News for the Week of November 5, 2008
Rick’s Writin’s
It's an old and wise saying that says politics/religion talk and business
don't mix. I'm going to break that rule today because I think that the
election and voting this November 4th is so important. I'm not saying
who to vote for, though I will ask that you do vote. I feel it is our
obligation and our duty as a citizen to vote. So many people complain
about how things are, yet don't vote to do anything about it. I know people,
adult people that have NEVER voted. It boggles my mind. There's a part
of me that wishes that a voter have a high school or equivalent education
to be eligible to vote. I would hope it would force campaigns to deal
with issues rather that trying to scare or fool the uneducated and clueless
with garbage that panders to that fear and lack of knowledge. Of course,
that eligibility requirement would exclude many from voting...and I'm
not for that. I just want voters to be smarter about what and who they're
voting for. You can't know everything though. There's not enough time
in the day. Sometimes you have to go with your heart and gut. That's why
I'll be voting for president the guy I think may be special. Maybe he
is, maybe he isn't. BUT, what if he is?? I have the hope that Barak Obama
could be special. If he is and gets this country back on track, he'll
be a hero. He talks about better schooling, his economics isn't just trickle
down theory, and I believe he'll help environmentally. In my gut I already
know McCain, politically, is more reactionary, and not special, though
I do like him. He's always been a good sport, and appeared on comedy shows
like the daily Show and Colbert Report well before this last week's SNL
(He does a great job in that QVC bit with Tina Fey as Sarah Palin). Bottom
line and this is the business side of me talking, the up side of Barak
Obama as president is way greater than the potential downside (whatever
that may be) and either side is better than what I think John McCain can
bring to the job. This doesn't count the Vice President factor and the
plain fact that Ms. Palin is not qualified to have the VP job, let alone
potentially being President, where as Joe Biden is. In state, for Governor,
I just know that I won't vote for a guy that goes out of his way to hide
what party he belongs to, in his ads and even on the ballot itself. Hoping
the masses don't know what GOP means, no where in ANY of his ads (his
ads, not PAC ads) does it mention his political party. If he wants and
tries to be deceptive on something that basic, who knows what he'd try
and hide as Governor. Okay, commercials are over...just be sure to VOTE!!!
Please!! Who knows, perhaps next week we'll witness the dawn of a new
era of greatness for the American people...or not. And you'll have been
a part of it...or not.
After all that above, talking about comics is kind of odd, but that doesn't mean we aren't going to do it. The big deal this week is Marvel's Ultimatum (#1 of 5) mini. This series is meant to shake up and perhaps end the Ultimate comic line. The Ultimate line for Marvel was originally meant to be a safe, all ages line that you direct your kids to, created after Marvel decided not to continue with the Comic Code Authority labeling (You've seen the Comic Code stamp on most comic covers, particularly older books), and do their own age rating system. The Ultimate line was gold for Marvel, and every Ultimate title sold great. Along with the first movie, the Ultimate Spider-Man book revitalized Spidey titles after the Clone Saga debacle of the mid 1990's. The first Ultimates series broke the Ultimate title, all ages safe rule. After that "Ultimate" didn't mean all ages, it meant "Ultimate" universe. Not the main Marvel universe we all know and love, but an alternate Universe where pigs can fly and chocolate is good for you, and the X-Men wear cool black leather and not yellow spandex. And Spider-Man is still a teenager and not that married, or separated from Mary Jane old guy he is in the regular Universe. Anyhow, it's run ten years or so now, and "Ultimate" doesn't mean gold any more, so Marvel may perhaps shut the line down...or not. Also on the Marvel front we have a couple of team-ups. First, a Daredevil/ Captain America one-shot called "Dead on Arrival" that originally was done for the European market. The story involves a string of murders in New York City that Daredevil investigates, as does Cap. The writer is Tito Faraci with art by Claudio Villa, two of Europe's top creators according to the Previews blurb. The other team book has Spidey teaming with the X-Men (#1 of 4) for a time-spanning four issue mini that starts in Marvel’s early days and continues into present times. Villains Kraven the Hunter and The Blob start it off, but there's more going on than those guys, as this series touches on many events in both Spider-Man's and the X-Men's history.
DC Vertigo presents Sandman: The Dream Hunters (#1 of 4), a four issue comic adaptation of Neil Gaiman's original illustrated novel he did ten years ago with Japanese artist Yoshitake Amano. This version has been adapted and drawn by fantasy artist P. Craig Russell, and the pages in Previews look great. Speaking of Neil Gaiman, this past Saturday NPR's Bob Edwards Weekend show had a half hour plus interview with Mr. Gaimen, where they talked about all sorts of things including his new children's book "The Graveyard". I'm sure that if you look around, you can find a link to that interview. It was pretty fascinating to listen to him talk about his process and how he goes about his business. He does everything, from comics and novels to movies and radio plays. A worthy listen to be sure. DC's Final Crisis Resist one-shot is the companion to the Submit book released a couple weeks ago. In that one heroes, including Black Lightning, faced the Anti-life virus and didn't come though (Submit). In this week's book I'm guessing some of the heroes will be able to Resist (get it!?...ok, not so funny). There are some other books this week of note including a Michael Turner Tribute and Sgt. Rock’s Lost Battalion (#1 of 4) mini by Billy Tucci of Shi fame.
So, Junior Griffey is available. I say why not. This year is about butts in the seats, not contending. The team is too broken to fix in a year, so why not have Junior DH, especially if we lose Raul. A one year deal, then he can retire, as he probably should. Great veteran influence in the club house too. Tacoma News Tribune's John McGrath making part joke, part serious when he wrote today, why not bring in Randy Johnson too. He's maybe a Free Agent too and with 295 wins, would put butts in the seats as he goes for 300, as well as the fact that even though he's 45, his numbers (ERA, Starts, Innings pitched and W-L record) were on par with our ace Felix Hernadez's last year, and he actually won more games. Joey Cora is thought to be a managerial candidate and Jamie Moyer might be available too. It'd be fun... also, MLB GM meetings this week. Off to work for our new guy...I still wonder who the manager will be, and I vote for Bobby Valentine. There are some other good managers out there too, so it'll be interesting. I have to admit though; I don't see Joey Cora as a manager. Besides he's White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen's guy and I don't like Guillen's style. Off to see how the Hawks are doing...OH, BTW. There has to be a way to bet on the Huskies/Cougars Apple Cup game in that the winner of the bet is the guy with the worst team. Not just loses the game, because one of those teams is somehow going to get lucky and win, unless it's 0-0, or some other pathetically played tie game. Overall bad... lowest yards gained, most yards given up, turnovers, etc. I'd like to bet on that. Any takers?
Paula’s Picks
So, I’m a little sad today. I was so excited about Halloween and
was hoping to get some trick or treaters at my new place. I got zero.
I decorated my door and dressed up like a pirate to hand out candy and
no one showed. I don’t get it. In Virginia, tons of people went
all out for Halloween. They would decorate their front yard (or at the
very least, their front door) and hand out candy. When I was younger,
we’d go trick or treating at the military housing because they really
went all out and there was a bunch of people in a small area. When I was
too old for trick or treating, I would still help my parents decorate
the yard and dress up to hand out candy. So, why is it that no one trick
or treats anymore? Is it a generation thing or a region thing? What are
these kids doing instead of going around and getting candy from strangers?
Are they lazy? Are their parents too paranoid that their child might get
a razor blade in an apple? Is trick or treating just on its way out?
Don’t forget that this Tuesday is Voting Day! I don’t care who you vote for, but get out there and vote. Here’s a good site to help you make an informed decision on who you vote for: votesmart.org. This site has information on the candidates including voting history (if they have one).
There are just a few books I’d like to talk about this week. House of Mystery #7 continues the story titled “Love Stories for Dead People.” This issue features some art by David Petersen, artist of Mouse Guard. We’re also getting Anita Blake Vampire Hunter Laughing Corpse #2.
We got a book in last week that I didn’t see on the list, but wanted to talk about. It’s called “Token” and it’s written by Alisa Kwitney with art by Joelle Jones. It’s about a teenage girl in 1987 that lives in Miami. It’s been just her and her dad since her mother died, but now her father falls in love with his secretary. I’ve been looking forward to this book because of Joelle Jones’ art. She has such a beautiful art style. She also did the art for “12 Reasons Why I Love Her” written by Jamie S. Rich and they have a murder mystery coming out titled “You have Killed Me.”