactly a GLOMP is, be sure to read below.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I enjoyed Artist Alley, just sitting back and viewing the amazing COSPLAY - even though I had no idea who half of the characters were. (One major factor and trend in manga and anime - is animals. If it is an animal: you can bet it is a hot item. Especially if it is a cat, or a creation that has a cats ears, or a tail resembling a cat.)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">I also enjoyed going to a couple of panels with special guests in the Anime journalist community, Voice talent, and film industry. I also got a peak at the expo area but then there is also two more days.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">All ages were represented, and well I might add. There were full families in cosplay, and all ages of OATKU-<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; line-height: 16px;"> a Japanese term used to refer to people with obsessive interests, particularly (but not limited to) anime, manga or Japanese video games.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Fans and cosplayers were full of smiles and enjoying GLOMPING - which I discovered was hugging another person out of shear excitement. For a further introduction to the GLOMP I did find this amazing tutorial:</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Glomping 101</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">~By Shimegami-chan</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: small;">Glomp.</span></b></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: small;">Definition: A method of greeting or attack using hugging/tackling.</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><i>Word origin: Unknown, but has Japanese </i>manga<i> roots.</i></span></div>
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<u><span style="font-size: small;">The Basic Glomp:</span></u></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">1) Approach your target from front, back, or side, usually at a running or jumping start.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">2) Throw your arms around them, usually around the ribcage or surrounding area.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">3) Squeeze.</span></div>
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<u><span style="font-size: small;">Different Forms of Glomping:</span></u></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">1) Flying Glomp: Usually used as a surprise attack, this airborne glomp can be attained with a running start or by standing on a conveniently-placed high object such as a table or chair. This type of glomp is often found in <i>Sailormoon</i> or other <i>shoujo manga</i>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">2) Glomp of Death: Similar to the Flying Glomp, the Death-Glomp can easily injure someone. It is usually executed from behind and without the target's knowledge.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">3) Tackle Glomp: As the name indicates, this glomp is meant to knock the target to the floor. Should not be performed on concrete floors or near sharp objects. This type of glomp is often found in fanfics.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">4) Twirl-Glomp: Less dangerous than other types, this glomp usually has the target's prior knowledge or, at the very least, excellent aim. The target may glomp back and/or spin around in a circle with the assailant. For optimal effect, the assailant should be a lighter weight than the target, preferably by at least half.</span></div>
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<u><span style="font-size: small;">Variations:</span></u></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">1) Arm Glomp: Attach yourself to your victim - I mean, <i>target's</i> - arm They cannot escape. Sometimes called the Jun glomp by the author of this guide, having <i>Digimon</i> origins. Also employed frequently by Shampoo in<i> Ranma 1/2</i>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">2) Neck Glomp: Can be utilized as a choke hold. Encircle your target's neck. Use with care unless aiming to cease their respiration.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">3) Jogress Glomp: Another glomp with<i> Digimon</i> origins, with the Jogress the target is glomped from two sides at once. An Arm or Neck glomp may be used simultaneously.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Other variations can easily be made using the placement of the arms, depending on the target's size/relationship to you/patience. The span of time before the glomp is released also depends on these factors.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><u>Popular Glomping War Cries</u>: Random Japanese phases are often the choice of glompers, and the most common (as this author knows) are:</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">'<i>Ohayo</i>!' ('Good Morning')</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">'<i>KonbanWA</i>!' ('Good Evening')</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">'<i>Konnichiwaaaa</i>!' ('Good Afternoon')</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">'<i>Mou</i>!' (Indignant noise)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">The target's name may also be shouted, with the option of adding the suffix '-chan,' a term of endearment.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">This concludes 'Glomping 101.' I hope that this has been an informative guide to the little-known tactics of the Glomp. Thank you!</span></div>
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<a href="http://www.fanfiction.net/s/272996/1/Glomping-101" target="_blank">To Glomp</a></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05715601167609463716noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3053460879078796365.post-31055024767875677272012-10-16T17:05:00.000-06:002012-10-17T11:54:48.551-06:00Marketing, Geeks, and Comic Books: OH MY!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">"The people drawn to New York Comic Con "are people who are setting trends," said Dan Buckley, president and publisher of print, digital and TV at Marvel, in an interview. "They are the early adopters of technology. These are the people who start things and make them hot." </span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10000872396390443624204578058751575262858.html?mod=googlenews_wsj" target="_blank">Marketers Seeks Out Geeks <i>Corporate Enthusiasm for Comic Con Matches Attendees' WSJ </i></a></span></span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #999999; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 9px; text-align: left;"><a href="http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10000872396390443624204578058751575262858.html?mod=googlenews_wsj" target="_blank">October 15, 2012, 7:27 p.m. ET</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 9px;"><b><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: large;">We are setting trends</span>.</span></b> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 9px;">Let this sentence soak in for a moment. The entire fabric of this sentence signifies great and miraculous changes in the geekdom we love. What is even more fascinating is that the world is noticing and realizing that as a whole our tastes do make a difference. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 9px;">Comic books, print and digital - are in one of the many categories that just can not be ignored any longer by retailers and manufactures. What we buy, when we buy it, why we buy it, what influences us to buy it- is intriguing even the most renowned corporations. Everyone is wanting a piece of the pie that is obviously making money - The GEEK Craze. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 9px;">But what does this mean for Indie artists? The little guy? The artist or writer who just coming into his own or who has been trying to break into the business for a while now? Essentially, this is NOT the time to give up. More than anything it is the time to squash your fears and pull up your big boy, or girl, pants - fasten on that cape and get ready to face your fears, and dive in.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: 9px;">Basically, GAME ON! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: 9px;">With marketing, magnetic is instant attraction. And the best magnetism is consistent. Comic Cons are essentially one of the best ways to socialize and beat the proverbial pavement with others in comic industry - this is possible because of consistency. Every year Comic Cons have increased in attendance, in popularity, in recognition, in popularity, and in world wide acceptance of legitamite market value. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: 9px;">Are you looking to market yourself in the comic book industry? Should you go to a comic con? YES!!! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: 9px;">Marketing is not just about numbers and statistics about what is selling in stores. Although this is important. It is also about trends, demographics, people, what people are buying, what is the hottest fiction, what is the gaming industry doing right now, what other cultures are buying, digital and print, technology, basically it is about finding your perfect little corner and making it golden. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: 9px;">Choose to stand out. Accept orderly disorder at first. But choose to make your identity yours and know that in doing so you are setting a trend. It is easy to market yourself as a trendsetter. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: 9px;">Searching out your specific trends is a way to start. I like to use:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: 9px;"><a href="http://www.statisticbrain.com/" target="_blank">statisticbrain</a> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 9px;">search for a particular subject or demographic. For fun look up comic books.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 9px;">I will be writing more on marketing in the future, however, isn't nice knowing that the greater population is finally listening.</span></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05715601167609463716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3053460879078796365.post-62014486223741222112012-10-15T17:23:00.001-06:002012-12-31T20:51:46.148-07:00Reflections on NYCC 2012: The Fix YOU Need!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">New York Comic Con 2012 - Is absolutely more than an event, it is an affair. It is a time where everyone that everyone buys their tickets (and in advance I might add since it sold out this year months before) and puts on their best straight jackets for one heckuva crazy and wild time!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It just does not get better than this! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">While scanning the net for stats and numbers of the final count of attendees it looks as if NYCC is going to explode out at estimations around 115,000 in attendance. And let me just say with a few times of having to travel and wait in line for broken escalators it felt that way. However, I do live in denial, a happy place full of sunshine and rainbows so I decided that it was all good! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">When looking back - NYCC started in 2006 and boasted of an attendance of 33,000 the numbers this year choose to stand out at best. In 2011, NYCC completed a successful year with 105,000 and many pats on the back. This year as the booths were closing and fans were exiting there were rumors that NYCC might, just might, begin to rival its west coast foe SDCC! A style statement of the comic book world if there ever was one! </span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VIACXJi1cFs/UHyPxKuzJNI/AAAAAAAAAIk/3xp9fByhd14/s1600/VideoPlayer480270-NYCC.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VIACXJi1cFs/UHyPxKuzJNI/AAAAAAAAAIk/3xp9fByhd14/s320/VideoPlayer480270-NYCC.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The layout of the show was phenomenal in my opinion. However, I am a bit OCD and I like organization to a "T". Hence my intense love of reading within the gutter! (sorry taking a moment to laugh at my own jokes.) </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">First and foremost, I want to address the placement of "Artist Alley". The alley was a few 1000 square feet shy of an alley at best and was at the opposite end of the first floor of the of the convention center. Professionally speaking, I believe this was a great decision. There was some hesitation in the air at first, however after the first full day (Friday) when the show floor was so packed that FLASH himself would just give up on speed, the separation was welcomed. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Artist Alley was a breathe of fresh air - literally! The crowds still thronged however, and when they did, it was with purpose. It was nice to also have all artists and creators in one area. Because lets face it, less is better in what universe?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The show floor...The wonder of wonders. The area where crazy and "can it get any better than this" fall into the same category! Booths from new literature, showcases for new games from Nintendo, Wii U, Saga, Playstation, Zombie U, New Super Mario Bros., and many more were available. Tomb Raider provided an amazing demo as well as Hitman and Sony provided demos for God of War. Great comic book icons represented such as Marvel, DC, Vertigo, Image, Dark Horse, IDW and several up and coming.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Cosplay, professional and homemade were all welcome and enjoyed. This is a place were everyone celebrates and enjoys that everyone is insane and we love it! From Sci-Fi, to gaming, to superheroes, to noir, to horror, to the LEGO's fanatics, to collectors, to action figures galore, there is just something for everyone and we celebrate our love of it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Unfortunately, I did not get to as many panels as I wanted to, however the panels I did get to go to were fantastic well organized very informative.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">All in all, I walked away knowing that cultivating and keeping my inner child alive for so many years has been a good thing. Comic Cons are good for that. There are too many serious topics that need immediate addressing on a day to day basis. It is easy to forget that once in a while to set in the motion the FIX you NEED. To feed your inner child.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Up next...Marketing Tips in the Comic Book Industry - its multidimensional!</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05715601167609463716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3053460879078796365.post-16984957647336665912012-10-09T23:13:00.000-06:002012-12-31T20:58:24.862-07:00X-Men:Always Taking 'GAME ON' to the Next Level<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Some combinations are just meant to be together. Such is the case of X-Men and Comic Books. The mutant team was created and released in 1963 by creators Stan Lee and Jack Kirby with Marvel Comics publishing. It was to be an unstoppable force that is still going strong to this day! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So much has been written about X-Men. I am what would be called an X-men novice. I have dipped my hands in the amazing worlds, however, if I were to even begin to go into great depths of explanation or get on a soapbox...I would be squashed by any well knowledgeable X-Men expert. So alas, I will refer for those who know more than I. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What is an X-Men? Simply a mutant or rather a human born with superhuman ability due to a factor in their genetic code. The transformation does not happen until puberty. A dividing factor has been established between mutants vs. humans, or distrust and fear due to mutant abilities. An additional conflict is amplified in the story lines between the mutants. Good vs. Evil. Rather, using the abilities for good or evil, and taking the mutations of human evolution to the next level through scientific experimentation. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Charles Xavier and Magneto are usually the protagonists in the mutant community. Charles the wealthy mutant who has founded a school to house and protect and train young children just coming into their abilities, showing them how to use their powers for good against evil and world threats. As well as his one time friend Magneto, who has also lifted up an army called the Brotherhood of Mutants, who inflicts and causes anarchy and destruction against the X-men and mankind. This is a ridiculously small synopsis. For further information check out: </span><a href="http://marvel.com/universe/X-Men" target="_blank">X-Men Marvel Wiki</a><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Jumping into the world of X-men can be confusing at best. There are X-Men, Uncanny X-Men, New X-Men, X-Men Legacy,Ultimate X-Men, X-Factor, plus secondary titles and spin off titles featuring solo characters (example Wolverine First Class.)</span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Y65M6z6Uixo/UHT_AeaJ_sI/AAAAAAAAAII/GdiSRqI9k_A/s1600/Uncanny-X-Men-016-d.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="540" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Y65M6z6Uixo/UHT_AeaJ_sI/AAAAAAAAAII/GdiSRqI9k_A/s640/Uncanny-X-Men-016-d.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">X-men has filtered into many medias since its debut in comic books. Many films,video games, online games, and television shows have been successful. Action figures have been made of many of the characters from each of the medias. X-men has been a profitable name and business. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So, the question must be asked what has made X-men and its characters so popular over the years? Every decade new characters have been introduced, however the original tried and true have stayed the same.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Beast</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Cyclops</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Iceman</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Professor X</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Archangel</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Phoenix</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Wolverine</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Magneto</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Kitty Pryde</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Storm</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Night Crawler</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Colossus</b></span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2vmX06GzbrU/UHT9cpKmJdI/AAAAAAAAAH4/p9aJvlLxQhU/s1600/x113+storm+cries.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="284" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2vmX06GzbrU/UHT9cpKmJdI/AAAAAAAAAH4/p9aJvlLxQhU/s320/x113+storm+cries.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">...just to name a few. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">X-men started off as a well rounded story. Something just a little different. A bit extreme but different. The characters actually got to know each other. There was storytelling. Teams consisted off characters from different ethnic groups and nationalities and stations in life. Personalities and difficult pasts HAD to be addressed in order to work together. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The X-Men, in my opinion, began what appeared to me a legitimate Super-Hero throw down era. They showed that just because you had abilities it was not all "have your cake and eat it too" -it took training and effort and team work, or have your HUZZAH handed to you on a silver platter! Basically, the fighting rocked! You could see <i><b>their</b></i> life flash before <b><i>your </i></b>eyes in a blaze of comic book panel color. This leads me to my next thought - good ole Wolverine.</span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-27sT_80mPbU/UHT9rvPnrAI/AAAAAAAAAIA/mERGrC9ws9o/s1600/x96+wolverine+nuts.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="351" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-27sT_80mPbU/UHT9rvPnrAI/AAAAAAAAAIA/mERGrC9ws9o/s400/x96+wolverine+nuts.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Ahhhh, the days of Wolverine when he would fly off the handle and threaten to just destroy everyone - even his own team. You know the "Is it all about you? Oh I thought it was all about me!" syndrome that only Wolverine can pull off so well. Who could not resist pages of Wolverine attitude.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Decade after decade X-men has hit the bulls eye. Grabbing the readers. Confusing the heck out of us for what is next in line to read- lets face it - sometimes we are all confused. Giving us new characters that blow us away and new fights like AvX that is mind boggling in a delightful multi dimensional way. X-men is a staple in my comic book life. However I join the ranks of I wish I knew more. For now I leave you some of the greats:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Scott: "What do you think we should call me? When I'm in costume, I mean."<br />Logan: "It ain't a costume, kid, it's a uniform. And how bout we call you 'that ridiculous polite Pollyanna who won't last a week.'" </span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">X-Men Evolution issue 2 </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Northstar: [about Gambit] "A spicy Cajun dish with some seriously hot buns."<br /><span style="font-size: x-small;">Uncanny X-Men 425</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Wolverine: "Deadpool ain't it? Sorta rhymes with Dead Fool?" </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Deadpool: "Yeah-- like Wolverine rhymes with... Louver Screen? ... Hoover Spleen? Hey what the heck does it rhyme with?" </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Wolverine #88</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Speaking of gettin' things, Cyke -- Yer gonna be gettin' me a new bike! I lend ya mine fer one day and ya leave it parked in another dimension. So start raiding the cookie jar, bub, 'cause the lod Canucklehead's gotta have a set o' wheels!" </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"> Wolverine, the Adventures of the X-Men #4</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"You always know where the X-Men have been, because it's always on fire."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Pete Wisdom, Excalibur</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Finally, anyone wishing to complain to Mr. Logan about injuries sustained during yesterday's field expedition will, I'm afraid, be waisting his or her time." </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"I'm a patient woman, but sometimes I wish all children had a single neck and I was knotting a rope around it!"</span><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05715601167609463716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3053460879078796365.post-73982150904050162102012-09-28T10:17:00.001-06:002012-10-17T12:01:46.374-06:00Lego Vader<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-76gybF8vP7k/UGXNlJLbxVI/AAAAAAAAAHA/aSs7SsUpMbU/s1600/vader+without+helmet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="432" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-76gybF8vP7k/UGXNlJLbxVI/AAAAAAAAAHA/aSs7SsUpMbU/s640/vader+without+helmet.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05715601167609463716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3053460879078796365.post-10928160328883262862012-09-26T22:47:00.001-06:002012-10-17T11:59:45.439-06:00Converse Kickin' Conversation: Say What?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Are you feeling lonely?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: left;">Are you feeling a lack of friendship in your life? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Do you feel a shortage of <i>pizazz</i> or <i>razz-a-mi-tazz</i> when you are trying to carry on a conversation with your cat, dog, hamster, or goldfish? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: center;">Well, thankfully </span><i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: center;"><b>DC Comics x Converse Chuck Taylor</b></i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: center;"> has come to the rescue putting the KABOOM back into your social game! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: center;">Case in point:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: center;">Just the other day I was out and about doing errands, while wearing my Wonder Woman kicks (featured above), and I had been in the store for 1 minute when I was stopped by a young woman. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: center;">She said, "I totally love your shoes, my friends and I are big comic book geeks!" </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: center;">Of course I told her that she and her friends were headed down the correct path of life and that they should keep following their heart! We ended up talking about the latest comic books that have come out, comic cons that we have been too, and recommended a few movies to each other. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: center;">A conversation lasting at least 10-15 minutes. (hey- she was an employee we had to cover a lot in little time.)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: center;">I walked away feeling like I had met a soul sister and done good in the world! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: center;">My next experience was at another local public establishment. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: center;">I was minding my own business, browsing the long aisles of books and magazines, when a small child came running up to me and was yelling something totally NOT English! I am pretty sure it was Klingon. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: center;">The child was babbling and pointing. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: center;">Finally he/she (still unsure on the gender) just plopped down and pointed to my shoes! It was pretty much the highlight of AWESOME!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: center;">The frazzled and embarrassed parent was only 2 steps behind. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: center;">She was spouting apologies, but was explaining that "THE DAD", in a tone that was hilarious, read the baby comics every night! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: center;">I died laughing. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: center;">She did not realize the child, who spoke Klingon, would recognize a comic book character. We began talking and she was fascinated at how normal I actually was! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: center;">You know with being a comic book geek and a full grown adult and all! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: center;">Once again, I walked away feeling I had done good influencing the world!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: center;">And who, or rather what, did I have to thank, well my Chuck Taylors! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We are all aware of the hype around DC Comic and Converse merging. It all started in with the first collection released in mid February 2011 to celebrate DC Comics 75th anniversary. The first collection included Superman, Batman, and Joker in a vintage comic style and was called:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><i> *DC Heroes Pack Chuck Taylors - 75 Anniversary</i></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">After that it becomes a blur....I seriously tried to track down the order in which the shoes came out. I got lost between the 7 different collections and at least 4 exclusives...Including Wonder Woman, Riddler, Killer Crocs, and Batman Dark Knight. Geesh! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We can all agree that Converse and DC Comics did good!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If you are in the market to get some super fly chucks on your thread barren feet and you are interested in checking out the what Superhero or Villain to choose let me give you a few pointers:</span><br />
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<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As I stated before, there have been at least 7 released collections so search under collection names such as:</span></li>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><i>DC Comics x Converse Chuck Taylor Collection</i></b></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><i>DC Comics x Converse Chuck Taylor All Star HI Collection</i></b></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><i>DC Comics x Converse Heroes </i></b></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><i>DC Comics x Converse Spring 2011</i></b></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><i>DC Comics x Converse Holiday 2011</i></b></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><i>DC Comics x Converse Chuck Taylor Original Artwork Collection</i></b></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><i>DC Comics x Converse Spring 2012</i></b></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><i>DC Comics x Converse Fall 2012</i></b></span></li>
</ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Do not just look under the Converse site, check out other shoe sites.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Use additional key words for search such as:</span></li>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><i>All Star</i></b></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><i>Sneakers</i></b></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><i>Superhero Chucks</i></b></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><i>DC Converse exclusive</i></b></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><i>DC chucks</i></b></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><i>Use the specific shoe style HI and Low</i></b></span></li>
</ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">To convert shoe size from men's to women - just subtract 2. Converse does not work in half size so go up a step. </span></li>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Woman size 8 : Man size 6</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Woman size 9 : Man size 7</span></li>
</ul>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If by chance you have been lost to this wonderful world of </span><span style="color: red; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: center;">conversation starters of a new generation </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: center;">and treats for geek feet here are a few pictures to get you going!</span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TY8ZPSxVKls/UGPNEWwmPOI/AAAAAAAAAFo/QvSLaBwCcHQ/s1600/dc-comics-converse-chuck-taylor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="416" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TY8ZPSxVKls/UGPNEWwmPOI/AAAAAAAAAFo/QvSLaBwCcHQ/s640/dc-comics-converse-chuck-taylor.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DU_v2KX5SXc/UGPM7YuJpAI/AAAAAAAAAFY/ap0deHUSbDA/s1600/converse_allstar-hi-riddler-2a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="252" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DU_v2KX5SXc/UGPM7YuJpAI/AAAAAAAAAFY/ap0deHUSbDA/s320/converse_allstar-hi-riddler-2a.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">however if you are feeling a need to go a different speed:</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ehoR_-NUb8Q/UGPcUYdBrgI/AAAAAAAAAGw/IGpIHyrSC2o/s1600/Captain-America-Superhero-Converse-All-Star-Low.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ehoR_-NUb8Q/UGPcUYdBrgI/AAAAAAAAAGw/IGpIHyrSC2o/s320/Captain-America-Superhero-Converse-All-Star-Low.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05715601167609463716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3053460879078796365.post-92077794632513581582012-09-13T19:06:00.000-06:002012-12-31T21:00:19.567-07:00Favorite Superhero - or Do You Like To Breathe?<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tfAG19gx-G0/UFJ7V1yiZXI/AAAAAAAAADw/f0f9QTQX_lY/s1600/favorite+superhero+blurry.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="457" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tfAG19gx-G0/UFJ7V1yiZXI/AAAAAAAAADw/f0f9QTQX_lY/s640/favorite+superhero+blurry.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When I am asked the question, (innocently), "Who is your favorite Superhero?" </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I panic. I freeze with the fear of a 1000 blazing suns!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My eyes start to twitch and I feel a full system shutdown heading my way. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I am not one to brag, but I have knowledge.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I know <b>DC</b> characters from <b>Marvel</b> characters.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I can name all the <b>Thundercats</b>, <b>Voltron</b>, <b>Masters of the Universe</b>, <b>Transformers</b>,<b>TMNT</b> and a good portion of <b>GI Joe</b> characters plus villains, not to mention a smattering of other swashbucklers. So, the task of actually knowing a character and having the data to back it up <i>should</i> be easy. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Alas, my brain goes to jelly. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I have come to a couple of conclusions of why this physical comic meltdown seems to occur. Let me make it clear that all my conclusions could fit in a fanny pack and</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> have not aided my dilemma. However, the train wreck in me says keep going...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My first conclusion is this, simply: When the word <i>superhero</i> is typed into google a plethora of hits come up. One exciting tidbit is: <a href="http://www.comicvine.com/characters/" target="_blank">The Ultimate List of Superheroes and Villains</a> by Comic Vine. There are literally thousands of superheroes and wonders of the universe listed on this fantastic page. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Donald Duck is #5.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I do not know if I really need to expand on this much more, expect to say I do admire sassy attitude.</span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CycF2rr1H3k/UFJ9eOuNs3I/AAAAAAAAAD4/m71EQB91tXM/s1600/tier+superhero_edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CycF2rr1H3k/UFJ9eOuNs3I/AAAAAAAAAD4/m71EQB91tXM/s400/tier+superhero_edited-1.jpg" width="230" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Another conclusion: picking favorites is so overrated.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If I was asked which do you like more, breathing or the use of your brain? And then told to hurry and pick one! AAAAA...seriously?!? There is just too much involved. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There are times I would love to flip the off button for the ole' noggin, but I was never good at holding my breath for very long. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And if I picked just one does that mean I am judged for still liking the other. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Nope sorry - You like breathing so today you have a LOBOTOMY scheduled!"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I guess in comparison, when I finally do come out with an answer and say, "ummm my favorite is well, oh gee, OK - I enjoy Daredevil"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Then I trot off to the comic book store and see said asker, and they see me buying a heaven forbid - Spiderman, Thor, Superman, Wolverine...it is pure confusion, head scratching, stammering - you get the drift. Can't a girl just love the universe? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Now, getting to the nitty gritty of it all for me, why is it "Who is your favorite Superhero?", not "Who is your favorite Super Villain?" </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Dark Helmet in "Spaceballs" said it best, </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"</span><span style="background-color: white; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Evil will always triumph because good is dumb.</i>" </span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The way I look at it - villains are cool. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Without our neighborhood villains there would be no need for Superheroes. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As Vic the Publicist so eloquently states from "Mystery Men":</span><br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="conversation_line" style="color: #555555; font-family: Courier; font-size: 15px; margin: 0px; padding: 8px 0px; text-align: justify;"><tbody style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">
<tr style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><td style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" valign="top" width="100%"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><i>"VIC THE PUBLICIST: </i></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><i>I think right now we should focus on the positive. Tonight was good.</i></span></td></tr>
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<tr style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><td style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" valign="top"></td><td style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" valign="top" width="100%"><i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><sep class="search_highlight" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">CAPTAIN</sep><span style="background-color: white; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span><sep class="search_highlight" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">AMAZING</sep><span style="background-color: white;">: </span><br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />Yeah - you think so? 'Cause I was worried it was, um, I don't know... PATHETIC! "<sep class="search_highlight" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Amazing</sep> triumphs at a nursing home"? That's great copy, Vic.</span></i></td></tr>
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<tr style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><td style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" valign="top"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><i><br /></i></span></td><td style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" valign="top" width="100%"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><i>VIC THE PUBLICIST: <br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />Look, I'm a publicist, not a magician. You want big news, you have to have big fights. A superhero needs a super villain. And thanks to you, we've got none left."</i></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">To sum it up, I have my favorites on certain days. I have the characters that make me laugh - ALWAYS. <br />Then there is the good ole' fashion dose of nostalgia and I will never be able to shake those tried and true characters from my bones. <br />(Note to self - have it written in my will to have He-Man and Lion-O buried with me.) <br />I have my femme-fatal side that rages true and strong and I consider that a class or category of its own! Then I have my all time favorite villains. <br />So I guess the question for ME is not, "Who is your favorite Superhero?" but rather "Who is your favorite comic character TODAY?!?" </span></span></td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05715601167609463716noreply@blogger.com1