Fun With Comic Books: Batman: The brave and The bold #1

The art is really good. This issue captures the art style of Darwyn Cooke that makes watching the Brave and the Bold series, Friday nights on Cartoon Network, so fun.
I also love the retro treatment of Lex Luthor being a mad scientist and not a Gordon Gecko archetype. But, I have a question for DC Comics. Power Girl is your first team-up in the new comic book adaption of the TV series? Really? She’s never even been on the show. Power Girl is also a virtual unknown to young readers. She's only been in cartoon form once, during an episode of Boomerang's Justice League Unlimited. also, Power Girl is known for her endowments and thus never really been considered a kid-friendly super-heroine.
I am at least glad her muddled origin did not get this book thrown into a big confusing mess. First, she's written as an alternate reality Supergirl. Then she becomes a literal hero without a country, until DC comics decided in the mid-eighties to make her a descendant of Atlantis. Now, it turns out her memories of Atlantis was all a dream and she in fact is really Superman's cousin. Believe, an origin as complicated as this is not easy for an adult to understand, much less kids. So, parents, be glad DC decided to omit it from this issue.
This is definitely a series for kids. While the TV show is also geared for kids, there is just enough kitsch to make it a fun ride down memory lane for folks like me. However, this comic is not anything like the series. Yes, Batman teams=up with other superheroes and yes, the art is practically the same. But, with a limit of 22 pages, all of the subtle nuances and inside jokes go out the window.
Parents, you’ll love this book. Little violence, some educational stuff about England is thrown in, and there is no sex or nudity. That's saying alot considering how the guest star is.
I just hope the story isn’t so lame that it prevents comic book loving kids from growing into geek collecting adults.

Recommended ages: 8-12.
Parent approved: YES!
Rating: G, some mild violence.
My rating: 5 out of 10 stars

DD 051- 055.000 (Jan) About Town: The New Yorker and the World it Made by Ben Yagoda (051.0904 Yag)

I’m Baaaack!


Wow-it took 2 years and 9 months, countless renewals, a few late fees here and there, and numerous intermediary books to conquer this tome. However, the amount of time and effort it took to read this entry in the project should not reflect (entirely) on the quality of the book itself. Quite the contrary-it is a rather good book.

About Town, simply put, is a history book. It covers the history of the magazine, first and foremost, but it goes well beyond that. It speaks to the evolution of New York and America throughout the 20th century. THAT is why, in retrospect, it took me so long to read. Not being a history buff, I had to be in just the right mood to read it. Admittedly, the fact that the book is written in a very sophisticated style that made it completely unsuitable for sleepy time reading was another reason!

Having been a fan of the periodical despite never having lived in New York, I learned that I am not alone. By 1945, 73% of its readers lived outside the New York area. The book quotes from some promotional material that said, “The New Yorker is a mood, a point of view.”

One of the most interesting things regarding The New Yorker is the editing style that has been handed down from editor to editor over the years, becoming so engrained in the system as to become a style for the magazine itself. Thus very different authors, upon publication in the magazine, were instantly brought together into a stylistic fraternity, known for its sophistication and incessant use of commas.

Other journalistic techniques were implemented at The New Yorker, though not common practice at that time. The “fly on the wall” technique was one. During WWII, they used what we now refer to as imbedded reporters.

Several authors got their big break beginning with The New Yorker, and there were some books that got their humble start in the pages of the periodical as well. Rachel Carson’s Silent Spring was one; Truman Capote’s In Cold Blood was another. Survival, which would later be published as JFK’s PT 109 was yet another. In what was known as a turning point for The New Yorker, from primarily humor magazine to serious journalism, “Hiroshima” was published just one year after the bombs were dropped on Japan ending WWII. It was a watershed moment, and quite literally, the talk of the town.

It is interesting to note the changes in the magazine over the years dictated by the changes in society. For example, the book cites the advent of television as a source of deprivation of some of the comedians who, a generation earlier, would likely have been featured prominently within its pages. By the 1950s, however, people such as Lenny Bruce and Mel Brooks had turned to radio and television.

If you like history, you’ll likely enjoy About Town. If you like The New Yorker, you’ll likely enjoy About Town. If you like both history AND The New Yorker, this is definitely the book for you.

DD 261-265..999 (Tony) Exploring Reality by John Polkinghorne (261.55 POL)

The Intertwining of Science and Religion
This book makes Hawking's A Brief History of Time look like a third grade reader. Which is funny, cause I read Brief History when I was about ten or 12.
Polkinghorne used tons of 15 dollar words in order to explain he wants a ham sandwich. I understand a general idea of what he says, but does he have to be so darn academic?
In the book, the author is trying to explain the relationship between science and religion. Yes, there actually is such a thing! However, some of what Polkinghorn the physicist believes contradicts what Polkhorne the Anglican Priest believes- or at least should. I dunno, maybe I just am not that familiar with the Anglican church. But, much of what the author believes seems contrary to the Bible. For example, how he explains how God is omniscient makes perfect sense. But, it is totally goofy! I can't really explain it (I tried to with my wife and got nowhere), so you'll need to read the book.
Also, my loyal readers might be wondering why it took me so long from my last Dewey book to this one to get posted. It has to do with the fact that I was ready to renew the book when I found out I had a bunch of late fees and couldn't renew until they got paid off. It took a couple of weeks, but once I paid the fines, I got back to reading the book!

DD 256-260..999 (Tony) God Plays Piano, Too: The Spiritual Lives of Disabled Children by Brett Webb-Mitchell (Web 259.4)

This was the only book at my library for this section. But it was a well received read as both my wife and I have a heart for kids ministry and we want to start a ministry for disabled children at our church ASAP! My wife will be reading this book soon- though she wont be reveiwing it for the project.
I learned some very interesting concepts in this book. True, this book is about 12 years old- but it's all new to me. The most important theory explored in this book is the importance in Narratives on the Spiritual lives of disabled children. So often do we think if a child is mentally challenged, they can't have a relationship with God or understand what is going on in church. So many of the kids focused on in this book went through a wide array of sterotypes and prejudices that stunted their spiritual growth.
This book is a must read for those interest in the subject of children with disabilities and their religious beliefs. If anyone has a desire to adapt their children's ministries to accomodate those with mental (and physical, but this book focuses on those mental retardation or social/behavioral disorders) handicaps, YOU MUST read this book!

DD 251-255..999 (Tony) Making a heart for God : a week inside a Catholic monastery by Dianne Aprile (APR 255.125)

Foreword by Patrick Hart.
For this selection, I didn't choose a book that seemed to be the most intellectual, most politically correct, or most biblically sound book. This time around, I went for a subject that interested me and that I had little knowledge about. "Making a Heart for God", is a look at a week-long retreat at a Trappist Monastery in Kentucky. First of all, I didn't know anyone could actually stay at one of these places and not have to become a monk. In fact, you don't even have to be Catholic! I was amazed at how monasteries were turning into vacation destinations for anyone who can grab a reservation. You don't even have to be male to stay either.
The book is written out as a schedule of participants weekly activities (or lack thereof). As the itinerary is laid out, stops are made chronicling the monastery's history and doctrines are examined. The visitors and monks read, pray (alot!), worship, work and make money for the order to stay solvent, and they relax. The big surprise was how secular all of this could be, while still trying to pursue Heaven.
See, when I was little, every Sunday, the TV was filled with 2 things, Sports or Gospel Programming. You were lucky to get to see the Sports. Gospel Programming was soooooo boring. The people sang like they were in an opera, the Preacher droned, on and on, and the Kids segment was seemingly written for kids... in comas. This was Pat Boone and Jerry Falwell's dream come true. How my grandparents and great-grandparents could watch this once per week, much less, for the entire day was beyond me.
Thankfully, my church doesn't follow this formula.
And to my surprise, neither do the monks in this book.
They sell fruitcakes and fudge made with Kentucky Bourbon. They read Stephen King, Thrillers, and sneak around a daily sports page. They wear T-shirts, jeans, and flip-flops. They even invite monks of other religions to visit and teach them about their ways of life.
This is not my wife's grandma's Catholic monastery.
Much of this change is due to the arrival of the Internet. Especially the selling of fudge part. But also, people got bored with church. The world is now at everyone's fingertips. And with that came ADHD, ADD, and another kind of attention problem. Folks born 40 years ago just don't have the attention span to sit through 10 hours straight of John Wesleyan/ Southern Baptist style church. I know I don't.
Church's now have to entertain while educating. They have to be fast paced, relevant, and less preachy and more inspiring towards life change. The most important change that church must undertake is to accept anyone who enters it's doors. Welcome the sinner, whether they are gay, atheist, satanist, Mormon, black ,red, yellow, white, divorced , single, or infertile. By that acceptance, then you'll get the lifestyle change. Reject them for who the are and you lose them forever.
The Trappists are so desperate for members, they'll welcome anyone. However, the life change that comes isn't a acceptance of Christ as Saviour, but acclimating the person toward getting up at 3:30am to pray, and to wait a year to take vows.
They welcome the sinner, warts and all, but they don't apply first aid to a hurting heart. There is too much emphasis on ceremony and tradition. And for this reason, I couldn't be a part of this society. No matter how peaceful the monastery was. No matter how much praying, and church time the monk participated in. If someone doesn't get the chance to worship in their own way, it's religion, not a lifestyle. And I for one, having sit through hours upon hours of religion as a child, am not willing to take a step backwards.
So, I guess the life of a monk just isn't for me.

DD 246-250..999 (Tony) Between Heaven and Ground Zero by Leslie Haskin ( 248.86 HAS)

One Womans Struggle for Survival and Faith in the Ashes of 9/11

This book was an eye opening account to what actually happened inside of one of the Twin Towers during the 9/11 attacks. See, when you look at the footage of the towers after the planes hit, it really looks like just alot of smoke and that the buildings suffered very little damage. However, according to the author's first-hand account, the interior was nothing like what the TV veiwer saw happening outside.
Walls melted, fireballs ripped throughout the elevator shafts and anywhere else it could find an opening. Dozens of people fell to their deaths- not just the one or two victims shown on TV that day. It was utter chaos.
That chaos is the only thing I didn't like about reading this book. It also happens to be the author's journal of events written during her recovery process from PTSD. As a survivor of abuse, I understand how confusing the process of unravelling the events can be. And while this book didn't trigger any events for me, it's still hard to follow. The utter panic and disorder felt by the author is eerily present. Some events seem disjointed. And it really makes it hard for a reader to understand just where and when the action is taking place. Thankfully, a series of appendixes are included and ease some of the burden.
I also wish that the author took more time on writing about her personal life and her post-9/11 career. Many of the captions in the photograph section and the dust jacket implies this, and I felt myself wanting to know more. Hopefully, Haskin will write another book covering this area- or even an expanded edition. If she does, it's a done deal that I'll be searching it out at my local library.

DD 241-245.999 (Tony) Traveling Light by Max Lucado (242LUC)

Releasing the Burdens You Were Never Intended to Bear

My wife keeps saying when I get to the arts and crafts and the cooking, that I need to do some of the activities written in the book to get the full experience of what the Dewey Decimal System has to offer. At this point of my Dewey project, I came upon a chance to read a Christian Devotional book.
What a perfect example to put to practice what my wife challenges me about.
So, with open heart and mind, I decided to set aside my current devotional and pick up a new one. (Note: I have every intention to resume the book I stopped once completing the book I am now reviewing).
Now, the question came what to choose. I attend a modern church which using secular works such as movies, TV and music to appeal to unchurched people. So, I was concerned that I would choose a book that was a polar opposite of my church and actually hamper any progress I may have made in reading devotions in the past year. Note that I am not saying I am sinless or perfect. I just don't want to cease any progress I have currently made.
My final decision was "Traveling Light". I had original heard a demo CD of songs written as a companion to the book. When I found out that Joel Hanson, former front man for the awesome 90's Christian band PFR wrote and sings one of the songs on that CD, I listened to the CD until it either was lost or crumpled into ash from overuse. Thus, when I found out that this book was available to read at the library. I remembered that greats song and thought I was in for a treat.
And what a threat. Max Lucado is a brilliant writer. He concise, compelling and hilarious. I started thinking he's like a Christian Dave Barry- which is funny, because he quotes Barry a couple of times near the end. And he culls from both the Christian and the secular forms of media, like my church does. But, aside from being a great read- it was also a necessary medicine to my sick soul.
I currently own a hot sauce store. I say currently, because within a few days of writing this review, I'm to participate in a meeting that will decide it's fate. Before reading this book, I was afraid to fail, afraid to try, impatient, and just plain worried how I was going to pay bills. I am still concerned about how I am going to pay bills, but I'm no longer afraid that if I do close this business, that I failed.
A blotched 700 billion bail out plan is waaaayyyy beyond my control. The purchase of Wachovia by Citibank to help cover that institutions $400 billion plus debts wasn't caused by my $28k loan. And the fact that 9 banks wouldn't loan my a paper clip out of fear I couldn't repay them said clip, plus a rubber band in interest, doesn't mean that my hot sauce store wasn't a brilliant idea. It just means sometimes are always the best times.
Thanks to Max Lucado (and Joel), I now feel ready to tackle whatever hurdles may come with this economy. The home I am/was afraid of losing is just a temporary shelter to begin with. God's currently blessed me with 2 great part time jobs. Sure, I've had to cut back the number of hours the store is opened in order to work at them. But, the money I am bringing in is at those jobs least "promised" by an employer, when I do the work assigned. At my store, there's no guarantee that the hours I put into the business are going to result in a pay check. Bills have got to be paid somehow.
But, the amazing thing is how easy it was to get those jobs by my faith. I'm not kidding. Once I decided to go out there in faith and try to find part-time work and not sit at the store and fear, God rewarded that faith. I was expecting to attempt to land one job that Monday. I didn't expect to be employed at two great places by the time the clock hit midnight. I'm not going go off on more of tangent on this. If you want the complete story, post a comment to this article and I'll fill you in.
It's just that God gave us the 23rd Psalm as a prayer and promise to help us through of times of trouble. (Psalm 23 in this "Ye, though I walk through the Valley of Death" passage most folks know from TV and Movies- usually Sci-Fi and Horror".) In this present economy, it's definitely a time of trouble. But, it doesn't have to be. If you don't know where your next pay check is coming from- read this book. If you don't know if you'll get to keep your house at the end of the month- red this book! If war, poverty, gas shortages, health and any other subject is causing you stress- READ THIS BOOK! It will change your life and help ease your fears!
Thanks be to God for the Psalm. But, to me, more importantly, bigger thanks to God for creating Joel Hanson. Without his music, I never would have read "Traveling Light" and that thought is just way to scary.