Todd Klein's Blog, page 370

And Then I Read: BATMAN ODYSSEY 2

Images © DC Comics, Inc.

I'm liking this more in the second issue, perhaps because I'm getting a better feel for Neal Adams' storytelling methods. They're quirky at times, but certainly not boring. The issue opens with Bruce Wayne sans shirt in the batcave speaking directly to the reader to recap issue 1 and also defend his own storytelling to Robin, a nice bit. Then the terrorist story from issue 1 continues, with lots more graphic gunfire directed at Batman, who's finally knocked...

SNAKE!

I was about to get lunch for the cats and myself today, and realized that Tigger was staring intently at something just outside the porch instead of responding to my lunch announcements. I went to look and saw he was in a staring contest with a garter snake! (Pretty sure that's what it was from the stripes.) I went quietly for the camera and had a chance for just this one picture with no flash (therefore not in good focus). When I clicked the flash up, the snake darted off UNDER THE PORCH.

Tig...

And Then I Read: THE COMPLETE PEANUTS 1977-78

Images © United Features Syndicate, Inc.

We're up to the 14th volume of this classy Peanuts reprint series from Fantagraphics. I don't know if I've mentioned in a while how much I like the book design by Seth. His color choices are particularly good this time. The cover has two spot colors, a rich green and metallic copper. And look at how he's colored Peppermint Patty, in shades of gray that Charles Schulz would probably never have used, but somehow it makes me look at the drawing more. I...

Cat Nap

Such a tough life…

Higbee Walk

Went down to Cape May early on Friday, hoping to see some birds at Higbee Beach. The weather was promising, a northwest wind following a strong cold front from Thursday, but for some reason there were more birders than birds. The expected migrant fallout did not seem to have happened. Maybe it was too cloudy overnight for good flying.

What to do in that situation? Take pictures of plants. here's a small moth sleeping on Goldenrod.

A wild Morning Glory, also called Bindweed.

Out in the seaside...

And Then I Read: COVER RUN

Images © DC Comics, Inc.

If you're a fan of artist Adam Hughes you already know you're going to like this oversized hardcover showcasing his wonderful covers for DC. If you're not, a browse through it may well convince you, assuming you like his approach, which is very much in the "good girl art" school of making images of beautiful women that are sexy in a classy way. Hughes began as an artist on comics stories, but his slow production speed and perfectionism, plus his undeniable talent, led ...

And Then I Read: THE DEVIL'S HANDSHAKE

© Red Circle Productions.

This is one of those movie proposal comics. You know, a young and upcoming actor/director creates a concept for an action film and develops it as a comic first to test the waters and perhaps show prospective studios what he has in mind. In this case it's Ryan Schifrin, whose work I'm not familiar with, and he's wisely teamed with co-writer Larry Hama, a comics and theater veteran. Larry was kind enough to give me a copy in San Diego, and I've read it and think it's...

And Then I Read: THE SPIRIT 2 & 3

Images © Will Eisner Studios, Inc.

DC keeps trying with new versions of THE SPIRIT, and never quite hits it out of the park. This version is a solid double, if you'll pardon the baseball metaphor. The story by Mark Schultz is generally fine, with a good Eisneresque villainess and some nice twists and turns. It's more violent than Eisner usually went, but does capture the action and film noir feel well, and the character bits are successful.

The art by Moritat is another story, my best...

And Then I Read: ROBERT HEINLEIN VOL. 1

© William H. Patterson, Jr.

Okay, I've finished reading this now except for the last few pages of notes, and rather than go into detail about Heinlein's life as I did in my two earlier posts on this book, I thought I'd present some overall impressions.

First, the book is well written. Patterson's technique is fine, and he allows a little of his own personality and opinions to show through, but not enough to obscure the subject. Second, it's well-researched, and Patterson makes a great effort...

Cats on the Porch

"That was a delicious lunch, wasn't it, Tigger?"

"We had cat crunchies, as usual, Leo. Those dishes are from the Peoples' lunch."

"Oh yeah, right. So, when's the next Squirrel Chase?"

"Should be any time now."

"Look, here comes one of those slow guys! Is he the referee?"

"I don't know, Leo, but he's an Eastern Box Turtle."

"Now he's going back the other way."

"Yes, very slowly."

"I guess turtles don't climb very well, but he's getting there. I wonder if they're good to eat?"

"You forget, we don't...