Comic Book Review: Daring New Adventures of Supergirl Volume 1 written by Paul Kupperberg, pencils by Carmen Infantino, inks by Bob Oksner In the late 1950s, DC Comics decided to protect its “super” trademark by creating a character named Supergirl. (“Superwoman” had been used in individual stories as Lois Lane’s codename when she temporarily gained… Continue reading Comic Book Review: Daring New Adventures of Supergirl Volume 1
Tag: Illinois
Book Review: You Can’t Eat Peanuts in Church and Other Little-Known Laws
Book Review: You Can’t Eat Peanuts in Church and Other Little-Known Laws by Barbara Seuling Laws have a purpose. It is not always a good purpose, but track them to their passage and you will usually see the reasoning behind them. With the passage of time, that purpose is obscured, and many laws passed to… Continue reading Book Review: You Can’t Eat Peanuts in Church and Other Little-Known Laws
Magazine Review: If May 1961
Magazine Review: If May 1961 managing editor Frederik Pohl If was a science fiction magazine that ran from 1952 to 1974. It was considered a “second tier” magazine due to frequently low sales, but that should not be confused with “second-rate.” By 1961, If had become a sister magazine to Galaxy, publishing in alternate months. Under editor… Continue reading Magazine Review: If May 1961
Book Review: Merton of the Movies
Book Review: Merton of the Movies by Harry Leon Wilson Simsbury, Illinois might just be a wide spot in the road, but twice a week, the Bijou Palace shows movies made in far-off Hollywood. Perhaps the most fanatical attendee of these showings is young Merton Gill, assistant shopkeeper at Gashwiler’s Emporium (general store.) Merton has studied… Continue reading Book Review: Merton of the Movies
Audio Review: If We Were Villains
Audio Review: If We Were Villains by M.L. Rio Eleven years ago, seven drama students entered their fourth year at the prestigious Dellecher Classical Conservatory. Now, a decade after the end of that school year, one of those students, Oliver Marks, is being released from prison. Former police detective Colborne has never entirely bought the official… Continue reading Audio Review: If We Were Villains
Book Review: Tuesdays With Morrie
Book Review: Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom In 1995, there was fighting in Bosnia, O.J. Simpson was on trial for murder, and a man named Morrie Schwartz was teaching his last class about life. It met on Tuesdays, and the student was sportswriter Mitch Albom. Twenty years before, Mitch had been Morrie’s student in… Continue reading Book Review: Tuesdays With Morrie
Book Review: The Big Time | The Mind Spider and Other Stories
Book Review: The Big Time | The Mind Spider and Other Stories by Fritz Leiber Have you ever noticed that something isn’t in the place you last remembered putting it? That an event you remember happening one way is described as happening a different way in the history books? Perhaps you have suddenly felt that… Continue reading Book Review: The Big Time | The Mind Spider and Other Stories
Magazine Review: The F. Scott Fitzgerald Review 2015
Magazine Review: The F. Scott Fitzgerald Review 2015 edited by William Blazek F. Scott Fitzgerald (1896-1940) is considered one of America’s great writers, best known for The Great Gatsby, his 1925 novel (which didn’t really get much traction until after he died. He was a colorful figure, and his contentious relationship with his wife Zelda… Continue reading Magazine Review: The F. Scott Fitzgerald Review 2015
Magazine Review: Astounding Science-Fiction January 1946
Magazine Review: Astounding Science-Fiction January 1946 edited by John W. Campbell, Jr. Before Analog (see previous reviews), there was Astounding, the science fiction magazine that led the field for many years. Having gotten a copy of an issue from the pulp days, let’s take a look at what wonders lie within. Despite the cover date, the ads… Continue reading Magazine Review: Astounding Science-Fiction January 1946
Comic Book Review: The Drained Brains Caper
Comic Book Review: The Drained Brains Caper written by Trina Robbins, art by Tyler Page Megan Yamamura wants a pet. Unfortunately, the young poet’s (she specializes in haiku) father is allergic to all fur-bearing animals, so she’s thinking maybe a tarantula, which is fuzzy but not furry might be the best bet. She’s been looking… Continue reading Comic Book Review: The Drained Brains Caper