Comics - Waning Superpowers

Last week I trimmed my pull list for comics from both DC and Marvel.

I had taken a nearly two-year break from marvel when they decided to blend all of the heroes from the X-Men and Avengers, thus removing the uniqueness of each group. But "All-New X-Men" brought me back. Meanwhile, DC went all 'New 52' on the world, and after supporting the endeavor for over two years, I've had far too many titles cancelled out from under me to continue with a 'hope for the best' outlook.

I find it amazing that my total buys will consist of more titles from Dark Horse, Image, Dynamite, etc... than the Big Two. So:

DC:

• Aquaman
• Aquaman and the Others
• Flash
• All-Star Western (soon to be finished)

Marvel:

• All-New X-Men
• Amazing X-Men
• Uncanny X-Men
• Cyclops

The rest: Five Ghosts, Starlight, Flash Gordon, Low, Doc Savage, Astro City (DC, but not really), Star Wars (ending soon at Dark Horse, bought out by Marvel), Velvet, Eerie, Creepy, Black Science, and Dark Horse Comics Presents.

DC will (perhaps) get me back when there is a new "Legion of Super-Heroes" book, and when the JLA goes back to the icons. Marvel will have to use a sieve on the Avengers books to weed out most of the non-traditional members if they want my dollars back.

Beer & Sunset

Lake 6 - 8 pm, floating with 2 red Hook ESBs!

The sky was nearly cloudless, and the temp was 88 degrees (but dry).

Sunset & Beer

Ballast Point Brewing Company's Sculpin IPA - SO good!
...and yet another amazing sunset down at the lake (the 2 photos were taken 15 minutes apart, 7:45 pm and 8:00 pm).

Movie Time

I went to see "Guardians of the Galaxy" in Gardner with Jason & Stacie & the kids, Sarah & the kids, Mom, and Jaymi & 2 of her kids, just as the skies opened for a downpour. It was pretty kick-ass. When we got home, Sawyer & I were drawing (as Cooper looked on), and I drew Groot from memory (no photo reference):

Red Sox Wednesdays

I went to the Red Sox-Blue Jays game on Wednesday with my family. Jason bought 25 tickets for: Dad & Ma, me, Kevin & Holly + 3 kids, Sarah & Jon + 4 kids, himself & Stacie + 3 kids, Jaymi & Chad + 3 kids, and his best friend Ted.

Ma drove Dad, me, and nephews Sawyer & Jared to the game. I had a random 2-minute chat about my Boneyard Surf Shop t-shirt with a cute girl on the walk into the stadium (her parents have a home on Martha's Vineyard). I had a blast, sitting on an end seat next to nephews Hayden & Cooper, and tweeting about the game with them, and nieces Ryan & Celia. I had a pretzel & a bottle of water early, and then later I fetched soft-serve ice cream cones for Dad, Ma & myself. Ma drove me & Dad home, and we arrived at midnight, with an amazing full-family memory for the ages in the books. Thanks Jason!

Harry Potter: New and Redux

The first time I read the "Harry Potter" books (and saw the films) was in July of 2008, when I lived in Hyannis, MA. I read paperbacks 1-6 in a row, and when I found out that 7 was only available in hardcover at that point, a month later I reread 1-6 again, and then snagged & read the final book . I also watched all of the films that had been released up to that date.

Fast-forward to the present, and J. K. Rowling has released a few new very short stories on her official website Pottermore. Since one must join the site to read the stories (which I did), and since all 8 movies were on television this past weekend (I only popped in for 15-minute chunks during the commercial breaks of shows on other channels), I decided to reread the novels.

Side note: The 'Pottermore' site actually uses the Sorting Hat (a short quiz) to assign each person who signs up to his/her 'proper' Hogwarts house! It turns out that I am most suited to be a Ravenclaw. My member name (chosen with minimal input) is MahoganySkull17830. When one 'purchases' his/her wand at Ollivander's, a similar short quiz determines the wand one receives. Mine is a 14½" Vine wood wand with a Phoenix Feather core, and is 'unyielding' (non-flexible, I assume). I also have a cat for my familiar (there was one that looks like my first cat, orange & white, green-eyed Henry, so I chose him).

I'll post in the 'comments' section each day I complete one of the books, and also add any drawings I do of my character...

Kit Cat

Enjoying life!

From July 9th.