Michael D Hamersky On Comics Presents: Tina LoSasso's Review On... X-Men First Class!     -

TODAY'S FEATURE - Blog #3428:

X-Men: First Class

This summer may prove to be the Summer of the Comic Book Movie. We've got Thor, X-Men: First Class, Green Lantern, Captain America, Transformers, and Cowboys & Aliens. And X-Men: First Class is the one I've been wanting to see.

A note to the guys: a lot of women are psyched to see X-Men: First Class. In all my informal surveys, the women name this as the movie they want to see most; the men not so much.

So wake up fan boys and get yourselves to this movie - with or without a date!

This film is like a chick magnet. It's got James McAvoy (Atonement - you don't need to rent it, just tell them it's the guy from) and Michael Fassbender (from the millionth and one rendition of Jane Eyre)  -- how sensitive is that?

This X-Men is the sensitive comic book movie of all time. Face it, the X-Men are all about being sensitive - celebrating diversity, teenage angst, and young love, then kicking some ass.  In this franchise reboot, sensitivity takes center stage.

(SPOILER WARNING!  TO SKIP THIS SECTION, GO DOWN TO NEXT RED COLORED FONT LINE!) 

Sure, there's plenty of action in this version, it's just not so hot. The final battle looks like something a bunch of kids would stage in their bath tub. And the attack on the CIA research complex, let's just say there's no comparison between seeing a bunch of MIBs get their asses kicked and watching Stryker and his team attack the school in X2.

The story is a prequel, so expect a lot of references to what you've seen in the previous three X-Men movies.

Note to fan boys: try to avoid elbowing your seat mate (especially if it's a woman) every time you hear one. Yes, Stryker's in the movie - and thanks, husband for pointing that out to me.

X-Men: First Class assembles the first class of students at what will become Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters where mutant children learn they're not alone, and how to control their powers.

Using Cerebro for the first time, Xavier "locates" the mutants so he and Erik (Magneto) can find them and persuade them to come to the school. Keep your eyes peeled for the spoiler scene of the movie during this segment. Unfortunately, there wasn't much else here to hold my attention. We're treated to a week of mutant power training (feels more like an entire summer). It's a far cry from Robert Downey Jr. testing out the suit in Iron Man, but the audience seemed to enjoy the comic relief.

All this sets up the showdown between evil Sebastian Shaw (Kevin Bacon) and the X-Men to avoid a nuclear WWIII between Russia and the US. Who knew Kevin Bacon was behind the Cuban missile crisis, talk about 6 degrees of separation. In fairness, the historic element to the story is interesting, especially the use of the actual Kennedy footage.

If you only know the X-Men from the movies, you'll be wondering how Mystique could ever have ended up in Magneto's camp. You'll understand completely in this movie. Before he was Magneto, that Erik sure understood human nature and women in particular. But, he's not a manipulative bastard like in the earlier movies; he's just being honest.

Fassbender gets all the best scenes. McAvoy has more lines, but Fassbender steals the show. His exchange about "never again" is powerful. I was heartened to see the theme of the Holocaust being explored in a movie for young people. At my age, I grew up with kids who had relatives killed in the concentration camps. But today, it's not so talked about. Kudos to Bryan Singer for making the story relevant to today's youth and making sure we never forget.

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Thanks, Tina for a 'Woman's POV' on this comic book movie! And to think, you wanted to see this comic book movie more than me!  I gave it a higher 'grade' than you did!  So you must have been a little disappointed?!

For comparison value, I invite the readers of Tina's guest blog here, to check out my Blog at #3427 from a comic book fan's POV!

~Michael D Hamersky

BTW, You can 'follow' this Blog by clicking the 'Follow' Button at this NetworkedBlogs app!  We currently have over 2,450 'Followers'!  Thanks to ALL of YOU that have already clicked that button! 

And for those of YOU that haven't yet... I would appreciate it if YOU would!!!

~ Michael D Hamersky

If I have it... You can find it 'Under The Big Top Of Comics' at:  

http://www.ComicBooksCircus.com/ 

Web Page Note:  This blog post is written for the IE Browser standards.  Chrome, Safari, Netscape, Firefox and the other browsers serve the page up differently, sorry about that!

The screen display resolution is best seen at the setting of 1024 x 768 on your laptop or desktop computer.

NOTE: All images and characters within this blog post are copyright and trademark their respective owners.

Comics Creators: If you are breaking into, or already work in the comic book industry or other pop culture productions, you are welcome to email or mail us press releases, news items, and updates that you feel would be of interest to our blog readers. Including YOUR own works!

To mail printed items to us for possible review, send to:

Make It So Marketing Inc., PO Box 130653, Carlsbad, CA 92013

 Also, if you are a Facebook member, I would have liked you to send me a 'Friend Request'. However, I have reached the maximum limit of 5,000 Facebook Friends and Fan pages already, so I've added a New 'Facebook Fan Page' so that even more of YOU can 'Like' what I am doing, and be interactive with me and others there.  Here is the link to that 'Facebook Fan Page': Michael D Hamersky On Comics! Please click the 'Like' button on that page! 

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Michael D Hamersky On Comics Reviews: The 2011 Marvel Film 'X-Men First Class' Which Opens Today... Friday, June 3rd, 2011 At A Local Theater Near YOU In the USA!   Once again, just like the THOR film, I haven't blogged all that much about this new X-Men prequel film... Because I haven't really been that excited about seeing it, to tell the truth! You may find that strange, coming from a guy who has been there since the 'beginning of the X-Men' in the Marvel Comics title, 'X-Men' #1 back in 1963. Plus I did like the earlier three X-Men films with Wolverine and Storm. However, this prequel just didn't get me excited to see it on the Opening Day. My opinion was not shared At the April 2011 Semantink's Comic Savvy Meetup in San Diego, where 38% of the attendees placed this film as their #1 choice of the 4 comic book movies they most wanted to see. (Between Thor, Green Lantern, Captain America, and X-Men. I'm not counting the 'Priest' film, based on a Korean comic book series.)     Those same attendees, who are really into comics, thought that 'mainstream America' would want to see this one of the four films for sure. They figured that a whopping 37% of those 'mainstreamers' would place this film as their #1 choice, coming in second after 'Thor'!     So we will see how the Opening Weekend does for this X-Men prequel film... I know that my wife, Tina, really wanted to see this film more than the Captain America film, (which is my #1 choice to see)! This blog is being formatted prior to my going to the Big Theater with Tina in the mid-afternoon.  So that all I have to do is to write my review in the main body of this blog below the blog number (#). For more general info on the film, (SPOILER ALERT!), You can check the Wikipedia entry for X-MEN FIRST CLASS via this link. There is probably TOO much info there prior to seeing the film itself, thus the SPOILER ALERT!   Just for fun, you can also check out the X-MEN comic book covers. You won't believe how many series and one-shots these characters have had, as seen at this link from the Grand Comics Database!    - THE X-MEN FIRST CLASS FILM POSTER! The above film poster shows Professor Charles Xavier and Erik Lehnsherr as the featured characters. - - X-MEN FIRST CLASS - THE SPANISH LANGUAGE FILM POSTER - This poster shows Professor Xavier and Erik Lahnsherr as the two top billed characters with Emma Frost and Raven (Mystique) flanking them. - - EMMA FROST IN X-MEN FIRST CLASS FILM POSTER - A lot was made of January Jones replacing another actress for this part.  And several of the foreign film posters also emphasized this! - - AFTER SEEING THE X-MEN PREQUEL FILM - REGULAR VERSION (NOT 3D) - Okay... It's a lot better than I thought I would be... Not really two thumbs up, but pretty good for a prequel after the earlier trilogy!

TODAY'S FEATURE - Blog #3427:

 

Okay... Tina and I are back from watching the 'X-Men: First Class' film on the Big Screen at a local theater during an afternoon matinee run.  This is the second film of the five comic book films that we wanted to see during this 'blockbuster film season'...

So... "What's My Take On The Film?" you ask?!

Well, considering this is a 'prequel' film to a film series that has already been seen by the majority of those reading this blog, including myself... I am going to say that this film is much better than what I thought it would be!

Seriously!  As this film was not my personal #1 choice as a'must see' of the five films previously mentioned:  Thor, Green Lantern, Captain America, X-Men, and Priest. 

The trailers that had been aired on TV and in the Big Theater didn't do justice to the storyline that was presented in the film that we just viewed at our local theater.

And I'm sure that several of you will want to know what Tina's 'Take' on the film was... But I'll let her tell you her 'Point of View from a mainstream movie goer' in her own blog post sometime this weekend.  She shut down the home office early, so as to take in this film today, and has to finish a project between now and the time she shuts down tonight.

So here's 'My Take' on the film...

First it's time for the SPOILER ALERT!

DON'T READ BELOW THIS ROW, UNTIL YOU SEE THE RED FONT FOR 'END OF SPOILER ALERT' UNLESS YOU WANT TO BE INFORMED OF THE FILM BEFORE GOING - 'NUFF SAID!

Okay... here's 'My Take' on the storyline, cast, direction, etc., etc., as much as I have time for tonight...!

STORYLINE - As I stated above, the storyline was a far cry better than what has been stated.  Period.  Maybe because I'm a student of history, and I loved the way the 1962 Cuban Missle Crisis was intertwined in this storyline!  I was there in 1963 when the X-Men first came out with Stan & Jack, but as the 'New X-Men' came along later, I lost interest as the subplots that never concluded were brought in, along with multiple mutant titles that I couldn't afford to buy.  So this storyline is one that is relatively simple and does set the stage for the trilogy that follows chronologically!

STAN LEE CAMEO - No, Stan (The Man) Lee didn't get his cameo in this film.  His statement at his own Facebook Fan Page stated that the film was too far away for him to attend.   However, there was another 'cameo', and one that I don't want to ruin for you, but it does involve a certain character that... well... Just wait for it during the early part of the film!

CHARACTERS  USED IN THE FILM:

James McAvoy as Professor Charles Xavier:  Not really casted the way I would have thought the early Charles would have been.  Might have been the writing, but the character didn't ring true for me.  I don't believe its the actor's fault, as he played the part written pretty well.  Just not what I remember of Professor X.

Michael Fassbender as Erik Lehnsherr / Magneto:  This character rang more true for me.  The role on camera was actually a better one that Professor X's, and the dialogue seemed to fit smoothly in the film from beginning to end.  I truly felt for Erik's pain, and better understand his reasons for his actions.

Kevin Bacon as Sebastian Shaw:  The early years of this character were fascinating.  The current year that most of this film is set in, (1962), for this character seemed to have him play his role a little over the top for me.  However, he made a good villain that those could take on both Professor X & Magneto.  So I suppose a 'little over the top' is okay.

January Jones as Emma Frost / White Queen:  Yes, I know she was chosen late, and replaced another actress.  But I feel she fit into this role smoothly.  The lack of her screen presence at the end was felt by me.  It was good to see her back at the very end of the film.

Rose Byrne as Dr. Moira MacTaggert:  I don't understand why MacTaggert had to be 'Americanized'.  Why not use some other character?  However, if I wasn't a comic book reader, and just attending the film with someone else, then Rose Byrne did a fine job for the role.

Nicholas Hoult as Dr. Henry "Hank" McCoy / Beast:  I liked the backstory of Hank... but the pre-transformation period seemed out of place for me.  I really dug his acting as the 'Beast'.

Jennifer Lawrence as Raven / Mystique:  Great casting!  I thought that this would be a tough role for anyone to fill, after the great acting in the trilogy, but Jennifer was superb in her dual roles as 'human looking' and in her 'mutant' form. Can't say enough about her! 

Rebecca Romijn has a cameo as Mystique:  Speaking of the previous actress... it was great seeing Rebecca back, even momentarilly!

Oliver Platt as The Man in Black: Who played a CIA agent and head of Division X, a government agency working with the X-Men.  A valuable role, and played just right by Oliver.

Zoë Kravitz as Angel Salvadore:  As mentioned above, I haven't really followed the X-Men after the John Byrne period many years ago... So this character was new to me.  Was she placed in this film to fill the spot of 'Toad' from the Trilogy?  Her power and usage in this film wasn't very key for me.

Caleb Landry Jones as Sean Cassidy / Banshee:  This character made sense to have in this prequel to me.  And the actor had some good scenes!

Lucas Till as Alex Summers / Havok:  Much better role in this film than in the early comics for me.  Lucas made the role come to life for me.

Jason Flemyng as Azazel: Sometimes a character is too powerful.  How did the X-Men really defeat this character so easily?!

SETTINGS:  The film was shot in the UK, Russia, and the USA, including Jekykll Island.  Great blue water scenes there!  The photography of the natural sets was great!   The usage of black & white TV footage added so much to this time period film as well!

GREAT MOMENTS  - None really for me... That I could call 'Great'.  Of course my wife Tina will probably call the cameo scene with a certain person, 'Great', but I'll wait for her to you that!

TRUE TO THE COMICS? - Well, I can't really say for sure... Because I haven't read X-Men in years, and none of the 'Ultimate X-Men'.  But a lot of was presented in this film made 'sense' even if it wasn't 'true to the comics'.

CREDIT TO WHERE CREDIT WAS DUE?  - We stayed till the last of the credit ran, and yes, we figured there wouldn't be any last minute scene at the very end, as this was set in 1962.  But I didn't the credits acknowledging the creators.  But I might have missed them.

CONTINUED... - There is some talk of that... But doesn't X-Men I pick up right after this?  Or am I thinking of 'real time' versus 'comic book time'?

END OF SPOILER WARNING!

END OF SPOILER WARNING!

That's it for 'My Take' on this X-Men prequel film, as I want to post it before it gets too late back East.  It's currently 6:11 PM PST Saturday night here on the West Coast!

So yes, I was pleasntly pleased  & surprised with this film on the Big Screen.  It was definitely worth my 'investment' of 2 & 1/2 hours plus $ to see it there in my local theater...

So what's my 'comic book rating' for this X-Men film?

Well... Quite honestly, this storyline made me enjoy the film more than what I thought I would.  You see, it was Tina who wanted to see this film more that I did.  So I was pleased to see a good treatment of the earliest years of the X-Men come to life on the Big Screen.  Pleased enough to give it a VERY FINE / NEAR MINT (VF/NM) 9.0 out of a 10.0 possible comic book grading scale!

So who would I recommend to see this 'comic book film'?!

Well, I would have to say that any of those film goers that enjoyed the earlier trilogy of X-Men films should be pleased with this prequel.

For 'mainstream viewers' that haven't see the earlier X-Men films, you don't have to have seen them to follow the storyline in this film.

For old timers like me who have read X-Men comics years ago, and also like the X-Men Trilogy of films, you'll probably like this one as well.

I would suggest that the PG-13 rating keep your younger children from attending the theater with you.  Not for the violence, but for the scantily clad actresses in some scenes...!

Again, I'm pleased to have seen this at the Big Screen earlier today.  It is a film that you should take in if you care about the X-Men Universe!

That's it for tonight's blog from me!  I'm looking forward to Tina's 'Take' on the film, which will be posted Sunday evening at the latest!

BTW, You can 'follow' this Blog by clicking the 'Follow' Button at this NetworkedBlogs app!  We currently have over 2,447 'Followers'!  Thanks to ALL of YOU that have already clicked that button! 

And for those of YOU that haven't yet... I would appreciate it if YOU would!!!

~ Michael D Hamersky

If I have it... You can find it 'Under The Big Top Of Comics' at:  

http://www.ComicBooksCircus.com/ 

Web Page Note:  This blog post is written for the IE Browser standards.  Chrome, Safari, Netscape, Firefox and the other browsers serve the page up differently, sorry about that!

The screen display resolution is best seen at the setting of 1024 x 768 on your laptop or desktop computer.

NOTE: All images and characters within this blog post are copyright and trademark their respective owners.

Comics Creators: If you are breaking into, or already work in the comic book industry or other pop culture productions, you are welcome to email or mail us press releases, news items, and updates that you feel would be of interest to our blog readers. Including YOUR own works!

To mail printed items to us for possible review, send to:

Make It So Marketing Inc., PO Box 130653, Carlsbad, CA 92013

 Also, if you are a Facebook member, I would have liked you to send me a 'Friend Request'. However, I have reached the maximum limit of 5,000 Facebook Friends and Fan pages already, so I've added a New 'Facebook Fan Page' so that even more of YOU can 'Like' what I am doing, and be interactive with me and others there.  Here is the link to that 'Facebook Fan Page': Michael D Hamersky On Comics! Please click the 'Like' button on that page! 

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Michael D Hamersky On Comics Reviews: Myths & Legends #1 From Main Enterprises!     - Above: Front Cover to the mini comic 'Myths & Legends' #1, from Main Enterprises!

TODAY'S FEATURE - Blog #3426:

Recently, Jim Main of Main Enterprises sent in another of his newly published periodicals for possible review in this Blog.  In the past, I've blogged about several of his publications, ranging from mini-comics to full sized magazines, as seen in this link: Main Enterprises.

 So what's this mini-comic titled 'Myths & Legends' #1 publication all about?

Here's what the publisher has for a promo blurb:

"This mini-comic features 23 illustrations of well known as well as obscure characters from various mythologies, legends, folklore and tall tales. A great deal of talented artists are on display here: Jeff Austin, Rock Baker, Troy Boyle, Dave Farley, Michael Grassia, Rusty Gilligan, Doug Holverson, John Lambert, John Larter, Joe Martino, Jeff Mason, Terry Pavlet, Rick Pilote, Steve Shipley, Dan Taylor, James Taylor and JTW. $2.75 postpaid in the USA."

Here's my thoughts on the issue, as I start at the front cover...

Front Cover:  This depicts some warrior, name unknown, until I open up the mini-comic and see it and all of the 23 illustrations listed with names of the characters and who illustrated them.  Although unnamed on the front cover, 'Mars' by James Taylor and Jeff Austin does start off the issue well...

Inside front cover - 'Zeus' by John Lambert.  Illustrated in the style that I've come to expect from John.

Page 1 - The Table of Contents, which lists all 23 of the illustrations with the name of the 'Myth' or 'Legend', along with the illustrator(s).  Plus a 'Welcome' message from the editor:

"Welcome! Who here hasn't been exposed to the tall tales of foklore characters? Have been reared with epic stories of the gods of various mythologies? Heard about various sightings of strange creatures of land, sea and air? I know that I have, and that I am not alone!  I decided to put my fascination of these themes together and give you this new publication of mine, 'Myths and Legends'. To me this was a labor of lvoe and I was truly overwhelmed by the material I had received by the various talented individuals who took the time to send in the illustrations you'll see within this title. To them, my heartfelt thanks."

Pages 2 till the back cover: The remainder of the 21 illustrations are presented.

With so many illustrations in this issue, I'm only going to hi-light some of them here that stood out personally for me.

Page  3 - Selene the Moon Goddess - by Steve Shipley

Page  6 - Circe - by Rock Baker and Rusty Gilligan

Page  7 - Paul Bunyan - by Michael Grassia

Page 15 - Hera - by Rock Baker and Rusty Gilligan

Page 17 - Loch Ness Monster - by Joe Martino and Jeff Austin

Page 18 - Minerva - by Rock Baker and Dave Farley

Page 19 - Centaur - by Troy Boyle

Inside Back Cover - Thor - by Terry Pavlet

Back Cover - Venus - by Rock Baker and Dan W. Taylor

Reading this mini-comic kind of reminded me of the yearbooks that the San Diego Comic Con International has printed for many years.  In that a 'theme' is chosen, and then artists are asked to submit their illustrations for possible publication.  Say like it's the 40th Anniversary of a comic strip character, or the 25th Anniversary of a comic book title. Receiving the yearbook in our 'goodie bag' each year after receiving our membership badge each year is one of the 'hi-lites' of attending that comic con! 

So I was interested in what Jim had titled this publication, and what his 'Welcome' stated the theme was about.  I found that this was a pretty well organized anthology mini-comic. As stated before in this blog of mine... Anthologies are the hardest comic book for me to review blog on, usually due to the varied materials selected by the Editors / Publishers of the anthologies.  Quite often there isn't a reason published as to why the issue was put together, or why the features were chosen for the issue.  Not here, as Jim once again took the time to explain, prior to the reader going forward with viewing the features.

I enjoyed reading this 1st issue of the Myths & Legends title. The choice of illustrations were varied, and represented the title chosen for this publication, 'Myths & Legends', very well.

My Review Rating for this mini-comic is a: VERY FINE / NEAR MINT (VF/NM) out of a possible 10.0 Comic Book Grading scale.

Retail Cover Price $1.75 ($2.75 when mailed)  Page count: 24 pages

Format: This is a 'mini-comic' sized 4" x 5 &1/2" with black & white interior pages and with black and white covers.

General Readership - All Ages (IMO.)

Here is the link to the order page for this anthology comic. Please see the other page links on that order page for the additional publications from Main Enterprises.

There isn't a Facebook Fan Page for Main Enterprises.  There is a Closed -Limited Public Content Facebook Group Page, which I'm not listing here.

My thanks to Jim Main for sending me this publication for possible review!

~Michael D Hamersky

BTW, You can 'follow' this Blog by clicking the 'Follow' Button at this NetworkedBlogs app!  We currently have over 2,447 'Followers'!  Thanks to ALL of YOU that have already clicked that button! 

And for those of YOU that haven't yet... I would appreciate it if YOU would!!!

~ Michael D Hamersky

If I have it... You can find it 'Under The Big Top Of Comics' at:  

http://www.ComicBooksCircus.com/ 

Web Page Note:  This blog post is written for the IE Browser standards.  Chrome, Safari, Netscape, Firefox and the other browsers serve the page up differently, sorry about that!

The screen display resolution is best seen at the setting of 1024 x 768 on your laptop or desktop computer.

NOTE: All images and characters within this blog post are copyright and trademark their respective owners.

Comics Creators: If you are breaking into, or already work in the comic book industry or other pop culture productions, you are welcome to email or mail us press releases, news items, and updates that you feel would be of interest to our blog readers. Including YOUR own works!

To mail printed items to us for possible review, send to:

Make It So Marketing Inc., PO Box 130653, Carlsbad, CA 92013

 Also, if you are a Facebook member, I would have liked you to send me a 'Friend Request'. However, I have reached the maximum limit of 5,000 Facebook Friends and Fan pages already, so I've added a New 'Facebook Fan Page' so that even more of YOU can 'Like' what I am doing, and be interactive with me and others there.  Here is the link to that 'Facebook Fan Page': Michael D Hamersky On Comics! Please click the 'Like' button on that page! 

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Michael D Hamersky On Comics Reviews: Fortune Favors the Bold From SmarterComics     - Above: The Front Cover To 'Fortune Favors the Bold', Written by Franco Arda & Illustrated by Anjin Anhut! - Top Left Photo: Smarter Comics Publishes a Wide Range of Comics, Based on Books That Are Already Best Sellers!

TODAY'S FEATURE - Blog #3425:

Today's blog is on another one of the comics from 'SmarterComics' that was recently sent in to my wife, Tina LoSasso for possible review. She has already guest blogged on one, a comics adaptation of Tom Hopkins' National Best Seller: "How To Master The Art Of Selling", as seen in blog #3416.

This comic book, based from the front cover, as seen at the top right of this blog, seemed to be more to my interest, so I opened it up and was stunned!  Here's what the promotional blurb states that this comic book is about: 

Written by the founder of SmarterComics, this powerful little manual packs a punch. If you want to grab life by the horns but tend to drag your feet doing it, this comic is for you.

Fortune Favors the Bold explains that rarely-thought-about element so essential to achieving anything: the act of actually stepping up to the plate. Boldness is key, but it’s something most self-help books forget to explore. Without boldness, a goal is only a pipedream, and ambition vegetates into regret.

If you want insight that launches you into action, this is the guide book. Platitude-free, it genuinely examines the role of boldness in achieving anything worthwhile and lays out the roadmap for becoming an achiever.

Filled with amusing illustrations but crammed with serious, rarely-seen quotes from some of the world’s most successful people, this comic makes a mark on the consciousness. You’ll think about it for days, and return to it to renew yourself.

Boldness won’t guarantee success, but lack of boldness guarantees failure, says Franco. Boldness is the missing ingredient in most people’s lives.

When I say 'stunned', I'm not exagerating!  That's because this comic book is one that I could have used back at the end of the year 2000.  Why?  Well, I have touched upon it before in this Blog of mine, but I'll go a little more into depth here...

You see at the end of 2000, I found myself at a dead end job, (even though I was the Controller of the company), in a shared housing situation, and divorced. It wasn't until a good woman friend gave me the book 'Who Moved My Cheese?' by Spencer Johnson & Kenneth Blanchard, plus when I found myself alone on New Year's Eve of 2000 on the waterfront of Downtown San Diego, that I wrote down these three New Year's resolutions:  New Job, New Place, New Woman.

Using that book as reference, ('Who Moved My Cheese'), I found myself on the right path for all three New Year's resolutions being met within three months.  That's how powerful that book is if you are receptive to it!

This SmarterComics book, 'Fortune Favors the Bold', is just as powerful in my estimation... AND a lot easier to read!

That's because each one of the chapters is a two page sequentially illustrated chapter, packed with hard hitting information, but presented to where you can stop at the end of the two pages to 'digest' easily what has been shown!  Almost like reading a morning meditation to start off your day!

Plus each one of the chapters has a paragraph in the 'Notes and References' section at the back of this book, as to where the original source info came found.  Because there are many authors and books that this 'SmarterComic' refers to.

Absolutely stunning!  And enough to get someone who was like me eleven years ago, off of their rear end to do something about their life!

If you find yourself at a crossroads in your life... Do yourself a favor, and obtain a copy of it, 'Read It!'... And then... Pass it on to a friend of yours that also needs motivation to move on with their life!

Sure, not everyone that reads this 'SmarterComic' is going to have a life-changing event come to them!  And the author does write a disclaimer at the beginning of the book: "This book provides ideas to lead a bold life.  This is not advice. Use it at your own risk. I do not take responsibility for rashes, financial ruin, or any other misfortune - either directly or indirectly - from applying the ideas in this book". 

However, I know how hard it is to make the time to read a book with nothing but text copy in it.  This sequentially illustrated book brings ideas to the reader in two page chapters, fully illustrated, and in small enough portions that a person can stop and think about it before moving on to the next chapter... Excellent presentation!

This publication gets a NEAR MINT (NM) 9.4 out of a possible 10.0 comic book grading scale, which is the highest 'grade' I give anything!

Here's the necessary info to help you find the book:

Paperback: 80 pages
Publisher: SmarterComics (October 12, 2010)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1610829956
ISBN-13: 978-1610829953
Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 7.2 x 0.3 inches
Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces

You can purchase this book at Amazon:  Fortune Favors the Bold from SmarterComics

Again, our thanks to Judy at Tom Hopkins International for having the folks at SmarterComics introduce their comics line for possible review! You can see Tina's guest blog on Tom's book at this link, Blog #3416.

Additionally you can 'Like' the Facebook Fan Page for 'SmarterComics' as seen here, where there are several more sequentially illustrated books that others are reading and discussing at the Fan Page!

~Michael

BTW, You can 'follow' this Blog by clicking the 'Follow' Button at this NetworkedBlogs app!  We currently have over 2,446 'Followers'!  Thanks to ALL of YOU that have already clicked that button! 

And for those of YOU that haven't yet... I would appreciate it if YOU would!!!

~ Michael D Hamersky

If I have it... You can find it 'Under The Big Top Of Comics' at:  

http://www.ComicBooksCircus.com/ 

Web Page Note:  This blog post is written for the IE Browser standards.  Chrome, Safari, Netscape, Firefox and the other browsers serve the page up differently, sorry about that!

The screen display resolution is best seen at the setting of 1024 x 768 on your laptop or desktop computer.

NOTE: All images and characters within this blog post are copyright and trademark their respective owners.

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 Also, if you are a Facebook member, I would have liked you to send me a 'Friend Request'. However, I have reached the maximum limit of 5,000 Facebook Friends and Fan pages already, so I've added a New 'Facebook Fan Page' so that even more of YOU can 'Like' what I am doing, and be interactive with me and others there.  Here is the link to that 'Facebook Fan Page': Michael D Hamersky On Comics! Please click the 'Like' button on that page! 

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Michael D Hamersky On Comics Reviews: The Brain Eater's Bible By J.D. McGhoul with Pat Kilbane!     - Above Photo:  J.D. McGhoul couldn't make it to the 2011 Long Beach Comic Con (LBCC) Expo, so Pat Kilbane represented 'The Brain Eater's Bible' book at this comic con!

TODAY'S FEATURE - Blog #3424:

Walking by the table that Pat Kilbane was at during the 2011 Long Beach Comic Con Expo... I did a double take of Pat.   Thinking that I had met him at another comic con earlier, I said hello to be friendly, not realizing he wasn't a comic book creator.

What I realized after stopping and seeing the placard to the left, I realized it was on MAD TV that I recognized him from.

I'm sure that my wife, Tina, would have recognized him from her favorite TV series, Seinfeld!  (Yes, Tina, he was the "anti-Kramer" in the Superman-themed Seinfeld episode "The Bizarro Jerry"!)

So I stopped and chatted with him about the item he was holding in his hands, as seen in the top right photo.

Quite honestly, as I also told him, I'm not all that much into 'zombies', even though two years ago, it seemed like 5 out of 10 comics / graphic novels / etc. that were given to me at comic cons or mailed in for possible review were on zombies!  It seemed that every third blog of mine for a while was on the topic of zombies!  Sheesh!  For not being a fan of zombies... It sure seemed that I was!

So anyways, I looked at the back cover of the book to see what it was about, and found this...

“What is wrong with me!?”

That’s what you’re thinking, isn’t it?  You woke up in a drainage ditch covered with skin ulcerations and nasty flesh wounds.  Your body is numb and your memory is foggy.  Someone tried to give you medical attention, but you repaid their kindness by savagely killing them and eating their brain.

You are a zombie, my friend, just like me.  Though most zombies are slow and stupid, the fact that you are reading this tells me that you are different.  Some of us are.  welcome to the PAC virus acopalyse.

THE BRAIN EATER'S BIBLE is a field manual and manifesto for the reanimated dead, filled with over 200 full-color photos, diagrams and anatomical drawings.

Okay...!  Now that got my attention! Pat could see that it did, and after realizing I have the #1 'followed blog on Facebook' for comics / comic books / graphic novels.... Plus strong followings on my Facebook group and fan pages... He gave me a review copy for possible mention.

I added that book to the 'To be read & possibly reviewed stack' at my home office.  I recently opened the book and was somewhat amazed / aghast / and thunderstruck after starting to read the inside pages of the book.

Great production value, even though the topic is not near and dear to my heart.... Or for that matter, my brain, (pun intended!).

Yet I couldn't hardly put the book down each night... And found myself finishing it a few days later.  

I have to say... The research and presentation of the topics in this book are quite amazing!

Here's the Chapters titles:

1) Eat Brains,  2) Know Your Body, 3) Hunt, 4) Know Your Enemy, 5) Move Your Head, 6) Infect Others... With multiple subsections and of course 'Journal Entries'.

It truly is a full-blown 'bible' for the 'Newly Reanimated Zombie'!

I mentioned I was reading this book at the latest Semantink's Comic Savvy meetup, and although it isn't a comic book or graphic novel, there was an immediate response by many at the meetup that night!  So now that it is read, I'll probably bring it in for others to see at the next meetup!

So I know this book has to be appealing to those that are really into Zombies!I'm not, but darn, this book is really so 'cool' that it is a sure-fire hit for those that are!

My review rating for this book with illustrations and photos is a VERY FINE / NEAR MINT (VF/NM) 9.0 out of a 10.0 possible comic book grading scale.

Hardcover: 160 pages
Publisher: Mythodrome, Inc. (March 18, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 9780984632909
ISBN-13: 978-0984632909
ASIN: 0984632905
Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.2 x 0.6 inches
Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces.

Here is the link to purchase the book, now that you know that you gotta have it: Brain Eaters Bible: Sound Advice for the Newly Reanimated Zombie

Oh, and for those of you that are on Facebook... Here is the link to J.D. McGhoul of the Brain Eater's Bible Fan Page!

My thanks to Pat Kilbane for bringing this book by himself and 'J.D. McGhoul' to my attention at the LBCC Expo! 

~Michael

BTW, You can 'follow' this Blog by clicking the 'Follow' Button at this NetworkedBlogs app!  We currently have over 2,446 'Followers'!  Thanks to ALL of YOU that have already clicked that button! 

And for those of YOU that haven't yet... I would appreciate it if YOU would!!!

~ Michael D Hamersky

If I have it... You can find it 'Under The Big Top Of Comics' at:  

http://www.ComicBooksCircus.com/ 

Web Page Note:  This blog post is written for the IE Browser standards.  Chrome, Safari, Netscape, Firefox and the other browsers serve the page up differently, sorry about that!

The screen display resolution is best seen at the setting of 1024 x 768 on your laptop or desktop computer.

NOTE: All images and characters within this blog post are copyright and trademark their respective owners.

Comics Creators: If you are breaking into, or already work in the comic book industry or other pop culture productions, you are welcome to email or mail us press releases, news items, and updates that you feel would be of interest to our blog readers. Including YOUR own works!

To mail printed items to us for possible review, send to:

Make It So Marketing Inc., PO Box 130653, Carlsbad, CA 92013

 Also, if you are a Facebook member, I would have liked you to send me a 'Friend Request'. However, I have reached the maximum limit of 5,000 Facebook Friends and Fan pages already, so I've added a New 'Facebook Fan Page' so that even more of YOU can 'Like' what I am doing, and be interactive with me and others there.  Here is the link to that 'Facebook Fan Page': Michael D Hamersky On Comics! Please click the 'Like' button on that page! 

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