Mail call! Three books from archiecomics.com and the recent “buy one graphic novel/get two free” sale. I will never get over the notion that I’ve only been reading Archies for 5-6 years. Lotta time wasted.

Alex Ross and the Kree/Skrull-era Avengers.

And… just got this email in response to an inquiry I’d sent last night. This is the first time ThriftBooks has ever let me down on a preorder.

Just got home from a matinee showing of Song Sung Blue (👍🏼👍🏼), and there was a very large, flat package on the porch. I said to my wife, “Hunh. This is the second time I’ve gotten a shipment with no notification.” She said, “This isn’t for you. It’s those bins I ordered for the basement.” 😩😩😩

Some days I just wanna be a recluse and read books.

Remembering the late comics artist Don Heck, born on this date in 1929, known best for his time at Marvel drawing such titles as Iron Man and The Avengers — but who also worked at DC, where he tackled one of my Supergirl stories in 1979. How lucky I was to work with someone who dazzled me as a kid!

This morning’s treadmill entertainment.

Ok, everyone, what book is sacred enough to you to get sworn in on? #ComicSky

Today is the birthday of artist Don Heck (Jan. 2, 1929-Feb. 23, 1995). Co-creator of Iron Man, Hawkeye, Black Widow, Mantis, Steel/Commander Steel, Nubia, & more.

Holy Moses… this was on page 2 of V for Vendetta 1 (1988). I’d say this series is going to “hold up”.

Going in… First reading since this was new on the direct market (1988).

Success! Not perfect (Rome is a trifle lower than it should be, but overall we like the look - and will add to it, places we’ve been and have yet to see!

Happy New Year, comrades! May the X-Babies bring you joy in 2026, and blast/slash/pulverize any troubles you had in 2025. Art by Dustin Weaver, bub.

Detail from the Batman Adventures Holiday Special 1 (1995), by Bruce Timm and Paul Dini, with art by Kevin Altieri and Butch Lukic. Cover, sans trade dress, by Bruce Timm.

Today is the birthday of Jerry Robinson (Jan 1, 1922-Dec 11, 2007). An influential artist, most known as co-creator of the Joker and Robin, and for his work on Batman during the Golden Age. He was also a political cartoonist and an early advocate for creators' rights.

Stressful? I’ll tell you what’s stressful. Getting ready to hang our grid of places-visited prints. Even with templates and the hangers sketched out, ay ay ay…

Happy to just have seen George Takei braving the showers in the Rose Parade. Live long and prosper, you sweet man!

Detail from the Batman Adventures Holiday Special 1 (1995), by Bruce Timm and Paul Dini, with art by Kevin Altieri and Butch Lukic. Cover, sans trade dress, by Bruce Timm.

Happy New Year, comrades! May the X-Babies bring you joy in 2026, and blast/slash/pulverize any troubles you had in 2025. Art by Dustin Weaver, bub.

Imbibe responsibly tonight, heroes!

Godspeed, MTV

On this day in 1974, having lost guitarist Bob Welch, Fleetwood Mac made an offer to Lindsey Buckingham to join the band, but he wouldn't do it unless his girlfriend, Stevie Nicks, got to come as well. The band accepted, and that was a good decision.

Now I sit and wait impatiently, as friends begin to report receiving this heavenly tome. *sigh…* But, a year ago I got the Conan Colossal Edition before most, so perhaps there is balance in the universe.

Imbibe responsibly tonight, heroes!

Alex Schomburg, 1942

Rick Hoberg covered Classic Star Wars: The Early Adventures 5.

How ‘bout this page from Classic Star Wars: The Early Adventures 9, by Rick Hoberg and… Dave Stevens?!

Russ Manning Detail from Classic Star Wars: The Early Adventures 5.

Here’s the pencils for the big mid-page layout from page 22 of my next project, GEARHEAD! #indiecomics #comicbooks #illustration #steampunk #GearheadComic

Hey, kids - Hamilton Books just dropped 66 new comics/graphic novels-related items for your perusal. I’m getting a few things! www.hamiltonbook.com/new?listing_...

Thread ❤️👇🏼

How ‘bout this page from Classic Star Wars: The Early Adventures 9, by Rick Hoberg and… Dave Stevens?!

Name three comics you’ve owned in at least three editions. •Amazing Spider-Man 121-122 (comics, Panini Marvel Pocketbook, DVD-ROM) •The Dark Knight Returns (comics, 1st edition HC, Graphitti Gallery Edition) •Man of Steel (comics, limited edition tpb (1986), tpb (2021))

Russ Manning Detail from Classic Star Wars: The Early Adventures 5.

Rick Hoberg covered Classic Star Wars: The Early Adventures 5.

As 2025 yields to 2026, it’s a (kinda) new reading queue! Comics-wise, I’m about 30% into the Star Wars strips Epic Collection. Adding three lil’ books I’ve recently purchased. For prose, I’ve had a tough go making time for the John Adams bio. I am in the back half of Chuck Wendig’s SW novel.

Two takes on a famous scene: •X-Men 133 by John Byrne and Terry Austin • Classic X-Men 39 by Steve Lightle (I love the eyeballs on the goon at right!)

I have “Born Again” in three different formats already, but I’m a sucker for that story. Looking forward to Chris Ryall’s analysis. And, as a longtime Holocaust educator, 999 looks intriguing and would seem an important edition to my library.

Hey, kids - Hamilton Books just dropped 66 new comics/graphic novels-related items for your perusal. I’m getting a few things! www.hamiltonbook.com/new?listing_...

Brian Bolland covered Secret Origins Special 1 (1989)… because, Bat-mania!!

Bob Layton’s Lion of Olympus

According to the 1976 Super DC Calendar in the 30th century today will be the birthday of Querl Dox, aka, Brainiac 5, of the Legion of Super-Heroes. #brainiac5 #legionofsuperheroes #computo #dccomics #acrylicink #patreon #longlivethelegion #superdccalendar

Now playing in the home office - Time Won’t Let Me by the Smithereens

Snow on the ground, 14 degrees. Why wouldn’t I?

Not that I care or anything, but December 30 happens to be “shipping day” for the Jim Aparo Artist’s Edition.

Brian Bolland covered Secret Origins Special 1 (1989)… because, Bat-mania!!

Two takes on a famous scene: •X-Men 133 by John Byrne and Terry Austin • Classic X-Men 39 by Steve Lightle (I love the eyeballs on the goon at right!)

I’m constantly surprised and delighted by how insightful & inspiring Ian Leslie’s “John & Paul: A Love Story” is. There’s next to nothing in terms of facts that’s new to me, & the story is SO familiar. But IL’s beautiful writing combined with his emotional intelligence makes for a marvellous read.

About to wrap up the fall trimester’s reading queue with a very short selection - but hey, it’ll get me to 40 books read since Sept. 1 (and 126 in 2025). Al Williamson’s Flash Gordon: The Ice Monster (1980) is a standard-sized paperback reprinting some of his 1966-68 newspaper strips. Looks fun!

Rick Hoberg and Mike Grell covered Classic Star Wars: The Early Adventures 2.