first class comic review!

okay...

it seems like every time i start feeling that comics have gotten too grim and gritty, too sales and marketing driven, too just-not- fun anymore, i receive a copy of FIRST CLASS COMICS REVIEW from my dear friends, Ellie and Lily Egleton, and am reminded that kids do still read comic books--and they love 'em!

FCCR #4 arrived at my house the other day, in the midst of a howling blizzard that made curling up with it by the fire even more relaxing and enjoyable. for those who haven't caught my earlier posts praising this fine publication and the terrific efforts of the girls and their crew of friends/reporters, here's the scoop; First Class Comic Review is the brainchild of the young sisters, encouraged and shepherded through the process by their dad, Tim, and is a full-out celebration of everything fun and cool and wonderful about comics and every time i read it, i'm transported back to the days when I would be so very excited for the next issue of (insert your favorite childhood comic book here!) to come out and what was going to happen and how was it going to effect my world...? because it would!!

like any new publishing venture, FCCR has been struggling, looking for it's audience and the girls have been learning the ropes regarding content and layout, but i have to say that, with issue 4, they have got it nailed! this is the sharpest looking effort to date and i know that this magazine will just keep getting better and better! great job, ladies!



this issue features interviews with artists chris giarrusso and mike deodato jr, articles on the mini-marvels, chris' g-man comic, tiny titans, a focus on comic's christmas classics, a harley quinn retrospective and much, much more! including this stunning christmas cover by chris giarrusso himself!


you can find out more about First Class Comic Review --and ordering information-- at

http://www.firstclasscomicreview.moonfruit.com/


the girls have been so very nice to me and to the super hero squad since they first started working on FCCR last summer. sadly, for them, i've now got them hooked on the perhapanauts. here's a sketch of choopie that lily sent along with my copy of the magazine. my scan is a little faint, so i hope you can see it.
thanks, lily--he's great!






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a few random jpgs i had floating around my desktop...




from a few years back and found in rich woodall's facebook photos album of all places, a very early craig rousseau thing, butsin' heads and bustin' through your wall! (god, i'd love to do a thing mini-series with my boy here...!) (craig, i mean. not ben.) (well, with ben too.)






the crystal palace, a massive greenhouse/exhibition hall constructed in hyde park, london, england in 1851 for The Great Exhibition. featured in the fantastic book, At Home, by bill bryson.


and finally-- i have received several entries now for the PERHAPANAUTS CLASSIC COMIC COVER CHALLENGE and heard from many others saying that they will be sending their submissions in! this is gonna be great fun, so get going! deadline for your entries is monday, january 31, at 12 midnight (est).
thanks!


have a great weekend!
smell ya later!
todd



















Rules for Responsible Dog Owners

a dog’s life is likely to last 10 to 15 years. any separation from you will be very painful.

give him time to understand what you want of him.

place your trust in him--it is crucial for his well-being.

don’t be angry with him for long, and don’t lock him up as punishment. you have your work, your friends, your entertainment. he has only YOU!

talk to him. even if he doesn’t understand your words, he understands your voice when it’s speaking to him.
be aware that however you treat him, he’ll never forget it.

before you hit him, remember that he has teeth in his mouth that could easily crush the bones in your hand, but he chooses not to bite you.

before you scold him for being lazy or uncooperative, ask yourself if something might be bothering him. perhaps he’s not getting the right food, he’s been out in the sun too long, or his heart may be getting old and weak.

take care of him when he gets old. you, too, will grow old.

go with him on difficult journeys. never say, “i can’t bear to watch it” or, “let it happen in my absence.” everything is easier for him if you are there. remember, he loves you.


Zenith Zak’s Rules for Responsible Dog Owners
1996@Pet Planet, Inc.

this list was on a toy i bought for jake about 11 or 12 years ago.
it always makes me cry a little.