Author: Martha Thomases

52 Weeks of Reading Recommendations by Dennis O’Neil

52 Weeks of Reading Recommendations by Dennis O’Neil

When ComicMix launched a year ago, we were especially pleased to include the legendary Dennis O’Neil as one of our regular columnists.  Denny has written and/or edited every major character in comics, including Batman, Spider-Man, Daredevil, Superman, Green Lantern, Green Arrow, Iron Man, the Question, Azrael, and Millie the Model.

Back in the day, when comics had letter columns, Denny would usually share his reading preferences with readers.  We’re delighted to have continued this tradition here on ComicMix in Denny’s weekly columns.

To celebrate the last 52 weeks of Denny’s contributions to ComicMix, here’s a list of what he’s recommended so far, in the order he recommended them and with his thoughts on the recommendations (when he provided them). You’ll notice that, sometimes, he suggests the same book more than once.  And sometimes, he suggests more than one book at a time.  That’s the kind of reader Denny is — he takes his time, and he’s eclectic.

Good reading!

2/13/07

Understanding Comics, by Scott McCloud

This is the one essential book for anyone with a genuine interest in the subject.

2/20/97

The End of Faith: Religion, Terror, and the Future of Reason, by Sam Harris

2/27/07

Anger: Wisdom for Cooling the Flames, by Thich Nhat Hanh

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Demons of Sherwood: Snakes Alive!

Demons of Sherwood: Snakes Alive!

In today’s brand-new, free episode of Demons’ of Sherwood, Robert Tinnell and Bo Hampton show us a skirmish between Robin Hood’s Merry Men and a band of gypsies. 

When the dust settles and everyone’s asleep, Robin thinks he sees something.  Something really big.  Big and hungry.

 

‘Simone & Ajax’ — All in Color on Thursdays!

‘Simone & Ajax’ — All in Color on Thursdays!

Looking for Simone & Ajax by Andrew Pepoy?  My, don’t you have excellent taste!  We’ve been running classic episodes every Saturday of the adventures of the plucky young woman and her friend, the four-foot tall dinosaur since ComicMix began publishing comics.  

But wait, there’s more!  Starting this Thursday, we’ll have brand-new stories in full-color!  The Adventures of Simone and Ajax join our weekday line-up (Demons of Sherwood, GrimJack: The Manx Cat, EZ Street and Jon Sable, Freelance: Ashes of Eden), beginning with Simone & Ajax: The Maltese Duck.

As for today’s comics delight, we’re giving you a special treat: the last chapter of Timothy Truman’s The Black Lamb – all here at ComicMix, and as always, for free!

Ding-Dong, the Witch is Dead, by Martha Thomases

Ding-Dong, the Witch is Dead, by Martha Thomases

It is hard for me to write about politics without frothing at the mouth. A lot of commentators are entertained by the horse race – who’s ahead, who’s behind, who’s sprained a limb, who’s coming out of the pack in a surprise advance – but I can’t forget that elections affect jobs, healthcare, education, the environment, and for some people, it’s a life-or-death decision. Many are the times I’ve scared my cat by screaming at the television, either at a commentator’s remarks or at the President who inspired them.
 
Tuesday night, I scared my kitty again. This time, they were screams of joy. Rudy Giuliani had lost the Florida primary.
 
There is a myth that Rudy cleaned up New York City, that he was a tough but fair elected executive who made the Big Apple safe for tourists. In truth, he terrorized the city, embarrassed us with his childish antics, and would have had to slink away from office if there hadn’t been a terrorist attack on his city for him to exploit.
 
Let’s consider one of his claims: he cleaned up Times Square. It is true that there used to be a wide variety of shops in that neighborhood that sold entertainments of a prurient sort. It’s also true that today, there are hardly any. Instead of sleazy shops and movie theaters, there are massive chain stores and franchise restaurants. It looks about as dangerous as a suburban mall – and about as interesting.
 
You may wonder why that’s so bad. Aren’t there a lot more people coming to New York to shop in Times Square now? Doesn’t that create a lot more jobs?
 

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Jon Sable Takes a Walk in ‘Ashes of Eden’

Jon Sable Takes a Walk in ‘Ashes of Eden’

In today’s episode of Jon Sable, Freelance: Ashes of Eden, written and drawn by Mike Grell, the McGuffin Diamond is missing.

The police are preparing to x-ray all the guests at the glamorous party.  Women vie for Sable’s attentions.  Obviously, it’s time for Jon to take a walk around the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree.  

And he doesn’t know about the van full of masked men…

 

They Need More Blood in Black Lamb #5

They Need More Blood in Black Lamb #5

In today’s episode of Timothy Truman’s Black Lamb, there will be blood.  That’s what happens when you get a bunch of vampires together.  Add some politics, religion and space travel, and you’ve got yourself a party.

Spooks Goes Online

Spooks Goes Online

Supernatural investigations are big in comics these days. From Perhapanauts to B.P.R.D., readers can’t seem to get enough of teams-investigating-scary-stuff stories. Add another to the mix with the upcoming launch of Spooks from Devil’s Due Publishing.

Before the series goes on sale next month, fans can check out preview pages, character profiles, creator interviews and more on the shiny, new Spooks website.  

According to the site, Spooks is about the agents who work for the Department of Supernatural Defense, which "recruits, arms, and deploys sepcially trained forces based within the nation’s borders in support of national security …. to keep the country free of supernatural enemis, whether their origins are domestic, international or otherworldly." 

Spooks is written by Ryan Schifrin and Larry Hama.  Schifrin produced and directed the film, Abominable, for the Sci-Fi Channel, and also served as musical consultant for Rush Hour and Rush Hour 2.  Hama worked on some of the most influential comics of all time, including Wolverine, G. I. Joe, Mort, The Dead Teenager and others.  

The art is by Adam Archer and Jonny Rench (Friday the 13th). Covers are by Greg Staples and Adam Archer, Federico D’Allesandro, Bill Sienkiewicz and Drew Strewzan.

The Pulse rocks EZ Street

The Pulse rocks EZ Street

The popular web site, The Pulse, has a life-changing effect on brothers Scott and Danny in today’s brand-new episode of EZ Street, by Robert Tinnell and Mark Wheatley.  Will they be able to finish their comic together?

 

Get ComicMix Radio to Go!

Get ComicMix Radio to Go!

Starting today, you can subscribe to the ComicMix Radio podcast via iTunes or RSS.  Just click on either of the links in the last sentence, or go to the iTunes store and search the podcast section for ComicMIx, and you’ll get Mike Raub and company three times a week, even if you’re not at home to click the button.

Best of all, you can download it to your mp3 player, and have it with you all the time.  And those of you with iPhones (including most of the ComicMix staff) can listen to the podcast while reading our comics on the phone.  A total experience for the most dedicated and discriminating fan.

So subscribe to our podcasts via iTunes - ComicMix or RSS — you’ll be glad you did.