He Didn't LOOK Flammable

Tony Isabella: Library Champion

Wed, 21 Sep 2016 23:37:04 -0400

Last week, I had the remarkable pleasure of eating barbecue with esteemed comic book writer, artist, blogger, fellow Godzilla fanatic, and more, Tony Isabella. Tony has been everywhere (DC, Marvel, independent publishers, etc) and he was writing comics during a time of incredible transition: a transition that he was a pioneer in pushing. Tony was a social justice warrior before it was cool and helped add some prominent characters of color when such a thing was virtually unthinkable to most. Two of his characters, Black Lightning and Misty Knight, are heading to your TV via Netflix and Fox, and Tony has been receiving the star treatment from Marvel and DC…which has not always been the case.

Tony shared his excitement of what is developing for him with me, and it was thrilling. He is hard at work on a brand new Black Lightning comic book, so keep your peepers peeled for that, and he’s been enjoying creator insight into the new shows featuring his characters. He even brought me TWO signed copies of the Black Lightning trade paperback, and it is such a treat. What I want to share with you, though, is how this powerful comic book writer with his powerful connections is also a powerful supporter of libraries.

Tony lives in the county where I work, and has been a loyal patron of my new library for decades. He raised his kids in this library system. He has been an ardent supporter of the library and libraries in general. He has supported every levy, he comes to the programs, he circulates the materials…all the ways a person can support a library…he does it. Hell, he’s even let the library know when the library did something he didn’t like, which is also very important. Yes, it is.

I really wish all comic book creators were so vocally supportive of libraries. Libraries are often forgotten in conversations among the comics community, though that is definitely improving. Comic book creators (and especially comic companies) need to remember that countless Americans discover comics for the first time at libraries, getting them hooked. Some comic readers hit hard times and can’t afford their comics anymore, but they are able to keep current by reading their favorite comics at libraries for free, preventing them suffering a gap, and allowing them to easily return to the comic shops once their financial situations improve. Comic savvy librarians use their readers’ advisory skills to bring comics to patrons who would never have picked up a comic book before.

So, please, comic book creators out there…remember libraries. Remember librarians. Visit your libraries. Support your libraries in every possible way you can. And be loud and be seen doing so.

chadwhitexxx: I want to know YOUR FAVORITE book. Let me know...

Thu, 30 Jun 2016 23:19:20 -0400

chadwhitexxx:

I want to know YOUR FAVORITE book. Let me know your favorite book name and author. 😏👍 im adding more books to my wishlist. #chadwhitexxx

Nothing makes me happier than pictures of pornstars with books (I think that’s a good idea for a new Tumblr!) I’ll give you three of my favorite books: Coldheart Canyon by Clive Barker, Where’d You Go, Bernadette by Maria Semple, and Eats, Shoots, and Leaves by Lynn Truss.

What the New “Marvel NOW!” Means for Librarians

Mon, 06 Jun 2016 23:35:29 -0400

comicslibrarian:

Late last week, Newsarama published this interview with Executive Editor of Marvel Comics, Tom Brevoort. Tom gives us some insight on Marvel’s big publishing initiative coming this fall which he promises will shake the status quo of the comics, and it’s called “Marvel NOW!” Sound familiar? That’s because you may remember the Marvel NOW! relaunches in 2011 and the All-New Marvel NOW! relaunches a couple years later. If it seems that Marvel is has been relaunching many of their series every year or so with new #1 issues, it’s not just you. It is happening. Here are Mr. Brevoort’s major points:

Marvel has adopted a “seasonal model” for their comics, so many series are indeed relaunching nearly every year.

Marvel will stick with this model for as long as it’s profitable.

Not all the comics will relaunch with new #1′s every event, but many will, usually with shifts to the creative teams.

This is an effort to keep the books consistently “fresh,” rapid, and to avoid downtime in the stories.

There is good and bad here for comic fans. I can see the optimistic side and the cynical side equally. But I want to talk about what these means for us, librarians.

A lot of librarians are simply baffled by comics and have been since libraries began carrying them widespread. Comics are tricky for those who are, to adopt Bane’s word, “uninitiated”. Non-comic reading librarians don’t understand such concepts as floppy monthly issues, trade paperbacks, story arcs, what is or isn’t a “graphic novel”…I could go on and on. And constant relaunches of the books will just make things worse for these librarians, because they often have very little idea what they are looking for, and patrons often don’t know what to ask for.

For example: a patron comes into the library and asks for the first volume of Captain America. This would make some librarians want to pull their buns out and throw their cardigans, especially recently. Which first volume? Just in the past five years, we have had Captain America Vol. 1, All-New Captain America Vol. 1, Captain America: Sam Wilson Vol. 1, and, coming soon, Captain America: Steve Rogers Vol. 1. And let’s not dare look at how many Captain America relaunches there have been since the mid-90s. Does the patron want one of these Captain America Vol. 1′s? Do they want the one from Heroes Reborn? Do they want the original stories from the 30′s and 40′s?

“Please, just tell me!” the librarian wants to scream, as she slowly descends into madness. “Just tell me what you want! Please, just give me a $%&@ ISBN!” And that’s just it: there is a very good chance that the patron may not know what the particular Vol. 1 that they want is even called. Or when exactly it came out. The question might go something like, “I need the first volume of Captain America. It came out a few years ago. It’s the one where he fights the vampire, I think.”

This is a cruel reality for us. And let’s not even mention the multiple meanings that the word “volume” has in comics. It’s horribly complicated. And it doesn’t look it’s going to change. A model like this from Marvel just makes our jobs more difficult, making it more difficult for us to give our readers what they want. Maybe this is exactly why we shouldn’t have comics in libraries.

I’m afraid I have harsh words for you if you are a librarian who thinks this way: Deal with it.

As aggravating as it is, it is not Marvel’s job to worry about libraries. Whether or not it’s easy for us to find a particular comic in our catalog is not going to keep Marvel’s editors up at night. It is not their job to increase our patrons’ access to their materials for free, it is ours. And we have to do it, and we have to play by Marvel’s rules. So what do you do if you are not familiar with comics? How are you supposed to keep up?

A solid practice is to make the extra effort to familiarize yourself with items that you are not familiar. As best you can, flip through every comic that comes in to your library. Read the blurbs, mind the numbering, and look over the shelves every now and then.

Pay attention to the year of the item when searching. The patron may not know the year, but it can lead you in the right direction.

Use Amazon, Comixology, Comic Book Database, etc. Look specifically for the issues that compose that particular volume. Trust me, that info is there, somewhere, in one of those sources. Knowing the issue numbers can help you find synopses of these issues and the plots within.

Follow sources like Comic Book Resources and Newsarama to track these big Marvel events. You obviously don’t have to read the issues or even know what the events are about, but you should know that potential relaunches are coming.

Always read the upcoming-comics resources printed by ALA, Library Journal, and other library sources. I mean, duh.

Do you have an employee that loves comics, but comics aren’t in her job description? Too bad, get her involved and get her input. Also duh.

Talk to your catalogers. Convince your catalogers that it’s okay to break the cataloging rules and standards (designed for traditional books) to make comics easier to find. For instance, always use the series title as the Title Statement, regardless what’s on the title page. Maybe put the year in the 245 field next to the Title Statement in parentheses?

Take hear and stay strong, non-comic reading librarians. We will get through another Marvel relaunch together! And the next one! And the next one! And the next one…

I’ll be around waiting for the “Marvel $#%& YEAH!” relaunch.

I Need You All to Calm the #%*$ Down About Captain America

Wed, 25 May 2016 19:55:07 -0400

You’ve all heard the news about the big Captain America reveal. Lots of you are outraged. I get it (kinda), but please just save the outrage. It’s not permanent. Here’s why:

You all remember the retcon of a retcon which revealed that the Red Skull had used the Cosmic Cube to alter the Falcon’s history, making him a criminal? Check his Wikipedia page.

Remember which six-sided object just happened to be responsible for restoring Steve Rogers to super-soldier status? If not, re-read Captain America: Sam Wilson #7.

In that same issue, notice which key villain is there on the premises?

Seriously, it’s all going to be okay. Let’s let the story unfold and judge it on its merits. Sit back and enjoy! Nick Spencer is a wonderful writer, and if you drop the book due to unwarranted outrage, you may miss a very enriching tale.

librarianwardrobe: Scholarly Communications Librarian Los...

Wed, 27 Jan 2016 19:16:47 -0500

librarianwardrobe:

Scholarly Communications Librarian

Los Alamos National Laboratory

J. Robert Oppenheimer Research Library

New Mexico

Particles and Pinstripes

Oh my word…*fans self*. He can disseminate info to me any day.

obviousplant: I made up some fake events for my local library

Thu, 07 Jan 2016 20:23:11 -0500

obviousplant:

I made up some fake events for my local library

You’re our wooftastic hero!

Mon, 10 Aug 2015 00:15:13 -0400

Thanks! I'm trying to represent!But, who am I representing for? I'm a cub, right? Or am I a full-on bear? I think I am too chubby and too short to be an otter but my definition could be off? Is cub determined more by size or age?Being gay can be so confusing!!

I lost track of that years ago. The categories are so nebulous. I have met younger guys who claim to be bears, older guys who claim to be cubs, vice versa, guys with very little hair claiming to be otters or wolves, guys who claim to be Tasmanian tigers....

I think you’re just a nerd, uncannybrettwhite. ;-) A wooftastic nerd, but just a nerd.

Thank you to the wonderful and talented Jeff Smith bonecomic for...

Fri, 26 Jun 2015 14:57:06 -0400

Thank you to the wonderful and talented Jeff Smith bonecomic for this touching sketch to commemorate this historic day!

MY REACTION TO MARRIAGE EQUALITY

Fri, 26 Jun 2015 12:55:58 -0400

librarianproblems:

HOLY F*CK, I JUST WATCHED DISNEY'S FROZEN

Tue, 16 Jun 2015 15:40:44 -0400

antifreezeteam-go:

jckphnx:

My Late Movie Review: How Late? A Few Fucking Months.

Holy fuck. This movie is so unbelievably fuck-full of awesome. It’s like someone took everything that makes Disney movies great and crammed it up this movie’s frigid keister. Have you seen this shit? Have you? Have your kids? I just watched a digital copy of this movie FROM MY FUCKING TABLET, and I was blown the fuck away. Why, oh, why did I wait so long to see this movie, jeezuscriste!

Let’s start with the plot. That heart-humping plot. You find me a better plot from a Disney movie, and I will eat my shit. I mean it. Dynamic and empowered (in various “holy shit”-inducing ways) female characters, that’s what’s in store for your ass. But you already know that, don’t you, because I’m so goddamn late seeing this movie.

And that powerful message about being yourself and giving fucknothing what people may think of your differences. To celebrate who you are and what makes you special and not hide it like a cowardly and ashamed little bitch. Those are the lessons you breeders need to be teaching your spawn, ladies and gentlemen. Look at how much god-awfulness happened because Elsa was forced to deny her true self! No, parents, you teach your shitty, little teet-leeches to fucking flaunt what the god you may-or-may-not-believe-in gave ‘em like a Kentucky stripper flaunts the pimples around her poorly-shaven snizz.

And, holy shit, that whole bit about marrying someone you just met and the whole twist on an act of true love? Was that fucking commentary on Disney itself? Are they actually saying something subversive about their own tropes? How meta! You’re so tits, Disney!

Setting = Awesome.

Characters = Awesome +.

Animation = Awesome + Rockin’ it!

This Pixar-less Disney flick gives Pixar Disney flicks a run for their money. Why? Because she has Iceman powers! Fucking Iceman, man! He cometh! He cometh in the form of Elsa, the ultimate badass! She’s got all the nigh-martial art, waterbender action goin’ that I just was not expecting from a goddamn Disney princess movie. That moment when she decides that not nearly enough of everything is frozen solid and builds herself a Fortress of Solitude: I, and every other gay man I’m sure, nearly jizzed. All over. But I don’t shoot white stuff nearly as elegantly as Elsa, the White Queen.

And speaking of that scene; best Disney song EVER. No, there is no argument here. Just stop it. Fucking stop arguing with me. All your arguments are without merit, because, clearly, you’re just being sentimental. Yes, I know you grew up in the Disney Renaissance, so did I. But all the Little Mermaids and the Beauty and the Beasts can eat shit and move the fuck over thanks to one goddamn song. "Let It Go"was like ecstasy for my ears, the drug AND the feeling. Nothing beats it, and you know that I’m right, so your childhood memories of growing up with the finest Disney had to offer can go to hell, because this new generation has it now. We can only hope that this fucking movie is a harbinger of more greatness to come, essentially giving us the Shocker. But instead of two in the pink and one in the stink, it’s finger-bangin’ your ears and eyes without lube but WITH Broadway style music and stunning CGI.

Give it to me, Disney. Give me more, yeah, oh god, give me more harder! And fast!

And if you haven’t seen this yet, for chrissakes don’t wait a moment longer!

I Rate It: Fuck YEAH!

So you mean that we have to forgot of actually well written movies just because Frozen had one catchy song?
Seriously, in that last part you sound like if you are five. I’m OK if you want to forget about all Disney movies and focus on Frozen, but i’m not ok if you force people to do so.
Just chill out bruh.

Let It Go, Let It Go, Oh, Petulant Chico

chrissamnee: officialnatasharomanoff: and this is why melissa...

Mon, 01 Jun 2015 22:19:06 -0400

chrissamnee:

officialnatasharomanoff:

and this is why melissa fumero is perfect for kirsten mcduffie

**I APPROVE OF THIS WHOLEHEARTEDLY**

X-Men #80 (October, 1998) - autographed

Sat, 23 May 2015 15:50:50 -0400

X-Men #80 (October, 1998) - autographed:

mycomicmemories:

What’s Inside:

The X-Men are broken and scattered after an attack from a new group of mutants calling themselves “X-Men” and led by a mysterious doppelganger claiming to be Professor X. Stranded in the swamps of southern United States, the X-Men must find a way to regroup, recover, and…

Sometimes one can witness beautiful things at a public library....

Thu, 21 May 2015 14:50:44 -0400

Sometimes one can witness beautiful things at a public library. Like good parenting.

zeddfrost: So I guess Bendis is leaving with one hell of a...

Mon, 20 Apr 2015 23:53:09 -0400

zeddfrost:

So I guess Bendis is leaving with one hell of a parting gift. All New X-Men #40, out this Wednesday.

The Superior Spider-Man #1, second printing (January, 2013) - autographed

Sat, 18 Apr 2015 15:55:45 -0400

The Superior Spider-Man #1, second printing (January, 2013) - autographed:

mycomicmemories:

What’s Inside:

Peter Parker is dead. Mostly. Sorta. Not really. His body is inhabited by the villainous Doctor Octopus, who switched minds with Peter, leaving him to die in Doc Ock’s body. But Otto has vowed to uphold Spider-Man’s mission of heroics and, in fact, be a SUPERIOR…

brianmichaelbendis: Brian Bendis on Those ‘Marvel Hates the...

Wed, 15 Apr 2015 23:52:26 -0400

brianmichaelbendis:

Brian Bendis on Those ‘Marvel Hates the X-Men’ Rumors - IGN Interview

MekaGojira3k's YOU WANNA START A CHEAP GOJI COLLECTION? RECOMMENDATION GUIDE AND PLANS FOR BETTER LIVING THROUGH PLASTIC.

Thu, 09 Apr 2015 11:33:46 -0400

mekagojira3k:

Bandai Creation SD Set - Godzilla, MechaGodzilla, Destroyah, King Ghidorah, Mothra, and Gigan - 6 Figures for around 20.00

These 6 Inch Bandai Creation Figures go for 13-ish bucks. Godzilla 54, 2014, GMK Ghidorah are pretty plentiful but you can still find King Seesar and some older figures out and about.
Minimates should run 20-23 bucks, depending on where you get them. Two Sets are out so far, neat little articulated versions of some popular and more obscure kaiju.
More SDs! These are, what? 7 or 8 bucks? I love these things. The second set with the Male Muto has a bigger Godzilla. Love these so much, and I hope BC does another set of SDs in the future.
The Tokyo Vinyl figures are really cool, but that may just be me. They’re a bit pricier 14-15 bucks, but they come in a nice box. The sculpts are full of character I just wish they’d put out the Ghidorah sculpt they’ve been sitting on forever.
Yay for tiny buildings. These sets are about 10-ish. Tiny 4 Inch Monsters, a vehicle and some buildings. Earlier sets have the gray buildings. I’d recommend these just for the buildings….buildings…
Did I say buildings?
Ah, the NECA figures. Questionable decisions abound, but these 20 dollar figures are actually pretty great. The NECA Legend-Goji should still be floating around (I found one in a wal-mart in eastern, ky so that tells you something). So 84, 94, 95, 2014 and a 54 coming out soon. People rag on these things all of the time, but for this price they’re not a bad decision.
Diamond Select Banks! - These run somewhere between 20 and 22 dollars. The MechaGodzilla and Ghidorah are much better than the Godzilla. I own the Ghidorah and it’s beautiful and totally worth the 20 bucks.
MORE DIAMOND SELECT BANKS. These are a bit more expensive 25-30 or so. But, they’re around 11-12 inches tall. They have Bio-Goji, a Bio-Goji as Burning Godzilla, MechaGodzilla 74, and a Megaro-Goji coming out soon. Plus they announced a gorgeous looking Fire Rodan.
Now, I know the earlier question was about saving money, but this dude has settled price-wise. 45-50. HE’S GIGANTIC AND EASILY ONE OF MY FAVORITE PURCHASES OF 2014. Oh my god. Love this guy.
Oh, and I recommended Godzilla Eggs. The Muto and Legend-Goji Godzilla Eggs are supposed to show up stateside this year, so check those out. The Muto is especially good.

iworkatapubliclibrary: The importance of label placement.

Thu, 26 Mar 2015 11:34:06 -0400

iworkatapubliclibrary:

The importance of label placement.

fruk-ya:Ok so my brother got this Marvel poster book and I thought it looked pretty cool so I...

Tue, 24 Mar 2015 11:41:35 -0400

fruk-ya:

Ok so my brother got this Marvel poster book and I thought it looked pretty cool so I decided to check it out
I was laughing at this one for hours
I love how in character these all are
what even is this book
thIS IS WHERE I LOST MY SHIT

aspieat221b: Progression of the sign through the issues. (Taken...

Mon, 23 Mar 2015 17:13:44 -0400

aspieat221b:

Progression of the sign through the issues. (Taken from Volume 4, Issues 1, 3, and 10.)